I see a lot of people are expecting us to draft a rookie to start but I'm not real big on penciling in ANY rookie as a starter. I wouldn't be ok with any plan that involves putting a rookie in a starting spot on the line automatically.
I want to see Clifton and Tauscher resigned with expectations that they start. Going into training camp/preseason expecting a line like -
Cliffy, Spitz/Lang, Wells/Spitz, Sitton, Tauscher - is much better IMO because you know all of the guys on your line CAN actually play their position. You draft 2 maybe 3 lineman with at least 1 in the first 2 rounds and expect them to play backup.
If the rookies impress and win a starting spot all the better. I just do not want to see a repeat of last season where we are rocking a first time starter (Barbre) at a very important position because we didn't really leave any other option.
"warhawk" wrote:
I have always felt that rookies should be brought in slow, however, depending on the position, the higher picks and the first round pick in particular should make contributions early. You pay those guys too much cash to be sitting.
Almost every first round tackle ends up on the field early if not from the start. There may be some rough patches along the way but they play. I thought when the Vikes took Loadhold which I believe was in the 2nd he would not be able to go right away but he actually did a good job for them.
The HIGHEST OL we have picked since back when were Colledge and Clifton in round 2 and they both started right away and GB history shows the 1st round pick either starts right away or ultimately turns out to be a bust (other than QB).
2000-Franks
2001-Reynolds
2002-J. Walker
2003-Barnett
2004-A. Carroll
2005-Rodgers
2006-Hawk
2007-Harrell
In fact, looking at this list, you better HOPE the 1st round pick plays right off the bat because from this list (again other than QB) they either contributed right away or NEVER contributed.
Looking at the 2nd round it can also be said for those players as well.
"Stevetarded" wrote: