Who The Hell Will They Draft 2009: Penn State WR Derrick Williams
by Brad Wells on Mar 19, 2009 12:17 PM EDT
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We kick-off our WTHWTD 2009 coverage with a position the Colts have a long history of drafting in the first round: Wide Receiver. Contrary to what many hear want, the fact remains that the WR position is weaker than it was last year, and this Colts team is built around its offense. Debate all you want about running the football, but you win in this league throwing the ball. Look no further than the two teams who played in the Super Bowl. Both had mediocre running games, and both beat very good running teams on their way to Tampa Bay. For the Colts, while fixing the running game and shoring up the interior of the d-line are important, nothing is more important than giving Peyton Manning as many weapons as possible.
When you give the best QB in football (and the 2008 NFL MVP) weapons, you tend to win games; lots and lots of games.
So, after establishing all that, the first WR we are going to profile is Penn State's Derrick Williams, a player who might be the most under-rated first round prospect.
This picture is inserted to make mgrex03 cry, cry, and cry some more
Photo: blog.pennlive.com
Guys like Percy Harvin and Kenny Britt are getting a lot of chatter because of their Pro Day and Combine performances. However, flying under the radar (or as under the radar as a first day prospect can get) is Derrick Williams. Williams' school, Penn State, was no joke in 2008. They were serious contenders for the National Championship, and spent a majority of the season dominating the Big Ten. One reason they were so affective was Williams, who posted 44 receptions for 485 yards and 4 TDs. Those are not eye-popping, OMG he's Jesus numbers, but they are solid.
However, as solid as his Senior season was, it wasn't until the Senior Bowl that people started taking notice of Williams. He led the game in all-purpose yardage (124 yards) by catching, rushing, and returning kicks. Indeed, after the Senior Bowl, Mocking the Draft took time to note Williams' dominant presence in Mobile, AL:
Derrick Williams, WR, Penn State: With the glut of junior receivers coming out, Williams had to prove himself and he did. Outside of good height, Williams displayed everything a team could look for in a receiver. He could slip into the early second round based on his performance in Mobile.
Now, Mocking Dan at MTD statement of "early second round" was made prior to Williams' Combine performance or his Pro Day performance. Oh, and before we get yet another dumb "The Combine and Pro Day stuff is meaningless" comment, I will kindly point the anti-Combine people to this article and ask them to STFU now. While the Combine is not the be-all-and-end-all in determining the "value" of a draft prospect, the fact of the matter is if you perform well at the Combine, chances are you will become a pretty good player. And if Combine performance coupled with solid college production translate into a promising pro career, then Derrick Williams is as much on track with his as any other WR prospect in this draft.
Williams performed well in Combine drills, but did run a "slow" 40-yard dash with a 4.58 timed speed. However, many allegations have come out post-Combine that the timing clocks were off. More fuel was added to this fire when Derrick Williams posted a 4.37 timed speed at his Pro Day, impressing many scouts in attendance.
At 6'0, 194 pounds, Williams is exactly the kind of WR the Colts like. As you will often hear me say in several draft profiles, height is one of the most over-rated "traits" people factor in when it comes to evaluating a player. Marvin Harrison is 6'0, and he's the greatest WR not named Jerry Rice (who was also 6'0). So, when I hear these idiots yack about how "tall" a WR is, I just ignore it. Tall receivers tend to lack a low center of gravity. They tend to run sloppy routes, and lack quickness. Again, this is in general. And a WR who cannot run a clean, precise route is a garbage WR. A WR without quickness and speed is a limited player. Guys like Keyshawn Johnson, Matt Jones, Buster Davis, and pretty much every WR drafted by the Detroit Lions (sans Calvin Johnson) all fit the "he's tall, let's draft him!" category. Meanwhile, the Marvin Harrisons, Torry Holts, Issac Bruces, Hines Wards, and Steve Smiths of this league dominate the WR position.
From Mocking the Draft:
Strengths: An excellent athlete with incredible speed and agility. Top-notch change-direction ability. Much like DeSean Jackson, Williams can break a play open at any time. Dangerous after the catch. Decent hands, even though he sometimes catches passes in his body. Intelligent player who has played several different positions. Quick off the snap. A competitive player who became one of Penn State’s team captains as a senior.
From NFLDraftCountDown:
Excellent athleticism...Has good speed and plays fast...Extremely quick...Terrific change of direction skills...Very elusive...Outstanding vision...Runs well after the catch...Solid ball skills...Tough with adequate strength...Not afraid to work the middle...Gives good effort as a blocker...Fantastic return man...Offers a lot of versatility...Very competitive...Intelligent...Mature...Solid intangibles... Still has upside.
From NFLDraftScout (via NFL.com/Combine):
Uses moves and his hands to get off press coverage. Lines up in the slot and outside. Finds holes in the end zone and presents a target. Typically solid hands, catching the ball away from his frame. Cognizant of the sidelines, can tightrope or tiptoe to stay in-bounds. Good hands on returns, catching punts over his shoulder if necessary. Retains the catch after a big hit. Excellent straight-line speed and quickness, able to make the first defender miss. Takes direct snaps and handoffs, and is willing to run tough inside. Shows nice vision and toughness after the catch, as a returner and getting the occasional carry as a running back. Very willing blocker downfield, using his strength, good angles and sound technique to keep safeties and corners out of the play. Team captain as a senior, vocal leader in practice and during games. Deflects credit to his teammates after big games. Stayed positive leader while not putting up huge numbers.
The character traits that NFL.com cites are important because the colts are very big into drafting high character people. While his numbers at Penn State were not insane, he didn't point fingers at the QB, offensive coordinator, or complain that he wasn't getting the football enough. Williams is also a willing and able blocker; a must in an offense that utilizes stretch run plays and selling the defense on play action fakes.
The intriguing punting and kicking abilities Williams has displayed are also worth noting. The Colts were dead last in punt and kick returns in 2008, and while Pierre Garcon is solid prospect, the fact of the matter is Williams is a better receiver and returner than Garcon right now. And like Garcon, Williams has loads of upside.
Derrick Williams is very good getting YAC (yards after catch)
Photo: www.playsportstv.com
So, what are the negatives?
Became something of a gadget player who caught and ran the ball and played special teams. Isn’t the best route runner and doesn’t seem to like going over the middle to make difficult catches. Bulk is something of a concern. Has had some minor injury concerns throughout his career.
Will drop too many catchable balls...Durability might be a concern...Has room to improve as a route runner...Very inconsistent...Was not overly productive and might be somewhat of an underachiever...Jack-of-all-Trades, a master of none?
NFLDraftScout (via NFL.com/Combine):
Is not have the short-area quickness or elusiveness as most of the top NFL returners. Needs to work a bit on his footwork coming in and out of routes. Does not always separate from defenders as his timed speed would indicate. Concentration lapses occasionally when trying to make a move after the catch.
All these negatives are a big cause for alarm. WRs that can't run precise routes and can't consistently catch the friggin' ball (which is, you know, what WRs are paid to do) just aren't worth the time of day. I don't care how fast, tall, or "bulky" the dude is. Run and catch is the WR's game. If he can't do both, he sucks. End of story.
Typically, the Colts avoid players with "catching" issues. As the story goes, many year ago Bill Polian once told his scouts he didn't want to see any reports on players who couldn't catch. Their speed, height, and upside were meaningless if they couldn't catch. He said (paraphrasing), We have the best quarterback on the planet. Why would we give him someone who can't catch his perfect passes? This is why Polian drafted players like Reggie Wayne and Anthony Gonzalez. These guys catch EVERYTHING thrown at them, and if you want to make it as a Colts WR, you better catch everything thrown at you, because if you don't the "P Man" will stop looking your way, and you'll soon be bagging his groceries instead of hauling in his TDs.
Despite the route-running and catching concerns, Williams' connection to Penn State could move him up on the Colts' radar. Colts coach Jim Caldwell used to coach with Joe Paterno at Penn State, and Polian has an excellent relationship as well with Paterno and his staff. So, if those Penn State coaches guys tell Polian that Williams has what it takes, the Colts will indeed move Williams up their draft board. Another Penn State connection is new special teams coach Ray Rychleski, who worked with Caldwell and Paterno at Penn State many years ago.
Williams is slotted as a second round pick, but do not be surprise if Indy snatches him in round one, especially if many of the other WR prospects are gone. Derrick Williams' attitude, speed, and leadership make him a solid fit for Indy's offense. And he is very much on Bill Polian's radar. That much is certain.
This video is inserted to make certain that mgrex03 is still crying
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I would be very surprised if they took Derrick Williams in the 1st
but it would still fall under “In Polian We Trust”.
They ball when they can and I'm ballin' by nature
Addicted to the game like Jordan and Peyton
-Lil Wayne "Fireman"
I'm immune to anything from the 2007 season
The fact that PSU was losing at that point in the game tells me alot.
Honestly, Williams seems like the same player as Gonzalez, but not nearly as talented. Williams had a lot of hype coming out of high school, and never seemed to live up to it. The WR class is so deep this year, I think the Colts should pass on Williams.
This picture is much better. Down by 4 TDs in the 3rd quarter, they tried to get cute. The results were not good for Williams. The ’06 game should have ended 41-3. Video is at about 3:30.
NFC North and NFC South writer for SB Nation's NFL Draft blog: Mocking the Draft
Love it
I remember being there and trying to calculate how far the ball went backwards. Ndukwe was a monster.
"I saw a commercial on late night TV, it said,'Forget everything you know about slipcovers.' So I did. And it was a load off my mind. Then the commercial tried to sell me slipcovers, and I didn't know what the hell they were."
-Mitch Hedberg
Interesting
How you can gloss over an entire season yet can gloat about ND’s only decent win in recent history. Oh but you almost beat USC that one time! Congrats on the Hawaii Bowl win though, that was huge.
1st Rounder?
Maybe a 2nd, but if they are going to look at WR in the first, and Harvin is available, I would much rather take Percy. He looked damn good at his pro day, has tremendous upside, is great in open space, and presents a playmaking dynamic that I haven’t seen on the Colts in…..well, ever.
Can you imagine....
Wayne and Gonzo on the outside, Clark on the line or in the slot, and Harvin on the other side? How does a team even defend that? Also, Addai gets a spread field and can work in space, which suits him best too. Can you say…“greatest show on field-turf?”
I am interested in this guy
but as others have pointed out, I dont want him in the first. Maybe not even in the second if he has catching issues. Who I (and Polian) are really interested in at the WR position is Hakeem Nicks. The guy looks terrific on tape. Cant wait till you do a draft profile on him
I'm with you on that
I think Hakeem Nicks would be a really good pickup for the Colts. If Peria Jerry is gone and Nicks is still on the board, I wouldn’t mind the Colts picking him up.
I like Hood in the 1st
and Robiskie in the 2nd.
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
I covered my feelings about a WR earlier
But would like to point out the fact that Williams was the THIRD most productive receiver on PSU.
Butler – 47 receptions, 810 yards, 7 TDs
Norwood – 41 receptions, 637 yards, 6 TDs
Williams – 44 receptions, 485 yards, 4 TDs
I’d also like to point out that I do think combine numbers are important to backup film tape and productivity, but the production is more important. As a returner he’d be great, as a receiver…not sold. As a third rounder…maybe. As a second rounder no. As a first rounder? You seriously have to be kidding. No seriously, you HAVE to be kidding. Do you know how many receivers would have to be gone for that to be even remotely possible? Unless you rate him higher than Harvin, Hicks, Heyward-Bey, Britt, Inglesias, and Robiskie (I didn’t put Crabtree or Maclin because that’s just crazy) that’d be a HUGE reach. And I wouldn’t rate him higher as any of those guys as a receiver. Maybe as a returner I’d put him behind Maclin, Harvin, and maybe even Heyward-Bey. And for the record, I’m not a huge fan of Heyward-Bey either.
And granted, we may take BPA and it may be a receiver, but Williams isn’t even remotely close to best receiver available in the first round. At least six of the eight receivers I listed would have to go for that to be considered best receiver. Name six teams that would consider WR a need. I’ll even go as far to say need as a second receiver, although generally 1st round receivers are picked for need as a 1 receiver eventually if not right away.
St. Louis
Cleveland
Cincinatti
Oakland
Jacksonville
Jets
I’ll put Baltimore and Minnesota to make it a solid 8.
Alright, now say they all decide to take one. So that means that only 18 other players from ALL the other positions have been taken that aren’t WRs come our pick. The way I see it, if you account for all the legit players who wouldn’t be reaches in the first that aren’t WRs there’s (and I’ll be conservative)
2 DTs – Raji, Jerry
4 OTs – J. Smith, Oher, Monroe, A. Smith
1 C – Mack
2 DEs – Orakpo, Brown
2 MLBs – Curry, Maulauga
2 OLBs – Cushing, Matthews
1 TE – Pettigrew
2 CBs – Davis, Jenkins
1 S – Smith
2 QB – Stafford, Sanchez (even if they drop, which they might, someone will probably trade back in to get them before the second.)
2 RB – Moreno, Wells
That’s 21 players that are LOCKS for the first round unless something happens between now and the draft. Granted, I think Mack will probably go to the Steelers, so we can say 20 locks. And then you have the 1st round potentials, or slight reaches.
1 DT – Hood
2 OTs – Beatty, Britton
1 C – Unger
4 DEs – Jackson, Johnson, Maybin, English
1 MLB – Laurinaitis
1 OLB – Sintim
0 TE
3 CBs – Butler, Moore, A. Smith
2 S – Delmas, Moore
1 QB – Freeman
2 RB – D. Brown, McCoy
And personally, I’d take Hood, Beatty, Britton, and Laurinaitis well before Williams. And that’s not even accounting for player slide. For example, Cincy, Oakland, and the Jags all take receivers, Raji falls to GB. Which tackles go before Cincy’s pick? Jason Smith to Detroit, one to Seattle (I’ll say they take Monroe just for the heck of it)? So Stafford, Orakpo, A. Smith, Oher, Brown and the rest are there at pick 10. And this is where the domino effect starts and how I’d predict the fallout :
SF – Orakpo (Rush LB is arguably their biggest need and Orakpo is the clear LB to do it)
BUF – E. Brown (they need a DE and constant Freeney/Brown comparisons abound)
DEN – Cushing/Stafford (depending on the Cutler situation but I’ll say Cushing atm)
WAS – Oher (no brainer, probably their pick if he slips anyway)
NO – Davis/Jenkins (I say Jenkins because he suits their system better and could play S)
HOU – Jerry/S. Smith (depends if they want to go for a sick line or balance their secondary. However, I think they go for Jerry to also block Indy from having a chance)
SD – A. Smith (SD needs a RT and at the worst A. Smith projects as a pro bowl RT)
NYJ – Listed as a receiver (for some reason they pass on Stafford Wells etc.)
CHI – M. Johnson (I forgot to list them as a WR participant, but they get a 6’7 266lb 4.59 DE which they need as much or more)
TB – Stafford (falls all the way to 19 and makes McCown a Sad Panda)
DET – Sanchez (Woo, they barely miss on getting both Smith and Stafford, and who knows, maybe TB thinks McCown’s the guy but Detroit still makes out)
PHI – Pettigrew (They need a TE and a O-lineman, they take someone who may not be elite, but decent at both)
MIN – Listed under receiver
NE – Matthews (Need LB and get their elite rush OLB prospect)
ATL – Maualuga (They’ll play him at WILL or SAM learning under Peterson)
MIA – V. Davis (No brainer, one of the best players, 25th pass defense, lost Crowder)
BAL – Listed under receiver
Phew. Alright, now it’s our pick. We have the choice of Derrick Williams!!! or
Hood, Beatty, Britton, Laurinaitis, Moreno, Wells, Mack, Butler, T. Jackson, Butler, English, Brown, Moore, S. Smith, McCoy, Sintim and several others.
Who on that list does Derrick Williams rate higher than as a first round pick? I’d reach for Duke Robinson in the first before Williams.
Jim Sorgi runs a 4.6 40. That's all I've got to say about that.
I honestly feel
That Williams would be a great 3rd round pick. Like you, I agree that he should not be a first or second rounder, however. His return ability and raw talent, to me, is definitely worth a third round pick.
by metal_militia on Mar 20, 2009 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree
I’d take him in the 3rd. Although Deon Butler would probably still be there and it’d be a tough choice. Butler was the best receiver for PSU and faster than Williams. Butler ran an official 4.31-4.38 and an unofficial 4.26 at the combine. And he had a 17.2 ypc average. Oh dang, he’s from my hometown, that’s it, I’m sold. Sorry Derrick Williams, Deon Butler’s my 3rd round pick. That’s a shame.
Williams potential as a returner and a slot receiver is definitely worth a 3rd round consideration.
Jim Sorgi runs a 4.6 40. That's all I've got to say about that.
What catches my eye about Butler
… is that when he actually did have someone close to a competent passing quarterback, Michael Robinson in ’05 and Daryll Clark in ’08, in those respective years he scored 9 TDs on 37 catches and 7 TDs on 47 receptions.
Unfortunately for the young lad he had Anthony Morelli for those two years in between. Yuck.
A big thing for the Colts is the ability to score touchdowns and make the most of plays on a limited number of touches, because if they are drafted by the Colts, they might get the ball only so much thanks to the ball being spread to other talents on offense. Butler’s experience as one of three receivers in an offense that also highlights the runningback, perhaps that’s actually looked at as a positive for the Colts because it’s somewhat of a similar situation, in that he’s able to succeed with those types of demands.
I don’t think he’s done much in the way of returns on special teams though, it might be a complete learning experience.for him but one would hope he could contribute there immediately.
by project geo on Mar 21, 2009 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions
receiver
id put need ahead of draft board rating—polian has proven he doesnt—best available player is his way—-but given the circumstances who knows—-who would have put ugoh as high as we took him—-who had edge over ricky williams—granted we have garcon—roy hall and some other receivers that polian seems to high on—but when youre built around your offense you keep it replenished—-our defense will be different this year but polians utter desire to make lb’s expendable seems to suggest he wont draft one high—addai was the third back at lsu and we took him (may or may not have been a mistake) look for gonzolez to move outside and someone like williams that is not afraid to go across the middle—is good at getting off the line and beating the press coverage would be a good fit. penn st. offensive system wasnt exactly receiver friendly with such a versatile mobile quaterback. the best dt’s in the draft will be gone early and the rest will be available in later rounds. our secondary doesnt need a first round pick— and laurenitis reminds me a lot of andy katzenmoyer—-a good player that might not excel. i dont see us drafting a rb that high and obviously not a qb in the first round. defensive ends arent really a pressing issue at the moment although some size against the run would be nice— we have phillip wheeler and buster davis coming back as well as brackett and session. it seems to me if any position warrants a first round pick by the colts it would be receiver. manning is the bread and butter of the colts and he needs people to feed passes to. offensive line—-up in the air—i look to see improvement on run blocking with last years rookies understanding the blocking schemes better. and i think the best offensive lineman are gone by the time we pick. WR seems the clear pick which probably means polian wont draft one-lol
is your period key broken?
They ball when they can and I'm ballin' by nature
Addicted to the game like Jordan and Peyton
-Lil Wayne "Fireman"
by shake n bake on Mar 19, 2009 5:40 PM EDT up reply actions
I thought it was supposed to be read as one sentance
I didn’t even take a breath.
Your Mom
the post is quality
but just so ugly.
They ball when they can and I'm ballin' by nature
Addicted to the game like Jordan and Peyton
-Lil Wayne "Fireman"
by shake n bake on Mar 19, 2009 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions
maybe it's a poem
id put need ahead of draft board rating—
polian has proven he doesnt—
best available player is his way—-
but given the circumstances who knows—-
who would have put ugoh as high as we took him—-
who had edge over ricky williams—
granted we have garcon—
roy hall and some other receivers that polian seems to high on—
but when youre built around your offense you keep it replenished—-
our defense will be different this year but polians utter desire to make lb’s expendable seems to suggest he wont draft one high—
They ball when they can and I'm ballin' by nature
Addicted to the game like Jordan and Peyton
-Lil Wayne "Fireman"
by shake n bake on Mar 19, 2009 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Ya im really curious about some of these comments
If for some reason Polian drafts solely on need, which he wont. How is receiver our biggest need? They will be a slot receiver, and might not even get more catches than Clark. Dont get me wrong, I would love to see someone like Harvin or Williams on the Colts along with Wayne, Gonzo, and Clark. They would also add a much needed spark to our return game. But I dont think we NEED a 1st round WR. Especially when you take into account Garcon’s potential.
If Garcon is not the answer, this years group of receivers is very deep. There is alot of talent at this position compared to our other “need” positions.
by ColtsPurdueFanFromKY on Mar 19, 2009 7:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Harvin
Is seriously the only guy that I could label as “need” for all the dimensions he offers. He’s a better receiver and a better RB than Williams. Williams might have the edge on him in returns, but Harvin has some nice moves too. That is, if Maclin is gone.
That being said, I think Harvin will be gone by our pick. He had a very good pro day. He’ll be taken by some team that tries to use him as a #1 receiver for a few years then label him a bust. It’d be pretty much the same thing as using Peyton as a scrambling QB. Sorry, I just made myself laugh. Maybe not that extreme but you get the picture.
There would also have to be more than a couple guys gone for me to really label Harvin as a “need” and BPA.
Jim Sorgi runs a 4.6 40. That's all I've got to say about that.
Awesome. Just awesome!
It’d be pretty much the same thing as using Peyton as a scrambling QB. Sorry, I just made myself laugh.
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Mar 19, 2009 7:24 PM EDT up reply actions
lol that's a first
This line will remain in my signature until the Colts draft Rashad Jennings in 2009.
Oh and I write words and stuff for Stampede Blue.
Eh
It was receiver friendly enough for him to be the 3rd most productive receiver. As for going over the middle "Isn’t the best route runner and doesn’t seem to like going over the middle to make difficult catches. "
He’d be nice to take as a slot receiver/returner, but other than Harvin that rates a 3rd round pick at best.
And Laurinaitis may remind you of a good player that doesn’t excel, but Derrick Williams reminds me of the third most productive receiver on his team and a potential returner that never lived up to his potential in college. If you’re not living up to your potential against college defenses…
And you’re assuming, incorrectly, that Polian is the sole person who has input as to which players are drafted. I seem to remember “Polian” drafting Mike Peterson in the 2nd round in 1999 and Rob Morris in the first in 2000. So what, did he see the light or were his coaches providing the input? I also recall Denver drafting Terry Pierce in the 2nd round the year Coyer became the DC and D.J. Williams being drafted in the 1st the following year.
So the best DTs might be gone early so let’s reach for a player that projects as a slot/returner going in the bottom of the second at the high end? But I do agree with you on one thing, since several people are saying we should take a DT or a WR, I’m confident we’re taking a LB or a Safety and converting him to LB. And you might want to reread that sentence about Wheeler, Davis, Session, and Brackett. One of them is in his final year coming off a pretty bad foot injury, one of them showed potential (less than Keiaho did his first season), one of them sucks, and one of them never saw playing time and had Hagler and Davis start in front of him which I can only assume means they had no faith in him by the end of the year.
I already wrote how I’m against drafting a receiver in the 1st, but come on, at least try to make a case for a first round receiver to draft. This is such a stupid 1st round projection it’s laughable. Ramses Barden is twice the prospect as a receiver as Wiliams. (this video sucks but oh well http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=ramses+barden&hl=en&emb=0&aq=f#q=ramses+barden+highlights&hl=en&emb=0 )
I’m not saying I don’t like Williams because I do. In fact, if this had been “Here’s a guy that stands a good chance to be available in the 3rd round.” I’d say great choice, you’re on the spot with the type of guy that would help out in the slot and as a returner. But 1st round? No way. That turned a thumbs up, I hope we get him pick into a “Man, what a terrible idea.” Then again, I’d still rather see what Peyton can do with a 6’6 230 lb receiver with decent speed, huge hands, and superb intelligence. I’m talking about Barden right there. I think Barden is going to seriously surprise some people with how high he’s going to be taken. I think he’s going to go bottom second to mid third at the low.
Jim Sorgi runs a 4.6 40. That's all I've got to say about that.
LB
I think LB is the greatest “need” on the team right now. Not only are they thin (no pun intended) at the position, but the overall quality isn’t where we would really like it to be either. Especially if they run some 4-2-5 formations, as some of you suggest, more size is needed at LB or else we will get abused more times than not on run plays.
As for the current LBs, Brackett is the closest thing we have to a smart player, Davis is better suited for special teams, Session is still a work in progress and needs more fine-tuning, and I don’t know what to think about Wheeler. But, for all we know, Wheeler didn’t get any playing time last year not because he wasn’t talented enough, but because Dungy wanted to have the most lightweight lineup possible and he either A) refused to play DT or B) refused to lose 10 more pounds.
Draft strategy
Assuming Polian wants Williams, I am not sure he’d take him in the 1st. He “reached” on Freeney at 11 but IIRC did not want to risk losing him and could not trade down to 20 or so where the pundits assumed he’d fall. IIRC he could have traded down below that but thought it too risky. But it worked (trading down to the 2nd) to get Sanders when they saw no guys they wanted in the first.
So without the value chart in front of me, I could see trading away the 27th pick for some pick in the 35-45 range, plus another 3rd for next year or whatever makes up the difference. Of course who is in those 15 slots behind us and what their needs are matters.
But it does look like some decent talent will fall our way (3rd/4th DT, 4th/5th WR) … it’s just a matter of whether or not Bill & Co place similar value on them as the rest of the world. I am sure that after draft day there will be plenty of wailing if we don’t pick Harvin or Jerry or other guys who seemed to have slipped past where everyone expected them to go and whom we passed on as well for whatever reason. And unless there’s a freak injury (making those erstwhile picks more important had they happened), by week 10 or so next season we’ll be content with the #1.
And how the hell can anyone pass on a player named Ramses? What we’d need to draft next year is a guy named Moses. (Or a few Trojans, cough cough)
Don’t laugh at 18’s running—we’ll never see it live again, but I remember well his 33-yard TD scamper vs Buffalo in about 2000. I still think he should try it 1-2 times a season, with at least a 50% intention of running OB after a few yards, just to keep the D honest and a DB a few steps closer to protect the backside on what appear to be pass plays," maybe give a WR another yard or two of cushion behind him “just in case.” That extra yard or two slack is the kind of thing 18 to 11 would turn in to a 30-yard gain.
I hate Joe Namath. That's how long I've been a Colts fan.
I forget who it was
I’m pretty sure it was Peyton. It was like 5 years ago or something. Either way it was someone with the mobility very similar to Peyton if it wasn’t him. Anyway, I’m watching the game and no joke he tried to juke. The only thing was, his feet never moved. It was after like a 7 yard gain or something. I seriously started laughing hysterically. It might’ve been Bledsoe come to think of it.
Jim Sorgi runs a 4.6 40. That's all I've got to say about that.
Bledsoe is the least mobile QB ever
Peyton runs faster than you’d expect, but just as awkwardly.
They ball when they can and I'm ballin' by nature
Addicted to the game like Jordan and Peyton
-Lil Wayne "Fireman"
by shake n bake on Mar 19, 2009 8:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Peyton could run a 4.2
And still be a terrible scrambler. John Elway never looked like a swan but he was a decent scrambler.
Jim Sorgi runs a 4.6 40. That's all I've got to say about that.
Harvin and Nicks will probably be long gone by the time our Colts are on the clock at 27th. With Polian it is also about value and talent. If he believes that Derick Williams will add value to the team as both special teams returner as well as WR then he maybe very high on the board!! A 40 time of 4.37 is pretty good and Williams may also be gone when the Colts are up!
Draft
Of course all of these comments suggest that guys like Kiper and McShay know everything about team needs and evaluating player talent, which we should all agree isn’t necessarily true.
I bet there will be several of these players available when pick 27 comes around. That doesn’t mean Polian will pick any of them though.
I guess I wasn't under the impression...
that every “who the hell will they draft” post was intended to be a first round selection. And I respectfully disagree with Monstersbox, Williams would not be a reach if picked late in the second by the Colts, assuming Robiskie is gone, imo.
They're not
Unless the poster says “Williams is slotted as a second round pick, but do not be surprise if Indy snatches him in round one”
Jim Sorgi runs a 4.6 40. That's all I've got to say about that.
by monstersbox on Mar 20, 2009 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions
Personally, there's absolutely no way I would consider Williams in the late 1st
And I cannot imagine him being near consideration for the Colts in the 1st round. Even though production takes somewhat of a backseat to their big three – (1) ability/fit; (2) measurables; and (3) character/intelligence – they aim for BPA especially in the first two rounds, which completely rules out Williams at that point. Especially considering the players that should be on the board at the 27th overall pick, or even a much much better fit for the team and less of a reach in Brian Robiskie.
As much as Polian has visions of 2004 running through his head, Williams in the 1st would easily be the worst pick of the Polian era if not his entire career including the years in Buffalo and Carolina. He won’t be a #1 or even a great #2 receiver, and actually might not be any better than a #4 receiver who is an above average return man.
Maybe with the Colts’ late 2nd round pick, although I’d even be hesitant to spend that on Williams. He lacks natural receiving ability and ball skills, such that he is godawful on deep balls, plus I don’t think he plays as fast as his pro day time (4.37) either. What you can do with these faults, as a coaching staff and/or strength & conditioning staff … I’m not sure, but I’d probably rather not find out.
late 3rd round pick is where I place his value, personally.[/b] I might draft Williams then. And if I had the chance to draft Mike Wallace of Ole Miss or even Williams’ teammate Deon Butler there instead, I’d probably do that. Although perhaps the Colts could wait a round and get Butler in the late 4th.Derrick Williams is Big Ten fast
Which is to say, he looks so very fast because everyone else is so very slow. Getting him in say, round 3 would be awesome? First round? Hell naw.
SSSSSSSSS EEEEEEEEEEE CCCCCCCCCCCC SPEED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(sorry I’m still having fun with that from the SC-Iowa bowl game).
Is Bob Sanders “Big Ten Fast”? Kelvin Hayden? Anthony Gonzalez? Roy Hall? Dallas Clark? Jim Sorgi runs a 4.6 40.
yeah the Big Ten still holds on to it’s Power Running roots to an extent, but to suggest that they don’t have anyone that can run is just ignorant.
They say "he's so arrogant, the cocky kind"
but they always lookin', 'cause I'ma shine,
-Lil Wayne & Birdman "Get Your Shine On"
by shake n bake on Mar 22, 2009 10:32 PM EDT up reply actions
You're damn skippy he runs a 4.6
Jim Sorgi runs a 4.6 40. That's all I've got to say about that.
by monstersbox on Mar 22, 2009 11:30 PM EDT up reply actions
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