Yes my friends; I changed my pick in the SB Nation Writers Mock Draft

by BigBlueShoe on Apr 9, 2009 11:13 AM EDT in SB Nation Mock Draft Comment 21 comments

An interesting thing happened last week: A guy from Santa Claus, IN (not far from where I was born) was traded to the Chicago Bears in exchange for Chicago's first round pick, along with other picks. This move sent shock waves through the NFL, and left many a mock draft in shambles. Since I'm one of the editors at Mocking The Draft, I huddled with Mocking Dan and we decided we were going to allow writers to re-pick from #18 onward. We stripped Chicago of their first round pick (originally, WR Jeremy Maclin) and gave it to TheSportsGuru at Mile High Report. Then, over the past weekend, we allowed everyone to re-pick (if they wanted). Th deal was everything had to be settled by Sunday. Otherwise, Mocking Dan and I would need to make picks for people.

But the Cutler trade was not the only bit of news to rock MockDraft Land. The alleged reports of failed drug tests by certain college players scared off some of our writers from drafting them. Thus, when Minnesota was offered the chance to re-pick at #22, they (smartly) passed on Percy Harvin and picked USC QB Mark Sanchez. Personally, I think my write-up on Sanchez swayed Gonzo. Or, maybe he re-watched clips of his new veteran QB impersonating a helicopter last year.

As many of you know, Sanchez was who I picked at #27 for the Colts, pre-Cutler trade. With Sanchez gone this time around, my selection was pretty easy to make: DT Evander "Ziggy" Hood, DT, Missouri.

Now, I'm sure everyone here is as satisfied with the updated Hood pick as they were dissatisfied with the Sanchez one. One thing I made clear in my Sanchez write-up is that the Colts (and Bill Polian) do not pass up top talent when it simply falls into their lap. We saw this in 2001. Everyone screamed GET A DT! and Polian drafted some WR named Reggie Wayne. So, when a franchise-caliber QB falls all the way to #27, I guaran-friggin-tee you that Polian will draft him. You might not like it. You might not agree. Bill Polian really doesn't give a sh*t.

And sorry, but all the negative things I read people writing about Sanchez were just silly nonsense. I'm no USC fan. Far from it. But, after watching several USC games, looking at Sanchez's Combine numbers, and gauging impressions based on his workouts, the guy is going to be a top flight QB in this league provided he lands on a team with a good support system. Talented, young QBs only go as far as their coaches and organization allow them. It's no coincidence that busts like Tom Couch, David Carr, and Joey Harrington were drafted by bad organizations who employed incompetent coaches. Compare this with Peyton Manning, Donovan McNabb, and Eli Manning. Great QBs who were drafted by quality organizations who employed good coaches.

So, take a smart, gifted kid like Sanchez and place him in the Colts environment, and brother, you've got yourself yet another franchise QB wearing the blue shoe. You simply do not pass that up, not matter what DT is out there.

It's interesting in that what I saw after I made the Sanchez pick was most non-Colts fans really admired and liked the pick. From a Giants fan:

This has been the best pick in the Mock so far

however i think that there is absolutely no way he drops this far… Sanchez is a stud and this is a very Polian like move. Obviously with Jerry off the board there is no first round quality DT on the board that fits the Colts system. Very good call BigBlueShoe.

However, while some Colts fans saw merit in the pick, most absolutely hated it. From metal militia:

There is no way I would take Sanchez even if he were available. Take hood or one of the top receivers available, QB will be a need, but we can still wait at least another 2 or 3 years before we go after a top prospect.

In the end, everyone here was made happy. I got to select Evander "Ziggy" Hood. Mind you, in the real draft, I do not expect Sanchez or Hood to fall to Indy at pick #27. Both those guys will be gone in the top 15, easy. QBs and lineman are the building blocks of teams. Way too much emphasis is placed on WRs and RBs.

As of now, the SB Nation Writers Mock Draft is updated and soldiering ahead. We're in the second round, with Detroit making the 33rd pick. Now, I have to think about who I can take in round 2. With DT taken care of, maybe NOW you'd like it if I took a QB. Nate Davis, anyone?

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Sorry BBS...

But the Sanchez pick would probably go down as one of the worst draft picks ever. Reason is because Sanchez…

1. Adds nothing to the team and Manning is still 4-5 years from retirement.

2. Is not that good and was only a starter for one, let me repeat that, ONE year at USC.

3. And least we forget Sanchez is a “Orange County Dunce” right in the mold of a Matt Leinart. In fact, he is a less talented version of Leinart. Scary

The time to draft for Manning’s replacement is not this year, but in the next 2-3 years. Wasting a 1st round pick (especially when this team has glaring holes) on a QB is complete waste of not just the pick, but all of the salary you have to pay Sanchez as a 1st round pick.

I think the Colts, in coming years, will be able to find a good value QB in rounds 2-4 that they can groom to be Manning’s replacement.

by MasterRWayne on Apr 9, 2009 11:22 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Ok, your dissent is noted

You are 100% wrong in my eyes, but since there is likely no way Sanchez will ever fall to the Colts, all this is just fun speculation.

SB Nation's Indianapolis Colts blogger at Stampede Blue. Please make an account and post a diary, add some comments, and make some noise. Accounts are free, and only require an email address.

by BigBlueShoe on Apr 9, 2009 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with MRW

And I’d add that’s there’s absolutely no way Hood is gone in the top 15. Maybe the top 25, but no way he goes in the top 15.

Jim Sorgi runs a 4.6 40. That's all I've got to say about that.

by monstersbox on Apr 9, 2009 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Most definitely agree on ALL points...

Plus, do you think Peyton is ready to get rid of Sorgi? Peyton likes Sorgi’s smarts…I don’t see Sorgi going anywhere until it is time to think about replacing Peyton in 2-3 years. The Colts won’t carry 3 QBs on the active roster, and a 1st rounder is NOT going to want to be on the PS.

The money factor is huge. The ridiculous money Sanchez is going to get (and he ISN’T what I would call good) being a first-round QB pick would put us over the top anyway. I see Ryan Leaf written all over this kid.

"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007

by peytonsthebest on Apr 9, 2009 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm shocked the you didn't use my spectacularly eloquent comment on the pick

icky
by shake n bake on Apr 2, 2009 6:11 PM EDT

I got Summer hatin' on me cuz I'm hotter than the sun. Spring hatin' on me cuz I ain't never sprung
Winter hatin' on me cuz I'm colder than Y'all. And I will never, I will never, I will never Fall.
-Lil Wayne, Mr. Carter

by shake n bake on Apr 9, 2009 11:36 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I like Sanchez

I can’t say I completely disagree with your pick of Sanchez. No way he falls that far, there are too many teams that would take a chance on him like the Broncos, Vikes, and Lions where he would be a decent value.

So there’s no way we can prove what Polian would do in this situation.

I also agree with those that say it’s way too early for the Colts to be looking to replace Peyton. The guy hasn’t missed a day yet, barely takes hits, and plays through injury well. He could have a very long career if he so chooses. To try replacing him at this point would be a bit foolish.

Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?

by halfchest on Apr 9, 2009 11:40 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Poll

We need a poll.

"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007

by peytonsthebest on Apr 9, 2009 11:41 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Obviously I mean no offense here Brad, but this is just another example of someone not understanding the concept of Best Player Available. BPA doesn’t mean you literally snag the overall consensus best player. You draft the best player that will benefit your team. Spending your first round pick one a QB who a lot of other teams would use as their franchise QB so he can be a more expensive version of a clipboard holder is ridiculous, and quite honestly is very irresponsible.

About the Reggie Wayne comment; Polian had a very legit reason to draft Wayne despite the Colts’ need at DT. Wayne was a great WR prospect coming out of Miami, and the Colts didn’t have a solid #2 receiving threat to take some of the heat off of Marvin. Obviously looking back, the move was a good one, but it also became pretty clear pretty quickly why he drafted Wayne.

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.

by KingRichard on Apr 9, 2009 12:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Exactly right

So many people don’t understand the true meaning of BPA. They treat it as “Well player A is ranked #15 and player B is ranked #18 so I must take player A!!!!! (Even though player B would help more)”

Again people the top 50 draft picks are all pretty darn close in terms of talent. There is very little talent difference between a rank #10 player and a rank #15 player. After all we are talking about all the college football players in the world here.

Also, BBS the Reggie Wayne comment was totally stupid. I gotta call your bull there. The major difference is that teams use 3-4 WR’s but they only use ONE QB. We already have a franchise player that takes a 18 million cap hit and you want to add a 2-3 million dollar backup? Dumb… totally dumb.

by MasterRWayne on Apr 9, 2009 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

NATE DAVIS?

Are you serious? The guy’s a second day pick. You should take Brian Robiskie or another available WR. If not, look for CB (Marlin Jackson’s on contract year and coming off an injury, plus I don’t like Tim “Penalty” Jennings) or even a LB.

David Burton to the COLTS!

by fpacheco on Apr 9, 2009 12:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think that Nate Davis comment may have been sarcasm - ?

2nd pick, for me, Jennings or Robiskie.

"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007

by peytonsthebest on Apr 9, 2009 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I guess since the jags have been linked to this pick in several mocks I just thought it was kind of useless to comment

on the jags blog…their comments of…trading garrard for…

Bill Polian, line one" she shouts. “Listen boy”, the voice says smugly, “we feel sorry for you guys, thought we would send Peyton down for a few years, have David report up here on Monday”. Peyton for David, what do I think about that? Seriously, we should jump on it but I think David has better years left in him than Peyton has. I seriously do. If both were rookies, I’d take Peyton, but now? I wouldn’t do it.

but living in jax beach and knowing full well that every jag fan would crap their pants at even the remote mention of getting peyton…then this pick would be needed. yes the koolaid is just a little bit stronger here. but I laugh at jags fan pretending that the even mention of getting peyton for their Im really good at the dump off pass guy, they would pass…. they would pass. bahahaaHA AND that garrard has better years left than peyton. I know the jags are known for alot of things…like thinking they were actually super last year for one but how much dumber can they portray themselves as??

and OF COURSE WE WOULD TAKE sanchez then

by kinnickcolt on Apr 9, 2009 12:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Wait...what?

Now a proud annoyance on Stampede Blue, 18to88, Indy Football Report, and Phil B's blog.

Man, I need a life...

Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: In my bedroom, I have 3 footballs with both Mike Vanderjagt's and Gilbert Gardner's signatures on them. Interesting story. Maybe I'll tell you about it sometime.

by Cassieper on Apr 9, 2009 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also... BBS...

You are just drafting Sanchez based upon where he is expected to go and that he “fell” to you. But what actually makes this guy good? I mean he has only started ONE year at USC. The guy has Joey Harrington written all over him and he also has attitude problems. your decision here is based upon a flawed idea of BPA.

by MasterRWayne on Apr 9, 2009 1:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Nate Davis

As a proud Ball State alum, I love Nate Davis as a quarterback, but he’s a third through fifth round draft pick at this point. I think that the Colts would be an ideal team for Nate to go to, he could sit and learn behind Peyton and Sorgi for a year or two and then replace Sorgi as the backup and positioning himself to inherit the job when Peyton retires.

by BSU_Alum07 on Apr 9, 2009 1:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I actually agree with the pick, but WAIT

IF, and I repeat IF Sanchez drops that far Polian and Co. would certainly consider grabbing him. Lord knows we could work a trade out for him in a year or two if we were greedy. But my biggest question mark on this one is how BBS thinks that Ziggy will be drafted in the top 15.

Mind you, in the real draft, I do not expect Sanchez or Hood to fall to Indy at pick #27. Both those guys will be gone in the top 15, easy.

WTF mate!?!?! You must have some slick insider info because we’ve been hearing late 1st, probably 2nd round pick.

GO HORSE!!!!

by GoHorse88 on Apr 9, 2009 1:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Ziggy was the 12th rated player on my Colts board.

by shake n bake on Apr 9, 2009 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The board

Where you only had RB, WR, DT, LB, and OT? And the board that was a Colt board? So he’s 12th on that board? I’m pretty sure that just confirms that he’s not a top 15 pick.

Jim Sorgi runs a 4.6 40. That's all I've got to say about that.

by monstersbox on Apr 9, 2009 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs