Inside the draft, part 1
posted by LW, Wednesday, April 21, 2010
We're gonna spend the next three mornings writing some draft-centric blogs, but we're not going to insult your intelligence by pretending we know what we're talking about regarding this year's draft.
Honestly, I have no clue and will defer to the experts. So if you want mock drafts and the like, you can consult Mel Kiper, Todd McShay or Ryan Bartow.
There are some interesting historical draft trends involving Clemson and the ACC, and we're going to explore those.
We'll start with how ACC teams have fared in the first round over the past decade (2000-09).
Here goes:
Miami 26
Florida State 13
Boston College 7
Virginia 6
N.C. State 5
North Carolina 4
Virginia Tech 4
Clemson 3
Maryland 3
Wake Forest 2
Georgia Tech 1
Duke 0
My initial reactions:
-- Miami ... good gosh. Talk about stockpiling talent. The interesting thing, though, is that most of those first-rounders were on the field in Coral Gables before Miami joined the ACC; in the last five drafts, "only" six Hurricanes have been selected in the first round. Miami's streak of 14 consecutive years with at least one first-round pick ended last year.
-- There just aren't many coaching staffs in college football better than Frank Beamer and Co. in Blacksburg. They are more talented than most recruiting rankings give them credit for, but they have become the gold standard in the ACC without an abundance of top-flight talent. A deeper look reveals that, of the four first-round picks from Virginia Tech, just one (offensive tackle Duane Brown in 2008) was drafted when the Hokies were in the ACC. The others were cornerback DeAngelo Hall (2004), running back Kevin Jones (2004) and quarterback Michael Vick (2001).
-- Diametrically opposed to Virginia Tech is the program that was led by The Chessmaster for most of last decade. Six first-round picks, and Al Groh can't compile a cumulative winning ACC record in nine years at Virginia. And N.C. State's Chuck Amato wasn't far behind in the underachievement category.
-- I would've expected Florida State's total of first-rounders to be higher than 13. Interestingly, the Seminoles compiled the same number of first-round draft picks in the previous decade. One would've expected them to have more in the 90's given than they experienced a great deal more success in that decade. Florida State, by the way, has had no player taken in the first round over the last two drafts.
-- Over the last few years, it's been popular around these parts to assume that Clemson has talent on par with the best teams in the ACC. These numbers would not indicate that, though these numbers certainly aren't the best gauge for overall talent. A better measurement, perhaps, could be players drafted in the first three rounds. But that's a topic for another day.
Stay tuned for tomorrow's blog. Plenty more good draft stuff coming.
On to some links...
Talk about raking in the talent. Florida could have a player drafted at every position except running back in this year's draft.
And so the C.J. Spiller extravaganza begins. Here's a Q&A with Clifford in the New York Times, complete with Spiller and a big boy named Suh visiting Subway and being presented with pepperoni busts of themselves.
Let's hope this is the first and last time the term "bust" is associated with Spiller.
According to the New York Daily News, the Giants are suddenly smitten with Spiller.
C.J. Spiller hadn't heard a word from the Giants throughout the pre-draft process. No workouts, no visits, no indication that they liked him at all.
Until they called him a few days ago to make sure they had the right cell-phone number in case they need to reach him Thursday night.
And they might because, according to multiple team sources, the Giants are enchanted with the Clemson running back whom many scouts believe is the most dynamic offensive player in this year's draft. He likely won't be there when the Giants make the 15th pick of the first round. But those sources said the Giants could consider trading up to get him if he escapes the Top 10 and if the price is right.
Given the following quote in the same story, I'm guessing Spiller wasn't a math major:
"My weight is just three digits."
In Seattle, the question of the day: Can the woeful Seahawks afford to use one of their first-round picks on a situational back?
Seattle's need for a home-run threat on offense has prompted some to project Seattle will choose Spiller as high as sixth overall.
Seattle has drafted three fullbacks in the previous five years compared to only one tailback, which helps explain why coach Pete Carroll said his team needs to find firepower in this year's draft.
"Players who can score touchdowns," he said.
Ricky Sapp presents an intriguing option for the Patriots, who have the 22nd pick. But apparently there are still some questions about his knee.
Clemson linebacker Ricky Sapp has practically been begging teams to realize his right knee has fully recovered from ACL surgery, but the doubts still remain. So the pass rusher extraordinaire from Death Valley understands that his draft stock is in flux, which means the Patriots can give him a look when they're picking at No. 22.
And this:
Sapp would be a more natural fit as an outside linebacker in the Patriots' 3-4 system, but he could probably fill in at defensive end if need be. Sapp is big, but it looks like he could still add some more size and strength. He might be a little more of a project than some of the other pass rushers in this draft, but he has the potential to reach an elite level in a few years.
Here's a recent diary entry from Sapp in his hometown paper.
Four days before the draft and I have so many emotions right now. I’m excited, nervous, a little scared and happy all at the same time. I am just waiting to hear my name called this weekend. I do not care where I end up and when I go. I just want to hear my name. When I hear my name, at that point I will know all the hard work has paid off. All the blood, sweat and tears were for a reason bigger than my eyes could see. I have really enjoyed and cherished my experience at Clemson. In Clemson, I grew up and became the man I am today! I am so proud to say I will always be a part of the Orange Family. Being at Clemson, they made me feel at home, they made all athletes feel like we were a part and we mattered. It was a home away from home.
Back to Spiller for a moment: Ed McGranahan of The Greenville News talks with Spiller's pastor in Lake Butler, Fla., to get some insight into where the C.J. camp hopes he'll be drafted.
“We assume that if Seattle doesn’t pick him, either Cleveland or Jacksonville will,” said Patrick Maxwell, pastor of Victory Christian Center in Lake Butler, Fla. “Our prayer is that Jacksonville picks him.
“We’re hoping Seattle will fumble the ball and not take him with that sixth pick and Jacksonville will go ahead and scoop him up.”
And also this:
Passes are limited for the nationally televised first round Thursday night at Radio City Music Hall. Maxwell and his wife are there, along with Spiller’s mother, brother, sister, daughter and stepfather. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney and wife Kathleen are scheduled to join them tonight.
Spiller moved out of his apartment in Clemson last week and returned to Lake Butler. Swinney said it was like seeing a son leave home.
Bart Wright is a Seattle guy, and he sees Spiller landing in his old stomping grounds.
We used to know it as Seattle, but if Spiller is selected by the Seahawks with the No. 14 pick in the first round of Thursday’s prime time NFL draft, we might just start calling it Clemson West. Leroy Hill is a valued linebacker, and new coach Pete Carroll recently traded for San Diego backup quarterback Charlie Whitehurst, so Spiller would be the third Tiger to find a home in the Northwest, would he last until the 14th selection.
In the Myrtle Beach Sun-News, Brad Brownell and Dabo Swinney address fans on the booster-club circuit.
In The Post and Courier, two relatively old news items: Earl Grant joining Brad Brownell's staff (we told you about it two days ago), and Josh Postorino and Ron Bradley joining Oliver Purnell's staff (we told you about it nine days ago).
LW
Click here for the "Eye On The Tigers" blog archive.
Link to this entry - Discuss this entry - Return to Blog Home
We're gonna spend the next three mornings writing some draft-centric blogs, but we're not going to insult your intelligence by pretending we know what we're talking about regarding this year's draft.
Honestly, I have no clue and will defer to the experts. So if you want mock drafts and the like, you can consult Mel Kiper, Todd McShay or Ryan Bartow.
There are some interesting historical draft trends involving Clemson and the ACC, and we're going to explore those.
We'll start with how ACC teams have fared in the first round over the past decade (2000-09).
Here goes:
Miami 26
Florida State 13
Boston College 7
Virginia 6
N.C. State 5
North Carolina 4
Virginia Tech 4
Clemson 3
Maryland 3
Wake Forest 2
Georgia Tech 1
Duke 0
My initial reactions:
-- Miami ... good gosh. Talk about stockpiling talent. The interesting thing, though, is that most of those first-rounders were on the field in Coral Gables before Miami joined the ACC; in the last five drafts, "only" six Hurricanes have been selected in the first round. Miami's streak of 14 consecutive years with at least one first-round pick ended last year.
-- There just aren't many coaching staffs in college football better than Frank Beamer and Co. in Blacksburg. They are more talented than most recruiting rankings give them credit for, but they have become the gold standard in the ACC without an abundance of top-flight talent. A deeper look reveals that, of the four first-round picks from Virginia Tech, just one (offensive tackle Duane Brown in 2008) was drafted when the Hokies were in the ACC. The others were cornerback DeAngelo Hall (2004), running back Kevin Jones (2004) and quarterback Michael Vick (2001).
-- Diametrically opposed to Virginia Tech is the program that was led by The Chessmaster for most of last decade. Six first-round picks, and Al Groh can't compile a cumulative winning ACC record in nine years at Virginia. And N.C. State's Chuck Amato wasn't far behind in the underachievement category.
-- I would've expected Florida State's total of first-rounders to be higher than 13. Interestingly, the Seminoles compiled the same number of first-round draft picks in the previous decade. One would've expected them to have more in the 90's given than they experienced a great deal more success in that decade. Florida State, by the way, has had no player taken in the first round over the last two drafts.
-- Over the last few years, it's been popular around these parts to assume that Clemson has talent on par with the best teams in the ACC. These numbers would not indicate that, though these numbers certainly aren't the best gauge for overall talent. A better measurement, perhaps, could be players drafted in the first three rounds. But that's a topic for another day.
Stay tuned for tomorrow's blog. Plenty more good draft stuff coming.
On to some links...
Talk about raking in the talent. Florida could have a player drafted at every position except running back in this year's draft.
And so the C.J. Spiller extravaganza begins. Here's a Q&A with Clifford in the New York Times, complete with Spiller and a big boy named Suh visiting Subway and being presented with pepperoni busts of themselves.
Let's hope this is the first and last time the term "bust" is associated with Spiller.
According to the New York Daily News, the Giants are suddenly smitten with Spiller.
C.J. Spiller hadn't heard a word from the Giants throughout the pre-draft process. No workouts, no visits, no indication that they liked him at all.
Until they called him a few days ago to make sure they had the right cell-phone number in case they need to reach him Thursday night.
And they might because, according to multiple team sources, the Giants are enchanted with the Clemson running back whom many scouts believe is the most dynamic offensive player in this year's draft. He likely won't be there when the Giants make the 15th pick of the first round. But those sources said the Giants could consider trading up to get him if he escapes the Top 10 and if the price is right.
Given the following quote in the same story, I'm guessing Spiller wasn't a math major:
"My weight is just three digits."
In Seattle, the question of the day: Can the woeful Seahawks afford to use one of their first-round picks on a situational back?
Seattle's need for a home-run threat on offense has prompted some to project Seattle will choose Spiller as high as sixth overall.
Seattle has drafted three fullbacks in the previous five years compared to only one tailback, which helps explain why coach Pete Carroll said his team needs to find firepower in this year's draft.
"Players who can score touchdowns," he said.
Ricky Sapp presents an intriguing option for the Patriots, who have the 22nd pick. But apparently there are still some questions about his knee.
Clemson linebacker Ricky Sapp has practically been begging teams to realize his right knee has fully recovered from ACL surgery, but the doubts still remain. So the pass rusher extraordinaire from Death Valley understands that his draft stock is in flux, which means the Patriots can give him a look when they're picking at No. 22.
And this:
Sapp would be a more natural fit as an outside linebacker in the Patriots' 3-4 system, but he could probably fill in at defensive end if need be. Sapp is big, but it looks like he could still add some more size and strength. He might be a little more of a project than some of the other pass rushers in this draft, but he has the potential to reach an elite level in a few years.
Here's a recent diary entry from Sapp in his hometown paper.
Four days before the draft and I have so many emotions right now. I’m excited, nervous, a little scared and happy all at the same time. I am just waiting to hear my name called this weekend. I do not care where I end up and when I go. I just want to hear my name. When I hear my name, at that point I will know all the hard work has paid off. All the blood, sweat and tears were for a reason bigger than my eyes could see. I have really enjoyed and cherished my experience at Clemson. In Clemson, I grew up and became the man I am today! I am so proud to say I will always be a part of the Orange Family. Being at Clemson, they made me feel at home, they made all athletes feel like we were a part and we mattered. It was a home away from home.
Back to Spiller for a moment: Ed McGranahan of The Greenville News talks with Spiller's pastor in Lake Butler, Fla., to get some insight into where the C.J. camp hopes he'll be drafted.
“We assume that if Seattle doesn’t pick him, either Cleveland or Jacksonville will,” said Patrick Maxwell, pastor of Victory Christian Center in Lake Butler, Fla. “Our prayer is that Jacksonville picks him.
“We’re hoping Seattle will fumble the ball and not take him with that sixth pick and Jacksonville will go ahead and scoop him up.”
And also this:
Passes are limited for the nationally televised first round Thursday night at Radio City Music Hall. Maxwell and his wife are there, along with Spiller’s mother, brother, sister, daughter and stepfather. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney and wife Kathleen are scheduled to join them tonight.
Spiller moved out of his apartment in Clemson last week and returned to Lake Butler. Swinney said it was like seeing a son leave home.
Bart Wright is a Seattle guy, and he sees Spiller landing in his old stomping grounds.
We used to know it as Seattle, but if Spiller is selected by the Seahawks with the No. 14 pick in the first round of Thursday’s prime time NFL draft, we might just start calling it Clemson West. Leroy Hill is a valued linebacker, and new coach Pete Carroll recently traded for San Diego backup quarterback Charlie Whitehurst, so Spiller would be the third Tiger to find a home in the Northwest, would he last until the 14th selection.
In the Myrtle Beach Sun-News, Brad Brownell and Dabo Swinney address fans on the booster-club circuit.
In The Post and Courier, two relatively old news items: Earl Grant joining Brad Brownell's staff (we told you about it two days ago), and Josh Postorino and Ron Bradley joining Oliver Purnell's staff (we told you about it nine days ago).
LW
Click here for the "Eye On The Tigers" blog archive.
Link to this entry - Discuss this entry - Return to Blog Home
Donnie Patterson. Donnie Patterson is the founder of Patterson Tax Service, located in Easley, S.C. He has been active in tax preparation since 1970, and offers a full range of tax and bookkeeping services.
Larry Williams. Larry has covered the daily beat at Clemson since 2004. Williams, who worked for the Charleston Post & Courier from 2004-08, joined Tigerillustrated.com in November of 2008. He may be reached by email at ldubya08(at)gmail.com. Replace (at) with @.