04-24-08 Eric Edholm, Pro Football Weekly

This Saturday as draft day in the national football -- For many people it's -- a national holiday and we've been talking about the draft profile we thought we talked about it with somebody who probably knows more than we -- from. Football weekly Eric had a home joins us on the line Erica Taylor Michael and Boston how -- good gosh. We're trying to figure out if you pick at seven if you traded seven if you move up if you move downward to what everybody else is doing right now.

Yeah -- it's it's a guessing game for sure -- could see all those -- you mentioned I mean you know we've we've -- for a long time that that. You know the patriots appear to -- moving down but you know I think so -- is dictated by what happened to the first couple picks ahead of -- and obviously what happens with the -- six you know that's going to be you know approval of the -- he gets played out again -- you know whatever happened -- six obviously a huge impact on what the pitcher tentatively.

What Eric reconfigure this thing out from the top. Who goes second and who goes third.

You know I think. The rams -- split you know that that their coaches want one guy they want Glenn -- in the front office you know this is -- the baby's first draft and I don't think he wants screwed up so you know that this thinking it would still would be safest -- possible and I think that the front office guys do we some of them I think Chris -- from -- I have. You know they -- duty to pass rusher I think their defense that had something like five and a half sacks combined last yourself. You know it makes some sense clearly took Adam -- last year you'd think Glenn Dorsey would be great fit that. You know they don't this this -- be about eight -- taken the last you know 56 years so they really wanted to get away from that for that position if they can't so. I think long it is the slight favorite at this point.

Seemed like every year there's somebody. Who throws the top of the draft into a cocked hat yeah -- and my vote this year is for al Davis.

I think in the end they they really like Michael bush the running back and I think they've got enough there. That you know he just doesn't take running backs marijuana I think they're going to Paul -- Colston but. You know again that rocket that turned upside down without.

Eric there was a fascinating trade this week in my opinion you Jared Allen gone from Kansas City to Minnesota in Minnesota giving up being a first round pick -- third round picks will swap -- will take a six rounder from you know big beyond in Kansas City seems. Thrilled with this trade did they win this straight.

Usually obvious -- may have DC no they got to make good draft picks you know that's that's the -- and they've got lots of metallic thirteen this -- haven't. You know seven in the first 102 pictures of the like that's so. You know this is Carl Peterson and have always had a great draft record he's he's made some big hits and it's a big misses so you know they've had come up big do they do they do they trade Beckett around want to get a quarterback -- they do with those 21 round picks I think you have to address that. You know now because then becomes a major need you know today. Rebuild that line nearly lost two hall of Famer the last two years so yeah I could see where you think that I mean hey you know pure reality defined pass rusher is an underrated run defender. But look he's got to -- do you lies on his record he's one strike away at least from now it'll start of the season of you know getting immediate suspension so you know there's risk in this trade from Minnesota.

Look you can't take the do you eyes away open up let's let's just shut up football here for a second period Minnesota you've got pat Williams who got general -- and and now you've got Jared Allen. I that you also have Tarvaris Jackson at quarterback which is the negative but. Are are you are allowing yourself to think that you could be one of the best not just best defensive deepens the football one of the best teams in football.

On the verge they had their own devastate their hands get a playoff spot so. I don't know what to make it this team except that I think they've really close the gap on Green Bay and they might win this division you know they just. You look at the you know the NFC north quarterbacks he -- Chicago you get Detroit got that -- so there's you know this kind of bad division for quarterbacks at least in terms of proven talent so you know they easily can win twelve games.

Is it your feeling based on what you're hearing that there are a lot more teams who would like to trade down in the first round. Then there are teams willing to trade up.

You know I think I think that's true but now we hear stuff like -- are desperate to get a defensive tackle you know there obviously -- Miller make a deal within division number three but. You know maybe the rams are tempted by that second round pick in May be a little sweeter you know something else for the deal and maybe they do move up to two I think the patriots have to be a consideration for trade down -- number ten because. You know Sedrick Ellis on the board I think they'll be tempted by him but. You know they can be be moved down three spots they -- bonus money is still get a very good player of Leodis Mckelvin earth Keith rivers I don't think those guys go off supported the patriots seven I didn't -- gut feeling it didn't seem like they'll go need -- pick the values there are so. If you trade down three spots to pick up and look at and you know better in the world doesn't have a a fourth round pick. They might be desperate enough knowing that Sedrick Ellis is not getting by you know Cleveland and number nine. To give up that third round pick if you do that I -- you do that trade so. Again -- whether it's there or not I don't know but but it I think there's certainly some options I think there might be if you teams that will look better willing to trade into the top ten just not number one.

go where does Matt Ryan go.

I -- great question I. You know it's sort of you know or just said okay well you know he doesn't go free they can kind of -- the trickle down effect that he won't -- five Baltimore you know Steve McNair retired this week. But you know Jonathan Ogden told the team become a planned heard -- you know assume that he's going to retire. It in -- look like that that the rape it's Mike the offensive line you know they've they've they're really worried about front. You know it if you're going to build an offense and and you know John -- he knows that he's got -- problems on the outside of the ball yet you need a quarterback. -- you -- protect these guys and I think losing dog will be a major blow they've got some young guys up front wouldn't shock me they go tackle so all the sudden. You know these are going to get by -- Carolina at thirteen these are going to get by the pairs of fourteen and a couple of other teams in that area -- I it wouldn't shock me few slips out of the top.

Well let me ask you this if he's if he's very seventh and yeah and the patriots are are the patriots do you think they will be able to field some calls it is anybody willing to come up to seven. For Matt Bryant.

That -- pick could be for sale at that point I think it and it probably is already but yeah I definitely think that you know that the phone calls will be made. When the jets are on the clock and they -- it to BA it's sounding like Matt Ryan will not be a -- you know it is tempting is that might be. I think there -- other places they could go with McFadden are vertical and or something like that. You know I just think that whoever the raiders don't take the jets windup was so yeah I mean will we went seven comes up and Matt Ryan is there if that's indeed the case. Most definitely they'll be some interest I just I think the teachers are going to ask for a lot and they may get that they may not so. If not they've got to be prepared to take corporate ties other board at that point.

I think Bill Parcells. Probably surprised some people when he when he set about negotiating a contract and ultimately signing Jake long in making him the first overall pick. And yet when I look at the pro football weekly rankings that's exactly who you guys have ranked as the number one player in the draft.

You know our adrenaline Iraqis to do for number years and not you know it isn't quite the experience the late Joe books poverty you know kind of followed his tradition that. And in no wonder hospitality you know solid player what you wanted and and and I grew the logic on I think he's just going to -- it the guy -- you know he's like Toronto pioli that you said forget it you're going to be just put about their right exactly yet to penalties his college career. It is it is really good you know and and we end up being a left tackle or I'm not sure but he can have a pro bowl right tackle can still make it worth and number one pick so. Yeah he's the first ten million dollar offensive linemen are perceived and you know there's some questions about whether that was. You know their biggest near the right way to go but I think it was and and you know so much for the the Parcells theory that you build -- deep -- the commit a pretty good --

Eric -- I wanted to security here -- do you really think oh right tackle is worth the number one pick in the draft because I don't but he's gonna play left tackle.

Yeah I I agreed on the left tackle part I think they're going to going to probably keep -- the left side and and and input chick at the right tackle spot you know I look at the super bore in like that I watched Nick -- really struggle and I watched other teams struggle with that charged past Russian. You know -- that you have to go out there blocked you know Michael Strahan a great open site are close -- like that. You know I thought there's so much of an emphasis put on on pass rush now that. I think you try to get the two best tackles you can right left or otherwise may be. You know media left tackle a little bit harder to find the right tackle which still got to get somebody that who who can protect the pass -- to get him out of a quarterback's face so. You know I can definitely see your side of the argument but I think they've they want their protection.

If we look at areas of need for the patriots cornerback would seem to be one of the -- live with -- Asante Samuel departing and heading for Philadelphia. But what's the highest do you think cut cornerback would be going in this draft anyway.

That kind of scares you off a little bit tactic dogs he will be a couple guys but Kelvin Rogers to Marty maybe one more Mike Jacobs in the in the twenties so there might be three in the first round but. It's hardware that first guy goes you know he could make an argument as if they're really as a top ten guy that'll pick there is.

Eric why don't you like Jenkins.

You know Jakob they think this is very confident -- and I think sometimes as a detriment. But you know he -- we -- win win a little bit of a -- partial -- that's great but I think he's a little bit better he thinks he's a little bit better than he -- he's got all the athletic ability. But he gave up a lot of receptions -- to -- that I talked to a couple weeks ago pointed out he said you know he kind of lets stuff and part of them you know they'll give up the 67 yard pass but. In the NFL there's so many receivers you can you can make something happen after the catch that. You know he's not a good enough tacklers not a big enough physical physical -- guy where he can do that can get away and that's so they can get a really -- tighten up its -- people ball hawk eagle he's got a little bit of a -- similar to that is a gambler.

There's always a position where a team picks a guy at a position and all of a sudden there's a run. On the opposition what's going to be that position in the first round this year.

I think it's going to be offensive line I mean I just like look at this position and it's it's very top -- ministers of great help to the top we no longer school want. Branden Albert as we mentioned could be that guy that that's sneaks into the top five and and certainly that top -- something like that. Ryan -- I doubt he gets by the Broncos at twelve and and that's where the rod could be yet I mean Jeffrey go to other good questions about it maturity you know easy he doesn't have the speed to play out gotta tackle but those guys along with Chris Williams in -- journalists have been of people -- he seemed to be a blood got this weekend. You know I could keep you waiting at the chiefs -- seventeen I could even see him sliding into the top fifteen an alliance to her right tackle though.

Also having watched him at BC he's also a yellow flag waiting to.

Perhaps the technical trek you know that you're right -- it together I think he's a talent and it he certainly played better on the right side and left and and I think do you recognize that again so is there is Europe premier left Powell tackle in this in this draft I don't know but there's some pretty darn good right ones I think that's going to be the position that has Ron.

You know it the quarterbacks are pretty controversial obviously Matt Ryan is not but some people like Flacco some people don't acuity because he just played primarily out of the shotgun and really. What is he going to do under center and Kenny move some people like -- he's -- people don't -- other quarterbacks those two guys specifically.

Yeah I'd like you know -- like Kenny you know and I gotta get a -- my closed automobile and you know I think there's some you know he's not really discredit where it's like. Quick footed but I think he -- some some -- questions -- questions you know he seems like a leader in again and economic the Tom Brady comparison or anything like that but. He's got the intangibles I think he's got the passion for the game. You know it a little bit short its 62 and a half but you know could do it are movement I think he's got the mechanics to play the position he might be that guy that that's teams trade back into a round -- to go get. -- and with Flacco he he's you know he's that classic sort of rifle armed guy and then he can sit back in the pocket really makes decisions but you're right you know he he's got to learn to -- center snaps from center. Still the kind of surveys the field a little bit. He tends to kind of stand there and ended you know it may be a little bit too long a little bit statue asks so. You know it if if he's pressured that's the big question -- can build a stand -- that pressure and make throws.

Does Danny Ainge his nephew have the abilities to play on Sunday.

I don't know you know I I saw Eric a little bit up close and and you know he's got -- things that he'll get drafted you know he's going to fit into that you know anywhere like before the sixth round maybe -- slides of the seventh but you know he. You won enough games -- Tennessee and put up enough numbers but you know if you look Q didn't necessarily get a lot better throughout coach Kurt had a great start you know had its moments of the freshmen and was just outstanding at. You know decorated high school player but I'm not sure I saw a guy that got you know tremendously better -- skeptic great braves 6525 and you know I got to keep the -- do you feel pretty well but I just think that. He's throwing -- little weird you know cute -- funny looking balls come out of his hands and you know I just think that you know that's going to be a big issue accuracy and and you know that the pretty distant. Throws -- for the scouts worried about.

and here's my final question yeah there's going to be one stunner in the top ten I can't believe this team.

that who is. Squad while we mentioned the chiefs and the raiders they have to be the prime candidate for immunity in which the jets could pull a surprise -- having I'm always going to wait and see what they do it I you know I wish I could pinpoint -- I really the ravens might beat that team there were just kind of assumes they're going to go quarterback believed I could you have taking a tackle it together you know shock interest on the universe probably not but it could sort of throw that the back in the things off a little bit so. I was a better answer for jackets a couple of make it to wait that eleven.

Are your right to me he's you see those teams mean buffalo did it awhile ago with a Whitner take them a lot earlier than people expect you're number a few years back. The saints go back into the first round they trade a lot to get up to six to take Jonathan Sullivan right into that company either. It's going to happen I didn't if it's just a matter what team does.

You're right the saints are obviously candidate to move up again and and you know they're they're desperate to give better defensively so yeah also the feelings one shake up in the top ten.

Eric we're really appreciates taken a few minutes I know it's getting close to Christmas Day for yeah -- thank you for taking the time they have a pretty did it take care -- got home from pro football weekly joining us to help preview the NFL draft