Josh Norman a Skin. How it effects us.

[Iron City Inc.]

75 million and 5 years. Good for him.
Now that is likely one less team in front of us who could look corner in 1. We'll need a few more breaks to have one of the elite 4 corners make it to 25 but it's something of a positive so I just figured I'd toss it out there. Two won't get out of top 10 but the other 2 may make it to us.

[RuthlessBurgher]

In the 2 round mock I did earlier today, after Ramsey and Hargreaves went in the top 10 as widely expected (in this particular case to the Chargers and Giants, respectively), the only other team ahead of us that I had taking a corner was Washington (William Jackson III). Every time I do a mock, a team does something to screw it up immediately, of course. I should take it as a sign that I should not waste my time on such things. But I won't.

[8467thekraken]

As the draft gets closer I am still baffled by how far Mackenzie Alexander has fallen.

I just don't get the knocks on this kid.
Like his size. He's 5'10, 190. Thats the size of most of the better CBs in this league. Yet he is considered small.
Or his speed. Well, not every CB is gonna run a 4.4 40YD, and to be great you don't need to.

From what I understand, this guy is a film room junkie who studies his opponents. I effin' love that! And he has that brash, borderline cocky attitude of a shutdown corner, which, personally, I like in a CB. It's an admirable trait from my POV(to a degree).

Not to mention his statistics of some stupid number without giving up a TD. Mainly because QBs/coordinators are scared to throw in his direction.
Oh yeah, and he's solid in run support.

Why has A-this guy fallen out of favor and B-had other CBs leap frog him(i.e.-Jackson, Apple, Fuller and, in some cases, Burns)?


Because with yet another team selecting in front of us satisfying there need for a CB via Free Agency(Norman to Washington), if Alexander is there at 25, there would be no hesitation when it comes to turning in that card(if it were me). ;)



What gives???

[Slapstick]

Teams are also looking for elite athleticism and upside in the first...

[8467thekraken]

Teams are also looking for elite athleticism and upside in the first...

For me, I have a hard time letting combine numbers trump game knowledge and skill set.

[8467thekraken]

Alexander can play.

He knows it.

And every team he played against knew it, too.

[Captain Lemming]

For me, I have a hard time letting combine numbers trump game knowledge and skill set.

Cornerback is the position where raw speed matters most.

The last time we ignored combine numbers in a top pick and focused only on dominant college play we took Jarvis Jones.

[Slapstick]

Cornerback is the position where raw speed matters most.

The last time we ignored combine numbers in a top pick and focused only on dominant college play we took Jarvis Jones.

Apparently, the Steelers learned their lesson and chose Shazier in the next draft....a guy with off-the-chart athleticism AND was very​ productive in college...

[RuthlessBurgher]

As the draft gets closer I am still baffled by how far Mackenzie Alexander has fallen.

I just don't get the knocks on this kid.
Like his size. He's 5'10, 190. Thats the size of most of the better CBs in this league. Yet he is considered small.
Or his speed. Well, not every CB is gonna run a 4.4 40YD, and to be great you don't need to.

From what I understand, this guy is a film room junkie who studies his opponents. I effin' love that! And he has that brash, borderline cocky attitude of a shutdown corner, which, personally, I like in a CB. It's an admirable trait from my POV(to a degree).

Not to mention his statistics of some stupid number without giving up a TD. Mainly because QBs/coordinators are scared to throw in his direction.
Oh yeah, and he's solid in run support.

Why has A-this guy fallen out of favor and B-had other CBs leap frog him(i.e.-Jackson, Apple, Fuller and, in some cases, Burns)?


Because with yet another team selecting in front of us satisfying there need for a CB via Free Agency(Norman to Washington), if Alexander is there at 25, there would be no hesitation when it comes to turning in that card(if it were me). ;)



What gives???

From Tony Pauline:

Mackensie Alexander and Shaq Lawson, Clemson
I'm not hearing good things about Mackensie Alexander outside the lines.

Despite his on-the-field talent, numerous sources have told me the junior cornerback is a very difficult person to deal with off the field. He was difficult at Clemson, and some of his coaches are giving Alexander less than rave reviews to NFL teams - and I'm being kind. This is something originally brought to my attention during Clemson's pro day on March 10, and something I took with a grain of salt. But since last Friday, I've spoken with multiple sources, and it seems Alexander's off-the-field personality has been spoken about at length in war rooms around the league. In my opinion, the junior cornerback has the best ball skills of any defensive back in the draft, but if he starts to drop deep into Round 1, or even out of the first frame altogether, it'll be due to his off-the-field persona.

The situation could not be any different for Shaq Lawson. I'm told the guy is a warrior; not only on game day, but on the practice field, and his motor is always on. He's someone teammates are drawn to, and the feeling is Lawson will be a major asset on game day, on the practice field and in the locker room.

Read more at http://walterfootball.com/tonypaulinerumors.php#8FLvEJErxte60hFR.99 (http://walterfootball.com/tonypaulinerumors.php#8FLvEJErxte60hFR.99)

[Iron City Inc.]

Alexander can play.

He knows it.

And every team he played against knew it, too.

Alexander can play. 5 years from now he could be the best corner in this draft. He could be drafted well before we pick. I like him and this is no knock on him at all. I have him as my 5th corner but there is a lot to like.
Went back and looked at the Clemson vs Fla State game. I think the tape here shows MA's strengths n weaknesses. They all have both.
Clemson plays him in bail tech a lot. Alexander lines up everywhere in this game. Slot ,wide ,off, up and he appears to handle it all. Fla St runs a wheel on him early on and he is quick to turn open his hips and has good play speed and gets his head around and the pass was incomplete.
He gets a little grabby on some drag routes and that can be cleaned up. Now on some 9 hole plays he got wash out to easy, his vision to see the play including the blockers will need to and should get better. He gets cut off his feet a bit to easy for me in the run game. Missed a few tackles in this game and that can and will need to get cleaned up as well.
A very good solid prospect who is quick enough but lacks some length.
Can he cover AJ Green ? Now that is the question.

[dreegking]

Alexander can play. 5 years from now he could be the best corner in this draft. He could be drafted well before we pick. I like him and this is no knock on him at all. I have him as my 5th corner but there is a lot to like.
Went back and looked at the Clemson vs Fla State game. I think the tape here shows MA's strengths n weaknesses. They all have both.
Clemson plays him in bail tech a lot. Alexander lines up everywhere in this game. Slot ,wide ,off, up and he appears to handle it all. Fla St runs a wheel on him early on and he is quick to turn open his hips and has good play speed and gets his head around and the pass was incomplete.
He gets a little grabby on some drag routes and that can be cleaned up. Now on some 9 hole plays he got wash out to easy, his vision to see the play including the blockers will need to and should get better. He gets cut off his feet a bit to easy for me in the run game. Missed a few tackles in this game and that can and will need to get cleaned up as well.
A very good solid prospect who is quick enough but lacks some length.
Can he cover AJ Green ? Now that is the question.

Too risky a pick for the underwhelming personality he brings and for guy who is similarly matched by others. Let a lesser team choose take the chance. He is the type of player who is holding out in year three because he's earned his advance pay in his own eyes.

[SidSmythe]

if Alexander is that good he won't fall (unless he has Randy Gregory character issues). But then again you always have the Cowboys to draft you.

[Captain Lemming]

Too risky a pick for the underwhelming personality he brings and for guy who is similarly matched by others. Let a lesser team choose take the chance. He is the type of player who is holding out in year three because he's earned his advance pay in his own eyes.

While I am not convinced he is as good as HE thinks he is if his play warrants his feeling underpaid by year three.......I'm good with that. :)

[RuthlessBurgher]

How does Washington signing affect us? This means that Dan Snyder will be regretting his decision to back up the Brinks Truck for this guy after the season opener when the entire NFL world watches Antonio Brown dominate him all game long on Monday Night Football.

[Jooser]

How does Washington signing affect us? This means that Dan Snyder will be regretting his decision to back up the Brinks Truck for this guy after the season opener when the entire NFL world watches Antonio Brown dominate him all game long on Monday Night Football.

Winner Winner! Chicken Dinner!

http://rs1289.pbsrc.com/albums/b510/William_Khalil_Gonzales/465_zpsb2877263.gif~c200

[Captain Lemming]

How does Washington signing affect us? This means that Dan Snyder will be regretting his decision to back up the Brinks Truck for this guy after the season opener when the entire NFL world watches Antonio Brown dominate him all game long on Monday Night Football.

Like it :)

[feltdizz]

Josh Norman's assigment the first 3 games:
Antonio Brown
Dez Bryant
O'Dell Beckham

dude has a chance to be the GOAT or the scapegoat in his first 3 games.

This would be like Antonio facing Revis, Sherman and Patrick Peterson after signing his first payday.

[Keyplay1]

Josh Norman's assigment the first 3 games:
Antonio Brown
Dez Bryant
O'Dell Beckham

dude has a chance to be the GOAT or the scapegoat in his first 3 games.

This would be like Antonio facing Revis, Sherman and Patrick Peterson after signing his first payday.

Tough task for sure.

However, picking him up must be at least somewhat of an upgrade. It could make the opener more difficult but also more interesting.

[feltdizz]

Tough task for sure.

However, picking him up must be at least somewhat of an upgrade. It could make the opener more difficult but also more interesting.

we will see, he comes from a zone based defense. Curious to see if it's him or the system he played in.

[phillyesq]

How does Washington signing affect us? This means that Dan Snyder will be regretting his decision to back up the Brinks Truck for this guy after the season opener when the entire NFL world watches Antonio Brown dominate him all game long on Monday Night Football.

Yeah, he'll probably see that Norman isn't as good without the Panthers front 7 in front of him.

I suppose it also means that Washington may be more likely to take Billings at 21.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Yeah, he'll probably see that Norman isn't as good without the Panthers front 7 in front of him.

I suppose it also means that Washington may be more likely to take Billings at 21.

Washington's inside backers suck out loud. I'd imagine that they'd take Reggie Ragland (if they are in the C.J. Mosley camp) or Darren Lee (if they are in the Ryan Shazier camp). The argument continues!

[Slapstick]

we will see, he comes from a zone based defense. Curious to see if it's him or the system he played in.

I haven't watched a lot of the Redskins, but considering that their DC Joe Barry came from the Monte Kiffin Tampa 2 system and DB Coach Perry Fewell came from a similar system under Lovie Smith, I would imagine they play a lot of zone...