30 replies to this topic

[BenMir]

So after 14 games, most of them tough to watch, we can grade the performances of the rookies! Some looked good, some looked bad, and some we never saw.

Round 2: Courtney Upshaw, OLB
Grade:B
He's amazing in run support and, according to PFF, is the 2^nd 3-4 OLB in the league in this section. He's made a habit of abusing other teams' tight ends. Offers little to non in pass rusher and needs to improve on that, maybe by losing weight, or what I prefer – moving to DE (if we stay 34).
I did notice that lately he's playing lazy, not hustling and not joining gang tackles.

Round 2: Kelechi Osemele, OT\OG
Grade: B+
Although he was drafted to play LG, Osemele played and started all 14 games at RT and I don't think the coaches plan on moving him. Amazing in run support and often draws praises for that, he's a suspect in pass protection, especially against speed rushers.
I expect him to be better next season, maybe by moving to LG and maybe by working on his footwork.

Round 3: Bernard Pierce, HB
Grade: A-
TBH I HATED this pick and boy was I wrong. He may not be the amazing bruiser back for short yardage we thought he is, but he's running with an attitude and plays hard EVERY play. Rarely will you see him taken down without a fight, and it seems like he REALLY loves jumping over guys. Heck, we should become a run first team. Pierce + Rice + Leach = sad defenses.

Round 4: Gino Gradkowski, OG\C
Grade: Unavailable
Supposed to be the heir of Birk. Haven't seen him on the field, I don't even think he played when we put in the subs in the blowouts.

Round 4: Christian Thompson, FS
Grade: Unavailable
Played mostly on special teams, IRed now. The only thing I remember about him is getting a personal penalty that really made me angry.

Round 5: Asa Jackson, CB
Grade: Unavailable
Played only 3 games, special teamer. I do remember Ed praising him, so that's something, rigtht?

Round 6: Tommy Streeter, WR
Grade: Unavailable
6'5, 4.37(~) 40 yard dash. I was so happy we got him, and then, after a pretty boring preseason, IRed.
He's probably the player I'm most excited to see next season.

Round 7: De'Angelo Tyson
Grade:B
7^th round but started seeing playing time due to injuries to defensive linemen. Not amazing, but he's been solid and although he hasn't done it since the Raiders game, we know he can swat the ball. I also saw him get pressure occasionally, so for a 7^th rounder he's a decent pickup.

Your thoughts and grades?

Edited by BenMir, 21 December 2012 - 05:49 PM.

[horus13corvineus]

no way Tyson gets a B, maybe more like a C-, also could not grade Osemele higher than Upshaw so both would get a B- and as good Pierce looks no way he gets more than a B+

[BenMir]

no way Tyson gets a B, maybe more like a C-, also could not grade Osemele higher than Upshaw so both would get a B- and as good Pierce looks no way he gets more than a B+

As much as I like Upshaw, Osemele had a much bigger impact than him. Also, once Pierce stared getting his touches, I think everyone of us was pleased - some to a point where they wanted to split carries between him and Rice.

[Mt. Crushmore]

no way Tyson gets a B, maybe more like a C-, also could not grade Osemele higher than Upshaw so both would get a B- and as good Pierce looks no way he gets more than a B+

Tyson has performed great in his limited time. He was solid on the defensive line which has been a place that we have struggled all year. What did you expect from him to give him a C-?

[Moderator 3]

Why does Thompson get a F for not playing but the others get "Unavailable"? Does not seem equitable.

[BenMir]

Why does Thompson get a F for not playing but the others get "Unavailable"? Does not seem equitable.

Well, Thompson played in 8 games and the only impact he had was that penalty. But I agree, I'll change it.

[horus13corvineus]

Tyson has performed great in his limited time. He was solid on the defensive line which has been a place that we have struggled all year. What did you expect from him to give him a C-?

he's been pushed around quite a few times... and he's part of the D that still struggles... especially against the run

[H8R]

I think you're underestimating Upshaw in the pass rush. He's had some hurries, hits and did some awesome work with the bullrush last week. He's growing into a very solid player! If Suggs can come back to form next year, they'll be a nice pair!

[CalvinSmoke]

Personally, I like the grades. Bernard Pierce was once a Heisman canidate and he's showing us why with flashes of playmaking ability.

[bauer77]

I agree 100% with what you said about Pierce. I hated the pick at the time as well, and I'm glad i was wrong.

[Mt. Crushmore]

I agree 100% with what you said about Pierce. I hated the pick at the time as well, and I'm glad i was wrong.

Almost everyone here did.

[bauer77]

Almost everyone here did.

Well now that i think about it, i really didn't like any of our picks except for Upshaw lol. And now as a few of them start to play more, the more i like them.

Edited by bauer77, 21 December 2012 - 06:25 PM.

[Chris J. Faria]

Personally, I feel the grades are a bit too high. Nothing personal, but I feel there has to be a positive-and-negative/balanced (if such a "term" exists) viewpoint when grading these picks. For example, Kelechi Osemele gets a B+ for amazing run blocking and questionable pass blocking, but where is the reference to the false starts and holding penalties he gets, as well as the sacks that Osemele gives-up? See? I just think the B+ rating is, once again, a little high, even if Osemele is essentially playing out of position. However, none-the-less, good job, @BenMir!

Also, on as a side-note, is Christian Thompson a free safety or a strong safety? Because, I remember Thompson being listed as a free safety when the Ravens drafted him in last year's NFL Draft. Yet, I see him being listed as a strong safety, now. So, is he really a just hybrid type-of safety, at the moment?

Edited by Chris J. Faria, 22 December 2012 - 01:21 AM.

[hawkprey]

I'd grade Upshaw a B now because he's more of a high-potential guy than a 1st year contributor. But he's been great. He's not out there much, but when he is, you see him.

Osemele would be an A+ for me, but that's because I really think he should be playing at guard. As a tackle he's more of a B, because he's great in run support but sloppy against the pass. Still, he's a guy who can probably play 4 of the 5 positions on the line.

Pierce is a B+, because I like the guy, but he's had some good runs and some runs for losses. Averages out to a respectable ypc, and I like him as a receiver.

Basically our next draftees are all undetermined.

But Tyson has been really good as a limited situational DE. He's almost invisible on the stat sheet but watch the games and you see him doing work.

[Ngata Chance]

I thought it was Thompson that Reed had talked about, not Jackson.

[Free Agent]

no way Tyson gets a B, maybe more like a C-, also could not grade Osemele higher than Upshaw so both would get a B- and as good Pierce looks no way he gets more than a B+

I think Tyson has been great in his limited playing time. I recall several games earlier in the season in which Art Jones, Terrence Cody, Maake Kemoeatu, and some of the other d-lineman couldn't beat simple one-on-one blocks, while Tyson was shedding blocks and showing a nose for the ball carrier. Definitely not a C-, personally Id give him a B+.

[Mt. Crushmore]

Well now that i think about it, i really didn't like any of our picks except for Upshaw lol. And now as a few of them start to play more, the more i like them.

I loved the Upshaw pick and everything else I was iffy on but I never doubt Ozzie.

[jimmypowder]

Osemele a B+ !?!?! He has been smoked so many times by speed rushers it's like having a turnstile over at RT!

At this point I give him a C+ at best .

He belongs at LG for the moment as his footwork is very poor at RT .

Edited by jimmypowder, 21 December 2012 - 07:57 PM.

[BloodRaven]

Tyson was abused last week, he's a work in progress.

[rmw10]

Tyson was abused last week, he's a work in progress.

Yeah he had a rough game. But hey, he's a 7th round pick. He's at least shown a bit of promise. I honestly didn't even expect him to play much this season.