My favorite thing about this draft class...

[TitansGiantsBears]

My favorite thing about this draft class is their attitudes. No one seems to be the prima donna type. The talent can (and probably will) be debated both here on this board and by the talking heads, but there's no denying the Titans were evaluating character very closely in this draft. One thing I noticed in the evaluations of several of our pics was that they were team captains. It shows a level of maturity for these picks. For sheer talent, I'd give this draft a solid B-, but for character I think the Titans knocked it out of the park! :thumbsup

[shadowboxin']

No doubt. Even the undrafted free agents are A+ character guys.

Dudley Guice:

http://i44.tinypic.com/2e2m77k.jpg

An Academic All-America candidate playing his final season as a graduate student, Guice will also be among the key playmakers for the Demons in 2008. Posting a 3.597 grade point average in criminal justice, Guice was among the six cum laude graduates in May from the athletics department. Students earn cum laude recognition for cumulative gpa's between 3.50 and 3.69. In addition to his duties at receiver, Guice is an explosive kick return option. He was offered a scholarship to play defensive back at Mississippi State but wanted to play receiver and chose the Demons instead.

2007-08 Honors: SLC Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll, Fall 2008; NSU Athletic Honor Roll, Gold 3.500-3.999, Fall 2007, Spring 2008.

[titansikou]

Only a B- ?!

[TitansGiantsBears]

Only a B- ?!

Out of eleven picks, the Titans picked up only two players that are for sure to see significant playing time - Britt and Marks. Marks will probably not be an every down player. The knock on him is that he's not very strong for a guy his size. Cook SHOULD see time in the TE rotation but is very raw. Mouton is small and slow for a corner, probably a bit of a reach but the Titans passed on better corners to pick Marks. McRath has the same issues with being undersized. Both Tropog and Durand are projects on the line. That said, there isn't another position coach on the team I'd rather give "project" players to. If they have any talent, Munch will bring it out. Ringer, Edison, and Schommer will probably be cut in camp unless they can stand out on special teams. That said, Marks can take over a game. I watched him at Auburn a few times and was impressed with him. Cook gives the team some options at TE it hasn't enjoyed before. Mouton to me is a horrible, horrible reach. The others are standard fare for where they were drafted, etc.

A B- isn't a bad grade at all. I applaud the Titans for being aggressive, especially bucking tradition and going after a playmaker at WR. I don't think the Titans belong in the conversation about having the best draft though. It was above average and definitely worth being excited about.

[Bobcat]

As far as immediate impact of our picks I'd probably agree with a B-. We had so few holes to fill that we don't need these guys to step into major roles right away.

In terms of the future of our team, I can't give us any less than an A.

[TTP77]

I'm not sure where you're getting that Mouton is slow. He ran a 4.48 and his vertical is very good. I think it's entirely possible we'll see him on ST and possibly later in the nickel in rotation. IDK if I would call him a reach unless you believe everything guys like Kiper say. Team board are much much different from the so called experts on ESPN and other sites.

McRath may be undersized but that was the same knock on Keith when he was drafted if I remember right and that turned out pretty well. Our LB's do tend to be smaller which seems to work in our system. McRath is also very athletic but I agree he's raw and I doubt we'll see him outside of ST.

I don't have a problem with a B- rating though as we have no idea yet how these guys will pan out. I'd give it an A based on the team staying true to their board and drafting guys they think will be playmakers for this team. I can't argue with the philosophy as it seems to be working.

EDIT: Also, Mouton ran with a hammy issue and is said to be much faster. Reinfelt said in his presser on Jason McCourty they felt they got a starting corner in him and that he will compete for a spot.


“He can run. He can really run,” GM Mike Reinfeldt said. “As a corner, he’s played a lot. He’ll compete at that area.”

[wari0]

Out of eleven picks, the Titans picked up only two players that are for sure to see significant playing time - Britt and Marks. Marks will probably not be an every down player. The knock on him is that he's not very strong for a guy his size. Cook SHOULD see time in the TE rotation but is very raw. Mouton is small and slow for a corner, probably a bit of a reach but the Titans passed on better corners to pick Marks. McRath has the same issues with being undersized. Both Tropog and Durand are projects on the line. That said, there isn't another position coach on the team I'd rather give "project" players to. If they have any talent, Munch will bring it out. Ringer, Edison, and Schommer will probably be cut in camp unless they can stand out on special teams. That said, Marks can take over a game. I watched him at Auburn a few times and was impressed with him. Cook gives the team some options at TE it hasn't enjoyed before. Mouton to me is a horrible, horrible reach. The others are standard fare for where they were drafted, etc.

A B- isn't a bad grade at all. I applaud the Titans for being aggressive, especially bucking tradition and going after a playmaker at WR. I don't think the Titans belong in the conversation about having the best draft though. It was above average and definitely worth being excited about.


im being a bit nit picky but, at his pro day Ryan Mouton ran a 4.42 on a sore hammy.

I think Cook will see the field often but, not always lined up at the TE spot. They will use him to create mismatches and line him up at WR.

[TTP77]

Terry McCormick's take on our draft...

http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/content/sports/titans-use-draft-fill-needs-both-sides-ball

[TTP77]

Mel Kiper gave us a C+


Wide receiver Kenny Britt was a good selection in the first round. Defensive tackle Sen'Derrick Marks was a bit overhyped, but he wasn't a bad reach at No. 62. I love the selection of tight end Jared Cook. Troy Kropog was a little bit of a reach in the fourth round, but he was a good player at Tulane.

Todd McShay


Best pick: TE Jared Cook, South Carolina (Third round, No. 89 overall)
Worst pick: CB Ryan Mouton, Hawaii (Third round, No. 94 overall)
Bottom line: The Titans finally addressed a big hole at wide receiver by taking Kenny Britt at No. 30 overall, giving themselves a big, physical wideout with strong hands who is NFL-ready right now. He fell to the bottom of the first round because he does not have exceptional top-end speed and his attitude will need to be monitored, but Britt will combine with Cook to give Tennessee a more wide-open passing game. DT Sen'Derrick Marks might be most effective in a rotation but was worth a second-round pick if he proves capable of disrupting things in the middle. Mouton is the only issue here because I felt there were more proven commodities available at that point, including Rashad Johnson and Keenan Lewis.

John McClain gave us a B


Britt was the first receiver they've drafted in the first round since Kevin Dyson 11 years ago. Cook is an athletic tight end.

Larry Weisman, USA Today, gave us a B


Tennessee Titans: Got an athletic big-play WR in Kenny Britt and in the right spot in the first round for value. Britt has size (6-4, 215) and talent. DL Sen'Derrick Marks can play inside or outside, gives Titans front some flexibility. TE Jared Cook was a great pick in the third round and was probably the best all-around TE in this draft. Titans had named TE Bo Scaife as their franchise player and he hasn't signed the tender. RB Javon Ringer will find a crowded backfield but Titans like a surplus of backs.

Pete Prisco gave us a B


# Best pick: Second-round pick Sen'Derrick Marks will remind Titans fans of Josh Evans, their former tackle. He played hurt late last season, but he was a dominant player before that.
# Questionable move: Taking Kenny Britt with their first pick. I know he runs better than Brian Robiskie, but I would have taken Robiskie.
# Second-day gem: South Carolina tight end Jared Cook will become a favorite friend of Kerry Collins. He is a good receiver. They always do a good job, and this year was no different.

Tom Herrera, nflfanhouse, gave us a B


Approaches problems creatively.

LOL

Local Dudes at the Tennessean




JIM WYATT

The Titans took care of some of their biggest needs, and added some big-time college playmakers in Kenny Britt and Jared Cook. The addition of defensive tackle Sen'Derrick Marks bolsters the middle, and Javon Ringer should spark an interesting training camp battle at running back. GRADE: B.

DAVID CLIMER

The national media won't like it, but what else is new? Kudos for picking a wide receiver in the first round. The key to this draft will be how players like Mouton, McRath and Kropog pan out. Picking late, the Titans kept pace with the competition in the AFC South. GRADE: B.

JOE BIDDLE

I really like the Kenny Britt pick, especially stuck down in the 30 spot. Jared Cook needs to keep his motor running; he's inconsistent at times. Running back Javon Ringer is a wild card, but he'll probably send Chris Henry packing. GRADE: B.

GARY ESTWICK

The Titans addressed their immediate need at receiver while building for the future at defensive tackle and tight end. If Kenny Britt, Sen'Derrick Marks and Jared Cook produce this fall, and the rookie cornerbacks add quality depth, this could be one of the Titans' better drafts. GRADE: B+.

Rick Gosselin gave us a C


Albert Haynesworth left a huge hole in the defensive front seven when he left in free agency. The Titans drafted Marks and McRath to try to plug that hole. Britt and Cook give QB Kerry Collins some weapons to open up the offense.

Fox Sports...


Tennessee

First-round pick Kenny Britt of Rutgers dropped too many passes for some teams to consider, especially the Giants, who looked hard at him. Britt did catch 149 passes over his last two seasons. Titans coach Jeff Fisher said he really likes Britt.

Most teams believe that Auburn DT Sen'Derrick Marks in the second round was a huge reach for a one-gap performer who needs to improve his motor. It was a negative trading next year's second-round pick to New England for South Carolina tight end Jared Cook, who should provide some blocking and be a deep middle threat. Grade: C

[Titanico]

There's one thing that will help these rookies to excell on training camps and try their hardest.

They know they are coming to a 13-3 team, that has all the potential to win a Super Bowl and to become into one of the important teams of the League. I think that's enough motivation for them to excell.

[Rolltide14TOMB]

please tell me why that idiot McShay thinks we should have drafted Rashad over Mouton? rashad is incapable of returning kicks and is slow....He certaintly would not play over Hope or Griffin...i guess depth wise it wouldnt hurt but i dont think we need to spend a 3rd on safety depth

[Titanico]

please tell me why that idiot McShay thinks we should have drafted Rashad over Mouton? rashad is incapable of returning kicks and is slow....He certaintly would not play over Hope or Griffin...i guess depth wise it wouldnt hurt but i dont think we need to spend a 3rd on safety depth

Key word...bolded.

[CodeBlue11]

Out of eleven picks, the Titans picked up only two players that are for sure to see significant playing time - Britt and Marks. Marks will probably not be an every down player. The knock on him is that he's not very strong for a guy his size. Cook SHOULD see time in the TE rotation but is very raw. Mouton is small and slow for a corner, probably a bit of a reach but the Titans passed on better corners to pick Marks. McRath has the same issues with being undersized. Both Tropog and Durand are projects on the line. That said, there isn't another position coach on the team I'd rather give "project" players to. If they have any talent, Munch will bring it out. Ringer, Edison, and Schommer will probably be cut in camp unless they can stand out on special teams. That said, Marks can take over a game. I watched him at Auburn a few times and was impressed with him. Cook gives the team some options at TE it hasn't enjoyed before. Mouton to me is a horrible, horrible reach. The others are standard fare for where they were drafted, etc.

A B- isn't a bad grade at all. I applaud the Titans for being aggressive, especially bucking tradition and going after a playmaker at WR. I don't think the Titans belong in the conversation about having the best draft though. It was above average and definitely worth being excited about.

Jovan Ringer I think is going to be a great player.

[titansikou]

Out of eleven picks, the Titans picked up only two players that are for sure to see significant playing time - Britt and Marks. Marks will probably not be an every down player. The knock on him is that he's not very strong for a guy his size. Cook SHOULD see time in the TE rotation but is very raw. Mouton is small and slow for a corner, probably a bit of a reach but the Titans passed on better corners to pick Marks. McRath has the same issues with being undersized. Both Tropog and Durand are projects on the line. That said, there isn't another position coach on the team I'd rather give "project" players to. If they have any talent, Munch will bring it out. Ringer, Edison, and Schommer will probably be cut in camp unless they can stand out on special teams. That said, Marks can take over a game. I watched him at Auburn a few times and was impressed with him. Cook gives the team some options at TE it hasn't enjoyed before. Mouton to me is a horrible, horrible reach. The others are standard fare for where they were drafted, etc.

A B- isn't a bad grade at all. I applaud the Titans for being aggressive, especially bucking tradition and going after a playmaker at WR. I don't think the Titans belong in the conversation about having the best draft though. It was above average and definitely worth being excited about.

OK. You've thought this out very well (rep!). I don't know though if we could have done much better at 30. I do kind of wish we had hopped the G-men to get Nicks, but otherwise, I thought we played it well considering our spot in the draft.

I am pretty happy about Cook. I caught a pre-draft special on him on the NFL Network. He was very impressive. Great attitude, great athleticism, great hands! I never thought he would fall to us. We could do with some taller CBs though!

[Fairweather Fan]

Out of eleven picks, the Titans picked up only two players that are for sure to see significant playing time - Britt and Marks. Marks will probably not be an every down player. The knock on him is that he's not very strong for a guy his size. Cook SHOULD see time in the TE rotation but is very raw.

I have to disagree. I think Cook could very well see more playing time than Britt or Marks.

[TTP77]

Last ones....

NBCSPORTS


Grade: B-

Details: Wideout Kenny Britt and second round pick DT Sen'Derrick Marks were clearly picks for need. Tennessee has done a far better job developing linemen than receivers, but Britt gives Kerry Collins a potentially beastly red zone option once he develops. Tennessee took their usual tough guys throughout the draft. Jeff Fisher only drafts hard-nosed football players.

SportsNation - B

Complete analysis here:

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft/tracker/team?team=ten&draftyear=2009

Clifton Brown C-


This team did a nice job addressing two skill positions. Wideout Kenny Britt and tight end Jared Cook could be nice targets for Kerry Collins. If either can earn regular playing time, the offense should become more dynamic.

Jason Cole B


Tennessee
Tennessee Titans
Picks: WR Kenny Britt, DT Sen’Derrick Marks, TE Jared Cook, CB Ryan Mouton, LB Gerald McRath, OT Troy Kropog, RB Javon Ringer, CB Jason McCourty, WR Dominique Edison, G Ryan Durand, DE Nick Schommer.
Positives: Britt’s big-play ability, good value through first five rounds.
Negative: No immediate replacement for the loss of Albert Haynesworth.
Bottom line: B. Getting Britt with the No. 30 pick was a coup for a receiver-starved team. Britt walks into the building as the best receiver on the Titans roster and gives them a vertical threat to augment the great running combo of Chris Johnson and LenDale White. Beyond that, Cook was a terrific pickup in the third round and should also help the moribund passing game with his speed. The offense needs to improve after the defense took a hit in the offseason with the loss of Haynesworth. Mouton is an underrated talent who should help a lot.

Here also are the consensus draft grades

http://sports.espn.go.com/chat/sportsnation/story?id=4104114

Eagles are first at 3.37 with the Pats a close second at 3.33. Jets next at 3.26. We are last in our division at 2.48.

The Raiders got a .78. :slap

[Sect309Fan]

Here also are the consensus draft grades

http://sports.espn.go.com/chat/sportsnation/story?id=4104114

Eagles are first at 3.37 with the Pats a close second at 3.33. Jets next at 3.26. We are last in our division at 2.48.

The Raiders got a .78. :slap

Weird grades. If it makes us feel any better, we did better than the whole AFC West, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, San Fran, Carolina, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Minnesota, Dallas, and Washington. We tied Indy and Seattle, so that put us right in the middle of the NFL. Not bad for a team with the 30th pick.

[TTP77]

They have changed it now. It was 2.48 when I posted it so there must have been an error. So, we tied for last with the Colts. Really the grades mean zilch I just think it's interesting. :)

[DelawareTitans]

Well we really won't know the final grade for about 3 years, so it's all speculation as to how we did. Personally I like most of the picks, especially Cook, who Jaworski compared to Shannon Sharpe. If he can be as half as good as Sharpe, that would be worth giving up next years 2nd.

[TTP77]

Didn't think this deserved a new thread but interesting blog from PK...


Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky

Thoughts on veterans helped and hurt by the Titans' 11-man draft class.

I took a more long-range view here than with the other three teams.

Short-term hurt is defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson, who should be squeezed out by Sen'Derrick Marks' arrival. Short-term help is DeMarcus Faggins, as the Titans are likely to want a veteran corner for depth even after drafting Ryan Mouton in the third and Jason McCourty in the sixth.

Hurt: Tight end Bo Scaife and running back LenDale White, in 2010.

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afcsouth/0-9-175/Helped-and-hurt--Tennessee-Titans.html

Third-round tight end Jared Cook is a guy the Titans think can create mismatches and stretch the field from the slot and can grow as a blocker. Scaife should be safe with his franchise tag now, but he didn't look likely for a long-term deal before and this pick doesn't help his chances at one. White's also in a contract year, and if fifth-round running back Javon Ringer proves a nice complement to Chris Johnson, he could inherit White's role in a year.

Helped: Outside linebacker Keith Bulluck and defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch.

A stalwart on defense for years, Bulluck is heading into a contract year. We had speculated a high pick of an outside backer could mean the Titans were lining up an heir. But the lone new linebacker selected, Gerald McRath out of Southern Miss, didn't arrive until the fourth round and played inside as a collegian. Vanden Bosch is also in a contract year (as are ends Jevon Kearse and Dave Ball), and the Titans didn't bring in a defensive end. Provided KVB returns to form after a year killed by a groin/abdominal injury, both sides will want a new deal.

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afcsouth/0-9-175/Helped-and-hurt--Tennessee-Titans.html

[Big Time]

Some of these blowhards, who only gave "C's" in some form, can bite me. :rolleyes:

[MillaKilla8]

No kidding.
For immediate impacts I think that Britt, Marks, and Cook are all capable.
What I am really interested in seeing though is how Javon Ringer and Dominique Edison shape out...I think both of them could be great NFL players.

[TTP77]

I know I said I was done but I came across one more. :lol Cory Bonini at KFFL gave us an A-.

http://www.kffl.com/article.php/95869/512

[TitansGiantsBears]

I have to disagree. I think Cook could very well see more playing time than Britt or Marks.

Which is why I highlighted the word SHOULD. He SHOULD see playing time in the TE rotation. The Titans do have a logjam there though, so he's going to have to separate himself from the pack. As for Mouton, everything I've seen on the guy has him running in the 4.5 area. I'm just not sold on the pick.

[TitansGiantsBears]

Some of these blowhards, who only gave "C's" in some form, can bite me. :rolleyes:

But a C is average. It doesn't mean people are saying the Titans' draft sucked. Most people rated the Titans somewhere in the middle of the pack for their draft, which would be about average. It's also hard to judge what someone's C means without looking at how they graded other teams. In my opinion there are very few teams with drafts in the last twenty years or so that I'd grade anywhere near an "A".
An "A" means excellent... you significantly improved your team with several immediate impact players who could be long-term answers at their positions if not possible Pro Bowlers. Using that criteria, I don't think the Titans draft was anywhere close. A "B" grade is above average. The NFL Network isn't likely to do a special on your draft class in 10 years, but you certainly improved your team significantly at the positions you drafted. A "C" is average, and honestly I'm not sure if the Titans draft isn't a "C". Perhaps my being a fan raises them a little. Then there's the "D" which is poor. Of course, "F" is just as difficult to get as an "A". You have to totally blow a draft in every conceivable way.

Then there's "AD" for Al Davis, which is a specially graded category reserved all to itself.

[MillaKilla8]

This is one of my favorite Titan drafts in a long time. So much potential!

[TitansGiantsBears]

This is one of my favorite Titan drafts in a long time. So much potential!

Now you did it... used the "P" word. The draft class sucks now. :lmao

[TTP77]

FWIW, we got a B from Gene Frenette ;)

http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/football/jaguars/2009-04-28/story/nfl_draft_report_card_on_the_paper_eagles_earn_hig hest_mark

[wari0]

I dont get why so many people comment about how its too early to grade the draft? Of course it is! I think (or at least hope) that everyone knows that already and can just take it for what it is. (An opinion meant to provide different angles of thought and stir up conversation.)