USN Bengal Posted March 22, 2011 Report Share Posted March 22, 2011 http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/peter_king/03/22/mail/index.html?xid=cnnbin&hpt=Sbin MMQB Mail: Julio Jones closing gap on A.J. Green as draft's top wideout NEW ORLEANS -- A.J. Green or Julio Jones? That is the question for many receiver-needy teams in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft on April 28. For most of the off-season, it's been assumed Green was a lock to be the first receiver -- and might even be a candidate to go first overall, to the Carolina Panthers or another team trading up to get him. But then Jones ran two 40-yard dashes at the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis between 4.34 seconds and 4.40 seconds with a slight foot fracture (which I'm told will not threaten his long-term pro career). Teams began putting their sniffers out to discover everything they could about the two players as people. Jones is a safer guy, in terms of work ethic and practice habits, several personnel men have told me. It's now a race. Jones has narrowed the gap between himself and Green to the point where I'm told by two teams with receiver needs that they favor Jones. Draft czar Gil Brandt says, "The gap has closed. I wouldn't be surprised to see Jones picked ahead of Green at this point.'' [b]I'm told the Bengals, who have the fourth pick and are considering a receiver, have Jones ahead of Green on their preliminary draft board. Coach Marvin Lewis wouldn't go that far this morning at the annual NFL meetings, but there's no question he's studying each guy. "That's the fun of the draft,'' Lewis said. "Sometimes we as teams all look at things slightly differently. But they're both going to be outstanding players. They're big, they play the game physically, they run well. "A.J. has demonstrated acrobatic catching ability. They both have a big catching radius. Julio has been a tenacious blocker. The question is, what do you value most?''[/b] The Panthers, picking number one, reportedly have Green in their list of "six or seven'' players they're considering at the top of the draft. I'd be stunned in Carolina does anything but pick a defensive lineman, quarterback or trades the pick. John Elway has said the Broncos are considering a quarterback at number two, but that would be a shocker. Buffalo is not taking a receiver at number three; the Bills will go quarterback or defensive front-seven player. That brings us to the fourth pick. [b]"My boss loves offense,'' Lewis said Tuesday morning.[/b] [b]He's referring to the owner and GM of the Bengals, Mike Brown. The Bengals will be the first serious candidate to choose a wideout. Here's where it gets interesting. I'm told Cincinnati has gotten poor reviews of Green as a practice player and willing blocker. The Bengals new offensive coordinator, Jay Gruden, will demand his receivers block downfield. They have no trepidation about Jones on either score. That's why I believe there's a better chance now, five weeks before the draft, that Jones will get picked before Green -- if Cincinnati is doing the receiver-picking at number four in the first round. [/b] Now onto your email: SHOULD ROOKIES SHOW UP AT THE DRAFT? "The league should point out the obvious to the potential draft picks. Does anyone think DaMarcus Ware is going to pull up on a chance to hit the guy who skips Radio City? This putting the draftees in the middle of this dispute is really low. It lowers the opinion of the NFLPA leadership substantially in the eyes of the public. And I suspect if you ask the players privately, they would agree.'' --Tom J., San Pedro, Calif. No one said Ware would not hit the guy who stayed away from the NFL Draft, or go easy on him. The point is, union guys like Ware won't hesitate to make it tougher for guys who hug Roger Goodell on national TV on draft night and help the NFL put on a better TV show. More importantly, the guys who hug Goodell are going to walk into a locker room of veterans who will be looking cross-eyed at any player who attends the draft at a time they were locked out. YES. "If the league year doesn't start before the draft, is there a way teams can agree on trades and execute them after the CBA is signed to get around the restriction on player trades prior to a new CBA? For example, could the Eagles agree in principle to trade Kevin Kolb to the Vikings for their top pick with the Eagles telling the Vikes who they want to pick and then execute the trade once football resumes? In the NBA frequently one team picks for another and they finalize the deal later. I don't know if the NFL has restrictions on trading unsigned draft picks and if they do, could there be some other mechanism to agree to a trade of player for pick at the draft and execute it later once football resumes (perhaps after the draft picks signs).'' --Ian, Chicago You can discuss trades, but it's risky. No trade can be consummated for a player until the league year begins, and what happens if you agree for a deal for Kevin Kolb, then bypass a quarterback in the first round, and then you don't get to coach Kolb until the lockout ends, and the lockout ends Sept. 18, and ... you get what I mean. Plus, trading for a player -- after this year's draft -- would mean you'd be getting a 2012 pick in return, which would be lesser value than a 2011 pick, obviously. The value for a quarterback in trade is going to be difficult to determine for all those reasons. CORRECTAMUNDO. "Peter, always love the column. I think you answered the question as to why the Competition Committee would propose moving the kickoff to the 35-yard-line: player safety. However, your point is right about how many touchbacks there would be. Wasn't the reason the kickoff was moved back from the 35 to the 30 in 1994 to decrease touchbacks and add more excitement on kickoffs? It worked, and now they want to go back on that? They want to take the Devin Hesters out of the game? How do these people not remember why the rule was changed in the first place only 17 years ago?'' --Nick Alexandrow, Springfield, Va. Simple: NFL bosses were interested in making the game more exciting then. Times change. Now, they're more interested in player safety. WHAT A SILLY OPINION THIS IS, IN MY OPINION. "I stopped watching and attending pro baseball games when their strike killed the World Series that year. I will now stop watching or attending pro football games. I am disgusted by both sides though I tend to side with the owners on most issues. This is just a game played by spoiled millionaires who could care less about the average fan. I can no longer support the greedy monster that the NFL has become. My fervent hope is that the billions being argued about are taken away, that people stop stupidly investing in the NFL and the league comes to a crashing halt. I have enjoyed my last game.'' --Rey Figeuroa, Houston So in a league that hasn't missed a game due to a labor dispute in 24 years, you're going to stop watching the NFL because five-and-a-half months before the start of the season the two sides don't have a labor agreement? Wow. [b]GOOD POINT. "Your words on Feb 2nd: 'Could we please have a moratorium on the Carson Palmer-to-Arizona or San Francisco or anywhere rumors, and can we please stop speculating where Kevin Kolb's going to go? Come on. This stuff's months away.' Not suggesting it was hypocritical of you to print speculation on Palmer AND Kolb in your MMQB this week. But can you please admit that post in February was a bit heavy-handed. Speculating is what you and all your colleagues are, in part, paid to do.'' --Steve, Toronto You're right, but when I wrote that, it appeared the start of the league year was almost certainly months away. Now it might be three weeks away.[/b] THE GARY BRACKETT CRITIQUE. "Your interview with Gary Brackett where he likens a car buyer asking for the CARFAX report to NFL players asking to see team financials is way off. Worse than apples to oranges. No, Gary, it would be like a car salesman refusing to work for a car dealer because the owner of the dealership won't show him the company books. It's completely ludicrous to me that so many people have lined up behind the players. I think I read in another of your articles that players were concerned about how they were going to afford to live if there were to be a lockout. Really? On, at a minimum, several hundred thousand per year? I don't feel bad for them at all. Mind you, I'm not on the owners' side, either. I think that these guys need to man up and get a deal done before they ruin the sport for the people who make it possible for them to do what they do -- the fans.'' --Craig, Hoboken, N.J. Duly noted. I've heard from many who agree with you, Craig. Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/peter_king/03/22/mail/index.html#ixzz1HN5XU9g2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigris Posted March 22, 2011 Report Share Posted March 22, 2011 Taking a WR at #4 will help us about as much as Cam Newton would. I will lose my mind if we screw this up. We have a chance here to get a very special player. Bennett, Fairley, Peterson, Miller, Bowers - pick one of them and you're a winner. Only questions are Bowers' health (which I think is bull shit, remember Gronkowski's "back problems". that sure worked out well for NE) and Fairley's attitude and work ethic. WR.... insane. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengals1181 Posted March 22, 2011 Report Share Posted March 22, 2011 Green still tops Jones in the two biggest aspects for a WR: catching and route running. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SocalBengalEd Posted March 22, 2011 Report Share Posted March 22, 2011 I would rather draft Jones who seems perfect for the west coast. But I don't want a wr at #4 give me Fairley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldschooler Posted March 22, 2011 Report Share Posted March 22, 2011 I highly doubt anyone of real value has access to the Bengals draft board. And those who do aren't going to leak it. Smoke screeen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengals1181 Posted March 22, 2011 Report Share Posted March 22, 2011 [quote name='oldschooler' timestamp='1300836636' post='979117'] I highly doubt anyone of real value has access to the Bengals draft board. And those who do aren't going to leak it. Smoke screeen. [/quote] it seems implied it came from Marvin. And I agree, I doubt Marvin told Peter King anything real "on the record" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjm47 Posted March 22, 2011 Report Share Posted March 22, 2011 [quote name='Tigris' timestamp='1300834863' post='979102'] Taking a WR at #4 will help us about as much as Cam Newton would. I will lose my mind if we screw this up. We have a chance here to get a very special player. Bennett, Fairley, Peterson, Miller, Bowers - pick one of them and you're a winner. Only questions are Bowers' health (which I think is bull shit, remember Gronkowski's "back problems". that sure worked out well for NE) and Fairley's attitude and work ethic. WR.... insane. [/quote] Who is Bennett? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Few Clothes Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 I really don't want to see a receiver at #4 but if I do I hope it's JJOnes. A blocking Bengals WR willingly laying the shit on a 'burgh linebacker does kinda give me a warm fuzzy feeling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mu Shu Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 This is also the team that had Chris Perry rated higher than Stephen Jackson. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spicoli Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 [quote name='Bengals1181' timestamp='1300834941' post='979104'] Green still tops Jones in the two biggest aspects for a WR: catching and route running. [/quote] That doesn't necessarily make him a better football player though. [quote name='SocalBengalEd' timestamp='1300835069' post='979106'] I would rather draft Jones who seems perfect for the west coast. But I don't want a wr at #4 give me Fairley [/quote] Cheers to that!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengals1181 Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 [quote name='spicoli-2' timestamp='1300844752' post='979164'] That doesn't necessarily make him a better football player though. [/quote] yea, who needs production and success. Green's a better catcher, a better route runner, just as fast, and has far better stats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JC Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 Green is so smooth. You can't measure that with combine numbers. They praised the way he flipped his hips when making cuts today. I think that is what separates him from JJ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spicoli Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 [quote name='Bengals1181' timestamp='1300845093' post='979169'] yea, who needs production and success. [/quote] Julio Jones had production and success too. Just because a guy looks prettier catching the ball, doesn't mean he's the better football player. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengals1181 Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 [quote name='spicoli-2' timestamp='1300849870' post='979188'] Julio Jones had production and success too. Just because a guy looks prettier catching the ball, doesn't mean he's the better football player. [/quote] nobody's talking anything about being "pretty". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spicoli Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 Both of these guys are getting similar grades so it's just doing to come down to which one best suits each team. If the Bengals do decide to take a WR, it's not too hard to see why they might think Jones is the better fit for what they want to do as an offense in a division with Pitt and Balt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldschooler Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 [size="5"][b]King: Bengals among teams that have Julio Jones ahead of A.J. Green[/b] [/size]Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on March 22, 2011, 3:54 PM EDT Peter King's Tuesday version of [i]MMQB[/i] dives into a new but growing debate in draft circles. Could Alabama's Julio Jones get taken ahead of Georgia's A.J. Green? King says the [url="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/peter_king/03/22/mail/index.html#ixzz1HMKkLToY"][color="#d81718"]Bengals rank Jones ahead of Green[/color][/url] on their early draft board. NFL.com's Gil Brandt wouldn't be surprised if Jones goes first, and many view Jones as the "safer" pick. This is the time of year that many long-held draft beliefs start to be questioned. Green was seen as a lock as the best wideout in this class. Sometimes, assumptions are challenged with good reason. (Matt Leinart or Jimmy Clausen's draft stock being a good example.) Sometimes, all the chatter is nothing more than a smokescreen. King says that the Bills won't go wideout at No. 3 overall, so the first spot a wideout could likely go is Cincinnati. (Sorry, we're not buying the Panthers' [url="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/03/21/panthers-looking-at-a-j-green-with-first-overall-pick/"][color="#d81718"]interest in Green[/color][/url] as the No. 1 overall pick.) The Bengals have reportedly received mixed reviews of Green's practice habits and ability to block. Jones doesn't face the same concerns. Either way, the Bengals will be looking at the wideouts closely because they [url="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/03/22/ochocinco-wonders-why-marvin-lewis-favors-carson-palmer/"][color="#d81718"]certainly have a need there[/color][/url]. "My boss loves offense," coach Marvin Lewis said. [url="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/03/22/king-bengals-among-teams-that-have-julio-jones-ahead-of-a-j-green/"]http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/03/22/king-bengals-among-teams-that-have-julio-jones-ahead-of-a-j-green/[/url] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldschooler Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 [b][size="5"]Green Puts on a Show [/size]By Seth Emerson[/b] Posted Mar 22, 2011 [b] ATHENS – It had already been a confusing morning for A.J. Green. Then it almost got painful. [/b] The star receiver was finishing a deep route in a passing drill when he tripped over a cord that was serving as a makeshift barrier. Green went down hard. There was an audible gasp from the dozens of former teammates and other onlookers – and probably more from the scouts from 32 NFL teams who had been forced inside. (More on that later.) It proved to be a momentary crisis. Green emerged unscathed, and still one of the top prospects in next months' NFL draft. "I caught myself. I had on some gloves, so I'm all right," Green said. "I didn't see the rope until the last minute, so I was like, 'Man!'" There were 13 former [url="http://georgia.scout.com/"]Georgia[/url] football players who participated in the program's pro day on Tuesday. They were measured, timed, weighed and evaluated by scouts, who put each through position drills. Green was the biggest name by far. [url="http://hssouthcarolina.scout.com/a.z?s=232&p=8&c=1&nid=5072532"]Justin Houston[/url] could join him as a first-round pick on April 28, when the draft commences. But Green has been pegged as a future pro from the day he committed to Georgia, and his three years in Athens didn't diminish that. "I don't want to be just a regular receiver. I want to be mentioned as one of the greats," Green said. [b][size="3"]Scouts from the [/size][/b][url="http://cin.scout.com/"][b][size="3"]Cincinnati Bengals[/size][/b][/url][b][size="3"], who own the fourth pick in the draft, seemed to be hanging around Green a lot. That team figures to bring Green in for an individual workout soon, as do other teams. [/size][/b] But pro day nearly ended up being a bust for Green. He had done nothing except get weighed – he came in at 206 pounds – while his former teammates went through the weight room, ran 40-yard dashes, shuttle cones and other drills. The plan was for Green to go through a passing drill, with former Montana quarterback Justin Roper passing to him. But on Tuesday morning a kink emerged: The NFL wouldn't clear Roper to participate, because it has a rule that the passer in scouting drills needs to be from the Athens metro area. Roper actually lives in Buford, which is about 45 miles from Athens. But the NFL wouldn't sign off, and Green's agents advised him not to take passes from anyone other than Roper, whom Green had been working with in the run-up to pro day. Former Georgia quarterback Matt Stafford was in attendance, but the NFL lockout prevented him from participating. And the passer has to be draft-eligible, so current Georgia quarterback [url="http://hssouthcarolina.scout.com/a.z?s=232&p=8&c=1&nid=5420036"]Aaron Murray[/url] wasn't an option either. So after much negotiating, with Bulldogs head coach [url="http://hssouthcarolina.scout.com/a.z?s=232&p=8&c=1&nid=5420041"]Mark Richt[/url] involved, the scouts were sent inside to watch the workout online at ESPN3.com – along with the rest of the web audience. Green felt he put up a good show. "I just felt like I had to go out there and run routes, catch the ball," he said. "I didn't really feel any pressure because I knew I could do those things." There was more pressure on his other former teammates, but for different reasons. [url="http://houston.scout.com/"]Houston[/url] is trying to prove he belongs in the first round. He left with a year of eligibility remaining despite getting a second-round grade from the NFL draft advisory committee. Houston, speaking to the media for the first time since making that decision, said he was honestly torn. "As of right now I feel like I made the right decision. But in due time we'll see," he said. Offensive lineman [url="http://hssouthcarolina.scout.com/a.z?s=232&p=8&c=1&nid=5072507"]Clint Boling[/url] also seems likely to be drafted. Inside linebacker [url="http://hssouthcarolina.scout.com/a.z?s=232&p=8&c=1&nid=5072518"]Akeem Dent[/url] has seen his stock improve. As for the others - such as defensive end [url="http://hssouthcarolina.scout.com/a.z?s=232&p=8&c=1&nid=5072519"]Demarcus Dobbs[/url], receiver [url="http://hssouthcarolina.scout.com/a.z?s=232&p=8&c=1&nid=5072521"]Kris Durham[/url], offensive linemen [url="http://hssouthcarolina.scout.com/a.z?s=232&p=8&c=1&nid=2269694"]Josh Davis[/url] and [url="http://hssouthcarolina.scout.com/a.z?s=232&p=8&c=1&nid=320731"]Chris Davis[/url] – they were angling to at least impress someone. That would mean getting a late-round pick, or at least a free agent camp invite. "You never know what a coach or everybody's thinking. They don't really give you straight answers," Dobbs said. "But I just hope I turned a couple heads and interest some people out here. But all I can do is my best." [url="http://hssouthcarolina.scout.com/2/1058129.html"]http://hssouthcarolina.scout.com/2/1058129.html[/url] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnglishBengal Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 After watching the vids of Jones and Green, I'm beginning to think Jones will be the better pick. People are talking about Green's acrobatic catching ability but Jones is comparable. Take a look at this unbelievable catch... [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVV70efL26Q&feature=player_detailpage[/media] Seems like another Jerome Simpson, the way he can catch the ball and display toughness afterwards. Jones seem a better fit for the scheme Gruden is trying to run. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sigfox09 Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 I recall Jones having issues with dropping easy passes throughout his Sophmore season. It seems like Green is by far the safest choice of the two WR. Green also found the end zone a lot more often. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spicoli Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 [quote name='Sigfox09' timestamp='1300917211' post='979415'] [size="4"][b]I recall Jones having issues with dropping easy passes [/b][/size]throughout his Sophmore season. It seems like Green is by far the safest choice of the two WR. Green also found the end zone a lot more often. [/quote] that was a question mark for Andre Johnson when he came out as well and it was a a big reason he got drafted behind Charlie Rodgers even though Rodgers had some character red flags. I don't want a WR in the least bit, but if they decide to go that route, they really can't go wrong with either one of these guys, even though I think Jones might be a little bit better fit here. I want D-E-F-E-N-S-E!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengals1181 Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 [quote name='Sigfox09' timestamp='1300917211' post='979415'] I recall Jones having issues with dropping easy passes throughout his Sophmore season. It seems like Green is by far the safest choice of the two WR. Green also found the end zone a lot more often. [/quote] that's one of the things that separates the two. Jones has had issues with drops, whereas I have literally never seen AJ Green ever drop a pass. And I really mean literally. Green is also a better route runner. I don't agree with Todd McShay much, but he hits the nail on the head here between the two WR's. [quote]“If you draft a wide receiver because he’s a better blocker, I think you’re missing the point,” said McShay.[/quote] Mike Mayock agreed with that as well. I'd have no problem with Jones as a Bengal, but think Green is a mucher better WR. Effort in blocking means just as much as ability. WR's aren't expected to block for very long in the NFL. It's more of an effort thing. If you can tie up your DB for 1-2 seconds, you've done your job. I've never seen Green lack for effort in blocking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparky151 Posted March 24, 2011 Report Share Posted March 24, 2011 Why on earth would the NFL have any say on who can throw to Green at Georgia's pro day? The teams and scouts are guests of the university and it's free to invite anyone they want. I could envision the NCAA cracking down on eligible players participating, but UGA doesn't owe the NFL any deference. Wasn't Isaac Bruce the receiver for Christian Ponder last week? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengals1181 Posted March 24, 2011 Report Share Posted March 24, 2011 [quote name='sparky151' timestamp='1300928803' post='979433'] Why on earth would the NFL have any say on who can throw to Green at Georgia's pro day? The teams and scouts are guests of the university and it's free to invite anyone they want. I could envision the NCAA cracking down on eligible players participating, but UGA doesn't owe the NFL any deference. Wasn't Isaac Bruce the receiver for Christian Ponder last week? [/quote] because of the lockout. rules state it has to be someone who lives or played college ball within 45 miles of the school. Since the NFL is currently in a lockout, it can't be anyone who is no longer in college, as they are defined as a "pro" and can't be doing football activity in front of scouts. It's also effecting many former players who would normally go back and work out at their college's during their alma mater's Pro Day hoping to catch the eye of a scout. They can't, because of the lockout. It all has to do with the lockout and the fact that anyone designated pro status can't be doing football activities in front of NFL personnel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bengaled Posted March 24, 2011 Report Share Posted March 24, 2011 i think if there's a legitimate debate over who's the better WR prospect this year between julio jones and aj green, and there appears to be just that, we can forget all that hyped up bullshit about aj green being one of the best WR prospects of the last decade. let's get real here! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparky151 Posted March 24, 2011 Report Share Posted March 24, 2011 [quote name='Bengals1181' timestamp='1300929553' post='979437'] because of the lockout. rules state it has to be someone who lives or played college ball within 45 miles of the school. Since the NFL is currently in a lockout, it can't be anyone who is no longer in college, as they are defined as a "pro" and can't be doing football activity in front of scouts. It's also effecting many former players who would normally go back and work out at their college's during their alma mater's Pro Day hoping to catch the eye of a scout. They can't, because of the lockout. It all has to do with the lockout and the fact that anyone designated pro status can't be doing football activities in front of NFL personnel. [/quote] That can't be right since Isaac Bruce was participating in a workout last week. He could theoretically unretire any time he wants. The lockout only applies to people who have signed an NFL contract at some point, otherwise the teams couldn't talk to the guys who will be drafted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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