Who cares if AJ overpaid. Hester is a guy who will play in the NFL for the next decade. He is the type of running back I love... he doesn't care about his body, unlike LT. The only thing I am worried about is LT turning Jacob into a pansy runner like he is. Will you crap on AJ if he drafts Indiana long-snapper Tim Bugg in the 6th or 7th round?
He didn't overpay. The spread between the 2 picks is not that much. Bethard liked to reach for Div-II players with next years #1. That hurt. AJ traded next year #2 that will be near the bottom of the 2nd, for a high 3rd this year and a low 5th. He drafted a high character football player that helped LSU to a National championship. If you have seen this guy play one thing would stand out. He is a football player. He fills a need and is in the mold of the type of players AJ has been stocking this team with. This isn't like a Ricks he pulled out of left field.
So now A.J. picks ANOTHER running back. There's only one ball on the field. Hester's not a blocking back, he's not fast enough to be a tailback, and now the Chargers have FIVE running backs - how many carries or receptions is Hester really gonna get? I just wonder if Marcus Thomas has any real chance of making the roster. The Chargers need more depth on the lines, I'm surprised that A.J. didn't address that with the 5th round pick. I may be one of the few, but I really question A.J.'s handling of this draft. None of these guys are likely to be the difference in getting the Chargers to the Super Bowl, and while most other SB contenders have upgraded their rosters the Chargers have basically been standing still.
this pick makes absolutely no sense http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/rb/marcusthomas.html Strengths: Adequate size and bulk...Has very good hands...Strong and runs hard...Does not go down easily...Real versatile...Terrific inside runner and does a nice job in short yardage situations...Patient with good vision...Runs good routes...Decent blocker. Weaknesses: Does not have great timed speed or quickness...Is not very explosive and lacks a burst...Doesn't have much wiggle and isn't real elusive...Not a big play threat...He only had one big season and otherwise wasn't overly productive...Limited upside? Notes: Was a Parade All-American coming out of high school...A natural runner who looks like a classic jack-of-all-trades but master of none...Most likely profiles as more of a backup and 3rd down specialist at the next level but he could excel in that role. So we got a fullback 'jack of all trades' to compliment with a running back 'jack of all trades' and last year's tight-end 'jack of all trades' and this year's 'cornerback who can play safety'. WTF???? I like versatility but give me a break
Depth is what we need, Depth is what we're getting. AJ likes getting his beef late in the draft (Olivea, Clary, Dielman, Lek, etc.) so I'm not really concerned over it.
there's decent OL still on the board; Geoff Schwartz, Kirk Barton, King Dunlap, Athyba Rubin (NT) as well. But a running back???
Well if Hester replaces Pinnock or if Pinnock is hurt it wouldn't be too bad to have another RB. This might be sort of a flyer pick though, we'll see though. AJ's picked up some nice beef in the 6th/7th/UDFA before so I'm not really worried.
eldwin - I guess you're an A.J. Smith fan. I'm not - I'm a CHARGER fan, and have been for 30 years. Now go drink your Kool-Aid.
Does Pinnock need to be replaced? I thought he made a good showing of himself over the last months of the season. But its still, Thomas is thought to be a third down back, so is all of a sudden Sproles' job up for grabs too? That would make less sense to be honest and yeah about him picking up good beef in the 6th-7th-udfa, granted but still there's beef staring at you in the face and you ignore it for a positional pick I don't think you need
Its just AJ reading the Pats Blueprint........versatility and flexibility can lead to winning football games. I am fine with the xdraft so far, but we need to get a decent tackly in to compete with Clary.....obviously they like him or they would have taken one instead of Thomas.
I hope that the remaining picks will be spent on beef. We've addresssed everything else - now we need to address our biggest need, IMO. I'm OK w/the Cason pick & Hester is gonna be a tough, hard-nosed baller for us. Beef better be next on the menu. :yes:
:rolleyes2: What? Are you in the 2nd grade or something? J Bobby Beathard assembled teams with great talent, too - and hired coaches that got those teams to the Super Bowl. That didn't mean that Beathard was above criticism when he became an idiot later on. A.J. has not had a great draft this time. Spin it however you like, but this has not been a great draft for him. A.J. is not God, he isn't perfect, and he has made some questionable moves today.
I think it's Old School. I love the fact that he is already declaring this a bad draft with two picks left and none of the selected players getting a single chance to show what they can do on the field yet.
