calkins's Blog

Shaking and stirring while always recommending La Carafe Wine Bar for quality liquid refreshment in what is likely the oldest bar in the city.

Enjoy with a discerning friend.  Or an attractive stranger.

The Bloggorrhea's official grade on the Texans recent draft of college hot shots - incomplete.

What else.  The only intelligent grade.

What else when Duane Brown and his fellow members of the Class '08 have merely held jerseys in photo ops but are still months away from producing a single official NFL-sanctioned game-worn thread, and Brown in particular is two-three years away from any legit evaluation.

Without question the Smith/Kubaik crew is catching coast-to-coast knee jerk grief for reaching in the first round to finally address the need at left tackle.

Brown played only 12 games at left tackle at Virginia Tech, two seasons at right tackle after starting out his kicks on campus as a tight end.  He was not in the top 50 on most pre-draft boards, yet was taken No. 26 (after dropping down from No. 18) by Smith/Kubiak, the seventh offensive tackle grabbed in the first round.

First and foremost, Brown was rated higher and considered more valuable by the Texans because he's believed to be the perfect match for the Alex Gibbs school/scheme of line play.  Only the Texans know such.  And such evaluation tends to render outside opinions irrelevant, if Smith/Kubiak know what they're doing scouting evaluating taking.

The trade down was also in part to replenish options after the second-rounder was sacrificed for Matt Schaub and the sixth-rounder shipped for center Chris Meyers.

So, instead of, say, selecting the more highly regarded Pitt tackle Jeff Otah at No. 18, the Texans opt for the package of Brown and third-round running back Steve Slaton and the sixth-round safety Dominque Barber and Meyers.

But the value is totally predicated on Brown emerging as ever-elusive dominate force at ever-valuable left tackle.  If Brown's performance (without much wait) is closer to pedestrian, the final draft grade flirts with F.

One interesting subplot - if Slaton regains the gear that motored his junior season at West Virginia, comparing production vs. Reggie Bush over the next few seasons.  If of course.

Other swirling thoughts on the draft festivities:

CHEERS

The immediate impact from the Texans group comes from the other Virginia Tech Gobbler, linebacker Xavier Adibi.

LSU's demolition man Glenn Dorsey is top-talent on board yet four teams pass, which is why the same teams tend to habitually live among the dregs.  The fact that taking the best no-brainer merits credit reveals all you need to know about draft dealings.

Sedrick Ellis is not quite a Dorsey-demon but will create almost as much havoc and cause many an offense to bog down down on the bayou.

The UT tag-team of Limas Sweed to the Steelers in round two and Jamal Charles to the Chiefs in round three fall under the heading of value-added.

JEERS

Deep in the first round, Jerry Jones rejects a top-10 sort in running back Rashard Mendenhall to complete his fixation for Felix Jones.  Jones the draftee obviously offers change-of-pace to the bulldozing Marian Barber.  But why first-round investment for change-of-pace type when the supeior prospect falls in your lap. 

Again, it's all about the value, regardless of how Jones may rate Arkansas roots.  But when has Jones the drafter ever flashed any real football savy and foresight.  When?  How many playoff busts have the 'Boys banged in the last decade or so? 

Vernon Golhston will not deliver the destruction to live up to the six-pick status.  And the Jets will rue the proverbial day they passed on Ellis to make said pick six.

Matt Ryan will never be able to compenstate for the Falcons' knuckle head management and revolving door coaching carousel.  And therefor never win enough to satisfy the forever-alive Vick sentiment in Atlanta which remain large.  And Ryan will be forced to shoulder the blame singularly.

Darren McFadden is not the second coming of Adrian Peterson.

In terms of the AFC South:

Jacksonville is obviously convinced they are positioned to dethrone the only champ the division has ever produced. 

The Jags way over-paid to jump into the first round to nab perceived impact linebacker Derrick Harvey, giving up two thirds and a fourth for the privilege.  Then trading up in the second round, for a fifth and a seventh, for defensive end Quintin Groves. 

Now Jax is yacking and ready to morgage '09 picks for Philly cornerback Lito Sheppard.  Perhaps the Jags playoff win over Pittsburgh went to their collective head.  No doubt these series of moves are not in motion if Jax doesn't believe they're on the brink of title-contending and collasping the Colts.

Speaking of, Indy does what Indy does, adding depth and quality even without a first round slot.

The Bud Adams bunch does what Tennessee does, adding runners and still no first-rate catchers for Vince. 

Perhaps the NFL's toughest division will prove even tougher in 2009.