Those players named have a world of ability, which is why they get passes. Compare them with players who have good character and every GM will most likely choose the good character player, the exception being Ray Lewis who is head and shoulders above his peers at LB. And moreover, Ray Lewis, no matter what we think about the Atlanta incident, has proven to be the consummate teammate who will geaux out of his way to protect his teammates. If teams were given a choice between Marvin Harrison and Terrell Owens, most, if not all would take Marvin Harrison. Why? Character. There is a reason Randy Moss slid to the 21st pick. There is a reason why Fred Smoot was taken in the 2nd round. There is a reason why Antonio Bryant was taken in the 3rd. No matter what y'all think, it's true that when teams are drafting, character is an issue. If you don't think that's part of the reason why Michael Clayton was taken so high, you're kidding yourself. I know we all want to think that the NFL doesn't care about character, but on draft day, I believe it does. If a player proves he can perform on the field, then they'll take them, but most of the time, front offices feel that character is a trait that affects on field performance.
Ryan, I have to respectfully dissagree. I will agree that sometimes players drop in the draft due to problems, but IMO, a bigger reason Moss dropped in the draft than his run in with the law was that he had a label of being lazy in his work habits. There is a big difference between a guy who stirs the pot with his attitude like Kellen Winslow and a guy who is labeled as lazy. Both guys have attitude, but KW2 works his butt off and therefore got picked in the top ten. Just like Rickey Williams, the tag on him was that he was a head case, but that he worked hard, and he got taken in the top five. Then you go to Warren Sapp, who was always out of shape at Miami (anyone remember how he was dragging in the third quarter against Nebraska in the NC?) and you add to that the rumors of drug use and he drops. I don't ever remember a guy dropping who worked hard, just because he was vocal or some sort of loud mouth obnoxious jerk. People would take Harrison over TO because he drops fewer passes and doesn't take plays off, not because he is a "role model" and TO is a poster boy for for the US Idiot Society.
All other things being equal between 2 players and the character guy goes first. If the guy with the character issue is deemd to be a better player he goes first.
Agreed. Also, if Clayton had a run in with the law like Antrel Rolle did, he would still have been taken exactly where he was taken. He went where he went in the draft because he is an exceptional athlete, he is incredibly fast and has great hands. The fact that he's a nice guy is just gravy.
I think you may have TO confused with Randy Moss. I can't stand Terrell, but he works his arse of to be one of the most complete receivers te NFL has ever known. Hands, blocking, competetitiveness and heart summerize up his talents. The only difference between TO and Marvin Harrison is that TO has a step on him ans Marvin doesn't feel the need to self-promote himself. TO does NOT take plays off...
Nah, I don't have them confused. I used to think the same thing, that he was all that. Here's an article that I read which is blustery, but if you get past the verbage and look at the stats the guy is quoting, he's right. There are lots of places to look it up. I read this thing in 2002, and watched a lot of TO last year, and if he's not the primary receiver on a play, I found that he takes plays off. He is still a wonderful talent IMO, but he is not as good as his self-promotion IMO. http://http://49erhaters.com/problem/people/owens.html If you don't like the source of that one, here's one from ESPN in which they outline beutifully the problem with TO, sometimes he feels like playing, and sometimes he doesn't. http://espn.go.com/nfl/columns/oates_tom/1269014.html
Like I stated before...scouts believe and correctly so, that character leads to on the field performance. Character leads to work ethic. Character essentially leads to other traits. It happens every year in the draft, players with character issues fall. There's no way around it. Being lazy in work habits is a sign of character. And chances are next year there'll be a player who'll have character issues and he'll drop. This argument is essentially an argument on the term character. And a part of the reason Michael Clayton was taken at 15 was because he was a high character guy. Put in a search for Clayton and every article will include his character first and foremost. Of course he's talented, but his character got him picked a few slots higher.
The backer from Texas is one of the top 5 defensive players in the country and I like him too. Note, I stated Pro Scouts, not radio personalities.
Marvin Harrisson or Terrell Owens? Give me a BREAK! I'd take TO every, single GD day! Name me one time Marvin Harrison goes over the middle? Look at Harrison...He can't do the things that Owens does...With clearouts using his physicality, going over the middle and hold onto the bal, to catching and not just "laying down as if he's falling" as Harrison ALWAYS DOES, or just plain old catching the ball against the likes of a physical cornerback (Something the Pats showed us Harrison is incapable of)... Harrison over Owens, eh? Well, I guess that's why Fantasy Football was designed...For guys who think they could be a GM, but won't ever see a dime from player and talent evaluations... Owens is a hugely talented, amazingly motivated athlete, when he wants to be. Like anyone else, with the right motivation, the guy will play. It was obvious that the 49ers were not playing to win, and he didn't want to be in the situation...Look at that tirade the OC got stuck with by Owens...The guy didn't even say a word back to him...Didn't stand up for himself, his playcalling...anything...Just took it... Owens is the best wideout in the league. Period. Lewis, the best linebacker in the game, bar none. Williams is the best running back, and he won't even play...Please tell me Priest "I want to get paid" Holmes or LaDanian Tomlinson is better...I need a laugh... Randy Moss is another "high class" guy I'm sure you'll be raving about...Or perhaps Quincy Carter...Or Kellen Winslow II, etc... How about Eugene Robinson of the Falcons the night before the Super Bowl? No hanging out w/family...He opted for a night out soliciting prostitutes...Right after getting named the NFL's "Citizen Of the Year" award winner...Or David Boston...He spent the offseason between seasons one and two of his NFL career doing what allegedly amounted to 2 cycles of steroids per month...Or Bam Morris...or Cecil Collins...Just any number of character guys who had their transgressions looked past in the name of winning... Also, ask anyone close the Saints what happened when Joe Horn got here...Willie Roaf left after only one season...and that seemed to coincide with the divorce of his wife...Seems as if the Saints were made aware that Horn hadn't done Roaf and his wife any relationship-related favors...When Roaf demanded either Horn or he went...We see what decision the Saints made... Once again, class over thuggishness, right? Duh...
