Gholston: We were stuck. All the top talent was off the board except for Gholston and no one offered enough to move up. I think the Pats trade down saved them very little money, may have cost them a better LB (Rivers vs Mayo), all for a #3 less a #5. I am the one who documented that Gholston was not a player whose stock rose precipitously as a result of great combine workouts. His rating and ranking did not significantly change so while inconsistent, he was not a reach.

Keller: While I hate the idea of giving up an early 4th round pick (because as others have pointed up we have done well in this round even in less well stocked drafts,) I am the one who pointed out that 1) there was no WR on the board worth taking and that 2) he was not a reach and if he performed as well as Dallas Clark we would all think it a great move. Remembering our TE fiascos does not mean one hates every pick. It just means all one’s brain cells have not died.

AFAIK, Rhodes is a S, not a CB. There is no CB chosen in rounds 4 or 5 in my recent memory (unfortunately, a lot of brain cells have died) who has started and excelled for this team in quite a while. A S might have been a good pick too. As with ILBs, some speed can be sacrificed for being in the right place at the right time and hitting hard. I stand by my belief that this part of the draft has values in players from small schools, changing position or at positions not requiring as much speed (OG, ILB, S).

And Mike, I guess that means you think Gholston was a workout wonder and is not a good football player, there was a WR we should have taken instead of Keller, we should have traded back for less than a third round pick in the first round, etc. Frankly, if Bent, Bassett, R or others who have repeatedly posted brilliantly wrote that they disagree with almost everything I say, I would be saddened. In your case, I suspect it just means you like being wrong.

harlan

Really, you have hated every pick? Whats your problem?

From what I’ve read, heard and understand, the Giants were in serious negotiations with the Saints to trade Shockey for 2nd and 5th round picks. The Giants didn’t think it was enough, and broke off talks Friday afternoon. The talks resumed again yesterday at around the 25th pick when the Saints upped the offer to 2nd and 4th round picks, the Giants were going to accept but wait until their pick at 32 to select Keller as a pass catching replacement for Shockey, but the Jets caught wind of it and jumped in front of them to snag Keller for themselves. Nice move!