Draft Day 1: Lineman, Lineman, Lineman

Ok, I’m a bit late with my day one post — I was actually camping in the Smokey Mountains with several friends Friday and Saturday so I had NO TV and wasn’t able to see the draft (that’s the first time in several years). Anyway, I’ll assume everyone knows that we picked up Jarvis Moss, Tim Crowder and Ryan Harris and dive into my thoughts on each.

Jarvis Moss — Team Info Page NFL Scouting Report
Defensive End/Outside Linebacker
University of Florida Gators
6′ 6.5″ – 250 lbs.
Denton, Texas

There are two things that he discusses in his NFL Combine interview that I think are important. The first was is mention of Osteitis Pubis. Jarvis talked at length about the years he fought ‘a pelvic infection’ called Osteitis Pubis. This started in High School and severely limited his first two years at Florida. He stated that when Urban Meyer took over the Head Coaching job, efforts to find and fix the problem were redoubled and after this treatment, he is recovered. That was proved in part with his performance throughout the 2006 season that eventually lead to a spectacular Championship game for Moss.

However, Osteitis Pubis may not be something that can be easily cured and forgotten. The Wiki article states that it is prevalent among football players and “it frequently causes long-term problems.” Since this infection inflames the pelvic bone itself (and because the hips are a rather important joint) this could be a problem as Jarvis ages.

So, should this concern us in 2007? No. This will likely not be a serious issue until later in his career.

The other interesting thing he mentioned in the interview was his one game suspension last year. Much has been made in the mainstream media about ‘character’ since the Commish has cracked down on rule breaking. But each case is different. In this case Urban Meyer took over a team that lacked the discipline and maturity it needed to win a championship. So, Meyer laid out very strict rules and then smacked anyone out of line with harsh penalties. As Moss says in his interview, everyone on the team was doing things they shouldn’t have been and that they needed a strong coach to correct them. Moss tested positive for pot and was suspended for a game. He had to comply with even greater restrictions for the following weeks and did so like a man. He learned his lesson and it made him a better, more mature, person.

My conclusion… Well, with both of these issues scaring off the interest from other teams I think Denver would have ended up with a real steal at their original pick. However, the trade up was costly and may not have been necessary. Regardless, we got a talented Defensive End that will push Lang, Dumervil and Ekuban this year.

Tim Crowder — Team Info Page NFL Scouting Report
Defensive End
University of Texas Longhorns
6′ 3″ 272 lbs.
Tyler, Texas

What a grin! :)

I really like what I’ve read about Crowder. He leads by example both on and off the field and has more playing time experience than most DE’s in the draft. These two factors make him a great addition to our team.

First, let me try to explain what commentators are talking about when they say he ‘has a lot of playing time experience’. While at UT in Austin, he played in ALL 13 games in 2003, he started ALL 12 games in 2004, he started ALL 13 games in 2005 (and won a national championship). And finally he started ALL 13 games last season. That’s impressive, folks!

Tim Crowder hails from Tyler Texas. If you’re not from there you may not know that Tyler has one of the most impressive rose gardens in the world and home of the Texas Rose Festival. But Tyler has another rare commodity — a great role model in Tim Crowder. There are many stories circulating about his off-the-field community work (both in Austin and Tyler), but this one from last Oct is a great example of Crowder’s character (read story).

“I think God put me here to play football. But, I also think I am supposed to use that to help other people. If I can be a role model and set a good example, I think that is what I’m supposed to use my talents for.”

— Tim Crowder 10/4/06

Ryan Harris — Team Info Page NFL Scouting Report

Offensive Tackle
Notre Dame University
6′ 4.5″ 305 lbs.
St. Paul, Minnesota

Two words: Charlie. Weis.

Before Charlie Weis took the head coaching job at his alma mater of Notre Dame, he ran New England’s Offense under Belichick. That offense won three Super Bowls. And Weis says that Ryan Harris has what it takes to play left tackle in the NFL — enough said.

“Left tackles are the guys that need the athleticism to handle an edge rusher by themselves, which is normally the blind side of a right-handed quarterback. Ryan Harris has the athleticism to play left tackle.”

— Charlie Weiss 2007

Harris is another player with extensive experience, having started the last 32 games for the Fighting Irish (and logged 937 minutes of total playing time).

He should add needed depth to our O-line.

Over all I think we had a good first day of the draft. We added two defensive linemen — our leading need position and a quality O-lineman that can play guard or tackle. I can’t wait to see what we do today!

Go Broncos!