Most overrated 2008 offseason pickup?

[Sawyer5500]

Look what buges did with Stephon Heyer. He turned Heyer into a legitimate starter at RT. Imagine what he will be able to do with an actual draft pick like Rhinehart. All of our draft picks and free agent pickups are pretty much low risk/high reward. A+ off season.

[SonOfWashington]

I thought Jerome Mathis would be our punt returner. That didn't happen.

[Larry Brown #43]

But when I hear about guys like Kerry Brown, Andrew Crummey, and Kyle DeVan, all I hear are these positives for the guys - especially Brown. But the problem is that these guys are UDFAs. Maybe I've just been ignoring the negatives about some of these guys (the only bad I've heard about Crummey is his broken leg which may have him placed on IR this year), but how often does a team find 3/5 of its starting offensive line for the next 12 years in one offseason? And how often are these players all undrafted? And if you add to that Chad Rinehart, we've added 4/5 of our new offensive line. And if you add to that Stephon Heyer, we've already for our new offensive line on our roster. All in two offseasons, and 4/5 of them are undrafted.

No one is suggesting that ALL of these UDFAs will make the team. And CERTAINLY no one is suggesting that they will all become starters. You're overreacting here by a mile.

Every year the fans latch on to their favorite UDFAs until they get cut. It's just a fun little rite of summer. Two years ago Jesse Lumsden had his own fan club here on Extremeskins. But then reality set in and he didn't make the team.

Don't read too much into these little man-crushes that go around this time of year. Sure, maybe a couple of these UDFAs defy the odds and make the final roster. That doesn't mean they'll be starters for years to come. Of course they all have negatives. That's why they weren't drafted. You're just reading a little too much into people's summertime exuberance here.

[Wrenkels]

Yup, its the offseason and all of our hopes may be high right now. But we play in a tough division and our first three road games are against Giants, Philly, and the Cowboys. New coach, new system, and a new season. I do find a light through all the doom and gloom knowing that this team might have a spark from JZ being the coach. Look we made the playoffs with all the bad things thet could happen to a team, did happen. Weather these UDFA make an impact on this squad maybe alot to ask. But still they fill a spot incause someone goes down. Now weather they are at the level needed to play in the NFL? Your guess is as good as mine.

[PlayAction]

Alright, I'm enjoying reading all the optimistic fans, but as a realist, I feel like we're preparing ourselves for some disappointment. Over the past few months we've been talking about the pros and cons of Thomas and Kelly; the stupidity or genius of drafting Davis; how Brennan may be a superstar or a 6th round bust; whether James will ever be a great player, etc. I think that my expectations for these players has been lowered to a point where I'm not going to be disappointed by their performance.

But when I hear about guys like Kerry Brown, Andrew Crummey, and Kyle DeVan, all I hear are these positives for the guys - especially Brown. But the problem is that these guys are UDFAs. Maybe I've just been ignoring the negatives about some of these guys (the only bad I've heard about Crummey is his broken leg which may have him placed on IR this year), but how often does a team find 3/5 of its starting offensive line for the next 12 years in one offseason? And how often are these players all undrafted? And if you add to that Chad Rinehart, we've added 4/5 of our new offensive line. And if you add to that Stephon Heyer, we've already for our new offensive line on our roster. All in two offseasons, and 4/5 of them are undrafted.

Now the rational side of me says that I'm just getting excited over our players BECAUSE they're our players. If these guys were that good, why didn't they get drafted? Did every other team in the NFL just miss then 7 times (or so)? I mean, there was a run on linemen in the first round, so I would've expected that if they're that good, they'd have been drafted. I just feel like you all are getting my hopes up only to see one (all) of these guys cut in training camp. Remember that DT named Mapu (I had high hopes for him)?

But thats my overrated pick - these guys on the OL. Who do you say it is? Is it Kelly, who many (including myself) see having a really good year this year? Is it James, who may be cut before the season starts? What about Stu? Will he be another Stanley Richards? Does Tyron talk stuff his game can't backup? What do you think?

Your post is getting beat up over "overrated". I think it's a legitimate question as to which players are being overly hyped when the pads haven't come on yet. All of the undrafted OL are hyped - we root for the underdog and for locals. Best outcome for these guys is that one or more becomes a project that can be developed over several years. So we are looking at IR, practice squad or at best a backup to replace an aged backup.

WRs - I don't think Thomas, Kelly or TE Davis are over hyped at this point. We know they have some flaws and most fans were upset that the Skins picked 3 pass catchers so expectations are that not all will even play. Mix is definitely hyped. It doesn't mean he won't meet those expectations but it will be difficult to get many opportunities as an undrafted free agent.

Chad Rinehart - I don't expect he'll see any playing time during the regular season. But I have high hopes for him in the future.

All picks after 3rd round - does anyone expect any of these guys to start except the punter? Brennan is hoping to be third string QB.

[RammsteinSkins]

Malcom Kelly.Never wanted him in the first place.I say he will be a Bust.

[bigredone]

I agree that you have to look to the past..for it is a great predictor of future results......Wether we wait till mid season to see what happens.......the truth is they are unlikley to pan out the way "we would all like them to" based purely on odds and past experience........I am sure there is a diamond in there, but we should not expect more then one surprise..and sometimes that is just enough.....

[Jay Master Jay]

We have high expectations on every FA, traded or drafted player we get were fans we expect the best of every player. August 3rd will be here before you know it my fan just relax.

[Morneblade]

The draft "run" was on left tackles. The three guys you mentioned are guards and a center. In fact, Rhinehardt was a LOT and was drafted to be a guard.

Rinehart is a LT, but scouts say he might start quicker if he moves to guard.

[phatSkins27]

Yeah, I remember all the threads about how Rock's time was done here, and how we finally had a good KR. Then he gets cut like a week later. funny stuff.

That is pure Extremskins!

MIx is the next big (tall) thing and probably will be a first cut if not cut during rookie signings

[Longbomb]

I don't think anyone is annointing Brennan anything. I think a lot of people have given up on JC. I haven't done so yet but I will if he flops this year. Blame it on bad play calling, poor blocking, 700 page playbook. There comes a time if a guy is going to amount to anything close to being a team leader they need to step up. I hope Campbell does that this year because his job is on the line. If someone screws up a route he needs to rip them a new a--hole.

Quit being so passive all the time. JC's going to be the one out of a job if the production on the field doesn't improve. I know it's not his fault all the time but he needs to find a way to get the job done for his sake anyway.