Tweet
VERMONT DRAFT SUMMARY
Primary Objective: Replenish roster with youngsters who can play
Biggest Needs Pre-draft: Starting WR, Starting ILB, Starting RB
Round 1: Fill immediate needs!
Pick 1.13 - WR Dennis Bakker
Bakker was the best available receiver when the 13th came along and we never hesitated. Bakker is fast, can adjust well to the ball (will come in handy when the rookie QB starts getting out there), he runs his routes well and he's careful handling the ball. The choice was easy. The pick might force someone to move over to flanker but he was too good to pass up at this point. His biggest weakness is the long pass, but since the Mountaineers are a short-pass team, this is not a major concern.
Pick 1.22 - ILB Brenden Estermeyer
Estermeyer might actually be an even better football player down the road than Bakker. He fills an immediate need at MLB and is a tremendous athlete. Expect him and former 2nd rounder [ifl]Charlie Summers[/ifl] to spread fear into IFL offenses in a few years. For Estermeyer's developing purposes, Vermont also signed veteran free agent [ifl]Joseph Gonzalez[/ifl] for his mentoring-skills.
Round 2: Three picks! Get help where help is needed most!
Pick 2.13 - QB George O'Neal
After having managed to sign [ifl]Rocco Hooten[/ifl] to fill in for [ifl]Sepulveda[/ifl] who's out indefinately, we knew now was the time to grab a young Quarterback to fully utilize Rocco's mentoring skills.
In the opinion of Vermont, O'Neal was the best available QB in the second round, given his good accuracy and good overall passing skills. His excellent timing skills also make him a good complement to Bakker's speed, being able to hit his receivers in mid-stride.
Pick 2.22 - P Wes Reid
The second round was planned from the time West Virginia picked first in the round. With three picks, we knew we wanted a quality punter after years of abysmal punting, continously giving our opponents great fieldposition. Reid will immediately be an upgrade to the Mountaineers, and [ifl]Winfred Wright[/ifl] has already been cut. Originally, the plan was to pick Reid with the 27th pick, but with Newark on the board between 22 and 27, Vermont decided not to take any chances and grabbed the punter right there.
Pick 2.27 - CB Tyrell Newman
Possibly the weakest pick in the first 4 rounds. In retrospect, Vermont could have gone elsewhere with this pick, but we felt the next position that needed a good refill was the secondary. Especially after having traded star cornerback [ifl]Landon Sobel[/ifl]. Newman brings a pretty even skill-setup to the table, but he's no hard hitter, nor is he good at analysing the offense. He'll definately get some time as dimeback though, and we hope he'll develop from seeing playingtime.
Round 3: What? Only one pick!?
Pick 3.13 - TE Blaine Webster
With [ifl]Daniel Mackenzie[/ifl] traded to Anchorage, [ifl]Quentin Logan[/ifl] needed a backup. What better way to get one for the 6-year veteran than to draft one? Webster brings good blocking skills to the field, but might lack a bit in strength. In an offense were TEs are mostly used as receivers, however, the former Utah will see plenty of pigskin.
Primary Objective: Replenish roster with youngsters who can play
Biggest Needs Pre-draft: Starting WR, Starting ILB, Starting RB
Round 1: Fill immediate needs!
Pick 1.13 - WR Dennis Bakker
Bakker was the best available receiver when the 13th came along and we never hesitated. Bakker is fast, can adjust well to the ball (will come in handy when the rookie QB starts getting out there), he runs his routes well and he's careful handling the ball. The choice was easy. The pick might force someone to move over to flanker but he was too good to pass up at this point. His biggest weakness is the long pass, but since the Mountaineers are a short-pass team, this is not a major concern.
Pick 1.22 - ILB Brenden Estermeyer
Estermeyer might actually be an even better football player down the road than Bakker. He fills an immediate need at MLB and is a tremendous athlete. Expect him and former 2nd rounder [ifl]Charlie Summers[/ifl] to spread fear into IFL offenses in a few years. For Estermeyer's developing purposes, Vermont also signed veteran free agent [ifl]Joseph Gonzalez[/ifl] for his mentoring-skills.
Round 2: Three picks! Get help where help is needed most!
Pick 2.13 - QB George O'Neal
After having managed to sign [ifl]Rocco Hooten[/ifl] to fill in for [ifl]Sepulveda[/ifl] who's out indefinately, we knew now was the time to grab a young Quarterback to fully utilize Rocco's mentoring skills.
In the opinion of Vermont, O'Neal was the best available QB in the second round, given his good accuracy and good overall passing skills. His excellent timing skills also make him a good complement to Bakker's speed, being able to hit his receivers in mid-stride.
Pick 2.22 - P Wes Reid
The second round was planned from the time West Virginia picked first in the round. With three picks, we knew we wanted a quality punter after years of abysmal punting, continously giving our opponents great fieldposition. Reid will immediately be an upgrade to the Mountaineers, and [ifl]Winfred Wright[/ifl] has already been cut. Originally, the plan was to pick Reid with the 27th pick, but with Newark on the board between 22 and 27, Vermont decided not to take any chances and grabbed the punter right there.
Pick 2.27 - CB Tyrell Newman
Possibly the weakest pick in the first 4 rounds. In retrospect, Vermont could have gone elsewhere with this pick, but we felt the next position that needed a good refill was the secondary. Especially after having traded star cornerback [ifl]Landon Sobel[/ifl]. Newman brings a pretty even skill-setup to the table, but he's no hard hitter, nor is he good at analysing the offense. He'll definately get some time as dimeback though, and we hope he'll develop from seeing playingtime.
Round 3: What? Only one pick!?
Pick 3.13 - TE Blaine Webster
With [ifl]Daniel Mackenzie[/ifl] traded to Anchorage, [ifl]Quentin Logan[/ifl] needed a backup. What better way to get one for the 6-year veteran than to draft one? Webster brings good blocking skills to the field, but might lack a bit in strength. In an offense were TEs are mostly used as receivers, however, the former Utah will see plenty of pigskin.
Comment