Assessing the Future of University of Alabama Players Taken in 2011 NFL Draft
The 2011 NFL draft was yet another "We are back" moment for fans of the University of Alabama. Long gone are the days of wondering whether or not the Crimson Tide would have anyone taken in the draft. This year four were taken in the first round, more than any other team.
So lets take a look at where the guys went and what the future holds for them
Marcell Dareus 3rd Pick in the First Round by the Buffalo Bills
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Early in the draft process people had Nick Fairley of Auburn rated higher and then they started the workouts. After the combine one scout said "Nick is a only fraction faster and Marcell is 50lbs heavier" so Dareus shot up the boards.
With so many NFL teams switching back and forth between 3-4's and 4-3's GMs fell in love with his versatility too. He can play the nose or end in a 3-4 and as a tackle in the 4-3 he can play any technique; inside, outside, or head up.
With all the love for Dareus we knew he would end up on a bad team but Buffalo may not be as bad of a situation as it appears. Coming from Tuscaloosa one thing that might make Marcell feel right at home is that this is a dedicated and passionate fan base that is desperate to get back into contention.
The Bills were not as bad as there 4-12 record last year indicates.Beginning the season as a laughing stock they quickly gained respect with there hard play. They stayed in games and lost many heart breakers at the end (including dropping a wide open game winning touchdown in overtime that would have beaten the soon to be AFC champs Steelers). For some reason many experts expected Buffalo to take a quarterback even though Ryan Fitzpatrick played good, and sometimes great last year.
The ability of Dareus to get into the back field and reek general havoc up front should help the Bills struggling defense.One of the reasons to take him over Fairley is that he not only rushes the passer but helps the run defense greatly.
If Fitzpatrick is the QB of the future and this young team continues to grow then Marcell Dareus could once again be in the middle of returning a once great team back to the mountain top.
Julio Jones 6th Pick by the Atlanta Falcons
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And with the 6th pick...Julio Jones. We expected to here those words Thursday night but we expected the team to be the Cleveland Browns not the Atlanta Falcons. I am shocked at the national media's apathy toward this move. If the idea of the draft is to take your team to the next level then this is absolutely the biggest pick of the weekend. What other selection in the draft has the potential to vault there team into elite status?
Atlanta had a very good season last year. Late in the season, on Monday Night Football against the Saints and then in the playoffs against the Packers, it became clear that their offense lacked explosiveness. There offense was only good, or you might say solid or consistent but they were also lacking in creativity. By selecting Julio Jones they not only add a game breaker but they open up the field for the many weapons that the Falcons possess. Imagine Michael Turner in the back field, Roddy White on one side, Micheal Jenkins in the slot, Julio on the other side with Tony Gonzales at the tight end. just the thought of who gets single covered, Roddy or Julio, is enough to drive defensive coaches crazy. How many times do you think Gonzales will just be standing alone in the flats five yards down the field? In college on a third and six with the whole stadium knowing Julio was getting the ball Greg McElroy could find him. Do you think Matt Ryan might be able to do something with him.
It should be noted that Atlanta is a running team and Julio's size and dedication to blocking also becomes a huge asset. It is hard to overstate the impact this pick could have not only on the Falcons but also individual players. Does Atlanta open it up and does Ryan start putting up Hall of Fame numbers? Does an open offense revitalize Turners career? Does the attention to Julio send Roddy to multiple Pro Bowls? Does being a consistent contender vault Coach Mike Smith into the elite status of coaches?
The possibilities are endless unless your in the national media and think they should have been conservative. So they could pick a linebacker from Northern Iowa to give them depth. I think I would take Julio.
James Carpenter 25th Pick of the 1st Round by the Seattle Seahawks
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Carpenter was the second biggest surprise of the first round (after ponder at number 12) he was slotted in the second round. Seattle wanted him and tried to trade down but found no takers. Offensive line was the biggest area of concern for the Seahawks and they had Carpenter rated higher than Gabe Camirni and Derek Sherrod.
Carpenter was an excellent player for the Tide. We must remember that he took over for Andre Smith, an All-American who was picked 6th in the 2009 draft, and the Line never missed a beat. At times Carpenter struggled with his first step outside on the speed rush but if he put his hands on you, you were blocked. I think his future is at guard but there is some talk that Seattle wants him to play right tackle.
If there is one thing Pete Carroll knows it is talent and he obviously sees something in Carpenter. Though we may not have always noticed it, I think most Bama fans would agree that he played a vital role for two very good teams. He may not have been highly rated but it would not surprise me if he had an excellent NFL career.
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Mark Ingarm 27th Pick in the First Round by the New Orleans Saints
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Sean Payton knows what makes an offense work. With Reggie Bush unwilling to take a pay cut and apparently on his way out, Payton has tapped Ingram as his successor. This could be a match made in heaven.
I was worried about Marks future when some thought he might go to Miami. It was hard to know whether or not Ingram would succeed in a pound the ball offense. He is not the battering ram type, he needs space to operate. The Saints offensive philosophy however fits him perfectly. New Orleans spreads the defense with their receivers and when they run they need as much production as possible. This is where Bush failed. For all his skill he was more likely to dance around and lose four yards than to break a big play.
This is where Ingram comes in. He sees the hole and hits it, taking the four or five yards. once he gets through the line he is shifty enough to turn those four yards into 15 or 20. This is exactly what the Saints want from their backs. If they can consistently end up in second and six they feel their passing game can flourish. Ingram also catches the ball well and works great in the open field, allowing the blocks to develop on the screens.
On another team Mark might have faded away. With another back the Saints O might have struggled like it did at times last year. Together it is going to be another beautiful show on Bourbon Street.
Greg McElroy 5th Pick in the 7th Round by the New York Jets
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Being the last quarterback picked in the draft, it would seem hard to find an upside for Greg McElroy. He did however end up in a pretty good spot. Now anyone who is drafted in the 7th round still has some work to do to make the team but if he does, playing with the Jets is a great opportunity.
At best he would be New York's backup. This gives him an opportunity to learn, something he has been good at his whole life. If there is anything that a coach wants out of his back up QB, its to be smart and know how to manage the game.
If down the road McElroy had to relieve Sanchez for a stretch he would be on a defensive minded team that liked to run the football but had play makers on the outside. All he would have to do is get the ball into their hands and not make mistakes. Do you think that might feel familiar to him
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