If Patrick Peterson had fallen past the 5th or 6th pick, would we still have picked Aldon?

Originally posted by Willisfn4life:

Originally posted by Wodwo:

So, you're basically saying that (knowing what we know now) your draft philosophy would be to take a punt returner who is still a "?" at CB over a player that has 13 sacks and a chance to break the rookie sack record?

With the seventh pick in the draft?

Srsly?

Last time I checked, doesn't a solid pass rush equate a solid secondary... ?

There is a reason why kick returners don't get the big bucks

Originally posted by Wodwo:
So, you're basically saying that (knowing what we know now) your draft philosophy would be to take a punt returner who is still a "?" at CB over a player that has 13 sacks and a chance to break the rookie sack record?

With the seventh pick in the draft?

Srsly?

Yes. We don't even know if Smith can be an effective three down player in the NFL. We don't know that he can be an effective starter. We know he is a great sub off the bench. We also know that PP is winning games by either taking the ball into the end zone, returning the ball deep into the opponents side of the field, or what is becoming most common, simply watching guys kick the ball out of bounds. He is winning games on special teams, greatly altering field position, and wait for this....is a starter who is beginning to play pretty well for the team.

People take great offense when anyone tries to compare anything Smith has done with another player. This is not a slam against Smith. He has been very good in the role assigned him. But, there are still a lot of question marks in his game, and big sack numbers in nickel situations does not make him a complete player to this point. Peterson adds more on the football field right now.

Patrick Swayzie

Originally posted by blizzuntz:
[left]
I just realized our supposed "draft expert" is justifying that Peterson is the better pick bc of his return ability?????

LOL

If Peterson was only returning punts, then of course you would select Smith. However, since Peterson has really played well recently at CB, and is winning games with special teams, or greatly altering field position, he simply adds more value.

I think you are making two errors in judgment: 1) Completely downplaying the importance of special teams (the best player on the Niners' roster may be Andy Lee); 2) Completely downplaying his abilities at CB. Outside of the Panthers selecting Cam Newton at number one, in a draft re-do I'm not sure any team would pass on Peterson at number 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. Even Denver would have a hard time selecting between Miller, who will be the runaway DROY and Peterson, so there is no need to take this personal as a Niners' fan.

We would have taken Peterson, whom I really wanted. With him gone, I really wanted Quinn. MMMMMMM, delicious ass crow, lol.

Originally posted by MadDog49er:

Originally posted by Wodwo:
So, you're basically saying that (knowing what we know now) your draft philosophy would be to take a punt returner who is still a "?" at CB over a player that has 13 sacks and a chance to break the rookie sack record?

With the seventh pick in the draft?

Srsly?

Yes. We don't even know if Smith can be an effective three down player in the NFL. We don't know that he can be an effective starter. We know he is a great sub off the bench. We also know that PP is winning games by either taking the ball into the end zone, returning the ball deep into the opponents side of the field, or what is becoming most common, simply watching guys kick the ball out of bounds. He is winning games on special teams, greatly altering field position, and wait for this....is a starter who is beginning to play pretty well for the team.

People take great offense when anyone tries to compare anything Smith has done with another player. This is not a slam against Smith. He has been very good in the role assigned him. But, there are still a lot of question marks in his game, and big sack numbers in nickel situations does not make him a complete player to this point. Peterson adds more on the football field right now.

The two bold quotes are the reasons these players were drafted. Patrick Peterson has not excelled in coverage. Aldon Smith has excelled at sacking quarterbacks.

I don't take offense at your remarks. I find them laughable.

You would draft a punt returner with the seventh pick in the draft. He may have helped his team win games with his returns, but he has also helped his team lose games as a punt returner. He has fumbled multiple times.

Who gives a s**t what maddog thinks, just be happy we drafted a straight baller that's about to break the rookie sack record!

This has been an amazing draft class. We could have picked - Cam, AJ Green, Von, Peterson, Julius Jones, or Aldon - and be very satisfied with our guy. May turn out to be one of the best classes in recent times. Lot of potential superstars from the top 10.

Peterson almost certainly going to make the Pro Bowl as a punt returner. He is an excellent returner.

As a corner back (and at this time), he is much less effective--getting better, but overall his play on defense has been marked by penalties and getting beat---and getting beat badly. For most of the season, he has been a liability on the defensive side of the ball. In the future, he will most likely prove to be a decent corner, but he still has a lot to learn. To be blunt, he has not lived up to the hype about his skills as a defensive back.

In part, his problems are due to the fact that injuries to the starting corners forced him to start before he was ready. But, it also true that his improved play can be directly attributed to the improvement in the Cards pass rush. That improved pass rush could well be masking weaknesses that still exist in his cover skills. If that is the case, it will take more time for his value as a defensive play to increase.

In contrast, Aldon Smith has not been forced into a starting position before being ready. As the season has progressed, his playing time has gradually increased and he has clearly been prepared for that increased playing time. Aldon Smith also has had the good fortune to be "adopted" by Justin Smith. At this time, he has proven to an asset, not a liability, for the defense. His contributions to the 49er defense have been excellent.

After the Steeler game, Justin Smith raved about Aldon's work ethic, his physical skill set, and his football intelligence. Justin Smith seemed to be convinced that this young kid was going to a major force in the NFL. Anyone who thinks that Aldon Smith might not become a three-down linebacker, and a very good one, is just not paying attention. He has played better than anyone could have imagined. He has set a new team record for sacks, and remember that record was set by Charles Haley. He is on the verge of breaking the NFL sack record for rookies. He might not break that record, but he has a very chance to do it. He only needs two more sacks.

Peterson's special team contributions, in my opinion, merit a Pro Bowl selection. But, if we compare Peterson's play on defense with Smith's play on defense, there is only one logical conclusion that can be drawn. At this point in their young careers Aldon Smith is a much better defensive player than Patrick Peterson. Aldon Smith was not a reach at pick number seven. Aldon Smith is defensive asset now; in the future, Patrick Peterson may become a defensive asset.

At this tine, J.J. Watt, Ryan Kerrigan, and Von Miller, are better defensive players than Peterson, although it must be acknowledged that Von Miller has had serious problems defending the run.

If we were to redo the draft knowing what we know now, and we had a choice between Peterson, Smith, Kerrigan, Watt, and Von Miller, the choice would be difficult. Trusting the words of Justin Smith, and recognizing the team's need for a pass rusher, I would take Aldon Smith.

edit: J.J. Watt is a very impressive player.

Originally posted by MadDog49er:
We would have taken Peterson then, and we would still take Peterson now. The kid has tied an NFL record for punt returns for TD's in one year, and is getting better at CB. This is not a knock on Smith, but Peterson has pretty much won three games alone for the Cards this year.

Great NFL draft class this year.

true. very strong year, ALot of the fears about Peterson are showing up now. He doesn;t turn well. He will still be a project.

edit: J.J. Watt is a very impressive player.

I agree JJ is very very good, but would he start on our team? Not very likely. He wouldn't start over Smith or Ray Mac. No way he converts to a rushing LB. Aldon was the best addition we could have made on our team after Miller and Cam Newton. As for Miller, I have made my feelings known on this subject: speed rushers always fade after 2-3 years. You have to bull rush the QB to succeed. Nobody is better at that than Aldon. Teams get to pick their poison: Smith or Aldon.

Probably would've taken Peterson. But it worked out great. It's been too long since we've had a great pass rusher.

Originally posted by MadDog49er:

Originally posted by blizzuntz:

[left]
I just realized our supposed "draft expert" is justifying that Peterson is the better pick bc of his return ability?????

LOL

If Peterson was only returning punts, then of course you would select Smith. However, since Peterson has really played well recently at CB, and is winning games with special teams, or greatly altering field position, he simply adds more value.

I think you are making two errors in judgment: 1) Completely downplaying the importance of special teams (the best player on the Niners' roster may be Andy Lee); 2) Completely downplaying his abilities at CB. Outside of the Panthers selecting Cam Newton at number one, in a draft re-do I'm not sure any team would pass on Peterson at number 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. Even Denver would have a hard time selecting between Miller, who will be the runaway DROY and Peterson, so there is no need to take this personal as a Niners' fan.

15 sacks >>>>>>>>> decent CB.

Aldon has proved he is a pass rush specialist in his limited time. Peterson has proved he can't cover a #1 WR by himself right now. Even if Peterson becomes a pro bowler , a pro bowl sack artist is more valuable IMO.

As far as punt returns, it is fairly easy to neutralize a good returner, eg Hester.

Originally posted by Amir:

If Peterson was there at 7, we would have taken him.

This