Chiefs Would be Wise to Note Volunteer Success

by Joel Thorman on Apr 9, 2009 12:21 PM CDT in 2009 Draft Comment 20 comments

Earlier this week I noted the shortcomings of recent first round picks from the University of Texas and USC. Most of us agree that past history of first round success (or failure) of a certain school doesn't denote a trend that should necessarily be taken into consideration when pegging your big board for April's draft.

Nonetheless, it was interesting to note that Texas (and to a lesser degree USC) hasn't had the talent come out in the first round that you might expect considering their track record in the college game.

Today we'll turn this in a different direction and look at the outstanding pedigree of first round picks from the University of Tennessee in the last decade.

LB Jerod Mayo (10)
DT Justin Harrell (16)
WR Robert Meachem (27)
DB Jason Allen (16)
DT John Henderson (9)
WR Donte Stallworth (13)
DT Albert Haynesworth (15)
RB Jamal Lewis (5)
DE Shaun Ellis (12)
LB Al Wilson (31)
QB Peyton Manning (1)
DB Terry Fair (20)
WR Marcus Nash (30)

Of all the players that we can accurately judge, Marcus Nash is the only legitimate bust. Terry Fair wasn't a star by any means, but he was still a four year starter.

Compared to the first round classes of Texas and USC, Tennessee has an outstanding record for producing talent. And it's not just talent, we're talking about a few bona fide superstars like Albert Haynesworth and Peyton Manning.

The NFL Draft isn't a science and the school from which a player comes doesn't necessarily factor into a team's decision to draft him, but it's interesting to note that Tennessee is among the best in the country producing top talent.

This year's only first round candidate for Tennessee is defensive end Robert Ayers. He fell to the ~~Chiefs'~~ Patriots' second round pick (#34) in the Arrowhead Pride Community Mock Draft.

Tennessee's past history with first rounders isn't any sort of indication Ayers will be a solid pro but it's nice company to be in. In addition to that, as a former Volunteer herself, Ms. Arrowhead Pride fully endorses Robert Ayers. What more does he need?

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Comments

You actually used Justin Harrell?

BUUUUUUUUST

by woodman212 on Apr 9, 2009 12:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Those are all the first round picks from 1998-2008

Yes, I agree that he’s going to be a bust but I want to be fair and not judge until 3 years out.

by Joel Thorman on Apr 9, 2009 12:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just giving you...and harrell...a hard time.

Naptime for Woodman….

IM NOT A ROBOT!

by woodman212 on Apr 9, 2009 12:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Meachem's Been A Bust In New Orleans

He can barely get on the field in a major passing offense. Lance Moore took his job last year. Donte Stallworth’s been an underachiever, Terry Fair had two good years in a short career, Justin Harrell was a bust.

All this does is show that Tennessee turned out a lot of pro prospects, just like Texas and USC, because they’re a big-time program and that they had slightly fewer busts which may simply be a factor of small sample size (since you’re talking about only a handful of guys from each school).

Predictions for 2009

1. Todd Haley's going to struggle with managing his staff in his rookie year as head coach.
2. The Lions will draft Matt Stafford, the Rams will draft Jason Smith, and the Chiefs will draft either Aaron Curry or Eugene Monroe.
3. Maurice Carthon will be the most hated man on the Chiefs' coaching staff within two years.

by UCrawford on Apr 9, 2009 12:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

biggest bust

I was hoping we wouldn’t take him at 23 in that draft, I was so glad when the Pack took him

by SayHeyWerd on Apr 9, 2009 4:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

We have had some success with Tennessee before

Dale Carter

"But what do I know, I'm AP's new assclown and I’m like an empty room with a large ECHO"

by Lanier63 on Apr 9, 2009 1:02 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

And at least one "not so much" player

Turk McBride. Though the jury is still out on that one.

by Daytrip65 on Apr 9, 2009 1:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not For Long

He either picks it up this year or the “bust” label is firmly hung around his neck.

Predictions for 2009

by UCrawford on Apr 9, 2009 7:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

We appreciate the love

And while it’s true, as mentioned above, that elite collegiate programs have a better chance of making NFL stars because they turn out a lot of pro prospects – and everybody has their Heath Shulers of the world – Tennessee has also been good in the last ten years outside of the first round: Travis Henry, Jason Witten, and a bunch of offensive linemen.

One of our writers at RockyTopTalk.com did a fantastic two-part feature on Robert Ayers, if you’re looking for more.

by Will on Apr 9, 2009 1:12 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Yup

Just read that today actually after I posted that FanShot over at your site.

If anyone here is looking for more information on Ayers (and UT in general) Rocky Top Talk is one of the best SBN blogs.

by Joel Thorman on Apr 9, 2009 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

BTW, thanks for posting that 'Shot.

I had read the Texas edition but didn’t realize this was a series. Much appreciated.

by Hooper on Apr 9, 2009 1:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sure

Not really a series more some offseason conversation starters.

The UT guys over at Burnt Orange Nation didn’t take it well, but I don’t think most of them read the entire entry considering they thought I was saying Jamaal Charles and Derrick Johnson were busts.

by Joel Thorman on Apr 9, 2009 1:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I suppose we did not take it very well

However, I think the main sentiment was that we didn’t think Texas should be singled out as a perennial producer of 1st round busts as had been stated in previous ESPN articles (I think we might have a chip on our shoulder). I have been very pleased with the subsequent analysis that has come out of the conversations started on this topic, (mainly, that its not just a Texas problem). I still don’t know if the school a player comes from is a reliable indicator of draft potential, but some compelling arguments have been made. As a hopelessly biased Orakpo advocate (as I’m sure most BON guys are) I (we) probably reacted a bit emotionally to the article. I agree about Charles, and I know you are not saying he is a bust, but there have been a fair amount of commenters that decry both Charles and Johnson as disappointing. All that said, because its almost draft season, I’m actually reading AP more than BON these days… keep up the good work over here.

OU SUCKS!!!!!!

by TexasFight83 on Apr 9, 2009 2:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, BON is sweet

I still don’t know if the school a player comes from is a reliable indicator of draft potential, but some compelling arguments have been made.

Eh…there’s not much of an argument. The post was intended to be more of a “Well, isn’t this interesting…” type thing. I wasn’t trying to provide any analysis. It’s April…the NFL season is 5 months away. More of an interesting conversation starter.

The last time I talked to a Texas fan, I was in Austin looking at a scoreboard that read 35-0 decked out in my Missouri gear….

by Joel Thorman on Apr 9, 2009 2:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I can understand the system argument

But not really the school argument. Still, it’s interesting to note the disparities of certain schools and NFL talent.

by Joel Thorman on Apr 9, 2009 2:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That game sucked for you guys

I saw some Mizzou fans in the section above us, and they did not look happy to be there after the first quarter. Honestly, I wish it would have been closer (that is, if the Horns could have pulled it out) because that was supposed to be the big game of the year in Austin and it was just a blowout. I still wish you could have beaten the land thieves for us in the Big 12 championship game. Oh well.

OU SUCKS!!!!!!

by TexasFight83 on Apr 9, 2009 2:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs