Dee Milliner declares

[utahphinsfan]

I agree w/ CK. Milliner won that battle early on and yet ND still tried to go that route.

Had the Irish gone w/a few swing passes to Woods & Riddick, the game might have gone differently... but I digress

[datruth55]

There's a flip side to that coin. You get a 6'6" and 250 lbs body on the wing that can run and jump like Eifert can and you throw jump balls to him on the sidelines in single coverage, how many corners are really able to defend that? Especially since so many corners are 5'10" or thereabouts, having an 8 inch disadvantage. To me unless the tight end is slow and unathletic, you're a little more worried about the size mismatch of your corner against that huge and strong of a pass catcher, than you are that your tight end is going to be completely outmatched by a corner because of the corner's speed. Milliner handled it like a champ. To me it was more impressive for the corner than for the tight end.

I agree. When have you ever seen Gronkowski or Jimmy Graham lose a one-one-one match up with a corner? The beauty of having a dynamic TE is that he's wins 9 out of 10 against CBs because of his size and physicality and he's too fast for linebackers to stick with. Eifert IMO didn't win enough against Milliner and I don't think that's a poor showing by Eifert as much as it was an outstanding display of fundamentals and physical ability by Milliner. I certainly think Milliner solidified himself as a top 10 CB...at the least he's the #1 CB on the board.

[uk_dolfan]

lacy helped himself the other night but he didn't help himself enough for any top 12 talk...i don't think he helped himself enough for round 1 but he may go in the top 50 if he runs well...i wouldn't do it though...not that high

i don't really see any dominant back that trumps the rest of the class...

as for milliner i think personally i was more impressed with how tyler eifert looked running down the field on the boundary with milliner across from him than anything else i saw really...not that milliner didn't show well cause he did but to my eye that aren't many te's that you can line up wide on the boundary against a top 20 pick cornerback and them not look slow and stiff...and i thought eifert showed well in that regard...he also used his hands to create separation out of some underneath cuts and i thought showed good ball awareness and tracked the ball well...as a blocker he competed to the whistle and there's no doubt in my mind that kid will not embarrass you as a in line blocker...unlike guys like fauria...who plays quite soft and finesse...

i've had enough of girl tight ends...

This offense needs a TE bad. Especially if we get the WR we need. Is 12 too high though? Would you trade down for one? or just hope Ertz is on the board in round two?

[cullenbigcstill]

Is it just me or is Ertz a terrible blocker and good receiver. We already have a 3rd pick on the roster that can take that slot on the team. maybe Ertz isnt soft and going to Stanford I know he's alot smarter than our current TE thats afraid to block. I think Toilolo is a much better TE, the dude is as good at catching but blocks like Fasano and probably could be had in round 4 or 5. Also Lutzen-whatever looks like an all around TE if we decide to not pay Fasano that could be had prolly round 5, not as athletic atleast I dont think as Toilolo but definitely a good football player.

But back to Milliner the way he locked Eifert up is impressive, and that makes me think that he has the skillset to take on the Marshalls and Fitzgeralds as well as smaller quicker guys. If detroit passes on Milliner for maybe a stud passrusher where is the next threat to take him? Tenn? if that plays out what would it take to jump Tenn....especially with the Jills and Jest in front of Tenn? A #12 and a 4th or 1 of our 3rds? and would that be worth giving that extra pick to our rivals for a corner who IMO can become a strong #1 with a strong pass rush?

[cullenbigcstill]

I know we need an athletic seam guy, we've needed that since at least since David Martins 1 good year. I just know that when picking a TE higher than round three the guy better be either a super dynamic seam threat and hands catcher or be a strong seam threat and strong inline blocker. I just do not see those qualities in Ertz and do not believe he should be considered in round 2. He has made some nice grabs but I dont believe he is a 4.5 athlete that warrants anything higher than a 3rd. Especially when there is mad talent at WR and CB at that area of the draft that we need moreso, IMO.

[hooshoops]

This offense needs a TE bad. Especially if we get the WR we need. Is 12 too high though? Would you trade down for one? or just hope Ertz is on the board in round two?

yes pick #12 is too high for any te...if it's me i'm getting my te in free agency...although i'm now wondering if the pack will release finley...

and i do see others points about milliner against eifert...no doubt milliner showed very well in those one on one matchups

[uk_dolfan]

yes pick #12 is too high for any te...if it's me i'm getting my te in free agency...although i'm now wondering if the pack will release finley...

and i do see others points about milliner against eifert...no doubt milliner showed very well in those one on one matchups

I would love Finley and have been following the talk about him being let go very closely. Due to the bonus he is due I think they might actually let him slip.

I think he could be a great pick up and Joe will know just what is is capable of. I know some around here are concerned about drops but imo Finley offers more then Keller or Cook... though I would be happy with any of the three.

[Pitbull13]

No way he gets to 12. Problem will be there will be a number of teams looking to trade up to get him IMO...like Dallas did last year when they moved up to #6 for Claiborne. Detroit is pretty desperate for a CB and they're sitting there at #5...gonna have to trade up to #4 if you really want to secure this kid in the draft I would say.

Claiborne was MUCH better coming out of college than Milliner. I think he makes it to 12.

[Fin Thirteen]

Is it just me or is Ertz a terrible blocker and good receiver. We already have a 3rd pick on the roster that can take that slot on the team. maybe Ertz isnt soft and going to Stanford I know he's alot smarter than our current TE thats afraid to block. I think Toilolo is a much better TE, the dude is as good at catching but blocks like Fasano and probably could be had in round 4 or 5. Also Lutzen-whatever looks like an all around TE if we decide to not pay Fasano that could be had prolly round 5, not as athletic atleast I dont think as Toilolo but definitely a good football player.

i think Ertz is an awful blocker. And more than technique, I think he doesn't want to block, like its beneath him or something. I think he cops out of plays, I see more than a fair share of drops... I'm not sold at all. Sure he's got some highlight plays, but the guys yardage numbers in Stanfords offense are about the same as all their receivers combined. Kid was targeted a lot. good luck to him, because you don't take over an offense like that without talent. but i don't see it at the next level, personally.

Like you, I'd much rather have Toilolo, who could be something special in a season or two.

[PeterNorth]

Claiborne was MUCH better coming out of college than Milliner. I think he makes it to 12.

I'd bet money that he doesn't. If he gets past Detroit, which is possible, there's very very little chance he makes it past Tennessee at #10. Last year's draft means nothing. There are still teams in the top 10 who badly need a CB and Milliner is clearly the best one.