Brackins Returns to ISU

Here's a good article about Blake Griffin's effect on Craig Brackins's decision to return to Iowa State.

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=543169

It turns out, someone had to actually do what fans have been advocating for years. Will Blalock left for the NBA draft after his junior year in 2006. ISU fans' position was that he could stay for one more year, run the team without Curtis Stinson, and improve his draft status. As it was, Blalock was selected with the last pick and never caught on with an NBA team.

It has always been my position that a basketball player should never leave early unless they are being talked about as being a lottery pick. The reason behind this is that most likely, 30 players are being thrown around as lottery picks, and 3o players get selected in the first round. The first round, of course, corresponds to guaranteed contracts.

Last year, Blake Griffin would have been a lottery pick. Instead, he came back for one more year of college and became the consensus number one pick in the 2009 NBA draft. Obviously, this can only happen for one player a year, but his decision has had an impact on many players eligible for this year's draft. At least ten potential first round draft picks have chose to return for another year of college basketball.

Players have finally realized that getting drafted does not guarantee NBA riches. The real money comes with finding a spot and staying on NBA rosters. This is much more likely as a lottery pick. Big money up front means more chances to make it, more time in the league leads to longevity.

This applies to Brackins. In all likelihood, he would have been a first round pick. Probably a fringe lottery pick. Nearly 20 and 10 in the Big 12 deserves that type of consideration. The NBA is littered with great college players who left early (Sean May, Adam Morrison, etc) that were never truly dominant. Brackins now understands the importance of dominating at one level before advancing to the next. He is the leading returning scorer, and the last three drafts have featured the best player in the Big 12 getting picked second overall.

Brackins choice to return is good for ISU fans, teammates and coaches, but it's also good for Craig. If he can improve his game next year and move into the lottery, he stands a much better chance at making an impact in the NBA and having a long career, increasing his chances at making big money.

Texans 2009 Draft - live blog

The Texans have a lot of holes, especially on defense. NONE of the player the Texans were supposedly looking at have been picked yet now that the Texans are up at 15. I'd love to see them trade this and drop back a few spots. Maybe they could find someone to jump up for Maclin. Chris Wells, Brian Cushing, Clay Matthews are all still available. I'd see them going for one of the OLB. They may have thought Cushing would have been gone by now.


Rd 1 Pick 15 - Brian Cushing OLB USC


The Texans were likely willing to settle with Clay Matthews. Cushing was regarded as a slightly better prospect than Matthews. They may have taken Malcolm Jenkins if he hadn't been picked by the Saints with the 14 pick. Cushing looks effective against the run and getting into the backfield.

--- Rd 2 ---

Looking forward, I'd like to see the Texans pick a hard hitting CB that would be an option to use at safety, unfortunately, it doesn't look like one will be available at 46 unless a couple players slide a bit. Maybe Rashad Johnson, a safety from Alabama or there are a couple DE options around there.

Rd2 Pick 14 (46) Connor Barwin DE Cincy

Rashad Johnson was still available but they went with a DE here. Maybe they felt they ended up with a run stopper at OLB and needed a little more help with the pass rush. Raw player, only played DE for one year. Graded as a better pass rusher than run stopper.

--- Rd3 ---

Still looking for someone to play safety. Rashad Johnson is still available, as well as DJ Moore, a CB out of Vandy. Players ranked in the 70's where the Texans next pick will be Andre Brown, a RB out of N.C. State, and a big CB out of OSU.

Rd3 Pick 13 (77 Overall) - Antoine Caldwell OC Alabama

The Texans passed up quite a few CB, a couple S and another center with a better grade. Caldwell has good size at 6'3", has played center, guard and tackle. Looks to be more of a pass protector than run blocker, the ability to play center and guard gives the Texans some versatility.

--- Rd4 ---

Still no CB, still no S, no RB. A little concerning is the run on CB that occurred from the middle through the end of the third round. Also Johnson, rated 43rd overall and 2nd safety got picked. Texans have two picks in the fourth. Maybe we'll see a RB picked with one of them. There are four RB in the vicinity of their picks. Most of them are smaller, like Javon Ringer out of MSU, who is only 5'9". The Texans should be looking for a bruiser for short yardage situations. Rashad Jennings out of Liberty fits the size requirement at 6'1", 231 lbs but apparently doesn't play that big.

Rd4 Pick 12 (112 Overall) Glover Quin S

Quin played CB in college but doesn't appear to have any shot of playing CB in the NFL. Would be big for a CB, small for a S. This pick seems to be a stretch, there were pure safeties available and some CB. Not a run stopper. David Bruton out of ND picked two spots later, has better size (6'2") and looks to be an elite run stopper.

I'm a little worried that the Texans will throw away these last 4 picks. The last pick seems like a 'tweener that won't fit in anywhere. They either need CB or safety help over the top and they didn't get either with Quin.

Rd4 Pick 22 (122 Overall) Anthony Hill TE

Not sure what the deal with this one is. Hill is a big dude at 6'5", Daniels is having contract issues, maybe they want to try to move him to T? Really not sure.

--- Rd5 ---

Rd5 Pick 16 (152 Overall) James Casey TE

Another TE?!? This kid is from Rice, he's ranked high enough that he probably should have gone in the third. Catches the ball, blocks, he played all over the field in college. Maybe the Texans bring him in and use him for short distance back? This pick was great, if only they hadn't picked Hill in the fourth.

Rd6 Pick 15 (188 Overall) Brice McCain CB

Not sure about this guy, graded a 30 overall, no information on him much at all. Rashad Jennings from Liberty is still available. They passed up all the CB on the Scouts.com ranked players list. Small at 5'9", probably tough for him to make an impact.

--- Rd7 ---

Maybe the Texans think they will only get backups at this point. I'd like to see them try to hit some home runs. I don't mind going back to back at the same position, as long as it wasn't TE. Maybe they are going to let Owen Daniels walk. It's hard to tell what they'll do with the last pick. It's probably not worth even guessing about.

Rd7 Pick 14 (223 Overall) Troy Nolan S

At least this player had something written up about him. Like most of the picks, passed up on higher rated players at the position. Looks to be average to below average.

--- end of draft ---

There will be a more comprehensive recap later incorporating some comments and thoughts from elsewhere. The Texans, at first glance, have addressed their holes - OLB, CB, S. I like the first couple of picks, and even the third round pick of a center. After that, they lost me. Two tight ends doesn't make sense, two safeties that won't start doesn't make sense. No big RB to pair with Slaton.

My Grade: C-

I gave last year's (2008) draft a B and the average pundit grade was a C. This year's draft is at least a full grade lower. They lose because of all the players they passed over with their picks. They didn't go for players who've shown the ability to play, or players who have unique abilities or size. If the Texans say they couldn't find players that would compete against the players on their sub-par defense, they weren't looking hard enough.

Texans Draft 2009 Preview

The Texans had a good draft in 2008, trading down and still got their guy in Duane Brown. He started all 16 games at LT as a rookie, and I didn't notice him getting worked over. The other obvious home run was 3rd round pick Steve Slaton who finished with 1282 yards rushing and 377 receiving.

2009 Needs
CB, OLB, RB

CB - Dunta Robinson came back from major injury and wasn't the same as he had been. Jacques Reeves and Fred Bennett are serviceable backups but can't match up with the premier WR in the league, especially if the front seven isn't getting pressure on the QB.

OLB - The Texans could use a pass-rush OLB to compliment Mario Williams. They could put them on different sides or they could overload and bring them both from one side. It would be nice if their pick could stuff the run as well. The Jags have a good running game and the Titans will be leaning heavily on their two back system as well.

RB - The Texans DO NOT need a running back in the first round. I'd like to see them get a goal-line bruiser type latter in the rounds. Rd3 worked well for them last year, maybe they could get lucky there again.

Other needs - anything on defense. The offense is pretty set and I wouldn't be surprised to see them go defense with all 7 picks. In addition to OLB and CB, they might be looking for a DT, FS, SS. If they could find a CB with some size maybe they could try them at CB and move them to safety. For offense, they could be looking for another WR, third string QB, OL help.