2009 Reader Mock - St. Louis Rams (No. 2) Voting [Archive]

Walter

04-06-2009, 01:03 AM

Voting for the No. 2 pick in the 2009 NFL Draft is now going on.

Results and some comments will be posted here.

http://walterfootball.com/draft2009reader.php (http://walterfootball.com/forum/../draft2009reader.php)

TheMike54

04-06-2009, 01:05 AM

The Rams let go of Pace. It has to be Smith or Monroe.

PuppyPuncher

04-06-2009, 01:11 AM

Eugene Monroe because he's more pro-ready.

LovemyBills

04-06-2009, 01:47 AM

J Snazzy

04-06-2009, 04:13 AM

Spagnolo has said that he wants to get back to pounding the ball with Steven Jackson. Monroe might be the best all around OT, but Smith is still a better run blocker, just what the Rams are looking for.

Is it proven that Smith is a better run blocker? I'm curious to where that comes from. Is it becuase of the spread you say that?

howski3318

04-06-2009, 06:13 AM

Even though Curry may be BPA, the Rams cannot expect Jacob Bell or Adam Goldberg (who was starting in minicamp at RT) to be a solution at RT. They need one to start automatically which would be Monroe.

Tango

04-06-2009, 06:42 AM

chicagojay

04-06-2009, 06:54 AM

alex barron can barely man the right side let alone the left to me monroe is a better left tackle whereas smith is the better overall tackle, i just feel like monroe could have a ryan clady type impact next year

trisoman

04-06-2009, 07:01 AM

I still think Monroe is generally the better prospect due to his quickness plus program in general. J Smith did well at combine, but I think tape will show Monroe to be king.

thetechnocrat

04-06-2009, 07:35 AM

Monroe is the solid pick. With more experience, better feet and coming from a program that just produced a great quality LT, there is no question. Let's not forget the lesson of Chris Chester: A converted tight end takes time to be good at any pro OL position.

joemiken

04-06-2009, 07:36 AM

I don't see either one being a great run blocker. Both are much better pass blockers, but I'd say Monroe is the better run blocker.

I think they take Monroe. Smith has excellent physical skills, but is still learning as a LT. I think Monroe is a guy that can step into the starting LT role on day 1, while Smith might take a little more time.

pick6

04-06-2009, 07:38 AM

Need to go OT after cutting Pace. Spags is going to want to run and Monroe is the better run blocker according to, well, pretty much everyone. Monroe is the pick.

MLB54

04-06-2009, 07:56 AM

so its definetly an OT. smith or monroe, in my opinion smith is the better player and will be drafted 2nd

ryanwest

04-06-2009, 08:10 AM

This is one of the harder picks to choose, Monroe and Smith should both do nicely here. Lets just hope the Rams don't take a poll and let "other people" decide. I think it will be Monroe though.

Arichmix

04-06-2009, 08:12 AM

Jason Smith is the best pick here. He has more upside than Eugene Monroe. Monroe is more pro-ready, but the Rams aren't ready to win a Super Bowl right now.

Walter

04-06-2009, 08:42 AM

I'm surprised to see Monroe have the early lead, considering how many mocks in the database have the Rams taking Jason Smith

HotSauce

04-06-2009, 08:55 AM

Contrary to popular opinion, the choice won't come down to Monroe vs. Jason Smith. It will come down to Monroe vs. Curry.

If the Rams aren't one of the teams that have red-flagged Monroe due to his knee then he will be the pick. If they have red flagged Monroe, look for them to select LB Aaron Curry.

Jason Smith? He's a ZBS tackle and the team is attempting to build a power run offense. He's a far poorer fit than Monroe.

Leo Fender

04-06-2009, 09:13 AM

Toss up between Monroe and Smith, I say they go Monroe since he is more accustomed to play with one hand in the ground.

BKidd

04-06-2009, 09:13 AM

I'm surprised to see Monroe have the early lead, considering how many mocks in the database have the Rams taking Jason Smith

Im not. All too often i find that mocker's get too involved with combine and pro day results, to a point that the best piece of material is overlooked. Game tape is the ultimate scoreboard, and prior to the combine, jason smith was laughable at number 2. The combine can weed out slow feet like Oher, but with Monroe thats not the case, even if he was wildly out-benched by smith. Monroe didn't damage his stock at the combine, and has the gametape to back it up. Rams take Monroe, and will be QUITE content.

Centurion

04-06-2009, 09:34 AM

I think Monroe is a slightly better prospect than Smith. I'd hate to live on the difference though. Crabree measuring at 6'1 and not running a 40 makes him a non-factor for this pick. Curry is a dark-horse, and the Rams have made some monumentally stupid decisions, but OT is just too obvious of a need. Actually, I'm suprised Sanchez isn't one of the choices. I don't think he should be the pick, but it's not completely ruled out of the picture. Bulger's life is almost over and the Rams have made some monumentally stupid decisions, so you never know.

49ersfan

04-06-2009, 09:47 AM

Monroe is more pro-ready, but the Rams aren't anywhere near a playoff team. You have to look at the long term, and Jason Smith is a better player. While both have their faults, Monroe has pretty big problems run blocking, which is not what you want to see in a franchise left tackle.

Caesar

04-06-2009, 09:47 AM

Voted for Jason Smith, he will be an elite LT :cool:

MockDraftXpert

04-06-2009, 09:48 AM

Eugene Monroe should be the pick here. Jason Smith just a few years ago was a back up TE. Can he really be worth the #2 pick at LT?

yem123

04-06-2009, 09:55 AM

If I were they I'd take Smith or Monroe but I'm going to go on a hunch here and predict that defensive-minded Steve Spagnuolo falls in love with, and subsequently drafts, Aaron Curry.

Walter

04-06-2009, 10:41 AM

Im not. All too often i find that mocker's get too involved with combine and pro day results, to a point that the best piece of material is overlooked. Game tape is the ultimate scoreboard, and prior to the combine, jason smith was laughable at number 2. The combine can weed out slow feet like Oher, but with Monroe thats not the case, even if he was wildly out-benched by smith. Monroe didn't damage his stock at the combine, and has the gametape to back it up. Rams take Monroe, and will be QUITE content.

I never thought Monroe was elite.

miller33

04-06-2009, 10:49 AM

With Pace's recent release, it's even more clear now that it will be a tackle going to the Rams. Monroe will get the nod because he is a much safer pick than Smith. Monroe is the only tackle who has been considered a top 10 pick since the end of the season. The Rams arn't known to take combine stars either (chris long over vernon gholston last year). And a combine standout is just what Jason Smith is.

Eyeless30

04-06-2009, 10:55 AM

With the release of Orlando Pace, the Rams will surely have to take their new LT with their second overall pick. This is a really tough pick between Monroe and Smith, but I suppose if the consensus is that Smith has the higher upside, then Smith should be the pick.

luckYman

04-06-2009, 11:12 AM

If I were drafting for the Rams, I'd take Monroe. Curry if Monroe is gone.

joemiken

04-06-2009, 11:15 AM

Curry is a dark-horse, and the Rams have made some monumentally stupid decisions, but OT is just too obvious of a need.

The only way I could see STL passing on Monroe is the aforementioned knee problems (which I don't think will be an issue) or they feel that John Greco can hold down the spot opposite Barron.

Based off Jacob Bell not working out at OT and Barron's sketchy performance at LT during minicamp, I'd be shocked if the Rams didn't go with an OT who can step in immediately.

steelers4life

04-06-2009, 11:25 AM

Jason Smith should be the pick. Monroe is more pro ready, but its not like the Rams can win now anyway. Go with the upside

shoffma1999

04-06-2009, 11:30 AM

I think Jason Smith should be the pick for the Rams. The day of the Rams being the greatest show on turf are done, Tory Holt is gone, Isaac Bruce is gone, and Bulger has been battered and bruised for several consecutive seasons. They really need to emphasize the power run game, and Jason Smith is the better run blocker even with his inexperience out of the 3 point stance. I have also heard some Rams' fans saying they like Barron at LT (I disagree, but meh) so they may want someone who could play the right side as well.

NJSeahawksFan

04-06-2009, 11:43 AM

There is no doubt that the Rams are drafting a tackle. I voted Monroe, but I can see Smith just as easily.

hurl3y

04-06-2009, 12:25 PM

This pick has to got to be an offensive tackle with the loss of Orlando Pace to the Chicago Bears. This brings it down to either Jason Smith or Eugene Monroe. Personally I think that Smith is going to be the one taken here in the end, but it really could go either way.

J Snazzy

04-06-2009, 12:39 PM

Joey_Potter

04-06-2009, 01:30 PM

As much as I love Jason Smith and think he will be an excellent Pro I had to go with Eugene Monroe. Monroe has shown he can stay with some of the best in the Collage game and the Rams need someone who can step in and protect the blind side of their quarterback with as little of a learning curve as possible.

Vbsiena

04-06-2009, 01:37 PM

Oh snap Walt quotes us if we post something good?

Rams will pick Erin Curryz cause he is the shizzle!

HotSauce

04-06-2009, 01:50 PM

Where does the "Smith is a better run-blocker" come from? I have't seen hardly anything of Jason Smith so I can't come to that conclusion.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1117437

Eugene Monroe
Run Blocking: GRADE: 7.9

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/516673

Jason Smith
Run Blocking: GRADE: 6.5

THANK YOU.

A selection of Jason Smith makes no sense whatsoever. That is, not unless the Rams plans to have a power run game have gone by the wayside and they plan to run a spread offense where the running game consisted primarily of draw plays like Baylor. But, my guess is the 320+ pound center they signed rules that out.:D

It's Monroe if his knee checks out or Curry easy.

LoneBikerOfTheApocalypse

04-06-2009, 02:13 PM

Jason Smith is acknowledged to be weaker as a run blocker than pass blocker, as is Monroe. Monroe is considered perhaps the best pure pass blocker in the draft. I voted for Smith here but Monroe would make more sense. I think Jason Smith is perfect for Seattle as he is the "athletic" type lineman a zone blocking scheme requires, and Monroe is less so. I haven't heard St. Louis is implementing a zone scheme, but from what I've read they like Smith better. After cutting Pace, it would be stupid of them to pass on either guy, a franchise tackle is what they need most. I agree that Barron sucks at RT, they can look for an upgrade in a later round or maybe later in free agency. Actually Andre Smith is probably the best run blocker among tackles, but has serious limitations as a pass blocker because he has trouble with speed edge rushers. If you're going to run 60% or more of the time, he'd be the better choice.

otrain83

04-06-2009, 02:58 PM

Anyone remember when Andre Smith was a lock to go #2? lol, Just think of all that lost money....

I voted for Monroe, for most of the aforementioned reasons. But it would not surprise me if they went with Curry, Crabtree, or Smith. You could make an argument for all.

mycarman

04-06-2009, 03:03 PM

I selected Crabtree thinking I'd be the jerk like I was with Curry yesterday, but there were two people who think crabs should go there despite the fact that it is the least need of the three picks, and that he has an injury asterisk.

joemiken

04-06-2009, 03:07 PM

Actually Andre Smith is probably the best run blocker among tackles, but has serious limitations as a pass blocker because he has trouble with speed edge rushers. If you're going to run 60% or more of the time, he'd be the better choice.

If the Rams were looking for a RT, this would be the way to go. If they put Barron at LT, I guarantee that Bulger is injured by Week 4. Unfortunately, Smith's torepdoed his chances of going Top 5 with a terrible winter.

pacmanross29

04-06-2009, 03:17 PM

Jason Smith, OT, Baylor

Drumsteroo

04-06-2009, 03:27 PM

They have to keep their very fragile, very old franchise QB upright. OT is the pick, I think Monroe is the better prospect, but Smith has the hotter stock around the league right now.

giantsfan6017

04-06-2009, 03:49 PM

Jason Smith is the best OT in the draft. This should be a lock.

P1gully

04-06-2009, 03:55 PM

Smith has play against better teams than Monroe putting him at my #1 OT

HotSauce

04-06-2009, 03:57 PM

If the Rams were looking for a RT, this would be the way to go. If they put Barron at LT, I guarantee that Bulger is injured by Week 4. Unfortunately, Smith's torepdoed his chances of going Top 5 with a terrible winter.

Barron's best season in the NFL was when Pace went down during the 1st game of the 2007 season. The Rams switched him back to his natural position of LT and he gave up only 3.5 sacks minus any reps there the entire offseason to get ready.

Couple that with the Rams switch away from the Martz/Saunders offense and it's deep QB drops and longer developing routes to a form of the WCO with it's shorter drops and quicker routes and I disagree.

PuppyPuncher

04-06-2009, 04:00 PM

Smith has play against better teams than Monroe putting him at my #1 OT

Who are these incredible pass rushers in the Big 12?

Eagles247

04-06-2009, 04:09 PM

J. Smooth is the pick over Monroe, because Smith started more games at OT than Monroe in college, and Smith didn't even go to college as a OT. He went as a TE and can only be improving his game at this point.

Smith is a great run-blocker, while Monroe is a pass-blocking, and the Rams need a better run game first with Steven Jackson at RB.

Th3Carter3

04-06-2009, 05:38 PM

I voted for Crabtree, just because as a season ticket holder, I want to see him do big things in the gold and blue.
But in all reality this HAS to be an OT. I go with Monroe over Smith, I think they will both make good pros, and will both be anchor tackles for years to come, but Monroe fits the Rams style of play more in my opinion, and IMO is the better run blocker.

PuppyPuncher

04-06-2009, 06:24 PM

According to you guys, they should draft Phil Loadholt.

SuperUberBob

04-06-2009, 06:40 PM

It's a no brainer that the Rams need to upgrade their O-line, especially with the loss of Orlando Pace. Monroe is more pro-ready than Jason Smith. He is the better blindside tackle and played with his hand in the ground more often than Jason Smith did.

Neither pick is a bad one. But I give the slight nod to Monroe.

rphx88

04-06-2009, 08:18 PM

jason smith is the best pick here
the rams have to protect an immobile marc bulger and this athletic tackle is just the man to do it

MesaBlanca

04-06-2009, 08:18 PM

although crabtree could be a possible pick, the rams need to address their O-line first. in both sides of the football, the lines are the foundation, meaning you upgrade that first and then upgrade whatever else you need. a prime example are the minnesota vikings. they have a great O-line and then they got adrian peterson. now adrian peterson playing at a HoF level thanks to his O-line. another example? Joe Thomas. The 2007 Browns were great because of him. point is, a good O-line is what makes a good offense.
So the answer would be Monroe over Smith. Why? Monroe, before the combine was considered the #1 tackle in the draft. Now because of the combine, Jason Smith suddenly becomes the #1 OT? we've seen with vernon gholston that just because you have a good combine doesn't mean that you will perform well in the pros.
the rams take Eugene Monroe to bring Steven Jackson back into his Pro-Bowl form

Vincinerator

04-06-2009, 10:03 PM

Jason Smith is undoubtedly the most athletic round one tackle available, and is easily a top five pick. But while Smith is "better" in run blocking, I have seen no real demonstration of this. He played only in the spread, and Monroe was more used to blocking for the type of quarterback who would stay put and not stray off of his pocket. This is exactly the type of quarterback Marc Bulger is, and it would do well to take Monroe for this reason.

Plus, everybody has known since before the season that Monroe is one of the best offensive tackles available for the 2009 NFL Draft. Smith didn't get any real publicity until late in the year of a 5-7 team, and the only time he was generally placed above Monroe was when he performed well at the combine. First of all, many teams do not decide to care a whole lot about the combine. Second, it's not as though Eugene Monroe had a horrible combine. He looked plenty good, like somebody worthy of a top pick, so to me there is no reason to not take him.

PuppyPuncher

04-06-2009, 10:10 PM

What happens if these two tie?

jwill442

04-06-2009, 10:19 PM

Smith or Monroe I think they will both be fine and it is a matter of opinion who is the best, in my opinion it is Smith. If Monroe goes here i would not be suprised it really just depends on what the Rams think, but that is stating the obvious isn't it.