Best's Draft Stock Appears to Be Dropping...
by dchu on Dec 15, 2009 10:05 AM PST
33 comments
I'm not a HUGE draft junkie except when it comes to big names and Cal players. The consensus (even after OSU) was that C.J. Spiller is probably the first back off the board, with Jahvid going somewhere at the end of the first or early second. That might have shifted a bit, at least according to ESPN's top two draft experts.
Todd McShay doesn't have him going in the first round, and in fact has Georgia Tech's Jonathan Dwyer off the board first at the end of the first.
Best has held tight at around No. 18-20 for most of the year on Mel Kiper Jr.'s "Big Board" (which is just raw rankings, not draft projections), but he's fallen off the Top 25 altogether in the last ranking (12/9). Caveat: Kiper says he doesn't consider underclassmen at that early a stage unless they project in the top 15 or 20, so Best might merely have shifted to 21 or 22.
I suspect Jahvid will shoot back up draft charts if he's back for the Poinsettia Bowl, but if his status come declaration time is still "sometime in the second" instead of "late-first or early-second", I'm curious how it'll affect his decision. Lot of factors at play here, like his injury prone nature (is that a reason to come back and show teams he can stay healthy, or a reason to go pro so he can maximize the length of his career?), a fear of a Bradford-like season next year, a relatively thin RB class this year, the possibility of a rookie salary cap being instituted in the next CBA, a possible lock out in 2011, etc.
A couple weeks ago it seemed like a foregone conclusion that he goes, but if he doesn't come back for the Bowl Game and have a good game, I would be surprised if he leaves early. Which you could argue is good (lots of talent at RB next year) or bad (a logjam at RB could potentially to hurt recruiting and/or prompt transfers... DeBo seems like the most likely candidate, given Vereen still has two years of eligibility and Yarnway four).
Thoughts?
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I'd be more than happy to see Best return next year...
But I doubt he will, regardless of his perceived draft position… And in all honesty if he slips down the board he gets to play for a better team (usually)… Its not looking like either Bay Area teams would be interested in picking up a speed/agility RB at this point so I’d be happy to see him go where his assets will be used most effectively…
Heck Aaron Rodgers has turned me into a half-assed Packers fan…
Best should go pro, its the best decision for him and his family…
And if there is one thing I’m never concerned about regarding Cal football its depth at RB, Gould knows what’s up and seemingly can develop any recruit into an everydown back….
Undefeated in Southern California since Oct. 2009...
I don't see DeBo leaving regardless what happens with Best
Don’t forget that DeBoskie loves Cal. He left high school early so that he could enroll at Cal a semester early and get a head start on classes. He’s a bright kid and a good student. I think if any of the backs have an appreciation for a Berkeley education, its DeBoskie.
The compensation provided under [Jeff Tedford's] contract is funded exclusively from athletic department revenues and private fundraising and no State or general campus funds are used in this arrangement.
This announcement which was supposed to happen Sunday or yesterday
Either 1. Best declaring whether he’s going pro or not, and/or 2. Best declaring whether he’s going to play or not.
My theory/hope: Best will declare he’s not going to play in the bowl game, but is coming back next year. It’s possible Tedford wanted to time this announcement to get maximum buzz going around the program—see the oral commits switching to Cal and whispers that we’re going to lock up some other big gunz later this week—but that jerk Locker stole the spotlight yesterday by announcing he’s going to return (And try to lead Washington to its first winning season since he’s been there!!!!!!!) So now Cal’s waiting to make the announcement until the Locker decision is old news
He should play in the P Bowl
He’s going to have to play football again sometime. Does he want his first real hits to be college players from Utah, or grown men that sole job in life is to hit people very hard in the NFL.
Playing in the Bowl game will rid of some of the mystery surrounding his injury when he’s trying out at the combines.
Because Best is really on the fence about whether he should play in the Poinsettia Bowl if he can
"Let me tell you a story. I was a political prisoner for two years. The instant I was released I ran to McDonald's. I had a Big Mac and a Coke.
It was fantastic."
-Toyama Koichi, US Presidential candidate from Japan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGZqOkeYbB0
If Best comes back, I hope Ludwig/Tedford start using him more creatively, a la Percy Harvin or Bush, sort of a RB/WR hybrid. Without a dominant o-line, I think Vereen is the better option as an every down back (both for his ability to churn out yards after contact and his superior durability)… but Best, if he’s around, is simply too talented not to have on the field as much as possible.
Honestly, though, as much as I love Jahvid, both for his electrifying ability and the way he conducts himself, I am not terribly stressed over whether he leaves or goes. Vereen doesn’t have quite Best’s electifying flash, but he’s better at churning out tougher yards and is no slouch himself in terms of pulling off big runs. DeBo looks like he’s ready for an increased role, and Yarnway if nothing else should be ready to help out in short yardage situations. That’s to say nothing of Isi, Briggs, and whatever other commits Tedford and crew can pull of their collective caps.
Best would be on the field more but his body breaks down too easily. The hip injury vs SC, dislocated elbow vs Colorado St, dislocated finger vs Miami, concussion vs OSU, sprained ankles, ailing back, etc. It’s one thing after another and a lot of his injuries have been freak accidents. I feel bad for the guy but that’s the reality of his situation.
Some guys just don't seem to heal particularly fast
and thus are constantly dealing with some kind of injury.
Onetime baseball player Chris Snelling was the master of this…
O'Hara: Detective Lassiter is literally on fire.
Spencer: What kind of fire are we talking about-- "Michael Jackson in the Pepsi commercial" fire, or "misusing the word literally" fire?
I feel like a lot of people are setting themselves up for disappointment here.
"Let me tell you a story. I was a political prisoner for two years. The instant I was released I ran to McDonald's. I had a Big Mac and a Coke.
It was fantastic."
-Toyama Koichi, US Presidential candidate from Japan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGZqOkeYbB0
I don’t want Best to play in the bowl.
I do want Best to leave early.
I think its in his best interest to stay healthy and get paid as soon as he can. Just the reality of it. He’s got a face for tv, would make a great analyst or commentator someday. I see his future in the NFL as a punt/kick returner and less so as a running back. At least for his health I hope so.
The compensation provided under [Jeff Tedford's] contract is funded exclusively from athletic department revenues and private fundraising and no State or general campus funds are used in this arrangement.
by dballisloose on Dec 15, 2009 7:10 PM PST up reply actions
I basically disagree with all of this, except for the part about him leaving early.
I think Best wants to compete on the highest level and has the potential to do so. I don’t like the way he came in to the season the number one running back in the country and leaves it with part of the Cal fanbase having written him off as a running back entirely. It smacks of a lack of perspective that people believe Best’s place on the field is as a specialist, despite all of 2008.
Does the concussion complicate things? Yes, but only insomuch as a concussion will complicate any career. It is an unfortunate fact that football is a high risk profession, but at the same time I think Best is capable of managing those risks while playing on an NFL offense.
As for the bowl, if he’s healed up and wants to play he should play. I think that one is actually pretty simple.
"Let me tell you a story. I was a political prisoner for two years. The instant I was released I ran to McDonald's. I had a Big Mac and a Coke.
It was fantastic."
-Toyama Koichi, US Presidential candidate from Japan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGZqOkeYbB0
I don’t like the way he came in to the season the number one running back in the country and leaves it with part of the Cal fanbase having written him off as a running back entirely. It smacks of a lack of perspective that people believe Best’s place on the field is as a specialist, despite all of 2008.
In a weird way, that’s why I want him to go pro. If he turns out awesome in the NFL will Carp complain that he stopped trying against USC and Oregon this year?
The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS
hahahahaha that’s the worst reason I’ve read for Best to go pro yet. I approve heartily.
"Let me tell you a story. I was a political prisoner for two years. The instant I was released I ran to McDonald's. I had a Big Mac and a Coke.
It was fantastic."
-Toyama Koichi, US Presidential candidate from Japan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGZqOkeYbB0
It's hard for me to see Jahvid coming back
Especially considering the uncertainty at the offensive line, the inconsistency at quarterback, and Vereen likely moving into primary ball-carrier mode next year. He’d be playing for at best a 10-20% shot at a BCS bid and a 2-5% shot at the big postseason accolades that would make him a top 10 pick.
Whereas with the NFL, at worst he’d be a late 1st round/early 2nd round pick. Considering the rookie salary cap is adjusting too, he’ll hopefully land on a good team that’ll give him the ability to maximize his talents, as opposed to a crappy team where he’d get beat up even worse, and get paid fairly well. Best of both worlds for Jahvid, no pun intended.
Email: bearsnecessities@gmail.com
I can see Best coming back
Look at Jake Locker he was supposedly the best quarterback coming out this year, but decided to stay.
I think Best still has to prove to NFL scouts that he can stay healthy for an entire season. If he does go to the draft though I hope the 49ers draft him.
Gore is a beast. We don’t need another early round RB at the moment….
Plus, Niners need oline help. I think we’ve all seen what Jahvid does when the oline gets dominated (nothing)….of course, this applies to all RB’s, but even more so to Jahvid than most.
by Missing Barry on Dec 16, 2009 7:21 AM PST up reply actions
Yes Gore is a beast
But, the 49ers need speed. When their fastest players are their linebacker Patrick Willis and their two tight ends. There’s problems, Best could be used as a punt or kick returner and used in third down situations that call for him to catch passes. Best has some great hands for a running back.
Or they could just draft Mardy Gilyard in a later round and have an All-American returner/receiver, instead of an injury prone guy at a position they don’t need.
All aboard the Jahvid Best rickshaw!
by rollonubears on Dec 17, 2009 9:23 PM PST up reply actions
So you're saying a player like
Desean Jackson wouldn’t have helped the 49ers. His speed alone would have helped the 49ers.
Yes, because Mardy Gilyard is a slow piece of shit.
All aboard the Jahvid Best rickshaw!
by rollonubears on Dec 19, 2009 2:29 PM PST up reply actions
The problem is using an early draft pick for a guy that’s only gonna play in a limited role like that is a waste. Those early rounders have to have bigger roles on the team.
by Missing Barry on Dec 18, 2009 1:02 AM PST up reply actions
Locker?
I would debate Locker being the best QB coming out this year. Certainly scouts are enamoured with Locker’s athleticism (same reason the Angels drafted him), but as far as the best QB? Not a chance. If you look at the PAC-10 QB rankings alone, Locker on paper is only the fourth or fifth-best returning quarterback in the conference next fall.
Certainly part of that is due to the lack of surrounding talent, but also Locker is a raw prospect. He may have gone high, but for him staying makes since to actually make him a better football player. Best has no such motivation since I’d say he’s shown he’s pretty capable of doing everything at the college level.
Doc Saturday breakdown on Locker
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/blog/dr_saturday/post/Fact-checking-So-how-good-is-Jake-Locker-anywa?urn=ncaaf,208904
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