Well let me clarify the sig isn't meant to state my hate of TT, rather it came about after reading an article someone posted (I think it was Heather) in which Ted said something like we'll draft the best player available, even if it happens to be an OL at 16 because I've done that before.
I think history provides a different picture:
05 draft (You can argue either way for Rodgers, so I won't include him in my analysis):
- 2nd round pick: Nick Collins (Sharper released, we have a need at safety - other players available included OT Khalif Barnes and CB Darrent Williams)
- 2nd round pick: Terrance Murphy (Walker saga was in full effect, complete with him threatening to hold out so we effectively have only Ferrgie and Driver as reliable targets - other players available included CB Dan McFadden and RB Frank Gore)
- 4th round pick: Marviel Underwood (Roman is our returning SS, and he had been terrible at best the season before)
In 05, we lost Rivera and Whale. Our first OL picked was in the 7th round. I find it hard to believe that an OL was the best player available when we picked only in the 7th round. I think it's more to do with Ted thinking he had solved the problem with a couple of 'under the radar' signings at O-line.
06 draft:
- 1st round: AJ Hawk (Barnett is returning, along with an injured Poppinga that has no definitive date of return, and Taylor is added to the mix. Since Poppinga is injured, we only have two starting LBs - and I'm sure you can talk about other players such as Vernon Davis that could have been had)
- 2nd round: Greg Jennings AND Daryn Colledge(T-Murph and Walker gone no replacements, and our G play was a disaster)
- 3rd round: Jason Spitz (our G play was a disaster, consequently we don't sign any G in the off-season)
Now perhaps I should clarify that I don't mean TT drafts 'best player available' based on need in every round, but I think in the early rounds (day 1) he usually targets the positions that we have a biggest need at.
05 - we didn't sign anyone to replace Sharper, protect ourselves against Walker sitting out for a certain time period, or anyone to compete with the incumbent (yet terrible) Mark Roman.
06 - we sign 1 player to solve needs at 2 positions (given the unknown timeline of Popp's return). We don't sign any WR to fill a gap for us, nor do we sign any Guards this time around knowing that Klemm isn't the answer, and we have a new scheme that requires different types of guards. We draft at these positions on day 1.
I just think when TT says things like "I'll take an OT at 16 if he's the best player available", the journalist should comment on how that is unlikely given his history.
Going by the above, he'll draft RB and TE on the first day for sure because he didn't sign anyone to fill those needs. I don't think that is wrong, but I do think people (especially TT) constantly seeming to suggest that he always draft the best player available regardless of position is a stretch.