I guess at least part of my perspective on this goes back to the proposition that you really can’t do an appropriate evaluation after only 2 seasons. Other than Hali, none of these guys really contributed signficantly in their rookie season so I think that leaves us with little choice but evaluate them predominately on their 2007 season. Several of these guys were first-time starters for a team that went 4-12. The previous year, when they were not starters, their team went to the playoffs. That says something to me.

On the other side of the coin, I also say you can’t call Pollard, Croyle, or really anybody else a bust after what amounts to just a single season of significant playing time. I do expect a lot out a number of these guys. I expect Hali and Pollard to both have break out seasons for instance. I have high hopes for Croyle and Webb. All of these guys have potential or else they wouldn’t be here. All were still developing last year and this coming season should speak volumes about where they are in their career and how well they start coming together as a team.

Some of the criticism they deserve and some of it they don’t but more than anything inexperience is their biggest weakness and their is a cure for that.

And yes I absolutely do believe that one of the core messages that players need to hear and believe from their coach is that if you lose, you lose as a team and when you win, you win as a team. I would sure hope that Jared Allen and Tony G never went around the lockerroom claiming personal “A” performances after a losing effort and I doubt they ever felt that way.

Page is an A: Because if you can find a starter in the 7th round thats pretty ridiculous, great pick and hes done more than enough considering where they got him. Now hopefully he can step it up another notch.

Webb similar story, he hasnt been spectacular but hes been ok considering where he was taken

On another note… matt, we don’t need another linebacker, especially one with character issues, especially when he was a former high pick, and wants tons of cash thrown at him. So no-go on that one. Pollard is far from a bust.. he’s made some spectacular plays.. And he has a job to do; he couldn’t wait to see if Ty Law would be able to keep his feet during the play.. He had a specific spot on the field, or a specific man, he had to keep track of. He couldn’t do his job AND Ty Law’s job, but he was consistently asked to. Can’t blame a guy for giving it his all when he’s been given more than he can handle. To his credit he did have a decent season, despite being in the shadow of ‘big names’ on our team.

And Page isn’t just a C+ IMO, if you indeed took a ‘good coache’s’ approach, then you should realize that beating a division rival is KEY for any coach. Page has singlehandedly saved us from the Raiders twice in his young career, on awesome picks. Both were in the redzone (I believe all of his picks are? I’m too lazy to check, but I think so. That’s huge, especially for a young guy.) And both picks versus the Raider’s were in the waning seconds of the game. As a ‘good head coach’, when would you like your players to step up? That’s right, down in the nitty gritty 4th quarter, time running out, game on the line.. Page has done that. Let’s not forget the sharing of time with a Pro-Bowler in Greg Wesley, and you begin to see that Page’s season was actually alot better than expected, and again, as Seanbcool has stated; it’s their second years.. They aren’t even fully developed. Let’s give the kids a chance, but looking at it now, safety is a position we don’t have to worry about for at least a few years.

You wrote:

“Merlin – I’m just taking the view that I think any good coach would after the team’s performance last season.”

Nope, sorry, I do not agree. Your argument essentially boils down to: we suck = you all sucked.

So, if Jared Allen was still on this team, your “good coach” approach would say that he has to earn a starting spot on this team. Sorry, but I do not consider that a realistic approach or an approach used by a ‘good coach’.

So, in your view, Brian Waters has to earn a starting spot. Tony Gonzalez has to earn a starting spot. IMO, this is not an approach used by a good coach. Now, Herm is creating competition at a number of positions. This is a good thing. However, baring major surprises, there are several spots already claimed.

But I don’t hold Jared Allen and his 15.5 sacks responsible for us losing. I don’t blame Tony Gonzalez and his 1000+ receiving yards either.

I mostly blame Mike Solari, our offensive line, Herm’s “keep it close and fight it out in the end philosophy”, and A.J. Hawk for breaking LJ’s foot.

Hali, Pollard, and Page have been solid.

So no, I don’t think you can grade the 2006 draft based on last year’s record.

No one in the 2006 rookie class has particularly distinguished themselves as of yet and I sure would not let any of them believe for one second that they’re so good that they won’t be competing for a starting position. For one thing, that’s not fair to the new guys in camp. Secondly, these are all guys who still have a bunch to prove.

The best performer of the bunch is Hali and he had enough ups and downs last season to not merit a grade greater than C but like I said before, if the team goes 4-12, then doesn’t he and every other player on this team have to share some blame for that? And that’s my point. Hali started every game last season as I recall – if the team had won maybe 6 games last year then I might give Hali a C for his contribution.

Do I think some of these guys have the potential to be great? Absolutely. I’d say Hali, Page, Pollard, Croyle, and Webb all fall into that category. But every one of those guys has yet to prove they are more than C players on an NFL team with a better record much less having distinguished themselves here with any regularity as either “impact players” or “game changers.”

Don’t get me wrong. I expect big things from Hali, Page, and Pollard this season but I’m not about to give them grades on what I expect but rather what I’ve seen. Bottom line, I haven’t seen enough from any of them and the team’s 2007 record speaks loudly to that.

Pollard – C+, as made some nice plays as a young player. Now just needs to put the package together.

Croyle – I, incomplete for now. If I am forced to give a grade it is a D. He failed to beat out Damon Huard when he was given every chance.

Maxey – F, bust.

Stallings – D, gets a D for at least lasting a few seasons.

Webb – C, for being a 6th round pick, but has yet to really do anything. I have seen Sippio at least make some crucial blocks.

Page – C+, if Pollard gets one then he does too. For being a 7th round pick he gets a better grade than I wanted to give him and lets not forget he was a 7th because people feared he would play baseball not because of talent.