April 22, 2008

The Ten Worst Number One Overall Picks : A look back at the surefire picks that weren't.

read story | posted by Ying Yang Mafia to Football at 6:11 PM CDT (43 comments total)

It's too easy to take issue with these top ten lists. Personal biases always cloud objectivity.

On this list though, I would take exception to David Carr in the company of Michael Vick. I can't think of a QB in the modern age that would be able to perform while looking for his spleen and ribs after every snap.

Of course, as the list pointed out, he still has time to earn a higher spot.

posted by Tinman at 6:19 PM CDT on April 22

In the year Elway, as well as several others qb's that made it big, (I think Jim Everett was one) the Chiefs drafted Todd Blackledge number one and he didn't make the list. I have to call shenanigans. They also picked Percy Snow who promptly got in a moped wreck and broke his leg, while drunk. Neither lasted two seasons. I still can't watch a game where Blackledge is a commentator.

posted by hawkguy at 6:35 PM CDT on April 22

We're they overall number 1 picks, hawkguy?

posted by NoMich at 7:13 PM CDT on April 22

Vick seems to now be that wildcard "worst" pick because of his off-field stupidity. I think on-field wise, he lived reasonably well up to the hype and put a whole lot of butts in the seat.
(also, can SI.com please adopt this format for top-x lists?)

posted by jmd82 at 8:07 PM CDT on April 22

If we are going to talk about the worst pick, it has to be Bo Jackson. He went to play baseball instead of playing with the Bucs, and then was drafted in the 7th round by the Raiders the next year.

posted by bperk at 8:32 PM CDT on April 22

NoMich, my bad. Not overall but first rounders. Too much beer after work.

posted by hawkguy at 6:49 AM CDT on April 23

The reason Vick will be seen as a first-pick bust is because the Falcons traded to get that pick from San Diego, and the Chargers moved down and ultimately turned their choice into LaDanian Tomlinson. That's a smart move by the Chargers with the number one overall choice. I personally can't totally consider Vick a bust, though, because even though he's one of the worst percentage and accuracy passers I've ever witnessed, his athletic ability and marketability have both been tremendous. His jersey and merchandise was selling far ahead of all other players up to the time he entered jail. Going into prison, though, moves him rapidly up any bust list.

posted by dyams at 7:46 AM CDT on April 23

Going into prison, though, moves him rapidly up any bust list.

I could see why you would think that but just because Vick went to jail, I personally can't consider that being a bust. The guy made a huge mistake and is paying for it. When he gets out, he may be able to come back into the league and continue to awe fans & opponents alike with his athletic ability.

posted by BornIcon at 8:45 AM CDT on April 23

I always said the Browns should have gone with Ricky Williams instead of Tim Couch. Who knows, maybe things would have gone differently for Ricky.

posted by steelergirl at 9:16 AM CDT on April 23

Who knows, maybe things would have gone differently for Ricky.

No they wouldn't. If i had to live in Cleveland and play for the Browns, I would have to smoke pot everyday.

posted by Debo270 at 9:26 AM CDT on April 23

I personally can't consider that being a bust.

Instead of being a impact player helping his team on the field, Vick, a number one choice in the entire draft, is sitting in a jail cell? That couldn't be more horrible for an organization, regardless of what Vick's future holds for him. It's a bust for the Falcons in general, not necessarily Vick personally.

If i had to live in Cleveland and play for the Browns, I would have to smoke pot everyday.

Cleveland: Good enough for LeBron, not good enough for Debo. CLEVELAND ROCKS!

posted by dyams at 9:36 AM CDT on April 23

Instead of being a impact player helping his team on the field, Vick, a number one choice in the entire draft, is sitting in a jail cell?

Still, any way you slice it, Vick had a longer and more productive career with the team that chose him that a lot of other draft picks. If you want to talk value for the pick, then someone like Bo Jackson (who provided no value) was much worse. Then you can count all the players who were terrible for the team that drafted him (see Vinny Testaverde), but went on to have decent careers. Then, you can count all the player who had injury shortened careers. All that to say that there are more than 10 players who provided less than 6 years of value (with 3 pro bowls as well) for the team that drafted them #1 overall.

posted by bperk at 9:54 AM CDT on April 23

just because Vick went to jail, I personally can't consider that being a bust

I agree, because there's no way a team could foresee that, but he never turned into that game-changer people thought he could be coming out of college. While he was a fantastic running back and amazing athlete, he wasn't enough of a QB to dominate like he did in college.

Still not a bust though.

posted by yerfatma at 10:08 AM CDT on April 23

Whether Vick is considered a bust or not, you really do have to hand it to the Chargers in that draft situation. They were able to expoit all the excitement over Vick coming into that draft and parlay the pick into a organization-changing player. Teams that take risks like that (trading the first pick overall) and make them work deserve a great deal of credit.

posted by dyams at 10:50 AM CDT on April 23

When the San Diego traded the first pick, not only did they get Tomlinson, who has of course been hugely successful, but they also took Drew Brees in the second round, who it can be argued turned out to be a much better QB than Vick.

posted by Chargdres at 11:16 AM CDT on April 23

Also, the Chargers traded 2004 No. 1 overall pick, Eli Manning, for the 4th pick, Phillip Rivers. I'm not sure how that's working out for them considering that Eli just won a Super Bowl and all, but they didn't have much of a choice since Manning didn't want to play in San Diego. I think Phillips is not all that bad himself, so I conclude they did OK given the circumstances.

posted by gloglu at 11:37 AM CDT on April 23

Seahawks fan that I am, I still have to go with The Boz as the worst (or at least one of) overall #1's. 24 games-4 sacks and bad hair. And horrible actor.

posted by THX-1138 at 11:41 AM CDT on April 23

Bosworth wasn't a number one overall draft pick. He was picked by Seattle in the '87 supplemental draft. The overall number one pick in the '87 NFL draft was Vinnie Testeverde by Tampa Bay.

As for Manning/Rivers, I think the Chargers made the most out of that situation by getting Rivers when Manning felt he was too good for them. Rivers came a long way last year towards showing he may be a very good quarterback in the future. A cocky one, but a good one.

posted by dyams at 12:03 PM CDT on April 23

Absolutely right you are, dyams. Now I feel much better. Although the stats, hair, and acting are correct.

posted by THX-1138 at 12:13 PM CDT on April 23

The Boz made The Rock look like De Niro as far as acting goes. Can I get a "People's Eyebrow?"

posted by hawkguy at 12:23 PM CDT on April 23

I always said the Browns should have gone with Ricky Williams instead of Tim Couch.

I agree on not taking Couch, but the Browns should have taken McNabb. He was a better qb coming out of college and has proven himself to be a far better qb in the NFL as well.

posted by bender at 12:31 PM CDT on April 23

The Boz made The Rock look like De Niro as far as acting goes.

The Rock isn't a bad actor, you just need to stop watching 'Stone Cold', starring Boz. Maybe that would help.

posted by BornIcon at 12:37 PM CDT on April 23

Vick wasn't able to dominate, but don't forget that he did lead the Falcons to the NFC Championship game a few years back. From Atlanta's perspective, that's their second highest peak behind getting to the Super Bowl in 98-99 ...with Chris Chandler at QB.

posted by drumdance at 12:42 PM CDT on April 23

No they wouldn't. If i had to live in Cleveland and play for the Browns, I would have to smoke pot everyday

Nah, Debo, Cleveland is not that bad. It does have a pretty good night life, just not so great sports teams. (Although the Browns have improved greatly and the Cavs are (were?) in the playoffs.

posted by steelergirl at 1:08 PM CDT on April 23

Cleveland: Good enough for LeBron, not good enough for Debo. CLEVELAND ROCKS!

He wants out too!!!!!

Listen, i know Cleveland is an ok place. I have done a crazy nighht or two in the flats and out at the bars. Its just the Steeler Schizophrenia in me that does not allow me to say nice stuff about them without upsetting my stomach. BROWNS STILL SUCK(see i cant control the outbursts)

posted by Debo270 at 1:15 PM CDT on April 23

what about Tony Mandarich? cant leave him off.

posted by ralph099 at 5:57 PM CDT on April 23

what about Tony Mandarich?

We're talking about THE NUMBER ONE DRAFT PICK OF THE ENTIRE DRAFT FOR ANY GIVEN YEAR IN NFL HISTORY, not a certain team's number one pick. Ya know, like "With the first pick in the 2008 National Football League Draft, the Miami Dolphins select Jake Long, tackle, University of Michigan. The St. Louis Rams are now on the clock." Tony Mandarich was the second overall pick in '89 after Troy Aikman.

posted by dyams at 6:21 PM CDT on April 23

How could you leave off tony Mandrich from Mi.State Green Bay took him
and the Lions got barry Sanders

posted by bluesman57 at 7:11 PM CDT on April 23

Good god you don't even have to read the link. All you have to read is the fucking title.

posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 8:15 PM CDT on April 23

I swear, yym, some people jump on these threads and don't read anything but a couple of key words in the title. They don't look at the link, and don't read any of the posts that written prior to them jumping in.

Oh yeah, and by the way; how 'bout that fucking Tony Mandarich!

posted by dyams at 9:39 PM CDT on April 23

I'm a Browns fan, & we have 2 in the top 10. The old regime did such a fantastic job did'nt they?

posted by lnbkr4343 at 10:02 PM CDT on April 23

When he gets out, he may be able to come back into the league and continue to awe fans & opponents alike with his athletic ability.

Maybe is right. Virginia may press state charges against him with possibility of 10 year sentence, and Virgina has no provision for parole. If this happens it will make Vick 39 years old.

posted by giveuptheghost at 10:24 PM CDT on April 23

If this happens it will make Vick 39 years old.

If is right. IMO, he'll get probation if anything.

posted by BornIcon at 7:12 AM CDT on April 24

I think some folks might want to switch to decaf. I don't speak for others who made a mistake, but I DID read the article (which was a set of pictures w/ captions). I also admitted that I was incorrect, but in my defense, Bosworth was #1 in the supplemental draft if I remember correctly.

But if I don't, is there any real reason to get so cheesed off?

posted by THX-1138 at 11:12 AM CDT on April 24

THX, I made the same mistake. When I read "number one pick" my brain automatically translated to "first round pick" because the Chiefs are traditionally terrible at the draft and it has become a very sore spot for me. I apologize if I annoyed anyone.

posted by hawkguy at 11:16 AM CDT on April 24

what about Tony Mandarich? cant leave him off.

posted by ralph099 at 5:57 PM CDT on April 23

what about Tony Mandarich?

We're talking about THE NUMBER ONE DRAFT PICK OF THE ENTIRE DRAFT FOR ANY GIVEN YEAR IN NFL HISTORY, not a certain team's number one pick. Ya know, like "With the first pick in the 2008 National Football League Draft, the Miami Dolphins select Jake Long, tackle, University of Michigan. The St. Louis Rams are now on the clock." Tony Mandarich was the second overall pick in '89 after Troy Aikman.

posted by dyams at 6:21 PM CDT on April 23

How could you leave off tony Mandrich from Mi.State Green Bay took him
and the Lions got barry Sanders

posted by bluesman57 at 7:11 PM CDT on April 23

This is what "cheesed" me off, as you say. These posts were one, right after the other, and it was clear people were not even bothering to read what was posted prior (even if they didn't understand what the entire thread was about). It had been explained earlier, but then another post doesn't fit with what's being discussed (the first Mandarich post). I explain what the thread is talking about, in detail, and immediately after, another person brings up Mandarich? I just think people should at least give the impression they're paying a little attention to what's going on. It's not like this thread had 190 posts or something. That's annoying. Anyone can make mistakes, but when a mistake is made again after the original mistake was pointed out, that's a tad ridiculous.

posted by dyams at 11:47 AM CDT on April 24

I think the Bengals win the back-to-back stinkbomb award with the 1-2 punch of Ki-Jana Carter and Dan Wilkinson. Hell, throw in David Klingler at #6 overall and Akili Smith at #3 and you almost wish the Bengals would perennially trade their first rounder. David Pollack, Odell Thurman, Chris Perry, Peter Warrick.......sigh!

posted by tahoemoj at 11:58 AM CDT on April 24

Granted, dyams, it can be annoying. But the two people who made the Mandarich comments have a total of 4 posts between them. I'll admit that I don't read every article that I post on. Sometimes it's because I already have knowledge of the articles contents, and sometimes it's because the headline really says it all. And sometimes I'm just being ignorant, or snarky, or bull-headed. Perhaps we could just be more patient. And noobs (or infrequent commenters), read the articles and don't be afraid to ask questions.

That being said, I can't believe they left Brian Bosworth off this list.

(ducks)

posted by THX-1138 at 12:17 PM CDT on April 24

And noobs (or infrequent commenters), read the articles and don't be afraid to ask questions.

And read the comments that came prior to see where the thread has been and where it's going. If I come in after several comments I generally read what's been posted before me so I don't repeat the exact comment someone else just made.

posted by dyams at 12:27 PM CDT on April 24

Thx my frustration was more directed in general at those who do not read the link or even the title before posting a comment. It happens often enough that it can get annoying. In all fairness I can understand how the title can be misinterpreted, for example I know hawkguy is a contributor of relative intelligence and probably just misread the link.

posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 2:22 PM CDT on April 24

What's so difficult about reading the link first and also reading the posts made by the members of SpoFi?

Well, my thumb get's sore from all the clicking, and it's sooo boring waiting for a link to load, and then reading all the posts can be frustrating with all their opposing viewpoints, and bad spelling and such.

(my apologies)

posted by THX-1138 at 2:47 PM CDT on April 24

The worst overall number one pick?

The first number one overall pick.

In a similar vein of argument, you could probably argue for John Elway, inasmuch he didn't help out Baltimore too much.

posted by Bonkers at 8:10 PM CDT on April 24

Nice, bonkers.

posted by tselson at 9:39 PM CDT on April 24

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