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Auggie

(33,248 posts)
Mon Apr 27, 2026, 11:21 AM 12 hrs ago

"Like jumping from a swimming pool into the ocean during a hurricane"

That's the transition from college to professional football, according to one former player.* The intensity, the stakes, the competition—everything amplifies exponentially.

*https://doinamerica.com/college-vs-pro-sports-in-the-u-s-where-the-real-talent-is-shaped


I dismiss draft "grades" and pundit opinions based upon college performances because of that jump. You just don't know how it's going to work out.

JeMarcus Russell, Johnny Manziel, Trey Lance, Ryan Leaf ...

The 49ers are fielding pundit criticism for passing on wideout Denzel Boston in favor of De’Zhaun Stribling, for example. But as San Francisco Chronicle 49ers beat reporter Eric Branch writes,

"Stribling had strong production at Power 5 schools, was one of 16 draft prospects given the 49ers’ gold-helmet designation for qualities such as work ethic and character and is an elite run blocker.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan has said some of last season’s run-game woes could be traced to poor blocking by wideouts.

Don't bet everything on combine speed, strength and size. Or college stats.

Work ethic. Acumen. Character. Team play. Intangibles.
6 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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"Like jumping from a swimming pool into the ocean during a hurricane" (Original Post) Auggie 12 hrs ago OP
Hmmm, Trey Lance is being compared to Ryan Leaf, Johnny Football and 'Purple drink' Jemarcus Russell? Ain't right. eom Exp 12 hrs ago #1
Yeah, an unfair analogy ... Auggie 10 hrs ago #3
I heard that John Lynch used AI to make his picks. usonian 11 hrs ago #2
Funny Auggie 10 hrs ago #4
Thanks, just trying to brighten up a post-draft Monday. usonian 10 hrs ago #5
On the MMQB podcast today Albert Breer said a different team told him they were RockRaven 1 hr ago #6

Exp

(1,004 posts)
1. Hmmm, Trey Lance is being compared to Ryan Leaf, Johnny Football and 'Purple drink' Jemarcus Russell? Ain't right. eom
Mon Apr 27, 2026, 11:59 AM
12 hrs ago

Auggie

(33,248 posts)
3. Yeah, an unfair analogy ...
Mon Apr 27, 2026, 01:32 PM
10 hrs ago

Lance tries. Though you have to admit, the athletic hype hasn't translated well.

usonian

(26,121 posts)
2. I heard that John Lynch used AI to make his picks.
Mon Apr 27, 2026, 12:41 PM
11 hrs ago

No wonder he drafts wide receivers to run-block, centers who can catch a Hail Mary pass, and punters who can fling the ball 120 yards downfield.

When AI says "versatility matters", we take notice.

Fans rate this "the draft to make the Trey Lance pick look brilliant"

Just kidding, of course.

With all the trading going on, the 49ers did snag a palette of highly coveted GPU's in exchange for a sixth round pick next year.

"We'll make full use of that dreaded power substation next to the stadium for our AI datacenter underneath the seats" said Lynch, "It's what keeps those seats toasty warm when chilly weather arrives."

Word on the street is that Steelers and Vikings fans are totally jealous.

usonian

(26,121 posts)
5. Thanks, just trying to brighten up a post-draft Monday.
Mon Apr 27, 2026, 01:58 PM
10 hrs ago

The great Ralph Barbieri used to say:

"Angels fly because they take themselves lightly" 😇

RockRaven

(19,626 posts)
6. On the MMQB podcast today Albert Breer said a different team told him they were
Mon Apr 27, 2026, 10:12 PM
1 hr ago

going to take Stribling with their pick in the 30s (the 49ers picked him 33rd).

So using just that one player as an example, we can see that it isn't only the one team which picks the guy "early" whose opinion deviates wildly from the pundits' "consensus board" -- a "consensus" contaminated with outdated information and copycat opinions.

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