DRAFT WEEK THIS & THAT.........FRIDAY Part I
Who's hot & who's not? The names being tossed about in the last 12 hours on the hot list include LSU DE Tyson Jackson, who has moved into the top-10, Maryland WR Darius Heyward-Bey, rumored by Oakland media to be the 7th pick & K-State QB, Josh Freeman. Jackson, who measures 6' 4" & 295, is the prototypical 3-4 defensive end, able to set the edge, pursue down the line & hold his ground in the running game. Heyward-Bey, who ran the fastest 40-yard time at the combine, a blistering 4.35, might be Oakland's pick at #7, regardless of who's available. Of the 5 receivers I have rated as possible first rounders, Heyward-Bey ranks 5th with me. He drops way too many passes, he has smaller hands & catches too many balls against his body. But I hope the Raiders pick him instead of Jeremy Maclin. Josh Freeman is moving up draftboards more out of need than anything. Regardless of who gets Matthew Stafford & Mark Sanchez, there will still be 3-4 teams who want a QB. A couple of those teams will heat up the phone lines looking for a trading partner to move up as soon as Freeman is the last man standing of the top tier quarterbacks. I've even heard Georgia Tech defensive end, Michael Johnson, possibly the most talented of the 'boom or bust' prospects, is going to sneak into the first round. Before his senior season, he was a top-10 prospect, but in December, after too many hot & cold performances, he dropped to late second round. Teams desperate for pass rushers may push the Tech defender up considerably.
Who's not? If you've kept up with what I've written, you'd know Florida WR, Percy Harvin, has fallen farther than anyone. In February, I had him as the 13th best player, if I were running someone's draft, he'd be off the board altogether & I'm not alone. His entourage, the failed drug test & now there's talk about how little some of his Gator teammates think of him. Multiple teams have dropped him into the 2nd round or are no longer considering him at all. Michael Crabtree is falling as well & may not be the first WR drafted. Hopefully he'll stay off TV & radio, stop traveling with a posse & just lay low. He's lowered his draft status in the last 72 hours. Ohio State running back, Chris 'Beanie' Wells, has had numerous nagging injuries while at Columbus, all leg, ankle & foot related. Someone started a rumor he had a bone in his foot that was still causing him problems & apparently the rumor has gained some traction. If the Chiefs don't take Wake Forest LB Aaron Curry at #3, he may free fall out of the top-10 because of the perception that he can't rush the passer. The same was said about two other linebackers when they went into the draft, Ray Lewis & Brian Urlacher. He didn't get many sacks at Wake because the defensive structure didn't call for him to rush the passer. Regardless if the Chiefs do or don't take him, someone is going to get a superior player with an unquestioned work ethic & real leadership.
How miserable do you think it will be in the Dallas Cowboys' draft room tomorrow? Owner Jerry Jones will be wearing out the carpet as he impatiently waits for the Cowboys' first pick, the 19th in the second round, number 51 overall. The draft kicks off about 4:10 CDT & the 'Boys most likely won't make their selection until after 10 PM. That's a long time for the TV talking heads to gab about everybody but Jerry Jones & the top Cowboy craves being the center of attention.
Why did Scott Pioli take a 2010 2nd round pick for Tony Gonzalez yesterday instead of a pick in tomorrow's draft? Does he believe next year will be better? Does he want to see how the current scouting department does before loading the wagon with picks? Or.....does he already have a trading partner to get out of the #3 spot & pick up additional picks, including a 2nd rounder? Will the teams actually trade picks or is it a draft & trade agreement? I'm hearing #1 pick from last year, DT Glenn Dorsey, is being dangled as trade bait for a team that plays a 4-3 defense, a scheme better suited for Dorsey.
One more thing regarding the fall of Percy Harvin. Since he tested positive for marijuana at the combine, an event totally run by the NFL, he now has one strike on him in the league's drug policy. The first violation triggers more frequent testing & mandatory counseling. The second violation, which could be next for Harvin if he stumbles, is a mandatory suspension of 2-4 games. The third is an 8-game suspension & the 4th violation will allow you to sit out for a full season without pay. See why teams are backing off this guy?
Who's not? If you've kept up with what I've written, you'd know Florida WR, Percy Harvin, has fallen farther than anyone. In February, I had him as the 13th best player, if I were running someone's draft, he'd be off the board altogether & I'm not alone. His entourage, the failed drug test & now there's talk about how little some of his Gator teammates think of him. Multiple teams have dropped him into the 2nd round or are no longer considering him at all. Michael Crabtree is falling as well & may not be the first WR drafted. Hopefully he'll stay off TV & radio, stop traveling with a posse & just lay low. He's lowered his draft status in the last 72 hours. Ohio State running back, Chris 'Beanie' Wells, has had numerous nagging injuries while at Columbus, all leg, ankle & foot related. Someone started a rumor he had a bone in his foot that was still causing him problems & apparently the rumor has gained some traction. If the Chiefs don't take Wake Forest LB Aaron Curry at #3, he may free fall out of the top-10 because of the perception that he can't rush the passer. The same was said about two other linebackers when they went into the draft, Ray Lewis & Brian Urlacher. He didn't get many sacks at Wake because the defensive structure didn't call for him to rush the passer. Regardless if the Chiefs do or don't take him, someone is going to get a superior player with an unquestioned work ethic & real leadership.
How miserable do you think it will be in the Dallas Cowboys' draft room tomorrow? Owner Jerry Jones will be wearing out the carpet as he impatiently waits for the Cowboys' first pick, the 19th in the second round, number 51 overall. The draft kicks off about 4:10 CDT & the 'Boys most likely won't make their selection until after 10 PM. That's a long time for the TV talking heads to gab about everybody but Jerry Jones & the top Cowboy craves being the center of attention.
Why did Scott Pioli take a 2010 2nd round pick for Tony Gonzalez yesterday instead of a pick in tomorrow's draft? Does he believe next year will be better? Does he want to see how the current scouting department does before loading the wagon with picks? Or.....does he already have a trading partner to get out of the #3 spot & pick up additional picks, including a 2nd rounder? Will the teams actually trade picks or is it a draft & trade agreement? I'm hearing #1 pick from last year, DT Glenn Dorsey, is being dangled as trade bait for a team that plays a 4-3 defense, a scheme better suited for Dorsey.
One more thing regarding the fall of Percy Harvin. Since he tested positive for marijuana at the combine, an event totally run by the NFL, he now has one strike on him in the league's drug policy. The first violation triggers more frequent testing & mandatory counseling. The second violation, which could be next for Harvin if he stumbles, is a mandatory suspension of 2-4 games. The third is an 8-game suspension & the 4th violation will allow you to sit out for a full season without pay. See why teams are backing off this guy?
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