Thread: Draft is about possibilities and dropped balls

Article Last Updated: 04/24/2006 02:54:52 AM PDT

[size=18px]Draft is about possibilities and dropped balls[/size]

Column by Jerry McDonald

THE BEAUTY of the NFL draft is the yearly promise of a better day.
It's football's version of spring training, where optimism far outweighs common sense and logical thought with regard to a legitimate impact on the future.

The difference is that unlike the free-and-easy feeling of spring training, football teams end up over-thinking the draft process and passing on players, instead ending up with "prospects."

Rumor has it the Houston Texans are having second thoughts about Reggie Bush, the USC running back long considered a sure thing as the No.1 choice.

If true, both local teams would be wise to offer up whatever is necessary to put him either in San Francisco or Oakland.

More likely, this was simply a ploy to bring Bush's contract demands in line or the sort of draft week smoke screen so many teams seem to enjoy simply for the sport of it.

It would still be a major surprise if Bush wound up anywhere other than Houston. That being the case, what happens next?

It will involve lots of speculation, then teams making an effort to draft the kind of players they usually draft — with every one of them claiming after thefrom

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fact they got exactly what they wanted even if they're gnashing their teeth in the selection room.

Jumping to some draft conclusions with less than a week to go before one of the strangest days in professional sports — where a bunch of guys in a room watch live coverage of a bunch of guys in a room picking up the phone to populate NFL rosters:

-Virginia offensive tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson may be as good as everyone says he is, but the contention here is he gets a disproportionate amount of attention simply because people like to say "D'Brickashaw Ferguson."

If his name were Guy Whimper, who happens to be a draft eligible tackle out of East Carolina, it would be a different story.

-There's a lot of noise regarding the Raiders and Texas quarterback Vince Young, and Al Davis is no doubt intrigued. But the better choice would be Longhorns teammate Michael Huff, a physical safety with cornerback skills and speed.

True, the Raiders historically don't take safeties in the first round. The last time they did was 1993, and Patrick Bates of Texas A&M was a disaster. But Huff is more versatile, ran 4.35 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the combine, and can play slot corner.

The last time the Raiders had a real playmaker at safety — getting one final great year out of Rod Woodson — they went to a Super Bowl.

The Raiders need help now, not two years from now. By 2008, recent history suggests they might have a new coach and a new offensive system, and Young will need something far more stable and innovative to flourish.

Quarterbacks aren't simply plugged in to a position; they must have a system built to their specifications.

-If Davis truly has eyes for Young, watch out for Minnesota. New coach Brad Childress, the former Eagles offensive coordinator, looks at Young and envisions a super-charged Donovan McNabb. If the Vikings were to trade up from No.17, it would surprise no one.

-All those reports of the Raiders being "all over" Young because of Davis are purely guesswork. If you believe Davis has confided his innermost thoughts to anyone outside the organization, guess again. And the likelihood of personnel exec Mike Lombardi or anyone on the scouting staff having loose lips is about the same as deciding to re-sign Kerry Collins to play quarterback.

-Having spent so much money on No.1 pick Alex Smith last season, the 49ers top priority in 2006 should be getting him some help. Without a premiere wide receiver on the market, Maryland tight end Vernon Davis could be a game-altering presence much like Antonio Gates or Tony Gonzalez.

-The 49ers, if interested in Davis, ought to beware of Denver. The Broncos have accumulated a wealth of picks and could make a move.

Coach Mike Shanahan loves to use tight ends, and he's never had anyone even remotely approaching the skill of Davis. The thought of Davis breaking free in the secondary on bootlegs by Jake Plummer would be frightening to anyone in the AFC West.

-Rather than use a No.6 on Ohio State linebacker A.J. Hawk, if available, the 49ers ought to think offense first and then hope Bobby Carpenter, Hawk's similarly talented long-haired teammate, is available at No.22.

-It would be difficult to have a more disasterous predraft season than USC running back LenDale White, who has seemingly done everything possible to sabotage a potential top-10 selection.

But if White falls all the way to the end of the first round, becoming the perfect replacement for Jerome Bettis on the smashmouth Steelers could be the best thing for his career.

-Beware of Oregon tackle Haloti Ngata, whose performance often lagged behind is physical gifts. One person who scouted Ngata said he played exactly one game all season in which he summoned his skills for four quarters.

Avoid the player with the on/off switch in favor of one whose motor is always on.

NFL editor Jerry McDonald can be reached by e-mail at [email protected]

Draft is about possibilities and dropped balls

maybe vince young gets all the attention cause he has a cool name, or a sweet uniform. Or that sexy throwing motion. Maybe Bush is popular cause for some dumb reason american culture loves to promote a Mr. Bush, even if he doesnt earn it. Maybe Matt Leinart is popular cause we all want alyssa milano

"revprodeji" wrote:

maybe vince young gets all the attention cause he has a cool name, or a sweet uniform. Or that sexy throwing motion. Maybe Bush is popular cause for some dumb reason american culture loves to promote a Mr. Bush, even if he doesnt earn it. Maybe Matt Leinart is popular cause we all want alyssa milano

Can we just draft Alyssa Milano instead? :grin:

I like Cutler out of the top 3.. Did I miss something? Is Matt Leinart dating Alyssa Milano? That chick is super hott.

"cajunvike" wrote:

"revprodeji" wrote:

maybe vince young gets all the attention cause he has a cool name, or a sweet uniform. Or that sexy throwing motion. Maybe Bush is popular cause for some dumb reason american culture loves to promote a Mr. Bush, even if he doesnt earn it. Maybe Matt Leinart is popular cause we all want alyssa milano

Can we just draft Alyssa Milano instead? :grin:

Wouldn't she look great in a skin tight cut-off Vikings jersey?