CONSPIRACY THEORY- REGGIE BUSH
So jaws were ajar, tongues dragging on the floor when the Texans announced they were forgoing the chance to draft Reggie Bush, in favor of defensive end Mario Williams. This decision led to thorough floggings from fans and media for Texans’ management, questioning their judgement, their intelligence, and their sexuality. Well, probably just their judgement and intelligence.
Why did the Texans do this? Was it because they were afraid of a long holdout for Bush? I guess that could be one reason. But Bob McNair has a lot of money, which the Texans freely throw around at suckos like David Carr and Philip Buchanon. So I don’t think that was it.
Want to know what I think? Well you should, or else I guess you shouldn’t be reading this. But, here’s what I think. Where did Reggie Bush play his college ball? Why, USC of course. Where is USC located? Los Angeles, California.
What team was sitting in the #2 slot, ready to draft Bush if the Texans passed on him? The Saints. Where do the Saints play? Nobody really knows. Maybe New Orleans, maybe San Antonio, maybe Baton Rouge, maybe Guantanamo Bay, it’s really not set in stone right now, and hasn’t been since August of last year.
Where MIGHT they be playing soon?
Los Angeles????
I see…dots…. connecting. A nonsensical draft decision by the Texans suddenly makes a lot more sense. Was this all orchestrated by the league to ensure a BIG drawing card for the franchise they plan to relocate to LA? Could it be? OR am I nuts?
Ruminate on that for a while.
Covering the draft is a huge undertaking, and the best way to do it is in small bites. Last year I covered one division a week, but that just takes too long, and by the time we’re done, nobody’s thinking about the draft anymore. This year, we’re going to cut the review time down from 2 months to 2 weeks, and focus on the Day 1 picks, since this is an NFL column, not an NFL Europe column, and that’s about the only place you’ll ever see most of those guys. It may shock you to learn that most 6th round draft picks don’t turn out to be Tom Brady.
Today, we’re going to look at the NFC East and North. Friday, we’ll visit those same divisions in the AFC. Then a week from today, it’s the NFC South and West, and next Friday, the AFC South and West, and a “best of the rest” rounding up the notables from Day 2. That’s the schedule, so stick with it and I promise you’ll be happy you did! I’m totally serial!!
NFC EAST
NY GIANTS
MATHIAS KIWANUKA, DE, BOSTON COLLEGE (1ST ROUND, 32ND PICK)
SINORICE MOSS, WR, MIAMI FL (2ND ROUND, 42ND PICK)
GERRIS WILKINSON, LB, GEORGIA TECH (3rd Round, 96th Pick)
The Giants traded with the Steelers, who were hot after WR Santonio Holmes, and moved down to the 32nd position in the draft. The man they got, Kiwanuka, was seen by many as a top 10 prospect heading into last season. His stock dropped when he missed Senior Bowl week with a shoulder injury, a situation which not only didn’t give scouts a chance to see him, but earned him a tag of being brittle. Still, most publications have him rated as the 2nd best defensive end in the draft. The guy they had ranked ahead of him went first overall. He fits the “best player available” description
Give the Giants credit, because not only were they able to trade down and get a potential stud in the first round, but they traded up to fill a need in the second round. Moss is the younger brother of Santana Moss, and brings a lot of the same skills to the table. He’s only 5-7, so size is the reason he slipped to round 2. Speed is his game. He’ll be an excellent slot receiver for the Giants this season. With a good offensive line, and a receiving corps that includes Moss, Plaxico Burress, Amani Toomer, and Jeremy Shockey, Eli Manning had better be good in his third season, otherwise there are no excuses.
Wilkinson has kind of an odd body type, but may grow into his frame. Right now though, he’s seen as too tall and rangy to be an agile linebacker, but not tall enough to be an effective defensive end.
WASHINGTON REDSKINS
ROCKY MCINTOSH, LB, MIAMI FL (2ND Round, 35th pick)
The Redskins spent like Zsa Zsa Gabor on a crystal meth rampage in this offseason’s free agent market. Which is a good thing because they barely had any draft picks, they had to trade up to get a second round pick. McIntosh won’t be a starter this year. The Redskins are pretty set at linebacker with Julian Peterson, Marcus Washington (7 ½ sacks in 2005), and Lemar Marshall (102 tackles). McIntosh brings a lot of speed, but durability and strength are concerns. McIntosh will be the team’s 4th linebacker, and will step in if any of the 3 starters goes down with an injury this year.
DALLAS COWBOYS
1st Round, 18th pick
BOBBY CARPENTER, OLB, OHIO STATE (1st Round, 18th pick)
ANTHONY FASANO, TE, NOTRE DAME (2nd Round, 53rd pick)
JASON HATCHER, DE, GRAMBLING ST. (3rd Round, 92nd pick)
Given that the Cowboys play a 3-4 defense, they can never have too many linebackers. Carpenter, barring disaster, will step into a starting outside linebacker role with the Cowboys this season. He’s got good size and speed, with his perceived weakness being a lack of strength. The Cowboys are a great fit for him, as their defensive scheme will allow him to fill a role that plays to his strengths, and not his weaknesses. Between him, DeMarcus Ware, and Akin Ayodele, the Cowboys will be able to bring a Steelers-like array of blitz packages at opposing quarterbacks this season.
Fasano is a big tight end with sure hands, and is a decent blocker as well. The obvious comparison is to another ND tight end who played under Parcells, Mark Bavaro. The Cowboys will now be able to employ some interesting two tight end packages with him and Jason Witten. Still, it’s kind of weird that they took a tight end in the second round when they already have one as good as Witten.
Hatcher is 6 foot 8, and had 11 sacks and 21 ½ tackles for loss at Grambling last year. As you might expect, he’s raw. He’ll have to be taught technique to avoid being pushed around by NFL offensive tackles. But there’s no doubt he’s got the physical tools to be a freakish talent. Not a bad investment of a 3rd round pick.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
BRODERICK BUNKLEY, DT, FLORIDA ST. (1st round, 14th pick)
WINSTON JUSTICE, OT, USC (2nd round, 39th pick)
CHRIS GOCONG, DE, CAL POLY (3rd round, 71st pick)
The Eagles needed somebody on their interior line with some athleticism, and Bunkley fits that bill. He plays with a great deal of quickness and agility, and will give the Eagles a pass rush coming from the middle of their line, something they didn’t have in 2005. Although he was healthy last season, he has had a history of knee problems throughout his career. He’s also a bit undersized, and there’s concerns about how he will be able to stand up to the run. There were a lot of questions surrounding Bunkley headed into the draft, the Eagles spent a pretty high pick on him, so they better hope he can answer them.
One of the less well documented draft day slides was Justice’s descent from a possible top 10 pick, to being an early 2nd round selection. The reason for this was almost entirely due to off-field issues, and recurring discipline a problems. These came to a head in 2004 when he missed the season while on probation for a “replica firearm” incident. His ability is for real though. If he can keep his nose clean, he’ll be an anchor on the Eagles line for years to come.
Some call Gocong a sleeper, some didn’t expect him to be drafted at all. You’d be hard pressed to find anybody that had him as a day 1 pick. He’s an undersized defensive end from a small school. His best asset is said to be his headiness and knowledge of the game. Unless the Eagles drafted him to be a coach, this one’s a bit of a head scratcher.
AND THE WINNER IS…
I’ve gotta give the nod to the Giants. Kiwanuka didn’t have a very good senior year, but at this time last year people were talking about him being a possible 1st overall pick. So he’s got ability. Getting Sinorice Moss in the 2nd round was just a great outcome. The Giants have a lot of weapons on offense now. They got a pair of guys who will contribute this year.
NFC NORTH
CHICAGO BEARS
DANIEAL MANNING, S, ABILENE CHRISTIAN (2ND round, 42nd pick)
DEVIN HESTER, CB, MIAMI FL (2nd round, 57th pick)
DUSTY DVORACEK, DT, OKLAHOMA (3rd round, 73rd pick)
The Bears attempted to remedy their depantsing in their playoff loss at the hands of Steve Smith by making their top selection in the draft an underclassman from Abilene Christian. His big feature is that he seemingly has the versatility to play safety or corner. Most people had him pegged as a day 2 pick, but the Beloved took him round 2. Whatever.
Hester is an interesting pick. He is quite possibly faster than anyone that has ever played for the Bears. The Hurricanes tried him at just about every position short of head cheerleader, but nothing really stuck. The Bears drafted him to return kicks, and he should be an exciting player.
Dvoracek is the kind of athletic defensive tackle Lovie Smith covets. He should be a nice addition to the Bears’ tackle rotation. Character issues kept him from being drafted until round 3. He was suspended from the Sooners in 2004 for an undisclosed violation of team rules.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
CHAD GREENWAY, LB, IOWA (1st round, 17th pick)
CEDRIC GRIFFIN, CB, TEXAS (2nd round, 48th pick)
RYAN COOK, C, NEW MEXICO (2nd round, 51st pick)
TARVARIS JACKSON, QB, ALABAMA ST. (2nd round, 64th pick)
The Vikings had quite the day 1 haul, swinging deals to land 3 second round picks. Greenway is big and athletic, but he doesn’t have the kind of build that scouts like to see in a linebacker. He’s a little bit on the tall side, and at his position that’s not desirable. His stock kind of fell after the combine, but he can play football, so chances are he’ll be fine once they start kicking the ball in anger. He’ll be a good upgrade and building block for the Vikings linebacking corps.
The triumvirate of 2nd round picks begins with Griffin. He’s got good size for a corner, which translates in NFL terms to he can play corner or safety, and be a valuable reserve. Ryan Cook has the athleticism to possibly be a plug n’ play at a variety of interior line positions. He brings the same kind of versatility that Griffin does. Jackson is loaded with talent. He can run, and he has a rocket launcher for an arm. But, as you can guess coming out of a small I AA school, he’ll need a lot of polishing before he sees NFL game action.
GREEN BAY PACKERS
AJ HAWK, OLB, OHIO STATE (1st Round, 5th pick)
DARYN COLLEDGE, OT, BOISE STATE (2nd Round, 47th pick)
GREG JENNINGS, WR, WESTERN MICHIGAN (2nd round, 52nd pick)
ABDUL HODGE, LB, IOWA (3rd round, 67th pick)
JASON SPITZ, OG, LOUISVILLE (3rd round, 75th pick)
This was a big week for the Packers. Not only did they finally get an answer from Brett Favre (he’s playing next year), they lured high profile corner Charles Woodson to Northern Wisconsin, and they headed into draft day with the 5th overall pick. Too bad there were no stud running backs available at the five pick in this draft, because the Pack really could have used one of those. Instead they have a white linebacker, so now they can be like the Bears. He’s a sideline to sideline backer in the Urlacher mode, but without the freakish speed. Urlacher was safety in college for Crissake, while Hawk has concerns about his pass coverage ability even as a linebacker. Apparently he has problems turning his hips. He’s getting paid all this money and he can’t turn his hips??? I can turn my hips. There I just did it. There I did it again. Gimme money. Still, he’s light years better than the crapfest the Packers currently have at linebacker (outside of Nick Barnett).
The Packers did well to use a pair of day one picks to strengthen their offensive line. Colledge’s lean build means he’s a bit weak in run blocking (what do you expect, Boise State runs like 3 times a game), but his pass blocking is NFL ready. Jason Spitz, on the other hand, is a skilled run blocker, and the Packers hope he can replace the departed Mike Flanagan at center. Jennings projects as a slot receiver and return man. Hodge is undersized at a shade under 6 feet tall, but he’s a devil on the field, hits hard, and can be an effective blitzer. He’ll compete for a starting linebacker job opposite Hawk.
DETROIT LIONS
ERNIE SIMS, LB, FLORIDA ST. (1st round, 10th pick)
DANIEL BULLOCKS, S, NEBRASKA (2nd round, 40th pick)
BRIAN CALHOUN, RB, WISCONSIN (3rd round, 74th pick)
Given the success the Bears have had with sideline to sideline, speedy linebackers, the Lions joined the Packers in imitating them with their top pick. Sims is fast, and gets to the ball. But given that, he has similar issues to linebackers (including the prototype for this kind of linebacker, Urlacher) like him, in that he can get eaten up on running plays at times. For his speed, he’s not a particularly distinguished pass rusher.
Bullocks will get a chance to compete for a starting safety job. His run stuffing ability is his best asset. He’s insurance in case Terrence Holt doesn’t make a strong return from the injury that ended his 05 season. Calhoun is a small running back, who projects, at least initially, as a third down back who can spell Kevin Jones. I can’t spell Kevin Jones. I never learned to read.
AND THE WINNER IS…
I like what the Packers did in this draft. They loaded up on day one picks, and shored up two very important positions that they needed help at. AJ Hawk can be a god in Green Bay if he comes anywhere near living up to being the 5th overall pick. Hodge will get a chance to be a starter too. Spitz and Colledge can grow together and be on the Packers line for at least the next five years. This draft could be looked back on as the point where the post Brett Favre era truly began in Green Bay.
THAT’S A WRAP
Ok, that’s it until Friday, when we’ll review the AFC East and AFC North. Just how wacky do I think the Bills are for the wacky way they used their eight overall pick?? How did the Steelers reload after their Super Bowl title? Did the Patriots find anyone that can play wide receiver, or is Tom Brady going to have to throw the ball to himself? Find out all this and more..FRIDAY.
