dbair1967
11-09-2004, 07:10 PM
Dan Pompei /
Posted: 1 hour ago
No team ever wants to qualify for the first pick in the draft, but it's especially true this year. Why? At this point, no college player appears worthy of being taken with the No. 1 pick, even when you throw in the top juniors who may make themselves eligible for the draft. Overall, it's an extremely weak draft. The top player at almost every position figures to be inferior to the top player a year ago. The most likely candidates for the first pick right now: California junior QB Aaron Rodgers, Southern California junior QB Matt Leinart, former Southern California WR Mike Williams and Michigan WR Braylon Edwards. . . .
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Most third-string quarterbacks aren't given a chance to show their grasp of the offense because they never get reps in practice and are relegated to scout team work. That hasn't been the case in Dallas, however, and that helps explain QB Drew Henson's promotion to second string. Coach Bill Parcells has been giving Henson and Tony Romo regular practice reps with the starting offense in an attempt to develop both young quarterbacks and keep them sharp. It helps that Vinny Testaverde doesn't need a lot of practice work and benefits from rest. Henson, a former third baseman in the Yankees' system who was out of football for three years, has done well with his practice opportunities, which probably means we'll see him on the field in the second half of the season. . . .
Accuracy and instincts remain issues for young Ravens QB Kyle Boller, but the coaching staff has tried to help him recently by limiting him mostly to three- and five-step drops. The shorter drops go hand in hand with easier reads. Boller's play also has been enhanced by two-tight end formations. Giving fill-in RT Ethan Brooks some help in pass protection also has afforded Boller more time in the pocket. . . .
Some backs can handle a heavy workload better than others. In the second game of the season, Texans RB Domanick Davis had 36 touches for 173 combined rushing and receiving yards against Detroit. But the Texans might have paid a steeper price for Davis' production than the Lions, who won anyway. Since that time, Davis, who was beat up in the game, has averaged only 2.6 yards per carry. . . .
Give the Vikings credit for creative accounting, and coach Mike Tice credit for winning with limited resources. The Vikings could have used nearly $12 million more of cap space if it hadn't included some bonuses that never will be paid. For instance, TE Jim Kleinsasser has a bonus that's taking up $3.5 million worth of cap space. The bonus would have kicked in if he had played on 75 percent of special teams plays, but Kleinsasser has not been a special teams player (plus he's on the injured reserve). Why did the Vikings include such bonuses? Owner Red McCombs wasn't going to spend to the salary cap limit, so by including these bonuses the team gets a salary cap credit for next year. Whereas many teams have overcommitted themselves for the 2005 cap, the Vikings will have an extra $12 million. That makes the Vikings more attractive to a potential buyer, but if McCombs still owns the team, it's highly unlikely the Vikings will use it.
Posted: 1 hour ago
No team ever wants to qualify for the first pick in the draft, but it's especially true this year. Why? At this point, no college player appears worthy of being taken with the No. 1 pick, even when you throw in the top juniors who may make themselves eligible for the draft. Overall, it's an extremely weak draft. The top player at almost every position figures to be inferior to the top player a year ago. The most likely candidates for the first pick right now: California junior QB Aaron Rodgers, Southern California junior QB Matt Leinart, former Southern California WR Mike Williams and Michigan WR Braylon Edwards. . . .
Want the inside scoop on this weekend's pro football matchups? Access the War Room for expert analysis and predictions for each matchup.
Try it Now for ONLY $4.99
or
Check out this LIVE SAMPLE
Most third-string quarterbacks aren't given a chance to show their grasp of the offense because they never get reps in practice and are relegated to scout team work. That hasn't been the case in Dallas, however, and that helps explain QB Drew Henson's promotion to second string. Coach Bill Parcells has been giving Henson and Tony Romo regular practice reps with the starting offense in an attempt to develop both young quarterbacks and keep them sharp. It helps that Vinny Testaverde doesn't need a lot of practice work and benefits from rest. Henson, a former third baseman in the Yankees' system who was out of football for three years, has done well with his practice opportunities, which probably means we'll see him on the field in the second half of the season. . . .
Accuracy and instincts remain issues for young Ravens QB Kyle Boller, but the coaching staff has tried to help him recently by limiting him mostly to three- and five-step drops. The shorter drops go hand in hand with easier reads. Boller's play also has been enhanced by two-tight end formations. Giving fill-in RT Ethan Brooks some help in pass protection also has afforded Boller more time in the pocket. . . .
Some backs can handle a heavy workload better than others. In the second game of the season, Texans RB Domanick Davis had 36 touches for 173 combined rushing and receiving yards against Detroit. But the Texans might have paid a steeper price for Davis' production than the Lions, who won anyway. Since that time, Davis, who was beat up in the game, has averaged only 2.6 yards per carry. . . .
Give the Vikings credit for creative accounting, and coach Mike Tice credit for winning with limited resources. The Vikings could have used nearly $12 million more of cap space if it hadn't included some bonuses that never will be paid. For instance, TE Jim Kleinsasser has a bonus that's taking up $3.5 million worth of cap space. The bonus would have kicked in if he had played on 75 percent of special teams plays, but Kleinsasser has not been a special teams player (plus he's on the injured reserve). Why did the Vikings include such bonuses? Owner Red McCombs wasn't going to spend to the salary cap limit, so by including these bonuses the team gets a salary cap credit for next year. Whereas many teams have overcommitted themselves for the 2005 cap, the Vikings will have an extra $12 million. That makes the Vikings more attractive to a potential buyer, but if McCombs still owns the team, it's highly unlikely the Vikings will use it.