WoodysGirl
04-11-2005, 07:54 AM
Nothing overly new or exciting. Just stuff...
Man, the draft cannot get here soon enough...
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April 10, 2005 -- AFTER visiting with numerous personnel and front-office types last week, Goal-Line Stand has compiled a Top 10 of what we think is going to unfold during the first round of the NFL Draft on April 23. Here goes:
1. San Francisco - While the Niners opened negotiations with four of the top players, and will certainly entertain trade offers, they need a franchise quarterback and Cal's Aaron Rodgers will be the man.
2. Miami - The Dolphins desperately need to replace Ricky Williams and Auburn's Ronnie Brown, the best player in the draft, will get the nod.
3. Cleveland - The Browns surprise some folks at number three and grab Maryland outside linebacker Shawne Merriman, who'll be perfect for their new 3-4 defense.
4. Chicago - Bears can't pass up best receiver in the draft and they don't, selecting Michigan's Braylon Edwards.
5. Tampa Bay - After thinking long and hard about USC receiver Mike Williams, the Bucs select the back they need - Auburn's Cadillac Williams. 6. Tennessee - Multiple agents have already confirmed that Miami cornerback Antrel Rolle is the definite pick here.
7. Minnesota - After dealing Randy Moss to the Raiders, the Vikes can't pass up Mike Williams of USC.
8. Arizona - Even though they desperately need a running back, with Kurt Warner and Josh McCown on the roster, the Cardinals also desperately need a quarterback. Alex Smith of Utah is the pick here.
9. Washington - Multiple 'Skins coaches confirmed that the club would love to land Wisconsin defensive end Erasmus James.
10. Detroit - The Lions need a lot. They'll start with Florida State offensive tackle Alex Barron.
Climbers and plungers
This week's risers up the draft chart include Auburn quarterback Jason Campbell, who could go as early as late in the first round; Connecticut linebacker Alfred Fincher, a solid second-round pick; and Grand Valley State tackle Todd Herremans, who has probably catapulted himself into the third round.
On the flip side, if the Redskins don't pull the trigger at No. 9, many personnel types believe Wisconsin's James will fall into the bottom half of the first round. Stanford tight end Alex Smith has dropped into the second round and Miami running back Frank Gore is unlikely to be taken until the second day.
This week's Post player to watch is Northwestern defensive tackle Luis Castillo, who could go late in the first round. He posted the best combination of athletic numbers at the combine in February, and is seen as one of only a handful of players who can play either defensive tackle or nose tackle in the league. Castillo's quickness, strength (30-plus reps of 225 pounds) and ability to create pressure in opposing backfields have him moving into the top 3-5 DTs on most draft boards. Castillo could go to Baltimore (No. 22), Atlanta (No. 27) or Philadelphia (No. 31), especially if Corey Simon is traded from the Eagles to the Ravens.
Kerry's Caller ID
The Raiders are so hurting to free up additional cap space that they've already had quarterback Kerry Collins restructure his contract twice! Collins understandably is not taking any more calls from the Raiders.
Oakland is still desperate to unload cornerback Charles Woodson, who's due to make more than $10 million this season, and, sources tell The Post, the club is willing to take less than the two No. 1 picks required to sign a franchise player.
"At this point, we'd probably take a one and a five or a seven," one front-office member said. "We're hoping to get something done before camp."
Also, sources close to the club say to watch the Raiders' cap situation closely in the near future, as a result of personnel executive Mike Lombardi. In a change of recent Oakland policy, Lombardi has been giving out guaranteed bonuses and up-front money to players, something that will certainly catch up to the Raiders before too long.
One team's trash ...
The Browns are thrilled that former DL coach Andre Patterson, now with Denver, has raided Cleveland's D-line. This offseason, the Broncos have either signed or traded for former Browns Courtney Brown, Gerard Warren, Ebenezer Ekuban and Mike Myers.
"He can have them all," one front-office source told Goal-Line Stand. "They weren't any good here, that's for sure."
Snyd remarks
Redskins owner Daniel Snyder continues to make a laughingstock of himself around the league. After essentially boycotting the Washington Times in favor of the Washington Post since purchasing the team, Snyder recently granted the Times a lengthy Q&A solely to flip it to the Post, which was quite critical of Danny-boy this past season.
http://www.nypost.com/sports/44256.htm
Man, the draft cannot get here soon enough...
-----------------
April 10, 2005 -- AFTER visiting with numerous personnel and front-office types last week, Goal-Line Stand has compiled a Top 10 of what we think is going to unfold during the first round of the NFL Draft on April 23. Here goes:
1. San Francisco - While the Niners opened negotiations with four of the top players, and will certainly entertain trade offers, they need a franchise quarterback and Cal's Aaron Rodgers will be the man.
2. Miami - The Dolphins desperately need to replace Ricky Williams and Auburn's Ronnie Brown, the best player in the draft, will get the nod.
3. Cleveland - The Browns surprise some folks at number three and grab Maryland outside linebacker Shawne Merriman, who'll be perfect for their new 3-4 defense.
4. Chicago - Bears can't pass up best receiver in the draft and they don't, selecting Michigan's Braylon Edwards.
5. Tampa Bay - After thinking long and hard about USC receiver Mike Williams, the Bucs select the back they need - Auburn's Cadillac Williams. 6. Tennessee - Multiple agents have already confirmed that Miami cornerback Antrel Rolle is the definite pick here.
7. Minnesota - After dealing Randy Moss to the Raiders, the Vikes can't pass up Mike Williams of USC.
8. Arizona - Even though they desperately need a running back, with Kurt Warner and Josh McCown on the roster, the Cardinals also desperately need a quarterback. Alex Smith of Utah is the pick here.
9. Washington - Multiple 'Skins coaches confirmed that the club would love to land Wisconsin defensive end Erasmus James.
10. Detroit - The Lions need a lot. They'll start with Florida State offensive tackle Alex Barron.
Climbers and plungers
This week's risers up the draft chart include Auburn quarterback Jason Campbell, who could go as early as late in the first round; Connecticut linebacker Alfred Fincher, a solid second-round pick; and Grand Valley State tackle Todd Herremans, who has probably catapulted himself into the third round.
On the flip side, if the Redskins don't pull the trigger at No. 9, many personnel types believe Wisconsin's James will fall into the bottom half of the first round. Stanford tight end Alex Smith has dropped into the second round and Miami running back Frank Gore is unlikely to be taken until the second day.
This week's Post player to watch is Northwestern defensive tackle Luis Castillo, who could go late in the first round. He posted the best combination of athletic numbers at the combine in February, and is seen as one of only a handful of players who can play either defensive tackle or nose tackle in the league. Castillo's quickness, strength (30-plus reps of 225 pounds) and ability to create pressure in opposing backfields have him moving into the top 3-5 DTs on most draft boards. Castillo could go to Baltimore (No. 22), Atlanta (No. 27) or Philadelphia (No. 31), especially if Corey Simon is traded from the Eagles to the Ravens.
Kerry's Caller ID
The Raiders are so hurting to free up additional cap space that they've already had quarterback Kerry Collins restructure his contract twice! Collins understandably is not taking any more calls from the Raiders.
Oakland is still desperate to unload cornerback Charles Woodson, who's due to make more than $10 million this season, and, sources tell The Post, the club is willing to take less than the two No. 1 picks required to sign a franchise player.
"At this point, we'd probably take a one and a five or a seven," one front-office member said. "We're hoping to get something done before camp."
Also, sources close to the club say to watch the Raiders' cap situation closely in the near future, as a result of personnel executive Mike Lombardi. In a change of recent Oakland policy, Lombardi has been giving out guaranteed bonuses and up-front money to players, something that will certainly catch up to the Raiders before too long.
One team's trash ...
The Browns are thrilled that former DL coach Andre Patterson, now with Denver, has raided Cleveland's D-line. This offseason, the Broncos have either signed or traded for former Browns Courtney Brown, Gerard Warren, Ebenezer Ekuban and Mike Myers.
"He can have them all," one front-office source told Goal-Line Stand. "They weren't any good here, that's for sure."
Snyd remarks
Redskins owner Daniel Snyder continues to make a laughingstock of himself around the league. After essentially boycotting the Washington Times in favor of the Washington Post since purchasing the team, Snyder recently granted the Times a lengthy Q&A solely to flip it to the Post, which was quite critical of Danny-boy this past season.
http://www.nypost.com/sports/44256.htm