NY Daily News: Draft buzz, Around the League, and Quick Hits

[WoodysGirl]

Draft buzz

It's a good year for the Giants not to have a first-round pick. This is considered a relatively weak draft, meaning the quality won't vary much from the bottom of Round 1 to the Giants' pick in Round 2 (No. 43). The Giants would've been at No.12 if they hadn't dealt the pick to the Chargers in the Eli Manning trade. That pick would've cost them about $7 million in guaranteed cash, money they used in their free-agent spending spree. ... The Giants were among five teams last week who attended Adrian McPherson's private workout. The former Florida State QB, thrown out of school for connections to a gambling ring, dazzled scouts with his athleticism. He ran the 40 in 4.52 seconds. ... Miami's Antrel Rolle, perhaps the best cornerback prospect, declined an individual work out with the Jets. ... The Jets, Cowboys and Titans are the only teams without any players remaining from their 2001 drafts. ... Arkansas QB Matt Jones is creating quite a buzz. Jones, trying to make the conversion to wide receiver, is 6-6 and "runs like a scalded dog," one scout said. He was timed at 4.4. Still, Jones is regarded as a project. ... At least one team near the top of the draft believes the 49ers, picking first, are blowing smoke by hinting their preference is Cal QB Aaron Rodgers. The near-the-top team suspects the Niners really like Utah QB Alex Smith.

Around the league

Broncos coach Mike Shanahan, he of the George Hamilton tan, is spending too much time in the sun. Why on earth would he acquire four ex-Browns defensive linemen? Courtney Brown, Gerard Warren, Ebenezer Ekuban and Michael Myers are classic underachievers. One scout disagrees with our opinion, saying Brown has a chance to blossom in a new environment. The scout, familiar with Brown's problems in Cleveland, said the former No. 1 overall pick - the sensitive type - lost his confidence when former coach Butch Davis cursed him out in front of the entire team. ... If QB Vinny Testaverde plays anywhere in 2005, it could be with the Patriots. ... Jets backup QB Jay Fiedler will be inducted today in the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in Commack, L.I. ... One NFC offensive line coach commenting on the Jets' decision to replace RT Kareem McKenzie with second-year OT Adrian Jones: "Good luck." No, the coach isn't a Jones fan. ... Crazy Internet rumor of the week: The Jets will trade DE John Abraham for Browns TE Kellen Winslow in a package that includes Cleveland's first-round pick (No. 3 overall). It ain't happening. First of all, the Browns would take a huge cap hit. Secondly, word has it that Winslow, still recovering from a surgically repaired broken leg, might not be ready for training camp....Shanahan did it again: He signed RB Ron Dayne, former Giants bust. If he can get 1,000 yards out of Dayne, we'll take back the crack about George Hamilton.

Quick hits

The Packers' Larry Beightol, one of the most respected offensive-line coaches in the business, began his coaching career in the steroid-infested 1980s. He refuses to believe the Panthers' scandal is the root of a bigger problem.

"I was very surprised by it. I'd say it's an isolated incident," he said. "I work with the guys more apt to (take illegal drugs) - the linemen - and I don't see any of that, I really don't. "Back then (in the '80s), the guys were huge, but not nearly as fat. Now we have an obesity problem in the league. The only guys who should be fat are the coaches." ...Snoops say Jets doctor Elliot Pellman displays a plaque from Guadalajara University in the lobby of his Long Island office. Does that sound like a guy who's trying to dupe people about his credentials? Interestingly, the Jets are among only a handful of teams that print doctors' bios in their media guide....New Dolphins coach Nick Saban got snippy with reporters this week when asked about his uncertain quarterback situation. Geez, it's only April, Nick.

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