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March Madness |
Mar 21, 2007, 8:08 PM
by Cedric Meyer
When someone mentions the term "March Madness," you can't help but think of buzzer-beating jumpers, Mid-Major upsets, and of course CBS Bonus Coverage. In an NFL War Room this time of year brings a different meaning.
This is arguably the most hectic time for NFL G.M.'s and coaches. The NFL Scouting Combine just wrapped up in Indianapolis. Free Agency is in full swing. There seems to be a Pro Day on every calendar date. And players on your current roster have the dreaded "down time." In a few weeks NFL Scouting Departments will take a collective deep breath, digest three months of obscure numbers and begin to form their "Big Board."
What can we make of the 2007 Draft so far?
There's a foul stench coming out of Ohio and it's surprisingly not the river. Ohio State receiver Ted Ginn Jr. and his injured foot have managed to sit out every post-season scouting event. It would be to his advantage to run for scouts as he’s likely the fastest receiver in the draft. Makes you wonder if his injury is more serious than first thought.
Speaking of Ohio, with the signing of running back Jamal Lewis you have to wonder if the Cleveland Browns are going to skip out on University of Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson to make a run at Georgia Tech receiver Calvin Johnson. Adding a bona fide freak like Johnson to go along with Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow would make any quarterback salivate. That is, if he’s available.
His superhuman pro day solidified him as the best player in this class. With rumors swirling about Randy Moss' future and the recent trade of Matt Schuab to the Texans the door could be open for David Carr to be shipped back to the west coast to the Oakland Raiders, which would allow Al Davis to draft Johnson.
This receiver's class is one of the deepest in recent memory. The position runs 20-deep in quality players and could have as many as seven first round picks.
Clemson University's Gaines Adams will be the first defensive end taken. Although Arkansas defensive end Jamaal Anderson is the more complete player, teams always seem to fall in love with highly disruptive pass rushers on draft day. Mario Williams jumped to number one overall last year. DeMarcus Ware and Shawne Merriman had late pushes in 2005. Dwight Freeney vaulted up the draft board in 2002. Adams will continue that trend.
Another position battle that is intriguing is at safety with LSU’s "hit man" LaRon Landry and the University of Florida's ball-hawk Reggie Nelson. Consider them 1 and 1A. They both ran similar 4.3's in the 40-yard dash. Both are proven, big-time playmakers from the strongest conference in college football. It's a toss-up but I prefer Nelson’s coverage ability a tad bit more than Landry. Nelson reminds me an awful lot of Ed Reed.
Whatever your definition of March Madness is, is up to you, but the drama of the NFL Draft is beginning to rear its head again.
Buckle up.
This is arguably the most hectic time for NFL G.M.'s and coaches. The NFL Scouting Combine just wrapped up in Indianapolis. Free Agency is in full swing. There seems to be a Pro Day on every calendar date. And players on your current roster have the dreaded "down time." In a few weeks NFL Scouting Departments will take a collective deep breath, digest three months of obscure numbers and begin to form their "Big Board."
What can we make of the 2007 Draft so far?
There's a foul stench coming out of Ohio and it's surprisingly not the river. Ohio State receiver Ted Ginn Jr. and his injured foot have managed to sit out every post-season scouting event. It would be to his advantage to run for scouts as he’s likely the fastest receiver in the draft. Makes you wonder if his injury is more serious than first thought.
Speaking of Ohio, with the signing of running back Jamal Lewis you have to wonder if the Cleveland Browns are going to skip out on University of Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson to make a run at Georgia Tech receiver Calvin Johnson. Adding a bona fide freak like Johnson to go along with Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow would make any quarterback salivate. That is, if he’s available.
His superhuman pro day solidified him as the best player in this class. With rumors swirling about Randy Moss' future and the recent trade of Matt Schuab to the Texans the door could be open for David Carr to be shipped back to the west coast to the Oakland Raiders, which would allow Al Davis to draft Johnson.
This receiver's class is one of the deepest in recent memory. The position runs 20-deep in quality players and could have as many as seven first round picks.
Clemson University's Gaines Adams will be the first defensive end taken. Although Arkansas defensive end Jamaal Anderson is the more complete player, teams always seem to fall in love with highly disruptive pass rushers on draft day. Mario Williams jumped to number one overall last year. DeMarcus Ware and Shawne Merriman had late pushes in 2005. Dwight Freeney vaulted up the draft board in 2002. Adams will continue that trend.
Another position battle that is intriguing is at safety with LSU’s "hit man" LaRon Landry and the University of Florida's ball-hawk Reggie Nelson. Consider them 1 and 1A. They both ran similar 4.3's in the 40-yard dash. Both are proven, big-time playmakers from the strongest conference in college football. It's a toss-up but I prefer Nelson’s coverage ability a tad bit more than Landry. Nelson reminds me an awful lot of Ed Reed.
Whatever your definition of March Madness is, is up to you, but the drama of the NFL Draft is beginning to rear its head again.
Buckle up.
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