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Apr 25, 2007, 12:09 AM

by Shaun DePasquale

With the 2007 NFL Draft pretty much talked up to death at this point, I thought I would use this week to publish some random thoughts/one-liners, whatever you want to call it...Sometimes the best ideas are the ones that pop into your mind, and not the ones you draw out onto paper for hours upon hours...here you go:

1. With all the debate over Dwayne Jarrett, his poor 40 yard dash times and supposed "lack" of downfield speed, all I can think is that the NFL never learns from its mistakes. Jerry Rice ran a poor 40 yard dash coming out of Mississippi Valley State, and he ended up having a pretty good career. More recently, Anquan Boldin of the Arizona Cardinals ran a poor 4.7 coming out of Florida State and dropped all the way to the 2nd round. He is now a Pro Bowler. Just last year Hank Baskett experienced the ups and downs caused by running slow in the postseason. Coming out of New Mexico, Baskett didn't do much to impress at the Senior Bowl or Combine, despite being very productive in college. He ended up not being drafted at all, subsequently signed by the Minnesota Vikings after the draft, and briskly traded to the Philadelphia Eagles where he actually became one of the more productive rookie receivers in the NFL last year, logging 464 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns. Not bad for an undrafted rookie free agent who supposedly didn't possess deep speed after running in the high 4.5's. By the way Baskett's longest reception last year was just 89 yards. So when I hear someone with the resume` and big-play ability like Dwayne Jarrett rejected because of his 40 times in shorts, I honestly roll my eyes and laugh it off.

2. Speaking of Hank Baskett, who will be the guy this year that ends up being a surprise free agent and making a big impact, as Baskett and Mike Bell of the Denver Broncos did last year? Here is one possibility for you--Florida State middle linebacker Buster Davis. After measuring less than 5'10” and running in the high 4.6's in the postseason, teams are questioning whether he has the size for linebacker, or even the speed to roam the field at safety. However, turn on the film and the guy can clearly play. He is active, instinctive and seemingly is in on most every defensive play. He also has a wealth of experience to draw upon, unlike his more ballyhooed teammate Lawrence Timmons.

3. One the same note, one thing is for sure...don't expect any teams to part with their rookie free agents in trade for guys who have already proven to be a bust. Philadelphia acquired Baskett for WR Billy McMullen, a 2003 3rd round pick who had been a complete bust to that point in Philadelphia. As mentioned before, Baskett managed over 400 yards and 2 touchdowns as a rookie. McMullen's 4 year career totals? A whopping 602 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns. Pretty lop-sided trade in hindsight, one in which Andy Reid probably asked for a favor from his former offensive coordinator-and now Minnesota head coach- Brad Childress. Don't expect any more favors this year.

4. With all the rumors swirling about the Oakland Raiders doing this and doing that, all I know is this: realistically speaking, if Oakland takes JaMarcus Russell #1 overall, don't expect to definitely see a trade made with Detroit or Cleveland to grab Calvin at 2 or 3. When it comes down to it, the price for moving up to those spots is costly. We see teams sell out for quarterbacks all the time. It happens quite frequently. But on the other hand, history shows when a team has given up 1st round picks to acquire a WR, in the draft, or even as a veteran (think Joey Galloway to the Dallas Cowboys or Keyshawn Johnson to the Tampa Bay Bucs), it generally hasn't worked out. Cleveland even gave up a 2nd round pick to move up one spot in the top 10 in 2004 to acquire supposedly elite pass-catching TE Kellen Winslow Jr, who has since been burned by a shaky QB situation and a depleted offensive line. Unless a team with a sparkling offensive situation makes the move, don't count on it happening at all. The problem there? The teams with good offensive lines and QBs tend to pick later, driving up the cost of a move that high out of their range entirely.

5. Finally, I just want to encourage everyone reading to buy a healthy snack and have fun this weekend. This is our weekend as draftniks; we're all united for one weekend in the effort to rebuild and give hope to even the most hopeless of situations. But instead of buying that big fatty pizza with everything on it, buy a sub on panera bread, with some baked potato chips and carrot sticks on the side. We all owe it to ourselves and our families to eat better, even during our cherished television/sporting events. Remember kids, never, ever lose any of your deep speed, or you'll drop a few rounds if you're ever draft-eligible! So kick back and just have a safe, healthy and fun-filled weekend. I know I will be.