Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Derrick Mason, 36, continues to defy his age. Re-signed by the Ravens this offseason and in search of his fourth consecutive 1,000-yard season, Mason talked to Sporting News‘ Vinnie Iyer about what he does to stay in such great shape, the exciting additions to the team’s receiving corps and the renewed Super Bowl buzz in Baltimore.
WR Derrick Mason enters his sixth season as a Baltimore Raven.
Q: What’s your secret to staying in such great playing condition?
A: There’s nothing special or a magic formula. You stick a consistent workout, but don’t wear yourself out early. From February, it’s a long offseason. You want to keep your body fluid, so you don’t lose much in your side-to-side movement. There are a lot of guys with great speed at wide receiver, but it’s the ability to separate that keeps you around — and that comes with conditioning.
Q: So are you saying you are rejuvenated enough to return punts again?
A: For the early part of my career it was good to contribute catching punts and bringing them back, but after a while you take a lot of pounding on your body. I’ll still go back there if they ask me, but I think my days as a full-time return man are well behind me.
Q: So what do you think of the Ravens’ offseason?
A: It’s going well. We’ve addressed some needs and added some depth where it was needed. I definitely feel good about what we’ve done on the offensive side.
Q: The team’s biggest move was trading for three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Anquan Boldin? What does he bring to the Ravens’ receiving corps?
A: It’s creating a good buzz. With Quan, there’s a reason for him going to three Pro Bowls. He’s the tough guy who is willing to go over the middle, sacrifice his body to make the tough catch. Then you also have Donte’ Stallworth, who brings the speed to make that 60- or 80-yard play out the slot.
Q: How does having Boldin and Stallworth affect your role in the offense?
A: I don’t think it will change that much. I’ll still be running a lot of the same routes. The one thing that’ll be different is that with Quan we have someone who can draw that double-team attention. We have so many weapons who can beat single coverage. So maybe I go from seeing 10 balls a game to making the most of the seven or eight I do get.
Q: With the added weapons, do you think we’ll see a big leap forward from third-year quarterback Joe Flacco?
A: He’s so dedicated to making himself better. He’s got the athleticism and the arm, but then he’s there in the classroom, learning the playbook until he has command of it. Then you give him the receivers and tight ends we’ve added. He also has put in the work with (new quarterbacks) coach (Jim) Zorn, which will help even more.
Q: With this kind of talent in the passing game, do you think the playcalling will be more aggressive and go a little more away from the run?
A: I think we were aggressive last year — there were just a lot of injuries that held us back. So we’ll come back aggressive because we have a good shot to score 25-35 points a game. We’ll still be a run-first team and pass the ball off our success there. That’s the kind of offense that wins in December and January.
Q: Just like you, 11-time Pro Bowl linebacker Ray Lewis, at age 35, just keeps on going. What’s in the water in Baltimore?
A: He enjoys working out and keeping himself in peak condition because he wants to stay on top at middle linebacker. He’s the consummate professional who just takes care of his body.
Q: Another older receiver who stays in shape is Terrell Owens who hasn’t been able to find a job this offseason. Why do you think it has been such a challenge for him to find a team?
A: Sometimes, the perception becomes reality and it’s not fair. Looking at him, you can see he’s in great shape, that he can still fare well and produce numbers. But now he’s been treated like a scapegoat for what happened in Buffalo; it’s unfair. After a while, right or wrong, there are just some teams that don’t want to deal with a potential headache. He can be still an asset for some contending team.
Q: Just how tough is it playing in the AFC North?
A: For a couple years there you’ve seen who’s at the top of the division fluctuate, and you can’t expect to go out there and dominate. We’ve made the playoffs the last two years, but we’ve lost out on the division title to Cincinnati and Pittsburgh. So we know how difficult it can be. They’ll be getting better in Cleveland with Mike Holmgren. The Bengals are a tough team, and they always play us tough. You know the Steelers will be back stronger.
Q: Is one of the reasons you came back to play another year was the possibility of reaching the Super Bowl?
A: I am optimistic about our chances after how successful we’ve been the past two years. It’s just a good feeling from how this team is put together on the field and with the coaching staff. We believe in our leaders and the ability to get by any challenger. We just have to sustain that all season.
Vinnie Iyer is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at viyer@sportingnews.com.
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Derrick Mason, 36, continues to defy his age. Re-signed by the Ravens this offseason and in search of his fourth consecutive 1,000-yard season, Mason talked to Sporting News‘ Vinnie Iyer about what he does to stay in such great shape, the exciting additions to the team’s receiving corps and the renewed Super Bowl buzz in Baltimore.
WR Derrick Mason enters his sixth season as a Baltimore Raven.
Q: What’s your secret to staying in such great playing condition?
A: There’s nothing special or a magic formula. You stick a consistent workout, but don’t wear yourself out early. From February, it’s a long offseason. You want to keep your body fluid, so you don’t lose much in your side-to-side movement. There are a lot of guys with great speed at wide receiver, but it’s the ability to separate that keeps you around — and that comes with conditioning.
Q: So are you saying you are rejuvenated enough to return punts again?
A: For the early part of my career it was good to contribute catching punts and bringing them back, but after a while you take a lot of pounding on your body. I’ll still go back there if they ask me, but I think my days as a full-time return man are well behind me.
Q: So what do you think of the Ravens’ offseason?
A: It’s going well. We’ve addressed some needs and added some depth where it was needed. I definitely feel good about what we’ve done on the offensive side.
Q: The team’s biggest move was trading for three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Anquan Boldin? What does he bring to the Ravens’ receiving corps?
A: It’s creating a good buzz. With Quan, there’s a reason for him going to three Pro Bowls. He’s the tough guy who is willing to go over the middle, sacrifice his body to make the tough catch. Then you also have Donte’ Stallworth, who brings the speed to make that 60- or 80-yard play out the slot.
Q: How does having Boldin and Stallworth affect your role in the offense?
A: I don’t think it will change that much. I’ll still be running a lot of the same routes. The one thing that’ll be different is that with Quan we have someone who can draw that double-team attention. We have so many weapons who can beat single coverage. So maybe I go from seeing 10 balls a game to making the most of the seven or eight I do get.
Q: With the added weapons, do you think we’ll see a big leap forward from third-year quarterback Joe Flacco?
A: He’s so dedicated to making himself better. He’s got the athleticism and the arm, but then he’s there in the classroom, learning the playbook until he has command of it. Then you give him the receivers and tight ends we’ve added. He also has put in the work with (new quarterbacks) coach (Jim) Zorn, which will help even more.
Q: With this kind of talent in the passing game, do you think the playcalling will be more aggressive and go a little more away from the run?
A: I think we were aggressive last year — there were just a lot of injuries that held us back. So we’ll come back aggressive because we have a good shot to score 25-35 points a game. We’ll still be a run-first team and pass the ball off our success there. That’s the kind of offense that wins in December and January.
Q: Just like you, 11-time Pro Bowl linebacker Ray Lewis, at age 35, just keeps on going. What’s in the water in Baltimore?
A: He enjoys working out and keeping himself in peak condition because he wants to stay on top at middle linebacker. He’s the consummate professional who just takes care of his body.
Q: Another older receiver who stays in shape is Terrell Owens who hasn’t been able to find a job this offseason. Why do you think it has been such a challenge for him to find a team?
A: Sometimes, the perception becomes reality and it’s not fair. Looking at him, you can see he’s in great shape, that he can still fare well and produce numbers. But now he’s been treated like a scapegoat for what happened in Buffalo; it’s unfair. After a while, right or wrong, there are just some teams that don’t want to deal with a potential headache. He can be still an asset for some contending team.
Q: Just how tough is it playing in the AFC North?
A: For a couple years there you’ve seen who’s at the top of the division fluctuate, and you can’t expect to go out there and dominate. We’ve made the playoffs the last two years, but we’ve lost out on the division title to Cincinnati and Pittsburgh. So we know how difficult it can be. They’ll be getting better in Cleveland with Mike Holmgren. The Bengals are a tough team, and they always play us tough. You know the Steelers will be back stronger.
Q: Is one of the reasons you came back to play another year was the possibility of reaching the Super Bowl?
A: I am optimistic about our chances after how successful we’ve been the past two years. It’s just a good feeling from how this team is put together on the field and with the coaching staff. We believe in our leaders and the ability to get by any challenger. We just have to sustain that all season.
Vinnie Iyer is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at viyer@sportingnews.com.
When an NFL team wins in a Super Bowl in the recent past, there’s a tendency to compare seasons to everything that went right in that one special year.
Ray Lewis enters his 15th season in the NFL — all with Baltimore.
When it comes to examining the Baltimore Ravens, that year is 2000. In the regular season, led by middle linebacker Ray Lewis, the Super Bowl 35 MVP, the defense was a dominant force. The run-heavy offense, often scraping by with clusters of field goals from Matt Stover, simply was a complement.
Ever since, the same question has been asked: The Ravens have a great defense, but do they have enough offense to get back to the Super Bowl?
Considering it has been a decade, it’s time to stop asking and comparing. Lewis, the only remaining Raven from that Super Bowl team, says the overhaul was necessary for the team’s evolution.
"The teams are totally different — the coaching staff, the players, the plays we run," Lewis said. "I don’t believe in complacency."
With so much turnover in the NFL, it’s impressive the Ravens were able to make the playoffs in six of the past 10 seasons, especially with considerable changes in both personnel and scheme. Here are five reasons why Baltimore will be a more consistent playoff team the next decade:
1. The 3-4 defense. Until Hall of Fame-bound playmakers such as Lewis and safety Ed Reed hang it up, fans always will think defense first. Before it was Sam Adams and Tony Siragusa clogging the gaps, and now it’s big athlete Haloti Ngata leading the front three.
Through changing alignments, the Ravens have maintained their stinginess against the run and knack for coming up with critical sacks and takeaways. It’s important to note that former coordinator Rex Ryan, now the Jets’ head coach, created the aggressive 3-4 blueprint.
"Defense still wins championships," Lewis said.
2. Joe Flacco. In 2000, Baltimore split quarterback duties between Tony Banks and Trent Dilfer, two stopgap veterans and neither a long-term solution. The team’s first attempt at landing a franchise QB failed with Kyle Boller, leading to another veteran stopgap, the late Steve McNair.
Dilfer did start and win a Super Bowl, and McNair also was able to guide the team to the playoffs. But most winning NFL teams have a long-term star at quarterback, and Flacco already is 2-for-2 on leading his team to postseason.
3. Ray Rice. Although the ’10 team still can hammer away when necessary with fullback Le’Ron McClain, the current state of the running game is far removed from the 1-2 power punch of Jamal Lewis and Priest Holmes in 2000. As the passing game has blossomed, Rice is the ideal open-field feature back: He’s fast, elusive and versatile.
"When you watch them, they both have a burning desire to get better," Ray Lewis said of Rice and Flacco.
4. John Harbaugh. There’s no doubt the cerebral Brian Billick was effective when the team was laden with well-schooled veterans, but Harbaugh’s old-school motivation meshes well with a team on the upswing from a youth movement.
Ray Rice started 15 games for the Ravens last season, scoring 7 rushing TDs for 1,339 yards.
5. Ozzie Newsome. Like Ray Lewis, the Ravens’ general manager has been a consistent presence for more than a decade. Newsome has a knack for finding great talent and has proven capable of adapting, able to acquire the right players to fit changing schemes on both sides of the ball.
Take one of Newsome’s most recent draft successes, Michael Oher—he made getting a long-term left tackle to replace another, Jonathan Ogden, look easy. As long as they have Newsome in the front office, the Ravens will be in the Super Bowl mix.
Better when balanced
The Ravens have made the playoffs five times since winning Super Bowl 35. Not surprisingly, in those five years, they finished in the top half of the league in both scoring offense and scoring defense. Their combined NFL rankings in 2009 give them great promise for ’10: (bold indicates they made playoffs that season)
Year Points scored Points allowed
2000 14th 1st
2001 18th 5th
2002 23rd 19th
2003 8th 6th
2004 20th 8th
2005 25th 10th
2006 12th 1st
2007 24th 23rd
2008 11th 3rd
2009 9th 3rd
Only Ray has stayed
After Baltimore decided not to bring kicker Matt Stover back for last season, it meant that now 11-time Pro Bowl inside linebacker Ray Lewis was the only holdover from the Super Bowl 35 champs. A quick look at how the team has changed in a decade:
2000 Ravens
Coach: Brian Billick
Starting QB: Tony Banks, Trent Dilfer
Backfield: Jamal Lewis, Priest Holmes, Sam Gash
Defense: 4-3 scheme
Division: AFC Central
Toughest competition: Titans, Steelers
2010 Ravens
Coach: John Harbaugh
Starting QB: Joe Flacco
Backfield: Ray Rice, Willis McGahee, Le’Ron McClain
Defense: 3-4 scheme
Division: AFC North
Toughest competition: Bengals, Steelers
Vinnie Iyer is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at viyer@sportingnews.com.
When an NFL team wins in a Super Bowl in the recent past, there’s a tendency to compare seasons to everything that went right in that one special year.
Ray Lewis enters his 15th season in the NFL — all with Baltimore.
When it comes to examining the Baltimore Ravens, that year is 2000. In the regular season, led by middle linebacker Ray Lewis, the Super Bowl 35 MVP, the defense was a dominant force. The run-heavy offense, often scraping by with clusters of field goals from Matt Stover, simply was a complement.
Ever since, the same question has been asked: The Ravens have a great defense, but do they have enough offense to get back to the Super Bowl?
Considering it has been a decade, it’s time to stop asking and comparing. Lewis, the only remaining Raven from that Super Bowl team, says the overhaul was necessary for the team’s evolution.
"The teams are totally different — the coaching staff, the players, the plays we run," Lewis said. "I don’t believe in complacency."
With so much turnover in the NFL, it’s impressive the Ravens were able to make the playoffs in six of the past 10 seasons, especially with considerable changes in both personnel and scheme. Here are five reasons why Baltimore will be a more consistent playoff team the next decade:
1. The 3-4 defense. Until Hall of Fame-bound playmakers such as Lewis and safety Ed Reed hang it up, fans always will think defense first. Before it was Sam Adams and Tony Siragusa clogging the gaps, and now it’s big athlete Haloti Ngata leading the front three.
Through changing alignments, the Ravens have maintained their stinginess against the run and knack for coming up with critical sacks and takeaways. It’s important to note that former coordinator Rex Ryan, now the Jets’ head coach, created the aggressive 3-4 blueprint.
"Defense still wins championships," Lewis said.
2. Joe Flacco. In 2000, Baltimore split quarterback duties between Tony Banks and Trent Dilfer, two stopgap veterans and neither a long-term solution. The team’s first attempt at landing a franchise QB failed with Kyle Boller, leading to another veteran stopgap, the late Steve McNair.
Dilfer did start and win a Super Bowl, and McNair also was able to guide the team to the playoffs. But most winning NFL teams have a long-term star at quarterback, and Flacco already is 2-for-2 on leading his team to postseason.
3. Ray Rice. Although the ’10 team still can hammer away when necessary with fullback Le’Ron McClain, the current state of the running game is far removed from the 1-2 power punch of Jamal Lewis and Priest Holmes in 2000. As the passing game has blossomed, Rice is the ideal open-field feature back: He’s fast, elusive and versatile.
"When you watch them, they both have a burning desire to get better," Ray Lewis said of Rice and Flacco.
4. John Harbaugh. There’s no doubt the cerebral Brian Billick was effective when the team was laden with well-schooled veterans, but Harbaugh’s old-school motivation meshes well with a team on the upswing from a youth movement.
Ray Rice started 15 games for the Ravens last season, scoring 7 rushing TDs for 1,339 yards.
5. Ozzie Newsome. Like Ray Lewis, the Ravens’ general manager has been a consistent presence for more than a decade. Newsome has a knack for finding great talent and has proven capable of adapting, able to acquire the right players to fit changing schemes on both sides of the ball.
Take one of Newsome’s most recent draft successes, Michael Oher—he made getting a long-term left tackle to replace another, Jonathan Ogden, look easy. As long as they have Newsome in the front office, the Ravens will be in the Super Bowl mix.
Better when balanced
The Ravens have made the playoffs five times since winning Super Bowl 35. Not surprisingly, in those five years, they finished in the top half of the league in both scoring offense and scoring defense. Their combined NFL rankings in 2009 give them great promise for ’10: (bold indicates they made playoffs that season)
Year Points scored Points allowed
2000 14th 1st
2001 18th 5th
2002 23rd 19th
2003 8th 6th
2004 20th 8th
2005 25th 10th
2006 12th 1st
2007 24th 23rd
2008 11th 3rd
2009 9th 3rd
Only Ray has stayed
After Baltimore decided not to bring kicker Matt Stover back for last season, it meant that now 11-time Pro Bowl inside linebacker Ray Lewis was the only holdover from the Super Bowl 35 champs. A quick look at how the team has changed in a decade:
2000 Ravens
Coach: Brian Billick
Starting QB: Tony Banks, Trent Dilfer
Backfield: Jamal Lewis, Priest Holmes, Sam Gash
Defense: 4-3 scheme
Division: AFC Central
Toughest competition: Titans, Steelers
2010 Ravens
Coach: John Harbaugh
Starting QB: Joe Flacco
Backfield: Ray Rice, Willis McGahee, Le’Ron McClain
Defense: 3-4 scheme
Division: AFC North
Toughest competition: Bengals, Steelers
Vinnie Iyer is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at viyer@sportingnews.com.
CHARLOTTE — A first-round pick of the Panthers in 2005, Thomas Davis successfully made the transition from safety to outside linebacker early in his career. Last year, he was building on a breakout ’08 season before a torn ACL sidelined him for the final eight games.
In five seasons with the Panthers, Thomas Davis has 312 total tackles and 11 sacks.
Working hard in the team’s offseason program to recover from the injury, Davis talked to Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer and other reporters about the rehab process, playing alongside Pro Bowl middle linebacker Jon Beason and what he expects out of the Carolina defense without Pro Bowl defensive end Julius Peppers.
Q: How are you feeling six months removed from the knee injury?
A: My leg is feeling great right now. My trainers are trying to protect me from myself. It’s something that’s hard for me right now, out here watching everybody compete. I want to get in, but at the same time, I know it’s not the best thing for me to get out here and do the seven-on-seven things we’re doing.
Q: How have you maintained a positive attitude through your rehabilitation process?
A: At first, it was hard. But then once I sat down, I prayed to God to take that pain off my heart and everything started to fall into place. I knew I couldn’t sit around and be sad about it. I had to get out there and work hard to get back to where I am. I think I’ve done a great job of working hard.
Q: How comfortable are you in this cover-2 defensive scheme?
A: This defense is built for a fast linebacker, somebody who can move, and I feel like I fit that well. Coach (defensive coordinator Ron) Meeks has put me in a good position to make plays, and we’ve been able to capitalize on it. I’m just looking forward to starting back up strong and finishing strong this time.
Q: How do you and Beason stack up among the NFL’s best linebacker combinations?
A: Beason, he’s done his job. He’s done everything he possibly can for this franchise. He’s done everything he’s needed to do. Now it’s up to Thomas Davis to make that happen. I feel like I’m in a position right now where I can make that happen. It’s up to me to do my part so we can become the best tandem in the league.
Q: What are you thoughts on the defense going into the ’10 season?
A: I love this defense. We have a lot of guys that are coming into position right now, filling in spots. They’ve been waiting for their opportunity, and now they’re getting it. So we’re looking forward to what they look like and when we get in there and compete with other teams.
Q: Without Peppers, how’s the team effort coming along to replace him on the pass rush?
A: I think we’re jelling very well. You have a lot of young guys who are eager to win and eager to play. So it’s going to be exciting to see us line up and see us compete, and I think we have a lot of competitive guys on this team.
Q: When everyone’s flying out there healthy, would you say you have one of the league’s fastest, most aggressive defenses?
A: That’s how this defense is built up. That’s the mind-set of our coach, defensive coordinator and our other coaches on the staff. We know that we have the talent in place; now it’s about us going out there and applying it.
Q: Most of the talk has been about Peppers’ absence on the line. How do you feel about the talent level in the linebacker corps and secondary?
A: All the components, once we get them into place, the back seven is going to make the front four better. The front four will make the back seven better. We are definitely looking forward to putting everything together, and just going out there and jelling as one.
Vinnie Iyer is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at viyer@sportingnews.com.
CHARLOTTE — A first-round pick of the Panthers in 2005, Thomas Davis successfully made the transition from safety to outside linebacker early in his career. Last year, he was building on a breakout ’08 season before a torn ACL sidelined him for the final eight games.
In five seasons with the Panthers, Thomas Davis has 312 total tackles and 11 sacks.
Working hard in the team’s offseason program to recover from the injury, Davis talked to Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer and other reporters about the rehab process, playing alongside Pro Bowl middle linebacker Jon Beason and what he expects out of the Carolina defense without Pro Bowl defensive end Julius Peppers.
Q: How are you feeling six months removed from the knee injury?
A: My leg is feeling great right now. My trainers are trying to protect me from myself. It’s something that’s hard for me right now, out here watching everybody compete. I want to get in, but at the same time, I know it’s not the best thing for me to get out here and do the seven-on-seven things we’re doing.
Q: How have you maintained a positive attitude through your rehabilitation process?
A: At first, it was hard. But then once I sat down, I prayed to God to take that pain off my heart and everything started to fall into place. I knew I couldn’t sit around and be sad about it. I had to get out there and work hard to get back to where I am. I think I’ve done a great job of working hard.
Q: How comfortable are you in this cover-2 defensive scheme?
A: This defense is built for a fast linebacker, somebody who can move, and I feel like I fit that well. Coach (defensive coordinator Ron) Meeks has put me in a good position to make plays, and we’ve been able to capitalize on it. I’m just looking forward to starting back up strong and finishing strong this time.
Q: How do you and Beason stack up among the NFL’s best linebacker combinations?
A: Beason, he’s done his job. He’s done everything he possibly can for this franchise. He’s done everything he’s needed to do. Now it’s up to Thomas Davis to make that happen. I feel like I’m in a position right now where I can make that happen. It’s up to me to do my part so we can become the best tandem in the league.
Q: What are you thoughts on the defense going into the ’10 season?
A: I love this defense. We have a lot of guys that are coming into position right now, filling in spots. They’ve been waiting for their opportunity, and now they’re getting it. So we’re looking forward to what they look like and when we get in there and compete with other teams.
Q: Without Peppers, how’s the team effort coming along to replace him on the pass rush?
A: I think we’re jelling very well. You have a lot of young guys who are eager to win and eager to play. So it’s going to be exciting to see us line up and see us compete, and I think we have a lot of competitive guys on this team.
Q: When everyone’s flying out there healthy, would you say you have one of the league’s fastest, most aggressive defenses?
A: That’s how this defense is built up. That’s the mind-set of our coach, defensive coordinator and our other coaches on the staff. We know that we have the talent in place; now it’s about us going out there and applying it.
Q: Most of the talk has been about Peppers’ absence on the line. How do you feel about the talent level in the linebacker corps and secondary?
A: All the components, once we get them into place, the back seven is going to make the front four better. The front four will make the back seven better. We are definitely looking forward to putting everything together, and just going out there and jelling as one.
Vinnie Iyer is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at viyer@sportingnews.com.
Going into last season, the New York Giants looked like the team to beat in the NFC. They had boosted an already strong front seven and seemed set to have their typical disruptive defense.
Instead, in a surprising turn, the team that produced the most sacks in the league during its Super Bowl season in 2007 (53), finished in a tie for an 18th last year with 32. The Giants’ notable offensive strength, the running game, plummeted from first in 2008 into a tie for 17th.
Jason Pierre-Paul was brought in to help give a boost to a flagging defensive line.
Even more shocking was the fact they started last season 5-0. Hopes for a second championship in three years, however, faded fast after a blowout loss at eventual Super Bowl winner New Orleans in Week 6 led to a four-game skid.
Former Giants quarterback Phil Simms, now CBS’ lead NFL analyst, also was high on them a year ago. He says their defense was thrown off by the lack of effectiveness up front.
"They played like they still had the pass rush when they won the Super Bowl, and they got absolutely destroyed," Simms said.
The lack of consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks sent aftershocks everywhere:
• The Giants produced just 13 interceptions while allowing 31 touchdown passes. Only the Lions had a bigger difference.
• In addition to getting ripped by the Saints, 48-27, the Giants also gave up 40-plus points four other times, including twice to division rival Philadelphia.
• As the Giants trailed in more games, their run defense also slipped. And because they often were forced into shootouts, it led to the subsequent drop in rushing attempts and production on the offensive side of the ball.
It was clear that the loss of defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who became the Rams’ head coach last offseason, was a big deal. And the Giants made his replacement, Bill Sheridan, the scapegoat.
Enter new coordinator Perry Fewell, charged with lighting a fire under the defense, to restore the intensity that once went with its aggressiveness. Along with hiring Fewell, the Giants drafted yet another pass rusher, Jason Pierre-Paul, in the first round.
Those changes are a start, but it also will require a "restart" from the incumbent players, such as end Osi Umenyiora, to help the front four regroup and again become a dominant force.
"Last season, they were still in that window to win two or three Super Bowls," Simms said. "They’re now a team in transition, and we’ll see how it goes."
The Giants can’t afford to slide any further. Dallas and Philadelphia already trumped them last season, and Washington looks ready for a surge.
The Cowboys have confidence after ending their playoff win drought. The Redskins are rearmed with familiar foe Donovan McNabb at quarterback. McNabb’s old team, the Eagles, have a promising youth movement in full effect.
Knowing the intensity that comes in division play, you can bet none of those teams is about to take the sleeping Giants lightly.
"You can never count them out," Cowboys All-Pro nose tackle Jay Ratliff said. "They will still give you four tough quarters every time."
Vinnie Iyer is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at viyer@sportingnews.com.
Going into last season, the New York Giants looked like the team to beat in the NFC. They had boosted an already strong front seven and seemed set to have their typical disruptive defense.
Instead, in a surprising turn, the team that produced the most sacks in the league during its Super Bowl season in 2007 (53), finished in a tie for an 18th last year with 32. The Giants’ notable offensive strength, the running game, plummeted from first in 2008 into a tie for 17th.
Jason Pierre-Paul was brought in to help give a boost to a flagging defensive line.
Even more shocking was the fact they started last season 5-0. Hopes for a second championship in three years, however, faded fast after a blowout loss at eventual Super Bowl winner New Orleans in Week 6 led to a four-game skid.
Former Giants quarterback Phil Simms, now CBS’ lead NFL analyst, also was high on them a year ago. He says their defense was thrown off by the lack of effectiveness up front.
"They played like they still had the pass rush when they won the Super Bowl, and they got absolutely destroyed," Simms said.
The lack of consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks sent aftershocks everywhere:
• The Giants produced just 13 interceptions while allowing 31 touchdown passes. Only the Lions had a bigger difference.
• In addition to getting ripped by the Saints, 48-27, the Giants also gave up 40-plus points four other times, including twice to division rival Philadelphia.
• As the Giants trailed in more games, their run defense also slipped. And because they often were forced into shootouts, it led to the subsequent drop in rushing attempts and production on the offensive side of the ball.
It was clear that the loss of defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who became the Rams’ head coach last offseason, was a big deal. And the Giants made his replacement, Bill Sheridan, the scapegoat.
Enter new coordinator Perry Fewell, charged with lighting a fire under the defense, to restore the intensity that once went with its aggressiveness. Along with hiring Fewell, the Giants drafted yet another pass rusher, Jason Pierre-Paul, in the first round.
Those changes are a start, but it also will require a "restart" from the incumbent players, such as end Osi Umenyiora, to help the front four regroup and again become a dominant force.
"Last season, they were still in that window to win two or three Super Bowls," Simms said. "They’re now a team in transition, and we’ll see how it goes."
The Giants can’t afford to slide any further. Dallas and Philadelphia already trumped them last season, and Washington looks ready for a surge.
The Cowboys have confidence after ending their playoff win drought. The Redskins are rearmed with familiar foe Donovan McNabb at quarterback. McNabb’s old team, the Eagles, have a promising youth movement in full effect.
Knowing the intensity that comes in division play, you can bet none of those teams is about to take the sleeping Giants lightly.
"You can never count them out," Cowboys All-Pro nose tackle Jay Ratliff said. "They will still give you four tough quarters every time."
Vinnie Iyer is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at viyer@sportingnews.com.
In seven of nine NFL seasons, Steve Smith has been the Panthers’ leading wide receiver. For the first time since his second year, however, the team is without quarterback Jake Delhomme. At Carolina’s recent minicamp, Smith talked to Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer and other reporters about changes in the receiving corps, his role as a veteran leader and his first impressions of the team’s 2010 rookies.
Q: What are your initial impressions of the team having two rookie quarterbacks, Jimmy Clausen and Tony Pike, to compete with incumbent Matt Moore for the starting job?
Steve Smith: (At first) I really haven’t been focusing on how they’re doing. I’m just trying to get on the same page with Matt and going with some of the new things the new wide receivers coach has going on. I’ve got quite a bit on my plate as with the new coach I’ve got to focus on a little bit that currently hasn’t give me a lot of time to watch the younger guys. Hopefully, once I get familiar with the new techniques, I’ll start looking at those guys, go in there and watch film (with the rookie QBs).
Q: What do you expect out of the Panthers’ receivers without Muhsin Muhammad?
SS: Obviously, (there’s) a new starter (Dwayne Jarrett), two new young guys (Brandon LaFell, Armanti Edwards). There are 11 of us (in camp), so that’s a lot. I think change could be good. Time will tell.
Q: What did you say to Edwards and the other rookie receivers?
SS: First day, you really don’t say anything to them. You kind of let them settle down a little bit. I can imagine what they’re going through—the excitement, the anxiety. … There are a lot of things going on in their mind.
Q: What’s your role in filling the void in the offense after losing veteran leaders such as QB Jake Delhomme, wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad and fullback Brad Hoover?
SS: We’ve got a lot of young guys in there, and I guess to be a mentor all you have to do is be a few steps ahead.
Q: What’s your assessment of this receiving corps?
SS: You want to say, "We’re going to be the best bunch of guys," but I think just allowing those guys to really just be themselves right now I think is the best bet.
Q: What do you think of your new wide receivers coach, Tyke Tolbert?
SS: I have a great amount respect for (former) coach (Richard) Williamson. He’s been my coach for a very long time. At the same time, I’m learning quite a bit from Tyke. He’s doing things a bit differently. … I think in all, it will be a good fit. I’ve talked to some people he’s coached (Anquan Boldin, Terrell Owens), and they had nothing but high praise to say about him.
Q: What are the challenges for Edwards, going from college quarterback to NFL wide receiver?
SS: From a quarterback to a wideout, it may not be as hard as people think. The quarterback has the responsibility to know where everyone is on the field. So now, for him, he only needs to focus on being a wideout, so he doesn’t have as many tasks as a wide receiver that a quarterback generally has. I don’t think it will be that much harder or a huge task. It’s just getting the lingo together, coming from that spread offense up at Appalachian State. I think he’ll do pretty well.
Q: What were you first thoughts about Edwards’ speed?
SS: I think out of all the wide receivers that we’ve got, I think we have some guys with pretty good speed. As far as all the new guys, they’re pretty quick. I’m not saying these other guys aren’t as fast, but these new guys coming in they can burn a little bit.
In seven of nine NFL seasons, Steve Smith has been the Panthers’ leading wide receiver. For the first time since his second year, however, the team is without quarterback Jake Delhomme. At Carolina’s recent minicamp, Smith talked to Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer and other reporters about changes in the receiving corps, his role as a veteran leader and his first impressions of the team’s 2010 rookies.
Q: What are your initial impressions of the team having two rookie quarterbacks, Jimmy Clausen and Tony Pike, to compete with incumbent Matt Moore for the starting job?
Steve Smith: (At first) I really haven’t been focusing on how they’re doing. I’m just trying to get on the same page with Matt and going with some of the new things the new wide receivers coach has going on. I’ve got quite a bit on my plate as with the new coach I’ve got to focus on a little bit that currently hasn’t give me a lot of time to watch the younger guys. Hopefully, once I get familiar with the new techniques, I’ll start looking at those guys, go in there and watch film (with the rookie QBs).
Q: What do you expect out of the Panthers’ receivers without Muhsin Muhammad?
SS: Obviously, (there’s) a new starter (Dwayne Jarrett), two new young guys (Brandon LaFell, Armanti Edwards). There are 11 of us (in camp), so that’s a lot. I think change could be good. Time will tell.
Q: What did you say to Edwards and the other rookie receivers?
SS: First day, you really don’t say anything to them. You kind of let them settle down a little bit. I can imagine what they’re going through—the excitement, the anxiety. … There are a lot of things going on in their mind.
Q: What’s your role in filling the void in the offense after losing veteran leaders such as QB Jake Delhomme, wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad and fullback Brad Hoover?
SS: We’ve got a lot of young guys in there, and I guess to be a mentor all you have to do is be a few steps ahead.
Q: What’s your assessment of this receiving corps?
SS: You want to say, "We’re going to be the best bunch of guys," but I think just allowing those guys to really just be themselves right now I think is the best bet.
Q: What do you think of your new wide receivers coach, Tyke Tolbert?
SS: I have a great amount respect for (former) coach (Richard) Williamson. He’s been my coach for a very long time. At the same time, I’m learning quite a bit from Tyke. He’s doing things a bit differently. … I think in all, it will be a good fit. I’ve talked to some people he’s coached (Anquan Boldin, Terrell Owens), and they had nothing but high praise to say about him.
Q: What are the challenges for Edwards, going from college quarterback to NFL wide receiver?
SS: From a quarterback to a wideout, it may not be as hard as people think. The quarterback has the responsibility to know where everyone is on the field. So now, for him, he only needs to focus on being a wideout, so he doesn’t have as many tasks as a wide receiver that a quarterback generally has. I don’t think it will be that much harder or a huge task. It’s just getting the lingo together, coming from that spread offense up at Appalachian State. I think he’ll do pretty well.
Q: What were you first thoughts about Edwards’ speed?
SS: I think out of all the wide receivers that we’ve got, I think we have some guys with pretty good speed. As far as all the new guys, they’re pretty quick. I’m not saying these other guys aren’t as fast, but these new guys coming in they can burn a little bit.
They say it takes three years to truly analyze an NFL draft, so the class of 2007 is now fair game. Looking back at the first round that year, the hits were big and the misses were bigger. While five players could be on their way to getting busts in Canton — Joe Thomas, Adrian Peterson, Patrick Willis, Darrelle Revis and Jon Beason — others are already busts.
RB Pierre Thomas has been the unsung hero of the Saints.
Steals
Pierre Thomas, RB, Illinois
Saints: Undrafted
For all the attention Reggie Bush receives, it was Thomas who starred in the role of reliable all-purpose back the past two seasons and helped elevate the offense to new heights, including a Super Bowl victory. He delivered against the Colts in the big game, turning 15 touches into 85 total yards and a touchdown.
LaMarr Woodley, DE/OLB, Michigan
Steelers: Round 2, Pick 46
Rarely do such disruptive pass rushers slide this far. Credit the Steelers for realizing Woodley (6-2, 265), a college defensive end, could be a premier sack artist playing outside linebacker in their 3-4. After putting up 25 sacks over the past two seasons, he has the look of a future league defensive MVP.
Brent Celek, TE, Cincinnati
Eagles: Round 5, Pick 162
He emerged as one of the league’s premier receiving tight ends last season, racking up 76 catches for 971 yards and 8 touchdowns. With the Eagles turning quarterback over to Kevin Kolb, Celek should be even more active as a reliable safety valve for a young first-year starter.
Le’Ron McClain, FB, Alabama
Ravens: Round 4, Pick 137
Whether it’s as a punishing between-the-tackle runner or a strong lead blocker, McClain is a force in the Ravens’ rushing attack, earning himself consecutive Pro Bowl berths as the AFC’s top fullback. At a fading position, Baltimore has found the ultimate versatile hammer.
Mike Sims-Walker, WR, Central Florida
Jaguars: Round 3, Pick 79
Jacksonville finally found its go-to receiver after previous big whiffs in first-rounders Reggie Williams and Matt Jones. Sims-Walker was the 15th wideout taken in ’07 and is the fourth best behind Calvin Johnson, Sidney Rice and the Giants’ Steve Smith. Sims-Walker will remain David Garrard’s top target in ’10.
Stinkers
JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU
Raiders: Round 1, Pick 1
Russell has redefined "big" quarterback bust and is about to be displaced for good by Jason Campbell in Oakland. He could never get his mechanics or his weight down, with both issues related to work ethic. It was a bad class for QBs overall, with Brady Quinn, John Beck, Drew Stanton and Trent Edwards to follow. It’s now on Kolb to save face for the group.
The Raiders aren’t too pleased with former No. 1 overall pick JaMarcus Russell’s performance.
Jamaal Anderson, DE, Arkansas
Falcons: Round 1, Pick 8
In the 6-6, 283-pound Anderson, Atlanta was hoping it had its version of Julius Peppers. But with 21Ž2 sacks in 44 career starts, Anderson hasn’t been close to the pass rusher the team thought he would be.
Ted Ginn, WR, Ohio State
Dolphins: Round 1, Pick 9
The proof that this didn’t work out came fewer than two weeks ago, when Miami was happy to trade him to San Francisco for a fifth-round pick. Although Ginn proved himself as a kickoff returner, he never up lived to his promise as a fast playmaking No. 1 receiver.
Adam Carriker, DT, Nebraska
Rams: Round 1, Pick 13
Carriker has also moved on to his second NFL team, getting shipped to the Redskins more than a week ago in an exchange of late-round picks. He stood out as a rookie, then had an ineffective 2008 before injuries derailed his ’09 season. St. Louis now hopes Chris Long, the second overall pick in 2008, can avoid going down the same path.
Justin Harrell, DT, Tennessee
Packers: Round 1, Pick 16
This is another reason defensive tackle is such a hard position to evaluate. Harrell hasn’t done much for Green Bay, and now he isn¹t a good fit in its 3-4 scheme under Dom Capers, who has Ryan Pickett and B.J. Raji as his best options to play the nose.
Vinnie Iyer is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at viyer@sportingnews.com.
First round
1. Oakland—JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU
2. Detroit—Calvin Johnson, WR Georgia Tech
3. Cleveland—Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin
4. Tampa Bay—Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson
5. Arizona—Levi Brown, OT, Penn State
6. Washington—LaRon Landry, S, LSU
7. Minnesota—Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma
8. Atlanta—Jamaal Anderson, DE, Arkansas
9. Miami—Ted Ginn, WR, Ohio State
10. Houston—Amobi Okoye, Louisville
11. San Francisco—Patrick Willis, LB, Mississippi
12. Buffalo—Marshawn Lynch, RB, California
13. St. Louis—Adam Carriker, DT, Nebraska
14. N.Y. Jets—Darrelle Revis, CB, Pittsburgh
15. Pittsburgh—Lawrence Timmons, LB, Florida State
16. Green Bay—Justin Harrell, DT, Tennessee
17. Denver—Jarvis Moss, DE, Florida
18. Cincinnati—Leon Hall, CB, Michigan
19. Tennessee—Michael Griffin, S, Texas
20. N.Y. Giants—Aaron Ross, CB, Texas
21. Jacksonville—Reggie Nelson, S, Florida
22. Cleveland—Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame
23. Kansas City—Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU
24. New England—Brandon Meriweather, S, Miami (Fla.)
25. Carolina—Jon Beason, LB, Miami (Fla.)
26. Dallas—Anthony Spencer, LB, Purdue
27. New Orleans—Robert Meachem, WR, Tennessee
28. San Francisco—Joe Staley, OT, Central Michigan
29. Baltimore—Ben Grubbs, G, Auburn
30. San Diego—Craig Davis, WR, LSU
31. Chicago—Greg Olsen, TE, Miami (Fla.)
32. Indianapolis—Anthony Gonzalez, WR, Ohio State
Second round
33. Arizona—Alan Branch, DT, Michigan
34. Buffalo—Paul Posluszny, LB, Penn State
35. Tampa Bay—Arron Sears, G, Tennessee
36. Philadelphia—Kevin Kolb, QB, Houston
37. San Diego—Eric Weddle, S, Utah
38. Oakland—Zach Miller, TE, Arizona State
39. Atlanta—Justin Blalock, G, Texas
40. Miami—John Beck, QB, BYU
41. Atlanta—Chris Houston, CB, Arkansas
42. Indianapolis—Tony Ugoh, OT, Arkansas
43. Detroit—Drew Stanton, QB, Michigan State
44. Minnesota—Sidney Rice, WR, South Carolina
45. Carolina—Dwayne Jarrett, WR, USC
46. Pittsburgh—LaMarr Woodley, LB, Michigan
47. N.Y. Jets—David Harris, LB, Michigan
48. Jacksonville—Justin Durant, LB, Hampton
49. Cincinnati—Kenny Irons, RB, Auburn
50. Tennessee—Chris Henry, RB, Arizona
51. N.Y. Giants—Steve Smith, WR, USC
52. St. Louis—Brian Leonard, RB, Rutgers
53. Cleveland—Eric Wright, CB, UNLV
54. Kansas City—Turk McBride, DE, Tennessee
55. Seattle—Josh Wilson, CB, Maryland
56. Denver—Tim Crowder, DE, Texas
57. Philadelphia—Victor Abiamiri, DE, Notre Dame
58. Detroit—Ikaika Alama-Francis, DE, Hawaii
59. Carolina—Ryan Kalil, C, USC
60. Miami—Samson Satele, C, Hawaii
61. Detroit—Gerald Alexander, S, Boise State
62. Chicago—Dan Bazuin, DE, Central Michigan
63. Green Bay—Brandon Jackson, RB, Nebraska
64. Tampa Bay—Sabby Piscitelli, S, Oregon State
They say it takes three years to truly analyze an NFL draft, so the class of 2007 is now fair game. Looking back at the first round that year, the hits were big and the misses were bigger. While five players could be on their way to getting busts in Canton — Joe Thomas, Adrian Peterson, Patrick Willis, Darrelle Revis and Jon Beason — others are already busts.
RB Pierre Thomas has been the unsung hero of the Saints.
Steals
Pierre Thomas, RB, Illinois
Saints: Undrafted
For all the attention Reggie Bush receives, it was Thomas who starred in the role of reliable all-purpose back the past two seasons and helped elevate the offense to new heights, including a Super Bowl victory. He delivered against the Colts in the big game, turning 15 touches into 85 total yards and a touchdown.
LaMarr Woodley, DE/OLB, Michigan
Steelers: Round 2, Pick 46
Rarely do such disruptive pass rushers slide this far. Credit the Steelers for realizing Woodley (6-2, 265), a college defensive end, could be a premier sack artist playing outside linebacker in their 3-4. After putting up 25 sacks over the past two seasons, he has the look of a future league defensive MVP.
Brent Celek, TE, Cincinnati
Eagles: Round 5, Pick 162
He emerged as one of the league’s premier receiving tight ends last season, racking up 76 catches for 971 yards and 8 touchdowns. With the Eagles turning quarterback over to Kevin Kolb, Celek should be even more active as a reliable safety valve for a young first-year starter.
Le’Ron McClain, FB, Alabama
Ravens: Round 4, Pick 137
Whether it’s as a punishing between-the-tackle runner or a strong lead blocker, McClain is a force in the Ravens’ rushing attack, earning himself consecutive Pro Bowl berths as the AFC’s top fullback. At a fading position, Baltimore has found the ultimate versatile hammer.
Mike Sims-Walker, WR, Central Florida
Jaguars: Round 3, Pick 79
Jacksonville finally found its go-to receiver after previous big whiffs in first-rounders Reggie Williams and Matt Jones. Sims-Walker was the 15th wideout taken in ’07 and is the fourth best behind Calvin Johnson, Sidney Rice and the Giants’ Steve Smith. Sims-Walker will remain David Garrard’s top target in ’10.
Stinkers
JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU
Raiders: Round 1, Pick 1
Russell has redefined "big" quarterback bust and is about to be displaced for good by Jason Campbell in Oakland. He could never get his mechanics or his weight down, with both issues related to work ethic. It was a bad class for QBs overall, with Brady Quinn, John Beck, Drew Stanton and Trent Edwards to follow. It’s now on Kolb to save face for the group.
The Raiders aren’t too pleased with former No. 1 overall pick JaMarcus Russell’s performance.
Jamaal Anderson, DE, Arkansas
Falcons: Round 1, Pick 8
In the 6-6, 283-pound Anderson, Atlanta was hoping it had its version of Julius Peppers. But with 21Ž2 sacks in 44 career starts, Anderson hasn’t been close to the pass rusher the team thought he would be.
Ted Ginn, WR, Ohio State
Dolphins: Round 1, Pick 9
The proof that this didn’t work out came fewer than two weeks ago, when Miami was happy to trade him to San Francisco for a fifth-round pick. Although Ginn proved himself as a kickoff returner, he never up lived to his promise as a fast playmaking No. 1 receiver.
Adam Carriker, DT, Nebraska
Rams: Round 1, Pick 13
Carriker has also moved on to his second NFL team, getting shipped to the Redskins more than a week ago in an exchange of late-round picks. He stood out as a rookie, then had an ineffective 2008 before injuries derailed his ’09 season. St. Louis now hopes Chris Long, the second overall pick in 2008, can avoid going down the same path.
Justin Harrell, DT, Tennessee
Packers: Round 1, Pick 16
This is another reason defensive tackle is such a hard position to evaluate. Harrell hasn’t done much for Green Bay, and now he isn¹t a good fit in its 3-4 scheme under Dom Capers, who has Ryan Pickett and B.J. Raji as his best options to play the nose.
Vinnie Iyer is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at viyer@sportingnews.com.
First round
1. Oakland—JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU
2. Detroit—Calvin Johnson, WR Georgia Tech
3. Cleveland—Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin
4. Tampa Bay—Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson
5. Arizona—Levi Brown, OT, Penn State
6. Washington—LaRon Landry, S, LSU
7. Minnesota—Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma
8. Atlanta—Jamaal Anderson, DE, Arkansas
9. Miami—Ted Ginn, WR, Ohio State
10. Houston—Amobi Okoye, Louisville
11. San Francisco—Patrick Willis, LB, Mississippi
12. Buffalo—Marshawn Lynch, RB, California
13. St. Louis—Adam Carriker, DT, Nebraska
14. N.Y. Jets—Darrelle Revis, CB, Pittsburgh
15. Pittsburgh—Lawrence Timmons, LB, Florida State
16. Green Bay—Justin Harrell, DT, Tennessee
17. Denver—Jarvis Moss, DE, Florida
18. Cincinnati—Leon Hall, CB, Michigan
19. Tennessee—Michael Griffin, S, Texas
20. N.Y. Giants—Aaron Ross, CB, Texas
21. Jacksonville—Reggie Nelson, S, Florida
22. Cleveland—Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame
23. Kansas City—Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU
24. New England—Brandon Meriweather, S, Miami (Fla.)
25. Carolina—Jon Beason, LB, Miami (Fla.)
26. Dallas—Anthony Spencer, LB, Purdue
27. New Orleans—Robert Meachem, WR, Tennessee
28. San Francisco—Joe Staley, OT, Central Michigan
29. Baltimore—Ben Grubbs, G, Auburn
30. San Diego—Craig Davis, WR, LSU
31. Chicago—Greg Olsen, TE, Miami (Fla.)
32. Indianapolis—Anthony Gonzalez, WR, Ohio State
Second round
33. Arizona—Alan Branch, DT, Michigan
34. Buffalo—Paul Posluszny, LB, Penn State
35. Tampa Bay—Arron Sears, G, Tennessee
36. Philadelphia—Kevin Kolb, QB, Houston
37. San Diego—Eric Weddle, S, Utah
38. Oakland—Zach Miller, TE, Arizona State
39. Atlanta—Justin Blalock, G, Texas
40. Miami—John Beck, QB, BYU
41. Atlanta—Chris Houston, CB, Arkansas
42. Indianapolis—Tony Ugoh, OT, Arkansas
43. Detroit—Drew Stanton, QB, Michigan State
44. Minnesota—Sidney Rice, WR, South Carolina
45. Carolina—Dwayne Jarrett, WR, USC
46. Pittsburgh—LaMarr Woodley, LB, Michigan
47. N.Y. Jets—David Harris, LB, Michigan
48. Jacksonville—Justin Durant, LB, Hampton
49. Cincinnati—Kenny Irons, RB, Auburn
50. Tennessee—Chris Henry, RB, Arizona
51. N.Y. Giants—Steve Smith, WR, USC
52. St. Louis—Brian Leonard, RB, Rutgers
53. Cleveland—Eric Wright, CB, UNLV
54. Kansas City—Turk McBride, DE, Tennessee
55. Seattle—Josh Wilson, CB, Maryland
56. Denver—Tim Crowder, DE, Texas
57. Philadelphia—Victor Abiamiri, DE, Notre Dame
58. Detroit—Ikaika Alama-Francis, DE, Hawaii
59. Carolina—Ryan Kalil, C, USC
60. Miami—Samson Satele, C, Hawaii
61. Detroit—Gerald Alexander, S, Boise State
62. Chicago—Dan Bazuin, DE, Central Michigan
63. Green Bay—Brandon Jackson, RB, Nebraska
64. Tampa Bay—Sabby Piscitelli, S, Oregon State
A look back at the best and worst picks of the draft nine years ago:
Steals
Drew Brees, QB, Purdue
Chargers: Round 2, Pick 32
This pick would have never happened if San Diego had sat at No. 1 and drafted Virginia Tech QB Michael Vick. Instead, the trade down with Atlanta that set up the Chargers to draft running back LaDainian Tomlinson at No. 5 overall left them with a big quarterback need. Credit the Chargers for ignoring scouts who doubted Brees’ 6-0, 209-pound frame and whether Brees could shine outside of Purdue’s shotgun spread offense.
Steve Smith, WR, Utah
Panthers: Round 3, Pick 74
His former junior college teammate, Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson, was a pretty good value at No. 36, but Smith, like Brees, slipped because a lack of height. Inch-for-inch, pound-by-pound, Smith’s smaller frame has turned out to be his greatest asset because of his uncanny quickness and elusiveness.
T.J. Houshmandzadeh WR, Oregon State
Bengals: Round 7, Pick 204
Johnson also went 168 picks ahead of his teammate in both Corvallis and Cincinnati. Houshmandzadeh came in a possession- type project, but he had to shake off early injuries and trim down to show the speed and agility to take advantage of his amazingly soft hands. He went from tough to pronounce to difficult to cover in a hurry.
Antonio Pierce, MLB, Arizona
Redskins: Undrafted
Over the course of draft history, teams consistently have undervalued undersized inside linebackers, and Pierce was part of the trend. Soon, he was known for his toughness and leadership qualities, something that stood out when he was a big part of the Giants’ run through Super Bowl 42.
Stephen Neal, G, Cal State-Bakersfield
Patriots: Undrafted
It’s a testament to the ability of Scott Pioli and Bill Belichick to find strong starters anywhere. In Neal’s case, it was on the college wrestling mat, where he once was the best amateur in that sport. Neal, with some bulking up, has excelled because of strength, power and hand technique.
Stinkers
Gerard Warren, DT, Florida
Browns: Round 1, Pick 3
Cleveland whiffed on a defensive lineman again after taking end Courtney Brown first overall in 2000. Warren wasn’t terrible but didn’t have near the impact he should have for his draft status. He also was the first of six defensive selected in the ’01 first round. Richard Seymour, Marcus Stroud and Casey Hampton all became Pro Bowlers, but Damione Lewis and Ryan Pickett were both cast aside by St. Louis before becoming solid pros.
David Terrell, WR, Michigan
Bears: Round 1, Pick 8
The Bears did much better with Michigan RB Anthony Thomas in Round 2, but Terrell (6-3, 215) never showed the speed or separation ability to make plays. Terrell, Koren Robinson, Rod Gardner and Freddie Mitchell all were drafted before the best receiver of the class, the Colts’ Reggie Wayne at No. 30.
Jamal Reynolds, DE, Florida State
Packers: Round 1, Pick 10
It wasn’t a particular good class of defensive ends, and Reynolds was a bust, tallying just three sacks in three NFL seasons. Adding insult to the mix is that Green Bay had to trade away backup QB Matt Hasselbeck to move up seven spots for Reynolds.
Kenyatta Walker, OT, Florida
Buccaneers: Round 1, Pick 14
From Warren and Reynolds, you should already get a sense this was a bad draft for Gators and Seminoles. Walker was supposed to be the next great left tackle but quickly proved he couldn’t handle that role. Moving to the right side, he continued to struggle in pass protection. His shaky career managed to last six seasons.
Willie Middlebrooks, CB, Minnesota
Broncos: Round 1, Pick 24
Cornerback misses like this eventually caused Denver to trade for Champ Bailey in ’04. Middlebrooks got more attention for his off-field issues than his on-field play, where he made only two career starts for Denver. After being out of the NFL of two years, Middlebrooks turned his life around in ’08 and continues to play for Toronto in the CFL.
2001 draft, First Round
1. Atlanta Michael Vick, QB, Virginia Tech
2. Arizona Leonard Davis, G, Texas
3. Cleveland Gerard Warren, DT, Florida
4. Cincinnati Justin Smith, DE, Missouri
5. San Diego LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, Texas Christian
6. New England Richard Seymour, DT, Georgia
7. San Francisco Andre Carter, DE, Cal
8. Chicago David Terrell, WR, Michigan
9. Seattle Koren Robinson, WR, N.C. State
10. Green Bay Jamal Reynolds, DE, Florida State
11. Carolina Dan Morgan, OLB, Miami (Fla.)
12. St. Louis Damione Lewis, DT, Miami (Fla.)
13. Jacksonville Marcus Stroud, DT, Georgia
14. Tampa Bay Kenyatta Walker, OT, Florida
15. Washington Rod Gardner, WR, Clemson
16. N.Y. Jets Santana Moss, WR, Miami (Fla.)
17. Seattle Steve Hutchinson, G, Michigan
18. Detroit Jeff Backus, OT, Michigan
19. Pittsburgh Casey Hampton, NT, Texas
20. St. Louis Adam Archuleta, S, Arizona State
21. Buffalo Nate Clements, CB, Ohio State
22. N.Y. Giants Will Allen, CB, Syracuse
23. New Orleans Deuce McAllister, RB, Ole Miss
24. Denver Willie Middlebrooks, CB, Minnesota
25. Philadelphia Freddie Mitchell, WR, UCLA
26. Miami Jamar Fletcher, CB, Wisconsin
27. Minnesota Michael Bennett, RB, Wisconsin
28. Oakland Derrick Gibson, S, Florida State
29. St. Louis Ryan Pickett, DT, Ohio State
30. Indianapolis Reggie Wayne, WR, Miami (Fla.)
31. Baltimore Todd Heap, TE, Arizona State
Second Round
32. San Diego Drew Brees, QB, Purdue
33. Cleveland Quincy Morgan, WR, Kansas State
34. Arizona Kyle Vanden Bosch, DE, Nebraska
35. Atlanta Alge Crumpler, TE, North Carolina
36. Cincinnati Chad Johnson, WR, Oregon State
37. Indianapolis Idrees Bashir, S, Memphis
38. Chicago Anthony Thomas, RB, Michigan
39. Pittsburgh Kendrell Bell, ILB, Georgia
40. Seattle Ken Lucas, CB, Ole Miss
41. Green Bay Robert Ferguson, WR, Texas A&M
42. St. Louis Tommy Polley, OLB, Florida State
43. Jacksonville Maurice Williams, OT, Michigan
44. Carolina Kris Jenkins, DT, Maryland
45. Washington Fred Smoot, CB, Mississippi State
46. Buffalo Aaron Schobel, DE, Texas Christian
47. San Francisco Jamie Winborn, OLB, Vanderbilt
48. New England Matt Light, OT, Purdue
49. N.Y. Jets LaMont Jordan, RB, Maryland
50. Detroit Dominic Raiola, C, Nebraska
51. Denver Paul Toviessi, DE, Marshall
52. Miami Chris Chambers, WR, Wisconsin
53. Dallas Quincy Carter, QB, Georgia
54. Arizona Michael Stone, S, Memphis
55. Philadelphia Quinton Caver, LB, Arkansas
56. Dallas Tony Dixon, S, Alabama
57. Minnesota Willie Howard, DT, Stanford
58. Buffalo Travis Henry, RB, Tennessee
59. Oakland Marques Tuiasosopo, QB, Washington
60. Tennessee Andre Dyson, CB, Utah
61. Detroit Shaun Rogers, DT, Texas
62. Baltimore Gary Baxter, CB, Baylor
Vinnie Iyer is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at viyer@sportingnews.com.
A look back at the best and worst picks of the draft nine years ago:
Steals
Drew Brees, QB, Purdue
Chargers: Round 2, Pick 32
This pick would have never happened if San Diego had sat at No. 1 and drafted Virginia Tech QB Michael Vick. Instead, the trade down with Atlanta that set up the Chargers to draft running back LaDainian Tomlinson at No. 5 overall left them with a big quarterback need. Credit the Chargers for ignoring scouts who doubted Brees’ 6-0, 209-pound frame and whether Brees could shine outside of Purdue’s shotgun spread offense.
Steve Smith, WR, Utah
Panthers: Round 3, Pick 74
His former junior college teammate, Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson, was a pretty good value at No. 36, but Smith, like Brees, slipped because a lack of height. Inch-for-inch, pound-by-pound, Smith’s smaller frame has turned out to be his greatest asset because of his uncanny quickness and elusiveness.
T.J. Houshmandzadeh WR, Oregon State
Bengals: Round 7, Pick 204
Johnson also went 168 picks ahead of his teammate in both Corvallis and Cincinnati. Houshmandzadeh came in a possession- type project, but he had to shake off early injuries and trim down to show the speed and agility to take advantage of his amazingly soft hands. He went from tough to pronounce to difficult to cover in a hurry.
Antonio Pierce, MLB, Arizona
Redskins: Undrafted
Over the course of draft history, teams consistently have undervalued undersized inside linebackers, and Pierce was part of the trend. Soon, he was known for his toughness and leadership qualities, something that stood out when he was a big part of the Giants’ run through Super Bowl 42.
Stephen Neal, G, Cal State-Bakersfield
Patriots: Undrafted
It’s a testament to the ability of Scott Pioli and Bill Belichick to find strong starters anywhere. In Neal’s case, it was on the college wrestling mat, where he once was the best amateur in that sport. Neal, with some bulking up, has excelled because of strength, power and hand technique.
Stinkers
Gerard Warren, DT, Florida
Browns: Round 1, Pick 3
Cleveland whiffed on a defensive lineman again after taking end Courtney Brown first overall in 2000. Warren wasn’t terrible but didn’t have near the impact he should have for his draft status. He also was the first of six defensive selected in the ’01 first round. Richard Seymour, Marcus Stroud and Casey Hampton all became Pro Bowlers, but Damione Lewis and Ryan Pickett were both cast aside by St. Louis before becoming solid pros.
David Terrell, WR, Michigan
Bears: Round 1, Pick 8
The Bears did much better with Michigan RB Anthony Thomas in Round 2, but Terrell (6-3, 215) never showed the speed or separation ability to make plays. Terrell, Koren Robinson, Rod Gardner and Freddie Mitchell all were drafted before the best receiver of the class, the Colts’ Reggie Wayne at No. 30.
Jamal Reynolds, DE, Florida State
Packers: Round 1, Pick 10
It wasn’t a particular good class of defensive ends, and Reynolds was a bust, tallying just three sacks in three NFL seasons. Adding insult to the mix is that Green Bay had to trade away backup QB Matt Hasselbeck to move up seven spots for Reynolds.
Kenyatta Walker, OT, Florida
Buccaneers: Round 1, Pick 14
From Warren and Reynolds, you should already get a sense this was a bad draft for Gators and Seminoles. Walker was supposed to be the next great left tackle but quickly proved he couldn’t handle that role. Moving to the right side, he continued to struggle in pass protection. His shaky career managed to last six seasons.
Willie Middlebrooks, CB, Minnesota
Broncos: Round 1, Pick 24
Cornerback misses like this eventually caused Denver to trade for Champ Bailey in ’04. Middlebrooks got more attention for his off-field issues than his on-field play, where he made only two career starts for Denver. After being out of the NFL of two years, Middlebrooks turned his life around in ’08 and continues to play for Toronto in the CFL.
2001 draft, First Round
1. Atlanta Michael Vick, QB, Virginia Tech
2. Arizona Leonard Davis, G, Texas
3. Cleveland Gerard Warren, DT, Florida
4. Cincinnati Justin Smith, DE, Missouri
5. San Diego LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, Texas Christian
6. New England Richard Seymour, DT, Georgia
7. San Francisco Andre Carter, DE, Cal
8. Chicago David Terrell, WR, Michigan
9. Seattle Koren Robinson, WR, N.C. State
10. Green Bay Jamal Reynolds, DE, Florida State
11. Carolina Dan Morgan, OLB, Miami (Fla.)
12. St. Louis Damione Lewis, DT, Miami (Fla.)
13. Jacksonville Marcus Stroud, DT, Georgia
14. Tampa Bay Kenyatta Walker, OT, Florida
15. Washington Rod Gardner, WR, Clemson
16. N.Y. Jets Santana Moss, WR, Miami (Fla.)
17. Seattle Steve Hutchinson, G, Michigan
18. Detroit Jeff Backus, OT, Michigan
19. Pittsburgh Casey Hampton, NT, Texas
20. St. Louis Adam Archuleta, S, Arizona State
21. Buffalo Nate Clements, CB, Ohio State
22. N.Y. Giants Will Allen, CB, Syracuse
23. New Orleans Deuce McAllister, RB, Ole Miss
24. Denver Willie Middlebrooks, CB, Minnesota
25. Philadelphia Freddie Mitchell, WR, UCLA
26. Miami Jamar Fletcher, CB, Wisconsin
27. Minnesota Michael Bennett, RB, Wisconsin
28. Oakland Derrick Gibson, S, Florida State
29. St. Louis Ryan Pickett, DT, Ohio State
30. Indianapolis Reggie Wayne, WR, Miami (Fla.)
31. Baltimore Todd Heap, TE, Arizona State
Second Round
32. San Diego Drew Brees, QB, Purdue
33. Cleveland Quincy Morgan, WR, Kansas State
34. Arizona Kyle Vanden Bosch, DE, Nebraska
35. Atlanta Alge Crumpler, TE, North Carolina
36. Cincinnati Chad Johnson, WR, Oregon State
37. Indianapolis Idrees Bashir, S, Memphis
38. Chicago Anthony Thomas, RB, Michigan
39. Pittsburgh Kendrell Bell, ILB, Georgia
40. Seattle Ken Lucas, CB, Ole Miss
41. Green Bay Robert Ferguson, WR, Texas A&M
42. St. Louis Tommy Polley, OLB, Florida State
43. Jacksonville Maurice Williams, OT, Michigan
44. Carolina Kris Jenkins, DT, Maryland
45. Washington Fred Smoot, CB, Mississippi State
46. Buffalo Aaron Schobel, DE, Texas Christian
47. San Francisco Jamie Winborn, OLB, Vanderbilt
48. New England Matt Light, OT, Purdue
49. N.Y. Jets LaMont Jordan, RB, Maryland
50. Detroit Dominic Raiola, C, Nebraska
51. Denver Paul Toviessi, DE, Marshall
52. Miami Chris Chambers, WR, Wisconsin
53. Dallas Quincy Carter, QB, Georgia
54. Arizona Michael Stone, S, Memphis
55. Philadelphia Quinton Caver, LB, Arkansas
56. Dallas Tony Dixon, S, Alabama
57. Minnesota Willie Howard, DT, Stanford
58. Buffalo Travis Henry, RB, Tennessee
59. Oakland Marques Tuiasosopo, QB, Washington
60. Tennessee Andre Dyson, CB, Utah
61. Detroit Shaun Rogers, DT, Texas
62. Baltimore Gary Baxter, CB, Baylor
Vinnie Iyer is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at viyer@sportingnews.com.
A look back at the best and worst picks of the 1996 draft 14 years ago:
Steals
Ray Lewis remains a keystone in the Ravens defense with his play and passion.
Ray Lewis, ILB, Miami (Fla.)
Baltimore Ravens: Round 1, Pick 26
Lewis continues to intimidate ball carriers as the familiar face and motivating force of Baltimore’s defense, which has taken all different shapes over the past 14 years. Every team would love to draft a player who would compete so passionately and well for so long.
Terrell Owens, WR, Tennessee-Chattanooga
San Francisco 49ers: Round 3, Pick 89
It was a great draft for wideouts — from Keyshawn Johnson at No. 1 to Marvin Harrison at No. 19 to well beyond the first round. But Owens has proved to be the most productive in the class, as he ranks third all-time in career receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.
Brian Dawkins, S, Clemson
Philadelphia Eagles: Round 2, Pick 61
Dawkins was the 11th defensive back chosen, but he has been the best of the group. An eight-time Pro Bowl player, Dawkins was the standout playmaker in the Eagles’ secondary for 13 seasons before leaving to become a vital leader for a young Broncos defense in ’09.
Zach Thomas, ILB, Texas Tech
Miami Dolphins: Round 5, Pick 154
At 5-11, 230 pounds, Thomasremains the inspiration for all undersized linebackers. He was a tackling machine who consistently ranked with Lewis in AFC honors. His quickness, heart and determination made his lack of height a non-issue.
La’Roi Glover, DT, San Diego State
Oakland Raiders: Round 5, Pick 166
He was named to the all-decade team on the strength of six Pro Bowls and 83.5 career sacks. Unfortunately for Oakland, all those sacks came after his rookie year during productive stints in New Orleans, Dallas and St. Louis. In his prime, Glover repeatedly burned opposing linemen with great quickness.
Stinkers
Lawrence Phillips, RB, Nebraska
St. Louis Rams: Round 1, Pick 6
Phillips was loaded with the talent to become an explosive superstar, but his off-field explosions cost him. His life has been marred by numerous arrests for assault, including domestic abuse. He also was lacking as a team player and was cut by St. Louis after a season and a half. He found brief success in the CFL, but last year he started serving a prison sentence of more than 31 years.
Jamain Stephens, OT, North Carolina A&T
Pittsburgh Steelers: Round 1, Pick 29
Pittsburgh has a habit of finding stars from smaller schools, but Stephens never put in enough work or rounded himself into shape to take advantage of his raw physical gifts. He was cut in 1999 and became a short-lived Bengals backup.
Andre Johnson, OT, Penn State
Washington Redskins: Round 1, Pick 30
Don’t worry: No one will ever confuse him with the Texans wide receiver of the same name. His Nittany Lions pedigree didn’t help one bit in the NFL, as Johnson flamed out in Washington after only one season. He ended up playing in three career games — all with the Lions, his third team.
Alex Van Dyke, WR, Nevada-Reno
New York Jets: Round 2, Pick 31
Somehow, the Jets whiffed on what turned out to be a very deep and productive wide receiver class. Van Dyke ended up with 26 career
receptions. He was taken between Eric Moulds and Amani Toomer, and both
Muhsin Muhammad and Bobby Engram went later in Round 2.
Bryant Mix, DE, Alcorn State
Houston Oilers: Round 2, Pick 38
After hitting on Alcorn State quarterback Steve McNair with the third
overall pick in 1995, the Oilers made a mistake by going back to that well. Mix played in seven games for Houston/Tennessee, registering one sack. After Simeon Rice went third overall, it was a bad end class.
First Round
1. New York Jets, Keyshawn Johnson, WR, Southern Cal
2. Jacksonville, Kevin Hardy, OLB, Illinois
3. Arizona, Simeon Rice, DE, Illinois
4. Baltimore, Jonathan Ogden, OT, UCLA
5. New York Giants, Cedric Jones, DE, Oklahoma
6. St. Louis, Lawrence Phillips, RB, Nebraska
7. New England, Terry Glenn, WR, Ohio State
8. Carolina, Tim Biakabutuka, RB, Michigan
9. Oakland, Rickey Dudley, TE, Ohio State
10. Cincinnati, Willie Anderson, OT, Auburn
11. New Orleans, Alex Molden, CB, Oregon
12. Tampa Bay, Regan Upshaw, DE, California
13. Chicago, Walt Harris, CB, Mississippi State
14. Houston, Eddie George, RB, Ohio State
15. Denver, John Mobley, OLB, Kutztown
16. Minnesota, Duane Clemons, DE, California
17. Detroit, Reggie Brown, LB, Texas A&M
18. St. Louis, Eddie Kennison, WR, LSU
19. Indianapolis, Marvin Harrison, WR, Syracuse
20. Miami, Daryl Gardener, DT, Baylor
21. Seattle, Pete Kendall, G, Boston College
22. Tampa Bay, Marcus Jones, DE, North Carolina
23. Detroit, Jeff Hartings, C, Penn State
24. Buffalo, Eric Moulds, WR, Mississippi State
25. Philadelphia, Jermane Mayberry, G, Texas A&M-Kingsville
26. Baltimore, Ray Lewis, ILB, Miami (Fla.)
27. Green Bay, John Michels, OT, Southern Cal
28. Kansas City, Jerome Woods, S, Memphis
29. Pittsburgh, Jamain Stephens, OT, North Carolina A&T
30. Washington, Andre Johnson, OT, Penn State
Second round
31. New York Jets, Alex Van Dyke, WR, Nevada
32. Arizona, Leeland McElroy, RB, Texas A&M
33. Jacksonville, Tony Brackens, DE, Texas
34. New York Giants, Amani Toomer, WR, Michigan
35. Tampa Bay, Mike Alstott, FB, Purdue
36. New England, Lawyer Milloy, S, Washington
37. Dallas, Kavika Pittman, DE, McNeese State
38. Houston, Bryant Mix, DE, Alcorn State
39. Cincinnati, Marco Battaglia, TE, Rutgers
40. New Orleans, Je’Rod Cherry, S, California
41. San Diego, Bryan Still, WR, Virginia Tech
42. St. Louis, Tony Banks, QB, Michigan State
43. Carolina, Muhsin Muhammad, WR, Michigan State
44. Denver, Tory James, CB, LSU
45. Minnesota, James Manley, DT, Vanderbilt
46. San Francisco, Israel Ifeanyi, DE, Southern Cal
47. Seattle, Fred Thomas, CB Tennessee-Martin
48. Houston, Jason Layman, OT, Tennessee
49. Dallas, Randall Godfrey, ILB, Georgia
50. San Diego, Patrick Sapp, LB, Clemson
51. Indianapolis, Dedric Mathis, DB, Houston
52. Chicago, Bobby Engram, WR, Penn State
53. Buffalo, Gabe Northern, DE, LSU
54. Philadelphia, Jason Dunn, TE, Eastern Kentucky
55. Baltimore, DeRon Jenkins, CB, Tennessee
56. Green Bay, Derrick Mayes, WR, Notre Dame
57. Oakland, Lance Johnstone, DE, Temple
58. Kansas City , Reggie Tongue, S, Oregon State
59. St. Louis, Ernie Conwell, TE, Washington
60. Jacksonville, Michael Cheever, C, Georgia Tech
61. Philadelphia, Brian Dawkins, S, Clemson
This story appears in April 14’s edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only digital sports daily, sign up today.
A look back at the best and worst picks of the 1996 draft 14 years ago:
Steals
Ray Lewis remains a keystone in the Ravens defense with his play and passion.
Ray Lewis, ILB, Miami (Fla.)
Baltimore Ravens: Round 1, Pick 26
Lewis continues to intimidate ball carriers as the familiar face and motivating force of Baltimore’s defense, which has taken all different shapes over the past 14 years. Every team would love to draft a player who would compete so passionately and well for so long.
Terrell Owens, WR, Tennessee-Chattanooga
San Francisco 49ers: Round 3, Pick 89
It was a great draft for wideouts — from Keyshawn Johnson at No. 1 to Marvin Harrison at No. 19 to well beyond the first round. But Owens has proved to be the most productive in the class, as he ranks third all-time in career receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.
Brian Dawkins, S, Clemson
Philadelphia Eagles: Round 2, Pick 61
Dawkins was the 11th defensive back chosen, but he has been the best of the group. An eight-time Pro Bowl player, Dawkins was the standout playmaker in the Eagles’ secondary for 13 seasons before leaving to become a vital leader for a young Broncos defense in ’09.
Zach Thomas, ILB, Texas Tech
Miami Dolphins: Round 5, Pick 154
At 5-11, 230 pounds, Thomasremains the inspiration for all undersized linebackers. He was a tackling machine who consistently ranked with Lewis in AFC honors. His quickness, heart and determination made his lack of height a non-issue.
La’Roi Glover, DT, San Diego State
Oakland Raiders: Round 5, Pick 166
He was named to the all-decade team on the strength of six Pro Bowls and 83.5 career sacks. Unfortunately for Oakland, all those sacks came after his rookie year during productive stints in New Orleans, Dallas and St. Louis. In his prime, Glover repeatedly burned opposing linemen with great quickness.
Stinkers
Lawrence Phillips, RB, Nebraska
St. Louis Rams: Round 1, Pick 6
Phillips was loaded with the talent to become an explosive superstar, but his off-field explosions cost him. His life has been marred by numerous arrests for assault, including domestic abuse. He also was lacking as a team player and was cut by St. Louis after a season and a half. He found brief success in the CFL, but last year he started serving a prison sentence of more than 31 years.
Jamain Stephens, OT, North Carolina A&T
Pittsburgh Steelers: Round 1, Pick 29
Pittsburgh has a habit of finding stars from smaller schools, but Stephens never put in enough work or rounded himself into shape to take advantage of his raw physical gifts. He was cut in 1999 and became a short-lived Bengals backup.
Andre Johnson, OT, Penn State
Washington Redskins: Round 1, Pick 30
Don’t worry: No one will ever confuse him with the Texans wide receiver of the same name. His Nittany Lions pedigree didn’t help one bit in the NFL, as Johnson flamed out in Washington after only one season. He ended up playing in three career games — all with the Lions, his third team.
Alex Van Dyke, WR, Nevada-Reno
New York Jets: Round 2, Pick 31
Somehow, the Jets whiffed on what turned out to be a very deep and productive wide receiver class. Van Dyke ended up with 26 career
receptions. He was taken between Eric Moulds and Amani Toomer, and both
Muhsin Muhammad and Bobby Engram went later in Round 2.
Bryant Mix, DE, Alcorn State
Houston Oilers: Round 2, Pick 38
After hitting on Alcorn State quarterback Steve McNair with the third
overall pick in 1995, the Oilers made a mistake by going back to that well. Mix played in seven games for Houston/Tennessee, registering one sack. After Simeon Rice went third overall, it was a bad end class.
First Round
1. New York Jets, Keyshawn Johnson, WR, Southern Cal
2. Jacksonville, Kevin Hardy, OLB, Illinois
3. Arizona, Simeon Rice, DE, Illinois
4. Baltimore, Jonathan Ogden, OT, UCLA
5. New York Giants, Cedric Jones, DE, Oklahoma
6. St. Louis, Lawrence Phillips, RB, Nebraska
7. New England, Terry Glenn, WR, Ohio State
8. Carolina, Tim Biakabutuka, RB, Michigan
9. Oakland, Rickey Dudley, TE, Ohio State
10. Cincinnati, Willie Anderson, OT, Auburn
11. New Orleans, Alex Molden, CB, Oregon
12. Tampa Bay, Regan Upshaw, DE, California
13. Chicago, Walt Harris, CB, Mississippi State
14. Houston, Eddie George, RB, Ohio State
15. Denver, John Mobley, OLB, Kutztown
16. Minnesota, Duane Clemons, DE, California
17. Detroit, Reggie Brown, LB, Texas A&M
18. St. Louis, Eddie Kennison, WR, LSU
19. Indianapolis, Marvin Harrison, WR, Syracuse
20. Miami, Daryl Gardener, DT, Baylor
21. Seattle, Pete Kendall, G, Boston College
22. Tampa Bay, Marcus Jones, DE, North Carolina
23. Detroit, Jeff Hartings, C, Penn State
24. Buffalo, Eric Moulds, WR, Mississippi State
25. Philadelphia, Jermane Mayberry, G, Texas A&M-Kingsville
26. Baltimore, Ray Lewis, ILB, Miami (Fla.)
27. Green Bay, John Michels, OT, Southern Cal
28. Kansas City, Jerome Woods, S, Memphis
29. Pittsburgh, Jamain Stephens, OT, North Carolina A&T
30. Washington, Andre Johnson, OT, Penn State
Second round
31. New York Jets, Alex Van Dyke, WR, Nevada
32. Arizona, Leeland McElroy, RB, Texas A&M
33. Jacksonville, Tony Brackens, DE, Texas
34. New York Giants, Amani Toomer, WR, Michigan
35. Tampa Bay, Mike Alstott, FB, Purdue
36. New England, Lawyer Milloy, S, Washington
37. Dallas, Kavika Pittman, DE, McNeese State
38. Houston, Bryant Mix, DE, Alcorn State
39. Cincinnati, Marco Battaglia, TE, Rutgers
40. New Orleans, Je’Rod Cherry, S, California
41. San Diego, Bryan Still, WR, Virginia Tech
42. St. Louis, Tony Banks, QB, Michigan State
43. Carolina, Muhsin Muhammad, WR, Michigan State
44. Denver, Tory James, CB, LSU
45. Minnesota, James Manley, DT, Vanderbilt
46. San Francisco, Israel Ifeanyi, DE, Southern Cal
47. Seattle, Fred Thomas, CB Tennessee-Martin
48. Houston, Jason Layman, OT, Tennessee
49. Dallas, Randall Godfrey, ILB, Georgia
50. San Diego, Patrick Sapp, LB, Clemson
51. Indianapolis, Dedric Mathis, DB, Houston
52. Chicago, Bobby Engram, WR, Penn State
53. Buffalo, Gabe Northern, DE, LSU
54. Philadelphia, Jason Dunn, TE, Eastern Kentucky
55. Baltimore, DeRon Jenkins, CB, Tennessee
56. Green Bay, Derrick Mayes, WR, Notre Dame
57. Oakland, Lance Johnstone, DE, Temple
58. Kansas City , Reggie Tongue, S, Oregon State
59. St. Louis, Ernie Conwell, TE, Washington
60. Jacksonville, Michael Cheever, C, Georgia Tech
61. Philadelphia, Brian Dawkins, S, Clemson
This story appears in April 14’s edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only digital sports daily, sign up today.
