January 16, 2007
January is a busy month for the USFL. Camps open in just 2 weeks, we are currently between the league’s annual Territorial Draft and the Open Draft of college players, free agency is winding down, with most of the bigger name players already with new teams, and in just 8 days the NFL-USFL Transfer Window reopens, with a late NFL move throwing some chaos into the mix. We start however, with the story of December as the NFL got coal in its stocking while the Orlando Renegades got a visit from Santa Claus.
Brees Blocked from NFL Move, Signs with Renegades
It took far longer than most expected, with both the USFL and the New Orleans Saints of the NFL eagerly hoping for a decision in their favor from the district court in New York to reach a decision, but that decision came on December 1st, just in time for the Christmas shopping season. The court ruled that the Saints had made contact with Drew Brees’s agent prior to the initiation of the NFL-USFL Transfer Window in August, and that these contacts directly led to the early signing of Brees once the window was open. A series of emails and voicemails were the principle evidence indicating that VP of player personnel Rick Mueller, along with Executive VP Mickey Loomis had violated the agreement between the two leagues by communicating with Brees’s agent Tom Condon well ahead of the dates outlined by the transfer agreement.
The immediate result of the decision was that the agreement for Brees to sign with the Saints was immediately nullified, placing Brees back in the USFL free agent pool. With the next NFL-USFL Transfer Window not until late January, the USFL would have exclusive rights to negotiate with Brees for nearly 2 months. It would not take that long for Brees to sign a new contract. While his original team, the Michigan Panthers, were in the early running to resign the Purdue product, the price tag for Brees’s services quickly led to Michigan bowing out, settling on backup Brian Griese to be their new starter. Within 2 weeks of the decision the competition for Brees came down to two teams, the Memphis Showboats and the Orlando Renegades.
Orlando was considered something of a surprise, as it had been believed that they were comfortable standing pat with former NFL QB Jeff Blake under center, but, apparently GM Phil Emery and Head Coach Emmitt Thomas were in agreement that signing Brees was a priority. Both the Showboats and Renegades made their pitches, and on December 21st, just a few days before Christmas, a deal was struck with the Renegades. Brees would sign a 4-year deal that would have him in Central Florida and fans in Michigan, Memphis, and New Orleans, would be let down.
By New Year’s Jeff Blake was in Seattle, traded for a 5th round pick and linebacker Bryan Jones. The Saints finished the 2006 season with J.P. Losman still as their quarterback, and while they were able to return to the Super Dome mid-season, their 6-10 season was hardly what fans were hoping for when Brees initially signed in August. But, while there is disappointment in the Crescent City, fans in Orlando have been ecstatic about their club’s aggressive move and their new QB. Expect to see a lot of Orlando Blue #9 jerseys on shelves all over Florida this spring.
Player Movement Continues Across USFL
While the Drew Brees saga was certainly the front page story throughout the league this fall, it was hardly the only major movement of personnel across the league. Since our last report in October the USFL has continued to see action on the trade wire as well as within the free agent pool. As we enter the later stages of the offseason, with the draft and second transfer window upon us, let’s first recap some of the bigger trades and signings since October.
We already mentioned this deal, but just to put the pieces in place, Orlando sent their 2006 starting QB to Seattle, where he will serve as the backup to Byron Leftwich. Jeff Blake heads to the Dragons in exchange for LB Bryan Jones and Seattle’s 5th rounder in this year’s open draft.
A HB swap occurred between two teams not happy with their production in the run game as New Orleans sent Chris Perry to the Las Vegas Thunder, receiving Julius Jones and a 5th round pick that the Thunder had from Jacksonville in return. Will the third time be the charm for Perry, who lost his starting job in Michigan before heading to New Orleans, only to be sat behind Troy Davis. Now with Las Vegas he will compete for carries with Dominic Rhodes. Meanwhile Julius Jones is the kind of bigger back the Breakers have lacked since cutting Ricky Williams after his drug suspension.
Another HB on the move is Ron Dayne’s backup, Derrick Ward, who also heads to New Orleans, a team clearly trying to reinvent their ground game. Ward came relatively cheaply as the Breakers send DT Barry Cofield to Baltimore in the deal.
Wideout was another volatile position as teams tried to add depth, speed, or both. Baltimore remained active on the trading block, sending a 3rd round pick (one acquired from Ohio) to the Oakland Invaders in trade for wideout Marty Booker.
Houston sent WR Drew Bennett off to St. Louis in exchange for only a 4th round pick, a potential steal for the speed-needy Skyhawks.
Atlanta made a deal to help deal with some free agent defections, sending a 5th round pick to Birmingham in exchange for free safety Marcus Washington, who may well start for the Fire in their surprisingly good defense.
Among free agents, the biggest signings occurred early, as we often see, but there were some noteworthy late additions that could help their new clubs this season.
Boston nabbed the biggest prize outside of Drew Brees when they landed DE Hugh Douglas. The former Thunder edge rusher should immediately improve Boston’s front four and provide options for the Cannons to reduce their need to blitz.
Oakland also landed the player they were coveting, former Stars guard Ruben Brown, who will certainly anchor down the right side of the line and help establish the run game for Ricky Williams.
Chicago got a defender they desperately needed as they try to rebuild their secondary. Al Harris, the outstanding corner for the Dragons will now call the Windy City home.
The Maulers’ run game certainly takes a hit with the departure of Terrell Davis, but Coach Rivera is hoping that improvements on the O-line will help them maintain a strong run option. He added guard Chris Johnson, formerly of the Wranglers.
Washington found themselves a fullback, landing Seattle’s Chris Massey, a dynamic blocker who excels at clearing the path for the halfback. So, expect Deuce McCallister to see his yards per carry pop up a notch or two.
The Feds also landed one of the better O-linemen available in center Austin King, part of Boston’s success on offense in recent years.
Texas got a backup for T. J. Duckett, snagging Travis Prentice away from the Bandits.
Las Vegas won the scramble to sign TE Ben Hartsook away from the Showboats. No fewer than 5 teams met with Hartsook before he signed with Jerry Glanville and the Thunder.
Boston replaced their lost center (King) by signing a pretty good option in Antonio Graham, formerly with the Bulls.
Houston also nabbed a center, signing Nick Hardwick from in-state rival Texas.
Nashville are going into 2007 with Jay Cutler prepared to take on the starting role after spending 2006 learning from Todd Collins, but they still wanted a veteran presence, so in steps Rick Mirer. Mirer spent most of last year more as a coach than a player with St. Louis, where Art Shell started the year with Quincy Carter and finished with Luke McCown under center.
One more backup QB situation is solved as Chicago signs former Bandit Tony Banks. Banks could even start the year as the starter, depending on how quickly Chicago’s newest signing, Notre Dame rookie Brady Quinn, develops.
Territorial Draft provides Instant Result for Chicago
It did not take long for the Chicago Machine to cash in on this past week’s Territorial Draft. It had long been known that Chicago was wooing Notre Dame QB Brady Quinn, and so it is no surprise that no only did they select Quinn with their first T-Draft pick, but that they announced that same day that he was signed, sealed, and delivered to a 4-year rookie deal. Quinn was considered one of the top QB prospects in the draft, along with LSU’s JaMarcus Russell and Houston’s Kevin Kolb.
Quinn is expected to be a first year starter, though the signing of Tony Banks does give Chicago a bit of breathing room if a Week 1 start seems imprudent. The young QB will likely operate a pretty slimmed down offense, one reliant on the run, but it is not as if there is not talent at the receiver position. The combination of Donald Driver, Curtis Conway, and the up and coming Brandon Lloyd certainly gives the young QB plenty of targets.
Quinn was not the only “Big Name” player selected on Monday, but he was the only one to sign on the first day, clearly the product of ongoing negotiations well before the draft began. We have seen only a handful of players sign with the USFL in the last few days, but we expect to see a good number of the picks agree to the Spring league, in part due to the regional nature of the T-Draft, allowing players to connect with fans who already know them, increasing their Q-factor, but also because the T-Draft tends to focus on players eager to sign, and not those considered longshots.
Breaking down the T-Draft, here is our look at each team’s draftee with the highest chance of both signing and having an impact in 2007.
ARIZONA: The Wranglers went for need, picking kicker Nick Folk, HB Chris Henry, and S Michael Johnson, all Arizona Wildcats. Henry could the toughest to sign as a potential 1st-2nd round NFL pick.
ATLANTA: We think the odds that they can sign Georgia Tech’s Calvin Johnson are slim. He is clearly a top 5 selection in the NFL Draft. The other two picks, OG Mansfield Wrotto (Ga Tech) and S Tra Battle (UGA) could be good depth additions for the Fire.
BALTIMORE: Safety Aaron Rouse (Va Tech) has already signed and is a great pickup. We are not as sure about DT Conrad Bolston (Maryland) or OT Brandon Frye.
BIRMINGHAM: Auburn players were popular with the Stallions this year, as they selected 3, guard Ben Grubbs, LB Will Herring, and WR Courtney Taylor.
BOSTON: The Cannons were able to add NC State as a school this year, and that brought them 2 of their 3 picks, DT DeMarcus Taylor and C Leroy Harris. The final pick was BC guard Josh Beekman.
CHICAGO: We all know about Quinn. The Machine are also working hard to sign another Golden Domer, DE Victor Abiamiri.
DENVER: We are a bit surprised Denver did not pick Nebraska HB Brandon Jackon or DE Adam Carriker, but the notoriously frugal Gold focused on signable players like kicker Mason Crosby from CU and LB Stewart Bradley of the Huskers.
HOUSTON: The Gamblers passed on QB Kevin Kolb, sending him to the open draft. They solved their punter problem by signing Baylor’s Daniel Sepulveda, and they also took a flier on a good looking HB from the Houston Cougars, Jackie Battle.
JACKSONVILLE: They went bold in selecting FSU’s Lawerence Timmons. The Seminole LB is unlikely to sign before he sees his NFL draft position. Another LB, Anthony Waters of Clemson could be in camp sooner, along with HB Lorenzo Booker.
LAS VEGAS: We love the midround prospect Dante Rosario at tight end. Las Vegas would also love to sign UNLV corner Eric Wright.
LOS ANGELES: Always so much talent out of USC and UCLA. Hard to go wrong here. Center Ryan Kalil was an early target and one the Express hope to have in the fold soon.
MEMPHIS: Can the Showboats get Arkansas de Jamaal Anderson to sign on the dotted line? That is the big question. Their other home run shot is wideout Sidney Rice out of South Carolina, a prospect who could hold out until after the NFL Draft to see where he goes.
MICHIGAN: The Panthers have high hopes that they can sign QB Drew Stanton from MSU. Stanton seems open to joining the club, and, with Brees gone, the potential for him to work his way to a starting position is there.
NASHVILLE: Last year it was QB Jay Cutler in the T-Draft. This year did they land him a receiver? They drafted Tennessee speedster Robert Meachem, who would be a nice addition for Cutler to work with.
NEW JERSEY: We don’t know what the Generals would do without Oklahoma being one of their schools. It is not like the Rutgers guys stand much of a chance. New Jersey passed on Adrian Peterson as expected (too costly in a position they do not have issues with) but picked 3 other Sooners. Our favorite pick, C. J. Ah You, nephew of early USFL legend Junior Ah You.
NEW ORLEANS: The Breakers are letting JaMarcus Russell head to the open draft, along with safety LaRon Landry, two of LSU’s best. They did go after the LSU receiver however, selecting Dwayne Bowe with their first pick. Now, will he sign for a chance to stay local?
OAKLAND: Not the greatest haul from Stanford and Cal this year, but we like the prospects that the Invaders can land two of their picks, LB Michael Okwo of Stanford and Cal LB Desmond Bishop. QB Trent Edwards of Stanford was allowed to join the Open Draft, unpicked by the Invaders.
OHIO: With the Buckeyes in their protected list, it is always just a question of who the Glory want and who they can sign. They had two top receivers in this year’s crop, and opted for the taller of the two, Anthony Gonzalez, over Ted Ginn Jr.
ORLANDO: After the signing of Brees, Orlando is a little tight on cash, so we are not surprised they used all 3 picks on players considered mid-round prospects. Florida DT Marcus Thomas is the most promising of the three.
PHILADELPHIA: The Stars stick with their Penn State pipeline. Talks are already under way with LB Paul Posluszny, and fellow LB Tim Shaw was also selected. Add to these two DT Jay Alford and you have 3 big defenders the Stars hope to add this year.
PITTSBURGH: The Maulers take a flyer on a late round prospect in QB Tyler Palko from Pitt. They have had luck with Pitt players in the past, and with Cody Pickett clearly brought in to start, Palko could sign on just to get some reps and find a spot on the roster.
SEATTLE: No 1st or 2nd round prospects in the pool for the Dragons, but we think they may have found a low cost, high ceiling player in guard Stanley Daniels of UW.
ST. LOUIS: Louisville HB Michael bush is an interesting prospect for the Skyhawks, who struggled to run the ball last season. The Hawks also went for another Cardinal, picking CB William Gay from Louisville with their 2nd pick.
TAMPA BAY: Safety Brandon Meriweather would be a great signing if the Bandits can pull it off. They have the cap room, but will they spend it on the former Hurricane?
TEXAS: The Outlaws went defense with all 3 picks, which is surprising when they brought in Norv Turner to coach the team. Of the 3, CB Aaron Ross of the Longhorns is the clear top target.
WASHINGTON: No big names here either, as Wake Forest and Virginia just did not provide much. Though we will say that 3rd pick, TE Fontel Mines, has one of the best names in the T-Draft.
NY Jets Give the NFL Transfer Window a Surprise Shot in the Arm
We were all ready to write a column about how the USFL simply see not have much talent available through the NFL free agent pool to even try to “balance the ledger” after the raiding the NFL performed, signing away huge stars like Tom Brady, Cade McNown, Deion Sanders, Antonio Freeman, and about 10 other top line starters. But, the New York Jets came to the rescue.
After only 1 full season in New York, Brett Favre wanted out, and threatened to retire again (after having done so briefly when leaving the USFL Stallions). The Jets obliged him by cutting the 2x USFL MVP, which puts him in line to be a part of what would otherwise be a pretty hum drum transfer pool. Could Favre be headed back to the USFL? The prospect seems strong that he will.
We won’t speculate on who we think should try to sign Favre (cough—Memphis—cough), but we do think that there will be more than one team in the mix, including, possibly the Stallions once again. What we do know is that the league as a whole will see a Favre signing as the best case scenario for making the argument that the talent level of the spring league remains as high as it ever has been after this fall’s departures started to raise questions.
So, before we move on to our preview of the open draft, we thought we should at least take a peek at the pool of players who could be available to the USFL in just over a week. Who do we think the league should be targeting?:
CORNERBACK: This may be one of the better positions for options. Not going to make the splash of a Deion Sanders headed back to the NFL but there are good options here: Duane Starks (Raiders), Tory James (Bengals), Nate Clements (Bills), Torrie Cox (Bucs) and Michael Lewis (Eagles) would all be good signings.
LINEBACKER: Another interesting position with no big household names but some very solid players, including Cato June and Rocky Boiman, both from the Colts. There is also Al Singleton (Cowboys), Orlando Huff (Cardinals), and Jay Foreman (Niners) in this group.
TIGHT END: Another low-profile but good depth position. Scouts have trouble deciding between the Steelers’ Mark Bruener and the Packers’ David Martin, but we also like Seahawk Will Heller as a prospect
HALFBACK: Stephen Davis is the biggest name in this group, but we are not sure anyone will take a shot on a 33-year old, well-worn HB. Others who may get more attention include Najeh Davenport of the Steelers, Kenny Watson from Cincinnati, B. J. Askew from the Jets, and Reno Mahe of the Eagles.
QUARTERBACK: Here is where the USFL would see some big names, but outside of Favre, who is about as big as they get, we have some younger prospects like Anthony Wright (Bengals) or Tim Rattay (Niners). Not exactly the options that USFL leadership was hoping to see.
DEFENSIVE LINE: Some good options here, like DT Jason Fisk (Rams) or DE Pat Kerney (Falcons)
WIDE RECEIVER: It was hoped that either Andre Johnson or Marvin Harrison would be in the pool, but both signed with their NFL clubs before their contracts expired, so now we are looking at former USFL star Terrell Owens as the biggest potential get. Following him are players like Andre Davis of Buffalo, Quincy Morgan of Denver, or Cortez Hankton of the Jags.
Open Draft Preview
We have reviewed the past few months of free agency, trades, and the initial picks from the college ranks made through this past week’s Territorial Draft. Now, only hours from the Open Draft, the pressure is on for teams to find those perfect matches, positions of need, but also players who will sign on with the USFL. As we have seen so many times, just because a USFL club offers a big contract to a blue chip college star does not guarantee that they will sign on. We continue to see only about a 50% signing rate, and that rate drops quite a bit when talking about players who are selected in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft. So, with that said, we will take a look once again at all 26 clubs, identify their position(s) of need, and a couple of options they may consider.
PITTSBURGH MAULERS (2-12)
Needs: HB, DT, LB
Ideal 1st Round: After trading away an unhappy Terrell Davis, halfback is the obvious choice here. The debate comes down to Adrian Peterson of OU or Marshawn Lynch of Cal. If Pittsburgh gets a better sense from one of them that they are open to joining the Maulers, they should jump on them, because being picked #1 is a good motivator.
Backup Option: If a 1st round back is not viable, then perhaps wait until the 2nd or 3rd and take a shot on a player like Antonio Pittman from Ohio State, a big back not protected by the Glory.
MEMPHIS SHOWBOATS (3-11)
Needs: QB, LB, DE, WR
Ideal 1st Pick: Memphis has two options here, go with JaMarcus Russell and forget trying to sign Favre, or try to sign Favre and give up on JaMarcus Russell. The problem is timing. They cannot come out of January with both playing elsewhere. The signals they get back from Favre’s people will likely decide this pick.
Backup Option: Let’s assume they do pick Russell, but they want a backup plan, the best mid-round option may be another mid-round Buckeye, QB Troy Smith.
ST. LOUIS SKYHAWKS (4-10)
Needs: HB, CB, TE, LB
Ideal 1st Pick: The Skyhawks like what they saw out of Luke McCown at QB, so we think they are going to work on the run game here. IF that is the case, then they too should consider either Peterson or Lynch.
Backup Option: The Skyhawks already have a backup HB picked in Louisville’s Michael Bush, so they could opt not to go HB at all if not in the 1st round, so, go for a solid corner like Tennesee’s Jonathan Wade, or Kent State’s Usama Young in the mid-rounds.
WASHINGTON FEDERALS (4-10)
Needs: DE, G, LB, QB
Ideal 1st Pick: We fully expect Sean Payton to focus on the offense, but DE is such a glaring need, and at #4 there is a really good chance that either Gaines Adams (Clemson) or Adam Carriker (Nebraska) will be an option. We would be shocked if they don’t go DE here.
Backup Option: Let’s assume they double down and pick another DE just in case later on, we really like Georgia’s combo of Quentin Moses and Charles Johnson. But which one?
PHILADELPHIA STARS (4-9-1)
Needs: LB, TE, QB, G
Ideal 1st Pick: The Stars have a need for 2, maybe 3 linebackers to rebuild that core, so we expect them to jump at Patrick Willis of Ole Miss. They had also liked Timmons from FSU, but Jacksonville protected him.
Backup Option: Even if the stars nab Willis in the first round, they should still be looking for more, so perhaps in round 2-4 they can snag either New Mexico’s Quincy Black, FSU’s Buster Davis, or Brown’s Zak DeOssie.
TEXAS OUTLAWS (5-9)
Needs: DE, CB, DT, WR
Ideal 1st Pick: The Outlaws gave up their 1st rounder in the Jeff George trade, so they are already looking for options with 2 second rounders. At DE, how about either Moses or Hawaii’s Ikaika Alama-Francis.
Backup Option: The other big need is at corner, so what about someone like Chris Houston from Arkansas, or Dante Hughes from Cal?
ORLANDO RENEGADES (5-8-1)
Needs: LB, TE, DT, WR
Ideal 1st Pick: Having surprised us all with the Brees deal, we now wonder if they will add a WR in the first round to make Brees happy. If they do, how about Ted Ginn Jr from Ohio State? A quick-as-lightning, shifty receiver who could really do well with Brees’s accurate mid-range game.
Backup Option: Let’s assume Orlando hits on one of their other major needs in the early round, is there a mid-range receiver similar to Ginn? Yes, we think so, and that player is Mike Sims-Walker from right next door at UCF. We still don’t know why they didn’t lock him in during the T-Draft.
CHICAGO MACHINE (6-8)
Needs: SS, TE, DE, FB, CB
Ideal 1st Pick: They already got their superstar QB by signing Brady Quinn right on T-Draft day. So, now back to that problematic secondary. Strong Safety is a definite need, and in the first round, with 2 picks, they can go after LaRon Landry and still have a pick for another position.
Backup Option: If Landry won’t sign, Chicago better have a backup plan. How about a 3rd or 4th rounder like Tanard Jackson of Syracuse or Marvin White of TCU?
BALTIMORE BLITZ (6-8)
Needs: WR, G, DT, FS
Ideal 1st Pick: Could Ted Ginn drop this far? Unlikely, so the next best option if WR is the pick would be one of the two USC products, Steve Smith or Dwayne Jarrett.
Backup Option: Baltimore could go guard with the first pick, a sensible position as that is an easier (and cheaper) position to sign, so what about another option for a wideout later on? How about Laurent Robinson, a bigger target for Roethlisberger.
OAKLAND INVADERS (6-8)
Needs: LB, TE, WR, DE, G
Ideal 1st Pick: If Oakland feels good about signing Michael Okwo from Stanford (T-Draft), then they may not go LB here. But if not, they could do a lot worse than Miami’s Jon Beason.
Backup Option: We already listed a few really decent mid-round LBs’, but how about a bit of a longshot? We have two: Alabama A&M’s Johnny Baldwin and Elon’s Chad Nkang.
BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS (6-8)
Needs: G, LB, WR, T, C
Ideal 1st Pick: We really haven’t tapped a lot of linemen yet, so we are going to pick one here for the Stallions. If Ben Grubbs is not signed by draft day, the next best option is Tennessee’s Aaron Sears. Birmingham is hoping Grubbs is already a Stallion by then, which means maybe a tackle like Joe Thomas or Levi Brown would be a solid pick.
Backup Option: If the tackles are not their in the 1st round, then our pick later on would be Marshal Yanda from Iowa. He could be there in round 2, maybe even 3.
NASHVILLE KNIGHTS (6-8)
Needs: SS, WR, DE, CB, HB
Ideal 1st Pick: If we assume Landry is not here as the #1 safety, the Knights could go one of two ways. They could go for Michael Griffin from Texas, or they could hold off on the safety and look at a DE like Carriker or Florida’s Jarvis Moss.
Backup Option: Let’s say they do go DE in the first round, is there a good strong safety later on? We like Josh Gattis of Wake Forest or Kevin Payne of Louisiana-Monroe as mid-round options.
LAS VEGAS THUNDER (6-7-1)
Needs: HB, WR, G, T, CB
Ideal 1st Pick: We see the Thunder going halfback, even after the trade that brought Chris Perry to the team. If we assume that both Lynch and Peterson are gone by this pick, then it gets a bit risky. They could look at Kenny Irons from Auburn or Brian Leonard from Rutgers, but neither are slam dunks.
Backup Option: So maybe Las Vegas should look for a tackle or guard in the first, and then add a halfback later. If they do that, the ideal candidate for them might just be Dwayne Wright from Fresno State.
DENVER GOLD (7-7)
Needs: DT, HB, LB, QB
Ideal 1st Pick: Let’s look at the big men inside. Who do we like for the Gold and their 4-3 system? How about Amobi Okoye from Louisville, a big earthmover of a DT who could help make Denver a true threat against the run.
Backup Option: The mid-round version of Okoye may just be Clifton Ryan from Michigan State. Another big man who just eats up space.
ATLANTA FIRE (7-7)
Needs: G, QB, LB, FB, DE
Ideal 1st Pick: With Jeff Lewis still out there, Atlanta could bring him back, or they could feel better about David Garrard than we do. Let’s assume neither is true. Who do they take if Russell is not there? The next best options are Kevin Kolb of the U. of Houston or John Beck from BYU.
Backup Option: We see Jay Gruden opting for a classic drop back passer, so if the two options above look dicey to sign, how about someone later on Trent Edwards of Stanford or Jordan Palmer of UTEP?
MICHIGAN PANTHERS (8-6)
Needs: DT, QB, CB, WR, HB
Ideal 1st Pick: Michigan may have made their QB pick with Stanton, and if that is the case, then DT is the next big need. Okoye could be there, but if he is not, then perhaps a local in Alan Branch from Ann Arbor. Another player who could have been protected, but was not.
Backup Option: Defensive Tackle talent is deep in this draft, so the Panthers could look at some mid-round guys like Quin Pitcock (Ohio State), Paul Saliai (Utah) or Kareem Brown (Miami).
SEATTLE DRAGONS (8-5-1)
Needs: OT, WR, DE, TE, G
Ideal 1st Pick: The Dragons still trying to find a WR opposite David Boston. They added Darnerian McCants in free agency, but we still think they might take a shot at another receiver if either Ginn, Craig Davis (LSU), or either of the USC players are still on the board.
Backup Option: Our thought is that if Seattle gets out of Round 2 without a receiver, it means they are not going for one, in which case a TE in rounds 2-4 makes sense. The best on the board is Greg Olsen of Miami, followed by Zach Miller from Arizona State.
TAMPA BAY BANDITS (9-5)
Needs: DE, T, SS, G, LB
Ideal 1st Pick: Another team hoping to find that edge rusher who just makes life difficult for a QB. We know who the top 3-5 are: Gaines, Carriker, Moss, and then Lamar Woodley (Michigan) and Alama-Francis from Hawaii.
Backup Option: How about another Hawaii product, perhaps as late as the 6th or 7th round? We like Melila Purcell, even though his play time with the Rainbow Warriors was limited.
NEW ORLEANS BREAKERS (8-6)
Needs: HB, WR, T, P
Ideal 1st Pick: Yes, the Breakers swapped Perry for Julius Jones, but we still think they might take a long look at someone like Auburn’s Kenny Lyons, or Brandon Jackson from the Cornhuskers.
Backup Option: If they want a 2nd generation Troy Davis, there is one in this draft, Louisville’s Kolby Smith is not big, but he has moves that will produce yards after contact.
OHIO GLORY (10-4)
Needs: WR, DE, G, TE, K
Ideal 1st Pick: The Glory are hoping Sinorice Moss can become their #2, and they already drafted Ohio State’s Anthony Gonzalez in the T-Draft, so do they pick another receiver? We think they do, and we think they have their eyes on Jacoby Jones from tiny Lane College.
Backup Option: Ok, let’s assume our instinct is wrong, they don’t go receiver at all, then DE is the pick, and picking this late that means almost no chance at Gaines or Carriker, so how about Woodley from the Wolverines?
ARIZONA WRANGLERS (10-4)
Needs: HB, DE, K, G, LB
Ideal 1st Pick: Losing both Staley and Pritchett allows Coach Fassel to reimagine the halfback position. But, unless they make a big move, neither Peterson nor Lynch will be here. So, how about a bruiser like Penn State’s Tony Hunt?
Backup Option: A good handcuff to Hunt later on would be someone like Florida’s DeShawn Wynn or Kansas State’s Thomas Clayton.
BOSTON CANNONS (11-3)
Needs: HB, DT, DE, FS
Ideal 1st Pick: The Cannons need a backup and maybe a protégé behind Tiki Barber. The closest Barber clone in the draft is probably Brian Leonard of Rutgers. Or they could go a totally different direction with someone like Hunt.
Backup Option: Here is a player that Boston may know better than anyone, Central Connecticut HB Justise Hairston. Is he worth a late pick? What little film we have seen of him seems to show some talent.
HOUSTON GAMBLERS (9-5)
Needs: T, WR, P, HB
Ideal 1st Pick: Let’s work with the idea that Houston is happy to put Faulk back as the starter, so that makes RT the top position to fill. If Levi Brown is here, that is a slam dunk. If not, either Joe Staley from Central Michigan or Tony Ugoh from Arkansas are fine options.
Backup Option: A mid-round option to consider is Clint Oldenburg from Colorado State. He is solid in the run game but would need to be coached up for better pass protection.
JACKSONVILLE BULLS (10-4)
Needs: DT, K, HB, LB
Ideal 1st Pick: We are back at Defensive Tackle again, and we don’t want to keep saying the same names, so we are going to put a plug in for a player who has been rising up the charts, Cal’s Brandon Mebane. He may be a little rough around the edges, but there is a big upside.
Backup Option: The Bulls also need a kicker, and since we haven’t really talked about the position at all, we thought now is the time. With Nick Folk (ARZ) and Mason Crosby (DEN) accounted for in the Territorial Draft, that leaves Justin Medlock of UCLA as the best option.
LOS ANGELES EXPRESS (9-5)
Needs: QB, FS, P, C, LB
Ideal 1st Pick: It’s got to be a QB right? For as much as LA has been saying that they are comfortable with Seneca Wallace and Brody Croyle fighting it out, the Express have to do better, right? We don’t hear about them pursuing Favre, so that means a rookie. Russell will not make it to pick 25, so perhaps Kolb, Beck, or maybe even Trent Edwards from Stanford, since Oakland did not protect him.
Backup Option: We’ve been through the QB list a few times, but we could also see LA taking a late round flyer on an athletic QB like Matt Moore from Oregon State.
NEW JERSEY GENERALS (11-3)
Needs: QB, DT, LB, DE
Ideal 1st Pick: We are more willing to believe New jersey when they hype up Kelly Holcomb than when LA talks about Seneca Wallace, so let’s assume the Generals go for defense in the first round. They could go DE or DT, but we like LB here. And the backer we like for the Generals and Coach Crennell is Jon Beason from Miami. We could see him slotting inside or on the weak side right away.
Backup Option: If Beason is gone by pick 26, then New Jersey could go DE or DT here and go for their linebacker later. If they do that, the choice we like is Zak DeOssie from the Ivy League Brown Bears. He may not have played against the toughest competition, but we know he will be a smart player.