PFW - Vol. 23, Issue 02 (March 31, 2008) 2008 NFL Draft

EXCLUSIVE SCOUTING REPORTS
LONG RYAN DORSEY GHOLSTON OTAH McFADDEN CLADY RIVERS McKELVIN ELLIS RODGERS-CROMARTIE TALIB
DRAFT COVERAGE:
NAWROCKIS MOCK DRAFT

NEEDS FOR ALL NFL TEAMS
UPDATED PLAYER RANKINGS
PRO-DAY WORKOUT RESULTS
CA
QUIET
CORNER
RAIDERS
REVIVAL?
CALLING IT
QUITS
PROSPECT IS HEARD LOUD

AND CLEAR ON THE FIELD
OAKLANDS MAKING WAVES

WITH OFFSEASON MOVES
A LOOK BACK AT NO. 4s

HALL OF FAME CAREER
LEODIS McKELVIN | Troy
DeANGELO HALL | Raiders
l VOL. XXIII, NO. 2 l APRIL 2008
BRETT FAVRE
URGENT NEWS
DELIVER IMMEDIATELY
$ 4 .49 9 9U .SS .$ 5 . 9 9 C. A N C a n .
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WILL PARCELLS TRADE THE DOLPHINS NO. 1 PICK?

CAN THE COWBOYS GET THEIR WOW PLAYER?
WHO WILL BE 2008s FIRST-ROUND FALLING STAR?
HOW HAS FREE AGENCY IMPACTED THE DRAFT?
6
SPORTPICS (C. LONG, RYAN, DORSEY, GHOLSTON)
LES BENTLEY (J. LONG) l TROY (McKELVIN) l HARRY SCULL JR. (HALL) l PROCASE (FAVRE)
PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY
http://www.profootballweekly.com
In this
edition of
APRIL 2008
Volume XXIII
No. 2
CREATORS & FOUNDERS
ALSO:
THE SLANT
35
Arthur Arkush, Robert Drazkowski

and Joel Buchsbaum
Publisher/Editor Hub Arkush

Editor-in-chief Keith Schleiden
Art director Bob Peters
Managing editor Mike Holbrook
Executive editors Dan Arkush
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C O V E R
Dan Arkush
recalls the
incredible
career of
Brett Favre and
looks ahead
to whats next
in Green Bay.
DEPARTMENTS
S T O R Y
The Way We Hear It ..........................Pg. 3

Free-agency update;
Top-100 free-agents chart ........Pg. 27
Audibles ............................................Pg. 32
NFL transactions ..............................Pg. 33
Arena Football coverage ................Pg. 34
2008
DRAFT PREVIEW
PLAYER REPORTS ........6

PRO-DAY REVIEW ......11
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT:
COLUMNISTS
Jerry Magee; Jim Campbell............Pg. 28
Barry Jackson; Tom Danyluk ..........Pg. 29
LEODIS McKELVIN ............14
PLAYER RANKINGS ....18

TEAM NEEDS..............22
NFL DRAFT ORDER ....25
MOCK DRAFT ............26
COLUMNISTS
Ron Borges, Jim Campbell, Bob Carroll,
Glenn Dickey, Barry Jackson,
Jerry Magee, Bill Wallace
NEXT ISSUE
Pro Football Weekly will go to press with its
post-draft issue on April 28.
PHOTO BY BRUCE L. SCHWARTZMAN
NFC REPORTERS
Arizona Cardinals Kent Somers
Atlanta Falcons Steve Wyche
Carolina Panthers Scott Fowler
Chicago Bears Bob LeGere
Dallas Cowboys Mickey Spagnola
Detroit Lions Nicholas J. Cotsonika
Green Bay Packers Bob McGinn
Minnesota Vikings Sean Jensen
New Orleans Saints Mike Triplett
New York Giants Paul Schwartz
Philadelphia Eagles Dave Weinberg
St. Louis Rams Jim Thomas
San Francisco 49ers Kevin Lynch
Seattle Seahawks Dave Boling
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Katherine Smith
Washington Redskins John Keim
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Tom Danyluk, Matt Duffy, Art Edelstein,
Pat Fitzmaurice, Court E. Mann, Rick Matsumoto
STATISTICIANS
Rick Arkush, Daryl Arkush
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PROVEN PHILOSOPHIES:
Teams must learn from Davis, Finks come Draft Day

HUB ARKUSH
PUBLISHERS PEN
AFC REPORTERS
Baltimore Ravens Jamison Hensley
Buffalo Bills Chuck Pollock
Cincinnati Bengals Mark Curnutte
Cleveland Browns Tony Grossi
Denver Broncos Bill Williamson
Houston Texans Megan Manfull
Indianapolis Colts Tom James
Jacksonville Jaguars Vito Stellino
Kansas City Chiefs Rick Dean
Miami Dolphins Harvey Fialkov
New England Patriots John Tomase
New York Jets Andrew Gross
Oakland Raiders Michael Wagaman
Pittsburgh Steelers Jim Wexell
San Diego Chargers Jay Posner
Tennessee Titans Paul Kuharsky
PUBLISHER/EDITOR
he two smartest and most successful NFL

decision makers when it comes to finding
talent that Ive been fortunate enough to
learn from were Al Davis and the late Jim
Finks.
Davis figured out long before the last few
generations of talent gurus arrived on the
scene that speed kills, and when all else is
equal, speed is the way to go. He also told
me that playmakers, or difference makers, are
essential to winning championships and when
you find a guy who can hit the home run or
make the game-saving stop, sometimes you
have to ignore a few warts and focus on the
talent and production. When considering this
advice, looking at the last couple of years is a
mistake. Look at the body of Davis work
and tally the number of chances hes taken
where others might not have, and what does
his balance sheet look like?
As the architect of dynasties in Minnesota
and Chicago, Jim Finks believed that, first
and foremost, games were won and lost in
the trenches and that teams had to be built on
the offensive and defensive lines. And the
one thing he told me that Ill never forget is
that teams that prioritize needs in the draft
will almost always fail. Finks believed that
while you shouldnt always draft the best
available athlete, if you want to win, you
have to always draft the best available football player.
On Page 18 of this issue youll find our
regardless of position rankings of the top
players in this draft. We used to call it the
best available athlete list, but we changed it
because our grades are based on what kind of
NFL players these kids project to be, much
as Finks taught me, and not how good they
are as athletes. Obviously, not every teams
rankings will mirror ours, but based on the
outstanding accuracy of these grades in

recent years, thanks to Nolan Nawrocki, the
final arbiter on the subject at PFW, theyre a
very good guide to what this draft should
look like. Its a draft that Finks might have
dreamt about, with eight of the top 12, and
12 of the top 20, players being offensive and
defensive linemen. If these kids play up to
their grades, this could be one of the great
first rounds of all time.
Assuming Bill Parcells doesnt deal the
first pick, the first three players chosen by the
Dolphins, Rams and Falcons should be Jake
Long, Matt Ryan and Glenn Dorsey as their
7.0 grades represent a clear difference over
the No. 4-ranked player, Vernon Gholston, at
6.80. If Parcells isnt sold on Ryan as a franchise quarterback, he almost has to take Long
as the most physically impressive and imposing of the three equally productive players in
college. That would likely send Dorsey to the
Rams, and Ryan to the Falcons, each team
getting the best football player available, and
conveniently coming at its greatest area of
need.
That leaves the Raiders and Davis with a
dilemma at No. 4. You cant really split Gholstons 6.80 and Chris Longs 6.75, and certainly Davis would be delighted with either,
particularly the son of one of his own favorite
sons, Hall of Famer Howie Long. But were it
not for all the off-the-field warts on Darren
McFadden, who sits at No. 8 with a 6.40, Im
guessing Nolan would have him rated equal
to or ahead of the two defensive ends. And
Im betting that, based on what he taught me,
Davis does, too.
If McFadden becomes a Raider, and the
Chiefs grades are close to ours, Carl Peterson has to ignore Herm Edwards yearning
for Ryan Clady or another stud on the offen-
sive line and, with the fifth overall pick, take

the best player, either Gholston or Long, each
rated more than three-tenths of a point ahead
of Clady. The Jets should then take whichever defensive end the Chiefs dont.
No team has drafted or built better over the
last five or six years than the New England
Patriots, but our grades create a problem for
them at No. 7. Either Jonathan Stewart or
Sedrick Ellis at 6.50, or Clady at 6.40, would
be the best player available, but none is likely
to crack the Pats lineup. The next group at
6.30 is Leodis McKelvin, Derrick Harvey,
Jeffrey Otah and Rashard Mendenhall. I
could see the Pats surprising us with either
Stewart or Clady, but they wouldnt be too
far off the chart if they drafted McKelvin.
While I havent seen it projected anywhere, if hes there, the Ravens should
absolutely take Ellis. And if Ellis doesnt fall
to the Bengals, they need to take a hard look
at Clady before settling for Harvey. Several
mock drafts have the Saints taking a cornerback, but if McKelvins gone, the rest of the
corners are too much of a reach. While its
another idea Im not hearing anywhere else,
after looking at the knees on Deuce McAllister and the fact that Reggie Bush is not an
every-down back, I think Stewart would be
just too good for the Saints to pass up.
Obviously, its going to get trickier the
deeper you go from here, as teams draft
boards are not identical and some scouts are
better than others, but I hope the point is
clear. When your favorite club is on the
board, you should hope they lock in on the
best player available, and if he happens to be
a lineman, that they never pass on him. Free
agency is for needs, the draft is for talent,
and its the draft that will get you to a Super
Bowl.
PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY
WAY
WE
By DAN ARKUSH
DA N PA R R
it...
A F C lE A S T
Bills not expected
to complete trade for
Losman before draft
So far, theres a serious lack of
suitors that have come knocking
on the Bills' door inquiring about
acquiring disgruntled QB J.P. Losman. Losman has asked for a
trade following his demotion
behind starter Trent Edwards, a
request that the Bills would
be happy to oblige should a
reasonable offer come their
way. The Bills continue to
harbor the belief that theyll
work out an deal for the
quarterback. We hear that its highly unlikely there will be any action
until after the draft. Whichever
teams come out of the late April
selection meeting without a quality
passer will go a long way in determining who will have interest in the
former first-round pick.
After threatening to stay home
from voluntary workouts, Jets WR
Laveranues Coles made his first
appearance at the offseason sessions on March 24. Coles has two
years left on his current deal and
was upset about the Jets rebuffing
his request for an extension that
would essentially keep him as a
Jet for the remainder of his career,
even though the Jets had already
made the rare concession of guaranteeing him the final $11 million.
So why did Coles change his mind
and report to the workouts?
The most likely reason is
that the Jets and Coles had
reached an agreement on
an extension, although we
were unable to confirm this
belief as of this writing. But when
looking at the situation, there
arent many other reasons to see
why Coles would attend. He obviously harbored disdain toward
coach Eric Mangini and the organization after labeling them liars
last month for their failure to lock
up him long term after they
HARRY SCULL, JR.
NEW YORK JETS
Disgruntled: QB J.P. Losman wants

out of Buffalo, but it likely wont happen until after the draft
allegedly told him he'd be taken
care of, and unlike holding out during training camp, Coles faces no
fine if he were to skip the workouts.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Who will play inside linebacker
for the Patriots in 2008? Thats
the question being batted around
Foxborough right now, as the
Pats realistically dont have anyone to plug in alongside Tedy
Bruschi, who recently inked a
two-year deal to keep him with
player get beat more and get more toasted

than he does and still be regarded as a
good player.
All this plus several smaller-scale signings and the nearly $10 million franchise
tag that was placed on CB Nnamdi Asomugha has the Raiders close to $5 million
away from hitting the league salary cap of
$116.2 million. All indications are they plan
on holding on to the fourth overall pick in
the draft, which will also require a large
investment.
I know what Asomugha told (Davis) it
dont matter what you pay me, franchise me
and Im out, said the veteran evaluator.
Asomugha is a lot better than Hall, but
thats why they traded for Hall. They knew
Al Davis has never drawn up a three- or
Aggressive: Al Davis
they were not going to be able to keep
four-year rebuilding plan. Its always been
has made some bold
Asomugha much longer.
about winning the next game and, in the
moves this offseason
One theory is that the Raiders are loadend, the next Super Bowl. After a string of
five failed seasons in which the club has
ing up now in anticipation of an uncapped
won only 19 games, it appears he has decided on an
year in 2010, which would be the product of league ownaltered tack and a new motto.
ers opting out of the current Collective Bargaining
Just spend, baby.
Agreement in November.
There is a glare on Oakland, as daily team observers
Others portray Oaklands moves as signs of an incomtry to figure out the method behind the madness of
petent front office. Sources say the team mishandled
Davis shocking spending spree, but the 78-year-old
contract negotiations with the first overall pick in the draft
Davis has been out of the spotlight and has not met with
last year, QB JaMarcus Russell. Contract talks lasted
the media as of yet to explain his new approach.
for six months and stretched into the second week of the
Al is trying to win it now, a veteran evaluator told
season. Russell, who missed out on crucial preparations
PFW. He does not have much time left. He wants one
and sat out training camp, eventually signed a six-year,
more chance at the Super Bowl.
$61 million contract, with $32 million guaranteed.
The Raiders have avoided bargains, opting instead to
And lets not forget the standoff between Davis and
dole out bloated contracts for players who undoubtedly
head coach Lane Kiffin, which is becoming downright
will fill some gaping holes but come with question marks
bizarre. Davis tried to force Kiffin to resign after the seaabout both health and character issues.
son when he found out that the head coach had shown
As free agency was set to begin, Davis gave us a
interest in college coaching vacancies at Michigan and
glimpse of his offseason blueprint, re-signing DT
Arkansas only months into his tenure. Kiffin has been
Tommy Kelly, coming off a torn ACL, to the largest conspotted at various league functions wearing clothing
tract ever for a defensive tackle seven years, $50.5
without Raiders logos on it, and sources say he has been
million.
stripped of any power he once had in personnel deciThe Tommy Kelly deal is worse than (what the 49ers
sions.
gave) Nate Clements last year (eight years, $80 milWhile battles within the franchise hierarchy forge on,
lion), the evaluator said. What do you think that deal did
there could be some disgruntled players in the locker
for guys like Albert Haynesworth (Titans) and Tomroom, as well. DE Derrick Burgess, who tied for the
mie Harris (Bears)? And what do you think guys are
team lead in sacks last season and led the squad outright
saying in their own (Raiders) locker room?
in the two previous campaigns, is operating on a fiveBefore the league could stop buzzing about that deciyear, $17.5 million contract he signed in 2005, but he is
sion, Davis struck a six-year, $39 million deal with S Gibsaid to be looking for a significant raise similar to the one
ril Wilson. Kwame Harris, an offensive tackle who fell
his D-linemate Kelly was given.
out of favor with the 49ers, received a three-year, $14
The underlying question, beneath the bank-breaking
million contract. Davis kept the momentum going,
contracts and front-office disputes, is whether the
swooping in to sign WR Javon Walker to a six-year, $55
Raiders can turn this thrown-together group into a winmillion deal after he was released by the Broncos. Not
ner. In the past, NFL teams that have tried to buy their
yet settled, Davis traded a second-round pick in this
way to the top have come up short, with the most obviyears draft and a fifth-rounder in 2009 to the Falcons for
ous example being the Redskins under owner Daniel
CB DeAngelo Hall after finalizing a new seven-year,
Snyder. Washington has moved away from that philoso$70 million contract. Hall, who has a strong work ethic
phy this offseason, but the Raiders have picked up where
and been chosen for two Pro Bowls, is perceived by
Washington left off.
many in league circles as a ticking time bomb with an
Davis has put his woeful enterprise back in the
attitude problem. He was fined $100,000 last season
thick of things in terms of media attention, but the largafter he engaged in a shouting match with then-Falcons
er challenge of winning where it counts is looming
coach Bobby Petrino on the sideline during a game.
large.
DeAngelo Hall is the most overrated player in the
league, the evaluator told PFW. I have never seen a
DAN PARR
Raiders owner
empties pockets in
hopes for a quick fix
ERIC EDHOLM NOLAN NAWROCKI

M AT T S O H N
MIKE WILKENING
Just what
is Al
thinking?
THE
HEAR
HEAR
the Pats. Panthers backup Adam

Seward drew heavy interest from
the club, and while the restricted
free agent remains a possibility,
he appears increasingly likely to
stay in Carolina. Theres also the
issue of Junior Seau. The 39-
JUSTIN SULLIVAN / GETTY IMAGES
APRIL 2008
year-old Seau has yet to make up

his mind whether to return for a
19th NFL season, and a
source close to the situation said he likely wont
make his decision public
until just before training
camp. Seau held up better
than most observers had expected as a starter during the second
half of the 07 season, though the
idea of him going wire to wire as

a starter next season is not an
enticing one. The Pats are certain
to upgrade the position in the
draft, though coach Bill
Belichick has a history of letting
rookie linebackers spend at least
part of the year on the bench
before thrusting them into the
camps, team sources told PFW that

Jerheme Urban and Ahmad Merritt, both of whom recently re-signed
new deals with the team, are probably
neck-to-neck in the running for the
No. 3 WR job vacated by Bryant
Johnson, who signed with the division-rival Niners. But they also believe
Jamaica Rector, a pickup from the
Cowboys who was on the practice

squad last season, could be an
intriguing long shot.
The best guess on where the
Rams will be holding their 2008 training camp is that it will be somewhere
in Wisconsin (the state universities at
CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
One of the most interesting things

to watch in San Francisco will be how
well Niners TE Vernon Davis is able
to digest new coordinator Mike
Martzs offense. In regard to Davis
performance last season, one of his
teammates told a team source that he
had never seen an NFL starter make
so many mistakes.
We hear the Niners might have

their sights set on Oklahoma LB Curtis Lofton in the second round if
hes still on the board. Word is the
team is quite impressed with the Big
12 Defensive Player of the Years
Patrick Willis-like zest for the game
and productivity.
Heading into the Cardinals mini-
SPORTPICS
W H I S P E R S
Vernon Davis
CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY
APRIL 2008
W H I S P E R S
Wisconsin-Whitewater and Wisconsin-Stevens Point are two strong possibilities). That would put the team in
close-enough proximity to the training camps of the Chiefs, Packers and
Vikings a situation head coach
Scott Linehan feels would be very
beneficial.
New Rams executive vice president of player personnel Billy
Devaney recently said on a local
radio show that he believed secondyear pro Jonathan Wade could compete for a starting CB job. But team
insiders tell us Wade would have to
make major strides for that to happen
and is more likely to compete for the
inside slot CB job in the nickel along
with free-agent addition David
Macklin, a well-traveled veteran.
Seahawks insiders believe the
addition of well-regarded veteran Oline coach Mike Solari could be one
of the teams biggest keys to success
this coming season. For one thing,
Solari has the ability to get his linemen to make actual in-game adjustments if necessary, which previous Oline coach Bill Laveroni was unable
to do. We hear theres also reason to
believe that improved technique
under Solaris direction might help
ease the wear and tear on veteran
OLT Walter Jones brittle shoulders.
Redskins RB Clinton Portis, for
one, is excited about the teams new
offense. He feels like the spread formations that Jim Zorn plans to use
will open up more running lanes
inside, similar to what Portis saw in
Denvers zone-blocking offense.
We are told that the Eagles
added assistant coach Mark Whipple, who is expected to work with the
teams quarterbacks after spending a
year out of the NFL, because they
expect to lose QB coach Pat Shurmur in the next year to another team.
Shurmur, who has been interviewed
for some college head-coaching jobs
and was considered to be a possible
hire for John Harbaughs Ravens
staff, has said he wants to be a head
coach at some point.
Cowboys TE Tony Curtis will
have an excellent chance to continue
impressing the coaching staff this offseason with Anthony Fasano (shoulder surgery) out until perhaps training camp. Curtis showed good
receiving skills but could stand to
improve his blocking. Of course, the
same could be said for Fasano.
We hear the Lions would prefer
to find a middle linebacker in the
draft (or free agency) and move MLB
Paris Lenon to the strong side
rather than selecting an outside linebacker in the first couple of rounds of
the draft.
We now hear that Vikings OLT
Bryant McKinnies place on the
team probably is safe. Some teams
around the NFL sent out feelers to the
Vikings but reportedly were rebuffed.
Word outside the locker room suggests that disciplinarian Brad Childress likely wont come down hard
on McKinnie, who was allegedly
involved in a February brawl in
Miami.
Word is the Bears could be very
interested in Tulane RB Matt Forte if
hes available when they pick in the
second round. Fortes stock rose after
a strong Combine effort, and Bears
SCOTT WALLEM / PROCASE
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3
Bryant McKinnie
head coach Lovie Smith and RB

coach Tim Spencer reportedly had
a private workout set up in early April
at Tulane after already having met
with Forte face-to-face the third full
week of March.
Sources say recent discussions
with members of the Falcons front
office suggest their philosophy is to
use their first pick (third overall) on a
lineman, not a quarterback. Owner
Arthur Blank is aware of the
tremendous pressure that will be on
the player who becomes known as
Michael Vicks replacement, and
GM Thomas Dimitroff subscribes
to the philosophy that teams are built
from the inside out, starting with the
lines. In Joey Harrington, Atlanta
has an example of what can happen
to a quarterback who is taken early in
the first round but fails to live up to the
lofty expectations.
We hear Panthers officials were
on hand for a private workout by Illinois RB Rashard Mendenhall on
March 27 and will consider taking
him with the 13th pick in Aprils draft.
The thickly built Mendenhall, who is
rated by PFW as the third-best running back available behind Jonathan
Stewart and Darren McFadden,
would be paired with DeAngelo
Williams, who is more of a speed
back, in Carolinas backfield.
Panthers QB Jake Delhomme is
on schedule, or even a bit ahead, in
his rehab from the Tommy John
surgery that he underwent last October, according to our source in Carolina. However, word is Carolina will
be very cautious in bringing him
back to full speed once training camp
begins. The team will be careful not to
overwork him because Delhommes
ability to make it through the season
in good health may have a big impact
on the futures of head coach John
Fox and GM Marty Hurney.
A fairly quiet offseason from the
Bucs was interrupted last week, when
Chiefs head coach Herm Edwards
made comments that inferred Tampa
may have negotiated with C Jeff
Faine before the free-agent signing
period began, which would constitute
tampering. Edwards suggested that
the Bucs had worked on contract
details with Faine beforehand, thus
explaining why a deal was finalized
so quickly. Tampa signed Faine just a
few hours into free agency Feb. 29.
There are no plans for an investiga-
tion into the Buccaneers dealings,

because charges of tampering can
only come from parties directly
involved in the transaction, which in
this case would be Faines former
team, the Saints, who have not made
any complaints.
For the first time in years, Saints
QB Drew Brees is enjoying a healthy
offseason in which he does not have
to rehab. During the previous three
offseasons, Brees had to spend time
working on coming back from an
injury, but he will be able to put his
full concentration elsewhere this year.
Sources say the addition of
DeAngelo Hall gives the Raiders
flexibility in what they decide to do
with CB Fabian Washington. Washington, the teams nickel back last
season, could be dealt in order to
recoup some of the draft choices the
squad lost in dealing a second-round
pick in this years draft and a fifthrounder in 2009 for Hall. One source
said its unlikely the team could get
much more than a fifth-round choice
for Washington, who was charged
with domestic battery in February
after a dispute with his girlfriend. He
lost his starting job to Stanford Routt
last year.
Unhappy with the play of his linebackers, Chiefs defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham received
the approval of head coach Herm
Edwards to appoint himself as the
position coach of the linebackers, in
addition to his coordinating duties.
Cunningham is known as a tireless
worker, and theres little worry in
Kansas City that he will be able to
handle both jobs.
With Colts owner Jim Irsay
recently extending GM Bill Polians
contract, thats further proof that Irsay
is taking a very proactive approach to
ensure that the nucleus of the club
remains intact whenever coach Tony
Dungy decides to retire. Associate
head coach/quarterbacks Jim Caldwell has already been named
Dungys eventual successor.
After the plodding start to
Jaguars DT John Hendersons 2007
season, there was considerable
doubt as to whether the one-time
dominant force would ever recapture
his old form. But a source close to the
club said that Henderson closed the
season with a bang and that any
notion that hes lost his power or
quick first step is inaccurate. Even
without bash brother Marcus
Stroud, whos now in Buffalo, the Jags
legitimately believe Henderson can
be among the most disruptive Dtackles in the game.
Titans DT Albert Haynesworths absence from the beginning
of the teams offseason workouts is
not regarded as a major issue by the
club, the way we hear it. Haynesworth
has not signed his franchise tender.
To hear it from one Steelers
observer, its no slam dunk that exPanthers C Justin Hartwig will beat
out Sean Mahan for a starting job.
Mahans experience edge in the
Steelers system could be key: This is
Mahans second year with the club,
and Hartwig will be learning a new
offense.
A source close to the Ravens
thinks CB Frank Walker, signed
from Green Bay, is likely to be the
teams No. 3 cornerback considering
how the backups currently on the ros-
ter struggled a season ago.

Newly signed Browns C-OG Rex
Hadnot is going to have a hard time
breaking into the starting lineup, the
way we hear it. Ryan Tucker played
well at right guard last season, and
the offensive line was a team strength.
And C Hank Fraley is a surefire
starter.
A source close to the Bengals
notes that the departures of DE
Justin Smith and S Madieu
Williams does more than just hurt
the defense; it removes two highcharacter players from the locker
room.
The salary cuts taken by Browns
ILB Andra Davis and OLB Willie
McGinest likely have kept their jobs
safe for the 2008 season, the way we
hear it.
Some teams, like the Dolphins,
have placed a premium on upgrading their special teams this offseason.
Other teams, such as the Bills, have
deemed key special-teams performers expendable. By allowing LB Josh
Stamer and WR Sam Aiken to bolt
in free agency, Buffalo has sent a clear
message that it values players worth
on offense and defense far more than
their worth in the kicking game.
The revelation that TE Ben Watson recently had ankle surgery and
could miss the start of training camp
leaves the Patriots in a lurch at tight
end. Watson acknowledged that he
first injured the ankle in a Week Six
victory over the Cowboys and played
with discomfort throughout the
remainder of the season. The only
other tight ends on the roster are
untested youngsters David Thomas
and Stephen Spach.
Although he now appears to be
heading to Dallas, Pacman Jones
did receive plenty of interest from the
Patriots, a team insider told us. So
what does this all mean? Well, for one
thing, any lingering notion that the
Patriots place a higher priority on
personal character than most teams is
all but completely shot. From drafting
troubled S Brandon Meriweather
in the first round last year to trading
for Randy Moss to embracing S
Rodney Harrison upon his return
from an HGH suspension, its clear
that the Pats are no different from any
other team that values talent above all
else.
The Dolphins obviously have a
ton of needs at a bunch of positions,
but if theres one position theyre
unlikely to touch in the draft, its running back. Even with 2007 part-time
starter Jesse Chatman now in Jets
green, the Fins are surprisingly deep
at the position. Ronnie Brown is well
ahead of schedule with his ACL rehabilitation, Lorenzo Booker holds
considerable promise if he can pack
on a few more pounds, and we hear
that executive V.P. of football operations Bill Parcells is believed to harbor considerable hope that Ricky
Williams can reclaim at least some
of his previous form.
Despite the presence of Chad
Pennington and Kellen Clemens,
dont rule out the possibility of the
Jets drafting a quarterback in the second round, or even Boston College
QB Matt Ryan in the unlikely event
that he falls to the sixth spot in Round
One. The Jets have particular interest
in Delaware QB Joe Flacco, as do
many other teams.
WWHI
lineup. Another dark-horse name
to keep an eye on is Takeo
Spikes, a talented veteran
released by Philadelphia whose
injury and age concerns have
muffled some of the interest from
potential suitors.
MIAMI DOLPHINS
Of all of the Dolphins areas of
concern, the state of the offensive
line looms as perhaps the biggest.
Outside of adding former 49ers
OG Justin Smiley, the Fins have
done nothing to upgrade what was
a shoddy unit in 2007. And
while failing to make additions, they cut starting ORT
L.J. Shelton and top
reserve OT Anthony Alabi,
as well as declining to resign OGs Rex Hadnot and Chris
Liwienski. Consequently, gaping
holes remain at guard and tackle,
although the absence of a suitable
right tackle is the most significant
deficiency. All of this would appear
to bode well for Michigan OT Jake
Long as No. 1 overall pick. However, as one team source reminded
us, the draft is so rich in top offensive tackle prospects that the Fins
could likely grab one with one of
their two second-round picks,
especially considering that new
head coach Tony Sparano doesnt
need supreme talents to mold into
a stout line.
A F C lN O R T H
Release of Wilson
saves money but puts
Steelers on defensive
The Steelers release of WR
Cedrick Wilson early on March
20, a day after he was arrested for
allegedly punching his girlfriend,
reportedly saved the team more
than $2 million in salary-cap
space. It also opened team chairman Dan Rooney to criticism after
he explained how the team handled the cases of Wilson
and Pro Bowl OLB James
Harrison. Earlier in March,
Harrison was arrested on
charges of simple assault
and criminal mischief after
allegedly slapping his girlfriend.
Rooney told the Pittsburgh PostGazette that Wilsons and Harrison's cases were different, as
Harrison wanted to take his son to
be baptized where he lived and
his girlfriend declined the request.
The Steelers later released this
statement: To clarify the comments made earlier regarding the
conduct of our players, in no way
do we condone domestic violence
of any kind. Each incident must be
considered on a case-by-case
basis. In the situation with James
Harrison, he contacted us immediately after his incident and has
taken responsibility for his actions.
In [the] decision with Cedrick Wilson, we determined the situation
was severe enough to warrant the
player being released immediately.
We trust that [the] roster move will
indicate our intentions and send a
message that we will not tolerate
this type of conduct. The way we
hear it, Wilson was a candidate to
be released even before his
APRIL 2008
CINCINNATI BENGALS
WR Chad Johnson missed the
start of offseason workouts, leading to more speculation about his
future with the club. Johnson has
indicated numerous times that hes
unhappy with the Bengals, who
are inclined to take a wait-and-see
approach as the latest round of
controversy plays out. In
short, no trade for Johnson
is imminent. The other interesting absentee from the
workouts was WR T.J.
Houshmandzadeh, who
has one year left on his contract.
Were hearing the Bengals would
like to sign Houshmandzadeh, 30,
to a contract extension. Houshmandzadeh, whose 112 receptions
tied for the NFL lead in 2007, is
regarded as one of the best possession receivers in the league,
and his value may never be higher,
considering his production in
recent seasons.
BALTIMORE RAVENS
OLT Jonathan Ogden, long
one of the best players at his
position and likely to be inducted
into the Pro Football Hall of Fame,
is widely expected to retire, and
the Ravens are prepared to go on
without him. The good news for
Baltimore is that the majority of
the offensive linemen who
started a season ago got
considerable experience.
Adam Terry is likely to
step in for Ogden, with
second-year OT Jared
Gaither expected to be the primary backup for both Terry and ORT
Marshal Yanda. Terry has flashed
ability in the past; the key for him
will be consistency. But if Terry
and Yanda can hold up on the
edges, the Ravens offensive line
could be a team strength. Opposing coaches and scouts like what
they have seen from OLG Jason
Brown and ORG Ben Grubbs.
The latter is entering only his second NFL season and is a former
first-round pick. C Chris Chester
is also a player with some potential, boasting the athleticism that a
majority of clubs value in that
position.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
Two of the storylines to watch as
the Browns offseason progresses
are the comeback attempts of C
LeCharles Bentley and S Gary
Baxter. Bentley has missed the
last two seasons because of a
serious knee injury; Baxter has
missed most of those two
campaigns as he attempted
to come back from two
injured knees. Bentley is
working out in Arizona,
away from the Browns,
while Baxter is with the club. Bentleys agent, Jonathan Feinsod,
told The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer
in March that his client looks phenomenal, but the real test for
Bentley would come in training
camp. At the time of his injury,
Bentley was regarded as one of
the top centers in football. Baxter,
signed to be a cornerback, has
moved to safety. In March, general
manager Phil Savage said that
Baxter is expected to be close to
100 percent by training camp.
A F C lS O U T H
Jaguars intent on
upgrading DE rotation
through the draft
With Gregg Williams coming
aboard as the Jaguars defensive
coordinator, bringing in a few fresh
bodies for the DE rotation seemed
like an obvious objective. Williams
is known for highly aggressive
schemes that are dependent upon
generating a pass rush off
the edge, and the Jags current starters, injury-plagued
veterans Paul Spicer and
Reggie Hayward, dont
inspire much confidence
that theyll thrive in the new system. But so far this offseason, the
Jags havent done anything to
improve the speed at the position.
In fact, they let their best pass
rusher, Bobby McCray, leave for
New Orleans in free agency. Its
not that the team doesnt see the
need to bolster its DE corps. As
one team insider said to us, How
many impact pass rushers were
actually available in free agency?
The insider said that D-end is the
overriding priority entering the
draft, and it would come as a surprise if Jacksonville didnt invest in
one with its first-round pick, No. 26
overall.
HOUSTON TEXANS
The Texans have one of the
league's better backup quarterbacks in Sage Rosenfels. And
they now have one of the top No. 3
signalcallers in former Jaguars QB
Quinn Gray, whom they signed to
a one-year contract on March 24.
The speculation now turns
to whether Gray will eventually move up the depth
chart as a result of the Texans choosing to deal
Rosenfels to a club in need
of a starting quarterback. Rosenfels impressed observers when filling in for the injured Matt Schaub
last season, and the Vikings
reportedly have expressed interest
in trading for him. The way we hear
it, it will take something more than
a third-round pick to pique the Texans interest; though Schaub is the
teams undisputed starting quarterback, the team is high on Rosenfels. It would not be surprising if
the Texans carried all three quarterbacks into the regular season.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
When the Colts severed ties
with SLB Rob Morris in February,
it wasnt done because they didnt
value his contributions. According
to a source close to the club, it
was rather that they believed he
wouldnt attract much attention on
the open market, and they felt they
could re-sign him to a more
cap-friendly deal. It appears
that the gamble has paid
off. Morris, who played in
just two games last season
before a bum knee forced
him onto injured reserve, could
very well be back in Indianapolis in
the near future. Nevertheless, we
hear it will awfully difficult for him
to reclaim the starting job that he
held in the early part of the 2007
season. Morris, 33, lacks the type
of prototypical athleticism that
coach Tony Dungy covets in his
SPORTPICS
arrest, as the team was in need of

salary-cap space and Wilson was
not one of the club's top three
receivers.
PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY
Offseason no-show: Bengals WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh skipped the start of voluntary workouts in Cincinnati
linebackers for the Tampa-2
defense, and thus would most likely back up 07 revelation Tyjuan
Hagler.
TENNESSEE TITANS
Can one or more of the
Titans young receivers step up in
2008? If so, the impact on the
offense could be significant. The
depth behind starters Justin Gage
and Roydell Williams is talented
but unproven. Fourth-year WR
Brandon Jones has had moments
where hes looked like a player, but
he missed seven games
because of injury last season. The way we hear it,
second-year WR Paul
Williams is under pressure
to show something after not
contributing as a rookie. Fellow
second-year WR Chris Davis had
a rocky rookie season handling
punts but figures to hold down a
roster spot as a slot receiver and a
returner. Some may call exRaiders WR Mike Williams the Xfactor of the group, but the reality
is that hes going to have to have a
great offseason and training camp
to have a shot at sticking on the

roster. Ex-Jets WR Justin
McCareins is back for a second
stint with the Titans, which further
ratchets up the competition for
spots on the depth chart.
A F C lW E S T
Offensive injuries
are becoming a
concern for Chargers
As stacked as the Chargers are,
a smattering of injuries to important players, especially on the
offensive side, is a disconcerting
omen. Five offensive starters are
working through late-season
injuries or rehabbing from surgery,
and three of those players
could have trouble going
full speed into training
camp. TE Antonio Gates
continues to be hobbled by
his dislocated big toe, one
that he gritted out in the AFC
championship game but could
have him sidelined until the start of
the regular season. QB Philip
Rivers is in a similar boat in that
he played through an ACL tear in

the playoff loss to the Patriots but
wont be 100 percent for a while. C
Nick Hardwick went under the
knife to repair a sprained right foot
in mid-March and could be out
through September. On the plus
side, injuries to RB LaDainian
Tomlinson (knee) and OLT Marcus McNeill (shoulder) dont hold
any long-term consequences.
OAKLAND RAIDERS
While the Raiders have thrown
bundles of money at free agents in
an attempt for a quick fix to the
woes that left them with just 19
wins over the past five seasons,
the team still hasnt
addressed who will be
snapping the ball to QB
JaMarcus Russell next
season and yet is quickly
approaching the $116 million salary cap. Two-time Pro Bowl
C Jeremy Newberry, a free agent,
recently turned 32 but was able to
start 14 games for Oakland last
season and avoided the knee
CONTINUED ON PAGE 30
PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY
APRIL 2008
The year
of the hog
TALENTED OT, DE CLASSES ARE
LIKELY TO CREATE A RUN ON BIG MEN
By
NOLAN NAWROCKI
his years draft class does not feature any rare talent like the last few did, but after a very
plentiful influx of underclassmen talent, the overall quality and depth of the class is rich.
Physically, the most impressive specimen in the draft is Ohio State DE-OLB Vernon
Gholston. He is a physical freak who, if he learns to dial up his motor all the time,
could develop into one of the leagues top rush linebackers.
Boston Colleges Matt Ryan grades off the charts in the areas of intelligence and leadership
ability, and for what he may lack physically, he more than compensates with his overall intangibles and work habits. He has the mental makeup to be a great pro.
Michigan OLT Jake Long and Virginia DE-OLB Chris Long could be
the two safest picks in the draft and are not expected to last long
because of the comfort they bring to decision-makers at two premier
positions. LSU DT Glenn Dorsey, if cleared medically, belongs in the
same class in terms of his effort and hustle. However, his injury status
question.
P R E V I E W remains inthe strength of this years draft is at the OT and DE positions,
Overall,
with at least five expected to be drafted in the first round at each position. Its a marginal
year for interior linemen and receivers. Defensive tackles are few and far between. There is
some depth at the RB, TE and OLB positions, including four potential first-round backs.
Safeties will be difficult to find, but the CB class turned out to be fairly solid.
QB
T
his years QB crop is

average and features
only one bona fide Pro
Bowl-caliber
passer,
Matt
Ryan.
Chad
Henne, Joe Flacco and Andre
Woodson have big guns.
Brian Brohm could be affected by his injury history.
QB Matt Ryan
BOSTON COLLEGE
Redshirted in 2003. Started 1-of-4

games in 04, completing 35-of-71
passes (49.3 percent) for 350 yards,
two touchdowns and three interceptions. Started 5-of-10 games in 05,
connecting on 121-195-1,514-8-5
(62.1) and rushed 37 times for 94
Impressive: Vernon Gholston could develop into one of the top rush linebackers
BRUCE L. SCHWARTZMAN
QUARTERBACKS
yards (2.5-yard average) and five

touchdowns. Missed the game vs.
Buffalo after breaking a bone in his
left foot vs. Virginia Tech on Oct. 12,
2006, but started all 12 contests
afterward, completing 263-4272,942-15-10 (61.6) and rushing 51128-4 (2.5). Had surgery immediately following the season. Started all
14 games in 07, amassing 388-6544,507-31-19 (59.3). The two-time
elected captain had a 25-7 record in
his career as a starter.
The Good: Terrific intangibles and
work ethic. Excellent football intelligence. Good decision-maker. Fiery
on-field competitor. Has prototype
size. Limber and deceptively athletic.
Very mentally and physically tough.
Can buy time in the pocket and sidestep the rush. Has good arm strength
to make every throw. Can throw with
touch and velocity. Plays with terrific poise and handles pressure like a
seasoned pro. Takes few unnecessary
sacks. Has a strong passion for the
game.
The Concerns: Not very elusive.
Takes some chances fitting the ball
into tight coverage. Does not have a
rocket arm and will hang some deep
balls in the air. Too often does not see
the short-hole plugger, and eyes will
need some retraining.
Summary: Really came into his
own as a senior and has the makings
of a franchise quarterback. Should
blossom with a better supporting cast
and has the potential to develop into a
SPORTPICS
SPORTPICS
PLAYER ANALYSIS
2008 NFL DRAFT
Player reports
No. 1 overall? Matt Ryan has the

potential to be a franchise quarterback
Pro Bowl talent. Will deservingly
warrant top consideration.
QB Chad Henne
MICHIGAN
Started all 12 games in 2004 as a

true freshman and completed 240-of-
399 pass attempts (60.2 percent) for

2,743 yards, 25 touchdowns and 12
interceptions. Started all 12 games in
05, tossing 223-382-2,526-23-8
(58.4). Started all 13 games in 06,
throwing 203-328-2,508-22-8 (61.9).
Started all 10 games in which he
played in 07, missing two contests
with a right knee sprain and the Minnesota game with a separated right
(throwing) shoulder. Totaled 162278-1,938-17-9 (58.3). Finished as
the schools career leader in completions (828), passing yards (9,715)
and touchdown passes (87).
The Good: Looks the part and can
make every throw. Shows moxie and
commands respect in the huddle.
Good on-field presence. Good intangibles. Has an unquestionable passion for the game and is very mentally and physically tough. Can throw
the deep ball with accuracy and zip it.
The Concerns: Does not have
great field vision and forces the
ball into coverage. Not a great
touch passer. Needs a clean pocket
to square his shoulders and throw
the ball. Struggles to create plays
when the pocket breaks down and
is not a great athlete. Takes unnecessary sacks. Too streaky and
inconsistent
with
accuracy
throughout his career.
Summary: A proven competitor
with impressive toughness, Henne
has shown flashes of greatness and
could take big strides with good
coaching.
QB Brian Brohm
LOUISVILLE
Father, Oscar, and brothers, Greg

and Jeff, also played football at
Louisville. Jeff serves as the QB
coach and passing-game coordinator
for the Cardinals. Greg is Louisvilles director of football operations.
As a true freshman in 04, Brian
backed up Carolina Panthers 05
fourth-round pick Stefan LeFors,
appearing in 11-of-12 games and
completing 66-of-98 attempts (67.3
percent) for 819 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions. Started
all 10 games in which he played in
05, missing the final two contests
after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee against Syracuse. Posted 207-301-2,883-19-5
(68.8). Returned to start all 11 games
in which he played. Finished throwing 199-313-3,049-16-5 (63.6).
Underwent surgery on his left (nonthrowing) labrum in January 07 but
returned in time to participate in
spring practice. Started all 12 games
in the fall and finished with 308-4734,024-30-12 (65.1).
The Good: Very experienced and
has a good understanding of the
game. Good football intelligence.
Player reports
Jones is the most dynamic in

space. The group overall has
some good depth, with solid
backs to be found in the middle rounds.
proven he could rally his team from

behind.
The Concerns: Locks onto his primary targets and is late to locate
open receivers. Holds on to the ball
too long and takes unnecesary sacks.
Requires space to throw and too
often aims the ball. Average athletic
ability and marginal foot quickness
to buy time with his feet. Takes time
to build a rhythm and could require
time to adapt to an NFL playbook.
Not a vocal leader.
Summary: Took strides when the
offense was simplified, but his lack
of escapability and long delivery will
always restrict an offense. Requires
patience, and his long-term success
will hinge on his ability to absorb a
playbook.
Saw limited action in eight games

as a true freshman in 2004, completing 12-of-22 passes (54.5 percent) for
135 yards and one interception. Started all 12 games in 05 and tossed 260371-3,256 (70.1) with 36 touchdowns
and eight interceptions. Also rushed
86 times for 376 yards (4.4-yard average) and four touchdowns. Started all
12 games in 06, throwing 246-3713,320-34-5 (66.3) and carrying 107720-11 (6.7). Started all 10 games in
which he played in 07, completing
206-301-2,988-43-1 (68.4). Also set
the NCAA career passing efficiency
rating record (176.68). Was named the
MVP of the East-West Shrine game.
The Good: Outstanding quickness
to easily escape the rush. Very quick
release and can alter his release to
deliver the ball effectively. Throws
with great accuracy on the move.
Makes good decisions and takes very
good care of the ball. Has performed
well under pressure. Good intangibles. Is coachable.
The Concerns: Too thin. Has
faced average competition, and his
statistics are inflated from facing
simple defenses. Was snow-coning
the ball at the Combine and his pro
day, gripping the ball too far back
and throwing very erratically with a
loose wobble. Too often does not set
his feet to throw.
Summary: Could take a few years
to digest an NFL playbook but could
be very effective in a West Coast
offense and develop into a dynamic
starter with continued development.
Has a lot of upside.
Joe Flacco
DELAWARE
Enrolled at Pittsburgh and redshirted in 2003. Played in 3-of-12

games in 04 and completed 1-of-4
passes (25 percent) for 11 yards.
Transferred to Delaware in 05 to get
more playing time and sat out the
season after not having obtained a
scholarship release from Pittsburgh.
Took over as the starter for all 11
games in 06, completing 264-4172,783 (63.3) with 18 touchdowns and
10 interceptions and rushing for five
scores. Earned Colonial Athletic
Association co-Offensive Player of
the Year honors after starting all 15
games in 07 and compiling 331521-4,263-23-5 (63.5).
The Good: Looks the part with
excellent height. Has a cannon arm
and can rifle the ball with velocity,
even off balance and from his back
foot. Is smart and has improved as a
decision-maker.
The Concerns: Is not a quick-triggered decision-maker. Too stationary
in the pocket and shows little athleticism to escape the rush. Can be flustered by pressure. Not accurate on
the move. Erratic ball placement.
Worked primarily out of the shotgun.
Not overly confident.
Summary: A big, strong-armed,
power passer who could take some
time to adapt to an NFL-style
offense. Is still a work in progress.
Could develop into a good pro in time
if given ample opportunity to throw.
QB Andre Woodson
RB Jonathan Stewart [Jr.]

OREGON
Started 1-of-10 games in which he

played as a true freshman in 2005,
rushing 53-188-6 (3.5-yard average),
catching seven passes for 45 yards
(6.4) and one touchdown and returning 12 kicks for 404 yards (33.7) and
two touchdowns, leading the nation
in kick-return average. Started 10-of13 games in 06, carrying 183-98110 (5.4), grabbing 20-144-1 (7.2)
and returning kicks 23-646-0 (28.1).
played in 07, amassing 280-1,72211 (6.2) on the ground, highlighted
by a Sun Bowl-record 253 yards vs.
South Florida. Also gained 22-145-2
(6.6) receiving and returned kicks
23-614-0 (26.7). Had surgery on the
big toe he injured late in the season
and could be sidelined until training
camp.
The Good: Is chiseled with a thick
trunk and a wide build. Outstanding
strength, power and hip snap. Good
contact balance to power through
tackles. Shows good vision and is
surprisingly agile for as compact as
he is. Can move the pile and pick up
tough yards inside. Drives through
contact. Very tough will and has
played through pain. Faces up
defenders in pass protection and is
stout. Catches the ball easily. Very
solid character.
The Concerns: Not overly nifty or
creative. Does not string a lot of
moves together. Shows some tightness in his movement. Has had a
number of foot and ankle injuries
(although he has played through
them), and offseason toe surgery
needs to be evaluated.
Summary: The most complete
back in the draft, Stewart should be
able to make an immediate impact as
a runner and kick returner and develop into a true workhorse back.
MOST INTRIGUING
QB Josh Johnson
SAN DIEGO
When: April 26-27, beginning at 3 p.m. EDT Saturday

and 10 a.m. EDT Sunday.
Where: Radio City Music
Hall, New York City.
Length of sessions: The
first two rounds will be conducted on Saturday, April
26, with the remaining five
rounds on Sunday, April
27.
Time limit: Ten minutes for

each first-round selection,
seven minutes for each second-round selection and five
minutes for each selection in
Rounds 3-7.
Saints Pierre Thomas, carrying 48

times for 218 yards (4.5-yard average) and catching 13 passes for 82
yards (6.3) and two touchdowns.
played behind Thomas in 06, carrying 78-640 (8.2) and five touchdowns.
Also caught 12-164-1 (13.7). Started
all 13 games in 07, amassing 2621,681-17 (6.4) rushing and 34-318-2
(Continued on Page 8)
ARKANSAS
KWR
ILLINOIS
Played in 10-of-11 games as a true

freshman in 2005 as one of two
reserves behind the New Orleans
tion meeting.
RB Darren McFadden [Jr.]
RB
his years RB crop has

shaped up to be very
good after a number of
juniors entered the mix.
Darren McFadden is the
fastest and best big-play
weapon of the group.
Rashard Mendenhall may
have the most untapped
potential. Jonathan Stewart is
the most complete. And Felix
3
[Jr.]
RB Rashard Mendenhall
What: 73rd annual selec-
RUNNING BACKS
KENTUCKY

games in which he played in 04,
completing 54-of-88 passes (61.4 percent) for 492 yards, two touchdowns
and one interception. Started all 11
games in 05, tossing 146-253-1,6446-6 (57.7). Started all 13 games in 06
and completed 264-419-3,515-31-7
(63.0). Was voted Most Valuable
Player by his teammates. Started all
13 games in 07, amassing 327-5183,709-40-11 (63.1) and led the Southeastern Conference in completions,
yards and touchdowns.
The Good: Excellent size. Has
good arm strength with a smooth
delivery and spins a very tight spiral.
Very good touch. Can zip it long distances on a rope. Improving decisionmaker. Is very calm and collected and
has shown poise under pressure and
big-play threat. Has a strong upper

body and powerful stiff-arm. Shows
the explosion and acceleration to
take the corner and outrun a defense.
Catches the ball well and is accurate
throwing halfback-option passes
(seven career TD tosses). Good versatility. Has shown he can take over
games.
The Concerns: Has a case of fumblitis and is too careless with the ball.
Is top-heavy. Runs upright with a
thin lower body and some tightness
in his hips. Does not sink his hips
easily to change direction and goes
down too easily with arm tackles.
Was little-used as a receiver. Too distracted by the trappings of success.
Has struggled to stay out of trouble
and is too easily influenced by hangers-on.
Summary:
A boom-or-bust
prospect with elite physical talent
and too many off-the-field questions,
McFadden could make an immediate
impact in the pros but could struggle
to sustain success once he arrives.
Must learn to take better care of the
football.
Started 9-of-11 games as a true

freshman in 2005, carrying 176
times for 1,113 yards (6.3-yard average) and 11 touchdowns and catching 14 passes for 52 yards (3.7). Also
returned 12 kicks for 348 yards
(29.0) with a long of 81. Started 13of-14 games in 06, rushing 2841,714-14 (5.8) and catching 11-149
(13.5) and one touchdown. Also
completed 7-of-9 passes for 69
yards, three touchdowns and one
interception in Arkansas Wildcat
formation. Returned kickoffs 10-262
(26.2) and one touchdown with a
long of 92 yards. Missed the season
opener after having surgery on a dislocated left big toe suffered in
August when McFadden was
involved in a fight outside a Little
Rock club. Started all 13 games in
07 at running back (12) and flanker
(1). Rushed 325-1,830-16 (5.6),
grabbed 21-164-1 (7.8), returned
kicks 16-316-0 (19.8) and threw 611-123-4-0. Has fumbled 23 times
the past three years, more than any
other runner in the country.
The Good: Has rare speed and is a
SPORTPICS
Very determined, with great work

habits. Smart. Sees the field well and
can get rid of the ball quickly. Can
throw with touch and take pace off
the ball. Plays with awareness. Very
quietly competitive.
The Concerns: Not very mobile.
Durability is a concern. Arm strength
is not great. Throws with little hip
snap, power or velocity. Has short
arms, tends to drop the ball and has a
low release point, which has resulted
in too many batted balls. Inconsistent
ball placement, especially when he is
forced to move in the pocket. Not a
vocal leader.
Summary: Intelligence and experience will tempt a QB-needy team
to consider him early, and he could
become a functional starter with
good protection. His injury history,
limited escapability and leadership
style limit his upside and should
keep his stock in check.
2008 draft facts
Boom-or-bust: Darren McFadden is an elite talent with off-the-field concerns
2008 NFL DRAFT
PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY
PLAYER ANALYSIS
APRIL 2008
PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY
APRIL 2008
RB Felix Jones [Jr.]

ARKANSAS

carrying 99 times for 626 yards (6.3yard average) and three touchdowns,
grabbing eight passes for 100 yards
(12.5) and returning 17 kicks for 543
yards (31.9) and one touchdown.
played in 06 at flanker (four) and running back (two). Rushed 154-1,168-6
(7.6), caught 15-107-3 (7.1) and
returned kicks 23-554-1 (24.1). Started 3-of-13 games in which he played
in 07 at flanker. Carried 133-1,16211 (8.7), caught 16-176-0 (11.0) and
returned kicks 22-652-2 (29.6). Also
became the schools all-time leader in
kickoff-return yardage (1,749).
The Good: Very natural athlete.
Runs decisively and has excellent

feet. Shows the run instincts, vision
and balance to string moves together.
Not easily hit squarely. Has a knack
for finding creases. Shows top burst
and acceleration. Exceptional lateral
quickness. Very competitive.
The Concerns: Thinly built and
not built to withstand heavy contact
or carry the workload. Lacks the bulk
strength to consistently run between
the tackles. Needs to improve as a
blocker. Was not featured in the passing game and did not return punts.
Summary: A space player with the
quickness to contribute immediately
in a complementary role. Could make
an immediate impact in the pros and
be a game-breaking complement in a
power running game.
RB Ray Rice [Jr.]

RUTGERS
Started all 12 games as a true

freshman in 2005, rushing 195 times
for 1,120 yards (5.7-yard average)
and five touchdowns and catching
eight passes for 65 yards (8.1). In
06, he rushed 335-1,894-20 (5.4)
and caught 4-30-0 (7.5). Started all
13 games in 07, amassing 3802,012-24 (5.3) on the ground. Set
school career records for rushing
yards (4,926) and rushing touchdowns (49).
The Good: Very compactly built.
Runs low to the ground with a strong
base, leg drive and hips to power
through tackles. Very good contact
balance. Very decisive and possesses
great vision in the hole. Picks up
yardage in chunks. Is alert in pass
protection and willing to face up.
Excellent production.
The Concerns: Has endured a lot
of contact in college career. Can be
caught from behind and lacks great
long speed. Not fluid changing direction or making multiple lateral cuts.
Does not show a top gear. Very limited production as a receiver. Limited
return experience.
Summary: A very strong, hardcharging, instinctive runner who
would be best splitting the workload
with a speed back in the pros.
ON THE RISE
RB Kevin Smith [Jr.]

CENTRAL FLORIDA
Started the final 11-of-13 games

in which he played as a true freshman in 2005, rushing 249 times for
1,178 yards (4.7-yard average) and
nine touchdowns, highlighted by 209
yards in the Hawaii Bowl vs. Nevada. Also caught eight passes for 44
yards (5.5). Started all nine games in
which he played in 06, missing
some time for disciplinary and injury
reasons. Finished with 206-934-7
(4.5) on the ground and 23-158 (6.9)
receiving. Started all 14 games in
07, carrying 450-2,567-29 (5.7) and
grabbing 24-242 (10.1) and one
touchdown. Led the nation in rushing
yards and touchdowns.
The Good: Very competitive.
Good run instincts and outstanding
cut-back ability. Has a knack for
finding creases. Can string some
moves together seamlessly. Secure
catcher. Gives effort as a blocker.
Outstanding production.
The Concerns: Too thin and lacks
run strength. Runs upright and takes
too much punishment. Is not overly
elusive or initially quick and takes
some time to build speed. Lacks top
gear and burst. Has taken a lot of carries in college career.
Summary: Looked much more
comfortable at his pro day than he
did at the Combine and caught the
ball very well. Vision and run
instincts are impressive, but lack of
bulk and upright running style are
concerns.
OTHER POTENTIAL
TOP-100 PROSPECTS
Matt Fort / Tulane
Tashard Choice / Georgia Tech
Chris Johnson / East Carolina
Jamaal Charles / Texas
WIDE RECEIVERS
WR
JAMES D. SMITH
(Continued from Page 7)

(9.4) receiving.
The Good: Very thickly built and
looks every bit the part. Attacks the
perimeter and can break through arm
tackles. Has good leg drive after contact. Shows good vision and sees the
cut-back lane. Can pick and slide and
weave through traffic. Shows the
speed to kick it into another gear and
pull away. Has soft hands and adjusts
well to the ball. Has big-play capability. Very productive. Has not taken a
lot of hits and shows a lot of upside.
The Concerns: Not a physical,
between-the-tackles pounder and
likes to bounce outside. Runs too tall
and is not an overly creative runner
who makes many tacklers miss. Runs
top-heavy. Does not have great balance. Competitiveness has been challenged. Suspect ball security early in
career.
Summary: Has sheer strength and
speed and is built for a game of
power but too often tries to play a
small mans game and would rather
elude than overrun tacklers. Still raw
and has a lot of upside.
his years WR crop is

disappointing and short
on elite talent, with the
best value likely to be
found in the mid-to-late
rounds. All the top prospects
have holes. Limas Sweed is a
big-play maker coming off
injury. Devin Thomas is a
physical specimen but a oneyear wonder. Malcolm Kelly
has great hands and bad
knees. Mario Manningham is
a playmaker with immaturity
issues.
ical press coverage. Shows sideline

awareness. Tracks the deep ball well
over his shoulder and can adjust to
the ball. Good concentration. Has
consistently produced big plays in
the clutch. Excellent work ethic is
very driven.
The Concerns: Not a sudden
starter. Could do a better job of using
his size to post up defenders and
exert his will on defenders. Relies on
his athletic ability too much. Not creative after the catch and will not
elude many defenders in the open
field. Lacks confidence.
Summary:
Tried competing
through a wrist injury during the season before having surgery and was
not fully recovered at the Senior
Bowl when he returned. When
healthy earlier in his career, he
showed that he could be a clutch,
big-play performer. Does not realize
how good he could be and works
incredibly hard at his craft. If he continues to make strides in the pros like
he did in college, he could be a legitimate No. 1 receiver.
WR Devin Thomas [Jr.]

MICHIGAN STATE
WR Limas Sweed
TEXAS
Redshirted in 2003. Started 7-of11 games in which he played at split

end in 04, posting 23 receptions for
253 yards (11.4). Started all 13
games in 05 and totaled 36-545
(15.1) and five touchdowns. In 06,
started all 13 games and grabbed 46801-12 (17.4). Wore a protective cast
in fall 07 camp to protect a sprained
left wrist. Battled through the injury
for six games before having seasonending surgery and finished with 19306-3 receiving.
The Good: Excellent size and
leaping ability. Can catch in a crowd.
Good body control. Powers off the
line of scrimmage and can beat physJAMES D. SMITH
PLAYER ANALYSIS
2008 NFL DRAFT
Player reports
Attended Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College from 2004-05. Tallied

33 receptions for 674 yards (20.4yard average) and five touchdowns
and returned three punts for 92 yards
(30.7) and 15 kickoffs for 339 yards
(22.6) as a redshirt freshman in 05.
Transferred to Michigan State in 06
and started 1-of-10 games in which he
played in a five-WR set vs. Indiana.
Grabbed 6-90-1 (15.0) and returned
one punt for 17 yards on the year.
Started 12-of-13 games in 07, giving
way to a two-TE set vs. Notre Dame.
Caught 79-1,260-8 (15.9), rushed 27
times for 177 yards (6.6), and
returned punts 7-18-0 (2.6) and kickoffs 39-1,135-0 (29.1).
The Good: Exceptional size-speed
ratio. Has a muscular build. Runs
with strength after the catch. Has a
nose for the endzone. Shows bigplay capability. Can beat physical
press coverage and separate with
speed. Was used extensively on
reverses and end-arounds.
The Concerns: Only a one-year
starter. Is raw and still learning the
game. Has not had to run a full route
tree and was used a lot on short digs
and slants. Does not make sharp cuts
and is a bit herky-jerky in his routes.
May need time to adjust to an NFL
playbook. Is a bit tightly wound and
a bit straight-linish.
Summary: A big, physical, versatile receiver who could contribute as
a kickoff returner immediately and
has a lot of upside if he can stay
focused.
WR Mario Manningham [Jr.]

MICHIGAN

freshman in 2005 and caught 27
balls for 433 yards (16.0-yard average) and six touchdowns. Started 9of-10 games in which he played in
06, missing three to a knee injury.
Finished with 38-703-9 (18.5). Started all 12 games in which he played
in 07 but was suspended for the
Hard worker: Limas Sweed has

come through in clutch situations
APRIL 2008
PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY
er. Could take some time to absorb

an NFL playbook. Durability is a
question because of his knees.
Summary: Must clear medical
evaluations and learn what it means
to work to perform at a consistently
high level. Immaturity and injury
history are concerns that may keep
him from developing into the type of
pro he shows on tape that he could
be.
line of scrimmage. Marginal run

strength. Limited kickoff-return
experience. Very average blocker.
Immature. Not a worker.
Summary: Overall injury history
and character concerns have raised
red flags and knocked him off some
draft boards. Could leave his mark as
a returner but may always struggle to
contribute as a receiver.
OTHER POTENTIAL
TOP-100 PROSPECTS
INDIANA
Redshirted in 2004. Started 10-of11 games in 05 and registered 61

receptions for 893 yards (14.6-yard
average) and 10 touchdowns. Started
10-of-10 games in which he played
in 06 but was suspended for two
early-season games for unspecified
personal reasons. Finished with 51722-10 (14.2), including a 6-83-4
(13.8) performance against Michigan
State. Started all 13 games in 07 and
amassed 79-1,125-16 (14.2). Set a
school record with 36 career TDs.
The Good: Natural athlete with
rare size. Good hands and balance.
Difficult to defend in the red zone.
Very agile for his size. Makes some
acrobatic, circus catches and can
slide to the ground to catch the low
ball. Adjusts very well to the ball
above his head, plucking it out of the
air. Outstanding career production.
The Concerns: Not a blazer.
Shows too many concentration lapses. Not as physical off the line as his
size would suggest. Not a disciplined
route runner. Knows how gifted he is
and takes advantage of it. Too inconsistent. Struggled to produce against
better competition (see Illinois and
Wisconsin games). Cannot transition
in and out of his breaks quickly and
accelerate away from tight press coverage. Lacks concentration and
makes easy drops (see Oklahoma
State game). Is still young and immature.
Summary: Has shown some signs
of maturing but still has a long way
to go before he grows up and learns
to be a pro. Rare size could create
matchup problems, but he has shown
he can be slowed by physical press
coverage and needs to become a
more crafty route runner to uncover
vs. NFL-caliber competition.
WR Malcolm Kelly [Jr.]

OKLAHOMA

catching 33 passes for 471 yards
(14.3-yard average) and two touchdowns. Started 13-of-14 games in
06 and caught 62-993-10 (16.0).
Suffered a torn meniscus in the Fiesta Bowl, underwent offseason knee
surgery and sat out 07 spring practice. Returned to start 13-of-14
games in 07, finishing with 49-8219 (16.8).
The Good: Creates mismatches
with size, arm length and body control. Works back to the ball and competes hard for it. Good in-air adjustments. Outstanding hands and catching radius. Will cross the middle,
take a hit and hold on to the ball.
Willing blocker.
The Concerns: Too streaky and
inconsistent. Lacks vertical speed.
Shows some tightness in his lower
body and is not quick getting in and
out of his breaks. Can be demonstrative and shut it down when the ball
does not come his way. Not a work-
ON THE SLIDE
WR DeSean Jackson [Jr.]
JAMES D. SMITH
CALIFORNIA
High risk: Injuries and immaturity

may undermine WR Malcolm Kelly
Started 10-of-11 games in which

he played in 2005, catching 38 balls
for 601 yards (15.8-yard average) and
seven touchdowns and returning one
punt for 49 yards and a score. Started
all 13 games in 06, grabbing 591,060-9 (18.0) and returning 25-4554 (18.2) on punts with a long of 95
yards. Started 10-of-12 games in
which he played in 07, giving way to
a two-TE set vs. Oregon, hauling in
65-762-6 (11.7) and returning punts
12-129-1 (10.8). Holds the Pacific-10
record for career punt-return touchdowns (six).
The Good: Has explosive speed.
Makes some acrobatic, diving grabs
and easily tracks the deep ball.
Shows great vision and creativity
with the ball. Knows how to set up
blocks. Can reverse field and pull
away from the pack. Possesses bigplay ability.
The Concerns: Very, very small
and injury-prone. Has always struggled to stay healthy and out of trouble. Gets jammed too easily at the
TE Martellus Bennett [Jr.]

TEXAS A&M
Jordy Nelson / Kansas State

Early Doucet / LSU
Andre Caldwell / Florida
Dexter Jackson / Appalachian State
Eddie Royal / Virginia Tech
Earl Bennett / Vanderbilt [Jr.]
Donnie Avery / Houston
Josh Morgan / Virginia Tech
Jerome Simpson / Coastal Carolina
TIGHT ENDS
TE
WR James Hardy [Jr.]
his paycheck as a receiver.
his years TE crop lacks

elite talent but does feature some depth, with
solid contributors expected to be found in the
middle rounds. Martellus Bennett may be the most naturally
gifted overall talent in the
class. Dustin Keller is the best
athlete. John Carlson is good
at everything, great at nothing.
TE Dustin Keller
PURDUE
Redshirted in 2003. Moved from

wide receiver to tight end and started
1-of-9 games in which he played in
04, catching five passes for 102
yards (20.4) and two touchdowns.
Saw action in 10-of-11 games as a
reserve in 05, totaling 13-128-3
(9.8). Started 12-of-14 games in 06,
giving way to four-WR sets and
catching 56-771-4 (13.8). Started all
13 games in 07, compiling 68-881-7
(13.0) despite playing with a right
shoulder injury. Had surgery on the
shoulder following the season.
The Good: Very athletic with good
foot speed. Competitiveness stands
out on tape plays with some fire.
Attacks the ball in the air. Accelerates quickly off the line, takes
smooth strides and can run by linebackers. Fluid mover. Will fight for
extra yards. Competes as a blocker.
Well-conditioned athlete lives in
the weight room. Great work ethic.
The Concerns: Lacks size and
girth to control defenders at the point
of attack and is not effective as an inline blocker. Shows little pop in his
hand punch. Lacks functional
strength and does not always convert
his weight-room strength to the field.
Summary: A very physically gifted, undersized pass catcher with the
competitiveness and upside to
develop into a good pro. Could
improve as a blocker but will earn

recording 18 receptions for 162
yards (9.0-yard average) and three
touchdowns. Started all 13 games in
06 and caught 38-497-3 (13.1).
played in 07 and tallied 49-587-4
(12.0).
The Good: Very natural athlete
with big hands and long arms. Moves
fluidly, is very light on his feet and
adjusts easily to the ball. Good agility and flexibility. Lines up in-line
and in the slot and shows the ability
to sustain blocks in-line and on the
move. Can pluck the ball out of the
air. Loaded with upside.
The Concerns: Lacks suddenness
and top-end speed. Too often is late
off the ball. Not a polished route runner. Comes off as arrogant and immature. Relies on his natural ability too
much. Not a great team player.
Summary: Arguably the most gifted all-around tight end in the draft,
Bennett could turn out to be an outstanding pro if he stays focused.
TE John Carlson
NOTRE DAME
Started 2-of-12 games at fullback

as a redshirt freshman in 04 and
compiled six receptions for 31 yards
(5.2-yard average). Started 6-of-12
games in multiple-TE sets in 05
alongside Dallas Cowboys 2006 second-round pick Anthony Fasano, finishing with 7-56 (8.0) and one touchdown. In 06, started 11-of-13 games
and recorded 47-634-4 (13.5). Started all 12 games in 07 as one of four
team captains and grabbed 40-372-3
(9.3). Was forced to withdraw from
the Senior Bowl because of a virus
that caused him to lose 17 pounds in
eight days.
The Good: Well-built with long
arms. Gets off the line quickly, can
beat the jam and get into his routes.
Diagnoses coverages, settles into
zones and can find soft spots in coverage. Natural catcher. Good concentration. Sustains blocks and mirrors
his man. Very smart and competitive.
Excellent worker.
The Concerns: Shows some
roboticism in his movement. Does
not have great burst or short-area
quickness to separate. Lacks bulk
and plays a bit narrow-based as a
blocker. Not overly physical. Average anchor strength. Plays with little
power.
Summary: Ran much better at his
pro day than he did at the Combine
and answered pressing concerns
about his speed. Has the strength of
character, smarts and positional skills
to become a good, not great, pro.
TE Fred Davis
USC
Played in nine games at wide

receiver and tight end as a true freshman in 2004, catching four passes for
30 yards (7.5-yard average). Started
3-of-13 games in 05 at tight end and
grabbed 13-145 (11.2) and two
touchdowns. Started 10-of-13 games
in 06, grabbing 38-352-3 (9.3).

Started all 13 games in 07, amassing
62-881-8 (14.2) and leading the Trojans in receptions. Was voted the
Mackey Award winner as the
nations top tight end.
The Good: Looks the part with a
thick, solid build and long arms. Has
natural receiving skills. Good movement skills. Can adjust to poorly
thrown balls. Turns his shoulders
upfield quickly after the catch. Can
wall off defenders and get in the way.
The Concerns: Does not play
physical. Not aggressive or strong at
the point of attack and does not consistently finish blocks. Comes off the
ball late and lacks discipline in his
overall play. Takes choppy steps and
does not show great burst or explosiveness out of his breaks. Not an
elusive runner after the catch. Is
immature and needs to be monitored.
Summary: If he could stay
focused, toughen up and become a
more willing blocker, he could develop into a great pro, but his lack of
mental and physical toughness is a
concern.
TE Craig Stevens
CALIFORNIA
Redshirted in 2003 and was

named the Scout Team Player of the
Year on offense. Started 1-of-12
games in 04, catching four passes
one touchdown. Started all 12 games
in 05, catching 13-165-2 (12.7).
Started 7-of-13 games in 06, with
Cal opening in three-WR sets in five
games, hauling in 17-239-1 (14.1).
Named the offensive team captain
for the second year in 07 and started
all 13 games, grabbing 17-204-3
(12.0).
The Good: Has a good, solid build.
Strong at the point and can control
the line of scrimmage. Plays physical. Gets into blocks and runs his feet
on contact. Good hand use and
anchor strength. Solid footwork. Will
finish blocks. Great work ethic. Solid
character. Has been very durable.
The Concerns: Not an elite athlete. Tends to cradle-catch and has a
good share of drops. Has a labored
release and takes time to get into
routes. Is not nifty or elusive after the
catch.
Summary: Much more developed
as a blocker than a pass catcher and
has the potential to become a solid
all-around prospect if he could learn
to improve his concentration.
ON THE RISE
TE Brad Cottam
TENNESSEE
Appeared in three games from

2003-05, posting two receptions for
34 yards (17.0-yard average). Started
6-of-13 games in 06, primarily as a
blocker, and nabbed 14-182 (13.0).
Missed the first nine games of the
07 season with a broken left wrist
suffered during an August scrimmage. Started the final 4-of-5 games,
in which he played in two-TE sets
with Chris Brown. Finished with 5125-1 receiving.
The Good: Excellent size, length
and catching radius. Gets into his
routes quickly. Moves well for as tall
as he is. Good body control. Solid
route runner. Adjusts easily to the
ball. Can fit up on linebackers on the
second level. Very smart and hardworking.
The Concerns: Lacks bulk and
PLAYER ANALYSIS
Eastern Michigan contest for a violation of team rules. Corralled 721,174-12 (16.3) and also rushed 19
times for 119 yards (6.3).
The Good: Can elude press coverage and separate with speed and double moves. Tracks the ball extremely
well and adjusts to its flight. Can
make acrobatic adjustments in the
air. Is quick-footed and elusive and
flashes the ability to turn a short slant
into a huge gain. Wants the ball in
crunch time and makes plays when it
counts (see Michigan State game).
The Concerns: Too thin. Not
strong on contact. Can be undisciplined in his route-running and leave
break points open for defensive
backs. Shows some untimely lapses
in concentration. Not a great practice
player. Moody and immature.
Summary: Showed his play speed
at his pro-day workout and answered
many questions left lingering from
an ill-prepared Combine performance. Has legit receiving skills but
would benefit from more time in the
weight room and a disciplined, structured environment.
2008 NFL DRAFT
Player reports
PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY
10
APRIL 2008

bulk strength. Can be controlled too
easily. Needs to get bigger, stronger
and play with a better base and balance as a blocker. Lets the ball into
his body. Not elusive after the catch.
Summary: Impressed at the Senior
Bowl and Combine after an injuryderailed senior season. Rare length
could make it difficult to stay
healthy and play with leverage, but
has upside as a pass catcher.
instantly upgrades an offensive line.
OT Ryan Clady [Jr.]
Martin Rucker / Missouri

Kellen Davis / Michigan State
Jacob Tamme / Kentucky
OFFENSIVE TACKLES
OT
his years OT crop features great depth. Jake

Long is a future All-Pro
on the left or right side
and dominant as a run
blocker. Ryan Clady is more
physically gifted but much
more raw. Jeff Otah is powerful but undisciplined. Chris
Williams is a great athlete
whos short on toughness
and explosion. Gosder Cherilus is athletic and powerful
but best with simple assignments. Sam Baker is a seasoned veteran but soft.
OT Jake Long
MICHIGAN
Redshirted in 2003. Started the

final 10 games at right tackle and
also saw time at left tackle in 04. Sat
out the first seven games with a leg
injury in 05 and returned to start the
final 4-of-5 games at right tackle.
Named team captain and started all
13 games at left tackle in 06 and 07
en route to Big Ten Lineman of the
Year accolades both years.
The Good: Has a big, towering
presence. Comes off the ball flatbacked and buries defenders. Very
tough and nasty. Great finisher.
Extremely smart, hardworking and
instinctive and has a great feel for the
game. Sets quickly in pass protection
and plays alertly. Has very good
anchor strength. Excellent worker.
Vocal leader.
The Concerns: Could do a better
job of replacing his hands and locking out. Does not show great recovery speed vs. elite speed rushers.
Susceptible to inside counter moves.
Summary: A big, strong, physical
base blocker in the mold of Tony
Boselli, Long is not an elite athlete,
but he takes great angles, has great
instincts for the game and showed in
the Capital One Bowl that he could
adapt to the speed of the SEC and
shut down Derrick Harvey after he
figured him out in the second half.
A perennial Pro Bowl tackle who
OT Jeff Otah
PITTSBURGH
Came to the United States from

Nigeria when he was 7 years old.
Didnt play football until his senior
year of high school. Attended Valley
Forge (Pa.) Military Academy and
started all 17 games at offensive
tackle from 2004-05. Transferred to
Pitt in 06 and started all 12 games at
left tackle and again in 07.
The Good: Naturally strong and
powerful with long arms. Plays physical. Comes off the ball with force
and plays with power. Shows a mean
streak and finishes blocks. Has pop
in his hand punch. Does a good job
Huge upside: Boise State OT Ryan Clady must show he is committed to football before he can fulfill his vast potential
06, starting 37 consecutive games.
Moved to the OLT position in the
spring of 07 after James Marten
graduated. Started all 14 games in
07, setting a school record for consecutive starts with 51.
The Good: Has huge hands and
extremely long arms. Is built to
play with power and shows the
ability to finish run blocks and collapse defenders. Can cling to and
eliminate defenders once he gets
his massive hands on them. Shows
the agility to pull and work up the
field. Has an edge and flashes a
mean streak.
The Concerns: Is best when
responsibilities are kept simple. Can
be slow to react to the blitz. Too
often vertically sets and will play
too tall. Not a consistent finisher.
Will cross his feet against upfield
pass rushers, and footwork is unrefined.
Summary: Looked confused as a
senior after cycling through three
different OL coaches from his junior
to senior seasons and moving to the
left side, but showed he could be a
dominant right tackle in a stable
structure earlier in his career. Has
Pro Bowl potential.
of sustaining blocks.
The Concerns: Not an elite athlete.
Does not show great foot speed.
Struggles to strike moving targets on
the second level. Has a tendency to
rise out of his stance. Still raw. Wears
down late in games. Needs to show
that he is willing to pay the price to be
great.
Summary: A big, strong, power
run blocker who is still figuring out
how to play a game of angles, Otah
should continue to improve in pass
protection. Has a lot of upside.
OT Gosder Cherilus
BOSTON COLLEGE
Redshirted in 2003. Started every

game at right tackle in 04, 05 and
OT Sam Baker
USC
LES BENTLEY
OTHER POTENTIAL
TOP-100 PROSPECTS
Recruited very lightly as a defensive tackle out of high school. Redshirted in 2004. Moved to right tackle in 05 and started 11-of-13 games.
Moved to left tackle in 06 and started all 13 games. Started all 13 games
at left tackle in 07 for the second
straight year.
The Good: Has vines for arms and
is light on his feet. Outstanding
movement skills. Sets quickly in pass
protection. Shows good footwork
and natural knee bend. Plays with
some pop and shows good upperbody strength to latch on and lock
out. Agile working to the second
level. Has the frame to bulk up and
carry more weight.
The Concerns: Too lackadaisical.
Has faced marginal competition and
struggled some vs. better opponents.
Plays with too much finesse. Not
powerful or overly physical. Can be
late out of his stance. Could improve
anchor strength. Still growing into
his body. Immature and will need to
be managed closely. Questionable
passion for the game.
Summary: A very physically gifted, naturally athletic left tackle,
Clady has a lot of upside to be great
but must show that he is willing to
pay the price and be willing to commit to the game.
BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY
BOISE STATE
SPORTPICS
PLAYER ANALYSIS
2008 NFL DRAFT
Player reports
Hardworking: Michigans Jake Long could become a perennial Pro Bowl tackle
Father, David, is the commissioner of the Arena Football League.

Redshirted in 2003. Started all 39
games at left tackle over the next
three seasons. Started 10 games at
left tackle in 07 after missing three
contests with a strained hamstring.
The Good: Naturally athletic and
plays with balance. Can steer and
control defenders. Shows the agility
to run downfield and pick up secondand third-level defenders. Quick and
agile. Maintains good positioning
and can mirror his man. Solid technician. Will run his feet on contact.
Sets quickly in pass protection and

can cut off the rush. Can pull and
strike a moving target. Solid character.
The Concerns: Has short arms and
does not play with great leverage.
Too passive. Not a great bender. Not
a nail-eater. Does not generate a lot
of movement. Not physical or
aggressive. Does not play strong or
explosively. Can be beaten off the
snap.
Summary: Not very tough or
physical but has been a model of
consistency and proven to be effective on the left side.
O V E R R AT E D
OT Chris Williams
VANDERBILT
Redshirted in 2003. Did not play

in 04. Started 9-of-11 games at left
guard in 05, although he saw just as
much time at left tackle. Started all
12 games at left tackle in 06. Voted
team captain in 07 and started all 12
games.
The Good: Natural athlete. Plays
with balance and is rarely on the
ground. Very good recovery skills.
Can slide and mirror in pass protection. Shows the agility to cut off the
wide rush and adjust to sudden inside
counter moves. Can anchor and run
pass rushers wide of the pocket.
Good pass sets. Very smart.
The Concerns: Not strong in the
upper body and does not play physical or tough. Does not show any
explosion off the ball or with his
hands. Stops working before the
whistle. Average arm length. Carries
his hands low and lacks pop in his
punch. Plays down to the level of
competition and needs to be motivated by a challenge. Not a fiery competitor.
Summary: Has natural athletic
ability that he does not always translate to the field and, combined with
short arms and a lack of toughness,
possesses some bust potential. However, he has the physical tools to be
PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY
OTHER POTENTIAL
TOP-100 PROSPECTS
Oniel Cousins / UTEP
Anthony Collins / Kansas [Jr.]
Carl Nicks / Nebraska
Duane Brown / Virginia Tech
GUARDS/CENTERS
SPORTPICS
OL
T
his years guard and

center classes are both
very thin and may not
feature a single firstrounder if Branden
Albert is drafted as a tackle.
The versatility of Arizona
States Mike Pollak makes him
the top center. Chilo Rachal is
built to play with power. Roy
Schuening and John Greco
have starting potential. Yet,
overall, the crop is thin inside.
OG-OT Branden Albert [Jr.]

VIRGINIA
Didnt begin playing football until

his junior year of high school. Spent
2004 season at Hargrave Military
Academy (Va.). Has started every
game in his college career, with his
first 24 at left guard. Started 11 at left
guard and two at left tackle in 07.
Also served as a captain during 06
and 07 seasons.
The Good: Extremely athletic.
Has incredibly long arms. Great balance. Plays on his feet and is rarely
on the ground. Light on his feet and
sends linebackers flying when on the
move. Flashes explosive power.
Shows good awareness in pass protection. Can adjust on the second and
third levels and fit on linebackers or
defensive backs. Hes strong blocking down on the nose. Well-respected, two-time team captain.
The Concerns: Plays too upright
and can lose leverage. Will take some
plays off. Footwork in pass sets could
use refinement. Could play more
stout inside and could do a better job
of keeping his hands inside.
Summary: Has the physical
dimensions and athletic ability to
play left tackle but has flashed the
ability to dominate on the inside and
should be able to contribute readily.
OG Chilo Rachal [Jr.]

USC
Redshirted as a freshman in 04.

Appeared in all 13 games in 05 as a
backup offensive guard and on special teams. Started 12 games at right
guard in 06. Started 10 games in 07,
missing three games with a knee
injury.
The Good: Very strong. Has a big
frame and good body mass. Plays
with a wide base. Plays with power.
C-OG Mike Pollak

ARIZONA STATE

when the starter was out with injury,
and started 6-of-12 games in 05 for
the same reason. Started all 26 games
over the next two seasons. Two-time
team captain.
The Good: Very good size. Effective in space. Good snap-and-step
quickness. Plays with leverage. Is
aware and instinctive and handles
movement in front of him very well.
Sees and picks up the blitz. Very
active hands. Effective pulling and
trapping. Does a good job of fitting
on linebackers. Smart. Tough. Very
durable.
The Concerns: Very average arm
length. Lacks functional strength to
generate movement and knock
defenders off the ball. Tends to play a
bit upright and without a lot of natural bend.
Summary: Not very tough or physical but has the size, natural athleticism, awareness and agility to be
very functional in a zone blocking
scheme.
OG Roy Schuening
OREGON STATE

games at right guard over the next
three seasons. Started all 13 games in
07, moving to right tackle for the
final four. Lost 18 pounds during the
season after developing walking
pneumonia, but he did not miss a
game, instead choosing to play while
taking heavy antibiotics.
The Good: Very tough and competitive. Plays with a wide base.
Good upper-body strength. Flashes a
strong punch. Can maul and smother
defenders. Has a strong anchor. Has
strong hands and can lock on and
maul defenders. Plays on his feet.
Plays smart and can handle stunts and
twists. Will play hurt.
The Concerns: Not a physical
drive blocker. Too tightly wound and
heavy-footed. Struggles when he gets
outside and has to hit a moving target. Too often whiffs in space. Does
not play with natural bend and leverage. Lets defenders get underneath
his pads and can be controlled. Struggled vs. USC DT Sedrick Ellis. Can
be exposed vs. sudden spin moves.
Average body flexibility.
Summary: A short-area mauler
with some value as an emergency
right tackle, Schuening has the
11
PRO-DAY PERFORMANCES:
Gholston, Cherilus, Manningham climb draft boards

his character and work ethic could
severely limit what a team is willing to invest in him.
inety percent of evaluations

should be based primarily
on a players game tapes,
his true DNA. However, the
remaining 10 percent is
determined from January
through April, beginning with postseason all-star games, carrying
into the Combine and finishing
with private and pro-day workouts
that take place in the final two
months before the draft.
Perhaps most revealing at proday workouts is testing players
who either were not ready to train
at the Combine for various reasons or did not perform up to
expectations. Character and intelligence are often further scrutinized
in these settings.
Following is a breakdown of
players who may have gained or
lost some momentum at their proday workouts (in alphabetical
order):
ON THE RISE
OG BRANDEN ALBERT | VIRGINIA
Looked very smooth and athletic in positional workouts and convinced many teams that he has
the physical tools to start at left
tackle.
OT GOSDER CHERILUS | BOSTON COLLEGE

Cherilus finished his junior season in a stable environment, having lined up at the same ORT position under the same coaching staff
for three seasons. As a senior, he
was forced to not only deal with a
position change to the left side but
with three different position coaches telling him how to play the position. The circumstances surrounding his senior season have left
many OL coaches convinced that
he is a better player than his
senior tape showed and could be
an excellent right tackle in the
pros. Although his shuttle times
and change of direction were not
great, his overall movement and
athletic ability impressed at his
pro-day workout.
OLB-DE VERNON GHOLSTON | OHIO STATE

Scouts have a bad habit of
focusing on what a player cannot
do instead of what he can do, and
those who have seen Gholston get
knocked off the ball vs. lesser
competition still bang him for his
ability to play the run. However,
when he wants to, he has shown
he could do whatever he wants.
His competitiveness has been
questioned, but he showed that he
wanted to make a statement after
insisting to run on a FieldTurf surface similar to the one at the
Scouting Combine, and proceeded to clock nearly a tenth of a second faster than he had in Indianapolis. Clocking in the mid-4.5s
in the 40, however, was not as
impressive as the spring he
showed in his legs, when he vertical-jumped 42 inches, regardless
of whether or not the testing apparatus was broken. Interviews have
not been great, but no one at Ohio
State questions Gholstons character or work ethic.
WR MARIO MANNINGHAM | MICHIGAN

Pedestrian 4.6 times in the 40 at
the Combine did not match his
play speed, but he redeemed himself on a newly installed, loose
FieldTurf that was said to be a
slow surface when he clocked
under 4.4 on many watches and
caught the ball well. The first round
OT CHRIS WILLIAMS | VANDERBILT

Will not slide out of the first
round but showed very little explosion in his legs or feet at his pro
day. For a player with measurables
as good as he has, he left some
evaluators with an underwhelming
feeling that he just might bust.
Climbing: Gosder Cherilus has

the ability to be a top right tackle
is definitely not out of reach.
WR MARCUS MONK | ARKANSAS

Was never healthy as a senior
and instead of deciding to return
for another season, decided to
enter the draft despite having little
good tape from his senior season.
Was clocked at 4.41 on a fast surface at 215 pounds, seven pounds
lighter than what he weighed at
the Combine. Teams who go back
to evaluate his junior tape could
wind up pushing him up several
rounds, and he could warrant middle-round looks after showing
more explosiveness.
RB KEVIN SMITH | CENTRAL FLORIDA

Was clocked in the mid-to-high
4.4s by most scouts at his pro-day
workout after registering mid-tohigh 4.5 times at the Combine.
More impressively, he caught the
ball remarkably well and looked
very fluid moving around. He likely
cemented a spot in the second
round with his overall performance.
ON THE SLIDE
OPENING EYES
CB MARCUS BROWN | McNEESE STATE
Ran a wind-aided 4.35 40-time
at 201 pounds and clocked a 4312inch vertical jump enough for a
team to overlook a lot of average
tape and give him a chance.
DE MARTAIL BURNETT | UTAH

A converted safety who recorded a 3812-inch vertical jump at 257
pounds and is still growing into his
body.
CB-S KENNARD COX | PITTSBURGH

Some scouts are convinced he
could not play dead in a Western,
but he was full of life at his pro day.
CB BRANDON FOSTER | TEXAS

Measuring at 5-758, not many
teams will give him a look, but
clocking in the low 4.3s could be
enough for a team like the Colts to
overlook his lack of height.
FB STEVEN KORTE | LSU

After blazing times in the mid4.4s, the early-entry junior caught
the attention of many teams. Does
not hurt to have his NFL bloodlines, either.
RB MATT LAWRENCE | MASSACHUSETTS

Clocked in the low 4.5s at 210
pounds, showed impressive athletic ability with a 38-inch vertical
jump, 10-foot-6 broad jump and
solid strength with 20 reps in the
bench-press test not bad for a
non-Combine invite with tape
worth watching.
WR ADARIUS BOWMAN | OKLAHOMA STATE
WR LANCE LEGGETT | MIAMI (FLA.)
Could not improve upon the

mid-4.7 times he registered at the
Combine and showed that he may
have to make a living as an Hback.
Clocked in the mid-4.4s and

produced remarkable times in the
three-cone drills, clocking in the
6.5s, working out much better than
he showed on tape.
DT GLENN DORSEY | LSU
S COREY LYNCH | APPALACHIAN STATE
Moved around well and showed

the boundless energy and passion
that comes through on tape. However, on paper, his numbers do not
support being a top-three pick. A
2512-inch vertical jump and 5.12
40-time at 297 pounds is not the
type of explosiveness usually
measured in a dominant threetechnique. He did not appear very
agile changing direction either, but
to be fair, Dorsey was slowed by
injury during the season and is not
yet at full form.
His quickness really stood out in

agility drills as he clocked under
the four-second mark in the 20yard short shuttle and performed
well overall, showing why he was
consistently able to make a lot of
plays throughout college.
WR EARLY DOUCET | LSU

Caught the ball well, and his
character checked out very well.
However, not being able to crack
the 4.55 mark in the 40 and registering many mid-4.6 times on
scouts watches limits how high a
team could draft him. After an average showing in agility drills, scouts
would not be surprised if he were
still available in the third round.
CB DeJUAN TRIBBLE | BOSTON COLLEGE

Put on seven pounds and ran
even worse than he had at the
Combine, clocking in the high
4.6s, even the low 4.7s on some
watches, at 196 pounds. His lack
of foot speed and concerns about
2008 NFL DRAFT
Keeps his head on a swivel in pass

protection. Plays with a sense of
urgency and flashes the ability to
climb defenders in the run game.
Good finisher can put defenders
on their backs.
The Concerns: Shows little natural bend or leverage. Tight in the hips.
Plays short-armed and could do a better job of extending and punching.
Struggles to handle inside counter
moves. Takes choppy steps. Does not
have great lateral recovery quickness.
Durability has been an issue every
year. Overly emotional and has a
short temper.
Summary: A big, strong, physical
upper-body blocker who lacks the
foot quickness and natural knee bend
to consistently produce power from
his lower body.
drafted early and start in the pros.
WR MARCEL REESE | WASHINGTON

Clocked in the mid-4.4s at 231
pounds and moved very well in
positional workouts and definitely
will be drafted after barely having
been on the radar of many scouts.
TE TOM SANTI | VIRGINIA

Clocked in the low-to-mid-4.6s
and showed an extra kick in his
step while catching the ball with
ease.
WR CHAZ SCHILENS | SAN DIEGO STATE

Clocked in the high 4.3s in the
40 at 6-4, 208 pounds, leaped 43
inches and showed good agility
moving through drills. Sheer workout numbers make him a draftable
talent.
CB CARY WILLIAMS | WASHBURN (KAN.)

A relative unknown who clocked
in the mid-4.4s at 6-1, 187 pounds
and attracted some interest at
Kansas pro day.
NOLAN NAWROCKI
PLAYER ANALYSIS
Player reports
APRIL 2008
PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY
12
APRIL 2008

toughness and blue-collar work ethic
to develop into a solid pro.
OG John Greco
TOLEDO

games at right tackle in 04. Started
all 38 games at the OLT spot over the
next three seasons.
The Good: Has a thick, square-cut
body. Shows good strength when he
latches onto defenders. Good hand
strength. Solid technician. Shows
power and pop in his punch. Is tough
and shows a second surge in the run
game. Solid drive blocker. Good
body strength. Smart, passionate and
very durable.
The Concerns: Has short arms, is
limited athletically and lacks the foot
speed to handle the edge. Lunges too
much and winds up on the ground.
Gets caught oversetting because of
his lack of foot quickness and leaves
the inside vulnerable. Plays too
upright. Too heavy-legged. Struggles
to hit a moving target.
Summary: Lack of arm length and
great athleticism will make it difficult to survive on the left side, but he
could be very functional inside or at
right tackle because of his toughness,
balance and strength.
ON THE RISE
C Jeremy Zuttah
RUTGERS

played in 2004 one at left tackle,
three at left guard and one at right
tackle missing two contests with a
left knee sprain. Started 9-of-12
games at left guard in 05, missing
three games late in the year with an
ankle sprain. Moved to the ORT spot
linebacker. Clemsons Phillip

Merling serves notice for his
motor and energy. Overall, the
class features some depth,
with solid value to be found in
the middle rounds.
in 06 and started all 26 games there

over the next two seasons.
The Good: Very competitive.
Solid in pass protection. Can maintain positioning and neutralize
defenders. Shows good awareness
and reacts to the blitz. Can work in
space and lead up on screens. Gets to
the second level quickly and can initiate contact there. Excellent
strength. Excellent worker. Has a
passion for the game.
The Concerns: Does not have
great size or body length for the tackle position. Is tightly wound and will
fall off some blocks. Comes off as an
arrogant know-it-all. Has a history of
ankle injuries. Has little experience
at center.
Summary: Played out of position
on the right side and is most naturally suited at center in the pros. Has the
tools to develop into a starter but is a
projection that could require some
patience.
his years DE class is

one of the deepest in
the draft and features
three likely top-15 picks
in Vernon Gholston,
Chris Long and Derrick Harvey, the first two of whom
could wind up projecting to
DE Chris Long
DE Vernon Gholston [Jr.]
VIRGINIA
Father, Howie, is a Hall of Fame

defensive end. Appeared in five
games as a true freshman in 04 and
logged five tackles, two tackles for
loss and one sack. Started all 12
games in 05 as a defensive end in a
3-4 scheme, tallying 46-10-2, seven
pass breakups and 26 quarterback
hurries. In 06, started all 12 games
and registered 57-12-4 and 21 QB
hurries. Voted team captain and started all 13 games in 07, finishing with
75-19-14, adding seven batted balls,
one interception and a blocked kick.
The Good: Outstanding hand use
and coordination. Tremendous technician. Excellent motor, instincts and
energy. Athletic and very effective
shooting gaps and slanting. Strong,
physical tackler. Very impressive
leverage and body strength to anchor
vs. the run. Incredibly strong can
power through the double-team. Very
physically and mentally tough.
Absolutely relentless at the line and
in pursuit. A leader. Outstanding
intangibles. Great versatility.
The Concerns: Showed he could
be contained vs. top competition.
Got knocked around by Pittsburghs
Jeff Otah and can be outmatched by
top size. Does not have elite edge
speed.
Summary: A very good football
player with Hall of Fame bloodlines,
Long could be very effective wherever he lines up but will likely project
best to rush linebacker in a 3-4
scheme. Versatility could drive up
value.
OHIO STATE
DEFENSIVE ENDS
DE
has shown the ability to dominate

when he wants to. Loaded with
upside, he could fit as a 3-4 rush linebacker or a 4-3 right defensive end
and will command a lot of attention
as a pass rusher.
Switched from linebacker to

defensive end when he arrived on
campus as a true freshman in 2004
and made appearances in six games
as a reserve at the position. Was
fighting for a starting job in 05 until
he broke his left hand in the season
opener and redshirted the season.
Started all 13 games in 06, amassing
49 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and 712
sacks with one interception. Started
12-of-13 games in which he played
in 07, giving way to a three-man
front and nickel defense to open vs.
Purdue. Finished with 37-1512-14
and one forced fumble en route to
Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the
Year honors.
The Good: Layered with muscle.
Very quick-twitched. Explosive firststep quickness can get up the field
before he is even touched. Can transfer speed into power and blast
through and beat the double-team.
Can dominate better competition and
rise to the occasion. Shows good
awareness in zone drops. Very productive.
The Concerns: Unrefined talent.
Motor does not always run. Does not
have great playing instincts or a fiery
on-field demeanor. Shows some
tightness in his hips. Could play with
better leverage vs. the run. Plays
down to the competition.
Summary: A rare combination of
strength, power and speed, Gholston
DE Derrick Harvey [Jr.]
ments are kept simple.

Summary: Produced an impressive positional workout at his pro day
and plays faster than he timed at the
Combine. Best fit will come on the
left side in a 4-3 defense, where he
has shown he can set the edge and
overpower strong right tackles.
DE Phillip Merling [Jr.]

CLEMSON
Coached by his uncle, Chris

Rumpf. Appeared in all 12 games in
reserve as a true freshman in 2005,
logging 22 tackles, four tackles for
loss and two sacks and adding two
batted balls and a forced fumble.
Started all 13 games in 06 and
totaled 46-10-3 with four batted balls
and a forced fumble. Started all 13
games in 07, securing 78-17-5 with
one batted ball, two forced fumbles
and a fumble recovery.
The Good: Outstanding size and
strength, with long arms and good
body length. Great motor. Plays
physical and can press off blocks and
play the run. Good instincts and play
recognition. Gives outstanding effort
and gets off the ground to make second-effort plays. Relentless pursuit.
Takes a hard first step and shows
good short-area quickness. Highly
competitive. Plays with leverage, can
stack the point of attack and has the
power to split double-teams. Plays
through injury.
The Concerns: Not a refined pass
rusher and doesnt show great finishing speed. Has a long torso and a
sleigh back. Lacks upper-body
strength. Could develop more passrush moves.
Summary: High motor, effort and
energy stand out on tape and will
endear him to old-school D-line
coaches. Fits best as a left defensive
end but has enough lower-body
strength to kick inside and bring
pass-rush ability from the interior.
FLORIDA
SPORTPICS
PLAYER ANALYSIS
2008 NFL DRAFT
Player reports
Good bloodlines: Virginia DE Chris Long hopes he can follow in the footsteps of his father, Hall of Famer Howie Long
DE Calais Campbell [Jr.]
Redshirted in 2004. Appeared in

nine games as a reserve in 05 and
notched seven tackles, one tackle for
loss and one sack. Started only 5-of14 games in 06 in a rotation, yet
compiled 35-13-11 and three fumble
recoveries, highlighted by three
sacks and a Defensive MVP selection in the national championship
game vs. Ohio State. Started all 13
games in 07 and racked up 49-17812, five batted balls and one forced
fumble.
The Good: Very good athletic
ability with quick feet, balance and
bend to dip underneath blockers and
penetrate. Outstanding take-off
quickness. Can run, accelerate
upfield and close on the quarterback.
Shows good strength in his hands
and outleverages bigger blockers.
Good balance and coordination to
fight through trash and stay on his
feet. Can squeeze the edge and contain vs. the outside run. Has good
closing burst and ability to trim the
edge. Plays with intensity.
The Concerns: Could do a better
job of keeping his shoulders square
against the run. Lacks great anchor
strength and can be neutralized when
he is aligned head-up. Exposes his
chest and struggles some to disengage. Has little experience moving in
reverse and appears too tight-hipped
in coverage. Is best when assign-
Redshirted in 2004. Started 1-of12 games behind Bryan Pata in 05

and totaled 35 tackles, 512 tackles for
loss and 212 sacks with eight pass
breakups and one forced fumble.
Played in all 13 games in 06, starting 12, and compiled 84-2012-1012,
with 17 QB pressures, four batted
balls and three forced fumbles. Started all 12 games in 07, compiling 501212-6 with two batted balls, two
forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and an interception.
The Good: A rare blend of size
and body length. Bends naturally,
has good feet and moves well for his
size. Can plow through reach blocks.
Can play over the top and swim past
blockers. Closes fast from the backside. Offers special-teams value to
block kicks. Can still add bulk to his
frame.
The Concerns: Does not play to
his size or strength. Does not consistently extend his long arms to separate from and shed blockers. Plays
down to the competition. Lacks
innate desire and toughness.
Smooth-muscled with little definition.
Summary: Needs to shed weight
and find the spring in his step he
showed as a junior. Has a lot of
upside if hell hit the weight room
but will need harder coaching than he
MIAMI (FLA.)
APRIL 2008
PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY
13
NT Sedrick Ellis
SPORTPICS
USC
Medical concern: Glenn Dorsey has dominated opponents, but questions about his long-term durability cloud his draft stock
long stretches. Average hand use.
Summary: Has the size and
strength to defend the run and could
contribute readily as a left defensive
end in a 4-3 front. Has a frame to
bulk up and could bring value as a
five-technique in a 3-4 front.
O V E R R AT E D
DE Lawrence Jackson
USC
DT Glenn Dorsey
Jeremy Thompson / Wake Forest

Jason Jones / Eastern Michigan
Chris Ellis / Virginia Tech
Shawn Crable / Michigan
Kenny Iwebema / Iowa
Kendall Langford / Hampton
DEFENSIVE TACKLES
Redshirted in 2003. Underwent

postseason arthroscopic surgery on
his right ankle to remove debris.
Started 12-of-13 games in 04 and
recorded 32 tackles, 11 tackles for
loss and six sacks with one pass
deflection and one interception.
Started all 13 games in 05 and
notched 46-13-10, leading the team
in sacks, while also recording six
batted balls, four forced fumbles,
two fumble recoveries and one
blocked kick. Started all 13 games in
06 and tallied 43-11-4 with three
batted balls. Named a team captain in
07 and started all 13 games, finishing with 60-17-1012 and three batted
balls.
The Good: Looks the part with
long arms and a good frame to add
bulk. Is instinctive and locates the
ball quickly. Shows strength and
leverage to stack the point. Is versatile has moved inside in pass-rush
situations and shown inside pass-rush
ability. Shows good awareness to
read and react on the move. Smart.
The Concerns: Has shown he can
be eliminated vs. better competition.
Not overly physical and does not play
with a lot of power. Lacks a killer
instinct. Gives up too much ground.
Does not have the edge speed or burst
to close on the quarterback. Has been
too inconsistent and disappears for
Kentwan Balmer is very

strong but still must show that
hes more than a one-year
flash. Trevor Laws and Marcus
Harrison are both very physically gifted.
OTHER POTENTIAL
TOP-100 PROSPECTS
received in college to excel.
DT
his years DT class features two NFL-ready

top-15 picks but is overall short on talent.
Glenn Dorsey is a dominant run defender. Sedrick
Ellis is more naturally stout.
LSU

freshman in 2004 and finished with
18 tackles and four tackles for loss.
In 05, played in all 13 games, starting one, and tallied 28 tackles, four
for loss and three sacks in a rotation
with Claude Wroten and Kyle
Williams. Started all 13 games in 06
despite a stress fracture in his right
tibia and racked up 42-812-3. Started
all 14 games in 07 but suffered a
severe right knee sprain as a result of
an illegal chop block vs. Auburn.
Played the remainder of the season
with a brace on the right knee and
aggravated the injury vs. Alabama.
Finished with 69-1212-7, four pass
breakups and one forced fumble.
The Good: Outstanding effort and
energy. Dominant against the run.
Shows exceptional agility, balance in
traffic and lateral chase speed. Is
stout and not easily moved. Moves
his feet incredibly well, plays with
great leverage and controls blockers.
Can anchor against and split the double-team. Shows great quickness and
anticipation and can also overpower
Played one game as a true freshman in 2003 before suffering a fractured left ankle and redshirting.
Appeared in 11 games in 04 and
totaled two tackles. Started all 13
games in 05, tallying 50 tackles,
eight tackles for loss and 412 sacks,
and added one forced fumble. Started
all 10 games in which he played in
06, missing some time with a knee
injury, and totaled 34-8-412 with three
batted balls, one forced fumble, two
fumble recoveries and a blocked field
goal. Started all 13 games in 07,
compiling 58-1212-812 with seven batted balls and two fumble recoveries.
The Good: Terrific core strength to
hold the point. Flashes the ability to
toss blockers aside. Plays with natural leverage and can collapse the pocket. Consistently makes his presence
felt by penetrating the backfield.
Shows a variety of pass-rush moves.
Very quick-handed to slap away
defenders hands. Very instinctive.
Has strong hands and shows the ability to control blockers.
The Concerns: Lacks great height.
Will play tall vs. the double-team.
Does not have great change of direction and closing speed. Will give up
his body at times and does not always
play square. Does not have the frame
to add much more weight or bulk.
Weight has fluctuated. Can be too
reliant on strength and will lean on
muscle over technique.
Summary: Fits best as a nose tackle in a 3-4 or 4-3 defense and should
be able to contribute readily and command double-teams to free up his
linemates.
NT-DE Kentwan Balmer

NORTH CAROLINA
Appeared in 9-of-12 games at

defensive end as a true freshman in
2004 and notched one tackle. Started
the final 3-of-11 games at defensive
end in 05 as an injury replacement
and totaled 17 tackles, five tackles
for loss and one sack. In 06, started
8-of-10 games in which he played at
defensive tackle and finished with
16-212-212, two batted balls and two
blocked PATs. Played in all 12 games
in 07, starting 11, and totaled 59-912312.
The Good: Has outstanding raw
strength and shows the ability to control blockers at the line of scrimmage. Quick off the snap and strong
at the point of attack. Can read and
react as a two-gapper.
The Concerns: The light did not
come on until his senior season.
Inconsistent effort and intensity. Does
not use his hands well when shedding

and maneuvering around blockers.
Does not play through the doubleteam. Does not play with urgency. Is
not explosive or overly athletic.
Summary: Career underachiever
with the natural size and strength to
fit as a two-gapping defensive end in
a 3-4 front or as a nose in a 4-3. If the
light comes on as a pro, he could be
very good, but that is a big if.
4
Laws
DT Trevor
NOTRE DAME
Sat out as a true freshman in 2003

with an unspecified injury. Played all
12 games in 04 and notched 17 tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack,
adding two batted balls. Started all
12 games in 05, compiling 33-3-112.
In 06, started all 13 games and
recorded 62-912-312. Started all 12
games in 07 and finished with 1128-4, five batted balls, two fumble
recoveries and three blocked kicks.
The Good: Very thickly built.
Extremely active in pursuit. Good
athlete for as wide as he is. Shows
strength at the point of attack. Is
instinctive and quickly locates the
ball. Strong upper body. Will battle
blockers and keep working to come
free. Can rip underneath blocks and
work the edge. Moves well laterally.
Good competitor.
The Concerns: Too short. Lacks
great anchor strength to hold the
double-team. Struggles to get off
blocks and can get sealed up the middle. Is not an accomplished or savvy
pass rusher and needs to be more
efficient in his movement.
at end in a 3-4 front as a senior and is
best-suited inside, slanting and
attacking gaps in a 4-3 front. Could
be very good against the run, and his
motor stands out on tape.
DT Marcus Harrison
ARKANSAS
Spent a year at Hargrave Military

Academy (Va.) prior to enrolling at
Arkansas. Started 10-of-11 games at
bandit defensive end in 04, totaling
31 tackles and 212 tackles for loss,
with one batted ball and a fumble
recovery. Switched to defensive tackle in 05 and started 9-of-11 games,
racking up 37-5 and one sack with
one fumble recovery. Started 5-of-12
games in 06, notching 42-312-112
with one batted ball and one fumble
recovery. Tore his left ACL in spring
ball of 07 and had surgery. Recovered to start 10-of-12 games in which
he played in 07 and tallied 76-612-112
with 10 batted balls but was suspended for the season opener vs. Troy following a late August arrest.
The Good: Very good size. Is athletic and shows good balance. Fights
off the double-team. Good hand-eye
coordination is adept at disrupting
the quarterbacks vision and knocking down passes. Plays with strength
in his hands and can press off blocks
and work the edges. Feels pressure
well and reacts off it.
The Concerns: Not an accomplished pass rusher (four career
sacks). Durability is a question mark
after multiple knee injuries. Not
smart and lacks focus. Character is
suspect. Plays too small. Talks too
much.
Summary: Looked his best early
in his career when he was healthy
PLAYER ANALYSIS
defenders at the snap. Strong wrap

tackler. Very active hands. High pain
threshold. Very mentally and physically tough. Excellent work ethic.
The Concerns: Short. Not a great
interior pass rusher. Plagued by leg
injuries a sprained knee as a
senior and a stress fracture in right
leg that has not healed properly. Too
naive and could be blinded by the
bright lights in a big city.
Summary: Has shown the ability
to dominate from the inside, but
medical evaluations could alter his
draft status. Is tough, physical, has a
passion for the game and has shown
he will play through injuries. Longterm durability is biggest concern.
2008 NFL DRAFT
Player reports
PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY
UP CLOSE
2008 NFL DRAFT
14
APRIL 2008
Quiet riot
SOFT-SPOKEN TROY CB-RS
LEODIS McKELVIN HAS BECOME
THE FIRST MEMBER OF HIS FAMILY
TO GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL
AND ATTEND COLLEGE. BUT HE
ISNT SATISFIED AS HE PREPARES
TO BECOME PERHAPS THE FIRST
CORNERBACK TAKEN IN THE DRAFT
BEN LIEBENBERG / NFL PHOTOS / GETTY IMAGES
n graduation day, 2004, at Ware County High School, Leodis McKelvin

fought back the tears. McKelvin, known to most as easygoing and shy,
knew men, especially those who play football, were not supposed to
cry. Tears werent encouraged, but it was acceptable to let them flow
on the football field after a triumphant victory or depressing defeat.
Diplomas, however, were no reason to show much emotion.
But for McKelvin, this day was different than it was for many other
kids he had just become the first person in his family to graduate.
I think he wanted to break down, but he tried to hold it in, said his
best friend and football teammate, Steven Daniels. I dont
think he wanted to show that side.
McKelvins two older brothers, Dexter and Walter, both
dropped out of high school, and his mother, Lydia Brown,
worked two jobs, including one at Pizza Hut, to provide for her children.
I just put it in my head that I wanted to be the first one to graduate
from high school so my nieces and nephews could look up to me as a role model,
McKelvin said.
Following that emotional day, the Waycross, Ga., native traveled to Troy University in Alabama, where he quickly established himself as an electrifying returner,
finishing a four-year career with seven punt returns for touchdowns, which is one
short of the all-time NCAA record. He led the nation in punt returns for scores last
season, taking three back for touchdowns. He became a versatile cornerback as
well PFW projects hell be the first one taken in this years draft.
Unsatisfied with those milestones, McKelvin said hes currently taking 14 credit
hours at Troy and will graduate this summer.
The NFL stands for Not For Long, so (graduating) is a big thing for me, he said.
Its a great achievement. My mama is very proud, so Im going to stay in school
and do it for her.
Daniels, who has been best friends with McKelvin since they played Pop Warner football together for the Tigers in southeast Georgia, isnt surprised to hear his
buddy plans on staying in school, although its becoming fairly uncommon for draft
prospects to do so instead of leaving for a training complex to spend months
preparing for the next level.
Hes excited, but hes taking it day-to-day, Daniels said. He still feels like he has
a lot to prove. Just because he has draft potential, (or might be) the first corner
taken or go in the top 10, he still feels like he has a lot more to do.
Hes never satisfied.
McKelvin, 5-foot-1014, 190 pounds, has good size for a corner and all the physical tools that teams desire. Hes been clocked at 4.39 in the 40-yard dash and can
change direction in order to mirror wide receivers as they plant and cut through the
field. The 22-year-old also reacts quickly and has shown the ability to deliver a jarring hit.
Daniels, who attends Valdosta State University, can remember the day during
his freshman year at Ware when it became clear McKelvin had the skills to be
something special. McKelvin, Daniels and a few other freshmen were moved up to
the varsity team. During practice, McKelvin was matched up with senior WR Fred
By
Gibson, who was almost six inches taller and heading to the University of Georgia
he eventually bounced around a few NFL teams, including the Rams and Dolphins.
Leodis stood up pretty good against him, Daniels said. Thats when I was like,
We might have something on our hands.
Thats when I knew.
Despite all his success, McKelvins personality and demeanor didnt change
much, according to Daniels. He was still quiet, and the shyness remained, as well.
As he prepares to enter the NFL, his communication skills have come under scrutiny. In a PFW scouting report, which lists the positives and negatives of
each prospect, one of McKelvins negatives is that he doesnt have a
great understanding of the game nor does he articulate it easily.
Daniels said the perception of McKelvins social skills might change
once people in the league get to know him better.
As far as meeting new people, I dont think (Leodis will) have a problem with teammates or anybody, he said. If he feels like he has something in common with somebody, hes not as shy. If hes meeting somebody off the street, thats
a little different.
McKelvin may have kept his statements short in an interview with PFW, but they
didnt lack boldness, and for good reason. In several PFW mock drafts this offseason, he is selected No. 8 overall by the Ravens, who are in need of depth at cornerback and would benefit from a jolt in the return game. His main competition for
the crown of first corner taken comes from Tennessee State CB-RS Dominique
Rodgers-Cromartie, who has exploded from relative obscurity following a slew of
sensational workouts, and Kansas CB-RS Aqib Talib.
Theyre all good athletes, but theyre not me, McKelvin said. I know Im the
best. Just go to NFL.com and watch our workouts at the Combine.
Its that side of McKelvin, the one brimming with confidence, that is kept locked
up except when he lets down his guard around friends or feels challenged, whether
its on the football field or on draft boards. That veiled self-assurance is also what
led him from the streets of Waycross, where he grew up racing his older brothers
and rooting for the Cowboys, to Troy, to possibly the top 10 in the draft and finally,
to, perhaps, a college degree.
Daniels has witnessed all of it. He has seen McKelvin hyped before a big game,
and hes seen him devastated after a tough loss. He has even seen that forbidden
tear roll down his cheek.
Ive seen (Leodis) get emotional, but Ive never seen him well, actually I have
seen him shed a tear, he said. It was our senior year when we played Statesboro
High, and we lost in the second round of the playoffs. It wasnt like a boo-hoo; it
was more like he couldnt believe it and was sad.
Believing is exactly what NFL teams are doing after they watch McKelvin light up
game tape with highlight-reel returns and apply coverage that could, with some
seasoning and hard work, make him one of the best corners in the league.
Until then, hell focus much of his attention on finishing up at Troy and gaining
that degree, which will, regardless of what happens in the league, make him a
superstar to those who know him best.
DAN PARR
APRIL 2008
PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY
15
O V E R R AT E D
DT Patrick Sims [Jr.]

AUBURN
OTHER POTENTIAL
TOP-100 PROSPECTS
Dre Moore / Maryland
Ahtyba Rubin / Iowa State
Red Bryant / Texas A&M
Letroy Guion / Florida State [Jr.]
LINEBACKERS
LB
his years LB class features some depth outside but includes little
talent in the middle, outside of Oklahomas Curtis Lofton a big, strong,
physical thumper. USC WLB
Keith Rivers is the most versatile of the group. Penn
States Dan Connor compensates for a lack of athletic
ability with great instincts.
Tennessees Jerod Mayo test-
OLB-DRE Cliff Avril
PURDUE
SPORTPICS
Played the season opener vs.

Louisiana-Monroe as a true freshman in 2004 before redshirting the
remainder of the season. Quit the
team in 05 and did not play.
Returned to the team in 06 and
played in all 13 games, recording 16
tackles, five tackles for loss and three
sacks, along with one batted ball and
a forced fumble. Started all 13 games
in 07 and played through a stretch of
the season with a bulky, club-like
cast to protect a broken left hand.
Finished with 37-1112-412 with three
batted balls, two forced fumbles and
a 21-yard fumble return for touchdown.
The Good: Shows some natural
athletic ability. Deceptive first-step
quickness. Effective slanting. Can
hold the point of attack when he
keeps his pads down. Flashes quickness as a pass rusher and has nice
spin and swim moves.
The Concerns: Has a bad body
with a pear shape. Lacks upper-body
strength. Struggles to sink his hips
and anchor for as powerful of a lower
body as he has. Does not create a lot
of plays on his own. Can do a better
job of using his hands, locking out
and playing off blocks. Too easily
reached. Struggles to hold ground vs.
the double-team and will get turned
and twisted. Only a one-year starter
and played in a rotation. Immature
and thinks he is better than he is.
Summary: Has the frame to get up
to 340 pounds in a couple of years
and is a naturally athletic big man.
Could contribute readily if he is willing to work at it, but questions about
his passion, work ethic and commitment to the game are alarming.
Highly rated: Although Curtis Lofton (left) and Dan Connor lack great speed, both will be drafted in the early rounds
ed like a phenom after finishing the season very strong

and adds versatility.
OLB Keith Rivers

USC
Appeared in all 13 games at weakside linebacker as a true freshman in

2004 and notched 25 tackles and
three tackles for loss with one pass
breakup and one interception. Started 11-of-13 games at weak-side linebacker in 05, missing two contests
with a hamstring strain, and totaled
52-3 and one sack, with one interception. Started all 13 games in 06,
registering 85-712-2 with two pass
breakups, three forced fumbles and
one fumble recovery. Started all 12
totalling 78-5-0 with four pass
breakups, three fumble recoveries
and one forced fumble.
The Good: Looks the part. Good
arm length. Has the speed to consistently reach the perimeter, and once
he zeroes in on a target, he will pop
and run through ballcarriers. Plays
downhill and will strike. Flashes bighitting capability. Instinctive. Very
quick to read screens and draws, and
attacks downhill with the proper
shoulder. Covers a lot of ground and
flies to the ball. Solid wrap tackler.
Versatile and has played all three LB
positions. Great intangibles.
The Concerns: Is a bit tight, and
his stiffness shows up when he tries
to transition. Plays a bit too recklessly; will overrun the ball and miss
some tackles in space. Lacks great
strength at the point of attack.
Summary: Was not at full health
as a senior and played through a
noticeable ankle injury, but he has
the toughness, football intelligence
and work habits to develop into a
very good pro.
ILB Curtis Lofton [Jr.]

OKLAHOMA
Played in 11 games as a true freshman in 05, mostly on special teams
with spot duty at middle linebacker.

Finished with three tackles and one
tackle for loss. Started 4-of-13 games
in 06, tallying 37-412 along with one
forced fumble and one fumble recovery in the Fiesta Bowl. Started all 14
games in 07, finishing with 157-1012
and one sack plus four forced fumbles, one fumble recovered, five pass
breakups and three interceptions.
The Good: Plays faster than timed
speed. Has a very compact, square-cut
build. Flies around with reckless abandon. Plays downhill and fills gaps fast.
Strong, drive-through tackler. Has
good instincts and a nose for the ball.
Great competitor. Plays with good pad
level and leverage. Keeps his shoulders squared, shuffles down the line
and drives hard to the ball. Hits on the
rise with good coil in his legs.
The Concerns: Lacks ideal height.
Is tight-hipped. Lacks great acceleration and top-end speed and can be
late to transition in lateral chase pursuit. Marginal blitzer. Too naive and
could be blinded by the bright lights
of a big city.
Summary: An excellent football
player who compensates for his lack
of speed with great instincts. Could
step in from Day One and make an
impact.
LB Dan Connor
PENN STATE
Graduated from high school early

and enrolled at Penn State in the
spring of his senior year. Started 4-of11 games at outside linebacker as a
true freshman in 2004, replacing an
injured Tim Shaw and racking up 85
tackles, 412 tackles for loss and one
sack. Started the final 6-of-9 games in
which he played at outside linebacker
in 05 after having been suspended
the first three games of the season.
Finished the season with 76-512-112
with eight pass breakups. Started all
13 games at OLB in 06 and amassed
113-9-5 with two interceptions and
three forced fumbles. Moved inside in
07 and played in all 13 games, starting 12 and leading the team with 14515-612 and an interception.
The Good: Good instincts. Physical tackler. Plays smart and under-
stands the game. Always around the

ball. Uses his hands well to jam
receivers. Plays with intensity and
gives good effort and chases in pursuit. Shows good awareness in zones,
keeps his head on a swivel, sees
underneath crossers and reacts
quickly to the thrown ball. Vocal
leader. Superproductive.
The Concerns: Lacks bulk and is
not very big-framed. Not a great athlete and lacks the foot speed and
short-area burst to reach the perimeter consistently. Shows some tightness in his movement. Lacks great
girth and strength and can be late to
disengage and shed blocks.
Summary: Will be downgraded
inside for his lack of bulk and on the
outside for his lack of foot quickness.
However, he is instinctive wherever
he lines up, has a great feel for the
game and plays bigger than his size.
LB Jerod Mayo [Jr.]

TENNESSEE
Redshirted in 2004. Played in six

games in 05, starting one at weakside linebacker, and made 13 tackles.
Missed the Mississippi game with a
knee injury, returned for two games,
then missed the final four games with
the knee injury. Started 11-of-12
games in which he played in 06, finishing with 83 tackles, 1212 tackles
for loss and five sacks, with one fumble recovery and one pass breakup.
Started all 14 games in 07 at middle
(13) and weak-side (one) linebacker,
tallying 140-812-112 with one forced
fumble, three pass breakups and one
interception.
The Good: Has a solid build with
good upper-body strength. Shows
good speed to get to the outside and
moves easily. Filters through traffic
and runs to the ball. Will step up to
take on the lead. Versatile and has
played inside and outside. Very good
production.
The Concerns: Has a thin lower
body. Too straight-linish and tighthipped. Susceptible in pass coverage.
Does not give great effort in backside
pursuit. Can be sidestepped and
juked in the open field. Limited range
Started 4-of-12 games at strongside linebacker as a true freshman in

2004 and tallied 36 tackles, three
tackles for loss and one-half sack.
Started 4-of-10 games at strong-side
linebacker in 05. Finished with 33212-0. In 06, started all 14 games
four at strong-side linebacker and 10
at weak-side defensive end opposite
Anthony Spencer registering 8415-6 with six pass breakups and one
interception. Started all 13 games in
07 at strong-side defensive end,
totaling 41-15-612 to go with four
forced fumbles, three recovered fumbles and an interception.
The Good: Good size with very
long arms. Versatile has experience
playing with a hand down as well as
standing up at linebacker. Shows
some natural pass-rush ability.
Impressive lateral range and long
speed. Plays with a lot of energy and
plays hard.
The Concerns: Does not show
great edge burst. Plays too shortarmed and tries to shoulder past
blockers. Struggles to disengage.
Disappears too much. Lacks mass to
anchor and hold his ground. Can be
engulfed and struggles with size.
Does not play with awareness or
sense plays developing.
as a senior and was best lining up at
strong-side linebacker as a junior.
Could bring the most value to an
aggressive 3-4 front where he could
be turned loose to rush the passer.
ON THE SLIDE
OLB Erin Henderson [Jr.]

MARYLAND
Older brother, E.J., was a secondround pick of the Minnesota Vikings

in 2003. Erin entered college as a
quarterback but moved to linebacker
midway through his redshirt season
in 04. Missed the 05 season after
tearing his left anterior cruciate ligament during the second week of fall
camp. Played in all 13 games, starting 12 at weak-side linebacker in
06, totaling 114 tackles, 612 tackles
for loss and one sack. Also had three
forced fumbles and two interceptions. Started all 12 games in which
he played in 07 and finished the season with 133-11-1 plus four fumble
recoveries, one forced fumble and an
interception.
The Good: Long-limbed, natural
athlete with big hands. Will drop his
shoulder and deliver some big shots
when he has an angle. Times up
blitzes well. Can squeeze through the
line and make plays in the backfield.
Good playing range. Gets depth in
coverage. Secure tackler. Emotional
team leader who commands respect.
Has NFL bloodlines. Plays through
injuries.
The Concerns: Lacks take-on
PLAYER ANALYSIS
in coverage. Has had multiple knee

injuries.
Summary: Has tested remarkably
well in the postseason and gained a
lot of momentum after finishing the
season strong. Played his best late in
the year when he began to recover
fully from his surgically repaired
knee injury and could be a good pro
if he could stay healthy. Versatility is
a plus and could command interest
from teams seeking interchangeable,
three-position linebackers.

and finally began to return to form
late in his senior year. His quickness
and athleticism are best suited as a
three-technique in a penetrating, upthe-field defense. Suspect character
and durability could raise red flags.
2008 NFL DRAFT
Player reports
PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY
16
APRIL 2008
2008 NFL DRAFT
Player reports
strength and struggles to escape
blockers. Too often overpursues
against the run and opens up the cutback lane and gives up some big
plays. Needs to play with more discipline. Tends to leave his feet and
lunge too much as a tackler and
misses his share of tackles. Too often
gets sealed off running around
blocks.
Summary: Has the natural athletic
ability, coverage skills and on-field
leadership skills to excel as a weakside linebacker in a cover-2 scheme
where the action is funneled his way.
class. Phillips is more experienced, but Morgan has more

upside and is more physical.
Arizona States Josh Barrett
has a terrific size-speed ratio
but underachieved in a new
defense
as
a
senior.
Arkansas States Tyrell Johnson is the most intriguing.
OTHER POTENTIAL
TOP-100 PROSPECTS
Started the final 11-of-12 games

in which he played as a true freshman in 05, replacing the injured
Anthony Reddick, and registered 88
tackles, four pass breakups and one
interception, with three tackles for
loss and one fumble recovery. Started all 10 games in which he played in
06, missing the final three regularseason contests with a broken thumb,
and compiled 71-6-4 with six tackles
for loss. In 07, started all 12 games
and collected 82-5-2 with six tackles
for loss and three forced fumbles.
The Good: Has great size and
moves well for as big as he is. Secure
tackler in the hole and in space. Is
alert in coverage and has good hips
and quick feet. Shows nice ball
skills. Very competitive. Lined up at
cornerback as a sophomore and
shows some man-coverage ability.
Matches up well with tight ends.
The Concerns: Not an elite athlete. Has a narrow frame and does
not play big or hit with thump. A dive
tackler. Can be a little hesitant in his
transition and does not pop out of his
breaks. Lacks great ball skills not
a productive interceptor. Lacks
recovery speed and burst.
Summary: Has the size, speed and
secure tackling skills to earn a starting job in the pros but has never lived
PLAYER ANALYSIS
Xavier Adibi / Virginia Tech

Jordon Dizon / Colorado
Tavares Gooden / Miami (Fla.)
Beau Bell / UNLV
Geno Hayes / Florida State [Jr.]
Ali Highsmith / LSU
SAFETIES
his years safety crop is

especially weak and
does not feature a true
first-round talent. Miami
(Fla.) SS Kenny Phillips
and North Carolina State FS
DaJuan Morgan head the
SS Kenny Phillips [Jr.]

MIAMI (FLA.)
up to all of his hype and is not a

strong or physical striker. Would be
best in the box.
special teams immediately and possesses the toughness and competitiveness to become a very solid pro.
FS DaJuan Morgan [Jr.]
NORTH CAROLINA STATE
Caught one pass for six yards as a

true freshman wide receiver in the
2004 season opener, then played special teams against Ohio State the next
week before being forced to redshirt
because of the effects from a high
school hip injury. Played in all 12
games in 05, finishing with 46 tackles, two pass breakups and 212 tackles
for loss. Played in all 12 games in 06,
with one start vs. Virginia. Totaled 824 with one interception. Played in all
12 games in 07, starting the last 10.
Finished with 97-6-3 plus two tackles
for loss and one forced fumble.
The Good: Looks the part. Very
good upper-body strength. Good
short-area burst. Shows nice lateral
range in center field and can accelerate to the sideline. Is fluid flipping
his hips and transitioning. Highpoints the ball in the air and attacks it
like a receiver. Fills the alley hard
and shows good closing quickness.
Aggressive tackler. Can deliver big
hits. Good special-teams coverage
ability. Has a passion for the game.
Versatile has lined up at corner
and both safety spots.
The Concerns: Takes some questionable angles to the ball and could
do a better job of securing tackles. Not
an elite athlete. Can be overaggressive
mirroring the quarterback, especially
outside the pocket, and will abandon
his responsibilities, leaving cornerbacks on an island without help over
the top. Has a tendency to freelance.
Summary: Looked most comfortable late in the year after moving to
free safety and is still growing into
the position. Could contribute on
SS Tyrell Johnson
ARKANSAS STATE

games at free safety in 04, registering
94 tackles, nine pass breakups and
four interceptions plus one fumble
recovery that he returned 55 yards for
a score against Idaho. Moved to
strong safety in 05 and started all 12
games, notching 112-4-2 plus one
forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Started 11-of-12 games at strong
safety in 06 and finished with 63-51. Started 11-of-12 games in which he
played in 07, totaling 94-10-6 with
412 tackles for loss and two forced
fumbles. Finished career as Sun Belt
Conferences all-time leading tackler.
The Good: Good size with a solid
build. Plays under control and breaks
down in space. Shows nice burst and
top-end speed. Very reliable openfield tackler. Hits with thump. Powerful tackler with outstanding upperbody strength. Shows deceptive closing speed to the ball and arrives in a
hurry. Plays with discipline (see
Texas and Tennessee games).
The Concerns: Has not consistently
faced top competition. Does not show
great awareness or foot speed and will
let receivers run past him. Could be
more decisive in pass coverage and
can be late getting over the top.
Summary: Worked out like a phenom at the Combine but, most
impressively, looked like a firstrounder vs. Texas and Tennessee
when he faced better competition.
Must improve in coverage but has the
physical traits to be a very good pro.
SS Josh Barrett
ARIZONA STATE
Still learning: N.C. State junior DaJuan Morgan moved to free safety last season and is still growing into the position
Suffered a season-ending shoulder

injury in his first game as a true freshman in 2003 and was forced to redshirt. Started 4-of-10 games in 04,
totaling 17 tackles, one pass breakup
and one interception with two fumble
recoveries. Started 2-of-12 games in
05, racking up 37-4-1 with three
tackles for loss, one sack and one
forced fumble. Named ASUs Defensive MVP in 06 after starting all 13
games, tallying 82-6-3 with 712 tackles for loss, one sack and one fumble
recovery. Team captain. Started 8-of11 games in which he played in 07,
tallying 38-8-1. Was hampered
throughout the season by a strained
pectoral muscle and a quad bruise.
The Good: Rare size-speed ratio.
Can kick it up a notch in pursuit.
Really stood out as a junior, when he
played strong vs. the run, showed
awareness vs. the pass and broke to
the ball with a sense of urgency.
Moves exceptionally well for his
size. Does a nice job reading the
quarterback and can make every play
on the field. Plays effortlessly and, in
stretches, looks like a one-man show.
The Concerns: Played sporadically and was benched early in senior
year. Shut it down at times. Questionable passion and desire. Turned
down contact, bounced off ballcarriers and generally played without passion. Needs to play more disciplined.
Durability is a minor concern.
Summary: Has rare physical ability, and it really stood out as a junior.
However, he underachieved as a
senior under new head coach Dennis

Erickson and was slow to adapt to a
new defense. Has tremendous physical ability and could flourish in a
system in which he is turned loose, if
he can stay focused.
FS Thomas DeCoud
CALIFORNIA
Redshirted in 2003 as a cornerback. Appeared in 10 games in 04,

recording nine tackles with three
blocked kicks. Moved to free safety
and played in 11 games in 05, registering 28 tackles with two blocked
punts and one blocked kick. Started
4-of-11 games in 06, notching 45
tackles and three pass breakups with
one tackle for loss. Missed three
games in midseason with a sprained
right knee and did not regain the
starting job. Named a team captain
and started 12-of-13 games in which
he played in 07, totaling 116-5 and
one interception. He also had two
forced fumbles, one fumble recovery,
three tackles for loss and a sack.
The Good: Explosive hitter. Is
aggressive coming downhill, lowering his shoulder and driving through
ballcarriers. Throws his body around.
Shows good functional strength and
power. Plays tough. Has a rangy, athletic build with long arms and natural movement skills. Good man-coverage skills. Good worker. Is very
smart. Has six career blocked kicks.
The Concerns: Doesnt show great
awareness in zone coverage can be
manipulated by the quarterbacks eyes
and lose track of his responsibilities.
Does not show great field vision.
Lacks top-end speed and acceleration
to cover a lot of ground in center field.
Bites hard on play-action and takes
some bad angles to the ball. Marginal
production on the ball (one career
interception). Injury-prone.
Summary: An aggressive box
safety, DeCoud needs to become a
more secure tackler but should bring
immediate value on special teams
and could develop into a starter.
ON THE CLIMB
SS Tom Zbikowski
NOTRE DAME
Nationally ranked as a Golden

Gloves boxer. Redshirted in 03.
Immediately earned the SS spot in
04, starting all 11 games and tallying 70 tackles, one pass breakup and
one interception plus two forced
fumbles and one fumble recovery.
Started all 12 games in 05, compiling 71-9-5 with one forced fumble
and returning 27 punts for 379 yards
(14.0-yard average) and two touchdowns a 60-yarder vs. USC and a
78-yarder vs. Tennessee. Started 12
games in 06, compiling 79-2-0 with
one forced fumble and one fumble
recovery. Started all 12 games in 07,
amassing 80-3-2 with three forced
fumbles and two fumble recoveries
and returning punts 23-234 (10.2).
The Good: Very tough competitor.
Has a swagger and plays with confidence. Good football temperament.
Very strong. Plays the ball well in
front of him. Shows very good zone
awareness and clings to receivers
entering his area. Outstanding worker. Is not intimidated and does not
back down from a challenge. Has
punt-return ability.
The Concerns: Average range on
the back half. Struggles to consistently get over the top and play the
deep ball. Falls off too many tackles
APRIL 2008
PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY
17
CB Dominique
Rodgers-Cromartie
Quintin Demps / UTEP

Jamar Adams / Michigan
TENNESSEE STATE
CORNERBACKS
TROY
CB
his years CB crop is

solid overall but lacks a
top-flight shutdown corner. Leodis McKelvin
has the best feet and
return ability in the class.
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie may be the most physically gifted but is not physical at
all. Mike Jenkins is the best
pure man cover corner but
does not like to practice. Aqib
Talib has great size, ball skills
and confidence but may be
too confident. Overall, the
best value may be found in
the middle rounds.
CB-RS Leodis McKelvin

TROY
Appeared in all 12 games as a true

freshman in 2004, registering 17 tackles, one pass breakup and an interception that he returned 71 yards for a
touchdown. Also returned 15 kickoffs
26 punts for 304 yards (11.7) and two
touchdowns. Started all 11 games in
05, compiling 30-5-0. Also returned
kickoffs 24-619 (25.8) with one
touchdown and punts 33-417-1
(12.6). Returned in 06 from a broken
right ankle suffered in spring to start
all 13 games and total 66-8-1 and two
forced fumbles. Also returned kickoffs 27-634-0 (23.5) and punts 28314-1 (11.2). Started all 12 games in
07, totaling 60-11-2 with three
forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. Also returned punts 23-421-3
(18.3) and kickoffs 29-610-0 (21.0).
The Good: Has excellent feet,
fluid hips and pedals cleanly. Shows
excellent closing burst and plantand-drive quickness. Is very efficient
in press-man or off-man coverage
and can cling to receivers. Shows
good instincts sees the quarterback and reacts quickly. Very good
transitional quickness. Plants his foot
in the ground and pops out of his
pedal with explosion. Supports the
run hard and will hit. Has dynamic
return ability and is very field-fast.
The Concerns: Needs to be challenged. Hands are inconsistent does
not always field the ball cleanly. Does
TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
OTHER POTENTIAL
TOP-100 PROSPECTS
Cousin of Chargers Pro Bowl CB

Antonio Cromartie. Dominique started all 11 games as a true freshman in
2004 and tallied 33 tackles, five pass
breakups and two interceptions, both
of which were returned for touchdowns. Started 11 games in 05,
amassing 41-5-1 with one blocked
kick. Started all 11 games in 06, collecting 47-13-5 and one blocked
kick. Started 11 games in 07 and
totaled 37-13-2, returning both interceptions for touchdowns, and
blocked four kicks (three field goals,
one extra point), three of which
saved games. Also returned 33 kickoffs for 806 yards (24.4-yard average) with one touchdown, and four
punts for 16 yards (4.0). Also rushed
two times for 16 yards and caught
one pass for 38 yards.
The Good: Has rare speed and terrific ball skills and closing burst. Can
stick his foot in the ground and
accelerate. Outstanding leaping ability. Moves very effortlessly. Very
good transitional quickness and body
control. Natural ballhawk attacks
the ball in the air and catches like a
receiver. Very competitive and
showed he could hang with the big
boys. Has legitimate return ability.
The Concerns: Has a very wiry
build. Lacks lower-body strength and
pop as a tackler. Plays soft and does
not like contact. Needs to get
stronger. Needs to learn how to play
square to the line of scrimmage and
pedal instead of bailing all the time
and freelancing.
Summary: Was not the least bit
intimidated by better competition at
the Senior Bowl and has proven he
could become an excellent cover corner with continued physical development.
CB Mike Jenkins [Jr.]

SOUTH FLORIDA
Started 3-of-11 games at right cornerback as a true freshman in 2004

and also saw action at safety, finishing
with 27 tackles and nine pass
breakups and added two forced fumbles, all despite playing with a
sprained ankle. Started all 12 games in
05 and tallied 38 tackles, five pass
breakups and two interceptions, plus
one forced fumble and one punt return
for 27 yards. Started 12-of-13 games
at right corner in 06, notching 27-151 and returning kickoffs 2-27-0 (13.5yard average). Started all 13 games in
07, finishing with 41-12-3 and four
tackles for loss. He also returned kickoffs 7-213 (30.4), which included a
100-yard TD return vs. Cincinnati.
The Good: Has a very good sizespeed ratio and can recover easily
when out of position. Great top-end
and closing speed. Natural mancover skills. Shows the agility and
fluidity to flip his hips. Good ball
skills can stick his foot in the
ground and come out of breaks fast.
The Concerns: Does not like to
Stepping up: Better competition does

not faze Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
practice and makes too many excuses. Questionable mental and physical
toughness. Freelances too much.
Average ball skills. Marginal hands.
Does not like to participate on special teams.
Summary: Could emerge as a
legitimate shutdown corner if he
decides to do the little things that
make good players great. However,
he has high bust potential and could
flush out of the league as fast as he
came in, after a major payday. A
high-risk, high-reward selection.
CB Aqib Talib [Jr.]

KANSAS
Redshirted in 2004 as a true freshman. Started 9-of-11 games in 05,

tallying 54 tackles, eight pass
breakups and two interceptions plus
two forced fumbles and one fumble
recovery. In 06, started 10-of-12
games and racked up 42-22-6. In 07,
started all 13 games, collecting 6618-5 with 195 yards in interception
returns and two touchdowns. Also
had one forced fumble and one fumble recovery, caught eight passes for
182 yards (22.8-yard average) and
four touchdowns, rushed one time
for minus-6 yards, and returned two
punts for 21 yards (10.5).
The Good: Excellent size with
long arms. Very naturally athletic.
Great instincts and ball skills. Great
eyes and anticipation. Moves well for
his size and has great hands. Good
versatility has lined up at receiver
and has five career TD receptions. Is
an instinctive runner returned two
interceptions for scores in 07.
Extremely confident and competitive.
The Concerns: Does not play to
his 40-time or show great recovery
speed. Tends to freelance. Lets
receivers release cleanly. Does not
show an extra gear and can be challenged vertically. Can be aggressive
and run himself out of position when
biting on play-action fakes. Lacks
strength. Not a physical tackler and
rarely faces up ballcarriers. Very
arrogant and will require monitoring.
Summary: Prolific college corner
with the size, instincts and ball skills
best-suited for a predominantly zone
scheme. Impressive pro-day workout
could elevate draft status, but character and toughness are suspect.
CB Reggie Smith
OKLAHOMA
Lettered in basketball and track,
too, as a prep. Started 10-of-12

games, including the final nine at
strong safety, as a true freshman in
2005, totaling 47 tackles, three pass
breakups and two interceptions.
Started 13-of-14 games at cornerback
(three) and strong safety (10) in 06
and posted 41-11-3, highlighted by a
42-yard TD return against Baylor.
Also had one fumble recovery and
returned 12 kickoffs for 271 yards
(22.6-yard average) and 37 punts for
287 yards (7.8) with one touchdown.
Started all 13 games in which he
played at cornerback in 07, totaling
78-14-3 with seven tackles for loss,
one sack and returned a fumble 61
yards for a touchdown vs. Miami
(Fla.). Injured his left knee while
returning a punt vs. Iowa State but
didnt miss any games until a broken
toe kept him out of the Fiesta Bowl.
Returned punts 30-203-0 (6.8) and
kickoffs 3-73 (24.3).
The Good: Very good size with a
muscular build and good bubble.
Physical supporting the run and will
face up ballcarriers and hit with
power. Shows good ball skills, coverage awareness and instincts. Squats
on routes and can drive on the ball.
Has shown nice range to come off
the hash. Has lined up at cornerback,
free safety, nickel back and as a punt
returner and provides great versatility. Has return ability.
The Concerns: Lacks great range
as a back-half defender and takes
some poor angles to the ball. A bit
tight-hipped and straight-linish and
does not possess great speed to close
on the ball. Lacks top-end speed.
Does not sink his hips easily and dart
out of breaks and possesses too much
hip stiffness to ever get much faster.
Summary: Possesses the size,
toughness, cover instincts and tackling skills to fit best as a zone corner
but has yet to recover from a seasonending toe injury, and durability
issues could affect draft status. Versatility as a safety and returner could
enhance value.
ON THE RISE
WR Tyvon Branch
CONNECTICUT
Played in all 12 games at cornerback as a true freshman in 04, posting 20 tackles and returning 10
kickoffs for 200 yards (20.0-yard
average). Started the final 5-of-12
games in 05, logged 42 tackles, six
pass breakups and two interceptions
for the season. Started all 12 games
in 06 and racked up 79-5-1, adding
two forced fumbles and two recoveries. Started all 13 games in 07,
notching 89-10-0. Returned kickoffs 27-780 (28.9) with two touchdowns.
The Good: Excellent size. Very
good upper-body strength. Uses his
hands well at the line of scrimmage to
disrupt timing and reroute receivers.
Plants and drives on the ball very
well. Outstanding closing speed. Is
physical vs. the run. Strong tackler.
Provides special-teams value as a
kick returner and gunner. Smart
made the secondary calls. Passionate
and a student of the game. Durable.
The Concerns: Lacks great ball
skills had only three career interceptions and does not make many
plays on the ball. Marginal hands. Too
tight in transition and will give up too
much separation in man coverage.
Summary: Sensational Combine
workout helped put him on the map,
but he consistently shows up on tape
and will pay immediate dividends in
multiple areas on special teams.
Could warrant looks as a safety or a

zone corner.
OTHER POTENTIAL
TOP-100 PROSPECTS
Patrick Lee / Auburn
Brandon Flowers / Virginia Tech [Jr.]
Charles Godfrey / Iowa
Justin King / Penn State [Jr.]
Tracy Porter / Indiana
Terrell Thomas / USC
Antoine Cason / Arizona
Chevis Jackson / LSU
Jack Williams / Kent State
Orlando Scandrick / Boise State
Jack Ikegwuonu / Wisconsin [Jr.]
SPECIALISTS
PK Steven Hauschka
NORTH CAROLINA STATE
Took up football in his sophomore

year at Middlebury (Vt.) College
after playing junior-varsity soccer as
a freshman. Appeared in 7-of-8
games in 2004, converting 6-of-10
field-goal attempts and 11-of-12
PATs. Played in all eight games in
05, hitting on 4-of-6 attempts (one
of which was blocked) including
1-of-2 beyond 40 yards and 15of-18 PATs. Appeared in all eight
games in 06, connecting on 10-of12 FG attempts including 9-of-10
under 40 yards and 9-of-10 PATs.
Transferred to North Carolina State
in 07 and hit 16-of-18 FG attempts
(long of 49) and all 25 PATs. Also
averaged 63.5 yards on 57 kickoffs
with 12 touchbacks.
The Good: Very good long accuracy hit all eight attempts beyond 40
yards as a senior. Takes a very consistent approach and has a smooth
stroke and follow-through. Gets the
ball off very quickly. Can handle
kickoffs. Good size and athleticism.
Can serve as a holder. Hit game-winner in overtime vs. Miami (Fla.).
The Concerns: Has marginal
strength. Too deliberate in his steps.
Missed two kicks in November and
could be affected by the cold.
Summary: A consistent, soccerstyle kicker who added 20 pounds following the season and has emerged as
a legitimate NFL prospect who could
win a job in a camp.
P Durant Brooks
GEORGIA TECH
Played for Georgia Military Academy from 2004-05 and averaged

nearly 40 yards per punt over two
seasons. Transferred to Georgia Tech
in 06 and punted 79 times for a
45.2-yard average (42.0 net). Pinned
35 punts (44 percent) inside the 20yard line, 27 punts (34 percent) carried at least 50 yards, and seven went
at least 60 yards. Won the Ray Guy
Award as the nations best punter in
07 after punting 65 times for a 45.1yard average. Only 19-of-65 punts
were returned, and 33 were downed
inside the 20.
The Good: Catches the ball easily
with soft hands. Great get-off times.
Has not had a punt blocked. Has a
live, steady leg ball explodes off
his foot. Outstanding hang time. Can
boom it high and place it with accuracy. Has shown he can handle pressure and poor weather.
The Concerns: Could become
more consistent with his punt placement.
Summary: A very consistent, wellrounded two-step punter who could
earn a starting job immediately.
PLAYER ANALYSIS
not have a great understanding of the

game, nor does he articulate it easily.
Has a country background and could
be culturally shocked by a big city.
Summary: The best overall package
at corner in the draft, McKelvin could
emerge as a No. 1 corner and topflight returner if he is coached hard.
in the open field. Has short arms and

gets stuck on blocks. Not nifty or
elusive as a returner. Has a brash,
cocky demeanor and could rub some
people the wrong way.
Summary: A very tough box safety with limited range to play off the
hash, Zbikowski could bring instant
value on special teams and compete
for a starting job.
2008 NFL DRAFT
Player reports
PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY
18
APRIL 2008
PLAYER PRINTOUT
2008 NFL DRAFT
Player printout
KEY TO SYMBOLS IN PLAYER PRINTOUT
6071 Players height is shown as a four-digit number, with the first digit signifying
feet; the second and third inches; and the fourth, eighths of an inch. In this example,
its 6-718.
Age Player is overaged.
ATH Player has the athletic ability to play multiple positions and could be drafted
higher because of it.
BB Has played minor-league baseball and could pursue career at professional level.
Ch. Character (i.e., history of arrests, team suspensions or off-field problems) can
affect status.
DNP Player did not play football in 2006.
E Player had eligibility remaining.
Jr. Player is a junior.
So. Player is a sophomore.
MI More information is needed to accurately rate this player.
QB Can also play quarterback (applies to other positions, too, such as S for safety, H-B for H-back, RS for return specialist, LS for long-snapper, PRS for pass-rush
specialist, ST for special-teamer, etc.).
X May have a medical problem, past or present, that could impact where player is
drafted.
XX More serious injury concern.
XXX Definite injury concern.
LS-5.05 Player has separate grade of 5.05 as a long-snapper.
GRADE SCALE FOR NFL PROSPECTS

9.00 A once-in-a-lifetime player (e.g., John Elway, Jim Brown, Lawrence Taylor).
8.00-8.99 Perennial All-Pro (e.g. Ray Lewis).
7.50-7.99 Future All-Pro.
7.00-7.49 Should become a Pro Bowl-caliber player.
6.50-6.99 Sure-fire first-rounder who could become a Pro Bowl-caliber player.
6.00-6.49 Should become a quality NFL player.
5.50-5.99 Could become a quality NFL player and should be a first-day pick.
5.10-5.49 Could make an NFL roster. Has a good to great chance of being drafted.
5.01-5.09 Has a better than 50-50 chance to make a roster or practice squad.
5.00 Has a 50-50 chance to make a roster or practice squad.
4.75-4.99 Should be in an NFL training camp.
4.50-4.74 Has a chance to be in an NFL training camp.
4.00-4.49 A player who could be in an NFL training camp but who likely will need
to develop in the CFL, Arena League or NFL Europe.
GRADE-TO-ROUND CONVERSION SCALE

5.95
5.60
5.45
5.35
5.27
5.15
or above First round

- 5.94 Second round
- 5.59 Third round
- 5.44 Fourth round
- 5.34 Fifth round
- 5.19 Better-than-even chance to be drafted in sixth or seventh round
ABOUT THE PLAYER PRINTOUT

Players are ranked according to the grades we have given them, but not necessarily in the order we believe they will be drafted. Factors such as a drafting clubs
needs and the abundance or scarcity of available talent at a given position can cause
a player to be drafted higher or lower than his grade would indicate.
All grades are based on information available to us as of our March 30, 2008, copy
deadline. Late workouts and other information can change grades, sometimes dramatically. The printout includes underclassmen who have been declared eligible for
the draft by the NFL. Grade-to-round conversion scale is curved with each printout to
try to get the correct number of players into each round.
NOTE: PLAYERS SORTED BY GRADE, NOT NECESSARILY

BEST OVERALL OR HOW THEY WILL BE DRAFTED.
REGARDLESS OF POSITION
RK. POS, NAME
1. OT Jake Long
2. QB Matt Ryan
3. DT Glenn Dorsey
4. DE Vernon Gholston
5. DE Chris Long
6. RB Jonathan Stewart
7. DT Sedrick Ellis
8. RB Darren McFadden
9. OT Ryan Clady
10. CB Leodis McKelvin
11. DE Derrick Harvey
12. OT Jeffrey Otah
13. RB Rashard Mendenhall
14. OLB Keith Rivers
15. OT Gosder Cherilus
16. OG Branden Albert
17. CB D. Rodgers-Cromartie
18. DE Phillip Merling
19. WR Limas Sweed
20. OT Sam Baker
21. WR Devin Thomas
22. CB Mike Jenkins
23. WR Mario Manningham
24. RB Felix Jones
25. ILB Curtis Lofton
26. OT Chris Williams
27. CB Aqib Talib
28. WR Malcolm Kelly
29. DE Calais Campbell
30. DT Kentwan Balmer
31. WR James Hardy
32. CB Reggie Smith
33. OLB Dan Connor
34. CB Patrick Lee
35. WR Jordy Nelson
36. DE Lawrence Jackson
37. SS Kenny Phillips
COLLEGE
Michigan
Boston College
LSU
Ohio State
Virginia
Oregon
USC
Arkansas
Boise State
Troy
Florida
Pittsburgh
Illinois
USC
Boston College
Virginia
Tennessee State
Clemson
Texas
USC
Michigan State
South Florida
Michigan
Arkansas
Oklahoma
Vanderbilt
Kansas
Oklahoma
Miami (Fla.)
North Carolina
Indiana
Oklahoma
Penn State
Auburn
Kansas State
USC
Miami (Fla.)
GR.
7.00
7.00
7.00
6.80
6.75
6.50
6.50
6.40
6.40
6.30
6.30
6.30
6.30
6.25
6.25
6.25
6.20
6.20
6.15
6.15
6.12
6.10
6.10
6.10
6.10
6.10
6.05
6.05
6.05
6.00
5.95
5.95
5.95
5.90
5.90
5.90
5.85
HT.
6070
6046
6016
6030
6030
5102
6004
6012
6061
5102
6045
6060
5101
6022
6063
6055
6014
6042
6041
6045
6017
5102
5116
5101
6000
6060
6006
6036
6076
6044
6053
6004
6023
6000
6025
6042
6022
WT.
313
228
297
266
272
235
309
211
311
190
271
322
225
241
317
309
184
276
210
309
216
197
181
207
243
315
197
224
290
308
217
199
231
200
217
271
212
SP.
5.24
4.93
5.14
4.58
4.81
4.47
5.29
4.37
5.24
4.39
4.88
5.58
4.45
4.70e
5.13
5.21
4.34
4.80e
4.49
5.20e
4.43
4.42
4.44
4.48
4.69
5.17
4.49
4.55e
5.12
5.32
4.54
4.55e
4.69
4.44
4.54
4.86
4.53
COM.
X
Jr., OLB
OLB
Jr., KR
NT
Jr., Ch.
Jr.
X, RS
Jr.,
Jr.
Jr., OT
KR
Jr., DT, X
X
X
Jr.
Ch., KR
Jr., Ch.
Jr., KR
Jr., X
Jr., WR, ATH
Jr., X
Jr.
NT
Jr., Ch.
Jr., S, RS, X
ILB
PR
OLB
Jr.
38. FS DaJuan Morgan

North Carolina St.
39. TE Dustin Keller
Purdue
40. DT Trevor Laws
Notre Dame
41. TE Martellus Bennett
Texas A&M
42. QB Chad Henne
Michigan
43. QB Brian Brohm
Louisville
44. WR DeSean Jackson
California
45. OLB Jerod Mayo
Tennessee
46. OLB Cliff Avril
Purdue
47. CB Tyvon Branch
Connecticut
48. WR Andre Bubba Caldwell Florida
49. OLB Quentin Groves
Auburn
50. WR Early Doucet
LSU
51. OLB Erin Henderson
Maryland
52. TE John Carlson
Notre Dame
53. DE Jeremy Thompson Wake Forest
54. OLB Xavier Adibi
Virginia Tech
55. WR Dexter Jackson
Appalachian State
56. WR Eddie Royal
Virginia Tech
57. RB Ray Rice
Rutgers
58. TE Fred Davis
USC
59. DE Jason Jones
Eastern Michigan
60. SS Tyrell Johnson
Arkansas State
61. RB Matt Fort
Tulane
62. CB Brandon Flowers
Virginia Tech
63. OLB Geno Hayes
Florida State
64. SS Josh Barrett
Arizona State
65. RB Tashard Choice
Georgia Tech
66. WR Earl Bennett
Vanderbilt
67. TE Craig Stevens
California
68. OLB Jordon Dizon
Colorado
69. OT Oniel Cousins
UTEP
70. CB Justin King
Penn State
71. RB Jamaal Charles
Texas
72. CB Charles Godfrey
Iowa
73. FS Thomas DeCoud
California
74. TE Brad Cottam
Tennessee
75. DE Kenny Iwebema
Iowa
76. DT Marcus Harrison
Arkansas
77. OG Chilo Rachal
USC
78. DT Dre Moore
Maryland
79. RB Chris Johnson
East Carolina
80. WR Donnie Avery
Houston
81. CB Tracy Porter
Indiana
82. RB Kevin Smith
Central Florida
83. CB Antoine Cason
Arizona
84. OLB Tavares Gooden Miami (Fla.)
85. TE Martin Rucker
Missouri
86. OLB Ali Highsmith
LSU
87. DE Chris Ellis
Virginia Tech
88. QB Joe Flacco
Delaware
89. C Mike Pollak
Arizona State
90. DT Pat Sims
Auburn
91. RB Steve Slaton
West Virginia
92. CB Terrell Thomas
USC
93. QB Andre Woodson
Kentucky
94. DT Joseph Red Bryant Texas A&M
95. OT Duane Brown
Virginia Tech
96. DT Ahtyba Rubin
Iowa State
97. ILB James Beau Bell UNLV
98. WR Jerome Simpson
Coastal Carolina
99. WR Josh Morgan
Virginia Tech
100. SS Thomas Zbikowski Notre Dame
101. DE Shawn Crable
Michigan
102. OLB Philip Wheeler
Georgia Tech
103. DE Kendall Langford
Hampton
104. DT Andre Fluellen
Florida State
105. OT Carl Nicks
Nebraska
106. OG Roy Schuening
Oregon State
107. OG John Greco
Toledo
108. P Durant Brooks
Georgia Tech
109. WR William Franklin
Missouri
110. RB Thomas Brown
Georgia
111. TE Jermichael Finley
Texas
112. CB Chevis Jackson
LSU
113. TE Kellen Davis
Michigan State
114. DE Bryan Smith
McNeese State
115. QB John David Booty USC
116. QB Erik Ainge
Tennessee
117. C Jeremy Zuttah
Rutgers
118. DE Darrell Robertson Georgia Tech
119. CB Jack Williams
Kent State
120. QB Josh Johnson
San Diego
121. WR Justin Harper
Virginia Tech
122. TE Jacob Tamme
Kentucky
123. DT Frank Okam
Texas
124. OG Mike McGlynn
Pittsburgh
125. CB Orlando Scandrick Boise State
126. CB Jack Ikegwuonu
Wisconsin
127. WR Marcus Smith
New Mexico
ONLINE
DRAFT COVERAGE!!
5.85
5.85
5.85
5.80
5.80
5.80
5.75
5.75
5.75
5.70
5.70
5.70
5.70
5.70
5.70
5.70
5.70
5.65
5.65
5.65
5.65
5.65
5.60
5.60
5.60
5.60
5.59
5.59
5.59
5.59
5.59
5.59
5.55
5.55
5.55
5.55
5.55
5.55
5.55
5.55
5.54
5.50
5.50
5.50
5.50
5.50
5.50
5.50
5.50
5.50
5.50
5.50
5.50
5.45
5.45
5.45
5.45
5.45
5.45
5.45
5.40
5.40
5.40
5.40
5.40
5.40
5.40
5.40
5.40
5.40
5.40
5.39
5.39
5.39
5.39
5.39
5.39
5.39
5.39
5.39
5.39
5.37
5.37
5.37
5.37
5.37
5.37
5.35
5.35
5.35
6001
6020
6006
6061
6027
6027
5096
6012
6027
5113
6002
6030
6000
6026
6051
6043
6016
5094
5095
5080
6030
6052
5117
6013
5096
6007
6016
5104
5114
6032
5117
6036
5107
5110
5116
6013
6074
6040
6026
6050
6040
5110
5110
5107
6011
6002
6012
6047
6000
6042
6063
6034
6021
5091
6004
6040
6041
6041
6026
6012
6016
6002
5112
6047
6017
6054
6017
6047
6035
6046
6003
6004
5084
6046
6000
6064
6023
6023
6054
6033
6037
5090
6026
6034
6034
6044
6044
5110
5104
6013
205
242
304
259
232
230
169
242
253
204
204
259
203
244
252
264
232
182
184
199
255
275
207
217
189
226
223
215
206
254
229
308
192
200
207
207
270
274
317
315
305
197
192
188
216
187
234
251
221
263
236
301
310
197
202
229
318
315
315
244
199
219
211
245
240
287
294
341
306
305
204
214
201
240
192
262
231
218
225
303
255
186
213
220
236
335
311
192
194
221
4.54
4.57
5.12
4.74
4.77
4.85
4.41
4.59
4.62
4.36
4.39
4.56
4.62
4.81
4.73
4.76
4.71
4.36
4.46
4.47
4.65e
4.79
4.44
4.47
4.59
4.67
4.36
4.51
4.53
4.68
4.73
5.18
4.37
4.41
4.48
4.54
4.74
5.02
5.09
5.29
4.93
4.29
4.46
4.49
4.53
4.56
4.66
4.74
4.76
4.78
4.86
5.04
5.13
4.49
4.54
4.88
5.04
5.09
5.27
4.65e
4.46
4.49
4.52
4.63
4.74
4.99
5.09
5.26
5.33
5.34
4.90e
4.39
4.54
4.62
4.62
4.64
4.76
4.93
5.04
5.04
4.75e
4.44
4.54
4.61
4.62
5.22
5.39
4.36
4.50e
4.54
Jr., CB
X, H-B
DE
Jr., Ch.
X
X
Jr., RS, X, Ch.
Jr., ILB
DE
S
KR, X
DE, Ch.
PR
Jr.
X, OLB
RS
RS
Jr., X
Ch.
DT
FB
Jr.
Jr., Ch.
X
Jr.
ILB
OG
Jr., PR
Jr., KR
FS
X
X
Ch., X
Jr.
X, WR, KR
PR
Jr.
FS, PR
X, ILB
X, Ch.
Jr., Ch.
Jr., Ch.
X
128. FB Jacob Hester

129. TE Gary Barnidge
130. OLB Curtis Gatewood
131. RB Mike Hart
132. OG Donald Thomas
133. OT Geoff Schwartz
134. DT Letroy Guion
135. OG Mackenzy Bernadeau
136. OT King Dunlap
137. C John Sullivan
138. OT Anthony Collins
139. CB Terrence Wheatley
140. WR Kenneth Moore
141. CB Trae Williams
142. OLB Bryan Kehl
143. DT DeMario Pressley
144. OT Drew Radovich
145. QB Dennis Dixon
146. OLB Marcus Howard
147. FS Quintin Demps
148. OLB Gary Guyton
149. OT Mike Gibson
150. OLB Curtis Johnson
LSU
Louisville
Vanderbilt
Michigan
Connecticut
Oregon
Florida State
Bentley (Mass.)
Auburn
Notre Dame
Kansas
Colorado
Wake Forest
South Florida
Brigham Young
North Carolina St.
USC
Oregon
Georgia
UTEP
Georgia Tech
California
Clark Atlanta
5.35
5.35
5.35
5.35
5.35
5.35
5.35
5.35
5.35
5.35
5.35
5.33
5.33
5.33
5.33
5.33
5.33
5.33
5.30
5.30
5.30
5.30
5.30
5105
6055
6020
5087
6033
6063
6033
6041
6084
6034
6050
5095
5106
5090
6023
6031
6044
6035
6004
5117
6015
6034
6025
226
243
248
206
303
331
307
306
310
301
310
187
195
193
237
299
301
200
237
206
245
306
242
4.62
4.64
4.77
4.77
5.04
5.26
5.26
5.27
5.28
5.39
5.41
4.43
4.51
4.54
4.64
5.09
5.37
4.60e
4.45
4.41
4.57
5.21
4.77
HT.
6046
6027
6027
6063
6040
6023
6054
6026
6035
6050
6022
6033
6024
6035
6023
6030
6022
6030
6012
6022
6030
6014
6011
5116
6026
6011
6035
6014
6057
WT.
228
232
230
236
229
218
225
213
200
225
231
218
213
231
207
223
211
233
208
222
206
211
224
188
219
212
241
204
250
SP.
4.93
4.77
4.85
4.86
4.88
4.93
5.04
4.54
4.60e
4.64
4.81
4.90
4.78
5.09
4.75e
4.75
5.02
4.84
4.97
4.90e
4.65e
5.03
4.76
4.77
4.80e
4.96
5.03
4.81
5.16
HT.
5105
6006
5117
6020
5112
6010
5101
6004
6006
6002
6000e
5112
WT.
226
240
240
247
234
230
240
258
233
252
235e
231
SP.
4.62
4.67
4.81
4.80
4.71
4.69
4.87
4.83
4.44
5.11
4.75e
4.75e
WT.
235
211
225
207
199
217
215
200
197
216
197
201
206
198
230e
213
191
216
SP.
4.47
4.37
4.45
4.48
4.47
4.47
4.51
4.41
4.29
4.53
4.49
4.54
4.77
4.56
4.55e
4.58
4.68
4.43
RB
H-B
DE
LS
Jr.
X
OG
OG
Jr.
X
RB
OG
ATH, WR, X
DE
PR
ILB
OG
DE
QUARTERBACKS
RK. NAME
1. Matt Ryan
2. Chad Henne
3. Brian Brohm
4. Joe Flacco
5. Andre Woodson
6. John David Booty
7. Erik Ainge
8. Josh Johnson
9. Dennis Dixon
10. Kevin OConnell
11. Matt Flynn
12. Kyle Wright
13. Nick Hill
14. Anthony Morelli
15. Colt Brennan
16. Bernard Morris
17. Alex Brink
18. Xavier Lee
19. Paul Smith
20. Thomas T.C. Ostrander
21. Bret Meyer
22. Ricky Santos
23. Adam Tafralis
24. Tyler Donovan
25. Blake Mitchell
26. Luke Drone
27. Sam Keller
28. James Cox
29. Brad Roach
COLLEGE
Boston College
Michigan
Louisville
Delaware
Kentucky
USC
Tennessee
San Diego
Oregon
San Diego State
LSU
Miami (Fla.)
Southern Illinois
Penn State
Hawaii
Marshall
Washington State
Florida State
Tulsa
Stanford
Iowa State
New Hampshire
San Jose State
Wisconsin
South Carolina
Illinois State
Nebraska
Auburn
Catawba (N.C.)
RK. NAME
1. Jacob Hester
2. Peyton Hillis
3. Jerome Felton
4. Owen Schmitt
5. Lex Hilliard
6. Carl Stewart
7. Brandon McAnderson
8. Rolly Lumbala
9. Steven Korte
10. Mike Cox
11. Matthew Hahn
12. Justin Valentine
COLLEGE
LSU
Arkansas
Furman
West Virginia
Montana
Auburn
Kansas
Idaho
LSU
Georgia Tech
Penn State
Minnesota
GR.
7.00
5.80
5.80
5.50
5.45
5.39
5.39
5.37
5.33
5.20
5.19
5.19
5.10
5.10
5.10
5.09
5.08
5.07
5.05
5.00
4.85
4.85
4.75
4.75
4.75
4.75
4.75
4.75
4.70
COM.
X
X
X
ATH, WR, X
Ch.
WR, Ch.
Jr., ATH, TE
X
ATH, WR
H-B
Ch.
Ch., X
FULLBACKS
X, NT, Ch.
OG
NT
OLB, X
Ch.
PR
OLB
DT
X
Ch.
OT
X, E
Soph-3
Ch.
OLB
X
OT
OLB, X
X
H-B, LS
OT
X, OT, LS
Jr., Ch.
Jr., 5.8-X
GR.
5.35
5.23
5.20
5.17
5.10
5.09
5.07
5.00
4.90
4.80
4.75
4.60
COM.
RB
X, H-B
X, TE
X, RB
RB
H-B
Jr.
RUNNING BACKS
RK. NAME
1. Jonathan Stewart
2. Darren McFadden
3. Rashard Mendenhall
4. Felix Jones
5. Ray Rice
6. Matt Fort
7. Tashard Choice
8. Jamaal Charles
9. Chris Johnson
10. Kevin Smith
11. Steve Slaton
12. Thomas Brown
13. Mike Hart
14. Allen Patrick
15. Jerome Messam
16. Cory Boyd
17. Justin Forsett
18. Chad Simpson
COLLEGE
Oregon
Arkansas
Illinois
Arkansas
Rutgers
Tulane
Georgia Tech
Texas
East Carolina
Central Florida
West Virginia
Georgia
Michigan
Oklahoma
Graceland (Iowa)
South Carolina
California
Morgan State
GR.
6.50
6.40
6.30
6.10
5.65
5.60
5.59
5.55
5.50
5.50
5.45
5.39
5.35
5.25
5.20
5.20
5.20
5.15
HT.
5102
6012
5101
5101
5080
6013
5104
5110
5110
6011
5091
5084
5087
6006
6034e
6007
5080
5085
Our team of reporters will provide continuous coverage

of the draft April 26-27, with analysis of each of the
early-round selections, commentary and more.
www.ProFootballWeekly.com
COM.
Jr., KR
Jr., Ch.
Jr.
Jr., KR
Jr., X
FB
X
Jr., KR
X, WR, KR
Jr.
Jr., Ch.
X, E
X
Jr., MI
Ch.
RS
APRIL 2008
PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY
19
USC
Arizona State
Toledo
Louisiana-Monroe
Massachusetts
UTEP
Lambuth (Tenn.)
Michigan State
Richmond
Oklahoma State
Kentucky
Georgia
Penn State
Washington
Mississippi
Ohio
Maryland
Iowa
Boston College
Bloomsburg
Chadron St. (Neb.)
NW Missouri State
Oregon State
Minnesota
North Texas
Missouri
Maryland
Delaware
Jackson State
Notre Dame
Penn State
Eastern Kentucky
Missouri Southern
Bethel (Tenn.)
North Carolina
Wake Forest
UCLA
Tulsa
Alabama State
Vanderbilt
RK. NAME
1. Dustin Keller
2. Martellus Bennett
3. John Carlson
4. Fred Davis
5. Craig Stevens
6. Brad Cottam
7. Martin Rucker
8. Jermichael Finley
9. Kellen Davis
10. Jacob Tamme
11. Gary Barnidge
12. Tom Santi
13. Derek Fine
14. Andrew Atchison
15. Joe Jon Finley
16. Joseph Haynos
17. Kolo Kapanui
18. Chris Brown
19. Jonathan Stupar
20. Marcus Stone
21. Jed Collins
22. Mike Peterson
23. Darrell Strong
24. Adam Bishop
25. Louis Irizarry
26. Matt Sherry
27. Cole Bennett
28. Eric Butler
29. Nick Cleaver
30. Brent Miller
31. Jason Goode
32. Wade Betschart
33. Keith Zinger
34. Brad Listorti
35. Blake Martin
36. Brian Shope
37. Joseph Tuineau
38. Steve Schmidt
39. Matthew Mulligan
40. Chris Wagner
41. Joe Nesheiwat
42. Ryan Putnam
43. Kris Kasparek
44. Langston Johnson
COLLEGE
Purdue
Texas A&M
Notre Dame
USC
California
Tennessee
Missouri
Texas
Michigan State
Kentucky
Louisville
Virginia
Kansas
William & Mary
Oklahoma
Maryland
West Texas A&M
Tennessee
Virginia
North Carolina State
Washington State
NW Missouri State
Pittsburgh
Nevada
Youngstown State
Villanova
Auburn
Mississippi State
New Mexico State
Arizona State
Maryland
Wyoming
LSU
Massachusetts
Sam Houston State
Marshall
SE Missouri State
San Diego State
Maine
South Dakota State
Syracuse
Boise State
Akron
Yale
5.15
5.12
5.10
5.09
5.09
5.09
5.09
5.09
5.09
5.07
5.07
5.05
5.05
5.05
5.00
5.00
4.95
4.90
4.85
4.85
4.80
4.80
4.80
4.75
4.75
4.75
4.75
4.70
4.70
4.70
4.70
4.70
4.70
4.70
4.70
4.65
4.65
4.65
4.60
4.55
5113
6005
5114
5084
6007
6002
5017
6000
5117
5082
5086
5114
5091
6005
5105
5091
5110
5081
5106
6002
5074
5106
5083
5107
5090
5083
5091
5097
6004e
5115
5110e
6004
6000
5093
6000e
5100e
5095
5095
5107
6001
211
221
224
199
210
213
224
254
224
187
194
219
197
203
219
203
222
207
198
210
197
228
204
208
214
201
220
195
215e
217
210e
215
235
218
220e
215e
204
224
200
217
4.60e
4.63
4.54
4.54
4.54
4.63
4.64
4.71
4.61
4.59
4.50e
4.73
4.59
4.58
4.65
4.75
4.62
4.60e
4.51
4.69
4.46
4.64
4.76
4.76
4.59
4.55e
4.57
4.56
4.60e
4.60e
4.60e
4.62
4.76
4.66
4.70e
4.55e
4.60e
4.70e
4.60e
4.67
HT.
6020
6061
6051
6030
6032
6074
6047
6046
6064
6034
6055
6034
6025
6054
6062
6075
6033
6010
6033
6027
6015
6021
6040
6047
6037
6039
6041
6022
6034
6046
6027
6022
6036
6031
6017
6032e
6072
6042
6044
6054
6022
6015
6065
6015
WT.
242
259
252
255
254
270
251
240
262
236
243
251
251
246
251
259
271
239
248
237
254
246
261
248
254
250
246
252
243
245
240
248
270
251
244
260e
285
256
250
256
251
245
266
234
SP.
4.57
4.74
4.73
4.65e
4.68
4.74
4.74
4.62
4.64
4.62
4.64
4.67
4.85
4.72
4.87
4.94
5.10
4.82
4.81
4.94
4.97
4.66
4.79
5.04
4.70e
4.73
4.83
4.63
4.67
4.72
4.67
4.88
5.11
4.77
4.81
4.90e
4.92
4.95e
4.90e
4.85e
4.86
4.88
4.95e
4.95e
COM.
X, H-B
Jr., Ch.
WT.
210
216
181
224
217
217
169
204
SP.
4.49
4.43
4.44
4.55e
4.54
4.54
4.41
4.39
COM.
X
Jr.
Jr., Ch.
Jr., X
Jr., Ch.
PR
Jr., RS, X, Ch.
KR, X
FB
RS, WR
X, KR
X, FB
X
X
X
FB
X, Ch.
X, MI
Jr., Ch.
LB, X
X, Ch.
FB
X
X
FB
TIGHT ENDS
GR.
5.85
5.80
5.70
5.65
5.59
5.55
5.50
5.39
5.39
5.37
5.35
5.23
5.12
5.09
5.09
5.09
5.09
5.07
5.07
5.05
5.05
5.00
5.00
5.00
4.90
4.85
4.85
4.75
4.75
4.75
4.75
4.75
4.75
4.70
4.70
4.70
4.65
4.65
4.65
4.60
4.60
4.60
4.60
4.60
Ch.
X
Soph-3
Ch.
H-B, LS
H-B
H-B
H-B
Age
Ch.
X
X, H-B
Age, H-B
X, Ch.
X
Ch.
X
H-B
H-B
X, H-B
X
X
H-B
Age, OT
H-B
FB, H-B, Ch.
WIDE RECEIVERS
RK. NAME
1. Limas Sweed
2. Devin Thomas
3. Mario Manningham
4. Malcolm Kelly
5. James Hardy
6. Jordy Nelson
7. DeSean Jackson
8. Andre Bubba Caldwell
COLLEGE
Texas
Michigan State
Michigan
Oklahoma
Indiana
Kansas State
California
Florida
GR.
6.15
6.12
6.10
6.05
5.95
5.90
5.75
5.70
HT.
6041
6017
5116
6036
6053
6025
5096
6002
9. Early Doucet
10. Dexter Jackson
11. Eddie Royal
12. Earl Bennett
13. Donnie Avery
14. Jerome Simpson
15. Josh Morgan
16. William Franklin
17. Justin Harper
18. Marcus Smith
19. Kenneth Moore
20. Anthony Alridge
21. Pierre Garcon
22. Lavelle Hawkins
23. Paul Hubbard
24. Harry Douglas
25. Arman Shields
26. Keenan Burton
27. D.J. Hall
28. Darius Reynaud
29. Adarius Bowman
30. Mario Urrutia
31. Davone Bess
32. Steve Johnson
33. Dorien Bryant
34. Marcus Henry
35. Adrian Arrington
36. Chaz Schilens
37. Brandon Breazell
38. Marcell Reece
39. Ed Williams
40. Paul Raymond
41. Ryan Grice-Mullen
42. Maurice Purify
43. Darnell Jenkins
44. Kevin Robinson
45. Jason Rivers
46. Jabari Arthur
47. Micah Rucker
48. Marcus Monk
49. Clyde Edwards
50. Taj Smith
51. Joe West
52. Todd Blythe
53. Keith Brown
54. Luke Swan
55. Mario Hines
56. Jaymar Johnson
57. Darrell Blackman
58. Travis Brown
59. Danny Amendola
60. Lance Leggett
61. Robert Jordan
62. Mark Bradford
63. Gary Banks
64. James Banks
65. Jeron Harvey
66. Brian Paysinger
67. Evan Moore
68. Damon Morton
69. John Dunlap
70. Bruce Hocker
71. Joshua Hyman
72. Lorne Sam
73. Shaheer McBride
74. Michael Bumpus
75. Gregory Bracey
76. Pat Carter
77. Nate Jones
78. Billy Pittman
79. Joe Cowan
80. James Townsend
81. Ben Bailey
82. Johnny Walker
83. Selwyn Lymon
84. DeCody Fagg
85. Omar Haugabook
86. Tony Burks
87. Taurean Rhetta
88. Curtis Hamilton
89. Terrence Nunn
90. Robert Johnson
91. Brent Schaeffer
92. Ernie Wheelwright
93. Daniel Polk
94. Amarri Jackson
95. Jermaine Moye
96. Ryan Bagley
97. Milan Moses
98. Jake Allen
99. Matt Caddell
100. Wynton Jackson
101. Andy Birkel
LSU
5.70
Appalachian State
5.65
Virginia Tech
5.65
Vanderbilt
5.59
Houston
5.50
Coastal Carolina
5.40
Virginia Tech
5.40
Missouri
5.39
Virginia Tech
5.37
New Mexico
5.35
Wake Forest
5.33
Houston
5.30
Mt. Union
5.30
California
5.30
Wisconsin
5.29
Louisville
5.27
Richmond
5.25
Kentucky
5.25
Alabama
5.25
West Virginia
5.21
Oklahoma State
5.20
Louisville
5.19
Hawaii
5.17
Kentucky
5.15
Purdue
5.10
Kansas
5.10
Michigan
5.10
San Diego State
5.09
UCLA
5.09
Washington
5.09
Lane (Tenn.)
5.09
Brown
5.09
Hawaii
5.09
Nebraska
5.09
Miami (Fla.)
5.09
Utah State
5.09
Hawaii
5.07
Akron
5.07
Eastern Illinois
5.05
Arkansas
5.05
Grambling State
5.05
Syracuse
5.05
UTEP
5.05
Iowa State
5.05
Alabama
5.05
Wisconsin
5.05
Robert Morris
5.00
Jackson State
5.00
North Carolina State 5.00
New Mexico
5.00
Texas Tech
5.00
Miami (Fla.)
5.00
California
4.90
Stanford
4.90
Troy
4.90
Carson Newman
4.85
Houston
4.85
Oregon
4.85
Stanford
4.85
Colorado State
4.80
Duquesne
4.80
Virginia Tech
4.80
UTEP
4.80
Delaware State
4.80
Washington State
4.80
Missouri
4.75
Louisville
4.75
Texas
4.75
Texas
4.75
UCLA
4.75
Rutgers
4.70
Northwestern St. (La.) 4.70
Colorado State
4.70
Purdue
4.70
Florida State
4.70
Troy
4.70
Mississippi State
4.70
Jacksonville State
4.65
Western Kentucky
4.65
Nebraska
4.65
Arkansas
4.65
Mississippi
4.65
Minnesota
4.65
Midwestern St. (Tex.) 4.60
South Florida
4.60
California (Pa.)
4.60
Montana
4.60
Iowa State
4.60
Mississippi College 4.60
Alabama
4.55
Liberty
4.55
Northern Colorado 4.55
6000
5094
5095
5114
5110
6016
6002
6004
6034
6013
5106
5090
5117
5110
6026
5112
6006
6004
6017
5092
6027
6053
5097
6017
5096
6035
6027
6040
5115
6001
6035
5091
5100
6031
5092
5114
6012
6032
6054
6042
5096
6003
6011
6047
6021
5116
5100
5111
5103
6021
5014
6030
5106
6006
6004
6020
6045
6016
6060
5097
6010
6030
5110
6023
6014
5104e
6016
6023
5117
5116
6032
6001
6030
5115
6034e
6012
5116
6037
6000
5112
6000e
6005
6014e
6044
6007
6034
6014
6032
6010
6034
5104
6002
6016
203
182
184
206
192
199
219
214
220
221
195
177
210
187
221
177
194
201
193
201
223
229
194
210
174
207
202
208
160
231
213
183
187
224
187
202
200
227
217
215
181
187
213
214
203
192
170
177
210
202
183
189
172
215
196
203
224
206
233
176
209
206
191
220
205
190e
201
199
189
195
227
187
220
197
215e
211
205
217
176
192
185e
200
200e
213
202
199
202
217
193
179
181
178
198
4.62
4.36
4.46
4.53
4.46
4.46
4.49
4.39
4.61
4.54
4.51
4.39
4.44
4.58
4.58
4.58
4.41
4.49
4.61
4.51
4.77
4.61
4.76
4.59
4.56
4.57
4.58
4.39
4.47
4.48
4.52
4.54
4.56
4.59
4.67
4.74
4.61
4.60e
4.52
4.53
4.53
4.54
4.56
4.69
4.48
4.62
4.60e
4.53
4.57
4.68
4.68
4.44
4.51
4.61
4.61
4.64
4.57
4.59
4.74
4.43
4.46
4.55e
4.58
4.62
4.69
4.60e
4.32
4.44
4.58
4.71
4.60e
4.43
4.56
4.58
4.65e
4.66
4.52
4.60e
4.52
4.59
4.60e
4.72
4.50e
4.60e
4.49
4.68
4.74
4.74
4.55
4.57
4.56
4.57
4.59
PR
RS
RS
Jr.
Ch.
RB
RB, RS
KR
KR
KR
Ch.
Jr., RS
H-B, X, Ch.
Jr., Ch.
Jr.
Ch., RS
Jr., Ch.
X
PR
Jr.
Ch.
X, RS
RS
X, E
Jr.
Ch.
X
Jr., RS
RS
RS, RB
RS
Ch.
X
Age, BB
Jr., Ch.
X
X, H-B
RS
X
X
Ch., Age
X, QB
X
X
H-B
PR
X, Ch.
XX
QB
X
ATH
ATH, Ch., QB
QB
FS
X
X
RS
X
CENTERS
RK. NAME
1. Mike Pollak
2. Jeremy Zuttah
COLLEGE
Arizona State
Rutgers
GR.
5.50
5.39
HT. WT. SP.

6034 301 5.04
6033 303 5.04
COM.
OT
3. John Sullivan
4. Steve Justice
5. Kory Lichtensteiger
6. Jamey Richard
7. Fernando Velasco
8. Cody Wallace
9. Eric Scott
10. Marcus Coleman
11. Brennen Carvalho
12. John Masters
13. Tim Mattran
14. Dallas Griffin
15. Adam Spieker
16. Doug Legursky
17. Kevin Tuminello
18. Riley Salinger
19. Ryan Wendell
20. Tommy Crowley
21. Kyle Devan
22. Marcus Lipsey
23. Christian Morton
24. Ben Poynter
25. Darren Marquez
Notre Dame
Wake Forest
Bowling Green
Buffalo
Georgia
Texas A&M
Kentucky
Wisconsin
Portland State
Michigan State
Stanford
Texas
Missouri
Marshall
Georgia Tech
Wagner
Fresno State
West Texas A&M
Oregon State
Virginia
South Dakota
SMU
Southern Illinois
5.35
5.30
5.30
5.20
5.20
5.15
5.09
5.00
4.90
4.90
4.80
4.80
4.80
4.80
4.75
4.75
4.70
4.70
4.70
4.70
4.60
4.60
4.60
6034
6033
6022
6046
6036
6042
6030
6055
6006
6025
6043
6030e
6021
6012
6035
6024e
6023
6036
6014
6030e
6043
6032
6030
301
293
298
294
304
296
310
291
294
287
298
275e
308
323
292
290e
292
284
294
270e
287
296
282
5.39
5.26
5.29
5.11
5.26
5.32
5.10
5.35e
5.07
5.30e
5.24
5.25e
5.31
5.25e
5.27
5.30e
5.14
5.25e
5.28
5.10e
5.27
5.33
5.03
WT.
309
315
306
305
311
303
306
310
320
322
300
329
299
324
317
284
304
292
296
334
294
300
323
295
305
297
315
303
325e
276
299
303
309
326
313
323
304
309
334
325e
290e
329
310e
336
319
304
SP.
5.21
5.29
5.33
5.34
5.39
5.04
5.27
5.20e
5.41
5.36
5.22
5.34
5.41
5.48
5.56
5.47
5.30e
5.39
5.28
5.39
5.09
5.19
5.33
5.42
5.23
5.30e
5.21
5.59
5.35e
5.25
5.25e
5.19
5.19
5.22
5.26
5.86
5.30e
5.31
5.78
5.25e
5.30e
5.76
5.25e
5.35e
5.26
5.55
OG
OT
OG
OG
X
OG
X
OG
Jr., MI
OG
OT
OFFENSIVE GUARDS
RK. NAME
1. Branden Albert
2. Chilo Rachal
3. Roy Schuening
4. John Greco
5. Mike McGlynn
6. Donald Thomas
7. Mackenzy Bernadeau
8. Eric Young
9. Shawn Murphy
10. Robert Felton
11. Kerry Brown
12. Chris McDuffie
13. Andrew Crummey
14. Mike Fladell
15. Matt Spanos
16. Matty Lindner
17. Charles Manu
18. Adam Kraus
19. Eric Tunney
20. Chester Adams
21. Brandon Rodd
22. James Lee
23. James Blair
24. L.J. Anderson
25. Kirk Elder
26. Hercules Satele
27. Shannon Tevaga
28. Ian-Yates Cunningham
29. Derrick Morse
30. Justin Britt
31. Jason Boone
32. Josh Coffman
33. Nathan McManus
34. Brandon Barnes
35. John Booker
36. Jordan Grimes
37. Matt Alfred
38. Kenard Burley
39. Michael Butterworth
40. Andrew Bain
41. David Koenig
42. Marshal Ausberry
43. Walter Walker
44. Brandyn Dombrowski
45. Josh Sitton
46. Tad Miller
COLLEGE
Virginia
USC
Oregon State
Toledo
Pittsburgh
Connecticut
Bentley (Mass.)
Tennessee
Utah State
Arkansas
Appalachian State
Clemson
Maryland
Rutgers
USC
Texas Christian
Nevada
Michigan
Central Michigan
Georgia
Arizona State
South Carolina State
Western Michigan
Central Florida
Texas A&M
Hawaii
UCLA
Virginia
Miami (Fla.)
Alabama
Utah
East Carolina
Georgia Tech
Grand Valley State
San Jose State
Purdue
Eastern Washington
SMU
Slippery Rock
Miami (Fla.)
Oklahoma State
Liberty
South Florida
San Diego State
Central Florida
Boise State
GR.
6.25
5.55
5.40
5.40
5.37
5.35
5.35
5.20
5.20
5.17
5.15
5.15
5.12
5.09
5.09
5.09
5.09
5.07
5.05
5.05
5.00
5.00
5.00
5.00
4.90
4.85
4.80
4.80
4.80
4.75
4.75
4.70
4.70
4.70
4.70
4.70
4.70
4.70
4.70
4.65
4.65
4.65
4.65
4.60
4.55
4.55
HT.
6055
6050
6035
6046
6044
6033
6041
6035
6037
6035
6052
6041
6045
6064
6050
6040
6024
6054
6032
6042
6036
6043
6030
6025
6034
6014
6017
6034
6040e
6040
6035
6064
6036
6013
6040
6032
6022
6031
6067
6030e
6040e
6046
6050e
6045
6034
6034
COM.
Jr., OT
Jr.
OT
X, OT, LS
X
OT, X
OT, Age
OC
X
Ch., X
X
OT
C
X
OT
C
X
OT
X, OT
OT
Jr.
C
X
OT, X, DNP
OT
OT
OT
OT
OT
OFFENSIVE TACKLES
RK. NAME
1. Jake Long
2. Ryan Clady
3. Jeffrey Otah
4. Gosder Cherilus
5. Sam Baker
6. Chris Williams
7. Oniel Cousins
8. Duane Brown
9. Carl Nicks
10. Geoff Schwartz
11. King Dunlap
12. Anthony Collins
13. Drew Radovich
14. Mike Gibson
15. Breno Giacomini
16. Barry Richardson
17. Tony Hills
18. Brandon Keith
19. Will Robinson
20. Pedro Sosa
21. Chad Rinehart
22. Kirk Barton
23. Demetrius Bell
COLLEGE
Michigan
Boise State
Pittsburgh
Boston College
USC
Vanderbilt
UTEP
Virginia Tech
Nebraska
Oregon
Auburn
Kansas
USC
California
Louisville
Clemson
Texas
Northern Iowa
San Diego State
Rutgers
Northern Iowa
Ohio State
Northwestern St. (La.)
GR.
7.00
6.40
6.30
6.25
6.15
6.10
5.59
5.45
5.40
5.35
5.35
5.35
5.33
5.30
5.27
5.25
5.23
5.21
5.20
5.17
5.15
5.12
5.10
HT. WT. SP.

6070 313 5.24
6061 311 5.24
6060 322 5.58
6063 317 5.13
6045 309 5.20e
6060 315 5.17
6036 308 5.18
6041 315 5.09
6047 341 5.26
6063 331 5.26
6084 310 5.28
6050 310 5.41
6044 301 5.37
6034 306 5.21
6071 303 5.24
6065 319 5.41
6052 307 5.30e
6052 343 5.29
6050 297 5.26
6035 300 5.20e
6050 320 5.52
6045 309 5.09
6054 297 5.19
(Continued on
COM.
Jr.
X
OG
OG
Ch.
LS
OG
Jr.
OG
OG
X
OG
OG, X
OG
Page 20)
PLAYER PRINTOUT
19. Chauncey Washington

20. Ryan Torain
21. Jalen Parmele
22. Calvin Dawson
23. Matt Lawrence
24. Marcus Thomas
25. Allen Ervin
26. Jehuu Caulcrick
27. Timothy Hightower
28. Dantrell Savage
29. Rafael Little
30. Kregg Lumpkin
31. Rodney Kinlaw
32. Louis Rankin
33. Benjarvus Green-Ellis
34. Kalvin McRae
35. Keon Lattimore
36. Albert Young
37. Andre Callender
38. Jamar Brittingham
39. Danny Woodhead
40. Xavier Omon
41. Yvenson Bernard
42. Amir Pinnix
43. Jamario Thomas
44. Tony Temple
45. Lance Ball
46. Omar Cuff
47. Erik Haw
48. Travis Thomas
49. Austin Scott
50. Bobby Washington
51. Alley Broussard
52. Adrain Smith
53. Barrington Edwards
54. Micah Andrews
55. Chris Markey
56. Courtney Tennial
57. Jay Peck
58. Cassen Jackson-Garrison
2008 NFL DRAFT
Player printout
PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY
20
APRIL 2008
2008 NFL DRAFT
Player printout
24. David Hale
Weber State
25. Nate Garner
Arkansas
26. Franklin Dunbar
Middle Tennessee St.
27. Tyler Polumbus
Colorado
28. Devin Clark
New Mexico
29. Corey Clark
Texas A&M
30. Shannon Boatman Florida State
31. Carnell Stewart
LSU
32. Glenn Digger Bujnoch Cincinnati
33. David Shelby
Ohio
34. Akim Millington
Illinois
35. Charlie Emerson
Indiana
36. Phillip Trautwein
Florida
37. Stephen Sene
Liberty
38. Thaddeus Coleman Mississippi Valley St.
39. Isaiah Wiggins
Illinois State
40. Edwin Harrison
Colorado
41. Sean Dumford
Eastern Kentucky
42. Kyle Cunningham
Louisiana-Monroe
43. Dan Gore
Boise State
44. Patrick Schwenke
West Texas A&M
5.09
5.09
5.05
5.00
4.95
4.90
4.80
4.80
4.80
4.80
4.80
4.75
4.75
4.70
4.70
4.70
4.70
4.60
4.60
4.60
4.60
6056
6061
6046
6074
6034
6053
6055
6042
6037
6037
6044
6043
6060
6046
6076
6034
6034
6056
6031
6045
6043
314
327
327
312
313
315
320
319
278
297
304
269
298
328
309
304
303
302
292
290
317
5.29
5.53
5.63
5.36
5.26
5.37
5.01
5.24
5.16
5.18
5.40e
5.27
5.35e
5.42
5.66
5.11
5.49
5.24
5.27
5.35
5.33
WT.
266
272
271
276
290
271
264
275
274
263
245
287
231
255
281
263
264
294
249
268
265
257
256
219
271
262
253
259
270
257
251
252
268
290
244
249
261
250e
260
266
271
256
242
280
274
275
239
265e
245e
315
260e
261
257
278
254
260
255
SP.
4.58
4.81
4.88
4.80e
5.12
4.86
4.76
4.79
5.02
4.78
4.63
4.99
4.76
4.75e
4.74
4.87
4.88
5.17
4.91
4.99
4.98
4.79
4.62
4.81
4.90e
4.94
4.98
4.74
4.80e
4.87
4.61
5.09
4.71
5.09
4.57
4.56
4.72
4.75e
5.04
4.97
4.93
4.99
4.63
5.01
4.90e
5.18
5.07
4.85e
4.90e
5.27
4.80e
4.77
4.84
4.89
4.91
5.17
4.85
X
Jr., OG
X
MI
OG
Age, X
PLAYER PRINTOUT
DEFENSIVE ENDS
RK. NAME
1. Vernon Gholston
2. Chris Long
3. Derrick Harvey
4. Phillip Merling
5. Calais Campbell
6. Lawrence Jackson
7. Jeremy Thompson
8. Jason Jones
9. Kenny Iwebema
10. Chris Ellis
11. Shawn Crable
12. Kendall Langford
13. Bryan Smith
14. Darrell Robertson
15. Tommy Blake
16. Louis Holmes
17. Chris Harrington
18. Marcus Dixon
19. Chase Ortiz
20. Wallace Gilberry
21. Johnny Dingle
22. Martail Burnett
23. Trevor Scott
24. Alex Hall
25. Adamm Oliver
26. Dorian Smith
27. Joe Clermond
28. Brandon Miller
29. Rudolph Hardie
30. Rob Jackson
31. Andy Studebaker
32. Angelo Craig
33. Greyson Gunheim
34. Bryan Mattison
35. Hilee Taylor
36. Bryan Wilson
37. William Hayes
38. Casper Brinkley
39. Nick Osborn
40. Antonio Reynolds
41. Brian Johnston
42. Jeremy Geathers
43. Shaun Richardson
44. Kurt Hout
45. Amani Purcell
46. Jacob Owens
47. Keith Saunders
48. Vegas Franklin
49. Xavier Mitchell
50. Kyle Clement
51. Marque Fountain
52. Alex Boston
53. Sherman Logan
54. Robert Henderson
55. Martrel Brown
56. Antonio Smith
57. Jordin Lindsey
COLLEGE
Ohio State
Virginia
Florida
Clemson
Miami (Fla.)
USC
Wake Forest
Eastern Michigan
Iowa
Virginia Tech
Michigan
Hampton
McNeese State
Georgia Tech
Texas Christian
Arizona
Texas A&M
Hampton
Texas Christian
Alabama
West Virginia
Utah
Buffalo
St. Augustines (N.C.)
Georgia Tech
Oregon State
Pittsburgh
Georgia
Howard
Kansas State
Wheaton (Ill.)
Cincinnati
Washington
Iowa
North Carolina
Morgan State
Winston-Salem State
South Carolina
San Diego State
Tennessee
Gardner-Webb
UNLV
Tennessee State
Ferris State
Hawaii
Fairmont State (W.V.)
Alabama
Miami (Fla.)
Tennessee
Northwood (Mich.)
Oklahoma State
Florida State
Richmond
Southern Mississippi
Michigan State
South Carolina
GR.
6.80
6.75
6.30
6.20
6.05
5.90
5.70
5.65
5.55
5.50
5.40
5.40
5.39
5.39
5.25
5.20
5.20
5.20
5.15
5.13
5.12
5.10
5.10
5.09
5.09
5.09
5.09
5.07
5.07
5.07
5.05
5.05
5.05
5.00
4.85
4.80
4.80
4.80
4.80
4.80
4.80
4.80
4.70
4.70
4.65
4.65
4.65
4.60
4.60
4.60
4.60
4.50
4.50
4.50
4.50
4.50
4.50
HT.
6030
6030
6045
6042
6076
6042
6043
6052
6040
6042
6047
6054
6023
6037
6026
6035
6043
6040
6020
6022
6013
6026
6047
6050
6036
6014
6017
6025
6017
6033
6030
6040
6054
6027
6023
6014
6031
6030e
6036
6035
6050
6021
6010
6012
6030
6047
6031
6030e
6014e
6034
6010e
6023
6024
6032
6013
6070
6030
COM.
Jr., OLB
OLB
Jr.,
Jr., DT, X
Jr.
OLB
X, OLB
DT
X, Ch.
OLB
DT
OLB
OLB, X
X, Ch., OLB
Ch.
Ch.
DT
Jr., Age
TE
PRS
X
PRS
OLB, Ch.
LB
OLB, X
OLB, Ch.
OLB
OLB
Jr.
X, OLB
OLB
X
X
X
DEFENSIVE TACKLES
RK. NAME
1. Glenn Dorsey
2. Sedrick Ellis
3. Kentwan Balmer
4. Trevor Laws
5. Marcus Harrison
6. Dre Moore
7. Pat Sims
8. Joseph Red Bryant
9. Ahtyba Rubin
10. Andre Fluellen
11. Frank Okam
12. Letroy Guion
13. DeMario Pressley
COLLEGE
LSU
USC
North Carolina
Notre Dame
Arkansas
Maryland
Auburn
Texas A&M
Iowa State
Florida State
Texas
Florida State
GR.
7.00
6.50
6.00
5.85
5.55
5.54
5.50
5.45
5.45
5.40
5.37
5.35
5.33
HT.
6016
6004
6044
6006
6026
6040
6021
6041
6026
6017
6044
6033
6031
WT.
297
309
308
304
317
305
310
318
315
294
335
307
299
SP.
5.14
5.29
5.32
5.12
5.09
4.93
5.13
5.04
5.27
5.09
5.22
5.26
5.09
COM.
X
NT
NT
DE
Ch., X
Jr., Ch.
X, NT, Ch.
NT
X
OT
Jr.
14. Nick Hayden

15. Carlton Powell
16. Keilen Dykes
17. Ogemdi Nwagbuo
18. David Faaeteete
19. Eric Foster
20. Barry Booker
21. Derek Lokey
22. Lionel Dotson
23. Joshua Thompson
24. Jason Shirley
25. James McClinton
26. Frank Morton
27. Landon Cohen
28. Henry Smith
29. Michael Lafaele
30. Richard Clebert
31. Colin Ferrell
32. George Chukwu
33. Maurice Murray
34. Teraz McCray
35. Carlos Feliciano
36. Nate Robinson
37. Leger Douzable
38. Chris Bradwell
39. Theo Horrocks
40. Christopher Norwell
41. Jeremy Garrett
42. Ropati Pitoitua
43. Tywain Myles
44. Steven Coleman
45. Brigham Harwell
46. Michael Marquardt
47. Kevin Brown
48. Marcus Pittman
49. Adrian Grady
50. Martavius Prince
Wisconsin
Virginia Tech
West Virginia
Michigan State
Oregon
Rutgers
Virginia Tech
Texas
Arizona
Auburn
Fresno State
Kansas
Tulane
Ohio
Texas A&M
Hawaii
South Florida
Kent State
Rice
New Mexico State
Miami (Fla.)
Maryland
Akron
Central Florida
Troy
Vanderbilt
Illinois
Mississippi
Washington State
Tarleton State (Texas)
Oklahoma
UCLA
Arizona State
UCLA
Troy
Coastal Carolina
5.20
5.15
5.13
5.10
5.10
5.09
5.09
5.09
5.09
5.09
5.07
5.00
5.00
4.90
4.90
4.90
4.85
4.80
4.80
4.80
4.80
4.80
4.75
4.75
4.70
4.70
4.70
4.70
4.70
4.65
4.65
4.65
4.60
4.60
4.60
4.60
4.60
6037
6020
6033
6030
6005
6015
6036
6013
6035
5116
6052
6000
6020
6011
6021
5114
6000
6005
6006
6030
6005
6045
6036
6044
6037
6026
6062
6004e
6074e
6013
6043
6005
6032
6013
6044
6035
6020
291
288
306
300
324
277
288
293
283
305
329
285
307
290
310
325
320
293
315
307
288
310
305
284
276
282
296
285e
305e
293
310
288
292
301
282
286
281
5.18
5.04
5.08
5.00
5.31
5.00e
5.12
5.14
5.38
5.33
5.02
5.39
5.44
4.96
5.17
5.30e
5.24
4.99
5.11
5.38
5.19
5.42
5.15e
5.24
5.01
5.06
5.36
5.15e
5.25e
4.83
5.14
5.15e
5.11
5.15e
5.29
5.00e
5.12
25. Larry Grant
COLLEGE
Oklahoma
UNLV
Syracuse
Boston College
Arizona
Vanderbilt
West Virginia
Alabama
South Florida
Illinois
North Dakota State
Virginia Tech
Michigan
Michigan State
UCLA
Connecticut
Oklahoma State
Youngstown State
Texas A&M
Central Michigan
Jackson State
Notre Dame
Florida Atlantic
Virginia
Fresno State
Nebraska
Delaware State
Tulsa
Houston
Iowa
GR.
6.10
5.45
5.27
5.20
5.20
5.19
5.12
5.10
5.10
5.10
5.09
5.09
5.00
4.90
4.75
4.75
4.75
4.70
4.70
4.70
4.70
4.70
4.65
4.65
4.65
4.65
4.60
4.50
4.50
4.50
HT.
6000
6012
6006
6004
6016
6020
6015
6015
6007
6016
5110
5110
5102
6020e
5117
6005
6024
6012
5100
5110
6022
6004
6020
6004
6006
6011
6014
6013
6015
6013
HT.
5.09
6010 235 4.79

5112 230 4.69
Jr.
Nebraska
5.09
6007 238 4.73
X
X
28. Durell Mapp
5.09
6027 246 4.78
Vanderbilt
5.09
5102 224 4.81
Iowa
5.09
6024 244 4.84
Troy
5.09
6001 236 4.53
34. Thomas Williams
USC
5.07
6007 238 4.89
35. Anthony Hoke
Cincinnati
5.05
6002 238 4.74
DE
36. Steve Allen
West Texas A&M
5.05
6004 236 4.91
ILB, Ch.
37. Matt Castelo
San Jose State
5.00
5103 224 4.66
ILB
38. Shane Simmons
Western Washington 5.00
6011 226 4.69
X, ILB
39. Nick Watkins
Clemson
5.00
6004 226 4.92
40. Marcus Riley
Fresno State
4.95
5105 224 4.66
XX
41. Brian Bradford
Ch.
OG
Montana
33. Marcus Richardson
NT
NT
DE
6012 234 4.76
32. Mike Humpal
X, NT
DE
6007 227 4.74
5.09
31. Marcus Buggs
NT
5.09
Idaho
30. Kroy Biermann
NT
NT, Ch.
X
North Carolina
29. David Vobora
Towson
4.95
6020 231 4.72
ILB
42. Kelly Poppinga
Brigham Young
4.95
6013 240 4.79
ILB, Age
43. Luke Sanders
LSU
4.90
6042 244 4.74
44. Jeremy Jones
UTEP
4.85
6004 246 5.03
45. Malik Jackson
Louisville
4.80
6021 230 4.69
Ch.
46. Robert Killebrew
Texas
4.70
6005 223 4.54
47. Shonda Faulkner
Indiana State
4.70
Northern Iowa
4.70
6030e 220e 4.65e
49. Henti Baird
Hampton
4.70
6015 210 4.66
50. Brandon Renkart
Rutgers
4.70
FB
5116 219 4.62
48. Brannon Carter
DE
6016 236 4.67
Oklahoma State
4.70
6016 230 4.78
52. Bo Ruud
Nebraska
4.70
6030e 235e 4.80e
Micihgan State
4.70
6001 247 4.85
54. Ernest Jones
6020 231 4.91
55. Jon Banks
Iowa State
4.70
6030e 215e 4.75e
56. Brandon Ogletree
Idaho
4.65
6023 227 4.62
57. Brendan Pahulu
Houston
4.65
6020 235 4.71
58. Curtis Terry
X
Age
OG
51. Donovan Woods

53. Jonal Saint-Dic
Ch.
SS
Ohio State
4.65
6004 230 4.75e X
DE
59. Le Rue Rumph
6005 251 4.84
60. Erik Walden
Middle Tennessee St. 4.65
6022 237 4.75e DE, PRS
61. Lance Brandenburgh Nebraska
WT.
243
244
240
231
234
245
244
237
234
245
245
232
232
245e
227
251
255
239
239
240
244
245
239
236
233
222
244
236
245
237
SP.
4.69
4.65e
4.74
4.84
4.89
4.73
4.87
4.85e
4.85e
4.85e
4.69
5.08
4.64
4.85e
4.75e
4.84
5.23
4.74
4.77
4.84
4.89
4.97
4.66
4.79
4.70e
4.77
4.72
4.87
4.90
4.97
COM.
Jr., X
OLB, X
DE
X
OLB
X
X
X
DE
OLB
Age
Ch.
X
OLB, XX
Ch., OLB
COLLEGE
GR.
USC
6.25
6022 241 4.70e
WT.
SP.
COM.
Penn State
5.95
6023 231 4.69
ILB
Tennessee
5.75
6012 242 4.59
Jr., ILB
Purdue
5.75
6027 253 4.62
DE
Auburn
5.70
6030 259 4.56
DE, Ch.
Maryland
5.70
6026 244 4.81
4.65
62. Patrick Bailey
OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS
RK. NAME
1. Keith Rivers
2. Dan Connor
3. Jerod Mayo
4. Cliff Avril
5. Quentin Groves
6. Erin Henderson
7. Xavier Adibi
8. Geno Hayes
9. Jordon Dizon
10. Tavares Gooden
11. Ali Highsmith
12. Philip Wheeler
13. Curtis Gatewood
14. Bryan Kehl
15. Marcus Howard
16. Gary Guyton
17. Curtis Johnson
18. Wesley Woodyard
19. Stanford Keglar
20. Robert James
21. Ezra Butler
22. Bruce Davis
23. Alvin Bowen
24. Titus Brown
5.10
Louisville
27. Steve Octavien
INSIDE LINEBACKERS
RK. NAME
1. Curtis Lofton
2. James Beau Bell
3. Jameel McClain
4. Jolonn Dunbar
5. Spencer Larsen
6. Jonathan Goff
7. Marc Magro
8. Darren Mustin
9. Ben Moffitt
10. Jeremy J Leman
11. Joe Mays
12. Vince Hall
13. Chris Graham
14. Kaleb Thornhill
15. Christian Taylor
16. Danny Lansanah
17. Rodrick Johnson
18. James Terry
19. Misiovala Tupe
20. Thomas Red Keith
21. Daniel Brooks
22. Joe Brockington
23. Shomari Earls
24. Jermaine Dias
25. Ahijah Lane
26. Corey McKeon
27. Russell Reeves
28. Nelson Coleman
29. Trent Allen
30. Mike Klinkenborg
Ohio State
26. Lamar Myles
Duke
4.65
6040e 230e 4.80e DE, X
63. Rico Brooks
Eastern Arizona
4.60
6010e 220e 4.75e Soph-3
64. Scott Derry
Texas
4.60
6025 221 4.94
STRONG SAFETIES
RK. NAME
1. Kenny Phillips
2. Tyrell Johnson
3. Josh Barrett
4. Thomas Zbikowski
5. Jamar Adams
6. Craig Steltz
7. Cornelius Brown
8. D.J. Wolfe
9. Nathan Lyles
10. Nehemiah Warrick
11. Derrick Doggett
12. Caleb Campbell
13. Jamie Silva
14. Dowayne Davis
15. Chris Horton
16. Brian Bonner
17. Ike Brown
18. Tony Joiner
19. Terry Mixon
20. Justin Scott
21. Marty Tadman
22. Darien Williams
23. Eric Wicks
24. Ron Girault
25. Jamal Lewis
26. Travis Key
27. Tony Lezotte
28. Willie Cooper
29. Eric Brock
30. Lamar Morgan
31. Jacob Patek
32. Tramaine Billie
33. Mark Dillard
34. Brandon Hampton
Jr.
Virginia Tech
5.70
5.60
6007 226 4.67
Jr., Ch.
Colorado
5.59
5117 229 4.73
ILB
Miami (Fla.)
5.50
6012 234 4.66
X, ILB
LSU
5.50
6000 221 4.76
Georgia Tech
5.40
6017 240 4.74
Vanderbilt
5.35
6020 248 4.77
Brigham Young
5.33
6023 237 4.64
DE
Georgia
5.30
6004 237 4.45
DE
Georgia Tech
5.30
6015 245 4.57
ILB
Clark Atlanta
5.30
6025 242 4.77
DE
Kentucky
5.25
6003 227 4.53
Purdue
5.25
6022 242 4.69
Arizona State
5.23
5105 226 4.68
X, S
Nevada
5.20
6014 245 4.57
Ch.
UCLA
5.20
6025 252 4.82
DE
Iowa State
5.20
6011 223 4.89
Mississippi State
5.15
6025 247 4.91
DE
COLLEGE
GR.
Miami (Fla.)
5.85
6022 212 4.53
HT.
WT.
SP.
COM.
Arkansas State
5.60
5117 207 4.44
Arizona State
5.59
6016 223 4.36
Notre Dame
5.40
5112 211 4.52
Michigan
5.30
6020 212 4.63
LSU
5.25
6013 213 4.62
Missouri
5.20
5110 197 4.59
Oklahoma
5.20
5111 207 4.64
CB
Virginia
5.15
5106 202 4.47
Michigan State
5.10
6007 211 4.56
Jr.
PR
Oregon State
5.09
6023 212 4.57
OLB
Army
5.09
6016 229 4.62
Boston College
5.09
5113 211 4.86
Syracuse
5.07
5113 202 4.48
SS
UCLA
5.05
6001 212 4.59
Texas Christian
4.90
5107 196 4.66
PR
Central Michigan
4.80
5105 214 4.64
X, OLB
Florida
4.80
5117 216 4.58
Ch.
Eastern Washington 4.75
6004e 225e 4.65e Jr., Ch., X
Purdue
4.70
5107 203 4.60e
Boise State
4.70
5106 200 4.61
Oklahoma
4.70
5102 201 4.55e X
West Virginia
4.70
5113 201 4.69
Rutgers
4.65
5101 204 4.58
Georgia Tech
4.65
5112 205 4.67
Michigan State
4.65
5084 190 4.53
James Madison
4.65
6001 197 4.65e FS
Miami (Fla.)
4.65
6010e 210e 4.65e OLB
Auburn
4.65
6000 208 4.71
Louisiana-Lafayette
4.60
6013 219 4.65e XX
Hawaii
4.50
5111 200 4.65
Clemson
4.50
5114 214 4.69
X, OLB
Louisiana Tech
4.50
5111 207 4.59
Ch.
California
4.50
5087 189 4.60
CB, X
FREE SAFETIES
6016 232 4.71
Florida State
6010e 230e 4.75e
RK. NAME
1. DaJuan Morgan
2. Thomas DeCoud
3. Quintin Demps
4. Kennard Cox
5. Dominique Barber
6. David Roach
7. Kareem Moore
8. D.J. Parker
9. Dennis Keyes
10. Corey Lynch
11. Marcus Griffin
12. Simeon Castille
13. Husain Abdullah
14. Joe Fields
15. Marcus Watts
16. Bobbie Williams
COLLEGE
California
UTEP
Pittsburgh
Minnesota
Texas Christian
Nicholls State
Virginia Tech
UCLA
Appalachian State
Texas
Alabama
Washington State
Syracuse
Kansas State
Bethune-Cookman
GR.
HT.
WT.
SP.
COM.
5.85
6001 205 4.54
Jr., CB
5.55
6013 207 4.54
5.30
5117 206 4.41
PR
5.23
5116 190 4.52
CB
5.21
6002 210 4.68
5.20
6003 210 4.57
5.15
5104 213 4.67
5.13
5112 192 4.64
5.10
6005 205 4.67
5.09
6003 202 4.59
5.09
5102 196 4.59
5.09
6003 195 4.74
5.07
5117 204 4.66
5.05
6003 201 4.64
4.95
6005 189 4.58
4.80
6001 214 4.60e
CB
APRIL 2008
PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY
21
Player printout
4.80
4.80
4.80
4.75
4.75
4.75
4.70
4.70
4.70
4.70
4.70
4.60
4.60
4.60
5101
5115
5111
6001
5114
5117
5115
6001
6000e
6003
6020e
5113
5115
6003
203
200
212
190
206
202
207
184
205e
210
190e
177
191
199
4.62
4.64
4.67
4.52
4.62
4.58
4.52
4.55
4.65e
4.69
4.45e
4.68
4.51
4.54
RS
X
XX, CB
IN
CORNERBACKS
RK. NAME
1. Leodis McKelvin
2. D. Rodgers-Cromartie
3. Mike Jenkins
4. Aqib Talib
5. Reggie Smith
6. Patrick Lee
7. Tyvon Branch
8. Brandon Flowers
9. Justin King
10. Charles Godfrey
11. Tracy Porter
12. Antoine Cason
13. Terrell Thomas
14. Chevis Jackson
15. Jack Williams
16. Orlando Scandrick
17. Jack Ikegwuonu
18. Terrence Wheatley
19. Trae Williams
20. Michael Grant
21. Antwaun Molden
22. Reggie Corner
23. DeJuan Tribble
24. DeMichael Dizer
25. Jonathan Wilhite
26. Justin Tryon
COLLEGE
Troy
Tennessee State
South Florida
Kansas
Oklahoma
Auburn
Connecticut
Virginia Tech
Penn State
Iowa
Indiana
Arizona
USC
LSU
Kent State
Boise State
Wisconsin
Colorado
South Florida
Arkansas
Eastern Kentucky
Akron
Boston College
Grambling State
Auburn
Arizona State
GR.
6.30
6.20
6.10
6.05
5.95
5.90
5.70
5.60
5.55
5.55
5.50
5.50
5.45
5.39
5.37
5.35
5.35
5.33
5.33
5.25
5.25
5.25
5.25
5.23
5.20
5.20
HT.
5102
6014
5102
6006
6004
6000
5113
5096
5107
5116
5107
6002
6004
6000
5090
5110
5104
5095
5090
5102
6006
5091
5086
5101
5094
5093
WT.
190
184
197
197
199
200
204
189
192
207
188
187
202
192
186
192
194
187
193
186
198
175
196
170
185
181
SP.
4.39
4.34
4.42
4.49
4.55e
4.44
4.36
4.59
4.37
4.48
4.49
4.56
4.54
4.62
4.44
4.36
4.50e
4.43
4.54
4.42
4.44
4.55e
4.69
4.55e
4.46
4.52
COM.
X, RS
KR
Ch., KR
Jr., WR. ATH
Jr., S, RS, X
S
Jr.
Jr., PR
FS
PR
FS, PR
X
X
Jr., Ch.
Jr., 5.8-X
X
X, FS
27. Marcus Walker

28. Dwight Lowery
29. Zackary Bowman
30. Jonathan Hefney
31. Trey Brown
32. Darnell Terrell
33. Justin McKinney
34. Brandon Foster
35. Isaiah Gardner
36. Cary Williams
37. Jonathan Zenon
38. Brandon Sumrall
39. Jerrid Gaines
40. Wilrey Fontenot
41. Glenn Sharpe
42. Brian Witherspoon
43. Brandon Jackson
44. Andre Jones
45. Denatay Heard
46. Michael Medina
47. Matterral Richardson
48. Scorpio Babers
49. Martel Van Zant
50. James Thabuteau
51. Roy Lewis
52. Chris Parker
53. Alton Widemon
54. Brandon Jones
55. Coye Francies
56. Jimmie Sutton
57. Marcus Brown
58. Stanley Franks
59. Josh Bell
60. Brandon Carr
61. Steven Williams
62. Craig Turner
63. Rodney Van
64. Terrell Vinson
Oklahoma
San Jose State
Nebraska
Tennessee
UCLA
Missouri
Kansas State
Texas
Maryland
Washburn (Kan.)
LSU
Miami (Ohio)
Arizona
Miami (Fla.)
Stillman (Ala.)
Georgia Southern
Nebraska
Stillman (Ala.)
Wyoming
Arkansas
Sam Houston State
Oklahoma State
Truman State
Washington
Texas Tech
Baylor
SMU
Oregon State
McNeese State
Idaho
Baylor
Grand Valley State
Harvard
Southern Illinois
UCLA
Purdue
RK. NAME
1. Durant Brooks
2. Mike Dragosavich
CB
COLLEGE
Georgia Tech
North Dakota State
5.20
5.17
5.13
5.12
5.12
5.10
5.10
5.05
5.05
5.05
5.05
5.05
5.00
5.00
5.00
5.00
4.95
4.85
4.80
4.80
4.80
4.70
4.70
4.70
4.70
4.70
4.70
4.70
4.70
4.65
4.65
4.65
4.60
4.60
4.60
4.60
4.60
4.60
5103
5111
6001
5077
5084
6016
5093
5075
5106
6010
5116
5097
5107
5086
5114
5101
5100
5102
5090
5110
5110
5113
6003
6006
5102e
5103
5097
5101
6001
5101
6012
5086
5111
6000
5107
5087
5103
5082
191
198
197
190
186
203
188
185
195
183
185
193
182
179
184
170
184
193
169
188
195
192
216
209
190e
178
177
169
183
183
201
177
177
207
189
192
176
180
4.56
4.61
4.44
4.56
4.66
4.49
4.59
4.34
4.44
4.52
4.61
4.66
4.54
4.46
4.58
4.22
4.64
4.58
4.37
4.44
4.64
4.37
4.60e
4.59
4.60e
4.69
4.71
4.48
4.55e
4.53
4.56
4.57
4.47
4.49
4.62
4.49
4.61
4.65e
X
X
XX
CB, RS
3. Brett Kern
4. Tim Reyer
5. Andrew Larson
6. Ken Debauche
7. Owen Tolson
8. Kyle Tucker
9. Benjamin Dato
10. Waylon Prather
11. Johnny Ayers
RK. NAME
1. Steven Hauschka
2. Brandon Coutu
3. Art Carmody
4. Garrett Hartley
5. Shane Longest
6. Taylor Mehlhaff
7. Alexis Serna
8. Connor Barth
9. Chris Gould
10. Chris Nendick
11. Jeremy Ito
12. Parker Douglass
13. Thomas Schneider
14. Troy Van Blarcom
15. Bret Culbertson
FS
GR.
5.40
5.10
COLLEGE
Georgia
Louisville
Oklahoma
St. Xavier (Ill.)
Wisconsin
Oregon State
North Carolina
Virginia
Northern Illinois
Rutgers
South Dakota State
California
Kansas Wesleyan
Iowa State
5.05
5.00
4.95
4.90
4.85
4.80
4.75
4.70
4.60
6021
5114
5116
6010
6016
6013
6021
6026
6001
200
205
198
217
210
216
203
220
190
4.83
5.11
5.00e
5.00 e
5.00
5.00e
5.09
5.01
4.89
WT.
210
188
180
200
177
183
170
193
214
182
183
165
190
225
179
SP.
4.90e
5.00e
5.29
5.00e
5.00e
5.00e
4.80e
5.20e
5.25e
5.00e
5.00e
4.86
4.79
5.00e
5.00e
WT.
258
231
238
269
SP.
5.16
4.96
5.23
4.85
PLACEKICKERS
SS
XX
RS
Jr.
RS
GR.
5.25
5.10
5.09
5.09
5.09
5.09
5.05
4.90
4.90
4.90
4.90
4.80
4.80
4.75
4.70
HT.
6032
5114
5085
5084
5100
5103
5064
5115
5114
5097
5106
5082
5114
6030
6060
COM.
P, KO
P, KO
P
Jr.
LONG SNAPPERS
RS, WNP, Ch.
RK. NAME
1. Timothy Bugg
2. Tyler Schmitt
3. Garisson Sanborn
4. Chase Norton
COLLEGE
Indiana
San Diego State
Florida State
Dixie
GR.
4.95
4.80
4.70
4.60
HT.
6004
6022
6002
6025
COM.
MI
RETURN SPECIALISTS
RK. NAME
1. Mikey Henderson
2. Rudy Burgess
3. Larry Taylor
PUNTERS
Ch., X
Toledo
Kansas State
California
Wisconsin
Army
Kansas
Fordham
San Jose State
Boston College
2008 NFL DRAFT
Cincinnati
Florida State
Illinois
Michigan
Alabama
Texas Southern
Texas
Duke
Georgia Tech
South Carolina
Oregon
Abilene Christian
North Texas
PLAYER PRINTOUT
17. Haruki Nakamura

18. Roger Williams
19. Kevin Mitchell
20. Miguel Scott
21. Brandent Englemon
22. Marcus Carter
23. Lemar Herron
24. Erick Jackson
25. Chris Davis
26. Djay Jones
27. Brandon Issac
28. Matthew Harper
29. Bobby Tatum
30. Roy Loren
HT. WT. SP. COM.

6003 204 4.90e
6054 212 4.94
COLLEGE
Georgia
Arizona State
Connecticut
GR.
4.80
4.60
4.50
HT.
5100
5101
5057
WT. SP.
150 4.44
186 4.52
172 4.55
COM.
WR
WR
X, WR
ONLINE PLAYER RANKINGS UPDATES AT:

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PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY
22
APRIL 2008
Checking
their list
AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT WHAT ALL 32 TEAMS HOPE
TO ADD AT THE NFLS PLAYER SELECTION MEETING
A
E
E
A
S
New England Patriots
Buffalo Bills
NEEDS ON OFFENSE: Theres a dire need
to provide Lee Evans with a complementary receiver. A big, physical one
would be preferred. Likewise, the TE
position lacks the stretch-the-seam
type the team covets. Robert Royal is
nothing more than a stopgap player,
and the same goes for freeagent acquisition Courtney
Anderson.
NEEDS ON DEFENSE: Partly
because Ashton Youboty
hasnt panned out, cornerback
is a pressing concern. Free
safety also needs upgrading,
which would help out SS
Donte Whitners productivity. P R E
A season-long suspension to
top reserve Anthony Hargrove means
theres little DE depth.
ON DRAFT DAY A top-shelf receiver
figures to be taken with the 11th overall
pick, with Texas Limas Sweed, Oklahomas Malcolm Kelly and Michigan
States Devin Thomas the leading candidates. The Bills could also opt for a corner.
Respected vice president of college scouting Tom Modrak is adept at finding lateround gems.
Miami Dolphins
NEEDS ON OFFENSE: Outside of running
back, every position needs fortification.

Rebuilding the line is a must, and the
Dolphins didnt address it much in free
agency. They also want to come away
with a tight end to supplant David Martin
and a wide receiver to push Ted Ginn Jr.
and Ernest Wilford for a starting spot.
NEEDS ON DEFENSE: The secondary needs
a face-lift at both corner and safety. Only
CB Will Allen should feel safe in his
starting job. Reverting back to the 3-4
scheme, the Fins need to get bigger at
end. With MLB Zach Thomas now in
Dallas, the ILB spots presumably held by
Channing Crowder and Reggie Torbor
arent exactly solid.
ON DRAFT DAY What the Dolphins do
with their No. 1 pick will have a trickledown effect. Assuming they cant trade
down, DE-OLB Chris Long and OT Jake
Long are the favorites for the top spot,
though it wouldnt be shocking to see
them go with QB Matt Ryan. Already
armed with two second-round picks
courtesy of the Chris Chambers trade,
they could see that number jump to three
by unloading DE-OLB Jason Taylor.
NEEDS ON OFFENSE: Bolstering a line that

was exposed for its lack of quickness in
the Super Bowl loss to the Giants is
agenda No. 1. ORT Nick Kaczur should
feel particularly unsafe in his starting
job. A run-blocking tight end would be a
welcome addition.
NEEDS ON DEFENSE: Cornerback and
inside linebacker are major concerns.
The corners are small and
injury-prone; the inside
backers are old. The Pats
also would like to mold a
young safety and outside linebacker to eventually take over
as starters.
ON DRAFT DAY Coach Bill
Belichick typically avoids
I E W taking linebackers high, but
he may find it difficult to pass
on DE-OLB Vernon Gholston if available. Belichick loves trading down, and
would jump at a fair offer for the seventh
pick. The Cowboys could be interested.
New York Jets

NEEDS ON OFFENSE: Theres serious
doubt as to whether the quarterback of
the future is currently on the roster. The
OL additions of Alan Faneca and Damien
Woody wont preclude them from making additional upgrades, seeing as how
both of those players are on the wrong
side of age 30. Adding a playmaking
wideout would give them more leverage
in Laveranues Coles contract saga.
NEEDS ON DEFENSE: Kenyon Coleman
isnt the good fit the Jets thought he
would be at end and is replaceable.
Theyre one corner away from fielding the
leagues best young secondary. Plugging
in a good inside linebacker alongside ILB
David Harris in the 3-4 would give them a
reliable defensive nucleus for years.
ON DRAFT DAY The Jets hit home runs
in trading up for Harris and CB Darrelle
Revis in 07. But because they have just
four picks, they could be looking to
stockpile selections by trading down this
year. If they stay in the sixth slot, theyd
love to see the tremendous upside of RB
Darren McFadden or DE-OLB Vernon
Gholston available to them.
Baltimore Ravens
NEEDS ON OFFENSE: Quarterback is the
most glaring need, with Steve McNair,
SPORTPICS
NFL TEAM NEEDS
2008 NFL DRAFT
NFL team needs
Not a happy camper: No matter what happens with Chad Johnson, the Bengals need another wideout
35, the best option on the roster but wearing down after years of taking and
dishing out punishment. A young,
quick back to spell Willis McGahee
could provide a boost, as would another
wide receiver to both improve the depth
and put some pressure on Mark Clayton
and Demetrius Williams. Offensive tackle also rates as a need with Jonathan
Ogden likely to retire.
NEEDS ON DEFENSE: It would be a surprise if the Ravens did not draft a cornerback starters Chris McAlister and
Samari Rolle are on the downsides of
their careers, and the depth behind them
is questionable. Linebacker and defensive line are also positions that could be
addressed.
ON DRAFT DAY The Ravens will not
reach to draft a cornerback if one of the
elite prospects at another position unexpectedly falls down the board. Five years ago,
the Ravens couldnt have expected Terrell
Suggs to be on the board at No. 10; that
pick worked out rather well for them. Nevertheless, its no secret the Ravens need a
corner, and it will be interesting to see how
the club fills that need. The Ravens have
only two picks in the first three rounds.
Cincinnati Bengals
NEEDS ON OFFENSE: The offensive line
could use some reinforcements/challengers at all three positions. The depth
at wide receiver may need to be bolstered
with Chad Johnson unhappy with the
Bengals and T.J. Houshmandzadeh entering the final year of his contract. And
running back, so capably manned by
Rudi Johnson in recent years, is again a
position of need.
NEEDS ON DEFENSE: The Bengals need a
playmaking defensive tackle. Trades for
Shaun Rogers and Dewayne Robertson
fell through early in free agency, and the
team appears likely to add a tackle via
the draft. Linebacker also looms as a
need; injuries decimated the position last
season. The Bengals are also likely to
employ more 3-4 looks this season, and
its unclear how the personnel on hand
fits the plans of head coach Marvin
Lewis and new defensive coordinator

Mike Zimmer.
ON DRAFT DAY The Bengals pick
ninth, one spot after rival Baltimore.
Cincinnati is likely to address the
defense with its first pick, but dont be
surprised if there are more offense-minded selections than expected. The team
has some needs on that side of the ball,
too, and it cannot leave QB Carson
Palmer without enough weapons.
Cleveland Browns
NEEDS ON OFFENSE: There arent many,
but the Browns could look to draft a running back in the late rounds to push
Jason Wright and Jerome Harrison for
the backup spot behind Jamal Lewis.
Adding more WR depth behind Braylon
Edwards, Dont Stallworth and Joe Jurevicius wouldnt be a bad move, either.
NEEDS ON DEFENSE: Cornerback may be
the most pressing need; as it stands, Eric
Wright is the Browns best cornerback,
and hes only entering his second NFL
season. CBs Daven Holly and Brandon
McDonald are also expected to play
major roles this season. If they struggle,
the Browns dont have many other
options. Outside linebacker is another
position that needs another option or
two.
ON DRAFT DAY The Browns will sit out
Day One after trading their first-round
pick to Dallas in the Brady Quinn deal and
their second-rounder to Green Bay for DE
Corey Williams. They will also sit out the
first round of Day Two after swapping
their third-round pick for Lions DL
Shaun Rogers. Expect the defense to be
the focus once the Browns finally are on
the clock in Round Four.
Pittsburgh Steelers
NEEDS ON OFFENSE: Offensive guard
needs to be addressed after Pro Bowl
OLG Alan Faneca signed with the Jets.
Chris Kemoeatu will get the first shot at
replacing Faneca on the left side, but he
APRIL 2008
PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY
23
Houston Texans
preferred model of taking the best player

available. Most teams preach but dont
follow that strategy, but Indy will in 08.
Jacksonville Jaguars
NEEDS ON OFFENSE: A Jaguars club that
prides itself on playing smashmouth

football needs to bring in some fresh
bodies to compete on the line. Both starting tackles are replaceable. Inking Jerry
Porter eases WR concerns, although
theyd still welcome a new wideout.
NEEDS ON DEFENSE: Coming off injury,
DEs Reggie Hayward and Paul Spicer
might never recapture their old form.
Even if theyre able to, new coordinator
Gregg Williams demands better quickness at the position. Theres only tepid
LB depth, and the Jags would like a contingency plan in place for aging and
injury-prone MLB Mike Peterson.
ON DRAFT DAY The Jags need the
most help in the trenches, with a passrushing defensive end heading the list of
needs. Coach Jack Del Rio and personnel
director Shack Harris dont often see
eye-to-eye, but things should be
smoother in the war room after Del Rio
has tacitly been awarded the upper hand
in the decision-making hierarchy.
NEEDS ON OFFENSE: At running back, the
Texans are hoping some combination of

Ahman Green, Chris Brown and Chris
Taylor will work, but the Texans could
add a young runner in the first three
rounds. Left offensive tackle is also a
position that could be addressed.
NEEDS ON DEFENSE: CB Dunta Robinson
(knee/hamstring) is expected to miss the
start of the season, so the Texans may
look to bolster the depth at that position.
Houston has long needed a playmaking
safety, too. The Texans have young stars
at defensive end (Mario Williams) and
defensive tackle (Amobi Okoye) but
could use some young, talented players
behind them.
ON DRAFT DAY Running back and cornerback are the most glaring needs, but
the Texans have never drafted a runner in
Round One, and Houston signed Cowboys UFA CB Jacques Reeves in March.
The Texans needs go beyond those positions, so its hard to get a read on what
they will do with the No. 18 pick. Houston traded its second-round selection to
Atlanta for QB Matt Schaub.
Indianapolis Colts
NEEDS ON OFFENSE: Its all about depth.
No rookie will start in 08, but theres

every opportunity for a draftee to emerge
as the first tackle, guard or running back
off the bench. The Colts need a tight end
for the twin-TE alignments theyre often
in, and the addition of a wide receiver
would ensure the legitimacy of the
spread even if Marvin Harrison doesnt
make a full recovery.
NEEDS ON DEFENSE: An injury-riddled line
held up well in 07 but still is in need of an
upgrade. The Colts failed to generate a consistent pass rush after DE Dwight Freeney
went down, and end figures as only a
slightly bigger need than a tackle rotation
with fine depth but no star power.
ON DRAFT DAY Because they traded
away their first-round pick to the 49ers,
the Colts have to wait until the end of the
second round to make their first selection. With no pressing needs, theres no
reason for the Colts to deviate from their
Tennessee Titans
NEEDS ON OFFENSE: For now, the Titans
are set at offensive tackle, but OLT Michael

Roos and ORT David Stewart are scheduled to be unrestricted free agents at seasons end, so the Titans may look to draft a
young tackle relatively early. The Titans
may also add a young receiver the depth
behind starters Roydell Williams and Justin
Gage is questionable.
NEEDS ON DEFENSE: The Titans lost DEs
Antwan Odom and Travis LaBoy in free
agency. Jevon Kearse is back for a second
stint in Tennessee, but the Titans could use
at least one young end. Defensive tackle is
also a position to watch; the Titans may
look for competition for starter Tony
Brown. Tennessees LB and CB depth may
be bolstered via the draft, too.
ON DRAFT DAY Defensive end, wide
receiver and offensive tackle are the
three leading positions the Titans may be
looking at with the No. 24 pick in Round
One. The Titans may not find an immediate starter in this draft they are coming off a 10-win season and have a solid
core already assembled but opportunities for playing time off the bench are
there for the taking.
Denver Broncos
ing in a bulky defensive tackle to plug the

middle will be a priority.
ON DRAFT DAY Look for the Broncos
to fill holes on either side of the line
early, but it wouldnt be a surprise to see
them reach for a linebacker. Denver
could also become intrigued with a cornerback or safety with return ability.
Kansas City Chiefs

NEEDS ON OFFENSE: The line and WR
corps are the most glaring weak spots,

although Brodie Croyle is hardly a
steady quarterback. Only two starters
return from a line that was old and tired
in 07, and OT Anthony Alabi, a Dolphins castoff, is the only noteworthy offseason addition. Playmaking WR
Dwayne Bowe needs another receiver to
emerge and take the heat off him.
NEEDS ON DEFENSE: With Ty Law gone
and Patrick Surtains best days behind
him, CB help is sorely needed. The safety play has also been shoddy, but at least
theres promising young talent there.
Their strong ends would be that much
more disruptive if the tackle rotation
demanded more attention from opposing
offensive lines.
ON DRAFT DAY Considering coach
Herm Edwards has stated his desire to
find eight new starters and very little has
been done in free agency, the Chiefs need
to maximize each pick they have. For the
most part, whoever ranks highest on their
draft board at a given selection gets the
call.
Oakland Raiders
NEEDS ON OFFENSE: With QB JaMarcus
Russell set to take over in his first full

season as the starter, the Raiders blocking up front will need to give him time to
throw if hes going to have much success.
Oakland could use an upgrade at offensive tackle and center.
NEEDS ON DEFENSE: The Raiders spent a
jaw-dropping amount of cash on defensive free agents and have addressed some
areas of need by trading for CB DeAngelo Hall, signing S Gibril Wilson and resigning DT Tommy Kelly. One of the
teams last remaining needs is a versatile
player on the defensive line.
ON DRAFT DAY Ohio State DE-OLB
Vernon Gholston, LSU DT Glenn Dorsey
and USC DT Sedrick Ellis could be
available when the Raiders pick at No. 4.
Owner Al Davis, however, loves speed
and could find it hard to resist taking
Arkansas RB Darren McFadden if hes
still on the board.
San Diego Chargers
NEEDS ON OFFENSE: Broncos head coach
NEEDS ON OFFENSE: For as efficient as it
Mike Shanahan will be scouring the

strong rookie class of offensive tackles
for the best fit in his zone-blocking
scheme. The abrupt retirement of OLT
Matt Lepsis means Denver could be targeting a new protector for QB Jay Cutlers blind side.
NEEDS ON DEFENSE: One of the Broncos
greatest needs is at middle linebacker, but
with an unimpressive crop thats short on
first-round talent, the team could decide
to address other areas, like defensive
tackle or safety, early. Many of the teams
defensive woes in 07 stemmed from an
inability to shut down the run, and bring-
is as a unit, the line isnt comprised of

classic maulers. Adding depth that could
challenge for playing time is a prudent
move. Should LaDainian Tomlinson go
down, theres nobody who could pick up
the slack as an every-down back now that
Michael Turner has departed for Atlanta.
NEEDS ON DEFENSE: Although 07 second-rounder Eric Weddle brims with
potential, the Bolts could use another
safety to challenge Clinton Hart. Its asking too much to find an heir apparent to
NT Jamal Williams, whose knee problems are slowing him down, but fresh
bodies to challenge at the ILB positions
would be a welcome addition.

ON DRAFT DAY With no significant area
of need and no second-round draft pick, the
Chargers will be very willing to trade their
first pick, late in Round One, to grab extra
picks that come with a cheaper price tag.
Outside of quarterback and wide receiver,
every position is fair game.
Dallas Cowboys
NEEDS ON OFFENSE: The Cowboys have
zero running backs under contract currently, although Marion Barber has been
offered the high tender. The team would
like to pair a speed back with Barber now
that Julius Jones is gone, and Jerry Jones
could have his eye on Arkansas Darren
McFadden if the draft chips fall correctly. Receiver is another top need. As good
as he is, Terrell Owens is way up in age,
and there are few other standouts ready
to contribute other than Patrick Crayton.
NEEDS ON DEFENSE: Cornerback appears
to be the top need on the board with the
loss of nickel CB Jacques Reeves and no
other candidate ready to step up. Safety
and defensive line also could use depth.
ON DRAFT DAY The Cowboys have
been relatively quiet this offseason, resigning two of their own key players (S
Ken Hamlin and OLT Flozell Adams) but
otherwise not making much of a splash.
Jones believes his team is a few players
short of winning a Super Bowl, so its a
safe bet that the Cowboys will be among
the more intriguing teams to watch on
Draft Day. They are armed with two firstround picks (Nos. 22 and 28) and could
use them to move up for one big player
or stay put and add two immediate contributors.
New York Giants

NEEDS ON OFFENSE: The offensive needs
might rank behind the defensive ones,

but thats not to say that there wont be
changes on this side of the ball. Wide
receiver and offensive tackle rank as two
positions to watch, especially with
Sinorice Moss struggles and some question of the depth on the O-line. The team
also might take a late-round flier on a
developmental quarterback to groom.
NEEDS ON DEFENSE: The secondary
stands as the primary area of need. The
team might lock in on the top defensive
back either a cornerback or a free
safety with its first-round pick, the
31st overall because of the Patriots
revoked pick. Linebacker is not an area
of great depth, although Danny Clark
should help and Gerris Wilkinson will
get a chance.
ON DRAFT DAY The teams success
one year ago on this day should convince
GM Jerry Reese to stick with his patient
attitude of letting the draft unfold before
him, sticking with the teams draft board
and letting the picks come to them. That
said, expect the Giants to take a DB at
some point in the first three rounds
one who could step in and play right
away.
Philadelphia Eagles
NEEDS ON OFFENSE: The Eagles need a
receiver. Yes, the team flirted with Randy

NFL TEAM NEEDS
has never been a full-time starter. Offensive tackle also may be addressed, with
OLT Marvel Smith missing the end of
last season with a back injury and ORT
Willie Colon perhaps ultimately ending
up inside at guard.
NEEDS ON DEFENSE: The Steelers are likely to be looking at young defensive linemen to play end in their 3-4 front. A nose
tackle to spell Casey Hampton and push
backup Chris Hoke may also be on the
shopping list. Free safety and cornerback
also could be positions added to on Draft
Day, even after the Steelers finished at
the top of the league in yards per pass
play allowed.
ON DRAFT DAY Twenty-two teams
pick before the Steelers are on the clock
in Round One. In 2003 (S Troy Polamalu) and in 06 (WR Santonio Holmes),
the Steelers moved up in the first round
to get their man, but with a slew of needs,
they may not be so aggressive this year.
In fact, a trade down might be in the
cards if no lineman on either side of the
ball piques their interest at No. 23.
2008 NFL DRAFT
NFL team needs
PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY
24
APRIL 2008

Moss in free agency, but the smart money
says that the team wont take a wideout in
Round One unless it believes it absolutely
cant pass him up; most rookie receivers
struggle to pick up head coach Andy
Reids system immediately. A more likely
target on offense might be tackle, where
starters Jon Runyan and William Thomas
need younger and better backups.
NEEDS ON DEFENSE: Although the addition of DE Chris Clemons helps the pass
rush, the bulk and depth across the line is
not where Reid would like it. There also
is a need at cornerback, especially if
injury-prone and unhappy CB Lito Sheppard is sent elsewhere. A safety likely
will join the mix at some point; Brian
Dawkins time is waning at age 34 following countless crushing blows, and
Sean Considine cant stay healthy.
ON DRAFT DAY The Eagles often are
active on the first day, moving up or
down to get a player they like who can
contribute right away. They sit at 19th
overall but would consider moving into
the top 10 if the right deal presented
itself for a defensive player (or a receiver) who could step in and play now.
Washington Redskins
NEEDS ON OFFENSE: Jim Zorn has backed
off his statements about the team needing

a big receiver, but one with decent size
think Kansas States Jordy Nelson
would help give the team another big target in the West Coast offense. There also
is a shortage of young linemen, with
guard being the more pressing spot,
although there are some who are not convinced yet that Stephon Heyer is the
answer at tackle, either.
NEEDS ON DEFENSE: It starts with the line,
where DE Phillip Daniels is reaching
critical mass at age 35 and DT Cornelius
Griffin has been slowed by injuries. The
team might prefer an end, though dont
be surprised if the choice is one in the
Daniels mode: a better run stopper than
pass rusher. Cornerback also is high on
the list along with safety, where depth is
lacking. The team has looked at linebacker the past few seasons, too, so dont
rule one out further down the line.
ON DRAFT DAY It has been eerily quiet
at Redskins Park since Zorn came aboard,
and some believe the team might be ready
to spring into action on the weekend of
April 26 either with a trade for a veteran (WR Chad Johnson remains on the radar
until further notice) or with a move up in
Round One. Others think the team might
just work the draft and add players at the
various areas of need.
Chicago Bears
NEEDS ON OFFENSE: Every offensive position except tight end looks unsettled
heading into the draft. That especially
appears to be the case on an aging offensive line that regressed dramatically in
2007. New blood at right tackle and left
guard is a must. The Bears also would
like to find a quality running back in
what is considered a deep crop to challenge Cedric Benson. A No. 3 quarterback is a late-round possibility.
NEEDS ON DEFENSE: Safety is a priority.
Adam Archuleta was a big-time bust at
strong safety last year, FS Danieal Manning and SS Brandon McGowan raised
red flags with their frequent big-play
breakdowns, and veteran FS Mike Brown
has missed 43 games over the past four
years due to injuries. More depth at
defensive tackle and linebacker is also
needed.
ON DRAFT DAY The Bears are expected to select the best offensive lineman
available with the 14th overall pick. But
if the right running back were available,
it wouldnt be a shock if they switched
gears, considering their lingering concerns about the ankle injury that ended
Bensons 07 campaign.
Detroit Lions
NEEDS ON OFFENSE: If the team is to stick
with its proposed run-based offensive
plans, a right tackle and a running back
(perhaps two) would be nice. Right now,
its George Foster starting at the former
and Tatum Bell at the latter. There are
elite prospects at both spots who could
figure as the teams first-round pick.
NEEDS ON DEFENSE: Although the team
has made several moves to upgrade the
secondary, more depth would be nice.
But the primary needs fall at middle linebacker and defensive end. Finding a
proper Mike would allow Paris Lenon
to move to the strong side. And getting a
strong end to pair with Dewayne White
preferably one who could help stop
the run would be a big boon.
ON DRAFT DAY Considering the draft
class and the Lions offseason moves, the
priority appears to have shifted from
defense to offense in terms of immediate
need. The team almost certainly will
count on its first-rounder, perhaps a running back or a tackle, to start from Day
One, although you cant rule out defensive help at the top of a draft from a team
that ranked in the bottom five in several
crucial categories last season.
Green Bay Packers

NEEDS ON OFFENSE: Sturdy run blockers
well-suited for the teams zone-blocking

scheme would come in very handy. So
would some young reinforcements at
offensive tackle, with starters Chad
Clifton and Mark Tauscher starting to
show their age down the stretch in 2007.
Other needs include a backup behind QB
Aaron Rodgers and a solid blocking tight
end to replace Bubba Franks.
NEEDS ON DEFENSE: Depth at cornerback
could be the teams biggest overall need.
Veteran starters Charles Woodson (31)
and Al Harris (33) are starting to wear
down physically, and theres a sharp
drop-off in quality behind them at the
position. A young pass rusher off the
edge and more LB depth could also be on
GM Ted Thompsons radar screen.
ON DRAFT DAY With the Packers
picking up an extra second-round selection from Cleveland in exchange for DT
Corey Williams, Thompson has the
ammo to trade up, should he be so
inclined. While he has traded down more
than a few times in his three-year tenure,
he has yet to swap in the other direction.
Minnesota Vikings
NEEDS ON OFFENSE: The team is watching
the Bryant McKinnie situation very
SPORTPICS PHOTOS
NFL TEAM NEEDS
2008 NFL DRAFT
NFL team needs
Wearing down: The Packers need a young corner to groom under Al Harris (left) and Charles Woodson
closely, and it could affect how it

approaches the teams first-round pick.
But even if McKinnie remains a Viking,
offensive tackle is a large need. As it
stands now, either Artis Hicks or Marcus
Johnson would be next in line behind
him. Tight end, quarterback and receiver
could be filled further down in the draft.
NEEDS ON DEFENSE: Defensive end is the
area the team would most like to upgrade
immediately, but dont overlook the CB
and safety spots. While it would be nice
to add an end who can contribute immediately, especially with Kenechi Udeze
expected to miss the season, the team
could go into the season with who it has
and be OK. Adding a defensive back in
the middle rounds would improve the
depth and competitiveness.
ON DRAFT DAY Unless McKinnie is
suspended or released, the team doesnt
have to find an immediate starter with the
17th pick. Although the Vikes have done
their homework on many of the drafts
defensive ends, dont be shocked if the
team drafts a top offensive tackle with its
first pick. From there, it can go the bestplayer-available route and add some
quality talent.
Atlanta Falcons
NEEDS ON OFFENSE: The Falcons have
holes scattered throughout the offensive

line and in the backfield, and one draft
wont be enough to solve many of their
woes. Atlanta re-signed QBs Chris Redman and Joey Harrington, but neither of
them is the long-term solution under center. Finding a protector at left tackle is a
top priority after the release of veteran
Wayne Gandy.
NEEDS ON DEFENSE: Cornerback has
become a major soft spot for the Falcons
following the DeAngelo Hall trade. Freeagent signee CB-S Von Hutchins and sec-
ond-year CB David Irons will compete to

replace Hall, but a rookie could be
thrown into the mix, as well. New head
coach Mike Smith favors bulky defensive
tackles who clog up the middle, and with
DT Rod Coleman gone after an injuryplagued year, the team needs to add to its
DT rotation.
ON DRAFT DAY With 11 picks, including four of the top 48 selections, the Falcons will have plenty of options in the
draft. The team could deal secondrounders to move up and get an additional first-round pick along with the No. 3
overall choice. There is talk that the team
is enamored with QB Matt Ryan, but if
he doesnt fall to them, LSU DT Glenn
Dorsey would be a good fit.
Carolina Panthers
NEEDS ON OFFENSE: GM Marty Hurney
took a more aggressive approach to free

agency than observers were accustomed to
and has made moves at every position on
offense aside from tight end. The Panthers
re-signed OLT Travelle Wharton to a longterm deal, and ORT Jordan Gross signed
his franchise tender. Word is Wharton
could be moved inside to left guard, replacing the departed Mike Wahle, while the
team selects a new left tackle early in the
draft.
NEEDS ON DEFENSE: Carolina lost one fixture on the defensive line when it shipped
DT Kris Jenkins to the Jets and may have
to replace another, DE Mike Rucker, who
is still a free agent. The squad recently
signed FS Terrence Holt but could spend
a pick to bring in someone who can compete with him for a starting spot.
ON DRAFT DAY Its a strong possibility
that this could be Gross final year with the
Panthers, and with that in mind, the club
will pursue an offensive tackle in the first
or second round. On the other side of the
line, DE Julius Peppers is entering the final
year of his contract, and with Rucker likely
APRIL 2008
PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY
25
New Orleans Saints

NEEDS ON OFFENSE: Sources say the Saints
are committed to the best player available approach to the draft and wont shy
away from adding to an already explosive
offense if a player they have rated highly is
available. With Deuce McAllister coming
off his second ACL tear in three seasons,
New Orleans might be tempted to choose a
ballcarrier, even though it has great depth
at running back.
NEEDS ON DEFENSE: The Saints filled
gaps on each level of their defense, but a
lack of playmakers remains. Free-agent
addition Randall Gay and Jason David, a
huge disappointment in 2007, will compete to become the No. 2 cornerback, but
both players are better-suited to play nickel back. An upgrade and injection of versatility at defensive tackle is in order, as
well.
ON DRAFT DAY GM Mickey Loomis
and head coach Sean Payton found
immediate impact players in their first
draft in New Orleans but were unable to
replicate the feat with their picks last
year. The team has to find instant contributors on defense in order to compete
for the NFC title as it did in 06.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers

NEEDS ON OFFENSE: The Bucs most
pressing need is at wide receiver, and

there should be a good one available with
their pick at No. 20 in the first round.
However, head coach Jon Gruden is
known around the league as one who
avoids counting on young receivers
because they often have trouble grasping
his complex offensive scheme. The signing of Warrick Dunn may take any plans
of drafting a running back off the table.
NEEDS ON DEFENSE: There is no glaring
hole on the defense, which returns largely
intact after finishing as the second-stingiest
unit in the league last season. WLB Derrick
Brooks doesnt have many seasons left, but
Cato June is set to replace him whenever
the time for retirement comes. The Bucs
could use some depth at cornerback, following the departure of longtime staple
Brian Kelly, who left for the Lions.
ON DRAFT DAY Gruden can never
have enough quarterbacks, as proven by
the five currently on the roster, not counting Jake Plummer, who remains retired.
Predraft buzz has Tampa considering
using the 20th pick on Louisvilles Brian
Brohm, who could be groomed for a couple of seasons while Jeff Garcias career
winds down. Its more likely that Gruden
selects a speedy playmaker on offense.
Arizona Cardinals
NEEDS ON OFFENSE: Ken Whisenhunt
would love to find a running back with bigplay ability who is a better fit for his preferred offensive style than Edgerrin James.
The team also needs a new No. 3 wide
receiver to replace Bryant Johnson and
could use more depth at all three O-line
positions.
NEEDS ON DEFENSE: Start with cornerback, where the depth behind projected
starters Rod Hood and Eric Green leaves
a lot to be desired. Clancy Pendergast
could also use another pass rusher off

the edge which would free up Darnell
Dockett to make more impact plays
and more help at outside linebacker
after losing versatile Calvin Pace to the
Jets.
ON DRAFT DAY The Cardinals are
unaccustomed to drafting so low in the
first round (16th overall). All signs point
toward them focusing early on the defensive side of the ball. After leading the
league in penalties last season, look for
the team to pay particular attention to the
mental makeup of prospective draftees.
St. Louis Rams

NEEDS ON OFFENSE: The Rams would
love to find an heir apparent to aging
OLT Orlando Pace, who has seen action
in only nine games the past two years.
They also have a very uncertain situation
at the center position and are in dire need
of more depth on a line that struggled
mightily to stay healthy last season. They
NFL draft order

Round One
1. Miami
2. St. Louis
3. Atlanta
4. Oakland
5. Kansas City
6. New York Jets
7. New England
(FROM SAN FRANCISCO)
8. Baltimore
9. Cincinnati
10. New Orleans
11. Buffalo
12. Denver
13. Carolina
14. Chicago
15. Detroit
16. Arizona
17. Minnesota
18. Houston
19. Philadelphia
20. Tampa Bay
21. Washington
22. Dallas
(FROM CLEVELAND)
23. Pittsburgh
24. Tennessee
25. Seattle
26. Jacksonville
27. San Diego
28. Dallas
29. San Francisco
(FROM INDIANAPOLIS)
30. Green Bay

New England
(FORFEITED)
31. New York Giants
Round Two
32. Miami
33. St. Louis
34. Atlanta
(FROM OAKLAND)
35. Kansas City

36. New York Jets
37. Atlanta
38. Baltimore
39. San Francisco
40. New Orleans
41. Buffalo
42. Denver
43. Carolina
44. Chicago
45. Detroit
46. Cincinnati
47. Minnesota
48. Atlanta
(FROM HOUSTON)
49. Philadelphia
50. Arizona
51. Washington
52. Tampa Bay
53. Pittsburgh
54. Tennessee
55. Seattle
56. Green Bay
(FROM CLEVELAND)
57. Miami
(FROM SAN DIEGO)
58. Jacksonville
59. Indianapolis
60. Green Bay
61. Dallas
62. New England
63. New York Giants
Round Three
64. Miami
65. St. Louis
66. Kansas City
67. Carolina
(FROM N.Y. JETS)
134. Tennessee*
135. Green Bay*
194. New York Giants
Round Five
195. Miami
(FROM OAKLAND)
70. Chicago
136. Kansas City
68. Atlanta
69. New England
(FROM SAN FRANCISCO)
(FROM MIAMI)
71. Jacksonville
137. St. Louis

138. Atlanta
139. Denver
(FROM BALTIMORE
THROUGH BUFFALO)
72. Buffalo
73. Minnesota
(FROM DENVER)
74. Carolina
75. San Francisco
(FROM OAKLAND)
140. Kansas City

141. Carolina
(FROM N.Y. JETS)
San Francisco
(FROM CHICAGO)
(FORFEITED)
76. Detroit
77. Cincinnati
78. New Orleans
79. Houston
80. Philadelphia
81. Arizona
82. Minnesota
83. Tampa Bay
84. Washington
85. Tennessee
86. Seattle
87. Detroit
Baltimore (USED IN
SUPPLEMENTAL DRAFT)
(FROM CLEVELAND)
88. Pittsburgh
89. Jacksonville
90. Chicago
(FROM SAN DIEGO)
91. Green Bay

92. Dallas
93. Indianapolis
94. New England
95. New York Giants
96. Washington*
97. Cincinnati*
98. Atlanta*
99. Baltimore*
Round Four
100. Miami
101. St. Louis
102. New York Jets
103. Atlanta
104. Oakland
105. Kansas City
106. Baltimore
107. San Francisco
108. Denver
109. Carolina
110. Chicago
111. Detroit
112. Cincinnati
113. New York Jets
(FROM NEW ORLEANS)
114. Buffalo
115. Philadelphia
116. Arizona
117. Minnesota
118. Houston
119. Denver
(FROM WASHINGTON)
120. Tampa Bay

121. Seattle
122. Cleveland
123. Pittsburgh
124. Tennessee
San Diego (USED IN
SUPPLEMENTAL DRAFT)
125. Jacksonville
126. Dallas
127. Indianapolis
128. Green Bay
129. New England
131. Philadelphia*
132. Buffalo*
133. Baltimore*
142. Chicago
(FROM CAROLINA)
143. Jacksonville
(FROM CHICAGO THROUGH
BUFFALO)
144. Detroit
145. Cincinnati
146. New Orleans
147. Buffalo
148. Denver
149. Arizona
150. Minnesota
151. Houston
152. Philadelphia
153. Tampa Bay
154. Washington
155. Cleveland
156. Pittsburgh
157. Tennessee
158. Jacksonville
(FROM SEATTLE)
159. Jacksonville
160. San Diego
161. Indianapolis
162. Green Bay
163. Dallas
164. New England
166. San Diego*
Round Six
(FROM GREEN BAY)

(FROM DALLAS)
196. Indianapolis
197. New England
199. New York Giants*
200. Philadelphia
201. Indianapolis*
202. Indianapolis*
203. Philadelphia*
204. Miami*
205. Indianapolis*
206. Baltimore*
207. Cincinnati*
Round Seven
208. Miami
209. Minnesota
(FROM ST. LOUIS)
210. Kansas City

211. New York Jets
212. Atlanta
213. Oakland
214. San Francisco
215. Baltimore
216. Detroit
217. St. Louis
(FROM CINCINNATI)
218. New Orleans

219. Buffalo
220. Denver
221. Carolina
222. Chicago
223. Houston
224. Buffalo
(FROM PHILADELPHIA)
225. Arizona
226. Oakland
(FROM MINNESOTA
THROUGH NEW YORK JETS)
227. Denver
167. Dallas
(FROM TAMPA BAY)
(FROM MIAMI)
228. Washington
229. Tennessee
230. Philadelphia
168. St. Louis

169. Oakland
170. Kansas City
171. New York Jets
172. Atlanta
173. Baltimore
174. San Francisco
175. Chicago
176. Detroit
177. Cincinnati
178. New Orleans
179. Buffalo
180. St. Louis
(FROM DENVER)
181. Carolina
182. Minnesota
183. Denver
(FROM HOUSTON)
184. Philadelphia
185. Arizona
186. Washington
187. Kansas City
(FROM TAMPA BAY)
188. Pittsburgh
189. Seattle
(FROM TENNESSEE)
190. Cleveland
(FROM SEATTLE)
191. Philadelphia
(FROM CLEVELAND)
192. San Diego

193. Minnesota
(FROM JACKSONVILLE)
(FROM SEATTLE)
231. Cleveland
232. Atlanta
(FROM PITTSBURGH)
233. Seattle
(FROM JACKSONVILLE)
234. San Diego

235. Dallas
236. Indianapolis
237. Green Bay
238. New England
239. Kansas City
(FROM NEW YORK GIANTS)
240. Baltimore*
241. Carolina*
242. Washington*
243. Chicago*
244. Cincinnati*
245. Miami*
246. Cincinnati*
247. Chicago*
248. Chicago*
249. Washington*
250. Carolina*
251. Buffalo*
252. St. Louis*
* Compensatory pick
also could use some insurance in the

backfield behind workhorse Steven Jackson and clearly need to get bigger, faster
and younger at wide receiver.
NEEDS ON DEFENSE: Jim Hasletts unit
could use help everywhere, especially at
defensive end, where the need for passrushing help is huge. DLE Leonard Little
(33 years old) is coming off major toe
surgery, and DRE James Hall (31) had only
212 sacks in 2007. The secondary could also
be an area of concern. CB Fakhir Browns
status is a bit shaky due to off-field issues,
and SS Corey Chavous is on his last legs.
ON DRAFT DAY With huge needs at
numerous positions, the Rams could go
in a lot of different directions with the
second overall pick including trading
down a few spots, where top-quality linemen on both sides of the ball are still
expected to be available. Dont be surprised if the team uses one of its first-day
picks on a speedy pass catcher.
San Francisco 49ers

NEEDS ON OFFENSE: A genuine deep threat
remains a top priority, even though the WR

corps has been significantly revamped with
the additions of Isaac Bruce and Bryant
Johnson. But perhaps an even bigger need
exists at guard, with Justin Smiley signing
with Miami, and fellow 2007 starter Larry
Allen considered a long shot to return.
More depth at tackle wouldnt hurt, either.
NEEDS ON DEFENSE: Ex-Bengal Justin
Smith is expected to dramatically upgrade
the teams situation at defensive end, but
the Niners could use more help at the position after losing Bryant Young (retired) and
Marques Douglas (signed with Tampa
Bay). The team could also use another outside backer with pass-rush ability and
more depth at cornerback, where Walt Harris (33) appears to be slowing down.
ON DRAFT DAY Look for the Niners to
heavily emphasize offense after ranking
at or near the bottom last season in every
major statistical category. Using multiple
picks on receivers and offensive linemen
is a strong possibility.
Seattle Seahawks
NEEDS ON OFFENSE: A tight end who can
stretch the middle of the field and do

some damage in the red zone is a top priority. The team also needs to seriously
consider an eventual replacement for
aging OLT Walter Jones, who cant
shoulder the load as well anymore due to
ongoing shoulder issues, and more manpower at guard, especially on the right
side. Although Julius Jones and T.J.
Duckett have been added to the mix, the
team would still like to find another back
with long-range feature potential.
NEEDS ON DEFENSE: The Seahawks need
to beef up their interior defensive line
after losing Chuck Darby and Ellis
Wyms in free agency. 2007 third-round
pick Brandon Mebane was a great find
last season, but former first-round DT
Marcus Tubbs remains a major injury
risk. More depth at linebacker is also
imperative after losing quality reserves
Kevin Bentley and Niko Koutouvides.
ON DRAFT DAY The Seahawks consider
themselves fortunate that there appears to
be a fair amount of depth at their four neediest positions in no particular order, TE,
OL, DT and RB. Provided they stay put at
the 25th pick in the first round, look for
them to draft the best athlete available at
one of the four positions listed above.
NFL TEAM NEEDS
on the way out, Carolina must address its

need for an improved pass rush.
2008 NFL DRAFT
NFL team needs
PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY
26
APRIL 2008
MOCK DRAFT
By
edia hype has created an expectation

for Chris Long to be the first overall
draft pick, but we see Bill Parcells opting for a more valuable Long with the
top pick and, the way we hear it, we
would be surprised if Chris is drafted in the top
MOCK DRAFT
JUNIORS ARE DENOTED BY AN ASTERISK (*).
F I R S T
R O U N D
1 OT JAKE LONG
MIAMI DOLPHINS
MICHIGAN
It doesnt matter who the quarterback is if he doesnt have
time to throw. With Long protecting the blind side, QB Josh
McCown may not have to run for his life for the first time in his
career. The time-tested, proven way to build a football team is
in the trenches, and Bill Parcells knows that as well as anyone.
2 DT GLENN DORSEY
ST. LOUIS RAMS
LSU
The Rams track record of drafting defensive tackles in the
first round has been very suspect. However, the teams brain
trust is wise enough not to let past mistakes cloud its judgment
of a legitimate talent with great passion.
ATLANTA FALCONS
QB MATT RYAN BOSTON COLLEGE
If the Falcons are to put the past behind them, nothing could
do it better than a new face of the franchise at the most important position. Ryan has all the tools to become great.
4 DE VERNON GHOLSTON*
OAKLAND RAIDERS
OHIO STATE
The Raiders ground game was not the problem last year,
when they ranked sixth in the league in rushing. With Tyler
Brayton (free agency) and Warren Sapp (retirement) gone,
Tommy Kelly returning from a serious injury and a disgruntled
Derrick Burgess having outplayed his contract, Gholston will
provide the most help.
5 RB DARREN McFADDEN*
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
ARKANSAS
The Chiefs desperately want to trade down, but Carl Peterson has never shied away from the strategy of taking the best
player overall. With the looming pressure to win immediately
and Larry Johnson coming off injury, he may have to restrain
himself from filling bigger needs at tackle and cornerback if
forced to stay at the No. 5 slot.
6 RB JONATHAN STEWART*
NEW YORK JETS
OREGON
Signing Calvin Pace filled a void at the OLB position. The
Jets signed Alan Faneca and Damien Woody to establish a
power-running game. All the offense lacks is a smashmouth
back. After having surgery on his toe, Stewart is expected to
be fully ready for training camp and could bring the blend of
power and speed thats missing from the Jets offense.
7 OLB-DE CHRIS LONG
SPORTPICS
2008 NFL DRAFT
2 0 0 8
five. If the Chiefs, at No. 5, focus on their greatest

need, a bigger run could be made on offensive
linemen. However, the depth of this years draft at
the OT, DE and CB positions could make teams
feel comfortable about finding a talent at those
positions in later rounds.
ity, allowing him to move between the 3-4 and 4-3.
10 CB DOMINIQUE RODGERS-CROMARTIE
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
TENN. ST.
His speed will be very attractive to a team with a major void
at cornerback and a history of drafting speed. Small-school
talent has paid big dividends for Sean Payton.
11 WR DEVIN THOMAS*
BUFFALO BILLS
MICHIGAN STATE
One-year wonders always pose some risk, but Thomas has
playmaking ability that could open up the offense for Trent
Edwards and complement Lee Evans very nicely.
12 OLT RYAN CLADY*
DENVER BRONCOS
BOISE STATE
Cladys lack of upper-body strength, low Wonderlic score
and questionable passion for the game could push him down
the board, but strength is not as important as athletic ability in
the Broncos zone-blocking scheme.
13 DRE DERRICK HARVEY*
CAROLINA PANTHERS
FLORIDA
With Mike Rucker likely in his final year in Carolina, Harvey
could benefit from a year as Ruckers backup and see considerable action in rotational duty as a rookie.
14 ORT JEFF OTAH
CHICAGO BEARS
PITTSBURGH
Otahs powerful style suits the Bears running game. His lack
of foot speed could prevent him from being drafted higher.
15 RB RASHARD MENDENHALL*
DETROIT LIONS
ILLINOIS
With a pressing need in the backfield following the release
of Kevin Jones, Mendenhall could step into the starting lineup
from Day One and be asked to shoulder the workload.
16 DE PHILLIP MERLING*
ARIZONA CARDINALS
CLEMSON
With no runner or cornerback worthy of the 16th pick, Merling could best help a pass rush that lost Calvin Pace, having
shown the toughness to play through a sports hernia injury
that he suffered during the second half of his junior season.
17 WR MARIO MANNINGHAM*
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
MICHIGAN
With Troy Williamson sent packing, Tarvaris Jackson needs
a legitimate downfield threat to open up the offense. The
Vikings have always been willing to overlook a wart or two in
the character department in order to secure a great talent.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (FROM SAN FRANCISCO)

VIRGINIA
The Patriots have not drafted a linebacker in the first round
since Bill Belichick came to New England, but Longs versatility will be too attractive to pass up. A strategist like Belichick
could utilize him in many ways.
18 OT CHRIS WILLIAMS
8 CB-RS LEODIS McKELVIN
19 OT-OG BRANDEN ALBERT*
BALTIMORE RAVENS
TROY
Age and injuries have wounded the Ravens secondary.
McKelvin could step in from Day One and start.
9 NT SEDRICK ELLIS
HOUSTON TEXANS
VANDERBILT
An excellent fit for Alex Gibbs zone-blocking scheme,
Williams lack of strength and explosion could be concealed
with all the leaning and cutting the Texans line is asked to
do.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
CINCINNATI BENGALS
USC
The Bengals tried hard to acquire help inside via free
agency but were not able to make a splash. Ellis could provide
new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer with scheme versatil-
VIRGINIA
With versatility to help inside or outside, Albert could be very
attractive to an Eagles brain trust that may be looking to move
up to land a tackle.
20
NOLAN NAWROCKI
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

WR LIMAS SWEED TEXAS
Jon Grudens offense could receive a spark from a big,
strong, acrobatic receiver like Sweed.
21 DE CALAIS CAMPBELL*
WASHINGTON REDSKINS
MIAMI (FLA.)
New DL coach John Palermo has proven he could get the
most out of Campbell and should be able to get him to cut
some weight to regain the burst he showed as a sophomore
when Palermo coached him in Coral Gables.
22 RB FELIX JONES*
DALLAS COWBOYS (FROM CLEVELAND)

ARKANSAS
With Marion Barber in tow, Jones could be a very good
complement and make a big contribution in the return game.
23 OT GOSDER CHERILUS
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
BOSTON COLLEGE
Cherilus possesses the power and strength that defines the
Steelers ground game. With Marvel Smith struggling to stay
healthy, Cherilus could easily be pressed into duty early.
24 WR MALCOLM KELLY*
TENNESSEE TITANS
OKLAHOMA
Questions about the health of Kellys knees and a lack of
speed may keep him from getting drafted sooner. Vince Young
could take major strides with a sure-handed, big target whom
he could trust to attack the many jump balls he tosses.
25 OLT SAM BAKER
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
USC
The Seahawks need to begin thinking about replacing Walter Jones. Giving his replacement some time to learn from one
of the games greats could pay big dividends down the line.
26 DE LAWRENCE JACKSON
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
USC
With Jack Del Rio exerting more influence in the draft room,
a former Trojan like himself could help upgrade an aging pass
rush in need of help off the edges.
27 NT KENTWAN BALMER
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

NORTH CAROLINA
Balmer could be a few years away from contributing, which
is acceptable on a very talented roster. His overall strength
makes him ideally suited to play in a 3-4 front.
28 CB-PR AQIB TALIB*
DALLAS COWBOYS
KANSAS
A Pacman Jones experiment may or may not work out, and
Talib could bring a similar swagger and much more size to the
secondary to help match up with the likes of Plaxico Burress.
29 LB KEITH RIVERS
SAN FRANCISCO (FROM INDIANAPOLIS)

USC
The lack of need at the LB position could keep Rivers from
being drafted sooner and work out very favorably for the Niners. Rivers versatility could be a plus in San Francisco.
30 TE MARTELLUS BENNETT*
GREEN BAY PACKERS
TEXAS A&M
With the Packers having released Bubba Franks and in need
of a blocking tight end who could also pose matchup problems
in the passing game, Bennett could help ease the transition of
Aaron Rodgers in his first year as the starting quarterback.
31 FORFEITED PICK
32 CB MIKE JENKINS
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
NEW YORK GIANTS

SOUTH FLORIDA
Despite drafting Aaron Ross in the first round last year, the
Giants need more depth in the secondary, and Tom Coughlin
has gotten the most out of players who dont like to practice.
APRIL 2008
PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY
FREE AGENCY 2008
No free-agency sticker
shock for Jets, Raiders
By
MIKE WILKENING
SENIOR EDITOR
he Jets and Raiders are trying to buy

their way back into the AFC playoff
race.
Thats the prevailing sentiment
around the league as the free-agent
signing period slows in advance of
the 2008 NFL draft.
Both teams won only four games
a season ago and finished a half-dozen games
out of the final playoff spot in their conference. But with plenty of salary-cap space at
their disposal, they made made some major
personnel moves.
The Jets revamped their offensive line,
signing Pro Bowl OLG Alan Faneca to a fiveyear, $40 million contract with $21 million
guaranteed. They also signed Lions unrestricted free-agent OL Damien Woody to a
five-year, $25.5 million deal ($11 million
guaranteed). The enigmatic Woody enhanced
his value with a strong showing at right tackle at the end of last season; hell play that
position in New York, too.
The Jets also bolstered the NFLs 18thranked defense from a season ago with the
addition of Cardinals UFA OLB Calvin Pace.
The price tag (six years, $42 million, $22
million guaranteed) was staggering for a
player with only one year of starting experience, but a veteran NFL assistant who has
studied Pace believes he can be as effective
with the Jets as he was in Arizona, citing
Paces impressive all-around game. The 6-4,
270-pound Pace made 98 tackles and racked
up 612 sacks last season.
The Raiders werent quite as active in free
agency as the Jets were, but four of their
moves drew leaguewide attention. The day
before free agency started, the Raiders resigned DT Tommy Kelly to a seven-year,
$50.5 million contract ($18.125 million guaranteed) the biggest contract ever given to
an interior defensive lineman. Kelly, 27, has
never made a Pro Bowl, and he finished last
season on injured reserve after suffering a torn
anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
The following day, the Raiders signed
Giants UFA S Gibril Wilson, a key part of the
reigning Super Bowl champions defense, to
a six-year, $39 million deal. Wilson will team
with Michael Huff on the back end of the
defense.
Oakland wasnt done dealing. On March 4,
the Raiders, in perhaps their most controversial signing of the offseason, agreed with exBroncos WR Javon Walker on a six-year, $55
million contract. Walker, who will be 30 in
October, has been brilliant at times, but he
has a history of knee problems, and he only
played eight games a season ago. And when
he played, he was largely a nonfactor.
The Raiders were undeterred. If Walker
plays to his form of 2004 (89 catches, 1,382
yards, 12 touchdowns) or 06 (69-1,084-8),
Oakland will have signed itself a legitimate
No. 1 receiver.
If not, the Raiders will know the meaning
of the term downside risk. The same can
be said for the teams other major offseason
addition: CB DeAngelo Hall, whom Oakland acquired for a second-round pick in the
08 draft and a fifth-round selection in 09
and signed to a seven-year, $70 million contract. Hall is a top talent, but he talked his
away out of Atlanta. The Raiders will pair
Hall with Nnamdi Asomugha and dare teams
to throw.
Whether thats enough to make the play-
SPORTPICS PHOTOS
On the move: Alan Faneca (top) and Javon Walker

will be playing for new teams in 2008
offs remains to be seen.
NEWS AND NOTES

The Rams weakened division-rival Seat-
tle with the signing of PK Josh Brown. Several special-teams coaches polled by PFW
praised Brown for his kicking at Seattles
Qwest Field, a quirky open-air stadium
where the elements can wreak havoc with
special-teams play. Whats more, Brown also
had to contend with shaky snaps last season;
the Seahawks cut two long-snappers before
finally bringing Jeff Robinson out of retirement to solidify that anonymous but important position. Brown, who connected on 28of-34 field-goal attempts in 07, will now
play his home games in the Edward Jones
Dome. This could also be a boon to Browns
kickoffs, which are already a strong part of
his game. The Rams were thrust into the market for a kicker when Jeff Wilkins retired on
the opening day of free agency.
The restricted free-agent market has
been quiet. Perhaps the most intriguing
restricted free agent, Browns QB Derek
Anderson, re-signed with Cleveland not long
after it appeared talks between the player and
the club had broken down.
The two most significant transactions
involving restricted free agents occurred after
the UFA market had slowed. The Bengals
signed Colts TE Ben Utecht to a three-year,
$9 million contract. Also, the Broncos and
Texans worked out a trade for RFA C Chris
Myers. Denver signed Myers to a four-year
contract, then traded him to Houston for a
2008 sixth-round pick.
Teams wanting to sign restricted free
agents to offer sheets must do so by April 18.
Two franchise free agents Bengals
OT-OG Stacy Andrews and Panthers OT Jordan Gross had signed their one-year tender offers as of this writing. The only franchise free agent to sign a multi-year contract
was ex-Packers DT Corey Williams, who
worked out a six-year deal with the Browns
upon being traded to Cleveland.
27
RANKING THE FREE-AGENT CLASS OF 2008

Below are the highest-graded players who hit the free-agent market. Some came free because their contracts expired, others were cut in cost-cutting moves. (Updated through March 30)
TOP 100 FREE AGENTS

RK. POSITION/PLAYER
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
WR Randy Moss
DE Jared Allen
DT Albert Haynesworth
LB Terrell Suggs
CB Asante Samuel
CB Nnamdi Asomugha
CB Marcus Trufant
OG Alan Faneca
RB Marion Barber
LB Lance Briggs
RB Michael Turner
DE Justin Smith
LB Karlos Dansby
OT Jordan Gross
DE Antwan Odom
OT Flozell Adams
OT Stacy Andrews
LB Calvin Pace
OG Jason Brown
S O.J. Atogwe
DT Corey Williams
DE Chris Canty
S Ken Hamlin
OL Damien Woody
TE L.J. Smith
PK Josh Brown
WR Dont Stallworth
QB Derek Anderson
S Madieu Williams
WR D.J. Hackett
S Gibril Wilson
P Dustin Colquitt
RB Julius Jones
LB Landon Johnson
PK Rob Bironas
WR Bernard Berrian
WR Javon Walker
DE Travis LaBoy
TE Alge Crumpler
OG Jacob Bell
C Jeff Faine
CB Drayton Florence
WR Andr Davis
DL Tommy Kelly
OG Jake Scott
DE Bobby McCray
DT Jovan Haye
OT David Stewart
LB Michael Boley
WR Jerry Porter
LB Kawika Mitchell
WR Bryant Johnson
S Yeremiah Bell
OG Justin Smiley
LB Demorrio Williams
DT Rod Coleman
S Eugene Wilson
DE Marques Douglas
LB Reggie Torbor
QB Josh McCown
RB DeShaun Foster
PK Jason Elam
OG Maurice Williams
FB Leonard Weaver
CB Domonique Foxworth
LB Tedy Bruschi
DE Kevin Carter
RB Derrick Ward
DE Jevon Kearse
LB Clark Haggans
OT Max Starks
RB Chris Brown
LB Victor Hobson
DE Antonio Smith
DT Darwin Walker
WR David Patten
OG Larry Allen
S Dwight Smith
LB Boss Bailey
S Will Demps
WR Justin Gage
S Chris Crocker
WR Devery Henderson
LB Danny Clark
QB Todd Collins
S Marlon McCree
WR Ernest Wilford
WR Isaac Bruce
WR Nate Washington
LB Dan Morgan
CB Eric Green
RB Ron Dayne
RB T.J. Duckett
WR Darrell Jackson
WR Marty Booker
ST Brendon Ayanbadejo
S C.C. Brown
FB Tony Richardson
RB Tatum Bell
RB Aaron Stecker
2007 TEAM
Patriots
Chiefs
Titans
Ravens
Patriots
Raiders
Seahawks
Steelers
Cowboys
Bears
Chargers
Bengals
Cardinals
Panthers
Titans
Cowboys
Bengals
Cardinals
Ravens
Rams
Packers
Cowboys
Cowboys
Lions
Eagles
Seahawks
Patriots
Browns
Bengals
Seahawks
Giants
Chiefs
Cowboys
Bengals
Titans
Bears
Broncos
Titans
Falcons
Titans
Saints
Chargers
Texans
Raiders
Colts
Jaguars
Bucs
Titans
Falcons
Raiders
Giants
Cardinals
Dolphins
49ers
Falcons
Falcons
Patriots
49ers
Giants
Raiders
Panthers
Broncos
Jaguars
Seahawks
Broncos
Patriots
Bucs
Giants
Eagles
Steelers
Steelers
Titans
Jets
Cardinals
Bears
Saints
49ers
Vikings
Lions
Texans
Titans
Falcons
Saints
Texans
Redskins
Chargers
Jaguars
Rams
Steelers
Panthers
Cardinals
Texans
Lions
49ers
Dolphins
Bears
Texans
Vikings
Lions
Saints
2006 TEAM
TERMS (YRS. VALUE GUARANTEED)
COMMENTS
Patriots
3 yrs. / $27 mil. / $15 mil.
Eagles
6 yrs. / $57 mil. / $20 mil.
Seahawks
Jets
6 yrs. / $50.2 mil./ $20 mil.

5 yrs. / $40 mil. / $21 mil.
Bears
Falcons
49ers
6 yrs. / $36 mil. / $13 mil.

6 yrs. / $34.5 mil. / $15 mil.
6 yrs. / $45 mil. / $20 mil.
Panthers
Bengals
Cowboys
Bengals
Jets
1 yr. tender / $7.455 mil.

5 yrs. / $29.5 mil. / $11.5 mil.
6 yrs. / $43 mil. / $15 mil.
1 yr. tender / $7.455 mil.
6 yrs. / $42 mil. / $22 mil.
Browns
6 yrs. / $38 mil. / $16.3 mil.
Jets
5 yrs. / $25.5 mil. / $11 mil.
Rams
Browns
Browns
Vikings
Panthers
Raiders
Chiefs
Seahawks
Panthers
5 yrs. / $14.2 mil. / $4 mil. SB

7 yrs. / $35 mil. / $10 mil.
3 yrs. / $24 mil. / $13 mil.
6 yrs. / $33 mil.
2 yrs. / $3.5 mil.
6 yrs. / $39 mil. / $16 mil.
5 yrs. / $8.5 mil. / $2.4 mil. SB
4 yrs. / terms undisclosed
3 yrs. / $10 mil.
Vikings
Raiders
Cardinals
Titans
Rams
Bucs
Jaguars
Texans
Raiders
Titans
Saints
6 yrs. / $42 mil. / $16 mil.

6 yrs. / $55 mil. / $16 mil.
5 yrs. / $22 mil. / $7.5 mil.
2 yrs. / $5 mil. / $1 mil. SB
6 yrs. / $36 mil. / $16 mil.
6 yrs. / $37.5 mil. / $15 mil.
6 yrs. / $36 mil. / $13 mil.
4 yrs. / $16 mil. / $8 mil.
7 yrs. / $50.5 mil. / $18.125 mil.
4 yrs. / $19.5 mil. / $6 mil.
5 yrs. / $20 mil. / $5 mil. SB
Jaguars
Bills
49ers
Dolphins
Dolphins
Chiefs
6 yrs. / $30 mil. / $10 mil.

5 yrs. / $17.5 mil.
1 yr. / terms undisclosed
1 yr. / $1.4 mil.
5 yrs. / $25 mil. / $9 mil.
5 yrs. / $16 mil. / $5.5 mil.
Bucs
Bucs
Dolphins
Dolphins
49ers
Falcons
Jaguars
1 yr. / $1.8 mil.

4 yrs. / $14 million
2 yrs. / $6.25 mil.
2 yrs. / $1.8 mil.
4 yrs. / $9 mil.
4 yrs. / $16 mil.
Patriots
Bucs
Giants
Titans
Cardinals
2 yrs. / $2.9 mil. / $1.2 mil. SB

1 yr. / $1.1 mil.
2 yrs. / $6 mil.
Texans
2 yrs. / $3.6 mil. / $800,000
Saints
Lions
Broncos
Texans
Titans
2 yrs. / $5 mil.
5 yrs. / $17.5 mil. / $4.3 mil. SB
2 yrs. / $4.75 mil.
4 yrs. / $14 mil.
Saints
Giants
Redskins
Broncos
Dolphins
49ers
1 yr. / $2 mil.
2 yrs. / $4 mil.
3 yrs. / $9 mil.
1 yr. / $2 mil. / $500,000 SB
4 yrs. / $13 mil. / $6 mil. SB
2 yrs. / $6 mil.
Saints
1 yr. / $1.48 mil.
Seahawks
5 yrs. / $13 mil. / $4 mil.
Bears
Ravens
2 yrs. / $3.5 mil.

4 yrs. / $4.9 mil.
Jets
Lions
Saints
1 yr. / almost $2 mil.

1 yr. / $1.6 mil.
1 yr. / $1.4 mil.
Would have been a surprise if he signed elsewhere

One of NFLs best defensive players in 2007
Put it all together in 07
Notched only five sacks last season
Ballhawk expected to give Philly secondary a boost
Given exclusive franchise tag; rising star at his position
Intercepted seven passes last season
The centerpiece of the Jets O-line rebuilding plans
One of the games most physical runners
His return to Chicago was thought to be a long shot
Gets starters money, carries in Atlanta
Hardworking, run-stuffing defensive end
Uniquely talented linebacker can play inside and outside
Very good on the right side; moving to other side in 08
Eight-sack season in 07 a sign of things to come?
One of the bigger and more dependable OLTs around
Just starting to reach his vast potential
Jets paid big for this talented, versatile OLB
Tough, physical left guard is a player on the rise
Led NFC with eight interceptions last season
Traded to Cleveland, where hell be a key part of D-line
Good 3-4 DEs are hard to find; has a bright future
Effective complement to SS Roy Williams
Talented but inconsistent; Jets will play him at ORT
One of Donovan McNabbs most dependable targets
Bolted for division-rival St. Louis; clutch, strong-legged
Browns couldnt resist adding another big-play threat
Set up for another big payday if he can build on 07
Reunites with former Bengals DC Leslie Frazier
Could be a bargain if he pans out
Raiders desperately wanted a steady veteran safety
Already one of NFLs best; could get even better
Likely to share carries with T.J. Duckett
Steady, versatile OLB will play on weak side in Carolina
Had an excellent 07 season; could cash in next year
Has very good speed; Vikings new No. 1 WR
Raiders are gambling 07 struggles wont carry over
Athletic pass rusher notched six sacks last season
Tennessee hopes he plays to his form of a few years ago
Paid handsomely to help fix St. Louis leaky O-line
The athletic Faine is one of the better centers around
Solid starter; has 10 career interceptions
Very good kick returner and capable No. 3 or 4 WR
Received a record deal for a DT; coming off ACL injury
After losing Jacob Bell, Titans signed Indys ORG
Talented but not particularly consistent
Had a breakout season in 07 (six sacks) in the Tampa-2
Has logged 30 career starts at ORT for Tennessee
One of the bright spots on Falcons defense last season
Could be a good fit in Jacksonvilles passing game
Got the long-term deal he wanted after playing well in 07
Joins a somewhat-crowded WR picture in San Francisco
Coming off knee injury; impressed in 06
Signed deal with Miami on first day of free agency
Penciled in as Chiefs new weak-side backer
Can be an effective pass-rushing DT when healthy
Can also play CB in a pinch; needed change of scenery
Rugged run-stuffer; notched 71 tackles last season
Big strong-side LB who has the ability to get to the QB
One of the entrants in the Dolphins QB derby
Will spell Frank Gore; part-time role suits him well
Has made 54-of-60 FG attempts the past two seasons
Moved inside to guard and found his niche
Versatile player is one of Seattles secret weapons
Has 18 starts in three NFL seasons
Instinctive ILB figures to be a Patriot for life
Cut, then re-signed
Change-of-pace back will have to compete for carries
Hopes return to Tennessee will jump-start his career
Can still be an effective OLB in a 3-4 scheme
The only player to receive the transition tag
Texans may use committee approach at RB
Has significant starting experience in 3-4 and 4-3
Came along nicely last season
Disappointed in his only season with the Bears
Still a threat to get deep after all of these years
May retire; if he doesnt, he could still snag a starting job
Productive; off-field incidents are a concern
Joins brother Champ in Denver
Impressed after joining Houston in September
Became an important part of Titans offense in 07
Versatile safety was expected to draw more interest
Catches the occasional deep ball
Good locker-room, special-teams presence
Will back up Jason Campbell in Washington
Broncos are looking for better play at safety
Tall, physical possession receiver
Could be a stabilizing presence for Niners offense
Steelers No. 3 WR has flashed some big-play ability
Injuries are a concern, but an impact player when healthy
Has developed into a solid starter
Houston has passed on re-signing its leading 07 rusher
Played well in a limited role for Detroit last season
Coming off a tough season with San Francisco
Could be Chicagos No. 1 receiver
Special-teams star; will also get some snaps on defense
Steady, if not flashy, strong safety
Thomas Jones had to applaud his arrival
Gets another chance with Lions
Catches the ball well; solid No. 3 RB
PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY
28
APRIL 2008
SITTING IN THE LAP OF LUXURY:
Owners complaints about CBA must be put into context
JERRY MAGEE
ny address where the Rockefellers,

Vanderbilts, Astors, Andrew Carnegie
and J.P. Morgan once reposed under a
frescoed ceiling would be no place for
sportswriters. A shabby lot, in the main.
One time in the 1970s, however, precisely
when escapes me, the NFL chose to conduct
its spring meetings at The Breakers. At this
Palm Beach, Fla., retreat known as a haven
for railroad barons, U.S. presidents and
members of the European nobility, I showed
up in the company of Rick Smith, then a delegate of the other newspaper in San Diego
and later the publicist for the St. Louis
Rams.
In our idle hours, we would repair to a
beach hard by the hotel. The beach frequented by Rick and your correspondent
was, we decided, a fine one. Remember, we
are from San Diego; we know a thing or
two about beaches. Imagine our surprise
when on the final day of the meetings, we
learned we had been hanging out at the servants beach.
Hey, no complaints. Through that week, I
had an opportunity to experience what it
must have been like at the turn of the century not this one, the previous one. Do
people still play harps? Havent heard one
in a while. But I heard one at The Breakers.
I would, I admit, like to know what the
beach for The Breakers clientele looks like,
but when the NFL the other day convened
another get-together at this site, I could not
be present. The economic climate in the
newspaper business being what it is, I

would be fortunate to get to Chula Vista, let
alone a venue with the grandeur of The
Breakers.
Creating it was the vision of Henry Morrison Flagler, a Standard Oil magnate. In
1894, Flagler had built The Royal Poinciana
Hotel at Lake Worth, Fla. Two years later,
Flagler built the Palm Beach Inn on the
beachfront of the Royal Poinciana. When
guests began requesting rooms over by the
breakers, Flagler doubled the hotels size
and renamed it The Breakers.
In June of 1903, Flaglers majestic pleasure dome burned down. It reopened in February 1904. Rooms started at $4 a night,
which included three meals. After the place
was consumed by fire a second time in
March 1925, 75 artisans were brought in
from Italy to complete the paintings that
adorn the ceiling of the 200-foot lobby.
Cherubs cuddly, angelic creatures are
depicted. There may be angels peering down
from the ceiling, but with the NFL doing
business, there would be few of them walking around in the lobby.
What I am getting around to here is that
this is not a place where anybody crying
poor is going to be believed. Among the
NFLs warlords is a cadre, with Jerry Jones
of the Dallas Cowboys being prominent in it,
that would have the league in November opt
out of its Collective Bargaining Agreement,
which details the conditions under which
players are employed.
One phase of the CBA is that the league

must invest 60 percent of its defined gross
revenues in player personnel. To those who
advocate acting to step away from the
CBA, the 60 percent figure is excessive.
Commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed
this during his state of the league news
conference prior to Super Bowl XLII in
Arizona.
I think it is important for our fans to
understand that the labor agreement is critically important to our business, and that our
business has changed over the last several
years, Goodell said. The cost of operating
an NFL franchise, not only in labor costs
that are 60 percent of the gross, but the cost
in stadium operations and building stadiums,
operating them and capital improvements,
these are all additional costs that we didnt
have just several years ago, and I think they
need to be recognized in the labor agreement.
Goodell said the NFL Players Association
has done this to a degree. We think there is
probably going to have to be some additional
consideration in how they do that, Goodell
said of the players union. But that is the
give-and-take of negotiation.
While what to do about the CBA was not
on the agenda of the leagues convocation at
The Breakers, it had to be what the owners
were discussing when they gathered in their
private councils. For the NFL to opt out of a
CBA approved in 2006 would set up the possibility of a 2010 season without a salary
cap, currently $116 million. Further, a year

without a cap could be followed by a possible work stoppage.
How teams would conduct their dealings
with players without a cap is a puzzlement.
The belief of most NFL observers is that
some teams would reward athletes generously
and that others would husband their spending.
In view of the games popularity, it is difficult to accept that some NFL teams are
experiencing financial problems. The reason
could be the building boom that accompanied the tenure of former commissioner Paul
Tagliabue, when new stadiums were created
in many NFL precincts. As a result, teams
have $9 billion in debt, according to a report
in Sports Business Journal. The debt figure
is three times as much as major-league baseballs debt, $3.1 billion, according to the
publication.
There also is this: a revenue-sharing program that is slated to disburse close to
$900 million to the leagues poorest teams
over the six-year life of the current CBA
and requires the top five richest clubs to
contribute the most to the plan. The program does not include monies from the
leagues television package, which is valued at approximately $3.7 billion a year
and is divided equally among the 32 franchises.
Jerry Magee has covered pro football for
the San Diego Union-Tribune since 1961
and for PFW since its inception in 1967.
BAND OF NFL BROTHERS:
Nessers made early days of pro football a family affair
JIM CAMPBELL
PRO FOOTBALL HISTORIAN
n what were called the Rag Days of pro football, there

were lots of them teams that came and went, mostly
went. They would hang around a season or two, maybe
only part of a season, and then no longer be part of the
scene.
To name several the Rock Island (Ill.) Independents,
Rochester (N.Y.) Jeffersons, Hammond (Ind.) Pros, Muncie
(Ind.) Flyers, Pottsville (Pa.) Maroons, Evansville (Ind.)
Crimson Giants and Columbus (Ohio) Panhandles.
Even the most ardent pro football follower of today would
be hard-pressed to tell you more about the above-named
teams than that they were once a member club, as the NFL
is wont to refer to the 32 franchises today.
Thats unfortunate, because there is much pro football lore
wrapped up in those defunct early franchises none more
so than the Columbus Panhandles.
A logical starting point in the teams history would be the
nickname. Unlike the Eagles, Bulldogs, Lions and Tigers,
perhaps no other team has been so labeled. These study
boys didnt ask for your spare change nor wash your windshield at red lights; the name was derived from the fact that
the players worked in the Columbus repair shops of the
Pennsylvania Railroads Panhandle Division a geographical reference.
Joe F. Carr, a name to keep in mind, was a young machinist in the Panhandle shops at the turn of the 20th century. He
first organized a baseball team and then a football team
made up of his more athletically inclined fellow railroaders.
There was no NFL then, but pro football, as rudimentary as
it was, had a strong foothold in the mid-size industrialized
cities of the Midwest.
The Panhandles were unique among early pro teams. As
employees of the Pennsylvania Railroad, they enjoyed the
use of free rail passes. Traveling to away games involved no
expense. The players simply caught a Pennsy, usually after
working a full shift on Saturday, to wherever they were
scheduled to play, played the game Sunday and returned

home in time to grab a few hours sleep before clocking in at
the shops on Monday morning.
Perhaps the truly unique feature of the Panhandles was the
makeup of the squad seven brothers and an eighth member (the son of an older brother) of the family suited up at
various times. Over the years, the NFL has seen many brother combinations usually two, sometimes three but
never has one family produced as many players as that of
Theodore and Katherine Nesser.
Sons Al, Ted, Phil, John, Raymond, Fred and Frank all
proudly wore the maroon and gold of the Panhandles. All
were also repair shop employees at one time or another.
Mostly, the burly Nesser boys worked as boilermakers. They
were not exactly white-collar types.
As can be imagined, the Nesser brothers were a drawing
card. The curious, by the hundreds, lined the streets in visiting cities to glimpse the boys walking, in uniform, from their
hotel to the football field.
The heyday of the Panhandles and the Nessers was in the
pre-NFL days, before there was a formal professional football league. But when the American Professional Football
Association was officially organized in Ralph Hays Hupmobile showroom in Canton, Ohio, on Sept. 17, 1920, the
Columbus Panhandles were a first-year team.
Name recognition and athletic reputation resulted in figurehead Jim Thorpe being named league president, but the
aforementioned Joe Carr was the behind-the-scenes administrator. Carr, by now a sportswriter-promoter and minorleague baseball executive, was elevated to president the next
year and served the league ably in that executive capacity
until his death in 1939.
It would be nice to report that the Panhandles, led by the
legendary Nessers, were the scourge of the NFL (the league
name adopted in 1922), but they werent.
Age and the daily rigors of making boilers by day had
taken their toll on the older Nesser brothers. In three seasons

in the NFL (1920-22), the Panhandles were a mere 1-21-0.
The teams only victory came during a 1-8 season in 21.
Al, Frank, Fred, John, Phil and Ted all played in the 1920
and/or 1921 NFL seasons. And Ted and Charlie (Teds son)
formed the pro leagues first father-son combination when
they suited up for the Panhandles in 1921.
When the Columbus team became the Tigers for the 1923
season, they fared somewhat better, posting records of 5-4,
4-4, 0-9, and 1-6 from 1923-26, after which the franchise
folded. The Tigers had linkage back to the Panhandles glory
days when Frank played for them in 1925 and 26.
One distinction the Panhandles can claim is to have played
in the first-ever NFL game. They opened the inaugural season Oct. 3, 1920 against the Dayton Triangles. It was
also the date that the Muncie Flyers took on the Rock Island
Independents. But because the Panhandles-Triangles game
was played in the Eastern time zone, it is considered the
NFLs (actually the APFAs) first-ever game. If youre keeping score, the Triangles shut out the Handles 14-0, and the
Indies shot down the Flyers 45-0.
There is so much more to the Columbus Panhandles and
the Nessers stories than is reported here. Interested readers
can learn further details by picking up a copy of The
Columbus Panhandles. Its a thoroughly researched and
well-documented team history (1900-22) by Chris Willis of
the NFL Films research library. The Pro Football Hall of
Fame in Canton features a display on the team and the band
of Nesser brothers, including a well-preserved maroon and
gold sideline blanket with the distinctive Panhandles logo (a
gold starburst with the Pennsys keystone and a monogrammed PH).
Jim Campbell has been an observer of the pro football
scene for half a century, including stints with the Hall of
Fame, NFL Properties and NFL Alumni.
APRIL 2008
PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY
29
WILL IT RESURFACE?
Inside the NFL ends its legendary run at HBO, that is
BARRY JACKSON
RADIO-TV
he major offseason news on the NFLs

broadcast front was as disappointing as
it was surprising. HBOs decision to
drop Inside the NFL after 31 years
not only shocked the programs hosts but
also eliminated one of the leagues best and
most thoughtful studio shows.
With a Wednesday-night debut and several
re-airings the rest of the week, Inside the
NFL filled fans midweek craving by offering NFL Films unique highlights of the previous weekends games, analysis of the
upcoming games and smart, glib, enlightened dialogue among the hosts.
Bob Costas, on the shows final episode,
said it best, calling HBOs move a boneheaded decision to discontinue one of the best
and longest-running shows on television.
Off the air, Costas said in mid-March, It
was a budgetary decision. This was the place
they could cut the most off their budget. It
was such a good show because of the quality.
The shows ratings remained consistent
over the years, attracting slightly more than
two million viewers per week this TV season. But HBO spent more than $10 million
annually on the program including about
$6 million for NFL Films highlights and
didnt want to continue paying that amount
for a program it felt was no longer unique
enough for premium cable.
The television landscape has changed
quite a bit over the last 30 years, and we

have to recognize the realities of the business, HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg
said. Im not sure we had more than one
competitor when the show launched in
1977.
For this viewer, the biggest lure wasnt the
highlights, but the discourse on meaty issues
(including whether the NFL mishandled
Spygate) and the creative, ambitious feature stories that you wouldnt see on the
Sunday-afternoon rights-holders.
And HBO put together a quartet that
meshed Cris Collinsworth (there for 18
years), Dan Marino (eight) and Costas and
Cris Carter (six each). They could engage
each other in a serious discussion one
minute and exchange lighthearted barbs the
next. The humor came naturally and rarely
lapsed into the silliness that viewers witness
on other NFL pregame shows.
Former hosts Len Dawson and Nick
Buoniconti also deserve credit for capably
carrying the shows torch for its first 23
years. NFL Films will continue to produce
its distinct game highlights, and the NFL
hopes the program will be reincarnated on
another network, with different hosts, though
thats far from certain. ESPN, TNT, TBS and
Versus would all be possibilities. An NFL
Network spokesman said his network isnt
interested because it has similar programming.
CARTER MOVES TO ESPN

When Inside the NFL signed off for a
final time in February, all of the shows hosts
had other TV jobs except Carter. But that
changed later in the month when ESPN
hired the former All-Pro receiver to be an
analyst on multiple platforms, including
NFL Live, SportsCenter, ESPNews,
ESPN Radio and ESPNs draft coverage.
Carter essentially replaces Sean Salisbury,
whose contract was not renewed. Brash and
highly opinionated, Salisbury somehow parlayed a highly mediocre playing career into
a 12-year stay at ESPN. Ultimately, though,
his act wore thin with some viewers.
Unfortunately, ESPN wont replace
Emmitt Smith with Carter on NFL Countdown. But Carter could replace Keyshawn
Johnson if Johnson decides to return to the
field something he was still mulling as of
this writing. Johnson said he was having a
difficult time deciding but denied a report
that Bill Parcells had offered him a chance to
play for the Dolphins.
Asked what he would do now, retiring
Packers QB Brett Favre said, Nothing.
Favre has displayed no inclination to pursue
broadcasting. But if he does, ESPN has
expressed strong interest. CBS and Fox say
their rosters are full, and NBC was noncommittal.
Credit Foxs Jay Glazer for breaking
the Favre retirement story just the latest
in a string of scoops by Glazer over the past

year. Meanwhile, has anyone ever
announced his retirement in a voice mail?
Favre did just that, leaving a three-minute
message on the cell-phone voice mail of
ESPNs Chris Mortensen, who couldnt
pick up his phone because he was on the air
at the time discussing Favres retirement.
And Favre also tried to call Peter King, who
was unavailable because he was in Kyrgyzstan on a seven-day USO trip with NFL
players.
Kudos to ESPN for bulking up its offseason NFL coverage, including sending
Todd McShay to key pro days and doing an
analysis of each of the 32 teams on SportsCenter. NFL Live, which airs at 4 p.m.
ET, has been replayed at midnight on many
weeknights.
NFL games were the six most-watched
programs on television during the current
TV season, topped by the Super Bowl,
which was seen in 97.5 million homes and
by a record 148.3 million viewers. The highest-rated regular-season game was PatriotsGiants in Week 17, seen in 34.5 million
homes. And the NFLs popularity, already
high worldwide, grew even more this year.
Super Bowl ratings were up 51 percent in
England and 63 percent in France.
Barry Jackson covers sports broadcasting
for the Miami Herald.
THE LAST PASS:
Careers of legendary QBs rarely have fairy-tale endings
TOM DANYLUK
oger Staubachs came in the

twilight of the 1979 NFC
playoffs, the desperation of
4th-and-20. High and away
and out of reach. It wasnt the
Staubach style. After all those
chilling comebacks, a thud. Rams
21, Cowboys 19.
Joe Theismanns was a sevenyarder, a chippie, a footnote. Four
plays later, he set up in the pocket,
and the Giants defense snapped
his right leg.
Dont worry, guys, Ill be back,
he joked as they carted him away.
Gloom settled over the field like a
funeral shroud. A 12-year career
ended in the emergency room.
John Elways sailed deep into the
corner of an empty endzone. It was
the Super Bowl, two minutes to go,
and the Broncos had already put
things away. A strange call for that
point in the game. I wonder if he
wanted just one more pass, John
Madden questioned from the booth.
The last pass.
Proud athletic careers coming to
an end. The creaking door finally
shuts. More often than not, it ends
in a whimper, like the gunneddown Pancho Villa on his
deathbed, struggling to lace his
words with some final gasp of
drama.
Dont let it end like this, he
whispered. Tell them I said something.
Troy Aikmans last throw disappeared into a fog. It was 3rd-andgoal at the Redskins one, and here
came the pressure LB LaVar
Arrington at full steam. Incomplete, down went Aikman. Another
concussion, the 10th of his career.
What pass? he says. Three
months later he retired.
For Phil Simms, it was a sideline
toss that was whacked at the line
and intercepted. He was trying to
rally his team back from a 34-point
playoff hole in San Francisco.
Dan Marino? His goodbye was a
nowhere fling to WR O.J.
McDuffie, the conclusion of an 11for-25 passing day in Jacksonville
during the 99 postseason. The
Dolphins had been mauled, 62-7.
Jimmy Johnson gave Marino the
mercy pull just after halftime, trailing 48-7.
For 20 years, I told the story
how I intercepted Joe Namaths
final pass, former Bears All-Pro
safety Gary Fencik said. It was a
Monday-night game in 77, my second year in the league. Joe was finishing his career out with the Rams,
and you could see his skills had
eroded. After the play, I remember
thinking, You know, he wasnt
intercepted by some stud from USC
or Notre Dame. It was me, a guy
from Yale. I guess its time to hang
it up, Joe. The Rams benched him
for good after that game.
Then one day, years later,

(Bears co-owner) Pat McCaskey
pulled the plug on my little cocktail
story. He handed me a copy of the
play-by-play sheet from that night,
fourth quarter. Namath had come
back in for another series. It wasnt
his last pass. He threw a few more.
Broadway Joe, the big bomber,
the heavy-duty gunner. His
farewell round went into the books
as a one-yard dump-off to John
Cappelletti.
Move ahead to 1983, Steelers at
Jets. Pittsburgh needs a win to
wrap up a playoff berth, and Terry
Bradshaw had missed the entire
season with elbow problems.
We tried everything to get him
back on the field that year, former
Steelers personnel director Art
Rooney Jr. said. Rest, said the
doctors, rest. But it stayed sore.
Some guy even brought in this
magic mynah bird to sit on it. It
has great healing powers, he told
us. No luck with the mynah.
I was on a scouting trip that
December when my brother Dan
called me. Terrys practicing, he
said. He doesnt look too bad.
But Bradshaws recovery was
just a tease. He began 4-for-7
passing and had the Jets in full
retreat, but on one of the throws
he felt something pop. Ligament
failure.
On the play prior to the injury,
NBC color man Merlin Olsen had

given the viewers a peek into the
immediate future.
The one thing that I would be
really concerned about if I were
Chuck Noll, Olsen said, was that
Bradshaw try to do too much in the
early part of this game, might get
carried away with emotion and try
to put too much on the ball. If he
indeed does do that, he could
injure that arm further.
He gave it one more go a little flip to Calvin Sweeney that
went for a touchdown, his second
of the afternoon.
And then I knew my career was
over, Bradshaw said. The Steelers
went to the playoffs without him.
Now its Brett Favres turn. He
hung it up for good a few weeks
ago.
Im just tired, he said. A weary
soul. After 17 years of action you
believe him.
Favres last pass looked tired,
too, an impatient heave in overtime
that cost Green Bay the 2007 NFC
championship. Nobody was open.
It was intercepted. The Giants
kicked a field goal and won the
game. What a way to go.
Hey, Id rather have gone out
like that instead of what happened
to me, former Colts and Rams QB
Bert Jones said. I dont even
remember my last pass, to be honest. Thats because it wasnt sup-
posed to be my last pass.

It was right after the 82 strike.
We had just beaten the Chiefs, but
I was still having some problems
from a hit Id taken the week
before. Numbness, loss of feeling and such. I was getting ready
for practice when somebody pulled
me aside and said, Whoa, where
are you going?
Im going to practice.
Oh no, youre not. Weve just
seen your X-rays. Youre going to
the hospital.
Turns out, I had an exploded
disc and a damaged vertebra,
Jones said. The prescription for
that is called a cervical fusion.
Then three and a half months in a
halo cast.
Then permanent street clothes.
I was in the prime of my career,
age 31. I guess thats what still
bothers me today. I wasnt ready to
quit. The decision was made for
me. You never get over it. Yeah, I
can say Im still not over it.
The last look downfield. The
sad, little punctuation mark hiding
at the end of every quarterbacks
career.
The last pass.
Tom Danyluk is a freelance
writer based in Chicago who
writes a weekly column for ProFootballWeekly.com during the
NFL season.
PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY
30
Sidelined: WR Brandon Marshall will

miss months as a result of an arm injury
visit was because the Buccaneers
and the Rams had them locked up
before the official Feb. 29 start to
free agency. NFL rules prohibit
teams from talking to agents
before the start of the freeagent signing period,
though the practice is
believed to be widespread
throughout the league.
Commissioner Roger
Goodell made the unprecedented
move of punishing the 49ers for
their allegedly premature contact
with Bears OLB Lance Briggs.
There were probably some deals
done before (free agency began),
Edwards said, according to the
Kansas City Star. We didnt cheat.
We abided by the rules. Thats how
youre supposed to do it.
SPORTPICS
N F C lE A S T
Pacman situation
is a tricky one for
intrigued Cowboys
injuries that had slowed him in the

past. Reports indicate Newberry
has offers from other clubs, including the Buccaneers, but has not
yet accepted any of them while
hoping a deal with the Raiders can
be worked out. This year's group of
rookie centers is thought to be relatively weak, and sources say
bringing back Newberry is the
teams best option his backup
last season, Jake Grove, 28, was
unable to win the starting job in a
training-camp competition last
year. Although the Raiders have
resorted to loading up on massive
contracts to fill holes on their roster, it appears they are looking for
more of a bargain when it comes
to the player who will be the shield
directly in front of Russell.
DENVER BRONCOS
In a bizarre accident on March
22, Broncos WR Brandon Marshall seriously injured his right
arm, suffering lacerations to
an artery, vein, nerve and
tendons to several muscles
in his right forearm. Marshall told the media he was
rough-housing with his
older brother, Fred, when he tried
to avoid slipping on a McDonalds
bag and put his arm through a
television set. The incident, which

took place at a resort in Orlando,
Fla., required surgery and will
keep Marshall sidelined for 3-4
months. Its a considerable setback
for Marshall, who established himself as an elite receiver last year,
only his second in the league. He
vowed to be prepared and healthy
in time for training camp, but will
miss workouts and minicamps
when many of the offensive plays
will be installed. Marshall, who was
charged with DUI in October and
had a jury trial for the incident
delayed the same day the news of
his arm injury became public,
admitted he had some growing up
to do. It remains to be seen
whether the damage to his arm
will have any effects that linger into
next season, but Marshall said it
was a good thing the injury was to
his forearm and not his hand, suggesting that cutting his hand would
have been more of a threat to his
on-field performance.
might be willing to roll the dice on

Jones behavior problems being a
thing of the past, but if he were not
free to play in 08, they might have
wasted time, value and effort in
acquiring him.
stretch, could move to safety if a

top prospect isnt found in the
draft. It is not considered a strong
year at all for the safety position,
outside the top few players available.
WASHINGTON REDSKINS
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Many observers actually credit

former defensive honcho Gregg
Williams for the way he was able
to adapt his defensive game plans
based on the strengths of his personnel. All things being equal,
Williams would have loved to blitz
more often and play more singlehigh safety coverage the
past two seasons, but he
ended up having to play a
lot more cover-2 and
Tampa-2 defenses than he
wanted to save for the
late run last season that put the
team in the playoffs. New coordinator Greg Blache, the DL coach
under Williams, spoke of being
more aggressive upon his promotion this offseason, but it was interesting to hear MLB London
Fletcher say that Blache made as
much as 60 percent of the defensive calls last season. And considering the coachs cover-2 background as a coordinator in Chicago, that could turn out to be the
base defense once more.
In Andy Reids offense, the fullback is almost always a blocker

and receiver, seldom a runner. The
TE position is also involved heavily
in the passing game, all things
being equal, but it hasnt been the
most creatively used spot on the
field in recent years. That
said, the team values those
spots within the scheme of
the offense and has added
two players, Dan Klecko
and Kris Wilson, who could
improve the blocking up front. Getting bigger and better at the line of
scrimmage on both sides of the
ball has been an issue of preference this offseason. Although
Klecko, a former defensive lineman
who had moonlighted at fullback,
wont be handed the FB job, he
has a chance to win it. And Wilson,
who played tight end, H-back and
fullback in Kansas City, could be a
factor at both the TE and FB spots
in Philly. Klecko and Wilson might
also make impacts on special
teams, so dont overlook the
potential of these moves.
NEW YORK GIANTS
N F C lN O R T H
Talk of new deal
for Packers RB Grant
hardly a stretch
Safety has been an annual position of concern for the Giants for
many years. Lo, the team hasnt
had a Pro Bowler at the position
since Terry Kinard, in 1988. Sure,
Gibril Wilson played well and
earned quite a contract from the
Raiders this offseason, but
the Giants were not even in
the same financial ballpark
in terms of matching those
numbers. So, the spot will
require further help, even
with the addition of veteran
Sammy Knight. The Giants consider their safety positions nearly
interchangeable, but both could
use some athleticism. Knight and
James Butler, the de facto
starters for now, both lack range
and might not hold up for 16
games if the Giants run a lot of
two-deep coverages. One intriguing possibility: CB R.W. McQuarters, who played well down the
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Maybe the Chiefs inability to
make a splash during free agency
is more a result of other clubs
indiscretions rather than their own
lack of aggressiveness. At a news
conference last week, coach Herm
Edwards implied that the reason
Kansas City was unable to lure C
Jeff Faine or PK Josh Brown
two players it coveted for even a
SPORTPICS
WWHI
The Cowboys have had internal

discussions about CB-RS Pacman
Jones, a player whose talent is
undeniable but also one who might
be one strike away from a permanent NFL banishment. If he were
to land in Dallas something the
NFL-suspended player has campaigned for openly this past
week he would provide
help at two crucial spots:
punt returner and cornerback. The team has
acknowledged it needs reinforcements at both positions. However, Jones has yet to be reinstated by the NFL, and commissioner
Roger Goodell, perhaps not the
biggest fan of Jones behavior
since the Titan received his indefinite suspension, apparently doesnt intend to readdress the players
status in the league until training
camp. Will he be a Titan then? A
Cowboy? A free agent? Its a tricky
situation for the Cowboys, who
have the draft picks and likely the
cap room (Jones is scheduled to
earn a base salary of $1.25 million
in 2008) to make a move, but
patience is another matter. They
APRIL 2008
On the move: Pacman Jones is searching for a new team and likes the Cowboys
On coincidentally the same day

that Brandon Chillar signed a
new deal with the Packers, PFW
asked Chillars agent, Alan Herman of Sportstars Inc., just how
far down the road he envisioned a
new contract for fellow client Ryan
Grant. With the Packers having
cap money to burn more than
$35 million including the cap
charge for Brett Favre, who
at this writing had yet to
turn in his retirement
papers and Grant coming off a breakthrough campaign in which he was one
of the leagues most dynamic running backs the second half of the
season, Herman confirmed that it
hardly takes a genius to connect
the dots. From all the rhetoric that
Ive seen about the Packers preferring to take care of their own
before they reach free agency, and
also looking at what Ryan accomplished last year, I would like to
think the timing is right to get
something done for a significant
period of time, Herman told PFW.
At this writing, the Packers had yet
to officially open talks with Herman, who the day after talking to
PFW told the Green Bay PressGazette that Grant would not sign
his $370,000 minimum tender for
an exclusive-rights player with only
one accrued season in the NFL.
Grant is planning on full-scale
involvement in the Packers spring
offseason program, however, and
while team insiders believe there
could be some pretty lively discussions at some point between the
Packers and Grants agents over
the actual value of a running back
who has been an elite performer
for only half a pro season, the
odds still seem pretty strong that a
new deal will be struck later this
offseason. Said Herman: Ryan

absolutely loves Green Bay the
team and the players and we
plan on fostering as good a working relationship with the Packers
as possible toward reaching a
long-term agreement that will benefit both sides.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
For years, C Matt Birk has been
hailed as a heady player and the
centerpiece of some good Vikings
offensive lines. Last season, he
earned Pro Bowl merit whether
he deserved it or not. One team
source did not think Birk played at
a Pro Bowl level, at least not consistently through the season. And though Birks
agent, Joe Linta, says his
clients current absence
from the Vikings offseason
team activities has nothing
to do with Birks contract status
hell become a free agent after the
2008 season it is interesting to
note that nothing has been done
long term regarding his contract.
Typically, the Vikings are among
the two or three most aggressive
teams in terms of re-upping with
their own players entering the final
year of their contracts, and yet
there has not been much in the
way of discussion to offer Birk a
long-term deal. Although the
Vikings are not down on Birk, per
se, dont be surprised if they look
to get younger at center this offseason to protect against the possibility that hell leave after next
season.
DETROIT LIONS
The rumors had been mostly
shut down, but for those who still
wondered if the Lions and GM
Matt Millen perhaps were willing
to deal from a position of strength
and maybe trade WR Roy
Williams, the players recent comments appear to quash that notion
fairly thoroughly. He told local
media that he planned to
remain a Lion, wanted to
continue playing with the
team and that head coach
Rod Marinelli called him
earlier this offseason when
the trade talk started heating up
and told Williams that he was
going to have his best season to
date in Detroit. It makes sense.
As much as the Lions could afford
to deal Williams and help out one
of their other areas of need, they
are not in the necessary cap
shape or have so much of a wealth
of talent that they could let one of
their best players go likely in
exchange for draft picks. The team
has four picks in the first three
rounds of the draft already, having
picked up an extra third-rounder
from the Browns in the Shaun
Rogers deal, and likely is too captight to add many more picks that
require large signing bonuses.
CHICAGO BEARS
Will the Bears possibly be able
to fill two gaping holes on their
offensive line right tackle and
left guard in the upcoming
draft? The consensus around
Halas Hall seems to be that the
Bears will be able to fill one of
those holes for sure, with perhaps
a couple of starting-caliber tackles
expected to be available when
they pick 14th overall in the first
round. But unless the Bears go out
PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY
on a limb and switch their firstround gears in the direction of a

top OG prospect such as Branden
Albert, which doesnt appear too
likely, the teams optimism is
guarded, at best, that it will be able
to find a left guard in late April who
is capable of starting right away.
Which brings us to Josh
Beekman, the Bears
fourth-round pick in 2007,
who is considered by most
team insiders to be the
front-runner to take over at
left guard in 08 even though he
barely saw the field during his
rookie season. You keep hearing
about how much they like Beekman, that hes smart and a real
hard worker, but you have to wonder why the Bears didnt put him in
the lineup last year after
(Terrence) Metcalf got his chance
and blew it, a team source told
PFW. There are also concerns
about Beekmans lack of size. Hes
listed at 6-2, 310, on NFL.com,
but he certainly doesnt look that
big, the same source said. He
looks even smaller than (starting
C) Olin Kreutz, whos undersized
himself. Beekman could have a
problem handling real strong tackles at the pro level.
N F C lS O U T H
Saints McAllister on
mend, but agrees to
delay contract bonus
We hear the Saints are keeping
a close eye on RB Deuce McAllisters progress this offseason as he
recovers from the September
surgery he had on both knees.
McAllister has said he fully expects
to be ready when New Orleans
minicamp begins sometime around
June 1, but he and the team
recently agreed to delay his
$1 million roster bonus from
March 15 to April 15 in a
move to give the Saints
more time to assess his
health status. Our sources
say it made sense for McAllister,
who has torn an ACL in two of the
past three seasons, to avoid taking
a contentious, hard-line stance
because he doesnt want to end
up being cut and becoming a free
agent, only to have teams question
his ability to stay healthy. Word is
its likely the two sides will negotiate as the time for the bonus
approaches and may modify McAllisters current contract, which will
pay him $3.6 million in base salary
in 2008 along with the roster
bonus and a $100,000 workout
bonus. A new deal could add
incentives, punctuated by bonuses
for games played, number of carries or other objectives that will be
met only if the 29-year-old can
avoid another trip to the injuredreserve list.
31
Coming on: Roddy White could be the

Falcons No. 1 offensive weapon in 2008
starters on the line will improve or
further hinder Carolinas hopes for
a bolstered pass rush. As it currently stands, the winner of a training-camp battle between DEs
Charles Johnson and Stanley
McClover will replace Rucker, and
Damione Lewis will go from
reserve to starter at tackle. DE
Julius Peppers, coming off the
worst year of his career, and DT
Maake Kemoeatu, who has been
a disappointment since he was
signed before the 2006 season,
should round out the starting lineup. The group has plenty of talent
but has a tendency to underachieve, which is a huge problem,
considering much of head coach
John Foxs defensive scheme
relies on the front fours ability to
pressure the quarterback.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

The Buccaneers have a logjam
at quarterback, with six currently
under contract, but that number
should shrink soon. Jeff Garcia is
entrenched as the teams starter,
and Brian Griese, who was
acquired from the Bears for a 2009
draft pick, is the likely backup.
Luke McCown and Bruce Gradkowski will compete for the No. 3
spot, and Jake Plummer remains
retired. The most likely candidate
for dismissal is Chris Simms, who
did not show up for the Bucs
recent voluntary workouts and
skipped the clubs QB orientation

for the first time in his career, as
well, according to reports. Tampa
would like to add more
picks to the five it has in
this years draft, and Simms
is their most obvious trade
bait, though it may be difficult to find a willing partner
in a deal, considering he has not
appeared in a game since Week
Three of the 2006 season. Simms
ruptured his spleen that day and
didnt fully recover from the injury
until recently. He could be available to teams looking to add depth

at quarterback, but the Bucs may
not get much in return for Simms,
a third-round pick in 2003, who
was thought to be the future face
of the franchise less than two
years ago.
ATLANTA FALCONS
Once maligned as a draft bust,
Falcons WR Roddy White could
CONTINUED ON PAGE 32
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DEERFIELD, IL 60015
CAROLINA PANTHERS
Just one year ago the Panthers
defensive line was regarded as the
teams greatest strength. After an
offseason shuffle that resulted in
trading DT Kris Jenkins to
the Jets for draft picks and
the increasingly likely
departure of UFA DE Mike
Rucker, the D-line has
become the Panthers
biggest cause for concern. Our
source called the unit a real question mark and wondered if two new
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PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY
WWHI
become the teams No. 1 option on
offense next season. In an otherwise dismal season for the franchise, White, a first-round pick in
2005, emerged as the teams top
offensive weapon last year, compiling 83 catches and 1,202 receiving
yards, which marked the
fifth-highest total in each
category for a Falcons
receiver in franchise history.
Although the addition of RB
Michael Turner will create
an added emphasis on the ground
game, Whites ability to get separation from cornerbacks on short
or long routes, while also shifting
to different spots in the formation
before the snap, could very well
make him Atlantas top offensive
player, according to our sources.
We hear White, who had more
receptions and receiving yards last
season than he did in his first two
years combined, finally realized
how great it feels to have individual
success, and once he got a taste,
he didnt let down. While his role
on the field will be enhanced, our
source in Atlanta said not to
expect White to take on more of a
position of leadership. Becoming a
more vocal player in the locker
room wouldnt mesh with his personality, were told.
pair of phone calls to Rosenhaus

that had nothing to do with Briggs
and believe that they are being
unfairly victimized by an NFL commissioner who appears determined to make a leaguewide
crackdown on tampering his next
big cause clbre with the
Spygate incident still lingering over his head. Unjust
or not, leaguwide observers
agree that the tampering
penalty doesnt reflect well
on new Niners GM Scot
McCloughan, who is under major
pressure to oversee the Niners
transition back to being a
respectable organization both
on and off the field. But while the
franchise no doubt has been
embarrassed by its latest setback,
we hear nobody appears to be in
danger of losing his job at least
outwardly. Team insiders also tell
us that, while the Niners werent
overly distressed by having to drop
five spots in Round Three, they
considered the loss of their fifthround pick in the upcoming draft a
major blow. McCloughan and head
coach Mike Nolan have had
decent success picking in that
round. Both OLB Parys Haralson,
the No. 5 in 2006, and DL Ronald
Fields, the No. 5 in 05, logged
considerable playing time last season, and both are expected to take
on more advanced roles this coming season.
Put simply, the Niners couldnt

be any angrier after losing a fifthround draft pick in the upcoming
draft and being ordered to swap
third-round picks with the Bears for
allegedly having illegally contacted
agent Drew Rosenhaus about his
client, Bears OLB Lance Briggs,
during the 2007 season a tampering claim the Niners continue to
vehemently deny. Sources told us
the Niners were stunned by a decision they believe was based on
the sketchiest of evidence a
APRIL 2008
Done deal: Seahawks LB Lofa Tatupu

received a contract extension in March
the ability to get a deal done for

Tatupu required financial sacrifices
that four of his teammates DE
Patrick Kerney, SS Deon Grant,
DT Craig Terrill and DB Jordan
Babineaux couldnt have been
more willing to make on behalf of a
player who had become the teams
most respected leader. We hear
Tatupu also helped his cause by
willingly settling for less money,
which he hoped could also
increase the likelihood of possible
new deals for Trufant and fellow
starting LB Leroy Hill. Trufant, it
turns out, signed a new six-year,
$50.2 million deal with the team
five days later. But whether the
Seahawks will also be able to
accommodate Hill remains to be
seen. Hill could be an interesting
case, a team source told PFW.
Because he has been so overshadowed by Tatupu and Julian
Peterson in Seattle, he could be a
guy who just might want to test the
market when the time comes. But
he definitely has Pro Bowl-type
potential, and the coaches need to
find more and better ways to use
him.
ARIZONA CARDINALS
When the Seahawks first

announced that they were holding
a press conference on the first day
of spring, team insiders suspected
that either a new deal for franchise CB Marcus Trufant or a
pink slip for beleaguered
RB Shaun Alexander was
imminent. As it turned out,
their eyebrows were raised
by the news that the team
had somehow found a way
to sign MLB Lofa Tatupu to a welldeserved $42 million contract
extension that club president GM
Tim Ruskell said would make the
three-time Pro Bowler a Seahawk
for life. With Trufants $9 millionplus franchise tag greatly limiting
the teams ability to do business,
The Cardinals have been busy

making up for lost time, re-signing
a host of valuable backups, as
expected, as well as adding exSteelers OLB Clark Haggans, a
decent veteran 3-4 defender whom
head coach Ken Whisenhunt is
quite familiar with from their
time together in Pittsburgh.
Yet, for more than a week
after first announcing the
new deal for WR Larry
Fitzgerald, the Cardinals
remained in a comatose state
while lawyers dickered over the
final details of Fitzgeralds admittedly complicated transaction.
Among other things, the Cardinals
reportedly fell out of the bidding for
free-agent OLB Brandon Chillar,
who ended up signing with the
Packers. Cardinals GM Rod
Graves told team sources that,
have no clue. Agents are running circles around them. Thats why there is
going to be a lockout. The best thing
the owners could do is clean out some
of the young cap guys and start all
over.
Who pays $10 million for a corner? The Eagles lost their minds.
Maybe for a quarterback. Its amazing
what is happening in the marketplace.
Wait until the Eagles figure out what
they paid for. (Asante) Samuel is a
malcontent. He has issues.
The reason (Bill) Belichicks
system works is because he realizes
there is no sense paying a bunch of
money to a guy whose job he can find
someone else to do for a lot cheaper
while getting the same results.
The West Coast offense is built
around the Z receiver. Just look at
what happened in Green Bay. Greg
Jennings had a great year playing the
Z spot as a rookie. He came out playing the X in his second year and
James Jones moved into the Z.
Everyone started talking about how
Jennings was a one-year guy and how
good Jones was. No, all the production

goes to the guy running underneath
coverages. The Z position was born to
be productive in that offense.
Look at D.J. Hackett. He will go
to Carolina and you will not hear much
from him because he left the cherry
that Z position. Look at David Givens
leaving New England. If an offense
uses the Z, whether it be in threereceiver sets or even with two tight
ends the guy coming under drop
coverages is going to be productive.
The Bengals are getting tired of
Chad Johnsons tirades. They are
shopping him. The problem is, there
are only a few quarterbacks in this
league who could shut him up. If you
dont have a Peyton Manning or
Tom Brady on your roster, its not
going to be easy.
It baffles me how a guy like (Pittsburgh OT Jeff) Otah is even being
talked about in the top 15, just baffles
me. If he is not a slow-footed, one-position offensive lineman, I dont know
who is. You look at how he moves and
how flat-footed he plays. Hes got slow,
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
N F C lW E S T
Tampering ruling
is costly to Niners,
new GM McCloughan
SPORTSPICS
32
contrary to popular belief, the team

never had any intention of signing
Chillar after the Packers came up
with a much more lucrative offer.
Nonetheless, the Cardinals organization emerged from its selfimposed inertia looking more than
a little foolish in league circles. It
had to have been embarrassing,
one team insider told PFW. I think
they were really nave in thinking
the Fitzgerald deal would get done
right away. But what they really
deserve heat for is the fact they
couldnt get this deal done before
the free-agent period started.
When you look at it, Fitzgerald
ended up getting exactly everything he was asking for months
ago.
ST. LOUIS RAMS

Looking for a breakthrough player on the Rams this coming season? Look no further than secondyear pro Quinton Culberson, who
team insiders tell us was the lead-
ing candidate to become the starting strong-side linebacker heading

into spring workouts in place of
Brandon Chillar, who signed with
the Packers. The team is hoping
that it has another London Fletcher-type undrafted free
agent find on its hands,
one longtime Rams insider
said about the 6-1, 232pound Mississippi State
product. They think he can
be a real physical, aggressive twodown run defender. Part of that
thinking is based on Culbersons
lone pro start the Rams regular-season finale in 2007 vs. Arizona. Culberson was a very active
presence in a losing effort against
the Cardinals, posting 11 tackles
and a forced fumble. Culberson is
still expected to receive more than
a little competition from versatile
veteran Chris Draft, who can play
all three LB positions, and probably another candidate or two via
the draft or free agency.
A U D I B L E S
The following quotes are from NFL
scouts, coaches and front-office personnel, speaking on condition of anonymity.
How many teams have ever been
caught tampering? I feel embarrassed
for the San Francisco 49ers. They
should have just given up a fifth-round
pick and settled. Instead they tried
claiming they did no wrong and are
trying to spin it. They essentially gave
up a sixth-round pick (when you look
at the trade value chart) on top of
being docked a fifth. The worst part
was being embarrassed by the
league.
I heard the same thing about
Shaun Rogers coming out of Texas
(as I did about Glenn Dorseys leg
injury) that he would only play one
or two years because of a stress fracture in his ankle. (Rogers) has been a
dominant player in the league and has
played worthy of a top-10 pick, in my
opinion. If the doctors sign off on
(Dorsey), you take him and dont look
back.
Some cap guys in this league
heavy feet and bends at the waist. I got

him in the third round. A lot of people
are trying to make something out of
him that he is not.
What the Bears did to the 49ers
was disrespectful and low class. They
did not have to treat it the way they
did.
Roger Goodell is still assembling his administration. Tags (Paul
Tagliabue) held the job for nearly 20
years and hired a lot of people. Goodell is looking at the club level for young
up-and-comers. He wants to change
the CBA. Its screwed up. He needs to
get the right guys on his staff to get it
corrected before he can dig his feet in
the ground.
The 49ers way overpaid for a
guy who is not really a true 3-4 defensive end. (Justin Smith) is not a pass
rusher and not a two-gapper. Theyre
going to have to scheme him and
move him and you shouldnt have to
do that when you pay him the kind of
money he got.
There is not a safety in the draft
worthy of taking in the first round.
Jeff Otah
APRIL 2008
PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY
33
NFL TRANSACTIONS
(As reported, Feb. 26-March 28)
AMERICAN FOOTBALL CONFERENCE

BALTIMORE Feb. 27: Contract terminated: RB Mike
Anderson. Feb. 28: Contract terminated: C-OG Mike Flynn
(failed physical). Not tendered: QB Cullen Finnerty (ERFA);
DT Amon Gordon (ERFA). March 10: UFA signed: LB Brendon Ayanbadejo (Bears). March 12: UFA lost: WR Devard
Darling (Chiefs). March 14: UFA signed: CB Frank Walker
(Packers). Roster addition: PK E.J. Cochrane (released by
Eagles 8/28). March 17: Roster addition: DT Amon Gordon
(not tendered as ERFA by Ravens 2/28). March 18: RFA resigned: FB Justin Green. ERFA re-signed: RB-KR Cory
Ross. March 24: UFA re-signed: LB Nick Greisen.
BUFFALO Feb. 26: Roster addition: P D.J. Fitzpatrick
(released by Bills 8/28). Feb. 27: Contracts terminated: CB
Jerametrius Butler; RB Anthony Thomas; LB Coy Wire (failed
physical). Placed on waivers: C-OG Aaron Merz. Feb. 28:
Contract terminated: CB Kiwaukee Thomas. Not tendered: S Jim Leonhard (RFA); RB Shaud Williams (RFA).
Feb. 29: Contract terminated: DT Larry Tripplett. March 1:
UFAs signed: DT Spencer Johnson (Vikings); LB Kawika
Mitchell (Giants). Traded: third- and fifth-round picks in 2008
draft (third-round pick acquired from Ravens, fifth-round pick
from Bears) to Jaguars for DT Marcus Stroud. March 3:
UFAs lost: TE Michael Gaines (Lions); WR Sam Aiken
(Patriots); LB Leon Joe (Buccaneers). March 4: UFA resigned: OT Matt Murphy. UFA lost: CB Jason Webster
(Patriots). March 7: UFA re-signed: OG Jason Whittle.
March 10: UFA signed: TE Courtney Anderson (Falcons).
March 18: UFA re-signed: S Bryan Scott. March 25: UFA
signed: CB William James (Eagles). RFA re-signed: DT
Jason Jefferson. ERFA re-signed: DB Dustin Fox. March
28: UFA lost: LB Josh Stamer (Titans). ERFA re-signed: TE
Tim Massaquoi.
CINCINNATI Feb. 26: Key signing: Potential UFA WR
Antonio Chatman. Feb. 28: Not tendered: RB Dan Burks
(ERFA); OT Adam Kieft (RFA); WR Tab Perry (RFA). March 1:
UFA lost: S Madieu Williams (Vikings). March 3: UFA lost:
DE Justin Smith (49ers). March 4: UFA signed: DE Antwan
Odom (Titans). UFA re-signed: LB Dhani Jones. March 5:
UFA re-signed: P Kyle Larson. March 10: UFAs lost: LB
Landon Johnson (Panthers); C Alex Stepanovich (Falcons).
March 12: Roster addition: LB Roy Manning (released by
Bengals 2/12). March 14: Executed offer sheet: RFA TE
Ben Utecht (Colts have until March 21 to match offer or
receive no compensation). Roster addition: LB Darryl Blackstock (not tendered as RFA by Cardinals 2/28). March 19:
Franchise FA re-signed: OG-OT Stacy Andrews. March 20:
Roster addition: LB Brandon Johnson (not tendered as
ERFA by Cardinals 2/28). March 24: RFA rights acquired:
TE Ben Utecht (Colts did not exercise right of first refusal).
ERFAs re-signed: WR Glenn Holt; LB Rashad Jeanty; LB
Corey Mays. Placed on waivers: CB Brandon Williams.
March 26: RFA signed: TE Ben Utecht (Colts).
CLEVELAND Feb. 27: Contract terminated: DE
Orpheus Roye. Feb. 28: Not tendered: DE Simon Fraser
(RFA). March 1: Traded: second-round pick in 2008 draft to
Packers for DT Corey Williams; CB Leigh Bodden and thirdround pick in 2008 draft to Lions for DT Shaun Rogers. March
4: UFA re-signed: S Nick Sorensen. UFA lost: CB Ricardo
Colclough (Panthers). Placed on waivers: P Kyle Basler; DT
Alvin Smith (both failed physicals). March 6: UFA signed:
WR Dont Stallworth (Patriots). March 7: ERFA re-signed:
RB Charles Ali. March 11: UFA signed: OG Rex Hadnot
(Dolphins). UFA re-signed: C-OG Lennie Friedman. RFA resigned: QB Derek Anderson. March 13: UFA re-signed: DB
Gary Baxter. March 14: UFA lost: LB Chaun Thompson (Texans). March 24: UFA signed: LB Shantee Orr (Jaguars).
March 26: RFA re-signed: LB Kris Griffin. March 28: UFA
re-signed: OG-C Seth McKinney.
DENVER Feb. 29: Contracts terminated: LB Ian
Gold; WR Javon Walker. March 3: UFA signed: WR Keary
Colbert (Panthers). UFA re-signed: DE Ebenezer Ekuban.
March 4: UFA signed: LB Niko Koutouvides (Seahawks).
UFAs re-signed: DE John Engelberger; TE Nate Jackson.
March 7: UFA signed: LB Boss Bailey (Lions). Roster addition: WR Edell Shepherd (released by Lions 8/28). March
10: UFA signed: S Marquand Manuel (Panthers). Roster
addition: S Marlon McCree (released by Chargers 2/28).
Placed on waivers: OG-OT Doug Nienhuis (failed physical).
March 17: RFA re-signed: C Chris Myers, then traded to
Texans for sixth-round pick in 2008 draft. March 24: UFA
signed: C Casey Wiegmann (Chiefs). UFA re-signed: FB
Cecil Sapp. UFA lost: PK Jason Elam (Falcons). March 27:
UFA lost: S Nick Ferguson (Texans). Roster addition: QB
Cullen Finnerty (not tendered as ERFA by Ravens 2/28).
HOUSTON Feb. 25: Roster addition: WR Harry
Williams (ended 07 season on Texans practice squad). Feb.
27: Placed on waivers: LB Jon Abbate (failed physical). Feb.
28: Not tendered: WR Jerome Mathis (RFA). March 1: UFA
re-signed: WR-KR Andr Davis. UFA lost: LB Charlie
Anderson (Dolphins). Roster addition: LB Jon Abbate
(released failed physical by Texans 2/28). March 3: UFAs
signed: LB Kevin Bentley (Seahawks); CB Jacques Reeves
(Cowboys). UFA lost: CB Von Hutchins (Falcons). March 4:
ERFA re-signed: RB Darius Walker. March 7: UFA resigned: S Glenn Earl. March 10: UFA re-signed: TE Mark
Bruener. March 13: UFA lost: LB Danny Clark (Giants).
March 14: UFA signed: LB Chaun Thompson (Browns).
March 17: Traded: sixth-round pick in 2008 draft to Broncos
for C Chris Myers. March 19: ERFA re-signed: DE Earl
Cochran. March 20: UFA signed: RB Chris Brown (Titans).
UFAs re-signed: S Will Demps; DE N.D. Kalu. March 21:
UFA lost: S Michael Boulware (Vikings). March 24: UFA
signed: QB Quinn Gray (Jaguars). UFA re-signed: P Matt
Turk. March 25: Contract terminated: C Steve McKinney
(failed physical). March 27: UFA signed: S Nick Ferguson
(Broncos). March 28: RFA re-signed: S C.C. Brown. ERFA
re-signed: OT Brandon Frye.
INDIANAPOLIS Feb. 27: Contracts terminated: DT
Anthony McFarland; LB Rob Morris (both failed physical).
Feb. 28: Not tendered: WR Craphonso Thorpe (ERFA).
March 10: UFA lost: OG Jake Scott (Titans). March 14:
Received executed offer sheet: RFA TE Ben Utecht (Bengals; Colts have until March 21 to match offer or receive no
compensation). March 17: UFA lost: DT Dan Klecko
(Eagles). March 18: UFA re-signed: DE Josh Thomas.
March 24: UFA lost: LB Rocky Boiman (Eagles). First
refusal rights not exercised: RFA TE Ben Utecht (Bengals/
3/21). March 26: RFA lost: TE Ben Utecht (Bengals).

JACKSONVILLE Feb. 25: Roster addition: QB Todd
Bouman (released by Jaguars 11/21, by Rams 12/17). Feb.
28: Not tendered: CB Chris Roberson (RFA). Feb. 29: UFA
signed: WR Jerry Porter (Raiders). Traded: sixth-round pick
in 2008 draft to Vikings for WR Troy Williamson. March 1:
UFAs signed: CB Drayton Florence (Chargers); QB Cleo
Lemon (Dolphins). UFA lost: WR Ernest Wilford (Dolphins).
Traded: DT Marcus Stroud to Bills for third- and fifth-round
picks in 2008 draft (third-round pick acquired from Ravens,
fifth-round pick from Bears). March 3: Executed offer sheet:
DT Jimmy Kennedy (Bears have until March 10 to match; contract had individually negotiated right of first refusal). Contract
terminated: OG Chris Naeole (failed physical). March 4: UFA
signed: DT Jimmy Kennedy (Bears did not match offer). UFA
lost: S Sammy Knight (Giants). March 5: Roster addition:
LS Brett Goode (released by Jaguars 8/21). March 6: UFA resigned: OT-OG Maurice Williams. ERFA re-signed: RB Montell Owens. Placed on waivers: WR Charles Sharon. March
10: UFA lost: RB LaBrandon Toefield (Panthers). March 11:
UFA lost: DE Bobby McCray (Saints). March 19: Placed on
waivers: TE Anthony Pudewell. March 24: UFAs lost: QB
Quinn Gray (Texans); LB Shantee Orr (Browns). ERFAs resigned: TE Greg Estandia; S Jamaal Fudge; DE Jeremy
Mincey. March 25: ERFA re-signed: DE James Wyche.
KANSAS CITY Feb. 27: Contracts terminated: WR
Eddie Kennison; DT James Reed. Feb. 28: Contract terminated: OG-OT Chris Bober. Not tendered: FB Boomer
Grigsby (RFA). Feb. 29: Assigned on waivers: FB Oliver
Hoyte from Cowboys. March 1: UFA lost: DE Jimmy Wilkerson (Buccaneers). March 3: UFA signed: LB Demorrio
Williams (Falcons). Contracts terminated: LB Kendrell Bell;
CB Ty Law. March 5: Contract terminated: TE Jason Dunn.
UFA lost: FB Boomer Grigsby (Dolphins). March 6: ERFA
re-signed: C-OG Rudy Niswanger. March 12: UFA signed:
WR Devard Darling (Ravens). UFA lost: LB Keyaron Fox
(Steelers). March 24: UFA lost: C Casey Wiegmann (Broncos). March 25: UFA lost: CB Benny Sapp (Vikings). ERFA
re-signed: LB Mickey Pimentel. March 26: UFA lost: TE Kris
Wilson (Eagles).
MIAMI Feb. 28: Not tendered: RB Samkon Gado
(ERFA); OT Cory Lekkerkerker (ERFA); DE Chase Page
(ERFA). Feb. 29: Traded: sixth-round pick in 2008 and 09
drafts to Cowboys for NT Jason Ferguson and sixth-round
pick in 08 draft. Roster addition: WR David Kircus (released
by Broncos 8/29). March 1: UFAs signed: LB Charlie Anderson (Texans), LB Reggie Torbor (Giants); QB Josh McCown
(Raiders); TE Sean Ryan (Jets); OG Justin Smiley (49ers);
DT Randy Starks (Titans); WR Ernest Wilford (Jaguars). UFA
lost: QB Cleo Lemon (Jaguars). March 4: UFA re-signed: S
Yeremiah Bell. March 5: UFA re-signed: CB Michael Lehan.
Roster addition: FB Boomer Grigsby (not tendered as RFA
by Chiefs 2/28). March 11: UFA signed: S Keith Davis (Cowboys). UFAs lost: OG Rex Hadnot (Browns); RB Jesse Chatman (Jets). March 12: Roster addition: PK Dave Rayner
(not tendered as RFA by Chargers 2/28). March 14: UFA
lost: LB Derrick Pope (Vikings). March 17: UFA signed: CB
Nathan Jones (Cowboys). March 19: ERFAs re-signed: WR
Greg Camarillo; RB Patrick Cobbs; OG Ikechuku Ndukwe.
March 20: Roster addition: WR Tab Perry (not tendered as
RFA by Bengals 2/28).
NEW ENGLAND Feb. 26: Contract terminated: LB
Rosevelt Colvin (failed physical). Placed on waivers: LB
Oscar Lua (failed physical). Feb. 28: Not tendered: DT
Rashad Moore (RFA). Feb. 29: UFAs re-signed: LB Tedy
Bruschi; LS Lonie Paxton; WR Kelley Washington. Contract
terminated: TE Kyle Brady (failed physical). March 1: UFA
lost: CB Asante Samuel (Eagles). March 3: UFA signed:
WR Sam Aiken (Bills). UFA re-signed: WR Randy Moss.
March 4: UFA signed: CB Jason Webster (Bills). UFA lost:
CB Randall Gay (Saints). March 5: UFA re-signed: WR
Jabar Gaffney. March 6: UFA signed: S Tank Williams
(Vikings). UFA lost: WR Dont Stallworth (Browns). Roster
addition: CB Lewis Sanders (released by Falcons 2/19).
March 11: ERFA re-signed: S Raymond Ventrone. March
14: RFA re-signed: DL Mike Wright. March 17: UFA lost: S
Eugene Wilson (Buccaneers). March 20: Roster addition:
CB Fernando Bryant (released by Lions 2/25). March 26:
ERFAs re-signed: OT Wesley Britt; LB Pierre Woods.
N.Y. JETS Feb. 26: Contracts terminated: CB Andre
Dyson; WR Justin McCareins. Placed on waivers: OG
Adrien Clarke. Feb. 29: Traded: third- and fifth-round picks in
2008 draft to Panthers for DT Kris Jenkins; LB Jonathan
Vilma to Saints for fourth-round pick in 08 draft and conditional pick in 09 draft. March 1: UFA lost: TE Sean Ryan
(Dolphins). March 3: UFA signed: OG Alan Faneca (Steelers). UFA lost: S Erik Coleman (Falcons). March 4: UFAs
signed: LB Calvin Pace (Cardinals); OG-OT Damien Woody
(Lions). Roster addition: CB Andre Woolfolk (released from
reserve/injured with injury settlement by Titans 8/23). Contract terminated: OT Anthony Clement. March 6: UFA
signed: FB Tony Richardson (Vikings). March 10: Placed on
waivers: RB Cedric Houston (from reserve/left squad).
March 11: UFA signed: RB Jesse Chatman (Dolphins).
March 17: Roster addition: TE Bubba Franks (released by
Packers 2/20).
OAKLAND Feb. 29: UFA lost: WR Jerry Porter
(Jaguars). Contract terminated: OT Barry Sims. March 1:
UFA signed: S Gibril Wilson (Giants). UFAs lost: QB Josh
McCown (Dolphins); DE Chris Clemons (Eagles). March 3:
Reserve/retired: DT Warren Sapp. March 5: UFA signed:
OT Kwame Harris (49ers). Roster addition: WR Javon Walker (released by Broncos 2/29). March 6: UFA re-signed: OT
Cornell Green. March 7: UFA lost: DE Tyler Brayton (Panthers). March 13: UFA signed: WR Drew Carter (Panthers).
ERFA re-signed: OT Jonathan Palmer. March 14: UFA
signed: DT William Joseph. March 18: RFA re-signed: DT
Josh Shaw. March 20: ERFAs re-signed: LB Ricky Brown;
LS Jon Condo; TE John Madsen; WR Chris McFoy; OT Mark
Wilson. March 21: Traded: second-round pick in 2008 draft
and fifth-round pick in 2009 draft to Falcons for CB DeAngelo Hall. March 24: Roster addition: QB Erik Meyer (released
by Seahawks 8/29). March 25: Roster addition: QB Jeff Otis
(released by Raiders 8/29, ended 07 season on Chiefs practice squad). March 26: ERFA re-signed: LB Jon Alston.
March 28: Roster addition: DE-LB Akbar Gbaja-Biamila
(released by Dolphins 9/12).
PITTSBURGH Feb. 28: Not tendered: LB Andre Frazier (RFA). March 3: UFA lost: OG Alan Faneca (Jets).
March 4: UFA signed: RB Mewelde Moore (Vikings). March
7: Roster addition: LB Andre Frazier (not tendered as RFA

by Steelers 2/28). March 12: UFA signed: LB Keyaron Fox
(Chiefs). March 17: RFA re-signed: OT Trai Essex. March
18: RFA re-signed: OG Chris Kemoeatu. March 20: Contract terminated: WR Cedrick Wilson. March 25: RFA resigned: LS Greg Warren. Roster addition: C Justin Hartwig
(released by Panthers 3/11). March 27: UFA re-signed: DE
Nick Eason. UFA lost: LB Clark Haggans (Cardinals).
SAN DIEGO Feb. 27: Key signing: Potential RFA OG
Scott Mruczkowski. Feb. 28: Roster addition: LB Derek
Smith (released by 49ers 2/19). Contracts terminated: S
Marlon McCree; FB Lorenzo Neal; OT Shane Olivea. Not tendered: RB Tyronne Gross (ERFA); PK Dave Rayner (RFA).
March 1: UFA re-signed: QB Billy Volek. UFA lost: CB Drayton Florence (Jaguars). March 3: UFA lost: RB Michael Turner (Falcons). March 17: ERFA re-signed: CB Steve Gregory.
March 25: ERFAs re-signed: OT Jeromey Clary; WR Malcom Floyd; DT Brandon McKinney.
TENNESSEE Feb. 27: Key signing: Potential UFA
WR Justin Gage. Contract terminated: WR David Givens.
Feb. 28: Not tendered: CB Michael Waddell (RFA). March 1:
UFA lost: DT Randy Starks (Dolphins). March 3: UFA lost:
TE Ben Hartsock (Falcons). UFA re-signed: WR Justin
Gage. Roster addition: TE Alge Crumpler (released by Falcons 2/19). March 4: UFAs lost: DE Travis LaBoy (Cardinals), DE Antwan Odom (Bengals); OG Jacob Bell (Rams).
March 6: Roster addition: DE Jevon Kearse (released by
Eagles 2/28). March 7: Contract terminated: CB Kelly Herndon. March 10: UFA signed: OG Jake Scott (Colts). UFA
lost: TE Ben Troupe (Buccaneers). March 17: Roster addition: WR Justin McCareins (released by Jets 2/26). March
19: RFA re-signed: OT Daniel Loper. March 20: UFA lost:
RB Chris Brown (Texans). March 24: UFA signed: TE
Dwayne Blakley (Falcons). UFA lost: LB Gilbert Gardner
(Lions). RFA re-signed: TE-FB Casey Cramer. March 26:
UFA re-signed: S Donnie Nickey. March 27: ERFA resigned: FB Ahmard Hall. Reserve/retired: OG Benji Olson.
March 28: UFA signed: LB Josh Stamer (Bills).
NATIONAL FOOTBALL CONFERENCE

ARIZONA Feb. 28: Not tendered: LB Darryl Blackstock (RFA), LB Brandon Johnson (ERFA); TE Tim Euhus
(RFA); WR Ahmad Merritt (RFA), WR Jerheme Urban (RFA);
DE Bo Schobel (ERFA). March 3: ERFA re-signed: TE Troy
Bienemann. Roster addition: TE Jerame Tuman (released
by Steelers 2/22). March 4: UFA signed: DE-LB Travis
LaBoy (Titans). UFAs lost: LB Calvin Pace (Jets); OG Keydrick Vincent (Panthers). March 5: Roster addition: P Dirk
Johnson (released by Eagles 9/1, by Bears 9/19, 9/26).
March 13: UFA re-signed: LS Nathan Hodel. Contract terminated: WR Sean Morey. March 17: UFA lost: WR Bryant
Johnson (49ers). March 18: ERFAs re-signed: CB Michael
Adams; WR Jamaica Rector. March 24: RFA re-signed: OT
Elton Brown. March 25: Roster additions: WRs Ahmad Merritt (not tendered as RFA by Cardinals 2/28), Sean Morey
(released by Cardinals 3/13). March 26: UFA re-signed: DE
Joe Tafoya. Roster additions: DE Bo Schobel (not tendered
as ERFA by Cardinals 2/8); WR Jerheme Urban (not tendered
as RFA by Cardinals 2/28). March 27: UFA signed: LB Clark
Haggans (Steelers).
ATLANTA Feb. 29: UFA re-signed: QB Chris Redman. Placed on waivers: RB Taurean Henderson (failed
physical). March 3: UFAs signed: S Erik Coleman (Jets); TE
Ben Hartsock (Titans); CB Von Hutchins (Texans); RB
Michael Turner (Chargers). UFA lost: LB Demorrio Williams
(Chiefs). Contract terminated: RB Warrick Dunn. March 6:
Contract terminated: QB Joey Harrington. March 10: UFAs
signed: DT Kindal Moorehead (Panthers); C Alex
Stepanovich (Bengals). UFA re-signed: DT Tim Anderson.
Roster additions: DE Simon Fraser (not tendered as RFA by
Browns 2/28); DT Rashad Moore (not tendered as RFA by
Patriots 2/28). UFA lost: TE Courtney Anderson (Bills).
March 11: Roster addition: QB Joey Harrington (released
by Falcons 3/6). March 14: Roster addition: TE Jason Rader
(ended 07 season on Patriots practice squad). March 19:
ERFA re-signed: OG Tyson Clabo. March 21: Traded: CB
DeAngelo Hall to Raiders for second-round pick in 2008 draft
and fifth-round pick in 2009 draft. March 24: UFA signed: PK
Jason Elam (Broncos). UFA lost: TE Dwayne Blakley
(Titans). ERFA re-signed: NT Montavious Stanley.
CAROLINA Feb. 27: Contract terminated: QB David
Carr. Feb. 28: Roster addition: WR Muhsin Muhammad
(released by Bears 2/19). Not tendered: DT Gary Gibson
(ERFA). Feb. 29: UFAs re-signed: FB Brad Hoover; CB
Dante Wesley. ERFA re-signed: S Nate Salley. Traded: DT
Kris Jenkins to Jets for third- and fifth-round picks in 2008
draft. March 3: UFA re-signed: LB Donte' Curry. UFA lost:
WR Keary Colbert (Broncos). March 4: UFAs signed: CB
Ricardo Colclough (Browns); OG Keydrick Vincent (Cardinals). Roster addition: DT Gary Gibson (not tendered as
ERFA by Panthers 2/28). March 6: Placed on waivers: CB
Patrick Dendy. March 7: UFA signed: DE Tyler Brayton
(Raiders). March 10: UFAs signed: LB Landon Johnson
(Bengals); RB LaBrandon Toefield (Jaguars). UFAs lost: S
Marquand Manuel (Broncos); DT Kindal Moorehead (Falcons). March 11: Contract terminated: C Justin Hartwig.
March 13: UFA lost: WR Drew Carter (Raiders). March 20:
Franchise FA re-signed: OT Jordan Gross. UFA signed:
WR D.J. Hackett (Seahawks). RFAs re-signed: OG Geoff
Hangartner; OT Evan Mathis. ERFA re-signed: LB Brandon
Jamison. Roster addition: S Terrence Holt (released by Cardinals 2/21). March 25: Roster addition: OG Toniu Fonoti
(released by Falcons 8/4). March 28: UFA signed: OG Milford Brown (Rams).
CHICAGO March 1: UFA lost: TE John Gilmore (Buccaneers). March 3: UFA lost: WR Bernard Berrian (Vikings).
Traded: QB Brian Griese to Buccaneers for sixth-round pick
in 2009 draft. Received executed offer sheet: DT Jimmy
Kennedy from Jaguars (Bears have until March 10 to match;
contract had individually negotiated right of first refusal).
March 4: UFA lost: DT Jimmy Kennedy (Jaguars; Bears did
not match offer). March 7: UFA re-signed: LB Lance Briggs.
March 10: UFA lost: LB Brendon Ayanbadejo (Ravens).
Roster addition: WR Brandon Lloyd (released by Redskins
2/26). March 11: Roster addition: WR Marty Booker
(released by Dolphins 2/11). March 21: Contract terminated: CB Ade Jimoh.
DALLAS Feb. 28: Roster addition: LB Zach Thomas
(released by Dolphins 2/15). Placed on waivers: FB Oliver
Hoyte. Not tendered: RB Tyson Thompson (RFA). Feb. 29:

Traded: NT Jason Ferguson and sixth-round pick in 2008
draft to Dolphins for sixth-round picks in 08 and 09 drafts.
March 3: UFA lost: CB Jacques Reeves (Texans). March 10:
UFA lost: RB Julius Jones (Seahawks). March 11: UFA lost:
S Keith Davis (Dolphins). March 17: UFA lost: CB Nathan
Jones (Dolphins). ERFA re-signed: CB Evan Oglesby.
DETROIT Feb. 25: Contract terminated: CB Fernando Bryant. Feb. 28: Roster addition: S Dwight Smith
(released by Vikings 2/20). Not tendered: DB LaMarcus
Hicks (ERFA). Feb. 29: UFA re-signed: CB Keith Smith.
March 1: Traded: DT Shaun Rogers to Browns for CB Leigh
Bodden and third-round pick in 2008 draft. March 3: UFA
signed: TE Michael Gaines (Bills). UFA re-signed: TE John
Owens. March 4: UFAs lost: OG-OT Damien Woody (Jets);
QB J.T. OSullivan (49ers). March 5: UFA re-signed: RB
Aveion Cason. UFAs lost: RB T.J. Duckett (Seahawks); LB
Teddy Lehman (Buccaneers). Executed offer sheet: RFA S
Kalvin Pearson (Buccaneers have until March 12 to match).
Roster addition: OG Corey Hulsey (not tendered as UFA by
Raiders 6/4). March 7: UFA lost: LB Boss Bailey (Broncos).
March 10: UFA re-signed: OT George Foster. March 11:
UFA signed: DT Chuck Darby (Seahawks). March 12: UFA
re-signed: CB Travis Fisher. Contract terminated: C-OG
Blaine Saipaia. March 13: UFA re-signed: RB Tatum Bell.
RFA signed: S Kalvin Pearson (Buccaneers did not match
offer). Contract terminated: DE Kalimba Edwards (postJune 1 designation); RB Kevin Jones (failed physical). March
14: UFA signed: CB Brian Kelly (Buccaneers). Contract terminated: S Kenoy Kennedy. March 17: UFA re-signed: DE
Corey Smith. March 18: ERFA re-signed: TE Sean McHugh.
March 19: ERFA re-signed: DB Greg Blue. March 24: UFA
signed: LB Gilbert Gardner (Titans). March 27: Roster addition: LB Alfred Fincher (released from reserve/injured by
Saints 11/28).
GREEN BAY Feb. 27: Roster addition: OT Joe Toledo (released by Dolphins 2/12). Feb. 28: Not tendered: WR
Carlyle Holiday (ERFA). March 1: Franchise FA re-signed:
DT Corey Williams, then traded to Browns for second-round
pick in 2008 draft. March 5: Roster addition: LS Thomas
Gafford (released by Seahawks 6/20). March 14: UFA lost:
CB Frank Walker (Ravens). March 19: ERFAs re-signed: TE
Tory Humphrey; FB John Kuhn. March 20: ERFA re-signed:
S Atari Bigby. March 24: UFA signed: LB Brandon Chillar
(Rams). March 25: UFA re-signed: LB Tracy White.
MINNESOTA Feb. 27: Contract terminated: QB Kelly
Holcomb. Feb. 28: Not tendered: CB Ronyell Whitaker
(RFA). Feb. 29: Traded: WR Troy Williamson to Jaguars for
sixth-round pick in 2008 draft. March 1: UFAs signed: FB
Thomas Tapeh (Eagles); S Madieu Williams (Bengals). UFA
lost: DT Spencer Johnson (Bills). March 3: UFA signed: WR
Bernard Berrian (Bears). UFA lost: LB Dontarrious Thomas
(49ers). March 4: UFA lost: RB Mewelde Moore (Steelers).
March 5: UFA signed: RB Maurice Hicks (49ers). March 6:
UFAs lost: FB Tony Richardson (Jets); S Tank Williams
(Patriots). March 14: UFA signed: LB Derrick Pope (Dolphins). March 17: Roster addition: LB Dallas Sartz
(released from reserve/injured with injury settlement by Redskins 9/7). March 18: UFA signed: DT Ellis Wyms (Seahawks). March 21: UFA signed: S Michael Boulware (Texans). Roster addition: DT Kenderick Allen (released by Bengals 9/1). March 24: UFA re-signed: WR Robert Ferguson.
March 25: UFA signed: CB Benny Sapp (Chiefs). RFA resigned: LB Heath Farwell.
NEW ORLEANS Feb. 27: Contract terminated: PK
Olindo Mare (failed physical). Feb. 28: Not tendered: LB
Matt McCoy (RFA). Feb. 29: Traded: fourth-round pick in
2008 draft and conditional pick in 09 draft to Jets for LB
Jonathan Vilma. March 1: UFAs re-signed: C Jonathan
Goodwin; DT Brian Young. UFA lost: C Jeff Faine (Buccaneers). Contract terminated: LB Brian Simmons. March 3:
UFAs re-signed: WR Devery Henderson, WR David Patten.
March 4: UFA signed: CB Randall Gay (Patriots). March 7:
UFAs re-signed: LB Mark Simoneau; RB Aaron Stecker.
March 10: UFA re-signed: TE Billy Miller. March 11: UFA
signed: DE Bobby McCray (Jaguars). ERFA re-signed: DE
Josh Cooper. Roster addition: LB Dan Morgan (released by
Panthers 2/11). March 12: UFA re-signed: TE Eric Johnson.
March 17: UFA signed: QB Mark Brunell (Redskins). March
24: UFA signed: C-OG Matt Lehr (Buccaneers).
N.Y. GIANTS Feb. 28: Not tendered: DE Adrian Awasom (RFA). March 1: UFAs lost: LB Kawika Mitchell (Bills),
Reggie Torbor (Dolphins); S Gibril Wilson (Raiders). March 4:
UFA signed: S Sammy Knight (Jaguars). March 13: UFA
signed: LB Danny Clark (Texans). Roster addition: QB
David Carr (released by Panthers 2/27). March 14: UFA resigned: RB Derrick Ward. UFA lost: DT William Joseph
(Raiders).
PHILADELPHIA Feb. 28: Contract terminated: DE
Jevon Kearse. March 1: UFAs signed: DE Chris Clemons
(Raiders); CB Asante Samuel (Patriots). UFA lost: FB
Thomas Tapeh (Vikings). March 6: Contract terminated: LB
Takeo Spikes (failed physical). March 17: UFA signed: FB
Dan Klecko (Colts). March 24: UFA signed: LB Rocky
Boiman (Colts). March 25: UFA lost: CB William James
(Bills). March 26: UFA signed: TE Kris Wilson (Chiefs).
ST. LOUIS Feb. 28: Contracts terminated: WR Isaac
Bruce; QB Gus Frerotte. Not tendered: RB Rich Alexis
(ERFA); S Jerome Carter (RFA); DE Trevor Johnson (RFA).
Feb. 29: Reserve/retired: PK Jeff Wilkins. Contract terminated: DE James Hall. March 1: UFA signed: PK Josh
Brown (Seahawks). March 4: UFA signed: OG Jacob Bell
(Titans). March 5: Roster addition: P Sean Douglas
(released by Buccaneers 8/29). March 10: UFA re-signed:
OG-OT Adam Goldberg. March 11: UFA signed: TE Anthony Becht (Buccaneers). Roster addition: S Jerome Carter
(not tendered as RFA by Rams 2/28). March 14: Roster
addition: QB Trent Green (released by Dolphins 2/11).
March 17: UFA re-signed: OT Brandon Gorin. March 20:
UFA signed: CB David Macklin (Redskins). March 24: UFA
lost: LB Brandon Chillar (Packers). March 26: UFA resigned: C Brett Romberg. Roster addition: DE James Hall
(released by Rams 2/29). March 27: UFA signed: WR Reche
Caldwell (Redskins). March 28: UFA lost: OG Milford Brown
(Panthers).
SAN FRANCISCO Feb. 26: Key signing: Potential
UFA LB Roderick Green. Feb. 27: Key signing: Potential
UFA NT Isaac Sopoaga. Feb. 28: Not tendered: CB B.J.
Tucker (RFA). Feb. 29: Roster addition: CB Allen Rossum
PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY
34
NFL TRANSACTIONS
(released by Steelers 2/22). March 1: UFA lost: OG Justin
Smiley (Dolphins). March 3: UFAs signed: DE Justin Smith
(Bengals); LB Dontarrious Thomas (Vikings). March 4: UFA
signed: QB J.T. OSullivan (Lions). Roster addition: RB
DeShaun Foster (released by Panthers 2/21). March 5: UFAs
lost: RB Maurice Hicks (Vikings); OT Kwame Harris
(Raiders). Roster addition: WR Isaac Bruce (released by
Rams 2/28). March 13: Contract terminated: QB Trent Dilfer. March 17: UFA signed: WR Bryant Johnson (Cardinals).
Roster addition: OT Qasim Mitchell (released by Cardinals
9/1). Contract terminated: WR Darrell Jackson. March 18:
UFA lost: DE Marques Douglas (Buccaneers). March 24:
UFA re-signed: CB Donald Strickland. March 25: Roster
addition: OG Jeb Terry (released from reserve/injured with
injury settlement by Buccaneers 9/2). March 28: RFA resigned: TE Billy Bajema.
SEATTLE Feb. 28: Not tendered: RB Alvin Pearman
(RFA). Feb. 29: Contract terminated: OT Tom Ashworth.
March 1: UFA lost: PK Josh Brown (Rams). March 3: UFA
lost: LB Kevin Bentley (Texans). March 4: UFA lost: LB Niko
Koutouvides (Broncos). Roster addition: TE Jeb Putzier
(released by Texans 2/20). March 5: UFA signed: RB T.J.
Duckett (Lions). March 10: UFA signed: RB Julius Jones
(Cowboys). March 11: UFA lost: DT Chuck Darby (Lions).
March 18: UFA lost: DT Ellis Wyms (Vikings). March 19:
Contract terminated: FB Mack Strong (failed physical).
March 20: UFA lost: WR D.J. Hackett (Panthers). March 26:
Roster additions: DT Chris Cooper (released by Cardinals
2/21); LB D.D. Lewis (released by Broncos 10/16). March 27:
ERFAs re-signed: RB David Kirtman; LB Lance Laury. Franchise FA re-signed: CB Marcus Trufant. March 28: Roster
addition: PK Olindo Mare (released/failed physical by Saints
2/27).
TAMPA BAY Feb. 27: Contracts terminated: DE-DT
Kevin Carter; DE Greg Spires. Feb. 28: Not tendered: LB
Antoine Cash (RFA). Feb. 29: Roster addition: LB Antoine
Cash (not tendered as RFA by Buccaneers 2/28). March 1:
UFAs signed: C Jeff Faine (Saints); TE John Gilmore
(Bears); DE Jimmy Wilkerson (Chiefs). March 3: UFA signed:
LB Leon Joe (Bills). Traded: sixth-round pick in 2009 draft to
Bears for QB Brian Griese. March 4: Roster addition: LB
Matt McCoy (not tendered as RFA by Saints 2/28). March 5:
UFA signed: LB Teddy Lehman (Lions). Received executed
offer sheet: RFA S Kalvin Pearson from Lions (Buccaneers
have until March 12 to match). March 6: UFA re-signed: CB
Sammy Davis. March 10: UFA signed: TE Ben Troupe
(Titans). March 11: UFA lost: TE Anthony Becht (Rams).
Roster additions: WR Antonio Bryant (released by 49ers
3/1/07); RB Warrick Dunn (released by Falcons 3/3). March
13: Right of first refusal not exercised: RFA S Kalvin Pearson (Lions). March 14: UFA lost: CB Brian Kelly (Lions).
ERFA re-signed: WR Paris Warren. March 17: UFA signed:
CB Eugene Wilson (Patriots). March 18: UFA signed: DE
Marques Douglas (49ers). March 24: UFA lost: C-OG Matt
Lehr (Saints). Placed on waivers: LB Sam Olajubutu. March
25: Roster addition: DL Kevin Carter (released by Buccaneers 2/27).
WASHINGTON Feb. 26: Contract terminated: WR
Brandon Lloyd (post-June 1 designation). Feb. 28: Not tendered: RB Nehemiah Broughton (ERFA). March 3: ERFA resigned: PK Shaun Suisham. March 4: UFA re-signed: QB
Todd Collins. March 10: UFA re-signed: RB-KR Rock
Cartwright. March 12: UFA re-signed: DT Ryan Boschetti.
March 14: Placed on waivers: WR Steven Harris. March 17:
UFA lost: QB Mark Brunell (Saints). Roster addition: DT
Matthias Askew (released by Redskins 9/2). Placed on
waivers: WR Mike Espy. March 20: UFA lost: CB David
Macklin (Rams). March 24: UFA re-signed: P Derrick Frost.
March 25: UFA re-signed: OT Jason Fabini. March 27: UFA
lost: WR Reche Caldwell (Rams). Roster addition: TE Pete
Schmitt (released from reserve/injured with injury settlement
by Redskins 9/3).
ONLINE TRANSACTION UPDATES AT:
www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFL+Zone/Transactions/default.htm
APRIL 2008
Crush has survivor in Taylor

By
MARK ANDERSON
Legendary singer Ritchie Valens died

because he won a coin flip to take the final
seat on a single-engine plane that crashed in
the snow in an Iowa cornfield.
A seemingly typical airline delay meant
the difference between United Flight 93
destroying either the White House or U.S.
Capitol or crashing as it did into a Pennsylvania field because passengers already heard
about the other Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist
attacks and took action.
Such unpredictability is what makes life
so scary despite the best efforts and the
most honest intention, something otherwise
trivial can wipe it all away.
Charrod Taylor lives today and plays in
the Arena Football League
because he didnt have time to
eat.
Taylor was serving in the
Navy on the USS Cole on Oct.
12, 2000, when lunch plans
with his friend, Timothy Saunders, had to be
canceled because of tasks that still needed to
be completed. Moments later, a small boat
filled with explosives in Aden Harbor,
Yemen, rammed into the ship near where
Saunders and others ate.
The ferocious force of the terrorist attack
knocked down Taylor and all those around
him. They quickly got up and went to work
amid the chaos.
You kind of got to go into your military
training and dig in and do whatever youve
got to do to save the ship and rescue your
shipmates, Taylor said.
Seventeen sailors died, including Saunders, who left behind a wife and young
daughter.
Im the lucky one in this situation, Taylor said. I think thats one of the things that
helps me cope a little bit, knowing that I do
have a second chance, and Im not going to
let it go to waste.
This, of course, was more than a single
terrorist attack. It was the strongest signal
that Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was
issuing a war against the United States,
which was proven 11 months later on 9/11.
While serving out his duty in Norfolk, Va.,
Taylor watched on television the horrors of
that September Tuesday that claimed about

3,000 lives.
You cant help but think about the situation because not too long ago you were in
that situation, Taylor said. So you kind of
visualize what went on inside the actual
buildings. A lot is going on. It looks different from the outside than it is inside. I dont
know the exact amount of survivors, but I
can understand what theyre going through
probably to this day.
Taylor had joined the Navy out of Clarke
Central High School in Athens, Ga. He went
into the military to save for an education
because he couldnt afford to pay his way to
college. Taylor also didnt have any football
scholarships because he played just one season, and no recruiters kept his phone number
on speed dial.
After finishing with the Navy,
Taylor decided to give college
football a shot, walking on at
Division I-AA power Georgia
Southern in 2003. He earned a
scholarship after that season.
The New York Giants signed Taylor as an
undrafted free agent last year, but any
chance of making the eventual Super Bowl
champions team ended when he suffered a
stress fracture in his foot during a preseason
game.
But Taylor had done enough to catch the
eye of Colorado Crush coach Mike Dailey,
who scouted two days of Giants two-a-days
as part of his usual Mid-Atlantic and Northeast swing to look for players who probably
wont make NFL rosters but would be ideal
for the AFL.
Dailey saw such a player in Taylor, whose
determination, work ethic and athleticism
could be the right fit for the Crush.
I think hes a quality player, Dailey said.
Hes a physical player. Hes a versatile athlete, and I think hes going to get better as
time goes on.
When Taylor was released, Dailey contacted the players agent to say the Crush
was interested. When no other NFL clubs
picked up Taylor, he signed with Colorado
as a 27-year-old rookie.
Being here is just a blessing, Taylor
said. I could be doing something else, probably something I wouldnt like or something
ARENA
FOOTBALL
Become a
DRAFT EXPERT
I wouldnt love, but I do have the opportunity to do something I love.

He faced the usual challenges of adapting
to such a different form of the game, but
Taylor, 6-foot-2, 286 pounds, showed great
promise and became a starter he plays
defensive end and linebacker in the preseason and kept the spot.
He lacks experience in the arena game,
but he has great upside, Dailey said. We
feel good about him. Sometimes, youve got
to let guys go play.
He probably wasnt ready (to start the
opener). You never are. He needs to play to
gain experience.
Dailey said Taylors military background
helped him not only make the team and
become a starter, but to improve while going
through the day-to-day grind.
Sometimes you get someone in his early
20s who doesnt have the life experiences
Charrod has, and he comes in and sees it as
fun and doesnt realize its a job, Dailey
said. Theres nothing wrong with having
fun, but its a job. Charrod is just a professional guy.
The coach knows Taylor still relives the
attack on the Cole in different ways, but
hasnt picked up on any outward effects.
Not a day, though, goes by when Taylor
doesnt think about the bombing that created
a 40-by-60-foot hole in the ship or about
Saunders and the other friends he lost.
About what his destination might have
been had an officer not reminded him to finish his duties.
Especially at night, at times when youre
at home by yourself, you kind of rehash,
Taylor said. You cant help but think about
the what-ifs. What if I had been there? How
(would) my life (have) been affected? How
(would) my familys life (have) been affected?
I get up every day, and I thank God every
day just for being here. It brought me closer
to God. It brought me closer to my family.
Those two things are whats important to me
and football.
Mark Anderson covers football for the Las
Vegas Review-Journal and is executive
director of the AFL Writers Association.
Get four weeks of the best player evaluation

and draft scuttlebutt youll find anywhere.
For the 10th consecutive year, Pro Football Weeklys staff, led by
personnel analyst Nolan Nawrocki, will provide daily insights into the NFL draft,
beginning April 1 and continuing through the post-draft analysis.
OUR DRAFT COVERAGE WILL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

DAILY, TUESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, APRIL 1-25: THE WAY WE HEAR IT, WITH
HOT DRAFT RUMORS, WHAT THE SCOUTS ARE SAYING, LINKS TO OTHER SITES.
APRIL 7: INDIVIDUAL WORKOUT RESULTS FROM NFL SCOUTING COMBINE.
APRIL 10: DRAFT RANKINGS BY POSITION.
APRIL 11: DRAFT RANKINGS REGARDLESS OF POSITION.
MONDAYS, APRIL 7-21: DRAFT-RELATED FEATURE.
TUESDAYS, APRIL 8-22: DRAFT VALUE DEPTH CHART.
WEDNESDAYS, APRIL 9-23: Q&A WITH PFWS NOLAN NAWROCKI.
FRIDAYS, APRIL 11-25, AND SATURDAY, APRIL 26: MOCK DRAFT.
APRIL 23: UPDATED DRAFT RANKINGS BY POSITION.
APRIL 24: UPDATED DRAFT RANKINGS REGARDLESS OF POSITION.
APRIL 28: EVALUATION OF EACH TEAMS DRAFT.
NOTE: Schedule is subject to change.
Youll find our draft coverage in the NFL Draft channel.
APRIL 2008
PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY
35
UNCHARTERED WATERS:
Packs maiden voyage without Favre could be risky

EXECUTIVE EDITOR
GIVE ME FIVE
The five biggest reasons Brett Favre will be a first-ballot
Hall of Fame selection five years from now:
1. Started 253 consecutive games (275, including playoffs), an NFL record for a quarterback.
2. First in all-time wins by a starting QB (160).

3. First in career TD passes (442).
4. First in career yards passing (61,655).
5. Won a record three Associated Press league MVP
awards in consecutive seasons (1995-97).
DAN ARKUSH
10 FAVRE
MOST FAVORITE
MOMENTS
(IN REVERSE ORDER)
10. [Dec. 24, 1995] Talk about true grit. On Christmas

Eve at Lambeau Field against the rugged Steelers, Favre rolled
out and was torpedoed by three Pittsburgh defenders. He
staggered to the sideline, coughing up blood. On the next play,
Favre came back into the game and threw a one-yard TD pass
to Mark Chmura, giving Green Bay a 24-19 victory that
clinched the division title.
PFW ARCHIVES
9. [Oct. 29, 2007] Favre sparkled under the Colorado

skies, registering a magical Monday-night moment with his 82yard TD pass to WR Greg Jennings on the first play from
scrimmage in overtime to give the Packers a 19-13 victory over
Denver. In the first half, Favre also threw a 79-yard TD pass to
James Jones. For the evening, he outdueled cannon-armed
Denver QB Jay Cutler, finishing 21-of-27 for 331 yards and a
142.4 QB rating not too shabby for an old coot.
Life goes on: It remains to be seen

whether Aaron Rodgers (left) can
become the new face of the Packers
and done next season.

That said, the Packers need for a decent
insurance policy behind Rodgers at the QB position
which at this writing was strangely nowhere to be found
couldnt be greater. The luxury of having one of the
greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game on their roster has become yesterdays news, in Green Bay and
beyond.
The quotebook
Here are four memorable quotes that sing
the praises of No. 4:
Former Packers GM Ron Wolf:

Everybody has copied his throwing
style now, but that was a unique Brett
Favre thing just wing it, sometimes
underhand, sometimes behind the back,
sometimes to a lineman, and a few
times to the opposition. I think he had a
great deal of fun playing the game, and
he always played to win the game, and
thats an important deal. (He) had great,
great respect for the game and a greater
respect for the people who played the game.
Colts QB Peyton Manning: He was the face of
the Packers during his career, and he takes his rightful
place among the all-time greats to play the game. Personally, I have appreciated how Brett has felt about my family
and how he followed my fathers career. Entering the NFL
as he was in the middle of his career, I got to know Brett
in a way that will be special to me always. It was an honor
to share the field with him, and I hope the coming years
offer continued blessings for Brett and
his family.
Bears DT Tommie Harris
(before a game vs. the Packers last
season): To me, hes like The Godfather of the league. He knows all
the little things to do, all the secrets.
Its all second nature to him. Its like
breathing.
Tour de France winner Lance
Armstrong: If people say to me,
Who are the athletes you respect the
most? I would tell you that I respect
Andre Agassi and Brett Favre the
most because they were guys that
played through pain, played through
misery.
KEITH RANDOLPH
Heading into April, nearly a month after he officially

announced his retirement in a poignant press conference
at the fourth-floor Legends Club of the Lambeau Field
Atrium, Brett Favres bigger-than-life presence still
loomed large in Green Bay at least on the Packers
ledger sheet.
For whatever reason, the legendary No. 4 had yet to
officially file his retirement papers, which left $11.4 million in salary-cap relief hanging in the balance.
We dont need the cap room, Packers GM Ted
Thompson said matter-of-factly, soothed by the knowledge that, not counting Favres figure, his team was still
a little more than $20 million under the salary cap.
What the Packers do need, however, more than anything moving forward is a major assist from Lady Luck,
as unproven 24-year-old Aaron Rodgers moves into
Favres longtime neighborhood with more than a
few shaky odds staring him in the face on a
number of counts.
I have great confidence in Aaron
Rodgers, Packers head coach Mike
McCarthy said of Favres understudy
the past three seasons. Hes really at
the point of his career where he needs
to play.
Whats more than a little scary,
though, is the fact that, in the limited
time Rodgers has actually seen the field
at the pro level (seven games, to be
exact), the former first-round pick has
suffered what amounted to two season-ending injuries.
The most recent one warrants particular cause
for concern. Rodgers was coming off his most
impressive performance at the pro level a Week 13
bullpen stint in Dallas in relief of the injured Favre, in
which he displayed his full potential on a national stage.
He had brought the Packers back from a 27-10 deficit to
within a field goal of the Cowboys in a game with huge
postseason ramifications, before falling short. But in the
first practice after that game, Rodgers pulled a hamstring, and that was all she wrote for his 2007 season.
When measured against the rsum of a quarterback
who determinedly toted out his lunchpail under center in
a league-record 275 consecutive games (including playoffs), the Packers faith in Rodgers body parts must be
considered risky business indeed.
Want some more scary odds? Relatively speaking, the
Packers have been a picture of health the past few years,
leading an extremely charmed life on the dreaded NFL
injury front. This is a team that hasnt suffered a seasonending injury to an impact player since early in the 2005
season (RB Ahman Green).
In todays NFL, thats a pretty amazing run one
that, it says here, will require extremely good fortune to
remain intact.
The good news, however, is that, despite losing the
services of a future first-ballot Hall of Fame lock who
led them to seven division titles and 11 playoff berths
in his amazing 16-year career with the team, the Packers remain a very solid, young squad, with lots of talent on both sides of the ball. And while the gap in the
NFC North has no doubt tightened with Favre no
longer under center, the Packers still appear to be a
good bet to be back atop the division after all is said
VIC MILTON (BELOW)
THE SLANT
DAN ARKUSH
8. [Nov. 14, 2004] In a classic divisional donnybrook

with the Vikings, Favre threw four TD passes in a game for the
18th time in his career. Minnesota fought back to tie the game
with 1:20 remaining, but, lo and behold, Favre finished the
Vikes off, driving the Packers to a last-second field goal for a
34-31 victory.
7. [Jan. 26, 1997] Playing not all that far from his Mississippi stomping grounds, Favre was an efficient 14-of-27 for
246 yards, hurling a 54-yard TD pass to Andre Rison on his first
throw of the game in a 35-21 victory over the Patriots in Super
Bowl XXXI at the Louisiana Superdome Green Bays first
championship in 29 years. In the same game, Favre also threw
a Super Bowl-record 81-yard TD pass to Antonio Freeman.
6. [Nov. 15, 1992] Against the Eagles in Milwaukee,
Favre led the Packers to a come-from-behind 27-24 victory
despite suffering a first-degree separation of his left shoulder
early in the game. Reggie White, then a defensive end with
Philly, would later say he definitely took Favres
effort into account when he decided to sign
with Green Bay as a free agent in the subsequent offseason.
5. [Jan. 12, 2008] Frolicking
like a kid playing in his backyard in
surreal-like snow showers at Lambeau Field, Favre looked like he
wouldnt mind playing forever in
a 42-20 playoff rout of the Seahawks. In addition to connecting
on three TD passes, Favres
underhanded 11-yard pass on
3rd-and-8 to Donald Lee after
somehow escaping the grasp of
Seahawks DT Brandon Mebane might
have been the most entertaining play of
the 07 season. His dead aim on WR Donald Driver with a snowball was fun, too.
4. [Sept. 30, 2007] Favre was picture-perfect
in the history-making game in which he threw his leaguerecord 421st career TD pass to Greg Jennings, breaking Dan
Marinos old mark. His third-down TD strikes to Jennings and
later James Jones were vintage efforts, as he completed 32of-45 passes for 344 yards and registered a 108.0 QB rating in
a 23-16 victory over the Vikings.
3. [Nov. 12, 1995] Move over, Willis Reed. Playing with
a severely sprained ankle that would eventually require offseason surgery, Favre somehow soldiered on to throw five TD
passes in a 35-28 victory over the Bears.
2. [Jan. 8, 1994] Its the game that best illustrated
Favres amazing arm strength in his prime. With the Packers
trailing the Lions 24-21 in the final minute of a wild-card playoff clash, Favre rolled to his left and threw a 40-yard bomb
across his body to Sterling Sharpe on the other side of the field
with 55 seconds left, giving Green Bay a 28-24 victory.
1. [Dec. 22, 2003] On the day after his father, Irvin, died,
Favre painted a stirring Monday-night masterpiece, completing 22-of-30 passes for 399 yards and four TDs in a 41-7 rout
of the Raiders. It was the most inspirational performance by
an NFL player Ive ever seen.
DAN ARKUSH

PFW - Vol. 23, Issue 02 (March 31, 2008) 2008 NFL Draft

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EXCLUSIVE SCOUTING REPORTS

NAWROCKIS MOCK DRAFT

PROSPECT IS HEARD LOUD

OAKLANDS MAKING WAVES

A LOOK BACK AT NO. 4s

LEODIS McKELVIN | Troy

DeANGELO HALL | Raiders

l VOL. XXIII, NO. 2 l APRIL 2008

WILL PARCELLS TRADE THE DOLPHINS NO. 1 PICK?

PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY

CREATORS & FOUNDERS

Arthur Arkush, Robert Drazkowski

Publisher/Editor Hub Arkush

Business manager Christine Klimusko

The Way We Hear It ..........................Pg. 3

PLAYER REPORTS ........6

LEODIS McKELVIN ............14

PLAYER RANKINGS ....18

Pro Football Weekly

Teams must learn from Davis, Finks come Draft Day

he two smartest and most successful NFL

outstanding accuracy of these grades in

sive line and, with the fifth overall pick, take

PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY

HARRY SCULL, JR.

NEW YORK JETS

Disgruntled: QB J.P. Losman wants

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

player get beat more and get more toasted

ERIC EDHOLM NOLAN NAWROCKI

the Pats. Panthers backup Adam

JUSTIN SULLIVAN / GETTY IMAGES

year-old Seau has yet to make up

idea of him going wire to wire as

camps, team sources told PFW that

Cowboys who was on the practice

One of the most interesting things

We hear the Niners might have

PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY

SCOTT WALLEM / PROCASE

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

head coach Lovie Smith and RB

tion into the Buccaneers dealings,

ter struggled a season ago.

100 percent by training camp.

arrest, as the team was in need of

PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY

to have a shot at sticking on the

he played through an ACL tear in

PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY

his years QB crop is

Redshirted in 2003. Started 1-of-4

yards (2.5-yard average) and five

2008 NFL DRAFT

No. 1 overall? Matt Ryan has the

Started all 12 games in 2004 as a

399 pass attempts (60.2 percent) for

Father, Oscar, and brothers, Greg

Jones is the most dynamic in

proven he could rally his team from

Saw limited action in eight games

Enrolled at Pittsburgh and redshirted in 2003. Played in 3-of-12

RB Jonathan Stewart [Jr.]