Cleveland TE Kellen Winslow, Jr. was in a motorcycle accident this
afternoon. Initial reports are vague saying that his injuries "aren't
life threatening."

Here's the full article by Tony Grossi from the Plain Dealer
http://www.cleveland.com/newslogs/plaindealer/index.ssf

Browns tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. is in Fairview Park Hospital this
afternoon after being involved in a motorcycle accident on Sunday
night, the Browns confirmed.

Club spokesman Bill Bonsiewicz said that Winslow will be transferred
to the Cleveland Clinic today for observation.

Bonsiewicz had no immediate details on the accident or injuries to
Winslow, although he said, "The injuries are not life-threatening."

Winslow missed most of his rookie season last year with a broken leg
and torn ankle ligaments suffered in the second game in Dallas.

The club's No. 1 draft pick in 2004 signed a six-year contract for a
maximum of $40 million. His injuries last year cost Winslow the
opportunity to earn more than $11 million during the life of the
contract.

/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/

The AP has these additional details in their story at
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-browns-
winslowaccident&prov=ap&type=lgns

Clipped from the AP article: "Winslow was riding in a community
college parking lot Sunday when he hit a curb at about 35 mph and was
thrown from the motorcycle, police Lt. Ray Arcuri said.

He was taken by ambulance to Fairview Hospital and was scheduled to be
transferred to the Cleveland Clinic on Monday where the team's medical
staff would treat him, Browns spokesman Bill Bonsiewicz said.

``He went over the handlebars and was real evasive about what the
injuries were,'' Arcuri said.

Winslow was wearing a helmet, but it wasn't strapped on and flew off
his head, Arcuri said. He and four other men were riding motorcycles
in the parking lot, not far from Winslow's home."

[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [  OUR VIEW  ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]

Some teams have all the "luck". It's still too early to know the
details but we should have more soon. Four guys in a parking lot at 35
miles per hour sounds a little suspicious for "normal" motorcycle
riding. We'll see. You'd like to think a guy rehabbing like this would
be smarter than to be out doing motorcycle stunts in a parking lot
with his buddies and we hope that's the case. Stay tuned.

Joe

**************************************************
Joe Bryant
Owner  www.Footballguys.com
Why Subscribe to Footballguys?
http://www.footballguys.com/whysubscribe.htm

Last season Jack Wilson (SS,PIT) hit .308 and 11 HR's to earn himself a
2-year contract from the Pirates. This season Wilson is well below the
Mendoza line and there are no signs of improvement.

Year   AB   Avg  HR   bb%  ct%  h%  Eye   PX  xBA
====   ===  ===  ==   ===  ===  ==  ====  ==  ===
2004   652  308  11    4    89  33  0.37  87  287
2005    74  176   0    3    88  20  0.22  17  230

A -13% change in your hit rate will do that to an Avg, but even then
his xBA says he should only be hitting around .230. Most of his skills
are very similar to last year, but his Eye is slightly lower, possible
a result of pressing after his awful start. Also, his PX his way down,
but the 11 HR's last year were more a result of his AB's than his PX.
His numbers have to get better from here on out but clearly last season
was a career year and not the norm. Expect him to return to his .250's
Avg and single digit HR's. but right now he is well below a replacement
level player. You should be looking for other options at this point.

What's wrong with Mike Mussina (RHP, NYY)? After 4 GS, he's 1-1 with
a 4.50 ERA, bringing back memories of a disappointing 2004 in which
he finished 12-9, 4.60. As Mussina's pitching log shows, his starts
have been neither lengthy (none longer than 6.0 IP) nor particularly
successful (none better than a PQS-3):

DATE         OPP   IP   H ER BB SO HR  PC PQS
==========   ===  ===  == == == == == === ===
04/06/2005   BOS  6.0   9  2  2  2  0  96  2
04/11/2005  @BOS  5.0   7  4  3  5  1  95  2
04/16/2005  @BAL  5.2   7  2  3  4  0 107  2
04/21/2005  @TOR  5.1  10  3  1  5  0  99  3

The above log is surprising for a pitcher who had a DOM > 60% from
2001-2003 and even in 2004 managed a 44% DOM. Let's look at some
possible reasons that Mussina is struggling in the early going.
First, he's had the misfortune to face three of the top five offenses
in the AL: BOS (3rd in R/G as of 4/25/2005), BAL (5th), and TOR
(4th). These teams are also pretty good at taking walks, especially
BOS (11% bb%), forcing Mussina to throw more pitches -- hence the
high PC in relatively few IP. Second, Mussina has also had another
sort of misfortune in the form of a 40% H%. Recall that any H%
variance of +3% or more adversely affects a pitcher's ERA.

We believe Mussina will rebound as the 2005 season progresses. His
current 3.7 Ctl (bb/9), 6.5 Dom (k/9), 1.8 Cmd (k/bb), and 0.4 hr/9
are borderline LIMA-worthy; in a less well known pitcher, we'd be
happy to see these rates this early. Furthermore, the Yankees are
done with the tougher AL offenses for a while. Starting in May, NYY
gets to face TAM (8th in R/G), OAK (14th), and SEA (8th) -- which
should give Mussina several GS with which to make up for his tough
start. Now is a good time to make a trade offer to any nervous
Mussina owners.

Carlos Lee (OF, MIL), acquired from the White Sox during the off-
season in exchange for Scott Podsednik (OF, CHI) and Luis Vizcaino
(RHP, CHI), was expected to give Milwaukee another power source to
complement Geoff Jenkins (OF, MIL). So far, it hasn't happened.
Thursday in St. Louis, Lee went 0-for-3, lowering his batting average
to .226 with 3 HR and 16 Ks. Against right-handers, he's hitting just
.182. The early season swoon raises the question: Is 'El Caballo'
just off to a slow start like last year when he was hitting .230 with
4 HR and 10 RBI on May 13, or is there something more to worry about?

AB HR    Avg    bb%    ct%    Eye   PX    xBA
=============================================================
2002 492 26    264     13     85   1.03 124 285
2003 623 31    291      6     85   0.61 122 296
2004 591 31    305      8     85   0.43 126 282
2005 81 3     226      9     80   0.50   138 261

Last year, Lee had just 6 HR at the All-Star break and rebounded to
go .314-25-59 afterward. Just as impressively, he hit over .300
against both right-handers and lefties. Lee's weak start makes him an
attractive trade target. The BPIs are still OK, and the 138 PX and
261 xBA should be reassuring to Lee owners. The only lingering
question about Lee's debut season in Milwaukee is how much does it
matter that he's part of a much less potent lineup, surrounded by
Overbay and Jenkins and not Frank Thomas, Magglio Ordonez and Paul
Konerko.

It was only four years ago that Toby Hall (C, TAM) looked like
the "next thing" among AL CA. His combination of high contact rate and
solid PX pegged him as a potential .300 hitter. Well, Hall is indeed
over .300 early in 2005, after a 3-4 night Wednesday vs. TOR. But while
his BA is going up, his power is headed the wrong way.

Year    AB   bb%   ct%    Eye   PX   HR    BA   xBA   RC/G
====   ===   ===   ===   ====   ==   ==   ===   ===   ====
2003   463    5%   91%   0.58   75   12  .253  .287   -4.4
2004   404    6%   90%   0.59   67    8  .255  .237   -6.9
2005    56    7%   93%   1.00   13    0  .304  .254   -0.5
includes MLEs

Hall's .300 BA is about as empty as they come, with a paltry 13 PX (his
double Wednesday is his only extra-base hit) and relatively few walks
(four in 56 AB). He's maintained the excellent contact he's shown
throughout his career, but he's done little when he does put it in
play. As indicated by his xBA, Hall's current BA is unlikely to hold up
unless he can start driving the ball a bit more. Given his recent-year
trends, that's not a good fanalytic bet.

April 29, 2005 8:27 PM ET
Bills:  Henry absent from minicamp
The News
Disgruntled running back Travis Henry kept his word and didn't show
up to the start of Bills' minicamp on Friday, reports the Associated
Press. He has one season left on his current contract, but told the
team he will not play for them if he has to backup Willis McGahee,
who took the starting job from him last season. The team has been
shopping Henry around, but said they expect him to honor the final
year of his deal if they can't find a trading partner.

Our View
Henry's fantasy value would get a nice bump if his whining is
rewarded and he is traded to a team that would use him as the
featured back. Until that happens, he is no more than a handcuff to
McGahee.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 29, 2005 7:59 PM ET
Lions:  Rogers adds 18 pounds of muscle
The News
Lions wide receiver Charles Rogers missed all but three plays of the
2004 season because of a broken clavicle. However, he used his time
off to add approximately 18 pounds of muscle and is ready to play
again, reports the team's website. "It felt great [to be back on
Friday]. It's kind of hard to put in words; but when you play
football for your whole life – getting back out on the field, you're
just doing something you love and just having fun," Rogers said to
the site. "It's kind of hard for me to put into words...but it was
beautiful."

Our View
While Charles may think minicamp is beautiful, fantasy owners will
think it is beautiful if he can play an entire regular season for
once. The added strength may help in preventing future injuries, but
he now has to concern himself with beating out Mike Williams and
keeping his spot in the team's starting lineup.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 29, 2005 7:46 PM ET
Panthers:  Davis starts off as a safety
The News
The Panthers spent their first-round pick on Thomas Davis, who many
people suspected would have to move from safety to linebacker in the
NFL. However, head coach John Fox had Davis line up at safety during
the team's practice on Friday and told reporters that he won't play
him at linebacker during this minicamp. "Whenever you bring a rookie
in, you want to give him the best opportunity to give you his best
first impression," Fox told the team's website. "He has been [played]
there the last two years. I think that [strong safety] is where his
comfort level is. That is why we started him there."

Our View
Fox indicated that he will take a look at Davis as an outside
linebacker, but not until the team's coaching sessions in June. He
has excellent sideline-to-sideline speed and the team would rather
not move Mike Minter to free safety, so expect Davis to see plenty of
playing time at linebacker this summer.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 29, 2005 7:42 PM ET
Bills:  Everett twists his knee in camp
The News
Bills tight end Kevin Everett's first day on the job was an
abbreviated one thanks to a twisted knee that he suffered late in
practice on Friday. The rookie had to be carted off the field after
his foot appeared to stick in the turf as he planted to turn
subsequent to making a catch, reports to the Associated Press. He was
the team's third-round selection during this year's draft.

Our View
While there has been no word on Everett's condition, it is never a
good sign when a player has to be carted off the field. We'll update
his status as soon as more information is released.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 29, 2005 7:34 PM ET
Jaguars:  Jones hurts his hammy
The News
Jaguars rookie Matt Jones suffered a strained left hamstring during
an afternoon practice session and didn't return, reports the
Associated Press. The wideout is unsure of when he'll be back on the
field. "Who knows?" he said. "I'm going to get some treatment on it
and we'll see." Jones was the team's first round pick in Saturday's
draft.

Our View
Jones is attempting to switch from quarterback to receiver, so every
snap he takes in practice is an important part of his development. He
reportedly looked good while he was on field, so hopefully the
hamstring will heal quickly and the injury won't linger.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 29, 2005 6:37 PM ET
Rams:  Barron named the starter
The News
Head coach Mike Martz has already decided that first-round pick Alex
Barron will be the Rams' starting right tackle this season. In fact,
Martz is so confident in the decision that he didn't even bother to
watch how Barron was doing during the first day of minicamp on
Friday, reports the Associated Press. "I make the assumption he's
going to be fine," Martz said. "We're handing him the starting job at
right tackle, that's his." Barron was the 19th player taken in this
year's draft and was a starter during his final two seasons at
Florida State.

Our View
Is it any wonder why Martz is considered among the worst coaches in
the league? He not only publicly hands the job to a rookie who just
showed up to camp, he also doesn't bother to see how the kid is
performing. We're not sure if this quick promotion is a testament to
Barron's talent or the lack of ability among the team's other tackles
not named Orlando Pace, but we'll have all season to find out.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 29, 2005 6:27 PM ET
Patriots:  Flutie joins the champs
The News
The Patriots added an experienced quarterback to their stable on
Friday when they signed 85-year-old Doug Flutie. The two sides agreed
on a one-year deal, but financial terms of the contract weren't
disclosed, reports the Associated Press. "Doug brings us additional
veteran experience and depth at the quarterback position," head coach
Bill Belichick was quoted as saying.

Our View
If Flutie sees any meaningful minutes during the season it would
because of an injury to Tom Brady, and the NFL won't let that happen.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 29, 2005 5:08 PM ET
Eagles:  Reid tells Mitchell to stay home
The News
Eagles wide receiver Freddie Mitchell did not attend the first day of
minicamp on Friday, and his absence was no accident. "I told him I
was excusing him from this practice, that I did not want him here,"
head coach Andy Reid told the team's official web site. "I'm working
on some things."

Our View
Reid didn't want to go into further detail, but it's clear at this
point that Mitchell is not going to be a part of the Eagles much
longer. Freddie's contract runs through the end of the 2005 season,
and it's likely Reid is trying to work on a trade or buyout. Greg
Lewis, Billy McMullen, and rookie Reggie Brown have all taken a step
up the depth chart.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 29, 2005 4:41 PM ET
Eagles:  Owens skips first day of minicamp
The News
Wide receiver Terrell Owens did not attend the Eagles' first minicamp
workout on Friday, presumably in boycott of his contract situation,
according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. Although Owens signed a seven-
year, $49 million deal before last season, he has hired agent Drew
Rosenhaus in hopes of getting it restructured. Owens finished last
season with 77 receptions for 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Our View
This is hardly a surprising move since Owens made his feelings on the
matter quite clear via the media. Now it's just a matter of waiting
to see whether he or the team blinks first. We will continue to keep
update Owens' holdout as more information becomes available.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 29, 2005 1:36 PM ET
Packers:  Walker misses voluntary workouts
The News
Packers' wide receiver Javon Walker no-showed the team's two
voluntary workouts on Wednesday and Thursday. If he doesn't report
for the mandatory portion of minicamp on Friday through Sunday, the
team can fine him up to $1,000 for each missed day. Walker finished
last season with 89 receptions for 1,382 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Our View
Like most holdouts this year, Walker is represented by agent Drew
Rosenhaus, who is the guiding force behind Terrell Owens and other
top players who are holding out in protest of their current deals.
Walker has two years remaining on his rookie contract, but it's
obvious that he wants to the team to renegotiate. We'll keep you
posted on Javon's status throughout the duration of his holdout.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 29, 2005 1:35 PM ET
Rams:  Fair takes first step in comeback attempt
The News
The Rams signed free agent defensive back Terry Fair to a one-year
contract on Thursday, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed. The 28 year-old
veteran has not played since week three of the 2003 season because of
various injuries. Fair, a former first-round draft pick, started 48
games in four seasons with the Lions.

Our View
A broken foot cost Fair his job with the Lions, and a broken ankle
ended his three-game run with the Panthers. He was a good player
early in his career, but it remains to be seen whether he can bounce
back from his injuries.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 29, 2005 12:51 PM ET
Packers:  Ferguson corrects vision problem
The News
Packers' wide receiver Robert Ferguson said he is seeing the football
better now that he has undergone Lasik surgery on both eyes. "It's an
amazing difference," Ferguson told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. "I
should have done it long ago. I'm ready to roll." Ferguson finished
last season with 24 receptions for 367 yards and a touchdown.

Our View
Javon Walker had the same procedure two years ago and increased his
touchdown total from one in his rookie season to nine in his second
year. We're not expecting a dramatic improvement from Ferguson, who
will likely be relegated to the No. 3 receiver role this season, but
it might help him reduce the number of dropped passes.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 29, 2005 12:41 PM ET
Bears:  Edinger changes his kicking approach
The News
Bears' kicker Paul Edinger knows his job is on the line, but he's not
leaving Chicago without putting up a fight. The Chicago Sun-Times
reports that the five-year veteran has been working out a team
headquarters for the last three weeks and has changed his kicking
approach. "I was approaching the ball a tad different each time," he
said. "It all started with my lineup. I'm still standing the same
way, but there's no chance of lining up wrong now." Edinger has
converted only 25 of his last 43 field goal attempts.

Our View
The Bears are bringing in kickers Tyler Jones and Nick Novak to push
Edinger during training camp. Despite his confidence in his new
kicking style, Edinger's days in the Windy City might still be coming
to an end. Team officials aren't keen on the idea of paying his $1.1
million salary this season and are rumored to be shopping Edinger in
trade talks.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 29, 2005 12:31 PM ET
Rams:  Carter signs three-year deal
The News
It didn't take long for Jerome Carter to sign his first contract. The
rookie safety signed a three-year contract with the Rams on Thursday,
according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Financial terms of the deal
have not been disclosed. "The sooner the better," Carter told the
Post-Dispatch. "I let my agent handle everything on that end." The
Rams selected Carter in the fourth round of last weekend's draft.

Our View
Carter will compete for a spot on the roster with 15 other defensive
backs. Given his status as a fourth-round pick, we expect him to make
the team. However, he won't have any fantasy value in leagues that
award points for individual defensive players during his rookie
season while playing behind starters Adam Archuleta and Pisa
Tinoisamoa.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 29, 2005 12:20 PM ET
Seahawks:  Alexander to skip minicamp
The News
Seahawks' running back Shaun Alexander will not attend minicamp this
weekend, according to the Seattle Times. The five-year veteran is
still refusing to sign the $6.32 million contract tender he was
offered after being named the team's franchise player. League rules
prohibit players who are not under contract from taking part in the
offseason workouts.

Our View
We're not too concerned about Alexander missing the first minicamp,
but his holdout has the potential to get ugly. A visit with team
officials last month wasn't enough to convince him to sign the
tender, and he's offered no indications that he'll ink a new deal
anytime soon. We will continue to keep you posted on one of the
premier running backs in fantasy football whenever new information is
released.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 29, 2005 12:12 PM ET
49ers:  Barlow welcomes rookie rusher
The News
49ers' running back Kevan Barlow is not upset that the team used a
third-round pick to acquire former Miami-FLA rusher Frank Gore. In
fact, the incumbent starter says he will help the rookie as much as
he can. "That's what I'm here for," Barlow told the Mercury News on
Thursday. "That's one of my roles on this team, to be a leader and to
help him develop as a player. But I'm going to be helping myself
develop along the way, too." Barlow averaged 3.4 yards per carry last
season, the lowest average in the league among starting running
backs.

Our View
Gore has first-round talent, but his draft stock dropped due to
injury concerns. Given Barlow's lousy performance last season, his
status as a starter is anything but solid. Kevan will enter training
camp with that title, but the door is open for the rookie to steal
some carries this season.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 29, 2005 11:51 AM ET
Vikings:  Hello again, Newman
The News
The Vikings re-signed linebacker Keith Newman on Thursday, according
to the Associated Press. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed.
Newman started 14 games for the Vikings last season and finished the
year with 71 tackles and 3.5 sacks.

Our View
We don't expect Newman to be a starter this season now that the
Vikings have acquired Napoleon Harris and Sam Cowart. However, he is
quite familiar with defensive coordinator Ted Cottrel's system, as
the two men were once members of the Bills' organization, so he could
be a valuable backup.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 29, 2005 11:42 AM ET
Buccaneers:  Quarles agrees to restructured contract
The News
The Buccaneers received some salary cap relief on Thursday when
linebacker Shelton Quarles agreed to restructure his contract. The
Tampa Tribune reports that the eight-year veteran agreed to have a
$1.5 million skill and injury guarantee treated as a signing bonus,
which will create $1 million cap space. "I didn't take a pay cut,"
Quarles said Thursday. "I just restructured my contract." Quarles
logged 104 tackles and 3.5 sacks last season.

Our View
There has been some speculation that the aging Quarles' days are
numbered in Tampa, but his willingness to restructure his contract
should keep him around for another season. Quarles has logged over
100 tackles in two of the last three seasons, which makes him worth
of consideration in fantasy leagues that award points for individual
defensive players.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 29, 2005 11:05 AM ET
Chiefs:  Hakim not an option
The News
Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil has talked to free agent wide receiver Az-
Zahir Hakim, but the team has no interest in signing him. "I'd love
to have Az," Vermeil told the Kansas City Star. "The problem is, as I
told Az, is that I already have Dante Hall. I also have another
receiver who's not a big guy in Samie Parker. I just don't have room
for another small wide receiver."

Our View
Hakim became expendable in Detroit when the Lions drafted a wide
receiver in the first round for the third consecutive season. The
Chiefs, meanwhile, aren't exactly set in stone at the receiver
position—especially if, as rumored, Johnnie Morton becomes a salary
cap casualty.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 29, 2005 11:00 AM ET
Jaguars:  Jones to slim down
The News
Some scouts projected former Arkansas quarterback Matt Jones as a
tight end in the NFL, but the Jaguars' first-round pick has other
plans. "I'd like to be 235, maybe 232," Jones told the Florida Times
Union. "I'd like to trim up a little bit to keep my speed, because I
think that's going to be real helpful to me in this league."

Our View
Jones, whose nickname at Arkansas was "Slim," currently carries 242
pounds on his 6-6 frame. He ran a sub-4.40 40 at the combine and has
no experience playing inside—which would be required of a tight end—
so maintaining his speed and remaining on the outside, where he can
take advantage of his athleticism, makes sense.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 29, 2005 11:00 AM ET
Texans:  Mock gets a chance
The News
The Texans invited quarterback Chance Mock to participate in their
two-day rookie minicamp this weekend. Mock played at the University
of Texas, though he attempted just 21 passes his senior season.

Our View
Mock will be battling the likes of Dave Ragone, B.J. Symons, and
Preston Parsons for a spot at the end of Houston's quarterback depth
chart.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 29, 2005 10:22 AM ET
Jets:  Brien booted
The News
Doug Brien was officially given his release on Thursday, according to
the Newark Star-Ledger. "At this point in time, we feel that making
this move gives Doug some freedom in his options in terms of
continuing his future," Jets coach Herman Edwards said in a
statement.

Our View
Everyone knew this would happen, and now it's official. Rookie Mike
Nugent will be handed the reins in New York, while Brien will hope to
latch on with someone else. He may find a suitor in the Vikings, who
he played for briefly several years ago, but the Vikes are also
interested in Chicago's Paul Edinger.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 29, 2005 10:13 AM ET
Dolphins:  Brown in camp…for now
The News
Ronnie Brown will participate in this weekend's three-day minicamp
after signing waivers, but there is some uncertainty about whether
the running back will be signed in time for the start of training
camp in July. The South Florida Sun Sentinel notes that Brown's
contract will likely be the largest and most complicated in franchise
history. "Hopefully, it won't be too challenging," said Brown's
agent, Todd France. "Both parties understand what the market is."

Our View
The parameters of the contract will be based on the contract given to
last year's No. 2 overall pick, Robert Gallery. Gallery got $14.5
million in guaranteed money and a seven year contract that could be
worth as much as $60 million if he reaches incentives. One sticking
point may be the guaranteed portion of Brown's contract. Dolphins'
owner H. Wayne Huizenga has been reluctant to fork over huge signing
bonuses in one year, preferring to spread signing bonuses over
several years. Whatever the case, France is not know as an agent who
causes problems and the Dolphins desperately need their running back
of the future to play as much as possible in camp, so we expect a
deal to get worked out before training camp.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 29, 2005 10:07 AM ET
Bills:  A-Train comes to town
The News
Anthony Thomas visited Buffalo on Thursday as the team continues to
search for a backup in case Travis Henry is traded before the
season. "Things sound good right now," Thomas told the Buffalo
News. "I'm willing to be a player here. I'm not going to say I'm
going to be a backup or say I'm going to be a starter. They said they
are going to give me an opportunity to play, so that's good enough
for me."

Our View
Apparently, Thomas doesn't realize Willis McGahee is on this team.
His role would be strictly as a backup and emergency fill-in if he
opts to sign with the Bills. More importantly, it appears as if the
team is still confident it can find a deal to ship the disgruntled
Henry out of town. They have now talked to both Garrison Hearst and
Thomas as potential backups in case Henry is jettisoned.

Full Article: http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/3568180

Clipped from: Foxsports.com  by Dan Pompei 4/26/05

Arizona Cardinals: A+
Antrel Rolle might play in more Pro Bowls than anyone in this draft.
Each one of their selections was a good value pick, especially guard
Elton Brown in the fourth.

Minnesota Vikings: A+
No team walked away with more talent. Troy Williamson will ease the
loss of Randy Moss. The best value pick they had was fourth-round
running back Ciatrick Fason.

Baltimore Ravens: A
They chose the most polished, complete wide receiver in Mark Clayton,
and the pass rusher with the best quickness in defensive end Dan Cody.

Cleveland Browns: A
They drafted the top-rated wideout (Braylon Edwards) and the top-rated
safety (Brodney Pool) on most boards. And Charlie Frye is a
quarterback for the future.

Kansas City Chiefs: A
Linebacker Derrick Johnson was a tremendous value. The Chiefs did a
nice job filling needs, and they got a Pro Bowl corner, Patrick
Surtain, for their second-round pick.

Miami Dolphins:  A
Running back Ronnie Brown, defensive end Matt Roth and linebacker
Channing Crowder represented a heck of a first day. This draft should
have quick impact on the team.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: A
It was a solid draft from top to bottom. Jon Gruden has a few new
toys. The Bucs couldn't get quarterback Alex Smith, but they did draft
the tight end by the same name.

San Diego Chargers: A-
Outside linebacker Shawne Merriman, defensive tackle Luis Castillo and
running back Darren Sproles should be able to make quick impacts. The
Chargers picked up some nice offensive line depth on Day 2

[[[[[[[[[[ Footballguys http://www.footballguys.com VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]

One man's opinion on the draft. 'A' grades are listed above. Check the
article for the full list. Watch the Footballguys.com site for our
full blown rookie write-ups due to hit the site any day now.

Full Article: http://www.startribune.com/stories/510/5371253.html

Clipped from: Startribune.com article by Kevin Seifert 4/27/05

As they prepare for this weekend's mandatory three-day minicamp, the
Vikings have encountered a midseason-size injury list.

Starting receivers Nate Burleson and Marcus Robinson recently
underwent minor surgeries and will not participate in any of the six
scheduled practices, athletic trainer Chuck Barta confirmed Tuesday.
The same goes for All-Pro defensive tackle Kevin Williams, who still
is recovering from knee surgery, and Pro Bowl center Matt Birk, who
underwent surgery to repair a sports hernia last month.

Burleson sought surgical treatment two weeks ago for a fractured right
middle finger, an injury he suffered last November. Robinson had
surgery three weeks ago to remove a cyst from his left knee, a
condition that began during the playoffs and worsened during the off
season.

Robinson, Burleson, Birk and Williams all are expected to be ready for
training camp.

Meanwhile, tight end Jim Kleinsasser (knee) and right tackle Mike
Rosenthal (foot) will participate in some individual work but are not
likely to be a part of most team drills.
Etc.

N.Y. Jets officials have informed kicker Doug Brien that he will be
released. There are also indications that kicker Paul Edinger's time
in Chicago is about to end.

Both Brien and Edinger would be candidates for the Vikings' job if and
when they become available.

[[[[[[[[[[ Footballguys http://www.footballguys.com VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]

Lots of minor injuries for the Vikings already. Not a good sign, but
also not a huge cause for alarm as it's only April. Viking fans should
be happy to see Kleinsasser and Rosenthal up and around, even if they
can't go full speed yet. Interesting notes about Brien and Edinger for
the Viking Kicking position as well.  The Vikings had the #3 offense
last year, and they tend to put up a lot of points. Add in the fact
that they kick inside a dome for more than half the year, and whoever
takes over the starting job should be an excellent fantasy prospect.

Full Article:
http://www.cleveland.com/sports/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/111
4594283272150.xml

Clipped from: The Plain Dealer article by Mary Kay Cabot 4/27/05

New Browns running back Reuben Droughns has left the team's off-season
conditioning program and said Tuesday he won't be back until he has a
new contract.
"We're prepared to hold out," Droughns said by phone from Denver.

Droughns, who was acquired by the Browns in a trade March 30 for
Ebenezer Ekuban and Mike Myers, said the Browns were aware during
trade talks that Droughns wanted a new deal. He's under contract for
about $950,000 in 2005 and $1 million in 2006. He did not say how much
he wants.

"I started working out in Cleveland, and we had that [orientation
camp]," Droughns said. "At that point, they told me that they did want
to get a deal done. My agent [Drew Rosenhaus] gave them a proposal,
but we heard nothing from them for at least 1½ weeks."

Droughns said the next thing he heard from the Browns was that they
wanted him to come in and prove himself this season and see what comes
of it. With that, he left Cleveland about 2½ weeks ago on the advice
of Rosenhaus.

Browns General Manager Phil Savage could not be reached for comment.

"I keep hearing from everyone my whole career that I'm going to get
taken care of down the road," Droughns said. "But I keep getting the
short end of the stick."

Droughns wants a bigger deal after leading the Broncos with 1,240
yards and six touchdowns last season. After two seasons as a fullback
in Denver, he was pressed into service at tailback because of injuries
to the top two runners.

"I'm not being greedy, and I'm not looking for beau coups bucks," he
said.

"But what the Browns are telling me is that what I did last year
doesn't mean diddly squat to them."

[[[[[[[[[[ Football Guys http://www.footballguys.com VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]

Greed is not the issue here. It's pride. Droughns feels that 1240
yards in the Denver Running Back Factory has earned him the clear cut
starting job in Cleveland. He's sadly mistaken. Cleveland has already
stated that the job will be a RBBC. Why press the issue this early? If
Droughns wants a new contract so badly, he should show up to camp and
run circles around Lee Suggs. THEN he'd be in a position to make
demands. This one looks like it's going to be ugly. We'll keep you
posted on how this situation progresses. Suggs owners should be
pleased that the 'competition' may be over by forfeit. If nothing
else, this story is worthy just for the guy using "beau coups bucks"
and "diddly squat" in the same sitting.

Full Article: http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/chargers/20050426-
1658-fbn-chargers-osgood.html

Clipped from: SignOnSanDiego.com associated press article 4/26/05

Wide receiver Kassim Osgood signed a one-year contract Tuesday to
remain with the San Diego Chargers.

Osgood, an exclusive-rights free agent, had 15 receptions for 308
yards and three touchdowns last season. One of his biggest plays came
on special teams, though, when he ran down Chiefs kick returner Dante
Hall from behind, causing a fumble and preventing a touchdown in a
34-31 San Diego victory Nov. 28 at Kansas City.
Osgood tied for the team lead in special teams tackles with 13.

San Diego's only unsigned free agent is All-Pro tight end Antonio
Gates, also an exclusive rights free agent. General manager A.J. Smith
said the two sides continue to discuss a long-term deal, but wouldn't
say how close they are.

[[[[[[[[[[ Football Guys http://www.footballguys.com VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]

Osgood is entering his third season with the Chargers and he is a pure
burner. He has only had 28 career receptions, but he also has a
whopping 20.9 YPC and has 4 receiving TDs. As the article also
mentions, he has been a standout player on special teams as well. With
the entire San Diego group of wide receivers looking like a fantasy
crap shoot, the 6'5" Osgood might be a nice sleeper pick.

The fact that Gates is unsigned is a non-story. San Diego knows that
they will need him, and we're sure that he'll be under contract by the
time the pre-season rolls around.

Full Article: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?
columnist=pasquarelli_len&id=2047003

Clipped from: ESPN.com article by Len Pasquarelli 4/26/05

Tight end Jeremy Shockey, far from off season workouts and the subject
of recent entreaties from coach Tom Coughlin and quarterback Eli
Manning was en route to New York on Tuesday evening to join Giants
teammates for the conditioning program.

Shockey has spent much of the off season to this point in Miami,
working out with former college teammates and other league players,
and suggesting his regimen there is perhaps even more challenging than
the team's program. As he traveled to the airport Tuesday, Shockey
reiterated that his boycott of the voluntary workouts were meant
neither as an affront to Coughlin or his teammates.
Instead, he said, the workouts remain, he believes, the best way to
challenge himself and prepare for the rigors of the season. There is,
both Shockey and agent Drew Rosenhaus maintained, no hidden agenda.

"There is no mystery," said Shockey, the team's first-round pick in
the 2002 draft. "It's just the way that I believe is best for me to
get ready. This is about me helping me which, in turn, helps the team.
It's just a personal preference. If anybody saw me, they'd know what
I've been putting myself through."

[[[[[[[[[[ OUR VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]

Smart move here. Shockey's standoff with Coughlin was starting to be a
distraction. Maybe the phone calls from Eli Manning helped. Maybe
someone pointed out that if he wants a new contract, he needs to show
that he's a team player. Whatever the case, Shockey is back with the
Giants now, and the team unity that Coughlin and Manning have been
begging for has been restored.

Full Article:
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?
AID=/20050426/SPORTS03/504260320/1021

Clipped from: Democrat & Chronicle  article by Leo Roth, 4/26/05

The Buffalo Bills found it impossible to work a trade for disgruntled
Travis Henry even before last weekend's NFL Draft turned into running
backs on parade. Some 26 ball carriers were selected and only eight
teams failed to draft a back. Even the Bills got into the action,
taking Louisville's Lionel Gates in the seventh round. Does it mean
the market for Henry has dried up?

"I don't think it is a dead issue," coach Mike Mularkey said. "But
obviously, it is slimmer."

The Bills remain optimistic they can move their one-time starter, get
decent value, and avoid the potential for a hurtful sideshow should
Henry become a training camp holdout, or worse, a team cancer were he
to show up to collect on his $1.25 million contract but project the
wrong attitude.

[[[[[[[[[[ OUR VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]

Hold on to your hats folks, this one is going to get ugly. The article
hints that Philly has expressed interest in Henry, but quickly
dismisses it at a possible ploy to get Brian Westbrook to sign a
long-term contact. One thing is certain though: The Bills have one
idea of what Henry is worth, and the rest of the NFL has a different
one. At this point, there are too many other alternatives than to
overpay for Henry, who has been injured and also had a problem holding
onto the ball (23 fumbles in 48 starts).  We'll keep you posted on the
situation as it develops, but don't hold your breath waiting for this
one to be resolved.

By Stephen Gregory, Edited by Cory J. Bonini
For a player that spent much of his college career playing second
fiddle to a flasher running back at Auburn RB Ronnie Brown proved
that, on draft day, he is second to none. In early February, every
draft board in the nation had Brown listed as the third possible
running back to be taken in the 2005 NFL draft, firmly behind Texas
RB Cedric Benson and fellow Auburn Tiger WR Carnell Williams. Since
that time Brown made the case that he is truly best in class. Brown
was the first running back selected, No. 2 overall, by the Miami
Dolphins.

Miami was in desperate need of a top-flight running back. Two weeks
before the 2004 training camp, they were stunned when troublesome RB
Ricky Williams announced that he no longer wanted to play football.
Having missed the opportunity to draft a replacement and with no
quality veterans available through free agency, the Dolphins suffered
mightily in their one-dimensional offense. Miami staggered to a 4-12
record with the 30th ranked rushing attack.

It was widely speculated that Miami would be interested in the
stalwart Texas RB Cedric Benson. The Ricky Williams fiasco no doubt
made them gun shy about selecting another Texas running back,
particularly one that openly professed that Williams was his idol.
Despite his declarations that he "is not Ricky" and a quick trip to
the barber to lose the Ricky-like dreadlocks, Benson was likely still
viewed to be too much like his former idol for the Dolphins liking.

Fate, it seems, stepped in and made Miami's choice an easy one.
Ronnie Brown excelled during the off-season. At the NFL combine he
separated himself from fellow Auburn running back "Cadillac"
Williams, by demonstrating that not only was he stronger but faster
as well when he ran a 4.40 in the 40-yard dash. Brown also impressed
coaches and scouts with his exception maturity and understanding of
the game. By the end of the combine, the buzz was already starting
that he not only had Brown surpassed Williams, but that he was in
serious contention to be the first back selected.

Brown's college career also reads like a recipe for success in the
NFL. Born December 12, 1981, in Rome Georgia, to Joyce and Ronnie
Sr., Brown was heavily recruited out of high school. He was a two-way
athlete and drafted by the Seattle Mariners, batting .330 and hitting
nine home runs. In his senior year, in addition to gaining 1,931
yards on 206 carries, for a staggering 9.4 yard-per-carry average,
Brown scored 25 rushing touchdowns and caught 15 passes for another
343 yards (22.9 yards per reception) and three touchdowns. He also
played at free safety and recorded three interceptions.

Brown's brilliant high school career was capped by winning the state
championship 27-21, with an electrifying performance of 20 carries
for 180 and three touchdowns. It was that kind of performance that
earned him acclaim as a prep star All-American, inclusion in the
Atlanta Journal-Constitution's "Super Southern 100" and "Georgia 75",
and rated as one of the top-100 high school athletes by Rivals100.com.

Brown joined Auburn in the fall of 2000 as a freshman. He redshirted
his first year, but wasted no time in making his presence known in
2001. Playing both fullback and tailback, he became the first
freshman running back to score in his first game since 1992 on a 43-
yard run that was the longest of any freshman running back since
1996. Despite only starting five games and battling through tough
shoulder and toe injuries, Brown finished the year with 353 yards on
84 carries for a respectable 4.3 yard average and three touchdowns.
Those would be his lowest totals of his college career. That year he
was honored to be named to the all SEC freshman team.

The 2002 season was the banner year for Brown at Auburn. He led the
team in rushing with 1,008 yards on 175 carries, for an impressive
5.8 average, and 13 touchdowns. That season, Brown tied the Auburn
record for 13 touchdowns and ranked 12th for yards gained in a single
season. His performances, while continuing to play both fullback and
tailback, garnered him such acclaim as winning the Pat Sullivan Award
presented to the team's top offensive player as voted on by the
coaching staff and a selection to the Associated Press and Coaches'
Second-Team All-SEC. Brown was also named Southeastern Conference
(SEC) Offensive Player of the Week and Coaches' Offensive Player of
the Week after rushing for a career-high 224 yards on 33 carries (6.8
avg.) with touchdowns on runs of one, 49 and 21 yards against Ole
Miss. He ended the season being named MVP of the Capital One Bowl.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

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Brown was impressive in limited action during the 2003 campaign. He
started the year being selected to the preseason Second-Team All-SEC
and was a Doak Walker Award (best running back in college) preseason
candidate. Despite several nagging injuries, a newly crowded
backfield and only playing in 11 games, he still ran for 446 yards on
95 attempts, for a 4.7 yard per carry average and also caught eight
passes for 80 yards.

Brown continued to impress in 2004. Widely regarded as perhaps the
most complete and NFL-ready running back in the nation, he ran for
913 yards in 153 attempts for a career-high 6.0 yards per carry
average, while playing second fiddle to Cadillac Williams. Brown also
extended his receiving totals by catching 34 balls for 313 yards and
a 9.2 yards-per-catch average. His senior year also saw him draw a
great deal of praise from his coaches for developing into a fine
blocker for Williams and in passing situations.

Brown is a punishing inside runner that can slash with the best of
them. While he doesn't posses the break away speed of some of the
other runners in this draft class, he does have enough speed to get
the edge for nice gains. His ideal size and speed makes him an
excellent candidate in the eyes of most NFL talent evaluators. He is
an angular runner that runs tall and upright. This unconventional
style has not hindered his game and has drawn comparison of him to
the likes of a faster Tennessee Titans RB Chris Brown.

Brown hits the holes hard and fast, but tends to succeed more when
running off tackle due to his pad level. Growing up idolizing former
Detroit Lions Hall of Fame RB Barry Sanders, it is not surprising
that one of his criticisms of Brown is that at times he will do too
much dancing in the backfield and not reach the whole fast enough on
occasion. He can change directions and make plays that aren't there,
but doesn't have outstanding open field elusiveness. One great thing
about him is that he has outstanding hands and can catch the ball
downfield as well as on screens and swings. Brown is also considered
an excellent blocker in pass protection. He will still need to prove
that he can stand up to the rigors of a full 16 game NFL season, but
he has been largely healthy, and an offseason in a professional
conditioning program should ease any concerns.

Brown is a runner with an enormous amount of potential. He has shined
and made the most of every opportunity he has had to play. His
intensity and commitment have served to keep him from being over-
shadowed by his fellow teammate, Cadillac Williams. In short, Brown
has all the potential and physical tools necessary to be a starter in
the NFL.

Expect Brown to make a major contribution as a rookie. He will become
QB A.J. Feeley's and new head coach Nick Saban's new best friend. He
will shoulder the load in what will become a tough ground attack
offense. If Brown can live up to his enormous potential, he should be
tops on everyone's fantasy draft boards. When you consider that he
will likely be the uncontested starter from the get-go, look for
Brown to put up near sensational numbers in what is considered a
relatively soft schedule.

From a fantasy standpoint, Brown is initially a weak No. 1 to strong
No. 2 fantasy running back. He has the potential to develop nicely
and has great upside.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
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April 27, 2005 1:59 PM ET
Vikings:  Burleson and Robinson to miss minicamp
The News
Vikings' wide receivers Nate Burleson and Marcus Robinson will not be
able to take part in the team's minicamp workouts this weekend. The
Star Tribune reports that Burleson had surgery on his fractured right
middle finger, an injury he suffered last November. Meanwhile,
Robinson had surgery to remove a cyst from his left knee three weeks
ago. Both players are expected to be healthy in time for training
camp.

Our View
What a surprise, Robinson is injured again. Although team officials
would surely prefer to have both players at minicamp, they can take
consolation in knowing that No. 7 overall pick Troy Williamson will
take extra reps with the starting offense.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 27, 2005 12:31 PM ET
Packers:  Franks' agent teases holdout
The News
Tight end Bubba Franks has yet to sign the one year, $2.095 million
transitional contract tender the Packers offered him in March.
Although he still has until July 22 to sign the tender or take offers
from other teams, Franks' agent left the door open for a possible
holdout. "It's doubtful (he'd play for the tender), but you never
know," agent Gene Mato told the Green Bay News-Chronicle on Tuesday.

Our View
League rules prohibit players from attending offseason workouts when
they are not under contract, so we do not expect Bubba to take part
in this weekend's minicamp. Teams can still sign Franks to an offer
sheet before July 22, but the Packers have the right to match any
offer he might receive. If the Packers decline to match such an
offer, they will not receive compensation for losing the five-year
veteran.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 27, 2005 12:24 PM ET
Chargers:  All's good for Osgood
The News
The Chargers retained exclusive-rights free agent wide receiver
Kassim Osgood, signing him to a one-year contract Tuesday.

Our View
Osgood had 15 catches and three touchdowns last season; his biggest
contributions came on special teams, where he led the Bolts in
tackles with 13.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 27, 2005 12:18 PM ET
Patriots:  Cornerback Scott signed
The News
The Patriots made a move to shore up a questionable secondary when
they signed veteran cornerback Chad Scott to a one-year contract.
Scott was released by the Steelers after an eight-year career in
which he started 88 games. According to the Boston Globe, terms of
the deal were not immediately available.

Our View
Scott is the second corner the Pats have signed this offseason after
releasing veteran Ty Law. They played most of last season with a
mixed bag of rookies and undrafted free agents holding down the fort
in the secondary, so Scott will be a welcome addition for his veteran
presence, if for no other reason. He has missed a total of 13 games
in the last two seasons with various injuries, however, so he's no
sure thing. He'll compete with the newly acquired Duane Starks and
holdovers Asante Samuel and Tyrone Poole for playing time at corner
this season.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 27, 2005 12:17 PM ET
Broncos:  Duke hopes to follow Gates' lead
The News
The Broncos signed Mercer's Wesley Duke to a free agent contract,
which is notable in that Mercer doesn't even have a football team.
The 6-5, 225-pound Duke played basketball for the Bears, averaging 11
points and seven boards per game, and finished fourth in ESPN's slam
dunk contest prior to this year's Final Four.

Our View
Now everybody in the AFC West has their hoopster-turned-tight end.
The Broncos spent big money to bring Jeb Putzier back and also have
Stephen Alexander around (at least until his next injury), so they'll
have time to develop Duke into a football player. Randolph and
Mortimer must be very proud.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 27, 2005 12:02 PM ET
Steelers:  Batch back
The News
Quarterback Charlie Batch, who missed the entire 2004 season with a
knee injury, re-signed with the Steelers Monday. He received a one-
year deal worth $540,000 with a $25,000 signing bonus.

Our View
Batch will compete for clipboard duty with Brian St. Pierre, but that
won't happen until he's all the way back from knee surgery.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 27, 2005 11:58 AM ET
Browns:  Droughns threatens holdout
The News
Running back Reuben Droughns, acquired this offseason in a trade from
the Broncos, left the Browns offseason conditioning program and said
he won't return until he has a new contract. "I'm not being greedy,
and I'm not looking for beaucoup bucks," Droughns told the Cleveland
Plain Dealer. "But what the Browns are telling me is that what I did
last year doesn't mean diddly squat to them." Droughns is under
contract for the next two seasons at a total of just under $2
million.

Our View
Feel free to move Lee Suggs up your rankings, and dig that William
Green jersey out of the trash. It's unlikely a holdout will endear
Droughns to new coach Romeo Crennel, so if you're looking for a way
to pick a winner in the Browns' backfield race it's probably wise to
go with the guy who's in camp working with the program and not
complaining about eking out a living on a mere seven figures
annually.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 27, 2005 11:47 AM ET
Giants:  Shockey gives in
The News
After being pressured by quarterback Eli Manning and head coach Tom
Coughlin, Giants' tight end Jeremy Shockey will report to Giants'
headquarters to take part in the team's offseason workout program,
according to the New York Post. The three-year veteran had been
working out in Florida with fellow University of Miami-FLA alumni.

Our View
Shockey will score some brownie points with Taskmaster Tom and young
Eli. It remains to be seen whether there are any hard feelings
between Shockey and Manning, as Jeremy took offense when Eli
complained to the New York media about his tight end not taking part
in the offseason workouts.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 27, 2005 11:47 AM ET
Bengals:  Wilkerson added
The News
Former LSU center Ben Wilkerson, the co-winner of the Rinington Award
given to the nations top collegiate center, signed as an undrafted
free agent with the Bengals. Wilkerson was once viewed as the top
center prospect in college and a potential first-round pick, but he
suffered a torn patella tendon in his left knee last season, and the
injury scared teams away.

Our View
The Bengals continue to distance themselves from laughing-stock
status, and this is an absolutely great pickup for them. Incumbent
center Rich Breem might be back for one more year, his 12th, and
Wilkerson's only other competition would be fellow rookie Eric
Ghiaciuc, selected in the fourth round out of Central Michigan.
Wilkerson's agent estimates his client is still a few weeks away from
being 100 percent, but he reportedly turned down significant bonus
opportunities with other teams because he believes he has a chance to
play with the Bengals right away. Everyone from Carson Palmer and
Rudi Johnson on down should be delighted with this acquisition.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 27, 2005 11:40 AM ET
Redskins:  Ramsey unfazed by early quarterback pick
The News
Redskins' quarterback Patrick Ramsey said Tuesday that head coach Joe
Gibbs gave him the heads up that the team might select a quarterback
early in the draft. "Because I was aware of the situation, because I
talked to coach Gibbs about it, I wasn't surprised," Ramsey told the
Washington Post of the team's decision to select Jason Campbell with
the No. 25 overall pick. "I'm focusing on going out there and playing
well. And the truth is that if I do that, then everything takes care
of itself." Ramsey passed for 1,665 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 11
interceptions during nine games last season.

Our View
Ramsey will enter training camp as the starting quarterback, and we
know that Campbell will make the roster. It also appears that the
team has no choice but to retain Mark Brunell for another season
after signing him to a seven-year, $43.36 million contract last year.
As such, last year's No. 3 quarterback Tim Hasselbeck appears to be
the odd man out.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 27, 2005 11:32 AM ET
Ravens:  Boller welcomes pressure
The News
With the offseason additions of free agent Derrick Mason and top
draft pick Mark Clayton, Ravens quarterback Kyle Boller finally has
some talent to throw to. With increased expectations comes added
pressure, but Boller isn't concerned. "Bring it on," Boller told the
Baltimore Sun. "The pieces of the puzzle are coming together. With
the changes that the organization has made, shoot, I'm ready to get
out there and silence all the critics."

Our View
In addition to the influx of talent, Boller also has Jim Fassel now
calling the plays in addition to the benefit of another season of
experience. There is certainly cause for optimism with regards to the
Ravens' passing game, something we haven't been able to say for
several years.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 27, 2005 11:30 AM ET
Eagles:  Thomas to miss minicamp
The News
Eagles' offensive tackle Tra Thomas will not attend the team's
minicamp workout this weekend due to a blood clot in his leg,
according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. Thomas has been taking part
in the team's offseason workout program, but it's unclear when he'll
be ready to return to the playing field. Thomas was voted to the Pro
Bowl last season, but a back injury prevented him from playing.

Our View
Thomas was not expected to take part in the minicamp even if he was
healthy, as he is unhappy with his current contract. The seven-year
veteran has asked the team to restructure his current deal, which has
four years remaining.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 27, 2005 11:19 AM ET
Cowboys:  Anderson unlikely to play this season
The News
Cowboys' running back Richie Anderson underwent neck fusion surgery
recently and will need roughly five months of rehabilitation. As
such, the Dallas Morning News reports that Anderson is unlikely to
play this season. The 12-year veteran finished last season with 57
carries for 246 yards and one touchdown.

Our View
Lone Stars' head coach Bill Parcells thinks so highly of Anderson
that he has discussed the possibility of hiring Anderson as an
assistant coach. Given the severity of Richie's injury, we wouldn't
be surprised to see him make the leap to coaching on a permanent
basis. With Anderson sidelined, rookie Marion Barber is the most
likely candidate to serve as the backup for starting tailback Julius
Jones this season.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 27, 2005 11:18 AM ET
Titans:  Hopkins pleads guilty, gets probation
The News
Titans tackle Brad Hopkins offered a conditional guilty plea Monday
to assault and domestic violence charges and will receive one year of
probation. He will also donate $10,000 to domestic assault charities
and complete a 25-week anger management program. Successful
completion of those conditions, along with no further criminal
charges during his probation, will result in the record of Hopkins'
arrest being expunged.

Our View
Hopkins could still receive NFL sanctions for the incident, as
players charged with violent crimes are required to undergo a
mandatory clinical evaluation. Similar incidents in recent years have
resulted in one- or two-game suspensions, so the Titans may be
without one of their starting offensive linemen for a short period of
time this season.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 27, 2005 11:14 AM ET
Cowboys:  Glenn close to striking a deal
The News
Free agent cornerback Aaron Glenn isn't wasting any time after being
released by the Texans on Tuesday. The 33 year-old veteran is
scheduled to meet with Cowboys' officials on Wednesday. In fact, the
Dallas Morning News reports that Glenn is close to signing a deal
with the team. He finished last season with 63 tackles and five
interceptions.

Our View
If Glenn signs with the Lone Stars, he would likely serve as a nickel
back behind starters Terence Newman and Anthony Henry. Those three
players combined with Roy Williams at safety would form one of the
most impressive defensive backfields in the NFC, at least on paper.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 27, 2005 11:11 AM ET
Jaguars:  Receivers coach has converted QBs before
The News
One advantage the Jaguars have in converting top pick Matt Jones from
a college quarterback into an NFL receiver is the experience of ne
receivers coach Steve Walters. Walters was with the Titans when they
signed undrafted free agent Drew Bennett, who played quarterback at
UCLA and was instrumental in his conversion into an impact wide
receiver. "He got to mold me from the get-go, and he did a great
job," Bennett told the Florida Times-Union of his work with Walters
in Tennessee. "He brought out a lot in me."

Our View
Bennett is similar in stature to Jones and a pretty good athlete in
his own right, so Walters certainly has the raw materials to work
with. It took Bennett time to develop into the receiver he is now,
but the Titans had the luxury of bringing him along slowly; the Jags
may not have a similar luxury with their top pick.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 27, 2005 10:47 AM ET
Panthers:  Baker returns
The News
The Panthers signed wide receiver Eugene Baker on Tuesday, according
to the Gaston Gazette. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. The
six-year veteran appeared in four games for the Panthers over the
last two years, but he was released by the team last season.

Our View
Baker hasn't caught a pass since his rookie season in 1999. He is
mostly a bench player who occasionally contributes on special teams.
As such, he has no fantasy value.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 27, 2005 10:40 AM ET
Steelers:  Haynes returns
The News
Running back Verron Haynes signed a one-year, $656,000 contract to
return to the Steelers.

Our View
Haynes is insurance behind Duce Staley and Jerome Bettis.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 27, 2005 10:39 AM ET
Packers:  Green arrested on domestic violence charges
The News
Packers' running back Ahman Green was arrested on Monday in
Ledgeview, Wisconsin on domestic assault charges. The Associated
Press reports that police responded to a 911 call that ended with a
hang-up. Green was arrested and released later that night after
posting a $150 bond.

Our View
Ahman's alleged actions have left Packer fans saying, "Ah, man." We
will continue to keep an eye on this story and will pass along any
further information that is released.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 27, 2005 10:36 AM ET
Falcons:  Farris wheeled out
The News
The Falcons released wide receiver Jimmy Farris on Tuesday, according
to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Farris caught six passes for 100
yards and two scores in 2003, but he did not catch a pass in 2004.

Our View
Farris became expendable when the Falcons selected wide receiver
Roddy White with the No. 28 pick in the draft.

By Sean Quincey, Edited by John Melillo & Cory J. Bonini
New Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers couldn't be happier. Well, if
a club would have taken him earlier in the first round of his year's
draft he would have been more contented. But in the long run, playing
behind what he called "the best QB of our day," could turn out to be
the best thing for him. He's not ready to be a club's starter--that's
why the San Francisco 49ers passed on him with the No. 1 pick. Green
Bay Packers QB Brett Favre could instill in him a sense of what it
takes to make an NFL quarterback.

California QB Aaron Rodgers' success is no accident. He was found on
accident though, when Tedford was evaluating present Cal TE Garrett
Cross at a Butte Junior College (Oroville, CA) practice. After one
look at Rodgers, the quarterback guru decided he had a purpose at
Cal. An accurate evaluator of talent on the collegiate level, Tedford
brought out the best of his quarterbacks during their college years.
Such names to be found on this list includes: QBs Trent Dilfer and
David Carr at Fresno State, Akili Smith and Joey Harrington at Oregon
and Kyle Boller at Cal. Tedford has personally readied Rodgers
physically and mentally for the NFL during the last two seasons.

While it should be noted, and rightfully so, Tedford has been a guru
of sorts at picking a great signal caller to lead his collegiate
squads; however, Tedford's disciples haven't really panned out on the
professional level yet.

STRENGTHS
Rodgers should hire security guards to protect his head. His mind is
the treasure that NFL scouts are salivating over. As a 19-year-old
kid, Rodgers digested Tedford's playbook in just a few months after
leaving Butte College and started tearing down Cal record books after
he was awarded the starting job in Week 5 of his first season at
Berkeley. He is intent upon knowing what everyone on the field is
doing on every play from receivers to backs to linemen. His in-depth
understanding of Tedford's NFL-like offense is the reason he audibles
so frequently to successful plays out on the field. He understands
the psychology of defenders and riddles with their minds by making
meaningless arm signals and shouting false calls at the line. Tedford
tells him to read half the field at a time and if no receivers are
open down the field to check down to a back - a simple, but
fundamentally sound technique that Rodgers has mastered and will
translate nicely to the NFL. A great decision-maker during plays,
Rodgers produced a ball-hoarding 3-to-1 touchdown-to-interception
ratio in college.

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Physically, he resembles a "Quarterbacking 101" video. He's a master
technician and as fundamentally sound as they get. In his drop,
Rodgers' feet shuffle quickly with a sharp decisiveness that allows
him to reset and position himself to make throws to virtually any
point on the field. He naturally holds the ball high, around shoulder
level, allowing him to release the ball quickly. Rookie quarterbacks
are often told by NFL coaches to revisit these fundamentals and they
often seem uncomfortable with the new ball position. Since Rodgers
has thrown like this throughout his collegiate career, he should reap
benefits from the quicker release. He can complete the short, timing
routes as well as any other of Tedford's designed plays but is
exceptionally accurate down the field. His pocket awareness gives him
a chance to maneuver inside the pocket and he is enough of an athlete
to rollout and still throw an accurate ball. He runs a reported 4.7
40 and, even though he has a surgically repaired knee, Rodgers is
comfortable scrambling and gaining positive yards on the ground.

WEAKNESSES
The knee concerns potential teams. Rodgers repaired his partially
torn ACL before the 2004 season after playing on it since his junior
year in high school. He's listed at 6-1, 216 pounds - a J.P. Losman
body with a better haircut. Ideally, quarterbacks are a couple inches
taller and about 10-15 pounds heavier. His lack of ideal size is a
reason for his slightly less than Goliath-like arm strength. He can
put the ball anywhere on the field but don't expect him to fire the
ball to a 20-yard out like Green Bay Packers QB Brett Favre.

Though he knows the Cal playbook cover-to-cover, Rodgers has limited
experience as a starting college quarterback. Through two years at
Cal he only started 22 games. Rodgers played with exceptional
offensive players during his career with the Golden Bears, too. Then
at the Holiday Bowl in December, with his starting receivers hurt,
Rodgers and the Bears were upset by Texas Tech after having lost only
to USC earlier in the year.

SUMMARY
Rodgers is equipped with all the parts needed to build a franchise
quarterback. He has performed big in big games like when he completed
a NCAA record-tying 23 consecutive passes in the game when Rodgers
brought Cal within yards of beating the eventual national champion
USC Trojans this season. A career 64 percent completion rate is
efficiency that NFL teams would kill to get from a rookie quarterback.

From a fantasy standpoint, don't draft him in single-year leagues.
Favre will start every game until he drops dead on the field - or
until he retires from the game. That doesn't mean forget him
completely, though. Take notice to how he performs during this
preseason and possibly the next one, but also watch for his
performances in games he comes in when Favre needs a break. Keep an
eye on him in coming years.

For dynasty leagues, Rodgers is worth a second- or third-round pick,
as he will eventually take over for Favre. If you have the roster
room, stash him away and hope he develops better as a pro through
Favre than other Tedford products have in the professional ranks.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

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April 26, 2005 1:31 PM ET
Cardinals:  Shelton still on the trade block
The News
The Cardinals were unable to trade offensive tackle L.J. Shelton
during the draft, but team officials haven't given up hope just yet.
Although Shelton said Monday that he was willing to take part in the
offseason workouts, the Arizona Republic reports that the six-year
veteran has been excused from the workouts.

Our View
No word yet as to whether there are any serious bidders for Shelton.
The Cards tried to deal him to the Bills in exchange for running back
Travis Henry prior to the draft. When the two sides were unable to
strike a deal, the Cards selected running back J.J. Arrington in the
second round of the draft, which essentially killed the proposed
trade once and for all.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 26, 2005 1:06 PM ET
Giants:  Shockey defends South Beach workouts
The News
After ignoring the pleas of his head coach Tom Coughlin and starting
quarterback Eli Manning to take part in the Giants offseason workout
program, tight end Jeremy Shockey defended his decision to work out
in Florida rather than with teammates. "It's not about me causing
controversy," Shockey told the New York Post on Monday. "I love the
organization. I want to retire a Giant. I have a lot to prove to
myself. I want to be the player I was in my first year, not just
physically, but mentally as well." Shockey has been working out with
fellow University of Miami-FLA alumni.

Our View
Shockey is earning a spot in Taskmaster Tom's doghouse by refusing to
take part in the voluntary workouts. However, the tension should ease
rather quickly if the big oaf reports to training camp in peak
physical condition.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 26, 2005 12:57 PM ET
Redskins:  Gibbs won't release Gardner
The News
Redskins' head coach Joe Gibbs met with disgruntled wide receiver Rod
Gardner on Monday in hopes of convincing the four-year veteran to
play out the final year of his contract. After the meeting, Gibbs
told the Washington Post on Monday that he will not release Gardner
from his deal and added that he expects him to take part in workouts
next month. "I would think he would be here," Gibbs said. "He has a
contract." Gardner has yet to comment since the meeting.

Our View
The Redskins are probably open to the idea of trading Gardner, as
they gave him permission to pursue a deal during the offseason.
However, Rod has refused to sign a long-term deal with the teams that
have expressed interest in him, which has all but killed his trade
value thus far. We'll continue to keep you updated on Rod's plans as
more information becomes available.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 26, 2005 12:41 PM ET
Cowboys:  Glenn interests Parcells
The News
The Cowboys will strongly consider making an offer to cornerback
Aaron Glenn if the Texans release him in the coming days as expected.
The Dallas Morning News reports that three team sources have
indicated that head coach Bill Parcells would like to sign the 11-
year veteran. Glenn finished last season with 63 tackles and five
interceptions.

Our View
Parcells would like to use Glenn as a nickel back and would list him
behind starters Terence Newman and Anthony Henry. The Lone Stars lack
depth behind their starting cornerbacks, so they will likely add at
least one more defensive back during the offseason.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 26, 2005 12:24 PM ET
Cardinals:  Boldin skips first workout
The News
Cardinals' wide receiver Anquan Boldin was a no-show at the team's
first voluntary workout on Monday. Although he has yet to comment on
the situation, the suspicion is that he is boycotting the workouts in
protest of his contract situation. "I'm always happy," Cardinals'
head coach Dennis Green told the Arizona Republic on Monday. "The
significance is that he feels he should have a new contract, and we
feel he should have a contract extension, too. We said that a long
time ago." Boldin has two years remaining on the four-year contract
he signed as a rookie in 2003.

Our View
Green is being very diplomatic about the situation given that Boldin
missed six games last season with a knee injury. Of course, he did
shock the football world by hauling in 101 receptions in his rookie
season. Green's comments lead us to believe that the two sides will
work this out sooner than later and should not have an adverse effect
on Boldin's fantasy value.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 26, 2005 12:23 PM ET
Vikings:  Nattiel released
The News
The Vikings released linebacker Mike Nattiel on Monday, according to
the Star Tribune. The two-year veteran appeared in all 32 games
during his time with the team, mostly as a special teams performer.
Nattiel logged 48 tackles during his two seasons with the Vikings.

Our View
The Vikings added linebackers Napoleon Harris and Sam Cowart via
offseason trades, so there was simply no roster spot available for
Nattiel.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 26, 2005 12:22 PM ET
Lions:  Marion sent packing
The News
The Lions released safety Brock Marion on Monday. The 34 year-old
veteran was hyped as a major free agent signing when he joined the
team last year. He started all 16 games in 2004, but team officials
feel that age is causing his skills to diminish. Marion logged 88
tackles and three interceptions last season.

Our View
The leading candidate to replace Marion in the starting lineup is
Terrence Holt, a two-year veteran who has appeared in 27 games.
Marion might get a look from another team that is desperate for
safety help, but his best days are clearly behind him.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 26, 2005 11:34 AM ET
Vikings:  Mixon released following the addition of James
The News
The Vikings released starting defensive end Kenny Mixon on Monday,
just two days after the team selected former Wisconsin defensive end
Erasmus James with the No. 18 overall pick in the draft. Earlier this
year, Mixon agreed to cut his pay from $3.6 million to $750,000,
according to the Star Tribune. The seven-year veteran started 46
games over the last three seasons in Minnesota.

Our View
Kenny was arrested three times on alcohol-related offenses during his
tenure with the Vikings, and he served a two-game suspension last
year for a drunk driving conviction. He might have a hard time
getting out of Minnesota, as his latest arrest resulted in the police
seizing and auctioning off his vehicle.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 26, 2005 11:13 AM ET
Lions:  Hakim released
The News
The Lions released wide receiver Az-Zahir Hakim on Monday. The
Detroit Free Press reports that the seven-year veteran was scheduled
to earn $2.5 million this season. Hakim finished his three-year run
in Detroit with 117 receptions for 1,523 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Our View
Hakim's fate was sealed when the Lions selected former USC wide
receiver Mike Williams with the No. 10 overall pick in the draft. The
former Trojan will join 2003 first-round pick Charles Rogers and 2004
first-round pick Roy Williams as the top wideouts in Motown, which
leaves no room for Hakim or his contract.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 26, 2005 11:04 AM ET
Packers:  Manning scores a signing bonus
The News
The Packers signed former Michigan linebacker Roy Manning on Sunday.
The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports that the team even went so far
as to give the undrafted free agent a $15,000 signing bonus. "The
Packers said I was their top (free agent) choice," Manning said. "My
agent had calls from 13 to 15 different teams." Manning finished his
four-year collegiate career with 73 tackles, three sacks, and three
forced fumbles.

Our View
It's rare that undrafted free agents are offered signing bonuses, so
this is a good indication that Packers' officials believe that
Manning can make their roster.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 26, 2005 10:51 AM ET
Buccaneers:  Williams likely to start
The News
The Buccaneers are not expected to waste any time in inserting No. 5
overall pick Carnell Williams into the starting lineup this
season. "There's no question about that," Buccaneers' head coach Jon
Gruden told the St. Petersburg Times. "You don't pick a guy this high
to make him a nickel back or make him an exclusive role player. This
guy can play in any situation. I think he can handle the pounding,
and he's got durability. He'll play hurt, practice hurt and that's
also important."

Our View
It shouldn't surprise anyone that Michael Pittman's days as a starter
have come to an end. Although he rushed for 926 yards and seven
touchdowns in 13 games last season, he earned a spot in Gruden's
doghouse by fumbling six times. Furthermore, it would be pointless to
keep a running back selected No. 5 overall on the bench.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 26, 2005 10:44 AM ET
Titans:  Henry trade talks finished
The News
The Titans made a run at disgruntled Bills running back Travis Henry
during last weekend's draft, but they failed to offer enough to
entice Buffalo to part with Henry. "His name did come up, but it is
very unlikely anything else will be made of it," Titans coach Jeff
Fisher told The Tennessean. "As far as I'm concerned, it was a draft
day issue." The Bills were seeking at least a third-round pick for
Henry, but Bills president and GM Tom Donahoe told Buffalo reporters
that no one offered such a deal during the draft.

Our View
Running back remains a position of need for the Titans, as starter
Chris Brown has missed 10 games over the past two seasons and there
is precious little depth behind him.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 26, 2005 10:34 AM ET
Jets:  Brien officially out of a job
The News
Doug Brien confirmed on Monday that he has lost his job after the
Jets selected Ohio State kicker Mike Nugent in the second round of
last weekend's draft. According to the New York Daily News, Brien
won't be released until June for salary cap reasons, but the team has
given him permission to speak to other teams. Brien lamented the two
missed field goals in the Jets' playoff loss to the Steelers. "If
that first kick was six inches further…then, yeah, it would be a
totally different story," the kicker told the Daily News. "Otherwise,
I don't see how you could make 83 percent of your field goals during
the season, make a game-winning kick in the playoffs, and lose your
job."

Our View
Brien's game-winning kick came the week before against the Chargers,
but most will remember only the two misses that cost the Jets a
chance to advance to the AFC Championship game. Brien's No. 1 suitor
could be the Vikings, who missed out on Nugent during the draft and
are in desperate need of a kicker. The Vikes may be reluctant to sign
a former employee they fired after he missed two extra points in week
two of the 2002 season, however.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 26, 2005 10:32 AM ET
Colts:  Drafting kickoff help… again
The News
For the second consecutive year, the Colts hope a late-round draft
pick will upgrade their kicking game. Indy selected Dave Rayner of
Michigan State in the sixth round and hope he can improve on the four
touchbacks achieved by a quintet of kickers last season. "We're going
to carry a kickoff man, there will be no conversation about that,"
Colts president Bill Polian told the Indianpolis Star. "That's the
way it's going to be."

Our View
Incumbent kicker Mike Vanderjagt was openly disdainful regarding the
perceived need for a kickoff specialist, but Polian addressed that
potential problem by indicating to the Star, "Mike's feelings about
this issue are not an issue for me." Vandy will still handle the
point-scoring chores... at least until his big mouth finally punches
his ticket out of town. He's under contract for just one more season.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 26, 2005 10:31 AM ET
Panthers:  Hurney unfazed by lack of receivers
The News
Despite failing to select a wide receiver in the draft, Panthers'
general manager Marty Hurney told Tuesday's Gaston Gazette that he is
content with the team's depth at the position. "We would have liked
to have gotten a receiver at some point in the draft but we didn't,"
Hurney said. "But we also didn't feel like it was a critical need. We
have Steve Smith and Keary Colbert and Ricky Proehl and Drew Carter,
who has a year in the system." The Panthers lost Muhsin Muhammad to
the Bears in free agency.

Our View
Smith is coming off a broken fibula. Colbert is entering his second
season, which is better than Proehl, who is entering his entering
season No. 16. And Carter is an injury prone player who has never
played a down in the NFL. The Panthers had their eye on former South
Carolina wideout Troy Williamson, but he went seven picks before the
team picked last Saturday.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 26, 2005 10:25 AM ET
Bills:  Team doesn't regret trading up for Losman
The News
The Bills are very happy with their decision to move up in last
year's draft to select quarterback J.P. Losman, despite the fact that
they had to give up this year's first round pick to do so. Had the
Bills not made that trade, they would have had a chance to select Cal
quarterback Aaron Rodgers with the No. 20 overall choice. However,
both No. 1 overall pick Alex Smith and Rodgers graded out similarly
to Losman. "Losman was rated right in line with Alex Smith and Aaron
Rodgers," ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper, Jr. said on a national
conference call. "But now…You've had a whole year to get him ready.
So you're ahead of the game if you're the Buffalo Bills."

Our View
There was obviously no way for the Bills to predict that they might
be able to get Rodgers this season, but they are content with Losman,
who heads into this season as the starting quarterback. He does have
a year under his belt, but half of that was spent on the sidelines
with a broken leg. It will be interesting to see how Losman
progresses throughout the Bills' mini-camps and training camp.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 26, 2005 10:23 AM ET
Texans:  Glenn on way out
The News
The Texans will release three-time Pro Bowl cornerback Aaron Glenn,
who has negotiated a deal with the Cowboys and will reunite with
former coach Bill Parcells once his release is official.

Our View
Once Phillip Buchanon arrived via trade, Glenn knew his days in
Houston were numbered. He is the fourth defensive starter from last
year who is no longer with the team.

By James DiLoreto & Joel Haugen, Edited by Cory J. Bonini
Among the many prospects entering the 2005 NFL Draft, Utah QB Alex
Smith is one of a small number of athletes that come with a long,
impressive resume. The Ute quarterback has one of the most impressive
backgrounds of anyone hoping for success at the NFL level. In his two
seasons as starting quarterback he compiled an amazing 21-1 record,
culminating in this season's finale in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl where
he was named Player of the Game. In addition, Smith led his Utah
teammates to an undefeated season resulting in a No. 5 ranking in the
national polls.

With that kind of success on the field he also piled up individual
awards as well. He was named Mountain West Offensive Player of the
Year and National Player of the Year by The Sporting News and Sports
Illustrated. He also was named a First-Team All-American and Co-
Sports Information Directors of America's Academic All-American of
the Year (Co-SIDA). Most notably he was a Davey O'Brien (top
collegiate quarterback) and Heisman Trophy (top collegiate player)
finalist. He now has his chance to showcase these skills in the NFL
after the San Francisco 49ers and new head coach Mike Nolan put a
stamp on their team by taking Smith with the first pick in this
year's draft.

In a press conference announcing his decision to enter the NFL Draft,
he stated, "I have decided the best decision for me is to forego my
senior year at Utah and declare myself eligible". He went on to
say, "factoring into my decision was the fact that I received my
Bachelors Degree in Economics and our 2004 team finished undefeated
and won the Fiesta Bowl".

Smith's Positives
While many scouts and analysts recognize that Smith may not be one of
the elite quarterbacks to come out over the last several years, he is
one of the smartest players in the draft this year. The 49ers
recognize that along with strong athleticism, Smith brings numerous
intangibles to the table, particularly his leadership on the field.

A quick look at Smith's numbers yields some of the positives he
brings onto the field of play. One the first things that leap off of
the stat sheet are his rushing numbers. In his career at Utah, he
compiled over 1,000 rushing yards and scored 15 times. In an era
where the NFL demands that its quarterbacks be mobile, Smith exceeds
this expectation. Any team in need of mobility in the pocket will be
impressed with this aspect of his game.

However important a quarterback's mobility is, his passing game must
be complete. This means he must be accurate and consistent. Here too,
Smith passes the grade. He has completed 65 percent of his passes for
an amazing 4,871 passing yards with 43 touchdowns and only 7
interceptions. He leaves Utah as the career leader in completion
percentage, passing efficiency and yards per completion, all areas
that NFL teams expect their quarterbacks to master when leaving
collegiate level.

Smith's physical size will also keep NFL teams on their toes. He is
listed at 6-4 in height, weighing in at 212 pounds. This will allow
him to see over the tallest defender while also making it difficult
for the defensive line and blitzing linebackers to tackle him in the
backfield. When combining this with his mobility, he may be able to
overcome any weaknesses an offensive line may offer, especially those
that are drafting in the top-10 in need of a quarterback (more on
this later).

Finally, Smith offers intelligence, leadership, a strong arm, and the
ability to throw down field. He is by no means a novice at reading
defenses and schemes, completing a package that would make any NFL
team happy to make him their first round draft choice.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

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Smith's Negatives
If Smith brings any negatives onto the field, they are few. Many of
the negatives that are listed next to his name are in regards to his
thin build. While his height is a positive, scouts believe that his
thinness may make him a target for injuries. However, as previously
examined, he uses his mobility to avoid defenders and has not had any
major injury while starting at Utah. He has also been criticized for
running an offense that is not reminiscent of any in the NFL. This
may be true, but many quarterbacks that enter the NFL have had to
change their mentality in regards to the offenses they encounter when
coming in as a rookie. Smith will be no exception and could encounter
minor difficulties early if he is drafted onto a team where he must
start in his first season.

This is the largest concern from a fantasy perspective. Smith has the
potential to be a solid NFL quarterback, but he'll need time to
adjust to a different style of offense. He'll need time to develop
for the 49ers.

Drafting Summary
It is clear that Smith will have the front line for the starter
position for the 49ers after being the first pick in this year's
draft. QBs Tim Rattay, Ken Dorsey and Cody Pickett have all had
opportunities to play and none have established themselves as a
legitimate NFL starter. Last year, the group combined for just 16 TDs
and 21 INTs along with just under 58 percent of their passes. With
Smith's 65 percent completion rate in college, he has the potential
to usurp them in his first year.

If the 49ers start Smith, Smith's supporting cast will need to step
up their play. The 49ers wide receiver corps consists of WRs Arnaz
Battle, Brandon Lloyd, Rashaun Wood, P.J. Fleck and Derrick Hamilton.
All these players are young with potential. Unfortunately, none of
these players have shown the ability to adjust to poorly thrown balls
and get in positions to help a young quarterback. TE Eric Johnson may
be Smith's best receiving option.

The running game with RBs Kevan Barlow and Maurice Hicks was
uninspiring last year, which will not help keep the pressure off of
Smith if he starts in his first season. The 49ers totaled just 1,449
total rushing yards in 2004, the third worst total in the NFL. Very
little run support will make it difficult for defenses to warrant
keeping extra men in the box.

Conclusion
Smith is one of two quarterbacks that are considered the best in this
year's class of potential draftees (along with Cal's QB Aaron
Rodgers). Smith's leadership, intelligence, mobility, accuracy,
height and consistency make him a terrific candidate to be successful
at the NFL level. Outside of his thin build there is no major
negative that can be brought upon him.

The real question is what Smith can do in his rookie year. It usually
takes several years for most quarterbacks to get comfortable in the
NFL. In the current NFL, rookie quarterbacks are much more common
than they used to. Unfortunately, success is rare.

Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger has been one of the
rarities in recent years with success at the NFL level.
Roethlisberger had several benefits at Pittsburgh that Smith will not
have in San Francisco. Roethlisberger had the benefit of a solid
offensive line, very strong wide receivers, and a decent running
attack. Unfortunately, San Francisco will not provide those benefits
to Smith.

While Smith made sense for the 49ers to take with the first pick in
the draft, it is unlikely that Smith will pull of the coup that
Roethlisberger did his rookie season. This is primary due to the weak
supporting cast that Smith has inherited in San Francisco.

Smith may become a strong QB after a few years of growth. The 49ers
need to begin to surround him with solid performers for him to excel.
Until then, Smith will not be a legitimate fantasy player. Then
again, Roethlisberger proved us all wrong about the rookie
quarterback misnomer last year. Maybe Smith can do it again.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

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© Copyright 2005 KFFL

April 25, 2005 8:57 PM ET
Lions:  Hakim let go
The News
The Lions added one of the best receivers in the draft on Saturday
when they picked Mike Williams, which made fellow receiver Az-Zahir
Hakim expendable. The team's website is reporting that Detroit
released Hakim on Monday. He caught 31 balls for 533 yards and three
touchdowns last season.

Our View
The Lion signed Kevin Johnson last week and then drafted Williams
with the No. 10 overall pick, so Hakim wasn't going to see the field
much if he stayed in Motown. He'll generate some interest from teams
over the next couple of weeks, but his fantasy value will remain
minimal unless he can find a starting job.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 25, 2005 8:16 PM ET
Dolphins:  Berlin staying in Miami
The News
The Dolphins signed undrafted quarterback Brock Berlin on
Monday. "I'm really excited about the opportunity with [Dolphins
coach] Nick Saban," he told the Associated Press after the deal was
announced. "It'll be an easy transition since I'm already down
there." Berlin has spent the last two seasons at the University of
Miami after transferring from the University of Florida.

Our View
The battle for the Dolphins' starting job will be between A.J. Feeley
and Gus Frerotte. Berlin will get a chance to be the No. 3 guy, but
he'll have to beat out Sage Rosenfels first.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 25, 2005 3:00 PM ET
Bills:  Everett likely won't start
The News
Former Miami Hurricane tight end Kevin Everett was selected by the
Bills in the third round of the draft. He is projected to play some
in passing situations this year, but will need some seasoning before
he is handed the starting job, according to the Buffalo News. "Right
away in the pass game he will be hard to cover, either at the line or
put him in the slot, flex him out a little bit in motion," said Bills
scout Marc Ross. "As a full-time guy, I don't know about that right
now."

Our View
The Bills have a couple of capable tight ends in Mark Campbell and
Tim Euhus. Both are recovering from offseason knee surgeries, but are
expected to be ready for training camp. Everett has a good set of
hands and is very athletic, but he only started for one year at Miami
and clearly needs experience before he's ready to be a full-time guy.
Still, his presence muddies the waters in an already cloudy
situation, which means your best bet is to stay away from the Bills'
tight ends on fantasy draft day.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 25, 2005 2:42 PM ET
Vikings:  Nichols signed to compete for kicking job
The News
The Vikings signed former Mississippi kicker Jonathan Nichols as an
undrafted free agent on Sunday, according to the St. Paul Pioneer
Press. Nichols is expected to compete with Aaron Elling for the
kicking duties during training camp.

Our View
Nichols probably won't be the last kicker the Vikings sign to compete
for the starting job. They had interest in selecting Mike Nugent in
the second round, but the Jets picked the former Ohio State kicker
two spots ahead of the Vikings. The coaching staff is so desperate
for kicking help that Mike Tice is even considering the idea of re-
signing Doug Brien, who is likely to be released by the Jets. Brien
lasted two games with the Vikings in 2002 before he was cut for
missing two extra points in one game.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 25, 2005 2:31 PM ET
Lions:  Orlovsky plans to compete for starting job
The News
Dan Orlovsky, the Lions' fifth-round pick in the draft, knows he's an
underdog, but he isn't going to let that stand in the way of
competing with Joey Harrington and Jeff Garcia for the starting
quarterback job. "I'm going in with the mindset that I'm going to
compete for the number one," Orlovsky told the Michigan Live
website. "I'm going to work my tail off. I'm going to in Joey's and
Jeff Garcia's back pockets."

Our View
There's a better chance that Fox network executives will renew "Life
on a Stick" than there is of Orlovsky winning the starting job in
training camp. We like the kid's attitude, but we're trying to be
realistic about the situation.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 25, 2005 2:20 PM ET
Packers:  Rodgers content with backup role
The News
Aaron Rodgers spent several hours waiting for his name to be picked
on draft. And now it's possible he will wait several years before he
gets a chance to be a starting quarterback while playing behind Brett
Favre. However, that's not a problem with the No. 24 overall pick. "I
don't think there's a timetable," Rodgers told the Green Bay News
Chronicle. "It's all about Brett. Brett is the guy, and I know my
role on this team. Brett is a legend. I will be patient until he's
ready to stop playing." The 35 year-old Favre has agreed to return
this year and has not ruled out playing in for future seasons.

Our View
Although Packer fans would probably encourage Favre to play when he's
65 year-old, he took an awfully long time to make his decision on the
2005 season. Granted, some of his hesitation had to do with his
wife's medical condition, but we wouldn't be surprised to see him bow
out sooner than later. As for Rodgers, the new wait begins.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 25, 2005 2:09 PM ET
Bears:  Edinger to be challenged in camp
The News
The Bears are expected to bring in at least two kickers to compete
with Paul Edinger for the kicking duties this year. The Chicago Sun-
Times reports that the Bears intend to bring in former Boise State
kicker Tyler Jones and former Maryland kicker Nick Novack to
challenge Edinger during training camp. NFL Europe kicker Nicholas
Setta is another candidate to enter the competition.

Our View
Edinger is scheduled to earn $1.1 million this season, which is too
much money for a kicker who has only converted 25 of his last 43
attempts. At this point, it appears Edinger needs to have a strong
camp to retain his job.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 25, 2005 1:45 PM ET
Giants:  Coughlin talks to Shockey
The News
Giants' head coach Tom Coughlin joined quarterback Eli Manning in the
campaign to talk tight end Jeremy Shockey into taking part in the
team's offseason workout program. "Jeremy knows exactly what I feel
about the program," Coughlin told the New York Times on Sunday, "and
he and I have discussed it at great length. And I feel very much that
he'll be here at some point in time and hopefully sooner." Earlier
this month, Manning contacted Shockey and pleaded with him to join
the team for the offseason workouts.

Our View
Shockey maintains that he's been working out with his former Miami-
FLA teammates in Florida. However, it's obvious that he's burning a
bridge with Coughlin by not working out with his current teammates.
We'll continue to keep an eye on this situation throughout the
offseason.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 25, 2005 1:36 PM ET
Eagles:  Mitchell likely to be released
The News
Eagles' head coach Andy Reid declined to confirm the rumors that the
team will release wide receiver Freddie Mitchell before minicamp
opens this weekend. However, Reid didn't say whether Mitchell will be
in attendance at the minicamp. "We'll see," Reid told the
Philadelphia Inquirer. "We'll see how things go. It would be great
for you guys." Mitchell logged 22 receptions for 377 yards and two
touchdowns.

Our View
Freddie led the league in stupid comments last season, even going so
far as to criticize quarterback Donovan McNabb for not getting him
the ball. Reid is a no nonsense coach who is unlikely to tolerate
such behavior any longer than he has to. By adding wide receiver
Reggie Brown in the second round of the draft, Reid may have already
filled Mitchell's spot on the roster.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 25, 2005 1:09 PM ET
Cowboys:  Defensive alignment switch still isn't official
The News
Despite adding a pair of defensive ends in DeMarcus Ware and Marcus
Spears who seem perfect for the 3-4 allignment, Cowboys' head coach
Bill Parcells declined to confirm that his team will be switching
from the 4-3 alignment the team has used throughout his run in
Dallas. "We haven't fully concluded how we will use all of these
players," Parcells told the San Antonio Express-News. "But we feel
these guys will fit in with whatever we choose to do." Ware and
Spears were both selected in the first-round of the draft.

Our View
It seems fairly obvious to us that The Tuna is planning to make the
switch to the 3-4 defense he used while coaching the Giants,
Patriots, and Jets, but he apparently thinks he can fool some of his
rival coaches by waiting to unveil the new allignment in the
preseason.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 25, 2005 1:05 PM ET
Raiders:  Turner says Gannon will retire
The News
Raiders coach Norv Turner isn't expecting quarterback Rich Gannon to
return to the NFL because of the neck injury he suffered last
season. "Rich hasn't come out and publicly made any statements,"
Turner told the San Francisco Chronicle. "But from a physical
standpoint, it would be very difficult for him to play."

Our View
Gannon won't attend the team's mandatory minicamp next weekend, but
the Raiders don't expect an official announcement until after June 1,
which will help them spread the salary cap hit over multiple seasons.
Marques Tuiasosopo and rookie Andrew Walter of Arizona State remain
to back up Kerry Collins.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 25, 2005 12:58 PM ET
Rams:  Furrey switches to safety
The News
Rams' wide receiver Mike Furrey is attempting to convert to
safety. "He's very excited about it," Rams' head coach Mike Martz
told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Sunday. "He's up to about 200
pounds right now (from 185). He played corner, I guess, in the
(Arena) league, quite a bit. He's a guy that obviously is going to
play the ball very well. He judges the ball very well." Furrey made
the roster last season as the No. 6 wide receiver.

Our View
Needless to say, we do not expect Furrey to have any fantasy value in
leagues that award points for individual defensive players.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 25, 2005 12:58 PM ET
Falcons:  White and Jenkins to battle for starting job
The News
Falcons' head coach Jim Mora said Sunday that second-year wide
receiver Michael Jenkins will compete with incumbent starter Dez
White for the No. 2 receiver job during training camp, according to
the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Jenkins, the No. 29 overall pick in
the 2004 draft, was limited to seven receptions for 119 yards last
season. White started 15 games and logged 30 receptions for 370 yards
and two scores.

Our View
We give the early edge to Jenkins. Although he didn't get much of a
chance to prove himself, we're quite confident that Michael is a
better wideout than Dez. For that matter, 2005 first-round pick Roddy
White might be a better wideout than Dez. Regardless of who wins the
job, it's hard to get excited about the fantasy value of Michael
Vick's receivers. After all, Ron Mexico hooked up with his wideouts
for just seven touchdown passes last season.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 25, 2005 12:54 PM ET
Cardinals:  Shelton willing to stay
The News
Now that the draft has come and gone and the rumored trade that would
have sent him to the Bills never materialized, offensive tackle L.J.
Shelton says he's willing to go back to work. "If it was going to
happen, it probably wouldn't have come down to the last day," Shelton
told the Arizona Republic of the rumored trade that would have
brought running back Travis Henry to the Cardinals. "It's still a
business." Shelton started nine games for the Cards last season.

Our View
Shelton showed up to training camp overweight and immediately fell
out of favor with head coach Dennis Green, who apparently has a thing
about wanting to be the fattest guy in his own locker room. Green has
never been shy about cutting players, so we won't be shocked if he
elects to eat Shelton's contract this summer.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 25, 2005 12:38 PM ET
Seahawks:  Alexander draws little trade interest
The News
The draft has come and gone and Shaun Alexander is still a member of
the Seahawks. There were rumblings in the weeks leading up to the
draft that Alexander would be dealt for a second-round pick, but
Seahawks' president Tim Ruskell said that the NFC rushing champion
drew little interest. "I think people that were really honed in on
getting a back got that person out of the draft," Ruskell told the
Tacoma News Tribune on Saturday. "Or at least they have convinced
themselves that they have got that person out of the draft."
Alexander rushed for 1,696 yards last season.

Our View
The Hawks would like to keep Alexander, but the two sides appear to
be miles apart on the long-term contract that the five-year veteran
is asking for. The Seahawks stuck the franchise tag on Alexander last
month, but he has refused to sign the one-year contract tender that
comes along with that designation. Fantasy owners should keep a close
eye on this situation because there is a possibility that Alexander
will hold out of training camp if the two sides can't strike a deal
before then.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 25, 2005 12:32 PM ET
Jaguars:  Taylor out until at least June
The News
Running back Fred Taylor, still recovering from arthroscopic knee
surgery in January, won't participate in this weekend's minicamp. In
fact, the Jaguars don't expect him back on the field until June at
the earliest, though Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio told the Florida
Times Union he expects Taylor "to be 100 percent for training camp."
Then again, Del Rio said on ESPN the team is always "holding their
breath" when Taylor is banged up, and he had no explanation why
Taylor hadn't recovered from surgery yet.

Our View
Hope your Fred Taylor Injury Alert Pager didn't go off while you were
in the movie theater or anything. Fred's fabled injury history is
reason enough for the red flags to be flapping in the wind around
Taylor, and the latest news is hardly reason for optimism. Obviously,
proceeding with caution regarding Fred's fantasy forecast is the most
prudent course of action.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 25, 2005 12:26 PM ET
49ers:  Smith to attend first minicamp
The News
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 draft said Sunday that he is
planning to attend the 49ers minicamp on May 6 regardless of his
contract status. "It is absolutely vital," Smith told the Mercury
News of the minicamp. "I think those repetitions, especially for a
young quarterback, are invaluable and you cannot replace those. If I
expect to be the player I can be, I have to be a part of that.
Obviously, a lot of it will be dealing with my agent and the team,
but it's something that I expect will get done."

Our View
Smith is certainly saying all the right things. He also told the
national media over the weekend that he has told his agent that he
will not hold out this summer. That's good news for the Niners, who
are clearly positioning Smith as the new face of the organization.
Unfortunately, Smith will be playing with a group of unproven wide
receivers and is sure to experience some growing pains as a rookie,
so he has very limited fantasy value outside of keeper leagues.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 25, 2005 12:15 PM ET
Saints:  Brown selection changes line assignments
The News
The addition of offensive tackle Jammal Brown with the No. 13 overall
pick in the draft will lead to some maneuvering on the offensive
line. The Advocate reports that Brown has been penciled in as the
starting right tackle, which will bump free agent signee Jermane
Mayberry to right guard and previous right guard Montrae Holland to
left guard.

Our View
The happiest person in New Orleans has to be Deuce McAllister, as the
team has replenished his crew of blockers. The Saints ranked No. 28
in rushing last season, but the additions of Brown and Mayberry can
only help McAllister get back on track after a disappointing 2004
campaign.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 25, 2005 12:01 PM ET
Buccaneers:  Stinchcomb's days might be numbered
The News
The Buccaneers attempted to beef up their offensive line via the
draft by selecting left tackle Chris Colmer in the third round and
left tackle Dan Buenning in the fourth round. Those additions could
lead to the end of left guard Matt Stinchcomb's run with the team,
according to the Tampa Tribune. Stinchcomb started all 16 games for
the Bucs in 2004.

Our View
Buenning will definitely compete for the starting left guard job, and
there is also talk that the Bucs will move left tackle Anthony Davis
to left guard due to the addition of Colmer. With two players gunning
for his job, Stinchcomb will have his work cut out for him in
training camp this summer, assuming the team keeps him around long
enough to compete for his job.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 25, 2005 11:52 AM ET
Panthers:  Davis' position still not set
The News
Panthers' head coach John Fox either doesn't know where he intends to
play No. 14 overall pick Thomas Davis or he just isn't saying. "He
could be a Derrick Brooks-type linebacker or a Roy Williams-type of
safety," Fox told the Rock Hill Herald on Sunday. "They are just
names of position. This guy, in our opinion, was the best defensive
player available when we picked." Davis played free safety in college
but might switch to linebacker at the pro level.

Our View
The deciding factor will likely be whether linebacker Mark Fields re-
signs with the team. Fields has made it clear that he would like to
sign the three-year contract offer the team made last month, but he
is waiting until he receives a clean bill of health from his
physician. Fields missed the entire 2003 season while battling
Hodgkin's disease.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 25, 2005 11:41 AM ET
Bills:  Parrish could start in the slot
The News
The Bills spent their first draft pick (No. 55 overall) on Roscoe
Parrish, an explosive receiver out of Miami, and he will have a
chance to start the season as the slot receiver in three-receiver
sets. According to the Buffalo News, former No. 3 receiver Josh Reed
will have a battle on his hands just to make the team as the fifth
wideout.

Our View
Parrish certainly has more speed than Reed, and at 5-9, 168 he is too
small to play anywhere but in the slot. He averaged 16.1 yards per
catch for the Hurricanes and was once described by Miami head coach
Larry Coker as the most exciting player he's ever coached. He will
also be given a chance to win the job as the Bills' punt returner.
Think of him as a poor man's Santana Moss who has a chance to make a
few big plays, but who needs more seasoning before he'll be a fantasy
option.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 25, 2005 11:29 AM ET
Falcons:  Hall re-signs
The News
After failing to address their safety needs at the draft, the Falcons
quickly re-signed Cory Hall on Sunday, according to the Atlanta
Journal-Constitution. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. Hall
started 14 games for the Falcons last season and finished the year
with 53 tackles and zero interceptions.

Our View
Hall will move right back into the starting lineup at free safety, at
least until Bryan Scott recovers from shoulder surgery. Given Scott's
less than certain status this year and his lack of interceptions last
season, the six-year veteran will enter training camp with very
little fantasy value in leagues that award points for individual
defensive players.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 25, 2005 11:24 AM ET
Redskins:  Gibbs and Gardner to meet
The News
Redskins' head coach Joe Gibbs is scheduled to meet with Rod Gardner
on Monday to discuss the disgruntled wide receiver's future with the
team. Gardner was hoping to be traded on draft day, but the team was
unable to accommodate his request. "In talking over the whole
situation, we knew where we were after the season," Gibbs told the
team's official website over the weekend. "We gave him permission to
seek a trade and we weren't able to work anything out there." Gardner
has logged 227 receptions for 2,997 yards and 17 touchdowns in his
four-year career with the Skins.

Our View
There is still a chance that Gardner will play out the last year of
his contract with the Redskins. However, there is an equal chance
that the Skins will simply elect to release him, which may have been
Rod's hope all along. He requested a trade out of Washington and drew
interest from several teams, but he made it clear that he would not
sign a long-term deal with another team due to his preference to test
the free agency market after the upcoming season.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 25, 2005 10:50 AM ET
Falcons:  White won't be a starter
The News
Falcons' head coach Jim Mora said Sunday that No. 27 overall pick
Roddy White will not be an immediate starter. "He'll start on special
teams and help at wide receiver," Mora told the Atlanta Journal-
Constitution. "We're not looking for this guy to have to come in and
play right away. He has a toughness to him that you really like."
White finished last season at UAB with 71 receptions for 1,452 yards.

Our View
If Falcons follow the same itinerary used for 2004 first-round pick
Michael Jenkins, White will have no fantasy value. Jenkins, a No. 29
overall pick, appeared in all 16 games, yet finished the year with
just seven receptions for 119 yards and no scores. White will likely
enter training camp as the No. 5 receiver behind Jenkins, Peerless
Price, Dez White, and Brian Finneran.

April 22, 2005 2:35 PM ET
Vikings:  Rosenthal to miss minicamp
The News
Vikings' offensive tackle Mike Rosenthal is not expected to take part
in the team's first minicamp, according to the Star Tribune. The five-
year veteran missed 14 games last season with a fractured foot.
Although he won't be ready for the April 30 minicamp, team officials
are hopeful that he will be cleared to practice before training camp.

Our View
The Vikings missed Rosenthal last year, as he is a starting right
tackle and a key blocker in the running game. Obviously, Vikings'
officials would prefer to have him available for their first minicamp
workout, but they'll settle for getting the big guy back before
training camp opens.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 22, 2005 12:10 PM ET
Bills:  Henry still on block
The News
The Bills have not abandoned hope of trading disgruntled running back
Travis Henry, either prior or during the upcoming NFL draft. Among
the teams who have expressed interest are the Cardinals, who have
eight picks in the seven-round draft; the Buccaneers, who hold 11
selections; and the Eagles, who have 13 picks.

Our View
If one of those aforementioned squads is unable to land a back on the
first day of the draft, expect them to give Tom Donahoe a call.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 22, 2005 11:56 AM ET
Lions:  Joyce released
The News
The Lions released offensive lineman Matt Joyce on Thursday,
according to the Michigan Live website. The 10-year veteran spent the
last four seasons with the Lions and also had stints with the
Cardinals and Seahawks. He started 12 games over the last three
seasons.

Our View
Joyce became expendable when the Lions signed restricted free agent
Kyle Kosier on Thursday.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 22, 2005 11:49 AM ET
Packers:  Brown targets the Cheese State
The News
It hasn't taken long for linebacker Chad Brown to come to grips with
being released by the Seahawks on Thursday. Within hours of his
client being released, Brown's agent told the Milwaukee Journal-
Sentinel that the Packers are among the first teams he intends to
contact. "They're definitely on our radar," agent Peter Schaffer
said. The 12-year veteran missed 19 games over the last three seasons
due to various injuries.

Our View
Brown is tight with Packers' team president Ted Thompson, who served
as the Seahawks' vice president of football operations before taking
the job in Green Bay earlier this year. It's also worth noting that
Chad would like to play with his brother Van, a defensive end from
Northwester Oklahoma State who is eligible for the draft this
weekend.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 22, 2005 11:37 AM ET
Chiefs:  Surtain trade finally consummated
The News
The Chiefs continued to upgrade their defense, finally giving in to
the Dolphins' demands for a first-day pick by shipping a second-round
selection to Miami in exchange for cornerback Patrick Surtain.
Surtain must still pass a physical and the paperwork has yet to be
filed with the NFL, but the Chiefs have already agreed to terms with
Surtain on a new contract.

Our View
Kansas City upped its offer of a fourth-rounder to acquire Surtain
once they realized Nick Saban wasn't backing down from his demand.
The teams also flip-flopped fifth round picks. The Chiefs now have a
bit more flexibility with their first-round pick, though they may
still take another cornerback.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 22, 2005 11:22 AM ET
Buccaneers:  Brown targeted in trade talks
The News
The Buccaneers have had talks with the Dolphins regarding the
possibility of trading up to the No. 2 overall pick. Initially, the
rumor was that the Bucs wanted to move up to select former Utah
quarterback Alex Smith. However, the Washington Post reported Friday
that team officials are hoping to secure the pick so they can select
former Auburn running back Ronnie Brown. The Buccaneers currently
hold the No. 5 overall pick and hold a total of 12 picks in the
draft.

Our View
This is a bit of a surprise, as Bucs' head coach Jon Gruden was
supposedly smitten with Brown's former teammate Carnell "Cadillac"
Williams. This would be a logical trade from the Dolphins'
perspective, as they are rumored to have interest in selecting Miami-
FLA cornerback Antrel Rolle. By trading down to No. 5 overall pick,
the Dolphins would still pick one spot before the Titans, who are
also rumored to be in the hunt for a cornerback.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 22, 2005 11:13 AM ET
Redskins:  Ramsey not opposed to competition
The News
Redskins' quarterback Patrick Ramsey said Thursday that he wouldn't
be upset if the team selects a quarterback early in this weekend's
draft. "I'm the starter here," Ramsey said. "And I plan to go out
there and start and play and win games. It doesn't matter to me (if
they draft a quarterback). Absolutely not." The Redskins are rumored
to be interested in selecting former Auburn quarterback Jason
Campbell with the No. 25 overall pick they acquired from the Broncos
earlier this week.

Our View
The Skins have been contacting teams regarding the possibility of
trading up into the top-10 overall picks. However, there is also
speculation that the team is only making these calls because to cover
up their interest in Campbell. Apparently, team officials are upset
that their interest in Campbell went public, and they are now doing
everything in their power to make it seem as if they acquired that
pick from the Broncos with the intention of packaging it with the No.
9 overall pick in a trade.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 22, 2005 10:57 AM ET
Cowboys:  Hunter signs one-year tender
The News
The Cowboys signed restricted free agent cornerback Pete Hunter to a
one-year contract tender on Thursday. The Dallas Morning News reports
that the deal is worth $656,000. Hunter missed 13 games last season
with a torn ACL in his left knee.

Our View
This might be the NFL's equivalent of a sign-and-trade. Hunter has
spoken out against the team's plan to move him to safety this season
and has asked to be traded. Such a deal could take place as early as
this weekend during the draft.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 22, 2005 10:32 AM ET
Panthers:  Alleged steroid users might go unpunished
The News
Panthers' center Jeff Mitchell and punter Todd Sauerbrun, and former
Panthers' offensive tackle Todd Steussie might not face suspensions
for violating the league's steroid policy. The Gaston Gazette reports
that the league might decide against suspending the players as long
as they agree to testify against Dr. James Shortt, the South Carolina
physician who is accused of distributing illegal muscle enhancing
drugs.

Our View
It's hard to believe that NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue will go
this easy on these players given his upcoming meeting with Congress
regarding the league's steroid policy. If anything, we expect
Tagliabue to make an example of these three players.

By Lisa Plaza, Edited by Cory J. Bonini
2004 FINISH: 5-11 (4th Place) Non-Playoff Team

2005 DRAFT PICK: 4th Overall Pick

KEY POSITION NEEDS: WR, RB, OT, OG, LB

KEY FREE AGENTS: G Steve Edwards (Re-signed), DE Alex Brown (Re-
signed), TE John Gilmore (Re-signed), S Bobby Gray (Re-signed), G
Terrence Metcalf (Tendered), TE John Owens (Tendered), RB Adrian
Peterson (Re-signed), OT Aaron Gibson (UFA), CB Todd McMillon (Re-
signed), RB Anthony Thomas (UFA)

POSITION ANALYSIS - OFFENSE
QUARTERBACKS

Are you sitting down? If not, you may want to take a seat, much like
all four of the Bears starting quarterbacks did at one point or
another this past season. That's right, we said FOUR starting
quarterbacks... the sum of two plus two for you math gurus out there.
Or, in football terms, three too many. Now, aren't you glad you sat
down? After their quarterback of the future Rex Grossman (knee) was
removed from the starting lineup subsequent to an unfortunate meeting
with the Metrodome field turf in Week 3, things went from bad to
worse. The Bears managed to work their way through their entire
roster of passers. The offseason seemed like the perfect time for the
Bears to beef up their quarterback depth and secure a quality backup
in an effort to avoid finding themselves similarly situated should
the young Grossman fall victim to the wicked field turf once again.

We regret to inform you that nothing of the sort has taken place. In
fact, with the exception of a few short lived veteran free-agent
quarterback visits (Jay Fiedler, Brad Johnson and Kurt Warner),
things have been rather quiet at the position. Much like last season,
the Bears are hoping and praying that Grossman is the only
quarterback they see take the field.

The Bears stand firmly behind their QB of the future and have the
utmost confidence that Grossman will plow his way through the season
unscathed. Grossman has received a clean bill of health and is
expected to participate in minicamp which will be held May 20-22,
without restrictions.

After failing to sign as established veteran free agent, it looks as
though Grossman will be backed up by former Dallas backup QB Chad
Hutchinson. The Bears signed Hutchinson as a safety measure after
Grossman was declared null and void last season. Hutchinson was
bachelor No. 4 and the final quarterback to suit up for the Bears.

The Bears picked up QB Kurt Kittner in late January and subsequently
sent him off to Europe to spend the offseason. He will be one of
several quarterbacks to compete for the third spot on the depth
chart.

In an effort to rid the team of all things Terry Shea, the Bears
waived a big hearty "bye-bye" to backup QB Jonathan Quinn, one of
Shea's proteges. After he left a sizable scar on the city of Chicago,
it is very unlikely that he will see another NFL uniform, unless he's
watching the game from the comfort of his own home. The Bears saved
$750,000 towards their 2005 salary cap with Quinn's release.

Although they likely won't make any aggressive moves, the Bears will
continue to shop the free agent market and have shown interest in Tim
Hasselbeck (Redskins), Shaun King (Cardinals) and Jeff Blake (Eagles).

The Bears brought then 14-year veteran QB Jeff George out of
retirement last season, and though he didn't see any playing time,
the Bears may use him as a safety net should they strike out in the
free-agent market.

After a slew of shameful quarterback ratings, incomplete passes and a
record number of sacks, these Bears fans are fed up and hope to see
some serious air time come the 2005 season.

RUNNING BACKS

Former 2001 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year RB Anthony Thomas was
all but forgotten last season after being replaced by RB Thomas
Jones, who seemed to be a more adequate fit for Shea's system. When
called upon, Thomas got the job done; however, the Bears have made it
clear that Jones will be anointed the starring role once again. When
you pair Jones' guaranteed starting position with Thomas'
unrestricted free agent status, it is evident that Thomas will don a
new uniform this coming season. The Bears have expressed no interest
in re-signing.

As a result of Thomas' inevitable departure, there is little doubt
that the Bears will use one of their earlier draft picks on a quality
backup running back. While the consensus is that the Bears will draft
an offensive player with their first-round pick (No. 4 overall),
there is controversy over whether that pick will be used on a
receiver or a tailback. If the Bears opt for the former, you can
expect that their subsequent pick will likely be in direct
competition with Jones for the starting role due to being such a high
selection. Should the Bears select a running back with their first
pick their peak interests include Texas RB Cedric Benson or one of
the Auburn products RBs Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown. The Bears
have scheduled a pre-draft visit with Benson, met with Brown and
conducted a private workout with Williams.

Special teams ace, RB Adrian Peterson, a "straight up the middle
beat 'em down" back will compete for the No. 2 RB position with the
Bears draftee of choice. The Bears signed Peterson to a two-year
extension through 2006 midway through the 2004 season.

The Bears have also signed RB Zack Abron and subsequently sent him
off to NFL Europe to sharpen his skills.

The Bears are solid at the fullback position with FBs Bryan Johnson
and Jason McKie. While Johnson underwent foot surgery in December, he
is expected to be full speed for minicamp.

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WIDE RECEIVERS

Without question, the biggest and best acquisition of the offseason
found itself at the wide receiver position. Go ahead, smile. We're
proudly displaying our pearly whites as well. That's right, the Bears
are heading into the '05 season with a receiving crew that will be
led by one of last year's best receiver in football! Opportunity came
knocking and the Bears didn't waste any time falling over themselves
on the way to the door. After the Carolina Panthers were no longer
able to afford their hottest commodity in 2004 and released veteran
All-Pro WR Muhsin Muhammad, the Bears signed him less than 12 hours
later. Finishing the 2004 season with 1,405 receiving yards on 93
receptions and his league-best 16 touchdowns, Muhammad will most
certainly bolster the position, which became practically non-existent
in 2004. Muhammad single-handedly totaled just over 100 less
receiving yards than the entire lineup of Bears wide receivers. He
hopes to take the Bears offense from worst to first, and with
offensive coordinator Ron Turner running the show on offense, things
are finally beginning to look up at the wide receiver spot.

The signing of Muhammad gave the Bears the perfect opportunity to rid
themselves of a very vocal wide receiver out of Michigan. After
giving him ample opportunity to produce throughout his four seasons
with the Bears, former first-round pick WR David Terrell fell short
and the Bears bid adieu to an individual that most considered a thorn
in team's side.

The Bears signed WR Eddie Berlin to a one-year contract, but Berlin's
biggest contribution should be on special teams.

The Bears also recently acquired WRs Carl Ford and Ron Johnson. Both
gentlemen will compete for a roster spot.

With Muhammad's signing, the Bears addressed one of their most
pressing needs. As such, the pressure to draft a wide receiver with
the first selection has decreased somewhat. However, the Bears have
not rid themselves of the notion that selecting a stand-out stud to
line-up across from Muhammad could be a match made in heaven. In
fact, they are keenly aware of what an impact a player like Michigan
standout WR Braylon Edwards or USC stud WR Mike Williams can make if
given the opportunity to start opposite Muhammad; the Bears have
expressed a great interest in both receivers and have met with each
player.

The Bears haven't made any major moves at the tight end spot with the
exception of extending the TE John Gilmore's contract one year and
tendering a one-year offer to TE John Owens. The Bears also claimed
TE Darnell Sanders off waivers from the Atlanta Falcons. The tight
end position is another spot where the Bears could use some help.
Starting TE Desmond Clark didn't account for much in 2004. However,
Turner's new scheme should give him greater opportunity to produce.
Even so, don't be surprised if the Bears grab an appealing tight end
in the mid-to-late rounds of the draft

OFFENSIVE LINE

Oh, the offensive line. Ouch. Even the words hurt. While the line was
believed to be the strong suit on the offensive side of the ball
going into the 2004 season, it was quickly exposed as their greatest
weakness, especially after a few key injuries to OT John Tait and OG
Ruben Brown, two of the team's most significant additions last
offseason. Due to a combination of injuries, lack of talent and
shotty schemes, the line performed on a level similar to that of a
high school football team. Every week, we came to expect yet another
game of musical linemen. To the teams' dismay, the makeshift line
allowed a franchise record 66 sacks. With the line in desperate need
of assistance, the Bears called in some backup and made a few key
offseason moves.

The first was the signing of veteran RT Fred Miller. The Bears signed
the nine-year veteran in early March to a five-year deal. The
experienced vet was a salary cap casualty of the Tennessee Titans and
will bring leadership, skill and experience to a line in desperate
need of all three attributes. At present, he is recovering well from
ankle surgery that he underwent earlier this year. He is expected to
be at full speed come the start of training camp.

With the signing of Miller, the Bears opted to flip-flop their
current starting right tackle, Tait, to the left side - his natural
position. Tait will replace OT Marc Colombo. The team, and
quarterback alike, can only stand to gain with a more seasoned
veteran protecting Grossman's blind side. The Bears signed Tait last
offseason with the hopes of converting him into a left tackle to
protect their young quarterback, but he ended up holding down the
fort on the right side in 2004.

The third and final major move in upgrading the line was the signing
of OG Roberto Garza (knee). Garza was a cheap acquisition due to the
fact that his right knee is missing a little something known as an
ACL. He had just signed a $7 million contract with the Baltimore
Ravens when a physical showed that his anterior cruciate ligament was
missing in action - yes, flat out non-existent! The Ravens pulled
their deal and Chicago welcomed him with open arms. As far as the
Bears are concerned, the fact that he is missing his ACL only means
that he cannot tear or rupture it, which is good news for a team that
has been plagued with ACL injuries in the past. As mentioned
previously, another benefit to Garza's missing ACL is that the Bears
were able to sign him for cheap. Garza will receive $540,000 in his
one-year deal. Last season, he started in 15 games with the Atlanta
Falcons. He is a versatile lineman who has also played right guard
and center in seasons past. He will enter training camp as a backup,
but due to the fact that the line is currently n flux, he will be
given the opportunity to compete for a starting spot. With a healthy
return of Brown, who is recovering nicely from a neck injury and
should be ready in a limited capacity for the teams' minicamp, Garza
would be quite the compliment on the left side.

The Bears have granted OG Steve Edwards a one-year $656,000 extension
and tendered G Terrence Metcalf an additional year as well. They have
sent C A.J. Ricker off to Europe for the offseason and signed and
allocated OG Walter Wigfall to Europe as well.

OT Aaron Gibson, an unrestricted free agent is looking for a staring
role, which the Bears have declined to grant him. He may return if
the free-agent market doesn't provide him with one.

LG Rex Tucker is another player whose status is up in the air. He
returned in 2004 from an elbow injury after not suiting up since
2002. His return to the field, however, was nothing to write home
about. As such, don't be surprised if the former Pro Bowl alternate
falls victim to the ever present salary cap.

In a seemingly odd transition, the Bears have converted DL Cliff
Washburn to an offensive tackle and subsequently sent him to Europe
to spend the offseason.

The Bears happily re-signed C Patrick Mannelly, who doubles as what
some consider the fiercest long snapper in the league, to a six-year
deal.

Even though the Bears have succeeded in signing a few veteran free
agents in an effort to upgrade their line, it doesn't mean they are
finished with last season's biggest woe. As evidenced by the plethora
of injuries suffered by the line, Bears understand the value of a
reliable backup tackle or guard. Now that they are done shopping free-
agent style, they will take a look at what the draft has to offer. In
fact, they have recently conducted a pre-draft visit with Nebraska C
Richie Incognito, one of the top offensive line prospects.

POSITION ANALYSIS - DEFENSE
DEFENSIVE LINE

The Bears were sad to see defensive line coach Carl Dunbar, the man
who was largely responsible for the solid performance by the
defensive line, move on to become the assistant coach and defensive
line coach at his alma matter, LSU. They hired Don Johnson, who has
spent his five previous years as the defensive line coach/recruiting
coordinator at UCLA and not chasing criminals in his speed boat, to
replace Dunbar.

LINEBACKERS

With the return of LB Brian Urlacher (hamstring) in the middle and
weakside LB Lance Briggs, who finished the 2004 season with a
whopping 102 tackles, keeping it real on the weakside, the only soft
spot in the linebacking crew is on the strongside. The Bears will
likely bring in some competition for LB Hunter Hillenmeyer and
continue to test the free-agent waters. They have expressed interest
in free agent LBs Anthony Simmons (Seattle Seahawks) and Jay Foreman
(Houston Texans) to potentially fill the void on the strongside.
There is also a slim possibility that the Bears will bring back
another familiar face from the Cleveland Browns in LB Warrick
Holdman. The exchange will only likely take place however, if Holdman
is willing to accept a salary at or near the league minimum.

In addition, NFL Draft prospect Georgia LB Odell Thurman dropped by
for a short visit on April 5, 2005.

SECONDARY

The Bears have guaranteed CB Todd McMillon and hard hitting S Bobby
Gray a home in Chicago for an additional year. Both are expected to
serve in reserve roles.

The Bears were forced to partake in another sad good-bye this
offseason. This time, the well wishes were directed at their
defensive backs coach, Vance Bedford, the primary reason the
secondary has become one of the bright spots on this Bears team.
Bedford left the Bears to pursue a defensive coordinator spot with
Oklahoma State. Perry Fewell, the former defensive backs coach who
worked with Bears head coach Lovie Smith during his stint with the
St. Louis Rams, was hired to replace him.

SPECIAL TEAMS

The Bears have been quite vocal about their current disappointment in
PK Paul Edinger and have expressed concern with his leg strength.
They plan to pack some serious competition for Edinger in their
training camp luggage this season. To show they aren't kidding
around, they have already held private workouts with PK Nick Novack
(Maryland) and PK Dave Rayner (Michigan State). Edinger was a solid
kicker in seasons past, but over the two most recent seasons his
performance has declined substantially. He finished the 2004 season
with a sorry 62.5 field goal efficiency percentage.

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Even though he got the loss Wednesday night, Noah Lowry (LHP, SF)
pitched 6.0 innings of shut out ball to record a PQS score of 4 in
his third start of the season. His line for the game: 6 IP, 2 H, 3
BB, 4 K's, 0 HR's. Lowry has not started out this season with the
kind of numbers many of his owners were expecting:

IP    ERA   WHIP   Ctl  Dom  Cmd  hr/9
==    ====  ====   ===  ===  ===  ====
17.7  4.58  1.42   5.1  5.6  1.1   1.5
152   4.20  1.39   2.9  6.4  2.2   0.6**
** Projected balance for the season

One of Lowry's starts was in COL so his numbers may be skewed
slightly, especially hr/9, but so far both his Dom and Ctl have been
off. He posted solid BPIs in 2004 but that was over only 92 IP at
SF. He invariably will suffer some hiccups in his growth. At this
stage of the season you may want to move Lowry in and out of your
starting line-up based on who he is pitching against. Also, it may be
worth putting him on the bench until he puts several solid starts
together. He has the skill set and will pitch better this season, but
he will require patience.

In his first seven games as designated hitter, Lew Ford (OF, MIN)
hit .208 with no HR or RBI; it wasnt until he started playing in the
OF that his bat perked up. Ford is currently hitting .244 with 2 HR
and 6 RBI. Ford showed some growth in 2004, but there are still some
warning signs:

Year    BA   bb%  ct%  Eye    G/L/F    PX   SX
=====  ====  ===  ===  ====  ========  ===  ===
2003*  .289   6   87   0.47  44/22/34  103  110
2004   .299  11   87   0.89  52/17/31   87  120
* includes MLEs

Ford makes good contact, and his speed is an asset. The improved
plate patience was a good sign, and leads one to believe that he can
sustain the high average. However, Fords power drop, correlated with
his increased ground-ball rate, is a concern. To improve on last
years power numbers, Ford will have to get the ball in the air more.
He may be pressing this year; he only has one walk (and nine
strikeouts) in 45 ABs. Keep and eye on Ford; if his plate patience
returns to 2004 levels and he succeeds in reducing his ground-ball
rate, hell put up solid numbers in 2005.

Derrek Lee (1B, CHC) continued his hot start Thursday, going 2-for-4 in
a 4-0 loss to the Cardinals. For the year, Lee is hitting .407 with
4HR, 17 RBI and 3 SB. A big April is new for Lee, who is typically a
slow starter.

AB    HR    Avg    bb%   ct% Eye PX   xBA
========================================================
2002 581    27    270     14    72 0.60    159   267
2003 539    31    271     14    76 0.67 154   295
2004 605    32    278     10    79 0.53 141   281

Lee, who was expected to be a focal point of the Cubs offense rather
than an accessory after the departure of Sammy Sosa (OF, BAL) and
Moises Alou (OF, SF), hasn't disappointed. Now, his performance will be
even more important to the Cubs offense with the loss of Garciaparra.
Especially encouraging is that Lee so far has cut down on strikeouts
with a 87% Ct rate. Lee's 60 ABs is too small a sample size to draw any
conclusions, but if he can finish the year with an 80% contact rate, it
would be the fourth straight year or growth in that area and should
help Lee finish with a BA above .280.

After getting an unwanted day off Tuesday afternoon, Alfonso Soriano
(2B, TEX) was back in the lineup Wednesday night at TAM. Soriano got
on base twice from the leadoff slot, and scored another run. It was
his 12th in the Rangers' first 17 games, continuing a trend that
should boost his value in 5x5 leagues.

Year    PA    R   PA/R   RBI  PA/RBI
====   ===   ===  ====  ====  ======
2002   741   128   5.8   102    7.3
2003   734   114   6.4    91    8.1
2004   658    77   8.6    91    7.2
2005    71    12   5.9     6   11.8

Batting leadoff this year, as he did in 2002 and 2003, Soriano is
scoring a run about every six trips to the plate; last year, he
scored far fewer runs per plate appearance while hitting mostly from
the number three slot. Thus, he's well on his way to another 100+
runs scored in 2005. Of course, Soriano's RBI totals do suffer
hitting leadoff, so there's a trade-off.

Overall, regardless of where he hits, Soriano remains the best Roto
2B in the AL. He has three SB in 17 games, a 30 SB pace, and a good
sign for his previously injured leg; he also has 3 HR. This kind of
power-speed combo, with a solid BA, place Soriano in a unique spot:
the difference between his projected 5x5 value ($26) and the second
place player at his position ($18) is by far the largest in baseball.
We've probably already seen Soriano's peak, but even past-peak, he's
still a premier fanalytic 2B option.

Jay Glazer, of FOXSports.com, reports the Kansas City Chiefs have
agreed to send their second-round draft choice and swap picks in the
fifth-round with the Miami Dolphins in exchange for CB Patrick
Surtain. The Chiefs, in turn, have also agreed to terms on a new
seven-year deal with Surtain. The two sides still need to finalize
paper work on the deal and it is also contingent upon Surtain passing
a physical with Kansas City.

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© Copyright 2005 KFFL

By Brothers Bonini Production
With the 2005 NFL Draft kicking off in less than 48 hours, KFFL will
offer you an interesting look at the draft. Within this week's NFL
Draft Grapevine, KFFL brings the perspectives of both current NFL
players from when they were gearing up for their draft day, as well
as the insight from current NFL draft prospects as they count the
minutes leading up to the biggest day of their lives.

Of the NFL veterans you will hear from, New England Patriots LB Monty
Beisel, Houston Texans SS Glenn Earl, New York Giants LG David Diehl
and last, but definitely not least, San Diego Chargers C Nick
Hardwick bring you unique takes on what they went through prior to
being selected by their respective teams.

From the prospect standpoint, KFFL had the pleasure of sitting down
with Iowa DE Matt Roth, Alabama-Birmingham WR Roddy White and
Northern Colorado WR Vincent Jackson. Each player provided excellent
insight regarding their quest to the NFL.

A Look in the Rearview
When each player was asked about what team or location in the country
they were looking to call home, the general consensus from our crop
of veterans was "somewhere warm". Considering we are talking about
guys like LB Monty Beisel and C Nick Hardwick, who come from the
Midwest, it makes perfectly good sense.

Most players did not have much, if any, inclination they would be
drafted from the team that selected them. Hardwick, who was the third
overall pick in the third round of the 2004 draft, said he didn't
even think the Chargers were interested in him.

"I thought I was going to the (St. Louis) Rams. I thought I had some
good insight that I was going to play ball there. I thought (head
coach) Mike Martz liked me a lot during a round-table discussion we
had. In hindsight, you laugh at things like that," he told KFFL.

"I'm a clown by nature," Hardwick warmly said. "(Then offensive line
coach) Hudson Houck liked me and my attitude."

The only player who said he had a feeling his would-be team was going
to select him was Beisel. He has since moved on through free agency
from the Kansas City Chiefs to the defending World Champion Patriots,
but Beisel noted he, a former Kansas State product, had a feeling the
Chiefs would draft him in the fourth round.

"I told my (future) wife that I had a feeling the Chiefs were going
to select me," Beisel recalled.

Texans SS Glenn Earl said he had received so many calls during the
draft from NFL teams that he was starting to have a hard time taking
each call seriously. When the Texans called during the second day of
the draft to tell him they would be selecting him, Earl said his
first thought was "yeah, right" because he had that same conversation
countless times with other teams throughout the draft.

Houston did indeed hold true to their word, selecting Earl in the
fourth round as the 122nd pick overall.

The inevitable, though often easily answered, question was posed to
each prospect: What is going through your mind when you hear your
name called during the NFL draft? We received responses that ranged
from being completely understandable and expected to near
catastrophic events on the home front.

Most players offered two words - excited and relieved. No one was
probably more relieved than Earl, as he was battling his way back
from devastating season-ending anterior cruciate and lateral
collateral ligament tears in his knee that put his draft stock in
jeopardy. Prior to the injury, Earl was a rising prospect for the
Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and he was one of the most feared hitters
in any secondary in the nation.

Earl knew immediately how severe the injury was while he laid on the
turf in pain.

"Everything was up in the air. I wasn't able to continue the season,
of course. I didn't know where to go from there. I didn't know how it
would alter my draft status," Earl told KFFL in a rather somber
tone. "I had to make trips back to Indianapolis from Notre Dame to
see doctors. The docs did their job and I did mine. I can only
control what I can control."

Hardwick offered an enthusiastic response to the same question.

"Excited; I was sitting there with my family and coach (Marty)
Schottenheimer called and said I would be a Charger, he said. "Who
wouldn't be excited?!?"

Giants LG David Diehl, a fifth-round draft choice, was also very
excited.

"I was at home with my family, eating pizza and relaxing. All of that
hard work and time has paid off. It's a pretty unbelievable feeling,"
Diehl recollected.

Beisel, however, didn't have the same smooth sailing the other then-
prospects faced. While sitting at home with his family, Beisel seemed
to have more attention focused toward his family's dog that was going
into seizures, all while his brother was breaking out in hives and
had to go to the doctors.

"My dog had a seizure; my brother broke out with hives and had to go
to the doctors. I remember it all as a stressful time," Beisel told
KFFL. "To be thrown into one of any the 32 cities is mind boggling."

What about being selected later than where you anticipate being
picked? That must have a great deal of psychological taxation, one
would think.

"To go on Sunday when you expect to go on Saturday is tough. I'm not
going to lie; it was pretty devastating to me. When you go on Sunday,
you're just happy it's over. My whole family was acting like I went
No. 1. I expected to go in the end of the second round or early third
round," Earl said to KFFL in an almost nostalgic way.

Reaching Out
When the draft season gets into full swing, one thing that many
players do is seek advice from current NFL players, oftentimes former
collegiate teammates. This is an area where the pros say it best, so
I will allow them to do the talking.

"I've talked to several guys and have given several players advice.
It is usually the same thing: Be yourself and control what you can
control," Hardwick, a former Purdue Boilermaker, said.

"No, I didn't (seek advice). I pretty much knew what I had to do and
to be myself. My agents really helped me. You can't be uptight. You
have to be yourself. I knew working out I had to perform. I relaxed
and took everything as it came," he added.

"I talked to Duke Preston (Illinois' center), and he has the same
agent as I do. ‘Go, don't stress yourself out. Do your best and try
as hard as you can. Be yourself. Do the things you did to get you to
the combine and to this level,'" Diehl said of the younger Preston.

"(I asked) friends of mine that were drafted. My old roommate
(Chicago Bears QB) Kurt Kittner was drafted the year before. You just
get comfortable with what the combine was like. You want to get
people's personal experiences and advice," Diehl, who has started his
first 32 professional contests at right guard and right tackle,
stated.

Beisel, who was drafted in 2001, is a little too far removed to be
closely connected to any current prospects from Kansas State.

"I keep in touch with the guys I played with. I am not really
familiar with the players coming out these days from Kansas State,"
the fifth-year veteran offered.

"I talked to (Philadelphia Eagles LB) Mark Simoneau, who came out of
K-State a year before me, when he was in Atlanta. We did have a
couple guys that were working out at K-State during the offseason,
like (Atlanta Falcons OT) Todd Weiner," Beisel stated.

"I've talked to a couple players, but it hasn't been NFL related. I
will call a few people," Glenn said. "Don't let the draft torment you
mentally. Keep your channels of communication open, but don't drive
yourself crazy," the second-year Texan added. "Saturday of the draft
I went and lifted weights."

"I talked to (former teammate and current New England Patriots WR)
David Givens, and he told me to go out and prove yourself all over
again. Have a chip on your shoulder to stay hungry," Earl said.

Long Grueling Days
When a player is in the middle of a collegiate season, he rarely
focuses on what is beyond that week's game, as I have gathered. But
what happens when the season is over and the player is ready to take
the step to the next level? Do his workouts become more intense?
Common sense dictates the preparation for the pros would involve more
intense, longer workouts each day. This isn't always the case, as I
have found.

"I think the biggest thing for me was the weight gain. To get up to
the defensive end-type size I spent a lot of time eating foods that
are bad for you. Now I can eat good food like a normal person,"
Beisel told KFFL. "You know what to expect at the combine in terms of
reps and workout figures. You do a lot of bench press work," he added.

"You spend a lot more time doing position-specific drills. In college
you don't prepare to run the 40, because you don't have to. You want
to have your agility and 40 down, patterned out so you are used to
running them. Not every where does the same drills. Make sure you are
prepared for what they will throw at you for questions and drills,"
Diehl provided.

Hardwick took a very straight-forward approach in regards to how he
handled his pre-draft workouts.

"No. Not really (change any workout habits). You are who you are, and
you work to make yourself look better. There is no getting around
that," he said.

Hindsight Is 20/20
So, if a player could do it all over again after being drafted and
spending some time at the professional level, would they change
anything they did in terms of preparation?

"No, I wouldn't change anything. It worked out for me," Hardwick
noted.

One player went as far as saying he would have liked to play a
different position in college - the position he currently holds in
the NFL.

"Not really. I would have played linebacker throughout college if I
did it over again. I would be in a different situation today. I am
fortunate to be entering my fifth year with a healthy body," Beisel
said.

With a very subdued tone, Earl stated, "finish my college season,
play in the Senior Bowl and go to the combine... everything happens
for a reason."

New York's Diehl simply stated, "if you have any regrets, you didn't
put everything you have into it. Make sure you don't (have regrets)."

Making the "Big Jump"
The transition to the NFL for many collegiate stars is often
seamless, with a few "growing pains" along the way. We proposed the
question of what was the toughest aspect to get a grip on; here are
the responses from the more-than-cooperative, friendly pros.

"I wish I learned quicker it's a business. It's not just a game.
Everyone takes it much more seriously. It's kind of a rude awakening
for a young guy," Hardwick told KFFL. "I never thought I would have a
job that I could lose right away. It takes about a month to get used
to everything."

Beisel felt he was very well prepared at the collegiate level to
handle the move into the NFL.

"K-State prepares you fairly well for the NFL atmosphere. Coach
(Bill) Snyder runs it like an NFL camp. There were not any huge
surprises," he said.

"I wish I knew certain teams and defenses better. Coming into the NFL
you are playing against schemes you haven't studied before. You
really have to study film and be prepared," the 24-year-old Diehl
noted.

Glenn offered, "I went in expecting the worst. I thought it would be
a long grind. I was expecting my head to be spinning. A lot of guys
make the mistake that they are still the big man on campus going into
the pros."

What has Changed the Most?
While the common theme in this department was the financial
ramifications of being a young college student one month to signing
their name on a sheet of paper and getting paid for it the next. What
else did these pros experience as changes at the next level? Let's
see what else changed for this bunch upon becoming an NFL player.

"The financial aspect; you have to take care of you finances. It's a
combination of a lot of things, mainly bills that you didn't have to
pay in college. The lifestyle change," Beisel told KFFL.

Earl took a slightly different approach, but the common theme
of "discipline" remains.

"Taking care of myself... taking care of my body. I go through big
lengths to keep myself in good shape. Your body is your tool; you
have to keep it in working order. In college you have the luxury of
eating pizza at 2 a.m. I don't eat fast food now," the second-year
safety said.

"Having to pay bills and take care of real world stuff. I'm a home
owner now and have my own car. In the offseason you have to get a
game plan or you will waste the whole day sitting around. Workouts
are shorter, but more focused and intense," Hardwick expressed.

Diehl had this to offer on the subject, "I would say, you know, the
time that you put into it. During the season you put so much time
into it. You have to maintain your strength. You are at stadiums from
6:30 a.m. to 5:00 at night with extra studying. Football becomes your
life, your career. I love it!"

----------------------------------------------------------------------

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Picking on the Rookies
Now and again you will hear horror stories from rookies about what
veteran players put them through during their inaugural season. None
of the players KFFL interviewed could testify for a horror story, but
they did present us with a few lighthearted, and downright hilarious,
moments.

"Not a whole lot. In training camp they want you to sing and do
things like that. Kansas City wasn't big on pranks. A few veterans
took me under their wings to show me the ropes - those were nine- and
10-year vets," Beisel said.

"Our team didn't really haze at all. We are all a bunch of young guys
so no one felt the need. I did buy air fresheners for offensive
linemen," Hardwick merrily replied with.

"We would have to carry shoulder pads off the field. Before away
games you have to buy $150 worth of chicken at Popeye's Chicken,"
Earl professed.

The stories above may have just warmed you up for what Diehl told us.

"In camp, it wasn't bad. They didn't make us shave our heads or
anything. Later, these guys had invisible dye. I went into the
shower, came out to dry off and I was covered in purple dye! It
wouldn't come off for a week," Diehl exclaimed.

I will let you ponder that one for a moment... 6-5, 315 pounds and
completely purple. I've been in New York City and have seen a few
interesting things that you will only find there, but a purple giant
takes the cake!

Now if I could only get my hands on some invisible dye... hmm.
Anyway, back to the task at hand.

Words of Wisdom
Each interview ended with a few words of advice from the current pros
to their soon-to-be NFL counterparts. Here is what each player has to
offer.

"I know when the draft was nearing for me, the one thing people kept
telling me was to relax and have fun with it. You have to open up to
new opportunities," Beisel said.

"Be patient, can't go crazy. Take it as it comes. Where ever you go,
take it as it comes. Once you get into the NFL it doesn't matter what
round you're drafted in if you can play football," Diehl
stated. "It's a great feeling; it's a great accomplishment. I started
at right guard as a rookie, then right tackle as a sophomore and now
left guard. It's a new learning process."

"Take it as it comes," Hardwick told KFFL, "and you are going to have
little control over it. Following the draft is when it gets serious.
Talk to your coach. Don't be intimidated (by your coach). You want to
form a good relationship."

"Control what you can control. Do what you can do in terms of getting
yourself healthy (to injured prospects that are in the situation he
was in). If it is meant to be, it's meant to be. Do the right things
and stay positive," Earl stated.

A Prospect's Perspective
So, now that we have learned what it is like from the NFL perspective
looking back, what do current prospects think of it all?

Northern Colorado WR Vincent Jackson said, "I have a rare combination
of size and speed. I am probably the biggest receiver (entering) the
league. I have good athleticism for a guy my size."

"I bring toughness and athleticism... I want to contribute," noted
Iowa DE Matt Roth.

Alabama-Birmingham WR Roddy White stated "I'm a playmaker, man. I get
the ball in the end zone."

White, when asked about if there was a style of offense he would most
like to play in said, "not really; I mean, who ever (team) throws the
ball is OK by me."

Jackson was very open to any style of offense, but is most
comfortable in a West Coast offense. "I've been exposed to the West
Coast and other styles of offense. I am most used to playing in the
West Coast offense," he told KFFL.

Roth, who has played in a 4-3 defense for the past three seasons,
said he is most comfortable with that formation.

Location Preference
"No. Not really. I just want to go somewhere to play. Not going to be
too picky about warm weather," Jackson happily said.

Much like the pros we interviewed, "somewhere warm" is a common theme
for the prospects as well. Rest assured, come draft day, even
the "Frozen Tundra" in Green Bay would be welcomed and sound warm by
any player selected due to excitement of having his name called
during the draft.

"In the South. That's where I want to stay," White noted to KFFL.

Roth said, "I grew up in the Midwest, so I would like to be some
where hot."

Roth also added that he knows he is very fortunate to be in the
situation he is in.

"It is what I wanted to do all of my life. I understand very few
people get to be in this situation. I am lucky," he calmly said.

On to the Workouts
Jackson said he spent more time in the weight room preparing for his
workouts, while Roth and White said they were more focused on
technique.

"Get down the techniques for the drills and 40. Not much has changed
since Iowa. I haven't changed my strength coach and he has helped me
out a lot," Roth stated to KFFL. "I felt like I competed, but they
weren't my personal bests. It's hard to try to pull off those types
of numbers at the combine with little sleep."

"Yeah, (I was) in the weight room more. You have more time to focus
on training to prepare for the combine," Northern Colorado's Jackson
said.

White was mostly focused on his running.

"We worked a lot harder on sprints... learning how to run a 40
properly," he said.

When in comes to improvement, each player extended their self
critiques.

"Of course, I believe there is always room for improvement. I have
been exposed to some great coaches at the Senior Bowl. Running routes
and beating defenders is one thing I have been told to work on. You
don't hear things like that in college," Jackson put forth.

White did not elaborate, but he did note that he feels his
intermediate routes could use some work.

Roth offered similar sentiments as White did, simply leaving it at
learning professional schemes better is an area he wants to improve.

The Intangibles
With Jackson and White both being from smaller schools, each player
feels it has negatively impacted their draft stock to some extent.
How much has yet to be seen, of course.

"It does. If I went to a bigger school I would be the first wide
receiver taken. It's a small school, not as good talent they say you
play against. I am at a disadvantage because of this," White told
KFFL.

Jackson took a slightly different angle by saying, "it depends; from
team-to-team it varies. Overall, yes because they will bring up the
level of competition. Some scouts will be hesitant to throw a lot at
you (a first-round selection). Overall, talking with position coaches
in the NFL they seem to understand that was the best I could do
within my situation."

Well, putting things into perspective, two prominent wide receivers
from "little schools" in the South that didn't play against the same
level of competition as the "bigger schools" turned out just fine. Do
the names Jerry Rice and Terrell Owens ring a bell?

Roth, speaking on his trademark intensity, said, "it's an aggressive
game, and I hope I can keep doing what I do."

Making the "Big Jump"
Each player took a moment to tell KFFL what their feelings were on
making the transition to the professional level.

"Getting on the field. It's going to be hard getting there. The speed
of the game picks up more from college. You have to learn quick or
you get left behind," White noted.

Jackson simply gave props to the NFL by saying, "The level of
competition - it's the best athletes in the world. I don't believe
there is better football anywhere!"

Seeking Advice
"No, I haven't. I have been so busy on the road visiting teams. I
haven't had much time. I've been trying to catch up. I have heard
some stuff from coaches about what to expect," Jackson said in an
exhausted tone.

White added, "I talked to a couple players and they gave me advice on
what to do for getting in shape."

"Yes, work hard, but enjoy the ride. Get prepared for minicamps and
get after it," Iowa's star defensive end Roth told KFFL.

Player Comparison in the Prospect's Eyes
We asked each prospect who they most likened their style of play to
among current NFL players. Each player was humble in their response,
providing very candid answers along the way.

"I'm kind of like (Indianapolis Colts WR) Reggie Wayne or (Cincinnati
Bengals WR) Chad Johnson in playing style. T.O. (Philadelphia Eagles
WR Terrell Owens) would be my favorite player," White said.

"(Bengals DE) Justin Smith, Atlanta defensive ends Brady Smith and
Patrick Kerney. (Colts DE) Dwight Freeney, (Bengals DE) Justin smith
and (Dolphins DE) Jason Taylor (are my favorites) - tough guys who
play with intensity like (Ravens LB) Ray Lewis," the soft-spoken Roth
noted.

"A lot of the bigger receivers. I don't know too many players that I
resemble. (Eagles WR) Terrell Owens, maybe?" Jackson jovially said.

Closing Statements
Each player was given the chance to provide a bit of an inside look
at what kind of player they are for those who are not familiar with
their style.

"I am a big-time player. I make a lot of plays. I can play with
anybody," White said confidently.

Roth took a very simplistic approach, with a bit of laughter included
when he said, "I'm a football player!"

"I am just a hard-hat kind of guy. I come to work and love the game.
I have a lot of fun doing it. I am a humble person and enjoy what the
game has done for me. I have skills that are pretty rare and I want
to develop those even more," Jackson modestly noted to KFFL.

A Special Thanks
From everyone at KFFL, a big "thank you" goes out to each player who
took the time out of their very busy schedules to sit down with us
and provide you some extended insight as to what goes on during the
months and weeks heading into the draft weekend.

Best of luck to each prospect during the draft and to each NFL
veteran during the upcoming 2005 season!

We will return with our final NFL Draft Grapevine following the draft
rating the best and worst of the 2005 NFL Draft. In the mean time, be
sure to stay tuned to KFFL through out the weekend for all of the
latest news and information surrounding the draft.

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© Copyright 2005 KFFL

April 21, 2005 11:54 PM ET
Jaguars:  Garrard signs a long-term extension
The News
Jaguars backup quarterback David Garrard signed a three-year contract
extension with the club on Thursday that will pay him a $2 million
signing bonus, reports the team's website. He was already under
contract for this season and could have become a free agent next
offseason. "I definitely have a spiritual side to me. Jacksonville
tells me how much they love me. If that's my calling, to be here as a
backup my entire career, well, it's not a bad thing," Garrard told
the site after the deal was reported. "It's not what I want, but a
lot of times it's not about what I want."

Our View
Perhaps Garrard didn't realize that if he wanted to be a starter, he
could have not signed the extension and tested the free-agent market
next winter to see if another team would have let him start. Oh well,
too late now. Jacksonville did give him permission to seek a trade
earlier this offseason, but no team was willing to match their price
tag of a first-round pick. He started two games for the Jags last
season while Bryon Leftwich was injured, but failed to throw for even
200 yards in either of them. He doesn't have any fantasy value going
to this season.

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April 21, 2005 10:09 PM ET
Seahawks:  Brown released
The News
The Seahawks released linebacker Chad Brown on Thursday after they
were unable to convince him to agree on a restructured contract,
according to an ESPN website report. The 12-year veteran was a key
member of the Hawks' defense throughout his eight-year run with the
team. However, he has been plagued by injuries, which caused him to
miss 19 games over the last two seasons.

Our View
After the team reached an agreement with free agent linebacker Jamie
Sharper earlier this month, Brown rejected an incentive-based
contract proposal that would have paid him $1 million in guaranteed
money this season. He was seeking between $1.5 million and $2 million
in guaranteed pay, but team officials refused to budge and elected to
cut him to save salary cap space.

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April 21, 2005 10:06 PM ET
Redskins:  Ramsey gets the dreaded vote of confidence
The News
With rumors swirling that the Redskins are planning to select a
quarterback with one of their two first-round picks in this weekend's
draft, head coach Joe Gibbs played damage control with quarterback
Patrick Ramsey on Thursday. "Patrick knows how we feel about him,"
Gibbs told the team's official website. "We are trying to get
everything around him we can so he can do every single thing he has
to do to get us going into the playoffs." Gibbs even went so far as
to refer to Ramsey as "our starting quarterback."

Our View
On Wednesday, the buzz was that the Skins had acquired the No. 25
overall pick from the Broncos with the intent of selecting Auburn
quarterback Jason Campbell. The rumors took another twist on Thursday
when it was reported by ESPN that the Skins have discussed the
possibility of acquiring the No. 1 pick from the 49ers in order to
select Utah signal caller Alex Smith. Either way, it's not looking
good for Ramsey's long-term future as the starter in Washington.

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April 21, 2005 9:32 PM ET
Seahawks:  Pathon lands in crowded nest
The News
The Seahawks signed free agent wide receiver Jerome Pathon signed a
deal with the Seahawks on Thursday, according to the Seattle Times.
Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. The 29 year-old wideout
spent the last three seasons with the Saints, and he also had a stay
with the Colts. Pathon has logged 259 receptions for 3,332 yards and
15 touchdowns.

Our View
The Hawks' wide receiver corps is suddenly overstocked with talent.
In addition to the usual suspects of Darrell Jackson, Koren Robinson,
and Bobby Engram, the team also signed Joe Jurevicius earlier in the
offseason. Where Pathon fits on the crowded depth chart remains to be
seen.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 21, 2005 7:21 PM ET
Seahawks:  Dyson inks a five-year deal
The News
The Titans lost their second starting cornerback of the offseason on
Thursday when Andre Dyson signed a five-year, $17.5 million contract
to join the Seahawks' secondary. ESPN's Len Pasquarelli is reporting
that the deal contains $6 million of guaranteed money, including a $3
million signing bonus.

Our View
Dyson spurned offers from the Titans and Jets to join the Seahawks
and start alongside of Marcus Trufant. The acquisition of Dyson helps
soften the blow of losing cornerback Ken Lucas, who departed to the
Panthers in March. The Titans now need to address their cornerback
situation in Saturday's draft. They are in position to get a good one
with the sixth selection in the first round and will likely be the
first team to take one off the board.

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April 21, 2005 12:31 PM ET
Vikings:  Studwell denies interest in picking a kicker
The News
Vikings' director of college scouting Scott Studwell said Wednesday
that he is not in favor of selecting a kicker in this weekend's
draft. "Personally, I don't want to," Studwell told the St. Paul
Pioneer Press. "Kickers and punters are a little bit different. They
kind of need to bounce around the league for a year or two or three
before they finally settle in and gain the kind of confidence and the
kind of consistency you're looking for." The Vikings hold the No. 7
and No. 18 overall picks in the draft.

Our View
Vikings' fans should hope that Studwell is putting up a smokescreen,
because the team desperately needs a kicker. There has been
speculation that the Vikings will use their second-round pick to
acquire former Ohio State kicker Mike Nugent if he is still
available. The inconsistent Aaron Elling is currently listed as the
top kicker on the team's depth chart.

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April 21, 2005 12:21 PM ET
Lions:  Hakim to be traded or released
The News
Due to the signing of wide receiver Kevin Johnson on Wednesday, it
appears the Lions will release or trade wideout Az-Zahir Hakim in the
near future, according to the Michigan Live website. Johnson was
signed to play the No. 3 receiver role, which was occupied by Hakim
for the last three seasons.

Our View
Hakim is scheduled to make $2.4 million this season, whereas Johnson
signed a one-year deal worth $1 million. From a money perspective,
unloading Hakim is a no-brainer for the Lions.

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April 21, 2005 12:09 PM ET
Packers:  Nall signs one-year tender
The News
The Packers re-signed restricted free agent Craig Nall to a one-year,
$656,000 contract tender on Monday, according to Thursday's Milwaukee
Journal-Sentinel. The three-year veteran is currently listed as the
No. 2 quarterback on the depth chart.

Our View
Nall's stint as the No. 2 quarterback might not last long, as the
Packers could be in the market to draft a signal caller this weekend.
Rumor has it that Packers' officials are high on former Akron
quarterback Charlie Frye, who will likely be a second-round pick. The
Packers hold the No. 24 pick in the first round, which is about the
time that Auburn quarterback Jason Campbell is projected to be
picked.

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April 21, 2005 11:50 AM ET
Raiders:  Defensive upgrade sought with first-round pick
The News
The Raiders traded back into the first round, acquiring the 26th
overall selection from the Jets in the deal that sent tight end Doug
Jolley to the Big Apple. That pick is expected to net the Raiders
secondary help, possibly in the form of Oklahoma safety Brodney Pool.

Our View
The Raiders may also seek a cornerback to replace recently traded
Philip Buchanon, though the position is deep and they may be able to
wait until the second round to address that need. Another possible
use for the freshly acquired first-rounder would be defensive line
help such as Iowa's Matt Roth, Florida State's Travis Johnson, or
USC's Shaun Cody.

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April 21, 2005 11:49 AM ET
Rams:  Tucker finds new home
The News
The Rams signed free agent offensive guard Rex Tucker to a one-year
contract on Wednesday. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the
deal is worth $590,000 and includes a $50,000 signing bonus. Tucker
was released by the Bears on Monday due to the numerous injuries he's
suffered over the last few years.

Our View
The Rams are willing to roll the dice on Tucker, who has only
appeared in 11 games over the last three seasons, because they are
downright desperate for offensive line help.

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April 21, 2005 11:41 AM ET
Chiefs:  Deal for Surtain still not done
The News
With Saturday's NFL draft fast approaching, the Chiefs have still not
increased their offer of a fourth-round pick for Dolphins cornerback
Patrick Surtain. "We're running out of time to get it done for this
particular draft," Chiefs president Carl Peterson told the Miami
Herald. "It's not something that can be done on draft day. There are
too many things that need to happen."

Our View
Among the hoops the trade would need to jump through are Surtain
passing a physical and his new contract with the Chiefs receiving
league approval. Regardless of whether or not they get Surtain, the
Chiefs may still take a corner with their first-round pick, the 15th
overall.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 21, 2005 11:37 AM ET
Dolphins:  Saban threatens to take Edwards
The News
Hoping to drum up trade interest for the Dolphins' second overall
pick in this weekend's draft, Miami coach Nick Saban indicated the
Fins may select Michigan wide receiver Braylon Edwards if the 49ers
take the Dolphins' preferred quarterback with the first selection.

Our View
The Dolphins want Utah's Alex Smith, but right now Smith's agent is
playing hardball with the 49ers which could lead San Fran to select
Cal's Aaron Rodgers. If that's the case, Miami will likely stay at
the two spot and grab Smith. However, the Dolphins would love to add
picks and could be persuaded to trade down even if Smith is still on
the board—and especially if he's gone.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 21, 2005 11:28 AM ET
Redskins:  Portis defends Taylor
The News
Redskins' running back Clinton Portis said Wednesday that safety Sean
Taylor is boycotting the team's offseason workout program so that he
can time away from football. "Going through all the bad pub that he
took, you just need time away from football," Portis told the
Associated Press. "I think Sean's in shape. He looks good. He's
training." Taylor and wide receiver Santana Moss are the only players
who are not taking part in the Skins' offseason workout program.

Our View
The least Taylor could do is return the phone calls of head coach Joe
Gibbs. Instead, he's been ignoring the coach's calls while working
out with former Miami-FLA alumni in Florida. There's also the issue
of the seven-year, $18 million contract that Taylor signed last
season, yet is already asking the team to restructure. The contract
issue, more than the need for time away, appears to be the real
reason behind Taylor's boycott.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 21, 2005 11:21 AM ET
Panthers:  Rouen to replace Sauerbrun
The News
The Panthers signed free agent punter Tom Rouen to a one-year
contract on Wednesday. The Charlotte Observer reports that the deal
is worth the veteran minimum and includes a $25,000 signing bonus.
The 12-year veteran, who spent the last two seasons with the
Seahawks, has a 43.6-yard career punting average.

Our View
Rouen was signed to replace Todd Sauerbrun, who has been with the
team for the last four seasons. Panthers' officials became frustrated
with the 10-year veteran last season when he told reporters he
wouldn't fill in for injured kicker John Kasay unless the team
returned some of the money he was fined for failing to meet his
weight limit. He was also arrested on drunk driving charges and was
later revealed as one of three Panthers who obtained illegal
performance enhancing drugs from a South Carolina physician.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 21, 2005 11:19 AM ET
Seahawks:  Alexander balks at pleas to sign
The News
Seahawks' head coach Mike Holmgren was among the party of three
Seahawks' officials who met with Shaun Alexander two weeks ago, yet
were unable to convince the veteran running back to sign his
franchise tender, according to Thursday's Seattle Times. Alexander
will not be allowed to workout at team headquarters until he signs
the tender.

Our View
This may have been a last ditch effort from management to sign
Alexander rather than trade him. Team officials have made it known
that they are willing to trade the reigning NFC rushing champion for
a second-round pick in this weekend's draft.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 21, 2005 11:00 AM ET
Cowboys:  Cundiff signs one-year deal
The News
The Cowboys re-signed exclusive rights free agent kicker Billy
Cundiff to a one-year contract on Wednesday. The Dallas Morning News
reports that the deal is worth $540,000. Cundiff converted 20-of-26
field goals last season.

Our View
Cundiff was on the verge of losing his job to veteran Matt Bryant
during the 2004 training camp when the latter kicker suffered a back
injury. The Cowboys have not indicated whether they intend to bring
in a kicker to challenge Cundiff in training camp again this year, so
fantasy owners should just assume that the three-year veteran will be
the man again this season.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 21, 2005 10:55 AM ET
Titans:  Kassell offer sheet matched
The News
The Titans matched the offer sheet linebacker Brad Kassell signed
with the Lions last week, meaning the restricted free agent will
remain in Tennessee and receive a one-year, $1 million contract.

Our View
Kassell started 14 games last season and is expected to open camp as
the Titans' starting middle linebacker.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 21, 2005 10:53 AM ET
Saints:  Haslett targeting linebackers
The News
Jim Haslett admitted Wednesday that he will acquire a linebacker on
draft day. However, the Saints' head coach declined to say whether he
will use a first-round pick on a linebacker. "I'd like to get another
linebacker somewhere," Haslett told the New Orleans Times-
Picayune. "Whether that's the first round or not, I don't know. We're
going to take the player that can help our team the most." The Saints
hold the No. 16 overall pick in this weekend's draft.

Our View
The Saints missed out on Jonathan Vilma and D.J. Williams in the 2004
draft. They made failed efforts to sign free agents Antonio Pierce
and Ian Gold last month. They even made a pitch to acquire Cowboys'
linebacker Dat Nguyen within the last few weeks. In other words, this
team has been actively pursuing linebacker help for over a year now,
so it seems fairly obvious that they are targeting linebackers with
their first-round pick.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 21, 2005 10:33 AM ET
Panthers:  Draft signs
The News
Free agent linebacker Chris Draft signed with the Panthers on
Wednesday, according to the Charlotte Observer. Terms of the deal
have not been disclosed. Draft was released by the Falcons earlier
this month after the team signed free agent Edgerton Hartwell. Draft
started 13 games last season and finished the year with 81 tackles.

Our View
The Panthers added some linebacker depth by signing the five-year
veteran, who will likely serve as insurance for starter Mark Fields,
who missed the 2003 season with Hodgkin's disease.

ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli reports the Oakland Raiders have traded TE
Doug Jolley to the New York Jets for the Jets' first-round draft
choice, No. 26 overall. It is also believed the Raiders, in addition
to Jolley, sent a second-round draft choice to the Jets.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

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© Copyright 2005 KFFL

April 20, 2005 11:13 PM ET
Jets:  Jolley costs the team a first-rounder
The News
The Raiders traded tight end Doug Jolley, a second-round pick, and a
pair of sixth-rounders to the Jets on Wednesday night in exchange for
New York's first- and seventh-round selections in Saturday's draft,
according to ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli. The second-rounder that the
Raiders shipped to the Jets is the No. 47 overall pick, which they
got in Tuesday's trade with the Texans. Oakland still retains their
original second-round selection, which is the 38th overall pick.
Jolley caught 27 balls for 313 yards and two scores in 13 starts for
the Raiders last season.

Our View
Jolley will compete with Chris Baker during training camp to be the
Jets' top tight end, but we doubt they would give up a first-round
pick and then let him sit on the bench. The Jets were in a position
to draft Virgina tight end Heath Miller, the top tight end in this
year's class, with their No. 26 pick on Saturday, but clearly felt
that he either wasn't as good as Jolley or would be off the board
when their pick came up.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 20, 2005 7:17 PM ET
Lions:  Johnson coming to Motown for a year
The News
The Lions signed receiver Kevin Johnson to a one-year contract on
Wednesday, reports ESPN.com's John Clayton. Financial terms of the
deal were not disclosed. Johnson caught 35 passes for 373 yards and
one touchdown while in a Ravens uniform last season.

Our View
Johnson will serve as the Lions' fourth receiver this season, behind
the likes of Roy Williams, Charles Rogers and Az Hakim. He won't see
much playing time if everyone stays healthy, but considering that
Rogers has played in only six games in his two years in the league,
Johnson is a nice piece of insurance for Detroit.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 20, 2005 2:55 PM ET
Browns:  Simms could wind up in Cleveland
The News
If the Buccaneers trade up to acquire quarterback Alex Smith in this
weekend's draft, one rumor has current Buc backup Chris Simms headed
to Cleveland. The St. Petersburg Times and SI.com both speculate that
should Smith wind up in Tampa, Simms could be dealt to the Browns for
draft picks.

Our View
Tampa would have to part with a few draft choices to move up to get
Smith, likely with Miami's second selection, and trading Simms would
recoup at least one or two of those later-round picks. Getting Simms
as their quarterback of the future would also soften the Browns' blow
of missing out on Smith and Aaron Rodgers by allowing them to take
Braylon Edwards or Shawne Merriman.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 20, 2005 2:21 PM ET
Chargers:  Scott signs one-year deal
The News
Restricted free agent defensive end DeQuincy Scott signed a one-year
contract to return to the Chargers for the 2005 season.

Our View
Scott recorded 19 tackles and 1.5 sacks last season as a reserve, a
role he is expected to fill again this year.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 20, 2005 2:19 PM ET
Chiefs:  Boerigter signs tender
The News
Wide receiver Marc Boerigter accepted the Chiefs' one-year, $656,000
tender and will return to the team for the 2005 season.

Our View
Boerigter sat out the entire 2004 season after tearing a knee
ligament in the preseason. His best NFL season to date was his 2002
debut, when he scored eight touchdowns.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 20, 2005 2:17 PM ET
Bills:  Matthews close to return
The News
Quarterback Shane Matthews has reached a verbal agreement to return
to the Bills for the 2005 season, a source close to the quarterback
told the Buffalo News.

Our View
The 12-year veteran would back up J.P. Losman and Kelly Holcomb.
Matthews knows the system and would be an excellent tutor for
Buffalo's first-year starter as well.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 20, 2005 11:59 AM ET
Packers:  Walker involved in jet-ski accident
The News
Packers' wide receiver Javon Walker suffered a head injury during a
jet-ski accident last week in Miami, according to the Milwaukee
Journal-Sentinel. The injury was serious enough that it required
stitches and caused him to cancel a public appearance that was
scheduled for last week. "Javon is 100 percent fine," agent Drew
Rosenhaus told the Journal-Sentinel on Tuesday. "I just saw him. He's
never been better." Walker led the Packers in receiving last season
with 89 receptions for 1,382 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Our View
Assuming his agent isn't fibbing, Walker should be able to take part
in minicamp workouts. The real question is whether he'll attend the
workouts or boycott in protest of his current contract. There has
been speculation that the primary reason Javon hired Rosenhaus during
the offseason is because he wants the team to restructure the six-
year, $7.485 million contract he signed in 2002.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 20, 2005 11:58 AM ET
Cowboys:  Barnes signs one-year tender
The News
The Cowboys re-signed restricted free agent Darian Barnes to a one-
year contract on Tuesday. The Dallas Morning News reports that the
deal is worth $655,000. Barnes started 10 games at fullback for the
Cowboys last season.

Our View
Darian will serve as the lead blocker for running back Julius Jones
this season. Barnes, a three-year veteran, has only taken five
carries in his career, so he does not have any fantasy value.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 20, 2005 11:56 AM ET
Lions:  Kosier contract sticks
The News
The 49ers have declined to match the contract offer the Lions made to
restricted free agent offensive lineman Kyle Kosier. "The fact
(Detroit's offer sheet) was a one-year contract, and that he would
become an unrestricted free agent next season made signing Kyle less
appealing," Niners' head coach Mike Nolan told the Associated Press
on Tuesday.

Our View
Kosier played for Lions' head coach Steve Mariucci and offensive line
coach Pat Morris when both coaches were in San Francisco. Kosier
could fill a big hole at the starting right tackle position, which
was vacated by Stockar McDougle, who left Detroit via free agency.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 20, 2005 11:41 AM ET
Packers:  Kampman staying put
The News
Packers' officials will not only match the contract offer the Vikings
issued to restricted free agent Aaron Kampman, they will offer him a
long-term deal, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Last
week, the Vikings offered Kampman a $1.2 million contract, which the
Packers have a week to match. With tomorrow's deadline approaching,
the Packers will likely match the offer and then begin long-term
contract discussions.

Our View
The Vikings got what they wanted out of this deal by forcing the
Packers to spend nearly double the amount they would have paid
Kampman had he not received any offers during the free agency period.
By re-signing Kampman, the Packers will retain a defensive starter
and prevent him from joining a division rival.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 20, 2005 11:28 AM ET
Miller arrested a week before the draft
The News
Former Clemson cornerback Justin Miller was arrested on Saturday and
charged with public disorderly conduct and noise violation, according
to Wednesday's Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Prior to his arrest,
Miller was expected to be a late first round pick in this weekend's
draft. He also lost his driver's license in 2002 after pleading
guilty to a drunk driving charge.

Our View
Miller's draft stock was on the rise until he decided to the world
that he's a high life man. It absolutely baffles us when players get
arrested this close to draft day. Whatever partying Justin did last
weekend will cost him a fortune if teams shy away from him on draft
day.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 20, 2005 11:07 AM ET
Eagles:  Heckert downplays contract issues
The News
Eagles' vice president of player personnel Tom Heckert isn't fretting
over the contract demands of wide receiver Terrell Owens and some of
his teammates. "That stuff will all get worked out one way or
another," Heckert is quoted as saying in Wednesday's Philadelphia
Inquirer. "I think we kind of control who's here and who's not here
unless people are planning on retiring. So, it's really not going to
affect us a whole heck of a lot." Owens has asked the team to
restructure the seven-year contract he signed last season.

Our View
The situation with Owens combined with the team's desire to unload
mouthy wideout Freddie Mitchell might lead them to select at least
one wide receiver in the draft this weekend. However, the team also
has defensive line issues, so they are far from a lock to select a
wideout with the No. 31 overall pick.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 20, 2005 10:54 AM ET
Cowboys:  Hunter seeks trade
The News
Cowboys' defensive back Pete Hunter is not happy with his role on the
team and is seeking a trade. The three-year veteran is upset because
the team has moved him from cornerback to safety. "I don't think I'm
a safety," Hunter told the Dallas Morning News on Tuesday. "That's
what guys do when they've lost a step or two. I don't think I've done
that." Hunter missed 13 games last year with a torn knee ligament.

Our View
Pete is also upset that the Cowboys signed free agent cornerback
Anthony Henry, who is expected to assume the starting role that
Hunter held before he blew out his knee last year. Hunter's agent has
talked with the Cardinals and Jaguars regarding a potential trade,
but a deal does not appear to be imminent.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 20, 2005 10:38 AM ET
Panthers:  Jones signs one-year deal
The News
The Panthers signed free agent tight end Freddie Jones to a one-year
contract on Tuesday. The deal is worth $690,000 and includes a
$25,000 signing bonus, according to the Charlotte Observer. Jones
will compete with Kris Mangum for the starting job during training
camp. The eight-year veteran logged 45 receptions for 426 yards and
two touchdowns with the Cardinals last season.

Our View
Freddie figures to be the featured tight end in the passing game, as
Mangum is more of a blocker than a receiver. As such, it appears
Jones will be the better fantasy option heading into training camp.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 20, 2005 10:27 AM ET
Falcons:  Shaffer re-signs
The News
The Falcons re-signed restricted free agent offensive tackle Kevin
Shaffer on Tuesday, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed. Shaffer started
15 games for the Falcons last season.

Our View
After losing starting guard Roberto Garza in free agency, the Falcons
couldn't afford to lose another starter. With Shaffer locked in, four
of Atlanta's five starting offensive linemen from last year will
return.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 20, 2005 12:02 AM ET
Redskins:  Campbell targeted with newly acquired pick
The News
After acquiring the No. 25 overall pick in this weekend's draft from
the Broncos on Tuesday, the Redskins are hoping to use it to select
former Auburn quarterback Jason Campbell, according to an ESPN
website report. Campbell logged a 31-8 record as a starter for the
Tigers. The Redskins also hold the No. 9 overall pick in the draft.

Our View
If this report is accurate, Patrick Ramsey's days as the starter in
Washington could be coming to an end. Skins' scouts feel that
Campbell is at the same level as top-rated rookie signal callers Alex
Smith (Utah) and Aaron Rodgers (California), and it appears team
officials were willing to part with a third-round pick this season
and first- and fourth-round picks in 2006 to get their man.

By J.J. Pesavento, Edited by Cory J. Bonini
Wisconsin DT Anttaj Hawthorne has been one of the more talked about
prospects in the 2005 draft. But, he has to be accustomed to the hype
considering his much-heralded football career.

Hawthorne made a big name for himself and drew a great deal of
attention at Hamden (Conn.) High School. He was a three-time all-
state selection, garnering All-America honors from USA Today, ESPN
and Super Prep. Coming out of the prep ranks, he was rated as a top-
10 prospect by Tom Lemming's Prep Football Report.

Once at the University of Wisconsin, Hawthorne wasted little time
making his presence known. He saw action in 11-of-12 games during his
freshman year. By the end of the season, he was starting at nose
guard for the Badgers.

In 2002, Hawthorne started every game for the Badgers at defensive
tackle, and led all defensive linemen with 68 total tackles. He also
had two sacks, two fumble recoveries, seven tackles for losses and 12
quarterback hurries. He would make his sophomore campaign appear
mediocre with his performance the next season.

In 2003, Hawthorne put himself on the map by leading the team with 20
tackles for losses. He again led all linemen with 75 total tackles,
adding four sacks, two forced fumbles and five quarterback hurries.
His efforts would earn him All-Big Ten honors from the media.

In his final season with Wisconsin, Hawthorne entered the season as a
preseason All-America selection by The Sporting News, Lindy's and
Street and Smith's. He accounted for 42 tackles, six sacks, 11.5
tackles for losses, one fumble recovery and an interception.

Hawthorne would close out his college career at Wisconsin with 41
consecutive starts and be an All-Big Ten selection his senior season.
He would also earn Honorable Mention All-America honors from Sports
Illustrated and be s third-string All-American selection by The NFL
Report.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

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POSITIVES
Hawthorne has the big body NFL teams look for in a defensive tackle.
He is extremely quick off the ball, which helps him penetrate and
blow up plays in the backfield. He is naturally strong, and plays
with good power and leverage at the point of attack. He tackles well
and shows the agility to get to ball carriers in the short area. He
can create pressure with his quickness and push the pocket. He is a
very mature young man, well respected by his coaches and teammates at
Wisconsin.

NEGATIVES
While Hawthorne is quick off the ball, he lacks elite speed and
athleticism. He does not have a good closing burst on the quarterback
and will not chase down ball carriers on the perimeter. He does not
use his hands well at times, which will result in him struggling with
double teams. Hawthorne also has had problems fending off low blocks
because of his lack of hand skills. His stamina could be better and
he is soft around the middle. He tested positive for marijuana at the
combine, but it is not expected to greatly affect his draft stock.

SUMMARY
While his numbers were down in 2004, Hawthorne still has to be
considered one of the elite at the position in a 2005 draft class
that is lacking at the defensive tackle position. He has enough power
and quickness to be real nightmare for opposing offenses in the NFL
in the right system. He plays smart and with a good level of
intensity. He has proven that he can produce at a high level, but the
doubts seem to persist.

Hawthorne did himself no favors by not impressing at the NFL Combine
in February. While he improved on most of his Combine numbers at his
Pro Day in early March, his value still isn't what it once was. The
one knock on Hawthorne appears to be his inconsistency. He appears to
coast, or offer less than maximum effort at times. But some attribute
that to his stamina, or lack thereof.

Hawthorne has the skills to play at the pro level, but he also needs
some work in more than one area. While his stock may not be
improving, he should be off the board in the second round.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

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Complete Fantasy Package. The Complete Fantasy Package is a
combination of six services from KFFL that includes NFL and MLB
services. Subscribers save over 40 percent if everything was
purchased individually.

Let's be honest, you just can't beat that anywhere and you know KFFL
is the one company in the industry that produces everything from
scratch with original content and a track record to boot!

Complete Fantasy Package - 365 Days a Year

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Other KFFL Resources
Premium Subscription Services
KFFL produces several fantasy football and fantasy baseball
publications designed to keep you informed and help you make winning
decisions. Click here to find out more.

Contact Us
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and reach millions of unique users? Please let us know! Click here

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please click here.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

This publication may be freely redistributed if copied in its
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© Copyright 2005 KFFL