Post Draft Jottings: Taking a Look Around - 5/08/05

Once again the draft has come and gone and like many other draftniks out there, I’m going through some withdrawal. I’ve never been one to look forward to the next year’s draft (which, by the way, will have more talent in it than this past one) because things will just change too much by then. I also don’t want to get too many preconceived notions about players I’ll be watching next fall. That said, let’s go back to what we’ve just been through, the 2005 draft, and take a look at what the teams that will be impacting the Steelers did.

Cleveland Browns
Normally I would start out alphabetically in the AFC North but I wanted to touch on Cleveland first. The reason? It looks like their 2004 draft pick has stolen the headlines again. For those of you who are unaware, Kellen Winslow II decided to ignore his contract (the one he held out so long for) and started riding motorcycles. Well, one inexperienced rider and one parking lot curb later, he’s in the hospital with numerous injuries. The biggest one of which appears to be a right knee injury that may just end his career at worst and severely hamper it at best. Now I can go into how incredibly stupid this was on his part but I’ll refrain. I could also go into how seeing a cocky, privileged jerk of guy with a never ending sense of entitlement possibly losing his NFL career and kind of warming the cockles of my heart a little bit, but I won’t because it just wouldn’t be nice. What I will mention is that this will once again hurt the Browns’ offense but not nearly as much as it did last year. For some reason last season the staff of Butch Davis decided to run somewhere between 50-75% of their offenses through their unproven, rookie TE. Call me crazy but I think I can see why Davis is no longer coaching in Cleveland. I personally don’t think this injury will have near the impact on this year’s team as last just because Romeo Crennel doesn’t strike me as that much of an idiot. Whatever the result for the Browns, you just have to wonder sometimes if this team’s drafts are cursed. Either that or they have just had the wrong people in charge. That’s changed once again and the Browns were back at it. Here’s a quick peek:

1. Braylon Edwards WR Michigan. A nice addition but a bad team would have to hope that a top three pick would net them more than a WR who has had a somewhat uneven career. If I were running the Browns (yuck, no thanks) I would’ve done anything possible to trade down and add more players. The Vikings’ two picks in round one would have been more than enough. As it is, the Browns added a nice receiver who may not have anybody that can get him the ball.
2. Brodney Pool FS Oklahoma. An athletic free safety who had a better sophomore season than as a junior. I’m not so sure that a team that has holes everywhere can take these kinds of gambles. He looks like he can play but I would’ve addressed one of the lines here.
3. Charlie Frye QB Akron. For the second straight year the Brownies take their “QB of the future” in the third round. Yeah, I’m sure this one will work out better. I’m not as big a fan of his as many other folks are, I just don‘t like QBs with bad O-lines that have small hands. How many turnovers per year will he be averaging just based on that? Should’ve drafted defense or offensive line here.
4. Antonio Perkins CB Oklahoma. This one I like. He’ll give them immediate help on special teams and may even press for a starting job in the secondary. Great value on day two because too many other teams were reaching for corner prospects on day one.

The rest: David McMillan, Nick Speegle, Andrew Hoffman and Jon Dunn. Of the bunch, I think Crennel might be able to turn the DE McMillan into a pass rushing LB with some work. As for the rest, I can’t see much more than marginal depth on a marginal team. There were better players left undrafted in my opinion.

I was looking through Pro Football Weekly and noticed that they gave this draft an A+. They must be grading on the same kind of curves our public schools use because I just don’t understand it. It looks like C work to me but then again; we have to improve the self-esteem of all those folks in Cleveland.

Baltimore Ravens
It pains me to say it but I really like the job the Ravens did in the draft. It’s not unusual for them though, they always seem to add some good talent no matter where they draft. I think their secret is known as K.I.S.S. In other words, Keep It Simple, Stupid. As other teams are out there reaching for lesser talent that fits their needs or just plain reaching for talent, the Ravens sit back and wait for better players than they deserve to fall to them. This past draft was no exception.

1. Mark Clayton WR Oklahoma. Clayton might just be the most NFL ready receiver in the draft this year. He has speed, hands, route running ability and is tough as nails. He may not be huge but he has everything else that could lead him to become an outstanding NFL player. Everything but a competent QB to throw him the ball but he may just have enough talent to be able to overcome even Kyle Boller.
2. Dan Cody DE Oklahoma. Somehow, some great names like Lofa Tatupu, Mike Nugent and Nick Collins were selected before Cody in the second round. Sometimes I just have to shake my head in disbelief. Sure there is some concern about Cody getting so excited on the field he might pass out but is it really a terrible thing to have an emotional defender? Ask the Browns, they keep drafting guys that couldn’t get excited if they were on fire. I’m guessing that Cody will be a headache for AFC North teams for years to come.
3. Adam Terry OT Syracuse. The Ravens traded up to land Terry in the second to acquire a desperately needed RT candidate. I’m not sure he’s the guy to do the job but you have to admire their ability to go out and get things done. After him, there really weren’t any starting caliber guys left on the board. It’ll cost them next year but for now, they may have found an answer at RT.
4. Jason Brown OC North Carolina. It just isn’t fair. How can a team that will be in need at the center position either this or next year find a starting caliber player in the fourth round? Especially after two teams ahead of them took lesser candidates. I guess that’s why we don’t see Cincinnati (Eric Ghiaciuc) and Buffalo (Duke Preston) in the playoffs that often.

The rest: Justin Green, Derek Anderson and Mike Smith rounded out the Ravens draft and may have knocked their overall effort down a bit. I like the pick of the QB Anderson; he may already be the best QB on their roster. The other guys were curious selections but I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt after their first day.

I have to give the hated Ravens a solid A for this past draft; they just keep adding talent and might have just added enough to overcome even Kyle Boller.

Cincinnati Bengals
This was a draft that started great then went down hill in a hurry. The Bengals are in need of some serious defensive help and they started off in that direction. Soon after though, they couldn’t resist adding to an offense that isn’t a problem and more specifically to the WR position, their deepest spot. I guess it should be expected, the Brown family still runs the team after all.

1. David Pollack DE Georgia. Pollack is one of my favorite guys in this draft. He would make a perfect rush linebacker in a 3-4 set. The problem here is that, unless things have changed, the Bengals still plan on using a 4-3. Now, that does not make Pollack a wasted pick, far from it. What it does though is decrease the amount of time that Pollack will be looking into the backfield and at the QB, which is his greatest skill. He is a playmaker and I just don’t think that the 4-3 strong-side LB position (where they are planning on using him) is going to allow him to be as good as he can be. Who knows, it’s a long way to training camp and things can change.
2. Odell Thurman LB Georgia. Next to Pollack will be his college teammate Thurman playing the middle. I’ve seen him play and he has some Kendrell Bell in him. His problems will come from his lack of ideal size to play the mike in a 4-3. If he can hold up, he’ll be a quality addition.
3. Chris Henry WR West Virginia. I once heard an NFL scout describe Henry as a “miserable human being”. It wasn’t really a secret and it has stuck with me ever since. Forget the talent, he has plenty, I just hate drafting players that come in with attitudes that big contracts are only going to enhance. Besides, it’s not like the Bengals were hurting at the WR position. Stupid pick here.

The rest: Two lineman from that super power Central Michigan, Eric Ghiaciuc and Adam Kieft plus another WR (Tab Perry, UCLA) and finally a project DE (Jonathan Fanene). The Bengals need help at center but could have done better and Kieft will give them depth. Perry is overkill and may signal the end of Peter Warrick while Fanene will be lucky to make the team.

In my opinion, not a real good draft once you get past the first two. I’ll give them a C-, not for the talent, but for who they chose and the non-need positions that they play. This was not the draft that will push them into the playoffs.

Outside of the division, we have…

New England Patriots
Maybe it’s just me but I think this is the second straight year that the Pats have spent more time reading their own press clippings instead of scouting reports. Sure, they’ve uncovered more diamonds than duds in the past but they seem to be either forgetting how they did what they did in the past or are trying to be too “Patriots”, that is, too cute. It’s the only way I can explain this year’s draft.

1. Logan Mankins OG Fresno St. Now, I like Mankins, I think he has a good future ahead of him as either a starting guard or a reserve swingman on the O-line. (Excuse me while I REACH for my beer). What the Pats are doing taking him in the first round is beyond me. Sure, he probably fits their system and would probably not be available with their second pick but come on; there was too much talent still available for this kind of move. They should have at least traded down and received some compensation for their reach. To me, he is very similar to the Steelers third rounder Trai Essex except that, unlike Essex, he was taken in the FIRST ROUND. Still scratching my head.
2. Ellis Hobbs CB Iowa St. This is another player I liked but not on day one and not for a team desperate for starting caliber corners. With his lack of size, Hobbs looks more like an effective nickel back than a player who you want on opponent’s top receivers. Trading down with Baltimore’s help may help the Pats next year but without adding a top corner, it still leaves them wanting in the secondary. Call me crazy but I don’t think Duane Starks is the only answer.
3. Nick Kaczur OT/OG Toledo. Here’s a player they finally drafted in the right area. He’s a real Patriots type of player who will add more depth to their offensive line. I consider him to be very similar to Mankins as far as what he can do for the team. Again, this pick might be a little odd though after taking Mankins in the first.

The rest: James Sanders, Ryan Claridge, Matt Cassel and Andrew Stokes were all taken to add depth but at some odd positions. I can see the SS Sanders coming in to apprentice behind Rodney Harrison and LBs like Claridge are always in demand in the Patriots’ defense. Cassel and Stokes though come at positions (QB and TE respectively) were the Patriots are considered pretty deep.

When I look at this draft I tend to smile, as I believe this is the Patriots second straight weak draft. They can’t continue to expect to draft role players and then fill in the cracks with cheap veterans when the cracks start to get wider and wider by the year. The Pats needed some serious secondary help from this draft and didn’t quite get it so I’m going to give them a C+ for the effort. They get the plus because even though they drafted at odd positions, they did pick up some good players.

New York Jets
The Jets thought so much of this year’s draft that they packed their bags and left the first round. They got a TE from the effort which filled one need and then after making an odd first pick, luck shined upon them and they got a player that they may have taken in the first round anyways.

1. Mike Nugent K Ohio St. Sure, Nugent is a fine kicker who was rated highly but I think he’s more of a cover draft choice for bad coaching. If Herm Edwards would’ve been a little more aggressive, he may not have forced his kicker (Doug Brien) to hit 40+ yard field goals in January in a stadium not known for kicking success. Other than that, Nugent looks like a good kicker but a bad draft pick here.
2. Justin Miller CB Clemson. Miller is a player who brings a lot of talent and a lot of questions. I mean, who in their right mind gets arrested a week before the draft for something as stupid as having too loud of a party. To me, it really gives you some insight into the guy’s character. If the Jets can get him to grow up, they have their first round talent. For me though, I would’ve booted him off my draft board.
3. Sione Pouha DT Utah. Here the Jets overreact to the loss of Jason Ferguson by taking a 26-year-old weight lifting wonder. He may be a capable role player but I don’t take those types of guys in the third round.
4. Kerry Rhodes FS Louisville. This pick makes a bit more sense in the talent starved Jets secondary. The question here is will he have enough speed to compete as a free safety or will it force the slow reacting Rhodes into the SS position. Of course, there are always questions on the second day of the draft but I like this pick anyways.
5. Andre Maddox SS NC St. Actually smaller than Rhodes, Maddox looks like a player that may be a “’tweener” at the safety position. Whether he ends up playing the strong or free safety position shouldn’t matter too much, the Jets just need some bodies back there.

The rest: Cedric Houston, Joel Dreessen and Harry Williams. I really like the picks of both Houston and Dreessen; they fill needs for the Jets well. Houston will compete at the reserve tailback position and Dreessen gives them options at either TE or the H-back position. I actually had Dreessen rated as a fourth rounder. As for Williams, he’ll need to contribute in the return game to make the team.

This is a draft that could be either very good or very bad, I’m not sure there is much middle ground here. My bet is that it will be more on the bad side, I just wonder too much about Miller’s head, the two safeties’ speed and Pouha all together. The grade, how about a C?

Indianapolis Colts
I’m not even going to break this one down pick-by-pick. It’s no secret that the Colts needed defensive help but the way they went about it just boggles the mind. In many defenses Marlin Jackson would make sense but on the fast turf of Indy, I can’t see how a slower turning corner makes much sense. In the second and third rounds they reached for late round names Kelvin Hayden and Vincent Burns. Both have more questions than answers and should not have gone so soon. On the second day they chased after more marginal names, seven in all, to fully finish off a wasted draft weekend for the Colts. In a few years they will be able to look back to this draft as to why the slipped into complete mediocrity. My final grade would be a resounding F.

I could keep breaking down other teams that may have an impact on the Steelers this year like the fine draft the Chargers put together and the complete disaster that the Broncos had. I could but I won’t just because I think the teams that will truly impact what the Steelers will be doing this season have already been mentioned. When you get right down to it though, I think the most relevant team to the fortunes of the Steelers is looking at them in the mirror. They had more than enough talent to win it all last year and with some more experience under his belt; the passing game of Ben Roethlisberger should dramatically improve this season. So, as far as I can tell, if they don’t find too many ways to beat themselves in key games (sadly, a Steelers specialty), I don’t think all of those other teams’ drafts will matter all that much.

Nuf fer now

Tim Campion