[Ben E Lou]

2001 AMATEUR DRAFT

I have the #1 and #4 picks. There is a DT I want from Kentucky, but he is the 3rd-best DT on the list (strong overall draft this year). I make a trade with the Redskins which brings me former Georgia Bulldog Champ Bailey! I give up the #1 pick and a #3 in 2002 and a #4 in 2003 for Bailey and the 1(10) pick this year. Bailey gives me my first superstar-rating type player, plus I still can make some solid draft picks. There are several solid SEC players in this draft, so I also pick up the 2(5) pick from Dallas for DT Kelvin Pritchett and a 4th rounder next year (since I'm going to have a rookie DT starting). Here's who I grab this year:

1(4): DT Clarence Deshell, Kentucky(3.4/7.1). Will start immediately. His ratings are 50/91, 53/100, 80.
1(10): G Bryan Hammond, LSU (2.4/7.4). Ratings are 45/100, 27/77, 83. Should be a great run blocker at guard.
2(1): LB Bernard McKenzie, LSU(3.4/7.3)--Immediate starter with near-maxed-out future potentials--36/84, 39/94, 38/95, 92. Yes!
2(5): FB Brent Meadows, Vandy (3.6/6.1). Solid all-around FB with a 100 rating in 3rd down running.
4(1): LB Andy Moore, USC (2.0/6.2)--93 potential in pass rush, mediocre elsewhere. Still probably good enough to start on this team.
5(1): RB Wayne Glover, Auburn (2.3,3.9)--Actually a half-decent looking RB for a 5th-rounder. Has a 52 breakaway rating, and nearly all potentials in 40's, 50's or 60's.

Overall, I'm thrilled with this draft, plus the acquistion of Champ Bailey. I should have one of the best defenses in the league within a couple of years with all the defensive talent I've picked up the last two years.