NFL Draft 2006

[miami_fan]

All right I know the draft is tomorrow. I figured we could start with the various trade rumors and/or players dropping and rising that we hear throughout the day.

I keep hearing the Dolphins will go with Chad Jackson. I really hope they go with a defensive pick specifically a DE.

[IwasHere]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

I keep hearing the Dolphins will go with Chad Jackson. I really hope they go with a defensive pick specifically a DE.

Are they going to move up? I don't think Jackson gets past the Eagles and Denver.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by IwasHere

Are they going to move up? I don't think Jackson gets past the Eagles and Denver.

I get the impression that Saban would actually like to move back instead of moving up. So no I don't think he moves up to get Jackson who I see as a #2 WR at best.

[Eaglesfan27]

Yeah, I strongly doubt Jackson gets past both the Eagles and Denver. I'm hoping the Eagles take him.

However, I think Jackson has the size and speed to be a good #1 receiver.

[ice4277]

Lions will draft a WR in the first round.

*I just wanted to get that one out of the way early. Carry on.*

[GreenMonster]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

I get the impression that Saban would actually like to move back instead of moving up. So no I don't think he moves up to get Jackson who I see as a #2 WR at best.

I hope Saban moves back and grabs Jason Allen or another CB/S.. I would like Manny Lawson too, imagine a LB core of Zack Thomas, Channing Crowder, Manny Lawson and then Jason Taylor as your hybrid up or down LB.. Sick..

[Sublime 2]

If for some reason he did slip all the way to 21 or the Pats moved up to grab him I'd be pretty happy. He'd be a nice addition after the loss of David Givens. I'm weary of Holmes and Moss though so if he wasn't there I say go LB or DB.

[General Mike]

Giants need a DT in the worst way, but I don't know who will be around when their pick comes up.

[JeeberD]

OLB Thomas Howard has a chance to become the first Miner selected in the first round since 1968...

[stevew]

Here's a good story about a possible late round prospect. I don't watch AFL, but hopefully someone who has seen him play could comment.

pssst, pumpy, i said AFL

Bagging the big prize
Former grocery clerk Bergeron on the verge of realizing NFL dreams

When deciding how to support his family, it’s rare for a football player to have to compare the money he would make playing football vs. the money he would make as a grocery clerk. It’s even more rare when the grocery store pays more.

Three years ago, Troy Bergeron left the college football team at Middle Tennessee State to support his pregnant girlfriend and his newborn son. The National Football League only fit into Bergeron’s dreams between midnight feedings.

Through sheer luck, football — in the form of the Arena Football League — found its way back into Bergeron’s life, and he is closing in on the improbable as a possible late-round selection in the upcoming 2006 NFL draft. For a guy who was not long ago making more money as a grocery store clerk than as a fledgling football player, Bergeron certainly appreciates the opportunity before him.
“I know what I’m playing for now; I’m playing for a job,” Bergeron said. “I’m playing for my family. So it’s not just coming out of college with a big head where you have been handed everything. I’ve had to work to get where I’m at.”

Spoken like a true working-class warrior.

While other college football players were rolling out of bed for 7 a.m. workouts, Bergeron would have already spent hours stocking shelves and bagging groceries. From 4 a.m. to 1 p.m., Bergeron would be making seven dollars an hour to put food on the table for his son, Cameron, and girlfriend, Sharee.

The 23-year-old would spend time at night with his son before having to wake up at three in the morning to start the cycle all over again.
“It was enough to pay the bills,” Bergeron said.

But why put yourself through that? Other football players have fathered kids in college and still stayed in school.

“I’m a family person,” Bergeron said. “I would try to come home as much as I could, but five hours was a pretty far drive (from Murfreesboro, Tenn., to Columbus, Ga.). I figured I could just go (to school) somewhere closer.”
But that turned out to be impossible. The Blue Raiders would not let Bergeron out of his football scholarship, preventing him from playing Division I ball. Bergeron was shocked. He had hoped to transfer to Division I Troy State to be closer to his family.

The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder was a highly recruited wide receiver out of high school who signed with Auburn in 2002. He left before even taking part in one practice because the Tigers saw him as a defensive back. He transferred to Middle Tennessee State to play receiver. In the midst of his redshirt freshman season, Bergeron found out he was going to be a dad and left school to head back to his hometown of Columbus, Ga.

Without any football options before him, Bergeron grew up fast as he entered the workforce in ’03 and began getting more reps at changing diapers than he would have had running post routes in college. Back then, he thought the closest he would ever come to competitive football was playing Sunday-morning pickup games with friends.
Through it all, Bergeron never complained about his life or what he might have been in college. The son of a military man just trudged ahead on the path before him.

Back home, he was content to spend 100 percent of his energy providing for his family — until he happened to see a TV commercial in ’04. The 30-second spot was for a tryout for the now-defunct Columbus Wardogs of arenafootball2. That got his competitive juices flowing, and Bergeron began working out for the first time since he left college.
Without having played in three years, he made the team — “I just got lucky,” Bergeron said — and received a $200 weekly paycheck. The money was not enough to support his family, so Bergeron continued to work at the grocery store.

After spending the first seven games on the practice squad, the then-20-year-old excelled once he got on the field (1,220 receiving yards and 26 touchdowns). His outstanding play earned him a tryout with the Arena Football League’s Georgia Force. Bergeron’s 40-yard-dash time of 4.3 seconds, combined with his burst and acceleration, caught Force head coach Doug Plank’s eye.
In his first season with the Force, Bergeron was named the 2005 AFL Rookie of the Year. He amassed 105 receptions, a rookie-record 1,372 yards, and 31 touchdowns.

The shy and quiet Bergeron never brought up his past and didn’t talk much about himself. In fact, he rarely talked about anything other than football.

“Without being able to locate (his family situation through a background check), we never would have found out about (bagging
groceries) by talking to Troy,” Plank said. “Around us, he focused 100 percent of his time on football.”
After taking the AFL by storm, Bergeron began to attract interest from NFL teams. So, he declared early for the NFL draft — he would have been a junior at Middle Tennessee State this past fall — and has spent the past few months training for the NFL.
PFW draft analyst Nolan Nawrocki projects Bergeron to be a sixth- or seventh-round pick. Nawrocki likes Bergeron’s speed, quickness and ability to make big plays but believes he has to improve his overall skill level and strength to succeed in the NFL.
Bergeron has constantly had to prove himself as he climbed higher up the professional football ladder. No matter how he fares in the NFL, Plank believes Bergeron’s experiences the past three years with his fiancée and 3-year-old son can only help him.
“From a coaching standpoint, he’s the perfect student,” Plank said. “He doesn’t create any controversy or distractions. He shows up at meetings, listens and does his job.

“(And) he has never been intimidated by his next challenge.”

[21C]

Nice page with player rankings and bios - as well as results in the 40, vertical leap and bench. Should be useful on the day of the draft.
hxxp://www.usatoday.com/sports/graphics/nfldraft06/flash.htm

[miami_fan]

Anyone believing the Leinart will drop out of the top 5 pick talk?

[stevew]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

Anyone believing the Leinart will drop out of the top 5 pick talk?

It is certainly possible. Although if he gets to GreenBay at #5, I think they gotta get on the phone for a trade. It would be worth dropping to say #11 with Baltimore to pick up an extra #1 next year and maybe an extra 3rd this year.

[Solecismic]

I have Jackson going to Miami as well. Philadelphia doesn't seem enamored with any of the WRs and I think Denver will take Holmes instead.

I don't Leinart dropping. Tennessee pretty much has to take a QB, and he's a safer pick than Young.

[Ragone]

I still think Houston has to avoid the hype and pick Mario Williams.. Why pick bush.. to kickoff return? be a 1st/2nd down back only? no thanks.. let someone else take that risk..

[Solecismic]

Originally Posted by Ragone

I still think Houston has to avoid the hype and pick Mario Williams.. Why pick bush.. to kickoff return? be a 1st/2nd down back only? no thanks.. let someone else take that risk..

Just look at some of those clips of Bush's runs. Every time he touches the ball and runs wide, he's a threat to break one. There's a reason so many scouts are giving him the highest grade they've ever given a prospect.

It's a bluff. Bush is going first, and Houston is going to pay him or trade out.

[JAG]

No, he'll be the first QB taken.

[JAG]

Originally Posted by Solecismic

Just look at some of those clips of Bush's runs. Every time he touches the ball and runs wide, he's a threat to break one. There's a reason so many scouts are giving him the highest grade they've ever given a prospect.

It's a bluff. Bush is going first, and Houston is going to pay him or trade out.

Trading out was an option I was thinking of today. It's not as though RB is a big need for Houston which could use help in any number of spots, but I haven't heard any serious talk about them trying to move out of the top spot, nor of anyone trying to move up. I find that pretty unusual, seeing as the past few years there's always at least some rumors of teams wanting to trade into the #1 pick (and other teams moving back).

[Solecismic]

I'm just listening to Adam Schefter on the NFL network. He's all excited, saying Williams will be picked first. I still think it's a bluff, but apparently the Texans are talking contract to Williams.

I'm going to be putting my mock draft of the first three rounds on my web site tonight, probably a little after midnight. Even if Williams goes first, I don't it does anything more than reverse the first two picks.

[astrosfan64]

Originally Posted by Solecismic

Just look at some of those clips of Bush's runs. Every time he touches the ball and runs wide, he's a threat to break one. There's a reason so many scouts are giving him the highest grade they've ever given a prospect.

It's a bluff. Bush is going first, and Houston is going to pay him or trade out.

Disagree

[Ragone]

Originally Posted by Solecismic

I'm just listening to Adam Schefter on the NFL network. He's all excited, saying Williams will be picked first. I still think it's a bluff, but apparently the Texans are talking contract to Williams.

I'm going to be putting my mock draft of the first three rounds on my web site tonight, probably a little after midnight. Even if Williams goes first, I don't it does anything more than reverse the first two picks.

i totally agree with bush at 2.. with the saints trading down to say the 49ers

I just don't get Houston picking bush when they already have a near star already at the posistion (dominick davis)

[miami_fan]

If the Texans take Williams first, I think the Saints will reap all the benefits of extra picks via a trade.

[duckman]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

If the Texans take Williams first, I think the Saints will reap all the benefits of extra picks via a trade.

The rumors are that the Saints are claiming they will pick Reggie Bush if he falls to the #2 spot. I think they are just saying it to possibly get some suitors for their pick.

[wade moore]

The draft is a little less interesting to me this year... the Skins have hardly any picks, and there's no remote chance of a W&M player going in the 7th round.. there are two potential NFL guys (A CB named Stephen Cason who has been my g/f's favorite player for several years after she talked to him for about 30 minutes while he was working at the Nike Outlet in Williamsburg and a K named Greg Kuene), but they would be FA pickups. So, I'm more initerested in Mondays happenings to see where these guys go, especially the K who I would think has a somewhat more realistic chance to make a regular season roster this season.

[Solecismic]

I am so eating crow right now.

[stevew]

Wow.

[stevew]

Any word on the terms?

[TazFTW]

Some tidbits from PFW,

There are very few teams that still consider RB LenDale White of USC a first-round pick. One scout said his team didn’t expect White to be on the board beyond the 28th pick, predicting another club would trade up for White if he’s still available at that point. But we’re told that is a minority opinion.

One position to watch is wide receiver. It’s very possible we’ll see only one wideout picked in the top 20. Scouts are split on whether Chad Jackson or Santonio Holmes will ever be a No. 1 receiver in the NFL.

[Young Drachma]

I want to see where our star wideout from Wyoming goes. A cornerback came out early too and all the mock drafts I've seen have him going between the 4th and 5th rounds...so..we'll see.

The Jets are gonna stink this year, so I'm not really too worried one way or another. I wonder who we'll pick up and while I'd love to see a young QB, with all these kids who come in on the 2nd day and burst onto the scene later, I'm a lot more skeptical of taking these huge "name" players early in the day.

I think Leinart is a better fit in NYC than Young, though.

[TazFTW]

Originally Posted by stevew

Any word on the terms?

So far the only number I have seen is that he'll get close to $22 million guaranteed this year.

[Samdari]

Originally Posted by JeeberD

OLB Thomas Howard has a chance to become the first Miner selected in the first round since 1968...

You keep saying that, yet everything I see has him solidly as a second rounder.

[Tigercat]

Tomorrow will be a fun draft day , worse case scenario, the Saints select Reggie Bush, best case scenario, we get great value for the #2 pick. Either way things are looking much better. Just keep Ditka out of our war room.

[Solecismic]

I think he'll squeak into the first round. Just mind-boggling combine numbers. But, then again, my track record this evening is already pretty bad.

[TazFTW]

Shefter is saying that the Broncos are close to a contract with Javon Walker. They'd still need to work out a trade with the Packers and last I heard the Packers were asking for a 1st rounder.

If the Packers aquire Denver's 1st round pick, I would guess they use it to draft a WR (Jackson/Holmes) to replace Walker.

[Franklinnoble]

Originally Posted by JeeberD

OLB Thomas Howard has a chance to become the first Miner selected in the first round since 1968...

Wow... I don't think they've even been known as "UTEP" that long.

[Samdari]

Originally Posted by TazFTW

Shefter is saying that the Broncos are close to a contract with Javon Walker. They'd still need to work out a trade with the Packers and last I heard the Packers were asking for a 1st rounder.

If the Packers aquire Denver's 1st round pick, I would guess they use it to draft a WR (Jackson/Holmes) to replace Walker.

The scuttlebutt has always been that Dever traded back from 22 to early in the 2nd was to use that early #2 on Walker. The Pack can want a first rounder all they want, but if the best pick the get offered is 2.5, I can't see where they don't take it.

[JeeberD]

Originally Posted by Samdari

You keep saying that, yet everything I see has him solidly as a second rounder.

Yeah, the latest mocks are showing him in the second now. But up until recently a lot of them had him as a possible late first rounder...

Originally Posted by Franklinnoble

Wow... I don't think they've even been known as "UTEP" that long.

They became UTEP in 1967, smartass...

[duckman]

Originally Posted by JeeberD

They became UTEP in 1967, smartass...

They still suck!

[JeeberD]

Bah, Mike Price is building a power in El Paso!

[scooper]

Marvin Lewis supposedly likes Thomas Howard. That doesn't mean he'll take him at 24, but one thing about Marvin. He takes players when and where he wants, without giving two craps what the draft "gurus" think.

[TazFTW]

Jim has his 3 rounder mock online. http://www.solecismic.com/draft2006p.cgi

I don't see the Cowboys selecting DeMeco Ryans while Justice is still available. The rumors I've heard is that the Cowboys really like two players, Winston Justice and Michael Huff but they aren't willing to give up a lot to get them. If Justice fell to the Cowboys, they'd take him. I also don't see the Cowboys drafting a DT in the 2nd, a backup for Ferguson would be nice but there are other needs. I do like the Ko Simpson pick.

[Mustang]

Interesting. Article in the Journal Sentinel says the player the Packers want is Ferguson or Davis. No mention of Hawk which seems to be the consensus pick.

If they trade Walker, they need weapons so, I might even think Davis would be the pick.

[Ragone]

I really think Elvis Dumervil will be a 2nd-3rd round pick.. Super active de.. will be a steal for someone

[stevew]

Originally Posted by TazFTW

Jim has his 3 rounder mock online. http://www.solecismic.com/draft2006p.cgi

I don't see the Cowboys selecting DeMeco Ryans while Justice is still available. The rumors I've heard is that the Cowboys really like two players, Winston Justice and Michael Huff but they aren't willing to give up a lot to get them. If Justice fell to the Cowboys, they'd take him. I also don't see the Cowboys drafting a DT in the 2nd, a backup for Ferguson would be nice but there are other needs. I do like the Ko Simpson pick.

I would be very dissapointed if we came out of the draft with the 3 picks Jim has us taking. But i will admit that they are all within the realms of possibility and "steeler type guys."

[Ryche]

My mock draft just because I want to record it somewhere:

1. Houston - DE Mario Williams - Ultimately I think this will work out for the best for them although I don't know why Ferguson was not given more serious consideration.
2. New Orleans - RB Reggie Bush - Thank you for the present Houston, although trying to sign him could be a challenge.
3. Tennessee - QB Vince Young - Going for the higher upside. Will bring him along similar to how they handled McNair.
4. New York Jets - OT D'Brickshaw Ferguson - Safest pick in the draft.
5. Green Bay - TE Vernon Davis - Gives Favre and eventually Rodgers a target.
6. San Francisco - LB AJ Hawk - Very happy to take the best linebacker in the draft.
7. Oakland - DB Michael Huff - They like Andrew Walters as their QB of the future and have a huge need for defense.
8. Buffalo - OT Winston Justice - I could see them going Bunkley here too, but they need to help Losman and McGahee.
9. Detroit - QB Matt Leinart - You know Matt Millen wouldn't be able to resist.
10. Arizona - DT Broderick Bunkley - A lot of drafts have them taking Cutler, but if Green doesn't win this year, next year doesn't matter. Sims is possible too, but I have a feeling he's going to drop a ways.
11. Philadelphia - DT Haloti Ngata - They trade with St. Louis to get ahead of Cleveland and draft the huge run stopper.
12. Cleveland - DE Kamerion Wimbley - End rusher to help the defense.
13. Minnesota - QB Jay Cutler - Minnesota gets worried that St. Louis or Denver will snatch up Cutler and pulls the trigger with a familiar trading partner.
14. St. Louis - CB Tye Hill - I thought St. Louis would take Greenway before, but the secondary evidentally really sucked in their mini camp. Hill may be the next Darrell Green.
15. Denver - WR Santonio Holmes - Or Jackson, but I think they prefer Holmes.
16. Miami - DE/LB Manny Lawson - Edge rusher they need.
17. Baltimore - CB Jimmy Williams - Quite happy to trade down and still get a top defensive back.
18. Dallas - LB Chad Greenway - Big, strong, fast linebacker in the Parcells mold.
19. San Diego - CB Antonio Cromartie - They need help in pass coverage, take the player with the biggest upside.
20. Kansas City - CB Jonathon Joseph - KC needs defense and more defense.
21. New England - LB Bobby Carpenter - Mike Vrabel clone.
22. San Francisco - WR Chad Jackson - They went defense for the first pick, they have to help Alex Smith here.
23. Tampa - OT Marcus McNeil - Starts immediately for their offensive line blocking for Cadillac once again.
24. Cincinnati - DB Donte Whitner - Local commodity that can step in immediately.
25. Carolina - LB Ernie Sims - Sims is an ideal replacement for Witherspoon and Carolina trades up to make sure they can grab him before Chicago.
26. Chicago - LB DeMeco Ryans - Chicago won with defense this year and since the offensive value at this point doesn't match defense, they'll strengthen a spot that took a hit.
27. New York Giants - RB DeAngelo Williams - Tiki Barber clone and eventual replacement.
28. Jacksonville - DB Jason Allen - They can use some secondary depth, and Allen has great upside at this point.
29. New York Jets - WR Sinorice Moss - They let one Moss go last year, but bring in a newer version.
30. Indianapolis - RB Laurence Maroney - Should be able to step in immediately to fill Edgerrin's shoes.
31. Seattle - S Ko Simpson - Never enough depth in the secondary.
32. Pittsburgh - RB LenDale White - Minibus?

[IwasHere]

I think RB Lendale White is officially out of the first round and maybe the 2nd!

1) Shows up out of shape at the Combine.
2) Torn Hamstring being treated by a local Denver Chiropractor.
And Now
3) A positive Drug test at the Combine.

NFL | L. White had positive test?
Sat, 29 Apr 2006 00:23:38 -0700

Scott Wolf, of the Press Telegram, reports USC RB LenDale White reportedly tested positive for an undisclosed drug, according to multiple sources, which could affect his stock the NFL draft. White spoke briefly to a reporter Friday, April 28, but sounded unconcerned about the situation. '(The NFL) ain't worried about it,' he said. 'The issue's been addressed.' Several sources said the test took place at the NFL Combine in late February. 'If it's out, it's got to be a Combine test,' said a source with knowledge of NFL drug testing. 'Some teams also give their own tests but those are at individual workouts and no one releases those.'

Just how far down White slips now will be anyones guess.

[QuikSand]

Originally Posted by TazFTW

Jim has his 3 rounder mock online. http://www.solecismic.com/draft2006p.cgi

I haven't seen anyone else picking DT John McCargo that highly (Jim has him going at #24 to Cinti).

Honestly, I seem to be forgetting NC State's glorious national championship run llast year, what with all these superstar players. THREE defensive linemen from the same school all going in the first round (or close to it) just seems crazy, unless that team was a total monster.

[TazFTW]

My Solecismic mock draft entry

[QuikSand]

I like bold predictions, Jim. LB Bobby Carpenter has been on a lot of mocks as a late 1st rounder... you say middle of the 3rd round. You also have C Nick Mangold dropping down into the second round - another guy on lots of first round mocks.

Any chance that your maize and blue colored glasses are at work here, or do you have some insider skinny?

[Passacaglia]

Anyone know if there's a way I can hear draft coverage online?