Top questions heading into mini-camps
2008 NFL Draft
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With the draft officially over, here are my top 10 questions heading into mini-camp weekend.
1. Would the Falcons have been better off with Glenn Dorsey and Chad Henne?
A lot of fans would have taken those two players over Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan and USC offensive tackle Sam Baker. I think I might have, too, knowing how excited Bill Parcells is in Miami about getting Henne, his quarterback of the future, with the 57th overall pick. There wasn't that big of a gap between Ryan and the draft's other top quarterbacks in Henne, Joe Flacco and Brian Brohm. But there was a huge gap between Dorsey and the next defensive lineman.
The other thing that Atlanta GM Tom Dimitroff has to concern himself with is whether or not Tom Condon, the agent for Ryan, is going to use the JaMarcus Russell contract last year as his base in negotiations or the one he finalized for Jake Long, the first pick in this year's draft. There's a huge difference between the two deals. There are some out there who believe that Atlanta owner Arthur Blank had a hand in picking Ryan, but everyone who knows Dimitroff swears he made the pick minus pressure from his boss.
2. Aren't the Bears a bunch of fools for not drafting a quarterback?
Well, they apparently didn't like Henne and Brohm as much as everyone else did. General manager Jerry Angelo still likes Mad Rex Grossman, and he made a lot of picks to improve the offense and give either Rex or Kyle Orton a better chance to succeed this season. It basically all comes down to whether Tulane running back Matt Forte, who was taken when Henne and Brohm were both available, becomes a star and takes the load off Cedric Benson this season.
They signed two quarterbacks on Monday — Caleb Hanie of Colorado State, who has a NFL-caliber arm, and also Nick Hill of Southern Illinois, who should have beaten Flacco in a playoff game last season, but his team had two touchdowns called back. Tony Romo was an undrafted quarterback from a small Illinois college, too. Kurt Warner and Jake Delhomme were also undrafted.
3. What was the best non-move in the draft?
Easy. The Giants not trading Jeremy Shockey to the New Orleans Saints. I don't think you get rid of a proven player like Shockey just because Kevin Boss played well during New York's playoff run. I have to think that Shockey wants to prove to the fans that he's still a force for the Super Bowl champs. Often, the best moves in sports are the ones that are not made.
4. By trading next year's first-round pick, aren't the Panthers trying to make sure John Fox doesn't get fired?
Well, it sure looks that way. It is also interesting that owner Jerry Richardson allowed Fox and GM Marty Hurney the latitude to make such a trade in order to draft Pitt offensive tackle Jeff Otah. I mean, if the Panthers don't make the playoffs and Fox is fired, the cupboard is pretty bare for the next boss in Carolina.
5. Should the Raiders worry about Darren McFadden's family packing their bags for California?
I'm standing by the kid who has been honest and forthright with the media, as well as NFL teams. Yes, he has two brothers with criminal records, but he also has a sister graduating from college this spring. His mother, a former crack addict, and father have been supportive throughout the process, and now he should have enough money to take care of all of them if he decides to take that course. Michael Irvin took care of a very large family, and he's in the Hall of Fame today.
6. Everybody said the Chiefs had the best draft. Will it make them winners this season?
Quarterback remains the name of the game, and I don't see how they win because they still have issues with Brodie Croyle. But yes, they filled a lot of personnel needs. They should be an improving team, but they are a couple seasons away from displacing San Diego as the best team in the west.
7. When will Roger Goodell reinstate Pacman Jones?
If Pacman doesn't get in trouble in the next few months, Pacman should be on the field when the Cowboys open training camp. With Pacman and rookie cornerback Mike Jenkins joining Terence Newman in the secondary, the Cowboys probably will be favored over the Giants in the NFC East.
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| The Raiders' Darren McFadden has Rookie of the Year potential. (Ronald Martinez / Getty Images) |
8. What's the latest with Brett Favre?
Well, the Packers have definitely moved on, and don't expect to hear from him about wanting to play. The pick of Louisville's Brian Brohm gives them insurance if Aaron Rodgers gets hurt again.
Now, is Favre better than both of them? Yes. Would several teams want Favre as their starting quarterback in 2008-09? Yes. And Favre knows that. I think Brett retired prematurely. You should only retire when you can't play anymore to your standards. That's what Elway and Marino did. Favre can still play.
9. Who has the best chance to be Rookie of the Year this season?
Darren McFadden with the Raiders or Chris Long with the Rams, because I expect both players to put up big numbers this season.
10. Are the Vikings a playoff team?
Yes. Adrian Peterson is one of the game's most exciting players and Jared Allen makes their defensive line the best in the NFL. Tarvaris Jackson made strides at the end of last season, and if he can continue to improve, Minnesota should be favored in the NFC North.
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