denverdan Posted March 28, 2005 Share Posted March 28, 2005 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A6656-2005Mar28.html Top of Draft Is Coming Into Focus By Mark Maske Washington Post Staff Writer Monday, March 28, 2005; 11:37 AM The first couple of picks in next month's NFL draft might be coming into sharper focus, with people around the league becoming increasingly convinced that the San Francisco 49ers will select Cal quarterback Aaron Rodgers with the top choice and the Miami Dolphins will go with Auburn tailback Ronnie Brown with the second selection. The top of the draft mostly has looked like a jumbled mess to the league's talent evaluators as they have gone through the buildup, from Senior Bowl to scouting combine to pro-day workouts. Teams haven't been able to project their own picks because they've had no idea which players will come off the board first. And while there still are no certainties, it seems that a growing number of clubs now are operating on the premise that Rodgers and Brown will be the top two choices, barring trades that shake up the first-round draft order. "That seems to be the sentiment around the league at this point," the general manager of one NFL team said over the weekend, speaking on the condition of anonymity because he did not want to jeopardize any future dealings with the 49ers or Dolphins. Some teams have Michigan wide receiver Braylon Edwards as the top-rated player on their draft boards, the GM said. But the sentiment league-wide is that the 49ers, coming off a 2-14 season and without a franchise quarterback in the fold, have little choice but to go with Rodgers or Utah quarterback Alex Smith, and Rodgers appears to have the slight edge. There also have been rumblings about a possible trade in which San Diego would send quarterback Philip Rivers to San Francisco for the top choice, then the Chargers would use the pick on Edwards. The deal does make some sense, since it would give the 49ers a quarterback -- Rivers -- that most people in the league seem to regard as a better prospect than Rodgers or Smith. And it would give the Chargers, who already have Drew Brees as their starting quarterback, three first-round draft picks on the heels of a 12-4 season. They have the Nos. 12 and 28 overall choices, the higher of which came from the New York Giants in last year's draft-day trade involving Rivers and Eli Manning. Dolphins Coach Nick Saban has left open the possibility of tailback Ricky Williams returning to the team after abruptly retiring just before training camp last summer. But the Dolphins certainly can't count on Williams, and they desperately need a centerpiece runner. Brown seems to have moved slightly ahead of his Auburn teammate, Carnell (Cadillac) Williams, and Texas's Cedric Benson as the top tailback available with his strong performances in the pre-draft workouts. Bonus Holding Up Brady Deal Quarterback Tom Brady and the New England Patriots basically agreed to the major components of a $10 million-per-season contract extension weeks ago. But the deal still hasn't been completed, and that reportedly is because Brady and agent Don Yee have balked at the payment schedule proposed by the Patriots for the deal's $24 million signing bonus. The Patriots reportedly want to make the bonus payable in four installments, while Brady and Yee want fewer. Brady already is compromising plenty in the negotiations, agreeing to take far less money than fellow quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Michael Vick got in their contract extensions. Manning signed a seven-year, $98 million deal with the Indianapolis Colts last year that included a record $34.5 million signing bonus. Vick signed a 10-year, $130 million extension with the Atlanta Falcons in December that included a record $37 million in total bonus money. Neither Manning nor Vick has appeared in a Super Bowl. Brady has led the Patriots to three Super Bowl triumphs. . . . The Giants likely will sign veteran offensive tackle Bob Whitfield, an unrestricted free agent who played for Jacksonville last season, in the coming days to bolster their depth at the position. . . . The Dallas Cowboys, looking for a right tackle for their offensive line, likely will look at two just-released veterans -- Chris Terry, who was cut by Seattle, and Barry Stokes, who was released by the Giants. . . . The on-again, off-again trade talks between Buffalo and Arizona that would send tailback Travis Henry to the Cardinals and offensive tackle L.J. Shelton to the Bills appears to be on again, and the deal perhaps will be completed in the coming weeks. . . . Veteran wide receiver Joe Jurevicius, released by Tampa Bay, signed a one-year contract with Seattle late last week. . . . Miami re-signed tailback Travis Minor. . . . Atlanta re-signed safety Keion Carpenter. . . . Denver signed linebacker Keith Burns, a free agent from Tampa Bay. . . . Linebacker Julian Peterson, the 49ers' franchise player, signed the club's tender offer for a one-year contract worth nearly $7.29 million. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-Dog Night Posted March 28, 2005 Share Posted March 28, 2005 I wonder about a QB getting drafted by the team that shares the same town or state as the college he attended. It puts a little more pressure on him. The fans are dying for a "local kid makes good" story. I always thought that Jake Plummer would have been better served elsewhere than with the Cardinals (the Cardinals suck factor not withstanding). I guess Bobby Herbert played ok for the Saints (was he drafted by the Saints or the Falcons? Can't remember) but it's not like he took them to the Super Bowl. I seem to remember the fans turning on him when things didn’t go well. I just think that, all things being equal, a team should pick the non-local kid. It probably doesn't help that a young QB with millions might have a few more distractions in his home or college town as opposed to living somewhere new where all his buddies aren't looking to get a piece of him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifty Gut Posted March 28, 2005 Share Posted March 28, 2005 There also have been rumblings about a possible trade in which San Diego would send quarterback Philip Rivers to San Francisco for the top choice, then the Chargers would use the pick on Edwards. The deal does make some sense, since it would give the 49ers a quarterback -- Rivers -- that most people in the league seem to regard as a better prospect than Rodgers or Smith. And it would give the Chargers, who already have Drew Brees as their starting quarterback, three first-round draft picks on the heels of a 12-4 season. They have the Nos. 12 and 28 overall choices, the higher of which came from the New York Giants in last year's draft-day trade involving Rivers and Eli Manning. Very interesting. I doubt it, cause I think SD would like to hold on to Rivers untill they know for sure (this season) that Brees isn't a one-year wonder. This also makes sense because SD is, what, $20 million? under the cap, and they have had a quiet offseason. That means they have plenty of room to sign 2 (maybe 3?) first-round picks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Jones Posted March 28, 2005 Share Posted March 28, 2005 I hope the niners get Rivers plus a good draft pick for giving up the 1st pick in the draft to SD. If the niners get Rivers plus a 2nd round pick or even SD's 28th pick they would come out winners. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimster Posted March 28, 2005 Share Posted March 28, 2005 Some teams have Michigan wide receiver Braylon Edwards as the top-rated player on their draft boards, the GM said ...For the sake of whatever team picks him, better hope the Postons don't represent him:laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whiskeypeet Posted March 28, 2005 Share Posted March 28, 2005 Man I would really like it if we would take a look at Seattle OT Chris Terry. The guy is a beast when healthy/not suspended. If he could stay out of trouble he would be awesome depth....and depth that we could really really use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpark Posted March 28, 2005 Share Posted March 28, 2005 Originally posted by Fred Jones I hope the niners get Rivers plus a good draft pick for giving up the 1st pick in the draft to SD. If the niners get Rivers plus a 2nd round pick or even SD's 28th pick they would come out winners. If that trade goes down I cant imagine the Chargers would give up a pick as well as Rivers. At least not a good pick (top 3 rounds). They shouldnt have to, and I dont see them being willing to. I can understand why the Chargers are hesitant to do this, but it must be awfully tempting. They would have the same team as last year but with 3 1st rounders in a deep draft. I would love to be their GM when that goes down. Its not like Brees is old or anything like that. They drafted him a few years ago to be their franchise QB (33rd overall) and last year he showed that that is what he can be. This would make things very interesting. But I hope it doesnt go down. It makes both teams better, and we have to play both this season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wskin44 Posted March 28, 2005 Share Posted March 28, 2005 I notice that Jurevicious signed with Seatle late last week. I probably missed the discussion on this board, but I guess that means that they are no longer interested in Gardner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpark Posted March 28, 2005 Share Posted March 28, 2005 Originally posted by wskin44 I notice that Jurevicious signed with Seatle late last week. I probably missed the discussion on this board, but I guess that means that they are no longer interested in Gardner. Check out this thread. http://www.extremeskins.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=96904 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smack500 Posted March 28, 2005 Share Posted March 28, 2005 Man as good as manning, and vick are. Im really glad their not on the skins. Their just plane to greedy and take to much from the team. If manning wants to go to the sb so bad he should take a pay deduction so they could have more cap room for defence, and etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiefhogskin48 Posted March 28, 2005 Share Posted March 28, 2005 It's looking increasingly likely that Alex Smith will fall to us at the #9 spot. I'd take him in a heartbeat, although I know most of you will disagree vigorously. If you have the opportunity to draft a franchise QB (see Roethlisburger last year), you take it. Yes, Ramsey is adequate, but if we go to the Super Bowl, does anyone think that he will be the reason? No, more likely it will be because we surround him with a Super Bowl caliber defense, a great running game, and explosive playmakers. We could end up in the same, enviable situation as San Diego, with two franchise QBs populating our roster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miragv Posted March 28, 2005 Share Posted March 28, 2005 The Chargers are going to be the greatest team ever if they pull off that trade. They have made awesome deals the past few years and its paying off. Drafting three first round talents give them great leverage in dealing with FAs if they are playing the same position, or it can fill holes (doubt there are many, they went 12-4). They can build a great core, I envy them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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