| Now is the time of year when Coaches routinely make life-long
enemies of each other by criticising their draft picks. Never one to stand
in the way of such a fine and noble tradition, here is my draft round-up.
Given that the Training Camp has yet to be processed, I'm also going to
guess at what the coach may do*.
*Please note, following the advice given here may seriously damage your
coaching credibility.
Oakland Raiders: RB4 DL2 LB2
Given that there was no DB4 or QB5 available, the Raiders took the best
player available. You can't really argue with a 4* RB pick, which gives
them a scary looking set of RBs. Although the 4* HB and RB will both be
wasting their OQB skill which is only of use to a FB. The LB2 was a useful
pick to provide cover next season for the aging Linden King and Aaron
Wallace and the DL2 allows a change to a 4-3 defence, making the most
of Linden King's experience at MLB. Personally, I would have gone for
an OL2 or a DB2 rather than the LB2. The OL would add needed OQB, always
useful, especially as blitzing seems to be in fashion, and would also
provide useful blocking for those RBs. A DB would strengthen the rather
weak looking secondary.
Training camp: Waive LB Tony Bryant, get a 2* DB or OL. Other option is
to coach a DB in DPL to boost secondary.
Cincinnati Bengals: WR2*2 LB3 DL2
With all RB and TE slots full, the WR was the best player that could fit
in the squad and the LB was a necessity. The DL seems a strange choice,
as this gives the team 5 DL players when only a maximum of 4 can play.
I would have gone for a DB or another LB.
Training camp: Put defence in 4-3 mode, James Francis as MLB. Waive DL
John Copeland, get a FA KK or PN.
Minnesota Vikings: TE3 WR2 OL2
The TE was the last of the "specials", no real argument there
although the team is incredibly weak in the DB area and still short of
personnel in the OL area. The WR was also needed, giving the team 2 WRs.
Personally I would have gone for a WR2*1 first pick and got the remaining
3*DB on my second.
Training camp: This is a very small squad, with no secondary to speak
of. Waive LB Ed McDaniel, get a FA DB. They could also waive one of their
TEs and pick up another DB or an OL.
Cleveland Browns: OL3 WR2 DL2
Can't really fault any of these picks, all were necessary. Personally,
I would have gone for a DB rather than a DL though.
Training camp: Lots to do here. Two QBs are a luxury. Waive one, fix the
other if necessary, use any remaining LPs to bolster the very weak secondary
or add some weight to the DL by coaching. Waive DL Derrick Alexander,
coach DL Marcus Spriggs if not reduced and move him to NT. Other option
is to waive LB Jamir Moore, switch to 4-3 and use LPs to strengthen DL.
New Orleans Saints LB3 PN1*2 TE2 FA DB2 (Age 6)
Excellent draft. No need for comment.
Training camp: A switch to 4-3 is on the cards. Waive LB Mark Fields,
use LPs to get FA WR.
Chicago Bears: WR2*1 WR1*1 KK1*2
FA LB1 (Age 4), LB1 (Age 8)
There aren't many spaces left after this lot were recruited. Personally
I would have skipped the WR1*1 and got an LB2.
Training Camp: I'm not sure if Coach Macguire actually wanted to recruit
2 LB1s or whether he was just making sure he got one of them. If the former,
then expect a switch to 3-4. Waive DL Jim Flanigan and fix/coach one of
the new LBs. If the latter, then he might as well waive one of them again
and use the LPs to go toward fixing/coaching the other.
Seattle Seahawks OL3 WR1*1 DB2
A very weak offence here due to an over-populated defence. I would have
gone for the WR2*1 in round one, the OL2 in round two. The DB was needed,
so no problem there.
Training Camp: Well we have 10 players to fill the front 7 defensive places
in this team. Three players aren't being used, so will have to go. I'm
assuming this is a 3-4 defence so, bye-bye to DLs Matt LaBounty and Michael
Sinclair, also LB Anthony Simmons. Use LPs to get FA OL and WR. Also coach
existing WR, and I hate seeing a FB without ORI, so either coach Mack
Strong or move Shaun Alexander to FB.
Atlanta Falcons RB3 QB3 QB2
Oopsie, looks like the Falcs lost their starting QB. Given that, the 4*
QB would have been top of my list, even if he was to be waived to get
the 5 or 6 year old 3*QB FA. No real gaps on the team though.
Training Camp: Waive both QBs, get an experienced FA QB and fix him. Waive
the spare DL and strengthen the other DLs. Or move to 4-3, waive Keith
Brooking and coach Mark Simoneau DRI if not reduced.
Washinton Redskins WR2*1 PN1*2 KK1*2
The Skins look to have been very lucky on the retirement front, with no
gaps to be filled, they were able to concentrate on beefing up their special
teams. Could be painful next year if the 5 players that are 10 years or
older all retire though.
Training camp: Nothing really needed, use any LPs to coach or fix the
older players to reduce losses next time around.
Miami Dolphins DB3 DB3 TE2
The only difference I would have made, would be to go for the RB3 on the
first round rather than get 2 DBs and waive one. However, I can say that
because hindsight is perfect J
Training Camp: RB Jerris McPhail to move to HB. Expect either a fix for
one of the older OL and/or some coaching for the younger OL players.
St Louis Rams DL3 QB3 RB1*1
Run and hide, the 6* QB arrives in the league. The Rams now have an awesome
looking squad. Some coaches don't like them, but the obvious gap in this
team is at TE, on the other hand I can't argue with these picks. Another
OL is needed, but that can be dealt with as the QB will provide extra
LPs.
Training Camp: With a QB like Trent Green, the QB3 should be out of the
door before he unpacks. Expect the LPs to go on a FA OL.
New England Patriots RB3 WR1 LB2
I'm guessing that Larry used a generic draft WR order in round 2. Cant
explain the pick otherwise as a QB3 was still available which would have
given him the LPs to create and hire a FA WR2. The other two picks were
good.
Training camp: 5 DLs is an extravagance. Expect to waive one of the 3
year olds. Use the LPs to coach LB Chris Slade and move him to MLB. Use
remaining LPs to hire a FA OL and/or to coach one of the WR1s.
Buffalo Bills OL3 DL2 DB2
Another coach who doesn't like TEs! Given that, I assume that the DL was
brought in to learn under aging Ted Washington before he retires. I would
have been tempted to get an additional DB or RB rather than get a cover
player who wont actually play this season.
Training Camp: Now that both QBs are no longer rookies, one will have
to go. Expect the LPs to be used to train the survivor. 5 LBs is a waste.
However, if 12 year old Jay Foreman is retiring at the end of the season
this will ease drafting problems next season. I'd be tempted to waive
LB John Holecek and make 3* LB DaShon Polk a starter (I'm assuming a 3-4
formation here).
Tampa Bay Buccaneers OL3 DB2 DB2 FA OL1 (Age 4)
No complaints for Coach Gambles choices, although my preference would
have been for an OL2 draft and a DB FA.
Training Camp: Coach Gamble is noted for his aggressive defences. Expect
LB Jeff Gooch to move to MLB enhancing the Buccs pass rush. Waiving LB
Hardy Nickerson would also make sense. I would expect the LP to go on
fixing and coaching FA OL Jeff Christy. A personal dislike for 2 QBs would
lead to me getting rid of one. If Trent Dilfer is reduced, then he goes,
else Steve Walsh gets the nod. The LPs resulting go to train the survivor.
Denver Broncos DB3 OL2 DL2
Another good draft. My only change would be to swap the DB3 for a WR2*1.
Training Camp: If HB Terrell Davis has OQB, it's being wasted. Consider
a move to FB. Keith Burns is the extra LB. As he is dead weight he should
go, allowing Coach Denyer to strengthen his WR's by FA or by coaching.
Green Bay Packers DL3 OL2 LB2
This draft filled the all of the most important gaps in the Packs squad.
Training Camp: A perfectly formed squad. No obvious changes needed.
Dallas Cowboys DL3 OL2 LB2
Coach Harris seems to have a fairly full squad sheet, which forced him
to take these players. He could have gone for a KK or a PN, but I assume
that he took full squad players as they have a higher LP value for waiving.
Training Camp: An overloaded defence needs clearing out. I'm assuming
3-4, so waive new boys DL Andy Stynchula and LB John Babinecz. Expect
either FA PN/KK and/or coaching for QB Craig Kupp, giving OPS to a WR
or beefing up the LBs.
New York Jets LB3 DL2 LB2 FA DL2 (Age 5)
Hindsight would have me swap the LB3 for a DB3, but who would have known
that the last few 2* players were LBs? Otherwise, good draft.
Training Camp: The extra LB, Pepper Johnson bids farewell to NY and is
replaced by a FA DB. Either new boy Rick Lyle or old timer Jason Wiltz
move to NT (depends on who has DRI).
Arizona Cardinals QB4 PN1*2 WR1
No problems with this draft.
Training Camp: New QB Jake Plummer can't compete with 5*QB Ken Graham,
so is shown the door. LPs to go on training, maybe beefing up a RB or
OPS for TE. Other possibility is FA WR or DB (and fix).
New York Giants RB3 QB3 LB2
Another quality draft.
Training Camp: Under most circumstances, new QB Kerry Collins would be
waived for LPs (maybe to train OL Bob Kratch), but with Dave Brown now
aging, Collins could find himself in line for a starting position next
season.
San Diego Chargers DL2 OL2 RB2 FA TE2 (Age 5)
No surprises here, filled the holes, still had room for the luxury RB.
Training Camp: This team looks the business. The only weakness is possibly
at WR. Maybe waive new RB Jermaine Fazande and train a WR?
San Fransisco 49ers WR2*1 QB3 DL1
I might get this one right. The 49ers filled the holes left by retirement,
except at DB, although coaching has strengthened existing players. The
QB was intended to be waived for LPs to train at WR and DL, but caused
a dilemma by having a rushing skill. He'll be the 49ers ace in the hole.
Ideally, he'll start next season, but if need be, Coach Harris can use
him to strengthen the side further. Still need to get a PN.
Pittsburgh Steelers OL2 RB2 WR1 FA DB2 (Age 4)
Hindsight shows that Coach Hall could have had an RB3 and OL2 for his
first two picks. Otherwise, a good draft, as you'd expect from Mark.
Training Camp: A small, but perfectly formed squad. No gaps, no surplus
players. Any spare LPs to go on strengthening the OL or LB areas.
Houston Oilers RB3 DB2 OL1
No flies on Coach Sim either. Can't improve on these selections, although
my preference would have been for an OQB skill at OL.
Training Camp: For a team that has the Oilers record in recent years,
this is still a strong squad, Coach Sim has managed to maintain his Squad
size despite low draft picks. I'd like to see more DPL in the secondary
though and it would be nice to train some of those WR's too.
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