Scoops
Musings of a Scout

 

 

Hot Info

 

4/11/00

 

    Many scouts are now convinced that Denver has already arranged a deal with the Ravens for the 5th pick.
The strong rumor involves Denver picking up Pennington at #5 and the Ravens slipping down to 10 and
picking up a draft pick, round undetermined at this time. The Ravens hope to get Alexander or Jones at #10.
Strangely, Dave told me that a source with the Cardinals seemed to prefer Alexander, so it is conceivable
that Jones could go second. Whoa!

The Niners are hot for John Abraham according to Joel Buchsbaum, Dave Te, and Pompei. They want to
move down to the Packers pick(#14) to take him, and the Packers want to move up to #12(ahead of the Jets)
for Bubba Franks, now that Chmura is in deep trouble and because the Pack don't have total confidence in his
health. The Niners will like to move off of pick #24 to get Ike Charlton near the top of round two. They also
would like to snag Tee Martin or Carmazzi in round 3.

        KJ will sign a 6mil per deal with the Bucs to seal the deal that will send #13 and #27 to NY.

        Indy is scared that the Bills will take Rob Morris, so they are working the phones trying to get ahead of
them. But two solid sources(Buchsbaum and Dave Te) believe that the Bills will shock people by taking Eric
Flowers in round one.

        If Bubba Franks goes to the Jets at #13(if the Pack can't deal up with the Niners), the Pack are rumored to
have Shaun Ellis as plan #2.

        The Lions are now leaning towards taking an OL in round one, not a RB.

        The Ravens are trying to trade RB Priest Holmes and OL Folau(spelled wrong no doubt) for a third round
pick and should get it done.

        The Vikings are leaning towards CB now, with Oneal being the likely candidate, narrowly over Plummer. Rashard
Anderson is out of the picture. They also love CB Pat Dennis in the later rounds. If not Oneal or Plummer the only others
they are considering at this time seem to be Hovan, Engelberger, Howard, and darkhorse, Ike Charlton. Rest assured,
one of these guys will be wearing purple. With the signing of OG Badger(Skins will likely let him walk), the Vikes are not going OL in round two by most accounts. The Vikes have considered a move up for Darwin Walker in round two.

        Looks like it will be Arrington as #1

       

       

       

   

 

4/5/00

    Just heard a whammy of a rumor from a solid source, Dave Te Thomas. The Buccaneers have an offer
on the table for the Bengals #4 pick in the draft if Peter Warrick is still around. If Warrick is there, the Bucs
send their two first rounders(13, 27) and a third rounder to the Bengals for the right to select the Florida St.
standout.

    Travis Taylor is hot as a red chili pepper right now. Dave believes Jerry Porter is gonna be a big unwarranted
reach for some team. He is not high on him and feels his workouts are being emphasized way too much. Windrell
Hayes (WR USC) is climbing and it would not be a shock if he goes in round three now. On Plaxico Burress-
Dave said he gets a feeling that he will go the route of Chris Carter; problems early in his career due to poor
attitude and low level maturity and then a rebirth into a solid player, maybe with a new team. Dave knows most
teams won't take Darwin Walker in round one but he wouldn't blink if someone does. Dave feels that Chad
Pennington is overrated and he would feel more comfortable taking him in round 2. He expects the Ravens to
take Thomas Jones, the Cards to take Jamal Lewis over Alexander, and the Steelers to take Burress.

    Also heard that the Vikings are considering moving down from #25, picking up another draft pick and puting
themselves in a better slot for Ike Charlton(CB Virginia Tech)-who they love and sent 3 scouts to checkout.
They feel #25 in round one is too high and they don't think any of the DBs are worthy of a first round pick.
The Vikes also have shown 2-3 round interest in Brad Meester(C Northern Iowa)they worked him out a few
days ago and I personally admire his skills, and brace yourself...R.J. Soward. Just what we need, another problem
child-good grief. If they stand pat they are looking at Darren Howard and John Engelberger in round 1. Another
guy the Vikes like in round 2 is Hank Poteat (CB Pittsburgh).

    Of the current Vikes, Dave feels that Todd Bouman(compared to Kitna) will beat out Culpepper and the soon
to be signed Mirer(if the Niners don't jump in at the last minute). George is pretty much a done deal to Washington.
Another scenario has the Vikings trading for Warren Moon and Leslie Oneal in exchange for mid-late round draft
picks. Dave also said that Hatchette and Talance Sawyer may be surprises this year.

 

 

3/29/00 (3:40PM HST)

   Just got off the phone with a scout, and I got some tidbits for Draftniks and Viking fans. Sorry, I cannot
divulge his name; he wishes to remain anonymous.

Summary of conversation: John Engelberger, Travis Claridge, and Cosey Coleman are not worthy
of a first round grade. Deltha Oneal is a hot property and should be gone in round one. Mark Roman is
a bad fit at safety but will be a good prospect at CB; might sneak into round one now.- VWR has learned
that Roman's latest workout was extremely impressive. Lavar Arrington could become the best blitzing LB
ever. Ogunleye was always overrated and is not a first day selection even if he was healthy. Cosey is no
Larry Allen. Jerry Porter is one of the most over hyped guys around, this scout wouldn't touch him in round
one no matter what. He believes like I, that Chris Hovan and Cornelius Griffin are better as DEs; Hovan
got alot more sacks in `99 and more consistent pressure as a DE. Tiki Barber and Thomas Jones workout
together and Jones' hammy does not have teams backing off. This scout thinks Plaxico Burress is a bad
apple that should be picked behind Sylvester Morris. Rashard Anderson might not play well early; he is
very green. Ike Charlton may be one of those guys constantly on the shelf with an injury. Hank Poteat is
a solid talent but his consistency is maddening. Kabeer Gbaja Biamilla is not worth drafting. Wow! pretty
harsh. He has Courtney Brown #1. Warrick? No way according to him. The anonymous scout might offer
some insight again, so keep checking back periodically.

The conversation then switched to the Vikings-When Jeff George came out of Illinois, he had a workout for
scouts that is widely considered the best overall QB workout of all time. He threw a ball 70+ yards without
even moving his feet. But this scout still wouldn't touch him. He still has the rep of a selfish guy who does not
sacrifice himself(see the two fumbles he watched roll around last year) and does what he wants. This could
explain why Denny once mentioned his displeasure on how Jeff utilizes the backs and tightends, or rather his
lack of utilization of them. He said that Matt Birk may not be the long term answer at C, but that Corey
Withrow may. Thats right, he loves Withrow's potential. He also sang the praises of James Souder who is
going to NFL Europe. He thinks both have a chance to start and play well in the future. Do we all have the
patience? He thinks the Vikes should go CB if Hovan, Howard, and Ellis are gone.

 

3/28/00 More from the "Madman from Brooklyn"- Dave Te Thomas

    Darren Howard-Possible debris found under a disc in his neck. May or may not hurt him.
    Chris Redman- Ravens and Falcons might pull trigger on him in round 2.
    Hank Poteat- Denny Green likes him alot.
    Travis Taylor- moving up; Raiders are just ga ga over him.
    Guys Dave feels might never play like they are expected to: Plaxico Burress, Deon Grant,
    Ahmed Plummer, and Dez White. Dave is not saying they are bad players, just that the hype may
    not be warranted and it wouldn't be a surprise to him if they turn into first round busts or average joes.

 

March 21st, 2000

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