THE 2001 NFL DRAFT REPORT's LOOK AT THE DEFENSIVE END CROP
TEAMS LOOKING TO GET THE EDGE ON OTHERS MUST DRAFT EARLY TO GET QUALITY PASS RUSHERS

Like the song from the group Aerosmith, NFL teams seem to be "living on the edge" with their defensive ends in recent years. With most teams returning to the 4-3 defensive alignment, the need for cat-quick defensive ends whose sole purpose is to flush out the quarterback has become a priority on draft day. Most teams are looking for explosiveness and quickness around the corner, especially from the chap that will man the right end position. They are looking moreso for a right end that will provide relentless pressure in the backfield and are willing to sacrifice run stuffing skills at that spot, in order to have someone, anyone, get to the passer on a regular basis. The left end position is more of the power spot on the defensive line. The left end should have decent pass rushing skills, but his main purpose is to dominate the action, contain the run and be able to prevent the tight end from getting into his routes. The teams look for more size and strength on the left side, while the right end slot is manned by the more agile defenders. For those teams still incorporating the 3-4 defense, their ends need to be more of a defensive tackle-type, where their main duty is to provide solid run containment, leaving the pass rushing duties to the outside linebackers. In a 3-4 alignment, the defensive ends must have tremendous upper body strength, in order to deliver punishing arm swipes while effectively battling double-team coverage. Teams looking to get ahead on the "edge" are very pleased with the early round talent available here, but they also know that blue chip prospects are not in abundance here, this year. Arizona is sitting in the cat-bird seat with the draft's second overall pick, but if GM Ron Wolf and the Packers have their way, the Cards will be enticed to trade down so Wolf and friends can continue to revamp their defense with Missouri's Justin Smith, regarded as the best defensive prospect in the draft. It is a no-brainer that Smith will be the first defensive player off the draft board and should get a call within the first six picks. While Smith is recognized as the best here, the consolation prize is a Jevon Kearse-type, California's Andre Carter, whose only knock is a lack of bulk (and also maintaining that weight). Carter should wear a Packers' uniform, if Green Bay fails to trade up and is forced to select at #10. Florida State's Jamal Reynolds is another classic pass rusher, but while he has basically the same frame as Carter, he does not show the same effectiveness vs. the run and may be relegated to pass rushing duties. That will weigh heavily on the minds of pro teams, as you do not use an early first round pick on a guy that will only be a part-timer. The same holds true for Nebraska's Kyle Vanden Bosch and Florida State's David Warren, who is more suited to play strongside outside linebacker in a 3-4 alignment than being a down lineman. Other defensive ends that could shift to linebacker in the pros are TCU's Aaron Schobel, Mississippi's Derrick Burgess, Stanford's Riall Johnson, Oregon's Saul Patu and Kansas State's Monty Beisel. Wisconsin's Ross Kolodziej, Mississipi State's Ellis Wyms and Willie Blade and Louisville's Donovan Arp are a quartet of ends being eyed as potential tackles by teams that incorporate the 3-4 defensive system. Even though he had a so-so senior campaign, Southern Mississippi's Cedric Scott was able to elevate his draft stock after a nice week of practices at the Senior Bowl. Iowa State's Reggie Hayward did likewise with his efforts across the ocean at the Hula Bowl. Injuries will also affect where some players are taken, with poor medicals causing the draft stocks of David Warren, Florida State's Roland Seymour, Arizona's Joe Tafoya and Tennessee's DeAngelo Lloyd to slide. After the above mentioned products, the rest of this position is loaded with players of limited, but contributing skills. The next wave of defensive ends expected to be taken could come from a group headed by Marshall's Paul Toviessi, Minnesota's Karon Riley, Oregon State's DeLawrence Grant (rapidly making a late push up the boards), North- western's Dwayne Missouri, Penn State's Justin Kurpiekis (could move to middle linebacker) Illinois' Fred Wakefield and Texas-El Paso's Menson Holloway. The small college ranks could also fill in a few lateround draft spots, as teams are scrambling to finalize their evaluations on Catawba's DeVonte Peterson, Lambuth's Moses Harper, Alabama-Birmingham's Otis Leverette, West Alabama's Kendrick Office, Cal-State Northridge's Erik Gardner, Northeastern Oklahoma's Rod Kelly and Nebraska-Omaha's Chris Cooper. More depth could be added to this position, as some teams are looking at collegiate tackles like Georgia's Richard Seymour (object of Arizona's affections, thus the possible trade down with Green Bay), Iowa's Anthony Herron, Maryland's Kris Jenkins and Stanford's Willie Howard all showing enough quickness and pass rushing ability to handle the move outside.

THE POSITION REPORT CARD
The decision by Justin Smith to leave college early greatly improved the quality of talent available here. Look for Smith to be the first defensive end taken, with Andre Carter and possibly Jamal Reynolds joining him as first round selections. The rest of this crop is filled with players that just seem to lack one or more ingredients in their critical factors (height, weight, speed, potential, production). With that in mind, I give this position a solid grade of B+.

THE CREAM OF THE CROP
#96-JUSTIN SMITH University of Missouri Tigers 6:04.4-273
ANALYSIS…Positives…Well-built athlete with sudden and explosive initial quickness off the snap...Classis edge rusher who quickly locates the ball...shows good arm extension and a forceful hand punch to separate from blockers...Has the speed to move through the pile...Breaks down the play decisively and maintains control through his hits...Uses his burst off the snap to easily collapse the pocket... Knows how to keep his hands close in order to prevent blockers from getting into his chest...Comes off low out of his stance, chasing hard from the backside...Gets his hands up with arms extended to deflect passes at the line...Keeps his feet moving when engaged and has the agility to redirect to the inside when the edge lanes are clogged.

Negatives…Too pass rush conscious, which causes him to slowly diagnose the running plays directed at him...Gets sealed off some when trying to display inside counter moves... Dips his shoulder when trying to move laterally, slowing down his agility...Strikes under control, but frequently grabs at ball carriers in run support, rather than wrapping them... Has a hard time disengaging from double coverage and can be controlled when attempting to shoot the inside gaps.

CAREER NOTES…Mainstay on the Tigers' defense ever since joining the team as a freshman...Called by former head coach Larry Smith, "a bigger Junior Seau"...Relentless in pursuit, Justin is blessed with a physically imposing physique and a strong desire to get to the quarterback...He was used in a variety of roles, stunting across the line to gain penetration into the backfield...One of the fastest down linemen in the collegiate ranks (4.64 in the 40-yard dash)...Finished his career with 275 tackles (177 solos), five forced fumbles, 21.5 sacks for minus 155 yards and 53 stops behind the line of scrimmage for losses of 194 yards...His 21.5 sacks broke the old school season-record of 18 by Rick Lyle (1990-93) and his 53 tackles for losses set another Missouri all-time record. REMINDS ME OF…San Diego's Junior Seau. GAZING INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL…I agree with former head coach Larry Smith in saying that this kid is a bigger version of Junior Seau. Few players can consistently disrupt the game like this kid can. Sure, he has a ways to go as a run stuffer, but put him at right end and unleash him. Look for the Cardinals to trade the second pick to either Green Bay or st. Louis, with both teams vying to move up to grab the tough Missourian.

THE BEST OF THE REST
#97-ANDRE CARTER University of California Golden Bears 6:03.3-261
ANALYSIS…Positives…Cat-quick player with an explosive initial burst...Gets excellent leverage off the snap thanks to his speed...holds the point firmly in run defense and knows how to get his outside arm free to neutralize the double-team coverage...Gets across the blocker's face in a flash and uses his power well to defeat blocks...Maintains balance in pursuit and has the ball recognition skills to chase down backs from behind...Uses a classic arm-over move in his pass rush technique and shows superb body lean to pressure the quarterback...Uses his hands with forceful authority and consistently finishes plays...His acceleration out of his stance generally sees him fly by the blockers...Very effective on stunts.

Negatives…Lacks ideal lateral agility...While he's an instinctive player, he sometimes has problems with his reads and locating the ball...Has had problems maintaining his weight through-out the season…More of a finesse-type rather than an all-out aggressor...Does not have the lower body bulk or leg drive to stay low in his tackles...Tends to get upright coming off the snap, allowing blockers to get a piece of his jersey to knock him off stride.

CAREER NOTES…Mainstay on the defensive line since midway through his freshman year...Product of the Bears' weight room, adding over thirty pounds of muscle to his frame since first arriving on campus while increasing his bench press by 85 pounds (415)...Ranks second in school history with 54 stops behind the line of scrimmage (tied with Jarrott Williard, 1991-94), topped only by Sekou Sanyika (63, 1996-99)...His 30.5 quarterback sacks broke California's all-time record of 28, set by Regan Upshaw (1993-95)...Finished his career with 37 starts, compiling 172 tackles (113 solos). REMINDS ME OF…Philadelphia's Hugh Douglas. GAZING INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL…This kid would be a nice consolation prize for Green Bay, if they can't trade up on draft day to get Justin Smith. Carter's big knock is his knack for losing weight during the season, but look at Hugh Douglas and Jevon Kearse for examples of what this kid can do on the field.

THE MOST UNDERRATED
#14-AARON SCHOBEL Texas Christian University Horned Frogs 6:03.0-261
ANALYSIS…Positives...Disruptive pass rusher whose big-play ability has drawn considerable attention in an opponent's game plan over the years...Has a well-defined chest and powerful looking arms...Has a sharp burst coming out of his stance, gaining advantage on blockers with his moves off the edge...Very instinctive in diagnosing the plays, rolling his hips and using his hands forcefully... One-gap type who gains good leverage by playing with his arms extended...Uses a cross-face action with his hands when engaging blockers to split the double-team coverage...Plays with a high intensity level, showing impressive power behind his strikes...Shows excellent body lean and shoulder dip coming off the edge, keeping his feet and hands active to defeat the offensive tackles while penetrating...Works hard to create pressure on the quarterback in the pocket and never hesitates when closing...Excellent rush end for the kickoff coverage unit.

Negatives...Gives up a lot of bulk vs. the offensive tackles and can be contained when meeting head on...Lacks the size to defeat double coverage on a consistent basis...Some teams are looking at him as a possible outside linebacker, but he lacks experience in pass coverage and seems more comfortable attacking the quarterback off the edge than jamming tight ends at the line of scrimmage...Not the best practice player you will find, but certainly puts it all on the line during game day.

CAREER NOTES…One of the most decorated defensive players in the school's history... Outstanding pass rusher who plays as if he's on a "search and destroy" mission...Moved into the starting lineup as a freshman, quickly establishing himself as a dominating force for opposing offenses to fear...Has 261 tackles and 53 quarterback pressures for his career...Registered 24 of the team's 112 sacks over the last three seasons...Added to his school career-record (set as a junior) with 6.5 sacks as a senior, giving him 31 for minus 220 yards for his career, topping the previous mark of 22 sacks by Royal West (1991-94)...Also delivered 65 stops for losses of 315 yards, breaking the old Horned Frogs career-record of 56 stops for minus 209 yards by West...Started the team's final 46 contests (including bowl games). REMINDS ME OF…former Minnesota Viking Chris Doleman. GAZING INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL…This guy comes to play every down. One of the few edge rushers that I've seen that can hold his own in run support. Possible first-day draft pick, but whoever gets him, gets a player with a tireless motor.

THE MOST OVERRATED
#99-FRED WAKEFIELD University of Illinois Fighting Ilini 6:06.4-274
ANALYSIS…Positives…Solid-level player with excellent flexibility and knee bend for a player of his size...Has smooth redirection ability and flashes explosiveness and hip swerve while striking on contact...Very effective blitzer off the edge...Has the power to stack and hold ground at the point of attack...Uses his upper body power to deliver a forceful hand punch to defeat blocks... Shows a sharp short burst when closing on the quarterback...His quickness around the corner will generally cause havoc in the backfield...Intense worker, but knows how to play under control...Has the lateral agility to make plays in pursuit...Has a powerful hand-swat move that will consistently knock blockers off stride.

Negatives…Has problems at times reading the blocking schemes, especially when it comes to diagnosing the traps...Lacks the lower body strength to prevent the more phyical blockers from riding him out and neutralizing his efforts at the point of attack...More of a grabbing-onto, drag-down tackler than a wrapup one...Works better in closed quarters, but can be taken down by low blocks, as he needs to learn how to protect his feet better...Has the quickness to defeat his blockers in pass rushing situations, but can overrun the play, at times.

CAREER NOTES…Two-year starter for the Illini...Team leader who is a self-made player...Fred has been a one-man task force, wreaking havoc on opposing Big Ten quarterbacks as he is simply one of the most relentless pass rushers in the conference...Closed out his career with 151 tackles (94 solos)...His 42 stops behind the line of scrimmage (for losses of 158 yards) are topped only by Moe Gardner (57, 1987-90) and Simeon Rice (69, 1992-95) in school history...His 21 quarterback sacks (for minus 122 yards) rank behind Scott Davis (23, 1983-87) and Rice (44.5) on the Fighting Illini's career-record chart. REMINDS ME OF…ex-Giant Cedric Jones. GAZING INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL…Something is missing with this guy. He flashes into the backfield well, but will disappear for long stretches. I like his pass rush ability, but doubt if he has the lateral agility to play end. More comfortable with him in a 3-4 alignment or at tackle in a 4-3 format, so he won't play on the edge.

THE SUPER SLEEPER
#37-JUSTIN KURPEIKIS Penn State University Nittany Lions 6:03.6-254
ANALYSIS…Positives...Smart, aggressive and competitive...Has the hip strike and explosion off the snap to gain advantage on his initial step...Comes off his blocks quickly, using powerful hand swipes to separate...Shows good knee bend at the point of attack along with the foot quickness and lateral agility to chase with effectiveness in tight quarters...Has a consistent motor in back-side and downfield pursuit...Shows strike and hips on contact when flashing into the backfield to push the pocket...Makes a strong second effort to redirect when his initial move does not work... Has the intangibles you can not measure - heart, desire and total effort...Standout wedge buster who is truly an amazing character to watch on special teams (A productive member of the kickoff coverage unit, teammates have seen eye-black running down his cheeks as the anticipation of another game hits the emotionally-charged young man square in the face at kickoff).

Negatives...Generally gives up considerable bulk to the offensive linemen and may not have the frame to add more weight...May be better suited for middle linebacker due to his lateral agility and fluid movements in his pass drop...Shows an inconsistent use of hands, generating a surge with a forceful hand punch on one play and then letting blockers get into his chest on another... Has to show more balance when flashing to the backside, as he tends to overrun the play, thus preventing him from closing on the quarterback...Has only functional strength, which could pose problems in the pros as he's already giving up bulk to his opponent.

CAREER NOTES…Tough, blue-collar type whose work ethic is a throwback to another era...Two-year starter, who despite giving up bulk to offensive linemen, has been a regular visitor in the opposition's back- field with his edge rushing ability...Closed out his career with 172 tackles (128 solos), 17 quarter-back sacks for minus 114 yards and 43 stops for losses of 176 yards...His 43 stops rank fourth on the school's career-record list. REMINDS ME OF…Former Miami great, A.J. Duhe. GAZING INTO THE CRSTAL BALL…If the football gods are kind, some smart team will make him an inside linebacker in a 3-4 alignment. Plays as if the next play is his last play ever. Has the attitude and hey, he's a Penn Stater, so you know he's well-coached and willing to learn.

FIRST DAY DRAFT POSSIBILITIES
#58-JAMAL REYNOLDS Florida State University Seminoles 6:02.7-264
ANALYSIS…Positives...Excellent edge rusher with rare speed for this position...Fluid and flexible sliding down the line...Plays at a low pad level and has outstanding play recognition skills...Grant Wistrom-type (Rams) with the sudden surge to consistently split double coverage...Shows superb agility knifing into the backfield, displaying a strong hand punch and proper technique dipping his shoulder inside...Cuts through traffic to chase ball carriers down in the backfield... Snaps his hips sharply and extends his arms to wrap and jolt the opponent...His sharp burst off the line is especially evident with the ease that he collapses the pocket...His hands are an equal weapon to his speed, using them off the edge to quickly control and shed...In the right 3-4 defensive alignment, his exceptional quickness could be put to great use at outside linebacker, much like the way Baltimore utilizes former Seminole, Peter Boulware.

Negatives...Has problems when moving in-line, as he does not have the bulk to get as effective a push as he can off the edge...Lack of consistency in his leg drive sometimes allows blockers to stand him up at the line of scrimmage...Added fifteen pounds to his frame since the end of the 1999 season, but at 265, he may have little room to add any more bulk on his frame without losing that superb edge quickness.

CAREER NOTES…Another in a long line of standout defensive linemen to wear a Seminoles uniform during the Bobby Bowden era...Moved into the starting lineup as a junior, establishing himself as one of the nation's premier pass rushers...The Lombardi Award winner finished his career with 170 tackles (94 solos), 23.5 quarterback sacks for minus 155 yards and 38 stops behind the line of scrimmage for losses of 183 yards...Only Ron Simmons (25, 1977-80), Peter Boulware (34, 1994-96) and Reinard Wilson (35.5, 1993-96) had more sacks in a career for the Seminoles...His 33 stops for losses are surpassed only by Simmons' 44 in school annals...Possessing a keen eye for the football, he caused four fumbles while recovering three others. REMINDS ME OF…Carolina's Chuck Smith (in his prime). GAZING INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL…Could be a very nice addition for the Bears, but they are looking at offense first. Pressure-type pass rusher who has great swim moves, but I don't think he can contribute much vs. the run, thus I am hesitant to use an early first rounder on this guy.

#96-CEDRIC SCOTT University of Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles 6:05.2-274
ANALYSIS…Positives…Team-oriented player with solid work ethics...Has outstanding initial quickness...Works well out of a two-point stance, showing the leg drive to fly past blockers... Shows patience waiting for the plays to develop, rather than trying to over-pursue...Very effective at stringing plays wide and is quick to pick up the reverse...Hits and sheds his blockers with force...Very efficient in neutralizing his man in one-on-one situations...Uses his strength well to discard blockers, showing proper hand usage to rip through holds...Takes proper angles to the ball and has an explosive closing burst...Dips his shoulders properly when playing off the edge...Relentless when chasing quarterbacks in the backfield, displaying the quickness to get to his man at the opposite end of the field.

Negatives…More of a one-gap type...Seems uncomfortable working out of a three-point stance, preferring to come off the edge in a two-point...While showing patience for the plays to develop, he is still a little hesitant to recognize and diagnose the action...Gets sloppy with his tackling when having to move inside for run support...Loses leverage when being double teamed and needs to keep his hands a little higher when engaging... More of a straight-line charger, lacking an array of rush moves...Not that effective in securing tackles, needing to extend his arms more before wrapping up the ball carrier.

CAREER NOTES…Three-year starter who is a model for durability, having never missed a game due to injuries during his time at Southern Mississippi...Collected 195 tackles (98 solos) with 26.5 quarterback sacks for minus 143 yards and 47 stops for losses of 190 yards during his career...Only Adalius Thomas (34.5, 1996-99) had more sacks in school history. REMINDS ME OF…Baltimore's Mike McCrary. GAZING INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL…Like McCrary, there are bigger and faster, but few have the intent on hurting and getting to quarterbacks like this kid. Situational type only? Probably, but he will make those big tackles in the backfield.

#83-KYLE VANDEN BOSCH University of Nebraska Cornhuskers 6:03.6-270
ANALYSIS…Positives…Intense competitor with very good quickness off the snap...Instantly delivers a punishing hand jolt on blockers to drive into the backfield...Very sharp in his lateral movements...Reads and reacts to the play effectively and shows excellent ball awareness instincts on the move...Has the power to control the larger blockers...Disengages quickly from his man to move towards the ball...Never quits until the gun sounds, displaying an explosive closing burst...Has the strength to get through the in-line blocking and classic wrapup tackling ability when zeroing in on the ball...Likes to deliver punishing shots on the quarterback and can control the fullback with ease, thanks to his upper body power...Has that extra surge to consistently finish off his blocks...When you think of the term carpe diem, you think of Kyle's approach to the game, as he certainly seizes the moment.

Negatives…His lower body frame lacks the power to take on the more bulkier blockers with consistency...Has to improve his ball recognition skills, as he seems more comfortable playing on the move than reacting to the play directed in his area...Needs to control his emotions, as he gets into some needless fights on the field...His over-aggression when hitting the quarterback could result in penalty problems, but seems to have "toned down" his act as maturity has set in..Will need to add bulk to his frame to stand up to the rigors involved in playing in the NFL trench wars.

CAREER NOTES…One of the most aggressive personalities to ever wear a Husker uniform...Plays with a "search and destroy" attitude that has made him a favorite of Nebraska fans...The two-year starter has added close to 40 pounds to his frame since arriving on campus as a freshman... Started his final 23 games, he closed out his career with 142 tackles (51 solos), 13 sacks for minus 112 yards, 34 stops for losses of 176 yards and 46 quarterback pressures. REMINDS ME OF…St. Louis' Grant Wistrom. GAZING INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL…It wouldn't surprise me if the Rams take him at #29 to replace Kevin Carter. He's so much like Wistrom, it's scary, but boy, does he lack technique. Makes up for it on the intensity level, though.

#99-DAVID WARREN Florida State University Seminoles 6:03.5-252
ANALYSIS…Positives…One of the fastest defensive players to ever wear a Seminoles uniform, clocking 4.43 in the 40-yard dash...Has exceptional quickness off the snap and the moves to easily gain leverage over the blockers...Very efficient getting into the backfield off the edge...Relentless chaser who moves through traffic with determination... Rolls his hips properly and gets his hands up quickly in the blocker's face to jolt back his opponent on the surge...Excels at penetrating the line of scrimmage to collapse the pocket...Lowers his head and extends his arms as he goes low to take the quarterback off his feet.

Negatives…Not a self-motivated player, taking a lackadaisical approach in practices and games when he's not motivated...Tries to get "too cute" with blockers with his speed moves, but gets too frustrated when his initial strike doesn't work, getting his mind-set out of the game when that happens...Has huge problems disengaging from blockers when ridden upright off the snap... Lacks recognition skills (or possibly does not care to get involved) for the physical in-line run defense...Constantly biting on fakes and is easily fooled by the blocker's hand punches...His inability to maintain position vs. the run could limit him to only situational duties at the pro level.

CAREER NOTES…Finally given an opportunity to start full-time as a senior, thanks to 1999 All-American Roland Seymour being sidelined by injuries, he joined Jamal Reynolds in forming one of the best pass rushing tandems in the country...The fastest defensive line-man to ever play for FSU, he collected 118 tackles (65 solos) with 14 quarterback sacks and 28 stops behind the line of scrimmage during his days with the Seminoles. REMINDS ME OF…New England's Tedy Bruschi. GAZING INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL…I hope this kid likes cold weather, because if New England is smart, they will pop on this kid, plant him at strongside outside linebacker and watch him finally develop at his natural position. Leaving this kid at defensive end is like the disaster created in Cincinnati years ago with Reinard Wilson and in Chicago with John Thierry.

#15-REGGIE HAYWARD Iowa State University Cyclones 6:04.6-252
ANALYSIS…Positives…Jason Taylor-type (Miami) with outstanding short area speed...Very effective on stunts, playing with his hand down wide to the open side to get after the quarterback quickly...Has great agility for his position, making plays in pursuit...Has that explosive initial burst and long arms to seal off the outside rush...Can flash upfield, displaying fine foot agility when dropping off in pass coverage...Has fine inside counter moves off his upfield rush and excellent recovery speed... Plays with good leverage to prevent blockers from containing him...Has the short area agility to penetrate the line, collapse the pocket and pressure the quarterback.

Negatives…Lacks overall strength to prevent blockers from locking on and riding him wide...Plays too cautious in run support, preferring to contain the play rather than step up to initiate the tackle...His lack of bulk causes the larger blockers to cover him up and push him around in traffic...Is a little stiff and appears hesitant to break down and diagnose the plays in the open field...Despite his quickness, he shows inconsistencies playing off the edge while in a three-point stance, feeling more comfortable standing upright...Needs to show more explosiveness behind his hits, rather than being a finesse-type.

CAREER NOTES…A major factor in the team's rise through the collegiate rankings, Reggie "put it all together" in his senior year, developing into a disruptive force in the mold of Miami's Jason Taylor and Tennessee's Jevon Kearse...The three-year starter captained the squad as a senior...He finished his career with 229 tackles (147 solos), 16.5 sacks for minus 102 yards and 18 stops for losses of 81 yards. REMINDS ME OF…Seattle's Mike Sinclair. GAZING INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL…His practices at the Hula Bowl have me convinced he's ready to step up to the next level. Too bad he didn't get that fire light under him sooner, as he could have definitely secured a first day draft selection.

SECOND DAY DRAFT POSSIBILITIES
#91-KARON RILEY University of Minnesota Gophers 6:02.3-251
ANALYSIS…Positives…Natural pass rusher with that quick twitch off the snap to explode into the backfield...Has the hand punch and speed to easily disengage from blockers...Has a good feel for the game, diagnosing plays on the move and locating the ball quickly...Very strong for his size, using his hand punch to effectively control the blockers...Has the speed to beat his man around the corner and when the lineman overcompensates to the outside, he shows that swim move needed to break into the backfield from the inside...Excels at knocking down passes at the line of scrimmage...His ability to drop off in pass coverage and fluidly move in space could see him being utilized as a rush end in a 3-4 defense or as a strongside linebacker in a 4-3 defensive alignment...Explosive tackler with the power to jar the ball loose...Never gives up on a play and shows great acceleration in pursuit...Has that second gear needed to burst past the line to collapse the pocket.

Negatives…Not a good practice player and needs to show more dedication in the weight room... As quick and determined as he is on the field, he lacks the bulk to stand up to the more physical blockers...Gets knocked around quite a bit in run support due to his slight frame...Does not have the leg drive to maintain position in one-on-one situations...Has good instincts, but tends to be a little late coming off the snap, at times...Very lean in the lower body, but unfortunately, his frame may not be able to carry much more bulk.

CAREER NOTES…A relentless pass rusher in the mold of Charles Haley and Richard Dent... Enjoyed a banner career at Minnesota after beginning his college life on the Southern Methodist campus...Joined the Gophers in 1999, quickly establishing his presence on the field and in the locker room...An articulate player, he has incredible field instincts...In 24 games for the Gophers, he recorded 108 tackles (85 solos) with 29 quarterback sacks for minus 206 yards and 42 stops for losses of 240 yards...Despite playing only two seasons at Minnesota, his 29 sacks set a school career-record, topping the previous mark of 23.5 sacks by Lemanzer Williams (1994-97)...His 42 stops for losses are one shy of the Gopher all-time record of 43 by John Schlecht (1997-2000)...Made 158 tackles (113 solos) with 32 sacks and 47 stops behind the line of scrimmage in 38 contests during his entire collegiate career. REMINDS ME OF…former Chicago Bear Richard Dent. GAZING INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL…Really went into the tank at times in 2000, thus my down-grade of his draft stock to second-day status. Will more than likely go in the third round, but I need to see that consistency level return.

#56-ROLAND SEYMOUR Florida State University Seminoles 6:03.4-256
ANALYSIS…Positives...Self-motivated player who is a hard worker on the gridiron and in the weight room... Very fluid runner who uses his long reach and punishing hand jolt to take blockers off stride coming off the snap...Has an outstanding change of direction and closing burst to collapse the pocket...Despite his lean frame, he shows power and aggression to disengage quickly to knife into the backfield...Strikes hard on impact, possessing the hip swerve to warp and bring down the ball carrier in pursuit...Move-oriented pass rusher who is more effective working off the edge.

Negatives...Has been very slow to recover from January, 2000 reconstructive knee surgery...Possesses a very lean frame, but there are concerns that if he adds much needed bulk that he will lose that foot speed that is his top quality...Gets stood up often by the larger blockers when meeting them head on...Has too add leg strength in order to maintain position trying to step in to fill the rush lanes...Has had problems grasping the play-book and is best served just playing off the edge, rather than getting involved in stunts and zone responsibilities...Not much of a help in run support.

CAREER NOTES…Regarded as one of the elite defensive players in college football, a devastating knee injury suffered in the 2000 Sugar Bowl wiped out most of his senior season...The team sorely missed his outstanding pass rushing skills coming off the edge...Finished his career with 125 tackles (57 solos), 11.5 quarterback sacks for minus 62 yards, 23 stops behind the line of scrimmage for losses of 115 yards and 26 quarterback pressures. REMINDS ME OF…Philadelphia's Mike Mamula. GAZING INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL…If he can fully recover, he's a steal on the second day of the draft. If not, it was nice watching his college career. Hopefully, he realized the extent of his injury, concentrated on school and won't be found working at a 7-11 store in a few years.

#78-ROSS KOLODZIEJ University of Wisconsin Badgers 6:02.3-287
ANALYSIS…Positives...Stocky, compactly built athlete with a high motor...Relentless in pursuit... Shows an explosive burst off the snap, staying low in his stance with hands extended to keep blockers off his feet...Uses his quickness to gain penetration and shows the lateral agility to flush the quarter-back out of the pocket...Extends his arms properly as he secures and drags down the ball carriers...Has very impressive workout numbers.

Negatives...Problem is, his workout numbers do not translate onto the football field...Despite his short area quickness, he is generally a step too late to cause problems in the backfield...Comes off the snap with good leg drive, but his improper use of his arms (poor rip & swim moves) result in blockers locking on too quickly and he becomes frustrated when he can't disengage...Even with his power, he can be manhandled at the point of attack...Plays at a high intensity level, but is not quick to read and diagnose the plays.

CAREER NOTES… Mainstay on the defensive line since his freshman year, collecting 45 starts, the fifth-best total in school history...Has also performed for the Badgers' track team as a weight man...Finished with 170 tackles (86 solos), nine sacks for minus 45 yards and 24 stops for losses of 78 yards. REMINDS ME OF…Former New York Giants great, Jim Burt. GAZING INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL…Too small to play defensive tackle, teams are thinking of using his speed on the outside. Please, anyone, get ahold of New England. This kid is born to play nose guard and it will be a shame to have him crash into things on the outside when he can destroy running backs on the inside instead.

#1-DeLAWRENCE GRANT, JR. Oregon State University Beavers 6:02.4-267
ANALYSIS…Positives…Just starting to come into his own, thanks to two years of structured developmental teaching from Dennis Erickson's coaching staff...Plays in a "base 40" front, but also has quickness coming off the edge as a standup rusher...Gets off the snap quickly, getting his hands up immediately to jolt the blockers back...Straight-ahead pass rusher with the speed to defeat blocks and string out the outside plays...Has the "motor" and intensity to collapse the pocket and pressure the quarterback...Uses a lot of dip-&-rip moves to disengage from the blockers on the edge rush...Quick into the seam, using his power to get through the trash in-line...Shows the hip swerve and foot agility to escape double coverage...Has huge hands (11-inch width) to deliver punishing swipes on unsuspecting offensive tackles trying to generate a surge off the edge.

Negatives…Lacks that raw power needed to handle the larger blockers off the snap...Has a poor feel for running plays, hesitating before making his initial move...Needs to do a better job of locating the ball...Seems to lack the desire to push the pile moving upfield...Has trouble disengaging from blocks as he will constantly try to over-power, rather than escape from traffic... Does not have the lateral agility to show any consistency in pursuit...Lack of ideal size will see him get engulfed by the massive offensive tackles...Has to develop more moves than just the "rip" in order to gain better separation.

CAREER NOTES…Two-year starter since joining the team from El Camino (Cal.) Junior College... Really came into his own as a senior, rededicating himself and showing a tireless work ethic that was not evident in the past...His efforts to succeed at his craft saw him win honors for his work in the weight room as he added over 20 pounds of muscle to his frame prior to his final campaign... Finished his Oregon State career with 78 tackles (47 solos), 13 quarterback sacks for minus 97 yards, 10 pressures and 20 stops for losses of 115 yards. REMINDS ME OF…San Diego's Raylee Johnson. GAZING INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL…Do I think he's a first-day pick, no, but some team is going to take him much earlier than his stock dictates based on potential. He really hasn't been all that productive, until the second half of his senior year, but he really put on a show in his last six games in 2000 to merit a long look.

#44-MONTY BEISEL Kansas State University Wildcats 6:03.6-259
ANALYSIS…Positives…Mike Mamula (Philadelphia) type who plays with good leverage... Shows the lateral agility to beat blockers off the snap to knife down the line...Can gain advantage over the blockers with his quickness...Shows good instincts on the move, displaying solid rip-&-swim skills...Plays well behind the blocks, locking up the ball carrier with arms extended...Has that extra surge needed to collapse the pocket on the way to the quarterback...Could shift to fullback at the pro level to take better advantage of his athletic ability.

Negatives…Plays better on the move...Despite his strength, he has problems maintaining position against the larger blockers...Shows poor ability reading the plays...Gets pushed around quite a bit and is easily neutralized due to his lack of leg drive...Has inconsistent use of hands when trying to defeat blocks, exposing too much of his body, which allows blockers to get their hands into his chest...Only way he can generate a pass rush is on the move, as he tends to get a little soft in his battles with blockers due to his inability to get his hands up and extended...Ducks his head prior to contact, struggling to redirect...Workout warrior who seems more concerned about his physique rather than his performance.

CAREER NOTES…Two-year starter at defensive end who has also taken a few snaps at fullback...Consistency is his strong suit, especially in his senior year, where he registered at least seven tackles in eight straight performances...Garnered post-season honors both on the field and in the class room...Finished his career with 192 tackles (110 solos), 22 quarterback sacks for minus 182 yards and 45 stops for losses of 224 yards...His 22 sacks rank fourth on the school's all-time record list behind Dirk Ochs (24, 1992-95), Nyle Wiren (27.5, 1993-96) and Darren Howard (29.5, 1996-99)...His 45 stops behind the line of scrimmage rank sixth in Kansas State annals... Also excelled in pass defense, registering 18 deflections during his time with the Wildcats. REMIND ME OF…Another Mike Mamula (Philadelphia) comparison. GAZING INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL…Don't be surprised if some team tries converting him to fullback. He has a relentless nature, but boy, he gets bounced around quite a bit in run containment situations.

#85-PAUL TOVIESSI Marshall University Thundering Herd 6:06.3-254
ANALYSIS…Positives...Quick accelerator off the line of scrimmage...Does a nice job of recognizing the trap blocks...Very effective in pursuit, closing quickly on the quarterback from the backside...Takes on blockers with a strong hand punch that gives him a good chance to shed... Has the foot speed and agility to accelerate to the ball...Hits and wraps with authority and has the strength to drag down the more physical backs...Uses his hands well to fend off the low blocks.

Negatives...Lacks fluid change of direction skills...Has a very hard time maintaining his weight (can start off the season at 270 pounds, but will quickly drop down to the 230 range)...Lack of bulk causes him to struggle when meeting the bigger blockers on initial contact...His size limitations prevent him from consistently stacking the blocks...Better coming off the edge, as his small frame causes him to get bounced around by blockers when trying to redirect inside...Not the most dedicated player in practices and needs a stern hand to bring out the best in him (his attitude goes through wild swings and is not considered leadership material)...His frame may be better suited for strongside linebacker, but he has shown limited pass coverage skills and struggles to maintain his quickness outside of the short area.

CAREER NOTES…High intensity pass rusher who has manned the right defensive end position for the Thundering Herd in the last two years...Finished his career with 212 tackles (106 solos), 13.5 quarterback sacks for minus 83 yards and 29 stops for losses of 130 yards. REMINDS ME OF…Denver's Kavika Pittman. GAZING INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL…Severe weight losses during the season really bother me. Lack of fire in his gut at times bothers me even more. I'm just not convinced that you will get equal value back on where a team will draft him.

#56-DERRICK BURGESS University of Mississippi Rebels 6:02.5-262
ANALYSIS…Positives…Hard upfield pass rusher who is very quick off the snap...Has good balance and agility...Can redirect inside with an explosive initial step...Comes off the ball with good body lean...Keeps his shoulders squared when moving laterally...Active in pursuit, using his power to get through traffic well...Comes hard off the edge, showing good shiftiness in his attack.

Negatives…More move-oriented, as he does not work through contact with power, at times... Marginal in run defense, hesitating when taking on blockers head-on...Has difficulties shedding blocks and holding his ground vs. the larger blockers...Plays out of control at times and can be ridden wide too easily.

CAREER NOTES…Four-year starter who served as team captain in his final year...Boasts 38 starting assignments in 43 games played...Finished his career with 166 tackles (106 solos), 17.5 sacks for minus 122 yards and 40 stops for losses of 157 yards. REMINDS ME OF…Dallas' Michael Myers. GAZING INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL…Teams looking for a third end will get quality minutes from him in spurts, but this is not starting material here, folks.

#99-JOE TAFOYA University of Arizona Wildcats 6:03.5-258
ANALYSIS…Positives...Lean, but well-built player with good upper body muscle development... Has the quickness to suddenly gain advantage from his initial burst...Very instinctive, showing a good feel for the ball and determination to make the play...Despite his slight frame, he more than holds his own at the point of attack...Stacks blocks when playing at a low leverage...Physical tackler who explodes through contact...Wraps and faces up when in position, making textbook tackles in the open...Has an array of spin and swim moves to penetrate the backfield...Shows a sharp burst to beat blockers and collapse the pocket.

Negatives...Needs to add more than 20 pounds to his frame in order to withstand the rigors of pro blocking...While he's instinctive, he tends to get too high in his stance at times, causing him to struggle in his attempts to disengage...Has difficulties recovering when the blockers attack low and needs to show better hand usage in order to protect his feet...Little stiff in his knee bend, causing a slight hesitation in his initial step when redirecting.

CAREER NOTES…Blue collar worker with a blue chip attitude...The team's most relentless defender since Tedy Bruschi (New England) wreaked havoc throughout the Pac-10 Conference (1992-95)...Finished his career with 165 tackles (110 solos), 24.5 sacks for minus 181 yards and 49 stops for losses of 225 yards. REMINDS ME OF…Philadelphia's Ndukwe Kalu. GAZING INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL…A lack of ideal foot agility prevents teams from thinking of moving him to strongside linebacker and he lacks the instincts to play middle linebacker. Solid special teamer who will be a capable reserve, but not much else.

#92-ELLIS WYMS Mississippi State University Bulldogs 6:02.7-279
ANALYSIS…Positives…Natural pass rusher with a sharp initial burst into the backfield...Very adept at recognizing the blocking schemes and maintaining position vs. plays directed at him...Uses his arms effectively to shed blocks...Shows impressive urgency to the ball, displaying decisive closing speed...Knows how to use his hands to defeat blocks and gain leverage over his man...Turns the corner in an instant and has the quickness to stay with the play upfield...Has developed an array of rush moves that allows him to dip-&-rip through blocks coming off the edge to pursue the quarter-back.

Negatives…Has marginal upfield quickness...Needs to do a better job of shedding blocks, as he tends to battle high coming off the snap...Lacks the two-gap body frame to be effective defending inside... Has to work on increasing his strength, as he has problems disengaging from the more physical blockers, who can stack him at the point.

CAREER NOTES…Valuable performer on the Bulldogs front line, seeing action at both tackle and end during his career...His versatility allowed the team to play him anywhere along the line, as he developed into the team's premier pass rusher...Despite starting in only nine games (played in 40), he collected 120 tackles (69 solos) with ten quarterback sacks and 18 stops behind the line of scrimmage. REMINDS ME OF…Arizona's Brad Ottis. GAZING INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL…Like Ottis, he's a tackle playing end due to a lack of ideal bulk to play inside. Draftable, but one has to wonder if he'll be around long to pick up a pro paycheck on Mondays or worth the zeroes that will be on that check.

OTHERS TO WATCH OUT FOR
#1-RANDY GARNER University of Arkansas Razorbacks 6:03.6-273
ANALYSIS…Positives…Strong and fundamentally sound pass rusher...Quick off the edge and shows good hustle to the ball...Has an incredible upfield burst, which gives him an advantage over the large, slower blockers...Hits the gaps with authority in run force...Easily defeats blocks with his speed, showing the ability to dip and turn the corner in a flash...Has the arm strength to drag down the ball carriers and the foot speed to close on the quarterbacks and collapse the pocket.

Negatives…Has big problems trying to disengage from the blockers as he tends to keep his arms short rather than extend to get a proper push off his man...Despite his superb speed, he still needs to develop rush moves, as he relies too much on quickness off the edge...His inability to develop these moves has allowed the physical offensive linemen to lock on to ride him wide...Still seems "lost" at times on the field, as he has yet to fully grasp the intricacies of the pass rush... Seems confused on how to escape double-team coverage...Rarely uses his hands to establish his moves and lacks the lower body power to maintain balance when the blocker gets under him... Will disappear for long stretches, looking as if he does not care to be on the field.

CAREER NOTES…The former outside linebacker has grown into one of the best athletes the Razorbacks have ever featured on the defensive line...Much like former Arkansas standout, Steve Conley, Randy has few peers in the speed department as an edge rusher...Moved to defensive end as a sophomore after starting nine games at outside linebacker during his first year with the team...Finished his career with 164 tackles (88 solos) and tied linebacker Quinton Caver for ninth on the school's all-time record list with 30 stops behind the line of scrimmage...Started his last 34 games for the Razorbacks.

#96-ERIK GARDNER California State University at Northridge Matadors 6:05.3-243
ANALYSIS…Positives...Tall, lanky pass rusher with good upper body definition and long arms...Leverage player who maintains balance and position against the larger blockers... Gets good separation when taking on blocks, delivering a forceful hand jolt to redirect his opponents...Takes proper angles in his lateral pursuit and shows urgency and effort getting to the ball carrier...Has the strength to drag the opponent to the ground quickly and shows surprising agility dropping back in the short area in pass coverage...His quickness and flexibility could see him shift to strong-side outside linebacker or operate as an edge rusher at the pro level...Also has experience at tight end...Knows how to extend his arms and use his hands to keep blockers off his feet...Has the frame to add more bulk without any dropoff in speed.

Negatives...Gets engulfed by the larger blockers when trying to redirect inside...Tweener-type who needs to add more bulk to withstand the punishment at the next level...Some-times looks hesitant reacting to the ball, especially when called upon to cover and redirect linebackers...May not have the hip swerve needed to make the transition from down lineman to outside linebacker.

CAREER NOTES…Pound-for-pound, the team's strongest player, winning the Iron Man Strength Award during his last two seasons with the Matadors...Versatile defender who has played every position on the front line...Finished his career with 117 tackles (56 solos), 13.5 sacks for minus 92 yards and 26 stops for losses of 115 yards.

#95-DEVONTE PETERSON Catawba College Warriors 6:02.6-275
ANALYSIS…Positives...Muscular athlete with a thick chest and big biceps...Power-oriented run stuffer who has the quickness needed to slip past blocks while flushing the quarterback out of the pocket...Instinctive defender who is quick to locate and redirect to the ball...Has impressive strength, doing a nice job of stacking the pile at the line of scrimmage...Uses his hands effectively to break free from double coverage...Punishes ball carriers at the line of scrimmage, playing at a low pad level to string plays wide...Flashes effort and aggression in his lateral pursuit.

Negatives...Has good short area speed, but tends to labor when having to move upfield...Needs to deliver a more effective hand punch to prevent blockers from getting into his chest...Will struggle at times to disengage due to a lack of spin moves...Despite his power, he can be ridden wide by the larger, more physical blockers...Has to learn how to extend his arms better in order to prevent the quarterback from slipping through his grasp.

CAREER NOTES…Two-year starter who paced a defensive unit that led the NCAA Division II ranks in 2001, as the Warriors allowed opponents to score only 8.3 points per game...Participated in 41 games during his career at Catawba, recording 155 tackles (104 solos)...Registered 23 quarterback sacks and set school career-records with 87 stops behind the line of scrimmage and an incredible 105 quarterback pressures, including 99 in his final two seasons.

#48-SAUL KING PATU University of Oregon Ducks 6:02.3-266
ANALYSIS…Positives...Physical pass rusher with the potential to add more bulk to his frame without any dropoff in quickness...Has a quick first step off the snap to gain leverage and an instinctive feel for the play developing...Has a sharp straight-ahead burst and uses his impressive lower body strength and leg drive to easily defeat blocks...Chases hard in pursuit, showing good lateral slide...Shows proper form tackling in closed quarters and coming off the edge...Keeps his balance and makes the plays in the backfield, despite giving up bulk to most blockers...Very quick on inside stunts, using proper rip-&-swim moves to prevent blockers from attacking his feet.

Negatives...Spends too much time with blockers, getting frustrated when his initial move does not work...Does not have that explosive burst to take advantage of slower blockers... Keeps his arms short in run defense, causing problems when trying to shed...Lacks counter moves to the outside that are needed to defeat double coverage...Size dictates a possible move to linebacker, but he struggles when having to drop off in a zone, lacking a fluid change of direction...Gets walled off and kicked out when trying to gain separation, not using his big hands to deliver a good jolt to rock blockers back on their heels.

CAREER NOTES…Came to the Ducks as an outside linebacker, but jumped at an opportunity to start on the defensive line, taking over the weakside defensive end position as a freshman... Described by the coaching staff as the team's "self-commanding perfectionist," he enjoyed a banner senior campaign to finish his career with 167 tackles (100 solos), 26.5 quarterback sacks for minus 131 yards and 53 stops for losses of 192 yards...Only Ernest Jones (29, 1990-93) had more sacks in a career for Oregon.

#9-ROD KELLY Northeastern State University, Oklahoma Redmen 6:04.4-252
ANALYSIS…Positives…Disruptive edge rusher in the mold of Miami's Jason Taylor...Gets upfield in a flash and has the hip swerve to escape the trash to get into the backfield...Has the foot speed to split double team blocking...Shows explosiveness through his tackles and does a nice job wrapping in space... Has natural hand usage, flashing a punch to rock the blockers back.

Negatives…Needs to show consistency throughout the game, as he tends to disappear for stretches...Lacks the power to take on and control the more physical blockers in one-on-one confrontations...Stands around a lot, looking frustrated when his initial moves don't work... Comes off the snap a little too high, letting blockers get their hands on him...Lacks the leg drive to hold his ground at the point of attack...For all of his quickness, he lacks stop-&-go action and this generally will see him miss the quarterback when closing.

CAREER NOTES…Drafted as a pitcher coming out of high school, he opted for a career on the gridiron, honing his wares at Trinity Valley Junior College before transferring to Northeastern State...In 25 games, he has totaled 125 tackles with 13 sacks for minus 115 yards and 35 stops behind the line of scrimmage for losses of 165 yards...Used his superb leaping ability to deflect 15 passes during his two-year Redmen career.

#94-CHRIS COOPER University of Nebraska at Omaha Mavericks 6:05.2-272
ANALYSIS…Positives...Tall, lean athletic pass rusher with a frame that can add additional bulk without any dropoff in quickness...Has an explosive initial burst, getting his hands up quickly on his rise from his stance to get into the blocker's chest...Has a sharp inside burst and shows the instincts needed to diagnose and read the plays...Combats double team blocking with true aggression, playing with leverage vs. the run...Has a hard charge chasing from the backside, displaying proper body lean off the corner.

Negatives...Does a lot of chasing around without really making the big plays, getting most of his sacks during "garbage" time...Needs to develop better change of direction skills and also add some more moves to his pass rush (lacks swim moves off the edge)...Takes poor rush angles, wasting too much time trying to run around blocks rather than knifing through traffic...Involved in an incident as a junior where a student was pushed from the balconey at a party (charges were dropped).

CAREER NOTES…Four-year starter who was the team's emotional leader...Holds the school's career-record with 31 quarterback sacks...Appeared in 46 games for the Mavericks, registering 147 tackles (73 solos) with 55 stops for losses of 262 yards.