Q & A with Dave-Te Thomas

 

 

1) Frank of Austin Texas- Can Casey Hampton start right away for the Cowboys? ANSWER-Hampton is as close to an immediate starter as any defensive tackle in this draft. Whoever gets him, gets a classic overachiever in the Jerry Ball, Gilbert Brown (not fat, just a middle field plugger) mold.

2) Nora from Gilroy CA- I hear the Niners are thinking about Andre Carter and I wanted to know if he is a good pick because I heard that he didn't weigh much and might get tossed around? ANSWER-Chris Doleman, Richard Dent, Charles Haley, Andre Carter. What do they all have in common? Light-framed blue chipers who overcome girth by their worth in flushing the quarterback. Unfortunately, the 49ers are looking glowingly at the Deuce.

3) Harry from New Orleans- The Aints are thinkin of picking a corner and I like Clements but hate the rest. Which corner do you like second? ANSWER-None-in the third will actually be the best value corner in the draft, Akron's Dwight Smith, who in my opinion, if he was in Nate Clements body, would have been the first CB taken. He may not be the fastest, but, boy, can he stick you. Reminds me a lot of Donnie Abraham.

4) Brian of Baltimore- If we(Redskins) pickup Dan Morgan what do we do with Lavar? Who plays middle? Is Morgan that good? ANSWER-Morgan is better playing outside, due to his lateral agility, but like Brian Urlacher, he'll excel at where ever you play him.

5) Me- Would it be a shock if Lamont Jordan went on round one to the Vikes? Tell me more about him. ANSWER-Yeah, give me my cardiac pills. Jordan is a type that never really seems to have the heart and athletic ability in the same place. He struggles to grasp class work because he's lazy about it. I need a fire in the gut of my players if I was taking them.

6) Me- Does it concern you that Middlebrooks has gotten injured twice and is alittle sloppy with his footwork? I see Fletcher's production and Middlebrooks' and its not even close. ANSWER-Middlebrooks & Will Allen will be drafted, & I stress this, will be drafted on ATHLETIC ABILITY. Fletcher, while a fine athlete for his size, will be drafted ahead of them & perform better due to outstanding football smarts, sort of like the Bills' Antoine Winfield.

Bert: How far will Drew Brees fall and to whom?

Dave-Te: All-Americans do not make All-Pros, or even pros. Brees is no worse than Atlanta's pick
in the second, but I don't think he will get past Kansas City (if they don't trade for a QB) or Miami
in round one. Personally, I'd wait a few rounds & take Western Carolina's David Rivers.

Eric: With the Bears signing of Ted Washington, how does that change the Bears draft strategy?
What do you think they will do with their first and second round picks?

Dave-Te: Obviusly, the still need to addres the RB issue, even with James Allen there. I say look for
Pitt's Kevan Barlow in round two & a rush end like Seymour-Georgia moving outside in the first.

Eric: What should the Bears do with their QB situation? Is there a vet freeagent in the cards?

Dave-Te: Nah, they will toss McNown to the wolves again.

Travis: If you had to start a 2nd or 3rd round offensive tackle his first year, who would you feel
most comfortable with and why?

Dave-Te: None-seriously, unless Jeff Backus slides to the second. Only Leonard Davis, Backus
& Kenyatta Walker offer immediate starting potential. One thing you never do is toss a lineman
out there too early. Look how bad Chris Chandler was killed when Atlanta did that.