SPORTS UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Friday, February 17, 1995
3B
Jaguars roaring about new draft pick Howard
The Associated Press
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — One team's disappointment is another hope.
Such was the case in the NFL expansion draft, which brought Desmond Howard to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
"Hopefully his best years are in front of him," coach Tom Coughlin said after the 1991 Heisman Trophy winner was the 55th player selected from a pool of talent left unprotected by the 28 existing teams.
The Jaguars were attracted to Howard's speed and big-play capability. He was a major disappointment for 2 1/2 years with the Washington Redskins. However, he made strides the last half of 1994 and finished with 40 receptions for 727 yards and five touchdowns—all career highs.
In his last six games, the one-time Michigan star averaged 19.9 yards a catch on 24 receptions and scored two touchdowns—one of them on an 81-yard play that was the longest of his career.
Howard, 24, expected to return to Washington next season and become
the primary target for Heath Shuler, who struggled as a rookie last season before showing steady improvement in the closing weeks.
The Redskins, mindful of Howard's $1.73 million salary cap price tag, left him unprotected. But the 5-foot-9, 180-pound wide receiver doesn't feel Washington gave up on him.
"They knew the risk involved... I was looking forward to going back to D.C. with a more-mature Heath and picking up where we left off," said Howard, who had 66 catches for 1,033 yards and scored eight TDs in three seasons in Washington.
"But realistically, who has an idea of what their future's going to be?" Howard said. "You always have an idea, but nothing's guaranteed."
Howard was the 28th of 31 players selected by Jacksonville, which spent about $15.5 million on its picks, compared to the $9 million in contracts taken on by the Carolina Panthers.
Five of Jacksonville's selections have salary cap prices exceeding $1 million, including top pick Steve Beuerlein.
Heavy Salaam has slimmer chance
The Associated Press
BOULDER, Colo. — NFL officials say Heisman Trophy winner Rashaan Salaam's weight is rising, meaning his stock in the April draft could decline.
NFL officials at last week's scouting combine told The Denver Post that Salaam, whose playing weight is about 215 pounds, weighed in at 228 and did not participate in workouts.
A personnel director requesting anonymity told The Post, "There are people who flat out won't draft anybody who won't work out at the combine. When he does run, he could move back into the top 10."
Salaam, who became the fourth player in NCAA history to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a single season, has been projected as an early first-round selection in the April 22- 23 draft.
Bute Dave-Te Thomas, publisher of "NFL Draft Report," said the Colorado running back shouldn't be taken that soon.
"If anyone is more overrated or overweight than Rashaen Salaam, I want to know who it is," Thomas said. "I wouldn't touch him until the third round."
New York Giants general manager George Young is withholding judgment until he sees Salaam during private workouts in March and April.
"He's a hell of a player. The final exam is the football season. We're doing Mickey Mouse stuff now," Youngsaid.
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MEN'S POST-SEASON BASKETBALL APPLICATIONS
ATTN: STUDENTS
Applications for Men's Basketball Post-Season Tournament action are available now at the Athletic Ticket Office located in the East lobby of Allen Fieldhouse.
Final Four
Don't miss out on your chance to see the Jayhawks in action during these 1995 events:
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