Section B · Page 4
The University Daily Kansan
Thursday, April 16, 1998
New England stockpiles picks
Patriots keeping all options open
The Associated Press
FOXBORO, Mass. — The phone keeps ringing. New England Patriots draft boss Bobby Grier listens to trade proposals. Then he hangs up and feels good that, with so many draft picks, he's in an enviable position.
when their six choices in the first three rounds.
tion.
The Patriots want to guarantee their future, not mortgage it. So if the price isn't right for a trade, they'll gladly stick with
Two of those choices — a first and a third — came from the New York Jets as compensation for signing running
back Curtis Martin.
That left one thing very clear: the Patriots' top priority in this weekend's draft is getting a player to replace Martin.
Just who that will be depends on whether they keep the 18th pick or move into the top five to get a shot at Penn State's Curtis Enis.
"We're not willing to be held up."
We held up,
said Grier, vice
president of
player personnel.
"We've put a
price on what
we'd like to do."
Chicago has the fifth pick, but Grier said the
Bears haven't told him what they would take in a trade. He talked
with many other teams, some of whom are interested in one of New England's two first-round picks next year, but Grier thinks those may be even more valuable than this year's choices.
The Patriots have 10 choices in the seven rounds as bargaining chips, but a trade before the draft is unlikely, Grier said. He may be waiting to see how quickly the top running backs are taken before deciding whether to move up to make sure he gets a quality player.
"I don't think there's reason to panic if there's a guy we want and he's not" available when the Patriots make their pick, Grier said.
Without a trade, they still have six of the top 82 picks and an excellent chance to build depth that could improve an already strong team for many years.
"If we're patient, we'll get six good football players," Grier said. "We can move up and make a big splash or we can stay where we are and make a bigger splash."
In a deep draft, the Patriots have a chance to do better this year than they did in 1995, when they picked up five strong players in the top 112 picks — Martin, cornerbacks Ty Law and Jimmy Hitchcock, linebacker Ted Johnson and center Dave Wohlabaugh.
They need help in the secondary, and Grier loves Michigan's Charles Woodson. But he doesn't think Arizona, which could take Woodson with the third pick, wants to trade.
The Patriots also want a wide receiver, but they're not interested in Marshall's Randy Moss because of his off-field problems.
The emphasis remains on a running back to complement the passing of Drew Bledsoe and there are several good ones — Fred Taylor of Florida, Robert Edwards of Georgia and Robert Holcombe of Illinois — who may be available with the 18th or 22nd picks, both belonging to the Patriots.
With few exceptions, most running backs drafted in the first round in the 1990s have had productive careers, although that's no guarantee of stardom — as Chicago's Rashaan Salaam and Cincinnati's Ki-Jana Carter, both taken in 1995, have shown.
Martin was taken in the third round in 1995 and has rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of his three seasons. His value became even more apparent when he missed the last three games last season with shoulder and abdominal injuries and the Patriots totaled just 144 rushing yards.
New England coach Cepri Carroll wants to see more of Sedrick Shaw, a running back drafted out of Iowa in the third round last season, but Shaw didn't carry the ball in the regular season.
The Patriots also explored the market for veteran free agents including Chris Warren, Rodney Hampton, Greg Hill and Terry Kirby.
Carroll said the Patriots would enter the draft and see how things turned out before reconsidering such players.
That wouldn't be necessary if they could get Enis. But if they don't, Carroll wouldn't mind stockpiling college talent that could keep the Patriots in Super Bowl content for a while.
"With six picks in the first three rounds, it gives us a chance to create a competitive environment in (training) camp," Carroll said. "Guys fighting to hold their spots makes this a better football team."
It's up to Grier to make sure those picks — if the Patriots keep them — are the right ones.
"More pressure? No. All these guys ask me that," Grier said. "I think the pressure is self-imposed. I think we're thorough and we're well-organized."
And, for the moment, without a running back.
"I don't think there is reason to panic if there's a guy we want and he's not available when the Patriots make their pick."
"We have confidence in our ability to pick players we like throughout this draft," Carroll said.
Bobby Grier vice-president of player personnel
"With six picks in the first three rounds, it gives us a chance to create a competitive environment in training camp."
Pete Carroll
Patriots Head Coach
"More pressure? No. All these guys ask me that. I think the pressure is self-imposed.I think we're through and we're well organized...We have confidence in our ability to pick players we like through the draft."
Bobby Grier vice-president of player personnel
Columnist lists mock predictions for '98 NFL Draft
After months of watching film, reading publications
After months of watching film, in my war room and talking to other draftniks on my football helmet phone, I've come up with my 1998 NFL Mock Draft:
2. San Diego — Ryan Leaf, QB (Washington State)
1. Indianapolis — Peyton
Manning, QB, (Tennessee)
2. San Diego — Ryan Leaf, QB,
(Washington State)
1. Washington State
3. Arizona — Andre Wadsworth,
DE, (Florida State)
5. Chicago — Curtis Enis,
RB, (Penn State) *Possible
Trade with St. Louis
4. Oakland — Charles Woodson, CB (Michigan) *Possible trade with Jacksonville*
Adam Herschman
sports @ kansan.com
6. St. Louis — Keith Brooking,
LB, (Georgia Tech)
7. New Orleans — Randy Moss, WR, (Marshall)
8. Dallas — Tra Thomas, OT, (Florida State)
9. Jacksonville — Vonnie Holliday, D.N.C.)
10. Baltimore — Kyle Turley, OT, (San Diego State)
9. Becksonville — Vonnie Holiday, DT, (N.C.)
10. Baltimore — Kyle Turley, OT, (San Diego State)
11. Philadelphia — Fred Taylor, RB, (Florida)
12. Atlanta — Grant Wistrom, DE, (Nebraska)
13. Cincinnati — Duane Starks, CB, (Miami)
14. Carolina — Takeo Spikes, LB, (Auburn)
15. Seattle — Kevin Dyson, WR, (Utah)
16. Tennessee — Brian Simmons, OLB, (N.C.)
17. Cincinnati — Greg Ellis, DE, (North Carolina)
18. New England — Robert Edwards, RB, (Georgia)
19. Miami — Brian Kelly, CB, (USC)
20. Detroit — Anthony Simmons, ILB, (Clemson)
21. Minnesota — Corey Chavous, CB, (Vanderbilt)
22. New England — Flozell Adams, OT, (Michigan State)
23. Tampa Bay — Shaun Williams, S, (UCLA)
24. N.Y. Giants — Jason Petter, DT, (Nebraska)
25. Jacksonville — Victor Riley, OT, (Auburn)
26. Pittsburgh — Leonard Little, OLB, (Tennessee)
27. Kansas City — Robert Holcombe, RB, (Illinois)
28. San Francisco — Alonzo Mayes, TE, (Okla)
28. San Francisco — Alonzo Mayes, TE, (Oklahoma State)
29. Green Bay — Sam Cowart, LB, (Florida State)
30. Denver — Tebucky Jones, DB, (Syracuse)
In my opinion, Ron Warner will be drafted in the bird or fourth round. I think he will be the only shawk drafted
New Orleans may solve draft dilemma for Dallas
The Associated Press
IRVING, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys may not face a quandary about Randy Moss after all. The New Orleans Saints may take the troubled wide receiver one pick ahead of the Cowboys, who already have had their share of off the-field distractions. The selection by the Saints would spare Dallas from having to decide whether to take a supremely talented player or let him go because of his past.
So chances are the Cowboys, who pick eighth, will be able to get a much-needed pass rushing defensive end, offensive lineman or linebacker.
Once again, team owner Jerry Jones has barred his coaches from discussing Saturday's draft with the media. And he is not talking much, either, so there is no real answer to what the Cowboys will do about Moss should he still be available.
Moss and 14 other first-round draft picks have been interviewed at Valley Ranch by Jones, his coaches and Calvin Hill, the team's behavior consultant.
"It's the first time in a long time we've been able to bring the top 15 picks or so to our place for close-up interviews," Jones said. "It tells you a lot about a player."
Jones would not discuss Moss, who caught 26 touchdown passes at Marshall last year, other than to say, "He's even big."
ger (6-foot-4, 200-pounds) than I thought."
Moss did not show up wearing sunglasses as he did at the Heisman Trophy ceremonies, where he finished fourth. He also has not said much leading up to the draft, but as he left the Cowboy's training camp last week, he told
reporters
t h a t
t e a m s
that pass
on him
" w i l l
regret it
once they
see what
kind of a player I am and what kind of guy I really am."
It seems unlikely the Cowboys would risk the criticism that is sure to come if they take Moss — even if he gets by New Orleans at the No. 7 spot.
Moss' criminal background includes a battery conviction and a positive marijuana test — reasons he left Notre Dame and Florida State and went to Marshall.
After a disastrous 6-10 season that cost Barry Switzer his job, Jones and new coach Chan Gailey are under pressure to draft players who can produce immediately.
Shante Carver, the defensive end who was Jones' first-round pick in 1994, recently retired. His inability to rush the passer
Since Jimmy Johnson left the team in 1994, Dallas drafts under Jones have not zone well.
from Charles Haley's old spot was one of the reasons the secondary had only six interceptions last year.
Running back Sherman Williams, the Cowboys' first pick in 1995, has been an underproducer and may not be with the team because free agent Chris Warren signed this week.
Kavika Pittman, another defensive end, was the Cowboys' first pick in 1996 and has yet to make an impact.
"I still think Kavika will be a player," defensive coordinator Dave Campo said. "We just need to be patient. But we could use some more help in the line and also at linebacker."
Tight end David LaFleur, the first pick in 1997, excelled at blocking last year but was seldom used as a receiver.
Some late-round picks have been good, led by Larry Allen, a second-rounder in 1994 who has developed into an All-Pro. Linebackers Randall Godfrey (second, 1996), and Dexter Coakley (third, 1997) also have become solid starters.
But the overall quality is not there and has hurt the Dallas depth particularly in the offensive line, where Nate Newton is fading fast.
"We need help in a lot of areas," Gailey said. "But that's probably not big news."
What would be big news is if the Cowboys took a chance on the talented but troubled Moss.
Player's past transcends to draft
Coaches ponder receiver's worth for high pick
Moss is the enigma of the NFL draft, a talented athlete with a dubious past. Coaches and executives have said they do not know if spending a high draft pick on Moss was worth the risk.
"Randy has not had a problem since he's been at Marshall." Thundering Herd coach Bob Pruett said. "I don't think it's fair to keep chastising someone for as far back as high school. He's being chastised only because he's a gifted athlete. If he wasn't, people wouldn't care about this."
Without the questions, Moss probably would be drafted in the top five. Now, he probably will not go that high, and some people think that if he does not go to New Orleans with the seventh pick Saturday, he could tumble to No.20 or lower.
There is little question about his talent — the one rap on him is if he will catch balls over the middle, a prerequisite for a top NFL receiver.
The 6-foot-5 receiver runs the 40-yard-dash in a 4.3 seconds and can leap over most defensive backs. In 1996, he had 29 touchdowns in leading Marshall to the 1996 Division I-AA title. Last season, the school's first in Division I-A, he
Moss had a scholarship revoked by Notre Dame after being charged three years ago with beating up a high school classmate. He went to Florida State, where he was redshirted his freshman season, but coach Bobby Bowden kicked Moss off the team for violating probation by smoking marijuana.
And during his first season at Marshall, Moss and the mother of his daughter were arrested on misdemeanor domestic charges. The woman's family said she was not physically harmed.
Sapp, taken by Tampa Bay with the 12th overall pick in 1995, has become a Pro Bowl player and has caused no off-field problems. Phillips, taken sixth overall in 1996 by St. Louis, lasted one and one-half years with the Rams and now is with Miami.
But his personal problems make him a gamble, just like Warren Sapp and Lawrence Phillips, two highly touted players with personal problems who slid down in the draft.
Tim DiPiero, Moss' attorney,
said the charges were dropped
after both agreed to attend
counseling.
Personnel director Bobby Grier of New England said this week he did not want Moss because of his past problems. Rams coach Dick Vermeil has said the same.
Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy said: "He's the kind of guy we wouldn't go near. We don't want personal baggage."
caught 96 passes for a I-A record along with 25 touchdowns and 1,820 yards.
But Moss has visited with the Saints, Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys. Although the
Bears, who pick fifth, said they still were interested, most people think they were saying that in hopes another team would attempt to trade for their pick.
Moss has not granted interviews in the weeks leading up to the draft, but as he left the Cowboy's training camp last week, he told reporters that teams that passed on him would regret it once they saw what kind of a player and person he was.
Pruett allowed Moss to join the team as a walk-on before the 1996 season.
DiPiero said: "Everybody's beating on him right now. It's ridiculous"
"We set down the guidelines that he had to stay eligible and would be treated just like everyone else," Pruett said. "He's matured a great amount. He came here as a young pup."
But the meetings with teams have helped.
"A lot of NFL people say they're not interested in him, but I get calls daily," Pruett said. "Maybe the Patriots are not going to take him. He probably won't be around when they get their pick."
"He feels like he accomplished a lot," DIPiero said. "That's all he's wanted, is for people to know him. It's the key to getting through the media image."
Moss will watch the draft on television from home rather than attending in person, as top prospects often do.
"The team that gets him, they're going to be a whole lot better," Pruett said. "Some of the bad press he's getting now is from people who are jockeying for position hoping he'll slide down to them."
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