THE UNIVERSITY MARY KANSAN
FRIDAY, APRIL 25, 2008
SPORTS
FOOTBALL
3B
Breaking down Jayhawk NFL Draft prospects
Anthony Collins
Offensive tackle
6-foot-5
317 pounds
Pros: Collins has the size and athleticism to succeed
at the next level, traits he frequently displayed while dominating most of his op-*
ponents. Despite a late-season leg injury, Collins earned AP first team All-America honors and was named a finalist for the Outland Trophy, given to the nation's best lineman.
Cons: Collins, who left Kansas after his junior year, only has one season of collegiate experience at left tackle. He also had a late start on football because he focused on basketball early in his high school career. He learned quickly in his time at Kansas, but his background could scare some teams away.
Projection: Second round Collins may not be a firstround because of the
depth of the offensive tackle class. Even though he isn't one of the five best tackle prospects,he shouldn't fall out of the third round.
Derek Fine
Tight end
6-foot-3
245 pounds
Pros: Fine could fit into some NFL teams' systems
as an H-back, a combination position between a tight end and fullback.
Fine
Fine was a very consistent blocker and leader during his time at Kansas, and tested well at the combine by performing 24 bench press reps. He started for three seasons at Kansas.
Cons: Fine isn't as fast or athletic as most high-level tight ends. His 40-yard dash time at the NFL Combine was an underwhelming 4.85 seconds. Though he caught 44 passes last season, he dropped quite a few catchable bails.
Projection: Seventh round. How early Fine is drafted could depend on which teams are willing to use a draft pick on a player that might not see the field much outside of special teams during his first few seasons. Fine should be selected late in the draft, but could fall into the free agent pool.
Marcus Henry
Wide receiver
6-foot-4
207 pounds
Pros: Henry developed a play-receiver during his senior
Henry
impress many with his 4.55-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, and his 207-pound frame might not hold up as well in the pros as it did against weaker collegiate competition. He stuck out as an inconsistent route-runner during his first three years at Kansas.
per reception, including 16 catches for 20 yards or more. At 6-foot-4, he towered over most of the cornerbacks who lined up across from him, and used his leaping ability to reel in spectacular catches.
Projection: Seventh round. Henry probably doesn't project as an every-down wide receiver in the NFL, but he could be valuable on special teams or as a reserve receiver. He could slip out of the draft, but chances are a team will take a chance, given his 6-foot-4 body.
Cons: Henry did not
Projection: Seventh round.
A new wrinkle to Jones' case is his involvement in helping track down the alleged shooter in a February 2007 triple shooting at a Las Vegas strip club.
Running back
5-foot-11
238 pounds
Brandon McAnderson
Pros: McAnderson was ultra-productive during his one season as a starter at
nearly six yards per carry as the Jayhawks'featured back last season.The reason for his great success wasn't overwhelming athleticism: McAnderson is a smart runner who finds holes and uses blocks to his advantage.
"We've encouraged him to cooperate with authorities," Goodell said.
Cons: McAnderson's 4.68-second 40-yard dash reinforces the fact that he isn't going to be a tailback in the NFL. He will move to fullback at the next level, a position that better suits his husky physique. Unfortunately, McAnderson didn't get much practice playing fullback in Kansas' one-back offense, raising questions about his experience.
McAnderson
Cons: McAnderson's
sas. He scored 16 rushing touchdowns and
Goodell's stance on reinstatement remains that everything is riding on a meeting he plans to have with Jones before training camp, probably in June.
James McClinton
averaged
Projection: Undrafted free agent. McAnderson should get a shot to play in the NFL, but it probably won't come through this weekend's draft. His inconvenient proportions make him a tailback stuck in a fullback's body.
Defensive tackle
6-foot
289 pounds
Jerry Jones is putting out a small investment in hopes of a big return, giving up no more than a fourth-rouder this weekend and a sixth-rounder in 2009 to acquire a young player capable of solving the team's problems at cornerback and kick
Pros: When healthy. Mc
Clinton was the best player
Projection: Undrafted
He also said he didn't know if he would allow Jones to work out with his new team, as he let Tank Johnson do last season after Johnson signed with Dallas while suspended.
The commissioner did not let Jones work out with the Titans last summer. He also was barred from working on their property in February.
Cowboys spokesman Rich Dalrymple said team owner Jerry Jones likely will discuss the trade once it's done. However, he doesn't expect Pacman Jones to comment any time soon.
Capable is the key word because Pacman first has to get reinstalled by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Should that happen, hed have to stay out of trouble, which hasn't been easy.
on the Kansas defense last season. He ran ef- fortlessly through double-
teams with his blazing first step and notched 11 tackles-for-loss as a senior. Though he battled an injury late in the season, he stayed on the field and helped lead the Jayhawks to an Orange Bowl title.
McClinton
Cons: McClinton is undersized, and his late-season leg injury hindered his play in nationally televised games. He tested extremely poorly at the NFL Combine, running a 5.47-second 40-yard dash. Along with his leg injury, McClinton has suffered two seizures in the past year, which could raise a red flag.
Projection: Undrafted free agent. His dominance at Kansas could help him land a tryout as a free agent, but his poor performance at the NFL Combine could keep him out of the draft.
Aqib Talib
Cornerback
6-foot-1
202 pounds
Pros: Talib built a vast collection of highlight-worthy plays during his three seasons on the field at Kansas. He used his incredible athleticism to snare 13
Talib
Goodell said Thursday the deal would have no bearing on his pending decision.
career interceptions and displayed his versatility by scoring five touchdowns on offense. Talib is fast (4.44- second 40-yard dash), big (202 pounds) and proven (consensus All-American).
Coirs: The comeback developed a reputation as a risk-taker, which sometimes worked against him. Talib was burned several times during his career after biting on fakes or taking a chance at an interception. Also, several teams expressed concern about the fact that Talib failed three drug tests while at Kansas.
Projection: First round. Draft experts have Talib coming off of the board anywhere from No. 10 to the early second round. It all depends on what each team needs near the top of the draft, but a talent such as Talib would be a tough player to pass up late in the first round.
"So until that situation is finalized, we will not comment on it. However, as soon as it is finalized, we will have some type of get-together to address the situation in detail."
>> NFL
Jones has been arrested six times and has been involved in 12 incidents requiring police action since being the top defensive player taken in the 2005 draft. The accumulation led Goodell to suspend Jones for the 2007 season.
Cons: The cornerback
'Pacman' trade to proceed slowly
If Goodell doesn't let Pacman return in 2008, the Cowboys would get back an 2009 pick. They're also expected to be giving him a nonguaranteed contract, making it easier to distance themselves from him, if necessary.
BY JAIME ARON Associated Press
IRVING, Texas -- Considering all the baggage Adam "Pacman" Jones carries, maybe it should be no surprise that his move to the Dallas Cowboys is going slowly — and carefully.
returner.
The Tennessee Titans agreed Wednesday to a deal sending the rights to the suspended cornerback to the Cowboys. But there are so many loose ends that need to be tied down that the trade was not finalized Thursday.
"We're still in the process of finalizing the trade papers, the contracts, so it's a very complicated process with Dallas, the NFL, the player, ourselves." Titans general manager Mike Reinfeldt said Thursday.
It might not happen today, either. Yet it seems likely to be settled by early afternoon Saturday, in time for the start of the NFL Draft. After all, the 'Titans are supposed to get Dallas' fourth-round pick.
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