| Each week through the NFL draft, I'll offer my take on the personnel moves that have taken place and look ahead to those that might happen in the future. Here's my breakdown of what has happened so far this week:
Five quick thoughts
|
IN THE SPOTLIGHT |
|
|  | | Bobby Engram quietly led the Bears with 88 catches last season. |
Because of the way he played last year, Engram may be asking for too much money as an unrestricted free agent. But apparently, the Bears still want him and are trying to work out a deal before the draft.
Engram fills the No. 2 receiver role perfectly. As he showed last year, when he led the Bears with 88 catches, he can run, get open and make tough catches while playing with three different quarterbacks last season.
Whichever team lands Engram, whether it's the Bears or another team, will get a gem. He is one of those receivers who doesn't get much publicity but eventually makes plays. I'm very high on him as a player.
Engram is a solid complementary receiver to go with Marcus Robinson, their home-run hitter, and Curtis Conway. He will never lead the NFL in receiving yards, but Engram can be a dependable contributor, as he was last season. |
1. Dorsett lands in Oakland: Signing Anthony Dorsett gives the Raiders tremendous versatility in their secondary because he can play safety and cornerback. The Raiders already have two of the league's best cornerbacks, Charles Woodson and Eric Allen. He played safety for Tennessee in the Super Bowl, but was drafted as a cornerback.
The Raiders have stockpiled defensive backs in the offseason, signing Dorsett, Tory James and Je'Rod Cherry and re-signing Darrien Gordon. With all the great receivers in the league, teams can never have enough quality defensive backs to match up against three- and four-receiver packages. The Raiders could use a nickel back who can play inside on the slot or on the corner, and Dorsett can do both. He is a great coup for the Raiders because Dorsett is young and can run.
2. Keyshawn's still a Jet -- for now: I spoke to Keyshawn on Thursday, and he said he's not even concerned about his situation and the trade talks. Right now he's a Jet, and he believes Al Groh wants him. I don't know why the Jets would trade Johnson unless they could get something that is so good. What would they get? The fifth pick from the Ravens, if they want it? What would they take, a receiver? The Jets would still need a big-time receiver to go with Wayne Chrebet and Dedric Ward. Who would the Jets take, Travis Taylor from Florida or Plaxico Burress from Michigan State? Salary may be an issue, but Johnson is a big-time Pro Bowl player, a gamer and one of the four best receivers in the league. The Jets are smart for taking him off the market. He said he will relax, prepare the way he's supposed to. Keep him unless they can get a first-round pick and another superstar player. He's a proven commodity. It would have to be an astronomical deal.
3. More Redskins' magic: The Redskins once again showed their commitment to winning next season by signing Adrian Murrell, one of the league's underrated running backs. Adding Murrell to a group that includes Stephen Davis, Larry Centers and Skip Hicks gives the Redskins solid depth at running back.
The Redskins also signed tackle Andy Heck to a three-year, $3.3 million deal. The numbers may sound high for a player who may end up serving as a backup and mentor to Alabama tackle Chris Samuels, who is expected to be one of the Redskins' selections with the No. 2 or No. 3 picks overall in the draft. But I think Heck's deal is a smart one if you compare it to other salaries for offensive linemen. Heck is a versatile lineman who can not only help Samuels, but also spell other starters who may be either hurt or ineffective.
Three years ago I might have said the Redskins spent too much on a spot starter. But there is such a premium on offensive lineman. Based on supply and demand, Heck is not overpaid, and the Redskins need him as a player and potential mentor.
4. Cowboys get tight with Harris: The Cowboys signed tight end Jackie Harris away from Tennessee, and Harris should make a difference in their offense with both his blocking and receiving abilities. I spoke to Troy Aikman last weekend about the tight end position. Through Dallas' best years, Aikman leaned on Jay Novacek in times of trouble. But the Cowboys haven't been the same team since Novacek retired. Eric Bjornson, who signed with New England, and David LaFleur have been unable to establish the tight end position in the Dallas offense. I expect Harris to make a big contribution. Plus, new offensive coordinator Jack Reilly likes to use H-backs and tight ends.
5. Patriotic cap woes: Bill Belichick entered a very unbecoming situation in New England. In addition to their struggles over the final eight games last year, the Patriots find themselves in a salary-cap quandry. They have a number of valuable players still unsigned and very little wiggle room under the cap. Although they signed Tedy Bruschi, the Patriots had to cut steady offensive lineman Zefross Moss in the process. The Patriots are apparently working with Drew Bledsoe on restructuring his deal to free up some cap space. But regardless of which players stay and which leave, I believe Belichick will get the Patriots to play harder than they have the last couple of years.
Offseason winner
Lee Woodall signed with Carolina and is reunited with George Seifert, his former coach with the 49ers. A cap casualty in San Francisco, Woodall is a starting linebacker who makes plays, runs well and has played in two Pro Bowls. It's another great move for the Panthers, who have also added Chuck Smith, Jimmy Hitchcock and Jay Williams to upgrade a defense that ranked 26th in the league last year.
|
Offseason loser
The losses of defensive back Anthony Dorsett and tight end Jackie Harris hurt the Titans. Dorsett's departure is a blow to their secondary depth. It will make it more difficult for the Titans to defend a team like AFC Central rival Jacksonville, which has three or four good receivers. When Marcus Robertson got in the playoffs, Dorsett filled in as the Super Bowl starter. Harris and Frank Wycheck were a solid tandem in an offense that leaned heavily on its tight ends. The Titans can recover from Harris' loss if they can sign Ben Coates. |
| SEAN'S 10 MOST WANTED |
1. Jeff George
Quarterback
Unrestricted FA
Age: 32
'99 team: Vikings |
 |
I don't understand why Minnesota won't re-sign George. It blows my mind. He is a strong-armed quarterback who didn't cause any problems for the Vikings last season.
|
2. Ruben Brown
Guard
Unrestricted FA
Age: 28
'99 team: Bills |
 |
It's difficult to keep a Pro Bowl guard from being No. 1 on this list. I always like a lineman who can dominate the line of scrimmage, which Brown has proven that he can do. |
3. Corey Dillon
Running back
Restricted FA
Age: 24
'99 team: Bengals |
 |
Dillon is a big-time, Pro Bowl-caliber back who has been playing for a horrible franchise. Although the price to sign him is high, he has rushed for at least 1,100 yards in each of his first three seasons. |
4. Dexter Coakley
Linebacker
Restricted FA
Age: 27
'99 team: Cowboys |
 |
The NFL game is based so much on speed. Coakley is a Pro Bowl linebacker who can flat-out run; I love his ability. He had 76 tackles and four interceptions for Dallas last season. |
5. Bobby Engram
Wide receiver
Unrestricted FA
Age: 27
'99 team: Bears |
 |
Engram is highly underrated. It's important for teams today to have three good receivers. He is a game-breaker who will be a good fit for somebody. |
6. Sam Adams
Defensive tackle
Unrestricted FA
Age: 26
'99 team: Seattle |
 |
The 300-pounder is the best defensive tackle available. When motivated, Adams can go get the quarterback. However, he has been inconsistent during his first six seasons. |
7. Albert Connell
Wide receiver
Restricted FA
Age: 25
'99 team: Redskins |
 |
Connell is starting to come into his own as an NFL receiver. I think the Redskins would be crazy not to keep him. Other clubs will have to surrender a first-round pick to sign him. |
8. Jason Taylor
Defensive end
Restricted FA
Age: 25
'99 team: Dolphins |
 |
Although he is undersized, Taylor is a quick defensive end who underachieved last year. He's a questionable choice for my top 10. He could be a hidden gem or a bust. Other clubs will have to surrender a first-round pick to sign him. |
9. Frank Winters
Center
Unrestricted FA
Age: 36
'99 team: Packers |
 |
Every good team needs to be strong up the middle. Winters is a great center who has been on a championship team in Green Bay. And he's been a mainstay in the NFL trenches for 13 seasons. |
10. Phillippi Sparks
Cornerback
Unrestricted FA
Age: 30
'99 team: Giants |
 |
Plenty of teams need good cornerbacks who can cover on an island. Sparks is versatile, having had to play different positions because of Jason Sehorn's injuries. |
| Note: Franchise players Simeon Rice, Robert Porcher, Tony Brackens, Stephen Davis and transition player Todd Lyght did not make my top 10 because I do not expect them to leave their current teams. |
| |
ALSO SEE
War Room: Divisional Overviews
2000 Free Agent Signings
NFC Free Agents
AFC Free Agents
|
