|
We know Courtney Brown, LaVar Arrington and Peter Warrick will be impact players, sooner rather than later. A draft's impact can be felt by individuals as well -- as in those whose jobs are in jeopardy because of the new influx of talent. It's a big reason why one accomplished cornerback says veterans don't have the tube tuned to ESPN on D-Day.
|  | | Shaun King will have no excuses now that the Bucs have Keyshawn Johnson. |
Some around the league already are feeling the heat from last weekend's two-day cattle call. Here are 10:
Shaun King, Buccaneers QB. In effect, Keyshawn Johnson was Tampa Bay's first-round pick. Already, the trade's effect has been noticeable, particularly on the expectations of the second-year quarterback. King can't cite inexperience as an excuse now that he has a big-time receiver. However, if King is set up not to succeed again in another plainer-than-tofu scheme, blame new offensive coordinator Les Steckel.
Kordell Stewart, Steelers QB. "Slash" says he won't play wide receiver again. If he can't hit his receivers this season -- especially with targets like 6-foot-5 Plaxico Burress and 6-3 Danny Farmer -- he won't be playing quarterback again, period. At least not in Pittsburgh.
Steve Young, 49ers QB. When Bill Walsh started talking about Rick Mirer as a possible solution to San Francisco's quarterback quandary, you knew 1) just how desperate the Niners have come and 2) Young's days in the Bay Area were numbered. The seventh-round selection of Tim Rattay, not so much the third-round choice of Giovanni Carmazzi, further signaled the impending post-Young era. Now the 49ers' problem is finding a respectful way to let Young go -- if he gets the proper medical clearance to play.
Andre Rison, Chiefs WR. For now, first-round pick Sylvester Morris steps in as the No. 3 receiver. But with 30 touchdowns in his last two years at Jackson State, the big play-making Morris could supplant Rison in the starting lineup. Rison, who'll be entering his 12th season, had only 21 catches in 15 games last year.
Ricky Watters, Seahawks RB. There has been plenty of noise this offseason about a deal that would bring Corey Dillon back to his hometown of Seattle. Instead, Mike Holmgren opted to upgrade the running game in the draft with first-round pick Shaun Alexander and new right tackle Chris McIntosh, whose expertise in college was plowing holes for Ron Dayne. Watters, who turned 31 this month, remained productive last season, but it's apparent no dropoff will be allowed in 2000.
|
User feedback
|
|
Who do you think will feel the heat from the 2000 NFL draft come training camp? A veteran running back? A certain coach? Let us know. Click here to send a comment.
|
Joe Bowden, Titans LB. The free-agent linebacker was in a pretty good spot to get big bucks as a starter on the defending AFC champs. That is, until Tennessee drafted three linebackers, including Syracuse's Keith Bulluck with the 30th pick. The only team showing interest in Bowden now is Tennessee, which picked up Randall Godfrey early in free agency. Should Bowden re-sign, he'll have to fight for a starting job.
Tony Banks, Ravens QB. Brian Billick finally added some new toys to his offense this offseason, running back Jamal Lewis and wide receiver Travis Taylor being the latest. An offensive genius only looks as good as his quarterback's completion percentage, though. In case Banks doesn't get the message, former Louisville star QB Chris Redman will be on the sidelines learning from Banks' mistakes.
John Mobley, Broncos LB. Denver needed depth at outside linebacker to begin with. Mobley, who's coming off knee surgery, will be pushed in camp by second-rounder Ian Gold, who has a similar nonstop-type of motor. Chances are Gold will replace 34-year-old Bill Romanowski before Mobley.
Ray Lucas, Jets QB. It's bad enough that Lucas' biggest fan, Bill Parcells, is halfway out the door. Now Lucas isn't even the quarterback of the future after New York stole Chad Pennington with the 18th pick. With Pennington's penchant for studying playbooks, Lucas might not even be the backup should Vinny Testaverde recover from Achilles tendon surgery.
Jon Gruden, Raiders head coach. He can lose his job if Sebastian Janikowski isn't the difference maker Gruden projects him to be. And did you catch Gruden's interview on TV right after the Raiders chose Janikowski with the 17th overall pick? Gruden's infamous scowl gradually came to shape as ESPN's Mike Tirico kept pressing him about the logic (or lack of it) behind the pick. Here's the reason -- and it all has to do with Big Al Davis: Win now or get lost, baby.
Joe Lago is the NFL editor for ESPN.com.
| |
|
