|
Chat Reel: SI's Peter King
Terrell, Warren will be draft's pivotal players
Posted: Tuesday April 17, 2001 3:56 PM
Sports Illustrated NFL senior writer Peter King joined users April 17 to talk about the 2001 NFL Draft. A transcript follows:
CNNSI Host: Welcome to our NFL Draft chat with Sports Illustrated senior writer Peter King. Thanks for joining us, Peter.
Peter King: You're welcome. I'd like to say a few things before we take your questions. As we get down to the final days before the draft, it's becoming more and more apparent that the two pivotal players in this draft are Florida DT Gerard Warren and Michigan WR David Terrell. And the pivotal team in the draft is the New England Patriots. I'll explain why. Warren could be a dominant NFL nose tackle or defensive tackle, but he's been plagued by weight and off-field problems. He has admitted to using marijuana during his college career, and he is not the most disciplined player. Terrell has had a laissez-faire attitude through the postseason and has not run impressive 40-yard-dash times. The way I see it -- and you can, too, if you look at my mock draft -- both players could be available when New England picks at No. 6. No one ever figured at the start of the postseason that either of these guys would get out of the top five. And so New England could be in a power broker's spot at No. 6, because there will be a lot of people wanting to trade up for the great value that both those players would be at that point in the draft. Now, on to the questions ...
 From Rem: Why do you say the Bears will take David Terrell instead of Deuce McAllister?
Peter King: I think the Bears are in love with one running back: LaDainian Tomlinson. They, like many people in this draft, are skittish about the injury problems McAllister has had. I think if Terrell falls to No. 8, the value will be too good to pass up -- or Chicago will trade the pick.
From Gryphon: Whose stock moved up the most after the Combine and whose went down?
Peter King: I'd say dropping was a wash between Terrell and Warren. Rising? Ohio State CB Nate Clements has been on the rise, as has Purdue QB Drew Brees, who I think will go somewhere in the top 15, although I can't tell you for sure to whom.
From Guest: Do you think Mike Shanahan will trade Mike Anderson for less than a top-20 pick? Would he entertain offers from Dennis Green, or is Green satisfied with the runners that he has?
Peter King: There's a trade in this draft that makes an inordinate amount of sense. Minnesota should deal its top pick to Denver for Anderson. Now, Shanahan has told me he'll need a top-12 pick in the first round to make a deal for Anderson. But I think Shanahan is so smitten with some of the defensive players in this draft that he might consider a lower pick, particularly if the Vikings throw in something of value -- say, a sixth-round pick. That's just my guess. But this thing makes too much sense for it not to happen. Anderson is not simply a product of the great Denver system; he's a tough, unselfish back who's a better pass catcher than he's been given credit for.
From DraftMe: Why is Jamar Fletcher so far back on your mock draft? I thought he was the premier DB in the whole draft. What are your thoughts on him?
Peter King: I've not heard anybody call Fletcher the premier DB in this draft. I've seen him on various lists and ratings scales as the fifth through eighth corner. I think this is going to be one of those drafts where a guy like Fletcher, a good corner but not the best one, could go anywhere from 25 to 60.
From Gip: Don't you think that Santana Moss is a more polished receiver than David Terrell?
Peter King: No. I think Moss is a more dangerous all-around weapon right now than Terrell is. But Terrell has half a foot on Moss, and I think big receivers are "in" in the NFL today. It would surprise me if Moss is ahead of Terrell on anyone's draft board based on football skill alone.
From Jim: Do you think there will be lot of movement this draft, with teams trading up and down?
Peter King: Well, that's been the most debated question of the last couple months. My gut tells me that there won't be nearly as much movement in the first round as there has been in past years. But as I said earlier, you can see a lot of teams right now near the top that want to trade down, and if those teams lower the expectations for what they ask in return, there will be a spade of trades. But let's take a team like New England. The Pats have a lot of holes: They need a couple major offensive weapons. They need a dominating front-seven player. They need an impact defensive back. They need a long-term tackle to pair with Greg Robinson-Randall. So, if you're Bill Belichick, you're sitting there at No. 6 staring at two or three players who could step into your lineup and start right away, but also knowing when the phone rings that you desperately need quality starters. Plural. So I think a guy like Belichick would be sorely tempted to move, if, say, Green Bay comes calling for Warren, throwing a second-round pick to move up four spots.
From chief_fanatic: Why is everyone so high on Justin Smith? There are a lot of defensive players I think would do much better.
Peter King: Everyone in the NFL loves Smith's motor. Rushing the passer is not only an athletic game, it is an attitude game. Every coach and scout who has met Smith in this long pre-draft period comes away raving about the kind of person he is. Competitive. Driven. Hungry. And with some of the mistakes that have been made on high picks because they are crummy guys, you cannot underestimate the importance of not having to worry about guy who you draft.
From DaveButz: Who is really in charge in D.C., Marty Schottenheimer or Dan Snyder?
From nixon: Who is going to make the decisions for the Lions, Matt Millen or Bill Tobin?
Peter King: There's no question that Marty Schottenheimer in Washington and Matt Millen in Detroit will make the choices. In both cities, that's not even an issue.
From Guest: Do you see this as a relatively weak draft overall, or are there some second- and third-round gems to be had?
Peter King: I think the draft is extremely solid in good starting players through the first 35 picks or so. For instance, in my mock draft, I have the Giants taking a guy, Ken Lucas, whom most people don't even have in the first round. But when you get down to the 30th pick, you have to look at your needs and realize that the next time you select, it's a longshot that you'll be getting something close to a starting player. I think that the quality in this draft, and the value in this draft, is between about picks 6 and 25.
From Guest: Can Doug Flutie lose his job to Michael Vick this year?
Peter King: No. Not unless Flutie is either awful or hurt, and not unless Vick is miles farther along than any of us think. I watched tape of Vick with five passing-game experts, including Bill Walsh and Steve Young, within the past month and wrote about it in this week's Sports Illustrated. I won't give everything away, but suffice it to say there are major, major questions about Vick's ability to complete routine balls accurately.
From yahood: Whom do you like better, LaDainian Tomlinson or Deuce McAllister?
Peter King: Tomlinson. At least in college, he was tougher, shiftier, more productive. Even though he's significantly shorter, I think he'll be more of an impact player early in his NFL career.
From cam29: Will anything happen between St. Louis and Kansas City before draft day (regarding Trent Green)?
Peter King: That's the great unknown among most general managers in this league. And even between the two teams themselves. I truly believe that this will come down to Saturday morning or early afternoon, and the Chiefs will have to make the decision whether they want to trade their first-round pick for an established QB with an injury history, or take a chance on a lesser veteran and perhaps pick a kid like Drew Brees to groom. I can't honestly tell you what they'll do because I don't know.
From puddin: We know Dallas' QB situation. It seems to me the obvious need. What is your prediction for a second-round pick?
Peter King: I thoroughly dislike Dallas' position this year in forcing a QB as a second-round pick. If I'm the Cowboys, I'd wait until the fourth round and try to get someone like Mike McMahon from Rutgers or one of the other kids with abundant questions marks floating out there. There is no second-round quarterback in this draft.
From footballfan: What are the odds of a team "pulling a Ditka" for Vick, i.e., trade its entire draft for the top pick?
Peter King: I don't think an entire board would be good enough unless the team had one of the top five or six choices in the first round. And I don't think there is a single team out there that is remotely thinking of doing that with Vick, anyway.
From Guest: What are the chances of the Browns taking two Michigan players with there first two picks, David Terrell at No. 3 and Anthony Thomas at 33?
Peter King: Slim and none. A lot of people believe Terrell is going to the Browns, but I don't happen to be one of them. I know the Browns were put off when Terrell basically dictated the drills he would and wouldn't do at Michigan's pro day a month ago. And 33 sounds like a little bit too high for Thomas to go.
From Guest: If there are questions about Vick's accuracy, why use the No. 1 pick on him? Does San Diego think that Vick is the answer to its prayers, or do the Chargers think they can mold him into the next dominant quarterback?
Peter King: I understand exactly what you're asking. But this is an absolutely awful year to have the top pick and try to develop a trade strategy with it. Why? There's no one else you could even bluff about taking with the first overall pick. Vick's the only guy. Plus, no one is going to break the bank to get Vick. So, without an alternative and with a great need at quarterback and with no dance partner to deal with, what can the Chargers get if they trade away this pick? Probably nothing. Now, Vick definitely has an upside. A big upside. He will be the fastest man ever to play quarterback in the NFL when he is drafted. He has a great deep arm, and he appears to be relatively fearless in the pocket. Sometimes you have to take chances, and I think this is the best chance for San Diego to take, even though Vick's no sure thing to be a big winner in this league.
From Deeno: How do you think Koren Robinson will fare for the 'Skins next season if they do pick him? Do you think he has the tools to overtake Michael Westbrook as the No. 1 receiver on the squad?
Peter King: Regarding your second question, that won't be hard. Westbrook has been a monumental disappointment. I can't say I know enough about Robinson or his character to know whether he'll be a great player in the NFL. But I do know this: Most scouts who have watched his tapes think that he is every bit the player that Terrell is. They're just worried about his pre-draft fragility. Every time he runs a 40, it seems, his hamstring breaks like a pane of glass. The durability factor would concern me with Robinson.
From fishfan: Is Dan Morgan as good as Chicago's Brian Urlacher, and do you see Morgan as an immediate starter?
Peter King: I have to say that Morgan is one of the most coveted players in this draft, and that encourages me because the guy was a great college player and if you watched the tapes you'd say he is going to be a great pro player. Too often, prospects have gone high or low based on what happens in January, February and March, not in September, October and November. I think Morgan will be better at first than Urlacher was -- I mean, in the first 6-10 games as a rookie. Morgan in 2001 will be more ready to play than Urlacher was in 2000. But I'll bet you a can of Mel Kiper Jr. hairspray that the Bears would not trade Urlacher in 2001 for the right to pick Morgan in 2001.
From TimVA: What about Chris Weinke? Why doesn't anyone talk about him? He is the Heisman Trophy winner and mature, and a team like the Redskins could use him.
Peter King: Have you ever heard of Danny Wuerffel?
From TH: Is Justin Smith the next Mike Mamula?
Peter King: Great, great question. Smith may turn out to be the classic 'tweener, a guy who gets overpowered at defensive end and might not be fast enough to be a pass-rushing linebacker. I think he probably has a better chance to be great than Mamula. He'll enter the NFL about 15 pounds heavier than Mamula and just as quick.
From IrishPacker: Are rumors credible that the Browns and Packers will swap picks? And if they do, will the Pack take Justin Smith or David Terrell?
Peter King: Ron Wolf said Monday that the Packers are likely not going to trade up. I still think there's a chance they will, but there's little chance that Cleveland will go that far down -- I think -- because I don't think Green Bay would give them enough in trade to make up for the seven-spot drop off.
From Trey: Do you see any player other than Michael Vick as an impact player?
Peter King: I think Kenyatta Walker could be a dominant left tackle in the NFL. If he is, that's about as impactful as you can get out of any draft pick. My favorite position in this draft is cornerback, because I think it contains the most players at any position who could start on opening day. The other player in this draft whom I like more than any other scouts is Clements, the Ohio State CB. If Seattle picks him and pairs him with Shawn Springs, the Seahawks will soon eclipse the Dolphins and Redskins with the best pair of cover corners in the game. And that's saying a lot, because I love Miami's Patrick Surtain and I like Sam Madison quite a bit.
From Doug: Would Denny Green dare go offense in the first round?
Peter King: Yes. He's had a delicate balancing act with his offense, almost since he took over in Minnesota. That balancing act has always included a terrific running back. And so I'm sure he is tempted to not enter training camp with Moe Williams as his starting tailback. Wouldn't you be? Assuming that's the case, I could see him either dealing for a good back or picking a guy like Michael Bennett from Wisconsin.
From Kub: Do you think there is any chance of Nate Clements falling to the end of the first round?
Peter King: A very small one. I think that for the Giants to have a chance to get him, they'd have to trade up. And I don't see the Giants being that interested in doing so.
From MassillonDawg: If Deuce McAllister doesn't go at No. 3, which teams are thinking of taking him? New England, Chicago or San Francisco?
Peter King: San Francisco likes McAllister, but the 49ers are like most of the teams who need running backs very high -- New England, Chicago, Carolina. All like Tomlinson better. But I could see McAllister going in the top 10 easily, and I believe he'll be a successful NFL back.
From solrac28: Everyone says the Raiders should go defense, but i think they should look at a good young receiver. What do you think?
Peter King: I think the Raiders have a definite need in the front seven and at tight end. They're picking right about where the two tight ends who are projected first-rounders might be chosen. I think it's a natural for them to choose a TE, unless one of the prospective starting front-seven players is there. For instance, if Andre Carter slips to them -- and you hear so many different things about him these days -- I think the Raiders would be nuts to pass him by. But I think it's more likely for them that the value there would be at tight end.
From Mister_Flanigan: Rutgers QB Mike McMahon has gotten a lot of positive press. Is he a third-round pick, and what teams might take him?
Peter King: I talked about the Dallas possibility earlier. And I think the Cowboys like him. The Chiefs have shown a lot of interest in him in the middle rounds. And with his former coach, Terry Shea, in Kansas City now, the Chiefs might make the most sense. But if you look at the teams that need to develop a new quarterback, there are about 15 of them. So that's why I think you almost have to ask yourself this question: Who wants to take a chance on a guy who wasn't at all successful in college, who needs a tremendous amount of development, who you might be developing for someone else, and who might never be a starting quarterback in the NFL? What you're asking is who I think will take McMahon, and, pressed to the wall, I'd probably say Kansas City in the fourth round.
From fanatic: Which team will forced to reach the most in the first round when drafting for need? Do you agree with drafting for need instead of talent?
Peter King: It depends what kind of team you have. For instance, the Giants have a major need at corner. In the first half of next season, they will face Brian Griese, Brett Favre, Jeff George twice, Kurt Warner and Donovan McNabb. If this isn't a team crying out for a potential starting corner, I don't know what team is. And so if the value is even close at the 30th overall pick Saturday, I don't see how in their right minds the Giants wouldn't pick a corner. Now, if you have a lot of holes and the value of some player at a position of minor need is so far above the value of players at bigger needs, I think the smart thing is to take the best player.
From Doug: How far has RB LaMont Jordan moved up the draft charts of late?
Peter King: I've heard a lot of varying things about Jordan. I've heard him slotted in the range of 30-35, and I've heard him in the 60s. He'll be one of those draft-day decisions that will leave a lot of people surprised no matter where he's taken.
From mossfan: Who will fare better in the NFL, Kenyatta Walker or Leonard Davis?
Peter King: Walker, because he will most likely be a left tackle long term, but could also play the right side as well. Although Davis played left tackle at Texas, most scouts see him as a more natural right tackle. They don't view him as being as quick as Walker. I think depending on which team picks Davis, he may even play a year or two at guard to get used to the speed and power of the NFL game.
From GBR: Is this the year of the wide receiver? Who do you see having the best rookie year and who might be a sleeper?
Peter King: That's an interesting question. Let me give you my theory on impact rookies. While on my NFL training-camp tour in 1998, I went to San Diego and Denver on back-to-back days. Before I left Denver, I remember telling Mike Shanahan, "This is going to sound strange, but I think Brian Griese is going to have a better career than Ryan Leaf." Believe me when I tell you that I am no sage for having said that. But Griese is in the perfect offense for him and has a perfect mentor for today's offensive game. Shanahan is brilliant; Griese is accurate -- the perfect marriage. Leaf, a combustible person, was drafted into a combustible situation: Three coaches in eight months; bad supporting cast; not a single great offensive weapon alongside him. It was almost preordained his flop would happen. And so, fast forward to this year's draft. If you were to tell me right now that Koren Robinson will get picked by the Redskins and be healthy for 16 games, I would tell you that he will have the best rookie year of any receiver out there. He's a flier; Jeff George has a Pedro Martinez arm. Good marriage, right? You asked also about the sleeper. That's easy: UCLA's Freddie Mitchell, who may be a tad smallish, but he has the best hands of any receiver in this draft. I would love to see Favre get his hands on that kid in Green Bay in the middle of the second round, though I doubt he'll last that long.
From Guest: What's your take on Quincy Carter? Any takers on him and which round?
Peter King: Carter is a fascinating prospect, in my opinion. He isn't just a guy you pick because of mobility. His arm is good enough and he showed all kinds of versatility in college to convince people that he is 20 percent better than Joe Hamilton. If I'm an NFL team in need of a developmental player at QB, I'd pick Carter in the fourth.
From Howie: Who is the potential big bust of this year's draft?
Peter King: Ron Dayne. Just kidding. Now you've got me thinking. Well, I think that Vick is really going to have to improve in accuracy and ability to play the NFL quarterback position. By that I mean he's going to have to work and work and work at his accuracy; it's not something that will come just because he's with Norv Turner in San Diego. And too often in college -- where he threw only 360 passes in two years, by the way -- he didn't look at his progression of receivers with any consistency. That he must learn in the NFL. But to predict he'll be a bust is something I'm not prepared to do. I think one of those receivers -- Terrell or Robinson -- might fail because, as some scouts have said, they think they've already arrived before they've entered an NFL camp.
From niner: What do you think is the 49ers' most glaring need -- running back, defensive end or linebacker?
Peter King: All of the above. I would like to see the 49ers get a good two-way defensive end, because that's something they lack right now. And I think you're going to see an outstanding player surface with the Niners this year in Julian Peterson, their top pick last year and a guy who, because of injuries, was able to show what he could do only late last season. I don't worry about the 49ers' ability to pick up a versatile back in the second or third round. A lot of backs can fit that system.
CNNSI Host: That's all the time we have for today. Thanks for joining us, Peter.
Peter King: Sure. Thanks.
|
Copyright © 2001
CNN/Sports Illustrated
An AOL Time Warner Company.
All Rights Reserved.
|
Terms under which this service is provided to you.
Read our privacy guidelines.
|
| 
