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Show Page B4 Provo, Utah, Saturday, April IS, 2000 THE DAILY HERALD, (www.HariTheHerald.com), L NFL DRAFT ORDER fi? mm By PHIL SHERIDAN - The Philadelphia Inquirer set up at the headquarters of the other 24 teams. The Washington Redskins, who hold the second c- and third picks, have consented to allow a camera into their "war room." For the first time, the draft " broadcast wilf feature air inform matibn box on the right side of the screen, like the ones on CNBC The box will feature MICHAEL S. GREENThe Associated Press information about the teams, the With the first selection ... NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue will see plenty of airtime this weekend as available players, and the draft ESPN devotes a big chunk of its coverage to the NFL draft. to that point. The familiar crawl will still run That brings up one of the The thing is, Kiper is usually along the bottom of the screen, times, vertical leaps and upside look continuous a viewers enduring mysteries of the draft's giving right. potential. "I've never understood why at the selections already made. Eagles fans may remember appeal. Unlike in a game, there is "The first couple years, if we people criticize the draft," Kiper Kiper immediately criticizing the no immediate winner or loser. No had highlights on all the guys said. "I've always seen it as the Eagles' pick in 1997. one will know for years which Coach Ray Rhodes was on the air teams did well, and by then, who taken in the first two rounds, we opening of the season. There haswere thrilled," Wildhack said. n't been football for a couple of within moments, firing back that will remember what Kiper said "Now it's become a monumental he knew more about the draft about, say, the Packers' third-roun- d months. "For two days in April, you can than some TV talking head. event. It is the most complicated pick or who the Chargers The pick was Jon Harris. broadcast that we do year in and sit back and watch the whole passed up in the second round? But it's in the uncertainty that year out, and I have to think it's thing unfold. You can see how Rhodes lost his job. Kiper keeps the real appeal may lie. If you one of the most challenging in all your team is being shaped and emerging from the workshop can't truly know who did and of television." get immediate reaction to their, ever' year. "Mel of the didn't do well, then you can feel has some selections. It's Mel of provided Oh, and, course, great." Kiper to second-gues- s Wildhack free indelible team's reactions to Jr. will be back. Kiper is to the moments," everyone.. Kiper's draft what Santa Claus is to picks, maybe even more than his said. 1 think one of the most And there's nothing sports fans memorable, though, was when we love more than that. Christmas. You don't see him or hair, have established his For two days, people can prethink about him for 11 months. tion. : :.' spotlighted Thurman Thomas." Thomas agreed to have a cam-'er- a tend to know more than they Then he emerges from his workKiper ripped the New York on him while he waited to be really do, not to mention more shop and you can't avoid him for Jets for their 1989 selection of linebacker Jeff taken in the 1988 draft. He than the GMs or coaches of their a couple of days. favorite teams. "We kid Mel that draft day is Lageman, saying they "have no thought he would be a "When. I first started doing pick, but he slid to the secevery holiday rolled into one for idea how the draft works" and in the late 1980s, there wasoff ESPN ond raucous round. reaction a this, Wildhack said. by occasionally setting him," cut back to him, and it became a n't an audience for it," said Joe Kiper, for one, would argue the New York fans on hand. A few years later, he criticized kind of running joke. Theismann, a former NFL quarwith that TV show about noth"Then terback and an ESPN football him after showed Colts we e of an first the Indianapolis pick, ing" concept. The draftniks, he has made a prompting Bill Tobin, then the he'd fallen asleep and was taking analyst. "People would watch if Colts' general manager, to say: a nap," Wildhack said. "Of course, there wasn't anything better to living from and, thanks to ESPN, become famous for knowing way "My mailman knows more about he turned out to be a pretty good do. Now people are constantly too much about dash the draft than Mel Kiper." player, didn't he?" asking me when the draft is on." Sorry, Jerry Seinfeld. You didn't invent the idea of a TV show about nothing. The folks at ESPN beat you to the "punch NFL draft. TVio ill . aftoit oil an 1 fran every NFL city. There will be seven reporters at teams' draft headquarters, with live cameras in whirh fhp nnlv real activity involves thp hnnrlino-- nf si ins nf paper by one person to another. The draft is perhaps the most important factor in determining the success of NFL teams. It is important, and it somehow has become a TV extravaganza. Back in. the early 1980s, when ESPN was a young network trying to fill 24 hours of airtime every day, , it was simply available. , "We needed programming," said John Wildhack, then a producer and now a senior vice president in charge of programming. "It was that simple. We had a desk in New York and one reporter, and we started televising the first round." This year's draft, which will be held todav and Sunday, will be carried on ESPN and ESPN2 as well as on ESPN Radio. Simultaneous with the broadcovercasts, there will be age on ESPN.com's Draft Central site. Fans will be able to vote on the Web for the player they want their teams to take, and that information will be available in real time on the TV screen. For its TV coverage, ESPN has 1,500 graphics, prepared amassed miles of highlight tape, and spent tons of money to send reporters all over the country. For the first time, the network . will have live coverage from first-roun- . first-roun- first-roun- d TEAM-BY-TEA- NEW YORK CAP) selection order for the 2000 Saturday and Sunday NFL . 1. CLEVELAND ) LAST YEAR. Returned to NFL as expansion team Wins came at New Orleans and Pittsburgh Improved late, but offense and defense ranked at bottom of NFL NEEDSi Everything Orlando Brown's eye injury makes OT important. Also needs offense to complement QB Tim Couch, and pass rusher DRAFT DECADE. Decision to take Couch over Ricky Williams with 1999 No was correct, as was taking WR Kevin Johnson in second round Biggest mistake was not taking RB until seventh round ADDITIONS: DE Orpheus Roye. OT Roman Oben, OL Everett Lindsay, FS Percy Ellsworth. RB Emct Rhett. DE Keith McKenzie LB Marty Moore. KRWR David OT Scott Rehberg. S Patten SUBTRACTIONS! Marquez Pope. CB Ryan McNeil. OT Lomas Brown. DT John Jurkovic GOALS FOR 2000. No playoffs, but six wins would be nice POSSIBLE Penn Staters DE Courtney Brown or LB LaVar Amngton over WR Peter Wamck. " 2. 3. WASHINGTON (10-6- LAST YEAR: Made playoffs for first time in defense. RB seven years despite Stephen Davis, solid line and QB Brad Johnson stood out NEEDS: LT, where Andy Heck is 33: CB. where Darrell Green is 40; impact LB. DRAFT DECADEi Former GM Charley Casserty and coach Norv Turner flops (Heath Shuler. Bobby produced Wilson. Desmond Howard. Andre Johnson) and good finds (Bnan Mitchell. Tre Johnson. Cory Raymer, Davis, Stephen Alexander, Jon Jansen) Casserty, fired by new owner Dan Snyder, left legacy in excellent draft position, getting for nghts to Ricky Williams and Sean Gilbert, which Skins OB Jeff used to move up this year ADDITIONS: George DE Bruce Smith and S Mark Carrier perhaps CB Deion Sanders this summer SUBTRACTIONS: S Leomont Evans and S Matt Stevens GOALS FOR 2000: Super Bowl or bust for Snyder. POSSIBLE They want Amngton at ail costs, with fallback to Brown and OT Chns Samuels. Alabama ) 4. CINCINNATI LAST YEAR: Finished as NFL's worst team of the 90s, Decided to bnng back coach Biuce Coslet for final year of contract NEEDS: A master plan by the front office Team emphasizes defense one year, offense the next Short term needs at CB. DE. LT. S. WR plus RB to complement disgruntled Corey Dillon. DRAFT DECADE: Had first overall pick twice and Carter Wilkinson is took Dan Wilkinson and ordinary. Carter always hurt LBs Takeo Spikes and Bnan Simmons have met expectations ADDITIONS: QB Scott Mitchell. S Darryl Williams. OL Scott Rehberg DT Tom Bamdt DE Vaughn Booker SUBTRACTIONS: QB Jeff Blake DL Kimo Von Oehiffen Dillon, restricted free agent wants out GOALS FOR 2000: Move into Paul Brown Stadium on time, get Akih Smith established at QB after rookie season POSSIBLE PICK: Wamck is likely, allowing release of ' disgruntled WR Cart Pickens 5, 10. BALTIMORE (84) LAST YEAR: Reached 500 with NFLs defense coach Brian Biliick used three QBs behxe settling on Tony Banks, who directed Ravens to four straight wins before loss to New England in hnaie NEEDSi RB to complement Pnest Holmes, who can t take pounding of a WR. OL end LB. particularly if MLB Ray Lewis, charged with murder in Atlanta, is not available DRAFT DECADEi Personnel director Ozzie Newsorne got Pro Bowt OT Jonathan Ogden and Lews m first round in 1996. LBs Peter Bouhvare and Jamie Sharper :n 1997. starting CB Duane Starks m 1996: and rapidly developing CB Chns McAlister last TE Shannon Sherpe. QB Trent year. ADOfTIONSi Differ. LB Dennis Stallmgs OL Robert Bailey. OL Damon Denson SUBTRACTIONS! RB Emct Rhett. CB DeRon Jenkins QB Scott Mitchell. G Everett Lindsay GOALS FOR 2000: Make playoffs for first time m Baltimore Owner Art Modell will hand over the team to Stephen Btsciotti in 2004. and desperately craves ho first Super Bowl before then POSSIBLE If Wamck falls he s the one If not. RB Thomas Jones of Virginia or RB Jamal Lewis. with first other round pick Tennessee, then a receiver Florida's Travis Taylor or Michigan State s Plaxico Buncsi. 6. PHILADELPHIA YEARi Won two more games than in Reid NEEDSi A lot. 996 under rookie coach Andy WR DL TE at the top. DRAFT DECADEi Eaglet who Wed Last two No Is. spent 90s taking OLs appear to 06 Donovan McNabb and OTTra t Thomas, OT Jon ADOnTOttSi be keepers Runyan and Thomas rYachett LB Carte. Emmons after II LB Win" Thomas, released BLE 500 GOALS FOU 2000. Hope for OT POS8 Corey Sran, WR Taylor or IA8T SJntey ) Florida State , 10) UOJT YIAIIi Foaowad 1988 playoff J. ARIZONA txar ftr a,16ya.byfalrback.veJPW. LaVar Arlington, lb, Penn State David Brader, p, Lindenwood Rodregis Brooks, cb, Alabama-BirminghaPlaxico Burress, wr, Michigan State Kwame Cavil, wr, Texas Ike Charlton, db, Virginia Tech Cosey Coleman, g, Tennessee , Patrick Dennis, db, Louisiana-Monro- e Na'il Diggs, lb, Ohio State Jeffrey Dunlap, dt, Auburn " Daniel Franks, te, Miami Deon Grant, fs, Tennessee Julian Hambrick, de, Maryland Bud Herring, lb, Louisville Darrell Jackson, wr, Florida Keith Jackson, dt, Cheyney, Pa. Sebastian Janikowski, pk, Florida State Ronney Jenkins, rb, Northern Arizona Ben Kelly, cb, Colorado Jamal Lewis, rb, Tennessee Tariq McDonald, wr, Arizona State Shaun Peterson, rb, North Iowa Area CC Robert Pollard, rb, Hinds CC Lewis Sanders, cb, Maryland Jacoby Shepherd, db, Oklahoma - State Marvel Smith, ol, Arizona State Shyrone Stith, rb, Virginia Tech Travis Taylor, wr, Florida Hubert Thompson, de, Michigan State Nate Webster, lb, Miami White, wr, Georgia Tech , a. plagued by injuries, bad decisions and young OL. had miserable season NEEDSi RB. 018 TE. G. DL. DRAFT DECADE: Better recently WR Rob Moore via a trade of pick, and WR Frank Sanders in 1995: DE Simeon Rice in 1996: Plummer and DE Mark Smith (in the seventh round) in 1997. and DE Andre Wadsworth in 1996 WR David Boston and OT L.J. Shelton. last year, became contributors ADDITIONS! K Cary Blancherd. C Mike Gruttadauna. SUBTRACTIONS: RB Adrian Murrell. K Chns Jacke. C Aaron Graham GOALS FOR 2000: Playoffs, comeback for Plummer Coach Vince Tobin in the final year of contract POSSIBLE . Jones. Lewis. LB Bnan Uriacher. New Mexico. 8. PITTSBURGH LAST YEAR: Lost seven of final eight and finished with worst record in years. QB Kordett Stewart threw only five TD passes before being benched with hve games left RB Jerome Bettis couldn't find running room and pass rush was nonexistent. Coach Bill Cowher survived, but director of football operations Tom Donahoe didn't NEEDS: QB. WR OLB. DBs DRAFT DECADEi and Steelers built teams that advanced to three AFC .' championship games in four years via smart drafts (Levon Kirkland. Chad Brown. Leon Searcy) and shrewd trades (Bettis). Last three No. picks are starters WR Troy Edwards. G Alan Faneca. CB Chad Scott, but lower rounds have produced little Botched No pick of OT Jamain Stephens in 996 ADDITIONS: QB Kent Graham. RG Rich Tytski. DL Chns Sulhvan. NG Kimo von Oelhoffen. OT Larry Tharpe. SUBTRACTIONS: OLB Carlos Emmons. OL Jim Sweeney. RG Brendan Stai. QB Mike Tomczak. QB Pete Gonzalez. DE Nolan Harnson. DE Orpheus Roye. GOALS FOR 2000: Playoffs, but no more unless Stewart enjoys dramatic comeback POSSIBLE Burress or QB Chad Pennington. Marshall 9. CHICAGO LAST YEAR: Finished below 500 for sixth time in eight years but made progress. Despite quarterback and weak defense, improved their 997 and 998 records by two games under Dick Jauron. Discovered a huge playmaker m WR Marcus Robinson. NEEDSi DE and DB: another RB to help Curtis Ems. DRAFT DECADEi If offer is nght. Mark Hatley is willing to deal. He turned six picks into 13 last year, and still managed to get QB Cade McNown Earlier moves? Remember getting Rick Mirer for No overall pick? ADDITIONS: DE Phillip Daniels. CB Thomas Smth. S Shawn Wooden. WR Eddie Kenmson SUBTRACTIONS: P Todd Sauerbrun. WR Curtis Conway. QB Shane Matthews, possibly WR Bobby Engram. LB Rico McDonald. G Todd Perry GOALS FOR 2000: Playoffs POSSIBLE Uriacher who can play TE. Groh in charge SUBTRACTIONS: Bin Parcells. now chief of football operations, but probably not beyond July. WR Keyshawn Johnson. S Steve Atwater. TE Ehc Green and LB Chad Cascadden. OT Jumbo Elkott GOALS FOR 2000: Expect to compete for AFC East crown ff coaching transition goes smoothly and what should be great draft pays off. they could contend POSSIBLE After trading Johnson to Tampa Bay for two more the Jets are only team selections. Then made move ever with four from 16 to 12, sending Niners a Could trade up to No spot, trade somewhere else, or simply use them on the likes of Ellis or DE Darren Howard. Kansas State. Bubba Franks. TE. Miami: .Taylor or Dez White. WR. Georgia Tech. 11. NEW YORK GIANTS (T B) LAST YEAR: Looked good early, but lost six of last eight, including final three, leaving coach Jim Fassel in mode for this year NEEDSi RB. LB CB Rookie RB Joe Montgomery led team with 348 yards DRAFT DECADE: Most first Did well in rounders were busts or disappointments other rounds with DE Michael Strahan. LB Jessie Armstead. FB Charles Way. WR Amam Toorrter ADDITIONS! LB Mcheal Barrow is major upgrade and OLs Lomas Brown. Glenn Parker and Dusty Ziegler Bdd experience. CB Dave Thomas: backup QB Jason Garrett SUBTRACTIONS: LT Roman Oben. S Percy Ellsworth. DL Bernard Holsey. LB Scott Galyon. C Bnan WiHtams. backup 06 Kent Graham. DT Robert Hams. OT Scott Gragg. CB Philippi GOALS FOR 2000: Playoffs, or Fassel is SpaHus probably gone POSSIBLE FIRST ROUNDERi Shaun Alexander. Alabama or Ron . Heavy duty RB Deyne. Wisconsin - 16. 24. SAN FRANCISCO ) LAST YEARi Steve Young played only three games after a concussion and 49ers won just two of the next 13 Had trouble stopping anybody and failed to win 10 games m nonstnke season for first time since 1980 NEEDSi Everything Must find QB even if Young returns OL. DE. CB. DRAFT DECADEi Team can't continue to mss with top draft picks, a distressing pattern through the 90s Todd Kelly. R W McQuaners. Jim DruckenmiDer. Dana Had. J.J. Stokes are busts or farted to fcve up to expectations. ADDITIONSi None Salary cap problems SUBTRACTIONS: S Tim McDonald. LB Lee Woodafl CB Darnell Walker. DE Charles Haley. DE Marvin Washington, RB Tommy Vardett. QB Steve Stenstrom. GOALS FOR 2000: Super Bowl or bust now su wns or butt POSSIBLE Traded down twee for extra picks. Penrangton: LB Julian Peterson, Michigan State: Uriacher. ' ) 12, 13, 16, 27. NEW YORK JETS LAST YEAR: Season pretty much ended when Testaverde tore Achttles tendon in opener. buN for Super Bowl sputtered until it won last DL. Also TE. deep four garnet NEEDSi receiving threat and safety Might gat all m the first round DRAFT DECADCi Very mxed bag. Top choKta have Included Blair Thomas and Kyle Brady, but also Keyshewn Johnson and Aaron Glenn Best pick was LB Mo Lewis n third round in 1891 DL Shane Burton: nouM coaching staff, with ROUNDERS: RB J R Redmond. Arizona State: OL Stockar McDougle. Oklahoma. OL Todd Wade. Mississippi; Engelberger. Al 14. GREEN BAY ) LAST YEARi Missed playoffs for the first time coach Ray Rhodes seven seasons and was fired Claiming discipline and focus were problems. GM Ron Wolf hired Mike Sherman NEEDSi Defensive and offensive lines DRAFT DECADEi Hidden gems in the third round (WRs Robert Brooks ' and Antonio Freeman. LB Bnan Williams. OT Earl Dotson and CB Mike McKenzie) Used early picks to fill critical needs ADDITIONS! LB Anthony Hams. TE Kaseem Sinceno. DE David Bowens. DE John Thierry. DE Rod Manuel. DT James Gner. OL Doug Karczewskt. LB Kevin Johnson. SUBTRACTIONS: TE Jeff Thomason. DE Keith McKenzie. DE Vaughn Booker. GOALS FOR 2000: Return to playoffs only acceptable destination POSSIBLE DE Shaun Ellis. Tennessee: Peterson. Boston College DT Chns Hovan and Wisconsin G Chns Mcintosh 21. KANSAS CITY ) LAST YEAR: Just missed playoffs in Gunther Cunningham's first season as head coach. In bomble offseason. LB Derrick Thomas died after car accident and KR Tamanck Vanover pleaded guilty to car theft. NEEDSi CB. where starters James Hasty and Cns LB to replace Dishman are almost 35: Thomas, big RB DRAFT DECADE: GM Cad Peterson hates to trade No. s. and did it only to get drafts. Peterson has had most Joe Montana. In luck with defense and offensive linemen. TE Tony Gonzalez is the only skill position player developed. ADDITIONSi OLB Lew Bush; P Todd Sauerbrun. DE Duane Demons SUBTRACTIONS! OT Glenn Parker. S Reggie Tongue. DE Tom Bamdt. WR Joe Horn and Thomas GOALS FOR 2000i The playoffs POSSIBLE They d love in 15. DENVER LAST YEAR: After two straight Super Bowl slid John Efway (retired) and back without wins, injured TeneH Davis. Shannon Sharpe and John Mobley. Lost first four games behind young QB Brian Gnese and never recovered. NEEDSi Speed at WR: CB if Dale Carter gets suspended for a year: OL. DL. DRAFT DECADE: Two NFL titles speak for them, selves Best (and luckiest) pick was Davis, m 1995 ADDITIONS: QB Gus Frerolte. DE Kavika Pittman. DE Lester Archambeau. DT Nathan Davis. SS Bitty Jenkins. CBs Jeremy Lincoln. Darryl Pounds and Jimmy Spencer Don't discount coach Mike Shanahan's desire to lure Steve Yourq SUBTRACTIONS! Sharpe. DE Alfred Williams. DE Neil Smth. QBs Chns Miller and Bubby Bnster. RB Derek Lowlle CB Tory James DB Damus Johnson. DT Cyron Brown. DE David Bowens Carter s future suspending outcome of appeal of substance-abuspension GOALS FOR 2000: Playoffs POS9I-BL- Traded down with Baltimore Love John Abraham. South Carolina and can probably get turn here S.orLB Vmny Team NFL DRAFT EARLY ENTRIES CAPSULES M & to capsules by draft, to be held d big-tim- t '.It d 1. Cleveland 2. Washington (from New Orleans) 3. Washington (from San Francisco) 4. Cincinnati 5. Baltimore (from Atlanta) 6. Philadelphia , 7. Arizona 8. Pittsburgh 9. Chicago 1 0. Baltimore . (from Denver) 11. New York Giants 12. New York Jets (from San Francisco through Carolina through Washington) 13. New York Jets (from San Diego through Tampa Bay) 1 4. Green Bay 15. Denver (from Baltimore) 1 6. San Francisco (from New York Jets through New England) 17. Oakland 18. New York Jets 19. Seattle (from Dallas) 20. Detroit 21. Kansas City 22. Seattle 23. Carolina (from Miami) 24. San Francisco (from Washington) 25. Minnesota 26. Buffalo 27. New York Jets (from Tampa " ' Bay) 7 28. Indianapolis 29. Jacksonville 30. Tennessee 31. St. Louis 17. OAKLAND ) LAST YEARi Second consecutive 8 8 season under coach Jon Gruden. sixth straight season the Raiders missed the playoffs. Fired defensrve coordinator Willie Shaw m January and replaced him with Chuck Bresnahan NEEDSi LB. and WR to comple- - ' ment Tim Brown DRAFT DECADEi Owner Al Davis loves to package picks to move up in the draft. Had busts like QB Todd Mannovich and budding stars tike DT Darrell Russell ADDITIONSi DBs Je Rod Cherry and Tory James SUBTRACTIONS! DT Russell Maryland. SS Anthony Newman LB Richard all starters last season and TE Derrick Harvey Waller GOALS FOR 2000: Breaking playoff drr ght A schedule that includes just two 1999 playoff teams should help POSSIBLE Ellis: Rob Moms. LB. BYU: John Engleberger. DE. Virginuj Tech. Peterson 1, 22. SEATTLE ) LAST YEARi Under new coach-GMike Seahawks for first time made Holmgren. playoffs since 988 and had first winning season since 1990. Lost to Miami in game, giving them a 6 finish after an 8 2 start NEEDSi In second draft. Holmgren needs run stopper at MLB and another WR after the trade of Joey Galloway to Delias DRAFT DECADEi Holmgren's first draft in Seattle got Lamar King who will start at DE this season. Charlie Rogers led the NFL and set a team record with a 14 SS Reggie punt return average ADDITIONSi Tongue C Robbie Tobeck SUBTRACTIONS. DE Phillip Daniels. OT Grant Williams SS Galloway C Kevin Glover. G Bnan Habtb OLB Darryl Williams Damn Smith GOALS FOR 2000: Despite loss of eight key players and a tougher schedule. Seahawks are still hoping to make the playoffs. POSSIBLE Rob Moms. White. Sylvester Moms. WR. Jackson State 20. DETROIT (B-LAST YEAR: Made playoffs at 500. but lost at Washington. NEEDSi RB. OL. DB DRAFT DECADEi Discounting QB Andre Ware In 1990. bona have done wed with picks. WR Herman Moor. DE Robert Porcher. WR Johnnie Morton. DT Luther EUks. LB Reggie Brown LB Chrtt Claiborne was rookie starter last season. ADDITIONSi RB James Stewart. CB Kurt Schulr. QBt Mike Tomczak and Steve Stenstrom SUBTRACTIONS, QB Gus Frerotte and CB Mark Carrier. GOALS FOR 2000. Wm NFC Central and at kwtt one playoff gams POSSIBLE FIRST- - . Dayne 23. CAROLINA ) LAST YEARi Rebounded from 41 2 in George Seifert's first season, making a late playoff push Offense is strength NEEDSi Ranked 26th on defense last year. DT Sean Gilbert played better up front, but not worth two No. picks DRAFT DECADEi Two of four previous No. picks are no with the team (QB Kerry Collins and WR Rae longer Carruth. who is facing murder charges). Tshimanga Biakabutuka 96) and Jason Peter ( 98) have been troubled by injuries ADDITIONSi LB Lee Woodall. DE Chuck Smith. DL Jay Williams. CB Jimmy Hitchcock SUBTRACTIONSi LB Kevin Greene. Carruth, LB Mike Barrow. OL Anthony Redmon GOALS FOR 2000i Find a pass rush and defense to get team s offense on the held more Keep aging QB Steve Beuerlein healthy POSSIBLE PICKi Engelberger or Abraham: Deon Grant. S. Tennessee. 25. MINNESOTA (10-6- ) LAST YEAR: Coach Dennis Green gained full first and calamitous was Bypassed authonty year Jevon Kearse for QB Daunte Culpepper, then look DE Dimrtnus Underwood in first round, refused to renegotiate G Randall McDamel's contract. Favontes to represent NFC n Super Bowl, started and QB Jeff George replaced Randall Cunningham Made playoffs but lost to St Louis after beating Dallas NEEDSi DE. DB DRAFT DECADE: Until last year, excelled at finding gems m mddfe rounds. Green is intent on starting Culpepper as soon as possible to show pick wasn t as bad as it looks ADDITIONSi Nothing major SUBTRACTIONSi George. C Jeff Chnsty. McDaniel. WR Jake Reed, TE Andrew Glover. CB Jimmy Hitchcock. Hajf the coaching staff, including coordinators Foge Fazio and Ray Sherman left in a shakeup by Green GOALS FOR 2000, Green insists Vikings remain a Super Bowl contender, but defense needs overhaul end whoever is QB won't have the protection Chnsty and McDaniel provided If Culpepper starts. might be good POSSIBLE Rashard Anderson. CB. Jackson State; Ahmed Plummer. CB. Ofno State. 26. BUFFALO (11-5- ) LAST YEAR: Immaculate Deception (Music City Miracle to those outside of Buffalo) A successful season and QB controversy involving Doug Flutie and Rob Johnson, overshadowed by Titans' remarkable rockoH return in playoffs NEEDSi DB. because Thomas Smth and Kurt Schulz left DRAFT DECADEi Headed by GM John Butler. Bits have . reputation for making smart picks from poor draft position. Selected 23rd overall or worse seven times in the 1990s still had 18 starters from draft last seaG son. ADDITIONSi No newcomers, but Ruben Brown and TE Jay Riemersma and extended OT John Fma s contract SUBTRACTIONS: G Dusty Zeigler. DE Sean Moran. LB Dan Brandenburg. Smth and Schulz Waived WR Andre Reed. DE Bruce Smth and RB Thurman Thomas, aging stars. GOALS FOR 2000: Tough schedule, but could contend in AFC East POSSIBLE Plummer. Anderson or Dweyne Goodrich. CB. Tennessee. 28. INDIANAPOLIS (13-3- ) LAST YEARi Enjoyed most successful year Baltimore QB since 1968 NFL championship Peyton Manning. WR Marvin Harrison and rookie RB Pro James Bowl NEEDSi were starters Edgemn Depth on defense, especially LB. where heelth of Cornelius Bennett is uncertain and Michael Barber was released Deep threat at WR to complement Harrison DRAFT DECADEi Excellent last two years with EkH Poaan as presdent. Top four picks in 1996 became starters, and Poban 's decision to take James ahead of RKky Wlams paid off LB Mike starter. Peterson, second-rounpick, also became Top picks have become starters as rookies the past su years mckxfcvg Marshall FauK Tsrtk Glenn. Harrison and Efcs Johnson. Injuries and personal problems it early pan of decade with Ikes of Jeff George. Steve Emtman. Ouentin Coryatt. Trev Alberts ADDITE Ken TIONSi Used available money to CMger. Harrison and OT Adam Meadows to contracts: QB Pete Gonzaku. DL Barnard Holsey. SUBTRACTIONSi Barber: DL Tony McCoy expected to be released after June I COALS FOR 20004 Advancing m playoffs, whart coach Jim Mora is 0 5 in 13 years In weak NFC West, there s hope for a quick turnaround POSSIBLE FIRST PICKi Ask the Ravens, who have the pick that should have belonged to the Falcons as NFl head coach POSSIBLE 2000: Sylvester Moms: Hovan and Engleberger 20. JACKSONVILLE ' (14-2- ) ) 43. SAN DIEGO LAST YEAR: Remained in playoff hunt unM LAST YEAR: Won AFC Central and advantage through the playoffs. Lost to Tennessee, only team to beat them all season, hi AFC title game NEEDSi Third receiver Jaguars got little from backup WRs Reggie Barlow and Atvis Whitted. OL with Tony Boselli recovenng from knee injury. Ben Coleman leaving and Rich Tylski already gone. This is an area where they must get better DRAFT DECADE: Tom Coughlm. coach and GM. has drafted almost aH his picks since franchise's excellently first year in I995 have made it ADDITIONSi LB Nickerson SUBTRACTIONS: Tylski, LB Hardy Biyce Paup, RB James Stewart. QB Jay Fiedler. GOALS FOR 2000: Nothing less than Super Bowl. OLs Cosey POSSIBLE Coleman. Tennessee, or Travis Clandge. Southern Cal: White. Jerry Porter. WR. West Virginia under new coach Mike Riley. Bounced back from losing streak to win four of their last five QB Ryan Leaf, second overall pick in 998. didn't play a down due to a shoulder injury and was suspended for four weeks for cursing out GM Bobby Beathard NEEDSi DT Also could take OL WR. LB. S and DE DRAFT DECADEi Beathard made it interesting by taking LB Junior Seau m the first round in 1990 and then reverting to habit of dumping future picks. Beathard got picks for second-rounRB Natrone Means that way in 1993 but often he ' with ended up marginal players or busts like WR Bryan Still Leaf, second overall pick in 1998. has been nothing but trouble ADDITIONSi WR Curtis Conway CB DeRen Jenkins. OL Joe Patton. RB Robert Chancey. DE Darren Mickell SUBTRACTIONS: Means. LB Lew Bush. DT Norman Hand. QB Enk Kramer GOALS FOR 2000i To make playoffs for the first lime since 1995 The players love Rtiey and play hard for him POSSIBLE FIRST PICKi back in 1998. sendChargers spent this year's No ing it to Tampa Bay to take WR Mikhael Ricks in the second round. 30. TENNESSEE (13 3) LAST YEAR: Storybook season for NFL nomads Finally settled into a new home, played t before crowds and reached first Super Bowl m franchise history NEEDSi Few holes. Need depth at CB. LB and DT. where Josh Evans will miss the season with a drug suspension. DRAFT DECADEi Six picks started in the Super Bowl, but the Titans have never drafted this late Best was last year, when DE Jevon Kearse fell to them at No 6 With nine neks, a trade up for an LB or CB is possible ADDITIONSi LB Randall Godfrey and RT Fred Miller SUBTRACTIONS! OT Jon Runyan and TE Jackie Hams. GOALS FOR 2000: Only a return trip to the Super Bowl and t more yard will do POSSIBLE CB Deltha O'Neal of California. 31. ST. LOUIS (13-3- 46. NEW ENGLAND (8S) LAST YEARi Sue losses in last eight games cost coach Pete Carrol his job QB Drew Bledsoe struggled with a weak offensive line and poor running game NEEDSi Almost everything OTs Bruce Armstrong and Zefross Moss were released, as was TE Ben Coates. CB. LB because of new coach Bill Bekchck's switch to a defense. RB. DRAFT DECADEi The Patriots did well under Bt( Parcells from 1993 96. choosing Bledsoe. Chns Slade. Troy Brown. Willie McGinest. Ty Law. Ted Johnson. Terry Glenn. Lawyer Milloy and Tedy Bruschi Good 1998 pick. RB Robert Edwards, is trying to come back from senous leg injury. ADDITIONS: RB Raymont Hams. TE Eric Bjomson. OT Grant Williams. WRKR Aaron Bailey SUBTRACTIONSi Coates. Armstrong. RB Teny Allen. WR Shawn Jefferson. DE Chns SuBrvan. LB Marty Moore. GOALS FOR 20O0i The playoffs POSSIBLE FIRST PICKi Too late went to Jets as compensation for signing new coach Bill Bekchick. ) LAST YEARi Went from to Super Bowl champs, largely because QB Kurt Warner, a career MVP NFL NEEDSi OL emerged as DRAFT DECADEi First year since Rams moved from Los Angeles in 1995 that they don t enter draft with sixth overall pick, although traded up for No. in 97 to get OT Orlando Pace Other hrts: DE Kevin Caitei ( 95). DE Grant Wistrom ( 98) and WR Tony Holt C99) Miss in 1996 with RB Lawrence Phillips Coach Mike Martz former offensive ADDITIONSi coordinator, replaces retired Dick Vermeil SUBTRACTIONSi Vermeil and much of fas staff C Mike Gruttadauna. OT Fred Miller. S BJty Jenkins. LB Charlie Demons. DE Jay Williams. QB Paul Justm. GOALS FOR 2000: Repeat surprise showing with tougher, first place schedule Until last year. Rams hadn't had winning record in decade POSSIBLE FIRST ROUNDERi Hard to ted this late 48. DALLAS ) LAST YEARi After 34 start, never won games costing coach Chan Gailey his job. Offensive ineptitude, especially once Michael Irvm got hurt NEEDSi Replacing Irvm at WR and maybe CB Deion Sanders, who probably be cut Team addressed issue by trading for Joey Galloway and signing Ryan McNeil Also need depth m secondary. WR end OL DRAFT DECADEi Jerry Jones loves to trade down, and already has by giving up picks this year and next for Galloway ADDITIONSi Galloway. McNeil. TE Jackie Hams, DE Dimrtnus Underwood. QB Paul Justin SUBTRACTIONSi LB Randall Godfrey. DE Kavika Pittmen OL Everett Mcfver. QB Jason Garrett. TE Enc Bjomson. RB Robert Chancey. FB Daryl Johnston, kvin win probably retire Maybe Sanders GOALS FOR 2000: As long as Troy Aikman and Emimtt Smith are around. Jones believes Cowboys can win Super Bowl. Wishful thinking POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: Too late. 33. NEW ORLEANS LAST YEARi Record was second worst in mostly dismal history. Third straight losing season under Mike Ditka seventh straight Torn Benson Owner cleaned house, finng year Ditka and GM BrU Kuhanch NEEDSi Using four QBS Billy Joe Hobert. Billy Joe ToUrver. Danny Wuerffel and Jake Delhomme New Orleans scored 260 points, just over 16 a game Defense allowed 434 second most in team history Don t have picks to fix. thanks to Dike's trade for the nghts to Ricky Williams WR. OT. FB. SB S al top of list OR AFT DECADEi Dtka drafts were unusual even before the draft m NFL history Ditka. who loved only tough, oyerachievers. drafted RB Troy Davis and Wuerffel. college heroes with questionable 14 picks m three years, only Of Ins potential. pro three started regularly last season. ADDITIOWSi LB Charlie Demons. DT Norman QB Jeff Blake Hand. WRs Jake Reed and Joe Horn. TE Andrew Glover SUBTRACTIONSi CB Ashley Ambrose. DB Je Rod Cherry. C Kendall Gammon. WR Eddie Kenmson DE Brady Smith. RB Lamar Smith. GOALS FOR 2OOO1 Demonstrate enough to get fans to buy tickets. Owner Tom Benson has new marketing department and moved training camp back to Louisiana to attract fans New Orleans has not had a sellout since 1998 vs Cowboys, when most of the fans came from DaHas. POSSIBLE FIRST PICKi Too late to predict 37. ATLANTA ) LAST YEAR: Fell apart after warning first NFC RB m Anderson 1998 Jamal went down championship with knee injury in Week 2 QB Chns Chandler had stile help on offense and got hurt, as usual Defense strugpied to cope with loss of LB Cornelius Bennett. NEEDSi Depth on offensive and defensive hoes; backup QB. as always DRAFT DECADEi Before coach Dan Reeves, the Falcons ware plagued by poor decisions, pic kmc flops bke Bruce Pickens and Lincoln Kennedy in the first round Reeves wested on CB Michael Booker In 1997. LB Keith Brooking, No. pick In 1996. has shown promise but Reeves made horrible blunder by dealing away this year's lop pick to draft TE Reggie KeNy in second round a year ago Kely caught eight passes for 46 yards and Baltimore has Atlanta's first pck. No. S overall. ADOfTIONSi CB Ashley Ambrose, WR Shawn Jefferson. DE Brady Smth and OL Anthony Redmon. SUBTRACTIONSi OEs Chuck Smth and Lester Archambeau kteve holes on each side of the kne C Robbie Tobeck. S Eugene Robinson. GOALS FOR 53. MIAMI (8-LAST YEARi Faded after a 71 start, barely made the playoffs and then lost m the second round to , Jacksonville. worst defeat m franchise history. Coach Jimmy Johnson quit the next day. and Dan Manno retired with most of the NFL's important passing records NEEDSi OL OLB. TE and. of course. QB. where for now. Damon Huard and Jay Feder wi compete. DRAFT DECADEi Johnson kked to swap picks and loved sleepers, such as Pro Bowl middle knebecker Zach Thomas In the fifth round in 1996 Dave Wennstedt has only five choices ADOmONSi RBs Thurman Thomas and Lamar Smth. G Heath Irwin. Fierier P Matt Turk and LB Scott Galyon SUBTRACTIONSi Manno: S Shawn Wooden departed via free agency COALS FOR NEXT YEARi Year of transition at coach and raMrterback Playoffs seem a reach POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: Too late to predxt ' 57. TAMPA BAY (1 LAST YEAR: Most successful season m franchise history ended with 6 loss m NFC Championship game that reflected what wet nght and with team the Defense carried H. but a rookie wrong QB and enemc offense couldn't deliver a Super Bow) berth NEEDSi OL backup QB LT Paul Gruber it conaKssnng retirement, which would create a need despite adrMon of free agents G Randal McDaniel and C Jeff Chnsty DRAFT DECADEi GM Rich McKay has succeeded by drafting fast, highly productive college players instead of gambling on ADOfTIONSi McDaniel. Christy, but offensive player m biggest was getting firat history In deal with Jets for Keyshawn Johnson SUBTRACTIONSi QB Trent DUfer. LB Hardy Nickerson. C Tony Mayberry. LG Jorge Dwz. GOALS FOR 2000i Anything short of the Super Bowl, which wi be played in Tampa, would be POSSIBLE FIRST PKKi Too late to tel. but getting Johnson makea thar draft. |