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Show 14 UTAH-^ST A T E SM A N Textbook Buykack n o t m a n y s tars April 2 5 - M a y 4 BY DAVE GOLDBERG The Associated Press TSC Hallway 8 am-5 pm 10 am-2 pm Thur, April 28-Wed, May 4 Closed Saturday Business Building Thur, April 28-Wed, May 4 Closed Saturday 9:30 an>5 pm Lundstrom Student Living Center Thur, April 28-Wed, May 4 Closed Saturday Prospects on the NFL radar screen NEW YORK - Brett Favre was the 33rd pick in the 1991 NFL draft and his good pal Michael Strahan went 40th two years later. Ray Lewis was 26th overall in 1997 and Ed Reed 24th three years ago. Which proves you don't always need a high pick to corral stars, a development likely to be demonstrated again Saturday when commissioner Paul Tagliabue opens this year's auction. This is a draft where the top 10 is a crap shoot and a lot of good players will be available later - the four above-mentioned players include a three-time MVP and three defensive players of the year. "There is not that much difference between when we pick and the late part of the first round" said New York Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi, who gave up this year's first-round pick in the 2004 deal that got the Giants Eli Manning. Accorsi now doesn't get a choice until No. 43. "I think it is the same quality of athlete. But I don't think that in any way is disparaging toward the draft," Accorsi said. "I think it really speaks to how deep the draft is, at least the first half of the bcations Mon, April 25-Wed, May 4 Saturday, April 30 FRIDAY, APRIL 22,2005 10 am-4 pm Get it at UtahStote UNIVERSITY BOOKSTORE Baring offers for the right deal to make a trade, the San Francisco 49ers will make the first selection of the National Football League draft April 23-24. Some top prospects expected to go high in the first round: Alex Smith, QB, Utah - i * Considered the quarterback . U >^i Aaron Rodgers QB, California Might be more polished right now than Smith Braylon Edwards WR, Michigan Maybe ihe best overall athlete in the draft Ronnie Brown RB, Auburn An every down back who can also catch the ball Cedrlc Cornell Williams Benson RB, RB, Auburn Texas Started over A classic heavy Brown; at times played duty back in same backfield D. Goldberg. E. OeGasero • AP Detroit Lions president Matt draft." Millen said. That's because scouts can only project what they think "The combine is nice, the a player can do over the measures are great, but a lot course of his career. of people run around in TIn fact, scouting may have shirts and shorts that can't play the game," San Diego become more difficult. general manager A. J. Smith The NFL scouting comsaid. "If a player we like bine, coupled with the "Pro Days" now held routinely on backs it up with numbers, college campuses, can lead to then he goes up a notch." overanalysis, especially since Still, it's hard not to be big-time agents and agencies tempted by workout figures now run schools on how to a guy who runs a 4.3 second perform better in workouts. 40-yard-dash opens eyes even when he hasn't had Not how to play better, much of a college career. how to work out better. Smart executives go with Especially this year. playing over working out and San Francisco, which for testing. "You can't beat perso many years picked at the forming well at a high level," . end, now opens the draft after a 2-14 season and has identified three players as possibilities: quarterbacks Alex Smith of Utah and Aaron Rodgers of California and wide receiver Braylon Edwards of Michigan. It looks like Smith is the favorite, although agent Tom Condon wants more money than he got last year from the Giants for Manning after they dealt up to get him. San Francisco's dilemma, however, is that this is a draft with no single standout. And it's deepest from around 20 to 60 or 80 places where Favre, Strahan, Lewis and Reed were taken in past years. MCNEAL From Page 13 Hurry. Sale ends April 30th The Limited Edition Upland mountain bike is ready for action. A sturdy, lightweight aluminum frame, front suspension fork, and disc brakes make it a versatile and reliable choice for all-terrain adventure. Regular? $499.99 Ljnf=w Road bikes, mountain bikes, kids bikes, tires, tube clothing, shoes, and more... ALL ON SALE! SAVE UP TO 50% OFF! 138 North 100 East • 753-3294 when you win." McNeal is a junior majoring in sociology. For him, it was quite the decision to make when it came to choosing a school to go to. He had offers from Oregon, Mississippi State, UTEP, Idaho State and UNLV. "I like it here. I can be more focused on what I need to get done," he said "It's the best school I've ever been at. I feel like I'll be an Aggie forever." He said that since there is not much to do in Logan, he can't get into too much trouble. McNeal said that there was a time when he was headed down the wrong path. That is why he is majoring is sociology, because he wants to talk to youths. "I can talk to them because I was going through the same thing," he said. "I got a new start [and] I'm trying to get the best of it. "I made a big change [and] they gave me a second OPEN TO THE PUBLIC PIANO SALE AT UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY Numerous pianos that have been on loan to USU's music department will be sold by Thursday, May 5th. Grands, baby grands, consoles, professional uprights/ and digital pianos will be offered at substantial savings. Many pianos are less than a year old, and are under manufacturer's warranty. These pianos will be offered first by priority appointment before being sold to the general public. John Zs\ray/jzsiray@cc.u$u.edu UTAH STATE'S ROD MCNEAL competes in an event at the Mark Faldmo Invitational Saturday in Logan. chance because they aren't giving up on me. They keep helping me. Its a good experience." He said that Utah State is his life. McNeal moved to Logan last August and while he likes the city, the snow is another story. "It's myfirsttime in snow" McNeal said. "It's too cold." In football he is a receiver, although he calls himself the utility guy because he play offense wherever he is needed. McNeal also plays on special teams. In track, McNeal said he would like to see his times improve and in order to do that, he said he will have to improve his starts. "Once I get it all together, I should be back to my usual times," he said about improving his running. "I am running against the clock. In order for me to go to nationals my times have to get better." McNeal, who previously recorded an Olympic-qualifying time of 10.22 in the 100 meters, said it is hard for him knowing that he is capable of faster times. "I like to play basketball in myfreetime. It's the best conditioning because you are constantly running up and down the court," he said. The USU sprinters are headed to BYU Friday and for the 20-year-old McNeal, it is just another opportunity to improve his times. -vramirez@cc usu. edu Perfect Partner. Let us help plan your big day. TO SECURE ADVANCE APPOINTMENT CALL NOW: 881-6939 This event to be held in the Chase Fine Arts Center on USU campus. Call 881-6939 for advanced appointments. ^,V: ;•;.,., :.:&••• Special Event Financing Sale and Service through ^J*; A MUSIC EMPORIUM Open to the public ONE DAY ONLY Thursday May 5 11am - 3pm 630 West 200 North 753-8875 |