D'Draft



No flashy QB, no draft day trade to the Saints for Reggie Bush. Just a can't-miss offensive tackle. Fair enough, the new management, mirroring the philosophies of coaches like Fat Bill Parcells and the stoic Belicheck, drafting D'Brickashaw Ferguson with the third pick of the draft.

Think about the last three "can't-miss" offensive tackles to go high in the draft. Arizona's Leonard Davis (No. 2 bust in 2001), Buffalo's Mike Williams (No. 4 bust in 2002) and Oakland's Robert Gallery (No. 2 bust in 2004). And let's not forget Tony Mandarich (No. 2 overall in '89 back when drafting an offensive lineman that high was virtually unthinkable.

Hell, how long ago did the Jets draft their own disappointing d'defensive lineman Dewayne Robertson with their first round grab?

But rebuilding the offensive line isn't necessarily a bad move. Via the NFL's website combine comments on all players available, we learn that D'Brickashaw, in addition to his ridiculous name has the potential to be "a very good left tackle in the NFL, but to do so, he will need to up his level of aggressiveness. There are definitely times when he is frustrating because he does not bend his knees or use his hands aggressively, which hinders his ability to play up to his ability. Overall, he could be an inconsistent player for a season or two early in career, but with experience, he will become more consistent. In three seasons, he should be a very good left tackle who can make all the blocks and can eliminate his man on nearly every snap."

Very ominous indeed.

Not content with one lineman in the first round, they took Ohio State center Nick Mangold, another weirdly name lineman ("Man Gold"? - the Man With the Golden Phallus?). More ominous words from the NFL site, this time about Mangold: "Mangold looks much thinner on film than his measured weight and he struggles to play strong. He cannot get movement on straight-ahead run blocks and gets knocked backward by bull rushers too often. He loses his focus at times, which leads to him leaning and reaching to make contact and he gets beat by quick arm-over moves. When he pulls, he does not always block a man."

There you go, two picks, two offensive lineman who may or may not pan out.

Now think about the Jets trading up to take Reggie Bush as the second pick. Reggie Bush would have been a marketing coup against the Giants. Versatility, speed, untold athletic talent, no need to be the starting, hammer-them-into-the-dust running back, Reggie might have done so much in a Jets uniform. Easy come, easy go. The NFL website was no less harsh on Mr Bush. "Bush is a little thinner than ideal for his height and lacks the size and strength to break tackles consistently in the NFL. He carries the ball too loosely and does not get it into his outside arm consistently. If he is this nonchalant with the ball in the NFL, he will fumble. He is not a consistent pass blocker and often gives just an adequate effort and his man pressures the quarterback."

Well, after two picks, the message appears to be Protect Pennington.

Then, just in case, they take Roger's son, Kellen Clemens - not really Roger's son, but "a very smart and fundamentally sound quarterback with a very quick and compact release and when he strides into his throws, he can make all the throws with very good zip."

Aside from Matt Leinart, Clemons might be the only other quarterback who is more ready mentally to step into the NFL and contribute early in his career, they say. Once his broken left ankle heels, which allegedly, it already has, this might prove to be a smart pick. Better than drafting up for Leinart or Young.

Couldn't we have just traded down for extra picks and taken, like 30 offensive lineman with all the extra draft picks? Did we really have to waste the third pick of the draft with a guy whose first name derives from a character (Father Ralph de Bricassart) in a best-selling novel-turned-TV miniseries (The Thorn Birds)?

His former position coach, Ron Prince, must think so. New Kansas State coach Ron Prince, insists that the svelte and lanky religion studies graduate — who according to some,looks more like an NBA power forward than overpowering lineman, will "revolutionise" the left tackle position in the NFL.

Another Buckeye, Anthony Schlegel, a linebacker, was taken next. Same NFL sources say "Overall, Schlegel is not the ideal linebacker because of his athletic limitations, but his smarts, toughness, instincts and production between the tackles cannot be ignored. He will struggle if he ends up playing for a team that requires its middle linebacker to play a lot in space, but he can be a productive two-down inside linebacker for a team that uses him correctly."

Sounds promising.

Last pick of the first day of the Draft was Eric Smith, from Michigan State who has bust written all over him at strong safety. "Started 22 games over the past two years. Smith has good size for the position. He is a smart player with good instincts and good, but not great, athletic ability. Has had a lot of injuries and will have trouble keeping up with speedy players..."

Trouble keeping up with speedy players? Well, why worry, there aren't any speedy receivers in the NFL...

Why couldn't they have taken Darnell Bing at that pick for a strong safety?

Anyway, a snoozefest for Jets fans. Except for their moment in the sun when they got the chance to boo Herm Edwards when he came on the air for an interview. No matter how well the critics are panning the wisdom of their picks. The best we can hope for is that Pennington has an injury-free season for a change. A durable running back at this stage, would be very useful in Day Two. Like Taurean Henderson out of Texas Tech. A real sleeper. I'd even move up, if necessary to take him before some else steals him.

*****

Bitter Day For Ingerland - Portugese Conspiracy

And over here, the "other" football news was a mighty blow for the English team when Wayne Rooney broke his right foot AGAIN joining Michael Owen, Ledley King, Ashley Cole et al on the list of English players who are or will be coming off injuries heading into the World Cup. Forget about England's hopes now. In one day, ruined.

Chelsea's Portuguese defender, Paulo Ferreira. He lay on the ground, in obvious pain, for several minutes before being put on to a stretcher and carried away, to loud applause from both sets of fans.

And let's not forget this news comes on the heels of Portugese national manager, the Gene Hackman of Brasilian football, turned down the chance to manage England after this World Cup.

Ironically, it was another Portuguese defender, this time, Paulo Ferreira, who made the damning tackle on Rooney. Rooney's first broken foot was caused by Portugals's Jorge Andrade, wen he trod on him in the Portugal-England quarter-final in Lisbon, which England later lost on penalties.