Let's get one thing out of the way first. No less a gridiron expert than Albert Einstein once defined insanity as doing the same thing and expecting different results. By such a definition by the man who could have written a simple formula for why a pigskin spirals and a punt hangs, the Detroit Lions are crazy. That is to say, what will Georgia Tech wideout Calvin Johnson, whom they drafted second overall, bring the team that Carlos Rogers, Roy Williams, and Mike Williams did not? Is this team infatuated with receivers or not? Now it's off the old soap box to analyze the rest of the draft weekend.
The Browns are to be commended for nabbing Wisconsin tackle Joe Thomas first (No. 3), and Notre Dame QB Brady Quinn later in the first round (No. 22). Quinn is no more capable of turning a team around by himself than were Joey Harrington or Matt Leinart, but with Thomas' protection, it's a start. Adding UNLV corner Eric Wright (No. 53) later in the first helps on the other side of the ball, where the Browns can use all manner of assistance.
Arizona went out and got Leinart a bodyguard in 328 lb. Penn State T Levi Brown (No. 5). Why Washington, who had no second, third, or fourth round picks, didn't get some offensive line protection for young QB Jason Campbell is inexplicable (though their pick LaRon Landry, No. 6, was clearly the best big safety in the pool).
The Saints had to take Tennesse WR Robert Meachem at No. 27, having lost Joe Horn. Sure, Ohio State WR Ted Ginn, Jr. (No. 9) could help the Dolphins, if they have anyone that can get the ball to him. Confidence in Daunte Culpepper and Cleo Lemon can't be high; the Fish offered Kansas City a sixth-round pick for Trent Green (the Chiefs wisely deferred, insisting on a second-rounder or nothing).
Another Florida team, the Bucs, look to revive their tradition of great defense, with newcomers DE Gaines Adams (No. 4 out of Clemson), SS Sabby Piscitelli (No. 64, Oregon State), OLB Quincy Black of New Mexico with their 68th pick, and Syracuse CB Tanard Jackson 106th. Even their fith rounder, North Carolina Central Greg Peterson (No. 151), will probably stick. Washington or Cleveland should have followed suit.
Florida State OLB Lawrence Timmons (No. 15) and Michigan DE Lamar Woodley (the 46th pick) will help the Steelers, though who knows why a team starring Heath Miller would select Minnesota TE Matt Spaeth with their third choice (No. 77). The Patriots went to Miami and the defensive students of new 'Canes head coach Randy Shannon twice, for free safety Brandon Meriweather at No. 24, and DT Kareem Brown at No. 127 in round four. They also made Tom Brady a happy man by signing Randy Moss, given Brady's past criticism of management for letting receivers get away (or made him sad — only time and Moss' performance will tell).
Who were the steals of the bunch? I like Southern Cal wideout Dwayne Jarrett to Carolina at No. 45 (where Steve Smith and Keyshawn Johnson still draw coverage), Penn State RB Tony Hunt to the Eagles at No. 90 in the third, and Florida DT Ray McDonald at No. 97 to the Niners in the same round. The Niners also added veteran WR Darrell Jackson.
Across the Bay, bet on Louisville RB Michael Bush, No. 100 overall, to pan out for the rejuvenating Raiders. And teaming with Peyton Manning, who knows what young Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio State (No. 32, last player taken in the first round) will eventually do with the Colts? Another top-flight Big Ten wideout was Steve Breaston, who could help the Cards when the regulars are nicked — he went No. 142. Michigan receivers have fared well at the next level.
Of the national champion Gators, DE Jarvis Moss (No. 17 Denver) and S Reggie Nelson (No. 21 Jacksonville) should help their teams right away. What a showcase the title rout over Ohio State was — Florida defensive linemen Marcus Thomas (No. 121 to Denver) and Joe Cohen (No. 135 to San Francisco) went in round four.
Bear in mind that just as important as anything that went on this weekend in New York were the offseason acquisitions of RB's Willis McGahee to the Ravens, Travis Henry to the Broncos, Ruben Droughns to the Giants, and Thomas Jones to the Jets. Nothing spells "Super Bowl contender" like the addition of a veteran 1,000-yard rusher. Unless that man's name is Edgerrin James.
In the grand scheme, the big offseason winners appear to be the Patriots, with the addition not only of Moss, but TE Kyle Brady, WR Donte Stallworth, LB Adalius Thomasm, and the two rookie defenders from "The U." It almost makes up for losing Adam Vinatieri last year.
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