The-Hogs.net - Washington Football Discussion, Redskins to Commanders Era

FRISCO MAY GO CHEAPO

By KEN PALMER

April 17, 2005 -- NEW 49ers coach Mike Nolan says his club is not going to decide on its top pick based on San Francisco's ability to get that player under contract. He'd be wise to make good on that vow.
"It could factor in to some degree, but certainly we want to get the best player for us most importantly," said Nolan, whose club has already opened negotiations with quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers and Alex Smith and receiver Braylon Edwards.

Several times in the past, clubs have used the "signability" of players to determine which route they took on draft day - and often times it blew up in their faces.

The most recent example is the Browns, who passed over the likes of Donovan McNabb, Edgerrin James, Ricky Williams, Champ Bailey and Daunte Culpepper in order to take Tim Couch with the top-overall pick in 1999. While the club will never publicly admit its ability to immediately get Couch under contract was a factor, sources indicate that was definitely the case.

"If contracts are dictating who the pick will be, that's a huge mistake," one NFC GM said. "You should always go with the guy that you believe is the best player."

In 1990, the Bears told safety Mark Carrier, a mid first-round talent, they'd take him with the sixth pick provided he agreed to a below-value deal beforehand. The Bears got an excellent rookie year from Carrier, then not much after that. Later in that first round, Dallas took a Florida running back by the name of Emmitt Smith at No. 17.

The Cowboys fell into the same trap in 1991. Their ability to wrap up a deal with Russell Maryland before the draft was a huge factor in their selecting him with the top-overall pick. Solid talent that went later in that first round included DE Eric Swann, WR Herman Moore and DL Ted Washington.



After speaking to sources close to the 49ers, the prediction here is Rodgers will be the man. The Niners believe Edwards is the best player/athlete available, but are desperate for a quarterback and believe Rodgers is more pro-ready than Smith. Rodgers, who grew up a Niners fan, is expected to give them the hometown discount that should seal the deal.

One team you can be almost certain won't be choosing one of the signal-callers is Cleveland, which owns the third pick. The Browns, according to two team sources, don't care much for either Rodgers or Smith and are leaning toward making the "safest pick" - Edwards - if he's still available.


WANT FRYE WITH THAT?


Don't be surprised if Akron's Charlie Frye turns out to be this draft's best QB. He's likely going to be the third quarterback selected after Rodgers and Smith, but many NFL types believe he'll be the one standing tallest a few years down the road.

That list includes former Marshall coach Bob Pruett, who coached both Chad Pennington and Byron Leftwich, and also coached against Frye. He was quoted recently stating that Frye's by far the best QB available in the 2005 Draft.

Frye has a real good, live arm, and has such good smarts, awareness and accuracy that it wouldn't be surprising if he were taken in the first round. One team rumored to be interested in Frye's services is the Packers, who pick 24th and are obviously in need of a QB of the future to replace Brett Favre.


ON THE UP & UP


With the draft six days away, here are four players who will go sooner than most think.

Jammal Brown, an offensive tackle from Oklahoma, could be the first O-lineman taken. He's expected to go in the Top 10-15 picks, and is considered by many to be more solid and consistent than Florida State's Alex Barron and Washington's Khalif Barnes.

Troy DE/OLB Demarcus Ware is just a flat-out tremendous pass rusher and could go as high as the Top 10. Some scouts and personnel types have him ranked higher than Maryland's Shawne Merriman and Texas' Derrick Johnson, who are considered the top two defenders on the board. Speaking of Johnson, more than one source called him the most overrated player in the draft.

Another player on the rise in the first round is LSU's Marcus Spears, who's a classic end in a 3-4 defense. Iowa safety Sean Considine has catapulted himself into the second round. He's a big hitter, smart player and goes all out all the time.


LOSING ALTITUDE


On the flip side, teams can't figure out whether Miami's Antrel Rolle would be a better cornerback or safety. Rolle, rumored to be going to Tennessee at No. 6, might slide further into the first round.

Georgia linebacker Odell Thurman is an excellent player, but off-field character issues have him dropping to the bottom of the first round, or even into the second.

Needless to say, Northwestern DT Luis Castillo, who had moved into the first round, didn't do himself any favors by admitting he used steroids.

This week's Post prospect to watch is Utah guard Chris Kemoeatu. He's probably going to be selected in either the second or third round. He was a starting guard for the Utes, but with his brother, Ma'ake, playing nose tackle for the Ravens, there's talk of moving the younger Kemoeatu to the other side of the ball.