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Draft
Day Afternoon
By George Stahl Ah, Draft Day! Let me know what you think of AQB's coverage either by e-mail or on our Speak Out page. A sample of our updates directly from the site of the Draft:
Click here to see the latest addition on this page.
ESPN2 signs off. 9:41 p.m. ESPN.com's Gil Brandt said ESPN.com users submitted 18,936 questions to the site's chat room Saturday. 9:38 p.m. Pittsburgh picks West Virginia running back Amos Zereoue to end the third round and the first day of the draft. 9:23 p.m. ESPN.com's Gil Brandt said "I would say Katzenmoyer probably fell the most because we projected him to be a top 15 pick. And also tackle Solomon Page of West Virginia, who I felt might be a low first round or early second-round pick." 8:06 p.m. After wrapping up his interview with Jet coach Bill Parcells, ESPN's Chris Berman talked about how "the Patriots" led Denver in the AFC championship. 7:30 p.m. ESPN.com's Gil Brandt on Ohio State linebacker Andy Katzenmoyer. "I don't think he can be a great player. I am surprised he went at 28." 7:28 p.m. ESPN's Chris Mortensen said Tennessee wide receiver Peerless Price fell to Buffalo with the 53rd pick because some teams didn't like his attitude at a predraft workout. 7:18 p.m. ESPN's Chris Berman said that in case anybody was wondering about his 'do, he is growing his hair long for an upcoming SportsCentury special on the 1960s. 7:10 p.m. Gil Brandt on ESPN.com said that if he was drafting for a team, he already would have selected Ohio State quarterback Joe Germaine. "I liked him better than Shaun King." Earlier, Brandt said some of the guys that he likes a lot include Seattle's pick of defensive end Lamar King from Saginaw State, Jacksonville's selection of cornerback Fernando Bryant from Alabama, Atlanta's pick of defensive end Patrick Kerney from Virginia and Cleveland's pick of wide receiver Kevin Johnson from Syracuse. 7:09 p.m. ESPN's Mel Kiper calls Tampa Bay's selection of Tulane quarterback Shaun King with the 50th pick "a major-league steal." 7 p.m. I ask myself, "Where did I put the remote?" as ESPN switches its draft coverage to ESPN2. 6:40 p.m. The Sporting News said after Miami added Syracuse fullback Rob Konrad to its earlier choice of Mississippi State running back James Johnson, "The Dolphins take two RBs, but neither one of them is Cecil Collins. Looks like the interest in Collins was another one of J.J.'s patented pre-draft smokescreens." 6:15 p.m. ESPN's Chris Mortensen correctly predicted that Atlanta would trade its first pick next year to move up in the second round. He later was right about Tampa Bay taking Tulane quarterback Shaun King with the 50th pick. 5:54 p.m. ESPN showed an obviously overjoyed Miami coach Jimmy Johnson with one of its "war-room cameras" after his selection of Mississippi State running back James Johnson. 5:15 p.m. The third team that The Sporting News thinks did a great job in the first round is Seattle. "Mike Holmgren is doing a fantastic job in his first year in charge of a War Room. The Seahawks' new coach/GM was able to move down and pick up more picks while still getting the player he wanted, Lamar King." 5:12 p.m. The Denver Broncos end the first round - more than five hours after ESPN started its coverage - with the selection of Tennessee linebacker Al Wilson. 5:03 p.m. ESPN flashed Virginia defensive end Patrick Kerney's board moments before he was picked by Atlanta. Coincidence? 4:55 p.m. More instant first-round analysis from The Sporting News, "Nice work by Bobby Ross and the Lions, as they get a player at No. 27 who they originally considered taking at No. 9. They took a hard look at Aaron Gibson at No. 9, but were surprised that Chris Claiborne was still on the board and couldn't resist. Then Gibson fell all the way to No. 27, and the Lions made an astute move to trade up with the Dolphins to get him. Detroit fills a huge need with Gibson and gets one of the best players in the draft with Claiborne." Also according to TSN, "the next three biggest [first-round] shockers were [Troy] Edwards to the Steelers at No. 13, Matt Stinchcomb to the Raiders at No. 18 and [Luke] Petitgout to the Giants at No. 19. Each of these players would still have been on the board 10-12 picks after where they were selected. 4:34 p.m. The Sporting News said Detroit will draft Aaron Gibson at No. 27, and that Oakland is pressing Minnesota to make a deal at No. 29. About 10 minutes later, it reported that Minnesota missed out on safety Antwan Edwards but still isn't going to make a deal with the Raiders. 4:24 p.m. Green Bay Packers general manager Ron Wolf says the team may take four more defensive backs in the draft on ESPN. 4:20 p.m. The Sporting News is offering this early analysis: "Looks like another strong draft for the Cardinals. With serious need on the offensive line, the selection of WR David Boston was a surprise. It was a difficult decision between Boston -- who the Cards had rated right alongside Holt -- and OT John Tait. But Vince Tobin wants to use a lot of three-wide sets next season, and made the pick knowing they could probably get a good tackle at No. 21. They were hoping L.J. Shelton would slip, and he did. "The selection of Boston forced the Steelers to reach for Troy Edwards, who probably should have gone early in the second round." 4:16 p.m. ESPN's Hank Goldberg reports another Miami trade, giving the Dolphins more picks in the later rounds, while Chris Mortensen says the Packers are happy that Clemson safety Antwan Edwards is still available. 4:13 p.m. ESPN's Chris Berman, who has been right with just about every one of his predictions so far, correctly predicts that the 49ers would take Florida defensive tackle Reggie McGrew. 4:08 p.m. The Sporting News said the Niners were able to trade up - to Miami's 24th pick from its 27th pick - but it was too late to get the player they really wanted, Saginaw Valley defensive end Lamar King. TSN had said earlier that San Fran wanted a king, either Saginaw's King or Tulane quarterback Shaun King. TSN later said after the 49ers selection of Florida defensive tackle Reggie McGrew, "With both Green Bay and Jacksonville ahead of San Francisco on the draft board and looking at defensive linemen, the Niners were forced to trade with the Dolphins and make a moderate reach for Florida's Reggie McGrew. But will they still be able to get QB Shaun King in the second round?" 4:04 p.m. The Sporting News said the Raiders are desperately trying to pick up another first-round pick somewhere in the 20s. Is Andy Katzenmoyer the target? 3:45 p.m. ESPN's Mel Kiper called Arizona's selection of Eastern Michigan offensive tackle Lonnie Shelton a steal. "I think it might be one of the best picks of the first round so far," he said. 3:44 p.m. NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue could not announce Arizona's second first-round pick because he was doing a chat on ESPN.com. 3:42 p.m. The Sporting News said, "[Notre Dame offensive lineman] Luke Petitgout at No. 19? This is a serious reach for the Giants. Arizona liked him, but would have traded down 10 slots with Denver to No. 31 to take him. This is a case of the Giants staying true to their draft board, but not looking at anyone else's board. If the Giants like him, that's fine, but why not try to trade down with teams like the Broncos and Raiders trying to trade up?" 3:38 p.m. ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit said that with North Carolina defensive lineman Ebenezer Ekuban gone, expect other defensive linemen to go quickly. Of course, TSN tried to make that prediction earlier. 3:33 p.m. ESPN's Ed Werder reports the Cowboys-Seahawks trade and says the Cowboys will pick North Carolina defensive lineman Ebenezer Ekuban. He also says that the 'Boys have signed linebacker Quentin Coryatt and restructured the contract of fullback Daryl Johnson. The Sporting News said the Seahawks were going to trade the No. 20 pick but to the Packers, not the Cowboys. 3:19 p.m. ESPN's Chris Berman on the Giants quick selection, moments after the Raiders pick was announced, "That's the fastest its offense has moved in two years." 3:12 p.m. ESPN's Mike Tirico takes a shot at the Eagles fans who booed the team's pick of Syracuse quarterback Donovan McNabb before he has even played a game for Philadelphia, "I don't understand you people." The Sporting News said that with Anthony McFarland and Jevon Kearse gone, expect a run on defensive linemen. Patrick Kerney, Lamar King and Ebenezer Ekuban could go soon. 3 p.m. ESPN's Solomon Wilcots, at New England's headquarters, reported that Seattle was going to trade its No. 17 pick down to New England at No. 20. The Patriots then would pick Boston College center Damien Woody. Kiper and Theismann immediately disagree with the selection, saying Woody probably would be available at No. 20. A couple minutes later, Wilcots' report proves true. To which, Theismann responds with "This one baffles me a little bit." When the pick was announced, Berman followed Fowler's earlier lead by saying "The Patriots have a Woody." ESPN's Chris Fowler provides a groaner when talking about Tampa Bay's selection with the 15th pick of LSU defensive tackle Anthony McFarland, nicknamed Booger, "So you like the pick? So to speak." 2:32 p.m. ESPN's Chris Mortensen says the Rams will trade quarterback Tony Banks to Baltimore for a fifth- and a seventh-round pick. Then, the Ravens will move quarterback Eric Zeier to Tampa Bay for a sixth-round pick. If that's the case, then that's two less teams for former Seahawk quarterback Warren Moon to try to sign with, leaving the future Hall of Famer to decide between the Kansas City Chiefs or retirement. 2:23 p.m. Akili Smith said on ESPN.com, "I want to go out there and compete and get right in there and play. I want to be in the Super Bowl by my third year, and I think that can happen. I watched the Bengals the last few years, and they always had the chance to win but couldn't pull it out. You keep losing and getting No. 1 draft picks, something's going on. Now it is on me." 1:58 p.m. ESPN's Joe Theismann reiterates his opinion that UCLA quarterback Cade McNown is the most sound quarterback of the 1999 class. "I like everything about Cade McNown," Theismann said, comparing him to Arizona's Jake Plummer. Kiper disagrees, and the two of them argue again. Ron Jaworski later calls McNown the most polished of the drafted quarterbacks. "He can make an immediate impact in the National Football League," Jaws said. 1:45 p.m. ESPN's Chris Mortenen reports that the Ravens are happy that Chris McAlister is still available. ESPN's Sal Paolantonio reports that many teams are calling Baltimore trying to move up. TSN had that earlier... 1:41 p.m. ESPN.com's Gil Brandt said that if Chicago gets the quarterback they want at No. 12 (which they did with UCLA quarterback Cade McNown) then he thinks the Bears came out ahead after all the wheeling-and-dealing done by New Orleans, Washington and Chicago. 1:29 p.m. ESPN's Sean Salisbury says Indianapolis fans are already calling the team to complain about picking Miami running back Edgerrin James ahead of Heisman winner of Ricky Williams. 1:26 p.m. Ricky Williams, on a ESPN.com chat, said this about his association with rapper Master P and if that affected where he was drafted. "First of all, Master P is not my agent. He just owns the company that does my contract. I felt comfortable with them. If it did hurt my draft position, then something is wrong with the system. I can understand it if they talked to my representative, but things seemed to be going fine to get a deal done. I really don't know why I slipped. I am interested to know why though." 1:20 p.m. The Sporting News is reporting that the Cards will eschew need and pick the best player available, USC linebacker Chris Claiborne. TSN turns out to be wrong when Arizona takes Ohio State wide receiver David Boston (1:31 p.m.) 1:15 p.m. Jaworski, after the Rams took North Carolina State wide receiver Torry Holt, says St. Louis has had the best turn-around of any team. The Sporting News is reporting that the Raiders are trying to pick up another first-round pick, and are dangling tight end Ricky Dudley as bait. The Sporting News also is reporting that the Broncos, armed with 11 draft picks, are trying like crazy to move up, possibly to Arizona's No. 21 pick or even Baltimore's pick at No. 10. The target? That's not clear, but it could be Florida defensive end/outside linebacker Jevon Kearse or LSU defensive tackle Anthony McFarland. 12:53 p.m. Werder confirms Redskins-Saints trade. New Orleans gets Williams, while the Skins get the Saints 1999 picks and their first and third round selections next year. 12:48 p.m. Indianapolis surprises many - although not ESPN host Chris Berman, who predicted it - by taking Miami running Edgerrin James before Heisman winner Ricky Williams. ESPN speculates one reason for the pick is that James appears to be more signable than Williams. After the pick, Theismann uttered the quote of the day so far - "I'll tell you right now: Ricky Williams is pissed." 12:36 p.m. Theismann is doing a nice job breaking down the upside and flaws of the quarterbacks picked so far, discussing things such as how they grip the ball, how they drop back and how hard they throw. 12:19 p.m. The Browns take Couch with the first pick. 12:09 p.m. First Kiper-Theismann argument: Theismann says UCLA quarterback Cade McNown is the one that he would select with the first choice. Kiper disagrees. 12:06 p.m. Kiper
gives his top five picks - regardless of team needs: 11:50 a.m. The Sporting News is reporting that at pick No. 6, the Rams will take North Carolina State wide receiver Torry Holt instead of Arizona cornerback Chris McAlister. This is an odd move, TSN says, because there still will be good value at wide receiver in Round 2. 11:30 a.m. Here are the latest rumors/draft news ESPN is reporting:
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