Conference 7.286::sports_91

     Heard on the radio coming to work, Pittsburgh is trying to trade up
    for New England's #1 pick. Players involved are Rod Woodsen and
    another player, plus their #1 pick.
    
                                              BIG "O"
      

    Haven't heard anything on that rumor here in Pittsburgh yet, BUT, I
    think the Steelers would be downright DUMB to trade two players, one of
    which would be Woodson, for the #1.  
    
    JaKe
    

I heard a rumor on the radio today that the Rams would trade their first 
round pick (I believe the 4th or 5th overall) to Philadelphia for Jerome
Brown and Philly's number 1.  Anybody else hear that one?


Doug

    Nothing about the Woodson rumor around here either.  The only thing
    being reported is that we'll either take Ismail or trade the pick to
    Atlanta since the Falcons are the only ones who seem interested.
    
    John

    re .4 (John H.):
    
    Any word on what the Falcons might offer for the Pats' #1 pick?  
    
    
    py

    I heard this morning that the Rocket's agent will be in Foxboro
    tomorrow to discuss a contract. It's starting to look more and more
    like they're gonna take him, I hope they make the trade with the
    Falcons.
    
                                            Dan
    

       They're going to discuss a possible contract. If he's looking for
    the kind of money the CFL offered, it'll be a short meeting, hopefully.
                                       Denny

I know the Rocket is good, but I would think that the Patriots need a QB
more desperately than anything else at this point.  I mean, they need
a leader, and someone who might be mobile enough to play from behind
their sieve-like offensive line.

Rocket gives you a WR/RB/Return man, and lots of excitement, but that
won't necessarily make New England a winner....

JMHO,
'Saw

    I disagree with taking the Rocket for football purposes because we have
    too many needs elsewhere and he's perhaps a luxury we can't afford.  On
    the other hand, a team does have to get full value for its pick and the
    Rocket is certainly full value.  He'll be a positive addition from both
    a character and marketing viewpoint, and that will be a help.
    
    While this isn't a Patriots note, there are a couple of other points -
    I believe Hugh Millen, who we signed as a Plan B Free Agent, will be
    the QB we need to play now to allow us to develop Hodson slowly.  Thus,
    we can find out whether or not Hodson can be the QB of the future. 
    
    Secondly, the Patriots travelling basketball team (all NFL teams have
    one, they play at schools, for example, to raise funds for civic
    organizations, stay in shape and for PR purposes) played at Clinton HS
    on this past Saturday night.  The players were Ray Agnew, Sean Smith,
    Richard Harvey, Rod McSwain, Tony Zackery, Elbert Crawford, Jon
    Melander, Kirk Warner and Eric Coleman.  The team was coached by
    Assistant Trainer Kirk Brumels.  Kirk (who I met when we went to
    Montreal last summer, I sat next to him on the flight up) told me that
    enthusiasm in the organization and among the players is very high and
    the team has been treated very nicely in its stops on the hoops
    circuit.  The attendance has been high and the enthusiasm has been
    great.  The players are working really hard to overcome the stigma of
    the past season and I think things are looking up.
    
    No, they didn't ask me to keep the score and stats.  :-)
    
    John

RE:.8
>>and someone who might be mobile enough to play from behind
>>their sieve-like offensive line.

Maybe we can get Rocket to take the snaps!  :*)

Let's please take care of the sieve-like line and take Davis.  Any
explaination on why McDonough left him out of the top 3?  

Robbie

    John H.
    
    RE:  NFL Hoops teams
    
    Yeah, talked with my brother-in-law thised pasted weekend - teh Giants
    Hoops team played in good ol' Pearl River, NY - and the mighty Pirates
    beat them in OT.  My bro-in-law is decent sized, but he said they were
    huge.  He got to cover OJ Anderson, Pepper Johnson and Maurice Cauthon
    during parts of the game.  Said Cauthon was quiet, serious, and a real
    banger under the boards - Pepper enjoyed the game and engaged in
    chatter all game long - he said OJ was funny.   The Giants didn't like
    losing in OT.  Pearl River had Kevin Houston - he went to Army and led
    the nation in scoring a few years' back.  He riddled them.
    
    JD

    1.  New England
    2.  Cleveland
    3.  Atlanta
    4.  Denver
    5.  LA Rams
    6.  Phoenix
    7.  Tampa Bay
    8.  NY Jets (used '90 supplemental draft)
    9.  Green Bay
    10. San Diego
    11. Detroit
    12. Dallas (from Minnesota)
    13. Dallas
    14. Atlanta (from Indianapolis)
    15. Dallas (from New Orleans)
    16. Pittsburgh
    17. Seattle
    18. Houston
    19. Cincinnati
    20. Philadelphia
    21. Washington
    22. Kansas City
    23. Chicago
    24. Miami
    25. LA Raiders
    26. San Francisco
    27. Buffalo
    28. NY Giants
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

>    Secondly, the Patriots travelling basketball team (all NFL teams have
>    one, they play at schools, for example, to raise funds for civic
>    organizations, stay in shape and for PR purposes) played at Clinton HS
>    on this past Saturday night.  The players were Ray Agnew, Sean Smith,
>    Richard Harvey, Rod McSwain, Tony Zackery, Elbert Crawford, Jon
>    Melander, Kirk Warner and Eric Coleman.  

     Look at this team !  Some real athletes, and a lot of wide-bodied studs on
     the front line !  Just the type of team Indiana hates to play; hope they
     don't meet in the first or second round of next year's NCAA tournament.

Here's the Mock Draft from Joel Buchsbaum and Pro Football Weekly.  If 
you have another mock draft from someone else, please put it in here!



1.  New England - Raghib Ismail.  Only great impact player in the draft. 
Patriots will take the Rocket unless someone offers them a deal they 
can't refuse.

2.  Cleveland - CB Todd Lyght, Notre Dame.  The Browns could go in seven
directions, with a trade being one of the seven.  Lyght, Antone Davis, 
Nick Bell, Mike Croel, Russell Maryland and Alfred Williams are the 
other six.

3.  Atlanta - OLB Mike Croel, Nebraska.  Falcons really want the Rocket 
and do not want to keep this pick, so a deal with the Patriots is 
possible.  

4.  Denver - OT Antone Davis, Tenn.  Broncos would prefer Lyght or 
Croel, but will need Davis if they deal Gerald Perry.

5.  Rams - RB Nick Bell, Iowa.  Rams want defense (Russell Maryland?) 
but Bell could do wonders for the defense by keeping it off the field.

6.  Phoenix - OLB Alfred Williams, Colorado (National Champions ~/~)
Makes more big plays than Croel, but may go much lower after poor 
combine workout.

7.  Tampa Bay - DT Russell Maryland, Miami (Fla).  Bucs are going to a 
4-3 defense.

8.  NYJets - Pick used in 1990 supplemental draft to select Syracuse WR 
Rob Moore.  That decision is looking better and better.  Moore would 
have been a top-three pick in 1991.

9.  Green Bay - DB Eric Turner, UCLA.  Secondary and defensive line are 
top priorities.

10.  San Diego - OT Charles McRae, Tennessee.  Chargers are thinking 
big.

11.  Detroit - DT Eric Swann, Bay State Titans.  Swann could go much, 
much lower, but athletically he belongs this high, and Wayne Fontes has 
shown he will gamble.

12.  Dallas - OT Pat Harlow, USC.  Cowboys want an offensive tackle, but
would prefer one from Tennessee.

13.  Dallas - OLB-DE Huey Richardson, Florida.  Pass rusher.

14.  Atlanta - QB Brett Favre, Southern Miss.  Would make sense for Pats 
or Falcons.

15.  Dallas - CB Bruce Pickens, Neb.  Top speed and cover ability.

16.  Pittsburgh - WR Randal Hill, Miami (Fla).  Steelers need a speed 
receiver.

17.  Seattle - QB Dan McGwire, SD State.  His stock goes sky-high if the 
"in-the-grasp" rule goes out the window.

18.  Houston - RB Aaron Craver, Fresno State.  Fits run-and-shoot.

19.  Cincinnati - DT Ted Washington, Louisville.  He has the size and 
strenght to dominate but is an underachiever with health concerns.

20.  Philadelphia - RB Harvey Williams, Louisiana State.  Big-time 
runner when sound, but not very durable.

21.  Washington - S Stanley Richard, Texas.  Redskins want to replace 
Todd Bowles.

22.  Kansas City - WR Alvin Harper, Tennessee.  Can't believe he'd last 
this long after the Senior Bowl.

23.  Chicago - OL Ed King, Auburn.  Ditka wants big, young blockers.

24.  Miami - WR herman Moore, Virginia.  Big target for Marino.

25.  Raiders - OT Stan Thomas, Texas.  Has to play offensive right 
tackle or guard.  Raiders could also go for LB Keith Traylor or CB Vince 
Clark.

26.  San Francisco - S Jesse Campbell, North Carolina State.  49ers 
didn't protect Ronnie Lott, Dave Waymer or Chet Brooks.  Could also go 
for C John Flannery or DB Henry Jones.

27.  Buffalo - DL Kelvin Pritchett, Miss.  He can help on the nose or 
outside.  

28.  NY Giants - WR Reggie Barrett, Texas-El Paso.  Giants could also go 
for Traylor but may regard Barrett as a real steal this late.


Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

> 11.  Detroit - DT Eric Swann, Bay State Titans.  Swann could go much, 
> much lower, but athletically he belongs this high, and Wayne Fontes has 
> shown he will gamble.

    This guy is a very interesting prospect.  He is considered very raw
    from a technical standpoint, but is athletically gifted according to
    some things I've read.  Some NFL scouts have said they would prefer to
    see him off the board by the time they select, particularly those clubs
    picking late in the 1st round.  Considering he hasn't played on the
    college level, I have a hard time believing he could go in the 1st
    round, but he is projected as a very high pick.  His size is 6'4.5",
    313 lbs, with 4.85 speed.
    
    Joe

    Here is Mel Kiper's mock draft:
    
    1. NE             Raghib Ismail,WR, Notre Dame
    2. Cleveland      Russell Maryland, DT, Miami
    3. Atlanta        Eric Swann, DL, Baystate Titans
    4. Denver         Mike Croel, LB, Nebraska
    5. LA Rams        Todd Lyght, CB, Notre Dame
    6. Phoenix        Ted Washington, DL, Louisville
    7. Tampa          Atone Davis, OT, Tennessee
    8. Green Bay      Nick Bell, RB, Iowa
    9. San Diego      Alvin Harper, WR, Tennessee
    10. Detroit       Randal Hill, WR, Miami
    11. Dallas        Charles McRae, OT, Tennessee
    12. Dallas        Herman Moore, WR, Virginia
    13. Atlanta       Keith Traylor, LB, Central State (OK)
    14. Dallas        Eric Turner, DB, UCLA
    15. Pittsburgh    Reggie Barrett, WR, UTEP
    16. Seattle       Bruce Pickens, CB, Nebraska
    17. Houston       Harvey Williams, RB, LSU
    18. Cincinnati    Kelvin Pritchett, DL, Mississippi
    19. Philadelphia  Pat Harlow, OT, USC
    20. Washington    Jesse Campbell, DB, NC State
    21. Kansas City   Brett Favre, QB, S. Mississippi
    22. Chicago       Jeff Graham, WR, Ohio State
    23. Miami         Huey Richardson, LB, Florida
    24. LA Raiders    Alfred Williams, LB, AP National Champs
    25. San Fran      Stan Thomas, OL, Texas
    26. Buffalo       Mike Dumas, DB, Indiana
    27. NY Giants     Dan McGwire, QB, San Diego State
    
    Glenn, 
    He has the Chargers taking Phil Hanssen, DL from North Dakota
    State on 36th pick and Henry Jones, DB from Illinois on the 39th pick.
    Also, he has SD taking Craig Erickson of Miami in the 4th round.
    
    One other pick that caught my attention, he has the Raiders taking Todd
    Marinovich in the 2nd round.  I've heard Marinovich being picked
    anywhere from the early rounds to not being drafted at all.
    
    Jowe

    Detroit needs some receiving since they lost Richard Johnson and Jason
    Phillips...
    
    Why don't/didn't the Pats trade a #2 or #3 to NO for Hebert?

>    Pepper enjoyed the game and engaged in
>    chatter all game long 
    
    JD, that was his teeth chattering still from the lick Keith Byers put
    on him last season.
    

    re the last few:
    
    Who are the Baystate Titans?
    
    If John Flannery slips through the first round, I'd love to see New
    England grab him with the first pick in Round 2...
    
    
    py

    The Bay State Titans were in a football minor league last summer and
    played at Manning Bowl in Lynn.  It was designed to be a league for
    guys who wouldn't get paid but would have the coaching and provide the
    playing experience to get to the NFL.  In fact, a couple of guys were
    signed out of the league last Fall to go to the NFL.
    
    Eric Swann was all set to go to NC State but didn't get a 700 on his
    SATs.  For some reason, he decided to go this route instead of the
    Junior College route.  I saw him play last summer and he's a terrific
    player, but only has 1 year of post high school experience instead of
    the 4-5 years at the college level.  He'd be a gamble but potentially a
    great choice for any team.
    
    John

   I predict that if Lyght and Croel are both available when the Donkeys
   pick, they pick Lyght.

   I predict The Rocket isn't going to be as big an impact player as
   people think. I feel the Pats'd be better off to trade the first pick
   to somebody who wants him, for an established player, plus a late first
   this year and next year.

   I predict the Jets, once again, will make a totally dork pick, that
   nobody in their right minds could possibly conceive of.

   Mike JN

    Mike JN,
    
    No one wants to give us anywhere what the number 1 draft pick should be
    worth.  I don't know if we're overvaluing the pick or not, but right
    now it looks like we're stuck with him.  I agree that Rocket isn't
    really who we should be picking, FWIW.
    
    Also, the Jets have already used their #1 pick for this year in last
    year's supplemental draft for WR Rob Moore from Syracuse.  They may
    make some sort of weird pick on a later round but everyone does that.
    
    John

>   I predict that if Lyght and Croel are both available when the Donkeys
>   pick, they pick Lyght.

    I hope so, but most seem to think they'll take Croel, although the
    Reeves hasn't hinted one way or the other.  It's also very likely
    they'll trade down to about the middle of the 1st round.
    
    RE: Pats drafting Flannery
    Would certainly make sense, with MacPherson having coached him at SU.
 
    Joe

    
    The Rocket is over-rated.  A lot of flash, but not a franchise player.
    I think the reason the Pats have not had a ton of offers for the #1
    pick is because the football world is blinded by the hype, but easily
    willing to let the Pats be the patsies in this one.
    
    The Pats need a line even more than they need a quarterback right now.
    Hell, more than likely they'll be in the hunt for the #1 pick again
    next year.
    
    Dickstah
    

    I still expect Dallas to trade up to get the player they want. JJ's talk
    of not wanting to trade his #1 is a smoke screen to devaluate the earlier
    picks. They also want a very early 2nd round pick to draft a backup for
    Aikman. They didn't sign a Plan B QB and Babe Laufenberg last years backup
    should not be allowed anywhere near the team.

    Also in the Globe a few weeks ago it was mentioned Dallas would like to
    trade the the 14th pick over all for Atlantas 13th over all pick. This
    would give Dallas picks 11,12, and 13 in the 1st round. With the 3
    successive pick they could control the draft board for 45 minutes. This
    would allow them to negotiate contracts with players before they draft
    them.

    I really would like to see Randall Hill in a Cowboy uniform. WR is not
    there biggest need but this kid is going to be something to watch. Hes
    now been timed at sub 4.2 in the 40 and bench pressed almost 400lbs.
    Not bad for someone who weighs 180lbs.

Chuck

    Who do you think will take Marinovich?  Is there any doubt it will be
    Al Davis?
    
    	--dan'l

    
    	Nah, the Broncos will take him.  He'll fit right in......
    
    	Claybroon

    The Broncos interviewed Herman Moore yesterday, and are expected to
    interview Eric Swann, Mike Croel, Nick Bell, Todd Lyght, Charles McRae,
    and Alfred Williams in the next week or so.  If Lyght and Croel are
    gone and they don't trade down, they may end up taking an offensive
    player.  I haven't heard any rumors to indicate Denver is interested in
    Russell Maryland.
    
    Moore is scheduled to visit with the Falcons today.
    
    Joe

   I'd like to see the Donks get Lyght. Then gamble on Swann a little
   later. Then pick up some former Buffs... there's some pretty good
   people coming out, although I don't think any of them are ranked as
   first rounders. Also.... what's the guys name from ?Nebraska? that's
   deaf? Any teams showing interest in him yet? Where's he ranked?

   Mike JN

    I always wondered - when the team interviews these players, do they
    have to bring a resume?  References?
    
    You know like:
    
                 TODD LYGHT
           
    
    Career Goal:  To be a starting defensive back in the NFL, make tackes,
    intimdate and pick a few passes off.  Lead my team to victory.  Make
    big bucks.  Scoop up endorsements.  Scope babes.
    
    EXPERIENCE:
    
    Notre Dame:  4 Years, Defensive Back
    
    Made numerous tackles, integral part of the Champeenship team. 
    Particularly proud of some bone crunching hits.   Etcc...
    
    
    EDUCATION:
    
    Notre Dame 4 years of classes in something or another.  Highlights
    include:  contracts and You, understanding all that gobbly-gook; Smash
    Hits - (Film Course); Cliches 101; Advanced Cliches (2 Sections -
    Before the Big Game and After the Big Game); What to wear, what to wear
    _ an introduction to dressing for varied functions (for example - Bob
    Hope ALl-American Show, Draft Day, Rookie Camp, Porsche Dealer...)
    
    Hobbies:
    
    Butterfly collecting, Cheerleader snatching, pounding guys on the
    helmet and patting them on the butt.
    
    References:
    
    Available on Request
    
    

    It sounds like Swann would be a good 2nd round pick for Denver if he's
    still on the board.  Personally, I don't think he'll go before the 20th
    pick or so, but I wouldn't be suprised if someone took a shot at him
    early. 
    
    RE: former Buffs
    I think George Hemingway would be a good mid-round pick for Denver. 
    Good blocking fullback, and a great receiver, and the unsung hero for
    CU in the Orange Bowl win over ND.  Pritchard is one of the draft's
    more underrated players.  He could go late in the first round. 
    
    RE: Nebraska's deaf player
    He is Kenny Walker, 6'2.5", 244lbs, 4.71 speed, defensive end.  Lacks
    size, but can't switch to OLB because of his deafness.  Big 8 defensive
    player of the year.  Will probably go anywhere from round 4 to round 8.
    
    Joe 
                             

�    size, but can't switch to OLB because of his deafness.  Big 8 defensive

   Not trying to be stupid, but why not? I would think he could key off of
   player's movement - his own team as well as the opposition - as well as
   he could off of verbal cues. And since the Inside linebacker generally
   calls plays, they could use a simplified hand signal in the Defensive
   Huddle to give him the play.

   Mike JN

    How would he pick up audibles?

    Hand signals .... defensive audibles tend not to be as complex as
    offensive ones ....

    Defensive Line is probably the perfect position for someone who's deaf
    because any audibles that are called usually don't affect that
    position.  As a nose tackle once said to me "What the hell do I have to
    go to defensive meetings for?  I either smash right into the center, go
    to his right or go to his left and chase the hell out of whoever has
    the ball.  I don't give a damn what everyone else is doing."
    
    John

    Sssshhhhh !!!!!!! John, you're taking the science out of football !!!!
    
    Don't spoil it for people damnmit !!! :-)

    I would LOVE to see the Pats scoop Walker with one of their four
    fourth round picks.  He has a huge heart, something none of those
    scouting combines ever seem to measure.
    
    As for Swann, I would bet that Dallas takes him with one of their three
    #1 picks.  Seems like a perfect player for Jimmy Johnson.  And with the
    extra picks they own, Dallas can afford to bring him along slowly.
    
    NAZZ

    
	NEW YORK (UPI) -- Wide receivers and wide bodies are the highlights of
an otherwise lean year in the April 21 NFL draft.
	Led by Raghib ``Rocket'' Ismail of Notre Dame, there are a dozen or
so wide receivers who are mentioned as first-round prospects. Wide
receivers could be as popular in the opening round as running backs were
last year when six were picked.
	The draft is also top heavy in offensive tackles, with as many as
four expected to go in the first round.
	The 12-round draft, which concludes April 22, is hurt by the large
group of juniors who came out last year. The underclassmen coming out
this year are not as strong.
	``We don't think it's an outstanding group of players available,''
said New York Jets General Manager Dick Steinberg, whose team has no
first-round pick.
	``There's not an abundance of quality at the top. After wide
receivers and offensive tackle, it's pretty slim.''
	Defensive backs are the strongest defensive area of the draft, with a
handful of outside linebackers and some risky defensive linemen expected
to go in the first round. There are few highly rated quarterbacks or
running backs.
	Ismail, the speedster who can catch passes and return kicks with
great excitement, is expected to be the first pick but it is uncertain
who will take him. The New England Patriots have the first pick because
of their 1-15 record last season, but are considering a trade. So far,
no one has met their asking price.
	That is probably because any team looking for a wide receiver can get
by without Ismail. The draft has its share of wide receivers, including
big and fast ones like Alvin Harper of Tennessee, Herman Moore of
Virginia, Reggie Barrett of Texas-El Paso and Jake Reed of Grambling,
and smaller and faster ones like Ismail, Randall Hill of Miami and
Colorado's Mike Pritchard.
	Other wide receivers who might go in the first round include Rob
Carpenter of Syracuse, Wesley Carroll of Miami, Tim Barnett of Jackson
State and Jeff Graham of Ohio State.
	If there is anything an NFL quarterback would like his team to draft
more than a fast wide receiver, it's a large offensive tackle. This
draft has its share of them, including 320-pound Antone Davis of
Tennessee, 300-pound Stan Thomas of Texas, 290-pound Charles McRae of
Tennessee and 285-pound Pat Harlow of Southern Cal.
	Tennessee teammates Davis and McRae, and Harlow are considered
certain first-rounders.
	Davis is among three players the Cleveland Browns are considering
with the second pick. Notre Dame cornerback Todd Lyght and Miami
defensive tackle Russell Maryland are the others.
	However, the Browns might even find Ismail available. If the Patriots
cannot trade him and are scared off by his threats to play in the CFL
unless New England pays him $15 million over five years, they might pick
another player to fill one of their many needs.
	``We're prepared for that,'' Cleveland General Manager Ernie Accorsi
said of New England passing on Ismail. ``I just think everyone is
confused on what is going to happen in this draft. I don't think anybody
knows.''
	Cornerbacks Lyght and Bruce Pickens of Nebraska and safeties Eric
Turner of UCLA, Stanley Richard of Texas, Jesse Campbell of North
Carolina State, and Mike Dumas of Indiana are possible first-rounders in
the secondary.
	On the defensive front, Maryland, Michigan State's Bobby Wilson,
Louisville's Ted Washington, Kelvin Pritchett of Mississippi and 6-foot-
4 1-2, 315-pound Eric Swann are first-round prospects.
	Swann is the most unusual player in this year's draft. He never
played college ball because his SAT scores were too low. Instead of
going to junior college, Swann played for the Bay State Titans, a Lynn,
Mass., semipro team. He is only two years out of high school and raw,
but his size and 4.89 speed in the 40-yard dash will persuade a team to
select him in the first round.
	His lack of experience makes him a risk, and the other defensive
linemen have questions concerning their intensity.
	The best pass rushers in the draft are outside linebackers. Mike
Croel of Nebraska, Huey Richardson of Florida, and Colorado teammates
Alfred Williams and Kanavis McGhee are likely first-rounders. Croel is
rated highest.
	There could be as many as three quarterbacks picked in the first
round. Most scouts rate Brett Favre of Southern Mississippi the top
passer, with San Diego State's 6-8 Dan McGwire right behind. Browning
Nagle of Louisville is another possible opening-round pick.
	The 1991 group of running backs rates far below last year's, but Nick
Bell of Iowa is easily the best of the bunch. Bell is almost certain to
be the first back picked, followed by Harvey Williams of Louisiana
State, Aaron Craver of Fresno State, Randy Baldwin of Mississippi and
Eric Bieniemy of Colorado.
	Other first-round prospects include fullbacks Jerrod Bunch of
Michigan and Robert Wilson of Texas A&M, guards Eric Moten of Michigan
State and Ed King of Auburn, defensive end Lamar Rogers of Auburn and
middle linebacker Keith Traylor of Central (Okla.) State.
	The draft is weakest in centers and tight ends.
	The Dallas Cowboys and Atlanta Falcons are in position to help
themselves most in the draft. The Cowboys, thanks to the Herschel Walker
and Steve Walsh trades, have three first-round picks (11th, 12th and
14th) and the Falcons two (third and 13th).
	Notre Dame would become the third school to have two of its players
selected at the top of the draft if Ismail and Lyght are the first two
picks.
	Defensive end Bubba Smith and running back Clint Jones of Michigan
State were the first two picks in 1967, and wide receiver Irving Fryar
and tackle Dean Steinkuhler of Nebraska went at the start of the 1984
draft.
	Underclassmen will not play as big a role in this year's draft as
last year, when eight players who came out early went in the first
round. Of the 33 underclassmen who applied for the 1991 draft, Ismail,
Moore, Swann and Campbell are considered first-round material.
	``This is a rotten list of juniors,'' Green Bay Packers vice
president Tom Braatz said.
	Last year was the first the NFL allowed players to enter the draft if
their college class had not graduated.
	The Jets, Indianapolis, New Orleans and Minnesota have no first-round
picks. The Jets selected wide receiver Rob Moore in the supplemental
draft last year, forfeiting their 1991 first-rounder. They must wait
until the 34th selection to pick.
	The Colts, who gave up their first pick as part of last year's trade
for No. 1 selection Jeff George, will not select until the 40th choice.
The Saints gave up their pick for Walsh and will wait until the 42nd
pick to join the draft and the Vikings gave up their first two choices
in the Walker deal and will not make their first pick until the 10th
choice of the third round -- the 65th overall.
 ----_(_U_P_I_)----
_a_d_v_._ _w_e_e_k_e_n_d_,_ _a_p_r_i_l_ _1_3_-_1_4

    In yesterdays Boston Globe, Will McDonough stated that there are rumors
    that either the Raiders or the49ers would be interested in taking
    Marinovich in the first round. 
    
    The Patriots would be fools to pick Ismail with the first pick. If they
    cant trade it then they should pick Davis, the OL from Tennesee. Their
    line is terrible. Drafting a guy who doesn't even have a set position
    with the first pick is crazy. I thought Tim Brown was a better college
    player than the Rocket and the Raiders got him with the 6th pick.
    
    
    
    
    JMO,
    KENN
    

>>        <<< Note 134.38 by BSS::G_MCINTOSH "ULTRIX NETWORKS, CSC/CS" >>>
>>                                -< Draft News >-

>>	The 1991 group of running backs rates far below last year's, but Nick
>>Bell of Iowa is easily the best of the bunch. Bell is almost certain to
>>be the first back picked, followed by Harvey Williams of Louisiana
>>State, Aaron Craver of Fresno State, Randy Baldwin of Mississippi and
>>Eric Bieniemy of Colorado.
>>	Other first-round prospects include fullbacks Jerrod Bunch of
>>Michigan and Robert Wilson of Texas A&M, guards Eric Moten of Michigan
>>State and Ed King of Auburn, defensive end Lamar Rogers of Auburn and
>>middle linebacker Keith Traylor of Central (Okla.) State.

Can anyone tell me why Darren Lewis, running back for Texas A&M, isn't
even mentioned?  He lead the nation this year in total rushing yardage,
was consensus first-team all-American, is the SWC's all-time rushing
leader, and was even a Heisman candidate.  Seems like someone would be
interested.

Did he get hurt, or arrested, or whisked away in an alien space-craft?

Thanks,

Jerry

P.S.  I've watched Robert Wilson play.  He is an awesome blocking back.

>>   <<< Note 134.40 by CSC32::J_HENSON "It's just the same, only different" >>>
>>                               -< Darren Lewis? >-

    Darren Lewis is relatively a small back 5'10" 205lbs. For a back his
    size he lacks the great top speed. He runs a 4.6 for the 40yds.

Chuck

   And I still say this is a pretty solid draft. I've been keeping track,
   and now have over fifty players projected as potential first rounders,
   and that is usually not a sign of a bad draft. Wouldn't it be funny if
   The Rocket went in the second round?

   Mike JN

    
	Swann, a 20-year-old, 6-foot-4 1/2, 315-pound defensive lineman, is the
youngest and one of the biggest and least experienced players available
in the draft.
	He is trying to make it in the NFL without playing in college. Since
graduating Western Hartnett High School in North Carolina two years ago,
Swann has played one year for the semi-pro Bay State (Mass.) Titans. His
SAT scores were too low for him to get in college and he decided against
junior college.
	Playing for the Titans, Swann showed amazing speed (4.77 in the 40-
yard dash), agility and quickness for a 300-pounder and is considered a
likely first-round pick.
	Swann is ranked along with Outland Trophy winner Russell Maryland of
Miami, Ted Washington of Louisville, Bobby Wilson of Michigan State,
Kelvin Pritchett of Mississippi, Lamar Rogers of Auburn, Mike Jones of
North Carolina State and Phil Hansen of North Dakota State as the top
defensive linemen.
	Maryland is generally considered the best, although at 6-1 he is a
bit short for the defensive front.
	If a team is after size, Swann is the man. He also has the raw talent
but comes with many questions.
	Dick Mansperger, director of college scouting for the Dallas Cowboys,
says Swann ``came out of the blue, but has possibilities.''
	Dallas is among the teams looking for defensive line help early in
the draft. Cleveland, Denver, the Los Angeles Rams, Phoenix, Cincinnati,
Miami and Buffalo are others.
	It will be worth watching how those teams view Swann. A team looking
for a guy to step right in might be wary of him. Swann won't turn 21
until August and has not faced the top competition or pressure the
others battled in college.
	``We make mistakes on guys who play in school five years, compete for
positions, go through offseason programs and play under pressure before
100,000 people for national championships and national rankings,'' New
York Jets General Manager Dick Steinberg said.
	``This guy bypassed all that. Now we have to predict how he will
handle more money than he ever dreamed of making and all the pressure.
It's an even greater roll of the dice, but I'm sure he'll go in the
first round.''
	Most of the top defensive linemen in the draft are inside power
players, with only Rogers, Jones and Hansen projected at defensive end.
Jones, who had 11 sacks as a junior and 10 last year, is rated the best
pass rusher.
	As a group, they are better against the run.
	``I don't really think there's a great pass rusher out there at
defensive end,'' said Tom Heckert, the Miami Dolphins' director of
college scouting.
	Maryland considered entering the draft last year, but returned to
school and graduated. He also helped his draft position with 10-1/2 sacks
and strong work on the Hurricanes defensive front.
	Washington and Wilson are considered the next two top prospects
behind Maryland. Washington, at 6-4 and 300 pounds, has the better size
and physical attributes but had some conditioning and concentration
problems in college. Wilson moved way up the charts with a strong Hula
Bowl showing and good combine workout.

The latest Draft day rumor has Dallas trading up for the first overall pick.

According to the papers this morning the Cowboys would trade their 12th and 14th
1st round picks, their 2nd round pick, a third round pick, a 1992 pick and a
player for New Englands 1st, 2nd, and 3rd round pick.

This would leave the Cowboys with two first round picks a 2nd round pick and
a two  3rd round picks in the first three rounds. It sounds like a good deal
to me, go for it JJ !

Now will the Cowboys take the Rocket if the Deal is made ? 


-JIM-

Why would JJ take Rocket when he has Wright for a burner? JJ would
probably grab Maryland or one of the safites. Got to believe he's
going for defense....

mike

-JIM-,

   The trade would be great if they pass on the ROCKET and take Mike Croel
   as the #1 pick.
  
   I think they would still have 7 picks in the 1st 3 rounds, two 1st round,
   two 2nd round, and three 3rd round.

   The key to this trade is getting the #1 overall (obviously) and the Pats
   1st pick in the second round which is the 28th overall, in essense a 
   1st round pick.

Chuck

 I agree, (IMHO) I don't beleive that the "Rocket" is the best player, I think
he is a little over rated. But it would be a very interesting lineup, can you 
imagine:

	Its third and 8, Aikman comes to the line, he looks to his
	right and sees "Rocket" Ismail and Michael Irvin.
	He looks to his left and sees Alexander Wright and Jay Novachek.
	And in the backfield  he has Smith. 

 It looks good on paper, that would really be fun to defense. But I think the 
Cowboys should probably go after a defensive lineman or maybe a defensive back
like Todd Lyght. Todd Lyght would look great in the secondary with Ike Holt.

 
-JIM-

    
    Chuck, I like this scenario.  "Rocket" still available when the Browns
    pick. The Browns could then trade the 2nd pick in the draft to 
    Atlanta for the 3rd pick plus...  The Falcons seem to be interested
    in "Rocket" and dropping 1 pick won't hurt if the Falcons draft him.

Rocket to Rot in Cananda, film at 11'.



Steve

    What would you do?
    
    Mark.

Highest paid player in the CFL was Toronto Argonauts QB
Matt Dunigan at $350k/yr. Rocket signed w/ the McNall-Gretzky-Candy 
owned team for $18M+ (which could be $26M).

I thought the CFL had a salary cap?


Andy

 The CFL does have a salary cap of $3,000,000 per team per year but
 apparently Ismail signed a "personal services" contract with the
 Argos' owner.   Somehow this kind of contract doesn't count.   Seems
 like a loophole to me.
 
 It is hard to fault Raghib Ismail (I refuse to call him "The Rocket")
 for making the best financial deal he possibly could.   Whatever the
 amount of his deal is, $18,000,000 or $26,000,000, it is some serious
 scratch.
 
 But I think he made the wrong move from a long-term visibility
 perspective.  I have no axe to grind with the CFL but it is virtually
 invisible here in the United States.  Ismail is now basically gone
 from the American sports scene for the next 4 years.   Yes, others
 have done the same thing and have come back to the NFL and
 established themselves quite nicely ... Joe Theismann and Warren Moon
 are two such examples.
 
 But there'll be no Wheaties box for Ismail for quite some time, if
 ever.    He's going to get his short term wad.  What remains to be
 seen is the question of whether or not he can transform it into a
 lifetime of earnings.   I have my doubts.
 
 One thing is virtually certain ... Ismail will have a ball with the
 CFL's longer and wider football field.
 
 Bob Hunt

    It seems to me that $20 million _is_ a lifetime of earnings. 
    
    I was just mad that he didn't stay in the NFL draft and have the
    Cowboys waste a pick on him.
    
    Dennis
    

    My impressions from being in Foxboro yesterday was that it was a
    maneuvering draft - teams were jockeying for position, doing a lot of
    negotiating before actually picking and there were an awful lot of
    no-names being drafted.
    
    I was happy to see Chris Zorich get drafted by Chicago and Don Davey by
    Green Bay.  Zorich is a Chicago native and is the type of player Ditka
    just loves.  Davey went to the University of Wisconsin and graduated
    with a 3.68 average in Mechanical Engineering while playing Defensive
    Line.  He's also a native of Manitowoc, Wi.
    
    John

    It still didn't stop the Raiders from taking Ismail in the 4th round.
    
    And didn't we all know Uncle Al would take in the bastard child
    Marinovitch.  Never thought it would be in the first round, however.
    Funny how scum tends to stick together.
    
    	--dan'l

 Dan-l the kid screwed up little so what he's only 21 give him a chance. You
 never made a mistake growing up?  ;^)

 The kid has talent you can't teach, it's his brain that need fixing and that
 comes with maturity...

 Geez I wonder who said that Maryland would got #1 to Dallas? ;^)

 mike

re:  Marinovitch

I, for one, would not have wanted his life to now.  The incredible pressure 
exerted by his father created some equally incredible expectations once he 
reached USC.  Between the sudden freedom of being at least a little separated 
from dad while in college, combined with the friction with his teammates made 
the kid "snap".  I agree that he deserves another chance, and hope he makes it 
big.

=Bob=

    
    Re Lufay.
    
    Play in a real league, take my 2 mill a year salary and make 
    another 10 million in advertising.
    
    
    Steve

    Marv and Trudi Marinovich, Todd's (divorced) parents, have been
    friendly with Al Davis for years and I think that may have had
    something to do with it.  Also, Davis just loves to take on these
    "projects" and develop them into football players.  Finally, he's
    always had success with lefthanded quarterbacks.
    
    And we see the Raiders in effect using the CFL as their own personal
    minor league once again.  They retain Ismail's rights until his
    contract expires.  They did the same thing with Mervyn Fernandez and
    are doing the same thing with Major Harris.
    
    John

    Seemed to me that the Eagles paid a very high price (next year's 1st
    rounder) to swap 1st round picks with Green Bay...
    
    
    py

    I wish Marinovitch the best of luck and he might become a GREAT
    quarterback.  But to think he will gain maturity in an orgainzation
    like the Raiders, run by the slimiest of slime no less, is a bit much
    to hope for.  
    
    I made mistakes when I was young and learned from them.  But that
    learning was something I taught myself to do.  Does Marinovitch have
    the backbone to do the same?  I think not.  How can you possibly live
    in this world today and say "yes" to illegal drugs?  I hope he can
    overcome but his weakness of character makes me doubt.
    
    	--dan'l

    
    Rumor has it that Raghib had made his mind up a week before the draft.
    Long before the Pats traded the pick.  Long before the Cowboys made
    their top offer of $15M and long before the CFL team upped their offer
    from $13.?M...  
    
    

 �   Seemed to me that the Eagles paid a very high price (next year's 1st
 �   rounder) to swap 1st round picks with Green Bay...
 
 I agree.  They must have wanted Antone Davis real, real bad and had
 advance knowledge that he wasn't going to last until their own 19th
 pick.
 
 I watched the Tennessee offensive line kick my Wahoos' butts in the
 2nd half of the Sugar Bowl.  I'm not upset with this pick; just the
 price that they paid for it.   As usual ...
 
 Bob Hunt

 �   I wish Marinovitch the best of luck and he might become a GREAT
 �   quarterback.  But to think he will gain maturity in an orgainzation
 �   like the Raiders, run by the slimiest of slime no less, is a bit much
 �   to hope for.  
 
 I didn't realize you disliked Al Davis so much, Dan'l.  What is it
 you don't like about him ???   Personally, I think his hair and his
 face make him look kinda scuzzy but I actually end up backing him on
 most of the things he does that annoy the NFL.   To me, he's a
 refreshing voice within an increasingly staunch and conformist
 institution.   I always loved watching him make Rozelle squirm.
 
 True, he screwed the city of Oakland but there's no reason the NFL
 shouldn't be a free enterprise like the rest of the corporations in
 this country.
 
 Marinovich was the perfect pick for the Raiders' image.  However, he
 might still have been available in the 2nd round.
 
 Bob Hunt

    Well, for the most part, I don't like Al Davis for the reasons you do
    like him, Bob.  In my opinion, he takes the free enterprise system a
    bit too far and hurts people in the process.    
    
    The city of ?Irwindale? knows this all too well.  "Sure," Al said, "I'll
    move my team here.  I love Irwindale.  Start on that rock quary stadium
    tomorrow why don't ya?"
    
    A year later he had what he wanted from the Colesium and Irwindale was
    left trying to pull themselves out of the red because of Davis' broken
    promises.  That's just one instance in a series of many that makes me
    just not like him.
    
    He broke Oakland's heart by taking their beloved Raiders down the coast
    to sin city.  Yes, you have to run your business, but you owe something
    to the people who love you.  
    
    And I don't think he has a lot of tact or class either.  At last year's
    Hall of Fame inductions, the crowd was pro-Pittsburgh because Lambert
    and Harris were being inducted.  When Davis got up to the podium to
    introduce Hendricks, he was soundly booed (so it's also a Pittsburgh
    thing too).  He then made some crack about how "it was good to have
    beaten Pittsburgh so bad in the past that he was hated so much now." 
    Not exactly an appropriate time and moment to say such a thing with two
    former Steeler greats being inducted right in front of him; bet that
    made Jack and Franco feel real good to be upstaged so.
    
    I don't think Marinovitch is going to get very good human relationship
    training from the likes of Al Davis and that is where the foundation of
    maturity needs to be at its strongest.
    
    	--dan'l

    Dan'l,
    
    I'm an Al Davis fan, though I've always hated the move to LA.
    
    However, in the HOF ceremonies, it was EXTREMELY classless for the
    pro-Pittsburgh fans to boo Davis (and in doing so, basically boo Ted
    Hendricks).  That wasn't the place for that type of behavior, so they
    deserved AL's retort.  No one should be booed at a HOF ceremony.
    
    I don't care about rivalries - the fans could have shown some respect.
    Like it or not, AL's teams have 3 super bowl wins, second behind Pitt
    and San Fran, and in that respect are the most successful original AFL
    team.
    
    JD
    

    Since when is it a NFL team's responsibility to provide "human
    relationship" training?
    
    John

    >Does Marinovitch have
    >the backbone to do the same?  I think not.  How can you possibly live
    >in this world today and say "yes" to illegal drugs?  I hope he can
    >overcome but his weakness of character makes me doubt.
    
    That's more than a little harsh.  You're making a lot of assumptions
    with statements like these.  I'll bet you know more than a few people
    who use/have used "illegal" drugs and are doing just fine.
    
    It's a shame that Marinovich didn't use a legal drug like alcohol and
    just puke his guts out a few times a week.  That he'd be a all right,
    A-1, Nancy Reagan type of guy who you'd respect for his backbone and
    character.
    
    Dan

    Since everyone is saying that Marinovitch needs to mature and the NFL
    will do that.  Personally I don't think it is, but everyone is saying
    Marinovitch needs the tuteledge of grown ups.  They are, in turn,
    saying he will get this with the Raiders.  Don't think so.
    
    Yes, it was classless for the fans to boo Al or anyone...even a
    Cleveland player if he were up there. 8-)  But for Al to lower himself
    to their level speaks loads about his character.
    
    And who said Pittsburgh's fans were classy to begin with. ;-)
    
    	--dan'l

I think the sad part about Marinovitch is the role his father had to play
in the whole affair.

I've seen parents try to relive their lives and missed opportunities through
their kid's lives before, but this case is ridiculous.  I guess I just believe
in nurturing children and providing them with a good toolkit to be responsible
adults.  I guess I don't believe in trying to mold them to be EXACTLY what
YOU want them to be....

Drug use aside, I'll bet Todd is gonna need a lot of counseling in the long
run to counteract the effects of his upbringing...

I really wish him the best of luck......

'Saw

   Oh well, two out of three ain't bad.

�     <<< Note 134.21 by COMET::JOHNSTON "Stand Back! I'll handle this!" >>>
�
�   I predict that if Lyght and Croel are both available when the Donkeys
�   pick, they pick Lyght.
�
�   I predict The Rocket isn't going to be as big an impact player as
�   people think. I feel the Pats'd be better off to trade the first pick
�   to somebody who wants him, for an established player, plus a late first
�   this year and next year.
�
�   I predict the Jets, once again, will make a totally dork pick, that
�   nobody in their right minds could possibly conceive of.
�
�   Mike JN

        
    The Raiders have always reveled in the notion that they're a bunch of
    hard-drinking, fast-living renegades, an attitude Al Davis cultivated
    religiously.  Last year's number one pick was a kid who freely admitted
    to using hard drugs at a very young age, and whose brother overdosed
    during one of his escapades, no?  I don't know if things have changed
    with the Raiders from the old days in that respect, but maybe more 
    than giving Marinovich a chance to mature Al's just offering him an 
    opportunity to join the club...
    
    Nonetheless, I did use to respect Davis and the Raiders, back when
    they'd pick guys off the scrap heap and motivate them to great things
    like no one else could.  Those days are gone.  Davis has demonstrated
    time and again that he's just in it for the bucks like everyone else
    now, and will grub for the cash at anyone else's expense at every
    possible opportunity...
    
    glenn
     

I agree with 'saw.

I'm actually surprised that Marinovitch even wants to play in the NFL.  After
all teh pushing and prodding by his father, I expected his rebellion to include
shunning football all together.  I suppose the money has something to do with it.

As I say, I wish him the best, and hope he can overcome the sh!t he has been 
through.  I don't view him as an arrogant "bad boy" at all, which really makes
him only marginally fit into the "Raider Mystique".

=Bob=

    RE .71 
    Looks like 1 out of 3 to me, Mike.  They made a decent pick  with Nagle
    in the 2nd round.  And don't forget, they've already made good use with
    their 1st round pick, taking Moore last year.
    
    The Raiders made a serious reach IMO with Marinovich in the 1st round. 
    The one word that best describes him is probably 'inconsistency,' not
    to mention his off-field problems.  I heard they took him this early
    because the Jets were supposedly thinking of taking him.  The Raiders
    got the best 2nd round deal in Nick Bell, who was projected to go in
    the top 10 picks.  I figured it would be worth it for someone to take
    Ismail in the mid or late rounds, but I think a 4th rounder is a little
    high.  It's a gamble that could have cost them a starter in the next
    couple years, and could only pay off way down the road.
    
    Joe

    To the list of nightmares for NFL play-by-play typists (other than the
    Samoan names, which are in a class by themselves), you can add Marino
    and Marinovich to the list of potential transposition errors, to go
    with Marino/Marion (when the Patriots play the Dolphins) and, when the
    Bengals play the Jets, Eason/Esiason.
    
    John

>    >Does Marinovitch have
>    >the backbone to do the same?  I think not.  How can you possibly live
>    >in this world today and say "yes" to illegal drugs?  I hope he can
>    >overcome but his weakness of character makes me doubt.
>    
>    That's more than a little harsh.  You're making a lot of assumptions
>    with statements like these.  
    
    I don't think I'm making too much of an assumption and I really hope
    the kid can turn it around.  My point is, however, that a day doesn't
    go by that you don't see or hear one of those "just say no" messages
    and see or hear reports in the news of drug-related deaths.  
    
    You'd have to be pretty much of a hermit not to get the message. 
    Anyone who ignores them and uses illegal drugs, casually or non-stop
    addiction, lacks good judgement and the courage to say "no."  Is that
    an assumption?  I don't think so.
    
    Abusers may be all around me and I would do anything to help them.  But
    I have very little respect for someone who falls into that trap in the
    first place.
    
    Illegal drugs aren't cool.  
    
    	--dan'l

    >Anyone who ignores [anti-drug messages] and uses illegal drugs,
    >casually or non-stop addiction, lacks good judgement and the courage
    >to say "no."  Is that an assumption?
    
    Yes, of course it is.  You are accurately describing *some* people and
    think you're describing *all* people.  You aren't.
    
    And why the grand distinction between legal and ill-legal drugs?
    Alcohol is ruining far more lives than any other narcotic (with the
    possible exception of nicotine).
    
    Dan

>    >Anyone who ignores [anti-drug messages] and uses illegal drugs,
>    >casually or non-stop addiction, lacks good judgement and the courage
>    >to say "no."  Is that an assumption?
>    
>    Yes, of course it is.  You are accurately describing *some* people and
>    think you're describing *all* people.  You aren't.
    
    Nope, that's a generalization.  Two different things.  Of that I am
    guilty.  You are right then, Dan.
    
    I make the distinction between legal and illegal because I want to
    avoid the huge rathole of "is alcohol a drug."  Why don't we drop it
    now please and just go by what our government says, regardless of
    opinion...or at least wait until Friday. ;-)
    
    	--dan'l

The simple minded campaign of the Reagen era now carried over to the Bush era
of "Just say No" has given the impression to the middle and upper classes that
the escape from the ravages of drug abuse is as simple as deciding to say "no".

This same jingoism has allowed the middle and upper classes to inflate their 
chests and thump them proudly and say "I'm against drugs."

It's got to one of the stupidest fads to overtake America in ages. I don't really
think that there is anything wronger with smoking the occasional joint than 
there is with coming home after a hard days work and drinking a beer on the 
porch. However 1 is socially acceptable and has a large govt lobby to insure it's
acceptability and the other isn't.

I've known people that've tried every single drug around. Some of them are now
"acceptable" businessmen, others are drunks who deliver Pizza for a living. I
don't think that the experimentation of drugs changed any of their lives from 
what they would have been. 

It's up to each individual to decide what to put in their bodies as long as it 
doesn't harm anybody else in the process. The key to the whole thing is 
education not jingoistic slogans with visual images thrust upon us by the 
madison Ave marketers.....


Metz
  

        I think you guys should give Todd M. a break. Look at Sugar Ray,
     L.Taylor, D.Manley, Ben Johnson and others. These guys were hard
    core drug users and look what they have done!!! You guys make it 
    sound like this the end of the world for Todd M. .The guy is only
    19 or 20 yrs. old  maybe he might be pretty good in 2 to 3 yrs.
    I don't think anybody can come out of college and make a big
    impact, so why the big contrversy over some young kid ?????
    
    

 Thanks metz couldn't have said it better myself if I had tried. People
 picked on poor ole Jimmy for pumping money into drug programs that kept
 people high but some people did actually slow wed down their dependency
 and quit. Those that didn't atleast got a supply that kept them high
 enough to deal with life without killing somebody to get money to get
 high....

 the republician drug policy like the republicain aids' policy are a joke!!!

 mike

    To turn us away from this rathole, can someone get the draft-by-team
    list when it's published?  Isn't it usually available in that
    "clarinews" thingie.

    
    	I would think that Al Davis, who probably knows football talent 
    	better than any other owner (and not a few GMs), is very, very
    	familiar with Todd Marinovich, his capabilities and potential.
    
    	The Raiders are often viewed as being a QB and a little more
    	depth away from being a Super Bowl team, 51-3 notwithstanding.
    	Marinovich doesn't provide the immediate QB help, but could
    	develop into a guy that leads the Raiders to a succession of
    	SB rings in the mid '90s.
    
    	The pick of Nick Bell was especially crafty. Without Bo, the
    	Raiders lack a game-breaker. Most championship teams have one
    	(Jerry Rice, Lynn Swann, Cliff Branch, Wayne Gretsky, Michael  
    	Jordan (just wait!)), and Nick Bell would be there for a full
    	year.
    
    	N.B._in_L.A._who_is_looking_forward_to_going_to_the_AFC_Championship
        _Game_at_the_Colliseum_next_January_(not_to_mention_December_8th)
    
    

re Bob Hunt:

>> But I think he made the wrong move from a long-term visibility
>> perspective.  I have no axe to grind with the CFL but it is virtually
>> invisible here in the United States.  Ismail is now basically gone
>> from the American sports scene for the next 4 years.   Yes, others
>> have done the same thing and have come back to the NFL and
>> established themselves quite nicely ... Joe Theismann and Warren Moon
>> are two such examples.

Gretzky and Co. are pulling a Peter Pocklington here:

Get the Superstar that will get and NFL franchise just the way they did with
the old World Hockey Association Edmonton team.

What they really want now that they have covered stadium is an NFL franchise.
After all, in view of the Blue Jays roaring financial success, how long can
the NFL turn a blind eye to such a blue chip sports town??

rick 

    As far as the Raiders being the wild drinking and parting team all the time
    are gone. Art Shell will not put up with it. SI had an article on him
    last year during the season, and back in the days when the Raiders were
    famous for there wild behavior, Art Shell was not one of them carrying
    on and going out on the town when they were on the road. I don't even
    think he drinks. He has brought back some of the Raiders traditon that
    other coaches had taken away for ex. they're allowed to sit on their
    helmets during games again. They don't have to be right on time for 
    meetings, as long as they make an effort to get there, but there are
    no more wild and crazy parties. Now as far as Todd M. goes, deep down
    in my gut I feel that once he's away from school and hopefully his
    dad won't be around all the time and he gets his drug and personel
    problems squared away, I think this kid is gonna be a great QB, I 
    might be wrong but I have a feeling in about 3 to 4 years that this
    kid will mature and be one of the top three qb's in football.
    
                                                  Dan                   

    
    The local 11 o'clock sports had some info about the Rocket.  After
    his announcement that he would play for Toronto the Argos ticket
    office was inundated with phone calls for season tickets.  It
    seems they sold 200 season tickets in an hour.  The comment by our
    local sportscaster said that they better sell more than that to
    pay rocket's salary.
    
    \pjb

re .85 Why thanks Mike {blush}.  Doesn't happen very often, but...;^{)))

re .87 If Ismail stays healthy and plays in the CFL the way we've seen him,
       I bet right now there won't be a seat in the SkyDome all year.
       Hell, that's the town that sold every single seat to every single 
       Maple Leaf hockey game every year from 1948 until now or the very
       recent past.  And the Leafs have one precisely one Cup in the last 25
       years.  Unbelievable.  Then look at the Blue Jays... Let's not forget 
       that city alone is now pushing 3 million, plus the surrounding areas 
       makes a total of at least 5-6 million with only remote competition from 
       the Orchard Park Bills.  And as Bob Hunt said a few back, Ismail on
       that wide field....

       I hope he stays healthy - at least until I get home this summer if not
       forever!

rick

    re -.1
    	The neighbouring city of Hamilton also has a CFL team.
    They used to be owned by Harold Ballard who was also the
    owner of the Maple Leafs.
    
    Andy

    FWIW - I thought this was highly enlightening about the status of the
    Packers in Green Bay:  During Draft Day a local TV station interrupted
    non-sports broadcasting to update the viewers each time the Packers
    made a selection or trade.  No other draft information was supplied. 
    
    Scott

re. Andy -2

Absolutely right, but I meant real NFL competition.  In other words, if there
is an NFL team playing within driving distance, fewer, very few, or maybe 
no one will go to the dreaded Ivor Wynn-less stadium to see the Tiger Craps.

Do you know if anything has evolved in Hamilton?  Heck, I used to go all the 
time when I was a kid - dusty, windy, nowhere to park, etc..  I was wondering
because apparently they have a nifty hockey rink now, so I thought they might
have done something about the football stadium, too.

BTW, I'll offer myself as an example.  Because of Ismail and because I have yet
to see an event in the Sky Dome (although I have visited it), if I go to 
Canada this summer I'll make sure to catch an Argonaut game in TO.

If I can find a ticket, that is...

rick

    I thought I heard a report today that said that Ismail may only have to
    play out 1 year of his Argonaut contract.

CNN sports reported that rumor last night. They say there is talk going around
that he has a buy out option after 1 year of his CFL contract. If so then the
raiders made a good move drafting him in the 4th round. 

If he wants comparable money from an NFL team to what he is getting now then the
draft pick was a big waste....


Metz

    I heard Dave Te Thomas on the radio today and he said that he told Al
    Davis about the buyout clause in Rocket's contract during the 3rd round
    of the draft on Sunday. Apparently, Al and Bruce McNall are old friends
    and one of the benifits of his Argo contract is a home in LA. He'll be
    all set for his new job with the Raiders.
    
    Dennis
    

    	The National reports no buyout clause, but an escape clause
    that could be enacted next year.  Dallas was supposedly going to
    take the Rocket with one of their fourth round picks, but were beaten
    to the punch by Davis.
    
    				/Don

    Excuse me, but isn't that colusion?  If all this is true, chalk another
    one up on the "Reasons why Al Davis is a low-life scum bucket" board.
    
    	--dan'l

    For the definitive reasoning on why Al Davis is a low-life scum bucket
    (you forgot "slime") you should read Hunter Thompson's account of when
    he attempted to watch a Raider practice.  It must have been in RS
    originally and is probably reprinted in The Great Shark Hunt.
    
    Dan

    Dan,  Certainly is hilarious - as is all of Hunter's stuff (well most
    of it - they didn't call me Gonzo in college for nothing - I'm a total
    HST Gonzo Journalism nut...)
    
    Re:  The Rocket - he races this coming weekend in the 100M dash at the
    Penn Relays.  SOme track experts are saying that with proper training,
    the rocket could be one of the best 100M men in the world, with a shot
    at the Olympics.  With football, however, they admit that he'll never
    achieve (or try) that avenue - and given the money, no one blames
    him...
    
    JD

Money is ruining the "true sportsman" of today's world.




Steve

 Raghib Ismail will be playing in the NFL by the end of this calendar
 year.
 
 Bob Hunt

   Bob,

>> Raghib Ismail will be playing in the NFL by the end of this calendar
>> year.
 
Does this mean that he will change team or, unlikely as it seems, Trawna gets
a sudden franchise?

deen ot wonk 

rick

    
    >Money is ruining the "true sportsman" of today's world.
    
    The true sportsmen of the world are the manly hunter-gatherers, as
    it always has been since yesterday's world.  Velour-wearin' yuppies
    don't count. 8^)  They don't need big bucks (unless you're talking
    'bout deer).  They need just enough for ammo and beef jerky.
    
    Dickstah
    

    Regardless of escape clause, I don't think Rocket can play in the NFL
    this year, due to an agreement between the CFL and NFL where someone
    who plays an entire CFL season can't play in the NFL in the same year. 
    The only way he could do it would be for Toronto to let him out of the
    contract before the season is over.
    
    John