Thoughts from the bench
MARY ALBL
Assistant Sports Editor
Issue date: 5/1/08 Section: Sports
One of football's biggest weekends has just come to an end. The annual two-day NFL draft, second only maybe to the playoffs and the Super Bowl, is over. But many questions still remain. What teams made the best picks, what teams' stock just plummeted and what players hit the jackpot, literally. Who got shafted?
Time can only tell on some of those issues and for some we'll have to wait until September. But for now here's a quick look at some of the highlights I felt made the weekend.
The worst team in the NFL last season made huge strides in their picks this past weekend. The Miami Dolphins snagged a much needed offensive tackle in Michigan's Jake Long with the No.1 pick. In addition to the coveted lineman, the Dolphins actually made some other smart drafts as well. They picked up a decent quarterback in Chad Henning. I actually think he might do well with Long blocking for him. Another noteworthy pick for the Dolphins was defensive end Philip Merling. Overall, they had a good weekend that should at least double their win column from last year.
Being a huge Denver Bronco fan, I couldn't have been more pleased that they were able to pick up Ryan Clady. From what I've heard he should be starting on the line right away and hopefully assist quarterback Jay Cutler. As for their other picks, I'm not too sure. But under Shanohan's direction you can't be worried too much.
As much as I hate to say it, I think I have to. The Kansas City Chiefs probably had the best weekend of all. They were able to pick up a much needed defensive linemen in Lousiana State's Glen Dorsey. They also grabbed a top guard and cornerback. Not to mention a decent running back to top it all off. They should be a very well-balanced team next year.
On to the losers. Well, not so much losers, but teams that probably could have made better drafts. First off, the Bears. What got me was the fact that they didn't pick up a quarterback. By my account last year, Rex Grossman didn't have his best year. But instead they picked up a running back in Matt Forte. If their plan is to run the ball next year, then good for them. But I think they're going to be hurting for a quarterback come opening kick-off.
Time can only tell on some of those issues and for some we'll have to wait until September. But for now here's a quick look at some of the highlights I felt made the weekend.
The worst team in the NFL last season made huge strides in their picks this past weekend. The Miami Dolphins snagged a much needed offensive tackle in Michigan's Jake Long with the No.1 pick. In addition to the coveted lineman, the Dolphins actually made some other smart drafts as well. They picked up a decent quarterback in Chad Henning. I actually think he might do well with Long blocking for him. Another noteworthy pick for the Dolphins was defensive end Philip Merling. Overall, they had a good weekend that should at least double their win column from last year.
Being a huge Denver Bronco fan, I couldn't have been more pleased that they were able to pick up Ryan Clady. From what I've heard he should be starting on the line right away and hopefully assist quarterback Jay Cutler. As for their other picks, I'm not too sure. But under Shanohan's direction you can't be worried too much.
As much as I hate to say it, I think I have to. The Kansas City Chiefs probably had the best weekend of all. They were able to pick up a much needed defensive linemen in Lousiana State's Glen Dorsey. They also grabbed a top guard and cornerback. Not to mention a decent running back to top it all off. They should be a very well-balanced team next year.
On to the losers. Well, not so much losers, but teams that probably could have made better drafts. First off, the Bears. What got me was the fact that they didn't pick up a quarterback. By my account last year, Rex Grossman didn't have his best year. But instead they picked up a running back in Matt Forte. If their plan is to run the ball next year, then good for them. But I think they're going to be hurting for a quarterback come opening kick-off.
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