Vikings News

Well it looks like Reggie Fowler is out as the majority partner of the new ownership group, and RB Onterrio Smith is out for the season cause of a no show for a NFL drug test. Good thing the Vikings drafted another RB Ciatric Fason. A lot was mentioned about the importance of replacing WR Randy Moss through the draft, and improving the defense by any means necessary.

New Jersey real estate developer Zygmunt "Zygi" Wilf is now the proud owner of the Vikings for a cool $600 million. His ownership group replaced the group fronted by Arizona businessman Reggie Fowler. The prevoius owner Red McCombs bought the Vikings in 1998 for $246 million. So Red doubled his money in only 7 years, and the Vikings don't own their own stadium. Not a bad investment if you can find it.

The main thing everyone overlooked before the draft was the Vikings need for another running back. Michael Bennett is great when he's healthy, Mewelde Moore performance last year was a surprise, Moe Williams will get you tough yards, but the Vikings have no real starting RB. The Vikings have suffered at the RB position since Robert Smith's retirement. Ciatric Fason did well under Ron Zook at the University of Florida. Behind the huge Vikings line he could be a great running back that could easily produce a 1,000 yard rookie season.

Broncos sign Rice and Sauerbrun. Why not trade for Williams?

In the last few weeks the Denver Broncos have made a few roster changes. The traded their P Jason Baker and a seventh round pick in 2006 to the Carolina Panthers for P Todd Sauerbrun. The also agreed with WR Jerry Rice on a one year deal. Why not take a gamble and trade a draft pick and a player to the Miami Dolphins for Ricky Williams. All three players could be an intergral part of the team, and help the Broncos make the playoffs from the toughest division in football.

Jerry Rice will be very helpful to the Broncos as the #3 receiver. Rice may not be as fast as he used to be, but he can still be a great possession receiver to continue drives. The Broncos had numerous problems on third down coversions. Rice could be very helpful in a three receiver sets on third down. Rice is durable, he played 17 games last season including a playoff game for Seattle. Rice had 30 catches last year, but he averaged 14.3 yards a catch and a his longest reception of 56 yards is more than any other #3receiver on the Broncos did last year. Rice wont be the focal point of the offense, but he will be productive from the #3 slot.

Todd Sauerbrun is a pro bowl punter. Eventhough he was recently chronicled on 60 Minutes II for his dealings with South Carolina Dr. James Shortt. The Broncos always lost the field position war with horrible punting for the last 3 years. The Broncos defense struggled last year because of having to defend the short field a lot. Todd will help reestablish field position for the Broncos defense.

Ricky Williams is a great running back. I know a lot of people may not think he's reliable, or won't kick his smoking habit. I think after a little soul searching, a $8.6 million judgement against him, and a court ordered $300,000 trust fund for his kid, Williams is ready to deal with anything, at least for the next 3 years. He wants to report to training camp, he has said he will re-enter the NFL substance abuse program, which can test him up to 10 times a month. He is also willing to sit out the 4 game suspension as well.

I know there is fodder that he used to play at 240 lbs., and he is only 195 lbs now, so he won't be the same. I think the year off from the bruising and the battering ram role he played for the terrible Dolphins offense has made him a lot more resilient. Ricky has never suffered any lower body injury. I know it sounds crazy, but Shanahan needs an established running back to be productive in this offense. Terrell Davis never played at more than 215 lbs in this offense and flourished. If Ricky Williams wants to go back to a great offense, Shanahan should be first in line to trade for Williams.

Many have said that Williams will struggle in the Dolphins locker room, because many Dolphins felt that he quit on them last season. He's offended no one in Denver. Ricky said he's good for another 4,000 yards. In the right setting, which Denver is, Williams can make it 3 1,00 yard seasons and make it to retire the right way. Regardless of where Rick Williams ends up, he will make a great addition to any backfield.

2005 NFL Draft NFC Winners

Now that the 2005 NFL Draft is behind us, it looks like some NFC teams drafted based on restocking positions for the future. It is kind of odd to be mailing in the 2005-2006 season already, but some teams didn't address the deficiencies their teams had last season. On the other hand some teams made a tremendous effort to find the missing pieces and drafted players who can get an immediate chance to help a team this season. The grades are based on drafting well to fill players into problem areas from last season. Let's take a look at each NFC team division by division.

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys
Team Needs: Defensive stoppers, Depth on Defense and Offense
Best Picks: DeMarcus Ware DE/OLB Troy, Marcus Spears DE LSU,
Kevin Burnett LB Tennessee
Good Picks: Chris Canty DE Virginia, Marion Barber III RB Minnesota
Overall Grade: A

New York Giants
Team Needs: S, DT, RB
Best Picks: Corey Webster CB LSU
Good Picks: Justin Tuck DE Notre Dame
Overall Grade: C

Philadelphia Eagles
Team Needs: TE, Nickel CB, #2 WR
Best Picks: Reggie Brown WR Georgia, Mike Patterson DT USC
Good Picks: Matt McCoy ILB San Diego State, Ryan Moats RB Louisiana Tech
Overall Grade: B

Washington Redskins
Team Needs: DE, DT, G, CB, Backup QB
Best Picks: Carlos Rogers CB Auburn, Jason Campbell QB Auburn
Good Picks: Robert McCune ILB Louisville
Overall Grade: C

NFC North

Chicago Bears
Team Needs: TE, G, OLB, RB, WR, QB
Best Picks: Cedric Benson RB Texas, Mark Bradley WR Oklahoma
Good Picks: Kyle Orton QB Purdue
Overall Grade: A

Detroit Lions
Team Needs: OT, S, MLB, DE
Best Picks: Mike Williams WR USC, Shaun Cody DE USC
Good Picks: Stanley Wilson CB Stanford
Overall Grade: B

Green Bay Packers
Team Needs: Defense help at any position
Best Picks: Aaron Rodgers QB California
Good Picks: None
Overall Grade: D

Minnesota Vikings
Team Needs: WR, OT, DE, S, RB
Best Picks: Troy Williamson WR South Carolina, Erasmus James DE Wisconsin, Marcus Johnson OT/OG Mississippi
Good Picks: Dustin Fox S Ohio State, Ciatric Fason RB Florida
Overall Grade: A

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons
Team Needs: S, WR, DE, DT
Best Picks: Roddy White WR UAB, Jonathon Babineaux DE Iowa
Good Picks: Darrell Shropshire DT South Carolina
Overall Grade: B

Carolina Panthers
Team Needs: OT, WR, RB, LB
Best Picks: Thomas Davis S/LB Georgia, Eric Shelton RB Louisville
Good Picks: Stefan LeFors QB Louisville
Overall Grade: A

New Orleans Saints
Team Needs: LB, OT, WR, QB
Best Picks: Jammal Brown OT Oklahoma, Chase Lyman WR California
Good Picks: Josh Bullocks S Nebraska, Adrian McPherson QB FSU
Overall Grade: B

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Team Needs:CB, WR, RB, LB
Best Picks:Carnell Williams RB Auburn, J.R. Russell WR Louisville
Good Picks: Barrett Ruud LB Nebraska
Overall Grade: B

NFC West

Arizona Cardinals
Team Needs: TE, DT, RB, CB, LB
Best Picks: J.J. Arrington RB California, Antrel Rolle CB Miami (FL),
Darryl Blackstock LB Virginia
Good Picks: Lance Mitchell LB Oklahoma, Eric Green CB Virginia Tech
Overall Grade: A

St. Louis Rams
Team Needs: OT, CB, S,
Best Picks: Alex Barron OT FSU
Good Picks: Oshiomogho Atogwe S Stanford
Overall Grade: D

San Francisco 49ers
Team Needs: S, QB, RB, CB, C
Best Picks: Alex Smith QB Utah, Frank Gore RB Miami (FL)
Good Picks: David Baas C Michigan
Overall Grade: B

Seattle Seahawks
Team Needs: MLB, CB, C, OT, WR
Best Picks: Chris Spencer C Ole Miss
Good Picks: David Greene QB Georgia, Ray Willis OT FSU
Overall Grade: D

2005 NFL Draft AFC Winners

Well this week we have a guest writer bringing us the AFC winners in the draft. O-Face will be an important contributer in the future of our sports coverage. Now more from O-Face.

With this weeks passing of the 2005 NFL draft, the only certainty is that of uncertainty. Although it may seem easy to make predictions about a players’ potential effectiveness in the NFL based upon their college performances, there still is no way to be sure until they actually play in an NFL game. While many “draft experts” base drafting decisions solely upon tangibles like college statistics, a more effective method would be to look at their character and desire to be successful. Many football fans would remember Todd Marinovich, Heath Shuler, Akili Smith, and Ryan Leaf as talented college quarterbacks, but once they entered the NFL they quickly distanced themselves from the elite players, albeit not in a good way.

Most of these quarterbacks were in good college systems and had good players around them, but once they made it to the NFL and collected their first paychecks their careers went by the way side. Was it lack of talent? No, it had more to do with their lack of motivation and less to do with their athletic ability. In an example of will being a greater measuring stick than combine times, Terrell Davis, the Denver Broncos running back during their two Super Bowl victories in the late 90’s, had relatively no college playing experience and poor combine numbers. However, once in the NFL, he quickly established himself as the best running back in football due in large part to his will to succeed.

College success does not always guarantee success in the NFL. Why, one might ask. It is a difficult question, but one that has more to do with determination and will rather than on athletic ability. No one will argue that Charles Rogers was a gifted receiver for Michigan State, but ask any one to recall anything he has done in the NFL and the words you will likely hear are, “injury prone” or “bust”. While this may be unfair to a player who is still relatively young and in the prime of their career, it is the harsh reality of pro sports. Once players are drafted, they are no longer looked at in the same light.

While Philadelphia Eagles fans booed Donovan McNabb during the draft, the pick now is part of the reason for Philly’s return to prominence. Players like Ted Bruschi and Tom Brady were relatively obscure college athletes, but are now regarded as some of the best at their positions. Words like, “leader” and “warrior” are often used in sentences to describe these players now, but not coming out of college. So, while it is easy to make assessments of how a player may perform in the NFL based on measurable college statistics, desire and a will to succeed are both undoubtedly greater attributes for a player to possess than a good 40-yard dash time.

With that said, here are my predictions for which teams helped themselves the most with the players that they selected in the 2005 NFL Draft.

A Grades:

San Diego:
Best Pick – DE/OLB Shawne Merriman, Round1;
Good Picks – NT Luis Castillo, Round 1; WR Vincent Jackson, Round 2;
RB Darren Sproles, Round 4; OG Wes Sims, Round 6.

Oakland:
Best Pick – ILB Kirk Morrison, Round 3;
Good Picks – CB Fabian Washington, Round 1; QB Andrew Walter, Round 3; DT Anttaj Hawthorne, Round 6

Tennessee:
Best Pick – CB Adam Jones, Round 1;
Good Picks – WR Courtney Roby, Round 3; WR Brandon Jones, Round 3;
CB Vincent Fuller, Round 4; WR Roydell Williams, Round 4.

Cleveland:
Best Pick – WR Braylon Edwards, Round 1;
Good Picks – S Brodney Pool, Round 2; QB Charlie Frye, Round 3;
CB Antonio Perkins, Round 4.

Baltimore:
Best Pick – WR Mark Clayton, Round 1;
Good Picks – DE Dan Cody, Round 2; OT Adam Terry, Round 2;
QB Derek Anderson, Round 6.

B Grades:

Cincinnati:
Best Pick – DE David Pollack, Round 1;
Good Picks – ILB Odell Thurman, Round 2; WR Chris Henry, Round 3.

Miami:
Best Pick – RB Ronnie Brown, Round 1;
Good Picks – DE Matt Roth, Round 2; ILB Channing Crowder, Round 3.

Indianapolis:
Best Pick – CB Marlin Jackson, Round 1;
Good Picks – CB Kelvin Hayden, Round 2; RB Anthony Davis, Round 7.

Jacksonville:
Best Pick – OT Khalif Barnes, Round 2;
Good Picks – WR/TE/QB Matt Jones, Round 1; RB Alvin Pearman, Round 4.

Pittsburgh:
Best Pick – CB Bryant McFadden, Round 2;
Good Picks – TE Heath Miller, Round 1; WR Fred Gibson, Round 4.

C Grades:

NY Jets:
Best Pick – CB Justin Miller, Round 2;
Good Picks – RB Cedric Houston, Round 6; TE Joel Dreessen, Round 6.

New England:
Best Pick – S James Sanders, Round 4;
Good Picks – OG Logan Mankins, Round 1; OG Nick Kaczur, Round 3.

D Grades:

Denver:
Best Pick – CB Domonique Foxworth, Round 3;
Good Picks – CB Darrent Williams, Round 2.

Kansas City:
Best Pick – OLB Derrick Johnson, Round 1;
Good Picks – CB Alphonso Hodge, Round 5.

Houston:
Best Pick – DT Travis Johnson, Round 1;
Good Picks – RB Vernand Morency, Round 3.

Buffalo:
Best Pick – RB Lionel Gates, Round 6;
Good Picks – WR Roscoe Parrish, Round 2.

2005 NFL Draft Results

Round 1
Round / Pick / (Overall) / Team / Draft Selection / Position / Yr / College / Transaction Info
1 1 (1) San Francisco - Alex Smith QB JR Utah
1 2 (2) Miami - Ronnie Brown RB SR Auburn
1 3 (3) Cleveland - Braylon Edwards WR SR Michigan
1 4 (4) Chicago - Cedric Benson RB SR Texas
1 5 (5) Tampa Bay - Carnell Williams RB SR Auburn
1 6 (6) Tennessee - Adam Jones CB JR West Virginia
1 7 (7) Minnesota - Troy Williamson WR JR South Carolina (from Oakland)
1 8 (8) Arizona - Antrel Rolle CB SR Miami (Fl)
1 9 (9) Washington - Carlos Rogers CB SR Auburn
1 10 (10) Detroit - Mike Williams WR JR USC
1 11 (11) Dallas - Demarcus Ware OLB SR Troy State
1 12 (12) San Diego - Shawne Merriman DE JR Maryland (from NY Giants)
1 13 (13) New Orleans - Jammal Brown OT SR Oklahoma (from Houston)
1 14 (14) Carolina - Thomas Davis S JR Georgia
1 15 (15) Kansas City - Derrick Johnson OLB SR Texas
1 16 (16) Houston - Travis Johnson DT SR Florida State (from New Orleans)
1 17 (17) Cincinnati - David Pollack DE SR Georgia
1 18 (18) Minnesota - Erasmus James DE SR Wisconsin
1 19 (19) St. Louis - Alex Barron OT SR Florida State
1 20 (20) Dallas - Marcus Spears DE SR LSU (from Buffalo)
1 21 (21) Jacksonville - Matt Jones TE SR Arkansas
1 22 (22) Baltimore - Mark Clayton WR SR Oklahoma
1 23 (23) Oakland - Fabian Washington CB JR Nebraska (from Seattle)
1 24 (24) Green Bay - Aaron Rodgers QB JR California
1 25 (25) Washington - Jason Campbell QB SR Auburn (from Denver)
1 26 (26) Seattle - Chris Spencer C JR Mississippi (from Oakland)
1 27 (27) Atlanta - Roddy White WR SR UAB
1 28 (28) San Diego - Luis Castillo DT SR Northwestern
1 29 (29) Indianapolis - Marlin Jackson CB SR Michigan
1 30 (30) Pittsburgh - Heath Miller TE JR Virginia
1 31 (31) Philadelphia - Mike Patterson DT SR USC
1 32 (32) New England - Logan Mankins OG SR Fresno State

Trades:
Saints Received:
1st round, No. 13: Jammal Brown, OT, Oklahoma
Texans Received:
1st round, No. 16: Travis Johnson, DT, Florida State
3rd round in 2006

Raiders Received:
1st round, No. 23: Fabian Washington, CB, Nebraska
Seahawks Received:
1st round, No. 26: Chris Spencer, C, Mississippi
4th round, No. 105: Ray Willis, OT, Florida State

Round 2
Round / Pick / (Overall) / Team / Draft Selection / Position / Yr / College / Transaction Info
2 1 (33) San Francisco - David Baas OG SR Michigan
2 2 (34) Cleveland - Brodney Pool S JR Oklahoma
2 3 (35) Philadelphia - Reggie Brown WR SR Georgia (from Miami)
2 4 (36) Tampa Bay - Barrett Ruud MLB SR Nebraska
2 5 (37) Detroit - Shaun Cody DT SR USC (from Tennessee)
2 6 (38) Oakland - Stanford Routt CB SR Houston
2 7 (39) Chicago - Mark Bradley WR SR Oklahoma
2 8 (40) New Orleans - Josh Bullocks S JR Nebraska (from Washington)
2 9 (41) Tennessee - Michael Roos OT SR Eastern Washington (from Detroit)
2 10 (42) Dallas - Kevin Burnett OLB SR Tennessee
2 11 (43) NY Giants - Corey Webster CB SR LSU
2 12 (44) Arizona - J.J. Arrington RB SR California
2 13 (45) Seattle - Lofa Tatupu MLB JR USC (from Carolina)
2 14 (46) Miami - Matt Roth DE SR Iowa (from Kansas City)
2 15 (47) NY Jets - Mike Nugent K SR Ohio State (from Houston through Oakland)
2 16 (48) Cincinnati - Odell Thurman MLB JR Georgia
2 17 (49) Minnesota - Marcus Johnson OG SR Mississippi
2 18 (50) St. Louis - Ronald Bartell, Jr. CB SR Howard
2 19 (51) Green Bay - Nick Collins CB SR Bethune Cookman (from New Orleans)
2 20 (52) Jacksonville - Khalif Barnes OT SR Washington
2 21 (53) Baltimore - Dan Cody DE SR Oklahoma
2 22 (54) Carolina - Eric Shelton RB JR Louisville (from Seattle)
2 23 (55) Buffalo - Roscoe Parrish WR JR Miami (Fl)
2 24 (56) Denver - Darrent Williams CB SR Oklahoma State
2 25 (57) NY Jets - Justin Miller CB JR Clemson
2 26 (58) Green Bay - Terrence Murphy WR SR Texas A&M
2 27 (59) Atlanta - Jonathan Babineaux DT SR Iowa
2 28 (60) Indianapolis - Kelvin Hayden CB SR Illinois
2 29 (61) San Diego - Vincent Jackson WR SR Northern Colorado
2 30 (62) Pittsburgh - Bryant McFadden CB SR Florida State
2 31 (63) Philadelphia - Matthew McCoy OLB JR San Diego State
2 32 (64) Baltimore - Adam Terry OT SR Syracuse (from New England)

Trades:
Lions Received:
2nd round, No. 37: Shaun Cody, DT, Southern California
Titans Received:
2nd round, No. 41: Michael Roos, OT, Eastern Washington
4th round, No. 113: David Stewart, OT, Mississippi State

Seahawks Received:
2nd round, No. 45: Lofa Tatupu, LB, Southern California
Panthers Received:
2nd round, No. 54: Eric Shelton, RB, Louisville
4th round, No. 121: Stefan Lefors, QB, Louisville

Ravens Received:
2nd round, No. 64: Adam Terry, OT, Syracuse
Patriots Received:
3rd round, No. 84: Ellis Hobbs, CB, Iowa State
6th round, No. 195 (traded to Packers)
3rd round in 2006

Round 3
Round / Pick / (Overall) / Team / Draft Selection / Position / Yr / College / Transaction Info
3 1 (65) San Francisco - Frank Gore RB JR Miami (Fl)
3 2 (66) St. Louis - Oshiomogho Atogwe S SR Stanford (from Miami)
3 3 (67) Cleveland - Charlie Frye QB SR Akron
3 4 (68) Tennessee - Courtney Roby WR SR Indiana
3 5 (69) Oakland - Andrew Walter QB SR Arizona State
3 6 (70) Miami - Channing Crowder MLB SO Florida (from Chicago)
3 7 (71) Tampa Bay - Alex Smith TE SR Stanford
3 8 (72) Detroit - Stanley Wilson CB SR Stanford
3 9 (73) Houston - Vernand Morency RB JR Oklahoma State (from Dallas)
3 10 (74) NY Giants - Justin Tuck DE JR Notre Dame
3 11 (75) Arizona - Eric Green CB SR Virginia Tech
3 12 (76) Denver - Karl Paymah CB SR Washington State (from Washington)
3 13 (77) Philadelphia - Ryan Moats RB JR Louisiana Tech (from Kansas City)
3 14 (78) Oakland - Kirk Morrison MLB SR San Diego State (from Houston)
3 15 (79) Carolina - Evan Mathis OG SR Alabama
3 16 (80) Minnesota - Dustin Fox CB SR Ohio State
3 17 (81) St. Louis - Richie Incognito C JR Nebraska
3 18 (82) New Orleans - Alfred Fincher MLB SR Connecticut
3 19 (83) Cincinnati - Chris Henry WR JR West Virginia
3 20 (84) New England - Ellis Hobbs III CB SR Iowa State (from Baltimore)
3 21 (85) Seattle - David Greene QB SR Georgia
3 22 (86) Buffalo - Kevin Everett TE SR Miami (Fl)
3 23 (87) Jacksonville - Scott Starks CB SR Wisconsin
3 24 (88) NY Jets - Sione Pouha DT SR Utah
3 25 (89) Carolina - Atiyyah Ellison DT SR Missouri (from Green Bay)
3 26 (N/A) Denver (Forfeited)
3 27 (90) Atlanta - Jordan Beck OLB SR Cal Poly
3 28 (91) Tampa Bay - Chris Colmer OT SR North Carolina State (from San Diego)
3 29 (92) Indianapolis - Vincent Burns DE SR Kentucky
3 30 (93) Pittsburgh - Trai Essex OG SR Northwestern
3 31 (94) San Francisco - Adam Snyder OG SR Oregon (from Philadelphia)
3 32 (95) Arizona - Darryl Blackstock OLB JR Virginia (from New England)
3 33 (96) Tennessee - Brandon Jones WR SR Oklahoma (Compensatory Selection)
3 34 (97) Denver - Domonique Foxworth CB SR Maryland (Compensatory Selection)
3 35 (98) Seattle - Leroy Hill OLB SR Clemson (Compensatory Selection)
3 36 (99) Kansas City - Dustin Colquitt P SR Tennessee (Compensatory Selection)
3 37 (100) New England - Nick Kaczur OT SR Toledo (Compensatory Selection)
3 38 (101) Denver - Maurice Clarett RB SO Ohio State (Compensatory Selection)

Trades:
Panthers Received:
3rd round, No. 89: Atiyyah Ellison, DT, Missouri
Packers Received:
4th round, No. 115: Marviel Underwood, FS, San Diego State
4th round, No. 126 (traded to Eagles)

49ers Received:
3rd round, No. 94: Adam Snyder, G, Oregon
Eagles Received:
4th round, No. 102: Sean Considine, FS, Iowa
6th round, No. 175 (traded to Patriots)

Round 4
Round / Pick / (Overall) / Team / Draft Selection / Position / Yr / College / Transaction Info
4 1 (102) Philadelphia Sean Considine S SR Iowa (from San Francisco)
4 2 (103) Cleveland Antonio Perkins CB SR Oklahoma
4 3 (104) Miami Travis Daniels CB SR LSU
4 4 (105) Seattle Ray Willis OT SR Florida State (from Oakland)
4 5 (106) Chicago Kyle Orton QB SR Purdue
4 6 (107) Tampa Bay Dan Buenning OG SR Wisconsin
4 7 (108) Tennessee Vincent Fuller S SR Virginia Tech
4 8 (109) Dallas Marion Barber, III RB JR Minnesota
4 9 (110) NY Giants Brandon Jacobs RB SR Southern Illinois
4 10 (111) Arizona Elton Brown OG SR Virginia
4 11 (112) Minnesota Ciatrick Fason RB JR Florida (from Washington)
4 12 (113) Tennessee David Stewart OT SR Mississippi State (from Detroit)
4 13 (114) Houston Jerome Mathis WR SR Hampton
4 14 (115) Green Bay Marviel Underwood S SR San Diego State (from Carolina)
4 15 (116) Kansas City Craphonso Thorpe WR SR Florida State
4 16 (117) St. Louis Jerome Carter S SR Florida State
4 17 (118) New Orleans - Chase Lyman WR SR California
4 18 (119) Cincinnati - Eric Ghiaciuc C SR Central Michigan
4 19 (120) Washington - Manuel White, Jr. FB SR UCLA (from Minnesota)
4 20 (121) Carolina - Stefan LeFors QB SR Louisville (from Seattle)
4 21 (122) Buffalo - Raymond 'Duke' Preston C SR Illinois
4 22 (123) NY Jets - Kerry Rhodes S SR Louisville (from Jacksonville)
4 23 (124) Baltimore - Jason Brown C SR North Carolina
4 24 (125) Green Bay - Brady Poppinga OLB SR BYU
4 25 (126) Philadelphia - Todd Herremans OT SR Saginaw Valley State (from Green Bay through Denver, Cleveland, Seattle and Carolina)
4 26 (127) Jacksonville - Alvin Pearman RB SR Virginia (from NY Jets)
4 27 (128) Atlanta - Chauncey Davis DE SR Florida State
4 28 (129) Indianapolis - Dylan Gandy C SR Texas Tech
4 29 (130) San Diego - Darren Sproles RB SR Kansas State
4 30 (131) Pittsburgh - Fred Gibson WR SR Georgia
4 31 (132) Dallas - Chris Canty DE SR Virginia (from Philadelphia)
4 32 (133) New England - James Sanders S JR Fresno State
4 33 (134) St. Louis - Claude Terrell OG SR New Mexico (Compensatory Selection)
4 34 (135) Indianapolis - Matt Giordano S SR California (Compensatory Selection)
4 35 (136) Tennessee - Roydell Williams WR SR Tulane (Compensatory Selection)

Trades:
Vikings Received:
4th round, No. 112: Ciatrick Fason, RB, Florida
Redskins Received:
4th round, No. 120: Manuel White, FB, UCLA
5th round, No. 154: Robert McCune, LB, Louisville

Jets Received:
4th round, No. 123: Kerry Rhodes, FS, Louisville
Jaguars Received:
4th round, No. 127: Alvin Pearman, RB, Virginia
6th round, No. 185: Chad Owens, WR, Hawaii

Eagles Received:
4th round, No. 126: Todd Herremans, OT, Saginaw Valley
Packers Received:
5th round, No. 167: Michael Hawkins, CB, Oklahoma
6th round, No. 175 (traded to Patriots)
7th round, No. 245: Kurt Campbell, CB, Albany

Cowboys Received:
4th round, No. 132: Chris Canty, DE, Virginia
6th round in 2006
Eagles Received:
5th round, No. 148 (traded to Colts)
4th round in 2006

Round 5
Round / Pick / (Overall) / Team / Draft Selection / Position / Yr / College / Transaction Info
5 1 (137) San Francisco - Ronald Fields DT SR Mississippi State
5 2 (138) Kansas City - James 'Boomer' Grigsby MLB SR Illinois State (from Miami)
5 3 (139) Cleveland - David McMillan DE SR Kansas
5 4 (140) Chicago - Airese Currie WR SR Clemson
5 5 (141) Tampa Bay - Donte Nicholson S SR Oklahoma
5 6 (142) Tennessee - Damien Nash RB JR Missouri
5 7 (143) Green Bay - Junius Coston C SR North Carolina A&T (from Oakland)
5 8 (144) St. Louis - Jerome Collins TE SR Notre Dame (from NY Giants through San Diego and Tampa Bay)
5 9 (145) Detroit - Dan Orlovsky QB SR Connecticut (from Arizona through New England)
5 10 (146) Philadelphia - Trent Cole DE SR Cincinnati (from Washington)
5 11 (147) Kansas City - Alphonso Hodge CB SR Miami (Oh) (from Detroit)
5 12 (148) Indianapolis - Jonathan Welsh OLB SR Wisconsin (from Dallas through Philadelphia)
5 13 (149) Carolina - Adam Seward MLB SR UNLV
5 14 (150) Tennessee - Daniel Loper OT SR Texas Tech (from Kansas City)
5 15 (151) Houston - Drew Hodgdon C SR Arizona State
5 16 (152) New Orleans - Adrian McPherson QB SO Florida State
5 17 (153) Cincinnati - Adam Kieft OT SR Central Michigan
5 18 (154) Washington - Robert McCune MLB SR Louisville (from Minnesota)
5 19 (155) Tampa Bay - Larry Brackins WR SO Pearl River CC (MS) (from St. Louis)
5 20 (156) Buffalo - Eric King CB SR Wake Forest
5 21 (157) Jacksonville - Gerald Sensabaugh S SR North Carolina
5 22 (158) Baltimore - Justin Green FB SR Montana
5 23 (159) Seattle - Jeb Huckeba DE SR Arkansas
5 24 (160) Atlanta - Michael Boley OLB SR Southern Miss (from Denver)
5 25 (161) NY Jets - Andre Maddox S SR North Carolina State
5 26 (162) Miami - Anthony Alabi OT SR TCU (from Green Bay through Kansas City)
5 27 (163) Atlanta - Frank Omiyale OT SR TennesseeTech
5 28 (164) San Diego - Wesley Britt OT SR Alabama
5 29 (165) Indianapolis - Rob Hunt C SR North Dakota State
5 30 (166) Pittsburgh - Rian Wallace OLB JR Temple
5 31 (167) Green Bay - Michael Hawkins CB JR Oklahoma (from Philadelphia)
5 32 (168) Arizona - Lance Mitchell MLB SR Oklahoma (from New England)
5 33 (169) Carolina - Geoff Hangartner C SR Texas A&M (Compensatory Selection)
5 34 (170) New England - Ryan Claridge OLB JR UNLV (Compensatory Selection)
5 35 (171) Carolina - Ben Emanuel S SR UCLA (Compensatory Selection)
5 36 (172) Philadelphia - Scott Young OG SR BYU (Compensatory Selection)
5 37 (173) Indianapolis - Tyjuan Hagler OLB SR Cincinnati (Compensatory Selection)
5 38 (174) San Francisco - Rasheed Marshall WR SR West Virginia (Compensatory Selection)

Trades:
Rams Received:
5th round, No. 144: Jerome Collins, TE, Notre Dame
Bucs Received:
5th round, No. 155: Larry Brackins, WR, Pearl River C.C.
7th round, No. 231: Hamza Abdullah, S, Washington State

Lions Received:
5th round, No. 145: Dan Orlovsky, QB, Connecticut
6th round, No. 206: Jonathan Goddard, DE, Marshall
Patriots Received:
4th round in 2006

Colts Received:
5th round, No. 148: Jonathan Welsh, DE, Wisconsin
Eagles Received:
4th round in 2006

Round 6
Round / Pick / (Overall) / Team / Draft Selection / Position / Yr / College / Transaction Info
6 1 (175) Oakland - Anttaj Hawthorne DT SR Wisconsin (from San Francisco through New England, Green Bay and Philadelphia)
6 2 (176) Cleveland - Nick Speegle OLB SR New Mexico
6 3 (177) San Diego - Wes Sims OT SR Oklahoma (from Miami)
6 4 (178) Tampa Bay - Anthony Bryant DT SR Alabama
6 5 (179) Tennessee - Bo Scaife TE SR Texas
6 6 (180) Green Bay - Mike Montgomery DE SR Texas A&M (from Oakland)
6 7 (181) Chicago - Chris Harris S SR Louisiana-Monroe
6 8 (182) NY Jets - Cedric Houston RB SR Tennessee (from Arizona through Oakland)
6 9 (183) Washington - Jared Newberry OLB SR Stanford
6 10 (184) Detroit - Bill Swancutt DE SR Oregon State
6 11 (185) Jacksonville - Chad Owens WR SR Hawaii (from NY Jets through Dallas through Oakland)
6 12 (186) NY Giants - Eric Moore DE SR Florida State
6 13 (187) Kansas City - Will Svitek OG SR Stanford
6 14 (188) Houston - Ceandris Brown S SR Louisiana-Lafayette
6 15 (189) Carolina - Jovan Haye DE JR Vanderbilt
6 16 (190) Cincinnati - Tab Perry WR SR UCLA
6 17 (191) Minnesota - C.J. Mosley DT JR Missouri
6 18 (192) St. Louis - Dante Ridgeway WR JR Ball State
6 19 (193) New Orleans - Jason Jefferson DT SR Wisconsin
6 20 (194) Jacksonville - Patrick Thomas OLB SR North Carolina State
6 21 (195) Green Bay - Craig Bragg WR SR UCLA (from Baltimore through New England)
6 22 (196) Seattle - Tony Jackson TE SR Iowa
6 23 (197) Buffalo - Justin Geisinger OG SR Vanderbilt
6 24 (198) NY Jets - Joel Dreessen TE SR Colorado State
6 25 (199) Kansas City - Khari Long DE SR Baylor (from Green Bay)
6 26 (200) Denver - Chris Myers OG SR Miami (Fl)
6 27 (201) Atlanta - DeAndra Cobb RB SR Michigan State
6 28 (202) Indianapolis - Dave Rayner K SR Michigan State
6 29 (203) Cleveland - Andrew Hoffman DT SR Virginia (from San Diego through Tampa Bay)
6 30 (204) Pittsburgh - Chris Kemoeatu OG SR Utah
6 31 (205) San Francisco - Derrick Johnson CB SR Washington (from Philadelphia)
6 32 (206) Detroit - Jonathan Goddard OLB SR Marshall (from New England)
6 33 (207) Carolina - Joe Berger OG SR Michigan Tech. (Compensatory Selection)
6 34 (208) Dallas - Justin Beriault S SR Ball State (Compensatory Selection)
6 35 (209) Dallas - Rob Petitti OT SR Pittsburgh (Compensatory Selection)
6 36 (210) St. Louis - Reggie Hodges P SR Ball State (Compensatory Selection)
6 37 (211) Philadelphia - Calvin Armstrong OT SR Washington State (Compensatory Selection)
6 38 (212) Oakland - Ryan Riddle DE SR California (Compensatory Selection)
6 39 (213) Baltimore - Derek Anderson QB SR Oregon State (Compensatory Selection)
6 40 (214) Oakland - Pete McMahon OT SR Iowa (Compensatory Selection)

Trades:
Browns Received:
6th round, No. 203: Andrew Hoffman, DT, Virginia
Bucs Received:
Luke McCown, QB - Cleveland

Patriots Received:
6th round, No. 175 (traded to Raiders)
Packers Received:
6th round, No. 195: Craig Bragg, WR, UCLA
7th round, No. 246: William Whitticker, G, Michigan State

Raiders Received:
6th round, No. 175: Anttaj Hawthorne, DT, Wisconsin
Patriots Received:
7th round, No. 230: Matt Cassel, QB, Southern California
5th round in 2006

Round 7
Round / Pick / (Overall) / Team / Draft Selection / Position / Yr / College / Transaction Info
7 1 (215) San Francisco - Daven Holly CB SR Cincinnati
7 2 (216) Miami - Kevin Vickerson DT SR Michigan State
7 3 (217) Cleveland - Jon Dunn OT SR Virginia Tech
7 4 (218) Tennessee - Reynaldo Hill CB SR Florida
7 5 (219) Minnesota - Adrian Ward CB SR Texas-El Paso (from Oakland)
7 6 (220) Chicago - Rodriguez Wilson OLB SR South Carolina
7 7 (221) Tampa Bay - Rick Razzano FB SR Mississippi
7 8 (222) Washington - Nehemiah Broughton FB SR The Citadel
7 9 (223) San Francisco - Marcus Maxwell WR SR Oregon (from Detroit)
7 10 (224) Dallas - Jay Ratliff DE SR Auburn
7 11 (225) Tampa Bay - Paris Warren WR SR Utah (from NY Giants)
7 12 (226) Arizona - LeRon McCoy WR SR Indiana (Pa.)
7 13 (227) Houston - Kenneth Pettway OLB SR Grambling
7 14 (228) Pittsburgh - Shaun Nua DE SR BYU (from Carolina)
7 15 (229) Kansas City - James Kilian QB SR Tulsa
7 16 (230) New England - Matt Cassel QB SR USC (from Minnesota through N.Y. Jets and Oakland)
7 17 (231) Tampa Bay - Hamza Abdullah S SR Washington State (from St. Louis)
7 18 (232) New Orleans - Jimmy Verdon DE SR Arizona State
7 19 (233) Cincinnati - Jonathan Fanene DE SR Utah
7 20 (234) Baltimore - Mike Smith LB SR Texas Tech
7 21 (235) Seattle - Cornelius Wortham OLB SR Alabama
7 22 (236) Buffalo - Lionel Gates RB SR Louisville
7 23 (237) Jacksonville - Chris Roberson CB SR Eastern Michigan
7 24 (238) Kansas City - Jeremy Parquet OT SR Southern Miss (from Green Bay)
7 25 (239) Denver - Paul Ernster K SR Northern Arizona
7 26 (240) NY Jets - Harry Williams WR SR Tuskegee
7 27 (241) Atlanta - Darrell Shropshire DT SR South Carolina
7 28 (242) San Diego - Scott Mruczkowski C SR Bowling Green
7 29 (243) Indianapolis - Anthony Davis RB SR Wisconsin
7 30 (244) Pittsburgh - Noah Herron FB SR Northwestern
7 31 (245) Green Bay - Kurt Campbell S SR Albany State (N.Y.) (from Philadephia)
7 32 (246) Green Bay - William Whitticker OG SR Michigan State (from New England)
7 33 (247) Philadelphia - Keyonta Marshall DT SR Grand Valley State (Compensatory Selection)
7 34 (248) San Francisco - Patrick Estes TE SR Virginia (Compensatory Selection)
7 35 (249) San Francisco - Billy Bajema TE SR Oklahoma State (Compensatory Selection)
7 36 (250) St. Louis - Ryan Fitzpatrick QB SR Harvard (Compensatory Selection)
7 37 (251) St. Louis - Madison Hedgecock TE SR North Carolina (Compensatory Selection)
7 38 (252) Philadelphia - David Bergeron MLB SR Stanford (Compensatory Selection)
7 39 (253) Tampa Bay - J.R. Russell WR SR Louisville (Compensatory Selection)
7 40 (254) Seattle - Doug Nienhuis OT SR Oregon State (Compensatory Selection)
7 41 (255) New England - Andy Stokes TE SR William Penn (Compensatory Selection)

2005 NFL Draft Order

Round 1
PK(OVR) TEAM NOTES / RECORD LAST SEASON
1(1) San Francisco 49ers 2-14
2(2) Miami Dolphins 4-12
3(3) Cleveland Browns 4-12
4(4) Chicago Bears 5-11
5(5) Tampa Bay Buccaneers 5-11
6(6) Tennessee Titans 5-11
7(7) Minnesota Vikings from Oakland
8(8) Arizona Cardinals 6-10
9(9) Washington Redskins 6-10
10(10) Detroit Lions 6-10
11(11) Dallas Cowboys 6-10
12(12) San Diego Chargers from NY Giants
13(13) Houston Texans 7-9
14(14) Carolina Panthers 7-9
15(15) Kansas City Chiefs 7-9
16(16) New Orleans Saints 8-8
17(17) Cincinnati Bengals 8-8
18(18) Minnesota Vikings 8-8
19(19) St. Louis Rams 8-8
20(20) Dallas Cowboys from Buffalo
21(21) Jacksonville Jaguars 9-7
22(22) Baltimore Ravens 9-7
23(23) Seattle Seahawks 9-7
24(24) Green Bay Packers 10-6
25(25) Washington Redskins from Denver
26(26) Oakland Raiders from New York Jets
27(27) Atlanta Falcons 11-5
28(28) San Diego Chargers 12-4
29(29) Indianapolis Colts 12-4
30(30) Pittsburgh Steelers 15-1
31(31) Philadelphia Eagles 13-3
32(32) New England Patriots 14-2

Round 2
PK(OVR) TEAM NOTES / RECORD LAST SEASON
1(33) San Francisco 49ers 2-14
2(34) Cleveland Browns 4-12
3(35) Philadelphia Eagles 13-3
4(36) Tampa Bay Buccaneers 5-11
5(37) Tennessee Titans 5-11
6(38) New York Jets from Oakland
7(39) Chicago Bears 5-11
8(40) New Orleans Saints from Washington
9(41) Detroit Lions 6-10
10(42) Dallas Cowboys 6-10
11(43) New York Giants 6-10
12(44) Arizona Cardinals 6-10
13(45) Carolina Panthers 7-9
14(46) Miami Dolphins fromt Kansas City
15(47) Oakland Raiders from Houston
16(48) Cincinnati Bengals 8-8
17(49) Minnesota Vikings 8-8
18(50) St. Louis Rams 8-8
19(51) Green Bay Packers from New Orleans
20(52) Jacksonville Jaguars 9-7
21(53) Baltimore Ravens 9-7
22(54) Seattle Seahawks 9-7
23(55) Buffalo Bills 9-7
24(56) Denver Broncos 10-6
25(57) New York Jets 10-6
26(58) Green Bay Packers 10-6
27(59) Atlanta Falcons 11-5
28(60) Indianapolis Colts 12-4
29(61) San Diego Chargers 12-4
30(62) Pittsburgh Steelers 15-1
31(63) Philadelphia Eagles 13-3
32(64) New England Patriots 14-2

Round 3
PK(OVR) TEAM NOTES / RECORD LAST SEASON
1(65) San Francisco 49ers 2-14
2(66) St. Louis Rams from Miami
3(67) Cleveland Browns 4-12
4(68) Tennessee Titans 5-11
5(69) Oakland Raiders 5-11
6(70) Miami Dolphins from Chicago
7(71) Tampa Bay Buccaneers 5-11
8(72) Detroit Lions 6-10
9(73) Houston Texans from Dallas
10(74) New York Giants 6-10
11(75) Arizona Cardinals 6-10
12(76) Denver Broncos from Washington
13(77) Philadelphia Eagles from Kansas City
14(78) Oakland Raiders from Houston
15(79) Carolina Panthers 7-9
16(80) Minnesota Vikings 8-8
17(81) St. Louis Rams 8-8
18(82) New Orleans Saints 8-8
19(83) Cincinnati Bengals 8-8
20(84) Baltimore Ravens 9-7
21(85) Seattle Seahawks 9-7
22(86) Buffalo Bills 9-7
23(87) Jacksonville Jaguars 9-7
24(88) New York Jets 10-6
25(89) Green Bay Packers 10-6
26(90) Atlanta Falcons 11-5
27(91) Tampa Bay Buccaneers from San Diego
28(92) Indianapolis Colts 12-4
29(93) Pittsburgh Steelers 15-1
30(94) Philadelphia Eagles 13-3
31(95) Arizona Cardinals from New England
32(96) Tennessee Titans Compensatory Selection
33(97) Denver Broncos Compensatory Selection
34(98) Seattle Seahawks Compensatory Selection
35(99) Kansas City Chiefs Compensatory Selection
36(100) New England Patriots Compensatory Selection
37(101) Denver Broncos Compensatory Selection

Round 4
PK(OVR) TEAM NOTES / RECORD LAST SEASON
1(102) San Francisco 49ers 2-14
2(103) Cleveland Browns 4-12
3(104) Miami Dolphins 4-12
4(105) Oakland Raiders 5-11
5(106) Chicago Bears 5-11
6(107) Tampa Bay Buccaneers 5-11
7(108) Tennessee Titans 5-11
8(109) Dallas Cowboys 6-10
9(110) New York Giants 6-10
10(111) Arizona Cardinals 6-10
11(112) Washington Redskins 6-10
12(113) Detroit Lions 6-10
13(114) Houston Texans 7-9
14(115) Carolina Panthers 7-9
15(116) Kansas City Chiefs 7-9
16(117) St. Louis Rams 8-8
17(118) New Orleans Saints 8-8
18(119) Cincinnati Bengals 8-8
19(120) Minnesota Vikings 8-8
20(121) Seattle Seahawks 9-7
21(122) Buffalo Bills 9-7
22(123) Jacksonville Jaguars 9-7
23(124) Baltimore Ravens 9-7
24(125) Green Bay Packers 10-6
25(126) Seattle Seahawks from Denver through Cleveland
26(127) New York Jets 10-6
27(128) Atlanta Falcons 11-5
28(129) Indianapolis Colts 12-4
29(130) San Diego Chargers 12-4
30(131) Pittsburgh Steelers 15-1
31(132) Philadelphia Eagles 13-3
32(133) New England Patriots 14-2
33(134) St. Louis Rams Compensatory Selection
34(135) Indianapolis Colts Compensatory Selection
35(136) Tennessee Titans Compensatory Selection

Round 5
PK(OVR) TEAM NOTES / RECORD LAST SEASON
1(137) San Francisco 49ers 2-14
2(138) Kansas City Chiefs from Miami
3(139) Cleveland Browns 4-12
4(140) Chicago Bears 5-11
5(141) Tampa Bay Buccaneers 5-11
6(142) Tennessee Titans 5-11
7(143) Green Bay Packers from Oakland
8(144) Tampa Bay Buccaneers from New York Giants through San Diego
9(145) New England Patriots from Arizona
10(146) Philadelphia Eagles from Washington
11(147) Miami Dolphins from Detroit through Kansas City
12(148) Dallas Cowboys 6-10
13(149) Carolina Panthers 7-9
14(150) Tennessee Titans from Kansas City
15(151) Houston Texans 7-9
16(152) New Orleans Saints 8-8
17(153) Cincinnati Bengals 8-8
18(154) Minnesota Vikings 8-8
19(155) St. Louis Rams 8-8
20(156) Buffalo Bills 9-7
21(157) Jacksonville Jaguars 9-7
22(158) Baltimore Ravens 9-7
23(159) Seattle Seahawks 9-7
24(160) Atlanta Falcons from Denver
25(161) New York Jets 10-6
26(162) Kansas City Chiefs from Green Bay
27(163) Atlanta Falcons 11-5
28(164) San Diego Chargers 12-4
29(165) Indianapolis Colts 12-4
30(166) Pittsburgh Steelers 15-1
31(167) Philadelphia Eagles 13-3
32(168) Arizona Cardinals from New England
33(169) Carolina Panthers Compensatory Selection
34(170) New England Patriots Compensatory Selection
35(171) Carolina Panthers Compensatory Selection
36(172) Philadelphia Eagles Compensatory Selection
37(173) Indianapolis Colts Compensatory Selection
38(174) San Francisco 49ers Compensatory Selection

Round 6
PK(OVR) TEAM NOTES / RECORD LAST SEASON
1(175) San Francisco 49ers 2-14
2(176) Cleveland Browns 4-12
3(177) San Diego Chargers from Miami
4(178) Tampa Bay Buccaneers 5-11
5(179) Tennessee Titans 5-11
6(180) Green Bay Packers from Oakland
7(181) Chicago Bears 5-11
8(182) New York Jets from Arizona through Oakland
9(183) Washington Redskins 6-10
10(184) Detroit Lions 6-10
11(185) New York Jets from Dallas through Oakland
12(186) New York Giants 6-10
13(187) Kansas City Chiefs 7-9
14(188) Houston Texans 7-9
15(189) Carolina Panthers 7-9
16(190) Cincinnati Bengals 8-8
17(191) Minnesota Vikings 8-8
18(192) St. Louis Rams 8-8
19(193) New Orleans Saints 8-8
20(194) Jacksonville Jaguars 9-7
21(195) Baltimore Ravens 9-7
22(196) Seattle Seahawks 9-7
23(197) Buffalo Bills 9-7
24(198) New York Jets 10-6
25(199) Kansas City Chiefs from Green Bay
26(200) Denver Broncos 10-6
27(201) Atlanta Falcons 11-5
28(202) Indianapolis Colts 12-4
29(203) Tampa Bay Buccaneers from San Diego
30(204) Pittsburgh Steelers 15-1
31(205) San Francisco 49ers from Philadelphia
32(206) New England Patriots 14-2
33(207) Carolina Panthers Compensatory Selection
34(208) Dallas Cowboys Compensatory Selection
35(209) Dallas Cowboys Compensatory Selection
36(210) St. Louis Rams Compensatory Selection
37(211) Philadelphia Eagles Compensatory Selection
38(212) Oakland Raiders Compensatory Selection
39(213) Baltimore Ravens Compensatory Selection
40(214) Oakland Raiders Compensatory Selection

Round 7
PK(OVR) TEAM NOTES / RECORD LAST SEASON
1(215) San Francisco 49ers 2-14
2(216) Miami Dolphins 4-12
3(217) Cleveland Browns 4-12
4(218) Tennessee Titans 5-11
5(219) Minnesota Vikings from Oakland
6(220) Chicago Bears 5-11
7(221) Tampa Bay Buccaneers 5-11
8(222) Washington Redskins 6-10
9(223) Detroit Lions 6-10
10(224) Dallas Cowboys 6-10
11(225) Tampa Bay Buccaneers from New York Giants
12(226) Arizona Cardinals 6-10
13(227) Houston Texans 7-9
14(228) Pittsburgh Steelers 15-1
15(229) Kansas City Chiefs 7-9
16(230) Oakland Raiders from Minnesota through NY Jets
17(231) St. Louis Rams 8-8
18(232) New Orleans Saints 8-8
19(233) Cincinnati Bengals 8-8
20(234) Baltimore Ravens 9-7
21(235) Seattle Seahawks 9-7
22(236) Buffalo Bills 9-7
23(237) Jacksonville Jaguars 9-7
24(238) Kansas City Chiefs from Green Bay
25(239) Denver Broncos 10-6
26(240) New York Jets 10-6
27(241) Atlanta Falcons 11-5
28(242) San Diego Chargers 12-4
29(243) Indianapolis Colts 12-4
30(244) Pittsburgh Steelers 15-1
31(245) Philadelphia Eagles 13-3
32(246) New England Patriots 14-2
33(247) Philadelphia Eagles Compensatory Selection
34(248) San Francisco 49ers Compensatory Selection
35(249) San Francisco 49ers Compensatory Selection
36(250) St. Louis Rams Compensatory Selection
37(251) St. Louis Rams Compensatory Selection
38(252) Philadelphia Eagles Compensatory Selection
39(253) Tampa Bay Buccaneers Compensatory Selection
40(254) Seattle Seahawks Compensatory Selection
41(255) New England Patriots Compensatory Selection

NFL Draft 2005 Update

It has been reported that Northwestern DT Luis Castillo has tested positive for Androstenedione, which is considered a steroid by the NFL, at the February NFL combine in Indianapolis. He said he took the drug to help his performance at the combine after he was slow to heal from an elbow injury. He stated it was a one time incident.

A football source told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday that Castillo tested positive for androstenedione. Castillo, considered a likely first-day draft pick also sent a letter to the 32 NFL teams alerting them of the situation. Mel Kiper Jr. has projected Castillo as the 55th pick in the draft, going to the Buffalo Bills. Castillo also released his testing records from Northwestern. Northwestern coach Randy Walker also sent a letter to the NFL teams in which he said Castillo never failed a drug test at the school. Castillo was also willing to tie his signing bonus to a clean testing clause in his contract.

The story was first reported by ESPN.com.

As a rule, the NFL does not comment on drug tests. Under the terms of the NFL steroids policy, Castillo is now subject to reasonable-cause testing while playing in the league. He could be tested up to 24 times a year in the program. The NFL steroid policy is also going through a recent change to it's acceptable Testosterone levels.

Under the previous guideline used by the International Olympic Committee and the NFL, a ratio above 6:1 of Testosterone to Epitestosterone, another natural hormone, was considered a failed test. Now it's 4:1.

The most likely natural ratio of Testosterone to Epitestosterone in humans is 1:1.

Broncos Update

Has "the Mastermind" finally lost his objectivity? During the offseason for the Denver Broncos clarity is out to lunch. The Broncos have stated they're changing their defensive scheme from a 4-3 to a 3-4, yet they have only been signing defensive lineman. The Broncos signed former Cleveland Browns D-Line coach Andre Patterson, and then the Broncos signed all of the former D-Line starters from the Browns.

The Broncos traded a fourth round pick for DT Gerard Warren. They signed DE Courtney Brown as a free agent. They traded RB Reuben Droughns for DE Ebenezer Ekuban and DT Michael Myers. It's kind of hard to make the 3-4 a believable option when the only LB the Broncos signed is LB Ian Gold, whom they should have kept last offseason. The Broncos have 3 good starting LB's in Al Wilson, D.J. Williams, and Ian Gold. The other LB's on their roster aren't ready to start by Coach Mike Shanahan's standards.

The Broncos also resigned DT Luther Ellis, and DE Monsanto Pope. I know the Broncos got a deal on 4 ex-Cleveland D-lineman for $5 million, but what about the two that got away. Last offseason the passed on resigning Pro Bowl DE Bertrand Berry, and the Arizona Cardinals are eternally grateful. This offseason the Broncos failed to resign DE Reggie Hayward who is going to make a great addition to the Jacksonville Jaguars defense. All the while the Broncos are shopping DE Trevor Pryce for a draft pick, and they aren't getting the response they expected. There are lingering doubts about the recovery of Pryce's back injury from last season.

The Broncos are also depending on a recovery from CB Lenny Walls. Walls size (6'4") is an asset against new rival Oakland Raiders WR Randy Moss. The Broncos are comfortable enough with Walls to let CB Kelly Herndon sign with the Seattle Seahawks. The Broncos have a few positional needs in the upcoming draft. They need a WR, a SS, and a LB. They will have six draft selections in the 2005 NFL Draft to shore up their team. In the first round they select 25th. In the second round they select 24th (56th overall). In the third round they select 34th and 38th (97th and 101st overall). In the sixth round they select 26th (200th overall). In the seventh round they select 25th (239th overall). The Broncos have a knack for finding gems in the draft, let's hope this year they still have their magic.

Vikings Update

Good or bad, the Minnesota Vikings can't manage to stay out of the news. On the bad news side Mike Tice's Super Bowl scalping scandal won't disappear. NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue stated the penalty for scalping will be a fine and no suspension. That is great news for Tice. Another piece of good news for Tice, is that FS Brian Russell signed to an offer sheet by the Cleveland Browns last Friday. The Vikings aren't expected to match the offer. With the addition of FS Darren Sharper, Russell became expendable. The Vikings also sought SS Donovin Darius from the Jacksonville Jaguars this off season, but the Jags pulled him off the market. The Vikings were also smart not to get into a auction for WR Plaxico Burress with the New York Giants, because Burress hasn't proved himself to be a premier receiver yet for the $5 million he wanted in annual salary.

The Vikings are loaded with draft picks this year because of the WR Randy Moss trade. The Vikings have the 7th and 18th pick in the first round. In the second round they have the 17th pick (49th overall). In the third round they select 16th (80th overall). In the fourth round they have the 19th pick (120th overall). In the fifth round they select 18th (154th overall). In the sixth round they have the 17th pick (191st overall). In the seventh round they select 5th and 16th (219th and 230th overall).

In a few mock drafts the Vikings are seen taking WR Mike Williams - USC if he's still available, or LB Derrick Johnson - Texas with the #7 pick in the first round. The Vikings are projected to take WR Michael Clayton - Oklahoma , or DE/DT Marcus Spears - LSU with the #18 pick. The Vikings have a needs at WR, DT, and DE. With nine picks in the 2005 NFL Draft, the Vikings are in a good position to fill all of their player needs this year.

NFL Steroid pattern

Has anyone noticed how 2 of the last 3 Super Bowl losers had people on their team outed for performance enhancing drugs the during the season following their loss? January 26, 2003, the Oakland Raiders were on the wrong end of a 48-21 defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl 37. Fall 2003 some reports come in that some Oakland Raiders are involved in the BALCO investigation. DT Dana Stubblefield, LB Bill Romanowski, C Barrett Robbins, and DT Chris Cooper were drug tested by the NFL, and all tested positive for the performance enhancing drug THG. Stubblefield, and Romanowski proceeded to retire. Robbins and Cooper ended up getting cut by the Raiders.

Romanowski faced litigation from a former teammate TE Marcus Williams after a 8/24/03 assault against him left Williams with permanent eye damage. The judgment for $340,000 on top of another $60,000 fine by the Raiders cost Romanowski a lot of money. The trial painted Romanowski as a steroid induced roid rager who took out frustration on a teammate during a pretty common drill for TE and LB to engage in during practice. Romanowski may never live down the reputation that he was a cheater, the doubt was cast on him after he left the Denver Broncos organization without disclosing the nature of the "supplements" he always used.

Barrett Robbins had a brutal fall from grace that has him at last account living on a respirator in a FL hospital after an alleged attempted murder against a police officer during a bungled robbery attempt. Cooper served his four game suspension and made the roster for the San Francisco 49ers last season. Stubblefield is still out of football and out of the news.

February 1, 2004, Super Bowl 38, the closest Super Bowl in history, closes and the Carolina Panthers lost 32-29 to the New England Patriots. Carolina enjoyed a great playoff run. The NFC had just witnessed a defensive stalwart dominate all the conference playoffs could dish out, but they fell a little short of winning the overall title. March 2005, CBS News reports that South Carolina Dr. James Shortt, is under FBI investigation pertaining to claims that he provided three Carolina Panthers with Testosterone Cream, Stanozolol, and syringes. C Jeff Mitchell, OT Todd Steussie, and P Todd Sauerbrun during Carolina's NFC championship season were given steroids by a doctor, never failed a NFL drug test, and would never fail a drug test under part of the NFL drug testing program.

The NFL still doesn't test for testosterone levels under a certain number, that are in excess of normal testosterone levels for anyone, nor do they test for HGH. C Jeff Mitchell was able to acquired 7 testosterone cream prescriptions, over a six month period. OT Todd Steussie was able to acquire 11 testosterone cream prescriptions, over a eight month period. P Todd Sauerbrun was able to acquire testosterone cream, 2500 mg of Stanozolol in a 21 day period, and syringes. Stanozolol is what Canadian Sprinter Ben Johnson tested positive for following the 1988 Olympic Games. Reportedly Stanozolol aids the body's ability to increase muscle mass. Kinda explains why Carolina's punter is huge. Punters used to be small. All three players acquired prescription steroids with their real names on them, they were tested by the NFL, and still they remain in the league unpunished.

I think it's interesting that the NFL drug test missed all of the players steroid use. The FBI leaks the info to the NFL and then the NFL pursues the information and subsequent suspension. The NFL did bring drug testing into the forefront of major American Professional Sports, but their policy needs to be tweaked to include HGH testing, and a more stringent testing standard. Players shouldn't be able to use a steroid on the NFL list of banned substances and not get caught.