NFL Nation: 2010 Draft Analysis AFC
» NFC draft analysis: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South
We had big names (Jerry Hughes, Myron Rolle) and no names (Scotty McGee, Shelley Smith) in 32 draft picks in the AFC South.
We also had an incoming veteran (Kirk Morrison to Jacksonville) and outgoing underachievers (LenDale White and Kevin Vickerson out of Tennessee).
Everyone’s on the phone hoping to land more in the form of undrafted free agents, but they’re feeling good too. Needs they had on Thursday have been washed away over three days, and minicamps where rookies will be fitted for uniforms and yelled at by position coaches for the first time will soon arrive.
Best moves
The Titans and Colts both wanted a productive defensive end, both sat still at their first round pick and both had a talented player who fits them fall in their laps.
Derrick Morgan’s got multiple connections with defensive line coach Jim Washburn, and the love fest is on. After losing the high-motor, classy Kyle Vanden Bosch as a free agent, the Titans look to have landed a young version of KVB.
Bill Polian said the Colts have been looking for an extra end for seven years. First-rounder Hughes from TCU looks almost too good to be true in terms of matching up a skill set with a Colts’ model for a position. He couldn’t have landed in a better spot, playing with and learning from Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis.
Riskiest move
Tyson Alualu at No. 10 caused a big stir and raised questions about the Jaguars’ inability to move down. The defensive tackle would likely have still been available later, and the 11th, 12th and 13th picks all got deals right after their selection.
Gene Smith went very heavy on small schools and low profile programs -- Central Arkansas, Murray State, Southern Illinois and James Madison. But it’s Alualu, more than anyone, that will make or break his regime’s reputation. Will the scouts who shook their heads and dropped their jaws at the pick be surprised and revise their opinion or be proven right?
Most surprising move
They are touting the championship pedigree of first-round cornerback Kareem Jackson from Alabama, but Kyle Wilson and Devin McCourty were still on the board. If Jackson doesn’t pan out well for a team thin on talent at corner, they could regret the decision.
I think the Texans had really settled on Ryan Mathews being the guy and may not have recovered after San Diego jumped all the way up to 12 to get him. They had plenty of time to recover and re-examine, but went with Jackson, who was rising on a lot of boards as they draft drew near. There is a gaping hole he needs to help fill, and there will be a lot of second guessing if he doesn’t -- particularly if Wilson and/or McCourty play big.
File it away
Based on their conference call media conversations and the inclusion of a math whiz from UCLA (Alterraun Verner), a Rhodes Scholar from Florida State (Rolle) and an Ivy League defensive tackle from Brown (David Howard), the Titans drafted a smart class.
It’ll be a wonderful thing in meeting rooms and interview sessions. And there shouldn’t be a lot of kids confused when they first dig into the playbook. But if the brains don’t translate into the games, it won’t matter.
We had big names (Jerry Hughes, Myron Rolle) and no names (Scotty McGee, Shelley Smith) in 32 draft picks in the AFC South.
We also had an incoming veteran (Kirk Morrison to Jacksonville) and outgoing underachievers (LenDale White and Kevin Vickerson out of Tennessee).
Everyone’s on the phone hoping to land more in the form of undrafted free agents, but they’re feeling good too. Needs they had on Thursday have been washed away over three days, and minicamps where rookies will be fitted for uniforms and yelled at by position coaches for the first time will soon arrive.
Best moves
The Titans and Colts both wanted a productive defensive end, both sat still at their first round pick and both had a talented player who fits them fall in their laps.
Derrick Morgan’s got multiple connections with defensive line coach Jim Washburn, and the love fest is on. After losing the high-motor, classy Kyle Vanden Bosch as a free agent, the Titans look to have landed a young version of KVB.
Bill Polian said the Colts have been looking for an extra end for seven years. First-rounder Hughes from TCU looks almost too good to be true in terms of matching up a skill set with a Colts’ model for a position. He couldn’t have landed in a better spot, playing with and learning from Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis.
Riskiest move
Tyson Alualu at No. 10 caused a big stir and raised questions about the Jaguars’ inability to move down. The defensive tackle would likely have still been available later, and the 11th, 12th and 13th picks all got deals right after their selection.
Gene Smith went very heavy on small schools and low profile programs -- Central Arkansas, Murray State, Southern Illinois and James Madison. But it’s Alualu, more than anyone, that will make or break his regime’s reputation. Will the scouts who shook their heads and dropped their jaws at the pick be surprised and revise their opinion or be proven right?
[+] Enlarge
Chris Williams/Icon SMIJackson didn't miss any time with injuries as a three-year starter for Alabama.
They are touting the championship pedigree of first-round cornerback Kareem Jackson from Alabama, but Kyle Wilson and Devin McCourty were still on the board. If Jackson doesn’t pan out well for a team thin on talent at corner, they could regret the decision.
I think the Texans had really settled on Ryan Mathews being the guy and may not have recovered after San Diego jumped all the way up to 12 to get him. They had plenty of time to recover and re-examine, but went with Jackson, who was rising on a lot of boards as they draft drew near. There is a gaping hole he needs to help fill, and there will be a lot of second guessing if he doesn’t -- particularly if Wilson and/or McCourty play big.
File it away
Based on their conference call media conversations and the inclusion of a math whiz from UCLA (Alterraun Verner), a Rhodes Scholar from Florida State (Rolle) and an Ivy League defensive tackle from Brown (David Howard), the Titans drafted a smart class.
It’ll be a wonderful thing in meeting rooms and interview sessions. And there shouldn’t be a lot of kids confused when they first dig into the playbook. But if the brains don’t translate into the games, it won’t matter.
» NFC draft analysis: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South
Just once, I'd love to hear an NFL general manager lean into the microphone and admit he didn't get the players he wanted in the draft.
Alas, the moment the draft wraps up is the most optimistic time of the year. Every front office loves its new prospects. Fans hope every one of them will be a superstar.
In reality, the draft is a scattershot event. There will be more failures than successes, and we probably won't know for a couple years which teams truly did well over the past three days.
But the infusion of newcomers will have an immediate impact. It only takes one or two players -- Mark Sanchez, Shonn Greene or Jairus Byrd to name a few -- to make a difference, especially in a tightly contested division.
Here are some draft highlights from the AFC East:
Best move
The New England Patriots traded up two spots in the second round to outmaneuver the Baltimore Ravens and select Arizona tight end Rob Gronkowski with the 42nd pick.
Gronkowski is a first-round talent, but slipped because of medical concerns. He entered the draft a year early despite missing last season because of lower back surgery.
Patriots coach Bill Belichick wasn't concerned. He said the team's medical staff signed off on Gronkowski's back.
"We have a deal," Belichick said. "I don't diagnose the players and they don't call plays.
"He's a hard matchup for a defensive back. He's big, and he plays big, and he has a big frame. A lot of times he just boxes them out, and they stuff it in there to him, and he's just a hard guy to cover. He's a strong runner with the ball in his hands."
Riskiest move
The Gronkowski selection could be listed here because back problems can plague a physical athlete, but the biggest gamble was the Buffalo Bills' decision to take Clemson running back C.J. Spiller with the ninth overall pick.
Spiller very well could be a star for Buffalo. He better be. The Bills ignored several serious needs -- offensive tackle, nose tackle and quarterback among them -- and added Spiller to a backfield that already included a pair of 1,000-yard backs.
Who will get him the ball? Who will block for him?
The Bills passed on Iowa tackle Bryan Bulaga and Tennessee nose tackle Dan Williams, Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen twice and Texas quarterback Colt McCoy thrice.
Buffalo didn't pick an offensive tackle until the fifth round, taking Virginia's Ed Wang at 140th overall -- a span of 429 picks league-wide since the last time Buffalo drafted a tackle.
Most surprising move
Thanks to an active offseason that featured several trades and free-agency signings, the New York Jets went into the draft with few glaring needs.
But they did have a couple. Analysts expected them to bolster an aging defensive line or add a safety.
The Jets chose to address stable positions, however, and also added players to their deepest positions.
Their first four picks were Boise State cornerback Kyle Wilson (despite having Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie), UMass guard Vladimir Ducasse (before cutting Pro Bowl guard Alan Faneca), USC running back Joe McKnight (despite having the No. 1 run offense) and fullback John Conner (with a pick acquired in a trade that sent Leon Washington to the Seattle Seahawks).
File it away
The Miami Dolphins drafted a pair of defenders within the first 40 picks, Penn State defensive lineman Jared Odrick and Utah edge-rusher Koa Misi. You would expect both of them to contribute right away.
A player taken much later also could find his way into the starting lineup. Hard-hitting Georgia safety Reshad Jones was projected by many to be a third-round draft pick. The Dolphins got him in the fifth.
The Dolphins have a major need at free safety. They cut last year's starter, Gibril Wilson. The only other options on the roster are Tyrone Culver (two career starts in three NFL seasons) and Chris Clemons (two starts last year as a rookie).
Just once, I'd love to hear an NFL general manager lean into the microphone and admit he didn't get the players he wanted in the draft.
Alas, the moment the draft wraps up is the most optimistic time of the year. Every front office loves its new prospects. Fans hope every one of them will be a superstar.
In reality, the draft is a scattershot event. There will be more failures than successes, and we probably won't know for a couple years which teams truly did well over the past three days.
But the infusion of newcomers will have an immediate impact. It only takes one or two players -- Mark Sanchez, Shonn Greene or Jairus Byrd to name a few -- to make a difference, especially in a tightly contested division.
Here are some draft highlights from the AFC East:
Best move
Chris Morrison-US PRESSWIREThe Patriots got first-round talent in second-round pick Rob Gronkowski, a tight end from Arizona.
Gronkowski is a first-round talent, but slipped because of medical concerns. He entered the draft a year early despite missing last season because of lower back surgery.
Patriots coach Bill Belichick wasn't concerned. He said the team's medical staff signed off on Gronkowski's back.
"We have a deal," Belichick said. "I don't diagnose the players and they don't call plays.
"He's a hard matchup for a defensive back. He's big, and he plays big, and he has a big frame. A lot of times he just boxes them out, and they stuff it in there to him, and he's just a hard guy to cover. He's a strong runner with the ball in his hands."
Riskiest move
The Gronkowski selection could be listed here because back problems can plague a physical athlete, but the biggest gamble was the Buffalo Bills' decision to take Clemson running back C.J. Spiller with the ninth overall pick.
Spiller very well could be a star for Buffalo. He better be. The Bills ignored several serious needs -- offensive tackle, nose tackle and quarterback among them -- and added Spiller to a backfield that already included a pair of 1,000-yard backs.
Who will get him the ball? Who will block for him?
The Bills passed on Iowa tackle Bryan Bulaga and Tennessee nose tackle Dan Williams, Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen twice and Texas quarterback Colt McCoy thrice.
Buffalo didn't pick an offensive tackle until the fifth round, taking Virginia's Ed Wang at 140th overall -- a span of 429 picks league-wide since the last time Buffalo drafted a tackle.
Most surprising move
Thanks to an active offseason that featured several trades and free-agency signings, the New York Jets went into the draft with few glaring needs.
But they did have a couple. Analysts expected them to bolster an aging defensive line or add a safety.
The Jets chose to address stable positions, however, and also added players to their deepest positions.
Their first four picks were Boise State cornerback Kyle Wilson (despite having Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie), UMass guard Vladimir Ducasse (before cutting Pro Bowl guard Alan Faneca), USC running back Joe McKnight (despite having the No. 1 run offense) and fullback John Conner (with a pick acquired in a trade that sent Leon Washington to the Seattle Seahawks).
File it away
The Miami Dolphins drafted a pair of defenders within the first 40 picks, Penn State defensive lineman Jared Odrick and Utah edge-rusher Koa Misi. You would expect both of them to contribute right away.
A player taken much later also could find his way into the starting lineup. Hard-hitting Georgia safety Reshad Jones was projected by many to be a third-round draft pick. The Dolphins got him in the fifth.
The Dolphins have a major need at free safety. They cut last year's starter, Gibril Wilson. The only other options on the roster are Tyrone Culver (two career starts in three NFL seasons) and Chris Clemons (two starts last year as a rookie).
» NFC draft analysis: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South
For much of the offseason, the theme in the AFC West was players who never made it to the division and players who left.
However, the division took control during the draft. The AFC West made news -– and positive strides -- by bringing in talent.
The division's teams brought in some big-league talent this weekend. Headlining the AFC West newcomers are SEC stars Tim Tebow, Eric Berry and Rolando McClain. Add LaDainian Tomlinson’s replacement in San Diego, Ryan Mathews, and a new quarterback in Oakland, Jason Campbell, and the draft weekend provided many thrills for the division.
Forget the departures of Tomlinson, Antonio Cromartie and Brandon Marshall and the missed pursuit of Donovan McNabb in Oakland. The AFC West is making noise with key arrivals.
Best move
Oakland’s weekend. Love it. It started with the selection of McClain. What a great pick. When the Raiders took the middle linebacker from Alabama, it was an announcement that they were going to play the weekend straight. They were not interested in reaching for skill-position players anymore. It was nice to see them trying to improve their team by adding quality players at need areas. McClain will be an instant starter and he should soon be a star. The Raiders continued to help the run defense in the second round by selecting Texas defensive tackle Lamarr Houston. The Raiders got future help at tackle in the third and fourth rounds with nice prospects Jared Veldheer and Bruce Campbell. Oakland took speedy receiver Jacoby Ford in the fourth round. They wrapped up a terrific weekend by trading a fourth-round pick in 2012 for Campbell. These moves won’t necessarily make the Raiders a playoff team in 2010, but they are a great step in the right direction.
Riskiest move
Tebow is the riskiest prospect in the entire draft. Denver coach Josh McDaniels put his legacy on the line when he traded three draft picks to the Baltimore Ravens to take Tebow at No. 25. It is now up to make McDaniels to make him an NFL starter. For all his heart and desire, Tebow has to show he can be a true quarterback in the league.
Most surprising move
It was a surprise that San Diego jumped up so high to take Mathews. Because the running back class was so deep, the Chargers were expected to wait out the board. Instead, San Diego gave the Miami Dolphins a lot (the No. 28 and No. 40 picks along with backup linebacker Tim Dobbins) to take the rugged Fresno State star. Chargers general manager A.J. Smith clearly coveted Mathews so he went out and got him. The Chargers think Mathews will be a star and he was well worth the price tag as San Diego moves away from the Tomlinson era.
File it away
Berry is going to be a star. The Chiefs had their dream scenario when both Berry and Oklahoma State left tackle Russell Okung were available at No. 5. Berry was taken because of his potential to change the defense. Over the past decade, great safety play has been the key to the top defenses in the league. This is a young defense. Expect Berry to be known as one of the best playmaking safeties in the NFL within the next four years.
For much of the offseason, the theme in the AFC West was players who never made it to the division and players who left.
However, the division took control during the draft. The AFC West made news -– and positive strides -- by bringing in talent.
The division's teams brought in some big-league talent this weekend. Headlining the AFC West newcomers are SEC stars Tim Tebow, Eric Berry and Rolando McClain. Add LaDainian Tomlinson’s replacement in San Diego, Ryan Mathews, and a new quarterback in Oakland, Jason Campbell, and the draft weekend provided many thrills for the division.
Forget the departures of Tomlinson, Antonio Cromartie and Brandon Marshall and the missed pursuit of Donovan McNabb in Oakland. The AFC West is making noise with key arrivals.
Best move
Oakland’s weekend. Love it. It started with the selection of McClain. What a great pick. When the Raiders took the middle linebacker from Alabama, it was an announcement that they were going to play the weekend straight. They were not interested in reaching for skill-position players anymore. It was nice to see them trying to improve their team by adding quality players at need areas. McClain will be an instant starter and he should soon be a star. The Raiders continued to help the run defense in the second round by selecting Texas defensive tackle Lamarr Houston. The Raiders got future help at tackle in the third and fourth rounds with nice prospects Jared Veldheer and Bruce Campbell. Oakland took speedy receiver Jacoby Ford in the fourth round. They wrapped up a terrific weekend by trading a fourth-round pick in 2012 for Campbell. These moves won’t necessarily make the Raiders a playoff team in 2010, but they are a great step in the right direction.
Riskiest move
[+] Enlarge
Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesThe Denver Broncos will look to build their franchise around Tim Tebow.
Most surprising move
It was a surprise that San Diego jumped up so high to take Mathews. Because the running back class was so deep, the Chargers were expected to wait out the board. Instead, San Diego gave the Miami Dolphins a lot (the No. 28 and No. 40 picks along with backup linebacker Tim Dobbins) to take the rugged Fresno State star. Chargers general manager A.J. Smith clearly coveted Mathews so he went out and got him. The Chargers think Mathews will be a star and he was well worth the price tag as San Diego moves away from the Tomlinson era.
File it away
Berry is going to be a star. The Chiefs had their dream scenario when both Berry and Oklahoma State left tackle Russell Okung were available at No. 5. Berry was taken because of his potential to change the defense. Over the past decade, great safety play has been the key to the top defenses in the league. This is a young defense. Expect Berry to be known as one of the best playmaking safeties in the NFL within the next four years.
» NFC draft analysis: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South
This season is expected to be a close race in the division. So the drafts of the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns could go a long way toward determining who comes out on top.
With that said, here is a look at the decisions made this week in the AFC North:
Best move
The "Wizard of Oz" was at it again. After trading out of the first round for the first time in franchise history, Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome came back strong in the second round by grabbing two first-round talents in linebacker Sergio Kindle and defensive tackle Terrence "Mount" Cody.
Baltimore passed over some good players in the first round when the team traded its No. 25 overall pick to the Denver Broncos, who surprisingly selected former Florida quarterback Tim Tebow. In return the Ravens got three valuable picks and selected two potentials steals on defense in Kindle and Cody.
"Well, I think the biggest thing that we did [is] we got guys that we wouldn't want to play against," Ravens director of player personnel Eric DeCosta said. "You know, these guys all have, really, a dominant trait in some respect. They do different things very well, and that's intriguing in our situation to get a linebacker that can really rush the passer -- a very explosive guy. And then we've had a lot of success over the years with these massive run-stuffers. Terrence Cody is that guy."
The Ravens had Kindle rated very high on their board and weren't scared off by injury concerns about his knee. That was the reason he fell to the second round. Cody has weight issues. But if he's able to keep that under control, Cody can be a force alongside Pro Bowler Haloti Ngata to create one of the biggest pairings of defensive tackles in the league.
Riskiest move
It's hard to doubt the Steelers with their stellar track record. But they did ignore more immediate needs in the top half of this year's draft.
Pittsburgh passed over help in other areas early to grab pass-rushers Jason Worilds and Thaddeus Gibson. Barring injuries, this pair of outside linebackers will have a very hard time getting on the field while sitting behind Pro Bowlers James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley.
Worilds and Gibson could turn out to be productive players at some point. But if I had rated positions of need for the Steelers entering this draft, outside linebacker would have been last.
In particular, there were plenty of quality defensive linemen available in the first three or four rounds who could've provided a more immediate impact in Pittsburgh's defensive rotation. But the team did a solid job addressing another immediate need at cornerback by trading with the Arizona Cardinals for former Steelers starter Bryant McFadden.
Most surprising move
McCoy Although it wasn't shocking the Browns landed former Texas quarterback Colt McCoy, the manner in which Cleveland did it was very surprising.
The Browns really liked McCoy, particularly his intangibles and accuracy, but felt they had more pressing needs to address early in the draft. Cleveland instead plugged holes in the secondary and at running back for three rounds as McCoy surprisingly slid further than expected.
When the Browns came up at No. 85 overall, Cleveland finally got its quarterback of the future.
"In Colt's case, I really didn't think that he would be available to us," Browns president Mike Holmgren said. "I really felt that he would go before we had a chance to pick him. But when it didn't happen, it was something I really wanted to do and [coach] Eric [Mangini] and [GM] Tom [Heckert] went along with me and there you have it."
McCoy, a projected early second-rounder, wasn't too thrilled about his slide. But it could work in his favor.
As much as the city of Cleveland tends to love its backup quarterbacks, McCoy is coming to the Browns as a low third-rounder and without a ton of pressure to perform immediately.
Veteran quarterback Jake Delhomme is the starter in 2010, and the team has an experienced backup in Seneca Wallace. So McCoy should be able to hold a clipboard, learn the offense and get used to the NFL game for a full season before Cleveland thinks about putting him on the field.
"I don't expect him to play this year," Holmgren said. "We didn't draft [McCoy] to play this year."
File it away
The Bengals' third-round selection of Texas receiver Jordan Shipley adds a tremendous amount of competition to Cincinnati's receiving corps. Out of necessity, expect a surprise cut or two at the position coming out of training camp.
Pro Bowler Chad Ochocinco and free-agent pickup Antonio Bryant are set as the two starters. But Shipley, Andre Caldwell, Matt Jones, Quan Cosby and former second-round pick Jerome Simpson also will compete for roles on the team.
There are not enough roster spots to carry everyone. Could this be the year Cincinnati cuts ties with Simpson, who has been a bust his first two seasons? Or will the controversial signing of Jones, who’s had off-field troubles and was out of football last season, be for naught? Cosby, last year's punt returner, also is a possible cut.
The Bengals have a lot of options in their passing game, which struggled at the end of last season. But they will have to make some key decisions about who will be a part of it in 2010.
This season is expected to be a close race in the division. So the drafts of the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns could go a long way toward determining who comes out on top.
With that said, here is a look at the decisions made this week in the AFC North:
Best move
The "Wizard of Oz" was at it again. After trading out of the first round for the first time in franchise history, Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome came back strong in the second round by grabbing two first-round talents in linebacker Sergio Kindle and defensive tackle Terrence "Mount" Cody.
[+] Enlarge
Harry How/Getty ImagesSergio Kindle notched 16 sacks over the past two seasons for Texas.
"Well, I think the biggest thing that we did [is] we got guys that we wouldn't want to play against," Ravens director of player personnel Eric DeCosta said. "You know, these guys all have, really, a dominant trait in some respect. They do different things very well, and that's intriguing in our situation to get a linebacker that can really rush the passer -- a very explosive guy. And then we've had a lot of success over the years with these massive run-stuffers. Terrence Cody is that guy."
The Ravens had Kindle rated very high on their board and weren't scared off by injury concerns about his knee. That was the reason he fell to the second round. Cody has weight issues. But if he's able to keep that under control, Cody can be a force alongside Pro Bowler Haloti Ngata to create one of the biggest pairings of defensive tackles in the league.
Riskiest move
It's hard to doubt the Steelers with their stellar track record. But they did ignore more immediate needs in the top half of this year's draft.
Pittsburgh passed over help in other areas early to grab pass-rushers Jason Worilds and Thaddeus Gibson. Barring injuries, this pair of outside linebackers will have a very hard time getting on the field while sitting behind Pro Bowlers James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley.
Worilds and Gibson could turn out to be productive players at some point. But if I had rated positions of need for the Steelers entering this draft, outside linebacker would have been last.
In particular, there were plenty of quality defensive linemen available in the first three or four rounds who could've provided a more immediate impact in Pittsburgh's defensive rotation. But the team did a solid job addressing another immediate need at cornerback by trading with the Arizona Cardinals for former Steelers starter Bryant McFadden.
Most surprising move
The Browns really liked McCoy, particularly his intangibles and accuracy, but felt they had more pressing needs to address early in the draft. Cleveland instead plugged holes in the secondary and at running back for three rounds as McCoy surprisingly slid further than expected.
When the Browns came up at No. 85 overall, Cleveland finally got its quarterback of the future.
"In Colt's case, I really didn't think that he would be available to us," Browns president Mike Holmgren said. "I really felt that he would go before we had a chance to pick him. But when it didn't happen, it was something I really wanted to do and [coach] Eric [Mangini] and [GM] Tom [Heckert] went along with me and there you have it."
McCoy, a projected early second-rounder, wasn't too thrilled about his slide. But it could work in his favor.
As much as the city of Cleveland tends to love its backup quarterbacks, McCoy is coming to the Browns as a low third-rounder and without a ton of pressure to perform immediately.
Veteran quarterback Jake Delhomme is the starter in 2010, and the team has an experienced backup in Seneca Wallace. So McCoy should be able to hold a clipboard, learn the offense and get used to the NFL game for a full season before Cleveland thinks about putting him on the field.
"I don't expect him to play this year," Holmgren said. "We didn't draft [McCoy] to play this year."
File it away
The Bengals' third-round selection of Texas receiver Jordan Shipley adds a tremendous amount of competition to Cincinnati's receiving corps. Out of necessity, expect a surprise cut or two at the position coming out of training camp.
Pro Bowler Chad Ochocinco and free-agent pickup Antonio Bryant are set as the two starters. But Shipley, Andre Caldwell, Matt Jones, Quan Cosby and former second-round pick Jerome Simpson also will compete for roles on the team.
There are not enough roster spots to carry everyone. Could this be the year Cincinnati cuts ties with Simpson, who has been a bust his first two seasons? Or will the controversial signing of Jones, who’s had off-field troubles and was out of football last season, be for naught? Cosby, last year's punt returner, also is a possible cut.
The Bengals have a lot of options in their passing game, which struggled at the end of last season. But they will have to make some key decisions about who will be a part of it in 2010.
BACK TO TOP
Page: 1
