BACKDRAFT

In recent years the NFL draft has generated the same buzz as a $350 million Powerball jackpot, complete with full pundit analysis that puts the New Hampshire primary to shame. Not to say this is necessarily a bad thing. After all, any coping mechanism to bridge the gap between the Super Bowl and pre-season is fair medicine for the football junkie. But with the glut of expertise boiling down every move, let’s take a closer look at a few who must really respond to their teams’ raised expectations.

Michael Vick, Quarterback, Atlanta Falcons

Michael Vick may play for Atlanta, but many of his strings are pulled on Madison and Park Avenue. Contrary the NFL’s thinly veiled stance about not being a star driven league, they’re as much in the glitz business as American Idol, though thankfully without Ryan Seacrest. Vick has become the league’s face of its “urban” demographic as much as Peyton Manning caters to the NFL’s NASCAR contingent. In the forthcoming season, Atlanta is slated to appear thrice on Monday Night Football and once on Sunday night on ESPN. No doubt the promos will show ad nauseaum Michael Vick shredding the gridiron like a slalom course. But alas, Michael Vick is a quarterback, not a rusher, and the much ballyhooed “West Coast” offense that the Falcons spent all last season implementing will finally require Vick to use his arm and command a pocket presence. Though Vick’s patented elusiveness has mauled defenses in the past, it remains to be seen how long this improvisational style will continue to work. More importantly, it also remains to be seen how long this will be tolerated by coach Jim Mora. As much as Vick stocks the highlight reel with his legs, he’s been subject to quiet criticism regarding his slow study of Atlanta’s new offense and questionable defensive reads; thus giving him little choice but to run. In 2004, Atlanta ranked 30th in the league in total passing, just ahead of Baltimore and Chicago who could have introduced quicksand as a new playing surface. Vick’s go-to guy was Alge Crumpler; a gifted tight-end for sure, but since when did a “West Coast” offense center around the tight-end? That, and while it was a far less sexy back-story, the real truth to Atlanta’s surprising season was not Michael Vick, but their stingy defense that still remains largely unnoticed. With Peerless Price grossly underutilized and wide receiver Roddy White taken in the first round, it’s clear that Atlanta is determined to become the passing threat that Jim Mora has vowed to deliver. For Vick, that means he needs to step up and drop back a lot more than run forward and fall down.

Rex Grossman, Quarterback, Chicago Bears

It’s been twenty years since Chicago won the Super Bowl; and that longing for glory is perhaps why Mike Ditka’s steakhouse is still one of the most popular joints in the Windy City. Since then, Chicago has gone through quarterbacks like night clerks at 7-11. In addition, the Bears’ off-season moves in recent years have burned them worse than the city’s great fire. This year, however, Chicago appears for real about getting their offensive train wreck back on the rails. Only Al Capone could have signed Mushin Muhammad faster; and with running back Cedric Benson and speed receivers Mark Bradley and Airese Currie ready to ink rookie contracts, the Bears are antsy to see what this turnkey approach will bring. The looming if (and it’s a big if) is whether quarterback Rex Grossman is the real deal. Grossman showed promise in the final three games of the 2003 season and carried that same optimism into 2004 before being lost for the season to a knee injury in September. His stats are OK, but his durability remains in question. More importantly, despite Chicago’s effort to boost their offensive arsenal, the gulf between Grossman and his back-ups puts few at ease. No need to belabor the obvious about signing Jeff George in mid-season last year. That said, fourth round quarterback Kyle Orton should close the gap somewhat talent-wise, but it’s hardly enough to assuage concern should Grossman get hurt again. For the Bears to be contenders, Grossman won’t just have play well, but also play after the leaves change color.


Mike Nugent, Drafted Kicker, New York Jets

It’s easy to be a kicker in New York when you’re taken with the Jets’ first pick. Just never miss…ever! Easy enough, right? Lets face it, kickers are best remembered for 1) missing, 2) missing, 3) making a clutch kick in two or more recent Super Bowls and, 4) getting drafted ahead of the next potential Lawrence Taylor like Mike Nugent or Sebastian Janikowski. The rest, forget about it. Even the “productive” kickers who played 14 years with an 85 percent success rate at best fall somewhere in the memory bank between Kato Kaelin and The Macarena. Look at Sebastian Janikowski. The poor guy is still better known for his drunk driving offenses than his kicking, and that’s largely due to the attention he still gets as a first round pick in 2000. Had he been drafted in the sixth round, Janikowski’s DWIs would be back page news, if at all. All Doug Brein did for the Jets in two seasons was make 51 of 61 field goal attempts for a 83.6 percent success rate. Not bad. However, as we all know, he missed those game ending field goals which allowed Pittsburgh to move on to the AFC Championship. A good kicker by most accounts, but you can’t report to mini-camp as your team’s Bill Buckner. Welcome to the NFL kid. Now just don’t miss.


Joey Harrington, Quarterback, Detroit Lions

Somewhat of an obvious pick, but Joey Harrington has been in the Lions doghouse for some time. The Lions were the valedictorians of the 2004 draft and the dunces of ’05 by drafting yet another wide receiver and ignoring their defensive woes. In any case, Detroit’s continuous affinity for receivers further dwindles whatever margin of error Harrington still has. Harrington now has even more toys, though some assembly is required; as both Charles Rogers and Roy Williams have battled injuries during their brief careers. But now with Jeff Garcia brought in as a back-up, Harrington will feel even more heat. Garcia, who knows Detroit’s offense from when he played for coach Steve Mariucci in San Francisco, is the perfect off-the-shelf answer if Harrington should falter. Though durable and talented, Harrington’s slow maturation process has worn thin. Detroit demonstrates more patience that other organizations, but the expiration date is looming for Harrington to find his mojo in Motown.