By the numbers

Brees is not the Chargers' problem, but he can be part of the solution

Many e-mailers have questioned my steadfastness in defending San Diego Chargers quarterback Drew Brees. For starters, Marty Schottenheimer has never been known as a QB guru. His quarterbacks have averaged 2,679 yards passing, 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions during his 17 full seasons. Brees' numbers (in the two seasons he's been a starter): 2,696-14-15.

Hey, Marty is a good coach. He ranks ninth in regular-season wins with 165, one behind Paul Brown, and Schottenheimer has led his teams to the playoffs 11 times. Since 1960, only four coaches have done it more: Don Shula (19), Tom Landry (18), Chuck Noll (12) and Bud Grant (12). But let's not lose sight of the fact no quarterback has flourished in Marty's offensive system; only one Schottenheimer-coached QB (Bernie Kosar, fourth in passing yards, 1986) has finished among the top five in any of the major offensive categories in a single season.

On the other hand, Brees is 10-17 as a starter. For a team that is 12-20 during that time, I'll take my chances with the guy who has started 83 percent of the victories. Do not get caught up in the hype that San Diego was hosed in 2001 when it traded out of the No. 1 position, which ultimately landed Michael Vick in Atlanta, while the Chargers got "only" LaDainian Tomlinson, CB Tay Cody (via the Falcons' third-round pick), WR Reche Caldwell (the Falcons' second-round pick in '02) and WR Tim Dwight.

I believe Brees can be an effective NFL quarterback. His numbers through three years stack up favorably with some of game's greats, including former Chargers QB and Hall of Famer Dan Fouts.

But first things first: The Chargers need to add a few more playmakers on both sides of the ball and address the team's coaching shortcomings -- and not necessarily in that order.

Now, let's get to the e-mail -- and yes, I was serious about the Patriots taking a head-case running back. I just didn't know it would be Corey Dillon ...

I realize you say this mock draft is just an opinion, but you also get paid to have a more fully developed opinion than the rest of us. Why would the Patriots ever draft Maurice Clarett? The Pats have been built on good character, hard-working, blue-collar guys; Clarett doesn't fit any of those traits. As I write this, two very important things have come to light that make Clarett a moot point. He has been ruled ineligible, and the Pats traded for a running back, Dillon, who may not fit the mold as I called it, but they didn't waste a first rounder on him. And he is a proven 1,000-yard back, whereas Clarett never even finished a full season in college.
 -- Nick, Atlanta

Nick was one of about 2,500 e-mailers who took exception to Clarett being the 32nd pick in the previous mock draft. And it's amazing how quickly the tune of the e-mails changed when Dillon was brought into the fold. The thinking went from, "The Patriots don't need a head case running back," to e-mails echoing Nick's sentiments: "Well, Dillon may be a head case, but he's our head case -- and Bill Belichick and get him straightened out." Good luck with that.

If the Saints draft Jonathan Vilma, the fans will be dancing on Bourbon Street naked! Oh, wait a minute ... they'll do that anyway!
 -- Adam, New Orleans

Been there, done that. Wait a minute ... don't believe I'd told dat! Could it be that Jim Haslett is looking to revive the old-school Dome Patrol? After trading for CB Jason Craft, 'backer seems to be a logical first-round choice for N'Awlins.

Why is it you feel the Giants are going to trade up to the No. 1 spot [and draft Eli Manning]? Kerry Collins has a minimum of five great years left in him. The Giants need a tackle; I wouldn't be surprised if we traded with the Raiders for their pick to get Robert Gallery.
 -- Rich, Pensacola, Fla.

If Collins has five great years left in him, my question is this: What's taking him so long to get them out of his system? Should the G-Men and Chargers swap picks, Manning is the choice; the Giants' offseason signings have been mainly along the O-line.

I think that the Seahawks would be better served by drafting a linebacker in the first round. Veterans Chad Brown, Anthony Simmons and Randall Godfrey are great players but are getting older. Jonathan Vilma, D.J. Williams or Karlos Dansby would be a perfect spark to back up and gain experience for the future.
 -- Tyson, Pullman, Wash.

I'll give you Brown, who will be playing his 12th season in 2004, and Godfrey is a free agent, but Simmons signed a five-year, $23 million deal before last season. Orlando Huff is set in the middle and youth is needed at LB, but the Seahawks' two starting DTs are a pair of sixth-round picks: former free agent Cedric Woodard and 2003 draft pick Rashad Moore. Getting a DT in Round 1 and looking LB with the 53rd pick (Teddy Lehman, Michael Boulware or Dontarrious Thomas) would be a good start for Seattle.

Where is Oklahoma State's Rashaun Woods? No other receiver in the country has put up the numbers he has the last three seasons. Texas' Roy Willams has been out-preformed by Woods the last two seasons. This past season Rashaun was hampered by a balanced offense. He consistantly drew double- and even triple-teams as Tatum Bell plowed through open feild. Had the Cowboys' offense had to rely on the air attack, Woods could have been just as amazing as Larry Fitzgerald. Woods should -- and most likely will be -- a first-round pick.
 -- Rance, Stillwater, Okla.

To address your first question, I dunno -- Where is Rashaun Woods? I haven't seen him lately, but tell him I said hello, if you see him. Woods is a talent, but there are only 32 choices in the first round and not every team needs a WR. Now, it can be argued that every team could use a Rashaun Woods, but the fact is a handful of receivers will go in Round 1. For Woods' sake, I hope he does. In fact, I wish every draft hopeful could go in the first round, but we can't all be Grantland Rice, either.

So without further ado, outlined against a blue, gray April sky, here is an updated mock:

SI.com's 2004 Mock Draft -- Take 5 Pick Team Pos. Player College Ht. Wt. Class 1 T Robert Gallery Iowa 6'7" 323 Sr. I'm on record saying the Chargers need a skill player to make an immediate impact, and Gallery doesn't fit the bill; I was wrong. If you build the O-line, the wins will come. 2 WR Roy Williams Texas 6'2" 212 Sr. With Gallery off the board, the Raiders should take the top WR available and look to upgrade the O-line in Round 2. Tackles Jacob Rogers or Nat Dorsey will be available at No. 45. 3 WR Larry Fitzgerald Pittsburgh 6'2" 225 Soph. There's always next year for a QB -- or 10 years from now, if Josh McCown is the real deal. Then again, the Cards could take a sleeper QB (Cody Pickett or Josh Harris) in a later round. 4 QB Eli Manning Ole Miss 6'4" 221 Sr. This happens only if the Chargers realize Drew Brees' numbers are a product of the system. It'll also come to pass if the Giants trade up to the top spot. 5 S Sean Taylor Miami (Fla.) 6'2" 230 Sr. Defense wins championships. From the looks of the Skins' defense, D.C. fans can find "championship" on page 244 of Webster's New World College Dictionary. 6 TE Kellen Winslow Jr. Miami (Fla.) 6'3" 251 Jr. Only if Detroit keeps this pick will Winslow come off the board here. The more prudent move would be to trade down and get RB Steven Jackson at a more reasonable value. 7 QB Ben Roethlisberger Miami (Ohio) 6'4" 241 Jr. The Browns need help on both sides of the ball, but no O-lineman or LB is worth the pick. Could this be another team possibly looking to trade down? 8 DT Tommie Harris Oklahoma 6'2" 292 Jr. Considering the Falcons' secondary woes, DeAngelo Hall is strong possibility (along with DT Vince Wilfork). There are more DBs to be had in this draft; go with quality over quantity. 9 DE Kenechi Udeze USC 6'2" 281 Jr. Injecting youth in the WR corps is a need, but there are only a finite number of elite D-linemen this year. Go for Udeze now, look receiver in Round 2. 10 CB DeAngelo Hall Virginia Tech 5'10" 202 Jr. Houston, which could use either Harris or Udeze, is a potential trade partner for the Lions and Browns. Another consideration is DT Vince Wilfork. 11 CB Dunta Robinson South Carolina 5'10" 186 Sr. Pittsburgh needs a lot of help -- DB, RB, QB. ... Considering Bill Cowher's blue-collar approach, improving the Steelers' defense is the top priority. 12 CB Chris Gamble Ohio State 6'1" 198 Jr. The J-E-T-S are another of those teams with many needs, so if it's not Gamble, look for LB Jonathan Vilma to get a long look. Either way, defense should carry the day. 13 QB Philip Rivers N.C. State 6'5" 229 Sr. Buffalo was in the Drew Henson derby, so you know it is looking past the Drew Bledsoe era. Yes, the Bills need a speed WR and DB help, but Rivers is too tempting to pass up. 14 DT Vince Wilfork Miami (Fla.) 6'1" 323 Jr. Chicago needs a dominating presence in the middle, and Wilfork will provide that. O-linemen will have to double-team him, which will help open pass-rush lanes in Lovie Smith's scheme. 15 WR Reggie Williams Washington 6'3" 229 Jr. The Bucs have several WRs for the taking: Williams, Michael Clayton, Lee Evans, Rashaun Woods. And then there's the ever-present need for an O-lineman, like tackle Shawn Andrews. 16 DE Will Smith Ohio State 6'2" 275 Sr. The Niners may go with a WR (Cedrick Wilson and Brandon Lloyd are penciled in as starters) and cross their fingers that DE Jason Babin is available at No. 46. 17 RB Steven Jackson Oregon State 6'1" 241 Jr. Only if the Lions take Kellen Winslow Jr. will Jackson be available here. If Detroit nabs Jackson after trading down, the Broncos may go for RB Kevin Jones or look D-line, LB even WR. 18 LB Jonathan Vilma Miami (Fla.) 6'0" 233 Sr. Should the Jets take Vilma at No. 12, the Saints will look to draft Chris Gamble or possibly roll the dice on one of the top remaining DTs, Randy Starks or Darnell Dockett. 19 DE Antwan Odom Alabama 6'5" 274 Jr. A work in progress with immeasurable upside, Odom would be a situational pass rusher -- something the Vikings need, considering they had only 37 sacks last year. 20 T Shawn Andrews Arkansas 6'4" 366 Jr. Dolphins have made a few O-line signings this offseason, but picking Andrews here would lend itself to taking one position out of play for the foreseeable future. 21 LB D.J. Williams Miami (Fla.) 6'0" 250 Sr. Williams' stock has been rising in recent weeks, and he would be a welcome addition to a LB corps that will need overhauling within the next few years. 22 RB Kevin Jones Virginia Tech 6'0" 227 Jr. If the Cowboys feel they can get a serviceable RB in Round 2 (possibly Greg Jones or Tatum Bell with pick No. 52), a D-lineman (Randy Starks) may be the choice. 23 DT Randy Starks Maryland 6'3" 314 Jr. D-line is a need, even with the addition of DE Grant Wistrom, but don't be surprised if a LB is the choice, possibly Karlos Dansby or a reach for Daryl Smith. 24 DT Darnell Dockett Florida St. 6'3" 297 Sr. With the cream of the crop long gone, the Bengals are in 'tweener land: no real must-have D-lineman, but a player who can fill the need. 25 DE Marquise Hill LSU 6'7" 294 Jr. After the failure of Jamal Reynolds to pan out (and the injury-prone Joe Johnson a possible June 1 cut), the Packers need a DE -- and may take a risk with Hill or even Jason Babin. 26 TE Ben Troupe Florida 6'4" 265 Sr. The quality-over-quantity adage come into play; Rams need quantity at a few positions -- DB, O- and D-line -- but the quality is at TE, which also needs some help. 27 WR Lee Evans Wisconsin 5'10" 197 Sr. The Titans can get a go-to WR, then turn their attention to a depleted D-line with the likes of Isaac Sopoaga, Igor Olshanksy or Chad Lavalais in Round 2 (picks 42 and 57). 28 G Vernon Carey Miami (Fla.) 6'4" 335 Sr. With no top-tier CB to be had in this spot (unless the Eagles trade up, which is a strong possibility, to get a CB or LB), Philly takes the hypothetical "best available athlete." 29 LB Karlos Dansby Auburn 6'3" 251 Sr. The Colts have become the NFL's minor leagues of LBs; groom 'em, let someone else reap the rewards. Add Dansby to the list as the next one-that-got-away from Indy. 30 CB Will Poole USC 5'10" 185 Sr. K.C. should be on the defensive Saturday, but would it surprise anyone if the Chiefs went with a play-making WR, like Michael Clayton or Rashaun Woods? Me neither. 31 T Jacob Rogers USC 6'6" 307 Sr. Bookending Jordan Gross with Rogers would give the Panthers a potent 1-2 punch, even after the addition of Adam Meadows. A solid DB can be had with the No. 62 pick, a WR in Round 3. 32 S Matt Ware UCLA 6'2" 209 Jr. Adding Ware would give the champs a lot of flexibility in the defensive backfield (Eugene Wilson to CB, anyone?). The trade for Corey Dillon really opens up the Pats' possibilities. React Your Name: Your E-mail Address: Your City, State: Your Comment:

B. Duane Cross is a senior producer for SI.com.