 |
| |
|
 |
 |
||
 |
 |
||
 |
|||
EVENTS
CNNSI.com GROUP
COMMERCE
|
Final two visits go well
Updated: Monday April 16, 2001 11:54 AM
Former Mississippi running back Deuce McAllister is expected to be a top-10 pick in the 2001 NFL Draft on April 21. McAllister gained 3,676 total yards and scored 39 touchdowns in his four seasons with the Rebels. This is the seventh in a series of Draft Diaries from McAllister. Check back weekly for another NFL Draft Diary from him at CNNSI.com. I had my last two team visits last week, going to San Francisco first. Out there, I met with [running backs] coach [Tom] Rathman and [head] coach [Steve] Mariucci and Mr. [Bill] Walsh, and I think it went well. I also had a chance to meet Bryant Young, Ken Norton Jr. and Dana Stubblefield. I didn't get a chance to see much of the city, because I got in real late -- I just took a look at the facilities and enjoyed myself. Even before Charlie Garner signed [with Oakland Friday], they told me they were going to draft a running back. I think I fit their offense pretty well because of my receiving skills. Next, I went to Cleveland, which was an intriguing trip. It was nice weather, and they have brand-new facilities, so it was impressive, some of the things they're trying to do with their team. I got a chance to meet Tim Couch, Courtney Brown, JaJuan Dawson and a lot of the guys. It was impressive, meeting with [head] coach [Butch] Davis, Dwight Clark and the running backs coach, Todd McNair.
I wouldn't say they're primarily looking for a running back -- maybe more of an impact player, whether it's a running back, receiver or defensive lineman. They're trying to build, and that would be interesting and fun to be a part of. Overall, both trips went well. The only thing I can do in these visits is just go in and be myself. Probably the biggest question they have about me is durability, and every time I get a physical, I pass that with flying colors. I don't really know where my stock is right now, it depends on who you talk to. If you're talking to general managers and coaches, I think I'm doing pretty good, but if you're talking to fans and guys with opinions, it varies. My agents are feeling pretty good right now, just what they're hearing on my positioning. I think I've put myself in the best position I can. We haven't started to talk about contract issues -- we'll see what the market is like and where I go. I want to have some input into that process, but [agents Ben Dogra and Jim Steiner] have experience in that type of thing, so I'll let them handle that. I don't believe I'm going to go to New York for the draft, but I may change my mind and go. This week, I'm just going to relax a little bit at home, then a little bit in Oxford.
Draft mailbagDeuce, what will be the first thing you will do when you sign a contract with an NFL team? -- Mike Jordan, Jackson, Miss. I'm going to get my mom a car and start building on her house. If you came to New England, could you promise never to jump ship and go to the Jets for more money, or get injured on the beach after a 1,000-yard season? -- Dan McGinn, Marlborough, Mass. (laughs) Yeah, they have had some unfortunate incidents with their running backs, but both of them were very successful and I think they're going to do what it takes in the future to keep their running backs at home in New England. First let me start off by telling you I think you are awesome and are going to be a great running back. I read you were a 49ers fan growing up, I'm a die-hard 49ers fan and we are in need of a running back. How much would it mean for you to be drafted by them? -- Manny Fernandez, Cliffside Park, N.J. It would be sort of a dream come true. But if it happens, it happens; and if it doesn't, I'll still pull for the Niners, but there will be a team I'm deeper in love with. What is your attitude toward your accomplishments that you want to make in the future? Do you want to be the best ever like the way Edgerrin James and Daunte Culpepper have said they want to be, or will you do whatever it takes to win even though your personal stats are being pushed apart? -- Marshall Jones, Boston I have a drive that I want to be the best. Some of the best players out there, that's the drive they have, they just want to be a guy that's remembered. You want to go out there and set records for your team. I want to go out there and say I'm going to be the best. With your explosiveness as a kick and punt returner, have teams been talking about using you in those roles also, or do they have concerns about injuries? -- Neill Ayres, Memphis Durability is not even a concern of mine, and I don't think it's a great concern with a lot of the teams. If there's a player out there that's never been hurt, how much is he playing? It just depends, really. If I'm a starter on offense, then I doubt they'll use me [on special teams] a lot. But if I'm not, if I'm playing in spot situations or I'm the backup guy, then definitely they'll use me. Would you prefer getting selected by a team that plays on natural grass or artificial turf, or do you not have a preference? -- Jason, New York Oh, natural grass. Artificial turf takes away years. I played probably about three or four times on turf in college -- there's more stress on your bones and ligaments. You're faster, but there's more stress on your body.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
