Take 2

It's the second season when a player must make his mark

Right or wrong, first-round picks get thrown on the field right away and must demonstrate that they belong in their starting roles immediately. But often they need more time to develop. The second year of a player's career is when he must blossom in this salary cap era. Second- and third-round picks also are being paid enough that they must perform as starters in their sophomore seasons or they'll get shown the door sooner rather than later.

Here are some non-first-round picks from the 2001 draft poised to take the next step in their careers this fall:

1. Drew Brees, QB, Chargers (second round): The Chiefs' defensive players and coaches caught a solid glimpse of Brees in November and there's no doubt in their minds that the former Purdue quarterback will be ready to take over San Diego's offense this season. New head coach Marty Schottenheimer will protect his second-year signal caller by playing solid defense and running the ball.

2. Robert Ferguson, WR, Packers (second round): The Packers cleared the deck by moving out veteran receivers Antonio Freeman, Bill Schroeder and Corey Bradford. Ferguson didn't have a great rookie season but people in Green Bay tell me he's growing up and should do well with Terry Glenn stretching the field on the other side.

3. Sedrick Hodge, LB, Saints (third round): The New Orleans defense has taken some hits this offseason -- so long, Joe Johnson and La'Roi Glover -- but head coach Jim Haslett likes the skills Hodge brings to the field. He's a very athletic linebacker who played well in limited spots last year.

4. Eric Downing, DT, Chiefs (third round): Typically it takes defensive coordinator Greg Robinson two seasons to get his young players ready as he rotates his linemen throughout games in a high-energy package. From all the news out of Kansas City, Downing is ready to step it up and add to the quality depth on the defensive line.

5. Jonas Jennings, T, Bills (third round): GM Tom Donahoe has discovered another middle-round gem as Jennings is on the fast track to being one of the league's top linemen. Extra bonus: he'll soon be able to line up at any O-line position.

6. Kevan Barlow, RB, 49ers (third round): Last year, Keyshawn Johnson told me that Barlow would have been the perfect fit for the Bucs offense (San Francisco snatched the Pitt rusher four spots ahead of Tampa Bay). Barlow spent the season backing up Garrison Hearst, rushing for 512 yards and four TDs. The 49ers people I've spoken with say he's now ready for prime time.

Agent joins forces with 'other side'

Many around the league were surprised at the appointment of Ray Anderson as Atlanta's executive vice president and chief administrative officer. But the most shocked might have been Raiders linebacker Napoleon Harris, Anderson's client.

The good news for Harris is that his agent jumped to the other side of the negotiating table just after the 22nd pick in the draft, defensive end Bryan Thomas, signed with the Jets, thereby setting the market for Harris at No. 23. Thomas signed a five-year deal for $6.9 million with New York. Harris doesn't need an agent to figure out that his deal likely will be five years for about $6.6 million. Thomas got $4 million of his deal in signing bonus or guaranteed money; Mike Sullivan has taken over Harris' case and should get the Oakland rookie about $3.8 million guaranteed.

The market has been set for the bottom half of the first round and there's really not much left to negotiate. The clubs I've spoken with seem pleased with the effect the Thomas deal will have on the round while agents seem satisfied with the apparent 8 percent increase over Will Allen's contract last year at the same spot.

What remains to be seen is whether Anderson enjoys life on the other side of the table. I can't wait to hear him tell some former client that he now feels he doesn't deserve the money he told the player he rated just weeks ago.

Pat Kirwan, who spent 12 years as a pro football coach, scout and personnel administrator, is an NFL analyst for CNNSI.com.

 

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