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Chat Reel: Pat Kirwan
Trading down not a bad idea for a team picking 1-5
Posted: Wednesday April 18, 2001 4:24 PM
Updated: Wednesday April 18, 2001 4:24 PM
CNNSI Host: Welcome to today's NFL Draft chat with Pat Kirwan -- thanks for joining us Pat!
Pat Kirwan: My pleasure -- happy to be talking about the draft.
From laup in Plover, Wis.: Pat, you get to be the general manager for a day of one of the top five drafting teams and you want to trade down. The Packers have an interest, but you've seen how Ron Wolf has gotten the better of deals in the past and you don't want to go down as the GM who let a guy like Brett Favre get away. Will you pull the trigger and make that trade with the Packers and at what price?
Pat Kirwan: I think, in this draft, I would trade down if I could. Two years ago and three years ago, specifically in the Ryan Leaf trade, Arizona got a lot in a one-position swap. A top-5 pick at this time is too expensive with a $10 million signing bonus. The right spot to move to this year is No. 6, where New England is. You can still get a quality wide receiver, defensive tackle or offensive tackle. Also, and maybe the most important reason to move to No. 6, last year Corey Simon at No. 6 got a $6 million signing bonus, which was 40 percent less than the top five, which averaged over $10 million.
From Bryant: Pat, if San Diego can't get something worked out with Vick before the draft, what are the chances that they would pass him up? Would they take him anyway, in hopes of eventually getting something done. If not, how far would he fall? Is it realistic to think he might not go first?
Pat Kirwan: He will go first. When I had the opportunity to select first, I met for three days with Keyshawn Johnson's agent but never got him signed. But we did set the framework for what the contract would be. The whole NFL is watching the impact of the Chargers' contract with Vick. The ripple effect of a $15 million signing bonus will force others to pay more. Vick can say whatever he wants, but he will eventually come to camp. With Doug Flutie under contract, San Diego can take its time and make sure they get a good deal.
From billl: Don't you think New England might be better off drafting for offensive line talent to give Bledsoe some protection?
Pat Kirwan: I think they absolutely need a left tackle and will be tempted to take Kenyatta Walker instead of David Terrell or Koren Robinson. But they pick again at No. 39. They should be able to select someone like Kareem McKenzie from Penn State or Marques Sullivan from Illinois. If the two receivers were gone, they will not hesitate to take the tackle.
From Bobby Ashcraft in Pine Bluff, Ark.: Mr. Kirwan, I am hearing a lot of pre-draft talk about Michael Vick and Drew Brees, deservedly, of course, but I am even hearing talk of Mike McMahon from Rutgers being the next QB in line behind those two guys. Where are Josh Heupel and Chris Weinke? In which round do you project them to be taken? And do you believe that Mike McMahon will offer more to an NFL team than Heupel and Weinke?
Pat Kirwan: After the first two quarterbacks, there is controversy about who is third. McMahon has received a rise in his draft position because of his play at the Blue-Gray Game and the Senior Bowl. He is also more mobile than the quarterbacks you mentioned, and in the NFL today that is an important quality.
From Chad Kennedy in Columbus, Ga.: What do you think the Atlanta Falcons' chances of being able to draft David Terrell and Drew Brees in rounds one and two? I think if he gets past the Steelers we have a chance.
Pat Kirwan: In talking to two NFL quarterbacks coaches yesterday, both felt Brees would not get out of the first round. I would be surprised if he got past Miami at No. 26. So unless Atlanta took him at five, and I don't think they would, there is very little chance they could acquire both players.
From MJ: Have you heard any recent rumors about last-minute trades by any teams attempting to improve their draft picks?
Pat Kirwan: I have heard the Eagles would consider moving up from No. 25 but no higher than No. 15. Someone mentioned to me the Giants might consider moving up a few spots, but that is not the way they usually do business. Someone else told me Kansas City would consider moving down, and picking up a second-round pick and then trading their lower first-round pick for Trent Green.
From Spanna: You've got Damione Lewis going to the Chiefs at No. 12. I think this is too high for Lewis, and he isn't a good fit here. Wouldn't Nate Clements or one of the top wide receivers (Johnson, Moss) make more sense here?
Pat Kirwan: I put Damione Lewis in at the 12th pick on the assumption that the spot would be owned by St. Louis. They need a defensive tackle who can penetrate. If Kansas City remains at No. 12, Lewis plays the style of defense that Chiefs defensive coordinator Greg Robinson likes to play. That is why I put him there.
From Eric Heffner in Oxford, Ohio: Mr. Kirwan, I've heard a lot of debate among scouts and personnel men as to who projects as the better left tackle in the NFL, Leonard Davis or Kenyatta Walker. Which do you believe is the better left tackle prospect and why?
Pat Kirwan: The rumors surrounding those two players are that left tackle Davis may have to move over to the right side, because he is stylistically more of a right tackle and a powerful run-blocker. And Kenyatta Walker is more athletic and will end up on the left side. That sounds great, but moving players out of their college position is often an experiment that doesn't work well. I like both players, but I would take Davis who is blessed with rare size. And I'm sure the Bengals will take him if he is there.
From GeauxSaints: I heard on a local radio station recently that the Saints were so concerned with Ricky Williams' whereabouts that they sent their running backs coach out to California to track him down. He was found lying on beach, tanning, and apparently explained that he hadn't called because his cell phone had broken. How concerned are the Saints with Ricky Williams's dedication and durability? Will they try to trade him?
Pat Kirwan: They will not try to trade him, to my knowledge. They must be concerned about his recent behaviors. And Jim Haslett has been effective in talking these things over with Ricky before. I'm sure he and Randy Mueller with get things back in the fold. Nonetheless, it would not surprise me if the Saints took a back with the 153rd pick in order to have some depth at the position.
From drew: Do you see Dan Morgan being the same impact player that Brian Urlacher was last year? I watched him at Miami for four years and he is someone who never quits and is always in every play. Do you see him being a pro-bowl player?
Pat Kirwan: I think Dan Morgan will be a very good pro very quickly. Every linebackers coach and defensive coordinator I spoke with loves the guy.
From Seahawker: The draft seems to have a substantial amount of cornerbacks. Who are the impact players at this position and who might be a good sleeper to draft in the later rounds.
Pat Kirwan: Two months ago there were two names as first-round corners: Fred Smoot and Jamar Fletcher. Since then, Nate Clements has moved into the top spot. Ken Lucas, Will Allen and Willie Middlebrooks have become first-round picks. Players that you could pick in the third round that have been moving up are Tay Cody, Brock Williams from Notre Dame and a late-round player in the sixth or seventh round is Curtis Fuller from TCU. He's played both safety and corner, is real smart and runs a 4.4 40-yard dash.
From AJ Maher in Littleton, Colo.: The Bears had Curtis Enis ranked higher than they do Tomlinson. Enis, as we all know, was a major bust. You really think Tomlinson can be as good as Emmitt Smith, but faster?
Pat Kirwan: I think Tomlinson has demonstrated, not only with college production, but in the bowl games, that he can be a very good pro. He has speed, strength and character. One running back coach yesterday was bit concerned about his elusiveness as it relates to being a great player.
From bud: You really think defensive-minded Bill Belichick will go with David Terrell at No. 6?
Pat Kirwan: If you study Bill Belichick's defenses with the Jets, he used a number of street free-agents and low-priced players in his scheme. Guys like Rick Lyle and Ernie Logan played for near the league minimum and played well. He knows what David Terrell could do for the Patriots with Drew Bledsoe throwing.
From THEpatriot: Hey Pat, any running backs you see in the later rounds who could potentially emerge as another Olandis Gary or Mike Anderson?
Pat Kirwan: Late-round running backs that are interesting to me include James Jackson from Miami, Derrick Blaylock from Stephen F. Austin, who ran a 4.3 40 at the Combine and is almost 200 pounds, and one more late pick who could be a big surprise is a kid named Dominick Rhodes out of Midwestern State Texas. Rhodes was the high school player of the year in Texas. He did not have the grades to go to any of the big schools who recruited him, but he dominated at a lower level.
From Brian: Why do you think the Jets are not high on Chris Chambers from Wisconsin?
Pat Kirwan: In talking to a few wide receiver coaches, there are mixed reviews about Chris. He has tremendous athletic ability, but has had inconsistent hands. He still could be drafted in the first round, but most feel he is a second-rounder.
CNNSI Host: That's all the time we have today with Pat Kirwan. Thanks Pat and we'll see you Saturday on CNN/SI's draft show.
Pat Kirwan: Thanks for having me and I'll talk to you guys on Saturday.
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