revrew
05-28-2003, 12:12 PM
The following assumes four rounds of drafting and includes leftovers from last year. Those who went undrafted last year are listed in small caps, those new to the class are in capitals.
Thought you'd all want to see this as we make plans. Regarding progression of current players, that information will be made available to you following expansion and rookie drafts. How good a player is NEXT year wouldn't be available until training camp anyways, right? So I'll give you your graded rosters after both drafts, as you make cut and keep decisions.
The numbers listed are their ages.
[B]Available Draft Class:[B]
Quarterbacks:
A. 22, "While not as highly touted as 'Thumbless' was last year, this QB is still a big-time impact player in the ZFL. There are better athletes in this year's draft, and so this QB may slip past the #1 overall spot. But on the other hand, after 'Thumbless'' big splash last year, I'd be hard-pressed to recommend anyone over this guy. He's got the skills and the field vision. He'll be a star. Worthy of the #1 pick."
B. 21, "A mechanically sound youngster, but not one to truly star. Has great intangibles, but lacks a bit in raw talent. He'd make a decent back up. Can't see him falling before the third."
C. 23, "The QB slot is flooded with iffy prospects this year. This one has the size, but lacks real arm-strength and good mechanics."
aa. 24, "He got bounced around NFL Europe because he's got enough skill to make you hope, but little enough to break your heart. Might go fourth round."
D. 21, "He's a bit younger, but that's all you can say. Average in every category. No team will benefit from having him on the roster."
E. 23, "A wannabe third-stringer in the CFL. He's just too short to play the position."
bb. 22, "The CFL rejected this guy for a reason. A hint of raw talent, but only the worst QB in the league could possibly lose his job to this guy."
Halfbacks:
F. 22, "A shifty back with good poise, balance, and burst. I think the NFL should have given this guy a longer look. He's not as explosive as Rajah Saleem or dependable as Artemis, but any ZFL squad will be happy to have this guy carrying the rock. Good first-round prospect."
G. 23, "His CFL experience shows he has what it takes to play in the ZFL. Gets around the corners well and runs downhill. First round would be a stretch, but second round would be a bargain."
H. 22, "The third back in a trio of fine prospects for this year. He played Division III, but don't let that dissuade you the way it did the NFL. He scored TDs in college the old-fashioned way...he earned them. A tackle-breaker and tough worker who looks to go second to third round."
I. 23, "Okay, why is he on the draft board again? I, um, I just don't see it."
Fullbacks:
J. 23, "Outstanding blocker who showed some ability to run at Georgia Tech, but didn't get to carry much. Has strength, speed, mechanics. We just haven't seen him handle the ball as much as he will in the ZFL. But make no mistake, he WILL handle it in our league. Can't hype him as much as Bulldozer or Ty Wick of last year, but the bottom of the first? Down into the second? Definitely."
K. 23, "Another quality prospect, but based more on his ability to run. A flip opposite of (J.). His blocking skills need some work, but he can carry well. Add a few pounds, a little experience, and you'll be happy with this second-rounder."
L. 24, "He's had some experience in NFL-Europe, and it's polished his skills. He didn't look all that impressive coming out of Iowa State, but in Amsterdam he's shown he's got game. I think he can complement a team looking for some backfield help, but I doubt he'll star. Third round, likely."
M. 21, "Young kid out of Rutgers, who was more of a student than athlete. But when he got on the field, he showed some natural tenacity. He'll need a bit of time to polish the game, but a squad looking to fill out a weak roster should consider him in the last round."
N. 21, "My grandmama could outblock this bozo."
Wide Receivers:
O. 23, "Like Primetime last year, this receiver was a possession guy in college, and at 6'3', he looks to continue that at the next level. He's worth a late first-round because he's the best at his position available, but likely won't be a true star. If you're looking for a playmaker, go elsewhere, but if you want solid, reliable production at a key spot, this is your man."
P. 19, "Yes, he's 19. One of a few youngsters entering the ZFL out of JuCo. Frankly, this one probably belonged there. He's got talent, but it's so, so raw. Will it develop? Gamble in the last round or so."
Q. 23, "Just as raw as (P.), but older and with even less potential. He can fill a roster spot, but he isn't going to make any GM happy."
R. 22, "A tad slow for the receiver spot, even with his good hands and positioning, I don't see him making it in the ZFL."
Offensive Tackles:
S. 24, "He'll be a great right tackle. You know what that means? It means he's got the size and strength, but neither the mechanics, moves, nor talent to be a star O-lineman. A building-block for a team, for certain, but no superstar. All that aside, OT is an important spot, and I see him going in the second."
T. 21, "Thus begins the mediocre players who all have just one thing wrong with them. This one is slow of foot. Big, sure, strong, definetly, but speed rushers are going to toast him. He can play ball, but All Pro and Bookend will eat him for lunch. Can't see him going earlier than the third."
cc. 21, "A decent contributor. He may have gone to a small school, but he has the mechanics to stick around."
U. 23, "This one's undersized. I mean, in late rounds he might be worth it, but only if you need someone to tide you over till later."
V. 20, "Another JuCo youngster trying to bust it into the ZFL. There is talent here, and he's young enough to develop, but there's a reason he couldn't find a scholarship in Division I. Or Division II for that matter."
W. 21, "An undersized, less than spectacular kid with a great attitude. But is that enough? Doubtful."
X. 21, "Okay, so he's young, 6'5, and 290. Is that enough to play professional ball? Nope."
dd. 3, 22 He helped his BYU team, but he might not help his ZFL squad much. Still, a team without quality at OT may look to him at the end of the draft. Or maybe not."
Offensive Guards:
Y. 22, "Undoubtedly one of the best lineman, and for that matter, one of the best players in the draft. Should go top 5. Texan-born, Texan-bred, Texan-sized OG with a heart as big as...okay, enough already. The point is, just because he went to tiny Texas A&M-Kingsville is no reason for the NFL to overlook this guy. Thanks, guys. You missed one here."
Z. 23, "He went to TAMU-Kingsville, too. Only, he got cut from the squad. Any ZFL team will cut him, too. Just not worth it."
Defensive Tackles:
AA. 22, "Pass rusher and run-stuffer. A lithe but powerful 299-pounder who is an easy first-rounder. His skills are polished, and his numbers are great. Led Asuza Pacific in sacks three years running and set the school's all-time record. May not be top 5, but definitely top 10 athlete in this year's draft."
BB. 22, "I look for this powerful roadblock to go second round. At 6'6 and 320, he won't be movin' out of the way for nobody."
ff. 23, "The fourth round might take this DT off the board. He's not much now, but he's got a good upside."
ee. 22, "He's young, and he has potential, but he has a long way to go, too. Not much help for someone who needs it now."
CC. 23, "Now, just because you weigh 320 doesn't mean you can play DT. (BB.) can, this guy can't. Doesn't bend his knees, get leverage, or get results. He might look big and hairy, but that don't make him a bear. Only a desperate team would reach here."
gg. 22, "As was said before, 'He's young, and he has potential, but he has a long way to go, too.' -- Maybe even longer than the other guy."
DD. 20, "Not even a desperate team would consider this guy. Here's something you'll need to memorize, young man -- You want fries with that?"
Defensive Ends:
EE. 20, "If anybody is going to dislodge that QB from going #1, this is the man. Forget he's only 20. He's da man. The NFL toyed with him because he's undersized at 255, but in the ZFL he will terrorize the league. Speed, instinct, moves, and mentality. Uses leverage well on larger players. Great tackler, even better pass rusher. Kind of attitude that just begs to take on Knoxville."
FF. 22, "Not too far distant from (EE.) is this quieter, but equally formidable end. He has a constant motor that recorded dozens of sacks at UW-La Crosse simply because he didn't stop after the OT's initial stuff. Tracks down RBs from behind. Incredible tackler who looks like a brick wall when players attack him. A great team player and pillar of strength. May go top 5, but definitely first round."
GG. 24, "This NFL-Europe player crossed the Atlantic in search of more playing time. He'll get it. Shoot, he deserved it there. Now he won't scare teams, nor draw doubles, nor dominate the best OTs. But if you've got a monster on one side, this is the guy you want on the other. Late second, perhaps, but definetely in the third."
hh. 24, "A rookie burnout in NFL Europe, he's got the prowess, but none of the mechanics. He won't stay on a ZFL roster long, either."
Middlebackers:
HH. 20, "Kid of resembles Sectoid Commander from last year. Now that's not to say he'll break out, but he comes from a similar mold, with a similar style of play. Like Sectoid, he'll only impress if he has quality around him, and he can't star power a defense himself. Probably third round."
ii. 22, "The NFL looked over this feisty 'backer from LSU, but not without a second glance. He should be a capable, complementary player."
jj. 24, "His size got him into the CFL, his attitude got him out. He might develop, but I doubt it's worth the gamble."
II. 24, "Fools like this think they can play in the ZFL. They can't. Though sometimes I wish they would. Just so Erik Flamebeard could pulverize the drunken moron."
Outsidebackers:
JJ. 23, "Was a streaky player at 'Bama, and that's why the NFL said 'No, thanks'. Has some natural talent, but attitude is sometimes lazy. You can't count on him, but he might provide some punch. Many teams are looking for anything they can get at OLB, so I see this one falling in the third, unless need pushes him up to late 2nd."
KK. 22, "Very fast backer who nonetheless is a bit undersized. Played well his senior year at UTEP, and deserves a look in the third."
LL. 21, "Third? Fourth? Hard to say for this beefy backer who nevertheless has a decent burst. Will his endurance give out? Or will his added size be an added strength? Any way you cut it, isn't talented enough to star, but solid enough to play if needed.
MM. 21, "A hint of raw talent in a young body. He's an athlete, but without much understanding for the game. Looked kind of like a chicken (albeit a fast one) running around with his head cut off for Cal-Irvine."
kk. 22, "At only 210 pounds, he's quite small for his position. Sure, he's scrappy, but his talent may be lacking, too. Not unless you believe in Rudy."
mm. 23, "Not big enough to take on a fullback, not fast enough to cover a receiver. Not tall enough to match a tight end, not good enough to play in the ZFL."
Safety:
NN. 24, "A solid contributor overseas who possesses both good vision and good skills. Wanted to come back to U.S. to be closer to family, but shouldn't have to sacrifice his career. Will play well in the ZFL, and while he's no Troy McClure, he'll be starter. Might creep up into the first round."
OO. 21, "Teams trying to find a way to stop Knoxville might look at this instinctive young player toward the end of the second. He put up good INT numbers in college, though his tackles were low enough to indicate some sloppy play. No star, but a good addition to a secondary nonetheless."
PP. 19, "One of the few JuCo players entering the draft who may get to see some playing time. He's a bit thin yet--more of a basketball player then a footballer--but has agility and speed. Might be a stretch in the third, but the fourth looks good."
QQ. 23, "Another NFL Europer wanting to come home. He might not have anywhere to come home to. He's just too slow and not rangy enough for the ZFL game."
RR. 21, "Now that Jackson Jackson has emerged, players like this just aren't going to cut the mustard."
SS. 23, "Too short and too slow to help anyone."
Cornerback:
TT. 21, "Just in time, the ZFL draft has some secondary power to counter the mighty Rednecks. At 6'1 and speedy, this young CB out of Ball State looks to be rangy enough to play the ZFL game of wide-open spaces. I wouldn't pronounce him able to stop Jackson Jackson yet, but he might be in time. A definite first-rounder, he may even creep into the top 5."
UU. 20, "And speaking of first-rounders, there's no drop-off between (TT.) and this guy. He may only be 5'9, but has incredible vision for the field, reads the QB, and has the agility of a dragonfly. Better cover corner than (TT.), despite his height. At a prime, young, 20 years old, it would be foolish to pass him into the second round."
nn. 24, "Not particularly fast, but physical and makes good decisions. I'd take him as a nickel back, if the ZFL had those."
pp. 22, "His INT numbers were high at Pitt, but he did poorly at the combine. Dropped right off the draft board. Still, if you need somebody late..."
VV. 19, "With such great talent available, it's sad to see this child attempting to compete. And y'know what? That's what they'll say if this kid is drafted, too. Not worth even a late-round pick."
Kicker:
WW. 22, "He's only 5'10 185. He's too slow to be a CB. But you cannot dog his athletic ability, his coordination, or his heart. As long as he isn't required to sumo wrestle, he should be an outstanding kicker in the ZFL. Since there's so much talent available in the first round +, I doubt he'll go that high, but if a team considers him high in the third, or maybe even late in the second, it wouldn't surprise me."
XX. 24, "He's the right combination of size, strength, and agility for a ZFL kicker. Played several sports at Central Florida, and that's just the kind of thing a ZFL kicker needs. I'm not sure his attitude is right to star, but he's got what it takes to compete as a kicker."
YY. 20, "A young lumberjack type who has the ruggedness and grim determination necessary to do what it takes as a ZFL kicker. While only a late rounder, I expect he will get drafted."
qq. 24, "Predicting the success of a ZFL kicker is tough. What do you look at? Still, this guy deserves a look. 6'4 225 and light on his feet."
rr. 23, "At 285, he's a bit heavy for a ZFL kicker. But he could knock a few off on strength contests."
ss. 22, "He's young and feisty, but a bit uncoordinated. No matter how much you like his attitude, I don't think you want to count on him in overtime."
tt. 23, "Only if ZFL overtimes start getting decided by chess matches."
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