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Give me this dozen  and I'll whip your butt
By Dan Pompei - SportingNews
Part of Jimmy Johnson's draft tradition was to take in all the information from his scouts, then identify 10 to 15 players he wanted on his team. Each might not have fit the mold of what a player at his position was supposed to look like, but every one was a playmaker. Johnson did what he could to get them.
In my annual ode to Jimmy, I pick a dozen playmakers I would try to get on my team this weekend.
Early first round: A.J. Hawk, Ohio State linebacker. I'm not saying I would take him ahead of Reggie Bush, who has the most potential for greatness of any player in the draft. But Hawk is the safest pick. And he has considerable potential for greatness. If he stays healthy, he will give life to a defense, a team and an organization before he is through.
First to second round: Abdul Hodge, Iowa linebacker. He will lead a team in tackles for the next 10 years.
Second round: Charlie Whitehurst, Clemson quarterback. Physically, he doesn't lack anything, and there were reasons why he was an inconsistent performer in college. As a senior, he played with an injured shoulder. And he played under three offensive coordinators during his college career. With some health and stability, Whitehurst will excel in the NFL.
Second to third round: Jeremy Trueblood, Boston College offensive tackle. He's no ballerina, but if you're looking for a gritty blocker who will set the tone for your line with his effort and his toughness, Trueblood is your man.
Third round: Brian Calhoun, Wisconsin running back. The people who say he's too small never have tried to tackle him.
Third round: Kyle Williams, LSU defensive tackle. What he lacks in size and speed, he makes up for in feel for the game and hustle. He might not make a Pro Bowl, but I'll take 11 guys like him and whip your behind every Sunday.
Fourth round: Elvis Dumervil, Louisville defensive end. A lot of people get stuck on 5-11, the number that represents his height. I get stuck on 20, the number of sacks he had last season. And 11, the number of fumbles he caused.
Fifth round: Garrett Mills, Tulsa H-back. The problem with Mills is he doesn't fit a position. At 6-1, he's too short for a tight end. He's not powerful enough to be a lead-blocking fullback. He moves and catches like a wide receiver, except without the speed. Under a creative game planner, Mills can be a highly productive pro who causes matchup problems in the passing game by lining up all over the field.
Fifth round: Tarvaris Jackson, Alabama State quarterback. His raw skills are intriguing. It probably would take two or three years, but he could develop into something special.
Sixth round: Reed Doughty, Northern Colorado safety. They say he can't run, but he does everything else well. And he makes up for his lack of speed by knowing where to be and playing with passion.
Sixth round: Marques Colston, Hofstra wide receiver. He's going to drop some balls, but he's also going to make a few catches hardly anyone else could make. And there's room for improvement in his game.
Seventh round: Steve Fifita, Utah defensive tackle. I like the way he steps up in big games. He's a poor man's Kyle Williams.
By Dan Pompei - SportingNews
Part of Jimmy Johnson's draft tradition was to take in all the information from his scouts, then identify 10 to 15 players he wanted on his team. Each might not have fit the mold of what a player at his position was supposed to look like, but every one was a playmaker. Johnson did what he could to get them.
In my annual ode to Jimmy, I pick a dozen playmakers I would try to get on my team this weekend.
Early first round: A.J. Hawk, Ohio State linebacker. I'm not saying I would take him ahead of Reggie Bush, who has the most potential for greatness of any player in the draft. But Hawk is the safest pick. And he has considerable potential for greatness. If he stays healthy, he will give life to a defense, a team and an organization before he is through.
First to second round: Abdul Hodge, Iowa linebacker. He will lead a team in tackles for the next 10 years.
Second round: Charlie Whitehurst, Clemson quarterback. Physically, he doesn't lack anything, and there were reasons why he was an inconsistent performer in college. As a senior, he played with an injured shoulder. And he played under three offensive coordinators during his college career. With some health and stability, Whitehurst will excel in the NFL.
Second to third round: Jeremy Trueblood, Boston College offensive tackle. He's no ballerina, but if you're looking for a gritty blocker who will set the tone for your line with his effort and his toughness, Trueblood is your man.
Third round: Brian Calhoun, Wisconsin running back. The people who say he's too small never have tried to tackle him.
Third round: Kyle Williams, LSU defensive tackle. What he lacks in size and speed, he makes up for in feel for the game and hustle. He might not make a Pro Bowl, but I'll take 11 guys like him and whip your behind every Sunday.
Fourth round: Elvis Dumervil, Louisville defensive end. A lot of people get stuck on 5-11, the number that represents his height. I get stuck on 20, the number of sacks he had last season. And 11, the number of fumbles he caused.
Fifth round: Garrett Mills, Tulsa H-back. The problem with Mills is he doesn't fit a position. At 6-1, he's too short for a tight end. He's not powerful enough to be a lead-blocking fullback. He moves and catches like a wide receiver, except without the speed. Under a creative game planner, Mills can be a highly productive pro who causes matchup problems in the passing game by lining up all over the field.
Fifth round: Tarvaris Jackson, Alabama State quarterback. His raw skills are intriguing. It probably would take two or three years, but he could develop into something special.
Sixth round: Reed Doughty, Northern Colorado safety. They say he can't run, but he does everything else well. And he makes up for his lack of speed by knowing where to be and playing with passion.
Sixth round: Marques Colston, Hofstra wide receiver. He's going to drop some balls, but he's also going to make a few catches hardly anyone else could make. And there's room for improvement in his game.
Seventh round: Steve Fifita, Utah defensive tackle. I like the way he steps up in big games. He's a poor man's Kyle Williams.
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