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ESPN/Mann Chat Wrap 05/01
Mike (Lexington, KY): With our impossibly short attention span, how long before we forget about character and go back to hiring "bad guys, malcontents or (my favorite) red flag" guys because they can help our team?
Court E. Mann: Mike, the Patriots did bring in Randy Moss and Brandon Meriweather this weekend, so it's not as if "red flag" guys were shunned completely. As its always been, some teams are better prepared to handle them, and some teams are more willing to take on that risk. It will always be a mixed bag.
Buck Russell(OshKosh,WI): So disappointed that the pack did not address their needs for a running back in the draft. Do you think that they could go after Ricky Williams?
Court E. Mann: Well, Buck, they did draft Brandon Jackson in the second round, and despite his lack of production at Nebraska, his running style does fit their zone scheme very well. Still, I do agree that their RB corps is among the least compelling in the NFL. Perhaps they'll give free agents Chris Brown or Corey Dillon another look.
AP (Boynton Beach,FL): Court does the addition of Randy Moss now put the Pats ahead of everyone else in the AFC?
Court E. Mann: Frankly, I had the Pats slightly ahead of everyone else in the AFC even before they treaded for Moss. But yes, they certainly are the front-runners at this point.
JT (Miami): Big Dolphins fan here....tell me one thing, is this guy Beck better than Quinn? The coaches here think so
Court E. Mann: Sorry, JT, but I don't buy it. We project Beck to be an NFL backup at best, while Quinn has all the intangible you look for in a franchise QB. Is he as sexy as JaMarcus Russell? No, but I think the Fins missed the boat entirely when they took Ginn over Quinn.
Alex (Miami, Fl): Who is the odd man out in New England and are the dolphins going to just run (sorry!) with Daunte?
Court E. Mann: Two good questions, Alex. In New England, I expect Reche Caldwell and Jabar Gaffney to fall off the depth chart. Kelley Washington would be at risk as well, but he did sign a fairly heft contract this spring.
Court E. Mann: As for the Dolphins, Daunte may top the depth chart for now, but the Trent Green deal is still a possibility. I'd expect something to happen at the spot before the season starts.
Brad (NM): Court, how would you grade Buffalo's draft? I know everybody's asking if he fits, but I truly believe Keyshawn would be great next to Lee Evans. Thoughts?
Court E. Mann: I think the Bills did well with Posluszny and Edwards, given their value, but I didn't love the Lynch selection. I think they would have been better served taking one of the top CBs and coming back with a middle-round runner. As for Key in Buffalo, it's a solid fit. They do need a target to complement Evans, although we all know how Marv values character, so we'll see if he has interest.
Andy (Ann Arbor, MI): Should Ted Ginn sign over half his pay-check to Devon Hester? He is the ONLY reason that Ginn went so high.
Court E. Mann: Good point, Andy. To me, when a coach defends his ninth overall pick by praising his return ability before his receiving skills, I see trouble brewing.
Willie (Portland, OR): So now that the draft is done, do you have Super Bowl favorites yet?
Court E. Mann: I've got the Pats representing the AFC, followed closely behind by the Chargers and Colts. In the NFC, my surprise nomination goes to Philly, followed closely by Chicago.
Ryan (Madison,WI): What exactly is it about John Beck that makes you think he'll be an NFL backup at best? And what makes you think you know better than Cam Cameron? And who is "we"?
Court E. Mann: Ryan, our collective scouting report at PFW suggests that Beck lacks the size, arm strength and athleticism to be a starter in the NFL. Cam Cameron certainly is better at developing QBs and scheming a game plan, but that doesn't necessarily make him right in this case.
Jason Pittsburgh PA: I don't think the Dolphins draft was half bad. The scouts have it rated as the third worst draft in the NFL. Why is that?
Court E. Mann: This is largely because of their shocking choices at the top of the draft. The rest of their draft doesn't provide a lot of excitement either.
~The Answer
Court E. Mann: Mike, the Patriots did bring in Randy Moss and Brandon Meriweather this weekend, so it's not as if "red flag" guys were shunned completely. As its always been, some teams are better prepared to handle them, and some teams are more willing to take on that risk. It will always be a mixed bag. Buck Russell(OshKosh,WI): So disappointed that the pack did not address their needs for a running back in the draft. Do you think that they could go after Ricky Williams?
Court E. Mann: Well, Buck, they did draft Brandon Jackson in the second round, and despite his lack of production at Nebraska, his running style does fit their zone scheme very well. Still, I do agree that their RB corps is among the least compelling in the NFL. Perhaps they'll give free agents Chris Brown or Corey Dillon another look. AP (Boynton Beach,FL): Court does the addition of Randy Moss now put the Pats ahead of everyone else in the AFC?
Court E. Mann: Frankly, I had the Pats slightly ahead of everyone else in the AFC even before they treaded for Moss. But yes, they certainly are the front-runners at this point. JT (Miami): Big Dolphins fan here....tell me one thing, is this guy Beck better than Quinn? The coaches here think so
Court E. Mann: Sorry, JT, but I don't buy it. We project Beck to be an NFL backup at best, while Quinn has all the intangible you look for in a franchise QB. Is he as sexy as JaMarcus Russell? No, but I think the Fins missed the boat entirely when they took Ginn over Quinn. Alex (Miami, Fl): Who is the odd man out in New England and are the dolphins going to just run (sorry!) with Daunte?
Court E. Mann: Two good questions, Alex. In New England, I expect Reche Caldwell and Jabar Gaffney to fall off the depth chart. Kelley Washington would be at risk as well, but he did sign a fairly heft contract this spring. Court E. Mann: As for the Dolphins, Daunte may top the depth chart for now, but the Trent Green deal is still a possibility. I'd expect something to happen at the spot before the season starts. Brad (NM): Court, how would you grade Buffalo's draft? I know everybody's asking if he fits, but I truly believe Keyshawn would be great next to Lee Evans. Thoughts?
Court E. Mann: I think the Bills did well with Posluszny and Edwards, given their value, but I didn't love the Lynch selection. I think they would have been better served taking one of the top CBs and coming back with a middle-round runner. As for Key in Buffalo, it's a solid fit. They do need a target to complement Evans, although we all know how Marv values character, so we'll see if he has interest. Andy (Ann Arbor, MI): Should Ted Ginn sign over half his pay-check to Devon Hester? He is the ONLY reason that Ginn went so high.
Court E. Mann: Good point, Andy. To me, when a coach defends his ninth overall pick by praising his return ability before his receiving skills, I see trouble brewing. Willie (Portland, OR): So now that the draft is done, do you have Super Bowl favorites yet?
Court E. Mann: I've got the Pats representing the AFC, followed closely behind by the Chargers and Colts. In the NFC, my surprise nomination goes to Philly, followed closely by Chicago. Ryan (Madison,WI): What exactly is it about John Beck that makes you think he'll be an NFL backup at best? And what makes you think you know better than Cam Cameron? And who is "we"?
Court E. Mann: Ryan, our collective scouting report at PFW suggests that Beck lacks the size, arm strength and athleticism to be a starter in the NFL. Cam Cameron certainly is better at developing QBs and scheming a game plan, but that doesn't necessarily make him right in this case. Jason Pittsburgh PA: I don't think the Dolphins draft was half bad. The scouts have it rated as the third worst draft in the NFL. Why is that?
Court E. Mann: This is largely because of their shocking choices at the top of the draft. The rest of their draft doesn't provide a lot of excitement either.~The Answer
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