Gunzlingr
04-23-2003, 08:04 AM
April 22, 2003 Print it
Carl Moritz
Sporting News
One of the realities in the NFL is this: There aren't enough 300-pound run-stopping, pocket-penetrating defensive tackles to go around. Another reality: If you don't have Warren Sapp or a Sapp-simile, you won't win a championship.
With those realities in place, we present the Sporting News' virtual draft, where TSN correspondents play general manager for the team they cover, handling all the first-round picks. In the first half of our draft, eight defensive linemen -- including six tackles who weigh more than 300 pounds and have unusual athletic ability -- were selected. This wasn't just a run on D-linemen; this was a mad dash to snap up elite tackles as if they were the newest PlayStation 2 game. The 10th, 11th, 13th, 14th and 15th picks all were interior difference-makers.
"What about all my friggin' D-linemen?" e-mailed Giants correspondent Neil Best as he waited to make the 25th pick. "Stop taking them all!"
Similar frustrations may resonate in NFL draft rooms on Saturday. Yes, teams can try to trade up for one of the elite tackles -- the Giants and Saints are good bets to try -- but at the end of the day, there will be one more reality: As deep as the defensive tackle pool is, it's not deep enough. So, anchors aweigh.
more (http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/articles/20030422/470021.html)
Carl Moritz
Sporting News
One of the realities in the NFL is this: There aren't enough 300-pound run-stopping, pocket-penetrating defensive tackles to go around. Another reality: If you don't have Warren Sapp or a Sapp-simile, you won't win a championship.
With those realities in place, we present the Sporting News' virtual draft, where TSN correspondents play general manager for the team they cover, handling all the first-round picks. In the first half of our draft, eight defensive linemen -- including six tackles who weigh more than 300 pounds and have unusual athletic ability -- were selected. This wasn't just a run on D-linemen; this was a mad dash to snap up elite tackles as if they were the newest PlayStation 2 game. The 10th, 11th, 13th, 14th and 15th picks all were interior difference-makers.
"What about all my friggin' D-linemen?" e-mailed Giants correspondent Neil Best as he waited to make the 25th pick. "Stop taking them all!"
Similar frustrations may resonate in NFL draft rooms on Saturday. Yes, teams can try to trade up for one of the elite tackles -- the Giants and Saints are good bets to try -- but at the end of the day, there will be one more reality: As deep as the defensive tackle pool is, it's not deep enough. So, anchors aweigh.
more (http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/articles/20030422/470021.html)