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April 25, 2003 Print it
Here are 10 things to remember while taking in the 2003 NFL draft:
1. Byron Leftwich is just the right quarterback. Carson Palmer went ahead of him, and Kyle Boller will go soon after him, but unlike both, Leftwich was a consistently productive college quarterback for three years, not just one season.
The fact that Chad Pennington, whom Leftwich replaced at Marshall, has matured well for the Jets is a plus. That pedigree goes along with a 6-5 frame, a cannon arm, great leadership skills and toughness that can be only measured by watching film of Leftwich gutting out the second half of his senior season on a broken leg.
Although Palmer, Leftwich, and Boller won't go 1-2-3 overall like Tim Couch, Donovan McNabb and Akili Smith did in 1999, there is the similar question about who's the best prospect. Like '99, the man in the middle has the most rare talent.
2. Where Willis McGahee is taken. Nine teams paid close attention to his impressive workout Tuesday. Look for him to be drafted somewhere between the Patriots' second pick at No. 19 and the Redskins' first pick at No. 44.
That range is so wide because he is an impulse/luxury pick; a good-to-great team that jumps on selecting him will be hoping for the payoff in 2004.
more
Here are 10 things to remember while taking in the 2003 NFL draft:
1. Byron Leftwich is just the right quarterback. Carson Palmer went ahead of him, and Kyle Boller will go soon after him, but unlike both, Leftwich was a consistently productive college quarterback for three years, not just one season.
The fact that Chad Pennington, whom Leftwich replaced at Marshall, has matured well for the Jets is a plus. That pedigree goes along with a 6-5 frame, a cannon arm, great leadership skills and toughness that can be only measured by watching film of Leftwich gutting out the second half of his senior season on a broken leg.
Although Palmer, Leftwich, and Boller won't go 1-2-3 overall like Tim Couch, Donovan McNabb and Akili Smith did in 1999, there is the similar question about who's the best prospect. Like '99, the man in the middle has the most rare talent.
2. Where Willis McGahee is taken. Nine teams paid close attention to his impressive workout Tuesday. Look for him to be drafted somewhere between the Patriots' second pick at No. 19 and the Redskins' first pick at No. 44.
That range is so wide because he is an impulse/luxury pick; a good-to-great team that jumps on selecting him will be hoping for the payoff in 2004.
more
