How Bad Was Steve's Draft

(and other Observations)

 

by Rick Reitz

 August 27, 2000

 

The conventional wisdom from Friday night's draft was this: Steve Seeber had a bad strategy when he drafted three tight ends and the end of round seven. This, when guys like Tom waited until round 13 to scoop up some no-name TE.

 

How much of that Coors Extra Gold was in his system? some of you probably thought. Tight end is often considered a nothing position; its the one place where you can get a goose egg and not feel like it's holding you back.

 

You can question his strategy all you want, but the final question is: Did last year's league overall champion have a bad draft as a result? I think if you look closely at his team, you will realize that he has put together a team that could contend. Steve has the two best wide receivers in the game this year (shut up Marvin Harrison fans, Marcus Robinson will out perform him, injuries notwithstanding), a solid runner in Corey Dillon, and we all know what a healthy Vinny Testaverde can do. He has a capable defense in the Chiefs, and if John Hall is a kicking dud, there are plenty to choose from in free agency.

 

His weaknesses are clear: No solid second running back, and question marks (with upside) on his bench. RBs like Mike Cloud and Robert Chauncey can't make you comfortable.

 

Then at tight end, he's got three of the five best, and the biggest problem he might face is deciding which one gets to play. If he can trade one or two of them to the guys banking on Kyle Brady or David LeFleur, then he will have achieved his goal. If not, then he will be holding back points that his competitors could be earning. He wins there, too (as do I, with Tony Gonzalez on my squad.)

 

My final analysis: I will never count Steve out. His team is better than what he was given credit for on Friday night, plus, he will do what it takes to make his team competitive. Will he repeat as champion? With this squad, it's a longshot, but definitely possible.

 

Other Observations...

 

Mike Ruth was handed the Golden Goose when he added Edgerrin James to his keeper Kurt Warner (a rare combo for any team this year), thanks to the first pick in the draft. Did he give them a good supporting cast, or did he slaughter that goose? I can't argue with Rocket Ismael and Cris Carter as his WRs, and with the release of Raymont Harris, Kevin Faulk will carry the ball for the Patriots. (And, Dennis Miller likes Faulk.) Aside from a 10th round pick of burger-flipper Leroy Hoard, Mike has a decent bench as well, so look for him at the top of the standings this year.

 

Kevin Tuel put together a decent team with the second pick, despite not showing up. James Stewart in the second round is a bit of a risk, but better than most guys' #2 RB. Plus, he's got Ricky Watters as his #3. Not bad. The potential is there for a solid season.

 

Troy Sheaffer's selection of Peyton Manning assured him of a solid scorer at the helm, and if Ricky Williams performs the way he's supposed to, he will overshadow the curious selection of hot-and-cold running back Tyrone Wheatley as a keeper. His WRs have question marks, but have the talent to produce. His bench is a mixed bag, but picking Warrick Dunn in the 10th round was a great move. Look for Steve to hit upon Troy on a Freddie Jones for Warrick Dunn trade early on. It shouldn't take long before Troy tires of Kyle Brady's great blocking/no scoring ways.

 

Butch Goshert was the first rookie owner to pick. His early picks of Steve McNair and Keyshon Johnson were fine, but he may have missed out on some higher grade players by selecting them when he did. With one of the top defenses (Redskins), he may score enough points to contend. Two things lead me to think otherwise: Tim Biakabatuka and Richard Huntley at RB, and the selection of David Akers in the seventh round. Such an early selection of an Eagles kicker will be a water cooler subject for quite some time.

 

Eric Kilhefner, last year's Super Bowl champion, might need to have a medic unit nearby. Brett Farve, Terrell Davis and Muhsin Muhammed are all injury risks, and Curtis Enis has yet to play up to the level we all know that he can. If his starters sputter, his bench does not hold much promise. By the time he needs to play Errict Rhett, the Browns will probably be playing Travis Prentice as their starting RB. Look for Eric to make a lot of free agent transaction, or watch him wallow in the cellar.

 

Todd Ruth is happy with his team, and he has probably created a team that will keep him from a repeat in the cellar this year. Todd waited until the ninth round to pick up a quarterback this year, and came away with a good one in Jeff Blake. His RB situation is the best in the league, with Ron Dayne and Charlie Garner on his bench - those guys would be starting nearly anywhere else. Look for Todd to get a bunch of phone calls for them. He just might not have to entertain any offers, barring injuries, because his team looks solid up and down. Todd has a contender on his hands.

 

Eric Stark, another rookie, took Dorsey Levens in the first round. He took Mike Alstott in the second round. Both are fine players, and both were taken too soon. His team has a few question marks (Bubba Franks and Sebastian "Love Drug" Janikowski), but far be it for me to say that he has a bad team. He just might surprise a few people. Middle-of-the-pack potential.

 

Bruce Morgan has a solid WR tandem in Westbrook and Harrison, and a solid producer in Emmitt Smith. Brunell could return to form, but the Jaguars have a lot of question marks on their offensive line that would worry me. Jamal Lewis is unproven but may surprise, though fourth round may have been a bit early. His bench looks like the NFL version of SNL's Not Ready for Prime Time Players. Bruce will struggle this year.

 

Tom Tran loves his football. Far be it from me to criticize anything he does, for it would probably expose my ignorance. So grabbing Chad Lewis in the 13th round as his tight end must be a stroke of genius that I don't quite understand. He made me mad by snatching Robert Smith and the Lions Defense right before I was going to take them, so until they get hurt, I will hold a grudge and say that Tom finishes in last place. He'll probably do what he has to to keep that from happening, but I'm still saying it.

 

With the last pick, Mark Haines took his full allotment of time to take risks like Jamal Anderson and Steve Beurlein early on. Kerry Collins will be his starting quarterback before too long (or fantastic trade bait), and if Jamal and Jerome are running solid, Mark may be the highest placing of the three new guys.

 

And finally, me. I like my pick of Duce Staley at number one, and ticked off most of you with Tony Gonzalez at number two. Anyone who thought he was going to fall further than he did failed to do their homework. The rest of my team consists of guys who have upside, though may not necessarily have proven themselves completely yet. At the close of the season, picking Amani Toomer and Torry Holt will look like a master stroke, or a royal dud. Solid and deep at QB, suspect at RB (aside from Staley), good potential at WR, and the best TE in the league. I took my kicker and Defense with my last two picks, and look forward to seeing them outperform players picked well before them in the draft.

 

Projected order of finish:

 

1. Mike Ruth

 

2. Todd Ruth

 

3. Rick Reitz

 

4. Steve Seeber

 

5. Mark Haines

 

6. Kevin Tuel

 

7. Tom Tran

 

8. Eric Kilhefner

 

9. Troy Sheaffer

 

10. Bruce Morgan

 

11. Eric Stark

 

12. Butch Goshert

 

Now, I sure would like to hear what you think!

 

 

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