NFL DRAFT 2007

There has been something of a buzz around the NFL the past day or so with rumors that Tampa Bay desperately wants to move up in this next weekend’s draft in order to acquire star Georgia Tech WR Calvin Johnson. Indeed, the Bucs are so enamored with the 6-4, 240-pound Johnson, who also runs a 4.35 40, that reportedly willing to part with all four of their first day picks at the 2007 draft. The Buccaneers currently have the 4th pick overall, along with a second rounder – the 35th pick – and two third rounders, the 64th and 68th picks. There is no question that Tampa Bay head coach Jon Gruden likes Johnson. There is also no question that Bucs’ G.M. Bruce Allen was in contact with Oakland owner Al Davis a week or so ago, although little has been revealed about what was said between the two. Tampa Bay also sent a full contingent, including QB Chris Simms to a private meeting with Johnson in Atlanta last week in Atlanta. At the same time, the cynical observer has to ask if all of this makes a whole lot of sense. While Johnson is a tremendous prospect, in fact, there are NFL scouts who describe him as the best pure physical talent to come out in the past decade, there are still no guarantees come draft day, especially at a position like WR. As well, given that it is widely assumed that Oakland likely is more likely to take LSU Jamarcus Russell with the #1 pick overall, then it would be a lot cheaper for the Buccaneers to trade up with Detroit which has the second pick overall, but is known to want to deal out of that spot. At the same time, while Gruden and the Bucs want to win right away and Johnson might help in that regard, Tampa Bay is a team with a ton of holes; indeed, the Buccaneers may have more immediate roster problems than any team in the league. It also should be noted that while the package of picks the Buccaneers have reportedly offered the Raiders sounds like a lot, according to the commonly accepted NFL trade value chart, the 4 Buccaneers picks still don’t equal the value of the #1 pick overall; in fact, in order to make a move up to the #1 spot, the Buccaneers would ultimately likely have to give up their 2008 first rounder. There is also some irony in the fact that the Buccaneers are in their current predicament, at least in part because they gave up so many draft picks as compensation for the signing of Gruden away from the Raiders, not that all this picks have done much for Oakland. It is also possible, if there is any truth to the above scenario, that before the Raiders move out of the #1 spot, in effect passing on the chance to grab LSU’s Russell, they would need to have acquired a veteran QB. And that has folks speculating that Oakland may be poised to pounce on Miami QB Daunte Culpepper if, as expected, he is released by the Dolphins. Stay tuned.
Chiefs, Dolphins moving closer on Green deal, or not… Speaking of the Dolphins’ QB situation, there are conflicting reports coming out of Miami and Kansas City regarding talks between the two teams over a poteantial trade for Chiefs’ QB Trent Green. Earlier reports indicated there hasn’t been much progress between the teams with Kansas City holding out for a second round pick while the Dolphins aren’t willing to offer more than a 7th rounder for the 37-year-old Green. However, there does seem to have been some movement behind the scenes. According to one report, for example, the Chiefs would be willing to accept a fifth-round pick, although the Dolphins traded their 5th rounder to Detroit last year for QB Joey Harrington. Meanwhile, the Dolphins have reportedly been offering several combination of late round picks, which may include a pick in 2008.

Former Seattle DE Grant Wistrom, who was released by the Seahawks earlier this off-season, has apparently followed through on his intention to retire. Despite interest from several NFL teams, including St. Louis where he played originally, the 30-year-old Wistrom has become an assistant coach at a Springfield, Missouri high school where his older brother is principal. Wistrom, left the possibility of returning to the pro game just slightly ajar when he said he is "99.9% sure" he won't be playing an 11th season in the pros.