Archives for April 20, 2002

‘One of the most decorated players in school history…Has virtually re-written the LSU and SEC record books for receiving…’.’

‘Josh Reed of Louisiana State won the Biletnikoff Award as the best college receiver in the nation, but four other players at his position went before him in Saturday’s NFL draft.’

‘Reed, LSU’s All-America and record-setting receiver last season, has been projected as the third-best receiver in the draft, according to NFL analyst Joel Buchsbaum…Reed’s wait Saturday isn’t expected to be long either. Reed is projected to be called late in the first or early in the second round.’

Curtis Alexander (# 22): “I try to always play hard and give everything.”

He had three TDs vs the Dragons. Galaxy are tied with Admirals with 2-0 lead in NFL Europe.

What we liked is that we felt going into the off-season our biggest priority was the offensive line. We have to get better there and we have to upgrade, we feel we’ve made a couple of moves in free agency to add to the mix and with our first round pick we’ve really improved the competition and the quality of our offensive line. We like Mike’s attitude, toughness, tenacity and he was a defensive lineman so he plays offensive lineman like a defensive guy.

I had no idea what to expect. I just said look, if they draft me I’m going to be happy, if they don’t I’m going to be happy. Then I get down here to NY and everyone is like you are going to Buffalo, you are going to Buffalo. I just said well if that’s true then I’m going to be so happy! If not, then I’m going to be kind of disappointed. I had set a goal that I wanted to be the first offensive tackle taken and I wanted to go as high as I can and be the best that I can.

@ Quinn is being considered for backup for Colts; he has not been contacted recently by the team, at least a week.

‘Williams can play both right and left tackle, and is expected to compete for the starting job to replace veteran John Fina. Such a move would allow the Bills to move newly-acquired free agent lineman Trey Teague to center.’

@ I think I still think Bryant McKinnie will be a better NFL player than Mike Williams, though the Bills got themselves a heck of a player.

I think the reason there haven’t been trades in the top five is simple: The teams got married to the players they wanted.

Take the Bills. Tom Donahoe said on ESPN that he never got a call during his time on the clock at No.4 and that’s because everyone in the league knew he was sold on Mike Williams and because he couldn’t work out the impossible deal with the Raiders that surfaced late in the week. Same with San Diego and Quentin Jammer.

@ The Cowboys also were said to be entertaining a flop with No. 4 Buffalo if the No. 3 Lions select Joey Harrington. Concerned that the Chargers at No. 5 might take Jammer ahead of them, Dallas would take Jammer at No. 4, and Buffalo would go with North Carolina DT Ryan Sims in the sixth spot.

‘Williams just turned 21 in November, but has plenty of experience playing in big games for the Longhorns. He has been compared favorably to former teammate Leonard Davis of the Arizona Cardinals, the second overall pick in the 2001 draft.’

@ ESPN compares three mock drafts posted on their site; Kiper got it wrong regarding Buffalo.

PFW (4/20), Mike Williams

Kiper (4/19), Ryan Sims

ESPN.com (4/17), Mike Williams

I had Williams rated ahead of Bryant McKinnie after the knee injury wasn’t viewed as a concern. He could step in at either right or left tackle. At Texas, he protected the blind side of Chris Sims at right tackle, but he has prior experience at left tackle. He is a great pass blocker and is exceptional at sustaining blocks as a run blocker. He is nimble at 375 pounds, often getting downfield to help spring running backs for large gains. He has enough polish to step in and be an immediate starter and anchor on the Bills’ offensive line.

The Buffalo Bills kept the fourth pick overall in Saturday’s NFL Draft and selected offensive tackle Mike Williams from Texas.

"We didn’t receive a phone call while we were on the clock," Donahoe said. "It wouldn’t have mattered anyway because we were unanimous in the choice of this young man."

Donahoe believes Williams is an outstanding prospect and talked about upgrading the team’s offensive line problems this offseason

@ "Conventional wisdom is that the top pick should be an offensive tackle. It won?t happen." Looks like Larry is not as connected as he used to be.