Cyber Max

Past NFL Draft Picks - Hit or Miss


As much as the Mel Kipers of the world try to convince us otherwise, the NFL Draft is a highly inexact science. Need proof? Just look at some of the prominent Draft Day hit and misses from the last decade. And these aren’t obscure fourth rounders; each player listed below was selected in the first 10 picks of the first round.

1995 Draft

Hit: 3. Houston Oilers - Steve McNair, QB, Alcorn State
“Air” McNair has been the foundation of the Oilers/Titans franchise and was named co-MVP in 2003. He also led the Titans to Super Bowl XXXIV, commanding one of the greatest last-second drives in Super Bowl history - only to come up one yard short against the Rams.
Miss: 1.Cincinnati Bengals - Ki-Jana Carter, RB, Penn State
Missed entire rookie year after suffering a knee injury in preseason. Rushed for only 1,144 yards and 20 touchdowns over 57 games with the Bengals, Redskins and Saints.

1996 Draft
Hit: 4. Baltimore Ravens - Jonathan Ogden, LT, UCLA
Under the direction of Ozzie Newsome, the Ravens drafted the team’s two cornerstones in 1996, taking Ogden at No. 4 and then Miami linebacker Ray Lewis at No. 26 overall.
Miss: 6. St. Louis Rams - Lawrence Phillips, RB, Nebraska
In 35 games with the Rams, Dolphins and 49ers, Phillips rushed for 1,453 yards, on 3.4 yards per carry, and 14 touchdowns. Out of the NFL since 1999, Phillips has had successful stints in the CFL and NFL Europe.

1997 Draft
Hit: 1. St. Louis Rams - Orlando Pace, LT, Ohio State
Won Super Bowl XXXIV and was an integral part of three MVP awards (Kurt Warner in ‘99 and ‘01, Marshall Faulk in ‘00).
Miss: 9. Arizona Cardinals - Tommy Knight, CB, Iowa
In 73 games, Knight accumulated only three interceptions and 2.5 sacks with the Cardinals, Ravens and Rams.

1998 Draft
Hit: 1.Indianaplois Colts - Peyton Manning, QB, Tennessee
Named MVP in 2004 and co-MVP in 2003, Manning now owns the single-season NFL records for touchdown passes (49) and passer rating (121.1) after a brilliant 2004 season.
Miss: 2.San Diego Chargers - Ryan Leaf, QB, Washington State
Leaf played in 25 games with the Chargers, Cowboys and Seahawks, finishing his career with 3,666 passing yards, 48.8 completion percentage, 14 touchdowns, 36 interceptions and a 50.0 passer rating.

1999 Draft
Hit: 2. Philadelphia Eagle - Donovan McNabb, QB, Syracuse
Was booed on draft day by Philly fans who wanted the Eagles to draft Texas running back Ricky Williams. Has since led the Eagles to four consecutive NFC Championship Games and Super Bowl XXXIX last year.
Miss: 3. Cincinnati Bengals - Akili Smith, QB, Oregon
Drafted ahead of UFC quarterback Daunte Culpepper (No.11). In 22 games, Smith passed for 2,212 yards, five touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He will get another shot in the NFL after signing with Tampa Bay in
February. He spent time this spring playing in NFL Europe.

2000 Draft
Hit: 5. Baltimore Ravens - Jamel Lewis, RB, Tennessee

In 2003, Lewis joined O.J. Simpson, Eric Dickerson, Barry Sanders and Terrell Davis as only the fifth running back in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in a single season.
Miss: 1. Cleveland Browns - Courtney Brown, DE, Penn State
After drafting Kentucky quarterback Tim Couch with the No.1 overall pick in ‘99, the Browns drafted Brown No.1 overall in ‘00. Did not
live up to his surname )Paul, Jim, ect.) in Cleveland, recording 17 sacks in 47 games over 5 seasons. Is now a member of the Denver Broncos.

2001 Draft
Hit: 5. San Diego Chargers - LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, TCU
The Chargers passed up a chance to draft Viginia
Tech quarterback Michael Vick, trading with Atlanta to acquire Tomlinson, quarterback Drew Brees and kick returner Tim Dwight. In only 4 seasons, L.T. has 5,899 rushing yards, 2,022 receiving yards and 60 total touchdowns.
Miss: 3. Cleveland Browns - Gerard Warren, DT, Florida
Though Warren produced 16.5 sacks in 60 games over four seasons, he was not worth the price tag (or the No.3 overall pick) and followed the rest of the Browns defensive front to Denver this offseason.

2002 Draft
Hit: 2. Carolina Panthers - Julius Peppers, DE, North Carolina
In only 44 games over 3 seasons, Peppers has 30 sacks, 12 forced fumbles, three interceptions and two defensive touchdowns. He also helped lead the Panthers to Super Bowl XXXVIII.
Miss: 6. Kansas City Chiefs - Ryan Sims, DT, North Carolina
Peppers college teammate was the first defensive tackle selected - ahead of Tennessee’s duo of John Henderson (No.9) and Albert Haynesworth (No.15). Has record 5 sacks in 37 games.

2003 Draft
Hit: 10. Baltimore Ravens - Terrell Suggs, LB, Arizona State
A classic case of over-analyzing measurables rather than game tape. Suggs was labeled a ‘tweener and fell to the Ravens, where he has 22.5 sacks and 7 forced fumbles in 32 games over two seasons.
Miss: 6. New Orleans Saints - Johnathan Sullivan, DT, Georgia
In 21 games over two seasons, Sullivan has only 1.5 sacks and one forced fumble for the inconsistent Saints.

2004 Draft
Hit: 10. Houston Texans - Dunta Robinson, CB, South Carolina
A tremendous playmaker, Robinson recorded six interceptions for 146 yard (24.3 yards per return) and three sacks in his rookie season.
Miss: 6. Cleveland Browns - Kellen Winslow II, TE, Miami
Played in two games as a rookie before breaking his leg. Was involved in a motorcycle accident the May, putting his 2005 season - and possibly his career - in jeopardy.

Author of Article

Eric Schumann
Age: 25
Date of Article: September 08, 2005

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The sport of Kings - well Princes and Kings-in-waiting. The public image of polo gives you the impression that it’s for ‘other’ people, the people you read about in glossy publications, that upper-circle, that higher etalon, the one that is all about class. The public image does not reflect the facts - although the image is used by the sport to ensure sponsorship of the big events. The USA has led the charge towards polo for people - opening it’s arms to anyone with the passion - and it is a passion bordering on obsession - that afflicts those who slip into it’s gravitational pull. In the US there are clubs dotted all around the country, ranging from country club to just plain country! There is even a special variety of polo that only requires a single pony in order to participate, reducing the initial financial outlay. Unfortunately, the UK still suffers outwardly from the old perceptions. If you go to the world-famous Cartier Match at Guards Polo club, you would be forgiven for thinking that the old guard, old money and celebrity still rule the roost. The truth is, a lot of the grass roots polo players forego the Cartier in favour of the Queens Cup or the Gold Cup at Cowdray, as the polo played at these other tournaments tends to be for the polo purist. The Cartier is good for meeting old friends, but the polo can feel a little like a display match put on for people more interested in seeing and being seen - assuming they actually venture outside of the corporate hospitality tent.

If you are interested in playing polo in the UK, let me just give you a word of warning - they do say that you only get out of polo broke or in a box - from my experience, being broke rarely stops anybody, though a persistent spouse has been known to break the spell. If you want to learn polo, may I suggest Kirtlington Park Polo club, one of the biggest in the UK. Set in classically beautiful English countryside and run by an Australian, Will Keen. Located in Oxfordshire, this is a probably one of the friendliest polo club in the UK, so don’t hover around the edges feeling embarrassed, march right into the bar and chat with someone, tell them you are interested in playing or just watching, they’re quite human really! The club is aimed at the starter to middle ability polo players - which covers all but the most talented players. There are lots of low goal (beginner) tournaments and the club encourages senior members to share their experience with the newbie’s. Polo is unique in that a beginner has the potential to play in a team with a world-class player. The community is relatively small. The top players travel around the world, following the summer and are available to play in teams made up for a single weekend or weeklong tournament, at a price of course! This is the equivalent to a Sunday league soccer player, running out with David Beckham. Another interesting thing about polo, aside from the high goal, teams are not static; players can find themselves playing for one team, one week and the opposition the next. The team of four is commonly made up of an amateur patron, a professional and another two amateur players usually friends or a fellow club members. A patron is generally the person who pays the tournament entry fee and picks up the professional’s fees. Not all tournaments require the involvement of a paid professional, some UK clubs like Kirtlington, run tournaments to encourage all levels of competition, with minimal financial outlay. The club encourages local businesses, like Kirtlington’s web site sponsor, Life Pro Life Insurance to sponsor tournaments or fun events for the mutual benefit of club, business and of course, local charities.

So you have decided you wish to give polo a try. Start by contacting one of the many polo schools attached to the club of choice. Feel free to try a couple of different schools, it’s important you like your teacher, have a confidence-giving pony and get good value for money. Be wary of those schools that appear unwilling to disclose prices! Many are surprised to learn that an existing ability to ride is not necessary, in fact it has often been said that knowing how to ride can be a handicap. Whilst this is not strictly true, experienced non-polo riders can find the change in riding style quite challenging. In those early days, a standard riding hat and rubber boots will suffice - don’t be tempted to rush out and buy all the specialised polo equipment until your first chukkas are looming. Pupils can progress quickly to Instructional Chukkas within a very few lessons. When you engage in your first “live” chukkas, I would suggest you advise the other players at the throw in/line up of your limited experience. This should ensure that the other players cut you some slack. To impress your fellow players, be courteous, avoid any kind of dangerous play and don’t chase the ball!

At Kirtlington, as with many of the country polo clubs in the UK, you are likely to run into players from all walks of life; maybe a landed gent, a nurse, a pilot, an OAP, a farmer, a student, a life insurance broker, a computer geek, a famous musician (for some reason drummers excel at the sport), a cosmetic surgeon, a journalist well you get the picture, it’s a real melting pot - the thread that runs through them all though, is the love of polo - that’s the real entry qualification. To quote a sentiment I once heard expressed by one of the senior members. “..if they turn up in a fur coat and a Porsche, we try to discourage them..”

General Polo Information & UK polo club listing http://www.uk-polo.co.uk/

Kirtlington Park Polo Club http://www.kirtlingtonparkpolo.co.uk

Club Web Site Sponsors: http://www.lifepro.co.uk/lifeinsuranceuk.php

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Cavaliers @ Jazz: It’s always good to see a sellout at the Delta Center; it’s a nice nostalgic feeling. They have been playing well on the road but there would be more fans in attendance if the Jazz would just win their home games. With Gooden and Kirilenko playing it should be a fairly low-scoring game with the Jazz winning a close one. Cavaliers were notorious for being poor on the road against an interconference foe but they should be competitive in today’s game.

Predicted Score: Utah wins in a very tight game 90-88

Bulls @ Pacers: Two central division teams that last saw each other just a week ago. There’s a rumor that Gordon could be traded for Paul Pierce. I doubt Danny Ainge is that crazy, although he has been persistent about letting Paul Pierce go. Frankly getting him is the only way they are winning this game.

Predicted Score: Indiana wins on a late surge 97-93

Bobcats @ Bucks: After an overtime game between these two not long ago, the Bucks should be ready to handle this team. If Brevin Knight isn’t playing for Charlotte they have no chance. Andrew Bogut hasn’t really dominated any games lately. Maybe whoever’s starting at Center for Charlotte won’t hold Bogut back from a big game.

Predicted Score: Milwaukee wins in absolute dominating fashion 99-81

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