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The Biggest Losers: The 2006 NFL Draft

By FHenkel, Section NFL
Posted on Mon May 01 2006 at 10:31 AM EST Printer Friendly Page
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by Frank M. Henkel

The only article funnier than a mock draft article is the one that grades a draft the day it takes place. A quick glance of Pete Prisco's draft grades show that the Texans failed miserably with the first overall pick, but somehow managed, along with six other teams, to get an "A" for the weekend. Mel Kiper, traditionally stingier with the high marks, failed to divvy out a single high mark to any of the 32 teams, but like Prisco, did not admonish any of them with "D's" or "F's", either.

So who is right? Which team had the best draft this weekend? Honestly, nobody will know that for at least five years. The reason so many "experts" grade the draft before the ink dries is because we love to read the grades.

Several things, though, are immediately evident. Certain players lost a lot of money on Saturday. A couple of general managers sent clear messages to their respective coaching staffs. A couple of teams were outfoxed. Although we will not know the true busts of this year's draft for the better part of a decade, the real losers are already well defined. Let us look at five of the biggest losers from the 2006 NFL Draft.

5. Jeremy Bloom, WR, Colorado - Picked 147th overall by the Philadelphia Eagles, Bloom was once a top receiving prospect for the Buffaloes. Unfortunately for Colorado fans, Bloom's second passion is skiing, which requires paid sponsorships to reach top levels. These sponsorships ultimately interfered with his amateur status, and therefore his football eligibility.

Had he continued the torrid pass catching pace he set as an underclassman (19.1 YPC), his agent would be about to negotiate a multi-million dollar deal. As it stands, he will probably make close to the minimum after signing a five-year deal.

4. The Baltimore Ravens - The Ravens traded their sixth round pick to Cleveland so they could move up one spot in the first round. Baltimore ended up selecting Haloti Ngata, a nose tackle from Oregon, with the pick. Why would they move up one spot? Ngata has a reputation of taking plays off, which undoubtedly does not sit well with work-minded head coach Romeo Crennel. The Browns' pre-draft signing of Pro Bowl nose tackle Ted Washington should have told the Ravens that the Browns were not going NT this early in the draft.

So why did the Ravens surrender the late-round pick to the Browns? The student outfoxed the master on this one. The Ravens fell in love with Ngata, and it cost them a sixth rounder. Only time will tell if Ngata makes it to the Hall of Fame, or if the traded pick, Babatunde Oshinowo, even makes it to opening day on Cleveland's roster. In any case, Ozzie Newsome is smarter than this, and looked foolish when the smoke cleared.

3. Marcus Vick - This guy fell from "better than his brother" to completely out of the draft in three short years. Make that three short months. After a couple of minor scrapes with the law following his freshman year that saw him kicked out of school, Marcus came back strong last year and led Virginia Tech to a Gator Bowl win. However, after maliciously trying to injure Louisville defensive end Elvis Dumervil in the Gator Bowl and more traffic violations, VT head coach Frank Beamer told Vick to pack his bags. Vick decided to go pro instead of playing in Division I-AA.

Nobody drafted him. In today's NFL world of win at all costs, and do it right away, that is a big statement. Had the Hokies not expelled Marcus, he would have been a first-day draft selection. Instead, he does not even have a team. Will he play at all? Quarterbacks, especially athletic ones with powerful arms of good size, go for a premium in pro ball, but problematic personalities are finding it harder and harder to catch on these days.

2. USC Football - It wasn't exactly a banner weekend for the national runners-up. Let us review: Reggie Bush somehow falls out of the top spot on draft day eve. Matt Leinert fell to number ten. Winston Justice, who yours truly picked to go in the top ten, slid to the second round. So did LenDale White! News of Reggie Bush's parents living rent-free in a million-dollar mansion preceded news that Leinert and teammate Dwayne Jarrett had a $4,000/month, (virtually) rent-free pad last season as well! With all of the scandals, talent loss, and team problems currently facing the Trojans, Pete Carroll might just decide to go back to the NFL, and USC will once again play UCLA in the annual "PAC-10 Fifth Place Bowl".

1. Matt Leinert - Speaking of Leinert, does anyone remember how everyone praised him for staying in school last year? If you were one of them, you owe him about $40 Million. That's what it cost him to play another year at USC. Had Leinert entered the 2005 draft, he presumably would have been the first overall selection, and would have received Alex Smith's contract.

Instead, he gets Mike Williams' deal, with a small bump. Comparing the contracts, Leinert lost about $20 Million in guaranteed money alone, making him King Loser this year. To top it off, he gets to play for the Chicago Cubs of the NFL, the Arizona Cardinals, who have not won an NFL title since George Halas and Curley Lambeau were coaches.

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The Biggest Losers: The 2006 NFL Draft | 4 comments (4 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)
Matt Leinart (#1)
by Editor on Mon May 01 2006 at 11:40 AM EST
I thought the Cardinals got an absolute steal with this pick.  And Matt ultimately ends up doing better overall because he'll develop into Carson Palmer II because he'll have Edge, Boldin, and Fitzgerald on this side.... whereas Vince Young has....?   Two things worry me though: 1) They are the Cardinals. 2) Matt seems like he's very interested in the money.  He said he was a disappointed not to go to NY because he could've made a lot in endorsement dollars.  Not something I want to hear from my new franchise QB.

I have to disagree (#2)
by ccontres on Tue May 02 2006 at 7:40 PM EST
I am a Steelers fan which means I hate the Ravens but they did great in this draft.  They picked Ngata because Ray Lewis was crying about getting hit with blockers.  What is this world coming to when middle linebackers are causing to be upset over getting hit by fullbacks.  Ray Lewis is happy which means the Ravens are happy.  Now Bloom being a 5th rd pick is not that much of a bad thing. Yes, he may of been a higher pick without the sking career but a 5th round pick is a solid pick for a man of his size who has not played football in a year.

Poll (#3)
by highonhendrix on Tue May 02 2006 at 9:29 PM EST
Just wanted to clarify that I voted for Marcus Vick in the poll as biggest loser because I took it literally: HE IS THE BIGGEST LOSER LISTED IN THE POLL.  Wow, what a loser!  I watched his interview on ESPN during the first day of the draft and confirmed for myself what many have concluded before me: he's a moron, too!  Did I mention he's a loser?

New CBA (#4)
by BIGPHILLY on Fri May 05 2006 at 4:03 PM EST
Makes anyone after round #1 only allowed to get a max 4 year deal.

Viva La Jeremy Bloom

The Biggest Losers: The 2006 NFL Draft | 4 comments (4 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)
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Poll

Who was the biggest loser of this year's draft?
Matt Leinert
The USC Trojans
Marcus Vick
The Baltimore Ravens
Jeremy Bloom
Someone Else

Votes: 19
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