Previously, on the soap opera that is Todd's Ultimate Fantasy Football, the league decided to add two new teams in New Orleans and Indianapolis, and between their getting the first two picks in the 2001 Rookie Draft and picking players off other teams beforehand, the expansion teams altered the course of the TUFF storyline forever. In the season finale, the Dallas Junglehawgs captured their first TUFF Bowl Championship, defeating the Seattle Slewage.

As the 16 teams prepared for the new season, it looked like the Junglehawgs would be a dynasty for years to come, as they had just traded up to get the #1 pick. Would Dallas rule TUFF? Also, there are rumors that the Jacksonville Jugglers franchise has new ownership. Who are they, and are they moving? Marquee players in the draft include RB William Green and QBs David Carr and Joey Harrington. What kind of impact will they make? Find out, three and a half seasons later, in the 2002 TUFF RetroWrapup!

1.01 Dallas Junglehawgs — RB William Green
Back then: After Day 1 of the 2002 NFL Draft, it became obvious that Green was by far the best player available. Green solidifies the Junglehawg backfield and provides insurance against Michael Pittman going crazy again. Today: "Michael Pittman going crazy again"?!? What the hell did I mean by that? Pittman's history of domestic troubles went WAY further back than his 2003 SUV-ramming incident. He had a previous incident in 2001. According to Tempe, Arizona Police, Pittman broke a glass door to enter his wife's apartment after he looked in a window and saw her with another man. As for Green, despite a slow start, he finished 2002 strong and looked to be the Browns' RB for the foreseeable future. But 2003 was a lost season for him (marijuana, plus some domestic problems of his own) and he lost the Browns' starting RB job to Lee Suggs in 2004. Dallas coughed up the 5th and 12th overall picks to Tampa Bay to get Green, who is now a 3rd-string back with the Browns. He presently sits on the bench for the San Diego Slewage. The picks they traded were used on T.J. Duckett and Clinton Portis—more on them later.
1.02 Cincinnati Skye-Lites — RB DeShaun Foster
Back then: If Foster overcomes his fumbleitis and adjusts his attitude, he could be a fixture at RB for years to come. Today: He probably did both, but nobody could foresee his injury problems. A knee injury, which involved microfracture surgery, in 2002, followed by a freak collarbone fracture in 2004. He continues to demonstrate an inability to stay healthy in 2005.
1.03 Green Bay Ground Hogs — QB David Carr
Back then: Here's where things start to get screwy. The champs from the inaugural season are well-stocked at QB, and could have used a little more depth in the backfield. They had the Falcons' other RB, Warrick Dunn. You think T.J. Duckett, right? Not so fast—the Ground Hogs throw a huge curve ball, by taking yet another QB. Today: When I said "well-stocked at QB," I meant that they had the Seahawks' and Bears' QBs. In retrospect, Carr was a good decision, if only because the Bears' QB situation has been anything but solid. Carr hasn't been the fantasy stud one would expect, but much of that is because the men that are supposed to serve as his offensive line are no better than tampons (only good for one period, no second string).
1.04 Minnesota Fats — QB Joey Harrington
Back then: This pick was originally held by the Jacksonville Jugglers, who have new owners (Andy Lothschutz—the brother of Indy co-owner Mark Lothschutz—and Tony Lindeman). They have moved the team to Pittsburgh and renamed them the Big Papas, and they are trading away draft picks like they're going out of fashion. They dealt this pick to Minnesota for RB Deuce McAllister. Minnesota used the pick on Harrington, and have the luxury of the QB depth needed to buy him time to mature into a bona fide NFL signal-caller. Rich Gannon isn't getting any younger, after all. Today: Deuce McAllister was the player Minnesota traded to get this pick. Ken, you need not feel so alone; you may regret trading McAllister for this pick, but the year before, I passed up McAllister for Kevan Barlow in the 2001 TUFF Draft (I blame Ricky Williams). (Minnesota was able to deal Gannon later on.) They also were able to trade Harrington while his trade value was relatively high. Harrington is looking more and more like another lemon off Jeff Tedford's assembly line, and while part of it can be blamed on inconsistent offensive line play, there's no excusing his inaccurate passing and inability to get his team into the end zone once they've reached the red zone.
1.05 Tampa Bay Meat Goats — RB T.J. Duckett
Back then: Oh, if only Green Bay took Duckett and Minnesota took Carr, the Goats could have gotten Harrington (the player they wanted all along)... Duckett could have been the top player on the board had he been drafted by a team with a serious need at RB (as opposed to Atlanta, which had signed Warrick Dunn earlier in the offseason). Today: Duckett hasn't been a bad "consolation prize" at all—even if he hasn't become an every-down back.
1.06 Indianapolis Hoosier Daddies — WR Donte Stallworth
Back then: Indy's top wideouts are Jimmy Smith (injury-prone), Muhsin Muhammad (ditto), Michael Westbrook ("Mental, that one, I'm telling you") and Joey Galloway (he hasn't been the same since he tore his ACL in 2000). Stallworth is a perfect pick here. Today: I thought Indy was the luckiest team in the world to have Stallworth fall into their laps. (2004 hadn't happened yet.) In the meantime, Stallworth has been inconsistent and injury-prone.
1.07 Green Bay Ground Hogs — TE Jeremy Shockey
Back then: Maybe Green Bay is using that "tried and true" strategy: Just take the best player available. Shockey will give Green Bay depth at that position; Minnesota probably would have snapped him up with the next pick if the Ground Hogs hadn't taken him here. Today: I never would have expected Green Bay to take Shockey precisely because they already had (and still have) Tony Gonzalez. They later traded Shockey to Denver for RB Najeh Davenport and a 2003 first-rounder (which was used to select Lee Suggs).
1.08 Minnesota Fats — WR Ashley Lelie
Back then: Minnesota needed to rebuild depth at WR, especially after dealing Travis Taylor. Lelie may develop more slowly, however, because the Denver Broncos have Rod Smith and Ed McCaffrey in front of him. Today: Lelie has developed slowly but steadily, and is now starting alongside Smith. But in fantasy terms, he's more like a #3 receiver than a #1. Minnesota could still use a "home run threat."
1.09 Chicago Blaze — QB Patrick Ramsey
Back then: Ramsey will give the Blaze some sorely needed depth at QB in the near future, and by 2005, he could be one of the best QBs in fantasy football. He has both the arm and the smarts to accomplish this. Chicago is hoping that its backfield (Kevan Barlow, Charlie Garner, Lamar Smith) will hold up, but if it doesn't, they'll be ready to tackle it next year. Today: Well, I called Ramsey "the next Terry Bradshaw" when I picked him. Had I bothered to read up on Bradshaw's career stats, I would have realized that Bradshaw never became a really good fantasy QB until he was well into his 30s and in the process of becoming the poster boy for male pattern baldness. As for the backfield? 2003 turned out to be a terrible year for running backs. I could have had Portis here and Carson Palmer in 2003, but I needed to replace Kordell Stewart, who I lost in the expansion draft in 2001, so I went with Ramsey and hoped that between the two draft picks I had in Round 1 in 2003, I'd get my running back. Didn't happen. In the meantime, inconsistent performance from Ramsey led me to snap up Ben Roethlisberger in 2004.
1.10 Carolina Convicts — WR Antonio Bryant
Back then: Carolina takes a gamble, picking Bryant over Javon Walker and Jabar Gaffney. The upside is that, like Chicago's Randy Moss, Bryant can make big plays; the downside is that, as with Moss, Bryant needs to keep his attitude in check. Today: Bryant has shown much more of his downside. After a fight with Bill Parcells during a preseason practice, Bryant found himself in Cleveland, where the passing game is nothing like it was in the days of Bernie Kosar. All in all, Bryant's production has been nothing like that of Moss or Terrell Owens.
1.11 Tennessee Taz Devils — RB Jonathan Wells
Back then: This pick makes perfect sense—the Taz now have Houston's top two backs. And they needed depth there since LaMont Jordan still isn't starting for any team, even though (IMHO) he should be. Today: Neither Wells nor James Allen, the Texans' other RB, proved to be a valuable contributor. To make things worse, Jordan wouldn't start for anyone in 2002, 2003 or 2004. Did I ever mention that I'm angry that the San Francisco 49ers didn't take Jordan over Kevan Barlow in the 2001 draft? (They could have taken Jordan in Round 2 instead of Barlow in Round 3.)
1.12 Tampa Bay Meat Goats — RB Clinton Portis
Back then: What was once a threadbare backfield, is now well-stocked with trade acquisition Curtis Martin, Duckett and now Portis. Never mind that the Broncos still have Terrell Davis, Mike Anderson and Olandis Gary—Davis and Gary are injury-prone, so Portis may well be the Broncos' starting tailback by, say, 2004. Today: I would have been thrilled to have Martin, Duckett and Portis in my backfield at the start of this season. And I was WAY OFF on my prediction about Portis. I thought for sure that Mike Anderson would have gotten the call if both Davis and Gary had gotten hurt, and I didn't even know about microfracture knee surgery (the surgery that effectively ended TD's career).
1.13 Cleveland Cosmos — WR Javon Walker
Back then: Great upper body strength for a WR, and he should get some looks from Brett Favre. Today: You probably think I made this up. Actually, I was expecting Walker to contribute right away, due to the thinness of the WR corps the Packers had at the time. It took a few years for Walker to develop into a #1 wideout. Anyway, after seeing Walker, Anquan Boldin and (when healthy) Peter Warrick, you know that Florida State doesn't "just make up" good wide receivers.
1.14 Arizona Outlaws — WR Josh Reed
Back then: Well, here's what you get for making the playoffs. This team needed help at RB more than at WR, but don't knock the Outlaws—in this spot, you just have to take the best player available. Reed, a converted tailback, is great at running routes and getting yardage after making the catch. Today: Reed, indeed, turned out to be Arizona's penance for getting the NFC wild card—not because he was a receiver when the Outlaws needed a running back, but because he didn't produce all that much to begin with. Reed led me to think that Michael Clayton would also not be successful on the grounds that both were products of the system that Nick Saban had in place when he was the head coach at LSU.
1.15 Tampa Bay Meat Goats — WR Jabar Gaffney
Back then: The Goats round out a productive round with a productive wideout. Never mind that he's from Florida—I read mock drafts that had Gaffney going to the Jaguars with their first round pick (ninth overall), and I agree with Kel Miper that the Texans—and the Goats—made a very good pick here. Today: "Danger Prone" Gaffney hasn't done much to stand out from the rest of the Florida Gators' wide receivers. Both Kel Miper (a TUFF owner who wrote his own wrapup in 2002—not to be confused with Mel Kiper) and I looked bad on this one.
1.16 Indianapolis Hoosier Daddies — RB Ladell Betts
Back then: At first, I thought this was a reach. But with the possibility that Washington will drop Stephen Davis next year if he doesn't rework his contract, and considering that two of Indy's top three backs are Garrison Hearst (injury prone, getting up there in age at 31) and Terrell Davis (injury prone), looking with an eye to the future is not a bad idea at all. Today: Washington did drop Stephen Davis, but then turned to Trung "The Manchurian" Canidate, when (in retrospect) they were better off dealing for LaMont Jordan. In 2004, the 'Skins traded for Clinton Portis, and even then, they might have been better off getting Jordan. Meanwhile, microfracture knee surgery marked the end of Terrell Davis' career.
2.01 Cleveland Cosmos — WR Marquise Walker
Back then: Anyone who saw his TD catches against Iowa and Penn State last year knows what Marquise can do. He could develop into a great red zone weapon. Today: First Portis, then Reed, now Marquise Walker. Geez, my prognostication skills SUCKED! Walker should have been a steal but he turned out to be a bust. The Bucs dealt him Arizona for Thomas Jones, and then got cut by the Cards, Bengals and Patriots. The end came in July 2004 when he was arrested in Florida for DUI with property damage. That sounds like he'll be one of TUFF's "Biggest Draft Busts of the Last Five Years" (coming May 2006).
2.02 Cincinnati Skye-Lites — RB Luke Staley
Back then: It doesn't matter that the Skye-Lites took a seventh-rounder over several backs that went higher in the NFL Draft. It's all about how much a player can contribute in the fantasy realm, and Staley actually has a chance to be a solid contributor for the Detroit Lions in the near future (provided he stays healthy). Today: "Provided he stays healthy"... Staley never played a single down in a regular season game for Detroit. "It's all about how much a player can contribute in the fantasy realm"... a valid excuse here, but it often means taking a chance with a questionable player over a more solid one.
2.03 Seattle Slewage — RB Maurice Morris
Back then: Seattle's first pick of the draft. Another "perfect sense" pick here. Today: I now know that the proper term here is "handcuff," as in "Morris is the handcuff pick for Shaun Alexander, one of the Slewage's top running backs."
2.04 Dallas Junglehawgs — RB Lamar Gordon
Back then: Dallas acquired this pick from Pittsburgh. And the Junglehawgs have the luxury of giving Gordon time to see how he fares in the pros. A good trade for Dallas, and a solid pick here. Today: Gordon worked his way into Mike Martz's doghouse, then disappointed in his first chance to be a starter with the Dolphins in 2004.
2.05 Oakland Ball Hogs — TE Jerramy Stevens
Back then: At worst, he's a backup for Ernie Conwell. If he comes anywhere near his potential, Conwell will be the backup tight end. Today: He looked like a bust during his first two years in the league, and did nothing to prevent Jeff Rathburn (who took over the team in 2004 and moved it to Houston) from taking Kellen Winslow II in 2004, or Heath Miller in 2005 after Winslow's infamous "Easy Rider" incident. Stevens is now with the San Diego Slewage.
2.06 Indianapolis Hoosier Daddies — WR Reche Caldwell
Back then: The Hoosier Daddies keep on taking advantage of the receiver-deep pool. A starting WR trio of Chad Johnson, Donte Stallworth (1.06) and Caldwell could have most opponents pissing in their pants. Today: I thought Caldwell was a steal by the San Diego Chargers but he didn't show much until 2004 (before he hurt his knee). Unfortunately for Indy, only Johnson has been a consistent big-play threat.
2.07 Cleveland Cosmos — RB Travis Stephens
Back then: The Bucs plan to use Stephens a good deal this year. Like Luke Staley, Stephens is a player I would have taken at 2.09. Today: I thought Stephens would get a lot of short passes thrown his way, especially because Warrick Dunn had already left the Buccaneers for Atlanta. Another bad forecast there. Stephens was waived by the Bucs in 2003.
2.08 Cincinnati Skye-Lites — RB Brian Westbrook
Back then: Here's a player Oakland probably was hoping would drop to Round 3 (Ted Blakemore already has Duce Staley and Correll Buckhalter, who is out for the year with a torn ACL). The Skye-Lites now have seven RBs to audition for the #2 running back role opposite Fred Taylor. Today: Westbrook filled that #2 RB spot in 2004 after Duce Staley left Philly. Truth be told, I wouldn't have expected Westbrook to be much more than a 3rd-down back, but I was wrong.
2.09 Dallas Junglehawgs — TE Daniel Graham
Back then: Dallas sent their 3.01 and their #2 selection in 2003 to Chicago for this pick. Graham was by far the best player available. The Blaze, unable to take either Luke Staley or Travis Stephens, trades down for the future (at present, Chicago and Seattle are the only teams with four picks in the first two rounds next year). Today: Even though I needed to replace Shannon Sharpe (lost in the 2001 expansion draft), well, at that time, I had Roland Williams, and his "handcuff" was still available (see pick 3.08 for more details). Dallas may have won out in the trade (Graham has outproduced RB Adrian Peterson and QB Rob Johnson, the players I acquired with the picks I got from Dallas), but then again, if I had taken Graham, I might have passed on Jason Witten in 2003.
2.10 Carolina Convicts — WR Antwaan Randle El
Back then: Randle El now has two people whose expectations he has to meet—Steelers coach Bill Cowher and Convicts' head honcho Jeff Hannan. I say both teams reached here, big time. Randle El was a playmaker as a college QB, but he's too small to succeed as an NFL wide receiver. Today: Good Lord! How many wrongheaded forecasts could I make? Randle El has proven to be a solid #2 WR in Pittsburgh.
2.11 New Orleans Peeping Toms — WR Andre Davis
Back then: Davis is from Virginia, the same school that brought you Herman Moore and Germane Crowell. Today: Neither Moore nor Crowell are making big plays with the Lions, or any NFL team, for that matter. Davis is a serviceable #2 wideout, but is now riding the pine in New England. He's also a free agent right now.
2.12 Indianapolis Hoosier Daddies — PK Travis Dorsch
Back then: I'll say this, Dorsch pretty much has a starting job locked up. :) Today: Well, he did, but then he got hurt and lost the job to Neil Rackers, who then lost it to Shayne Graham (also due to an injury). Dorsch is out of the NFL, though he may be in NFL Europe.
2.13 Tennessee Taz Devils — TE Randy McMichael
Back then: The Taz were originally slated to pick 11th in this round, but their owner (Lonnie Daniel) missed his pick. McMichael has a shot to be the Dolphins' tight end. But could he have waited another round? Today: McMichael became the Dolphins' starting tight end, and is starting for Tennessee as well. A huge steal, and far more productive and Dorsch (2.12) and Andre Davis (2.11) combined.
2.14 Seattle Slewage — QB Kurt Kittner
Back then: The Slewage trades with Arizona to get this pick, with Arizona getting depth at RB in Doug Chapman in the deal. Seattle might have waited to take Kittner in Round 3—except that they had no pick in Round 3, hence this trade. Today: Didn't Kittner and Chapman both wind up in NFL Europe?
2.15 Denver Ranglers — WR Tim Carter
Back then: Denver is picking very late, which must be torture considering they had among the league's worst teams in 2001. Carter's stock moved up a great deal at the scouting combine, and at this point, he was the best player available. He has a good shot to crack the Giants' starting lineup if Ike Hilliard leaves town (and if they don't sign someone like Keenan McCardell this summer). Today: Injuries have hampered Carter's career. Yes, Hilliard did leave town, but the Giants have since signed Plaxico Burress, and at present, the Giants' #3 WR position is a revolving door, with Carter, David Tyree and Jamaar Taylor taking turns in between trips to the hot tub to nurse their respective injuries.
2.16 Denver Ranglers — RB Josh Scobey
Back then: Scobey is both a great pick for this spot and a no-brainer from Rangler Rick's standpoint (because he already has the Cards' other running backs). Today: While he was a handcuff pick, Scobey hasn't done much besides be a third-string running back.
3.01 Chicago Blaze — RB Adrian Peterson
Back then: Some draft pundits placed Peterson among the top five running backs available in the draft. Oh, and Kel Miper even projected him as a first-rounder (in the TUFF rookie draft preview). Peterson will give Chicago (both the Bears and the Blaze) additional depth in the backfield. Today: Peterson hasn't done much with the chances he has had with da Bears, and now he, too, is a third-stringer (behind Cedric Benson and Thomas Jones).
3.02 Minnesota Fats — RB "The Other" Ricky Williams
Back then: I'm surprised the Fats didn't wait until Round 4 for this one. "The other" Ricky Williams has the distinction of being the first undrafted rookie to go in Round 3 of a TUFF draft. Today: "The other" Ricky Williams had a couple of starts with the Indianapolis Colts, but nowadays, when people mention that name, they're talking about the jabroni who destroyed the 2004 season for the Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Hoosier Daddies.
3.03 Tampa Bay Meat Goats — QB Josh McCown
Back then: This was also a surprise. I expected the Goats to take a tight end, like Matt Schobel, here; they already have plenty of QBs. Ray Lucas may be the odd man out—so he won't be buying green bananas for a while. Today: McCown was a long-term project, and has had a few good games, but has never had very good job security. You're probably wondering where the hell the "green bananas" came from. Well, early in the 1989 NFL season, the Philadelphia Eagles had a kicker named Steve DeLine, who had already failed to make it with the San Francisco 49ers. After DeLine missed a couple of field goal tries, and someone asked him about his job security, DeLine said, "Well, I won't be buying any green bananas for a while." I'm sure that it was his way of saying, "I know I won't be with the Eagles for much longer." And the Eagles did cut him. And as it happens, the Meat Goats cut Lucas, and I picked him up, then later regretted it when, in Week 12 of 2002, he screwed up big time.
3.04 Pittsburgh BIG PAPAS — RB Chester Taylor
Back then: Another perfect sense pick. Taylor is expected to back up Jamal Lewis, who Pittsburgh acquired from Chicago for their #1 pick in 2003, TE David Sloan, and 25 TUFFs. Today: Once again, I meant "handcuff." It was a perfect pick, now more than ever. Taylor's pass-receiving skills and speed provide a nice complement to Lewis (who I traded because I feared he couldn't go on much longer with two knee surgeries, citing the case of Natrone Means). The trade has pretty much been a colossal backfire for me, as the #1 pick turned out to be WR Bryant Johnson.
3.05 Oakland Ball Hogs — PK Jeff Chandler
Back then: Chandler should win the kicking job over XFL refugee Jose Cortez. Today: He did, but didn't have it for long, and was a "Rent-a-Kicker" type for a couple of years (most recently 2004 with Washington).
3.06 Cleveland Cosmos — TE Matt Schobel
Back then: Cleveland may finally have a backup for Byron Chamberlain. Today: Not only did Schobel not become a viable fantasy tight end, but to make matters worse, Byron Chamberlain ceased to be one himself. Schobel is part of a committee in Cincinnati that includes Reginald Kelly and Tony Stewart. Hopefully for the Cellar Dwellers, Alex Smith (2005 Round 2) will fill the void, although they should have found a way to hold on to Chris Cooley (2004 Round 4).
3.07 Green Bay Ground Hogs — WR Cliff Russell
Back then: Russell is fast (the second-fastest in the draft combine). Now, if he can hold on to the ball, he'll give the Ground Hogs another good wideout. Today: I guess he couldn't hold on to the ball, because he's history. Geez, I thought the 2002 draft was deep at WR with Stallworth, Javon Walker, Jabar Gaffney, Reche Caldwell, Marquise Walker, Tim Carter, Ron Johnson (taken later in this draft) and Russell. Only Walker has turned out nicely, and I'm glad I didn't have a pressing need for a WR in 2002.
3.08 Chicago Blaze — TE Doug Jolley
Back then: Here's a player the Blaze considered at 2.09 (before trading down with Dallas) and at 3.01 (before waking up, smelling the coffee and going with Adrian Peterson). Why? Jolley's main competition for the Raiders' TE job, Roland Williams, is also on the Blaze roster. With this pick, tight end—a weakness for this team when it lost Shannon Sharpe in last year's expansion draft—could be a strength once again. Jolley was probably the best player available as well. Today: Jolley's been a rollercoaster. Late in 2002, it looked like I had finally found a replacement for Shannon Sharpe. Then the Oakland Raiders became the Dumbest Team in America and forgot how to use him, as head coach Bill Callahan became enamored with this Teyo Johnson guy and his successor, Norv Turner, decided to go with Courtney Anderson. Two years later, Jolley once again found a regular job with the New York Jets. In the meantime, I had already lucked into getting one of the top tight ends in the league (Jason Witten). Still, getting a solid backup tight end in the middle of Round 3 isn't too bad, provided Jolley doesn't lose playing time like he did earlier this year.
3.09 Dallas Junglehawgs — QB David Garrard
Back then: Dallas will still need to find a QB for Week 8 (when both Kurt Warner and Drew Brees are off) at this point. GM Mike Scott says "a lot could change between now and then." He's right in one sense—several NFL teams changed starting QBs in 2001 due to injury (New England) or ineffectiveness (Detroit, Washington). Garrard has promise, to be sure, and could be the heir apparent in Jacksonville. That said, he'll hold the clipboard this year. Today: Garrard is still a backup QB in Jacksonville, and some NFL scouts still think he could start. He's got tools, but hasn't been able to prove he can use them effectively.
3.10 Carolina Convicts — RB Omar Easy
Back then: Hmmm, the jury will be out on this one for a while. Even though this fullback put up good numbers in limited action at Penn State, he'll probably serve as a blocking back in KC. If the Chiefs give up on Mike Cloud, Easy could see more action. Today: Uh, actually, the verdict came in a year or two ago. Guilty of non-production. Sentenced to 20 years of hard labor at McDonald's. NEXT!
3.11 Tennessee Taz Devils — RB Leonard Henry
Back then: ... not to be confused with British comedian/actor Lenny Henry... Today: The highlight of his career came in 2004, when he was the subject of a free agent bidding war (no thanks, once again, to that hash-brained S.O.B.—NO, not "the other" guy). Lenny Henry—the British comedian/actor, that is—has since gone on to be the voice of that shrunken head in the Knight Bus in "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban."
3.12 New Orleans Peeping Toms — TE Robert Royal
Back then: Royal is half of the Redskins' battle at tight end. (The other half is Zeron Flemister.) Today: Royal is still around, but has no fantasy value.
3.13 Cleveland Cosmos — WR Ron Johnson
Back then: An excellent pick, one I was considering with the eighth pick in this round. Johnson may compete with Brandon Stokley for the #2 WR spot in Baltimore. Today: Thank goodness that at least I didn't waste 3.08 on him. I did waste 60 TUFFs on him, then later let go of Stokley (along with Justin Gage) in favor of Johnson. Damn Ron Johnson!
3.14 Arizona Outlaws — TE Chris Baker
Back then: I thought Anthony Becht was doing OK with the Jets, so only time will tell how well Baker pans out. Today: Baker was expected to replace Becht after 2004, but he didn't; otherwise, the Jets wouldn't have traded for Jolley in 2005. Then it looked like Baker might have beaten out Jolley to be the Jets' tight end, but now it looks like neither has claimed the job outright.
3.15 Denver Ranglers — QB Rohan Davey
Back then: Perfect sense, part VI (because the Ranglers have QB Tom Brady). Today: Davey's impact hasn't extended beyond too far Germany (as in NFL Europe). Brady and Davey wound up with the Tampa Bay Meat Goats.
3.16 New Orleans Peeping Toms — RB Najeh Davenport
Back then: "HE HATE ME" (RB Rod Smart, a recent free agent signing by the Toms) doesn't have a prayer. Davenport may take Dorsey Levens' place in Green Bay, and was considered the best fullback available in the NFL draft. Today: Davenport did replace Levens, and down the road, he still could replace Ahman Green. Just one problem: He broke his ankle during his first start of the season, so teams that were interested in him as a free agent after 2005 will have reservations about that ankle. In TUFF, New Orleans cut him, Denver picked him up, and then traded him to Green Bay.
4.01 Denver Ranglers — WR Deion Branch
Back then: Denver cut Branch not long afterwards. I've heard mixed reviews on him, but I'm leaning toward reviews that compare him to... Glyn Milburn. Today: Who was Milburn? In 1998, the Detroit Lions threw a second-round pick to the Denver Broncos in exchange for this kick returner, when common sense clearly dictates that you can just as easily get a kick returner from the pool of undrafted free agents (e.g. Eddie Drummond for the Lions in recent years; Mike Nelms came to the Washington Redskins from the CFL in the early 1980s) or off the waiver wire (e.g. Desmond Howard for the Lions several years back). The Lions had this delusion, too, that Milburn could be a receiver. He was not. Branch, however, has become one of the top wideouts in New England.
4.02 Minnesota Fats — TE John Owens
Back then: A nice "shot in the dark" pick now... I'm surprised that all the Lions have at TE right now are Owens and Mikhael Ricks. Today: Well, most fourth-rounders are shots in the dark. Owens didn't take much advantage of his job opportunity.
4.03 Tampa Bay Meat Goats — PK Hayden Epstein
Back then: The Goats get a third kicker, just in case Bill Gramatica gets too happy again... Today: Neither Epstein nor Bill Gramatica are kicking in the NFL.
4.04 Pittsburgh BIG PAPAS — WR Kahlil Hill
Back then: Has a shot to become Atlanta's #3 wideout. (Many receivers need at least a couple of years to develop, in any case; rookie contributors like Randy Moss in '98 and Chris Chambers last year are the exception, rather than the rule.) A nice value pick by the Papas. Today: Hill didn't do much at all. 2005 saw him in a couple of different training camps, but for all intents and purposes, he's better off trying out for the CFL or the Arena Football League.
4.05 Oakland Ball Hogs — RB Verron Haynes
Back then: Between Haynes and Amos Zereoue, Oakland's got a good chance at owning Jerome Bettis' successor. Haynes' stock shot up last year when he played the last few games of 2001 at tailback for Georgia. Today: Haynes was cut, then I picked him up, and then after putting up with so many of his injuries, I let him go too. He had a chance to step up this year when Bettis and Duce Staley got hurt, but wouldn't you know it, he got hurt again.
4.06 Cleveland Cosmos — RB Woodrow Dantzler
Back then: Another "Slash"? I saw Woody going to the CFL three months ago, and that's where I still see him going today. I liken him to Mill Coleman, who went to the same high school, same graduating class—same math classes, even—as me. Coleman, the most prolific passer in the history of Michigan high school football, went on to Michigan State. In 1991, he got screwed out of the Spartans' starting QB job by some blowhard named Bret Johnson, who had transferred to MSU from UCLA. Coleman moved to WR, sometimes lined up at RB, even got to be starting QB for the second half of the '93 season, returned kickoffs and punts, and even scored a TD as the holder for a fake field goal in '92. But he never amounted to more than taxi squad material in the NFL, and the height of his pro career came in the CFL, with the Montreal Alouettes in '97 and '98. Today: I forgot to mention that Coleman's pro football career ended with an ACL tear in 1998. In any case, Dantzler has made about the same impact as Coleman did. In other words, none at all.
4.07 Green Bay Ground Hogs — RB Eric McCoo
Back then: Another "wait and see" pick. The knock on McCoo is that his college stats declined every year, but maybe the real problem at Penn State was the offensive line in front of him. Today: Maybe his stats declined in spite of his O-line, not because of it.
4.08 Oakland Ball Hogs — WR Eric Crouch
Back then: Slash-a-mania is running wild this year. Crouch may be a trick-play specialist—throwing a pass on a reverse here, lining up in the backfield as a decoy there, maybe a placeholder for a fake field goal (see Mill Coleman above)... Today: He tried resurrect his career as a safety. He is NOT coming to a dynasty league near you, unless it's one where you can only pick from NFL Europe players AND individual defensive players are used.
4.09 Chicago Blaze — RB Jarrod Baxter
Back then: OK, Kel. Meet CNN/Sports Illustrated's draft maven, Tony Pauline, and "Fantasy Guru" John Hansen. These are the guys who told me to get Baxter. Here's the gist of what they said: Baxter is expected to start at fullback for the expansion Texans. He has a chance to possibly emerge as the team's goal line back. At 6'0 and 245-pounds, Baxter carried the load last year for a Lobo offense that had an ordinary passing game. He's big, strong, and durable. Pauline and Hansen have named him THE sleeper of the draft, and I even considered taking him one of my Round 3 picks. Today: Kel Miper called this a wasted pick, and Baxter did nothing to prove him wrong. He scored all of 7 points in the 2002 season, and hasn't scored a point since. Still, I couldn't believe that the Texans couldn't give him a try as the every-down back when James Allen and Jonathan Wells didn't accomplish much.
4.10 Carolina Convicts — TE Justin Peelle
Back then: Well, he is one Stephen Alexander injury away from getting some action. Today: Late in 2003, this undrafted college basketball player, Antonio Gates, got the action after Alexander left. Peelle had a chance to get some action when Gates held out, but Gates is back and Peelle is on the bench again.
4.11 Tennessee Taz Devils — WR Javin Hunter
Back then: He might be able to take advantage of the lack of depth in the Ravens' receiving corps, but I don't see him beating out Ron Johnson or Brandon Stokley. Today: OK, here's a forecast I got right!
4.12 Denver Ranglers — RB Damien Anderson
Back then: Now Denver has all four of Arizona's backs. One of them is bound to step forward. This pick originally belonged to New Orleans, who traded the pick to Denver in exchange for Danny Wuerffel. This means the Peeping Toms (who also have Shane Matthews) have solidified their depth at quarterback—but they're screwed in Week 9 if Patrick Ramsey starts for the Redskins that week. ;) Today: Well, Marcel Shipp was the Cardinal running back that did step up. (Thomas Jones was, at the time, a bust, and both Josh Scobey and Anderson have failed to amount to more than third-string material.)
4.13 Cleveland Cosmos — TE Keith Heinrich
Back then: This selection surprised me, especially considering Darnell Sanders (Cleveland Browns) is still available. Rob "Boomer" Rang believes Heinrich has a great deal of upside, and he may get a chance to shine if Wesley Walls gets hurt. Today: Heinrich didn't shine enough to prevent the Panthers from turning to Kris Mangum, and more recently, Michael Gaines. Sanders, who I thought could emerge as the starting tight end in Cleveland, didn't do that.
4.14 Arizona Outlaws — QB Randy Fasani
Back then: Considering Brett Favre's age and the uncertainty among the Cowboys' QBs, Fasani is a good pick. (I'm not as high on Fasani as Mr. Miper is, but this is a good depth pick.) Today: Favre's age wasn't as big an issue as I had expected. I wasn't crazy about the Cowboys' QBs at the time (Quincy Carter was one; I don't remember who the other one was). Fasani is history.
4.15 Dallas Junglehawgs — RB Tellis Redmon
Back then: He may end up on the practice squad, but first he's got to beat Chester Taylor. Today: He didn't beat out Taylor, he didn't beat out Musa Smith, and I believe he's now in NFL Europe.
4.16 Dallas Junglehawgs — RB Antwoine Womack
Back then: Womack will be practice squad fodder as well. He's not expected to play until 2003 as he rehabs his knee (he tore an ACL in January). Today: Project players only have so much time to make an impact. Womack's time ran out around 2004.