Skip navigation
sponsored by 

Rookie camps are essential — for some players


< Prev | 1 | 2
  More on NFL  
  
Special feature
Image: Darren McFadden poses with NFL Commissioner Goodell in New York
NFL draft report card
The Raiders took McFadden, but was it a good move? We grade all 32 teams.

NBCSports.com

Q: Will Pacman get to play for the Cowboys this season? Please say yes.
Melinda, Dallas

A: I would say that is up to Pacman. I think if he stays on the straight and narrow, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will let him play. But if he so much as comes close to the line he isn't supposed to cross, Pacman will be sitting indefinitely, maybe forever.

Q: Why did the Colts draft so many centers?
Brad W., Bloomington, Ind.

Story continues below ↓
advertisement

A: Good question. Mike Pollak, Steve Justice and Jamey Richard will not all line up at center at the start of training camp. One of the things the Colts do very well under offensive line coach Howard Mudd is prepare young linemen to play multiple positions.

Pollak has the ability to play center, guard or even tackle. From the look of it, the Colts probably are hoping he can succeed Jake Scott as the starting right guard. Justice may be more limited because of his lack of bulk. He might be pigeon-holed into playing center. But Richard, I would bet, will be tried at guard as well as center.

Q: It seemed like there were a ton of small school players taken in the draft. Even places like Utah State had multiple picks and San Diego State had four! What gives?
Aaron Alexander, Laramie, Wyo.

A: There often is more talent at small schools than we realize. Many of the players who are drafted from small schools could have played at bigger schools but didn't for reasons that had nothing to do with football.

Some, like Delaware's Joe Flacco, transferred from bigger schools. The other factor in small school players being drafted is there are so many small school players who are thriving in the NFL that teams don't feel like they are taking extraordinary risks by drafting more.      

Q: What do the Bucs need with another QB? Can’t we get a real receiver?
Shane, Brandon, Fla.

A: Apparently Jon Gruden thought the Bucs needed another quarterback he believes he can win with. 

The Bucs already had plenty of passers on their roster, but Gruden must have believed Josh Johnson was a better alternative than a few of them. The Bucs probably would like to trade a quarterback or two, though the trade market appears barren. They'll likely eventually have to cut Chris Sims and either Luke McCown or Bruce Gradkowski.

And here is one more thought to ponder. There are some teams who believe Johnson's best NFL position is wide receiver. Converting him is not a far-fetched idea.

© 2008 NBC Sports.com


< Prev | 1 | 2
Rate this story LowHigh
 

Sponsored links