2008 Woodie Awards
Few Surprises in NFL Draft
Pat Conroy Staff Reporter
Issue date: 4/28/05 Section: Sports
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The 2005 NFL draft started off a new year in a different way. Not only is it the beginning of the NFL preseason coverage, but it is also the beginning for three coaches.
Mike Nolan, Nick Saban, and Romeo Crennel all are first year coaches and all had to make their first big time decision, who to take with their first draft pick. These three coaches had to pick the player that is going to be the one to turn around their new team.
Nolan and the 49ers chose Alex Smith, the Utah quarterback who was expected to go number one. Barring injury, Smith will be under center when the season begins.
The Miami Dolphins immediately filled the void that Ricky Williams left when he retired last year by choosing Ronnie Brown, the powerful running back from Auburn. Brown was the number two running back to the fifth pick in the draft, Carnell "Cadillac" Williams.
Although Williams saw most of the snaps while they were at Auburn, many experts feel that Brown is better suited for the NFL. At six feet and 233 pounds, Brown is big enough to take a beating and has shown to be the best blocker out of the running backs in the draft.
The Cleveland Browns chose to go after the best available pick rather than their greatest need with the third pick in the draft. Romeo Crennel will add Michigan wide reciever Braylon Edwards. Edwards is a big reciever with big play capabilities. His highlight reel from Michigan is extensive enough, and he has the ablility to suceed at the next level.
Texax running back Cedric Benson went fourth to the Chicago Bears. He is a so-so blocker, but he can line up in the slot and be a menace across the middle.
There were no major trades or surprising picks. There were two times that ears were raised, however. The first came when Aaron Rogers, the Cal quarterback who was projected as high as number one two weeks ago, was not called until the 24th pick. Rogers was chosen by the Green Bay Packers, where he will learn from, Brett Favre. Favre announced that he will return for another season, and once again will try to lead his team to the Super Bowl.
Mike Nolan, Nick Saban, and Romeo Crennel all are first year coaches and all had to make their first big time decision, who to take with their first draft pick. These three coaches had to pick the player that is going to be the one to turn around their new team.
Nolan and the 49ers chose Alex Smith, the Utah quarterback who was expected to go number one. Barring injury, Smith will be under center when the season begins.
The Miami Dolphins immediately filled the void that Ricky Williams left when he retired last year by choosing Ronnie Brown, the powerful running back from Auburn. Brown was the number two running back to the fifth pick in the draft, Carnell "Cadillac" Williams.
Although Williams saw most of the snaps while they were at Auburn, many experts feel that Brown is better suited for the NFL. At six feet and 233 pounds, Brown is big enough to take a beating and has shown to be the best blocker out of the running backs in the draft.
The Cleveland Browns chose to go after the best available pick rather than their greatest need with the third pick in the draft. Romeo Crennel will add Michigan wide reciever Braylon Edwards. Edwards is a big reciever with big play capabilities. His highlight reel from Michigan is extensive enough, and he has the ablility to suceed at the next level.
Texax running back Cedric Benson went fourth to the Chicago Bears. He is a so-so blocker, but he can line up in the slot and be a menace across the middle.
There were no major trades or surprising picks. There were two times that ears were raised, however. The first came when Aaron Rogers, the Cal quarterback who was projected as high as number one two weeks ago, was not called until the 24th pick. Rogers was chosen by the Green Bay Packers, where he will learn from, Brett Favre. Favre announced that he will return for another season, and once again will try to lead his team to the Super Bowl.