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http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/peter_king/03/21/mmqb/index.html?eref=si_topstories
Let's make a deal
Conditions are ripe for a charged up draft this year
Posted: Monday March 24, 2008 1:19AM; Updated: Monday March 24, 2008 2:17AM
Have you noticed something about the last three drafts? Something about a lack of electricity?
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I'm not saying there definitely will be more electricity in this year's draft. I am saying, though, it has a chance to be different because 10 of the top 37 picks (and 18 of the top 70) are held by five franchises I expect to be working hard to play Let's Make a Deal. They are:
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• New England, choosing seventh, 62nd and 69th. In their eight years running the Patriots, coach Bill Belichick and Pioli have made 46 trades; 25 of which have come on draft weekends. Unless the Patriots can find Mr. Goodbar with the seventh pick of the draft, and my feeling is that man must be able to rush the passer, I expect them to set modern telephone records for trying to dump out of that pick.
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You've got Belichick. Johnson told me once that of the men he worked with, Parcells and Belichick were the two easiest with which to make deals. Tannenbaum made two trades in the first two rounds last year. Jones is tight with Parcells. Tannenbaum is tight with Parcells. Pioli is Parcells' son-in-law. Parcells mentored Belichick. Pioli mentored Dimitroff.
Of the five teams, I expect only the Jets and Patriots to steer clear of each other in the next five weeks. There's been a public falling-out between the former close friends who coach both teams, and that falling-out extends to Pioli and Tannenbaum. But aside from that, there will be trade discussions by the five previously mentioned teams.
The most logical move up would be Dallas, because Jones likes McFadden. I expect other names -- maybe the Ohio State defensive end, Vernon Gholston -- to get hot. Hot enough to make Belichick froth? We'll see.
"The advantage to having a good relationship with someone you want to trade with is simple,'' Johnson said. "There's some trust there. If it comes down to dealing with someone you don't know, you're not going to be inclined to believe them when it comes down to making a deal or not making it. But there were guys I could say, 'Trust me. I'm not taking advantage of you on this one.' And they'd believe me, just like I'd believe them if they said something like that to me.''
The draft kicks off April 26 at 3 p.m. We can only hope Jones gets over-smitten with McFadden, or that there's a run on Gholston because of his pass-rush ability, or Ryan starts getting hot. Something. The right drafters are in position. Let's hope a couple of them get itchy for action.
