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NFL: CHIEFS: GRETZ: Draft Review 2005-Part 2

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The day before the 2005 draft, University of Mississippi center Chris Spencer was on the personnel radar screens of all 32 NFL teams. It was the same for University of Georgia safety Thomas Davis. Both were considered mid to late first-round talents.


The same was not being said about University of Louisiana-Monroe safety Chris Harris and University of Pittsburgh tackle Rob Petitti. They were considered by most NFL teams as late round possibilities and some clubs even saw them as possible free agent acquisitions at the conclusion of the seven-round, 255-player draft.

Nearly a year later, the personnel radar screen has a different look. Spencer and Davis had very little impact as NFL rookies while Harris and Petitti became starters on units that ended the season ranked among the best in the league.

Such is the nature of the NFL’s annual draft. In 19 days that draft will bring another infusion of talent into the league. In an effort to show that influence, we are tracking the 2005 draft class through their NFL careers.

On-field production naturally depends on the ability of the players. Another factor is opportunity: is the player given the chance to establish himself in the NFL? Does he get on the field, does he get extensive playing time, and is he given a chance to earn a spot in the starting lineup? And if given that opportunity, does the player take advantage of his chance.

In their rookie seasons, 195 of the 255 draft picks (77 percent) were active for at least one game in the 2005 season. During the season 105 (41 percent) players started at least one game and 47 (18 percent) started eight or more games for their teams during the season.

One of those was not Spencer. He was drafted in the first round (26th pick) by Seattle and served as a backup in nine games as Robbie Tobeck started every game for the Seahawks in their run to the Super Bowl. Davis was the 15th pick in the first round, drafted by Carolina. He actually started the season opener, but then served as a backup. In 16 games, he had just 28 tackles. Veterans Mike Minter and Marlon McCree were the starters at safety for the Panthers, as they went all the way to the NFC Championship Game.

Davis got one chance to start and Spencer had none; opportunity was not calling for them. That wasn’t the case for Harris and Petitti. Selected as the 181st player in the ‘05 draft, Harris jumped into the starting lineup in game No. 2 and ended up holding down the spot for 13 games in the Bears No. 1 ranked defense. He had 70 tackles and three interceptions. Petitti was the 209th player taken – like Harris in the sixth round –and became the starter at right tackle for Dallas, opening all 16 games for an offense that finished the season ranked 13th in yards.

Those 47 rookie starters were split almost evenly between offense (23) and defense (24) and the position that had the most rookie starters was cornerback with seven. There were six starters at outside linebacker and five at right tackle. The toughest position to earn a starting job was at center, where no rookie became his team’s No. 1 snapper. One quarterback became a starter due to injury, as Kyle Orton stepped in for Rex Grossman in Chicago and started 15 games for the Bears. Another tough position to crack the starting lineup was defensive tackle, where only San Diego’s Luis Castillo started more than eight games. Castillo opened 15 for the Chargers.

Only half of the first round – 16 of 32 – became regular starters in their rookie year and three others opened seven games. There were three first rounders that did not start a single game: Spencer, QB Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay and QB Jason Campbell in Washington.

Here’s a team-by-team breakdown for the rest of the league. (Arizona through the Chiefs ran on Friday, April 7th.)

MIAMI
The Dolphins had six draft choices and for Nick Saban’s first game, there were eight rookies on the roster. By the end of the season, there were 10 rookies and six draft picks.

First day picks: RB Ronnie Brown (1st/2) was second among all rookie runners with 907 yards on 207 carries in 15 games. DE Matt Roth (2nd/46) had 22 tackles and a sack in part-time duty. OLB Channing Crowder (3rd/70) started 13 games, contributed 90 tackles (seventh among rookie defenders.)

Second day picks: CB Travis Daniels (4th/104) was a 14-game starter at left cornerback and finished fifth on the team with 62 tackles.

Free agents: LS John Denney (Brigham Young) worked all 16 games.

Analysis: With three starters among their first four picks, the Dolphins were among the best teams in the league to get its ‘05 class on the field and they were productive.

MINNESOTA
The Vikings had seven draft choices and for the opener, Mike Tice had eight rookies on the roster. For the last game, there were 10 rookies and five draft picks.

First day: WR Troy Williamson (1st/7) played in 14 games, started three and caught 24 passes for 372 yards. DE Erasmus James (1st/18) started nine games and contributed 34 tackles and four sacks. RT Marcus Johnson (2nd/49) opened eight games. CB Dustin Fox (3rd/80) missed the season with a training camp injury.

Second day: DT C.J. Mosley (6th/101) had 24 tackles and three sacks.

Free agents: P Chris Kluwe (UCLA) led all rookie punters with a 44.1-yard average; that was sixth overall in the league. His net average was 35.8 yards. CB Dovonte Edwards (North Carolina St.) played in 12 games, and contributed an interception and 16 special teams tackles.

Analysis: Williamson was a disappointment and must become a bigger factor in Vikings offense now that Nate Burleson is gone (as a restricted free agent to Seattle.)

NEW ENGLAND
The Patriots selected seven draft choices, and there were six rookies on Bill Belichick’s first week roster. For the season finale, there were seven rookies and five draft picks.

First day: LG Logan Mankins (1st/32) started all 16 games. CB Ellis Hobbs (3rd/84) started eight games, with 42 tackles and three interceptions. LT Nick Kaczur (3rd/100) started 11 games.

Second day: SS James Sanders (4th/133) saw plenty of action with all the Patriots secondary injuries.

Free agents: No significant contribution.

Analysis: No team in the league got more out of their first-day picks than the Patriots, with 35 starts out of a possible 48 games. Injuries forced Hobbs and Kaczur into the mix; now they must prove they belong with the starters.

NEW ORLEANS
The Saints drafted seven players and had four on the first-week roster for Jim Haslett. By the end of the season, the Saints had five rookies and five draft picks.

First day: RT Jamal Brown (1st/13) started 13 games. FS Josh Bullocks (2nd/40) started 13 games and had 70 tackles, eight on the team. LB Alfred Fincher (3rd/82) played in 11 games and had 11 special teams tackles.

Second day: No major contribution.

Free agents: No contribution.

Analysis: Last season was a frustrating one for the Saints, but given their recent history, the team should have had more rookies involved in the season. A team that’s posted losing records like New Orleans needs help from every pick, not just the first two choices.

NEW YORK GIANTS
The Giants selected only four players in the draft and had seven on the opening week roster for Tom Coughlin. By the first day of January, the Giants had six rookies and four draft picks.

First day: CB Corey Webster (2nd/43) contributed 38 tackles in a backup role on the right side. DE Justin Tuck (3rd/74) contributed 19 tackles and one sack in 14 games.

Second day: RB Brandon Jacobs (4th/110) was the Giants goal-line runner, with seven TDs on 38 carries.

Free agents: Big help in the kicking game came from LB Chase Blackburn (Akron) and FS James Butler (Georgia Tech). Blackburn had 22 tackles on special teams and Butler contributed 21 tackles. Butler had two interceptions and Blackburn had one as well.

Analysis: Some teams with twice as many picks did not get the playing time and production out of their draft class like the Giants. A good example of scouting and coaching working together to select players and then get them on the field.

NEW YORK JETS
The Jets drafted eight players and there were eight rookies on the roster for the first week. By the end of the season, Herman Edwards had 14 rookies on the roster, with seven draft picks.

First day: K Mike Nugent (2nd/47) was considered a reach by some, but he had a good rookie season, hitting 22 of 28 field goals. CB Justin Miller (2nd/57) started eight games and contributed 44 tackles and averaged 26.3 yards on kickoff returns, with a 95-yard TD. DT Sione Pouha (3rd/88) played in 14 games and had 10 tackles.

Second day: FS Kerry Rhodes (4th/123) started all 16 games, finishing with 108 tackles, third most among rookies. RB Cedric Houston (6th/182) ran for 302 yards on 81 carries in 12 games.

Free agents: P Ben Graham (Australia) was second among rookie punters averaging 43.7 yards per kick. His net average was 37.9 yards.

Analysis: In a season filled with injuries, the Jets got plenty of playing time out of their draft, especially the first four picks. Nugent was solid and Miller and Rhodes could be long time starters.

OAKLAND
The Raiders selected seven players and opened the season with six rookies on Norv Turner’s roster. At the end of the season there were seven rookies and six draft picks.

First day: CB Fabian Washington (1st/23) played in all 16 games, with 11 starts. CB Stanford Routt (2nd/38) played in 15 games with two starts. QB Andrew Walter (3rd/69) did not get on the field. LB Kirk Morrison (3rd/78) became a 15-game starter and would be ranked among the top rookie tacklers; however, the Raiders do not release defensive statistics.

Second day: No contribution.

Free agents: CB Chris Carr (Boise State) handled the return duties and averaged 24 yards on kick returns.

Analysis: Washington and Morrison were immediately helpful to the Raiders defense. They need Rout to step up and help in ‘06.

PHILADELPHIA
The Eagles drafted 11 players and opened the season with 10 rookies on the roster for Andy Reid. For the finale, there were eight rookies and seven draft picks.

First day: DT Mike Patterson (1st/31) played in all 16 games, with seven starts, 66 tackles and 3.5 sacks. WR Reggie Brown (2nd/35) got plenty of action thanks to the Terrell Owens situation and contributed 43 catches for 571 yards, tops among rookie receivers. OLB Matt McCoy (2nd/63) saw minimal action and RB Ryan Moats (3rd/77) ran for 278 yards.

Second day: DE Trent Cole (5th/146) started seven games with 55 tackles and five sacks.

Free agents: No contribution.

Analysis: Patterson and Cole were nice additions to a defense that needs some youth. Brown and Moats need to become more productive on the offensive side. Given the season it turned out to be, the Eagles should have gotten more than 60 games out of their draft class.

PITTSBURGH
The Steelers drafted eight players and had that many rookies on the opening week roster for Bill Cowher. In the last week of the regular season, there were nine rookies and six draft choices.

First day: TE Heath Miller (1st/30) played in all 16 games, started 15 and became the second leading receiver on the team with 459 yards on 39 catches. CB Bryant McFadden (2nd/62) saw backup action and contributed a sack and an interception. LT Trai Essex (3rd/93) played in six games and started four of them.

Second day: WR Fred Gibson (4th/131) never made the opening day roster, ranking among the most highly drafted players who were released.

Free Agents: LB Andre Frazier (Cincinnati) played in 11 games and had a sack. Analysis: Miller was a need pick and he filled the role for the Super Bowl champions. McFadden and Essex will define the success of this draft class.

ST. LOUIS
The Rams selected 11 players in the draft and had eight rookies on the roster for the start of the season for Mike Martz. By the end of the year, interim head coach Joe Vitt had 10 rookies and seven draft picks.

First day: RT Alex Barron (1st/19) was late in arriving (contract), but he started 11 games. CB Ronald Bartell (2nd/50) ended the season as the starter on the right side and contributed 36 tackles. FS Oshiomogho Atogwe (3rd/66) saw backup duty on defense. C Richie Incognito (3rd/81) never got on the field because of a pre-season injury (knee.)

Second day: The Rams scored with LG Claude Terrell (4th/134) who started 10 games and FB Madison Hedgecock (7th/251) who started seven games and also had 10 tackles in the kicking game. Because of injury QB Ryan Fitzpatrick ended the season as the starter and he struggled, throwing four TD passes to eight interceptions.

Free agents: No significant contribution.

Analysis: Barron, Bartell and Terrell provided production and SS Jerome Carter (4th/117) looked good before he went to injured reserve (ankle.) This could be a big infusion of talent for the Rams.

SAN DIEGO
The Chargers grabbed seven players in the draft and started the season with seven rookies available to Marty Schottenheimer. For the last week, there were 10 rookies and six draft picks.

First day: LB Shawne Merriman (1st/12) became an impact player, with 10 starts, 54 tackles and a rookie leading 10 sacks. DT Luis Castillo (1st/28) was the only rookie along the interior line to become a full-time starter. He had 49 tackles and 3.5 sacks. WR Vince Jackson (2nd/61) caught just three passes in eight games.

Second day: RB Darren Sproles (4th/130) handled the return duties, but wasn’t able to break anything (his longest kick return was 58 yards.)

Free agents: LB Marques Harris (Purdue) played in 11 games, eight one sack.

Analysis: Merriman and Castillo should be bothering the rest of the AFC West for years. In his second season, Jackson needs to become a factor in the offense.

SAN FRANCISCO
The 49ers selected 11 draft choices and had 10 rookies on Mike Nolan’s opening week roster. By the final game, there were 13 rookies and 10 draft picks.

First day: QB Alex Smith (1st/1) started seven games and had the normal rookie quarterback problems with just one TD pass and 11 interceptions. RG David Baas (2nd/33) started five games. RB Frank Gore (3rd/65) played in 14 games and was the team’s leading rusher with 608 yards. LT Adam Snyder (3rd/94) started eight games.

Second day: CB Derrick Johnson (6th/205) played in 14 games with five starts and had 36 tackles. TE Billy Bajema (7th/249) started in seven games.

Free agents: WR Otis Amey (Sacramento State) returned a punt 75 yards for a touchdown. SS Ben Emanuel (5th/171 by Carolina) ended up starting eight games in the San Francisco defense with 43 tackles and one interception.

Analysis: San Francisco needed the most help and they got the most games played by rookies in the league last year (107.) Baas, Gore and Snyder stepped up last year. In ‘06, the Niners need Smith to show dramatic improvement.

SEATTLE
The Seahawks drafted seven players and had six on the roster for the opener. By the end of the season, Mike Holmgren had seven rookies with six draft picks.

First day: C Chris Spencer (1st/26) got backup duty in nine games. MLB Lofa Tatupu (2nd/45) was one of the most valuable rookies in the league, starting 16 games, with 105 tackles, four sacks and three interceptions. QB David Greene (3rd/85) did not get on the field. OLB Leroy Hill (3rd/98) started nine games, had 67 tackles and was third among rookies with 7.5 sacks.

Second day: No significant contribution.

Free agents: No significant contribution.

Analysis: The Seahawks defense was the biggest reason for their improved play and advancement to the Super Bowl. That was courtesy of Tatupu and Hill.

TAMPA BAY
The Bucs grabbed 12 players in the draft, started the season with 10 on Jon Gruden’s roster and finished up with seven rookies and seven draft picks.

First day: RB Carnell Williams (1st/5th) was the best offensive rookie in the league last year, with 1,178 rushing yards. MLB Barrett Rudd (2nd/36) played 16 games, but had just seven tackles on defense. TE Alex Smith (3rd/71) played in every game and started 10. He caught 41 passes for 367 yards. RT Chris Colmer (3rd/91) did not get on the field.

Second day: LB Dan Buenning (4th/107) started all 16 games.

Free agents: No major contribution.

Analysis: Williams, Smith and Buenning were big additions for the Bucs. They need Rudd and Colmer to step forward in ‘06.

TENNESSEE
The Titans drafted 11 players and had 12 rookies on the roster. By the end of the season, Jeff Fisher had 12 rookies and eight draft picks remaining on the roster.

First day: CB Pacman Jones (1st/6) started 13 games and struggled with his temper and consistency. RT Michael Roos (2nd/41) started 16 games. WR Courtney Roby (3rd/68) played in 13 games and caught 21 passes for 289 yards. WR Brandon Jones (3rd/96) played in 10 games and caught 23 passes for 299 yards.

Second day: TE Bo Scaife (6th/179) played 16 games and caught 37 passes for 273 yards. CB Reynaldo Hill (7th/218) started 10- games and had 46 tackles and three interceptions.

Free agents: No contribution of note.

Analysis: Faced with a roster in ‘05 gutted by salary cap problems, the Titans got their 11 picks on the field, as all but two played at least one game. Right now, they’ve got four starters from the class in Jones, Roos, Roby and Hill.

WASHINGTON
The Redskins had six draft picks and four rookies were on Joe Gibbs’ opening week roster. For the final week, there were seven rookies and four draft picks.

First day: CB Carlos Rogers (1st/9) played in 12 games, with five starts. QB Jason Campbell (1st/25) did not get on the field.

Second day: No contributions of note.

Free agents: No contributions of note.

Analysis: The Redskins made the playoffs last season with almost no help from their ‘05 draft class. Rogers should be the full-time starter at left corner this season.

Part 1

The opinions offered in this column do not necessarily reflect those of the Kansas City Chiefs.

A former beat reporter who covered the Pittsburgh Steelers during their glory years, Gretz covered the Chiefs for the Kansas City Star for nine years before heading up KCFX-FM's sports department. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Board of Selectors. His column appears three times a week during the season. notas_de_prensa_archivo