Lee Evans and Michael Jenkins
NFL Draft Mailbag
February 18, 2004
Lou Pickney, DraftKing.com
Reader feedback is always welcomed here at DraftKing.com. Send your thoughts to me at LouPickney@gmail.com.
From: ReneNYG1@***.com
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2004 1:07 PM
To: Lou Pickney
Subject: Lee Evans
Your nuts if you think Evans drops to second he's much better than Jenkins.
Lou: You're entitled to your opinion, but I rate Jenkins as a stronger pro prospect at this point. Evans posted impressive numbers for Wisconsin, but his knee injury (torn ACL in his left knee in the spring of 2002) was severe, and I can't buy the argument that he's a better bet at this point. I'll take the 6'5" 215 pound Jenkins over the 5'10" 205 pound Evans (that's seven inches right there), plus Jenkins has a knack for coming through in high-pressure situations. Evans is a great talent, no doubt, a speed demon even after the countless hours of physical therapy and someone who proved his abilities with an impressive 2003 season. But as they say in basketball, you can't coach height. Evans would have to severely flank Jenkins at the combine in both the 40 yard dash and in ball catching skills for me to move him past Jenkins on my list.
And Lee Evans fans, please don't take this as a slight. His comeback has been nothing short of incredible (look at what torn ACLs did to the careers of guys like Michael Westbrook, Kevin Dyson, etc.), and he will be a solid NFL performer. But at this point, my money is on the 6'5" guy who can convert in the clutch time and time again.
From: Bill Handelman
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2004 4:20 PM
To: Lou Pickney
Subject: Artose Pinner=Chopped Liver?
Pinner was a potential first rounder until breaking his leg. He was only beginning to get back in shape by season's end. Steven Jackson and Kevin Jones are apparently good but not spectacular. A healthy Pinner (with very good hands out of the backfield) plus upgraded guard play through FA and the draft, results in Sean Taylor, Kenechi Udeze or Kellen Winslow in round one as the best choices for Detroit.
Lou: There seems to be more interest surrounding the Lions' pick at #6 than any other selection in the draft (except maybe the Steelers at #11). Some may say that Udeze at #6 is a reach, but look at how high Dewayne Robertson shot up the charts in the 2003 Draft (after being projected in the 10-15 range until about a month before the 2003 Draft).
As for Pinner, I don't know that he's the answer at RB for the team. More likely the Lions would opt for a running back in the early second round if they went with Taylor or Udeze at #6.
From: TAMARA FREITAG
Sent: Tuesday, February 17, 2004 6:18 AM
To: Lou Pickney
Subject: What if Manning slips to #4..
Will the giants take gallery over any top skill position player like s taylor or even Eli with the fourth pick...Herm Freitag South Bend In
Lou: It's possible that the Giants could take Sean Taylor at #4, but that offensive tackle need is HUGE for them. Ask any Giants fans about the problems that the team's offensive line had last year (and you'll probably hear about that, along with the laundry list of injuries the team endured.)
But I'll say this: if Manning, Fitzgerald or Roethlisberger are there, I would not be surprised to see the Giants take them. But otherwise, I expect them to fill the gaping need and get a great player in Gallery. Especially with Shawn Andrews reportedly putting on table weight like Too Cold Scorpio, I think that makes Gallery all the more appealing as the preeminent offensive tackle in this draft.
