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The NFL Draft Bible brings you the low down on the recent draftees--who's limping, who's shinning and who needs an alarm clock...
HENNE PLAYED THRU SEPERATION
Dolphins rookie QB Chad Henne revealed yesterday that he took injections after five games last season to numb the pain of a separated right (throwing) shoulder.
Mancini's Take: Considering the fact that Henne's just as mobile as Ken O'Brien was in his heyday, I'm betting that there'll be a lot more pain coming in the direction of the young signal caller. Henne is fortunate that Parcells is focusing on building a very formidable offensive line to eventually protect him once he's ready to take over.
Mandel's Take: He's so brave, isn't he? The fact that he played through that injury didn't matter this weekend, as Henne was so bad in rookie camp, that he had to run laps as punishment. The Rev has it right--he'll not be thrown to the wolves until a formidable line is assembled.
FORTE IMPRESSIVE IN MINI-CAMP
Larry Mayer, of ChicagoBears.com, reports Chicago Bears RB Matt Forte was arguably the most impressive player on the practice field during the team's rookie minicamp.
Mancini's Take: The writing is on the wall: Forte will be Chicago's feature back if he continues to show what he did in his first practices. The rookie has enough power to run through tackles, as well as sufficient speed to change directions while toting the pigskin.
Mandel's Take: I think it's pepper spray on that wall. While Forte was impressing, Benson was getting into trouble with the law. Whether or not Benson did anything to break the law is still up for debate, but what isn't is Forte's opportunity to be the Man.
SMITH FIT FOR NEW SCHEME
The Lions' new one-cut zone running scheme installed by offensive coordinator Jim Colletto is the same scheme rookie RB Kevin Smith excelled in at UCF.
Mancini's Take: Smitty may not have the breakaway speed of a Barry Sanders or Billy Simms, but he does have the skills to carry the load. The new Lion is a smart runner with good vision, and should eventually receive more carries than Tatum Bell, who's more of a change-of-pace runner. If I were a Lions fan, I'd still feel a bit rancorous about the team letting Mendenhall slip away in the first round, but Smith isn't a bad second choice.
Mandel's Take: Tatum Bell is not going to carry the load--something always stops that from happening. Smith will be given every chance to produce starter's numbers. I have my doubts about Smith as a 25-carry guy, but there's clearly a place for him in the NFL.
JACOB HESTER TO PLAY DUAL ROLES
Kevin Acee, of the San Diego Union-Tribune, reports San Diego Chargers RB Jacob Hester will play both running back and fullback for the team. He has played both positions during the team's minicamp. Hester has run routes, caught passes, paved the way for running backs and carried the ball.
Mancini's Take: Hester's versatility will help open things up for San Diego's offense. The former LSU Tiger is truly a nice fit.
Mandel's Take: It's only a matter of time before he's compared to every white running back that ever played in the league with his "work ethic" and "ability to get the most out of his god-given talent". Hester will get some carries in relief of Tomlinson and will no doubt be a fan favorite.
DEXTER JACKSON LIMITED
Charlie Campbell and Jim Flynn, of PewterReport.com, reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Dexter M. Jackson (hamstring) was limited in practice Sunday, May 4, because of a pulled hamstring. Jackson expects to be ready to go May 16.
Mancini's Take: This seems like nothing more than a minor setback. I'm excited to see the impact that DJax will have on Tampa Bay's receiving and return game. I think he will see plenty of action on a team bereft of explosive playmakers.
Mandel's Take: Jackson is one of the guys I wanted on my team. Tampa's usually boring team gets a much-needed jolt of electricity with the addition of the former App St. man. I can tell you this: if Tampa puts Jackson back to return kicks, they won't have to wait 30 years before their next kickoff return for a TD.
DEVONE BESS LOOKS TO CATCH ON
Undrafted receiver Davone Bess exhibited exceptional hands at the Dolphins' first round of minicamps.
Mancini's Take: Bess's run-after-catch skills are his calling card, but he remains a project who needs to refine his route running. He sounds like a candidate for Miami's practice squad.
Mandel's Take: It's not like the Dolphins are overloaded with WR talent. He's got hands, moves, and is the kind of guy--like Jackson--who can ignite a crowd and a team.
ROOKIE OVERSLEEPS THRU PRACTICE
Rookie TE Fred Davis failed to show for the third day of Redskins minicamps Sunday because he overslept, according to team officials.
Mancini's Take: I guess we can now definitively call Davis a true rookie sleeper going into the '08 season. I'm sure he'll be on the receiving end of lots of wisecracks from both his coaches and teammates.
Mandel's Take: The Rev with the layup! Davis needs to wake up and realize he's in the pros now. Everyone gets one screwup--Davis used his pretty early and may have earned himself an unwanted reputation with this incident. He'll have to work to undo his transgression.
BALMER TO START OUTSIDE
Niners first round DL Kentwan Balmer will start off as the team's right defensive end. Coach Mike Nolan wants him to start off there, and then move him to nose guard. Nolan said the techniques are the same, so it shouldn't be a significant transition to over over the center when that time comes.
Mancini's Take: The raw tools are there, and I'm sure that San Francisco's coaching staff plans on bulking him up before even thinking about moving him to nose tackle. Balmer also needs help in developing his hand skills in order to shed blockers.
Mandel's Take: "Raw" is the right word. The Niners need guys who can help now, and hopefully for them, Balmer is able to immediately contribute at end. If he doesn't, the Niners' brass will have to answer the question, "Why didn't you take someone more NFL-ready?"
PAT SIMS LOOKS TO MAKE IMMEDIATE IMPACT
Mark Curnutte, of the Cincinnati Enquirer, reports Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said he expects DT Pat Sims to have an immediate impact. "Yeah, I think Pat for sure should have an impact right away," Smith said.
Mancini's Take: An impact on Cincy's poor excuse for a defense? Why not? This former basketball player has the lateral quickness to eventually make a difference as a rookie.
Mandel's Take: Well, there's certainly room for him to make an impact with the dearth of talent on that side of the ball. This is a very important season for Cincy--if they fail to make the playoffs, some major changes will take place.
GENO HAYES LOOKS SHARP
Jim Flynn, of PewterReport.com, reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden was impressed by LB Geno Hayes. Gruden said, "He has athletic ability and he's as advertised. He's going to be a good contact player when we start putting the pads on. He's instinctive and he has good functional speed. He appears natural and comfortable in this defense, and we're excited about that."
Mancini's Take: Gruden will probably bring him along slowly by periodically inserting him in nickel and dime packages on defense, but there's no reason why Hayes can't excel on special teams right from the get-go.
Mandel's Take: A soon-to-be fan favorite, Hayes will make an impact by, well, making an impact...on opponents' bodies. He will benefit from the tutelage of Derrick Brooks in Tampa, and was a solid 6th round pick for the Bucs. He could use a few burgers though--he's not really NFL sized as of now.
ONE TO WATCH: BEAU BELL
The Browns expect rookie Beau Bell to begin pushing inside linebacker Andra Davis for playing time by mid-season.
Mancini's Take: Bell couldn't have landed in a better spot. The Browns are in dire need of a dominant run stopper at linebacker.
Mandel's Take: He can hit, which is more than I can say for most of Cleveland's defense. The Browns gave up a couple of picks to land the former Runnin' Rebel so they expect an impact. He could be a bargain as teams were scared off by his pre-draft injury.
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