WAR ROOM STRATEGIC PLANS OF THE NFC CENTRAL TEAMS
By: Dave-Te' Thomas

CHICAGO BEARS

Scuttlebutt in the Windy City is that this will probably be general manager Mark Hatley's last draft for the Bears, as reports are circulating that he will shortly join old friend Marty Shottenheimer in Washington for the 2001 season. Hatley has received a little pressure from fans over the Cade McNown and Curtis Enis picks, but knowing this talent evaluator, look for him to put together another draft similar to the one that landed Rookie of the Year Brian Urlacher in 2000.

The recent signing of defensive tackle Ted Washington causes the team to shift their priorities a bit with the first round selection. Even though the team could still use a stud pass rushing defensive end like Missouri's JUSTIN SMITH, California's ANDRE CARTER or Florida State's JAMAL REYNOLDS, Washington's addition could see the team look elsewhere if all of those three are gone by the time the team selects at #8. With so much meat inside (Washington, Mike Wells, Jim Flanigan), and emerging Bryan Robinson and Phillip Daniels at end, getting a player like Carter or Reynolds will add a quality edge rusher to the mix.

Finding help at wide receiver and right cornerback follows their pressing need at right defensive end. While stranger things have happened on draft day, if Michigan's DAVID TERRELL slides to #8, the team looks for that pass rusher later. If not, second round receiving targets that could fit in nicely at #38 are Texas A&M's ROBERT FERGUSON and possibly Miami's REGGIE WAYNE, though Wayne could be gone late in the first. There are a lot of physical cornerbacks in this draft, but to get a player like Minnesota's WILLIE MIDDLEBROOKS on board, a second round choice will have to be used. Diminutive Florida State cover man TAY CODY could also be found later (third round). Help in the backfield is another necessity, even with James Allen having a breakout year in 2000. If Nebraska's DAN ALEXANDER is still around in the third, the team could opt for the swing man, who can play either tailback or fullback. Texas A&M's JA'MAR TOOMBS is another possibility, but the team coud wait until the draft's second day to see if Toombs is still around. Other second day backs gaining the Bears' attention are Massachusetts' MARCEL SHIPP and Auburn's RUDI JOHNSON. The team will also look to add depth to the right side of the offensive line, especially at guard and may take a look at a young arm at quarter- back (Western Carolina's DAVID RIVERS) late in the second day.

IF I WAS THEIR GM... It's a no brainer if David Terrell slides to #8, but I don't expect that to happen. Logic says if Carter and Reynolds are gone, that offense takes precedence in the first round. Others may howl at this one, but I would not hesitate to grab Miami's SANTANA MOSS at #8, if I could not get Terrell, as I feel he's a Marvin Harrison (Colts) clone, despite his 5:09 frame. In the second round, a corner like Middlebrooks or Ohio State's NATE CLEMENTS would be nice, but few expect the Buckeye product to slip out of the first round (Middlebrooks might). In the third, Dan Alexander would be a nice pickup to add depth to fullback and halfback.

DETROIT LIONS

Much has been made about Detroit's interest in Jacksonville's Mark Brunell, but little has been made of their equal interest in Denver's Brian Griese before he re-signed with the Broncos. It only goes to show you that Charlie Batch has to produce now. The team needs to add serious depth to the offensive line, in order to protect whoever is at quarterback, but at #18, you have to wonder if Michigan's STEVE HUTCHINSON will be worth that pick, or even still around. Look for his teammate, left tackle JEFF BACKUS to also get a look. Getting a cornerback of quality was another concern, but the recent signing of former Rams All-Pro Todd Lyght makes the team look to fill another hole with their top pick. The linebacking unit could use a boost, especially if Allen Aldridge is cut in a salary cap move, but the only 'backer worthy of a first round pick is Dan Morgan and the Browns are trying to trade down from the draft's third spot to take Morgan before Detroit gets a chance.

Look for the team to make several picks to add depth to the offensive line, with guards MIKE GANDY (Notre Dame), Washington's CHAD WARD and center BEN HAMILTON getting second-to-third round consideration. Another safety could spell doom for Ron Rice, as the team could opt for Florida State's DERRICK GIBSON, if there are no quality offensive linemen around in the first. Also look for the team to use a second day pick on a young quarterback, as Batch's rash of injuries do not sit well with the new brass.

IF I WAS THEIR GM... I'd light a candle in church this Sunday and pray that Michigan offensive guard STEVE HUTCHINSON is there at #18. If not, a safety like Derrick Gibson could get the call, as talent drops off quickly after the first ten picks or so. In the second, if I got Hutchinson in the first, I have to look at tight end ALGE CRUMPLER in the second or a safety like Mempis's IDREES BASHIR. If I go the Gibson route in the first, Notre Dame's MIKE GANDY gets my second round nod. The third round has to be used on more offensive line help, with Temple swingman MATHIAS NKWENTI or Tulane's BERNARD ROBERTSON adding depth and versatility.

GREEN BAY PACKERS

This much is known - the Pack will look for a stud defensive lineman. GM Ron Wolf is trying to secure the #2 spot away from Arizona for a shot at Missouri defensive end JUSTIN SMITH, but the Rams are also talking with Arizona. More logically, the Pack will trade up slightly, tossing in a third rounder (team has three) to move up two spots with Chicago to take Florida defensive tackle GERARD WARREN instead. Another area that could be used on the first round pick is wide receiver, with Oregon State's CHAD JOHNSON and interesting target. The offensive line, especially right guard, is another area that needs early round attention. With a first, second, three third, two sixths and a seventh, the Pack certainly have room to maneuver on draft day.

The second day of the draft will be left to the "best avaialable athlete" trick, since they don't pick until the sixth round, but a speedy receiver who can return kicks, depth at linebacker and maybe another young developing quarterback could fill some backup needs for Green Bay.

IF I WAS THEIR GM... I'd move up to #8 to take GERARD WARREN, knowing that the Bears would do the deal if I tossed in a third rounder. If Warren is gone, I stay at #10 & take either Chad Johnson at receiver (Wolf is not so keen on drafting a receiver early) or go for offensive line help, if Florida's KENYATTA WALKER is still available. In the second, if I did not take a receiver earlier, I have to look at Texas A&M's ROBERT FERGUSON at #47 or possibly a stud pass rusher like Southern Mississippi's CEDRIC SCOTT. In the third round, Texas Christian defensive end AARON SCHOBEL, Notre Dame guard/center MIKE GANDY, Illinois offensive tackle MARQUES SULLIVAN and receiver KEVIN KASPER are a quartet that I would consider for those three choices.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

The last liner of defense, cornerback, is a pressing need, but the strange cutting of Todd Steussie leaves a gaping hole at left tackle, which despite Dennis Green's proclamation, can not be filled by the likes of Brad Badger. Look for corners NATE CLEMENTS (Ohio State), FRED SMOOT (Mississippi State), JAMAR FLETCHER (Wisconsin) and WILLIE MIDDLEBROOKS (Minnesota) to also get a long look. If Michigan offensive tackle JEFF BACKUS slides to #27, he may be too good to pass up.

A free safety is another prime need, but the team will wait until the second day to add depth there. Finding a quality running back to replace Robert Smith won't happen in this draft, but power runners like Nebraska's DAN ALEXANDER, Auburn's RUDI JOHNSON and Pittsburgh's KEVAN BARLOW could be the answer in the second-to-third round picture. Look for a receiver who can return kicks to come on board later in the draft and additional offensive line help on the second day happening with multiple picks. The loss of John Randle and Tony Williams makes defensive tackle another area for concern.

IF I WAS THEIR GM...At #27, the pickings will be slim, but if there is a corner like WILLIE MIDDLEBROOKS there, he's my man. I also could opt for Mississippi's KEN LUCAS, but this guy has yet to live up to his athletic ability. In the perfect world, Jeff Backus is still around at #27. If not, Daunte Culpepper should start fearing for his life. In the second round, I have to get a runner like Kevan Barlow in the fold and then look for a defensive tackle in the third round, possibly Cincinnati's MARIO MONDS or Stanford's WILLIE HOWARD, both favorites of Dennis Green.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

The offensive line is Tony Dungy's main concern and the young coach has targeted one man to fill the need at left tackle - Michigan's JEFF BACKUS. If Backus is gone, do not be surprised if the Bucs trade down, feeling that they can get Louisiana State's BRANDON WINEY in the second round, instead. The team may look to add another cornerback early, but the re-signing of Ronde Barber eliminates that as a primary need. A pass catching tight end would be nice, but they may be better waiting until the draft's second day to take Texas-El Paso's BRIAN NATKIN to fill that role.

This will be a draft where the Bucs will go for a little depth at various positions after filling their primary need at left offensive tackle. Fullback, free safety, outside linebacker and offensive guard are areas needing a boost of youth to the reserve units. The team has all of their own picks plus one extra sixth and two additional sevenths. They could also use Ryan Leaf in a trade, as Brad Johnson and Shawn King are set at the first two quarter-back slots. Also look for return help, more depth at wide receiver and a younf edge rusher, especially if the team lets veteran Chidi Ahanotu go in a salary cap (and non-productivity) move.

IF I WAS THEIR GM...Pray that Backus is there and know you have the left offensive tackle slot filled for the nest decade. If he's gone, I take a long look at Arizona State tight end TODD HEAP or Syracuse outside linebacker MORLON GREENWOOD (sure he's a reach, but what else is left out there at OLB), which should rattle a few Bucs' fans feathers. In the second round, even with Backus in the fold, I stay the course and try to get a guard like Notre Dame's MIKE GANDY in the second or jump on Washington's CHAD WARD at #51. At #84, I have to look for a versatile defensive back or receiver that can return kicks, but if Kansas State safety JARROD COOPER happens to still be on the board, he quickly becomes a Buc in the third.

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