Ask the Experts

By the editors of Pro Football Weekly
April 18, 2002

Holbrook: There’s no question that Tennessee DT Albert Haynesworth is the biggest make-or-break pick in this year’s draft. The 6-5 5/8, 320-pounder has risen up draft boards around the league based on his tremendous potential but the fact remains that Haynesworth only put together one good season as a Volunteer. He has a huge upside but he’s also immature and inexperienced and there are questions about how hard he’ll work to get better. IF he decides he wants to be a great player, he will be. However, if he doesn’t get inspired to give his all, some team will be very, very disappointed with their pick.

Reynolds: It’s strange to say this, but Fresno State QB David Carr. The biggest gamble in the draft always seems to be at quarterback and college accolades don’t necessarily translate to the NFL (Heath Shuler). Nor does a strong arm (Ryan Leaf, among others). I like Carr the person and the football player. The situation he is entering with offensive coordinator Chris Palmer, who has developed Drew Bledsoe, Tim Couch, Mark Brunell and Rob Johnson in similar situations, seems to provide a safety net and guard against pitfalls. Carr can also lean on NFL veteran and chum Trent Dilfer, who was the sixth pick in the 1994 draft and could write several volumes on struggling as a starting quarterback. Carr has been flipping through the Texans’ playbook for months and has been a part of the organization for longer. But breaking the bank on a bright signal-caller isn’t always a success. While it seems Carr has what it takes to attain stardom, it remains to be seen. A much-admired personnel chief, Houston general manager Charley Casserly hasn’t always mastered draft day. In Washington, he took Heath Shuler rather than Dilfer. Many of Casserly’s peers favor Oregon QB Joey Harrington. Could Casserly get a failing grade on another multiple-choice test? We all know that history can repeat itself.

Nawrocki: Tennessee DT Albert Haynesworth may have helped his draft status more than any other junior by coming out early because I don’t think teams would be nearly as high on him if they had another year to evaluate his ability. Haynesworth reminds me of Raiders DT Darrell Russell when he came out of USC early in 1997. Russell was selected second overall largely because of his quickness and agility as a run-stopper, but has not developed into much of a p layer in the league. He has had a few solid seasons, but has not shown the inner drive, motivation or work ethic that transforms great talent into Pro Bowl players. I was very unimpressed with Haynesworth’s physique at the combine. His strength levels are poor, he tires easily and he does not show the mean streak that you would like to see in a defensive linemen. While he has a huge upside, I think Haynesworth is a huge risk. Lackadaisical players can be cancerous in a locker room and affect team morale. Once payday comes, I have a hard time believing Haynesworth will stay motivated. With a year of development, I think his greatest value could be at left tackle. He has the quickness to mirror defensive ends and the size to engulf blockers.

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