Ask the Experts

By the editors of Pro Football Weekly
April 19, 2002

Holbrook: When I heard the news that Oregon QB Joey Harrington had declined the NFL’s invitation to attend Saturday’s draft in New York, the first thing I thought of is that Harrington must have some good information that he won’t be picked among the top 10 selections and doesn’t want to sit around waiting and waiting with all of the ESPN cameras focused on him. In fact, I’m more and more inclined to think that Harrington may actually fall to Daniel Snyder and the Redskins after all, giving the egotistical Redskins owner the "sexy" pick he so desperately desires. Can you imagine how excited Steve Spurrier will be with a talented signal-caller like Harrington in the fold? Wow. If Harrington does get past the Bengals at No. 10, which may happen with rumors of Cincinnati being enamored with Miami TE Jeremy Shockey and Miami CB Phillip Buchanon, I also won’t be surprised to see a team (Baltimore? Chicago?) try to trade up to get him before the Redskins pick. This could get interesting …
PICK: Washington

Reynolds: The only thing that is clear on the Joey Harrington front is that it is unclear. Harrington himself displayed his agreement with that statement by declining an invitation to the Madison Square Garden Theater, choosing instead to watch the draft from his parents’ Oregon home where his elation, or lack thereof, will be less visible. I really think Lions president Matt Millen is starting to realize that if he doesn’t take Harrington, he will be making a mistake. Millen must decide if three years from now he can look himself in the mirror and declare Mike McMahon (drafted last season out of Rutgers) a supreme talent compared to Harrington. Many personnel posts, and I agree, feel Harrington is the top quarterback in this draft. While the Texans would argue, Detroit should feel privileged to get such value at the third pick. However, I sense that Millen would like to move the pick and slide down to possibly take Miami CB Phillip Buchanon or address one of Detroit multiple other needs. On the other hand, I see Redskins owner Daniel Snyder itching to make a headline pick. As it stands, he doesn’t have one with the No. 18. Snyder has his marquee coach, who wants a marquee offense; the easiest way to get there is to find a way to get into the top eight and grab Harrington. My money is on Washington to announce Joey Capitol in D.C. Saturday night.
PICK: Washington in a trade up — likely Top 10

Nawrocki: I think Harrington’s future rests largely on the status of veteran Patriots QB Drew Bledsoe, who has not participated in the club’s offseason conditioning program to date and is not expected to report to training camp as a backup to Tom Brady. The Bills are believed to have a third-round draft pick on the table in exchange for Bledsoe and his whopping contract. The Bills are one of the few teams that are looking for a veteran quarterback and can afford him. I think they will use the draft as leverage to get the deal done, and select Harrington if the Patriots refuse to give him up at their price. Bills general manager Tom Donahoe said he will not depart with the team’s first-round pick that the Patriots are seeking for Bledsoe. If the Patriots refuse to deal a disgruntled Bledsoe for a third-round pick, expect the Bills to take Harrington. If the Bills acquire Bledsoe before the draft, I think Harrington will fall to the Bengals at No. 10. The Bills, Bengals and Redskins are the three teams still in the hunt for a quarterback, and I fully expect each of them to draft a quarterback in the early rounds. The Ravens are expected to go with third-year QB Chris Redman, and the Lions seem committed to second-year QB Michael McMahon, but Ravens head coach Brian Billick and Lions head coach Marty Morhinweg are both offensive-minded coaches who will be looking to add depth at quarterback. I don’t think the Lions will take Harrington at No. 3, but if they trade down, it’s possible Harrington can wind up in Detroit as well.
PICK: Buffalo at No. 4

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