Pro Football Weekly and Riddell present ...
2002 NFL draft
Rumph is fifth Hurricane off board
National champions prove their ability via the numbers
By Nolan Nawrocki, Associate editor of special projects
April 20, 2002
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| In his first year as the ultimate decision-maker in place of Bill Walsh,
49ers general manager Terry Donahue selected Miami (Fla.) CB Mike Rumph, who became the
fifth player from the school to be drafted in the first round, following OT Bryant
McKinnie (7), TE Jeremy Shockey (15), CB Phillip Buchanon (17) and S Edward Reed (24). One
of the Niners’ greatest needs was depth in the secondary. Last year, they improved
their defense with DE Andre Carter and LB Jamie Winborn, but the secondary had its
struggles. Third-year CB Ahmad Plummer developed into a great defender by studying more
film and becoming a more instinctive player, but CB Jason Webster struggled to play the
ball at times. He is also considered to be undersized at 5-9.
Rumph, at 6-2, gives the 49ers excellent size and speed on the corner. If he takes some
advice from Plummer and spends more time preparing for the game, he can make an immediate
impact in the 49ers secondary.
Some scouts said the Hurricanes’ secondary was better than some units in the NFL.
Rumph is a big-time player who will give the Niners the third corner they lacked last
year. He will join recently acquired free-agent SS Tony Parrish in a revamped secondary. |
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