ZFL 2007 off-season/DRAFT

[revrew]

Injury Report
"Several injuries this year, including both aging veterans and young up-and-comers. Few teams escaped unscathed."

Los Angeles: "The defense will take a big hit next year as CB Paul Sorvino attempts to recover from reconstructive knee surgery. He'll definitely be slowed down."

Portland: "The dynamite WR duo may be hampered a bit as WR Khan Ogadai has struggled with nagging turf toe. He might drop a step."

San Antonio: "Already a weak spot in the killer Margarita D, back troubles for OLB Quick n Mean spell big troubles for his future with the ZFL."

Little Rock: "Coaches have looked worried as star OT Keith Slapinski fought off a dislocated shoulder. It continues to nag him, and may weaken him a bit."

Knoxville: "An already struggling defense takes a blow as DT Uncle Jesse Jackson adds injury to age. I'm not certain Uncle Jesse can recover."

Albuquerque: "The dynamite AQ offense will have to find a way to replace the services of OG Goliath. Though he will attempt to return from back surgery, the injury plus age will likely render Goliath a bench player at best."

Cincinnati: "Young QB Mr. Shmallow will grieve a broken leg suffered by favorite target WR Homestar Runner next year. The break was not clean, and Runner faces an uphill battle to return to top form."

El Paso: "The Busters took the worst injury hit this offseason, suffering a pair of starter injuries. Young OT stud Billy Milner is young enough to recover from a broken clavicle, but it might take a year or two to return to his all-star potential. DE Eddie Lee Washington isn't quite as young, and his knee troubles may move him back to the bench."

[revrew]

Draft Preview
"Overall, I give this draft an A. There are some outstanding young players in this draft that you'll be hearing about for years. I think the second and third rounds will be muddy, especially as there are so many solid role players, and it would be hard to separate the gems from the bums. But the top 5 to 10 players in this draft will increase the level of talent in the ZFL once again."

Quarterback: B+ "The best QB available in years stands atop the chart as the obvious #1 overall pick. This category would have rated higher if there were any depth, but the top dog earns a B+ for the category all by himself."
Halfback: B "Not much depth, but a young, well-rounded back who deserves top 5 consideration tops the list."
Fullback: C "There's one solid, young back who will go round 1 or 2. Not much after that."
Wide Receiver: A+ "This is the year of the wideout. 3 first-round candidates, and 6 total should be drafted. Unbelievable crop of talent."
Offensive Tackle: C+ "Some solid talent, but no one who stands out. Probably not a first-rounder in the bunch."
Offensive Guard: B "Lots of depth, but don't be fooled: it's only the guys at the top that matter. One top 5 candidate, and a couple of contributors."
Defensive Tackle: B "The grade here is more for depth (4 will be drafted) than quality. Role players only."
Defensive End: C+ "Tons of depth, but mostly only bench players. Nonetheless, there is some spark in the top end; a top 5 candidate."
Middle linebacker: F "Last year we got two great ones. This year, we get nothin."
Outside linebacker: D- "Barely a shade better than middle backer."
Safety: C "Couple of second-rounders, but that's all."
Cornerback: C+ "An outstanding top 5 corner, but then you have to turn to a JuCo man. Too bad there isn't more depth."
Kicker: A "A very talented, athletic bunch. Bruce Handily will get some competition from the top dog in this draft, and it's the kind of crop that makes a person wonder how valuable kickers really are. Could a kicker go in the first round?"

[revrew]

Draft Order:

FIRST ROUND:
LR, FG, CH, EP, LA, CN, KX, SA, MW, LA, AQ, PT

SECOND ROUND:
LR, FG, CH, EP, BH, CN, KX, EP, MW, LA, AQ, PT

THIRD ROUND:
LR, FG, CH, EP, MW, CN, KX, SA, MW, LA, MW, PT


Draft Notes/Changes:
1. Note some trades take effect in this draft: LA has 2 first rounders, EP has 2 second rounders, and MW has 3 third rounders.

2. There have been some slight tweaks to the draft pool process:
a. The probabilities have been amended to create a few more breakouts, but several more busts than in previous years.
b. The busts and breakouts, however, will not necessarily be the same level of bust or breakout as in previous drafts. Where there was previously only one level of bust, now there are 3--a slight bust, a bust typical to previous years, and a rare, complete blowout bust. There are two categories of breakout, slight and typical to previous years.
c. This should not, however, dissuade you from coveting these draft picks. This is an excellent crop.

[korme]

NOT HOMESTAR! :(

[digamma]

It may be time to rebuild in Knoxville.

[Coffee Warlord]

Oh my God! They Killed Khan!

[JeeberD]

Damn, not by boy Billy. :(

Building this team just got even tougher...

[illinifan999]

Chicago is uh rebuilding, yeah that's the word. Now the choice, trade, pick defense, or pick offense....hmmmmmm

[tucker342]

YAY! I didn't think I had a pick. But I guess I do!:D

[revrew]

And now, the 2007 ZFL Draft Board

QB:
Little Rock - Johnny Rotten, 22 "He will go #1, end of story, to Little Rock or by trade. It's rare a QB comes to the ZFL with this much talent. Thumbless and Sizzlack will have a competitor in the very near future."
B. 23 "The Army isn't known for producing great QBs. And though leadership and toughness are here, talent isn't. This QB will likely go late third to a team hoping for a miracle."
C. 21 "He's young and mobile, but erratic. An athlete who may not be cut out to be a field general."
D. 23 "A Div.III slinger who nonetheless shows bad mechanics."

HB:
El Paso - Blair Thomas, 21 "Young, elusive, with a great burst. Reminds you of a poor man's Clinton Portis, and deserves consideration in the top 5."
F. 21 "A young workhorse who has the talent to go in the second, but may not get a look until later in the RB-rich ZFL."
G. 22 "No star potential."

FB:
San Antonio - Teeny, 21 "Powerful young blocker who showed soft hands as a TE in college. The transition to ZFL FB should go smoothly; a top 10 talent."
I. 22 "Blocked for a Div I superstar runningback, but never really impressed on his own. Third rounder, likely."
J. 24 "Has the same kind of rep as (I.), but a bit older."
K. 23 "I can't imagine he'd really contribute."

WR:
Fargo - Lobsterboy, 22 "The NFL promised him a special teams role. But he wanted more. He deserves more. A Div II megastar, 6'1, 190, great body positioning and crisp routes that will make him a star in the timing-route heavy ZFL. Top 5 for sure."
Cincinnati - Senor Cardgage, 22 "What he does after the catch is special. At 5'10 165 he won't overpower, but just try to catch him after he gets the ball. Top 10 talent."
Milwaukee - Lightning, 24 "An NFLE standout who has put in his dues for 3 years. All he does is catch the ball. Great hands. Deserves a look in the first, but will definitely be gone by the early 2nd."
O. 23 "An Arena League standout who uses a lot of speed, but isn't polished or disciplined enough to really be a star. Still, he'll go second to third and find a spot to start somewhere."
P. 20 "Untested JuCo player who has speed and agility, but whose numbers never matched up. Still, with his potential, several teams will consider him in the third."
Q. 23 "A converted QB who is definitely athletic, but even at 23 is still a bit of a project. He's good enough to be a bench player, but has an upside that could earn him a starting role."

OT:
R. 23 "Dependable, well-disciplined player from a small school. Watching him on film impresses. He'll be starting somewhere after getting drafted late first, early second."
S. 23 "Can your coaching staff spin this 6'8 384 pound mammoth into gold? All the body is there, but he's very unpolished. Still, that much mass is worth a look in the second."
T. 20 "Feisty JuCo star who played more with fire than with ability. A second to third rounder who, if he can be taught, should develop into a starter."
U. 24 "He's not cutting it in NFLE, and I don't think he'll cut it here."
V. 24 "It's time to find another career, fatso."

OG:
Los Angeles - Howard Stern, 24 "A proven track record in college. A proven track record in NFLE. There's no reason this 6'3 305 pound guard hasn't been given his shot in the NFL. We'll gladly take him, draft him top 5, and show the NFL what they've been missing."
Albuquerque - Comic Book Guy, 20 "A young athlete who loves pushing people out of the way. Real blue-collar attitude. Should go second round."
Y. 23 "Second to third for this guard who has shown some spark in the CFL, but may still need a bit of work to realize his potential."
Z. 23 "Perhaps late third for this sizeable, but talent-deprived guard."
AA. 23 "What I said about (Z) was a compliment compared to what I could say about this guy."
BB. 24 "I doubt he'll be drafted."
CC. 22 "Perhaps professional wrestling would suit you better."


DT:
Los Angeles - Orlando Bloom, 22 "A gargantuan grave digger from the University of Miami. He didn't start there, but this much of a beefy runstuffer is worth considering in the second."
b. 24 "A first-round NFL pick from Notre Dame. Unfortunately, a knee injury scared away his former team, and he's looking to make a comeback through the ZFL. The injury might be a problem, but you still gotta consider him in the second."
c. 23 "Harvard isn't known for producing great football players, but this DT was one of their best in recent years. No pun intended, he's smart, and mechanically sound enough to consider second round."
d. 22 "He was good at plugging holes at Washington State, but doesn't show enough upfield burst to excel in the ZFL. Second to third, but doubtful he'll star."
e. 21 "I can't recommend him, no matter how large he is."

DE:
Knoxville - Al Jackson, 22 "A converted OLB with tons of speed, though he needs to beef up a bit. Lightning fast off the line, and worthy of top 5 consideration."
g. 22 "As opposed to (f.), he's no speed demon, but he can hold the end and outmuscle an OT. Solid player worth looking at in the second, maybe third."
h. 23 "Third round should take this small-school DE off the board. He produced numbers, even if he lacks prototype size."
i. 21 "A young project, but at 6'5 and speedy, you gotta consider him in the third."
j. 23 "Another small school dynamo, but may be too small to ever leave a ZFL bench."
k. 20 "A JuCo project whose chances of panning out are shaky. The body is there, but the work ethic isn't."
l. 24 "Here you've got work ethic, but zero talent. Too bad this guy won't likely be drafted; he's a good guy."

MLB:
m. 21 "Probably the only MLB who will get drafted. He's a tenacious tackler, but short and slow for the wide open ZFL."
n. 21 "A natural athlete, but he doesn't show good game smarts. Might make a better kicker than linebacker. May not even be drafted."
o. 22 "Small school tackle machine, but he missed a bunch, too. Having a hard time finding a single impressive game tape..."

OLB:
p. 21 "A young OLB who was overshadowed at his Div I school by better defenders. Worth late consideration, but he doesn't look impressive enough in space to star. 3rd round."
q. 21 "Not many props for this Div III standout, but he wows with strength and speed. Young enough to be a late-round project."
r. 23 "Maybe in the 42nd round..."

S:
s. 22 "At 5'10, he's a little small for a safety, but he's built like a rock and fast enough to cover. A hard-hitter worth second-round consideration."
t. 24 "Wasn't impressive in college, but in the CFL he turned some heads. Ready for a deserved shot in the ZFL. Second round material."
u. 23 "That's it for safeties. None of the rest are fast enough to cut it in the ZFL."
v. 22 "See above."

CB:
Chicago - Sean Sharper, 22 "He doesn't have the hands to play WR, but he's got the speed and then some. Agility drills were awesome. Maybe he is raw, but he's got the athleticism to go top 5 in this draft."
x. 20 "A good looking JuCo project. Silky smooth 6'2, good agility. He takes too many chances, but give him time. Might go late second, but for sure in the third."
y. 24 "His size (6'3) has always been intriguing, but on the NFLE field, he got burned like a marshmallow dropped in the campfire. I don't think starting over in the ZFL will help."

K:
Portland - Juan "Voodoo" Jalisco, 21 "Former highschool track and baseball star who wowed many in a reality TV show. Athletic, strong, fast, dogged determination--most impressive kicker we've seen in a while. Where do you draft a kicker with top 5 talent?"
aa. 22 "Not the fastest kicker we've seen, but his strength to size ratio and overall athleticism will make him some team's starting kicker."
bb. 23 "Brainy, skilled, swift. Has a mastery of unusual sports. He'll be a ZFL starter, too."
cc. 22 "Not in the same class as the top 3 kickers, but wirey and deceptively strong. Could get a look in the third round."

[revrew]

Kiper's draft predictions

Little Rock: "The Willies should get every trade offer under the sun for the #1. And Swaggs will have some tough decisions. Stockpile talent and build a team through future drafts? Or is he sick of losing, and willing to pin his hopes on a QB who could turn things around quickly? Tough, tough decisions. I think, however, that pairing Rajah Saleem and young QB stud A. in the same offense is just too tempting to resist. You'd better put together a heckuva trade package if you want to pry that quarterback away from Swaggs."
Fargo: "The Crawfish have several young players with potential. If they want to pick top talent at one of the positions where they have an older player, then it's gotta be OG or WR. Since WR is a more urgent need, the Fish go with WR L."
Chicago: "In need of talent virtually everywhere, but especially on defense, the Eagles will look to CB w."
El Paso: "Tough choice for the Busters...go with best talent, or a needed replacement for an aging player? The Busters can't hope to win if they continue to play with the league's worst HB, so look for El Paso to go with HB E."
Los Angeles (from BH): "If all goes as planned above, the Stars can finally step in and grab a long-missing piece. The offense has needed a guard for a long time, and they'll get one if OG W. is still available."
Cincinnati: "That young QB of theirs needs someone to throw to, and with the injury to Homestar Runner, the Chaps will take some insurance with WR M."
Knoxville: "The Rednecks got diddly at DE, and aging diddly at that. If the talent is still there, look for Knoxville to draft DE f."
San Antonio: "San Antonio has some age, particularly at WR and FB. If the top WRs are gone, and if the top CB is gone, San Antonio will pick up FB H."
Milwaukee: "The Muscle Men have a young QB who needs someone to throw to. The defense is working, the running game is working, the passing game is not--Milwaukee takes WR N."
Los Angeles: "The Stars get another pick in the first, and a good year to get it, too. If San Antonio doesn't pick up that fullback, LA will. But if he's gone, LA will pick DT or double up on an OG. With Ed Norton primed to retire, LA will most likely take DT a."
Albuquerque: "The offense is firing on all cylinders, and the defensive talent here may not excite NevStar. With Goliath injured, and both OGs getting old, AQ will take some insurance in OG X."
Portland: "The champs don't really need anything. The team is solid, and the best talent at this spot isn't in Portland's weakness...wait a minute...Coffee Warlord likes to have the best at every position...and there's a kicker who has the potential to be the best. Why not? Portland becomes the first to draft a kicker in the first round, Biscuits take K z."

Birmingham: "The Olympians only have one pick in this draft, and it doesn't come until halfway through the second round. Hard to predict that deep into the draft, but it appears a solid OT might fall down that far. Whoever tops the board at OT will likely go to Birmingham."


Little Rock...start taking trade offers...take your time...you're on the clock!

(Edited because I changed the letter codes in the secondary and kicker fields)

[The Afoci]

Rev, is there any chance I could get my roster sent to me, I accidently deleted it when I was clearing out my PM box.

[illinifan999]

bump

[DolphinFan1]

bump

[Swaggs]

With the first selection in the 2007 ZFL draft, Little Rock selects QB (A.) Johnny Rotten.

[The Afoci]

Fargo selects WR L, Lobsterboy.

[JeeberD]

illinifan is on the clock... :)

[illinifan999]

The Eagles select CB w. 22 aka Sean Sharper out of the University of Miami.

[JAG]

Kiper always seems to do much better with the ZFL than the NFL.

[JeeberD]

And Kiper is correct again...

El Paso selects RB E, Blair Thomas...

[JAG]

I'd just like to take this time to thank the Jets again for taking Blair Thomas instead of Emmitt Smith.

We now return to the ZFL Draft.

[illinifan999]

I think it'd be interesting for revrew to one year send Kiper's pre draft picks to someone like JAG, and see who we draft without his influence. :)

[DolphinFan1]

Originally posted by illinifan999
I think it'd be interesting for revrew to one year send Kiper's pre draft picks to someone like JAG, and see who we draft without his influence. :)

I second this suggestion.

[revrew]

I had asked earlier if Kiper held too much sway. The answer then was no. But perhaps now thoughts have changed.

Though I'm guessing Kiper would be right on even if his picks were kept silent until later. Kiper's predicts come based only on the writeups of the available draftees and the current team makeup/needs. I don't look at the draftee's ratings, their bust/breakout potential, or anything else--only need and draft board writeup. In hindsight, I know if some GMs actually do pick the way Kiper predicts, they are going to get burned on busts. In hindsight, I know some GMs would be better off taking a pick outside of need than going with Kiper's thoughts. But in the end, with only an 18-man roster and no free agency, it's not hard to see what a team needs. AQ is not going to go after a big QB, because Sizzlack's contract is never "up." PT won't draft O-linemen. Why would they? This is pretty easy to see just by looking at rosters.

But perhaps some GMs are not trading up because Kiper said their desired man might fall there? Is Kiper providing too clear a portrait of what's going to happen? Hmmm...hadn't thought of that...

[Marmel]

LA selects:

OG W, now known as Howard Stern

[JAG]

rev,

Maybe a post-draft writeup of how Kiper feels teams did in balancing available talent and need?

In case that wasn't clear, the above in place of a pre-draft prediction. After all, if the players will be selected almost comletely according to prediction, the prediction part isn't so interesting. The post-draft discussion of how a team did, or perhaps could've taken X player, and so forth could be more interesting.

[JeeberD]

Shorty, make a damn pick for goodness sake!!!

[korme]

Thanks for the heads up Jeeber. Picking now.

[korme]

With Homestar down and no aid to his success anyway, Cincinnati selects WR M, or who we like to call Senor Cardgage

[digamma]

Knoxville selects DE f., Al Jackson

[sachmo71]

San Antonio will take FB H. He shall be named Teeny.

[DolphinFan1]

I know I am on the clock. I am in trade negotiations right now. I will make a pick by 9 P.M. tonight.

BTW, My wife is being induced tomorrow morning. I will be P.M. Revrew later tonight with my pick selections.

[revrew]

Dolphin, hope things go well, safely, and joyfully tomorrow! Congrats!

I have Marmel's pick as well, so when Dolphin's pick is gone, I'll make the next one for Marmel. Thanks, Marm and Dolph, for keeping the draft rolling even when you have to be away.

[DolphinFan1]

PRESS RELEASE

Milwaukee fails to come to a trade agreement on draft day.

Milwaukee GM DolphinFan announced today that an effort was made to trade up in the 1st round. Talks with several teams failed to reach an agreement. Also an effort was made to trade out of the 1st round. That also failed. Asked what he thought was the reason no deals were made, DolphinFan had this to say,"Everyone is looking for the same thing. We tried really hard to better our draft position. But when you pick 9th in the draft, it's really hard to move up. We have done fairly well even with the low draft picks in the past. Hopefully we can do the same this year. I have no hard feelings to the GMs who turned down our offers. We are all in the same boat. We all want to win."

So with the 9th pick in the 1st round, Milwaukee selects: WR - N : "Lightning" out of the University of Connecticut, new Big East member in 2005.

[DolphinFan1]

Rev, I sent you my pick in the 2nd round in case I am not back by then. Gotta go everyone. Baby is coming.

[revrew]

Marmel selects DT a., known as Orlando Bloom.

Albuquerque, you're on the clock.

[Coffee Warlord]

Good luck to you Dolphin!

[Coffee Warlord]

On a side note. Make an offer of a player, and the last pick of round 1 is up for grabs.

Portland seeks an FB or a DE, primarily.

[JeeberD]

Rev, I sent you my pick in the 2nd round in case I am not back by then. Gotta go everyone. Baby is coming.

Best of luck to you and the wife. I hope everything goes well tomorrow... :)

[NevStar]

Underwhelmed by the 1st round talent, AQ selects

OG X Comic Book Guy

[Coffee Warlord]

Pretty much also unimpressed with the quality of talent remaining, Portland makes Kiper right and selects, from the University of Cuba, Kicker <b>Juan "Voodoo" Jalisco</b> (z)

[revrew]

Uh-oh. Kiper was a perfect 12 for 12. Oops.

Alright--next season change--Kiper will make public each team's "primary needs," but not make any predicts. He may, however, as was suggested, give some feedback afterwards--a little analysis. That is, if y'all have tough enough skin to take it ;)

[Coffee Warlord]

I *really* didn't wanna make him perfect, either, but jeez. There's nothing else on the board even remotely fitting. :)

[Swaggs]

Little Rock selects OT (R.) Dan "Small Daddy" Wilkerson.

[revrew]

Today has been a whirlwind day for the ZFL GMs:

Dolphin had a boy
I lost my nephew
digamma lost a brother and his dad

I am going to propose a temporary halt to the draft. I, anyways, am going to stay off the board for a few days. Perhaps in a week or so we can pick it up again. I however...need a break.

[sachmo71]

Totally understood, Rev. Take care of the family.

[tucker342]

That's fine. Family obviously comes first

[JeeberD]

No problem whatsoever. There are much more important things than the ZFL...

[JAG]

I echo the above sentiments rev.

[DolphinFan1]

Rev, take all the time you need.

My prayers are with you and your family and also Digamma's.