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selection, WR Hakim Dockett. Dockett, Washington, and season 1 draft 1st rounder TE Richard Jefferson come together to form a severely potent offense that could have lots of firepower. QB Donovan McNabb, rumored to have been on his way out of Ocean City prior to the draft, looks like he will return and lead the way for the Hammerheads with his new set of weapons. With the 19th overall selection in the first round, the Hammerheads selected LB Carl Lewis out of Towson State University. Lewis, who will wear #52 in honor of his idol Ray Lewis, runs extremely well and has the size to be a formidible force on the Hammerheads' defense. The Hammerheads are expected to move OLB Twan Nichols from ROLB to LOLB and LB Julian Peterson from LOLB to MLB to make room for Lewis as the team's ROLB. MLB Boomer Grigsby is expected to backup Peterson and play inside in 3-4 defensive schemes. With the 36th overall pick, the Hammerheads selected DE Jermaine McClain out of the University of California. McClain is an extremely agile defensive end who will compete with last year's second round selection, DE Matt Oldham, for playing time. McClain is expected to be a pass-rushing specialist while Oldham has become recognized as a run stuffer in his rookie season with the Hammerheads. With the 45th overall selection, the Hammerheads selected WR Chuck Wiley out of Virginia Tech. Wiley has a solid 6'4" frame and above average speed, which makes him a viable candidate for the 4th WR position where he will compete with WR/KR Dante Hall. Wide receiver was not a pressing need for Ocean City with the drafting of Washington, but the Hammerheads front office felt Wiley was the best value at the pick. With the 45th overall selection, the Hammerheads drafted DE Victor Stanley, the second defensive end taken in the draft by the Hammerheads. The pick of Stanley adds another solid pass rushing threat who can spot star DE Dave Hutton, a move that the Hammerheads' coaching staff will look at to give Hutton a rest and keep him fresh and more effective for longer periods in the game. Stanley has great speed but average strength at best; however, DE Dave Hutton came into the league with similar credentials and now has bulked up and become one of the PFL's best pass rushers. With the 84th overall selection, the Hammerheads selected OT Shawn Goodwin, who is expected to provide even more depth and potential behind the Hammerheads' two starting OT's along with OT Alex Barron. Training camp will determine which tackle position each player will backup. Next, the Hammerheads pulled off a trade with the Kings Park Cretins, sending WR Reggie Wayne to the Cretins for their 4th round, 90th overall draft pick. The Hammerheads used this pick on DT Brad Willis out of SW Mississippi State, a player the team coveted and was willing to trade up for. Willis has a great combination of strength and speed that should make him a pass rushing threat in passing situations. Next, the Hammerheads reached an agreement with the New York Thunderbears which sent original Hammerhead DE Will Smith to the Thunderbears for the 93rd overall pick, the 112th overall pick, and the 136th overall pick. The Hammerheads used the 93rd overall pick on QB Howard Erb out of Maryland, a player who will compete with QB Earl Alford and QB Levi Nichols for a roster spot and the backup position to QB Donovan McNabb. It's probable that one of the three quarterbacks will be released. With the 108th overall pick, the Hammerheads selected HB Lennox Schneidmiller out of Temple University. Schneidmiller clocked in with a below-average speed for a runningback, but his strength is superb and the hope in the front office's eyes is that he will develop into a strong short-yardage back and possibly become a regular part of the Hammerheads' offense to wear down opposing defenses using brute power on the ground. A major knock on Schneidmiller is that he is relatively small for a runningback, regardless of his power. The Hammerheads front office hopes that his lack of height will give him a lower center of gravity and could be used as a positive, but only time will dictate if this will be the case. Insurance in case Schneidmiller doesn't work out was acquired with the 112th overall pick, used on HB Chauncey Snider out of Ohio State University. Snider is similar to Scheidmiller, but is above average size. He isn't a quite as strong, but is faster. A major knock on Snider is that he had fumbling problems in college, so if he doesn't correct that at this level, he may not last too long on a PFL roster. Schneidmiller and Snider will compete to make the team with HB's Rudi Johnson, Mike Hartley, Marion Barber, and Tyson Thompson. The Hammerheads may keep 5 runningbacks if needed because of Thompson's ability as a return specialist. With the 132nd overall pick, the Hammerheads selected DT Tony Williams, adding a potential 5th defensive tackle to the roster. Williams has average strength for a defensive tackle, but is above average in agility and acceleration, which makes him viable to make pass-oriented defenses as a pass rushing tackle. With the Hammerheads' final draft pick (136th overall), the Hammerheads selected OG Wayne Kelly - a stellar college pass blocker. He will likely make the team as a backup on the offensive line at LG.
Overall, the Hammerheads feel they added several talented individuals and are excited to get into training camp to give the players a look as they begin to carve out a clear picture of the Hammerheads' opening day roster. |
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