2003 Modano Mi Hermano Draft Recap

There was little question in many of the owner�s minds who the top player available in the 2003 draft was � Edgerrin James. Some were hoping he would fall a few places, but the twice-kept player was snatched off the board by Owner Steve �Einar� Olsen and will team with LaDainian Tomlinson to form a potent one-two running punch. Owner Dan Weitz surprised some with his pick of RB Curtis Martin who seemed to be running down a bit last year. Martin, who was the second pick in 2001 and the first pick in 2000, will form what Weitz termed as his own three headed monster with Travis Henry and Marshall Faulk. Owner Rich Joseph made his first ever Modano Mi Hermano pick one with big upside: Fred Taylor stayed unusually healthy last year for the Cubists, but can he do it again? The Cubists brought back Corey Dillon who was a keeper just a year ago. He knows the Cubist system and should be able to fit into the flex or RB slot, as needed. Owner Chad Nuss caught a few owners off guard with his pick of former Beer Stephen Davis. Some wondered if Davis had been traded to the Raiders, but Nuss usually kicks things off with the best player available as he did last year with Martin. The RB run continued as Owner Will Mitchell drafted BC alum William Green for the second straight year. Clearly, Mitchell was not that upset that Green busted for the Wookies then busted off long runs for the 44�s. Green should fit it well with Drew-Double-Back attack. The RB streak ended at 6 as the RB-less P-Miss Envy selected WR Eric Moulds who played for the Cookies last year. Mitchell was displeased by the pick as he hoped to team Moulds with Bledsoe, but Moulds will be catching spirals from Donovan McNabb this year. The 44�s filled their RB slot by bringing back Eddie George who was involved in the McNabb for Vick deal last year. George has plenty of wear on his tires, but may be able to get up for one more super season. Another heart was broken as the Brentful Brents selected Beer team MVP Hines Ward. The underrated Ward has clearly earned league respect as he was a 6th round choice last year. The first round concluded with champion Owner Randy Chambers selecting Torry Holt, who played with the Brents last year. Holt went to school at NC St., nearby where Chambers now makes his home, so Holt should fit right in.

The Einar continued to line his bare cupboard with interesting delectables as he chose Joe Horn, formerly of the Wookies. Horn, known for his brashness, might light a fire under the Losers, but his boastful ways may also rub teammates the wrong way. The Cookies went the way of the unconventional in Round 2 by selecting Redskin RB Trung Canidate. The former backup to Marshall Faulk has flashed potential in the past, but has had some troubles with fumblitis. We�ll have to see how he clicks with Coach Spurrier, but he has plenty of speed and potential and could have been a nice pick. The first tight end was taken off the board as Joseph selected two-time Cubist keeper Tony Gonzalez. Gonzalez had an inconsistent year in 2002, but did pull off an amazing 27 point performance for the tight end record. Joseph said he was quite pleased by the pick. After seeing his second former player head to the Ballbusters, Moore chose Koren Robinson who plied his trade for the Envy in 2002. Robinson went undrafted in 2002 and was the first player to be chosen in 2003 who had not been chosen last year. Owner Chad Callahan Nuss caused some unpleasantness by choosing flavor of last year, Sneaky Pete Award winner, Dickless Driver. While we will admit that Davis was a nice pick in Round 1, the wheels of the Coroner cart seemed to fall off in Round 2. Needless to say, Driver wasn�t drafted and played for the Brents in 2002. Things got back to normal as the Wookies chose Troy Brown, who they also chose in Round 2 last year. Brown didn�t necessarily live up to his second round billing, but Mitchell has vowed to make him a greater part of the offense. At long last, the first Chicago Bear was taken as Owner Perry Missner drafted Marty Booker, who was also drafted by the Envy last year (4th round). �Might Mitts� and Moulds make a potent duo from the receiving slots for the Envy, but they still did not have a RB. The 44�s chose their second RB in Warrick Dunn. Dunn, who played for the Brents in 2002 as 6th round choice, should have a lot of carries while Michael Vick is convalescing. The Brents selected another WR in pricy free agent Laverneus Coles, the second Redskin of the round. Coles had better be a quick study in Spurrierism and the rotating QB. The round concluded with the first defensive player, Derrick Brooks, chosen. Brooks, the reigning Don Sweeney Trophy winner, played for the 44�s in 2002. Hopefully, his best games won�t be from the bench this year.

The Einar brought back an old friend in Round 3 with former Loser keeper Isaac Bruce. Bruce, once one of the top WR�s in the land, now plays understudy to Torry Holt. Bruce does have a championship pedigree as he played last year with the Beers. The Cookies filled their WR slot with perennially underappreciated Derrick Mason. Mason was a 4th round draft pick of the Einar�s last year and spent some time with the Envy. Owner Dan Weitz hopes Mason will snag many of the Einar�s QB McNair�s TD throws to counteract any positive points gained by the Losers. The Ballbusters selected Peerless Price who has the stage all to himself in Atlanta. He may take a year to learn the system like Johnnie Morton last year, or he could be ready to fly right away. For the third straight year, the Cubists� QB will be Aaron Brooks. Brooks who has a tendency to fall apart in December once gained championship gold with the Cubists in 2001. Finally, the Coroners went back to their roots with WR Jerry Porter of the Raiders. Technical difficulties at one point had Porter going to the Cookies, but once everything was straightened out, there was no harm done. The Wookies took another Spurrierite in Rod Gardner who had a passable season for the Cubists last year. Missner became the last owner to fill his RB slot with big, fast, young, injury prone T.J. Duckett who played for the 44�s in 2002. Duckett will have to share carries with Dunn, but he has plenty of upside. The 44�s took a former Envy WR in Amani Toomer. Toomer was a 7th round choice in 2002, but has moved up four rounds for this year. Perennial sleeper Kevan Barlow was selected by the Brents to fill a flex slot. Every year, Barlow is touted by experts, but he always falls below expectations. Perhaps this will be the season in which Barlow shines, perhaps not. Duce Staley became a Beer to end the round. Duce was stuck on the Brents in 2002, but should find working with the equally inconsistent Shaun Alexander appealing.

Dan Weitz sat stunned as he heard the Einar select promising DB Roy Williams of his beloved Cowboys. Williams, the first DB selected, played for the equally Cowboy hating 44�s in 2002, so he knows what it is like to be despised by his owner. Weitz quickly recouped by selecting former Loser keeper Kurt Warner. Warner was one of the main reasons for the Losers putrid record in 2002, but he may have something left for the Cookies. Warner will vie for time with Tom Brady. Another two-time keeper left the green room as Joseph selected Jeff Garcia to man his backup QB slot. Garcia, the longtime Coroner back up who saw limited action in 2001 and 2002 is now saddled with a bad back that may hamper his movements, especially in Week 1. An era ended for the Cubists as for the first time in three years they will be lining up someone other than Tony Gonzalez at the TE slot. Todd Heap, a former East Bay Brother, is the man. He had a surprisingly decent season in 2002 playing for an owner who left him on the bench for long stretches of the season. The Coroners got their backup QB, Budweiser supplier, and lockerroom DJ all in one pick by selecting former Cubist QB Kerry Collins. It will be interesting to see how the chill out attitude of Collins mixes with the in-your-face-ness of Rich Gannon. Mitchell brought back one of his own in Rod Smith, a former Wookie keeper. Smith was hampered by injury troubles in 2002, but may be able to work magic with a new QB, Jake Plummer. The Envy continued to show that they will emphasize passing offense in 2003 by bringing back Chad Johnson. Despite playing for the Bengals, Johnson had a breakout season in 2002 and Missner is hoping for more, much more, in 2003. The 44�s dialed up now Steeler starter Amos Zereoue as their third drafted RB. Zereoue went undrafted in 2002 but ended up with the Coroners. The Brents caused some oohs and aahs by selecting WR Ashley Lelie, who was neither drafted nor played on a Modano Mi Hermano roster in 2002. He�s plenty fast, but will there be enough accurately thrown balls for he and Rod Smith? The first player to be drafted and later cut was the Beers James Stewart, who dislocated his shoulder during the late preseason and was relegated to the chum heap soon after.

The Einar continued to fill in his defensive flex with Takeo Spikes who now plays for the Bills. Spikes spent his 2002 with the Beers. After a bit of technical difficulty in which it looked like Jerry Porter was headed to Veaselicious, the Cookies selected Chris Chambers for the second straight season. Chambers fell into a sophomore slump last year, but Jay Fiedler should be able to help him turn it around. Rich Joseph (of the Gapshots) nabbed Donte� Stallworth as their second drafted WR. Stallworth caught plenty of TD balls in 2002, but was plagued with hammy troubles for the 44�s. Stockpiling RB�s has always worked for the Cubists and they got what might be a bargain in Round 5 with Troy Hambrick. Hambrick was a Wookie in 2002 but didn�t play much. Nuss surprised no one by selecting Zack Crockett. Mitchell took a flyer on rookie Onterrio Smith of the Vikings. If he gets some playing time, he might be as good as Michael Bennet, but he will lose precious TD carries to Moe Williams. The Envy brought back Anthony Thomas, a former Envy keeper, who had a bad season in 2002 behind a poor O-line. The Bears� O-line is no better in 2003 so it may be another season stuck on the tracks for the A-train. The 44�s found their starter while Michael Vick is out in Kelly Holcombe. Holcombe looked like the second coming while he was leading the Browns to the playoffs, but we�ll see how he responds to the pressure of being the man in Cleveland. Speaking of Moe Williams, the Brents took the former-Coroner with their next pick. Owner Randy Chambers continued to stockpile Buccaneer defensive player by selecting Ronde Barber. Barber once had a tremendous game against the Beers and that seed has been germinating in Chambers� brain ever since.

Teams looked to fill holes and stockpile talent in Round 6. Keyshawn Johnson was a disappointment as a second round pick for the Brents and Envy in 2002, but perhaps that was because no one threw him the damn ball. In a rather sad trend, the Cookies became the first team � again � to select a kicked. Yes, David Akers was quite good in 2002, but he would have been available several rounds later. The Ballbusters tried the defensive side of the ball for the first time with LB London Fletcher, who played with the Brothers last year. The Cubists once had great success with a rookie WR in Randy Moss, so Moore tried it again with WR Charles Rogers of the Lions. The second K of the round was less of a surprise as the first as the Coroners selected Sebastian Janakowski. He lasted until the 7th round last year. The Wookies took a stab at their most favored position by selecting Marcus Pollard who played with the woeful Einar team last year. He ain�t no Ben Coates. Another rookie came off the board as the Envy made a prospective pick in RB Larry Johnson. For now, Granpapa is buried behind Priest Holmes, but if he gets a shot behind that nice offensive line, he could be something. Sniff, sniff, the 44�s selected Jimmy Smith who should be well rested after his four week sojourn to wellness clinics. The Brents selected their third RB in four rounds by taking Correll Buckhalter who is coming off a lost year. He should be able to keep defenses honest for Donovan. The Beers finished the round with WR Josh Reed who according to some reports has lost his starting spot to Bobby Shaw. That�s not a good turn of events for the Beers.

A defensive surge took over in Round 7. The Einar snatched Keith Brooking out of the Weasel�s waiting grip. Brooking was also drafted in 7 round by the Einar last year, but didn�t fulfill his potential until being traded to the Envy. The Cookies named Jamie Sharper their new defensive captain. Sharper, who has a brother on the Packers, played for the Cookies last year as well. Another snatch was made as the Ballbusters took a defensive lineman, formerly all property of the Wookies, Jason Taylor. The Cubists brought back Donnie Edwards who always puts up fine numbers. The Coroners brought back Eric Barton who is the youngest member of the Raider defense by 12 years. With a d-lineman out of the way, Mitchell made himself happy by selecting Rosevelt Colvin. Colvin, a fine player in his own right, will probably miss playing next to Brian Urlacher. Finally, the defensive run ended with the Envy picking another second tier RB in Antowain Smith. Smith, Thomas, and Duckett might not strike fear into any opponents, but all of the know their way around the goal line. The 44�s selected a backup for their backup in clearcut bust Matt Hasselback. The Brents made a nice value pick by selecting Trent Green who played on the Envy last year. Green should push the erstwhile starter for the Brents. For the third time in 7 rounds, championship met championship as the Beers selected a Buc. This time it was Brad Johnson who may have learned a thing or two playing for the Cubists last year.

Things began to take a funny turn in Round 8. The Losers selected Chad Pennington who is now out for the year. It would have been a nice pick though. Weitz selected Quincy Morgan who finished the season with the Beers last year, earning his ring. The Ballbusters made everyone confused by selecting Brian Kelly, who led the NFC in interceptions last year. Some thought he was a pulling guard. Former-XFL participant Tommy Maddox made his way to San Francisco to backup Aaron Brooks. The Coroners continued their Raider run by 4th straight Raider, Philip Buchanon, who was on his way to great things last year before breaking his wrist. Mitchell took a gamble on Boerigter. Why not? The Envy filled their TE slot with the unspectacular Chad Lewis. He was just cut. Ah, the 44�s brought back Kevin Johnson, also known as KJ to his friends. He was disappointing 2002, but in 2003 we�ll see what he can do. Value picks continued to be made by the Brents � Darrell Jackson!, what about the defense? Once known as a sacker, Trotter, the Beer, was an injured linebacker.

With the crossbreeding between the Losers and Cookies rampant, the Losers selected James Thrash who spent all of 2002 with the Cookies. Thrash hurt his neck in the pre-season, but he always seems to come up with one huge performance per year. I think we will call that Alstott-ing it. From his pick in Round 9, it is clear that Dan Weitz is going to have his first +.500 season. Curtis Conway is the difference maker in so many ways, it�s hard to recount them. Jay Feely is a pretty good kicked and will playing for the Ballbusters. He was followed by Jason Elam who will be kicking for the Cubists. Five in a row, the Coroners chose Bill Romanowski who got in a fight and was cut. The third kicker of the round was Adam Vinatieri who returns to the Wookies. The Envy filled out their defense with up-n-comer Kevin Bulluck. Just in case Jeremy Shockey can�t find enough to say, the 44�s took Shannon Sharpe who is never far from a discouraging word. Speaking of the man who shows up once a year, the Brents took Mike Alstott. Good luck trying to find that one week. Round 9 officially became kicker round as the Beers took Mike Vanderjagt, a Canadian nut who thinks his team lacks heart.

While some might say that the Einar made a nice pick to start Round 10, we wouldn�t. Bubba Franks is very good at grabbing one yard receptions, but he is lucky to get them in the endzone. He should be a non-factor in 2002. It was very nice to see Dan Weitz select Emmitt Smith in Round 10. Despite not playing for the Cowboys anymore, Weitz knew he had to bring Emmitt home, perhaps just to show the young guys how to work it. Let�s not mention those annoying commercials. The Busters will be relying on Monte Kiffin this year to get Simeon Rice to have his second productive season. A controversy erupted when Jason Moore announced Stacey Mack, but forgot the E in his first name. Stacey, apparently, doesn�t take kindly to be calling Terri Glenn. Six in a row, as the Coroners brought back oldy but moldy Rod Woodson. Mr. Pepper Popper went back to the Wookies as Will Mitchell loves those sacks. The Envy took a flyer on a flyer from Dallas, Antonio Bryant. Owner John Stoer cornered the market on Steeler runners with Jerome Bettis, not a bad idea. The Brents took their first defensive player, Mike Peterson. And Randy Chambers finally landed a namesake in Randy McMichael, the Envy�s TE from 2002

Round 11 was for filling in gaps. That�s what Martin Gramatica, not Bill, did for the Losers. The Cookies were picking with their heart more than anything by grabbing Joey Galloway. Tai Streets fills the #2 49 WR slot and might get open for the Busters. Apparently, Denver always inflates tackle numbers for its defensive players, so Al Wilson looks like a solid pick for the Cubsits. Michael Bennett has a broken foot and was cut by the Coroners. Ike Hilliard and Todd Pinkston have speed to burn, but both seem rather mediocre. Sammy Knight was the first defensive player taken by the 44�s. He has ball magnetism. Edgerton Hartwell played well in relief for Ray Lewis last year, but we�ll have to see how he plays with him. Ed McCafferty was once a keeper for the Cookies. Now he is the last pick in the 11th round.

Garrison Hearst was one a keeper for the 44�s. Now he is the first pick in the 12th round. Muhsin Muhammed once had an entire fad named after him. Now, we see how the faddish have fallen. Johnson has upside. Wayne may complement Harrison � or not. Deltha O�Neal returns to the Coroners, where he had some nice scores. Daniel Graham is the new Ben Coates, according to Will Mitchell. Grambo is big and can run, but there is some question about his hands. Vinny will back up Donovan. Please, Donovan, don�t get hurt. Zach Thomas complements Sammy Knight well � Dolphin D! Kevin Faulk might be worth something if he usurps the Pats RB job away from Antowain. Jeff Wilkins is the best backup K in the league.

Jake Plummer fell farther than most thought he would. He has received a lot of hype this preseason, but he has never done much before. Last year he was drafted by the Brother sin the third round. Hmmmm�. Boulware can get sacks. Having seen Ramsey first hand, we know that he will never succeed under the ole ball coach. Strahan returns to the Wookies where he was outstanding two years ago. Then he fell over for Farf. Travis Taylor is the Ravens� #1 receiver, for what�s that�s worth. Jay Fiedler is again a third string QB in Modano land. Mike Brown is an outstanding talent and a top value at this point in the draft. He should solidify the #2 defense in the league.

Chad Brown was hurt much of last year but that didn�t stop Rob Ouaou from starting him. Doug Jolley returns to the Coroners, who had the worst TE production of any team last year. Santana Moss has a receiver�s last name and speed to burn, but can Vinny get him the ball. Disease Hakim seems like he will be waived soon. The Brents could have done better for kicking than Longshanks, but we know that Steve Johnson has a thing for him. Ted Johnson should benefit from being unseen behind Ted Washington.

Warrick has really fallen from grace. He was super at Florida St � what happened? Another Cowboy for the Cookies � Coakley. Claiborne returns to the Cubists. Joey Porter got shot in the butt, then he got cut. Oh, the indignity.

Michael Pittman was good in the super bowl, but a huge bust before that. Last year he was the third player taken overall by, who else?, the Brothers. Adrian Peterson is a preseason mirage. Kyle Boller looks like the next Rick Mirer/Cade McNown. Jeff Reed is not related to Jody Reed.

Thomas Jones might be able to resuscitate his career in Tampa, although he has been a bust until now. Deion Branch had a few hot flashes last year. Super Joe Nedney is a true bargain at this point. Bulger might be a useful backup. Finally, David Carr � he landed on his ass a lot in 2002 � not a useful skill.