Posted by Len Pasquarelli on 5/15/2004, 17:07:11 Here's what I see happening in terms of retainees: Athens Welcome to Euro-West Virginia. At this point, Athens already gave up its first draft pick, so acquiring new players to retain is out. That leaves what they have and with all due respect to Charlie Garner and Rod Smith, there's no reason to give up McNabb, who's poised for a huge season, and Holmes, who's an MVP-favorite every year until he proves otherwise. Bakersfield Reggie Wayne may be in the running to replace Bruce, but this seems the more likely scenario. Bakersfield may also use Bruce as bait to move up and get a higher pick and nab Marshall Faulk, but it's hard to imagine anyone biting. Shannon Sharpe had committed to playing in 2004, but is eyeing a job at CBS and may jump ship. Mayberry If they don't use the first pick to draft Ron Dayne, Mayberry should start the season with a very solid core. Of course, this is Mayberry so that's a big "if." Rod Gardner and Aaron Brooks are also worthy of consideration should Ward or Plummer get hurt. Moose River Patsies D is solid, but retainable solid? Maybe not. Still, unless Joey Galloway suddenly starts to look like... well, Joey Galloway from 1997, the Patsies are the #3 best retainee on this roster. Then again, knowing the Lindstrom logic when it comes to Bucs players, Galloway might be the keeper. Oregon Hard to say what will happen hear, but I can already smell the trade talks. Garcia/Portis seems the strongest candidate now, but depending on where Kerry Collins lands and if Peerless Price lights up the preseason after getting to work with his fully healthy QB, a Collins/Price, Tony Gonzalez, Eagles trifecta might also work out well. Seaside Owens is the definite keeper, but Leftwich or Horn could be replaced by Rudi Johnson if the RB looks good in training camp. Sin City Brunell gets the nod because of Jake Bell's loyalty to the franchise's first QB, but Steve McNair or Matt Hasselbeck could prove the better choice. If either Chad Johnson or Santana Moss falter in training camp, the Ravens could jump up the list to the #3 retainee, but considering Ray Lewis is going to be the coverboy for Madden '05, everyone may want to step away and wait for the inevitable injury. Toledo Whatever happened to Anquan Boldin? The reciever could be tabbed as the third retainee instead of Davis, but only if the Judge is certain he can get an impact RB at #4. Frankly, Boldin will still be around at #17 if Toledo wants him but in a West Coast It's hard to believe--looking at this roster--West Coast is the defending champion. Tomlinson is too valuable and there's no way he'll be around for the tenth pick. There's no way Ditka and Hulke can justify losing LaDainian in exchange for Drew Bledsoe, Steve Smith, and Jerry Porter, especially considering Hulke's uncanny ability to pick up sleepers in the late rounds. West Virginia Depending on what we see in training camp, Joey Harrington may replace Pennington and Javon Walker could outplay Coles. West Virginia also has two of the top five picks (#2 and #5), so they are almost assured of having the best rushing attack in the league... at least on paper. First Round (plus one) Picks
68.104.233.218
A quarter of the year will pass before the hard decisions have to be made for BFL general managers, but that won't stop me from trying to get into their heads and give you the earliest possible look at what your team will have going into the 2004 draft.
Donovan McNabb (1.5)
Priest Holmes (1.5)
Peyton Manning
Isaac Bruce
Shannon Sharpe
Jake Plummer
Tiki Barber
Hines Ward
Trent Green
Randy Moss
Patsies
Jeff Garcia (1.5)
Clinton Portis (1.5)
Byron Leftwich
Terrell Owens
Joe Horn
Mark Brunell
Chad Johnson
Santana Moss
Daunte Culpepper
William Green
Domanick Davis
LaDainian Tomlinson (3)
Chad Pennington
Ahman Green
Laveranues Coles
1. Mayberry - Deuce McAllister
2. West Virginia - Ricky Williams
3. Oregon - Shaun Alexander
4. Toledo - Torry Holt
5. West Virginia (via Athens) - Marvin Harrison
6. Seaside - Stephen Davis
7. Moose River - Jamal Lewis
8. Sin City - Marshall Faulk (just to piss off, Robby)
9. Bakersfield - Travis Henry
10 & 11. West Coast - Michael Vick and Edgerrin James
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