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-NFL’s Annual Player Draft Starts Tomorrou7-Although a little later than usual, the National Football League’s 1978 edition of “pick-a-winner”—its annual draft— gets underway tomorrow morning at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York and continues through Wednesday Normally in this yearly lottery, the most anticipation awaits the naming of the number one choice. However, as was the case last year when Tampa Bay picked Ricky Bell, this year's top pick is no secret; for when Houston traded tight end jimmy Giles and its own first round pick (17th choice) to Tampa for the number one selection, the Oilers opened the door to take home-state favorite Earl Campbell of Texas Trying to figure out from there which team will choose which players borders on the mindless, because so many variables are involved There are teams that select the type or position players they need, while others, including the Steelers, have been known to take the best player available Kansas City has the second pick in the first round, followed by New Orleans, the New York Jets and Buffalo Green Bay has two first round choices, sixth and 26th, as do San Francisco (seventh and 24th), Cincinnati (eighth and 16th), Cleveland (12th and 20th) and St Louis (15th and 19th) Pittsburgh does not select until 22nd Choosing second, Kansas City needs a quarterback, offensive linemen and defensive linemen Chances are that the Chiefs will take a defensive end, Art Still (6-7 , 245) of Kentucky or Ross Browner (6-24, 250) from Notre Dame, or possibly a quarterback like Matt Cavanaugh (6-14. 215) from Pitt or Grambling’s Doug Williams (6-3, 215)Here, as with many other teams, it may be what a franchise wants in a player that determines who is chosen, since each player at this level has something to offer For example, Still has been said to be on the thin side, possibly a pro linebacker type like Ted Hendricks or an end like L C Greenwood, just as is Pitt’s Randv Holloway (6-5.225) Browner, on the other hand, is a much stronger player and can plug up holes as well as move quickly As for quarterbacks, in Cavanaugh, a team can have an inspirational-type signal-caller and one who has been the leader of a national champion team He has great mobility, but cannot throw hard. On the other hand, there is Williams, who by far has the best arm among the college quarterbacks and can be taught to be a leader.Again, it all depends what the team is looking for at the time.If KC decides to bypass the offensive line, expect Notre Dame’s Ken McAfee (6-4, 250) to go to either New Orleans, the Jets or Buffalo, because he has all the potential to become another Dave Casper There are a great number of Cleveland Browns fans who hope a good quarterback will be available by the time they choose, and if, by chance, Cavanaugh and Williams are both gone, they may select among a couple of other fine QBs in Brigham Young’s Gifford Nielsen (6-5 , 205) or Stanford’s Gy Benjamin (6-2, 200)The Browns may also be in the market for an offensive lineman like guard Chris Ward (6-2, 275) of Ohio State or tackle Gordon King (6-5, 270) of Stanford, but chances are those two will probably be chosen earlier Other top tackles are Missouri's James Taylor (6-5, 275) and Louis Bullard (6-5, 285) of Jackson State, while other guard choices could be Colorado’s Leon White (6-2, 275) or Notre Dame's Ernie Hughes (6-24. 250).Then there are the centers, and the best of the bunch are perceived to be Michigan’s Walt Downing (6-3, 255) and fellow Big-10 player A1 Pitts (6-4 , 240) of Michigan State Some teams may take a chance on Pitt’s Tom Brzoza (6-2, 235), as much because of attitude as anything else When the Steelers make their choice, they, most likely, willi:Wolf’s Pause« » m.f-w I- c___•PRARNEY WOLF, Sports Editorpick the best player available, no matter what the position. But, there is little doubt that, knowing coach Chuck Noll’s desire for versatile players, the Black and Gold would probably choose kicker Steve Little if he is still available at the time they choose. Little could replace Bob Walden in punting, probably the Steelers’ weakest position, and could also become the field goal kicker if Roy Gerela does not show improvement during camp.Tom Skladany, Cleveland’s first choice last year and just traded to LA, could also be a choice if he does not sign.There are a number of good running backs this year, not the quality of Bell or Tony Dorsett, last year’s 1-2 choices, but Oklahoma State’s Terry Miller (5-11, 190) and Oklahoma's Elvis Peacock (6-1, 218) could be first round choices There are four outstanding wide receivers who could also go in the first round They are Florida’s Wes Chandler (5-11,180), Stanford’s James Lofton (6-3, 185), Alabama’s Ozzie Newsome (6-2, 215) and John Jefferson (6-1,185) from Arizona State.Besides Campbell, Johnny Davis of Alabama could also be a first round fullback selection. Todd Christensen, 6-3, 225), afullback at BYU, could also play in the pros, but may be switched to tight end because of his fine pass-catchingTop defensive tackles are Sylvester Hicks (6-4, 250) fr°nj Tennessee State, Brad Shearer (6-2 , 255) from lexas, and an unknown quantity, Lyman Smith (6-54, 245) from Duke. The best outside linebackers are probably Mike Woods (6-2, 225) from Cincinnati and Keith Butler (6-34, 220) of Memphis State, while in the middles. Long Beach State’s Dan Bunz (6-3, 235) could be another Jack Lambert.In the defensive backfield, Memphis State’s Keith Simpson (6-1,190) could be a top comerback pick, while the first round safety possibilities may be Pitt’s Bob Jury (5-11, 190), Washington State’s Ken Greene (6-2, 195) and Dwight Hicks (6-0, 185) of Michigan.1978 NFL Draft Order(FIRST ROUND ONLY)I Houston(from Tampa Bay)2. Kansas City3 New Orleans4 N Y. Jets 5. Buffalo6 Green Bay 7. San Francisco8 Cincinnati(from Philadelphia)9 Seattle10. N Y. GiantsII Detroit12 Cleveland13 Atlanta14 San Diego15 St Louis16 Cincinnati17 Tampa Bay (from Houston)18 New England 19. St. Louis(from Washington)20 Cleveland (from Chicago)21 Minnesota22 Pittsburgh23 Los Angeles 24. San Francisco(from Miami)25 Baltimore 26. Green Bay(from Oakland)27 Denver28 Dallas
Newspaper Details
Greenville Record Argus
Greenville, Pennsylvania, US
Mon, May 01, 1978
Page 12
Full Page
Clipped by
Los A.
CA, USA 25 Jan 2024
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