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I have often argued that the defensive player that can lead the unit, make everyone better, and make an immediate and constant impact for years should be the first overall pick in the draft instead of a prima-donna maybe. San Diego is known for the worst draft selection in history. Ryan Leaf was mishandled and what might have been a talent in the N.F.L. melted down into a waste of time. Maybe this, or, maybe that, the fact remains he was a colossal failure. (Note to all: Leafıs entire history may have been written differently if he had gotten those extra seconds he deserved in the Rose Bowl. It was unconscionable that Greiseıs father was in the booth and W.S.U. was robbed of its last play. They were the nobodies who finally got there and the refs decided to end the game. Regardless of the conspiracy theories, the fact remains that it was wrong and a group of kids and an entire school and region were slighted and shown the door. The American Dream is only for those who know someone, I guess. Even in redemption years later when a great W.S.U. team beat #4 Texas in the Holiday Bowl, the prominent story in the national press the next day was how Texas didnıt take the game seriously because they had been shut out of the National Championship, and, very little about a gutsy group of over-achievers. I guess the Rudyı story is only for Notre Dame.) San Diego used this experience to engineer one of their greatest drafts a few years later; and, Leafıs uselessness did put them in the position. The Curse of Leaf gave them Tomlinson and Brees. But another draft pick three years ago was even better. Shawne Merriman was the 12th pick and almost every team that chose before has regretted not taking him, in fact his impact has been greater then any of them. Do you think the Giants would trade away Manning for Rivers, Merriman, Oben and Kaeding? I think so! Even Alex Smithıs emergence as a decent QB cannot overshadow Merrimanıs accomplishment. Houston showed fear in not drafting Bush and chose a player that has certainly not lived up to the #1 pick, but, if they had taken Hawk, Green Bay can attest to his effectiveness. Merriman has been a monster from the start and transformed this defense. Marty Schottenheimer is a genius and coached up a solid unit. Last year they had more sacks then any other team and this unrelenting pressure is not falling off any time soon. They have achieved fantasy ranking last year and will stay in the top five this year as well. It takes time to develop the talent of a defense and you just donıt lose that overnight. San Diego is a Superbowl challenging team and this defense is one of the great reasons why. In fact, I will draft these first four defenses in the fifth or sixth round and then not bother until the last three picks. More importantly is the impact your defensive rules will have on scoring. If the defensive points are high and heavy then defenses could rise to the importance of the third round! If the points are watered down then don't bother with any of them until the end. |
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