Leinart's switch aimed at top pick
By D. ORLANDO LEDBETTER
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 04/16/06
There are at least six million reasons why Southern Cal quarterback Matt Leinart dismissed agent Leigh Steinberg last week.
Many NFL draft projections have his Trojans teammate Reggie Bush going to the Houston Texans at No. 1, N.C. State defensive back Mario Williams to the New Orleans Saints at No. 2, Texas quarterback Vince Young to the Tennessee Titans at No. 3, Leinart to the New York Jets at No. 4 and Ohio State linebacker A.J. Hawk to the Green Bay Packers at No. 5.
Leinart reportedly plans to sign with agent Tom Condon, who will have a directive to get Leinart to the top spot in the draft, via a trade.
Last season's No. 1 pick, Utah quarterback Alex Smith, received $24 million in guaranteed money, while the No. 4 pick, Texas running back Cedric Benson, got $18 million.
Sack specialist salutes Williams
Sean Jones, who piled up 113 sacks in 13 NFL seasons, says N.C. State's Mario Williams is the cream of the draft crop at his old position.
"He's worthy of being the second pick in this draft," said Jones, who reports directly to Al Davis as a member of the Oakland Raiders' pro personnel department. "But let's not get it twisted. Look at it this way: [Carolina's] Julius Peppers goes [No. 2] a few years back, and Mario Williams is not Julius Peppers."
Bush compared to legends
Is Bush the next Gale Sayers? Or the next Barry Sanders?
"He's a little like Gale Sayers in the way he runs and cuts in the open field and doesn't lose any speed," Falcons general manager Rich McKay said. "He almost gains speed, a la Barry Sanders."
The question on Bush is whether he can be an every-down back at the next level.
"The only negative is, can he take a pounding," said Reggie McKenzie, Green Bay's director of pro personnel. "If you find ways to get him the ball and do the right thing, he'll quash all of that."
Falcons in market for running back
It's no secret the Falcons are looking for a running back to back up Warrick Dunn. It might be T.J. Duckett, who's coming off a down season, or it could be someone in the draft.
The Falcons aren't picking high enough to select Bush, Memphis' DeAngelo Williams, Minnesota's Laurence Maroney or LSU's fast-rising Joseph Addai.
The group of backs who likely still will be on the board when the Falcons pick in the second and third rounds ? at Nos. 47, 79 and 93 ? include UCLA's Maurice Drew, Mississippi State's Jerious Norwood and Tennessee's Gerald Riggs Jr.
Despite being Mississippi State's only real offensive threat, Norwood still managed 1,000-yard seasons as a junior and senior.
Phil Emery, the Falcons' director of college scouting, was at Norwood's pro day, according to the player's agent. Denver and Cleveland are also interested.
"We've had several conversations with Atlanta officials, and from what we understand they've had a good chance to really observe Jerious," agent Don Weatherell said.
Riggs Jr. listens to ex-Falcon dad
Tennessee's Riggs received some pre-draft advice from his famous father, the Falcons' all-time rushing leader.
"He just says, 'Take everything in, stay humble, don't get too down on yourself and don't get too high. Everybody has got their idea of you ? what they want, what they think,' " Riggs said at the NFL scouting combine.
Riggs isn't as strong a runner as his father, who held Atlanta's single-season mark (1,719 yards) until Jamal Anderson gained 1,846 in 1998.
"He was a bigger guy than I am," Riggs Jr. said. "I'm a little bit faster, a little bit more elusive. I probably can make guys miss, where he would just put his head down and get tough
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Leinart. I got news for you . There is no way in hell your going to be the #1 pick so keep your dreams about the extra 8 million in your back pocket.
Geeez this guy is showing his real colors now. I wouldnt be surprised if he drops out of the top five.
