2000 Preseason Guide (Cont)

Following the retirements of John Elway and Barry Sanders last year the NFL lost 2 more Superstars this off-season when Dan Marino and Steve Young decided to give their arms a rest. Also retired is NFL Bad Boy and Dallas Wide Receiver Michael Irvin. While the NFL looks for the next generation of offensive stars a defensive great is back. Reggie White has returned to football and the Minister of Defence is currently impressing coaches in training camp with Carolina. Also returning after two years off and challenging for the Patriots starting job is former Chicago running back Raymont Harris. A number of Head Coaches have also retired since January including Superbowl winner Dick Vermeil, Jimmy Johnson in Miami and Bill Parcells at the Jets. 2000 NFL Draft Last year’s Quarterback bonanza (5 in the first 12 picks) should pay dividends this year with all 5 holding starting jobs in camp. The 2000 Draft was less QB focussed with just Chad Pennington being taken 18th by the Jets while 5 running backs (Jamal Lewis, Thomas Jones, Ron Dayne, Shaun Alexander, and Trung Candidate) and 5 wide receiver’s (Peter Warrick, Plaxico Burris, Travis Taylor, Sylvester Morris and R.Jay Soward) were taken in the first round. Also taken in the first 31 selections were Tight Ends Bubba Franks and Anthony Brecht and Florida State kicker Sebastian Janikowski. In our draft a total of 21 rookies are available, 7 running backs, 11 receivers, as well as the aforementioned 2 tight ends and kicker Janikowski.. All the teams draft picks have been rated by CBS and this was their overview of how the teams performed, from best to worst A Arizona, Baltimore, NY Jets, Washington B+ Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, B Buffalo, Carolina, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Green Bay, Indianapolis, Kansas City, New England, NY Giants, Oakland, San Francisco, Seattle, Tennessee, Tampa Bay, C Dallas, Denver, Jacksonville, Miami, Minnesota, New Orleans, Philadelphia, St Louis, D Atlanta, San Diego