N.F.L. Draft, the Biggest (XXXXXXL) Sleeper (NY Times)

[El Tigere]

QUOTE

N.F.L. Draft, the Biggest (XXXXXXL) Sleeper

(IMG:http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/04/25/sports/25nfl.1.600.jpg)

Walter Thomas, a 370-pound tackle, can do flips and cartwheels.

(IMG:http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/04/25/sports/25nfl.2.190.jpg)

Walter Thomas, 21, can bench-press 475 pounds and squat 800.

By LEE JENKINS

Published: April 25, 2007

GALVESTON, Tex., April 21 — On the edge of the Texas Gulf is a 370-pound football player who can execute a perfect forward flip.

When he lands, the ground trembles.

The player’s name is Walter Thomas, and as he kicked his size 16 feet overhead Saturday morning, onlookers studied the sculpted giant with curiosity and awe. It was the kind of reaction Thomas usually elicits from professional football scouts.

“I feel like I’m a big secret,” Thomas said. “The secret of the draft.”

The National Football League draft, which begins Saturday, does not really have secrets anymore. Prospects are timed and tested, interviewed and investigated, over and over again. Entire dossiers are prepared for second-string players.

Thomas is as close as modern football can come to an old-fashioned sleeper. In the past two years, his only playing experience was at Northwest Mississippi Community College in Senatobia, Miss. He played in two games, both losses. Then he was arrested on a charge of conspiracy to commit robbery, according to the Tate County (Miss.) Circuit Clerk’s office, and never played college football again.

Judging by his credentials, perhaps Thomas should not be drafted. Judging by his dimensions, however, Thomas has to be drafted.

Big Walt, as he is known, is a 6-foot-5 defensive tackle who wears a size XXXXXXL jersey. He bench presses 475 pounds and squats 800 pounds. Weight lifters at the Galveston Health and Racquet Club stop their workouts to watch him.

Football teams everywhere are filled with big men, but many of them can barely move. Thomas has run the 40-yard dash in 4.9 seconds, faster than some N.F.L. tight ends. He is the rare tackle who can catch a running back from behind.

“The guy is a dadgum Russian gymnast,” said Randy Pippin, the head coach at Northwest Mississippi.

Thomas’s flexibility has become part of his lore. He does handstands and handsprings, broad jumps and cartwheels. When he gets excited, he will do a back flip.

“I never thought a body that big could flip in the air,” said Ron Holmes, who coached Thomas at Ball High School in Galveston. “I wouldn’t have believed it unless I’d seen it with my own two eyes.”

Three months ago, Thomas was little more than a novelty act. He declared for the draft as a 21-year-old junior, but unlike most underclassmen heading to the N.F.L., he had no highlight reel to send scouts and few statistics for them to analyze. The Web site nfldraftscout.com ranked him as the 74th-best defensive tackle.

“It was a different situation,” said Martin Magid, Thomas’s agent. “He was coming from the basement.”

Magid, who represents several professional football players, lobbied for Thomas to be included in a predraft all-star game called Texas vs. The Nation. When the workouts for that game began, Thomas was an afterthought. When they ended, he was an Internet phenomenon.

Draftniks found a new darling. Bloggers were breathless. Draftdaddy.com reported that Thomas was “unstoppable” and “nimble” and “drew reactions ranging from gasps to smiles to a simple shake of the head in disbelief.”

In the draft evaluation process, workouts are nearly as important as games, and Thomas is a workout wonder. He was invited to Mississippi State’s annual Pro Day and seized much of the attention, even though he did not attend Mississippi State.

N.F.L. scouts, always on the lookout for that unique blend of size and agility, were seduced by a dancing goliath. This month, Thomas was ranked as the 15th-best defensive tackle in the draft. He hopes to pattern himself after the N.F.L. tackles Ted Washington (6-5, 365 pounds) of the Cleveland Browns and Jamal Williams (6-3, 348) of the San Diego Chargers.

“He is definitely a topic of conversation right now,” said Gil Brandt, former vice president for player personnel for the Dallas Cowboys, who is now an analyst for NFL.com. “A lot of people are talking about him.”

Thomas represents the hard choice that every team faces at some point on draft day — to pick a player with supreme physical ability and a questionable past, or to go with a player who has limited talent but a proven track record.

Thomas would not be such a secret in the draft if he had not buried himself in college. He played at Oklahoma State as a freshman in 2004, but failed out of school before his sophomore season. He spent 2005 trying to regain his academic eligibility and went to Northwest Mississippi in 2006.

“People like to tell me, ‘As big as you are, you’ll always get another chance,’ ” Thomas said. “But I think I’ve used up all my chances.”

Thomas acts contrite and gentle, but his behavior can still be erratic. An interview for this story was scheduled for Friday morning in Galveston. Thomas arrived early Saturday, apologizing profusely that he confused the dates.

Thomas was accompanied by Martha Overton, a 54-year-old whom he calls his second mother. Thomas went to school with Overton’s daughter, Elizabeth, and steadily ingratiated himself in her family. Now, he appears in all of their Christmas pictures. When he leaves Martha Overton’s sight, he gives her two bearhugs.

“Walter has a lot of people who care for him very deeply,” Martha Overton said.

Thomas needs the support system, especially in the new N.F.L. Commissioner Roger Goodell recently announced a personal-conduct policy that threatens teams for repeatedly signing troublemakers. When Thomas visited the Jets, the Dolphins and the Browns, they grilled him about his arrest, he said.

He might as well have answered in rhyme. Thomas stars in a Galveston hip- hop group called Tre Side, and he recently wrote a rap about football, the mistakes he has made and his desire to correct them.

From the stereo of his first car, a Ford Expedition that he picked up Friday, Thomas blasted one of his raps. He repeats the same line in a husky baritone: “I’m tired of wasting time.”

As a prospect, Thomas is intriguing because of both his baggage and his potential. In the two games he did play last season, his numbers were mind-blowing: 16 tackles, 9 tackles for a loss and 4 sacks.

“You absolutely cannot run at him,” said Les Miles, the Louisiana State University coach, who recruited Thomas to Oklahoma State. “You have to go in another direction.”

Thomas cannot expect to be picked until the second day of the draft — rounds four through seven — but he should immediately become one of the biggest players in the league, and probably the biggest player on his new team.

Thomas has always been the largest guy in the room. In the fifth grade, he was barred from Pop Warner games in Galveston because parents felt he had an unfair advantage. By the time he entered Austin Middle School, he was pushing 300 pounds.

“He took up a whole side of the line,” said Jim Yarborough, a Galveston County judge whose son played against Austin Middle School.

More than any specific game, Yarborough remembers the first time he shook hands with Thomas. “It was like he swallowed my whole hand,” Yarborough said.

Growing up, Thomas was somewhat self-conscious about his size, so he befriended the smallest kids in school. They played a game called “Cut the Cake,” in which they found the biggest building in town and raced each other around it.

Today, Thomas still has many of the same friends, and few of them weigh more than 150 pounds. He could bench-press three of them at a time.

“That’s where I got my speed,” Thomas said. “I had to keep up with all those little guys.”

To demonstrate, Thomas took off his size 16 sneakers, slid into a white tank top and did one of his forward flips on the grass next to a beachfront apartment building. He stuck the landing. The expression on his face was part grimace and part grin.

A man watching from his apartment balcony came running. The man wore an Ohio State T-shirt and had many questions. Who is this specimen? Does he play football? Would he be interested in going to college at Ohio State?

But Thomas was already in his Expedition, driving down Seawall Boulevard, blasting music by the rapper Slim Thug, another performer who is not particularly slim.

For a few more days, Thomas can still keep himself a secret.

Dude I would totaly take a chance on Him with a late pick!!!!!!

[derekshank]

Sounds a lot like the Stacey Andrews pick. A guy that people don't know much about when it comes to football... but his potential is out of sight.

I'd be okay with it, but I've tempered my expectations of Andrews... and therefore no longer get incredibly excited about guys like this. Football is as much technique and internal fire as it is physical.

To borrow slightly from Yogi Berra... Football is 90% mental. The other half is physical. Sure, take a flier on him, but don't go crazy just on measureables. He may never produce according to his potential.

[AMC]

Remember Freddie Childress?

At least this guy can do a flip.....

[skyline]

Considering he was arrested for conspiring to commit robbery, I'd have to say that's a no on the Bengals draft board.

[Jet23]

Given the Commish's willingness to go after Teams for drafting questionable character players, guys like this are going to be lost to the Bengals. It sounds to me like a team with a solid roster could afford to chance a 4 or 5 on this dude. Heck, there are no guarantees with 2nd day picks anyway. Big is big and if it takes 2+ guys to move you, you are going to be an asset.

By the way, I wouldn't be surprised to see a 'questionable character' guy sue the shorts off of the NFL for going after Teams. The first time a solid 1 slips to a 3 or 4, he is going to want someone to make up that $ difference.

[oldschooler]

Walter Thomas, a 370-pound tackle, can do flips and cartwheels.

Walter Thomas, 21, can bench-press 475 pounds and squat 800.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/25/sports/f...mp;ref=football

Personally I wouldn`t give a s**t about the NFL.

I would hand them my draft card with his name on it and flip off the camera . . .

[HoosierCat]

By the way, I wouldn't be surprised to see a 'questionable character' guy sue the shorts off of the NFL for going after Teams. The first time a solid 1 slips to a 3 or 4, he is going to want someone to make up that $ difference.

You and Hair both (now there's an odd couple to be in agreement if I've ever seen one! ). But Im still waiting for an answer to the question, sue based on what? And if they win (they wouldn't, but just for sh*ts & giggles) what would be the answer? Would courts mandate a quota of felons that must be drafted in each round? Or perhaps the roster would be expanded from 53 to 55 and each team required to fill those slots with crooks?

[AMC]

Walter Thomas, a 370-pound tackle, can do flips and cartwheels.

Walter Thomas, 21, can bench-press 475 pounds and squat 800.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/25/sports/f...mp;ref=football

Personally I wouldn`t give a s**t about the NFL.

I would hand them my draft card with his name on it and flip off the camera . . .

If they fine Urlacher 100 grand for wearing an unapproved hat, how much is the bird going for these days????

By the way, I wouldn't be surprised to see a 'questionable character' guy sue the shorts off of the NFL for going after Teams. The first time a solid 1 slips to a 3 or 4, he is going to want someone to make up that $ difference.

You and Hair both (now there's an odd couple to be in agreement if I've ever seen one! ). But Im still waiting for an answer to the question, sue based on what? And if they win (they wouldn't, but just for sh*ts & giggles) what would be the answer? Would courts mandate a quota of felons that must be drafted in each round? Or perhaps the roster would be expanded from 53 to 55 and each team required to fill those slots with crooks?

[Jet23]

By the way, I wouldn't be surprised to see a 'questionable character' guy sue the shorts off of the NFL for going after Teams. The first time a solid 1 slips to a 3 or 4, he is going to want someone to make up that $ difference.

You and Hair both (now there's an odd couple to be in agreement if I've ever seen one! ). But Im still waiting for an answer to the question, sue based on what? And if they win (they wouldn't, but just for sh*ts & giggles) what would be the answer? Would courts mandate a quota of felons that must be drafted in each round? Or perhaps the roster would be expanded from 53 to 55 and each team required to fill those slots with crooks?

Let's see, a cow sued McDonalds for making her coffee too hot. You don't think some thug is going to scream collusion if the Commish prevents him from getting his pay on??? Heck, convicted felons are probably a protected minority class by now. The libs are probably about a month away from selling black and white striped ribbons in tribute to their plight and the tyranny they are forced to overcome. Open your eyes. It's the 80's now.....or something.

Wait a minute, you say that Hair...............

NEVER MIND!

[derekshank]

The thing that impresses me the most about him is that he's 370... but doesn't appear to have a belly. Surely a one-of-a-kind physical specimen. I'm still not sure he's an NFL player... but he's sure as hell a good enough althete to take a late round flier on.

He appears to be getting some pub now though, so I wouldn't be surprised if he was taken earlier than expected.

P.S. That 475 bench press isn't THAT impressive. 185 lb Chris Houston benches 450!

[ShulaSteakhouse]

The Bengals' won't touch him due to his criminal run-in.

No way, no how.

If they do, the commissioner will fine the crap out of Mike Brown for even drafting him at this point - if he gets into any trouble.

Any other year - if he lasts to the mid-rounds, sure.

But I just can't see the Bengals' going for him.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

Sounds a lot like the Stacey Andrews pick. A guy that people don't know much about when it comes to football... but his potential is out of sight.

I'd be okay with it, but I've tempered my expectations of Andrews... and therefore no longer get incredibly excited about guys like this. Football is as much technique and internal fire as it is physical.

To borrow slightly from Yogi Berra... Football is 90% mental. The other half is physical. Sure, take a flier on him, but don't go crazy just on measureables. He may never produce according to his potential.

I think the possibilites for a guy like this are better at DT than O-line. This guy is big enough to do the Gilbert Brown approach of letting you come at him and then just knock the s**t out of the G or C who tries. He's also fast enough to stunt if the coaches want to try it.

If I had a fairly deep D, I'd blow a 5th or 6th on him. I mean come on, a 4.9 at 370? And a 450 bench? Are you friggin' kidding me? A guy that strong and fast., he'll take a double team to block plus take up attention from a blocking RB on passing downs since he'll be able to chase any play from behind too. Guy like this could take up 2-3 blockers and do massive damage if he gets free.

He seems to have learned his lessons better than a lot of current NFL players have as far as the criminal stuff. The real downside is it sounds like he has an IQ of about 75. Vince Young sounds like a professor compared to this guy.

[sparky151]

Whoever drafts him will probably have to stick him on the 53 man roster rather than hope he clears waivers for the practice squad. Most teams only go two deep at DT so it's hard to waste a spot on a developmental player. The Bengals have Myers and Peko behind Adams and Thornton. Robinson and Fanene can play DT in a pinch. I doubt we'd take him even without the off field issues. On the other hand, we have an extra 7th rounder so possibly, if Marvin thinks we're too old at DT.

[HairOnFire]

By the way, I wouldn't be surprised to see a 'questionable character' guy sue the shorts off of the NFL for going after Teams. The first time a solid 1 slips to a 3 or 4, he is going to want someone to make up that $ difference.

You and Hair both (now there's an odd couple to be in agreement if I've ever seen one! ). But Im still waiting for an answer to the question, sue based on what?

We've already been over this. If the NFL takes official action such as sending teams a list of players that can't be drafted then I'm betting you'll not only see lawsuits but a challenge to the NFL's anti-trust exemptions. You simply can't officially deny a person the right to seek employment based upon mere accusation or rumor. And remember, the Bengal player that prompted our discussion & Goodell's threat, Chris Henry, had no arrest record before being drafted.

You responded to the above opinion by claiming that nobody had a right to seek employment (Dead wrong) and suggested that the NFL would get around the legal issues by acting in collusion. And I admitted that was a real possibility as it's something the NFL has been accused of doing on numerous occasions. In fact, I think I made a joke about how the NFL would then be attempting to curb illegal behavior by it's players by engaging in illegal behavior of it's own. Rather fitting, ehh?

Next, I don't agree with Jet about a player merely slipping in the draft being sufficient grounds for a lawsuit. After all, the Bengals are currently under the microscope due to their habit of snapping up very talented players who have slipped.....so players sliding in the draft based upon character concerns isn't anything new. No, I'm talking about the NFL taking official action that completely bans a high profile player known to have NFL worthy skills from joining the NFL under any circumstance based upon mere rumor and accusation.

Finally, Goodell's plan to fine or withhold future draft choices from teams who draft too many players who later get arrested seems pie-eyed stupid, as well as unworkable. For example, which team gets fined when a Steve Foley gets shot three times for resisting arrest? After all, the Bengals drafted the guy. Then again, they let him go...no doubt in part because he had been repeatedly arrested for domestic violence and fighting with the police. But here's the proverbial rub, because after the Bengals let him go other teams signed him, and those teams did so even though they had knowledge of his growing arrest record since being drafted. So which team made the more questionable signing? Which team deserves to be punished by Goodell?

If you think it's the team that drafted him then you'd be an idiot, right?

[HoosierCat]

We've already been over this. If the NFL takes official action such as sending teams a list of players that can't be drafted then I'm betting you'll not only see lawsuits but a challenge to the NFL's anti-trust exemptions.

In such a case I am sure you would. I'm not sure it would be successful, tho (see below).

But please show me where Goodell or anyone else has spoken about creating such a list, or even the possibility of having such a list. They haven't. The most that's been proposed is somehow sanctioning teams who draft "bad character" guys, but no mechanism whatsoever has been offered. And note that "sanctions" do not equal "prohibition." Depending on the sanction, a team might decide a pick is still worth it. But again, we're getting ahead of ourselves, since nothing formal or concrete has been proposed.

You responded to the above opinion by claiming that nobody had a right to seek employment (Dead wrong)

Wrong. You claimed that there existed a right to play in the NFL, not a "right to seek employment." I continue to scour the Consititution for a right to play in the NFL. And as soon as I find it, I'm demanding a job.

Next, I don't agree with Jet about a player merely slipping in the draft being sufficient grounds for a lawsuit.

Of course it isn't. The draft does not equal employment, not even an offer of one. And guys who aren't drafted are signed by NFL teams all the time. But that goes back to your point about a "list of guys who can't be drafted." Well, so what? They can still be signed, right? They can still seek employment, right? So your arguement boils down to Jet's, that they could make more money if they were drafted. So you don't agree with yourself?

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

Finally, Goodell's plan to fine or withhold future draft choices from teams who draft too many players who later get arrested seems pie-eyed stupid, as well as unworkable. For example, which team gets fined when a Steve Foley gets shot three times for resisting arrest? After all, the Bengals drafted the guy. Then again, they let him go...no doubt in part because he had been repeatedly arrested for domestic violence and fighting with the police. But here's the proverbial rub, because after the Bengals let him go other teams signed him, and those teams did so even though they had knowledge of his growing arrest record since being drafted. So which team made the more questionable signing? Which team deserves to be punished by Goodell?

If you think it's the team that drafted him then you'd be an idiot, right?

Drafting's no different than FA signing for sure. You could punish teams whose draftees get arrested too much while still with the team; better yet, you could punish teams whose payroll gets arrested too many times regardless of how they came to be with the team. That should probably also apply to coaches who hit the drive thru while unclothed.

In your example, obviously SD eats more of the blame since they knew for sure what they were getting.

As far as collusion goes, the NFL has to be careful. It is not illegal to provide teams with a list of players who have been arrested, then allowing each team to make its own decision. I don't think it would be illegal for the league to also say that a team will be punished if too many of its players get arrested in the future, since that doesn't apply to any specific player, unless one wants to admit that his own past indicates a risk of recidivism. Then the teams would be left to calculate the risks on their own.

[Walrus]

As far as collusion goes, the NFL has to be careful. It is not illegal to provide teams with a list of players who have been arrested, then allowing each team to make its own decision. I don't think it would be illegal for the league to also say that a team will be punished if too many of its players get arrested in the future, since that doesn't apply to any specific player, unless one wants to admit that his own past indicates a risk of recidivism. Then the teams would be left to calculate the risks on their own.

As far as we know, such a list could exist (although I doubt it) -- the league would hardly go broadcasting such information around publicly.

Isn't there an application process whereby players become elegible to be drafted/signed by an NFL team? Wouldn't that be a cleaner way to go about keeping people considered likely to tarnish the league's image out of the NFL -- simply deny their application? If I apply for employment with a company, they don't have to hire me. If I'm denied, it could be my criminal record, otherwise flaky behavior, lack of qualification, etc. but they don't have to justify anything to me if I'm not hired.

[Kazkal]

Sounds like a nice guy who can be rotation this year starter next to peko,

Conspiracy to commit robbery, according to the Tate County (Miss.) Circuit Clerk’s office,

Meh?

[HoosierCat]

As far as collusion goes, the NFL has to be careful. It is not illegal to provide teams with a list of players who have been arrested, then allowing each team to make its own decision. I don't think it would be illegal for the league to also say that a team will be punished if too many of its players get arrested in the future, since that doesn't apply to any specific player, unless one wants to admit that his own past indicates a risk of recidivism. Then the teams would be left to calculate the risks on their own.

As far as we know, such a list could exist (although I doubt it) -- the league would hardly go broadcasting such information around publicly.

There was an item on PFT around the time of the Henry/Pacman suspensions that, in fact, the league does complile such a list. It came out because of the whole thing about Pacman not disclosing all his pre-NFL legal troubles/arrests -- it turned out the NFL's front office had several more listed than he had told the Titans about. The kicker is that, no, the league does not share the list with the clubs.

[HairOnFire]

As far as collusion goes, the NFL has to be careful. It is not illegal to provide teams with a list of players who have been arrested, then allowing each team to make its own decision.

That's no different than what's being done right now. The NFL shares it's own background checks with every team free of charge. For example, the Bengals admitted that the NFL shared it's report of the incident that Frostee Rucker was later charged with, and it's because that knowledge was readily available the Bengals felt no need to pay the attorney representing Rucker's accuser for her version of the event. After all, her version was included in the police report. So the attorney was selling a sensationalized one-sided version that the Bengals weren't interested in. Predictably, their decision to not waste money on such a report left them open to criticism from the very same fans who criticize them for everything. (Hello Hoosier.)

[ShulaSteakhouse]

As far as collusion goes, the NFL has to be careful. It is not illegal to provide teams with a list of players who have been arrested, then allowing each team to make its own decision.

That's no different than what's being done right now. The NFL shares it's own background checks with every team free of charge. For example, the Bengals admitted that the NFL shared it's report of the incident that Frostee Rucker was later charged with, and it's because that knowledge was readily available the Bengals felt no need to pay the attorney representing Rucker's accuser for her version of the event. After all, her version was included in the police report. So the attorney was selling a sensationalized one-sided version that the Bengals weren't interested in. Predictably, their decision to not waste money on such a report left them open to criticism from the very same fans who criticize them for everything. (Hello Hoosier.)

Performing official background checks without consent when actively pursuing someone for employment with your organization, is illegal. Doing a web search is not. That's considered public knowledge. I do it every day in HR.

You can discriminate for anything you want when hiring, other than sex, age and ethnicity.

I cannot imagine the freakin' NFL of all bodies, "over-looked" this little matter of having something in writing giving consent to background checks, prior to any player officially entering the draft.

What am I missing here that people are going on and on about over this?

[HairOnFire]

Wrong. You claimed that there existed a right to play in the NFL, not a "right to seek employment." I continue to scour the Consititution for a right to play in the NFL. And as soon as I find it, I'm demanding a job.

I thought the above was a stupid rant the first time you offered it and it seems no better now. Previously you crafted the rant around a man walking into a Wall Street brokerage house and demanding a job, but arguing that a potential employer has to give you a job just because you ask for one isn't a point worth arguing. Or making. But that's your problem.

Who knows, maybe when you stop playing with strawmen you'll attempt to debate whether a potential employer can legally attempt to prevent you from working anywhere within your profession using nothing but rumors.

[HoosierCat]

Who knows, maybe when you stop playing with strawmen you'll attempt to debate whether a potential employer can legally attempt to prevent you from working anywhere within your profession using nothing but rumors.

Well, let's make a few points. In the first place, if the NFL were to say, "no NFL team can hire QB John Doe," does this prevent him from making a living playing football? Clearly not: the NFL has no say over the hiring practices of the Canadian Football League or the Arena League. So I think that dispenses with the argument that Doe could not work "anywhere within [his] profession."

Second, in what understanding does playing college football make being a National Football League player your profession? It may be what you want to do, but there are lots of college football players who aren't signed by NFl teams every year.

Third, where has it been suggested that the NFL will attempt to prevent players from being signed by an NFL team "using nothing but rumors"? All that has been said is that teams will now be subject to some as-yet-undefinied punishments, including fines and possibly loss of draft picks, for the misbehavior of their players (or others on the payroll, such as coaches or front office staff).

[derekshank]

Big surprise. A thread that has nothing to do with the subject hijacked and dominated by a personal debate between Hair and Hoosier.

Seriously guys... you're quite entertaining to the rest of us, but how do you manage to do it in so many threads? It's nothing short of incredible.

[HairOnFire]

The draft does not equal employment, not even an offer of one. And guys who aren't drafted are signed by NFL teams all the time. But that goes back to your point about a "list of guys who can't be drafted." Well, so what? They can still be signed, right? They can still seek employment, right?

Goodell's threat was vauge enough that none of us has any idea if the threat to fine teams or take draft picks away is limited to players drafted or added by any other means. After all, had Chris Henry been signed as an undrafted FA it wouldn't prevent him from smoking the chronic while hanging out with teenage hookers. So he still gets arrested right? And that means another negative headline...putting Roger "Call me Daddy" Goodell's panties in a public relations bunch. So if he's trying to squash the negative headlines then his threat has to go beyond the draft. Because if it doesn't then teams are simply going sign MORE character risks due to the smaller paychecks they have to pay. In fact, if Chris Henry was added as an undrafted FA then his presence on a teams roster would be even easier to defend since it wouldn't involve the draft pick.

What's more, if Henry earns less money and doesn't cost a team a draft pick, but he can give the team 9 or 10 TD's a season, then how serious would you take Goodell's threat of a fine?