2005 TBL Draft Flashback by TJ

 

With the 2008 TBL draft approaching, it’s interesting to see how draft picks from years past are contributing to their current TBL teams. Every year right before the TBL draft, we will take an in depth look at the draft from 3 years prior to see how the 1st round picks are fairing in TBL. We will also rank the Top 5 Draft Steals and Top 5 Busts. For every Antonio Gates, you have your Boo Williams. For every Larry Fitzgerald, you have your Peter Warrick. How will the players in this years draft fair?

 

  2005 TBL Draft Flashback

 

1. Ronnie Brown (Rebels)  - Has the potential to be an elite RB in The Big League. However, he just can’t seem to stay healthy. Last year he seemed to be headed for a monster season, but a torn ACL ended Brown’s season after Week 7.

2. Carnell Williams (Stallions) – See the above discussion on Ronnie Brown. After a solid rookie campaign, Caddy can’t seem to stay on the field. Even if he does come back this season, a crowded Tampa Bay backfield will make it hard for Caddy to find carries.

3. Cedric Benson (Atoms) – Do you remember watching the 2005 NFL Draft? Remember when Cedric Benson was crying, saying how nobody gave him a shot and it was unfair that people questioned his work ethic and character? I guess these scouts do know what they’re talking about after all.

4. J.J. Arrington (Replacements) – Wow, I guess the RB’s in this draft class really haven’t panned out. Don’t worry, we still have Eric Shelton coming up. Expect this to be a make or break season for J.J., he could be out of the NFL as early as next year.

5. Braylon Edwards (Believers) – Has improved every year since being in the league. Last year posted 16 TD’s and nearly 1300 yards. Should be a stud for years to come. But then again, he does play in Cleveland, so nothing is certain.

6. Eric Shelton (Condors) – Barely saw the field in Carolina, and most recently was released from Washington. Shelton’s career in the NFL could be over.

7. Matt Jones (Replacements) – Proof that combine numbers do not equate to how well someone will do in the NFL. They say Jones is having a solid camp. But with drug charges lingering over his head, one should wonder how many more chances Jones will get.

8. Alex Smith (Rhinos) – The first QB taken in the 2005 TBL Draft. It looks as if Smith could be losing a QB battle with J.T. O’Sullivan. Yes, J.T. O’Sullivan. Four different offensive coordinators in four years probably hasn’t made Smith’s transition into the NFL an easy one.

9. Troy Williamson (Believers) – Had three below average seasons in Minnesota before heading to Jacksonville. Some have said Williamson is having a solid training camp, but we wouldn’t count on Williamson doing much in 2008.

10. Heath Miller (Believers) – Has not developed into a stud TE just yet, but Miller’s production has been solid over the last three years. He continues to get better each season and should have another solid year in 2008.

11. Mike Williams (Terrors) – If you can’t make the team as even a fourth WR with the Titans or Raiders, you might not be an NFL wideout. Williams has struggled with controlling his weight since entering the league. He should have learned the TE position, then he could have been eating as many Happy Meals as he wanted to.

12. Frank Gore (Bombers) – Wow, how did this guy slip this far? Injuries throughout college probably had teams apprehensive about taking Gore early. I bet those teams had wished they had taken the gamble on him now. If Gore can stay healthy, he has the potential to be a top 5 RB this season.

13. Aaron Rodgers (Condors) – Rodgers will finally have his chance this year after sitting behind that whiny, arrogant, selfish brat that some people refer to as Brett Favre (did I mention I hate Favre?). Rodgers has handled the Favre situation with such class, you should be cheering for him to have a great season. We wouldn’t expect stud-like numbers from Rodgers in his first season as a starter. But he should be a solid starting QB for years to come.

14. Mark Bradley (Condors) – Bradley had a solid first seven games in his rookie season. However, a season ending leg injury halted his rookie campaign. Not much has been heard from Bradley ever since.

 

 

 

Top 5 Draft Steals

1. Frank Gore (1st Round, Pick #12)

2. Marion Barber (2nd Round, Pick #21)

3. Braylon Edwards (1st Round, Pick #5)

4. Jason Campbell (3rd Round, Pick #33)

5. Roddy White (2nd Round, Pick #22)

 

 

Top 5 Draft Busts

1. Cedric Benson (1st Round, Pick #3)

2. Eric Shelton (1st Round, Pick #6)

3. J.J. Arrington (1st Round, Pick #4)

4. Mike Williams (1st Round, Pick #11)

5. Troy Williamson (1st Round, Pick #9)