NFL-draft expert shares wisdom in live chat
Stephen Tsai: Curtis Murayama, The Advertiser's draft expert for nearly 30 years, will make an opening statement.
Curtis Murayama: Thanks for joining in. This is the first time we're doing this. Hope we can do this in the future becaue I love chatting about the draft. So let's go.
Stephen Tsai: Readers: What's your take on Ashley Lelie?
Curtis Murayama: I think he should go in the first round. He has the ability to go that early. But I can see the teams' reluctance because of his hamstring injury.
Stephen Tsai: qbsneak asks: Where do you see Nick Rolovich going? Team and round, please.
Curtis Murayama: Nick should end up in someone's camp. I personally see him as a free agent. Simply because all his success has come in one year. That makes it hard to measure for pro teams. Just look at Ryan Leaf. He was a one-year wonder.
Stephen Tsai: nokaoi asks: Who does S.F. want?
Curtis Murayama: If I were in the 49er war room, I'd try to trade out of the first round, pick up extra secnd and third round picks. If they use their pick, I see them going with a cornerback, maybe Mike Rumph (of Miami), or someone on the offensive and defensive line
Stephen Tsai: lilnicky says: I think Ashley has seen his stock slip in the past few weeks but he will prove to be the best of all WRs.
Curtis Murayama: Hard to say. Donte Stallworth looks awfully good on film; plus he's faster than Ashley.
Stephen Tsai: lilnicky asks: What round do you see Ed Ta'amu being selectedin, and which teams are showing the most interest.
Curtis Murayama: The word I heard from the scouts about Ta'amu were very encouraging, some saying he was one of the strongest players around. anyone who needs a interior lineman, such as the Jets, Saints, should be interested.
Stephen Tsai: abadabado asks: Who do the Patriots pick at No. 32?
Curtis Murayama: I heard wide receiver, such as Josh Reed, Antonio Bryant. not many holes on that team.
Stephen Tsai: MelKiperwannabe ask: What other players besides Rolo and Lelie have a chance of being drafted?
Curtis Murayama: From UH, I would say Manly Kanoa. But he's not even listed in Mel Kipe's book. From Hawaii, Fonoti, Ta'amu, Russell.
Stephen Tsai: nokaoi asks: What trades do you think might happen in the first round?
Curtis Murayama: Could be as early as the Cowboys or even Lions. The 49ers are notriously one of the most active teams.
Stephen Tsai: adababado asks: do you think former UH offensive lineman Adrian Klemm was a bust?
Curtis Murayama: He hasn't played. I saw a report that said he still has some work to do. I think for a second-round draft pick, the Patriots probably are disappointed.
Stephen Tsai: dollar dance asks: What is your opinion of quarterback David Carr? Do you see him making an impact with the Texas in his first season?
Curtis Murayama: No way. He's a rookie. Playing in the WAC is way different than playing in the NFL.
Stephen Tsai: lilnicky asks: do you believe that campbell alum cliff russell will be able to overcome the scouts' criticism of poor hands rand route running?
Curtis Murayama: It's all on him. Not every player can switch from running back to receiver, though LSU's Josh Reed has.
Stephen Tsai: lilnicky asks: which player has been rising up the draft boards the fastest in the past few weeks?
Curtis Murayama: I like Mike Rumph (of Miami) ... a big cornerback, 6-2, 205 ... in early ratings he was like the 50th best player ..
Stephen Tsai: Who has the best draft Websites? And the worst?
Curtis Murayama: I like CBS SportsLine ... and ESPN, which has a draft tracker detailing the picks of all the teams. I think CBS has multiple mock drafts. ... bad? dunno that one.
Stephen Tsai: MelKiperwannabe asks: What do you think about Eric Couch?
Curtis Murayama: ha's fast (4.4 speed), but small and has to change positions. he's listed as a running back in most reports, but he's quite light to take the beating. he's only 195.
Stephen Tsai: dollardance asks: do you have a mock draft of your own? who would be your top 10 picks?
Curtis Murayama: 1, houston (Carr), 2, Carolina (Peppers), 3, Detroit (Jammer), 4, Buffalo (OT Mike Williams), 5, San Diego (OT McKinnie), 6, Dallas (Roy Williams), 7, Minnesota (DL Albert Haynesworth), 8, Kansas City (DT Ryan Sims), 9, Jacksonville (DT Wendell Bryant), 1
Curtis Murayama: 10, Cincinnati (CB Phillip Buchanon)
Stephen Tsai: abadabodo asks: do you see any teams trading for Drew Bledsoe?
Curtis Murayama: could be Buffalo; heard that rumor ... I feel chicago should get involved.
Stephen Tsai: Full Monty asks: Will your newspaper have more space for the draft?
Curtis Murayama: Maybe an inside page for all the picks and comments on each pick. Will give as much as we can.
Stephen Tsai: lilnicky asks: Why did you exclude Joey Harrington from your top 10?
Curtis Murayama: Good question. I've seen him as early as Buffalo (No. 4) and Cincinnati (No. 10). He looks like another chris Chandler to me; good intangibles.
Stephen Tsai: MelKiperwannabe asks: What do scouts look for the most in players?
Curtis Murayama: Size, speed, quickness and attitude ... they do a lot of background checks. Even with all the studying, they all missed the boat on Ryan Leaf, who was picked No. 2 overall just few years ago.
Stephen Tsai: dollardanc asks: Do you think Lelie made the right decision by entering this year's draft? Or should he have stayed for his senior season?
Curtis Murayama: Good move. were it not for Donte Stallworth entering early; Ashley would have been the No. 1 receiver picked. He couldn't add more to his highlight reel... he had great games on a national stage, against Fresno State (3 TDs, including game winner), and BYU. Staying would have been a game because of injury.
Stephen Tsai: adababado asks: do you like a scrambling quarterback or a pocket passer?
Curtis Murayama: Scrambling quarterback like Steve Young, Michael Vick, even that McMahon kid from Detroit. The athleticism of NFL defenders require it.
Stephen Tsai: bow gus asks: do you scout film on the top college players? where do you get all your information?
Curtis Murayama: I subscribe to books, such as Mel Kiper. That gives me a basis for information. I talk to NFL scouts at the Hula Bowl. I watch games and highlights. It's all much more sophisticated now then when I first started in 1971.
Stephen Tsai: nokaoi asks: do you think lelie will end up in atlanta?
Curtis Murayama: That's where I got him going. He would be a good fit with Michael Vick and Warrick Dunn ... now that 's speed.
Stephen Tsai: lilnicky asks: who are uh's best prospects for next year's draft?
Curtis Murayama: Vincent Manuwai. He's already listed as one of the players to watch.
Stephen Tsai: nokai asks: how did mel kiper become a draft analyst?
Curtis Murayama: He started quite young ... he no life ... and now he has one. Actually, it's just as matter of studying, acquiring game film, making contacts with NFL officials.
Stephen Tsai: abadabado asks: regarding WRs, is speed or precise route running more of an advantage?
Curtis Murayama: both, if can have it. Those with both will be drafted high. If I had to choose I'd say speed. Because route running you can teach; speed you can't.
Stephen Tsai: lilnicky asks: who do you think have been the biggest busts in the history of the draft?
Curtis Murayama: Aundray Bruce was a No. 1 pick ... Ki-Jana Carter and Steve Emtman just got hurt.
Stephen Tsai: bowgus asks; do you think david carr was the right choice as the no. 1 pick?
Curtis Murayama: Actually no. Texas probably could have traded down, gotten more athletes, taken Harrington later in first or Tulane's Patrick Ramsey in secnd.
Stephen Tsai: melkiperwannabe asks: what was your favorite draft?
Curtis Murayama: Of course, 1971, when I first started following. It's like your first love, right?
Stephen Tsai: nokaoi asks: which position has the most depth this year?
Curtis Murayama: wide receiver and offensive line.
Stephen Tsai: ronnie asks: will nick rolovich be drafted in the late rounds or signed as a free agent?
Curtis Murayama: 49ers, free agent ...
Stephen Tsai: lilnicky asks; which players do you see making the biggest impact this year?
Curtis Murayama: Not Carr ...Jeremy Shockey, the Miami tight end, possibly T.J. Duckett, rb, Michigan State
Stephen Tsai: abadabado asks: i've read that the top 10 picks don't do very well. any truth to that?
Curtis Murayama: most times QBS are in the top 10 ... QBs can't do well early ... look at two of the last 3 No. 1 overall picks (Tim Couch and Vick), they're QBs on struggling teams.
Stephen Tsai: nokaoi asks: who's your no. 1 player in the draft?
Curtis Murayama: I'd probably go w/Julius Peppers.
Stephen Tsai: Where are the best bars to watch the draft? what does your family think about your obsession with the draft?
Curtis Murayama: It's only two days out of 365 I tell them. No need to go to a bar, just stay home and watch.
Stephen Tsai: dollar dance asks: what was the first year you started following the draft?
Curtis Murayama: 1971, the year Plunkett, Archie Manning and Dan Pastorini went 1-2-3 ... all quarterbacks.
Stephen Tsai: ronnie asks: what string do you think rolo would be if he signed with S.F.? Will he follow the good line of QBs?
Curtis Murayama: On the practice squad because Tim Ratay is the team's backup right now. But he doesn't have experience either.
Stephen Tsai: abadabado asks: is directtv coming to hawaii soon?
Curtis Murayama: Don't know about that.
Stephen Tsai: reader asks: do you think teams should spend high draft picks on safeties, like roy williams?
Curtis Murayama: Good question. What's wrong with picking a safety high. If he can make an impact for your team, take him. Kenny Easley was taking at No. 3 I believe and Ronnie Lott No. 8 in 1981 ... look at the impact they had.
Stephen Tsai: besides yourself, who are the other draft gurus in hawaii?
Curtis Murayama: Danny Kerwin and Eric Shimomi, not sure with the spelling ... they subscribe to more draft books than me.
Stephen Tsai: ronnie asks: what's going on with former uh safety nate jackson? anyone looking at him?
Curtis Murayama: Haven't heard ... but he's quite light, although he can hit bigger than his size.
Stephen Tsai: ss oshiro asks: why julius peppers (as your no. 1 pick)?
Curtis Murayama: He can make a bigger impact. Rushing rushing defensive ends are rare. Plus, you can always find a good quarterback. Look around the league now, how many starting QBs are No. 1 draft picks ...
Stephen Tsai: Who does Ferd Lewis see as the top pick? Will he write a column on the draft?
Curtis Murayama: I'll ask but he's on the phone.
Stephen Tsai: abadabado asks: only time will tell on how a draft guru has done in rating players. what's your record?
Curtis Murayama: Not bad I'd say ... usually 20-something of the guys I say will go in the first round end up in the first round. Everyone has his own opinion. I have mine.
Stephen Tsai: melkiperwannabe asks: what about jacob espiau?
Curtis Murayama: Probably a free agent... his injuries are a big negative.
Stephen Tsai: ronnie says: there was a rumor taht the Lions want Lelie and may trade up to get him. Any truth?
Curtis Murayama: (more)
Curtis Murayama: Lions pick No. 3; that's too high for Ashley. I don't see that happening. Lions picked up receivers Az Hakim and Bill Schroeder (Packers)
Stephen Tsai: nokaoi asks: i've seen aht warren sapp might be traded to philly. have you heard about that?
Curtis Murayama: Yes. That would just help Eagles more ... Bucs need him, though.
Stephen Tsai: lilnicky asks: do you think tim chang has a shot at being drafted in a few years?
Curtis Murayama: Yes. He has a quick release. Only question is, how tough is he? NFL QBs take some monster hits.
Stephen Tsai: abadabado wants to know about having a monitor-free chat, or starting an advertiser chat room.
Curtis Murayama: Sounds good to me ... but we should moderate so proper language gets by.
Stephen Tsai: bowgus asks: is there any chance of lelie dopping to late in the first round and going to a great passing team like green bay or st. louis?
Curtis Murayama: Green Bay definitely like him. The Packers scout told me, he "loved him." Anytime an injury occurs, it affects the player's draft status.
Stephen Tsai: abadabado asks: do you think jon gruden was worth all those draft picks?
Curtis Murayama: No way. What was that couple first rounds, second rounds and cash!!!
Stephen Tsai: ronnie asks: if Shawn Withy-Allen gets the start over Timmy and picks up where Rolo left off, could he be a heisman contender or first-round pick?
Curtis Murayama: No one-year wonders should be considered (though Leaf was). If he's so good, then why wasn't he starting in the first place?
Stephen Tsai: Since Rolo should have led the country in total offense and played so well in the Hula bowl and against fresno state, why isn't he ranked higher? is it a bias against the wac?
Curtis Murayama: Probably his size. He's just a shade over 6 feet. Carr is 6-3, Harrington 6-4, Ramsey 6-3, etc.
Stephen Tsai: bowgus asks: who else from hawaii (not uh guys) getting drafted? signed to free agent deals?
Curtis Murayama: WR Clifford Russell (Campbell), OG Eddie Ta'amu (Iolani), Nebraska OG Toniu Fonoti (Kahuku) ... other free agent types include Faaesea Mailo, Makoa Freitas, Mike Souza ...
Stephen Tsai: Anybody from one of those tiny schools, like Linfield, have a chance to get drafted?
Curtis Murayama: Alabama-Birmingham could get one in the first round ...
Stephen Tsai: abadadobo asks: Tom Brady ... one year wonder?
Curtis Murayama: He looks pretty solid, cerebral ... looks like a keeper.
Stephen Tsai: lil nicky asks: what about a player like antwaan randle el? where do you see him being taken and what position will be play in the NFL?
Curtis Murayama: Because of his size (5-9, 190), he'll be a receiver. QB to receiver not easy, but not impossible. he's fast (4.4) and shifty in the highlights.
Stephen Tsai: nokaoi asks: if UH linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa entered next year's draft, where will he be taken?
Curtis Murayama: Depends what other juniors come in. Might be no the light side. Needs to stay healthy.
Stephen Tsai: lilnicky asks: whom do you see taking fonoti and what kind of a pro will he become?
Curtis Murayama: I got him going to St. Louis in the first round ... he looks really strong. But doesn't he look slow? Almost like he could only operate in a confined space.
Stephen Tsai: nokai asks: does chris brown have a chance to be drafted?
Curtis Murayama: he's got good size ... a 250-or-so-pound linebacker ... but does he have the instincts. He just moved to linebacker last year. Will see his progress this year.
Stephen Tsai: ronnie asks: if colbert has an ashley year, could we see him in the draft next year, or did lelie make it because of his size?
Stephen Tsai: We'll be wrapping up shortly. We have time for two more questions.
Curtis Murayama: Too many guys like him in college. What makes ashley are his size (6-2) and exceptional speed (4.27).
Stephen Tsai: nokaoi asks: will the texs be doing a lot of trading in this draft?
Curtis Murayama: They don't need to. they have 14 picks; the first pick in each round and a pick in the middle of each round from No. 2 on. They already have guys like Boselli, Aaron Glenn, Jamie Sharper.
Stephen Tsai: Thanks very much. Curtis Murayama will make his final comments. (please see his complete analysis in this week's Advertisers)
Curtis Murayama: Thanks for chatting. Draft time is a fun time. But it's time consuming. I was ready for some trivia questions. Anyway the transcripts of this chat will be available on our Web site. Call in tomorrow (Thursday) to the Bobby Curran show. I'll be on the air.
