Running on empty

Sporting News, The, Sept 7, 1998 by Dan Pompei

Robert Chancey, FB, Beam. Here's a guy who never played college ball, opting instead to play minor league baseball. He spent last year on the Chargers' practice squad but was cut at the start of training camp this year. The Bears picked him up and now he could be their opening-day starter.

Mark Dixon, G, Dolphins. This refugee from the Canadian Football League has beaten out Jeff Buckey and Anthony Redmon, who were supposed to start ahead of him at left guard.

Dave Fiore, OT, 49ers. This former tight end has stepped in to fill a huge void at left tackle. An undrafted free agent from Division I-AA Hofstra, Fiore has bounced around the league for two years but has never played in the regular season.

Richard Huntley, RB, Steelers. This castoff from the Falcons has run wild in an attempt to be Jerome Bettis' backup.

Travis Jervey, RD, Packers, It took Jervey, a Pro Bowl special teams player, four training camps to show his running skills. He got off to a slow start because he had a fumbling problem and didn't know the plays. But he has always been the Packers' fastest player. Even though Dorsey Levens has returned, Jervey has earned the right to carry the ball.

Patrick Johnson, WR, Ravens. The sixth receiver taken in the '98 draft, Johnson is pushing Michael Jackson for playing time.

Marcus Jones, DL, Bucs. After two years of looking like a bust, the former first-round pick ('96) finally appears to be getting it. He can be invaluable to the Bucs at end and tackle.

Kevin Lockett, WR, Chiefs. With 15 more pounds, he isn't skinny anymore, but Lockett also hasn't lost any of his silky smooth moves. He has been the most impressive receiver in Chiefs' camp,

Kamil Loud, WR, Bills. The seventh-round draft pick has flashed run-after-the-catch ability.

Ty Parten, DE, Chiefs. Schottenheimer says Parten probably was the Chiefs' most productive defensive player this preseason. That's surprising for someone who is with his third team in four years and has yet to register a sack.

Steve McKinney, G, Colts. A fourth-round pick this year, he could beat out veteran Tom Myslinski for a starting job.

Jeff Mitchell, C, Ravens. This second-year man has performed so well that the Ravens felt comfortable moving Wally Williams to guard.

Pat Tillman, S, Cardinals. A college linebacker, he is making a smooth switch to safety.

Dedric Ward, WR, Jets. In his second year, he is showing he can do more than be a return man.

Pat Williams, DT, Bills. Not even drafted a year ago, he is an economical version of Ted Washington.

Rodney Williams, WR, Raiders. He went undrafted in part because he has only one kidney. But his speed and size have earned him the fourth receiver spot on the team.

Tony Williams, DT, Vikings. This playmaking sophomore could give John Randle his best partner since Henry Thomas.

Primary contenders

(In the Tim Couch/Daunte Culpepper derby)

The new Browns have the first pick in the 1999 draft, and their choice likely will be Kentucky quarterback Tim Couch or Central Florida quarterback Daunte Culpepper. Here are the leading candidates for the second pick in the draft: