Brand on class of '94 'D' may have been off mark

Sporting News, The, Sept 9, 1996 by Bob Glauber

The personnel community was drooling over the possibilities. In a league where pass-rushing prospects and big-time run-stoppers along the defensive line are at a premium, it seemed the sky was the limit for the draft class of '94.

Remember how everyone kept saying Dan Wilkinson was going to be a sure bet for the Hall of Fame? And how John Thierry would be the prototype pass rusher in the '90s? And how Willie McGinest would be the next Lawrence Taylor?

It hasn't quite turned out that way has it?

As this group of linemen and linebackers enters the critical third year of development--the time most personnel executives believe players will pan out or simply fall by the wayside--the advance billing may have been misplaced with many of them. Instead of producing the next generation of defensive studs, the class of '94 is looking more like a major disappointment than a major talent infusion.

Here's a closer look:

Did someone say bust?

Jamir Miller, LB, Cardinals. Buddy Ryan said he'd turn Miller into a star. A falling star is more like it. In his first two seasons, Miller had almost as many violations of the league's substance-abuse policy (three) as he did sacks (four). The Cardinals attempted to shop him during the preseason, but there were no takers.

Shante Carver, DE, Cowboys. Carver, the 23rd pick in the '94 first round, is sitting out the first six games of the season for repeated substance-abuse violations. He showed modest signs of improvement toward the end of last season, but Cowboys officials were so concerned about his lack of progress that they decided to draft McNeese State defensive end Kavika Pittman in the second round this year.

John Thierry, DE, Bears. Remember how Dave Wannstedt was going to bulk up the Alcorn State linebacker and turn him into another Charles Haley? Looks like he was a first-round reach. Thierry, with only four sacks in two seasons, has been a virtual non-factor on a lousy defense.

Bruce Walker, DT. The Eagles wasted a second-round pick on Walker, who never made it through training camp because of weight and attitude problems. Walker got a second chance with the Patriots last year but was cut in camp this year.

Fernando Smith, DE, Vikings. The Vikings were thinking this second-rounder might turn into another Chris Doleman. Not even close.

Trev Alberts, LB/DE, Colts. Actually, bust may be an unfair label for Alberts. More like incomplete because of injuries. He's out for the year with a shoulder injury, coming on the heels of an injury-plagued rookie season and an unproductive '95.

There's still hope

Dan Wilkinson, DT, Bengals. Club president Mike Brown turned down a slew of trade offers for the No. 1 pick and took Wilkinson, who left Ohio State after his sophomore season. Wilkinson has produced 13 1/2 sacks in his first two seasons and is beginning to show signs of fulfilling his enormous potential. A terrific training camp and a solid opening game against the Rams (one sack, a blocked pass, five tackles) are good signs for the encouraged Bengals.

Willie McGinest, DE, Patriots. Bill Parcells switched to a 4-3 defense this year and put McGinest at right end, where he and Chris Slade offer a nice one-two punch--as long as McGinest isn't physically overpowered.

Sam Adams, DT, Seahawks. Coach Dennis Erickson considered trading Adams in the offseason but is glad he didn't. Erickson called Adams his most improved player in the preseason.

Joe Johnson, DE, Saints. He's had some knee problems in recent weeks but should continue on his upward push once he's healthy again.

Brentson Buckner, DT, Steelers. Not known for his pass rush, Buckner has been a major help to the Steelers' defense with his run-stopping ability.

Henry Ford, DE, Oilers. He'll need to do better than last year's 4 1/2-sack output to justify his first-round stature.

Hitting the jackpot

Bryant Young, DT, 49ers. This may have been the pick that put the 49ers in the Super Bowl two years ago, as Young teamed with Dana Stubblefield to form the finest tackle combo in football and solve the 49ers' problems on defense. He's as consistently dominant as they come.

Jim Flanigan, DT, Bears. This third-rounder made a name for himself last year with two touchdown catches on trick plays, but it was his 11 sacks that pleased coaches most. He's a big-time playmaker.

Tim Bowens, DT, Dolphins. Don Shula used to get knocked for reaching on first-round linemen, but not on this one. Look for even better results in Jimmy Johnson's aggressive, up-the-field defensive schemes.

Premature ending?

New England quarterback Drew Bledsoe is only 24 and he has almost his entire career ahead of him. So you wouldn't think he would be looking toward retirement.

But even though he's entering only his fourth pro season, Bledsoe can envision a time when he's through playing. And it has nothing to do with making too much money, suffering too many injuries or enduring criticism for too many poor performances or losing seasons.

It's all about lifestyle.

"I (sometimes) think about what it will be like," Bledsoe says when asked about whether he looks ahead to a life without football. "I know that I'll really miss playing the game, and the camaraderie with my teammates. The one thing that probably will drive me out of the game before anything else is the public lifestyle. I just don't like it."