Raiders AFC Rule

Win the Heisman Trophy, get chosen No. 1 in the NFL draft, then do the obvious -- bypass a career as a running back and instead become a sportswriter.

That's what Jay Berwanger did 70 years ago. Don't look for columns by Reggie Bush anytime soon, however. The NFL is paying a tad bit better these days.

Bush, last season's Heisman Trophy-winning running back out of USC, is the probable No. 1 overall draft pick by the Houston Texans on Saturday when the draft begins.

"If they do something other than that, they'll be second-guessed forever," said an AFC personnel director, requesting anonymity. "Is he by far the best player in the draft? I don't know if you can say that, but he'll have the greatest impact in the NFL. You'd think he can do more things than anybody."

It's been quite a while since anyone's thought so highly of a running back. Should they?

Quarterbacks have occupied the No. 1 slot in the past five drafts and seven of the past eight. A running back hasn't gone first since the Cincinnati Bengals used the 1995 top pick on Ki-Jana Carter, whose knee promptly went ka-boom.

Scan through teams' stat sheets, examine past drafts, check the Hall of Fame archives, and you'll learn that drafting a running back high -- not just No. 1 overall -- doesn't always pay off.

"I agree," 49ers vice president of player personnel Scot McCloughan said. "If you go back and look, you'll see some third- and fourth-rounders, and you'll see you can find a guy that fits your system and you can win with him."

Running backs are mined throughout the two-day draft, and beyond. Just ask the Pittsburgh Steelers, whose starting running back in their Super Bowl XL victory in February was Willie Parker, whom they signed as an undrafted free agent in 2004.

Parker and 2001 rushing champion Priest Holmes, also undrafted, are exceptions in a league still surrounded by first-round running backs. Of the league's 32 franchises, 23 have drafted a running back in the first round over the past 10 years.

The 49ers and Raiders are among those that haven't. Dexter Carter (1990) and Terrence Flagler (1987) are the most recent running backs taken in the first round by the 49ers. The Raiders have taken only two first-round running backs -- Napoleon Kaufman (1995) and Marcus Allen (1982) -- since the AFL and NFL merged drafts in 1967.

These days, the 49ers are counting on third-round backs Kevan Barlow and Frank Gore, and the Raiders are keyed by LaMont Jordan, a second-round pick by the New York Jets in 2001.

Only 14 clubs were led in rushing in 2005 by a first-round back. All others relied on second-, third- or fourth-round backs, except for the Denver Broncos, who rediscovered 2000 sixth-round find Mike Anderson. The Broncos haven't drafted a first-round running back since 1985, the second-longest drought behind the Washington Redskins (1967).

That's not to say taking a running back in the first round won't pay dividends. After Terrell Davis, also a Broncos' sixth-round draft pick, won the league rushing title in 1998, a first-round running back has led the NFL in rushing six of the past seven years.

None, of course, was a No. 1 overall pick. The only running backs taken No. 1 in the 40-year-old Super Bowl era are Carter, Bo Jackson (1986), George Rogers (1981), Billy Sims (1980), Earl Campbell (1978), Ricky Bell (1977) and O.J. Simpson (1969). Rogers is the only one who reached a Super Bowl, though he had only five carries in the 1987 Broncos' title win.

After Berwanger spurned the Chicago Bears when they refused to meet his asking price -- $25,000 over two years -- 22 running backs went No. 1 overall in the following 69 drafts. Just five of those running backs became Hall of Famers, including Campbell and Simpson, although one of them, Paul Hornung, was a quarterback in college.

McCloughan doubts that the 6-foot, 201-pound Bush will be asked to carry the ball as much as the punishing Campbell, who averaged 19 carries per game.

That's not to say Bush won't get the ball often, as his receiving skills and even return capabilities make him a versatile threat.

"He'll be special his first year," McCloughan said.

Added ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr.: "This kid is unique. If he was just a running back with mediocre hands, he wouldn't be the No. 1 pick. He's No. 1 because he's a superlative runner. I compared him to Gale Sayers the first time I saw him running. Catching it, he's a like a wide receiver, and if he were just a wide receiver, he'd be a first-round pick."

Bush, a high school teammate of last year's No. 1 overall pick, 49ers quarterback Alex Smith, is flattered by comparisons to Sayers, Marshall Faulk and Barry Sanders.

As for any link to other highly drafted rushers who've floundered, Bush spins his way through that conversation as if he were facing the Fresno State defense.

"I don't know what happened to past running backs and why they weren't successful," Bush said at the February scouting combine. "But I know I'm going to be successful and I won't fail."

FIRST AID

Here's a look at the running backs selected in the first round of the past 10 drafts, followed by a sleeper pick:

• 2005: Ronnie Brown (No. 2, Dolphins), Cedric Benson (No. 4, Bears), Carnell Williams (No. 5, Buccaneers). Sleeper: Frank Gore (third round, No. 65, 49ers)

• 2004: Steven Jackson (No. 24, Rams), Chris Perry (No. 26, Bengals), Kevin Jones (No. 30, Lions). Sleeper: Willie Parker (undrafted, Steelers)

• 2003: Willis McGahee (No. 23, Bills), Larry Johnson (No. 27, Chiefs). Sleeper: Domanick Davis (fourth round, No. 101, Texans)

• 2002: William Green (No. 16, Browns), T.J. Duckett (No. 18, Falcons). Sleeper: Brian Westbrook (third round, No. 91, Eagles)

• 2001: LaDainian Tomlinson (No. 5, Chargers), Deuce McAllister (No. 23, Saints), Michael Bennett (No. 27, Vikings). Sleeper: Kevan Barlow (third round, No. 80, 49ers)

• 2000: Jamal Lewis (No. 5, Ravens), Thomas Jones (No. 7, Cardinals), Ron Dayne (No. 11, Giants), Shaun Alexander (No. 19, Seahawks), Trung Canidate (No. 31, Rams). Sleeper: Mike Anderson (sixth round, No. 189, Broncos)

• 1999: Edgerrin James (No. 4, Colts), Ricky Williams (No. 5, Saints). Sleeper: Olandis Gary (fourth round, No. 127, Broncos)

• 1998: Curtis Enis (No. 5, Bears), Fred Taylor (No. 9, Jaguars), Robert Edwards (No. 18, Patriots), John Avery (No. 29, Dolphins). Sleeper: Ahman Green (third round, No. 76, Seahawks)

• 1997: Warrick Dunn (No. 12, Buccaneers), Antowain Smith (No. 23, Bills). Sleeper: Corey Dillon (second round, No. 43, Bengals)

• 1996: Lawrence Phillips (No. 6, Rams), Tim Biakabutuka (No. 8, Panthers), Eddie George (No. 14, Oilers/Titans). Sleeper: Stephen Davis (fourth round, No. 102, Redskins)

FIRST AND FOREMOST?

Here's a list of the past 10 NFL rushing champions and where they were drafted:

• 2005: Shaun Alexander 1st round, 19th overall, 2000, Seahawks

• 2004: Curtis Martin (Jets) 3rd round, 74th overall, 1995, Patriots

• 2003: Jamal Lewis 1st round, 5th overall, 2000, Ravens

• 2002: Ricky Williams (Dolphins) 1st round, 5th overall, 1999, Saints

• 2001: Priest Holmes (Chiefs) undrafted, 1997, Ravens

• 2000: Edgerrin James 1st round, 4th overall, 1999, Colts

• 1999: Edgerrin James 1st round, 4th overall, 1999, Colts

• 1998: Terrell Davis 6th round, 196th overall, 1995, Broncos

• 1997: Barry Sanders 1st round, 3rd overall, 1989, Lions

• 1996: Barry Sanders 1st round, 3rd overall, 1989, Lions

The Oakland Raiders found their replacement for Kerry Collins, signing for former New Orleans quarterback Aaron Brooks to a two-year contract Wednesday worth about $8 million.
The 29-year-old Brooks gives new Raiders coach Art Shell a proven starter to compete with veteran backup Marques Tuiasosopo and second-year pro Andrew Walter. Brooks was cut last week by New Orleans when the Saints signed Drew Brees, one of the most coveted free agents available this year.

"It was a win-win scenario," said Brooks' agent, Mason Ashe. "They have a lot of potential, a lot of firepower. It looked like they were just missing the ingredient he adds — a quarterback of his caliber who has his skills."

The contract includes a number of incentives based on Brooks' performance. He started 13 games for New Orleans last season, completing 240 of 431 passes for 2,882 yards and 13 touchdowns. He threw 17 interceptions.

"Oh, sweet," receiver Alvis Whitted said in a phone interview. "I'm glad that we do have a new quarterback. I'm sure he'll fit right in with what we're trying to get done here. I'm sure the coaches are excited. From what I've seen of him play, he's done some great things. He's very athletic, a mobile quarterback and very intelligent, too. He's a great fit for us, and we're happy to have him."

Brooks, who had started 82 straight games before being benched for the final three games of 2005, spent the past six seasons with the Saints after playing for Green Bay in his first NFL campaign in 1999.

Brooks, a fourth-round draft pick by the Packers out of Virginia, was one of few capable quarterbacks left on the market this offseason.

"Aaron gives us great depth at the quarterback position and provides us with a veteran presence," Shell said.

Oakland parted ways with Collins on March 10 in an expected move that saves them $9.2 million against the salary cap once bonuses are factored into the figures.

The 33-year-old Collins went 7-21 record in two years as Oakland's starter and said at the end of the season he was willing to restructure his deal but would not play for "peanuts."

When the team cut Collins, Shell was left to consider Tuiasosopo and Walter as leading candidates for the position.

Tuiasosopo has just two starts in his five-year career. In 2003, he replaced the injured Rich Gannon to start against the Detroit Lions but suffered a season-ending injury to his left knee in the first half.

Tuiasosopo started one game last season against the New York Jets after Collins was benched but turned the ball over four times in the 26-10 loss and Collins regained the starting job the following week.

Walter, a third-round pick out of Arizona State last year, didn't play as a rookie. He threw for 85 touchdowns and 10,617 yards during his college career.

The Raiders scored only 51 points, with just six touchdowns, in their final five games and lost their last six overall and eight of nine despite an offense featuring Collins, Randy Moss, LaMont Jordan and Jerry Porter. At 4-12, they finished with one fewer victory than in fired coach Norv Turner's first season a year ago.

Perhaps the most glaring statistic is Oakland's failure to win a division game for the first time since owner Al Davis came aboard in 1963 to coach and eventually own the team. The Raiders went 1-11 against the AFC West during Turner's two seasons.

Brooks is ready to help turn things around for a franchise that has flopped since reaching the 2003 Super Bowl and losing to Tampa Bay.

"He respects the tradition of the team," Ashe said. "They treated him with a lot of respect and came out aggressively to get him. It's a pretty nice opportunity to be THE guy."

The 2006 season can't come soon enough for a Raiders team eager to distance itself from the disappointment of 2005. As it turns out, they are one of two teams that start the upcoming season sooner than any other.

The league confirmed today that the Raiders and Philadelphia Eagles are scheduled to kick off the season with an exhibition game in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 6 at 5 p.m.

That works out well for Raiders managing general partner Al Davis and other organization members who already planned on attending the induction ceremony of former Raiders coach John Madden into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the 2006 class the day before the game.

It also works out well for new coach Art Shell. He now is permitted to coach an extra game and get in an extra week of practice, whereas most teams have only four games scheduled.

The Raiders also learned that their second exhibition game is on the road against the Minnesota Vikings in what will be the first game for Raiders wide receiver Randy Moss against his former team. The game is scheduled for Aug. 14 at 5 p.m. on ESPN.

The Raiders conclude their exhibition schedule with home games against the 49ers and Detroit Lions and a road game against the defending NFC champion Seattle Seahawks. The dates and times of these games won't be announced until next month, at the earliest.

The Seattle game gives Oakland a sneak peek at one of their regular-season opponents and its first look at the Seahawks' new stadium. Oakland last played in Seattle in 2001, when both teams were part of the AFC West.

In other news, Lions quarterback Joey Harrington visited the Miami Dolphins as part of his coast-to-coast tour of prospective employers. He then left for a visit with the Cincinnati Bengals, with the Raiders a potential stopping point.

Shell told reporters at the NFL meetings in Orlando, Fla., on Tuesday that he intends to view videotape of Harrington's four seasons with the Lions before deciding whether it's worth trading for him.

"There has to be something there for somebody to pick him third overall," Shell said. "At the time he was coming out, a lot of people liked him. So, he's a talented guy. You've just got to figure out, can he come in and fit into what you're trying to do? ... You try to evaluate what he's done when he's been there, what he was being asked to do."

Harrington, 27, compiled an 18-37 record as a starter for the Lions from 2002-05. Lions coach Rod Marinelli has said that Jon Kitna or Josh McCown will be his starting quarterback and that Harrington no longer is part of the picture. The Lions granted Harrington permission to speak with the Raiders and a handful of other teams.

The Lions reportedly are seeking a first-day pick -- one of the first three rounds -- in next month's NFL draft. Harrington is slated to earn $4.45 million each of the next two seasons and pocket a $4.5 million roster bonus June 15. Therefore, he likely would have to agree to a renegotiated contract before a trade is consummated.

Notes: Oakland hired former Steelers and Browns defensive lineman Darryl Sims as an assistant defensive line coach. He was the defensive coordinator for the World Bowl XIII champion Amsterdam Admirals in NFL Europe last season. ... The contract signed by Raiders quarterback Aaron Brooks eight days ago calls for him to earn $2 million in base salary this season and only $720,000 in 2007. He received a hefty signing bonus, as well. His deal also features numerous incentives that could net him even more money.