Draft guru: Packers will find safety in the 1st round

By Gery Woelfel

Wednesday, April 20, 2005 5:29 PM CDT

Some quick hits from Mike Mayock, the draft guru for the NFL Network who predicted the Packers would select Ahmad Carroll with their first-round pick in last year's draft:

* On whom the Packers might pick with their top pick - No. 24 overall - this Saturday: "If they go for need, they'll take a defensive back. They cut (Darren) Sharper and lost Bhawoh Jue to free agency. Brodney Pool (of Oklahoma) is a little bit of a reach but he could be their guy."

* Mayock said he doubts safety Thomas Davis of Georgia will still be on the draft board for the Packers and has similar feelings about defensive back Marlin Jackson of Michigan. "If Marlin Jackson is still on the board, they should jump all over him,'' Mayock said. "Marlin Jackson can play. I think he'd look great as a free safety in Green Bay."

* Another defensive back who has shot up the charts is Justin Miller of Clemson, who could be taken late in the first round.

* On what the Bears will do with their top pick, No. 4 overall: "Early on, I said they'd take (running back) Cedric Benson of Texas. Right now, I think it's Benson or (wide receiver) Braylon Edwards of Michigan. That's an interesting pick."

* On Wisconsin defensive end Erasmus James: "I like him a lot. I understand there have been issues about his durability, but he's the best pure pass rusher in the draft. There's a premium on those guys."

Mayock believes James could go as high as No. 10 to Detroit, but is more likely to be a mid-first rounder.

* On Badgers safety Jim Leonhard, who is 5-foot-8 and weighs 183 pounds: "He's quicker and faster than people think. He's the best center fielder I've seen in some time. I think he could go in the fifth round." Mayock will make his first-round selections tonight and Thursday nights on the NFL Network.

Bucks' decision near Despite speculation that Bucks coach Terry Porter will be fired, perhaps as soon as this week, Charlie Besser, Porter's agent, denies his client is in trouble.

"Terry isn't going anywhere," said Besser. "They got a great young coach who the players can relate to. And do you know how many of those coaches there are? Not too many. He's not going anywhere."

Marquette lands big recruit Marquette's strong recruiting class has become stronger. Jamil Lott, a second-team junior college All-America from North Dakota State College of Science, said he's made a verbal commitment to attend Marquette. Lott will make it official later this week when his mother, Darcel, puts her signature on a national letter of intent.

"There were a number of pluses for picking Marquette,'' said Lott, a 6-7, 225-pound power forward who is from St. Paul, Minn. "The closeness to my home, the exposure of playing in the Big East Conference and whole basketball program.

"And they said there would be a great opportunity to play right away.'' Lott averaged 17 points and nine rebounds last season in leading the Wildcats to the consolation championship in the national junior college tournament. He chose MU over Ohio State, Georgia and George Mason. Arizona had also shown interest.

* Dwight Burke, a 6-9 forward-center from St. Benedict's Prep in Newark, N.J., who also visited Marquette over the weekend with Lott, is leaning toward MU and is "looking long and hard whether to make another visit somewhere else,'' said Dan Hurley, Burke's coach and brother of former Duke star Bobby Hurley.

Burke, who averaged 8.9 points and 9 rebounds last season, is also considering South Florida, Rutgers and Pittsburgh.

Barry set to sign Kevin Barry of Racine plans to fly to Green Bay this week to sign a contract with the Packers. Barry was a restricted free agent and had until last Friday to entertain offers from other teams.

Barry, who'll sign a one-year contract for $656,000, has been used as a blocking tight end and tackle by the Packers. Packers coaches have talked to Barry about playing right guard where he is the projected starter for next season.

Griffith coming home? Ever since the Bucks drafted Rashard Griffith in 1995, the hulking center - who starred at the University of Wisconsin - has played overseas. Griffith has indicated to his agent, Keith Kreiter, that he would like to play in the NBA.

"If someone gave him a guaranteed offer, I think he'd take it," Kreiter said of the 30-year-old Griffith, who is playing for Tenerife in Spain. "Ultimately, he would like to end his career here." Ellis left his mark at MU I'm hearing Bo Ellis will resign as an assistant coach at Marquette and return home to Chicago. It is believed Ellis will pursue a job outside of basketball.

That's a shame because Ellis, who was one of the finest players ever at MU, is personable and has always had a good rapport with the players he coached.

George Thompson, another former MU standout who is a longtime friend of Ellis', once told me: "Al McGuire told me Bo was the one player he never yelled at. Al said he was the nicest guy who had ever played for him."

Speaking of Thompson, and nice guys, Racine native Jim McIlvaine is set to step in and replace Thompson as a color commentator for Golden Eagles' broadcast on WISN (1130 AM).

Good news for the Bucks The announcement that T.J. Ford's back is improving had to be welcome news for the Bucks' scouting department. If Ford can return to action next season and share the point guard duties with Mo Williams, the Bucks can focus on drafting a much-needed frontcourt player with their lottery pick.

Among the forwards on the Bucks' radar screen are Hakim Warrick of Syracuse and Sean May of North Carolina whom, I'm told, is being encouraged to turn pro by his dad, Scott, the former Indiana star. I'm also told May is being cajoled by coach Roy Williams to stay with the Tar Heels.

Promising prospect A blue-chip prepster who may enter the NBA draft is Monta Ellis, a 6-2 guard from Jackson, Miss. Bucks guard Mo Williams, who is from Jackson, has seen Ellis and raves about him. "He's special," Williams said of Ellis. "You know who I compare him to? Dwyane Wade. He's a young Dwyane Wade.'' When asked if Ellis, who has signed a national letter of intent with Mississipi State, would turn pro, Williams smiled and said, "You'll see him next year. You'll get a couple of interviews with him.'' Around the horn Contrary to rumors, Badgers big man Greg Stiemsma isn't transferring. He plans to room with fellow big man Brian Butch in the fall. ... Marquette starting guard Dameon Mason is considering transferring and, unless coach Tom Crean can convince him otherwise, will do so. ... Jimmy Goldstein, who once helped his father run a jewelry store in Racine and is now a very wealthy man living in LaLa Land, was seated at courtside at a recent Bucks-Celtics game. Two summers ago when it appeared Michael Jordan would buy the franchise, NBA commissioner David Stern quietly worked behind the scenes trying to convince Goldstein and some partners to buy the Bucks. ... Could ex-Badgers guard Boo Wade end up at UWM? Stay tuned. ... From the time he was diagnosed with leukemia until his recent death, our community rallied around Horlick High School student-athlete Alex Olson and his family. But the Olsons can still use our support, especially with the hefty medical bills they've incurred. If you can lend a helping hand, consider sending a check to: The Olson Family, 2930 Thornapple Court, Racine, WI 53402.

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