NFL Draft Live Wire 1/4/07

Entering the NFL Draft may not be an option for stud wide receiver Calvin Johnson. His family is pushing for him to stay in school as they stress academics but the writers across the country are pushing for him go for the pot at the end of the rainbow. The truth is that Johnson hasn't really touched on this subject and with the latest revelations on his family, I am starting to think Calvin Johnson will return for his senior season. Georgia Tech's new quarterback, Taylor Bennett is the opposite of Reggie Ball. Bennett has a great arm and great accuracy but didn't start for some unknown reason until Ball got into a little bit of trouble. Did I mention that Bennett is a good friend of Calvin Johnson, this is just another reason for Johnson to stay in school as the Yellow Jackets could make an even bigger push in the vulnerable ACC. All signs are pointing to Johnson staying in school. Good for him, bad for the 2007 NFL Draft. I am not expecting Johnson to declare by January 15th.

Fighting Irish wide receiver Jeff Samardzija is not contemplating dropping baseball for football, which will hurt his stock this April. Samardzija was quoted saying "The truth is I’m pretty much nowhere. It’s a tough decision. I don’t know what I’m going to do. I’ll just go along and take care of my business day to day and week to week and hopefully something will present itself." He is still a first day draft pick but I am sure he will give us all a decision before the draft.

Another defensive back will enter the NFL early. Georgia CB Paul Oliver will skip his senior season and hope to land on a team on the first day of the NFL Draft.

I have some firepower to back up my claim on the Detroit Lions not selecting a quarterback or wide receiver with their first round, second overall pick. Tom Kowalski, a Detroit Lions beat writer with some inside knowledge to the situation, has declared that the Lions will not chase a quarterback or wide receiver in the 2007 draft. This backs up my claim that they are slightly hinting at Adrian Peterson, as confirmed from my last mock draft until all the underclassmen declare. But, they are also hinting at Gaines Adams, defensive end from Clemson. I think we will have another Mario Williams and Reggie Bush situation this year in Detroit.

Louisville quarterback, Brian Brohm, is still weighing his options for the NFL Draft. He has already said "it's going to be hard not to come back." Some media outlets have Brohm going as the top overall selection, but the fact is he is nowhere near the first overall pick. Nowhere near it! Head coach Bobby Petrino wants Brian Brohm back so they can try to cap off his final season with a National Championship. As the fans from Louisville chant "One More Year," I am starting to see the signs that Brohm will be back for his senior season in Louisville.

Year in and year out, it is the same story with new faces. The pieces don't yet fit the puzzle but they will soon. Stay tuned.