4D THE WICHITA EAGLE „ SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2009 WWW.KANSAS.COM/SPORTS Stafford agrees to deal with Detroit Associated Press thrown in the last two years, and that’s where you learn Matthew Stafford and the about his decision-making Detroit Lions agreed on a six- ability,” Schwartz said last year deal Friday night, his month. agents told The Associated Stafford was 27-7 as a Press. starter for the Bulldogs, Tom Condon and Ben throwing for 51 touchdowns Dogra, who represent and nearly 8,000 yards. Stafford, said the Lions will When Schwartz was hired pay Stafford $41.7 million in last winter, he joked that it guarantees and as much as was about time to replace $78 million. Bobby Layne, who starred at Quarterback Matt Ryan, the quarterback for the Lions No. 3 pick in when they were an NFL last year’s power in the 1950s. NFL NOTES draft, was In a coincidence, Stafford signed to a and Layne both played at $72 million, Highland Park High School in six-year con- Dallas. tract with $34.75 mil- Gonzalez introduced in Associated Press lion guaran- Atlanta — Tony Gonzalez Kansas State quarterback Josh Freeman sprints during the NFL Combine in February. His combination of size and athletic teed by the announced his Super goal on skills are a potent blend for pro scouts, enough to counteract his inconsistent performance in college. Atlanta his first full day as a member Falcons. of the Atlanta Falcons. “There were unfair expectations of what pointing 5-7 season, the K-State faithful, Detroit “I’m here for one reason, FREEMAN he did,” said Franklin, now the Maryland while riled up, are desperate to hear some- Stafford desperately and that’s to win the Super offensive coordinator. “Everyone wanted thing, anything positive. needs a Bowl,” the All-Pro tight end From Page 1D to know why he didn’t win more. A quar- Prince doesn’t disappoint. quarterback to help turn said Friday. “I haven’t won a terback won’t come in and change every- The coach tells the captive audience that around the NFL’s first 0-16 playoff game in my whole „„„ thing. You can have an average quarter- Freeman, according to the NFL, is regard- team, which has had the worst career. I want to come here, back and surround him with great talent, ed as the No. 1 quarterback prospect in the eight-year stretch in the go to the playoffs and win It’s Wednesday. While Wefald’s first and he’ll be good. But surround a great country. Murmurs pass through the league since World War II, playoff games. I want to go to question remains unanswered, the second quarterback with average talent and he crowd, followed by some cheers, scattered and is turning to Stafford after the Super Bowl and win the has been resolved. can only do so much.” applause. he was a starter in each of his Super Bowl.” “People are like, ‘Your life is going to So, during the past four months, begin- Afterward, Prince is asked to elaborate. three seasons at Georgia. Acquired in a trade change,’ and I tell them, sure, it’s going to ning when Freeman’s requested feedback He says scouts have told him that The Lions will formally take Thursday from Kansas City, change, but it’s the same life,” Freeman from an advisory committee revealed he’d Freeman, after an uneven sophomore sea- Stafford with the No. 1 pick in Gonzalez reiterated that he says. “I just won’t have any class. Football be no worse than a second-round choice, son, is everything the NFL is seeking, par- the draft today. will always keep the Chiefs becomes my class.” he’s heard it all. ticularly from a measurables standpoint. They will have more first in his heart, but the five- Freeman awakens at his parents’ house He’s been asked about it all, too. It’s hard to argue otherwise. chances to rebuild their team time All-Pro quickly acknowl- at 11:15 a.m. In particular, why he locked on to Jordy with the 20th overall selec- edged that Atlanta offered He begins autographing trading cards, Nelson during his sophomore season? „„„ tion, a second-round pick and him a better chance to com- 4,000 provided by a company named “Jordy is a hell of a player,” Freeman a pair of slots in the third pete for a championship. Panini. About an hour later, he’s bored. says. “We game-planned to get him the It’s February 2009, and Freeman is train- round. “The feeling is mutual,” “It’s not fun, but you get paid,” he says. ball 10-15 times per game. If they want ing in Tempe, Ariz., at Athletes’ Detroit general manager Gonzalez said. “Kansas City is Ah, the perks of being a professional. to say that’s all I did, that’s fine.æ.æ.æ. Performance Institute, cramming for the Martin Mayhew said earlier in where I grew up. I’d just It all becomes official today at New York’s He was one of the hardest-working, most biggest job interview of his life, the NFL the week the chances were turned 21 when I got there. Radio City Music Hall, when Freeman reliable guys on the team. And you know Combine. He’s working out beside “very good” an agreement The last 12 years, it’s just will join eight of his invited peers in the what? The NFL teams agreed with me. Georgia’s Matt Stafford, the presumptive would be reached with the been great. I’m going to miss Green Room and await his fate at the NFL They said when you have a great receiver, top choice in the draft, and Freeman, No. 1 pick before the draft it, but I’m looking forward to Draft. His family will be there, as will for- you get the ball to him. That’s what we never lacking for confidence, thinks he’s begins. being a part of what’s happen- mer K-State coach Ron Prince, as did, but it just seemed a little more exag- on the same level. But Freeman is per- Stafford might get a chance ing here.” Freeman’s vision becomes reality. gerated.” plexed one day when he overhears ESPN’s to initially learn from the side- Atlanta, which last year had Freeman expected this. Maybe not the And, most of all, why he didn’t win more draft analysts discussing his “stock.” lines, backing up Daunte a rookie quarterback in Matt plot twists of recent weeks, but the end at K-State? Why couldn’t he be more like “They were saying, ‘Why did he come Culpepper. Ryan, a first-time head coach result, which he believes will culminate Todd Reesing, his spunky counterpart at out?’ They all said I’d be a third- or fourth- First-year coach Jim in Mike Smith and a first-time with a firm handshake on-stage from com- rival Kansas? round guy, maybe sneak into the second Schwartz has said Detroit’s general manager in Thomas missioner Roger Goodell. He suspects he’ll “Todd is a tremendous quarterback,” he round,” Freeman says. “A week later, staff studied Stafford exten- Dimitroff, is coming off an be selected in the first round, somewhere says. “I was really impressed with him in everyone was saying Josh Freeman is a sively on film. 11-6 season that ended with a between No. 8 and the low 20s. the Border War. Todd is a player. I can’t first-round pick, and I was just out there in “We’ve seen every pass he’s wild-card loss at Arizona. “Ever since I knew what the first round take anything away from him, but we ran Arizona, chilling.” was, I wanted to be in it,” Freeman says. a different system. He got my vote for All- “In high school, I knew I wanted to be a Big 12. „„„ England drafts of which Pioli first-round quarterback.” “But when it comes down to it, I’d rather CHIEFS was a part reveals some clues. be Josh Freeman.” Now, it’s April 25. The Patriots liked big guys „„„ Because Josh Freeman has a future in Already, he has met Tampa Bay’s Byron From Page 1D (defensive linemen Richard the NFL, and Reesing probably does not — Leftwich, San Francisco’s Alex Smith and Seymour, Ty Warren and It’s April 2006. Prince’s prize pupil at his and there’s no shame in either, really. Detroit’s Daunte Culpepper, whom he number of years and what Vince Wilfork and offensive previous stop, Virginia, is D’Brickashaw But listen to Oklahoma State coach Mike mimicked growing up. He has shrugged they have done there develop- lineman Logan Mankins) in Ferguson, a 6-foot-6, 305-pound offensive Gundy’s recent comments: off comparisons to Oakland’s JaMarcus ing that program with the first round. Interestingly, tackle. Ferguson will be selected fourth “The first time we saw him, because of Russell and embraced those to Pittsburgh’s Belichick,” said former New England twice picked a overall in the NFL Draft by the New York his size, his stature, how he carried him- Ben Roethlisberger. He has failed to buy Patriots linebacker Monty tight end in the first round. Jets — but not before issuing an invitation self, and then his arm strength, we knew anything gaudy for himself or his siblings, Beisel, who last month signed The Patriots also liked quar- to his former offensive line coach to attend he had a chance to play (in the NFL).æ.æ.æ. although he’s certain he’ll spoil everyone with the Chiefs. “You could terbacks in the middle or late the festivities. He’s just kind of arrived nationally, people soon enough. He has answered, with a kind of see the type of guys he rounds (five, including Cassel The K-State coach passes along the are just starting to find out about him, but straight face, a question from a NFL per- likes to bring in and develop. I and Tom Brady). information to his players, afterward sin- we knew in our staff room that he was sonnel type wondering if he has ever worn think they are starting to bring Whatever position they gling out Freeman, who enrolled early in going to be a first-round pick. You don’t women’s underwear; the answer was no, in that type of guy here and played, most New England the hopes of claiming the starting spot. find guys 6-foot-6 and 200 — and whatev- which elicited laughter from all parties. incorporate into the group of draft picks had certain qualities. “He told him, ‘That could be you,’æ” says er he weighs, 50 — that can throw it and And he dined with former K-State defen- guys we already have. “They’d better be smart and Freeman’s father, Ron. “He said he wasn’t are accurate as he is, and he seems very sive coordinator Raheem Morris, currently “I think both Todd (Haley, they’d better be dependable,” going to guarantee it, but he said Josh durable.” the head coach of the Tampa Bay new Chiefs coach) and Scott Pioli said. “Smart isn’t just could be the kid in the Green Room. Josh Sure, it seems so obvious now, and Buccaneers, one of the popular mock draft just look for smart guys that knowing where to line up on just said, ‘Wow.’ Freeman has always looked the part. destinations for Freeman. can play football. They are the field. Smart is guys who “For me, that wasn’t even a considera- But when he was tossing more intercep- What he hasn’t had is any second looking for football players and come into offseason training tion.” tions than touchdowns, he was a pro? thoughts. guys that might be able to play in shape, like Zach (Thomas) When he was throwing off of his back foot, He laughs when asked what it will feel multiple positions and do dif- did. Just because he wasn’t „„„ appearing panicked in the face of a pass like to become some franchise’s property. ferent things, whether it is playing in the playoffs.æ.æ.æ. He rush? Freeman is ready, eager to silence the offense, defense or special spent three months away Many of us never considered it. Over the phone, Franklin, who was critics. teams. The more you can do, from playing games but We witnessed the successes — his first invited to the Green Room but can’t be He hears the doubts — he always has. the better. I think a lot of the shows up here as one of the start against Oklahoma State, a 28-24 there because of the Terrapins’ spring He probably always will. guys that I have seen that have best conditioned athletes comeback victory that he clinched using game, sighs. “People have been using this ‘boom or been brought in from the free- we’ve seen so far in the offsea- his legs, and the back-to-back upsets of “He’s a legitimate first-round pick,” he bust’ thing with me, whether I’ll be great agent market this year are guys son program.” top-10 Texas teams. says. or terrible,” he says. “But if you think like that. I think they look at Mayock said, “Everybody can We witnessed the struggles — notably about it, about 50 percent of the first- guys from a personality stand- say this, but I really think they the winless record against Kansas, „„„ round quarterbacks are boom or bust.” point and see where the pieces believe: smart, tough, fast. Missouri and Nebraska. fit and what kind of chemistry They’ve placed more emphasis And we chose to focus on the negatives. It’s May 2008, and Prince is the featured Jeffrey Martin covers Kansas State sports. guys will have together. From on smart than most teams. None of it was his fault, former K-State speaker at a Scott City Catbackers event. Reach him at 316-269-6763 or what I have seen in the last You’ve got to be able to do offensive coordinator James Franklin says. Liquor has been flowing, and after a disap- [email protected]. couple of weeks everything is some things that they ask you fitting together.” to do that are a little bit more If it’s fair to expect anything diverse than a lot of teams. back is there for the Lions in next year’s from Pioli this weekend, it’s Players that can play more LUTZ draft, but they have already committed that the Chiefs won’t wind up than one position are always themselves to Stafford? picking in the same seven highly coveted and players that From Page 1D But because two quarterback-needy spots in which they’re now are intelligent enough to han- teams struck it rich last year in the first scheduled. The Patriots were dle that assignment.” although he was the starter for just one round, when Atlanta took Matt Ryan with famous on draft day for their The Chiefs are hopeful this season at Southern California. Even so, the third pick and Baltimore selected Joe desire to move around, most- leads to drafts more fruitful Sanchez could go as high as No. 2 overall Flacco at No. 18, it’s trendy to go for the ly to collect additional picks. than some of their recent to the Rams. Heck, he might be the Lions’ rifle-armed gusto. Six times in nine drafts with ones, but there’s no guaran- guy by the time the draft begins this after- Never mind that in 2007, Oakland went Pioli, the Patriots wound up tee. The only sure thing is that noon. for JaMarcus Russell with the No. 1 overall selecting more than seven things are different. As for Freeman, there is a lot to like. At pick and the Cleveland Browns later took players. Moments after com- “It’s about making football 6-foot-6 and 250 pounds, he stands like an Brady Quinn at No. 22. It’s too early to call pleting the trade with Atlanta important,” said former New oak tree in the pocket and has quick feet if either quarterback a bust, but they’re more for Gonzalez, Pioli talked England linebacker Mike he needs to evade a rusher. He can fit the Associated Press bust than bounty so far. about dangling the pick Vrabel, who came to the ball into tight spaces with briskness. Josh Freeman throws during the NFL During the past 10 NFL drafts, 28 quar- obtained from the Falcons, a Chiefs in the Cassel trade. “It’s Still, Freeman is one of those “buyer Combine. His arm strength is first-round terbacks have been selected in the first second-rounder in 2010, as about being prepared, about beware” types. caliber. round. Last season, 12 were full-time trade bait to help the Chiefs being accountable and consis- He threw 34 interceptions during his starters and 24 — all except Vick, Couch, acquire an extra pick or two tent. To be consistent, at least three seasons at Kansas State, versus 44 knew what they were getting when they Akili Smith and Cade McNown — were this year. your teammates and coaches touchdown passes. He had some big picked Tom Brady in the sixth round of the still in the league. “(New England) was so know what to expect every games, but he also stunk up the joint occa- 2000 draft? That’s a good ratio and it speaks well for good at moving around and week and it’s not something sionally. Terry Bradshaw, Jim Plunkett, John Freeman’s future. But it also speaks to not being forced into taking that’s great one week and Freeman has pizzazz. He can make Elway, Drew Bledsoe, Peyton Manning, teams’ reluctance to give up on a first- the best player available if kind of (lousy) the next. throws that make you come out of your Michael Vick, Carson Palmer and Eli round draft pick, especially quarterbacks. that’s not at a particular posi- “The football team you see seat. Sometimes you come out of your seat Manning were No. 1 overall picks who If I’m the Jets and Freeman is on the tion of need,” said former today will not be the same because of a great throw you can’t imagine made it big. board at No. 17, I’m sweating bullets. Baltimore coach Brian Billick. football team you see at the anyone else making. Sometimes you come Tim Couch, David Carr and Alex Smith Same with Tampa Bay two spots later. “They were very flexible that end of July. That I can assure out of your seat because of an inexcusable are No. 1 picks who didn’t. Or haven’t. Or I see all the good Freeman represents, way. you. There will be a lot of flub. probably won’t. but I also see the bad. And I’m not sure it “I don’t think Kansas City competition at every spot. Freeman is far from a sure thing, but the I think NFL teams often talk themselves adds up to a first-round pick. has that latitude this year There will be a high demand same is true of Stafford and Sanchez and into taking quarterbacks before they have given the picks they have, but placed on guys that think almost every other quarterback chosen in to. The Lions have a zillion needs; why Eagle sports columnist Bob Lutz co-hosts that was a definite pattern football is important, that put every other draft. does Stafford have to be at the top of the “Sports Daily” from 9-11 a.m. weekdays on KFH, with New England.” football and teammates at the How do you know? list? 1240-AM and 98.7-FM. Reach him at A peek at the nine New top of their priority list.” Do you think the New England Patriots What happens if an even better quarter- 316-268-6597 or [email protected].