NFL Scouts Already Have Next Draft Figured Out

Which college players have caught the attention of NFL scouts?

John Clayton of the Tacoma Morning News Tribune writes that if the 1990 NFL draft were held today, the top five selections would probably include three running backs--Minnesota’s Darrell Thompson, Indiana’s Anthony Thompson and Penn State’s Blair Thomas--and two linebackers--Aaron Francis of Texas A&M; and Percy Snow of Michigan State.

He also foresees a strong group of juniors turning pro, including:

Running backs--Florida’s Emmitt Smith, Georgia’s Rodney Hampton, Louisiana State’s Harvey Williams and Auburn’s Stacy Danley and James Joseph.

Wide receivers--Syracuse’s Rob Moore and Memphis State’s Charles Wilson.

Linebackers--Alabama’s Keith McCants, Florida’s Huey Richardson and Houston’s Lamar Lathon.

Quarterbacks--West Virginia’s Major Harris, Utah’s Scott Mitchell and Illinois’ Jeff George.

Defensive back--USC’s Mark Carrier.

Trivia time: Who leads the NBA in career four-point plays (a three-point goal and a free throw)?

Merely one of the boys: Bob Liepa of Newsday, on the United States’ chances in the World Cup soccer tournament: “Only about six teams have a good chance of winning the world championship--defending champion Argentina, Italy, Brazil, the Netherlands, the Soviet Union and West Germany.

“Unlike those powerhouses, the United States, which will be appearing in the finals for the first time since 1950, is a longshot to go all the way, as are Cameroon, Costa Rica, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, the smallest nation in the competition.”

Bottom line is zero: Mike Singletary, middle linebacker for the Chicago Bears, on his coach: “I know that the only constant about Mike Ditka is that he wants to win, but I think that if you try to understand him you’ll only mess up your own mind. He wants you to see things from his point of view, but trying to understand it is the worst thing you can do. I understand him and I don’t--but the bottom line is that I think that I do.”

Got that?

He’s out of this world: ESPN analyst Lee Corso, saying Houston quarterback Andre Ware deserves the Heisman Trophy: “If a Martian came down and was asked to pick the best college football player in America, what would he do? He’d look at the stats. And the stats show Andre Ware is the best player in the country.”

Trivia answer: Michael Adams of the Denver Nuggets with four.

Quotebook: Gene Ubriaco, coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins: “You’re paid to win. I understand that. Let’s face it, anybody can get paid to lose.”