Edwards’ News Is a Day Late

Not that the second and final day of the NFL draft wasn’t exactly scintillating.

When UCLA linebacker Donnie Edwards learned that he had finally been taken with the third pick of the fourth round by the Kansas City Chiefs, it was via a phone call from his mother, who had seen it on television.

What happened to the Chiefs?

“Oh, no, they called,” Edwards said. “But I was sleeping.”

So went a day of quiet resignation throughout college football’s underbelly. Players taken Sunday will not be treated, or paid, as a good bet. They will have to work harder, and get luckier.

Like this year’s lot of quarterbacks. By the time the seventh round had been completed, only eight had been taken among the 254 selections.

That number would have been nine, say experts, if Nebraska quarterback Brook Berringer had not been killed in a plane crash last week.

The player Berringer backed up, Tommie Frazier, was snubbed because of a recurrence of a blood clot in his leg.

It was the second time in three years that the national champion’s starting quarterback has not been taken, as Florida State’s Charlie Ward was ignored in the 1994 draft.

Then there was Samuel Manuel, a linebacker at New Mexico State who was the final player selected, No. 254, infamous “Mr. Irrelevant.”

His first clue that the San Francisco 49ers picked him as a publicity stunt might have come when he realized that 15 selections earlier, they had drafted his twin brother Sean Manuel, a New Mexico State receiver.

It was reportedly the first time in NFL history that twin brothers were selected by the same team in the same draft . . . not to mention the same round.

“This is a significant example of the family atmosphere that is promoted and fostered here at 49ers headquarters,” said 49er president Carmen Policy with a smile. “It is also an opportunity for our PR department to exhibit their creativity.”

Locals taken on the second day included USC tackle Norberto Garrido, taken in the fourth round by the Carolina Panthers, and USC quarterback Kyle Wachholtz, taken in the seventh round by the Green Bay Packers.

And, of course, Edwards, who had an inspirational regular season after agreeing to play out of position--as an inside linebacker instead of a pass rusher--because of changes in the UCLA defense.

“So what happens? Everybody punishes me for not sticking to my regular position,” Edwards said. “I try to be a team player, a good guy, and it hurts me in the draft.”

He also overcame a back injury to play well in the Senior Bowl.

“But all anybody talks about is the injury,” he said. “I am fine. It doesn’t seem right.”

Nonetheless, he was still assuming he’d be picked in the first three rounds when he invited family and friends to his apartment on Saturday. Where they waited. And waited.

By the time the three rounds had ended, he still had not been taken despite promises from many scouts. He collapsed in his bed.

“It was horrible,” he said. “I had to pinch myself to see if I really existed. I mean, was Donnie Edwards really there? How come nobody knew about me? How come nobody was calling?”

Even with the early word from the Chiefs today, the news is not great. His best position is already being filled by standout Derrick Thomas. He will be forced to spell George Jamison on the other side of a three-man linebacker set.

“He had the misfortune of being injured, and maybe that’s why he dropped,” said Lynn Stiles, the Chiefs’ personnel boss. “But the quality of athlete is still there.”

Is it ever, according to Edwards.

“You’ll see, you’ll see,” he said. “You look at my life. I got the last scholarship at UCLA, then I came on and had a great career. I was born into the world in adversity. That’s my motivation.

“Tell me I can’t do something, and I’ll do it. I’ll make All Pro. You watch.”

And to think that Edwards, unlike many athletes who leave college early for the NFL, actually stayed at UCLA an extra season after earning his bachelor’s degree in 1995.

“Yeah, I thought it would increase my value,” he said.

He expects to receive his master’s degree in education administration this summer. Which he said didn’t feel nearly as good on Sunday as it should.

A rundown of other NFL draft ups and downs, team by team:

GIANT STEPS

New York Jets--Even with Rich Kotite wearing the headsets, they will not be the worst team in football next season. Could they actually make the playoffs after consecutive last-place finishes?

Perhaps, after adding the draft’s best receiver (USC’s Keyshawn Johnson) and its most underrated receiver (Nevada’s Alex Van Dyke) to an offense that already has new quarterback Neil O’Donnell and two new offensive linemen, Jumbo Elliott and David Williams. Not to mention another new receiver, experienced Jeff Graham.

They also stole the draft’s fourth-ranked cornerback, Ray Mickens of Texas A&M;, in the third round. The league’s best pass defense just got better . . . not to mention the worst offense.

St. Louis Rams--Fans could be arguing over this draft for years, but these are the facts: They revamped one of the league’s most predictable offenses with the draft’s best player (Nebraska running back Lawrence Phillips), its best deep receiver (LSU’s Eddie Kennison), its most-promising quarterback (Michigan State’s Tony Banks), its most versatile fullback (Oklahoma’s Jerald Moore) and its most underrated tight end (Washington’s Ernie Conwell).

And, oh yes, they finally dumped running back Jerome Bettis and put pressure on underachieving tight end Troy Drayton.

New quarterback Steve Walsh never had it so good. Now, if they had only found somebody to shut down Jerry Rice.

Carolina Panthers--Having decided that their aging defense can produce for one more year, General Manager Bill Polian concentrated on the other side of the ball and won big.

He picked different types of good running backs (Michigan’s Tim Biakabutuka and New Mexico’s Winslow Oliver), a big wide receiver (Michigan State’s Muhsin Muhammad) and the underrated Garrido.

Expansion, smanshion. The Panthers are going to win.

Denver Broncos--Their draft succeeded with only two of their 12 picks. John Mobley, all-purpose linebacker from Kutztown (Pa.), is a strong, fast player for the ‘90s. Jeff Lewis, quarterback from North Arizona, is the man who will finally replace John Elway.

Green Bay Packers--The last two days were yet another reason this team will dominate the NFC for the rest of the decade.

John Michels, USC tackle taken 27th overall, will give them 10 more years of Ken Ruettgers-type intensity. Derrick Mayes, Notre Dame receiver, was a steal at 56th overall, considering Brett Favre will love him. And UCLA center Mike Flanagan wasn’t taken until 90th overall, but he was the best snapper in the draft.

As if that first day wasn’t enough, the Packers added sleeper running back Chris Darkins from Minnesota in the fourth round, and threw in Wachholtz in the seventh in hopes that he could be another Mark Brunell.

Houston Oilers--They continued their rise to the top of the AFC Central by making a first-round trade and still getting their man, running back and instant starter Eddie George from Ohio State. They also addressed defense with top-three tackle Bryant Mix of Alcorn State, then sneaked Jason Laymon, a Tennessee guard who could pave fields for George.

Miami Dolphins--Who are we to say that Jimmy Johnson wasn’t a genius again? Perhaps only he can get Daryl Gardener, fat Baylor defensive tackle, to play hard. And this is the perfect spot for UCLA running back Karim Abdul-Jabbar, as long as he doesn’t fumble. South Carolina’s big Stanley Pritchett, taken in the fourth round, might have been the running back steal of the draft.

What a surprise. Seven of Johnson’s 12 picks were defensive players and all can run.

Philadelphia Eagles--Owner Jeffrey Lurie is finally putting his years of draft study to work. The first three picks--tackle Jermane Mayberry of Texas A&M; Kingsville, tight end Jason Dunn of Eastern Kentucky and safety Brian Dawkins of Clemson--were all at the top of their respective positions.

All that, and Lurie still had time to grab quarterback Bobby Hoying of Ohio State in the third round, nice insurance behind uncertain Ty Detmer and Rodney Peete.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers--Coach Tony Dungy was a hit in his first draft, bringing life into a previously desolate draft room with two great defenders in the first 22 picks, California defensive end Regan Upshaw and North Carolina defensive tackle Marcus Jones. Then he stole the draft’s best fullback, Purdue’s Mike Alstott, in the second round, followed by sleeper cornerback Donnie Abraham of East Tennessee State in the third.

When it comes to jokes, the Bucs could stop here.

STEADY STEPS

Atlanta Falcons--They didn’t have one of the first 83 picks, yet managed to begin rebuilding their defensive front with Shannon Brown, a top-five defensive tackle from Alabama. Then they used a fourth-round pick to swipe underrated running back Richard Huntley from Winston-Salem, who perhaps can finally fill the yearlong void left by Erric Pegram.

Detroit Lions--Many thought they “reached” by taking inconsistent linebacker Reggie Brown from Texas A&M; with the 17th pick, but somebody has to replace Chris Spielman. And at least they made Barry Sanders happy with guard Jeff Hartings from Penn State.

New England Patriots--Coach Bill Parcells told friends that first-round pick Terry Glenn, Ohio State wide receiver, was shoved down his throat. Good. Considering his recent record as a talent evaluator, more players should be forced on him.

Glenn will make quarterback Drew Bledsoe happy, while safety Lawyer Milloy and linebacker Tedy Bruschi of Arizona will help keep the Dolphins and Colts quiet.

New York Giants--Defensive end Cedric Jones of Oklahoma may have been a first-round reach. But they recovered quickly with receiver Amani Toomer of Michigan in the second round, a smart pick for the league’s worst passing offense.

Roman Oben of Louisville was then drafted to replace tackle Jumbo Elliott, and the clincher came when Danny Kannell of Florida State was taken in the fourth round in hopes of one day replacing Dave Brown.

Oakland Raiders--They won points on boldness alone after jumping up to the ninth pick for tight end Rickey Dudley. They also stole linebacker Lance Johnstone of Temple with the 57th pick. Both tough guys could start immediately. Smells like a Joe Bugel draft to us.

RAN IN PLACE

Buffalo Bills--Another typical draft from the team that should die but won’t. The first round was spent on receiver Eric Moulds of Mississippi State, a receiver who only sometimes pays attention. A perfectly good second-round pick was spent on Gabe Northern, an undersized LSU defensive end who didn’t even rank in the top 10 in most surveys.

Then for the clincher, a third-rounder on Matt Stevens, a once-hot Appalachian State safety who underwent major knee surgery this winter and might not even play this season.

Not to worry. Fans still remember when they awoke an angry Thurman Thomas to make him a much-criticized second-round pick in 1988.

Chicago Bears--What is it with this team and Notre Dame defensive linemen? Coach Dave Wannstedt, under pressure to produce his first decent draft, made Paul Grasmanis, a mediocre 295-pound Domer tackle, his fourth-round pick. He can join Chris Zorich, another mediocre Domer tackle on a mediocre line.

Wannstedt’s first pick seemed solid in these pass-crazy NFC Central days--hard-hitting defensive back Walt Harris of Mississippi State--but then he forgot about defense too quickly by taking Bobby Engram, a Penn State wide receiver who is small and not particularly fast.

Jacksonville Jaguars--They made a strange first pick, taking linebacker Kevin Hardy when a better pass rusher, his Illinois teammate Simeon Rice, was still there. But they rebounded by stealing Texas defensive end Tony Brackens in the second round. If nothing else, they won’t finish last in sacks again.

Cincinnati Bengals--It figures. They finally make what appears to be a decent first pick, franchise tackle Willie Anderson of Auburn. Then they followed that by taking a tight end, Rutgers’ Marco Battaglia, even though they already have steady Tony McGee.

What about helping the league’s worst-ranked defense? Oh yeah. They finally began taking those guys on Sunday.

Indianapolis Colts--They had a great first pick in Marvin Harrison, the Syracuse wide receiver who may be more productive than Keyshawn Johnson. But then General Manager Bill Tobin couldn’t help himself, and added to a seventh-ranked defense that really doesn’t need much help, reaching for cornerback Dedric Mathis of Houston with the 51st pick.

When he finally broke down and picked a quarterback who could replace his beloved Jim Harbaugh, it wasn’t until the sixth round, and the guy’s name was Mike Cawley from James Madison.

Kansas City Chiefs--They don’t have any openings, so they found guys who can play on special teams and in nickel situations, including first-round safety Jerome Woods of Memphis. Our favorite is Edwards, a fourth-rounder once they watch him rush the passer.

But you have to give credit to any organization who would draft a safety named Reggie Tongue.

Pittsburgh Steelers--Anyone who would use a draft pick to acquire Jerome Bettis certainly ran in place, don’t you think? Aside from a first-round tackle who must work hard to replace Leon Searcy--Jamain Stephens from North Carliona A&T--they; didn’t have enough good picks here to make a difference.

San Diego Chargers--Once again, we are left to wonder about a smallish receiver (Bryan Still, Virginia Tech) and a sluggish linebacker (Patrick Sapp, Clemson). A team that needs more help than you would think didn’t seem to find any. Not that Bobby Beathard won’t soon prove us wrong.

San Francisco 49ers--Nice touch on taking those twin brothers at the end of the draft, and USC defensive end Isreal Ifeanyi can be decent with work. But for once, it seemed these guys sat this one out.

Washington Redskins--They have finally found an eventual replacement for injury-plagued Jim Lachey with perhaps the smartest tackle in the draft, Penn State’s Andre Johnson. They also found an eventual replacement for aging running back Tery Allen in Auburn banger Stephen Davis. But we’re waiting for a big body to join the league’s 29th-ranked run defense, which is sort of essential in a conference with Emmitt Smith, Ricky Watters and Rodney Hampton. No, Leonard Renfro isn’t it.

STUMBLED

Minnesota Vikings--If you only have seven picks, why use one on an underachieving defensive end such as California’s Duane Clemons?

Coach Dennis Green recovered in the second round with huge defensive tackle James Manley of Vanderbilt.

But running back Moe Williams from Kentucky? On a team with Robert Smith? In the third round?

Arizona Cardinals--The post-Buddy Ryan era apparently still contains remnants of shallow bluster.

They took a defensive end they didn’t need (Rice of Illinois), a running back who plays much like Garrison Hearst (Leeland McElroy, Texas A&M;) and used a fourth-round pick on the 10th-ranked center in a draft devoid of good centers (Aaron Graham, Nebraska).

Their one saving selection was tight end Johnny McWilliams of USC in the third round. And Boomer Esiasion thought he once liked Rodney Holman.

Baltimore Ravens--Ted Marchibroda, the architect of the drafts that eventually ran the old Colts out of town, was at it again. We thought Art Modell was smarter than this.

Tackle Jonathan Ogden of UCLA is a great player, and worthy of the fourth overall pick . . . but the Ravens needed him like they need another lawsuit. Phillips should have been the pick there.

Quick linebacker Ray Lewis of Miami will fit well in the Browns’ 4-3 defense, but McElroy was available.

DeRon Jenkins, Tennessee’s third-ranked cornerback, was a good find late in the second round, but by then, the damage was done.

Last year in Cleveland, they scored five rushing touchdowns, the fewest by this franchise in 41 years. Leroy Hoard alone will not change that.

New Orleans Saints--We know you can never have enough defensive backs in a conference with the San Francisco 49ers, but to use a first-round pick on one of them? Cornerback Alex Molden of Oregon will be awfully expensive for a third wheel, next to Eric Allen and Mark McMillian.

The Saints’ second-round pick? Another cornerback of course, California’s Je’Rod Cherry.

Dallas Cowboys--They made nine picks. Yet they didn’t get to a potentially needed wide receiver until they picked somebody named Stepfret Williams from Northeast Louisiana in the third round.

And only two of those picks were outside linebackers, none of them ranked among the draft’s best, even though they will begin the season plugging holes there with veterans Fred Strickland and Broderick Thomas.

Seattle Seahawks--Wonder if Paul Allen agreed to buy this team before this draft? Not possible.

They took the first-round choice of their dreams, guard Pete Kendall, but we’re still looking for a solid defensive end.