Check out the GossipGirls website for more on the romance.

And more pics here at Sports, Crackle, Pop!

Spencer was a third-round pick of the Houston Texans in 2006 and was signed by the Jaguars as a free agent on Sept. 3, 2008.  The Jaguars picked two tackles, Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton in last weekend’s NFL Draft.

Cotrone joined the club as a rookie free agent in 2008 but spent the entire 2008 season on injured reserve.

JIM NASELLA

Special to the Sentinel

Before starting the process of evaluating the weekend's proceedings, I engaged in my annual ritual of going back and seeing how I fared at grading a past draft.

This time, I randomly selected 2005. Bad move.

* I raved about the Minnesota Vikings landing both wide receiver Troy Williams and defensive end Erasmus James and praised them for uncovering middle-round gems in safety Brian Russell and tailback Ciatrick Faison. Williams and Erasmus were mega-flops. None of the four are with the team any longer (and the Vikings did OK last year, anyway).

* I gushed about Dallas securing DeMarcus Ware and Marcus Spears, both of I just knew would prove to the best pass-rushers in the draft. Of course, the Cowboys passed on Shawne Merriman.

* In my infinite wisdom, I gave the Bengals a B for a class that included David Pollack (out of football), Odell Thurman (kicked out of football the last two years) and Chris Henry (off-field trainwreck). The Lions got the same mark for their courageous move of not bowing to the critics and taking a third straight wide receiver in the top 10. Mike Williams, of course, is out of football.

* And then there were the D grades. Like when I junked the Packers for drafting Aaron Rodgers and made fun of their second-round choice; fella named Nick Collins, from Bethune-Cookman, who's now a star. And what were the Seahawks thinking with Lofa Tatupu?

In my defense, I'm not the lone fool. Some far more tuned-in and famous analysts (some with bad hair) did about the same as I did in 2005 -- and a lot of other years, too

What I'm saying is draft grades are what they are: fun .. and really nothing else.

So here goes nothing. 

ARIZONA CARDINALS: A couple weeks ago, the running game-challenged Cardinals probably wouldn’t have thought one of the top tailbacks in the draft would be there at No. 31. Chris “Beanie” Wells, if healthy, has a chance to complete that explosive offense. Cody Brown was one of four Connecticut players to go the first day (twice more than state of Florida players combined). Grade: C-plus

ATLANTA FALCONS: It can be argued the Tampa Bay Buccaneers should have plugged their gaping defensive line hole with DT Peria Jerry. Instead, the Bucs will be blocking him for the next several years. Yikes. The Falcons also got a badly needed safety in second-rounder William Moore. Grade: B

BALTIMORE RAVENS: They were stymied in efforts to trade for WR Anquan Boldin, but Joe Flacco has a new best friend in OT Michael Oher, who will protect the franchise QB’s blindside for years to come. DE Paul Kruger gives that already ferocious defense some more teeth. Grade: C

BUFFALO BILLS: The Bills might have landed the defensive prospect with the best future in DE Aaron Maybin, while adding three others _ C Eric Wood, CB Jairus Byrd and OG Andy Levitre _ that could be in the starting lineup next season. Grade: B-plus

CAROLINA PANTHERS: They did not have a first-round pick _ and won’t next year, either. For the second straight draft, the Panthers traded the following’s year’s first-round pick to make a selection in the second round. Florida State DE Everette Brown held first-round grades on a lot of boards, but coaches and GMs that easily part with future assets often times are only thinking about the present. Panthers had a nice ’08 season, but horrendous ’09 postseason. Grade: D-minus

CHICAGO BEARS: Drafts have to include how assets are used to build a team, so the Bears get some credit for using two first-rounders to acquire QB Jay Cutler. Their quest to bring Boldin on board, however, was thwarted, forcing the club throw darts at a trio of second-day wideouts, staring with Oklahoma’s Juaquin Iglesias, in hopes of finding a bulls-eye. Grade: B

CINCINNATI BENGALS: Absolutely had to have an offensive tackle to protect Carson Palmer. The Bengals bypassed Eugene Moore to take Andre “Big Flabby” Smith at No. 6 overall. Their next three rounds netted possible home runs in LV Rey Maualuga (a sure-fire first-rounder, we thought), DE Michael Johnson and TE Chase Coffman. Grade: A-minus

CLEVELAND BROWNS: Moved out of the top five, then traded down twice more in Round 1 _ bypassing a potential star wide receiver, which they sorely need _ and ended up taking C Alex Mack (draft's best at that spot) and getting a couple wideouts, Brian Robiskie and Mohamed Massaquoi, in the second. They got three ex-Jets in the deal -- players new Coach Eric Mangini knows and likes -- but nothing to excite about this. Grade: D-plus

DALLAS COWBOYS: Sending first- and third-round picks to Detroit at the trade deadline last fall for WR Roy Williams looks like a goof right now. The Cowboys did that to put their offense over the top last season; they didn’t even make the playoffs. They didn’t help their roster out much in the draft, unless you like Western Illinois LB Jason Williams and 10 players _ including a kicker (Dallas already had a good one) _ selected after the 100th pick. Grade: F

DENVER BRONCOS: A couple SEC studs, RB Knowshon Moreno and DE Robert Ayers, will add some punch, but the Broncos did that trade-next-year’s-No. 1-pick thing too; and also to take a player in the second round. Memo to Wake Forest DB Alphonso Smith: hope you’re worth it. Grade: B

DETROIT LIONS: The new regime, led by General Manager Martin Mayhew, could have made picks in their sleep and improved the sorry, no-account squad. May the Lord be with QB Matthew Stafford, who will make quick pals with TE Brandon Pettigrew for his blocking as much as his catching. Louis Delmas may have been the best safety in the draft, but no Lions fan would have roared had Mayhew used the seven picks after Delmas on defenders, too. Grade: B

GREEN BAY PACKERS: They wanted to upgrade on defense and were aggressive in doing so. B.J. Raji will be a run-plugger from his first pro snap and trading up for a second Round 1 selection, which brought LB Clay Matthews, will make defensive coordinator Dom “Mr. 3-4” Capers very happy. Grade: B-minus

HOUSTON TEXANS: After back-to-back 8-8 easons, it’s time for this team to push for a playoff spot (the first in the club’s short history). LB Brian Cushing and DE Connor Barwin should make Mario Edwards all the more dangerous. Hometown TE James Casey had a great postseason, but was still around in the fifth round. Grade: B

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: The second-worst rushing offense in the NFL _ the one that couldn’t convert a huge third-and-inches in playoffs _ added the leading rusher in college football. UConn’s Donald Brown can run and catch, and will fit in magnificently with Peyton Manning and friends. GM Bill Polian took home-state QB Curtis Painter of Purdue, perhaps serving notice to perennial backup Jim Sorgi. Grade: C-plus

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: The case for taking both Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton to solidify both tackle positions for years to come makes sense; sort of. Eventually, though, the Jags need to get some receivers that $60 million QB David Garrard can count on. Mike Thomas (4th round) and Jarett Dillard (5th) probably aren’t those guys. Grade: C-minus

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: Scott Pioli is out from under Bill Belichick’s wings and flying solo now. We’ll see what the acquisition of Matt Cassel means for the perpetually QB-challenged Chiefs means. We’ll also see if 298-pound Tyson Jackson is really a defensive end worthy of the No. 3 overall pick (versus passing on LB Aaron Curry, arguably the best defensive prospect in the draft). Grade: D-plus

MIAMI DOLPHINS: They started with 12 picks and ended with nine. CB Vontae Davis is a nice player, but can the Dolphins be serious that second-rounder Pat White projects as a full-time QB vs. a “Wildcat” threat? They also needed wide receivers (which some say White should be) and the best they could do were so-sos Patrick Turner and Brian Hartline in Rounds 3 and 4, respectively. Grade: C-minus

MINNESOTA VIKINGS: Only had five selections, but one was Florida WR Percy Harvin, who in the same huddle with Adrian Peterson should keep defensive coordinators awake nights. He should keep management and team security stirring, too. Hopefully for Harvin's sake, the questions surrounding his character will be answered with electrifying touchdowns on that fast Metrodome track. OT Phil Loadholt will line up opposite Bryant McKinnie. Grade: C

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: Belichick, after trading out of Round 1, had four second-round choices and took defensive players (S Patrick Chung, DT Ron Brace and CB Darius Butler) with three of them. An aging offensive line will be helped by T Sebastian Vollmer and the receiving corps just may have added a steal in Brandon Tate, whose stock plummeted due to a Harvin-like dope test and offseason knee surgery. Third-rounder Tyrone McKenzie, a linebacker from USF, is going to play in the league a long time. Grade: B-plus

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: Just four picks, with CB Malcolm Jenkins (and his 4.6 speed), somewhat of  a desperate reach at No. 14 overall. The last of the four _ in the fifth-round, no less _ was a punter from Southern Methodist. Grade: F

NEW YORK GIANTS: Hakeem Nicks, just a couple a weeks ago, was considered an elite receiver worthy of top-10 consideration, so consider the vacancy made by the Plaxico Burress mess filled. The Giants even added insurance in taking Cal Poly WR Ramses Barden, a Plax-looking 6-6, 228 in the third round (a tad soon, though). LB Clint Sintim and OT Will Beatty should be keepers. Grade: B-plus

NEW YORK JETS: They had one fewer pick than the Saints (three), but the move to go up and get QB Mark Sanchez was one that will define the organization for years to come. RB Shonn Greene, added in the third round, figures to be the heir to Thomas Jones. Interesting: both Sanchez and Greene started just one season in college. Grade: B

OAKLAND RAIDERS: Pretty hilarious to hear the TV talking heads mock the choice of Ohio DB Michael Mitchell in the second round. Mel Kiper had him as the No. 73 safety; NFL Network’s Mike Mayock had him as a seventh-rounder (I had him 291st on my “Big Board” … kidding … I don’t have a Big Board). WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, taken seventh, very well may have been there into the 20s. But this what we’ve come to expect from Al Davis, whose continuing antics make you wonder if Lane Kiffin is a good guy. Grade: D-minus

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: Too bad Andy Reid doesn’t do as well in conference championship games as he does in the NFL draft. Granted, it was kind of lucky that WR Jeremy Maclin fell so far, but the Eagles went up and got him. Then Reid got TB LeSean McCoy in the second round and stole Florida TE Cornelius Ingram in the fifth. Grade: A

PITTSBURGH STEELERS: They’re never going to wow you on draft day _ even Ben Roethlisberger wasn’t a sexy pick back in 2004 (two Lombardi trophies ago) _ but the Steelers bolstered their trenches with DE Evander Hood and OG Kraig Urbik. Don’t be surprised if third-round WR Mike Wallace doesn’t fold right into the system, either. Grade: C

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS: One of these days, the Chargers will go get a marquee wide receiver. They passed on the chance to get Maclin and went after DE Larry English, hoping an improved pass rush (remember, the Chargers get Shawne Merriman back this season) will impact that next-to-last pass defense. Whether taking Demetrius Byrd, the LSU wideout seriously injured a car wreck last week, in Round 7 was legit or a gesture of good will doesn’t matter. Good for them, good for him. Grade: C-minus

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: Seriously doubt GM Tim Ruskell figured LB Aaron Curry would fall to them at No. 4, but the Seahawks passed on Sanchez and gladly upgraded the league’s No. 30 defense. He’ll look really, really good alongside that Tatupu fella. WR Deon Butler arrived in the third round, but the receiving corps (and QB Matt Hasselbeck) is still without a young superstar. Grade: C

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS: They took advantage of the bumbling across the bay and scooped up WR Michael Crabtree, who probably should have been taken by Oakland. RB Glenn Coffee can be groomed as a speller for Frank Gore. And after taking Ball State QB Nate Davis, whose stock has plummeted the last two months, Coach Mike Singletary revealed Sunday the kid has dyslexia. Grade: C-minus

ST. LOUIS RAMS: After getting 12 splendid seasons out of Orlando Pace, the Rams hope to get another 12 from No. 2 overall pick Jason Smith at the same left tackle spot. After that, new Coach Steve Spagnuolo took three straight defensive players, starting with LB James Laurinaitis, to start rebuilding a very porous bunch Grade: C-plus

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: It’s easy to question the selection of QB Josh Freeman, given the bevy of defensive needs. But when you’ve only taken three quarterbacks in Round 1 in your 34-season history _ and if the new Bucs hierarchy really believes this guy fits the “franchise” profile_ it’s tough to make a case for passing on the kid after years of bouncing from Brian Griese to Chris Simms to Bruce Gradkowski to Jeff Garcia to Name Another Mediocre At Best Player. At 21 (and just three years out of high school), Freeman probably won’t help much in ’09. DT Roy Miller and DE Kyle Moore need to. Grade: C-minus 

TENNESSEE TITANS: Two biggest needs were at receiver and defensive tackle. The Titans got both in the first two rounds, with WR Kenny Britt then DT Sen’Derrick Marks. Also had a pair of third-round picks, one of them was CB Ryan Mouton, who should fold into the secondary quickly. Grade: C

WASHINGTON REDSKINS: Brian Orakpo was considered by most teams to be the best defensive end/outside linebacker prospect in the draft, and certainly didn’t figure to be there at No. 13. The Redskins were wise to help one of their two fronts _ the offensive line is still an aging mess _ as well as add CB Kevin Barnes in the third round. But last summer’s trade for DE Jason Taylor (a second-round pick) remains an embarrassment; the latest in a long line for this dysfunctional front office. Grade: D

For what it's worth, I didn't like it, either. Not with what's left of that gutted defense.

Kansas State quarterback Josh Freeman is big (6-6 and 250) with a rocket arm to match. Both Freeman and new Bucs Coach Raheem Morris believe he was the best QB in the draft -- yes, better than Matthew Stafford and Mark Sanchez -- and said so after the pick.

If you listen to Freeman, you would be pleasantly surprised at the eloquence and confidence with which he speaks; especially for a player who lost more games than he won in college.

Morris downright gushed about the kid during his post-draft press opp. It was clear the new coach (and youngest one in the NFL) had been pining for Freeman since the evaluation process began heating up this offseason.

In talking to both men, the phrase "franchise quarterback" kept coming up; and how tough they are to come by.

But did the Bucs really get one in Freeman?

Here's how everybody's favorite expert, Mel Kiper, analyzed Freeman: "At times over the past three seasons, Freeman has looked like a high draft pick; at others, however, he has looked like not much more than a 5th rounder. He has a great size and a very good arm witha  smooth delivery, but is inconsistent with his accuracy. While he's not a real scrambler, Freeman can make things happen with his legs when needed, keep plays alive, and even pick up some positive yardage. At Kansas State, his supporting cast was subpar when you compare him to other top QBs in this draft, but he still had stretches where he just didn't look like a first-round pick. In many ways, Freeman is the classic high risk/high reward-type prospect."

This from The Sporting News: "While it's clear from film study that Freeman still needs a lot of work to be NFL ready, he is a rare physical talent with great size and strength and a rocket for an arm. While his passing skills aren't on par with Mark Sanchez or Matthew Stafford, don't be surprised if a team takes a gamble and selects Freeman in the first round."

And Scouts Inc: "Inconsistent. Struggled in bigger games versus faster defenses. Makes bad reads on occasion and throws into double coverage too often, especially when pass rush is closing in on him. Will occassionally take too long to recognize coverage and find open receiver. Another year of mental development and refining would have benefited him. However, he's a three-year starter with excellent game experience for only a junior. He had to consistently try to overcome a marginal supporting cast and was forced to take some changes in order to make plays at times."

Encouraged, Bucs fans?

Late last night, I got a call from new General Manager Mark Dominik. Though this pick looked and sounded an awful lot like a Raheem Morris pick -- with some strong encouragement from the Glazers, who have never had the proverbial "franchise" guy and had grown frustrated with Jon Gruden's affinity for veterans -- Dominik spoke very much along the lines of Morris. 

Worth noting: Dominik went to Kansas U. 

"We've got our quarterback back now," he said. 

As for accuracy concerns, Dominik pointed out that Freeman's offense didn't have a lot of talent this past season and that his receiving corps very likely led the Big 12 in drops. K-State also threw a ton of deep balls, which doesn't translate well to a high completion percentage. And there was that matter that the Wildcats defense was awful and playing in an offensively explosive league. They scored 28 points or more nine of 12 games and surrendered 28 or more nine times.

But the question being asked among Bucs fans Sunday morning was, "What about the defense?"

"We're aware of those concerns, and we definitely have some needs on that side of the ball and another whole day in this draft," Dominik said. "But you saw where a team like Atlanta drafted for needs on defense [getting DT Peria Jerry and S William Moore]. Well you know what? They already have their quarterback."

He paused.

"Now we have ours."

We'll see.

[Note: No one would call the Lions crazy if they used that pick on someone else, like Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry or one of the franchise-type left tackles, and revisited the quarterback spot with their second first-round selection at No. 20. It's just that you don't get a shot at marquee QB prospects very often, and Stafford certainly qualifies]

But what about our state teams and their QB situations?

1) TAMPA BAY

After opting not to re-sign 39-year-old starter Jeff Garcia, the Buccaneers have four QBs on their roster, with Luke McCown (who was re-signed to a two-year deal) currently projected at the top of the depth chart, followed by veteran Brian Griese, second-year pro Josh Johnson and recently signed free agent Byron Leftwich. When the Bucs signed Leftwich two weekends ago, it seemed to negate their need to look at a quarterback in the '09 draft, but apparently Kansas State's Josh Freeman is very much still in play relative to the No. 19 overall pick. Freeman is a fairly raw prospect, but at 6-foot-6, 250 pounds and an arm to match he is a very intriguing prospect; and he has history with new Coach Raheem Morris, who was defensive coordinator at K-State during Freeman's freshman year. Still, the Bucs invested virtually all of their offseason resources into improving their offense, including trading their second-round pick for tight end Kellen Winslow. New coordinator Jim Bates needs players, particularly on the defensive line, to fit his new scheme (no more gap control system). Another quarterback, unless new GM Mark Dominik is under orders from the Glazers to focus on offense, seems like a bit of luxury; even with the virtually untested McCown (or Leftwich, who has been tested) as the guy.  

2) JACKSONVILLE

After helping lead the Jaguars to the playoffs in 2007 with a sparkling 102.2 passing rating (18 TDs, 3 INTs), David Garrard got a seven-year, $60 million contract extension in April '08. The Jags were rewarded with an 81.7 season (15 TDs, 13 INTs and a 5-11 record) that was much more Garrard-like. Jacksonville GM Gene Smith, picking No. 8, very likely is going to be looking at the opportunity to select USC's Mark Sanchez. Those in the know believe Sanchez, had he gone back for his senior season, would have been the No. 1 overall choice in 2010. If the Jags are second-guessing their longterm commitment to Garrard, they may pull the trigger on Sanchez. The situation would be perfect, actually. Sanchez could be brought along slowly behind Garrard and give Jags management more time to piece together weapons for a Sanchez-led offense (the one he had at USC might have been more explosive than several NFL attacks). Besides: the backup QB situation shows the unfortunately named Cleo Lemon and Paul Smith. Ugh. Jacksonville gave RB Maurice Jones-Drew a big contract extension, but it needs receivers, thanks to those blown first-round selections of Reggie Williams and Matt Jones. Yeah, they just signed Torry Holt, who still has some big plays in him, but Holt is stop-gap stuff right now. If they don't take Sanchez (or trade out of that No. 8 hole), look for a receiver to be the pick. The Jags, who have their full lot of picks, defintiely will nab a quarterback in a later round.

) MIAMI

The Dolphins, armed with 12 picks (including two in the second round), could have the ammunition to move up and get Freeman, but they're not going to do that. Miami went from 1-15 in '07 to 11-5 and AFC East champions in '08 with veteran Chad Pennington, who will be 33 in June, at the controls. Bill Parcells also drafted Chad Henne in Round 2 last year. In '07, the previous regime (Randy Mueller/Cam Cameron) took John Beck in Round 2. Josh McCown, Luke's older brother, is there too. No, Parcells will use his dozen picks to further bolster his talent and overall depth, with that Round 1 choice (No. 25) likely slated for a defensive back or wide receiver. If the Dolphins take a receiver, it'll be a second-day selection; probably a late one at that. It'll also be a message to Beck, who probably already has got said message after throwing zero passes in '08. it.

OK, it's a joke.

The Lions, though, did unveil a new look Monday.

New logo.

New uniform.

New attitude.

New era.

You laugh, right?

Barely four months since compleing the first 0-16 season in NFL history, the franchise decided to switch things up by tweaking with their leaping Lion and giving the beast an eye and some teeth.

New club President Tom Lewand called the unveiling the start of an entirely different Detroit Lions organization that will reflect a tougher attitude; one the team hopes will translate to the field. Youthful building blocks Calvin Johnson, Ernie Sims and Kevin Smith modeled the uniforms for fans during a presentation at a local mall.

Lewand and new General Manager Martin Mayhew have lots of work to undo former GM Matt Millen's mess and make up for the most wretched run of football this side of the 1990s Bengals. The Lions went 31-97 from 2001-08 -- that's a .242 winning percentage -- with Millen canned early last fall. 

The club has a bunch of draft picks this weekend, including the No. 1 overall choice (and three of the first 33 selections), and a world of on-field concerns -- the Lions were 30th in total offense and a dead-last 32nd in defense.

Yet, a bunch of organizational energy is being put into what the team is wearing rather than who's wearing it.

Sounds stupid, right? 

Not completely. 

Looking good, it's been said, is half the battle. That's an exaggeration. But we don't have to look too far to find precedent for a makeover (even when it's just covering the shoulder pads) making a difference. 

Remember? 

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers went 20 years wearing those creamsicle orange uniforms. You know, the one with the winking pirate, complete with feathery plumb in his hat. They won less than 30 percent of their games in that happy swashbuckler garb.

Talk about debauchery.

When Malcolm Glazer bought the franchise in 1995, he immediately assigned his marketing people and fashion-designing daughter to blow up the Bucs as we knew them. The result was one season in orange under the Glazer rule -- that was Coach Tony Dungy's first season -- and the Bucs lost their first five games (and eight of the first nine) before rallying to wrap up 6-10. 

Even the 5-2 finish could not stop a 14th straight losing season, all but one of which included double-digit defeats.

Then came 1997.

And a Pewter and Red version of the pirates.

This ...

Became this ...

The new-look Bucs went 10-6, reached the playoffs for the first time since 1982 and began a run of five playoff appearances in six seasons that culminated with a resounding victory in Super Bowl XXXVII following the 2002 season.

Now, is that going to happen in Detroit? Probably not. I'm a big believer in the bad-business theory about the fish stinking from the head down. As long as the Ford family is in charge, the dark powdered-blue cloud probably will hover over Motown.

But at least this cloud will have some teeth.

Lions fans, clad in their new merchandise, can always dream.

Until the next season starts of course.

QUICK SLANTS

There are all kinds of rumblings that the Washington Redskins, who were knee-deep in the Jay Cutler trade rumors, will make a big move up the draft board from 13th to get a shot at USC's Mark Sanchez. This news as Jason Campbell was about done telling everyone how he had moved on from the hurt feelings following the Cutler overtures. ...

Last week we ran through five players that could be moved before, even during, the draft. Jason Peters wasn't on the list, but definitely should have been. Boy, did he luck out. Not only will Peters get the big contract he deserves, but the former Bills offensive tackle got out of Buffalo and will have a chance at a championship in Philadelphia. The Eagles, who had an extra first-round pick, successfully rebuilt their offensive line this offseason, replacing stalwart vets Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan with Peters and Stacy Andrews (by way of Cincinnati). It's early, but I like Philly to get back to the NFC title game. ...

The Eagles, still with that other first-round pick to work with, are believed to be in the Anquan Boldin trade talks, too. I'll really like 'em for the NFC title game if that deal goes down. The birds to the south (the Baltimore Ravens) are in the mix, too. ...

Speaking of our trade talk of a week away, word out of Cleveland is the Browns have settled on Brady Quinn as their QB of the future which makes Derek Anderson the guy on the block. ...

Sports Illustrated says Ohio State RB Beanie Wells is dropping on the draft charts, as teams are getting cold feet over that foot injury that dogged him last year. ...

And Boston College DT B.J. Raji did not test positive for pot at the combine. ...

I understand the Greg Paulus and Michigan thing, but Green Bay?

The incoming pros, though, won’t have the market cornered on draft-week rumors.

Speculation focusing on what current NFL players could be moved as team’s jockey to improve their draft situation is as much a part of the season as wondering who the New York Jets will waste their first-round pick on.

Rewind to last year: Three days before the 2008 draft, the Kansas City Chiefs sent defensive end Jared Allen, the NFL’s reigning sack champion, to Minnesota for first-, second- and third-round picks. Allen helped shore up the Vikings defense with 14½ quarterback takedowns en route to a division title.

There are players out there this offseason of Allen’s pedigree.  

Jay Cutler-to-Chicago _ for two first-round picks and quarterback Kyle Orton _ may have been just the first of a run on blockbuster trades for the ’09 offseason. At least, that’s what the rumor mill is saying.

Here are some marquee names believed to be on the trading block.

TONY GONZALEZ
Kansas City shopped their popular 10-time Pro Bowl tight end at the trade deadline last October, only to balk at all offers. Gonzalez wasn’t happy, given the Chiefs were well on their way to a 2-14 season and management had told him it would try to find a willing partner. Though 33, Gonzalez still has value and the new regime of General Manager Scott Pioli and Coach Todd Haley will move him while that’s still the case. Atlanta needs a tight end badly (they failed to sign free-agent L.J. Smith) to serve franchise QB Matt Ryan and the Falcons won’t have to mortgage any high picks. The fit is too perfect

JULIUS PEPPERS
First, the Panthers put the “franchise” tag on their disgruntled superstar defensive end, with a one-year, $16.7 million deal. Not good enough. They tried a hug. That didn’t work, either. Peppers wants a change of venue and he wants to play in a 3-4 scheme. Dallas seemed like a logical choice, but the Cowboys traded their first- and third-round picks in ’09 to Detroit for WR Roy Williams last fall. It’ll take a package commensurate to what the Vikings coughed up for Allen (or a comparable player) to get Peppers. New England was thought to be in the mix, but the Patriots rarely do this sort of flash (especially at such a cost). Denver has those extras picks from the Cutler deal and the Broncos are going 3-4 this season. Hmmm.

DEREK ANDERSON OR BRADY QUINN
A lot of teams don’t have one quarterback. Cleveland has two. Both have big contracts, also. Anderson went to the Pro Bowl in ’07 but took a huge step back in ’08 (along with his team), paving the way for Quinn to take over before he suffered a season-ending fracture to his finger. Both have market value. Quinn probably has more. Detroit, Jacksonville, San Francisco, Buffalo, the New York Jets and Minnesota all need quarterbacks, though none are crazy about entering contract negotiations with hot-shot rookie prospects Matthew Stafford and Mark Sanchez.

BRAYLON EDWARDS
As long as the Browns are so confused on offense, they might as well shop their best player, too. Edwards, 26, made like Anderson and the Browns last fall. After catching 16 touchdowns as a Pro Bowler in ’07, he had 25 fewer receptions in’08 and just three touchdowns. The New York press is all over this one. Edwards, a pretty boy who loves the limelight, could very well be traded to the Giants, who are looking to fill the void left by the release of talented trouble-maker Plaxico Burress. Warning to Giants management: beware of rival Philadelphia, which has two first-round picks (21 and 28) and may come strong for a playmaker to pair with Donovan McNabb.

CHAD JOHNSON
Yawn. This rumor is tired and played. It’s almost as if Cincinnati Coach Marvin Lewis puts it out there to tease his pain-in-neck diva wide receiver. Ocho Cinco (or is it Ocho Psycho?) is talented, but no one is going to pay what that talent is worth because the accompanying package just  isn’t worth the trouble.

QUICK SLANTS

Bringing in Byron Leftwich as its fourth quarterback would seem to solve Tampa Bay’s goal of taking four quarterbacks to training camp. With a veteran like Leftwich, though, the Buccaneers might be willing to part ways with 34-year-old Brian Griese. …

Speaking of the Bucs, OT Donald Penn, a restricted free agent, signed his one-year, high-end tender last week. The transaction means Penn, a starter the last 29 games at left tackle, will be an unrestricted free agent next year; but it also means the Bucs blossoming offensive front, probably the strength of the rebuilding roster, will return completely intact. …

James Harrison, outside linebacker and 2008 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, signed a $51.7 million contract extension with the world champion Pittsburgh Steelers last week. Harrison, who had a record 100-yard interception return for a touchdown in the Super Bowl, has done OK for an undrafted free agent. …

Bills S Donte Whitner, who was tasered then arrested early Saturday by an off-duty policeman on charges of aggravated disorderly conduct, told a local TV station he planned to file a lawsuit against the Cleveland Police Department. Yeah, those usually work out. …

No player in the upcoming draft has as much big-play explosiveness as Florida WR Percy Harvin. None has as much risk-reward factor, either, according to Pro Football Weekly. The magazine polled NFL executives asking what players were the riskiest. Harvin, who reportedly tested positive for marijuana at the combine, won unanimously due to “coachability, a posse of hangers-on, his lack of respect for authority and drug usage.” …

Thank you, Harry Kalas.

Chris Harry’s can be reached at charry@orlandosentinel.com.

The new-look Buccaneers have been saying since the start of the offseason that they would take a fourth quarterback to training camp and Sunday’s signing of veteran free agent Byron Leftwich, 29, means the team likely won’t be in the market for another signal-caller during the NFL draft in two weeks.

Several media outlets reported that Leftwich, a first-round pick in Jacksonville in 2009 and backup to Ben Roethlisberger with Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh last season, signed a two-year deal to come to Tampa. He chose the Bucs after weighing an offer to re-sign with the Steelers and visiting the Washington Redskins. 

The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Leftwich, who threw for 303 yards and two touchdowns in five games last season, will add to a depth chart that already includes projected starter Luke McCown, veteran Brian Griese and 2008 fifth-round draft pick Josh Johnson.

His addition all but assures the Bucs will bypass a quarterback in the draft, assuming General Manager Mark Dominik doesn’t make a move with his current crop at the position.

New Coach Raheem Morris was on record as liking Freeman, considered the No. 3 quarterback in the pool after Georgia’s Matthew Stafford and USC’s Mark Sanchez. Morris and Freeman got acquainted at K-State in 2006, when Morris worked for one season as the Wildcats’ defensive coordinator.

With their quarterback position stocked, the Bucs are expected to turn their draft-day attention toward the defensive line, where the club has done next to nothing to upgrade an area that fell apart late last season.

The line needs to be utterly rebuilt with bigger and bulkier players to better fit new coordinator Jim Bates’ scheme.  The No. 1 defensive tackle prospect is Boston College B.J. Raji, but he’s projected to go in the top 10, which means the club may look to the likes of Mississippi’s Peria Jerry (a bit undersized at 305 pounds) or Ron Brace, who was Raji’s teammate at BC.

Plaxico Burress must not believe rules or laws apply to him. Or common sense.

We learned that much last December when he carried a concealed handgun into a crowded Manhattan nightclub.

The gun, of course, accidentally discharged and tore a bullet into his leg. The upshot (pardon the expression) for the New York Giants wide receiver – other than a painful hole in his thigh – were criminal gun possession charges that are pending, a suspension by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for the balance of the 2008 season that crippled the Giants passing game, and last Friday’s decision by the team to release its former Super Bowl hero.

After such a sobering run of events, you might think that Burress might have looked in the mirror and done some self-evaluating and thought about some lifestyle changes.

You’d be wrong.

On Monday, the New York Post reported that Burress, 31, bombarded a South Florida police officer with profanities during a recent traffic stop.

Burress, who faces a possible 3½-year prison sentence if convicted on the gun charges, was pulled over in his 2008 black Toyota Sequoia for speeding on Interstate-95 the morning of March 18 near Fort Lauderdale, according to The Post. Because the windows of the SUV were tinted so darkly, Broward County Deputy Sherriff Donald Harris opened Burress’ driver-side door to see inside.

“[Expletive] you!” Burress said. “You can’t open by [expletive] door.”

The initial exchange set the tone for the rest of the conversation. The Post, citing police, said Burress offered up the same response to every question or request from Harris.

“[Expletive] you!”

Burress was issued a $150 citation for speeding – Worth noting: it was his fifth traffic ticket in Florida in the past month, according to the report – and responded by telling the officer that he knew Broward’s sheriff “personally” and that he’d be hearing from the sheriff by the end of his shift.

The gun possession trial has been stayed until June, but Burress continues to be in the news. On Monday, an arbiter sided with Burress in his grievance case against the Giants, ordering the team to pay a $1 million bonus plus an undisclosed amount for a 2008 roster bonus the Giants claimed was forfeited when Burress violated his conduct clause.

“Anything that’s earned prior to conduct is the players to keep,” NFL Players Association General Counsel Richard Berthelsen said.

That’s all a guy like Burress needs, more empowerment.

Sometimes, apparently, it pays to be a punk.

QUICK SLANTS

Speaking of guns, how ‘bout the fireworks at the Tom Brady-Gisele Bundchen wedding in Costa Rica over the weekend? According to the Agence France-Presse, a body guard at the wedding fired shots into a car belonging to a photographer from the local paper Al Dia after he refused to give up his camera. Nobody was injured. Maybe this guy should be blocking for Brady this season. …

Washington went hard after Jay Cutler, offering high picks and starting quarterback Jason Campbell, the Redskins’ former first-round pick, as part of the deal. According to Sports Illustrated, Denver Kid Coach Josh McDaniels went with the Chicago offer, saying he preferred Kyle Orton to Campbell. Remember, McDaniels was in New England when the Patriots won big with a sixth-round pick (Brady) and went 11-5 last year an nearly made the playoffs with seventh-round pick (Matt Cassel), so he probably thinks he can win with Orton or whoever the club chooses to take a guy late in this month’s draft. Then again, the Broncos, following the blockbuster package of picks from the Bears, have the ammo to chase either Matt Stafford or Mark Sanchez. … 

We wrote a couple weeks ago about the upstart United Football League, set to begin play this fall, being a landing place for wayward players and the likely first stop for QB Michael Vick. Why not take Vick, Burress, Matt Jones (cocaine charges) and Donte Stallworth (DUI manslaughter charges) and put them on the same team. What a passing game. I’m not sure who’d have a tougher time handing them; opposing secondaries or local authorities. …

Jeff Garcia to the Oakland Raiders? The guy is not the best of soldiers when it comes to being No. 2 (and there’s no chance he beats out Jamarcus Russell). Maybe being an hour or so away from his hometown of Gilroy, Calif., will be good enough and allow him to end a pretty good career – Garcia just turned 39 – in a familiar place. …

What in the world is in the water up there in Jacksonville? With the weekend arrest of Jaguars free agent WR Reggie Williams reportedly for felony cocaine possession, that makes three Jags wideouts in recent years to fall victim to the white powder. We already mentioned Jones, but don’t forget the problems franchise icon Jimmy Smith had with that stuff. …

Connecticut’s basketball team was assigned the Detroit Lions’ locker room for Saturday’s national semifinal during the Final Four at Ford Field. The Huskies, of course, lost to Michigan State, dropping basketball teams that use the Lions locker room to 0-5 all-time at the stadium. Michigan State, which defeated UConn was well aware of the trend, having accounted for two of those defeats, including a 35-point loss in December to North Carolina, the Spartans opponent for Monday night’s national title game. Guess who was slated for the proverbial Lions Den? “We know all about it,” MSU Athletic Director Mark Hollis said. “We won’t be in it.”

Chris Harry’s NFL in FLA blog can be read at OrlandoSentinel.com/nflinfla and he can be reached at charry@orlandosentinel.com.

Next thing we knew, they were looking to replace Brady Quinn or Derek Anderson in Cleveland, and Jason Campbell in Washington. More hurt feelings.

And, yes, Tampa Bay wanted to upgrade from Luke McCown, but don't expect the Buccaneers' projected 2009 starter to get his nose out of joint. He hasn't earned the right to do that. Not with that one victory in seven pro starts. 

During their first mini-camp under new Coach Raheem Morris, the Bucs would not address rumors they were pursuing Cutler this week. Nor should they have. It's against NFL rules.

But the Bucs needed to explore the Cutler situation. Franchise quarterbacks of that pedigree -- especially ones that are just 25 years old -- don't come available very often. If the Bucs had the means to get him, they should have. 

New Tampa Bay General Manager Mark Dominik, though, wasn't going to mortgage the farm to get Cutler; not when there's a bunch of rebuilding left to do on the defensive side of the ball. Surrendering a package commensurate to what the Bears gave up (two first-round picks, two second-round picks and their starting quarterback) would have crippled the club from finding two outstanding building blocks (at least) the next two seasons; assuming the picks were solid ones, of course.

Plus, the Bears' first-round pick was higher than Tampa Bay's, and probably armed Denver's front office with the kind of ammunition it'll need to climb up the draft board and get either Georgia's Matt Stafford or USC's Mark Sanchez, if that's the Broncos' intent.

Bucs fans have every right to question the wisdom of heading into a season with such an untested quarterback as McCown. No one knows if the guy, who will be 28 this fall, has the goods to be a franchise-maker. We know Cutler does.

But the more we hear about Cutler in the wake of his blowup with Kid Coach Josh McDaniels, the more you step back and wonder about his intangibles; such as attitude, maturity and ability to lead.

There is no such skepticism about McCown on those fronts because -- despite physical tools and athletic ability that no one questions -- he's never been put in a position to cop attitude.

Take this week, for example. Amid all the rumors and speculation focusing on the Bucs' interest in Cutler, all McCown did was work.

"If he's worried about that, then he's not ready to be the starting quarterback of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers," Morris said Thursday. "I'm proud of how he's handled it."

Now, Cutler is a Bear and, for now, McCown is atop the Bucs' depth chart. And the draft is in three weeks.

Go get him some teammates.  

And get him more work on the practice field. He's definitely up for it.