Vikes go 'extra mile' for Wiley

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With last weekend's draft winding down, and the odds lengthening against West Virginia middle linebacker Grant Wiley hearing his name called among 255 selections, the phone lines began ringing incessantly in the Los Angeles office of agent Gary Wichard.

Even before the draft officially concludes with the choice of "Mr. Irrelevant," most teams usually begin trolling for free-agent candidates. And given that Wiley had recorded 492 tackles as a four-year starter for the Mountaineers, including 300 combined tackles in his final two seasons, it is not surprising that the gritty middle 'backer had multiple suitors.

Yet as Wichard and Wiley quickly assessed the opportunities, thumbing through rosters and trying to determine which proposal offered the best fit, the Minnesota Vikings began to separate themselves from the rest of the pack.

Some of that advantage came from the fact that the Vikings' pitch included a signing bonus of $15,000, notably higher than those offered by other clubs interested in bringing Wiley to camp. It didn't hurt the Vikings' case, either, that incumbent middle linebacker Greg Biekert is set to retire, that heir apparent E.J. Henderson still faces some offseason legal difficulties, and that veteran Henri Crockett likely will be released before camp.

"But maybe the factor that most swayed (Wiley) to Minnesota is that the guy who called us was (vice president of football operations) Rob Brzezinski," recalled Wichard earlier this week. "A lot of teams might have some assistant in the personnel office hitting the phones. Most teams have their scouts calling around. Instead, here we were cutting right through all the red tape, talking with the guy who could make the decision. So, yeah, it meant something that Rob was the voice on the other end of the line."

It might not be that way, certainly, in all cases. But the feisty Wiley, whose lack of size and borderline speed probably kept him from being chosen, was considered a "priority free agent" on many draft boards. It was the Vikings, though, who went the extra mile. And when it comes to lining up free agents, a onetime afterthought that has evolved now into a frenetic scramble, Minnesota has become one of several clubs adroit in the recruiting process.

Truth be told, the energy invested in signing free agents, even the ones regarded in the "priority" subset, characteristically produces piddling returns. Over the last seven years, the average number of undrafted players who earn regular-season roster berths has held steady, at just under two per team. But it's become increasingly important to scouting departments to identify and acquire draft remnant players who have a chance to make the team, and some franchises have clearly honed that relatively esoteric craft.

There remains some teams, knocking around in the football Dark Ages, who still don't take the pursuit of undrafted free agents very seriously at all, and merely go through the motions. Those teams refuse to get into the five-figure signing bonuses it sometimes takes to land a player, and treat the free agent process as trivial. Then there are cap-strapped franchises, such as Tennessee and Indianapolis, who regularly sign 20-25 undrafted prospects because they require cheap labor to fill out camp rosters, and also understand they might unearth a nugget or two.

"You can see how some teams just take it more seriously and are more aggressive about it," said agent Joe Linta. "Yeah, there are some teams that set themselves apart, that you know you can call, and they'll at least be receptive to listening about a kid."

Not only have the Vikings put together consecutive draft classes that look impressive (all seven of the club's 2003 choices made the roster and the '04 group, at first blush, appears equally solid), but Minnesota seems to have brought in some promising free agents for a second year in a row. Offensive linemen Anthony Herrera (Tennessee) and Alan Reuber (Texas A&M) could make the team. Ben Nauman (Augustana, S.D.) reminds some of current Vikings free safety Brian Russell, who tied for the NFL lead in interceptions in 2003. At worst, Wiley could contribute on special teams.

Jarrett Payton, top, had 985 rushing yards for the 'Canes in 2003.

But it is players with far less recognizable surnames who are among the most compelling of the free agents. All of them, of course, have some sort of shortcomings. But with the practice squads increased to eight players for the 2004 season, there will be more free agents on payrolls. Here is a look at some other undrafted prospects with a legitimate shot to make a team's regular-season roster:

FS Kentrell Curry, Georgia (Cleveland): Played all over the secondary for Bulldogs but saw only limited playing time in '03 because of injuries. Began the season as a potential high-round draft choice. Live body, good hitter, could play quickly on special teams.

Around the league

	Davis

While on the topic of subjectivity, the free-fall of Oregon State star Steven Jackson in the first round last weekend displayed the different eyes through which teams viewed the tailback position in this year's draft. It also demonstrated how little inside information the amateur "draftniks," and reporters like yours truly, sometimes get on a player. The feeling going into the draft was that Jackson was the consensus top running back. Several teams had hinted to ESPN.com that they had misgivings about Jackson but the fact he lasted until the 24th choice overall, to the Rams, really hammered home that most franchises are never going to show all their cards. It also reinforced the notion that many teams now go into a draft confident they can get a viable running back without investing a high choice in the position. The Cincinnati Bengals, who had tailback near the top of their shopping list, rated at least two runners ahead of Jackson on their board. The Cowboys, roundly criticized in some quarters for dropping out of the first round and ignoring Jackson, then choosing Julius Jones of Notre Dame during the second stanza, also had Jackson rated no better than No. 3 on their pecking order.

	Rice

For a few minutes last weekend, the Atlanta Falcons thought they had a deal with San Diego for quarterback Drew Brees, but then the Chargers brain trust changed its mind. Nabbing Brees, who could be knocked from his starting job at some point this season by Philip Rivers, would have been a boon for the Falcons, who have been seeking a proven backup to serve as Michael Vick's caddy. It would have also marked a great irony. Vick and Brees were essentially intertwined in the 2001 draft. The Chargers traded the rights to Vick to the Falcons, then chose Brees in the second round, a move that still rankles some San Diego fans. That Brees came close last week to actually becoming Vick's backup is an intriguing element. Even though the Chargers opted not to trade Brees, one has to wonder about his future in San Diego. Not only is Brees entering the final season of his original NFL contract, but he has been publicly critical of the Chargers moves of late, including some in the draft. Brees pointed out that San Diego, which has lost eight of its top 11 offensive linemen from the 2003 roster, might have been better served choosing Iowa left tackle Robert Gallery in the first round. Said Brees: "I'm disappointed, because I look and see Gallery going there with the second (overall) pick to the Raiders. He was a guy we could have had here, and you want to talk about a guy that you could have planned a franchise around? I mean, we've got (tailback LaDainian Tomlinson), but you don't think 'LT' would have appreciated Gallery? I think anyone would appreciate a big left tackle. I don't think I was the only one watching the film, watching him take guys and throw them down with one arm. It was a joke."

	Coughlin