Turning over a new 'Leaf' in the draft

Ryan Leaf. To football fans everywhere, the name still brings a certain cringe and subsequent shake of the head as to how the NFL draft can be so torturous. You know the story. It was the 1998 NFL draft, and the top two prospects were cannon-armed quarterbacks who played big-time college football.

Ryan Leaf, out of Washington State, had just finished up with the Rose Bowl and a successful Pac-10 career. Peyton Manning, out of Tennessee, was the Heisman trophy runner-up and compiled a 39-6 record as a 4-year starter.

The Colts held the first pick, taking Manning. The Chargers TRADED UP to reach the second pick, selecting Ryan Leaf. Fast forward ten years, and you can see the results. Manning brought a Super Bowl to Indianapolis and is on track to be the greatest statistical quarterback in history. Leaf went 4-17, hated the NFL, and quit.

Thus is the unknown nature of the big draft, of which the 2008 version is this Saturday. The Miami Dolphins hold the first pick, and they have already signed RT Jake Long to be their offensive lineman of the future. After that, it is all a crap shoot. Could Darren McFadden be the next Adrian Peterson? Is Matt Ryan really worth the No. 3 spot?

Will Glenn Dorsey's history of injuries scare teams away from the monster defensive tackle? Evidently, the draft is so based on perspectives and potential that is nearly impossible to make the best decision.

Thus the Ryan Leafs of the world occur. But to be fair, Leaf is not the only gigantic disappointment that has slammed certain franchises back a few years. There have been plenty of busts, and to get you ready for the draft party I know you are going to this Saturday, I present a few of the most notable draft disasters of all-time..

Charles Rogers, No. 2 overall, 2003. One of the most exciting college wide receivers I have ever seen (you have to you tube his one-hander against Notre Dame), Rogers set numerous records at Michigan State.

He was supposed to be Joey Harrington's go-to guy; he turned out be fragile and stupid. Injuries derailed him in 2003 and 2004, and in 2005 he was suspended 4 games due to his THIRD failure of the NFL's substance abuse policy. He has since been released and cannot even make a practice squad. He is rumored to be attempting to make comeback - to the Canadian Football League.

Andre Ware, No. 7 overall, 1990. Apparently winning the Heisman does equal NFL playing ability.

The first black quarterback to ever win the Heisman, Ware threw for nearly 4,700 yards, 44 Touchdowns, and set 26 NCAA records while at the University of Houston. But Ware could not even climb above being number three on the depth chart - taking a back seat to the likes of Rodney Peete and Erik Kramer.

When you cannot beat out a guy who is most famous for his role in "The Best Damn Sports Show, Period," or a backup who went on to ride the pine for the dreadful Bears of the late 90s, you should not be taken anywhere near the no.7 pick. He went on start a total of six games in his career, and was out of the NFL by 1994.

Rashaan Salaam, No. 21 overall, 1995. This Heisman winner actually showed some promise. After dominating Big 12 competition at Colorado, Salaam arrived in Chicago bringing hope to the die-hard Bears fans who were longing for the second coming of Walter Payton.

He actually had a decent rookie year - over 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns.Then Mr. Salaam became good friends with marijuana, and all of the sudden he had turned into Ricky Williams.

He developed a strange knack for fumbling the football almost every other game, and by 1997 he had seen enough pigskin for his career - NFL pigskin that is.

He indeed made a valiant comeback: to the XFL in 2001! He is 4th all-time on the XFL rushing yards list. What an accomplishment.

As you can see, the draft is more like pull-tabs and darts than analytical analysis and sound judgment. Predicting a 20-year old's future productivity in a sport as violent and dynamic as professional football is one of the hardest judgment calls a professional scout or General Manager can make.

For every one Randy Moss, there are 10 Peter Warricks, and with the amount of money that first round picks make, the pressure is almost insurmountable.

So sit back and enjoy the show on Saturday, because at least one thing is known for sure - Mel Kiper will bring the goodness, and his hair will not move a damn inch.