Early supplemental entries
Virginia linebacker Ahmad Brooks, Texas fullback Ahmard Hall, Iowa State defensive end/linebacker Jason Berryman and Hutchinson (Kan.) Junior College linebacker Dave Dixon have gained entry to the NFL supplemental draft on July 13, according to the league's player personnel office.
Brooks and Hall have workouts scheduled for Thursday. Dixon's pro day will take place next Monday at Westbrook High School in Beaumont, Texas, where already seven teams are planning to send a scout.
Players have until June 30 to submit paperwork for review by the NFL's player personnel department, and they cannot schedule "pro day"-type workouts until their applications have been approved. Any NFL team that would attend or work out a player before that time would be subject to a fine or possible loss of a future draft choice.
"All players must request and then file paperwork with our office before being granted special eligibility to the [supplemental] draft," one NFL player personnel staff member said. "[We] do not encourage or make public these rules as we are not in the market of recruiting or enticing prospects."
"This draft is for the sole purpose of dealing with issues that arise after the regular draft, not as an option for players that want to jump into our league", another staff member explained.
One potential supplemental draft prospect – former Minnesota running back Gary Russell – who was expected to replace New England Patriots rookie Laurence Maroney as the Golden Gophers' featured back this season – has not sought entry, according to the league office. But Russell has few other options.
Dismissed by the school last winter for academic problems, Russell is not enrolled at Minnesota for the summer after taking junior college classes in the spring with hopes of re-joining the Gophers, and it is unknown whether he is planning to enroll this fall. School officials will only comment on players on the 2006 roster.
He could sit out the 2006 season and hope to complete the two years of eligibility he has remaining. He could also transfer to an NAIA school since Division I-AA and Division II programs are not allowed to accept Division I-A athletes who are not in good academic standing at their prior program. Or Russell could spend the rest of this year preparing for the 2007 NFL draft.
PANTHERS' SEARCH PARTY
The Carolina Panthers' search for a new director of college scouting will begin with one of their staff members – national scout Jeff Morrow – according to a team source.
Morrow worked with Tony Softli, who left to become the St. Louis Rams' vice president of player personnel. A former punter and then coach at Louisville, Morrow is heavily respected by industry insiders for his thoroughness and work ethic, but he does not have the administration background that is key to running a smooth scouting department.
A few other names that have been mentioned as possible candidates include former Atlanta Falcons V.P. of player personnel Ron Hill as well as longtime scout Tom Marino.
