Teams Go Great Guns In Draft

With another draft completed and the free-agent marketplace winding down, the next NFL season is now in the hands of the nation’s law-enforcement community.

The balance of power no longer depends on where Deion Sanders signs; it rests on which players violate probation.

The defending Super Bowl champion Dallas Cowboys await the fate of top receiver Michael Irvin, indicted last month for possession of cocaine and marijuana. While the Cowboys can hope for probation if he is convicted, he is still subject to NFL sanctions, including suspension under the substance-abuse policy.

The AFC champion Pittsburgh Steelers await the fate of top running back Bam Morris, indicted for drug possession. To protect themselves, the Steelers traded for St. Louis Rams running back Jerome Bettis, who became available after the best talent in the draft, Nebraska running back Lawrence Phillips, slipped to the sixth spot because he is on probation after beating up his former girlfriend.

While five teams passed up Phillips, the New York Jets were not reluctant to make Southern Cal receiver Keyshawn Johnson the top pick even though Johnson admits he misspent some of his youth selling drugs and once served nine months in a detention center.

Irvin may be only the tip of an iceberg in Dallas, where defensive tackle Leon Lett and reserve defensive back Clayton Holmes served suspensions last season for drug abuse. To bolster their team, the Cowboys added linebacker Broderick Thomas during the off-season shortly after Thomas was arrested on a weapons charge.

The draft class apparently has followed the role models well. Nebraska defensive tackle Christian Peter, who went to the Patriots, served 18 months’ probation after a third-degree sexual-assault misdemeanor. Michigan State wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad, who went to the Panthers, violated probation on a marijuana charge when a handgun was found in his car. Penn State wide receiver Bobby Engram, who went to the Bears, was suspended in 1992 for stealing stereo equipment.

So while fans will have to add a police scanner to their satellite dishes to keep track of their favorite teams between now and next fall, here’s an early look at the divisions:

AFC East

A total makeover for the last-place Jets at least will get ex-quarterback Boomer Esiason off the hook. But everybody except the Dolphins is improved and Jimmy Johnson will cause trouble.

The Bills are still the team to beat, with Chris Spielman adding toughness to a warrior bunch. Colts and Patriots added needed speed in what could be the closest race this side of the NFC Central.

AFC Central

Steelers got worse and still could coast in weakest division. Chances of Bengals and Oilers to break out depend mainly on last year’s top draft choices, Ki-Jana Carter and Steve McNair, not this year’s.

AFC West

The only team to add a player in the draft who could make an immediate difference in the standings was the Raiders, who traded up to get Ohio State tight end Rickey Dudley.

The Chiefs practically stood pat in the off-season. With a 13-3 record, maybe that’s enough.

NFC East

Cowboys are holding on, but Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, Irvin (probably), Deion Sanders, Charles Haley and Lett are hard to pick against.

If Ray Rhodes gets better quarterback play, watch out for the Eagles.

NFC Central

The Bears, Packers and Lions are ahead of the Vikings and Buccaneers, but one of them must step far enough ahead to gain home-field advantage. The Bears got more immediate help from the draft and free agency than the Packers or Lions, but couldn’t beat either rival last year.

The Packers still have the Bears’ number, but these two teams will make strong Super Bowl runs. Lions should, but will they?

NFC West

The 49ers are held together with baling wire, Steve Young and Jerry Rice, and are ready for one more run. They did have the No. 1 defense, remember? The Saints and Falcons improved their defenses. The Rams feature the most dramatic changes in the league, with Steve Walsh at quarterback of a potentially explosive offense. The Panthers also will be a factor, so it won’t be easy for the 49ers to survive.

The early Super Bowl line - Bills and Packers.

The safer picks - Chiefs and Cowboys.

The long shots - Patriots and Bears.