The Baltimore Sun from Baltimore, Maryland • Page C8

Page 8c Saturday, April 26, 2003 The Sun Pro Football NFL notes Teams turn back, decide on fate of Henderson Stringer's widow gets split rulings on lawsuits involving Viking's death Doubts surrounding Terp center on old back injury $100M wrongful-death suit can be tried; Dolphins let Haley go to Redskins By Christian Ewell SUN STAFF t. go to trial. He dismissed claims against two other doctors employed by the Vikings. REDSKINS: The Dolphins decided not to match an offer sheet that free-agent defensive tackle Jermaine Haley signed with Washington. The Dolphins received a seventh-round pick in the NFL draft as compensation.

Haley, 30, a backup, had 37 tackles and one interception last year. BENEFIT: A dinner and silent sports auction to benefit the Leslie Moore Scholarship Foundation will be held May 5 at Martin's West in Woodlawn. Moore, who died in 2001 of a rare autoimmune disease, was the son of Baltimore Colts star Lenny Moore. The football Hall of Fame running back created the nonprofit organization to pay for college scholarships for disadvantaged youths in central Maryland. For tickets and other informa-tion: David Norman, 410-793-3905.

FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS A judge dismissed claims by Korey Stringer's widow against the Minnesota Vikings yesterday but allowed her $100 million wrongful-death lawsuit to go forward against the team's training camp physician and his clinic. The Vikings had asked Judge Gary Larson to throw out the lawsuit filed by Kelci Stringer. She contends her husband, who was 27, did not receive proper medical care after he collapsed in training camp July 31, 2001. Korey Stringer, a 335-pound Pro Bowl lineman, died early the next morning. Larson granted the Vikings' request, but he said the case against Dr.

David Knowles and the Mankato (Minn.) Clinic can Jets get their desired lift by trading up for 4th pick NFL, from Page lc DRAFT ORDER First round ASSOCIATED PRESS The Ravens don't know how interested James Harris, the Jaguars' vice president of player personnel and an ex-Ravens executive, is in drafting Marshall QB Byron Leftwich (above) with the eighth pick. Ravens' idea of a perfect 10 involving landing quarterback 1 If production were the only issue, the selection of E.J. Henderson in today's NFL draft would be uncomplicated. He has delivered 473 tackles over four years, earning All-America honors over the past two and garnering major awards in his final campaign at Maryland. But the Aberdeen native has spent the past four months trying to display his speed and prove that his doctored back is fit for the rigors of professional football.

Potential can shade the portrait of the NFL draft, which begins at noon today. Henderson is one of three locally connected players with hopes of being selected in the first three rounds, joined by Penn State receiver Bryant Johnson (City College) and Morgan State tight end Visanthe Shiancoe. He's just the one whose concerns don't deal with running, catching, tackling or blocking. Are NFL teams convinced about Henderson? If so, he will likely disappear from the draft board within the first 20 picks. If not, questions about his long-term health could dog him into the second round.

After visits to see the Texans, Jets and Saints, he hopes that his performance in workouts and the 2002 season can prevent that. "I knew that once I got back from the injury it would be the same old, same old," Henderson said. "As long as I performed the way I was capable of playing, I wouldn't have to worry." Henderson said he "took a spill" in a practice for the 2002 Orange Bowl, causing the initial back problem and detouring his quest to become a first-round pick. It turned into pain while running, then a diagnosis of a stress fracture of one of his vertebra, and then his decision to delay his entry into the draft and return for his senior season. Henderson crushed most doubts about his college performance, where he ended as the Terps' second-leading tackier all time.

He made 175 tackles, including 19 for losses. He was picked as the Atlantic Coast Conference's top defensive player for the second straight year and won the Butkus (nation's best linebacker) and Bednarik (nation's top defensive player) awards. "He does things that you can't measure," Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen said. Henderson worked out in Houston in the weeks leading to Maryland's pro day last month, where he ran the 40-yard dash somewhere between 4.6 and 4.7 seconds. NFL teams have performed magnetic resonance imaging exams, X-rays, CT scans and flexibility tests on him in an effort to discover any possible problem in his back.

Likewise, Johnson comes off as wearied by the four-month march between his amateur life and a pro career, his subdued voice contrasting with that of his agent, Joel Seagal, who booms through the phone receiver. Johnson, 6 feet 2 and 211 pounds, ran 4.37 in the 40 in his workout. His wait is expected to last anywhere from 20 to 40 draft picks, with the Jets, 49ers and Patriots expressing the greatest interest. He visited the Ravens and the Titans. His prospects improved with a strong senior year, a fast sprinting time for his size and a solid performance in the Senior Bowl, the most respected of the college all-star games.

"I knew I did well, because the coaches came to me and said I did well," Johnson said. Shiancoe, a 6-5, 250-pound Silver Spring native who helped Morgan State to its first winning season since 1979, entered the off-season as a likely pick at the end of the draft, but he has risen to a possible third-round selection. His stock rose in Indianapolis, where as one of 21 tight ends, he ran the fastest 40, did the most bench presses with 225 pounds and had the highest vertical jump, at 39 inches, although not all players participated in every drill. "That's where I showed where I belonged," the Montgomery Blair graduate said. In addition, punter Brooks Barnard, offensive lineman Todd Wike and fullback James Lynch all of Maryland are the other local players most likely to be drafted, but probably not until tomorrow.

draft was in first-round talent. Excluding quarterbacks, he said there were only seven legitimate first-round "considerations." "The rest of the guys were what you'd almost consider the one-two first-or-second-round category," he said. Bradway considered trading up to the Ravens' 10th spot, but realized he needed to go higher to get a player he really wanted. Rogers is expected to be taken second by the Detroit Lions and Johnson third by the Houston Texans. But the Dallas Cowboys reportedly are attempting to swap their fifth pick for the Texans' third to get Robertson, whose stock is rising fastest.

If that happens, the Jets could get Newman or whichever big-play receiver drops to them. Depending on whom the Jets ultimately get, they may wind up shipping a late-round conditional pick to the Bears. "When I look at these four players, the thing I feel good about is that every scout, every coach gave them a good grade," Bradway said. "You can't say that for guys below 10, or guys we'd consider at 13. "The reason we made this move is the board dictated it.

If we had the chance to pick up two starters in the first round at 13 and 22, we would've done that." The Bears, who went 4-12 last season, apparently feel they can select two starters at Nos. 13 and 22. The 13th pick originally belonged to the Washington Redskins, who surrendered it when they signed wide receiver Laveranues Coles. "We liked our options better having the extra first-round pick rather than staying at four," said Bears general manager Jerry Angelo. "We now have three of the top 35 picks in the draft and are confident we will get three quality players." The Bears' biggest needs are defensive line, cornerback and quarterback.

It's possible they may try to get Cal quarterback (With 2002 records in parentheses) 1. Cincinnati (2-14) 2. Detroit (3-13) 3. Houston (4-12) 4. a-NewYork Jets (9-7) 5.

Dallas (5-11) 6. Arizona (5-11) 7. Minnesota (6-10) 8. Jacksonville (6-10) 9. Carolina (7-9) 10.

Ravens (7-9) 11. Seattle (7-9) 12. St. Louis (7-9) 13. b-Chicago (4-12) 14.

c-New England (9-7) 15. San Diego (8-8) 16. Kansas City (8-8) 17. New Orleans (9-7) 18. d-New Orleans (9-7) 19.

New England (9-7) 20. Denver (9-7) 21. Cleveland (9-7) 22. b-Chicago (4-12) 23. e-Buffalo (8-8) 24.

Indianapolis (10-6) 25. New York Giants (10-6) 26. San Francisco (10-6) 27. Pittsburgh (10-5-1) 28. Tennessee (11-5) 29.

Green Bay (12-4) 30. Philadelphia (12-4) 31. Oakland (11-5) 32. f-Oakland (11-5) a-from Chicago, b-from New York Jets, c-from Buffalo, d-from Miami, e-from Atlanta, f-from Tampa Bay. Kyle Boiler with the 13th choice.

Chicago took the Jets' offer after weighing another from the New England Patriots. Coach Bill Belichick offered the Patriots' 14th and 19th picks of the first round, but required that the Bears switch places in the second round. Chicago would have had three picks in the top 50 in that deal. In pursuit of Robertson as well, the Patriots were also reportedly attempting to trade for Detroit's second pick. New England made one deal yesterday, trading one of its third-round picks this draft for the Miami Dolphins' second-rounder in 2004.

Houston has the most picks in the seven-round, two-day draft with 13. The Patriots and Bears both have 12. Media's position This is what the media predict for the Ravens' first-round pick (10th overall): Vic Carucci, NFL.com: Byron Leftwich, QB, Marshall Dayton (Ohio) Daily News: Marcus Trufant, CB, Washington State ESPN.com: Jordan Gross, OT, Utah Fox Sports.com: Jimmy Kennedy, DT, Penn State Bob Glauber, Newsday. Kyle Boiler, QB, California Jay Glazer, CBS Kyle Boiler, QB, California Rick Gosselin, The Dallas Morning News: Byron Leftwich, QB, Marshall Bryan McGovern, Sports Network: Kyle Boiler, QB, California Mike O'Hara, The Detroit News: Marcus Trufant, CB, Washington State Pete Prisco, CBS Jimmy Kennedy, DT, Penn State Pro Football Weekly. Kyle Boiler, QB, California Sports Illustrated.com: Kyle Boiler, QB, California Sporting News: Kyle Boiler, QB, California Curt Sylvester, Detroit Free Press: Kyle Boiler, QB, California Larry Weisman, USA Today.

Byron Leftwich, QB, Marshall Paul Zimmerman, Sports Illustrated: Kyle Boiler, QB, Cal-ifornia-x x-trade down with the Saints to No. 17 Ravens, from Page lc back from No. 4 (acquiring the 13th and 22nd picks from the Jets) and could grab Boiler, the fast-rising quarterback prospect, if the Ravens drop behind them. "This quarterback group is one of the tightest I can remember in a long time," Ravens coach Brian Billick said. "We probably won't have to make a choice, but we could if we had to.

If one presents itself, we wouldn't hesitate in taking one." The decision whether to draft Leftwich has led to an interesting one-on-one game between Newsome and James Harris, the Jaguars' vice president of player personnel. It was only three months ago when Harris was the Ravens' pro personnel director and had an office just down the hall from Newsome. Now, Harris and Newsome are both intrigued with Leftwich. Jacksonville is looking for a replacement for the aging Mark Brunell, but Leftwich may not be best suited for the Jaguars' West Coast offense. Leftwich, who primarily worked out of the shotgun in college, could have trouble adjusting to a system that is predicated on three-step timing throws.

Newsome said he planned to call Harris last night but doesn't expect to find out if the Jaguars' interest is a smokescreen. "He has a very good poker face," Newsome said. "There's going to be some cat-and-mouse going on. It will also be informative. I trust him and he trusts me that we'll be able to talk through some things.

But there will also be some mixed signals that will be sent back and forth." When the Jaguars are on the clock with the eighth pick, the Ravens' draft will truly begin. The draft's top five prospects Southern California quarterback Carson Palmer, Michigan State receiver Charles Rogers, Miami receiver Andre Johnson, Kentucky defensive tackle ASSOCIATED PRESS If the Ravens draft California QB Kyle Boiler, they would like to trade down to do it. Dewayne Robertson and Kansas State cornerback Terence Newman are expected to be taken with the top five picks. The Arizona Cardinals (sixth pick) will likely select Suggs, and the Minnesota Vikings (seventh) appear set on Kennedy. Assuming there are no trades in the top 10, here's the four most probable scenarios facing the Ravens in the first round: The Ravens draft Boiler if the Jaguars take Leftwich and the Carolina Panthers (ninth pick) select Gross.

In this situation, the Ravens would entertain offers to trade down with the Seattle Seahawks (11th), who want a defensive lineman, and the St. Louis Rams (12th), who may covet Washington State cornerback Marcus Trufant. By doing so, the Ravens would still be able to stay ahead of the Bears and get Boiler along with additional picks. The Ravens draft Leftwich if the Jaguars take Trufant and the Panthers select Gross. Boxing City fighter eyes U.S.

Golden Gloves berth The Ravens draft Leftwich if the Jaguars take Gross and the Panthers select Trufant. The Ravens draft Gross if the Jaguars take Leftwich and the Panthers select Trufant. By Lem Satterfield SUN STAFF Rating priorities Here is Jamison Hensley's look at the Ravens' draft priority based on an assessment of their person- know if I felt as good as Rahman did, but it felt pretty good." Paschal (54-12, 25 knockouts) hopes to revisit that championship experience tonight when he puts his 16-bout winning streak on the line against Mike Martinez, a U.S. Marine who is ranked No. 2 nationally by USA Boxing.

The winner will earn a trip to the May 25-June 1 national Golden Gloves championships at the Orleans Hotel in Las Vegas. Paschal earned the trip to the nationals in Las Vegas in 2001, but the journey fell short of expectations. During his second victory which earned him a berth in the quarterfinals he suffered rib damage. Tickets tonight are $20 in advance, $25 at the door and $35 ringside. Baltimore middleweight (165 pounds) Mike Paschal returns to Du Burns Arena tonight, hoping to repeat a 2001 effort in which he captured his first regional Golden Gloves title.

"It was the same night that Hasim Rahman knocked out Lennox Lewis. I remember it well. I was really nervous, and I knew that the guy I had to fight was physically strong. But once the bell rung, I was relaxed," said Paschal, a 23-year-old Pasadena resident who won via unanimous decision. "The guy came out throwing big punches, but I didn't stand there and bang with him," he said.

"I had to stick and move and that won the fight. I don't nel at each position: Pos. Rating QB High RB Moderate FB Low WR Moderate TE Low OL Low DL High LB Low DB Moderate Spec, teams Moderate Comment Will either take one in first two rounds or pursue Griese in free agency. Set with J. Lewis and C.

Taylor, but could find value in 3rd, 4th rounds. Ricard is a young starter; team can find another prospect outside of draft. Remains optimistic about developing Johnson, Hymes and Hunter. Heap is Pro Bowl performer; T. Jones is sound complementary backup.

Lineup basically set, but team would like to find an OT for the future. Adding bulk at NT and DE is priority; taking one early is strong likelihood. Top six from last year return, so drafting LB would be for special teams. No pressing needs but could upgrade depth with solid safety class. All specialists are back; picking up returner wouldn't be surprise..