Janikowski adds spice to kicker contingent

After a strange season in the NFL, it seems only fitting that it get just a little stranger.

Enter Sebastian Janikowski.

The Florida State University placekicker weighs 260 pounds and can boom kickoffs out of the end zone and make field goals from long range.

But he faces deportation to Poland because of his unresolved charges of attempting to bribe a police officer after a nightclub incident in January.

Despite such baggage in a character-sensitive league, Janikowski could be the first kicker taken in the first round in 21 years.

''A few (clubs) think he'll be deported, that he's out of here and there's no way to take a chance on this guy,'' said Paul Assad, director of a pro scout camp in Modesto, Calif. ''Other guys don't like his attitude. But a few were saying they were willing to take a chance on him, that if he works out he can help take our team to a new level.''

Draft analyst Jerry Jones, who publishes The Drugstore List, said Janikowski clearly has the strongest leg in years.

''(Martin) Gramatica had a real strong leg last year,'' Tom Braatz, the Miami Dolphins' director of college scouting, said of Tampa Bay's third-round pick. ''This guy's leg is a little bit stronger.''

Of Janikowski's 83 kickoffs last season, 57 were touchbacks. Of the 26 that were returned, only two went past the 24-yard line. He also was perfect inside 45 yards on field-goal attempts last season.

Assad likes Janikowski's confidence even more.

''When he's in a pressure or game situation, he seems to have the mentality to be in the moment, to rise to every occasion,'' Assad said.

Drafting any kicking specialist is always risky. And only four have ever been drafted in the first round: Charlie Gogolak was drafted No. 6 overall by Washington in 1966. Ray Guy, the only first-round punter, went No. 23 overall to the Raiders in 1973. The Cardinals took Steve Little 15th in 1978, and the Saints drafted Russell Erxleben 11th overall in 1979.

The Broncos drafted Jason Elam in the third round in 1993, and Detroit's second-round selection of Jason Hanson likewise paid off. But for every success story, there have been even more busts.

Janikowski insists his attitude won't be a problem in the NFL.

He said the incidents - in addition to the pending bribery charge, he twice was thrown out of a Tallahassee bar in 1998 and was involved in a fight with a male Florida State cheerleader - are behind him.

''I'm trying to grow up,'' said Janikowski, whose criminal hearing is May 3. ''College kids always do stupid things. You always learn from your mistakes.

Now you've got to be a man. You've going after a job. You've got to support your family soon. I don't think it's going to be a problem.''

Assad said Janikowski just might be the future of NFL kickers.

''Five or 10 years ago, a kicker usually was a guy with a soccer background who wasn't so much of an all-around athlete,'' Assad said. ''Sebastian can play all sports. He's very athletically gifted. He'll run those guys down on tackles. Maybe there is no comparison. Maybe he is the prototype of what guys should be like.

''This guy is on a phenomenal level, but I'd like to see him keep developing so that he plays to Sebastian potential.''

One team that might be willing to take a chance on him early, at No. 31 overall, is the Super Bowl-champion St. Louis Rams. They are pretty solid at almost every position, and kicker Jeff Wilkins was bothered by a knee injury last season.

''I don't have to convince anybody,'' Janikowski said. ''If a team is going to like you, they're going to like who I am not just what I do.''

SCOUTING THE DRAFT: SPECIALISTS

Rank.... Player .... College.... Ht..... Wt.

1..... Sebastian Janikowski.... Florida State.... 6-0.... 260

Comment: Placekicker's leg strength and accuracy could make him a high second- or low first-round pick.

2..... Shane Lechler.... Texas A&M.... 6-1.... 233

Comment: Good distance and hang time on punts, he also can kick off and hold for extra-point and field-goal attempts.

3..... Paul Edinger.... Michigan State.... 5-9.... 174

Comment: Placekicker has strong leg and excellent mechanics.

4..... Shayne Graham.... Virginia Tech.... 5-11.... 199

Comment: Clutch placekicker is very consistent inside the 45-yard line.

5..... Andrew Bayes.... East Carolina.... 6-0.... 194....

Comment: Led nation with a 48-yard average on punts.

Position overview: Kickers rarely are chosen high in the draft, but Janikowski might be worth taking a chance on.

Teams in need: Bears, Cowboys, Cardinals, Eagles, Redskins, Packers, Rams, Chiefs, Raiders.

Sleeper: Indiana's Drew Hagan has the best hang time among the punters this draft.

Most overrated: Janikowski. He is in a class of his own, but only if he overcomes off-the-field problems.

Did you know: Janikowski is a former member of the Polish National under- 17 soccer team.

Contact Lynn DeBruin of the Denver Rocky Mountain News at http://www.denver-rmn.com.