•
Apparently Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie only has one kidney!
According to a report by Sam Farmer in the Los Angeles Times "D.R.C." was born with two but one was non-functioning and was removed when he was 8-years-old. Farmer goes on to note Rodgers-Cromartie "probably will have to sign a medical waiver to play" due to that condition.
Wow.
I'm not sure why it has taken so long for something like this to come out but if true my first inclination would be to say it could have a huge effect on his draft stock. The bottom line is you need a kidney so if anything were to happen to the one he has left he'd obviously be in major trouble. However, something tells me this isn't groundbreaking news to NFL teams and they more than likely knew all about it long before this. With that being the case I can only assume that, for the most part, team doctors have cleared him. In other words unless or until I hear differently I am going to defer to the docs and am basically going to treat this as a non-factor.
Here's some info. on the situation courtesy of investigative work by members of the Forums:
"The American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians and the Medical Society of Sports Medicine have suggested that people with one kidney avoid sports that involve higher risks of heavy contact or collision. This includes boxing, field hockey, football, ice hockey, Lacrosse, martial arts, rodeo, soccer and wrestling. Anyone with a single kidney who decides to participate in these sports should be extra careful and wear protective padding. He or she should understand that the consequences of losing a single kidney are very serious."
"We think that restriction of participation of a child or adolescent from contact or collision sports just because they only have a single kidney is probably unwarranted,"
- Dr. Matthew M. Grinsell (University of Virginia, Charlottesville)
March 27th, 2008
Heath Benedict 1983 - 2008 R.I.P.
The draft world mourns the loss of Heath Benedict, who was found dead in his Florida home last night. Preliminary reports indicate the 24-year-old offensive tackle died of natural causes.
Benedict, a native of the Netherlands, transferred to Newberry, an NCAA Division II school, for the 2004 season after redshirting at Tennessee as a freshman in 2002. One of the premier small school prospects available for the 2008 NFL Draft, the 6-5, 336 pound Benedict had great athleticism to go along with his rare size and was being looked at as a possible tackle or guard at the pro level. Personally I had Benedict rated as my #8 offensive tackle and really liked what I saw from him at the Senior Bowl in January and he likely would have been a 2nd or 3rd round pick in next month's draft. In memoriam I will keep Benedict in my rankings through Draft Day.
Unfortunately this isn't the first time tragedy has struck the NFL Draft and there have been a number of prospects who died right around draft time. In 1996 Nebraska's Brook Berringer died in a plane crash two days before the NFL Draft. About a month after the 1998 NFL Draft Leon Bender, who had been the Raiders 2nd round pick (#31 overall), died as the result of a seizure disorder. More recently Miami's Bryan Pata, who was on track to be a mid-round pick in the '07 NFL Draft, was shot and killed during his senior season with the Hurricanes. I am sure there are other examples of similar incidents but those are a few that come right to mind for me today.
There really isn't much you can say when a young man with such a bright future is senselessly struck down. All you can do is send your thoughts out to Heath's family, friends and loved ones.
March 26th, 2008
•
With the 2008 NFL Draft now about a month away there are two teams at the top who I think are going to be very interesting to watch these last four weeks. In fact, what they do will likely determine how the rest of the Top 10 unfolds. Here are those teams and potential scenarios:
#2 - St. Louis Rams
It appears as though the Rams are zeroing in on four distinct prospects here, all offensive and defensive linemen: Chris Long, Vernon Gholston, Glenn Dorsey and Jake Long. There is a good chance that one of those guys will already be off the board at #1 to Miami. If the Dolphins take Chris Long it could push Vernon Gholston up to the Rams at #2 and lock Darren McFadden in for the Raiders. If Miami takes Jake Long it will take him out of the running for St. Louis, Atlanta and Kansas City. If the Rams select Glenn Dorsey the Falcons will be left to choose between Jake Long and Matt Ryan at #3 and if two of those three are gone their decision could essentially already be made for them. If St. Louis takes Jake Long the Chiefs hearts will be broken and it could lead to them reaching for another offensive tackle at #5 or possibly selecting Matt Ryan.
#3 - Atlanta Falcons
A lot will depend on what happens ahead of them but the Falcons will likely choose from a pool of three prospects: Glenn Dorsey, Jake Long and Matt Ryan. At this point I think Dorsey would be their preference so as long as the Rams don't take him at #2 they should get their man. The biggest thing to watch out for here though is the "Matt Ryan Factor" and if Atlanta passes on the B.C. signal caller he will probably drop a bit, either to the Chiefs at #5 or the Ravens at #8.
So as you can see what the Rams and Falcons do will basically set the table for a number of other teams and those should arguably be the two biggest turning points in this draft. In fact, the Rams pick at #2 is like a four-pronged fork in the road at this point and depending on which direction they go this draft could take on four drastically different looks. So keep a very close eye on those two situations in the coming weeks to see just how they develop because I firmly believe that nailing them will likely be the single biggest key to success in your final mock drafts.
March 25th, 2008
•
Everyone seems to be focusing on a left tackle like Ryan Clady or Chris Williams for Denver in their mock drafts but it would be wise to keep a close eye on their situation at wide receiver.
After jettisoning Javon Walker earlier in the offseason Brandon Marshall is now the only legit starting wideout on the Broncos roster. Even more worrisome though is that Marshall is no stranger to trouble and a recent incident has brought those concerns to the forefront once again. Basically the Broncos are one play or, shall we say indiscretion, away from ushering in the Brandon Stokley / Keary Colbert / Taylor Jacobs era and that is a scary proposition. In other words if something were to happen with Marshall, either on or off the field, the Broncos season could be over before it gets off the ground and even if there are no issues with their top pass catcher they could still use an upgrade at the #2 spot. It is probably too early to take a receiver at #12 overall but I wouldn't put anything past Mike Shanahan and even if he doesn't take a wideout in round one it would probably be a good idea to grab one at some point early on in the draft. Denver is in a bit of a tough spot at #12 because assuming Clady is gone, which is very possible, their major needs don't necessarily match up with the talent worthy of that pick. I think the Broncos are a strong candidate to be movers and shakers in round one and if they do happen to trade down I wouldn't be at all surprised if they did so with a wide receiver in mind.
March 24th, 2008
•
It seems as though Boston College's Gosder Cherilus is getting lost in the shuffle amidst this great offensive line class but it would be a mistake to sleep on him because not only might he be the fifth tackle chosen on Draft Day but he probably should be.
Jake Long is obviously the cream of the crop this year and Ryan Clady, Jeff Otah and Chris Williams all seem like mortal locks for the Top 20 overall as well but in my opinion Gosder Cherilus is a legit first round pick and after that early run on tackles he will likely be targeted by a number of teams in the bottom third of round one. One of the reasons Cherilus isn't getting a lot of ink is because he simply did not have a great senior season and even his most ardent supporters would concede that fact. However, it's important to note that Cherilus was playing out of position at left tackle in 2007 and if you go back and look at the film from early in his career you would see a totally different player. Cherilus is a right tackle, plain and simple, so teams looking for someone to protect the blind-side need not apply. There is nothing wrong with that though and while he'll never be Jon Ogden or Walter Jones he can be a Jon Runyan or Willie Anderson type and there are plenty of teams who would've loved to have those guys on their rosters for the last decade. At over 6-6 and 314 lbs. Cherilus is a mountain of a man and he's a much better athlete than he is given credit for. In fact, his struggles at left tackle were primarily a product of mental issues rather than a physical inability to handle the position. If you couldn't tell by now I am firmly on the Cherilus bandwagon and I wouldn't be at all surprised if he ended up having a better pro career than some of the guys who are drafted before him, namely Otah and Williams. In my mind Gosder is a future Pro Bowl right tackle in the NFL and is going to be the type that you plug into your starting lineup and feel good about it for the next ten years or so. Cherilus isn't flashy or the type of rare athletic specimen that you normally associate with first round tackles but he is just a very good football player and is going to make some team awfully happy. Mark it down: Gosder Cherilus will be a big steal for someone in late round one.
March 21st, 2008
•
I can't decide who my #1 wide receiver is this year.
I basically have it down to either DeSean Jackson or Limas Sweed but depending on the day of the week they take turns at the top spot in my mind. I guess I don't feel too bad because everyone else seems to be having the same problem. In fact, I'll bet if you ask five different people who their top five wideouts are you just might get five different answers, with Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas also in the mix to be the first guys at their position off the board. As I write this I am leaning toward bumping Jackson back up to #1 due in large part to my belief that he may be the top playmaker in this entire draft, regardless of position. I do have concerns about what his ultimate upside is going to be but even though I don't see him as a #1 wideout in the NFL I think he can be a great #2 or #3 and also one of the best return specialists in the league. On the other hand Sweed does have the potential to be that true #1 target and at 6-4 and 215 lbs. with 4.50 speed he is in many ways the prototype and as an added bonus he also has excellent intangibles so you won't have to deal with the typical prima donna act we often see from the likes of Terrell Owens and Chad Johnson. If not for a wrist injury that prematurely ended his senior season I firmly believe Sweed would have been in the mix to be a Top 10 overall pick. The one guy who has the best shot at challenging Jackson and Sweed for my top ranking is Devin Thomas and he might have more upside than any other receiver in this draft but there isn't much of a track record there with him which is worrisome. Now you're probably wondering where Malcolm Kelly is but even though he is probably the top rated wideout on more boards than anyone else I have some questions about him, namely his health and ability to separate, so at this point I would venture to say that he will end up in that 3-5 range in my rankings. Luckily I still have about a month to make a final decision but unlike last year when Calvin Johnson was the easily the top wide receiver prospect there isn't a clear-cut #1 this time around and since every team might have their board stacked differently that could lead to some Draft Day surprises. Right now Jackson, Sweed, Kelly and Thomas all have a legitimate shot at being the first receiver chosen and there are very few, if any, other positions about which you can say that this late in the process. So I guess for me and many others the battle will rage on.
March 20th, 2008
•
There is always a lot of talk and speculation about teams wanting to trade down, especially this year it seems, but for a deal to get done two very important questions need to be asked:
1) Who wants to trade up?
2) Who do they want to move up for?
One player who I think could be in high demand on Draft Day is USC defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis and I definitely feel there are a few teams who would at least consider making a move to bring him into the fold. Ellis is clearly the #2 guy at his position behind Glenn Dorsey and a legitimate Top 10 pick but even though he is obviously very talented the reason he will likely be so coveted is because there is such a huge drop-off after him. In fact, there is a good chance that there won't be another defensive tackle chosen in round one after Dorsey and Ellis and you better believe there are more than two teams who have glaring holes at that position.
Here are 3 teams who could be looking to make a deal for Ellis:
#9 Cincinnati Bengals
There is no question that they need help on defense and after signing Antwan Odom to team with Robert Geathers they are now set at end but there are still questions inside. Domata Peko looks like a keeper but John Thornton has seen better days and adding a talent like Ellis would go a long way towards shoring up that porous defense once and for all. There is a chance he could fall to Cincy at #9 but other teams who may be targeting Ellis realize that as well and could try to maneuver ahead of them and steal him away. If Ellis really is the guy the Bengals want they might be best served moving up a 2-3 spots to beat others to the punch.
#10 New Orleans Saints
They have one of the best groups of defensive ends in the league but even though they have some solid players in the middle they lack a true impact tackle. After already addressing needs at corner and linebacker to an extent this offseason the Saints may have freed themselves up to be aggressive and pursue a guy like Ellis on Draft Day. If they do want the Trojan tackle they would almost certainly have to at least leap-frog Cincinnati, who is picking right ahead of them.
#12 Denver Broncos
This just might be the most likely team to make a move for Ellis, although they don't have a 3rd round pick so you wonder if they have the necessary ammo. Defensive tackle is without question the Broncos most glaring need and a guy like Ellis is exactly what the doctor ordered but it may cost them both their first and second round picks to get high enough so that they'd be in position to land him. Granted that's a hefty price to pay but desperate times may call for desperate measures. Mike Shanahan has never been afraid to be aggressive on Draft Day to ensure he gets the guy he wants and he has actually traded up in round one the past two years, for Jay Cutler in '06 and Jarvis Moss in '07. Keep a close eye on the Broncos on April 26.
As I have said in the past I think New England at #7 is the team most likely to move down in the Top 10 and if it's a cornerback that they want they could still probably get Leodis McKelvin or Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie a little later on while also saving some money and adding an extra pick or two. I always caution draftniks against expecting too many big deals at the top of the draft because recent history has shown that they are few and far between due to the costs involved. With that said I think Sedrick Ellis is probably the one guy who could cause teams to buck that trend because not only is he a terrific player but the supply of first round defensive tackles is simply not going to meet the demand this year and that is a perfect recipe for a deal.
March 19th, 2008
•
One player who seems to be flying under the radar to a certain degree right now is Arizona's Antoine Cason but don't be surprised if he finds his way into Round 1 when all is said and done.
I guess it is kind of difficult for someone who won the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back in 2007 to be underrated but that might actually be the case. While everyone is talking about Leodis McKelvin, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Aqib Talib and Mike Jenkins the former Wildcat Cason is quietly drawing interest from a number of teams picking late in the first round and he's very much in the mix to be the fifth cornerback chosen on Draft Day next month.
So how's someone who had such a prolific college career not getting much pub this time of the year? A big part of it was everyone assumed he did not have very good speed, which caused many (including myself) to write him off as a classic example of a great college player who just didn't have the physical tools to project well to the pro level. Also, his decision to not participate in the Senior Bowl didn't help matters either. However, Cason ran a very respectable 4.48 at the Scouting Combine and while that might not be a blazing fast time it is adequate and much better than the 4.55-4.60 estimates that had been out there. Antoine Cason has actually been labeled as overrated and underrated at certain points in the last six months or so but his stock is on the rise and he is going to find a home either in late Round 1 or early Round 2 on April 26.
March 18th, 2008
•
Today's was Matt Ryan's much-anticipated Pro Day workout and - SURPRISE - he did very well.
In case my sarcasm was lost on you Ryan's good performance is not a surprise at all and the real story would have been if there were bad reports coming out of it. After not taking part in the Senior Bowl and opting not to throw at the Scouting Combine Ryan's had plenty of time to master this routine. I say routine because these private quarterback workouts are very much scripted and he has essentially been perfecting it through repetition for the last 3 1/2 months. Just like the drug screenings at the Combine being called "Idiot Tests" this type of workout is in many ways a "Bum Test" in that if he does not come out of it getting absolutely glowing reviews then there is probably something wrong with him. That may sound a bit harsh but it's the truth.
The real news coming out of this event was probably who was (and perhaps more importantly who was not) there. Mike Reiss of the Boston Globe was actually kind enough to put together a complete list of the NFL personnel types who were in attendance so be sure to check that out. The only head coach who made it to Boston was Herm Edwards and the Chiefs were also represented by their G.M. Carl Peterson and their offensive coordinator Chad Gailey. That is quite the contingent and while they may have been there as much for Gosder Cherilus as they were Ryan it at least now raises the possibility of them selecting him at #5.
So in the end what does this do for Ryan's stock? Probably not much. He did what he needed to do and the same teams / scenarios that everyone assumed were in play for him beforehand still most likely are.
March 17th, 2008
•
It appears Atlanta's on the verge of trading DeAngelo Hall to Oakland in exchange for an early 2nd round pick (#34 overall) and if that happens the Falcons are going to be in a great position to make a big splash on Draft Day and if they choose they'll have the ammo to make a big deal.
Based on the value chart that teams use the Falcons picks are worth the following:
What that means is if they don't get Matt Ryan at #3 overall or pass on him they could easily package a couple of those second rounders to move back up into the first round for Joe Flacco or Brian Brohm. In fact, even if they dealt away their two lowest picks in round two (#37 + #48 = 950 pts.) they could get as high as #17 overall! Needless to say they are going to have a lot of options and will be in a great position to address some huge holes on both sides of the ball.
While we are having some fun with the old trade chart let's examine the deal everyone seems to be enamored with, which is Dallas moving up into the Top 10 overall. The Cowboys two first round picks (#22 and #28) have a combined value of 1,440 points so if they were indeed willing to package those along with their 4th rounder they could get as high as #7 overall. Or if they were willing to do the two first rounders and their 3rd rounder they could get up to #6 overall.
Now keep in mind that this is all just conjecture at this point. It obviously takes two to tango and as much as teams love to stockpile those early picks they are also pretty reluctant to make such a major move down the draft board so even if Atlanta or Dallas wanted to move up and was willing to pay the price they could have trouble finding a taker. Nevertheless it sure is fun to speculate this time of the year and this is one of the reasons why we all love the NFL Draft.
Want to see what kind of draft pick deals might be possible? Click below!
•
In the past 24 hours some big injury news broke that could have huge Draft Day ramifications.
Jonathan Stewart Undergoes Toe Surgery
The Oregon running back recently went under the knife to correct a turf toe injury that had lingered since the 2007 season. Early indications are that Stewart will be inactive this summer and his availability for training camp and the start of the 2008 season could even be in doubt.
Scott's Take - I don't expect this to hurt him too much. He worked out at the Scouting Combine and did very well so it's not like teams didn't have a chance to get accurate measurables on him. With that said this just brings those durability questions from early in his career back to the forefront and even though I am probably as big of a Stewart fan as you will find he will be dropping on my board a bit. Look for Stewart to still be the third running back chosen and a first round pick, although he might not be a Top 15-20 overall pick anymore. The Seattle Seahawks at #25 look just about right to me...
Phillip Merling Hurt (Again)
After not working out at the Scouting Combine due to a groin injury the Clemson defensive end now had to go under the knife to repair a sports hernia. Merling will definitely miss Clemson's March 14th Pro Day and his availability to work out prior to Draft Day is now in question as well.
Scott's Take - This is why you don't skip the Combine. Merling passed on an opportunity to show his wares in front of hundreds of coaches, scouts and top decision makers and now he is hurt and may not get another chance. Speed is one of the big question marks with Merling so if he can't work out before the draft his stock will likely take a decent hit. He had been in competition with Derrick Harvey to be the second defensive end chosen and maybe even a Top 10-15 overall pick but that is probably out the window now. Who knows, Merling could even potentially fall all the way to the end of round one.
March 13th, 2008
•
I want to let everyone know about an exciting new NFL Draft feature on the web.
My buddies Sigmund Bloom and Cecil Lammey are putting out a web TV show. They traveled the country to places like the Senior Bowl, the East/West Shrine Game, and the Texas vs. The Nation game to film practices and interview some of this year's most intriguing pro prospects.
Want to learn all about Josh Johnson? They got him. Antwaun Molden? They got him. Dexter Jackson? They got him. And that's just the tip of the iceberg! They are going to be releasing two new episodes every weekday - 51 in all - so be sure to check it out and then stop back often.
Here's the full scoop:
Millions of fans tune in to the NFL Draft, but many of us have never had a chance to see more than a handful of the players selected each year... until now. Draftguys TV gives football fans over 40 in-depth player profiles breaking down practice footage, training film, exclusive interviews, expert opinions, and more. With Draftguys TV, football fanatics will see the game as the NFL scouts see it – up close and personal.
Three of the last four years we have seen teams trade into the latter portion of round one to select a quarterback and it is beginning to look like we just might see that happen again in '08.
The most likely candidate this year is Joe Flacco, who a number of teams have really taken a liking to, although Brian Brohm will probably be in the mix as well. So we know the signal callers that teams will be targeting but the big question is which team or teams will be looking to make a play for them. If by some chance they aren't able to land Matt Ryan the Atlanta Falcons would probably be the favorites and with two second round picks they have the ammo to get a deal done. The other team to watch out for is the Baltimore Ravens and Ozzie Newsome has never been afraid to be aggressive on Draft Day to make sure he gets a player he wants. In fact, in 2003 the Ravens traded a future first round pick to get back into round one to select Kyle Boller. When it comes to who might want to move down the list is really too long to mention because, as always, there is never a shortage of teams that want to stockpile those valuable 2nd and 3rd round picks. With that said keep an eye on the Green Bay Packers at #30. Ted Thompson has built that team through the draft and he has become known for his desire to accumulate as many selections as possible. Over the past three years the Packers have chosen an average of over eleven players in each draft and you don't wind up with that many picks by standing pat.
Everyone likes to speculate about trades in the Top 10 but because of the costs involved (in terms of both draft pick and monetary compensation) we just don't see much action up there anymore. The real wheeling and dealing now takes place late in round one and last year was really a perfect example, with six picks in the 21-28 range ultimately changing hands. I expect to see more of the same in '08, with the names "Flacco" and "Brohm" becoming very prominent.
March 11th, 2008
•
Are we ever going to get to see Malcolm Kelly and Reggie Smith work out?!?
Both are potential first round picks and they were two of the highest profile prospects not to work out at the Scouting Combine in Indy last month, with Kelly battling a strained thigh muscle and Smith a broken toe. As a result everyone was anxiously awaiting the Oklahoma Pro Day to see the Sooners top prospects run the forty for scouts but once again they opted to sit it out.
Apparently the plan now is for them to show their wares on April 9th.
To say that these two have a lot riding on that workout would be an understatement. Kelly, who is battling to be the first wide receiver chosen, needs to run well to solidify himself as a Top 15-20 overall pick and there are those out there who question his ability to run better than a 4.55 time. Smith on the other hand is firmly on the first round bubble and not only will his forty time go a long way toward dictating how high he goes in the draft but it might also determine what position he plays in the pros. If he runs in the 4.4's Smith will likely get a lot of looks as a cornerback but if he's more of a mid-4.5 guy then his ultimate home in the NFL may be at safety.
In recent years Pro Day's have become less of a big attraction because the majority of the top prospects have opted to work out at the Combine, which is definitely a good thing. There are exceptions though and I know I will be circling April 9 on my calendar for the Kelly / Smith Show.
March 10th, 2008
•
In the coming weeks you are going to be hearing a lot of talk about how interested the Miami Dolphins are in Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan and at some point they will likely even be "leaning towards" taking him but I would recommend not buying into it. Could it happen? Sure, I wouldn't completely rule it out because it's not like they have Joe Montana under center right now. However, after investing the 40th overall pick on John Beck a year ago and taking a huge P.R. hit in the process I would be mildly surprised if they gave up on him after just four starts and a little over one hundred pass attempts. Plus they did just sign veteran Josh McCown and even though he isn't a star I don't think he was brought in to be their emergency quarterback.
So why will all this Ryan-to-Miami talk be plastered all over?
Simple.
It's called leverage.
If the Dolphins come out and say they aren't considering Ryan any market there might be for that #1 overall pick would dry up. Now who knows if teams like Atlanta or even Baltimore are enamored with Ryan but on the off chance that they are it would be idiotic for Miami to let them know he isn't in the mix for them. Ryan is probably the only prospect out there who teams may consider trading up for because as the consensus top quarterback in this draft (by a long shot) he's a valuable commodity. If you're the Falcons why trade up if you can sit tight and get Ryan at #3? This time of the year you should believe 50% of half of what NFL personnel put out there in the media and that might be too much. Every team has an agenda and they aren't going to be stupid enough to give away their trade secrets. If something is out there it is because the franchises put it out there and for a very specific reason. That's not to say it isn't true though either. For example, let's say the Dolphins really do like Matt Ryan and plan to take him at #1. They could put that out there just to see if they get a trade offer that knocks their socks off. So as you can see it could definitely work both ways. As the draft gets closer and closer there is going to be a lot of misinformation flying around but before just taking statements at face value I encourage you to look at it from every angle and ask yourself "Why" it's out there and "Who" benefits from it. I think you will find that adds a whole new level of intrigue to the draft process.
March 7th, 2008
•
In his latest mock draft for Scout.com my buddy Chris Steuber has the St. Louis Rams taking Vernon Gholston with the #2 overall pick and I have to say I like it. In my last mock I had the Rams taking Jake Long based on the assumption that they would play him inside at guard until Orlando Pace retired just like the Ravens did with Jonathan Ogden early in his career. However, that mock was done before free agency started and while I still think Jake Long is in the mix for St. Louis their signing of Jacob Bell to a six-year, $36 million contract probably throws some cold water on those plans. For quite some time now I have maintained that Chris Long is the player that St. Louis is really targeting at #2 and with the release of James Hall defensive end is even more of a need so if the Virginia star doesn't go #1 to Miami I would pencil him in for the Rams.
However, at this point in time I am still pretty comfortable with my Chris Long-to-the-Dolphins projection so with that being the case the most logical guy for St. Louis would more than likely be Gholston. Lately it seems as though most are treating it as almost a foregone conclusion that Gholston is going to be a 3-4 outside linebacker and while that may very well end up being the case he could just as easily be a stud 4-3 defensive end in the NFL, a role that he has said he actually prefers. Right from the start St. Louis has been one of the more difficult teams to get a read on when it comes to mock drafts because, for the most part, their greatest needs don't necessarily match up with this year's top talent. With that said it's beginning to look more and more like defensive end is a good bet, whether it be Chris Long or perhaps now even Gholston.
March 6th, 2008
•
The New York Jets are one of the most intriguing teams in the league right now, not only for what they've already done in free agency but for what they may still do in the draft next month.
There is no doubt that the Jets have been one of the most active teams so far this offseason and as a result they have plugged most of their big holes. The offensive line was addressed with Alan Faneca and Damien Woody, they brought in a pass rushing 3-4 outside linebacker in Calvin Pace and they traded for a nose tackle in Kris Jenkins. With most of their glaring needs already addressed it makes you wonder what they will do in the draft, specifically with that #6 overall pick. The obvious answer would be Darren McFadden, assuming he is there, but what if he is gone by that point? Vernon Gholston might be out of the equation now that Pace is in the fold. The addition of Jenkins eliminates the need for Sedrick Ellis. They could use a big receiver but there isn't anyone worth a Top 10 overall pick. Matt Ryan? I highly doubt it. A trade down would be the obvious answer but as always there are way more teams that want to move down than there are that want to move up so they could easily get stuck and have to make the pick.
So what do they do?
In all honestly I really don't know at this point. It's still early and all of these offseason moves are fresh so it remains to be seen how they may have affected their draft plans but my best guess is they would turn their attention to cornerback if McFadden was out of the picture for one reason or another. I wouldn't completely rule Gholston out just yet either though. It's kind of ironic that by doing such a good job of addressing their weaknesses the Jets might very well have painted themselves into a bit of a Draft Day corner. With that said I think there is a very good chance that McFadden will be available at #6 and he would be a great fit, providing the J-E-T-S with the type of offensive playmaker they so desperately need. You can bet that Jets fans will be holding their collective breaths hoping that the Raiders pass on D-Mac at #4 and nobody trades up for him because as nice as it would be to land an impact talent like him at #6 the prospect of not having him available and being forced to reach for someone is even scarier.
March 5th, 2008
•
So Brett Favre has finally retired.
Somewhere a single tear is streaming down John Madden's face...
I have to admit I'm not sure I will totally believe it until the 2008 season kicks off and he isn't under center for the Packers though. This topic is going to get beaten to death by the national media over the next few days so I will spare you all the usual praise and adulation other than to say he was one of the top five quarterbacks I have ever seen and any true football fan has to respect the way he played the game. Instead of looking back at Favre's Hall of Fame career I am gonna look ahead and examine what the future holds for Green Bay's quarterback position.
If you have been following this site for a while you probably already know what a big fan of Aaron Rodgers I am. In fact, back in 2005 I had him rated ahead of Alex Smith and felt he was the best player in that draft. Regardless of position. I guess the time has finally come where I am either going to look real good or have a lot of egg on my face! Much like Brady Quinn last year Rodgers suffered a Draft Day freefall, dropping all the way from a potential Top 5 overall pick into the Packers laps at #24 overall. However, it wasn't necessarily that Rodgers was rated that low by most, it was simply a case of teams between the first and twenty-fourth pick not having a pressing need at the quarterback position. Rodgers has had to wait a little longer than expected to get his shot but that may end up being a blessing in disguise because unlike Smith, who was thrown into the fire early on, he was allowed plenty of time to learn the playbook and develop. In three years Rodgers has only attempted a grand total of 59 passes but in those rare instances when he got an opportunity to play he has performed pretty well. The Packers are almost guaranteed to suffer a drop-off from their 13-3 record of a year ago but they should still be the favorite in their division and when you really look at it you can still probably make the case for them being one of the top handful of teams in the NFC. In case you couldn't tell I believe Green Bay is in good hands. Now go out and make me proud Aaron, I am out on a limb!
Here is a look back at my final pre-draft scouting report on Aaron Rodgers from 2005:
Strengths:
Picture perfect mechanics that are absolutely textbook...Amazing accuracy and can thread the needle...Very good arm strength and can make all the throws...Good touch and timing...Top intangibles and leadership qualities...Good work ethic and drive to be the best...Decent mobility and good speed...Can throw well on the run...Displays excellent pocket presence...Still has a lot of potential and upside.
Weaknesses:
Has only average size...Needs to continue to add weight and get stronger...Had surgery on his knee before the 2004 season so durability might be a concern...Has only average athletic ability...Doesn't have a ton of experience and is still learning.
Notes:
The latest prodigy from noted quarterback guru Jeff Tedford, following in the path of guys like Joey Harrington and Kyle Boller...Transferred to Cal from Butte Junior College where he was an All-American and was discovered by Tedford when the coach was recruiting tight end Garrett Cross....Burst onto the scene in 2003 and he quickly established himself as one of the premier signal callers in all of college football...A premier pro prospect and potential franchise quarterback in the NFL.
March 4th, 2008
•
What in the world are the Chicago Bears doing?
Seriously, if anyone knows please e-mail me because I am at a loss.
Remember how the Oakland Raiders went to the Super Bowl back in 2003 and it has been a steady downward spiral for them ever since? The Bears are getting dangerously close to that. After making their Super Bowl appearance in 2007 Chicago dropped to 7-9 and finished last in last place of their division. That's first to worst in less than a year. Now that is troubling enough but the problem is they are getting worse this offseason. A lot worse! The Bears re-signed Rex Grossman and traded Brian Griese which means that either Rexy or Kyle Orton is going to be starting for them. Those two haven't been the answer for the past three years so I don't know what in the world makes them think they will be the answer now... Another major issue for the Bears has been their lack of playmakers at wide receiver and what did they do to address that problem? They let Bernard Berrian leave as a free agent and they cut Muhsin Muhammad. I'll be the first to admit that I don't think either of those guys are superstars but they were the best Chicago had and now they are left with Mark Bradley, Devin Hester, Rashied Davis as their top three pass catchers. Are you kidding me? On a good team not one of those players is anything more than a #3 option. How about up front along the offensive line. Right Tackle Fred Miller: Gone. Left Guard Rueben Brown: Gone. Oh, and let's not forget Cedric Benson (although I am sure the Bears would like to)... So let's sum up the areas where the Bears have major problems on offense: Quarterback, Running Back, Wide Receiver, Offensive Line. For those of you keeping track at home that is every position except tight end. On a positive note their defense should be better next year once they get everyone healthy but with as bad as their offense figures to be that isn't going to matter. There is still a long way to go before the start of the 2008 season and I'm sure Chicago will make some moves but at this point I don't see how they can possibly come close to plugging all of those holes. In fact, it will probably take them a good 2-3 years to rebuild that offense and by that time you wonder if their defense will still be playoff caliber. I hate to say it but it sure looks like the Bears Super Bowl window has closed for the time being.
I don't want to be all negative though so in an effort to help out their General Manager Jerry Angelo here is what I would do with the rest of this offseason if I were running the franchise:
• Sign Free Agent OL Maurice Williams He isn't a Pro Bowler but Williams might be the best offensive lineman still available on the free agent market. Williams is still just 29-years-old but he has a lot of starting experience (95 games) and the ability to play either tackle or guard. He will start for them the next few years.
• Sign Free Agent WR Javon Walker Yes he has some health issues and has been a malcontent everywhere he has been but at this point beggars can't be choosy. Walker is the only pass catcher on the market with true #1 wideout potential. Even if I am forced to overpay for him a little I make sure that I get this guy.
• NFL Draft - Round 1: Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh A huge athletic mauler at right tackle who still has a lot of upside to solidify the offensive line.
• NFL Draft - Round 2: Joe Flacco, QB, Delaware Big pocket passer with a cannon arm who will be able to cut through the wind at Soldier Field.
• NFL Draft - Round 3: Kevin Smith, RB, Central Florida They need to bring in some insurance in case Cedric Benson doesn't turn his career around.
Now that won't solve all of their problems and it won't put them in the Super Bowl next year but it plugs their biggest holes and gives them some nice young building blocks for the future.
So there you have it, and just like Bill Simmons has offered to run the Milwaukee Bucks I too would be willing to consider any and all NFL GM jobs, just send the offers to my people.
March 3rd, 2008
•
After winning just four games and finishing in the cellar of their division in 2006 the Cleveland Browns were one of the NFL's biggest surprises last year, winning ten games and just narrowly missing out on a playoff berth. However, it's one thing to have a single good season and another entirely to build on that success and take the next step. With that said General Manager Phil Savage has built this organization the right way and his string of outstanding personnel moves are about to begin paying off, with the Browns now on the verge of becoming a legitimate power for many years to come. This offseason just might put them over the top.
Here is a look at what they have done in the past few days:
• Re-Signed Derek Anderson Most assume that Anderson re-upping with the Browns takes him off the trade market but nothing could be further from the truth. Now I'm not saying that he is definitely going to be dealt but in reality his new three-year, $24 million contract probably makes him even more attractive to other teams. Now anyone that deals for Anderson won't have to worry about signing him to a huge new contract because he is locked in at a pretty reasonable salary for a young starting quarterback. The length of the contract is enticing as well because it will give a team plenty of time to make sure he is the real deal. If Anderson continues to play like a Pro Bowler they can give him the mega-contract he deserves but if 2007 was a fluke they won't be locked in to a 6-year deal worth over $30 million guaranteed like they would be if they drafted a top signal caller. I certainly appreciate how well Anderson performed in '07 and he played a big role in the Browns turnaround but personally I would deal him now if I were the Browns. As good as Anderson looked in the first half of the season he was just as bad at times in the second half and it seemed as though teams began to figure him out. There is a good chance that Anderson's trade value will never be higher so it's time to strike while the iron is hot. With fan favorite Brady Quinn waiting in the wings this situation has the potential to go south in a hurry and in my opinion it's only a matter of time until Quinn is starting for Cleveland. In fact, I'll go out on a limb and say that Quinn will be starting under center for the Browns by the end of 2008, one way or another. Right now Cleveland doesn't have a 1st, 2nd or 3rd round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft as the result of trades and while they probably wouldn't get a #1 for Anderson they could get something along the lines of what Atlanta received for Matt Schaub a year ago, i.e. two second rounders and change. For a team with a scout-at-heart like Savage at the helm that has done such a great job of evaluating talent in recent years it would be almost criminal for them to sit out Draft Day. It's time for Cleveland to sell high on Derek Anderson. Regardless of whether they keep him or trade him though signing Anderson to this contract was the right move. Had he just signed his restricted tender he would have been an unrestricted free agent next offseason and the Browns may have been forced to make the difficult decision of whether or not to franchise him. Now they still have his rights for a few years to determine how good he really is while also keeping all of their trade options open as well. It is the best of both worlds.
• Traded for DE Corey Williams The Browns have been searching for an impact defensive end for years and now they have finally found one. Williams, who was franchised by the Packers, cost Cleveland a 2nd round pick and a six-year, $38.6 million contract but they never would have gotten a player of his caliber in the draft and as always you have to give something to get something. The 6-4, 313 lb. Williams played defensive tackle in Green Bay but he will move outside to end in Cleveland's 3-4 scheme and at just 27-years-old the Browns have landed themselves a long-term solution at a position that has been a problem area for years. All of the sudden the defensive line is a team strength.
• Traded for NT Shaun Rogers As if trading for Corey Williams wasn't enough the Browns also went out and got themselves a nose tackle. The cost was steep, with cornerback Leigh Bodden and a 3rd round pick going to Detroit, but anyone who knows football will tell you that a stud nose tackle is vital to any good 3-4 defense so this was a move they had to make. An added bonus with the deal is that they also hurt a division rival in the process because the Lions had initially agreed to send Rogers to Cincinnati before salary cap complications sidetracked the trade, allowing the Browns to swoop in and steal him away. The 6-4, 340 lb. Rogers has had his ups and downs as a pro but he is still a two-time Pro Bowler and just 28-years-old so this was a risk worth taking for the Browns.
• Signed WR Donte Stallworth Braylon Edwards emerged as one of the best wideouts in the NFL last year and Joe Jurevicius is a good possession type but the Browns needed a deep threat with speed to stretch the field vertically and that is what they are getting in Donte Stallworth. As always durability remains the big concern with Stallworth but when healthy he has always produced and in Cleveland he isn't going to be counted on to be the main guy. The Browns already had one of the most explosive offenses in the league and Stallworth may be the cherry on top, providing he can stay healthy.
Phil Savage continues to work his magic in Cleveland and after building a strong foundation of top young core players (Braylon Edwards, Joe Thomas, Eric Steinbach, Kamerion Wimbley, Eric Wright, Brady Quinn, etc.) the past few years he has used this offseason to patch holes and really prepare his franchise to take things to the next level. Not only are the Browns a force to be reckoned with in the AFC North but they could be one of the best teams in the AFC, period.
This site is in no way affiliated with the National Football League (NFL) or the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). All logos and images depicted herein are the property of their respective teams and may not be reproduced without written consent. This website is an unofficial and independently operated source of news and information not affiliated with any school or team.
Jake Long is obviously the cream of the crop this year and Ryan Clady, Jeff Otah and Chris Williams all seem like mortal locks for the Top 20 overall as well but in my opinion Gosder Cherilus is a legit first round pick and after that early run on tackles he will likely be targeted by a number of teams in the bottom third of round one. One of the reasons Cherilus isn't getting a lot of ink is because he simply did not have a great senior season and even his most ardent supporters would concede that fact. However, it's important to note that Cherilus was playing out of position at left tackle in 2007 and if you go back and look at the film from early in his career you would see a totally different player. Cherilus is a right tackle, plain and simple, so teams looking for someone to protect the blind-side need not apply. There is nothing wrong with that though and while he'll never be Jon Ogden or Walter Jones he can be a Jon Runyan or Willie Anderson type and there are plenty of teams who would've loved to have those guys on their rosters for the last decade. At over 6-6 and 314 lbs. Cherilus is a mountain of a man and he's a much better athlete than he is given credit for. In fact, his struggles at left tackle were primarily a product of mental issues rather than a physical inability to handle the position. If you couldn't tell by now I am firmly on the Cherilus bandwagon and I wouldn't be at all surprised if he ended up having a better pro career than some of the guys who are drafted before him, namely Otah and Williams. In my mind Gosder is a future Pro Bowl right tackle in the NFL and is going to be the type that you plug into your starting lineup and feel good about it for the next ten years or so. Cherilus isn't flashy or the type of rare athletic specimen that you normally associate with first round tackles but he is just a very good football player and is going to make some team awfully happy. Mark it down: Gosder Cherilus will be a big steal for someone in late round one.
I basically have it down to either DeSean Jackson or Limas Sweed but depending on the day of the week they take turns at the top spot in my mind. I guess I don't feel too bad because everyone else seems to be having the same problem. In fact, I'll bet if you ask five different people who their top five wideouts are you just might get five different answers, with Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas also in the mix to be the first guys at their position off the board. As I write this I am leaning toward bumping Jackson back up to #1 due in large part to my belief that he may be the top playmaker in this entire draft, regardless of position. I do have concerns about what his ultimate upside is going to be but even though I don't see him as a #1 wideout in the NFL I think he can be a great #2 or #3 and also one of the best return specialists in the league. On the other hand Sweed does have the potential to be that true #1 target and at 6-4 and 215 lbs. with 4.50 speed he is in many ways the prototype and as an added bonus he also has excellent intangibles so you won't have to deal with the typical prima donna act we often see from the likes of Terrell Owens and Chad Johnson. If not for a wrist injury that prematurely ended his senior season I firmly believe Sweed would have been in the mix to be a Top 10 overall pick. The one guy who has the best shot at challenging Jackson and Sweed for my top ranking is Devin Thomas and he might have more upside than any other receiver in this draft but there isn't much of a track record there with him which is worrisome. Now you're probably wondering where Malcolm Kelly is but even though he is probably the top rated wideout on more boards than anyone else I have some questions about him, namely his health and ability to separate, so at this point I would venture to say that he will end up in that 3-5 range in my rankings. Luckily I still have about a month to make a final decision but unlike last year when Calvin Johnson was the easily the top wide receiver prospect there isn't a clear-cut #1 this time around and since every team might have their board stacked differently that could lead to some Draft Day surprises. Right now Jackson, Sweed, Kelly and Thomas all have a legitimate shot at being the first receiver chosen and there are very few, if any, other positions about which you can say that this late in the process. So I guess for me and many others the battle will rage on.
One player who I think could be in high demand on Draft Day is USC defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis and I definitely feel there are a few teams who would at least consider making a move to bring him into the fold. Ellis is clearly the #2 guy at his position behind Glenn Dorsey and a legitimate Top 10 pick but even though he is obviously very talented the reason he will likely be so coveted is because there is such a huge drop-off after him. In fact, there is a good chance that there won't be another defensive tackle chosen in round one after Dorsey and Ellis and you better believe there are more than two teams who have glaring holes at that position.
The real news coming out of this event was probably who was (and perhaps more importantly who was not) there. Mike Reiss of the Boston Globe was actually kind enough to put together a complete list of the NFL personnel types who were 
•
After winning just four games and finishing in the cellar of their division in 2006 the Cleveland Browns were one of the NFL's biggest surprises last year, winning ten games and just narrowly missing out on a playoff berth. However, it's one thing to have a single good season and another entirely to build on that success and take the next step. With that said General Manager Phil Savage has built this organization the right way and his string of outstanding personnel moves are about to begin paying off, with the Browns now on the verge of becoming a legitimate power for many years to come. This offseason just might put them over the top.