He threw about half of his passes to WRs on screens. He threw most of his other passes within 10 yards of the LOS. He never really went deep.

Now this is just one game, and I haven't really paid a whole lot of attention to him, so it could just be that it is one game, but I'm not terribly overwhelmed by him. I don't see anything that really stand out about him.

i watched him a few times. he completely fascinated me in the Missouri game. he was throwing the ball all over the field, he was running when nothing was open and completely eviscerated their defense. and yes, he was throwing downfield.

he looked like a 6'8" Steve Young.

the next time I saw him was Oregon and he was doing all the checkdown nonsense, they weren't rolling him out and he completed folded with any little sense of pressure.

i saw the AZ game too and he was completely up and down in that one. he'd make some nice throws and then be completely off the mark. felt like I was watching DA (and all they did was throw. he must have finished with 70 attempts or so).

-------------

if we draft him in the 6th round, then I wouldn't mind. he definitely has some intriguing talent. but, he needed to go back for another year and refine his skills. a shame that RichRod ended up there and basically played that hand for him.

j/c Matt Barkley throws about a bajillion screens a game at USC too.

And Luck primarily runs nothing but a jumbo package that they mostly run out of.

I thought Osweiler's accuracy was pretty good...he was 25/32 for 223 yds and 2 tds...Arizona State whipped USC 48 to 22.

Some mentioned it, but I will say it again, the QB is not calling the plays. I would be surprised if he is not taken before the 4th round begins. He has climbed a bunch on most draft boards.

Comp/Att 326/516
TD/INT 26/13
YDS 4036
Rating 140.5
Comp% 63.2

Sounds like they are system QB's.

Maybe .... were Leinart and Sanchez?

Crap. the Dolphins won their coin flip. At least the Seahawks lost theirs.

Draft Order:

1) IND
2) STL
3) MIN
4) CLE
5) TB
6) WAS
7) JAX
8) MIA
9) CAR
10) BUF
11) KC
12) SEA

http://espn.go.com/nfl/draft2012/story/_/id/7607750/teams-talk-st-louis-rams-no-2-pick-sources-say

Meanwhile, the order of four other first-round picks were determined Friday via two coin tosses.

The Dolphins will draft eighth. The Carolina Panthers lost and will draft ninth.

In the second coin toss, the Kansas City Chiefs won and will draft 11th. Seattle lost and will draft 12th.

jc

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/draft-outlook-es4aae2-140451293.html

Must read and when you read the comments about the "next level players" outside the top 20, you'll know why I don't like the value of our 22 and 37 all that much....I really want us to move 1 of those picks for a future 1st and a mid rounder in this draft...some of my favs in that range get good reviews though (Sanu, Curry and Gilmore....interesting tidbit on Gilmore btw)



THE NEXT LEVEL (30)

Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor: 5-10, 196. Four-year starter. "Fast, explosive," one scout said. "He's a dynamic guy with the ball in his hands. More explosive than Greg Jennings. Not as fluid." Finished with 302 catches for 4,004 (13.3) and 30 TDs.

Rueben Randle*, WR, Louisiana State: 6-3, 210. Deep threat on the weak side. "He didn't have Matt Flynn or JaMarcus Russell throwing to him," one scout said. "He had Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee. He's a very good athlete trapped in a very poor passing attack." Finished with just 97 catches for 1,634 (16.8) and 13 TDs. "Huge upside," another scout said. "He really came on this year. He's a faster guy."

Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame: 6-3, 220. "He's a tall guy and makes plays," one scout said. "He won't run extremely well." Four-year starter with 271 catches for 3,686 (13.6) and 37 TDs. Involved in three alcohol-related incidents that worries some teams. "He drank, he got popped and he's remorseful now," another scout said. "I don't think it will happen again. When you talk to him you like the kid."

Brian Quick, WR, Appalachian State: 6-3½, 220. Three-year starter with 202 catches for 3,418 (16.9) and 31 TDs. "He made a lot of big-time catches for App State," one scout said. "He's a big guy who will catch. There's only one problem I have. When he played against Florida and Georgia he didn't do anything." Also scored just 8 on the Wonderlic test.

Alshon Jeffery*, WR, South Carolina: 6-3, 216. Highly effective in the red zone. "Excellent hands and just an outstanding athlete," one scout said. "Big and physical. He will be a definite No. 2 and he has No. 1 potential." Finished with 183 catches for 3,042 (16.6) and 23 TDs. "He plays the game really hard, but he doesn't do anything else hard," another scout said. "He thinks he's entitled. I don't think he trains well."

Mohamed Sanu*, WR, Rutgers: 6-2, 211. Versatile receiver who plays faster than he times. Showed up at the combine 15 pounds lighter than expected, pleasing some scouts. "Great hands," one scout said. "He's a strong run after the catch guy. He will run fast enough." Three-year starter with 210 catches for 2,263 (10.8) and 12 TDs.

Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford: 6-6, 247. Probably the best of a weak class of tight ends. "He's Todd Heap," one scout said. "He will run 4.51. He's awesome. He could go late first or early second. He has a history of back issues that must be checked." Four-year player with 96 catches for 1,543 (16.1) and 18 TDs. "More of an athlete," another scout said. "Not a blocker. Straight line. Got great hands. He wasn't even the best (tight end) on their team."

Jonathan Martin*, T, Stanford: 6-5, 312. Comparable athletically to Matt Kalil and Riley Reiff, according to one scout. "Smart and competitive," the scout said. "Definitely has to get stronger. The guy from USC (Nick Perry) wore him out. That's what bothers me." Three-year starter at LT in a pro offense. "He's a project," another scout said. "He's big and has some short-area athletic ability. But he's not strong, not tough, doesn't give very good effort. He gets beat a lot."

Bobby Massie*, T, Mississippi: 6-6, 316. Surprised some teams by declaring a year early. "Nobody went to Ole Miss to watch Bobby Massie this year," one scout said. "Nobody knows who he is, but he's going to rise up the charts. He played right tackle there but he has good feet and could end up being a left tackle." Started 29 of 37 games. "Massie isn't as physical as Derek Sherrod, but he's a pretty good pass blocker," another scout said. "There's something missing. He's not a killer. That bothers me a little bit, but I do like his ability."

Mike Adams, T, Ohio State: 6-7, 323. Played just nine games his first two seasons because of injuries and then sat out first five games of 2011 on an NCAA suspension. "He has first-round ability, but I don't trust him," one scout said. "He's got talent and is immense, but he really isn't strong." Gargantuan hands (11 inches). "He played left tackle and can be a right tackle," another scout said. "He actually can play guard. He's got upside." Scouts have major reservations about his character.

Amini Silatolu, G, Midwestern State: 6-4, 311. Junior-college player who ended up having to play two years at Division II Midwestern State, located in Wichita Falls, Texas. "He's one of the most intriguing guys at the position," one scout said. "Dominating at his level. Talented. Big. Flexible." Compared by one scout to Larry Allen, who played at Sonoma State (Calif.) before building a Hall of Fame career for Dallas. "Yeah, but I wouldn't say he's as physical as Larry Allen was," the scout said. "Probably not the brightest bulb on the tree, but he's a pretty good player. Now he's blocking Division II guys, not Division I guys. And then he was supposed to play in the Senior Bowl but didn't." Quiet, withdrawn personality.

Cordy Glenn, G-T, Georgia: 6-5½, 345. Four-year starter. "He's not a left tackle," one scout said. "But he may be the first guard to go. If you watch him at guard, once guys get on him they don't get off. Inside, he does have feet." Doesn't always play hard. "I think he can play tackle, but there is no way I'd draft him in the first or second round," another scout said. "He has ability but he's got to watch his weight. He's got talent, but in the Senior Bowl I thought he looked bad at guard. He waist-bends."

Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M: 6-4, 221. Played under coaches Mike Sherman and Tom Rossley, starting 25 of 49 games after being redshirted as a freshman. "He's got some flashes of brilliance," said one scout. "His arm is average. He made stupid decisions in critical situations that hurt him." Aggies blew leads in all six defeats this season and then the coaches were fired. "He killed himself with all those late-game collapses," another scout said. "A lot of it wasn't his fault, but you want him to win those games to cement himself. But he's got ability."

David Wilson*, RB, Virginia Tech: 5-10, 206. Three-year player with just 16 starts in 40 games. "He's a tough, downhill guy who weighs 200 pounds," one scout said. "He can catch. He's not afraid to block, but who's he going to block? I just worry about his size and durability. He's had the pleasure of playing in back of two other backs last year so he didn't get beat up all the time." Rushed for 953 yards in his first two seasons before exploding for 1,709 in 2011.

Whitney Mercilus*, DE, Illinois: 6-4, 261. Didn't become a starter until 2011 and then broke out with 16 sacks. "He's a teaser," one scout said. "I don't know why he came out. He looks like a 4-3 DE to me. He doesn't do anything special." Trying to provide for his Haitian immigrant parents. "I think there's a degree of stiffness that will limit him," another scout said. "He's got the measurables and production. I just want to see him move like an athlete."

Nick Perry*, DE, Southern California: 6-3, 271. Played with his hand down for the Trojans unlike Clay Matthews, who almost always played standing up. Some scouts think he can play LB and others don't. "He's an undersized 4-3 DE," one scout said. "He's not as powerful as Trent Cole. He tries to finesse his way around guys." Two-year starter with 21½ sacks. "He wore out Stanford's junior left tackle (Jonathan Martin)," another scout said. "He and Clay Matthews didn't play the same way. He's tall and linear built. Yeah, he can rush the passer."

Jared Crick, DE, Nebraska: 6-4, 279. Three-year starter who was lost for the season in Game 5 last fall with a torn pectoral muscle. "All about football," one scout said. "War daddy. Tough guy. Good enough athlete to play 5-technique (3-4 DE). Strong hands. Plays with pride. He's got some stiffness, but he's got enough flexibility to squeeze and control and go laterally and make plays." Finished with 20 sacks. "He does have a lot of sacks but he got a lot of them when (Ndamukong) Suh was there," another scout said. "He does play hard, I'll tell you what. This guy chases the ball all the time."

Vinny Curry, DE-OLB, Marshall: 6-3, 266.Three-year starter with 26½ sacks. "Very, very talented football player," one scout said. "He may have a chance to stand up and be an outside linebacker. He's tough. The guy plays hard." Moved around rather well at the Senior Bowl when the coaches gave him a chance to play standing up.

Jerel Worthy*, DT, Michigan State: 6-2, 308. Often compared to DT Phil Taylor, who went 21st to Cleveland last year and had a successful rookie season. "He's got a ton of ability," one scout said. "He could be first round without any question. You just worry about guys that have ability and play lazy for most of their career. Because when they make money they're usually not very good. He's that kind of guy." Three-year starter with 12 sacks. "I didn't want to like the guy," another scout said. "But you know what? Guy's a pretty good player. He needs to be more consistent, but when he turns it up he can rush the passer."

Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson: 6-2, 314. Three-year starter with 4½ sacks. "Short and square," one scout said. "Fits the 4-3 as a DT. I thought he was OK, not great. Kind of a meat and potatoes interior player." Hails from a program that seems to worry a lot of personnel people. "Those Clemson guys don't translate to the NFL very good," another scout said. "They just don't play well in the NFL."

Kendall Reyes, DT, Connecticut: 6-4, 299. Probably best-suited to play 3-technique in a 4-3. Just doesn't seem stout enough to resist the run as a 3-4 DE. "He's more of a run-around guy," one scout said. "He's a better athlete than Brandon Thompson, but Thompson is stronger. He's got great ability, but he's soft. He can't fight through adversity. When (expletive) gets tough, he can't finish it out." Started 41 of 49 games, finishing with 11½ sacks. "He's such an underachiever," another scout said. "He doesn't play up to his ability, but it's there. I think he gets overdrafted because of it."

Alameda Ta'amu, NT, Washington: 6-2½, 348. Made himself a lot of money with a terrific week at the Senior Bowl. "You can't single-block him," one scout said. "He's athletic for his size." Started 42 of 50 games, finishing with 7½ sacks. "He's very much like Paul Soliai of the Dolphins," another scout said. "He is a true space-eater. He didn't play like that (the Senior Bowl) all year. He did have a good Senior Bowl, he really did. He's got a big (expletive) and great big thick thighs on him."

Andre Branch, OLB, Clemson: 6-4, 259. Displayed major improvement as a senior when he posted 10½ of his 17½ sacks. "He's another teaser," one scout said. "He's got ability. But he's a lot of fluff is what I think." Seems capable of playing in 3-4 or 4-3 schemes. "Clemson always (expletive) me up," another scout said. "I don't trust those guys there."

Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina: 6-1, 244. Has run 40 yards in 4.45 seconds, making him the speediest LB in the draft. "Unbelievably talented player," one scout said. "Can run like the wind. Underachiever. Those guys shut it down this year. Those guys are treated with kid gloves down there." Didn't become a full-time starter until 2011 when he had 13½ tackles for loss, 5½ sacks and three interceptions. "In the Senior Bowl he was physical," another scout said. "That's the first time I ever saw that. He (usually) runs around blocks."

Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama: 5-10, 191. Three-year starter at Florida (eight interceptions) before being kicked out of school for drug and other transgressions. "It's pretty hard to get kicked out of Florida," one scout said. "That should be your first red flag. Then your second should be that he got kicked out of a game at North Alabama. Your third red flag, he's not hanging out with good people." Surfaced at North Alabama, where coach Terry Bowden collects transfers. "He's a very smooth athlete," another scout said. "Easy first round if he stays at Florida and does what he's supposed to do. You're drafting an Asante Samuel type that can catch the ball, play off coverage, smooth and fluid athlete. He hasn't proved much."

Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska: 5-10, 203. "He can press and play off," one scout said. "He needs to get a little stronger. He plays the game fast. He's got consistent speed. He doesn't hand-eye track like athletes do." Three-year starter with only four interceptions. "He can do everything, but he's short," another scout said. "I have a hard time with that."

Stephon Gilmore*, CB, South Carolina: 6-1, 195. Started all 39 games of his three-year career, intercepting eight passes. "He looks good," one scout said. "Wish he was a little better tackler. I got a few questions about him, but I'd take him over Jenkins without even a blink." Mentored by Sheldon Brown, a cornerback for Philadelphia and Cleveland. "Good size, very good athlete and can cover," another scout said. "He didn't have a great year this year, but he's a definite second if not first round."

Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia: 6-0, 187. His father, Frank, was a rugged little press CB for the Browns for nine years. "Other than Claiborne he's probably the smartest of all of them as far as instincts and awareness," one scout said. "I scouted his dad. He could possibly go first round. Depends how he runs." Played extensively for four seasons and intercepted 13 passes. "He's a consummate professional," another scout said. "He's an ideal Cover 2 corner. He kind of plays the game like his dad did. Speed, or lack thereof, will be his issue."

Cliff Harris*, CB, ex-Oregon: 5-10, 180. Kicked off the team in early December after being cited for marijuana possession. He already had been suspended at the time of his arrest. "He's at the combine and he will run 4.4," one scout said. "He may have the best ball-tracking skills of anybody in the draft. He's very gifted athletically. Very gifted punt returner. He's a very talented football player, but he's just freaking immature."

Harrison Smith, S, Notre Dame: 6-1½, 212. "He represents the leprechaun in the shiny gold helmet," one scout said. "His dad is a plastic surgeon. He's pretty good." Started mostly at LB for two years before starting the final two years at safety. "He's tough and very smart," another scout said. "He will be a little limited in some coverages. Late third round at best."

I agree with much of what is in here but there are things that are just flat out wrong. Dont know which scouts he has been talking to but I bet some were former browns scouts because they suck.

He wouldnt take Cordy Glenn in the first or 2nd round.

Kenny Wright not as fluid as Greg Jennings?

Jonathon Martin is a project?

Mike Adams as a guard? The guy can't get low enough in his stance to be a guard, I mean thats simple stuff, they should know. Hell, I dont think he can play RT.

I dont see Curry as a 3-4 OLB, he lacks the hips to play in space.

Tannehill has an average arm? He has a better arm than Luck and RG3.

Dennard is one of the stronger dbs in this draft, no idea what he was talking about.

Jonathan Martin isn't a project. He doesn't have enough potential to be a project.

And I love Vinny Curry in a 3-4. He had one of the best 3-cones among all defensive ends. Really fluid player.

WE will just have to agree to disagree but I will say this, I thought most of the higher rated OL really didnt help themselves at the combines. I thought Martin, Decastro, Mike Adams and Reiff really didn't do much to impress and seperate themselves from the mid level guys. They hurt themselves.

I thought Glenn and Kalil looked like the cream of the first round OL crop.

BTW believe we had a sig bet even though we never settled on a sig. :P

Hey what do you think about the kid from Cal Swartz. I am a huge fan for the RT only prospect?

I don't know who thinks that "good footwork" would be Bobbie Massie's big selling point -- there was a reason he was an RT at Ole Miss, and it's because his hips are really stiff....great recognition, good leader on the line --- but really really stiff.

Also agreed on Jonathan Martin, I still have him as a 10-15 guy and would be very happy if he was around at 22.

Mourg, there's always "1 scout" who wouldn't select a 1st round player in the first 3 rounds...I mean, I wouldn't draft J.Jenkins or Adams in the top 100 too...all it takes is 1 team with a pressing need that just sees the talent and "potential"

My point with this list was that this class is really weak for "day 1"-ready players....people around here will be disappointed if they think they can get players at Taylor and Sheard level at #22 and #37...there are some, sure but this class is full of underachievers with "potential" and little production as soon as late 1st, that's alarming

Adams and Glenn should be top 10 picks with their talents...but aren't for a reason, Reiff and Martin aren't more talented..in fact they're less talented but just played better and, more importantly for an OL, they were more consistent....guys like Martin and Reiff normally are your late 1st/2nd rounders: overachieving, consistent but with limited ceiling....in this draft they go higher because there aren't enough "sure thing" 1st rounders

Glenn IS over-weight and probably reminds scouts of M.Jean-Gilles, who I think also played at Georgia, was atheltic for his weight etc, was a top 50 pick by the Eagles and who totally flopped...this guy played close to 400 pounds and now barely got it under 350 for his big payday...would you trust this guy millions of dollars and hope he stays in shape?

Jenkins, Z.Brown, Floyd, Adams etc...this class is so deep with underachievers or character red flags, who "should" be better but simply weren't...and it propelled guys like Kuechly (Laurianitis clone) or K.Wright (a slot guy/2nd WR...when were D.Jackson or Wallace drafted?) into the top 15-20, who normally are late 1st to 2nd rounders and THEN after the top 50 the flyers on those underachievers start....there's just a lack of 10 to 20 solid 1st rounders in this draft imho and a big pool of "meh", "risk" or developmental talent that really starts late 1st and goes well into the 4th

If this was last year's draft I would be much more reluctant to throw all those picks at the Rams for a QB, but this year I just don't see the "normal" value of picks 22 and 37...I really want to trade out of them in some way, maybe keep 1 but the other I'd either use to go get a QB or just punt into next year and hope for more value

I do this draft process for almost 10 years now and this really is shaping up as a weak class at the top...it almost reminds me of the Edwards-class...this class is MUCH better in the top 5-10, but outside of it, they're similar

Strange thing is, I really like a lot of players in this draft but most aren't day 1 ready and most are mid to late round guys...while this draft lacks at the top, it is fairly deep in the middle to late rounds...it'a good draft to have multiple mid/late rounders and comp picks, there's the value of this draft imho

I think most teams will rate tier 1 with only 4 guys. Luck, RG3, Claiborne, Kalil

If you want one of those 4 it will be expensive.

i hope the Rams see it that way.

Fisher loves DTs and he can get Brockers or Poe easy enough at 6. They have holes everywhere.

The rams need a left tackle. They are going to get Bradford killed without upgrading that o-line. They really need to concider this with any thoughts of moving down. Can they get the second best left tackle at 6, and is he worth that pick? Kalil appears to be the real deal for a left tackle, and we all know how hard it is to find one. I think the vikes will be very happy to take Kalil at #3 to protect Ponder. When it all shakes down, i would not be surprised to see the rams stand at 2, and take the left tackle that they need to protect their franchise QB.

If the rams move to 6, i think its a given that Kalil and Claiborne are gone.
it would go Luck, RGIII, Kalil -1,2,3. Claiborne to browns or bucs. Richardson would be in play for browns or bucs. Blackmon could go either spot as well.

So yeah, in a worse case trade down scenario the rams are left with Richardson, a RB they really don't need. Or stretch for the next left tackle. That potential scenario would not make them happy.

Terrible discussion floating around the Gym this morning was Manning and Wayne to
Arizona and Kolb to the Browns

blech.

The cynic in me has a bad feeling that's exactly what's going to happen.

no way in heck that happens..

Kolb is garbage.. Heckert sure should be able to see that at this point. A team gets a guy and in just one year wants to get rid of him? No thanks.

Kolb is a Heckert guy !

Code:

---

SEASON	TEAM	GP	 CMP	ATT	CMP%	YDS	AVG	TD	LNG	INT	FUM	RAT
2007	PHI	1	0	0	0.0	0	0.00	0	0	0	1	0.0
2008	PHI	6	17	34	50.0	144	4.24	0	16	4	0	21.8
2009	PHI	5	62	96	64.6	741	7.72	4	71	3	1	88.9
2010	PHI	7	115	189	60.8	1,197	6.33	7	83	7	5	76.1

---

meh. kinda looks like Colt's numbers.

Numbers don't mean squat... they won games with him.

In fact, didn't they make the playoffs at least one year when he had to step in and play - I'm thinking of the year that they were down to their 3rd string QB and just kept on rolling without missing a beat.

including his AZ numbers because as much as people like to say he was garbage, he really wasn't any better/worse for AZ than he was for Philly.

Code:

---

 SEASON	TEAM	GP	 CMP	ATT	CMP%	YDS	AVG	TD	LNG	INT	FUM	RAT
 2011   Arizona  9       146    253     57.7    1955    7.7      9       73      8        8     81.1 

---

http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/gamelog/_/id/10480/kevin-kolb

2010: He was 3-4
2009: He was 2-1, beating Carolina (8-8) and KC (4-12). Eagles went 11-5.
2008: He was 0-1 in games he attempted more than 6 passes, losing 36-7 to the Ravens, passing 10-23.

What were all these games he was winning?

games started in Philly: 3-4 record
games started in AZ: 3-6 record

Is it Kolbs fault that the AZ defense didn't start playing well until the 2nd half of the year? Skelton was terrible for them, but Patterson had figured things out (he was getting creamed early on and was very good late) along with their front 7 getting much better pressure.

Not sure... I guess that maybe I'm thinking of someone else??

I believe Heckert drafted him in Phily , no ?

What was the sig bet? I don't remember this at all.

I like Schwartz. Could be a good pick in the 2nd or 3rd as a right tackle.

Maybe... but it'd have to have been when he was there in '06, not '09.

There was one year that McNabb got hurt and the 2nd stringer stepped in (briefly) and did well, but then HE went down. So the third stringer came in and HE did well... they just kept rolling and winning and went to the playoffs.

pretty sure you are talking about 2006

McNabb sort of struggled, then Garcia took off like a rocket, AJ Feeley never started a game but put up really good numbers in the 2 games he got in.

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/phi/2006.htm

it was who would be drafted first Tannehill or Bufict :P

jc

Interesting....

http://www.draftinsider.net/blog/?p=6198

Post Combine Top 33

The combines are done and now we moves into pro-days. NFL draft boards are taking shape. So who are to top 33 players gracing draft boards. We’ve gotten some insight from around the league and this is how it stacks up for teams.

1.Andrew Luck-QB-Stanford
2.Robert Griffin-QB-Baylor
3.Dontari Poe-NT-Memphis
4.Melvin Ingram-OLB-South Carolina
5.Trent Richardson-RB- Alabama
6. Matt Kalil-OT-USC

7-Justin Blackmon-WR-Oklahoma State
8.Morris Claiborne-CB-LSU
9.Fletcher Cox-DT-Mississippi State
10.Quinton Coples-DE-North Carolina
11.David DeCastro-OG-Stanford
12.Dre’ Kirkpatrick-CB-Alabama
13.Michael Brockers-DT-LSU
14.Jonathan Martin-OT-Stanford
15.Michael Floyd-WR- Notre Dame
16.Cordy Glenn-OL-Georgia
17.Devon Still-DT- Penn State
18. Whitney Mercilus-DE- Illinois
19.Coby Fleener-TE- Stanford
20.Nick Perry-DE- USC
21.Luke Kuechly-LB- Boston College
22.Kevin Zeitler-OG- Wisconsin
23.Ryan Tannehill-QB- Texas A&M
24.Doug Martin-RB- Boise State
25.Jerel Worthy-DT- Michigan State
26.Bobby Wagner-LB- Utah State
27.Stephon Gilmore-CB- South Carolina
28.Kendall Wright-WR- Baylor
29.Dwayne Allen-TE- Clemson
30.Donta Hightower-LB- Alabama
31.Kendall Reyes-DT- UConn
32.Stephen Hill-WR- Georgia Tech
33.Riley Reiff-OG- Iowa

Notes



- Stanford has four players in the top 32.

- Courtney Upshaw and Mark Barron are not ranked in the top 32.

- Janoris Jenkins does not make the list.

- Reiterating what we posted from Indianapolis, more and more teams starting to grade Riley Reiff as a guard.

- This is not our list, rather a list from what a number of teams board(s) look like; don’t kill the messenger!!

Not a bad list -- a few comments:

I love Ingram, but think only 3-4 teams will have him rated that highly.

Poe is really really dangerous that high - I just don't see the production on the field.

Drafting off that list, either Claiborne/Reiff or Kalil/Tannehill or would make me ecstatic.

tough for me to argue with that list, except no Jenkins, but they do have Gilmore . I know JJ is your favorite, Django.

I don't know how he'd do there, but when I see Ingram standing around, he sure looks like a MLB/ILB to me.

Talk about going gaga over the Combine.



Matt Kalil @ # 6 ... Reiff a guard ... no JJ ... Poe @ 3

Thanks for the funnies DJ.

Tannehill at 23? One could only hope.

So they can sit him a year behind that bum Stafford.

I really don't get the JJ love....I guess that's why teams don't have him in the top 20 or even 1st round....the guy has multiple red flags...he got busted with drugs twice already, got into a fight...has 3 or 4 kids already from different women....even Florida dropped him...hello McFly? any GM who hands a guy who has shown so little discipline millions of dollars is asking for trouble imho....I know he has said all the right things and been pretty straightforward...but if I was his agent I would have told him the same...I think he knew all along that he messed up but regardlessly did so again...I would not make that investment

He is Pacman v2.0...so, no thanks

He will probably get picked late 1st because of the weak ceiling-players in this class...I just hope it isn't us

Multiple kids doesn't stop Cromartie from being one of the better CBs in the league...

I'd be more worried about the MULTIPLE drug thing...

If you get caught once? OK whatever, but if you KEEP doing it, then thats a problem...

He can't help us on the field if he's suspended...

Just to play devil's advocate....if Haden, who was a year or two ahead of Jenkins at Florida, couldn't mentor him there, how is he going to do it here??


Joe was one of the leaders on that Gator team.


I like Jenkins as a player. As a person he isn't all that swell. I think he has a big head and has a me before team mentality. I think I pass. I think he will be a problem and just as soon let it be someone elses.

It's to bad, the kid can flat out play. For his sake I hope I am wrong and he had matured and straightened out a bit.

Jenkins can flat out play.

He's one of the best smaller CBs I've seen in college football over the years.

He can ball.

Stakes are higher? Higher then having NOTHING with the chance to earn millions and STILL mess up time after time? He doesn't show ANY sign of self-discipline

You think a guy like that will work hard for the 4th and 5th million the day after he got 3mil signing bonus? He phones his old friends screams "I made it" and throws a party

He has undoubtedly top talent but he has the brains of a brick...no way I gamble multiple millions on this guy...if he falls past the 2nd round where he gets less money I'd think about it but whoever gives this guy millions of dollars betting not only to CHANGE his behaviour but also to BETTER it (it's the NFL after all, he gotta be a pro now)

It takes more than talent to play in this league...there are multiple examples for that by now

So? That makes him better? I don't care about the pot...it's about being dumb enough to get caught TWICE and managing to $%&@ women without even thinking of the consequences...and ALL THAT not once...he did it MULTIPLE times without EVER learning from the 1st mistake...he comes into the league as a marked player...he got himself kicked from Florida...how dumb or selfish do you have to be to accomplish that?

Whoever gives this guy millions of dollars is like Homer getting the electric shock yet again reaching for the donut... DOH !

DJ, your welcome to your opinion, but most people will chose their profession over their recreational choices when it comes to employment. Football or otherwise.

Sounds like Stephen Hill had a great pro day. They are projecting him late 1st round early 2nd.

Hill looks the part. Talking him up big time on NFL network's path to the draft. Gotta love those GT receivers.

Good stuff on tannehill as well. Casserly was praising him on how well he goes through his progressions but his negative was he didnt see the big time NFL throw like you see from Griffin and Luck. He also said he liked him better than Locker, Ponder, Dalton, Flacco and the kid from Tampa but he wasn't true top 10 talent but would be pushed into the top 10 due to position and upside.

Thanks for the info, Mourg. How do you think hill would do in our offense? He seems like a natural fit for the pats or maybe the giants in the bottom of the first. Or how about the Donks reuniting him with Thomas? I read on CBS that he's a real strong run blocker. I'm hoping Hill's ascent and Floyd's great 40 pushes wright down to our 22, where he's my number 1 target regardless of what we do at 4.

Hill's climb is a bit exagerated but I could see him going early 2nd. I think the 2nd round there we may have our choice of Hill, Alshon Jeffery, Sanu, Dwight Jones or go defense with a Vinny Curry.

I could see this kid in our offense but I would like to see him more aggressive and violent beating the press and really focus on being that power receiver running his routes with that power and precision. He is a good blocker, a lot like Braylon. Uses those long arms to wall off smaller dbs.

web page




Here it says academics and was close to home.


Also, out of HS he wasn't a super blue chip with unlimited offers, so with Tech being close to Lithonia, Ga.,maybe 20 miles....it was a natural choice.


He probably grew up a fan of the Rambling Wreck.

Can you imagine if he was a bigger! stronger! faster! version of Carlton Mitchell?!?

Man that would be SWEET!

Honestly I know nothing of this guy and didn't watch a single GT game.

I abstain.

jc

http://walterfootball.com/quarterbackpredictions2012.php

2012 Offseason Quarterback Predictions

Updated March 7, 2012
Follow me @walterfootball

It's another offseason, which means a number of teams will be searching for quarterbacks. Here are my predictions for how each quarterback-needy team will address the position this spring, in 2012 NFL Draft order (excluding the obvious Colts):

Cleveland Browns: Sign Matt Flynn
Everyone expects the Dolphins to sign Matt Flynn, and they very well could. Of course, Miami could agree to terms with Peyton Manning. And if they don't, what if they're too focused on courting Manning while Flynn is looking for a new home? And what if Joe Philbin doesn't even want Flynn as his quarterback?

If the Dolphins are set on pursuing Manning, Flynn could easily sign with the Browns. Mike Holmgren would love to bring in Flynn to run his West Coast offense. The Packer signal-caller is perfect for Holmgren's system.



Washington Redskins: Trade for Robert Griffin
I had Peyton Manning going to the Redskins in my previous update. Washington remains a strong possibility because of its cap room, but Manning may not want to play for someone like Daniel Snyder. The fact that he would have to battle his brother twice a year doesn't help matters.

If the Redskins swing and miss on Manning, there's no question that they'll become the favorites to trade up for Robert Griffin. Snyder will do everything in his power to secure a blue-chip quarterback prospect, and unlike the Browns, he won't be scared to part with a draft pick that could be relatively inconsequential in the long run.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Sign Josh Johnson
Josh Johnson has been linked to the 49ers because of the Jim Harbaugh connection. I believe Jacksonville is the favorite to sign the athletic, high-upside quarterback, however.

Greg Olson, the offensive coordinator for the Buccaneers last year, was recently hired to be the quarterbacks' coach for the Jaguars. Both Olson and Johnson love working with each other, and Olson will push for general manager Gene Smith to sign Josh Freeman's backup.

Olson will understandably want his own guy to compete with Blaine Gabbert. Gabbert showed no signs of becoming a legitimate starting quarterback in this league last year, so Jacksonville will need a fallback option just in case he doesn't improve.



Miami Dolphins: Draft Ryan Tannehill
I already discussed Flynn to Miami. He could reunite with his former coach, but the Dolphins seem set on pursuing Manning.

I don't think it'll be Manning. It very well could be, but there are two reasons why I think No. 18 will play elsewhere. First, Stephen Ross is the same as Daniel Snyder. He's an overzealous owner who will have trouble maintaining (or ever achieving) success because he does stupid things. Snyder signs old, washed-up players; Ross is more interested in surrounding himself with B-list celebrities and presenting the Dolphins as a show rather than a football team. Why would Manning want to play for Ross?

Second, Manning will have to battle Tom Brady twice per year as a member of the Dolphins. It'll be difficult for him to reach the playoffs under those circumstances.

As for Robert Griffin, I doubt the Rams would want to miss out on Justin Blackmon by moving down to No. 8. Jacksonville won't hesitate to snatch the Oklahoma State wideout off the board.

So, if Miami can't net Manning, Flynn or Griffin, it'll have to settle for Ryan Tannehill. Ross' B-list celebrity friends won't be too happy about that.

Kansas City Chiefs: Sign Chad Henne
The Chiefs aren't really in a position to do anything with the quarterback position this offseason. Scott Pioli will give Matt Cassel another year, as his options are very limited right now.

I do think Kansas City will sign Chad Henne to be a solid backup in the event of another Cassel injury. Brian Daboll, the team's current offensive coordinator, worked with Henne when the two were in Miami.

Seattle Seahawks: Draft QB on Day 2
Pete Carroll recently stated that Tarvaris Jackson will be the starting quarterback in 2012. But that doesn't mean that he won't spend a second-day pick on a quarterback.

But which one? Most of the prospects are in play. Ryan Tannehill is very talented, but Seattle will have to move up for him in the back end of the first round to get him. Carroll still has Pac-10/12 ties, so he will likely have inside information on Brock Osweiler and Nick Foles. Brandon Weeden had a great Senior Bowl week, so he's certainly an option in Round 2.

The current favorite is Kirk Cousins. He comes from a pro-style offense, and the Seahawks have shown interest in him. USC and Seahawks beat writer Scott Enyeart tweeted, "(Pete) Carroll has been evaluating Kirk Cousins since this summer at the Elite 11 camp in Malibu, where Kirk was a counselor."



Arizona Cardinals: Sign Peyton Manning
There are five reasons why I think the Cardinals are the favorites to sign Peyton Manning:

1. Larry Fitzgerald. Manning and Fitzgerald are friends, and the two of them have met during the offseason, presumably to talk about playing with each other. Manning has to love the prospect of airing it out to Fitzgerald every week.

2. Cap room. Arizona has about $22 million available, so it can sign Reggie Wayne (and perhaps Dallas Clark and Dwight Freeney if they're cut). Manning and Wayne come as a package, and the Cardinals could use a No. 2 receiver.

3. NFC West. Manning gets to avoid Tom Brady and his brother. Even better, he'll be part of a division that was won by Alex Smith last year.

4. Dome. All of the teams on this page, save for the Cardinals, play outdoors. Manning has enjoyed having a roof over his head for all of his home games throughout his career. Why change now?

5. Proven success. The Cardinals reached the Super Bowl with Kurt Warner. The coaching staff knows how to handle a veteran, Hall of Fame-bound quarterback. Manning might have this in mind when he's making this difficult decision.

New York Jets: Sign Jason Campbell
The Jets need some competition for Mark Sanchez. They've been linked to Jason Campbell for good reason. If Sanchez starts throwing multiple interceptions to 320-pound defensive linemen again, Rex Ryan will want to insert a quarterback with some experience. Campbell's not a great quarterback by any means, but he's solid enough to play the role of a game manager on a talented team.

This is Walter's new Browns mock:

1a CB Claiborn
1b DE Upshaw
2 WR Jeffery
3 RT Schwartz
4a RB Turbin
4b OLB Bradham
5 DT J.Howard

He has really nice prospects going behind DT Howard, like WR Jenkins, WR Hilton, RB Gray, G Nix, DE Bequette, OT Potter...goes to show that the 3rd to 5th is the value area of this draft...I would punt that #37 into a 1st in 2013 and mid rounder in this draft, as I think 1 of M.Jones/D.Jones/Hilton/JWright/Jenkins + 2013 1st rounder >>> #37 Jeffery....he got good value for the Browns though in his mock and I'd be ok with it, although there is no QB, because he has us signing Flynn

I would agree that if Philbin doesn't want Flynn, then buyer beware.

Except, we are talking about Peyton Manning. The best pedigree QB of this generation. It may even be a directive from the Miami owner (Ross). So, as the writer states, Flynn would only escape the Miami grasp if they either sign Peyton or if all of their energies are tied up with Peyton and he slips past them.

Sorry, No Logo. One of those times that I was so caught up in making a point that I didn't read your post completely.

no worries. i just found it funny

LOL, it does happen. Ive done it a couple times too.

Clubs are beginning to shy away from Jenkins because he did do poorly in interviews. While Jenkins has excellent talent, many are feeling he’s not worth the baggage. As most of you know he was dismissed from Florida because of a number of failed drug tests. He also has a number of children each from a different woman. The thought process is he is unaccountable and just doesn’t get it and maybe never will. It’s too bad because he has great talent. But that is all part of the process; finding out everything about a player, not just his football talent.

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/The-importance-of-Pro-Days.html

I agree he is a egghead...I was hoping getting dumped by Florida and having to go to South Alabama might have humbled and matured him a bit..the more I think about it he always seemed like a Pac Man Jones, thuggish type.

You hope people grow out of it, but apparently not in this case. It's a shame because he is as good a corner as any. He can play.....if he can keep from breaking team/league rules....

I think people are more intrigued because he went to Florida, and at the time they were pretty darn good as a team. He definitely had something to do with that, but him being in the league.. I dont think he will amount to much.

I'd stay far from him as possible.

No, that's just not true. He played great at Fla and played like a wild man at South Alabama....player of the year at that level I think.



He can play football. He just doesn't know how to act in society.

Sure...but problem with Jenkins is he is projected to go in the top 50, as early as mid/late 1st...of course I'd spend a day 3 flyer on him

He has the skill and a team desperate will take him late first early 2nd because, he does have talent. Detroit is his best shot to go in the first. He could slip out of the first easy enough especially with Boykin and Gilmore showing teams they are first round caliber talent. Also those bottom 1/3 teams are pretty much all going to go trench warriors.

After Detroit, his next best shot may be with the Browns at 37. Heckert is more inclined to give him a chance than most. A lot of teams didnt want Taylor and Sheard early because of off the field stuff.

Really, it kinda depends on where he goes.. The right coach and the right players around him may make the difference.. who knows..

I suspect that if he went to the Giants,, Coughlin would cause him to straighten up and fly right.. No question in my mind that Belichick would keep him on the straight and narrow,, both wouldn't hesitate to kick him to the curb....

I don't know what happened to Blount, but he also finished the year horribly. He had less than 25 yards in 4 of his last 5 games, and the 5th game was only 74 yards.

He had "efforts" last year of 15, 34, 34, 19, 21, 11, and 12 yards. In addition, he did not play in 2 other games. That accounts for 9 games out of 16.

He also looked rather ........ large last year.

I'll just state up front that he might NEVER get right with the world...

But I do think that he would stand a better chance if he went to an established organization with veteran leadership where he was just a small piece of the puzzle as opposed to going somewhere that he was a BMOC and in the spotlight from day 1..

Rest assured though, players like Ray Lewis and coaches like Belichick will work with you and help keep you straight.. but at the same time, they aren't going to be somebodys babysitter.. at least not for very long...

I'd take him at the bottom of the 2nd round....for us, the top of the 3rd round.....at that point the talent is worth the risk.

jc

Great read, I recommend....guy knows football and actually watches the tape....here's his take on the underclassmen....disagree on some specs, but always consider his evaluation:

http://footballdiner.com/ncaa2012underclassmen2.html

Thanks for the link DJ, like you I don't agree with some of his opinions, but he seems pretty knowledgeable and it's always good to hear other opinions.

Love his work:

Here's his SR Bowl recap:

http://footballdiner.com/ncaa2012seniorbowl.html

and then his detailed Bowl game reviews:

http://footballdiner.com/ncaa2011week15seniorprospect.html

http://footballdiner.com/ncaa2011week16seniorprospect.html

http://footballdiner.com/ncaa2011week17seniorprospect.html

Your name isn't Paul is it?

it's 5 $10mil 1 year deals essentially. and it's the going rate for an average or slightly below average QB. he'll sign somewhere near it (just above or just below)

Thank-you.

what if I'm the nincompoop analyst?

I've been touting Flynn the whole year. So, when he blew up vs. Detroit, I knew that he pushed himself into Schaub / Cassel territory as backup QBs who would be paid starting QB money. I looked at the most recent deals for QBs who were considered okay, but not great.

Fitzpatrick $59mil over 6 yrs w/ $24 mil guaranteed
Cassel $64mil over 6yrs w/ $28mil guaranteed
Kolb $65mil over 6 yrs w/ $12mil guaranteed

Other guys like Schaub (and your Carson example) signed too long ago. Things change quickly in the NFL and people are one-upping over each other. It stinks, but it's how it works.

oh, and the CNNSI thing doesn't account for signing bonus'. So, Kolb only made $900K last year. Except for that little $10mil signing bonus he also received.

I would suspect that roster bonus' are not included on that either and it may not be adjusted for easily attained performance bonus'.

Not that anyone on here is going to care because he's a short, slow receiver who can't get separation but Justin Blackmon clocked a 4.46 at his pro day today.

He's looking better and better at #4.

As much of a man crush as I have on him, my biggest concern isn't his size or speed, it's his head. Is he going to be able to handle it if he's not getting the ball a lot. Is he going to be willing to block when needed?

Or against Arizona.

Or last year when he torched amukamara.

OKST Pro day coverage is supposed to be on 5pm NFL total access today.

Watch the first play v AZ. Completely wipes the corner out of the play for a big run.

I guess I can understand height concerns. I'm assuming you may think he'd play too light and get jammed too easily?

Speed wise, I know people have said he doesn't have top shelf speed, but I don't remember seeing him get caught from behind. Also, I remember him being a very physical WR. I like the thought of him and Little punishing guys.

I agree that he physically overpowered college players at times. But he is not going to be playing college players anymore.

I agree. But, he's not a weakling either. I think he'll be able to hold his own when it comes to getting jammed, etc. But, that's my unbelievably uneducated opinion.

If I am drafting a wide receiver with the fourth pick I want to be sure that guy is a Calvin Johnson type freak. I don't think Blackmon is that. I can see why some people (like yourself) would want to draft him though.

Is Levy Adcock taking place in the OK St pro day?

Did he grow two inches?

man, i really hope you were talking about Blackmon.

Impressive pro day helps quarterback Brandon Weeden
Posted by Michael David Smith on March 9, 2012, 6:26 PM EST

Brandon Weeden AP

The reviews are in on the pro day performance from Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden, and observers said he looked good.

NFL Network’s Mike Mayock lists Weeden as his No. 4 quarterback in this year’s draft, behind Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III and Ryan Tannehill. Weeden isn’t as good an athlete as any of those quarterbacks, but he showed good enough measurables that his athleticism isn’t a concern.

“I’m guessing he’s going to go in the second round,” Mayock said. “He ran a 4.9 40, he did all the shuttles, he did all the jumps, he’s more athletic than people thought he was.”

Also not a concern is Weeden’s arm: He had good passing numbers at Oklahoma State and threw well today.

“He made every throw you can make,” Mayock said. “The ones I wanted to see were outside the numbers. I know he can drive it inside the numbers, I know he can throw the seam, the deep in cuts — he showed me that in the game. What I saw today was the ability to drive it outside the numbers. . . . He showed every throw, he made every throw, and it was really impressive.”

What is a concern is age: Weeden is 28, having played five years of minor league baseball before committing himself to college football, and NFL teams wonder how many good years they’ll get out of him. He’s not a quarterback to draft as a long-term project, he’s a quarterback to draft if a team wants a rookie who’s capable of starting in Week One.

Peter King quoted one general manager comparing Weeden to Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton as someone who’s able to learn an NFL offense quickly and start as a rookie. If Weeden is that kind of player, he’ll be a good deal for some team — even if he is two months older than Aaron Rodgers.

web page

Maybe it is one of those fast tracks like Miami used to have that was on a downhill slop and only 39 meters lol.

Post deleted by Mourgrym

go back about 6 posts...

did you just see the mark sanchez deal?

NRTU....

I have ESPN on in the background and noticed that LaVonte David is now the #19 player overall on Mel Kiper's Big Board.

The media is beginning to catch up.

first Criner, now David? say it ain't so.

Since Tom is/was trying to trade for a RB I'm guessing they don't want to take Richardson at 4. No WR in FA so far, Tried to get a QB, That spells Tannehill or Blackmon to me. I'd bet Blackmon.

Or a CB. Remember Holmgren's admonition to the press .....

You all won't be too upset if we go defesne at #4, will you? (or words to that effect)

Yea,, Maybe.. but unless he pulls a WR we never heard of out of his hat or tries to get one later in the draft, I just don't think so. He HAS to know their is no way in heckard we go into this season without a MAJOR upgrade at that position. Maybe try to trade back and take a Floyd even but with the prices we see for FA WR's I think the "value" is there at 4 to take a Blackmon.

If we do go Tannehill at 4, it will be interesting to see how they go about finishing off the draft.

22. If Cordy Glenn is off the boards, BPA imho will be a corner in Kirkpatrick, Jefferies or Stephon Gilmore

37. Sanu or Jeffery or DE in Curry or Branch I think most teams are gonna run on OL and DL

We could see some real fine talent falling into late 2nd early 3rd.


3rd

I honestly would be shocked if we go WR at 4. I also would be shocked if we go with Tannehill at 4, because he is such a huge project. I would take Richardson, but we could well go Claiborne.

Tannehill, Gilmore, Sanu is about my worst (realistic) nightmare when it comes to this draft.

First two guys would be big reaches IMO and Sanu isn't the fit that I'd like us to add.

edit* make that Tannehill, Randle, Branch would be my worst realistic scenario.

Much rather see Claiborne first then K Wright second. Take care of those positions with top guys.

37 I think could be tough to fill the DE spot. I don't know what to make of Chandler Jones, guy had no production in college. I haven't gotten to watch him, though. Curry might be a safer pick but he's not a special athlete. I don't like Branch. Those Clemson guys don't tend to work out and he didn't impress me vs. Florida St at RE or LE.

Claiborne
K Wright
Curry

Blackmon
Mercilus
Boykin? Hosley? CB is a tough position to fill at 37. I don't like Gilmore, L Johnson, Minnefield, Robinson, or Bentley. Maybe at 37 I take a LB (David or Wagner) then double up on CBs later (Boykin or Hosley in 3rd, Brooks in 5th).

must have been that big bowl game that Arkansas played last weekend

Disappointing performance by Minnifield the story at Virginia Pro Day

By Rob Rang | The Sports Xchange/CBSSports.com



Representatives of all 32 NFL teams were on hand to see 17 former Cavalier football players work out Thursday at Virginia's Pro Day.

Pass rusher Cam Johnson enjoyed a strong workout and was asked to do drills as a linebacker and defensive lineman, according to a league source on the scene. The 6-3, 268 pounder elected not to run the 40-yard dash again after timing between 4.75-4.82 at the Combine. He did however, participate in the sixty yard shuttle and also elected to do the vertical and broad jumps again. Johnson was actually a half inch shorter Thursday in the vertical than he was in Indianapolis (35") but made a significant improvement in his broad jump, going from 8'09" at the Combine to 9'07" Thursday. Johnson also participated in the bench press after not doing this at the Combine due to a pectoral strain. He lifted the bar 16 times Tuesday.

According to the source, Johnson showed good overall athleticism in linebacker and defensive line drills, reinforcing the notion that teams operating out of a 3-4 defense will certainly be keeping tabs on the former UVA standout. Johnson is currently NFLDraftScout.com's No. 10 defensive end prospect for 2012. His versatility and experience having played both end in current head coach Mike London's 4-3 alignment as well as rush linebacker in former head coach Al Groh's 3-4 scheme is intriguing.

"I believe I have versatility and I think teams are looking for," Johnson told the official UVA athletic website following his workout. "I can play in space or with my hand in the dirt as well."

The news, unfortunately, wasn't so good for defensive back Chase Minnifield, who wasn't able to perform at the Combine (or the Chick-fil-A Bowl, for that matter) after recovering from post-season ankle surgery.

The 5'10, 183 pound Minnifield was clocked in the mid 4.6s in the 40-yard dash and complained about tightness in his hamstring.

According to the source, Minnifield did not participate in the shuttles or push himself in later drills. "It was not a good day for him," the source said.

The slow time by Minnifield in the 40-yard dash was not entirely unexpected, though scouts had hoped he'd do well. Some believe the 2011 All-American who leaves Virginia with 13 career interceptions might be better served moving to free safety in the NFL rather than remaining at the position he starred at throughout his collegiate career and the one his father -- Frank Minnifield -- played during a standout career with the Cleveland Browns.

Minnifield (Chase, not Frank) is currently ranked as NFLDraftScout.com's No. 11 cornerback for the 2012 draft. That ranking and/or the position in which he's rated could change following this disappointing performance. web page

Heckert.. get Minnifield in the 3rd.. he'll be worth it!!

Take him as late as you can but get him.

Thought this was pretty cool! Can't wait to see him in Brown and Orange!

Ok, I was already all good with the idea of Blackmon at #4, but watching that made me absolutely positive that he NEEDS to be the pick and Richardson shouldn't even be considered at #4 (and yes, I realize that the whole point of the show is to overly play a player's abilities up, but wow.. those are some impressive skills he showed... and great hands).

Claiborne and Trade Down are the only other options, IMO.

We are gonna neet that adjusting to bad passes and catching balls 3 feet behind him.

who what???

Andy Dalton threw behind or over AJ Green a ton last year. AJ adjusted ridiculously well and made catches that few WRs would have made. Therein, he bailed out Dalton and made him look better than he would have looked otherwise.

yeah, I was implying that he will be doing the same thing in Cleveland with Colt.

Should have thrown a ball to him at his numbers. I remember Braylon had a video out something like this to show his "great" hands.

That said.. I think he moves and adjust's much better than Edwards ever did. He always looked like his legs were a couple inches too long for his body and his brain couldn't adjust

Zebrie Sanders doing his best Tony Pashos impression.

why did they do that?

You mean Zebrie Sanders? I have no idea, I bet a few guys peed their pants when they watched that on film day. Can you imagine being in the interview room with some of these teams watching your footage and asking what was going through his mind at that time. I would love to hear the explanation..I laugh every time I watch it.

The Name lives on! Get him. We have gambled on a bunch less.

Now that's embarrassing

What the hell was he thinking

link

Browns say they're OK at DB, not pushing QB
Print Comment
By Steve Doerschuk

Apparently, Tim Tebow pines for those times in the Florida sunshine. The latest reports say he hopes he lands in Miami or Jacksonville.
It isn’t Tebow’s choice, since the Broncos will take the best dal they can get in a trade, but ...
We don’t sense many of you banging the drum to bring the young man to Ohio.
An NFL.com story raised the big Tebow-trade question: “Is it worth it to sell out, and blow up who you are?”
H&H have been and seem to keep on building methodically, unless the subject was, say, Robert Griffin III.
• • •
The Dolphins lost Chad Henne and have been shut out in the RG-III, Peyton Manning and Matt Flynn chases.
Fans, some wearing bags over their heads, gathered at the team complex to protest the team’s stagnation.
Miami’s records the last four years. Dating backward from 2011, have been 6-10, 7-9, 7-9 and 11-5.

Here: 4-12, 5-11, 5-11, 4-12. Here: The faithful are too worn out to march.
• • •
Now that Mike Adams has left for Denver, the Browns would seem to have depth issues at safety.
The man did spend the last five years as an important member of Cleveland’s secondary. He did start all 16 games last year.
If memory serves, he was even one of “davecow’s” favorite Browns.
On the cornerback front, Sheldon Brown can’t last forever, even if he has played most of forever (160 straight regular-season games).
Brown celebrated his 33rd birthday Monday, having made 32 consecutive starts for the Browns since arriving from Philadelphia.
Not to worry, Tom Heckert says.
He calls corner 27-year-old corner Dimitri Patterson, who re-signed recently, “a great nickel back” who can “start if he has to.” He calls 2011 Round 5 pick Buster Skrine “a very good young player.”
That leaves a cornerback group of Joe Haden, Brown, Patterson and Skrine, pending the draft.
If you recall, Usama Young was imported from New Orleans last summer to be the starting free safety. He limped through training camp and never passed Adams, but he has to now.
Indications are that T.J. Ward should come back strong from a foot injury that kayoed him for the second half of last season.
That leaves Ward, Young and 2011 Round 7 pick Eric Hagg as the pre-draft safeties.
“We think the secondary is gonna be OK,” Heckert said. waxing upbeat. “We really do.”
We don’t see him dipping into the draft for secondary help until the No. 37 pick at the earliest.
• • •
One way to size up Mike Holmgren’s handling of the quarterback job ...
He’s pushing it. He won’t force it.
In his mind, if our mind-reading is on point, he offered as much as he was going to for RG-III, and he judged he didn’t want to push up the price of Matt Flynn, which would have been necessary to keep him from choosing Seattle.
“Sometimes we have to be a little patient, because you can’t plug all the holes in the dike at the same time,” Holmgren said.
Holmgren signed on Jan. 5, 2010.
“When you’re building a program from scratch — and I’m saying we’re building it from scratch — it does take time,” he said.
It will take 8-8 this year, I think, to convince many of you that Holmgren hasn’t been wasting time.
“I expect the team to take a pretty good jump this year,” Holmgren said.
• • •
I don’t know how typical this point of view might be, but ... Tony Rizzo raised a few eyebrows this morning when he says he would hire Bernie Kosar as president if he were king.
One of the season-ticket holders quizzed Holmgren about Kosar last week. Why doesn’t Kosar get a crack at working with the QBs?
The meat of Holmgren’s answer: “We have really outstanding coaches here who are trying to teach a young quarterback a system.”
It was a Kosar answer but it was one in a recent series of clues that the ducks are being put in a row behind Colt McCoy.
Holmgren went on to say the Browns “did miss a couple things last year” on the quarterback development front. He thinks a full offseason and a beefed-up staff featuring Brad Childress are key elements that were missing in 2011.
He said the team doesn’t face many of the daunting issues it did last year, at which point he seemed to sense the season holders were raising THEIR eyebrows. He quickly added, “And we don’t have the excuses, either.”
• • •
Our sense is that Pat Shurmur has Holmgren’s blessing for at least 2012 and 2013.
At the same time, Holmgren is turning up the heat a bit as the team convened for the start of the offseason program.
“I gave a speech to the coaches and the players so everybody knows what I’m thinking and what my expectations are,” Holmgren said. “I don’t think it will make anybody work any harder, but it’s important to let them know how I feel.”
• • •
Our radio pal Vic says the Browns might play “Freeze Frame” every time Frostee Rucker gets a sack.
J. Geils wouldn’t have collected many royalties on Rucker’s account if that had been done in his first six NFL seasons, in which he totaled seven sacks.

I like our secondary but I think Brown is much better than given credit for. These guys played well without the big time pass rusher come from the blind side.

Hagg is a guy that was a real ball hawk in college. We saw the injured version last year but he did show a little at the end. Would love a free safety but I would probably wait until the 4th and get the fastest corner on the board and move him to safety. Chase Minnifield has a real shot to be there with our 4th.

Will add this article
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Draft Tip Sheet: Hard times for fullbacks, virtual lock at 1-2

By Len Pasquarelli | The Sports Xchange/CBSSports.com

Of the 30 running backs in attendance for the combine workouts in Indianapolis last month, only two -- Southern Cal's Rhett Ellison and Bradie Ewing of Wisconsin -- were branded as fullbacks. Two other "draftable" players were among the tight end invitees as H-backs.

The 2011 draft produced just five players at the position, none selected above the fourth round. Arguably the top rookie fullback in the NFL last season, Henry Hynoski of the New York Giants, was an undrafted free agent.

A former University of Pittsburgh standout, and onetime record-breaking prep running back, Hynoski, who pocketed a Super Bowl ring in his debut season in the NFL, had a nugget of advice for this year's fullback candidates.

Don't take it personally.

For the most part, the fullback prospects in 2012 have heeded the advice.

"It's a position that, in the minds of some people, is barely on the radar screen," said Ellison, a former tight end whose resume with the Trojans included one rushing attempt. "There are teams that don't have a fullback on the roster, and coaches who have [vowed] not to have one. But you can't let that get in your way. If you're a good football player, no matter the system, they'll find a place for you. I mean, you can't let it get to you. If you get a chance, make the most of it."


Maybe. But the fullback position in the NFL, while not quite extinct, is heading for dodo bird status.

Once a prominent position, fullback is an afterthought now, and a few general managers acknowledged to The Sports Xchange that they don't have a fullback candidate rated above the fifth round in the early "stacking" of their draft boards.

Some even suggested there might not be a fullback chosen in the lottery in two months. The success of Hynoski and others is both a blessing and a curse: An example to players that undrafted players can still make an impact, but also to talent evaluators that they can fill the fullback spot with low-round or undrafted players.

Or sometimes with players from other positions.

General managers used to suggest that some of the best tight end prospects were playing power forward in basketball. Well, some of the guys who will end up at fullback or H-back in the NFL were college tight ends.

"I'm probably being evaluated as much as a fullback, maybe even more so, than as a tight end," Alabama tight end Brad Smelley said. "Anymore, fullbacks come from some other position, so it's no big deal to me. If that's where scouts feel that I can most help some team, then fine."

Not only do fullback candidates sometimes come from other positions, but also from schools that typically aren't considered powerhouse programs. The top-rated fullback by NFLDraftScout's Rob Rang is Evan Rodriguez of Temple. The No. 2 prospect is UMass' Emil Igwenagu. Rang rates perhaps a handful of players as likely to be drafted at fullback. As usual, clubs will attempt to add some as free agents.

The position is not only about developing projects but also about being right in a projection for a player.

"I think they're looking for pretty [selfless] guys, players who want to win, but don't worry about getting all the credit," said Rodriquez, a former tight end. "It's what you think of when you consider the [fullback] position now."

Notebook

• There figure to be plenty of scouts heading this week to the pro day workouts of quarterback prospects Robert Griffin III (Wednesday) and Andrew Luck (Thursday), but, barring some sort of upset, it will be beyond surprising if the talent evaluators come away having changed their minds about the top two signal-callers.

Or about the order in which they will come off the draft board.

"I don't know that there's a lot that [Griffin] can do to leap-frog [Luck]," said one AFC general manager who plans to attend the workouts, even though his team has no shot at either player. "I don't know that you can go wrong with either one ... but I think Luck is the guy, and has been for some time, and I just think the Colts are being politically correct, that's all."

• Sources close to both Luck and the Colts insist that team officials have not yet begun contract discussions, even in a cursory manner, with the Stanford star and his representatives.

Then again, given the scale set by the new CBA, there really isn't a lot of wiggle room, even for the top choice. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 draft will be in line for a slight bump from the four-year, $22 million deal signed by Cam Newton as the top pick in 2011.

By virtue of having the initial pick in the draft, the Colts, of course, are technically permitted to begin negotiations. The strong conjecture is that the team will have an agreement in place with Luck well before the start of the draft.

• While the Luck and Griffin auditions have generated a deserved share of buzz, the workouts of two other quarterbacks in the next 10-day period may actually produce as much curiosity.

Ryan Tannehill of Texas A&M, who has been unable to do much because of his rehabilitation from a broken foot, will work out for scouts on March 29.

Arizona State's Brock Osweiler, who could not participate in the Sun Devils' pro day last week, will throw a day later.

The general feeling is that Tannehill, even with the injury, has separated himself from the other contenders -- Kirk Cousins of Michigan State, Osweiler, and Nick Foles of Arizona -- for the No. 3 spot in the draft pecking order.

Tannehill has been impressive in interviews and "at the chalkboard" for scouts, but is still relatively new to the position, and people are still anxious to see him throw. Tannehill's representatives told The Sports Xchange that the former A&M star is definitely on pace recovery-wise from his foot injury.

• The last word: "I'm a strong person, but you hear some of the stuff [being said about you], and it makes you even stronger. Whether you think it's fair or not, it puts a little bit of a chip on your shoulder. It's definitely a [motivating] force." -- Arizona State linebacker Vontaze Burfict, whose draft stock is believed to have dropped because of concerns about his temperament and poor workouts web page

Eagles Trade For Texans LB DeMeco Ryans

Written By: Nate Bouda
|

March 20, 2012
|

Posted In:

Eagles
Texans

Jay Glazer reports the Philadelphia Eagles have just traded for Houston Texans LB DeMeco Ryans. Glazer adds that the Eagles will send a “mid-round pick” to the Texans for the middle linebacker.

John McClain mentions that the deal is contingent upon Ryan passing a physical.

While it may seem like the Texans lost out in this deal, Ryan was due a $5.9 million base salary for the upcoming season which likely impacted what they could get in return for him.

This move comes out of no where as many believed that the Eagles would address the position in free agency. Ryan has been a standout player when healthy and is clearly better than any of the available options in the free agent market. Philadelphia did a great job with this trade.

==========================
Huge draft implications as Kuechly will likely fall.

Love the JGiels Band,best live show of them all.Hated the freeze frame song,so it's fitting the song belongs to Frostee now.
I guess it don't matter,he won't have enough sacks for the song to become annoying again.
Thankfully it isn't being played for every alledged rape he's been involved with,now that would drive me crazy.

the whole line didn't move. obviously the OC screwed up the count and snapped it on "one" instead of "two"

Washington Post


* Allen “talked about how excited they are about RG3 and how Griffin is glad it wasn’t Cleveland that moved up to number 2.”

not surprised...not even a little. We kill draft picks.

I called this a while back and sure enough a smelled a kid that wasn't humble and felt entitled and I was pretty close if you ask me. He is going to have a rude awakening soon when he figures out that he is not as good as he thinks he is. He will be wishing for the days of the Art Briles offense again. The best move we never made. I smell major collusion going on behind the scenes. Supposedly there are 3 top picks that their agents said they don't want to play for the Brown's. I would guess Luck and Griffin to be two of them. QB's have seen how we have treat QB's around here. It doesn't go unnoticed.

Part of me thinks it would be hilarious if the Colts drafted RGIII, thereby screwing the 'Skins. Then I realize that the 'Skins would still end up with Luck, so either way, they come out smelling like a rose.

What is it with you and I ... " I called this " .. stuff .. You have a chart on on you bedroom wall or what ?

That is only the second time I said that..ever. Because after that rumor that an agent said his client didn't want to play for the Brown's I said I thought it was Griffin and some said no way. I didn't need to put I called it.. I agree. Kind of like thinking out loud on here after I read it.

You guys sound like a bunch of namby-pamby school girls.
He's in a Hooters with the owner and the HC,what would you prefer him to say
"gee I wish the Browns had wanted me bad enough to move up"
It means absolutely nothing,or even less if that's possible.

How about "I look forward to playing for the Redskins and no matter where I went I would aim to be the best player and an asset to the Organization."

Agreed. Seems like the kid was just cracking a joke

Doesn't surprise me. Let's face it, since we came back we've had:

2 winning records
1 playoff appearance
0 playoff wins

I doubt that anyone is going to be jumping for joy at the thought of playing here. Once we bring guys in and they learn about the city and the people/fans is when they fall in love with Cleveland (see Haden, Kyrie, etc.). Until then, we just look like a place that is not only hard to win in but isn't the sexiest city out there.

It's a bit surprising coming from RGIII though given that he seems to have to have "plus" character but when a guy comes out and says "I've always been the best at everything I've done", and then this, it makes you question how genuine the humility really is even if just a bit.

When we start winning games, people will be dying to come here. Until then... good thing the draft doesn't give them a choice.

I think if we posted a list of EVERY player in the NFL to say or think, "I'm glad I'm not in Cleveland" some people's minds would just explode . . .

I agree It will be funny when the shoe is on the other foot when we are good. Guys nearing the end of their careers looking for a contract to be on a contender. Winning cures all.

Um... you guys realize that was the Skins' GM saying that Griffin said that... and saying it to some random dude in a Hooters in Texas, right?

Yeah..Take it for what it is worth.

Says Who? What I find funny is that some of the same guys that believe league sources as legitimate regarding the Griffin trade are some of the same one's that question legitimacy from a league source regarding him not wanting to play for the Brown's. Which is it?

Why would a fan from Washington make something up about Cleveland based on a conversation he had with Bruce Allen? What does he get out of it and at this point what does anyone get out of it? The only reason it is being talked about is because it was said. I don't care that he said it. The only ones that seem to care or negate this are the guys that really wanted Griffin or the ones that are stead fast not to believe everything you hear in the media.

My only take was that I believed Griffin to be that guy when the initial reports came out after the Combine. I don't care if you agree with me or not.


Look I really really don't care that he said it, if he said it. The Washington Post had it as a story so you don't believe them or however you feel.

I'd question if he even thanked them for trading up to the #2 spot. RG3, while it is unlikely, has stated many times he's trying to be the #1 overall pick and he still has his pro day coming up

I'd file this under 'Not a big deal'.

Griffin is a sharp kid, it doesn't make him any less of a person if he said this or not. Nor does it make him any less of a competitor. He could of been currying favor with the team that is going to draft him, or based on the advice that was given to him perhaps he did not want to play in cleveland.

If true, this says a lot more about the current state of the Browns than it does about Griffin. Which sucks.

I would guess that it went something like this:

RG3: "I'm happy that you moved up to take me. I appreciate your faith in me, and I'm happy to be heading to Washington DC. There's nowhere I'd rather be, and I look forward to being a part of a winning tradition in Washington"

Allen: "RG3 said he was happy he wasn't going to Cleveland." lol

"RG3 said he was happy he wasn't going to Cleveland."

It is my contention that there are only a handful of pro athletes,of any sport,that don't feel that way.

j/c

Iowa State Pro Day Report

Iowa State CB Johnson proves poor Combine a fluke at Pro Day
By Rob Rang | The Sports Xchange/CBSSports.com

Iowa State's Leonard Johnson had been one of the more highly regarded cornerbacks in the country entering the 2012 Scouting Combine. A slow time in the 40-yard dash in Indianapolis, however, put his stock in flux.

While Johnson posted solid numbers in virtually every other drill at the Combine, he was officially credited with having run the 40-yard dash in 4.71 seconds. Scouts who liked Johnson argued that his "speed in shorts" didn't matter as Johnson performed well in highly anticipated one on one matchups with Marvin McNutt, Justin Blackmon, Kendall Wright and Mohamed Sanu during the season and several noteworthy receivers at the Senior Bowl. Several receivers at the Combine touted Johnson as the toughest opponent they faced this year. That said, the slow time had even Johnson's staunchest supporters concerned. Frankly, it doesn't matter how good one's game tape is, 4.71 seconds is an alarmingly slow time for a cornerback.

Which is why it was critical for Johnson to prove faster Tuesday in front of scouts... and he did.

Johnson was timed at 4.56 and 4.52 according to one scout on hand for the workout. Those two precious tenths of a second difference could result in Johnson boosting himself right back into Top 100 consideration, as Johnson looked "pretty damn smooth" during positional drills, demonstrating the loose hips to change directions, a quick burst out of his cuts and excellent ball skills.

Scouts, of course, will have to decide for themselves which 40-yard dash time is more in tune with Johnson's playing speed. I watched Johnson play too much quality football to believe his field speed is anything worse than the 4.55 time he'll generally get credited with by scouts following Tuesday's workout. Because of this reason, I stand behind NFLDraftScout.com's current 2nd-3rd round grade for the ISU cornerback.

Though the draft stock of offensive lineman Kelechi Osemele was not nearly as in flux as his former teammate's, the massive four-year starter helped himself with a solid positional workout of his own.

Weighing in six pounds less than he did at the Combine (333 pounds), Osemele certainly didn't lose his power nearly knocking over coaches and former teammates helping out during his blocking drills.

Other than his positional drills, Osemele elected to stand on the results he'd posted at the Combine.

An estimated 30 NFL teams were represented. There were not a lot of decision-makers in the audience, though Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson was a notable exception.

====================

If this time is legit, then Johnson is a 3rd round consideration IMO. He played very well against top competition all year, but it won't do any good if he can't hang with receivers in a straight line and we don't have adequate over the top help.

I'll say his comments don't bother me one bit. Why? Because they're meaningless. As long as the guys who are here want to play, then that's all that matters to me.

And as other posters said, once we start winning, it won't be a big deal for people to come to Cleveland. The key is that we won't be bringing in FAs because our draft picks will all re-sign here.

And, when I think about how guys don't want to play in Cleveland, I just remember that Joe Thomas re-signed here when he could have played anywhere he wanted and DQ re-signed here when he probably could have made good money for a "contender."

Rutgers WR Sanu, FB Martinek surprise with speed at Rutgers' Pro Day

By Rob Rang | The Sports Xchange/CBSSports.com

Wide receiver Mohamed Sanu had been viewed as one of the 2012 draft's top wide receivers and a possible first round talent prior to a poor showing in the 40-yard dash at the Scouting Combine. Sanu was officially clocked at 4.67 seconds by the NFL in Indianapolis. The poor time pushed Sanu down draft boards significantly due to the tightly packed wide receiver rankings.

In shavingmore than two-tenths of a second running for scouts Wednesday at Rutgers' Pro Day, Sanu will be moving right back up the rankings -- perhaps even pushing himself back into the top 32 mix.

The 6-2, 211 pound Sanu was credited with times ranging from 4.41-4.46 in his two attempts at the drill Wednesday, according to Tom Luicci of The Star-Ledger. Even better, Sanu transferred his speed into his positional drills, demonstrating the burst out of his breaks and soft, reliable hands that helped him establish a new school and Big East conference record with 115 catches last season.

Media on hand for the workout asked the obvious question. If he's this fast, what happened at the Combine?

"I wasn't feeling too well. I'm not going to lie to you guys," Sanu explained. "I didn't feel well. I was a little drained, a little tired. I didn't have that pop that I usually do. I suffered my first 10 yards."

One scout on hand for the workout, summarized the workout pretty simply. "That's the guy I remember from tape. The Combine time was a stunner and we knew it wasn't indicative of what [Sanu] could do."

While Sanu's improved time perhaps didn't catch scouts off-guard, fullback Joe Martinek certainly did by clocking in the high 4.4s, himself. The 224 pound Martinek, a former running back, made the switch to fullback this past season. With zero traditional fullbacks invited to the Combine this year, Martinek's speed and versatility will certainly boost his stock with scouts.

The Rutgers Pro Day was attended by an estimated 25 NFL teams. Also in attendance was former Rutgers' and current Baltimore Ravens' star running back Ray Rice and former Rutgers' defensive tackle Eric LeGrand. web page

Bentley, Green draw full NFL contingent to Cajuns Pro Day

By Derek Harper | The Sports Xchange/CBSSports.com

It's not often that representatives from all 32 NFL teams flock to Louisiana-Lafayette to take in the Ragin' Cajuns' annual Pro Day. But with a pair of top 100-caliber prospects this year, Tuesday's workout was very well attended.

Cornerback Dwight Bentley is the No. 69-rated overall prospect by NFLDraftScout.com and No. 9 at cornerback. He could go as high as the second round on Friday night of the draft. Even more intriguing might be Ladarius Green, a 6-6, 238-pound tight end ranked fourth at the position by NDS.

Green benched 225 pounds 17 times, one more than he did at the Scouting Combine, and also improved his vertical leap one inch to 35, according to Scout.com. Green has scheduled visits with 10 teams according to the report, and could be in a position to rise up draft boards. In a weak class at the position, Green has the versatility to play tight end or split out wide - which is increasingly coveted in NFL schemes.

There are not other Cajuns expected to be drafted next month, but several potential priority free agents worked out. Defensive end/outside linebacker Bernard Smith, linebackers Lance Kelley and Devon Lewis-Buchanan and safety Lionel Stokes all attempted to take advantage of the amount of NFL scouts on hand.

Stokes ran a 4.49-second 40-yard dash, according to the Shreveport Times, while Kelley and Lewis-Buchanan both ran impressive 4.5s for linebackers.

In the 225-pound bench press, defensive lineman Chris Tucker led the way with 30 reps, followed by Kelley's 28. That combination of strength and speed will certainly lead to some scouts popping in his game film.

Continuing a theme seen across several Pro Day workouts in recent days, ex-Cajun Maurice Rolle also attended the session in hopes of generating interest. The safety was in training camp with the Houston Texans last year, but was waived. Former Cajuns cornerback Orkeys Auriene also worked out.

I would love Sanu in a Browns uniform. If we pass on Blackmon at #4, I'd take a good hard long look at Sanu at #22 because I don't think he makes it to #37.

If Kendall Wright is still on the board, and Mohammed Sanu is still on the board and they are about to draft one or the other? Which one?

I'd probably prefer Wright, but would be happy with either.