How many linebackers have been selected #1 overall?
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Morning Headlines
Former Viking Punter lawyer ups.
Vikings organization tried and but former coach doesn't think hard enough.
Lions will have some important personnel off-season changes to make.
Former 1st round pick and 25 year old might be hanging up the cleats.
Turns out the former Youngstown boy will not be interviewed in Cleveland.
Patriots Offensive Coordinator confirms visit but won't state interest.
Former Colts coach looking to return to the AFC South.
Former Giants WR & QB coach could be returning.
Potential suitor for the Jags in the draft.
Some potential replacements for Houston's staff.
Vikings organization tried and but former coach doesn't think hard enough.
Lions will have some important personnel off-season changes to make.
Former 1st round pick and 25 year old might be hanging up the cleats.
Turns out the former Youngstown boy will not be interviewed in Cleveland.
Patriots Offensive Coordinator confirms visit but won't state interest.
Former Colts coach looking to return to the AFC South.
Former Giants WR & QB coach could be returning.
Potential suitor for the Jags in the draft.
Some potential replacements for Houston's staff.
Monday, January 6, 2014
A Rarity in Sports
Junior Cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu has announced today that he will be returning for his senior season at Oregon. He will be the only starter returning to the Alamo Bowl Champions.
“The two main factors related to my decision to return were my continued
progression as a person and a player, and I felt Oregon was my best
option to achieve those goals and improve my situation for next year,”
Ekpre-Olomu told GoDucks. “I should be able to finish my degree by next
fall, possibly by the end of the summer. Football is only one phase of
who I am; my degree will be forever. Secondly was my ability to make an
impact and become a top (draft) pick, and I felt staying one more year
would only help me.”
Ekpre-Olomu was a projected 1st round pick with potential to possibly go in the top 10. He did drop a bit as the season wore on but I think some of that was due to the loss of them having a chance at the national title game.
“The two main factors related to my decision to return were my continued
progression as a person and a player, and I felt Oregon was my best
option to achieve those goals and improve my situation for next year,”
Ekpre-Olomu told GoDucks. “I should be able to finish my degree by next
fall, possibly by the end of the summer. Football is only one phase of
who I am; my degree will be forever. Secondly was my ability to make an
impact and become a top (draft) pick, and I felt staying one more year
would only help me.”
Ekpre-Olomu was a projected 1st round pick with potential to possibly go in the top 10. He did drop a bit as the season wore on but I think some of that was due to the loss of them having a chance at the national title game.
Headlines From Around The League
Most of these coaching updates are made via twitter but here is a link helping to put some of the craziness of these searches in perspective.
Patriots lose another defender to injury.
Colts have signed former Patriot wide receiver before key matchup.
Marvin Lewis still supports his guy after a terrible playoff performance.
One of Sullysports top 5 quarterback prospects still hasn't made up his mind.
Eagles star player says after his stellar season he deserves another raise.
Talking about playoffs. PLAYOFFS!
Former players to receive how much?
Patriots lose another defender to injury.
Colts have signed former Patriot wide receiver before key matchup.
Marvin Lewis still supports his guy after a terrible playoff performance.
One of Sullysports top 5 quarterback prospects still hasn't made up his mind.
Eagles star player says after his stellar season he deserves another raise.
Talking about playoffs. PLAYOFFS!
Former players to receive how much?
Coaching Updates
The Dolphins have announced that they have fired Offensive Coordinator Mike Sherman today. Early favorite to replace the former Texas A&M and Green Bay Head Coach is Ben McAdoo the current Quarterback's coach of the Green Bay Packers. McAdoo and Philbin (Dolphin's Head Coach) worked together in Green Bay.
Mike Zimmer is getting a lot of attention after his Cincinnati Bengals went down yesterday to the San Diego Chargers. Zimmer was a hot coaching candidate this off season after many people and organizations got to see his coaching style on the HBO show Hard Knocks. The players seem to truly love the coach. Early favorite in my eyes is Tennessee but he does have interviews lined up with Minnesota and Washington.
Ken Whisenhunt is clearly Detroit's favorite or at least that is the word coming out of the city today. Tennessee is also very heavily involved but Whisenhunt can't make any moves until San Diego is eliminated from the playoffs. If Detroit decides it does not want to wait than Jim Caldwell may be their guy but I see Washington being a team highly involved in Caldwell after a very good interview over the weekend.
James Franklin's name continues to pop up in discussion but has yet to line up an interview with any ball club that I know of so far.
It is now being reported that Bob Stoops has not interviewed for the job in Cleveland and that Cleveland has not contacted that Oklahoma head coach.
Mike Zimmer is getting a lot of attention after his Cincinnati Bengals went down yesterday to the San Diego Chargers. Zimmer was a hot coaching candidate this off season after many people and organizations got to see his coaching style on the HBO show Hard Knocks. The players seem to truly love the coach. Early favorite in my eyes is Tennessee but he does have interviews lined up with Minnesota and Washington.
Ken Whisenhunt is clearly Detroit's favorite or at least that is the word coming out of the city today. Tennessee is also very heavily involved but Whisenhunt can't make any moves until San Diego is eliminated from the playoffs. If Detroit decides it does not want to wait than Jim Caldwell may be their guy but I see Washington being a team highly involved in Caldwell after a very good interview over the weekend.
James Franklin's name continues to pop up in discussion but has yet to line up an interview with any ball club that I know of so far.
It is now being reported that Bob Stoops has not interviewed for the job in Cleveland and that Cleveland has not contacted that Oklahoma head coach.
Who's Who Playing Tonight
Florida St.
James Wilder, RB: Bigger running back at 6'2 230 with good speed to match the size. His prospects have dropped mainly because this team has gone to a much more heavy passing attack with its weapons on the outside on at QB. But size and speed aren't teachable and someone (if he declares) will take a shot on him.
Chad Abram, FB: More than likely not a draftable player but could make his way onto a team via udfa and play special teams.
Kelvin Benjamin, WR: It has not been made known yet if Benjamin will bolt for the NFL after his Redshirt Sophomore season but I am sure we will find out after tonight's game or early in this week. Benjamin is a monster at WR at 6'5 235 pounds. He plays a little smaller than his size and needs to learn to be more physical but that will come as he gets older.
Rashad Greene, WR: Greene is the faster more explosive player of the two wide receivers in tonights game. With the amount of talent coming out at wide receiver this year Greene is going to see his name began to drop on some boards.
Nick O'Leary, TE: Another talented underclassmen for Florida St. and another player we have to wait on the decision on if he'll stay or go. O'Leary possesses adequate size for a tight end at 6'3 and excellent receiving skills. He has been a part of this offense since his freshmen year.
Cameron Erving, OT: A Junior who also needs to make a decision if he will stay or go. Right now I view Erving as a 2nd day pick more than likely ending up in the early second round. He has the size to compete right away and good footwork.
Tre' Jackson & Josue Matias, OG: Also players that still need to declare since they are only JRs. Both are extremely talented and will be drafted right near each there in the 2nd day if they decide to come out.
Bryan Stork, C: He has the size you won't out of your center position but there are questions about his durability.
Timmy Jernigan, DT: Jernigan is a Junior who possesses excellent quickness for a man his size on the inside. He plays very well against the run but needs to develop as a pass rushing threat to truly be a well rounded defensive tackle.
Telvin Smith & Christian Jones, OLB: Jones is the bigger of the two and probably will get the most recognition on draft day but both will see their names called around the same time. Both have above average speed and can fly around the field.
Lamarcus Joyner & Terrence Brooks, S: Joyner is the more talented of the 2 and could see himself sneak into the late first round with a good interview and combine. Joyner has the ability to drop into the slot corner or stay at free safety. He is a very versatile player.
Auburn Tigers
Tre Mason, RB: Exploded onto the scene late in the season as Auburn made its impractical run to the national championship game. Size is a concern with Mason because he is only 200 pounds could he handle the NFL pounding but with his speed and quickness he would make an excellent scat back.
Jay Prosch, FB: A product of this excellent run game. Fullbacks aren't a heavy draftable group unless they provide flexibility but he could still have a chance to be a late round guy.
Greg Robinson, OT: Quickly turned himself into one of the top prospects in this draft class at the offensive tackle position. He has helped turn around Auburn's run game and his a physical beast.
Reese Dismukes, C: He is a very good center but I don't seem him declaring and will return next season.
Steven Clark, P: He is a good punter but he isn't the best and he doesn't stand out will have a tough time making it next year but he is still in the discussion.
Dee Ford, DE: He fits more of the OLB/DE in a 3-4 scheme because he doesn't have the size necessary to be a 4-3 defensive end. He will be a mid round pick.
Top Quarterback Prospects
1. Teddy Bridgewater, Louisville: Bridgewater has declared himself eligible for this years draft. Bridgewater is a very good big game quarterback who showed great poise in both his major bowls games (Florida, Miami). Bridgewater was mainly asked to throw underneath routes in the short pass game but showed accuracy in medium level throws as well. He struggles driving into his throws downfield and lacks the accuracy to be in an aggressive downfield attacking offense. My biggest knock on Bridgewater is his size. He has the height deemed necessary to be a starting quarterback in the NFL, but I am concerned with his weight. Louisville has him listed at under 200 pounds but some reports have him listed at 215. If Bridgewater comes in light to the combine than his stock will surely drop.
2. Derek Carr, Fresno St.: Carr comes from football pedigree as his brother was the #1 draft pick to the Texans in 2002. Derek had character issues early in his career but after having his newborn child he turned his career around. He has an extremely strong arm and can make all of the throws. He lacks the new level of mobility that many teams seem to be after these last few years. When under pressure his mechanics tend to break down which can lead to mistakes. He isn't afraid to fit the ball into tight windows, there are other quarterbacks with higher potential but Carr has the most NFL ready ability in this draft.
3. A.J. McCarron, Alabama: A.J. McCarron is your typical game manager but had a poor showing in his bowl game against Oklahoma. McCarron is an accurate passer that can assess what a defense is doing quickly. He tends to throw with his upper body which makes his passes lose velocity and die out at the end of deeper routes. He still throws an accurate deep ball but when having to put zip on a ball and fit it into tight windows he struggles. McCarron can be good for a team that has a solid nucleus but needs a QB who can distribute and take care of the ball. Quarterbacks don't have to be able to make all of the throws but they do need to take care of the ball and McCarron will do that.
4. Blake Bortles, Central Florida: Bortles was a late addition to the top 5 as not many thought he would turn into the quarterback he turned into this season. Bortles at 6'3 230 has great size and was originally recruited at every college (other than UCF) as a tight end. He showed his mobility in his bowl game against Baylor rushing for almost 100 yards. Bortles relies heavily on timing routes and most of his passes are based on anticipation over arm strength. His deep ball tends to lack a bit of power but that can be taught through proper fundamentals. Each player in this draft has one thing they do really well and many things to work on Bortles does everything well but isn't great at anything yet.
5. Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M: I am not high on Manziel and personally I'd leave him out of my top 5 and as I begin to evaluate more quarterbacks outside this type 5 I believe he will end up dropping out. Manziel lacks the arm strength to make major NFL throws but what he does provide is the elusiveness of a Russell Wilson who can create plays and extend plays that most can not. A lot of big plays that happened for the A&M pass game were created by Manziel escaping pressure and finding a receiver breaking off of his route. He doesn't do the best job going through his progressions because he tends to look to run first and escape then pass. Someone will take a shot at Johnny Football but I am just not so sure he will be the best fit for a NFL program.
2. Derek Carr, Fresno St.: Carr comes from football pedigree as his brother was the #1 draft pick to the Texans in 2002. Derek had character issues early in his career but after having his newborn child he turned his career around. He has an extremely strong arm and can make all of the throws. He lacks the new level of mobility that many teams seem to be after these last few years. When under pressure his mechanics tend to break down which can lead to mistakes. He isn't afraid to fit the ball into tight windows, there are other quarterbacks with higher potential but Carr has the most NFL ready ability in this draft.
3. A.J. McCarron, Alabama: A.J. McCarron is your typical game manager but had a poor showing in his bowl game against Oklahoma. McCarron is an accurate passer that can assess what a defense is doing quickly. He tends to throw with his upper body which makes his passes lose velocity and die out at the end of deeper routes. He still throws an accurate deep ball but when having to put zip on a ball and fit it into tight windows he struggles. McCarron can be good for a team that has a solid nucleus but needs a QB who can distribute and take care of the ball. Quarterbacks don't have to be able to make all of the throws but they do need to take care of the ball and McCarron will do that.
4. Blake Bortles, Central Florida: Bortles was a late addition to the top 5 as not many thought he would turn into the quarterback he turned into this season. Bortles at 6'3 230 has great size and was originally recruited at every college (other than UCF) as a tight end. He showed his mobility in his bowl game against Baylor rushing for almost 100 yards. Bortles relies heavily on timing routes and most of his passes are based on anticipation over arm strength. His deep ball tends to lack a bit of power but that can be taught through proper fundamentals. Each player in this draft has one thing they do really well and many things to work on Bortles does everything well but isn't great at anything yet.
5. Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M: I am not high on Manziel and personally I'd leave him out of my top 5 and as I begin to evaluate more quarterbacks outside this type 5 I believe he will end up dropping out. Manziel lacks the arm strength to make major NFL throws but what he does provide is the elusiveness of a Russell Wilson who can create plays and extend plays that most can not. A lot of big plays that happened for the A&M pass game were created by Manziel escaping pressure and finding a receiver breaking off of his route. He doesn't do the best job going through his progressions because he tends to look to run first and escape then pass. Someone will take a shot at Johnny Football but I am just not so sure he will be the best fit for a NFL program.
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