Sunday, May 5, 2013

Daily Round Up

Jason Campbell will get every chance to win starting job in Cleveland.

Tony Promo's work ethic in question? Not to Jason Witten.

Rising and Falling stocks of the AFC East.

Adrian Peterson setting sights high, 2,500 yards high.

Did your team draft players who played on the same college team? See why that may have happened.

Spagnuolo hired as Ravens defensive assistant.

Jared Allen says shoulder is 95% healed.

Joeckel being moved to right tackle? Trying to adjust to something most top 5 tackles drafted aren't asked to do.

With Jason Collins coming out in the NBA, Robert Kraft says he would welcome it in the NFL.


Saturday, May 4, 2013

Daily Round Up

Patriots rookie Josh Boyce to be out until training camp.


Barry Sanders high school highlight film.


The Redskins politically incorrect team name is receiving great nation support.


Ed Reed has hip surgery and will be out until the beginning of training camp.

Friday, May 3, 2013

Cardinals New Jail Bird?

Yesterday, we shared an article on Daryl Washington being investigated for assault. Today, it is being announced he has been arrested and booked on 2 counts.

Washington, who the Cardinals hoped would become the leader of this defense after Adrian Wilson left is already missing the first four games of the season because of a failed drug test.

Rookie Kevin Minter will have a larger burden placed on his shoulders this season than the Cardinals may have wanted.

The Daily Round Up

Three days after his release from the Giants, Michael Boley was arrested for child abuse.

Before the NFL draft Daryl Washington was suspended because of a failed drug test. After the NFL draft he is being investigated in a domestic violence case.

Bryant McKinnie has resigned with the Ravens for two years at a maximum 7 million.

The Ravens have agreed to terms with 6 out of 10 draft picks.

The Chicago Bears have agreed to terms with all but two of their picks.


Thursday, May 2, 2013

NFC West Draft Grades

Arizona Cardinals:

Rd. 1: Jonathan Cooper OG: The Cardinals needed help anywhere they could get it along this offensive line. Carson Palmer does not perform well when under duress and Cooper should help some. We had Warmack rated higher but Cooper is better is pass protection which is what the Cardinals will need.

Rd. 2: Kevin Minter LB: Daryl Washington is suspended the first four games and as of today is being investigated into domestic assault. Minter is an excellent get and will play right away and when and if Washington returns they'll make a very good duo.

Rd. 3: Tyrann Mathieu DB: Mathieu is a cornerback but Bruce Arians has said they will use him at free safety. Mathieu has some of the best ball skills in this draft but is undersized and has major character issues. Major risk reward player though and plays with Peterson a college teammate who tried to keep him on the straight and narrow when they were in school together.

Rd. 4: Alex Okafor DE/OLB: When Okafor was drafted he was announced as an outside linebacker. But at 6'4 265 he can play either spot, even though I think he'all make a better defensive end. The Cardinals need help getting after the quarterback and he should help.

Rd. 4: Earl Watford OG: I see him as a potential starter along side Cooper in year 2. Will take a year to develop.

Rd. 5: Stepfan Taylor RB: For them to land a running back who notched 3 consecutive 1,000 yards in the 5th round is a steal. While Taylor doesn't do anything great he is still very good.

Rd. 6: Ryan Swope WR: Swope showed great straight line speed at the combine running in the mid 4.3 range. He fell due to concussions.

Rd. 6: Andre Ellington RB: Ellington was one of my top rated backs so to me this is an absolute steal. He and Taylor will compliment themselves very well.

Rd 7: DC Jefferson TE: Quality depth pick in the 7th round.

Overall Grade: A-

San Francisco 49ers:

Rd. 1: Eric Reid S: They lost Dashon Gold son to free agency and Reid is a big physical safety who will replace him.

Rd. 2: Tank Carradine DE: I love the measurables on this kid. His size, speed and strength are elite. He has medical issues coming off last season with a torn acl or he would have been a top 15 pick.

Rd. 2: Vance McDonald TE: A good size and strength combo and a perfect fit for the 49ers. He'll replace the loss of Delanie Walker.

Rd. 3: Corey Lemonier DE/OLB: A really good edge rusher in a 3-4 scheme. His ability could have had him go in the 1st or second round.

Rd. 4: Quinton Patton WR: I really like Patton and he was just outside my top 5 receivers. He is a steal in the 4th.

Rd. 4: Marcus Lattimore RB: Frank Gore, LaMichael James and Kendall Hunter are all on the roster. Perfect fit for Lattimore to rehab for a year and then see if he is ready next year.

Rd. 5: Quinton Dial DE: 6'5 315 is the perfect size and strength type player to eventually replace Justin Smith.

Rd. 6: Nick Moody LB: Depth pick, doesn't possess any elite skills, a bit undersized.

Rd. 7: BJ Daniels QB: Duel threat QB who has great leadership. Didn't think he would get drafted.

Rd. 7: Carter Bykowski OT: Another depth pick, not really an intriguing upside pick here.

Rd. 7: Marcus Cooper CB: I like this player as a developmental prospect. He possesses great size at his position.

Overall Grade: A



Seattle Seahawks:

Rd. 2: Christine Michael RB: This kid has a ton of talent but not sure why the Seahawks went here. They have Lynch and Turbin and I don't see Michael having impact.

Rd. 3: Jordan Hill DT: Has the strength to stand up guards to plug holes. Fits well with Seahawks defensive line.

Rd. 4: Chris Harper WR: This former quarterback is big and physical. At 6'1 230 he has great hands and is the definition of a possession wide receiver.

Rd. 5: Jesse Williams DT: He dropped based on durability questions but is a gifted kid for his size.

Rd. 5: Tharold Simon CB: Great size but character issues. Arrested just days before the draft but it should be dropped based on what the story was. But there is upside there.

Rd. 5: Luke Wilson TE: I think there were better tight ends on the board. This pick confused me.

Rd. 6: Spencer Ware RB: A good short yardage back, not sure it was a need though.

Rd. 7: Ryan Seymour OG: Long arms but plays high at 6'5 but a good developmental project.

Rd. 7: Ty Powell DE/OLB: Former QB and major project but he has a high upside and tested out of the building.

Rd. 7: Jared Smith DT: Hear they may try to move him over to guard.

Rd. 7: Michael Bowie OT: Just like all their 7th round picks, he has sneaky good ability which if developed correctly could become a factor in the future.

Overall Grade: B+

St. Louis Rams:

Rd. 1: Tavon Austin: His size was never a cancer to me because he possesses other traits rare to find in the same player. Speed and quickness and both are elite. He is the best play maker in this draft.

Rd. 1: Alec Ogletree LB: Jeff Fisher is not afraid to give a player a chance after some character issue concerns. Ogletree was the most athletic linebacker in this draft.

Rd. 3: TJ McDonald S: Might be one of the most physical safeties in the draft. Has trouble in coverage but a big time hitter.

Rd. 3: Stedman Bailey WR: Love this pick, there were better wide receivers but putting teammates with the chemistry he and Austin have will be very good in booths development.

Rd. 4: Barrett Jones OL: He is coming into the league as a center but can play every line position. Love this kids versatility and pedigree.

Rd. 5: Brandon McGee CB: This kid has potential to compete for the slot corner position.

Rd. 5: Zac Stacy RB: This is a depth pick to play behind Pead and Richardson.

Overall Grade: A-

Top 10 Impact Rookies

1. Tavon Austin WR Rams- He is going to come in and play where Danny Amendola did a year ago. Austin is a better athlete and better overall player than Amendola and he should thrive in this offense. They have added other receiving options including his teammate Stedman Bailey, who should at least give Austin comfort going to a new place, and TE Jared Cook. This takes some of the pressure and focus off Austin and he should be able to produce. Somewhere Sam Bradford is smiling and saying thank you.

2. DeAndre Hopkins WR Texans- A team that needed a number 2 receiver. His impact will not only be his production but the production of Andre Johnson. He can help take away help on Johnson by making plays and getting down the field. Hopkins can catch the ball and he should be making plays all year. Hopkins will play a big role from the get go.

3. Kenny Vaccaro S Saints- He should come in and be able to play day 1. He has big play ability and can also play the run. He should come in and make an impact right away on the worst defense a year ago.

4. Star Lotulelei DT Panthers- They needed a run stuffer and they got one. Star is a big player in the middle and should free up linebackers Luke Kuechly and Jon Beason to make even more plays than they already do. Lotulelei should clog the middle and make plays at the point of attack. He can become exactly what his name entails, a Star.

5. D.J. Hayden CB Raiders- He should come in and have the ability to play right away. If he can come in and be the same player he was in college then the Raiders have a big time playmaking corner who creates turnovers. He can fly around and he has the ability to lead the rookies in INTs. He should help the 20th ranked passing defenses in a pass happy conference.

6. Manti Te'o ILB Chargers- A perfect fit for Te'o because he has lineman freeing him up to make plays. Te'o is a very instinctive linebacker who finds out where the ball is going as quick as anyone. He is solid in coverage and should be able to be on the field at all times.

7. Chance Warmack OG Titans- He is a mauler who should give Chris Johnson big running lanes. His impact is strictly related to how Johnson runs this year and it should be another huge year for CJ2k.

8. Keenan Allen WR Chargers- He gives Philip Rivers another big target. He can catch the football and get open. He could be Philip Rivers first option if he gets on the field early. I think he has a chance to be one of the top receivers selected in this class.

9. Tyler Eifer TE Bengals- It's scary to think they have added another big threat. Eifert is versatile and can be used on the outside, as he did in college. He has the ability to free up A.J. Green, who does not really need it, and Jermaine Gresham. They are adding more and more big time targets for Andy Dalton. His impact will reflect on this teams all around offense.

10. Montee Ball RB Broncos- He has the ability to be the starter coming out of camp. The big thing with him will be how quick he picks up the offense and ability to play with Peyton Manning. Ball is a good receiving back and should be able to play a solid, consistent role in the offense.

Other notable impact players- Zach Ertz TE, Lane Johnsone OT, Eric Fisher OT, E.J. Manuel QB, S Matt Elam, Cordarelle Patterson WR, Dee Milliner CB

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

NFC East Draft Grades

Dallas Cowboys:

Rd. 1: Travis Frederick: I like Frederick and while I think this was a reach because he would have been there in round 2 maybe they didn't feel that way. Frederick will be a starting center in this league but there were other players like Elam, Williams or Floyd (before they traded) are just some examples.

Rd. 2: Gavin Escobar: The Cowboys first two picks interested me because they were adding depth at positions that aren't a large need. Both tight end and center have players who will be starting next season. While they'll need eventual replacements they could have added help elsewhere.

Rd. 3: Terrence Williams: I like this pick based on value. While many don't think the cowboys need another wide receiver he was best player available on the board and I do not knock that.

Rd. 3: JJ Wilcox: Wilcox was a second/third round player on my board so to get him in the middle of the third is good value and he will start at safety.

Rd. 4: BW Webb: He is a very good corner but undersized and not very physical. He'll be a nice replacement for Jenkins but I never see him moving out of nickel corner spot.

Rd. 5: Joseph Randle: Randle has talent but is very inconsistent. I thought Randle would go in the 4th and 5th, he isn't great at anything but does a lot of things well. He needs to run with a lower pad level to become an every down back.

Rd. 6: DeVonte Holloman: The one time safety has above average athleticism but tends to struggle tackling in the open field. He is a boom or bust which in the 6th round is good value.

Overall Grade: B

New York Giants:

Rd. 1: Justin Pugh: This isn't a sexy pick, its not the corner or linebacker most people thought but he is versatile. Jerry Reese and the Giants like offensive lineman that can play all spots and Pugh can do that.

Rd. 2: Johnathan Hankins: I had Hankins as one of my top nose tackles in the draft with the ability to play in a 4-3. In think the Giants are a good fit because they like to rotate their linemen which gives them the best opportunity to give Hankins the rest needed throughout the game.

Rd. 3: Demontre Moore: At one time he was rated as the best player in this draft. After testing poorly and his fall off at the end of the season caused this slide. You never want to hear character issues on a player but if Tuck and JPP can take him under their wing he could thrive.

Rd. 4: Ryan Nassib: Jerry Reese does what he sets out to do every year. No matter the needs of the Giants he'll always draft best player available and that is what Nassib was at that point.

Rd. 5: Cooper Taylor: Taylor is an interesting potential player. I didn't have much on him but seeing his size, 6'4 225, and speed, a reported high 4.4 range, I can see the interest. Could have potential to move to outside back if he adds size.

Rd. 7: Eric Herman: Better offensive linemen on the board. Short arms and is a guard only.

Rd. 7: Michael Cox: Didn't see the field till 2012 but had a good season at UMass. Will have to fight for a spot.

Overall Grade: B

Philadelphia Eagles:

Rd. 1: Lane Johnson: Chip Kelly now has the type of offensive line he covets. Big and Athletic, adding Johnson leaves Todd Herremans as the only lineman who didn't run under a 5.0 40 at their combine.

Rd. 2: Zach Ertz: He torched Kelly's ducks when they met during the Pac12 season. The Eagles get a good right end at a good value who will fit well in this system.

Rd. 3: Bennie Logan: Mel Kiper Jr. said this kid might have been a first round pick if he stayed in school. While I don't agree on becoming a first round pick I do think he would have risen his stock.  With that said this is good value here for a position of need.

Rd. 4: Matt Barkley: Best player available and in two or three years will be Vick's replacement.

Rd. 5: Earl Wolff: He is a good safety but will play behind Phillips. He is fast with decent size and started three years in college.

Rd. 7: Joe Kruger: Paul Kruger's brother, has good size and is a good value pick.

Rd. 7: Jordan Poyer: Oregon St. had an excellent defense last year and I thought Poyer would have gone higher. Excellent value pick, will play possibly start.

Rd. 7: David King: Depth pick, has good size but thats about it.

Overall Grade: A-

Washington Redskins:

Rd. 2: David Amerson: If they get the 2011 then they have a steal, if he is the 2012 player than it is a reach. Amerson has great speed and size combination but got beat often this past year. Had 13 interceptions in 2011 but in this draft this was a reach.

Rd. 3:  Jordan Reed: Athletic tight end who will fit in well with this offense. Good fit and pick here.

Rd. 4: Phillip Thomas: Great value forms position of need. Thomas is an athletic safety I saw going in the 2nd or 3rd round.

Rd. 5: Chris Thompson: Probably their biggest reach in this draft. Jamison is a better running back who they got in the 7th.

Rd. 5: Brandon Jenkins: Scheme specific player but that is what you want in the 5th round. Provides an excellent motor in the pass rush.

Rd. 6: Bacarri Rambo: Great value pick, Redskins might have found two starting safeties in this draft.

Rd. 7: Jawan Jamison: I saw Jamison as a top 5 back in this draft. He is undersized but reminded me of a MJD build. He'll perform well in the redskins running attack being able to hide behind the linemen in the zone scheme.

Overall Grade: B