The NFL Draft Site

Best available players for day three of the 2013 NFL Draft

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Bryant) — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 16:21:00 +0000

QB Matt Barkley, USC

QB Tyler Bray, Tennessee

S Shamarko Thomas, Syracuse

LB Khaseem Green, Rutgers

QB Jordan Rodgers, Vanderbilt

RB Kenjon Barner, Oregon

CB Jordan Poyer, Oregon State

DT Montori Hughes, Tennessee-Martin

OG Travis Bond, North Carolina

WR Corey Fuller, Virginia Tech

C Barrett Jones, Alabama

QB Ryan Nassib, Syracuse

CB B.W Webb, William and Mary

WR Ryan Swope, Texas A&M

WR Quinton Patton, Louisiana Tech

DE Joe Kruger, Utah

OLB Cornelius Washington, Georgia

OG Ryan Jensen, Colorado State-Pueblo

2013 all star football challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Bryant) — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 20:49:00 +0000

With football season rolling over into the NFL Draft, football junkies got a little taste of Americas favorite past time today in the 2013 All Star Football Challenge.

Some of the best college football prospects for the NFL were on display today. Yes, I get it, we're seeing these prospects in a controlled environment, no one is rushing the quarterback or trying to tackle or block anyone. We can't ascertain to much from their performance, however it's fun to watch the athletic ability of these future stars. It's great to see them up close without pads on.

This years group was impressive indeed with possibly seven prospects being selected in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft. My ranking of the top seven:

1. OLB Damontre Moore, Texas A&M
2. WR Cordarrelle Patterson, Tennessee
3. S Kenny Vaccaro, Texas
4. LB Alec Ogletree, Georgia
5. DT Sylvester Williams, North Carolina
6. S Matt Elam, Florida
7. DE Sam Montgomery, LSU

The quarterbacks were on display first and fitting for this year, none looked impressive. Except maybe Green Bay Packer's Aaron Rogers little brother Jordan Rogers. Rogers, out of Vanderbilt is only 6' 1" tall, but he is very accurate and has a quick release much like his older brother.

FSU QB E. J. Manuel actually won the competition, he has a powerful arm and launched it 66 yards, but his accuracy leads something to be desired. His mobilty and ability to throw on then run will give him a good shot in the NFL though.

NC State's Mike Glennon continued his rapid spiral downwards in the draft process. His accuracy was abysmal, in the team drill at the end it took him about 7 attempts to throw the ball in the net. He's a tall, skinny kid with narrow shoulders and a long neck, for what its worth, he doesn't look the part either.

You have to give credit to North Carolina's defensive tackle Sylvester Williams. He was out there running with the much smaller defensive ends. At 6' 3" 313 pounds though he looked like a beast. NFL Draft Dog currently has him being selected at the end of the first round in their 2013 NFL Mock Draft. Look for him to rise up closer to the middle of the first round during the next update though.

OLB Damontre Moore from Texas A&M was on display, he is a lock to be a top five pick and you have to give him credit for even being out there risking an injury. He looked as explosive as his 2012 stats would indicate where he recorded 21 tackles for loss (TFL) and 12.5 sacks. He won the drill with a time of 21.3 seconds.

LSU DE Sam Montgomery looked the part, was quick, nice muscle tone and at 6' 5" 260 pounds ran his drill in 22.2 seconds. He might come off the board towards the end of the first round.

Texas DE Alex Okafor looked a little stiff during his drill. At 6' 4" 265 pounds he had difficulty hoisting the tire in the beginning and got his feet tangled up a bit later. He's still a great talent, just didn't have a great day. Last season he recorded 16.5 TFLs and 12.5 sacks, so I look for him to be a solid second round pick.

The safeties really shined catching the ball and exploding through their drills. This is a very strong safety class with Texas's Kenny Vaccaro and Florida's Matt Elam being solid first round draft picks. Vaccaro at 6' 1" 218 pounds is definitely a top 15 talent and has the skill set to be a pro bowl safety in the NFL. Elam, a possible late first rounder, is a little shorter at 5' 10" 202, but he will come up and hit you.

I wasn't real impressed with USC Safety T. J. McDonald however, he looked stiff and lanky, not a great change of direction. He had the worst time, it took him 32 seconds to complete his drill. He has the ideal size at 6' 2" 211 pounds. Mentally he should ahead of the game, he was well coached by the legend Monte Kiffin. He also has a good pedigree, his father Tim McDonald was a 13-year veteran and six-time Pro Bowl selection for the 49ers and Cardinals.

Georgia linebacker Alec Ogletree was on display. Mel Kiper has him being drafted 8th overall. That might be a little high in my opinion. He has great feet, but at 6' 3" 237 pounds looks a little tall and lanky. He didn't overly impress me in these drills.

Watch out for Rutgers LB Khaseem Green. He could sneak up into the top of the second round. At 6' 1" 236 pounds, he is athletic, stocky and has great balance. ESPN NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay said there was a lot of buzz about him among scouts right now. Last season he recorded an amazing 136 total tackles.

I got a good look at Tennessee WR Cordarrelle Patterson. I really like this kid. After going back and watching game film of him I believe he is destined for stardom in the NFL. He can do it all, last season he caught passes, ran the ball, returned kicks and punts. He ended up with 1,858 all purpose yards. Every time he touched the ball he averaged 18.77 (yards per play). Seeing him without pads makes you appreciate him any more. He's not just a sprinter playing football. He has a strong, powerful body.

Last but not least is North Carolina's RB Giovani Bernard. Short and stocky he reminds me of Ray Rice. Not great straight line speed, but he can cut on a dime. Great hands also, he finished the season with 1,228 yards and 12 TDs. His 6.67 yards per carry average was particularly impressive as was his 198 all purpose average yards per game.

Is Ray Lewis guilty?

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Bryant) — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 21:14:00 +0000

The press came out this week accusing Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis of using a banned substance. The banned substance he was accused of using is IGF1. Insulin Like Growth Factor or IGF-1. It is a prescription drug normally prescribed to children who are having growth problems. IGF-1 has been shown to build muscle and repair ligament and tendons.

The problem is Ray Lewis was accused of using deer antler velvet extract and there is no scientific evidence to date confirming that this product even contains IGF-1.

Deer Antler Velvet is considered a food supplement. It's sold at health food stores around the country and therefore is not regulated by the FDA.

Walk into any health food store, you'll see various products making all sorts of outlandish claims. Horney Goat Weed supposedly increases your sex drive, Raspberry Ketones helps you lose weight. Products that claim to raise testosterone or block estrogen or increase growth hormone, the list goes on and on, but if you look at the bottom of each bottle you'll see a disclaimer saying "This product has not been evaluated by the FDA". Most of these products are a sham.

Don't you think if deer antler velvet extract really contained IGF-1 then every bodybuilder wannabe in the country would be on it?

For the press to jump on the story that Ray Lewis was taking IGF-1 a week before the Superbowl without any proof was irresponsible. That's the kind of trashy reporting that turns people off on the press.

Robert Bryant
Follow me on Twitter @nfldraftdog

Superbowl XLVII Preview

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Bryant) — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 23:10:00 +0000

Baltimore Ravens vs San Francisco 49ers

For the first time in NFL history and most likely the last, we have two head coaches that are brothers (John Harbaugh of the Ravens & Jim Harbaugh of the 49ers) facing off against one another for the right to call themselves world champions. The media will romanticize this story in a hundred different ways so I won't speak on it for very long, although I would be remiss if I didn't mention it at least once. You are 3x more likely to become a U.S. Senator than you are a NFL head coach and the fact that brothers are facing off in the Super Bowl is nothing short of remarkable.

As a lifelong football fan and a bit of a NFL history buff, this game is a match made in football heaven. These are two of the most physical teams in the NFL led by their defense with an offense built around the running game. Each team has a first ballot hall of famer fighting for the chance to go out a champion - Randy Moss of the 49ers and Ray Lewis of the Ravens.

Season summaries:

Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens had more of a "storybook" season than the 49ers with plenty of ups and downs throughout the entire season. The Ravens former owner Art Modell passed away four days before the start of the regular season and the team dedicated the season in his honor. Baltimore began the year on a tear at 9-2 before losing 4 of their last 5 games to limp into the playoffs. The fans, media, and NFL circles thought this was going to be a short postseason for the Ravens. Terrell Suggs, the team's best pass rusher, went down with a torn achilles in the off-season and it was said that he would miss the entire season. Suggs came back quicker than any NFL player ever has from such a devastating injury, only five months after the tear. Later in the season Suggs tore his bicep muscle and only missed one game. This is one of the least talked about storylines heading into the big game, but one of the more astonishing. What is even more incredible in that this wasn't the most amazing comeback from an injury this year or even on his own team.

LB Ray Lewis tore his triceps muscle on October 14th and missed just ten games. Before Lewis returned from the injury he also announced that this would be his last season playing football. Lewis knew exactly what he was doing with the timing of his announcement. The team limped into the playoffs with no momentum. With Lewis's retirement at the forefront of the team's mind, it supercharged the entire franchise and infused a sense of urgency only a decision of this magnitude could have done. Not only was he coming back early from a normally season-ending injury, this was the last time #52 will suit up for the Baltimore Ravens. With emotions riding high entering the playoffs the Ravens went on to beat the Indianapolis Colts, the #1 seeded Denver Broncos and the red-hot New England Patriots - both on the road.

At this point, Baltimore's team is being led by the most inspiring leader in sports history and a young, talented quarterback finally coming into his own in Joe Flacco. If you believe in momentum and emotion effecting the outcome of a game you have to give the edge to the Ravens. This team seems destined to end the year as world champions.

San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers have had a bit of a different journey to Super Bowl XLVII. The team had the #3 ranked defense in the NFL and ranked 6th in time of possession at 31:46 a game during the regular season. These two stats make up the basic identity of this team. The 49ers dominate at the line of scrimmage and have a stable of running backs to throw at you all game long. Their defense is led by imposing players on every level (defensive line, linebackers, secondary) and they are flat-out punishing. Defensive end Justin Smith partially tore his left tricep muscle in week 15 but opted against surgery in order to come back in time for the playoffs. His presence is critical for the 49ers and his toughness sets the tone for the entire unit. It also allows linebacker Aldon Smith to avoid double teams which gives one of the league's top pass rushers free reign to harass the quarterback.

Running the ball and playing great defense were the 49ers staples, that is until Jim Harbaugh made the gutsy decision to bench their starting quarterback Alex Smith for 25 year old 2nd year man Colin Kaepernick in midseason. While this was an extremely controversial decision that took serious conviction, it proved to be the absolute right decision. Kaepernick came on strong right away, playing with poise well beyond his years. These playoffs have made Kaepernick a budding superstar, headlined by his NFL record 181 rushing yards against the Green Bay Packers in the divisional round. At this point you can make the case that the 49ers are the most complete team in the entire NFL with their ability to pass, run, and play defense on an elite level.

Key Matchups
LBs Terrell Suggs and Paul Kruger vs QB Colin Kaepernick - Since naming Kaepernick their starting quarterback, the 49ers have incorporated the "Pistol" into their offense and NFL teams were nowhere near ready for what has ensued. Kaepernick has run this offense since college and is the ideal player for the system. The 49ers also run a zone read option out of this and it is predicated on what the outside linebackers/defensive ends do. Kruger and Suggs will be the keys to the entire game because they will have to decide to key on Kaepernick or whoever the running back is on the given play. The Green Bay Packers took away the running backs and Kaepernick set a NFL record for most rushing yards ever by a quarterback. The Atlanta Falcons decided to take away Kaepernick, so RB Frank Gore and RB LaMichael James took over instead. It will be fascinating to see which way the Ravens decide to go in defending the 49ers dynamic offense.

LBs Patrick Willis and Navorro Bowman vs RB Ray Rice - When Baltimore's offense is at it's best, running back Ray Rice is the focal point. Whether it be Rice running the ball or catching it out of the backfield, he is the offense's workhorse and best player. QB Joe Flacco has proven he can get the job done, yet in a game of this magnitude it is crucial that Baltimore gets Rice going early. Linebackers Patrick Willis and Navorro Bowman are two of the best inside linebackers in the NFL today and one of them at a time will be tasked with shadowing Rice everywhere he goes. If Willis and Bowman can prevent Rice from being a major factor, their chance of shutting down the rest of this offense raise significantly.

The final questions remain: Does Ray Lewis ride out into the sunset like John Elway, Michael Strahan, and Jerome Bettis did by winning a Super Bowl in his last game? Or does San Francisco win their record-tying 6th Super Bowl? This may be the only time Pittsburgh Steelers fans will be rooting for the Ravens in order to remain the only team in history with six Super Bowl victories. February 3rd can't come fast enough.

Super Bowl XLVII prediction - Ravens 27 49ers 26. This is a matter of me going with my heart over my head. My logic tells me the 49ers have a better team but my heart tells me this is Baltimore's year.

By Brandon Thorn
@OneDayGM

+NFL Draft Dog

Fire Pelini and start rebuilding now before it’s too late

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Bryant) — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 12:40:00 +0000

The time has come for the Nebraska Cornhuskers to move forward in their attempt to regain national prominence in college football. Last night 70-31 shellacking at the hands of the Wisconsin Badgers in the Big Ten championship game was the final straw for embattle Head Coach (HC) Po Pelini's five year reign in Lincoln.

The defense, specially the front seven, which was supposed to be Pelini's calling card, was gashed over and over by an average Badger's team that was only playing in the game because the two top teams in Leaders Division, Ohio State and Penn State, were ineligible to participate in the post season due to NCAA sanctions.

When Nebraska sat atop the college football world in the 1980s, 90s and the early 2000s, their defensive linemen and linebackers were powerful run stuffers. Nebraska's strength and conditioning program was one of the most celebrated in the Nation. Former HC Tom Osborn was famous from transforming a walk-on freshman into a powerful defender. Such was the fame of that program that several sports magazines made it their cover stories. Even CBS ran a piece on it.

At the other side of the ball, back in their hey days, the Cornhusker's offensive line was big and strong enough to block for anyone. Nebraska also used to have talented skill position players every year. Remember RB Mike Rozier, WR Irving Fryar and QBs Tommy Frazier and Eric Crouch?.

Now all that talent, ability to recruit and develop it seems gone.

Gone also are the days when the Cornhuskers played for national championships. In fact, the last time Nebraska played in a Bowl Championship Series (BCS) game was in the 2003 Rose Bowl.

They have not finish in the top ten since the end of 2002. The highest end of the season ranking in the Pelini era was a mediocre 14^th in 2009.

This program is stuck in neutral since Pelini took over five years ago following the disastrous reign of Bill Callahan. Pelini's defenders point towards one number: 9. that's how many wins the program have average during the past four seasons. But nine wins is not good enough in Lincoln, especially if there are no signs of improvement.

Last year the defense was torched at an average of 350.7 yards per game to rank a pedestrian 37^th among FBS teams. Teams average 23.4 points against the once mighty Black Shirts defense. This year is the same story over again. The defense is allowing 343.1 yards and 38 touchdowns!

The talent pool is also going dry, and fast.

As of today, Nebraska's 2013 high school recruiting class ranks a pedestrian 33^rd in the country. It's has to be a sad day for Husker Nation to see the likes of Rutgers, Utah, Baylor, and Vanderbilt; yes, the Commodores, ahead of the once mighty Cornhuskers in recruiting.

That's an indictment on Pelini.

If Nebraska does not made a coaching change now, look for the program to sink into mediocrity within two seasons.

Remember that stat about 9 wins per year? Most of them were against the likes of Chattanooga, Wyoming, Arkansas State, and Idaho State. Hardly the best teams in college football. As for Big Ten competition, yes, they routinely beat on Minnesota and Illinois; hardly top 20 teams.

A change must occur and fast.

By Raul Colon
recolon@live.com

Barkley, Smith head a talented but undistinguished QB class in 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Bryant) — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 13:15:00 +0000

Unlike the 2012 Draft when many NFL teams were drooling over all of the top-flight talent available to them at the quarterback position, next year’s crop of signal callers is short on expectations, if not talent. Only two QBs, USC Matt Barkley and West Virginia Geno Smith are sure fire, first round material, and that is with an asterisk. The rest of the 2013 NFL Draft QB class is depleted of top tier talent.

Despite a disappointing season, Barkley (6-2, 230 lbs.) is still head and shoulders the best QB available. He has the experience, being a four year starter at a high profile university, good arm strength, above average accuracy with all type of throws, even the deep posts, decent mobility in the pocket and strong mechanics. He also has a powerful command of the huddle and can play hurt. All of the trademarks of a top 10 pick.

Smith has the size (6-3, 214 lbs.) and arm strength to succeed at the next level. His mobility and athletic ability are without par in next year’s draft. The main concern with the Mountaineer star is his ability to read defenses. He looked confused against both Texas Tech and Kansas State this year. In more than one occasion Smith did not check down his primary receiver against a bad Red Raiders’ secondary which led to two easy interceptions. He also carries the “product of the system” label, not the best thing moving forward. But still, his immense talent will get him drafted higher than he deserves.

As for the rest, only two quarterbacks, Arkansas Tyler Wilson and Florida State E.J. Manuel have a chance to creep into the later stages of the first round. Of the pair, Wilson (6-3 220 lbs.) carries the biggest upside. He has a solid arm and an above-average mechanics. He looks like Matt Stafford did in 2010, a solid prospect with accuracy issues.

No other prospect in the 2013 QB class as high “boom or bust” potential as does Emanuel (6-5 234 lbs.). He is rising in many draft boards, mainly because he finally has begun to play up to his great talent. He has one of better arms in college football to go along with his running skills. The big knock on Emanuel is that his plays in an extremely basic offense at Florida State.

Other signal callers gaining interest from scouts are Syracuse Ryan Nassib (6-2 229 lbs.), Oklahoma Landry Jones (6-4 216 lbs.) and North Carolina State Mike Glennon (6-6 232 lbs.). None of the three have the talent to be drafted in the first round and all have major question marks. Nassib is an intriguing prospect who has the physical tools to develop into a good NFL starter down the road, similar to Cincinnati Andy Dalton. Jones, who possessed a great arm and instincts, is puzzling to read. Not the best description going into the Draft. Glennon could become a serviceable starter on Sundays. But he is raw and will need time to develop.

Miami of Ohio Zac Dyser (6-4 228 lbs.) is an interesting prospect that deserve a chance. He has solid arm strength and good progression skills. He did play poorly against Ohio State early in the year. Celebrated Kansas State QB Colin Klein (6-5 226 lbs.) is a marginal pro prospect at best. He lacks arms strength and has some of the worse mechanics in the college game.

Michigan Denard Robinson (6-1 193 lbs.) will need to change positions if he is going to make it in the NFL. He simply lacks the physical and mental tools to play the position. Pitt Tino Sunseri (6-2 215 lbs.) is another fringe prospect that would not be drafted due to a lack of athleticism. The same goes for Kansas Dyne Crist (6-4 235 lbs.) and Washington State Jeff Tuel (6-3 223 lbs.).

There are two very intriguing prospects that could become sleepers next April. Vanderbilt Jordan Rodgers (6-1 205lbs.), little bother of Packer great Aaron Rodgers, lacks size and physical skills, but have a quality arm and good mechanics. He could develop into a fine backup in time. Western Michigan Alex Carder (6-2 224 lbs.) has all the tools needed to become an NFL quarterback, including a good arm. He is also accurate and can move around in the pocket. He only lacks experience. Carder has a chance to be more than a career backup at the next level. Keep an eye on him.

By Raul Colon

rcolonfrias@yahoo.com

Fantasy Football Stud: WR Julio Jones

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Bryant) — Sun, 26 Aug 2012 15:58:00 +0000

Everyone that plays Fantasy Football is looking for the next unheralded super-star. We all have players like Drew Brees, Andre Johnson, Ray Rice and Calvin Johnson on our first round draft boards, but not everyone will have Falcons WR Julio Jones that high on their boards.

Well they should; WR Julio Jones is on the cusp of being the next Pro-Bowl NFL receiver. This is Jones' second year with QB Matt Ryan and Ryan has developed an unbelievable chemistry with Jones. In the pre-season thus far Jones has been unstoppable, in six quarters of three pre-season games Jones has recorded 13 catches for 240 yards and 1 TD. There is no reason to think his amazing pre-seaon performance won't transfer to the regular season. He is replacing Roddy White as the number one option on many of the Falcons pass plays.

Julio Jones was a five star recruit and the top rated receiver in the nation coming out of high school. He had a solid career for powerhouse Alabama and entered the 2011 NFL Draft a year early as a junior. Alabama under Nick Saban relies mainly on the running game and a stifling defense so Jones didn't put up huge numbers while in college.

But after an eye popping display of athletic ability at the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine the Atlanta Falcons fell in love with Jones. The Falcons made a blockbuster trade with the Browns giving up five picks to move up in the 2011 NFL Draft from 27th to 6th overall where they selected Alabama WR Julio Jones. I would venture to say the Falcons have a lot invested in Julio Jones.

His Combine performance in itself was pretty amazing. Remember he's not one of those small, speedy, little scatback receivers that run blazing fast, but aren't big or strong enough to hold up in the NFL. Julio Jones is a big, strong, fearless receiver with with the strength, size and speed to embarrass almost any cornerback. At the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine Jones weighed in at 6' 3" 220 pounds and ran a 4.39 forty yard dash and his broad jump recording of 11' 3" was just two inches short of an all time combine best.

So Fantasy Football General Managers, when its time to conduct your Fantasy drafts, pass on Julio Jones at your peril, for he is a budding star and will almost certainly become one of the elite receivers in the NFL this season.

Who Will Pick First in the 2013 NFL Draft

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Bryant) — Sun, 05 Aug 2012 18:49:00 +0000

Hello fellow Draftniks, we just updated out 2013 NFL Mock Draft. Probably the most difficult aspect of doing a 2013 NFL Mock Draft this early is trying to figure out which NFL team will be picking first. In other words, who will be the worst team in the NFL in 2012. That is where I need your help. Who do you think will be the worst team in the NFL in 2012?

Here is my take: It could be the Jacksonville Jaguars, QB Blane Gabbert struggled last year as a rookie, they signed Chad Henne from the Dolphins in the off season, but I don't know if he'll be any better.

It could easily be the Indianapolis Colts, they are clearly rebuilding and rookie QB Andrew Luck will likely struggle in his first year. If the Colts end up with the first pick though I highly doubt they will take another quarterback, so look for them to trade that to a team that needs a quarterback. I expect USC QB Matt Barkley and Virginia Tech QB Logan Thomas to be drafted one and two in the 2013 NFL Draft.

So which NFL team needs a quarterback and will want to trade up that high? The Seattle Seahawks, probably wont win a lot of games this year, so they might be in a position to trade up. The Kansas City Chiefs and Tennessee Titans might also be looking for a quarterback. Chiefs QB Matt Cassell has struggled, even though Scott Pioli loves Cassel, even he might realize it's time to move on. Do you know the Chiefs haven't drafted a quarterback in the first round since 1983 when they drafted Todd Blackledge.

The Titans have QBs Jake Locker and Matt Hasselbeck, but Locker is still unproven and Hasselbeck is getting long in the tooth. The Arizona Cardinals are another team that could be in the mix. They will likely struggle this year, QB Kevin Kolb has struggled and John Skelton is unproven. Remember the Cardinals were one of the teams that were aggressively going after Peyton Manning before he signed with Denver Broncos. Speaking of the Broncos, even though I think they will have a winning season, they could be in the mix to trade up in the 2013 NFL Draft and go after a QB. After Peyton Manning, they only have Caleb Hanie; and Manning is an aging quarterback coming off two shoulder surgeries.

Fantasy Football Rookies

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Bryant) — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 14:15:00 +0000

The Fantasy Football drafts are getting ready to start and every potential Fantasy GM will be looking for an edge over his opponents. Enter the NFL rookie, yes he is unproven and no you wouldn't use your top pick on one, but the rookie will be under the radar and could pay huge dividends down the road, especially if you play in a keeper league. Imagine if you played in a keeper league and you would have drafted Ray Rice or Drew Brees when they were rookies? So here are a few NFL rookies that I recommend you get on your Fantasy Football rosters:

1. RB Trent Richardson, Browns: Richardson is like a bigger version of Ray Rice. He'll get a lot of carries as the #3 overall choice in the 2012 NFL Draft and with his power and nose for the end zone, he'll score a lot of touchdowns.

2. QB Andrew Luck, Colts: Luck will probably struggle this year as the Colts rebuild, but given a little time for him to develop and the Colts to restock their talent pool, he should put up some huge numbers down the road. The Colts at #34 also drafted TE Coby Fleener, whom Luck played with at Stanford, so they should be on the same sheet of music from the beginning.

3. WR Ryan Broyles, Lions: I really like this kid. He would have been a first round draft pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, but he tore his ACL about mid-way through the 2011 college football season while playing for Oklahoma. Before his injury, Broyles finished his career with an NCAA record 349 receptions. Broyles is fully recovered from his injury now. He ran a 4.57-second 40-yard dash in April, about five months after his injury, and said he's "back to doing everything normal" in workouts.

4. RB David Wilson, Giants: The G-men drafted Wilson with the last pick of round one in the 2012 NFL Draft so they will use him early and often. Running Back was a huge need for the Giants as they lost RB Brandon Jacobs to free agency and leading leading rusher Ahmad Bradshaw has had injury problems. Bradshaw missed four games last year.

5. RB LaMichael James, 49ers: The Niners have a lot of weapons now on offense with the addition of RB Brandon Jacobs, WR Mario Manningham, WR A.J. Jenkins and Randy Moss. James will be playing in a crowded backfield, with RB Frank Gore and RB Kendall Hunter in the mix, James might find it difficult to get the ball. But in saying that, I fully expect Coach Harbaugh to get the ball into his hands early and often. The Niners didn't draft him with their 61st overall pick to sit on the bench. James has the explosive speed and cutting ability of a Darren Sproles.

6. RB Robert Turbin, Seahawks: Leading rusher Marshawn Lynch just can't stay out of trouble, he will be suspended for a portion of the 2012 NFL Season. Enter 4th round pick from Utah State Robert Turbin. Reportedly he has looked very good in training camp and his only competition is Leon Washington who is getting a little long in the tooth. Turbin (5' 8" 222 lbs) is a squat, stocky, powerful back that knows how to get into the end zone.

RB Ronnie Hilman, Broncos: The Broncos traded up to #67 to draft Hilman in the 2012 NFL Draft. "He's explosive," head coach John Fox said of Hillman. "We like what we've seen so far. We targeted him and we think he will be able to help us." He's had a good camp and is listed behind Willis McGahee on the depth chart. Hilman has good hands and will be used on most passing downs, so he'll get you some Fantasy points for receptions as well as rushing yards and touchdowns.

Robert Bryant

bryant@nfldraftdog.com

Invitation to connect on LinkedIn

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Bryant) — Sun, 29 Jul 2012 20:58:00 +0000

From Robert Bryant

Police Officer at Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City

Kansas City, Missouri Area

Publish,

I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn.

- Robert

Confirm that you know Robert

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The Case for Brandon Weeden

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Bryant) — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 17:28:00 +0000

By Raul Colon

recolon@live.com

One of the most interesting storylines in this year's NFL Draft is when and where Oklahoma State QB Brandon Weeden will be selected. There has been some speculations that the talented signal caller could be drafted as high as the end of the first round or as low as the bottom of the third. But before evaluating the round on which the former Oklahoma State Cowboy star would be picked, we have to analyze the player. Yes he is definitely in the Top 100 of the prospects for the 2012 NFL Draft, that's pretty much a consensus.

First, Weeden is a solid 6-4, 221 ponder with a good, live arm. Although he does not have the rare, elite arm strength that make many NFL teams drool, he has the ability to make every NFL throw when he stride into it. He does have to correct a small wind up in his delivery.

Weeden's accuracy depends, not on the length of his throws, but on his mechanics. He has above-average mechanics, the problem is that sometimes he doesn't set up well and throws off his his back foot to often.

Because of the offense that he ran in Oklahoma State, the vaunted spread, he was not asked to not make a deep progression pattern. Thus he has shown a bad habit of "eyeballing" his primary target.

That's said, Weeden reads defenses very well. Is an intelligent player who will undauntedly get better with more experience in a pro style system. He will never win a track meet, but he has some elusive ability which will enable him to side step the pressure. He also has good pocket presence.

Overall, Weeden is definitely not in the class of Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III, but he is right in with projected top 10 pick, Texas A&m QB Ryan Tannehill.

So now to the question when and where will he land?

It's easy to point to his age (28 years old) and said that his shelf life will be less than 10 years. Still, an 8 to 9 year career is above the average of many NFL QBs.

One of the most rumored teams associated with Weeden is Kansas City. GM, Scott Pioli does not like to draft quarterbacks in the early rounds, but he will likely make an exemption here. Weeden could give enigmatic starting QB Matt Cassel some competition this year. Don't read too much into the Kyle Orton signing last year. Weeden have a much higher ceiling that the well traveled Orton.

Another possibility will be the Buffalo Bills. Yes, they do have Ryan Fitzpatrick, but until last year, the former Yale QB was viewed by many around the league as career backup. Weeden could flourish in Chan Gailey's offense which incorporates some concepts from the spread system.

San Diego is another destination. Although the Chargers have a Pro Bowl signal caller in Phillip Rivers, they could add Weeden as insurance policy and develop him for trade value later on, like the team did with Charlie Whitehurst a few years ago.

But the best place for Weeden to land is Denver. The Broncos have a nucleus of young and talented playmakers on offense ready to take the next step. They now have a Hall of Fame quarterback in Payton Manning and the defense needed to win in January. Manning will probably play two to three more years, if he is completely healthy, leaving Weeden at least a 5 year window as Denver's starting QB. That's why Denver will not hesitate to grab Weeden with its second round pick, 57^th overall.

The Cleveland Browns with their 2nd first round pick, #22 overall is also a likey candidate to draft Weeden. With two number one picks this year they could get an elite player like RB Trent Richardson with their fourth overall pick and use their second on a replacement for struggling QB Colt McCoy.

In three years we might look at this draft and wonder why Weeden lasted until the middle of the second round.

2012 Senior Bowl Post Game Report

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Bryant) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 21:55:00 +0000

The 2012 Senior Bowl was played Saturday January 28th 2012 after a week of practice ran by the Vikings and Redskins coaching staff. Last weeks East-West Shrine Game actually kicked off NFL Draft Season. Every NFL team had scouts at the game trying to find the next NFL Draft Prospect, and for good reason, 12 players from last years game were drafted in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft. Time is of the essence, the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine begins on February 23rd and the actual 2012 NFL Draft starts on April 26th, 2012. If you care about the score, the North beat the South 23-13.

The best player in this game and a certain top 10 draft pick was DE Quinton Coples from North Carolina. He was simply un-blockeable and was in the quarterbacks face all afternoon. He mostly made his money on inside moves and arm overs, but on one occasion he displayed outstanding athletic ability buy jumping over a cut block and getting a sack. Coples is a true defensive end, and at 6' 5" 276 pounds he is suited to play in a 4-3 defense. He is decent against the run, but might be to light to play end in a 3-4 defense.

The MVP of this game was RB Isaiah Pead (5' 10" 200 lbs) from Cincinnati. He is extremely explosive, shifty and can break tackles. He also displayed his versatility buy returning kickoffs and boy did he return some impressive kickoffs. One of his kick returns was for 60 yards and the next was for 38 yards. He also had eight rushes for 32 yards. He might have ran himself into the second or third round of the 2012 NFL Draft.

Im not putting OLB/DE Vinny Curry, (Marshall) in the same category as last years Senior Bowl star Von Miller, but Curry did raise his draft stock considerably. Curry is a natural pass rusher, quick and explosive and he also displayed a nice bull rush, one time pushing Florida State Zebrie Sanders back into the quarterback. Curry (6' 4" 260 lbs), could be drafted early, maybe even late first/early second round of the 2012 NFL Draft. He will be drafted to play outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. Last season Curry recorded an impressive 22 tackles for loss (TFL) and 11 sacks.

I wasn't real impressed with any of the quarterbacks to be honest with you. 28 year old QBBrandon Weeden (Oklahoma State) started the game for the South. He (Weeden) got a lot of hype during the week, where he looked pretty good. In the game he was decent but doesn't look very athletic and throws to many interceptions. During the season he threw 3 interceptions (INTs) against Louisiana-Lafayette, 2 INTs against Tulsa and Kansas State, and 3 INTs in their loss to Iowa State.

Wisconsin Quarterback (QB) Russell Wilson is a little small (5' 11" 210 lbs), but he throws very well on the run and can take off and rush the ball like a running back. He doesn't look comfortable or accurate in the pocket however.

Arizona QB Nick Foles came in the game in the 3rd quarter and stood big and tall in the pocket. He completed his first pass to Joe Adams for 20 yards. However, after that he struggled with accuracy. Some of his balls ended up in the ground as he seems to throw a nose down football. Foles did throw a nice 20 yard TD pass to fellow Arizona WR Juron Criner (6' 4" 210 lbs). Criner ran a nice route and held onto the ball after a big hit in traffic.

Boise State Kellen Moore was extremely accurate, but he has marginal arm strength and like Russell Wilson, is a little small (5' 11" 190 lbs). Moore also doesn't have the mobility of Wilson, but looks good in the pocket.

Michigan State's Kirk Cousins had a good week of practice and he looked pretty good in the 2012 Senior Bowl. He completed a nice 32 yard pass over the middle on a crossing route to Ohio State's WR DeVier Posey. Overall I don't think Posey was that impressive however, he missed a sure touchdown on a pass in the end zone.

I wish Division 1AA Chattanooga QB B. J. Coleman (6' 3" 225 lbs) played in the 2012 Senior Bowl. So far in the post season he has looked like the most impressive QB, he played great at the East-West Shrine Game and it would have been nice to see him compete against some better talent.

Probably the most impressive receiver stats-wise was Arkansas' Joe Adams (5' 11" 190 lbs). After a first quarter fumble, he recovered with some nice catches finishing with 133 receiving yard. He catches the ball well and fights for extra yards. Oklahoma CB Jamell Fleming (5' 11" 192 lbs), made a nice tackle and stripped the ball out of Adams hands causing the fumble.

Probably the highest rated receiver in this game was Arizona State WR Gerell Robinson. He is huge and plays huge (6' 4" 224 lbs). He runs good routes and with his long legs has deceptive speed. Robinson caught a short pass on a crossing route in the 3rd quarter and turned it upfield for a 30 yard TD.

NFL Network Draft analyst Mike Mayock is really high on Ohio State OT Mike Adams (6' 6" 310 lbs). I'm not as high on him as Mayock is and I don't think he is a first round offensive tackle. I think he'll be good value in round two however. Adams held his own against South Carolina DE Melvin Ingram for the most part, but Alabama OLB Courtney Upshaw (6' 2" 269 lbs) displayed a nice punch on a bull rush and beat Adams for a sack. Adams is tall and plays a little high, but he moves his feet very well.

I really like Michigan DT Mike Martin (6' 1" 300 lbs). He (Martin) is a physical stud and a former high school wrestler. Martin uses his hands very well and plays with good leverage. He might be at his limit size-wise however, I don't think his frame can handle much more muscle.

North Carolina (NC) OLB Zach Brown might be the fastest linebacker in this 2012 NFL Draft. He made a nice play on a screen pass reading and reacting for a tackle for loss (TFL). He needs to do a better job taking on blockers, but he is a fast twitch athlete with elite speed and excellent size (6' 2" 230 lbs). He will likely rise after the Combine after he burns up the track. He holds the 55 meter record at NC.

Another linebacker (LB) that played well was Florida State LB Nigel Bradham (6' 2" 240 lbs). He ran Wisconsin QB Russell Wilson down and sacked him and that's no easy task as Wilson is one of the most elusive QBs in the nation.

A relatively unknown linebacker emerged in this game. Utah State LB Bobby Wagner (6' 1" 232 lbs) looked very athletic and he takes on blocks and runs well. Wagner could be a late round sleeper.

Tennessee DE Malik Jackson isn't a household name, but he had an excellent week of practice and got a lot of pressure on quarterbacks in the game. At 6' 4" 265 lbs, he could be an excellent outside linebacker for a team that runs a 3-4 defense.

On a negative note, a cornerback (CB) that I was real high on was Iowa State CB Leonard Johnson. He had a great week of practice but missed a key tackle in the Senior Bowl.

Also Appalachian State WR Brian Quick didn't impress me when he caught a pass and needed to fight for an extra yard to get a first down. He was stopped short and didn't seem to fight for extra yards. That's unacceptable for a receiver with his size (6' 4" 218 lbs).

Lastly the biggest faller might be Nebraska CB Alfonzo Dennard. He is an excellent tackler, but he had trouble in covering speedy receivers. During practice in the week before the game he couldn't turn and run very well and doesn't have fluid hips. He also tweaked his hamstring in practice and didn't play in the game.

2012 East West Shrine Game

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Bryant) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 20:01:00 +0000

Draft season is officially underway, the 87th annual East-West Shrine was played on Saturday (21 January 2012), and even though its not as popular as next weeks Senior Bowl, the Shrine game did have 43 players drafted in the NFL Draft from last years roster. It really doesn't matter who wins and loses, we just want to scout the prospects for the 2012 NFL Draft, so I'll get right to it.

Pictured above, DT Akiem Hicks is an interesting prospect. He was originally a JC transfer to LSU, but had some eligibilty issues so he ended up playing in Canada (Regina Rams). Hicks is massive at 6' 4" 324 pounds, but carries his weight extremely well. He looked very explosive, if he can get in better shape he has a shot to make an NFL roster.

East QB B. J. Coleman (Chattanooga) looked spectacular in the game. Even though the West beat the east 24-17, Coleman led a 4th quarter drive that was going well until he ran out of time. Coleman has a quick release, very strong arm and was extremely accurate in the game. He (Coleman) began his career in 2007 with the Tennessee Volunteers. He couldn't crack the starting lineup at Tennessee right away so he transferred to Chattanooga. The only concern is that he's been a little inconsistent this past season where he only completed 58% of his passes.

Probably the best player in the game was Michigan State WR B. J. Cunningham. He (Cunningham) scored a first quarter TD where he caught the ball on a nice come back route and then spun around and broke a tackle. Cunningham isn't a speed burner, but he has nice size (6' 2" 220 lbs). He is also the leading receiver in Michigan State history where he recorded 1,306 receiving yards and 12 TDs.

The other QB that looked good was Colorado QB Tyler Hansen. Hanson has a decent arm, nice vision and can run the ball very effectively. He helped the West win the game with a rushing TD and he also went 12 for 17 and 144 yards. He looked comfortable behind center and he has a quick drop back and release. Probably an undrafted free agent, but he has potential.

Miami (Fl) TE Chase Ford (6' 5" 245 lbs), isn't real fast, but he can catch anything thrown his way. He caught a very nice pass over the middle between two defenders. If he can block and play special teams, he has a chance at the next level.

RB Alfred Morris, Florida Atlantic (5' 11" 222 lbs) ran the ball well and helped the West run the ball effectively. Morris has very thick legs, he reminds me of the 1970s Dallas Cowboys Running Back Robert Newhouse. He broke a lot of tackles during the game and last season he recorded 1,186 yards and 9 TDs.

Probably the top offensive lineman in this game was Colorado OG Ryan Miller. He (Miller) has excellent size (6' 7" 306 lbs) and mobility. He looked really good pulling and blocking downfield on a sweep. He could be a late round steal in the 2012 NFL Draft.

An offensive lineman that looked good all week and during the game was Miami (Oh) OG Brandon Brooks. He is a road grader type with excellent size (6' 4" 325 lbs). He opened up some nice holes for the West running backs. Probably an undrafted free agent type, but he has the size to play in the NFL.

A pair of Inside Linebackers (ILB) looked very good. Jerry Franklin from Arkansas looked very solid fighting off blockers and getting to the ball carrier. He has decent size (6' 1" 244 lbs) and could be a late round steal. ILB Tank Carder from TCU also displayed nice range and has NFL speed. Carder is more of a finesse player and not real big (6' 2" 236 lbs), but again, he's fast and is a good tackler.

There were a couple cornerbacks that stood out during the game: Iowa CB Shaun Prater and North Carolina CB Charles Brown. Prater (5' 11" 182 lbs) might be a late round steal. He was around the ball all afternoon and broke up a couple passes. Brown (5' 9" 196 lbs) also broke up a few passes, not real tall, but he (Brown) has thick legs and quick feet.

OLB Kyle Wilber from Wake Forest looked excellent during the East-West Shrine game. He rushes the passer very well and has the size (6' 4" 240 lbs) to play outside linebacker (OLB) in a 3-4 defense at the next level. Wilber recorded 70 tackles and 3.5 sacks last season.

OLB/DE Juilan Miller from West Virginia is another impressive player that is suited to play OLB in a 3-4 defense. He is relentless rushing the passer and is fast and tall (6" 3" 259 lbs).

ILB Najee Goode from West Virginia is a little small (6' 1" 239 lbs) but he made an excellent play reading and stuffing a screen.

A couple receivers that really stood out in the game was Miami (Fl) WR LaRon Byrd and Illinois WR A. J. Jenkins. Byrd has really nice size at 6' 4" 220 pounds and caught a nice slant for a TD right before halftime. Jenkins isn't near as big (6' 0" 190 lbs), but he runs excellent routes and is quick in and out of his breaks. He was extremely productive last year for Illinois where he caught 90 pass for 1,276 yards and 8 TDs.

Last but not least is another Miami (Fl) product. Defensive Tackle DT Micanor Regis is quite a specimen at 6' 2" 305. Regis is very athletic and has the athletic ability to move out and play end in a 3-4 defense.

Is Matt Forte the Best Running Back in the NFL?

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Bryant) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 16:11:00 +0000

When you hear the phrase “best running back in the NFL” who do you think of? Perhaps you think of the Tennessee Titans super star back Chris Johnson? Maybe you think of Oakland Raiders star Darren McFadden or the Viking’s Adrian Peterson. These are all good backs but perhaps no other running back means more to his team that the Bear’s Matt Forte.

Forte has been a one man wrecking crew for the Bears so far this season. Through the Bears first seven games of the season, Forte has rushed for a total of 672 yards (currently second in the NFL) with two touchdowns. Through the air, he’s gained 419 yards and has one touchdown there.

He’s already over 1000 total yards through seven games (he currently has a total of 1091 yards from scrimmage) and is on pace to top the 2000 yard mark if he keeps going like he is.

And with his ability to make the offense work, there is no doubt that Forte is going to achieve the 2000 yard mark and help the Bears make the playoffs.

When you look at the good running backs in the NFL you have to look at those that are helping their teams win. Peterson isn’t doing much to help his team win but he’s still cranking out the yards. Johnson has been having a good season right now but hasn’t had the impact that Forte has.

When offensive coordinator Mike Martz first came to the Bears it was thought that the days of running the football would be something of the past. But remember what Martz was able to do with Marshall Faulk when he was with the St. Louis Rams. Now it appears as if Forte is being used in a similar fashion and that means he’s going to get some big numbers in this offense.

The Bears utilize Forte a lot and he’s the biggest part of their offense. Without him, the Bears wouldn’t have won a single game this season. He means that much to the Bears.

Forte is undergoing some issues with his contract and deserves to get a new deal. He’s more than proven that he is worth any amount of money that the Bears would pay him and probably more and he needs to get a new deal. The Bears can’t afford to lose him next season nor can they afford to have him suddenly decide to hold out in an attempt to get a new contract. Paying Forte would be a step in the right direction.

Chicago may have known what they were getting with Forte when they got him and he’s had a mixed bag of results during his career. His second season with the team was a bit of a difficult one as he spent some of his time injured and therefore wasn’t as effective as he had been in his first season. His third season was good enough and so far his fourth has been one of the best in the history of running backs.

But another question is just how much longer can Forte play at this pace, not just in this season but for the rest of his career. He is being used a lot as a runner and he may end up wearing down as the season goes on. That would put the Bears in a bad situation.

But for now Forte has been one of the best backs in the NFL and should continue to be a top of the line back as long as he stays healthy.

Top 50 College Football Players You Should Know Right Now

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Bryant) — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 14:50:00 +0000

Not to be confused with the top NFL prospects, the top college players are guys that have excelled on Saturdays in one facet of the game or another. Some of these players could become elite pro athletes in the near future, but some of them may never play a single down in the pros. Regardless of that, they should be applauded for their achievements on the college playing field and fans need to take note of them.

Along with their natural abilities as individuals, their hard work throughout the year and commitment to work together as a team is a testament to human evolution. Nowhere on earth will you find a game that has positions for as many different types of athletes. From the 5'7" 180 lb cornerback to the 6'8" 330 lb offensive tackle, nearly every size of human is represented on the college gridiron.

Every one of the guys on this list possesses a unique set of skills that make them the game-changers that they are today. I, for one, absolutely love the display of diversity of the participants, just as I do the diversity of the fan bases. It just makes things more interesting and it is one the reasons why we pay attention. If you don't know these guys yet, here's an introduction. Pay attention this fall and you will probably hear their names again.

1. Andrew Luck, QB Stanford - Could've been the first overall pick this year and is considered by some to be one of the best QB prospects in the last 30 years. Can he lead a young but talented offense to the PAC-12 championship under the guidance of a new head coach?

2. LaMichael James, RB Oregon - Led the nation in scoring last year with 24 TD's and helped get the Ducks to the BCS Title game. He and QB Darron Thomas are perfect fits in the fast-paced style of offense they run in Eugene.

3. Justin Blackmon, WR Oklahoma State - Physically gifted athlete almost scored two TD's per game as a sophomore last season.

4. Landry Jones, QB Oklahoma - Threw for 4,700 yards and could challenge Luck to be the first overall pick in next year's draft, especially if he leads the team to a Big-12 Championship and a BCS bowl win.

5. Trent Richardson, RB Alabama - Another Heisman candidate for the Crimson Tide needs to be the catalyst on offense if they want to make another run at an SEC and national championship.

6. Ryan Broyles, WR Oklahoma - Versatile playmaker is Jones' favorite target. He had over 1600 yards last season and could be a top 15 draft pick.

7. Denard Robinson, QB Michigan - Electrifying runner is not a great pro prospect as a QB but averaged 6.6 yards per rush and totaled 1702 yards on the ground. He is a threat on any given play.

8. Quinton Coples, DE North Carolina - A monster of a human being (6'6" 285 lbs) that collected 59 tackles, 10.5 sacks, and 12 QB hurries as a junior.

9. Alshon Jeffery, WR South Carolina - Huge (6'4" 233 lbs) and explosive SEC receiver. 'Nuff said.

10. Jared Crick, DT Nebraska - Was not completely overshadowed by Ndamukong Suh two years ago and nabbed 9.5 sacks and seven QB hurries last season. He will be one of the top defenders in the Big Ten.

11. Brandon Jenkins, DE Florida State - 21.5 tackles for a loss, 13.5 sacks, two passes defended, and two forced fumbles as a sophomore last season puts him among the top defenders in college football.

12. Nick Foles, QB Arizona - Looks like a pro QB and could put together a strong campaign this year after completing 67% of his passes as a junior.

13. Luke Kuechly, LB Boston College - Led the entire nation in total tackles (183) last season and also chipped in three INT's.

14. Travis Lewis, LB Oklahoma - Leading tackler the last two years on a solid Sooner defense. He will get a lot of attention from NFL scouts.

15. Courtney Upshaw, LB Alabama - Will be one of the most prized defensive prospects in next year's draft and could be a top 15 pick with an excellent senior season.

16. Matt Barkley, QB USC - First round potential may be overshadowed by the NCAA sanctions still looming over the program, which keep the Trojans from competing for a PAC-12 championship or participating in any bowl games.

17. CB Janoris Jenkins, CB North Alabama - The former Florida Gator star is now playing for the Division II Lions, with head coach Terry Bowden, due to off-field issues. He has a real opportunity to turn himself around there and is definitely a player worth watching as he possesses big-time ability.

18. Manti Te'o, LB Notre Dame - Was one of the top recruits in high school three years ago and is now one of the best defenders in college football.

19. Case Keenum, QB Houston - Has a good chance to become the NCAA's all-time leading passer! This is his sixth and final season after receiving a medical redshirt last year.

20. Kellen Moore, QB Boise St - His 38-2 record is incredible no matter who the competition is and he will go down as one of the winningest QB's of all-time.

21. Lavonte David, LB Nebraska - Benefits from having Crick up front but his six solo tackles per game average is outstanding in its own right.

22. Michael Floyd, WR Notre Dame - If he can stay out of trouble and put a troubled past behind him he could have a big season after turning down the NFL to return to the Fighting Irish.

23. Darron Thomas, QB Oregon - Helped lead the Ducks to within three points of a national championship and helped drive one of the most explosive and entertaining offenses ever.

24. Montel Harris, RB Boston College - Already has 3753 rushing yards in his career. 5,000 are not that far out of reach.

25. Montee Ball, RB Wisconsin - Rushed for over 1,000 yards and scored 18 TD's in a crowded Badger backfield as a sophomore. He could be the next great running back in Madison.

26. Greg Childs, WR Arkansas - One of the top weapons in the SEC with a 6'3" 217 lbs frame. He will play on Sundays.

27. Dominique Davis, QB East Carolina - Never heard of him? This former BC Eagle led the nation in completions per game (30.23), threw 37 TD's, and ran for another nine scores to lead the talent-laden Pirates.

28. Brandon Weeden, QB Oklahoma St - Threw for 4277 yards and 34 TD's last season and has one of the nation's top weapons in Blackmon to throw to once again.

29. Jonathan Martin, OT Stanford - Offensive linemen don't get any of the glory but they should. If he can lead a young O-line and use his large wingspan to keep defenders from attacking Luck's blindside all season Martin will become a top pro prospect.

30. Mark Barron, SS Alabama - Big safety that has made 151 tackles and snatched 10 INT's in the last two years.

31. Jerel Worthy, DT Michigan State - Is primed to have a big year for the Spartans. If he does, he will probably enter the NFL draft a year early. He has all the tools to be a professional.

32. CB Dre Kirkpatrick, CB Alabama - One of the top pro prospects at the position has tremendous size (6'2" 190 lbs) and ability. He is just another brick in the wall in Tuscaloosa.

33. Vontaze Burfict, LB Arizona State - Big-time recruit has been an active defender for the Sun Devils but needs to channel his emotions properly and avoid costly penalties.

34. Mike Brewster, C/G Ohio State - The best player for the Buckeyes now that Terrelle Pryor is gone.

35. Donte Paige-Moss, DE North Carolina - The Tar Heels keep producing big-time defenders lately. Paige-Moss had 13.5 tackles for a loss last season and has added some bulk in the off-season.

36. Nate Potter, OT Boise State - Another productive O-lineman with first round ability will protect Moore's blindside.

37. Edwin Baker, RB Michigan State - Will be the focal point of the offense in East Lansing.

38. Tank Carder, LB TCU - The next standout on the Horned Frogs vaunted defense.

39. Dan Persa, QB Northwestern - Emerged last season before breaking his ankle and elevated the Wildcats. He could be the best passer in the Big Ten.

40. Marcus Forston, DT Miami - Looks to really make a name for himself in 2011.

41. Kirk Cousins, QB Michigan State - Perfect fit in the Spartan offense looks like a decent pro prospect.

42. Mike Martin, DT Michigan - The best defender on a horrible Wolverine defense was miscast under former DC Greg Robinson. Martin is as strong, fast, and versatile as they come and the new coaches will try to take advantage of his abilities.

43. Alfonzo Dennard, CB Nebraska - Held his own opposite Prince Amukamara and looks to step out of the shadows. Pro scouts are aware of his talents.

44. Tydreke Powell, DT North Carolina - Definite professional characteristics as an athlete but lacks overall production, possibly due to the wealth of talent along the DL.

45. Marcus Lattimore, RB South Carolina - Freshman sensation produced 92 yards per game.

46. Dont'a Hightower, LB Alabama - One of the best linebackers in the SEC.

47. Jeff Fuller, WR Texas A & M - First ever 1,000 yard receiver in Aggie history.

48. Robert Lester, FS Alabama - Took advantage of being an unknown in the Tide defense and nabbed eight INT's as a sophomore.

49. Aaron Murray, QB Georgia - The most productive QB returning to the SEC this year is only a sophomore.

50. Russell Wilson, QB Wisconsin - Threw for 3563 yards and 28 TD's for NC State last season and was released from his scholarship to play baseball. He says he loves football and the Badgers could use an upgrade at the position. In the end, he could make a lot of waves in the Big Ten this season.

Scot Acocks covers the Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the NFL Draft Dog and covers all facets of football at www.100yardspin.blogspot.com

2011 NFL Draft Breakdown

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Bryant) — Sun, 08 May 2011 15:08:00 +0000

2011 NFL Draft Grades
by Bill Smith

It is impossible to truly judge a draft for at least 3 years. It often takes that long to really find out who can and who can not play big boy football. However, we can take a look at which teams took highly rated players and who really reached to grab players that were not highly rated.

As I said during our draft coverage on my radio show, this draft has generated the widest diversity of player rankings in many years. I have only been evaluating the NFL draft since 1963 so I am pretty new at this. Most of the differences in opinion about players is the result of so many of the top players in this draft having red flags associated with them. These flags range from several players that have a history of cancer to DUI or drug issues to NCAA suspensions to the classic 1 year wonder guys. The boards of each team are directly related to how seriously they view each red flag.

Team: Falcons

Best pick: P 6 Julio Jones WR Alabama - The team reached a long way to get their guy and gave up a bunch to get him. He is very good but will drop a critical pass now and then.

Biggest reach: P 192 Matt Bosher K Miami (Fla.) - I don't ever like drafting a kicker.

Biggest value: P 145 Jacquizz Rodgers RB Oregon State - He will replace Norwood who is a UFA.

P 230 Cliff Matthews DE South Carolina - He can be a solid reserve and can develop into a starter. Not bad for a late pick.

Team: Cards

Best pick: P 5 Patrick Peterson CB LSU - He is one of the top 3 players in the draft and will start day 1.

Biggest reach: P 69 Rob Housler TE Florida Atlantic - I had him rated in the 130's. They could have waited a round to get him.

Biggest value: P 103 Sam Acho DE Texas - Acho was a late 2nd round value and could start.

Team: Ravens

Best pick: P27 Jimmy Smith CB Colorado - Smith has some character issues but the Ravens locker room will help him keep focused on and off the field. He has top 6 talent.

Biggest reach: P 85 Jah Reid OT UCF - I rated Reid as a FA after the draft.

Biggest value: P165 Pernell McPhee DE Mississippi State - He is a raw player that needs coaching but has a lot of potential and was rated as a late 3rd round value.

Team: Bills

Best pick: P3 Marcell Dareus DT Alabama - Dareus was my top DT and is very good against the run and the pass. He starts game 1.

Biggest reach: P100 Da'Norris Searcy SS North Carolina - He was a round 7 guy on my board but has talent.

Biggest value: P 206 Justin Rogers CB Richmond - If he had played at a big name school he would have been a late 1st round pick.

Team: Bears

Best pick: P 195 J.T. Thomas OLB West Virginia - Thomas has 3 years experience at OLB. He will be a special teams star and will compete for a rotation spot.

Biggest reach: P 160 Nathan Enderle QB Idaho - Beauty like potential is in the eye of the beholder.

Biggest value: P 53 Stephen Paea DT Oregon State - Most drafts had him in the late first round.

Team: Browns

Best pick: P 37 Jabaal Sheard DE Pittsburgh - Sheard is a solid DE but is not the pass rusher the team needed.

Biggest reach: P21 Phil Taylor DT Baylor - Taylor is a second round value. It was a good thing they got a number of picks by trading down from 6.

Biggest value: Sheard

Team: Bengals

Best pick: P3 A.J. Green WR Georgia - Green is the top WR and a great addition to a team that had under-achieving WRs last year.

Biggest reach: None - For the first time in years the Bungles did not reach too far for any player.

Biggest value: P 35 Andy Dalton QB TCU - This pick was insurance for Palmer's possible retirement.

Team: Panthers

Best pick: 166 Lawrence Wilson OLB Connecticut - Wilson can play any LB spot and will contribute soon.

Biggest reach: P 65 Terrell McClain DT South Florida - Most people had him in the 4th round. The Panthers must REALLY like him to take him here.

Biggest value: Wilson

Team: Cowboys

Best pick: P 71 DeMarco Murray RB Oklahoma - Murray is a replacement for a couple of high picks that have not worked out. He has power and some speed.

Biggest reach: 110 David Arkin OG Missouri State - He was taken 2 rounds higher than most had him rated.

Biggest value: P 40 Bruce Carter OLB North Carolina - Carter can play which is more than a couple of Cowboy LB picks in the past.

Team: Lions

Best pick: P 57 Mikel LeShoure RB Illinois - Smith was cut and LeShoure should start.

Biggest reach: P 44 Titus Young WR Boise State - They wanted a WR and reached a bit to get Young.

Biggest value: LeShoure

Team: Broncos

Best pick: P2 Von Miller OLB Texas A&M - This was tough because I didn't like much of the draft here. Miller played a combo DE/LB and will be used the same way at DV.

Biggest reach: P 129 Julius Thomas TE Portland State - They need one but I doubt this guy is a player.

Biggest value: P 108 Quinton Carter FS Oklahoma - Carter is a player that can support the run or play center field in a 1 deep coverage.

Team: Packers

Best pick: P 131 Davon House CB New Mexico State - House is a solid CB that was under valued
even in the 2nd round. To get him here is outstanding value.

Biggest reach: P 96 Alex Green RB Hawaii - After RB by committee, they needed one that can play. He would have been available in the late 6th round.

Biggest value: House

Team: Texans

Best pick: P 42 Brooks Reed OLB Arizona - The DE will play OLB for the Texans that are changing to a 3-4 this year. He can rush the passer which is a need for the D.

Biggest reach: P 152 T.J. Yates QB North Carolina - The run on QBs caused the Texans to reach for a guy that in other years would have gone undrafted.

Biggest value: P 127 Rashad Carmichael CB Virginia Tech - He was projected to go in the 3rd round.

Team: Colts

Best pick: P87 Drake Nevis DT LSU - Nevis is solid and can do it all. He was projected in the late 2nd round.

Biggest reach: None - The Colts went chalk and got value with each pick.

Biggest value: P22 Anthony Castonzo OT Boston College - The team got another 1st round LT to try to protect Manning.

Team: Jags

Best pick: P114 Cecil Shorts III WR Mount Union - Shorts is very fast and should give Jag QBs a good deep threat.

Biggest reach: P 121 Chris Prosinski FS Wyoming - He was a good player on a really bad D.

Biggest value: P10 Blaine Gabbert QB Missouri - I don't think he will ever start but in a draft of reaches he was the only one that had a higher projected value.

Team: Chiefs

Best pick: P 86 Allen Bailey DE Miami (Fla.) - Bailey is just OK but this draft was a mess. They took a lot of players with BIG red flags and the locker room is not strong enough to survive it.

Biggest reach: P 140 Gabe Miller DE Oregon State - Miller was rated in the 550's on most boards including mine.

Biggest value: P 26 Jon Baldwin WR Pittsburgh - IF they keep him focused which is not likely.

Team: Dolphins

Best pick: P 62 Daniel Thomas RB Kansas State - He was my top rated RB in a year with very little in the group.

Biggest reach: P231 Frank Kearse DT Alabama A&M - A reach in the 7th round is not bad. Kearse was rated as undrafted.

Biggest value: Thomas

Team: Vikings

Best pick: P 139 Brandon Burton CB Utah - He is a player that had a 2nd round grade.

Biggest reach: P 170 Mistral Raymond FS South Florida - I had him rated in the 600's.

Biggest value: Burton

Team: Patriots

Best pick: P 17 Nate Solder OT Colorado - The Pats need to protect Brady.

Biggest reach: P 194 Markell Carter DE Central Arkansas - This was overall a good draft. A late reach for a guy you like is not a bad thing.

Biggest value: The trades that brought extra picks in 2011

Team: Giants

Best pick: P 52 Marvin Austin DT North Carolina - I think this guy is a steal but so was CB Amukamara at 19. Both could be stars soon. Austin is a penetrating DT that will create havoc in the backfield.

Biggest reach: None that matter. The Giants got 3 of my top producers.

Biggest value: Amukamara - He can start and will support the run better than Peterson.

Team: Jets

Best pick: P94 Kenrick Ellis DT Hampton - He would have been a 1st round pick if he played at a big name school. Ellis can rush the passer and will jam the run.

Biggest reach: None that are significant. The team did a great job getting value.

Biggest value: Ellis

Team: Saints

Best pick: P 24 Cameron Jordan DE California - He will become a regular. The team has problems at both DE spots.

Biggest reach: None of real consequence.

Biggest value: P 226 Greg Romeus DE Pittsburgh - If he had come out last year he would have been a top 10 pick. Injuries hurt his 2010 season.

Team: Raiders

Best pick: P 48 Stefen Wisniewski C Penn State - The need was clear and Wis is solid.

Biggest reach: P81 DeMarcus Van Dyke CB Miami (Fla.) - He has talent but was projected in the very late 7th round.

Biggest value: P 113 Chimdi Chekwa CB Ohio State - One of the best CBs in the league is leaving and the team needed help at the CB spot.

Team: Eagles

Best pick: P 116 Casey Matthews ILB Oregon - He shot up the draft charts when he proved he was fast enough to play MLB in a 4-3.

Biggest reach: P 161 Julian Vandervelde OG Iowa - A smart kid from a school that produces a lot of NFL O line guys. I had him in the 7th round.

Biggest value: P 240 Stanley Havili FB Southern California - Havili is a blaster with decent speed. He is a great value here.

Team: Steelers

Best pick: P31 Cameron Heyward DE Ohio State - Cam is a typical Steeler guy--tough, smart and blue collar. He will be worked into the rotation and help make the team younger on D. The team that started the Super Bowl this year had a D more than 1 year older than the "Over the Hill" Redskin group that won the title.

Biggest reach: P 63 Marcus Gilbert OT Florida - I don't like Gilbert and had him rated in the 4th round.

Biggest value: P 196 Keith Williams OG Nebraska - This kid can pull and will challenge for a starting spot soon. He was off most draft boards but shot up lately. I had him in the 3rd round in terms of value but knew he would last longer.

Team: Chargers

Best pick: P 201 Stephen Schilling OG Michigan - When your best pick is a 7th round choice, there is trouble. Schilling was a good value and can play at this level.

Biggest reach: P 61 Jonas Mouton OLB Michigan - He can play some but would have been available much later.

Biggest value: P 183 Jordan Todman RB Connecticut - He is a solid back and had a 4th round grade. He will replace Sproles on the roster.

Team: Seahawks

Best pick: P 75 John Moffitt OG Wisconsin - Every pick was a reach but at least Moffitt can play. He is a road grader that I had projected in the 4th round.

Biggest reach: P 107 Kris Durham WR Georgia - Most draft projections had him as undraftable. They took him in the 4th round.

Biggest value: None - Every pick was a reach.

Team: 49ers

Best pick: P 36 Colin Kaepernick QB Nevada - I have predicted on my radio show that by 2014 he will be the best QB in this draft. To get him in the 2nd was a value given where other QBs were picked.

Biggest reach: P 80 Chris Culliver FS South Carolina - I though Culliver was OK but had him in the 6th round.

Biggest value: P 115 Kendall Hunter RB Oklahoma State - RB Gore needs a dance partner. Hunter can be a starter for a lot of teams and was a great value here.

Team: Rams

Best pick: P 14 Robert Quinn DE North Carolina - I think Quinn is by far the best 4-3 DE pass rusher to come out of college in years. He will be a great complement to DE Long.

Biggest reach: P 216 Mikail Baker CB Baylor - The Rams had a good draft. I just did not have Baker as even a FA guy.

Biggest value: Quinn

Team: Bucs

Best pick: P 51 Da'Quan Bowers DE Clemson - IF his knees are decent, this is a great value. He can rush the QB and was the last above average rusher on the board.

Biggest reach: P 187 Allen Bradford RB Southern California - The team had a lot higher grade on him than anyone I have seen including the coaching staff at USC.

Biggest value: Bowers

Team: Titans

Best pick: P 77 Jurrell Casey DT Southern California - He is a very good DT with some pass rush ability. He could start day 1.

Biggest reach: P8 Jake Locker QB Washington - I REALLY don't get Locker. He reminds me of Clausen last year. Kiper loved both but I don't. The great thing about being a draft analyst is that we will find out who was right and was wrong.

Biggest value: P 104 Luke Stocker TE Tennessee - Everyone had him rated in the late 2nd.

Team: Redskins

Best pick: P 16 Ryan Kerrigan DE Purdue - He will play OLB for the 3-4 there. There is always a risk changing a DE in college to OLB because they often are lost in space (see DE Gholston picked 6tj by the Jets who was just released). Kerrigan can rush the QB.

Biggest reach: P 146 DeJon Gomes SS Nebraska - He is raw and needs a lot of work. Most had him very late in the 7th round.

Biggest value: P79 Leonard Hankerson WR Miami (Fla.) - He had late 1st round talent and can pluck the ball out of the air. He and Paul (P 155) should provide help for whoever ends up playing QB.

That's what I think. Tell us what you think.

Bill Smith is a former coach of several semi-pro teams, has officiated both football and basketball, done color on radio for college football and basketball and has scouted talent. He is a senior writer for http://NFLDraftDog.com and edits http://fryingpansports.com. He has also published several novels on
http://www.eBooks-Library.com/Contemporary/
and a non-fiction work at http://www.merriam-press.com/. He edits http://fryingpanpolitics.org/. Also listen to the best Sports Talk anywhere on the Internet and hear his sports show Monday-Friday 6-8 PM EST on http://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/ or http://mooheadradio.com/2.0/.

The NFL Draft Experience: 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Bryant) — Thu, 05 May 2011 13:35:00 +0000

By Larry McCammon (Chiefs' Writer)

3 May 2011

For the second straight year, I made my way to Radio City Music Hall in New York City, in efforts to catch the first 3 rounds of this year's NFL Draft. The journey was the same as last, yet the experience was brand new. My two brothers from Kansas City, Jake and Clay, accompanied me this time; so having company at my side created a newness to the moments I had already partaken in last year.

Again, tickets were free and were only available to those that were willing to wait in line for four hours- starting at 8:00 in the evening the day before the Draft started. As we approached the end of the line- already 100 deep when I arrived at 7:58pm- the chants and joshing began from fellow Chiefs' fans and all the other teams' followers. And as you meshed into the masses, and the hours passed, the 700 individual fans became a single living organism... all wanting something resembling football.

While in line, we were visited by television journalists from the NFL Network. Attempting to stand hidden as the camera crew approached our stakeout, I was pointed out by reporter Michelle Beisner as one of the few Chiefs' fans in line. The next thing I knew, I had a camera light and microphone invading what I thought was a clever concealment. I was asked if this was my first draft, replied that it was my second, and then she told me that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell could be possibly make a stop by the line of dedicated fans this evening. She asked, "If you had an opportunity to make a statement to the Commissioner about the current labor issue, what would you say to him?"

Well, that didn't put me on the spot at all. As I tried to gather my thoughts and deliver a solid point, it felt like I was back in grade school trying to quickly spell the hardest word during the spelling contest. With my best manly voice I stated, "I would tell him that the players deliver a great product on the field to the fans and they deserve to be paid well." That was met with a neutral and professional tone by Ms. Beisner, as she assured me that the league was working hard to do what is necessary for both sides. And as they moved on to the next fan of interest, I felt a slight relief and quickly realized that it isn't easy to spit out something of value with a national network camera in your face.

And as prophesized, the Commissioner did appear to the dedicated hundreds that spent the hours on their feet to personally watch the selection of this year's rookies. He spent a full hour making his way down the line in efforts to shake every hand of any fan that was interested. By the time he got to my spot his fingers on one hand were covered in permanent marker and yet he had no issue signing my Kansas City hat when requested, while also posing for a picture. And with the previous response in mind from my answer to Michelle Beisner's question earlier, I merely said to Mr. Goodell, "Good luck with the CBA process." It simply felt more appropriate at the moment.

The actual Draft went on without a hitch and just as last year there seemed to be a little magic in the air. And when the Commissioner approached the podium to announce the opening of the 2011 Draft, he was met with a few cheers, many understandable boo's, and a joint cadence of "We want football!" Yet, the Draft kicked off without delay and the anticipation of each selection kept the drama thick; and the unique responses from each teams' fans as their picks were made or traded delivered a sports' geeks version of a night time soap opera... and we're all hanging on to see how the cliffhanger turns out!

Strategy for the 2011 NFL Draft

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Bryant) — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 20:02:00 +0000

The intrigue of the NFL Draft, the mystery of which player will your team select, the hope that this draft will be the catalyst that gets your team to the Superbowl. Everyone and their mother does Mock Drafts these days, they even have Websites whos main purpose is to critique and grade your Mock Draft after it's over. They compare and grade your 2011 NFL Mock Draft based off the actual draft. The problem with that is a lot of websites, including my own NFL Draft Dog don't try to "guess" who the NFL team will draft, instead we list who we think they should draft.

For example everyone has Carolina taking Cam Newton #1 overall, and I think the Panthers will probably take him, however I think they would be much better off long-term by taking Alabama DT Marcel Dareus. They could take QBs Christian Ponder or Andy Dalton in the second round and give last years second round choice Jimmy Clausen some competition. If things don't work out they would have a chance at Stanford QB Andrew Luck next year.

So that means the Broncos would lose out on Dareus and desperately needing help at defensive tackle they should take Auburn DT Nick Fairley. I don't believe all the hype about Fairley "falling" in the draft. Yes he might, but he shouldn't.Try to remember the actual football season, at the end of the year Cam Newton won the Heisman Trophy, but Fairley was the most dominant player in football and without him Auburn never would have won a national championship. Fairley came to the combine in great shape and hasn't been into any trouble.

The Bills are up next and this is the toughest pick in the top ten, OLB Von Miller would be an excellent pick, but they haven't had a franchise quarterback since Jim Kelly. QB Blaine Gabbert could be that guy and the Bills should draft him and let him sit a year and hold a clip board.

The Bengals hope Gabbert falls to them but they need a quarterback also, Carson Palmer's days are numbered in Cincinnatti and Cam Newton could be the guy to carry the Bengals forward. They should also get a veteran in to help Gabbert along so he wouldn't have to start right away. QB Cam Newton will struggle eraly in his career if he is thrown in too soon, but with patience he could develop into quite the weapon.

The Arizona Cardinals have the luxury od getting to draft Texas A&M OLB Von Miller here if Gabbert and Newton are already gone. The Cards are another team that needs a quarterback, but Von Miller is special and could be one of the top NFL pass rushers very early in his career. He has pass rushing skills comparable to DeMarcus Ware and he might even be more explosive off the snap than Ware.

The Browns will now get that quality receiver that they need. They should draft Georgia WR A.J. Green, he is a little more quick in and out of his cuts than Julio Jones, but don't be surprised if the Browns don't take Jones, he (Jones) is bigger, faster and a better blocker that Green. It's kind of a coin toss between those two. Both should be NFL stars in short order.

The Niners are smiling at this point as they get what could be the most talented football player in this draft. CB Patrick Peterson, who, by the way, I think we eventually be an NFL safety. The Niners will also be looking to trade up to get Gabbert, if not, look for them to get a top quarterback very early in round two or trade back up into the bottom of the first round.

The Tennessee Titans will also be a team desperately looking for help at quarterback, unfortunately, the top quarterbacks will all be gone by this point and I think this is to early to take Arkansas QB Ryan Mallett. I like Mallett, but as far as value a top pass rusher like Robert Quinn would be a better value. Quinn has special skills and if he stays focused should be a double digit sack guy for years to come.

The Dallas Cowboys will be looking to trade down and get some extra picks here, they have a lot of holes and need to come out of this draft with a lot of good players. That's easier said than done though and will probably just stay put and take USC offensive tackle Tyron Smith. Marc Columbo is old and injury prone and Smith played right tackle at USC, he could step right in and replace Columbo. They could also fill a need here at defensive end and just re-sign Columbo for another year. Wisconsin's JJ Watt would be an excellent addition as well as Cal's talented defensive end Cameron Jordan. New defensive coordinator Rob Ryan will be begging Jerry Jones for one of those top defensive ends her.

To round out the top ten, the Redskins are another team that is desperately trying to move up and get a quarterback, the price will likely be to high though and the Skins will just sit here and take WR Julio Jones. They could also trade down and get one of the top defensive tackles on the board like Temple's Muhammad Wilkerson. Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth is a joke, a bad apple he just never worked out in DC.

So that's a Breakdown of my top ten, not who I think they will pick, but who they should.

How Will the NFL Lockout Affect the NFL Draft

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Bryant) — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 21:21:00 +0000

With the NFL lockout in place, NFL teams are currently unable to sign free agents and address their needs before the draft.

Therefore NFL teams will take the best player available approach with the hope of signing a few free agents later when and if the NFL owners and players reach an agreement.

The NFL Draft will take place, even if their is a boycott on the draft, the teams will still make their selections, they will "own" the rights to the player, they just won't be able to sign them to a contract. The teams won't be able to hold their rookie mini-camps and subsequently their rookie development will likely be hindered.

So if the lockout bleeds into late July and August it might be next to impossible for one of these rookie quarterbacks to come in and start their rookie year. There just won't be enough time for them to be able to come in and adjust to the speed of the pro game and learn the complicated offenses and defenses before the first game.

So will an NFL team draft a QB in the first round now knowing that they might not see the field for two years? Smart teams will just follow their draft boards and not worry about the what-ifs, but then again, a lot of NFL owners aren't very smart when it comes to the NFL Draft....Al Davis and Jerry Jones immediately come to mind.

2011 NFL Scouting Combine: Linebackers

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Bryant) — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 18:12:00 +0000

We all knew that Von Miller was a good line backer, but he proved it beyond a shadow of a doubt at the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine. He ran a very impressive 40-yard dash and vertical jump.

There were a few pleasant surprises though, like Dontay Moch from Nevada and Bruce Miller from little Central Florida, both with impressive performances in their own right.

Here are your top performers and floppers at the combine. I did not include defensive ends who experts think will switch to a 3-4 linebacker. Ex: Aldon Smith, Ryan Kerrigan.

Von Miller, Texas A&M OLB: Miller ran a 4.60 40-yard dash and a 37” vertical leap. He has the speed and explosiveness, however his strength could be a concern. He was only able to bench 225 21 times. So there is a risk that a bigger stronger lineman could neutralize Von Miller's affect of the field. Other than that, he is the top linebacker in the draft.

Before Combine: top 20 pick

After Combine: top 5 pick.

Martez Williams, Illinois ILB: If Von Miller had not been at the combine, Martez would have stole all the limelight. He proved to be an explosive athlete in complete control of his body. He ran a blazing 4.44 40-yard dash. He had a so-so bench press showing, completing 225 pounds on the bench press 23 times. He also had a 36” vertical jump to cap of his impressive combine showing. He has impressive size. He is 6' 3” and weighs 250 lbs. He will be a starter somewhere guaranteed.

Before combine: 3-4th round.

After Combine: early 2nd round.

Akeem Ayers, UCLA OLB: He has been viewed as a 4-3 outside linebacker to most. Ayers ran a mediocre 4.80 40-yard dash and had a vertical of 31”. He has on the field speed and some explosiveness. Strength? Not so much, Akeem racked the bar after only 18 reps on the bench press. He could have problems with bigger backs.

Before Combine: 1st round

After combine: Late 1st, early 2nd round

Quan Sturdivant, North Carolina, MLB: He did not run the 40, but had a 34” vertical and benched 225 lbs 21 times. Mediocre. He is still a prospect worth considering for strong side linebacker in a 4-3 defense.

Before Combine: 2nd-3rd round

After Combine: 2nd-3rd round

Brooks Reed, Arizona State OLB/DE. Reed is a big time riser after an impressive Senior Bowl and a solid combine. Brooks ran a 4.66 40-yard dash and had a 30.5” vertical. So right in the middle of the road of vertical leaps and one of the faster linebackers. Now strength is not an issue with this guy either, he lifted that bar 30 times. This man can start right away and he has the physical prowess to be very good.

Before Combine: 3-4 round

After Combine: 2nd round

Bruce Carter, North Carolina, OLB: Came in fairly strong, he completed 25 reps at 225 lbs. Carter has shown that he can be a valuable leader on defense and had to step up last year with several of the UNC defense suspended. I think he could be the next James Laurinaitis, Jerod Mayo. He's that talented.

Before Combine: 2nd round

After Combine: 2nd round

Dontay Moch, Nevada, OLB: This guy was by far the fastest linebacker at he combine, a venerable workout warrior. He blazed a 4.40 40-yard dash and a 42” vertical leap, the highest of any linebacker. So he has blistering speed and tons of explosion. He is raw, very raw. He could be a starter with the right coaching, or he could be a bust like Vernon Gholston, of whom he is remarkably similar.

Before combine: 4th-5th round

After Combine: 2nd round

Mason Foster, Washington, OLB: He ran a decent 4.65 40-yard dash. He is 6' 1” and weighs 245 lbs. He completed 22 reps on the benchand had a sub par vertical, only 21 inches. I might be able to get 21 inches. None the less he, is a solid tackler who might be able to play for a few teams.

Before Combine: 3rd-4th round

After Combine: 4th-5th round.

Greg Jones, Michigan State, OLB: He was viewed as a top prospect and still is in my book. The kid just knows how to play football with elite instincts, he is a tackling machine. Jones was a four year starter at Michigan State and he accumulated a total of 238 solo tackles during his career. At the Combine however, he failed to open any eyes. He ran a lackluster 4.75 40-yard dash. That is decent, but not what scouts were looking for in a smaller linebacker. He benched 225 lbs 21 times, which is same max as several other OLB prospects. He had a 31.5 inch vertical. He seems best suited for the weak side in a 4-3 defense.

Before Combine: 2nd-3rd

After combine: 3rd-4th

K.J. Wright, Mississippi state, OLB: He is a bigger prospect at 6 '3” 246 lbs. He ran a so-so 40 time of 4.70 seconds. He lifted 225 pounds 20 times in the bench. Which is not that good for a 246 pounder. He also had a 32” vertical leap. He has long arms and may be big enough to play an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. He might not bring much as a rusher though. His rise is due mostly in part to others failing to live up to expectations.

Before combine: 4th-5th round

After combine: 3rd-4th round.

Ross Homan, Ohio State, OLB: He ran a 4.65 40-yard dash, so he’s got decent speed. He proved to be very strong benching 225 lbs 32 times. That is better than any other linebacker besides Brooks Reed. His 215 career tackles for Ohio State are impressive. also has a 35 inch vertical leap. As a small linebacker (6’ 0” 226 lbs) he should find a home with a team like the St.Louis Rams. After all, 4 out of their 6 linebackers are Ohio State grads. Why not add another alumni. Homan really improved his stock.

Before Combine: 5th round

After Combine: 4th round

Mark Herzlich, Boston College, LB: He is one of my favorite players, coming back after cancer to play in 2010 was impressive all by itself. He had the highest bench reps of any ILB at the combine. He lifted that bad boy 29 times. He had a 32.5” vertical. The cancer in his leg slowed him down a bit. He ran a paltry 4.9 40. However, I still think he can add something to a team that will take a chance on him.

Before combine: 4-6th round

After combine: 4-5th round.

Bruce Miller, Central Florida DE/OLB: I am not sure if I should put Bruce here. He was listed as a 3-4 OLB. But upon watching him play he is obviously a 4-3 end. He is not fast enough to cover tight ends. He ran a mediocre 4.80 40-yard dash at the combine. He has shown quickness on the field though. He benched 225 pounds 35 times at the combine. Stronger than any other candidate on this list. At 6’ 2” 248 pounds he doesn’t have the size to be a 4-3 end, so he’ll have to earn a living as a slow 3-4 linebacker.

Before Combine: 4-6th round

After Combine: 6-7th round

Chris Carter, Fresno State DE/OLB: Carter is a very quick pass rusher, but he may be a little small for a DE. He is only 6' 1” 240 lbs. I can see him being a very good third down pass rusher standing up. He has remarkable quickness and demonstrated his explosiveness with a 36 inch vertical leap and a 4.66 40-yard dash. I think he could be a contributor to a team on defense and special teams.

Before Combine: 6-FA

After Combine: 4-5 round

These are the people I noticed at the combine. We will see how accurate these predictions are when the Draft rolls around. Thank you for reading.

By Quinn Fulton

2011 NFL Scouting Combine: Defensive Linemen

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Bryant) — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 21:02:00 +0000

I've been an avid Draftnik since 2004 and have been running NFL Draft Dog since 2007 and I have never seen a defensive line class this talented. There could be as many as 9 defensive tackles taken in the 1st round, and that's not including some of the smaller ends that will probably get moved to outside linebacker.

Auburn's Nick Fairley and Alabama's Marcell Dareus will fight out out to be drafted 1st, Fairley had by far the more productive year, last year Fairley ranked #3 in the NCAA with 24 tackles for loss (TFL) and 13 sacks, while Dareus recorded only 11 TFLs and 5 sacks, but Fairley was just a one year wonder and Darius has much better measurables. Fairly measured smaller than listed, at the NFL Scouting Combine he measured only 6' 4" 291 pounds and Dareus measured in at 6' 3" 319 pounds. Fairley ran his 40-yard dash in 4.87 seconds and Dareus ran his in 4.92 seconds, but looking at their 10 yard split time, Dareus was more explosive with a time of only 1.69 compared to Fairley's 1.76 seconds. At 319 pounds, Dareus could even play nose tackle. But hey, we're splitting hairs here, both players should be NFL Stars.

All the top defensive tackles could play a number of positions along the defensive lines except Hampton's Kenrick Ellis (6' 5" 340 lbs) and Baylor's Phil Taylor (6' 3" 355 lbs). Because of their massive size, those two prospects are pretty much limited to nose tackle.

The other defensive tackle that should be a first round draft pick is Temple's Muhammad Wilkerson (JR). If he would have waited until the 2012 NFL Draft, he could have been a top ten selection. At 6' 4" 315 pounds he has the size and power to play any position on the defensive line. Wilkerson ran his 40-yard dash in 4.99 seconds and recorded 13 tackles for loss (TFLs) last year.

North Carolina's Marvin Austin, Illinois Corey Liuget, California's Cameron Jordan, Iowa's Christian Ballard, Oregon State's Stephen Paea and last but not least, Wisconsin's JJ Watt should also be first round draft picks. Watt is very strong, fast and extremely productive. Watt at 6' 5" 290 pounds ran an amazing 40-yard dash time of 4.84 seconds, he had a 37" vertical jump, a 10' broad jump, ran a 6.88 second 3-cone, 4.21 seconds in the 20 yard shuttle and completed 34 reps in the bench press. Did I also mention that last year Watt ranked 7th in the nation with 21 TFLs and 7 sacks. I could see Watt going as early as 9th to the Dallas Cowboys.

North Carolina's Marvin Austin is another player that's moving up the draft board, he was suspended for the entire 2010 season, but at the NFL Scouting Combine he put on quite a show. Weighing in at 6' 3" 305 pounds, he ran his 40-yard dash in 4.90 seconds with a very explosive 1.63 second 10 yard split. Austin also completed an impressive 38 reps in the bench.

California's Cameron Jordan can't be overlooked here, another extremely productive player on the field. He recorded 12.5 TFLs, 6 sacks and routinely gets penetration in the backfield. Jordan at 6' 4" 281 pounds ran his 40-yard dash in 4.78 seconds, has 35" arms and completed 25 reps in the bench. Jordan is ideally suited to play End in a 3-4 defense.

DT Stephen Paea set a Combine record by completing 225 pounds 49 times. Paea at 6' 1" 311 pounds is an immovable object on the inside and is also athletic enough to play end in a 3-4 defense.

Of all the defensive tackles mentioned in this article, all but Kendrick Ellis carries a first round grade and Ellis could go in the 3rd or 4th round. Talent and versatility is evident in this years class of defensive linemen and if your favorite NFL team needs defensive line help you are in luck.

Robert Bryant

2011 NFL Scouting Combine: Running Backs

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Bryant) — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 15:43:00 +0000

Image: Jordan Todman

The running backs were also on display Sunday (February 27th) at the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine and quite honestly I wasn't very impressed. This 2011 NFL Draft won't be real strong at the running back position.

2009 Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram came in a little lighter than his playing weight of 225 pounds. He weighed in at the combine at 5' 9" 215 pounds. The weight loss didn't help him however as he ran a very mediocre 4.62 forty yard dash. Ingram is explosive though, he had an excellent 10 yard split and has never been known as a breakaway threat.

Even though he wasn't the fastest, I think the best running back at the combine was Connecticut's junior running back Jordan Todman (5' 9" 203 lbs). His 40-yard dash time of 4.40 was impressive and he also had a 38" vertical jump and a 10' 6" broad jump. Todman isn't as well known as 2009 Heisman Trophy Winner Mark Ingram, but Todman's 1,695 rushing yards last year was #2 in the nation. He also rushed for 14 touchdowns so he known what to do with the rock.

Oklahoma RB DeMarco Murray also helped himself at the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine. He ran his 40-yard dash in 4.41 seconds, he also recorded a 10' 4" broad jump and 4.18 in the 20 yard shuttle. Murray also had an excellent season on the field last year where he rushed the ball 282 times for 1,214 yards and 15 TDs. Todman and Murray could easily come off the board in the second or third round of the 2011 NFL Draft.

Maryland's Da Rel Scott (5' 11" 211 lbs) actually holds the record as the fastest running back at the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine. He ran his 40-yard dash in a blazing 4.34 seconds. Not super productive at Maryland, but he should get drafted in the middle rounds based off his excellent size speed combination.

2011 NFL Scouting Combine: The Wide Recievers

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Bryant) — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 23:42:00 +0000

Image: Edmund Gates

The receivers worked out on Sunday (27 February 2011) and as expected there were some very fast prospects on the field. Alabam WR Julio Jones pretty much stole the show with a fantastic performance, he will now compete with Georgia WR A.J. Green to be the first receiver selected in the 2011 NFL Draft.

Jones was much faster than anticipated, at 6' 3" 220 pounds he ran his 40-yard dash in 4.39 seconds. His broad jump was off the charts when he almost cleared 12 feet, he lost his balance and tried two more times and ended up with an amazing broad jump of 11' 3". Jones also had a decent time of 6.66 seconds in the 3-cone drill and looked smooth and fluid in the drills. People don't give Jones enough credit for his on the field performance last season (2010), despite battling injuries he recorded 78 catches for 1,133 yards and 7 TDs, including a 10 catch 199 yard, 1 TD performance against eventual national champion Auburn.

Kentucky WR Randall Cobb looked very smooth and fluid in the gauntlet and at 5' 10" 191 pounds, his 40-yard dash time of 4.45 seconds was impressive. Cobb is no workout warrior, he had an excellent 2010 season catching 84 passes for 1,017 yards and 7 TDs. He also ran the ball as a running back and wild-cat QB and rushed the ball 55 times for 446 yards and another 5 TDs.

The fastest receiver at the combine this year was Abeline Christian (Division II) Edmund Gates, who ran his 40-yard dash in 4.37 seconds. Gates had a very productive season on the field where he caught 66 passes for 1,182 yards and 13 TDs. Gates also performed excellent in the other drills, he recorded a 40" vertical jump, and a 10' 11" broad jump. He also possesses decent size at 6' 0" 192 pounds.

Speaking of late first round grades, Maryland WR Torrey Smith looked absolutely fantastic at the combine. His 40-yard dash time initially came in at 4.37 but was later downgraded to 4.43, which is still impressive. Not just a speed guy though, he has superb hands and caught everything thrown his way during the gauntlet drill. Smith weighed in at 6' 1" 204 pounds and also performed well in the vertical jump and broad jump where he recorded 41" and 10' 6" respectively. Only a junior, but Smith still had an excellent year in 2010 where he caught 67 passes for 1,055 yards and 12 TDs.

Division III Mount Union WR Cecil Shorts is an interesting prospect. He measured in at 6' 0" 205 pounds and looked very smooth and quick in the drills. He recorded a decent 6.50 seconds in the 3-cone drill. Shorts is a pretty versatile prospect playing some QB and receiver at Mount Union, he did catch 70 passes in 2010 for 1,196 yards and 18 TDs. Shorts might end up as the 2nd small school prospect drafted after Villanova's gifted offensive tackle Ben Ijalana, who carries a late first round grade.

WR Terrance Tolliver was highly rated entering the 2010 season but didn't catch the ball particularly well. Tolliver will still get drafted however due to his size and speed, he measured in at 6' 4" 212 pounds and ran his 40-yard dash in 4.52 seconds. He looked quick in the 3-cone drill where he ranked 3rd best among receivers with a time of 6.48 seconds. Tolliver also had an excellent time in the 20 yard shuttle when he ran it in 4.03 seconds.

WR Leonard Hankerson (6' 2" 209 lbs) continued his rise up the draft boards, after an excellent performance at the Senior Bowl, Hankerson ran a nice 4.43 second forty yard dash, that's pretty good for a tall receiver. Hankerson also quietly had an excellent season last year for the Miami Hurricaines. In 2010 he caught 72 passes for 1,156 yards and 13 TDs.

SMU WR Aldrick Robinson is a speed demon, he had an excellent combine recording a 4.43 second forty yard dash, 40" vertical jump, 10' 6" broad jump and an impressive 6.65 seconds in the 3-cone drill. In 2010 Robinson showed everyone he is not just a track guy either, he recorded 65 catches for 1,301 yards and 14 TDs.

Some other notable performances were WR Jonathan Baldwin who recorded a 42" vertical jump and 10' 9" broad jump. WR Austin Pettis also had some decent numbers, he recorded the fastest time among recievers n the 3-cone drill with a time of 3.88 seconds.

Check back tomorrow and I'll cover the running backs.

Robert Bryant

2011 NFL Scouting Combine: Tight Ends

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Bryant) — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 04:34:00 +0000

The tight ends were on display today at the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine and we didn't have any Vernon Davis like performances. If you remember during the 2006 Combine, Davis, measuring at 6' 3" 254 pounds ran a 4.38 forty yard dash. He ended up being drafted in the first round (6th overall) and signed a 5-year 23 million dollar deal with the San Francisco 49ers. He hasn't exactly set the world on fire in the NFL, but that's a story for a different day.

The fastest tight end today was also one of the lightest, Rob Housler from Florida Atlantic is only 248 pounds, but at 6' 5" tall he has the frame to put on a few pounds. Housler ran his 40-yard dash in 4.55 seconds. He (Housler) was also the 4th best in the 3-cone with a time of 6.90 seconds and 3rd best in the vertical jump with a jump of 37 inches. The other workout warrior of the day was Nevada's Virgil Green, Green weighed in at 6' 3" 249 pounds and ran his 40-yard dash in 4.64 seconds. Green's vertical jump and broad jump were off the charts at 42 inches and 10' 10" respectively.

Wisconsin's Lance Kendricks was the top rated tight end at the combine, he could be a 2nd round draft pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. He (Kendricks) looked very smooth running his routes and catching the ball and had some decent numbers. Kendrick's 20-yard shuttle run was 3rd best among tight ends at 4.15 seconds, and his 40-yard dash time of 4.75 seconds was decent. Kendrick's broad jump measured an impressive 10' 2", which was 2nd best among tight ends. Kendrick is about the same size as the other two tight ends mentioned previously (6' 3" 243 lbs), but he looked much more athletic and fluid.

The other tight end that really stood out to me was USC's Jordan Cameron, he has very quick feet for a kid 6' 5" 254 pounds and recorded the best 3-cone time of 6.82 seconds. Cameron isn't much of a blocker, but his size/speed combination should get him drafted late. He ran his 40-yard dash in 4.59 seconds and his vertical jump was an impressive 37.5, which were second best among tight ends. His (Cameron) 20 yard shuttle was actually the best among tight ends at 4.03 seconds. Another top rated tight end that looked good at the combine was Arkansas's D.J. Williams. He is a very good route runner and has great hands. He (Williams) is about the same size as the first three mentioned (6' 2" 245 lbs) and his 40-yard dash of 4.67 seconds was decent.

The top rated tight end Notre Dame's Kyle Rudolph didn't work out as he is still recovering from a torn hamstring. Rudolph is one of the few complete tight ends in the draft at 6' 6 265 pounds.

"I'm about 75 to 85 percent but I feel great and I expect to do everything on my pro day, Rudolph said Friday.

Notre Dame's pro day will be held 7 April 2011. With a strong workout, Rudolph might make a late push into the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft. I will be covering the entire NFL Scouting Combine all this week so check back often.

2011 NFL Scouting Combine: Offensive Line

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Bryant) — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 00:02:00 +0000

The tight ends and and offensive linemen were on the field Saturday (26 February 2011) going through various drills, getting measured, jumping and running.

Offensive Linemen: OT Nate Solder looks the part, tall at 6' 8" 319 pounds, he plays high and needs to do a better job anchoring against the bull rush, but the former tight end has excellent feet and power. Solder ran the 40 yard dash in 5.05 seconds, recorded a 32 inch vertical jump, 9' 2" in the broad jump and 7.44 seconds in the 3-cone. His best event however was his time of 4.34 seconds in the 20 yard shuttle which was the second best time among offensive lineman.

Boston College OT Anthony Castonzo weighed in at 6' 7" 311 pounds and looked to be in great shape, he looked good in drills and excelled in the 3-cone and 20 yard shuttle. He had the second best 3-cone at 7.25 and the 3rd best 20 yard shuttle at 4.40. Neither have particularly long arms Castonzo (34.5) or Solder (35.5) for their height and neither did well in the bench press. Solder only completed 21 reps. Both tackles however will be top 20 selections in the 2011 NFL Draft, both players are tall and will be projects, and they will both need to play with a lower pad level, get stronger and bend their knees better to be top notch NFL stars.

Three more offensive lineman stood out to me at the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine, two are household names and one unknown. Wisconsin offensive tackle Gabe Carimi weighed in at 6' 7" 314 pounds and displayed excellent power in the bench press, vertical jump and broad jump. Carimi ran a 5.27 in the forty, 29 reps in the bench press and had the 5th best broad jump at 9' 1". USC offensive tackle Tyron Smith is a former tight end, he weighed in at 6' 5" 307 pounds, has huge 11 inch hands and a long wingspan with 36 3/8" arms. Smith completed an impressive 29 reps in the bench, but didn't run due to some swelling in his knee. Smith will reportedly do a complete workout during USCs pro day on March 30th 2011. The workout warrior from the offensive linemen at the 2011 Scouting Combine was Syracuse Center Ryan Bartholomew. He is a little Small at 6' 1" 302 pounds, but he had the best performance in the bench press (34) and second best in the 40 yard dash (4.97). Bartholomew also looked quick in the 20 yard shuttle with a time of 4.62 seconds.

Check back later, I'll be posting updates throughout the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine.

Robert Bryant
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