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| Ray-Ray is a Raven | Sunday 4/27, 11:43 PM CT |
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The Baltimore Ravens selected Ray Rice with the 55th overall pick in the draft on Saturday. The Big East first-teamer has his critics (lack of size and speed), but so did plenty of NFL All Pro's when they were drafted. Rice is a dual threat out of the backfield and he's best described as a "baller."
Our View: Rice wasn't necessarily a need for the Ravens. They have more pressing issues with their current roster but the tailback is that "Harbaugh" type of player, and we're told that the team believes in his skill-set. There is no doubt that Rice can play at the highest level, but is he deserving of a second round selection? Time will tell. |
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| Jones is a Titan of a DE | Sunday 4/27, 11:37 PM CT |
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The Tennessee Titans selected Jason Jones as the 54th player overall in the draft on Saturday. The All-Mid-American first teamer in 2007 has that combination of big and athletic. As a former tight end he has speed, hands and is agile off the ball.
Our View: There is no arguing the upside of Jones, but Tennessee left more proven players on the board by selecting the small program defensive lineman. |
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| Pit gets that big wideout | Sunday 4/27, 10:24 PM CT |
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The Steelers used the 53rd pick to select Limas Sweed in the second round on Saturday. The two-time All-Big Twelve second teamer fills a need for Pittsburgh. In the mold of Plaxico Burress at 6-4 and 215 pounds, he is the big receiver the team targeted.
Our View: His senior season was stunted by a wrist injury that required surgery. Sweed has that combination of size, speed, vertical reach and great hands to be a top-tiered possession receiver. His ability to make the tough catch was one of the attributes that intriqued the Steelers. Many scouts believe he's NFL-ready, and along with Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes could form a deadly triple-threat. |
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| Jags go D in 1st and 2nd round | Sunday 4/27, 10:16 PM CT |
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The Jacksonville Jaguars selected Quentin Groves with the 52nd pick in the draft. The All-SEC first teamer experienced some off-field issues that stunted his draft stock, but few defensive end/outside linebacker prospects have as much raw speed, quickness, and power as Groves.
Our View: Groves is expected to be a work in progress, and while he might not be NFL-ready, he's close. The Jags drafted bookend lineman with their first two Saturday selections, and if the two can make an impact this fall, mission accomplished for the Jacksonville organization. |
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| Kelly heads to the Capital City | Sunday 4/27, 10:03 PM CT |
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The Washington Redskins selected Malcolm Kelly with the 51st pick in the draft. The All-Big Twelve second teamer was an asset to the Oklahoma offense and was the go-to receiver in the red zone.
Our View: At 6-4 and nearly 220 pounds, the big receiver has fluid motion in his routes and terrific leaping ability. He has the size and strength to be a top-tiered possession receiver at the highest level. Due to his lack of bigtime yardage in a run first offense, the rookie enters the league as somewhat of an unknown. But he has the goods to surprise, and in two years could be a solid contributor. |
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| Zona goes defense with 50th pick | Sunday 4/27, 9:54 PM CT |
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The Arizona Cardinals selected Calais Campbell with the 50th pick of the draft. The underclassman had didn't have match his sophomore campaign (10.5 sacks and 84 tackles) in his junior season, but the rush end has the look of a future All Pro.
Our View: Campbell earned All-ACC honorable mention honors in 2007, and his size in combination with his athleticism offers Arizona another playmaker defensive lineman. It may take him a year to take, but he adds immediate depth to a defense that has a number of players with durability issues. |
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| Jackon's speed goes 49th overall | Sunday 4/27, 9:22 PM CT |
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The Philadelphia Eagles selected DeSean Jackson with the 49th overall selection in the draft. Honored as an All-Pac Ten second-teamer at both wideout and a punt returner, Jackson is one of the fastest players in the draft. His 4.35 in the 40-yard dash at the Indy Combine immediately put his services in demand.
Our View: The Cal burner recorded 29 touchdowns during his college career. This, after a thumb injury slowed him down in his junior season. Respected scouts are calling this pick the best of the second round. He is a first-round talent that joins Andy Reid's pass happy offense. Give him a year or two, or three, and he should make an impact with the Eagles. |
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| Skins draft backup TE | Sunday 4/27, 9:14 PM CT |
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The Washington Redskins selected Fred Davis in the second round with the 48th overall pick of the 2008 draft. The 2007 John Mackey Award winner had a senior season that spiked his draft stock. Davis is one of several tight ends in the draft that is a converted wideout.
Our View: Davis plays like a basketball player in a football players body. He has excellent hands and runs better than average routes. The book on the rookie is that he's hard-working and has that certain something, that "it", if you will. After a senior season that raised his stock, his value took a small hit with a disappointing combine. Davis is not particularly big or fast for the position (basketball body), but he has the talent to be a starter in the right system. There won't be much playing time for the rookie, not with Chris Cooley in the fold. Davis offers some depth behind the 'Skins current tight end core, and his ability to lineup as an H-back makes this Redskins pick -- solid. |
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| Laws adds depth to Eagles D | Sunday 4/27, 9:02 PM CT |
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The Eagles selected Trevor Laws in the second round with the 47th pick of the draft. Laws exploded as a senior with 112 tackles and did so from the middle of the defensive line.
Our View: This pick by the Eagles screams 'best player available,' but the defensive tackle could step right in and add depth to Joe Johnson's defense. Laws has the ability and the tools to eventually be a starter and is a good fit in the Philly scheme. |
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| Vikings add intrigue to the QB position | Sunday 4/27, 2:46 PM CT |
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The Minnesota Vikings could be the focus of one of the more intriguing position battles in training camp this season. The Vikes used the 2nd pick of the 5th round to draft USC offensive leader and QB John David Booty , giving current starter Tarvaris Jackson some worries as a talented young option will enter the fold and compete for attention during practice sessions.
Our View: Booty isn't noted for his arm strength or his size, but scouts love his intelligence and foot work, leading many to note his potential in a team employing the West-Coast offense could be strong. We'll see how Booty fits in to the team's chemistry, but it is impossible to deny the Vikes a bit of praise for the pick. Jackson was one of the more volatile starters in the league last season, and while the addition of Gus Frerotte could turn into a move towards a veteran presence, the addition of Booty gives the team a strong competition to be tracked once they meet for training camp. |
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| Pearson arrested on DV charges | Sunday 4/27, 1:47 PM CT |
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Detroit Lions safety Kalvin Pearson was arrested Saturday in southwest Florida on domestic violence charges, according to the Associated Press.
Our View: Pearson was charged with aggravated battery on a pregnant woman and domestic battery by strangulation, both felonies, according to an arrest report from the Hillsborough County sheriff's office. He also was charged with obstructing or opposing an officer without force, a misdemeanor, and was being held without bail in a Tampa jail. Pearson, who is in his fourth NFL season, formerly played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He led the Buccaneers in special teams tackles in 2007, with 21, and appeared in all 16 games in 2007. Pearson signed with the Lions as a restricted free agent in March. |
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| Shockey to Saints still possible? | Sunday 4/27, 1:44 PM CT |
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We have completed nearly five rounds of this year's NFL Draft, and TE Jeremy Shockey remains with the New York Giants, though the Saints report it is not due to their lack of effort, according to ESPN.com.
Our View: Unnamed sources in the New Orleans organization have told John Clayton of ESPN that a deal the team felt was solidified entering the draft was compromised when the Giants called the Saints and stated they would no longer be accepting anything less than 2nd-round draft pick in exchange for the Pro-Bowl tight end. Sources indicate the Saints heavily debated that decision but the reluctance to jump has led to delays in what was once believed to be a done deal. ESPN reports the teams are still interested in getting the trade completed and the Giants have completed a full physical of Shockey to offer to the Saints to progress those negotiations along as quickly as possible, but at this point an agreement has yet to be reached and team officials for both franchises are unwilling to discuss the matter (at least with a name attached to any statements). |
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| QB Woodson undrafted through 153 picks | Sunday 4/27, 1:35 PM CT |
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Andre Woodson, tabbed during the collegiate football season of 2007 as one of the top NFL prospects in the nation, has yet to be drafted as the NFL enters the mid-picks of the 5th round.
Our View: It is a rather shocking turn of events as Woodson's stock has steadily plummeted in a draft class that includes very few worthy candidates at the position. |
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| Pacman move to Dallas made official by NFL | Sunday 4/27, 12:25 PM CT |
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The league offices of the NFL have officially approved and confirmed the trade between the Dallas Cowboys and Tennessee Titans, sending troubled CB Pacman Jones to the Cowboys in exchange for a 4th-round draft pick (the 126th-overall pick in this year's NFL Draft), according to ESPN.com. The Cowboys have reportedly agreed to a four-year contract with Jones and will meet with Jones and his representatives to formulate their planned approach for gaining reinstatement to the league.
Our View: The Cowboys are hoping NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will modify the terms of Jones' current suspension, allowing the defensive talent to work with the team and interact in team activities. Ed Werder of ESPN reports the new deal with Dallas does not include any signing bonus or other forms of guaranteed money, and unnamed sources indicate the deal is laden with incentive-based stipulations for payment. Among the terms of the agreement that strikes a chord: Jones will not be paid as a top NFL cornerback until he has completed three seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. As a result of the trade, Jones will forfeit $1.25 million in performance bonuses as well as $6 million in guaranteed salary payments the Titans would have been obligated to pay had Jones resumed NFL activities. |
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| McKelvin added to Buffalo defensive backfield | Sunday 4/27, 11:20 AM CT |
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In what may be one of the most intriguing stories to watch this off-season, the Buffalo Bills have continued to focus their efforts on formulating the best young defensive backfield in the NFL. The Bills have SS Donte Whitner, coming off an outstanding campaign of 89 total tackles in just his second year in the NFL, and FS Ko Simpson, hoping to come back into form after missing the entire '07 campaign to injury, listed as starters on the current depth chart. This season, the Bills have once again used the NFL Draft to enhance those efforts, adding Troy University CB Leodis McKelvin with the 11th-overall pick
Our View: McKelvin isn't too strong against the run, but he is as speedy as any player in the draft (4.38" 40-yard dash as this year's Scouting Combine), he changes directions and adjusts on the fly with ease, and he has showcased outstanding instincts for the ball during his time in the college game. With veteran Terrence McGee providing coverage on the opposite side of the field, the Bills will let McKelvin battle for a starting job against Jabari Green and Ashton Youboty. Much remains to be seen, but McKelvin, on paper, may offer the best man-to-man coverage abilities of the group and could give the Bills one of the most formidable cover corners in the NFL. |
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| Packers enhance offense with early draft picks | Sunday 4/27, 11:09 AM CT |
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With Brett Favre riding off into the sunset, the Green Bay Packers hit this year's NFL Draft noting their offensive needs and wasted no time in addressing the situation, using their top two picks to bolster their efforts to score points. With the 5th pick in the 2nd round, the Packers drafted Kansas State WR Jordy Nelson and followed that selection by taking Louisville QB Brian Brohm later in the round (the 25th pick of the 2nd round).
Our View: While the addition of Brohm is going to garner great attention (and rightfully so, adding a talented and intelligent play caller to compete with Aaron Rodgers, the Packers' 1st-round pick from '05), the decision to add Nelson may be one of the more underrated additions of the draft. Nelson doesn't possess outstanding speed, but he worked as one of the most productive receivers in college football last season. He's an excellent route runner, he has outstanding hands, and his technique is advanced for a player of his experience. With Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, and James Jones all on hand working as speedy deep threats to spread the field, it would not be surprising to see Nelson emerge as the team's potent slot receiver, eating up mid-range passes that will be crucial for these inexperienced passers. |
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| Miami preparing to trade Taylor? | Sunday 4/27, 9:17 AM CT |
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The Miami Dolphins have used this year's NFL Draft to address the long list of needs, adding three players at key positions that failed to produce desired results last season. The Fins added top offensive lineman Jake Long out of Michigan to help get one of the league's most troubling lines back on track. With the top pick in the 2nd round, the Fins addressed defense by taking undervalued Clemson DE Phillip Merling, and then jumped back to offense by selecting Long's college teammate QB Chad Henne with the 26th pick of the 2nd round. They have started the second day of the draft by selecting their second defensive end in the draft, taking Hampton's Kendall Langford.
Our View: The selection of Long makes too much sense and is one sure to assist the team in their efforts to improve. However, the selection of not one but two talented young pass rushers indicates rumors of a pending trade to send veteran Jason Taylor out of Miami are too likely to ignore. |
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| Broncos surrounding Cutler with support | Sunday 4/27, 9:03 AM CT |
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The Denver Broncos have tabbed young QB Jay Cutler as the future of the organization, and with their approach to this year's NFL Draft, the team continues to show just how seriously they take those goals. With the 12th-overall pick in the Draft, the Broncos selected Boise State OT Ryan Clady, followed by the selection of Virginia Tech WR Eddie Royal in the 2nd round.
Our View: With veteran WR Rod Smith and top offensive lineman Matt Lepsis both retiring this off-season, the Broncos entered the Draft with two obvious and concerning needs. Clady was rated by many scouts as one of the top three tackles available for hire and should battle for a starting role immediately. Royal's true worth has yet to be determined, but with Brandon Marshall, the team's top target now that Smith has gone, suffering a freak arm injury to a lost fight with his television set looming as the top story in Denver football this off-season, it makes all too much sense for the Broncos to take a gamble on the kid out of Va Tech. |
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| Ravens bolster offensive competition | Sunday 4/27, 8:57 AM CT |
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The Baltimore Ravens, entering their first season without Brian Billick at the helm, have wasted no time in bolster the offense and adding competitive options to the offensive skill positions on the roster. The Ravens started by trading up in the 1st round of the NFL Draft, swapping with the Houston Texans to move in to the 18th-overall pick of the draft and using that pick to select Delaware QB Joe Flacco. With their 2nd-round pick, the Ravens continued to target offense by adding Rutgers RB Ray Rice.
Our View: Fans in Baltimore may be a bit shocked with the selection of Rice, but more importantly, the consensus seemed to submit the Ravens, facing growing age on the opposite side of the ball, might seek to add new defensive prospects to the roster. The need at QB is undeniable with veteran Steve McNair retiring and Kyle Boller, all but void of proven NFL ability, slated to start with little-to-no competition from the backup ranks. Flacco, sporting one of the top grades in this draft with outstanding physical measurements and an arm scouts have salivated over, may be just what the doctor ordered for the team moving forward. Scouts report Flacco may be the most intelligent player in the draft and is more than capable of picking up the Baltimore playbook in short order, giving the fans in Baltimore more than enough reason for optimism looking forward. |
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| Redskins surrounding Campbell with new targets | Sunday 4/27, 8:49 AM CT |
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The Washington Redskins, sporting a new coach and a plethora of needs to address, have apparently identified the supporting cast for their talented young passer, Jason Campbell , as the most significant need to address in this year's NFL Draft. The Redskins found position with their picks to target the top receivers in this year's crop of incoming rookies, nabbing Michigan State's Devin Thomas (ranked by many as the top target available for hire in this year's draft) with the 3rd pick of the 2nd round, followed by selection of USC TE Fred Davis (one of the top offensive players at his position in the draft) with the 17th pick of the 2nd round and Oklahoma WR Malcolm Kelly with the 20th pick of the same round.
Our View: That's three top targets added with three 2nd-round picks. The Davis pick is rather intriguing with Chris Cooley, one of the top offensive tight ends in the NFL, already in the fold and proven to work well with Campbell. It appears the Skins will be using new offensive schemes that put two short-range targets in play, indicating a new emphasis on passing. The new offensive scheme (Campbell's third in as many years) is sure to present a challenge for the young passer, but the new addition of speedy targets shows the team is in his corner and presenting him with an environment he should enjoy. |
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