Adam Schefter reads the Raiders' minds:
Oakland dealt with enough misery last season. Wednesday represents the hope.
In front of a contingent of Raiders officials, LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell will work out at the school's Pro Day and demonstrate the talents that already have Oakland salivating.
The Raiders are enamored not just with Russell's ability to throw the long ball, but to make every type of throw -- short ones, midrange ones and especially the deep ones.
But the 6-foot-6, 260-pound Russell is about more than just his arm.
He is considered remarkably strong for a quarterback, with great balance, quickness, nimbleness -- all the skills that make him the overwhelming favorite and near cinch to the first overall pick on in the draft.
Now, the suspense is not over whether Russell will go No. 1. The suspense is over whether Oakland wide receiver Randy Moss will play with him there.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Sav: AP a "Terrific Talent"
OK's official site cover's today's workout in Norman.
VIDEO HERE
Cleveland Browns scout Phil Savage was impressed. “Adrian is a terrific talent,” he said. “He caught the ball well today and showed some versatility. At the combine, he double-caught some balls. It put some people’s minds at ease that he caught it better today.”
OU head coach Bob Stoops also liked Peterson’s workout. “I was real impressed,” he said. “He even caught a few on his back shoulder. He did real well, but that didn’t surprise me.” Peterson said the pressure of displaying talents for scouts is different than game pressure.
“It’s totally different,” said the No. 3 career rusher at OU. “Out here you’re just performing in drills and you’ve got coaches watching you. You try not to think about any of that.” Peterson said he is concentrating on his receiving abilities for now and is thankful for the preparation he received at OU, especially under the tutelage of sports enhancement director Jerry Schmidt.
“The experience here helped,” he said. “Being with Schmidty for three years, I got a lot out of that. He makes you work hard.”
VIDEO HERE
Cleveland Browns scout Phil Savage was impressed. “Adrian is a terrific talent,” he said. “He caught the ball well today and showed some versatility. At the combine, he double-caught some balls. It put some people’s minds at ease that he caught it better today.”
OU head coach Bob Stoops also liked Peterson’s workout. “I was real impressed,” he said. “He even caught a few on his back shoulder. He did real well, but that didn’t surprise me.” Peterson said the pressure of displaying talents for scouts is different than game pressure.
“It’s totally different,” said the No. 3 career rusher at OU. “Out here you’re just performing in drills and you’ve got coaches watching you. You try not to think about any of that.” Peterson said he is concentrating on his receiving abilities for now and is thankful for the preparation he received at OU, especially under the tutelage of sports enhancement director Jerry Schmidt.
“The experience here helped,” he said. “Being with Schmidty for three years, I got a lot out of that. He makes you work hard.”
NFL.com's Vic Carucci Mock
1. Oakland: JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU The Raiders are starting over at quarterback -- again. They could go with Notre Dame's Brady Quinn, but Russell's off-the-charts physical skills and arm strength give him enough of an edge to rank as the No. 1 quarterback in the draft. His massive frame is a plus, but his weight at the NFL Scouting Combine (265 pounds) was about 10 pounds heavier than the Raiders or any team would prefer. Of course, given their unpredictable history, the Raiders could go with a different position. Their draft board, like that of many other teams, might very well show Georgia Tech wide receiver Calvin Johnson at the top.
2. Detroit: Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin The Lions will be tempted to use their first pick on yet another receiver, especially after Johnson's highly impressive showing at the Combine. General manager Matt Millen also could give serious thought to selecting Clemson defensive end Gaines Adams, another prospect who gave a strong Combine showing. But of all of their holes, the most logical for them to plug with this choice is offensive tackle. Thomas, who is a superb athlete, is the best at the position in this year's college crop and should be a fixture on the Lions line for many years to come.
Even with Jamal Lewis now in the mix, the Browns may still nab Adrian Peterson.
3. Cleveland: Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma Peterson is remarkably talented, offering tremendous burst and explosiveness. He is capable of making an offense instantly better, and that is the sort of help the Browns desperately need. Peterson helped himself with an impressive performance at the Combine, but his injury history is a concern. It might be enough of a concern for the Browns to consider Quinn, an Ohio native who wants to play in Cleveland, or Johnson or perhaps the draft's best defensive tackle, Michigan's Alan Branch.
The rest of the first round....
2. Detroit: Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin The Lions will be tempted to use their first pick on yet another receiver, especially after Johnson's highly impressive showing at the Combine. General manager Matt Millen also could give serious thought to selecting Clemson defensive end Gaines Adams, another prospect who gave a strong Combine showing. But of all of their holes, the most logical for them to plug with this choice is offensive tackle. Thomas, who is a superb athlete, is the best at the position in this year's college crop and should be a fixture on the Lions line for many years to come.
Even with Jamal Lewis now in the mix, the Browns may still nab Adrian Peterson.
3. Cleveland: Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma Peterson is remarkably talented, offering tremendous burst and explosiveness. He is capable of making an offense instantly better, and that is the sort of help the Browns desperately need. Peterson helped himself with an impressive performance at the Combine, but his injury history is a concern. It might be enough of a concern for the Browns to consider Quinn, an Ohio native who wants to play in Cleveland, or Johnson or perhaps the draft's best defensive tackle, Michigan's Alan Branch.
The rest of the first round....
Steve D. Warns of Draft Disasters
As Savage puts it, "Whoever we take at No. 3, the Browns will be better.'' Savage says the Browns are "probably content to stay at No. 3. "I wouldn't anticipate us moving up," he says, making sure everyone knows he wants to hear sweet deals to trade down.
Savage is hoping the guys atop his board are in their league. "Being at No. 3," he says, "puts us in a position to get one of our top three players."
I think we can guess who those three are....
Savage is hoping the guys atop his board are in their league. "Being at No. 3," he says, "puts us in a position to get one of our top three players."
I think we can guess who those three are....
Sav OK with AP's Pro Day
"You can really tell he's been working on his hands," Browns general manager Phil Savage said.
From ESPN - NORMAN, Okla. -- Former Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson, rated the No. 1 running back in the 2007 draft and a possible No. 3 overall pick by the Cleveland Browns, spent a good deal of time catching passes at the Sooners pro day workout Tuesday, something he did little of in his three seasons as a player.
From ESPN - NORMAN, Okla. -- Former Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson, rated the No. 1 running back in the 2007 draft and a possible No. 3 overall pick by the Cleveland Browns, spent a good deal of time catching passes at the Sooners pro day workout Tuesday, something he did little of in his three seasons as a player.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Pluto Would Approve of Kirwan's Latest Mock
As I said last week, it is a little early for mock drafts. But with each passing week, the free-agent signings and the latest information coming out of the Pro Day workouts clear up the draft picture even more.
There is no doubt the number of signings at the running back position has changed the draft needs for a number of teams. With all the action of the past week, I have nine changes to the first-round mock draft. Within a few days, there will be more changes especially if a team like the Bills or Packers sign a veteran running back or a linebacker like Cato June takes an offer.
1. Oakland: JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU -- The Raiders have lots of needs, but as long as quarterback is one of them, they have to respond by selecting the guy with the great deep ball. I could see a move down, especially now that Cleveland will not need Adrian Peterson and someone was counting on OT Joe Thomas or WR Calvin Johnson.
2. Detroit: Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame -- The popular opinion everywhere is that I'm wrong on this pick. But Jon Kitna is old, Josh McCown wasn't given any chance to play last year and is scheduled to make more money than Kitna. Quinn has 46 collegiate starts, 95 touchdown passes and over 11,000 yards. The Lions need him and their Joey Harrington experiment is not a reason to pass.
3. Cleveland: Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin -- The signing of Jamal Lewis turned the top of this draft upside down. Thomas reminds me of the year Phil Savage took Jonathan Ogden with the third pick in the draft. Thomas is a 10-year starter, but the Browns still need a QB.
There is no doubt the number of signings at the running back position has changed the draft needs for a number of teams. With all the action of the past week, I have nine changes to the first-round mock draft. Within a few days, there will be more changes especially if a team like the Bills or Packers sign a veteran running back or a linebacker like Cato June takes an offer.
1. Oakland: JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU -- The Raiders have lots of needs, but as long as quarterback is one of them, they have to respond by selecting the guy with the great deep ball. I could see a move down, especially now that Cleveland will not need Adrian Peterson and someone was counting on OT Joe Thomas or WR Calvin Johnson.
2. Detroit: Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame -- The popular opinion everywhere is that I'm wrong on this pick. But Jon Kitna is old, Josh McCown wasn't given any chance to play last year and is scheduled to make more money than Kitna. Quinn has 46 collegiate starts, 95 touchdown passes and over 11,000 yards. The Lions need him and their Joey Harrington experiment is not a reason to pass.
3. Cleveland: Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin -- The signing of Jamal Lewis turned the top of this draft upside down. Thomas reminds me of the year Phil Savage took Jonathan Ogden with the third pick in the draft. Thomas is a 10-year starter, but the Browns still need a QB.
Ready for #1
ESPN features a lenghty piece on Sav's "favorite player of all-time" LSU's JaMarcus Russell.
Russell doesn't flinch at the thought of being the No. 1 overall pick in April's NFL draft. The Oakland Raiders are eyeing him closely with that first selection.
Russell has been in Arizona training with some of the best receivers in the draft, including former teammate Dwayne Bowe, Tennessee's Robert Meachem and Southern Cal's Dwayne Jarrett.
His take on the whole process?
"I'm just going to chill," said Russell, whose cool demeanor has been mistaken for nonchalance more than a few times during his career.
Never a big talker, Russell really doesn't need to. His teammates say there is a quiet confidence about him that is infectious.
"You just learn to trust that he's going to make big plays," said Bowe, who jokes that his hands are still swollen from catching 95 mph fastballs from the 6-foot-5, 265-pound Russell. "He never talked a whole lot about it. He just went out there and did it. That's why so many respected him. When he's out there, there's no doubt in your mind that we were going to win the game."
Russell doesn't flinch at the thought of being the No. 1 overall pick in April's NFL draft. The Oakland Raiders are eyeing him closely with that first selection.
Russell has been in Arizona training with some of the best receivers in the draft, including former teammate Dwayne Bowe, Tennessee's Robert Meachem and Southern Cal's Dwayne Jarrett.
His take on the whole process?
"I'm just going to chill," said Russell, whose cool demeanor has been mistaken for nonchalance more than a few times during his career.
Never a big talker, Russell really doesn't need to. His teammates say there is a quiet confidence about him that is infectious.
"You just learn to trust that he's going to make big plays," said Bowe, who jokes that his hands are still swollen from catching 95 mph fastballs from the 6-foot-5, 265-pound Russell. "He never talked a whole lot about it. He just went out there and did it. That's why so many respected him. When he's out there, there's no doubt in your mind that we were going to win the game."
Gosselin's Top 10 Overall
Rick Gosselin's mock drafts have been the most accurate you can find. Here's his list of the top 10 players, post-combine.
1. Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech
The Biletnikoff Award winner has the size of Terrell Owens (6-5, 239) and the speed of Randy Moss (4.35 seconds in the 40). But a wide receiver hasn't gone first overall since Keyshawn Johnson in 1996.
2. Adrian Peterson, HB, Oklahoma
Peterson rushed for 100 yards in his college debut in 2004 and went on to set a school record with 23 career 100-yard games. A broken collarbone cost him his shot at a Heisman Trophy in 2006, but it won't keep him out of the top five in this draft.
3. JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU
Vince Young was a giant coming out of college in 2006 at 6-4, 233. Russell is even bigger at 6-5, 265 and has one of the best arms to come along in decades.
1. Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech
The Biletnikoff Award winner has the size of Terrell Owens (6-5, 239) and the speed of Randy Moss (4.35 seconds in the 40). But a wide receiver hasn't gone first overall since Keyshawn Johnson in 1996.
2. Adrian Peterson, HB, Oklahoma
Peterson rushed for 100 yards in his college debut in 2004 and went on to set a school record with 23 career 100-yard games. A broken collarbone cost him his shot at a Heisman Trophy in 2006, but it won't keep him out of the top five in this draft.
3. JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU
Vince Young was a giant coming out of college in 2006 at 6-4, 233. Russell is even bigger at 6-5, 265 and has one of the best arms to come along in decades.
Monday's Quinn Questions
From SI's ScoreCard:
If the Lions take Wisconsin OT Joe Thomas and don't trade down to a team that wants Brady Quinn, then the first potential landing spot for Quinn, an Ohio product, is Cleveland at No. 3. The Vikings (7th), Texans (8th) and Dolphins (9th) could each try to move up for Quinn or hope he falls to them. -- New York Daily News
For the second consecutive week, there's been a report that the Texans might be trying to move up in the draft to select Quinn. Neither report is true. The Texans are not expected to pass up Quinn if he is available with the eighth pick, but they haven't tried to move up. -- Houston Chronicle
If the Lions take Wisconsin OT Joe Thomas and don't trade down to a team that wants Brady Quinn, then the first potential landing spot for Quinn, an Ohio product, is Cleveland at No. 3. The Vikings (7th), Texans (8th) and Dolphins (9th) could each try to move up for Quinn or hope he falls to them. -- New York Daily News
For the second consecutive week, there's been a report that the Texans might be trying to move up in the draft to select Quinn. Neither report is true. The Texans are not expected to pass up Quinn if he is available with the eighth pick, but they haven't tried to move up. -- Houston Chronicle
Lions Scribe Sees Through Detroit Smog
Just kidding
So, the Lions are interested in Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn at the No. 2 pick? I'm calling it a smoke screen to get somebody to trade up. Marinelli wants interior linemen and more help on defense.
So, the Lions are interested in Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn at the No. 2 pick? I'm calling it a smoke screen to get somebody to trade up. Marinelli wants interior linemen and more help on defense.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
From The Greatest
Jim Brown talks to Steve Doerschuk of the Canton Rep about the latest offseason moves.I liked the way Jim Brown put it during a phone conversation after Jamal Lewis ran Reuben Droughns out of Cleveland.
The Hall of Fame running back, now a team consultant, was weighing the pieces added - including guard Eric Steinbach - and the ones still in the mist.
"This is a major chess game going on right now," Brown said. "All these pieces have to be developed. Those two individuals will definitely add something positive."
Brown made it clear he isn't hinting Savage should endorse Charlie Frye, nor discounts the possibility another quarterback will be brought in. "I like Charlie as quarterback and a human being," Brown said. "Charlie Frye is a fine quarterback and a fine young man. He has worked hard, he will work hard and he can play."
Is it time for Lewis, a first-round pick in 2000, to start wearing down? Lewis has made 1,822 career carries. Jim Brown logged 2,359 carries before retiring at age 29. Hall of Famer Leroy Kelly was washed up before he made the last of his 1,727 carries. LaDainian Tomlinson, who is two months older than Lewis, has carried 2,050 times. Shaun Alexander, drafted the same year as Lewis but two years older, has carried 1,969 times and is coming off a bad year.
Two of Brown's favorites were Earl Campbell and John Riggins. When healthy, Brown said, Lewis has run with their kind off power. "(Lewis) will run over you, and he'll run around you," Brown said, emphasizing, "if he's healthy."
Fools Lie Ahead
Steve Doerschuk outlines the Raiders and Lions draft plans.Who will be the Browns Pick?
One educated guess: Savage is warming up to Quinn, not erasing Peterson just because he has Jamal Lewis, and wishing Joe Thomas oozed more "great" than "really good," given what he will cost. To a large extent, I think, Savage himself is still heavily engaged in guessing.
Savage has a clue who the Raiders and Lions will pick ahead of him, but everyone knows those are two teams whose ideas can be odd. The top of the draft is thick with intrigue for teams needing juice on offense, where the best talent in the draft is pooled. Quarterbacks JaMarcus Russell and Brady Quinn, wideout Calvin Johnson, left tackle Joe Thomas and running back Adrian Peterson could be the top five picks.
Unpredictability is Raider czar Al Davis' favorite sport, his 31-year-old head coach being the latest case in point. This old dude once picked Sebastian Janikowski one spot before he could have had Shaun Alexander. The crazy Lions spent No. 2, No. 7 and No. 10 overall picks on wideouts in consecutive years.
Matt Millen obviously likes receivers. Everybody loves Calvin. Some mock drafts, including nfldraftscout.com, have Russell and Quinn going to Oakland and Detroit. But there are as many combinations of things that could happen at the top of the draft as in a lotto "pick three." Bottom line: Savage must monitor all five players listed above, unable to be sure which one might drop in his lap.
Grossi Answers Lots of Your Questions
PD Reporter tackles the draft and free agency
"At present, I still think they are leaning to Adrian Peterson."
"At present, I still think they are leaning to Adrian Peterson."
PatMac: Lewis Still Has It, He thinks the Pick is Quinn
In this mornings Ohio.com column, Pat McManamon, offers his take on the guards, Jamal Lewis and the draft, as well as free agency.
One NFL front-office type, who was told his insights would be used but without his name, shared his opinion. (We'll call him Mr. Front Office, 'cuz that always seems to add an air of mystery and intrigue to a guy's opinions.)
Lewis and Droughns ``are probably comparable,'' he said. ``Reuben, at his best, did good things. He's a hard runner. Reuben can do a little more on the outside. Inside, Jamal can be as good or better.''
If there is any difference between the Lewis of today and the Lewis of 2003, it's the inability to turn 5-yard runs into 50-yarders, Mr. Front Office said.
One scout said Lewis had gone from being a freak with size who could run to more like Stephen Davis, a hard-running, powerful inside back. Mr. Front Office did not disagree.
Lewis is ``a horse,'' he said. ``There's not the huge explosion plays like he once had, but he can be a consistent pounder for you.''
He also said, however, that Lewis had a better year in 2006, when he played with bone spurs, than in 2004 and 2005.
``If he's back on the upswing, I don't know,'' Mr. Front Office said. ``Sometimes backs have a resurgence. He's not done by any means.''
One NFL front-office type, who was told his insights would be used but without his name, shared his opinion. (We'll call him Mr. Front Office, 'cuz that always seems to add an air of mystery and intrigue to a guy's opinions.)
Lewis and Droughns ``are probably comparable,'' he said. ``Reuben, at his best, did good things. He's a hard runner. Reuben can do a little more on the outside. Inside, Jamal can be as good or better.''
If there is any difference between the Lewis of today and the Lewis of 2003, it's the inability to turn 5-yard runs into 50-yarders, Mr. Front Office said.
One scout said Lewis had gone from being a freak with size who could run to more like Stephen Davis, a hard-running, powerful inside back. Mr. Front Office did not disagree.
Lewis is ``a horse,'' he said. ``There's not the huge explosion plays like he once had, but he can be a consistent pounder for you.''
He also said, however, that Lewis had a better year in 2006, when he played with bone spurs, than in 2004 and 2005.
``If he's back on the upswing, I don't know,'' Mr. Front Office said. ``Sometimes backs have a resurgence. He's not done by any means.''
Friday, March 9, 2007
An Open Letter To Browns Fans from Jamal Lewis
I plan to do everything I can to help the team win and entertain the fans, and hopefully -- despite the past - you will all welcome me with open arms.A big part of me coming to the Browns had to do with my prior relationship with Phil Savage.
I first met Phil when I talked to him at the NFL Combine in 2000. At the time he was the director of college scouting for the Ravens.
What impressed me off the bat about Phil is that he's a people person. During my time with the Ravens, he'd ask me what I needed and what I wanted. He really wanted to get my input on how to make the team better. A player likes when a GM shows he's really interested in our opinions. It made an impression on me.
'99 Brown Daylon McCutcheon Released
Kicker Phil Dawson is now the last player left from the 1999 expansion team.The Browns have released long-time cornerback Daylon McCutcheon, the team announced Friday.
One of the two remaining players from the club's inaugural team in 1999, McCutcheon was a '99 third-round pick out of USC.
Daylon told the ABJ he wont forget 2002, the only playoff season.
As for the Browns, McCutcheon conceded that things got tough as the losing wore on.
``Every season I started optimistic, but by the end, it was the same old stuff,'' he said.
He cited as the high point the playoff appearance after the 2002 season, but he still wonders why the team was dismantled after that close loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
``Everyone on that team was like, `Man!' '' he said of the decision to release several veterans. `
`You go to the playoffs and figure if you make some moves the next year, that the team will compete and maybe go deeper in the playoffs. It seemed like just the exact opposite. We were back to square one.''
During his eight-year tenure with the club, McCutcheon played in 103 games with 96 starts and marked 463 tackles, 7 sacks, 12 interceptions, 63 pass breakups and 8 forced fumbles.
"Daylon is one of the original Browns from 1999 and we appreciate everything he did here in Cleveland both on and off the field over the last eight seasons," Savage said. "Daylon is a true professional and we wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors."
Droughns traded for Giants WR Carter
Cleveland.com reports Browns running back Reuben Droughns has been traded to the New York Giants for receiver/returner Tim Carter.
Droughns' fate was sealed when the Browns signed former Ravens running back Jamal Lewis on Wednesday to a one-year contract worth $3.5 million. Droughns was due a $1.75 million roster bonus next week and the Browns decided to unload him instead.
Carter (5-11, 190) was a third receiver for the Giants and is under contract in 2007 for $1 million. Last season, he caught 22 passes for 253 yards and two TDs.
Droughns' fate was sealed when the Browns signed former Ravens running back Jamal Lewis on Wednesday to a one-year contract worth $3.5 million. Droughns was due a $1.75 million roster bonus next week and the Browns decided to unload him instead.
Carter (5-11, 190) was a third receiver for the Giants and is under contract in 2007 for $1 million. Last season, he caught 22 passes for 253 yards and two TDs.
Bengal DT Smith Signed to Offer Sheet
The Browns signed Cincinnati backup defensive tackle Shaun Smith to an offer sheet Friday, forcing the Bengals to either match the offer or lose the fourth year player to their division rivals. Smith, a 6 foot, 325 pound tackle out of South Carolina, would provide sorely-needed depth for the Browns on their defensive line. Smith was an undrafted free agent out of South Carolina, so the Browns will not be forced to compensate the Bengals if Cincinnati decides not to match the offer.
After the whining Marvin Lewis did recently about how the Browns are building their team, Phil might just be sending a shot across the warden's bow. "Just STFU, Warden, or we'll take more of your players. If you want to keep them, you'll have to pay them more."
Some more signings along the D line should be expected in the coming weeks before the draft.
After the whining Marvin Lewis did recently about how the Browns are building their team, Phil might just be sending a shot across the warden's bow. "Just STFU, Warden, or we'll take more of your players. If you want to keep them, you'll have to pay them more."
Some more signings along the D line should be expected in the coming weeks before the draft.
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