Friday, March 16, 2007
Next Man Up: Bengals Won't Match Shaun Smith's Offer
Hey, who's to argue when the Bengals official site reports: "It sure looks like the Bengals and Browns are about to complete their first-ever transaction when Cincinnati figures to do what everybody else in the NFL thinks they’re going to do Friday and not match Cleveland’s $8 million plus offer sheet on backup defensive tackle Shaun Smith."
Thursday, March 15, 2007
CJ's Turn - The #1 Athlete has His Pro Day
Can a team burned so many times pass on the safest bet?
From ESPN: Johnson dazzles during awesome pro day display
ATLANTA -- He still isn't likely to be the first player selected overall, but Georgia Tech wide receiver Calvin Johnson did nothing here Thursday during his "pro day" workout to dispel the notion that he is the premier prospect in this year's NFL draft class.
Calvin Johnson did nothing to depreciate his draft value at the Georgia Tech pro day Thursday.
Auditioning in front of about 75 league scouts and coaches assembled on the Georgia Tech campus, a group that included head coaches Lane Kiffin of the Oakland Raiders and the Washington Redskins' Joe Gibbs, Johnson dazzled the crowd with a rare combination of raw athleticism and polished receiving skills.
"Whatever they wanted to see," said Johnson, "I think I showed them."
From ESPN: Johnson dazzles during awesome pro day display
ATLANTA -- He still isn't likely to be the first player selected overall, but Georgia Tech wide receiver Calvin Johnson did nothing here Thursday during his "pro day" workout to dispel the notion that he is the premier prospect in this year's NFL draft class.
Calvin Johnson did nothing to depreciate his draft value at the Georgia Tech pro day Thursday.
Auditioning in front of about 75 league scouts and coaches assembled on the Georgia Tech campus, a group that included head coaches Lane Kiffin of the Oakland Raiders and the Washington Redskins' Joe Gibbs, Johnson dazzled the crowd with a rare combination of raw athleticism and polished receiving skills.
"Whatever they wanted to see," said Johnson, "I think I showed them."
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
No Surpise: Savage Impressed
GM travels from AP's workout to watch JR today.
"I don't think what he did was very surprising to those of us who've really studied him and have watched him," Sav told NFL Total Access. "The expectation is that he was going to throw the ball extremely well and he did that. I smile because I've known JaMarcus for a long time and what he did today came as no surprise."
"I don't think what he did was very surprising to those of us who've really studied him and have watched him," Sav told NFL Total Access. "The expectation is that he was going to throw the ball extremely well and he did that. I smile because I've known JaMarcus for a long time and what he did today came as no surprise."
Titans DE Robaire Smith Signed
Former Texan reunited with Browns DC Todd Grantham. From the OBR:Browns, Smith Reach Contract Agreement
Adam Caplan, reporting for Scout.com, has informed the OBR that Robaire Smith has reach an agreement for a four-year deal with the Cleveland Browns.
Ranked #13, Smith is the third of ESPN's Top 20 Free Agents to be signed by the Browns so far. The others are Jamal Lewis, #19, and Eric Steinbach, #3.
McShay: JR's Passing Best He's Ever Seen
JR Pro Day Video Here
Ya gotta wonder, are we all to young to remember Jeff George?
Says ESPN's Todd McShay:
"His passing session was the most impressive of all the pro days I've been to," McShay said. "His footwork for such a big quarterback was surprising. He was nimble in his dropbacks and when he's rolling out and throwing on the run.
We all knew coming in that his arm strength is extraordinary. The ball just explodes out of his hands. His 73rd, 74th and 75th throws, he was flicking the ball 60 yards with his wrist and putting it right on the numbers."
Other notable measurements for Russell were his arm length of 34½ inches -- "Left tackle size," McShay said -- and his hand size of 9½ inches -- "Big, but not the biggest," McShay said. "Just above the average for a quarterback."
Ya gotta wonder, are we all to young to remember Jeff George?
Says ESPN's Todd McShay:
"His passing session was the most impressive of all the pro days I've been to," McShay said. "His footwork for such a big quarterback was surprising. He was nimble in his dropbacks and when he's rolling out and throwing on the run.
We all knew coming in that his arm strength is extraordinary. The ball just explodes out of his hands. His 73rd, 74th and 75th throws, he was flicking the ball 60 yards with his wrist and putting it right on the numbers."
Other notable measurements for Russell were his arm length of 34½ inches -- "Left tackle size," McShay said -- and his hand size of 9½ inches -- "Big, but not the biggest," McShay said. "Just above the average for a quarterback."
OBR: McKinney Signed, Terrelle Smith Gone
Scout.com has learned that the Cleveland Browns have signed free-agent offensive lineman Seth McKinney to a one-year deal. Terms of the contract are not yet known.McKinney, a five-year veteran, missed all of last season due to a back injury. Prior to last season, the Texas A&M graduate played in 61 games for the Dolphins, starting 34 of those.
While he’s listed as a center, McKinney can also play the guard position.
Additionally, the Browns today announced the release of fullback Terrelle Smith, a move that was as unexpected and surprising as a boy-bander outing himself in a national magazine.
Smoke from CH. 212 - Lerner Tells Savage: Draft a Quarterback First
This is either the biggest Browns story - or smokescreen - I've heard so far about this draft:
Acording to NFL Network's Adam Schefter:
As one general manager with a top-10 pick emailed Wednesday: "Cleveland's owner told (the Browns) to draft a QB. … The Lions want it known that they have the pick for Quinn. Minnesota and Houston will have to react. All this Quinn dropping talk is from people who have no clue about the draft."
I don't know where he gets the pulse of Browns fans, but Adam Schefter said tonight on NFL's Total Access Cleveland will be as happy with Quinn as they were the day Bernie Kosar was drafted. I have to completely disagree. He may be from Ohio, but Buckeye fans are far from dying to draft a Notre Dame guy. He must only mean the team's front office.
Schefter said the Raiders are talking to several teams about trading down and the Lions are threatening the Browns and letting it be known they'll have to trade up to No. 2 to draft Quinn.
Writes Schefter: "This all leaves the Cleveland Browns in a precarious position. Multiple NFL sources said Browns upper management is urging the team to draft a quarterback, with Russell being the top choice, and Quinn being a logical second.
Some within the Browns organization do not want the teams to hold the No. 3 pick and not come away with a potential franchise quarterback.
The Lions know this and it is one reason they are engaged in as many discussions as they are. To ensure themselves a quarterback, the Browns will have to trade up to No. 1 or No. 2 to get him."
Acording to NFL Network's Adam Schefter:
As one general manager with a top-10 pick emailed Wednesday: "Cleveland's owner told (the Browns) to draft a QB. … The Lions want it known that they have the pick for Quinn. Minnesota and Houston will have to react. All this Quinn dropping talk is from people who have no clue about the draft."
I don't know where he gets the pulse of Browns fans, but Adam Schefter said tonight on NFL's Total Access Cleveland will be as happy with Quinn as they were the day Bernie Kosar was drafted. I have to completely disagree. He may be from Ohio, but Buckeye fans are far from dying to draft a Notre Dame guy. He must only mean the team's front office.Schefter said the Raiders are talking to several teams about trading down and the Lions are threatening the Browns and letting it be known they'll have to trade up to No. 2 to draft Quinn.
Writes Schefter: "This all leaves the Cleveland Browns in a precarious position. Multiple NFL sources said Browns upper management is urging the team to draft a quarterback, with Russell being the top choice, and Quinn being a logical second.
Some within the Browns organization do not want the teams to hold the No. 3 pick and not come away with a potential franchise quarterback.
The Lions know this and it is one reason they are engaged in as many discussions as they are. To ensure themselves a quarterback, the Browns will have to trade up to No. 1 or No. 2 to get him."
NFL Network: JR #1
The NFL's pom-poms were out in Cajun country today. Anyone who watched the League's official network was told JaMarcus Russell will be drafted No. 1 next month, probably by Oakland or possibly to a team - Cleveland was mentioned - that trades up for him. A non-NFL employee, Raider beat reporter Jerry McDonald, had a more realistic take on his blog.
LSU Pro Day photo album here
CH. 212 Draft Guru Mike Mayock said today was a "great day for LSU QB JaMarcus Russell. After being ribbed for being a little chubby at the combine, Mayock said thanks to a fish diet, he's lost nine pounds - Russell ran a 4.83 40 today and weighed in at 256. And speaking of food, JR had dinner w/ the Raiders last night.
"It was a great day for him, said new Raiders coach Lane Kiffin. "There's no doubt he has a great future in this league." While they decide on JR as their No. 1 pick, Kiffin told NFL Network they are checking his background "back to his high school days" and plan on bringing him to Oakland for a sit down before the draft.
When asked if there was one word to describe JR, he said it was "professional."
NFL Network co-host Marshall Faulk said JR was an "easy pick" to go No. 1 to Oakland.
Mayock mentioned that JR's "footwork has gotten cleaner and more efficient" since the Sugar Bowl victory over Notre Dame. The former NFL safety said Russell has the "best arm of any qb" he's "ever seen" and you can "hear his ball" when it's fired through the air.
If they stay at No. 1 and don't trade down, NFLN's Adam Schefter said Oakland is "enamored" with the LSU QB and will draft him.
LSU Pro Day photo album hereCH. 212 Draft Guru Mike Mayock said today was a "great day for LSU QB JaMarcus Russell. After being ribbed for being a little chubby at the combine, Mayock said thanks to a fish diet, he's lost nine pounds - Russell ran a 4.83 40 today and weighed in at 256. And speaking of food, JR had dinner w/ the Raiders last night.
"It was a great day for him, said new Raiders coach Lane Kiffin. "There's no doubt he has a great future in this league." While they decide on JR as their No. 1 pick, Kiffin told NFL Network they are checking his background "back to his high school days" and plan on bringing him to Oakland for a sit down before the draft.
When asked if there was one word to describe JR, he said it was "professional."
NFL Network co-host Marshall Faulk said JR was an "easy pick" to go No. 1 to Oakland.
Mayock mentioned that JR's "footwork has gotten cleaner and more efficient" since the Sugar Bowl victory over Notre Dame. The former NFL safety said Russell has the "best arm of any qb" he's "ever seen" and you can "hear his ball" when it's fired through the air.
If they stay at No. 1 and don't trade down, NFLN's Adam Schefter said Oakland is "enamored" with the LSU QB and will draft him.
Team Hires Someone Hopefully Nothing Like John Collins
Ex-IMG CEO Bob Kain will lead sales and marketing - most importantly, he'll stay away from Sav!
From the PD: Lerner said in a statement, "My professional relationship with Bob has evolved over the last several years, and he has been a valuable resource to me and our organization. I believe a more formal role of vice chairman will strengthen his commitment to our business and allow him to have a flexible schedule to do philanthropic work and spend time with his family while also staying immersed in professional sports."
From the PD: Lerner said in a statement, "My professional relationship with Bob has evolved over the last several years, and he has been a valuable resource to me and our organization. I believe a more formal role of vice chairman will strengthen his commitment to our business and allow him to have a flexible schedule to do philanthropic work and spend time with his family while also staying immersed in professional sports."
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
OBR RUMOR ALERT - Bentley Back by October - THIS YEAR!
Hey, we can all dream, right? From the "we hope this is not a mirage file......according "Oasis," a frequent poster on the OBR, Supposedly, he's telling Phil NOT to place him on the IR. His goal is to be back THIS YEAR.
Per my source. He's rehabilitating in Arizona and will be back in Cleveland shortly. He feels that he'll be ready to play in OCTOBER!!!I reported he was done for good, but his own words have completely contradicted that. He (LCB) feels the 2nd surgery isn't warranted or needed.Guys, when I "broke" this I had full assurances that he was done. I feel compelled to report that it isn't the case. - Oasis
JR Ready for Pro Day Wednesday
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.
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.
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."
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