NFL Draft: Pro Sports Daily

Soup or Salad: 2010 NFL Mock Draft-Addressing Picks 1-10 Via Lunch Menu

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March 14

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"It seems like just yesterday we were gearing up for the 2009 season, but now we're five weeks away from embarking on the 2010 NFL Draft. For the first time, the draft will be a three-day event, making the gut-wrenching anticipation a prolong event, gathering more interest from its nationwide spectators. There are always plain and dull mock drafts available, but this is the first presented in a series with the needs of every franchise in comparison to the usual and a few unusual meal types you may find in your lunch menu. 1. St. Louis-Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska The Lambs in St. Louis are starving, and they're not looking for chicken nuggets in Sam Bradford. After all, what are chicken ..."

Poll on Tim Tebow puts Jaguars GM in awkward spot

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March 14

Jacksonville Times-Union

"A teleconference fan forum conducted by the Jaguars on Tuesday, a good idea designed to engage season-ticket holders and encourage them to renew, turned into an embarrassment when word got out that a poll revealed participants were against drafting Tim Tebow by a 55-45 percent margin. It was an innocent question aimed at entertaining the fans, but the fallout was harsh. Some ESPN on-air talent mistakenly assumed that general manager Gene Smith, who participated in the fan forum, had something to do with initiating the Tebow poll. Anybody with an understanding of how an NFL front office works would know that is an absurd notion. Smith and major Jaguars decision-makers had no idea the Tebow ..."

Oklahoma quarterback will hold workout on March 29

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March 13

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"It's not what you think. The country's most famous AC joint is doing fine and is still preparing to throw for NFL personnel. Quarterback Sam Bradford has pushed back his pro day workout to March 29 due to the annual NFL owners meeting, according to Jason La Canfora of the NFL Network. The former Sooner was originally scheduled to host his workout on March 25, but that's the day after the annual owners meeting in Orlando, Fla. Because the possibility exists that the meetings could run long due to collective bargaining discussions-which is somewhat of an important topic right now if you've been paying attention-Bradford and agent Tom Condon decided it would be best to move back the workout. ..."

Lions might draft backup QB? Don't believe it

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March 13

Michigan Live

columnist Tom Kowalski

"One thing is for certain. The Detroit Lions will not draft a quarterback in the first round of the draft this year. However, Lions coach Jim Schwartz opened the door to the possibility that they might do it at some point later in the draft. While discussing how the Lions are going to fill their backup quarterback position (behind Matthew Stafford), Schwartz said: "We'll weigh each option. We'll keep grinding until we find a good fit and something that makes sense. There are a lot of different ways you can go there with older players and, while you can take that first-round draft pick off, maybe at some point in the draft, a quarterback makes sense. "I don't think we've gone into this ..."

Tim Tebow's Wonderlic score? It's a wonder anyone cares

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March 13

Palm Beach Post

columnist Dave George

"Tim Tebow took some severe poundings at Florida and kept coming back for more. Now we're supposed to believe that a mild Wonderlicking is enough to put his pro football career in jeopardy? No chance. Scoring a below-average 22 on the 12-minute Wonderlic exam given players at the NFL Scouting Combine won't be what keeps the former Heisman Trophy winner from being drafted high enough to matter as a pro quarterback candidate. If teams pass on him, it will be because they don't like what they see on the field, not what this SAT-style test demonstrates to be floating around inside Tebow's helmet. If this test of a person's basic problem-solving abilities is a valid indicator of who should be ..."

Ohio States Thaddeus Gibson gives solid performance at pro day workouts

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March 13

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Thaddeus Gibson was the Buckeyes player most of the 29 NFL teams on hand came to see at Ohio State's pro day workouts Friday. He did not disappoint.

The Pittsburgh Steelers were the most visibly interested. They were in full force, with Kevin Colbert , VP of football operations, leading a contingent that included defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau and two other coaches. As if sensing their presence, Gibson, of Euclid, entered the Woody Hayes Athletic Center wearing black sweat pants, a gold hoodie sweat shirt and black-and-gold shoes. He was determined to improve his draft stock by showing he can handle the demanding outside linebacker position in a 3-4 defense, and he did. "He did ..."

Sam Bradford moves workout for NFL scouts back

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March 13

The Oklahoman

"NFL scouts will have to wait a few more days to see former Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford in action. Oklahoma's Sam Bradford, center, watches drills between fellow quarterbacks, left to right, Appalachian State's Armanti Edwards, Western Michigan's Tim Hiller, Northwestern's Mike Kafka, and Troy's Levi Brown at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) MultimediaPhotoview all photos ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Friday that Bradford has moved his workout for pro scouts back four days to March 29. Bradford, who is rehabbing his injured shoulder, elected not to work out at the NFL Combine or at OU's pro day earlier this month."

2010 NFL Draft: Big Name Prospects the Seattle Seahawks Should Avoid

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March 13

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"In the past few months, I've seen many Seattle Seahawks fans squabble over who and what the organization should do in the following months. Many say they should take Eric Berry at number six, some say a left tackle. There are even those who believe Jimmy Clausen is the answer. No one knows what the organization is going to do come April. But what I do know is that there is a list of big names on the draft board that the Seahawks just simply should not draft. 1.) USC S Taylor Mays Mays can hit, and hit hard, but his field intelligence just isn't there. He lacks awareness, and simply put is just another LB in the secondary ( Michael Boulware, anyone?). Yes, Mays has amazing speed and ..."

Bucs' Dominik: Draft matches team's needs

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March 13

Tampa Tribune

"The NFL Draft is almost six weeks away and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers may have already hit the lottery. According to second-year GM Mark Dominik, the 2010 draft matches up very well with the top priorities of a franchise that went 3-13 in the first phase of a massive rebuilding program. "This draft class' strength is defense, especially on the defensive line and the defensive backs," Dominik said in a taped interview posted on the team Web site Friday. "It's a very good draft that way and that, I think, can match up with some of the things we want to do in the draft." The Bucs haven't been active since free agency began March 5, but Tampa Bay sent a 2011 sixth-round draft pick to ..."

Poll on Tim Tebow puts Jaguars GM in awkward spot

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March 13

Jacksonville Times-Union

columnist Gene Frenette

"A teleconference fan forum conducted by the Jaguars on Tuesday, a good idea designed to engage season-ticket holders and encourage them to renew, turned into an embarrassment when word got out that a poll revealed participants were against drafting Tim Tebow by a 55-45 percent margin. It was an innocent question aimed at entertaining the fans, but the fallout was harsh. Some ESPN on-air talent mistakenly assumed that general manager Gene Smith, who participated in the fan forum, had something to do with initiating the Tebow poll. Anybody with an understanding of how an NFL front office works would know that is an absurd notion. Smith and major Jaguars decision-makers had no idea the Tebow ..."

Anxiety, hope for Rutgers' NFL prospects

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March 13

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Three months of repetition, of going over drills again and again, couldn't calm Ryan D'Imperio's nerves as he stepped in front of dozens of NFL scouts. But the nerves didn't stop him or 14 classmates from turning in solid performances Wednesday at Rutgers Pro Day at the university's indoor practice bubble. "It was new - it definitely still felt like a new experience," said D'Imperio, a native of Sewell, N.J., and former Rutgers captain. "I did have some nerves, but it was something I enjoyed a lot." "The preparation was definitely a lot of hard work," he said. "You constantly have to work every day in the weight room, but I enjoyed every second of it." D'Imperio was working to improve his ..."

Are Gerald McCoy's 23 reps a pressing issue?

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March 13

Detroit Free Press

"Highly rated defensive tackle Gerald McCoy took part in Oklahoma's pro day Tuesday and opted not to bench press, even though he took a big hit at last month's NFL scouting combine with a paltry 23 bench presses. Lions coach Jim Schwartz on Friday played down any concern he might have about that statistic and McCoy's plans to improve upon it. "Maybe he doesn't" stand on that number, Schwartz told reporters at Allen Park. "Maybe he circles back and does it in April. I don't know how much you can add to something in two weeks." Because of the recent combine, Schwartz said he wasn't surprised McCoy didn't bench at his pro day -- yet he stopped just short of saying 23 bench presses were ..."

Kiper: Clausen "an ideal fit for the Redskins"

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March 13

Washington Post

"While five minutes of listening to Mel Kiper argue with Todd McShay makes me want to shuffle off this mortal coil in 4.37 seconds, their most vociferous 2010 disagreement has and will continue to concern the Redskins, so what the heck. Kiper, as you've no doubt heard, is very high on Notre Dame's Jimmy Clausen. McShay thinks Clausen will go early in the first round, but rates him as a second-round talent with intelligence and maturity issues. They will yell at each other about this every day from now until the draft, and possibly for 1,507 days beyond. And since Kiper thinks Clausen would work well at the No. 4 pick, this involves frequent mentions of a certain local franchise. Mel argued ..."

Foot soldiers are often left behind at crunch time on draft day

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March 13

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"NFL scouting is not a perfect science. Tony Mandarich and Ryan Leaf were high first-round draft picks. Defensive tackles John Randle and La'Roi Glover went undrafted. Tom Brady was a sixth-rounder. So why is the scouting system only about 60- to 70-percent accurate? I have some theories. My 24 years as an agent have given me a front-row seat to watch and learn about the typical NFL scouting system. I have probably had a few players drafted higher than they deserved and some drafted lower compared to their eventual production. I've seen small-school players get over looked at the combine and all-star games and watched clients not get drafted at all, then start in their rookie years. Any ..."

Lions' Jim Schwartz not 'alarmed' by Gerald McCoy's bench press

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March 12

Michigan Live

"Oklahoma defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, who the Detroit Lions might consider with their No. 2 overall draft pick, raised some eyebrows at the scouting combine when he only had 23 reps in the bench press (at 225 pounds). There were a half-dozen defensive backs who lifted more. Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who is apparently neck-and-neck with McCoy on the draft boards, had 32 reps. While McCoy is expected to perform another bench press at some point down the road, he opted not to lift at Oklahoma's pro day this week. Lions head coach Jim Schwartz said he wasn't surprised by that decision."

Mock drafts now have Bucs getting McCoy with third pick

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March 12

Tampa Tribune

"The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have maintained all along that their biggest offseason focus this year would be on the NFL Draft. If draft experts are correct, the Bucs might be staring at a big catch on April 22. ESPN draft analysts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay recently released their updated mock drafts and both have the Buccaneers selecting Oklahoma defensive tackle Gerald McCoy with their No. 3 overall pick. Both now believe the St. Louis Rams will take Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford with their No.1 overall pick. While they originally believed St. Louis wouldNebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, they think the Rams will opt for a franchise quarterback quarterback over a defensive ..."

Jaguars won't alter draft plan in bid for Tim Tebow

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March 12

Jacksonville Times-Union

"Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver likes to call Tim Tebow an icon, but indicated Thursday the Jaguars aren't going to deviate from their draft board to select the former Florida quarterback. "Personally, I think Tim Tebow is an extraordinary young man and he's an extraordinary athlete. He's going to be successful in the National Football League," Weaver said during an interview before a Team Teal Rally Thursday. But he said the Jaguars won't force any picks. "What we've got to do is trust our value board in our draft. If we force a pick, then we devalue thousands of hours of work by our scouts. We have to be true to our mission and go take the best player with our pick. When we do that, we get ..."

Tim Tebow scores below average on NFL's Wonderlic test

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March 12

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"Tim Tebow proved at the NFL Combine two weekends ago that he is a physical freak for a quarterback: He tied a Combine record with a vertical leap of 38.5 inches, ran a 4.7 in the 40 and dominated all participants in the cone and shuttle drills. But when it comes to thinking on his feet in a pressurized environment, Tebow is a little bit behind the pack. Tebow scored slightly below average for an NFL quarterback on the Wonderlic test, a 12-minute, 50-question exam given at the Combine that assesses a person's learning and problem-solving abilities. Tebow scored a 22 out of 50 on the Wonderlic test, an NFL source told the Post Wednesday. The score falls slightly below the average score for ..."

Controversial Oregon running back is a no-show in Eugene on Thursday

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March 12

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"If you're a LeGarrette Blount fan, you had better hope he has a good excuse. The senior running back was a no-show at Oregon's pro day on Thursday, per Gil Brandt of NFL.com, casting another dark cloud over the head of a player with very little room for error. Blount landed himself a ten-game suspension back in September when he punched Boise State's Byron Hout after a 19-8 road loss to open the season. Oregon head coach Chip Kelly eventually reinstated Blount, who ran for 51 yards and a touchdown on nine carries in Oregon's Rose Bowl-clinching 37-33 win over Oregon State. The unfortunate thing about this situation is that it undoes some of the positive steps Blount had been taking over ..."

Bears bringing in Virginia DT Collins for visit

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March 12

Chicago Tribune

"The Bears will bring in Virginia defensive tackle Nate Collins for a pre-draft visit to Halas Hall on April 8, according to a league source. Collins came on during a big senior season for the Cavaliers and finished second on the team with 77 tackles, a remarkable feat for someone at his position. He had a season-high 16 tackles vs. Georgia Tech and was selected as a first team All-ACC performer. His absence from the national scouting combine last month in Indianapolis was considered a significant oversight, but it could help Collins fly under the radar somewhat for teams like the Bears that are interested in him. He is also scheduled to visit the Jacksonville Jaguars on April 14 and will ..."

Browns are only team to witness Kent's Jameson Konz put up "freakish" numbers

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March 11

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Kent State linebacker/fullback Jameson Konz put on an impressive display in his personal workout this morning at the school's lonely pro day. Because Kent's pro day conflicted with those of major schools with multiple prospects, such as Nebraska, Idaho, Oregon and Boston College, attendance at Kent was scarce. In fact, the Browns were the only NFL team to send a scout. What he saw was Konz put on an athletic display described as "freakish." Konz measured 6-3 and 234 pounds. He was timed in the 40-yard dash at 4.46 seconds. Asked to run a second one, he timed 4.38. Konz also posted a 46-inch vertical jump and a broad jump of 10 feet, 8 1/4 inches."

Tim Tebow scores below average on NFL's Wonderlic test

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March 11

Palm Beach Post

"Tim Tebow proved at the NFL Combine two weekends ago that he is a physical freak for a quarterback, tying a Combine record with a vertical leap of 38.5 inches, running a 4.7 in the 40 and dominating all participants in the cone and shuttle drills. But when it comes to thinking on his feet in a pressurized environment, Tebow is a little bit behind the pack. Tebow scored slightly below average for an NFL quarterback on the Wonderlic test, a 12-minute, 50-question exam given at the Combine that assesses a person's learning and problem-solving abilities. Tebow scored a 22 out of 50 on the Wonderlic test, an NFL source told the Post Wednesday. The score falls slightly below the average score ..."

Rams need to show some fortitude and draft Bradford

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March 11

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

columnist Bernie Miklasz

"As the Rams ponder their options for the No. 1 overall draft pick, it's probably a good time to ask a pertinent question: Are the Rams ready to rejoin the National Football League? The NFL has evolved dramatically in recent years. This is a passing league now. The salary-cap system went into place in 1994, or 16 seasons ago. Over that time, the league's second-highest average of passing yards per game occurred in 2009, and the fourth-highest passing average came in 2008. In terms of average yards per attempt, four of the five best passing seasons since '94 have come over the last four seasons. These aren't meaningless yards, either. If a team is incapable of doing considerable damage ..."

St. Louis Rams start 'pro day' tour

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March 10

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Coach Steve Spagnuolo and general manager Billy Devaney were on the road Tuesday for the first of what figures to be several pro day appearances. First stop, Norman, Okla., for a look at defensive tackle Gerald McCoy at the University of Oklahoma. McCoy measured in Tuesday at 6-4, 298 pounds. He took part in individual drills but did not participate in any timed events. McCoy's drills were run by Baltimore Ravens defensive line coach Clarence Brooks. Spagnuolo said via text message that McCoy's workout was "great, as expected." Spagnuolo and Devaney did more than watch McCoy go through the paces. They had breakfast with McCoy before his workout. It was unclear Tuesday if the Rams will set ..."

Jaguars fan poll: Don't take Tim Tebow

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March 10

Jacksonville Times-Union

"The conventional wisdom that Jaguars fans want the team to draft former Florida quarterback Tim Tebow might not be accurate. During the team's first telephone Fan Forum with general manager Gene Smith on Tuesday night, an event limited to season-ticket holders, fans were asked if the team should draft Tebow. Of the 800 fans who voted by phone, the answer was no by a 55 percent to 45 percent margin. Vic Ketchman, the senior editor of jaguars.com who gave the fans' questions to Smith, said he was "stunned" by the result. In the past, Ketchman has suggested that Tebow would have a better future in the NFL as a tight end than as a quarterback. The Fan Forum was designed to promote the selling ..."

NFL/The Combine Notebook: Only QBs, TEs not on Steelers' menu

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March 1

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"To be sure, there are age and depth issues on the defensive line and at linebacker. And the horrid performance during a five-game losing streak that cost the Steelers a playoff spot screams for a cornerback who can make plays. But coach Mike Tomlin said he is not ready to concede the Steelers have more issues to address on defense than offense. He did say, however, there are two positions on offense that aren't getting much attention from the Steelers at the NFL Scouting Combine. "We've all agreed that we have a level of interest in all positions, other than quarterback and tight end," Tomlin said Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium. "Other than those two positions, we're open to anything. It's ..."

Injury kept Wootton from an early NFL draft

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March 1

Bergen Record

"Corey Wootton was a few football minutes away from facing what might have been the biggest decision of his lifetime. But with one snap of the ball, that decision was made for him. It was late in the 2008 Alamo Bowl with Northwestern clinging to a 23-20 lead. Pressuring Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel was key to protecting that lead and Rutherford native Wootton had been doing a great job of that all day. The defensive left end was putting together another highlight-reel game when suddenly … "I beat the tackle inside," the 6-foot-6 Wootton recalled at the NFL combine. "They were running a passing play. I came inside and Chase Daniel rolled out the other way. I put my foot in the ground to ..."

Ohio State's Coleman clicks with Browns

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March 6

Dayton Daily News

"He had been briefed by former Ohio State teammates about what to expect, but the NFL Scouting Combine still must be experienced to be believed. "More than anything, it's just draining," safety Kurt Coleman (Northmont) said this week after emerging from the four-day process in Indianapolis with a better idea of how he is perceived by teams. "You really have to stay alert and on top of your game. There were meetings with coaches at 10 p.m., and you still had to be sharp." Coleman thinks he clicked with several teams, including the Cleveland Browns, who need help in the secondary. Others showing more than casual interest have been the Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City ..."

Browns consider trading up for Bradford or other players

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March 6

Akron Beacon Journal

"When the Browns won their final four games to finish a 5-11 season in 2009, most thought it eliminated any chance of them drafting Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford, the 2008 Heisman Trophy winner. But speaking at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, Browns General Manager Tom Heckert didn't rule out trading up from No. 7 in the April 22-24 NFL Draft. That might be necessary if the Browns covet Bradford, who could go as high asNo. 1 to the St. Louis Rams despite injury issues, or perhaps Tennessee free safety Eric Berry. Others expected to be off the board early include defensive tackles Gerald McCoy of Oklahoma and Ndamukong Suh of Nebraska. ''I don't think we're closing the door on ..."

Ex-Gopher consulting for 2 top QBs in NFL draft

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March 6

St. Paul Pioneer Press

columnist Charley Waters

"Former University of Minnesota Gophers quarterback Marc Trestman, who coached the Montreal Alouettes to last season's Grey Cup championship and who has been a QB consultant for ex-Florida star Tim Tebow for next month's NFL draft, also is consulting for ex-Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen. — The University of Iowa men's basketball team, coached by Todd Lickliter, comes to Williams Arena to play the Gophers on Sunday afternoon with a 10-20 record. The Iowa coach who Lickliter succeeded, Steve Alford, has coached New Mexico, ranked No. 8 nationally, to a 28-3 record and the Mountain West championship."

With cornerback in fold, here are 5 choices for Falcons

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March 6

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"Given the expected signing by the Falcons of free agent cornerback Dunta Robinson, it probably changes the focus of the team's draft, at least in the first round. There's no real reason to take a cornerback, not with so many issues to address. (UPDATE: Robinson has signed a six-year deal with the Falcons, per Mr. Ledbetter. Details will be forthcoming but here's a link to his current blog. Nice job by the Falcons.) The chances of the team drafting a running back in the first round - C.J. Spiller, for example - also likely are dead after Jerious Norwood and Jason Snelling were given contract tenders. (Technically, they could still be traded, but that doesn't seem likely.) So, having ..."

Mock Draft 2.0: Falconscenter Maurkice Pouncey

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March 6

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"Welcome to Mock Draft 2.0! This is the first one since getting back from the NFL scouting combine. There was plenty of information to digest from Falcons head coach Mike Smith and general manager Thomas Dimitroff who addressed the national meeting. The Falcons won the coin toss and officially will19th in the draft. With the ongoing Dunta Robinson talks, it's safe to conclude that they will not take a cornerback with the first round pick. The Falcons like their defensive ends and have concluded that a healthy Peria Jeria would have helped the pass rush immensely. Therefore, they are not compelled to reach for a defensive end after taking a tackle and an end in last year's draft. Also, this ..."

Are the Lions still interested in drafting Ndamukong Suh?

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March 5

Michigan Live

"The question now has to be asked: how much more do the Lions really want to add to that line? With the St. Louis Rams expected to take Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford with the first overall pick, the next highest rated player is Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. (Even if the Rams take Suh, the Lions would still have a shot at Oklahoma defensive tackle Gerald McCoy). Will the Lions go for one of those tackles or move in another direction -- Oklahoma State tackle Russell Okung or maybe a pass rusher or other position? The real beauty of the Lions' moves is that it continues to leave all their options open. The addition of Corey Williams -- reportedly headed to Detroit in a trade ..."

Ex-Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden tutors ex-Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow

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March 5

St. Petersburg Times

"Tim Tebow wore a tank top despite the wind that howled off Lake Magdalene and swayed the goal posts at Carrollwood Day School. Half the field doubled as the outfield to a girls softball game just a check-down pass away. High school players rubbed the sting off of their hands as they tried to hold onto passes whipped toward them by the former Gators quarterback. For about an hour Thursday at the northwest Tampa school, Tebow worked on the NFL's most scrutinized passing delivery under the direction of former Bucs coach Jon Gruden. "This is 78-X, shallow cross," Gruden said to Tebow. "Get the ball out of your hand." Gruden positioned players, including son Deuce, a sophomore at the school, ..."

2010 NFL Mock Draft: Seattle Seahawks Select Oklahoma State OT Russell Okung

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March 3

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"This draft pick is probably the hardest draft pick of them all to analyze, due to a lot of variables surrounding the selection. First off, it's a top ten pick. The good thing about that is that if a team has one glaring need, they can just grab that position usually because only a handful of players are out of the draft pool. So, odds are that they can just grab that guy. However, Seattle's situation is complicated due to the fact that they have multiple positions of need. Matt Hasselbeck is getting old, so a new quarterback is a possibility and Jimmy Clausen is available by this pick according to my mock. However, Hasselbeck still has some time left in him whereas Walter Jones, standout ..."

Florida corner Joe Haden's slow 40 time could drop his draft stock

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March 3

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Florida cornerback Joe Haden, one of the players the Browns are seriously considering with their No. 7 overall pick in the draft, posted a disappointing 40-time at the NFL Scouting Combine Tuesday, which could hurt his top 10 status. Haden was unofficially timed at 4.57 seconds on his first run and 4.60 on his second run, well above the 4.37 to 4.42 he said he expected to post. He told NFL Network he'll try to improve on his time at his Pro Day, March 17. "I never ran a 4.5 in my life," he told the network. "I'm definitely going to have to go and run that back again. Make sure I go home and train a little harder for Pro Day." For comparison's sake, Tennessee safety Eric Berry -- another ..."

Two possible draftees stand out

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March 3

Houston Chronicle

"After spending five days at the scouting combine and talking to just about everybody I know at least once and some a lot more than twice, I've got a pretty good idea about the players the Texans should seriously consider at No. 20. First, let's review their needs: running back, cornerback, defensive tackle, center/guard and free safety. That's five positions, and they have eight draft choices. After watching, listening and reading, I'm thinking the Texans will end up with Texas free safety Earl Thomas or Fresno State running back Ryan Mathews. Last year, my first mock draft had them taking USC outside linebacker Brian Cushing. The rest of my mock drafts had them taking USC outside ..."

Lions could get star defensive tackle if Rams opt for Sam Bradford

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March 3

Detroit News

"The NFL scouting combine is over, but the preparation isn't for a draft that many league insiders are calling the best in a decade or more. Now comes the hard part, though, as the Lions and other teams head home from Indianapolis after a week of workouts, interviews and medical exams for more than 320 of the top prospects. "A lot of it is done from an individual standpoint," Lions general manager Martin Mayhew said of the scouting process. "But we haven't all sat together and put all of our thoughts together and come up with how we all see them as an organization. And that's one of the most important things that we have to do.""

Publication projects Lions draft DE Morgan

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March 2

Detroit Free Press

"There's another name recently linked to the Detroit Lions with the No. 2 overall pick in April's NFL draft: Georgia Tech defensive end Derrick Morgan. This week's issue of the Sporting News projects the Lions will take Morgan after the St. Louis RamsNebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. Oklahoma defensive tackle Gerald McCoy would go at No. 3 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Sooners quarterback Sam Bradford would go at No. 4 to the Washington Redskins. Most draft analysts have the Lions picking either Suh or McCoy or trading down. This article was published before McCoy's disappointing showing in the bench press at the NFL scouting combine in which he managed just 23 repetitions of 225 ..."

Lions may look at California's Jahvid Best as way to upgrade running game

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March 2

Michigan Live

"At this point, there is little doubt the Detroit Lions are going to upgrade their running back position in the offseason but a couple of questions remain: Will they do it in free agency or the draft? If it's the draft, is their main target California's Jahvid Best, who could be available in the second round? The Lions, of course, aren't saying. Free agency begins later this week and general manager Martin Mayhew said, "There are guys out there now who are attractive to me. It depends on what the market is and what happens with other positions that might get addressed. There are a lot of moving pieces to it." The Lions are trying to find a running back with game-breaking ability in free ..."

Draft could produce run on backfield threats

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March 2

Tacoma News Tribune

"They're due. It's been 10 years since the Seattle Seahawks drafted a tailback in the first round. Back then they got it right, selecting Shaun Alexander 19th overall. Alexander went on to win league MVP honors in the team's Super Bowl season in 2005, and finished his career as the franchise rushing leader. The only other tailback Seattle has selected in the first round is Curt Warner, the No. 3 overall pick in the 1983 draft, and a member of the team's Ring of Honor after an impressive eight-year career. Selecting running backs early has been the exception, not the rule, for the Seahawks, who have looked to free agency to fill the void after Alexander's departure in 2007. The ..."

Tennessee safety in the mix of possible Browns picks

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March 2

Akron Beacon Journal

"There might have been times during his college career when Tennessee junior safety Eric Berry's bathroom mirror was plastered with Post-its. Berry isn't just motivated by negative comments, he prominently displays them so he can look at them every day when he brushes his teeth. For the record, Berry has very white teeth. As he bids to become a top-five selection in the April 22-24 NFL Draft, Berry will be scanning the mock drafts and online analysts for more fodder to incite him. He's ranked as the top safety prospect by nearly every draft guru except Mike Mayock of the NFL Network, who has him listed behind Earl Thomas of Texas. Berry might be among those considered by the Browns with the ..."

When it comes to the NFL Draft, Tennessee's Eric Berry is No. 1 in confidence

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March 2

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"While the debate rages on over whether Nebraska tackle Ndamukong Suh or Oklahoma tackle Gerald McCoy is the best player in the draft, Tennessee safety Eric Berry knows the answer. It's neither. Berry is certain it's him. "I feel like I'm the best player in the draft because I bring a lot to the table," said Berry at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. "I can do pretty much anything the coaches ask me to. I can play free or strong, or nickel corner. You don't have to bring in the nickel package for me because I can cover the slot. I had 14 interceptions in three years, three [returns for] TDs and almost broke the NCAA record for return yards after interceptions. I was only seven yards away ..."

'Get Joe some help,' ESPN analyst says

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March 2

Baltimore Sun

"As far as ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. is concerned, the Ravens' top mission during the NFL draft will be to find quarterback Joe Flacco some talented receivers. Forget about a cornerback and pass rushers. Those are secondary issues. The main emphasis should be allowing your franchise quarterback to grow. There wasn't much room in that area a year ago, Kiper said. "Before the last regular season started, I went on record and said the Ravens had the worst receiving corps in the NFL," said Kiper, who resides in Harford County. "They had Derrick Mason, a No. 2 playing No. 1. Mark Clayton never caught on, and Demetrius Williams didn't live up to his potential. Kelley Washington was solid at No. ..."

QB factor complicates draft picture

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March 2

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

columnist Bryan Burwell

"With only 43 more shopping days remaining before the NFL draft, Rams general manager Billy Devaney and the rest of his personnel entourage have descended on Indianapolis the past few days for the NFL combine with only one purpose in mind: find a way to fix this wretched mess of a franchise in record time. When you have been looking up from the bottom of the NFL barrel for as long as the Rams have — and when the entire football world is just waiting to see exactly what you will do with the No. 1 overall pick — that puts an extraordinary amount of expectation on a GM's shoulders. Devaney, a little guy with an oversized competitive streak, privately simmers when he detects even the slightest ..."

Friends and rivals, Suh, McCoy have bright future

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March 2

Houston Chronicle

"Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh was so impressive at the NFL scouting combine that he should have separated himself from Oklahoma defensive tackle Gerald McCoy as far as who is the highest-rated prospect in the draft. Unless St. Louis reaches to fill a need position by taking Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford, the Rams are expected to select Suh, who finished fourth in voting for the Heisman Trophy. "I just like being No. 1 and striving for No. 1," Suh said. "If I'm to be No. 1, I'd be happy. If I'm not, then get ready for that next team who wants me and make the most of it." Suh (6-4, 307) bench-pressed 225 pounds 32 times and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.98 seconds. Suh's 35½-inch ..."

Jerry Jones on Cowboys' draft: 'I'm looking at everything but quarterback'

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March 2

Dallas Morning News

"The binder that details the Cowboys' thoughts on the players in the draft rests under the right hand of Jerry Jones. The report will be much thicker a few days from now once club officials return from the Indianapolis combine and update the information. But the Cowboys owner has talked to his scouting department and seen enough 40s to know that he likes that first-round pick at No. 27. "I'd say probably we're less likely to move around this year," Jones said. What Jones says now and what he does on draft night in seven weeks could be two different things. History has shown he's inclined to wheel and deal. But a draft class enriched by an influx of juniors and the Cowboys stance that they ..."

Nebraska's Ndamukong Suh topping Oklahoma's Gerald McCoy at NFL combine

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March 2

Detroit Free Press

"There has been little evidence to support any separation between two of the top defensive tackle prospects in this year's NFL draft. But a show of endurance and strength, or lack thereof, at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis could be a red flag for one player. Oklahoma's Gerald McCoy completed only 23 bench-press repetitions of 225 pounds Sunday -- and that was worrisome for NFL.com draft analyst Mike Mayock, who ranks McCoy as the best DT prospect in the draft, ahead of Nebraska's Ndamukong Suh. "When you start comparing numbers, which is what this combine is all about, in the weight room yesterday Suh did 32 and McCoy did 23," Mayock said Monday on the NFL Network. "I was stunned ..."

NFL could invite second-rounders to draft

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March 2

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"The NFL Draft will have a new look in 2010. For the first time in league history, the draft will be a three-day affair that begins with coverage of the first round on Thursday, April 22. Rounds two and three will take place on Friday and rounds four through seven will be held on Saturday. As a result, the league is considering inviting some of the top projected second-round prospects to Radio City Music Hall-the site of the 2010 draft, according to Alex Marvez of FOXSports.com. In previous years, the NFL invited a handful of top prospects to New York to appear live on stage after their names were called during the first round of the draft. However, now that rounds two and three will take ..."

Bryant comes with a caveat emptor tag

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March 2

Yahoo! Sports

columnist Jason Cole

"Former Oklahoma State wide receiver Dez Bryant is emerging as the favorite for the most dubious title in the NFL Draft. Biggest risk. Three sources with direct knowledge of Bryant from his days in college, where he missed the final 10 games last season because of lying to NCAA investigators, said Bryant's antics were "consistently irresponsible." Bryant is expected to be a first-round pick in April. Some draftniks have predicted that he will go in the top 10, although the consensus appears to be the top 15. Whoever takes him does so at their own peril."