2010 NFL Draft

Could Lions trade down and still get Gerald McCoy or Ndamukong Suh?
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February 9
Michigan Live
 
"The New York Jets jumped up to No. 5 to take USC quarterback Mark Sanchez in the 2009 NFL draft, and the Detroit Lions are hoping a similar scenario allows them to trade down from the No. 2 spot this year. Much of the buzz over the last couple of days has been the change in thinking -- in some corners -- that Oklahoma defensive tackle Gerald McCoy might get drafted ahead of Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. The theory is that it would mean Suh could fall to the Detroit Lions with the No. 2 pick -- with the St. Louis Rams taking McCoy at No. 1. But hold on. In talking to a couple of well-informed folks from St. Louis last week at the Super Bowl, two interesting points came up. The ..."
Shanahan's plan will become clearer over next month
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February 9
Washington Post
 
"The end of the Super Bowl marks the beginning of the NFL's offseason, which figures to be a busy time for the Redskins' new management team. Coach Mike Shanahan and General Manager Bruce Allen have revealed little publicly about their plans for a team coming off consecutive last-place finishes in the NFC East. But it seems obvious the roster needs to be improved after last season's 4-12 debacle in which the Redskins had one of the league's least effective offensive lines, no running backs with "home run" potential and gave up too many big passing plays because of breakdowns in the secondary. The Redskins currently hold the No. 4 overall pick in the two-day draft (April 22-23). In addition ..."
Look to the draft for the biggest talent boon
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February 9
Miami Herald
 
"I talked to two NFL general managers on Monday -- no, not Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland who flees at the mere smell of a tape recorder. In e-mail exchanges with these two GMs, I came to believe that if a team is going to load up on talent in the 2010 offseason, it's going to happen primarily through the draft. These guys were truly excited about the college talent coming out, have already put in long hours of tape study on college players, and are eagerly looking forward to the Indianapolis Combine later this month. And, no, they weren't bailing on the idea that free agency will have a few good players in the offing and even some intriguing surprises. But when 140 to 200 players in their mid to ..."
Broncos might draft quarterback, Bowlen says
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February 9
Denver Post
 
"In his first interview since the Broncos faded from a 6-0 start to an 8-8 finish, Pat Bowlen, the team's owner since 1984, addressed his club's hot-button issues with The Denver Post on Super Bowl eve Saturday. Bowlen said he would like star receiver Brandon Marshall to remain with the Broncos, but wouldn't block a trade if rookie coach Josh McDaniels feels it would benefit the team. Bowlen revealed the plan is for Kyle Orton to remain the Broncos' quarterback, but the team hopes to select another quarterback in the upcoming draft. Bowlen said he wasn't troubled by McDaniels' decision to bench Marshall and Tony Scheffler in the season's final game, saying it was necessary for a young coach ..."
Browns Tom Heckert impressed by Florida's Tim Tebow
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February 4
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Browns General Manager Tom Heckert just returned from the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. and had good things to say about Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, who was criticized sharply by experts such as ESPN's Todd McShay. "I think (Tebow) knew (he'd take heat) there and he went way up in my book for doing that, because originally there was talk that he wasn't going to go,'' said Heckert at the Greater Cleveland Sports Awards, where he was a presenter. "I think it's great that he went. He's a competitor and he wants to show what he can do. I thought it was great that he showed up, I really did. Because he knew what was going to happen." Heckert disagrees with the critics who say Tebow can't ..."
Does Tebow have what it takes for the NFL?
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January 30
Buffalo News
 
"NFL scouts were loving Tim Tebow, the football player, this week at the Senior Bowl. Many of them, however, were not loving Tim Tebow, the quarterback. It was obvious after a week of practices that the University of Florida star has a long way to go to convince most NFL teams he is going to succeed at the pro level. "I would never sell him short because he's a winner," said one NFC scout who did not want to be named. "But he's going to take a long time to develop, a lot of work to make it — if he ever makes it." That was the majority opinion of scouts from a dozen teams polled during the week. Tebow gets a chance to raise his draft stock today when he quarterbacks the South team in the ..."
NFL Draft: Smaller backs find niche
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January 30
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"In the cookie-cutter world of the NFL, there was a time when 5-8, 165-pound football players like Dexter McCluster didn't fit. Then along came Darren Sproles (5-6, 185), DeSean Jackson (5-10, 175) and Percy Harvin (5-11, 184) - all striking a big blow for the little man. "Oh, it gives me a lot of hope just seeing those guys have the success," McCluster said. "They probably dealt with some of the same things I'm dealing with. "And they're still doing it. They're out there competing. They're out there going 110 miles an hour every game. That's what I want to do so that I can compete. And I will compete. I won't shy away from nothing." McCluster didn't shy away from anything playing in the ..."
Falcons can get help for defense in draft
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January 30
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
 
"The Falcons are moving full speed ahead with their draft preparations, and there are early indications that the team will be able to address one of their major needs in the first round of the NFL draft, which is set for April 22-24. Several draft analysts and Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff have acknowledged that this draft is extremely strong and deep on defense. For instance, if the Falcons choose to pursue a defensive end, there are several quality options. If they prefer, a cornerback, there should be a good one available when theywith either the 19th or 20th pick. By contrast, if you're a team looking for a franchise quarterback, this is a rough year. Oklahoma's Sam Bradford ..."
Size won't matter in NFL for speedy prospect McCluster
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January 28
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"Two years ago at the NFL Scouting Combine, draft analysts tut-tutted when DeSean Jackson weighed in at 168 pounds. Jackson, who had been projected as a mid-first-round pick, ended up going 49th overall to the Eagles. Other concerns, about attitude and work ethic, also detracted, but the buzz about Jackson's weigh-in really seemed to overshadow everything he'd done in forging his status as a top prospect at Cal. This week, Jackson is in Florida practicing for the Pro Bowl, which he made as a returner and a wideout, in his second pro season. A few hundred miles to the northwest, Dexter McCluster is the standout player on offense this week during practices for the Senior Bowl. If McCluster ..."
Idaho guard drawing attention from Dallas Cowboys, others
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January 28
Dallas Morning News
 
"Penn State defensive lineman Jared Odrick heard rumblings before the Senior Bowl. A Paul Bunyan-esque offensive lineman awaited. Bigger than a house. Stronger than Babe, the blue ox. Feet like a dancer. "A real beast from the West," Odrick said. "I think in all these games, there's talk about some mystery guy, and then you see him on the field." In this case, seeing is believing for Odrick and the other defensive linemen on the North team. Three days of practice have shown the "beast from the West" is not a myth. Idaho offensive lineman Mike Iupati is the real thing. "He's everything I'd heard," said Odrick, whose one-on-one matchups with Iupati have moved the ground. Iupati arrived as a ..."
Dexter McCluster creates buzz, but doesn't really fit Lions
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January 27
Michigan Live
 
"One of the players who has the NFL scouts and personnel people buzzing about his performance at the Senior Bowl is Ole Miss running back Dexter McCluster - that's the 5-8, 165-pound Dexter McCluster. McCluster not only has blazing speed, but he also has great acceleration and explosion. While his size means he'll never be an every-down back, he has excellent versatility - he looks strong running routes, he can run inside on occasion and he can return punts and kickoffs. While the Lions could certainly use a player like that - especially in the return game - don't expect McCluster to end up in Detroit. McCluster is expected to go in the second or third round and the Lions simply have far ..."
Idaho guard could be on Eagles' radar
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January 27
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Mike Iupati said when he talked to Eagles offensive line coach Juan Castillo, he liked what he heard. "He said the one thing that he saw that he really liked . . . was that when I got beat inside, I slid my feet and pinned my guy down," Iupati said yesterday after practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl. Iupati, a highly regarded guard out of Idaho, could be on the Eagles' radar for the NFL draft, which begins April 22. The team could be looking to address an offensive line that was banged up last season, and Iupati fits the mold. "He's got long arms, he's nasty and he's a finisher," said Mike Mayock, a draft analyst for the NFL Network. "For a team like the Eagles, where Juan Castillo demands ..."
Dallas Cowboys looking for hidden gems at Senior Bowl
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January 27
Dallas Morning News
 
"The Cowboys could leave the Senior Bowl with a clearer idea of whom they will take with the 27th overall pick in the NFL draft. Could be an offensive lineman like Idaho's Mike Iupati or John Jerry of Mississippi. Could be defensive lineman Terrence Cody, a twinkle-toed 370-pounder who has been unstoppable in drills. The Cowboys will go home with a strong read on who their next Tashard Choice and John Phillips will be. Factors ranging from more underclassmen in the draft to the fear of injury have changed the face of the Senior Bowl. (An enterprising person will start a Junior Bowl.) The level of star quality has decreased, making the game a scouts' delight. Any civilian can spot a talent ..."
Lions' Jim Schwartz gets jump on 2010 draft
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January 26
Michigan Live
 
"Back in mid December, as the Detroit Lions were putting the final wraps on their 2-14 season, I had a conversation with head coach Jim Schwartz about the possibility of coaching in the Senior Bowl (which traditionally goes to the coaching staffs of the two worst teams in the league). "The last time I was there, I remember talking with the other coaches and saying 'This has been a great experience -- let's never do it again,''' Schwartz said. Schwartz, though, is currently on his third tour of duty at the Senior Bowl -- he was part of the Baltimore Ravens' coaching team in 1998 and was part of the Tennessee Titans' staff that coached in 2006. The Lions are coaching the North squad in this ..."
Jerry Jones expects Cowboys to stay put in first round
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January 26
Dallas Morning News
 
"For Cowboys owner-general manager Jerry Jones, the NFL draft season opened in earnest Monday with the start of Senior Bowl workouts. He has already plotted the outline of the Cowboys' position. Jones wants to stay right where the Cowboys are for their first-round pick, the 27th choice overall. Jones is willing to change direction and use the pick to help the offense. "More than ever, with where our team is, we've got to be really, really good with this draft," said Jones, who blended in with the legion of scouts who came out for the North team workout at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. "The one thing we cannot do is stand pat. We have to be aggressive about getting more talent. We could get a lot of ..."
Mock drafts: Bengals like TE, but which one?
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January 25
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"With less than three months until the NFL Draft, and everyone gathering down in Mobile starting on Monday for the Senior Bowl, the first series of mock drafts are being released even though positions 29-32 have not been finalized. As is normal this time of the year, three of them have the Bengals taking different players with the 21st pick. ESPN's Mel Kiper has the Bengals selecting Florida tight endAaron Hernandez in the first round. According to one draft observer I talked to, Hernandez is seen as a faster, smaller version of Chase Coffman, who would supply less as a blocker than Coffman. Considering that Coffman's major deficiency was trying to develop as a blocker, who knows if this is ..."
Mock drafts predict Cowboys will take mostly offensive linemen
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January 25
Dallas Morning News
 
"The 2010 NFL Draft is April 22-24, but it's never too early to start thinking what the Cowboys might be looking for in the first round. Dallas owns the No. 27 pick. Drafting offensive line help makes sense. Left tackle Flozell Adams will be entering his 13th season if he comes back. Left guard Kyle Kosier will be in the final year of his contract. The backups are unrestricted or restricted free agents. Finding a tackle for the future is never a bad bet. Some highlights of recent mock drafts' picks for the Cowboys first-rounder: CBSSports.com's Rob Rang: LT Bruce Campbell (Maryland) – According to the Baltimore Sun, Campbell's size (6-foot-7, 310 pounds) and pass-protection skills make him ..."
Bucs Beat: Five players to watch at Senior Bowl
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January 23
Tampa Tribune
 
"The NFL is all abuzz about the record 53 juniors who have made themselves eligible for this year's draft. Starting on Sunday, though, and for the next week the league's collective focus will turn to the top seniors in this year's draft. Sunday begins a week's worth of festivities and workouts leading up to Saturday's Senior Bowl in Mobile, Al. Little Ladd-Peebles Stadium is the site of the game as well as the daily NFL convention that takes place during the morning and afternoon Senior Bowl practices. Just about everyone who's anyone in the NFL attends this event and plenty of news comes out of it as a result. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, for example, are expected to announce the minor tweaks ..."
NFL Network draft analyst: No QB worthy of No. 1 pick
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January 23
Detroit News
 
"Take your pick. But NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock says there's no question who should be the top two selections in the 2010 NFL Draft. And both players are defensive tackles: Nebraska's Ndamukong Suh and Oklahoma's Gerald McCoy. "To me, they ought to be the first two players off the board -- they're both that good," Mayock said Friday on a conference call previewing next week's Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. The Lions, a team that certainly could use some help on the defensive line, own the No. 2 overall pick in April's draft, behind the St. Louis Rams. But while there's speculation the Rams might draft a quarterback at No. 1, Mayock doesn't think it'll happen. He calls this year's ..."
Mel Kiper Jr. likes QB Jimmy Clausen for Buffalo Bills
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January 22
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
 
"Well-respected NFL college draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN is among those who agree that the Buffalo Bills should make finding an above-average quarterback the top priority. iper's new 2010 mock draft has Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen going No. 9 to Buffalo. I hope he's right. He believes Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford will be the No. 4 overall pick by the Washington Redskins. If the Bills pass on Clausen, Kiper thinks he'll go to Seattle No. 14. Many people believe the other top-need position for the Bills is offensive tackle. Kiper's projections on the four top tackles: Russell Okung (Oklahoma State) No. 5 to Kansas City, Anthony Davis (Rutgers) No. 8 to Oakland, Trent Williams ..."
Gronkowski makes it official
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January 16
Buffalo News
 
"Confirming earlier reports, University of Arizona tight end and former Williamsville North standout Rob Gronkowski formally announced Friday that he was skipping his senior season to enter the NFL draft. He is leaving college after just two years. He missed the past season with a ruptured disc in his back that required surgery. He decided to turn pro after getting medical clearance from Dr. Robert G. Watkins III, who performed a microdiscectomy on Gronkowski's back on September 24, and nationally renowned orthopedic surgeon James Andrews. "Once I got clearance, I felt it was the right thing to do,'' said Gronkowski, who has hired superagent Drew Rosenhaus. "I believe I'm ready for the ..."
NFL prospect Dez Bryant regrets lying, has plenty to prove
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January 16
Tampa Tribune
 
"The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won't have to travel far to keep tabs on the top receiver in this year's NFL Draft. Dez Bryant, the Oklahoma State wideout who was suspended by the NCAA in October for lying about a meeting he had with Deion Sanders, has decided to kick start his stagnant career here in Tampa Bay. Bryant, a Texas native, said Friday he plans to spend at least the next couple of months working out at the Saddlebrook resort. Though he played just three games of his junior season before the suspension, Bryant ranks as the top wideout in the draft, according to most experts. Maintaining that spot is the objective behind Bryant's work at Saddlebrook. "I just feel like I have things to ..."
Former Oklahoma State star receiver Dez Bryant calls Deion Sanders a mentor, says he didn't encourage him to sign with agent
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January 16
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Former Oklahoma State receiver Dez Bryant regrets lying to NCAA investigators about visiting the Texas home of Deion Sanders but insists the former Florida State All-American is a mentor and did not influence him to sign with an agent. "The way (the NCAA investigator) was asking me, 'Did I have any relationship with Deion Sanders?', he was making it seem like I did something wrong,'' Bryant said Friday during a news conference at Saddlebrook Resort in Wesley Chapel, where he is training. "He asked me, 'Did I go out to Deion Sanders' house?' I told him no, (but) I really did. And I came back and told him before it all blew up that I had visited Deion Sanders' house. "I made a mistake ..."
RB draft prospects: Spiller dangerous
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January 15
Foxsports.com
 columnist John Juhasz
"Running backs are one of a few positions where rookies can come in and contribute immediately. Problem is, this draft class isn't exactly loaded with top-tier running backs. But there are still a few worth monitoring. 1. C.J. Spiller, Clemson, 5-11, 195 lbs 2009 rushing stats: 216 carries, 1,212 yards, 12 TDs 2009 receiving stats: 36 catches, 503 yards, 4 TDs NFL comparison: Felix Jones Projected draft position: Top 15 overall Jan. 13 analysis: Dazzling. Explosive. Electrifying. Gamebreaking. Pick your favorite adjective, and each one (and then some) probably applies to Spiller. He is one of a few players who would pretty much force you to keep the TV on that channel when Clemson's offense ..."
Rams noncommittal on draft
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January 6
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"As a senior at Nebraska, Adam Carriker was busy anchoring the Cornhuskers' defense, completing a degree in business administration and planning his wedding. Still, Carriker, the Rams' first-round draft pick in 2007, wasn't so preoccupied that he didn't take notice of Ndamukong Suh, then a redshirt freshman and a fellow defensive lineman. "I knew he'd be good. I had no idea he'd be this good," said Carriker, who missed the entire 2009 season after suffering a shoulder injury in the preseason. "He had a lot of potential. He obviously lived up to it." The 6-foot-4, 300-pound Suh, a unanimous All-America selection, Heisman Trophy finalist and Associated Press national player of the year, is ..."
Drafting high would serve Bills well
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December 13
Buffalo News
 columnist Jerry Sullivan
"Today, the Bills begin the final quarter of a tumultuous and disappointing season, one that is almost certain to end with them missing the playoffs for a 10th straight year. The players are putting on a brave front. They're not mathematically eliminated from the race, which is less a reason for hope than a cause for deep, lacerating regret. The Bills have a lot to play for in the next four weeks: jobs, pride, a chance to play spoiler. They're also playing for interim head coach Perry Fewell. Finishing .500, after a season of adversity and upheaval, would be a startling achievement. It would give Ralph Wilson a convenient out in his coaching search. But it's hard to imagine them running the ..."
Clausen to forgo senior season
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December 7
ESPN.com
 
"Jimmy Clausen enrolled at Notre Dame to learn about the NFL. Looks like he's learned enough. Following the advice of deposed Irish coach Charlie Weis, Clausen has decided to forgo his senior season and enter this April's draft. Rated as perhaps the top quarterback in this year's class, he is believed to be coveted by St. Louis, Cleveland and Washington -- three teams that will conceivably pick in the top 5. "After the season, in talking to my parents and obviously Coach Weis, I just feel it's the right time,'' Clausen told ESPN.com on Monday before a scheduled 2 p.m. ET news conference in South Bend. "Coach Weis told me whether he was going to be here or not be here, it was time for me to ..."
Jim Kelly: Bills should move on from Edwards, target Tebow
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November 27
USA Today
 
"Saying he hopes to become "a big part of the ownership group" in the future, Hall of Fame Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly wants to sit down with team owner Ralph Wilson and COO Russ Brandon after this weekend to offer his full support in helping return the Bills to prominence while keeping the franchise in Buffalo. The strongest suggestion by the passionate, strong-armed quarterback who led the Bills to four straight Super Bowls from 1990-1993? Start over under center. Buffalo has shuffled nine starters in and out of the huddle since Kelly retired after the 1996 season. Kelly said the franchise needs to move on from the benched Trent Edwards, a 2007 third-round pick. Kelly suggested ..."
Garrard: Tebow has potential
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September 19
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"Maybe Jaguars quarterback David Garrard wanted to ignore it. But there's no way he could've turned a deaf ear to the attention given to team owner Wayne Weaver, who recently discussed the club's possible interest in Florida senior quarterback Tim Tebow. Upon hearing Weaver's comments, Garrard focused on himself. "I've just got to do my job," he said. "I can't worry about whom they draft and that kind of stuff." Seconds later, a teammate walked by, sarcastically remarking that "Tebow is gonna save us all." In an interview with The Associated Press on Monday, Weaver called Tebow "iconic" and said the former Nease High standout would be "an asset to any football organization." Garrard ..."
Nicks fills needs for Giants
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April 29
Charlotte Observer
 
"The Giants didn't trade for Anquan Boldin, but they drafted a receiver who many think compares to the Pro Bowler from the Cardinals. With the 29th pick in the draft, the Giants selected Hakeem Nicks, a 6-foot, 210-pound wide receiver from North Carolina. General manager Jerry Reese said the Giants never really entertained trading up or down in the draft order - although they were tempted when highly-touted receivers like Michael Crabtree and Jeremy Maclin began to fall and waited patiently with the 29th pick. At that point they had four players in mind and selected Nicks, the only receiver among the four. Linebacker Rey Maualuga from USC was likely also in the group. "Obviously it's a ..."
Panthers give 'D' infusion via draft
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April 29
Charlotte Observer
 
""It was about time." Those words were coach John Fox's way of expressing his delight with the emphasis the Carolina Panthers placed on acquiring defensive help with their early picks in the NFL draft over the weekend. The Panthers used their first three selections - two second-rounders Saturday and a third-round pick Sunday - in an effort to improve a defense that ranked 18th in the league in total defense last season. Despite the fact that he is a former defensive coordinator, this is the first time in Fox's eight years as Panthers' coach that team has taken three defensive players consecutively at the top of their draft. Of the 21 players who comprised the first three picks from the past ..."
St. Louis Rams went for defense in NFL draft
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April 29
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"After an obvious nod in the direction of the team's greatest need - offensive tackle - the Rams' first draft with Billy Devaney as general manager and Steve Spagnuolo as head coach tilted decidedly toward defense. Four players coming out of this draft have a chance to make an immediate impact on the 2009 Rams, and three of them are defensive players. Following the selection of Baylor offensive tackle Jason Smith at No. 2 overall, the Rams went defense, defense, defense over the weekend: - Second-round pick James Laurinaitis of Ohio State figures to be the team's starting middle linebacker on opening day. - Third-round pick Bradley Fletcher of Iowa has a chance to be the Rams' nickel back, ..."
Pat White can help Miami Dolphins revolutionize the NFL
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April 29
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"Miami Dolphins czar Bill Parcells usually skips the Senior Bowl, but this year he wanted to see one specific player up close and personal. For one practice in Mobile, Ala., back in January, Parcells perched himself next to his former protege, New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick. The two watched the full practice session together, exchanging chit-chat, observations and opinions. According to two NFL scouts, most inside the NFL's scouting community concluded then and there that these two NFL heavyweights were locked in on the same prospect: West Virginia quarterback Pat White. That's why many NFL insiders weren't surprised the Miami Dolphins used a second-round pick on White. Parcells ..."
Colts pick and choose carefully during NFL draft
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April 28
Indianapolis Star
 
"How efficient were the Indianapolis Colts at addressing their various needs in the NFL draft? The biggest pre-draft needs were at wide receiver, defensive line and linebacker. Some needs were filled, and some weren't during the seven rounds. Here's a look at six key positions: Wide receiverAddition: Austin Collie, BYU (round 4). The skinny: He's considered a Brandon Stokley clone, adept at working out of the slot. Good hands, adequate speed. Collie will need time to digest coordinator Tom Moore's demanding offense, but should fit in nicely with Reggie Wayne and Anthony Gonzalez. Defensive tackleAddition: Fili Moala, USC (round 2), Terrance Taylor, Michigan (round 4). The skinny: What's not ..."
Inside the NFL: Grading the draft classes (prematurely)
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April 28
Contra Costa Times
 
"SO THE New York Jets are geniuses for boldly moving up to get USC quarterback Mark Sanchez. As for the Raiders, the only time anyone saw a longer reach than Darrius Heyward-Bey in the first round and Michael Mitchell in the second, Thomas Hearns was a 6-foot-2 welterweight. Former NFL coach Jim Mora is famous for saying, "You think you know, but you just don't know, and you never will." Not true with regard to the NFL draft. We'll know in three or four years. But where's the fun in that? The draft is the only place you can give final grades before even administering the test. Having hit exactly six of 32 picks in my mock draft (including three of the first four before finishing a robust ..."
Orakpo at ease with Redskins
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April 28
Washington Times
 
"Brian Orakpo has yet to suit up or even sign a contract with his new team, but the Washington Redskins' first-round draft pick already was flashing the savvy and preparation of a polished veteran. During his official introduction at Redskin Park on Monday, Orakpo struck all the right chords. Belying his fierce on-field persona, he was humble, gracious and affable. And smart. The former Texas defensive end called Dan Snyder "the greatest owner in the NFL," noting his "great charisma and great confidence." Considering that Snyder will pay his salary, which has yet to be negotiated, this can't hurt. Orakpo, the No. 13 pick, also proclaimed Jim Zorn "one of the greatest coaches in the league ..."
Missouri Tigers TE Chase Coffman goes to Cincinnati Bengals
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April 28
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Missouri tight end Chase Coffman acknowledged a slight case of nerves at the start of the second day of the NFL draft. To alleviate the tension, he went out and hit some golf balls. "By the time I got back, the draft had started, so I just hung out with my family," Coffman said. "It's one of those things where you're anxious. You want to get it over. You want to find out where you'll be." He returned in ample time to get the call from the Cincinnati Bengals, who selected him in the third round, 98th overall, and he wasted no time finding a comfort zone. Coffman will report to tight ends coach Jonathan Hayes, who played with Coffman's father, Paul, when the pair were tight ends for the ..."
Titans draft grades
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April 28
Tennessean
 
"JIM WYATTThe Titans took care of some of their biggest needs, and added some big-time college playmakers in Kenny Britt and Jared Cook. The addition of defensive tackle Sen'Derrick Marks bolsters the middle, and Javon Ringer should spark an interesting training camp battle at running back. GRADE: B. DAVID CLIMERThe national media won't like it, but what else is new? Kudos for picking a wide receiver in the first round. The key to this draft will be how players like Mouton, McRath and Kropog pan out. Picking late, the Titans kept pace with the competition in the AFC South. GRADE: B. JOE BIDDLEI really like the Kenny Britt pick, especially stuck down in the 30 spot. Jared Cook needs to keep ..."
Vikings' free agent signings
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April 28
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Colt Anderson, S, Montana, 5-9 1/2, 194: Hard hitter from a school that sent DBs Tuff Harris (Titans) and Kroy Bierrman (Falcons) to the NFL in the past three years. Kahlil Bell, RB, UCLA, 6-0, 219: Slowed by an ankle injury, averaged 2.8 yards per carry for a 4-8 team. Suspended as a sophomore after an altercation with a teammate. Jon Cooper, C, Oklahoma, 6-3, 290: Big 12 offensive lineman of the year, could also play guard. Scouts say he needs to add bulk. Robert Francois, LB, Boston College, 6-2, 244: Physical linebacker who was BC's special teams player of the year. Only 14 college starts. Sean Glennon, QB, Virginia Tech, 6-4, 224: Big, strong drop-back passer with up-and-down college ..."
Cable unfazed by criticism over Raiders' picks
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April 27
Oakland Tribune
 
"Raiders owner Al Davis has been down this road before. When you have been around for as long as Davis, you are bound to experience the gamut of praise and criticism. Draft analysts, columnists and fans teed off on Davis and the Raiders for the selection of Maryland wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey and Ohio safety Michael Mitchell in the first and second rounds of the NFL draft Saturday. To that, former Raiders coach Jon Gruden said Sunday, "Al Davis doesn't care about what any of us think." And so Davis and Coach Tom Cable on Sunday went about the business of reloading the roster with players they deem capable of making a difference and being a part of the team's transformation from a ..."
Barnes packs brains, brawn
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April 27
Washington Examiner
 
"The YouTube clip increased his popularity. It started with him drilling a running back; it ended with the back on the ground losing a cup or more of a sports drink he had probably consumed earlier in the game. But Kevin Barnes, the Redskins third-round pick, is known for more than just his hits. It's also his brains - he scored a 41 on the Wonderlic test, the highest score by any potential draft pick this year. And he's smart enough to know the situation he's getting into with Washington. "I know they just re-signed DeAngelo [Hall], I know Carlos [Rogers] is on the last year of his deal and I know [Fred] Smoot is getting older," Barnes said. "I'm ready to compete and try and have an ..."
Skins address pressing needs
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April 27
Washington Examiner
 
"The Redskins managed to find a pass rusher and cornerback depth. What they didn't find was a strongside linebacker or a right tackle. So they may be forced to look inward for those answers. The Redskins said their right tackle position will be filled by Stephon Heyer or Jon Jansen. They also view newly-signed Mike Williams as a possibility. His presence prompted Washington to look at other positions later in the draft. "When we signed Mike the other day, the way he looked at the workout, that kind of helped that," Redskins executive vice president Vinny Cerrato said. "We put him in the mix at right tackle." However, Williams, the fourth overall pick in 2002, has not played since 2005 and ..."
Skins let draft come to them
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April 27
Washington Examiner
 columnist Rick Snider
"Finally, Dan Snyder did nothing and good things happened. It only took the Redskins owner a decade to learn the best moves are sometimes the ones you don't make. Instead of overpaying once more to move up for a risky player, Snyder let the draft come to him and gained a player better than the 13th pick. First-rounder Brian Orakpo may be the final piece for a playoff defense. The Redskins were ranked fourth last year, but lost cornerback Shawn Springs. Orakpo's pass rush, with newly-acquired tackle Albert Haynesworth, should generate pressure and overcome any secondary shortcomings, not that the Redskins are weak there if healthy. Orakpo was a top-10 pick, maybe top six, so the Redskins for ..."
Sooner Juaquin Iglesias chosen by Bears in NFL draft
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April 27
The Oklahoman
 
"The Oklahoma-Chicago pipeline continued Sunday as the Bears selected Sooner wide receiver Juaquin Iglesias in the third round with the No. 99 overall pick during the NFL Draft in New York City. Four out of the last six drafts, the Bears have selected a Sooner. Igleisas was OU's leading receiver last year, catching 74 passes for 1,150 yards and 10 touchdowns. He will join ex-OU standouts Tommie Harris and Dusty Dvoracek, both defensive tackles, on the Bears roster.Iglesias is the second Sooner taken in this year's draft."
Sooner Nic Harris drafted by Buffalo Bills
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April 27
The Oklahoman
 
"Outside linebacker Nic Harris became the third Oklahoma Sooner to be taken in the NFL Draft, going to the Buffalo Bills in the fifth round Sunday with the No. 147 overall pick. Earlier in the day, wide receiver Juaquin Iglesias was selected in the third round by the Chicago Bears. Offensive tackle Phil Loadholt was the first Sooner drafted, going in the second round Saturday to Minnesota.Curiously, OU offensive guard Duke Robinson, a two-time consensus All-American who some projected to go as high as the second round, still hadn't been taken heading into last few picks of the fifth round."
DE Brown, Meeks might be a match made in heaven
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April 27
Gaston Gazette
 columnist Steve Reed
"Everette Brown is ecstatic about being a Carolina Panther, and it's not just because he'll be able to play so close to his Eastern North Carolina home of Stantonsville. What Brown is most excited about is playing for new Panthers defensive coordinator Ron Meeks. Meeks, who replaced Mike Trgovac this off-season, helped develop Robert Mathis (6-2, 245) and Dwight Freeney (6-1, 268) into star NFL defensive ends while in Indianapolis. Like Mathis, Brown is considered a little undersized for a 4-3 defensive end, coming to Carolina with a 6-foot-2, 256-pound frame, although the team believes he can add size and muscle mass. Freeney has 70.5 sacks in eight seasons with the Colts and has been to ..."
Ravens, Florida State kicker agree to deal
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April 27
Baltimore Sun
 
"In addition to University of Buffalo quarterback Drew Willy, who agreed to a rookie free-agent contract Sunday night, the Ravens have also agreed to contracts with Florida State kicker Graham Gano, Georgia linebacker Dannell Ellerbe, Michigan defensive tackle Will Johnson and Mississippi fullback Jason Cook, according to published reports. As a senior, Gano connected on 24 of 26 field goals for the Seminoles. He joins Steve Hauschka as the two kickers on the Ravens' roster. Gano can also punt. Ellerbe was rated as the 126th player overall by Pro Football Weekly going into the draft, but injury concerns and an off-the-field incident early in his Georgia career may have caused him to fall. ..."
No hesitation: Oakland goes for players it wants
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April 27
Sacramento Bee
 
"Florida wide receiver Louis Murphy had two questions when the Raiders called to let him know he had been drafted. He wanted to know the phone number for strength and conditioning coach Brad Roll and when he could find out about playing on special teams. Those are the humble qualities Raiders coach Tom Cable said he looked for, with the prerequisite impressive workout numbers, when selecting players Sunday on the final day of the 2009 NFL draft. Murphy, the first of the Raiders' two fourth-round picks, was a member of two national championship teams at Florida and a captain on last season's title-winning squad. Murphy played in the shadows of 2007 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Tim ..."