Author: Anthony Stalter (Page 163 of 1503)

      2011 NFL Draft Needs: AFC North

      February 18, 2011 /
      Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin watches play against the Denver Broncos at Invesco Field at Mile High on August 29, 2010 in Denver. Tomlin’s Steelers lost to the Broncos 34-17. UPI/Gary C. Caskey

      2011 NFL Draft Needs: AFC East | AFC North | NFC East | NFC North

      No. 4 Cincinnati Bengals
      Top Needs: WR, S, DE, QB
      If the Bengals trade Carson Palmer this offseason then quarterback obviously moves to the top of the list, but as of right now it appears as if Palmer will be the team’s starter for at least one more season. Receiver is a definite area of concern, as Terrell Owens is a free agent and it’s uncertain if Chad Ochocinco will be back. If he isn’t, then they’ll need a No. 1 (Jordan Shipley and Andre Caldwell are good players, but neither of them are top guys) and could target A.J. Green with the No. 4 pick. Defensively, finding a free safety is a must because Chris Crocker is average at best and Roy Williams (the team’s strong safety) is a liability in coverage. They added Reggie Nelson, but he’s struggled since his rookie season and isn’t reliable. Defensive end isn’t a pressing need because they have Carlos Dunlap, Robert Geathers, Antwan Odom and Michael Johnson, but Geathers is a rotational guy, Odom is injury-prone and Johnson is still a project. It may be hard for the Bengals to pass on D’aQuan Bowers if he falls to No. 4.
      First Round Possibilities: D’aQuan Bowers (Clemson), A.J. Green (Georgia), Nick Fairley (Auburn), Cam Newton (Auburn), Robert Quinn (North Carolina).

      No. 6 Cleveland Browns
      Top Needs: WR, DE, LB, OT
      Mike Holmgren found a head coach in Pat Shurmur to run his West Coast Offense and if we’re under the assumption that the Browns have their quarterback in Colt McCoy, then the team has two main priorities this offseason: Get younger and better on defense and find a true No. 1 wideout. Mohamed Massaquoi has flashed enough potential to be viewed as a starter, but is he a true No. 1? Because if he’s not and A.J. Green is sitting there at No. 6, it may be hard for Holmgren not to pull the trigger on the most NFL-ready prospect in the entire draft. If Green isn’t there and Holmgren isn’t sold on Alabama’s Julio Jones being a No. 1, then the Browns will likely address their defense. Robaire Smith is a free agent and has likely spent his last days in Cleveland. Shaun Rogers was just released. Derreck Robinson and Brian Schaefering are better options off the bench or in a rotation, and Kenyon Coleman is entering the final year of his contract. Suffice it to say, the Browns have needs along the defensive line, which is good seeing as how that position is the deepest in the draft. I also wouldn’t rule out the Browns taking another cornerback, seeing as how Eric Wright is a free agent and Sheldon Brown isn’t getting any younger.
      First Round Possibilities: A.J. Green (Georgia), Julio Jones (Alabama), Marcell Dareus (Alabama), Nick Fairley (Auburn), Da’Quan Bowers (Clemson), Robert Quinn (North Carolina), Prince Amukamara (Nebraska), Patrick Peterson (LSU).

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      External Sports, NFL

      Finally, the first positive signs from the CBA discussions

      February 18, 2011 /
      NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell address the media during a press conference in Dallas, Texas on February 4, 2011, one of the events leading up to Super Bowl XLV. The Pittsburgh Steelers will take on the Green Bay Packers on February 6, 2011. UPI/Ian Halperin

      After months of failed bargaining negotiations, the owners and union are bringing in the big guns to help resolve the CBA deal.

      George H. Cohen, also known as the lockout whisperer, has been called upon by both sides to help mediate the discussions. Mediation is not binding, so whether Cohen can help remains to be seen but at least this is a step in a positive direction (the first we’ve heard when it comes to these discussions).

      Last year, Cohen was involved in Major League Soccer talks with its players’ union and a work stoppage was avoided. He’s also worked with the players’ associations for MLB, helping end the 1994-95 strike as a consulting attorney and has been a consultant for the NBA and NHL as well.

      But while he’s had success with other leagues, he certainly has his work cut out for him with this new CBA deal for the NFL. When you sift past the proposed topics like an 18-game schedule and the restructuring of rookie salaries, what these discussions ultimately come down to is money. As John Paulsen recently pointed out, if the numbers are correct, the union is currently getting 60% of revenues right now, or around $4.8 million (after the owners get a $1 billion credit). The owners are getting $4.2 billion and seemingly want more of a 50/50 split when it comes to revenue sharing.

      The union knows that it has to take a paycut in order for a new deal to be signed. But it’s looking for a trim while the owners want to take out their clippers. Hopefully that’s where Cohen comes in to strike a compromise for both sides.

      What a compromise looks like, I don’t know. Maybe the players will have to agree to an 18-game schedule (which they vehemently oppose) to allow the math to work for them to not to take too big a financial hit under the new CBA. Maybe the NFL will have to modify its salary cap structure so that the floor of the cap (which was $108 million in 2009) would be raised to help offset the lowering of the cap ceiling.

      Whatever and wherever the comprise comes from, I couldn’t care less. I just want football next year, so let’s hope Cohen can work his magic.

      External Sports, NFL

      Kellen Winslow Jr. chats with The Scores Report

      February 17, 2011 /
      Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Kellen Winslow (82) runs for a 41-yard touchdown reception against the Washington Redskins during the fourth quarter at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland on December 12, 2010. The Buccaneers defeated the Redskins 17-16. UPI/Kevin Dietsch

      Quick, name the leading receiver on the Bucs last year. Nope, it wasn’t impressive rookie Mike Williams and for those who said Joey Galloway, you’ve just embarrassed yourself.

      It was none other than tight end Kellen Winslow Jr., who was one of the many players that helped transform the Bucs from a 3-13 team in 2009 to a 10-6 playoff contender in 2010. Due to the tough of the Super Bowl champion Packers the final two weeks, Tampa Bay missed the postseason but there’s no doubt the Bucs are a team to be reckoned with in the NFC.

      Even though he’s concentrating on becoming a father any day now, Kellen took the time to chat with us recently about the Bucs’ resurgence, what he thought the key was to Josh Freeman’s development this past year and what his take is on the lack of progress in the CBA discussions. He also talked about his role in the Bucs’ offense and what he thinks the team needs to get over the hump. As we expected, he didn’t disappoint with his answers.

      For more on Kellen, check out his official website, which has a bio, photos and more.

      The Scores Report: Hey Kellen, how are you?

      Kellen Winslow: Hey, how’s it going, man?

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      External Sports, Interviews, NFL

      2011 NFL Draft Needs: NFC East

      February 17, 2011 /
      Washington Redskins Head Coach Mike Shanahan watches his team warm up for the game against the New York Giants at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland on January 2, 2010. UPI/Roger L. Wollenberg

      2011 NFL Draft Needs: AFC East | AFC North | NFC East | NFC North

      No. 9 Dallas Cowboys
      Top Needs: S, OT, CB
      The Cowboys’ biggest priority heading into the offseason appears to be safety. Alan Ball’s lackluster play at free safety was one of the main reasons the Cowboys were torched through the air last season. If he returns, it’ll likely be as a backup in a nickel or dime package. Gerald Sensabaugh is a free agent and even if he does come back, the ‘Boys are likely to add another body to push him for the starting job. Seeing as how Mike Jenkins and Terrence Newman also contributed to the team’s problems in pass defense, the Cowboys will probably look to add more pieces at cornerback as well. Offensively, there’s talk that right tackle Marc Colombo could be released over concerns about his durability and declining production. Alex Barron resembled a turnstile when he played, so chances are the tackle position will be a priority for Dallas this offseason as well. You may even see them draft a tackle in the first round.
      First Round Possibilities: Anthony Castonzo (Boston College), Nate Solder (Colorado), Gabe Carimi (Wisconsin), Derek Sherrod (Mississippi State), Stefan Wisniewski (Penn State), Tyron Smith (USC), Prince Amukamara (Nebraska), Jimmy Smith (Colorado), Patrick Peterson (LSU).

      No. 10 Washington Redskins
      Top Needs: QB, WR, LB, RB, OT, CB, DT
      What don’t the Redskins need? It’s highly unlikely that they’ll pay Donovan McNabb when it’s clear that Mike Shanahan doesn’t have a ton of trust in him to run his offense. So then what? Do they go with Rex Grossman as the starter? Do they draft a signal caller in the first round? The entire offense is lacking playmakers, especially at the wide receiver position. Santana Moss is their top playmaker but he’s a free agent and Malcolm Kelly has been a major disappointment. So if Washington doesn’t draft a QB in the first round, they could certainly target a wideout like Alabama’s Julio Jones. Defensively, Andre Carter is a bad fit for the 3-4 and Rocky McIntosh is a free agent that probably won’t be back because Shanahan was none too pleased that he skipped all of 2010 offseason workouts. London Fletcher and Brian Orakpo remain fixtures at linebacker, but the Skins need to add another pass-rusher opposite Orakpo on the outside. At cornerback, DeAngelo Hall and Carlos Rogers are both free agents, but the Skins can’t allow both of them to walk with so few draft picks. Once Albert Haynesworth is dumped, the defensive tackle position becomes a need as well. Simply put, the Skins have too many holes to fill in just one offseason. It’s going to take Shanahan and Bruce Allen time to rebuild this roster.
      First Round Possibilities: A.J. Green (Georgia), Julio Jones (Alabama), Robert Quinn (North Carolina), Derek Sherrod (Mississippi State), Mike Pouncey (Florida), Anthony Castonzo (Boston College), Gabe Carimi (Wisconsin), Cam Newton (Auburn), Ryan Mallett (Arkansas), Marcell Dareus (Alabama), J.J. Watt (Wisconsin), Von Miller (Mississippi State), Akeen Ayers (UCLA).

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      External Sports, NFL

      Jets prioritizing free agent list and Cromartie isn’t at the top

      February 17, 2011 /
      New York Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie (31) breaks up a pass intended for Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Lloyd at Invesco Field at Mile High on October 17, 2010 in Denver. The AFC East division leader Jets beat the Broncos 24-20. UPI/Gary C. Caskey

      There appears to be conflicting reports when it comes to Antonio Cromartie’s future with the New York Jets. NFL Network’s Michael Lombardi is reporting that the team plans on letting the free agent walk this offseason, while Mark Cannizzaro of the New York Post writes that the Jets have not “definitively decided to cut ties” with Cromartie.

      Either way, it appears that the cornerback is not high on the Jets’ offseason priority list, which means things are sure to get interesting in Florham Park this spring.

      In Cannizzaro’s report, he also confirms that the Jets’ top mission this offseason is to re-sign Santonio Holmes. The team already kept linebacker David Harris by franchising him earlier this week, so ensuring that Holmes is locked in as Mark Sanchez’s No. 1 receiver for the next four or five years is next on the Jets’ list.

      After that, it’s unclear whether or not GM Mike Tannenbaum will try to re-sign Braylon Edwards or keep Cromartie. At some point, the Jets have to draw the line. It seems unlikely that they would be able to retain Holmes, Edwards and Cromartie, all while paying Harris top-dollar for one year under the franchise tag. They might be able to keep either Edwards or Cromartie, but not both.

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      External Sports, NFL

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