Author: Anthony Stalter (Page 461 of 1503)

      Report: Holmgren still pushing for No. 1 pick

      April 22, 2010 /

      It’s become public knowledge that Mike Holmgren thinks very highly of quarterback Sam Bradford. How high is he on Bradford? According to ESPN.com, Holmgren is willing to part with most of his 2010 picks and even a pick or two next year in order to move up to the No. 1 spot to take Bradford.

      Holmgren declined to delve into specifics as far as his offer to the Rams, but indicated he would be willing to part with most — but likely not all — of the Browns’ 10 picks and perhaps a pick or picks next year for the consensus No. 1 quarterback in this year’s draft. Holmgren, however, is not optimistic that the Rams will pull the trigger on a trade. “They shouldn’t do it,” he said. “They need a quarterback more than anyone in the world.”

      Holmgren said the Browns already have had three or four conversations with the Rams regarding the top pick. With St. Louis being somewhat coy about its intentions, and with no contract in place with Bradford, Holmgren will make one last run at Bradford.

      “It’s not going to happen,” Holmgren said. “I just got out of a meeting and I told everyone, let [the board] come to us. That said, I’m going to go make the call.”

      It’s amazing that Holmgen would share that kind of information just hours before the draft, but he must know that there’s no way the Rams are parting with the pick and therefore, it doesn’t matter what he says. Plus, if he lets the world know that he wants a quarterback, maybe another team will want to trade up to Cleveland’s spot at No. 7 in order to take Jimmy Clausen.

      Things are starting to get interesting as we head into the first round.


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      NFL, NFL Draft

      Redskins, Chiefs, Browns all after Berry?

      April 22, 2010 /

      Here is some Eric Berry news leading up to the draft:

      – The NFL Network’s Jason LaCanfora reports that other teams have begun to project Berry to the Redskins at No. 4 overall. The Washington Post is reporting similar news.

      – Mel Kiper says that while Bryan Bulaga and Trent Williams remain options, he’d still go with Berry as the Chiefs pick at No. 5. Of course, SI.com’s Peter King contradicts Kiper and says that the Chiefs will pass on Berry if he’s available.

      – ESPN’s Michael Smith reports that Berry will be the Browns’ pick at No. 7 if he’s available.

      Players like Ed Reed, Troy Polamalu and Bob Sanders (when he’s healthy) have made teams realize how valuable it is to have a versatile safety as their last line of defense. Berry is by far the best safety in this year’s class and it’s no wonder why multiple teams in the top 10 are considering him.

      That said, the Redskins have a huge hole at left tackle and might not be able to afford passing on one at No. 4. The Chiefs have a similar issue and therefore, might take an OT right behind Washington at No. 5. Cleveland, on the other hand, is in dire need of a playmaking safety and is a logical fit for Berry at No. 7. Even though Reed, Polamalu and Sanders have proven their worth, teams are still reluctant to draft safeties that high. (Although again, I don’t think Cleveland passes at No. 7.)

      But I wouldn’t be surprised if Berry never makes it to Mike Holmgren and the Browns based on the emerging importance of the safety position.


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      NFL, NFL Draft

      Eagles moving up to No. 12 to take Thomas?

      April 22, 2010 /

      ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio reports that the Eagles are in discussions with the Dolphins about trading up to No. 12 in tonight’s NFL draft. Per the report, Philly has its sights set on Texas safety Earl Thomas.

      After acquiring receiver Brandon Marshall from Denver a couple of weeks ago, pass rusher remains Miami’s biggest need. But Bill Parcells knows that drafting pass rushers is a major risk, especially in the top 15. In most cases, a defensive end won’t have an impact until his third or even fourth year because he has to learn how to play against offensive tackles that have mastered proper blocking techniques.

      With that in mind, Parcells knows he can drop down in the first round, acquire extra picks and still add a quality player at No. 24 (which is where the Eagles are slated to pick). It’s a great move if he can pull it off.

      As for the Eagles, their recent trade with the Lions for OLB Ernie Sims allows them to concentrate on the safety position in the first round. But their fear is probably that the Texans will take Thomas at No. 21, hence their efforts to trade up to No. 12. Philly better hope that Jacksonville at No. 10 doesn’t take him first, however.


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      Raiders, Rams, Jaguars and Bills all out of the running for Big Ben

      April 22, 2010 /

      At the start of the week, there was speculation that the Raiders, Rams, Jaguars and Bills were all trade possibilities for Steelers’ quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. But after the Rams and Bills both dropped out of the running on Wednesday, the Jaguars and Raiders followed suit today and now the Steelers don’t appear to have any viable trade partners heading into tonight’s draft.

      In reality, the Raiders were the only team that made sense, because they’re the only team that wouldn’t care about Big Ben’s contract, off-field baggage and six-game suspension at the start of next season. There should be no bigger wake up call to a player then when even Al Davis doesn’t want you. (Actually, Davis probably doesn’t want Roethlisberger because he doesn’t want to admit that he made a colossal mistake by drafting JaMarcus Russell four years ago.)

      According to ESPN’s John Clayton, the Cardinals have contacted the Steelers about a possible trade, but did not make an offer that would lead to a deal getting done soon. Ken Whisenhunt was Big Ben’s offensive coordinator for three years in Pittsburgh, so it would make sense that Arizona would be interested. But at the end of the day, Roethlisberger will likely still be a Steeler in 2010.

      For now, the only thing Pittsburgh can do is ride out Ben’s suspension and hope he learns something from it. They’ll prepare for Week 1 with Bryon Leftwich and Dennis Dixon competing for the starting job, then figure out Roethlisberger’s future at a later time.

      It could be a rough year in the “Steel City.”


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      NFL

      Jimmy Clausen to fall out of top 25?

      April 22, 2010 /

      ESPN’s Adam Schefter predicts that Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen will fall to the bottom of the first round, where the Vikings will take him at No. 30.

      Dallas Morning News columnist Rick Gosselin (who annually puts out some of the most accurate mock drafts) predicts the same thing.

      The Vikings were hoping a cornerback would slide to them but instead hit the jackpot with the slide of Clausen. He gives them their QB of the future when Brett Favre finally does retire, probably in 2011.

      Well, my final mock just got blown to hell. I have Clausen falling to the Bills at No. 9 and I even had him as high as No. 4 to the Redskins before they acquired Donovan McNabb. Schefter is one of the most reliable NFL media members around and as previously noted, Gosselin is well respected around this time of year too.

      I guess it wouldn’t surprise me to see Clausen fall. In fact, nothing would surprise me. The media tries its best to predict what will happen, but in reality, not even the teams know how things will play out. A team like the Vikings have an idea about who will be left on the board when they pick later tonight at No. 30, but really, they have to wait to find out just like everyone else. Players that they thought would be there won’t be, while a player they may have rated higher on their board will still be available. It happens every year.

      Last year, linebacker Rey Maualuga was supposed to be a sure-fire top 20 pick and he fell all the way to the Bengals in the second round (No. 38 overall). In 2008, receiver Devin Thomas was supposed to be a first rounder and he too fell into the second round at pick No. 34 (Washington). So nobody knows.

      It’ll be interesting to see how far Clausen falls, because he’s the one quarterback at the top of his position class that actually played in a pro style offense. Sam Bradford, Colt McCoy, Tim Tebow, Tony Pike and Dan LeFevour all played in the spread, which scares a lot of scouts because it takes time for those quarterbacks to develop. One would think that Clausen would be a top 15 pick, but maybe not.


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      NFL, NFL Draft

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