Author: Anthony Stalter (Page 483 of 1503)

      Donovan McNabb to be a Raider soon?

      March 29, 2010 /

      ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that “all the ingredients” for a trade are in place between the Eagles and Raiders involving quarterback Donovan McNabb.

      Of all the teams the Eagles have spoken with, the Raiders have been the most willing to meet the Eagles’ asking price. Last week, The Associated Press reported that the Eagles want a pick in the top 42 of the 2010 draft for McNabb. Oakland has a second-round pick that is the 39th overall selection.

      Also, the sources say McNabb’s contract, which has one year and $11.2 million left on it, has scared off other teams. But, the sources say, Oakland is not concerned that McNabb is due a $6.2 million roster bonus on May 5 nor that the quarterback is scheduled to become a free agent after the 2010 season.

      There also are connections between the Raiders and McNabb. Raiders owner Al Davis and McNabb each went to Syracuse, and Oakland’s new offensive coordinator, Hue Jackson, is a distant cousin of McNabb’s.

      I’m a huge supporter of McNabb and I think on the right team, he’s a Super Bowl-winning quarterback. For whatever reason the Eagles have failed to live up to expectations with him under center, but I’m not one of those that believes McNabb deserves most of the blame for their postseason struggles. He’s a good quarterback and while he’s not a miracle worker, he can lift a team with his play.

      That said, this would be another unnecessary move in a history of unnecessary moves by owner Al Davis. The Raiders are several quality pieces away from becoming a playoff contender, so it doesn’t make sense for them to give up a second round pick and $11.2 million to have McNabb on their roster for one year. I could be wrong, but I highly doubt he would sign an extension to stay in Oakland given that his career is winding down. Chances are, he’d jet as soon as his contract expires at the end of the 2010 season.

      I applaud teams that take initiative when it comes to acquiring talent in order to build a competitive roster. But this move makes little sense for the Raiders outside of the fact that they need a quarterback. I’m not suggesting that they would be better off with JaMarcus Russell or Bruce Gradkowski. But I am saying that this would eventually be a fruitless trade for them (outside of maybe selling more tickets) given McNabb’s contract situation and desire to sign with a contender after 2010. Long-term it doesn’t make any sense and the bottom line is that the Raiders just aren’t one Donovan McNabb away from competing.


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      NFL

      Sam Bradford impresses at Pro Day

      March 29, 2010 /

      According to Oklahoma football beat writer John E. Hoover via his Twitter page, quarterback Sam Bradford had a great Pro Day performance.

      From Rotoworld.com:

      Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford officially completed 49-of-50 passes at his Monday Pro Day. He completed another 13-of-13 from a stationary stance.

      “That’s the best I’ve seen since Troy Aikman,” observed NFL.com’s Gil Brandt. Bradford’s lone misfire came on a drop by Sooners backup wideout Adron Tennell, and the projected No. 1 overall pick showed an impressive, strong build. Pro Days are intended to make players look good, but Bradford was as sharp as can be, exhibiting a quick release, plenty of velocity, and outstanding accuracy. We noticed just one throw behind his intended target (Jermaine Gresham still caught it), and he delivered one wobbler on a 40-yard slant-go.

      Considering that Tim Tebow and Dan LeFevor failed to impress at their Pro Days and Jimmy Clausen and Colt McCoy have yet to work out because of injuries, Bradford just improved his draft stock dramatically. The Rams are already interested in him and if he performs well for them in a private work out in late April, he may be heading for St. Louis.

      Nothing is a lock at this time of year, but Bradford just went a long ways in making a case that he should be the No. 1 pick. I realize that Pro Day performances don’t mean as much as game film when it comes to scouting players, but if the Rams were interested before, they’re really interested now.


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      College Football, NFL, NFL Draft

      Rams, Redkins to hold private workouts with Sam Bradford

      March 29, 2010 /

      ESPN.com is reporting that the Rams will hold a private workout with Oklahoma quarterback San Bradford three days before the April 22 draft. The team will also attend Bradford’s private workout this afternoon, although Chris Mortensen reports that St. Louis won’t make a final decision until a couple of days before the draft. (At the earliest.)

      The Redskins, who hold the fourth overall pick, will also have a private session with Bradford on April 15. There’s speculation that Washington will take a quarterback at some point during the draft, even though they extended a first-round tender to restricted free agent Jason Campbell and also signed free agent Rex Grossman.

      In my first mock draft, I have the Rams selecting Bradford with the top pick and the Redskins taking Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen. Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh is the best athlete in the draft, but if the Rams view Bradford as a franchise quarterback then they won’t pass on him at No. 1 – especially considering that DT is one of the few positions that St. Louis doesn’t need.

      If the Rams do select Suh (or Oklahoma’s Gerald McCoy), then Bradford probably won’t get past the Redskins at No. 4. Whether or not people think that Bradford is a bona fide top 5 pick is irrelevant. It’s been 10 years since a quarterback wasn’t taken among the top five picks and that was in 2000 when Chad Pennington (Jets) slipped to No. 18. If history is any indication, Bradford will be taken at some point in the top 5.


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      College Football, NFL, NFL Draft

      Raiders interested in Sage Rosenfels?

      March 29, 2010 /

      The National Football Post reports that the Raiders and Vikings are discussing the availability of quarterback Sage Rosenfels. That’s the second quarterback (Donovan McNabb was the first) in the past week that Oakland has been tied to via a potential trade.

      Whether or not the Rosenfels report holds any water, the writing is on the wall for JaMarcus Russell, who apparently now weighs a hefty 290 pounds. It has been assumed that Russell would get at least one more opportunity to show the Raiders that he can be their starting quarterback, but maybe the team is ready to cut bait now. (And who can blame them given his nonchalant attitude and horrendous work ethic.)

      Rosenfels isn’t a long-term solution for the Raiders, but he would be an upgrade over Russell and Bruce Gradkowski. None of the current quarterbacks on Oakland’s roster offer much long-term hope, but even Gradkowski proved to be more effective running the team’s offense than Russell before he got hurt late in the year. And while Rosenfels didn’t take a meaningful snap last season, he’s still a better option than Gradkowski at this point.

      One thing to keep in mind is that if the Vikings do part with Rosenfels, it would virtually be a guarantee that Brett Favre is coming back. Minnesota won’t part with an insurance policy like Rosenfels, even if they believe Tarvaris Jackson can supplant Favre someday.


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      NFL

      Santonio Holmes also facing legal trouble

      March 29, 2010 /

      Steelers receiver Santonio Holmes is facing a civil lawsuit for assault and battery, according to NBC Sports.com.

      The civil complaint contends that Holmes confronted plaintiff Anshonoe Mills after she refused to leave the arm of a couch in the VIP area of the Rain nightclub. Holmes allegedly “put his hand” in Mills’ face while attempting to remove her from the couch. Holmes then allegedly “threw his entire glass cup of liquor” at Mills’ face, allegedly causing a laceration below her eyebrow and “blinding her temporarily.”

      She claims that, outside the club, she asked a police office to “reprimand” Holmes for his conduct. The complaint then alleges that “he” (it’s unclear whether the pronoun refers to the officer or Holmes) “proceeded to inform the plaintiff that he was an NFL football player and that he could not face criminal charges.” Mills also alleges that Holmes then “offered to give [her] money because he was a [sic] NFL star and could not get into trouble.”

      Mills claims that she “felt pressure from [Holmes] and the Orlando Police Department not to press chargers,” and that while under said pressure he made “a short victim statement incoherently stating that she was hit in the face and bleeding near her eyes, however, intended not to press charges.” She claims that the Orlando Police Department failed to write a police report.

      Holmes faces claims of assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The owner of the club at which the incident occurred also faces a claim for negligent failure to provide adequate protection. (Hopefully, the security tapes haven’t been covered up with new footage.) Mills seeks unspecified damages in excess of the jurisdictional minimum of $15,000.

      The only thing missing here is a sentence about Holmes asking the officers, “Don’t you know who I am?” I always love when athletes say that, because it proves that some of them truly believe that they’re untouchable.

      As always, let’s wait until more details emerge before we make accusations. That said, this is the absolute last thing the Steelers need with Ben Roethlisberger already steeped in controversy himself. Dan Rooney must be beside himself given that the Steelers are starting to resemble the new Bengals in terms of their players getting into legal trouble.


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      NFL

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