Author: Anthony Stalter (Page 70 of 1503)

      Three reasons why Pryor was worth the risk for Raiders (and three reasons why he wasn’t)

      August 22, 2011 /
      Ohio State University quarterback Terrelle Pryor (2) runs the ball against Eastern Michigan University during the second quarter of their NCAA football game in Columbus, Ohio September 25, 2010. REUTERS/Matt Sullivan (UNITED STATES – Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

      The Oakland Raiders selected former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor with a third-round pick in the 2011 supplemental draft. Seeing as how they now don’t own a second, third or fourth round pick in 2012, it was quite a gamble for Al Davis and his franchise.

      But here are three reasons why Pryor was worth the gamble for Oakland (and three reasons why he wasn’t).

      1. Don’t get fixated on the third-round compensation.
      No, the Raiders currently don’t own a second, third or fourth-round pick for 2012. But they also just lost cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha and tight end Zach Miller via free agency so chances are they’ll recoup that third round pick when the NFL hands out compensatory selections next year. In fact, there’s a good possibility that Oakland will receive a third and a fourth-round pick for next year’s draft. That doesn’t mean that the Raiders should just give away their draft picks, but that’s not what they did. In Pryor, they landed a gifted athlete with plenty of potential…

      2. …Pryor is a gifted athlete with plenty of potential.
      Pryor is raw as a quarterback prospect but there’s no auguring how good of an athlete he is (which is why Al Davis was so attracted to him). He ran in the sub 4.4-range at his recent pro day and if he doesn’t make it as a QB, he has the quickness and body control to potentially become a receiver at the next level. As of right now, the Raiders don’t have any quarterback on the roster signed through next season. That includes Jason Campbell, who becomes a free agent at the end of the year. Even though Pryor will miss the first five games this season due to a suspension, he gives Oakland the developmental quarterback that their roster currently lacks.

      3. The reward could outweigh the risk.
      As it stands right now, this isn’t a move that will set the Raiders back for years to come. In the end, all they gave up was a third round pick that they’ll probably get back next year anyway thanks to Asomugha’s decision to sign with the Eagles. If Pryor winds up being a starting quarterback in Oakland, all it would have cost the Raiders up front was a third-round pick. That’s also third-round quarterback money, which is nothing. On the flip side, if doesn’t pan out at quarterback, the Raiders could still try him at receiver. If he flames out there, then hey, at least they didn’t give up a No. 1 overall selection (eh, JaMarcus?).

      THAT SAID…

      Continue reading »

      External Sports, NFL

      Could Frank Gore demand trade?

      August 21, 2011 /
      San Francisco 49ers RB Frank Gore (21) is tackled by his jersey in the second half against the New Orleans Saints at Candlestick Park in San Francisco on September 20, 2010. The Saints defeated the 49ers 25-22 on a last second field goal. UPI/Terry Schmitt

      ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets that negotiations between Frank Gore and the 49ers are “going slowly” and that the star running back is frustrated. While Schefter’s report doesn’t mention anything about a trade demand, that seems like the next likely step if Gore’s frustrations continue to grow.

      The Niners are in a tough spot here. Obviously they want to keep the 28-year-old back, but the Panthers overpaid DeAngelo Williams and they don’t want to do the same with Gore. San Fran lured its RB back to training camp with the promise to look at his contract, but it’s doubtful that Gore will receive anywhere near what Williams got from Carolina (i.e. $21 million guaranteed).

      Although he’s younger and has been more productive, the situation could get worse if the Titans ever pony up and pay Chris Johnson. Once Gore’s camp sees all of those dollar signs being thrown at running backs, they’re going to make a case that their guy should be paid as well.

      Of course, Johnson and the Titans appear nowhere closer to agreeing to a new contract than at the start of training camp. Johnson reportedly left Nashville on Sunday without meeting with Titans management and thus, the stalemate continues in Tennessee. With Larry Fitzgerald landing $50 million guaranteed, I don’t know what the Titans are waiting for.

      External Sports, NFL

      Cardinals’ rookie Ryan Williams may have career-threatening injury

      August 20, 2011 /

      In what could be devastating news for the rookie, Cardinals running back Ryan Williams “probably” has a torn patellar tendon according to head coach Ken Whisenhunt.

      From Rotoworld:

      It’s a season-ending and potentially career-threatening injury depending on Williams’ recovery process. The good news is that Williams is still just 21 years old, and the injury is occurring now as opposed to November. He’ll have a better chance to be healthy by the start of 2012 training camp. The bad news is that Williams will need major knee surgery and his rookie season in the NFL will be a washout. Beanie Wells will dominate carries in Arizona this year.

      This poor kid can’t catch a break. After breaking multiple Virginia Tech and ACC rushing records in 2009 (including VA Tech’s single season rushing yards record, the ACC single season rushing touchdown mark and the ACC single season TD record), Williams injured his right hamstring in a game against East Carolina and wound up missing four games in 2010. Now he faces an even bigger injury hurdle.

      Those we kept an eye on him in training camp were impressed by his quickness and ability to change directions without throttling down his speed. Given Beanie Wells’ injury concerns and inconsistently woes, Williams figured to see plenty of playing time in 2011. Hopefully he’ll only miss his rookie season and will be back in training camp again next year.

      That now makes two players from the running back class of 2011 that will miss this season due to injury. The Lions’ Mikel Leshoure tore his Achilles’ tendon in practice last week.

      External Sports, NFL

      Chiefs’ first round pick Jon Baldwin injuries wrist in locker room brawl with Thomas Jones

      August 19, 2011 /

      According to a report by sports talk show host Nick Wright of 610 Kansas City, Chiefs rookie first round pick Jonathan Baldwin is likely done for the preseason after injuring his wrist/thumb in a locker-room brawl with running back Thomas Jones.

      Let me state again that Nick Wright BROKE THE STORY FIRST. I’m only repeating myself because Wright has spent most of today complaining about how others are giving credit to ESPN/Adam Schefter, so I figured I would make it clear that Wright BROKE THE STORY FIRST.

      Moving on…Wright tweets:

      What I’m hearing on Baldwin: “he’s as advertised. Diva, spoiled, doesn’t wanna listen. Can run a Go and a Slant, and doesn’t wanna work.”

      Wright also writes that head coach Todd Haley has embarrassed Baldwin a few times, “but hasn’t really gone off on him yet.” There’s some concern that the rookie could be out 6-8 weeks and is doubtful for Week 1 following his fight with Jones – this according to Wright, who cannot confirm the news but is only “passing it along.” (Did I mention that he broke the story first?)

      None of this is surprising if you paid attention to the pre-draft reports on Baldwin, who was often criticized for his lack of work ethic and his immaturity. Following his junior season at PITT, he bashed quarterback Tino Sunseri and the Panthers’ coaching staff for his lack of growth as a player. (It’s always good to blame others for your shortcomings as a person.) He was also charged with disorderly conduct and harassment in 2009 after he allegedly groped a female student on a campus bus. He was eventually cleared of those charges, however.

      Baldwin certainly has all the athletic ability to succeed, but his character flaws have apparently followed him to Kansas City. Thomas Jones is regarded as a good locker room guy, so the fact that Baldwin fought with him won’t endear him to his teammates. The kid hasn’t even run one route in a meaningful game yet and already it appears as though he may be headed for bustville.

      External Sports, NFL

      Michael Vick creates some trouble for Roger Goodell

      August 18, 2011 /
      Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick takes the field to play the Green Bay Packers in their NFC Wild Card NFL playoff football game in Philadelphia, January 9, 2011. REUTERS/Tim Shaffer (UNITED STATES – Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

      If what Michael Vick recently told GQ is true, then NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has some explaining to do.

      In an interview published by GQ’s website, Vick told Will Leitch that he was persuaded by Goodell to play for the Eagles instead of the Bills or Bengals.

      “I think I can say this now, because it’s not going to hurt anybody’s feelings, and it’s the truth,” Vick tells me a few weeks after the commencement ceremony. “I didn’t want to come to Philadelphia. Being the third-team quarterback is nothing to smile about. Cincinnati and Buffalo were better options.” Those two teams wanted him and would’ve allowed him to start, but after meeting with commissioner Roger Goodell and other reps from the NFL, Vick was convinced—and granted league approval—to sign with Philly. “And I commend and thank them, because they put me in the right situation.”

      I think it’s rather humorous that Vick commended and thanked the people he just threw into the controversial spotlight. Because under no circumstances should Goodell, or anyone else in the NFL front office for that matter, be steering any player to or away from any team.

      Did it work out for Vick? Yes. Did it work out for the Eagles? Yes. Did it work out for the NFL? Yes. But what about the Bills and Bengals? Why did Goodell feel the need to steer Vick away from those two organizations?

      The obvious answer is because Vick was just released from prison and needed a stable environment. Andy Reid and the Eagles provided the structure that Vick desperately needed. If you want to argue against the notion that Cincinnati would have been an unstable situation, Google “Carson Palmer retirement” and you’ll get all the proof you need that Vick was better off landing in Philadelphia. Had someone polled fans across the nation asking which team (CIN, PHI or BUF) would provide the best environment for Vick, it would stand to reason that the majority of fans would choose Philadelphia.

      But Goodell isn’t a fan. He’s the commissioner, which means he should be hands off when it comes to players choosing what teams they want to sign with. I realize he may have only been trying to help Vick, but imagine if he had a hand in telling Nnamdi Asomugha or Julius Peppers where to sign. The whole situation sounds shady.

      Either way, it’s water under the bridge now. Goodell and the league will catch some heat for this, but nothing is going to change. Vick is still in Philadelphia, where he makes the Eagles legit Super Bowl contenders. Meanwhile, Bills and Bengals fans can share in more misery, although they can save their whining about Vick. At the time, I’m sure there were plenty of people in Buffalo and Cincinnati who pleaded with their teams not to sign “that dog killer.”

      External Sports, NFL

      « Older posts Newer posts »

      © 2026 The Scores Report – The National Sports Blog

      Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑