Author: Anthony Stalter (Page 891 of 1503)

      Chargers to draft a running back in first round?

      April 1, 2009 /

      Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune expects the Chargers to select a running back in the first round of this month’s NFL draft.

      I have said in my first two mock drafts that the Chargers will take Chris “Beanie” Wells from Ohio State. I think that’s the guy. General Manager A.J. Smith was at his Pro Day, and Wells is visiting San Diego next week.

      But there is plenty of reason to doubt the Chargers will ultimately choose Wells with the 16th pick.
      First, Wells might be gone. Teams in front of the Chargers reportedly are mulling their running back needs. Wells, for instance, has visits and/or workouts scheduled with Seattle (fourth pick), Cleveland (fifth), Cincinnati (sixth) and Denver (12th).

      Also, I believe very strongly that Smith is going to work his way back into the second round. And there is a faction in the Chargers’ front office that believes Connecticut’s Donald Brown is the best value for the Chargers. A projected second-round pick, Brown is in San Diego now, a week after Smith attended his Pro Day.

      Considering LaDainian Tomlinson restructured his contract in order to stay in San Diego, Darren Sproles was franchised and running back isn’t an immediate need for the Chargers, drafting a back in the first round would seem like an unwise move. But LT proved last year that he’s starting to wear down, Sproles has yet to sign his franchise tender and therefore there is no guarantee that either will be on the roster past 2009. And despite finishing 8-8 last year, the Chargers don’t have a ton of needs to address, so getting their running back of the future in a strong running back draft class makes sense.

      The only question becomes, will the Chargers take a back like Beanie Wells in the first round or try to trade back for a prospect like Knowshon Moreno or Donald Brown?

      NFL, NFL Draft

      Broncos interested in USC’s Mark Sanchez?

      April 1, 2009 /

      The National Football Post speculates that the Broncos are interested in USC quarterback Mark Sanchez and thus that’s why they are more willing to deal Jay Cutler.

      Mark SanchezThere is always an historical perspective to these trades, and that’s the basis of what teams will ask when trading a player. However, this is a unique situation and it has two parts: First, what will the Broncos receive? And second, how can they be in position to fortify their quarterback position? It’s like a pool player who knows he’s going to make one shot but needs the cue ball in the right spot to make his next shot. For example, let’s assume they want Mark Sanchez. They have to receive a draft pick that will assure them they can get Sanchez to maximize the value of the trade. The key for anyone knowing where Cutler might be headed is knowing where the Broncos are headed with their quarterback position. Both moves go hand in hand. The answer lies in the kind of player Josh McDaniels wants playing quarterback in his offense.

      My sense of all this is that it has nothing to do with Cutler returning calls or being belligerent, but rather the Broncos seeing a new player they’ve fallen in love with, i.e., Sanchez. This is just an educated guess on my part, but something usually happens to change a team’s position, and it normally happens when you find a solution to the problem. The Broncos have their eyes on someone, and I’m guessing it’s Sanchez since he has all the qualities McDaniels values in a quarterback. The talk will be about Cutler, but my focus will be on who will play quarterback for the Broncos.

      The notion holds a lot of water, but it remains to be seen whether or not Sanchez is the guy that the Broncos have set their eyes on. Some believe that Denver will ship Cutler to Buffalo in exchange for Trent Edwards, which seems a bit absurd at the moment, but everything and anything seems in play at the moment.

      NFL, NFL Draft

      Report: Bears interested in Jay Cutler

      April 1, 2009 /

      The Chicago Sun Times is reporting that the Bears are interested in quarterback Jay Cutler, who the Broncos are willing to trade before this month’s draft.

      Jay CutlerYahoo! Sports reported last week that the Bears called the Broncos expressing interest in Cutler should Denver decide to deal him. They have been reported as one of at least 10 teams to do so, and one league source said the number is higher than that.

      The timing makes sense. The Broncos want ample opportunity to create a frenzied market and ensure they receive a king’s ransom for Cutler, who turns 26 this month. They also need time to prepare for the draft, and they’ll likely be looking for a package of multiple draft picks and possibly multiple players.

      If the Bears are serious, they might have to part with two first-round picks and a player or additional picks. It likely will require creativity. Other teams that have been linked to Cutler include Tampa Bay — which would have gotten him in the proposed three-way trade with New England — Detroit, Minnesota, San Francisco, Cleveland, Jacksonville, Carolina and the New York Jets. Washington also can’t be ruled out.

      Two first round picks is a steep price to pay, but you figure Bears’ GM Jerry Angelo is going to botch those selections anyway so they might as well get a young quarterback out of the deal. (I’m kidding! I’m kidding! Okay, no I’m not…)

      As the article points out, the Broncos have done a nice job of creating a market for Cutler with so many teams reportedly being interested in the young QB. And why wouldn’t a team like the Bears be interested? Cutler is young and experienced, has a strong arm and the Bears haven’t had a reliable quarterback since Jim McMahon. But if they do wind up pulling off a trade for Cutler, the Bears better get the kid some receivers.

      NFL, Rumors & Gossip

      Bears to make signing Pace a top priority

      April 1, 2009 /

      According to the Chicago Tribune, the Bears have reportedly made signing free agent tackle Orlando Pace a priority.

      Orlando PaceIf Pace signs, the Bears probably would start him at left tackle and shift Chris Williams to the right side. Pace was selected to seven Pro Bowls at left tackle and is destined to be a Hall of Famer. He likely would have been the Rams’ starting left tackle for the 2009 season had they not opted to save $6 million in cap space.

      Williams is versatile enough to play either tackle spot, which is why the Bears would be willing to move him to the right side.

      The Bears have already signed veteran Kevin Shaffer, and he could compete to start at right tackle regardless. Adding the 33-year-old Pace would push newly acquired Frank Omiyale back into the mix at guard.

      Although age and injuries are a concern, signing Pace makes a lot of sense for the Bears, who have been trying to rebuild their offensive line since last year’s draft. I was shocked when I read that the team was counting on the undersized Omiyale to play right tackle next season. He’s a better fit at guard and really only makes sense at tackle in a zone-blocking running scheme, which the Bears don’t run. Signing Pace would allow Chicago to move Omiyale inside and although it wouldn’t be the most feared O-line in the league, it would be an upgraded unit.

      NFL

      Larry Johnson willing to stay in Kansas City?

      April 1, 2009 /

      Chiefs’ running back Larry Johnson has apparently pulled an about-face and is now willing to stay in Kansas City. (Johnson had originally asked to be traded following the 2008 season.)

      Larry JohnsonJohnson had previously said he wanted to be traded. However, agent Peter Schaffer pointed out that Johnson is now interested in playing for the new Chiefs regime. Schaffer said, as an act of good faith, Johnson attended the Chiefs’ offseason workout program that began Monday. New Chiefs coach Todd Haley told reporters Monday everyone on the team “has a clean slate.”

      Johnson’s grievance against the team is set to be heard Wednesday. It is over unpaid bonus money from last season. Still, Schaffer said that Johnson’s issue was with the former Kansas City brass and that he and new Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli are communicating.

      “Everyone has an open mind about this and we continue to communicate,” Schaffer said. “I think the Chiefs know that Larry is a very talented young man. I think everyone is looking to moving forward.”

      Johnson was suspended for a total of four games by the team and the NFL last year for off-field issues. Last week, he received probation for two separate nightclub incidents. Johnson, 29, has had a rocky career in Kansas City and last year’s incidents prompted speculation that he could be on his way out of town. He still could be traded or released, but Johnson now seems open to returning.

      It’ll be interesting to see if the Chiefs even want L.J. back. Rumor has it that if they win their grievance against him, they’ll likely release him soon after. But maybe they’ll change their mind, too. After all, he’s still a quality player and even though he’s nearing the dreaded age of 30 for running backs, he clearly can still play at a high level. Everything depends on whether or not the new regime wants to take a risk in keeping the often-volatile running back.

      NFL

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