Category: NFL (Page 147 of 1282)

      Panthers’ owner not sold on Cam Newton?

      April 6, 2011 /
      Auburn Tigers quarterback Cam Newton kisses the championship trophy after the Tigers defeated the Oregon Ducks to win the NCAA BCS National Championship college football game in Glendale, Arizona, January 10, 2011. REUTERS/Mike Blake (UNITED STATES – Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

      The general consensus is that the Panthers will take Auburn quarterback Cam Newton with the No. 1 overall pick later this month. But that could be a problem if owner Jerry Richardson isn’t on board with the idea.

      According to CBSSports.com’s Mike Freeman, Richardson isn’t “completely sold” on Newton, although he is expected to defer to his scouting and coaching staff when the Panthers are on the clock. There have been plenty of examples of owners meddling in their teams’ draft plans and it usually winds up having an adverse affect on the franchise. Hopefully for the Panthers’ sake, Richardson butts out.

      Freeman also says that the Panthers are “enamored” with Georgia receiver A.J. Green and according to his sources, the team would like to trade down and grab the former Bulldog later in the first round. But that could prove difficult seeing as how teams can’t trade future draft picks without a CBA in place. Thus, teams can only deal 2011 picks, which means Carolina would probably have to accept less for the No. 1 overall pick than a team would usually get for such a high selection, if they do want to move down, that is. (This draft also lacks a consensus No. 1 overall prospect that would make teams want to trade up.)

      While this report is certainly intriguing, it’s not enough to sway my opinion that the Panthers will draft Newton with the top selection. This team needs a quarterback and while I have my own reservations about whether or not Newton will prosper at the next level, signs still point to Carolina taking him No. 1.

      External Sports, NFL, NFL Draft

      NFL draft to feature a lot of late first round quarterback trades?

      April 5, 2011 /
      University of Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett (15) scrambles away from the University of Florida’s Christopher Coleman during the secopnd quarter of their NCAA football game in Gainesville, Florida October 17, 2009. REUTERS/Scott Audette (UNITED STATES SPORT FOOTBALL)

      NFL Network’s Albert Breer tweeted on Monday that there might be “a ton of trade action” involving quarterbacks at the bottom of the first round in this month’s draft.

      Wrote this last week … But keep hearing — from everyone — that there’ll be a ton of trade action for QBs at bottom of Round 1.

      Cam Newton and Blaine Gabbert should be long gone by the time the teams in the bottom of the first round are on the clock. The wildcards appear to be Jake Locker and Ryan Mallett, who could go anywhere in the top 15 to the top of the second round. Florida State’s Christian Ponder and Nevada’s Colin Kaepernick are starting to garner first round attention as well, so maybe the reports about there being “a ton” of late-first round trade action are on the money.

      That said, how would Breer, or anyone else for that matter, know what teams are going to do at this point? Teams don’t even know whether or not the CBA will be signed by the end of the month, making the draft an even bigger crapshoot than it already is. Furthermore, teams can’t trade 2012, 2013 or 2014 picks because there is no CBA. Thus, trading selections would seemingly be a more difficult task than in years past.

      If I had to guess right now, I would think that Newton and Gabbert will be off the board by pick No. 12, while Locker and Mallett will go in the bottom half of the first round. Ponder (who I think is a perfect fit for Cincinnati) will go in the second and Kaepernick will go in either the second or third. Of course, a lot could change from now until the end of the month though, so we’ll just have to wait and see.

      External Sports, NFL, NFL Draft

      Bengals discussing Kevin Kolb internally?

      April 5, 2011 /
      Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kevin Kolb scrambles out of the grasp of Dallas Cowboys Igor Olshansky to pass for a touchdown early in second quarter Philadelphia Eagles-Dallas Cowboys game action in Philadelphia at Lincoln Financial Field January 2, 2011. T UPI/John Anderson

      Even though they can’t make any trades until the CBA is signed, the Bengals have reportedly “floated the idea” of trading for Kevin Kolb internally according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

      “Make no mistake about it,” said Schefter. “The Bengals know they need to move on without Carson Palmer.”

      Schefter also notes that Cincinnati may strongly consider drafting a quarterback No. 4 overall, which would therefore make trading for Kolb a moot point. The team is in a tough position because if they don’t address their need at quarterback during the draft, there’s no guarantee that they’ll be able to trade for Kolb after the draft. And then what? They try to convince Palmer to change his mind or go into the season with Jordan Palmer as their starter? Yikes.

      The other problem is that the Bengals have been awfully conservative in the past when it comes to trades. With the Cardinals, Titans, 49ers and Vikings all in the market for a quarterback as well, they probably would be willing to give up more in a trade than Cincinnati would. And then what? The Bengals try to convince Palmer to change his mind or go into the season with Jordan Palmer as their starter? Yiiiiikes.

      The most logical scenario is that the Bengals will draft a quarterback in one of the first two rounds and bypass the idea of trading for Kolb. It’s not the ideal way to look at things because hey, if you like Kolb and think he gives you the best chance to win, then trade for him. But these are extraordinary times that call for extraordinary measures for teams like the Bengals.

      External Sports, NFL, NFL Draft

      Mike Vrabel arrested for theft at Indiana casino

      April 4, 2011 /
      Denver Broncos running back Correll Buckhalter (R) gets past Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Mike Vrabel for a gain during the first half of their NFL football game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri December 6, 2009. REUTERS/Dave Kaup (UNITED STATES SPORT FOOTBALL)

      We knew that the lockout would affect some players in profound ways, but who knew it would result in one player robbing a casino? And a player who is just days away from appearing on the players’ behalf for Wednesday’s antirust lawsuit against the owners, no less?

      ESPN.com is reporting that free agent Mike Vrabel was arrested for felony theft at an Indiana casino on Monday. He was booked at 5:28AM and was released at 10:39AM after posting $600 bail. The rest of the details are sparse, but the 35-year-old Vrabel has already released a statement through his agent:

      “It was an unfortunate misunderstanding, and I take full responsibility for the miscommunication,” Vrabel told ProFootballTalk.com in a statement through his agent Neil Cornrich. “I feel comfortable that after talking with the appropriate parties, we will resolve this matter.”

      I was being facetious with my “robbing a casino” comment in the first paragraph, but it is a rather humorous situation. Not for Vrabel of course, but for fans that have had to put up with daily reports about how the lockout will never end and how there will never be another football season ever. EVER.

      Make no mistake: this is an embarrassing situation for Vrabel. He’s two days away from having to appear in court and he’s out getting arrested for felony theft. Even if it was just a huge misunderstanding, he was still arrested and he’s still one of the faces for the players during their ongoing battle against the owners. So in essence, it’s not just embarrassing for him but for all of the NFLPA as well.

      External Sports, NFL

      Building through the draft clearly the best way to win in the NFL

      April 4, 2011 /
      Super Bowl MVP and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rogers celebrates alongside teammate Clay Matthews after winning Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas on February 6, 2011. The Green Bay Packers beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25 to win. UPI/Brian Kersey

      If you’re one of the few people who still think the best way to build a team in the NFL is to sign a bunch of high-priced free agents during the offseason, check out CSNBayArea.com’s Matt Maiocco’s latest column and see if you change your mind.

      Maiocco examined the past five NFL drafts (2006-2010) and ranked every team based on how their selections panned out. At the top were none other than the Packers and Saints, who each won a Super Bowl the last two years.

      The Colts, who have made the playoffs every year over the past five seasons and won the 2006 Super Bowl, were third, while the Jets, who played in the last two AFC title games, were fourth. The defending NFC South champion Falcons were fifth, while the Ravens (who have made the playoffs the last three years) were sixth. The Vikings, Steelers, Patriots and Bucs rounded out the top 10.

      Every team in Maiocco’s top 10 has made the playoffs at least once in the last two years outside of Tampa Bay, which had a winning season in 2010 and should be a contender again in 2011 (if there’s a season, of course). In other words, the teams that have drafted well over the last five years have built a roster that can contend.

      On the flip side, the Cowboys (28), Cardinals (29), Bengals (30), Redskins (31) and Bills (32) rounded out the bottom five. Granted, Dallas and Cincinnati won their respective divisions in 2009 and went to the playoffs, but both teams collapsed in 2010 and proved that their success was short-lived. And while Arizona nearly won the Super Bowl three years ago, the Cards are feeling the effects of drafting Matt Leinart with the 10th overall pick in 2006.

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      External Sports, NFL, NFL Draft

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