Category: NFL (Page 777 of 1282)

      Lions to take Matthew Stafford with first pick?

      March 9, 2009 /

      Lions’ beat writer Nicholas J. Cotsonika believes that Detroit will select Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford with the first overall pick in April’s draft.

      I don’t think they have settled on Stafford by any means. He didn’t throw at the NFL scouting combine, and he hasn’t had his pro day yet. It also might come down to contract talks. The Lions want to get something done before the draft and plan to negotiate with at least three top candidates.

      But I think Stafford could fit and the Lions are set up to take him. He has a big arm to get the ball to the Lions’ best player, wide receiver Calvin Johnson. He is compared to Jay Cutler. And for whom did the Lions just try to trade? Jay Cutler. Stafford could sit behind Daunte Culpepper for a while. He doesn’t have to be thrown into the fire the way Joey Harrington was.

      When I talk to writers from other cities, they are amazed that Curry or a left tackle would be a more popular choice than Stafford for the first pick. They assume the fans would go ga-ga over a quarterback. They don’t understand how Lions fans have been burned by huge draft misses at offensive skill positions.

      Still, I’m amazed at how afraid some Lions fans are of taking a quarterback. You have to learn from the past, but you can’t let past failures paralyze you. The Lions can’t force it. They can’t just take a quarterback for the sake of taking a quarterback. But I don’t think they will.

      This is a long-term project, and quarterback is a good place to start when you’re starting from scratch. I think if they think Stafford has what it takes to lead this franchise to a championship, they will take him and groom him as carefully as they can.

      One thing everyone has to remember is that the Lions have to believe that Stafford (specifically) is their long-term fix at quarterback. It’s not about taking a quarterback because you need a quarterback or taking an offensive lineman because you need an offensive lineman. That player obviously has to fit a team’s scheme, philosophy and overall makeup. That may seem like an obvious statement, but the more and more I listen to fans and some media members, you’d think that drafting a quarterback is as easy as shopping for toilet paper.

      Curry will give Stafford a run at the No. 1 pick – I guarantee you. He’s arguably the best overall player in the draft, can play multiple linebacker positions and seems to have a good head on his shoulders. He would be a great new defensive toy for new head coach Jim Schwartz.

      NFL

      Trent Edwards wanted Bills to pursue T.O.

      March 9, 2009 /

      In his latest edition of “Monday Morning Quarterback”, Peter King writes that Trent Edwards wanted Bills’ chief operating office Russ Brandon to pursue Terrell Owens.

      “How about T.O.?”

      Bills chief operating office Russ Brandon woke up sometime after midnight Friday morning and noticed there was a text message on his cell phone. So he reached over and looked. It was from Trent
      Edwards, the quarterback of the Bills. “How about T.O.?” That’s all it said.

      Brandon shot back with this: “?”

      “T.O. was released. Go get him,” Edwards texted back.

      Brandon still seemed surprised when I spoke to him late Sunday. “I went back to sleep,” he said, “but I was stunned by it. The next morning, [coach] Dick Jauron and I talked, and he said, ‘I think it’s something we certainly should take a look at.’ I put a call into [owner] Ralph Wilson, and he said, ‘Absolutely look into it.”’

      And that was it. The only team to seriously kick the tires on Owens got its man a day later for three major reasons:

      1. The Bills think Jauron is the perfect coach — calm but commanding — to handle Mount Terrell.

      2. The organization is sick of perpetually being one weapon away from catching New England (and Miami and the Jets, as it turns out), and it’s willing to take the risk of having Owens ruin the locker room so it can have a chance to win the division.

      3. The Bills did the one-year deal for a fairly strategic reason, in my opinion. Owens is good when he’s trying to make a good first impression.

      If Jeff Garcia, Donovan McNabb and Tony Romo read this, they no doubt laughed at how naïve Edwards is when it comes to what T.O. brings to a locker room. But at least the Bills knew Edwards was completely on board when they decided to pursue Owens.

      There’s no doubt that Buffalo could use T.O.’s talent, but Edwards is in for a rude awakening. There was a Monday night game that the Bills played last season against the Browns. In that game, Edwards was petrified to pass the ball more than 5-10 yards and settled for check downs to Marshawn Lynch instead of going downfield. That’s a game where T.O. would no doubt express his frustration in a dysfunctional manner. I don’t think the signing was bad (especially since the Bills only signed him to a one-year deal), but hopefully Edwards and Co. know what they’re getting into.

      NFL

      Saints interested in LaDainian Tomlinson?

      March 9, 2009 /

      According to Rotoworld.com, Saints’ quarterback Drew Brees is making a pitch to lure former teammate LaDainian Tomlinson away from the Chargers (if San Diego eventually trades or releases him, that is) and bring him to New Orleans.

      In a radio interview with XX 1090 AM, Drew Brees admitted to conversing with former teammate LaDainian Tomlinson about the possibility of LT joining the Saints if the opportunity arises.

      “For me, I’m just waiting for the opportunity if he is available to come and snatch him,” Brees said. Asked if he told LT that he wanted him as a teammate, Brees replied, “I think that’s pretty obvious, don’t you think?” The National Football Post reported last week that the Saints would have a “high level of interest” if LT becomes available.

      In no way do I think LT is done. With a full offseason of rest, he could bounce back next season and still be highly productive. But speaking hypothetically, would he actually make the Saints better? Pierre Thomas is younger and he proved last year that he can run well between the tackles, which is exactly what they need to compliment Reggie Bush. It’s nice that Brees wants to bring his friend to New Orleans, but the Saints seem to be set at running back with Thomas and Bush.

      NFL

      Eagles sign safety Sean Jones

      March 8, 2009 /

      Sean JonesThe Eagles signed safety Sean Jones (formerly of the Browns) to a one-year, $3 million contract. Jones will compete with Quentin Demps for the starting free safety job, which became available when Brain Dawkins signed with the Broncos last week.

      I’m a little surprised that all Jones got on the open market was a one-year deal. I’m also surprised that the Browns didn’t make more of an effort to re-sign Jones, who has Pro Bowl talent but injuries plagued him all last season.

      Did the Browns realize Jones was damaged goods and let him walk or was this just another player Eric Mangini didn’t envision being a part of Cleveland’s long-term plans defensively? Either way, this was a low-risk signing by the Eagles and if Jones can have a bounce back season, he’ll have a chance to hit the open market again in 2010 and maybe cash in like he was supposed to do this offseason before injuries killed his ’09 campaign. And even if he struggles again, Philly has a backup plan with Demps and can part with Jones next offseason without taking a cap hit.

      NFL

      Terrell Owens signs with the Buffalo Bills

      March 7, 2009 /

      T.O. has signed with the Buffalo Bills.

      A source told Buffalo News NFL columnist Mark Gaughan that the deal is for one year and is worth $6.5 million guaranteed.

      “I’m leaving America’s team (for) North America’s team,” Owens said at a hastily-called press conference Saturday night.

      “I must move on, and it’s another beginning for me,” Owens said. “If I can be that extra added piece to get them to the playoffs, then that’s what I’m here for. I looked at the defensive side of ball and offensive side of the ball, and these guys have all the pieces.”

      Owens, who was released earlier this week by the Dallas Cowboys, has 951 career receptions for 14,122 yards and 139 touchdowns. He has had nine 1,000-yard receiving seasons during his 13-year NFL career.

      The 35-year-old, who is 6-foot-3, 218 pounds, provides the Bills with a pair of dynamic receivers, also including Lee Evans.

      With a one-year deal, the Bills aren’t taking on much of a risk, but this seems like a desperate move by a muddling franchise. Why add all the drama here? Sure, they have a talented pair of wide receivers, and T.O. usually waits a year before destroying team chemistry, but does is a one-year circus worth it to a team that still needs to retool?

      General Sports, News, NFL

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