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      Is Blaine Gabbert’s draft stock slipping?

      April 26, 2011 /
      Missouri Tigers quarterback Blaine Gabbert runs onto the field for a game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Faurot Field in Columbia, Missouri on October 23, 2010. UPI/Bill Greenblatt

      The closer we get to Thursday’s NFL draft, the more muddled Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert’s stock appears to be.

      According to NFL Network’s Mike Lombardi, Gabbert’s draft stock is “slipping” and the 49ers, who hold the seventh overall pick, are only “lukewarm” on the Missouri product. Lombardi even suggests that Gabbert “could easily slide out of the top 10.”

      I don’t buy this. I can see the 49ers not being interested in Gabbert, but I don’t see him falling out of the top 10. Yes, the fact that he played in the spread at MIZZOU raises concerns. But Sam Bradford proved last year that just because a QB played in the spread in college, doesn’t mean he won’t be able to tie his shoes without falling over as soon as he reaches the pros.

      Gabbert is a big, strong-armed passer with above-average athletic ability and a good football I.Q. Is he unpolished? Yes, much like all quarterback prospects are at this stage. Is he a sure thing? No, but no prospect is a sure thing heading into the draft.

      Assuming Carolina passes on him with the first overall pick, the Bills, Bengals, Cardinals, 49ers, Titans and Redskins are all possibilities for Gabbert in the top 10. In fact, I really like him at No. 8 overall to Tennessee, which will obviously need a quarterback once it dumps Vince Young. I’m not as connected as Lombardi and I would need a calculator to add up how many times I’ve missed on observations when it comes to previous drafts (a fact readers are never shy to remind me about…a-holes). But I don’t see a well put-together quarterback prospect like Gabbert slipping out of the top 10.

      External Sports, NFL, NFL Draft

      NFL draft prospects Houston and Ballard tested positive for marijuana

      April 26, 2011 /

      According to a report by FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer and Alex Marvez, Georgia DE/LB Justin Houston tested positive for marijuana at February’s scouting combine. Iowa DL Christian Ballard also failed a drug test, which isn’t good considering he’s already facing question marks about his lack of production in relation to his immense talent.

      In Houston’s case, the failed drug test could cost him the opportunity to be selected in the first round. He’s too good of a talent to fall out of the second round, but teams were already wary of his abilities to stand up and produce as an outside linebacker in a 3-4. For those observers who have watched tape on the former Bulldog, most of them say that he’s better with his hand in the dirt as a DE in a 4-3.

      The other thing that was already hurting Houston’s draft stock was the fact that the defensive line position is deep in this year’s draft. When you couple the failed drug test with the questionable tape, it stands to reason that eight or nine defensive ends could be selected before Houston comes off the board. Granted, that may have happened anyway (even before FOX’s report came out), but the positive drug test certainly doesn’t help.

      It never ceases to amaze me how NFL prospects are willing to potentially lose thousands (if not millions in some players’ cases) of dollars just so they can smoke a little ganja. Hopefully the crap Houston smoked was worth potentially falling into the second round and costing him guaranteed money on his first pro contract.

      External Sports, NFL, NFL Draft

      NBA Playoffs: Monday Roundup

      April 26, 2011 /
      Memphis Grizzlies’ O. J. Mayo, Tony Allen and Zach Randolph (L-R) celebrate on the bench during the second half against the San Antonio Spurs of Game 4 of their Western Conference first round NBA basketball playoffs in Memphis, Tennessee April 25, 2011. REUTERS/Mark Weber (UNITED STATES – Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL)

      Grizzlies 104, Spurs 86 (MEM leads series 3-1)
      Things are getting interesting in the West, especially in this 1/8 series between San Antonio and Memphis. The Grizzlies are playing very good basketball right now and beat the Spurs with balance (nine players scored 8+ points). The Spurs shot 47% from the field, which would usually be enough to win, but Memphis shot 51% from the field and 42% from 3PT land, while the Spurs turned it over 17 times. The Grizzlies are in control of the series, but don’t count the Spurs out. They have to win three games in a row, but two of those games are at home, so it’s doable. Right now, it just looks like the Grizzlies are the better, deeper team.

      Mavericks 93, Blazers 82 (DAL leads 3-2)
      Give the Mavs credit. They didn’t fold after blowing a 23-point lead in Game 4. Dirk Nowitzki scored 25 points, but Dallas was balanced in the fourth quarter with six different players scoring in the first seven and a half minutes of the fourth quarter. Tyson Chandler had 14 points and 20 rebounds, while Jason Kidd dished out 14 assists. As an encore to his brilliant play in Game 4, Brandon Roy only managed five points on 2-of-7 shooting.

      Nuggets 104, Thunder 101 (OKC leads series 3-1)
      Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook both scored 30+ points, but it wasn’t enough as Ty Lawson dropped 27 points and five other Nuggets scored in double-figures to help Denver avoid elimination. Westbrook’s play is a little perplexing. He went 12-of-30 from the field and went 0-for-7 from three-point range, including three misses in the final 30 seconds. Can the Thunder win without traditional point guard play from their All-Star?

      External Sports, NBA

      Report: No free agency until injunction ruling

      April 26, 2011 /
      The NFL logo is seen on a trailer parked near the New Meadowlands Stadium where the New York Jets and New York Giants NFL football teams play home games in East Rutherford, New Jersey, March 14, 2011. The NFL has officially announced a lockout of players by team owners following the move by the players’ union to dissolve themselves and pursue court action against the league. REUTERS/Mike Segar (UNITED STATES – Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL BUSINESS)

      Jason La Canfora is reporting that the current freeze on NFL free agency will remain intact until the St. Louis appeals court rules on the lockout injunction.

      From Rotoworld:

      The owners filed for the appeal on Monday night, and expect a decision by Tuesday. GMs and coaching staffs have also been instructed to stay away from free agents. NFL teams are still adhering to “lockout rules,” since the league hasn’t constructed a new set of rules for whatever you want to call the period we’re in. We’d still be shocked if any transactions occurred before the draft.

      I agree with Rotoworld. I think at this point, we can assume that no team will be able to sign a free agent before the draft on Thursday. Thus, we’re seemingly headed for one of the most unpredictable drafts in recent memory.

      In terms of the lockout injunction, the owners won’t give up without a fight. This was a victory for the players, but the situation is (sadly) still far from over. Even if the owners’ appeal isn’t granted, there’s still the issue of the two sides working out a new CBA deal. Granted, the owners and players could agree to an uncapped season (just like there was in 2010), but that obviously doesn’t mean all will be resolved.

      External Sports, NFL

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