Tag: 2010 NFL Draft (Page 9 of 21)

Eagles fleece Lions in three-team trade that sends LB Ernie Sims to Philly

ESPN’s Adam Schefter confirms that the Lions have acquired tight end Tony Scheffler and a 2010 seventh-round pick from the Broncos, as part of a three-team trade that also sent linebacker Ernie Sims to the Eagles in exchange for a 2010 fifth-round pick. (The Broncos get the fifth round pick from this deal.)

There are some concerns that 2009 first rounder Brandon Pettigrew isn’t recovering from the torn ACL he suffered last season and that’s why Detroit needed Scheffler. But to give up a solid playmaker in Sims in order to acquire a semi-productive Scheffler and a seventh round pick is questionable to say the least.

Sims is coming off his worst year as a pro after only recording 49 tackles in 11 games during an injury-plagued season. But in his three previous seasons, he produced an average of 124 tackles without missing a game due to injury. When healthy, the 25-year-old can be extremely productive and therefore was a great catch for an Eagles team that desperately needed help at the linebacker position.

Maybe Detroit GM Martin Mayhew knew that the Lions weren’t going to re-sign the former first overall pick, which is why he decided to fill his need at tight end and get something for Sims now. But in terms of value, only Matt Millen could appreciate a deal like this (which is maybe why they made the move in the first place – to wash their hands of anything Millen ever touched). The Eagles essentially traded a fifth round pick for Sims, while the Lions traded Sims for Scheffler. That’s what this trade boils down to, which is an awful deal if you’re a Detroit fan.


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Are the Redskins still in the market for a QB at No. 4?

The Redskins are trying hard to convince teams that they plan on taking a quarterback with the No. 4 overall pick in next week’s draft, says NBCSports.com. But with Donovan McNabb on the roster, that’s going to be a tough sell for Washington.

After acquiring McNabb, the Redskins’ biggest need became offensive tackle. (If you want to get technical, offensive tackle has always been their biggest need.) And with Russell Okung, Trent Williams, Bryan Bulaga and Anthony Davis all receiving first round grades, Washington will have plenty to choose from as long as it stays within the first 10-12 picks.

The hope for the Redskins is that some team is in love with Jimmy Clausen and wants him bad enough to trade up to the No. 4 spot to get him. It would be an ideal situation for Washington if it could trade down and still wind up selecting one of the top tackles, all while acquiring more draft picks in the process. Of course, if they miss out on taking one of the four tackles mentioned above, guys like Vladimir Ducasse and Bruce Campbell (two players with late first round, early second round grades) should still be available depending on how far the Redskins trade back.

Presumably, the Raiders, Bills and Jaguars would all be interested in Clausen. But whether or not any of them would be willing to trade up to get him is the question. The Raiders hold the eighth overall pick, while the Bills have the ninth and the Jags have the 10th. Unless the Browns surprise everyone and snag him at No. 7, Clausen should be there for the Raiders at No. 8 and they don’t have to trade up to get him. Of course, that’s where the gamble comes in, because either the Bills or the Jaguars could trade up to No. 4 in order to get ahead of Oakland.

If the Redskins can’t find a trade partner, then they’re not fooling anybody by saying they intend to draft a quarterback with the fourth pick. They’re currently trying to sign McNabb to an extension and therefore, taking Clausen at No. 4 would be a waste.

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Sam Bradford to command $50 million guaranteed?

An ESPN.com report by Adam Schefter says that Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford will command in the range of $50 million in guaranteed money when he signs as the No. 1 overall pick in next week’s draft.

The contract for the No. 1 overall pick will likely be staggering. Bradford’s contract is expected to pay him an average of $13 million a season with roughly $50 million in guaranteed money. These figures are based on the past two drafts, when Matt Ryan and Matthew Stafford were the first quarterbacks picked.

Two years ago, the Falcons’ Ryan received $34 million in guaranteed money on a deal that averages $11 million a season. Stafford, who was picked No. 1 last season by the Lions, received $42 million in guaranteed money on his deal, which averages $12 million a season.

It’s no secret that the rookie salary structure is completely ludicrous in the NFL and it’s something that the league will eventually have to change or else it’ll keep getting worse. A player that has never once stepped on the field should never command more money than anyone on the team’s current roster. It just doesn’t make any sense.

That said, Bradford might as well cash in when he can. If the owners and player’s union come together on a new CBA deal for next season, one of the items that might be changed is the salary structure for rookies. Commissioner Roger Goodell is on record saying that the league could make a change, but he’s going to need the approval of the player’s union first, which could prove to be a high hurdle to jump.

Report: Albert Haynesworth looking to be traded during draft

According to a report by the Washington Post, Albert Haynesworth is planning to skip the Redskins’ voluntary minicamp this weekend and will only report to mandatory minicamp in June.

But here’s the kicker: Haynesworth is also upset about the team’s plan to use him as a nose tackle in their new 3-4 defensive alignment and is hoping to be traded during the draft next week.

Haynesworth is frustrated about the Redskins’ plans to use him as a nose tackle in their new 3-4 defense, and the eight-year veteran hopes to be traded during the three-day draft that begins next Thursday. On Saturday, General Manager Bruce Allen said he was not disappointed about Haynesworth doing his own thing because “it’s voluntary.”

As the article notes, owner Daniel Snyder shelled out a record $100 million contract that included a then-record $41 million in guaranteed money when he signed Haynesworth last offseason. One would think that the least Haynesworth could do is be a leader and show up to the team’s first organized workout, whether the camp is voluntary or not.

But that’s the day and age we live in. Even though a player is making a ridiculous amount of money, he feels as though he’s bigger than the team. Don’t want to play in a specific scheme? No problem, just bitch about it and don’t show up. Instead of embracing his new role or at the very least, showing up so that his coaches can walk him through their plans for utilizing him, Hanyesworth would rather be traded.

Hopefully he rots in Washington. He followed the dollar signs there last offseason, so he should have to honor his commitment and play hard. But chances are, the Redskins will never see a good return on their investment and Haynesworth will wind up being yet another bad signing in a long history of bad signings by Snyder.


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Morgan a lock at No. 12 to the Dolphins?

According to Dolphins beat writer Edgar Thompson of the Palm Beach Post, Georgia Tech defensive end Derrick Morgan will “100 percent” be Miami’s pick at No. 12 in next week’s draft if he’s available.

Many draft pundits speculated that the Dolphins would select Oklahoma State wide receiver Dez Bryant at No. 12 before the team acquired Brandon Marshall from the Broncos earlier this week. But with their need at receiver filled, the Fins can now concentrate on adding a pure pass rusher.

After racking up 19.5 sacks (including 12.5 last season) while playing at Georgia Tech the past three years, Morgan is highly regarded as the best pass rusher in this year’s draft. While he lacks pure athleticism, speed and overall quickness, he exhibits good instincts, awareness, and has a non-stop motor. He was highly productive in college and has an outstanding work ethic, which is probably why Bill Parcells and the Dolphins are drawn to him.

Unless the Seahawks select him at No. 6 or the Jaguars target him at No. 10, Morgan should be on the board when the Dolphins pick at No. 12.

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