Random Draft Stuff...
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Random Draft Stuff...
Eagles' latest Marcus Mariota rumor involves Fletcher Cox, Mychal Kendricks and Sam Bradford
Mark Eckel | For NJ Advance Media
on April 23, 2015 at 3:56 PM, updated April 23, 2015 at 4:45 PM
If Eagles head coach Chip Kelly is going to somehow turn his 20th overall pick into acquiring Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota in the NFL Draft, it's going to take a lot.
How about quarterback Sam Bradford, defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, linebacker Mychal Kendricks and that 20th pick? Is that enough?
That trade, which would be with the Tennessee Titans, owners of the No. 2 overall pick, and may also include the Cleveland Browns — but could work without them — is what was being discussed and dissected in some team's meetings Thursday. All 32 NFL teams have convened with the start of the draft one week away.
One rumor, making its rounds in NFL personnel meetings, has the Eagles dealing Bradford to the Browns for the 19th overall pick. It's been widely reported that the Browns offered that 19th pick to the St. Louis Rams for Bradford before the Rams traded him to the Eagles for Nick Foles and a 2016 second-round pick. Despite reports that Bradford, in the final year of his contract, would not sign an extension with Cleveland, the Browns are said to still have interest.
The Eagles would then send picks Nos. 19 and 20, along with Cox and Kendricks to the Tennessee Titans for the No. 2 pick Philly would use to select Mariota.
All of this is moot, of course, if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with the No. 1 overall pick, decide to draft Mariota over Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston. Which also means this likely wouldn't be able to happen until the night of the draft — unless the Bucs reached a deal with Winston before the selections start.
Also being discussed by NFL execs is a scenario that doesn't include the Browns: The Eagles send Bradford, Cox and Kendricks, plus the No. 20 pick and possibly a later pick to the Titans for the No. 2 pick.
Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt previously coached Arizona and is said to be high on Bradford, who was the quarterback of the rival Rams in the NFC West.
Cox and Kendricks are from the previous Eagles' regime and each is in the final year of his contract. Cox has a fifth-year option for close to $8 million, which the Eagles have until May 3 to exercise. Kendricks has been absent from the team's voluntary workouts, which began Monday at the NovaCare Complex.
Eagles' latest Marcus Mariota rumor involves Fletcher Cox, Mychal Kendricks and Sam Bradford
Mark Eckel | For NJ Advance Media
on April 23, 2015 at 3:56 PM, updated April 23, 2015 at 4:45 PM
If Eagles head coach Chip Kelly is going to somehow turn his 20th overall pick into acquiring Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota in the NFL Draft, it's going to take a lot.
How about quarterback Sam Bradford, defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, linebacker Mychal Kendricks and that 20th pick? Is that enough?
That trade, which would be with the Tennessee Titans, owners of the No. 2 overall pick, and may also include the Cleveland Browns — but could work without them — is what was being discussed and dissected in some team's meetings Thursday. All 32 NFL teams have convened with the start of the draft one week away.
One rumor, making its rounds in NFL personnel meetings, has the Eagles dealing Bradford to the Browns for the 19th overall pick. It's been widely reported that the Browns offered that 19th pick to the St. Louis Rams for Bradford before the Rams traded him to the Eagles for Nick Foles and a 2016 second-round pick. Despite reports that Bradford, in the final year of his contract, would not sign an extension with Cleveland, the Browns are said to still have interest.
The Eagles would then send picks Nos. 19 and 20, along with Cox and Kendricks to the Tennessee Titans for the No. 2 pick Philly would use to select Mariota.
All of this is moot, of course, if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with the No. 1 overall pick, decide to draft Mariota over Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston. Which also means this likely wouldn't be able to happen until the night of the draft — unless the Bucs reached a deal with Winston before the selections start.
Also being discussed by NFL execs is a scenario that doesn't include the Browns: The Eagles send Bradford, Cox and Kendricks, plus the No. 20 pick and possibly a later pick to the Titans for the No. 2 pick.
Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt previously coached Arizona and is said to be high on Bradford, who was the quarterback of the rival Rams in the NFC West.
Cox and Kendricks are from the previous Eagles' regime and each is in the final year of his contract. Cox has a fifth-year option for close to $8 million, which the Eagles have until May 3 to exercise. Kendricks has been absent from the team's voluntary workouts, which began Monday at the NovaCare Complex.
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Same here. I don't think it is a credible rumor...three way trades don't happen in the NFL, this isn't the NBA.
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Top playmakers in 2015 NFL draft
ESPN NFL Draft Insider Todd McShay discusses which players he could watch endlessly on film.
Todd McShay, Scouts Inc.
Every year I choose my All-Satellite team -- the best players in space in that year's draft class. The five prospects on this year's list are elite open-field runners who are nightmares to defend when they have the ball in their hands because of their speed, explosiveness, lateral agility and field vision.
None of these players is likely to go in Round 1, but most if not all should be gone by Day 2, and all have the potential to develop into big-time playmakers in the NFL.
Here is my All-Satellite team for the 2015 NFL draft.
1. Tyler Lockett, WR, Kansas State
Lockett is elite in the areas that matter most on this list: acceleration, lateral quickness and change-of-direction ability. I can't count the number of times I'd see him make the first guy miss on tape, and he has the best ability to string together multiple moves in the open field of any player in this class. His 4.4-second 40-yard dash time and 6.89-second 3-cone drill at the combine verified the speed and quickness he showed on tape.
What boosts him up to No. 1 here is that he can hurt defenses in multiple ways. He's obviously great after the catch, but he also does some damage on handoffs and he might be the best return specialist in this draft. He had six kickoff and punt return TDs combined during his college career.
2. Ameer Abdullah, RB, Nebraska
He's undersized at 5-foot-9, 205 pounds, and he doesn't run a great 40 time (4.6 at the combine, 4.5 at his pro day). But his elusiveness is the best of any player in this class. His stop-start ability is outstanding, making defenders miss and then accelerating again as though he never lost momentum. He also stands out as the best in this class for his ability to weave in and out of creases. Some guys have elite agility but don't feel the holes in time, and others can anticipate openings but don't have the quickness to exploit them. Abdullah has a rare combination of both skills.
There were so many times I'd watch Abdullah on tape when he'd be going full speed and then stop on a dime to make a sharp lateral or diagonal cut without having to gear down. Not many guys in the NFL can do that. He's a threat as a pass-catcher and as a returner as well.
3. Tevin Coleman, RB, Indiana
Coleman isn't a guy who will break defenders' ankles like Abdullah does, but when he gets a crease, it's over. He finds the hole, makes one cut and just explodes up the field. He's a little like Jamaal Charles and Chris Johnson in terms of his ability to accelerate quickly through the hole and break off a big gain.
Tevin Coleman is a breakaway threat every time he touches the ball. AP Photo/Darron Cummings
Every time I went to study a Big Ten defender on tape, like Ohio State's Mike Bennett or Iowa's Carl Davis, I feel like I saw Coleman ripping off a long touchdown run. He led the nation in 30-, 40-, 50- and 60-yard runs (with 9, 8, 6 and 5, respectively) and tied for the national lead in 70-, 80- and 90-yard runs (with 3, 2 and 1, respectively).
I don't think Coleman is a complete back, as he doesn't have ideal power and balance and he's a little bit high-cut, but he's an elite breakaway threat that a team would do well to draft later on Day 2.
4. Stefon Diggs, WR, Maryland
Diggs is a potential Day 2 pick because he is exceptional in one important trait -- the ability to create with the ball in his hands. He is a twitched-up wide receiver with really impressive stop-start ability and lateral agility, and while he doesn't have elite top-end speed, he is above average in this area and does possess elite initial burst (just a 4.46 40-yard dash, but an excellent 1.53-second 10-yard split). He almost always makes the first defender miss either after the catch or as a returner (which might end up being his best role in the pros), and he can string together multiple moves with the ball in his hands.
He isn't the biggest guy and he has some durability issues, which is why he isn't likely to go in the first two rounds. But he's a big-time playmaker in the open field and could prove to be a value in the NFL if he can stay healthy.
5. Duke Johnson, RB, Miami
I was surprised Johnson didn't run faster than a 4.54-second 40 at the combine and a 4.49 40 at his pro day, but some guys just play faster than they time, and Johnson is one of them. He is one of the fastest players in this class, with elite burst to and through the hole. One of the most important qualities in a running back is the ability to create yards on your own, and Johnson can do that with his ability to make defenders miss in the hole and with his electrifying lateral agility. He can stop and start on a dime and can quickly change directions while working through multiple creases. Running plays don't always go the way you draw them up on the chalk board, so a lot of times you need to find the second crease, which is why Johnson's ability to change direction without losing momentum is so important.
He is also an excellent pass-catcher, with his ability to quickly transition upfield after the catch and then make defenders miss in the open field. He has very good ball skills for a running back, and he can also contribute as a kick returner (31.8-yard average and two touchdowns on 41 career kickoff returns).
__________________________________________________________
The top 4 guys are all basically pet cats of mine. The only guy I'm not super high on is Duke Johnson.
ESPN NFL Draft Insider Todd McShay discusses which players he could watch endlessly on film.
Todd McShay, Scouts Inc.
Every year I choose my All-Satellite team -- the best players in space in that year's draft class. The five prospects on this year's list are elite open-field runners who are nightmares to defend when they have the ball in their hands because of their speed, explosiveness, lateral agility and field vision.
None of these players is likely to go in Round 1, but most if not all should be gone by Day 2, and all have the potential to develop into big-time playmakers in the NFL.
Here is my All-Satellite team for the 2015 NFL draft.
1. Tyler Lockett, WR, Kansas State
Lockett is elite in the areas that matter most on this list: acceleration, lateral quickness and change-of-direction ability. I can't count the number of times I'd see him make the first guy miss on tape, and he has the best ability to string together multiple moves in the open field of any player in this class. His 4.4-second 40-yard dash time and 6.89-second 3-cone drill at the combine verified the speed and quickness he showed on tape.
What boosts him up to No. 1 here is that he can hurt defenses in multiple ways. He's obviously great after the catch, but he also does some damage on handoffs and he might be the best return specialist in this draft. He had six kickoff and punt return TDs combined during his college career.
2. Ameer Abdullah, RB, Nebraska
He's undersized at 5-foot-9, 205 pounds, and he doesn't run a great 40 time (4.6 at the combine, 4.5 at his pro day). But his elusiveness is the best of any player in this class. His stop-start ability is outstanding, making defenders miss and then accelerating again as though he never lost momentum. He also stands out as the best in this class for his ability to weave in and out of creases. Some guys have elite agility but don't feel the holes in time, and others can anticipate openings but don't have the quickness to exploit them. Abdullah has a rare combination of both skills.
There were so many times I'd watch Abdullah on tape when he'd be going full speed and then stop on a dime to make a sharp lateral or diagonal cut without having to gear down. Not many guys in the NFL can do that. He's a threat as a pass-catcher and as a returner as well.
3. Tevin Coleman, RB, Indiana
Coleman isn't a guy who will break defenders' ankles like Abdullah does, but when he gets a crease, it's over. He finds the hole, makes one cut and just explodes up the field. He's a little like Jamaal Charles and Chris Johnson in terms of his ability to accelerate quickly through the hole and break off a big gain.
Tevin Coleman is a breakaway threat every time he touches the ball. AP Photo/Darron Cummings
Every time I went to study a Big Ten defender on tape, like Ohio State's Mike Bennett or Iowa's Carl Davis, I feel like I saw Coleman ripping off a long touchdown run. He led the nation in 30-, 40-, 50- and 60-yard runs (with 9, 8, 6 and 5, respectively) and tied for the national lead in 70-, 80- and 90-yard runs (with 3, 2 and 1, respectively).
I don't think Coleman is a complete back, as he doesn't have ideal power and balance and he's a little bit high-cut, but he's an elite breakaway threat that a team would do well to draft later on Day 2.
4. Stefon Diggs, WR, Maryland
Diggs is a potential Day 2 pick because he is exceptional in one important trait -- the ability to create with the ball in his hands. He is a twitched-up wide receiver with really impressive stop-start ability and lateral agility, and while he doesn't have elite top-end speed, he is above average in this area and does possess elite initial burst (just a 4.46 40-yard dash, but an excellent 1.53-second 10-yard split). He almost always makes the first defender miss either after the catch or as a returner (which might end up being his best role in the pros), and he can string together multiple moves with the ball in his hands.
He isn't the biggest guy and he has some durability issues, which is why he isn't likely to go in the first two rounds. But he's a big-time playmaker in the open field and could prove to be a value in the NFL if he can stay healthy.
5. Duke Johnson, RB, Miami
I was surprised Johnson didn't run faster than a 4.54-second 40 at the combine and a 4.49 40 at his pro day, but some guys just play faster than they time, and Johnson is one of them. He is one of the fastest players in this class, with elite burst to and through the hole. One of the most important qualities in a running back is the ability to create yards on your own, and Johnson can do that with his ability to make defenders miss in the hole and with his electrifying lateral agility. He can stop and start on a dime and can quickly change directions while working through multiple creases. Running plays don't always go the way you draw them up on the chalk board, so a lot of times you need to find the second crease, which is why Johnson's ability to change direction without losing momentum is so important.
He is also an excellent pass-catcher, with his ability to quickly transition upfield after the catch and then make defenders miss in the open field. He has very good ball skills for a running back, and he can also contribute as a kick returner (31.8-yard average and two touchdowns on 41 career kickoff returns).
__________________________________________________________
The top 4 guys are all basically pet cats of mine. The only guy I'm not super high on is Duke Johnson.
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It would not shock me if Diggs turned into a better pro than college player...reminds me a little of Steve Smith.
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I think he would be a great fit in Dallas. A really talented guy who has absolutely been lost in the shuffle of an amazing WR class.
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Jameis Winston seen as having same faults as '07 bust JaMarcus Russell
The striking similarities between Jameis Winston (pictured) and JaMarcus Russell must be frightening to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as they weigh making the Florida State quarterback the first pick of the NFL draft.
April 23, 2015
Green Bay — The striking similarities between Jameis Winston and JaMarcus Russell must be frightening to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as they weigh making the Florida State quarterback the first pick of the NFL draft.
"With Jameis Winston I see JaMarcus Russell," a longtime executive in personnel said. "They do dumb things. Isn't it interesting?"
Or horrifying, if you're coach Lovie Smith or general manager Jason Licht in Tampa. They know Russell well as the poster child for all-time busts after the Raiders drafted him No. 1 in 2007.
Jimbo Fisher, the Seminoles' head coach during Winston's three-year career, was quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator throughout Russell's four-year career at Louisiana State.
In 22 years of major-college coaching, Fisher's best pro quarterback probably has been former Packers career backup Matt Flynn.
Besides Russell, Fisher prepared Rohan Davey for New England (fourth round) in 2002, Christian Ponder for Minnesota (first round) in 2011 and E.J. Manuel for Buffalo (second round) in 2013. They're failures, too.
Aside from coaching parallels, Winston (6 foot 4, 231 pounds) and Russell (6-5½, 258) share the same type of big, soft bodies and, according to some scouts, the penchant for turning the ball over.
"Lack of focus by JaMarcus is what I see in Winston," the personnel man said. "They're physically talented, but during the course of a game they kind of lose their focus and just put the ball up for grabs.
"I see the body. I see the lack of focus. I see the same coach and system. Only Winston's not as good an athlete and his arm isn't as strong as JaMarcus'."
Russell was done with football after three seasons, a 7-18 record and a passer rating of 65.2.
"We're looking at another guy (Winston) that's a product of the system and has tremendous athletes around him," another personnel man said. "Oh, my goodness.
"Is this guy really going to be the first pick of the draft? You'd be drafting a quarterback that can't run, has off-field problems, has no power in his legs and makes bad decisions on the field.
"Somebody's going to make a horrible mistake."
Since the start of the common draft in 1967, there has been 18 years in which two or more quarterbacks were selected among the first seven picks. In 14 of those years, or 78% of the time, at least one was a bust, and twice two flopped.
All 37 of those quarterbacks entered the league with such high hopes. Sixteen (43.2%) went down as failures.
Winston, of course, isn't the only big-name quarterback. There's always the chance Marcus Mariota of Oregon might go to Tampa Bay. Either way, both should go off among the top seven choices.
The results of a Journal Sentinel survey of 19 NFL executives in personnel this month revealed Winston as much more bust-prone than Mariota.
Scouts were asked to predict what's ahead for the two players. Here were the five categories used to forecast what their careers might hold, and the subsequent responses for each.
All-time great: Mariota one vote, Winston none.
At least one Pro Bowl: Mariota eight, Winston six.
Average starter: Mariota eight, Winston five.
Disappointment: Mariota one, Winston four.
Bust: Mariota one, Winston four.
Of the aforementioned 37 quarterbacks, three already are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and another, Peyton Manning, is headed there.
Nine won at least one Super Bowl. Three others at least led teams to the Super Bowl.
Mariota receives high marks for athleticism, big-play capability, poise and work ethic. Some scouts regard him as something of a project out of the Ducks' spread attack, but at least a few see potential for greatness.
"If somebody works with him for what he does, he'll be an all-time great," one personnel man said. "He can play in a pro-style (offense), but I don't know why you would want him to do that. What he does is proven to be great in this league."
Many other scouts pan the entire group, being even harder on the paucity of even late-round suspects than Winston and Mariota.
The 19 personnel men agreed to list their top five quarterbacks in order (a first-place was worth five points, a second four and so on).
Mariota nipped Winston in points, 85-84, but Winston had the edge in first-place votes, 10-9.
Following, in order, were Bryce Petty (45 points), Brett Hundley (39), Garrett Grayson (19 ½) and Sean Mannion (12 ½).
The fact 19 voters confined their selections to just six players was different, to say the least. It appeared none of the others even are worthy of being drafted.
"After the first two, you're just rolling the dice and hoping you get a backup or something," one scout said. "None of them are any good."
Complicating the study of Winston was his consistent pattern of misbehavior at Florida State that would be considered intolerable for an NFL team set to pay him millions as the new face of the franchise.
In 2012, Winston was accused of raping a student. Declaring himself innocent, he didn't face criminal charges.
He also was cited for shoplifting $32 worth of crab legs from a supermarket in Tallahassee, Fla., was involved in BB gun incidents and was suspended one game for standing on a table in a university dining hall and screaming a lewd phrase.
At pro day March 31 in Tallahassee, Winston introduced the 17 teammates that would be auditioning with him before dozens of scouts.
"People were saying, 'Oh, he's a leader,'" said one personnel director. "But it was more of a, 'Hey-look-at-me-kind-of-thing,' as opposed to something good for his teammates.
"I just don't like his whole makeup, his whole salesman act. He's all about himself."
Another scout brought it back to Russell, saying, "He's got that same smile that JaMarcus had. They light the room up. That's what Jameis seems to be doing."
Unlike most top quarterbacks in recent years, Winston helped himself a month earlier by participating in throwing drills. The same day, he hurt himself with a slow 40-yard dash (4.96 seconds) and both a vertical jump (28 ½ inches) and broad jump (8-7) that ranked second worst among quarterbacks.
On the field, however, Winston lost just one of 27 starts, becoming the youngest winner of the Heisman Trophy in 2013 and producing a string of dramatic comeback victories with what some scouts view as remarkable competitiveness.
"He doesn't have all-time great talent, but he's just clutch," a personnel man said. "He's pro ready. It's clear-cut to me Winston's the best quarterback in this draft, talent-wise."
Now Lovie Smith and Co. must make a decision that, if it's wrong, probably will get them all fired.
___________________________________________________________________________________
I am really starting to think some of these GM's are just trolling.
I can understand liking Mariotta more, but Winston is another Russell? get that shit out of here.
I love McGinn come draft time but this article looks like a hit piece it makes no sense evrybody knew Russel was raw coming out and was suspect mentally nobody has said that about Winston.
The striking similarities between Jameis Winston (pictured) and JaMarcus Russell must be frightening to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as they weigh making the Florida State quarterback the first pick of the NFL draft.
April 23, 2015
Green Bay — The striking similarities between Jameis Winston and JaMarcus Russell must be frightening to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as they weigh making the Florida State quarterback the first pick of the NFL draft.
"With Jameis Winston I see JaMarcus Russell," a longtime executive in personnel said. "They do dumb things. Isn't it interesting?"
Or horrifying, if you're coach Lovie Smith or general manager Jason Licht in Tampa. They know Russell well as the poster child for all-time busts after the Raiders drafted him No. 1 in 2007.
Jimbo Fisher, the Seminoles' head coach during Winston's three-year career, was quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator throughout Russell's four-year career at Louisiana State.
In 22 years of major-college coaching, Fisher's best pro quarterback probably has been former Packers career backup Matt Flynn.
Besides Russell, Fisher prepared Rohan Davey for New England (fourth round) in 2002, Christian Ponder for Minnesota (first round) in 2011 and E.J. Manuel for Buffalo (second round) in 2013. They're failures, too.
Aside from coaching parallels, Winston (6 foot 4, 231 pounds) and Russell (6-5½, 258) share the same type of big, soft bodies and, according to some scouts, the penchant for turning the ball over.
"Lack of focus by JaMarcus is what I see in Winston," the personnel man said. "They're physically talented, but during the course of a game they kind of lose their focus and just put the ball up for grabs.
"I see the body. I see the lack of focus. I see the same coach and system. Only Winston's not as good an athlete and his arm isn't as strong as JaMarcus'."
Russell was done with football after three seasons, a 7-18 record and a passer rating of 65.2.
"We're looking at another guy (Winston) that's a product of the system and has tremendous athletes around him," another personnel man said. "Oh, my goodness.
"Is this guy really going to be the first pick of the draft? You'd be drafting a quarterback that can't run, has off-field problems, has no power in his legs and makes bad decisions on the field.
"Somebody's going to make a horrible mistake."
Since the start of the common draft in 1967, there has been 18 years in which two or more quarterbacks were selected among the first seven picks. In 14 of those years, or 78% of the time, at least one was a bust, and twice two flopped.
All 37 of those quarterbacks entered the league with such high hopes. Sixteen (43.2%) went down as failures.
Winston, of course, isn't the only big-name quarterback. There's always the chance Marcus Mariota of Oregon might go to Tampa Bay. Either way, both should go off among the top seven choices.
The results of a Journal Sentinel survey of 19 NFL executives in personnel this month revealed Winston as much more bust-prone than Mariota.
Scouts were asked to predict what's ahead for the two players. Here were the five categories used to forecast what their careers might hold, and the subsequent responses for each.
All-time great: Mariota one vote, Winston none.
At least one Pro Bowl: Mariota eight, Winston six.
Average starter: Mariota eight, Winston five.
Disappointment: Mariota one, Winston four.
Bust: Mariota one, Winston four.
Of the aforementioned 37 quarterbacks, three already are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and another, Peyton Manning, is headed there.
Nine won at least one Super Bowl. Three others at least led teams to the Super Bowl.
Mariota receives high marks for athleticism, big-play capability, poise and work ethic. Some scouts regard him as something of a project out of the Ducks' spread attack, but at least a few see potential for greatness.
"If somebody works with him for what he does, he'll be an all-time great," one personnel man said. "He can play in a pro-style (offense), but I don't know why you would want him to do that. What he does is proven to be great in this league."
Many other scouts pan the entire group, being even harder on the paucity of even late-round suspects than Winston and Mariota.
The 19 personnel men agreed to list their top five quarterbacks in order (a first-place was worth five points, a second four and so on).
Mariota nipped Winston in points, 85-84, but Winston had the edge in first-place votes, 10-9.
Following, in order, were Bryce Petty (45 points), Brett Hundley (39), Garrett Grayson (19 ½) and Sean Mannion (12 ½).
The fact 19 voters confined their selections to just six players was different, to say the least. It appeared none of the others even are worthy of being drafted.
"After the first two, you're just rolling the dice and hoping you get a backup or something," one scout said. "None of them are any good."
Complicating the study of Winston was his consistent pattern of misbehavior at Florida State that would be considered intolerable for an NFL team set to pay him millions as the new face of the franchise.
In 2012, Winston was accused of raping a student. Declaring himself innocent, he didn't face criminal charges.
He also was cited for shoplifting $32 worth of crab legs from a supermarket in Tallahassee, Fla., was involved in BB gun incidents and was suspended one game for standing on a table in a university dining hall and screaming a lewd phrase.
At pro day March 31 in Tallahassee, Winston introduced the 17 teammates that would be auditioning with him before dozens of scouts.
"People were saying, 'Oh, he's a leader,'" said one personnel director. "But it was more of a, 'Hey-look-at-me-kind-of-thing,' as opposed to something good for his teammates.
"I just don't like his whole makeup, his whole salesman act. He's all about himself."
Another scout brought it back to Russell, saying, "He's got that same smile that JaMarcus had. They light the room up. That's what Jameis seems to be doing."
Unlike most top quarterbacks in recent years, Winston helped himself a month earlier by participating in throwing drills. The same day, he hurt himself with a slow 40-yard dash (4.96 seconds) and both a vertical jump (28 ½ inches) and broad jump (8-7) that ranked second worst among quarterbacks.
On the field, however, Winston lost just one of 27 starts, becoming the youngest winner of the Heisman Trophy in 2013 and producing a string of dramatic comeback victories with what some scouts view as remarkable competitiveness.
"He doesn't have all-time great talent, but he's just clutch," a personnel man said. "He's pro ready. It's clear-cut to me Winston's the best quarterback in this draft, talent-wise."
Now Lovie Smith and Co. must make a decision that, if it's wrong, probably will get them all fired.
___________________________________________________________________________________
I am really starting to think some of these GM's are just trolling.
I can understand liking Mariotta more, but Winston is another Russell? get that shit out of here.
I love McGinn come draft time but this article looks like a hit piece it makes no sense evrybody knew Russel was raw coming out and was suspect mentally nobody has said that about Winston.
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Former LSU CB Jalen Collins failed multiple drug tests in college
By Bryan Fischer
College Football 24/7 writer
Published: April 24, 2015 at 06:48 p.m.
Updated: April 24, 2015 at 07:16 p.m.
Former LSU cornerback Jalen Collins was viewed as an interesting prospect going into the 2015 NFL Draft but certainly not an unblemished one.
Collins has been knocked by several analysts for his lack of production relative to his skills, and there are concerns about his healing foot, which recently required surgery.
Now Collins must deal with a third issue. NFL Media reporter Albert Breer tweeted Friday that Collins failed multiple drug tests during his time in Baton Rouge and that multiple clubs know about the offenses.
As with any prospect, off-the-field issues are going to be examined closely by every club and interpreted in many different ways by each. It can't be a good thing for Collins' draft stock, though, to have news of failed tests appear a week before the draft.
Collins was recently moved to No. 2 among corners in NFL Media analyst Mike Mayock latest position rankings, and it is very likely that teams around the league give Collins similar grades on their draft boards. Still, considering his issues, he's far from a lock to go in the first round.
Recent NFL.com mock drafts see Collins going as high as No. 27 overall to the Dallas Cowboys to out of the first round.
NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah said on Friday's "Path to the Draft" that the failed tests were something teams have known about "for quite some time," and he believes Collins will be a second-round pick when all is said and done. Jeremiah has Collins landing at No. 45 overall to the Minnesota Vikings in his two-round mock draft.
The issues could be moot though. Both the New Orleans Saints, who have the Nos. 13 and 31 picks, and Pittsburgh Steelers, who have the No. 22 pick, were among the teams who expressed serious interest in Collins during the pre-draft process, and both teams have needs at the position.
By Bryan Fischer
College Football 24/7 writer
Published: April 24, 2015 at 06:48 p.m.
Updated: April 24, 2015 at 07:16 p.m.
Former LSU cornerback Jalen Collins was viewed as an interesting prospect going into the 2015 NFL Draft but certainly not an unblemished one.
Collins has been knocked by several analysts for his lack of production relative to his skills, and there are concerns about his healing foot, which recently required surgery.
Now Collins must deal with a third issue. NFL Media reporter Albert Breer tweeted Friday that Collins failed multiple drug tests during his time in Baton Rouge and that multiple clubs know about the offenses.
As with any prospect, off-the-field issues are going to be examined closely by every club and interpreted in many different ways by each. It can't be a good thing for Collins' draft stock, though, to have news of failed tests appear a week before the draft.
Collins was recently moved to No. 2 among corners in NFL Media analyst Mike Mayock latest position rankings, and it is very likely that teams around the league give Collins similar grades on their draft boards. Still, considering his issues, he's far from a lock to go in the first round.
Recent NFL.com mock drafts see Collins going as high as No. 27 overall to the Dallas Cowboys to out of the first round.
NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah said on Friday's "Path to the Draft" that the failed tests were something teams have known about "for quite some time," and he believes Collins will be a second-round pick when all is said and done. Jeremiah has Collins landing at No. 45 overall to the Minnesota Vikings in his two-round mock draft.
The issues could be moot though. Both the New Orleans Saints, who have the Nos. 13 and 31 picks, and Pittsburgh Steelers, who have the No. 22 pick, were among the teams who expressed serious interest in Collins during the pre-draft process, and both teams have needs at the position.
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Ifo Ekpre-Olomu's Injury Worse Than Advertised
Updated April 22, 2015
By Charlie Campbell - @draftcampbell
A few months ago, Oregon cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu was in the running to be the top-ranked corner, but then he suffered a knee injury during bowl practice before Oregon's game against Florida State. It was said to be a torn ACL, but team sources I've spoken to say the knee injury was much worse and was along the lines of Marcus Lattimore or Willis McGahee's rather than a simple ACL tear like the one suffered by Georgia running back Todd Gurley or Texas A&M offensive tackle Cedric Ogbuehi.
Sources say that Ekpre-Olomu tore more than an ACL and there was a variety of damage done to his knee. At one point, there were some teams' medical staffs that were wondering if lingering effects of the injury would force Ekpre-Olomu to retire before every playing again, like Lattimore. However, recent checks have been more positive and teams feel that Ekpre-Olomu has a shot at playing again.
The injury is significant enough, however, that some teams are putting Ekpre-Olomu in their undrafted prospect group. A contact from one team thinks that Ekpre-Olomu could have a shot at going on day three of the draft like Lattimore did, but their team doesn't have a round grade on Ekpre-Olomu because of the medical report. They have Ekpre-Olomu as an undrafted free agent as well.
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I don't doubt that his injury thing is pretty severe. From what I have seen, he hasn't taken a single publicized team visit, which probably means he can't even run or work out at this stage and teams got all they needed to know from interviewing him at the Combine.
That said, he is too good for some team to not gamble a late pick on him. Could end up like Aaron Colvin last year and he went in the 4th round.
Updated April 22, 2015
By Charlie Campbell - @draftcampbell
A few months ago, Oregon cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu was in the running to be the top-ranked corner, but then he suffered a knee injury during bowl practice before Oregon's game against Florida State. It was said to be a torn ACL, but team sources I've spoken to say the knee injury was much worse and was along the lines of Marcus Lattimore or Willis McGahee's rather than a simple ACL tear like the one suffered by Georgia running back Todd Gurley or Texas A&M offensive tackle Cedric Ogbuehi.
Sources say that Ekpre-Olomu tore more than an ACL and there was a variety of damage done to his knee. At one point, there were some teams' medical staffs that were wondering if lingering effects of the injury would force Ekpre-Olomu to retire before every playing again, like Lattimore. However, recent checks have been more positive and teams feel that Ekpre-Olomu has a shot at playing again.
The injury is significant enough, however, that some teams are putting Ekpre-Olomu in their undrafted prospect group. A contact from one team thinks that Ekpre-Olomu could have a shot at going on day three of the draft like Lattimore did, but their team doesn't have a round grade on Ekpre-Olomu because of the medical report. They have Ekpre-Olomu as an undrafted free agent as well.
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I don't doubt that his injury thing is pretty severe. From what I have seen, he hasn't taken a single publicized team visit, which probably means he can't even run or work out at this stage and teams got all they needed to know from interviewing him at the Combine.
That said, he is too good for some team to not gamble a late pick on him. Could end up like Aaron Colvin last year and he went in the 4th round.
GForce78NJ
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Certainly makes your Mayock Invitational victory look a weenie bit sketchy
GForce78NJ
Not So New Member
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Certainly makes your Mayock Invitational victory look a weenie bit sketchy
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Trading up for quarterbacks remains a risky proposition
Posted by Darin Gantt on April 27, 2015, 8:00 AM EDT
Perhaps there’s a reason the Titans haven’t found a taker for the second pick in the 2015 NFL Draft and a chance to grab Oregon’s Marcus Mariota.
It might be because there are some students of history out there.
As noted by Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times, since 2000 there have been 14 instances of a team trading up to draft a quarterback in the first round, with most of them going horribly wrong.
While the Giants (Eli Manning, 2004) and Ravens (Joe Flacco, 2008) have won Super Bowls with those quarterbacks, most of the rest were busts.
A few such as Michael Vick (Falcons, 2001), Jay Cutler (Broncos, 2006) and Mark Sanchez (Jets, 2009) have had some degrees of success, but the rest of the list should give you chills: Kyle Boller (Ravens, 2003), J.P. Losman (Bills, 2004), Jason Campbell (Washington, 2005), Brady Quinn (Browns, 2007), Josh Freeman (Buccaneers, 2009), Tim Tebow (Broncos, 2010), Blaine Gabbert (Jaguars, 2011), Robert Griffin III (Washington, 2012) and Johnny Manziel (Browns, 2014).
What does that tell us? Mostly that quarterbacks have always been, and remain scarce. That leads to desperation. And desperation leads to bad moves. And when you see teams such as the Browns and Washington on that list twice, it points to the kind of organizational instability that leads to rash decision-making.
That’s not to say Mariota is going to be a bust, but it does show that when teams reach for a quarterback, they often pay too high a price for their hope, and it often costs coaches and G.M.s their jobs.
Posted by Darin Gantt on April 27, 2015, 8:00 AM EDT
Perhaps there’s a reason the Titans haven’t found a taker for the second pick in the 2015 NFL Draft and a chance to grab Oregon’s Marcus Mariota.
It might be because there are some students of history out there.
As noted by Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times, since 2000 there have been 14 instances of a team trading up to draft a quarterback in the first round, with most of them going horribly wrong.
While the Giants (Eli Manning, 2004) and Ravens (Joe Flacco, 2008) have won Super Bowls with those quarterbacks, most of the rest were busts.
A few such as Michael Vick (Falcons, 2001), Jay Cutler (Broncos, 2006) and Mark Sanchez (Jets, 2009) have had some degrees of success, but the rest of the list should give you chills: Kyle Boller (Ravens, 2003), J.P. Losman (Bills, 2004), Jason Campbell (Washington, 2005), Brady Quinn (Browns, 2007), Josh Freeman (Buccaneers, 2009), Tim Tebow (Broncos, 2010), Blaine Gabbert (Jaguars, 2011), Robert Griffin III (Washington, 2012) and Johnny Manziel (Browns, 2014).
What does that tell us? Mostly that quarterbacks have always been, and remain scarce. That leads to desperation. And desperation leads to bad moves. And when you see teams such as the Browns and Washington on that list twice, it points to the kind of organizational instability that leads to rash decision-making.
That’s not to say Mariota is going to be a bust, but it does show that when teams reach for a quarterback, they often pay too high a price for their hope, and it often costs coaches and G.M.s their jobs.
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Dolphins reportedly “covet” running back Todd Gurley
Posted by Darin Gantt on April 27, 2015, 7:33 AM EDT
When Georgia running back Todd Gurley got good news at the medical re-check recently, it cemented his status as a first-rounder (such that he wasn’t already).
And as we get closer to the 2015 NFL Draft, it’s looking more and more likely he’s going in the top half of the first round.
Via Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald, the Dolphins “covet” Gurley, which might mean the floor for his torn ACL-triggered fall could be the 14th overall pick.
“He’s a talent. He’s definitely a player that his ability stands out and shines,” Dolphins assistant general manager Eric Stokes said. “He’s an exciting guy to watch. We’ve enjoyed working through that process with him and seeing him. From there, we’ll see where things shake out.”
They might have to wait, because there’s no guarantee he’s going to be there when they pick.
As news circulates about Gurley’s condition, more people are beginning to feel his draft status is going to be closer to where it would have been pre-injury, and that could mean the Dolphins might have to turn their attention to another back, or another position.
Posted by Darin Gantt on April 27, 2015, 7:33 AM EDT
When Georgia running back Todd Gurley got good news at the medical re-check recently, it cemented his status as a first-rounder (such that he wasn’t already).
And as we get closer to the 2015 NFL Draft, it’s looking more and more likely he’s going in the top half of the first round.
Via Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald, the Dolphins “covet” Gurley, which might mean the floor for his torn ACL-triggered fall could be the 14th overall pick.
“He’s a talent. He’s definitely a player that his ability stands out and shines,” Dolphins assistant general manager Eric Stokes said. “He’s an exciting guy to watch. We’ve enjoyed working through that process with him and seeing him. From there, we’ll see where things shake out.”
They might have to wait, because there’s no guarantee he’s going to be there when they pick.
As news circulates about Gurley’s condition, more people are beginning to feel his draft status is going to be closer to where it would have been pre-injury, and that could mean the Dolphins might have to turn their attention to another back, or another position.
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He certainly seems to be getting a ton of buzz lately. Should be interesting to see if that buzz is real or if it's just a smokescreen.
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http://lightlybuzzed.com/2015/04/27/charley-casserly-has-mini-meltdown-during-botched-segment-video/
Off the beaten path, but pretty funny nonetheless.
Off the beaten path, but pretty funny nonetheless.
