02/26...FA News & Cuts...Arizona Cardinals DE/OLB Calvin Pace has stated that he will sign with either the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins or San Francisco 49'ers in the upcoming free-agency period...the Redskins released WR Brandon Lloyd...Kansas City released WR Eddie Kennison...New England released LB Oscar Lua...and the Jets gave CB Andre Dison and OG Adrian Clarke their walking papers.
Foster to Niners...The San Francisco 49'ers are reportedly on the verge of signing HB DeShaun Foster.
Official 40 times...The official 40 times have been posted for the DB's...Top 10 times...Tyvon Branch 4.31 Orlando Scandrick 4.32...Dom Cromartie 4.33...Tracy Porter 4.37...Michael Grant 4.37...Terrence Wheatley 4.37 Leodis McKelvin 4.38...Jonathan Wilhite 4.38...Mike Jenkins 4.38.
Rogers-Cromartie...Cromartie was very fluid, was able to flip his hips smoothly and displayed outstanding footwork in the DB's on-field drills today...he also ran a 4.33 official forty time today.
DB's 40 times...Tom Zbikowski 4.52 & 4.56, D.J. Wolfe 4.64 & 4.65...Antoine Cason 4.49
Leodis McKelvin...Leodis McKelvin's broad jump results...9'11" and 10'1"...3 cone drill 7.11.
Cromartie...Cromarties second attempt at the 40 resulted in another great time (4.34 -40).
DB's 40 Times...Trae Williams 4.52 & 4.53, Nehemiah Warrick 4.57, David Roach 4.50, D.J. Parker 4.66.
DB's 40 Times...Aquib Talib 4.47 & 4.48, Antuan Molden 4.40, Terrell Thomas 4.49, Tracy Porter 4.45 & 4.44.
Dominique Cromartie...Cromartie ran a lightning fast 4.28 unofficial forty in his first attempt at the Combine.
DB's 40 Times...Kenny Phillips 4.55, DaJuan Morgan 4.52, DeJuan Tribble 4.59.
DB's 40 Times...Tyvon Branch 4.29, Justin King 4.31, Josh Barrett 4.33, Leodis McKelvin 4.40, Marcellous
Johnson 4.43, Brandon Flowers 4.58, Chevis Jackson 4.58.
Al's Draft Scoop...Even though Darren McFadden has been the talk of the town since Sunday when he ran a 4.33 forty, his draft stock still remains a question mark because of his character concerns. The only team that might take a chance on him in the top five is the Raiders because of Al Davis's love for speed. Don't think for a minute that the Falcons would even consider him with their pick, especially after all that owner Arthur Blank has been through with the Michael Vick fiasco. The possibility still exists that McFadden could still fall out of the top 10 altogether, unless the Jets or Bengals take a chance on him with the Bengals being the least likely due to their insistence of cleaning up their act on draft day and passing on the character concern prospects.
Browns and Anderson close...The Cleveland Browns and Derek Anderson's reps have reportedly made significant progress in contract negotiations and could have a deal in place before the FA deadline on Friday night.
Cowboys/Javon Walker..The Cowboys are reportedly interested in acquiring Wr Javon Walker from the Broncos.
Bryant gets axe in Detroit...The Detroit Lions have released CB Fernando Bryant today.
Gholston vs Long...The battle for the right to be the first 4-3 DE or 3-4 OLB to be taken in the 2008 Draft was very close between Vernon Gholston and Chris Long with Gholston having a bit of a better day overall...Gholston ran a better 40 time 4.67 to Long's 4.75, was better in the broad jump 10'5" to Long's 10'4" and recorded a better vertical 35.5" to Long's 34"...Gholston also recorded 37 reps at 225 pounds on the bench while Long didn't participate...Gholston also participated in the linebacker drills and did a good job of convincing the scouts that he can drop into coverage while Long skipped that drill as well...Long had a better time in the 3 cone drill being timed at 7.02 to Gholston's 7.12 and had a better time in the short shuttle being timed at 4.21 to Gholston's 4.40.
Highsmith dropping...LB'er Ali Highsmith of LSU ran a pair of super dissapointing 40 times being clocked at 4.96 and 5.02...Highsmith would be a good fit in a Tampa 2 scheme...but not at that speed.
Linebacker 40 Times...Xavier Adibi 4.71, Steve Allen 4.84, Alvin Bowen 4.83, Jordan Dizon 4.70, J0-Lonn Dunbar 4.85, Tavares Gooden 4.53, Larry Grant 4.71, Gary Guyton 4.50, Geno Hayes 4.69, Erin Henderson 4.73, Stanford Keglar 4.63, Jerod Mayo 4.56, Steve Octavien 4.68, Phillip Wheeler 4.73, Wesley Woodyard 4.54.
Chris Long...Chris Long has decided to skip the Linebacker drills at the Combine but will go through the drills at his scheduled pro day....Long ran a very fast 7.02 3 cone drill.
Dan Connors...ILB Dan Connors left the Combine because he came down with a bad case of the flu.
Keith Rivers...OLB Keith Rivers tweaked his ankle and won't be running the forty with his group...the ankle that Rivers tweaked is the same one he had surgically repaired in 2007.
Official 40 Times...Cliff Avril 4.51, Quentin Groves 4.57, Chris Long 4.75, Vernon Ghoston 4.67.
Losman to Chiefs or Dolphins?...Rumors are circulating that both the Chiefs and Dolphins have talked to the Bills about acquiring the services of QB J.P. Losman.
More 40 times...Frank Okam 5.32, Nick Hayden 5.10, Bruce Davis 4.72, Jason Jones 4.77, Carlton Powell 5.04
Atyba Rubin 5.17, Jeremy Thompson 4.73.
Chris Long...Chris Long ran a 4.77 forty in his second attempt.
Gholston ...Vernon Gholston recorded a 35.5" vertical jump and recorded a 4.57 and a 4.64 forty earlier.
More 40 times...Marcus Howard ran a blistering 4.47 forty (the fastest recorded today)...other 40 times... Pat Sims 5.06, Dre Moore 4.88, Derrick Harvey 4.80.
Chris Long - Chris Long ran a 4.72 forty in his first run (unofficial time)...he also recorded a 34" vertical.
More 40 times...Trevor Laws 5.08, Lawrence Jackson 4.81, Kendall Langford 4.97, Frank Okam 5.32.
Vernon Gholston ran a 4.57 and a 4.64 unofficial forty times.
40 times - From group #1 (all times are unofficial)...Calias Campbell 5.03, Shawn Crable 4.56, Sedric Ellis 5.32,
Quinton Groves 4.52, Kentwan Balmer 5.30, Cliff Avril 4.56.
Huff on Block?...Rumors are swirling that the Oakland Raiders are willing to part with S Michael Huff.
Quick Hits...The San Diego Chargers signed former Niners ILB Derek Smith to a 2 year contract...TE Desmond Clark has re-signed with the Bears...San Francisco has signed RS/CB Allen Rossum...Patriots LB Teddi Bruschi is reportedly considering retirement.
Henne and Flacco Shine...The two most impressive Qb's in the passing drills on Sunday were Chad Henne of Michigan and Joe Flacco of Deleware according to one of the scouts in attendance...Brian Brohm of Louisville also threw the ball well, but not with the same velocity and rotation as Henne and Flacco.
Trade Rumors...The Houston Texans have reportedly been in trade discussions with several teams at the Combine to acquire a veteran halfback.
02/24...Chris Johnson - Chris Johnson ran the fastest official time in the RB group timing at 4.24 in the forty.
Darren McFadden - Darren McFadden's fastest official time in the forty was adjusted from 4.27 to 4.33.
Ray Rice - Ray Rice tweaked his hamstring during his first attempt at the forty yard dash and is done for the Day.
Simpson Wow!...WR Jerome Simpson of Coastal Carolina recorded an amazing 11'4" broad jump.
Running backs - Notable forty times from the Combine.....Updated ...Darren McFadden 4.33 & 4.33, Chris Johnson 4.29 & 4.24, Jamaal Charles 4.36 & 4.39, Rashard Mendenhall 4.37 & 4.43, Kevin Smith 4.43 & 4.56, Jonathan Stewart 4.48 & 4.49, Ray Rice 4.44, Felix Jones 4.47, Steve Slaton 4.44 & 4.45, Matt Forte 4.51 & 4.46, Jacob Hester 4.60 & 4.64, Leon Hart 4.67 & 4.69.
Darren McFadden - McFadden ran an unofficial time of 4.27 in his first attempt in the forty yard dash.
Bills interested in Flowers...The Buffalo Bills are reportedly very interested in CB Brandon Flowers of Virginia Tech and were the first team to interview him this morning...the general perception is the Bills will invest their first round pick on a big receiver, but the Bills also need to shore up the CB position and Flowers is considered the top Cover 2 Corner in this draft.
Combine Quick Hits - WR James Hardy of Indiana ran a 4.47 forty which is very impressive for a receiver of his size...WR Devin Thomas ran a pair of lightning fast forties clocking in at 4.32 and 4.34...QB Josh Johnson of San Diego ran an impressive 4.40 forty...Limas Sweed of Texas ran a pair of good times (4.46,4.53) for a big receiver.
Woodson/Doucet Shelved - Kentucky Qb Andre Woodson isn't working out today because he tweaked his hamstring..
Doucet isn't working out due to an undisclosed injury.
Nelson Impresses - Kansas State WR Jordy Nelson ran a pair of good forty times for a big receiver clocking in at 4.48 and 4.51...Nelson also recorded a 31" vertical.
Impressive 40 times - WR's - Dexter Jackson 4.29, DeSean Jackson 4.31, Andre Caldwell 4.31, William Franklin 4.32, Devin Thomas 4.34
Manningham Dissapoints...Michigan Wr Mario Manningham ran a pair of dissapointing forty times today clocking in at 4.59 and 4.62...On the Game film, Manningham has much better on-field game speed.
Glenn Dorsey Checks In...Glenn Dorsey finally showed up at the Combine and checked in late after rumors were circulating that Dorsey was planning on skipping the Combine due to a possible injury he suffered in training.
Combine - Quick Hits...Purdue TE Justin Keller stole the show on Saturday perforning well in the receiving drills and had the fastest forty times (4.53, 4.54) at the Combine...he also recorded a 38" vertical...Texas TE Jermichael Finley ran slower (4.85) than expected but was the most impressive TE in the receiving drills...Finley runs much faster than his forty time when you turn on the game tape...Tennessee TE Brad Cottam ran a very impressive forty time (4.63) considering his size 6-7.5 271....The Top 10 performers from Saturdays session.
Quick Hits...Shaun Rogers will reportedly be traded by the Detroit Lions within the next week with the Broncos and Redskins being two of the four teams interested in his services...the Lions are reportedly interested in Bucs CB Brian Kelly...Tampa is reportedly interested in Panthers HB DeShaun Foster and Seahawks WR D.J. Hackett...Lane Kiffin has reportedly been removed from all draft, free-agency and coaching related decisions...the Raiders are reportedly ready to part with K Sebastien Janikowski...the Falcons are reportedly interested in acquiring Broncos HB Mike Bell.
02/23...Chris Long...Chris Long was measured at 6-3 272...Long is an ideal size for a DE in a 4-3 front, but too small to play DE in a 3-4...Long could play OLB or the rush-end position in a 3-4 if he proves to the scouts and NFL personnel in attendance that he has the athletic ability to make the drops necessary at the next level.
Dorsey Injured?...Rumors are flying that the reason Glenn Dorsey is skipping the Combine is because he may have re-injured his knee in training for the Combine or has some kind of medical condition...His Grandmother passed away recently which set him back in his training according to Dorsey, but there was no indication that he would skip the Combine altogether...speculation has begun that Dorsey is skipping the Combine because of a medical condition.
Kearse out in Philly..Adam Schefter of the NFL Network is reporting that the Eagles will release Jevon Kearse.
Sleeper QB Josh Johnson of San Diego was measured at 6-2.6 213 on Friday which was an inch shorter but 15 pounds heavier than what scouts expected...Johnson is a player to watch in his workout on Sunday.
Quick Hits - The New Orleans Saints have re-signed WR Terrance Copper to a 2 year deal...the New York Giants are said to be interested in signing Seahawks CB Marcus Trufant in the upcoming free-agency period...the Minnesota Vikings are reportedly interested in signing Wr Jerry Porter or Wr Bernard Berian...the Washington Redskins are reportedly one of four teams that have shown interest in acquiring DT Shaun Rogers from the Lions.
02/22...Quick Hits - Michigan Ot Jake Long was able to post 37 reps at 225 lbs on the bench today which was the most reps of any of the offensive lineman that lifted today...Oregon Qb Dennis Dixon has decided to run the 40 yard dash at the Combine despite the fact that he is still less than 100%...The Steelers have released Jerame Tuman and Allen Rossum...and...The NFL has notified Pacman Jones that he remains suspended indefinitely.
Wayne Huizenga has sold 50% of the Miami Dolphins to Steve Ross a New York Builder...Huizenga has reportedly assured Bill Parcells that he will stay on as part-owner of the Dolphins for the duration of his contract.
Zach Thomas a Saint?...Rumors are flying that the New Orleans Saints offer to Zach Thomas was bigger then what Thomas expected and has made the Saints the front-runners to land the former Dolphin LB'er...Thomas reportedly flew to the Combine to meet with the Cowboys to see if their offer will be in the same ball park as the Saints.
Malcolm Kelly...WR Malcolm Kelly was measured at 6-3.5 224 and won't be able to participate in the workouts as we first reported back on 02/18 because of a lingering quad injury.
Limas Sweed...WR Limas Sweed was measured at 6-3.7 215 and stated that he will do all the drills at the Combine...Sweed has already met with Tennessee, Tampa Bay, Minnesota and the Oakland Raiders.
Colt Brennan...QB Colt Brennan was measured at 6-2 207 which is 22 lbs heavier then his Senior Bowl weight.
DeShaun Jackson Shocker! - DeShaun Jackson was measured at only 5-9.6 169 which is much smaller than the scouts had expected...the St. Louis Rams were the first and only team to interview the California receiver on Thursday, but Jackson has numerous other interviews scheduled with the teams.
13 teams to interview Flacco - The Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys interviewed Deleware QB Joe Flacco on Thursday night...they were the first two teams to interview Flacco...Flacco has interviews scheduled with 11 other teams this weekend.
Crumpler to meet with Bills & Packers...Alge Crumpler is attending the Combine for self-promotional purposes and will reportedly meet with representatives of the Bills and Packers this week.
Heads or Tails? - The Falcons and Raiders will participate in a coin flip this morning to determine which team will own the third overall pick in the draft...if the Raiders win, they will be picking third, but the Falcons would then have to flip a coin again with the Chiefs for the right to pick fourth overall in the draft.
Al's Draft Scoop - Michigan OT Jake Long was the talk of the Combine on Thursday. Long was measured at 6-7 313 and displayed a very tight-solid build which is rather rare for a lineman his size. Long has 11" hands and his arm measurements were just as impressive being 35 3/4" which is just what NFL scouts look for in a lineman. Even though Long has yet to perform the workout part of Combine, he surely passed the eyeball test on Thursday. My Final Pre-Combine Ratings for the skill position players have been posted.
Quick Hits - The Patriots have named Dom Capers as their Special Assistant Secondary Coach...Rumors are flying that the Seahawks will soon be parting with HB Shaun Alexander...Bills Coach Dick Jauron speaking at the Combine stated that he expects QB J.P. Losman to be back with the Bills and compete with Trent Edwards for the starting QB job in training camp.
02/21...Foster released by the Panthers...The Carolina Panthers have released HB DeShaun Foster.
Combine Notes - DT Glenn Dorsey has decided to pass up the workout part of the Combine and rely on his personal workout for the Scouts at LSU's Pro Day....QB Matt Ryan won't take part in the passing drills at the Combine, but will run for the scouts and NFL personnel in attendance.
Moss not Franchised...The New England Patriots have decided not to put their franchise tag on WR Randy Moss which will enable him to hit the open market if a deal can't be struck before next weekend's deadline...we don't expect Moss to sign with anyone else so the risk the Patriots took isn't as big as some might think.
Niners/Lion Trade Rumors...Rumors are circulating around the league that the Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49'ers will be involved in a trade with the Lions sending WR Shaun McDonald out West to the 49'ers...the Lions signed McDonald last season as a free agent because he was a good fit in Mike Martz's offensive system...but Martz has since departed and is now the offensive coordinator for a receiver starved 49'ers team.
Hamlin Tagged - The Dallas Cowboys have used their franchise tag on Safety Ken Hamlin.
Quick Hits - The Giants will allow S Gibril Wilson to test the upcoming free-agent market...the Jaguars have decided to let QB Quinn Gray hit the open market...the Bears are said to be ready to part ways with OG Rueben Brown...the Lions will reportedly be gauging teams interest in DT Shaun Rogers at the the Combine...the Denver Broncos have made DE Ebenezer Ekuban a contract offer.
Al's Draft Scoop - Samuel to Break the Bank!...Asante Samuel will be rewarded with the richest contract for a cornerback in NFL history now that his two main competitors have been taken off the upcoming free-agent market. Marcus Trufant and Nnamdi Asomugha were both franchised by their respective teams on Wednesday, leaving Samuel as the only top-tier cornerback available in the upcoming free-agency period. Six teams (Dallas, Philadelphia NY Jets, Miami, Houston and Jacksonville) are reportedly interested in signing the Patriots Corner, which will certainly drive up his asking price and help Samuel eclipse the $80 million dollar contract that Nate Clements signed just last year. The possibility that Samuel will re-sign with the Patriots before the free-agent deadline is very slim.
Vilma being shopped...The New York Jets will reportedly be shopping LB Jonathan Vilma at the NFL Scouting Combine this weekend...Vilma would be a perfect fit for a team that plays a Tampa 2 scheme with a 4-3 front.
The Denver Broncos are considering bringing in FA Zach Thomas for a visit after the Combine.
02/20...The Steelers Tag Starks...The Steelers have placed a transition tag on OT Max Starks, a move that means the Steelers will have to pay Starks the average of the top 10 tackles in the league.
Colts sign Clark...The Indianapolis Colts have signed TE Dallas Clark to a 6 year deal.
Packers Franchise Williams, release Franks...The Packers have slapped their Franchise Tag on DT Corey Williams and have released TE Bubba Franks.
Seahawks Franchise Trufant...The Seattle Seahawks have slapped their Franchise Tag on CB Marcus Trufant.
Asomugha to be Tagged...The Oakland Raiders will use their Franchise Tag on CB Nnamdi Asomugha.
Haynesworth tagged...The Tennessee Titans have used their Franchise Tag on DT Albert Haynesworth.
Thomas to visit the Bills...Former Dolphins LB'er Zach Thomas has a visit scheduled with the Buffalo Bills.
Al's Draft Scoop - One player to keep an eye on this week is OG Branden Albert of Virginia. Albert is considered to be the top rated OG prospect for the 2008 Draft, but the talk around the scouting community this week is that Albert may have enough althetic ability to kick out to the tackle position in the NFL, which would elevate his stock for the upcoming Draft. Albert didn't start playing football until 2002 (his junior year in High School) because he was an outstanding basketball player at Glen Burnie High, but has been a starter for the Virginia Cavaliers since his freshman year of college. Albert will workout on Saturday with the rest of the linemen group.
Quick Hits - Denver Broncos HB Andre Hall was arrested on Tuesday for driving with a revoked drivers license ...the Rams have re-signed Travis Minor...the Colts have re-signed OG Ryan Lilja and the agent for Steelers LB'er Clark Haggans has stated that his client won't re-sign with the Steelers.
NFL Combine - The first group of prospects which includes Kickers, Punters, Tight Ends and Offensive Linemen have arrived in Indianapolis and will go through an Orientation and take their Hospital Pre-Exam today...the prospects will then be interviewed by the NFL teams...On Thursday this group will go through a medical exam, be measured and take the Wonderlic test...they will also be required to participate and be interviewed by the Media... On Friday they will attend an NFLPA meeting and the Kickers and Punters will go through their workout drills...On Saturday the Tight Ends and Offensive Linemen will go through their workout drills.
Rumors are swirling in Chicago that the Bears might slap their Franchise Tag on WR Bernard Berrian.
Browns and Anderson close? -The Browns are reportedly closing in on a deal with quarterback Derek Anderson...the Browns want to sign Anderson to a three year deal before the start of free-agency.
DeAngelo Hall on the Block - Trade rumors are swirling in Atlanta regarding the future of CB DeAngelo Hall....Hall has one year left on his current contract but wants a new deal and won't play next season without an extension...the Falcons appear to be unwilling to commit long-term to Hall and are reportedly shopping him.
Tagged - The Colts placed their Franchise Tag on TE Dallas Clark while the Panthers tagged OT Jordan Gross.
02/19...The Patriots are said to have made a very enticing contract offer to former Dolphin LB'er Zach Thomas.
The Houston Texans have released TE Jeb Putzier and have scheduled a visit with LB'er Zach Thomas.
Suggs can't be a happy camper...The Baltimore Ravens slapped their franchise tag under the linebacker designation on Terrell Suggs today...by tagging Suggs as a linebacker and not a defensive end, it saved the team about 800,000 per year...the Franchise tag salary for an OLB is 8.07 million while a DE is worth 8.88 million.
Quick Hits - The Dallas Cowboys are expected to let OT Flozell Adams hit the open market in the upcoming free-agency period...look for Adams to be high on the Dolphins wish list...Rumors are floating around that Keyshawn Johnson is considering a comeback.....First Round Draft hopefuls Jake Long of Michigan and Chris Williams of Vanderbilt have both decided to be full participants at the Combine in Indy this week.
Derek Smith gets the Axe - The San Francisco 49'ers have reportedly released ILB Derek Smith.
Bills Targeting Wilford?...Rumors are flying that the Buffalo Bills are said to be targeting Jaguars WR Earnest Wilford in the upcoming free agency period...Wilford is a big receiver which is something the Bills are lacking.
Quick Hits - The Chiefs slapped their franchise tag on DE Jared Allen...the Saints are bringing in former Panthers ILB Dan Morgan for a visit...the Eagles are denying a report that they are shopping CB Lito Sheppard and are said to be targeting Patriots CB Asante Samuel in the upcoming free agent period and rumors are flying that the Cowboys are also very interested in Samuel as well and are prepared to break the bank for the Patriots cornerback.
02/18...The New England Patriots have made a contract offer to former Dolphin LB'er Zach Thomas.
Brown extended and Muhammed, Miller released...The Chicago Bears have signed DE Alex Brown to a 2 year contract extension and have released WR Muhsin Muhammed and OT Fred Miller.
Andrews tagged - The Cincinnati Bengals have slapped their franchise tag on OG/OT Stacey Andrews.
Al's Draft Scoop - Keep an eye on the numbers that East Carolina HB Chris Johnson posts this week at the NFL Combine because the talk around the scouting community is Johnson will be this year's workout warrior at Indianapolis and will have a chance to sneak into the bottom of the first round of the Draft ...Johnson ran a 4.25 forty and had a 43.5" vertical in a previous campus visit by NFL scouts.
