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04-18-2005, 11:22 AM
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#1 |
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Ring of Famer
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ESPN Draft Rumors 4/18
WHO WHAT THE SKINNY
Moving up? Apr. 18 - There were rumors over the weekend that the Vikings, who hold the seventh and 18th slots in the first round, were dangling those picks to San Francisco in an effort to acquire the draft's top pick. Minnesota officials declined to discuss those rumors. ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli is hearing that Minnesota was trying to move up, but not necessarily into the No. 1 spot. The rumblings were that the Vikings were shooting for a top-five pick, perhaps the second (Miami) or third (Cleveland) choice overall, to ensure landing one of the premier wide receiver prospects. The feeling is that the Minnesota brass prefers Michigan wide receiver Braylon Edwards over Mike Williams of Southern California. A deal-up with either the Dolphins or Browns might make more sense. According to the points system that most teams use, and which assigns a value to every pick in the draft, Minnesota doesn't have enough ammunition, at least not with its two first-round choices, to land the top pick. The seventh pick in the draft is worth 1,500 points and the 18th spot carries a value of 800 points. That's 2,400 total points. The top choice is valued at 3,000 points. So, if Minnesota and San Francisco were to swap, the deal would have to be sweetened. On the other hand, the Miami pick, second overall, is worth 2,600 points. The third pick, held by the Browns, is worth 2,200 points. So a trade with those teams is certainly possible. PLAYER INTERESTED THE SKINNY Aaron Rodgers QB, Cal 49ers Apr. 18 - There is still plenty of work to be done on a contract, but there were indications over the weekend that San Francisco hopes to have an agreement in place with the top pick by Tuesday or Wednesday, according to Len Pasquarelli. Although the Niners will meet with Michigan receiver Braylon Edwards today, the contract discussions are focused mostly on Rodgers. Let's face it, Rodgers is a Bay Area quarterback who is represented by a Bay Area agent, negotiating with a Bay Area franchise. Sure looks like all the components are in place for a deal. If Rodgers doesn't go No. 1, he will likely drop at least to Tampa Bay at No. 5, speculates ESPN.com's John Clayton. The Titans might have to consider him for value at No. 6. The Cardinals could get him at No. 8. It doesn't appear he would go to Miami at No. 2 or Cleveland at No. 3. PLAYER INTERESTED THE SKINNY Alex Smith QB, Utah 49ers Bucs Apr. 18 - Continued contract talks with the 49ers haven't changed Smith's philosophy, reports John Clayton. Smith wants the traditional increase from the No. 1 contract given last year to Eli Manning (six years, $45 million including $20 million in guarantees). The 49ers believe the Manning contract was too good and want the deal to be under Manning's. Tuesday or Wednesday will be decision time. 49ers coach Mike Nolan insists he will take the best player regardless of a contract. Smith's agent, Tom Condon, will review the numbers and come back with a counter proposal today, but if no deal is reached by Tuesday or Wednesday, the 49ers face a decision. Do they draft him without a contract and face a potential holdout or do they move on to Aaron Rodgers or other players in the draft? PLAYER INTERESTED THE SKINNY Braylon Edwards WR, Michigan 49ers Apr. 18 - Today will be the first time the 49ers will spend a lot of time testing out the signing ability of Edwards, reports John Clayton. Extensive talks should take place. The 49ers are also talking to Alex Smith and Aaron Rodgers. Eli Manning got a seven-year, $54.29 million deal last year from the Giants as the first pick. Teams generally build in a quarterback premium because of the value of the position, but that doesn't mean Edwards would sign at a discount. It means the 49ers know Edwards costs less because he's not a quarterback. The 49ers do not want to pay significantly more than the Giants paid Manning, which helps Edwards. WHO WHAT THE SKINNY Trade Apr. 18 - Joe Gibbs would like to add another threat on offense. Troy Williamson of South Carolina would be a nice fit with the No. 9 pick, but Gibbs is also concerned about keeping defensive coordinator Gregg Williams equipped. Remember, the Redskins lost cornerback Fred Smoot and middle linebacker Antonio Pierce. One option being proposed by the Raiders is gaining some interest, according to John Clayton. The Raiders are willing to trade cornerback Phillip Buchanon, an former first-round choice. Buchanon would cost a draft choice and maybe a player, but that trade would give the Redskins the flexibility to take an offensive player at No. 9 or trade down a little in the first round and get an offensive player. PLAYER INTERESTED THE SKINNY Matt Jones WR, Arkansas Eagles Steelers Bucs Apr. 18 - It appears increasingly likely that the former Razorbacks quarterback will be chosen in the first round, says Len Pasquarelli, and that it might be one of the Keystone State teams that grabs a player who is arguably the most intriguing prospect in the draft. Philadelphia conducted a stealthy personal workout with Jones late last week, with the team's offensive brain trust auditioning him. There are even rumors the Eagles brought along one of their backup quarterbacks to throw to Jones. The Eagles feel that Jones can play either wide receiver or tight end and that he would provide insurance in the event Terrell Owens is a training camp holdout. Pittsburgh is seeking a replacement for the departed Plaxico Burress. Jones could offer a the Steelers a player with similar physical dimensions to Burress and even more straight-line speed. Pittsburgh, of course, has had a terrific track record in converting former college quarterbacks, such as Hines Ward and Antwaan Randle El, into excellent wide receivers. The Bucs love Jones but will only get a shot at him if he falls to the second round because Tampa Bay will not use the fifth overall choice in the draft on him. WHO WHAT THE SKINNY No. 31 pick Apr. 18 - Although most prognosticators are penciling in a wide receiver (maybe Matt Jones) because of the potential holdout of Terrell Owens and the likely release or trade of Freddie Mitchell, receiver might not be the Eagles' first choice, according to John Clayton. Don't be surprised if the Eagles draft an offensive tackle. Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan are in their 30s. Both have injury concerns from their long tenure in the league. Though the Eagles used a first-round pick on Shawn Andrews last year and played him at guard, they need more help along the offensive line. PLAYER WHAT THE SKINNY Marcus Spears DE, LSU Cowboys Chiefs Chargers Ravens Apr. 18 - Not the flashiest end in the draft, because he isn't a pure, upfield pass rusher, but arguably the steadiest "edge" defender in the talent pool. Isn't a "tweener" like some of the prospects at end, plays the run tough, and is nearly recovered now from offseason knee surgery. Another guy moving up the board and there are a ton of teams, especially in the middle portion of the first round, that need help at end. PLAYER WHAT THE SKINNY Corey Webster CB, LSU Rising Apr. 18 - Had he skipped his senior season and entered the 2004 draft, Webster almost certainly would have been a first-round pick. Surgery last summer, and nagging injuries during the '04 campaign, clearly cost him some status in this year's draft. But the stock of the talented corner, who possesses a nice mix of both size and speed, is back on the upswing again. reports Len Pasquarelli. There is a chance, depending on how many cornerbacks go off the board early in top part of the opening stanza, that Webster could sneak into the first round. At this point, he looks like no worse than a second-round pick. Remember, this is a guy who is more talented than former teammate Randall Gay, who started for the Patriots in the Super Bowl last year. PLAYER INTERESTED THE SKINNY Fabian Washington CB, Nebraska Jets Patriots Colts Apr. 18 - The Jets, in particular, have a growing interest in the Cornhuskers speedster, who has run 40 times in under 4.3 and who will definitely benefit from the anticipated run on cornerbacks in the top part of the first round, according to Len Paquarelli. Starter Donnie Abraham is seriously contemplating retirement and, even if the Jets sign free agent Andre Dyson (Tennessee), who visited with New York officials over the weekend, they still want to get younger at cornerback. The Pats visited with Washington a few weeks ago and, while more likely to go for a combination-type defensive back, such as Michigan's Marlin Jackson, are said to be infatuated by his blistering speed. PLAYER INTERESTED THE SKINNY Carlos Rogers CB, Auburn Redskins Apr. 18 - Most mock drafts have Antrel Rolle or Adam "Pac Man" Jones going as the first two cornerbacks, but don't underestimate the value of Rogers, says John Clayton. A couple teams in the top 10 have him as their No. 1 cornerback, which could put him in the top 10 if the right teams are in position to draft a corner. PLAYER INTERESTED THE SKINNY Jammal Brown OT, Oklahoma Steelers Rams Apr. 18 - It's widely held that Brown is the premier strongside tackle in this draft and both teams have a need at the position. Even if his back miraculously heals, there is no way Kyle Turley is returning to St. Louis, and he probably will be released as a June 1 cap casualty. Pittsburgh lost starter Oliver Ross to Arizona in free agency and for now, second-year veteran Max Starks, a third-round choice in 2004 who played sparingly as a rookie, is penciled in as the starter. According to Len Pasquarelli, some Steelers aides aren't as enamored of Starks as is head coach Bill Cowher. Pittsburgh can afford to go a lot of ways with its first choice and the Steelers have never been shy about investing a No. 1 choice on an offensive lineman. Browns is steadily rising up draft boards. PLAYER INTERESTED THE SKINNY Ronnie Brown RB, Auburn Dolphins Browns Apr. 17 - According to the San Diego Union Tribune, Ronnie Brown likely will be the first running back taken in the draft. Scouts believe Brown's versatility is what separates him from other backs in this class. Auburn used him as a blocker at fullback, as a receiver in the slot, and as a ball carrier at tailback. "If I was a GM and I was building a team to win the Super Bowl next year, I'd take [Carnell] Williams," a respected running backs coach told the newspaper. "But if I had a three-year plan, I'd take Brown. He's bigger and stronger and can catch the ball. He didn't have the yards running, but that had a lot to do with a lack of opportunities. I think he's going to be a better runner in the long run." Since the NFL combine, Brown has been projected to go to the Dolphins with the No. 2 overall pick. However, things are getting interesting, ESPN.com's John Clayton reports. There is a push from the coaching staff to look at one of the top quarterbacks, Alex Smith or Aaron Rodgers. WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY Apr. 17 - The Steelers need depth everywhere and might even find a starter in the draft if that player happens to be a speedy receiver or a right tackle, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. While the Steelers have few holes in their lineup – even though they lost several starters to free agency – unless they find some depth they might not be able to withstand a large amount of injuries, something they did last season and still won their division. "We have a good team but it's a team we can still add to and improve," director of football operations Kevin Colbert told the newspaper. "That's really our whole outlook. Chances are, kids from this draft will upgrade our team. Where, I don't know." WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY Apr. 17 - According to the Chicago Tribune, it will be a surprise if Bears GM Jerry Angelo doesn't go for one of the team's two biggest needs – wide receiver or running back – with the fourth selection in the draft. San Francisco has Michigan wide receiver Braylon Edwards under consideration for its No. 1 overall pick, but the Bears might prefer USC's Mike Williams anyway. Auburn's Ronnie Brown, who emerged as the top running back prospect, could go to Miami (No. 2) or Cleveland (No. 3). The next best running backs are believed to be Texas' Cedric Benson and Brown's college teammate, Carnell "Cadillac" Williams. WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY Apr. 17 - For the third year in a row, the Bengals are expected to take an offensive player with their top pick in the draft, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports. The Bengals' 17th overall pick in the first round could be used on offensive tackles Alex Barron of Florida State or Jammal Brown of Oklahoma; tight end Heath Miller of Virginia; or a wide receiver like Oklahoma's Mark Clayton or South Carolina's Troy Williamson. "We need to score more touchdowns," coach Marvin Lewis told the newspaper. The Bengals also might trade down from No. 17 in order to acquire more picks later on. "Not every player at every position fits what we're looking for," said Lewis. "We're trying to hone in on who makes us better and for a long time. We've got guys here for two, three, four, five years. We're not graduating guys. We can look long range." |
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04-18-2005, 10:00 PM
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#2 |
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04-19-2005, 07:42 AM
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#3 | |
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Ring of Famer
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Adopt-a-Bronco: Spencer Larsen |
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04-19-2005, 01:04 PM
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#4 | |
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Ring of Famer
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Quote:
I dont think I'm the king of posting buddy...But, I did start a thread, and if you take a look i've updated that thread based on when ESPN updates their rumor mill...Listen, your new to the Mane, your a good poster...I dont know if you've ever been involved in other communities but, its just not cool to come onto a website and just post everything at will without checking to see if anybody else has started a thread...Just stop stepping on other peoples feet... Posting and You |
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04-19-2005, 01:16 PM
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#5 | |
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Ring of Famer
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Adopt-a-Bronco: Spencer Larsen |
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04-19-2005, 01:21 PM
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#6 | |
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Ring of Famer
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Sherman Oaks, CA
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 ...Take a look at how many times its been read...I'll save you some time...its been read 1027 times...Nobody else is complaing because you arent stepping on their feet yet...Your completely ignoring existing threads...If you wanna update the Insider info go ahead and do it but, atleast put it in the existing thread instead of starting a new one...Damn... |
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04-19-2005, 01:27 PM
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#7 |
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Ring of Famer
Join Date: Mar 2004
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04-19-2005, 02:19 PM
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#8 |
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liquored up kicker
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: NYC/NNJ
Posts: 853
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You could cut the "draft week" tension in here with a knife..
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