NFL: Brady Quinn Packs Bags for Denver

Jay Glazer of FoxSports.com reports that quarterback Brady Quinn was just traded by the Cleveland Browns to the Denver Broncos for running back Peyton Hillis and 2 conditional draft picks.

Mancini’s Take: Browns President Mike Holmgren isn’t wasting any time in putting his personal stamp on the team. There’s no question that Quinn had to go, and the former Notre Dame golden boy actually lands in a terrific situation where he’ll certainly be afforded a chance to compete for the starting spot versus current lead man Kyle Orton. While neither Orton nor Brady have ideal arm strength, the former Brown is far and away the better athlete. But that doesn’t mean he’s the better player. Quinn’s physical tools give him more potential than the pedestrian Orton, who once again proved himself incapable of leading his team to victory without the assistance of a lead, a good running game, and stout defense.

Read more…

Q&A: Jeff Owens, Georgia

What are your official height, weight & recent forty time?

6-1, 304, 4.94

What do you consider to be your biggest strength?

Strong at the point of attack.  I have great leverage.

What part of your game have you worked on improving?

Playing low and working with my hands.

If a scout asked what tape would you give him to see you at your best.

The LSU game this past season.

Who is the toughest opponent/teammate you have faced, how did you fare?

Mitch Petrus from the University of Arkansas.  Great strength.

Which coach has had the biggest impact on your playing career up to this point?

My position coach, Rodney Garner, he’s been a great influence on my football career.

Any players that you would compare yourself to or a

Read more…

NFL: Browns Scoop Up Jake Delhomme

According to various sources, the Cleveland Browns have officially signed quarterback Jake Delhomme to a 2-year contract. The longtime Panther will presumably be given a chance to compete with Seneca Wallace for a starting job, while Brady Quinn will probably be on the move.

Mancini’s Take: Can Delhomme be considered an upgrade over Quinn? Not last year’s version that’s for certain. The Ragin’ Cajun was even worse than his 8:18 touchdown-to-interception ratio in 2009 might indicate. Things got so bad that Carolina lost faith in the veteran, but what was even more damning was that Delhomme lost confidence in himself. When he’s on, the free wheeling gunslinger has a decent arm and the ability to hit his receivers in stride, allowing them to make yards after the catch. However, while the 35-year-old can still get hot during games, he can’t sustain it. You almost expect him to throw an errant pass

Read more…

NFL: Browns Scoop Up Jake Delhomme

According to various sources, the Cleveland Browns have officially signed quarterback Jake Delhomme to a 2-year contract. The longtime Panther will presumably be given a chance to compete with Seneca Wallace for a starting job, while Brady Quinn will probably be on the move.

Mancini’s Take: Can Delhomme be considered an upgrade over Quinn? Not last year’s version that’s for certain. The Ragin’ Cajun was even worse than his 8:18 touchdown-to-interception ratio in 2009 might indicate. Things got so bad that Carolina lost faith in the veteran, but what was even more damning was that Delhomme lost confidence in himself. When he’s on, the free wheeling gunslinger has a decent arm and the ability to hit his receivers in stride, allowing them to make yards after the catch. However, while the 35-year-old can still get hot during games, he can’t sustain it. You almost expect him to throw an errant

Read more…

A Look Back At Merlin Olsen

NFL Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen, the greatest athlete in Utah State University history, died at City of Hope Hospital near Los Angeles early Thursday morning (March 11) after a courageous battle with cancer. <br
Olsen’s outstanding record on both college and NFL football fields was followed by successful careers as a beloved television actor and as a television sports commentator. He is remembered also as a tireless philanthropist, giving enormous amounts of time, talent and financial resources to numerous causes across the country.<br
“I can’t think of anyone who has graduated from Utah State University who has accomplished more in a broader array of fields than Merlin Olsen,” said Utah State University President Stan Albrecht.  “His distinctive and powerful voice will be remembered for the breadth of its influence and by the impact it has had in so many different facets of our lives.”<br

Read more…

Utah Sate Pro Day Conducted

LOGAN, Utah Eight former Utah State’s former football student-athletes worked out for National Football League (NFL) scouts on Thursday in USU’s annual “Pro Day,” as the scouts evaluated former Aggies’ draft eligible seniors for the upcoming NFL Draft.

Aggies participating in the event included cornerback Sidney Allen, safety James Brindley, wide receiver Xavier Bowman, linebacker Paul Igboeli, defensive lineman Antonio May, offensive lineman Brennan McFadden, tight end Jeremy Mitchell and placekicker Chris Ulinski.

Between the weight room and the Laub Indoor Practice Facility, players had their height and weight measured, then did performance tests including vertical jump, broad jump, bench press, shuttle run, L-drill run and the 40-yard dash.  

Highlights from Thursday’s action include Brindley’s 4.45 time in the 40-yard dash, as well as a 37-inch vertical jump, which Bowman topped by a half-inch for the top height.  Bowman also had the top broad jump

Read more…