Monthly Archives: March 2010

NFL COMMISSIONER ROGER GOODELL

Orlando, FL March 22, 2010

We started off this morning with my annual report to the clubs. I did that with our executive vice presidents. The real focus was putting the game first and our fans first. We talked a lot about how we need to continue to innovate, how we need to keep looking at new ways of doing things and keep improving what we’re doing. So the next three days is focused on how do we improve the game and how do we keep finding new ways to reach our fans.  We reminded everybody that we are in a challenging environment. Most importantly, our fans and our business partners are still in a challenging environment. We expect that will continue for some time. The good news is the quality of the game is outstanding. The interest in our game is outstanding.

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The NFL Draft is fast approaching. Draftees have just one more chance to make an impression upon their future employers: pro days. This is the time for national scouts to get a more intimate look at first-grade talent and perhaps a more illuminating, a perspective on prospects who would otherwise go unnoticed.

With nearly half of the pro day workouts wrapped up, here is a look at a few players who are riding the coattails of a good workout to an early draft slot…and a few others who aren’t.

Stock Up:

Going into Cal’s pro day, it was clear RB Jahvid Best was the headline event. However,  Best opted to stand on his numbers from the combine, opening the door for the other Golden Bears to make an impression.

Despite feeling ill for the better part of the week, OT Mike Tepper performed a full

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Rams general manager Billy Devaney confirmed Sunday that Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford is scheduled to visit Rams Park on April 12. That is part of the team’s allowed 30 visits by draft-eligible players. All visits must be done by April 14. However, Bradford will not work out. A Washington Post report Thursday said Bradford would have a private workout with the Rams April 12, but that is a visit, not a workout. There are no workouts allowed when players visit a team facility. There can be physicals, but Devaney said Sunday the team probably won’t have Bradford undergo a physical that day.

Source: St. Louis Globe-Democrat

Tim Tebow, who’s expected to hear his name called in the second round or later of next month’s draft, unveiled a new throwing motion for scouts last week, which received mostly positive reviews. The Redskins are believed to be the first of at least five teams that will hold private workouts with Tebow. The Redskins were already scheduled to be in the neighborhood this weekend. The NFL’s annual owners meetings begin in Orlando, and Mike Shanahan and GM Bruce Allen were both scheduled to be present. It would seem that Shanahan and Allen would not waste time traveling to Gainesville if they had only minimal interest in the former Gator star.

Source: Washington Post

The Steelers, who may need to add depth at running back in this year’s draft, will host Oregon’s LeGarrette Blount for a visit next week. The 6-foot, 241-pounder has an intriguing blend of power and speed but he also comes with some baggage. Blount missed most of his senior season at Oregon due to a suspension handed down after he punched a Boise State player following the teams’ season opener. The Steelers have not ruled out re-signing Willie Parker, Colbert said, or getting help at running back from a young player such as Isaac Redman.

Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

The Pats also will learn during the meetings how many compensatory draft picks they will be awarded in next month’s draft. They already have eight picks, four of those coming in the first two rounds (top 53). They could receive an additional four picks when the compensatory selections are handed out. Jabar Gaffney signing a four-year, $10 million free agent contract with the Denver Broncos in 2009 should land the highest pick for the Pats. Picks also may come via ‘09 signings by fullback Heath Evans (Saints), long snapper Lonnie Paxton (Broncos) and running back LaMont Jordan (Broncos).

Source: Boston Herald

With 12 picks in the April 22-24 NFL draft their most since 2000 the Browns can go in a number of directions in the first year of the Mike Holmgren-Tom Heckert era.

There is no mystery about one thing. They will draft a quarterback. The president of the team is not shy about saying so.

“It’s just something we have to do,” Holmgren said as he embarked on his first NFL owners meetings as president of the Browns. “Why wait? I’m 61. I don’t want to wait for anyone. We’re going to have to do this.”

Considering his reputation as a quarterback guru, it might surprise some to know that in 17 seasons as a head coach in Green Bay and Seattle, Holmgren never drafted a quarterback in the first or second round.

“If we don’t get the guy we decide we really want,

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What’s in a name? Expectations. Just ask Jordan Rodgers, the younger brother of Green Bay Packers’ quarterback Aaron Rodgers and a newcomer to Vanderbilt’s football team. He knows that almost everyone forms expectations of him the moment they learn his surname. Some believe he must possess an uncanny ability to throw the ball. Others believe there’s no way he can measure up to the standard of his older brother. “It’s something I’ve dealt with for a while and it’s actually something I embrace,” he said. “Having a brother play in the NFL is a blessing. He helps me out. He’s been a great example as a person and as an athlete. The pressure that comes along with it is just something I deal with. “It’s something I don’t even notice anymore. I look forward to the opportunity to either prove some people wrong or just work hard enough to hopefully

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Tune-in Monday, March 22nd at 2:30pm ET, as NFL Draft Bible Founder Rick Serritella joins SportsTalkCleveland.com for the Greg Kozarik Show to talk pro days, draft buzz and the new direction of the Cleveland Browns.

LISTEN HERE

Browns team president Mike Holmgren plans to draft a quarterback this year. Just don’t expect it to be in the first couple of rounds.