Monthly Archives: April 2010

Q&A: Chris Cook, Minnesota

Q: Chris, what do you think about coming to Minnesota?

A: I love it. First of all, I want to thank the Wilf family. I’m excited to play at Mall of America Field (at the Metrodome) in the Twin Cities. I can’t wait to get out there and show everybody what I’ve got.

Q: Is this a team you zeroed in on? It seems like you had a lot of contact with them prior to the draft.

A: Yes, it was one of the teams I figured had their radar on me, and I was hoping I was going to go (there). When I saw they traded out of the first round, I wasn’t really sure what pick they had in the second round. When I saw they had the second pick in the second round, I thought, “Ok, yeah, hopefully my phone

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Q&A: HC Brad Childress, Minnesota

Alright guys, I know you have work to do. We went bi-coastal, Virginia and Stanford. Two bastions of higher learning, at least as far as I’m concerned. Two different flavors of football players, a bigger corner and a bigger back. We obviously like both of those kids. I think in (Chris) Cook coming out of high school he was an all-around athlete and obviously zeroed in on defensive secondary. I know he played safety and corner but we see him as a bigger corner, just a different person than we have currently on the roster. A young Leslie Frazier if you will, who wasn’t too bad either. With Toby (Gerhart) you see a very versatile athlete I know that he carried the ball between the tackles. In speaking with Jim Harbaugh (Stanford Head Coach) he’s exceptional in the pass game it’s not something that is highly emphasized although

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Q&A: GM Buddy Nix, Buffalo Bills

On drafting big and focusing on the defensive line:<br Buddy Nix: “We felt fortunate that we got some guys that will fit our defense and hopefully we won’t be knocked back four or five yards every time they run the ball. Maybe we can stop the run and then we’ll work on getting a little pressure on the passer.”<br <br On the importance of adding 3-4 type players to the defense: <br Nix: “You know I think it’s important. We try not to be dictated completely by need but obviously you want to take guys that fit too. And Tom and I have both talked about it and if you’re going to get big, you just about have to get big within the first three picks.”<br <br On passing on some of the more publicized tackles such as East Carolina

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Q&A: Lamarr Houston, Oakland Raiders

Q. Have you been to the Coliseum before?

LAMARR HOUSTON:  I used to live in San Francisco and see Candlestick Park.  I haven’t actually been to the Raiders facilities yet but I grew up, my brother‑in‑law is a huge Raiders fan, so I’ve been watching them all the time and I’m very excited and happy to be a part of the organization and make a change right away.

Q.  You said the other day you had an idea where you were going to go; is this it?

LAMARR HOUSTON:  Yeah, this is where me and my agent talked about going, somewhere in the top half of the second round.  I’m very happy and very blessed.  I just thank God for everything He’s done for me and just want to give Him the praise.

Q. 

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Q&A: Rob Gronkowski, New England

Q. So what was the past 21 hours like for you?  Obviously you’re invited up here; what are your feelings and how elated are you to be going to the New England Patriots?

ROB GRONKOWSKI:  I’m so relieved.  It’s such a great organization and it’s always one of the teams I wanted to go to.  It’s unbelievable just to be part of this organization.  The owner, Robert Kraft, what he’s doing for the program and the organization is unbelievable, bringing in great players, and it’s definitely going to be a fun time.

Q.  When you look back at it, obviously you had to spend a night not knowing what was going to happen ‑‑

ROB GRONKOWSKI:  Yes, it was great experience from the first day I got here.  I know I didn’t go in the first round or anything but I

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Q&A: Jared Odrick, Miami Dolphins

Q. Did you talk to Bill Parcells?

JARED ODRICK:  No, I didn’t, but I spoke to the GM and head coach, and you know, it was just a great phone call.  Not just that I got called to be drafted but to be a Miami Dolphin, I’m happy.

Q.  What was your first reaction?

JARED ODRICK:  You know, I wasn’t sure and I’m like, okay ‑‑ oh, I’m going to Miami.  It was shocking.  It was shocking.  I really didn’t have words at the time but it was shocking.

Q.  What do you think of Miami, first the team, and then the city?

JARED ODRICK:  You know, I think of a great opportunity to be a part of the defense and become great.  To be in a defense like that, especially with the guys

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Q&A: Jahvid Best, Detroit Lions

Q.  What about Tyson?

JAHVID BEST:  I’m happy for him, but I almost stood up cheering when I heard his name called.  He’s a great player and so this is a good pick for him.

Q.  Did you know it was you they were coming after?

JAHVID BEST:  Actually the phone rang and the TV didn’t even say they traded a pick yet.  They were like, why is the Lions calling me when it’s not their turn and they told me they were going to trade and I got really excited.  I was so excited, I can’t even have words for this moment right now.  It’s hard to express my feelings.

Q.  How would you compare yourself to other running backs?

JAHVID BEST:  It’s hard to compare myself right now because

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NFL: Bills Desperately Try to Unload Lynch

One personnel director tells the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that he’s sure the Bills would be “willing to take whatever at this point” for Marshawn Lynch.

Mancini’s Take: GM Buddy Nix and company should have unloaded the talented, but troubled back a while ago. I can understand that fact that they maybe wanted to secure C.J. Spiller before making the move, but this draft is so loaded in running back that some terrific athletes would have still been available had the Clemson product not fallen to them. Heck, Jonathan Dwyer is still there for the taking. The Marshawn Lynch era has run its course in Buffalo. He’s built up too much ill will and will not be happy to serve in an ancillary role. He needs a change of scenery. Seattle seems like the perfect destination for the punishing halfback since the team sorely lacks a between-the-tackles grinder. However, the 24-year-old

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NFL: Alan Faneca A Goner

The Jets have reportedly released LG Alan Faneca.

Mancini’s Take: The Jets weren’t willing to pay the $7.5 million that Faneca was due in 2010…and that’s too bad. While the 33-year-old mauler might have been overpaid at this stage in his career, he remains an imposing run blocker. He can still move people off the ball and was instrumental in helping linemates Nick Mangold and D’Brickashaw Ferguson develop into the fine players they are today. Unfortunately, Faneca has become a bit of a liability in pass protection. He’s a bit slow, at times, in picking up quick, penetrating defenders. I would have liked to have seen him stick around for another season and let second-round pick Vladimir Ducasse learn the ropes as a reserve in his first year. The Haitian powerhouse is a massive, long-armed force who plays with good leverage, but his footwork needs some work. The Jets are

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