June 2010 – Page 7 – Priced Out of the Citi

Vikings Wild About Joe Webb

According to sources, Vikings VP of personnel Rick Spielman came away from minicamp raving about sixth-round QB Joe Webb.

Mancini’s Take: Summer lovin’ for Webb is in full bloom, as Spielman is particularly enamored with size of the young man’s 11-inch hands. Minnesota’s front office has reportedly been blown away by the rookie’s physical tools to the point where there’s already been talk of Webb supplanting Sage Rosenfels as the third string quarterback. While I don’t doubt the youngster’s gifts, I still see a very raw player that has a very long release and some deficiencies in terms of reading defenses. As a runner, he’s extremely strong and he has the ability to shrug off some defenders with the utmost ease, but he’s not a smooth ball carrier. In fact, his cuts are rather deliberate. I don’t mean to come down hard on Webb, but I sense all this hype

Supplemental Draft Report: Harvey Unga

Both BYU’s running back Harvey Unga and Truman State running back Vanness Emokpae have sent in their paperwork to be included in the NFL Supplemental Draft on July 15. Unga is BYU’s career rushing leader with 3,455 yards, he was suspended from the team thought about transferring to another school, but decided to make himself eligible for the supplemental draft. He most likely will get selected with a sixth or seventh round pick from a team looking for a big physical running back. Emokpae is not expected to be taken and will be a free-agent. He will probably get a look-see from somebody.

Unga will most likely have a workout for NFL teams because they will need to see how fast he really is because that is one of the biggest concerns for NFL teams his speed. He is a physical running and is a good receiver out

Supplemental Draft Report: Harvey Unga

Supplemental Draft Report: Josh Brent Price

Illinois defensive tackle Josh Brent-Price opted to head to the NFL after being declared academically ineligible. In 2009, he was also suspended after a DUI incident. He started all 12 games last season at defensive tackle 29 total tackles, seven tackles for loss and three sacks. He had a very good spring grade from NFL scouts, in which he was ranked as a top 150 player going into the season. Brent-Price is around 6’2, 330 and would have been ranked as the 15th overall defensive tackle going into the season. He will work out for NFL scouts before the draft and should get selected in the 5th or 6th round of the 2010 Supplemental Draft.

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Supplemental Draft Report: Josh Brent Price

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Steve McNair Jr. Ruled Ineligible | Transfer

Southern Miss star football signee Steve McNair Jr. is unlikely to meet NCAA freshman academic eligibility requirements and will not attend USM this fall, his high school coach told the Clarion Ledger.

McNair will go to Pearl River Community College, said Nevil Barr, the Oak Grove High School coach.

“More than anything, he wanted to play immediately,” Barr said. “I think another big thing was that Pearl River throws the ball really well. He didn’t want to sit out a year.”

McNair, the son of late former NFL great Steve McNair Sr., was considered one of the top signees in USM’s February class.

In his senior season, McNair split time between receiver and quarterback. He caught 61 passes for 709 yards and four touchdowns.

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Steve McNair Jr. Ruled Ineligible | Transfer

McNair will go to Pearl River Community College, said Nevil Barr, the Oak Grove High School coach.

“More than anything, he wanted to play immediately,” Barr said. “I think another big thing was that Pearl River throws the ball really well. He didn’t want to sit out a year.”

McNair, the son of late former NFL great Steve McNair Sr., was considered one of the top signees in USM’s February class.

In his senior season, McNair split time between receiver and quarterback. He caught 61 passes for 709 yards and four touchdowns.

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Sam Bradford: ‘Offense Has Great Potential’

St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford said he is feeling more comfortable with the offense and believes the offense has great potential, reports Bill Coats, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

“I think this offense has great potential, and I feel like we’ve gotten better every practice. One thing I can attest to is a great attitude. Everyone comes ready to work. When we go to meetings, everyone’s positive. When we come on the field, everyone’s excited to be here. I think there’s a lot of talent, and I think we’re going in the right direction,” Bradford said.

The number one overall pick went on to say that he is not worried about his contract because he is letting his agent handle the negotiations. He expects to agree to a deal before the start of training camp.

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Jordan Shipley Bolsters Bengals Attack

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Jordan Shipley saw most of the No. 3 wide receiver reps during the team’s minicamp, reports Joe Reedy, of The Cincinnati Enquirer. Meanwhile, Andre Caldwell and Jerome Simpson have split reps at the No. 4 wide receiver spot.

This was a great pick, despite the Bengals having used early picks on Caldwell and Simpson in the previous draft. Cincinnati acknowledged they misread the talents of those two and aquired a perfect complimentary slot weapon to team with Chad Ochocinco and free agent acquisition Antonio Bryant.

With tight end Jermaine Gresham in tow, it would be hard to imagine that quarterback Carson Palmer doesn’t bounce back and find his rekindled magic.

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Javier Arenas Making A Name For Himself

Second-round rookie Javier Arenas is already lining up as the Chiefs’ third cornerback, according to KFFL.

It’s no surprise the second round pick has already been used as the featured slot corner, as the Chiefs secondary play was absolutely horrendous last season.

Kansas City hopes the additions of Arenas and Eric Berry can add to the youth movement overhaul, along with Brandon Flowers and Brandon Carr to provide some stability. While inexperienced, the Chiefs defensive backs as a group is no doubt much stronger than it was a year ago.

As for Arenas, he is also competing with another fellow rookie, Dexter McCluster, for kick return duties. GM Scott Pioli may be showing us why he is considered one of the finest in the business.

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