June 2010 – Page 8 – Priced Out of the Citi

Titans Fourth Round Pick Projected To Start

Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher said cornerback Alterraun Verner will be compete for the starting cornerback job opposite CB Cortland Finnegan during training camp, reports The Tennessean’s Jim Wyatt.

This is interesting because when you back to the preseason National and BLESTO grades from last season, Verner was graded as a first round talent. Somehow, his draft stock slipped during the course of the season and he fell to the fourth round, where the Titans believe they have found a gem.

This will be a fun training camp battle to watch, as Verner will battle with Jason McCourty and Ryan Mouton for the starting spot.

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Jeremiah Masoli Making a Move to the NFL?

Sources indicate that that NFL teams are keeping tabs on Jeremiah Masoli, the former University of Oregon quarterback who was kicked off the team this spring following burglary and drug possession charges. Masoli is reportedly considering entering next month’s supplemental draft.

Mancini’s Take: While Masoli is intelligent enough to play quarterback at the next level, he’s simply not tall enough to prosper long term at the position and doesn’t quite have the arm to put some good arc on deep throws. What he can do is play running back. Not only does he have the ideal size to be a quality runner at 5-11, 220 pounds, but he’s also blessed with superior strength, as evidenced by his ability to bench 330 pounds and squat 475 pounds. His tree trunk-like legs allow him to blast through opposing defenses in short yardage situations. When you combine that with his change-of-direction skills, 4.5 speed

Jeremiah Masoli Making a Move to the NFL?

Mancini’s Take: While Masoli is intelligent enough to play quarterback at the next level, he’s simply not tall enough to prosper long term at the position and doesn’t quite have the arm to put some good arc on deep throws. What he can do is play running back. Not only does he have the ideal size to be a quality runner at 5-11, 220 pounds, but he’s also blessed with superior strength, as evidenced by his ability to bench 330 pounds and squat 475 pounds. His tree trunk-like legs allow him to blast through opposing defenses in short yardage situations. When you combine that with his change-of-direction skills, 4.5 speed

Jimmy Clausen On The Bottom of The Totem Pole

Carolina Panthers QB Jimmy Clausen is still working with the third-team offense during offseason workouts and likely would have to shine in preseason games and seriously outperform QB Matt Moore to win the starting job, reports ESPN’s John Clayton.

This is standard procedure for any second round pick. Head coach John Fox is making Clausen earn the backup job behind Matt Moore and the premature reports that Clausen would compete for the starting job was just that.

In the meantime, he will battle Hunter Cantwell for the right to see more practice reps. You should expect to see Clausen start the final preseason game for the Panthers, which is generally when most teams sit their starters.

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First Round Pick Derrick Morgan Arrested

First-rounder Derrick Morgan was arrested in Georgia on Wednesday and charged with speeding and driving with a suspended license, according to multiple reports.

While you never want to have your first round pick making headlines for the wrong reasons, ask anyone who knows this kid and they speak of his high character so we will give him the benefit of the doubt and assume this is just a blip on the radar.

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Panthers Youth Brings Hope At Wide Out

ESPN’s John Clayton expects rookies Brandon LaFell and Armanti Edwards to play with Steve Smith in three-wide receiver sets this season.

The Panthers will have a new-look passing attack with Matt Moore replacing Jake Delhomme at the helm and the Panthers apparently not expecting Dwayne Jarrett to be much of a contributor. They also opted to let Mushin Muhammad walk, as Carolina has made an obvious attempt to overhaul the receiving corps in hopes of getting younger.

Clayton also went on to say that Edwards could be the ‘steal of the draft,’ which is extremely high praise. Look for the former Appalachian State quarterback to be used as a weapon on offense out of the Wildcat as well.

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Trent Williams Fires Agent Eugene Parker

Redskins first-round LT Trent Williams has severed ties with agent Eugene Parker, according to reports. Per NFLPA rules, Williams will be required to wait the minimum five days before he can hire a new agent.

Interestingly enough, it was Parker who was the thriving force behind helping boost Williams’ stock into the top ten, after some scouts had come away unimpressed after an underachieving senior season at Oklahoma.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Parker is notoriously known for lengthy holdout disputes (see Michael Crabtree) and the Redskins have already signed five of their draft picks.

The agent business is one full of twist and turns and the majority of the general public would be surprised to hear some of the shenanigans that take place behind the scenes, as a lot of the ‘dirt’ somehow stays covered up.

Not that we’re suggesting that any

Rookie Gem: Make Way For Tony Moeaki

Rookie Tony Moeaki showed “both the best hands and the most ability to create mismatches” among tight ends at the Chiefs’ most recent OTAs, according to KCChiefs.com. Moeaki made the catch of the day in back-to-back practices, causing teammates to begin chanting his name.

With no real pass-catching threat at tight end on the Chiefs roster, Moeaki has a solid chance to earn the starting job and not due to the lack of depth on the roster but because he has the skill-set to be a productive player in the league where they play for pay. He is certainly one to watch for.

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