NFL Jabber News and Notes

Remember a couple weeks ago when we talked to that American football loving Brit, Adam?  He continues to make his rounds in promotion of his record setting vacation of taking in 35 NFL games in the 2008 season.  This week he has landed on the Canal Street Chronicles.  If you have any extra season tickets laying around make sure you give Adam a buzz! Read more

2008 AFC North Draft Grades

Baltimore Ravens

Needs: QB, WR, CB, DL, LB, RB

Baltimore suffered a serious fall from grace last year after they competed with Cincinnati for bottom feeder in the AFC North; a year removed from winning the division with an impressive 13-3 record. In the wake of Steve McNair’s retirement and a new coaching staff, a new QB is at the top of the wish list along with numerous offensive playmakers. The Ravens usually stout defense is aging rapidly and does not have a backup plan if Bart Scott and/or Ray Lewis were to leave via free agency in the upcoming year. Read more

NFL Free Agent Jabber 2/20/08

Ahh yes. Time for Free Agency rumors. This is what keeps us fueled this time of year, isn’t it? What NFL Jersey will these players put on?

The Colts have tagged Dallas Clark. You could see some interesting battle here. With the Suggs drama in Baltimore, is there an argument that Clark should be tagged as a WR? How often was he lined up in the slot compared to in next to the Tackle at TE?

If you have been under a rock when it comes to the NFL right now, the Ravens slapped a franchise tag on Terrel Suggs as a linebacker. What’s the big deal you ask? About $800,000 difference in what he would get if it was as a DE. Suggs argues that he played more than half of his snaps with his hand down. Who would have thought the Hokey Pokey could make such a difference if your left hand is in?

So it appears that the Patriots have made an offer to Zach Thomas. Considering everyone they have it could be the best place for him. Somewhere he can go and not have to play every snap. But when do they start getting younger?

From There is NO Offseason member TripleW64:

Why would they want to get older at that position? Seems to me they have enough aging veterans at LB. Kinda scary if you get younger at a position by adding a soon to be 36 year old, concussed LB.

Current ages:
Seau 39
Bruschi 34
Vrabel 32
Thomas 30

That is a very valid point. Who do they plan to keep? From the article linked above at the Miami Herald…

The Patriots are interested in Thomas because both of their inside linebackers — Junior Seau and Tedy Bruschi — are free agents. Seau is 39 years old while Bruschi, three months older than Thomas, will be 35 during the 2008 season.

There likely isn’t a place in the NFL that could use an experienced MLB more than the New Orleans Saints. Thomas is in town today and the team is also going to visit with the ex-Panther, Dan Morgan. After CB, Linebacker is always mentioned as a need for the Saints in the offseason. Considering your two main targets at this point can’t seem to stay on the field the better option may be to look at the NFL Draft. A short term deal at the most would be the best move if they were to sign one of these guys and then draft a project. We all know they could sure use some leadership at the position.

There is plenty of interest for former Falcons TE Alge Crumpler according to his agent, Jason Williams…

Read more

3 Round NFL Mock Draft|Football Jabber

The Mock Draft has grown into three rounds! Here are the Top Ten and links to the rounds.

Round One | Round Two | Round Three

Round One
#1 Dolphins - Chris Long, DE, Virginia

Long becomes the anchor end for the Tuna’s new 3-4 defense. Although many may argue that Dorsey was the more worthy 1.01 choice, Dorsey would not make a good 3-4 NT. Thus the choice is Long.

#2 Rams - Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU

The Rams happily snap up Dorsey facilitating last year’s 1st round pick Adam Carriker to play more end. The Rams defensive line will be feared if Dorsey is the choice and Leonard Little can stay healthy.

#3 Falcons - Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas

The Falcons take the best player available and gamble that they will be able to grab a decent signal-caller later in the draft. With an aging Warrick Dunn and unproven Jerious Norwood as the components of a lackluster RBBC, Atlanta needs more of a power back than rookie Jason Snelling can provide. McFadden gives them a solid thunder and lightning running attack.

#4 Raiders - Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC

The Raiders take Sedrick Ellis to shore up their poor run defense. Ellis have been skyrocketing up the top 100 charts lately and one needs look no farther than his performance at the Senior bowl to find out why. Ellis will make an impact on a heavily regressing Raider defense.

#5 Chiefs - Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College

Word on the street is that Carl Peterson is feeling a bit of man-love for the BC pivot. Dwayne Bowe proved to be a pleasant surprise for the Chiefs last year and Peterson make look to grab a first round QB to get him the ball more often.

#6 Jets - Jake Long, OT, Michigan

The Jets grab Jake Long, the best offensive tackle prospect in the draft to bookend D’Brickashaw Ferguson. If Long pans out, the Jets may have one of the better offensive lines in the league for years to come.

#7 Patriots - Vernon Gholston, DE/OLB, Ohio State

The Pats select Gholston to infuse some youth into their aging linebacker corps. Gholston will likely be moved to WOLB and I am betting that Adalius Thomas moves inside more often. Not that the Pats LB are ever stagnant anyways. This move is made in anticipation for the eventual retirement of Junior Seau and Tedi Bruschi.

#8 Ravens - Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State

Rumor has it that Johnathan Ogden will call it a career after this year. If that is the case, expect the Ravens to select Ryan Clady here. Clady has all of the makings of a franchise tackle and will be able to step in and take over for the former pro bowler, Ogden.

#9 Bengals - Keith Rivers, OLB, USC

The Bengals hand is forced to select a linebacker as injuries, suspensions and poor play had them signing guys off of the street last year. With lone bright spot Landon Johnson likely to leave via free agency and Odell Thurman expected to return to the team, the Bengals go with Keith Rivers as a more natural OLB fit to Lewis’ defensive scheme.

#10 Saints - Kenny Phillips, FS, Miami

The Saints are forced to upgrade a terrible secondary that was repeated torched throughout the season. It’s too early to cut bait with Jason David despite his poor play at CB last year so the Saints select Kenny Phillips to replace Josh Bullocks. Phillips’ good coverage skills will allow Roman Harper to play more in the box.

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Football Jabber NFL Mock Draft 1.0

Football Jabber Mock Draft 1.0

by TJ Ford

*Order subject to change based on playoff finish.

#1- Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
The Fins will be forced to address their defensive line as they ranked dead last in rushing yards allowed. Dorsey has been the game-changing type of tackle this year and will instantly make an impact on the Miami line.

#2- Jake Long, OT, Michigan
This year’s edition of the Rams showed everyone how easily a great offense can crumble without good offensive lineman. Orlando Pace is getting long in the tooth and St. Louis would be wise to pick up a new franchise tackle.

#3- Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College
The Falcons will be desperate to rebuild their shattered franchise after a horrible year. I don’t believe that Ryan is worth a 1.03-1.05 type of pick but the Falcons need a quarterback badly and this year’s QB class doesn’t offer the second round type of talent (Kolb, Stanton, Beck etc.) that last year’s class had. After Ryan, Brohm and Woodson, Atlanta may have to wait until the 4th round to get proper value in a remaining QB to warrant a pick. And with many teams, including the Ravens and Bears, heavily in the market for a signal caller as well, the Falcons won’t gamble with their pick, and will take the best QB available, Matt Ryan.

#4- Chris Long, DE, Virginia
I can honestly see the Raiders trading up to land Glenn Dorsey to shore up their own rush defense woes with Chris Long becoming a cornerstone for a new Miami 3-4 but for now, Oakland takes Long to improve a terrible pass rush and a defense that has taken a big step back from last year. The Raiders believe in Mike Bush and do not select McFadden.

#5- Sam Baker, OT, USC
The Chiefs need to protect their young quarterback better than their poor effort last year. The Chiefs gave up over 50 sacks last year and will need to give Brodie Croyle more time in order for them to be successful. Kansas City makes the first reach ala Levi Brown of last year to get Baker at 1.05.

# 6- Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
The Jets should go defensive line here as the Jets were not the best defensive team last year but I believe that Mangini likes the defensive personnel that he has currently. I look for the Jets to trade Johnathan Vilma use the pick coming back to get defense later in the draft. McFadden proves too much for Mangini to pass up and the RBBC waters in New York get murkier.

#7 (fr/49?ers) Patriots - Vernon Gholston, DE/OLB, Ohio State
The perfect Patriots linebacker. Gholston can stand up, is dynamite for pass rush and can tackle well. Belicheck drafts Gholston to get some young blood into his severely aging LB corps. Don’t count out the trade possibility also, the Pats always manage to do something.

#8- Andre Woodson, QB, Kentucky
The Ravens are another team desperate for a quarterback. McNair and Boller are not the answer and Brian Billick’s firing will likely mean that the pick here will be a new franchise QB. Woodson’s physical abilities will be necessary to buy time for a weak receiving corps to get open.

#9- James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State
Laurinaitis gives Cincinnati the playmaker that they need to help out a badly depleted linebacker unit. His mean streak and leadership will make him the cornerstone of a rebuilt Bengal defense.

#10- Kenny Phillips, FS, Miami
The Saints are forced to upgrade a terrible secondary that was repeated torched throughout the season. It’s too early to cut bait with Jason David despite his poor play at CB last year so the Saints select Kenny Phillips to replace Josh Bullocks. Phillips’ good coverage skills will allow Roman Harper to play more in the box.

THE REST OF THE STORY—>

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