Showing posts with label NFL Draft. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NFL Draft. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

2014 NFL Power Rankings: Post-Draft (32-21)

21. New York Giants: Even though the New York Giants lost their first 6 games of 2013, they were still in the race for the Division Title until the last few weeks of football. New York is a dangerous team, but Eli Manning needs to avoid throwing costly interception in order to have a consistent passing game. Hakeem Knicks has left for Indy, but receivers Victor Cruz and recently drafted Odell Beckham Jr. are able to provide Manning with plenty of weapons on offense. 

22. Dallas Cowboys: 2014 will bring another chapter in the Dallas Cowboys chronicles. For the second year in a row, Dallas was one win away in Week 17 from a spot in the postseason, yet was unsuccessful in converting. Dallas drafted Zack Martin, an offensive lineman out of Notre Dame, to help benefit the passing game led by quarterback Tony Romo and wide receiver Dez Bryant. The NFC East has been one of the weaker divisions as of late, so the Cowboys have the opportunity to earn a playoff spot in this upcoming season.

23. Houston Texans: With the first overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans decided to not select a quarterback, but rather boost their defensive line by drafting star defensive end Jadeveon Clowney and defensive tackle Louis Nix III. The Texans' pass rush will be incredible next season as Clowney and Nix join JJ Watt and young pass rusher Whitney Mercilus. Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins had a notable rookie season, but in the event that Andre Johnson leaves Houston before the season opener, Ryan Fitzpatrick will likely struggle in 2014.

24. Buffalo Bills: Sammy Watkins, now a member of the Buffalo Bills, is the most talented player of the 2014 NFL Draft, and will join Mike Williams and Marquis Lee offensively to provide young quarterback EJ Manuel with many new weapons. Buffalo's pass rush ranked 2nd in the league last season, where three defensive passers had 10 sacks or more during the year, and it is also important to mention their incredibly talented rushing-duo of CJ Spiller and Fred Jackson. The Bills are a dark horse to do well in 2014.

25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Buccaneers did plenty during this offseason to boost their offensive depth chart. Mike Evans, a 6'5"receiver out of Texas A&M, and Austin Seferian-Jenkins, a 6'6" tight end from Washington, will join Vincent Jackson (6'5") to create one of the tallest receiving corps in the league. Josh McCown proved he can win games when he took over in Chicago, so the Bucs may be competitive in the race for a spot in the Wild Card Round.

26. Tennessee Titans: 2014 is bound to be Jake Locker's last season if his game does not improve from last year, and Tennessee is doing their best to supply Locker with talented, yet relatively cheap, wide receivers. Nate Washington, Kendall Wright, Dexter McCluster, and Justin Hunter are all good offensive weapons, but not enough to bear the burden of this entire offense.

27. Minnesota Vikings: I am a huge fan of the Vikings selecting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater with the 32nd overall pick. Bridgewater is a very talented passer who can take pressure off of Adrian Peterson, quite possibly the best player in the NFL today; on the other hand, if Matt Cassel and Christian Ponder continue to take the majority of the snaps in 2014, there is no way the Vikings will manage to crack .500. Anthony Barr was selected defensively in order to fill the pass rushing void left behind by All-Pro defensive end Jared Allen, another great selection for Minnesota.

28. Miami Dolphins: Miami managed to sign cornerback Cortland Finnegan and Randy Starks within the past few months, but apart from that, Miami had a relatively quiet offseason. Ryan Tannehill likely has one more year before he is on the hot seat, seeing how he managed to improve in 2013 from his rookie year. This lackluster franchise is unlikely to improve much in 2014.

29. Washington Redskins: After their miraculous road to the postseason in 2012, Robert Griffin III clearly suffered from a sophomore slump, where even though RGIII had more attempts on offense, his statistics suffered. With 12 interceptions and a 20.2 point drop in his passer rating compared to the rookie season, many Washington fans were disappointed with their quarterback's performances week in and week out. The Redskins had to give up their second overall pick because of their decision to trade up for RGIII two years earlier, yet they did manage to get Trent Murphy in the draft, as well as wide receiver DeSean Jackson in the offseason. Still, things aren't looking good for Washington in 2014.

30. Oakland Raiders: The Raiders made several sneaky transactions during the offseason. Defensively, the Raiders took a step in the right direction by adding Justin Tuck, Charles Woodson, Antonio Smith, and Khalil Mack all within this past offseason. On offense, rookie quarterback Derek Carr and wide receiver James Jones were both added to the depth chart; however, the inconsistencies of Matt Schaub at quarterback will hinder their progress next year. Looking forward, Raiders fans should remain hopeful.

31. Cleveland Browns: The biggest storyline coming out of the draft was clearly Johnny Manziel falling to the 22nd overall pick in the draft to Cleveland. Although this new selection gave Cleveland fans a glimmer of hope for next season, Josh Gordon faces a looming suspension due to substance abuses. Justin Gilbert at cornerback was a great selection in the draft, and  both Miles Austin and Nate Burleson will be two great weapons for Manziel, in the event that he wins the starting job.

32. Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jaguars are hoping that rookie quarterback Blake Bortles will be able to send Jacksonville to the postseason for the first time since 2007. Unfortunately for the rookie quarterback, Jacksonville has an extreme lack of talent on their depth chart, so much so that not a single player was selected to play in the Pro Bowl last season. Jacksonville has many more years before they will be a competitive football team.

Friday, May 9, 2014

First Round Draft Picks Who Will and Won't Have a Fantasy Impact

Will - Sammy Watkins, WR, Buffalo Bills
It will come as no surprise that I would expect Watkins to be a fantasy football stud this year, seeing as he was the top receiver drafted, and, in my opinion, the second best player overall. Watkins has top-notch speed and gets past defenders in the open field with ease. He will also benefit from the fact that, despite being the fourth overall pick, he was not drafted by a team with quarterback problems, as E.J. Manuel can be effective when healthy. Because Watkins is not a huge red zone target, you shouldn't expect him to be your number one fantasy wide receiver, but he has the potential and the physical skills to put up a lot of yards this season.

Won't - Any Quarterback Drafted In the First Round
Bortles, Manziel, and Bridgewater are all decent prospects, but none of them are ready to turn into productive day one starters, even though they may be forced to try. I'm least optimistic with Bortles, as he will be surrounded by a very poor Jaguars offense with very few weapons. In Manziel's case, the potential is there, but he needs to work on his fundamentals before he can make a significant impact. Bridgewater may be the most pro-ready of the three, and he will have Adrian Peterson to work with, but right now we aren't even sure if he's going to start this year.

Will - Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Much like Watkins, it won't surprise anybody that I'm predicting Evans to have a good fantasy football season, as he was the seventh overall pick and has incredible physical tools. What will be most beneficial to Mike Evans, though, is the fact that he will have Vincent Jackson lining up across from him. With Jackson and a decent quarterback, Mike Glennon, Evans will have countless opportunities to prove himself.

Won't - Odell Beckham Jr, WR, New York Giants
Beckham Jr. is a solid player, but the Giants didn't have an immediate need at wide receiver and Eli Manning tends to be inconsistent. He will need to beat out Jernigan and Randle just to become the Giants second option after Victor Cruz. Beckham Jr. may well become a fantastic player in the future but for the present, it would be best to temper your expectations.

Will - Brandin Cooks, WR, New Orleans Saints
I think Cooks will have the most productive fantasy football season of anybody not named Sammy Watkins in this draft. Cooks has incredible speed and great open-field skills that will make him an immediate fantasy football producer, especially with Drew Brees as his quarterback. The only thing that could slow up Cooks is the fact that the Saints have so many options on offense, but I think he will sidestep this problem by stepping right into the void that Darren Sproles left.

Won't - Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Carolina Panthers
There is no denying that Benjamin is a physical specimen, but what worries me is that his route running is subpar and his hands could use some work. Sure, he has a huge catch radius, which would seem to be helpful with a quarterback like Cam Newton who has a tendency to be inaccurate, but if Benjamin can't catch the ball or create separation by running a clean route, then that goes to waste. Fortunately for Panthers fans, the skills that Benjamin currently lacked are attainable, but don't expect him to produce huge numbers right away.

Thursday, May 8, 2014

2014 NFL Draft Live Blog

With the conclusion of the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft, our live blog comes to a close. You can watch tomorrow night to see the second and third rounds of the draft, with several big names still left on the board. Thanks for reading!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Update (11:47): The Minnesota Vikings have traded the Seattle Seahawks for the thirty-second pick. With the thirty-second pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings select...Teddy Bridgewater!!!

Update (10:57): Twitter is going crazy over Manziel's selection as the twenty-second pick in the draft:

Update (10:50): With the twenty-second pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns select, Johnny Manziel!!! Quite possibly the biggest storyline to emerge from the first round of the draft, Cleveland decides to select Manziel with their twenty second overall pick, after selectin Justin Gilbert at eighth




Update (10:00): With the seventeenth pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Baltimore Ravens select, C.J. Mosley!!!

Update (9:47): With the sixteenth pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys select, Zack Martin!!! Dallas Cowboys fans did not seem very happy with the pick, even though it was a very safe pick for America's Team

Update (9:52): The Dallas Cowboys' pick is in. Will jerry Jones decide to draft Texas native Johnny Manziel?

Update (9:47): With the fifteenth pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers select, Ryan Shazier!!! Meanwhile...
Update (9:44): With the fourteenth pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears select...Kyle Fuller!!!

Update (9:30): With the thirteenth pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the St. Louis Rams select...Aaron Donald!!!

Update (9:30): With the twelfth pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the New York Giants select...Odell Beckham!!!

Update (9:23): NFL Draft on Twitter (thus far)
Update (9:13): With the eleventh pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Tennessee Titans select...Taylor Lewan!!!

Update (9:13): With the tenth pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions select...Eric Ebron!!! (announced by Barry Sanders) Ebron will now be spending next season alongside the best receiver in the game, Calvin Johnson, along with Golden Tate and Matthew Stafford
Update (9:11): With the ninth pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings select...Anthony Barr!!! And Manziel continues to wait...
Update (9:04): With the eighth pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns select...Justin Gilbert!!! Many people believed Cleveland was looking to select Gilbert, yet Johnny Football remains in the green room
Update (9:01): The Cleveland Browns have traded picks with Minnesota to jump from 9th overall to 8th overall
Update (9:00): With the seventh pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select...Mike Evans!!! Alongside wide receiver Mike Evans, this can be a receiving corp in Tampa Bay
Update (8:51): With the sixth pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons select...Jake Matthews!!!
Update (8:44): Twitter reacts to the Oakland Raiders selecting Khalil Mack
Update (8:43): With the fifth pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Oakland Raiders select...Khalil Mack!!!


Update (8:40): Twitter reacts to Buffalo selecting Sammy Watkins
Update (8:38): By trading the fourth overall pick, Cleveland will receive the 9th overall pick in this year's draft, as well as a first and fourth round pick in next year's draft

Update (8:37): With the fourth pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select...Sammy Watkins!!!

Update (8:35): Twitter reacts to the Jacksonville Jaguars drafting Blake Bortles
Update (8:33): The Buffalo Bills have just struck a trade with the Cleveland Browns! Buffalo will most likely draft Khalil Mack, Sammy Watkins, or Jake Matthews.

Update (8:31): With the third pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars select...Blake Bortles!!! The first quarterback taken in this draft is NOT Johnny Manziel, but rather, a quarterback from USF
Update (8:26): Twitter reacts to Greg Robinson being selected second overall
Update (8:24): With the second pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the St. Louis Rams select...Greg Robinson!!!

Update (8:19): Twitter reacts to Jadeveon Clowney being selected first overall
Update (8:16): With the first pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans select...Jadeveon Clowney!!! JJ Watt and Jadeveon Clowney on the same defensive line will be absolutely terrifying.

Update: (8:14): The pick is now in, just waiting for Goodell to walk on stage...

Update (8:05): The NFL Draft is now underway! The Houston Texans are now on the clock
Update (7:45 PM): NFL Draft on Twitter

Update (7:29 PM): The walk up songs for each player has now been released by the NFL. Below are the songs for some of college football's biggest stars:

QB Johnny Manziel: Draft Day - Drake
DE Jadeveon Clowney: The Man - Aloe Blacc
QB Blake Bortles: Blow Up - J. Cole
WR Sammy Watkins: Look What You've Done - Drake
LB Khalil Mack: Happy - Pharrell Williams
OT Greg Robinson: Happy - Pharrell Williams
OT Jordan Matthews: Through the Wire - Kanye West
See the full list here

Update (7:21 PM): Players now arriving at the red carpet. Forty minutes away!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We are nearly one hour away from the 2014 NFL Draft, where some of the biggest names in college football will continue their football careers into the National Football League. Stars like Jadeveon Clowney, Sammy Watkins, and Johnny Manziel are set to take the stage tonight at 8:00 (eastern time). To view our most recent mock draft, click here. All of us here are looking forward to seeing the future stars of the National Football League. Stay tuned


Wednesday, May 7, 2014

2014 NFL Draft Offensive All-Team

Quarterback: Teddy Bridgewater: Bridgewater may have dropped as a preseason favorite to be selected first overall, but in my opinion, he remains the best quarterback in this year's draft class. His arm strength, accuracy, and elusiveness in the pocket make him a dangerous offensive threat. Don't believe me? Just look at this play:



Running Back: Tre Mason: Mason served as Auburn's offensive superstar during their magical run to the BCS National Championship Game. Not only did Tre finish 3rd in the nation in rushing touchdowns (23), 5th in rushing yards (1,816), and 6th in the Heisman voting, but he also broke legendary running back Bo Jackson's single season rushing record at the school.

Wide Receiver: Sammy Watkins: Does this come as a surprise? Watkins is BY FAR my favorite offensive player int the draft, and quite possibly, the most talented prospect in the 2014 Draft Class, offense or defense. Watkins' final game against the Ohio State Buckeys in the Orange Bowl (16 catches for 227 yards and 2 touchdowns) further proved his incredible skill on the football field. Watkins is a guaranteed starter, and a Pro-Bowler within his first two seasons.

Tight End: The best characteristic of Eric Ebron from North Carolina is his incredible quickness. At 6'4", Ebron recorded a 40-yard dash time of 4.56, second among tight ends, meaning it is a remarkable number for his position. Some have Ebron going as high as 12th overall (Giants), which is more than likely given Ebron's athletic talents.

Tackle: Jake Matthews: While protecting quarterback Johnny Manziel at Texas A&M over the course of his career, Jake Matthews, son of Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews, did a great job protecting the dual threat quarterback. Matthews, along with Greg Robinson, is one of the bets offensive lineman in this year's draft class, and by attending a school within the SEC, NFL teams know that Matthews has faced serious competition in college.

Guard: Zack Martin: The main problem with Zack Martin of Notre Dame is that he played 50 of 52 games in college at the tackle position. NFL scouts say that he lacks the size necessary to become a pro tackle in the league, which is why they want him to adjust to the role of guard. If this transition is smooth, which is highly likely thanks to his athletic talents, Martin will be a dominant force in the NFL.

Center: Marcus Martin: Marcus Martin was named to the All-Pac 12 team back in 2013, but was also the first true freshman to start at guard at USC since 2004. Martin has great size, where at 6'3" he weighs 320 pounds. Martin is projected to go in the second round, but is certainly a solid pick for any team looking for young talent at center.


Sunday, May 4, 2014

2014 NFL Mock Draft 4.0

1. Houston Texans: DE Jadeveon Clowney: There has now been movement atop our mock draft: instead of having a quarterback being selected first overall, we believe the Houston Texans will take Jadeveon Clowney. Clowney ran the 40-yard dash in 4.53 seconds, the fastest of any defensive lineman. Plus, alongside former Defensive Player of the Year JJ Watt, the Texans could have the best pair of defensive ends in recent memory.

2. St. Louis Rams: OT Greg Robinson: Everyone seems to have offensive tackle Greg Robinson penciled into the second spot in the draft ever since his team made it's way to the National Championship. Scouts saw the holes he created for star running back Tre Mason at Auburn, and this skill set will certainly help in the NFL.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars: QB Blake Bortles: The Jacksonville Jaguars have not had an above average quarterback since their last playoff appearance in 2007 under David Garrard. The Jaguars passing game ranked 2nd to last in the league last season, and they are definitely going to be looking for a quarterback other than Chad Henne and Blaine Gabbert.

4. Cleveland Browns: QB Johnny Manziel: The debate taking place among football fans throughout the country is who is the better quarterback: Johnny Football, or Blake Bortles. We believe Bortles will end up being taken ahead of Manziel, but it's not like the Browns will be getting a mediocre quarterback with Manziel. After a great combine and pro-day, it would not come as a surprise if Manziel was even taken first overall in the draft.

5. Oakland Raiders: WR Sammy Watkins: Sammy Watkins is the most talented player in the NFL Draft. His combination of speed, height, hands, and jumping abilities makes him the most lethal offensive weapon of this draft class. Also, it has been reported that the Oakland Raiders will not draft a quarterback in the first round, even though last year's quarterback, Terrelle Pryor, left the team.

6. Atlanta Falcons: OLB Khalil Mack: Even though Mack is coming from a college with absolutely no reputation for producing solid football players, Mack's draft stock has been soaring upwards. His 10 sacks, 100 tackles, as well as 2.5 sacks in the season opener against Ohio State attracted attention from NFL scouts, and his 40-yard dash time (4.65), broad jump distance (10'8"), vertical jump (40.0), and 20-yard shuttle time (4.18) all ranked within the top 5 among linebackers. Mack is the real deal.



7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: WR Mike Evans: We believe that for the first time since 2011, two wide receivers will be taken within the top 10 picks of the draft: the last time it happened, AJ Green and Julio Jones were taken 4th and 6th overall, and both became Pro-Bowl wide receivers. Evans was Manziel's primary wide receiver last season at Texas A&M thanks to his size (6'5"), speed (4.53), and jumping ability (37.0 inch vertical). Evans is an incredible red-zone target, and the Buccaneers are looking to enhance their offensive unit.

8. Minnesota Vikings: QB Teddy Bridgewater: If I was the Houston Texans, I would spend my first overall pick on quarterback Teddy Bridgewater; however, for whatever reason, Bridgewater's stock has quickly fallen ever since he was the early favorite to be selected first overall at the beginning of the season. Bridgewater's arm strength, elusiveness, and ability to throw on the run would be a great way to take some pressure off of Adrian Peterson offensively.

9. Buffalo Bills: OT Jake Matthews: Even though Jake Matthews is projected to be taken ninth overall in this mock draft, it is possible that he is selected as high as the first overall pick. The Buffalo Bills are in need of young talent on the offensive line, seeing that they ranked 28th overall in sacks allowed last season.

10. Detroit Lions: CB Darqueze Dennard: It seems apparent that the Detroit Lions will draft a cornerback with the 10th overall pick, but there is a question of what cornerback will be selected by the Lions: Darqueze Dennard or Justin Gilbert? Gilbert may have recorded the fastest combine of any cornerback in this year's draft class, but Dennard served as one of Michigan State's key defensive leaders in their quest for a national title. 

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Two Cents on Jadeveon Clowney's Draft Status

Jadeveon Clowney has been a household name (well, any household with cable and a passing interest in sports) for his three years at South Carolina, and now as the draft approaches for the swirl of questions and attention he has been receiving. ESPN has just published an article, in fact, where they seem to lend some credibility to all the talk about Clowney's work ethic, or lack thereof. NFL scouts apparently question him and are wary of drafting someone who undoubtedly, clearly took his foot off the gas in his last year on a competitive SEC team, probably in order to prepare for the NFL. Clowney will doubtless go top 5, regardless of all the talk, but it bears mentioning that there is definitely some legitimacy to issues about his draft status and what NFL teams really feel or suspect about this guy.
Firstly, anyone can see he is a ridiculous athlete, with raw talent the likes of which is rarely found. He apparently trains like an freak and obviously has the body type and combine numbers to succeed in the NFL.While everyone finds something to argue about concerning Clowney, one thing we can all agree on is that when he wants to (and yes, sometimes he may not) he can absolutely change a game on defense. This can be said about any great defensive end of course, but not every defensive end does this in a BCS bowl game. Remember January 1st, 2013?
A great moment

He puts together a great highlight reel obviously, and with plays like that it's little wonder some call him a "once in a generation player." But while I previously disregarded everything about Clowney that was a bit critical, now I am forced to admit that there is something to this. There are apparently plenty of NFL scouts saying flatly that they see the drop in his numbers as a warning sign. Here is another thing we can agree on. Clowney after 2012 would have absolutely gone first overall in the draft, coming off a season where he established without doubt that he was the best defensive player in college football. Some said he was the best defensive player since Lawrence Taylor. But 2013 came and he went from 13 sacks to just 3, 54 tackles to 35, and skipped a couple of games with vague injuries or health issues. That's a terrible progression, or regression in fact. He started the season as a Heisman runner up but faded rapidly, causing what we now have to be a very interesting and kinda awkward situation. We all saw the player he was in 2012, which is probably the player he can be, but what do we make of a mediocre and tumultuous last season, where he struggled with coaches (Steve Spurrier), teammates, and health?
With May 8th fast approaching, many raise legitimate concerns about Clowney's status as an immediately elite player in the NFL, due to the drop in numbers and the issues with health. But I still hold that Clowney is a truly elite player, and I would take Clowney first overall in a heartbeat. I think the Texans will do this, and they will be happy they did soon after the season starts. Ultimately no draft pick is without his risks, but with Clowney there is an astonishing upside. That's what it boils down to: There is definitely a range of how he will perform, as applies to any athlete, but just think for a moment if we see 2012 Clowney on the field. Though he seems like different player after last season, we saw what he can do, and the Texans can only hope (with a good amount of confidence) that he will bring it again in the NFL.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

College Football-NFL Comparisons: Blake Bortles

        Some are saying Bortles will now go second overall, if the Browns trade up for the pick. Houston is another likely suitor, and with all the permutations there are even mock drafts where he goes first overall. This is a quarterback coming off one hell of a season, in which he took a mid major (read: mediocre) program to a BCS bowl game, and there stunned the 5 ranked Bears in the Tostitos Fiesta bowl. A great end to a great career for Bortles, and since then (and really the whole stellar season he had, with well north of 3,500 passing yards) everyone has realized that he may well become pretty important pretty quickly in the NFL. That said, a comparison I recently saw drawn with Andrew Luck is one of the silliest symptoms of draft hype I have seen in recent memory. Blake Bortles does not have the athleticism (a 4.93 40, vs a 4.6 from Luck), passing ability, composure in the pocket, or big game experience of Andrew Luck. That list could easily go on for a paragraph. Of course, Luck sets a shockingly high bar, as he has already proved to be a Pro-Bowl caliber player at his age. Luck played on a vastly superior team outside of Palo Alto and simply had much more to his résumé going into the draft. He may be an all time great; That can't be said at all about Bortles.

        A much more reasonable comparison to make would be with Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan. This is generous, certainly, but both players are slow, fairly accurate, and struggle with the long ball. Ryan wins games, and Bortles has proven he can do that, even on a team like UCF. Game management matters, and that I am happy to give to Bortles. Both quarterbacks excel in the quick, short game, and are just athletic enough to occasionally extend plays with their feet, but surprise everyone when they do so. In sum Bortles is a good player, in fact he may have won the best quarterback of the draft status, but most have rightly pointed out that we can by no means call him elite. He will go very high in the draft, and likely have a solid career as a starter in the NFL. Wherever he goes, he will almost definitely be starting as soon as he arrives, so we don't have long to wait to see how a good college season (and player) translates into the NFL.

(His girlfriend, I will give elite status. A ludicrous amount of hits on google.)

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Jadeveon Clowney to Declare for Draft

NFL Report Update: Following Sunday's win over Wisconsin in the Capital One Bowl, Jadeveon Clowney told a reporter that he has made up his mind; he will enter in the NFL Draft. Clowney had somewhat of a disappointing season in 2013, mustering just three sacks during the regular season in 2013, compared to his 13 sacks in 2012. Despite this, Clowney is one of Houston's many options for the first overall pick along with Teddy Bridgewater. Good luck to Clowney in the pros!

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

NFL Combine Results 2013: Day #6


40 yard dash: Cornerbacks
1. Darius Slay, Mississippi St 4.36
2. Dee Milliner, Alabama 4.37
3. Desmond Trufant, Washington 4.38
4. Robert Alford, Southern Louisiana 4.39
5. Jamar Taylor, Boise St. 4.39

40 yard dash: Safeties
1. Shamarko Thomas, Syracuse 4.42
2. Earl Wolff, NC State 4.44
3. Shawn Williams, Georgia 4.46
4. Eric Reid, LSU 4.53
5. Matt Elam, Florida 4.54

Vertical Jump: Cornerbacks
1. Xavier Rhodes, Florida St 40.5 inches
2. BW Webb, William & Mary 40.5 inches
3. Steve Williams, California 40.5 inches
4. Robert Alford Southern Louisiana 40.0 inches
5. Swayne Gratz, Connecticut 38.0 inches

Vertical Jump: Safeties
1. Eric Reid, LSU 40.5 inches
2. Shamarko Thomas, Syracuse 40.5 inches
3. TJ McDonald, USC 40.0 inches
4. Earl Wolff, NC State 39.0 inches
5. John Cyprien, Florida International 38.5 inches

Broad Jump: Cornerbacks
1. Robert Alford, Southern Louisiana 11'0"
2. Xavier Rhodes, Florida St 11'0"
3. BW Webb, William & Mary 11'0"
4. Tharold Simon, LSU 10'8"
5. Steve Williams, California 10'8"

Broad Jump: Safeties
1. Eric Reid, LSU 11'2"
2. Earl Wolff, NC State 11'2"
3. Shamarko Thomas, Syracuse 11'1"
4. TJ McDonald, USC 10'11"
5. Zeke Motta, Notre Dame 10'6"

Sunday, February 24, 2013

NFL Combine Results 2013: Day #4

40 yard dash: Quarterbacks
1.Geno Smith, West Virginia 4.59
2. EJ Manuel, Florida St. 4.65
3. Matt Scott, Arizona 4.69
4. MarQueis, Minnesota 4.73
5. Colby Cameron, Louisiana Tech 4.78

40 yard dash: Running Backs
1. Onterio McCalebb, Auburn 4.34
2. Knile Davis, Arkansas 4.37
3. Kerwynn Williams, Utah State 4.48
4. Johnathan Franklin, UCLA 4.49
5. Michael Ford, LSU 4.50

40 yard dash: Wide Receivers
1. Marquise Goodwin, Texas 4.27
2. Tavon Austin, West Virginia 4.34
3. Ryan Swope, Texas A&M 4.34
4. Josh Boyce, TCU 4.38
5. Kenny Stills, Oklahoma 4.38

Vertical Jump: Quarterbacks
1. EJ Manuel, Florida St. 34 inches
2. Geno Smith, West Virginia 33.5 inches
3. James Vandenberg, Iowa 32.0 seconds
4. Landry Jones, Oklahoma 31.0 inches
5. Matt Scott, Arizona 31.0 inches

Vertical Jump: Running Backs
1. Christine Michael, Texas A&M 43.0 inches
2. Rex Burkhead, Nebraska 39.0 inches
3. Michael Ford, LSU 38.5 inches
4. Cierre Wood, Notre Dame 37.5 inches
5. Kenjon Barner, Oregon 37.5 inches

Vertical Jump: Wide Receivers
1. Marcus Davis, Virginia Tech 39.5 inches
2. Justin Hunter, Tennessee 39.5 inches
3. Da'Rick Rogers, Tennessee Tech 39.5 inches
4. Mark Harrison, Rutgers 38.5 inches
5. Cordarrelle Patterson, Tennessee 37.0 inches

Broad Jump: Quarterbacks
1. Geno Smith, West Virginia 124.0 inches
2. EJ Manuel, Florida St. 118.0 inches
3. Matt Scott, Arizona 118.0 inches 
4. James Vandenberg, Iowa 119.0 inches
5. Landry Jones, Oklahoma 115.0 inches


Broad Jump: Running Backs
1. Michael Ford, LSU 130.0 inches
2. Rex Burkhead, Nebraska 125.0 inches
3. Christine Michael, Texas A&M 125.0 inches
4. Cierre Wood, Notre Dame 124.0 inches
5. Joseph Randle, Oklahoma St. 123.0 inches

Broad Jump: Wide Receivers
1. Justin Hunter, Tennessee 136.0 inches
2. Marquise Goodwin, Texas 132.0 inches
3. Da'Rick Rogers, Tennessee Tech 132.0 inches
4. Josh Boyce, TCU 131.0 inches
5. Mark Harrison, Rutgers 129.0 inches

Saturday, February 23, 2013

NFL Combine Results 2013: Day #3

40 yard dash: Tight Ends
1. Chris Gragg 4.50
2. Matt Furstenburg 4.62
3. Jake Stoneburner 4.65
4. Tyler Eifert 4.68
5. Vance McDonald 4.69

40 yard dash: Offensive linemen
1. Terron Armstead 4.71
2. Lane Johnson 4.72
3. Kyle Long 4.94
4. Alvin Bailey 4.95
5. Vinston Painter 4.95

Bench Press: Tight Ends
1. Vance McDonald 31 reps
2. Zach Ertz 24 reps
3. Tyler Eifert 22 reps
4. Nick Kasa 22 reps
5. Dion Sims 22 reps

Bench Press: Offensive Linemen
1. Eric Herman 36 reps
2. Jonathan Cooper 35 reps
3. Lamar Mady 35 reps
4. Reid Fragel 33 reps
5. Zach Allen 32 reps


Vertical Jump: Tight Ends
1. Chris Gragg 37.5 inches
2. Tyler Eifert 35.5 inches
3.  Matt Furstenburg 35.5 inches
4. Dion Sims 35.0 inches
5.  Jake Stoneburner 34.5 inches

Vertical Jump: Offensive Linemen
1. Terron Armstead 34.5 inches
2. Lane Johnson 34.0 inches
3. Ricky Wagner 31.5 inches
4. Vinston Painter 30.5 inches
5. Reid Fragel 30.0 inches

Broad Jump: Tight Ends
1. Chris Gragg 125 inches
2. Tyler Eifert 119 inches
3. Vance McDonald 119 inches
4. Justice Cunningham 116 inches
5. Jake Stoneburner 116 inches

Broad Jump: Offensive Linemen
1. Lane Johnson 118 inches
2. Eric Fisher 116 inches
3. Reid Fragel 113 inches
4. Terron Armstead 112 inches
5. Tanner Hawkinson 112 inches

Sunday, January 20, 2013

2013 NFL Mock Draft 2.0: Picks 1-10

Feel Free to send us your mock drafts by emailing me at ledzepfan09@gmail.com!

1. Kansas City Chiefs: QB Geno Smith: Though the "Geno Smith For Heisman" ended halfway through the season, his talent in the eyes of scouts remains valuable. By signing Andy Reid for the head coaching job, Kansas City proved they are not afraid to rebuild this team for the next two or three years. They can start by drafting Smith, and acquiring players to suit their quarterback's needs.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars: DE Demontre Moore: Where to begin? Jacksonville needs help at almost every position on the field. Offensive line, defensive line, quarterback; the team struggles in almost every statistical category. Demontre Moore, a defensive end out of Texas A&M, has the potential to revive a pass rush ranking dead last in the National Football League.

Star Lotulelei
3. Oakland Raiders: DT Star Lotulelei: Oakland's defensive line has suffered when it comes to both running the ball, as well as applying pressure on the quarterback. Drafting a well rounded defensive tackle may be a step in the right direction for this struggling front seven.

4. Philadelphia Eagles: OT Luke Joeckel: While coaching Oregon, Chip Kelly enjoyed having many options when running the ball, especially when his quarterback has the speed necessary to accomplish the read-option. Mike Vick has shown off his speed and athleticism, but it is unclear whether or not Chip Kelly wishes to keep him. Maybe the Eagles move up to draft Smith, but the offensive line is struggling as well. Enter Luke Joeckel.

5. Detroit Lions: LB Jarvis Jones: Detroit's disappointing 2012 season, to the relief of Lions fans everywhere, ended last December, so they now have the opportunity to rebuild. Jarvis Jones is one of the most skilled defenders in this year's draft class, and may be able to help Detroit's pass rush.

6. Cleveland Browns: Dee Milliner: Cleveland has shown signs of improvement since their 2011 season thanks to rookies Brandon Weeden and Trent Richardson. However, the Cleveland defense could use a shut down cornerback that may be able to stop an opposing team's number one wide receiver (Dez Bryant caught 12 passes for 145 yards and a touchdown against Cleveland).

 7. Arizona Cardinals: QB Matt Barkley: Originally the Heisman favorite, Matt Barkley disappointed many with his play throughout the 2012 season. However, scouts are still impressed with his leadership and throwing abilities, the intangibles Arizona needs desperately at quarterback.

8. Buffalo Bills: QB Ryan Nassib: With many speculating whether or not quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick will be playing in Buffalo next season, a quarterback is what the Bills ought to acquire in the upcoming draft. Seven coaches who at some point in their careers coached in Syracuse now coach for Buffalo, meaning Ryan Nassib out of Syracuse may be preferred over Ryan Wilson.

9. New York Jets: DE/OLB Barkevious Mingo: The New York Jets were the punchlines of many jokes in 2012 for their embarrassing offense and un-intimidating defense. New York's pass rush ranked 25th in the league, so Rex Ryan will be looking for a speedy pass rusher like Barkevious Mingo out of LSU.

10. Tennessee Titans: DE Bjoern Werner: Some have defensive end Bjoern Werner making an appearance all the way at number two in certain mock drafts, but the FSU defender will eventually fall to the Tennessee Titans, who are looking to create a more dominant pass rush.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

College Football: Tyrann Mathieu

     Earlier in the day, Tyrann Mathieu announced to the public that he is entering the 2013 NFL Draft in April. Mathieu, known by many as the "Honey Badger", played for LSU football last season, and his performance earned him a spot on the Heisman ballot. Mathieu's statistics were absolutely extraordinary, with 6 forced fumbles, two defensive touchdowns, and two punts returned for scores. Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worst, when Mathieu's was suspended for entirety of the 2012 season due to substance abuse. Then, last month, Mathieu found himself in another touchy situation, where he was arrested on marijuana charges along with three other LSU players. His troubles within the past year is why his decision to enter the draft came as a shock to most fans, instead of taking a year off and playing one last season before the draft. However, the former football star was gracious to the fans of Louisiana State University, thanking them for their support. We wish him luck in the upcoming draft.