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** For a QB with NFL aspirations, being compared to Akili Smith is the kiss of death. And that’s what Auburn’s Cam Newton is facing after ESPN’s Mel Kiper held a conference call with select members of the media last week. “He was a one-year wonder,” Kiper said of Newton. “Akili Smith was a one-year wonder.” Ouch! The spectrum of opinions on Newton continues to be huge. But remember that it just takes one team to fall in love with him to make him a top-5 pick. The Panthers continue to show heavy interest in him.
** If the players are granted an injunction to end the owners' lockout, it's believed that the 2011 league year will begin under 2010 work rules. That'd mean no salary cap and 6 seasons needed for unrestricted free-agency. That's important for guys like Jets WR Santonio Holmes, who is expected to be unrestricted under a new CBA. But under the "old" 2010 rules, Holmes will be restricted -- since he's only accrued 5 seasons -- and end up back in New York. Other potential free-agents that would be affected include DeAngelo Williams, Ahmad Bradshaw, and Sidney Rice.
** Alabama WR Julio Jones says the surgery he underwent on his foot last week would only keep him out 4 weeks if it was during the season. "Out of season, he'll be more cautious," says insider Chase Goodbread. Despite the stress fracture, we still think Jones’ stock has only been climbing since his brilliant performance at the Combine. There’s no way he makes it past the Rams at #14.
** Colts TE Dallas Clark's rehab from last season's season-ending wrist injury is right on schedule. He's been out of a cast since January and is now working to regain his range of motion and strength in the wrist. "Nothing has been a surprise so far," Clark said. "I'm very happy with where I am at." Barring a setback, he fully expects to be ready for the start of training camp. The injury shouldn't impact Clark's 2011 fantasy outlook.
** While Auburn’s Cam Newton is the most polarizing player in this year’s draft class, Missouri QB Blaine Gabbert isn’t far behind. Michael Lombardi and Mike Mayock both have Gabbert as their top QB. And ESPN’s Adam Schefter predicts that Gabbert will be the #1 overall pick. But according to Fox Sports’ Adam Caplan, several teams don’t even have a 1st-round grade on Gabbert. We’d still bet on him flying off the board inside the top-10, but a draft day slide is a possibility. His pro day this Thursday will go a long way towards determining his final landing spot.
** After finishing the 2010 season on a high note, Titans TE Jared Cook is ready for a bigger role in 2011. "That is why I started working out so early this year, because this year is a big year for me. I have to get better,'' Cook said. "It is a year… for me to take advantage of what is in front of me." Cook is fully expected to enter the 2011 season as Tennessee's starter. He's one of our favorite breakout candidates at the TE position.
** Former NFL scout Dave Razzano has Washington’s Jake Locker as the top QB prospect in this year’s class. “I’m a glass half-full guy. The plays he makes, he can make outstanding plays on the move throwing down the field. That’s hard to find,” Razzano says. “He will only get better the better the team is. At Washington his line was always shaky. At times he throws errant passes; they all do. He makes the big-time throws. He’s a great kid. He has tons of athletic skill and he doesn’t take sacks. He knows how to throw the ball away. There’s a lot more positives than negatives. He’s a leader and will work to improve.” Locker’s stock has continued to climb after an impressive showing at the Combine. It’s looking more and more like he’ll come off the board in the 1st-round this April.
** Saints RB Pierre Thomas' ankle injury is expected to keep him sidelined until July, but GM Mickey Loomis fully expects PT to be ready for training camp. With the lockout in effect, there may not be any OTAs anyways, so Thomas may not be missing anything. As long as his rehab goes as planned, Thomas should be New Orleans' starting RB come Week 1.
** It’s starting to sound like Clemson DE Da’Quan Bowers’ knee issues are more serious than initially thought. A scout reportedly told CBS Sports’ Clark Judge that Bowers was flagged as a medical concern at the Combine. “The knee's a concern,” one AFC GM told Judge. “It's something that a lot of guys were talking about.” Bowers’ individual workout on April 1st will be extremely important. He’s no longer a lock to be selected among the top-5 picks.
** RB Ryan Torain is in line to enter 2011 as the Redskins' starter. But it sounds like he'll be sharing carries. Citing Torain's injury history, OC Kyle Shanahan said that they'll "have to help him out with other guys." Shanahan continued, "I think Ryan can be very good. He's a very good natural runner. His problem has always been staying healthy. That'll be the deciding factor in whether he's a solid back or a very good back.” Keiland Williams and James Davis are currently the RBs directly behind Torain on Washington's depth chart. They may add another piece to the puzzle this offseason through the draft or free-agency.
** Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald is "absolutely" hopeful that he'll be able to work out a deal to stay in Arizona. Fitz says that "progress was being made" on a new contract before the CBA deadline, and that he's "not really interested" in testing the free-agent market. Of course, his tune could change pretty quickly if the Cardinals don't fix their QB problem. We're sure to hear plenty more on this over the next 12 months.
** According to Sports Illustrated’s Don Banks, GM Marty Hurney is the only one left in the Panthers’ front office who still believes that Jimmy Clausen can develop into viable starting QB at the NFL level. Unless Hurney convinces his colleagues, there’s a good chance that Carolina uses its #1 overall pick on either Cam Newton or Blaine Gabbert.
** Georgia’s A.J. Green and Alabama’s Julio Jones are the clear-cut top-2 WRs in this year’s class. But it’s a jumble behind them. ESPN’s Mel Kiper has Miami’s Leonard Hankerson as his #3 WR. NFL Network’s Mike Mayock doesn’t even have Hankerson in his top-5. Mayock ranks Torrey Smith as the 3rd-best WR. We’ve seen Hankerson and Smith – plus Pittsburgh’s Jonathan Baldwin and Boise State’s Titus Young – all projected to come off the board in the late 1st-round in various mock drafts. Upcoming pro days should help sort the rankings out.
** Bucs WR Arrelious Benn's recovery from last season's torn ACL is reportedly way ahead of schedule. He's fully expected to be ready for training camp, and there's even a chance that he'd be able to participate in June OTAs. Benn was heating up before suffering this injury and is capable of breaking out in 2011 if he gets back to 100%.
** NFL Network's Michael Lombardi isn't convinced that the Browns are sold on Colt McCoy as their long-term answer at QB. “I don’t know how they can ultimately be sold on McCoy,” Lombardi says. “His injuries down the stretch, his body is not the biggest or strongest, and can he endure 16 games? These are all questions that have to be answered by the new staff (who) have to be comfortable with the answers and see if they can move forward before they do anything else — draft or trade.” Team President Mike Holmgren has been supportive of McCoy all offseason, but he recently admitted that the team is "looking into" Auburn QB Cam Newton. We'd be pretty surprised if Cleveland went QB with the 6th overall pick, but they could target a guy like Florida State's Christian Ponder in Round 2. Dealing for QB Kevin Kolb may also be a possibility.
** Titans beat writer Jim Wyatt confirms that WR Randy Moss won't be back in Tennessee in 2011. Moss was all but invisible in 8 games with the Titans last year, catching just 6 balls for 80 yards with no TDs. He'll hit the free-agent market once a new CBA is done and will likely end up signing a 1-year deal with a team willing to roll the dice.
** Auburn DT Nick Fairley is back in the top-3 discussion after an impressive showing at his Pro Day last week. ESPN’s Todd McShay called it one of the best workouts he’s ever seen by an interior lineman. And perhaps more importantly, Fairley weighed in at 297 pounds – up 6 from the Combine. The added poundage should make 4-3 teams feel better about Fairley’s ability to fit in at DT.
** Fox Sports’ Adam Caplan doesn’t believe that the Eagles are as concerned with their offensive line as most people think. OTs like Wisconsin’s Gabe Carimi and Mississippi State’s Derek Sherrod are popularly mocked to Philly, but Caplan sees them looking at DBs and DEs in the 1st-round. Colorado CB Jimmy Smith would be a good fit. At DE, Georgia’s Justin Houston and Iowa’s Adrian Clayborn could be on the radar.
** Speaking of Jimmy Smith, Sports Illustrated’s Tony Pauline is hearing that multiple teams have completely removed him from their draft boards due to character concerns. Smith tested positive for drugs at least once while at Colorado, in addition to a couple of arrests for possession of alcohol by a minor. From a pure talent perspective, Smith is a top-15 prospect. We’re still betting he comes off the board somewhere in the 20s.
** Texans beat writer John McClain believes RB Steve Slaton is in danger of being cut this summer. RBs Arian Foster and Ben Tate are locks to make the squad, so unless Houston wants to carry 4 RBs, Slaton will need to beat out RB Derrick Ward. It's quite a fall from grace for a guy who posted a 1,600-yard, 10-TD rookie season just 3 years ago.
** Beat writer Armando Salguero believes the Dolphins have “every intention” of adding a QB in this April’s draft. Without a 2nd-round pick, they’d be hard-pressed to trade up for Cam Newton or Blaine Gabbert. Jake Locker and Ryan Mallet could be options with the 15th overall pick though. Miami could also snag a guy like Colin Kaepernick or Andy Dalton in the middle rounds.
** The National Football Post's Dan Pompei expects free-agent QB Marc Bulger to get "starter's money" this offseason. Bulger rode the pine in Baltimore last season after struggling mightily with the Rams in 2009. We'd be surprised if he was just handed a starting job this offseason. In fact, his chances of being under center come Week 1 decrease the longer this lockout goes. For what it's worth, Pompei mentions the Cardinals and 49ers as two teams that might pursue Bulger.
** If the players are granted an injunction to end the owners' lockout, it's believed that the 2011 league year will begin under 2010 work rules. That'd mean no salary cap and 6 seasons needed for unrestricted free-agency. That's important for guys like Jets WR Santonio Holmes, who is expected to be unrestricted under a new CBA. But under the "old" 2010 rules, Holmes will be restricted -- since he's only accrued 5 seasons -- and end up back in New York. Other potential free-agents that would be affected include DeAngelo Williams, Ahmad Bradshaw, and Sidney Rice.
** Alabama WR Julio Jones says the surgery he underwent on his foot last week would only keep him out 4 weeks if it was during the season. "Out of season, he'll be more cautious," says insider Chase Goodbread. Despite the stress fracture, we still think Jones’ stock has only been climbing since his brilliant performance at the Combine. There’s no way he makes it past the Rams at #14.
** Colts TE Dallas Clark's rehab from last season's season-ending wrist injury is right on schedule. He's been out of a cast since January and is now working to regain his range of motion and strength in the wrist. "Nothing has been a surprise so far," Clark said. "I'm very happy with where I am at." Barring a setback, he fully expects to be ready for the start of training camp. The injury shouldn't impact Clark's 2011 fantasy outlook.
** While Auburn’s Cam Newton is the most polarizing player in this year’s draft class, Missouri QB Blaine Gabbert isn’t far behind. Michael Lombardi and Mike Mayock both have Gabbert as their top QB. And ESPN’s Adam Schefter predicts that Gabbert will be the #1 overall pick. But according to Fox Sports’ Adam Caplan, several teams don’t even have a 1st-round grade on Gabbert. We’d still bet on him flying off the board inside the top-10, but a draft day slide is a possibility. His pro day this Thursday will go a long way towards determining his final landing spot.
** After finishing the 2010 season on a high note, Titans TE Jared Cook is ready for a bigger role in 2011. "That is why I started working out so early this year, because this year is a big year for me. I have to get better,'' Cook said. "It is a year… for me to take advantage of what is in front of me." Cook is fully expected to enter the 2011 season as Tennessee's starter. He's one of our favorite breakout candidates at the TE position.
** Former NFL scout Dave Razzano has Washington’s Jake Locker as the top QB prospect in this year’s class. “I’m a glass half-full guy. The plays he makes, he can make outstanding plays on the move throwing down the field. That’s hard to find,” Razzano says. “He will only get better the better the team is. At Washington his line was always shaky. At times he throws errant passes; they all do. He makes the big-time throws. He’s a great kid. He has tons of athletic skill and he doesn’t take sacks. He knows how to throw the ball away. There’s a lot more positives than negatives. He’s a leader and will work to improve.” Locker’s stock has continued to climb after an impressive showing at the Combine. It’s looking more and more like he’ll come off the board in the 1st-round this April.
** Saints RB Pierre Thomas' ankle injury is expected to keep him sidelined until July, but GM Mickey Loomis fully expects PT to be ready for training camp. With the lockout in effect, there may not be any OTAs anyways, so Thomas may not be missing anything. As long as his rehab goes as planned, Thomas should be New Orleans' starting RB come Week 1.
** It’s starting to sound like Clemson DE Da’Quan Bowers’ knee issues are more serious than initially thought. A scout reportedly told CBS Sports’ Clark Judge that Bowers was flagged as a medical concern at the Combine. “The knee's a concern,” one AFC GM told Judge. “It's something that a lot of guys were talking about.” Bowers’ individual workout on April 1st will be extremely important. He’s no longer a lock to be selected among the top-5 picks.
** RB Ryan Torain is in line to enter 2011 as the Redskins' starter. But it sounds like he'll be sharing carries. Citing Torain's injury history, OC Kyle Shanahan said that they'll "have to help him out with other guys." Shanahan continued, "I think Ryan can be very good. He's a very good natural runner. His problem has always been staying healthy. That'll be the deciding factor in whether he's a solid back or a very good back.” Keiland Williams and James Davis are currently the RBs directly behind Torain on Washington's depth chart. They may add another piece to the puzzle this offseason through the draft or free-agency.
** Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald is "absolutely" hopeful that he'll be able to work out a deal to stay in Arizona. Fitz says that "progress was being made" on a new contract before the CBA deadline, and that he's "not really interested" in testing the free-agent market. Of course, his tune could change pretty quickly if the Cardinals don't fix their QB problem. We're sure to hear plenty more on this over the next 12 months.
** According to Sports Illustrated’s Don Banks, GM Marty Hurney is the only one left in the Panthers’ front office who still believes that Jimmy Clausen can develop into viable starting QB at the NFL level. Unless Hurney convinces his colleagues, there’s a good chance that Carolina uses its #1 overall pick on either Cam Newton or Blaine Gabbert.
** Georgia’s A.J. Green and Alabama’s Julio Jones are the clear-cut top-2 WRs in this year’s class. But it’s a jumble behind them. ESPN’s Mel Kiper has Miami’s Leonard Hankerson as his #3 WR. NFL Network’s Mike Mayock doesn’t even have Hankerson in his top-5. Mayock ranks Torrey Smith as the 3rd-best WR. We’ve seen Hankerson and Smith – plus Pittsburgh’s Jonathan Baldwin and Boise State’s Titus Young – all projected to come off the board in the late 1st-round in various mock drafts. Upcoming pro days should help sort the rankings out.
** Bucs WR Arrelious Benn's recovery from last season's torn ACL is reportedly way ahead of schedule. He's fully expected to be ready for training camp, and there's even a chance that he'd be able to participate in June OTAs. Benn was heating up before suffering this injury and is capable of breaking out in 2011 if he gets back to 100%.
** NFL Network's Michael Lombardi isn't convinced that the Browns are sold on Colt McCoy as their long-term answer at QB. “I don’t know how they can ultimately be sold on McCoy,” Lombardi says. “His injuries down the stretch, his body is not the biggest or strongest, and can he endure 16 games? These are all questions that have to be answered by the new staff (who) have to be comfortable with the answers and see if they can move forward before they do anything else — draft or trade.” Team President Mike Holmgren has been supportive of McCoy all offseason, but he recently admitted that the team is "looking into" Auburn QB Cam Newton. We'd be pretty surprised if Cleveland went QB with the 6th overall pick, but they could target a guy like Florida State's Christian Ponder in Round 2. Dealing for QB Kevin Kolb may also be a possibility.
** Titans beat writer Jim Wyatt confirms that WR Randy Moss won't be back in Tennessee in 2011. Moss was all but invisible in 8 games with the Titans last year, catching just 6 balls for 80 yards with no TDs. He'll hit the free-agent market once a new CBA is done and will likely end up signing a 1-year deal with a team willing to roll the dice.
** Auburn DT Nick Fairley is back in the top-3 discussion after an impressive showing at his Pro Day last week. ESPN’s Todd McShay called it one of the best workouts he’s ever seen by an interior lineman. And perhaps more importantly, Fairley weighed in at 297 pounds – up 6 from the Combine. The added poundage should make 4-3 teams feel better about Fairley’s ability to fit in at DT.
** Fox Sports’ Adam Caplan doesn’t believe that the Eagles are as concerned with their offensive line as most people think. OTs like Wisconsin’s Gabe Carimi and Mississippi State’s Derek Sherrod are popularly mocked to Philly, but Caplan sees them looking at DBs and DEs in the 1st-round. Colorado CB Jimmy Smith would be a good fit. At DE, Georgia’s Justin Houston and Iowa’s Adrian Clayborn could be on the radar.
** Speaking of Jimmy Smith, Sports Illustrated’s Tony Pauline is hearing that multiple teams have completely removed him from their draft boards due to character concerns. Smith tested positive for drugs at least once while at Colorado, in addition to a couple of arrests for possession of alcohol by a minor. From a pure talent perspective, Smith is a top-15 prospect. We’re still betting he comes off the board somewhere in the 20s.
** Texans beat writer John McClain believes RB Steve Slaton is in danger of being cut this summer. RBs Arian Foster and Ben Tate are locks to make the squad, so unless Houston wants to carry 4 RBs, Slaton will need to beat out RB Derrick Ward. It's quite a fall from grace for a guy who posted a 1,600-yard, 10-TD rookie season just 3 years ago.
** Beat writer Armando Salguero believes the Dolphins have “every intention” of adding a QB in this April’s draft. Without a 2nd-round pick, they’d be hard-pressed to trade up for Cam Newton or Blaine Gabbert. Jake Locker and Ryan Mallet could be options with the 15th overall pick though. Miami could also snag a guy like Colin Kaepernick or Andy Dalton in the middle rounds.
** The National Football Post's Dan Pompei expects free-agent QB Marc Bulger to get "starter's money" this offseason. Bulger rode the pine in Baltimore last season after struggling mightily with the Rams in 2009. We'd be surprised if he was just handed a starting job this offseason. In fact, his chances of being under center come Week 1 decrease the longer this lockout goes. For what it's worth, Pompei mentions the Cardinals and 49ers as two teams that might pursue Bulger.
