Kiszla: Tebow on a streak as salesman, not QB - The Denver Post
When new Broncos coach John Fox insists Orton will get the first shot to lead this team, more than 8 million eyes roll like marbles throughout Colorado. Everybody knows Elway ranks as the greatest sports superhero ever to don a cape in a local locker room, but right now the Broncos executive seems to be straining awfully hard not to get bullied by the public's insatiable appetite for all things Tebow. Interviewing every quarterback with a pulse as part of draft preparation seems like a hollow exercise in showing who's the boss.
Kickin' it with Kiz: Ubaldo "uh-oh" more vexing than puny offense - The Denver Post
NFL lockout a relief. "As a 71-year-old Broncos season-ticket holder, my wife and I pick up our tickets at the stadium and then purchase overpriced stuff for our grandchildren. Last August, when we made our purchases, we bought a nice coffee cup with the Broncos logo. First time my wife put it in the dishwasher, half the logo disappeared. I hope the NFL stays out two years. I will hunt and fish this fall."
Paige: Broncos' QB fixation so misplaced - The Denver Post
Just because Elway wore No. 7 doesn't mean he has to do everything in sevens. The QBs who have been scouted and scrutinized; talked to; watched at their pro days, the NFL combine and the Senior Bowl; and/or invited to Denver include Cam Newton (Auburn), Blaine Gabbert (Missouri), Jake Locker (Washington), Ryan Mallett (Arkansas), Christian Ponder (Florida State), Colin Kaepernick (Nevada) and Andy Dalton (TCU). The Broncos have under contract Tim Tebow, Kyle Orton and Brady Quinn. Enough, already.
Woody's Mailbag: Taking heat for an opinion on Broncos QB situation - The Denver Post
As usual, you're terribly wrong when you write that the Broncos shouldn't draft a quarterback with the No. 2 pick. You have a love affair with Tim Tebow, who can't play in the NFL, as the Broncos and everybody else who knows anything about football (not you) knows. Kyle Orton is a bad quarterback, and Brady Quinn can't play a lick, either. They have to draft Cam Newton, Blaine Gabbert or Ryan Mallett, you (knucklehead), and start over with a quality quarterback.
Triple threat of Colorado sports heroes with Broncos, Nuggets and Avalanche - The Denver Post
DENVER BRONCOS QB John Elway, RB Terrell Davis, TE Shannon Sharpe Timeline: Together from 1995, Davis' rookie season, until Elway retired after the 1998 season.
Broncos top brass skip the workout of D-lineman Bowers - The Denver Post
Clemson defensive end Da'Quan Bowers threw a workout party Friday, and the Broncos' top football decision-makers did not attend. Bowers, whose right knee surgery earlier this year has threatened his top-10 status in the NFL draft, worked out at Clemson University while Broncos executive vice president of football operations John Elway, general manager Brian Xanders and coach John Fox elected to stay home and meet with Washington quarterback Jake Locker instead.
Q&A: Broncos in position to trade for NFL draft picks - The Denver Post
So, most trades that could be constructed between the Broncos and the six teams behind them would have to include additional compensation between 400 and 1,200 points on that chart. And a 400-point pick is the 50th pick overall while a 1,200-point pick is 12th overall. The 32nd pick, the last pick of the first round, is valued at 590 points. So the No. 2 pick certainly has that value you're talking about and would give the Broncos that ability to move down slightly if they wished, still get an impact defensive player and add another premium pick to their barren cupboard of picks.
Broncos Draft History: Linebackers
As we wrap up our week's preview of the linebackers available in the 2011 NFL Draft, let's take a look back at who the Broncos have drafted at the position.
Broncos Draft History: Running Backs
As we wrap up our week's preview of the running backs and fullbacks available in the 2011 NFL Draft, let's take a look back at who the Broncos have drafted at those positions.
Spring 2011
Broncos Yearbook 2010 - Spring 2011 -
Jaiquawn Jarret to visit Broncos | National Football Post
Temple safety Jaiquawn Jarrett is scheduled to visit the Denver Broncos, according to a league source with knowledge of the situation. Jarrett also has visits scheduled with the New York Jets, New York Giants and the St. Louis Rams. He has private workouts or meetings with the Jets, Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles.
Jake Locker works out for the Broncos today | National Football Post
The Denver Broncos' examination of the quarterback draft class continues today when they'll conduct a private workout of University of Washington quarterback Jake Locker in Seattle. The Broncos have Kyle Orton as their starter and former Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow and former Cleveland Browns first-round draft pick Brady Quinn on the roster. However, they have spent a lot of time looking at quarterbacks, including Nevada standout Colin Kaepernick.
ProFootballWeekly.com - Draft Dose: Who needs a tight end?
Broncos QBs Kyle Orton and Tim Tebow threw a combined 25 touchdown passes in '10, but none of them went to the tight end. Daniel Graham started all 16 games at the position, but pulled in a career-low 148 yards on just 18 catches. The 32-year-old was released in March, leaving a major gap in the Broncos' offense. The arrival of head coach John Fox likely will mean the Broncos will air it out a bit less than last season, upping the importance of a tight end who can be both a valuable option in the passing game and provide extra support in the ground game.
ProFootballWeekly.com - Broncos could look to add a running back
As head coach John Fox continues to implement his own coaching style in Denver, we hear the Broncos could look to add another running back. Josh McDaniels' offensive strategy relied heavily on the passing attack, and the former coach brought in the players he needed to run that type of offense. With Fox's history of favoring the run, one daily team observer said he believes it is highly likely the Broncos will bring in another back to pair with RB Knowshon Moreno.
Cold, Hard Football Facts.com: A CHFF take on the 2011 QB carousel
TEAM: Denver Likely 2011 starter: Kyle Orton Team exec John Elway appears to be lukewarm at best on Tebow. Without actually saying what he thinks of Tebow, Elway has managed to give signals that couldn't be misinterpreted by a deaf and blind Labrador. He'll give Orton/Tebow one year, hope they fall flat, and get his own guy in 2012.
NFL draft countdown: Denver Broncos - NFL - Sporting News
4. Tight end. The Broncos released Daniel Graham, and the cupboard left behind is pretty bare. Richard Quinn, a second-round pick in 2009, worked his way into the rotation at the end of his second season, but he needs to get on an upward trajectory quickly to erase the bust label. Regardless, the Broncos need a tight end who can stretch the field and/or a versatile two-way tight end who can help in two-tight situations as an in-line blocker.
Jockey’s first Tim Tebow ad released
Jockey released their first ad featuring Tim Tebow today. This will be the first of many featuring Tebow who inked a multi-year deal to be the face of Jockey. To be completely honest, before I saw this ad I wasn’t sure if I could dislike Tim Tebow more than I already do. I was wrong.
NFL NEWS
Brain disease 'drove NFL star Shane Dronett to kill himself' | Mail Online
Scientists have ruled that tragic NFL star Shane Dronett, who shot himself dead in the kitchen of his home, had been suffering with a brain disease brought on by years of concussions. Boston University School of Medicine has confirmed that tests show Mr Dronett had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) associated with repeated head traumas. Mr Dronett killed himself at the age of 38, three years after retiring from the NFL in 2006.
Shane Dronett: the late Denver Bronco is the subject of a Sanjay Gupta CNN report - Denver News - The Latest Word
The topic of concussions and NFL football players continues to make news, even in the off-season, as CNN tells the heartbreaking story today of former lineman Shane Dronett, who killed himself in 2009, three years after retiring.
April Fool's Day: Recalling Sidd Finch and Some of the Greatest Hoaxes Ever - Dundalk, MD Patch
Equal parts yogi, mystic and flamethrower, the eccentric 28-year-old phenom had been blowing away the Mets coaching staff and hitters during spring training with the quickest fastball—by far—anyone had ever seen.
EA Sports will address concussions in Madden - NFL - SI.com
EA Sports President Peter Moore says that it was "wrong" when the company's "Madden" game would allow concussed players to return to the field in the following quarter. That is no longer the case, Moore said Wednesday at the World Congress of Sports, a two-day summit in Miami. Moore says "we have an obligation in our industry" to recognize that brain injuries are one of the biggest on-field issues facing football at all levels right now.
Bill Parcells, no longer with Dolphins, will help ESPN - NFL - SI.com
Bill Parcells is no longer affiliated with the Miami Dolphins and will tape a draft special for ESPN. Dolphins spokesman Harvey Greene said Thursday "he's not associated with the team anymore in any official capacity."
Ex-Steeler Darnell Stapleton Now Coaches Women’s Football - NYTimes.com
"I’m young, but I understand football," Stapleton said before Tuesday night’s practice at Bushwick Inlet Park by the chilly Brooklyn waterfront. "I played on the highest level. It’s called the New York Sharks women’s professional team, not minor leagues, not midgets, not Pop Warner. So my approach is to treat the women like professionals and for them to carry themselves as such."
2010 Browns: What the Film Revealed - NYTimes.com
If this were the ’80s, the ball-controlling Browns would have been fine. Fullback-turned-tailback Peyton Hillis was a classic battering ram. The offensive line remained stout, especially on the left side where guard Eric Steinbach was actually superior to the Pro Bowl tackle Joe Thomas (see Myth Buster).
2010 Bengals: What the Film Revealed - NYTimes.com
The offense functioned like clockwork — in terms of predictability. Carson Palmer clearly did not trust the system or his line. It’s a little hard to blame him. In the passing game, there was no creativity in the route combinations, which made the receivers easy to defend. Terrell Owens showed his age by throttling down to change directions. (Chad Ochocinco, who drew the most coverage of the two, showed he still has something left.) Up front, left tackle Andrew Whitworth was rock steady, but the right tackle position was in turmoil and all three interior linemen were ordinary to the point of limited.
2010 Ravens: What the Film Revealed - NYTimes.com
oe Flacco, the prototype quarterback, continued his growth, but he still wasn’t consistent between the numbers. Far too much of the passing game took place underneath and outside, where the reads tend to be simpler. Defenses blitzed Flacco often, especially early in the season. Under duress or in critical moments, Flacco’s go-to guy was Derrick Mason, not Anquan Boldin. Tight end Todd Heap had a career year and continued to work the seams. The running game sputtered a bit compared with 2009, largely because the offensive line occasionally struggled to generate raw power.
2010 Steelers: What the Film Revealed - NYTimes.com
Ben Roethlisberger was the key. He and Michael Vick are the league’s only quarterbacks capable of consistently making a positive play when the defensive concept defeats the offensive concept (think of all the times you’ve seen Roethlisberger throw darts with defenders draped all over him). Roethlisberger’s receiving corps will be good for a long time. Mike Wallace emerged as a top-five-caliber wideout. Lankiness and long strides give him the league’s most punishing combination of speed and acceleration.
2010 Eagles: What the Film Revealed - NYTimes.com
Speed, speed, speed. And speed. That was the not-so-secret ingredient that made Philadelphia’s offense electrifying. Obviously, Michael Vick brought otherworldly speed to the quarterback position, creating matchup problems for opposing defenses. But more important was the speed at wide receiver. Teams simply could not play aggressive coverages against Jeremy Maclin and DeSean Jackson. The threat of being burned over the top or, more likely, in run-after-the-catch forced secondaries to fall back into coverages that were easy for the lively-armed Vick to diagnose and exploit.
Advanced NFL Stats: Change
American 'gridiron' football isn't a static, unchanging sport. It's been remade many times in many different ways. There used to be no passing, 3 downs to make 5 yards, various point values for scoring plays, blockers were allowed to lock arms, and the game lasted 70 minutes. Today's sport would be unrecognizable to players and fans at the beginning of the previous century. Here are some ideas, many borrowed from other leagues and other sports. I don't necessarily favor any of them (except for #5, which would be highly entertaining). I just think they're interesting.
NFL.com news: Not again: Fresh off shoulder surgery, Pennington tears ACL
Hard-luck quarterback Chad Pennington tore an anterior cruciate ligament during a pickup basketball game and will undergo surgery next week. Pennington's agent, Tom Condon, said in a news release Thursday that Dr. James Andrews will perform the operation on Pennington on April 7. The release didn't say which knee Pennington injured.
NFL.com news: NFL wants its players tested for human growth hormone
News of the league's insistence on HGH testing being part of the new CBA was first reported Thursday by FoxSports.com. Adolpho Birch, the NFL's vice president of law and labor policy, said Friday that the league has pushed for HGH testing since 2008, but with the opportunity to re-cast terms of a labor deal, it has become a priority. The NFLPA had resisted it in the past because of HGH testing methods and the reliability of results. Blood testing remains the most reliable means to detect the presence of HGH, and that has been the sticking point -- not both sides' desire for fair play, Birch said.
NFL.com news: 'Boys also reportedly contacted players during 'dead' period
The Cowboys are among the five teams that the NFL has fined for violating offseason rules prohibiting contact with players before team activities are allowed, The Dallas Morning News reported Wednesday.
NFL police blotter business is booming - NFL News | FOX Sports on MSN
Out of 1,900 players in the NFL, the law of averages suggests there will be a few knuckleheads. But six arrests in a month is a very low figure for frustrated football players with excess testosterone, and two of them were repeat offenders, men who like guns, marijuana and the latest codeine buzz. But believe it or not, some of the guys may be innocent once a judge hears their cases.
Report: Life of NFL's oldest cheerleader to become movie - NFL News | FOX Sports on MSN
American film studio New Line Cinema has picked up the story of Laura Vikmanis, a cheerleader for the Cincinnati Bengals. The movie will be produced by Richard and Lauren Shuler Donner and Donners' Co. president Jack Leslie and written by scribes Emily Cook and Kathy Greenberg, whose credits include "Gnomeo & Juliet" and "Ratatouille."
Ashton - NFL cheerleaders on trampolines - FOX Sports Gallery
The NFL is back and to celebrate we've got cheerleaders. On trampolines. Who loves ya?
FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Innovative Statistics, Intelligent Analysis | Aggressiveness Index Update
If there's anything that statistical analysis in football has proved, it is that coaches are far too timid on fourth down. In fact, statistical analysis has proved this over and over and over again. It's been done. So is anybody listening?
FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Innovative Statistics, Intelligent Analysis | Walkthrough: Riddle Me This
The Arizona Cardinals held a private workout for former Elon University quarterback Scott Riddle last week. Geez, and I thought I was the one starving for some football-related work.
What I Love: The 1966 Notre Dame-Michigan State Game - Football Study Hall
I love that, almost 45 years after the fact, people who had or would have had no rooting interest in this game whatsoever are still mad at Ara Parseghian for settling for the tie.
Cold, Hard Football Facts.com: Our Naughty Nurse checks weak vitals in Cincinnati
Carson Palmer! Chad Ochocinco! Terrell Owens! Cedric Benson! Four wins! The Bengals had too much flash and not enough flesh in 2011, and while their attempt to build a new offensive identity was a massive failure at least there were a lot of tasty quotables to nibble on.
Cold, Hard Football Facts.com: Our Naughty Nurse checks vital signs in Cleveland
The Cleveland Browns spent 24 seasons in the NFL before they turned out what could be considered a terrible football team; their 1974 edition was 4-10, marking only their second losing season in franchise history. Since, they’ve had 20 losing seasons – and that doesn’t include the four years where there was no team, a winless season of the worst kind.
Cold, Hard Football Facts.com: Our Naughty Nurse checks vital signs in Chicago
There’s no crying in football. Sadly, that is the last image of the Chicago Bears: The physically battered and emotionally bruised Jay Cutler whimpering in the face of withering criticism – not to mention the Packers pass rush – after taking a seat at halftime of a 21-14 loss in the NFC championship game.
Site Features: Check Out the Play Index! " Pro-football-reference.com blog " Blog Archive
Here's another reminder for everyone to check out the Pro-Football-Reference Play Index. In case you don't already know about the PI, it's a set of research tools that allow you to create customizable queries on our database, save the results, and share them with others.
Advanced NFL Stats: Improving Statistical Analysis in the NFL
Football remains relatively impenetrable. It doesn’t have the binary pitcher-batter interface of baseball. Apart from maybe touchbacks, there are no true individual stats. One player’s name may appear beside a 20 yard reception but that reception is the product of: one player passing, one player receiving, x number of players running (ultimately) decoy routes, and y number of players blocking.
Super Bowl XXV: Correcting the Narrative " Pro-football-reference.com blog " Blog Archive
Super Bowl XXV. Giants-Bills. Wide Right. 20-19. Bill Parcells. The Gameplan to End All Gameplans™. Our brains have been indoctrinated for years with the message that Parcells concocted the perfect gameplan to defeat the high-flying Bills. By "controlling the clock," "shortening the game" and by implementing a "ball-control offense", the Giants pulled off one of the biggest upsets in Super Bowl history. When the franchise faced an even taller task 17 years later, New Yorkalready had the blueprint on which to build:
Brandon Marshall says he's in great shape | National Football Post
"Where I’m at today, it doesn’t even compare to where I was during any time during the season last year or the season before that," Marshall said. "This two months we’ve been working, I’m back to that guy that was training to the Combine. My body fat is down to like 7 percent – when I was in college I was at 6 percent. My hips are feeling great, knees are feeling great. Just, man, it’s beautiful."
Stadium bill will be a 'workable framework' for Vikings | National Football Post
State lawmakers will introduce a plan next week to raise $300 million toward the construction of a roofed stadium for the Minnesota Vikings. Two Republican legislatures sent a letter to fellow lawmakers on Thursday that outlined the plan, according to Mark Kaszuba of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. The $300 million will be raised from a variety of new fees and taxes, including a sports memorabilia tax, stadium naming rights, a scratch-off lottery game and a pro football player income tax surcharge.
Inside the film room: the safety position | National Football Post
Angles to the ball over speed: Have a safety that runs a 4.5 or a low 4.6? Might raise some questions in Indy at the combine, but when you turn on the tape it is more about angles to the ball. Can a FS come out of his pedal and break on an inside breaking route? Or does he round his angles and arrive late, out of position—and usually out of control?
The NFL player's offseason | National Football Post
Believe or not, many NFL players are okay with no football for a few months. But just for a few months in the offseason. Trust me, they are in no hurry to get back to their respective team cities and start offseason workouts. You won’t hear any of them say it publicly, but they are embracing their current and potential time away from the demands of pro football.
Vikings stadium bill faces uphill climb | ProFootballTalk
As the latest effort to build a new pro football stadium in Minnesota gets rolling, the path looks to be long, winding, and steep. Per Kevin Duchschere and Bob Van Sternberg of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, the bill landed "with a thud" at the Capitol on Friday
Bud Light takes over official beer sponsorship, launches $10 million draft contest | ProFootballTalk
And the folks at Bud Light are celebrating their new title with a promotion tied in to what may be the only NFL-related event of the year. The draft. The "Best Round Ever" contest will pay $10 million to anyone who correctly predicts all 32 picks in the first round of the draft. Sign up at the Bud Light Facebook page.
Randy Moss promises he’ll play 2011 at a high level | ProFootballTalk
"I want to play wherever they want me to play," Moss said. "I’m a free agent. I know I’m 34. I know I didn’t have a great season last year. But I also know that these still work [holds up his hands] and I know I can still play at a high level. We just need to get this season back on track so I can start working on finding that team that wants Randy Moss on their roster."
Jerry’s giant TV loses its crown | ProFootballTalk
The four-sided drive-in movie screen at Cowboys Stadium soon will no longer be the largest video board in any sports arena. Per Sean Leahy of USA Today, officials at Charlotte Motor Speedway have unveiled a new video screen that will be 30 percent larger than the centerpiece of Jones’ billion-dollar man-canyon.
Larry Johnson: Kansas City hates me so much, I can’t get a fair jury | ProFootballTalk
Former Chiefs running back Larry Johnson is being sued in Kansas City by a woman who says he spat on her in a bar. But Johnson says he needs to move the trial out of Kansas City because it would be impossible to find 12 people there who don’t despise him.
NFL DRAFT
Chargers got smallest impact from 2010 rookie class | ProFootballTalk
Chargers G.M. A.J. Smith hopes that he can get more production out of his ’11 class than he did last year. According to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Chargers ’10 draft class had fewer snaps than any other team last season.
Behind the Measurements: Height vs. Arm Length | National Football Post
Football is a contact sport where collisions take place on every play. Most NFL players are asked to win battles at the point of attack and the players with the biggest frames and longest reaches have a clear advantage when engaging with an opposing player.
Seeking the truth between now and the draft | National Football Post
I used to tell people in the last few weeks leading up to the draft that the first thing I have to do when the draft is over is go to confession and beg for forgiveness for all the lies I told the previous two months. Not that I consider myself a dishonest person, but because in the two months from the combine to the draft there is more misinformation than information put out. Preparing for the draft is the most important part of a scouting department’s calendar and the last thing a team wants out is how they feel about certain players. So it has come to become fact that at this time of the year there is more lying going on than truth telling and it’s done by everyone in the business, from GM’s to coaches, to scouts to agents. In an ideal world, you want to find out as much information as you can and give out as little as possible.
The Scout's Mock | National Football Post
2. Denver Broncos: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU Peterson is a big-time talent and in my view one of the best prospects in the entire draft. He possesses a lot of upside and will be able to start in the Denver secondary early in his NFL career.
Don't call it a comeback | National Football Post
"I definitely thought it was almost the end for me." That’s the sentiment that was going through linebacker Martez Wilson’s mind upon learning that his junior season at Illinois had officially ended just one game after it began. A two-year starter who was beginning to garner some serious national attention, Wilson was headed for the operating table to repair a herniated disk in his neck that was suffered during the 2009 season-opener against Missouri.
Breaking down Corey Liuget and Aldon Smith | National Football Post
The more tape I watched on this player the more I liked him. He is a very interesting prospect with the arrow going up. He is a true third-year junior and only 21 years old. He was a 4-star recruit from the Miami area. Programs such as Georgia, LSU, Miami and Florida St. also offered him. He played as a backup in both 2008 and 2009 with a total of six starts in those two years. Though a backup he was still getting a lot of playing time in the defensive line rotation. He had a breakout year in 2010 with 63 total tackles including 12.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.
NFL Draft rumors | National Football Post
he feedback I’ve received from NFL scouts on Oregon State DT Stephen Paea’s health has been very positive and he looks to have a real shot of being selected in the back end of round one.
As Busy an N.F.L. Draft As One Can Possibly Imagine - NYTimes.com
The players ultimately decided against the head-to-head event. Instead, rookies are invited to The Debut, three days of festivities that work around the draft’s April 28-30 schedule: a private dinner Thursday, a series of public appearances Friday and a reception after the final round Saturday.
Fred Rouse, Mike Coughlin, other atypical NFL draft prospects - Don Banks - SI.com
ANDREW PHILLIPS, OG, Stanford I'm not sure I heard a more compelling story this draft season than the one belonging to fifth-year senior Stanford guard Andrew Phillips. He played the entire 2010 season, a most memorable one for Jim Harbaugh's Orange Bowl-winning Cardinal, with a heart burdened by family loss. Early on the first day of fall football practice, Phillips found out that a plane carrying his father, Bill, and his 13-year-old brother, Willy, had crashed the previous night in the Alaskan wilderness. En route from California to Alaska, Phillips learned his dad had perished and his brother survived with at least three broken bones. Also on that ill-fated flight was former long-time U.S. Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska, who Bill Phillips once served as chief of staff. All told, five lives were lost.
Five quietly creeping into 1st round conversation - CBSSports.com
DT Marvin Austin, North Carolina : There are still plenty of teams who remain nervous about Austin's intangibles, but of the five listed here, the former UNC defensive tackle is the most talented football player. Teams are as willing to gamble on size and athleticism on the defensive line as any position in football (other than perhaps QB). If the anticipated early run on defensive linemen transpires, don't be surprised if a 4-3 team drafting in the mid 20s to low 30s gambles on Austin's upside.
DE Heyward gets in long-awaited workout - CBSSports.com
Heyward, who projects best to the five-technique end role in a 3-4 scheme because he lacks elite pass-rush skills, also went through positional drills. He is currently rated as NFLDraftScout.com's eighth-best defensive end in the 2011 class and No. 24 prospect overall. It was Heyward's first on-field work in front of NFL scouts since undergoing Tommy John surgery in January. He was unable to participate in the scouting combine in February or Ohio State's main pro day March 14.
Peterson resents name coming up in allegations - CBSSports.com
LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson issued a statement Thursday saying he has no relationship with Willie Lyles, who runs a Texas-based recruiting service called Complete Scouting Services that is being looked at by the NCAA. In an ESPN.com report, former Texas A&M coach Van Malone said Lyles told him that other schools were offering Peterson $80,000 and the Aggies would have to "beat" that if they wanted Peterson to commit to Texas A&M.
Lions get 7th-round pick back - CBSSports.com
The Detroit Lions will still lose one pick in the 2012 draft, but have had a seventh-round pick this year reinstated following an appeal on tampering charges, the NFL Network reported. Commissioner Roger Goodell penalized the Lions on Feb. 18 for comments defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham, who held the same role with Kansas City from 1995-2000, made about players still under contract with the Chiefs in February 2010.
Disappointing workout for Clemson DE Bowers - CBSSports.com
Unfortunately for Bowers, NFLDraftScout.com's No. 5-rated player overall, the lack of explosiveness demonstrated in his slow times in the 40-yard dash were also evident in his broad jump and vertical jump. In these events, Bowers tested at 9'2" and 34.5", respectively. These results were better in comparison to other defensive ends tested at the combine, but were characterized by the scout as "average for the position." Another scout characterized Bowers' workout as a whole as "sluggish."
NFL LOCKOUT
In a way, the players are trying to have it both ways | ProFootballTalk
For example, we think the NFL’s contention that the personal conduct policy applies during a lockout imposed by the owners is one of the most ludicrous things we’ve ever heard. We also think that the players badly have mishandled the draft issue, and that the players have lost significant P.R. points in that area. And we think that the league suddenly has launched an obvious back-patting P.R. campaign aimed at telling the world about all the great things done for the current and former players, before locking the current players out. (This afternoon, for example, we’ve received multiple e-mails from the league and one of its teams pointing out that the owners spent $245 million on player benefits in 2010.)
Without playbooks, rookies will suffer in lockout | National Football Post
1. Lining up to play: Sounds too simple, right? It may be for veteran players, but for rookies you have to start somewhere. Think of the splits of WRs, the depth of the safeties in Cover 2 (who will be working with different landmarks in the NFL), where QBs can expect the post route to break vs. Cover 3, etc. Where do you learn this as a rookie? In the playbook.
Comparing NFL lockout to NHL one that killed a season | National Football Post
He draws the most apparent comparison when pointing out that outside counsel Bob Batterman led NHL owners in a lockout as he has done with NFL owners. Then, Hillenmeyer quickly gets to the points that don’t add up. "How is the NFL a different story? Let's start with the big picture. The NHL was hemorrhaging cash during its negotiations with players. Owners lost less money in the lockout year than they would have lost in operating another season under the status quo. Even in the current NBA labor dispute, Commissioner David Stern has been very explicit in explaining that teams are losing around $400 million annually in their league.
Key to a CBA: tip of the Cap | National Football Post
Beyond all the rhetoric of this two-year labor dispute, there has been and remains one issue that stands above the rest: the split of revenues between the owners and the players. In other words, who gets how much. As with every answer, follow the money.
Jerry Richardson: Mike Brown was right | National Football Post
There were voices of dissent when the NFL owners voted in favor of the current collective bargaining agreement that has triggered a bitter labor dispute between the owners and the players. They were Cincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown and Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson, the two no votes in the 30-2 balloting. Now, there's a lockout, a decertified players' union and an antirust lawsuit in federal court to contend with. Does that mean Brown and Wilson saw this battle with the players coming?
Patriots punter comes up with unique lockout plan | ProFootballTalk
"The day after football ended, I just looked at my schedule, and there was nothing on it. I was like, ‘What do I do now?’ I felt somewhat worthless," Mesko said. "I wanted to become productive again, and this was the kind of opportunity I looked into had my rookie season gone a little downhill. "I kind of just thought about it, and I was kind of thinking that the lockout would be a definite possibility, and who knows how long it would go on for?"
Hillenmeyer admits players refused financial info for P.R. reasons | ProFootballTalk
In his latest, Hillenmeyer, who was involved in the negotiations that fell apart 22 days ago, admits that the players refused the league’s offer of limited financial information for one reason only — P.R.
Anthony Adams: Being a free agent this year "really sucks" | ProFootballTalk
Some of the players hit hardest by the lockout are the unrestricted free agents, who not only have no idea how soon they’ll be able to earn a living again, but also have no idea where they’ll play when the 2011 season starts.
Lockout could lead to college football on Sundays | ProFootballTalk
Although there are no concrete plans to play any major college football games on Sundays in the fall, the TV networks would surely be open to it if the NFL cancels some of its games. And Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott says he’s at least thinking about the possibility that moving a Saturday game to Sunday could give his newly expanded conference more exposure in September.
Dan Marino, Stephen Ross share thoughts on lockout - Miami Dolphins - MiamiHerald.com
Ross, speaking on stage earlier in the day, offered a different perspective on the NFL’s economics. "The model doesn’t work," he said. "There probably won’t be football until it does work." That’s not necessarily the case. A judge must decide whether to grant the players union an injunction to end the NFL-imposed lockout after arguments are heard April 6. If that happens, this past season’s work rules might be restored. "The players wanted to be able to get to court because they’ve had some success" there in the past, Marino said.
ProFootballWeekly.com - Drafted players' rights could be for sale
There's a rumor floating around NFL circles that if the union wins its courtroom battle, which begins on April 6 but is sure to last a while, that free agency could start May 1. That's right: the day after the NFL draft will be completed. Let it soak in for a minute. It might be complete and utter madness in the NFL for about a week straight. Normally, teams get to decompress a bit following the draft, minus any rookie minicamps that typically happen in the weeks that follow. Not this year if this scenario plays out.
Cheating is likely during NFL lockout - NFL News | FOX Sports on MSN
"I’m not going to do anything to get our franchise in trouble," said John Fox, first-year head coach of the Denver Broncos this week during the NFL meetings in New Orleans. "We’re all in the same boat and most of us wouldn’t be doing anything with the players this month anyway." Said another coach: "But there’s always the five-percent definition. The general thinking is that five percent of people tend to break or bend the rules out of a hundred."
NFL.com news: NFL: Players can attend Chesney concerts at league venues
Players aren't allowed to contact team employees and coaches or use team facilities during the lockout, league spokesman Greg Aiello said Thursday. Chesney evidently understood the rule to mean that players were prohibited from attending non-NFL events at NFL stadiums, too. "If you're in the NFL (players' union), you can't go to your stadium, you can't work out at your stadium, you can't talk to your coaches," Chesney told The Star Tribune this week.
David Stern vs. Roger Goodell - NYTimes.com
THERE IS A STRONG chance that by midsummer, the N.B.A. will have joined the N.F.L. in locking out its players, and for this we can credit two men above all others, the commissioners David Stern and Roger Goodell. Stern’s N.B.A., which just had one of its least successful franchises (the Warriors) sell for a record $450 million, wants player salaries slashed by 38 percent. Goodell’s N.F.L., which has never been more profitable, wants 18 percent. Ponder for a moment that both commissioners are peddling what is essentially an upward redistribution of wealth into the hands of guys like Jerry Jones and Mark Cuban.
Redskins Stayed Unified in Earlier N.F.L. Labor Strife - NYTimes.com
Shortly before N.F.L. players traded playbooks for picket signs in 1982, Joe Gibbs, coach of the Washington Redskins, called right tackle George Starke at home. According to Starke, Gibbs urged him to reconsider. If captains like Starke went on strike, Gibbs reasoned, so would teammates.
Fan protests of no consequence around NFL - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
They congregated outside Qwest Field on the first Sunday of spring, spurred to action by a state of affairs they regarded as untenable. Standing near the entrance of the Seattle Seahawks’ Pro Shop, the peeved protesters exercised their First Amendment rights by chanting "We Want Football" and voicing their displeasure over the NFL lockout to anyone who’d listen. Then the angst-ridden agitators peacefully dispersed and headed off into an offseason of uncertainty – all 12 of them.
Antitrust plaintiff Miller to attend draft - CBSSports.com
The former Texas A&M star is one of 20 players that have been invited to the draft, according to the NFL Network. Other names reportedly on the invite list include defensive tackle Marcel Dareus, wide receiver Julio Jones and running back Mark Ingram from Alabama, Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert and teammate defensive end Aldon Smith, Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley, LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson, Clemson defensive end Da'Quan Bowers, Iowa defensive end Adrian Clayborn, Georgia wide receiver A.J. Green, Nebraska cornerback Prince Amukamara, USC offensive tackle Tyron Smith and Wisconsin defensive end J.J. Watt. Auburn quarterback Cam Newton and Cal defensive end Cameron Jordan have also been invited, according to ProFootballTalk.com.
Cleveland Browns fan sues over NFL lockout | The Chillicothe Gazette | chillicothegazette.com
A Cleveland Browns fan has sued the National Football league and its teams over the player lockout, claiming it amounts to a breach of his contract to buy tickets through his personal seat license. Ken Lanci, a self-made millionaire who ran unsuccessfully last year for the top county government job in Cleveland, filed the lawsuit Thursday in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court.
The Canadian Press: Judge to rule on NFL lockout new to bench, but seen as fair and up to challenge
Now, less than four months into her career as a federal judge, she's responsible for deciding the fate of the NFL's lockout and, perhaps, the 2011 season — a daunting task with big-shot lawyers on both sides and billions of dollars at stake. Those who know Nelson say her short time on the bench won't matter. They note she has decades of courtroom experience and won't be rattled by the glare this high-profile case will bring.
What they're saying: Day 22 of the NFL lockout - NFL - Sporting News
"It frustrates me, because it seems they are eliminating the risk on their side and kind of shoving it onto those young players. And they think because we aren’t those young players, we’ll say, ’Ah, screw those guys.’ " — Ravens CB and NFLPA executive committee member Domonique Foxworth on a rookie wage scale via Philadelphia Daily News
NFLLabor.com NFL owners pay $245 million into player benefits "
The NFL clubs will complete their contributions toward 2010 NFL player benefits on Thursday, bringing the total amount funded by owners for the 2010 season to $245 million.
Sports Law Blog
I was interviewed by Maggie Gray of Sports Illustrated/CNN video to discuss a new lawsuit filed by Carl Eller, Priest Holmes and others on behalf of retired and prospective NFL players. Their core argument is that the NFL lockout and various NFL restrictions on trade, including the draft, are illegal under federal antitrust law -- an argument also made in Brady v. NFL -- but unlike current NFL players, retired and prospective players are not members of the NFLPA bargaining unit.