PRO DAY NOTES, REAL TROUBLE IN DUCKVILLE & CHIEFS SIGN ONE, LOSE ONE
Alabama had their pro day for over 100 NFL scouts, coaches & front office personnel. There was a lot to take in yesterday down Tuscaloosa way. Inside linebacker Rolando McLain, who hadn't participated in the physical portion of the combine started off well, running a 4.68 40-yard dash, which was slightly better than he was expected to run. After finishing most of the required drills, McLain said he wasn't feeling well & wouldn't be able to do the position drills. He admitted he has suffered from Crohn's Disease since he was a freshman in high school. The symptoms can range from a rash to stomach pains, diarrhea, vomiting & weight loss. How it manifests itself in McClain isn't known, but this could be a red flag. He said he controls it with medication, but the fact that it interrupted the most important job interview of his young life is concerning. McLain was a mid 1st-round selection in my opinion, he isn't gifted athletically but he has FBI(football instincts) that are excellent, he has great anticipation. He is seemingly never out of position & is a very physical tackler. Terrence Cody, nose tackle, continues to lose weight, he tipped the scales at 349 yesterday, down 5 more pounds from the combine. He was way overweight(370) at the Senior Bowl, but he's shedding the pounds right now. I think he needs to get down to about 335 & get into much better shape. He wears down too easily. Watching him run yesterday was creepy, he needed a very large sports bra. Cornerback Javier Arenas wasn't able to work out because of the hamstring he tweaked at the combine. Tight end Colin Peek ran two disappointing 40-yard times, 4.93 & 4.94.
A pair of Utah players I'm high on, offensive lineman Zane Beadles & outside linebacker Koa Misi, had good workouts at the Utes pro day. Beadles didn't workout in Indy, but did 30 reps in the bench press & Misi ran a 4.21 short shuttle, which at 246 pounds, is really quick.
Rutgers had their pro day & the guy everyone came to see didn't show. Offensive tackle Anthony Davis claimed a hammy tweak thru his agent. Numerous teams wanted to speak with him so Rutgers coach Greg Schiano called Davis & told him to come to the practice facility. He told his coach he wasn't feeling well, so he wasn't going to make an appearance. Schiano convinced him to show up but he refused to step on the scales, all red flags in my book. His maturity had been questioned in the past, after today, I'd say questions remain.
The Bengals signed former Buc/Cowboy/Brown/Niner wide receiver Antonio Bryant to a 4-year contract. Bryant has been somewhat of a head case since he left Pitt after his junior season. Bryant does have decent speed & a pair of very dependable hands. At 29, he should have 3-4 productive years left. T.O. met with the Bengals brass Wednesday after they had already signed Bryant(What are they trying to do? Corner the PITA free agent contingency) but he left town without a deal. Dancing Machine Chad Ochocinco was really hot to play with Owens, let's see how well he accepts Bryant, especially since he'll be making about 3 times as much money as Chad.
Want to know why the Raiders continue to be a laughingstock around the league? Look no further than this personnel decision. They released running back Justin Fargas last month. Fargas was a dependable backup for the last 7 years, he has little wear & tear on his body & has never been any trouble off the field. Now the Raiders want a third running back to provide depth for Darren McFadden & Michael Bush & guess who they invited to Oakland for a visit? Larry Johnson. Yes, I know what you're thinking, LJ could be the typical Raider bad-boy acquisition. Until Al Davis actually allows someone with real football knowledge, I'm afraid the Raiders will continue to struggle.
The Cleveland Browns, who released former starting quarterback Derek Anderson just a week ago, are now testing the waters as to any trade interest in Brady Quinn. They acquired Seneca Wallace this week & Mike Holmgren is cleaning house at the quarterback position.
Detroit general manager Martin Mayhew said yesterday he "inherited a team of backups." You could say that about several NFL teams right now, Kansas City included.
More bad news for Oregon fans & this might be the worst of the lawless off-season for the Ducks. Apparently starting quarterback Jeremiah Masoli is going to be charged with 2nd degree burglary for his part in grabbing two laptop computers & an electric guitar from an on campus frat house. Teammate Garrett Embry will also be charged in this heist. Pac-10 offensive player of the year, running back LaMichael James, is going to plead guilty to a reduced count of assault for allegedly attacking his girlfriend. He was originally charged with 5 counts including assault & menacing. This program is really in trouble.
Ben Roethlisberger's involvement with a 20-year old college coed last Friday night is becoming slightly more clear. He admitted to having "sexual contact" that did not include intercourse. I think that is fairly clear. He was accompanied by Steeler teammate Willie Colon, a Pittsburgh cop & a Pennsylvania state trooper. They said they often hang with Big Ben, keeping him out of trouble & driving anytime Roethlisberger has been drinking. All three told police they know nothing about the young woman's accusations. Duh. For a guy who makes such smart decisions on the football field, he makes some pretty stupid ones off it.
A free agent I liked, Ma'ake Kemoeatu, former Panther nose tackle, signed with the Redskins yesterday. Tho he isn't fully recovered from the Achilles surgery he underwent last August, he is on schedule to be able to play come August. He signed for peanuts, but apparently too many for Kansas City.
So instead of Kemoeatu, Kansas City signed former Cowboy/Cardinal/Saint/Bengal(twice)/Brown/Las Vegas Locomotive(UFL) nose tackle Shaun Smith to a new contract. The undrafted 325-pounder from South Carolina hasn't exactly been an impact player so far. He played for new defensive coordinator Romeo Crennell for a season, so who knows? Also part of his NFL resume is a 4-game suspension for violating the league's steroid policy. Plus he was suspended for one game while in Cleveland for punching quarterback Brady Quinn while in the weight room. I think Kemoeatu might have been the better choice.
A guy I felt the Chiefs couldn't afford to lose, Wade Smith, is now a Houston Texan. He signed a 4-year deal with $6.25 million in guaranteed money. Smith played 4 different position for the Chiefs last season & honestly, he played pretty well. Versatility is somewhat rare in the NFL, so when you have a guy who can play all over, it's not a bad idea to hang on to them if possible. This team continues to baffle me with their moves & non-moves.
A pair of Utah players I'm high on, offensive lineman Zane Beadles & outside linebacker Koa Misi, had good workouts at the Utes pro day. Beadles didn't workout in Indy, but did 30 reps in the bench press & Misi ran a 4.21 short shuttle, which at 246 pounds, is really quick.
Rutgers had their pro day & the guy everyone came to see didn't show. Offensive tackle Anthony Davis claimed a hammy tweak thru his agent. Numerous teams wanted to speak with him so Rutgers coach Greg Schiano called Davis & told him to come to the practice facility. He told his coach he wasn't feeling well, so he wasn't going to make an appearance. Schiano convinced him to show up but he refused to step on the scales, all red flags in my book. His maturity had been questioned in the past, after today, I'd say questions remain.
The Bengals signed former Buc/Cowboy/Brown/Niner wide receiver Antonio Bryant to a 4-year contract. Bryant has been somewhat of a head case since he left Pitt after his junior season. Bryant does have decent speed & a pair of very dependable hands. At 29, he should have 3-4 productive years left. T.O. met with the Bengals brass Wednesday after they had already signed Bryant(What are they trying to do? Corner the PITA free agent contingency) but he left town without a deal. Dancing Machine Chad Ochocinco was really hot to play with Owens, let's see how well he accepts Bryant, especially since he'll be making about 3 times as much money as Chad.
Want to know why the Raiders continue to be a laughingstock around the league? Look no further than this personnel decision. They released running back Justin Fargas last month. Fargas was a dependable backup for the last 7 years, he has little wear & tear on his body & has never been any trouble off the field. Now the Raiders want a third running back to provide depth for Darren McFadden & Michael Bush & guess who they invited to Oakland for a visit? Larry Johnson. Yes, I know what you're thinking, LJ could be the typical Raider bad-boy acquisition. Until Al Davis actually allows someone with real football knowledge, I'm afraid the Raiders will continue to struggle.
The Cleveland Browns, who released former starting quarterback Derek Anderson just a week ago, are now testing the waters as to any trade interest in Brady Quinn. They acquired Seneca Wallace this week & Mike Holmgren is cleaning house at the quarterback position.
Detroit general manager Martin Mayhew said yesterday he "inherited a team of backups." You could say that about several NFL teams right now, Kansas City included.
More bad news for Oregon fans & this might be the worst of the lawless off-season for the Ducks. Apparently starting quarterback Jeremiah Masoli is going to be charged with 2nd degree burglary for his part in grabbing two laptop computers & an electric guitar from an on campus frat house. Teammate Garrett Embry will also be charged in this heist. Pac-10 offensive player of the year, running back LaMichael James, is going to plead guilty to a reduced count of assault for allegedly attacking his girlfriend. He was originally charged with 5 counts including assault & menacing. This program is really in trouble.
Ben Roethlisberger's involvement with a 20-year old college coed last Friday night is becoming slightly more clear. He admitted to having "sexual contact" that did not include intercourse. I think that is fairly clear. He was accompanied by Steeler teammate Willie Colon, a Pittsburgh cop & a Pennsylvania state trooper. They said they often hang with Big Ben, keeping him out of trouble & driving anytime Roethlisberger has been drinking. All three told police they know nothing about the young woman's accusations. Duh. For a guy who makes such smart decisions on the football field, he makes some pretty stupid ones off it.
A free agent I liked, Ma'ake Kemoeatu, former Panther nose tackle, signed with the Redskins yesterday. Tho he isn't fully recovered from the Achilles surgery he underwent last August, he is on schedule to be able to play come August. He signed for peanuts, but apparently too many for Kansas City.
So instead of Kemoeatu, Kansas City signed former Cowboy/Cardinal/Saint/Bengal(twice)/Brown/Las Vegas Locomotive(UFL) nose tackle Shaun Smith to a new contract. The undrafted 325-pounder from South Carolina hasn't exactly been an impact player so far. He played for new defensive coordinator Romeo Crennell for a season, so who knows? Also part of his NFL resume is a 4-game suspension for violating the league's steroid policy. Plus he was suspended for one game while in Cleveland for punching quarterback Brady Quinn while in the weight room. I think Kemoeatu might have been the better choice.
A guy I felt the Chiefs couldn't afford to lose, Wade Smith, is now a Houston Texan. He signed a 4-year deal with $6.25 million in guaranteed money. Smith played 4 different position for the Chiefs last season & honestly, he played pretty well. Versatility is somewhat rare in the NFL, so when you have a guy who can play all over, it's not a bad idea to hang on to them if possible. This team continues to baffle me with their moves & non-moves.
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