Tuesday, March 28, 2006

The Packers signed former Chiefs top reserve WR Marc Boerigter to bolster a receiving corps that has been hurt by a disgruntled Javon Walker and a possible career-ending neck injury to last year's 2nd round pick Terrence Murphy. Boerigter didn't play in 2004 because of a knee injury, but Green Bay was intrigued by his combination of size and speed. Green Bay also signed K Billy Cundiff, who kicked for Dallas and had a short stint with the Buccaneers in 2005. The Packers also completed a contract with former Browns starting LB Ben Taylor ... The Redskins re-upped with restricted free-agent OG Derrick Dockery, an improving pass blocker whose reputation as a road grader is deserved. Dockery, who has started all but three of his 48 career games, helped RB Clinton Portis rush for a franchise-record 1,516 yards last season in what was an improved offensive line ... The Eagles re-signed RFA CB Roderick Hood to a one-year tender.

Following are the compensatory free agents lost and signed by the clubs that will receive compensatory picks in the upcoming draft: BALTIMORE — Lost: Bennie Anderson, Gary Baxter, Marques Douglas, Edgerton Hartwell, Casey Rabach, Travis Taylor. Signed: Tommy Polley, Keydrick Vincent. DENVER — Lost: Reggie Hayward, Kenoy Kennedy, Donnie Spragan. Signed: Stephen Alexander, Keith Burns. DETROIT — Lost: Stephen Alexander, Stockar McDougle, Mike McMahon. Signed: Rick DeMulling, Kenoy Kennedy. GREEN BAY — Lost: Bhawoh Jue, Marco Rivera. Signed: Adrian Klemm. INDIANAPOLIS — Lost: Rick DeMulling. NEW ENGLAND — Lost: Joe Andruzzi, Adrian Klemm, David Patten. Signed: Monty Beisel. NEW YORK JETS — Lost: Anthony Becht, Jason Ferguson, LaMont Jordan, Kareem McKenzie. Signed: Derrick Blaylock, Barry Gardner, Lance Legree. PHILADELPHIA — Lost: Derrick Burgess, Jermane Mayberry, Ike Reese. Signed: Mike McMahon. PITTSBURGH — Lost: Kendrell Bell, Plaxico Burress, Oliver Ross, Keydrick Vincent. Signed: Cedrick Wilson. ST. LOUIS — Lost: Bryce Fisher, Matt Lehr, Tommy Polley. Signed: Chris Claiborne. TAMPA BAY — Lost: Keith Burns, Cosey Coleman, Chartric Darby, Dwight Smith. Signed: Anthony Becht. TENNESSEE — Lost: Andre Dyson, Shad Meier, Antowain Smith.

Saturday, March 25, 2006

Your it

In a bizarre move, the Seattle Seahawks signed Minnesota Vikings WR Nate Burleson to an offer sheet worth $49 million over seven years. If those terms sound a little familiar, they should. Earlier this week, the Vikings signed Pro Bowl G Steve Hutchinson from the Seahawks with a seven-year, $49-million deal. Seattle declined to match the offer, and Hutchinson moved on to the Vikings, after the Seahawks lost an arbitration case in which they challenged some so-called "poison pill" provisions of the offer sheet. The Seahawks, probably with a little revenge in mind - there is little doubt about the similarity to the Hutchinson contract - signed Burleson in what can only be only be described as a bizarre contract offer. The offer sheet that Burleson signed on Friday with the Seahawks features not only the same number of years and the same total payout as the Hutchinson contract, but also includes two "poison pills" that will make it virtually impossible for the Vikings to match. Minnesota has seven days to ponder the offer, but if it declines to match, will receive Seattle's third-round choice in this year's draft as compensation. The Vikings retained a right of first refusal on Burleson by making him a restricted free agent qualifying offer of $712,000. To match though, the Vikings will have to make some tough-to-swallow concessions. First, they would have to guarantee the entire contract, all $49 million, if Burleson plays five or more games in the state of Minnesota in any season of the contract. Of course, the Vikings play home games in Minneapolis. Secondly, Minnesota would have to guarantee the full contract if Burleson is paid more on average per year than all of the Minnesota running backs combined. At least for now, the averages of the Vikings' tailbacks fall well shy of the $7-million average of the Burleson offer sheet. When the Vikings signed Hutchinson to his offer sheet, they wrote into the deal a provision that guaranteed the full contract if the star guard was not the highest paid lineman on the team. The Vikings knew Seattle couldn't match the offer since Pro Bowl LT Walter Jones has a contract that averages more than Hutchinson's deal. Minnesota could challenge the "poison pill" provisions, as did the Seahawks with Hutchinson's contract. This is a story that should be fun to follow as things play out.

With plenty of questions yet to answer, Texas QB Vince Young continues his whirlwind tour of the NFL with upcoming private workouts with the Baltimore Ravens (April 2 & 3), Houston Texans (April 6), NY Jets (April 17 & 18) and tentatively with the Miami Dolphins (April 9 & 10). Team's looking to draft a potential franchise QB want to get a good look at Young before taking a chance on one of the drafts' most talented but hard-to-peg football players.

The Pro Day results keep coming in, with Auburn and Georgia going through the paces Thursday on campus for the NFL bigwigs. Auburn OT Marcus McNeill (6-7 3/8, 334), who is generally considered the drafts' top RT, only did the short shuttle (5.07 seconds) and the position drills on campus. Due to his great size and 5.07 40 time at the Combine, someone could take a chance on him in Round 1 if questions about his toughness and bad back can be answered. He has rare measurables. His position mate Troy Reddick also has great size (6-4½, 340) but stood mostly on his Combine results, where he ran a pedestrian 5.57 40 and only did 21 reps at 225 lbs. On campus, he had a 28-inch vertical jump and a 7-foot-5 broad jump. Reddick will probably move inside to OG in the pros. LB Travis Williams (5-11½, 222) ran his 40s in 4.69 and 4.75 seconds. He did 20 reps. Due to his lack of size and elite speed, Williams will probably only be a late-round possibility, but his toughness and passion for the game could make him a valuable special teamer. DE/LB tweener Stanley McClover (6-2 1/8, 258) only ran at the Pro Day and his 40 times were 4.63 and 4.71. McClover, a junior, still has a lot of questions to be answered and could have used another year in college to mature physically. He is tough, though, and has some pass-rush ability. The Bulldogs also worked out for the pros on Thursday with TE Leonard Pope being the most intriguing Georgia prospect. Pope has tremendous measurables (6-7 7/8, 256) but he only displayed his skills in the positional drills and stood on everything he did at the Combine, where he ran a 4.62 40 and did 22 reps. He could hear his name called late in the first or early in the second round because he is such a great target. OG Max Jean-Gilles is a massive (6-3¾, 343) road-grader type who displayed his strength with 31 reps on the bench. He is considered one of the top two or three guards available. S Greg Blue (6-2, 220) ran his 40s in 4.55 and 4.59 seconds. He also ran the short shuttle in 4.28 and the three-cone drill in 7.09. Blue really looks the part but is a S/LB tweener who might be better at weakside LB. CB Demario Minter (5-11¼, 185) ran his 40s in 4.48 and 4.53 seconds. He also ran the short shuttle in 4.32 and the long shuttle in 11.56. Minter is a physical corner who would fit best in a zone scheme because he falls short in man-to-man coverage. He is a decent second-day prospect. QB D.J. Shockley (6-1, 215) only did positional drills on campus, but he reportedly looked good throwing the ball. Shockley is a great athlete who many think should switch to RB or WR in the pros but he has some QB skills and could be drafted as a developmental QB who could come on after some time in NFL Europe.

Wednesday, March 22, 2006

Draft Day Location Moved

The NFL has officially confirmed that the 2006 draft, scheduled for the weekend of April 29-20, will be held at New York's Radio City Music Hall. After being held for years at Madison Square Garden, the draft moved to the smaller Jacob Javits Center in New York last year. The NFL actually toyed with the idea of taking the draft on the road, but those plans appear to have been shelved for now. We will have particulars on ticket availabilty and the like closer to the draft.

Any doubts about Texas QB Vince Young's actual speed may have been erased at today's on-campus workout Austin where the former Longhorns' star reportedly stopped the clock in just under 4.6 seconds in the 40. The bigger question, though, was how well Young would throw the ball and that is being answered as we speak as Young workouts in front of as many as 150-200 personnel people from around the NFL.

Monday, March 20, 2006

Tagliabue to retire as Commissioner in July

Update 11:31 am


Paul Tagliabue is retiring as NFL commissioner in July after more than 16 years on the job.
The 65-year-old commissioner has led the league since 1989, when he succeeded Pete Rozelle, and had recently signed a two-year contract extension to complete the television and labor deals.
He finally got that done 12 days ago, finishing the most arduous labor negotiations since the league and union agreed on a free agency-salary cap deal in 1992.


Paul Tagliabue oversaw tremendous change in the NFL during his 16 years as commissioner.
"I believe that now is a positive time to make the transition to a new commissioner," Tagliabue said in a statement.
Roger Goodell, the NFL's chief operating officer, and Atlanta general manager Rich McKay are the two leading candidates to succeed Tagliabue. Baltimore Ravens president Dick Cass is considered a dark horse.
Tagliabue has said he wants to avoid the kind of seven-month deadlock that occurred between him and the late Jim Fink after Rozelle stepped down in March 1989.
"We have a collective bargaining extension in place, long-term television contracts, and have undertaken many other strong elements in league and club operations," Tagliabue said. "I am honored to have been commissioner since late 1989 and to have been heavily involved with the league, its owners, clubs, coaches, players, fans and media since 1969."
Tagliabue's term will be remembered most for labor peace following strikes in 1982 and 1987. His close relationship with Gene Upshaw, the union's executive director, finally led to a long-term agreement after five years without a contract.
But the bargaining was hard this time, with three straight deadline extensions needed. The agreement avoided the prospect of entering free agency this year with the possibility of an uncapped year in 2007.
He also oversaw a massive stadium building program. More than two-thirds of the NFL's 32 teams are either playing in or building stadiums that didn't exist when he took over as commissioner in 1989.
Before becoming commissioner, Tagliabue was a league lawyer who spent much of that time as the NFL's representative and unofficial lobbyist in Washington.


Pro Day Work Out
March 20
Cumberland (Tenn.), East Carolina, Harvard, Iowa, Richmond, South Carolina State, Southern Mississippi, SE Missouri State, William & Mary


According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Jim Mora is interested in New York Jets defensive end John Abraham, but does not want to include quarterback Matt Schaub in a trade. Schaub will become a restricted free agent after this season, so, if he signs with another team, the Falcons have the right to match the offer......

Fullback Tony Richardson, who joined the Chiefs in 1995 and worked his way up from special teams to starting fullback, is hoping he can finish his career with the Chiefs. According to the Kansas City Star, there is still a little work left to do, but Richardson feels better about the chances for getting something done....

The Dallas Cowboys signed offensive tackle Jason Fabini to a three-year contract, a potentially key addition overshadowed by the signing of receiver Terrell Owens.
The 6-foot-7, 304-pound Fabini likely will take over the right tackle spot that has been troublesome pretty much since Erik Williams was in his Pro Bowl prime in the 1990s. Rookie Rob Petitti played there last season and struggled, especially when extra blockers were used to help other linemen.
Fabini broke into the league with the New York Jets in 1998 when Cowboys coach Bill Parcells was there. Fabini spent his entire eight-year career with the Jets, starting 114 consecutive games until he tore a chest muscle Nov. 18 and didn't return. He was released Feb. 22.
"I'm healed up and ready to go," Fabini said. "I start the offseason program (March 20)."
His real value will be ending the turnstile at right tackle, plus being able to play on the left side should Flozell Adams not recover from the injury that knocked him out last season.
"He can really help solidify our offensive line," team vice president Stephen Jones said. "We needed some flexibility there as well."
The 31-year-old Fabini is the latest member of the Parcells alumni club to be reunited with the coach. Other former Jets teammates he'll find in the locker room include Jason Ferguson and Aaron Glenn.
"It made it easier, knowing Bill is here," said Fabini, who spoke with Parcells several times last week. "He's a great coach. I'm looking forward to working for him again. He told me there was an opportunity at right tackle. I'm just looking forward for the chance to compete for the job and to help the team."
On another day, this signing might've been more heralded. On this day, Fabini had to wait to be introduced to Jerry Jones until the owner had finished speaking with reporters about Owens.
Fabini took it completely in stride, joking about the anonymity of offensive linemen.
So what does he think of his newest teammate?
"I think his play speaks for itself," Fabini said. "The guy wants to win and he's a great player."

Thursday, March 16, 2006

Culpepper passes physical

Just hours after introducing newly signed free agent QB Drew Brees as their new starting QB, New Orleans released Aaron Brooks who had had the job since 2000.....

It wasn't formally announced, but QB Daunte Culpepper has reportedly passed his physical with Miami to finalize the trade from Minnesota. In exchange for Culpepper, the Vikings received a second-round pick - the 51st overall - from Miami in next month's draft....

Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Eagles re-sign WR McCants to one-year deal

PHILADELPHIA (March 15, 2006) -- Receiver Darnerien McCants will rejoin the Philadelphia Eagles next season after signing a one-year contract.
McCants, 27, played in 12 games for the Eagles last season, mostly on special teams. He caught five passes for 87 yards as a reserve.
A fifth-round draft pick out of Delaware State in 2001 by Washington, McCants joined the Eagles shortly before the 2005 season opener. In 41 career games, he has 58 catches for 774 yards and eight touchdowns.

The Pittsburgh Steelers agreed to contract terms with backup tight end Jerame Tuman.
Tuman is entering his seventh season with the Steelers.
The Steelers also came to terms with backup offensive tackle Barrett Brooks, claimed fullback Doug Easlick off waivers from the San Francisco 49ers, and signed fullback Brandon Joe.

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

T.O. Day

Today is a key date in the football life of recalcitrant Philadelphia WR Terrell Owens. The Eagles, who suspended Owens late last season and don’t appear to be in any mood to take him back, owe him a substantial roster bonus as of today. That leaves the Eagles with three basic options: don’t pay up, but in the process allow Owens to walk as an unrestricted free agent; trade him today for whatever they can get; or pay the bonus and continue to try and find a trading partner. If the Eagles are able to move Owens today, Kansas City would appear to be the most likely destination, although Denver has also been lukewarm regarding the possibility of adding a player maker like Owens to a roster the Broncos feel is close.

No Brees signing yet… The NFL’s expected off-season round of musical QB chairs remains on hold as we go to press as San Diego unrestricted free agent Drew Brees continues to mull his options. Brees was in Miami meeting with Dolphins’ officials after visiting with New Orleans over the weekend and had been expected to make a decision on Monday. It may not be all the easy for Brees who may have to decide between accepting less from Miami, but being guaranteed, at least as much as any position in the NFL can be guaranteed, a long run as the Dolphins starter. On the other hand, New Orleans reportedly is offering more money, but apparently won’t commit not to select a QB with the second pick overall at the 2006 draft. Meanwhile, Minnesota QB Daunte Culpepper remains in limbo awaiting for the Brees domino to fall. It is expected, for example, that Miami will set its sights on a trade with the Vikings for Culpepper if they can’t sign Brees. At the same time, there are rumblings that if Brees signs with the Dolphins that Oakland would likely re-enter the bidding for Culpepper. There were rumors that the Raiders had actually agreed on a trade for Culpepper with the Vikings late last week, but ultimately declined the Vikings request of a second round pick this coming April for Culpepper.

Sunday, March 12, 2006

Minnesota has thrown a wrench at defending NFC champion Seattle by signing the Seahawks’ Pro Bowl OG Steve Hutchinson, who was designated a transition player by Seattle, to an offer sheet for a whopping $49 million over seven years. The deal also includes $16 million in guaranteed money, huge money for an OG, and a very high cap number in the first year. If the Seahawks do decide to match the deal, which would give them the most expensive side to an offensive line in league history where Hutchinson teams with Walter Jones to make up the best blocking side in football as well. If the Seahawks aren’t able to match they would not receive any compensation.

Arizona made one of the big slpashes of the early free agent signing period, inking star Indianapolis RB Edgerrin James. That almost certainly will change the Cardinals draft strategy at the 2006 draft; the Cardinals, who have the tenth pick overall, had been thought to be looking at RBs like DeAngelo Williams of Memphis or LenDale white of Southern Cal, but may now look elsewhere at tht spot come April 29th.

49ers get picks for RFA WR..

Updating an earlier report, those pesky Washington Redskins, who have led the league in signing restricted free agents the past few years, are at it again. The Redskins have sent a 3rd round pick in 2006 and a 4th rounder in 2007 to San Francisco for restricted free agent WR Brandon Lloyd. Lloyd has been tendered such that the 49ers would be owed a #1 pick if they didn’t match an offer sheet signed by Lloyd, however, they compromised and accepted the two picks from the Redskins.....

St. Louis has signed former Minnesota unrestrited free agent FS Corey Chavous, while Arizona has signed DT Kendrick Clancy, who played last fall with the Giants

Cleveland became the first team to sign an unrestricted free agent when the Browns signed former New Orleans C LeCharles Bentley, former Atlanta OT Kevin Shaffer and, Joe Jurevicius, who got a four-year deal, has played in three Super Bowls, including last season for the Seattle Seahawks.

Saturday, March 11, 2006

2006 NFL calendar

March 18 -- NFL Europe League season begins.
March 26-30 -- NFL Annual Meeting, Orlando.
April 21 -- Signing period ends for restricted free agents.
April 28 -- Deadline for old club to exercise right of first refusal to restricted free agents.
April 29-30 -- NFL Draft, New York City.
May 10-12 -- NFL Coaches Career Development Symposium, Orlando.
May 20 -- NFL Europe League regular season ends.
May 21-24 -- NFL Spring Meeting, Denver.
May 27 -- World Bowl XIV, Düsseldorf, Germany.
June 1 -- Deadline for old clubs to send tender to unsigned unrestricted free agents to receive exclusive negotiating rights for rest of season if player is not signed by another club by July 22.
June 1 -- Deadline for old clubs to send tender to unsigned restricted free agents or to extend qualifying offer to retain exclusive negotiating rights.
June 15 -- Deadline for old clubs to withdraw original qualifying offer to unsigned restricted free agents and still retain exclusive negotiating rights by substituting tender of 110 percent of previous year's salary.
June 25-28 -- NFL Rookie Symposium, Carlsbad, Calif.
Late July -- Training camps open.
July 22 -- Signing period ends at 4 p.m. ET for unrestricted free agents who received June 1 tender.
Aug. 6 -- Pro Football Hall of Fame Game, Canton, Ohio.
Aug. 10-14 -- First preseason weekend.
Aug. 29 -- Roster cutdown to maximum of 65 players.
Sept. 2 -- Roster cutdown to maximum of 53 players.
Sept. 7-11 -- Kickoff 2006 Weekend.

The Indianapolis Colts offered backup safety Gerome Sapp a one-year tender.
Sapp's agent, Scott Smith, confirmed the move.
Sapp was to become a restricted free agent when free agency starts March 11. He can still negotiate with other teams, but the Colts can match another team's offer.
Four prominent players were expected to hit the market -- Colts career rushing leader Edgerrin James; kicker Mike Vanderjagt; starting linebacker David Thornton and defensive tackle Larry Tripplett, who has been a key piece in the Colts' defensive line rotation.
Team president Bill Polian has said he believes there's a 50-50 chance the team can retain James now that the salary cap has risen from $94.5 million to $102 million. But Polian acknowledged March 9 that it would be difficult for the Colts to keep Thornton and James.

Jets defensive end John Abraham will visit four teams next week in his hopes to work out a deal for a trade, his agent said.
Rich Rosa knocked down speculation that Abraham is close to a deal with Denver, not specifying what teams were interested in the three-time Pro Bowl selection.
For now, it is up to Abraham to decide where he wants to go, work out a deal with the new club, then go back to the Jets so they can put together the parameters for a trade.
How long that takes depends on the situation.
Abraham, who was designated the team's franchise player, has made it clear he wants out of New York. The Jets also have made it obvious Abraham has no future with them, placing the tag on him for the second successive year.
Along with Denver, Seattle, Atlanta and Washington are believed to be considering acquiring Abraham.
The 27-year-old Abraham is unhappy the Jets have failed to deliver a long-term deal, even though they all but assured him they would if he played in every game in 2005. He did, but was given a one-year franchise tender.
What happens with Abraham is one of the biggest questions facing the Jets heading into the start of free agency. The other is at quarterback. Though the Jets and Chad Pennington agreed to a restructured deal for salary-cap reasons, he is coming off his second shoulder operation.
The Jets need another quarterback, and have already started the process of finding one, meeting with Redskins backup Patrick Ramsey earlier in the week. The Redskins have given Ramsey permission to seek a trade. His agent, Jimmy Sexton, didn't return repeated phone calls seeking comment.
Another option is drafting a quarterback with the No. 4 pick. The Jets also need help on the offensive line and in the secondary, but aren't expected to make any moves for big-name players.

Minnesota has lifted the transition designation on CB Brian Williams after the one-year tender for the position was raised based on changes in the new collective bargaining agreement. As a result, Williams becomes an unrestricted free agent at the stroke of midnight

Green Bay has resigned DE Aaron Kampman just hours before he was to become an unrestricted free agent this evening. That may set up a potential draft day dilemma for the Packers. Green Bay has the 5th pick overall this year and most projections have them taking North Carolina State DE Mario Williams. The Packers, of course, could still take Williams if he was still available with the 5th pick, however, it could also have them looking at other players or even a possible trade down.

As the clock strikes midnight, the NFL trading period and free agent signing period finally gets underway. The NFL season was supposed to start March 3rd, however, it was delayed while the NFL and the players association worked out a new colective bargaining agreement.

Friday, March 10, 2006

No player was under more scrutiny during yesterday’s pro day workout schedule that Wisconsin RB Brian Calhoun who was a major disappointment at last month’s Scouting Combine in Indianapolis when he ran some slow 40-yard dashes, stopping the clock only in the 4.6 range. Calhoun was back on track yesterday at the Badgers’ pro day when he was reportedly timed in 4.38 seconds for the 40. After the workout, Calhoun said he was relieved, but attributed the slow times at the combine largely to a tender Achilles' tendon. Meanwhile, Badger FB Matt Bernstein, who missed Wisconsin’s final nine games last season because of an inoperable sports hernia, recorded 25 repetitions in the bench-press 225 pounds and was timed at 4.8 seconds in the 40-yard dash. That was about a tenth of a second better than what he posted at the combine, but still may not be quite fast enough to get the 259-pound Bernstein a draft call next month. It was also a pretty good day for veteran WR Brandon Williams who posted 40 times in the 4.4 range, while fellow WR Jonathan Orr was timed at 4.25 seconds and CB Levonne Rowan was timed in 4.28 seconds. Elsewhere, Notre Dame WR Maurice Stovall and junior TE Anthony Fasano posted some solid 40 times of their at the Irish pro day in South Bend. The 216-pound Stovall clocked in at around 4.55 seconds in his dashes, while Fasano was timed in the low 4.7s. And at Oklahoma CB Eric Bassey reportedly stopped the clock in the mid-4.3s running on a fast track at the Sooners’ pro day. DT Dusty Dvoracek also took advantage of the fast surface, running a couple of 40s in around 4.8 seconds; that’s down a full two-tenths of a second from his combine time of just over 5.00 flat.

Several reports have confirmed our earlier report that Ohio State LB A.J. Hawk, one of the top 3-4 defensive prospects for the 2006 draft, did indeed post some very good times at the Buckeyes' on-campus workout yesterday. Running on what is being described as a very fast track, Hawk posted times in the mid-to-low 4.4s for the 40 - at least one team reportedly had him under 4.4 - in the process besting a somewhat disappointing effort at the Combine where Hawk was clocked in at closer to 4.6 seconds. It wasn't quite as good a day for Hawk's OSU fellow LB Bobby Carpenter, who is reportedly still not 100% from a late-season leg injury. Carpenter reportedly ran his 40s today in times just under 4.7 seconds. Meanwhile, OSU junior WR Santonio Holmes did nothing to hurt his chances of being the first receiver selected this year when he blitzed his 40s in the low 4.3 range. CB Ashton Youboty reportedly timed in the mid 4.40 to 4.45 range. In another workout today, Nebraska OT Seppo Evwaraye emerged as someting of a sleeper at the position when the 320-pounder former Cornhusker ran a very impressive 5.05 40-yard sprint.

The NFL Network, citing Vikings team sources, reported Thursday night that the Vikings had reached a basic agreement to trade Culpepper to a potential group of suitors, which includes the Dolphins. However, it isn't known with which team the Vikings have agreed."
According to ESPN, sources said Tagliabue is expected to exercise a clause in his contract with NFL owners in which he becomes a "senior executive" consultant with a significant compensation package.

There has been recent speculation that Tagliabue's reign was in its final year or two, but the sources pinpointed the commissioner's decision as possible during the next 60 days. Tagliabue's current contract has two years remaining on it and it is believed to pay him between $8 million and $10 million through May 2008. Tagliabue was unavailable for comment and a league spokesman said he was unaware of the development.

Sunday, March 05, 2006

Talks between the NFL and its players union broke off early Saturday evening with no progress reported on a new collective bargaining agreement. The league is saying the two sides would meet again later today, but union officials are reportedly not as confident. The stalemate increased the possibility that many high-priced free agents would become available on the market as teams struggled to get under the salary cap by 6 PM ET this afternoon. If there is no new agreement by that time, the 2006 salary cap is expected to be set at $94.5M, over $10M less than if there were a new agreement. The free agent signing period would then begin at midnight if there is further extension of the talks.

It wasn't quite the event of past Miami pro days, however, over 100 NFL personnel types representing every team at the league was at Miami's pro day workout on Saturday. Unlike in the past when the top Hurricanes' prospects would routinely pass on working out at the Combine, most of this year's top Hurricane prospects did participate at the Indianapolis event; indeed, a number chose to stand on their Combine results. One who didn't was KR Devin Hester who was a little disappointed with a Combine 40-time in the mid-4.4s. Hester, who played both WR and CB during his Miami career but still doesn't have a position to call his own, bettered his Combine time with 40 clockings in the mid-4.3 range on Saturday. On the other hand, DT Orien Harris probably didn't do much to himself running his 40s in ovr 5.25 seconds. LSU also worked out yesterday, but like the Hurricanes, most Tigers had already worked out at the Combine. One LSU player pro scouts were hoping to get a look at was DT Claude Wroten, who had been a rising star in the 2006 draft class before getting into some legal troubles which have now been resolved. Unfortunately, Wroten who didn't workout at the Combine because of a minor leg injury, pulled up on his first 40 try. Wroten though will get another chance when LSU holds its second scheduled pro day on March 16th.

Friday, March 03, 2006

Teams around the NFL that figured they needed to be under the 2006 salary cap by late yesterday got a reprieve when the league extended that deadline to 6 PM ET Sunday as part of the overall extension to allow the league and players association to find a last-ditch agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement. That hasn’t stopped a lot of teams from making moves to get their salary caps in order. Tennessee, for example, has released long-time LT Brad Hopkins. The Titans also decided to pay a $1 million fee that will keep QB Steve McNair with the team this season, but which will also allow him to become a free agent after 2006. That could set up an interesting dilemma for the Titans who select 3rd overall at the 2006 draft. Most experts figure that the Titans are a virtual lock to take a QB – most likely Vince Young of Texas – at that spot, however, Virginia OT D’Brickashaw Ferguson might also make an inviting option as a potential replacement for Hopkins. Certainly the questions surrounding Young and his reported poor score on an intelligence test over the weekend could add some spice to the Titans’ deliberations. The Titans may also think twice about Young in that he may not necessarily be an ideal fit for the controlled passing scheme that new offensive co-ordinator Norm Chow brings with him from Southern California. Of course, the Titans could also look at Vanderbilt QB Jay Cutler from home-town Vanderbilt if Young doesn’t impress at his March 22nd pro day at Texas. Meanwhile, other moves in the past day or so saw Miami and Kansas City each replace 4 players. The Dolphins cut star CB Sam Madison, SS Terbucky Jones, OT Damion McIntosh and CB Reggie Howard, while the Chiefs cut LBs Shawn Barber and Gary Stills, along with CBs Eric Warfield and Dexter McLeon. Elsewhere Green Bay released LB Na’il Diggs; Carolina released LB Brandon Short; Dallas cut DT La’roi Glover; Seattle released LB Jamie Sharper and CB Andre Dyson, and Oakland cut DT Ted Washington, OG Ron Stone and CB Dennard Walker.

Thursday, March 02, 2006

NFL Extends Free Agency Deadline

NFL Extends Free Agency Deadline by Three Days, After Owners Vote to Continue Standoff With Union
http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory?id=1680623
The Combine was a grueling week for NFL coaches, scouts and other front office personnel peel, but they won’t be getting much of a chance to catch their breath as they are now in what is for all intents and purposes a two-month sprint to the draft. Indeed, with the Combine in the books the on-campus pro day schedule starts later today with a workout at Central Florida, while Bowling Green, with QB Omar Jacobs, Toledo, with QB Bruce Gradkowski, Boise State, with OT Daryn Colledge, and Northwestern, with DT Barry Cofield will work out on Thursday. Things really heat up on the weekend when both Miami and LSU holds pro days on Saturday. We’ll have a full list of pro days, as well as players to watch at each, will be up in the next couple of days.....

Washington has reportedly come to terms on a 3-year contract extension with veteran QB Mark Brunell. With Brunell locked up, it appears that Redskins’ QB Patrick Ramsey is done in Washington. The Redskins have reportedly talked with Miami about a trade for Ramsey, but declined the Dolphins reportedly rejected the Redskins' demand for a second- or third-round pick in exchange for Ramsey, the Redskins’ #1 pick in 2002. Washington, though, is believed to have dropped its demand to a fourth- or fifth-round pick, but the Dolphins are still hesitant. Ramsey, though, may be a fall back option for the Dolphins who are expected to be prime suitors if and when veteran QBs such as Drew Brees and Daunte Culpepper become free agents in the next several weeks. The Dolphins are also reportedly reluctant to part with even a late round pick for Ramsey because they don't have a fifth- or sixth-round pick in April's draft. The Dolphins do have three seventh-round picks, including two from trades with Green Bay and Chicago. Still, the Dolphins don't want to go into the draft with only three picks on the second day of the draft....


It didn’t take long for things to start to get interesting on the on-campus workout schedule. Indeed, expect a pretty good turnout at Bowling Green later today when QB Omar Jacobs leads his Falcons’ teammates through their paces. Jacobs is another one of those very athletic QBs in the Vince Young mode with size and plenty of arm strength, but an ungainly throwing motion. Jacobs was all that at last week’s combines, however, pro scouts couldn’t help but notice that Jacobs generally got the ball where it was supposed to be with authority. And, of course, in the pro day setting, NFL personnel people will be able to see Jacobs throw for a prolonged period. Jacobs, though, won’t be the only athletic MAC QB under the gun today as Toledo will also be working out today where Rockets’ QB Bruce Gradkowski will get the same chance as Jacobs to prove to pro scouts that he can make all the throws. Other workouts that should be well attended today include Boise State, Northwestern and Missouri. Here’s the full, or at least starting to get close to full, along with the top prospects pro scouts will be looking at each. Since we clearly don’t have all the workout dates yet we’d appreciate it if readers can give us a heads up on other pro days they are aware



2006 PRO DAY WORKOUT SCHEDULE
(*Indicates team has mutiple workouts scheduled)
March 1st

*Central Florida (WR Brandon Marshall; TE Darcy Johnson; PK Matt Prater)
Southern Methodist (LB DD Lee; FS Jamey Harper; LB/SS Alvin Nnabuife)

March 2nd

Missouri (QB Brad Smith; WR Sean Coffey; OG Tony Palmer; FS Jason Simpson; CB Marcus King)
Northwestern (QB Brett Basanez; OT Zach Strief; DT Barry Cofield, LB Tim McGarigle; Arizona State LB Paul Szcesny)
Boise State (OT Daryn Colledge; DT Alex Guerrero; FS Cam Hall; RB Lee Marks)
Ball State (LB Donta Smith; C Patrick Neils; DE Blair Kramer)
Baylor (DB Willie Andrews; FS Maurice Lane; LB Collin Allred; OG Lequalan McDonald)
Bowling Green (QB Omar Jacobs; RB PJ Pope; WR Charles Sharon; OT Rob Warren; CB Jelani Jordan; LB Teddy Piepkow; Mike Thaler)
Toledo (QB Bruce Gradkowski; RB Trinity Dawson; LB Anthony Jordan; CB Antonio Malone; DB Keon Jackson; LB David Thomas)
Florida Atlantic (CB Willie Hughley; LB Shomari Earls)
Maine (LB Jermaine Walker; CB Jarrod Gomes)
Northwestern State (CB David Pittman)
Linfield (QB Brett Elliott)

March 3rd
Florida Internatioanl (DB Nick Turnbull; CB Matt Castillo; LB Lance Preston)
North Dakota (OG Chris Kuper; LB Digger Anderson; PK Jeff Glas)
South Dakota (DE AJ Schable; Black Hills State TE Zac Alcorn)
Louisiana-Lafayette
Other workouts: Sam Houston State; South Dakota State; Yale

March 4th
Miami (WR Sinorice Moss; OT Eric Winston; OT Orien Harris; CB Kelly Jennings; WR/KR Devin Hester; LB Rocky McIntosh; LB Leon Williams; OG Tyler McMeans; FB Quadtrine Hill; OT Rashad Butler; FS Greg Threat; OG Tony Tella; DE Javon Nanton; TE Buck Ortega; DE Thomas Carroll)
*Louisiana State (RB Joseph Addai; OT Andrew Whitworth, WR/KR Skyler Green; DT Kyle Williams; DT Claude Wroten; DE Melvin Oliver; LB Cameron Vaughn; LB Ken Hollis; CB Ronnie Prude; C Rudy Niswanger; )
Texas A&M (QB Reggie McNeal; OG Jami Hightower; WR Jason Carter; DT Johnny Jolly; FS Jaxson Appel; LB Archie McDonald; LB Lee Foliaki; WR D'Qwawn Mobley; OG Aldo De La Garza; PK Todd Peagam)

Other workouts:

March 6th
Louisville (DE Elvis Dumervil; DT Montavious Stanley; LB Brandon Johnson; OT Travis Leffew; OT Jeremy Darveau; OG/C Jason Spitz; WR Montrell Jones; WR Joshua Tinch)
Minnesota (RB Laurence Maroney; C Greg Eslinger; OG Mark Setterstrom; WR Jared Ellerson; DT Anthony Montgomery; DT Mark Losli; FS John Pawielski)
Utah (DT Steve Fifita; LB Spencer Toone; RB Quinton Ganther; C Jesse Boone; OG David Dirkmaat; WR Travid LaTendresse; WR John Madsen; P/PK Dan Beardall)
Army (RB Carlton Jones; TE Jared Ulekowski; CB Dhyan Tarver)
Other workouts: Montana; Northwest Missouri State (DE Dave Tollefson); Nebraska -Kearney (WR Richie Ross)

March 7th

Oklahoma State (LB Paul Duren; LB Lawrence Pinson)
Indiana (DE Victor Adeyanju; OG Isaac Sowells; LB John Panozza; LB Kyle Killion)
*Troy (CB Johnny Faulk; CB Adrian Ghent; LB Bernard Davis; LB Leverne Johnson; DE Larry Brown; OT James Edwards; P Thomas Olmsted)
*Utah State (OT Donald Penn; DE John Chick; CB Cornelius Lamb)
Western Michigan (WR Greg Jennings; TE Tony Scheffler; QB Ryan Cubit; OG Mark Ottney; RB Trovon Riley; DT Paul Moersch)
Nebraska-Omaha (WR Chris Denney; OG Scot Jorgenson; RB Jamar Day; LB Taiwo Onatolo)
Other workouts: Eastern Kentucky

March 8th

Oklahoma (OG Davin Joseph; WR Travis Wilson; DT Dusty Dvoracek; CB Chijioke Onyengecha; LB Clint Ingram; CB Eric Bassey; OG/C Chris Chester; OG Kevin Chaisson; FB JD Runnels; RB Kejuan Jones)
Florida (WR Chad Jackson; C Mike Degory; OT Randy Hand; OG Lance Butler; DE Jeremy Mincey; CB Dee Webb; DB Jarvis Herring; CB Vermeil Brown; LB Todd McCullough)
*Notre Dame (WR Maurice Stovall; TE Anthony Fasano; OT Mark LeVoir; OG Dan Stephenson; LB Brandon Hoyte; LB Corey Mays; CB Mike Richardson; PK DG Fitzgerald)
Wisconsin (RB Brian Calhoun; FB Matt Bernstein; TE Owen Daniels; TE Jason Pociask; WR Jonathan Orr; WR Brandon Williams; C Donovan Raiola; LB Dontez Sanchez; CB Brett Bell; CB Levonne Rowan)
Nebraska (DT LeKevin Smith; DT Titus Adams; DB Daniel Bullocks; RB Cory Ross; OT Seppo Evwaraye; OG Brandon Koch)
Washington State (RB Jerome Harrison; TE Troy Bienemann; C Nick Mihlhauser; LB Will Derting; DE Adam Braidwood)
Kentucky (SS Abdullah Muhammad; LB Ray Fontaine; DT trey Mielsch; FB Aleix Bwenge; RB Arliss Beach)
BYU (WR Todd Watkins; DT Manaia Brown; DT Vince Feula; LB/LS Justin Luettgerodt; C Lance Reynolds; QB Matt Berry)
UNLV (RB JaJa Riley; TE Greg Estandia; DE Leon Moore; DB Joe Miklos)
Northern Illinois (RB AJ Harris; C Brian Van Acker; OG Ben Lueck; WR Sam Hurd; LB Javan Lee; DE Quince Holman)

March 9th

Ohio State (LB AJ Hawk; LB Bobby Carpenter; LB Anthony Schlegel; DE Mike Kudla; DT Marcus Green; CB Ashton Youboty; DB Nate Salley; DB Donte Whitner; DB Tyler Everett; WR Santonio Holmes; C Nick Mangold; OG Rob Sims; TE Ryan Hamby)
Clemson (QB Charlie Whitehurst; CB Tye Hill; DE Charles Bennett; FS Jamaal Fudge; TE Bobby Williamson; FB Chris Harrell)
*Oregon (DT Haloti Ngata; QB Kellen Clemons; RB Terrence Whitehead; WR Demetrius Williams; TE Tim Day; DE Devan Long; CB Justin Phinisee; CB Aaron Gipson; LB Anthony Trucks)
Texas Tech (QB Cody Hodges; RB Taurean Henderson; WR Marquis Johnson; OG EJ Whitley; LB John Saldi; FS Dwayne Slay; SS Vincent Meeks; CB Khalid Naziruddin; DT Fred Thrweatt)
Wyoming (CB Derrick Martin; QB Corey Bramlett; WR Jovon Bouknight; DE aaron Robbins, DE John Flora; DT Dusty Hoffschneider)
Iowa State (DT Nick Leaders; LB Tim Dobbins; CB LaMarcus Hicks; SS Nik Moser; FS Steve Paris; P Tony Yelk)
Louisiana-Monroe (WR Drouzen Quillen; QB Steven Jyles; TE Joey Trappey; DE Brandon Guillory; P Joel Stelly)
North Texas (RB Patrick Cobbs; CB TJ Covington; CB Ja'mel Branch)
Buffalo (OT Zack Love; OG Mike Schifano; CB Gemara Williams; CB Aaron Leeper)
Other workouts: Fordham

March 10th

West Virginia (FS Jahmile Addae; SS Mike Lorello; CB Anthony Mims; CB Dee McCann; DT Ernest Hunter; OT Garin Justice)
Washington (OT Joe Toledo; OT Robin Meadow; QB Casey Paus; DT Manase Hopoi; LB Evan Benjamin; LB Joe Lobendahn)
*Purdue (QB Brandon Kirsch; RB Jerod Void; FB Brandon Jones; WR Ray Williams; TE Charles Davis; C Matt Turner; DT Brandon Villareal; DT Brent Grover; DE Ray Edwards; DE Rob Ninkovich; LB Bobby Iwukchukwu; SS Bernard Pollard)
Texas Christian (QB Tye Gunn; RB Lonta Hobbs; WR Cory Rodgers; OT Michael Toudouze; DE Ranorris Ray; FS Jeremy Modkins)
*Arizona State (WR Derek Hagan; C Grayling Love; LB Jamar Williams; LB Dale Robinson; CB Josh Golden)
South Florida (RB Andre Hall; TE Mike Ruegger; OG Frank Davis; DT Tim Jones; P Brandon Baker)
Cincinnati (OT Steve Westlake; DE Adam Roberts)
Akron (WR Domenik Hixon; RB Brett Biggs; DT Kiki Gonzales; DE Brian White; LB jay Rohr; FS Dion Elie)
Kent State (DE Justin Parrish; DT Roger Attieh; DT Daniel Muir)
Grambling State (QB Bruce Eugene; DE Jason Hatcher; OT Jonathan Banks; DE Moe Thompson)

Other workouts: Wofford

March 13th

Fresno State (QB Paul Pinegar; RB Wendell Mathis; RB Bryson Sumlin; DT Garrett McIntyre; CB Richard Marshall)
Arkansas State (QB Nick Noce; RB Antonio Warren; RB Shermar Bracey; FB Oren O'Neal; DT Myron Anderson)
Furman (LB William Freeman)
Alabama State (QB Tavaris Jackson)
Sacramento State (LB Matt Logue)
Cal-Davis (TE Daniel Fells)
New Hampshire (TE Jonathan Williams)
Hampton

March 14th

California (OT Ryan O'Callaghan; C Marvin Philip; OG Aaron Merz; FB Chris Manderino; SS Donnie McCleskey; CB Harrison Smith; P David Lonie)
San Diego State (FS Marcus Demps; CB Jacob Elimimian; LB Freddie Keiaho; WR Jeff Webb; WR Robert Ortiz; QB Matt Dlugolecki; OG Chris Pino; Grossmann CC DE Roderkus Wright)
Wake Forest (RB Chris Barclay; P Ryan Plackemeier)
UMass (DB Shannon James)
Shippensburg (CB Brent Grimes)
Pittsburg State (TE Brandon Twito)
Other workouts: *Troy

March 15th

*Tennessee (RB Gerald Riggs; QB Rick Clausen; OT Albert Toeaina; OG Cody Douglas;OG Rob Smith; DE Parys Harelson; DT Jesse Maholena; DT Tony McDaniel; LB Kevin Simon; LB Omar Gaither; FS Jason Allen)
Alabama (QB Brodie Croyle; DE Mark Anderson; LB DeMeco Ryans; LB Freddie Roach; FS Roman Harper; SS Charlie Peprah; CB Anthony Madison)
Boston College (DE Mathias Kimanuka; DT Al Washington; LB Ray Henderson; CB Will Blackmon; CB Jazzmen Williams; OT Jeremy Trueblood; C Patrick Ross; QB Quinton Porter; TE Chris Miller)
Oregon State (WR Mike Hass; DT Sir Henry Anderson; LB Keith Ellison; LB Trent Bray; CB Edorian McCullough; P Sam Paulescu)
Nevada (RB BJ Mitchell; WR Nicherin Flowers; OT Adam Kiefer)
South Carolina (FS Ko Simpson; CB Johnathan Joseph; LB Lance Laury; LB Ricardo Hurley; OF Jabari Levey; OT Na'Shan Goddard; RB Daccus Turman)
Arkansas (RB De'Arrious Howard; TE Jared Hicks; OT Zac Tubbs; C Kyle Roper; LB Sam Olajabutu; CB Darius Vinnett; DB Vickiel Vaughn)
Illinois (FB Jason Davis; DT Ryan Matha; P Steve Weatherford)
Kansas (CB Charles Gordon; LB Nick Reid; LB Banks Floodman; DE Charlton Keith; LB/LS Kevin Kane; CB Ronnie Amadi; CB Donnie Amadi; RB Clark Green)
Stanford (RB JR Lemon; DT Babatunde Oshinowo; DE Julian Jenkins; LB Jon Alston; LB Kevin Schimmelmann; LB Timi Wusi; CB TJ Rushing)
Temple (OT John Gross; DE Mike Mendenhall; DT Antwon Burton)
Central Michigan (QB Kent SmithOG Jeff Jenerou)

Other workouts: Alabama A&M; Florida A&M; Northwood; Western Carolina; Saginaw Valley State; Bethune-Cookman

March 16th

Florida State (RB Leon Washington; FB BJ Dean; FB James Coleman; WR Willie Reid; TE Matt Henshaw; C David Castillo; DE Kamerion Wimbley; DT Brodrick Bunkley; LB Ernie Sims; LB AJ Nicholson; LB Sam McGrew; FS Pat Watkins; SS Kyler Hall; CB Antonio Cromartie)
Alabama-Birmingham (QB Darrell Hackney; C Matt Batusic; DT Sam Williamson; DT Ernest Respress; CB Carlos Hendricks; DB Dominique Cosper)
Georgia Tech (RB PJ Daniels; WR Damarius Bilbo; OG Brad Honeycutt; DE eric Henderson; LB Gerris Wilkinson; CB Reuben Hosuton; CB Dennis Davis; DB Dawan Landry; DB Chris Reis; LS Gavin Tarquino)
Penn State (QB Michael Robinson; TE Isaac Smolko; OT Andrew Richardson; OT John Wilson; OG Tyler Reed; DE Tamba Hali; DE Matt Rice; CB Alan Zemaitis; AC Anwar Phillips; DB Chris Harrell; DB Calvin Lowry)
Kansas State (FB Victor Mann; FB Ayo Saba; OT Jeromey Clary; DE Scott Edmonds; DB Jesse Tetuan)
Virginia Tech (QB Marcus Vick; CB Jimmy Williams; LB James Anderson; DE Darryl Tapp; DT Jonathan Lewis; RB Cedris Humes; RB Mike Imoh; TE Jeff King; OT Jimmy Martin; OG Will Montgomery; OT Reggie Butler)
Eastern Michigan (QB Matt Bohnet; RB Anthony Sherell; DE Olivier Gagnon-Gordillo; SS Rontrell Woodruff)
Appalchian State (QB Richie Williams)
Princeton (CB Jay McCareins)

Other workouts: ; *LSU; *Oregon; Catawba; Note: UCLA players will lift weights on the 16th and run the 17th)

March 17th

Michigan (WR Jason Avant; TE Tim Massaquoi; TE Tyler Ecker; OT Adam Stenavich; OG Matt Lentz; OG Leo Henige; DE Pierre Woods; DT Gabe Watson; DT Pat Massey; CB Grant Mason)
Marshall (OG Toby Bullock; CB Chris Hawkins; CB Willie Smith; LS Jeff Mullins)
Vanderbilt (QB Jay Cutler; LB Moses Osemwegie; SS Kelechi Ohanaja)
Maryland (TE Vernon Davis; LB D'Qwell Jackson; LB William Kershaw; CB Gerrick McPherson; FB Ricardo Dickerson)
UCLA (QB Drew Olson; RB Maurice Drew; TE Marcedes Lewis; OT Ed Blanton; C Mike McCloskey; OG Robert Cleary; LB Spencer Havner; LB Justin London; LB Wesley Walker; SS Jarrad Page)
Colorado (QB Joel Klatt; FB Lawrence Vickers; TE Quinn Sypniewski; OT Clint O'Neal; DT James Garee; DT Vaka Manupuna; LB Brian Iwuh; FS Tom Hubbard; P John Torp)
Middle Tennessee State (OT Willie Hall; DT Jeff Littlejohn; DE Bobby Payne; LB Dennis Burke; WR Cleannord Saintil)

Other workouts: Villanova; Tennessee State

March 18th

Michigan State (WR Matt Trannon; RB Jason Teague; C Chris Morris; OT Stefon Wheeler; DT Domato Peko; DT Brandon McKinney; DB Eric Smith)
Pittsburgh (WR Greg Lee; OG Charles Spencer; TE Erik Gill; CB Josh Lay; FS Tez Morris; DT Thomas Smith; LB JJ Horne)

March 20th

Iowa (LB Chad Greenway; LB Abdul Hodge; WR ed Hinkel; WR Clinton Solomon; CB Jovon Johnson; CB Antwan Allen)
Southern Mississippi (QB Dustin Almond; FB Anthony Harris; WR Antwon Courington; OT Neal Mead; DT Terrance Ford; DB Trevis Coley; CB John Eubanks; DB Darrell Bennett; P Luke Johnson)
East Carolina (OT Guy Whimper; FB Jermarcus Veal; OG gary Freeman; LB Richard Koonce; DB Jamar Flournoy; SS Zach Baker; LB Chris Moore)

Other workouts: William &Mary

March 21st

Virginia (OT D'Brickashaw Ferguson; OT Brad Butler; G/C Brian Barthelmes; QB/WR Marques Hagans; RB Wali Lundy; DE Brennan Schmitt; DT Kwakou Robinson; LB Kai Parham; PK Connor Hughes)
North Carolina (QB Matt Baker; WR Jaworski Pollock; OT Skip Seagraves; OG Kyle Ralph; DT Chase Page; DE Tommie Davis)
Mississppi (OT Tre' Stallings; OT Bobby Harris; FB Brandon Jacobs; DT McKinley Boykin; LB Kelvin Robinson; CB Travis Johnson)
New Mexico (RB Dontrell Moore; WR Hank Baskett; TE Logan Hall; C Ryan Cook; OT Terrance Pennington; DE Marcus Parker; LB Mike Mohoric; CB Gabriel Fulbright; P Tyler Gaus)
Syracuse (RB Damien Rhodes; OT Quinn Ojinnaka; C Steve Franklin; DE James Wyche; DE Ryan LaCasse; DT Kadar Drame; LB Kellen Pruitt; FS Anthony Smith; CB Steve Gregory; CB Thomas Whitfield)
Other workouts: Monmouth (WR Miles Austin); Northern Iowa (RB David Horne)March 22nd
Texas (QB Vince Young; TE David Thomas; OT Jonathan Scott; OG Will Allen; DT Rod Wright; DT Larry Dibbles; LB Aaron Harris; DB Michael Huff; CB Cedric Griffin)
North Carolina State (DE Mario Williams; DE Manny Lawson; DT John McCargo; LB Stephen Tulloch; LB Oliver Hoyte; DB Marcus Hudson; QB Jay Davis; TE T.J. Williams; OT Derek Morris)
Mississippi State (RB Jerious Norwood; DE Willie Evans; C Chris McNeil; CB Kevin Dockery)
Rutgers (QB Ryan Hart; WR Tres Moses; TE Clark Harris; OG John Glass; OT Sameeh McDonald; DE Ryan Neill; DE Val Barnaby)

Other workouts: Howard; Fort Valley State; Southern Illinois

March 23rd

Auburn (OT Marcus McNeill; OT Troy Reddick; TE Cooper Wallace; WR Devin Aromoshodu; WR Ben Obomanu; WR Anthony Mix; FB Jake Slaughter; DT TJ Jackson; DE Stanley McGlover; LB Travis Williams; LB Anterrious Williams)
Georgia (QB D.J. Shockely; TE Leonard Pope; OG Max Jean-Gilles; OT Dennis Roland; DT Gerald Anderson; CB DeMario Minter; CB Tim Jennings; FS Greg Blue)
UConn (RB Cornell Brockington; OT Grant Preston; LB James Hargrave; DL Deon McPhee)
Miami (Ohio) (QB Josh Betts; WR Martin Nance; OG Nate Bunch; C Todd Londot; DE Marcus Johnson; LB Terna Nande; LB John Busing; LB Derek Rehage; CB Darrell Hunter; FS Steve Burke)
Duke (DE Phillip Alexander)
Texas State (QB Barrick Nealy; WR Markee White; DT Fred Evans; OT Thomas Keresztury)

Other workouts: *Notre Dame

March 24th

Memphis (RB DeAngelo Williams; WR Maurice Avery; TE John Doucette; OG Andrew Handy; DE Marcus West; DL Van Houston; LB Tim Goodwell; FS Wesley Smith; CB OC Collins; PK Stephen Gostkowski)
Louisiana Tech (QB Matt Kubik; OG Aaron Lips; DT Ladarius Love; DE Moqut Ruffins; LB Byron Santiago; CB Tramon Williams)
Other workouts: Nortwestern State (CB David Pittman); Hofstra (WR Marques Colston); Georgia Southern; Indiana State (RB Cornell Johnson)March 27th
Houston (RB Anthony Evans; FB Ryan Gilbert; WR Vincent Marshall; OG Roy Swan; DE Kade Lane; CB Willie Gaston)
Rice (DE/LB John Syptak)

March 28th

Colorado State (QB Justin Holland; RB Jimmy Green; WR David Anderson; OT Mike Brisiel; DT Delroy Parke; SS Travis Garcia; FS Ben Stratton)
Other workouts: *Utah State;

March 29th

New Mexico State (QB/WR Paul Dombowski; OG Nick Cole; LB Jimmy Cottrell; FS Matt Griebel)
Other workouts: *Tennessee; *Arizona State; *Central FloridaMarch 30th
Other workouts: Carson-NewmanMarch 31st
Other workouts: *Louisiana Tech; *Purdue

April 2nd

Southern California (QB Matt Leinart; RB Reggie Bush; RB LenDale White; FB David Kirtman; TE Dominique Byrd; OT Winston Justice; OG Deuce Lutui; OG Fred Matua; DE Frostee Rucker; DT Lajuan Ramsey; CB Justin Wyatt; FS Darnell Bing; SS Scott Ware; P Tom Malone)

Wednesday, March 01, 2006

The final day of workouts at this year’s Scouting Combine in Indianapolis wrapped up with more fine times being posted as the LBs and DBs strutted their stuff. Among the LBs. for example, three players including Jon Alston of Stanford (4.40), Thomas Howard of UTEP (4.42) and rangy Brandon Johnson of Louisville (4.44) all ran under 4.5 seconds for the 40. Another half dozen or so LBs, including A.J. Hawk, arguably the top-rated LB in the draft class and one of the top 2-3 rated defensive prospects overall, clocked under 4.6 seconds. Hawk, for example, posted a solid 4.59 clocking running at 248 pounds, while Ernie Sims of Florida State clocked in at 4.5 even. Other LBs under 4.6 included Terna Nande of Miami of Ohio, Leon Williams of that ‘other’ Miami, James Anderson of Virginia Tech, and Clint Ingram of Oklahoma. Meanwhile, Chad Greenway of Iowa ran in the low 4.7s. OSU’s Hawk also helped solidify what is expected to be a top 10 grade when he posted the 3rd fastest – not of the LBs but of everyone who worked out at the Combine – time of 3.96 seconds in the short shuttle. The defensive backs also blistered the track, perhaps putting to rest once and for all the notion that the track at the Combine is slow. Indeed, Clemson CB Tye Hill ran the fastest time at this year’s Combine, clocking in at 4.30 flat, while South Carolina junior Johnathan Jackson blitzed a 4.31 and Tim Jennings of Georgia was timed in 4.32. Other DBs to run under 4.4 included Texas CB Michael Huff, Tennessee FS/CB Jason Allen, Nebraska SS Daniel Bullocks, Baylor SS Willie Andrews, and Howard CB Antoine Bethea. Meanwhile, CBs Dee Webb of Florida, Antonio Cromartie of Florida State, Texas' Cedric Griffin, Gerrick McPherson of Maryland, Richard Marshall of Fresno State, David Pittman of Northwestern State, Derrick Martin of Wyoming, Darrell Hunter of Miami of Ohio, Kelly Jennings and Devin Hester of Miami, and Abilene Christian's Danieal Manning all ran in the low-to-mid 4.4s, as did safeties Donte Whitner of Ohio State, Pat Watkins of Florida State, and Ko Simpson of South Carolina. If there was a big winner among the DBs, though it had to be Tennessee’s Allen who was a big question mark coming into the Combine after he missed the second half of the 2005 season with a nasty hip injury. In addition to running under 4.4 in the 40, Allen, who was considered a certain first-rounder prior to the injury, also posted two of the fastest times in the whole Combine in both the short shuttle and 3-cone drill. Same story for Florida State junior CB Cromartie, who missed the entire season with a torn ACL, but bounced back to post some good times yesterday in Indianapolis. And for the record, we will try and post a link to the full Combine results or post what we have ourselves to date ASAP