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Jacksonville Jaguars offer Third Round Pick for
Jason Taylor

post from Big Cat Country on 02 April 2008 07:35:03 PM. © Big Cat Country

[editor's note, by River City Rage] Props and thanks to reader NASF for pointing this story my direction!

The Miami Herald is offering up another piece of the Jason Taylor puzzle. What makes this one different is that it's not their "blog" making the connection, but rather their actual sports section.

The Quote: Even the Jaguars -- who appear at this point to be the team with the most interest in Taylor -- are believed to be willing to give up only a third-round pick. The Dolphins likely would only take a first-round choice or an early second-rounder for him.

A third round pick for Jason Taylor, not a bad offer if you ask me. Miami can't forget that they're dealing with a 34 year old player that just isn't going to be relevant in their attempt to re-build that roster. Getting something, in this case what WAS a first day pick for the guy is pretty good. It's no slight to his talent either, it's just the reality that you don't spend first our second round picks on a player like that. Though, I don't know that I'd be THAT upset if the Jaguars traded their late 2nd round pick for him, simply because it's not too hard for us to package our thirds and fifths to get back into the second round.

Now, I thought that perhaps we could do a little wheeling and dealing with Atlanta to see if we could trade our late 2nd pick to Miami and still move up in the round.

Short answer: No

Long Answer: Atlanta has the 24th and 37h pick, worth 560 and 530 points respectively. The total value of the Jaguars 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th round picks is about 500. So no, this is not feasible. I was under the impression that we might be in play with just our two third round picks, but that's simply not the case without including a player in the deal.

While this has nothing to do with Jason Taylor, what about trading our second round pick (58, worth 320 points) and one third round (71, worth 235) for the 34th pick from Atlanta (560 points). That should give us whomever we want in the first round AND a good shot at Defensive Tackle Trevor Laws, who's likely to be gone by the time we pick at 58. We lose an extra third round pick to get a guy that we could really use.

Anyhow, returning to the point. Here is yet another piece of evidence that the Jaguars are in pursuit of Jason Taylor. As we get closer to draft day, and this would be a draft day type trade, expect to see more of this come to light.

-Chris

Read The Full Article:
http://www.bigcatcountry.com/story/2008/4/2/18353/41252

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Sooners Pick Up Sixth Verbal Commitment

post from Oklahoma Sooners Football Blog on 02 April 2008 06:45:00 PM. © Oklahoma Sooners Football Blog

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Lawton MacArthur prospect Javon Harris commits to OU: Much like the 2007 season a player from Lawton MacArthur High went from a virtual unknown to an Oklahoma Sooner commitment overnight. As reported yesterday Javon Harris did indeed pick up an official offer from the Sooners this afternoon and then he committed on the spot. (SoonersIllustrated) Javon Harris, safety 6'0/190lbs 4.5

Related:
Oklahoma Sooners Recruiting Page

Read The Full Article:
http://www.gnextinc.com/ousoonersblog/2008/04/sooners-pick-up-sixth-verbal-commit
ment.html

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With the Seventh Pick, the Browns Select...

post from Dawgs By Nature on 02 April 2008 03:49:23 PM. © Dawgs By Nature

...if only that were the case.

SB Nation has already launched this year's mock draft over at Mocking The Draft. Since the Browns do not have any picks, I volunteered my services to do a write-up for a team without a blogger -- that being the New England Patriots in this case.

Find out why I selected cornerback Leodis McKelvin for the Patriots, and be sure to check out that site regularly if you're "in" to mock drafts.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.dawgsbynature.com/story/2008/4/2/144923/8522

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The Official Big Cat Country 2008 Draft Value
Board!

post from Big Cat Country on 02 April 2008 03:30:23 PM. © Big Cat Country

With the SB Nation Mock Draft well under way, it's time that we start to consider who we'll pick when it (finally) comes to our podium time. I've constructed the Official Big Cat Country Value Board, though we've got a few days to adjust it. I'd like a little input on this so that it's set and ready to go by Friday, that way when it's time to pick all we have to do is select the highest player that's left.

Now, making a value board is pretty hard. You can't let things like "need" and "want" get in the way. It's supposed to be a strict ranking of players in order of talent and value, ignoring things like team needs and all that other superfluous nonsense. Unfortunately it's damn hard to ignore things like that. Another factor that must be ignored is the actual draft order. Just because I've got Matt Ryan ranked 8th does not mean that I think the Baltimore Ravens will select the quarterback. Though it just happens to make perfect sense. Keeping all this bias out of the board is pretty hard and it won't take long for ya'll to point out that I'm making some pretty rough judgments. But, thankfully, this is an open process and I need your input to make this better. In a perfect world I'll be simply selecting the highest rated player off this list when the Jaguars come up in the Mock Draft.

My draft board makes a few assumptions that deserve mention.

Big guys are weighted higher than skill positions. If I was stuck between a Offensive or Defensive linemen and a Cornerback, most often the big guy got the spot. You'll notice that with a few exceptions, Wide Receivers and Cornerbacks are toward the bottom of the chart. This is completely intentional.
It's not a "Del Rio" board per se, but I'd like to think it reflects the attitude and approach of the Jaguars. There's no way I can get into Jack's head on this, but philosophically I think it's in line with what the Jaguars are thinking.

**Big Cat Country 2008 Draft Board**
1.	Vernon Ghoulston	DE	Ohio State
2.	Jake Long	OD	Michigan
3	Chris Long	DE	Virginia
4.	Glen Dorsey	DE	LSU
5.	Darren McFadden	RB	Arkansas
6.	Ryan Clady	OT	Boise State
7.	Sedrick Ellis	DT	Southern Cal
8.	Matt Ryan	QB	Boston College
9.	Mike Jenkins	CB	South Florida
10.	Keith Rivers	LB	Southern Cal
11.	Rashard Mendenhall	RB	Illinois
12.	Derrick Harvey	DE	Florida
13.	Leodis McKelvin	CB	Troy
14.	Jeff Otah	OT	Pitt
15.	Johnathan Stewart	RB	Oregon
16.	Quentin Groves	DE	Auburn
17.	Chris Williams	OT	Vanderbilt
18.	Aqlb Talib	CB	Kansas
19.	Branden Albert	OG	Virginia
20.	Phillip Merling	DE	Clemson
21.	D.R. Cromartie	CB	Tennessee St.
22.	Dan Connor	LB	Penn St.
23.	Devin Thomas	WR	Michigan St.
24.	Kenny Phillips	S	Miami
25.	Calais Campbell	DE	Miami
26.	Gosder Cherilus	OT	Boston College
27.	Malcolm Kelly	WR	Oklahoma
28.	Felix Jones	RB	Arkansas
29.	Kentwan Balmer	DT	North Carolina
30.	Sam Baker	OT	Southern Cal
31.	Reggie Smith	S	Oklahoma
32.	Limas Sweed	WR	Texas

I'm sure there are problems with this ranking. If you've got beef, please tell me about it in the comments. Make a convincing argument and I'll change it. In most cases you won't have to be THAT convincing either.

I can already see a problem with the last 7 picks, or at least see where I'll probably be reaching a bit. If I've got the choice between say Kenny Phillips, Malcolm Kelly, Felix Jones and Kentwan Balmer, I'm going to reach for the big Defensive Tackle from UNC, and probably pass a few talented players in the process. Does that mean I should put Kentwan higher?

Drafting is hard.

-Chris

Read The Full Article:
http://www.bigcatcountry.com/story/2008/4/2/143023/9375

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Oh dear god, not another Chad Johnson post

post from Cincy Jungle on 02 April 2008 02:53:33 PM. © Cincy Jungle

Yeap, another one. Rumors are that the Dallas Cowboys are in play trading for a front line wide receiver -- like, for example, Chad Johnson. Roy Williams and Anquan Boldin were named as "potential" acquisitions -- via trade -- in Charean Williams' latest. What made me stop and ponder another Chad Johnson trade post, which I'm sure it more annoying than Fox News running their daily Brittany Spears report, is this blurb in Mark Curnutte's latest piece. "Rumors persist that Johnson could be traded to Philadelphia or Dallas." It just doesn't seem that Johnson to Dallas will die. Though I suspect the "rumor" is mostly beat writers throwing around potential trades rather than word behind the scenes. And to answer a question in another post's comment, if Chad sits, then he receives no compensation -- though I'm not sure if he'd contribute to a cap hit if he sits out. I've always found it ironic that a player threatens to sit out for more money but risks not getting paid at all -- like losing a $250,000 work out bonus. Makes you realize just how spoiled we all are when that money could be split up for ten families just to make ends meet. But we don't care about them, do we?

We've heard this song and dance in the NFL before. Player sits out because he wants more money. It's not just Chad either. In fact, Chad has actively promoted that it's not about money -- though not a soul in the world truly believes him. If he got a new deal, he'd be promoting how great the Bengals are, we know it. We hear that a player will miss his camps and even threaten to sit out during the season. Threats. Threats. Threats. And it rarely ever happens. The team either submits and gives the player a new deal or they simply trade him away. How many instances have the players actually sat out and the team said, "fine"? The entire thing spirals out of control (ala baseball) and all parties are to blame (owners, agents and players).

The Bengals have taken that position now. Retire or play. There's your two options. Hopefully the Bengals hold to their guns just to show that we can stand up to the growing generation of "me" players to crush the perception that Lewis allows a reckless locker room with free double standard gift baskets. A perception that he's brought on himself. Though I don't anticipate that happening. If -- and I continue to stress the word "if" because there's little word that one is actually in the works -- the Bengals trade Johnson, then it's going to happen on Draft day. The Cowboys pick twice in the first round -- 22nd and 28th -- giving them the opportunity to use one on Johnson. To me, a first round draft pick would be a small price to pay for the talents and production of Chad Johnson. At least over an unproven rookie. Also consider that Lewis is pounding into us that the Bengals will be a more physical run oriented football team. If true, and the team becomes more balanced, it would give the Bengals offense the opportunity to let Johnson go with minimal impact.

Moving on ...

In mid-March, we talked about the possibility that Ryan Fitzpatrick could be offered a deal from the Green Bay Packers with the sudden retirement of Brett Favre. Curnutte wrote Wednesday that the Packers "might" be interested. Fitzpatrick was a seventh round pick in 2005 which would be the team's compensation if they fail to match the offer.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.cincyjungle.com/story/2008/4/2/135333/6761

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New NFL Rules

post from Stampede Blue on 02 April 2008 01:53:15 PM. © Stampede Blue

ESPN's John Clayton is reporting that several rule changes for the upcoming season have passed including:

Referees will no longer call force-outs on catches by receivers. They will be forced to have 2 feet, one knee, etc... in bounds.

Similar to the rule on offense, a member of the defense will be allowed to wear a communication device inside the helmet. (as ~~BigBlueShoe~~ mgrex03 reported earlier)

Field Goals are now reviewable by the instant replay system.

Teams can now defer the decision on whether to kickoff or receive until the 2nd half.

Elimination of the 5 yard facemask penalty. I didn't see this one coming, but I like it. Facemask penalties will now rightly be called only when there is an attempt to grab, pull, or twist the facemask (the 15-yard variety).

The rules regarding players hair covering name plates or jersey numbers has been tabled until the May meeting. Another proposal involving reseeding the playoffs allowing wild card teams to host a playoff game has also been tabled.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.stampedeblue.com/story/2008/4/2/125315/0427

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Should we make a big issue out of expired tags

post from Cincy Jungle on 02 April 2008 01:26:13 PM. © Cincy Jungle

When you see an article that's headlined "Henry in trouble again" you're thinking that he was arrested. Perhaps he waved a lugar. Perhaps he picked up a DUI. Perhaps he had a pipe hanging out of his mouth as he made a visit to the police station to visit some friends. Personally, I thought he was playing real life Grand Theft Auto. All of this is ridiculous assumptions. I'll bet, however, that it didn't escape your mind. I'll bet that you thought the same thing I did, "well, there goes his career."

Then you actually read the article and see that USA Today -- one of thousands of publications in the mainstream media that's suffocating from the presence of blogs and thrashing about like children because of the blog presence -- tells the entire world (by way of the AP) that Chris Henry had expired plates. Yes. Expired plates. After paying a $149 fine, the issue, from the eyes of the court, is resolved. It's done. Finished. That didn't stop the actual article from having two paragraphs about the expired plates and three regarding his history. Henry's expired plates even prompted the Associated Press to leave a message to Henry's agent asking for comment.

Good lord. Henry never helped his own cause by doing the things he's done. In a way, it's his own bed. But does anyone truly give two damns if Henry has expired plates. Perhaps he was three miles over the speed limit. Will that prompt a front page headline on ESPN.com?

And the sad part is that I wouldn't be surprised if Goodell suspends Henry for having expired plates. Though I don't anticipate it.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.cincyjungle.com/story/2008/4/2/122613/2888

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Falcoholic Draft Countdown: Denver Broncos, #12

1. Chris Long, DE, Miami Dolphins
2. Jake Long, OT, St. Louis Rams
3. Glenn Dorsey, DT, Atlanta Falcons
4. Darren McFadden, RB, Oakland Raiders
5. Ryan Clady, OT, Kansas City Chiefs
6. Vernon Gholston, LB, New York Jets
7. Leodis McKelvin, CB, New England Patriots
8. Matt Ryan, QB, Baltimore Ravens
9. Sedrick Ellis, DT, Cincinnati Bengals
10. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, New Orleans Saints
11. Malcolm Kelly, WR, Buffalo Bills

I'm not a huge fan of the wide receiver class, so I'm a little leery of this Bills' pick. They do need the help at wide receiver, though, and if healthy Kelly should help provide it.

Next up we have the Denver Broncos, represented by wizened old sage TheSportsGuru of Mile High Report. The Broncos could use help at wide receiver, along the offensive line and perhaps in the linebacking corps, though I'm guessing the line is the biggest priority. Decide their fate with the click of a mouse!

Click on entry link below to access the poll and comments.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.thefalcoholic.com/story/2008/4/2/121341/2789

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Is Mel Kiper full of it

I ask this for a couple of reasons. I was wandering around the blogosphere and over at his blog Maiocco had a brief Q&A with Mel Kiper, Jr. I'll throw down some of the info from his discussion of potential 49ers options and then go further into my Mel Kiper questions.

On 49ers first round pick
"If you're asking. 'Who's the best offensive tackle on the board at that point?' It's probably Gosder Cherilus from Boston College. And I say that because he was a left tackle at B.C., and he's not going to be a left tackle in the NFL. He's going to be a right tackle. (The 49ers) have Joe Staley to be your left tackle. Now you have Cherilus at right tackle . . . Obviously as a right tackle, he drops down a bit. That's why he maybe gets into the late first round. I'd say a Cherilus at that point would be a guy you'd have to consider."

On 3-4 OLBs/DEs
"After Gholston, you'd be looking at probably Cliff Avril from Purdue, you'd be looking at Bruce Davis from UCLA, Quentin Groves from Auburn. If you want another guy. Marcus Howard from Georgia could be a fourth- or fifth-round guy . . . for the 49ers, I'd look at Davis, Avril or Groves to kind of fit what they're looking for. . . . I wanted to give you one other guy, Curtis Johnson, a defensive end/outside linebacker from Clark in Atlanta. He is another kid who fits the mold and would be ideally suited to be that 3-4 outside linebacker."

We've already discussed Cherilus and Groves. Of course it's always nice to get some later round pick options thrown out there to keep an eye on come draft day.

My question becomes, how good an analyst is Mel Kiper? I did a google search of Mel Kiper accuracy and came across a Football Outsiders article from a year titled Rating Mel Kiper. It primarily involved going through his overrated and underrated lists and comparing them to how things worked out. The best line after looking at 1993-2004?

On balance, Kiper appears to be neither a genius at spotting talent nor the hapless clown that some of his detractors portray him to be. He's had a good number of hits, but he's also been completely wrong about his fair share of players over the years.

Mel Kiper started his scouting business while in college and currently runs it at Mel Kiper, Jr.'s First Round. Is he just a guy who jumped on a trend early and is considered an expert because he was one of the pioneers? Or does he actually bring something to the table beyond the fact that he can watch a lot of film of players? I will give him credit for going through all that tape and learning about all these players, but beyond putting in the time, where does that leave him as far as actual utility?

Read The Full Article:
http://www.ninersnation.com/story/2008/4/2/114359/4365

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Another updated 2008 Colts mock draft

My last mock draft sucked because I thought the Colts got an additional 7th round comp pick for Mike Doss. They didn't. So, this mock is more accurate. Also, this mock is created under the assumption that RB Chris Johnson, DE Cliff Avril, DT Trevor Laws, and RB Matt Forte are off the board. Mock and enjoy: