After releasing Quincy Wilson, running back seems
a bit unstable

post from Cincy Jungle on 07 April 2008 10:12:35 PM. © Cincy Jungle

In somewhat of a surprising move, the Bengals waived running back Quincy Wilson Monday -- the second player released from the character driven West Virginia University. Rich Rodriguez goes to Michigan and Michigan fans are pumped. Seriously.

Wilson, once departed and returned, leaves the Bengals running back position somewhat confusing. Whatever do you mean? Let's list our running backs signed for 2008 and why the position can be a story of two tales.

Rudi Johnson. Mark Curnutte is pretty pumped about Rudi Johnson's ambition to improve on his 2006-7 seasons. Forgive all of us when we say, "we will see". What we know of Johnson is that he's getting worse with each carry.
Chris Perry. Seriously. Will he ever carry a ball without a break, a tear or a tweak? If he can remain healthy, the Bengals have a tremendous weapon on offense. Sadly, not a soul in Cincinnati believes he could play a 16-game season.
Kenny Irons. Plenty of questions about how well a running back can recover after shredding a knee.
Kenny Watson. The team's most productive running back in 2007 and the likely feature back if none of the above can't overcome perceptions.
DeDe Dorsey. A surprise in 2007 that could become the team's best third down option if two-carry Perry can't avoid injury in 2008.

Sad, if you ask me. With so many questions at running back, it makes you wonder if the Bengals will go after a running back in the NFL Draft.

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http://www.cincyjungle.com/story/2008/4/7/211235/5170

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Syracuse's McClain to work out for hometown
Eagles

post from Eagles football blog on 07 April 2008 08:28:16 PM. © Eagles football blog

Syracuse linebacker-defensive end Jameel McClain has a Wednesday workout scheduled with the Eagles. McClain, a Washington High grad, would be very happy if the April 26-27 NFL draft brought him home, and not just because he grew up a Birds...

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http://www.eaglesfootballblog.com/2008/04/syracuses-mccla.html

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Detroit receiver wary of trade rumors

post from Cowboys football blog on 07 April 2008 08:26:13 PM. © Cowboys football blog

Detroit Lions receiver Roy Williams has heard all the talk and rumors about a possible draft-day trade to the Dallas Cowboys and said he is prepared for whatever happens. The former Longhorn star -- who was in Austin over the...

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http://www.cowboysfootballblog.com/2008/04/detroit-receive.html

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Thoughts From the Dark Side on Chris Carr

post from Total Titans on 07 April 2008 06:52:00 PM. © Total Titans

Thanks to Patrick Patterson, who writes on MVN’s Oakland Raiders site, Thoughts From the Dark Side, for his opinion on ex-Raider Chris Carr:The Tennessee Titans got themselves a real asset when they signed Chris Carr, formerly of the Oakland Raiders. Carr is a little guy with the heart of a lion. He plays fearlessly, almost [...]

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http://mvn.com/nfl-titans/2008/04/07/thoughts-from-the-dark-side-on-chris-carr/

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Unhappy Urlacher to skip Bears' 1st voluntary
workout

post from Bears football blog on 07 April 2008 06:49:00 PM. © Bears football blog

For the second year in a row, the Bears will be without a Pro Bowl linebacker for the start of their voluntary off-season program, in part because of an unresolved contract situation.

Brian Urlacher told the Tribune on Sunday he plans to skip the first day of workouts, slated to begin Monday, and left open the strong possibility that he will bypass the Bears' entire voluntary off-season program, which includes organized team activities (OTAs). The face of the Bears franchise informed the team of his intentions to remain in Arizona rather than attend the program at Halas Hall. Continue

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http://www.bearsfootballblog.com/2008/04/unhappy-urlache.html

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Updated Colts Mock Draft: 4/7/2008

post from Stampede Blue on 07 April 2008 06:26:11 PM. © Stampede Blue

RB Matt Forte, Tulane
DE Marcus Howard, Georgia
OT John Greco, Toledo
CB Jack Williams, Kent State
LB Jerod Mayo, Tennessee
DE Rudolph Hardie, Howard
WR Arman Shields, Richmond
DT Carlton Powell, Virginia Tech
C Doug Legursky, Marshall

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http://www.stampedeblue.com/story/2008/4/7/172612/5837

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David Garrard signs Contract Extension: 6 years,
60 Million!

post from Big Cat Country on 07 April 2008 05:18:12 PM. © Big Cat Country

[editor's note, by River City Rage]: I'm on the road right now, so this is a bit stale. Thanks Freek1969 for posting this!

David's contract is fantastic. It's good for the team and it's good for David. Fantastic! I'll be back in full force tomorrow![End Note]

WOW! 6 year deal worth $60 million dollars...$20 million of it is guaranteed...just under Tony Romo's $28 million guaranteed. he was asking for Romo kind of money and he came pretty darn close, though Romo totally turned the Cowboys franchise aroun.

Do we all think that Garrard is truly worth that in the long run?

Do we draft a QB and have him sit behind Garrard for a few years?

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http://www.bigcatcountry.com/story/2008/4/7/161812/3322

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Who the hell will they draft 2008: Howard DE
Rudolph Hardie

post from Stampede Blue on 07 April 2008 05:07:21 PM. © Stampede Blue

Rudolph Hardie = Super Sleeper?We've dedicated the last few profile to skill position players, like Matt Forte and John Carlson, and now we will shift back to the offensive and defensive lines for the next few write-ups. Also, we will place extra emphasis on "sleeper" players that the Colts could draft in rounds 6 and 7; many of these players are pass rushing specialists like Howard's Rudolph Hardie.

While it is possible that the Colts will draft Georgia DE Marcus Howard or Purdue's Cliff Avril in rounds 2 or 3, that does not mean pass rushers in later rounds will get ignored. A player like Hardie is intriguing here, especially when you consider Indy's success with drafting late round defensive talent. First and foremost, Hardie played college ball at Howard, an African American college that does not play premiere talent. But I'm not one to put a ton of stock in the big school mentality. As I've said before, Laurence Phillips played a lot of college ball against top tier talent, and still sucked at the pro level. Vince Young and Reggie Bush played top tier college talent, and both are fading fast in the pros. Hardie's college, Howard University, runs a Tampa 2-style defense and it produced Colts starting safety (and Pro Bowler) Antoine Bethea.

The system Howard runs is a system very similar to Indy's. So, naturally, Indy's scouts take an interest when a player from Howard starts to make waves. Hardie was not present at the NFL Combine, but his production at Howard (in particular his knack for destroying QBs) and his university work out on March 11 impressed scouts. With Hardie, it is not his timed speed that wows scouts but rather his quick first step and non-stop motor. Hardie is also very stout against the run, as NFL Draft Scout notes, able to take on guards and tackles.

What also catches your attention is Hardie's amazingly consistent production. Many college players will have two or three years of "meh" production and then, in their senior year, they go nuts. Some of it is legit. Barry Sanders played behind Thurman Thomas at OK State, and didn't get a chance to showcase his super human talents until after Thomas left. Other times, the player just had a lucky season, and they are cashing in with the draft. With Hardie, his production has been so consistently dominant it is hard to ignore him. In his junior and senior seasons, Hardie averaged 23 tackles behind the line and 11 sacks. His 25 sacks in 2007 led the MEAC. He also had 10 QB hurries and 2 forced fumbles.

In addition to his production, Hardie also passes the "not a jerk-off" test:Great bulk with a solid frame and long arms...Excellent production....A pretty good pass rusher....Is relentless with a non-stop motor...Has a great first step...Does a fantastic job in pursuit...Has a burst to close..Hard worker with terrific intangibles.Regarding weaknesses, they are the same weakness we always hear about Cover 2-style DEs. Hardie is too short (6'1) and played at a Division 1-A school. I never understand how being 6'1 is a weakness at DE. Dwight Freeney is 6'2 and Robert Mathis 6'1. Last I checked, they were pretty good. Antoine Bethea played at Howard, and I recall seeing him holding the Lombardy two years ago. Hardie's real weaknesses are many in his technique and his instincts. Technique can be taught, but instincts are something different.

Despite these weakness, there is a reason Hardie keeps popping up on people's sleeper draft pick lists: He has the tools to become a very good pass rusher, and team looking for DE depth could find a gem in Hardie. Look for a Cover-2 style team, such as the Colts, Vikes, or Bucs, to draft Hardie.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.stampedeblue.com/story/2008/4/7/16721/29459

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Who the hell will the Colts draft 2008: Howard DE
Rudolph Hardie

Rudolph Hardie = Super Sleeper?We've dedicated the last few profile to skill position players, like Matt Forte and John Carlson, and now we will shift back to the offensive and defensive lines for the next few write-ups. Also, we will place extra emphasis on "sleeper" players that the Colts could draft in rounds 6 and 7; many of these players are pass rushing specialists like Howard's Rudolph Hardie.

While it is possible that the Colts will draft Georgia DE Marcus Howard or Purdue's Cliff Avril in rounds 2 or 3, that does not mean pass rushers in later rounds will get ignored. A player like Hardie is intriguing here, especially when you consider Indy's success with drafting late round defensive talent. First and foremost, Hardie played college ball at Howard, an African American college that does not play premiere talent. But I'm not one to put a ton of stock in the big school mentality. As I've said before, Laurence Phillips played a lot of college ball against top tier talent, and still sucked at the pro level. Vince Young and Reggie Bush played top tier college talent, and both are fading fast in the pros. The important elements to factor into considering Hardie is Howard University runs a Tampa 2-style defense and it produced Colts starting safety (and Pro Bowler) Antoine Bethea.

The system Howard runs is a system very similar to Indy's. So, naturally, Indy's scouts take an interest when a player from Howard starts to make waves. Hardie was no present at the NFL Combine, but his production at Howard (in particular his knack for destroying QBs) and his university work out on March 11 impressed scouts. With Hardie, it is not his timed speed that wows scouts but rather his quick first step and non-stop motor. Hardie is also very stout against the run, as NFL Draft Scout notes, able to take on guards and tackles.

What also catches your attention is Hardie's amazingly consistent production. Many college players will have two or three years of "meh" production and then, in their senior year, they go nuts. Some of it is legit. Barry Sanders played behind Thurman Thomas at OK State, and didn't get a chance to showcase his super human talents until after Thomas left. Other times, the player just had a lucky season, and they are cashing in with the draft. With Hardie, his production has been so consistently dominant it is hard to ignore him. In his junior and senior seasons, Hardie averaged 23 tackles behind the line and 11 sacks. His 25 sacks in 2007 led the MEAC. He also had 10 QB hurries and 2 forced fumbles.

In addition to his production, Hardie also passes the "not a jerk-off" test:Great bulk with a solid frame and long arms...Excellent production....A pretty good pass rusher....Is relentless with a non-stop motor...Has a great first step...Does a fantastic job in pursuit...Has a burst to close..Hard worker with terrific intangibles.Regarding weaknesses, they are the same weakness we always hear about Cover 2-style DEs. Hardie is too short (6'1) and played at a Division 1-A school. I never understand how being 6'1 is a weakness at DE. Dwight Freeney is 6'2 and robbery Mathis 6'1. Last I checked, they were pretty good. Antoine Bethea played at Howard, and I recall seeing him holding the Lombardy two years ago. Hardie's real weaknesses are many in his technique and his instincts. Technique can be taught, but instincts are something different.

Despite these weakness, there is a reason Hardie keeps popping up on people's sleeper draft pick lists: He has the tools to become a very good pass rusher, and team looking for DE depth could find a gem in Hardie. Look for a Cover-2 style team, such as the Colts, Vikes, or Bucs, to draft Hardie.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.stampedeblue.com/story/2008/4/7/16721/29459

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What about Roy Hall

Could Roy Hall develop into a good WR?One of the players lost in the shuffle last year was Ohio State rookie WR Roy Hall. Hall was a project player, drafted in the 5th round in 2007. Many Colts fans liked the decision to draft Hall, thinking he could be converted to TE or (at the very least) replace Aaron Moorehead as the lone tall receiver on the team. Hall was also drafted to play special teams, and in this role he is unique. It is somewhat rare that a WR plays special teams as a gunner. Usually, WRs are returners. With Hall, his combination of size and speed offered something to special teams that the Colts sorely lack.

That, and a competent coach who can actually get something out of the unit.

For 2008, we've talked a lot about life after Marvin Harrison mainly because 2007 was the first time Marvin ever sustained a serious injury. Even though both Jim Irsay and Bill Polian have stated emphatically that Marvin will return 100% in 2008, most of us think that the Colts must look for another WR to round out the group. We've talked about guys like Arman Shields and Harry Douglas, but lost in the shuffle is Hall.

Hall missed most of 2007 with an injury. His training camp performance was mixed and his pre-season results were dismissal. However, as he has healed up from 2007, Hall has worked hard to develop himself as a receiver. In a recent video interview at Colts.com, Hall (who is attending voluntary workouts) said he went to a WR clinic recently to work on his fundamentals: Hand-eye coordination, route running, blocking, etc.

While Hall is a bit of a project, he seems to have the mindset to develop. Rookie WRs are usually garbage. WRs in general take a few years to season. Reggie Wayne was awful his first two years before developing into an elite receiver. Anthony Gonzalez, who was a top rookie WR last season, struggled early on. So, it is posible that Hall could provide the Colts with what they need (WR depth) if he develops his skills going into years two.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.stampedeblue.com/story/2008/4/7/123624/8812

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