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NFL Draft Dream Sweepstakes: Enter before
tomorrow!

post from Niners Nation on 16 April 2008 01:22:30 PM. © Niners Nation

I had meant to post about this last week but forgot so I thought I'd get it up now. The NFL has contest they're running called the NFL Draft Dream Sweepstakes. The way it works is you submit your name and some quick basic info and you are entered into a drawing where the winner will get to announce a 7th round pick live on Day 2 of the NFL Draft.

The contest ends tomorrow at noon eastern time/9 am pacific time. So, head over and enter and maybe somebody from Niners Nation will get to announce Dennis Dixon as the 49ers 7th round pick!

NFL Draft Dream Sweepstakes

Read The Full Article:
http://www.ninersnation.com/story/2008/4/16/122230/115

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Updated Mock Draft: 4/16/2008

post from Stampede Blue on 16 April 2008 01:15:48 PM. © Stampede Blue

Yes, yes, yes. We are all still bitter over Guru stealing Chris Johnson from us in the SB Nation Mock Draft. So, what better way to thumb our noses at those petty Broncos fans than to update our own mock draft. After talking last night to Eric "Hank" Hartz at ColtPower, it is certainly very possible the Colts could take Dustin Keller in Round 2 if he is there. The consensus is he is very similar to Dallas Clark, and if the Colts had two big play TEs that would make Bill Belichick's head explode. Eric also think that players like CJ, Forte, and Cliff Avril are definite possibilities. The point here is the Colts will likely get a big playmaker in Round 2, and for the rest of the league that is a scary thought.

2 (59): RB Chris Johnson, East Carolina (Eat it, Guru!)
3 (93): OT John Greco, Toledo
4 (127): WR Arman Shields, Richmond
5 (161): QB Kevin O'Connell, San Diego State (Surprise!)
6 (196): DE Rudolph Hardie, Howard
6 (201): FS Cory Lynch, Appalachia State
6 (202): TE Joey Haynos, Maryland
6 (205): DE Titus Brown, Mississippi State
7 (236): CB Wilrey Fontenot, Arizona

You'll notice Rounds 2-5 are nothing but offensive players, with pick #161 going to a QB. Crazy, I know, but all these picks have a purpose. Eric and I both feel that the pass rushing depth for the Colts can be addressed in later rounds. Guys like Hardie or Brown more than fit the bill. With that in mind, finding playmakers (CJ, Shields) or potential starters in the future (Greco) makes more sense in the earlier rounds. I will have more on O'Connell, who could prove to be a very interesting prospect to develop as a back-up QB. Lynch and Fontenot are more for special teams impact; Lynch especially. I know I said the Colts would not draft a safety, but Lynch is more a special teams difference maker than a safety.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.stampedeblue.com/story/2008/4/16/121548/900

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Malcolm Kelly Has Another Workout For Scouts

post from Oklahoma Sooners Football Blog on 16 April 2008 01:12:00 PM. © Oklahoma Sooners Football Blog

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Malcolm Kelly second workout numbers: The following numbers were compiled from NFL personnel that attended and were posted on NFL.com by Gil Brandt.

Weight: 225.7 pounds

Vertical Leap: 31.0 inches

Broad Jump: 10 feet, 2 ½ inches

40-Yard Dash: 4.69, 4.63

Short Shuttle: 4.13, 4.22

Three-Cone Shuttle: 7.06, 6.82

Bench Press: 14 reps of 225 pounds

Kelly comes away with similar results after running again: NFL.com

Read The Full Article:
http://www.gnextinc.com/ousoonersblog/2008/04/malcolm-kelly-has-another-workout-f
or.html

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Somewhere, shake n bake is crying

post from Stampede Blue on 16 April 2008 11:54:24 AM. © Stampede Blue

With the 42nd pick in the SB Nation Mock Draft, TheSportsGuru, picking for his beloved Denver Broncos, took East Carolina's RB Chris Johnson. Needless to say, this was a major reach for Guru, whose Broncos need a helluva lot more help than a good #2 back and special teams player. Here's Guru's reasoning:Let's be honest, the Broncos simply do not have many dynamic talents that make you stop and say, "WOW!". Brandon Marshall has the ability, but his maturity needs to match up with his immense talent. You look elsewhere on the offensive side of the ball, and the Broncos lack a threat that make defensive coordinators stop and take notice. Chris Johnson can do that. The Broncos return game has been embarrassing, a major factor the team has enjoyed the worst starting field position the past two seasons. Chris Johnson can change that. Let's take a look at why Chris Johnson should wear Orange and Blue come Draft Day.Now, Guru is not wrong in CJ's ability to add explosiveness to a roster, especially one like Denver's who has maybe two difference makers at most on the entire team. However, as dynamic as CJ can be for Denver's special teams play, the simple fact of the matter is CJ does not fit Denver's offense. Denver uses a zone-blocking scheme that relies on big, physical RBs. The last scat back they used in this system was Quintin Griffith, and that didn't turn out too well. Also, with the Broncos lacking is so many other areas that taking a "scat-back" runner in Round 2 is a luxury Denver cannot afford right now.

Denver's o-line is pedestrian, at best. Their defense is awful. WR Brandon Marshall, despite all his wonderful abilities, is garbage. If Denver fans think this jack-off is the future of their WR corps, they are in for a very rude awakening. We all knew Marshall was garbage when, during the regular season game against the Colts, he openly challenged the toughness of the then-defending World Champs ("They soft! We tough!").

Marshall caught 3 passes for 23 yards and 1 garbage TD in the game. The Colts won 38-20, scoring 6 times in the final 8 possessions.

In addition, Denver's TE and starting RB situations are also in disarray. Knowing all this, to take a part time, #2 RB that can contribute on special teams here is the very definition of REEEEEEEEEAAAAAAACH.

Now, is the pick a "Ryan Leaf-like" pick? Of course not. CJ will help the Broncos, especially on special teams. But, in terms of the way Denver runs its offense, CJ is not ideally suited to run full time in Denver's system. With players like TE Dustin Keller, WR Earl Bennett, DT Pat Sims, LB Xavier Adibi, or even RB Matt Forte (who would dominate the NFL in Denver's system) Guru takes a player who is not a full time RB in their system and is, mostly, a special teams player who can be controlled by not kicking the ball to him (because, in all seriousness, there's nothing to fear from Denver's offense or defense).

I understand that grabbing a "Devon Hester-like" player is something teams are looking to get, but kindly remind me what Chicago's record was last year. If you look at the Bears now, they are (at best) a 6 win team. Why?

No consistent defense.

No consistent running game.

NO receivers.

No big play TE.

No offensive line.

Kinda sounds like Denver as well, doesn't it. I say all this because CJ is the kind of player the Colts can afford to take in Round 2. The Colts do not have many roster holes (at present), and a change-of-pace back with special teams flare is exactly what Indy could use. Denver, meanwhile, cannot afford this. The Broncos are a team that absolutely, positively MUST. MAKE. THE. PLAYOFFS. IN. 2008. And not just make the playoffs, but go far in the playoffs for Mike Shanahan to retain his job (which he should have lost a loooooooong time ago). Broncos ownership has, essentially, told Shanny this in the wake of Shanny surprisingly firing Broncos GM Ted Sunquist recently. If you are a team in full rebuilding mode, I can understand drafting CJ here.

Denver isn't in that mode. They are in panic mode.

Knowing that, drafting a player like CJ is not a move that will help you get to the playoffs and win in the playoffs in 2008, especially with so many vital holes left unfilled by quality players, and other positions manned by washed up veterans (John Lynch) or over-rated idiots (Dre Bly).

There. I hope shake n bake feels better now that I have attacked and torpedoed the blogger who stole his beloved CJ from the SB Nation Mock Draft. I will now likely get chewed out by Guru, and the discussion will then fall into yet another debate over Brett Favre. I hope you are happy shake n bake.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.stampedeblue.com/story/2008/4/16/105424/618

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An Obscenely Early, Purple-Tinted Look at the
Minnesota Vikings 2008 Schedule

post from Daily Norseman on 16 April 2008 09:35:10 AM. © Daily Norseman

Despite the fact that we're still nearly five months away from Kickoff Weekend in the National Football League, it's a pretty slow time for Vikings news. . .so, let's take a look at Minnesota's 2008 schedule.

Opening Night at Green Bay - I guess the Vikings are supposed to be scared of a quarterback that's never done anything at the NFL level and a flash in the pan running back. Maybe I'm just being a homer, but I don't see it. Watching Aaron Rodgers get destroyed in his first ever NFL start. . .provided he actually makes it through the pre-season healthy. . .should be a fine way to kick off the 2008 season.

Projected Record: 1-0

Indianapolis at Minnesota - Man, tough draw for the home opener. I guess it would be better to get the Colts early in the season than later on. . .but I don't know if I can project a win here. It's not going to be the blowout that a lot of people probably think it's going to be, but I think the Vikes lose this one.

Projected Record: 1-1

Carolina at Minnesota - The Panthers' QB situation is pretty unsettled with Jake Delhomme coming off of an injury and. . .well, I'm not sure who's behind him right now. (Bad Gonzo. . .bad fan!) The last time these two teams got together, it was a defensive slugfest. I wouldn't expect anything different this time around. . .I wouldn't expect a different result, either.

Projected Record: 2-1

Minnesota at Tennessee - Tennessee is an interesting team, in my opinion. Their defense is outstanding, and they manage to get it done offensively with less than outstanding personnel. . .yes, Vince Young, I'm looking at you. They're truly a testament to Jeff Fisher's coaching ability, I think. This should be a pretty good ball game. In fact, I might have to flip a coin here.

flips coin

Heads. . .outstanding.

Projected Record: 3-1

Minnesota at New Orleans - The Vikings' second prime time game of 2008, and it pits them against a team that could be classed as one of 2007's bigger disappointments. The Saints have as much offensive talent as any team in the league, but their defense is quite questionable. Unfortunately, they have the kind of offense that promises to give the Vikings fits. It'll be a close one, but I have to chalk up the second loss for the Beloved Purple here.

Projected Record: 3-2

Detroit at Minnesota - You know, the last time the Lions came into the Metrodome and beat the Vikings was the year before the Vikings drafted Randy Moss. I can't project that to change until the Lions give me reason to. In a related story, Kenoy Kennedy is still trying to figure out where Adrian Peterson went to.

Projected Record: 4-2

Minnesota at Chicago - A quick overview of the Chicago offense. . .

-Their quarterbacks are terrible
-Their running backs are terrible
-Their wide receivers are terrible
-Their offensive line is terrible

Other than that, the Bears are pretty well set offensively.

Look for Adrian Peterson to return to the scene of his breakout game and put together AP 2: Electric Boogaloo.

Projected Record: 5-2

Houston at Minnesota - The Texans' first ever trip to the Metrodome should be interesting. Houston is a team on the cusp, much like Minnesota is. Both teams have a lot of good, if raw, young talent. Being at home for this one could be enough to give the Vikings the edge.

Projected Record: 6-2

Green Bay at Minnesota - looks above

Nope. . .still not scared, still not impressed. I wonder if some guy will announce his unretirement soon enough to play in this one. Oh, well. . .even if he does, it won't matter.

Projected Record: 7-2

Minnesota at Tampa Bay - No word yet on which of the 27 quarterbacks Jon Gruden will have in camp this year will start for the Bucs this year. . .but with the defense that Tampa has, it might not matter. Also, there's something about the state of Florida that doesn't agree with the Beloved Purple. . .the last time the Vikings won a game in the state of Florida was 1997 at. . .Tampa Bay. Again, no reason to change a trend without a good reason to change it.

Projected Record: 7-3

Minnesota at Jacksonville - Two consecutive games in Florida. . .another thing that might not work out well for Minnesota. Throw in the fact that Jacksonville is one of the best teams in football, and it looks like we might have the makings of an actual losing streak here.

Projected Record: 7-4

Chicago at Minnesota - Fortunately, after our back-to-back games in Florida, we get what former Chicago Cubs' first baseman Mark Grace used to refer to as a "slumpbuster."

(What? What do mean that that's not what Grace meant?)

Projected Record: 8-4

Minnesota at Detroit - Say what you will about Minnesota's coaching staff or front office or whatever. . .at least we don't have Matt Millen.

Projected Record: 9-4

Minnesota at Arizona - No Nathan Poole this time. Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin are slightly better than Poole. . .but, you know, screw him anyway.

Projected Record: 10-4

Atlanta at Minnesota - I know we're pretty far away from the start of the season, but does a Detroit/Arizona/Atlanta trifecta going down the stretch make anybody else feel at least a little bit fuzzy inside?

(Yes, this is one of those sort of comments that invariably comes back to bite me in the ass.)

Projected Record: 11-4

New York Giants at Minnesota - Having wrapped up the division and a playoff spot looooooooooooong before this, the Vikings will be resting starters. There's a very good chance the Giants will be, too. So, since I gave the Vikings' the last "coin flip," I'll show some respect to the World Champs by giving them this one.

Projected Record: 11-5

So, there you have it. . .an obscenely early look at Minnesota's 2008 season. I don't see a reason that this team should be worse than 10-6, but your mileage may vary.

Thoughts? Agreements? Disagreements? Air them out here!

Read The Full Article:
http://www.dailynorseman.com/story/2008/4/16/83510/0694

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USC Song Girls get wet for charity

post from Fanblogs.com on 16 April 2008 08:54:32 AM. © Fanblogs.com

When I say USC Song Girls, you say "hello, football season", right? Right. But what about the Song Girls at a pool party? Hel-lo, summertime.

Lucky for you, the Song Girls feel the same way. That's why they're getting wet for charity.

In the off chance that you're still reading this... SWIM WITH MIKE is an annual swim-a-thon held to raise money for the USC Physically Challenged Athletes Scholarship Fund.

Mucho, mucho mas photos of the Song Girls and USC athletes & coaches (but mostly the Song Girls) over at BeatSC, who cast aside their rivalry for a day to snap these... umm... charity photos.

Hat Tip: To about 14 of y'all

View the original post or comment on USC Song Girls get wet for charity...

Read The Full Article:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/fanblogs/~3/271390746/007532.php

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ACC, Navy sign agreement with Congressional Bowl

The ACC has signed an agreement to place one team in the inaugural Congressional Bowl, to be played December 20th in Washington, DC.

News of the ACC's commitment enabled ESPN to sign an agreement to televise the fledgling bowl, which is slated to be held on Dec. 20 at either RFK Stadium or the new Nationals Park. Metcalf said the D.C. Bowl Commission can now move forward with filing an application with the NCAA for certification as a postseason contest.
The NCAA requires prospective bowls to have guaranteed opponents, a TV contract, venue and a letter of credit.

According to Capital sports writer Bill Wagner, the Congressional Bowl will offer a guaranteed $1 million per school in the first year. The organizers hope to pair a service academy annually against an ACC or at-large opponent.

A Conference USA affiliation had been tossed around in previous reports.

The agreement could be the death-knell for an oft-rumored Baltimore bowl game, as the area is an unlikely host for two bowl games.

The 2008 ACC representative will face-off against Navy, who have already reached an agreement with the new bowl, presuming the Midshipmen are bowl-eligible.

HT: GT Sports Blog & Inside Charm City

View the original post or comment on ACC, Navy sign agreement with Congressional Bowl...

Read The Full Article:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/fanblogs/~3/271400804/007533.php

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Giants to kick off title defense with string of
home games

Read The Full Article:
http://www.giantfootballblog.com/2008/04/giants-to-kick.html

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Obi Wan or Anakin

All the buzz about the upcoming season leaves us all shocked that Chris Rose would come out of hiding on Tatooine to write, perhaps his first article in months.

It was about Dr. Ashley Morris.

Reading the first paragraph, drives up the question inside, What are his motives for this? Saintseester says he gets it. I am not so sure.

What we all learned from Qui-Gon Jinn, Dr. Morris, was that part of being a New Orleanian is being a part of a team. Our CITY. Ours. SINN FEIN. We must stick together.

We must write to our leaders.
NO
We must be the leaeders.

We must work each other over at the neighborhood level to start with to cultivate the IDEAL New Orleans.

Good work, Chris Rose.

You're waving your light saber around with the blast shield down.

Soon you'll be ready to take the shield off and try out for the team.

Read The Full Article:
http://blackandgoldpatrol.blogspot.com/2008/04/obi-wan-or-anakin.html

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OU Wraps Up Spring Football

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Sooners end spring practices: OU's quarterback Sam Bradford, said the offense ended spring practice on an up note, "The offense played at a much quicker tempo than we did in the Red-White Game," Bradford said. "I thought we got some good work done on the last day."

Sooners wrap up spring ball: SoonerSports.com

OU Football Notebook: The Oklahoman

Read The Full Article:
http://www.gnextinc.com/ousoonersblog/2008/04/ou-wraps-up-spring-football.html

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