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What do the Eagles really need

post from Eagles football blog on 22 April 2008 08:05:08 PM. © Eagles football blog

Let's make believe for a minute that the Eagles are going to do what every NFL team says it never does. Let's just pretend that coach Andy Reid and general manager Tom Heckert decide in the first round Saturday that...

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http://www.eaglesfootballblog.com/2008/04/what-do-the-eag.html

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Dallas Cowboys could be considering trading for
veteran receiver

post from Cowboys football blog on 22 April 2008 08:00:30 PM. © Cowboys football blog

The Dallas Cowboys have talked to a team, not the Cincinnati Bengals, about acquiring a veteran receiver. And that?s about all owner/general manager Jerry Jones would say, offering nothing more specific. But the admission is more evidence that the Cowboys...

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http://www.cowboysfootballblog.com/2008/04/dallas-cowboy-4.html

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Angelo warns some Bears players won't be happy

post from Bears football blog on 22 April 2008 07:57:00 PM. © Bears football blog

Sometimes players will not be happy with their contracts. That?s what general manager Jerry Angelo said today.He didn?t need to address Brian Urlacher specifically to get his point across when discussing the team?s goal of rewarding its own, including defensive tackle Tommie Harris, returner Devin Hester and kicker Robbie Gould.``It is what it is,?? Angelo said. ``Players have feelings. You?re not going to have one big happy family, it just doesn?t happen that way.??

Angelo declined to discuss details of the individual players but the club has been peeved that Urlacher?s situation has gone public and ugly as he?s turned down a one-year, $18 million extension with $5 million guaranteed. Continue

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http://www.bearsfootballblog.com/2008/04/angelo-warns-so.html

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Niners Nation 2.0 Switch coming late
tonight/early tomorrow morning

post from Niners Nation on 22 April 2008 07:23:56 PM. © Niners Nation

Just wanted to let everyone know that the switchover to Niners Nation 2.0 will go down late tonight or early tomorrow morning at the latest. The site may be down for a couple hours, but don't fret...check back a little later and it should be good to go.

Trei, one of our tech guys, will have a rundown of all the new features and I'll certainly be around to answer any questions. I'm guessing some of the folks that visit McCovey Chronicles, Athletics Nation and Golden State of Mind will be able to answer questions when I'm not around. Either way I'm really excited for this change. One big plus going into this weekend is the auto-refresh of new comments. No need to hit ctrl+r all the time. The draft will give us a good time to test drive the new tools.

Barring huge breaking news, this will be my last front page post until after the switchover. I'll leave Trei's rundown as the top front page post most of tomorrow for people to discuss the changes and ask any questions. See you then.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.ninersnation.com/story/2008/4/22/182356/867

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Never Mind. . .the Vikings Have NOT Increased
Their Trade Proposal

post from Daily Norseman on 22 April 2008 06:39:10 PM. © Daily Norseman

Hey, remember last night when I said that the Vikings were throwing their 2009 second-round pick into their trade offer for Jared Allen?

You do? Aw, crap.

Anyway, our good friend Judd Zulgad at the Star-Tribune is making it sound as though that's not the case.

The Vikings appear willing to send the 17th overall pick, as well as the first of their two third-round selections (No. 73) in this weekend's draft to Kansas City. The Chiefs, though, likely are looking for a first- and second-round selection and also are talking to other interested teams.

This includes the Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Allen, who had 15 1/2 sacks in 14 games last season, remains tentatively scheduled to visit with that franchise this week. It's possible the Vikings could improve their offer in an attempt to eliminate competitors.

They COULD increase their offer. . .that tells me that they haven't done it yet.

Don't get me wrong, I still think that this is going to get done regardless. But, in my somewhat biased view, the less the Vikings have to pay, the better. I have no problem with them throwing in next year's #2 if it gets Allen here, but all other things being equal, #17 and #73 this year are just fine by me.

And remember, folks, tomorrow is the day that Daily Norseman v2.0 will hit the Internet. The transition will probably happen sometime during the late night/early morning hours, so by the time you wake up in the morning, it's possible that this very website will have a whole new look. I hope you've started reserving your accounts and learning a little bit about the new platform. . .the guys behind the scenes and I will try able to help you out as best we can.

Have a good evening, folks!

Read The Full Article:
http://www.dailynorseman.com/story/2008/4/22/173910/765

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SB Nation's John Morgan interviews Notre Dame DT
Trevor Laws

post from Big Cat Country on 22 April 2008 06:15:57 PM. © Big Cat Country

Fellow SB Nation blogger and Seahawks Fan John Morgan has a fantastic interview over at Field Gulls with Notre Dame Defensive Tackle Trevor Laws.

As you all know, I've got a serious "draft crush" for Laws, I would not bat an eye if the Jaguars selected him at 26. I think he's has a better motor than Kentwan Balmer, and I think he'd be a great fit on our defense.

Anyhow, the interview is very well done. An excerpt

John Morgan: Tell me a bit how youprepare for an opponent. Do you watch a lot of tape or look at scoutingreports? Any pregame rituals or habits?
Trevor Laws: Most games I havea pretty similar routine. Eat big the night before the game. Watcha few hours of film in the hotel. When I get up I make a big cup ofcoffee. I eat the same pregame meal every game. I havepancakes with peanut butter and honey on them. Then I go dominate.

JM: Do you develop a feel for an opposing offensive lineman, pick up on theirstrengths/weaknesses in game? And/or "tells" that might indicate ifthey're pass blocking or run blocking?
TL: Yeah definitely. For me thefirst drive of the game is always the hardest because you don't know what toexpect. After that it is easy to tell if it is a run or pass. If youknow what to look for many times you can tell the direction of the play by lookingat lineman position and backfield set.

JM: I noticed you have anexcellent first step when assigned a single gap, how do you anticipate snap counts?
TL: To tell the truth it can bea gamble sometimes. I'd say that in most games teams go on the samesnap count 90% of the time, so you can rely on that. Also if you seemotion out of the corner of your eye you know that it’s going to be a normal cadence because the offenseis timing it up.

JM: Watching tape I notice youfrequently use a compact spin move, how did you develop that move? Can youdescribe any other pass rush moves you employ and in what situations they'remost effective?
  TL: I have been using that moveon and off for the last 4 years. This year it   was my go-tomove. I started to develop it with my old d line coach GregMattison. Other moves I use are bull, jab ole, and bite and go

He's a guy that should be flying up draft boards, even though draft boards are all pretty set by now. He's a late 1st-early 2nd guy. A perfect move would be trading back with Atlanta and grabbing him early in the second round, but again, if all the defensive ends are off the board, by all means reach a little for Trevor Laws.

-Chris

Poll

Would you draft Trevor Laws at 26?

Read The Full Article:
http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2008/4/22/447472/sb-nation-s-john-morgan-in

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20/20 Vision

post from OUR NEW ORLEANS SAINTS on 22 April 2008 05:34:00 PM. © OUR NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Every beginning should recognize where we have been.

Yes, Eli got married in Mexico.

Talk about his Daddy, please.

Archie should get a vineyard as well, shouldn't he?

Well, here's Buddy D. to handle some classic video.

video details and more

IT HURTS to see Archie running into the Sacredome as an Oiler.

Really, it hurts.
Bum lacked vision.

Pray Coach Payton and Mickey Loomis do not on Saturday.

Read The Full Article:
http://blackandgoldpatrol.blogspot.com/2008/04/2020-vision.html

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David Pollack Retires

A long time coming, Bengals outside linebacker, David Pollack has officially retired from football. I'm sure everyone remembers that play that ended his career a distant year-and-a-half ago and the silence waiting for him to pop back up. I'm sure that we're all comfortable his life will be just fine without pads. It's a shame too. He was going to be one hellva player. At least he has his wits about him and sound reasoning to move on.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.cincyjungle.com/story/2008/4/22/155955/577

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My Dreams Crushed As Dolphins Draft Jake Long

My hopes and prayers have not been answered. The Dolphins will pick Jake Long first overall, throwing the rest of the draft in question.

I'll be updating this later tonight, but for now, discuss.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.thefalcoholic.com/story/2008/4/22/143723/109

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Mocks Project the Browns' 4th Round

Here are various mock drafts from around the web, showing who people think the Browns will take in the fourth round: Cleveland Browns 4th Round Mock Projections (No. 122) Website Pos Player H W School Round* NFL Draft Specialists DT Marcus Harrison 6-3 317 Arkansas 2-3 The Football Expert OLB Bruce Davis 6-2 252 UCLA 3-5 Comment: Trading for quarterback Brady Quinn bounced them out of the first round. Acquiring defensive tackle Corey Williams put them out of day one, and now the Shaun Rogers deal has them out of the top 100. They have all sorts of other problems on defense and aren?t likely going to solve them in this draft considering this is their first pick, but probably will try. They want a pass rushing linebacker, but when you don?t pick until #122 it makes things a little difficult. Shantee Orr signed on, but he?s not much help. This would be a great option if he is still on the board. Davis is active with the ability to sack the quarterback, which he did nearly once per game over his final two seasons for the Bruins although some question him as the dreaded ?tweener, too small for defensive end and not quick enough for linebacker. However, it isn?t easy to find players who can generate a pass rush. Sports Fury OLB Bruce Davis 6-2 252 UCLA 3-5 Comment: Undersized DE can play 3-4 OLB. Finds the QB and appears athletic enough to play in space. Walter Football OLB Shawn Crable 6-5 245 Michigan 2-3 Comment: This is Cleveland's first draft pick, as the team dealt all of its choices away. It actually did a great job filling most of its needs. One thing it didn't address, however, is the rush linebacker position. NFL Draft Blitz OLB Shawn Crable 6-5 245 Michigan 2-3 Draft Season OLB Orlando Scandrick 5-10 192 Boise St. 3-5 Comment: The Browns finally get to play and add a fast rising prospect to their thin secondary. Sports News SW DE Marcus Howard 6-0 237 Georgia 3-5 Draft Tek DE Marcus Howard 6-0 237 Georgia 3-5 Football Dialogue ILB Phillip Wheeler 6-2 248 Georgia Tech 2-3 Comment: Finally a pick and Wheeler is a steal at this point. FB Draft Analysis CB Jack Williams 5-9 180 Kent State 3-5 Sporting News DT Frank Okam 6-4 347 Texas 3-5

*Round projections come from NFLDraftCountdown.com.

I found it interesting that on three occasions, two websites chose the same player with our fourth-round selection. Linebackers Bruce Davis and Shawn Crable, and defensive end Marcus Howard, were taken twice.

I'm still fond of the possibility that we'll get a solid cornerback this Sunday in the fourth round, though we did get an apparent solid cornerback in Brandon McDonald last year in the fifth round.

Usually I'm a little hesitant to believe people can accurately project mocks after three rounds (in reality, two rounds only is probably still the best). One mock that you have to look at interestingly is the Sporting News', in which they selected defensive tackle Frank Okam in the fourth round. What I didn't show is that they have us selecting cornerback Orlando Scandrick in the fifth round (Draft Season had us taking him in round four), and Shawn Crable (two websites have us taking him in round four) in the sixth round. Canton Repository writer Steve Doerschuk has also suggested that the Brownsmight bring Crable in.

So that I'm not throwing what little there is to talk about all out there at once, I'll be discussing more of my personal opinions on the draft, as well as whether or not the Browns can/will move up, in the coming days. Until then, please feel free to discuss if you are interested in any of the players listed in the table above (and, whether or not you think the pick would be a reach, a steal, or just right).

Read The Full Article:
http://www.dawgsbynature.com/2008/4/22/447300/mocks-project-the-browns-4

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