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It's a Super Bowl matchup for the ages: cats vs. dogs.
The Puppy Bowl, a fixture on Animal Planet during the Super Bowl for nearly a decade, will have new competition next year from the Kitten Bowl, the Hallmark Channel announced this month.
"We would like to own the day," said Bill Abbott, president and CEO of Crown Media Family Networks, home to the Hallmark Channel. Win or lose in the ratings, all the animals stand to benefit. Hallmark will use between 50 and 100 kittens from animal shelters around the country, and Abbott vowed to place each one in a home. Animal Planet placed every dog and cat on this year's show-- 63 puppies and 21 kittens. (Cats serve as halftime entertainment for the two-hour Puppy Bowl.)
The annual Puppy Bowl has a football theme, with the dogs scoring "touchdowns" if they cross a goal line with a chew toy.
Kittens in the Kitten Bowl will compete on an agility course set up with hurdles, scratchers, tunnels, hoops and weave poles. Laser pointers and toys on strings will be used to entice the kittens.
Judges will look at each kitten's ability to cuddle and win the hearts of viewers.
"We had to develop some kind of framework to show what wonderful animals they are. They are their own little souls," Abbott said. "Many people don't realize how entertaining cats are and what great companions they are for people."
Most of the competition will be unscripted. Kittens can't be expected to figure out a timed course, so not doing it in the cutest way will determine the winner, Abbott said. The Most Valuable Kitten will be the cutest of them all.
Animal Planet and Hallmark have a good relationship.
"We're just happy that pet adoption is being promoted and more animals are finding their fur-ever homes," Animal Planet's statement said.
Abbott said there will be little competition between the networks, and neither expects to overshadow Super Bowl XLVIII, which airs on Fox Sports. The three bowls will be televised around the same time on Feb. 2, 2014.
The National Football League also supports the efforts to raise awareness about animals and shelters.
"The Super Bowl brings families together, and we love the idea that it includes the adoption of dogs and cats on Super Bowl Sunday," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said.
"We love animals here at the NFL, including cats and dogs" league spokesman Brian McCarthy added. "We also love Dolphins, Ravens, Bengals, Colts, Jaguars, Broncos, Eagles, Bears, Lions, Falcons, Panthers, Cardinals, Rams and Seahawks."
Kitten Bowl takes on Puppy Bowl during Super Bowl - NFL-com
The Puppy Bowl, a fixture on Animal Planet during the Super Bowl for nearly a decade, will have new competition next year from the Kitten Bowl, the Hallmark Channel announced this month.
"We would like to own the day," said Bill Abbott, president and CEO of Crown Media Family Networks, home to the Hallmark Channel. Win or lose in the ratings, all the animals stand to benefit. Hallmark will use between 50 and 100 kittens from animal shelters around the country, and Abbott vowed to place each one in a home. Animal Planet placed every dog and cat on this year's show-- 63 puppies and 21 kittens. (Cats serve as halftime entertainment for the two-hour Puppy Bowl.)
The annual Puppy Bowl has a football theme, with the dogs scoring "touchdowns" if they cross a goal line with a chew toy.
Kittens in the Kitten Bowl will compete on an agility course set up with hurdles, scratchers, tunnels, hoops and weave poles. Laser pointers and toys on strings will be used to entice the kittens.
Judges will look at each kitten's ability to cuddle and win the hearts of viewers.
"We had to develop some kind of framework to show what wonderful animals they are. They are their own little souls," Abbott said. "Many people don't realize how entertaining cats are and what great companions they are for people."
Most of the competition will be unscripted. Kittens can't be expected to figure out a timed course, so not doing it in the cutest way will determine the winner, Abbott said. The Most Valuable Kitten will be the cutest of them all.
Animal Planet and Hallmark have a good relationship.
"We're just happy that pet adoption is being promoted and more animals are finding their fur-ever homes," Animal Planet's statement said.
Abbott said there will be little competition between the networks, and neither expects to overshadow Super Bowl XLVIII, which airs on Fox Sports. The three bowls will be televised around the same time on Feb. 2, 2014.
The National Football League also supports the efforts to raise awareness about animals and shelters.
"The Super Bowl brings families together, and we love the idea that it includes the adoption of dogs and cats on Super Bowl Sunday," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said.
"We love animals here at the NFL, including cats and dogs" league spokesman Brian McCarthy added. "We also love Dolphins, Ravens, Bengals, Colts, Jaguars, Broncos, Eagles, Bears, Lions, Falcons, Panthers, Cardinals, Rams and Seahawks."
Kitten Bowl takes on Puppy Bowl during Super Bowl - NFL-com
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2006/12/07
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They headed to Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan last year bearing posters labeled “Hope,” with the face of the president of the United States replaced by that of a quarterback — a cluster of fans who would start chanting Robert Griffin III’s name well before the Washington Redskins were even on the clock. They got their man, right after the Indianapolis Colts selected Andrew Luck, who had been the subject of so much ardor that there had been campaigns from Miami to Minnesota in which fans urged their teams to lose games so they could draft him.
There are no tanking crusades for offensive linemen. Fans do not make posters for defensive tackles.
Luke Joeckel is the face — a baby face in his case, and a relatively anonymous one — of this N.F.L. draft, which starts Thursday night. An offensive tackle from Texas A&M, Joeckel could be the first pick.
Wherever he goes — whether to Kansas City at No. 1 or somewhere else a few minutes later — he is the sort of rare talent expected to be the cornerstone of a team for at least a decade. The same as Luck and Griffin were. Except not really.
“It’s not as pretty as years past, because there’s not a good-looking quarterback or anything like that,” Joeckel said. “It’s three mauling, ugly tackles at the top. And all three of us want to go first.”
This, then, is the disrespect draft, a class so maligned that estimates of how many players truly deserve to be selected in the first round have ranged from 10 — courtesy of ESPN’s Bill Polian, a former Colts president — to, well, a number definitely less than 32.
Gil Brandt, a former Dallas Cowboys personnel executive who analyzes the draft for NFL.com, called this a class of “complementary” players — a diplomatic way of describing the kind of picks who fill in the holes around stars like Luck and Griffin.
Each year, as the hours left before the draft dwindle, damaging whispers about players circulate as some teams try to disguise their intentions. It can be a fun parlor game to try to see through those smoke screens. But this year, the smoke seems to have engulfed the entire class, making it seem as if team executives will be holding their noses as they turn in their draft cards.
At his predraft news conference this week, Denver’s John Elway — a member of what might have been the N.F.L.’s most heralded draft class, the one from 1983 that inspired a new TV documentary — was asked about this year’s quarterbacks. He said: “I’m just glad we’re not in that market. Let’s put it that way.”
It is enough to hurt a guy, even one as big as Oklahoma’s Lane Johnson, another offensive tackle who is likely to be one of the top 10 selections. Is he ready for the criticism of his class to stop?
“Pretty much,” he said.
The truth, which is harder to divine the closer the draft gets, is that this is a strong draft for offensive and defensive linemen, and it is a very deep class at defensive back, especially safety — so deep that Baltimore General Manager Ozzie Newsome said he could probably find a safety in every round.
That is good news for teams that need to protect the quarterback, to rush the quarterback or generally to try to stop the quarterback. It is not such good news for teams that need a quarterback.
None are rated highly enough to be in the Luck-Griffin stratosphere, and it is hard to discern whether there is even a Russell Wilson, who was selected by Seattle in the third round last year, became the starter almost immediately and led the Seahawks to the playoffs. Elway said that if Brock Osweiler, whom the Broncos selected in the second round last year to back up Peyton Manning, had been in this class, he might have been the first quarterback taken.
Forecasts for this draft have ranged from predictions of a run on quarterbacks in the top half of the first round to expectations of no quarterback selections in the first round at all.
West Virginia’s Geno Smith, who could be the first quarterback taken and seems likely to go in the first round, summed up his feelings on Twitter this week.
“Just want to thank all those so called ‘experts’ who say I can’t be an NFL QB,” he wrote. “Thursday will be a special day but the work has only begun.”
The lack of a breakout quarterback has cast a shadow on the entire draft. Yet New Orleans General Manager Mickey Loomis said this week that while the Saints did not give first-round grades to 32 players, they did have second-round grades for 45 to 50 players, indicating a deep class.
The NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock acknowledged that there had been a lot of complaining about the lack of pizazz at the top, but he said that this was the deepest draft he could remember, with 25 to 35 more players worthy of being drafted than there were last year. That is essentially an entire round’s worth of players who Mayock believes belong in the N.F.L., even if few are likely to be All-Pros.
“I’ve heard this a lot,” Barkevious Mingo, a linebacker from Louisiana State, said. “When they say if the draft class is good or not, they judge it on quarterbacks. We might not have a lot of those, but we have everything else. It is what it is. I’m just in it to hear my name called.”
Mingo conceded that he did not know when he would be selected, and the lack of surefire top-10 quarterbacks — let alone a surefire No. 1 pick — has thrown the rest of the draft into flux and has made predictions much more difficult. Except for this: Almost every team in the top part of the first round would probably like to move down, because there are so few players compelling enough to spend a top pick — and all that money — on. That could make for plenty of televised drama, if not for many Super Bowl runs.
“My guess is, if you polled all 10 general managers of the teams drafting in the top 10, all 10 of them privately would say, ‘I’d love to move back,’ ” the ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay said. “I don’t know that there are many teams from 11 to 32 that r
There are no tanking crusades for offensive linemen. Fans do not make posters for defensive tackles.
Luke Joeckel is the face — a baby face in his case, and a relatively anonymous one — of this N.F.L. draft, which starts Thursday night. An offensive tackle from Texas A&M, Joeckel could be the first pick.
Wherever he goes — whether to Kansas City at No. 1 or somewhere else a few minutes later — he is the sort of rare talent expected to be the cornerstone of a team for at least a decade. The same as Luck and Griffin were. Except not really.
“It’s not as pretty as years past, because there’s not a good-looking quarterback or anything like that,” Joeckel said. “It’s three mauling, ugly tackles at the top. And all three of us want to go first.”
This, then, is the disrespect draft, a class so maligned that estimates of how many players truly deserve to be selected in the first round have ranged from 10 — courtesy of ESPN’s Bill Polian, a former Colts president — to, well, a number definitely less than 32.
Gil Brandt, a former Dallas Cowboys personnel executive who analyzes the draft for NFL.com, called this a class of “complementary” players — a diplomatic way of describing the kind of picks who fill in the holes around stars like Luck and Griffin.
Each year, as the hours left before the draft dwindle, damaging whispers about players circulate as some teams try to disguise their intentions. It can be a fun parlor game to try to see through those smoke screens. But this year, the smoke seems to have engulfed the entire class, making it seem as if team executives will be holding their noses as they turn in their draft cards.
At his predraft news conference this week, Denver’s John Elway — a member of what might have been the N.F.L.’s most heralded draft class, the one from 1983 that inspired a new TV documentary — was asked about this year’s quarterbacks. He said: “I’m just glad we’re not in that market. Let’s put it that way.”
It is enough to hurt a guy, even one as big as Oklahoma’s Lane Johnson, another offensive tackle who is likely to be one of the top 10 selections. Is he ready for the criticism of his class to stop?
“Pretty much,” he said.
The truth, which is harder to divine the closer the draft gets, is that this is a strong draft for offensive and defensive linemen, and it is a very deep class at defensive back, especially safety — so deep that Baltimore General Manager Ozzie Newsome said he could probably find a safety in every round.
That is good news for teams that need to protect the quarterback, to rush the quarterback or generally to try to stop the quarterback. It is not such good news for teams that need a quarterback.
None are rated highly enough to be in the Luck-Griffin stratosphere, and it is hard to discern whether there is even a Russell Wilson, who was selected by Seattle in the third round last year, became the starter almost immediately and led the Seahawks to the playoffs. Elway said that if Brock Osweiler, whom the Broncos selected in the second round last year to back up Peyton Manning, had been in this class, he might have been the first quarterback taken.
Forecasts for this draft have ranged from predictions of a run on quarterbacks in the top half of the first round to expectations of no quarterback selections in the first round at all.
West Virginia’s Geno Smith, who could be the first quarterback taken and seems likely to go in the first round, summed up his feelings on Twitter this week.
“Just want to thank all those so called ‘experts’ who say I can’t be an NFL QB,” he wrote. “Thursday will be a special day but the work has only begun.”
The lack of a breakout quarterback has cast a shadow on the entire draft. Yet New Orleans General Manager Mickey Loomis said this week that while the Saints did not give first-round grades to 32 players, they did have second-round grades for 45 to 50 players, indicating a deep class.
The NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock acknowledged that there had been a lot of complaining about the lack of pizazz at the top, but he said that this was the deepest draft he could remember, with 25 to 35 more players worthy of being drafted than there were last year. That is essentially an entire round’s worth of players who Mayock believes belong in the N.F.L., even if few are likely to be All-Pros.
“I’ve heard this a lot,” Barkevious Mingo, a linebacker from Louisiana State, said. “When they say if the draft class is good or not, they judge it on quarterbacks. We might not have a lot of those, but we have everything else. It is what it is. I’m just in it to hear my name called.”
Mingo conceded that he did not know when he would be selected, and the lack of surefire top-10 quarterbacks — let alone a surefire No. 1 pick — has thrown the rest of the draft into flux and has made predictions much more difficult. Except for this: Almost every team in the top part of the first round would probably like to move down, because there are so few players compelling enough to spend a top pick — and all that money — on. That could make for plenty of televised drama, if not for many Super Bowl runs.
“My guess is, if you polled all 10 general managers of the teams drafting in the top 10, all 10 of them privately would say, ‘I’d love to move back,’ ” the ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay said. “I don’t know that there are many teams from 11 to 32 that r
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2006/12/07
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From betting on who the next Pope will be to wagering on Little League, there seems to be a betting opportunity for just about everything under the sun. So it should be no surprise that several sportsbooks are offering bets on tonight’s NFL draft.
Offensive players taken in first round, over/under 13.5: Slight lean towards the over (all depends on New England taking a wide receiver at 29). That’s where the juice is leaning, however. I’d have to bet $120 to win $100 on the over.
Defensive players taken in first round, over/under 19.5: If I’m taking the over 13.5 in offensive players taken, don’t I have to take under 19.5 defensive? Money has been bet on the under here: it is -230 at both 5Dimes and Heritage. Why not bet over 13.5 offensive players at -120 and over 19.5 defensive players at +170? If the offense goes over, I’ll break even. If defense goes over, I win $50.
Sadly, extremely low limits don’t make this too profitable. 5Dimes is only taking $50 per bet, while Heritage is taking $100 maximum. But $50 is $50, right?
Cornerbacks taken in first round, over/under 4.5: Dee Milliner, Desmond Trufant, Xavier Rhodes, DJ Hayden..then who? No one seems to know who else will go so all the action is on the under. A bettor would have to wager $410 to win $100 on the under. Jamar Taylor could burn those under bettors though.
Safeties taken in first round, over/under 2.5: Kenny Vaccaro, Matt Elam, Eric Reid, and, Johnathan Cyprien all have been mocked to go in the first round. Shamarko Thomas and JJ Wilcox are also talents. Very deep position in this draft.
Offensive linemen taken in first round, over/under 6.5: Joeckel, Fisher and Lane Johnson are possible top five picks. Johnathan Cooper might land in Buffalo at #8. DJ Fluker could go #12 to Miami or #15 to the Saints. Chance Warmack could also go to the Dolphins or the Jets at #13. After that, it’s a crap shoot. Atlanta might make or break this bet: Kyle Long and Justin Pugh could be the 7th lineman taken at #30 for the Falcons.
SEC Players taken, over/under 11.5: Let’s count them up: Joeckel, Milliner, Floyd, Mingo, Fluker, Warmack, Sheldon Richardson, Jarvis Jones, Alec Ogletree, Cordarrelle Patterson are pretty much set for the first round. That’s 10. Plus there are talents like Eddie Lacy and Justin Hunter who likely will go. What about Matt Elam? Eric Reid? Kevin Minter? John Jenkins? Over is the play, but that’s where the money is going. Over 11.5 is -280 so I’ll have to pass.
Betting the NFL Draft | Online Gambling News Betting the NFL Draft | Rouletters-com
Offensive players taken in first round, over/under 13.5: Slight lean towards the over (all depends on New England taking a wide receiver at 29). That’s where the juice is leaning, however. I’d have to bet $120 to win $100 on the over.
Defensive players taken in first round, over/under 19.5: If I’m taking the over 13.5 in offensive players taken, don’t I have to take under 19.5 defensive? Money has been bet on the under here: it is -230 at both 5Dimes and Heritage. Why not bet over 13.5 offensive players at -120 and over 19.5 defensive players at +170? If the offense goes over, I’ll break even. If defense goes over, I win $50.
Sadly, extremely low limits don’t make this too profitable. 5Dimes is only taking $50 per bet, while Heritage is taking $100 maximum. But $50 is $50, right?
Cornerbacks taken in first round, over/under 4.5: Dee Milliner, Desmond Trufant, Xavier Rhodes, DJ Hayden..then who? No one seems to know who else will go so all the action is on the under. A bettor would have to wager $410 to win $100 on the under. Jamar Taylor could burn those under bettors though.
Safeties taken in first round, over/under 2.5: Kenny Vaccaro, Matt Elam, Eric Reid, and, Johnathan Cyprien all have been mocked to go in the first round. Shamarko Thomas and JJ Wilcox are also talents. Very deep position in this draft.
Offensive linemen taken in first round, over/under 6.5: Joeckel, Fisher and Lane Johnson are possible top five picks. Johnathan Cooper might land in Buffalo at #8. DJ Fluker could go #12 to Miami or #15 to the Saints. Chance Warmack could also go to the Dolphins or the Jets at #13. After that, it’s a crap shoot. Atlanta might make or break this bet: Kyle Long and Justin Pugh could be the 7th lineman taken at #30 for the Falcons.
SEC Players taken, over/under 11.5: Let’s count them up: Joeckel, Milliner, Floyd, Mingo, Fluker, Warmack, Sheldon Richardson, Jarvis Jones, Alec Ogletree, Cordarrelle Patterson are pretty much set for the first round. That’s 10. Plus there are talents like Eddie Lacy and Justin Hunter who likely will go. What about Matt Elam? Eric Reid? Kevin Minter? John Jenkins? Over is the play, but that’s where the money is going. Over 11.5 is -280 so I’ll have to pass.
Betting the NFL Draft | Online Gambling News Betting the NFL Draft | Rouletters-com
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Tyrann Mathieu could barely get the words out, the sobs and tears muffling his voice through the telephone.
"I know I'm on the right track," he said. The Arizona Cardinals seem to think so.
After relatively safe choices in the first two rounds of the NFL draft, the Cardinals took a chance in the third by taking Mathieu, the talented-but-troubled cornerback out of LSU.
Based on their own evaluations and the word of their Pro Bowl cornerback Patrick Peterson, Mathieu's former LSU teammate and one of his closest friends, the Cardinals used the 69th overall pick Friday night to take the player affectionately known as the Honey Badger.
"He impressed me so much in my office one on one, knowing at this point in time what he needs to do in his life," Cardinals first-year coach Bruce Arians said. "I was really taken aback a little bit. He knows what his problems are, he knows what he has done to himself, but he also knows that someone will give him a chance, that he knows what he needs to make sure he succeeds."
Once considered a Heisman Trophy front-runner and sure-bet first-rounder, Mathieu became a risky choice for NFL teams after a string of off-the-field incidents put his character in question.
A Heisman Trophy finalist in 2011, Mathieu was kicked off the team by LSU coach Les Miles in preseason camp last August for failing multiple drug tests.
Mathieu, who didn't play in 2012, was arrested less than two months later with three former teammates after police found 10 bags of marijuana and drug paraphernalia in his Baton Rouge apartment.
Mathieu spent two weeks in a drug treatment program run by former NBA player John Lucas and the months leading up the draft trying to rehabilitate his image. He spent some of that time with Peterson, who vouched for his friend to the Cardinals front office and coaching staff before they picked him in the draft.
"The guy is ready to play football," said Peterson, who said he will continue to mentor Mathieu with the Cardinals. "He made a mistake, was in an unstable position where he got caught with the marijuana, but he understands the importance of being accountable and being a role model, so that stuff is behind him."
Before his fall from grace, Mathieu was one of the nation's most dynamic players, a game-changing force who was a threat to score every time he touched the football, whether on kick returns or turnovers.
Mathieu finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting in 2011 and was the first defensive back to be invited to the ceremony in New York since Michigan's Charles Woodson won the award in 1997. He also won the Bednarik Award as national defensive player of the year, was an All-American and forced 11 career fumbles, seventh-most in NCAA history and a school record.
Once the troubles hit, Mathieu's stock plummeted, causing teams to bypass him in the draft.
Mathieu worked on fixing his image with Peterson and said he would be willing to undergo weekly drug testing, see drug counselors, therapists -- whatever the Cardinals want.
He's thrilled to have a second chance and plans to make the most of it.
"Their biggest thing is that they want to know that they can trust me," Mathieu said. "They want to be able to know that I've crossed that bridge."
The Cardinals were convinced Mathieu was serious about changing his life after thoroughly researching his background.
They flew Mathieu out to Phoenix, had dinner with him, spent time with him and Peterson together, and traveled to LSU's campus to speak with just about every staff member who came in contact with him on campus.
The Cardinals also had conversations with Peterson about Mathieu's background and character, and plan to have wording in his contract to keep him on the right track. "We are going to take the necessary measures to make sure he walks the straight and narrow," Arizona general manager Steve Keim said. "We felt comfortable with the risk that was involved."
The Cardinals took less of a gamble on their first two picks, selecting North Carolina offensive guard Jonathan Cooper with the No. 7 overall pick in the first round on Thursday and LSU inside linebacker Kevin Minter after swapping second-round picks with San Diego on Friday.
The Cardinals opted to shore up a linebacking corps that will be missing Daryl Washington the first four games of the 2013 season after he violated the league's substance-abuse policy.
As a redshirt junior last season, Minter was 14th nationally with 130 tackles, including 15 for losses, while becoming a finalist for the Butkus Award and a second-team Associated Press All-American.
Arizona had the seventh pick of the second round -- 38th overall -- but traded it to San Diego in exchange for the Chargers' second-round (45th overall) and fourth-round picks (110).
San Diego used the pick to take Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o, the Heisman Trophy runner-up who drew national attention after he said he was tricked into an online relationship with a girl who didn't exist.
Though they would drop a bit of a bombshell later in the draft with Mathieu, the Cardinals made a much more low-key selection in the second round by taking Minter, another former Peterson teammate known for his hard-hitting style.
"He is not the longest athlete, but he is a squatting, explosive player," Keim said. "Upon impact, he has natural explosiveness in his hips. When he strikes you, you go backward."
A good tackler and a linebacker who can fight off the blocks of bigger linemen, Minter is a superb run defender who has a knack for taking good angles on ball carriers. At 6-foot, 246 pounds, he's also athletic enough to drop into coverage on tight ends, running backs and receivers, allowing him stay on the field on passing downs.
Minter's aggressiveness sometimes hurts him on misdirection and his lateral quickness has been questioned, but he has a nose for the ball and loves to hit, which should fit into Arizona's aggressive
"I know I'm on the right track," he said. The Arizona Cardinals seem to think so.
After relatively safe choices in the first two rounds of the NFL draft, the Cardinals took a chance in the third by taking Mathieu, the talented-but-troubled cornerback out of LSU.
Based on their own evaluations and the word of their Pro Bowl cornerback Patrick Peterson, Mathieu's former LSU teammate and one of his closest friends, the Cardinals used the 69th overall pick Friday night to take the player affectionately known as the Honey Badger.
"He impressed me so much in my office one on one, knowing at this point in time what he needs to do in his life," Cardinals first-year coach Bruce Arians said. "I was really taken aback a little bit. He knows what his problems are, he knows what he has done to himself, but he also knows that someone will give him a chance, that he knows what he needs to make sure he succeeds."
Once considered a Heisman Trophy front-runner and sure-bet first-rounder, Mathieu became a risky choice for NFL teams after a string of off-the-field incidents put his character in question.
A Heisman Trophy finalist in 2011, Mathieu was kicked off the team by LSU coach Les Miles in preseason camp last August for failing multiple drug tests.
Mathieu, who didn't play in 2012, was arrested less than two months later with three former teammates after police found 10 bags of marijuana and drug paraphernalia in his Baton Rouge apartment.
Mathieu spent two weeks in a drug treatment program run by former NBA player John Lucas and the months leading up the draft trying to rehabilitate his image. He spent some of that time with Peterson, who vouched for his friend to the Cardinals front office and coaching staff before they picked him in the draft.
"The guy is ready to play football," said Peterson, who said he will continue to mentor Mathieu with the Cardinals. "He made a mistake, was in an unstable position where he got caught with the marijuana, but he understands the importance of being accountable and being a role model, so that stuff is behind him."
Before his fall from grace, Mathieu was one of the nation's most dynamic players, a game-changing force who was a threat to score every time he touched the football, whether on kick returns or turnovers.
Mathieu finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting in 2011 and was the first defensive back to be invited to the ceremony in New York since Michigan's Charles Woodson won the award in 1997. He also won the Bednarik Award as national defensive player of the year, was an All-American and forced 11 career fumbles, seventh-most in NCAA history and a school record.
Once the troubles hit, Mathieu's stock plummeted, causing teams to bypass him in the draft.
Mathieu worked on fixing his image with Peterson and said he would be willing to undergo weekly drug testing, see drug counselors, therapists -- whatever the Cardinals want.
He's thrilled to have a second chance and plans to make the most of it.
"Their biggest thing is that they want to know that they can trust me," Mathieu said. "They want to be able to know that I've crossed that bridge."
The Cardinals were convinced Mathieu was serious about changing his life after thoroughly researching his background.
They flew Mathieu out to Phoenix, had dinner with him, spent time with him and Peterson together, and traveled to LSU's campus to speak with just about every staff member who came in contact with him on campus.
The Cardinals also had conversations with Peterson about Mathieu's background and character, and plan to have wording in his contract to keep him on the right track. "We are going to take the necessary measures to make sure he walks the straight and narrow," Arizona general manager Steve Keim said. "We felt comfortable with the risk that was involved."
The Cardinals took less of a gamble on their first two picks, selecting North Carolina offensive guard Jonathan Cooper with the No. 7 overall pick in the first round on Thursday and LSU inside linebacker Kevin Minter after swapping second-round picks with San Diego on Friday.
The Cardinals opted to shore up a linebacking corps that will be missing Daryl Washington the first four games of the 2013 season after he violated the league's substance-abuse policy.
As a redshirt junior last season, Minter was 14th nationally with 130 tackles, including 15 for losses, while becoming a finalist for the Butkus Award and a second-team Associated Press All-American.
Arizona had the seventh pick of the second round -- 38th overall -- but traded it to San Diego in exchange for the Chargers' second-round (45th overall) and fourth-round picks (110).
San Diego used the pick to take Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o, the Heisman Trophy runner-up who drew national attention after he said he was tricked into an online relationship with a girl who didn't exist.
Though they would drop a bit of a bombshell later in the draft with Mathieu, the Cardinals made a much more low-key selection in the second round by taking Minter, another former Peterson teammate known for his hard-hitting style.
"He is not the longest athlete, but he is a squatting, explosive player," Keim said. "Upon impact, he has natural explosiveness in his hips. When he strikes you, you go backward."
A good tackler and a linebacker who can fight off the blocks of bigger linemen, Minter is a superb run defender who has a knack for taking good angles on ball carriers. At 6-foot, 246 pounds, he's also athletic enough to drop into coverage on tight ends, running backs and receivers, allowing him stay on the field on passing downs.
Minter's aggressiveness sometimes hurts him on misdirection and his lateral quickness has been questioned, but he has a nose for the ball and loves to hit, which should fit into Arizona's aggressive
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The Jacksonville Jaguars selected guys nicknamed "Shoelace" and "Ace" on the final day of the NFL draft.
They might just provide a little extra pace for Jacksonville's special teams. The Jaguars chose South Carolina receiver Tracy "Ace" Sanders in the fourth round Saturday, then added former Michigan quarterback Denard "Shoelace" Robinson a round later.
Jacksonville traded down three spots before drafting the 5-foot-7 Sanders with the 101st pick and landed the 5-foot-10 Robinson with the 135th selection. Sanders will get an immediate shot at being the team's punt returner. Robinson will work at running back and slot receiver, but could have his biggest impact as the team's kickoff returner.
"We got weapons for days!!" Sanders posted on his Twitter page after Robinson was picked.
New general manager Dave Caldwell said it was clear during a three-day minicamp last week that the team lacked overall speed.
These two guys could remedy that right away.
Robinson started 37 games at Michigan, including 35 at quarterback, and set the NCAA record for career rushing yards (4,495) by a quarterback. He agreed to move to receiver, running back or even cornerback before the draft.
"Whatever it takes to get on the field," Robinson said. "I'm an offensive weapon." Robinson completed 57 percent of his passes for 6,250 yards, with 49 touchdowns and 39 interceptions, in four years at Michigan. Nicknamed "Shoelace" because he plays with his laces untied, Robinson added 42 touchdowns on the ground. He also caught three passes and returned two punts.
His standout career ended with some uncertainty, though. Robinson sustained nerve damage in his right elbow late in his senior season, missed two games and then returned to the lineup as a running back, a quarterback and a receiver.
He struggled at his new positions at the NFL scouting combine, showing little precision as a route runner and dropping about half the passes thrown his way. He also botched several punts.
"A lot of people have put me at different positions," he said. "Now it's time to go to work."
Sanders, meanwhile, has been polishing his skills as a punt returner for years.
Although he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.58 seconds at the NFL scouting combine -- considered slow for a speedster -- he was productive at South Carolina. He returned 53 punts for an average of 11.2 yards and scored three touchdowns in three seasons. He averaged 15.3 yards a punt return and scored two TDs last season.
"I'm not an east and west runner on punt returns," said Sanders, who got his nickname at birth. "I get the yards that's needed and I really just try to flip the field and give the offense better field position. I'll go at it relentlessly with no fear and just try to make a play."
He also has skill at wideout, where he caught 99 passes for 1,230 yards and 13 scores in college.
"A lot of people have not really gotten time to see me really excel as a slot receiver, but I know my ability and everything," he said. "With the right coaching and the right system, I can really excel as a slot receiver as well as a punt returner."
Sanders considered returning to school for his senior season, but changed his mind on the final day juniors could declare for the draft. "I was actually leaving Bradenton, driving back up to South Carolina to go to school, and I was just thinking the whole trip on all of the information I got back," he said. "The only thing I could change from my draft spot by next year would be my size, and I'm not going to get any taller, so there was no point in going back and putting more wear and tear on my body before the draft next year and to be the same spot."
The Jaguars added three defensive backs in the final two rounds.
A day after drafting Florida International safety Johnathan Cyprien in the second round and Connecticut cornerback Dwayne Gratz in the third, Jacksonville grabbed Florida safety Josh Evans in the sixth, New Mexico State cornerback Jeremy Harris in the seventh (No. 208) and Appalachian State cornerback Demetrius McCray in the seventh (No. 210).
Jacksonville is trying to replace most of its secondary from last season. The team parted ways with its top four cornerbacks -- Derek Cox, Rashean Mathis, Aaron Ross and Will Middleton -- as well as strong safety Dawan Landry. The only returning starter is Dwight Lowery.
Regardless, much of attention surrounding the Jaguars on Saturday centered on Robinson and Sanders.
"I think the world of those guys," Evans said. "It's going to be an honor to play with them. They're both quick guys and very athletic, so they're going to bring a lot to the team as well."
2013 NFL draft -- Jacksonville Jaguars take Denard Robinson in fifth round - ESPN
They might just provide a little extra pace for Jacksonville's special teams. The Jaguars chose South Carolina receiver Tracy "Ace" Sanders in the fourth round Saturday, then added former Michigan quarterback Denard "Shoelace" Robinson a round later.
Jacksonville traded down three spots before drafting the 5-foot-7 Sanders with the 101st pick and landed the 5-foot-10 Robinson with the 135th selection. Sanders will get an immediate shot at being the team's punt returner. Robinson will work at running back and slot receiver, but could have his biggest impact as the team's kickoff returner.
"We got weapons for days!!" Sanders posted on his Twitter page after Robinson was picked.
New general manager Dave Caldwell said it was clear during a three-day minicamp last week that the team lacked overall speed.
These two guys could remedy that right away.
Robinson started 37 games at Michigan, including 35 at quarterback, and set the NCAA record for career rushing yards (4,495) by a quarterback. He agreed to move to receiver, running back or even cornerback before the draft.
"Whatever it takes to get on the field," Robinson said. "I'm an offensive weapon." Robinson completed 57 percent of his passes for 6,250 yards, with 49 touchdowns and 39 interceptions, in four years at Michigan. Nicknamed "Shoelace" because he plays with his laces untied, Robinson added 42 touchdowns on the ground. He also caught three passes and returned two punts.
His standout career ended with some uncertainty, though. Robinson sustained nerve damage in his right elbow late in his senior season, missed two games and then returned to the lineup as a running back, a quarterback and a receiver.
He struggled at his new positions at the NFL scouting combine, showing little precision as a route runner and dropping about half the passes thrown his way. He also botched several punts.
"A lot of people have put me at different positions," he said. "Now it's time to go to work."
Sanders, meanwhile, has been polishing his skills as a punt returner for years.
Although he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.58 seconds at the NFL scouting combine -- considered slow for a speedster -- he was productive at South Carolina. He returned 53 punts for an average of 11.2 yards and scored three touchdowns in three seasons. He averaged 15.3 yards a punt return and scored two TDs last season.
"I'm not an east and west runner on punt returns," said Sanders, who got his nickname at birth. "I get the yards that's needed and I really just try to flip the field and give the offense better field position. I'll go at it relentlessly with no fear and just try to make a play."
He also has skill at wideout, where he caught 99 passes for 1,230 yards and 13 scores in college.
"A lot of people have not really gotten time to see me really excel as a slot receiver, but I know my ability and everything," he said. "With the right coaching and the right system, I can really excel as a slot receiver as well as a punt returner."
Sanders considered returning to school for his senior season, but changed his mind on the final day juniors could declare for the draft. "I was actually leaving Bradenton, driving back up to South Carolina to go to school, and I was just thinking the whole trip on all of the information I got back," he said. "The only thing I could change from my draft spot by next year would be my size, and I'm not going to get any taller, so there was no point in going back and putting more wear and tear on my body before the draft next year and to be the same spot."
The Jaguars added three defensive backs in the final two rounds.
A day after drafting Florida International safety Johnathan Cyprien in the second round and Connecticut cornerback Dwayne Gratz in the third, Jacksonville grabbed Florida safety Josh Evans in the sixth, New Mexico State cornerback Jeremy Harris in the seventh (No. 208) and Appalachian State cornerback Demetrius McCray in the seventh (No. 210).
Jacksonville is trying to replace most of its secondary from last season. The team parted ways with its top four cornerbacks -- Derek Cox, Rashean Mathis, Aaron Ross and Will Middleton -- as well as strong safety Dawan Landry. The only returning starter is Dwight Lowery.
Regardless, much of attention surrounding the Jaguars on Saturday centered on Robinson and Sanders.
"I think the world of those guys," Evans said. "It's going to be an honor to play with them. They're both quick guys and very athletic, so they're going to bring a lot to the team as well."
2013 NFL draft -- Jacksonville Jaguars take Denard Robinson in fifth round - ESPN
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When ESPN executives review their 2013 NFL draft coverage, they should immediately fast forward to the first selection of the fourth round. It's an 11-minute sequence from stem to stern and it shows ESPN at its absolute best and nimblest. It also reinforces what I believe is the majority opinion outside the network's Bristol campus: ESPN's best Draft Day crew comes on Day 2 and 3.
With Jacksonville holding the 98th overall pick, host Trey Wingo immediately tossed to reporter Adam Schefter, who informed viewers that the Jaguars were fielding calls about the slot. One of Wingo's strengths as a draft host is to synthesize things quickly, offer a cogent road map, and then get the hell out of the way. He summarized Jacksonville's draft up until that point and gave way to analyst Todd McShay who began to offer some suggestions should the Jaguars keep the pick. But Wingo interrupted almost immediately with breaking news. "Sorry, Todd, there will be a trade here," Wingo said. "It is now Philadelphia."
The set perked up but Wingo steadied the crew. He turned to analyst Trent Dilfer and set him up perfectly. Said Wingo: "This is interesting, Trent, because you have one guy who you have had your eye on for the quarterback spot for the last couple of days."
Dilfer then did something people on sports television rarely do (see, Smith, Stephen A. and Bayless, Skip). He admitted he didn't have any inside information but wanted to suggest Arizona quarterback Matt Scott as a possible selection. "I could be dead wrong," Dilfer said, who would prove to be dead wrong. "I didn't talk to anyone in Philly. To me, this Matt Scott is a prospect."
Dilfer offered a scouting report of Scott and explained why he could be a good fit for a Chip Kelly offense.
Then came Mel Kiper, the veteran draft warhorse who still delivers for this production. Kiper brought up Stanford tight end Zach Ertz, who finished with 106 receiving yards and career-high 11 catches against Kelly's then No. 1-ranked Oregon, team. This was a great point: Kiper explained to the audience that Kelly had a familiarity with Pac-12 players both in game situations and recruiting.
Wingo, sensing something interesting brewing, asked Kiper for his draft grade on Scott. "Matt Scott, it's amazing, being where he is right now to be in the same discussion as Matt Barkley," Kiper responded.
The production then turned to Schefter and information partner Chris Mortensen -- and Schefter nailed it. "It turns out the quarterback the Philadelphia Eagles have been eyeing and scouting and doing a lot of work into is USC quarterback Matt Barkley," Schefter reported. Mortensen then explained that the idea that Kelly would only draft an up-tempo, run-pass quarterback was a misconception and that Barkley reminded Kelly of current Eagles quarterback Nick Foles.
When the production returned to the main set, McShay told a great anecdote about Kelly watching Drew Brees and being amazed at the quick eyes and release of the Saints quarterback. "Matt Barkley has some of those same qualities," McShay said.
The production then moved to the Eagles' draft table at the Radio City Music Hall, where an Eagles fan announced that Philadelphia had selected Barkley with the No. 98 overall pick.
Said Wingo: "Well, he had to wait two days but he didn't have to wait very long on Day 3. Matt Barkley is a Philadelphia Eagle." Then Wingo did what good draft hosts do: He stopped talking so his analysts could continue.
Dilfer immediately followed with an analysis of Barkley and here is where ESPN was really great: The network showed nine different highlights of Barkley passing including one in which he held the ball too long and took a sack. Dilfer and McShay spoke cogently over the highlights and Kiper jumped in to tell viewers that Barkley had nine touchdowns in the last two years against a Chip Kelly defense -- a great stat.
Wingo then tossed it over to Bill Polian, the former GM who was sensational during the draft by being the opposite of an over-packaged TV analyst. "Well, we said all along that Chip has knowledge of this college crop," Polian said. "I'm a little surprised because I thought it would be Scott as well because of the mobility factor. But here's the thing about Matt Barkley: He's drafted, the chatter is all over with, he's now a Philadelphia Eagle. The most important thing is not when you are drafted but that you were drafted...I'm anxious to see what this means to Nick Foles, if anything."
Dilfer jumped back in to talk about Kelly being a proponent of high-performance training and skill development, and how Barkley could excel under him. Kiper pointed out that since Michael Vick had bought into Kelly's philosophy, Barkley could end up being in an ideal situation as a backup with time to develop. McShay called the Eagles "the most fascinating team" in the NFL.
Wingo piloted the coverage back to Mortensen, who reported that the Eagles started thinking about Barkley late on Friday as he slid in the draft. Said Mortensen: "Chip Kelly has been warning people: Don't try to fit me here in a certain particular box. I can go anywhere with this offense."
Schefter then referenced the financial component to Barkley's selection, given that Barkley was projected as a Top 10 pick the year before. Schefter said the USC quarterback would get a four-year deal worth about $2.5 million and a roughly $500,000 signing bonus. "Not close to the money that he might have made had he come out last year but that was a decision Matt Barkley made," Schefter said. "And in the NFL, it is always about the second contract anyway. So if Matt Barkley plays well in Philly, the money will come later but it won't be as readily available right now."
Schefter then took the audience to commercial by referencing all the quarterbacks (Tyler Bray, Landry Jones and Ryan Nassib) still available in the draft. The entire segment lasted 11 minutes and it was as good a stretch as y
With Jacksonville holding the 98th overall pick, host Trey Wingo immediately tossed to reporter Adam Schefter, who informed viewers that the Jaguars were fielding calls about the slot. One of Wingo's strengths as a draft host is to synthesize things quickly, offer a cogent road map, and then get the hell out of the way. He summarized Jacksonville's draft up until that point and gave way to analyst Todd McShay who began to offer some suggestions should the Jaguars keep the pick. But Wingo interrupted almost immediately with breaking news. "Sorry, Todd, there will be a trade here," Wingo said. "It is now Philadelphia."
The set perked up but Wingo steadied the crew. He turned to analyst Trent Dilfer and set him up perfectly. Said Wingo: "This is interesting, Trent, because you have one guy who you have had your eye on for the quarterback spot for the last couple of days."
Dilfer then did something people on sports television rarely do (see, Smith, Stephen A. and Bayless, Skip). He admitted he didn't have any inside information but wanted to suggest Arizona quarterback Matt Scott as a possible selection. "I could be dead wrong," Dilfer said, who would prove to be dead wrong. "I didn't talk to anyone in Philly. To me, this Matt Scott is a prospect."
Dilfer offered a scouting report of Scott and explained why he could be a good fit for a Chip Kelly offense.
Then came Mel Kiper, the veteran draft warhorse who still delivers for this production. Kiper brought up Stanford tight end Zach Ertz, who finished with 106 receiving yards and career-high 11 catches against Kelly's then No. 1-ranked Oregon, team. This was a great point: Kiper explained to the audience that Kelly had a familiarity with Pac-12 players both in game situations and recruiting.
Wingo, sensing something interesting brewing, asked Kiper for his draft grade on Scott. "Matt Scott, it's amazing, being where he is right now to be in the same discussion as Matt Barkley," Kiper responded.
The production then turned to Schefter and information partner Chris Mortensen -- and Schefter nailed it. "It turns out the quarterback the Philadelphia Eagles have been eyeing and scouting and doing a lot of work into is USC quarterback Matt Barkley," Schefter reported. Mortensen then explained that the idea that Kelly would only draft an up-tempo, run-pass quarterback was a misconception and that Barkley reminded Kelly of current Eagles quarterback Nick Foles.
When the production returned to the main set, McShay told a great anecdote about Kelly watching Drew Brees and being amazed at the quick eyes and release of the Saints quarterback. "Matt Barkley has some of those same qualities," McShay said.
The production then moved to the Eagles' draft table at the Radio City Music Hall, where an Eagles fan announced that Philadelphia had selected Barkley with the No. 98 overall pick.
Said Wingo: "Well, he had to wait two days but he didn't have to wait very long on Day 3. Matt Barkley is a Philadelphia Eagle." Then Wingo did what good draft hosts do: He stopped talking so his analysts could continue.
Dilfer immediately followed with an analysis of Barkley and here is where ESPN was really great: The network showed nine different highlights of Barkley passing including one in which he held the ball too long and took a sack. Dilfer and McShay spoke cogently over the highlights and Kiper jumped in to tell viewers that Barkley had nine touchdowns in the last two years against a Chip Kelly defense -- a great stat.
Wingo then tossed it over to Bill Polian, the former GM who was sensational during the draft by being the opposite of an over-packaged TV analyst. "Well, we said all along that Chip has knowledge of this college crop," Polian said. "I'm a little surprised because I thought it would be Scott as well because of the mobility factor. But here's the thing about Matt Barkley: He's drafted, the chatter is all over with, he's now a Philadelphia Eagle. The most important thing is not when you are drafted but that you were drafted...I'm anxious to see what this means to Nick Foles, if anything."
Dilfer jumped back in to talk about Kelly being a proponent of high-performance training and skill development, and how Barkley could excel under him. Kiper pointed out that since Michael Vick had bought into Kelly's philosophy, Barkley could end up being in an ideal situation as a backup with time to develop. McShay called the Eagles "the most fascinating team" in the NFL.
Wingo piloted the coverage back to Mortensen, who reported that the Eagles started thinking about Barkley late on Friday as he slid in the draft. Said Mortensen: "Chip Kelly has been warning people: Don't try to fit me here in a certain particular box. I can go anywhere with this offense."
Schefter then referenced the financial component to Barkley's selection, given that Barkley was projected as a Top 10 pick the year before. Schefter said the USC quarterback would get a four-year deal worth about $2.5 million and a roughly $500,000 signing bonus. "Not close to the money that he might have made had he come out last year but that was a decision Matt Barkley made," Schefter said. "And in the NFL, it is always about the second contract anyway. So if Matt Barkley plays well in Philly, the money will come later but it won't be as readily available right now."
Schefter then took the audience to commercial by referencing all the quarterbacks (Tyler Bray, Landry Jones and Ryan Nassib) still available in the draft. The entire segment lasted 11 minutes and it was as good a stretch as y
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Collin Klein's dream of playing quarterback in the NFL is alive.
Klein -- the former Kansas State star signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent -- will play quarterback with the team, according to Jon McClain of the Houston Chronicle. The designation means the Texans currently have five quarterbacks on their roster in Matt Schaub, T.J. Yates, Case Keenum, Stephen McGee and now Klein. McClain doesn't believe Houston will take that many QBs to training camp.
Klein is a quarterback in the Tim Tebow mold, a successful rushing quarterback whose awkward throwing motion wouldn't seem to translate to the next level. Despite that, Klein -- a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2012 -- has been adamant in his desire to play quarterback, turning down an invitation to work with tight ends at the NFL Scouting Combine.
"In my heart, I know I can do it," Klein told The Kansas City Star earlier this month. "That's the position I love to play. Until that door closes, I'm going to walk through it. I have the work ethic and all the physical tools to do it. I was very fortunate to have good coaches at K-State. I feel very well equipped."
He might have skeptics, but Klein at least gets an opportunity.
Collin Klein reportedly to be Houston Texans QB - NFL-com
Klein -- the former Kansas State star signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent -- will play quarterback with the team, according to Jon McClain of the Houston Chronicle. The designation means the Texans currently have five quarterbacks on their roster in Matt Schaub, T.J. Yates, Case Keenum, Stephen McGee and now Klein. McClain doesn't believe Houston will take that many QBs to training camp.
Klein is a quarterback in the Tim Tebow mold, a successful rushing quarterback whose awkward throwing motion wouldn't seem to translate to the next level. Despite that, Klein -- a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2012 -- has been adamant in his desire to play quarterback, turning down an invitation to work with tight ends at the NFL Scouting Combine.
"In my heart, I know I can do it," Klein told The Kansas City Star earlier this month. "That's the position I love to play. Until that door closes, I'm going to walk through it. I have the work ethic and all the physical tools to do it. I was very fortunate to have good coaches at K-State. I feel very well equipped."
He might have skeptics, but Klein at least gets an opportunity.
Collin Klein reportedly to be Houston Texans QB - NFL-com
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Geno Smith's fall to the New York Jets on Day 2 of the 2013 NFL Draft has claimed a victim other than Tim Tebow: Smith's agency. Liz Mullen of Sports Business Journal reported Tuesday that Smith fired Select Sports, the agency representing him throughout the draft process. By league rule, he can't hire another agent for another five days.
Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News wrote that Smith believed he "would be and should be" the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. When he didn't make the first round, the agents paid the price.
Select Sports later released a statement to NFL-com's Ian Rapoport defending its handling of Smith.
"We worked tirelessly for Geno Smith and all of our draft prospects," the firm said in the statement. "The NFL Draft is unpredictable, and we prepared Geno and all of our draft prospects, as we do every year, about what can happen during the draft. Not only did we tell him that what transpired on the first day of the draft was possible, the question of whether Geno would be a first- or second-round pick was arguably the most talked about subject in the three months leading up to the draft. We wish Geno the best."
This will open up the former West Virginia quarterback to easy criticism: It's not like the agents are at fault for Smith's draft-day fall, and it looks like he's taking it out on them. But that's overly simplistic and sympathetic to the agents.
Sports agents often make big promises they can't keep. We don't know what transpired between Smith and his agents, but Smith is well within his rights to fire them if they didn't deliver.
UPDATE: Smith told SiriusXM NFL Radio on Tuesday that the firing was "not because of the whole draft experience. It's not because of one particular incident. There's a number of things." He declined to go into further detail.
Geno Smith fires agent after fall to New York Jets - NFL-com
Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News wrote that Smith believed he "would be and should be" the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. When he didn't make the first round, the agents paid the price.
Select Sports later released a statement to NFL-com's Ian Rapoport defending its handling of Smith.
"We worked tirelessly for Geno Smith and all of our draft prospects," the firm said in the statement. "The NFL Draft is unpredictable, and we prepared Geno and all of our draft prospects, as we do every year, about what can happen during the draft. Not only did we tell him that what transpired on the first day of the draft was possible, the question of whether Geno would be a first- or second-round pick was arguably the most talked about subject in the three months leading up to the draft. We wish Geno the best."
This will open up the former West Virginia quarterback to easy criticism: It's not like the agents are at fault for Smith's draft-day fall, and it looks like he's taking it out on them. But that's overly simplistic and sympathetic to the agents.
Sports agents often make big promises they can't keep. We don't know what transpired between Smith and his agents, but Smith is well within his rights to fire them if they didn't deliver.
UPDATE: Smith told SiriusXM NFL Radio on Tuesday that the firing was "not because of the whole draft experience. It's not because of one particular incident. There's a number of things." He declined to go into further detail.
Geno Smith fires agent after fall to New York Jets - NFL-com
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Former NFL offensive lineman Kyle Turley told U-T San Diego that he is suffering from severe mental problems, and has considered suicide, as a result of multiple head injuries he sustained while playing football.
Turley, 37, officially was diagnosed with two concussions during his eight-year NFL career, according to the newspaper, but he believes he suffered many more that went undiagnosed. He told the paper that there is no history of mental illness in his family, and acknowledged he takes medication to help curb his suicidal thoughts.
"No one in my family has ever gone crazy and killed themselves or thought about that. I have," Turley said during a phone interview with U-T San Diego. "It's not a thought that is fleeting. It's a thought that goes away when I'm on my medication, and the thought of doing a lot of crazy things as well and making unbelievable decisions."
Turley told the paper that the medication, Depakote, "stops me from doing a lot of things my brain wants me to do in destructive ways."
Turley appeared in 109 games with the New Orleans Saints, St. Louis Rams and Kansas City Chiefs and was a first-team All-Pro selection in 2000. He has agreed to have his brain donated to medical research after his death, and he also has donated money to the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund, a non-profit corporation that provides financial assistance to retired NFL players.
Turley, who says he has a 2-year-old daughter and a 4-year-old son, told U-T San Diego that he fears mental illness.
"I've got as good of a chance as anybody of going down that road into crazy land or into super crazy disease land," Turley told the paper. "I've got every opportunity to probably be in the same boat in the future, and I don't know how far in the future. It's very, very disturbing, very frustrating, very stressful to deal with, especially having children."
Turley also revealed that he called the NFL Life Line, the league's 24-hour confidential support service that was launched last year shortly after the suicide of former star linebacker Junior Seau.
"It was imperative that I did," Turley told the paper. "I don't know how to explain it. It's just a moment where you're lost. You're completely gone. You don't understand the things that you're doing, you're pissed at yourself because you're doing the things that you're doing, and you have little control, it seems, over it.
"Even in the moment, you're saying, 'Why is this happening? What is going on?' But you're still in it. It's a weird thing. I don't really know how to describe it. It's frustrating to no end, and that frustration can lead you to some pretty low places. Only those who have gotten to the point where they picked up a phone can probably understand."
Turley also told the paper that, despite his apparent bouts with mental illness, he still owns a gun. But he also emphasized that as a father of two, he wants to contribute to the NFL's awareness and approach toward head injuries. "I am on a mission," he said. "My mission is to fix this game for my son. ... I think it's going to be inevitable that he wants to follow in his dad's footsteps."
Kyle Turley, former NFL offensive lineman, admits having suicidal thoughts, according to report - ESPN
Turley, 37, officially was diagnosed with two concussions during his eight-year NFL career, according to the newspaper, but he believes he suffered many more that went undiagnosed. He told the paper that there is no history of mental illness in his family, and acknowledged he takes medication to help curb his suicidal thoughts.
"No one in my family has ever gone crazy and killed themselves or thought about that. I have," Turley said during a phone interview with U-T San Diego. "It's not a thought that is fleeting. It's a thought that goes away when I'm on my medication, and the thought of doing a lot of crazy things as well and making unbelievable decisions."
Turley told the paper that the medication, Depakote, "stops me from doing a lot of things my brain wants me to do in destructive ways."
Turley appeared in 109 games with the New Orleans Saints, St. Louis Rams and Kansas City Chiefs and was a first-team All-Pro selection in 2000. He has agreed to have his brain donated to medical research after his death, and he also has donated money to the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund, a non-profit corporation that provides financial assistance to retired NFL players.
Turley, who says he has a 2-year-old daughter and a 4-year-old son, told U-T San Diego that he fears mental illness.
"I've got as good of a chance as anybody of going down that road into crazy land or into super crazy disease land," Turley told the paper. "I've got every opportunity to probably be in the same boat in the future, and I don't know how far in the future. It's very, very disturbing, very frustrating, very stressful to deal with, especially having children."
Turley also revealed that he called the NFL Life Line, the league's 24-hour confidential support service that was launched last year shortly after the suicide of former star linebacker Junior Seau.
"It was imperative that I did," Turley told the paper. "I don't know how to explain it. It's just a moment where you're lost. You're completely gone. You don't understand the things that you're doing, you're pissed at yourself because you're doing the things that you're doing, and you have little control, it seems, over it.
"Even in the moment, you're saying, 'Why is this happening? What is going on?' But you're still in it. It's a weird thing. I don't really know how to describe it. It's frustrating to no end, and that frustration can lead you to some pretty low places. Only those who have gotten to the point where they picked up a phone can probably understand."
Turley also told the paper that, despite his apparent bouts with mental illness, he still owns a gun. But he also emphasized that as a father of two, he wants to contribute to the NFL's awareness and approach toward head injuries. "I am on a mission," he said. "My mission is to fix this game for my son. ... I think it's going to be inevitable that he wants to follow in his dad's footsteps."
Kyle Turley, former NFL offensive lineman, admits having suicidal thoughts, according to report - ESPN
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Olympic discus finalist Lawrence Okoye has never played football, but after signing with the San Francisco 49ers, he said he thinks that through hard work he can make an impact in the NFL.
The 49ers signed Okoye, 21, as an undrafted free agent and plan to train him to become a defensive lineman. The 6-foot-6, 304-pound British athlete wowed scouts at the super regional combine at Cowboys Stadium in April, running the 40-yard dash in 4.78 seconds and posting impressive results in the vertical jump (35 inches) and broad jump (10-foot-5). He holds the British record in discus (68.24 meters) and qualified for the finals in the event at the 2012 London Olympic Games but finished last.
He told the San Jose Mercury News this week that he was "terrible" when he first began throwing the discus at age 18, but his success there gives him confidence that he can work hard enough to have success in professional football. Okoye also played rugby as a teenager.
"I had to work really hard to become good at it. It's going to be the same path in this sport," he told the newspaper. "When I start out, I'm not going to be as good as everybody else. I'm going to look out of place, that's for sure. But with some work and with time and effort, I know I can catch up and hopefully become a dominant player in the league."
He made pre-draft visits to the Chicago Bears, New Orleans Saints and 49ers. San Francisco coach Jim Harbaugh said he felt "inadequate" standing next to him.
"An Adonis, a great physical specimen of a man. ... Our creator created a beautiful man," Harbaugh said of Okoye on Saturday, according to the Sacramento Bee.
Okoye said that he put on a helmet and pads for the first time when he visited the Saints. "It was quite interesting. They're not as heavy as I thought," he told the San Francisco Chronicle in a telephone interview Monday.
He told the newspaper that he isn't planning on putting "any limits on myself."
"Nobody would have predicted when I was 18 that I would be the British record holder and an Olympic finalist. I'm not going to sit here and put limits on myself, but I'm also not going to say that I'm going to kick [49ers defensive tackles] Justin Smith or Ray McDonald out of their positions and I'm going to get 20 sacks next year. Of course not," he told the newspaper. "For me, when I get the 49ers it's all about development. I'm going to develop every day."
With the 49ers he'll work with defensive line coach Jim Tomsula, who has experience teaching the game to football novices when he was a coach in NFL Europe.
He said he takes inspiration from 2013 draftees Ezekiel "Ziggy" Ansah (No. 5 overall by the Detroit Lions) and Margus Hunt (No. 53 overall by the Cincinnati Bengals), who both didn't pick up football until their freshman years in college.
"These are examples of guys who are physical specimens who have put their mind to it and now teams are seeing their potential," Okoye told the Chronicle. "If they can do it, I see no reason why I can't do the same thing."
Lawrence Okoye gets NFL shot with San Francisco 49ers - ESPN
The 49ers signed Okoye, 21, as an undrafted free agent and plan to train him to become a defensive lineman. The 6-foot-6, 304-pound British athlete wowed scouts at the super regional combine at Cowboys Stadium in April, running the 40-yard dash in 4.78 seconds and posting impressive results in the vertical jump (35 inches) and broad jump (10-foot-5). He holds the British record in discus (68.24 meters) and qualified for the finals in the event at the 2012 London Olympic Games but finished last.
He told the San Jose Mercury News this week that he was "terrible" when he first began throwing the discus at age 18, but his success there gives him confidence that he can work hard enough to have success in professional football. Okoye also played rugby as a teenager.
"I had to work really hard to become good at it. It's going to be the same path in this sport," he told the newspaper. "When I start out, I'm not going to be as good as everybody else. I'm going to look out of place, that's for sure. But with some work and with time and effort, I know I can catch up and hopefully become a dominant player in the league."
He made pre-draft visits to the Chicago Bears, New Orleans Saints and 49ers. San Francisco coach Jim Harbaugh said he felt "inadequate" standing next to him.
"An Adonis, a great physical specimen of a man. ... Our creator created a beautiful man," Harbaugh said of Okoye on Saturday, according to the Sacramento Bee.
Okoye said that he put on a helmet and pads for the first time when he visited the Saints. "It was quite interesting. They're not as heavy as I thought," he told the San Francisco Chronicle in a telephone interview Monday.
He told the newspaper that he isn't planning on putting "any limits on myself."
"Nobody would have predicted when I was 18 that I would be the British record holder and an Olympic finalist. I'm not going to sit here and put limits on myself, but I'm also not going to say that I'm going to kick [49ers defensive tackles] Justin Smith or Ray McDonald out of their positions and I'm going to get 20 sacks next year. Of course not," he told the newspaper. "For me, when I get the 49ers it's all about development. I'm going to develop every day."
With the 49ers he'll work with defensive line coach Jim Tomsula, who has experience teaching the game to football novices when he was a coach in NFL Europe.
He said he takes inspiration from 2013 draftees Ezekiel "Ziggy" Ansah (No. 5 overall by the Detroit Lions) and Margus Hunt (No. 53 overall by the Cincinnati Bengals), who both didn't pick up football until their freshman years in college.
"These are examples of guys who are physical specimens who have put their mind to it and now teams are seeing their potential," Okoye told the Chronicle. "If they can do it, I see no reason why I can't do the same thing."
Lawrence Okoye gets NFL shot with San Francisco 49ers - ESPN
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On an otherwise sleepy Saturday in the NFL, two cryptic messages from John Abraham's Twitter account piqued our attention.
Take a look ...
Retiring 13
- John Abraham (@johnabraham55) May 4, 2013
Done
- John Abraham (@johnabraham55) May 4, 2013
Was this Abraham's retirement notice? Not quite. NFL-com's Ian Rapoport reached out to a source close to the defensive end, who said there was "nothing to it."
The source added that "perhaps (Abraham is) expressing the frustration" he has with a free-agent process that hasn't yielded a new job. With Abraham coming off a 10-sack season -- and with 122 sacks in 13 productive seasons -- the relative cold shoulder can't be pleasant.
Then again, it's not like Abraham has failed to garner any interest. The Atlanta Falcons have moved on, but he already has visited the Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots. Rapoport reported Thursday that the Tennessee Titans also were scheduled to host him.
Abraham, who turns 35 on Monday, still could bring value to a team that seeks a situational pass rusher. He just might have to swallow his pride in matters of perceived fiscal worth.
John Abraham not retiring despite two cryptic tweets - NFL-com
Take a look ...
Retiring 13
- John Abraham (@johnabraham55) May 4, 2013
Done
- John Abraham (@johnabraham55) May 4, 2013
Was this Abraham's retirement notice? Not quite. NFL-com's Ian Rapoport reached out to a source close to the defensive end, who said there was "nothing to it."
The source added that "perhaps (Abraham is) expressing the frustration" he has with a free-agent process that hasn't yielded a new job. With Abraham coming off a 10-sack season -- and with 122 sacks in 13 productive seasons -- the relative cold shoulder can't be pleasant.
Then again, it's not like Abraham has failed to garner any interest. The Atlanta Falcons have moved on, but he already has visited the Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots. Rapoport reported Thursday that the Tennessee Titans also were scheduled to host him.
Abraham, who turns 35 on Monday, still could bring value to a team that seeks a situational pass rusher. He just might have to swallow his pride in matters of perceived fiscal worth.
John Abraham not retiring despite two cryptic tweets - NFL-com
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The Titans didn't get it done up front last season. That was a major problem for a franchise that's a) paying premium dollars for running back Chris Johnson and b) attempting to find out if quarterback Jake Locker is big-picture material. The Titans used their first pick (10th overall) to select Alabama guard Chance Warmack. In the fourth round, they filled another need with Cal center Brian Schwenke.
The moves capped a complete rebuild of the interior of Tennessee's offensive line. In free agency, the team handed out a six-year, $46.8 million deal to lure guard Andy Levitre from the Buffalo Bills.
Pairing the new G-C-G combo with tackles Michael Roos and David Stewart might have turned a weakness into an area of strength.
If the line performs up to expectations, it will help the Titans make a confident judgment call on long-term plans for both Johnson and Locker.
Three takeaways
1) Kenny Britt officially is on notice. Last year, the Titans took Kendall Wright with the 20th overall pick. This year, they used a second-round pick to add Tennessee wide receiver Justin Hunter. If Britt can't return to pre-injury form -- or if he fails to shake the off-the-field drama that has plagued him -- the Titans now are in position to move on without him.
2) The Titans added some speed and athleticism at cornerback with third-round pick Blidi Wreh-Wilson, but did they do enough to fix their ailing secondary? The defense surrendered a league-worst 29.4 points per game last season while the secondary surrendered 55 passes of 20 yards or more, according to SI-com. The signings of strong safeties Bernard Pollard and George Wilson improve the unit, but this still might be an area of weakness.
3) Locker started just 11 games last season, but he still rushed for 291 yards. That was sixth in the league among quarterbacks. Playing with an improved offensive line, will the Titans give Locker more opportunities to make plays with his feet? It would make sense to take advantage of this skill set.
2013 NFL Draft Fallout: Tennessee Titans - NFL-com
The moves capped a complete rebuild of the interior of Tennessee's offensive line. In free agency, the team handed out a six-year, $46.8 million deal to lure guard Andy Levitre from the Buffalo Bills.
Pairing the new G-C-G combo with tackles Michael Roos and David Stewart might have turned a weakness into an area of strength.
If the line performs up to expectations, it will help the Titans make a confident judgment call on long-term plans for both Johnson and Locker.
Three takeaways
1) Kenny Britt officially is on notice. Last year, the Titans took Kendall Wright with the 20th overall pick. This year, they used a second-round pick to add Tennessee wide receiver Justin Hunter. If Britt can't return to pre-injury form -- or if he fails to shake the off-the-field drama that has plagued him -- the Titans now are in position to move on without him.
2) The Titans added some speed and athleticism at cornerback with third-round pick Blidi Wreh-Wilson, but did they do enough to fix their ailing secondary? The defense surrendered a league-worst 29.4 points per game last season while the secondary surrendered 55 passes of 20 yards or more, according to SI-com. The signings of strong safeties Bernard Pollard and George Wilson improve the unit, but this still might be an area of weakness.
3) Locker started just 11 games last season, but he still rushed for 291 yards. That was sixth in the league among quarterbacks. Playing with an improved offensive line, will the Titans give Locker more opportunities to make plays with his feet? It would make sense to take advantage of this skill set.
2013 NFL Draft Fallout: Tennessee Titans - NFL-com
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Tom Heckert will join the Denver Broncos as their new director of pro personnel, a team source told NFL-com's Albert Breer on Monday.
Heckert worked for the Miami Dolphins from 1991-2000. His next stint with Philadelphia Eagles lasted from 2001-2009. He started as director of player personnel, was promoted to vice president of player personnel in 2003 and then to general manager in 2006. During that time the Eagles went to five NFC championship games and one Super Bowl.
Most recently he served as general manager of the Cleveland Browns, helping to draft Trent Richardson and Brandon Weeden in 2012. He was fired by the Browns on Dec. 31, 2012.
Tom Heckert joins Denver Broncos' front office in personnel role - NFL-com
Heckert worked for the Miami Dolphins from 1991-2000. His next stint with Philadelphia Eagles lasted from 2001-2009. He started as director of player personnel, was promoted to vice president of player personnel in 2003 and then to general manager in 2006. During that time the Eagles went to five NFC championship games and one Super Bowl.
Most recently he served as general manager of the Cleveland Browns, helping to draft Trent Richardson and Brandon Weeden in 2012. He was fired by the Browns on Dec. 31, 2012.
Tom Heckert joins Denver Broncos' front office in personnel role - NFL-com
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Embarrassed by a federal investigation of fraud inside his truck-stop company, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam apologized to Cleveland Browns fans and promised to bring the city a winning team.
Haslam, who bought the Browns last year from Randy Lerner, was the featured speaker Monday night at the Northeastern Ohio Chapter of the National Football Foundation's 25th annual scholar-athlete banquet. It was one of Haslam's first public appearances in Ohio since the FBI raided the headquarters of Pilot Flying J, his family's business, last month as part of an investigation into an alleged fraud scheme. From a dais that included Ohio State coach Urban Meyer and former Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel, Haslam spoke to a packed banquet room and then held a brief news conference afterward.
"I apologize to the city of Cleveland, Northeastern Ohio and all Browns fans because the last thing we ever wanted to do as a new owner was detract from football and the Browns and just what a great football area this is, and so I apologize for that," he said.
"We feel badly about it and we're very comfortable we'll work through this situation."
Haslam did not answer any questions during his 10-minute meeting with local media members. He was pressed about his knowledge of the fraud, but politely declined to answer.
Federal agents raided Pilot's headquarters in Knoxville, Tenn., on April 15. The FBI alleges members of Pilot's sales team deliberately withheld rebates to boost profits. Haslam reviewed the steps he has taking while the probe continues and reiterated he's doing all he can to gain back the trust of Pilot Flying J's customers.
During his remarks to open the banquet's program, Haslam praised the Browns' new coaching staff headed by Rob Chudzinki and raved about the team's recent picks in the NFL draft.
Haslam told the audience he was excited about the upcoming season, and he vowed to turn the Browns into contenders.
"I want to win because we're competitive and anybody that's competitive wants to win, but having been in this area, I want to win more for you all, the fans of Cleveland, because I've never seen fan support like this in the Cleveland area," he said. "It's incredible. I pledge to you we're going to do everything we possibly can to bring a winner to Cleveland and Northeast Ohio because this area deserves it."
Jimmy Haslam apologizes to Cleveland Browns fans - NFL-com
Haslam, who bought the Browns last year from Randy Lerner, was the featured speaker Monday night at the Northeastern Ohio Chapter of the National Football Foundation's 25th annual scholar-athlete banquet. It was one of Haslam's first public appearances in Ohio since the FBI raided the headquarters of Pilot Flying J, his family's business, last month as part of an investigation into an alleged fraud scheme. From a dais that included Ohio State coach Urban Meyer and former Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel, Haslam spoke to a packed banquet room and then held a brief news conference afterward.
"I apologize to the city of Cleveland, Northeastern Ohio and all Browns fans because the last thing we ever wanted to do as a new owner was detract from football and the Browns and just what a great football area this is, and so I apologize for that," he said.
"We feel badly about it and we're very comfortable we'll work through this situation."
Haslam did not answer any questions during his 10-minute meeting with local media members. He was pressed about his knowledge of the fraud, but politely declined to answer.
Federal agents raided Pilot's headquarters in Knoxville, Tenn., on April 15. The FBI alleges members of Pilot's sales team deliberately withheld rebates to boost profits. Haslam reviewed the steps he has taking while the probe continues and reiterated he's doing all he can to gain back the trust of Pilot Flying J's customers.
During his remarks to open the banquet's program, Haslam praised the Browns' new coaching staff headed by Rob Chudzinki and raved about the team's recent picks in the NFL draft.
Haslam told the audience he was excited about the upcoming season, and he vowed to turn the Browns into contenders.
"I want to win because we're competitive and anybody that's competitive wants to win, but having been in this area, I want to win more for you all, the fans of Cleveland, because I've never seen fan support like this in the Cleveland area," he said. "It's incredible. I pledge to you we're going to do everything we possibly can to bring a winner to Cleveland and Northeast Ohio because this area deserves it."
Jimmy Haslam apologizes to Cleveland Browns fans - NFL-com
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Three-time All-Pro Ronde Barber is retiring after a 16-year career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that included a Super Bowl title and five Pro Bowl appearances.
The Bucs announced Wednesday night that the 38-year-old twin brother of former New York Giants running back Tiki Barber will not return to play on a defense overhauled since the end of last season. Tampa Bay acquired Darrelle Revis, Dashon Goldson and second-round draft pick Johnthan Banks for its secondary.
The retirement was first reported by Fox Sports-com, who quoted Barber as saying: "I've had a better run than I ever could've dreamed of having."
Tiki Barber, who retired from the Giants after the 2006 season, had a post on his Twitter account that read: "Congrats & happy for my twin, Ronde, who's hanging up the cleats!"
Ronde Barber played cornerback for 15 seasons before moving to safety last year. He played his entire career with the Bucs and is the franchise leader in interceptions with 47. He also scored eight touchdowns and had 28 sacks in 241 games.
"Ronde is synonymous with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, establishing himself as one of our franchise's iconic players over a 16-year, Hall of Fame-worthy career," Bucs co-chairman Joel Glazer said in a statement. "When anyone thinks of Ronde, they think of a true professional and leader. He approached every day the same, giving everything he had to make himself and his teammates the best they could be. We will miss him."
Barber was a third-round pick out of Virginia is 1997 and struggled early in his career, appearing in just one game as a rookie. He finished with a stretch of 215 consecutive starts, tied for the sixth-longest streak in NFL history.
A team captain for the past nine years, Barber made the transition from cornerback to safety in 2012, Tampa Bay's first season under coach Greg Schiano.
Schiano's top priority this offseason was revamping a secondary that nearly set a league record for most yards passing allowed in a season.
The Bucs began reshaping the defense with the signing of Goldson, an All-Pro safety last season in San Francisco, to a five-year, $41.25 million deal in free agency. Last month, the team traded the 13th overall pick in the draft to the New York Jets in exchange for Revis, a three-time All Pro cornerback who also got a new six-year, $96 million contract.
With veteran Eric Wright returning and last year's No. 1 draft pick Mark Barron entering his second season at safety, that left little room for Barber in Tampa Bay's plans - especially after Banks was selected in the second round of the draft to compete with Wright for a starting job.
Barber is the only player in NFL history with 40-plus interceptions and 25 or more sacks. He returned eight picks for regular-season touchdowns and clinched Tampa Bay's victory over Philadelphia in the 2002 NFC championship game with a 92-yard return for a TD off Donovan McNabb.
Read More: Ronde Barber to retire after 16 seasons with Tampa Bay Buccaneers - NFL - SI-com
The Bucs announced Wednesday night that the 38-year-old twin brother of former New York Giants running back Tiki Barber will not return to play on a defense overhauled since the end of last season. Tampa Bay acquired Darrelle Revis, Dashon Goldson and second-round draft pick Johnthan Banks for its secondary.
The retirement was first reported by Fox Sports-com, who quoted Barber as saying: "I've had a better run than I ever could've dreamed of having."
Tiki Barber, who retired from the Giants after the 2006 season, had a post on his Twitter account that read: "Congrats & happy for my twin, Ronde, who's hanging up the cleats!"
Ronde Barber played cornerback for 15 seasons before moving to safety last year. He played his entire career with the Bucs and is the franchise leader in interceptions with 47. He also scored eight touchdowns and had 28 sacks in 241 games.
"Ronde is synonymous with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, establishing himself as one of our franchise's iconic players over a 16-year, Hall of Fame-worthy career," Bucs co-chairman Joel Glazer said in a statement. "When anyone thinks of Ronde, they think of a true professional and leader. He approached every day the same, giving everything he had to make himself and his teammates the best they could be. We will miss him."
Barber was a third-round pick out of Virginia is 1997 and struggled early in his career, appearing in just one game as a rookie. He finished with a stretch of 215 consecutive starts, tied for the sixth-longest streak in NFL history.
A team captain for the past nine years, Barber made the transition from cornerback to safety in 2012, Tampa Bay's first season under coach Greg Schiano.
Schiano's top priority this offseason was revamping a secondary that nearly set a league record for most yards passing allowed in a season.
The Bucs began reshaping the defense with the signing of Goldson, an All-Pro safety last season in San Francisco, to a five-year, $41.25 million deal in free agency. Last month, the team traded the 13th overall pick in the draft to the New York Jets in exchange for Revis, a three-time All Pro cornerback who also got a new six-year, $96 million contract.
With veteran Eric Wright returning and last year's No. 1 draft pick Mark Barron entering his second season at safety, that left little room for Barber in Tampa Bay's plans - especially after Banks was selected in the second round of the draft to compete with Wright for a starting job.
Barber is the only player in NFL history with 40-plus interceptions and 25 or more sacks. He returned eight picks for regular-season touchdowns and clinched Tampa Bay's victory over Philadelphia in the 2002 NFC championship game with a 92-yard return for a TD off Donovan McNabb.
Read More: Ronde Barber to retire after 16 seasons with Tampa Bay Buccaneers - NFL - SI-com
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When NBA player Jason Collins announced two weeks ago that he was gay, many NFL players offered their public support. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell expects the same reaction if an NFL player similarly goes public with his sexuality.
"I have such great respect for our players," Goodell told NFL-com's Steve Wyche in a sitdown interview Thursday. "I don't think it will just be tolerated, I think it will be accepted. These are individuals who play in our league. We're all different in some fashion, and we're accepting of our differences.
"That's what this is all about. To me, if it happens in the league, that's a personal choice that someone would decide to do. But I know their teammates and teams, and I think the fans will all respond the right way."
This has been the offseason of gay rights discussion in sports. Brendon Ayanbadejo and Chris Kluwe have spoken passionately about marriage equality. Reports surfaced that an NFL player or players could come out of the closet. The NFL also reminded teams about the league's policy on sexual orientation and harassment after reports that teams asked about players' sexuality during NFL Scouting Combine interviews.
We also believe the vast majority of people associated with the NFL would accept any gay player. With Collins leading the way, it feels like it's only a matter of time before an NFL player also comes out. Perhaps some day in the future, a player's sexuality won't even be a big story anymore.
Roger Goodell: Gay NFL player 'will be accepted' - NFL-com
"I have such great respect for our players," Goodell told NFL-com's Steve Wyche in a sitdown interview Thursday. "I don't think it will just be tolerated, I think it will be accepted. These are individuals who play in our league. We're all different in some fashion, and we're accepting of our differences.
"That's what this is all about. To me, if it happens in the league, that's a personal choice that someone would decide to do. But I know their teammates and teams, and I think the fans will all respond the right way."
This has been the offseason of gay rights discussion in sports. Brendon Ayanbadejo and Chris Kluwe have spoken passionately about marriage equality. Reports surfaced that an NFL player or players could come out of the closet. The NFL also reminded teams about the league's policy on sexual orientation and harassment after reports that teams asked about players' sexuality during NFL Scouting Combine interviews.
We also believe the vast majority of people associated with the NFL would accept any gay player. With Collins leading the way, it feels like it's only a matter of time before an NFL player also comes out. Perhaps some day in the future, a player's sexuality won't even be a big story anymore.
Roger Goodell: Gay NFL player 'will be accepted' - NFL-com
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Premier Rugby Limited, which represents the English Aviva Premiership clubs, and the National Football League are to jointly back an innovative rugby union plan in the US.
London Irish will play an exhibition game this summer against a "US Barbarians"-style team blending international stars and promising young talent, the Guardian can reveal, with the aim to later create a professional rugby union competition in the United States.
The match will take place at Gillette Stadium near Boston on August 10 and be called the Independence Cup. It is the first step towards establishing an East Coast league of about six teams from Boston to Miami that would begin as early as next year.
The fixture is backed by Premier Rugby Limited (PRL) and the NFL via its NFL Network television channel, which is set to broadcast the game. A return match in London, ideally at Twickenham and potentially against a different club, will take place a week later and could be televised in the UK and Ireland by BT Sport, the new Premiership rights holder.
The invitational US team to face London Irish will be given an identity evoking the New England region's Irish heritage. The organizers are hoping to entice the area's Irish population and raise a crowd of around 30,000 to show that professional club rugby could be viable in the US.
If the event is a success, the plan is to build on that momentum and seek potential investors who are willing to pay for one of the new franchises and to conclude deals to play fixtures in NFL stadiums. The NFL Network is hoping to find live sports to cover outside of the American football season
The promoters and producers, Minnesota-based RugbyLaw, believe that tens of millions of dollars will be required if the league is to be viable and of a high standard from the start. But PRL and the NFL are powerful partners and George Robertson and Michael Clements, of RugbyLaw, are convinced they have a winning formula.
They think that well-known overseas stars will be attracted by the opportunity to live and work in the US, providing the league with headline acts. As for the unknowns who will fill out the bulk of the rosters, the organizers intend to tap in to a vast resource, the thousands of high-caliber college American football players who are forced to give up their athletics careers after their senior year because only a small percentage can make it to the NFL or the Canadian Football League (CFL). Players who make it to the NFL but are then discarded will also be considered.
Given the similarities between American football and rugby, the ambitious hope is that the former football players can be persuaded to try a new sport - and learn it quickly enough to be effective.
The organizers want to create a kind of American Barbarians for the match against London Irish, mixing established guest names with young players selected via a summer combine and month-long training camp at a university in the Midwest. US national team players will not be involved.
The James Grant Group, a leading talent agency, has been engaged to find around ten well-known players who are available, for example by targeting internationals who are about to retire. Coaches with significant international experience are expected to be signed in the next few days.
Robertson said he is confident the process can:
"Swiftly identify and develop 15 then 30 then 100 international elite level rugby union XVs players from the graduating NCAA Division One athletes and with NFL or CFL players who wish to have another contact football career option. All they require is the appropriate respect paid to their ability and professional grade coaching. We will provide both."
"The richest resource America can present to the world of rugby union will be the thousands of pro- level athletes currently not playing rugby union - the application of a well-thought-out system to find them, identify them, and then coach them."
"There is no need to re-invent the wheel in how to find elite American rugby union talent - America is already the undisputed global leader in professional contact football with the NFL and NCAA - we will simply implement the same system starting with a combine."
With only three months until the game at the home of the New England Patriots, the scheme faces a race against time to discover and train enough players to make it a credible contest.
USARFU, US rugby's governing body, is cautiously backing the match but eager for more detail about the American team. There will be concerns that if a private league becomes reality, USARFU could lose influence over the future direction of rugby in the US. But a successful American rugby league with a production line of young talent should help the national team thrive in the coming years as the country aims to develop enough to become a serious global player and host a World Cup within fifteen years.
NFL joins plan aiming to create professional rugby union league in the US | Sport | guardian.co.uk
London Irish will play an exhibition game this summer against a "US Barbarians"-style team blending international stars and promising young talent, the Guardian can reveal, with the aim to later create a professional rugby union competition in the United States.
The match will take place at Gillette Stadium near Boston on August 10 and be called the Independence Cup. It is the first step towards establishing an East Coast league of about six teams from Boston to Miami that would begin as early as next year.
The fixture is backed by Premier Rugby Limited (PRL) and the NFL via its NFL Network television channel, which is set to broadcast the game. A return match in London, ideally at Twickenham and potentially against a different club, will take place a week later and could be televised in the UK and Ireland by BT Sport, the new Premiership rights holder.
The invitational US team to face London Irish will be given an identity evoking the New England region's Irish heritage. The organizers are hoping to entice the area's Irish population and raise a crowd of around 30,000 to show that professional club rugby could be viable in the US.
If the event is a success, the plan is to build on that momentum and seek potential investors who are willing to pay for one of the new franchises and to conclude deals to play fixtures in NFL stadiums. The NFL Network is hoping to find live sports to cover outside of the American football season
The promoters and producers, Minnesota-based RugbyLaw, believe that tens of millions of dollars will be required if the league is to be viable and of a high standard from the start. But PRL and the NFL are powerful partners and George Robertson and Michael Clements, of RugbyLaw, are convinced they have a winning formula.
They think that well-known overseas stars will be attracted by the opportunity to live and work in the US, providing the league with headline acts. As for the unknowns who will fill out the bulk of the rosters, the organizers intend to tap in to a vast resource, the thousands of high-caliber college American football players who are forced to give up their athletics careers after their senior year because only a small percentage can make it to the NFL or the Canadian Football League (CFL). Players who make it to the NFL but are then discarded will also be considered.
Given the similarities between American football and rugby, the ambitious hope is that the former football players can be persuaded to try a new sport - and learn it quickly enough to be effective.
The organizers want to create a kind of American Barbarians for the match against London Irish, mixing established guest names with young players selected via a summer combine and month-long training camp at a university in the Midwest. US national team players will not be involved.
The James Grant Group, a leading talent agency, has been engaged to find around ten well-known players who are available, for example by targeting internationals who are about to retire. Coaches with significant international experience are expected to be signed in the next few days.
Robertson said he is confident the process can:
"Swiftly identify and develop 15 then 30 then 100 international elite level rugby union XVs players from the graduating NCAA Division One athletes and with NFL or CFL players who wish to have another contact football career option. All they require is the appropriate respect paid to their ability and professional grade coaching. We will provide both."
"The richest resource America can present to the world of rugby union will be the thousands of pro- level athletes currently not playing rugby union - the application of a well-thought-out system to find them, identify them, and then coach them."
"There is no need to re-invent the wheel in how to find elite American rugby union talent - America is already the undisputed global leader in professional contact football with the NFL and NCAA - we will simply implement the same system starting with a combine."
With only three months until the game at the home of the New England Patriots, the scheme faces a race against time to discover and train enough players to make it a credible contest.
USARFU, US rugby's governing body, is cautiously backing the match but eager for more detail about the American team. There will be concerns that if a private league becomes reality, USARFU could lose influence over the future direction of rugby in the US. But a successful American rugby league with a production line of young talent should help the national team thrive in the coming years as the country aims to develop enough to become a serious global player and host a World Cup within fifteen years.
NFL joins plan aiming to create professional rugby union league in the US | Sport | guardian.co.uk
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On the second night of the draft, as J.J. Wilcox sat patiently by the phone, an area code from the Dallas area flashed on the caller ID.
The safety from Georgia Southern began to cry. His dream was about to come true.
It meant even more that his mother was there to share the moment.
Marshell Wilcox has battled lupus for 13 years. She wasn’t about to miss this. When Cowboys owner Jerry Jones called, she was by her son’s side, tethered to an oxygen tank.
“It was a great moment,’’ Marshell remembers. “I can’t explain it. It was the embrace...
“I felt his heart and knew he was overwhelmed.’’
J.J. then let go.
“Mom, I made it, I made it,’’ he shouted. “I told you I was going to make it.
“This is for you.’’
Wilcox won’t be able to spend Mother’s Day with his mother in Cairo, Ga. He’ll be at Valley Ranch for the final practice of the Cowboys’ three-day rookie minicamp.
But like any good son, he will call. And he has a gift.
Wilcox has arranged for his mother to be evaluated at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta on Tuesday. He believes her strength and resolve is the reason he’s with the Cowboys today with a chance to fight for a starting job.
“Right now this is the best gift,’’ Wilcox said. “I definitely told her there’s going to be a better Mother’s Day coming up soon.
“That’s my plan, why I’m here, to help her get her health back up to par.’’
J.J. Wilcox was 9 years old when his mother learned she had lupus. This immune system disorder attacks healthy tissue. The target was Marshell’s lungs.
Three years later, the diagnosis became more complicated when it was discovered Marshell also suffers from sarcoidosis, an inflammation of the cells that leads to scarring of lung tissue.
She has tried to manage her condition with medication and therapy. She has been on oxygen since 2008. She has chosen those options over a lung transplant.
J.J. rarely accompanies his mother to the doctor’s office. But he insisted on going with her when she visited her pulmonary physician on April 18.
The second-team All-American thanked the doctor for all he had done for his mother. He then asked for options. Was there another doctor, another facility, that could provide better care?
The doctor said Emory University Hospital, four hours away in Atlanta, was outstanding. He would refer Marshell Wilcox there, but it would be expensive.
“I’m not worried about the expense,’’ J.J. said, bringing tears to his mother’s eyes. “I’m worried about her health.
“She has to be around to see me do what I plan to do.’’
Eight days later, the Cowboys took Wilcox in the third round of the NFL draft. He’s slotted to receive a four-year contract worth slightly more than $2.73 million when he signs.
The first money he spends from that deal will pay for his mother’s evaluation and follow-up at Emory.
“I think the treatment she’s getting now, it’s not the best, but I’m definitely going to work for it and hopefully get her to the best treatment she deserves,’’ Wilcox said. “She definitely deserves the best.
“I’m going to fight for her, make sure she gets it.’’
Marshell is 49 now. She remembers when her son was in middle school and wrote that he one day would play in the NFL.
She is grateful for the chance to see a specialist at Emory. But that is not the best gift she has received from her son.
“My Mother’s Day gift is his vision being fulfilled,’’ she said.
Wilcox spent his first three years at Georgia Southern as a running back and receiver. He wasn’t moved to safety until his senior season.
It’s rare that a player switches positions this late in his college career and still shows enough to warrant being taken in the third round of the draft.
But the Cowboys are intrigued by his athletic ability and ball skills. He has good size and speed for the position and is physical.
“One of the things that’s very attractive about him is how well he played after not having played this position very much,’’ Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said.
“That’s a cause for concern because he doesn’t have that much experience, but it’s also a cause for excitement to see him play at a certain level and say, ‘Boy, if he gets a chance to keep doing this, he really has a chance to be a good player.’’’
The odds appear long that Wilcox will land a starting job as a rookie given his lack of experience. But it’s not like safety is a position of strength for the Cowboys.
He won’t concede anything. J.J. Wilcox is too strong for that.
It’s a trait he inherited from his mother.
“Oh, yeah, she’s way tougher than I am,’’ Wilcox said. “She had kids. Then, she’s been fighting this. She’s a strong young lady, man.
“I’m just blessed to have her in my life.’’
Moore: For Cowboys rookie J.J. Wilcox, NFL shot means a chance to aid ailing mother | Dallasnews-com - News for Dallas, Texas - SportsDayDFW
The safety from Georgia Southern began to cry. His dream was about to come true.
It meant even more that his mother was there to share the moment.
Marshell Wilcox has battled lupus for 13 years. She wasn’t about to miss this. When Cowboys owner Jerry Jones called, she was by her son’s side, tethered to an oxygen tank.
“It was a great moment,’’ Marshell remembers. “I can’t explain it. It was the embrace...
“I felt his heart and knew he was overwhelmed.’’
J.J. then let go.
“Mom, I made it, I made it,’’ he shouted. “I told you I was going to make it.
“This is for you.’’
Wilcox won’t be able to spend Mother’s Day with his mother in Cairo, Ga. He’ll be at Valley Ranch for the final practice of the Cowboys’ three-day rookie minicamp.
But like any good son, he will call. And he has a gift.
Wilcox has arranged for his mother to be evaluated at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta on Tuesday. He believes her strength and resolve is the reason he’s with the Cowboys today with a chance to fight for a starting job.
“Right now this is the best gift,’’ Wilcox said. “I definitely told her there’s going to be a better Mother’s Day coming up soon.
“That’s my plan, why I’m here, to help her get her health back up to par.’’
J.J. Wilcox was 9 years old when his mother learned she had lupus. This immune system disorder attacks healthy tissue. The target was Marshell’s lungs.
Three years later, the diagnosis became more complicated when it was discovered Marshell also suffers from sarcoidosis, an inflammation of the cells that leads to scarring of lung tissue.
She has tried to manage her condition with medication and therapy. She has been on oxygen since 2008. She has chosen those options over a lung transplant.
J.J. rarely accompanies his mother to the doctor’s office. But he insisted on going with her when she visited her pulmonary physician on April 18.
The second-team All-American thanked the doctor for all he had done for his mother. He then asked for options. Was there another doctor, another facility, that could provide better care?
The doctor said Emory University Hospital, four hours away in Atlanta, was outstanding. He would refer Marshell Wilcox there, but it would be expensive.
“I’m not worried about the expense,’’ J.J. said, bringing tears to his mother’s eyes. “I’m worried about her health.
“She has to be around to see me do what I plan to do.’’
Eight days later, the Cowboys took Wilcox in the third round of the NFL draft. He’s slotted to receive a four-year contract worth slightly more than $2.73 million when he signs.
The first money he spends from that deal will pay for his mother’s evaluation and follow-up at Emory.
“I think the treatment she’s getting now, it’s not the best, but I’m definitely going to work for it and hopefully get her to the best treatment she deserves,’’ Wilcox said. “She definitely deserves the best.
“I’m going to fight for her, make sure she gets it.’’
Marshell is 49 now. She remembers when her son was in middle school and wrote that he one day would play in the NFL.
She is grateful for the chance to see a specialist at Emory. But that is not the best gift she has received from her son.
“My Mother’s Day gift is his vision being fulfilled,’’ she said.
Wilcox spent his first three years at Georgia Southern as a running back and receiver. He wasn’t moved to safety until his senior season.
It’s rare that a player switches positions this late in his college career and still shows enough to warrant being taken in the third round of the draft.
But the Cowboys are intrigued by his athletic ability and ball skills. He has good size and speed for the position and is physical.
“One of the things that’s very attractive about him is how well he played after not having played this position very much,’’ Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said.
“That’s a cause for concern because he doesn’t have that much experience, but it’s also a cause for excitement to see him play at a certain level and say, ‘Boy, if he gets a chance to keep doing this, he really has a chance to be a good player.’’’
The odds appear long that Wilcox will land a starting job as a rookie given his lack of experience. But it’s not like safety is a position of strength for the Cowboys.
He won’t concede anything. J.J. Wilcox is too strong for that.
It’s a trait he inherited from his mother.
“Oh, yeah, she’s way tougher than I am,’’ Wilcox said. “She had kids. Then, she’s been fighting this. She’s a strong young lady, man.
“I’m just blessed to have her in my life.’’
Moore: For Cowboys rookie J.J. Wilcox, NFL shot means a chance to aid ailing mother | Dallasnews-com - News for Dallas, Texas - SportsDayDFW
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2006/12/07
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Terrance Williams doesn’t plan on ending his friendship with Robert Griffin III just because the former Baylor teammates play for different NFC East teams.
Williams, the Dallas Cowboys’ third-round pick in this year’s draft, said the Washington Redskins quarterback gave him some tips on what to expect during the pre-draft process.
Griffin, the 2012 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, also gave the 6-2, 202-pound wide receiver some advice on how to approach his first NFL season.
“[He said] just continue to do you and don’t change the way you are,” Williams said. “Be happy with your capabilities and show what you can do. I just really took that to heart the most.”
Williams’ capabilities allowed him to catch 97 passes for 1,832 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior. In 2011, Williams was one of Griffin’s favorite targets, recording 59 receptions for 957 yards and 11 scores.
With numbers like that, it’s somewhat surprising that Williams, the seventh receiver selected, was still available in the third round.
“Well, I was surprised, and I think a lot of people were surprised,” Cowboys wide receivers coach Derek Dooley said. “And then of course, as a position coach, I was hopeful that the organization felt the same way that I did. Fortunately, we did.”
The Cowboys, who have selected a wide receiver in each of the last five drafts, probably wouldn’t have invested a third-round pick in Williams if they didn’t think he could contribute as a rookie. Dooley says it’s possible as long as Williams stays focused on steadily improving some aspect of his game each day.
Of course, limiting his distractions off the field will also help. Williams hasn’t had to travel far to play football. He attended W.T. White High School before making the two-hour drive south to Waco. With his professional career bringing him back to the Metroplex, there’s a chance his off-the-field distractions could increase.
“I try to keep my distractions down to a minimum,” Williams said. “I’m good with just talking to [a few close friends]. As far as the whole outside thing, I try to keep that down, just do my job first and family and friends come second.
“[Baylor coach Art Briles] did a great job of showing us to work first and the fun is second.”
Williams struggled at times to catch the football during the first two days of rookie minicamp. As the Saturday afternoon session came to a close, Williams was one of the last players to leave the Valley Ranch practice field. He was spending time catching passes on the JUGS machine while Cowboys coach Jason Garrett watched from afar.
Dallas Cowboys rookie WR Terrance Williams gets NFL advice from Robert Griffin III | Dallas Cowboys Blog
Williams, the Dallas Cowboys’ third-round pick in this year’s draft, said the Washington Redskins quarterback gave him some tips on what to expect during the pre-draft process.
Griffin, the 2012 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, also gave the 6-2, 202-pound wide receiver some advice on how to approach his first NFL season.
“[He said] just continue to do you and don’t change the way you are,” Williams said. “Be happy with your capabilities and show what you can do. I just really took that to heart the most.”
Williams’ capabilities allowed him to catch 97 passes for 1,832 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior. In 2011, Williams was one of Griffin’s favorite targets, recording 59 receptions for 957 yards and 11 scores.
With numbers like that, it’s somewhat surprising that Williams, the seventh receiver selected, was still available in the third round.
“Well, I was surprised, and I think a lot of people were surprised,” Cowboys wide receivers coach Derek Dooley said. “And then of course, as a position coach, I was hopeful that the organization felt the same way that I did. Fortunately, we did.”
The Cowboys, who have selected a wide receiver in each of the last five drafts, probably wouldn’t have invested a third-round pick in Williams if they didn’t think he could contribute as a rookie. Dooley says it’s possible as long as Williams stays focused on steadily improving some aspect of his game each day.
Of course, limiting his distractions off the field will also help. Williams hasn’t had to travel far to play football. He attended W.T. White High School before making the two-hour drive south to Waco. With his professional career bringing him back to the Metroplex, there’s a chance his off-the-field distractions could increase.
“I try to keep my distractions down to a minimum,” Williams said. “I’m good with just talking to [a few close friends]. As far as the whole outside thing, I try to keep that down, just do my job first and family and friends come second.
“[Baylor coach Art Briles] did a great job of showing us to work first and the fun is second.”
Williams struggled at times to catch the football during the first two days of rookie minicamp. As the Saturday afternoon session came to a close, Williams was one of the last players to leave the Valley Ranch practice field. He was spending time catching passes on the JUGS machine while Cowboys coach Jason Garrett watched from afar.
Dallas Cowboys rookie WR Terrance Williams gets NFL advice from Robert Griffin III | Dallas Cowboys Blog
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2006/12/07
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Jones has made 59 draft-day trades since he purchased the team in 1989. The Cowboys have traded up in two of the past three drafts to acquire Dez Bryant (24th overall in 2010) and Morris Claiborne (sixth overall in 2012).
The draft is deep along the defensive and offensive lines and defensive back, which gives Jones the mindset of possibly trading. "I think we'll be open to improving to where we are," Jones said Monday. "There's a lot of depth at certain positions in this draft and you could maybe get where you want to be at certain positions and gain some collateral there through a trade."
During the 20-minute news conference, Cowboys officials also said there's a need to use younger players sooner.
The Cowboys are coming off consecutive 8-8 seasons where they missed the postseason. They were unable to make a splash in free agency this spring because of the money allocated last year in free agency, and the team had to restructure numerous contracts to get under the salary cap in 2013.
"We want drafted players to play as quickly as they can play," coach Jason Garrett said. "I don't care what school you played at. You can play in the SEC. You can play in the Big Ten, any of the great conferences across this country, it is a jump from college football to play in the National Football League."
NFL draft 2013 -- Dallas Cowboys willing to trade down from No. 18 - ESPN Dallas