Jaguars select Luke Joeckel, Grade B

Joeckel was arguable the best player on the board, but was he the best for the Jaguars? The Jaguars have a dominant left tackle in Read more

Kansas City Chiefs select Eric Fisher, Grade: A-

It's tough to get too excited about Eric Fisher as the No. 1 pick, but it's a solid fit and fills a need. Fisher may Read more

Offseason Needs: Minnesota Vikings

1. Wide Receiver The Minnesota Vikings need to upgrade the talent around Christian Ponder. Michael Jenkins has already been cut, and to make matters worse, Read more

Offseason Needs: Cincinnati Bengals

1. Weak-side linebacker The Cincinnati Bengals have relatively few glaring holes to fill. As a result, their primary needs are fairly specific. Vontaze Burfict is Read more
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Cardinals

Ryan Lindley to start Cardinals final preseason game

Arizona Cardinals rookie quarterback Ryan Lindley will get the start in their final preseason game in place of Kevin Kolb and John Skelton.

Ken Whisenhunt made it clear that Lindley was not part of the quarterback competition, but this is still a great opportunity for Lindley who could potentially see some action late in the season for the Cardinals. It’s become clear than Kolb and Skelton are likely not the long-term answers in Arizona, so it would not be a surprise to see Lindley get some action if this season slips away from the Cards.

The key to Lindley’s development will be his accuracy. He has the size and arm strength to play at this level, but accuracy has always been an area of concern.

Posted on August 28, 2012 by Ryan McCrystal in Cardinals, Rookie Notes Leave a comment

Colt McCoy to start for Browns on Thursday

Cleveland Browns head coach Pat Shurmur has announced that rookie Brandon Weeden will sit on Thursday, giving the nod for the final preseason game to Colt McCoy.

The Browns announced weeks ago that Weeden was the starter, and typically starting quarterbacks sit out the final preseason game. But Weeden isn’t your typical starter. He’s struggled the past two preseason games and many fans were hoping to see Weeden get a few more reps under his belt before the season opener.

Posted on August 28, 2012 by Ryan McCrystal in Browns, Rookie Notes 2 Comments

49ers cut 6th-round pick

The San Francisco 49ers cut the roster down to 75 and have already parted ways with 6th-round pick Jason Slowey, an offensive lineman out of Western Oregon.

There’s nothing unusual about a draft pick not making the team, especially a 6th or 7th round pick. But to not even make it to the final preseason game is somewhat surprising, and definitely reflects poorly on the front office.

The rest of the 49ers draft class remains with the team, although 5th-round pick Darius Fleming remains on the PUP list and is unlikely to be activated by the start of the season.

Posted on August 28, 2012 by Ryan McCrystal in 49ers, Rookie Notes Leave a comment

Nick Foles outplays Brandon Weeden

Philadelphia Eagles rookie quarterback Nick Foles outplayed Cleveland Browns rookie Brandon Weeden on Friday night, and it wasn’t all that close.

Source: Matt Sullivan/Getty Images North America

Weeden struggled against the Eagles

Weeden fumbled twice while completing just 9 of his 20 pass attempts. Weeden also did not appear to be on the same page as his No. 1 receiver, completing just one of fourpasses aimed at Greg Little. Both Weeden and Little were visibly frustrated on the field due to their miscommunications on two of the incompletions.

The issue with Weeden was handling Philadelphia’s pass rush, which brought consistent pressure and forced Weeden into multiple mistakes.

Foles, on the other hand, exceeded expectations and likely made Andy Reid feel very comfortable about his quarterback situation. Foles was expected to be Philly’s third string quarterback behind Mike Vick and Mike Kafka, but could now push Kafka for the backup job.

Against the Browns Foles looked poised under pressure, especially for a rookie, and completed 12 of 19 passes for 146 yards.

Posted on August 25, 2012 by Ryan McCrystal in Browns, Eagles, Rookie Notes Leave a comment

Vontaze Burfict “on the bubble” in Cincinnati

Cincinnati Bengals undrafted free agent Vontaze Burfict is reportedly on the bubble for making the final 53-man roster according to Paul Dehner Jr., of CBS Sports. Burfict has been competing with Roddrick Muckelroy for the backup job behind Rey Maualuga.

Frankly, the fact that he’s even in the conversation is a big win for Burfict. He may be worth developing, but unless he has improved by leaps and bounds this offseason, he isn’t ready for the NFL. Since the Bengals consider themselves serious contenders in the AFC, it would come as a surprise if they used a roster spot on a rookie with significant development still needed.

Posted on August 23, 2012 by Ryan McCrystal in Bengals, Rookie Notes 1 Comment

Adrian Robinson impressing at Steelers camp

Pittsburgh Steelers undrafted rookie linebacker Adrian Robinson‘s stock is rising, according to Chris Adamski of CBS Sports. Robinson entered camp with little chance of earning a spot on the 53-man roster due to the Steelers depth at linebacker, but his performance could make for a tough decision for the Steelers coaching staff.

Adamski currently has Robinson on the outside looking in on his projected 53-man roster, but notes that if James Harrison or Jason Worilds starts the season the PUP list, it would open up a spot for Robinson.

Posted on August 23, 2012 by Ryan McCrystal in Rookie Notes, Steelers Leave a comment

Leonard Johnson not expected to make Buccaneers roster

According to Patrick Southern of CBS Sports, undrafted free agent Leonard Johnson is not expected to make the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 53-man roster.

Johnson was initially projected as a potential Day 2 pick in the early stages of the draft process, but his stock plummeted after a poor showing at the combine. He remained one of the most physical defensive backs in the 2012 draft class, however, so it came as a surprise when he went undrafted. He will likely end up on the Bucs practice squad if he isn’t picked up by another team.

Posted on August 23, 2012 by Ryan McCrystal in Buccaneers, Rookie Notes Leave a comment

Jeff Demps participates in first Patriots practice

The New England Patriots added a potentially dangerous weapon to their offense last week by signing undrafted free agent Jeff Demps, fresh off his Olympic performance. On Wednesday, Demps participated in practice for the first time.

While Demps was on the field, he played a small role in practice and acknowledged he still has a long way to go: “I haven’t touched a football since [January]. Today is my first time, so I have a long way to go, but I just want to come out each and every day and work hard.”

It would seem unlikely that we’ll see Demps in a significant role early in the season, but if the Patriots are interested in using him strictly as a return specialist it may not take long for him to get back up to speed.

Posted on August 23, 2012 by Ryan McCrystal in Patriots, Rookie Notes Leave a comment

Bobby Wagner set to start for Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks 2nd-round pick Bobby Wagner is expected to take over the starting role at middle linebacker. He had been in a close competition with veteran Barrett Ruud, but the Seahawks dealt Ruud to New Orleans on Tuesday. Wagner’s backup will be veterans Heath Farwell and/or Matt McCoy.

Wagner was a four-year starter at Utah State and a team captain during his junior and senior years. Pete Carroll has reportedly been impressed with his work ethic and it sounds as though he’s at the beginning of a promising career in Seattle.

Posted on August 22, 2012 by Ryan McCrystal in Rookie Notes, Seahawks 1 Comment

Rookies competing for Vikings punt return job

Four players are reportedly in the mix to win the Minnesota Vikings punt return job, including rookies Jarius Wright and Josh Robinson.

Vikings special teams coach Miek Priefer offered this insight into where each players stands:

The guy I’m most comfortable with would be Marcus [Sherels], because he’s done it before and he’s very sure-handed. Josh has got some juice to him, as you’ve seen on defense as well. [Bryan] Walters has been there before, and Jarius is kind of in the developmental stage right now, to be honest with you.”

Considering the Vikings aren’t likely to compete this year, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them test multiple players in this role during the regular season until they find their long-term guy.

Posted on August 22, 2012 by Ryan McCrystal in Rookie Notes Leave a comment
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