Free agency roundup: Anderson to return to Browns?
It's the first day of free agency, and teams are wasting no time making moves. Here's what's happened so far:
While early this morning, it looked like the Browns were willing to let quarterback Derek Anderson become a restricted free agent, the Associated Press is reporting that the two sides have come to an agreement on a multiyear deal. According to the article, Cleveland has offered a deal in the neighborhood of three years, $20 million.
In more ex-Ravens quarterback news, the Falcons have re-signed quarterback Chris Redman to a two-year deal, according to AJC.com.
It seems like the Donovan McNabb rumors should have been put to rest awhile ago, but he told ESPN's Mike & Mike once again this morning that he plans to be in Philadelphia for the upcoming season.
A big payday for Redskins backup quarterback Todd Collins. According to ESPN.com'sJohn Clayton, Washington has re-signed Collins to a three-year, $9 million deal. The article says strong advances by the Jaguars bumped up the price for Collins.
The Tampa Bay Bucs have signed center Jeff Faine to a deal that, according to NFL Network, will make him the highest-paid center in the league.
And finally, Randy Moss is a free man. The Patriots did not come to terms with the wide receiver before the free agency deadline, but New England still remains the favorite to sign him.
There has been some movement on the trade front as well.
According to FoxSports.com, the Panthers have traded defensive tackle Kris Jenkins to the Jets in exchange for third- and fifth-round picks.
FoxSports.com's Jay Glazer reports that the Jets have agreed to send linebacker Jonathan Vilma to the Saints in exchange for a conditional draft pick, which will be based on Vilma's playing time.
Several players have also been released. FoxSports.comhas a good page set up with some of the names. Among the notables are Rams wide receiver Issac Bruce, Eagles defensive end Jevon Kearse, Patriots linebacker Roosevelt Colvin and Chargers fullback Lorenzo Neal.
As was reported by Ray Frager on the Medium Well blog, ESPN announced yesterday that Salisbury wouldn't be back and former HBO analyst Cris Carter had been hired to take his place.
"I'd grown tired of being punished for not being an NFL superstar," Salisbury said in the article. "Analysts who don't work as hard as me, don't prepare as hard as me, and don't have my resume were making more than me just because of their ability to throw or catch a football."
Salisbury said he knew that when he asked for a seven-figure salary, he and ESPN would have a "mutual parting."
Finally, Salisbury said he already has some offers, including one from FSN and a possible non-sports role with CBS.
If my memory serves me correctly, Salisbury isn't very popular among readers of this blog. I remember several negative comments when I posted the following video during the NFL playoffs. By the way, thanks to ProFootballTalk.com for the heads-up on the link.
ESPN.com's John Clayton offers his thoughts from the combine. Here are the five things that stood out for him: Running backs, thanks to underclassmen, exceeded expectations; very little sorted itself out at quarterback; this draft will be loaded with great defensive athletes; size and speed highlight the wide receiver position; offensive tackle may be the strongest position, but we learned the least about them.
SI.com's Don Banks says Illinois running back Rashard Mendenhall opened some eyes during the combine. Banks also says that speed-rushing defensive ends are in high demand because of the Giants' Super Bowl win. He says Ohio State defensive end Vernon Gholstonhelped himself in Indy:
Gholston, another potential outside linebacker in the 3-4, probably helped himself at the combine as much as any other defensive lineman. The junior ran a 4.67 40, did a whopping 37 reps, and had an impressive workout Monday that seemed to cement his top 10 status. Gholston had a three-sack game against Michigan last season, and one of them came against the Wolverines' standout offensive tackle Jake Long, a near-certain top five pick who only gave up two sacks his entire career in Ann Arbor.
SI.com's Banks says no player has fallen further fast than Kentucky quarterback Andre Woodson. Banks adds that Delaware quarterback Joe Flacco could overtake Louisville's Brian Brohm as the second-ranked quarterback behind BC's Matt Ryan.
SI.com's Peter King says while there are questions surrounding Ryan, he's probably a better prospect than last year's No. 1 pick JaMarcus Russell.
Here are some Ravens links to pass along. As always, if there's something I've missed, let me know.
SI.com'sDon Banks writes about quarterback Josh Johnson from the University of San Diego (Division I-AA). Johnson threw 113 touchdowns and just 14 interceptions in the past three seasons. Banks says the Ravens have a familiarity with Johnson:
New Ravens head coach John Harbaugh is one NFL decision-maker who's both familiar with Johnson and looking for a quarterback. His brother, Jim Harbaugh, coached Johnson at the University of San Diego until leaving to take the Stanford head coaching job in 2007.
Johnson (6-foot-2, 213 pounds) ran the fastest 40-time (4.55) of all quarterbacks at the combine. Banks says Johnson will likely go to a team that can wait a couple years for him to develop.
Last week, I linked to an ESPN.com blog that quoted Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome saying that Steve McNair is the starting quarterback right now.
While the Ravens almost certainly will draft a quarterback at some point this year, Harbaugh said 2006 Heisman winner Troy Smith "absolutely'' still factors into Baltimore's plans at the position.
"After those last two games (that he started), you've got to feel like Troy Smith can be a quarterback in the NFL," said Harbaugh.
"It's an area we want to strengthen, no question," Harbaugh said. "That position needs to be strengthened. I know we're going to use every resource to get that done. We have three good quarterbacks on the roster, starting with Steve McNair. He's the incumbent. He's had a tremendous career, and a lot of guys who've been in his position at his age have had pretty good seasons."
The Ravens, Panthers and Bears would be better fits for Ryan than the Dolphins and Falcons. They have better rosters. They have the running game. And they have the patience to not rush Ryan until he's ready. As much as Ryan would like to play as a rookie, he understands what lies ahead of him.
ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas names the Ravens as a team that has quarterback issues this offseason:
Quandary:Steve McNair might be washed up, and Kyle Boller can't put points on the board. Alleged offensive guru Brian Billick never got much out of this offense, and that is why he is gone. Successor John Harbaugh needs a legitimate attack.
Solution: The Philadelphia Eagles say Donovan McNabb isn't on the market, even though Kevin Kolb is waiting in the wings. McNabb-to-Baltimore rumors are out there, but in the long run, the Ravens might be better off just drafting a quarterback early.
On Friday evening, I was walking past a candy shop when I saw two large men receiving chair massages next to the Sunglass Hut. Imagine my surprise upon realizing the two men were NFL defensive coordinators/brothers Rob and Rex Ryan. I stopped for a few moments to observe the massages, although that seems so creepy now that I see it in print.
Baltimore is the biggest wild card of the early first round, with several glaring holes to fill. A franchise quarterback would be nice, a lockdown corner is a must, and another inside presence on the defensive line would be nice. If the Ravens don't trade down, it'll likely be a war-room battle with USC's Sedrick Ellis and the top corner on the board, either South Florida's Mike Jenkins or Troy's Leodis McKelvin.
It seems the closer we get to the draft, the higher Sedrick Ellis' stock will go.
Early draft projections had LSU's Glenn Dorsey as the top defensive tackle. Now, not only is Ellis is in the conversation, but some draft experts have him rated higher.
After coming back for his senior season, Ellis impressed draft experts at the Senior Bowl. Here's what Mel Kiper Jr. had to say in an ESPN.com article:
The best player at the Senior Bowl, by far, has been USC defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis. He's quick out of his stance and uses his hands extremely well. LSU DT Glenn Dorsey might be the No. 1 pick, but you are splitting hairs between Dorsey and Ellis.
To get a better idea on how Ellis projects as an NFL prospect, I contacted L.A. Times writer Gary Klein, who covers USC:
Q: What are Ellis' strengths that make him a first-round prospect?
A: Ellis' greatest strength is just that: his overall strength. He is a wide-bodied but solid 305 pounds and consistently overpowered or shed blockers. Those characteristics were on display throughout the last two seasons when offensive linemen from other Pac-10 schools voted him the winner of the Morris Trophy as the league’s top defensive lineman. Ellis also apparently impressed NFL evaluators at the Senior Bowl, contributing to his rise in draft projections.
Ellis excelled at USC despite playing for several defensive line coaches —- Ed Orgeron, Jethro Franklin and Nick Holt/David Watson. The turnover did not appear to bother him or slow him down. He has said he learned something from all of them and his ability to adapt will no doubt serve him well as a pro.
Q: What areas will he need to improve on in the NFL?
A: I am not an NFL expert, but it would seem that Ellis needs to continue improving in all phases to become an accomplished pro. The NFL, obviously, features bigger, stronger, faster and more experienced athletes. So there will no doubt be an adaptation period that Ellis, like all rookies, will go through.
He’ll need to maintain his strength over the course of a longer season and remain composed if veteran offensive linemen initially get the better of him in practice and in games.
Q: Why did Ellis come back for his senior season? Where was he projected to be selected had he left school early?
A: Ellis came back for a fifth and final season because he realized he could increase his draft stock with another year of experience and also help USC make a run at the national championship.
He never revealed where the NFL projected him after his junior year, but it almost certainly was not the top half of the first round; otherwise he would have made himself available for the draft. So his decision to return apparently was the correct one.
Q: What kind of defensive scheme does USC run, and what kind of scheme do you think Ellis would best fit in the NFL?
A: USC mainly ran the 4-3 defense favored by coach Pete Carroll during Ellis’ time at USC. In 2006, however, USC had a preponderance of talented linebackers and the Trojans ran a 3-4 hybrid with a linebacker lined up along the line of scrimmage in the “elephant” position.
As a nose tackle, Ellis played well in whatever scheme USC utilized. His strength, experience and his football smarts would seem to give him a solid base to work from in whatever scheme the team that drafts him employs.
Q: Describe Ellis' personality. What is he like off the field, and what was his relationship like with teammates, coaches and the media?
A: Ellis almost always displayed a gregarious personality with the media. He never shied from answering questions directly and did so with some thought.
Early in his career, like many young college players, Ellis struggled with the commitment to the classroom and attention to detail, trying his coaches' patience in the process. But he seemed to turn it around after [Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle] Mike Patterson departed for the NFL, giving Ellis an opportunity to start. Ellis subsequently evolved into one of the team leaders.
It’s worth noting that while fellow defensive lineman Lawrence Jackson and linebacker Keith Rivers were among the four elected team captains in 2007, it was Ellis who stepped up in practice after the embarrassing loss to Stanford and quietly but forcefully addressed teammates about the need to keep playing on. He commanded the respect of other players.
Q: What was Ellis' signature moment at USC?
A: Ellis made numerous outstanding plays in big games so there isn't any single one that stands out.
People who do not follow USC closely will probably remember Ellis for the muscleman pose he struck after sacking Arizona State quarterback Rudy Carpenter in a nationally televised Thanksgiving night game last season. The pose drew a 15-yard penalty.
But Ellis rarely made mistakes that cost his team. While cameras focused on USC’s linebackers and ends in anticipation of highlight-reel hits, Ellis clogged the middle to stop the opponent’s running game or manhandled centers on his way into the backfield in passing situations.
Q: Describe Ellis' effectiveness against the run compared to his effectiveness as a pass rusher.
A: Ellis the immovable object was a big reason why USC ranked second nationally in total defense and fourth in rushing defense in 2007. He had 12.5 tackles for losses.
Ellis is most effective against the run, but his strength and savvy also make him a force as a pass rusher. He finished his career with 17.5 sacks.
More on Ellis
As of Sunday night, only Ellis' bench-press number was available on NFL.com's Web site with combine results. He did not disappoint in that category, however, benching 225 pounds 34 times, which tied him for fourth among defensive linemen. According to The Orange County Register, Ellis is one of three USC players during Carroll's tenure to bench press more than 500 pounds. Ellis is 6-feet-1, 305 pounds.
McShay had the Ravens selecting Ellis with the No. 8 pick in his most recent mock draft (Insider subscription required):
Baltimore would like to use this pick to put an end to a seemingly endless pursuit for a franchise quarterback. Unfortunately, there isn't one worth selecting here with Ryan off the board. Instead, the Ravens could go with the best value on the board (Ellis) or fill a hole at either cornerback (Mike Jenkins) or left tackle (Ryan Clady). Knowing the Ravens' draft-day discipline, Ellis will be the pick in this scenario.
ESPN.com's Kiper has him ranked the sixth-best player overall, saying "Tampa Bay Bucs-style DT with superior quickness and a nonstop motor."
An undersized interior player with outstanding athleticism, power and quickness. The two-time All-American overcomes his size deficiencies by playing with great leverage at the point and relying on outstanding agility to defeat blockers. With such impressive movement skills, Ellis is ideally suited to play nose tackle in a "one-gap" scheme (Tampa-two) that features a number of slants and stunts upfront. If placed in the right system, scouts expect Ellis to become a force as an interior penetrator/pass rusher. Expect Ellis to emerge as a top-10 selection on draft day.
With the combine in full swing in Indianapolis, teams are making moves. Here's a quick look at some weekend news:
According to The Plain Dealer, the likelihood of the Browns reaching a deal with quarterback Derek Andersonis less certain than previously believed. According to the article, Cleveland is interested in a three-year, $18 million deal but Anderson wants something in the ballpark of a six-year deal worth $68 million. Anderson would reportedly be interested in a three-year deal but for substantially more money. The two sides have until Thursday at 4 p.m. to reach a deal before Anderson becomes a restricted free agent.
The Bears have re-signed quarterback Rex Grossman to a one-year deal. According to ChicagoSports.com, Chicago's starting job is a two-man race between Grossman and Kyle Orton. Brian Griese will likely not be back. Meanwhile, the Bears released wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad and Bernard Berrian will be a free agent.
The Cowboys have reached a one-year agreement with veteran linebacker Zach Thomas. Thomas, a 12-year veteran who turns 35 in September, was recently cut by the Dolphins.
ESPN.com's Matt Mosley reports that Chargers tight end Antonio Gates will have foot surgery that will require four-to-six months of recovery time.
A little preview of what's to come this week: I'll have news on who has helped/hurt themselves at the combine, and look for a draft profile on USC defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis Monday.
Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsometold ESPN's Hashmarks blog that as of now, Steve McNair is the team's starting quarterback.
Reporter Mike Sando caught up with Newsome at the NFL combine in Indianapolis:
Asked about the Ravens' QB situation, specifically who will start in 2008, Newsome said, "If you had to say right now, it would be Steve McNair." But he noted it's only February. McNair is coming off a shoulder injury. Newsome said he's seen McNair around the facility, but the team has not conducted a full medical evaluation to know how well McNair is progressing. Newsome's overall feel, however, was that McNair was doing well.
Newsome was also asked about the Rooney Rule, which requires franchises to interview at least one minority for open head-coaching positions. Here's what Newsome said:
"I don't think it's necessary right now. There are quality African-American candidates that people want to interview. We did not, when we went into our search, make sure we interviewed an African-American. We just felt like there were African-American candidates we wanted to interview and I think the other 31 teams feel the same way."
Note: When clicking on the ESPN.com link, the post involving Newsome is time-stamped at 1:03 p.m.
According to The Plain Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot, Browns general manager Phil Savage told WTAM that the team and Jamal Lewis are close to reaching a deal.
The blog post says the deal is believed to be for two years with an option for a third. Lewis, 28, ran for 1,304 yards (fifth-best in the NFL) in his first season with Cleveland after spending six years with the Ravens. His 4.4 yards per carry was Lewis' highest average since the historic 2003 season when he ran for 2,066 yards.
Meanwhile, The Plain Dealer's Cabot reported earlier this week that the Browns and quarterback Derek Anderson are close to agreeing on a three-year deal. Anderson would become a restricted free agent Feb. 28 if no deal is reached.
In other news, the Titans have placed the franchise tag on All-Pro defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth. The 26-year-old Haynesworth will get $7.25 million this season, and he and the Titans have until July 15 to work out a long-term deal, according to The Tennessean.
The Indianapolis Colts have agreed to a six-year deal with tight end Dallas Clark. Clark had a career year in 2007, setting highs in catches (58), yards (616) and touchdowns (11). His 11 scores were tops among tight ends and tied for seventh-best among all receivers.
And finally, don't forget to check out Sun reporter Ken Murray's blog updates from the combine in Indianapolis.
Offensive linemen, tight ends, kickers and punters arrive at the NFL combine today in Indianapolis. Here are some links about the event, which runs through Tuesday:
ESPN.com's Todd McShay does a great job of previewing the combine. This is an "Insider" article, but at the time I'm writing this, it's listed as a "free preview." McShay lists five players who are under the most pressure to perform, including Ohio State defensive end Vernon Gholston, who I profiled a couple weeks ago:
Gholston's up-the-field explosiveness is the main reason he is considered a potential top-10 pick. To maintain his standing, Gholston needs to verify that burst with an excellent time in the 10-yard split. For comparison purposes, the fastest split time run by an end last year was 1.49 seconds by Brian Robison.
McShay also lists the five players with the most to gain and five small-school prospects to watch, including Delaware quarterback Joe Flacco:
Deceptively athletic and blessed with the strongest arm in this year's class, Flacco should continue his ascent up NFL draft boards after the combine.
SI.com's Tony Pauline also previews the combine, listing players that have the most to gain, the most to lose and sleepers. Among those with the most to gain are Louisville quarterback Brian Brohm, who I profiled last weekand Maryland defensive lineman Dre' Moore.
The combine allows NFL team doctors to run players through in-depth physical examinations, including X-rays and MRIs. The exams allow teams to better gauge the severity of injuries and whether those injuries might affect a player's long-term abilities.
ESPN.com's Floyd Reese lists 10 "workout warriors" meaning players who significantly improved their stock at the combine in previous years.
ESPN.com lists the best combine performances in the different drills. The Ravens' Yamon Figurs is tied for the fourth-best 40-time since 2000. He ran a 4.30 last season.
Former player Ross Tucker says the pressure of the combine can push players to use performance-enhancing drugs in an SI.com article. Tucker also says that fast times and impressive bench-press reps. don't always translate to good football skills:
I have played with a plethora of terrible linemen who could bench press more than 500 pounds and an equal number of superb linemen who couldn't sniff a 5.0 40-yard dash. The numbers often lie. Teams are much better served researching players' backgrounds in an attempt to get an accurate assessment of a player's intangibles, such as heart, toughness and football intelligence.
USA Today's Matt Pitzer lists players to watch at the combine, including likely first-round pick Sedrick Ellis, defensive tackle from USC:
If he continues his postseason surge as a disruptive force in the interior line, you will hear him talked about ahead of LSU's Glenn Dorsey, long considered this year's top defensive tackle.
Players start in a 3-point stance in front of three cones that are set up in a triangle or L shape, with each cone five yards apart. They then sprint five yards to one cone, sprint back to the starting cone, and head back to the second cone where they run around it and cut right to the third cone. The players then run a circle around the third cone from the inside to the outside and run around the second cone before returning to the first cone.
It's hard to knock Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome out of the top five. He has a league-high 10 first-round draft choices on Baltimore's roster. He built one of the era's best defenses through the draft, grabbing Pro Bowl player after Pro Bowl player in the first round. The only problem the Ravens have is at quarterback. Kyle Boller, a former first-rounder, hasn't lived up to his potential, so the team had to trade for Steve McNair to produce a 13-win season in 2006. If Baltimore can strike gold at quarterback through the draft, the drafted talent base is good enough for 10 or more wins each season.
As reported today by The Sun's Mike Preston, Terrell Suggs has been told by Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome that he'll get the franchise tag.
That means Suggs will get paid a one-year salary equal to the average of the top-five players at his position.
But according to ESPN.com's John Clayton, there's confusion over which position Suggs should be tagged for. According to Clayton, Suggs is expected to challenge the designation, which lists him as a linebacker and would pay him $8.065 million in 2008. The article says Suggs will argue that he played more than 50 percent of defensive snaps at defensive end. That would mean more money -- $8.879 million.
I think if the Ravens are counting on Steve McNair --even though he's rehabbing and working out in Baltimore and feeling very good with full range of motion in his battered shoulder -- they are crazy. Time to cut the cord. I don't care if it's Donovan McNabb or Byron Leftwich or Matt Ryan with a one-year veteran solution. They can't go to camp with McNair as their starting quarterback, and I don't think new coach John Harbaugh will let it come to that.
According to The Miami Herald, the Patriots have made an offer to free-agent linebacker Zach Thomas. Thomas was released by the Dolphins last week. A seven-time Pro Bowler, he turns 35 in September. Two of the Patriots linebackers from last season are free agents -- Junior Seau, who is 39 and Tedy Bruschi, who will turn 35 this season.
The Bears have released wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad. A 12-year veteran, Muhammad is approaching 10,000 career receiving yards. Chicago's leading receiver from last season, Bernard Berrian, is a free agent.
The Denver Post reports that the Broncos are entertaining trade offers for wide receiver Javon Walker and running back Travis Henry. Reporter Mike Klis says he doesn't expect either player to be back in Denver next season.
The Chiefs have placed the franchise tag on defensive end Jared Allen. Allen led the NFL with 15.5 sacks last season. That number came after missing the first two games for violating the league's substance abuse policy.
His ability to understand the makeup of a roster and the importance of the fifth linebacker or ninth defensive back will serve him well.
Tucker says the biggest obstacle Harbaugh will face is friction on the staff:
The infrastructure is already in place on the defensive side of the ball. Rex Ryan has his players and his defense set up the way he likes it and will likely not take too kindly to any input on Harbaugh's part. This league is filled with big egos and Ryan's is likely a little bruised as a result of getting passed over for another head job, this one on his home turf in Baltimore.
And finally Tucker offers what the league consensus is regarding the hiring of Harbaugh:
It was a smart and long-overdue move to hire a guy with a special team's background for the top spot. Head coaches have to manage the players on both sides of the ball and nobody is in a better position to do that than the special team's coach. Harbaugh must ingratiate himself with Ray Lewis and get off to a fast start in order to eliminate any potential friction with the established core of Ravens leaders and defensive coaches.
ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas gives his opinion on why Harbaugh could succeed and why he could fail:
Why he might succeed: Bisciotti isn't as hands-on as Snyder or Atlanta owner Arthur Blank. This is not a situation like Miami's, where Bill Parcells will be running the front office and looking over Sparano's shoulder. Harbaugh will have the most autonomy of any of the new coaches. But he's got some valuable assets in place with general manager Ozzie Newsome and a talented defense led by coordinator Rex Ryan, who was passed over for the head coaching job.
Why he might fail: Billick was fired because he lost the locker room, but his biggest shortcoming in Baltimore was that he never developed a balanced and consistent offense. The Ravens struggled with Steve McNair and Kyle Boller at quarterback last season. Harbaugh doesn't have an offensive background, but his first move should be finding a franchise quarterback. There already have been rumblings about the Ravens trading for Philadelphia's Donovan McNabb. Maybe that happens and maybe it doesn't, but Harbaugh needs to quickly develop an offense with some identity or else these will be the same old Ravens. In addition, Harbaugh has to be on the same page with Ryan to unite the defense.
Mock drafts
SI.com's Don Banks has the Ravens picking cornerback Leodis McKelvin out of Troy with the eighth pick:
With No. 8 now considered too high for Louisville quarterback Brian Brohm, the Ravens could address their need at cornerback, where Samari Rolle and Chris McAllister aren't what they once were. McKelvin is the top-ranked corner, but Baltimore could also find Boise State offensive left tackle Ryan Clady to be a fit if the No. 5 Chiefs pass him up.
The Ravens have had a disappointing season, and a lot of their problems stem from the instability of the quarterback situation. Steve McNair is past his prime and Kyle Boller hasn't worked out since being selected as a first-round pick in 2003. The Ravens drafted Troy Smith last year, and he played well towards the end of the season. But adding a QB with leadership qualities is a must, and BC's Matt Ryan is a welcome addition.
Certainly a quarterback makes a great deal of sense here, but the one constant with Ozzie Newsome and the Baltimore scouting staff is an unwillingness to reach for need. Jonathan Ogden is likely to retire and his potential replacement -- Jared Gaither -- is much too raw to hand over the position at this point.
SI.com's Dr. Z offers his take on the possibility of the Ravens drafting a quarterback with their first-round pick:
Michael of Durham, N.C., feels Troy Smith deserves a shot at the Ravens' QB spot, based on his good outing against Pittsburgh. The Steelers had clinched and were resting people. I don't know how good the guy is. If they fall in love with someone in the draft, well, Ozzie Newsome's track record is pretty darn good.
Odds and ends
ESPN.com's Yasinskas says don't rule out the possibility of the Eagles dealing quarterback Donovan McNabb, despite what you hear:
The Eagles keep saying McNabb is their guy, and maybe that's the truth. But there was a reason why the Eagles drafted Kevin Kolb last year. McNabb's age and history of injuries are concerns. Philadelphia has lots of needs at other positions and McNabb should have substantial market value. Former Philadelphia assistant coaches Brad Childress (Minnesota) and John Harbaugh (Baltimore) are desperate for a solid quarterback and they might be willing to put together offers that would tempt the Eagles.
In the same article, Yasinskas says Panthers defensive tackle Kris Jenkins might be interested in playing in Baltimore:
He's a three-time Pro Bowler and was Carolina's best defensive lineman last season. But the Panthers and Jenkins haven't been seeing eye to eye for several years. The Panthers tried to trade him last spring, but held out for a first-round pick that didn't come. The price tag could drop this season, and Washington or Baltimore are places Jenkins would love to play. The Panthers, who would be comfortable with Damione Lewis and Ma'ake Kemoeatu as their starting defensive tackles, also could simply cut Jenkins and free up $3 million in salary cap space.
FoxSports.com's Alex Marvez writes an early preview of the AFC North, addressing each team's offseason needs. Marvez says the Ravens' biggest need is cornerback and offers this as their outlook:
Fair. The ability to keep defensive coordinator Rex Ryan will help John Harbaugh's transition as Baltimore's new head coach. With a little more offensive firepower, the Ravens have enough talent to compete for a wild-card spot.
Six percent of FoxSports.com voters picked the Ravens to win the AFC North next season. 59 percent like the Steelers; 29 percent like the Browns; and six percent like the Bengals. The poll has 19,541 votes.
After I posted the Brian Brohm profile, several of you compared him to former Ravens quarterback Chris Redman, who is also a Louisville product.
Therefore, I e-mailed Brian Bennett from The Courier-Journal, the reporter who answered the Brohm questions for us. Here's what he said when I asked about the similarities and differences between Brohm and Redman:
That's not an unfair comparison. Like Brohm, Redman is the son of a coach --- his father, Bob, is a highly-successful Louisville high school coach who has won many national 7-on-7 passing competitions. Both are smart and accurate and of course played for their hometown schools. I'd say the difference is Brohm is an inch taller and has a stronger arm than Redman. While neither is particularly mobile, I think Brohm has a little bit better feel for the rush in the pocket. The NFL comparison I've often heard with Brohm is Jim Kelly, and I think that's a pretty good one. Also, Brohm played in more of a true pro-style offense in college under Bobby Petrino, while Redman played in more of a wide-open spread format under John L. Smith.
There you have it. Thanks to Brian for answering the extra question.
Meeting high expectations has never been a problem for Brian Brohm.
The Louisville quarterback was regarded as one of the top high school quarterbacks in the nation at the time of his recruitment. Now four years later, he's projected to be a likely first-round pick in the NFL draft.
Standing at 6-feet-3, 225 pounds, Brohm elected to return for his senior year in 2007 after leading Louisville to an Orange Bowl victory during his junior campaign. Last season, the Cardinals struggled to a disappointing 6-6 finish, but Brohm still put up big-time numbers.
He had a stellar college career, throwing for 71 touchdowns and 24 interceptions. Brohm was the Conference USA freshman of the year in 2004. In '05, he was the Big East offensive player of the year. And as a junior, Brohm earned MVP honors of the Orange Bowl, completing 24 of 34 passes for 311 yards in a win over Wake Forest. As a senior, Brohm threw for 4,024 yards, 30 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
Brohm supporters point to his intelligence, accuracy and work ethic. Critics point to his lack of mobility and possible durability issues.
To help us out with how Brohm projects as an NFL prospect, I called on Brian Bennett, who covers Louisville for The Courier-Journal.
Q: What are Brohm's biggest strengths?
A: Brohm's biggest strength is his intelligence and understanding of the game. This comes from being in a football family where he was brought up as a quarterback from the crib and quizzed on the finer points of offense at the family dinner table. He has a great feel for the quarterback position and works hard at learning what he doesn't know.
Q: What challenges could he possibly face at the next level?
A: Brohm's hands are somewhat small for a quarterback, and he has struggled at times in poor weather conditions. He's not the most mobile guy in the world, though he has a good pocket presence.
Q: If you haven't addressed these qualities already, please assess Brohm's leadership, arm strength and mobility.
A: Brohm's arm may not be the strongest scouts have ever seen, but it's good enough to get the job done. He worked hard this offseason to get stronger and put more velocity on his throws, and it showed with some extra zip on his passes. Whatever he may lack in mobility or pure arm strength, he makes up for in intelligence and game management.
Q: What is Brohm like off the field? What has his relationship been like with teammates, the media and the coaching staff?
A: Brohm has been a star since grade school and was on the cover of SI as a high school teammate, so he's used to the spotlight. But he also comes across as quite humble. In four years at Louisville, I can't remember him saying a single regrettable sentence. His team struggled his senior year, but he never complained publicly. Coaches and teammates have always described him as classy and hard-working.
Q: Some draft pundits question Brohm's durability. Do you think that's a fair concern? What kind of injuries has he had at Louisville, and how much time has he missed?
A: Brohm proved he could get through a whole season as a senior, but he did hurt his ankle in the final game and skipped the Senior Bowl. He has had some freak injuries; he hurt his knee without really being hit as a sophomore; tore thumb ligaments as a junior when he landed on his hand; and hurt his non-throwing shoulder in the 2006 Orange Bowl. He has some durability concerns, but nothing that I think is too major.
Q: Did Brohm meet expectations at Louisville after being tabbed one of the nation's top quarterbacks coming out of high school? How did he react to this season's disappointment?
A: Absolutely. In fact, he may one day be remembered as the best player in school history. He was a three-year starter (and split time as a freshman), led the Cardinals to their first-ever BCS game and set all kinds of passing records. As I mentioned earlier, he handled this difficult past season exactly the way you'd want a leader to handle it. He was disappointed, but he never made that disappointment public.
Q: Why did Brohm choose to return for his senior year? Did he express any regret after the season?
A: He said he wanted to come back and lead Louisville to a national championship. He also gauged his draft position and felt he would be a late first-rounder or early second-rounder, and he felt he could improve that. He also wanted to play one more year at Louisville, his hometown school where both his brothers played and now coach and where his father also played. The Brohm family is really
