tiggerpolice

Friday, April 21
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

New York Jets standing pat?
<Apr. 21> Despite talk about the Jets possibly trying to move up from their current No. 4 slot in the first round, the team doesn't appear to have any such designs, no matter what transpires ahead of them, ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli reports.
The team's new football operation, headed by general manager Mike Tannenbaum and coach Eric Mangini, has determined the price of doing business to move up even a slot or two is simply prohibitive. Plus the Jets feel that, no matter how the first three choices play out, they will get an excellent pick at No. 4.

Furthermore, don't bet on that choice being a quarterback, no matter which of the "Big Three" passers is still on the board. The Jets' brass has done an extensive study of quarterbacks taken in the top five and found the failure rate to be fairly alarming. Some player like D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Mario Williams, Vernon Davis or A.J. Hawk is going to fall into New York's lap.

WHO WHAT THE SKINNY

Baltimore Trade? Ravens on the move?
<Apr. 21> The Ravens would love to trade down, preferably to a spot in the low 20s, and pick up some additional choices, ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli reports.
There has been plenty of buzz about the Ravens focusing on an offensive or defensive tackle with their current pick at No. 13, but the player they most covet is Texas defensive back Michael Huff, and he won't be around when they go on the clock.

The Ravens have only two first-day choices in a draft that has more depth than top-end quality, and would like to somehow get another pick or two in the first four rounds.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Jeremy
Bloom
Broncos?
Steelers?
Eagles?
Bears? Bloom experiencing happy returns
<Apr. 21> Even though he hasn't played football the past two years, the former Olympics moguls skier is getting late interest, principally because of his return skills, ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli reports.
Virtually every team that has visited with Bloom in recent weeks has a glaring need for a return specialist. Bloom is an explosive, north-south return guy, a player who gets the ball and is very decisive in hitting the seam. He might eventually develop into a No. 3 slot receiver, but his biggest value now is as a return man.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Chicago Bears exploring options
<Apr. 21> If the Bears acquire Ricky Manning Jr., they may try to trade out of the first round. There is a lot of demand for low first-round picks by teams near the top of the second looking for offensive help. There is expected to be a long run on defensive backs from the 18th pick in the first round down to the end of the round.
Even if the Bears stay in the first round, don't expect the Bears to take a tight end with their first round pick. Even though tight end is a main need position, it's more likely they will draft on defense because of the value.

If they don't get Manning Jr., the Bears could take a cornerback. It's not out of the question for them to take a linebacker. The Bears will probably take a tight end in the second round.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Arizona Cardinals eyeing Sims?
<Apr. 21> Dennis Green might opt for a position player instead of a quarterback, ESPN.com's John Clayton reports. While many mock drafts have Jay Cutler going to the Cardinals, there is more of a chance they could go for a linebacker with the speed of Ernie Sims, or a left tackle like USC's Winston Justice.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Dallas Cowboys exploring options
<Apr. 21> The Cowboys may use a safety such as Tennessee's Jason Allen, but Bill Parcells and Jerry Jones could go for Ohio State linebacker Bobby Carpenter. Carpenter is the type of hard working player who would fit well in the Cowboys' 3-4 defense.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Jason
Allen
Chiefs?
Bears?
Patriots? Allen still has suitors
<Apr. 21> While there are still some franchises that have red-flagged Allen because of the hip injury that sidelined him for much of 2005, his ability to play cornerback and safety is keeping his stock in the second half of the first round, ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli.
No team seems quite certain what Allen's best position might be, but the teams that like him are excited about the flexibility he might provide them. Every team needs at least one safety with cornerback-type cover skills and Allen could be just such a player.

New England, which worked out Allen earlier this week, is intriguing because of the coverages it employs and its creative use of hybrid-type defensive backs.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Darnell
Bing
Bing drawing mixed reviews
<Apr. 21> Teams are all over the map on Bing, with some still considering him in the second half of the first round and others insisting he is a second-rounder at best, ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli reports.
Bing is a good hitter with nice straight-line speed, but doesn't play that well in space and isn't as good an athlete as some teams want. There are even a few teams who believe his best position might eventually be linebacker.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Buffalo Bills want Bunkley
<Apr. 21> The Bills appear focused on taking Florida State defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley with the eighth pick in the first round, ESPN.com's John Clayton reports. While left tackle is a position of need, the Bills don?t want to take Winston Justice of USC that high.
Haloti Ngata of Oregon is too big and not quick enough for their new Cover 2 defensive scheme, which requires quicker defensive linemen. Texas DB Michael Huff would be a consideration, but the team looks at him as more of a safety.

The Bills could still be tempted to trade down a few spots if they get the right offer.

WHO WHAT THE SKINNY

Ray Lewis
Ravens Trade? Lewis plotting departure?
<Apr. 21> Lewis has been grumbling about his future in Baltimore, ESPN.com's John Clayton reports. Lewis isn't asking to be traded, but he's told ESPN the team should release him if it doesn't use him right.
Lewis prefers to be protected by big defensive tackles. Ironically, that's what the Ravens may come up with in the first round of the draft. The Ravens could draft Haloti Ngata of Oregon, who is 6-foot-4, 338 pounds.

WHO WHAT THE SKINNY

Brett Favre
Packers Retirement Draft could affect Favre
<Apr. 21> The likelihood that Favre will wait until after the draft to make a decision regarding his future will make it tough for the Packers to draft a quarterback like Matt Leinart of Vince Young with their first pick, ESPN.com's John Clayton reports. Favre probably wouldn't want to return to a team grooming two replacements for him.
The real deadline for Favre to make a decision about his future is around May 5, when coach Mike McCarthy holds his first mini-camp, according to ESPN.com's John Clayton. Favre has until July 27 to trigger the $3 million roster bonus he can make in September. From the standpoint of being the team's leader, Favre needs to show by early May that he wants to be a Packer. Favre normally wouldn't have to go to a mini-camp, but this one would be important because of the coaching change from Mike Sherman to McCarthy.


http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/features/rumors

hagan714

I still preaching trading down twice and then moving back up. Example 1) oakland to 7 2) denver to 15 and would get 2 additional 2nd round picks (37,38), 3/4 to bootand #1 next year. only if the elite players are all gone by 7. (Davis,Aj)