Here's another one.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Jameis Winston, QB, Florida St.
2. Tennessee Titans-Leonard Williams, DT, USC
3. Jacksonville Jaguars-Dante Fowler, Jr., Florida
4. Oakland Raiders-Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
5. Washington Redskins-Vic Beasley, LB/DE, Clemson
6. New York Jets-Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
7. Chicago Bears-Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
8. Atlanta Falcons-Shane Ray, DE, Missouri
9. New York Giants-Brandon Scherff, T, Iowa
10. St. Louis Rams-La'el Collins, T, LSU
11. Minnesota Vikings-Randy Gregory, LB/DE, Nebraska
12. Cleveland Browns-DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
13. New Orleans Saints-Bud Dupree, DE, Kentucky
14. Miami Dolphins-Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan St.
15. San Francisco 49ers-Arik Armstead, DT, Oregon
16. Houston Texans-Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma
17. San Diego Chargers-Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
18. Kansas City Chiefs-Cameron Erving, C, Florida St.
19. Cleveland Browns-Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
20. Philadelphia Eagles-Landon Collins, S, Alabama
21. Cincinnati Bengals-T.J. Clemmings, T, Pittsburgh
22. Pittsburgh Steelers-Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
23. Detroit Lions-D.J. Humphries, T, Florida
24. Arizona Cardinals-Eli Harold, LB, Virginia
25. Carolina Panthers-Andrus Peat, T, Stanford
26. Baltimore Ravens-Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona St.
27. Dallas Cowboys-Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
28. Denver Broncos-Ereck Flowers, T, Miami
29. Indianapolis Colts-Malcolm Brown, DT, Texas
30. Green Bay Packers-Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest
31. New Orleans Saints-Jordan Phillips, DT, Oklahoma
32. New England Patriots-Jalen Collins, CB, LSU
I really don't think that Nebraska defensive end Randy Gregory will drop out of the top-10 due to his marijuana issues. I think that he'll be drafted where his talent dictates. The top-10. If I'm wrong and Gregory lands in the Vikings lap I think that he falls no further. If I'm right I still have Michigan St. corner Trae Waynes as the Vikings pick.
Monday, April 13, 2015
Sunday, April 12, 2015
Super Idiot
It's my naive opinion that if player agents are doing their job well no one in the general public hears about them. Nearly every contract negotiation is a bit of a wrestling match. Not literally. Most GMs would get their asses handed to them by Tom Condon. If these contract negotiations aren't a wrestling match one side isn't doing their job. The goal is for everyone to leave the table happy even if they had to leave a little bit on it. An NFL contract negotiation is little dance of give-and-take. It's a dance that's been going on since agents entered the game over 40 years ago. A dance that takes place in private. It's never good when the dance goes public. In that case Ben Dogra is an idiot.
Ben Dogra is the agent for Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson. For that reason alone he's been in the news a lot in recent months. The talking heads in the media can't get enough of the story. They've been beating the Peterson situation beyond death. They've beaten it to death and keep on beating it way, way past death. It's really quite sad and probably a dream come true for Dogra. He must relish the narrow-minded redundancy of the media. This is a situation in which Peterson really has nothing about which to complain. Through his agent, and probably because of his agent, he's been complaining a bunch. Peterson, himself, started this nightmare when he disciplined his son in the only manner that he knew. He saw this discipline as normal. Most of the rest of the world saw it as child abuse. The Texas judicial system saw it as a crime. The NFL did as well. Peterson was punished by both and missed all but one game of the 2014 NFL season. The Vikings paid their running back for the entire season. It's a pretty good gig to get paid for doing so little. The NFL took some of that pay away as punishment. Peterson lost some more income when some sponsors backed away from a man that disciplined his son too harshly. All of that loss in income is on Peterson. Every single penny. If anyone went out of their way to support Peterson it was the Vikings. They made Peterson the highest paid running back in the league last year for playing in a single game. That's significant support in every single definition of support. Now, he and his idiot agent are railing against the only people that are truly in his corner. And have always been in his corner.
Agents become Super Agents by the clients that they keep. Dogra's client list includes Peterson, Mario Williams, Richard Sherman, A.J. Green, Robert Griffin III, among many others. That sort of client list makes him a Super Agent. Nice list but Super Agent is still a shaky term for an agent that was fired by his agency. CAA, claiming just cause, fired him in November. If "just cause" means being an idiot that the firing was justified. Dogra is suing CAA. He hired Rusty Hardin to represent him in the lawsuit. Funny thing about Hardin is that he just happens to be the lawyer that represented Peterson in recent court proceedings.
One could say that Ben Dogra is simply do his job for his client. That doesn't make him an idiot. That makes him an player agent. What makes him an idiot is that he's made all of it a show. He's created a lot of drama and made it very public. He had a very public blow-up with Vikings VP Rob Brzezinski in the streets of Indianapolis at the Scouting Combine. He made a less vocal but less volatile scene at the owner's meeting in supposed support of his client. All of this is far too public and has the feeling of being staged. In my book, it's made both himself and his client look more than a little sad. And that makes Ben Dogra an idiot.
Ben Dogra is the agent for Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson. For that reason alone he's been in the news a lot in recent months. The talking heads in the media can't get enough of the story. They've been beating the Peterson situation beyond death. They've beaten it to death and keep on beating it way, way past death. It's really quite sad and probably a dream come true for Dogra. He must relish the narrow-minded redundancy of the media. This is a situation in which Peterson really has nothing about which to complain. Through his agent, and probably because of his agent, he's been complaining a bunch. Peterson, himself, started this nightmare when he disciplined his son in the only manner that he knew. He saw this discipline as normal. Most of the rest of the world saw it as child abuse. The Texas judicial system saw it as a crime. The NFL did as well. Peterson was punished by both and missed all but one game of the 2014 NFL season. The Vikings paid their running back for the entire season. It's a pretty good gig to get paid for doing so little. The NFL took some of that pay away as punishment. Peterson lost some more income when some sponsors backed away from a man that disciplined his son too harshly. All of that loss in income is on Peterson. Every single penny. If anyone went out of their way to support Peterson it was the Vikings. They made Peterson the highest paid running back in the league last year for playing in a single game. That's significant support in every single definition of support. Now, he and his idiot agent are railing against the only people that are truly in his corner. And have always been in his corner.
Agents become Super Agents by the clients that they keep. Dogra's client list includes Peterson, Mario Williams, Richard Sherman, A.J. Green, Robert Griffin III, among many others. That sort of client list makes him a Super Agent. Nice list but Super Agent is still a shaky term for an agent that was fired by his agency. CAA, claiming just cause, fired him in November. If "just cause" means being an idiot that the firing was justified. Dogra is suing CAA. He hired Rusty Hardin to represent him in the lawsuit. Funny thing about Hardin is that he just happens to be the lawyer that represented Peterson in recent court proceedings.
One could say that Ben Dogra is simply do his job for his client. That doesn't make him an idiot. That makes him an player agent. What makes him an idiot is that he's made all of it a show. He's created a lot of drama and made it very public. He had a very public blow-up with Vikings VP Rob Brzezinski in the streets of Indianapolis at the Scouting Combine. He made a less vocal but less volatile scene at the owner's meeting in supposed support of his client. All of this is far too public and has the feeling of being staged. In my book, it's made both himself and his client look more than a little sad. And that makes Ben Dogra an idiot.
Saturday, April 11, 2015
So Long 43
Two of the best safeties of all-time have played since we ticked over to 2000. Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu. Reed retired last year. Polamalu retired Thursday night. You had to have access to All-22 film to truly appreciate Reed. His greatness often wasn't seen until he had the ball in his hands after an interception. Polamalu was often near the line of scrimmage. Always around the ball. You could find him everywhere. Sometimes he seemed as though he was everywhere at the same time.
12 seasons
8 Pro Bowls
4x 1st Team All-Pro
2x 2nd Team All-Pro
2010 Defensive Player of the Year
2000s NFL All-Decade Team
Steelers 75th Anniversary Team
2 Super Bowl titles
The accolades speak of a great NFL career but none of it comes close to describing the manner in which he played the game. No one has ever played safety like he did. He redefined how the position could be played. His instincts, reactions, and quickness allowed him to do things that no one had ever even thought of doing before. His film work and knowledge of opposing offenses supplemented nicely his instincts and athletic ability. He was already great. His work away from the field made him even better. All of it made a football player that was simply a joy to watch. Dashing around the field, hair flying, always around the ball. always knowing where the play was headed. Always knowing what the offense had in mind.
The last 12 years of the NFL was better because Troy Polamalu was a part of it. He was one of the game's most exciting players. And he did it from the safety position. A position that has historically reacted to the action. Polamalu played the position differently because he created the action. He'll be honored in Canton in five years.
As great as he was on the football field it's been said by those that know him best that he was even better off the football field. Rich Eisen spoke of seeing Polamalu on the beach during Pro Bowl week playing football with children. Most of the NFL stars were relaxing around pools, playing golf, whatever. Polamalu was playing an impromptu game of football with a bunch of kids. Great football player. Great man.
As great as he was on the football field it's been said by those that know him best that he was even better off the football field. Rich Eisen spoke of seeing Polamalu on the beach during Pro Bowl week playing football with children. Most of the NFL stars were relaxing around pools, playing golf, whatever. Polamalu was playing an impromptu game of football with a bunch of kids. Great football player. Great man.
So long and thank you #43.
Friday, April 10, 2015
Mayock's QBs
Everybody with a care about the 2015 NFL Draft has an opinion on the top quarterbacks in that draft. Some have their own opinion. Others accept as their own the opinion of others. Mike Mayock is one of the most respected draft analysts out there so it only follows that many accept his opinions as gospel. He had this to say about that:
"No one in their right mind cares about what I think."
Or something like that. Actually, a lot of people care a great deal about what Mayock thinks. That's why it was quite a media sensation when he released his most recent quarterback rankings on Wednesday. About two months ago Mayock's quarterback rankings for the 2015 NFL Draft looked like this:
1. Jameis Winston, Florida St.
2. Marcus Mariota, Oregon
3. Bryce Petty, Baylor
4. Brett Hundley, UCLA
5. Garrett Grayson, Colorado St.
After some Pro Days and continued thought, Mayock sees the 2015 quarterback class like this:
1. Marcus Mariota, Oregon
2. Jameis Winston, Florida St.
3. Bryce Petty, Baylor
4. Garrett Grayson, Colorado St.
5. Brett Hundley, UCLA
Wow! He did not just do that! This is earth-shaking news. Despite Mayock's low opinion of his opinions a lot of people think quite highly of his opinions. Enough so that this was big news on Wednesday. Perhaps that was because this is a fairly slow time in the football calendar. No matter the reason this was an attention-grabber. Mayock went on to explain that Winston's on-field decision-making that led to a surprisingly high number of interceptions in contrast to Mariota's relatively microscopic number of interceptions was a big reason for the rankings flip. Winston's tremendous play in the second half of several games was necessary simply because of his shaky play in the first half of those games. Then there's Winston's off-field decisions. Mariota is damn near saint-like in comparison. Mayock's ranking change shouldn't be such a surprise. Both Winston and Mariota are terrific quarterback prospects. Winston is easier to judge because he has played in a pro-style offense. Mariota is more difficult to judge because he hasn't. The only reason for any surprise is because nearly everyone has had Jameis Winston locked in as the Tampa Bay Buccaneer's pick. Now they have to rethink their thinking simply because Mayock rethought his.
Mayock is the only one smart enough to point out that his draft opinions really matters very little. The only opinion that does matter in regards to the quarterbacks is that of the Buccaneers' decision-makers. If they like Winston best he's the top pick. If they like Mariota best he's the top pick. And that decision has nothing to do with Mayock's, or anyone's, pre-draft rankings.
"No one in their right mind cares about what I think."
Or something like that. Actually, a lot of people care a great deal about what Mayock thinks. That's why it was quite a media sensation when he released his most recent quarterback rankings on Wednesday. About two months ago Mayock's quarterback rankings for the 2015 NFL Draft looked like this:
1. Jameis Winston, Florida St.
2. Marcus Mariota, Oregon
3. Bryce Petty, Baylor
4. Brett Hundley, UCLA
5. Garrett Grayson, Colorado St.
After some Pro Days and continued thought, Mayock sees the 2015 quarterback class like this:
1. Marcus Mariota, Oregon
2. Jameis Winston, Florida St.
3. Bryce Petty, Baylor
4. Garrett Grayson, Colorado St.
5. Brett Hundley, UCLA
Wow! He did not just do that! This is earth-shaking news. Despite Mayock's low opinion of his opinions a lot of people think quite highly of his opinions. Enough so that this was big news on Wednesday. Perhaps that was because this is a fairly slow time in the football calendar. No matter the reason this was an attention-grabber. Mayock went on to explain that Winston's on-field decision-making that led to a surprisingly high number of interceptions in contrast to Mariota's relatively microscopic number of interceptions was a big reason for the rankings flip. Winston's tremendous play in the second half of several games was necessary simply because of his shaky play in the first half of those games. Then there's Winston's off-field decisions. Mariota is damn near saint-like in comparison. Mayock's ranking change shouldn't be such a surprise. Both Winston and Mariota are terrific quarterback prospects. Winston is easier to judge because he has played in a pro-style offense. Mariota is more difficult to judge because he hasn't. The only reason for any surprise is because nearly everyone has had Jameis Winston locked in as the Tampa Bay Buccaneer's pick. Now they have to rethink their thinking simply because Mayock rethought his.
Mayock is the only one smart enough to point out that his draft opinions really matters very little. The only opinion that does matter in regards to the quarterbacks is that of the Buccaneers' decision-makers. If they like Winston best he's the top pick. If they like Mariota best he's the top pick. And that decision has nothing to do with Mayock's, or anyone's, pre-draft rankings.
Thursday, April 9, 2015
Throwback Thursday: A Draft Disaster
It would be a mistake to ever bring up the 2005 NFL Draft in front of a Minnesota Vikings fan. Put simply, the draft was a disaster. Take a look:
1. Troy Williamson, WR, South Carolina
1. Erasmus James. DE, Wisconsin
2. Marcus Johnson, T, Mississippi
3. Dustin Fox, DB, Ohio St.
4. Ciatrick Fason, RB, Florida
6. C.J. Mosley, DT, Missouri
7. Adrian Ward, CB, Texas-El Paso
The trade of Randy Moss to the Oakland Raiders gave the Vikings an extra 1st- and an extra 7th-round pick. The Vikings used those extra picks to select Troy Williamson and Adrian Ward. The loss of Moss created a need for a pass catcher and the Vikings just had to fill it with that top pick from Oakland. How else can you explain the forced pick of Williamson? He was fast. Really fast. But he couldn't catch. Terrible hands. He had a three-year, drop-filled career with the Vikings. 39 games. 22 starts. His best year was 2006 when he caught 37 passes for 455 yards and 0 touchdowns. Erasmus James didn't fare much better as a pass rusher. He often didn't seem to care. Other times he was hurt. Three years. 23 games. 12 starts. He had four sacks as a rookie but only frustration after that. Marcus Johnson had the best Vikings career of the 2005 draft selections. It was also the longest at only four years. 47 games. 18 starts. Dustin Fox never played a game for the Vikings. He broke his arm in training camp and spent his rookie season on injured reserve. He was released in September 2006. I heard that he has a radio show now. The Vikings traded their 4th- and 5th-round picks to the Washington Redskins to move up in the 4th-round to select Ciatrick Fason. His Vikings career lasted two years. 18 games. 0 starts. He did score five touchdowns. That nearly doubled Williamson's three-year production of three. C.J. Mosley has had the most productive NFL career of the Vikings 2005 draft selections. Unfortunately only one year of his 11-year career was spent in Minnesota. He was traded to the New York Jets in 2006 for Brooks Bollinger. The Vikings were desperate for quarterbacks. Mosley played more games than the rest of the 2005 picks combined. Adrian Ward didn't make it out of his first training camp. There was about zero production for the Vikings from this draft. The only player that had anything resembling an NFL career was Mosley and he didn't have that career with the Vikings. This is the sort of draft that keeps the average NFL playing career at about three years. Head coach Mike Tice was fired following the 2005 season. When Brad Childress was hired to replace Tice the Vikings dipped into the free agency well far more often than they ever have. They had to supplement the talent void that was created by the 2005 draft.
What might have been.
The Vikings passed on Aaron Rodgers twice in the 2005 NFL Draft. That really wasn't much of a surprise, at the time, as Daunte Culpepper had his best season in 2004. His bright Vikings career seemed assured at the time of the draft. Unfortunately, his last season in Minnesota was 2005. So passing on Rodgers twice became quite painful. The Vikings could have had DeMarcus Ware and Roddy White rather than Troy Williamson and Erasmus James. They passed on Vincent Jackson, Frank Gore, Justin Tuck, and Trent Cole. It's a foolish task to look back on a draft and redo it. It's pointless. The Vikings 2005 draft was such a disaster that it's hard not to look back and hope that it never happens again.
1. Troy Williamson, WR, South Carolina
1. Erasmus James. DE, Wisconsin
2. Marcus Johnson, T, Mississippi
3. Dustin Fox, DB, Ohio St.
4. Ciatrick Fason, RB, Florida
6. C.J. Mosley, DT, Missouri
7. Adrian Ward, CB, Texas-El Paso
The trade of Randy Moss to the Oakland Raiders gave the Vikings an extra 1st- and an extra 7th-round pick. The Vikings used those extra picks to select Troy Williamson and Adrian Ward. The loss of Moss created a need for a pass catcher and the Vikings just had to fill it with that top pick from Oakland. How else can you explain the forced pick of Williamson? He was fast. Really fast. But he couldn't catch. Terrible hands. He had a three-year, drop-filled career with the Vikings. 39 games. 22 starts. His best year was 2006 when he caught 37 passes for 455 yards and 0 touchdowns. Erasmus James didn't fare much better as a pass rusher. He often didn't seem to care. Other times he was hurt. Three years. 23 games. 12 starts. He had four sacks as a rookie but only frustration after that. Marcus Johnson had the best Vikings career of the 2005 draft selections. It was also the longest at only four years. 47 games. 18 starts. Dustin Fox never played a game for the Vikings. He broke his arm in training camp and spent his rookie season on injured reserve. He was released in September 2006. I heard that he has a radio show now. The Vikings traded their 4th- and 5th-round picks to the Washington Redskins to move up in the 4th-round to select Ciatrick Fason. His Vikings career lasted two years. 18 games. 0 starts. He did score five touchdowns. That nearly doubled Williamson's three-year production of three. C.J. Mosley has had the most productive NFL career of the Vikings 2005 draft selections. Unfortunately only one year of his 11-year career was spent in Minnesota. He was traded to the New York Jets in 2006 for Brooks Bollinger. The Vikings were desperate for quarterbacks. Mosley played more games than the rest of the 2005 picks combined. Adrian Ward didn't make it out of his first training camp. There was about zero production for the Vikings from this draft. The only player that had anything resembling an NFL career was Mosley and he didn't have that career with the Vikings. This is the sort of draft that keeps the average NFL playing career at about three years. Head coach Mike Tice was fired following the 2005 season. When Brad Childress was hired to replace Tice the Vikings dipped into the free agency well far more often than they ever have. They had to supplement the talent void that was created by the 2005 draft.
What might have been.
The Vikings passed on Aaron Rodgers twice in the 2005 NFL Draft. That really wasn't much of a surprise, at the time, as Daunte Culpepper had his best season in 2004. His bright Vikings career seemed assured at the time of the draft. Unfortunately, his last season in Minnesota was 2005. So passing on Rodgers twice became quite painful. The Vikings could have had DeMarcus Ware and Roddy White rather than Troy Williamson and Erasmus James. They passed on Vincent Jackson, Frank Gore, Justin Tuck, and Trent Cole. It's a foolish task to look back on a draft and redo it. It's pointless. The Vikings 2005 draft was such a disaster that it's hard not to look back and hope that it never happens again.
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Breakout Players
With a few teams showing up for offseason work this week and the draft creeping closer here's a look at a potential breakout player for each of the 32 NFL teams:
Minnesota Vikings:
Teddy Bridgewater, QB
Bridgewater might have broken out at the end of the 2014 season. If his play over the last month of the season was a glimpse of the quarterback Bridgewater will become, the future is bright in Minnesota.
Green Bay Packers:
Davante Adams, WR
The Packers just seem to reload at receiver. They still have Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb at the top of the depth chart. And of course they have Aaron Rodgers distributing the football like few can. Adams made an impact at the end of the season. That impact should only grow.
Detroit Lions:
Ezekial Ansah, DE
Ansah will no longer have Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairly getting the bulk of an opposing offensive line's attention. Adding Haloti Ngata will help but it's up to Ansah to hassle opposing quarterbacks now.
Chicago Bears:
Kyle Fuller, CB
Fuller was dynamite in the first half of his first NFL season. He should only get better.
San Francisco 49ers:
Colin Kaepernick, QB
Kaepernick has led his team to NFC Championship games and a Super Bowl. It wouldn't seem like he should be up for a breakout season. His recent inconsistent play makes him a candidate to breakout. He's too talented to be so inconsistent.
Arizona Cardinals:
Tyrann Mathieu, S
Mathieu should be fully recovered from a torn ACL this year. When healthy he can do things that very few players can do.
Seattle Seahawks:
Paul Richardson, WR
Richardson is the most skilled receiver on the Seahawks roster. His breakout is dependent on his recovery from a knee injury suffered in the postseason.
St. Louis Rams:
Tavon Austin, WR
It's safe to say that Austin has yet to play to the level that the Rams expected when they traded up to draft him. He's a very unique football player. The Rams have to find more and better ways to get the ball in his hands. Having a single quarterback for an entire season would help.
Dallas Cowboys:
Sean Lee, LB
Lee's breakout will come from his actually staying healthy for an entire season. His run of injuries just has to end. It just has to.
New York Giants:
Shane Vereen, RB
Vereen is such a talented running back. He should finally get the chance to carry the ball enough to show that talent.
Philadelphia Eagles:
Mychal Kendricks, LB
Kendricks has been a solid player for a couple of years now. He should show that he's much better than that.
Washington Redskins:
Bashaud Breeland, CB
Breeland was impressive as a rookie starter. He should only get better.
New Orleans Saints:
Brandin Cooks, WR
Drew Brees should enjoy throwing to Cooks for the remainder of his career.
Atlanta Falcons:
Devonta Freeman, RB
Freeman isn't real big but he should make the Falcons offense much more balanced.
Carolina Panthers:
Kony Ealy, DE
The Panthers have rid themselves of the Greg Hardy headache. Ealy now has the chance to become the pass rusher opposite Charles Johnson that he was drafted to be.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE
Whoever throws the football for the Buccaneers next year should enjoy throwing to gigantic targets like Mike Evans, Vincent Jackson, and Seferian-Jenkiins.
Baltimore Ravens:
Brandon Williams, DT
The emergence of Williams as a force in the middle of the Ravens defensive line made the trade of Haloti Ngata a fairly easy one.
Cincinnati Bengals:
Tyler Eifert, TE
Injuries have held Eifert back from becoming the impact player that he was drafted to be. With Jermaine Gresham out of the way the Bengals tight end job is entirely on Eifert. He has to stay healthy.
Cleveland Browns:
Barkevious Mingo, LB
Mingo has too great of a name not to break out.
Pittsburgh Steelers:
Ryan Shazier, LB
When Shazier was on the field for his rookie season last year he was terrific. He's a key component of the Steelers defensive rebuild.
Denver Broncos:
Cody Latimer, WR
Latimer is a talented receiver. Peyton Manning is his quarterback. Those are reasons enough for a breakout season.
Kansas City Chiefs:
Jeremy Maclin, WR
Alex Smith will love throwing to Maclin.
San Diego Chargers:
Ladarius Green, TE
It feels like Green has been a breakout candidate for a couple of years now. Is this the year as Antonio Gates gets a little older?
Oakland Raiders:
Khalil Mack, LB
Mack was great as a rookie so it might be a little late to tab him as a breakout player. He hasn't even scratched his potential.
New England Patriots:
Jabaal Sheard, LB
Sheard showed some pass rushing potential with the Cleveland Browns. He should do a lot more than that with the Patriots. Bill Belichick will find ways to get the most out of the versatile Sheard.
Buffalo Bills:
Robert Woods, WR
The Bills have a lot of explosive playmakers in LeSean McCoy, Percy Harvin, and Sammy Watkins. Woods is going to get lost among those threats. His talent can't and shouldn't be ignored. He's probably the most technically sound receiver on the team.
Miami Dolphins:
Kenny Stills, WR
Stills looked like he could be a breakout candidate of the Saints this year but they traded him to the Dolphins. So now he's a breakout candidate for theDolphins.
New York Jets:
Calvin Pryor, S
Pryor was drafted to be a difference-maker in the Jets secondary. That really didn't happen last year as he was asked to play deep coverage. New head coach Todd Bowles will move him closer to the line of scrimmage.
Indianapolis Colts:
Donte Moncrief, WR
Montcrief started to make an impact towards the end of his rookie season last year.With Andrew Luck throwing to him and TY Hilton on the other side of the field Moncrief should have a terrific second season.
Jacksonville Jaguars:
Marqise Lee, WR
Lee and quarterback Blake Bortles should progress nicely together.
Tennessee Titans:
Brian Orakpo, LB
Orakpo has been a solid football player for the Redskins for a few seasons. He should provide a similar level of play for a team that desperately needs it.
Houston Texans:
Jadaveon Clowney, DE
If Clowney can stir clear of the injuries that destroyed his rookie season he should provide the defensive dominance opposite J.J. Watt that made him the first overall pick of last year's draft.
Minnesota Vikings:
Teddy Bridgewater, QB
Bridgewater might have broken out at the end of the 2014 season. If his play over the last month of the season was a glimpse of the quarterback Bridgewater will become, the future is bright in Minnesota.
Green Bay Packers:
Davante Adams, WR
The Packers just seem to reload at receiver. They still have Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb at the top of the depth chart. And of course they have Aaron Rodgers distributing the football like few can. Adams made an impact at the end of the season. That impact should only grow.
Detroit Lions:
Ezekial Ansah, DE
Ansah will no longer have Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairly getting the bulk of an opposing offensive line's attention. Adding Haloti Ngata will help but it's up to Ansah to hassle opposing quarterbacks now.
Chicago Bears:
Kyle Fuller, CB
Fuller was dynamite in the first half of his first NFL season. He should only get better.
San Francisco 49ers:
Colin Kaepernick, QB
Kaepernick has led his team to NFC Championship games and a Super Bowl. It wouldn't seem like he should be up for a breakout season. His recent inconsistent play makes him a candidate to breakout. He's too talented to be so inconsistent.
Arizona Cardinals:
Tyrann Mathieu, S
Mathieu should be fully recovered from a torn ACL this year. When healthy he can do things that very few players can do.
Seattle Seahawks:
Paul Richardson, WR
Richardson is the most skilled receiver on the Seahawks roster. His breakout is dependent on his recovery from a knee injury suffered in the postseason.
St. Louis Rams:
Tavon Austin, WR
It's safe to say that Austin has yet to play to the level that the Rams expected when they traded up to draft him. He's a very unique football player. The Rams have to find more and better ways to get the ball in his hands. Having a single quarterback for an entire season would help.
Dallas Cowboys:
Sean Lee, LB
Lee's breakout will come from his actually staying healthy for an entire season. His run of injuries just has to end. It just has to.
New York Giants:
Shane Vereen, RB
Vereen is such a talented running back. He should finally get the chance to carry the ball enough to show that talent.
Philadelphia Eagles:
Mychal Kendricks, LB
Kendricks has been a solid player for a couple of years now. He should show that he's much better than that.
Washington Redskins:
Bashaud Breeland, CB
Breeland was impressive as a rookie starter. He should only get better.
New Orleans Saints:
Brandin Cooks, WR
Drew Brees should enjoy throwing to Cooks for the remainder of his career.
Atlanta Falcons:
Devonta Freeman, RB
Freeman isn't real big but he should make the Falcons offense much more balanced.
Carolina Panthers:
Kony Ealy, DE
The Panthers have rid themselves of the Greg Hardy headache. Ealy now has the chance to become the pass rusher opposite Charles Johnson that he was drafted to be.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE
Whoever throws the football for the Buccaneers next year should enjoy throwing to gigantic targets like Mike Evans, Vincent Jackson, and Seferian-Jenkiins.
Baltimore Ravens:
Brandon Williams, DT
The emergence of Williams as a force in the middle of the Ravens defensive line made the trade of Haloti Ngata a fairly easy one.
Cincinnati Bengals:
Tyler Eifert, TE
Injuries have held Eifert back from becoming the impact player that he was drafted to be. With Jermaine Gresham out of the way the Bengals tight end job is entirely on Eifert. He has to stay healthy.
Cleveland Browns:
Barkevious Mingo, LB
Mingo has too great of a name not to break out.
Pittsburgh Steelers:
Ryan Shazier, LB
When Shazier was on the field for his rookie season last year he was terrific. He's a key component of the Steelers defensive rebuild.
Denver Broncos:
Cody Latimer, WR
Latimer is a talented receiver. Peyton Manning is his quarterback. Those are reasons enough for a breakout season.
Kansas City Chiefs:
Jeremy Maclin, WR
Alex Smith will love throwing to Maclin.
San Diego Chargers:
Ladarius Green, TE
It feels like Green has been a breakout candidate for a couple of years now. Is this the year as Antonio Gates gets a little older?
Oakland Raiders:
Khalil Mack, LB
Mack was great as a rookie so it might be a little late to tab him as a breakout player. He hasn't even scratched his potential.
New England Patriots:
Jabaal Sheard, LB
Sheard showed some pass rushing potential with the Cleveland Browns. He should do a lot more than that with the Patriots. Bill Belichick will find ways to get the most out of the versatile Sheard.
Buffalo Bills:
Robert Woods, WR
The Bills have a lot of explosive playmakers in LeSean McCoy, Percy Harvin, and Sammy Watkins. Woods is going to get lost among those threats. His talent can't and shouldn't be ignored. He's probably the most technically sound receiver on the team.
Miami Dolphins:
Kenny Stills, WR
Stills looked like he could be a breakout candidate of the Saints this year but they traded him to the Dolphins. So now he's a breakout candidate for theDolphins.
New York Jets:
Calvin Pryor, S
Pryor was drafted to be a difference-maker in the Jets secondary. That really didn't happen last year as he was asked to play deep coverage. New head coach Todd Bowles will move him closer to the line of scrimmage.
Indianapolis Colts:
Donte Moncrief, WR
Montcrief started to make an impact towards the end of his rookie season last year.With Andrew Luck throwing to him and TY Hilton on the other side of the field Moncrief should have a terrific second season.
Jacksonville Jaguars:
Marqise Lee, WR
Lee and quarterback Blake Bortles should progress nicely together.
Tennessee Titans:
Brian Orakpo, LB
Orakpo has been a solid football player for the Redskins for a few seasons. He should provide a similar level of play for a team that desperately needs it.
Houston Texans:
Jadaveon Clowney, DE
If Clowney can stir clear of the injuries that destroyed his rookie season he should provide the defensive dominance opposite J.J. Watt that made him the first overall pick of last year's draft.
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Getting Started
NFL rules strictly regulate and limit offseason workouts for teams. Perhaps to a ridiculous degree. Some high school and college teams have more serious football practices this time of the year. NFL teams get to do some stuff, not a lot of football stuff, but they get to do some stuff and for some teams that stuff starts this week. Also in accordance with league rules teams with new coaching staffs get to start their offseason "workouts" a few weeks earlier than the rest of the teams. The Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, and New York Jets started yesterday. The Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers start today. The Denver Broncos and Chicago Bears start next Monday. Every other team can't start until April 20. Preparation for the 2015 NFL regular season is upon us.
Under the Collective Bargaining Agreement each team's official, voluntary nine-week offseason program is conducted in three phases.
Under the Collective Bargaining Agreement each team's official, voluntary nine-week offseason program is conducted in three phases.
Phase 1 consists of the first two weeks of the program with activities limited to strength and conditioning and physical rehabilitation only.
Phase 2 consists of the next three weeks of the program. On-field workouts may include individual player instruction and drills as well as team practice conducted on a "separates" basis. No live contact or team offense vs. team defense drills are permitted.
Phase 3 consists of the next four weeks of the program. Teams may conduct a total of 10 days of organized team practice activity, or "OTAs." No live contact is permitted, but 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills are permitted.
Article 22 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement stipulates that clubs may hold one mandatory minicamp for veteran players. This minicamp must occur during Phase Three of the offseason program.
Another benefit for teams with new coaches is an additional voluntary veteran mini-camp that must be conducted prior to the Draft (April 30-May 2). All of the teams but the St. Louis Rams will hold a mandatory mini-camp in the middle of June. The Rams under Jeff Fisher and Les Snead seem to do a few things a bit differently from the rest of the league.
While NFL teams are surprisingly limited in the football work that they are allowed to do in the offseason it's still a great change from the first 50-plus years of the league. Teams used to shut their doors for the entirety of the offseason. Players weren't available because they had to work during the offseason to support themselves and their families. Football simply didn't pay enough. Now that some are paid enough to support their families for several lifetimes they are expected to spend some of their offseason at football practice, or something close to football practice. That something gets started this week for a few of the teams.
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