Dolphins and Wake Agree to Extension
The Miami Dolphins and linebacker Cameron Wakehave agreed to a four-year contract extension worth $49 million, including $20 million guaranteed, a source with knowledge of the situation said Sunday.
The Dolphins later confirmed the deal via their official Twitter feed and said the extension runs the 2016 season, but they didn’t reveal financial terms.
“So far, so good,” Wake said about the direction of the team under new head coach Joe Philbin. “Just trying to make it a first-class organization from top to bottom, and making sure we have everything we need to be successful. We are taking big strides to make sure that 2012 will be a good season for everybody.”
Wake, who had been off Twitter for the past month, sent his followers a message Sunday morning, hinting at something of interest before the deal was announced.
Day 2 QB’s
Rounds 2 and 3 saw 3 QB’s get Drafted.I’m gonna take few minutes and give my thoughts on these three picks and how I think these players will do in the NFL.
Round 2 Pick 25 57 overall Broncos Pick Brock Osweiler QB Arizona State- This is a little bit of an interesting pick.The Broncos have other needs that are more important and they could have filled in the 2nd round but the Broncos took at Brock Osweiler as the QB of the future. Peyton Manning probable has 3 or 4 good years left and Oswelier can sit and learn from one of the best to ever play the game.Brock Osweiler is a big strong QB with a big arm and can make the throws that you want a starting QB but is still very raw.
Round 3 Pick 12 75th Overall The Seahawks pick Russell Wilson From Wisconsin. This might be a good pick I’m not really sure.Seattle just isnt really a good team but Russell Wilson will probable be in the starting discussion during camp. He probable wont start this year but I think he will in two or three if he can develop and learn.He’s an athletic QB with the skills that you want and he’s a leader and he showed that at Wisconsin and NC State.Has the tools to be a very good QB.
Round 3 Pick 25 88th Overall The Eagles pick Nick Foles from Arizona.Pretty good pick,The Eagles needed to get someone to back up Michael Vick and maybe compete for the starting spot if he starts to struggle. Nick Foles at time showed the ability to be a very good QB and solid Potential.I think Foles will be the starting QB for Philly in 3 or 4 years and will be pretty good.
I like all Three of these pick and I think they all have the chance to be starters and solid NFL QB’s
Alabama Has Four go in the First Round
The University of Alabama had a big night having 4 players selected in the 1st round of the NFL Draft last night.RB Trent Richardson went 3rd Overall to the Browns,Safety Mark Barron went 7th to Tampa Bay,CB Dre Kirkpatrick went 17th to Cincinnati the pick they got from Oakland for Carson Palmer and LB Dont'a Hightower went 25th to New England. All four guys look like very good players and Richardson, Barron and Kirkpatrick will probable be starters for their teams this season.
The University of Alabama is also a big winner in the way that this helps recruiting. saying that you just had four players taken in the first round of the draft will make an impression on a high school kid that has dreams of making it to the NFL.
2012 NFL Draft 1st Round Recap
Blackmon to the Jags is one of the highlights of Thursday's First Round.
1. Indianapolis- Andrew Luck QB Stanford-Great pick, Andrew Luck looks like a franchise QB and can be the face of the Colts for the next Decade plus.
2. Washington (from St. Louis)- Robert Griffin III QB Baylor- This is a really great pick. The Redskins need A QB more then anything and they got in my mind the best guy for their system in RGIII. He is a leader and a dynamic play-maker and should be a great NFL QB but the Skins need to get Some Weapons to help him out.
3. Cleveland (From Minnesota)- Trent Richardson RB Alabama- There is really only one word I can use to Describe Trent Richardson BEAST. He is a Franchise RB and a star in the making. Peyton Hillis is no longer in town, so Richardson will get most of the carries from day one and I believe he is more then ready to carry the load.
4. Minnesota (From Cleveland)- Matt Kalil OT USC- There were rumors that the Vikings might not take Kalil but the truth is they really need to improve the O-Line to block better for Peterson and Ponder and Kalil is the best OT in the Draft.Good Pick
5. Jacksonville (From Tampa Bay)- Justin Blackman WR Oklahoma St- The Jags desperately need to Improve at WR to give young QB Blaine Gabbert some playmakers to throw to.They have a good young Defense and needed to improve an Offense that played terrible last season and picking Blackman is the first step in what I believe can become a good team and a playoff contender.
6. Dallas (From St. Louis via Washington)- Morris Clayborne CB LSU- Dallas is a good team but their CB play was horrible last season and is by far their biggest need.Morris Claiborne is probable not gonna be a star but is an upgrade and should be a very good starter for the Cowboys.
7. Tampa Bay (From Jacksonville)- Mark Barron S Alabama- Tampa Bay fell apart last season after having a good year in 2010 which caused a head coaching change bringing in now former Rutgers Head Coach Greg Schiano and picking Mark Barron #7 is another step in the right direction. Barron had a good career at Alabama and is by far the best Safety in this class.Barron will improve a Tampa D that was really bad last season.
8. Miami-Ryan Tannehill QB Texas A&M-Miami didn’t really have a choice here but to pick Tannehill. He is a good looking prospect but they could have traded down and still got him.
9. Carolina-Luke Kuechly ILB Boston College- Luke Kuechly is by far my favorite Defensive player in this years draft. He is a Tackling Machine and a leader that will add to a Panthers D that already has some good pieces and looks pretty promising.
10. Buffalo- Stephan Gilmore CB South Carolina- Buffalo started out last season on fire but the wheels fell off as the season went on and Defensive Back play was one of the reasons. Gilmore will be an improvement but The Bills need to add a few more pieces to make their D really good.
11. Kansas City- Dontari Poe DT Memphis- Dontari Poe looked like a very good DT last season but not a Top 10 pick in my opinion. I hope he works out because I liked how he played in College but this is the 1st guy picked this year that I think has bust written on him.
12. Philadelphia (From Seattle)- Fletcher Cox DT Mississippi St- Fletcher Cox is the best DT in this Class and will improve on a decent Philly D-Line.
13. Arizona- Micheal Floyd WR Notre Dame- Arizona has some other needs they could have addressed here but they couldn’t pass up on the chance to team Micheal Floyd up with Larry Fitzgerald and who could blame them. Floyd is a great Receiver and with Fitz getting double teams and being covered by teams best DB’s this will open Floyd up for big plays and should Improve their offense and help QB Kevin Kolb out A lot who will be entering his 2nd season as the starter in Arizona.
14. St Louis- (From Dallas)- Michael Brockers DT LSU- St. Louis really needed to improve their D-Line and Brockers may be the guy for the job. With Chris Long getting the Double teams and teams having to game-plan around him this will open Brockers up to make Plays and get Pressure on the QB.
15. Seattle (From Philadelphia)- Bruce Irvin OLB West Virgina- This pick made my Jaw drop, Seriously. Bruce Irvin is a pure pass ruing specialist no two ways about he is really bad in Run Defense but obviously the brass in Seattle saw something in Irvin that a lot of people didn’t or maybe they just want to stop the pass and don’t care about Run Defense.
16. New York Jets- Quinton Coples DE North Carolina- This pick can go one of Two ways. Either this works out and Coples is a Great DE and proves doubters wrong (which is what the Jets hope) or He is a major bust and cant handle the NFL competition ( which is what I think will happen). He showed flashes of brilliance in college but he also showed that he takes plays off, Doesn’t give 100% every down, gets blocked too easily and doesn’t have the want to that it takes to be a great NFL DE.
17. Cincinnati (From Oakland)- Dre Kirkpatrick CB Alabama- Cincinnati showed that they have a great up and coming Offense this past season and are know focusing of the D with their 1st pick in the Draft which has a few holes and Dre Kirkpatrick will help fill one of the biggest needs at CB.
18. San Diego- Melvin Ingram DE South Carolina- San Diego needs help on D bad and Melvin Ingram will certainly help in making their Defense better.
19- Chicago- Shea McClellin OLB Boise State- Good pick here, Chicago fills a big need with a good player and I think this pick will improve Chicago’s D a lot.
20. Tennessee- Kendall Wright WR Baylor- The Titans already have a good young QB and a few Offensive Play-makers but they really needed to add another and Kendall Wright has the speed and big play ability that they are looking for.
21.New England (From Cincinnati)- Chandler Jones DE Syracuse- Great pick her. Jones is a big Powerful DE with Speed and agility. He looks like a perfect fit for what the Pats want to do and is an Improvement to a Defense that had some terrible games last year and gave up too many big plays.
22. Cleveland (From Atlanta)- Brandon Weedon Oklahoma St.-I’m not a fan of this pick but I see what their trying to do but they have lots of other needs and taking a QB in the 1st round will not help you at all if you do not have play-makers and a good O-Line to protect him.
23. Detroit- Riley Reiff OT Iowa- Really good pick here. The Lions need Mathew Stafford to be on the field and Reiff will help him do that.
24. Pittsburgh- David DeCastro G Stanford- The Steelers have a good O-line Already but David Decastro was too good for them to pass up.
25. New England (From Denver)- Dont’a Hightower ILB Alabama- Decent pick but I dont know how Hightower will fit in to what the Pats what to do on D.
26. Houston- Whitney Mercilus DE Illinois-Great pick here. The Texans already have a great young D and Whitney Mercilus will have the Chance to fly around the field and make plays which will only make them better.
27. Cincinnati (New England Via New Orleans)- Kevin Zeitler G Wisconsin-Very good pick the Bengals needed to Improve their O-Line to protect Their young QB Andy Dalton better and Zeitler should get the job done.
28. Green Bay- Nick Perry OLB USC- I think this is a really good pick, Packers need a OLB to go opposite Mathews and Fellow USC product Perry is a good pick here. Perry has potential and I think Mathews work ethic and leadership will rub off on Perry and make him better.
29.Minnesota (From Baltimore)- Harrison Smith S Notre Dame- Minnesota absolutely had to do something about their DB situation and Harrison Smith is a big upgrade and should do really well in Minnesota.
30. San Francisco- A.J. Jenkins WR Illinois- Good player with loads of talent but could have gotten him in the 2nd round.
31. Tampa Bay (From Denver via New England)- Doug Martin RB Boise St.- Legarrette Blount isn’t an every down back and will do better as a #2 back coming off of the bench. which is what he will be able to do with Martin being a more complete back.
32. New York Giants- David Wilson RB Virgina Tech-With Brandon Jacobs moving on the Giants needed to pick a RB here and Wilson is a good one,Really good pick.
2012 NFL Draft: Potential Sleepers and Late Round Steals
Everybody knows that the first round picks in every Draft are the most talked about and get the most attention, but there are hundreds of examples of late round picks that have been very good, Pro Bowlers, or Hall of Fame NFL Players ( Tom Brady Round 6, Matt Birk Round 6, Shannon Sharpe Round 7 and Donald Driver Round 7) Just to name a few.
Every year it seems that there is a few sleeper picks that become good to great players and here are some players that I think can be next.
Bradie Ewing FB Wisconsin: Bradie Ewing comes out of a scheme that uses several types of blocking concepts, ranging from gap to man and pulling, which comes as an advantage for Ewing in transitioning to the next level. One of the negatives in Ewing’s game is his lack of great agility. He’s a straight-line athlete that does not open his hips up and runs well, which is visible when he’s running routes in space.The final characteristic of Ewing’s game I want to touch on is his power. Ewing’s power is visible when engaging with defenders as he displays strong hands and good “pop,” which is very important for a blocker. He will probable be a 5th or 6th Round pick but as the ability and the tools to be a consistent Pro Bowler.
Devier Posey Wide Receiver Ohio State: Devier Posey was a non factor for the Buckeyes this past season having missed 10 games due to suspension after being overpaid for work he did in the summer. When Posey was on the field, he was limited by inexperience and a coaching staff that seemed ready to pull him at any time, which would make it hard for any player to get going. Posey didn’t follow that up well with a strong pre-draft performance in the Senior Bowl or combine, but he does have the size and hands to be a good NFL receiver. With good coaching and the right situation Devier Posey can be a very good starter in the NFL.
Nate Potter OT Boise State: Nate Potter has been One of the best O-linemen in College Football the last couple of years. Potter was a second-team AP All-America in 2011. He had another excellent season protecting quarterback Kellen Moore. Throughout the season, Potter put a string of dominant games together keeping Moore free of pass pressure. Potter is extremely light on his feet and is able to get back in his drop quickly. He mirrors pass-rushers well and is quick shuffling his feet. Needs to Improve run blocking.there is talk that a few teams are interested in Potter and he should be available in the 3rd round or later.
Tank Carder ILB TCU:Tall but short arms which may hurt when trying to tackle bigger backs,pretty good speed and moves really well. Really sound in coverage. Team leader on the defense and has some play calling responsibilities solid form tackler. Non-stop motor and hustle. Good short area quickness. Attacks the line of scrimmage well. Needs to get stronger and improver pass rushing. Tank Carder was a very good college line backer but that doesnt always translate but think he can be a good starter in the right system.
Kourtnei Brown DE Clemson: Brown is big at 6’5” and 256 pounds, strong with 26 reps of the 225-pound bench press and quick with 4.47 and 7.44 times in the shuttle and cone drills. He’s also extremely quick around the edge and creates solid pressure on the quarterback. Brown does have a nose for the football when it’s out and has been an impact player for Clemson for four years despite only starting for one. He’s a high character guy and won’t create problems off the field and is a hard worker. Brown will probably go undrafted because of lack of production but with A LOT of time and coaching I feel he can be very solid DE.
These are my Five players that I feel can be sleepers and turn into good if not great NFL Players.
Coby Fleener 1st Rounder?
For My 1st Post back with nfldraftmock I will be looking at One of My favorite Prospects in this years class Coby Fleener.
Coby Fleener is one of the more intriguing prospects to me in this years draft. He is a big athletic play making tight end that will be an asset to any passing team. Runs great routes and has great hands, Show the ability to make the difficult catch. not afraid to go across the middle and take some contact.Looks like a 2nd round pick but a team might fall in love with his playmaking ability and take him in the 1st round.
Some teams that I think could be Draft him are:
San Francisco- The 49ers already have a Pro Bowl Tight End in Vernon Davis But Head Coach Jim Harbaugh loves too use two tight ends, He knows how to get the best out of Fleener from the four seasons that Jim Harbaugh was His Head coach at Stanford and will be able to design plays that will get Fleener open.Plus he will give Alex Smith another playmaking target which he needs if the 49ers want to win a Super Bowl.
New York Giants- The Giants need a Tightend pretty bad but they also have other needs and probable wont take him in the 1st round and dont pick again until 63 so they wont get him unless they trade up in the 2nd round which is always a possibility.
Indianapolis- Colts are another possibility they got rid of a lot of their roster and Tight end is a need but they have so many holes that they might not pull the trigger on Fleener but he might do great if the take him and put him back with Luck could make a great QB-TE combo
Denver- Broncos need a Tightend but at 25 it may be a little early for Fleener but I think he would be a good pick here.Manning does have a history with good pass catching Tightend's so this makes sense.
The Lions and Browns both could be landing spots but both teams have bigger needs and 22 or 23 could be too early to pick Fleener but you never know.
I think Coby Fleener is a late 1st round prospect on his pass catching alone. But he is also a solid run blocker and can get better if he bulks up a little bit. So in my opinion Coby Fleener is a 1st round round pick but we will see on Thursday if an NFL team Agrees with me.
Steve Smith Denies reports that he demended trade.
Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith broke his silence about his future Tuesday, telling Pro Football Weekly he has not demanded a trade from Carolina, just a competitive situation to play in.
“First of all, have I demanded a trade? I have not demanded a trade,” Smith said. “What I have asked for is to be in a competitive situation. I sat down with (Panthers general manager) Marty (Hurney) a lot of times prior to the lockout. I am respected as a veteran amongst the players as well as the front office. So there has been dialogue (about his future in Carolina) prior to the lockout.”
In a wide-reaching interview, Smith, who is coming off his least productive season (46 receptions for 554 yards and two touchdowns) since his rookie year, also addressed if he expected to be traded and why he put his house in Charlotte up for sale.
“Do I expect to be traded?” Smith said. “I am not sure what to expect. That’s the truth. Could I see a situation where I stay (in Carolina)? In my mind, I have played out every scenario: I could be moved, I could be cut, I could stay or I could be locked out. Honestly, my family and I are prepared for whatever steps are presented in front of us.”
Even if that included moving? Trade speculation picked up when Smith recently put his North Carolina house on the market.
“I think it’s important that people realize I am not packing my bags,” Smith said. “As far as why my house is for sale, we built this huge house and we just don’t have any business living in it. It seemed like a great idea, and then we moved into this big house. We started cringing at all that space we had. For me, it was a little bit vain that I have this big house with this big yard. People saw my house was on sale and said it was me sending a message.
“Really the message I sent was to my kids: Dad made a mistake. This isn’t how we are supposed to live. This isn’t what I should be projecting. If we don’t do this now, what incentive do I give my kids to reach for? You make a lot of money and then you go blow it? I don’t want to be a statistic. I want to be a good steward.”
Smith, who turns 32 on Thursday, also told the publication that he believes he could play five or six more seasons. He has two years remaining on his contract, this season at $7 million and 2012 at $7.75 million.
“As I feel right now, I would like to play as long as there is an opportunity — and to play with the same passion but with just a little bit of a different perspective,” he said. “Less about what somebody can give me and more about what I can offer and what I can bring to the table and improve and help (a team).”
If that’s the Panthers remains to be seen. The San Diego Chargers are interested in Smith and are reportedly monitoring the Panthers situation closely.
Smith is certain of one thing — the Panthers will have a much different look this season regardless of whether he’s on their roster or not.
“All the changes that the Panthers organization has made, does it change my feelings towards the team?” Smith said. “I have no ill feelings; I have not changed. I am not upset. I am not mad. Those changes they made, I think they are not small — they are huge. They are foundational changes. I think it changes the whole attitude, the whole atmosphere.”
Saint Paul’s College to shut down Athletics Program
Saint Paul’s College intends to shut down its intercollegiate athletics program on July 1 in an effort to resolve the school’s ongoing financial difficulties.
A statement issued today by Saint Paul’s office of public relations called the move, approved by the board of trustees at its recent spring meeting, “a bold step” in the direction of “financial stability”. The statement acknowledged that the 123-year-old school’s “longstanding financial problems have yet to be remedied.”
Saint Paul’s, a member of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, currently fields 14 teams — seven for men and seven for women.
The school said Saint Paul’s president Dr. Robert L. Satcher and his executive cabinet are studying implementation of a full-scale
program of intramural athletics. The school also said “consideration will be given to reinstating the athletic program” once financial stability is achieved.
Ealey transferring from Georgia
ATHENS, Ga. — Georgia running back Washaun Ealey is leaving the Bulldogs, the school said Monday, a move that wasn’t surprising after he was suspended twice for disciplinary reasons.
Coach Mark Richt said Ealey had been granted his conditional release to transfer to another school for next season. He has two years of eligibility remaining.
“Washaun and I have had several conversations in recent weeks,” Richt said in a statement. “We both have come to the conclusion that a transfer to another institution would be in his best interest.”
Ealey led Georgia in rushing as a sophomore with 811 yards and 11 touchdowns, setting a school record when he ran for five TDs in a win over Kentucky. But the Bulldogs had their first losing season since 1996 and signaled a change in direction with their signing of highly touted running back Isaiah Crowell.
Under fire after three straight disappointing seasons, Richt did nothing to downplay expectations for the freshman.
“I wouldn’t be shocked to see him run that rock in the Dome against Boise State on the opening play if he does what he’s supposed to do,” the coach said on signing day.
Ealey was suspended for the 2010 season opener after his arrest for driving with a suspended license and leaving the scene of an accident. Then, in February, he was barred from offseason activities after reportedly failing to show up for disciplinary running.
Richt lifted the suspension less than three weeks later, but Ealey surely knew he was facing a cut in playing time after sharing carries with Caleb King, who had disciplinary issues of his own last season.
King was suspended for two games after failing to appear in court to deal with a speeding ticket, then he missed the Liberty Bowl because of academic issues.
Pac 12 to start own TV Network
PHOENIX, Ariz. (Sports Network) – The Pac-12 Conference has announced plans for its own television network to go along with new blockbuster contracts with networks ESPN and Fox Sports.
Pac-12 Media Enterprises will own the Pac-12 Network, the Pac-12 Digital Network and Pac-12 Properties. It will control and distribute all Pac-12 games not licensed to ESPN and Fox Sports.
Commissioner Larry Scott would not divulge financial terms of the new 12-year agreements with ESPN and Fox Sports, calling it only a “landmark deal” that will enable each of the conference’s institutions to share equally in revenue.
“We are especially delighted to be strengthening and expanding our relationship with ESPN and FOX Sports to deliver an unprecedented level of innovative sports programming to large national audiences across the country,” Scott said in a statement. “With this agreement, we will deliver our events over two broadcast networks and at least five premiere national cable platforms. In addition, we will have our own Pac-12 National Cable TV platform and Pac-12 Digital Network platform.”
All football games not televised by the two networks will be broadcast on the Pac-12 network. Men’s basketball and women’s basketball games will also be featured prominently, along with other Olympic sports.
The Pac-12 football championship game will be broadcast by Fox Sports for the next two years and will then alternate years with ESPN. It will also be held on a Friday night in prime time.
This summer, Utah and Colorado will officially join the conference to expand it from 10 schools to 12.