Thank goodness it's TGIF!
QB size not a big issue, says former Jaguars trainer - Big Cat Country
"You can look at the straight physics of it," former Jaguars medical trainer Mike Ryan told Hays Carylon of The Florida TImes-Union. "Russell Wilson getting hit by a big guy isn't going to be more of an impact than on [Pittsburgh's] Ben Roethlisberger [6-5, 241 pounds]. It comes down to the player and the way they play."
Welcome to the NFL’s SATs «
The stopwatches, team doctors, and GMs are descending on Indianapolis in an attempt to make sense out of the scouting combine
LA Times - Pete Carroll's secrets to success: from locker room to classroom
The reigning Coolest Guy on the Planet is on the phone, sounding a lot like your old man. What?
Pete Carroll’s secrets to success: from locker room to classroom
“Instead of fear, he bases performance on building confidence. To do that, he advocates identifying who you are as an individual, then maximizing your unique skill set. He espouses thoughtfulness with energy — in equal parts, one bolstering the other.”
Wisdom 2.0 • Wisdom 2.0 2014: How the Seattle Seahawks Won the Super Bowl with Mindfulness
Dr. Michael Gervais is a sports psychologist and mindfulness coach who helped guide the Seattle Seahawks to a national championship at Super Bowl XLVIII. In a dialogue with conference founder Soren Gordhamer, Michael started by explaining how far professional sports have come in accepting the concept of mindfulness. When he first started working with a professional hockey team fifteen years ago, the coach introduced him to the players by announcing, “All right, if you’re f’ed up in the head, you can see this guy.”
NFL scouting combine not everything; ask Super Bowl MVP Malcolm Smith | The MMQB with Peter King
Think you’re seeing all the best prospects in Indy this week? Think again. Plenty of college players who’ll be productive pros—and possibly stars—don’t even get invited. Just ask Super Bowl MVP Malcolm Smith
Harbaugh optimistic after Carradine undergoes knee procedure | CSN Bay Area
Defensive lineman Tank Carradine, the 49ers’ second-round draft pick last year who did not see game action as a rookie, underwent a recent procedure on his knee that has given coach Jim Harbaugh reason for more optimism.
St. Louis Rams Can't Afford to Repeat Old Mistake, Pass on DE Jadeveon Clowney
St. Louis Rams news, rumors, scores, schedules, predictions, picks against the spread, free agent updates, power rankings, mock drafts and more
Michael Bennett won't receive Seahawks' franchise tag - NFL.com
General manager John Schneider said Thursday that he doesn't anticipate using the Seattle Seahawks' franchise tag on Michael Bennett. Is Schneider still hoping to re-sign the pass rusher?
2014 NFL combine survey: O-linemen say Jadeveon Clowney, Aaron Donald toughest opponents | Audibles - SI.com
INDIANAPOLIS -- Offensive linemen work as a group, but individual battles are supremely important at every position on the line. Prove that you can handle the best one-on-one matchups, and you have a chance to place yourself very highly in the draft.
Being a 49er | Eric Wright . NFL Cornerback . www.EricWright21.com . The Official Web Site of Eric Wright
I’m in a great mental space right now. I have the whole offseason and a fresh season ahead of me. I’m excited to hit the ground running, and really get into form and make my mark.
Harbaugh explains why 49ers have not chosen a Stanford player | CSN Bay Area
Coach Jim Harbaugh came from Stanford to the 49ers in 2011. And, sure enough, in those first three offseasons, the 49ers added seven Stanford rookies to the team’s training camp roster.
Michael Bennett won't get Seahawks' franchise tag - NFL.com
With some tough salary-cap decisions ahead, general manager John Schneider said Thursday he doesn't anticipate using the Seattle Seahawks' franchise tag on Michael Bennett.
Receiver is likely Seahawks’ top priority in 2014 NFL draft | Seahawks | The Seattle Times
The draft is May 8-10, which comes after the March free agency period, when the Seahawks could see some shuffling in their receiving corps.
Packers could learn from Seahawks - ESPN
You'll never see a picture of a shirtless Ted Thompson wearing a championship belt, but the Green Bay Packers' general manager might do well to emulate his counterpart with the Seattle Seahawks, John Schneider.
Thursday at the Combine: Parting ways with an icon is never easy
Mike Munchak was one of the faces of the Oilers/Titans franchise for 30 seasons. The association ended, however, when former Seahawks VP Ruston Webster had to fire his friend and now former coach.
Richard Sherman and Doug Baldwin’s success not a surprise at Stanford
Tackle Cameron Fleming is among the latest Pro-ready players to come out of Stanford, and the way former Cardinal players Richard Sherman and Doug Baldwin have contributed to the Seahawks’ success was not only watched but anticipated.
Schneider: Seahawks likely won't use franchise tag - 710sports.com
The question isn't whether the Seahawks have a franchise player.
Thursday combine notes – TE’s and OL measure up | Seahawks Draft Blog
Why do college teams embellish the truth?
Top Seattle Seahawks defensive plays: No. 4 - ESPN
The countdown continues to the top defensive plays of the 2013 season for the Seahawks. Here's one many people remember for the dance move as much as the play itself.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers update helmet, logo for 2014 - NFL.com
With a new head coach in Lovie Smith, Tampa Bay looks primed for a fresh start in 2014. The Bucs revealed their new helmet and enhanced logo on Thursday's "NFL Total Access."
Lyerla ready to show he's changed - CBSSports.com
Former Oregon tight end Colt Lyerla had a nightmarish 2013 but he says he's changed and ready to show the NFL that his once-promising football career is only just beginning.
What we learned: Combine Thursday's 18 takeaways - NFL.com
It was a day of quarterback smokescreens Thursday at the NFL Scouting Combine. Here's what the Around The League crew learned from all the coaches and their coded messages.
Thursday NFL Combine Musings: FA guards, centers will be in demand - CBSSports.com
There could be a strong free-agent market for guards and centers this spring when the period begins.
Harbaugh: NaVorro Bowman likely returns midseason - NFL.com
Jim Harbaugh zoomed through his news conference at the NFL Scouting Combine, but the San Francisco 49ers coach did reveal a timetable for linebacker NaVorro Bowman's return from knee surgery.
2014 NFL Combine: 5 takeaways from Thursday - CBSSports.com
Veteran scouts couldn't help but gawk at the imposing size and overall talent of a historic 2014 draft class -- a group boosted by a mass exodus of underclassmen.
Cardinals GM: Larry Fitzgerald to Patriots just a rumor - NFL.com
Arizona Cardinals general manager Steve Keim on Thursday debunked a report that the New England Patriots called about trading for receiver Larry Fitzgerald last season.
NFL combine: Vontaze Burfict's 2012 debacle drops him out of draft - CBSSports.com
At one time, Vontaze Burfict was considered a possible first-round draft pick. He was anything but that after the 2012 combine.
2014 combine: UNC ailing LT James Hurst to work out at pro day - CBSSports.com
North Carolina left tackle James Hurst entered the 2013 season as a project early round draft pick, but after suffering an ill-timed broken leg in the Tar Heels' bowl game, he is rehabbing not only his injury, but also his draft projection
WR Hakeem Nicks joins Jay Z's Roc Nation Sports - CBSSports.com
Current Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks announced Thursday morning that he has joined Roc Nation Sports.
Taylor Lewan attempts to clear his name at 2014 NFL combine | Audibles - SI.com
INDIANAPOLIS -- Taylor Lewan said at the NFL scouting combine that he was "not here to defend Brendan Gibbons" and denied any involvement in an alleged rape case that resulted in Gibbons' removal from the University of Michigan. The Michigan Daily reported on Jan.
Arizona Cardinals 2014 offseason preview - CBSSports.com
With the 2013 season officially in the books the Eye on Football staff is looking ahead to the 2014 offseason for all 32 NFL teams. Next up: The Arizona Cardinals.
Devin McCourty gives NFL Scouting Combine advice to draft prospects | The MMQB with Peter King
By Devin McCourty, New England Patriots It's time for the ultimate professional football job interview: The NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis. I participated four years ago. It was a nerve-wracking experience, and I'm glad I don't have to go through it again.
2014 NFL draft 'deepest in 30 years' but prospects 'immature,' says Pittsburgh Steelers GM | Audibles - SI.com
A record 102 underclassmen declared for the 2014 NFL draft, a development that Steelers GM Kevin Colbert says brings both pros and cons to the table. Colbert called this draft class the most talented he has seen in his 30 years on the job but added “it also might be the most immature.”
NFL scouting combine not everything; ask Super Bowl MVP Malcolm Smith | The MMQB with Peter King
INDIANAPOLIS — You’re not here. You were a star on your college team last fall, and you waited for the invitation to the scouting combine, and one never came.
2014 NFL combine: Burning questions: Who will run fastest 40 time? | Audibles - SI.com
Fortunes will rise and fall this week at the 2014 scouting combine in Indianapolis. Who has the most to gain? Which player has the most to lose? Chris Burke and Doug Farrar break down the burning questions.
FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Innovative Statistics, Intelligent Analysis | Four Downs: NFC North
In the 10 years between 2003 and 2012, Chicago boasted a top-10 DVOA defense seven seasons, a top-5 defense in five of those, and led the league outright in DVOA twice. (DVOA is Football Outsiders' defense-adjusted value over average metric, explained here.) The 2012 Bears defense led the league with -26.8% DVOA, the team's best performance in our 25 years of data going back to 1989. (Better defense is negative, not positive, because it is preventing scoring.) Last year, the defense disintegrated. The 2013 Bears defense languished near the bottom of the league with a 8.6% DVOA, the team's worst performance over that 24-year span. After a ten-year reign of terror, and absent Lovie Smith and Brian Urlacher, the Monsters of the Midway were decisively vanquished.
Report: Fred Davis arrested for DUI | ProFootballTalk
Fred Davis is having a bad week.
Should Division Winners Get Home Field? — FootballPerspective.com
In the 2013 playoffs, the 12-4 San Francisco 49ers had to play a road game against the 8-7-1 Green Bay Packers. It’s hard to justify situations like this, especially when the NFC West was one of the best divisions in football history and the NFC North was below average. Division winners are automatically given a home game under the current NFL structure, but the NFL is reportedly open to modifying that rule. I thought this would be a good idea, with one caveat; after further investigation, I no longer even have a caveat.
Some agents want to move free agency earlier | ProFootballTalk
On Friday, the NFLPA will conduct an annual meeting with union-certified contract agents in Indianapolis. On Thursday, the NFLPA held a pre-meeting meeting with a select group of agents.
Bill Belichick’s a laugh riot at the Scouting Combine | ProFootballTalk
Patriots coach Bill Belichick entertained the crowd in the media room at the NFL Scouting Combine, an appearance so rare he used the same story he told the last time he came through.
Eagles open to competition at quarterback, but not for Foles | ProFootballTalk
“Nobody’s saying we’re bringing in competition for Nick Foles or we’re outwardly looking for competition for Nick Foles,” Roseman said, via the team’s website. “We’re looking for competition throughout our roster. We’ve said that when we’ve had Donovan McNabb. The question about the quarterback position is a broader question about the competition level. That’s not any slight on Nick Foles. The more talent you have on your roster at every position, the better everyone’s going to be. I think that we have tremendous support for Nick. We’ve been unquestioned about Nick.”
Joe Philbin struggling to maintain credibility with Miami Dolphins - NFL - Don Banks - SI.com
In something of a surprise development, Joe Philbin took to the podium and spoke to the media to kick off the NFL scouting combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Thursday morning. The beleaguered Miami Dolphins head coach talked, but said little, and he said it too late. Maybe months too late.
Cap Set to Jump to $130M- New Franchise and RFA Tender Estimates - Over the Cap
As I am sure everyone is aware the NFL Salary cap is now set to jump from $123 million to $130 million an increase of just under 5.7%. With that in mind I wanted to update some estimates as to franchise tag values and restricted free agent tenders, both of which are based on the salary cap limit in place.
NFL Combine 2014: Day 1 Notebook
Throughout the course of the NFL scouting combine, former NFL defensive back Matt Bowen will bring you his daily notebook from Indianapolis.
Wisdom 2.0 • Wisdom 2.0 2014: How the Seattle Seahawks Won the Super Bowl with Mindfulness
Dr. Michael Gervais is a sports psychologist and mindfulness coach who helped guide the Seattle Seahawks to a national championship at Super Bowl XLVIII. In a dialogue with conference founder Soren Gordhamer, Michael started by explaining how far professional sports have come in accepting the concept of mindfulness. When he first started working with a professional hockey team fifteen years ago, the coach introduced him to the players by announcing, “All right, if you’re f’ed up in the head, you can see this guy.”
Pete Carroll’s secrets to success: from locker room to classroom
“Instead of fear, he bases performance on building confidence. To do that, he advocates identifying who you are as an individual, then maximizing your unique skill set. He espouses thoughtfulness with energy — in equal parts, one bolstering the other.”
NFL Free Agency: Breaking Down Michael Bennett's Production in 2013
Michael Bennett was a free agent last offseason. The then former Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive lineman didn't receive an adequate long-term deal, so he took a risk and signed a one-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks.
TSV's Official NFL Combine Watching Guide | The Sideline View
What will I be watching at the Combine??
What we learned: Takeaways from Day 1 at the NFL combine - NFL.com
Things we learned on Day 1 of the NFL Scouting Combine:
Mike Mayock: Playing draft matchmaker for 19 NFL teams - NFL.com
While Rich Eisen is on a quest to break 6 seconds in the 40, it appears his NFL Network colleague is pacing for a three-hour conference call with reporters next year.
Ex-Oregon TE Colt Lyerla addresses cocaine arrest at combine - NFL.com
Former Oregon tight end Colt Lyerla addressed the media regarding his guilty plea for cocaine possession, and how it affects his hopes of playing in the NFL.
2014 NFL Draft rumors: AFC East - NFL.com
College Football 24/7 takes a look at the buzz surrounding the AFC East teams leading up to the 2014 NFL Draft.
Derek Carr, Zack Martin will impress in 'intangibles' category - NFL.com
Intangibles -- like effort, leadership, attitude and intelligence -- can make or break a prospect in the NFL draft. We've identified five players who will impress scouts in this category.
UCLA's Xavier Su'a-Filo set to be combine's breakout star - NFL.com
Gil Brandt predicted the stock for EJ Manuel and Cordarrelle Patterson would soar coming out of last year's combine. This year, he believes UCLA's Xavier Su'a-Filo will see a similar rise.
Virginia Tech's Antone Exum ready to excel at combine - NFL.com
Virginia Tech's Antone Exum had his senior season wrecked by injury, but he says he finally is healthy again and ready to make an impact at the combine.
2014 NFL Draft: Eric Ebron Tops a Loaded Top-10 Tight Ends | Articles | Draft
The value of tight ends today is at an all-time high compared to NFL history, and there’s no signs of the trends towards increase value slowing down. Team’s clearly see the value of an impact seam threat that can provide value as a blocker, third down option and match-up concern for opposing defenses.
2014 NFL Scouting Combine: Sizing up the Defensive Tackles
This year at the NFL Combine, there is a plethora of talent. Defensive tackle is not an exception as some of these players will likely be called in the first round, and at least ten of them will be drafted in the top 100. There is a total of 26 defensive tackles in this year's combine, here is the top fifteen.
2014 NFL Scouting Combine: Sizing Up the Safeties
The job description of your prototypical strong safety has slowly changed over the years, from your traditional run-stopping physical presence to someone who shows equally good range in the passing game.
2014 NFL Scouting Combine: Sizing up the Inside Linebackers
Deciding if a prospect plays inside linebacker or outside linebacker is becoming more of a debate, especially with the many more schemes going on in the NFL. Some players coming into the NFL will fit inside in 3-4 defenses, and others are more likely to fit in the 4-3 style defenses. With the NFL combine coming up on Friday most of the linebackers getting drafted will be on display for all 32 teams to see. For the sake of argument though, I decided to list the inside linebackers according to the NFL participants list.
DraftBrowns Guide to The 2014 NFL Scouting Combine | DraftBrowns.com
The NFL Scouting Combine officially starts in about three days, meaning the preaching begins any minute now. You’ve heard it before. Something to the effect of, “The combine is only about a tenth of a percent of my draft grade.” Or, “I’M TELLING YOU: FORTY YARD DASH TIMES ARE MEANINGLESS!!”
Leslie Frazier and Rick Spielman Talk Draft, Senior Bowl Experience, Player Personnel - Daily Norseman
"We use the trade value chart more as a guide, because we also like to take team history into consideration."
Pair of Huskies await NFL combine | Seattle Seahawks | The News Tribune
Thumbs have been tested, batteries charged. The clicks of a stopwatch will become benefits or boulders over the next several days in Indianapolis.