Pre-NFL Draft Talk

[909]

USC LB’s Brian Cushing & Clay Matthews tested positive for steroids at the NFL Scouting Combine, according to various sources, including one NFL team. Boston College DT BJ Raji, Illinois CB Vontae Davis & Florida WR Percy Harvin tested positive for marijuana at the combine, according to various sources, including one NFL team.

 

[the pinjockey]

So has anyone seen confirmation of this anywhere yet? I heard the guy who runs the site that "broke" this and he sounded just this side of drunk (to be kind). Given that I haven't seen anyone reputable back it up yet makes me lean towards hoax for now.

If the legit sites know about Raji at this point, how would they not know about these other guys?

 

[HarleyQuinn]

Everything I've read/seen basically says it's unconfirmed/probably a hoax.

http://blogs.nfl.com/2009/04/03/league-others-refute-report-of-positive-drug-tests/

There it says this: "However, an NFL spokesman refuted that report Friday, saying “neither the 32 clubs nor the league office know the results of drug or steroid tests taken at the 2009 Combine." which doesn't exactly dispel that the above is the truth.

Also here's a list of draft sites for people to get their fixes...
NFL Draft Countdown (Brief Strengths/Weaknesses)
Draft Daddy Blog (Pro Day Results/Misc.)
Ourlads looks at the NFL Combine and correlation to success
Draft Guys (Prospect Video Comments)
Football's Future (Brief Strengths/Weaknesses)

 

[HarleyQuinn]

Looks like Cincinnati could be targeting RB Knowshon Moreno.

http://www.daytondailynews.com/s/content/oh/story/sports/pro/bengals/2009/04/06/ddn040609spbigconweb.html

University of Georgia redshirt sophomore sensation Knowshon Moreno is a player long believed to be high on the team's list.

That being said Moreno will be in Cincinnati to meet with the organization today, April 6.

 

[Edwin]

Are they thinking he'd fall to them in the 2nd round, or that they can trade down a bit? I feel like they'd be nuts to take him at #6, given how completely and utterly pathetic their offensive line is right now. Gave up 51 sacks last year! Sure, plenty of that is on Fitzpatrick, but they were just terrible. No push for the run at all either, until the last few games of the year when Benson was running 35 times a game. I guess there may still be some good tackles at #38 since there's so much depth at the position this year, but that team has bigger holes than at RB.

 

[the pinjockey]

I would hope it is with an eye towards the #38 pick. In this RB crop there isn't anyone worth a top 10 pick and with the depth of it no reason to reach for one. And if they want a OT, it will have to be at #6. With the recent trends of the draft, I don't think Britton or Beatty survive until #38 (see Sam Baker and Duane Brown from last year).

That said, this is the Bengals.

 

[Gert]

If the Bengals want Moreno they can trade up from #38 to about 25-27 if they want him. I really do not see him going higher than that.

I am mad that Andre Smith's lack of sanity occurred as I always like Monroe ahead of Smith & Smith, but with Andre going nuts, I am guessing that Eugene will be gone now before the Bengals pick at #6.

 

[Obi Chris Kenobi]

Isn't this the year with the Road Warrior's Son?

 

[Gert]

Here is an interesting write-up on a prospect....... (with a couple deletions based on position)

Strengths:
Prototypical height and bulk...Smooth and fluid with top-notch athleticism...Excellent speed...Strong with a muscular physique...Tough and physical...Decent hands and ball skills...Capable of excelling in either man or zone coverage...May offer some positional versatility...Solid return man and special teamer...Durable...Has lots of experience against top competition...Nice bloodlines..Major upside.

Weaknesses:
Has clashed with coaches and does not take instruction well...Poor work ethic...Inconsistent...Motor runs hot and cold...Questionable instincts and awareness...Gambles and takes too many unnecessary risks...Doesn't make as many plays as he should...Struggles with the mental aspects of the game...Skates by on his natural talent...Full of himself and reads his own press clippings.

Is this a scouting report on:

or

 

[Gert]

Yes, Laurinitis is a senior this year and I see him going between 18-35 depending on a team's defensive scheme.

 

[Obi Chris Kenobi]

So with the Dante Stallworth incident will the Browns be going for a WR?

 

[HarleyQuinn]

I can see Laurinaitis doing really well in a 3-4 LB scheme where he can go sideline to sideline and play the run a bit as an ILB. He doesn't seem to have the speed in my eyes to be an OLB or MLB in a 4-3 scheme but has great awareness and is quick to join the group so to speak when a RB is in the area. He also has enough speed to help on coverage but may be more of a liability there.

Upside: 3-4 ILB similar to a Tedy Bruschi
Downside: 2 Down SLB in a 4-3 Scheme or Backup MLB in a 4-3 Scheme

 

[MFer]

I've read that Lauranitis was actually the best pure 4-3 MLB prospect (could be a nice pick for the Lions at #33), with Maualuga possibly being a better fit for the 3-4.

 

[SFH]

.

 

[HarleyQuinn]

I've read that Lauranitis was actually the best pure 4-3 MLB prospect (could be a nice pick for the Lions at #33), with Maualuga possibly being a better fit for the 3-4.

Laurinaitis is supposedly ideal for the 4-3 because he has great agility (can go sideline to sideline) but where he struggles is with his straight line speed and the fact that he struggles at times to shed blockers. He doesn't play as physical as his size belies. He's gotten compared to Dan Connor who's been less than amazing when he has been healthy.

Brian Urlacher ran a sub 4.6 40 at the NFL Combine. Laurinaitis has run 40's of 4.72, 4.75, and 4.80. Not exactly blazing fast so I question whether he has the ability to make open field tackles or chase down RBs without resorting to padding his numbers with assists.

 

[Kahran Ramsus]

BJ Raji apparently did not fail a drug test after all. This now makes three players who reported as testing positive at the Combine that the NFL has now had to apologize to. What is going on here?

 

[MFer]

Some hack website's just making up stuff to get more hits and now they may pay for it in the form of a lawsuit from the accused players and their lawyers. That's pretty much what's going on here.

 

[Gert]

I think the bottom line like people have mentioned before is that Detroit will probably not find a suitor to take that No. 1 pick.

I think it is still Stafford and the Lions are liking them a little bit more each day.

 

[HarleyQuinn]

NFL.com has their prospect analysis up for players.

The QBs

 

[EHME]

Damn, I didn't know Josh Freeman was that big! 6'6" and 250lbs!

 

[naiwf]

Some of the people on WFAN were speculating that Detroit may just let the clock expire without picking someone and then draft whoever they wanted later on in an intentional repeat of the historic Vikings debacles. I don't know if there's any truth to the rumor, but it would make a complete mockery of the draft if the team with the # 1 pick decided to try and pass up taking the pick for monetary reasons.

 

[Brooklyn Zoo]

The Lions need to be put on auto-draft.

 

[Kahran Ramsus]

Some of the people on WFAN were speculating that Detroit may just let the clock expire without picking someone and then draft whoever they wanted later on in an intentional repeat of the historic Vikings debacles. I don't know if there's any truth to the rumor, but it would make a complete mockery of the draft if the team with the # 1 pick decided to try and pass up taking the pick for monetary reasons.

It would also lead to a mega holdout by whoever they do pick. It is just a bad idea all around.

 

[Bored]

NFL teams are using phony Facebook profiles of hot, young coeds to find out secrets of NFL Draft prospects. No, seriously.

One NFC North coach said his team has gotten particularly adept at collecting information from networking sites.

Time to speculate which coach this is and what "tactics" they are using to get information.

 

[Brooklyn Zoo]

"I knew Lovie wasn't a girl!"

 

[KOAB]

It's that schmuck Childress.

 

[HarleyQuinn]

The interesting thing is that they could get into legal trouble for doing this as well, after what happened to the girl who committed suicide over the phony facebook account.

 

[Sex Machine Gun]

The NFC North team is probably Green Bay. One of the perks of having the youngest team in the league I guess.

 

[HarleyQuinn]

The one I-AA guy I want to see get drafted and do well is UMass QB Liam Coen who's projected for the 6th or 7th Round. He's largely viewed as a smart, cerebral QB with good enough NFL arm strength, played a pro style offense but can make risky decisions at times. So it's good to hear that there's some interest for him.

Josh Buchanan, of NFLDraftBible.com, reports Massachusetts QB Liam Coen has attracted interest from the San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta Falcons, Houston Texans, and New York Giants.

 

[CanadianChris]

I'm curious to see if Detroit trades down. The problem is figuring out who will trade with them. Maybe Denver with their 2 first round picks?

No chance of that, Denver doesn't want to pay the salary of a #1 overall pick. That's why Detroit was never really in the discussion for Cutler.