Coffee and Cigarettes

Living legend -- Los Angeles Times: This is an older article, but a tip of the cap to a reader that emailed me the link. In it, legendary coach Bill Walsh talks about his battle with cancer, his coaching career, and among other things, Pete Carroll: ""He's such a terrific personality, and he's a total football guru," he said of the Trojans' coach. "He's willing to give you his opinion and share with you, ask questions. You ask questions of him. He's just absolutely outstanding. If you want to say great, he's great.""

The forgotten QB: why teams should consider Leinart | National Football Post: Jeff Fedotin of the National Football Post notes: "Kevin Kolb is the hottest name on the QB market. The Philadelphia Eagles likely will receive a first round pick for him. Despite that steep price, Kolb's careers numbers are similar to Leinart's.

Kolb 2007-10: 60.8 completion percentage, 2,082 yards, 11 touchdowns, 14 interceptions, 73.2 QB rating
Leinart 2006-10: 57.1 completion percentage, 3,893 yards, 14 touchdowns, 20 interceptions, 70.8 QB rating

At the very least, Leinart's talent is comparable to several potential starting quarterbacks, including Chad Henne, John Beck, Charlie Whitehurst, Jason Campbell and Alex Smith. That should provide some nice landing spots for Leinart. He could re-unite with his college coach, the Seattle Seahawks' Pete Carroll, who needs a quarterback."

Drop Percentage: Tight Ends | ProFootballFocus.com: According to PFF, John Carlson had 5 drops in 40 chances this season, putting him near the league's worst in the dependable hands category. 

NFL.com news: Super Bowl-winning QBs top list of game’s best signal-callers: An interesting ranking system for the League's starting QBs. Take a look to see where Matt Hasselbeck, Carson Palmer, and others end up.

Alex Smith equipped with plenty of appealing qualities except one - NFL - Sporting News: Russ Lande continues on with his scouting reports for each of the 'available' quarterbacks in this free agency period (once it starts).

NFL.com news: Brief, complicated offseason hinders chances of Orton trade: a look at Kyle Orton's situation in Denver.

NFL Blog Blitz: Buffalo Bills powered by SportsFanLive.com: An interview with Bills OLB Aaron Maybin. I brought up Maybin the other day because it appears his status with the Bills is tenuous. If he were to be dropped he could be an option for the Hawks to bring in to try out for the LEO spot. He's a former first rounder that has so far busted badly in the NFL.

The Ideal Prospect Series: Wide Receiver - Mocking The Draft: MTD continues with their "ideal prospect" series; this time they look at the wide receiver position. 

ND coach Kelly issues star WR Floyd a challenge - CBSSports.com: Notre Dame Coach Brian Kelly: "We're looking at Mike [Floyd] as an ‘all in or not' situation." "In other words, he's changing his life or he's not. If he changes the way he's lived his life, he'll play every game for us. If he doesn't, he won't play one down here at Notre Dame. "He is at that level. This is not, ‘I'm going to slap you on the hand and sit you for two games' - because I don't want to read about him in a year, where it says, ‘Ex-Notre Dame player arrested for X-Y-Z.' That will be a failing on my part if that happens. He had a number of things he had to take care of, and he's checking off the boxes," Kelly said. "But he's got a number that are still out there."

If Floyd were to enter the supplemental draft, it'd be an intriguing situation because if he could be acquired for a 3rd or 4th round pick, it would be a significant discount at where he was rated. Not sure if he'd be on the Hawks' radar for that, but he's a talent for sure.

Rookie Spotlight - Malcolm Smith: Tony Ventrella interviews Seahawks' GM John Schneider about rookie draft pick Malcolm Smith.

Now, a whole bunch of stuff on the lockout:

NFL.com news: Citing job security, coaches side with players in labor dispute:

Agent wants to see owners' last proposal | National Football Post

An agent’s answer to: "Why don't we have football?" | National Football Post

Agent: "These guys are driving these players right off a cliff" | ProFootballTalk

Roger Goodell: Lockout has had an impact on our fans already | ProFootballTalk

Goodell indicates roster rules could be adjusted after lockout | ProFootballTalk