The weekend!
2012 NFL draft pro day updates - Tony Pauline - SI.com
The second pro day for Arizona State is over and the reports for Brock Osweiler have been positive. Scouts said the junior passer looked good today and was accurate on most of his throws. Osweiler, who possesses one of the strongest arms at the quarterback position, did not have receivers reaching for passes.
2012 NFL draft countdown: SN's No. 29 prospect, Oklahoma State QB Brandon Weeden - NFL - Sporting News
Weeden has the potential to become a quality starting quarterback despite concerns about his age; he turns 29 in October. He has a strong arm and the ability to make NFL throws with excellent zip and accuracy. (Vital statistics: 6-4, 221, 4.95 in the 40-yard dash)
Draft Countdown: San Francisco 49ers : NFL Films Blog
Our countdown to the NFL Draft continues with a look back at some 2011 highlights of players drafted by and starring for the San Francisco 49ers.
5 Questions With: The Babineauxs : NFL Films Blog
What question have you always wanted to ask an NFL player: Who’s your dream date? What’s the worst food you’ve ever eaten? Justin Bieber or the Jonas Brothers?
What is the proper stance for a wide receiver? | Smart Football
This topic comes up fairly frequently and — while coaches have many different views on this — I am pretty set in how I think a receiver stance should look. The two most important things in the stance are to (1) get off the line quickly and (2) be balanced enough to deal with press coverage. Some coaches try to use different stances to accomplish this but given how unpredictable defenses can be, I don’t think you can swap stances.
2011 Pass Blocking Efficiency: Running Backs | ProFootballFocus.com
Each and every year I begin my breakdown of running backs in pass protection by reminding everyone that there’s more to the position than just running the ball. Sure it’s more important what they do with the ball in their hands, but having a back who can pick up the blitz and keep pressure off his quarterback is an invaluable skill set that provides offenses with an extra level of protection and versatility.
NFL Draft: Ranking the 3-4 LB Class by Tiers | National Football Post
Pass rushers come in all sizes in this year’s crop.
Want a big receiver? This may be the year to get one | National Football Post
Plenty of options will be available in April's draft.
NFL.com news: Richardson paces pack of running backs in draft
Beyond Trent Richardson, there are three other quality backs -- including Lamar Miller -- in the 2012 NFL Draft. Bucky Brooks breaks down the intriguing skills of the top four RB prospects.
NFL.com news: What should Cleveland do with No. 4 pick in 2012 NFL Draft?
Most people around the league believe the Browns hold the swing pick in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft. What should Cleveland do with its No. 4 overall selection? Our analysts debate.
Todd McShay has high praise for Kuechly, Coples - Blog - MyNorthwest.com
ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay used the word "rare" when describing one of linebacker Luke Kuechly's biggest strenghts. He also compared Quinton Coples to one of the NFL's top pass-rushers.
What to like, dislike about the Cardinals - NFC West Blog - ESPN
Turns out there's plenty to like -- and some things to dislike -- about those allegedly underestimated Arizona Cardinals. Some are obvious. Others could use elaboration. Let's get right to 'em.
NFL.com Blogs " Blog Archive Strong workout likely vaults QB Osweiler into first round "
The scripted throwing session was run by Noel Mazzone, who recently left the Arizona State coaching staff to become an assistant at UCLA. Osweiler threw 72 passes, with seven hitting the ground. The seven misses were not, however, an indicator of wildness; his accuracy was very good. He presented himself very well, which is important for a quarterback, and interacted well with his receivers. Despite his height, he is very flexible and has a solid throwing platform. Mazzone has worked with him to correct a tendency to drop his elbow, which Osweiler avoided doing on Friday. Based on Friday’s workout, I think Osweiler vaulted himself into the first round on draft day. He will likely work out for a number of teams; there is a lot of excitement with him. His showing Friday was somewhat surprising; I think he exceeded the expectations of everybody in attendance.
NFL.com news: Misuse, not lack of desire, affected Quinton Coples' 2011 play
In some scouting circles, North Carolina's Quinton Coples was the highest rated senior prospect heading into the 2011 season. He had played defensive tackle in 2010, but was switched to end in 2011, a move many believed would result in an even more productive year. That did not happen.
azcentral.com blogs - Kent Somers - First impressions from Osweiler's pro day
Osweilwer threw the ball well. People who have watched him over the years believe he's altered his release, moving his arm to a higher point. He threw some wobblers and a handful of passes were errant. But overall, he was on the money. And he threw some great deep balls. A couple of scouts I talked to pegged Osweiler as a third-round prospect who could move into the second round. My early guess is that will happen. He's big, smart and talented and teams will reach to take a quarterback. The downside is that he doesn't have a lot of experience. No one should expect him to play early in his career.
Brock Osweiler Pro Day Notebook & Observations - House Of Sparky
After not participating physically in either the NFL Scouting Combine or ASU's Pro Day as he rehabbed a foot injury, Brock Osweiler took to the Verde Dickey Dome Field on Friday to work out before the assembled NFL scouts. I was there on behalf of House of Sparky and here are my takeaways from the event.
Draft Spotlight: Jonathan Massaquoi, DE, Troy " Seahawks Draft Blog
Rundown: Jonathan Massaquoi was a strong side 4-3 defensive end for the Troy Trojans of the Sun Belt conference. He is often listed on draft sites as an outside linebacker (strictly for a 3-4 scheme) despite never really playing in that capacity in college.
Last word on Tannehill | National Football Post
Texas A&M QB has his pro day.
TonySoftli.com: Softli's Big Board: Top 32 updated March 30
Movement up or down the Softli Big Board board was based off film evaluation and any major ongoing concerns a prospect may have. Players with an asterisk (*) entered the draft with eligibility remaining.
What do All-Pro teams tell us about NFL Draft? – Audibles
For as much research and analysis goes into each year’s NFL Draft, the whole process is a very inexact science. How often has a "sure thing" flamed out before reaching an elite level? What causes so many late-round and undrafted players to wind up developing into terrific talents?
Regional combines offer chance for the overlooked to get noticed - NFL - SI.com
For most of the players here, it's probably the first and only time they will step inside an NFL facility. It's 12:15 p.m. in Florham Park, New Jersey, at the New York Jets training center.
NFC West free-agency assessment - NFC West Blog - ESPN
Sando's grade so far: B-plus: The Seahawks knew for months that Manning would probably hit the market and still could not secure a meeting with him. Their pursuit included a flight by coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider to Denver in a desperation move that failed to impress Manning. That was a rare disappointment for Seattle in free agency.
NFL.com news: Seahawks' Carroll loves what he saw in Cam Newton
Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll spent nearly five minutes Wednesday marveling at a young NFL quarterback with a promising future. You'd think it was newly acquired Seahawk Matt Flynn who Carroll would've been raving about.
Upshaw, Richardson & Tannehill work out " Seahawks Draft Blog
Pro-days are largely insignificant events that have minimal impact on the actual draft process. At the end of March, most team’s will feel pretty comfortable with their draft grades and really – how much can you learn from a work out like this? But as modest as these things are, today was about as noteworthy as it gets this time of year. Courtney Upshaw, Trent Richardson and Ryan Tannehill all worked out for scouts after injury-hit off-seasons.