:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/1634202/GYI0062976923.jpg)
Weekend, y'all.
New Orleans Saints linebacker David Hawthorne's deal is salary cap friendly - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com
The contract numbers for New Orleans Saints free agent linebacker David Hawthorne have finally hit the NFL books. Hawthorne signed a five-year, $19 million deal, which included a $3.8 million signing bonus. The deal is very cap friendly this season. Hawthorne will earn a $700,000 base salary in 2012, giving him a salary cap figure of only $1.46 million.
NFL Draft 2012 QB class: Strong-armed Tannehill continues to rise - NFL - Sporting News
As the countdown to the 2012 NFL Draft continues, Sporting News examines talent depth at every position before the first pick is made. The draft's first round will be April 26, followed by Rounds 2 and 3 on April 27—both in prime time. Rounds 4-7 will be called April 28. Today: quarterbacks.
2012 NFL draft countdown: SN's No. 12 prospect, Notre Dame WR Michael Floyd - NFL - Sporting News
Strengths: Floyd is one of the most polished receivers in this year’s draft. He will be a high first-round pick because of his size, excellent route-running ability and outstanding ball skills. (Vital statistics: 6-3, 220 pounds, 4.44 in 40-yard dash.)
The Shutdown 50 — #31: Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson | Shutdown Corner - Yahoo! Sports
We continue this year's series with Clemson tight end Dwayne Allen, who suffered from a case of "more money, more problems" in the final days of his college career. After Clemson lost to West Virginia in the Orange Bowl, reporters asked Allen if he was ready to go pro, and Allen dropped this bomb:" I'm happy to say that the one thing that's not going to go in my decision is money. Being at Clemson I have more money, more resources, than I've ever had in my whole life."
Jeff Fisher’s disconnect over Gregg Williams reflects the NFL’s internal conflict | Shutdown Corner - Yahoo! Sports
Current St. Louis Rams and former Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher has long been one of the most respected men in pro football, and for good reason. He coached the Titans through a franchise move from Houston, got them a yard away from a possible Super Bowl win at the end of the 1999 season, and effectively battled the two-headed monster of frequent salary cap purges and the ever-increasing weirdness of team owner Bud Adams. After almost two decades with the Oilers/Titans, Fisher lost his job for basically refusing to endorse Vince Young as the team's franchise quarterback, a stance that has proven to be fairly intelligent in retrospect.
Draft positional series: Running backs, tight ends - NFL - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com
Whether it is evolution or revolution, NFL offenses are changing how they view certain positions. The emphasis on passing has devalued running backs, made fullbacks all but extinct and raised the bar for tight ends who hope to make it.
Janoris Jenkins has first-round talent, but will character issues cause him to fall? - Jeff Diamond - SI.com
'Tis the season for NFL scouts. With two weeks until draft day, teams are making their lists and checking them twice -- and more. As the old carol goes, they've "got to find out who's naughty and nice."
Baylor's Robert T. Griffin sharing a name, draft with more famous teammate - Don Banks - SI.com
By now, the name is so familiar, bordering on ubiquitous. Everybody knows the Robert Griffin story. We've scarcely been able to get enough of it in the months-long buildup to the 2012 NFL Draft.
FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Innovative Statistics, Intelligent Analysis | Broken Tackles 2011
Today, more of our series presenting various 2011 stats from the multitude of Football Outsiders spreadsheets. Broken tackles are a stat from game charting, not from the standard play-by-play. We define a "broken tackle" as one of two events: either the ballcarrier escapes from the grasp of the defender, or the defender is in good position for a tackle but the ballcarrier jukes him out of his shoes. If the ballcarrier sped by a slow defender who dived and missed, that didn't count as a broken tackle. We only measured broken tackles for standard plays; volunteers didn't have the time to track them for all special teams plays.
Profile Of A Sleeper: OT Tyler Hendrickson, Concordia - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football
It’s not supposed to happen. Guys like Tyler Hendrickson aren’t supposed to make it to the NFL. He’s a 6’7", 315 pound left tackle who’s never missed a game and only gave up 4 sacks his last two seasons, but the odds are stacked against him. He wasn’t wanted out of high school, so why would that change now?
Devalued Village
Trent Richardson is the best of the running backs in this year's draft class, but the Alabama star is discovering that the NFL doesn't covet players at his position the way it used to.
NFL Draft: Don't forget about David Wilson | National Football Post
Using video to breakdown the RB on the 'Lead Open.'
NFL DRAFT: Ranking the Top 10 Defensive Backs | National Football Post
How many safeties make the cut?
Extra protection | National Football Post
The CBA offers a new way to approach training camp and offseason workouts.
Seahawks.com Blog | 2012 NFL Draft: Running backs "
A look at the position heading into the April 26-28 draft:
Seahawks.com Blog | A few moments with: LaMichael James "
Into the what-have-you-done-for-me-lately world of the NFL comes a back who couldn’t have done much more during his three seasons at the University of Oregon – LaMichael James.
NFL.com Blogs " Blog Archive Georgia linemen under close watch at pro day "
Two well-thought-of offensive line prospects were the center of attention when Georgia held its pro day on March 5. Offensive tackle Cordy Glenn could go in the first round, while center Ben Jones is expected to be a mid-round pick.
NFL.com news: Guessing which teams have interest in Vince Young
We noted on Thursday that Vince Young still sees himself as a starter and wants to play for his hometown Houston Texans. There isn't much of a chance of Young starting or signing with Houston, but V.Y. apparently does have a few promising job leads.
NFL.com news: Julio Jones stays in top 10, changes teams in 2011 draft re-do
In the NFL, it takes about three years to fully evaluate a draft class. Coaches and scouts understand that it takes some time for some players to acclimate to the speed, intensity and tempo of the pro game. In addition, it takes some players more time to master the playbook and nuances of their position before playing to expectation.
NFL.com news: Two-round mock draft: No quarterbacks taken in second round
Today, I decided to dig deeper in my mock drafting and fill out the second round, as well. There is still plenty of talent available in Round 2. In fact, teams picking near the top of the second round will often select a player they had a first-round grade on. When looking at a team's second-round pick, keep in mind what position was filled in the first round. Teams always look to balance need vs. best player available. This really gets tested in Round 2 when a team encounters a player with a first-round grade still sitting on the board, but has a glaring need to fill. My advice: Take the first-round grade.
2012 NFL Draft 1st-Round Odds: Seattle Seahawks | Bleacher Report
The Seahawks are actually much closer to contention than their 2011 record would have you believe. They have the best young secondary in the league, an excellent run defense and running game, and they improved their quarterback situation. The team endured a lot of injuries last year, so with some luck and a good first-round pick, they could challenge the 49ers for NFC West supremacy. The 12th pick represents many intersections of value and need, so handicapping the odds of how they'll use their pick is one of the bigger challenges of the first round. (Special thanks to @robstaton and @fieldgulls (Danny Kelly) for the consultation on this piece)
Cold Hard Facts - Podcasts - MyNorthwest.com
John Clayton discusses why the Seahawks would be interested in adding fullback Jacob Hester, who visited with the team on Wednesday. Clayton also discusses the Seahawks' salary cap situation, the questions about Quinton Coples' motor, the chances Justin Forsett returns to Seattle, and more.
NFL.com news: Quinton Coples has high bust potential, Mike Mayock says
Quinton Coples might be the top-rated defensive end in the 2012 NFL Draft, but NFL Network's Mike Mayock is not impressed with the North Carolina prospect.
NFL Draft Risers and Fallers - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com
With NFL Draft weekend less than a month away, the pro day circuit is beginning to wind down. However there are still a few valuable workouts left on the docket. Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill will work out and throw on Thursday, March 29 and Trent Richardson, Mark Barron and Courtney Upshaw, who missed Alabama's first pro day because of injuries, will also work out on Thursday in Tuscaloosa. Pro day workouts are just a part of the process, but they shouldn't be overlooked. How a certain player works out carries a lot of weight within NFL front offices. With that said, here's a look at this week's Risers and Fallers: Here are this week's Risers and Fallers:
Seahawks Blog | Seahawks bringing back Leroy Hill, Matt McCoy | Seattle Times Newspaper
Leroy Hill remains a Seahawk. For the third time in four years, Hill entered the market as an unrestricted free agent and for the third consecutive year, the Seahawks brought him back.
For Hill, one outstanding season deserves another
Veteran Leroy Hill and special teams standout Matt McCoy agreed to one-year contracts on Thursday, giving the Seahawks some needed quality and depth at the linebacker position.
Some thoughts on Nick Perry & 26 to attend draft " Seahawks Draft Blog
I’m not a huge fan of Nick Perry, but that has more to do with his stock rather than his ability. Before the 2010 college season I thought he could be a possible high pick due to the hype surrounding his recruitment, but a pre-season high ankle sprain curtailed his impact. It put paid to any plans to declare for the 2011 draft and he came back to lead the PAC-12 in sacks last season (9.5 sacks) and his stock appeared to be safely in the region of the second or third round. That was a comfortable grade based on the tape.
Draft Spotlight: Bruce Irvin, DE/OLB, West Virginia " Seahawks Draft Blog
Bruce Irvin is one of the draft’s most intriguing athletes. He’s also one of the draft’s most interesting stories. Irvin dropped out of high school in the 11th grade, ran in with the wrong crowd, and on two occasions missed jail time by the narrowest of margins. If you have a bit of time, I’d encourage you to read his story. Its pretty amazing. He also sat down and gave an interview about his difficult past and how he turned his life around.
2012 SB Nation NFL Mock Draft: Round 2, Pick 43 - Mocking The Draft
The SB Nation two-round NFL mock draft continues along with each lead NFL team blogger making the pick for their team. We're into the second round and the Seattle Seahawks are back up with the No. 43 pick.