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ONE MORE DAY.
NFL - Inside a draft war room - ESPN
The war room has become synonymous with power and strategy in the NFL. Who wouldn't want a peek inside? At the Packers, we actually had two rooms. The traditional one featured the usual measurables -- height, weight, speed, vertical. Then there was a financial room that I designed focused on salary, cap number, acceleration, contract year, agent and team charts showing cash/cap by position, offense/defense and trends. This space was a favorite of Commissioner Roger Goodell and the late Gene Upshaw, who wanted to design a similar room at NFLPA headquarters. The war room also featured "ready" lists and depth charts, although its most celebrated use is the draft, where decisions affect franchises' fortunes.
ProFootballWeekly.com - PFW Consensus Top 100
PFW's final top 100 is reflective of the general consensus of grades on draft boards around the league. An "H" was used to designate players who will be likely be drafted higher than they grade on tape because of any number of factors, including a lack of positional depth, reaching for team needs or general overhype. An "L" was used to signify players who are ranked lower than they grade and will likely produce in the pros and could prove to be value picks.
Thiel: Seahawks, Tannehill — oh, please, no | Seattle Seahawks
Coach Pete Carroll likes Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Which is fine, as long as he doesn’t use the Seahawks’ No. 1 draft pick on him. Send him chocolates or something.
Cold Hard Facts - Podcasts - MyNorthwest.com
John Clayton says he thinks reservations about defensive end Quinton Coples could lead the Seahawks to take linebacker Luke Kuechly if he's available with the 12th overall pick. Clayton also discusses the report that Saints general manger Mickey Loomis eavesdropping on opponents.
Is Melvin Ingram the answer for the Seahawks? | Ian Furness - Seattle's live and local sports station
Based on the limited amount of YouTube highlights I've seen, you can't but be impressed with the play of Ingram and if he's there at number 12 he sure makes a ton of sense for the Seahawks.
Fletcher Cox, Mark Barron among 2012 NFL Draft's late risers - Tony Pauline - SI.com
Prognosticators have their opinions on the players rising in the draft, but what about the people inside the league who make the decisions? There are always a number of surprises throughout the draft's seven rounds, as players gain momentum late in the process and move up boards. Here are 15 names to remember, some well-known and others true sleepers, who could be drafted much earlier than most project.
TonySoftli.com: Top 5 Defensive Backs in 2012 NFL Draft
As the NFL landscape has changed on both offense and defense over the last decade or so, the evolution of the football player has forced scheme changes as well. NFL offenses went from sweep right, sweep left to the K-Gun with Jim Kelly. The spread or run-and-shoot offense, which displayed Warren Moon’s talents at slinging the ball around the yard, has also come back full circle. Today’s NFL offense has gone to multiple receiver formations, with the quarterback in the shotgun a high percentage of the time.
Seahawks striking the right balance in draft evaluation | Shutdown Corner - Yahoo! Sports
One of the most interesting things about the draft process is how very easy it is for teams with good talent in their scouting and coaching staffs, and all the best intentions, to still get the draft wrong on a pretty consistent basis. For every Baltimore Ravens organization that seems to hit on most of their targets every year, there's a much higher number of teams looking like they're using the blindfold/dartboard method even if they're not. If your front office isn't aligned, and aligned in the right ways, it doesn't take a Matt Millen to goof up a draft and put a team in a hole.
NFL Draft Dish: Don't believe rumor that South Carolina's Melvin Ingram is sliding - NFL - Sporting News
There has been a lot of chatter lately that because of Melvin Ingram’s arm length (31 1/2 inches), he is sliding down draft boards. Our sources have told us this rumor is false. There is a consensus among our sources that their teams have the South Carolina standout ranked as the best pass rusher in the draft. Furthermore, Ingram (6-2, 264) is considered the No. 1 defensive end in a 4-3 scheme and the No. 1 outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. Other news and notes around draft circles:
Another draft, another infusion of talent
Pete Carroll's goal for his team is to become so solid that draft choices will have a tough time getting playing time. Until that happens, the Seahawks coach will continue to rely on young talent.
Ruud’s top issue is regaining health | Seattle Seahawks - The News Tribune
Veteran linebacker Barrett Ruud signed a one-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks during free agency to replace David Hawthorne, the team’s leading tackler the past three seasons who inked a long-term deal with New Orleans. But for now, Ruud’s main objective, Seattle coach Pete Carroll said, is getting healthy.
FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Innovative Statistics, Intelligent Analysis | Word of Muth: Scouting the Draft
I wanted to mix it up this week, so instead of breaking down a team, I'm going to talk a little bit about some of the prospects in this year's draft. Below is a list of highly-regarded offensive linemen in the order I would draft them if positional need wasn’t taken into account. You may notice that I didn’t include the two Stanford guys, David DeCastro and Jonathan Martin, on this list. I actually wrote them up, but when I read it back it was just too positive. Obviously, I really feel that both DeCastro and Martin will be good pros -- I had DeCastro first and Martin third -- but reading it back, I was definitely in the Jason Whitlock/Jeff George gush-zone. I’ll definitely talk about both during FO’s Cover It Live Draft Chat on Thursday night, but 250 words of (perhaps slightly biased) praise on each seemed a little much.
NFL.com news: 2012 NFL Draft could turn with Seahawks, Patriots, Browns
"We have to be prepared for other people to come to us," Schneider told NFL.com. "Either we have to be strong and just sit there and take a really cool player or be able to negotiate in a fast manner with a team trying to get up and just decided whether -- say they give you two picks -- if those two players base would be worth the guy we'd be giving up."
ProFootballWeekly.com - Insider: Hightower has 'special' talent
The following quotes are from NFL executives, coaches and front-office personnel, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
Tuesday draft links " Seahawks Draft Blog
Mike Mayock names ranks his top-100 prospects. The biggest headlines? Chandler Jones at #9, Shea McClellin at #14 and Quinton Coples at #21. Mayock previously said he would consider passing on Coples in round two, so #21 appears generous.
NFL.com news: 2012 NFL Draft Hot 100 + 25: Final ranking of top prospects
With the draft upon us, there are some prospects climbing and some falling on draft boards. A few noteworthy items: Three of the top four names on this list are quarterbacks, with Texas A&M's Ryan Tannehill steadily advancing. Mississippi State defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, who I said might shoot up, has -- 10 spots. Also flying up the list is little Midwestern State's Amini Silatolu -- from 49 to 25. And because I've included an additional 25 prospects on this final list, there are a plenty of new names, which you'll hear on draft day.
Unraveling the intrigue
When John Schneider looks at this year's draft class, the Seahawks GM sees "a number of attractive linebackers." But adding intrigue to the interest is that they come in a variety of sizes and styles
Will the Hawks get more bricks and mortar in the draft? - Blog - MyNorthwest.com
For the past two years, Seahawks general manager John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll have used the team's draft picks on cement blocks and mortar. Like any good construction crew they've been laying a solid foundation before looking for pizazz and eye-popping artwork.
DeCastro or Floyd would be good choices at No. 12 - Blog - MyNorthwest.com
Mike Salk doesn't fancy himself an NFL talent evaluator or draft analyst, but he does listen to them. Based on what he's heard, Salk thinks either guard David DeCastro or receiver Michael Floyd would be good selections for the Seahawks, who hold the 12th overall pick.
Seahawks.com Blog | 2012 NFL Draft: Linebackers "
The opinions and analysis contained in this feature are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the thoughts and opinions of the Seahawks’ coaching staff and personnel department. A look at the position heading into the April 26-28 draft:
Ranking the running backs " Seahawks Draft Blog
This installment will cover the running backs. Keep in mind that rankings will be much harder this time for a few reasons:
Schneider eyeing two at #12 & readers mocks " Seahawks Draft Blog
Interesting comments from John Schneider today, courtesy of an article by Ian Rapoport. Seattle’s GM indicates he and Pete Carroll have settled at two names for the #12 pick and that they’ll be ready if ‘their guy’ leaves the board before the team’s pick. Rapoport:
Draft Countdown - Super Sleepers
The term "Sleeper" is becoming more difficult to define these days. Technically Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie was probably a sleeper because he went to a small school, even though he was a first round pick. The NFL Draft has become so popular and the internet has made information so readily available that in reality there are very few true sleepers.
All Eyez on Me - Vontaze Burfict, Tell All Interview, Part. 2 w/ Exclusive Workout VIDEO - Mocking The Draft
Vontaze Burfict #7 of the Arizona State Sun Devils points and yells at quarterback Matt Barkley #7 of the University of Southern California Trojans just prior to a play at Sun Devil Stadium. Vontaze explains why he plays with so much tenacity in this TELL ALL Exclusive Interview w/ Exclusive Worlout Video.
All Eyez on Me - Vontaze Burfict, Tell All Story - Mocking The Draft
#7 Vontaze Burfict had to endure a lot leading up to the draft, this is HIS story, make sure to check out this exclusive story and questions and answers session with one of the most emotional college football players entering the draft in 2012.
Nick Saban talks about Nick Saban’s draft prospects | Shutdown Corner - Yahoo! Sports
Upshaw: "I think Courtney's really a good player. First of all, good guys in the front seven are good players because they're hard to block — and he's hard to block. He's a good outside 'backer. He's a good run player. I think he has enough pass-rush ability, not necessarily just a edge rusher that's gonna just beat you with speed every time, but he can turn speed to power and he's heavy-handed, and I think that's always a key to being a good pass rusher. So I think Courtney's going to have a very good career, too, especially if he gets with a 3-4 team and can play outside 'backer."
TNT 2012 draft preview: RB-WRs to consider | Seahawks Insider
The Seattle Seahawks committed to Marshawn Lynch as the team’s workhorse running back for at least the next two years by re-signing him to a lucrative, multi-year deal this offseason.
Bill Parcells Draft Confidential-Recap - NFL Mocks -
Here are the highlights of Bill Parcells draft confidential.
Draft Insider.net
- Word we heard last night is Marvin Lewis and the Bengals will use one of their two selections in the initial frame to draft Courtney Upshaw.
101Sports.com: Tony Softli - Tony Softli's Final Mock Draft
12. Seattle Seahawks, Quinton Coples DE, North Carolina - Inconsistent motor is still a concern, but this player is loaded with a lot of talent and upside.
NFL Draft 2012: Final mock-up for Round 1 - NFL - Sporting News
Rather than suspense, the NFL Draft will begin with likely coronations. When Roger Goodell steps to the platform (likely to the standard catcalls from draft boo-birds) he will make one, if not two, known yet anticipated picks. Surprises could be few and far between on Thursday, but don't discount a flurry of trades and picks changing hands.
NFL Draft 2012: Final mock-up for Round 1 - NFL - Sporting News
Rather than suspense, the NFL Draft will begin with likely coronations. When Roger Goodell steps to the platform (likely to the standard catcalls from draft boo-birds) he will make one, if not two, known yet anticipated picks. Surprises could be few and far between on Thursday, but don't discount a flurry of trades and picks changing hands.
NFL Draft 2012: Final mock-up for Rounds 2, 3 - NFL - Sporting News
With Round 1 out of the way on Thursday, the NFL gets down to business. It will make selections in the second and third rounds.
NFL Draft 2012: Final mock-up for Rounds 4-7 - NFL - Sporting News
The NFL returns for a final day of picks in the 2012 Draft. Pro prospects await the call from teams as Saturday's selections unfold. And for players who aren't chosen, there will be free-agent signings by the handful after the draft. Here are Sporting News' projections for Rounds 4-7.
Opportunity meets upside - Offseason Low Down - Rotoworld.com
Sleepers. We all have them – those players everybody likes, but that we love. When your draft is closing in, you sit down, come up with a personal cheat sheet, and wrap it up by highlighting/circling/making a secondary list of the guys you absolutely can’t miss on in the last couple of rounds.
Mac's Football Blog: Seahawks S Kam Chancellor Changes Agents
According to NFLPA records, Seattle Seahawks Pro Bowl safety Kam Chancellor changed agents recently. Originally represented by Washington, DC-based George Mavrikes, Chancellor is now represented by Alvin Keels, who is based in Nofolk, Virginia, which also happens to be Chancellor's hometown.
Richardson will be a star, but no back is worth a top-five pick in today's NFL -
During a recent conversation with a scout, I asked him about Alabama running back Trent Richardson. "He just might be the best player in this draft," the scout said. "He will be a star."
2012 NFL Mock Drafts - CBSSports.com NFLDraftScout.com
12. Seattle Seahawks Melvin Ingram, OLB, South Carolina: Pete Carroll considers Quinton Coples here, but Ingram gives him all kinds of versatility as a pass rusher who can line up in nearly any position and get after the quarterback.
2012 NFL Mock Drafts - CBSSports.com NFLDraftScout.com
12. Seattle Seahawks Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina: The Seahawks ranked in the bottom half of the NFL last season with 33.0 sacks and Seattle's front office has yet to answer their pass rush need during the offseason. Coples isn't the same prospect as Ex-Tarheel pass rusher Julius Peppers, but offers an immense amount of upside. He has the ability to be as good as he wants, but questions about his passion and work ethic have raised flags, especially after a subpar senior season in Chapel Hill. Coples' natural skill set and pro potential will force NFL teams to do their due diligence.
2012 NFL Mock Drafts - CBSSports.com NFLDraftScout.com
12. Seattle Seahawks Melvin Ingram, OLB, South Carolina: Adding free agents Barrett Ruud and Deuce Lutui at middle linebacker and offensive guard filled two of Seattle's primary areas of concern with starting-caliber veterans. Those additions should allow the team to draft the best available player, who happens to fill their other glaring area of need -- a pass rusher opposite Chris Clemons. Just as he did with the Gamecocks, Ingram's versatility could see him line up at outside linebacker, defensive end and even defensive tackle in obvious pass rush situations. That type of versatility is sure to intrigue Pete Carroll.
2012 NFL Mock Drafts - CBSSports.com NFLDraftScout.com
Mocked-out. That's a new illness I diagnosed myself with this week. This will be my sixth NFL mock draft in the past two months -- with one final one to follow. This is a record for me here at CBSSports.com, and sometimes I think we change some players just to change to liven them up each week.
2012 NFL Mock Drafts - CBSSports.com NFLDraftScout.com
With the draft a only a few days away, there are a couple of things to look for, since any movement among NFL personnel men can have a ripple effect on the draft:
NFL reminds teams not to leak picks before podium announcement | ProFootballTalk
The NFL really wants to keep the suspense alive during the draft this season.
FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Innovative Statistics, Intelligent Analysis | Word of Muth: Scouting the Draft
I wanted to mix it up this week, so instead of breaking down a team, I'm going to talk a little bit about some of the prospects in this year's draft. Below is a list of highly-regarded offensive linemen in the order I would draft them if positional need wasn’t taken into account. You may notice that I didn’t include the two Stanford guys, David DeCastro and Jonathan Martin, on this list. I actually wrote them up, but when I read it back it was just too positive. Obviously, I really feel that both DeCastro and Martin will be good pros -- I had DeCastro first and Martin third -- but reading it back, I was definitely in the Jason Whitlock/Jeff George gush-zone. I’ll definitely talk about both during FO’s Cover It Live Draft Chat on Thursday night, but 250 words of (perhaps slightly biased) praise on each seemed a little much.
Re-Drafting the 2009 First Round | ProFootballFocus.com
Yesterday I was kind enough to re-do the first round of the 2008 draft, and with the same amount of hindsight that makes it easy to judge general managers, it’s time for the 2009 class. The premise is simple: you have a time machine, you go back to April 2009, and you assume control of every franchise and their top pick. Knowing what we know about how players will perform and how their bodies will hold up, we then make the right selection for every team. It’s officially time for a re-draft.
NFL - Draft is tricky for Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins - ESPN
The key to this year's draft is what happens with the No. 7 and No. 8 picks.
Andrew Luck, Cam Newton turned to George Whitfield as they prepared for draft - NFL - SI.com
George Whitfield didn't expect to be in this position -- the go-to-coach for such big-name quarterbacks as Ben Roethlisberger, Cam Newton and now Andrew Luck.
Vontaze Burfict working hard to overcome bad reputation, plummeting stock - Dennis Dillon - SI.com
Nine days before the NFL draft, Vontaze Burfict was in Las Vegas, hanging out with one of his boys from Tempe, Ariz. It was a one-day vacation for Burfict, who planned to play a little blackjack and roulette, walk the strip, and see a performance by Jabbawockeez, the hip-hop dance crew distinguished by its expressionless white masks.
Hasselbeck, Locker in 'friendly' QB competition | National Football Post
Titans quarterbacks putting team goals first even as job will be open in camp.
Prospect focus: Syracuse's Chandler Jones | National Football Post
Breaking down the game of the Orange defensive end.
Prospect focus: South Carolina's Alshon Jeffery | National Football Post
Breaking down the game of the Gamecocks receiver.
Week Long Mock: Round Six | National Football Post
Predicting the sixth round of the NFL Draft.
NFL.com Blogs " Blog Archive Three and out: Could the Rams deal RB Jackson? "
Steven Jackson on the block? During an appearance on the B.S. Report with Bill Simmons, NFL Network insider Michael Lombardi said Steven Jackson wants a new contract with the St. Louis Rams. Whether or not the team is prepared to work with him — Jackson will be 29 in July — remains to be seen. In fact, there appears to be at least a slight chance that the Rams could draft Alabama’s Trent Richardson and look to deal Jackson this weekend. If the team did draft Richardson and couldn’t trade Jackson, it would be a disaster in fantasy land — think Jackson as a rookie in 2004 while Marshall Faulk was still in the backfield mix. Personally, I’d like to see Richardson land with the Cleveland Browns — but don’t be surprised if he’s off the board.
NFL.com Blogs " Blog Archive Draft podcast: Five biggest lies of draft week "
Former NFL scout Bucky Brooks and Matt "Money" Smith reveal the top five biggest lies being spread by teams over the past few days. Also, former Broncos GM Ted Sundquist and NFL.com fantasy editor Michael Fabiano stop by to discuss NFL.com’s live streaming coverage of the 2012 draft, which begins on Thursday, April 26 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
TNT 2012 draft preview: OL-TEs to consider | Seahawks Insider
Seattle head coach Pete Carroll said the tight end position group is solid overall for his team, but he still would like to add a playmaker to improve the explosiveness of the position. "I think we’re back—really Cam [Morrah] being healthy going into camp is a boost to us," Carroll said during his pre-draft press conference on Monday. "We think he’s a really up-and-coming player. Zach (Miller) is solid as a rock. We’d like to give him the football more but he did a fantastic job of blocking for us and he’s a tough guy that is one of those guys that we acquired that is a leader and is a real factor on our club.
Seattle holds 12th pick, but looks for late value - Seahawks News - MyNorthwest.com
John Schneider takes pride in finding value in the later rounds of the NFL draft. And why not, after the players Seattle's general manager has been able to snag in his first two drafts in charge of the Seahawks.
'Hawk Talk: Kellen Moore, Alameda Ta'amu and Chris Polk chat transcript | Seahawks Blog | The Seattle Times
The Seahawks' weekly live chat, which begins Tuesday at noon, is going to become a pre-draft blockbuster extravaganza with Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore, Washington defensive tackle Alameda Ta'amu and running back Chris Polk all scheduled to stop by for about 15 minutes apiece.
QB or not QB | Seahawks Blog | The Seattle Times
Since 1993, there have been 44 quarterbacks chosen in the first round of the NFL Draft. None of those 44 players were chosen by Seattle, however.
While Kellen Moore waits, Seahawks eye QBs in NFL draft | Seahawks | The Seattle Times
No one knows when or if the Seahawks will to draft a quarterback, and Boise State's Kellen Moore is one of several intriguing QBs in this year's class.
Which unsung 2012 NFL Draft prospect will be this year's Victor Cruz or Wes Welker? - Don Banks - SI.com
The dramatic, out-of-nowhere rise of Victor Cruz last season is only the latest glaring reminder. When it comes to talent evaluation, the NFL can miss on a grand scale. Not only did the New York Giants' dance-happy, second-year receiver go undrafted as a rookie in 2010, but he also wasn't even thought highly enough to warrant an invite to the league's scouting combine in Indianapolis, a cattle call of an event that annually draws more than 300 NFL prospects to the Midwest.