May 2010 – Page 6 – Priced Out of the Citi

Around The Web: NFL Rookie News & Notes

The Vikings have decided to use sixth-round pick Joe Webb at QB instead of WR going forward. “He has an aptitude to be a quarterback,” coach Brad Childress said. “If you go back and look at the UAB numbers, he put up outstanding numbers. He knows what he’s doing.”

RB Ryan Mathews was unable to participate in the San Diego’s first offseason coaching session because his college semester has not yet ended, but he is expected to practice next week during the team’s voluntary OTA sessions, Chargers.com reports.

New England Patriots WR Taylor Price will not participate in any of the Patriots’ organized team activities this offseason because his university does not have their graduation until June 11, reports Ian Rapoport, of the Boston Herald.

Rookie WR Kyle Williams has been turning heads during mini-camps with the 49ers, according to the Santa Rosa Press Democrat. Williams,

Source: Unga To Enter Supplemental Draft

From The Salt Lake Tribune:

It appears that star running back Harvey Unga will wear the blue and white of BYU no more.

BYU spokeswoman Carri Jenkins told me this morning that Unga will not be allowed back in school until January of 2011 at the earliest.

She said that BYU’s dean of students, Vern Heperi, made the decision after considering Unga’s application for readmission. Unga’s girlfriend and ex-fiancee, Keilani Moeaki, a member of the BYU women’s basketball team, also cannot get back into school until January, Heperi decided.

Jenkins did not provide the reasons for Heperi’s decision.

Unga and Moeaki both withdrew from school on April 16, saying they had run afoul of the school’s honor code.

As has been stated in this space previously, Unga almost certainly will apply for the NFL’s supplemental draft, which will take place in mid-July.

Source: Unga To Enter Supplemental Draft

From The Salt Lake Tribune:

It appears that star running back Harvey Unga will wear the blue and white of BYU no more.

BYU spokeswoman Carri Jenkins told me this morning that Unga will not be allowed back in school until January of 2011 at the earliest.

Jenkins did not provide the reasons for Heperi’s decision.

Unga and Moeaki both withdrew from school on April 16, saying they had run afoul of the school’s honor code.

As has been stated in this space previously, Unga almost certainly will apply for the NFL’s supplemental draft, which will take place in mid-July.

2011 NFL Draft Watch #12: Julio Jones

The countdown continues and our number twelve prospect in college football is…

Wide Receiver Julio Jones, Alabama (Junior):

The Skinny: From the moment Jones stepped onto the field as a 6’4”, 220-plus pound freshman at Alabama he made the rest of the SEC feel his presence. However, in 2009, despite adding a National Championship to his resume, the man-child had a lackluster sophomore campaign, due in part to nagging injuries. Now about to enter his junior season, Jones has NFL scouts in a feeding frenzy to see him justify their lofty expectations. He is as physical as they come and a difficult player to cover one-on-one. This could be a turning point for the highly-touted pass catcher—will he flourish and have the type of All-American season everyone believes he can, or flounder in

Scouting The Running Backs: Class of 2011

Here’s a look at the top senior running back prospects entering the 2011 season:

DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma – The slashing back has been hindered by injuries throughout his Sooners career and will need to prove that he can stay healthy entering his senior season. While he does not project as a feature back at the next level, Murray does possess breakaway burst and ability to pick up yards after the catch as a receiver.

Evan Royster, Penn State – Any team looking for a between-the-tackles workhorse should look no further than Royster, who has exceeded the 100-yard barrier in 11 games over the past two seasons and needs just 481 rushing yards to break Curt Warner’s all-time PSU rushing record. Royster reacts quickly and has good wiggle in

NFL: Ronnie Brown Far from 100%

The AP reports that Ronnie Brown “seemed to be limping noticeably at times” in Wednesday’s return to practice.

Mancini’s Take: The truth about Ronnie is that he may nearing the end. Brown has already endured a torn ACL in 2007 and now is trying to bounce back from the dreaded Lisfranc fracture that effectively ended the careers of Ericct Rhett and Duce Staley not too long ago. The fact that Brown is still limping around with only two months left before training camp is discouraging. The big back was more than a multi-purpose weapon, he was the heart and soul of the Wildcat offense. No one ran the Wildcat better. Even if Brown does come back, he won’t any more durable. The Dolphins can’t rely on him like they used to. Ricky Williams can still ball, but running him into the ground like Dave Wannstedt once did would be ill-advised

NFL: Ronnie Brown Far from 100%

The AP reports that Ronnie Brown “seemed to be limping noticeably at times” in Wednesday’s return to practice.

Mancini’s Take: The truth about Ronnie is that he may nearing the end. Brown has already endured a torn ACL in 2007 and now is trying to bounce back from the dreaded Lisfranc fracture that effectively ended the careers of Ericct Rhett and Duce Staley not too long ago. The fact that Brown is still limping around with only two months left before training camp is discouraging. The big back was more than a multi-purpose weapon, he was the heart and soul of the Wildcat offense. No one ran the Wildcat better. Even if Brown does come back, he won’t any more durable. The Dolphins can’t rely on him like they used to. Ricky Williams can still ball, but running him into the ground like Dave Wannstedt once did would be ill-advised

NFL: Supersized Coffee in San Francisco

According to sources, Glen Coffee, who played last season between 205 and 210 pounds, plans to bulk up to 225 pounds this season.

Mancini’s Take: You think Coffee may be feeling the heat from 233-pound Anthony Dixon coming in and vying for his job? I understand why the second-year man is bulking up. Obviously, the Niners are looking for a punishing inside back to complement the versatile Frank Gore. But adding more weight isn’t going to make Coffee a better player. In fact, the extra pounds will probably just slow him down, which isn’t a good thing for a performer who hasn’t shown much in the way of lateral movement. Coffee was a bit of disappointment last year in the way he just ran straight ahead for little yardage, providing very little wiggle and no juice. What happened to the slasher I saw at Alabama? Where’s that running back who actually

NFL: Supersized Coffee in San Francisco

According to sources, Glen Coffee, who played last season between 205 and 210 pounds, plans to bulk up to 225 pounds this season.

Mancini’s Take: You think Coffee may be feeling the heat from 233-pound Anthony Dixon coming in and vying for his job? I understand why the second-year man is bulking up. Obviously, the Niners are looking for a punishing inside back to complement the versatile Frank Gore. But adding more weight isn’t going to make Coffee a better player. In fact, the extra pounds will probably just slow him down, which isn’t a good thing for a performer who hasn’t shown much in the way of lateral movement. Coffee was a bit of disappointment last year in the way he just ran straight ahead for little yardage, providing very little wiggle and no juice. What happened to the slasher I saw at Alabama? Where’s that running back who actually

NFL: Hardesty Running With the Big Dogs

Montario Hardesty is reportedly running with the first team at Browns OTAs Wednesday.

Mancini’s Take: Look for a two-headed committee approach at the running back position in Cleveland with Hardesty and Jerome Harrison providing the one-two punch. The promising James Davis looks to be the odd-man out, unless he really wows the coaching staff. There’s no doubt in mind that Hardesty can carry the load as the early-down plowhorse. He’s one of the players that keeps getting better with more carries. The only big concern with the former Volunteer are his knees. He’s already underwent multiple procedures and has even needed to have his knee drained this past season. There are only so many times you can squeeze fluid out of that joint and keep on playing. Let’s see if that becomes a problem.