May 2010 – Page 7 – Priced Out of the Citi

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 one of his knees 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.

NFL: Falcons Leave T.O. Hanging

Beat writer D. Orlando Ledbetter doesn’t believe the Falcons are interested in free agent Terrell Owens.

Mancini’s Take: There goes another team that’s turning its back on the fading wide out. A lot of people talk about T.O.’s me-first, selfish persona as the reason why there haven’t been any takers thus far. While that certainly is a factor, the real reason why Owens isn’t as coveted as he once was is because he’s no longer great. Is he still a physical specimen at 36? No doubt. He’s one of the greatest athletes I’ve ever seen and certainly one of the most powerful receivers ever. But nowadays, there’s a little something missing in his burst. He doesn’t quite get the same separation he did in his prime years. Yeah, you may still see him break loose for a long play here and there, but he’s doing it with less frequency. Cornerbacks are

NFL: Falcons Leave T.O. Hanging

Beat writer D. Orlando Ledbetter doesn’t believe the Falcons are interested in free agent Terrell Owens.

Around The Web: More NFL Rookie Updates

Denver Broncos QB Tim Tebow is working with the fourth-team offense during the team’s offseason workout Monday, May 17, reports Lindsay H. Jones, of The Denver Post.

Kansas City Chiefs WR Dexter McCluster worked with the wide receivers during the team’s offseason workout Monday, May 17, reports Josh Looney, of KCChiefs.com. McCluster worked with the wide receivers and running backs during the rookie minicamp.

Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll has stated numerous times this offseason that he wants to get rookie WR Golden Tate open in space this upcoming season, according to CBSSports.com. As a result, the Seahawks used Tate on reverse plays during practice Monday, May 17.

St. Louis Rams rookie WR Mardy Gilyard was robbed at gunpoint just off the Cincinnati campus Monday, May 17, according to WLWT TV in Cincinnati. Cincinnati police said Gilyard was walking with another man when two men approached,

Gang Green Fans Should Temper Jetspectations

I get it. I understand that Jets fans are starved for a winner. They’ve waited and waited, giving new meaning to the term “long-suffering”. With the arrival of Rex Ryan and Mark Sanchez, there’s a new attitude and the wins to go along with it. Following the team’s resurrection last season (remember, King Rex deemed his team dead after a 10-7 loss at home to Atlanta, which left them at 7-7) and subsequent playoff run, the team and its fans can’t wait for the 2010 season to begin.

Now, the team and its fans have a Super Bowl-or-Bust mentality. Winning it all is the only thing that will do after last season’s successful run. When you’re starved for so long, even a little bit of food will leave

Six Players Up North Sign With The NFL

It has been quite the off-season for some of Canada’s top university football players.

Six CIS players have signed free-agent deals with NFL clubs, the two latest being Concordia linebacker Cory Greenwood (Kansas City Chiefs) and Regina receiver Jordan Sisco (Indianapolis Colts). They join offensive linemen Joel Reinders of Waterloo (Cleveland Browns) and Kristian Matte of Concordia (Houston Texans), Bishop’s receiver Shawn Gore (Green Bay Packers) and Laurier defensive lineman Chima Ihekwoaba (Detroit Lions).

Source: TSN

2011 NFL Draft Watch #11: Anthony Castonzo

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

Offensive Tackle Anthony Castonzo, Boston College

The Skinny: At 6’7” Castonzo is blessed with ideal length and a perfect frame for an NFL tackle. He has the ability to dominate against both the run and the pass thanks to his athletic prowess. The Illinois native possesses the agility to get to the second level of the defense to make blocks on linebackers, with the footwork and lateral quickness to handle speed pass rushers coming off the edge. Castonzo is “only” 295 pounds, a bit light in the pants for a man of size—he will need to bulk up and get stronger to be dominant at the next level. The all-ACC performer is among the most experienced and durable

Our Number Ten Prospect In College Football…

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

Running Back Mark Ingram, Alabama (Junior):

Pros: The Heisman Trophy winner is the true definition of a workhorse. He rushed the pigskin 271 times as a sophomore, including seven games with at least 22 carries. Playing in Nick Saban’s pro-style, smash-mouth offense Ingram proved last year that he can indeed be the focal point of a championship offense. Including both the SEC Championship Game and BCS Championship Game Ingram turned in nine 100-yard games (he rushed for 99 versus Tennessee) and rushed for 140-plus yards in six of those contests. The Alabama product is built solidly and runs with a very low center of gravity with exceptional balance. It is very difficult to knock Ingram

NFL: Wootton Trying to Silence Doubters

Rookie DE Corey Wootton fell to the fourth round of the draft because of an old neck injury, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

Mancini’s Take: Despite Wootton’s considerable size and talent, he remains a boom-or-bust pick until he can truly bounce back from a devastating ACL tear he suffered in the Alamo Bowl two seasons ago. The New Jersey native has admitted numerous times that he was never close to full strength during his senior campaign. His burst, explosion and lateral movement were all very much compromised. Will he ever return to being the pass-rushing headhunter he was in 2008? When completely healthy, the 6’6″, 270-pound Wootton displayed amazing sideline-to-sideline quickness in pursuit of ballcarriers and elite change-of-direction ability, making him a versatile lineman who could line up in either a 3-4 or 4-3 alignment. What makes the success of this long-armed third-round pick so vital to the Jerry Angelo/Lovie Smith

Scouting The Quarterbacks: Class of 2011

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

Jake Locker, Washington – Despite the assumption by most that Locker would’ve been the first quarterback chosen in 2010, he did not receive a first round grade from the NFL Advisory Committee. He needs to show improved decision-making under pressure during his senior season to keep his name in the running as a franchise quarterback and potential top overall pick.

Pat Devlin, Delaware You will hear the comparisons to Joe Flacon often. While Devlin doesn’t possess the same cannon arm, he does have the ability to solidify himself as a first round pick but the former Penn State recruit will have to wait until the pre-draft process prove it.

Jerrod Johnson, Texas A&M – There are some who believe Johnson is the most pro-ready quarterback. The dual-threat signal-caller has displayed a strong, accurate