Before there was Devin Hester, there was Brian Mitchell. NFL Draft Bible correspondent Bo Marchionte chats it up with who some consider to be the greatest kick returner in the history of the league at the 2010 NFL hall of Fame Induction ceremonies. Find out what Mitchell has to say about his own chances for Canton.
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Max Hall, John Skelton Duke it Out in Arizona
Arizona Cardinals QB Max Hall appears to have the edge over QB John Skelton in the competition for the team’s No. 3 quarterback job, reports The Arizona Republic’s Kent Somers.
Mancini’s Take: If Hall does indeed have the upper hand over Skelton it can basically be summed up by the fact that the former has outstanding touch, while the latter is lacking in that department. The mobile BYU product is an accurate thrower on short to mid-range passes and has a compact delivery. However, Hall is only six-feet tall and lacks the arm to make all the NFL throws. Skelton, conversely, is a 6-5 power passer who can fire the ball into small windows. The big Texan is raw in terms of his technique and delivery, but has the physical tools to be an effective starter one day. Hall may be the more polished player at this point, but he doesn’t
Arrelious Benn Turning the Corner
Rick Stroud of the St. Petersburg Times wrote that Arrelious Benn has been impressing coaches with a string of big-time plays, including a fingertip TD catch Friday. “Arrelious Benn is really starting to come into his own,” coach Raheem Morris said. “You’re starting to see some plays from him. He’s making splash plays. What he’s been able to do, constantly, every day he’s getting better.”
Mancini’s Take: Although fellow rookie Mike Williams has been the one making headlines recently with his superior play, the Bucs need both Williams and Benn to emerge as the top two receiving targets in an offense short on reliable weapons. Second-year man Sammie Stroughter is a fine route runner who can sniff out openings in the middle of the field, but his less-than-ideal size and lack of elite speed make him more of a number three/slot receiver. Veterans Maurice Stovall, Michael Clayton and Reggie Brown, on
Tune-In: Rick Serritella on CBS Houston 610
Join NFL Draft Bible Founder Rick Serritella on CBS Radio Houston 610 LIVE at 9:15pm ET, as he joins host John Wessling to discuss the NFL Class of 2010 Hall of Fame inductees, draft prospects of Texas schools (Keenum, Johnson, Gilbert) and of course, Texans football. Giddy-up and come on down!
HOF: On Location With Russ Grimm | Hog Heaven
Oink! Oink! The first of the famed “Hogs”, Russ Grimm, has arrived in Canton to take his place among the best ever in the hollowed halls.
Appearing in five NFC Championship Games over his 11-year career, the four-time Pro Bowler said that the “so-called” skill position guys—quarterbacks, wide receivers, running backs—have a bit of an easier time getting recognized for their play, but added that “talent seems to show itself no matter what football team you’re on or where you play.” The satisfaction of getting in as something other than a “so-called” skill position guy made Grimm’s induction just a little bit better.
One of the greatest experiences in covering the Hall of Fame inductions is witnessing the humble feelings expressed by the greatest players as they near enshrinement. At Friday’s luncheon, the 51-year-old Grimm said he “was thrilled to death” to hear from other HOF’ers like
Bo Marchionte of NFL Draft Bible on WHBQ 56
NFL Draft Bible correspondent Bo Marchionte joins Sportstime Extra with Dave Woloshin and Brett Norsworthy on WHBQ 56 Memphis, as they discuss the hot topics from around the league.
Jerry Rice | Small School Product Is G.O.A.T.
During the media session of the Hall of Fame Friday Jerry Rice was asked by yours truly if he thought he would end up being a San Francisco 49er back in 1985. He said flat “No”.
Here is this kid from Mississippi Valley State who grew up catching bricks with his father he couldn’t imagine the thought of being taken so early.
Rice admitted that even when he was having success in college, “He didn’t know” if the NFL was going to be his next stop. The career record holder in yards, catches and touchdowns by a wide receiver admitted that there was “A lot of speculation that I would get selected in the first round,” not knowing if it would truly happen or not.
“The reason why is
Emmitt Smith | Leading Rusher Joins Legends
Emmitt Smith didn’t blast out of the gate like Eric Dickerson did during his rookie season. In fact, Smith’s 937 rushing yards were fewer than quarterback Randall Cunningham’s 942 in 1990. Following that, however, Smith carved out a career like no other.<br
After Smith’s 15 seasons in the NFL, one analogy that surprised the media assembled at the 2010 Hall of Fame came from the former Florida Gator himself, who compared his career to a bowl of gumbo.<br
The former Cowboy said, “I look at everything as a big bowl of gumbo. It takes a lot of ingredients to make that gumbo good. You can have okra gumbo that’s not as good…you could have a seafood gumbo from the bayou that’s very good…there is a difference between the two.”<br
John Randle | From Undrafted To Hall of Fame
NFL Draft Bible correspondent Bo Marchionte ‘on location’ with newly inducted John Randle at the NFL Hall of Fame:
Known for his face paint and crazy persona during his playing days, John Randle laughed when asked when the Hall of Fame became a reality for him. Randle said, “When I heard my wife screaming in the other room.” Now the former undrafted kid from Texas prepares to stand in front of the finest football players to ever play on the gridiron and pull the blanket off his bust.
As an undrafted player, Randle didn’t enjoy the simple ease of signing that lucrative contract; he had to battle for recognition and let his game mature while he found his way. Playing at tiny Texas A&I, the
Riley Cooper | Eagles’ New Secret Weapon
ESPN’s Matt Mosley reports that Philadelphia’s fifth round pick Riley Cooper has been making strides in practice while getting extra reps in practice due to Desean Jackson sitting out with an injury. He made a diving catch in the flat after a ball was tipped and has apparently become a fan favorite in Philly.
Franek’s Take: With Desean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin securing their one and two spots on the depth chart there appears to be an open space for the third receiver position. With Jason Avant underperforming in 2009 it looks as though Cooper will, at minimum, be in a time share with him in 2010. He stands at 6’4” and gives the receiving corps much needed size with both Jackson and Maclin being smaller speedsters. He could become a great possession receiver and be looked to often on third downs. At Florida he was