Author Archives: NFL Draft News Feed

Da’Quan Bowers | Re-Check of Knee Not Good

Clemson defensive end Da’Quan Bowers has received a less-than-positive medical re-check following his visit to Indianapolis, according to several NFL sources.

His surgically repaired right knee evidently shows signs not only of possible arthritis, but also some instability which might lead to future surgeries and the need to rest him during practices and some team doctors can read this medical update as a sign that Bowers could have a shorter-than-normal NFL career.

Bowers right knee has been an issue in the past as he missed three games in 2009 with a sprained right knee and there is the possibility that any disparity between the strength and overall stability when comparing his left and right knee could be drawn back to this original injury.

In his defense, Bowers has just started to be full-go across the board with his training,

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On The Clock: No. 31 Pittsburgh Steelers

On The Clock: No. 31 Pittsburgh Steelers: 12-4, 1st In the AFC North

General Manager: Kevin Colbert (12th Year), Head Coach: Mike Tomlin (5th Year), Offensive Coordinator: Bruce Arians (5th Year), Defensive Coordinator: Dick LeBeau (8th Year)

Offense Rankings: No. 14 Overall, No. 12 Scoring, No. 14 Passing, No. 11 Rushing

Defense Rankings: No. 2 Overall, No. 1 Scoring, No. 12 Passing, No. 1 Rushing

The Five Year Plan – Record: 51-29; Last Playoff Appearance: 2010; Last Playoff Victory: 2010 Season (24-19 Over the New York Jets)

2010 Draft: (1-18) C Maurkice Pouncey, (2-52) OLB Jason Worilds, (3-82) WR Emmanuel Sanders, (4-116) OLB Thaddeus Gibson, (5-151) OT Chris Scott, (5-164) CB Crezdon Butler, (5-166) OLB Stevenson Sylvester, (6-188) RB Jonathan Dwyer, (6-195) WR Antonio Brown, (7-242) DE Doug Worthington

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Team Needs: Carolina Panthers

Carolina Panthers: Team Needs Rookie Review On The Clock Insider Podcast

2011 NFL Draft–

  • QB – After drafting quarterbacks Jimmy Clausen and Tony Pike in last year’s draft, the Panthers have depth at the position, especially if they re-sign Matt Moore. However, the one thing they are lacking is performance. Carolina ranked last in the league last season averaging less than 150 passing yards per game. With new offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski added to the coaching roster, changes seem to be looming. Chudzinski may try to lure Chargers backup Billy Volek, who is a free agent. The 35-year-old veteran would provide guidance for the young Carolina quarterbacks, having run Chudzinski’s offense in San Diego.
  • WR – With 11-year veteran Steve Smith leading the team with only 554 receiving yards last season, it’s obvious the Panthers are in desperate need of some more

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Rookie Review: Pittsburgh Steelers

2010 NFL Draft Class–

(1-18) Maurkice Pouncey, C, Florida: The former Gator has not only started every game but was also selected to the AFC Pro Bowl squad. Pouncey’s incredible upper body strength helps him blow people off the line. Grade: A+

(2-52) Jason Worilds, OLB, Virginia Tech: As part of Pittsburgh’s next generation of linebackers, Worilds spent most of his first year learning the system and playing special teams. The college end did flash some of his quickness and strong hands on two quarterback sacks during the regular season. Grade: C+

(3-82) Emmanuel Sanders, WR, SMU: Sanders really came on during the second half of the season by confounding opponents with his speed, as well as his quickness in and out of cuts. The dynamic receiver was also a dangerous returner and hard-hitting coverage man on kickoffs. Grade: A-

(4-116) Thaddeus Gibson,

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Poll: Aaron Williams | Corner or Free Safety?

The NFL Draft Bible recently conducted an internal organizational poll, which asked: “Should Texas defensive back Aaron Williams remain at cornerback or switch to free safety at the NFL level?” The Results: Tie 3-3

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Ric Serritella Free Safety

Daniel Mogollon Cornerback

Ross Mandel Cornerback

Ralph Mancini Free Safety

Bo Marchionte Free Safety

Joe Everett Cornerback

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Pro Cornerback:

Understandable why teams are viewing Aaron Williams as safety but it makes sense to see what he can do as a cornerback first. Sure, there may not be a “Williams Island” anytime soon but he can be a very good corner at the next level. His fluidity in coverage would be somewhat wasted at the safety position.

Pro Free Safety:

Free safety. He allows too much

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Team Needs: New York Jets

New York Jets: Team Needs Rookie Review On The Clock Insider Podcast

2011 NFL Draft–

OLB – The Jets have to find a way to get to the passer more often without elaborate schemes and disguises. Veteran Calvin Pace has been effective in his outside linebacker role but he’s been injury prone and needs help on the opposite side to generate more pressure on the quarterback.  This defense is not far off but they definitely need more edge rushers to make things even more difficult on the rest of their division.

NT – New York is strong up front but they have some key pieces that they’ll need to replace soon and one of them is Kris Jenkins. Jenkins was lost for the season due to another knee injury and the club has all but sapped the life out of Trevor Pryce. 

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Poll: Akeem Ayers or Justin Houston?

The NFL Draft Bible recently conducted an internal organizational poll, which asked: “Which outside linebacker will be selected first in the 2011 NFL Draft?” – Akeem Ayers of UCLA or Justin Houston of Georgia. The Results: 4-2 for Justin Houston.

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Ric Serritella Houston

Daniel Mogollon Houston

Ross Mandel Houston

Ralph Mancini Houston

Bo Marchionte Ayers

Joe Everett Ayers

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Pro Ayers:

Ayers versatility will result in more teams taking a gander at him, while Houston is more pigeon holed as a 3-4 OLB type.  Ayers can do more things and has more hype.

Pro Houston:

While Akeem Ayers is the more well-rounded player at this point, again it is about getting to the quarterback with many of these prospects and that plays into Justin Houston’s strength.

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Rookie Review: Carolina Panthers

Carolina Panthers: Team Needs Rookie Review On The Clock Insider Podcast

2010 NFL Draft Class–

(2-48) Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame: Statistically, the blond bomber was the worst player at his position among quarterbacks with at least 250 pass attempts. He failed to establish any sort of rhythm with his receivers and his pocket presence was beyond awful. His inability to step forward in the pocket under pressure really hampered the entire offense. Then again, Clausen was nowhere near ready to start when he declared for the draft last year. Grade: D-

(3-78) Brandon LaFell, WR, LSU: He showed that he belonged from the get-go. The big receiver really turned it on in the second half of the year, as he began coming down with tough catches on third down. LaFell has the size, speed, hands and run-after-catch skills to flourish as

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Team Needs: Pittsburgh Steelers

2011 NFL Draft–

  • OG – One of the main reasons for the team’s success this past season was the added protection for Ben Roethlisberger. However, he was still sacked more than forty times. Chris Kemoeatu is one of the strong points of the line but there was fluctuation at the other guard position. Doug Legursky provided key backup at the center and guard positions throughout the season, most notably filling in for rookie Maurkice Pouncey. The Steelers have been without stability at the guard position since Alan Faneca played for them and they may search for some added depth in the draft.
  • CB – Both Ike Taylor and William Gay are up for free agency this offseason and re-signing both should be high priority. If the Steelers feel they are unable to retain both, the cornerback position could become top priority.

On The Clock: No. 30 New York Jets

On The Clock: No. 30 New York Jets: 11-5, 2nd In the AFC East

General Manager: Mike Tannebaum (6th Year), Head Coach: Rex Ryan (3rd Year), Offensive Coordinator: Brian Shottenheimer (6th Year), Defensive Coordinator: Mike Pettine (3rd Year)

Offense Rankings: No. 11 Overall, No. 13 Scoring, No. 22 Passing, No. 4 Rushing

Defense Rankings: No. 3 Overall, No. 6 Scoring, No. 6 Passing, No. 3 Rushing

The Five Year Plan – Record: 43-37; Last Playoff Appearance: 2010; Last Playoff Victory: 2010 Season (28-21 Over the New England Patriots)

2010 Draft: (1-29) CB Kyle Wilson, (2-61) OT/OG Vladimir Ducasse, (4-112) RB Joe McKnight, (5-139) FB John Conner

Top Picks Last Five Years:

2010 – (1-29) CB Kyle Wilson, Boise State

2009 – (1-5) QB Mark Sanchez,

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