Original article:

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen said on ESPN Radio Thursday morning that two high-profile AFC West players could be available during the draft. Mortensen said Oakland could move running back Darren McFadden and San Diego could trade linebacker Shawne Merriman.

The McFadden talk is surprising. He was the No. 4 overall pick in 2008. McFadden hasn’t made much of an impact and has often been injured. Still, as of now, McFadden and Michael Bush are expected to carry the load at running back for Oakland. Justin Fargas was released earlier this offseason.

If the Raiders want to trade McFadden, perhaps they are preparing to draft a running back. Clemson running back C.J. Spiller has the world-class speed that Oakland owner Al Davis craves, but so does McFadden. That’s why he was picked so high when Oakland had other glaring needs two years ago. Spiller would require Oakland’s’ top pick, which is No. 8 overall.

Perhaps the Raiders will look for a running back later in the draft. Still, I think dealing McFadden may be difficult because of his lack of production. Plus, this is a very deep running back class, so it would be surprising if a team gave up much for McFadden. There’s no way Oakland will get fair-market value in return. Oakland can’t just give away the No. 4 overall pick from two years ago. In the end, I’d be surprised if McFadden was traded.

I’d be less surprised if Merriman was sent packing, although I’m not necessarily expecting it. There has been talk of Merriman’s availability all offseason. Merriman would have to sign his restricted free-agency tender to facilitate a trade. If a team wanting to trade for Merriman is willing to give him a new contract, I’d imagine he wouldn’t have a problem signing his tender to kick start the trade.

Will these deals happen? We’ll see soon. It just adds to the excitement of the weekend.

 

Link

 

I can't imagine the Raiders expect to get a high draft pick for McFadden since his contract is high and he hasn't produced yet, so my question is what would you give up to bring him in?  Would Davis take Vick and a third day pick?  one of our 3rd rounders enough?  Would you even want McFadden here?  I still think we haven't seen his potential yet playing in Oakland even though Bush has done well behind that line.  I am tired of all the Berry/Thomas talk since I am at the point I will be let down if we don't get Berry so I wanted propose something else to chat about while we all wait for the draft to start.

This is pretty much a copy and paste from insider.  Will comment after article.

 

Philadelphia Eagles
Top needs: C/G, CB, LB, FS, DT, DE, P
First round (24): CB Kareem Jackson
Second-round (37*, 55): S Major Wright, G Jon Asamoah
Third-round (70, 87): LB Navorro Bowman, DT Lamarr Houston
Fourth-round (105, 121): S T.J. Ward, DE Greg Hardy
Summary: These aren't sexy picks, but the Eagles have done the work at the skill positions in recent drafts and now need to focus on specific weaknesses. Jackson has become, to me, the second-best corner in the draft, and isn't far behind Joe Haden. Asamoah is extremely steady and durable and adds strength to the interior of the offensive line. With a young QB in the huddle, coach Andy Reid should keep his team well-equipped to run the ball when they want to. Bowman has first-round talent, but size questions drop him. He'll have to show he can play week-to-week in the NFL. Hardy is a similar story, a player with a ton of talent who has dealt with nagging injuries at Ole Miss. Houston fits the scheme along the defensive interior, and Ward is, in some estimations, among the top five or six safeties in the draft.

 

I like going secondary with the first two picks assuming players we like are available, but I hope we do better than what he has.  I would love to find a way assuming we don't trade up to get any combination of Kyle Wilson/Kareem Jackson, Washington, and Nate Allen or Morgan Burnett with the first 3 picks.  I still think that leaves us with plenty of picks to address the OL.  Just wanted to get this up for those that don't have insider, I recall seeing a lot of Kiper is an idiot posts and once again I think he doesn't get us enough talent in the first 4 picks.

 

Original article with all NFC teams

Now that the deal is in place with Peters, do you really think the birds will stay at 21?  I know MANY of us love Knowshon, but we still have the ammo to move up  and we have the late picks to move up middle round picks.  So my question is WHAT now?  I am not the greatest at figuring out the values but what all the "experts" keep saying is that a pick at 21 is just as good as 10 in this draft, so if Andy really loves Donald Brown what could we get by dropping back to say ARI or early second round?  I think now that we have some studs, there will be some young blood coming in the form of new wr,rb, and te the question is where.  Sorry if this is redundant I just am so pumped now about next week and am going bat shit crazy wanting it to be here already.

In case you missed it, ESPN.com's Jeff Chadiha has an excellent column today on a new league rule that prevents defensive players from lunging to tackle quarterbacks. Eagles cornerback Sheldon Brown said he didn't think the rule would change how players approach the game.

"You're just going to see a lot more fines because of this [rule]," said Brown. "Nobody is going to take the time to get up off the ground to hit a quarterback. So you'll have guys make the play, pay the fines, write it off on their taxes and move on. Whoever made that rule is crazy."

Something tells me Commissioner Goodell won't be pleased with Brown's comments on ESPN.com. In fact, he may give the cornerback a head start on one of those fines. Also stick around and watch the Michael Strahan video.

 

Original Link

Former Seattle Seahawks fullback Leonard Weaver weaved his way through a handful of contract offers and accepted a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles Friday.

The contract, according to a source, is a one-year deal that will pay him $1.75 million but also has incentives that could take the deal to $2.5 million. Although there was more money on the table from a couple of other teams, Weaver felt more comfortable with the offensive opportunities in Philadelphia.

Weaver had been talking to the Vikings, Bucs, Seahawks and other teams, but he was hoping for the right deal from the Eagles. The Eagles didn't use much of the fullback last season. Weaver was coming off a season in Seattle in which he played more than 50 percent of the offensive snaps.

An undrafted 26-year-old who came to the Seahawks in 2005, Weaver is a fullback who can handle a lot of duties. He gets a few more carries than most fullbacks. He had 33 rushing attempts in 2007 and 30 in 2008. He's also a decent receiver out of the backfield. He caught 39 passes in 2007.

 

YAY!!!!!!

 

Obviously I am happy with this, even for above fb money.  I think the one year experiment will show Andy the value of someone like Weaver.

During a wide-ranging interview with the Eagles' Web site, Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid didn't sound like a man desperate to add another weapon at wide receiver. Here's what he said about the team's starters:

"I like our wide receivers. It was great to get DesSean [Jackson] in the action there. I think this is a big year for him because teams are going to do just like we're doing. They're studying our offense and they're going to study DeSean Jackson. They're going to slow it down, watch it, look at his tendencies, his physical abilities, what type of routes we're running him on, so we've got to take it to another level with DeSean. DeSean has to continue to work hard in this off-season, get stronger and more precise in his route running, all of those things. And then we have a big challenge as coaches of coming up with new things to make sure that he has an opportunity to catch the football.

"Kevin Curtis, I think the exciting thing about Kevin Curtis, is, even though he's a little bit older, in NFL years, fairly young. He had gone on a church mission when he was in college, so there is a two-year differential there in his NFL years compared to his age. Kevin is coming off sports hernia surgery that, as we know here, slow you down a little bit. I don't think Kevin was feeling what he normally feels as a football player until probably the last three games of the season and you were able to see that as we went into the playoffs.

"We've got young guys around them -- Hank Baskett and Reggie Brown, who is a starting-caliber player and who has started a lot of games for us. We consider him a starter in this mix. Jason Avant, you saw him bloom into this third receiver who was virtually unstoppable as an inside receiver. He just had a phenomenal year, and he was coming off a sports hernia surgery from the year before and was also banged up just a little bit as we went down the stretch. We expect good things from him and for him to take another step up."

Of course, Reid could be hedging his bets while the team prepares to go after Anquan Boldin. But if you look around the NFC East, it's not like the Eagles are at a disadvantage at the receiver position. At this point, they're certainly in better shape than the Redskins and Cowboys at receiver. And depending on what happens with Plaxico Burress in court, the Eagles might have the division's top unit.

 

Matt Mosley review of Reid interview

 

So this could be posturing in preparation for going after a WR by trade or in the draft or he could be completely honest like a lot of people insist here and that's that we don't really need a "#1" wr.  So does this throw off people's opinion about Andy taking a WR in the first 2 rounds of the draft?

Ohio State's Wells made up for an underwhelming combine performance by putting on a show for scouts in Columbus. It was the type of workout NFL brass have come to expect from a premier talent at his position, particularly after the shows put on by the likes of Adrian Peterson and Darren McFadden the past two years. Wells stood by many of his jumping and shuttle numbers from Indianapolis but significantly improved his 40 time in Indy (4.59 seconds) by running a pair in the sub-4.45 range. Just as impressive were his hands during pass-catching drills; this eases concerns regarding his inexperience in the passing game (only 15 receptions in three seasons at Ohio State).

Wells can rest easy knowing he showed NFL teams what he's made of physically. It's safe to say that if Wells falls out of the first half of the first round, it will be due almost entirely to concerns regarding his mental toughness and durability.

 

McShay pro day recap for Beanie and others

 

The question is does his apparent pass catching ability change anyone's mind or is it still knowshon! Knowshon!! KNOWSHON!!! all the way?

Personally I still want Knowshon if we go rb early.

 

21.

Kiper pick: Donald Brown, RB, Connecticut -- Brown could end up being one of the more productive rookie backs in 2009 because of his all-around skills and tremendous character.
McShay pick: Moreno -- Wells would be a better complement to Brian Westbrook in the short term but Moreno's versatility makes him a better fit to ultimately succeed Westbrook in the Eagles' pass-happy system. In the meantime, Moreno is fully capable of taking some of the load off Westbrook's shoulders.

 

28.

Kiper pick: Oher -- Oher is one of the more intriguing prospects in the draft. He's loaded with talent and can dominate the defensivehe's working against, but he also seems to have lapses in concentration when he struggles to keep his opponent at bay.
McShay pick: Eben Britton, OT, Arizona -- Britton has surprisingly quick feet for his size (6-foot-6, 309 pounds) and could ultimately develop into a better option than Winston Justice at the left tackle position vacated by Tre Thomas, who signed with the Jaguars.

 

Kiper had Knowshon going to the Saints at 14 which puzzles me since they have Bush and Thomas.

 

I know you shouldn't get attached to a player you aren't guaranteed to get but I REALLY want Knowshon and Pettigrew.

 

I know people have been posting mocks all the time and rumors but I didn't know if most people on this board had access to espn insider, so i wanted to put it up.  Sorry if this becomes the Department of Redundacy Department.

 

Insider Link to Full Mock Draft between Kiper/McShay

Maybe this is ridiculously stupid, but what about bringing in LT if the Chargers cut him to split time with BW at RB and then possibly have LT line up as RB and BW to line up in the slot, I mean what better weapons would there be to throw a def off it's gameplan? 

Also, with the news that Andre Smith's draft stock is plummeting, do you think the Birds would/should nab him if he falls to 21?  He definitely has some character issues, but his talent is hard to ignore.

Dr. Craig Morgan, who has consulted with Sixers team physician Dr. Jack McPhilemy on forward Elton Brand, said there’s a 50-50 chance Brand would have a recurrence of the dislocated shoulder sometime in his NBA career. If it happens again in 2008-09, Morgan told the Wilmington News Journal that Brand would have season-ending surgery and be out six months.

“After three weeks, when the pain is gone, he just needs to come back and play basketball and find out if it will hold up,” Morgan told the News Journal. “Nobody can give any more accurate information than that.”

According to Morgan, Brand has full range of motion, though he is dealing with some soreness. The injury is expected to sideline him for one month.

Brand, who signed a five-year, $82 million contract in July, suffered a fracture of the humeral head (bone) and a torn labrum from a bad fall in Wednesday’s win over the Bucks when he landed hard after going for a pump fake by Milwaukee’s Luc Mbah a Moute.

 SOURCE

 

 

Sometimes it's not just the moves that are made, but the timing of said moves. This afternoon the Charlotte Bobcats waived two players: Andre Brown and Linton Johnson III. A couple of weeks ago this would have raised no eyebbrows. Teams were cutting their rosters down to the required 15 for the start of the regular season. Now, however, it is more than a little suspisious. There has been plenty of trade talk surrounding the Bobcats, who have made all but public overtures to the New Jersey Nets and the Los Angeles Clippers, and are openly shopping Gerald Wallace in their desire to land a true center to play next to Emeka Okafor. Now they've suddenly waived two players, taking their roster down to 13. Sounds like the Bobcats have a taker, and that in the deal they're getting back more players than they're sending out. According to a couple of well-informed sources the Bobcats have been aggressively working the phone lines as they watch their attendance drop in direct proportion to their winning percentage. It sounds like we could see a huge move made by the Bobcats in the next few hours.

 

From:  http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/78335

I hope that there is not a deal for anyone on the Bobcats that includes ANYONE but TT.  It could be all speculation, but still.

The Los Angeles Clippers today signed veteran free agent swingman Ricky Davis to a multi-year contract, it was announced by Vice President of Basketball Operations Elgin Baylor. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not announced.

Carrying career averages of 14.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 31.1 minutes, Davis tallied 13.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 82 games played for the Miami Heat during the 2007-08 season. The 6-foot-7-inch Iowa product also connected on 420-971 FG (.433), 135-333 3FG (.405) and 155-197 FT (.787) on the year.

“We believe he will be a good addition,” Clippers Vice President of Basketball Operations Elgin Baylor said. “His versatility and ability to shoot from the outside will spread the floor and help our low post players.”

Davis turned in his most productive NBA season in 2002-03 with the Cleveland Cavaliers, averaging 20.6 points, 5.5 assists and 4.9 rebounds in 79 games played.

Davis was originally selected by the Charlotte Hornets in the first round (21st overall) of the 1998 NBA Draft, after one season at Iowa where he tallied 15.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.

 

Thoughts?

Ok, I think there is a critical issue we have yet to talk much about.  I am taking the positive route and am going to assume we are going to get Kelanna Azubuike.  So since we will have to start typing his name A LOT, I think we should come up with a consensus on a nickname.  Here are some to ponder :D

Buike

Azu

Kel

Good Burger without the Bun (stretch?)

Blazing Brit!

That dude who stole Maggs shoulders!

Future All Star :)

DUDE, we got him for HOW much?

Clash!  (London is calling reference, I know it was bad, leave me alone)

Bangers and DUNKS!

Sorry, I'm at work so the creative juices aren't really flowing, but you get the point.  What say YOU?

 

 

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3494107

 

I think this is a great offer, not much money to someone who could be a huge offensive spark off the bench.  In my opinion another great sign from management!  Golden State will have a week to match the offer, but with offers going out to Ellis and Beirdrins and Turiaf, will they resign Azubuike?  Multi year offer for $3m/year.  Great insurance if it's not match for EG to have time to develop and to prepare for the possible departure of Cat.

 

This is another thing to easily make me forget FElton! Go CLIPS!

 

Mike Dunleavy had dinner with Atlanta Hawks restricted free agent Josh Smith on Wednesday. Charlotte Bobcats forward Emeka Okafor, also a restricted free agent, is among their primary targets.

However, no offer sheet for either player is imminent. Also, the Hawks and Bobcats are expected to be eager to match any offers to retain their services. The Clippers can dissuade them from that by front-loading any offer and including hefty bonuses.

"We are going to take a step back and evaluate everything," Clippers President Andy Roeser said. -- Los Angeles Times

 

Roeser also said the team has a "blank check" from owner Donald Sterling to "do whatever is necessary" to put a great team together for next season. -- Los Angeles Daily News

 

"The big key for us now is not to make a bad decision about money, to explore the opportunities," Dunleavy said. "A lot of the free agents out there right now are restricted free agents. The teams can match. So it's not as easy to do. But the reality is that there may be ways to structure a contract that could put people in a bad way, and maybe they wouldn't be able to match. We're exploring what we think those options are." -- The Press-Enterprise

Hopefully Brand screwing us over will tick off enough people in the organization that will lead to Sterling using his money to build a contender every year.  It may hurt now, but if this leads to a new beginning for the Clips, I can absolutely live with it.