SBNation.com User Blog: Craig Powers

• Brandon Albert trade rumors return; Dolphins interested?

• Broncos likely to host Ravens in Week 1

• Tjarks: What Marcus Smart's decision means

Rutgers coaching search: Eddie Jordan reportedly agrees to take over alma mater

Craig Powers — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 19:23:53 -0000

Eddie Jordan has agreed to become the new head basketball coach at Rutgers, according to multiple reports. The contract is expected to be for five years and pay $1.3 million annually. Jordan takes over for Mike Rice, who was fired after a tape of him verbally and physically abusing players was leaked to the public.

More: Rutgers blog On the Banks

Jordan played at Rutgers from 1973 to 1977, where he set multiple school records. He then moved on to the NBA for an eight-year career that included stints with the Cavaliers, Nets, Blazers and Lakers.

This isn't Jordan's first experience on Rutgers' coaching staff. He worked as an assistant with the school multiple times after his retirement as a player before moving on to coach in the NBA. His first head coaching job was with the Sacramento Kings in 1997, but that was short-lived as he was fired in 1998. Jordan got a second chance with the Wizards from 2004 to 2008 and another with the Sixers in 2009 and 2010.

Dave White of On the Banks believes Jordan's biggest challenge initially won't be bringing in new talent, but making sure the current team is left somewhat intact:

But Jordan has to get moving right away. Following on the heels of Mike Poole's transfer request, Eli Carter asked for his transfer release as well. Jordan is going to have to sell himself to the team before he can even think about recruits. Will Poole, Carter, Jerome Seagears, Vince Garrett, and Malick Kone all transferring, Rutgers would be left with 5 scholarship players.

With so few players on the roster, the task will be difficult for Jordan at Rutgers. However, White points out that he is likely to keep some of the former staff around. That could help with current players as well as potential recruits.

More in College Basketball:

• Kevin Ware rehabbing with "Mamba mentality"

• Casual Hoya: Otto Porter enters NBA draft

• 5 biggest questions for 2013-14

• Trey Burke's amazing ascent to the top

NFL Draft 2013: Mike Mayock ranks D.J. Hayden as top corner

Craig Powers — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 18:13:41 -0000

NFL Draft analyst Mike Mayock believes Houston's D.J. Hayden to be the best available cornerback, and doesn't see him making it past Cincinnati at No. 21. Mayock revealed his new draft rankings on Thursday in a conference call, and added that the Titans are also a potential landing spot for Hayden at No. 10. The draft pundit graded Hayden as the best ball-hawking cornerback in the draft.

More: Mocking the Draft

If NFL teams are thinking like Mayock, then that is a big change from Hayden's original status. He did not appear in SB Nation's latest first-round NFL mock draft, which instead had Alabama's Dee Milliner as the top cornerback heading to San Diego at No. 11. Dan Kadar pegged Hayden as the 75th-best prospect in his Top 200 Big Board, and No. 12 among corners.

Kadar evaluated Hayden as a corner who plays best off the ball, where he can utilize his speed and quickness:

In pass coverage, Hayden often played off man coverage with safety help over the top. That allowed him to break on the ball to make a play. It's a system that perfectly suited Hayden. He's a quick-movement cornerback who can bait a quarterback before breaking on the ball to break up the pass. Hayden's instincts and anticipation skills are very good.

NFL.com gives Hayden a grade of 66.6, the 26th-highest grade at his position. Apparently Hayden's 4.33 40-yard dash time from Houston's pro day made a big impression, because he had initially been evaluated as a late-round prospect.

More from SB Nation:

• Brandon Albert trade rumors return; Dolphins interested?

• Broncos likely to host Ravens in Week 1

Tim Tebow's QB coach says Mark Sanchez should be Jets starter

Craig Powers — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 16:58:48 -0000

Tim Tebow's quarterback coach, Steve Clarkson, has been campaigning for his pupil to start in the NFL, but he believes Mark Sanchez should be under center for the Jets, according to Marc Sessler of NFL.com. Clarkson added that if Tebow were to become a starter in the NFL, then it would be on a different team.

More: Jets blog Gang Green Nation

That may happen soon, as the Jets could release Tebow after next week's NFL Draft. The team is hoping that the trade market for the former Heisman winner will pick up after the draft dust settles. Despite the rumors, the quarterback still showed up to New York's minicamp this week.

Sessler says that Clarkson doesn't believe himself to be Tebow's personal coach, but rather an adviser brought in to offer an opinion. That opinion has been that Tebow can be a starter in the NFL and has fixed his throwing motion. Clarkson tweeted his proof in the form of an odd picture that may or may not prove that Tebow is actually a dinosaur.

The Jets sent two draft picks to Denver for Tebow, but he played sparingly behind Sanchez in 2012. Tebow attempted just eight passes and was used primarily in the wildcat formation, where he ran the ball 32 times.

More from SB Nation:

• Brandon Albert trade rumors return; Dolphins interested?

• Broncos likely to host Ravens in Week 1

Branden Albert rumors: Dolphins reportedly given permission to speak with Chiefs LT

Craig Powers — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 16:13:34 -0000

The Kansas City Chiefs have given the Miami Dolphins permission to speak with left tackle Branden Albert, according to ESPN's John Clayton. The two teams are negotiating a trade for that would send a second-round pick to Kansas City. Clayton adds that Albert will visit the Dolphins' facility soon for a physical.

Poll results: Should Chiefs trade Albert for a 2nd round pick?

If Albert passed the physical, the next hurdles would likely be agreeing on the framework of a long-term deal with Miami and completed a trade with Kansas City.

There have been clear signs that Albert was on his way out of Kansas City recently. He didn't show up to the team's offseason workout program in early April, and was a no-show for Chiefs minicamp this week. Albert was the only player missing from both events.

Trade rumors surrounding the left tackle have been ongoing for much of the offseason. To protect themselves, the Chiefs placed the franchise tag on Albert, but have not signed him to a long-term deal.

Albert has started 71 games since Kansas City drafted him with the 15th-overall pick in 2008.

More from SB Nation:

• Brandon Albert trade rumors return; Dolphins interested?

• Is Packers-Vikings the NFL's best rivalry?

Those attending the Washington spring game can find parking information here.

2013 Washington spring game: How to watch or attend

Craig Powers — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 14:15:10 -0000

The Washington Huskies will hold their annual spring game on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET in the Seattle Center's Memorial Stadium. The game will be broadcast Pac-12 Networks, as part of the channel's coverage of all 12 conference spring games.

More: Washington blog UW Dawg Pound

The Huskies were vastly improved on defense last year, but took a step back on the offensive side of the ball. That was due in large part to the struggles of the offensive line, which endured a number of key injuries. Erik Kohler, Colin Tanigawa, and Shane Brostek all missed time last year and could factor into things this season. The holdovers from last season are looking much improved, according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. A more reliable front could help senior quarterback Keith Price return to his sophomore form, when he was leading a high-powered Husky passing attack.

There are questions as to who Price will be targeting next season. Top wideout Kasen Williams returns along with inside man Jaydon Mickens. However, tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins is suspended indefinitely after being charged for driving under the influence. The third wide receiver is still up for grabs, but Condotta points out that DiAndre Campbell may be emerging as the starter and has impressed head coach Steve Sarkisian.

Game time, TV schedule: 7 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Networks

More from SB Nation:

Follow @SBNationCFB Follow @SBNRecruiting

• Kentucky, football state: SB Nation visits the Cardinals and Wildcats

• Jadeveon Clowney scores impromptu touchdown

• Star quarterbacks of tomorrow: what’s it take to win the Elite 11?

• Tons of spring game coverage

• National recruiting coverage

• Today’s college football news headlines

NFL Mock Draft 2013: Is Cordarrelle Patterson a fit for the Steelers?

Craig Powers — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 19:53:10 -0000

The Pittsburgh Steelers have become more and more pass-oriented in recent years with Ben Rothliesberger at the helm, and they may be looking to give the quarterback another weapon in this year's draft. Many pundits have the Steelers picking a wide receiver with the No. 17 selection.

More: Steelers blog Behind the Steel Curtain

SB Nation's Matthew Fairburn projected the Steelers to pick Tennessee wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson on Monday, believing he could be a replacement for departed receiver Mike Wallace. Fairburn also believed the Steelers could draft Patterson if they were to lose another starting receiver:

With the departure of Mike Wallace, and the possible departure of Emmanuel Sanders, the Steelers need to find a receiver to play opposite Antonio Brown. Cordarrelle Patterson's ability to make plays in the vertical passing game would be a huge asset for Pittsburgh's offense.

Sanders will be staying in Pittsburgh. Will that mean a change in priorities for the Steelers? Fairburn wasn't the only mock drafter sending Patterson to the Steel City. NFL.com's Bucky Brooks seconded that notion. His colleague Matt Smith also went the wide receiver route with Cal's Keenan Allen.

Charles Davis and Daniel Jeremiah believe Pittsburgh will draft their next potential dominant linebacker by grabbing Georgia's Jarvis Jones. That line of thinking may be more accurate with Sanders hanging around Pittsburgh.

More from SB Nation:

NFL Mock Draft 2013: Jets and Giants picks both hard to pin down

Craig Powers — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 17:36:57 -0000

The NFL Draft is fast approaching, and teams are narrowing their big boards in hopes of getting their top selection. The Jets and Giants both have needs to fill, but prognosticators don't agree on how they will do that.

More: Jets blog Gang Green Nation Giants blog Big Blue View

Jets

The New York Jets have plenty of needs to fill, so it's natural for pundits to disagree on how they would use the ninth pick. Many see them addressing the defensive line, while there is an argument to be made for the other side of the ball.

SB Nation's Matthew Fairburn believes the Jets will be looking for a playmaker to help their struggling quarterbacks. He has them grabbing speedy wide receiver Tavon Austin out of West Virginia:

The Jets are sure to be interested in a quarterback at some point on draft weekend, but with Geno Smith off the board, the Jets go another direction but still add an impact offensive player. Tavon Austin would give the Jets some much needed speed on offense provide a weapon for whoever they choose to start at quarterback.

The panel at NFL.com unanimously believes New York will use the No. 9 pick on a defensive end. Both Daniel Jeremiah and Akbar Gbajabiamila both project the Jets to grab BYU's Ziggy Ansah. Charles Davis has them grabbing LSU's Barkevious Mingo, while Bucky Brooks believes the pick will be Oregon's Dion Jordan.

Giants

The Giants lost Osi Umenyiora this offseason, and Fairburn has them filling that void with the No. 19 pick. He projects the team to grab defensive end Tank Carradine. Fairburn believes If Carradine returns to form after rehabbing from injury, New York would be getting a steal:

Carradine will run for scouts before the draft. Provided everything goes smoothly, he should be a first-round pick. If not for his torn ACL in November, he may have been the first defensive end off the board and a top-10 pick.

Just as with the Jets, there is plenty of mystery surrounding who the Giants will select. NFL.com's Davis and Jeremiah project the team to grab tackle D.J. Fluker. The rest of the panel has different ideas. Brooks has the Giants picking Georgia linebacker Alec Ogletree, and Gbajabiamila believes it will be Florida State safety Matt Elam.

More from SB Nation:

NFL Mock Draft 2013: Geno Smith and the Eagles

Craig Powers — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 18:53:23 -0000

While many teams may hope for instant improvement with the No. 4 pick in the NFL Draft, the Eagles appear to be looking beyond 2013 with their selection. Quarterback Michael Vick has proven to be unreliable, and Philadelphia may be looking to prepare a replacement.

More: Eagles blog Bleeding Green Nation

SB Nation's Matthew Fairburn joins others in projecting the Eagles to grab West Virginia's Geno Smith. The West Virginia quarterback is unlikely to start next year, but it's never too early to look for the next franchise leader:

How can a team drafting in the top five take a backup quarterback? Because starter Michael Vick is entering the final year of his contract. Multiple trusted reporters and analysts have been penciling in Smith to the Eagles, so it may not be smoke screen.

NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah agrees with Fairburn, and has the Eagles picking Smith. Bucky Brooks believes Geno Smith will be off the board and the team will grab Texas A&M tackle Luke Joeckel. Akbar Gbaja-Biamila also has the Eagles selecting Joeckel, but they would be passing on Smith in his projection. Charles Davis agrees that Philadelphia won't go the quarterback direction and has it picking Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner instead.

More from SB Nation:

Chip Kelly incorporates read option into Eagles minicamp

Craig Powers — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 19:34:31 -0000

Chip Kelly has the Philadelphia Eagles working on the read option during minicamp, according to Geoff Mosher of CSN Philadelphia. The play was the base of Kelly's offensive attack at the University of Oregon and helped him create one of the most prolific offenses in the NCAA.

More: Eagles blog Bleeding Green Nation

The read option spread across the NFL last season, with a number of teams utilizing the play effectively. Eagles quarterback Michael Vick seems to be a natural fit to run the style. His speed and running ability allow him to be a dangerous threat should he hold onto the ball, and that will make life even more difficult in the running game for defensive ends.

Vick's passing ability will likely determine whether or not he can guide a potent Eagles offensive attack. Quarterbacks like Russell Wilson, Colin Kaepernick and Robert Griffin III, who were able to combine effective passing with speed, were best able to exploit defenses last year.

More from SB Nation:

Bengals reportedly break off talks with James Harrison

Craig Powers — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 17:43:51 -0000

The Bengals are no longer negotiating with free agent linebacker James Harrison, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Harrison has been looking for a new home after the Steelers cut him in early March. The veteran could not agree on a lower salary with Pittsburgh. Rapoport adds that the Bengals are now in discussions with Karlos Dansby.

More: Bengals blog Cincy Jungle

The break with the Steelers was far from mutual. Harrison has attempted to sign with an AFC North team to get the chance at playing his former team twice a season. After being spurned by the Ravens, and now the Bengals, he is running out of options. Harrison will have to start looking beyond his longtime division for new employment.

Harrison has had trouble staying on the field in recent years, be it from suspension or injury. The linebacker has missed eight games in the last two seasons and hasn't come anywhere near the production of his breakout year in 2008. He tallied 16.5 sacks then and followed it up with double-digit sack counts in the next two campaigns.

More from SB Nation:

• Bears GM: No regrets for Urlacher situation

• The NFL draft's most overrated QBs

2013 NFL Mock Draft: Patriots looking to bolster secondary

Craig Powers — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 16:59:13 -0000

The New England Patriots struggled in defending the pass last season, and most pundits believe the team will address that issue in next week's NFL Draft. Where disagreements come is whether New England will pick to improve their pass rush or coverage.

SB Nation's Matthew Fairburn believes the Patriots will opt for the latter. He has New England grabbing Blidi-Wreh Wilson out of Connecticut with the No. 29 pick. Fairburn adds that the team has taken a look at the cornerback, and he is among a number of options at the position late in the first round:

Blidi Wreh-Wilson may be a surprise to some, but he's a name to keep an eye on late in the first round. A run on cornerbacks could start in this range of the draft, and the Patriots have shown some interest in the Connecticut defensive back. He's flying under the radar, but Wreh-Wilson is in the mix in the second tier of cornerbacks.

Two members of NFL.com's four-man draft panel agree that New England will draft for the secondary. Charles Davis projects the Patriots will go with Florida free safety Matt Elam, while Daniel Jeremiah believes the team will take Boise State cornerback Lamar Taylor. Bucky Brooks thinks the Pats will look to bolster the pass rush by selecting SMU defensive end Margus Hunt.

Akbar Gbajabiamila is the odd man out among prognosticators, as he has New England going with offense and taking Tennessee wide receiver Justin Hunter.

More from SB Nation:

• Bears GM: No regrets for Urlacher situation

• The NFL draft's most overrated QBs

Ben Roethlisberger excited about Emmanuel Sanders' return to Steelers

Craig Powers — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 16:32:44 -0000

The Pittsburgh Steelers are keeping wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders around, and that makes quarterback Ben Roethlisberger happy, according to Mike Prisuta of WDVE. Roethlisberger was a big proponent of bringing Sanders back and sang his praises after Pittsburgh matched New England's restricted free agent offer sheet for the wideout.

More: Steelers blog Behind the Steel Curtain

"He’s a lot better than people give him credit for being," Roethlisberger said of Sanders. "He’s really smart."

Sanders appeared in all 16 games for the first time in 2012, and received a career-high 74 targets. He caught 59 percent of those targets for 626 yards and one touchdown. That was good for 8.5 yards per target, a solid number for a team's fourth option and slot receiver who catches primarily short passes.

When looking at the advanced stats, it appears Roethlisberger is on to something when saying Sanders deserves more credit. Football Outsiders' DVOA efficiency statistic rated the wideout as the most efficient receiver on Pittsburgh's roster, measuring him nearly 12 percent better than average. Even more impressive is that he led the team in DYAR, a stat that measures the total number of yards a player contributes over a replacement (average) player despite getting the fourth-most targets.

More from SB Nation:

• Bears GM: No regrets for Urlacher situation

• The NFL draft's most overrated QBs