Tinker:
Getting from there to here is a look at the struggle of young men coming from the playgrounds and high schools playing football game across America. Who because of the sports itself learn how to become mature people as they try to become better college football players, dreaming of one day becoming professional football players.
Getting from there to here is a look at the struggle of young men coming from the playgrounds and high schools playing football game across America. Who because of the sports itself learn how to become mature people as they try to become better college football players, dreaming of one day becoming professional football players.
Only a small percentage of the young go on to play
pro football after college. The struggle is a harsh path of war torn
ground littered with talented youth who were eliminated with unlucky
injury or simply falling short in ability. Only the best and very determined, and lucky, football players make the pro football roll call.
-------------------------
http://vimeo.com/47588141
http://espn.go.com/college-
Auburn's
football program changed players' grades to secure eligibility, offered
money to potential NFL draft picks so they would return for their
senior seasons, and violated NCAA recruiting rules under former coach
Gene Chizik, according to a report by former New York Times and Sports
Illustrated writer Selena Roberts.
The report appears on Roberts' website, Roopstigo.com. According to three former Auburn players, as many as nine players' grades were changed before Auburn's win in the 2011 BCS national championship game.
"We thought we would be without (running back) Mike Dyer because he said he was one of them, but Auburn found a way to make those dudes eligible," former Auburn defensive lineman Mike Blanc told Roberts.
In an interview with AL.com on Wednesday, Blanc denied saying that quote. Blanc later tweeted: "Man this article is outrageous and isn't true."
ESPN.com's Chris Low and Edward Aschoff write about all things SEC football in the conference blog.
More:
• Blog network: College Football Nation
According to the report, Auburn coaches offered money to
players for any number of reasons, including as a means to convince
players to bypass the NFL draft.
Darvin Adams, a former Auburn wide receiver, told Roberts that coaches offered him cash to keep him at the school.
Blanc and Mike McNeil, another former Auburn player, told Roberts the money amounts reached "several thousand dollars."
"Coaches would say, 'Don't tell anyone where you got it from,' " Blanc told Roberts.
McNeil told Roberts he had a meeting with then-defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, now Florida's coach, in 2007. Muschamp denied McNeil's account to Roberts through a spokesperson.
"I had no clue what it was about because I'd never directly asked him for anything," McNeil told Roberts. "He slid about $400 over to me. He went into a drawer and gave me money and said, 'Is this enough? Is this good?' And I said, 'Yeah, I'm good.' "
Blanc told AL.com later Wednesday his knowledge of the payments was second-hand.
"Yeah. Me, personally, I don't have any direct knowledge of it," Blanc told AL.com "You just hear stuff. I'm pretty sure other guys on the team that know more, like guys that were closer to Darvin and these other players I know. Darvin probably would have told those guys. I know Mike and Darvin were really cool. Maybe Darvin could have shared some information with Mike. But, me, personally, I don't know nothing factual that any guys got any money."
An Auburn athletic department spokeman declined comment to AL.com, as did Chizik's agent, Russ Campbell.
McNeil is awaiting trial for armed robbery stemming from a March 2011 arrest. In June, his former teammate Antonio Goodwin was sentenced to 15 years in prison for his part in the incident. Ben Hand, McNeil's former attorney, maintained McNeil's innocence to Roberts.
Former Auburn defensive back Nieko Thorpe told Roberts that Auburn, in a team meeting, threatened players' scholarships if they contacted McNeil, Goodwin or the two other players arrested.
McNeil told Roberts he felt Auburn used him as a scapegoat at a time when the Tigers faced negative publicity from allegations that the father of star quarterback Cam Newton had asked for money during his son's recruitment. An NCAA investigation found Auburn committed no major rules violations in the Newton case.
"Maybe there is a fear in Auburn's mind that Michael knows too much," McNeil's father, Clifton, told Roberts. "Their fear is that Michael will expose the family secret. It's a way to silence him."
Thorpe also told Roberts the coaching staff far exceeded its NCAA-allotted per diem for entertaining recruits. Thorpe said coaches gave players $500 to entertain current Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, even though the NCAA reportedly limits expenses to less than $50 per day.
Thorpe also tweeted Wednesday that he was "misquoted" in Roberts' story.
Roberts defended her reporting to AL.com, saying she feels players are feeling pressure to soften their quotes.
"I think it's very difficult to take a strong stance and to tell the truth and then to have to deal with the consequences in a place where I think the story even shows that there is a great deal of pressure to keep what's in-house, in-house," Roberts said. "I think the entire sort of umbrella of the story explains just what's at risk for people who step outside the bounds. In some ways, it almost dovetails with the story that they may not know exactly what's going on. They may feel that kind of pressure to then alter what they said to me."
All of these allegations happened under Chizik, who guided Auburn to its first national title since 1957 after the 2010 season.
Chizik was fired after a 3-9 season last year.
-------------------------
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
2012 LSU Football Intro Video
--------------------------
http://www.tigerrag.com/?p=
By Tiger Rag News Services
BATON ROUGE - The accolades continue to flow in for the LSU men’s basketball signing class as Tim Quarterman of Johnson High in Savannah, Ga., was named on Tuesday the Class AAA Player of the Year in the state by the Georgia Sportswriters Association.
Quarterman’s coach Utaff Gordon was selected as the Class AAA Coach of the Year after guiding the Atom Smashers to the third state title in school history.
“Personally, I’ve been coaching so long, all I do is coach and try to put the best team on the floor,” Gordon said to SavannahNow.com. “To be honest, I’m embarrassed by it all. But I’m really happy for Tim (Quarterman). He’s a young guy and this is going to do a great deal for his confidence going forward.”
Quarterman, the Region 1-AAA Player of the Year who signed with the Tigers in the early signing period, excelled during the playoffs, leading the second-seeded Atom Smashers to the finals against Savannah High. Quarterman would have a game-high 21 as Johnson won, 61-51. The 6-5, 185-pounder averaged 20 points per game and had a season high of 35 against national power Oak Hill Academy of Virginia.
---------------------------
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/
http://vimeo.com/47588141
LSU 2011 Callin Baton Rouge Video
-------------------------http://espn.go.com/college-
Report: Auburn bribed players
Updated: April 4, 2013, 1:23 AM ET
ESPN.com news services
Report: Auburn Bribed Players
According
to a report by former New York Times and Sports Illustrated writer
Selena Roberts, Auburn paid players to return for their senior seasons
and changed grades to make players eligible for the BCS championship.
The report appears on Roberts' website, Roopstigo.com. According to three former Auburn players, as many as nine players' grades were changed before Auburn's win in the 2011 BCS national championship game.
"We thought we would be without (running back) Mike Dyer because he said he was one of them, but Auburn found a way to make those dudes eligible," former Auburn defensive lineman Mike Blanc told Roberts.
In an interview with AL.com on Wednesday, Blanc denied saying that quote. Blanc later tweeted: "Man this article is outrageous and isn't true."
SEC blog
ESPN.com's Chris Low and Edward Aschoff write about all things SEC football in the conference blog.More:
• Blog network: College Football Nation
Darvin Adams, a former Auburn wide receiver, told Roberts that coaches offered him cash to keep him at the school.
Blanc and Mike McNeil, another former Auburn player, told Roberts the money amounts reached "several thousand dollars."
"Coaches would say, 'Don't tell anyone where you got it from,' " Blanc told Roberts.
McNeil told Roberts he had a meeting with then-defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, now Florida's coach, in 2007. Muschamp denied McNeil's account to Roberts through a spokesperson.
"I had no clue what it was about because I'd never directly asked him for anything," McNeil told Roberts. "He slid about $400 over to me. He went into a drawer and gave me money and said, 'Is this enough? Is this good?' And I said, 'Yeah, I'm good.' "
Blanc told AL.com later Wednesday his knowledge of the payments was second-hand.
"Yeah. Me, personally, I don't have any direct knowledge of it," Blanc told AL.com "You just hear stuff. I'm pretty sure other guys on the team that know more, like guys that were closer to Darvin and these other players I know. Darvin probably would have told those guys. I know Mike and Darvin were really cool. Maybe Darvin could have shared some information with Mike. But, me, personally, I don't know nothing factual that any guys got any money."
An Auburn athletic department spokeman declined comment to AL.com, as did Chizik's agent, Russ Campbell.
McNeil is awaiting trial for armed robbery stemming from a March 2011 arrest. In June, his former teammate Antonio Goodwin was sentenced to 15 years in prison for his part in the incident. Ben Hand, McNeil's former attorney, maintained McNeil's innocence to Roberts.
Former Auburn defensive back Nieko Thorpe told Roberts that Auburn, in a team meeting, threatened players' scholarships if they contacted McNeil, Goodwin or the two other players arrested.
McNeil told Roberts he felt Auburn used him as a scapegoat at a time when the Tigers faced negative publicity from allegations that the father of star quarterback Cam Newton had asked for money during his son's recruitment. An NCAA investigation found Auburn committed no major rules violations in the Newton case.
"Maybe there is a fear in Auburn's mind that Michael knows too much," McNeil's father, Clifton, told Roberts. "Their fear is that Michael will expose the family secret. It's a way to silence him."
Thorpe also told Roberts the coaching staff far exceeded its NCAA-allotted per diem for entertaining recruits. Thorpe said coaches gave players $500 to entertain current Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, even though the NCAA reportedly limits expenses to less than $50 per day.
Thorpe also tweeted Wednesday that he was "misquoted" in Roberts' story.
Roberts defended her reporting to AL.com, saying she feels players are feeling pressure to soften their quotes.
"I think it's very difficult to take a strong stance and to tell the truth and then to have to deal with the consequences in a place where I think the story even shows that there is a great deal of pressure to keep what's in-house, in-house," Roberts said. "I think the entire sort of umbrella of the story explains just what's at risk for people who step outside the bounds. In some ways, it almost dovetails with the story that they may not know exactly what's going on. They may feel that kind of pressure to then alter what they said to me."
All of these allegations happened under Chizik, who guided Auburn to its first national title since 1957 after the 2010 season.
Chizik was fired after a 3-9 season last year.
-------------------------
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
2012 LSU Football Intro Video
--------------------------
http://www.tigerrag.com/?p=
LSU signee Tim Quarterman named Georgia AAA Player of the Year
April 3, 2013 - © 2013 Tiger Rag
Latest in series of honors for LSU’s 2013-14 class
By Tiger Rag News ServicesBATON ROUGE - The accolades continue to flow in for the LSU men’s basketball signing class as Tim Quarterman of Johnson High in Savannah, Ga., was named on Tuesday the Class AAA Player of the Year in the state by the Georgia Sportswriters Association.
Quarterman’s coach Utaff Gordon was selected as the Class AAA Coach of the Year after guiding the Atom Smashers to the third state title in school history.
“Personally, I’ve been coaching so long, all I do is coach and try to put the best team on the floor,” Gordon said to SavannahNow.com. “To be honest, I’m embarrassed by it all. But I’m really happy for Tim (Quarterman). He’s a young guy and this is going to do a great deal for his confidence going forward.”
Quarterman, the Region 1-AAA Player of the Year who signed with the Tigers in the early signing period, excelled during the playoffs, leading the second-seeded Atom Smashers to the finals against Savannah High. Quarterman would have a game-high 21 as Johnson won, 61-51. The 6-5, 185-pounder averaged 20 points per game and had a season high of 35 against national power Oak Hill Academy of Virginia.
---------------------------
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/
FOXsports
Mock draft: Who will go No. 1?
Andy Reid’s the new sheriff in town and he has two new veteran quarterbacks, too. In Alex Smith and Chase Daniel, Reid has a pair of capable West Coast offense quarterbacks who’ll likely battle for the starting gig this summer. Now that the quarterback position is taken care of, Reid and new GM John Dorsey will look to the offensive line. Joeckel had a great pro day and is the consensus No. 1 guy.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars: Sharrif Floyd, Defensive Tackle, Florida
Fresh off a week spent in Arizona at the annual league meetings, I can’t speak highly enough of the positive energy oozing from Jacksonville head coach Gus Bradley. The enthusiasm and passion is real and so is optimism around the future of the Jaguars. Though I wouldn’t rule out Geno Smith here, I think Floyd’s the pick. Floyd was a star at the Combine and is only going to pick up more positive buzz in the coming weeks. A Philadelphia native with quick feet and active hands, he can serve as an anchor to a defense that ranked dead last in the league in sacks a season ago.
3. Oakland Raiders: Star Lotulelei, Defensive Tackle, Utah
Though quiet, I like what the Raiders have been doing this offseason. They’re shedding the team of big contracts and adding valuable leaders and veterans like versatile linebackers Nick Roach and Kevin Burnett. After speaking with GM Reggie McKenzie in Arizona, I think they go defense. Lotulelei’s stock took a minor hit at the Combine when there were health concerns that kept him from working out. He performed well at his pro day and could be the next Haloti Ngata. McKenzie didn’t have a first- or second-round pick a year ago. I think he goes with Lotulelei at third overall. Already married with two daughters, Lotulelei's got his head on his shoulders. He’s a relentless worker with no ego — just the way McKenzie wants his players.
4. Philadelphia Eagles: Dion Jordan, Outside Linebacker, Oregon
5. Detroit Lions: Eric Fisher, Offensive Tackle, Central Michigan
Gosder Cherilus and Jeff Backus won’t be back with the Lions, so look for the team to upgrade its offensive line. A lot of folks I’ve spoken to like Fisher as much as Joeckel, if not more. The 6-foot-7, 310-pound road paver might not be around at fifth overall. If he is, look for the Lions to keep him in-state.
6. Cleveland Browns: Dee Milliner, Cornerback, Alabama
The Browns have begun an overhaul of their defense already, bringing in Desmond Bryant and Paul Kruger for big money earlier this month. Genaral manager Mike Lombardi worked with Nick Saban in Cleveland the first time around in 1994 and 1995. If Milliner’s healthy — there are legitimate concerns about his shoulder — he could be a great fit for the Browns' new-look defense. Paired with Joe Haden, Cleveland could have an answer for the passing attacks in Baltimore, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh.
7. Arizona Cardinals: Lane Johnson, Offensive Tackle, Oklahoma
Expecting to see a quarterback here? I don’t see it. Bruce Arians seems to like what he has in the three veterans currently on the roster — Carson Palmer, Drew Stanton and Brian Hoyer. Arians said the team will have their starting quarterback announced by May 1, and I just don’t see it being a rookie from this class. Instead, look for the Cardinals to go with an offensive lineman. Johnson is a super athlete who came on really strong in 2012 and owned the Senior Bowl and NFL Draft Scouting Combine. He could be the next left tackle in the desert.
8. Buffalo Bills: Geno Smith, Quarterback, West Virginia
9. New York Jets: Jarvis Jones, Outside Linebacker, Georgia
The Jets have needs all over their defense after bidding farewell to several veteran performers over the last two months. Jones, a star pass rusher at Georgia, didn’t perform at the Combine in February and then ran a so-so 40-yard-dash at his pro day in blistering winds last week. Don’t look too much into any of that. He’s a ferocious outside edge rusher who fits the Rex Ryan mold. Jones led the nation in sacks (14.5), tackles for a loss (24.5) and forced fumbles (seven) in 2012. He’d be a welcomed addition to a Jets defense that saw its sack totals dip last season.
10. Tennessee Titans: Ezekiel “Ziggy” Ansah, Defensive End, BYU
A freakishly athletic defensive end, more than one NFL player personnel man has told me they see some Jason Pierre-Paul in Ansah. He’s raw, he’s young and he’s a naturally gifted athlete. I love Ansah’s story. As a freshman at BYU in 2009, he tried out for the basketball team. He didn’t make it. Then he gave track and field a shot. After seeing football being played, he figured he’d give it a go. Two years after the first sight of American football in his life, Ansah’s a top-10 prospect. He assured the media he “loves” football at the Combine, and though he’s incredibly raw, there may be no player in this draft with more potential for stardom. Tennessee’s pass rush and run defense still needs to improve. Desperately. This is a bit of a roll of the dice, but the upside greatly outweighs the risk. Gregg Williams will teach him up quickly and have him playing at his full potential, no doubt.
11. San Diego Chargers: Chance Warmack, Guard/Center, Alabama
Warmack — apparently named after the dog in the movie “Homeward Bound 2” — was a man amongst boys in college at Alabama. At just 6-foot-2, 317 pounds, he measured in a bit smaller than I expected at the Combine. He’s still a can’t-miss here, if you’re the Chargers. They’d likely rather have Fisher, Johnson, or Joeckel, but Warmack is a Day 1 starter, too. Watching film of Philip Rivers from a season ago, it’s amazing how little time he had in the pocket. I’d be surprised if San Diego didn’t address its offensive line with this pick.
12. Miami Dolphins: Xavier Rhodes, Cornerback, Florida State
CIRCLE THE DATE
Now that the NFL's 2013 calendar year has begun, here's what fans have to look forward to.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Desmond Trufant, Cornerback, Washington
Tampa Bay hit the jackpot with its first three draft picks a season ago, nailing home runs with Mark Barron, Doug Martin, and Lavonte David. Trufant’s got the right blood lines—(two brothers who played in the NFL)--and the production at the college level to be worthy of a Top 15 pick. A lock-down guy, he was a star at the Senior Bowl and ran an eye-popping 4.31 40 at the Combine. This is higher than a lot of other mock drafts will list him, but I don’t think Trufant escapes the Top 20. Of course, this all changes if a certain guy named Revis joins the team in the coming weeks.
14. Carolina Panthers: Bjoern Werner, Defensive End, Florida State
The Panthers would be more than happy to see Werner drop to 14. A 6-foot-4 pass rusher with exceptional quickness and strength, he didn’t “wow” in Indianapolis, but shouldn’t slip out of the top 20. His 13 sacks led the ACC in 2012 and he left Tallahassee as the NCAA active leader in sacks with 23.5. Greg Hardy and Charles Johnson provide some pop from the edges in Carolina. Werner would be a wonderful addition at defensive end.
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Rob Ryan is the new defensive coordinator in the Big Easy and he’s going to need to add some capable defensive players ASAP. I loved the Keenan Lewis signing at cornerback. I think Mingo, a local fan favorite from his days at LSU, can get involved right from the start as an outside pass rusher in the 3-4. A relentless player with a bit of a mean streak, he fits the Sean Payton/Rob Ryan mold.
16. St. Louis Rams: Tavon Austin, Wide Receiver, West Virginia
I’m high on the Rams' two big free-agent signings this offseason, Jake Long and Jared Cook. The defense led the NFL in sacks a season ago and was the only unit to put the clamps on Colin Kaepernick. I wouldn’t be shocked if Jeff Fisher and Les Snead went D here, but I think they scoop up Austin if he’s still on the board. Danny Amendola is now in New England and neither Chris Givens or Brian Quick are really slot receiver types. Austin, one of the fastest players in this draft, is a game-changer.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Cordarelle Patterson, Wide Receiver, Tennessee
A JuCo star at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas, Patterson had a breakout year for the Vols in 2012 after No. 1 wideout Da’Rick Rogers was unceremoniously dismissed from the team last summer. Patterson’s numbers — 46 catches, 5 touchdowns — won’t wow you, but his athletic ability will. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound burner also broke several SEC return yard records in 2012. Mike Wallace is in Miami and Ben Roethlisberger needs a new deep threat. I could see Pittsburgh going a lot of ways, including defense, but I think Patterson is the guy if he’s still on the board.
18. Dallas Cowboys: Jonathan Cooper, Offensive Guard, North Carolina
Tony Romo had a big statistical year despite playing behind a terrible offensive line. Doug Free hasn’t been the player the Cowboys thought he’d be and Tyron Smith seemed to be called for a false start on every other play from scrimmage this season. Injuries stung, but there needs to be more good, young linemen protecting Romo. Cooper could be a great addition to the line. The 6-foot-2, 310-pounder pumped out 35 repetitions of 225 pounds and impressed in interviews. Not the flashiest of picks, but I like it. I’m also not sure if he’ll still be available all the way at 18.
19. New York Giants: Sheldon Richardson, Defensive Tackle, Missouri
Several familiar faces — Chris Canty, Osi Umenyiora and Kenny Phillips primarily — won’t be suiting up for the Giants next season. Look for Jerry Reese and Tom Coughlin to find some young talent in the Draft. Richardson is a pass rushing menace on the inside. He’s quick and nimble and has versatility.
20. Chicago Bears: D.J. Fluker, Offensive Tackle, Alabama
I think Jermon Bushrod was just the start of the offensive line upgrades in Chicago this offseason. Fluker is a beast, who, if his weight is kept in check, could be a tremendous pro. Marc Trestman’s going to be creative, different, and successful in building an offense around Cutler’s talents. He called Cutler “exceptionally tough” in Arizona last week and detailed how his quarterback can “make all the throws.” It’ll be a waste if the offensive line plays like it did in 2012. Fluker’s a wise addition on top of Bushrod on the other side.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Kenny Vaccaro, Safety, Texas
The Bengals never draft safeties, but with Vaccaro still on the board at 21st overall, I can see them taking him. Vaccaro didn’t leave Indianapolis with the “Top 10” label I think a lot of pundits expected he would, but he still had a great week back in February. He’s the versatile kind of defensive back NFL teams crave — capable of covering slot receivers, big No. 1s and tight ends. He can play free or strong safety at the next level and he’s like a missile when sent on a blitz. Mike Zimmer worked miracles with a mediocre secondary last season. Dre Kirkpatrick’s rookie season was a bit of a bust due to injuries, but there’s hope he can make an impact in his second year. Vaccaro would be a wonderful complement in the middle.
22. St. Louis Rams: Menelik Watson, Offensive Tackle, Florida State
This one may have some draftniks rummaging through their papers, but I think Watson’s a first-round pick come April 27. The ultra-raw Florida State project has all the size and speed to be a starting left tackle at the next level — he just needs some experience, coaching, and a bit of time. He grew up in England, played basketball before football, and is still learning the game. At 6-foot-5, 320 pounds — the size and speed are there. Jake Long was one wise addition to the Rams' offensive line. Watson could be another.
23. Minnesota Vikings: Keenan Allen, Wide Receiver, California
24. Indianapolis Colts: Jesse Williams, Defensive Tackle, Alabama
The Colts picked up two defensive tackles over the past two weeks, signing Ricky Jean-Francois and Aubrayo Franklin to free-agent deals. I don’t think they’re done addressing the interior of their defensive line. Williams is a versatile Australian-born big man who anchored college football’s most feared defensive unit. At 6-foot-3, 323 pounds, he’d be a nasty addition to a unit that’s already improving.
25. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Barkley, Quarterback, USC
Barkley has his pro day on March 27 and a lot of questions will be answered based on the velocity and accuracy of his balls. He could be a top-10 guy or a second-round pick. I usually don’t look too deep into pro day workouts, but in the case of Barkley and his shoulder, I’ll be curious to see how strong his arm looks. I think the luxury of having two first-rounders allows the Vikings to roll the dice here. Matt Cassel can back up Christian Ponder in 2013, but scooping up a guy like Barkley at 25th overall could be awfully intriguing, too.
26. Green Bay Packers: Alec Ogletree, Linebacker, Georgia
A converted safety, Ogletree played both the inside and outside linebacker positions in Georgia’s 3-4 scheme, too. Numerous off-the-field concerns, including a four-game suspension at the start of the season and DUI earlier this month, could ding Ogletree’s draft stock. I think he’s a good fit in Green Bay, if its willing to gamble on a guy with some red flags. He has an eye for the ball carrier and can get to the quarterback. He could probably defend the read-option, too — something that crippled the Packers in the playoffs a season ago.
27. Houston Texans: Terrance Williams, Wide Receiver, Baylor
I had Williams going to Houston before the Combine and I’ve got him going there now. Andre Johnson had a strong season, but the offense won’t take the next step if one of the young guys—Devier Poser, Lestar Jean, someone—makes the leap next year. I don’t see Chad Johnson as the answer. Add Terrance Williams to the mix. The 6'2 speedster led the nation in receiving yards despite working with a new quarterback and without Kendall Wright alongside of him. Good fit, here.
28. Denver Broncos: Sylvester Williams, Defensive Tackle, North Carolina
The Broncos re-signed Kevin Vickerson and went out and got Terrence Knighton in free agency, bolstering their interior defensive line. Their work might not be done at the position. Williams is a 6’2, 313-pound run stuffer who can get to the QB. He excelled on a UNC defense loaded with stars. I think he could end up being a better pro player than college player.
29. New England Patriots: Cornellius “Tank” Carradine, Defensive End, Florida State
30. New York Jets (via trade with Atlanta Falcons): EJ Manuel, Quarterback, Florida State
Our first trade! This is the beauty of a Mock Draft in February or March; you can do these. I’ve had Manuel listed as a first-round pick since December and I think his stock will rise even more after his pro day. One of the few quarterbacks in this Draft who has both played in a pro-style offense and could be effective in new read-option offenses, he’s a bit more versatile than some of the other prospects. He’s 6-foot-4, 240 pounds, can move, and is an all-around wonderful kid. I know Mark Sanchez is due to make a lot of money next year, but I think Manuel could make a lot of sense in Jets green. If they don’t roll the dice and take him at 9, I wouldn’t be surprised if they maneuvered a bit to get him somewhere at the end of the first round.
31. San Francisco 49ers: John Cyprien, Safety, Florida International:
The 49ers have 15 picks this April, leading me to call this year’s annual event “The San Francisco 49ers Invitational.” Look for the 49ers to entertain a lot of offers and wield a lot of power. Also, look for them to do the unexpected. Cyprien — a little known strong safety prospect out of FIU — could be the surprise of the first round. A 6-foot-1 bolt of lightning, he can cover and hit. His athleticism is off the charts.
32. Baltimore Ravens: Kevin Minter, Linebacker, LSU
The Ravens' defense will look different in 2013, with new additions like Elvis Dumervil, Marcus Spears, and Chris Canty joining the 2012 Super Bowl winners. I don’t believe Manti Te’o is worthy of a first-round pick, but I like Minter. A lot. I’m not a huge fan of drafting middle linebackers in the first round, but Minter brings the goods — and though he will never be Ray Lewis (or even Dannell Ellerbe) — he can start right away and make plays for the defending champions.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Lavar Edwards LSU Carrer Highlight
-----------------------http://agoodsportshang.com/
Raiders Statement on Trading for QB Matt Flynn
Alameda,
CA. – The Oakland Raiders have acquired quarterback Matt Flynn in a
trade with the Seattle Seahawks. General Manager Reggie McKenzie made
the announcement.In exchange for Flynn, the Raiders have traded their fifth-round selection in the 2014 draft, as well as a conditional undisclosed 2015 selection, to the Seahawks.
“I’ve known Matt Flynn since 2007 and scouted him before and after he entered the NFL,” McKenzie said. “Matt is a tough football player, and a talented quarterback. He will get the opportunity to compete to be a starter with the Raiders. I believe Matt has that potential, but I also know he hasn’t had enough experience. We’re going to let him compete and battle, and see what happens. We know Raider Nation wants a team that can compete for the playoffs year-in and year-out and we’re putting in the necessary work right now to make that happen. This is one of the many decisions in that process.”
Flynn,
a 6-2, 230-pound quarterback entering his sixth year out of LSU, backed
up NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers from 2008-11, then backed up 2012 NFL Rookie
of the Year Russell Wilson in Seattle last season.Like Rodgers, who did not start a game until his fourth season, Flynn has not had an opportunity to gain a lot of playing time in his early professional career. In two career starts, both in place of Rodgers, Flynn completed a combined 55 of 81 passes (67.9 percent) for 731 yards, with nine touchdowns and two interceptions. He joined Dan Marino and Kurt Warner as one of three players since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger to throw for at least three TDs in each of his first two starts.
In the 2011 regular-season finale, starting for resting Rodgers, Flynn authored one of the top efforts in the 91-year history of the Packers. In leading the club to a 44-31 win over Detroit, Flynn set single-game franchise records in both yards (480) and touchdown passes (six). A year earlier in his first career start, in place of an injured Rodgers on the road against the 11-2 Patriots, Flynn’s 100.2 passer rating was the highest by an NFL quarterback since the merger in his initial start against an opponent with at least a 10-2 record.
Flynn, who in Green Bay also served as the holder for placements, has played in 37 NFL games, with two starts, having completed 87 of 141 passes (61.7 percent) for 1,083 yards, nine touchdowns and five interceptions, a 92.0 career passer rating.
In each of his last four seasons, his team has advanced to the playoffs, including a Super Bowl championship with Green Bay in 2010.
Signed by the Seahawks as an unrestricted free agent on March 21, 2012, Flynn served last season as Seattle’s No. 2 QB. He joins a long list of Raiders quarterbacks acquired in trades, including Daryle Lamonica (1967), Dan Pastorini (1980), Jay Schroeder (1988), Jason Campbell (2010) and Carson Palmer (2011).
Green Bay’s first of two seventh-round selections in the 2008 NFL Draft (209th overall), Flynn entered the NFL after leading the LSU Tigers to the 2007 BCS national championship.Like Head Coach Dennis Allen, Flynn was a Texas prep standout. At Robert E. Lee High School in Tyler, Texas, east of Dallas, Flynn led his team to the semifinals of the state playoffs in one of Texas’ toughest classifications, playing the last four games with a broken foot.
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http://www.tigerrag.com/?p=
Tiger Bytes (4.3)
USA Today digs up dirt on former LSU chancellor Mark Emmert, and other LSU sports headlines
By CODY WORSHAM
Tiger Rag Editor
Former LSU chancellor and current NCAA president Mark Emmert is the subject of an unflattering USA Today piece this morning.
The article, written by Brent Schrotenboer of USA Today Sports, digs into some of Emmert’s shortcomings during his rise to the top of the NCAA, including an already-reported academic fraud dispute while at LSU.
Quoting from the article:
At LSU, an academic fraud scandal emerged in the football program under then-coach Nick Saban in 2001-02. Emmert oversaw an investigation into the allegations made by a university instructor that eventually acknowledged five minor and isolated violations and declared most of the claims “unfounded.”The article goes on to present both sides of the issue, first starting with the accusers, who said Emmert lead a misleading investigation designed to spin the story positively for LSU.
On the other hand, the article describes how during Emmert’s time at LSU, the emphasis on academics increased, and LSU’s academic-athletic facilities, personnel, and graduation rates reached new highs.
Judge for yourself by clicking the link below to read the story, which is well-documented and includes all source material via Document Cloud.
CLICK HERE for the USA Today piece on Mark Emmert
Here is the rest of today’s LSU sports news and information:
LSU Baseball
Tiger Rag – FINAL: LSU 7, Alcorn State 3, by Luke Johnson (@lukejohnson44)
LSU Reveille — Mason Katz reflects on memories with late grandfather, ‘Hippo’, by Mike Gegenheimer (@gegs1313)
LSU Basketball
Tiger Rag — Martin set for McDonald’s All-American game, By Tiger Rag (@Tiger_Rag)
LSU Football
LouisianaDaily.com – LSU Recruiting Confidential: Early enrollees in the spotlight Part 1 , by Jordy Culotta (@JordyCulotta)
BBI ($) — Clapp working on 2014 Class, by David Folse (@DavidFolse)
And the Valley Shook — Better Know a Freshman: Christian LaCouture, by Paul Crewe (@ATVS_PaulCrewe)
Written by tigerrag · Filed Under Home Page, Tiger Bytes
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