Football

Every year, when the first OTA session of the off-season is about to begin, fans always wonder if Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu will be in attendance or if he will choose instead to stay back in California and train on his own. According to a source, Polamalu will again be in Pittsburgh next week for the first organized team activity that begins on Tuesday, just as he was last year at this time. Last year when Polamalu showed up for the first OTA session of the 2012 offseason, he said that him being in attendance was "for obvious reason." "We had a lot of our major leadership Read more [...]

Malliciah Goodman Here’s my take on defensive end Malliciah Goodman, the first of a pair of fourth round picks by the Falcons in 2013. Height: 6-3 5/8 Weight: 273 School: Clemson Class: Senior Speed: 4.87 (Combine) Goodman was a highly recruited prospect at Clemson, and finished his career strong with a 3-sack effort against LSU in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. In that game, he was working against a true freshman who began the season as a backup and dominated him early before LSU made adjustments. He began his career as the backup to Da’Quan Bowers, recording 3 sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss. In his first year as a starter, he had 2 sacks and 4 tackles for loss. As a senior, he was shut out in terms of sacks for the first four games of the season. But finished the year with 7 sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss in the final 6 games, including the 3-sack, 3-TFL performance in the finale vs. LSU. Goodman transitioned to the Combine where he impressed again with his long arms. They were measured 36 and 3/8 inches, making them the longest of any of the prospects in Indianapolis. Those long arms give him a lot of developmental potential as a defensive end where they can be highly valuable as an edge rusher. He played exclusively at left end at Clemson. CAREER STATS 2012: 13 GP/13 GS, 20 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, 7 sacks, 0 INT, 1 PD, 4 FF, 0 FR 2011: 14/14-49-4.0-2.0-0-1-1-0 2010: 13/1-32-3.5-1.0-0-1-3-0 2009: 14/0-26-6.0-2.0-0-0-0-0 2012 GAMES WATCHED vs. Auburn (9/1): 2.5 TFLs, 1 FF at Florida State (9/22): No production vs. South Carolina (11/24): 1 TFL, 2 pressures, 1 QB hit, 1 FF; 1 penalty (offsides) vs. LSU (12/31): 3 sacks, 2 pressures, 1 PD; 1 key blocked SKILLS These are general skills required for his position and relative to not only top collegiate prospects, but also NFL players. Grades are based on a 10-point rating scale: 1-pathetic, 2-poor, 3-weak, 4-below average, 5-average, 6-above average, 7-good, 8-very good, 9-excellent, 10-elite Strength (6.5) – Shows decent strength, flashing some power as a pass rusher and run defender. Able to deliver a power punch to the tight end when trying to get his hands inside and get leverage against the run. Putting up 26 bench reps despite having 36-inch arms indicate that his weight room strength is higher than that number indicates. Quickness (6.0) – Goodman shows his best burst and first step off the ball when he is allowed to pin his ears back and attack upfield. He has enough speed and burst off the edge to set up slower-footed right tackles. He has decent straight-line burst off the edge, but not a guy that is going to consistently close even when unblocked. Pass Rush (5.0) – Goodman showed his ability to use his long arms to get extension as a speed rusher vs. LSU, but had shown little of that prior to. He lacks really any moves besides trying to win solely with that speed rush. Doesn’t do a good job using his hands to get inside for a power move, despite his long arms and strength being an excellent combo to develop it. He’s got the tools to be a very effective pass rusher, but he’s raw and unpolished at this point in his development. Point of Attack (5.0) – Doesn’t make many plays at the point of attack versus the run, as many of his stops come on the backside pursuit. Struggles to anchor at the point of attack and can’t consistently get off blocks. Doesn’t make very many plays when you run at him, and struggles to get leverage against zone blocks. Recognition (5.0) – Doesn’t show great recognition when it comes to sniffing out screens or shovel passes. Motor (6.0) – Plays with a good motor and will play to the whistle. Gives chase downfield when working in pursuit. Won’t quit on his pass rush. VALUE Goodman is a developmental end with tools you like to develop in a capable edge pass rusher, but he’s fairly raw and unpolished. Too raw at this point to really indicate his upside, although

Last week we reported that TE Clay Harbor was taking some practice snaps at linebacker. It turns out, he's not alone as WR Jason Avant has been taking snaps with the secondary. "I always say I never compare myself to other guys because those other guys, they're not me," he said. "It's one of those things that I work hard, I'm going to continue to work hard and whatever that may be, whatever the team wants to do with me, I'm going to do it as best as I can for the team, whatever that may be." Avant says the move is a compliment, not a sign that his roster spot could be in jeopardy. "I don't necessarily think it'll cloud my future. I really think it's an honor anyway for a coach to think you can do other things." We've certainly seen some examples of players with positional versatility in the NFL. The Patriots are probably the most notable example using LB Mike Vrabel as a TE and WR Troy Brown in the secondary. It's tough to say what Chip Kelly's plans are for guys like Avant & Harbor at this point. It is only May, so we could simply be seeing some experimentation that is never used in the regular season. Maybe, as Harbor said, it's simply preparing for potential emergencies. It will be interesting to watch as the summer continues and training camp starts whether we continue to see offensive players working on defense.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos have moved on, even if their fans haven't.That includes Rahim Moore, the safety whose big blunder led to Denver's heart-wrenching loss in the playoffs four months ago.The Broncos gather Monday for their first full practice since that fateful, frigid night in Denver when Moore allowed Jacoby Jones' 70-yard touchdown catch from Joe Flacco in the final minute of regulation in the divisional game the Baltimore Ravens won in double overtime on their way to winning the Super Bowl.

2011 second-round pick Shane Vereen is projected to see more snaps in 2013. (Photo: US Presswire)NEPD Editor: Matthew JonesAs the New England Patriots begin preparing for their 2013 campaign, it’s time to take a look at five of the most intriguing veteran players on New England’s roster; whether or not these players develop should have a significant impact on New England’s plans for the future, as all five remain unknown quantities entering the season.1. RB Shane VereenAfter a debut season in which he recorded just twenty-six snaps, receiving a total of fifteen carries over two games, Shane Vereen’s offensive role was expected to increase in his sophomore campaign. It did, but not as much as many expected: Vereen was on the field for 217 snaps in 2012 (including the playoffs), carrying the ball 73 times for 308 yards and four touchdowns while adding fifteen receptions for 254 yards and three touchdowns on nineteen targets. Vereen’s output was impressive considering his low snap count, but he still has yet to produce like a second-round draft pick.Danny Woodhead took 456 snaps last season; now that Woodhead’s signed with San Diego, we should see significantly more of Vereen in 2013. Ideally, he’ll develop into an effective complement to Stevan Ridley; a third straight season with limited playing time would likely indicate that New England’s coaching staff is unhappy with the way Vereen has developed.2. OL Marcus CannonMarcus Cannon remains something of a mystery in New England, as he saw the field for only 182 snaps in 2012, primarily at offensive tackle. Now that Sebastian Vollmer has been re-signed, Cannon’s future with the team likely lies at offensive guard, where his tantalizing combination of size (6’5”, 358 pounds), length (34” arms), speed (5.26 seconds in the 40-yard dash) and strength (33 reps on the bench) could make him a long-term starter.Logan Mankins is firmly entrenched as the organization’s starting left guard, but the incumbent starter at right guard, Dan Connolly, could be improved upon. Connolly’s contract is somewhat generous, so this appears to be an excellent opportunity to examine Cannon’s aptitude at the position. Cannon is a cheaper option with significantly more upside, so it makes sense for the Patriots to work him onto the field in 2013; if Cannon impresses at right guard, New England’s offensive line should be solidified for years to come.3. DE Jake BequetteAlthough Jake Bequette assembled three years of quality production in the SEC, his play recognition and his awareness appeared raw on tape, so it was unsurprising that he was on the field for just 29 snaps in 2012. However, the fact that his playing time was eclipsed by undrafted free agent Justin Francis, who played 302 snaps for the Patriots last year, is more concerning.With starting left end Rob Ninkovich entering the final year of his contract, it would be nice to see what Bequette has to offer in his second season; an encouraging performance would allow New England to get cheaper and younger at the position, while a lack of refinement would increase the importance of re-signing Ninkovich. Bequette will have to compete with Jermaine Cunningham, Justin Francis, and 2013 seventh-round pick Michael Buchanan in order to see the field.4. CB Ras-I DowlingThe addition of Rutgers cornerback Logan Ryan in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft doesn’t bode well for 2011 second-rounder Ras-I Dowling, whose career has been derailed by injuries. Dowling managed just 83 snaps in 2012, down from the meager 93 snaps he appeared on the field for in 2011 before landing on injured reserve. To compound concerns about Dowling’s inability to remain on the field, New England’s coaching staff has appeared hesitant to play him even when healthy.That reluctance is somewhat bizarre considering his level of play while on the field, which has been encouraging (10/16, 123 yards, no touchdowns.) Dowling’s physical tools suggest starting potential, but h

The Miami Dolphins have signed former University of Florida tailback Mike Gillislee, making him the fifth member of the 2013 draft class to sign his rookie deal.

May 14, 2013; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell (93) and defensive tackle Ricky Lumpkin (95) huddle with teammates during organized team activities at the Cardinals Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports With OTA’s underway and training camp just around the corner, it’s time to look forward to the 2013 NFL season and the many challenges that will be presented for the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals upgraded multiple positions on the offense side with the selection of Jonathan Cooper and the acquisition of Carson Palmer, and they also will play a more aggressive scheme on defense that will allow Darnell Dockett and Calais Campbell to make plays. Even with all the positive moves in the offseason the Cardinals are not expected to win many games, so which games can the Cardinals use as a measuring stick as they try to build on the 2013 NFL season? Here is a list of Arizona’s three hardest games.

The Denver Broncos have reportedly made Charles Woodson a contract offer, but the free agent safety is still considering his options, the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports. Per Rapoport, those options include the New York Giants, Carolina Panthers, and Oakland Raiders. "(Woodson) still can do it on the field." Woodson doesn't "just" want to be signed to be a de facto assistant coach helping rookies. -Woodson's agent Carl Poston, via NFL.com Beside the Broncos, the Raiders are the most actively interested. Woodson has accepted an invitation by the Oakland Raiders to visit the team this Tuesday. The draw to Oakland might not be strictly financial for Woodson; should he sign with the Broncos' AFC West rival, he would be reunited him with his original NFL team. The Raiders drafted Woodson in the first round (4th overall pick) of the 1998 draft; Woodson spent eight years in Oakland. Meanwhile, the Broncos' offer is standing, and was reportedly for more than the veteran minimum. Other teams have "balked" at offering Woodson more than the veteran minimum, according to Rapoport, but this visit with Oakland is a sign that may change. Credit Woodson's agent for doing his job: using the media to drum up interest around the league, legitimate or not, and likely upping the price tag for his future Hall of Fame client in the twilight of his career. The Broncos now have serious competition in the Charles Woodson sweepstakes.

What were we all talking about a year ago? Well, since there isn't a ton of other news, we can do that. Back in May 2012, the team was in the middle of OTAs. However, while Kevin Kolb and John Skelton were splitting the first team snaps, running back Beanie Wells was sitting out. Here is what a pair of articles said from that day: Kolb and Skelton were on even ground: "I think the knee-jerk reaction would be to say that it is Kevin's job to lose. But then you have to look at what John Skelton did last year in winning those games when he was in there. So I think you have to give John a lot of credit for winning those games. I certainly have a lot of respect for Kevin and what he's done in this league and we made the commitment to bring him in to our football team. So it's going to start out as even as it possibly can, and we're going to let the best player take it from there. We did that many years ago when we had Kurt Warner and Matt Leinart, and it worked out pretty good for us. So hopefully we'll have that same kind of magic." We have tried to erase the memories, but 2012 magic did not happen. Correction. There was magic for the first four weeks. After that, crap. It turned out that Whisenhunt was true to his word that the contract wouldn't matter, but Skelton had a terrible year. This year, there is no "competition" for the starter's job. Not everyone on the site thinks this is great. Airwave: I want an open competition anyways. Jesse Reynolds: I want to believe him but I think it's Kolbs to lose in reality As for Beanie,it was starting off the offseason with knee problems. It would be unwise of the Cardinals to force both Williams and Wells to come back at this juncture. Yes, OTAs do help, but health is far more important. If they can both be ready by the time training camp rolls around, that will benefit them more anyhow.

Done with Jets?