NFL Draft | QB Smith to visit Browns, work out for Jets

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QB Smith to visit Browns, work out for Jets

NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports West Virginia QB Geno Smith will visit with the Cleveland Browns and then privately work out for the New York Jets.

Both teams are in need of a quarterback in some sense. The Browns still have last year's first round selection, Brandon Weeden, but he doesn't appear to have sold the staff based on last year's performance. Like Weeden, Smith can throw the ball well vertically, which is a fit for Rob Chudzinski's system. As for the Jets, it's uncertain exactly which direction they'll go in but it wouldn't hurt to draft Smith, who could be an upgrade over the disappointing Mark Sanchez.

Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter

Mon, Apr 8, 2013 03:34:00 PM

Beasley likens his own game to Von Miller's

Clemson edge rusher Vic Beasley compares himself to Denver Broncos LB Von Miller.

"A lot of teams saw me with my hand in the ground, comparing me to guys like Cameron Wake," Beasley said. "But I like to compare myself to Von Miller. He's able to drop in coverage, and we have the same body size, so I try to compare myself after him." As with regular human beings, it's extremely difficult for prospects to perceive themselves accurately. That said, Beasley might be on to something here. Miller measured 6-foot-3, 246 pounds at the 2011 combine, identical to Beasley's measurements, and both ran 4.53 seconds in the 40-yard dash. Miller is a bit quicker and more agile, beating Beasley in the 3-cone (6.70 to 6.91) and 20-yard shuttle (4.06 to 4.15), while Beasley is stronger (35 reps to Miller's 21) and more explosive (41 inch vertical to 37).

Source: NFL.com

Mar 1 - 3:48 PM

Landry: O'Brien prefers Petty over Jameis/MM

Chris Landry, who works with the NFL Combine, told 620 WDAE that Texans HC Bill O'Brien prefers Bryce Petty to Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota.

Landry adds O'Brien, and many other coaches, were inclined to like Mariota on film more than Jameis Winston, but the real story is Petty. In the link below, fast forward to 36:00 to hear the quotes. We aren't sure why it is appropriate to pass on news like this, as coaches and coordinators rarely speak this candidly to the media on their own. O'Brien does have an interesting history with quarterbacks thus far in the NFL, as reports have stated he was interested in Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley, traded for Ryan Mallett and drafted Tom Savage. He could have traded up for Teddy Bridgewater as well. This is no slight to Chris Landry, as many people who work close to the NFL are not widely known outside of the league, but we have not heard of Landry until this moment.

Source: 620 WDAE

Mar 1 - 11:57 AM

RB Williams has combine's best Speed Score

FSU RB Karlos Williams posted the best Speed Score of all 2015 running backs.

He ran a 4.48 forty at 230 pounds. Williams' Speed Score of 114.2 was the only one in the class at the combine above 110 (Todd Gurley and Tevin Coleman didn't run), typically viewed as the benchmark of a first-round pick. The brother of Steelers LB Vince Williams is a favorite of Football Outsiders scouting writer Matt Waldman. "Karlos is a former five-star recruit who played safety originally, then gradually transitioned to running back in his 2013 junior season, averaging 8.0 yards per carry (730 yards and 11 touchdowns on only 91 carries)," wrote ESPN's Aaron Schatz. "However, he disappointed a bit with only 4.6 yards per carry as a full-time running back in 2014, and has had some off-the-field issues that teams will need to consider."

Source: ESPN Insider

Feb 28 - 8:04 PM

Ducks T Yruretagoyena retires from football

Oregon redshirt senior T Andre Yruretagoyena has retired from football.

The offensive lineman said he plans to "focus on getting my body healthy and graduating" in the coming months. Yruretagoyena was one of the linemen injured for the Ducks last season, in this case a leg injury. That means four OL from last year will not be on the roster in 2015.

Source: Go Ducks

Feb 28 - 12:57 PM

Birk: NFL to consider Combine testing changes

The NFL will consider making changes to the drills prospects go through at the NFL Combine, according to Matt Birk.

"Once we look at the data that was gathered in-game this year, it may be important to know how fast a wide receiver or defensive back can go 60 yards. Maybe for an offensive lineman it's only 20 yards," Birk said. "We run the 40-yard dash in Indianapolis. Why? The only reason anyone can ever give you is, that's how it's always been done." That is the point though, Mr. Birk, to compare the trends in results across years and even decades. Each prospect is a blip, and data is added each year. These Combine results have been effectively used by the Seahawks and many other teams. This might punish those teams even though the goal is to help create a better experience. As Zach Whitman put it, continuing to run the 40 would preserve past data.

Source: ESPN

Feb 27 - 3:14 PM

Scout: Combine could change LB Anthony's eval

One AFC scout noted "in theory" Clemson LB Stephone Anthony Combine performance "changes his scouting report from a two-down guy to a possible three-down linebacker."

Anthony recorded a 4.56 forty, 1.57 10 yard split, 37" vertical, 10'2" broad jump, 7.07 3-cone and 4.03 20 yard short shuttle. That is outstanding. Our issue, Anthony does not play even close to that speed due to the angles he takes when facing lineman and trash at the second level. He makes himself look like a much lesser athlete.

Source: The MMQB

Feb 27 - 11:06 AM

Mariota 'better than expected' on the board

One NFL scout told the MMQB's Robert Klemko that Oregon QB Marcus Mariota "did much better on the board than expected."

"His football IQ was surprisingly good," the scout said. Expectations can lead to disappointment or surprise in a positive way. One question is why would Mariota performing well in this area be a surprise? He ran his offense at Oregon masterfully and displayed understanding and traits that transcended play calls. The whole "pro style" system has so much grey area to it, as there is more overlap in the NFL now than in recent memory. Fit schemes to the top talents on the team instead of being a stubborn coach stuck in your ways.

Source: The MMQB

Feb 27 - 10:04 AM

Pauline: Lots of interest in Ray from TEN/JAX

Draft insider Tony Pauline passes along word the Titans and Jaguars have shown "a lot of interest" in Missouri Shane Ray.

It makes sense. Ray missed Combine due to an injury, and teams will have extra homework to do because of it. Still, the spectrum of his projection will be more clear after his pro day workout. Ray could easily be a top 10 pick.

Source: Tony Pauline on Twitter

Feb 27 - 9:53 AM

Mariota climbs 5 spots on Jeremiah's board

Oregon QB Marcus Mariota climbed five spots in Daniel Jeremiah's latest rankings and now sits at No. 7.

Jeremiah also mock Mariota to the Rams in his latest projection of the first 32 picks, saying "The Rams can't rely on Sam Bradford to stay healthy, and Mariota would be a great fit with their current offensive personnel." We must say it: Mariota does not receive enough credit for his foundation quarterback traits of poise, patience, movement inside of structure and eye level in the face of pressure.

Source: NFL.com

Feb 27 - 9:12 AM

WR White draws comps to Moss and Fitzgerald

West Virginia WR Kevin White reminds Sports Illustrated's Doug Farrar of Randy Moss and Larry Fitzgerald.

"White's college tape ... showed over and over that while he doesn't yet run a full route tree, he's got the speed to beat defenders downfield, the vertical ability to make contested catches and should be a real threat in the NFL," Farrar wrote. "Still, some questioned White's separation ability, and whether he was a true No. 1 receiver ... or simply a guy who benefited from West Virginia's wide-open offense. One 4.35 40-yard dash later, and after he looked spectacular in the receiver drills, White showed me that he's more route-savvy and quicker in short spaces than I imagined." The analyst believes White could be a top-five pick. White is the No. 1 WR on a host of analyst's lists, including Rotoworld's Josh Norris and NFL Media analysts Charles Davis, Mike Mayock and Daniel Jeremiah.

Source: Sports Illustrated

Feb 26 - 11:21 PM

TCU QB Boykin to undergo left wrist surgery

TCU redshirt junior QB Trevone Boykin will undergo surgery in April to repair a fractured wrist.

Before Horned Frogs fans keel over, we should be clear on two things: Surgery will repair the injury to Boykin's left (non-throwing) wrist that he sustained in October, and the fracture is being described as small. He didn't miss a snap because of the injury, though he will miss a portion of spring practices while rehabbing, a process that is expected to take five weeks. Boykin, fortunately, is expected be 100 percent by voluntary summer workouts.

Source: NBC's College Football Talk

Feb 26 - 11:05 PM