NFL Jabber 4/9/07

Former Browns offensive threat, Greg Pruitt, has a Jr. that will be working out in Cleveland next weekend.

"I think he's just as good as I was at this point," said the elder Pruitt, 55. "I was 5-9¾ and 175 pounds when I came to the Browns," Pruitt said. "I guess the heaviest I ever played was 192 - before the game. After the game, I was like 180. My son is 5-9 and 210."

Joey Harrington will back up Michael Vick in Atlanta.

Funny quote on "falcons vent" on AJC.

"I think Richard Simmons would have more fun at a strip joint than Calvin would have being Vick's reciever."

John Murphy at Yahoo! Sports gives his list of the top five rising stocks in this months draft. On top of the list is Stanford QB Trent Edwards.

1. Stanford senior quarterback Trent Edwards
The 6-foot-4, 224-pound athletic passer rebounded from a season-ending right foot injury to post 40-yard times in the 4.75 range. He then wowed scouts and quarterback coaches with his quick, compact delivery; overall accuracy; and deep ball during workouts. In fact, even some of the all-time best talent evaluators of this position weighed in following his pro day.

Adrian Peterson knows it's a good thing to be compared to Eric Dickerson.

“Man, being compared to Eric Dickerson, that’s crazy,” Peterson said at the combine. “He’s one of the greatest running backs. It’s an honor to be compared to him.”

tag: nfl, free agency, trade, football, sports, draft, browns, falcons, greg pruitt, joey harrington, michael vick, calvin johnson, john murphy, yahoo!, stanford, trent edwards, adrian peterson

Draft Focus/Brady Quinn

Brady Quinn
QB, Notre Dame
6-3 3/4-232
40-Did not run at combine...4.82 and 4.73 at Pro Day 3/22/07


Brady Quinn had a 57.8% completion percentage, 95 TD's to 39 INT's as a four -year starter at Notre Dame. He holds countless passing records at the school as he heads into the NFL draft. Going into the 2006 season he was touted as the Golden Boy of college football. The Irish were ranked #3 in the preseason by USA today and the A.P. poll. Quinn was one of the favorites for the Heisman. The season ended with critics wondering if Quinn could win "The Big Game" with back to back loses to rival USC and to LSU in the Sugar Bowl (where Quinn was shown up by draft rival JaMarcus Russell). Quinn had his worst showing of the season in the game going 15 of 35 for 149 yards, 2 each on picks and TD's. The Irish were called the most overrated team in college football and many questioned if they should have even been in a BCS game.

Quinn has been labeled as this years QB that is most ready for the Pro's, this years version of Matt Leinhart. His experience in the Pro system used at Notre Dame is a big plus. He has prototypical QB size for the NFL and his strength makes him hard to bring down. Intelligent and durable. Quinn has shown that he can scramble as needed. he does not have the freak speed or arm you see in the QB's that get talked up but is going to be a top pro QB.

Accuracy has been an issue at times but has improved over the years. Some fear that he may have been a product of the system the Irish use. he did not live up to the hype of his senior season. going 0-4 against rival USC will haunt him for years.

Quinn is compared to Tom Brady. Could be because of the Weis system.


His first Pro Day he did not run because of his knee. He did however throw up 225 lbs on the bench press for 24 reps.

"We threw everything people wanted to see," Irish coach
Charlie Weis said. "We put him through every throw that any NFL
organization would want to see -- from moving in the pocket, to
moving from the pocket, to three-step, to five-step to seven-step.
I think now they have enough information to make a critical
evaluation, if they didn't have enough on tape already."

Vikings Coach Brad Chidress was one of the spectators.

"Really, he made more throws here than you'd think about making
at the combine," Childress said. "I think he threw about 60 balls
here today and it takes a little bit of endurance to be able to do
that and he did it pretty rapid-fire succession."

Who wants Brady Quinn? Quinn is all over the board bu should not fall far. That was likely said about Matt Leinhart last year as well though. The Raiders are at #1 and although all signs point to JaMarcus Russell or Calvin Johnson, you never know. Most speculation points to the Lions at #2. Then there is the Browns and Vikings. There may be some movement up the ladder in however wants him the most. The Dolphins have been in the mix of rumors as well but appear now to be focused on Trent Green and David Carr.

Fantasy Outlook: Quinn can have an immediate fantasy impact if he goes anywhere other than Oakland. He will likely fly off the board in the first 4-5 picks in Dynasty drafts. In re-draft leagues he will make a nice bye week filler or injury replacement if he is his teams starter. Could prove to be quite the sleeper mid to late season.

TINO's Bloghouse
tag: nfl, draft, sports, football, notre dame, lions, raiders, browns, vikings, ncaa, college, pro day, Brady Quinn

Draft Focus/Calvin Johnson

Calvin Johnson
WR, Georgia Tech
6-4, 239
40-4.33 (with borrowed shoes)

Calvin Johnson is one of those guys that seems to have everything an NFL scout and team are looking for. Size, speed, and a guy that isn't going to get in the paper for the wrong reasons. In three years at Georgia Tech he racked up 28 TD's and 2927 yards (both school records). he made All-American two out of the three years and gained a Biletnikoff award and ACC player of the year in 2006. although in a losing effort, he capped off his career with nine grabs for 186 yards and a couple of TD's in the Toyota Gator Bowl. He amazed scouts at the combine with a 4.33 with borrowed shoes (he originally said he wouldn't be running), an 11 foot standing broad jump and a vertical leap of 43 inches.

Zero character issues. Describes himself as a cross of Randy Moss and Terrell Owens with Marvin Harrison's demeanor. A big guy and fast. Can leap tall buildings and has great hands. Great blocker and a team player. Can create great separation. Some scouts have said he is the best WR prospect they have ever seen. Highly touted as the best player in the 2007 draft.

Little on the downside with this guy and that is why his stock is soaring. Could be scary to see what happens with a consistent QB. Has had some dropped balls that he shouldn't have dropped but he is young and can be coached. Does not always play at top speed.

Johnson has been compared by many to Arizona WR, Larry Fitzgerald.

Some thoughts on Johnson...

"I think character isprobably one of the biggest contributors to that," Tech coach ChanGailey said. "There are a lot of talented guys, but the character that
he possesses moves him to the top of the list."

Said one regional scout from an AFC franchise:

"For a guy that size to
do the things that he does, and to make it all look so easy ... is
amazing."

“He needed a pair of gloves. That’s all he needed was a pair of gloves,” said Tom Shaw, an NFL performance trainer working with several players in preparation for the NFL Combine. “Nike sent him a box of three gloves and he was in heaven. “He’s going to shock some people, but then again Reggie Bush shocked some people and he fell to No. 2. The word is, everyone’s saying that Tampa Bay is going to take Calvin. Calvin Johnson is the best player, football player, person, athlete, dedicated ...He’s definitely in the top three.”

Who wants Calvin Johnson? Just about everyone. Needs of teams will play a role. He could go as high as #1 to the Raiders but as of now the Raiders are in desperate need of a QB. It is possible the Raiders could take Johnson and still address QB in the 2nd round with Drew Stanton. The is also alot of talk about the possibility of the Raiders making a move for David Carr which would open things up. If Johnson makes it past the Raiders, the Lions would not miss on the Wr selection this time if they pulled the trigger. Johnson should not fall past the Bucs at #4.

Fantasy Outlook: WR rarely make a fantasy impact in their rookie season. The team that lands Johnson in the draft will determine his fantasy draft spot. He will go higher than most rookie WR's usually do in re-draft leagues. In deeper Dynasty/Keeper leagues he could be the first rookie taken.

TINO's Bloghouse
tag: nfl, draft, football, sports, fantasy football, raiders, buccaneers, lions, georgia tech, ncaa, acc, pro day, prospect, college, calvin johnson

Draft Focus/JaMarcus Russell

JaMarcus Russell
QB, LSU
6-6, 263 (varies on where you see it)
40-Did not run at the combine. 4.8 at LSU Pro Day



JaMarcus Russell is a huge QB that has shined since getting the starting job at LSU. 25-4 record as a starter. He has a 61.9% completion percentage with 52 TD's to 21 INT's. In the 2007 Sugar Bowl he led the Tigers to a 41-14 win over Notre Dame and his draft nemesis Brady Quinn. His performance made him the Sugar Bowl MVP. Russell could have set his draft fate in stone with his dominating Pro Day performance.

Russell is what you can call a beast. He is big, strong and hard to bring down. He can take a hit and still make the throw. Has great body control. He is athletic and can run as needed. Even on the move he is looking down field for the big play and will go underneath if the play is there rather than run. He is very intelligent and has shown he can be a leader in tight situations. Can rocket the ball down field with a flick of the wrist. Russell could have set his draft fate in stone with his dominating Pro Day performance. He dropped nine pounds from his combine weight to his Pro Day scale hop. Character issues are not a problem, in fact he made national news helping after Hurricane Katrina.

Weight seems to be a cause for concern for some scouts. He is still considered a bit raw. His accuracy can use improvement and he tends to force the ball with over confidence. Work ethic and the will to win have been questioned.

The biggest comparison is to Daunte Culpepper. Some think that Randy Moss made Culpepper as a QB and he may just get to have the chance to help Russell shine. At this point the magic 8 ball would say, "All signs point to yes," as far as if the Raiders are going to take Russell with the #1 overall next month. It certainly is not a slam dunk though as WR Calvin Johnson's stock is rising rapidly.

Some quotes from Raiders Coach, Lane Kiffin after his Pro Day workout.

"Being away from these receivers and to come back and throw as well as he did shows who he is," Kiffin said."He was 265 at the combine," Kiffin said. "Dropping nine pounds knowingthis was a big day shows his commitment and shows that his mind's in the right place."

On Russell saying he could have done better in some spots...

"Obviously, there's always a lot of room for improvement," Kiffin said. "That's what you want to hear a quarterback say, too."

If the Raiders did by chance take a pass on him, there are plenty of other teams that would love to have him. The Lions, Dolphins, Vikings, and Browns are said to be in the market for a franchise QB if the right guy is there at their pick.

Fantasy Outlook: For 2007 things are bleak if he lands with the Raiders. At the most he may be a bye week filler or injury replacement. Will likely go late or undrafted in re-draft leagues. In Dynasty and Keeper Leagues Russell will be sought after. Depending on where he lands will determine how soon and how much he will produce.

TINO's Bloghouse
tag: nfl, draft, sports, football, ncaa, lsu, raiders, lions, browns, vikings, fantasy football, jamarcus russell

NFL Jabber 3/15/07

Mike Vick has given back to the community by opening a restaurant. Where underprivileged youth can play in the wine tasting area.

"Maybe this will offset some of that attention I've been getting, whether positive or negative," Vick said while sitting in a crowded wine-tasting area at The Tasting Room, the restaurant of which he is the main shareholder of three investors. "It's good for people to see that I'm giving back to the community, where people can see me trying to do something that's positive. There's a lot of people speculating about things I do that are not so positive."

The Texans are still looking to beef up the D with talks to DT Jeff Zgonina.

The party was at the LSU campus Wednesday for NFL scouts. More than 100 showed up for JaMarcus Russell's workout. Todd McShay, senor draft analyst for ESPN's Scouts Inc. was all giddy.

"His passing session was the most impressive of all the pro days I've been to," McShay said. (Also video of workout at that link)"His footwork for such a big quarterback was surprising. He was nimble in his dropbacks and when he's rolling out and throwing on the run. We all knew coming in that his arm strength is extraordinary. The ball just explodes out of his hands. His 73rd, 74th and 75th throws, he was flicking the ball 60 yards with his wrist and putting it right on the numbers."

The Lions sent seven people to watch Brady Quinn play catch.

Dolphins want to talk to Quinn and Russell. Possible trade up?

Once again the NFL is pointing at the leagues fat kids wondering how they could let themselves go like that.

Sources say that Keenan McCardell will be visiting the Saints.

Not the usual offeason routine for Peyton Manning. "Everything's been condensed a little bit, but that's good," Manning said yesterday. "It's a lot more fun working to find vacation time than figuring out a way to win the Super Bowl."

The Rams are one of many teams looking at Chris Draft to help at the LB spot.

TINO's Bloghouse
tag: nfl, draft, free agency, falcons, texans, ncaa, raiders, colts, lions, football, saints, rams, jamarcus russell, brady quinn, michael vick

Big Ten Coaches As South Park Characters.

I'm not what you would call a big South Park fan but I see the humor in it. This cracked me up.

clipped from iowa-football.aolsportsblog.com Via the ever-entertaining Georgia Sports Blog, the Fanhouse relays this year's edition of Big Ten Coaches generated by the fellow Dawg Kit Kitchens: (Full-sized version) Not sure why Kirk Ferentz looks like a hella-pissed off Vulcan but there you go. Also not sure why Lloyd Carr's so damn happy after the last two games of his season. The JoePa likeness is freaky, though. You can whip up your own South Park characters if you like.

TINO's Bloghouse
tag: football, ncaa, big 10, college, southpark

College Football Live TV Show

After a great ratings season for College Football in 2006, ESPN is going to launch a daily show, College Football Live, dedicated to the college game. The show is set to kickoff July 23rd.

Modeled after the network's daily NFL Live, the new show will be hosted mostly by Rece Davis and feature breaking news, features and analysis. Davis will be joined by a rotating mix of ESPN's college football talent, including Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit from College GameDay, Lou Holtz, Mark May, Bob Griese, Doug Flutie, Todd Blackledge, Craig James and Ed Cunningham.

At first I didn't know how to take this because so little happens during the offseason in College Football. The only news seems to be players getting suspended and injuries. But starting in late July they can suck people in that are just craving some football and getting excited for the season. I'm sure there will be alot of previews and what not and they won't have to actually rely on things happening at that moment. The show will only run through the Bowl season so it will not make an attempt to report offseason happenings. You can get a 15 second snippet of who got suspended on Sportscenter. This is a good thing and I look for ward to tuning in this summer.

Tino's Bloghouse
tag: football, ncaa, espn, college

Sex in the Cincy will get you suspended

Wow...if your a football player going on a visit to a prospective school you better keep it in your pants! AND...if your lucky enough to go to the visit, get bombed, and hook up with a soccer player, by all means you better tell the world and not lie about it! So much for no kissing and telling. Maybe they should wear the initials of anyone they hook up with on their jerseys...or better yet, pride stickers for the helmets.

A copy of the letter can be viewed HERE in PDF format.
TINO's Bloghouse
tag: ncaa, college, sex, football

clipped from sportsillustrated.cnn.com Cincy suspends player for lying CINCINNATI (AP) -- A football player was suspended for the first three games of the 2007 season for lying to officials investigating a claim that players and recruits engaged in sexual activities with a former women's soccer player at a party, the University of Cincinnati said Friday. The player, whose identity was not released, at first denied then later admitted having consensual sex with someone and provided conflicting explanations about what else may have occurred that night -- a violation of the student code of conduct, the school said. In the end, investigators said they were unable to substantiate claims made in an anonymous letter sent last month to university president Nancy Zimpher and other administrators. The anonymous letter claimed sexual activities occurred at an on-campus party during a recruiting visit. Alcohol was served at the party, and the sexual acts were videotaped, according to the letter.

TINO's Friggen Football Links

A links page has been added to TINO. Tons of football links and NFL Mock Draft links are now at your disposal. CLICK HERE to check them out.

Welcome to the Bloghouse!

Come on in! This is the first post here for the new Bloghouse. Let me introduce myself. I'm Lee and what I do here is take a look around the world of football to see what's happening, what makes me laugh and what ticks me off.

The Bloghouse turned a year-old this week but this is the first post here. to check out some of the old Bloghouse content, CLICK HERE.

There is no guy named Tino. That is short for There is No Offseason, our Football Fansite. The site just turned a year old (as you can see with the young ladies on the below). We are in the process of revamping the home page so if you check it out look past that please.

Things you will find at TINO...
***A group of knowledgeable guys who love the game.
***The Forums. Forums are free so just sign up! Of course this covers football but you will also just have guys hanging out talking about whatever comes to mind. We nominate and vote for the TINO Cheerleader of the Year and currently have the 2007 Tournament of Babes voting going on. If interested you can jump in on these at anytime.
***The Bloghouse: A daily (when possible) blog where we take a look at what is going on around the football world and pass it on to you. Filled with football related links.
*** The Sports Bar Directory: Ever travel and not know where to go to catch the game? Our vision is to compile a list of Sports Bars that can help the rabid fan out. As you know, we live in a big country so it's a huge help to have people submit their favorite places.
***Fantasy Games. We currently run a Re-Draft, Dynasty, Dynasty with IDP's Fantasy football leagues based at TINO. We are forming a Auction/Keeper league as you read this so if your interested look for the Auction/Keeper forum in the message boards. For the "offseason" we have our first year of Fantasy NASCAR running to pass the time. We will have a NCAA BB Bracket. During the season we also have NFL Pick'em, NCAA Pick'em, and an NFL Survivor game.


So stick around and enjoy your stay at TINO!