draft-buzz

Ken Murray discusses the Ravens' 2011 Draft class

Wed, 18 May 2011 02:04:03 +0100

Ken Murray of the Baltimore Sun checked in with DraftAmerica to discuss the Ravens' 2011 Draft class.

DA: Were the Ravens' first two selections taken more for need than best-player-available?

KM: They actually followed their system, but leaned a little more on need. They always choose the best player available AT A POSITION OF NEED, so you wind up with a reduced draft board and names of guys you specifically have targeted. That's how they can say Torrey Smith was in their top 10 on their board.

DA: Did/does Jimmy Smith's checkered past worry the Ravens at all?

KM: They believe they are invincible in the locker room, partly because of Ray Lewis and the leadership guys. But they missed on Sergio Kindle last year; it's doubtful he'll ever play for them. They feel they are very close to the Super Bowl, and that is a factor. But at 26, it's hard to overlook a guy with Smith's size, quickness and skill, even with a checkered resume. It's a risk worth taking.

DA: Where is Jah Reid expected to fit in along the offensive line?

KM: They will give him a chance to start at right tackle. That would be fine in a normal year, but this isn't a normal year and it doesn't look like Reid will get a full training camp. So that becomes problematic. Look for a free-agent signing eventually.

DA: Which of the late-round picks could have a chance to surprise and make an impact with the team?

KM: I think the fourth-round pick, Tandon Doss, has a great chance to contribute right away. He won't get heavy doses of the game plan, but they'll move him around and use him in a variety of ways. It'll be enough to affect games, I think.

DA: How upset is the club with the Chicago trade flap, and can they expect any compensation from the league?

KM: Very. The Bears were either intentional in deceiving the Ravens, or were incompetent in making a phone call. It has to be one of the two. It's something the Ravens won't forget for a very long time.

NFL Draft Focus: Baltimore Ravens

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 22:26:25 +0100

DraftAmerica talks Ravens football with beat writer Ken Murray, who has covered the NFL for over 30 years. Murray dishes on the draft, free agency, the CBA, and Joe Flacco. Baltimore finished 12-4 in 2010 and will pick 26^th in the 2011 NFL Draft.

OFFENSE

Total Yards: 22^nd (322.9)

Rushing Yards: 14^th (114.4)

Passing Yards: 20^th (208.4)

Points Scored: 17^th (22.3)

DEFENSE

Total Yards: 10^th (318.9)

Rushing Yards: 5^th (93.9)

Passing Yards: 21^st (224.9)

Points Allowed: 3^rd (16.9)

Interceptions: T-8^th (19)

Sacks: T-27^th (27)

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

Passing Yards: Joe Flacco (3,622)

Rushing Yards: Ray Rice (1,220)

Receiving Yards: Anquan Boldin (837)

Sacks: Terrell Suggs (11)

Interceptions: Ed Reed (8)

Tackles: Ray Lewis (139)

5-YEAR DRAFT HISTORY – FIRST ROUND PICKS

2010 No first-round selection

2009 Michael Oher, OL (2010 stats: Started all 16 games for second straight year)

2008 Joe Flacco, QB (2010 stats: 3,622 passing yards, 25 TD, 10 INT)

2007 Ben Grubbs, OG (2010 stats: Started all 16 games at guard)

2006 Haloti Ngata, DT* (2010 stats: 63 tackles, 6 sacks)

*Pro Bowler.

DA: The Ravens have long been known for their aggressive, best-talent available approach in the draft. Do you expect GM Ozzie Newsome to continue that trend this year? And what is their biggest need?

KM: They go on need, but they go on need in a very different way. Ozzie will take the best players at the positions that he needs to improve at the most, and he'll put them all on this big board and he'll write them and give them all grades... They're biggest need this year is a pass-rusher and or a cornerback I think. But I don't think that's necessarily the first pick. I think if there's a real good pass-rusher that's there in the first round that they have rated as a first-round prospect, then they would take that guy unless there is an overwhelming better player at another position. I don't believe they'll draft a quarterback. There are a number of positions where they need help though. But from what we saw this year from the team is that the defense is getting older, it needs some youth to it, some young blood, they need a pass-rusher in the worst way. Suggs was the only pass-rusher that got close to the quarterback... They need a young cornerback and they have several cornerbacks now but they're all a little older, they need some help in the back end depending on when Ed Reed decides to retire. But those are the two places on defense that they want to go.

DA: Is the Ravens' window closing? And will the offensive line be addressed?

KM: I think they will [address the O-line]. That depends how they emerge from a new CBA and how it protects or doesn't protect Jared Gaither. If he becomes an unrestricted free agent I think they have no chance to keep him. It's not acrimonious it was a bad situation this year he couldn't play because of a back injury that they could never quantify. In an ideal world they would bring him back and he would resume his position and left tackle and they would move Michael Oher back to right tackle and Marshall Yanda to right guard and they'd a very stout, very physical offensive line. I think they need a free agent to come in who can play left tackle, or they can keep Oher at left tackle. The other position on the line they do need to address in center in the sense that Matt Birk has played 13 years. He's still a very competent, good center but he struggled to get through, 16, 18 games this year because of a knee he had to have drained at least once a week. I think he might have trouble coming back under the circumstances they have now. They want to get more physical on the offensive line, they want to get stronger. It would be hard for me to imagine Matt coming back.

DA: Is it far-fetched to think the Ravens should have benched Joe Flacco in the playoff game?

KM: There were several games this year they should've pulled Flacco and put [Marc] Bulger in. Bulger knows this offense like the back of his hand. He would have operated the offense much better in times when Flacco couldn't handle it. Why that didn't happen I'm not sure. There's been some discussion about Jim Zorn who just got fired, he said Flacco couldn't take it mentally. That goes against everything I know about Flacco myself, Joe's a very tough guy and I don't think he would have cracked. I think they made a huge mistake this year in not saying Marc Bulger is gonna have to come in for you Joe when you're not doing well. Bulger never saw the field and that's a mystery to me, because Bulger is a known commodity. He has a much quicker release than Joe does, he reads defenses much faster than Joe does... Joe has pretty much used up his slack as 'this is a rookie guy learning his job'.

DA: Will the Ravens be aggressive in the free agent market as they were last year?

KM: There'll be very active if there's an agreement in the CBA before March 3. They can sign their own players. They pretty much have a deal agreed to with Billy Cundiff. It will all be contingent on how the CBA talks go. Ozzie fills in with the free agents, and he really gets the players that are going to play in free agency and then he gets the guys that are going to fill in on special teams and help out and move into a starting position in the draft. With the exception of some of their great first-round picks they don't really expect to get guys that are going to play [right away]. So it is really going to come down to the CBA. It's going to impact a lot of teams, but the Ravens probably as much as anyone because they like to operate in the free agent market. They like to fill their major holes there and they the best young guy they can get out of the draft.

NFL Draft Focus: Carolina Panthers

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 22:20:58 +0100

DraftAmerica talks with the Charlotte Observer's Joe Person about the Carolina Panthers' outlook. As is well-known by now, the Panthers own the first overall pick in the 2011 Draft after finishing an NFL-worst 2-14 last season. With a new head coach in tow and Andrew Luck out of the running, the focus could shift to shoring up the defense.

OFFENSE

Total Yards: 32^nd (258.4)

Rushing Yards: 13^th (115.4)

Passing Yards: 32^nd (143.1)

Points Scored: 32^nd (12.3)

DEFENSE

Total Yards: 18^th (335.9)

Rushing Yards: 23^rd (123.8)

Passing Yards: 11^th (212.1)

Points Allowed: 26^th (25.5)

Interceptions: T-11^th (17)

Sacks: T-20^th (31)

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

Passing Yards: Jimmy Clausen (1,558)

Rushing Yards: Jonathan Stewart (770)

Receiving Yards: Steve Smith (554)

Sacks: Charles Johnson (12)

Interceptions: Charles Godfrey (5)

Tackles: James Anderson (130)

5-YEAR DRAFT HISTORY – FIRST ROUND PICKS

2010 No first-round selection

2009 No first-round selection

2008 Jonathan Stewart, RB (2010 stats: 770 rush yds., 2 TD)

Jeff Otah, OT (2010 stats: 0 games played, ended season on IR)

2007 Jon Beason, LB* (2010 stats: 121 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT, 2 FF)

2006 DeAngelo Williams, RB* (2010 stats: 361 rush yds., 1 TD in 6 games)

*Pro Bowler.

DA: The million-dollar question is... Which direction are the Panthers leaning in for the first pick? Furthermore, how much input will new head coach Ron Rivera have?

JP: They will make the decision mutually. Rivera obviously will have a lot of input on it. But I think ultimately the ront office will have the final say. The feeling I get is that it will be someone on the defensive line, either Fairley or Bowers. Given their needs, if they drafted Clausen with their first pick [in the second round since they didn't have a first] last year and having invested a lot in him... if they had a chance to get Luck, I think they would have gotten him. But unless someone like a Gabbert or a Locker really jumps out at them, it's going to have to be a really special player for them to use their first pick on a quarterback again.

DA: Any chance they would look at A.J. Green?

JP: Potentially. They like their young receivers, but the question mark there is Steve Smith. There are rumblings that he might want out, even though he's under contract for a few more years. But especially given the CBA uncertainty, I don't know that there are going to be a lot of trades being made over the next couple months. And if they get to the draft without a new CBA, then nobody will be making trades. He's the wild card, but I think he's going to end up staying in Charlotte which would make Green extraneous.

DA: Would the Panthers consider trading the first pick?

JP: They could, but I don't think that's their intention. Sure, anything's possible. They'll listen to offers. They've got more needs than just one. If they felt it was an opportunity to stockpile a couple more picks... they don't have a second-round pick, so I'm sure they'd love the opportunity to get a second-round pick somewhere. Like I said if Luck had gotten in the draft... they did a press conference shortly after John Fox was let go, and Jerry Richardson said unequivocally they were not looking to move the first pick. But that was when they thought Luck was in the draft, so I think there would at least be more of a chance of that happening now than previously.

DA: Was the John Fox situation a distraction last year?

JP: Oh yeah, big time. He was a lame duck all season, from the get-go. He basically said he knew this was coming for two years when they chose not to renew him. So it got to be a mess. They had made the step in the franchise to make a commitment to young players. They felt like they kind of went as far as they could with guys like Jake Delhomme and Muhsin Muhammad and a bunch of other veterans; they made Julius Peppers a generous offer and he decided to move on. They said look, we drafted these young guys so let's take a look at them. Well, Fox isn't keen on playing young players. The most infamous example was when they had one week where both their quarterbacks, Matt Moore and Jimmy Clausen, were hurt, and they brought in Brian St. Pierre. He had been with the team less than a week, gotten about four practices, and so even though management was fine going with rookie Tony Pike, Fox felt otherwise. There were a lot of examples of that. Richardson mentioned that at his press conference too, that there was a disconnect between the front office's philosophy and Fox's stance on playing young kids.

DA: Has Rivera made any proclamations since taking the job?

JP: He basically said something at his press conference that they wanted to have competition at the quarterback position. He didn't throw Clausen under the bus, but nor did he give him any kind of ringing endorsement.

DA: Given the question marks surrounding Clausen, is it possible Matt Moore starts next season?

JP: I don't think so. Talking with people around the organization, I think it's pretty well understood that he's going to be gone.

NFL Draft Focus: Kansas City Chiefs

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 18:29:11 +0100

Adam Teicher of the Kansas City Star talks Chiefs offseason and draft forecast with Draft America. Kansas City went from worst-to-first in 2010, finishing 10-6. They will pick 21^st in the 2011 NFL Draft.

OFFENSE

Total Yards: 12^th (349.7)

Rushing Yards: 1^st (164.2)

Passing Yards: 30^th (185.5)

Points Scored: T-13^th (22.9)

DEFENSE

Total Yards: 14^th (330.2)

Rushing Yards: 14^th (110.3)

Passing Yards: 17^th (219.9)

Points Allowed: 11^th (20.4)

Interceptions: T-19^th (14)

Sacks: T-10^th (39)

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

Passing Yards: Matt Cassel (3,116)

Rushing Yards: Jamaal Charles (1,467)

Receiving Yards: Dwayne Bowe (1,162)

Sacks: Tamba Hali (15)

Interceptions: Eric Berry (4)

Tackles: Derrick Johnson (122)

5-YEAR DRAFT HISTORY – FIRST ROUND PICKS

2010 Eric Berry, S* (2010 stats: 92 tackles, 4 INT, 2 sacks)

2009 Tyson Jackson, DE (2010 stats: 31 tackles, 1 sack)

2008 Glenn Dorsey, DT (2010 stats: 69 tackles, 2 sacks)

Branden Albert, OL (2010 stats: 15 starts at left tackle)

2007 Dwayne Bowe, WR* (2010 stats: 1,162 rec. yds., league-leading 15 TD)

2006 Tamba Hali, DE* (2010 stats: AFC-leading 15 sacks)

*Pro Bowler.

DA: What do you feel the Chiefs biggest area of need is?

AT: Wide receiver is probably number one. All they had last season was Bowe and when he was taken out, the passing game usually got nothing done. They’re aging in the middle of their offensive line and need help on the outside, so offensive line is another area of need. Defensively, they could use a pass rushing outside linebacker to pair with Tamba Hali and a nose tackle to help with their run defense.

DA: Kansas City has taken a defensive player with five of its previous seven first-round picks. Is it possible they could go that way again in 2011?

AT: Possibly. Even though they went for defense with their top pick last year, they still drafted three offensive players and also signed four others to play a significant role, so it’s not like they’ve been ignoring their offense.

DA: The Chiefs ranked 30^th in passing yards, yet that stat is not as telling when you consider they had the number one rushing attack and Matt Cassel had a Pro Bowl season. Do you think Kansas City feels it still needs to add weapons on offense to help Cassel's development?

AT: They’d like another big play option to go with Charles and Bowe. [Dexter] McCluster could be that guy but he didn’t give them as much as they anticipated last year.

DA: On the subject of Cassel's development, if Todd Haley in fact calls the plays next year will that affect things at all for Cassel?

AT: Hard to say. More important is that they have a QB coach who can work with Cassel every day. If they get one of those guys, I think Cassel will be okay no matter who calls the plays.

DA: Do you expect the Chiefs to be big players in free agency this offseason?

AT: Probably not big players in free agency. They’ll sign some guys but probably not any big-dollar players.

NFL Draft Focus: New Orleans Saints

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 20:20:23 +0100

New Orleans Times-Picayune beat writer Mike Triplett took some time on his way to the Senior Bowl to discuss the Saints and their offseason and draft forecast. Last year's champs finished 11-5 in 2010 and will pick 24^th in the 2011 Draft.

OFFENSE

Total Yards 6^th (372.5)

Rushing Yards 28^th (94.9)

Passing Yards 3^rd (277.6)

Points Scored 11^th (24.0)

DEFENSE

Total Yards 4^th (306.3)

Rushing Yards 16^th (112.3)

Passing Yards 4^th (193.9)

Points Allowed 7^th (19.2)

Interceptions 32^nd (9)

Sacks T-18^th (33)

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

Passing Yards Drew Brees (4,620)

Rushing Yards Chris Ivory (716)

Receiving Yards Marques Colston (1,023)

Sacks 2 tied (6)

Interceptions 2 tied (2)

Tackles Jonathan Vilma (105)

5-YEAR DRAFT HISTORY – FIRST ROUND PICKS

2010 Patrick Robinson, CB (2010 stats: 28 tackles, 2 PD in 11 games)

2009 Malcolm Jenkins, DB (2010 stats: 64 tackles, 2 INT, 1 sack, 12 PD)

2008 Sedrick Ellis, DT (2010 stats: 44 tackles, 6 sacks)

2007 Robert Meachem, WR (2010 stats: 44 rec., 638 yds., 5 TD)

2006 Reggie Bush, RB (2010 stats: 358 rush/rec yds, 1 TD)

DA: What is the biggest area of need for the Saints in the Draft?

MT: Well especially since they have the 24^th pick, I've gotta think they are one of the adamant believers in the best-available player theory. If you go back over really the last 10 years since [general manager] Mickey Loomis has been around, they really believe in the player that they have the highest grade on regardless of position. They drafted Deuce McAllister a couple years after they had drafted Ricky Williams, and they drafted Will Smith after they already had two really good defensive ends in Charles Grant and Darren Howard. So they really don't get caught up in, 'Oh, our run defense was bad last year so we're going to draft a defensive tackle this year', because they really believe it takes a couple of years for a guy to develop. A perfect example is Malcolm Jenkins who they drafted two years ago as a corner and then the next year they moved him to safety. He was arguably their defensive MVP in his second season. They find a way to get these guys on the field. Last year I think they surprised some people when they took Patrick Robinson, a cornerback, but they moved Jenkins to free safety and they wanted a guy that they had targeted. So other than the fact that they won't take a quarterback or probably a guard, they really believe in the best player available. But that being said, they do need at least some front seven help in the first three rounds, particularly a young defensive end that they like. Because that's a position that you can't really find anywhere else. You can get some veterans in free agency, like signing Bobby McCray and Alex Brown in free agency who've been alright but nothing great, but if you want to get a defensive end that's really good I think you have to draft him. They're getting older at the position and they could really use a more dynamic pass rush. So defensive end one, outside linebacker two, and maybe defensive tackle three would be their top priorities with all other things being equal if they have a high grade on those guys.

DA: The Saints were 4th in passing yards allowed yet ranked dead-last in interceptions. How much of the blame rests on lack of pass rush?

MT: I think the reason that they didn't force a lot of turnovers is because they weren't ahead in games nearly as much as they were last year when they were second in the NFL in takeaways. They definitely did not disrupt quarterbacks and force them into mistakes, and they played a lot of young quarterbacks this year and they didn't do a good enough job of putting pressure on them and forcing them to throw it up for grabs. Their secondary is very good across the board, their defensive coordinator is very good, and their defensive lineman aren't that bad but they really just did not create a consistent pass rush. Part of that was strategy, and they like really true 4-3 defensive ends who can hold up against the run. So if they do look in the draft I don't expect them to go after any of these 'tweener' guys that had 18 sacks in college and weigh 250 pounds and everybody always says they'd be perfect fits as a 3-4 outside linebacker. They don't usually target those guys. The Larry English and Brian Orakpo types, those guys don't really fit what they like to do best.

DA: The Saints offense is one of the league's best and Drew Brees was sacked just 25 times, but do the Saints plan to make upgrades on their offensive line?

MT: It's interesting because the huge wrinkle in all of this is the CBA and free agency and whether they'll have it before the draft. They have so many guys that are set to be unrestricted free agents including their left tackle Jermon Bushrod and their backup tackle Zack Strief. Last year they drafted a left tackle in the second round in Charles Brown and I think they like him, but he barely saw the field so there's no way to tell if he's going to be a dependable left tackle for the future. But they don't have a need that they have to get a left tackle, although I think if they had a really high grade on one they would still draft him. They do have a second-year guy that they're developing already and they may re-sign Bushrod as a free agent. But I would never rule out a left tackle for any team if they had a high grade on him.

DA: It clearly sounds like defense is a priority, yet there a few issues that need to be addressed on offense as well. Will they look at making improvements at the running back position?

Defense would definitely win a tiebreaker over offense because one they're already deep on offense and two they believe they can put in late-round picks at running back and receiver and offensive line because they've done a good job of developing late-round picks at those positions. At [pick number] 24 you start to think you're drafting for the future rather than the present day. Running back is still an interesting dilemma for them. The position was loaded but they just had injury after injury after injury. So you could say well they need a healthy young running back, or you could say we've learned not to invest heavily in running back because they get hurt so easily. Two years ago they were aggressively trying to trade a future number one to get Beanie Wells because they loved him, so they're not opposed to the idea of going running back in the first round and investing heavily in one. But I don't think they would unless they had a guy that was head-and-shoulders above everyone on their board. Having said that I think they will draft a running back in the draft as they have a first, a second, and two thirds. I wouldn't be surprised to see them take a running back with one of those picks.

NFL Draft Focus: Indianapolis Colts

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 05:15:23 +0100

Colts beat writer Phil Wilson of the Indianapolis Star talks offseason agenda for the AFC South champs. Peyton Manning and Co. went 10-6 to capture their seventh division title in eight years in 2010 and will pick 22nd overall in the 2011 NFL Draft.

OFFENSE

Total Yards: 4^th (380.8)

Rushing Yards: 29^th (92.7)

Passing Yards: 1^st (288.1)

Points Scored: 4^th (27.2)

DEFENSE

Total Yards: 20^th (341.6)

Rushing Yards: 25^th (127.0)

Passing Yards: 13^th (214.6)

Points Allowed: 23^rd (24.3)

Interceptions: T-30^th (10)

Sacks: 24^th (30)

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

Passing Yards: Peyton Manning (4,700)

Rushing Yards: Donald Brown (497)

Receiving Yards: Reggie Wayne (1,355)

Sacks: Robert Mathis (11)

Interceptions: 3 tied (2)

Tackles: Antoine Bethea (106)

5-YEAR DRAFT HISTORY – FIRST ROUND PICKS

2010 Jerry Hughes, DE (2010 stats: 12 tackles in 6 games)

2009 Donald Brown, RB (2010 stats: 497 rush yds., 2 TD)

2008 No first-round selection

2007 Anthony Gonzalez, WR (2010 stats: 5 rec., 67 yds. in 2 games)

2006 Joseph Addai, RB* (2010 stats: 495 rush yds., 4 TD)

*Pro Bowler.

DA: What do you feel is the number one area of need for the Colts to address in the 2011 Draft, and do any names in particular come to mind?

PW: No question, it's offensive tackle. I know they could use another wide receiver, running back, defensive tackle and safety, but what team couldn't? The most pressing need is offensive tackle, because left tackle Charlie Johnson is really a decent guard and right tackle Ryan Diem has a year left on his contract and showed some of his age this past season with some shaky moments. I don't know if the Colts bring Diem back. As for specific players, I haven't looked at it yet. But take a look at the biggest, strongest offensive tackles available, and the Colts should be taking someone high off that list.

DA: Is it too early to actually be thinking of grooming a QB to take over for Peyton Manning one day?

PW: Yes, it is too early. Manning turns 35 in March, and he's planning to play at least four or five more years, we're thinking. That means Manning's replacement is probably starting college right now. Give or take a year or two.

DA: The Colts struggled to both stop the run and run the ball in 2011. How much emphasis do you think there will be try and correct that?

PW: It's been an ongoing problem for the last few years. Attempts were made to beef up the line. They failed. And they cut a guy, offensive guard Ryan Lilja, who was better than anybody else they lined up at the position this year. In every one of their losses this season, the opponent pounded the Colts on the ground. They took advantage of the scheme, with the pass-rushing ends coming up too far, too fast outside, the defensive tackles not getting penetration, the Colts' smallish linebackers unable to get off blocks to make stops. The Colts need another safety. Antoine Bethea can't do it all himself. While there was some progress late in the year with the Colts stopping the NFL's No. 2 rush offenses in back-to-back weeks, Jacksonville and then Oakland, those teams had shaky quarterbacks, too. I think it was more of the other team's limitations than the Colts' improvement. There should be a tremendous amount of emphasis on this problem, but Colts president Bill Polian blamed the playoff loss to the Jets on special teams. He said nothing was wrong with the defense. So you can't help but wonder if those ignoring history are doomed to repeat it.

DA: Bill Polian is often revered as one of the best talent evaluators in the game and has had constant success drafting with the Colts. What is it about his methods that allow him to be so good at what he does?

PW: He's been named NFL executive-of-the-year six times, but many are calling Polian's abilities into question. Fact is, he's missed on some high picks in recent years and it's really hurt this team. They moved up to take offensive tackle Tony Ugoh, and he was a bust. Mike Pollak has been average at best and has lost his guard job twice in as many years. Running back Donald Brown hasn't been the guy everybody thought he would be as a first-round pick. This most recent first-round pick, defensive end Jerry Hughes had as many tackles (six) as healthy scratches. Fans are already calling him a bust. While Polian has scored big with mid-round and late-round picks such as cornerback Jerraud Powers (third round), wide receiver Austin Collie (fourth round), wide receiver Pierre Garcon (sixth round), the reality is there have been enough misses to question if Mr. Bill is, indeed, slipping.

DA: The Colts are generally pretty quiet when it comes to free agency. Do you expect that to change at all this offseason?

PW: They have so many guys looking for new contracts, it's doubtful the Colts will make much noise in the free-agent market. The company line is their free agency is keeping their most important players. They will re-sign Manning. They need to give a new deal to Charlie Johnson, safety Melvin Bullitt and kicker Adam Vinatieri, too. I'm not sure if they bring back running back Joseph Addai. Same with linebacker Clint Session. The list also includes defensive tackles Dan Muir, Antonio Johnson and Eric Foster, guard Kyle DeVan, and a few others. But I do think the Colts need to invest in at least one or two offensive tackles, if for no other reason than depth, to ensure the line doesn't give up as much pressure as it did last year. The Colts still led the NFL in fewest sacks allowed, but that was more about Manning making guys miss because, too many times, he was rushed or planted.

For more on the Colts, check out the following:
http://www.18to88.com/

NFL Draft Focus: Cincinnati Bengals

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 05:31:59 +0100

Cincinnati Enquirer beat writer Joe Reedy checks in with DA to discuss the Bengals and their outlook for the draft and the 2011 NFL season. Cincinnati owns the fourth overall pick after finishing 4-12 in 2010.

OFFENSE

Total Yards 20^th (330.6)

Rushing Yards 27^th (95.1)

Passing Yards 13^th (235.4)

Points Scored 22^nd (20.1)

DEFENSE

Total Yards 15^th (332.0)

Rushing Yards 19^th (115.2)

Passing Yards 14^th (216.8)

Points Allowed 24^th (24.7)

Interceptions T-14^th (16)

Sacks T-27^th (27)

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

Passing Yards Carson Palmer (3,970)

Rushing Yards Cedric Benson (1,111)

Receiving Yards Terrell Owens (983)

Sacks Carlos Dunlap (10)

Interceptions Leon Hall (4)

Tackles Dhani Jones (125)

5-YEAR DRAFT HISTORY – FIRST ROUND PICKS

2010 Jermaine Gresham, TE (2010 stats: 52 rec., 471 yds., 4 TD)

2009 Andre Smith, OT (2010 stats: Placed on IR after 7 games)

2008 Keith Rivers, LB (2010 stats: 77 tackles, 1 sack)

2007 Leon Hall, CB (2010 stats: Team-leading 4 INT)

2006 Jonathan Joseph, CB (2010 stats: 42 tackles, 3 INT)

DA: What area do you feel the Bengals need to address most in this year's draft, and are there any specific names that have been mentioned as possible fits?

JR: Wide receiver, defensive line, and possibly cornerback if Joseph leaves. There's safety and offensive line too. In terms of receiver, A.J. Green would be the best fit since the Bengals need to develop a No. 1 receiver and Chad Ochocinco is in the last year of his contract.

DA: The Bengals have had success with their recent first-round picks (Rivers, Joseph, Hall, Gresham). Would you say Marvin Lewis' philosophy is more draft-for-need, or best-talent-available?

JR: There's always the debate of whose pick or whose move it is -- Marvin or [owner] Mike Brown. I think the last two drafts have been solid and the '08 draft is starting to show some promise.

DA: Do yo expect the Bengals to be big players in free agency to help improve the team?

JR: They need to re-sign Joseph and Benson. If not they need to go out and get a veteran RB along with help on the line and safety.

DA: How crucial is fixing the pass rush?

JR: They need to figure out what they want to do with Michael Johnson and release either Antwan Odom or Robert Geathers while possibly adding one or two more [defensive lineman] in the draft.

DA: Could 2011 be Carson Palmer's last hurrah in Cincinnati? And could the Bengals already be thinking about drafting a QB, perhaps in the mid-to-late rounds, this year?

JR: [Both are] possible based on the contract.

NFL Draft Focus: San Diego Chargers

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 21:32:27 +0100

DraftAmerica talks with Kevin Acee, Chargers beat writer for the San Diego Union-Tribune, about the Bolts' plans for the 2011 draft. San Diego went 9-7 and will pick 18th overall.

Chargers 2010 Team Rankings

OFFENSE

Total Yards: 1^st (395.6)

Rushing Yards: 15^th (113.1)

Passing Yards: 2^nd (282.4)

Points Scored: 2^nd (27.6)

Time of Possession: 1^st (33:02)

Sacks allowed: T-17^th (38)

DEFENSE

Total Yards: 1^st (271.6)

Rushing Yards: 4^th (93.8)

Passing Yards: 1^st (177.8)

Points Allowed: 10^th (20.1)

Interceptions: T-14^th (16)

Sacks: T-2^nd (47)

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

Passing Yards: Philip Rivers (4,710)

Rushing Yards: Mike Tolbert (735)

Receiving Yards: Antonio Gates (782)

Sacks: Shaun Phillips (11)

Interceptions: Antoine Cason (4)

Tackles: Eric Weddle (96)

5-YEAR DRAFT HISTORY – FIRST ROUND PICKS

2010 Ryan Matthews, RB (2010 stats: 158 car., 678 yds., 7 TD)

2009 Larry English, DE (2010 stats: 2 starts, 17 tackles, 3 sacks)

2008 Antoine Cason, CB (2010 stats: Team-leading 4 interceptions)

2007 Craig “Buster” Davis, WR (2010 stats: 21 rec., 259 yds., 1 TD)

2006 Antonio Cromartie, CB (No longer with team)

DA: Is there a consensus of one position or area of need that the Chargers need to address? And is it far-fetched to think they may address special teams in the early rounds?

KA: They need a playmaker, whatever that consensus is. It's defensive end or safety, be that in draft or free agency. They're not usually players in free agency. They may step out a little bit more this year, but don't look for it to be huge. The draft, that's how you build the team according to the general manager. They were the number one defense but that was something of a paper tiger, a lot of short fields. I'm not saying they weren't good, but statistically it didn't tell the whole story. They need game changing sacks and turnovers, which they didn't have enough of. And so one name everyone likes and that I think fits and could be available in the first round is Ryan Kerrigan from Purdue. I believe he's a true D-end in a 3-4. They have five picks in the first three rounds – a first, two seconds, and two thirds. A guy that they missed last year was their third-round pick Donald Butler out of Washington. He was a good linebacker having a great camp. Here's a guy that played special teams all four years at Washington and would have been big for them, but he tore his Achilles during training camp. In the second, third, and fourth rounds, whether it's a linebacker or a safety, if he's a real special player, he's going to pay his dues on special teams. Last year the Chargers brought it so many veterans to shore up their special teams throughout the season and spent so much money, they don't plan to do that this year. They got a new special teams coach to coach young guys.

DA:How does Vincent Jackson's future impact whether they address the wide receiver position?

KA: There should be a franchise tag of some sort in a new CBA, so they're going to keep Vincent Jackson for one more year and that's good because this guy is an amazing player. Malcolm Floyd doesn't have the durability and he's going to be an unrestricted free agent too, as is Legedu Naanee. The problem with drafting a wide receiver, you look at Jackson his first couple years, people would tell me he's a bust, but I knew he wasn't. That's a tough position to make the move in from college to the NFL. But no matter what happens with Vincent in 2011, I look for them to draft a receiver to make a project to groom to take over for him.

DA:Is there any discontent over the last five first-round picks?

KA: I hate post-draft grades. In my opinion, three years you've got to give a kid. The Chargers are the fourth-winningest team in the NFL over the last six years. They should have done better in the draft over the last several years, but they brought in a lot of these guys with the intention of them being projects. They didn't expect Larry English to take over. Even though he was hurt this last year and Shawne Merriman was around, they thought [Merriman] was going to be around until 2011. 2011 is the first time they expect English to be an impact player. Antoine Cason, everybody thought he was a bust because he couldn't play the nickel. But the nickel and the corner are two different positions. And Cason had a really good season as a corner, so that's a good pick. And they got a second-rounder for Cromartie, so is that a bad pick? Not really. And make this distinction [about Buster Davis]: A bust is a player who can't play. Now the bottom line is the poor kid is going to be seen as a bust. The kid is very talented but he can't stay on the field, so unfortunately it was a wasted pick. I'm pretty sure they are going to release him before 2011 and let him go get a fresh start somewhere else. And then there's Matthews. Personally I would have gone defense last year, but this kid is going to be a very good player. He was bothered by a high-ankle sprain he suffered in the second game. He's going to be a fine player who is going to help this team immensely. What I've slammed [general manager] A.J. Smith for recently is that he only has 15 of his last 26 picks still on the team, and that includes Davis. Now, most of those picks that didn't stick around were fourth-round or later. Generally good teams don't keep many of their fourth-rounders or later. But you look at his '04 draft, which was one of his best drafts, and the '05 draft which at least looked great at first... this is absolutely going to be a gigantic draft for Smith.

DA: Is Smith's philosophy more of a draft for need, or best player available?

KA: It's need. [Take for example 2007], going into '07 they had no wide receivers, and they went and traded for Chris Chambers [mid-season]. Without him I don't think they make the playoffs [that year]. I think they definitely have to draft for need this year as they did last year.