Friday, February 16, 2007

POSITION ANALYISIS: DB


THE DB'S ARE COMING!!!! THE DB'S ARE COMING!!!


Hey everyone! It is time for another installment of POSITION ANALYSIS!!! Today we are going to take a look at some hard hitting henchmen of the secondary postions. You will see an assortment of devastating hits & incredible displays of ball coverage skills from these young men. As always feel free to post your opinions or questions.



DRAFT RUMOR: ISSUE #8


NO MOSS!!! NO MOSS!!!
This rumor keeps resurfacing over & over again. I don't think there is much truth to it either. But, it's a great example to show that teams have to build themselves through the NFL DRAFT & not trade away their future by swapping picks for players. Is it sometimes warrented? Sure, but I myself am not a great fan of it.
Regardless, here is the latest on the rumor that wont die, courtesy of http://www.footballsfuture.com/news/2007/02/packers-unlikely-to-trade-for-moss.html.


Packers unlikely to trade for Moss
Despite rumors and Favre's public request, the Packers now seem unlikely to trade for Randy Moss. First, there has been almost no internal discussion of Moss by the Packers. Second the Raiders are now rumored to want a second round pick for Moss. It seems very doubtful that Packers GM Ted Thompson, who typicaly looks to acquire draft picks and build through the draft, would be willing to let go of a second rounder for a 30 year-old receiver with a huge contract and a ton of baggage.

Thursday, February 15, 2007

DRAFT RUMOR: ISSUE #7


SUPER FREAK!!!


This just in! We all know that WR Calvin Johnson has a reputation as a phenom in the college ranks. But, if this report is accurate this young man is going to make quite a splash in the NFL & possibly move into the pantheon of elite WR's in the NFL almost immediatley! WOW!!!


Calvin Johnson runs a 4.33 in the 40


Calvin Johnson, preparing for the league's scouting combine in Indianapolis next week, was clocked at 4.33 in the 40. He also recorded an 11-foot standing broad jump and had a vertical leap of 43 inches.
While Johnson might not be the first player chosen, he is clearly separating himself as the top player in the 2007 NFL draft. Johnson is a rare talent. He is 6'-4", 234 pounds, and runs a 4.33 40 yard dash!
His combination of size, speed, hands, intelligence and work ethic are unheard of at the receiver position. Think Randy Moss talent with a Marvin Harrison work ethic. In fact Johnson is actually 25 pounds bigger then Moss and if the 4.33 - 40 is accurate, just as fast.

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

DRAFT CLASS: 101.B


In our continuing effort to spread the word & educate the masses here is a 3rd installment of "DRAFT CLASS". These editions will be reviewing various subjects related to this Aprils "NFL DRAFT". This particular installment will go over the basics of the NFL DRAFT for all of our newcomers.


If you have any questions please post them here or email me directly. Enjoy! Again, thanks to the folks at Wikepedia for this information.

Compensatory Picks
In addition to the 32 picks in each round, there are a total of up to 32 picks dispersed at the ends of Rounds 3 through 7. These picks, known as "compensatory picks", are awarded to teams that have lost more talented players than they gained the previous year in free agency. These picks cannot be traded, and are awarded based on a proprietary formula based on salary and performance. So, for example, a team that lost a backup quarterback in free agency might get a sixth-round compensatory pick, while a team that lost their best wide receiver might receive a third- or fourth-round pick.
If fewer than 32 such picks are awarded, the remaining picks are awarded in the order in which teams would pick in a hypothetical eighth round of the draft.

[edit] Eligibility
The draft is the first chance each team gets at players who have been out of high school for at least three years. Players whose high school class did not graduate three or more years before are not eligible for the draft and hence are not eligible to play in the NFL. Most drafted players come directly out of college programs as seniors or juniors, though some underclassmen are eligible,(red shirted sophmores) and other players are selected from other pro leagues like the Arena Football League. A player who is drafted, but does not sign a contract can sit out that season, which is referred to as a "holdout", and can re-enter the draft the following year.

[edit] Mr. Irrelevant
The NFL Draft has developed a phenomenon known as "Mr. Irrelevant", which is the final player taken over the two-day event. This player actually receives some celebrity status, receiving a parade and the Lowsman Trophy, which is much like the Heisman trophy, except instead of carrying the ball, the player is fumbling the ball. Past "honorees" of the Mr. Irrelevant title can be seen here.

[edit] Salaries
The NFL allows each team to spend a limited amount of money from its salary cap to sign rookies (including undrafted players). Teams with higher picks get a higher rookie salary cap allocation. The salary cap increases from the year before, so most years there is more money allotted to teams for signing rookies. This form of salary control is legal because it has been negotiated into the NFL's collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the National Football League Players Association(NFLPA).
The drafted players are paid salaries commensurate with the position in which they were drafted. High first-round picks get paid the most, and low-round picks get paid the least. There is a de facto pay scale for drafted rookies. After the draft, any non-drafted rookies are allowed to sign a contract with any team in the league. These rookie free-agents usually do not get paid as well as drafted players, nearly all of them signing for the predetermined rookie minimum.

DRAFT CLASS: 101.A


I've recieved quite a few emails from people who are brand spanking new to the whole "NFL DRAFT" experience & need some instruction on the very basics of the concept itself. So, I will be posting a series of "DRAFT CLASS" articles that go over these basics to help all of our newbies get up to speed. As usual, if any of you have any questions please don't hesitate to either email me or post your question on COLD DRAFT 2007.


The following information comes from the folks at Wikipedia. They have some really great stuff that can be found at this link, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nfl_draft.


The NFL Draft has been in New York City since 1965 and has had to move into large venues as the event has gained in popularity, drawing fans from across the country who are looking for a reason to paint their faces in April. The 2006 draft was held at Radio City Music Hall, the first time this venue has hosted the gala. Madison Square Garden had hosted the event for a number of years, but the NFL moved it to the Javits Convention Center in 2005 following a dispute with MSG management opposing a new stadium for the New York Jets.
Tickets are free, but long waits in line can be expected for fans hoping to get a live glimpse of their team's high-profile picks, or to express their displeasure at their team picking the "wrong" guy. Fans must arrive early in order to attend the draft.
The current format consists of seven rounds. Each team is assigned a selection in each round, with the team with the worst record from the previous year being assigned the first pick in each round. The team with the second-worst record gets the second pick, and so on. Ties are broken by strength of schedule. For teams that qualified for the playoffs, ties are broken first in the order in which they were eliminated from the postseason. However, the Super Bowl participants make the final two selections, with the team that lost the game picking next to last, and the winner picking last.
The first overall pick generally gets the richest contract, but other contracts rely on a number of variables. While they generally are based on the previous year's second overall pick, third overall, etc., each player's position also is taken into account. Quarterbacks, for example, usually command more money than offensive linemen, which can skew those dollar figures slightly.
Each team has its representatives attend the draft. During the draft, one team is always "on the clock". In Round 1, teams have 15 minutes to make their choice. The decision time drops to 10 minutes in the second round and to 5 minutes in Rounds 3-7. If a team doesn't make a decision within its allotted time, the team still can submit its selection at any time after its time is up, but the next team can pick before it, thus possibly stealing a player the late team may have been eyeing.

DRAFT RUMOR: ISSUE #6


Once again my beloved Vikings are in the news. No, no, no, not another episode of the "Love Boat"! This time it involves a possible trade for a high profile QB. If the Vikes do pull the trigger, my sources say they would have to give up a 4th round draft pick to land him.


The following rumor is courtesy of http://www.gbnreport.com/!


Texans field calls for Carr… The Houston Chronicle is reporting that the Texans have confirmed receiving calls from a number of teams that are interested in acquiring QB David Carr. Houston G.M. Rick Smith though won’t disclose which teams have inquired about Carr, although both Minnesota and Oakland have been mentioned as possibilities. Carr, the first player selected at the 2002 draft, still has two years left on his contract, but the Texans apparently have tired of his inconsistency and want to go in another direction. If Carr is traded, the Texans would likely look for a veteran to compete with Sage Rosenfels with Jake Plummer of Denver expected to be the first choice. Houston coach Gary Kubiak was Plummer’s offensive coordinator at Denver and is expected to be either released or made available through a trade at some point this off-season.

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

DRAFT CLASS: 101




Did you ever wonder how teams decide what value to place on their draft picks & how they decide if trading it away is really worth it? Me too, until now!

I recently ran into an NFL TRADE VALUE CHART that war rooms across the NFL use to determine a draft positions numerical value & then match up the players with that position. Now if they trade away that draft position/pick then they must get a combination of draft picks or draft picks & players that equal that draft position/pick.

For instance, let’s take the Minnesota Vikings. Great team by the way! They earned the 7th pick overall in the draft for 2007. According to the chart the 7th overall pick has a value of “1,500” points. Now, if another team, like the Miami Dolphins, wanted to trade up with the Vikes they would have to offer a package equal to or greater to that assigned “1,500” point value of the 7th over all pick. The Dolphins have the #9 overall pick & that would have a value of “1,350” points. They would then have to come up with another 150 points that represents the difference between the 7th & the 9th overall picks. How they decide to do this is at the discretion of the Vikings. They could either demand one of the Dolphins picks from an upcoming round or even accept a trade of an existing player that they would agree represents or has a value equal to that 150 points.



Unfortunately, I could not show the chart directly on to this post but I do have the link so you can view it thanks to http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/features/valuechart.html. Take a look!

DRAFT RUMOR: ISSUE #5


Draft rumors just keep rolling in the closer we get to April. Here is one more that may impact the top 10 selections.
Keep in mind that The Bucs & the Browns will have to flip a coin to see who actually recieves the #3 overall pick.


The Bucs are said to be interested in Joe Thomas and Calvin Johnson.


The Browns are interested in Joe Thomas, Adrian Peterson, and JaMarcus Russell.

POSITION ANALYSIS: LB


General Managers always say they prefer to build their rosters through the draft rather than through Free Agency. This couldn't be more true than for the Line Backer positions. LB is one of the most sought after & expensive positions in Free Agency. Therefore, if they play their cards right GM's can lock up a real impact player, at an impact position, for about 4 years, at minimum investment. Here is some video on some really promising Line Backer Prospects available for the April NFL DRAFT!


Keep your eyes on the Cold Draft 2007 for updates on these & other players that come in from the 02/21/2007 "NFL COMBINE" in INDIANAPOLIS!!!


1.) H.B. Blades, LB, Pittsburgh

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AahwZMDriok

Monday, February 12, 2007

DRAFT RUMOR: ISSUE #4


We have another juicy tid-bit for your draft status boards. This one could be potentially devastating for one of our top 10 rated prospects!!! This is courtesy of our friends at http://www.footballsfuture.com/news/


Quinn's draft stock falling fast

Brady Quinn was once considered the top pick in the draft and while he still could be a high first rounder, many experts and scouts are moving Quinn down their draft boards.His fall started when juniors JaMarcus Russell, Adrian Peterson, and Calvin Johnson entered the draft.

Then Mel Kiper slid him down to ninth in his latest mock. Now The Sporting News is quoting scouts who say "He's (Quinn) the biggest fraud in the draft" and "should be a third- or fourth-round pick". They add their final insult by calling him the next Joey Harrington.

POSITION ANALYSIS: RB


Listening to all of the talking head's opinions on who is the best available player at a certain position can give you a headache. I say, decide for yourself. Seeing is believing & here are some incredible clips of 3 very capable Running Backs for this years NFL DRAFT!!!


DRAFT RUMOR: ISSUE: #3


Draft day is getting closer & closer & with the approach of that magical day comes all sorts of fantastical stories of teams jockying for position to grab the best players. This most recent rumor I picked up from http://www.footballsfuture.com/news/2007/02/vikings-to-trade-for-larry-fitzgerald.html is one of the more entertaining ones!


Vikings to trade for Larry Fitzgerald?
St. Paul Pioneer Press is reporting the Vikings may try and boost season ticket sales by trying to acquire Minneapolis native Larry Fitzgerald.The deal would send the Vikings first pick, 7th overall, and players to the Cardinals in exchange for Fitzgerald.

WHAT'S A FREE AGENT??


The NFL's "FREE AGENCY" period does not start until 03/02/2007 and that gives us plenty of time to get those who do not know the ins & outs of this phase up to speed. Many teams use the "FREE AGENCY" period to help bring star power to their rosters to hopefully give them the boost that they need to get over the hump and make it to the Big Dance! But, hearing all of the different terminology assigned to the different types of F.A.'s(Free Agents) can be very confusing. So, thanks to the folks over at http://vikings.scout.com/2/616231.html we have a very good "Q&A" to help out your understanding of a very confusing subject. Feel free to post questions & I'll do my best to answer them & stay tuned for more "F.A. information.



NFL FREE AGENCY QUESTIONS & ANSWERS


Q: What are the categories of free agency?
A: Players are either "restricted," "unrestricted" or "exclusive rights" free agents. Within the categories are also "transition" and "franchise" players.
Q: What is the time period for free agency signings this year?
A: Please see Offseason Schedule page.
Q: What is the difference between a restricted free agent and an unrestricted free agent?
A: Players become restricted free agents when they complete three accrued seasons and their contract expires. Unrestricted free agents have completed four or more accrued seasons with an expired contract.
Q: What constitutes an "accrued season?"
A: Six or more regular-season games on a club’s active/inactive, reserved-injured or "physically unable to perform" lists.
Q: Other than accrued seasons, what determines a restricted free agent?
A: He has received a "qualifying" offer (a salary level predetermined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the league and its players) from his old club. He can negotiate with any club through April 21. Then, because of the qualifying offer, his rights revert exclusively to his old club on April 20. Prior to April 20, if the restricted free agent accepts an offer sheet from a new club, his old club can match the offer and retain him because it has the "right of first refusal." If the old club does not match the offer, it can possibly receive draft-choice compensation depending on the amount of its qualifying offer.
Q: What determines an unrestricted free agent?
A: A player with four or more accrued seasons whose contract has expired. He is free to sign with any club, with no compensation owed to his old club, through June 15. On June 16, his rights revert to his old club if it made a "tender" offer (110 percent of last year’s salary) to him by June 1. His old club then has until the 10th week of the season to sign him. If he does not sign by the 10th week, he must sit out the season. If no tender is offered by June 1, the player can be signed by any club at any time throughout the season.
Q: What determines a transition player?
A: His club must offer a minimum of the average of the top 10 salaries of last season at the player’s position or 120 percent of the player’s previous year’s salary, whichever is greater. A transition player designation gives the club a first-refusal right to match within seven days an offer sheet given to the player by another club after his contract expires. If the club matches, it retains the player. If it does not match, it receives no compensation.
Q: What determines a franchise player?
A: A club can designate one franchise player in any given year. The salary level offer by a player’s old club determines what type of franchise player he is. An "exclusive" franchise player -- not free to sign with another club -- is offered a minimum of the average of the top five salaries at the player’s position, or 120 percent of the player’s previous year’s salary, whichever is greater. If the player is not offered a minimum of the average of the top five salaries of last season at his position, he becomes a "non-exclusive" franchise player and can negotiate with other clubs. His old club can match a new club’s offer, or receive two first-round draft choices if it decides not to match.
Q: Can a club decide to withdraw its franchise or transition designations on a player? If so, can it then use them on other players?
A: A club can withdraw its franchise or transition designations and the player then automatically becomes an unrestricted free agent either immediately or when his contract expires. The club cannot name a new transition player (two allowed in 1993, one in 1994 and one in the final year of the CBA). It can name a new franchise player the next year. A club can, though, designate a transition player in lieu of a franchise player at any time. Only one franchise and transition player can be on a club’s roster.
Q: What determines each team’s salary cap? Is it always in effect?
A: The salary cap is the absolute maximum each club may spend on player salaries in a capped year. For 2006, that amounts to $94.5 million (determined by a percentage of leaguewide "Defined Gross Revenues," divided by 32 teams, made up of preseason, regular-season and postseason gate receipts and radio and television rights). The cap is in effect 365 days a year. From March 2 to the day before the season begins, a club’s top 51 salaried players count towards the cap, plus pro-rated signing bonuses, incentives, etc., but not base salaries of other players on the roster up to 80. Thereafter, not all salaries on a club’s roster count toward the cap. The salary cap for 2007 is $109 million.