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Tampa Bay continues to roll with the Nicks signing

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won’t be holding onto their cash in 2012.  The Bucs signed star WR Vincent Jackson to a monster contract last night and continued the spending spree this morning grabbing prize free agent guard Carl Nicks.

Nicks agreed to a five-year, $47.5 million deal with $31million  guaranteed.  Nicks has officially become the highest paid guard in all of football.  He surpasses New England’s Logan Mankins who received a six-year, $51 million deal with $30 million guaranteed.

The Bucs spending spree was kick started this morning when they inked CB Eric Wright to a five-year deal.  They are also still in line for adding a MLB as they have been linked to Curtis Lofton.  The Bucs are beginning an Eagles-esque run in 2012 and where it will end nobody knows.

In other news of the day, Trent Cole agreed to a four-year extension with the Eagles.

The Browns are reported to not have interest in free agent QB Matt Flynn after reports yesterday suggested a two-man race between Cleveland and Miami for Flynn’s services.

The Chargers did their best to replace Vincent Jackson as they inked Robert Meachum to a four-year deal reportedly worth $25.9 million.  A relative steal compared to some of the contracts doled out to other pass catchers.

1. Indianapolis Colts

The Colts will select Stanford QB Andrew Luck.

2. Washington Redskins

The Redskins will select Baylor QB Robert Griffin III.

3. Minnesota Vikings

Unless the Vikings take a gamble on the recently-released Marcus McNeill, it still appears that, in all likelihood, they’ll select USC OT Matt Kalil. However, Antoine Winfield’s age/injuries, Chris Cook’s legal woes and the release of Cedric Griffin leave Minnesota facing the very real possibility of going into next season with undersized nickel-type Asher Allen as their only serviceable corner. In a division that features Aaron Rodgers and Co., Stafford/Megatron and Cutler/Marshall, that’s obviously not going to cut it. The Vikings don’t have much wiggle room under the salary cap and probably won’t be players for the starting-caliber CBs in free agency, so LSU shutdown corner Morris Claiborne has to be in the conversation at #3.

4. Cleveland Browns

Here’s where things could get interesting. If the Vikings select Claiborne, the Browns will trade down with a team looking to secure Kalil (Arizona?). If Claiborne is available (the more likely scenario), he’s probably the pick…but I wouldn’t count out Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon, Alabama RB Trent Richardson, or even North Carolina DE Quinton Coples. It would be out of character for the Cleveland braintrust to go WR here, but the need is pressing, and the free agent list at WR is dwindling rapidly. The Browns appear to be pushing hard for QB Matt Flynn. If they land him, they’ll want to afford him every opportunity for success. He’ll need weapons. My money says it’s Claiborne, Blackmon, or a trade down at #4. Read the rest of this entry » «The Effect of Today’s Rumors and Transactions on Your NFL Mock Draft’s Top Ten»

VJax gets paid

The initial surge of free agent signings has come and not yet gone.  The Redskins appear primed to sign Robert Griffin a bevy of wide receivers.  Some of the big name free agents have signed and a couple appear ready at any minute to pull the trigger on a new home.

The Buccaneers caught the big fish of the day by landing Vincent Jackson.  Big player, even bigger contract.  Jackson signed a 5-year, $55 million deal with $26 million guaranteed.  Jackson will make $36 million over the first three years of this deal putting him in Andre Johnson territory.  The Bucs may have overpaid but the need drove this one.  This move should make Josh Freeman a very happy man as he will have a legitimate deep threat to take the heat off the young quarterback.  The Bucs may not be done as they are linked to Carl Nicks and Curtis Lofton.

The St. Louis reunion tour has begun with the Rams signing Cortland Finnegan to a five-year, $50 million deal. Finnegan reunites with former coach Jeff Fisher.  Look for Jason Jones to be the next target for the Rams.

Speaking of reunions Reggie Wayne was officially not a Colt for five hours.  Wayne was a free agent from 4:00 PM to 9:15 PM when he re-signed with the Colts on a three-year deal.  Wayne will give Andrew Luck a legitimate albeit aging weapon.

The day began with Brandon Marshall being dealt to the Chicago Bears for two third round picks.  The move reunites Marshall with the quarterback that led him to his top two NFL seasons, Jay Cutler.  This combo combined for 211 connections and 14 TD’s in their short time together.  The Dolphins traded two second round picks just two seasons ago.  He was a relative disappointment in Miami and ushered out of South Beach.  The move for the Bears is a low-risk, high-reward move that gives Cutler a much needed No. 1 receiver.  It also frees up their first-round pick which was probable to be spent on a receiver.  This pick can now be used to address an aging defense.   Read the rest of this entry » «Free Agent Frenzy»

Check out where we think the top guys will land

The follow-up to our list of free agents comes in the form of predictions.  Here’s our best guess on where some of the top guys land.

Quarterbacks

Peyton Manning – Denver Broncos

Matt Flynn – Miami Dolphins, if this one doesn’t happen there will be plenty of red flags for teams interested

Alex Smith – San Francisco 49ers, the marriage between him and Randy Moss should be interesting

Kyle Orton – Kansas City Chiefs

Jason Campbell – Seattle Seahawks

Running Backs

Cedric Benson – New York Jets

Michael Bush – Kansas City Chiefs

Peyton Hillis – Cincinnati Bengals

BenJarvus Green-Ellis – New England Patriots Read the rest of this entry » «2012 Free Agent Predictions»

When PM decides his fate the cards should fall on Flynn

With less than 19 hours until free agency’s official start time, we have received numerous requests for a list of available free agents, so here it is by position.

Quarterbacks

1. Peyton Manning

2. Matt Flynn

3. Alex Smith

4. Kyle Orton

5. Jason Campbell

6. Kyle Orton

7. Chad Henne

Running Backs

1. Cedric Benson

2. Michael Bush

3. Peyton Hillis

4. BenJarvus Green-Ellis

5. Mike Tolbert

6. Joseph Addai

7. Tim Hightower

8. Kevin Smith

9. Justin Forsett

10. Brandon Jacobs

Fullbacks

1. Le’Ron McClain

2. Jacob Hester

3. Owen Schmitt

4. Michael Robinson Read the rest of this entry » «2012 Free Agents»

Janoris Jenkins

North Alabama

Ht. 5-10 Wt. 191

Man Coverage:  Janoris Jenkins three seasons at Florida and one at North Alabama were primarily spent in man coverage.  He has fluid hips with quick feet and excellent short area quickness.  He may have the “prettiest” backpedal of any CB in this draft, his ability to stay low throughout the backpedal and drive on the football is impressive.  He’s a quick twitch athlete with enough recovery speed to gamble.  Jenkins trusts his eyes and does an excellent job of staying in the hip pocket of receivers.  He will get overly aggressive in press man on the jam and takes a lot of risks which sometimes don’t pay off.  He played at his best against top competition while at Florida.

Zone Coverage:  I can’t say I saw enough of Jenkins in zone to give an accurate assessment.  What I know about him would lend itself to be an effective zone corner.  He has the receiver awareness and instincts to be at home in zone coverage. Read the rest of this entry » «Janoris Jenkins Scouting Report»

After a whirlwind tour featuring delayed flights, late night driving, and very little sleep I made it to Akron, Ohio for the BSN Collegiate Showcase.

The event was a forum for “small school” prospects to put their talents on display in front of an array of talent evaluators.  Hampton quarterback David LeGree was set to be the headliner but pulled out late due to injury.  In LeGree’s absence several players rose to the occasion.  Most in attendance will never grace an NFL roster but you wouldn’t have known it watching some of the performances.  Here’s some of the highlights of Saturday’s events.

Most notable player and performance for me was Shenandoah wide receiver Rico Wallace.  Wallace is a big target at a shade over 6’2″.  He caught the ball cleanly all day and appeared to be a natural hands catcher.  He routinely snatched the ball at the highest point and never allowed it into his body.  He was smooth in and out of breaks and looked to be the best player on the field today.

Ashland cornerback Logan Kerr was my top defensive player on the day.  He won’t blow anyone away with his measurables and most likely won’t crack an NFL roster.  That said, he’s a football player.  Kerr was scrappy in 1 on 1′s showing good instincts and ball skills.  He has a knack for finding the football throughout his collegiate career and it showed on Saturday.  Kerr came up with one pick in 7 on 7′s and should have a second on a route he jumped but it slipped through his hands.  Kerr’s instincts and ball skills will have him playing professional football next season albeit outside the NFL ranks. Read the rest of this entry » «Impressions from the BSN Collegiate Showcase»