nfl news....

[AR182]

Character concerns for McFadden?

Posted: Monday March 31, 2008 05:12AM ET

Blessed with 4.33 speed in the 40-yard dash, crazy fast for a 6-1, 215-pound man, Darren McFadden can run away from just about anybody. What he hasn't developed is the ability to walk away. Many NFL teams, including the Jets, will analyze that conundrum over the next four weeks as they prepare for the draft. Few will argue that McFadden is the most dynamic player on the board, but there are character concerns. Two years ago, he was involved in a vicious fight outside a nightclub that left his left big toe hideously dislocated, mangled so badly that it revealed the bone. Sobbing uncontrollably in the ambulance, McFadden called friends and relatives on his cell phone to apologize and vow that he'd never do anything that reckless again. But he did. There was another nightclub altercation in his hometown of Little Rock, where he was handcuffed, but not arrested, for "provoking aggressive behavior," according to police. The former Arkansas tailback has no criminal record, but his rowdy behavior, coupled with stories about illegitimate children and paternity suits, has prompted teams to dig into his background. They want to know: Superman or Pacman?

New York Daily News

 

[AR182]

Vikings make Rosenfels priority

Posted: Monday March 31, 2008 06:44AM ET

The Vikings' top choice for backup quarterback is clear: Sage Rosenfels. In fact, they made him one of their top offseason priorities and considered his acquisition no less important than that of receiver Bernard Berrian or safety Madieu Williams. Buffalo's J.P. Losman is another veteran who might be available via trade, but Rosenfels is widely known as a strong character player (he's an Iowan, after all) and a perfect fit for the West Coast offense.

Minneapolis Star Tribune

 

[AR182]

Dorsey raises stock with workout

Posted: Sunday March 30, 2008 08:23AM ET

Just when it looked as if the Rams' first-round draft possibilities were down to three options -- offensive tackle (Michigan's Jake Long), defensive end (Virginia's Chris Long or Ohio State's Vernon Gholston) or a trade down -- along comes Glenn Dorsey. The defensive tackle from Louisiana State reasserted his status as an elite draft prospect during his pro day workout Wednesday in Baton Rouge, La. The Rams, among others, were impressed.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

 

[AR182]

Jones rules out drafting McFadden

Posted: Saturday March 29, 2008 08:41AM ET

Jerry Jones has ruled out making a trade that would position the Cowboys to select Arkansas running back Darren McFadden with one of the first five picks in the draft, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "I have no intent at all of moving into the top five," the newspaper quoted Jones as saying. Jones says his reluctance to make such a move is financially based. "A team can get crippled, and I mean seriously crippled, from a financial standpoint by being up there in the top five or six," Jones said. "It's a real negative."

San Antonio Express-News

 

[AR182]

NFL rethinking playoff seeding

Competition committee also talks replay on field goals

Posted: Sunday March 30, 2008 10:34PM

PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Mike Nolan thinks there are reasons beyond safety for the proposal that could lead to an NFL ban on hair hanging from the back of helmets.

"The nameplate is on his back; the number is on his back," the San Francisco 49ers coach said Sunday, the day before the NFL's meetings officially begin. "That's what we want the fans to see. Not his hair."

This might be a year when fans actually take interest in what owners do at these gatherings. Many meetings are filled with arcane proposals, like changing the positioning of offensive linemen's arms during blocks. This season, at least, there is some meat among the suggestions.

Or at least some hair.

The idea of banning long hair -- players would be allowed to tuck it under their helmets -- was proposed by the Chiefs. Kansas City's Larry Johnson tackled Pittsburgh's Troy Polamalu by the hair after an interception in a 2006 game.

Whether the measure will pass is problematic: The Chiefs bring a proposal for a rules change most years, and almost all of them fail to get the 24 votes needed from the 32 teams.

The other rules proposals come from the competition committee, which has more clout. Among them:

? Changing the playoff seeding so that a wild-card team could get home-field advantage in a first round game if it has a better regular-season record than a division winner.

"I like it because it makes teams play out the season," said Detroit Lions president Matt Millen, a member of the competition committee.

Last year, two wild-card teams with better records went on the road and both won: the eventual Super Bowl champion New York Giants in Tampa and Jacksonville in Pittsburgh. The Bucs benched regulars for the final game and finished 9-7 to 10-6 for New York, which didn't need its home field, where it finished 3-5. The Giants won their last 10 road games, including three playoff games.

? The college option on the coin toss, allowing teams to defer taking the ball until the second half.

? Ending the forceout rule on receptions and interceptions. Currently, the play stands if a player is forced out of bounds making a catch. If changed, a player must get both feet down in bounds under all circumstances.

? Eliminating the 5-yard "incidental facemask" penalty. Grabbing the facemask and turning it would lead to an automatic 15-yard penalty.

? Instant replay on field-goal attempts. This was proposed in part because of a game last season in which Cleveland's game-tying field goal against Baltimore appeared to hit the crossbar and bounced back on the field. It was eventually ruled to have hit the support stanchion behind the crossbar and was good. The Browns went on to win in overtime.

On the business side, there will be discussions on a variety of issues, including the impending labor talks. Some owners have predicted the league will opt out of the labor contract in November, the date for reopening the deal. But despite rhetoric from the union and some owners, league officials note all that will do is set the stage for new negotiations -- with no other potential ramifications until 2010, a season without a salary cap if no new deal can be worked out.

 

[THE KOD]

Jones rules out drafting McFadden

Jerry Jones has ruled out making a trade that would position the Cowboys to select Arkansas running back Darren McFadden with one of the first five picks in the draft, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "I have no intent at all of moving into the top five," the newspaper quoted Jones as saying. Jones says his reluctance to make such a move is financially based. "A team can get crippled, and I mean seriously crippled, from a financial standpoint by being up there in the top five or six," Jones said. "It's a real negative."

.................................................................

Jones is the only owner that absolutely takes full credit and responsibility for the draft.

Its laughable the ego that Jones has about the draft.

There is no way that he is the best person in the Dallas organization to make these decisions.

How could you work for that guy. He would fire you if you disagree with him.

 

[AR182]

scott...

from what i have been reading, don't be surprised if the falcons pass on ryan & take dorsey with the 3rd pick.

and i'm not a jones fan either...

 

[Blitz]

? Ending the forceout rule on receptions and interceptions. Currently, the play stands if a player is forced out of bounds making a catch. If changed, a player must get both feet down in bounds under all circumstances.

I don't know if I like this idea... I think maybe they should leave this alone. I don't remember any huge controversies with this rule...:shrug:

 

[THE KOD]

scott...

from what i have been reading, don't be surprised if the falcons pass on ryan & take dorsey with the 3rd pick.

and i'm not a jones fan either...

................................................................


I would not be surprised if they pass on Ryan.

I can live with it either way. But Coach Smith likes to build a team from the defensive lines, and Dorsey is a monster.

I would like a Offensive tackle if not Dorsey.

Too many good QBs later in the second round.

Another thing about Jones is I think he really really wants McFadden bad. Money is not a issue with him. He would say that he did not want him so other teams will not figure out wtf is going on.

I wonder what Cowboy fans say about Jones selecting their draft choices .? Do they not care ?

not sure I have heard anyone say one way or another.

 

[AR182]

Miami Trade Taylor to Jacksonville....

the content of this post was deleted because it is not correct...sorry about that.

 

[AR182]

I don't know if I like this idea... I think maybe they should leave this alone. I don't remember any huge controversies with this rule...:shrug:

agree with you...they should just leave that rule alone.

 

[ELVIS]

disagree. the rule means well, but puts the defender at a huge disadvantage. he cannot make any contact w/ the rec w/o being called for the force out. many plays last year the rec benefited from this rule on poor throws that arguably he wouldn't have come down with. i like the adv to the def here as pass int is a joke call anyway. this takes more of the game away from the refs.imo