Giants
Raanan NJ.com: Giants draft 2014: Analyzing GM Jerry Reese's tendencies
http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2014/04/giants_draft_2014_analyzing_gm_jerry_reeses_tendencies.html
Traina Bleacher Report: Potential Draft Picks That Could Be Opening Game Starters for Giants
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2027983-5-potential-draft-picks-that-could-be-opening-game-starters-for-the-ny-giants
QB
Wessling NFL.com: Eli Manning in decline phase for New York Giants?
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000341119/article/eli-manning-in-decline-phase-for-new-york-giants
Wilson CBS Sports: Report: Some in Giants front office wonder if Eli Manning is in decline
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/24525252/report-some-in-giants-front-office-wonder-if-eli-manning-is-in-decline
Alper NBC Sports: Report: Question about whether Manning is in decline “has not gone unasked” by Giants
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/04/13/report-question-about-whether-manning-is-in-decline-has-not-gone-unasked-by-giants/
Palladino CBS NY: Eli’s Surgery An Opportunity For Giants To Build Depth
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2014/04/14/palladino-elis-surgery-an-opportunity-for-giants-to-build-depth/
DE
Orr Star-Ledger: Giants roster 2014: What's the difference between Justin Tuck and Robert Ayers?
http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2014/04/giants_roster_2014_whats_the_difference_between_justin_tuck_and_robert_ayers.html
NFL
King MMQB: The Draft Games Begin
It's a rite of April. Draft chatter is at full buzz and no one knows what's the truth and what's just spin. Let's cut through all that with five things to know as May 8 draws near. Plus, NFL Media's new leader, 10 things and my journey to England
"5. A few teams with quarterback needs have an interesting strategy. I’ve heard that at least four quarterback-needy teams—Houston (first pick), Jacksonville (3), Cleveland (4) and Oakland (5)—are strongly considering passing on quarterbacks with their first picks and waiting until their second or third selections. Simple reason: They’re not in love with any of the quarterbacks, and there are too many other good players who are surer things than a quarterback you have sincere doubts about. For that reason, there could be more quarterbacks taken in round two than round one. For instance, Jacksonville really likes Jimmy Garoppolo of Eastern Illinois, and he’d likely be there high in the second round when the Jags pick again, at 39."
|
http://mmqb.si.com/2014/04/14/nfl-draft-jadeveon-clowney-monday-morning-qb/
Sessler NFL.com: Roster Reset: NFC East
"1. New York Giants
Why they're atop our list: The Giants haven't always been players on the open market, but their free agency haul this time around has been impressive.
New York's revamped secondary rivals Washington's ramped-up collection of receivers as the NFC East's most improved position group. The combination of Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Walter Thurmond give New York two immediate starters. The G-Men were solid stopping the run last season, and now have a secondary packed with potential.
Holes remain. Losing receiver Hakeem Nicks and defensive linemen Justin Tuck and Linval Joseph left New York with clear needs heading into next month's draft.
What's next:
» Another tight end: Signing Kellen Davis did little for a position group that lacks a proven difference-maker. Adrien Robinson is an interesting prospect with breakout potential, but he's struggled to stay healthy. We wouldn't be surprised to see the Giants target a tight end in May.
» Replace Hakeem Nicks: Tom Coughlin has "high expectations" for Rueben Randle, but New York needs to add a playmaker to pair with Victor Cruz. Mario Manningham hasn't totaled more than 523 yards in a season since 2010, while Julian Talley and Jerrel Jernigan are projects.
» Improve the pass rush: New York likes to unleash waves of edge rushers, but there's little depth at end behind Jason Pierre-Paul and Damontre Moore. The departure of Tuck wasn't a surprise, but it's time for New York to restock."
|
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000340515/article/roster-reset-nfc-east
Tanier SOE: Mandatory Monday: NFL Cold Stove
There is a fine line between tantric and tedious, and the NFL is pushing that line as far as it can go. We have almost a month of wondering where Johnny Manziel will end up before the draft. Here's the latest in the not-news around the league.
"Last season, I crunched the numbers and learned that of the 495 widely announced pre-draft visits, only 33 players were drafted by a team they visited, a 6.7% hit rate. Thirteen teams drafted zero of the players they interviewed."
|
http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/72012470/johnny-manziel-jadeveon-clowney-and-more-pre-nfl-draft-info
ATL
Ledbetter AJC: Report: Falcons check out Towson’s Terrance West, Jordan Love
http://atlantafalcons.blog.ajc.com/2014/04/13/report-falcons-check-out-towsons-terrance-west-jordan-love/
BUF
Brown Bills.com: On The Clock: Kiko's story - drafting a rookie of the year
http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-3/ON-THE-CLOCK-Kikos-story---drafting-a-rookie-of-the-year/649f6e87-c0df-47ab-8809-aea37aa86909
How Bills knew Kiko was a football junkie
http://blogs.buffalobills.com/2014/04/13/how-bills-knew-kiko-was-a-football-junkie/
DAL
Helman Cowboys.com: Gary Brown: Murray Has Only Scratched The Surface
http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/article-DavidHelman/Gary-Brown-Murray-Has-Only-Scratched-The-Surface/0cea628b-83f9-4911-86da-7dc4ed1d576f
DEN
Klis Denver Post: Broncos have three positions of need: MLB, CB and C/OG
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_25561041/broncos-have-three-positions-need-mlb-cb-and
DET
Sharp Detroit Free Press: Ndamukong Suh no-show sends signal to Lions
http://www.freep.com/article/20140414/COL08/304140028/ndamukong-suh-detroit-lions
Monarrez Detroit Free Press: Lions safety James Ihedigbo says his new team has leadership
http://www.freep.com/article/20140414/SPORTS01/304140043/Lions-Ihedigbo-says-his-new-team-has-leadership
HOU
Smith Houston Chronicle: Texans again face perils of missing on top draft pick
http://blog.chron.com/ultimatetexans/2014/04/texans-again-face-perils-of-missing-on-top-draft-pick/
MIA
Jackson Miami Herald: Sunday Buzz Column
"The Dolphins had conversations with the agent for free agent tight end Jermichael Finley and said they could have interest if he’s cleared to resume his career after neck surgery. But other teams have been more pro-active. Joe Philbin was offensive coordinator during part of Finley's tenure with the Packers. Incidentally, Dustin Keller also remains unsigned."
|
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/sports-buzz/2014/04/the-inside-feedback-on-spoelstra-as-he-tries-to-threepeat-dolphins-um-marlins-buzz-.html
NE
Reiss ESPN: Beyond the 1st round: Defensive tackle
http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4761436/beyond-the-1st-round-defensive-tackle
PHI
McManus Phil Magazine: Wake-Up Call: Jordan And the OLB Spot
http://www.phillymag.com/birds247/2014/04/11/wake-call-29/
SF
Kawakami SJ Mercury News: 49ers must lay down the law right now
http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_25560607/kawakami-49ers-must-lay-down-law-right-now
Thompson SJ Mercury News: 49ers rivaling Kardashians for bad attention
http://www.mercurynews.com/marcus-thompson/ci_25561002/thompson-49ers-rivaling-kardashians-bad-attention
Barrows Sac Bee: 49ers to host Clemson WR Martavis Bryant on Monday
http://blogs.sacbee.com/49ers/archives/2014/04/49ers-to-host-clemson-wr-martavis-bryant-on-monday.html
Draft
C
Dunne Mil JS: Injury helped give Colorado State center an NFL future
http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/injury-helped-give-colorado-state-center-an-nfl-future-b99245830z1-255116011.html?utm_source=twitterfeed& utm_medium=twitter
DT
Pelissero USA Today: Ra'Shede Hageman uses fury as football fuel
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2014/04/13/rashede-hageman-nfl-draft/7683583/
DE
Hubbuch NYP: Criticism of star D-lineman Clowney reaches absurd levels
http://nypost.com/2014/04/12/criticism-of-star-d-lineman-clowney-reaches-absurd-levels/ 
QB
Patricia Traina‏@Patricia_Traina·2m
FWIW, I think fixing the OL will help Eli. But I also think that A) u can't keep clinging to the fact that he's a 2x SB MVP. ...Time to move on as that happened with much different teams. B) missing any part of the spring workouts is huge when U have a new offense being installed.
The mental part will be there but you have to do it. And while Eli should be able to run in 6 weeks...will he be able to all the football moves required of him on this new offense?
NFL
Jahnke PFF: Pass Rushing: Bringing Numbers
https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2014/04/14/pass-rushing-bringing-numbers/
OAK
Fedotin NFP: Woeful drafts lead to Raiders' losing ways
Oakland has whiffed on its first-round picks.
http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Woeful-drafts-lead-to-Raiders-losing-ways.html
Draft
QB
Cosell Yahoo Sports: The Johnny Manziel mystery: Biggest questions GMs/coaches face in evaluating QB for draft
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/the-johnny-manziel-mystery--biggest-questions-gms-coaches-have-in-evaluating-qb-for-draft-065903391-nfl.html
TE
Wilson Balt Sun: Aaron Wilsonţ@RavensInsider·9 mins
Notre Dame tight end Troy Niklas met with Ravens, according to source
"With Dennis Pitta and Owen Daniels signed to contracts this offseason, the Ravens are well-equipped when it comes to pass-catching tight ends.
What they don't have on the roster is a traditional blocking tight end in the mold of Notre Dame's Troy Niklas.
The draft prospect recently visited the Ravens, according to a league source. He has also visited the Buffalo Bills.
The 6-foot-6, 270-pound Niklas is a throwback tight end who operates as a punishing blocker at the line of scrimmage. He bench presses over 400 pounds. His nicknames? Hercules and Thor.
A converted outside linebacker, the California native caught 32 passes for 498 yards and five touchdowns as a junior last season before declaring for the NFL draft.
Niklas is the nephew of Hall of Fame offensive lineman Bruce Matthews. He started every game last season and was a semifinalist for the John Mackey award.
Niklas has run the 40-yard dash in 4.76 seconds, but he hasn't been able to run for teams this spring as he recuperates from sports hernia surgery.
At the NFL scouting combine, Niklas bench pressed 225 pounds 27 times and had a 32-inch vertical leap and a 9-6 broad jump.
He is still refining his route-running skills.
Niklas is projected as a second-round draft target, which is the grade he got from the NFL advisory committee when he sought advice on whether he should leave school."
http://goo.gl/R57Zrl
History
RIP "Sweet" Lou Hudson...One of the greatest players in University of Minnesota history, star of the Atlanta Hawks and he is mentioned here because while he nver played in the NFL or signed an NFL contract he was:
1965 NFL draft
1965-11-27 Cowboys Lou Hudson Minnesota 20th round pick (#296 overall)
"Charlie Sanders was a couple of years behind Hudson at Dudley High School in Greensboro. Sanders came to Minnesota to play football in 1964, as segregation was nearing the end of its grip on the South. Sanders is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame for his career as a tight end with the Detroit Lions.
Hudson was his quarterback at Dudley. Sanders recalled that time to Jeff Mills of the Greensboro newspaper in late March:
“Football, basketball, baseball, track … Lou could do everything well. He was instrumental in my pursuing athletics. When I saw Lou Hudson play, that’s when I made up my mind I wanted to be like him.
“He was mild-mannered and even-keeled. I never once saw him lose his temper. He was a guy you wanted to be around.”
‘Sweet’ Lou Hudson, a Master of the Jump Shot With the Hawks, Dies at 69
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/12/sports/basketball/sweet-lou-hudson-69-a-master-of-the-jump-shot-dies.html
The Cowboys search for talent led them to evaluate athletes from other sports...
"There was a time the Dallas Cowboys hosted a coaches' party at the Final Four.
Yes, an NFL team hosted a party for basketball coaches -- and that was at the same time that it was normal for Cowboys scouts to check in with a school's basketball coaches when they were making their rounds to see football prospects.
NFL Media senior draft analyst Gil Brandt was the Cowboys' vice president of player personnel from 1960-88, and the Cowboys were the first NFL team to sign college basketball players and turn them into NFL players.
Brandt's first success story in that vein was Cornell Green, a Utah State basketball star who was a 6-foot-3, 205-pound cornerback and safety for the Cowboys from 1962-74. Green, currently a scout for the Denver Broncos, was a five-time Pro Bowl selection. (His brother was Pumpsie Green, the first black player in Boston Red Sox history.)
Brandt said Green was a great athlete, but despite his NFL success, he had problems catching the ball. "If he had any hands at all ...," Brandt said, noting the irony of a good basketball player having bad hands.
Dallas' Super Bowl team in the 1975 season had three former college basketball players: running back Preston Pearson (Illinois), wide receiver Percy Howard (Austin Peay) and tight end Ron Howard (Seattle University). Percy Howard was a teammate at Austin Peay of prolific scorer James "Fly" Williams, and he also is the answer to one of the best Super Bowl trivia questions of all time: Whose only career catch went for a touchdown in Super Bowl X? (Williams' scoring exploits led to one of the best chants in NCAA history: "The 'Fly' is open -- let's go Peay!")
Another former Cowboys player who didn't play college football was wide receiver Pete Gent, who was a basketball star at Michigan State. Gent's biggest claim to fame might be that he wrote the best-seller "North Dallas Forty."
Dallas originally signed Ken Johnson, who had played basketball at Indiana, but he struggled to play offensive tackle and the Cowboys cut him. He was picked up by Cincinnati, who moved him to defensive tackle; he played seven seasons for the Bengals."
Huguenin NFL.com: Long history of basketball players converted to NFL players
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000335488/article/long-history-of-basketball-players-converted-to-nfl-players
NYT: ‘Sweet’ Lou Hudson, a Master of the Jump Shot With the Hawks, Dies at 69
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/12/sports/basketball/sweet-lou-hudson-69-a-master-of-the-jump-shot-dies.html