Sunday Reading

Giants

Graziano ESPN: Twitter mailbag: Running game roles
http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/giants/post/_/id/35755/twitter-mailbag-running-game-roles


NFL

Myers NYDN: Do old-guard NFL owners hold enough ill will over USFL lawsuit to block Donald Trump from buying the Buffalo Bills
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/myers-old-guard-nfl-owners-hold-ill-block-donald-article-1.1762152

Volin Boston Globe: Teams still have openings to fill
http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2014/04/19/nfl-teams-still-have-openings-fill/NmVg0nS9TJnSt5kvQ1N1ON/story.html

Battista NFL.com: San Francisco 49ers head teams to watch in offseason workouts
3) New York Giants

"Until a few days ago, this was supposed to be a fairly straightforward offseason program in which the Giants would learn new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo's system while also absorbing more than a dozen free-agent acquisitions (particularly cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie).

And then Eli Manning had surgery on his ankle and the teeth-gnashing began.

Missing any of the offseason program is not ideal. Manning had a miserable 2013 season and would have benefited from as many chances as possible to work with his receivers in a new offense. But the timetable has him back by the latter part of the offseason, for the on-field practices and for the June minicamp. He will, of course, take part in the classroom work before that.

The fallout from Manning's surgery is what will make this offseason program worth watching. On Wednesday, New York signed Josh Freeman -- once thought to be the savior of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, before he was cast aside by Greg Schiano and then thrown to the wolves in an ill-fated appearance for the Vikings last year (coincidentally, against the Giants). This is probably more than a camp-arm signing. The Giants ideally want to carry just two quarterbacks this season -- Manning is remarkably durable, having not missed a start since he got the job in the middle of his rookie season -- so Freeman has a chance to resurrect himself if he can beat out Curtis Painter and Ryan Nassib for the backup role. Freeman's swift fall from grace has been stunning; the fact that the market for him took so long to develop is telling. This is his chance to prove that he is still a viable option, that his decline was largely hastened by Schiano and poor handling in Minnesota."
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000342078/article/san-francisco-49ers-head-teams-to-watch-in-offseason-workouts

BALTIMORE
Eisenberg Ravens.com: Skeptical About Ravens-McClain Marriage
http://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/article-1/Eisenberg-Skeptical-About-Ravens-McClain-Marriage/14fca064-e2c1-4405-9490-7c84d3a38826

Wilson Baltimore Sun: Ravens met with Clemson WR Martavis Bryant at combine, have maintained interest
http://goo.gl/Upnm3w

BUFFALO
Bufalo News: Jim Kelly considering “several” offers to join Bills’ ownership groups
http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/bills-nfl/jim-kelly-considering-several-offers-to-join-bills-ownership-groups-20140419

CAROLINA
Jones Charlotte Observer: Carolina Panthers: 2014 NFL draft questions, answers
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/04/19/4852884/carolina-panthers-2014-nfl-draft.html

CHICAGO
Biggs Chicago Tribune: Finding a safety looks like Bears' top remaining priority
http://goo.gl/SSTaCs

CINCINNATI
Dehner Cinc Enquirer: Bengals forming a line in middle rounds of draft
http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/nfl/bengals/2014/04/19/bengals-forming-line-middle-rounds-draft/7915017/

DALLAS
George Dallas Morning News: Reviewing Cowboys' 2013 draft: Still plenty of upside for recent group
http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/dallas-cowboys/headlines/20140419-reviewing-cowboys-2013-draft-still-plenty-of-upside-for-recent-group.ece

DETROIT
Birkett Detroit Free Press: NFL draft: Top prospect Khalil Mack to visit Detroit Lions next week
http://www.freep.com/article/20140419/SPORTS01/304190062/detroit-lions-nfl-draft-khalil-mack-visit

Gantt NBC Sports: Lions keep bringing in guys they can’t draft at No. 10
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/04/19/lions-keep-bringing-in-guys-they-cant-draft-at-no-10/

JACKSONVILLE
O'Halloran Fla Times Union: Comparing the top QBs in the draft
http://jacksonville.com/sports/football/jaguars/2014-04-19/story/comparing-top-qbs-draft?

KANSAS CITY
Paylor KC Star: Chiefs might draft a quarterback this year
http://www.kansascity.com/2014/04/19/4970405/chiefs-look-to-the-future-at-qb.html

Paylor KC Star: What the Chiefs are paying for their players
http://www.kansascity.com/2014/04/19/4970295/what-the-chiefs-are-paying-for.html

MIAMI
Kelly Sun Sentinel: Dolphins met with Clemson WR Martavis Bryant
http://goo.gl/bt03HI

MINNESOTA
Craig Minn Star Tribune: A case for Bortles or Bridgewater at No. 8 to the Vikings
http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikings/255885421.html

NEW ENGLAND
Reiss ESPN Boston: Quick-hit thoughts around NFL & Pats
"A late first-round pick for Southern Cal’s Marcus Martin or Colorado State’s Weston Richburg might be viewed as a bit too rich, but it’s questionable to think either of them might be there at 62 because the run on top interior linemen is expected in the second round."
http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4761681/quick-hit-thoughts-around-nfl-pats-177?utm_source=twitterfeed& utm_medium=twitter

OAKLAND
Marvez Fox Sports: Oakland Raiders might be willing to cut Terrelle Pryor if they can't deal him
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/oakland-raiders-might-be-willing-to-cut-terrelle-pryor-if-they-can-t-deal-him-041914

PITTSBURGH
Kaboly Pitt Tribune Review: Draftees' longevity key for NFL success
http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/5925870-74/draft-steelers-nfl#axzz2zQ7w2Fly

ST LOUIS
Thomas STL Post Dispatch: All signs point to Rams drafting QB
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/professional/all-signs-point-to-rams-drafting-qb/article_c26cc895-ca05-5f98-a294-ac01ecff885b.html

SAN FRANCISCO
Branch SF Chronicle: Will Blaine Gabbert be tough enough for 49ers?
http://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Will-Blaine-Gabbert-be-tough-enough-for-49ers-5415554.php

WASHINGTON
El-Bashir Comcast Sports Wash: Redskins' LB Brian Orakpo encouraged by scheme tweaks
http://www.csnwashington.com/redskinsblog/redskins-lb-brian-orakpo-encouraged-scheme-tweaks

Comcast Sports Wash: How much will Hatcher help the Redskins' pass rush?
http://www.csnwashington.com/redskinsblog/how-much-will-hatcher-help-redskins-pass-rush

Draft

WR
Dunne Mil JS: Receivers know their options for pro success
http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/receivers-know-their-options-for-pro-success-b99250859z1-255898581.html?utm_source=twitterfeed& utm_medium=twitter

C
Kirschman Beaver Falls Times Online: Road to the NFL: Beaver Falls’ Elkins getting his chance
"He did workout at Youngstown State’s pro day in front of several NFL teams including the Chargers, 49ers, Browns, Steelers and Giants. Elkins impressed, putting up comparable numbers to the top offensive line candidates at the combine, including a vertical leap that would’ve tied him for fifth."
http://www.timesonline.com/top_stories/road-to-the-nfl-beaver-falls-elkins-getting-his-chance/article_27d43563-13d8-5728-b8de-6b9da8d7f899.html

LB
Eckel Trenton Times: Something for everyone at linebacker in NFL Draft
http://www.nj.com/times-sports/index.ssf/2014/04/eckel_something_for_everyone_a.html

History

Crippen NFP: The first NFL draft
1936, a hotel room in Philadelphia, and nine rounds of history.
http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/The-first-NFL-draft.html