(9:00 AM): Redskins sign top pick … Washington has signed OT Trent Williams, the 4th player taken at the 2010 draft, to a reported six-year, $60 million contract that includes almost $37 million in guaranteed money. Williams’ signing ends a one-hold-out.
Former Duck QB to rebel … Former Oregon QB Jeremiah Masoli is expected to enrol at Mississippi. Because Masoli will be entering a graduate program he likely will not have to sit out a year and is expected to be eligible this season. While a good student, Masoli had his share of off-field troubles at Oregon and was ultimately kicked out of the program after two run-ins with the law which included a burglary charge.
(12:01 AM): Eagles latest to sign top pick ….
Philadelphia has agreed to a 5Y contract with DE Brandon Graham, the
13th player taken at the 2010 draft. Graham is the 7th 2010 first
rounder to have come to terms to date. Meanwhile, 5 second rounders
remain unsigned including Giants DT Linval Joseph, Arizona LB Daryl
Washington, San Francisco DB Taylor Mays, Minnesota RB Toby Gerhardt
and Baltimore OLB Sergio Kindle, who is on the NFL list after
fracturing his skull in a domestic fall. Here is the signing status of first and second rounders
to date.
Giants release injured third rounder …. The
Giants became the first team to waive a 2010 draft pick when they
released S Chad Jones, a third round pick this past April. Jones
suffered a potentially career-ending injury earlier this summer when he
was involved in a one-car accident that almost cost him a leg. While
Jones has technically been released, the Giants are expected to resign
him if, as expected, he clears waivers.
July 29
(9:00 PM): Half dozen plus top picks sign ….
There was a rush of signings of top picks from the 2010 draft this
evening. In fact, Miami signed both its top two picks this past April
coming to terms with DE Jared Odrick, the Dolphins’ first rounder, and
second-round OLB Koa Misi. Meanwhile, Atlanta signed OLB Sean
Weatherspoon, the 19th player drafted this year, while second-rounders
to come to terms include Pittsburgh OLB Jason Worilds, Houston RB Ben
Tate, Minnesota DB Chris Cook and Indianapolis MLB Pat Angerer.
(7:00 PM): Broncos sign QB Tebow … Denver
has signed former Florida QB Tim Tebow to a reported 5Y, 11M contract
of which almost $9M is guaranteed. Tebow was the surprise 25th-overall
selection in last April's draft. The Broncos, whose full camp opens on
Sunday , still have some work to do though as WR Demaryius Thomas, the
team’s top pick overall, remains unsigned.
(11:00 AM): Raiders avoid first round hold out
…. Oakland has signed MLB Rolando McClain, the 8th player taken
at the 2010 draft, just hours before the start of their first
training-camp practice. McClain is just the third first-round pick to
sign a contract and the highest overall pick to do so after Dallas
signed WR Dez Bryant, the 24th pick this year, last week, while New
England signed CB Devin McCourty, the 27th player taken this year,
earlier this week. With McClain in the fold, it appears that the only
true rookie hold out to date is Cincinnati TE Jermaine Gresham who
remains unsigned with the Bengals set to take the field for their
initial practice this morning. Baltimore also holds its first practice
today and has yet to sign OLB Sergio Kindle, the Ravens’ #1 pick this
year, however, Kindle remains in hospital with a reported fractured
skull that resulted from a fall off the field so it will be awhile
before it matters whether Kindle is signed or not.
(12:01 AM): Rams sign #2 pick; Bradford still
talking … St. Louis has signed OT Rodger Saffold, the first
player selected in this year’s opening round. With Saffold in the fold,
the only remaining unsigned Rams’ pick is QB Sam Bradford, the #1
overall selection this past April. St. Louis, though has until its
first on-field practice on Sunday morning until Bradford is officially
a hold out. Meanwhile, Kansas City signed both its 2010 second rounders
as the Chiefs came to terms with CB Javier Arenas RB/WR Dexter
McCluster, while Buffalo has signed DT Torrell Troup, another second
rounder from this past April’s draft; Seattle signed WR Golden Tate,
its #2 pick this year, and Cincinnati signed second rounder DE Carlos
Dunlap. Overall by our unofficial count 21 of 32 second round picks at
the 2010 draft have signed.
Hold-out clock ticking … While St. Louis’
Bradford won’t officially be considered a hold-out, the clock is
ticking in Oakland and Cincinnati where the Raiders and Bengals hold
their first practices later today without either of first rounders LB
Rolando McClain (Oakland) or TE Jermaine Gresham (Cincinnati) under
contract.
Weight off Ravens’ mind!!! On his third try,
rookie Baltimore NT Terrence Cody, the Ravens’ second rounder this past
April, passed his conditioning physical and will be allowed to join the
rest of his teammates. In addition to Cody, undrafted rookie free agent
CB Prince Miller also finally passed his conditioning test yesterday
and was also allowed to practice. Both had been on the PUP list.
July 28
(11:00 AM): Pats come to terms with #1 pick …
New England has perortedly come to terms with CB Devin McCourty, the
Patriots’ first round pick at the 2010 draft.McCourty, taken 27th
overall, is the last of the Patriots’ picks to sign and should be on
the field when the team has its first practice of the season tomorrow.
McCourty is also only the second first-rounder to have signed
league-wide to date with Dallas WR Dez Bryant the other. At the same
time, roughly half - by our unofficial count 15 - second rounders have
signed so far.
(9:00 AM): Panthers sign #2 QB … Carolina
became the second NFL team to ensure that it will open camp with a full
complement of 2010 draft picks in tow when the Panthers signed former
Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen to a four-year contract that includes $2.5M
in guarantees. Clausen was a second round pick this past April for the
Panthers who did not have a first round selection. The Panthers open
camp today with the first actual practice slated for tomorrow. Other
teams to open camps today include Baltimore, Cincinnati, New England
and Oakland.
Dawg LB out for several weeks … Georgia senior
OLB Akeem Dent, a decent second-tier prospect for the 2011 draft, is
expected to be sidelined for four to six weeks after undergoing surgery
to repair a toe injury. The 6-2, 235-pound Dent will miss preseason
practice and is questionable for the Dawgs’ season opener against
Louisiana-Lafayette on September 4th.
(12:01 AM): Pack of #2 picks sign … NFL
teams continue to sign players selected in the second round of the 2010
draft, but with training camps around the league set to start opening
in numbers over the next few days, only one first rounder has signed to
date. Philadelphia has signed FS Nate Allen, the Eagles’ second-round
pick in 2010 to a four-year contract. That leaves first round DE
Brandon Graham as the Eagles' only unsigned draft pick. Meanwhile,
Tampa Bay has signed WR Arrelious Benn, the second of the Bucs’ two #2
picks this year. DT Brian Price, Tampa Bay’s other second rounder
signed earlier this summer. The Buccaneers have still to sign DT Gerald
McCoy, the 3rd player taken this spring. McCoy, though, has said he
won’t sign until QB Sam Bradford, the first player selected this year,
comes to terms with St. Louis. There are reports, though, that Bradford
could be signed by the time the Rams’ training camp opens Thursday,
although St. Louis veterans do not have to until the weekend. And
Cleveland has signed safety T.J. Ward, the 38th player taken at this
year’s draft, while Denver has signed OG Zane Beadles.
Bengals sign T.O. … For those who have not heard,
things just a whole lot more interesting in Cincinnati where the
Bengals have signed enigmatic veteran WR Terrell Owens who likely will
line up opposite the equally enigmatic Chad Ochocinco. Owens reportedly
agreed to a 2-year, $2M deal that includes another $2 million in
incentives.
Big XII CB arrested … Iowa State senior CB David
Sims, a decent second-tier prospect for the 2011 draft, has been
charged with unauthorized use of a credit card. Sims, the conference’s
defensive newcomer of the year last fall when he picked off 5 passes,
has a court date next week; he will also likely face some additional
disciplinary action from the team.
Pats put late DT on PUP … New England has placed
DT Kade Weston, a 7th round pick at the 2010 draft on the
physically-unable-to-perform list.
July 27
(4:00 AM): Ravens rook DT on PUP ...
Baltimore rookie NT Terrence 'Mount' Cody, the Ravens' second round
pick at the 2010 draft who just signed yesterday, is one of 10 players
the team placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list because
he failed the Ravens' conditioning test. Cody, the 57th player taken
this past April, is listed at 349 pounds and has battled weight issues
throughout his career.
(12:01 AM): Ravens rook out for awhile
Updating the conditon of Baltimore OLB Sergio Kindle, the Ravens’ first
pick at the 2010 draft, who has been in hospital since he suffered a
head injury after reportedly falling down two flights of stairs at a
home he was visiting in Austin on Thursday. Kindle has a fractured
skull and likely will be sidelined for an extended period. Kindle, a
second-round pick this past April, has also yet to sign.
Four #2s come to terms ... With the opening of
training camps around the NFL looming, four more second round picks
from the 2010 draft came to terms with their respective clubs over the
past 24 hours or so. New England has signed LB Brandon Spikes, while
Cleveland signed RB Mario Hardesty, New Orleans signed OT Charles Brown
and Oakland inked DT Lamarr Houston.
Pats sign second round pair … New England has
reportedly signed TE Rob Gronkowski and DE Jermaine Cunningham, two of
the Patriots three second-round picks at the 2010 draft. Gronkowski was
selected with the 42nd pick overall, while Cunningham went 53rd. New
England opens training camp on Thursday, but still has to sign CB Devin
McCourty, the team’s first-round choice this year, as well as LB
Brandon Spikes, the Patriots’ remaining unsigned second rounder.
July 23
(2:00 PM): Cowboys get final pick signed ...
There will be no rookie holdouts when Dallas opens its training camp
tomorrow as the Cowboys have come to terms with LB Sean Lee, the team's
second round pick this past April and only remaining unsigned 2010
selection. Dallas had earlier come to terms with WR Dez Bryant, the
Cowboys opening round pick at the 2010 draft, on a 5-year, $11.8M
contract of which $8.5 is guaranteed. In the process, Bryant, the 24th
player taken this past April, became the first #1 pick to sign this
year; and with the signing of Lee the Cowboys are also the first and
only team to have signed its full complement of 2010 picks. In fact,
Lee is only the third second rounder to have signed to date as only two
other players selected in this year’s second round - DT Brian Price
taken 39th overall by Tampa Bay, and OT Vlad Ducasse, the 61st pick by
the Jets - have signed to date amid concerns about the ongoing labor
uncertainty around the NFL. For the record, though, most teams still
have some time to get their top picks signed as other than Dallas all
other teams open camps between July 28th and August 1st.
July 22
(12:01 AM): This could get ugly … Another
day and another batch of potential top prospects for the 2011 draft are
possibly in some trouble with the NCAA in college football’s emerging
‘agent-gate’. The Alabama compliance department, for example, is
reportedly investigating DE Marcell Dareus, while Georgia is reportedly
investigating star junior WR A.J. Green. Both may have attended a party
in Miami back on Memorial Day weekend that has also ensnared North
Carolina DT Marvin Austin, and possibly other Tar Heels, and South
Carolina TE Weslye Saunders. In fact, there are unconfirmed reports
that the Tide’s Dareus has already been declared ineligible, but as of
late last evening the school is saying that no decision has been made.
Meanwhile, former Florida C Maurkice Pouncey, a first round pick by
Pittsburgh this past April, is denying allegations that he accepted
$100,000 from a player agent before this past season's Allstate Sugar
Bowl. While Pouncey is in the NFL and in the clear, but there is the
possibility that his twin brother Mike who is also a potential top 50
prospect this coming April, could also be involved. Stay tuned.
July 20
(12:01 AM): Pitt DE suspended after arrest …
Pittsburgh DE Pitt Jabaal Sheard, a decent second-tier prospect for the
2011 draft, has been suspended indefinitely from the team after he was
arrested for throwing a man through a glass door during a street fight
over the weekend. The 6-4, 260-pound Sheard, who had 5 sacks in 2010,
was charged with aggravated assault, resisting arrest, criminal
mischief and disorderly conduct.
July 19
(12:01 AM): gamecock TE caught up in NCAA
investigation … The NCAA investigation about possible
impermissible dealings with sports agents at North Carolina reportedly
also includes South Carolina TE Weslye Saunders. Saunders, one of the
top prospects at the position for the upcoming draft, is reportedly
close friends with UNC DT Marvin Austin, who is reportedly at the
center of the UNC investigation.
NCAA officials are reportedly looking into whether agents paid for the
airfare and hotel rooms for recent trips taken by Saunders and several
North Carolina players.
July 16
(12:01 AM): NCAA checking out UNC for agent
violations … The NCAA is reportedly investigating whether any of
several top North Carolina draft prospects have had any improper
dealings with agents. According to the school, several Tar Heels’
football players were interviewed by the NCAA this week and asked
questions about agents and whether anyone had received gifts or extra
benefits. Normally a basketball power, UNC became an NFL draft player -
at least for 2011 - when as many as a half dozen Tar Heels, including
DE Robert Quinn, DT Marvin Austin, LBs Bruce Carter and Quan
Sturdivant, and DBs Kendric Burney and Deunta Williams all opted to
return to school this year rather than leaving school early and
entering the 2010 draft. Players are allowed to have contact with
sports agents after their junior season and schools even host an
on-campus events for agents, but the players cannot accept gifts, money
or other improper benefits prior to completing their eligibilty.
Players also are prohibited from making any type of commitment,
informal or otherwise, to sign with an agent until after they nhave
completed their final season. Any players found to be in violation of
the rules on dealings with agents could lose their remaining
eligibility.
July 15
(4:00 PM): Pair selected in Supp draft ...
As expected, two players were selected in today's annual summer
supplemental NFL draft. Chicago picked BYU Harvey Unga while Dallas
selected Illinois DT Josh Price-Brent. Both players were selected with
7th-round picks, meaning that both the Bears and Cowboys will forfeit
their seventh-round pick in the 2011 draft. At the same time, neither
of small-school RBs Quentin Castille of Northwestern State and Truman
State‘s Vanness Emokpae were selected in today's supp draft and are now
free to sign with any team.
July 13
(9:00 AM): Top LB charged with pot offnese ...
North Carolina MLB Quan Sturdivant, a first team all-ACC selection last
year and a top propsect for the 2011 draft, was arrested over the
weekend on a misdemeanor charge for possession of marijuana. In
addition to any legal consequences, the 6-2, 235-pound Sturdivant will
likely be subjected to some kind of additional discipline from the
team. Indeed, it will be interesting to see if he is suspended from the
Tar Heels' huge season opener against LSU on September 4th.
July 6
(9:00 AM):: A little housekeeping …
Training camps will start to open around the NFL within three weeks or
so, however truth be told there isn’t much going on around the league
these days. In particular with the opening of training camps just
around the corner, not one first round pick from the 2010 has come to
terms yet. That said things should begin to really pick up in the next
couple of weeks. In the meantime, in response to several queries, we
will not be formally publishing the Great Blue North Pre-season College
Football Draft Preview this year. Sales just didn’t justify the
expenses. What we will be doing though is posting most of the material
normally contained in the report over the month of August. And while
things are rather quiet around the league, long-time GBN friend and
colleague Paul Guilmette, editor and publisher of Pigskin Paul’s Place is still
beavering away and has passed along links to the first edition of his
annual pre-season power ratings featuring the
bottom feeder 8 teams, which of course will be among the front
runners to get early picks at the 2011 draft. Paul also has some
thoughts on the
current state of affairs with the Green Bay Packers.
July 4
A very happy, stars-spangled banner type 4th to
everyone!!! Party hard but please be safe!
July 1
CFL
season kicks off … And what better way to
celebrate Canada Day (other than the start of the NFL free agent
signing period) than with a little 3-down, 12-man football as the
Canadian Football League kicks off its 2010 regular season with a
double header later today. The season gets underway with a Grey Cup
replay with the defending Canadian league champion Montreal Alouettes
playing the Roughriders in Saskatchewan at 7 PM ET this evening. Later,
Toronto will be in Calgary to play the Stampeders at 10 PM ET. Then on
Friday, Hamilton will be in Winnipeg at 8 PM ET, while BC plays at
Edmonton on Sunday at 7 PM ET. The CFL season wraps up with the 109th
edition of the Grey Cup on November 28th in Edmonton. Bring your
woolies!!! CFL rosters are split roughly evenly between Canadian and
American-born players and while its not the NFL there are still plenty
of names dotting CFL rosters that will be familiar to either U.S.
college or draft followers. BC, for example, will be lead by QBs Casey
Printers and Jarious Jackson, formerly of Florida AM and Notre Dame
respectively, while former Florida QB Chris Leak is the primary back-up
to perennial Montreal all-star QB Anthony Cavillo, while Drew Tate
(Iowa) and Cody Pickett )Washington ) back up Calgary QB Henry Burriss.
Other players of note on CFL rosters include DE Kai Ellis (Washington),
DB Lenny Walls (Boston College) and LB Rod Davis (Southern Miss) of
Edmonton; DB Brandon Browner (Oregon State), and LBs Mike Labinjo
(Michigan State) and Robert McCune (Louisville) of Calgary; QB Darian
Durant (North Carolina) and PK Louie Sakoda (Utah) of Saskatchewan; WRs
Terrence Edwards (Georgia) and Adarius Bowman (Oklahoma State), CB
Keyou Craver (Nebraska), OT Kelly Butler (Purdue), DE Phillip Hunt
(Houston), and RB Yvenson Bernard (Oregon State) of Winnipeg; FS Jason
Shivers (Arizona State), DE Garrett McIntyre (Fresno State), and WR
Maurice Mann (Nevada) of Hamilton; Toronto QB Cleo Lemon (Arkansas
State) and Montreal RB Avon Cobourne (West Virginia). Meanwhile, former
Indiana DE Greg Middleton is currently on Montreal’s practice squad.
June 28
(12:01
AM): Giants rook DB remains in stable
condition … New York Giants rookie safety Chad Jones, a third
round pick from LSU at the 2010 draft, reportedly remains in stable
condition in a Louisiana hospital after being seriously injured in a
single car crash over the weekend. Jones underwent what is being
described as successful surgery on his mangled left leg which doctors
were originally afraid might have to be amputated. Doctors also
reportedly believe that Jones likely will eventually be able to walk
normally again, however, its obvious that his pro football career is
very much in peril.
Small college QB gives up football for ministry … California-Davis
QB Greg Denham, who might have generated some free-agent interest this
coming April, has reportedly decided to quit football and pursue a
career in the ministry.
June 24
(10:00 AM): Pac-12 WR arrested, suspended
…
Arizona WR Delashaun Dean, a second-tier prospect for the 2011 draft,
has been suspended indefinitely after reportedly being arrested last
weekend on of misconduct involving weapons. Dean is scheduled to appear
in court next week. The 6-3, 210-pound Dean, a possession receiver with
4.55 type seed, had 42 receptions in 2010 but averaged under 10 yards
per catch.
June 22
(2:00 PM): Duck QB to enter supp draft …
Gil Brandt of NFL.com is reporting that former Oregon QB Jeremiah
Masoli is expected to apply for entrance in the next month’s summer
supplemental draft. Masoli was booted off the Ducks‘ squad earlier this
year after his second brush with the law in the past six months.
Earlier this month Masoli was cited for possession of one ounce or less
of marijuana and driving with a suspended California license after
being stopped for a trafiic violation. Masoli was already serving a
year’s probation after pleading guilty in March to second-degree
robbery for his role in a theft at a campus fraternity. After being
named the 2008 Holiday Bowl MVP, the athletic Masoli ran for almost 700
yards and 13 TDs last fall, while throwing for over 2,000 yards and
another 15 scores as he completed 58% of his pass attempts. Masoli will
become the 4th player to apply for this summer’s supplemental draft
which is scheduled for July 15th joining RB Harvey Unga of BYU,
Northwestern State’s Quentin Castille and Truman State’s Vaness Emokpae
in the field.
June 17
Pair apply to summer supp draft … Several
sources have confirmed that BYU RB Harvey Unga has filed paperwork with
the NFL to be included in this summer’s supplemental draft. Meanwhile,
Rob Rang of CBS Sports is reporting that Truman State RB Vanness
Emokpae has also sent in paperwork to the league be included in the
supplemental draft which is scheduled to be held on July 15.
With all the new draft picks available this year it
may
be
hard to work out this years NFL online
betting. Only time will tell, once the draft is complete and
the teams start to play the picture will be clear and choosing a team
to bet on shouldn't be a problem at all.
The
Great Blue North Draft Report
is one of the more detailed an upto date report that you can find. We
hope that you find it helpful and interesting.
It
is known that football isn't the only sport where the initial draft can
dictate the outcome of the season. Just like the NFL the NRL
(Australia's National Rugby League) has a very intense preseason
draft. Many players hope to find themselves along with their
teams at
the top of the NRL results
and in the end they hope to win the Grand Final and become the premier
team. This mostly depends on the draft, the rest is good sportsmanship
and skill.
If
you have comments or
suggestions, e-mail: The editor.
The GBN
can also be reached by phone at (613) 692-1088 or
regular mail at PO Box 5282, Merivale Depot, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada;
K2C 3H5.