Sorry ladies, but the NFL Combine starts in 3 days. We're off and running!

Being a Steelers fan, I am looking for how the CBs and safties perform since those are two of the Steelers needs.

The Steelers look at this draft as the deepest in talent in thirty years, and the teams that stand out in the draft will be those who cash in on third and fourth round talent. With defensive secondary options plentiful, there's talk about the Steelers grabbing a plum inside linebacker (either CJ Mosley of Alabama or Chris Borland of Wisconsin should be available in Round 1. There are reports that they are also interested in USC WR Marquise Lee and NT Louis Nix of Notre Dame. Much of the Steelers' defensive success over the decades revolved around a strong NT, who ate up linemen and allowing athletic linebackers to make big plays.

The Steelers think that either or both safeties Ha Ha Clinton-Dix of Ala or Calvin Pryor of Louisville may be worth taking in the first round. Polamalu is in the final year of his contract, but the Steelers are confident that Shakaro Thomas will take over as strong safety, but Ryan Clark is a free agent, so they either have to draft a player to step in as a rookie or grab another free agent as a temporary fill.

Kly, I'm hoping they take a CB and a safety early. They then can go after a receiver and defensive line players. Multiple reports on Nix cite some deficiencies; they view him mainly as one who eats up space, but doesn't adapt well to changes in direction, etc. I am surprised that those same reports are high on quite a few defensive backs who may be available in later rounds.

I wonder if any of the teams are going after LSU's duo, Odell Beckham and Jarvis Landry

I too would like to see them get better in the secondary with young players, but my guess is that if one of the big 2 ILBs is still on the board, they will go there. I don't think they'll use a first round pick on WR as there are many good ones, who'll be available in subsequent rounds.

The two corners from Mich St. and Okla St. have been placed alone in the top echlon at their position for the draft, but a cb that impressed me last year as someone who can play well at the pro level is Nebraska's Stanley Jean-Baptiste. He's built like a young Mel Blount.

Beckham might go late in the first round. There are so many good receivers that who knows how they'll be ranked by different teams after the first three or four are taken.

Well Mark Sanchez was released by the Jets. It's so hard to belief what happens to these pro quarterbacks who are darlings early on and then ... pfft. He led the Jets to two AFC championship games in about 5 years. What in the world happened?

Turnabout is fair play. The Jets signed former Eagle qb, Mike Vick, and so it looks as though Mark Sanchez may be headed to the Eagles, who would then have two USC qbs on the roster. The Rams are apparently also interested in Sanchez as a backup.

I think Vick will struggle in NY. They don't have the ground attack or a game breaking WR that he enjoyed in Philly. Those factors, coupled with playing on grass in bad weather, are not favorable for the oft-injured Vick to stay healthy. The best thing Vick has working in his favor is playing behind an unexperienced Geno Smith.

Vick will fit in nicely with the Jets circus atmosphere. This could be Rex Ryan's last year if he doesn't produce a winner. The Geno Smith-Mike Vick show will garner many headlines in the NY media, which is about all the Jets can manage.

Considering all of the baggage from his arrest and incarceration for grusome crimes, Vick, while in Philly, did a good job of deflecting distractions and was actually a stabilizing presence within the team. When Riley Cooper's racially offensive remarks were released, he was the first to forgive, and without his lead, Cooper's acceptance would have been more difficult. Also, when benched due to poor performance and injury, Vick didn't mope, but helped the maturation and success of Nick Foles.

I think as a backup, he'll be more beneficial to Smith than were Sanchez and Rex Ryan.

Can you believe this crap?

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/report-ray-rice-marries-fiancee-day-after-being-indicted-032914

As the Beatles sang: All you need is love, bah, bah, bah, bah, bah,...

Looks like Miami MIGHT put together a winning team next season!! Fingers Crossed!

Mike Adams, 2nd year Steelers lineman was allegedly assaulted by three men and stabbed a year ago in Pittsburgh. The trial just concluded the other day. Surprisingly, the defednats were found not guilty of the stabbing. I didn't read the whole article, so I don't know what prompted that verdict.

The NFL, for the most part, gets things right among the big 4 professional American sports leagues (NFL, MLB, NHL, & NBA). But the delay of the NFL Draft until May 8, two weeks later than in recent years, was just plain dumb.

The NFL wants to be in the news every month out of the year - I get it. But once we get past the draft until training camp starts in July, the only time the NFL is in the news is the policy blotter.

None of the so-called experts really knows what the Top 5 teams will do in this year's draft. So it's been even worse waiting because everyone has an opinion.

Roger Goodell likes to try new things and he has improved the league at times. But with the draft this year, he already had a captive audience. It's the old adage of "if it's not broken don't fix it."

This kid Seantrel Henderson of the U. Miami was the top rated prospect in the country when he went to college, nice young man, now he can't get off weed or the couch, what a waste of talent.

Numerous NFL Prospects Fail Drug Tests During Scouting Combine

The rash of failed drug tests among some of the NFL's top recruits was yet another black eye for a sport recently plagued by drug and alcohol problems.

By McCarton Ackerman

05/07/14

More than 10 NFL prospects have failed drug tests at a recent scouting combine, raising further concerns about drug use in pro football.

Among the names on the list are Louisiana State University quarterback Zach Mettenberger and Florida State defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan. University of Miami tackle Seantrel Henderson also tested positive for marijuana. The numerous positive tests are also surprising because the players were all aware they would be screened during the combine and could have stopped using well in advance.

Mettenberger claims that he had a diluted sample - considered a failed test by the NFL - from drinking extra water after cramping during his rehab for a torn ACL. He is expected to challenge the positive result. His agent, Joe Linta, said he provided medical documentation to Dr. Lawrence Brown, the league’s advisor for drugs of abuse, alcohol, and HIV.

Drug and alcohol problems have plagued the league among the professional ranks in recent years. Last February, Washington Redskins tight end Fred Davis was suspended after violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy for the second time and then receiving a DUI within 24 hours. In a prepared statement, he said that his second violation came from taking a supplement that he wasn’t aware contained a banned substance. His first violation came from testing positive for marijuana.

“For over two years, I've worked very hard to eliminate marijuana from my life, and I have not had a positive test for it since 2011. Unfortunately, a couple of months ago I took a supplement that contained a banned substance,” he said. The NFL Policy is strict, and not knowing that a supplement might contain a banned substance doesn't excuse a violation of the policy. "I've worked closely with the NFLPA and NFL to resolve this violation, and I will be permitted to apply for reinstatement in the fall.”

Since March 2013, NFL players have been arrested 27 times on drug and alcohol-related charges, and many have been suspended for violating the league's substance policy. Among the big names suspended were Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller, New York Jets tight end Kellen Winslow, and Seattle Seahawks cornerbacks Walter Thurmond and Brandon Browner.

It'll really be some shit if Johnny Manziel doesn't get drafted .

Ha Ha Clinton-Dix??

Are you kidding me with that name??

Okay, Manziel went to the Browns. Good for Goombah!

The Eagles got a big budget they need to get some more whiteboys on the team Chip Kelly is a good coach but he's also a racist

I didn't want Manziel at #4 and was mad when they traded out of #4 and could have taken Sammy Watkins. But Manziel at #22 is good IMO. Whether he works out time will tell, but I give the new Browns GM credit for showing some guts.

Manziel was given the kiss of death by the NFL. Cleveland is where QB's go to die.

Just ask Bernie Kosar!

Come on PB, Bernie was THE exception for that short period of time. I give him credit though, he was the back up for my Phins when Marino was there.

It was a joke, LaLou. I always liked Bernie, too .

Also, ask Brady Quinn, Colt McCoy, Brandon Weedon, ...

Nah I gotcha PB, I didn't take any offense to that!

You gotta wonder why no one drafted Manziel earlier though? Dallas, Jax, both had the chance (Although I understand drafting Bortles by JAX because he is a Florida boy).

Maybe all that show boating this past year with the hand money and signing gestures reflected his maturity.

It isn't like he is going to be running crazy on the field pulling the stunts he did and making miraculous plays. Every NFL defense is way better than LSU and his record against the Tigers was 0-2.

I see him being more like an RG III guy. He will have his bright spots in his debut, but when you contain him and take away his razzle dazzle plays he makes with his feet and force him to throw, he isn't that great (once gain reference the games vs LSU, that's exactly what they did to him)

I agree that Manziel at #4 would have increased the possible downside of an already extremely risky proposition. If they didn't make the trade, they could have still picked up Manziel at 26 and have had Watkins, who is a talent that doesn't appear in the draft every year. Manziel would then have what could likely have become the best WR tandem in the league with Gordon.

Of course,it is very questionable whether Manziel can achieve a high level of success, and what would be the point of having two unusually gifted receivers on the field when the qb can't find them or is running wildly.

I thought the Bengals lucked out in having Denard fall all the way to them. Apparently the draft is rich in secondary players after the the first few standouts.

Good luck, goombah. Are you happy with the new coach in Cleveland?