Football Reporters Online

Quarterback Matt Barkley during a visit to a USC fall practice before the 2008 USC Trojans football season and his senior year in high school. He is making the traditional USC Trojan "V" for victory hand sign. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By Anthony”Mini-Kiper” Carillo -contributing writer/reporter-Football Reporters Online

1)     Quarterback Matt Barkley USC

Matt Barkley is going to be a 4 year starter at USC, which is more than Carson Palmer, Mark Sanchez and Matt Leinhart can say. Barkley has fantastic arm strength arm strength and great accuracy as well. He runs a west coast offense at USC which will help him transition over to the NFL.

NFL COMPARSION-Matt Cassell

2)     Running back Marcus Lattimore South Carolina

Lattimore is an absolute work horse. He can smash it up between the tackles, and he has the breakaway speed to get to the next level. Lattimore will be an instant success in the NFL, and with the right offensive line he will become an all-pro in no time.

NFL COMPARSION-Adrian Peterson

3)     Offensive Tackle Taylor Lewan Michigan

Lewan is a big tackle with long arms and a lot of upper body strength. He needs to work on his footwork a little bit, but at the end of the day he will blossom into a dominant left tackle for whatever team takes him.

NFL COMPARSION-Jake Long

4)     Running Back Montee Ball Wisconsin

Montee Ball is a very elusive runner who is very agile and can make instant cuts and get up the field. He also has great hands for a running back so he is also a threat in the passing game. He was a first team all-american last season and look for him to be even better as he puts on a few pounds of muscle and gets even faster and more elusive.

NFL COMPARSION-Ryan Matthews

5)     Wide Receivers Robert Woods USC

Woods is a great receiver who can jump through the roof and stretch the field. He has great hands and runs crisp clean routes. He will need to work on getting physical off the line of scrimmage but he is going to be a pro bowler within the first few years he is in the league.

NFL COMPARSION-Santonio Holmes

6)     Running Back Knile Davis Arkansas

Davis is powerful as well as speedy. The only questions surrounding his draft stock is how he bounces back from his leg injury he had last year. If he can bounce back and have a stellar season, some team would be glad to take him because he is a playmaker and will be a spark for whatever offense he goes to.

NFL COMPARSION-Shonne Green

7)     Offensive Tackle/Guard Barrett Jones Alabama

Jones is a big powerful lineman who has great technique. He has a sturdy base and can get off blocks and move to the next level quickly. A very explosive lineman who also has great hands and good lower body strength.

NFL COMPARSION-David Diehl

8)     Quarterback Tyler Wilson Arkansas

Wilson is a quarterback with a very powerful arm and great pocket awareness. Do not be surprised if Wilson shoots up and challenges Barkley for the top quarterback spot after this season. He is a talented quarterback who will excel at the next level.

NFL COMPARSION-Phillip Rivers

9)     Wide Receiver Marquess Wilson Washington State

Wilson shatter almost all the receiving records at WSU, and he is going to be an impact player in the NFL. With a tall lanky frame he is a great red zone threat due to his height, and he has great hands to be able to make the tough catches.

NFL COMPARSION-Larry Fitzgerald

10)  Running back Joseph Randle Oklahoma State

Randle is a fast running back who has great field vision and can make defenders miss. He played in a run and shoot offense at Oklahoma State but he will definitely be able to transition into a NFL running back. He also is a great pass catcher so he can be used almost as a slot receiver.

NFL COMPARSION-Felix Jones

11)  Quarterback Landry Jones Oklahoma

Landry Jones is a big, strong armed quarterback that can move in the pocket and deliver the football wherever the ball needs to be. He also has great field vision and great accuracy.

NFL COMPARSION-Sam Bradford

12)  Offensive Tackle DJ Flukner Alabama

Flukner is a big tackle at 6’6’’, and can move very well for his size. He has long arms and he keeps his feet moving through blocks. He has great hands and upper body strength. A very explosive player, he can work off his blocks and move to the next level quickly.

NFL COMPARSION-Ryan Clady

13)  Wide Receiver Tayvon Austin West Virginia

A short, shifty receiver who makes plays in open space and in an absolute burner. He can stretch the field and get the ball at its highest point. He can take a five yard pass and make one or two moves and turn it into a seventy yard touchdown.

NFL COMPARSION-DeSean Jackson

14)  Wide Receiver Keenan Allen California

Allen is a great receiver with good size to be physical at the line of scrimmage. He has good hands and has the necessary speed to out run defenders. The one thing he needs to work on is sharpening up his route running and coming out of breaks clean.

NFL COMPARSION-Dwayne Bowe

15)  SLEEPER PICK-Running back Rex Burkhead Nebraska

Burkhead is a great running back that teams will pass on solely because of his size, but in reality he is going to be a great compliment running back in the NFL. He is powerful, elusive and fast and would be a great third down running back or a great option for the screen game, almost just like how the Patriots use running back Danny Woodhead.

NFL COMPARSION-Danny Woodhead

New York Jets logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By David Levy-Fan Experience Reporter-Football Reporters Online

It appears fans of  HBO’s  Hard Knocks will not be able to get up close, personal, and behind all the scenes of the New York Jets this training camp.

According to Dennis Wasznak of the Associated Press, the Jets have reportedly turned down HBO’s offer:

A person familiar with the decision said the team decided to not participate in the hit HBO show this year after being approached by the cable network about appearing again.

Rex Ryan, Mark Sanchez and company were big stars and drew huge ratings two years ago—the last time the show aired—but the Jets opted to pass on doing it again this summer, the person told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Friday because neither the team nor the cable network had announced the decision.

This past Tuesday night on The Jets Zone on Blog Talk Radio I said this was the best decision the team could have made.

When you consider the three ring media circus that has already surrounded the franchise, the media frenzy and questions that came up when “backup” QB Tim Tebow was traded for, another Darelle Revis situation, and the locker-room problems the Jets had last season, the last thing they need are more cameras and eyes on the team as they go through training camp.

From a football perspective, the show would be a serious distraction. The report states the reason for turning the show down is the fact that they have a new offensive coordinator in Tony Sparano, and that makes perfect sense. Sporano is going to have his hands full with a new defense and getting used to the Jets.  The last thing he needs is his focus taken off the team.

Unfortunately, the Jets’ decision is a football fans loss when it’s all said and done.  .

The show would have been a must-watch had the Jets been the focus.

Fans of great reality TV will suffer, because it appears the Jets have made the smart and logical move for the first time in a while.  With 1,001 cameras already on them they did not need HBO’s as well.

They’ll be better for it, and the rest of us will be stuck hoping for anybody but the Jaguars.  That is not a knock on Jacksonville, just not the drama some fans were looking for.

(Eds. Note: as of this posting on Fri-5/17 we still have no word from HBO which team will in fact be the stars of this season’s Hard Knocks, although rumors abound that Jacksonville is set to accept the offer for this season)

By Dr. Bill Chachkes & David Levy-Football Reporters Online

Wilson sporting goods brought their “Factory” to the NFL Shop’s “pop up” store to NYC for NFL Draft week, and I have to say I was impressed at the dedication and workmanship of the folks who put the time into making each football. Yes folks, even though there are machines involved in the process, it’s still a “hand to hand” station to station process. I was also surprised to learn that each ball passes a quality control process that rivals many appliance and electronic companies. Our Fan experience reporter/videographer David Levy and I watched the entire process from start to finish(see video below) and after it passed over all the stations it gets a laser etchng process with the NFL teams‘ name that the ball will be shipped to(780 Balls for each team per season are made, not including special orders for each team. (See Photos of my sample)

“Giants” ball). we were also treated to a great Interview with Kevin Murphy, Wilson’s General Manager of American Football and Wilson’s PR staffer Molly Wallace. We Hope we have conveyed the work ethic and dedication that goes into creatiing each football.

To us, everyone who is is involved in producing footballs for Wilson is dedicated to their work. Those of us who are football fanatics are grateful that all this hard work goes into making a ball.

Click Here for video of our Interview wth the Production staff.

Click Here for the Interview with Kevin Murphy

Special thanks to our fan experience reporter David Levy for The Video

and to Sixto Gallgeo for the video editing.

Stage as seen from the 2nd floor balcony. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By David Levy-Fan Experience Reporter-Football Reporters Online

The NFL Draft means something to everyone, in their own way.

For the teams, it is a chance to obtain those missing pieces of a puzzle that was the Super Bowl last season.  Others looking for fresh, young blood to rejuvenate a team to push its way back into contention.  But to everyone involved in football, it is four days that could change the course of a teams season.
To the fans, everyone takes it differently.  To the casual football fan, it is a couple of days where teams pick college players in order to fill positions on their team.  To the frenzied fan of a team, the opportunity to retool and find some fresh faces to add to the veterans who can get the job done.  But to the die hard fan of the draft, it is a lot more.

The die hard fan plays out the draft the same way Robert Byrne and Bobby Fischer play a chess match.  All the players are lined up by position.  Moves thought out carefully.  Reacting to your opponent.  Thinking ahead to gain an advantage.  Studding statistics.  Know the advantage before a move is made.  The die hard fan knows these moves.

But to everyone, it is a look into what could be the future of a franchise or someone looking to keep their dream alive.

The draft is a magical time.  A time where any fan can see a potential hall of famer be named to their team of destiny.  A moment in time where a fan stops to imagine hearing their own name announced as a draft selection.  Draft day brings us one step closer to seeing how these new gladiators of the gridiron match up to their veteran counterparts.

Maybe its fitting the draft takes place in New York. A city where people come to from all over the globe to capture their dream. They come to see where their future lies. A city that has delivered to so many can now deliver to them.

Football fans will converge at Radio City Music Hall for four days to not just see who gets drafted, but to immerse themselves in the NFL experience.  Fan events, player interaction, and bickering between other fans makes this a precursor of a season to come.  Groundwork to be laid as to whose fans will have bragging rights next year.

You can ask any fan how they feel about the draft.  Everyone will mention at least one great signing and complain about 99 others.  Those are fans, that is what they do.  Fans are the best market research to let a sports franchise know how it is doing.  You can hear them loud and clear after each and every draft selection.  The teams conscience.

Every fan has some part of the NFL calendar they look forward to.  Some wait all year for the draft.  Why?  It is the official day where collegiate athletes become professional football players.  The NCAA to the NFL.  A transition.  The new breed that pushes the progression of football just one more notch on the game’s time-line.

The start of the 2012 season begins on Thursday.  The first major event on the NFL calendar for the new season.  Every franchise waiting, patient for their turn to select that next great player to represent their franchise.  The new face of the team marketing machine that entices fans like a circus ringleader.  To get you to cheer for the greatest game on earth.

And we do.

Not just because of that.  It’s the memories.  Being able to share that experience with others to smile and laugh about later.  Giving that next generation the lesson needed to stay educated on how the NFL draft works.  The Draft has become an event onto itself.  The Draft at Radio City is like the Allman Brothers coming to the Beacon Theater.  You know it is coming every year.  Planning ahead to make the necessary arrangements.

This is a big week for those players looking to be selected by the professional team of their choice.  Some fans looking to see if they predicted the same selection as their favorite team.  The anticipation could be a little more than some can bear.  But with fans from every team in attendance this week, it will be a week those players looking for a new home will not forget.  If the teams make a bad move, the fans will never let them forget.  So, are you ready?

By JP Fox-Contributing Writer/Radio Host-Football Reporters Online

As we know, the Dallas Cowboys have had problems in the past few years with finishing games. If it weren’t Tony Romo making a critical error (or two) late in the game, it was the defense’s poor ability to hold onto a lead. Coming into draft season, this is a critical year for Jerry Jones and company to hit a home run in the draft to make sure the team takes the next step. With Tony Romo turning 32 years old by the time April 26th rolls around, the Boys need to make a move soon before the window of opportunity closes on the chance of success with a franchise QB.

Let’s take a look at the position by position breakdown of the Dallas Cowboys draft needs and the chances of them going after that position in the draft:

QB: Very low chance

Like I mentioned, Tony Romo is entering his age 32 season. He just had one of his best statistical seasons of his career and honestly doesn’t look like he is about to slow down now. In the final 9 games of this past season, Romo put up 20 touchdowns compared to only 3 interceptions. He also lost two fumbles. So a 20:5 TD:turnover ratio was a great run by Romo. But in the final 5 games of the season, the Boys again struggled in December with a horrible 1-4 record, resulting in an 8-8 record and missing the playoffs. Starting QB is not the problem with the Cowboys. If the Cowboys are going to target this position come draft time, it’ll be late in the draft for a developmental guy. Stephen McGee hasn’t matured enough to be relied on as a true #2 QB and that’s disappointing since the Cowboys spent a 4th round pick on him hoping he’d eventually be that guy. I fully expect the Boys to target a veteran QB in free agency to hold down the back up position while they possibly bring in somebody else to push McGee out of a job entirely.

RB/FB: Very Low chance

DeMarco Murray was a 3rd round pick in the 2011 draft and broke onto the season in the St.Louis Rams game in week 7. In that game, Murray broke the franchise’s all-time single game rushing record with 253 yards. He ended the season with just below 900 games which ended in week 14 with an ankle injury. Murray is thought to be 100% by the time OTA’s and training camp roll around. With Murray and Felix Jones as the backup, the Boys are in a good place at the running back position right now. The flashes of brilliance by rookie Phillip Tanner also has the Boys in good shape at the third running back spot. Also, starting fullback Tony Fiammetta will be brought back after he burst onto the scene as a more than reliable pass and run blocker. The Boys will not spend a draft choice on either of these positions.

WR/TE: Low chance

At wide receiver, the Cowboys have pro-bowler Miles Austin and on-the-verge of super stardom playmaker Dez Bryant at the starting positions. #3 WR Laurent Robinson is a free agent but it’s expected the Cowboys will go all in on trying to bring him back after he burst onto the scene with 11 TD’s this past season. If they bring him back, the Cowboys will be set at the position. After those three, the Cowboys have several younger players that they are on and won’t need to spend a draft choice to crowd the field when it comes to players competing for the #4-6 WR positions. If anything, they’d target a guy who can be a return specialist since the Boys haven’t had that type of player since Deion Sanders. Dez Bryant will only be playing WR from here on out. At tight end, Jason Witten is on his way to the Hall-of-Fame. Backup John Phillips had his season end abruptly with a knee injury. In the preseason, Phillips was probably the most impressive player on the entire roster. With Martellus Bennett expected to move on in free agency, the Boys don’t have a set in stone guy for the #3 spot. If the Cowboys are going to go after a guy at the TE position, I believe it’ll be in rounds 5-7 to be the #3.

Offensive Line: High Chance

With the 9th overall pick in the 2011 draft, the Cowboys spent it on OT Tyron Smith. Smith ended up starting at right tackle and graded out as one of the best tackles in the entire NFL. Smith will flip-flop positions with Doug Free. Free is better suited to play right tackle anyway, and he looked lost last season protecting Romo’s blind-side. He’ll be back at his natural position while Smith, who is only 21 years old, will be at left tackle. The problem with the OLine is inside. The Cowboys flip-flopped two-three players last season at center. Two of those players were undrafted and inexperienced. Also, at guard, the Cowboys had old-timers Kyle Kosier, Montrae Holland, and Derrick Dockery rotating at times. Also, Bill Nagy was called on at times to play. Jerry Jones really fooled himself thinking the Boys were set on the interior offensive line with the mixture of low-round/undrafted players and long-time veterans. I expect the Cowboys to definitely focus on OG early in the draft. Names to remember with that 14th overall pick: Stanford Guard David DeCastro, Georgia OL Cordy Glenn, Wisconsin OL Peter Konz.

Defensive Line: Medium-High Chance

Jay Ratliff is manning the NT position. Each and every offseason, people say that Ratliff needs to be moved to defensive end. Why? I’m not completely sure. The guy has made multiple pro-bowls at the NT position. But at his age and the beating he’s taken, it might now be time to move him outside where he could create mismatches. If the Boys decide to do that, they could target a NT early on in the draft, probably in the 2nd round. If Ratliff stays inside, the Boys could also target a guy that can play 3-4 DE. The Cowboys have Marcus Spears and Kenyon Coleman at the DE positions. Two above-average players but they definitely can be upgraded, It’s a definitely possibility that they target a guy in round 1 that can be versatile in also playing up at 3-4 OLB. DeMarcus Ware, Anthony Spencer, and Victor Butler all have experience with the Cowboys playing DE on some downs while also standing up at other times. Quinton Coples, DE/OLB, from North Carolina is a possibility in the 1st round.

Linebacker: Medium Chance

All-Pro DeMarcus Ware is at OLB and that wont change any time soon. At the other OLB position, Anthony Spencer just received the teams’ franchise tag. The $8.8 million cap number is pretty high for a player that is not near elite status. But on the flip side, the Cowboys coaches/personnel value Spencer’s run-stopping ability, his ability to drop into coverage, and also to get to the Quarterback. He’ll most likely be retained on that 1 year salary if no long-term deal is reached. 2010 2nd round draft pick Sean Lee developed into possibly one of the teams best defensive players while becoming the #1 MLB. With him at one spot, and the likely departure of veterans Bradie James and/or Keith Brooking, the Boys will likely turn to 2011 2nd round pick Bruce Carter to take over alongside Lee. Having Ware and Spencer on the outside, with two young guys in the middle, the Cowboys LB’s could be the most underrated part of the team and end up being the most valuable. The backups are another story. The Cowboys have several younger players that they put high value on. Orie Lemon, Alex Albright, and Victor Butler are guys the Cowboys see as potential contributors to the team. Aside from the starting 4 and those 3, the Cowboys could choose to use a draft pick or two on either OLB and/or ILB. No high draft pick will be used on this position but for depth purposes, it’s a definite possibility.

Secondary: Very high chance

Here’s where things get pretty bad for the Cowboys. Starting cornerbacks Terence Newman and Michael Jenkins both underachieved last season. Newman turned into a way below average cornerback who just looked old and washed up. I expect the Cowboys to cut him before free agency starts on March 13th. Jenkins dealt with multiple injuries this past season while not showing the ball skills that made him a pro bowler just a few years ago. The Cowboys will bank on a bounce-back season from him. Orlando Scandrick is the 3rd corner on the roster and isn’t all that bad, but only when he plays in the slot. Jenkins will be back as a starter and Scandrick, who signed an extension during this past season, will be back to man the slot CB positon. If the Cowboys target one of the top CB’s on the market, such as Cortland Finnegan or Brandon Carr (as they are expected to do), the need for a CB in round 1 will go out the window. But even if the Boys do end up with one of the big names, that doesn’t get that position out of the woods. Beyond Jenkins and Scandrick, there is absolutely no depth. Draft picks need to be used, in whichever rounds, to add depth to a poorly manned position. At safety, the Cowboys have Gerald Sensabaugh locked up to be the strong safety. With Abram Elam likely moving on in free agency after 1 underwhelming season in Dallas, safety could be a top priority for the Cowboys come Day 1 and Day 2 of the draft. They definitely need a ballhawk in the secondary, something they haven’t had since the beginning of Roy Williams’ career. Alabama safety Mark Barron should be a name that’s kept in mind.

Kicker/Punter: Very Low Chance

Kicker Dan Bailey, undrafted last season, converted 32 of 37 FG’s and proved to be a good kickoff specialist as well. He’ll be the teams kicker from here on out while most likely pushing David Buehler completely out of a job, as he was only valuable on kickoffs anyways. Punter Mat McBriar was one of the best punters in the NFL for some time before hurting his plant foot during the season. He is a free agent come March 13th. I expect the Cowboys to attempt to re-sign him. If they decide not to, or are unsuccessful in bringing him back, the Cowboys are very high on rookie Punter Chris Jones. Jones punted in two games and averaged just about 43 yards per punt. He was undrafted last season and the Cowboys may have found something in him.

With all of that said, and without factoring in free agency, which can blow up everything I just said, the biggest needs for the Cowboys will be:

Cornerback, Safety, Interior Offensive Line, and Defensive Line

The least area for concern for the Cowboys will be:

QB, RB, WR, LB

Jerry Jones needs to do his homework and make sure that the team drafts players that fit specific needs. No more of the best player available nonsense. The Super Bowl Champs reside in their division and the Cowboys need to take the necessary steps to get over the hump.

1. By Jeff Gusman-Contributing Writer-Radio Host-Football Reporters Online       1. Trent Richardson, Jr. Alabama. 5’11”, 225 # … 4.49-C

A two-time National Champion out of Alabama, Richardson is one of the most complete Backs to come into the Draft in recent years. He’s a big-game player with terrific vision and balance; and while his speed is not great, it is good enough. Richardson is hard to bring down, and protects the football well. Due to his lack of speed, he can sometimes be tracked down in the open field. His long term durability could be an issue, too, because of his punishing running style. The bottom line is Richardson is physically mature and NFL ready. Look for him to be the first Running Back taken in Round One.

2. Lamar Miller, R-So. Miami (FLA). 5’11”, 215 # … 4.40-C

Miller is one of the fastest players in the Draft, regardless of position. He has big play ability and can accelerate quickly once he gets through the hole.  He seems to get better and stronger as the game goes on. Still rough around the edges having only played two years at Miami, he possesses tremendous upside. Miller can also play on special teams as he returned kicks, including an 88 yarder for a touchdown his freshman year vs. Ohio State. The bottom line is he’s a big play waiting to happen, and of drafted by the right team could be a star in the league for a long time.

3. David Wilson, Jr. VA Tech. 5’10”, 205 # … 4.49-C

Wilson is strong and very athletic. The 2011 ACC offensive player of the year has elite speed and good balance. He runs through arm tackles with ease. He can also return kicks. Needs to work on his pass protection and catching. Bottom line is Wilson has the potential to play in this league for a long time. Depending on a team’s need, he could go late in the first round, but the second or third round is more likely.

4. Doug Martin, Sr. Boise St. 5’9”, 220 # … 4.55-C

A rare fifth year senior, Martin had a very successful career at Boise State. Running for over 2400 yards in his Junior and Senior seasons. Martin has good power and shows good instincts. He’s got a high football IQ and has good hands out of the backfield as well as being a high character individual. Bottom line is whoever drafts Martin is going to get a very good football player and even better person.

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