NASHVILLE, TN - CIRCA 2011: In this handout image provided by the NFL, O.J. Murdock of the Tennessee Titans poses for his NFL headshot circa 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)

By Rafael Garcia
Sr. Contributing Writer
Southeast Region
July 30, 2012

O.J. Murdock, 25 years old, was found dead in his car of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. The incident happened sometime this morning and he was rushed to Tampa General in critical condition. The details as to why this happened are still a mystery. What is known is that he sent a text message to his former receivers coach, Fort Hays State’s Al McCray got the text around 3:30 am. The coach said that “ it was like, Coach, I appreciate everything you have done for me and my family.” He added that at the end of the text Murdock said “I apologize.” McCray thought that the kid was saying sorry for sending a text too early. He would later learn the horrific truth.

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By Justin Baldinger-Contributing Writer/Show Panelist-The JETS Zone

The Jets quarterback situation is among the most talked about and analyzed position battles in all of football going into this season. It features two of the most polarizing figures in the league and a team that has become a publicity magnet over the course of the Rex Ryan era. Curiously though, the organization maintains the team’s quarterback controversy is one that doesn’t even exist.

Throughout the offseason, Ryan and General Manger Mike Tannenbaum have reiterated that Mark Sanchez, the incumbent, is their quarterback. Despite their votes of confidence, the team’s offseason moves have clouded their true sentiments about Sanchez, their 2009 first round pick. After a brief and unsuccessful courtship of now-Broncos’ quarterback Peyton Manning, the Jets signed Sanchez to what essentially amounted to an “I’m sorry” contract extension, a deal that added three additional years, but very little new guaranteed money. It was seemingly a statement that Sanchez was their man, at least for this season. It took less than two weeks to dramatically change that perception.

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 TONIGHT ON FRO Radio @ 9pm ET We will be Joined by the founders of EYE Scout!!

On tonight’s show We will be joined by Steven Burkett & Ted Sundquist the founders of EYE Scout. Their software products for College & Professional Football Scouting is set to turn the Football World upside down! You may also remember Ted as the Former GM of the Denver Broncos.

www.blogtalkradio.com/Football-Reporters

Tonight on the FRO Weekly we had the honor of Visiting with two Great Guests!

English: Franco Harris, Running back, Pittsburgh Steelers (1972-1983) and Seattle Seahawks (1984) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

First Legendary Steeler great Franco Harris joined us In a Pre Recorded session from early today, Then Sports Lawyer/Player Agent John Phillips joined us to discuss the Issues facing the NFL’s Players and retired players today!

Listen Here(follow this link):Listen to my new episode Football Reporters Online weekly at http://tobtr.com/s/3212675. #BlogTalkRadio

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-Exec. Editor-Football Reporters Online

Grade: A-

This is probably the strongest class of offensive linemen overall in a few years, and no one sub-group shows that level of talent more then the guards in this draft class.

Mr. DeCastro is possibly the most complete player in the group, and could probably play any position on the line except left tackle.  He is also the one of the few players that fits both a man on man and a zone-type blocking scheme, which is a huge plus for the team drafting him. He might be the second lineman off the boards on draft day 1. Some of the “glossy” publications like to rank Guards and Centers together, but we prefer to rate them in separate sections as they are different positions.

1)   David DeCastro-Stanford (Jr.) 6’5.0”-312lbs. 40-5.22  Bench-34 reps-Gr. 6.5

A dominating, punishing run blocker, as well as a very good pass protection blocker. Also pulls and traps very well. Highly mobile for his size, but could stand to add a little bit of lower body strength. Can be a success in any scheme. Will also block down field as much as 8 yards off the line, while successfully engaging targets. Rarely gets beat in pass coverage assignments. Would be even better if he gained 7 or 8 pounds, but could stay where he is and remain effective. We’d be surprised if he fell past the middle of the 1^st round.

2)   Cordy Glenn-Georgia 6’ 5.5”-346 lbs. 40-5.15(comb.) Bench-31 reps-Gr. 6.4

Cordy played mostly tackle for the Bulldogs, but will move to guard at the next level. Needs to drop some weight to increase his foot speed, but extremely physically strong and sound technically as a lineman. Has exceptionally long arms and big hands, and is strong at the point of attack. Very strong lower body as well, but could play “meaner” at times, and should keep his arms up more often. Could get tired early at times when double teamed by defensive players. We are looking forward to seeing Mr. Glenn at the next level.

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