What the Raiders did is perplexing to me, but it was the only way to get a starting quarterback. Look, I don't think any team wants to start Kyle Boller right now, and the Raiders were out of options. Everybody knew they had to overpay, but a first rounder is far too much for a below-average quarterback. Palmer isn't that bad, but Jason Campbell might actually be better. It was sad to see Campbell go down like that, as he was playing some damn good football this season. He really broke out as a game manager and remains one of my favorite players since his days with the 'Skins.

No matter how much I hate Mike Brown, now was a good time for him to let Carson Palmer continue his NFL career and move on with Andy Dalton. Even though it hurts his already dirt-low stature for being a pushover from his initial refusals to trade Palmer, he finally did something for the good of the team. I have always been highly critical of Brown, but this was actually a nice move. For the Raiders, it was necessary, as they are a team that can contend for a playoff spot. It's always good to see teams trying to make that push by adding guys at the deadline, much like teams do in baseball.

Two players on the Bears- Matt Forte and Chris Harris- have requested trades. Harris said that it is due to family reasons, but it is interesting to note that the underrated Harris was benched in favor of rookie Chris Conte. His replacement isn't that bad of a player, but he isn't of Harris's caliber.

Forte, on the other hand, is a premier running back who might just be the Bears' best player on offense. He wants more money, and it looks like at least two teams are very interested in acquiring the star. He is a good rusher who has great hands out of the backfield and had an RB Efficiency of 52.6 last season.

The reason why David Garrard did not sign on to be the starter for the Dolphins or Raiders was because of back surgery. His agent has lashed out against the Jags' organization for being classless and releasing him to avoid this injury problem. He also said that this is the difference between a great organization like the Colts and one like the Jaguars, citing the fact that the Colts re-signed Peyton Manning knowing about the injury. Although both players are of way different caliber, and it isn't the same case; Garrard's agent has a point, and if that's the case, then we'll just get a little angry inside and forget about it ten seconds later. It also is quizzical as to why the Jags held out the information about the injury, but Garrard wasn't exactly forthcoming about it either. Gene Smith's explanation of the events were

Initially, Sam Bradford's injury in the game against the Packers was ruled as very minor. Now, it seems like he has a high ankle sprain. If he's out and can't start throwing the ball to Brandon Lloyd on Sunday, there is no chance that this team wins. Bradford might be out for three to four weeks, so this season is quickly going from terrible to whatever is ten times worse than terrible. Do you really want to put the game in A.J. Feely's hands?

Brandon Lloyd was traded to the Rams for virtually nothing- in case you've been living in a cave and haven't heard. I expect Lloyd to catch 30 passes this season, and you really can't get much out of a fifth-rounder in the draft. Draft picks are extremely overvalued, but Lloyd will be a free agent after this season anyway. The Broncos want DeMaryius Thomas and Eric Decker to get more targets and are also very high on rookie tight end Julius Thomas, so that's part of the reason why he was traded. For the Rams, it means that Bradford actually has a legit receiver to throw to whenever he gets back from his apparent ankle injury. I also like the Lloyd-McDaniels connection, and I can see a lot of targets coming his way in this offense. My problem is that Steven Jackson won't get the ball enough, as he was running over the Packers but didn't get enough carries to truly make a difference despite the efficient outing when he did actually get the rock.

First rounders change a man's look an life (or a trade)

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Posted By: Joe Soriano - Category: NFL Rumors and News, Colts, Peyton Manning, Jaguars, David Garrard, Bengals, Andy Dalton, Mike Brown, DeMaryius Thomas, Eric Decker, Julius Thomas, Raiders, Carson Palmer, Jason Campbell, Chris Harris CHI, Matt Forte, A.J. Feely, Brandon Lloyd, Josh McDaniels, Sam Bradford, Steven Jackson

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2011 NFL Draft Team Grades Part 5

May 6th 2011 14:36

St. Louis Rams A plus- The Rams had an amazing draft. First, they got the best defensive end in the draft with just the 14th pick. That's unquestionably a huge bargain. Then, they spent the rest of the draft adding receivers to surround Sam Bradford. The guys they got look good to me. The Rams may finally have a decent receiving tight end with the selection of Lance Kendricks. He's got good hands, and Bradford would love to have him as a safety valve; any young QB would.

Danny Amendola is a decent receiver, but the rest of the other receivers on the Rams are average at best. Austin Pettis will be big in the red zone, and he could emerge as the main guy. He was a nice bargain in the third round. Greg Salas had a huge year for Hawaii, but we all know about how much players are too positively effected by their very pass-friendly system. Salas isn't a guy to write off just because he played at Hawaii. He's a sleeper pick and was a nice value in the fourth. He is raw, but he runs good routes, he's the toughest wideout in the draft, and he's fast. He isn't really a playmaker though, but Salas will be another reliable target for Bradford. Did I also mention that Josh McDaniels- the same guy that made Kyle Orton and Brandon Lloyd look really god- is their offensive coordinator? Watch out NFL, these Rams will air it. And hey, Steven Jackson ain't a bad running back either.

Tampa Bay Bucs B I thought the Bucs did a solid job. They bolstered their pass rush by getting Adrian Clayborn and Da'Quan Bowers. Bowers was a nice deal at the end of the second round, and he fell due to injury and character concerns. The talent is obviously there, and I think it was a good pick by Tampa. Clayborn, Stylez G. White, and Bowers should be able to make up a young and solid rotation for the Bucs.

Mason Foster looks like a solid linebacker with a good motor and is also versatile. The problem is that, if Barrett Ruud leaves, he'll be forced to play MLB in the Tampa 2 which calls upon middle linebackers to be very athletic with great range. Foster is solid, but he doesn't seem like the prototypical Tampa 2 middle linebacker. Tight end Luke Stocker should be a nice number two, and he's a good blocker that will provide some value in two tight end sets. Ahmad Black was a solid choice in round five. He's a bit slow, but I like his instincts. He'll be a solid depth guy right off. The Bucs already have good enough safeties, so he won't be thrust into the starting spot.

Tennessee Titans A minus- The Titans did a spectacular job by getting Jake Locker. I've already talked about my opinions on Locker a lot, so let's just say that I believe he was not reach and is the best QB in the class. The Titans probably thought so, and they filled in a huge need by taking him. Akeem Ayers isn't good in coverage, but he's a good pass rusher that also does a very good job against the run. He'll probably be on the strong side for the Titans.

Jurrell Casey was one of my sleepers, and the Titans were the ones that got this bargain in the third round. Casey is a stout tackle who will keep on improving because of his incredible work ethic. Casey is great against the run, and he also does a decent job of getting to the QB. Karl Klug's position in the NFL- end or tackle- is uncertain, but we do know that Klug is a solid tackler that has a good motor that enables him to get to the ball. He is a team player that should be able to find his niche in the NFL.

Washington Redskins B minus- The Skins did a pretty good job in this year's draft. Ryan Kerrigan looks like a solid player that will give them something on the line; the underrated Vonnie Holiday will most likely depart through free agency. Jarvis Jenkins will bring a lot of help on the D-Line as well, and he might even start at defensive tackle. Leonard Hankerson is a solid receiver, and we all know how bad the Redskins' wideouts are, besides the very good Santana Moss. Moss might leave through free agency as well, so drafting two wideouts- we'll get to the other one later- was critical.

Roy Helu is a solid pass catcher and has a good mix of power and speed. He isn't so good in lateral quickness, but he's one of my sleepers and solid value in the fourth round. More competition at running back, yet another uncertain position in D.C., is definitely better. Helu will probably backup Ryan Torain, and I'll think he'll do a good job being the number two guy; which is important in today's league where an injury to a back is never far away. You have to constantly rest your RBs.

Niles Paul is a big receiver and his skillset will be important to the Skins. He's a solid player who will most likely end up being a decent number three receiver. He can also return and get YAC. That's pretty decent value for a 5th rounder. Evan Royster is one of my favorite players, I'm a PSU fan, and I always enjoyed watching him in college. He's a solid runner with good hands, but he just looks like an average number two back at best. Royster will bring something to the Redskins' running back competition, and he may get a few carries. Royster was a nice pick in the 6th round, and he'll be at least an average player in the league with time. He just isn't athletic enough to start. But trust me, he can be a solid number two back.