This post will talk about the top rumors and bits of news of the week. Michael Vick told GQ that he didn't want to sign with the Eagles, because he didn't want to be a third stringer behind McNabb and Kolb. Both of those guys have since been traded, and Vick has become one of the best ten QBs in the league. He wanted to sign with the Bills or Bengals, but Roger Goodell told Vick that the Eagles were the best team to choose. Good thing Vick followed the commish's advice, otherwise there would be no Super Bowl talk for the Eagles.

While Vick did have a great year in 2010, he was fairly mediocre towards the end of the season thanks to disguise blitz packages that confused Vick. He especially struggled against the Vikings, and he had a ton of trouble recognizing cornerback blitzes involving Antoine Winfield. This year, he has arguably the league's best possession receiver in Steve Smith, and the additions of Danny Watkins and Ryan Harris will bolster a line that was very poor last year. Harris is one of the most athletic linemen in the league, and he was one of the best tackles out there under Mike Shanahan's zone blocking scheme. He's recently struggled with injuries, and the man blocking scheme employed by the Broncos last year did not suit Harris's skillset. Since Vick is a lefty, Harris is his blindside protector, and he should have an excellent 2011 season.

T.O.'s rehab is going ahead of schedule, and Owens will probably be able to play in four months. I honestly think that he doesn't have much left in him, and more importantly that Owens really doesn't seem interested in actually playing when he's on the field. He was overly targeted last season, and there were times where he wasn't focused or didn't care. I think he can still help a team out as a third or fourth receiver, but he really won't have much of an impact.

New Bears' wide receiver Roy Williams is apparently not in shape. I don't think this matters because Mike Martz really loves Williams, and he made him the number one receiver over Johnny Knox and Earl Bennett. I understand that Williams played in Martz's system with the Lions and that he is their big- literally- target, but Knox is a more productive player and Earl Bennett is Cutler's favorite receiver and is better than Williams.

I understand that Aaron Maybin has been nothing short of horrendous this year, but Maybin's talent didn't just suddenly go away. The Jets understand that, and they have signed the former PSU standout to a one-year deal. The Jets also recently released a high-profile bust in Vernon Gholston.

The Jets don't have anything to lose with this trade, and they really only have one useful pass rusher on their roster in Bryan Thomas. A lot of players need three years to develop, and you can't give up on a first rounder after just two seasons. There's no denying Maybin's talent, but this is a guy who is extremely immature and gets pushed around because he can't make his weight. Rex Ryan will make sure Maybin bulks up, and there is absolutely no risk to this deal.

Even though the Eagles probably won't trade Asante Samuel, they are obviously putting him on the trade block to see what they can get. The Eagles are always looking for deals, and they want two second-rounders in return. I ultimately don't think he gets traded, but it is interesting to look at what the team wants for Samuel. I would have thought that the Eagles would be looking for a first-rounder, because Samuel is an elite corner.

Eagles would want two second-rounders

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Posted By: Joe Soriano - Category: NFL, NFL Rumors and News, Jets, Aaron Maybin, Bryan Thomas, Rex Ryan, Bills, Bengals, Terrell Owens, Broncos, Eagles, Asante Samuel, Danny Watkins, Michael Vick, Ryan Harris, Steve Smith PHI, Mike Shanahan, Earl Bennett, Jay Cutler, Johnny Knox, Mike Martz, Roy Williams, Vernon Gholston, Antoine Winfield, Donovan McNabb, Kevin Kolb

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8/2011 Team Scope: Washington Redskins

August 14th 2011 16:22

Let me say this right off the bat: John Beck is completely unfit to start in this league. Rex Grossman, on the other hand, is actually a startable player. Ideally, you don't want him to have to be "the guy", but Grossman is one of the league's better backups. I think he's going to be the starter when week 1 rolls around, and offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan has a strange affinity for Grossman.

I don't have high hopes for the 'Skins offensively at all. Santana Moss is a very good wideout, but the players around him don't necessary ease off that much pressure. Anthony Armstrong, Leonard Hankerson, Donte Stallworth, and Jabar Gaffney are all mediocre to subpar receivers. Chris Cooley is overrated right now, and he's taking too many targets away from the guy who is actually the best tight end on the roster; Fred Davis.

The Redskins will and should run a lot of 2 TE sets. I only see two decent players on their offensive line, and both of those guys were signed as free agents. Sean Locklear will be Trent Williams's backup, but he could spell him if Williams keeps on playing this poorly in pass protection. I doubt that happens, but Locklear could still beat out Jammal Brown at right tackle. Although Locklear is a very good pass blocker, his run blocking is so bad that it makes him only "pretty good". Chris Chester is a slightly above average guard, and you know what you're going to get out of him.

As far as the running game goes, the 'Skins have six backs who can get carries. Tim Hightower can be a feature back if he cuts down on his huge fumble problems, Ryan Torain is as solid as you can get at the position, Keiland Williams can make plays a pass-catcher, James Davis looks like the odd man out despite not having as much of a chance as the others, Roy Helu is a solid all-around back who can make an impact as a rookie and fits the system well, and Evan Royster is one of my favorite rookies. I'm a big Penn State fan, and he was certainly great in college. I think he can make the transition to the NFL and be a solid back. Royster is efficient, can catch, and will be a good change-of-pace back. Nearly every scout calls him an efficient runner.

The defensive line was revamped, and the unnamed disgruntle star has been traded away. The 'Skins have replaced him with Barry Cofield; a solid defensive tackle who has a high motor and plays the run very well. He's definitely not an explosive player and is Bizzaro Albert. Stephen Bowen was huge for the Cowboys last year, and the 'Skins did well to sign him away from their rivals. I can't wait to see who wins the battle between Bowen and Doug Free. Adam Carriker is another underrated end, and he is a very hard-worker who can dominate against the run. He's a poor pass rusher, but that's why they have Kerrigan and Orakpo.

Speaking of which, Brian Orakpo is now considered a "veteran leader" in only his third season. That says a lot about the roster turnover in Washington from year to year. He and rookie Ryan Kerrigan are two impact pass rushers who will wreak havoc on opposing backfields. London Fletcher is London Fletcher, there's really no way to describe how influential he is, and Rocky McIntosh is a solid linebacker who makes tackles. Backup outside linebacker Lorenzo Alexander is underrated and can make plays in run D. The 'Skins have a good group of linebackers, and they are the strength of this team.

Josh Wilson has to be the Redskins' best signing of the offseason. He's a shutdown corner who definitely deserves some more props. He's better than the overrated DeAngelo Hall who is a gambler. But besides those two, there are no other corners that you can at least call "average". Phillip Buchanon? Really?

LaRon Landry and O.J. Atogwe are impact safeties, and they are going to be a dynamic tandem. Landry will make plays in the box, and Atogwe will use his tremendous ball skills to play up top. Reed Doughty is a good backup who is smart and a sound tackler, but he really isn't skilled and can get beat easily in coverage. He's a useful player who can start when called upon, but Doughty does have his weaknesses.

The Redskins were uncharacteristically good this offseason. They didn't throw money around on overpriced commodities, and they spent that money on players who can come in and produce. I really like them defensively, but they are a 6-10 team because their offense is going to be terrible. Let's face it, without a competent offense you can't go very far in today's game.

Uh, really guys? You want to start him? You're better off starting Beck Hansen.

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Where Does Locker Fit?

March 31st 2011 14:47

Jake Locker is one of my favorite draft prospects from a personal standpoint. He's a great kid that is the best leader in this class. He seems a little bit like Tim Tebow with his intangibles and athleticism. Locker has the same kind of work ethic, and it showed in his latest workout. Like Tebow, Locker has accuracy questions. However, those questions about his accuracy should be diminished to some extent because Locker's receivers were terrible in college. To add some wood to the fire, Locker's offensive line was also poor.

Jake Locker is worth a late first round or early second round pick. Locker would probably fit well with a team like the Redskins. If he drops to them in the second round, I could see Shanahan taking him. Locker has some similarities for former Broncos' quarterback Jake Plummer. Locker would be a fit in Shanahan's West Coast offense that is modified to fit in athletic skill position players (like Locker).

Locker is still raw, and he needs more time to develop his mechanics behind a decent veteran starter. Donovan McNabb fits that bill, and Locker would be an even better fit with the Skins if they retained McNabb and started him while grooming Locker. With another year of polishing, Locker can be at least an average starting quarterback. He's got the work ethic to do it and the physical tools. All he needs to do is change his mechanics to increase his accuracy.

Teams that want players with good physical tools would also be interested in locker. The Cardinals could snatch him up in the early second round (37). They are a team that has a need at quarterback. If they can't or won't get Gabbert, Locker could be a player that the Cards would be interested in.

My main pro-Locker argument is that we can't suddenly punish him after one more year of experience. Sure he had a down year, but there were no questions about his accuracy after his freshman year. Draft experts were prepared to say that he was worthy of the number one overall pick over stud draft prospect Sam Bradford. The tables can't suddenly turn on a draft prospect like that, and I think Locker is the guy. I would much rather have him than Cam Newton. It isn't even close.