Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL
Six NFL rookies will be following in the footsteps of their NFL dads this season. For two rookies this year, those footsteps, like five NFL father-son duos before them, can be traced all the way to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Defensive end Chris Long, a first-round selection of the St. Louis Rams this year, and wide receiver Matthew Slater, a fifth-round choice of the New England Patriots, each boast fathers who have been enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame — defensive end Howie Long (Class of 2000) and tackle Jackie …read more

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL

Recently drafted players like Chiefs DT Glenn Dorsey, Jets DE Vernon Gholston, Rams DE Chris Long, Miami T Jake Long and Falcons QB Matt Ryan will learn the importance of personal brand management as part of the new NFL Player Brand University.
In its first year, the program will consist of two brand boot camp sessions designed to teach new players the fundamentals of brand development, by combining their on-field achievements with the community and business opportunities they pursue off-the-field. The sessions, which are mandatory for rookies and open to veterans, will be held …read more

Image details: 2008 NFL Draft served by picapp.com

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL
This was my fifth straight year covering the NFL Draft on-location in New York City. It never gets old for me. With each passing season, the Draft brings with it a new hope for all 32 teams. And it’s always exciting to be a part of that. I travel to the Super Bowl, to the Scouting Combine, to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement weekend, and to select preseason and regular season games. Each is special in its own right and I enjoy them all, …read more

Image details: 2008 NFL Draft served by picapp.com
Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL
NFL Draft guru Lloyd Vance (Taking it to the House) and I got together in the press box at Radio City Music Hall to compare notes on the entire first round of the 2008 NFL Draft. Here’s a recap of our thoughts.
1. MIAMI DOLPHINS – Jake Long, OT, Michigan
Lloyd: This is the safest pick in the Draft. Jake is signed, sealed and delivered. What you get with Jake Long is an NFL-ready player. He should be able to contribute right away and fill a hole that’s …read more

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Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL
Being invited to the NFL Draft is an honor, for sure, but it also means you have to do more than show up on Saturday and put on the cap of your new team. NFL Draft prospects Glenn Dorsey, Vernon Gholston, Chris Long, Jake Long, Darren McFadden and Matt Ryan had a full slate of activities today, including this photo session on top of the marquee at Radio City Music Hall. The players also appeared on NBC’s Today Show, participated in …read more

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Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL
According to an NBCSports.com report, with six days to go before the NFL Draft, an unidentified league source is saying that a contract agreement between the Miami Dolphins and former Michigan OT Jake Long is nearly in place. Miami began talks with Jake’s agent, Tom Condon, about two weeks ago and Mr. Condon has been in South Florida to meet with Dolphins officials. Also, according to the same mysterious league source, former Virginia DE Chris Long is pretty confident he’ll be headed …read more

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL
Former Virginia DE Chris Long, who will become a member of the National Football League in less than a week, has joined New Orleans Saints RB Reggie Bush as Subway’s NFL endorsees. Check out Chris’ humorous workout video with Subway spokesman Jared Fogle. There are more clips at subwayfreshbuzz.com.

Image details: ACC Championship – Virginia Tech v Boston College served by picapp.com

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL
There will be six players attending this year’s NFL Draft in NYC. Those players are Glenn Dorsey, defensive tackle, Louisiana State; Vernon Gholston, defensive end, Ohio State; Chris Long, defensive end, Virginia; Jake Long, tackle, Michigan; Darren McFadden, running back, Arkansas; and Matt Ryan, quarterback, Boston College.
Ideally (at least as far as the NFL is concerned), these would be the first six players taken, but the Draft process, as we know from past experiences, is not a perfect one. In …read more

Image details: 2007 NFL Draft served by picapp.com

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL
Just about two weeks before the National Football League Draft in NYC, Bill Parcells and the Miami Dolphins have begun contract negotiations with former Michigan OT Jake Long. This doesn’t necessarily mean the Dolphins have ruled out other prospects. It just means they’re talking with Jake Long, who has long been considered one of the top five prospects in this year’s Draft class.
Miami could be using these talks to increase contract leverage with other potential picks, although offensive tackle is certainly a need for this …read more

Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL
Even though the roughly 500 reporters (including yours truly) have departed Indianapolis and the Media Work Room is now closed, the player workouts continued with defensive linemen and linebackers getting their reps in today. It feels weird watching this on TV at home and not actually being there in Indy, even though I spent some time looking at NFL Network’s coverage on the monitors in the Interview Room. It’s much different when you know the action is just down the hall. But such is the typical schedule here each year.
In my opinion, Virginia …read more