National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
I wonder if Oakland Raiders rookie running back Darren McFadden saved his head coach’s job today? As much as last week was tumultuous for Lane Kiffin and the Raiders after getting lambasted by the Denver Broncos, this week should be just the opposite. Darren exploded for 164 yards on just 21 carries (he also caught a pass for nine yards) and the heavily criticized Oakland defense held the Kansas City Chiefs to 190 total yards from scrimmage (and held Larry Johnson to 22 yards rushing) in a convincing 23-8 win.
Coach Kiffin and defensive coordinator …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
Here’s Darren McFadden’s Dick’s Sporting Goods commercial for the Nike Throwback Cleat. I think it’s funny there’s a disclaimer on the screen that says “Do Not Attempt” when Darren is testing the “human surface.” So, kids. Don’t try this on your friends. Someone could get hurt.

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL
The Oakland Raiders signed first-round Draft pick RB Darren McFadden to a six-year, $60 million deal today. After just two days of negotiations, Darren will be in training camp on time. And he won’t repeat the holdout that essentially ruined JaMarcus Russell’s rookie season in Oakland last year. Darren was obviously quite pleased:
“I’m very happy to have it out of the way. Because like coach said, I want to be in training camp. I want to be out there practicing and learning plays. Missing a day of training camp is like missing a …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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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
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

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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
Today was the last official day for the media to be working at the NFL Scouting Combine. Only one head coach made an appearance today — Detroit Lions leader Rod Marinelli. And Indianapolis Colts President Bill Polian also stopped by. The final group of players to speak with the media were defensive backs. And LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey took his turn at the presser podium, making up for a missed opportunity yesterday because he was involved in a battery of tests at the hospital. I think he also wanted to clear the …read more

Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL
The National Football League announced today the names of 53 players who have been granted special eligibility for the 2008 NFL Draft on April 26-27. Each of the 53 players has met the league’s three-year eligibility rule and each has submitted a written application in which he renounced his remaining college football eligibility. The deadline for receiving applications was January 15. The players declared eligible are:
Branden Albert G Virginia; L.J. Anderson G Central Florida; Adrian Arrington WR Michigan; Earl Bennett WR Vanderbilt; Martellus Bennett TE Texas A&M; Davone Bess WR Hawaii; Demario Bobo …read more