Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL
I attended a “conversation” with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell today and one of the more interesting topics he discussed was rookie salaries. If you recall back on April 22, Michigan OT Jake Long signed a five-year, $57.75 million contract (complete with a hefty $30 million guarantee) with the Miami Dolphins. This not only made him the #1 pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, it also made him the highest-paid lineman in the NFL without having played one down of football. Commissioner Goodell sees this as a problem:
“There’s something wrong about the system. The …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

Image details: Players Pose On Radio City Music Hall Marquee served by picapp.com

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

Photo courtesy Miami Dolphins
Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL
As predicted yesterday, the Miami Dolphins not only announced former Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long as the first pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, they also signed him to a five-year, $57.75 million contract, complete with a hefty $30 million guarantee. Jake was understandably excited:
“It’s such a great honor to be the No. 1 pick. I don’t think it has sunk in yet. It’s something every kid dreams about. I’m just real excited that it happened. Now I’m coming to a great place.”
The deal gets done a full four days …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

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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

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
It was nice to see the sun shining in Indianapolis today. It certainly made getting around outside the RCA Dome and Indiana Convention Center much easier. Not that you would really need to go outside here, though. The Dome and CC are connected to much of the city with indoor walkways. I get a big kick out of this. I can walk all over the city without putting on a jacket in the middle of winter. And yes, I’m easily entertained.
The Media Work room was kind of quiet early on, but things picked …read more