National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
The NFL prohibited receiver Chad Johnson (or Chad Ocho Cinco or whatever his name is) from wearing “Ocho Cinco” on the back of his jersey today because of a potential financial dispute with Reebok. Just this week, Reebok didn’t want to allow Bengals linebacker Keith Rivers to change his number from 58 to 55 until he bought $11,000 in unsold jerseys bearing that No. 58. Also, Detroit Lions rookie running back Kevin Smith was told he couldn’t switch from No. 34 to No. 24. The league actually released a statement on the matter, which I …read more

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL
Buffalo Bills first round Draft pick Leodis McKelvin signed a five-year, $19.4 million deal (with $12.6 million in bonuses) late yesterday. He missed the first two days of Bills training camp, and while any time missed is significant, especially for a rookie, he should be able to get caught up quickly thanks to his participation in OTAs this past offseason. Leodis was understandably thrilled and ready to hit the field:
“I’m really happy. I’m ready to come to camp and get things started with the team and compete and help the team out. …read more

Image details: 2008 NFL Draft served by picapp.com

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL
After all the scouting, measuring, interviewing and analyzing of player prospects over the past few months, the 2008 NFL Draft in the books. And while it’s impossible to currently say which teams had success and which teams did not (that could take several years), here are my winners and losers based on decision-making and potential.
WINNERS
1.) Kansas City Chiefs – With 13 picks, the Chiefs had no choice but to succeed in this Draft and they did just that. Glenn Dorsey (LSU) was arguably the best DT …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

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

Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL
Mike Mayock watches college football’s best players. All year. That’s all he does. I only pick up on who’s good in college football from time-to-time, becoming especially attentive around Combine time, of course. Mike and I joked about his job a couple years ago during an interview because he thought it was “pretty sad” to be so devoted to this cause. Well, it’s turned into a nice career for the NFL Network Draft guru. He now rivals ESPN’s Mel Kiper as the foremost authority on the NFL Draft. Anyway, Mike released his Top …read more