Minicamp Insider 1.0
In his latest column, Scout.com's NFL insider Adam Caplan breaks down several story lines. Who is player the Kansas City Chiefs targeted in the Jared Allen trade? Why did the Green Bay Packers target a receiver in the second round and where will he fit in long-term? What is the future of Darren Howard? We also have more exclusive details on Brady Quinn's contract and whole a lot more inside. [Link]
Jones, Seahawks embrace change (Yahoo! Sports)
Julius Jones is just one of the new parts in an overhauled running game for the Seahawks. [Link]
7 Points: Jones-Drew is a Little Big-Man
Ed Thompson points out why Maurice Jones-Drew can scoff at his former critics — and why Miami rookie WR Davone Bess should be able to do the same in a few years. Arizona WR Larry Fitzgerald, former Raider Duane Starks, a smart personnel move by the Colts and more are all in today's 7 Points feature. [Link]
Best Available NFL Free Agents: Offense
Here's an updated look at the best available NFL free agents from the offensive side of the ball. The running back position clearly has decent talent that could come in and contribute right away. [Link]
Best Available NFL Free Agents-Defense
Here's an updated look at the best available NFL free agents from the defensive side of the ball. There are still some quality defensive tackles available who could come in and help a team. [Link]
Five teams that have made Super improvements
Minnesota fans might be shouting "Victory!" well into the playoffs. Our NFL Czar has the Vikings among his most-improved teams. [Link]
Seattle's Tatupu charged with DWI (Yahoo! Sports)
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Lofa Tatupu was arrested Saturday and cited for driving while intoxicated. [Link]
Breda Report: Flyovers
Qwest Field fly overs, Pro Bowler DUI's, Bobby's letter, jersey curses…The editor must be away. Yep. He's away. [Link]
Tatupu arrested for investigation of drunken driving
Seattle Seahawks Pro Bowl linebacker Lofa Tatupu was arrested early Saturday morning for investigation of drunken driving. Police in Kirkland, the suburban home of the Seahawks' headquarters and practice facility, reported Tatupu registered blood-alcohol levels of .155 and .158 in breath test readings - nearly twice the legal limit in Washington. Those tests came almost 90 minutes after the 25-year-old cornerstone of Seattle's defense was handcuffed and driven to the police station. [Link]
Tatupu arrested, breath test came back high
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Lofa Tatupu was arrested during the weekend for investigation of drunken driving. The three-time Pro Bowler was stopped early Saturday, Kirkland police said. An arrest report said Tatupu had breath tests of .155 and .158 - the legal limit is .08. The arresting officer wrote he saw a car driven by Tatupu speeding and changing lanes without signaling. The officer said he smelled alcohol, and Tatupu said he had not been drinking. [Link]
Seahawks LB Tatupu arrested on DWI suspicion (PA SportsTicker)
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Lofa Tatupu was arrested Saturday on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. [Link]
Tatupu arrested for investigation of drunken driving (AP)
Seattle Seahawks Pro Bowl linebacker Lofa Tatupu was arrested early Saturday morning for investigation of drunken driving. Police in Kirkland, the suburban home of the Seahawks' headquarters and practice facility, reported Tatupu registered blood-alcohol levels of .155 and .158 in breath test readings — nearly twice the legal limit in Washington. [Link]
Report: Tatupu arrested for DWI
Sports Radio 950 KJR is reporting that Seahawks MLB Lofa Tatupu was arrested and charged with a DWI early Saturday morning in Kirkland. [Link]
Nine nuggets for the NFL offseason
Don't look now, but Buffalo has the pieces in place to make some noise in the playoffs. Adam Schein explains in his offseason nuggets. [Link]
Does Being Number One Really Matter?
When compared to their draft class peers, there was no one statistically better at running the ball, intercepting passes, throwing passes or sacking the quarterback than these players. But did it pay off for them on draft weekend? Scout.com's Ed Thompson takes a look. [Link]
Engram's Absence the Big Minicamp Story
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Bobby Engram sat out the team's recently concluded four-day voluntary minicamp because he is upset about a contract that will pay him $1.7 million in his final year. [Link]
Best Available NFL Free Agents-Defense
With the NFL draft behind us, here's an updated look at the best available free agents from the defensive side of the ball. [Link]
Hasselbeck glad to be on field in May (AP)
There was Matt Hasselbeck throwing to … Logan Payne? The Seattle Seahawks' record-setting quarterback then stepped and fired perfectly placed darts to … Jordan Kent and Ben Obomanu? "We're low on numbers," Hasselbeck joked Thursday. "NFL Europe and all." These looked more like pickup games among unknowns in a park than the first two minicamps of the spring for the defending four-time NFC West…
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Hasselbeck glad to be on field in May
There was Matt Hasselbeck throwing to … Logan Payne? The Seattle Seahawks' record-setting quarterback then stepped and fired perfectly placed darts to … Jordan Kent and Ben Obomanu? "We're low on numbers," Hasselbeck joked Thursday. "NFL Europe and all." These looked more like pickup games among unknowns in a park than the first two minicamps of the spring for the defending four-time NFC West champions. And, no, they can't blame that on a defunct spring league stealing away players. [Link]
Best Available NFL Free Agents-Offense
Here's a post-draft look at the best available NFL free agents from the offensive side of the ball. [Link]
Duckett rejoins old pal in Seattle
A decade ago, T.J. Duckett and Julius Jones hit it off as star high school seniors during a recruiting trip to Notre Dame. Even though Duckett went to Michigan State and Jones to Notre Dame, he still knows Jones well. Well enough to tease him about the bulging biceps and triceps that Jones shows off each day at Seahawks minicamp, with sleeves meticulously tucked in to show them off. "Nice little tuck show he does," Duckett said Wednesday, laughing. "It's his gun show. [Link]
Michael Bumpus: Props & pointers at Hawks camp
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Tripplett returns, sees changed University of Washington
After Larry Tripplett signed with the Seattle Seahawks last week, he didn't sell his house in Indianapolis. He didn't even buy a new rain coat. He called Randy Hart, his old position coach at the University of Washington. "I was fired up. He was fired up," Tripplett said Monday, after the veteran defensive tackle finished the fourth day of his new NFL life with the Seahawks. [Link]
Tripplett returns, sees changed University of Washington (AP)
After Larry Tripplett signed with the Seattle Seahawks last week, he didn't sell his house in Indianapolis. He didn't even buy a new rain coat. He called Randy Hart, his old position coach at the University of Washington. "I was fired up. He was fired up," Tripplett said Monday, after the veteran defensive tackle finished the fourth day of his new NFL life with the Seahawks. [Link]
Shaun Alexander: Alexander completes visit with Bengals
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NFL Draft: 2009 Mock Draft
The 2008 NFL Draft is behind us, but it doesn't mean we can't have a little fun and take a look at the 2009 draft. Scout.com's NFL Draft Analyst Chris Steuber releases his first 2009 mock draft and includes draft-eligible underclassmen. [Link]
Omowale Dada: Club waives Cougar cover-man
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Holmgren Wraps Up First Day
The first day of rookie minicamp was the official start of Mike Holmgren's last season, and the coach had a lot to talk about after. Here are his thoughts on all the new faces, the running game, and what it's like without the former MVP on the roster. [Link]
Julius Jones begins replacing Alexander
There was nothing soft about Julius Jones on his first day as the Seahawks' new leading runner. Lightning-like bolts through the line. Muscles that bulged from his compact physique, from beneath his rolled up jersey sleeves and gym shorts. No tiptoeing into the line. No baggy sweat pants that billowed to tops of his shoes. Nothing like the look of the allegedly soft Shaun Alexander, who for the first time since 2001 was not Seattle's main man in the backfield. "It feels good. Feels good. [Link]
Julius Jones begins replacing Alexander (AP)
There was nothing soft about Julius Jones on his first day as the Seahawks' new leading runner. Lightning-like bolts through the line. Muscles that bulged from his compact physique, from beneath his rolled up jersey sleeves and gym shorts. No tiptoeing into the line. No baggy sweat pants that billowed to tops of his shoes.
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Tripplett happy to be back
SEATTLE - Five minutes into the drive from Sea-Tac Airport to download, and Larry Tripplett was already back in the swing of things. The 29-year old former defensive line star at the University of Washington was telling stories to his driver - Brian Fuller - a walk-on fullback that played with Tripplett back in 1999. Tripplett was clearly in his element. [Link]
Pressing needs for every NFL team
The draft can't fix everything (see the Jets' and 49ers' QB quandaries). Alex Marvez runs down every team's pressing needs. [Link]
Scout.com NFL Draft Report Card
Only five NFL teams earned an "A" in last weekend's NFL Draft according to former pro scout Tom Marino. Was your favorite team one of them? Or was it one of the handful who earned a failing grade? Check out Marino's grades for all 32 teams in this Scout.com feature. [Link]
Grandmaster Adams Could Intrigue at Safety
For all the legitimate talk about new Seahawks fullback Owen Schmitt's toughness, there is one recorded instance in which a defender put the former West Virginia behemoth right on his butt. [Link]
On the Clock: 15 prospects for '09 NFL Draft
With the '08 draft in the books, who's ready for next year? Peter Schrager gives you his draft wrap, complete with names for '09. [Link]
2009 NFL Draft: Steuber's Big Board
With the 2008 NFL Draft complete, it's never too early to take a look at the top senior prospects that will be available for the 2009 NFL Draft. Scout.com's NFL Draft Analyst Chris Steuber debuts his Big Board of the Top 19 seniors who will be available in 2009. [Link]
NFL Post-Draft Insider 1.0
Scout.com's NFL insider Adam Caplan gives you the inside skinny in what went behind the selections of eight teams in this post-draft update. Caplan also breaks down how some of drafted players will fit in with their new teams. [Link]
Jackson, Carlson will get chance to start
Lawrence Jackson and John Carlson had better things to do than sit captive to the phone when the Seahawks called during the draft. Jackson, the speedy pass rusher from Southern California, was trying to get the suddenly inoperable "Rock Band" to work again on his video game player at the family's home in Los Angeles. He was also grabbing one of his father's huge barbecued hamburgers when Seattle made him the 28th overall choice Saturday. [Link]
Jackson, Carlson will get chance to start (AP)
Lawrence Jackson and John Carlson had better things to do than sit captive to the phone when the Seahawks called during the draft. Jackson, the speedy pass rusher from Southern California, was trying to get the suddenly inoperable "Rock Band" to work again on his video game player at the family's home in Los Angeles. [Link]
Seahawks hope Schmitt can pave the way (PA SportsTicker)
Owen Schmitt made a name for himself as a fullback at West Virginia. Now he's headed nearly 2,600 miles west to the Seattle Seahawks, who are in desperate need of a "Strong" lead blocker. [Link]
NFC grades: Redskins, Panthers earn high marks (Yahoo! Sports)
The two teams combined for 19 picks with plenty of potential starters on offense and defense. [Link]
Travis Brown: Brown Signs With Seattle
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NFL Draft Superlatives
Now that the NFL Draft is behind us, Scout.com's NFL Draft Analyst Chris Steuber hands out his Draft Superlatives. [Link]
Handing out draft grades for NFC teams
Atlanta got its franchise QB in Matt Ryan. But did the Falcons earn a high grade from our NFL Czar? See how the entire NFC fared. [Link]
Seahawks Take Special Teams With Late Picks
In Red Bryant and Owen Schmitt, the Seahawks have acquired two power players. The second Schmitt, long snapper Tyler, will solve a longstanding positional problem. Justin Forsett of Cal is an underrated running back, and Brandon Coutu is a very steady kicker. [Link]
Ten to Watch on Day Two
With the first two rounds concluded, there's still a great deal of talent on the boards. Here are ten players to keep an eye on early Sunday morning, with exclusive scouting reports by Scout.com's Tom Marino! [Link]
Seahawks Stay in the Box on Day One
Despite two trades, the Seattle Seahawks' first day of the 2008 NFL draft was predictable at its heart. The traits common to all early selections orchestrated by Tim Ruskell were evident in USC defensive end Lawrence Jackson and Notre Dame tight end John Carlson. [Link]
NFL Draft: Day Two Best Available Prospects
Scout.com NFL Draft Analyst Chris Steuber lists his top-30 best available prospects on Day Two. [Link]
NFL Draft Dish: Round 7 analysis (SportingNews.com)
News, notes and observations of the 2008 NFL draft's seventh round. [Link]
Cowboys hope Jones, Jenkins are difference makers in playoffs (SportingNews.com)
The Cowboys have been good, but not good enough to go deep into the playoffs the past two seasons. With two picks in the first round, they look for that to change. [Link]
