NFL Blitz

NFL Blitz: Success for Barber would be one for ages

May 05, 2011 , ι By ANTHONY SULLA-HEFFINGER

The average career for an NFL player is 3-1/2 years. For running backs, that number may be even smaller.Furthermore, when talking about running backs, the age of 30 is when most usually see their... Read on

The average career for an NFL player is 3-1/2 years. For running backs, that number may be even smaller.
	 
Furthermore, when talking about running backs, the age of 30 is when most usually see their production decline, and within a few seasons many find themselves subjugated to backup roles or out of the league entirely.
	 
We have witnessed the demise of many NFL running backs, even those considered to be elite after the age of 30. LaDainian Tomlinson, Fred Taylor, Corey Dillon, Curtis Martin and Priest Holmes come to mind, and those are in the past decade. Each of these once-great backs seemingly lost a step and watched their production and value decline steadily after they hit the big 3-0.
	 
Even the NFL’s all-time leading rusher, Emmitt Smith, succumbed to the physical limitations that came as he grew older. From ages 30 to 34, Smith watched his rushing totals decline steadily, from 1,397 yards to 256 yards. Smith did experience a bounce-back year in terms of yardage in 2005, when he was 35 years old, but he also had the second-lowest yards per carry total of his career (3.5).
	 
Walter Payton, another all-time great running back and Hall of Famer, also watched his production drop after hitting 30 years old. Payton went from rushing for 1,684 yards in 1984 (age 30) to 533 in 1987 (age 33). He wouldn’t have another rushing attempt after that season.
	 
What does this mean for Tiki Barber and his attempt at a comeback at age 36, following four years out of football? It doesn’t look very good.
	 
Apart from being 36, one needs to consider the fact Barber hasn’t been in a live football game since 2006, the final year of his first career. Barber has not experienced the speed nor physicality of a NFL game in four years, something he does not have in common with the backs mentioned earlier, who did not have the kind of sabbatical that Barber had.
	 
Barber
	 even said himselfthat he left the game because "The 50-yard runs were 20-yard runs, the 180-yard games were 120-yard games. I felt myself slipping."
	 
Barber’s words do carry some merit, and although he managed to gain 2,127 total yards in 2006 (1,662 rushing; 465 receiving), those numbers were down from his career high 1,860 rushing and 2,390 total yards a year prior.
	 
Could Barber defy age and become a factor in the NFL once again? Possibly, if he lands in the right system.
	 Tampa Bay and Pittsburgh have been rumored as potential targets for the former Giants great, and with LeGarrette Blount and Rashard Mendenhall firmly in place as those team’s main rushers, Barber could step into a third-down/goal line back role, but that remains to be seen.
	 
As for the numbers and the history, I wouldn’t bet against them, it’s a lot easier to beat a linebacker in the open field at 30 years old than it is to beat that same linebacker (and Father Time) at age 36.

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VIDEO: Hubbuch on Giants, Jets drafts

May 02, 2011 , ι POST STAFF REPORT

Post NFL writer Bart Hubbuch reviews how the Giants and Jets came out of the NFL Draft and what needs were left unaddressed over the weekend at Radio City Music Hall.... Read on

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VIDEO: Former Giants receiver Ingram contacts son at Draft from prison

April 29, 2011 , ι POST STAFF REPORT

Alabama running back Mark Ingram was selected 28th in the first round of the NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints on Thursday night.Ingram's father, Mark, was a wide receiver for the Giants, playing... Read on

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NFL Draft first round recap

April 28, 2011 , ι NYPOST.COM

Post draft expert Anthony Sulla-Heffinger had you covered from the first pick of the first round to the last tonight, live from Radio City Music Hall.The Giants picked Nebraska CB Prince Amukamara... Read on

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NFL Draft: Newton compares favorably to Young

April 27, 2011 , ι By ANTHONY SULLA-HEFFINGER

Cam Newton has been one of the most scrutinized players leading up to this year’s NFL Draft. Experts, analysts and scouts have combed through hundreds of hours of film, conducted interviews, and... Read on

Cam Newton has been one of the most scrutinized players leading up to this year’s NFL Draft. Experts, analysts and scouts have combed through hundreds of hours of film, conducted interviews, and examined everything about Newton since he officially declared he would turn pro.
	 
Though his athleticism and leadership qualities stand out, there have been questions about Newton’s ability to command a huddle, run an offense, and handle the pressure of being an NFL quarterback. He has been most closely compared to Vince Young, who, perhaps unfairly has had his name dragged through the mud throughout his entire NFL career.
	 
I do agree that Newton does share a lot of the qualities Young did when he was coming out of Texas five years ago, but what I do not agree with is the notion that a Young/Newton comparison should be looked upon negatively.

ap

Yes, Young had his issues with coaches and went through a well-documented and highly publicized bout with depression, but what is lost in all of that is that Young is a winning football player, and that is what matters most to a team selecting very high in the draft.
	 
Young was a two-time Pro Bowl player for the Titans, who selected him third overall, and despite all his struggles off the field, is 26-13 as an NFL quarterback. Young managed to lead seven fourth-quarter comebacks and 12 game-winning drives in his career thus far.
	 
In addition, Young has grown as a player and does one of the most important things a quarterback can do in the NFL: minimize turnovers. Since 2007 (excluding 2008 when he started one game), Young has decreased his interception and fumble totals significantly (27 total TOs in ’07, nine in ’10).
	 
The comparisons will be there for a while, because like Young, Newton is coming off of a national championship, and as a dual threat rushing and passing, was the focal point of the offense. But who is to say that Newton cannot become a winning football player and lead the Carolina Panthers, who are the favorites to draft the Heisman Trophy winning quarterback.
	 
No, Newton is not the safe pick -- Patrick Peterson, Marcell Dareus or Von Miller would all be much more conservative selections -- but for a struggling franchise with a new coach, he is the right pick. Although he may be a project like Young was/is, Ron Rivera and the Panthers need a winner, a leader and a face for their franchise, and that is what Newton can provide them.

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2011 Mock Draft 2.0 -- First Round picks 17-32

April 27, 2011 , ι By ANTHONY SULLA-HEFFINGER

Here is the second half of the NFL Blitz mock draft, which includes who we think the Giants and Jets will take with their first-round choices Thursday at Radio City Music Hall.17. New England... Read on

Here is the second half of the NFL Blitz mock draft, which includes who we think the Giants and Jets will take with their first-round choices Thursday at Radio City Music Hall.
	 
17.
	 New England Patriots – Anthony Castonzo – OT, Boston College –The Patriots have a few needs that have to be addressed. Fortunately for them, they own three picks in the top 33. Castonzo can help the offensive line and they can wait on drafting a rush linebacker or defensive end near the end of the first round.
	 
18.
	 San Diego Chargers – Muhammad Wilkerson – DT, Temple –Defensive tackle is one of the Chargers’ biggest weaknesses. Wilkerson has very good size and his basketball background should appeal to the Chargers, who have a history with former hoops stars (Antonio Gates).
	 
AP

19.
	 New York Giants – Gabe Carimi – OT, Wisconsin –The Giants will have to settle for Carimi, who despite being a very good offensive line prospect, is a notch below Mike Pouncey and Anthony Castonzo. Carimi did stand out at the Senior Bowl this winter, but he lacks the instincts the others have. Carimi will benefit from working with a veteran Giants offensive line and will learn that at the next level you cannot rely on size and strength alone.
	 
20.
	 Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Da’Quan Bowers – DE, Clemson –Bowers may fall further than this, but I do believe the Bucs will give the Clemson star a very good look. If he can get healthy and return to the player he was before his knee flared up, the Bucs will have a steal on their hands at No. 20.
	 
21.
	 Kansas City Chiefs – Phil Taylor – DT, Baylor –GM Scott Pioli will look to solidify his defensive front. With a core of Glenn Dorsey, Tyson Jackson and Taylor, the front line for the Chiefs defense will wreak havoc on opposing rushers.
	 
22.
	 Indianapolis Colts – Nate Solder - OT, Colorado – Protecting Peyton Manning is always the Colts’ top priority. They will be able to take Solder and mold him into a very strong offensive lineman down the road.
	 
23. 
	 Philadelphia Eagles – Jimmy Smith – CB, Colorado – The Eagles are desperate for some sort of help in the secondary. Smith’s character concerns have died down recently and he is a physical corner who has a unique combination of size and speed. He does need to develop his ball skills; he had three interceptions in college.
	 
24.
	 New Orleans Saints – Adrian Clayborn – DE, Iowa –Clayborn is a very versatile player, which is something the Saints will value when looking at him. He is a good defender against both the pass and rushing attacks and can play either defensive end and outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. Aside from a few questions about his off-field issues, Clayborn is a strong pick at this point.

AP

25.
	 Seattle Seahawks – Jake Locker – QB, Washington – Unless a team trades up to get Locker (or if an earlier team trades down), Locker will stay home in Washington and play for the Seahawks. Matt Hasselbeck may not be back in Seattle and Charlie Whitehurst is not a long-term solution.
	 
26.
	 Baltimore Ravens – Aaron Williams – CB/FS. Texas – The Ravens need help in their secondary, which looks to be decimated due to free agency. Williams has good size and speed, and can provide the team with a strong special teams presence. If he was a little better in coverage or had better hands, his role and draft status would be a little more clear.
	 
27.
	 Atlanta Falcons – Brooks Reed – DE/OLB – Arizona – Getting to the quarterback was a huge issue for the Falcons last season and they will look to upgrade their pass-rush before anything else. Reed is one of the better pass-rushing hybrids in this year’s draft with very good speed and moves coming off the line.
	 
28.
	 New England Patriots – Cameron Heyward – DE, Ohio State – Though I believe the Patriots will trade this pick, they could try to address their need on the defensive line by drafting Heyward strictly as a down lineman. Heyward is a very good defender against the run, and though he hasn’t shown much promise in terms of rushing the QB, I would not bet against Bill Belichick helping him develop that portion of his game.

ap

29.
	 Chicago Bears – Derek Sherrod – OT, Mississippi State –The Bears must keep Jay Cutler on his feet if they want to have any sort of prolonged success in the NFL. With most of the elite tackles already gone, the Bears will look to Sherrod to bolster their offensive line. He is the last of the top-tier linemen in this year’s draft.

AP

30.
	 New York Jets – Corey Liuget – DT, Illinois - Liuget is an excellent fit for the Jets and Rex Ryan’s blitz-happy defense. Liuget is not the most gifted pass rusher, but he does have a very strong bull rush and can create havoc from the interior. Liuget has explosive ability and is balanced enough in both rush and pass coverage that he can be a strong force on the Jets defensive line.
	 
31
	 . Pittsburgh Steelers – Benjamin Ijalana – OT, Villanova - Ijalana has very good size and starting experience. He has shot up boards after a strong pro day and considering the huge need for the Steelers to protect Roethlisberger, he will find his way into the first round.

AP

32.
	 Green Bay Packers – Akeem Ayers – DE/OLB, UCLA –The Packers do not have many big holes to fill, especially considering they are coming off of a Super Bowl victory. They could use either an offensive linemen or defensive end/outside linebacker. I believe they will stick with their usual draft strategy of selecting the best player on the board, and considering it fills a need they have, that very well could be Ayers.

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NFL Blitz: Giants could trade up for Pouncey

April 26, 2011 , ι By ANTHONY SULLA-HEFFINGER

This year’s NFL Draft will be a lot different considering that the lockout barred teams from trading or signing any players. Keeping that in mind, teams will be looking to address needs more than... Read on

This year’s NFL Draft will be a lot different considering that the lockout barred teams from trading or signing any players. Keeping that in mind, teams will be looking to address needs more than ever this year and trades can only involve draft picks.
	 
Here is a look at five potential trade scenarios that could occur on the draft’s first day:
	 
1. Minnesota Vikings trading down to draft Washington QB Jake Locker – The Vikings have Locker rated very highly, and since it's unlikely Cam Newton or Blaine Gabbert will fall to them, they may aggressively shop their 12th pick. The Vikings could select Nebraska CB Prince Amukamara if he is available at 12, especially if no other team is biting on the Vikings’ pick, but my guess is they will be working the phones up until the very last seconds.
	 
2. St. Louis Rams trading down for Illinois DT Corey Liuget –The consensus is that the Rams will draft Alabama WR Julio Jones if he is available, but with the Browns and Redskins both eyeing the WR prospect, it seems unlikely that he will fall to No.14. The Rams also reportedly have Liuget ranked very high on their big board, but much like the Vikings and Locker, taking him at 14 would be a reach. The Rams are a young team and certainly would benefit from snagging more picks later on in the draft via trade. This could be a potential spot for the Giants to trade up if they are in love with Florida C/G Mike Pouncey and fear the Dolphins or Patriots will draft him before they are on the clock.
	 
3. Philadelphia Eagles trading up for Nebraska CB Prince Amukamara – Could Philadelphia at 23 and Minnesota at 12 swapping picks be a match made in heaven? Potentially. The Eagles will target a cornerback early in this year’s draft. LSU’s Patrick Peterson is far and away the best prospect, but Amukamara is still a highly-touted defender. This would go against the standard Eagles draft strategy, which is similar to the Patriots in the sense that they are always more likely to trade down rather than up, but Amukamara would help their questionable secondary almost immediately.
	 
4. New England Patriots trading out of the first round – The Patriots own three of the first 33 picks in this year’s draft (17, 28, 33) and as mentioned before, always like to stockpile picks. The Patriots will likely address their offensive and defensive lines early in the draft, and I fully expect them to trade at least one time in the first day. The perfect fit for the Patriots would be for them to shop the 28th pick to a team looking to jump back into the first round to select one of the remaining quarterbacks (Arkansas’ Ryan Mallet, TCU’s Andy Dalton, Florida State’s Christian Ponder). The Patriots could still get a quality rush linebacker or DE early on in the second round, especially after UCLA’s Akeem Ayers and Georgia’s Justin Houston may drop due to poor workouts and a positive drug test, respectively.
	 
5. Green Bay Packers trading the final pick (No. 32) of the first round –The Packers do not have many holes that need to be filled, considering they are coming off a Super Bowl victory. Depending on how things play out in the latter stages of the first round, Green Bay’s pick may be in high demand. If QB-hungry teams start to see their players coming off the board quickly, they may look to jump back into the first round (think Cincinnati, Tennessee, Washington). Green Bay would still be able to address the slight needs they have at wide receiver and defensive end/outside linebacker later in the 2nd round.

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2011 NFL Mock Draft 2.0 – First Round Picks 1-16

April 26, 2011 , ι By ANTHONY SULLA-HEFFINGER

Two days away from the NFL Draft there have been some major changes to the first round of the Post’s mock draft. Here is the first part of an updated mock with what we think will happen Thursday... Read on

Two days away from the NFL Draft there have been some major changes to the first round of the Post’s mock draft.
	 
Here is the first part of an updated mock with what we think will happen Thursday night inside Radio City Music Hall.
	 
Check back tomorrow for part two:

AP

1. Carolina Panthers – Cam Newton – QB, Auburn –Newton is not the safest pick, but it seems more and more likely the Panthers will start the Ron Rivera regime with a new quarterback, and it is going to be the reigning Heisman Trophy winner.
	 
2. Denver Broncos – Marcell Dareus – DT, Alabama –John Fox is expected to go back to a 4-3 defensive scheme and will need Dareus up the middle to stop the run. Very strong pick here.
	 
3. Buffalo Bills – Von Miller – DE/OLB, Texas A&M –The Bills like Newton, but he likely won’t be there at No. 3, so they will look to right their pass-rush with Miller, praying he isn’t another Aaron Maybin.
	 
4. Cincinnati Bengals -- A.J. Green -- WR, Georgia –I think the Bengals will look to add Green, who is the most dangerous WR prospect in this year’s draft.
	 
5. Arizona Cardinals – Blaine Gabbert – QB, Missouri –The Cardinals would have loved to steal Miller with this pick, but they will have to settle for Gabbert. Fordham's John Skelton isn’t the long-term answer in the desert.
	 
6. Cleveland Browns – Robert Quinn – DE/OLB – UNC –Defense is not the Browns' most glaring need, but taking a WR here would be a reach. Quinn is an elite pass-rusher who will be a cornerstone of the defensive front for years to come.

AP

7. San Francisco 49ers -- Patrick Peterson -- CB, LSU –The 49ers will luck out and get their man. Peterson is in a class by himself when it comes to cornerback prospects and will step into a starting role immediately in San Francisco.
	 
8. Tennessee Titans – Nick Fairley - DT – Auburn –Tennessee has two huge needs on both sides of the ball: QB and DT. They could trade down in hopes of getting QB Jake Locker, but with Fairley available here, the value may be too good to pass up.
	 
9. Dallas Cowboys – Tyron Smith – OT, USC –Smith has quickly become the premier offensive lineman in a loaded first round. Snagging protection for Tony Romo should be a top priority early on for Dallas.

AP

10. Washington Redskins – Julio Jones – WR, Alabama –Some believe Jones could be the best receiver in this year’s draft, trumping Georgia’s A.J. Green. Though I do not believe that to be the case, Mike Shanahan and the Redskins need to find a weapon for whoever their QB will be next season.
	 
11. Houston Texans – J.J. Watt – DE, Wisconsin –There are a few needs on the defensive side of the ball for the Texans, but I believe their experience last year with Kareem Jackson might lead them to draft Watt over Nebraska CB Prince Amukamara.
	 
12. Minnesota Vikings – Prince Amukamara – CB, Nebraska –The Vikings need a quarterback, there is no denying that, but drafting Jake Locker here would be too much of a reach to justify. The Vikings are very old in the secondary with Antoine Winfield and Lito Sheppard in the latter stages of their careers. Amukamara is the best player available and addresses a need for the Vikings.

AP

13. Detroit Lions – Aldon Smith – DE, Missouri –The Lions will look to pair up Ndamukong Suh with an elite pass-rusher. Smith has the versatility to play either as a down lineman or stand up as a rush linebacker, both positions the Lions are looking to upgrade.
	 
14. St. Louis Rams – Ryan Kerrigan – DE, Purdue –The Rams are stuck between a rock and hard place here. Not only will they miss out on filling their biggest need as WR Julio Jones should be off the board, but they will not be able to rationally draft DT Corey Liuget, another player they reportedly love, this high in the draft. Steve Spagnuolo has a history with fearsome pass-rushing defenses and Kerrigan should fit in well on the defensive front.
	 
15. Miami Dolphins – Mike Pouncey – C/G Florida – The Dolphins could certainly use a running back, but Mark Ingram’s left knee is too much to worry about, especially when there are so many other needs on the offensive side of the ball. Pouncey is a safe pick and will be a solid addition to the Dolphins’ offensive line.
	 
16. Jacksonville Jaguars – Cameron Jordan – DE/DT, California –Cameron Jordan is a solid defensive lineman and is exceptional against the run. The knock against Jordan is his inability to get to the quarterback with the type of consistency you would expect from a top-flight defensive end. With Kerrigan off the board and Bowers’ knee issues still lingering in GMs heads, Jordan is the safest pick for Jacksonville.
	 
Picks 17-32 on Wednesday.

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Justin Houston, Christian Ballard tested positive for marijuana at NFL Combine

April 26, 2011 , ι

Georgia outside linebacker/defensive end Justin Houston and Iowa defensive lineman Christian Ballard tested positive for marijuana at February's NFL Scouting Combine, multiple sources told FOXSports... Read on

Georgia outside linebacker/defensive end Justin Houston and Iowa defensive lineman Christian Ballard tested positive for marijuana at February's NFL Scouting Combine, multiple sources told FOXSports.com Tuesday.
	 
Houston, an early-entry junior, is projected in some mock drafts as a late first-round draft choice at this week's NFL Draft. The 6-foot-3, 270-pound Houston had 67 tackles and 10 sacks last season for the Bulldogs as a pass-rushing linebacker.
	 
The 6-foot-4, 283-pound Ballard was projected by some analysts to be selected as early as the second round. Ballard played at both end and tackle in 13 starts for the Hawkeyes last season, tallying 43 tackles and three sacks.
	 
Houston and Ballard have clean police records and no known history of marijuana use.
	 
The agents for Houston and Ballard did not return telephone calls and emails seeking comment.
	 
The NFL Draft will take place Thursday through Saturday in New York City.

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VIDEO: Bart Hubbuch previews Giants in Draft

April 21, 2011 , ι NYPOST.COM

New York Post NFL writer Bart Hubbuch analyzes what the Giants will do during next week's NFL Draft, which begins Thursday at Radio City Music Hall.The Giants likely will look at an offensive lineman... Read on