Monthly Archives: April 2014

Bucs’ Nicks expects to be ready for training camp (The Associated Press)

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Carl Nicks is eager to get back on the field for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The two-time Pro Bowl guard entering the third year of a big contract missed most of the past two seasons because of injuries and the recurrence of the MRSA infection in his left foot that limited him to two games in 2013. He expects to be ready for training camp this summer. New coach Lovie Smith has overhauled the offensive line, releasing two long-time starters and signing left tackle Anthony Collins and center Evan Dietrich-Smith in free agency.

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Report: Bucs won’t pick up DE Clayborn’s option (The SportsXchange)

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The Tampa Buccaneers will not pick up the $6.96 million option for 2015 on defensive end Adrian Clayborn, according to reports. The Tampa Bay Times reported that the agent for Clayborn, Blake Baratz, said Wednesday the Bucs informed him they won’t pick up the option. The Bucs can still sign Clayborn, a 20th overall pick in 2011, to a long-term extension. “It doesn’t matter either way to me,” Clayborn told the newspaper.

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NFL Draft Needs: Pick a round, any round, and a good defensive back will be there (Shutdown Corner)

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Before the NFL draft on May 8-10, we’ll be looking at all the key prospects and also breaking them down by position. In our “Draft Needs” series we will also examine which teams will be in the market at each position, looking to fill their remaining roster holes.
Defensive backs
New Orleans Saints: Despite signing future Hall of Fame cornerback Champ Bailey, the Saints still need a solid second option to compete for the other slot. Bailey signed a two-year deal, which indicates the Saints view him as a short-term solution. New Orleans signed standout safety Jairus Byrd in free agency to improve defensive coordinator Rob Ryan’s impressive defense.
According to Yahoo’s Eric Edholm’s latest mock draft, New Orleans should select Virginia Tech cornerback Kyle Fuller in the first-round. Fuller was a second-team Walter Camp All-American selection and a first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference player last year. During the NFL scouting combine, Fuller ran the 40-yard dash in 4.49 seconds, had a 38.5-inch vertical leap, plus bench pressed 225 pounds a dozen times. Considering New Orleans must face Julio Jones (Falcons), Roddy White (Falcons) and Vincent Jackson (Bucs) twice a year, the Saints must upgrade their cornerback position early in the draft. NEED LEVEL: Extremely high

Chicago Bears: Yes, Tim Jennings and Charles Tillman were re-signed, but they are 30 and 33, respectively. Safeties Chris Conte and Major Wright struggled last season. Wright recently signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and honestly, Chicago could use an upgrade at safety and cornerback. Alabama safety Hasean “Ha Ha” Clinton-Dix or Louisville safety Calvin Pryor could be on the board at No. 14. If either player is available, Chicago should not waste any time pulling the trigger. NEED LEVEL: Extremely high

St. Louis Rams: Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson are the Rams’ top two corners, but this team could use some help, and Michigan State cornerback Darqueze Dennard is the answer. Yes, the Rams desperately need a receiver, but the draft has plenty of quality pass-catchers. St. Louis released Cortland Finnegan earlier this year, and Dennard is a physical cornerback that could excel with the Rams. The Rams also need help at free safety, but it will be hard to let Dennard slip by. NEED LEVEL: Extremely high

San Diego Chargers: San Diego re-signed cornerback Richard Marshall, but he is not exactly an upgrade at that position. Utah cornerback Keith McGill (6-foot-3, 211 pounds) stood out during Senior Bowl practices, and he has the body type to hang with big receivers. Florida cornerback Marcus Roberson is a day two option that could instantly improve a secondary which faces Peyton Manning twice year. NEED LEVEL: High

Detroit Lions: If there is one position general manager Martin Mayhew loves, it is defensive backs. Mayhew enjoys hoarding defensive backs like candy. Detroit did not re-sign safety Louis Delmas, but signed safety James Ihedigbo, who is on his fourth team in the past five years. Clinton-Dix would be a smart selection for Detroit at 10, but it is hard to argue against adding a premier cornerback. The Lions should consider Oklahoma State cornerback Justin Gilbert if Clinton-Dix is gone. NEED LEVEL: Medium

Other teams in need: Arizona Cardinals, Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Tennessee Titans and Pittsburgh Steelers.
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Anwar S Richardson is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at NFLAnwar@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @AnwarRichardson

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NFL Draft preview: Bengals focused on Dalton’s future (The SportsXchange)

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CINCINNATI — As the free agency period came and went, the Cincinnati Bengals quietly minded their business by choosing to use money for extensions on their own young stars rather than pay cash to others on the market. Attempts to bring back defensive end Michael Johnson and offensive tackle Anthony Collins were both trumped by large deals with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Cincinnati points to the fact those will be the only two major pieces not returning to a team that made the playoffs for the third year in a row. But they will be more dependent on the draft to refurbish the team’s depth after a few complementary pieces were released or signed with other teams, including wide receiver Andrew Hawkins, linebacker James Harrison, center Kyle Cook and nickel corner Brandon Ghee.

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