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QB Mark Sanchez #6 - 6’2” 225 lbs. - Southern Cal - Sp. 4.9 - Hindu Theory - Matt Cassel
Athletic strong armed junior QB has developed quickly over his short Pac 10 career while earning conference honors over his final performance. Mark surprisingly entered this draft class after basically just one season as the Trojan starting QB. Though he has enormous potential as a pro, he was a surprising addition to this class. His decision to turn pro was probably influenced by this year’s weak group of senior passers. He will most likely earn a high draft ranking on upside potential despite his limited playing experience. He is an above average athlete who has a very good arm and a quick compact delivery that allows him to deliver the ball with excellent velocity, good timing, touch and fine accuracy. He has progressed quickly in all aspects of play since starting at times as a sophomore while subbing for the injured John David Booty. He is a quality passer with fine measureables, including a very strong arm with adequate footspeed that allows him to escape from heavy pass pressure. He can make the quick proper read and deliver the ball into tight spots in the intermediate and short zones. He is an average runner, but shows the ability to throw effectively on the move as well as move quickly within the pocket. He has a very good arm that the pro scouts seek in a prospect with the ability to drive the ball down the field and drop the ball into holes in coverage. As a junior, he made fewer mistakes and made fast progress for a prospect with such limited playing experience. At times, he attempts to do too much to lead his offense that leads to mistakes and turnovers. He is an accurate thrower with the touch to deliver all the passes, and showed fast improvement especially in the deep game over his late career. He displays a live arm with enough mobility and the touch and timing to make the big throws that the position demands. Over his career, he improved his accuracy despite limited playing time. He has a fine delivery and setup with the quick release and follow through to complete the pass. He has the arm to make all the throws and is very effective on the shorter and intermediate routes, leading the receivers nicely to run after the catch. He delivers the ball with good velocity and accuracy with the toughness to hang in the pocket and make the difficult throw. He is very competitive, hard working and shows the ability to direct an offense. As a junior, his decision-making and maturity improved further, though he still needs pocket development and reps in reading coverage.
The Numbers: As a junior, he completed 241 of 366 pass attempts for a 65% for 3207 yards with 34 TDs and 10 picks in 13 starts. During his sophomore season, he started just 3 games and threw for 695 yards with a 60% completion rate with 7 TD passes and 5 picks while backing up John David Booty. Over his career, he made only 16 starts with the great majority of his production over his final performance. At the NFL Combine, he ran a 4.93 time with a 32.5” VJ, 9’8” BJ and nice agility drills. In the passing drills, he showed a strong arm with the timing and touch to make all the throws. He is similar to the former Trojan Matt Cassel in size, AA and upside potential.
The Skinny: This guy looks like a possible top ten prospect off his overall talent and value of the position. He has the arm, mobility and smarts to earn a pro starting grade but only after extensive development. He is a fine prospect with definite NFL starting talent and upside to become a top flight leader. He should move up fairly fast on the depth charts after development. He has the physical and mental talent to be a fine NFL starter with outstanding upside as a passer, but must refine all aspects of the position to be ready for the pro game. Probable early pick in the 1st round with the Jaguars, 49ers and Seahawks all interested. Top 10 prospect with the skill set to be a fine pro leader in time, but he is not ready for prime time playing time early in his career.
Draft Projection: 1st Round

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Bengals and Titans awarded maximum Four Compensatory Draft Picks

A total of 32 compensatory choices in the 2009 NFL Draft have been awarded to 16 teams, including four each to Cincinnati and Tennessee, the NFL announced on Monday.
Under terms of the NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement, a team losing more or better compensatory free agents than it acquires in the previous year is eligible to receive compensatory draft picks.
The number of picks a team receives equals the net loss of compensatory free agents up to a maximum of four. The 32 compensatory choices announced will supplement the 224 choices in the 7 rounds of the 2009 NFL Draft on April 25-26. This year, the compensatory picks will be positioned within the third through seventh rounds based on the value of the compensatory free agents lost. Compensatory free agents are determined by a formula based on salary, playing time and postseason honors. The formula was developed by the NFL Management Council. Not every free agent lost or signed by a club is covered by this formula.
One club this year (Arizona) will receive a compensatory pick even though it did not suffer a net loss of compensatory free agents last year. Under the formula, the compensatory free agents Arizona lost were ranked higher than the ones it signed by a specified point differential based upon salary and performance.
Thirty compensatory picks were awarded to clubs based upon the compensatory pick formula. By rule, two additional choices were awarded at the end of the seventh round to bring the total number of compensatory selections to 32, equaling the number of NFL clubs. The two additional picks were awarded to Detroit and Kansas City based upon the 2009 draft selection order. (Note: St. Louis and Kansas City finished 2008 with identical records. St. Louis chooses second in all odd rounds and Kansas City chooses second in all even rounds.

NFL Awards 32 Compensatory Picks
Round/ Pick/ Overall Selection/ Team
3 - 33 - 97 - New England
3 - 34 - 98 - Cincinnati
3 - 35 - 99 - Chicago
3 - 36 - 100 - N.Y. Giants
4 - 33 - 133 - San Diego
4 - 34 - 134 - San Diego
4 - 35 - 135 - Tennessee
4 - 36 - 136 - Indianapolis
5 - 33 - 169 - Pittsburgh
5 - 34 - 170 - New England
5 - 35 - 171 - San Francisco
5 - 36 - 172 - Dallas
5 - 37 - 173 - Tennessee
6 - 33 - 206 - Tennessee
6 - 34 - 207 - New England
6 - 35 - 208 - Dallas
6 - 36 - 209 - Cincinnati
7 - 33 - 242 - Tennessee
7 - 34 - 243 - Washington
7 - 35 - 244 - San Francisco
7 - 36 - 245 - Seattle
7 - 37 - 246 - Chicago
7 - 38 - 247 - Seattle
7 - 39 - 248 - Seattle
7 - 40 - 249 - Cincinnati
7 - 41 - 250 - Jacksonville
7 - 42 - 251 - Chicago
7 - 43 - 252 - Cincinnati
7 - 44 - 253 - Jacksonville
7 - 45 - 254 - Arizona
7 - 46 - 255 - Detroit
7 - 47 - 256 - Kansas City

Top 50 Pro Prospects for the NFL Draft 2009
* underclassmen - Rating mid Feb. - Pre-NFL Combine ‘09

Photo - Aaron Curry - Wake Forest

1. * Matthew Stafford - QB - Georgia
Talented junior QB has big time ability to develop into a special NFL starter in his pro career.

2. * Michael Crabtree - WR - Texas Tech
Gifted young receiver has the special athletic package to become a premier NFL playmaker.

3. Aaron Curry - LB - Wake Forest
Instinctive senior linebacker combines the total package including speed, instincts, quickness, mobility and power to be a rookie NFL starter in either defensive scheme.

4. * Andre Smith - OT - Alabama
Huge junior left tackle completed his outstanding short career, displaying great footwork and power for the outside.

5. Brian Orakpo - DE - Texas
Explosive edge rusher has the fast first step and power to pressure the passer off the edge and make big plays.

6. * Mark Sanchez - QB - Southern Cal
Strong armed junior QB has the talent to develop into a special NFL starter in his pro career with the ability to drive the ball down the field and make all the throws.

7. Eugene Monroe - OT - Virginia
Nimble senior left tackle is a well developed prospect with the combination of massive size, fine footwork and power to carry a rookie starting grade on the outside. He did not play in Senior Bowl.

8. B.J. Raji - DT - Boston College
Massive defender is a force on the inside with the ability to hold the point, stuff the run and push the pocket. His performance at the Senior Bowl moves him into the top 10-15 prospects entering combine.

9. Jason Smith - OT - Baylor
Athletic senior left tackle shows well developed skills including top athleticism, footwork, technique and body control for the demanding outside position. He opted out of the Senior Bowl.

10. * Jeremy Maclin - WR - Missouri
Big play junior wideout/ returner has been a game changer since his freshman season in his Big 12 career. He combines top speed, quickness and natural running skills in both key roles.

11. Rey Maualuga - LB - Southern Cal
Explosive middle linebacker had a strong ‘08 performance, showing power and speed with sideline to sideline playmaking ability. He is capable of playing in either pro scheme.

12. * Knowshon Moreno - RB - Georgia
Quick young tailback is one of the talented runners in this class with natural skills to be an early NFL feature back and fill all the key roles for the position.

13. * Everette Brown - DE - Florida St
Explosive junior edge rusher completed an impressive final season where he was a difference maker who commanded special attention from an offense especially in passing situations.

14. Michael Oher - OT - Ole Miss
Mobile senior left tackle combines the package of size, athleticism, agility and toughness to be a blue chip pro prospect. He should be a rookie NFL starter with the LOD to be a premier young left tackle.

15. * Vontae Davis - CB - Illinois
Athletic junior cornerback has blue chip talent including the size, recovery speed, quickness, instincts and quick reactions to develop into a top pro cover man with some development.

16. * Percy Harvin - WR - Florida
Fast junior receiver/ returner has shown big play ability in several roles with the talent to be a major difference maker that will command an early selection in April.

17. Malcolm Jenkins - CB - Ohio St
Physical cornerback has the combination of size, speed and experience to play any coverage scheme, showing the instincts, range and ball skills to be a rookie starter especially in a cover two scheme.

18. Brian Cushing - LB - Southern Cal
Mobile athletic senior linebacker has performed well, showing a high level of development to start as a rookie in either pro scheme.

19. Alphonso Smith - CB - Wake Forest
Tough savvy cornerback shows well developed skills for the position, combining keen instincts with fine AA, recovery speed and the intangibles to compete for a rookie NFL starting job.

20. * Chris Wells - RB - Ohio St
Fast powerful junior has the speed, strength and quickness to run both inside and outside with the burst to make the big play. He lost some time in ‘08 with leg injuries that will be evaluated in the offseason.

Larry Fitzgerald 2004 Scouting Report

Photo - Larry Fitzgerald - Cardinals

The Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald set a new NFL playoff record this postseason with 30 receptions for 546 yards and 7 TDs including 2 scores in their Super bowl loss. Despite the Steelers' last minute heroics, Fitzgerald set a new NFL postseason for the record books with an incredible overall performance breaking Jerry Rice's twenty year record. Fitzgerald's performance in the Super bowl totaled 7 catches for 127 yards and 2 TDs including what appeared to be a late 4th quarter game winning score on a 64 yard TD reception.
Draft Insiders called him the best of a generation in the class of Jerry Rice and Randy Moss among modern day receivers. He has developed exceptionally quick as a pro and certainly ranks with the two NFL greats despite just completing his 5th NFL season.

Larry Fitzgerald College Scouting Report from Draft Insiders '04 Yearbook
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1. * Larry Fitzgerald #1 - 6'3" 225 lbs. - Pittsburgh - Sp. 4.45 Rating 95
Gifted third year sophomore finished an excellent career in the Big East, setting a number of NCAA, school and conference receiving records in the process. Larry is a special athlete who was a dominant performer in the Big East over his two seasons as a collegian. He combines great size, quickness, speed and playmaking ability that should allow him to be the next impact receiver to enter the NFL. He won the Biletnikoff Award as college football's top receiver this past season, as well as first team Big East honors. He is a well-built athlete with fine speed and outstanding leaping skills that have allowed him to dominate any cornerback he has faced in college. He combines excellent hands and rare body control with outstanding separation speed and the fine running skills to break any completion. He makes the acrobatic catch look routine and several of his catches in the end zone were as good as any in recent memory. He displays a rare combination of speed, quickness, leaping skills and hands. He has the frame to out muscle any corner and the combination of his initial quickness and good functional strength should allow him to beat the jam consistently. He was not challenged often at the line of scrimmage with the bump-and-run and will have to prove he can escape at the line, but he has the talent to accomplish that. He understands the use of body positioning to shield off defenders when going up for the ball and his ability to hang in the air is “Jordanesque". He will make the tough catch in a crowd and hold on to the ball despite the big hit. He has outstanding leaping ability and is capable of out jumping any defender. He has top speed with the extra gear to get deep and make the big play without world-class speed numbers. He runs a great slip screen, fade pattern and skinny post that is virtually impossible to defend, sometimes even with double coverage. He ranks with Randy Moss and Jerry Rice as the premier receivers of the past few decades. They combine all the talents to be special as an NFL receiver. He is very similar to Moss in many ways, though he lacks the special speed of the Viking Pro Bowl receiver. He also has elusiveness after the catch with the power and cutting skills to change directions quickly fast and maintain top speed. His big play ability and overall maturity may allow him to provide as much impact as any receiver over the past decade as Moss.
The Numbers: Major impact receiver completed a great short two-year career. During the ‘03 season, he caught 92 passes for 1672 yards with 22 TDs and a fine 18.2-yard average. He set a new NCAA record with a TD reception in 18 straight games, while making at least one TD catch in all 12 regular-season games which ended in his career finale in the Continental Tire Bowl loss to Virginia. As a freshman, he caught 69 passes for 1005 yards and 12 TDs with an average per catch of 14.6 yards. He scored a TD in his final six games that season and 8 of his last 9 contests.
The Skinny: Premier blue chip prospect with the talent to be a major impact performer early in his career. He may be the rookie with the ability to make the fastest contribution next season. His well-developed tremendous receiving skills, including excellent body control, leaping ability and terrific hands will merit him an early NFL starting job. At the combine, he did not workout. His outstanding talent will fit into any type of offense, especially the vertical game where his ability to separate deep and outmuscle defenders give him a chance to become a top-flight performer almost immediately. He wants the ball in big situations and defies double coverage to consistently deliver in those situations. He will not get out of the top two to four picks regardless of any trades. Special talent with the rare level of development to be an early Pro-Bowler performer despite only two seasons at Pittsburgh. He should be among the NFL's premier receivers within a short period. Best overall talent in this class with Raiders or Cards likely clubs.
Draft Projection: 1st Round -Top Two Pick

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Shrine Game Showcases Fast Rising Prospects

Photo - CB Don Carey - Norfolk St

The East-West Shrine game showcased another interesting group of pro prospects who were able to display their talent in front of hundreds of NFL personnel men over the week long practices and game.
Running back Marlon Lucky of Nebraska took advantage of the opportunity to see action after an injury riddled senior season. Lucky rushed for 68 yards and 1 TD on just seven carries that earned him the game's MVP award.
"It was a big one for me," said Lucky, voted the Shrine game's Offensive MVP. "I didn't have a strong year and to just come out and play my game and show what I can do, I seized the opportunity. Now it's back to training."
He was not the only impressive runner as Javarris Williams of Tennessee St. and Tyrell Sutton of Northwestern each scored a rushing TD for the East.

East-West Game - Rising Prospects
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WR Jarett Dillard - Rice
Polished veteran receiver had a strong week and game that helps his cause. He shows fine hands with precise routes and the only to read coverage and sit in openings. He looked sharp in practices and finished the week with a fine performance in the game. He has been a very productive receiver in college and will look to impress at the NFL Combine that should ensure him a top 100 selection in April.

OT Sebastian Vollmer - Houston
Big mobile right tackle flashed dominant skills in practice and carried it over to the EW Game. He has a massive wingspan and uses his hands and arms well to gain an initial advantage. He shows fine feet to maintain his blocks with the talent to hand counter moves. He shows the ability to block in the 2nd level making him one of the rising prospects in this class.

Defense
DE/DT Jarron Gilbert - San Jose St
Awesome athletic package that left a strong impression over the week. He has imposing triangle numbers and measures in at 6'5" 287 lbs., great wingspan and hands. He is an incredibly mobile athlete for those dimensions showing good recognition skills and the ability to move quickly laterally to make plays outside the box. He also projects to end especially in a 3-4 scheme and is one of the fastest rising prospects from this game. A strong NFL Combine performance could move him into the top two rounds.

CB Don Carey - Norfolk St
Small-school prospect impressed over the week's practices and game vs D1 talent.
At 5'11" 186 lbs., he plays a physical game with the ability to bump and run or make tackles in run support. He shows fine instincts and recovery speed to play man situations and elevated his stock nicely over the week. He moves on to the NFL Combine in later February.

For an In-depth East-West Game - Jan. Newsletter out this week

Colts' Tony Dungy Retires

Photo - Head coach - Tony Dungy

Colts' head coach Tony Dungy retired today after seven seasons in Indianapolis, owner Jim Irsay announced. Dungy met with players throughout the day to say goodbye, ending a thirteen year head coaching career in both Indianapolis and Tampa Bay. Dungy is the only coach in NFL history with six straight 12-win seasons and 10 consecutive playoff appearances. The announcement comes a little more than a week after the Colts were eliminated from the playoffs vs a loss to the Chargers. Beyond his fine coaching record and Super Bowl victory, Dungy has been one of the classiest leaders in the NFL over his long tenure. He has always listed his priorities as faith, family and football, and was able to maintain those values throughout his long career. He returned to coach in 2008 when the Colts opened the new Lucas Oil Stadium only after team owner Jim Irsay agreed to let Dungy use a private jet to commute home.
The Colts plan will have assistant Jim Caldwell replace Dungy that has been in place for the last year when the head coach pondered retirement. Caldwell joined Dungy's staff in Tampa Bay in 2001, then moved with him to the Colts in 2002 where he was the quarterbacks coach before being elevated to associate head coach. The retirement decision ends a coaching tenure in Indianapolis during which Dungy became the first black coach to win a Super Bowl. He reached the playoffs all seven seasons, winning five division titles and appearing in two AFC title games. He finishes his career as the Colts' franchise leader in victories, going 85-27 in the regular season and 7-6 in the playoffs. His overall coaching record is 148- 79 including the NFL playoffs. He also spent six seasons in Tampa Bay, rejuvenating a moribund franchise and turning it into a perennial Super Bowl contender in the late 1990s and the early part of this decade. The 53-year-old coach left Tampa with a career record of 54-42 in the regular season, becoming the winningest coach in franchise history there, too, and got the Buccaneers to the NFC title game in 1999.

NFL 2008 Pro Bowl Team
Starters in bold

Photo - Titans RB Chris Johnson

NFC Roster
Offense
QB: Kurt Warner, Cardinals; Drew Brees, Saints; Eli Manning, Giants
RB: Adrian Peterson, Vikings; Michael Turner, Falcons; Clinton Portis, Redskins
FB: Mike Sellers, Redskins
WR: Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals; Anquan Boldin, Cardinals; Roddy White, Falcons; Steve Smith, Panthers
TE: Jason Witten, Cowboys; Chris Cooley, Redskins
OT: Jordan Gross, Carolina; Walter Jones, Seahawks; Chris Samuels, Redskins
OG: Chris Snee, Giants; Steve Hutchinson, Vikings; Leonard Davis, Cowboys
C: Andre Gurode, Cowboys; Shaun O'Hara, Giants

Defense
DE: Julius Peppers, Panthers; Justin Tuck, Giants;Jared Allen, Vikings
DT: Kevin Williams, Vikings; Jay Ratliff, Cowboys; Pat Williams, Vikings
OLB: DeMarcus Ware, Cowboys; Lance Briggs, Bears; Derrick Brooks, Buccaneers
MLB: Patrick Willis, 49ers; Jon Beason, Panthers
CB: Charles Woodson, Packers; Antoine Winfield, Vikings; Asante Samuel, Eagles
FS: Nick Collins, Packers; Brian Dawkins, Eagles
SS: Adrian Wilson, Cardinals

K: John Carney, Giants
P: Jeff Feagles, Giants
Returner: Clifton Smith, Buccaneers
Special Teamer: Sean Morey, Cardinals