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Today's National High Five Day! - Give It Up!

I've got to admit that of all of the products of African American Culture, the high-five has been the most enduring. I remember doing it as far back as 1977 in high school. Then I started seeing European American's do it in the late 80s. But it's stuck around through the 21 Century and may be more used than the standard "five" as in "gimee five!"

Chad Johnson Get Contract Boost From Bengals - ESPN's Len Pasquarelli

This just happened and was reported on the ESPN.com website:

If the NFL is poised to crack down on Chad Johnson's end zone choreography in 2006, with its recently implemented rules aimed at curtailing touchdown celebrations, the Cincinnati Bengals star wide receiver is better prepared now to handle any of the fines that he might incur.

The three-time Pro Bowl performer and consummate showman, one of the most explosive playmakers in the league at any position, on Thursday signed a new contract with the Bengals, ESPN.com has learned. The lucrative deal includes a one-year extension, through the 2010 season, and an option for the Bengals to extend the contract through 2011, if they so desire.

In essence, by restructuring the remainder of Johnson's existing contract, which was set to run through the 2009 campaign, the Bengals created a six-year deal with a total value of $35.5 million.

"In terms of 'new money,' and just being unique from the standpoint of being able to do something for a player who still had four years left on his [existing] contract, it's really monumental," said agent Drew Rosenhaus, who was hired by Johnson a year ago to upgrade his contract "As long as I've been doing this, I've never been able to get an extension like this, basically because of the time remaining on the contract. It's historical. And it's a testament to Chad, and how well he's performed, and to Bengals management for the way they have handled this and the commitment they've made to him."

Under his existing contract, Johnson would have earned $5.75 million in 2006-2007 and the base salaries due him through 2009 totaled $12.15 million. The new contract will pay Johnson $16 million between this season and 2007 and, assuming the Bengals exercise the option for 2011, a total of $35.5 million. That's a whopping $10.75 million in "new money" for the extension portion of the contract.

Johnson will receive a $5 million signing bonus, a $250,000 reporting bonus, a $250,000 workout bonus and a base salary of $2.75 million for 2006. That base salary is the same as he was scheduled to make under his previous contract. In 2007, he is due a $3.5 million option bonus, a reporting bonus of $1.5 million, a $250,000 workout bonus and a $2.5 million base salary.

The base salaries for the balance of the deal are as follows: $3 million (for 2008), $4.5 million (2009), $5 million (2010) and $6 million (2011). There are workout bonuses of $250,000 in each of those seasons. If the Bengals do not exercise the option for the 2011 campaign, they must make Johnson a non-exercise payment of $3.5 million.

Said coach Marvin Lewis: "This is a key development for our team. It further secures our future with one of our top players, in the prime of his career, and I want to commend Chad for his efforts in making it happen. He is showing his commitment to what we have going here."

Earlier on Thursday, before signing the new contract, Johnson joked to ESPN.com that he was ready to deal with the rules against excessive end zone celebrations that league owners approved at the annual NFL meetings in Orlando, Fla, last month.

"Get yourself real close to the TV, because I'll have some good stuff planned," Johnson said, laughing. "I still plan to be the greatest entertainer in the league."

The five-year veteran, selected by Cincinnati in the second round of the 2001 draft, certainly has developed into one of the NFL's greatest playmakers. The former Oregon State star has posted three straight seasons with 90-plus receptions and four straight campaigns with over 1,000 receiving yards. In 76 appearances, 63 of them starts, Johnson has 379 receptions for 5,556 yards and 34 touchdowns.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.

Matt Leinart - Party Boy Loves The Camera, But Can He Focus in The NFL?

There's a school of thought that once Matt Leinart hits the grind of the NFL, he'll not post the same remarkable numbers that he did at USC. While I do disagree with that -- I think Matt will be one of the best -- I do think his first two years will be a bit hard. He's not going to be able to run the streets as he did at USC.

Look, as a Cal-grad who was getting his master's degree there at a time when most my age were still undergrads, I can identify with Matt's love for parties and the ladies. But now millions of dollars are on the line. Will Matt dump all of this fun?

I got these photos from various blog sites. Matt loves the camera and apparently his cocktails. Cool. Where did I get these? Well, there's www.boifromtroy.com for the one with Matt and the women behind him as he's stooping. And the one with the girl is all over the place on Google's image search.



It didn't take long to find them -- 7 minutes tops.

I wondered if RB Reggie Bush, got around as much as Leinart did, but I didn't see anything like the Leinart picks. Not even close.

What I did see was a lot of picts of Reggie running and wearing a suit. A nice image. On the other hand, Matt's got a life made for Hollywood. Gee, that seems a bit more fun to me, but then I went to Cal!

Wait. Reggie's from USC too. Somehow, he managed to keep his fun under wraps.

Smart guy.

All of this will be forgotten when Leinart lifts the Lombardi trophy over his head. I'm confident of that.

Party on Matt! Enjoy life! Just learn when it's time to cut it out stay away from the camera!

Pac-10 Held That Matt Leinart Broke A Rule When He Worked Out With "Air 7 Academy" Owner - CAA Signed Air 7 Later

I found this on Kevin Donahue's blogsite

Pac10 says Leinart broke rules

The Matt Leinart era may be over for the USC football team and coaches, but the Leinart legacy apparently isn't.

The Pac10 has determined that USC broke NCAA rules this year by allowing Leinart to work out with the owner of the Air 7 football academy.

According to a memo issued by the Pac-10 and received by USC, "an outside consultant can not work with a (student-athlete) on the institution's facilities unless the individual is counted against the applicable coaching limits."
As a result of the incident, Leinart, USC coach Pete Carroll and staff members were required to undergo a rules review session.

Leinart signed with CAA as his agents, who then signed to represent the Air 7 football academy as well.

So the USC coaches will watch a rules video or something, no big deal as far as punishments go. It does make you wonder where the oversight was on letting Leinart work out with his own private coaches, though. That's a known no-no and it doesn't appear that USC ever tried to put a stop to it.

Air 7 is a kind of NFL Traning Academy. CAA did sign up to help them with marketing and sponsorships. Note that in the article from www.onlypubjam.com is there no mention of the person who was then Leinart's agent, Leigh Steinberg and this was back in January.

Here's that article:

CAA to Also Represent Premier Football Training Academy Air 7

Publish Date : 1/9/2006 1:41:00 AM Source : Sports News Onlypunjab.com

Creative Artists Agency (CAA), the world's leading talent and literary agency, now represents Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Matt Leinart, in addition to Air 7, the nation's premier football academy.
CAA will represent Leinart in all off-field business ventures, with the initial focus on endorsement and licensing relationships. The CAA Foundation, the philanthropic service arm of the agency, will help Leinart develop his charitable initiatives.

"Football is my focus," said Leinart. "So, it is tremendous to have in place CAA to handle my marketing and philanthropy efforts, in conjunction with my management team at Air 7." Utilizing its deep relationships with the world's leading consumer brands, CAA represents the marketing and endorsement interests of many of the most high-profile figures in the world.

"Matt is a truly exceptional individual with enormous potential as a personality who transcends his achievements on the field," said CAA President, Richard Lovett.

In an unparalleled college football career, Leinart won back-to-back national championships with the University of Southern California Trojans. He has also been a finalist two years in a row for college football's prestigious Heisman Trophy, earning the award in 2004. Among his many honors, he has been a first-team All-American for two years, Associated Press Player of the Year, Rose Bowl and Orange Bowl MVP, 2-time Pac-10 Player of the Year, Walter Camp Award Winner recognizing the nation's top player, and Sporting News Sportsman of the Year.

Air 7, where Leinart has trained for 10 years, is the nation's premier football academy for youth, high school and college players, with alumni reaching Heisman Trophy and Pro Bowl levels. Air 7 was founded by Steve Clarkson, perhaps the most accomplished of a new breed of private athletic coaches.

Working with more than 100 quarterbacks a year, Air 7 counts among its alumni multiple Heisman winners -- including Leinart -- plus Pittsburgh Steelers star quarterback and 2004 NFL Rookie of the Year Ben Roethlisberger. In 1999, Clarkson, along with Chuck Price, created the annual CaliFlorida Bowl High School Football All-Star game.

For Air 7, CAA will identify potential marketing partners and sponsors, as well as other opportunities.

Leinart's Reason For Dumping Steinberg Hints At Who Talked To Whom

ESPN has posted Matt Leinart's Diary today. In it, Leinart explains to some extent why he changed from agent Leigh Steinberg to Tom Condon. But it seems to imply that a guy named Chuck Price has unusual pull with Leinart, and could have been the person that engineered the switch. Regardless, it seems like some violation of NFLPA rules did occur. The question is will the NFLPA look into the matter.

Here's what Matt wrote:

My relationship with my former agent Leigh Steinberg wasn't bad by any means, but it just didn't feel right. As hard as it was, I felt like the best thing to do was part ways. My family, the people close to me, and I want what's best for me, my career, and everything that has to do with it. The relationship with Leigh wasn't going that way.

It was nothing against Leigh, but it was something that had been on my mind for a little while. I decided if I'm going to do something like this, it is best to do it at this time. Things will be better because of it. It just didn't feel right.

My other agent, Chuck Price, is my right hand man. Everything goes through him. He's my day-to-day guy. I talk to him about everything. People obviously don't know that. They're just thinking that he's just some family friend. He's extremely smart. He's extremely good at what he does. A lot of agents are just business guys and want to make money. He's completely opposite. He's obviously going to make money because it's his job, but he wants what's best for the player. He loves to establish a relationship. The fact that we had a great relationship in the first place makes it that much easier on me.

Chuck and Leigh had completely different roles. Leigh was brought in to handle the contract because Chuck doesn't have experience with that. It's something that he'll openly admit. He doesn't have experience handling a contract for a top pick. It's something that I realized also.

I surround myself with the best possible people. They are people that I trust. It relieves a lot of pressure and stress off of me. I have a lot of great people working their butt off for me while I am working my butt off on the football field.

Tom Condon will take over for Leigh. I love Tom. He was one of my first choices when I was picking an agent, but I was unsure about the whole situation with IMG. I think Tom is a great agent. He's got a great reputation. He's a great guy. I feel a better connection there. The fact that he's with Creative Artists Agency now and they are all under one agency makes it easier as well.

CAA is the type of agency that can handle my marketing and endorsements for the long term. After I get established as a player, they can help me off of the field. People need to understand that my number one priority is to get established as a football player. CAA will maximize my opportunities off the field.

The most important thing for me to focus on right now is the next week and a half.

I wanted to try to relax this past weekend.

I went to my Aunt's house on Sunday for Easter. We had an Easter egg hunt. My family usually splits up $50 between the eggs. They didn't tell us, but this time they stuck $100 in one of the eggs. I found that egg. I gave my brother Ryan $5 out of generosity. That's courtesy right there. He showed a lot of effort in his Easter egg hunt, but he just couldn't cut it.

I had to learn the Jets' playbook this past weekend since I worked out and met with them on Monday and Tuesday. I studied it a lot because I wanted to prepare myself. I look at it as if it's a job interview. You want the hard work you put in to come across.

I went out to Staples and bought a little grease board so I could visually test myself with the Jets' plays. I was able to learn the Jets playbook in a few days. Then, I was able to process it in my mind and draw it up on the board for the coaches. It's just something that has come easy to me especially in a football sense. My brother thinks I have a photographic memory. I guess maybe it is photographic -- I do have a pretty good memory. I've learned to process things quickly and retain the information.

Monday night, I went to dinner with the Jets. Coach [Eric] Mangini, coach [Brian] Schottenheimer, GM Mike Tannenbaum, and I were at the dinner.

Following dinner, all of us went to the meeting rooms and just talked football. I was up on the board for like two-and-a-half hours. They were grilling me with questions. Even though they were grilling me, it was real comfortable because there were a lot of jokes. They wanted to get to know me as a person, see how smart I am as a football player, and if I took the time to look at the stuff they gave me or if I just blew it off. We even talked about me getting Punk'd on MTV in March (it hasn't come out yet). They are all younger guys so it was pretty easy to relate. We met until 11:30 p.m Monday night.

Tuesday, I picked up the coaches. They were staying at a hotel right next to my apartment. I drove over to USC and met with them for another hour and-a-half talking football again. I then walked on the field and worked out. We were making jokes and I told them I could throw right-handed, so I rolled out and did it. It was a little wobbly, but looked alright.

I love learning football and new things. I think I impressed them and did a good job.

I left for New Orleans early Wednesday morning to meet with the Saints. Thursday, I will meet with them a little more and then I have a flight out to Oakland in the afternoon. I finish the meetings with the Raiders on Friday and then come home. I'm off for a few days and then I go to New York.

I can't wait for the draft to come.

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NBA Playoffs Are Here! Hey, NBA Tickets Mean Something Now!

It's the greatest time of year! The NBA reaches it's second season. You heard it here first: The San Antonio Spurs will not -- I repeat, not -- win it all this year.

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NL Scouting's Bill Chachkes' NFL Mock Draft

Billy C, my friend from the 2005 NFL Draft and whom I've featured in my coverage of last year's event, has sent his Mock Draft. Here it is:

The 2006 NFL draft-Who picks whom? And why
(AKA My Mock draft of 2006)

Now that I’ve been watching the draft for so long, I have been getting the feeling that some teams want to keep secret what there are doing from everyone else so bad thatthey go out of their way to fabricate elaborate media spins. With that in mind, why would any teams’ GM tell the truth in those media conferences. I know I wouldn’t.


1) Houston Texans-Reggie Bush-RB, USC
I don't care how many of the Texans staff went to see Vince Young's
Workout. Bush will be a Texan. Dubbed “the Ankle Breaker” by ESPN's
Chris Fowler at the Heisman Award ceremony, Bush is the Prototypical Tailback Houston needs to assist in David Carr's continued development.

2) New Orleans Saints-Mario Williams-DE-North Carolina St.
Some prognosticators have Williams dropping down to the Jets.
I seem to get the vibe that the Saints want to improve their pass rush,
even if they'd be better off taking an OT, like Virginia's D'Brickashaw Ferguson
unless Gm Mickey Loomis trades down.

3) Tennessee Titans- Matt Leinart-QB-USC
Doesn't matter that Titans QB Steve McNair is a big supporter of Vince Young, Leinart is the choice here because of Offensive Coordinator Norm Chow's Connection with USC and the Offensive scheme.

4) New York Jets-D'Brickashaw Ferguson-OT-Virginia
I See the Jets feeling the need to take a defensive star, But one of the Problems
they have had recently is protecting the QB. Weather it's the free agent newcomer
Ramsey, Or the incumbent Pennington, you need beef upfront, and the Jets have trouble keeping healthy Offensive Lineman available.

5) Green Bay Packers-A.J. Hawk-OLB-Ohio State
Some people still think one of the QB's is the right choice here, but with Brett Farve still undecided about his career, and Aaron Rodgers already in waiting, it would be foolish and wasteful to not acquire a true defensive star.

6) San Francisco 49ers- Vernon Davis-TE-Maryland
The Niners really need Defensive secondary help, But Davis is just too good to pass up, and there will be plenty of quality DB's in the second round, plus this coaching staff really wants to rebuild the passing offense.

7) Oakland Raiders-Vince Young-QB-Texas
No surprise here. Even with Aaron Brooks signed to a short term deal,
the Raiders brain trust would be making a mistake to let Young slip any farther
down. While other QB's can get the ball to good WR's, Vince can get the ball deeper.
8) Buffalo Bills-Winston Justice-OT-USC
Some might consider this a reach, but this kid can deliver the goods, and his stock has been rising of late. The Bills need to improve the O-Line, and after Ferguson, Justice is the next best Tackle on the board.

9) Detroit Lions-Michael Huff-DB-Texas
Huff is a solid fit here, as the new coach will be running a cover 2 defense that will need playmakers. Very good skills, and good explosive power off the snap, but can have trouble holding onto the ball.

10) Arizona Cardinals-Brodrick Bunkley-DT-Fla. St.
Bunkley is a dominator on the inside. The word is that the Browns were interested in him two picks later at #12, But I'll be surprised if he falls out of the top 10, as the Cards have a visit with him this week.

11) St. Louis Rams-Jay Cutler-QB-Vanderbilt
People will come to the realization that While Cutler has skills, he just didn't
Win that many games at Vandy, where he was a quality player surrounded by average talent. Once the Jets pass on him at #4, this will be his last chance at being picked in the top half of the round.

12) Cleveland Browns-Ernie Simms-LB-Fla. St.
The Browns might be blowing a lot of smoke about Simms' teammate Brodrick
Bunkley, but Simms is really the player they want in their defensive scheme. A bit
On the small side at 6'1”, Simms makes up for it with his mobility.

13) Baltimore Ravens-Haloti Ngata-DT-Oregon
I just love the way this guy fills holes, and he would look great in front of Ray Lewis, allowing him to roam free once more. Billick and Fassel would love to
get a QB here, but the top 3 will be gone.

14) Philadelphia Eagles-Chad Jackson-WR-Florida
The Birds may want some “D” But WR Jabar Gaffney is a short-term fix at best.
Give Andy Reid some credit here. He knows without T.O. he needs to draft help for McNabb to realize any success in this league before he needs a walker to go collect his paychecks.

15) Denver Broncos (from Atlanta)-DeAngelo Williams-RB-Memphis
Who are the Broncos without a stable of Runners to anchor their Offense?
A short stocky back at 5'8” & 210 pounds, Williams has a low center of gravity that makes it difficult to tackle him. There is the concern of a prior injury, but Denver may be able to afford for him to sit while he continues to recover.




16) Miami Dolphins-Antonio Cromartie-CB-Fla. St.
The Dolphins had a busy off-season, acquiring Will Allen from the Giants after losing Sam Madison to NY. Cromartie is the pick here because of his size (6'2”-205 Lbs) and good cover skills.

17) Minnesota Vikings-Laurence Maroney-RB-Minnesota
A consensus choice-Maroney probably is the third best back in the draft. The Vikings front office staff has been homing in on him for quite some time, as he plays in their home state. An underclassman that would benefit from one more year at the college level.

18) Dallas Cowboys-Donte Whitner-S-Ohio State
A Safety who hits like a Linebacker and has the foot speed to cover Fullbacks and even some slower Tight Ends, Whitner had a decent college career, but is coming out early. Would be a better fit then Jason Allen from Tennessee because of Allen's injuries.

19) San Diego Chargers-Santonio Holmes-WR-Ohio State
A “Bolts” fan might argue that a DB or RB would be a better selection here, but let's get your young QB a chance to succeed. Besides, the next best RB on the draft board is LenDale White, who didn't impress at his pro day.

20) Kansas City Chiefs- Tye Hill- CB-Clemson
A quality cover corner, he makes up for his lack of height by being a good jumper. Could be a nickel back right away, and push for a starting spot later on.
Has remained healthy through most of his career thus far.

21) New England Patriots-Manny Lawson-DE/OLB-N.C. State
Looking for a replacement for Willie McGinest, the pats like his size and ability to play both the line and outside linebacker. Although somewhat of a reach at #21,
he might prove to be more coachable then others still on the draft board.

22) Denver Broncos (from Washington)-Kamerion Wimbley-DE- Fla. St.
Having selected a back earlier, it's time to add some defensive line help.
This young man has some good passrushing skills, and is just the right size at
6'3” and 245 pounds. Only needs to learn a good stunt move or two.

23) Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Tamba Hali-DE-Penn State
You have to believe that the Bucs are looking for the “Best” player available.
Maybe an Offensive lineman would also fill a need, but Hali gives Tampa
a quality player at a position where he is sorely needed. While he weighs nearly 270 pounds, he is a bit short for an end, at 6'1”




24) Cincinnati Bengals-Leonard Pope-TE- Georgia
Next best TE on the board after Maryland's Davis, but Pope is 5 inches taller at 6'7” and has a better reach. Reminds me of Don Hasselbeck size wise, but was a better player in college. Also a deep draft for the position, if he has another good
workout his stock could rise even further.

25) New York Giants-Chad Greenway-LB-Iowa
Giants scouting staff seem to be zeroed in on Greenway, whose 240+ pounds make him an attractive fit to the Giants defense. Remember what I said at the top of this piece though. Giants GM Ernie Accorsi is one of the NFL's smartest front office men. He's also a Smokescreen guy.

26) Chicago Bears-Sinorice Moss-WR-Miami
Da Bears need some pairs of hands for the QB to throw to, weather it's Grossman doing the throwing or not. Enter Santana's little brother. The younger Moss has most of the same traits as his older brother, and the benefit of having played in the U Of Miami scheme. He could only help an aging and depleted group of wide outs.

27) Carolina Panthers-LenDale White-RB-USC
White didn't impress at his pro day, but he's still a quality back. If he's not gone by this point, Carolina will have a hard time passing up on him, with DeShawn Foster's health always a question these days. Not a strong class of backs to begin
with, so White is the last of the top few backs.

28) Jacksonville Jaguars-Davin Joseph-OG-Oklahoma
The Jags really need more then one OL out of this draft, but Joseph is a start.
A squat 6'2” 304 pounder, Joseph can really lay out his opponents. The best natural inside lineman in this draft, all he needs to do is improve his pass blocking skills.

29) New York Jets (From Denver) Nick Mangold-OC-Ohio State
Even though they already took an OL at the top of the round, the Jets really
need to improve their Line, and would not be above taking another lineman, if Mangold is still available. This would also allow Pete Kendall to move back to his more natural position at OG.

30) Indianapolis Colts-D'Qwell Jackson-LB-Maryland
The Colts front office might be reaching a bit with “D Q” here, as he is a bit small at 6'0”(if that) and just over 225. He is extremely fast however, and tackles like he weighs more then he does. No stranger to the weight room, he could bulk up a few pounds by the season.

31) Seattle Seahawks-Mathias Kiwanuka-DE-Boston College
Explosive off the snap, Kiwanuka would benefit from learning a few extra
moves. Has good potential because of his size and strength. Could become a DT if he bulked up some.

32) Pittsburg Steelers-Bobby Carpenter-LB-Ohio State
The only issue here is his injury. If the Steelers feel he will recover, Carpenter would be a boost to the Black & Gold's defense. A little heavy at 260, he might want to do a few push-aways from the buffet table. Worth the last pick of the round.

NFL Network's Mike Mayock's Press Conference Today

Mike Mayock's pre-NFL Draft press conference was held today via phone with the national media, including me representing SBS NFL Business Blog. In all, I like Mike's straight-forward take on the players, even if I disagree on his view of Vince Young. Also, Mike needs to slow down a bit, as he misses the names of players at times. For example, he said the Phili Eagles gave up on Andy Hall, when he was referring to Quarterback A.J. Feeley, whom they sent to the San Diego Chargers.

Here's Mike!


MIKE MAYOCK

THE MODERATOR: Mike is a former draftpick of the Pittsburgh Steelers and played for the New York Giants for a couple of years and has
made a career as a broadcaster for CBS, ESPN and now NFL Network the past three years. We bill him as our draft guru, he’s covered the Combine for us and Senior Bowl and has been on college football his entire career with us. So without further ado, Mike, I'll turn it over to you.

MIKE MAYOCK: Thanks. I'm going to throw it open to you in a second. Really, I have
not done a formal mock draft. I reveal that next week, seven, eight, nine teams, four nights in a row on our Total Access show at 7 PM ET. I'd be happy to talk about any player in the country you'd like to talk about. I'd be happy to talk about any
teams you'd like to talk about. Really, the floor is yours, go ahead.

Q. I don't know if you just heard there was a trade where the 49ers acquired a second
first round pick, so they have 6 and 22 right now. What would you anticipate a trade ard between 20 and 30.

Q. Would you anticipate that they could use those two picks to move up into the top three or four?

MIKE MAYOCK: I think what they are trying to do is not package them and move up.
The reality is, I think trying to move up from 6 to pick a player at 3 or 4, you're going to have to give up that other first round pick and maybe a little bit
more. I think they have got multiple needs that have to be addressed and if they were able to come away with Vernon Davis at No. 6 and a top corner at 22, I think they would be real happy.

Q (SBS NFL Business Blog). In the context of the spread option offense, do you see a number of teams actually
incorporating part of that offense in the NFL? Part of the conversation was that is team that innovation is moving up from the high school and college ranks to the NFL; whereas, 15 years ago, it was the opposite.

MIKE MAYOCK: I really don't see that as happening. With Vince Young, I think a team is probably going to try to take advantage of what he does athletically, but that spread option offense isan incredibly simple offense. And from a defensive
perspective in the NFL, I think the last thing you want -- and I could give you the names of 31 defensive coordinators that would love Vince Young to run the ball 15 or 20 times a game.

Q. You're rating of Cutler as the No. 1 QB has drawn some controversy. What is it
about him that you rate him or what did you see at the Combine or Senior Bowl to back
your rating?

MIKE MAYOCK: I got a phone call back in September from a guy who is a good friend of
mine, a high ranking scout in the NFL, and he said, "You'd better throw some Vanderbilt tape on." This is back in September. He said, "Tell me if I'm
seeing this right or if I'm off base but I think this kid would be special."
I threw on a couple of September tapes and I could not believe the arm strength, the release, the toughness.

What really stood out to me and this is all the way back in September now, the fact that he stood in there, got smacked in the face and consistently delivered the football.

My perception on this kid is biggest arm in the draft, quickest release in the draft, he's a three-time captain, he's a smart kid, he's a tough kid. Does he have some technical issues that he's got to clean up? Absolutely. But I have watched
every one of his game tapes. Senior Bowl to me reinforced the arm strength and the difference between him and everybody else. And he's more athletic than people think. So I don't take anything away from Leinart or Vince Young, who are very
special in different ways. But I think four years from now, you're going to look back and see that this kid is the best of the three.

Q. This is a bit of a risk by you, but are you concerned that if this doesn't pan out the way you see it that it could affect your credibility going forward or are you that comfortable with your analysis?

MIKE MAYOCK: I'm not concerned in the least. I'm the guy that last year thought that Aaron Rodgers was going to fall to 24 and I got laughed at pretty heavily the week before the draft. And Aaron Rodgers fell to 24.

So to me, compared to that, this is nothing. What I'm telling people is what I truly believe. And he might not be the first quarterback to go, I'm not trying to say he's the first one off the board. What I am tying to say is that I think he's going to be the best pro.

Q. Do you think that Vince Young's choice of representation has hurt him at all or
will hurt him at all?

MIKE MAYOCK: I don't know if it will hurt him at all. Major Adams has some -- inaudible -- of feeling. I know he's got one of the Philadelphia Eagles -- I believe Sheldon Brown --

MIKE MAYOCK: Michael Lewis, I apologize. My question about representation has
been that I didn't understand what he was doing in that ESPN Made For Television Skills Contest. To me that was a situation where he had absolutely nothing to gain and everything to lose. I thought he showed poorly in that skills competition. Yet, p this year, there's a lot of numbers being thrown around, especially from Bush's camp on how much of a signing bonus he may be due, and if the Saints hold onto their No. 2 pick, what kind of money are they looking at?

MIKE MAYOCK: If we are talking salary caps and bonuses, I'm going to defer on this one.

Q. Can you tell me what your opinion is on Marcus Vick, obviously as an athlete and
what he can do, and also with the baggage that he brings into the draft and where do you think he might fall to?

MIKE MAYOCK: That was well said. I believe that as far as an athlete and a football
player, he's not as good an athlete as his older brother. He's not as dangerous a runner as his older brother, but he's got a little bit better innate feel for the pass game than his brother had at this time in his career. Having said that, the term "baggage" you used is a good one. I think there's a trend in the NFL away from bad character guys, especially because the teams that are winning a lot of games
like New England, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Carolina, are typically character teams.
So I think teams are shying away from those kind of guys. So I think Vick is going to be a guy that if he had perfect character off the field, you'd be talking about a late first day kind of prospect. But given where he is, I think you're talking about six, seventh, round, at best, and maybe a priority free agent.

Q. What sort of players do you see available for the Browns? They may take a 12.

MIKE MAYOCK: I played for Romeo years ago. He was a special teams coach for the Giants, and he's got that 3-4, Bill Belichick, Bill Parcells philosophy. Despite the fact that they have got McGinest in free agency, they are both old. I think
you are looking at either an outside linebacker like Kamerion Wimbley from Florida State, I call a poor man's DeMarcus Weir (ph) or perhaps a nose tackle like a Haloti Ngata from Oregon. I think those are the type of players that Romeo will be
looking for, he and Phil Savage, at No. 12 in the first round.

Q. There's some thought maybe the Cowboys might draft a quarterback even
though they have Tony Romo and Drew Henson. What are your thoughts on the
quarterbacks after the Top 3, and the viabilityof the Cowboys taking any of those guys, and if you could also hit on what you think of this class of wide receivers coming in, as well.

MIKE MAYOCK: I'll do that backwards.

The wide receiver class I've been expecting a little bit of an attrition given the fact that last year there were six, and the year before there were seven
that went in the first round. This is the payback year with an awful lot of those under classmen coming out, especially at the top end. I see two wide receivers, Holmes and Chad Jackson as definite first rounders, with Sinorice Moss a
possibility; I've got him on the cusp of the first and second round. In a normal year, I wouldn't have him in the first round. I think there's some pretty
good second and third round values at the wide receiver position.

Regarding the Cowboys and the quarterback situation, you know, given the
commitment to Henson and what Parcells thinks about Romo, would they get a developmental guy -- I'll tell you a guy that's moving up charts a
little bit is Kellen Clemens from Oregon. Got hurt, missed a lot of his senior year.
He's thrown the ball extremely well on his pro day. A guy like
Campbell or Tarvaris Jackson from Alabama State who is kind of raw; I think they are two logical guys, and Clemens is a third or fourth rounder in my opinion. Tarvaris Jackson a fourth or fifth rounder. Clemens could step in earlier. Tarvaris
Jackson is a developmental guy.

Q. Did you say that you rate Jay Cutler as the guy going to be the best pro of the
quarterbacks in draft?

MIKE MAYOCK: Yeah, I've been on the record since September saying that he's the best
quarterback ultimately out of this draft class. Every tape I've watched -- I've watched too much tape of these three quarterbacks, and nothing's changed
my opinion throughout the whole Senior Bowl, Combine, Pro Day.

I'll tell you how bad it is, guys. I was watching Pro Day workout tape this morning, and just to see if I'm missing anything. The bottom line to me is Cutler, he's going to be the best pro.

Vince Young I have reservations on, not because he's a great athlete and a great kid, and I could care less about the wuderlick. But I do have a concern about whether or not he'll ever get to the next level as a sophisticated NFL quarterback. And in 40 Super Bowls, there's never been a scrambling quarterback that's won a Super Bowl.
Matt Leinart, I have a ton of respect for, given the fact that he understands when and where to throw the football. As a former defensive back, those guys always scared me. He's got average arm strength, great leadership, great touch and accuracy. But for a Top-10 pick, I want my Top-10 quarterback to have a better arm than
Leinart.

So in kind of a quick snapshot, that's my overview of the three quarterbacks.

Q. One more question about these quarterback I'd like to say that Roger Staubach
was a bit of a scrambler and he won the Super Bowl.

MIKE MAYOCK: I would say that he developed into a throwing quarterback and a
passing quarterback over time. But you're right because that was his nickname, Roger the Dodger.

Q. So back to Vince. I still have issues trying to understand how Cutler is going to
outdo Vince in coming a quarterback because it reminded me of some of the argument with some of the quarterbacks, got so much hype and never pan out. Can you give me
something with a little more meat on why Vince isn't going to pan out compared to Cutler?

MIKE MAYOCK: Sure, I'd be happy to. I've watched every coach's tape of all three
quarterbacks --

Q. In college --

MIKE MAYOCK: I'm trying to project it for you into the NFL. I don't have any other tape that I can watch other than their college tape. I watched Vince Young, what I see is a very simplified offense, that right option offense. He's got one, maybe two reads; if it's not there, he tucks the ball and he goes. Now, when that internal clock of his goes off and he's in the pocket, whether that pocket has broken down or not, he's out the gate. And I can put some Ohio State tape on for you and I can show you where the pocket is perfect, but he will not look for a secondary or third
receiver, because that clock has gone off in his head and he says, it's time to get out of here.

When a defense forces him to pull the ball down and not scramble for big yardage, his
efficiency goes way down. So in my opinion and this is really the crux of it, if you've got a Top-5 quarterback, or just Top-5 pick in the Draft at any position, if you miss with that pick, you set your franchise back three or four years, given the salary cap structure. It's even more so at the quarterback position. So you can't afford to miss. When I look at Vince Young if I'm a general manager, I'm not telling you that I don't think -- he probably will go 3 to Tennessee. But my point is if I'm the general manager, I'm not pushing all my chips out to the middle of the table
and betting my franchise on this kid turning into an advanced throwing quarterback in the NFL. I could be wrong, but that's my opinion.

Q (SBS NFL Business Blog). Are you saying, then, that the NFL does not want to teach a quarterback; they want to bring in someone they can just plug in
right away?

MIKE MAYOCK: No, I'm not saying that at all. I think that hopefully you get the best tutelage in the world in the NFL, especially the quarterback position and especially with a high draft pick. What I'm saying is that some players are not able to make the transition from runner to thrower, okay. Some players are. Steve McNair has become a
great NFL quarterback who I respect as much as any player in the game. Steve Young went from a scrambler to a passing quarterback late in his career and that's when they won Super Bowls. So guys can develop.

I just look at Vince Young, and my personal opinion is, if I had, again, to bet my
franchise on him, I'd be uncomfortable doing that. And I think some teams will look at a Matt Leinart and say, I feel a lot more comfortable there because he comes out of a pro-style attack.

There's no fear of the unknown. He's been coached by Pete Carroll, it's a pro-style attack, he knows where and when to throw the ball, he can look off a free safety, he can dunk to a third receiver. So these are all factors going through those coaches and general managers' minds that have Top-10 picks. You've got three potential
franchise quarterbacks who all should go in that Top-10.

Q. You mentioned Sinorice Moss on the cusp of the first round; who at the
University of Miami who is most likely to be a first rounder, and who projects the best pro career in your opinion?

MIKE MAYOCK: Out of the University of Miami, the kids that I really like, I like Rocky McIntosh a lot, the linebacker. He's had some durability issues. He's another kid that's on the cusp of that first, second round. I think if he stays healthy, he's got an opportunity to be to be one of those typical Miami linebackers,
sideline-to-sideline, make plays. Eric Winston is a guy that I have criticized
this year with the caveat that I thought he was a tremendous tackle before he got hurt and that knee operation. And typically I believe it takes you
two years to come back fully from that. So this year was the first year.

I had him projected as a first round left tackle prior to the injury. I've got him
as a second round right tackle right now. Now, he's the kind of kid with his athletic ability that could end up an all-pro. I thought he struggled with speed this year. He's got 32-inch arms which is not good for a left tackle; that's three or four
inches shorter than what they would like. But he's a kid that I think has tremendous upside because he's a former tight end with great athletic ability.

We talked about Sinorice Moss, very similar to his brother, doesn't have as much
production coming out of Miami as I'd like to see. And Orien Harris is another kid that not many people talk about, defensive tackle, could be a 3-4 defensive end. I see him as a second round pick also, and maybe third round pick just because of
his return. Devon Hester is another kid with tremendous potential. I don't know what the heck position they are going to put him at but you know somebody is going to draft him because of his capability as a return guy. So he's another second
or third rounder and that's kinds of an overview of the Hurricanes draft picks early on.

Q. What the Ravens might do at 13, will they trade that or will somebody be there that they just can't refuse?

MIKE MAYOCK: The Ravens at No. 13, a lot of people are trying to talk about Winston
Justice. I don't see them being interested in Winston Justice. I think a defensive tackle like Haloti Ngata could slide to them and I think he would be a guy given the fact that they lost Cablioto (ph), I think he's a guy if he would be a guy if he was sitting there at 13 they would be all over him.

Outside of that, there's a lot of talk about whether a quarterback will slide, and if the quarterback, one of those three quarterbacks slid like a Leinart or a Cutler, what would they do at that point. I know or I believe that they are also preparing for that eventuality.

Q. What do you think about the special teams players, kickers and do you think any
will go on the second day or all be free agents?

MIKE MAYOCK: I always tease that I don't really think they are even athletes so I don't even evaluate them. I've got about three really good friends that are special teams coaches in the league, and to be really honest with you, I'm scheduled to talk to them next week. I'd be lying if I told you I knew anything about the punters or the kickers.

Q. Could you talk about Ernie Simms and maybe the linebacker group in general?

MIKE MAYOCK: Absolutely. I really believe that Ernie Simms is the most explosive,
through-the-hips athlete in this draft. As far as an outside linebacker is concerned, everybody has got A.J. Hawk penciled in. I think Simms has the most upside of any linebacker in the draft. Do I think he's going to be exposed occasionally as a
rookie? Yes, he'll over pursue, get fooled on play-action. But when he gets there, he's an explosive hitter, he's going to make plays and I
think he can have the kind of impact early in his career that a Derrick Brooks or a Jonathan Vilma did.

So I'm a big Ernie Simms guy with the caveat that he passes his medical because he's
got a history of concussions. The other for sure first day outside linebacker is Chad Greenway from Iowa. He can run, but didn't run as well as people expected at the Combine but he's athletic, 6-2, 243, he's got tremendous upside. I don't see
him getting past Minnesota at 17. Then the three outside linebackers that I
have on the cusp of 1 and 2 are Rocky McIntosh from Miami, DeMeco Ryans from Alabama and -- inaudible.

Q. Do you believe that the New Orleans Saints are going to draft Matt Leinart even
though they agreed to terms with Drew Brees?

MIKE MAYOCK: I think they are doing a good job for keeping everything which they would love to do. If they stay at No. 2, I don't believe it will be a quarterback. I believe it will either be Mario Williams or D'Brickashaw Ferguson. My belief on Williams, even though they already have two good defensive ends. I do believe that's a good chance that Cutler could slide to No. 10. I don't think he'd get past Arizona at No. 10, though.

Q. The Eagles are at 14 in the first round and 45 in the second. Who do you think
might be there and how would you describe the players you think might be there?

MIKE MAYOCK: I might tell you one thing but Andy Read is going to tell you another. He's an inside-out believer, and at 14, with Jon Runyan's age, with Tra Thomas's history of durability concerns, I think if Winston Justice is there, he's real logical. I think a defensive tackle is logical, Ngata or Bunkley. My guess is Bunkley
is gone in the Top 10. Ngata probably doesn't get past Baltimore at 13, so they would have to trade up. I would like to see them look at Santonio Holmes. I think they need a playmaker on offense, but I don't think they are willing to do that. Defensively, I'd love to see them look at an Ernie Simms or a linebacker, but again that's not
the Eagles' way. So I think they are going to focus on Winston Justice or a defensive tackle. But they are the general needs, whether it's at 14 or 45, that they have got to take care of, and you might see them go with a running back a little
further down, I believe they three fourth round picks. Gerald Riggs is an interesting guy who was hurt most of his senior year, bigger back and might satisfy a need in the fourth round for the Eagles.

Q. Justice has come out and said that he's every bit as good as Ferguson, but do you
believe that's true or there's not much that separates them?

MIKE MAYOCK: With all due respect to Winston Justice, he didn't prove it on a
snap-by-snap basis throughout his career. So my reaction is he's every bit as talented physically as D'Brickashaw Ferguson, but he's inconsistent and has a certain immaturity about him right now. So for him to thrive, he needs to get an offensive
line coach that sits on his butt daily and demands perfection, because he's a talented, talented kid, but has not shown it on a consistent basis.

Q. Are there generalities you can draw about the kind of guy Herm Edwards like to
have from his draft with the Jets, maybe athletes or over guys with size and strength, that kind of thing?

MIKE MAYOCK: Yeah, I think you can draw some conclusions from Herm. You know,
Herm is a pretty tough guy, and Herm believes in mental and physical toughness. Being a former defensive back, he drafted a lot of defensive backs in New York, and he did very well with the defensive backs that he drafted in New York. So I
think that's a trend you're going to see continue in Kansas City.

I think they have got to start to play some defense out there if they ever want to get to the Championship Game. So they need an edge rusher, they need a couple defensive backs and they can continue to beef up that linebacker core.

Q. If you were to rank the first round core as 1, 2, 3, as far as readiness to play, how would you rank them? You mentioned some second and third round receivers you thought were going to be there and be good values at that point in the draft, could you elaborate on those guys?

MIKE MAYOCK: Sure. As far as corners are concerned, I've got 7 potential first rounders, realistically five of them will go. I think Michael Huff who can play free safety also is at the top of most people's boards. I think Jonathan Joseph, the junior from South Carolina has a love/hate relationship. You either think he's going to be the best corner in the draft or you can't stand him. Tye
Hill from Clemson had a tremendous Senior Bowl, track guy, real quick feet. He could step in and be that nickel corner that a lot of teams covet right away.

Antonio Cromartie from in Florida State, he's starting to move up charts. Here is a guy that started one game in three years, missed all of last season with an ACL, but he's almost 6-3, 208 pounds ran a 2:4 :40 and they are making him sound like he's the best DB to come out of there since Deion Sanders. He's a guy that's going to go
somewhere between 20 and 25 and only has one start in his career. Williams is an enigma, another guy that either is a boom-or-bust candidate, either All-Pro or a washout.

Jennings from Miami who I may have neglected to mention earlier from the Miami
discussions, he's a first or second rounder with quick feet, can step in and play that nickel defender position, as can Richard Marshall from Fresno. So that's a quick overview of the six or seven corners but I think Michael Huff will be the
guy to get on the field immediately.

Q. What about those wide receivers?

MIKE MAYOCK: I think a guy that not a lot of people talk about is Greg Jennings from
Western Michigan, high production, real quick, canseparate. I think he's a tremendous second round value, nobody is talking a whole lot about him. Demetrius Williams at Oregon, tall, thin, can separate another second round player. Maurice Stovall had a huge senior year at Notre Dame, played for Charlie Weis this year, just became a
different kind of player dropping 15 pounds. I think he's kind of a late second round, early third round guy, 6-5, tremendous red zone asset. And then
Brandon Williams and Brandon Marshall, Brandon Williams is at Wisconsin, great punt return guy, and Brandon Marshall is the guy that some scouts are teasingly calling baby T.O. out of central Florida. Lit up the whole Senior Bowl and ran about a 4:55 :40 so he's a big West Coast type of receiver. I think they are the type of guys that a guy at Oregon State might ask, they are the guys that are pretty good values that can get on the field and get some immediate production.

Q. What do you think of Jason Avant?

MIKE MAYOCK: I love him on tape. He's taken a beating lately because he ran so poorly in his Pro Day. He ran between 4-6 and 4-8 and he had a cast on one hand because he apparently broke it during the drill. I think he's a disciplined runner with great hands but there are not a whole lot of 4-7, 4-8 wide receivers getting drafted high in this league.

Q. What about the safety coming out of southern California, Darnell Bing, 6-2, almost
230, what about him?

MIKE MAYOCK: There's some mixed opinion on him. I don't believe he's a first round
pick. Some people have him as second round, some people have him in the third round. The reason they don't have him as high as Huff (ph) is because he has some coverage issues; he's 225 or 230. I almost think he would be better suited for
weak outside linebacker position, but I think he's good enough that he can make a living as an in-the-box, strong safety. He's a tough guy, but he is a little bit limited on the coverage side. So I think you're going to see him go kind of mid to late second round with the possibility of sliding into the
third.

Q. Talking about wide receivers and a lot of wide receivers in the first round have not really panned out recently. Is there a reason behind that, that they are not quite living up to their billing?

MIKE MAYOCK: I would tell you that you could pick a couple of names each year that don't pan out. But I would say the majority of them the last few years have done okay. There were six taken last year, seven the year before, I would say
that Reggie Williams has not panned out. I would say that Rashaun Woods has not panned out. Besides that, you know, there have not been that many busts.

But what I would also say is that I believe, for the most part, it takes a wide receiver a good two years to get comfortable an NFL offense. There's so much more reading; that the defenses, are so much more complicated. If you're not on
your same page with your quarterback, it doesn't matter how fast you run and how great your hands are. So you've got to give them a little type.
Michael Williams is another guy who I did not like coming out of USC, and he struggled a little bit. So I would say that -- it really takes two or three years
for these guys.

Q. Any receives coming out this year that might make an immediate impact?

MIKE MAYOCK: Santonio Holmes has ability because of his quickness and the run after
his catch ability to make the difference. That's the key in the NFL. At the wide receiver position, who can run after the catch, and I think Santonio Holmes is one of those guys that you can put in the slot, try to simplify it for him, and let him get
open, get the football, let him break a tackle and go.

Q. What kind of impact can Vernon Davis make right away?

MIKE MAYOCK: Special. I'm a big believer that if you can get a tight end that can
stretch a defense vertically and give you some blocking on top of it, you can change your whole offense. Look at Kansas City and look at San
Diego. They have no wide receivers to speak of that are perennial all-pros, yet they continue to lead the league in total offense because they have got great tight ends and great tailbacks. I look at Vernon Davis and say here is a guy that's
ridiculous, 254 pounds, he's willing to block people. That's why I think San Francisco is going to take him at six because they have got average wide
receivers and he can help with young quarterbacks and he can be a difference maker in the NFL.

Q. The Redskins might be in the market or a weak side linebacker, you mentioned some
of the round two guys, anybody you think can step in and play right away for Greg Williams?

MIKE MAYOCK: You're right, they have one pick, I think of the first 152 picks or so. I think a guy like Jon Alston from Stanford is the kind of guy that could play in some Nickel in this case he will situations for them and help them on special
teams. But beyond that, I don't think they are going to get a whole lot of help.

Q. What about the Falcons?

MIKE MAYOCK: Atlanta did well last year with some of those type of players. Michael Bollio (ph) came in on special teams and then got to play as a linebacker. Chauncey Davis, another guy like that. So they have done pretty well with their mid to late round guys to help them on special teams. You know, I look at the safety position,
they picked up Lawyer Malloy and Chris Crocker. Are they going to try to get a young safety -- and this is a pretty good year for second and third round safeties. I think a guy like Daniel Bollock (ph) would help them immensely on special teams and down the road as a starter.

Q. What about D’Quwell Jackson, University of Maryland, any talks about what
teams are interested in him?

MIKE MAYOCK: Well, I'll tell you what, when I put tape on of him, I think he's a first round pick. I really like him a lot. Got to see him up close at Senior Bowl. His stock has fallen a little bit because he did not run that well. And I get
frustrated sometimes because to me he just looks like a football player and I don't really care that he ran a 4:07:5. I don't really care at all. I just see a
football player. I think he could slide into the second round and the nice thing about him is he's athletic enough as an inside linebacker and could
even stay on the field in nickel situations. He's the kind of guy that I think could come in and play real well early on for an NFL team.

Q. Do you see any late round quarterback that might go and have an impact in the league in a few years?

MIKE MAYOCK: Yeah, a couple of interesting guys are Charlie Whitehurst from Clemson. There's a medical issue on him with his shoulder but he's a big, good-looking prototype drop-back passer that can throw the heck out of the ball with you he's been inconsistent. Croyle from Alabama is a guy who can be a solid backup in a certain type of offense, can be a starter down the road. I already mentioned Clemens and
Tarvaris Jackson, both of whom I like a lot. Then a couple of interesting kids to keep your eye on is Darnell Hackney from UAB, reminds me a lot of the backup down in Jacksonville, David Garrard (ph). And then there's Bruce Eugene from Grambling. If he doesn't make it at quarterback he may make it at guard because he's six feet, 262.

Q. You had mentioned that you have known Mel Kiper for about a dozen years.
What do you think of the job he does and how his visibility opens doors for guys like you?

MIKE MAYOCK: I think Mel does a fantastic job, because it doesn't matter whether it's
the first pick in the Draft or the 247th pick in the draft, he knows the kid's bio off the top of his head, and I give him a ton of credit for that. He's well-prepared and he's been living it, breathing it, sleeping it since he was a high school kid. So I respect him and my hat is off to him. The beauty in what I'm doing right now and
one of the reasons I'm doing it, and I thought of it a little bit, I wanted to be a playbook analyst and X&O analyst when I came to this network and they said, you don't have a big enough name. You only played in the NFL a couple years and nobody ever
heard of you. When he would like you to do some college stuff and personnel evaluations. My dad is a coach, I've been watching tape since I was ten years old and the beauty of what I'm doing now, courtesy of Mel Kiper, there are not a whole lot of
coaches and players retiring who want to be in player personnel. So I've got a little job security here.

Q. Could this be the year the Eagles look at some of the quarterbacks?

MIKE MAYOCK: Yeah, I think it's time to start thinking about that, I agree. They got rid of Andy Hall, the kid from Delaware they bought into for a couple of years. I think now is the time or next year is the time, depending on whether or not
a kid catches their eye they have to start to groom somebody for a couple of years down the road as a No. 3, a degree.

Q. Do you have an opinion on Eric Henderson, defensive end out of Georgia Tech
and where he may land or play in the NFL?

MIKE MAYOCK: Yeah, he is a defensive end that has some pass rushing playability and
could play some outside linebacker. Most of the teams I've talked to have got him in the fourth or fifth round and I think that's probably where he's
going to end up.

Q. Has Vince Young's representatives hurt his position or is more of that made than
what it is? And are there any guys like DeMarcus Ware any guys would could
jump up high this year?

MIKE MAYOCK: Yeah, the DeMarcus comparison is good, I loved him last year. This
year there is a guy who is white hot right now who I gave a third round grade to and everybody is telling me he's going to go between 12 and 20 and
that's Manny Lawson from North Carolina state, the other end besides Mario Williams. I'm not buying into the fact yet that that's what he is, but he's a 4-3 defensive end that lit it up at the Combine at 241 pounds. He ran a 4:40, he's a work-out warrior.

To me, DeMarcus showed me at Senior Bowl a year ago he was a first round big.
Manny Lawson did not show me that. So it looks like he's going to be a first round pick. I'm not buying into it yet.

The other guy that will be a first round pick, and I believe a good football player is Kamerion Wimbley from Florida State, hands-down, 4-3 defensive end who will be a 3-4 outside linebacker. I think he could go as early as number 12 to
Cleveland.

Q. As far as Vince Young's representatives, there's been a lot of talk about him being inexperienced, have they hurt --

MIKE MAYOCK: I answered this earlier, but to give you the quick overview I thought they made some poor decisions early. I don't know why he went on that ESPN Skills Competition because he had nothing to gain and everything to lose. But
the reality -- why he would do that and not the Combine, I thought was inconsistent at best. The reality is, he threw the ball well at his Pro Day. I think he's going to be fine as far as Draft day. But a lot of people in the league right now they he's
going to be 3 to Tennessee.

Q. What about Tamba Hali?

MIKE MAYOCK: I think there was more media frenzy about Tamba Hali than 100% pure
substance. He's a really good football player that's a 4-3 defensive end. He's got tweener size. He's only about 261, 262. He probably can't stand up and play outside linebacker. He's got a tremendous first step, he's got a tremendous
motor, but I think he's probably going to be an early second round pick. I like him a lot. It's just that he's kind of an outside speed rusher that isn't as big as people would like.

Q. (SBS NFL Business Blog) Do you think Matt Leinart fired Lee Steinberg, is that going to have any impact -- on his draft position?

MIKE MAYOCK: I kind of laugh when I hear those things about the agent and impacting
his draft status. No, I don't think it will have any impact whatsoever. People are evaluating based on his tape, his personal interviews and his
workouts.

Q. You mentioned the Redskins not having a lot of picks -- inaudible -- have you
seen a team that doesn't help their depth at all?

MIKE MAYOCK: It's kind of like the old days with George Allen. I agree with you and I'll take it a step further. As active as they were in this off-season and with the amount of money they spent and I believe overspent on some of those players, down the road, two, three, four years, there's going to be hell to pay with the salary cap.

Q. Two questions about Florida State players, Willie Reed, Leon Washington (ph)
both had injury problems. Your assessment of where they may end up?

MIKE MAYOCK: Yeah, both of them are on the rise. Both worked out well at the Combine,
had a good on campus work out. Willie Reed I think because of his ability to separate in short areas probably goes in the fourth round, and that's, without a lot of college production. And Leon Washington, the tailback, was highly rated going
into the season, a little heavy coming into it, didn't have as good of a year as he should have. I think he's probably going to climb back into the first day and I have him in my third round right now.

Suri Cruise Is Born! - Tom Cruise's Kid's Here

BEIJING, April 19 (Xinhuanet) -- Tom Cruise's fiancee Katie Holmes gave birth to a baby girl last night, expanding the Cruise family to three.

In a statement issued through Cruise's publicist, the couple said that they "joyously welcomed" the baby.

A publicist for the celebrity couple revealed that the baby is to be called Suri, a name her parents found in a book of baby names, meaning "princess" in Hebrew and "red rose" in Farsi. But it could also mean "pickpocket" in Japanese.

The new arrival has also aquired a nickname from the American media as the TomKitten.

Cruise and Holmes were given the nickname of TomKat by the media when their whirlwind courtship caught their attention.

Cruise, 43, was married to Nicole Kidman for ten years and had two adopted children with her.

Right before the birth of Suri, Tom Cruise caused stir by boasting about eating the baby's placenta.

Cruise appears to be an overly protective father.He assigned everyone in his staff and family different responsibilities in taking care of his beloved daughter.

He said. "I don't think this kid's going to be able to walk until they're about 15! Feet aren't going to touch the ground!" Enditem

(Agencies)

Editor: Yang Li

Aaron Rogers On NFL Network

NFL Network's Rich Eisen just interviewed Green Bay Packers and former Cal QB Aaron Rogers. Here's some highlights:

On being selected 24th in the 2005 NFL Draft: "Being the last of six in the Green Room is definetely a test of character. I don't wish it on anyone." Rogers said that as he was siting there, the janitors were cleaning the area around him.

On Brett Farve and his possible return to Green Bay. "I know he's deserved all this time to decide what he's going to do....I don't know what he's going to do. ...I am going to put myself in the best position to be ready. ..It's been a good off season. We've got about 50 guys in camp. With (new head) coach (Mike) McCarthy, we've got a new attitude."

On the possibility that they would take a quarterback with the fifth pick in the NFL Draft: "I hope not. I hope I've shown them that I've got a big upside. If they do pick a quarterback, then my days are numbered here."