Free-agent moves shake up the first round of NFL draft
Article By cbrown.tsn on 10th March, 2010
The NFL draft is impacted by what happens during free agency. A look at how recent moves might influence some of the top 20 picks on April 22:
St. Louis Rams First-round pick: No. 1
Recent additions: Signed free-agent defensive tackle Fred Robbins and free-agent quarterback A.J. Feeley.
The Rams didn't bring in A.J. Feeley to be the starter, but his arrival could help determine who the starter is in 2010. What it means: Rams officials are torn. They could choose either Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford or one of the top defensive tackles—Ndamukong Suh of Nebraska or Gerald McCoy of Oklahoma—with the first-overall pick. The Rams also could find a last-minute trading partner for a team that covets Bradford.
Bradford is preparing for his crucial March 25 workout in Norman, Okla., that Rams coaches and personnel men will dissect.
If Bradford looks good and the medical reports on his surgically repaired throwing shoulder are favorable, the Rams should take him. Remember, the last two drafts have produced four NFL starting quarterbacks—the Falcons' Matt Ryan, the Ravens' Joe Flacco, the Lions' Matthew Stafford and the Jets' Mark Sanchez.
If Bradford becomes a franchise quarterback for somebody else, it would haunt the Rams for years.
Adding Robbins and Feeley simply gives the Rams insurance no matter the draft-day decision. Feeley, 32, has not thrown a regular-season pass since 2007 but could act as a mentor to Bradford, particularly if the Rams release veteran Marc Bulger.
"I see my role as an older quarterback that is there to help out in any way possible," Feeley said on a conference call. "Regardless if it's playing or in a backup role, I'm just there to contribute. Whether it's a young guy they draft or if Marc is there or whoever is there, I just want to help out."
Robbins was with the Giants when Rams coach Stev...
Read Complete Article at Latest Sporting News Articles for NFL
St. Louis Rams First-round pick: No. 1
Recent additions: Signed free-agent defensive tackle Fred Robbins and free-agent quarterback A.J. Feeley.
The Rams didn't bring in A.J. Feeley to be the starter, but his arrival could help determine who the starter is in 2010. What it means: Rams officials are torn. They could choose either Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford or one of the top defensive tackles—Ndamukong Suh of Nebraska or Gerald McCoy of Oklahoma—with the first-overall pick. The Rams also could find a last-minute trading partner for a team that covets Bradford.
Bradford is preparing for his crucial March 25 workout in Norman, Okla., that Rams coaches and personnel men will dissect.
If Bradford looks good and the medical reports on his surgically repaired throwing shoulder are favorable, the Rams should take him. Remember, the last two drafts have produced four NFL starting quarterbacks—the Falcons' Matt Ryan, the Ravens' Joe Flacco, the Lions' Matthew Stafford and the Jets' Mark Sanchez.
If Bradford becomes a franchise quarterback for somebody else, it would haunt the Rams for years.
Adding Robbins and Feeley simply gives the Rams insurance no matter the draft-day decision. Feeley, 32, has not thrown a regular-season pass since 2007 but could act as a mentor to Bradford, particularly if the Rams release veteran Marc Bulger.
"I see my role as an older quarterback that is there to help out in any way possible," Feeley said on a conference call. "Regardless if it's playing or in a backup role, I'm just there to contribute. Whether it's a young guy they draft or if Marc is there or whoever is there, I just want to help out."
Robbins was with the Giants when Rams coach Stev...
Read Complete Article at Latest Sporting News Articles for NFL
Readers Comments
Related News
Featured Sponsors
Interested in getting MLB Tickets for this coming season? The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the borough of the Bronx, in New York City, New York and are a member of Major League Baseball's American League East Division. Get your New York Yankees Tickets today!
The Baltimore Orioles Tickets are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland. Since 1992, the Orioles have played their home games at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
New York Mets Tickets: The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. The Mets are a member of the East Division of Major League Baseball's National League.
The Minnesota Twins are an American professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Get your Minnesota Twins Tickets today!
The Toronto Blue Jays Tickets are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
The Seattle Mariners are an American professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Mariners Tickets are looking to be a good team this year.
Detroit Tigers Tickets: The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team based in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises.
The Philadelphia Phillies Tickets are a Major League Baseball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. One of the biggest games of the season are the Phillies Red Sox Tickets. Another long time rival in the same state is Phillies Pirates Tickets.
The Chicago White Sox Tickets are a Major League Baseball team based in Chicago, Illinois. The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division.
The Atlanta Braves Tickets are a professional baseball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League.
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in Texas, representing the Dallas-Ft.Worth metropolitan area. Get your Texas Rangers Tickets today!
San Diego Padres Tickets: The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California.
Tampa Bay Rays Tickets: The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in 1998, the club has played at Tropicana Field.
The Florida Marlins were established in 1993 as an expansion franchise, the Florida Marlins Tickets are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League.
San Francisco Giants Tickets are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, who currently play in the National League West Division.
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland Indians Tickets are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League.
The Baltimore Orioles Tickets are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland. Since 1992, the Orioles have played their home games at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
New York Mets Tickets: The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. The Mets are a member of the East Division of Major League Baseball's National League.
The Minnesota Twins are an American professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Get your Minnesota Twins Tickets today!
The Toronto Blue Jays Tickets are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
The Seattle Mariners are an American professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Mariners Tickets are looking to be a good team this year.
Detroit Tigers Tickets: The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team based in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises.
The Philadelphia Phillies Tickets are a Major League Baseball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. One of the biggest games of the season are the Phillies Red Sox Tickets. Another long time rival in the same state is Phillies Pirates Tickets.
The Chicago White Sox Tickets are a Major League Baseball team based in Chicago, Illinois. The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division.
The Atlanta Braves Tickets are a professional baseball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League.
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in Texas, representing the Dallas-Ft.Worth metropolitan area. Get your Texas Rangers Tickets today!
San Diego Padres Tickets: The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California.
Tampa Bay Rays Tickets: The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in 1998, the club has played at Tropicana Field.
The Florida Marlins were established in 1993 as an expansion franchise, the Florida Marlins Tickets are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League.
San Francisco Giants Tickets are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, who currently play in the National League West Division.
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland Indians Tickets are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League.
