Dolphins Looking Hard at Quarterbacks

At some point during the 2011 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins are expected to upgrade their quarterback position.

With the 15th overall pick, it's unlikely the Dolphins will get a chance to pick Auburn University quarterback Cam Newton or Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert, who are potential Top 5 picks and would require the Dolphins to spend multiple picks to trade up in the first round.

Miami plans to workout both quarterbacks, and will be taking closer looks at other draft-eligible quarterbacks over the next few weeks, reports Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.

According to Jackson, the Dolphins have private workouts scheduled with Colin Kaepernick (Nevada), Ryan Mallett (Arkansas), Christian Ponder (Florida State), and Andy Dalton (TCU).

University of Washington quarterback Jake Locker and Idaho's Nathan Enderle may also be on the Dolphins' radar, though no workouts or visits are scheduled, Jackson adds.

Miami will also be present at Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi's pro day on Monday, and on Tuesday, have a private workout scheduled with Josh Portis, an intriguing late-round prospect from division II California University (Pennsylvania).

The Dolphins used a second-round pick in 2008 on Chad Henne and a 2009 second-round pick on Pat White, who left the team to pursue a professional baseball career, which he retired from earlier this month.

Henne (6-3, 230) started 27 of 29 games over the last two seasons, completing 61.1% of his pass attempts for 6,179 yards and 27 touchdowns. Henne has also been intercepted 33 times, and hasn't displayed the consistency to convince Miami's brass that he's capable of being the long-term solution at the position.

source:  Mac's Football Blog
Posted by Brian McIntyre

Former NFL WR Drew Hill Passes Away

Former NFL wide receiver Drew Hill passed away Friday night in an Atlanta hospital after suffering two massive strokes, John McClain of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Hill was 54.

A 12th round pick out of Georgia Tech by the Los Angeles Rams in 1979, Hill was traded to the Oilers in 1984, where he emerged as a Pro Bowl wide receiver in the team's run-and-shoot offense, catching 480 passes for 7,477 yards and 47 touchdowns over seven seasons.

Hill went to the Pro Bowl following the 1988 and 1990 seasons, and ranks 4th in Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans history in receptions, second in receiving yards, and is tied for second in receiving touchdowns.

"I’m shocked," Hall of Fame quarterback Warren Moon, Hill's teammate in Houston, said. "I can’t believe it. Drew meant so much to us as a player and as a person. I counted on him so much. He was the consummate professional. It’s just so sad."

During his 14-year career, which concluded with a two-year stint with the Atlanta Falcons, Hill caught 634 passes for 9,831 yards and 60 touchdowns.

source:  Mac's Football Blog
Posted by Brian McIntyre

2011 QB Wonderlic Scores

In response to a question about quarterback Wonderlic scores on Twitter, ESPN's Chris Mortensen noted that it's a "book-smart/processing" test that players in the current era are better prepared for than their counterparts from drafts in the 1980s and 1990s.

According to Mortensen, Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway scored a 29, and Dan Marino and Jim Kelly each scored a 15 on the Wonderlic. Current quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Drew Brew Brees, who were drafted in 1998 and 2001, scored 28s.

Ryan Leaf, the second overall pick of the 1998 NFL Draft, scored a 27.

Among the current crop of quarterbacks, Alabama's Greg McElroy scored a 43, Missouri's Blaine Gabbert a 42, and Florida State quarterback Christian Ponder, one of the fastest risers in this year's draft, scored a 35.

Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post reports that Nevada quarterback Colin Kaepernick scored a 37.

Iowa's Ricky Stanzi (30), TCU's Andy Dalton (29), Arkansas' Ryan Mallett (26) each scored above the 24 that quarterbacks average on the 50-question test. Auburn quarterback Cam Newton (21) and Washington's Jake Locker (20) had below average scores, but both are expected to go in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft.

source:  Mac's Football Blog
Posted by Brian McIntyre

Eagles' Andy Reid says other teams interested in Kevin Kolb

Andy Reid confirmed what has been widely speculated since last offseason: Other NFL teams are interested in Kevin Kolb.
Last year, though, Reid had no desire to trade the quarterback and instead dealt away Donovan McNabb. But with the Eagles committed to Michael Vick as their starter next season and with Kolb's value perhaps no greater than it is now, Reid intimated that he would consider trade offers for the 26-year-old.

"People have shown a little interest, and as this thing picks up I'm sure it'll continue," Reid said during a recent interview posted on the Eagles' website. "Listen, we'll sit back and evaluate."
Reid and general manager Howie Roseman could get a better idea of the market come Sunday when they land in New Orleans for the owners meetings.
There are a few obstacles to clear before Reid can even entertain offers from quarterback-desperate teams. For one, there is no collective bargaining agreement between the owners and players, and until there is, player movement won't be allowed.
And then Reid presumably would need for a new CBA to be in place prior to the draft next month. If the Eagles want a draft pick or picks in return for Kolb - and that would be their preference - they're not going to trade the backup after the draft for 2012 picks.
Kolb's stock will also drop the longer the lockout lasts, with teams unwilling to bring in a new quarterback so close to the start of the season.
There is hope for Kolb, who has said he would rather start elsewhere than be the Eagles backup yet again. If the players win their injunction against the league on April 6, then the lockout will be lifted and trades permitted.
Reid did preface his comments with the statement that he was "not in a big hurry to get rid of" Kolb, who has one year left on his contract. Kolb opened last season as the starter but was injured in the opener and eventually lost his spot to Vick. He has only seven career starts to his name but could fetch as much as a first-round draft pick.
The Eagles' willingness to trade Kolb will essentially come down to the offer. If Reid can get a first-round pick in return it would give the Eagles two - they already have the No. 23 selection - and plenty of maneuverability to perhaps move up and grab a top player, such as Nebraska cornerback Prince Amukamara.
There are approximately a dozen teams in need of a quarterback, and there isn't a slam-dunk prospect in this year's draft class.
There is a strong argument to keep Kolb no matter the offer. Proven backups are hard to come by, and Vick's style of play lends itself to more quarterback hits. Also, Kolb is on the books for only $1.4 million next season. Vick stands to make $16 million after he signed the Eagles' one-year tender on March 2.

source:  Philadelphia Inquirer
author:  Jeff McLane