Tag: local

Chris Ballard on pre-draft rumors: ‘Everybody’s lying’

It’s lying season.

Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard may have had one of the best soundbites among executives ahead of the 2023 NFL draft.

While Ballard has typically been transparent when it comes to answering questions from the media, he still isn’t going to tip his hand fully when discussing the offseason’s biggest weekend.

And when it comes to the massive amount of rumors swirling around entering the draft, Ballard made it a point to put a warning label on buying into every piece of news that hits Twitter.

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“Everybody is lying. I might be the most honest, unfortunately. But everybody is lying,” Ballard said in his pre-draft presser Friday.

The weeks of April leading up to the draft are referred to as “lying season” for a reason. Teams are willing to put any information (or misinformation) out there in order to further their chances of getting the prospect they want.

Though Ballard doesn’t straight-up lie to the media, he admitted to something we already know about his press conferences.

“I think you know me well enough. Usually, if you ask a question, I’ll either dance around it or give you an answer. Today, I’m a dancer,” Ballard said laughing.

For all of Ballard’s faults, his transparency with the media is refreshing. His press conferences may not be the most exciting, and we’ll get our shares of “look” or “listen” before he starts a sentence. But his transparency on most subjects should be appreciated.

Now, that doesn’t win football games. And Ballard knows this pick at No. 4 overall is a crucial one whether he is willing to admit it or not. What he doesn’t know is how the first three picks are going to unfold.

“No idea, and I don’t think anybody does. Everybody thinks they do. I mean of course, everybody thinks they do and everybody has an inside source who is giving them information of what’s going to be done,” Ballard said. “I think as you all know, just look at the mock drafts and tell me how accurate they are after the draft. Nobody knows. Nobody is giving out information.”

We are less than a week away from the start of the NFL draft and what the Colts will do is still a mystery.

And with some teams wanting certain prospects to fall, it’s best to take every piece of information we hear with a grain of salt.

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4 Cowboys who are next in line for contract extensions

The Cowboys have had a good offseason acquiring new talent, but they still have work to do to re-sign some of their own players. | From @BenGrimaldi

With the 2023 NFL draft arriving in less than a week, the focus for many teams has been preparing for the biggest offseason event the league holds. Yet that hasn’t stopped the Dallas Cowboys from handling a little bit of other business for their future.

The team made some financial moves recently when they picked up the fifth-year option for wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and announced right tackle Terence Steele had signed his second-round tender as a restricted free agent. Lamb’s option will guarantee him over $17.9 million in 2024, while Steele’s tender pays him $4.3 million for the upcoming season. Both moves were expected, and both are players the Cowboys will continue to attempt to sign to long-term deals.

Dallas shouldn’t be done working extensions this offseason as there are a few candidates who the team would be wise to lock up now rather than waiting.

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A Wisconsin LB enters the portal as a grad transfer

A Wisconsin LB enters the portal as a grad transfer

Wisconsin linebacker Spencter Lytle has entered the portal as a grad transfer.

The California native has appeared in 15 games for the Badgers, most recently recording a tackle in the 2022 matchup with Northwestern. Lytle had been seeing time with the second team defense for Wisconsin throughout the spring, but has decided to put his name in the portal.

He has dealt with significant injury issues throughout his time as a Badger that have kept him off the field for extended stretches. As a recruit, Lytle was a four-star linebacker out of St. John Bosco and the No. 52 overall player from California in the class of 2019.

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Detroit Lions draft plans after Jameson Williams suspension

Breaking down the potential draft impact of the gambling-related suspension of Lions WR Jameson Williams

There was unfortunate news on Friday afternoon about the Detroit Lions and some of their players. It was reported that last season there were four Lions players that were sports betting.

Those four players have been suspended for violating the league’s gambling policy. C.J. Moore and Quintez Cephus are both suspended indefinitely and will be sidelined at least one year. Hours later, both Moore and Cephus were released by the Lions.

It was also announced that receivers Jameson Williams and Stanley Berryhill have both been suspended for six games. That news is unfortunate due to the projection for Jameson Williams to take a huge step forward this season. We’ll now have to wait but also hope that this doesn’t impact any further development on the young receivers career.

Jameson Williams’ agent releases a statement on his 6-game suspension

The question that we’ll need to have now is if the Detroit Lions are altering their draft board or game plan for the 2023 NFL Draft. As we know, the Lions have the 6th and 18th pick. In addition to those first round picks, five picks in the top-100 selections.

While I believe that the Lions were already targeting a handful of receivers in this draft, they might have to consider one much sooner than expected. If the Lions do consider drafting a receiver, here are three players worth keeping tabs on for the 2023 NFL Draft!

Cedric Tillman, WR, Tennessee 

There might not be a better true ‘X’ receiver in this year’s draft than Cedric Tillman from Tennessee. He’s listed at 6-foot-3 and 213 pounds and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.53 seconds at the Scouting Combine. Playing with good body control, he’s got the size and ability to consistent win on 50/50 balls. Had Tillman not played through a high ankle sprain last season, we’d be talking about him more somewhere in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Even though Jameson Williams wasn’t projected to strictly align at the X’ in the Lions offense, they should still consider Tillman. I think that he could come in and help the Lions offense right away with the potential to start down the road. With how much the Lions have been connected to some of the prospects out of Tennessee this year, it wouldn’t surprise me if they focus on Tillman during the the draft.

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Jonathan Mingo, WR, Ole Miss 

This one is all about Ben Johnson getting a chess piece for his offense. Checking into the Scouting Combine at 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, there’s much to be desired when watching Mingo from Ole Miss. Most of that is due to the overall frame that he carries.

With a muscular frame, Mingo is able to withstand contact on a consistent basis. More impressively to note is that he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.46 seconds and posted a 39.5″ vertical jump. Outside of the size and athleticism, you’ll notice quickly that he moves all around the offense.

According to PFF, Mingo played 256 snaps in the slot, 456 snaps out wide and he played 130 snaps inline. He even took snaps out of the backfield last season. On tape, it’s evident with how Mingo moves all over the offense and you’d have to imagine that Ben Johnson could get pretty creative with a player like that. If they wanted to draft him, it would have to be somewhere on day two as his stock has consistently been on the rise all year.

Jayden Reed, WR, Michigan State 

If you connect the dots to who the Lions met with during the pre-draft process, Jayden Reed is one of the more well-known names. Much of that is due to him playing three seasons at Michigan State. During Reed’s career with the Spartans, he recorded 147 receptions for 2069 yards and 18 touchdowns.

When watching the tape, you’ll see Reed run routes with plenty of snap and fluidity but there are times that he runs with high pad level. In addition to how he runs his routes, he’s got terrific tracking ability on the football. Whether it’s a vertical route or a corner route, he’s always able to turn his head around and find the football.

After a strong week at the Senior Bowl and a strong performance, there’s belief that Reed could be selected somewhere in the 3rd round of the 2023 NFL Draft. The Lions have the 81st pick and if he’s available, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he ended up being the pick. Putting him in the Lions offense, I’d project that he’d provide inside and outside versatility while being able to run deep down the field and after the catch in the short areas of the field.

2023 NFL Draft: Could Detroit draft a receiver that compares to Marvin Jones?

 

The Wisconsin football ‘launch’ is happening today

It’s Wisconsin football launch day in Madison!

It’s officially launch day in Madison, Wisconsin. The Badgers’ new-look program will be on display to the public for the first time since head coach Luke Fickell took things over.

Fans will be back at Camp Randall as they get a first look at Wisconsin’s new squad and coaching staff. Tickets are free and you can RSVP for yours on Wisconsin’s website.

It will be a packed day at Camp Randall, as the event takes the place of Wisconsin’s spring game. Gates open at 11 a.m. CT and open practice starts at 1 p.m. CT. There promises to be some intersquad scrimmage action as well.

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Wisconsin offers four-star 2024 offensive tackle

Wisconsin offers four-star 2024 offensive tackle

The Badgers were the latest team in on 2024 offensive tackle Garrett Sexton.

Wisconsin is one of a few Big Ten teams to offer the 6-foot-7 lineman, and he has already been predicted to end up at Penn State by 247Sports’ “crystal ball” feature.

Sexton is a native of Hartland, Wisconsin and plays his high school football at Arrowhead High School.

He has offers from Big Ten rivals such as Minnesota and Iowa, while also holding offers Oklahoma, Baylor, and Northwestern. He took an unofficial visit to Madison on March 28 before being officially offered on April 21. Sexton mentioned he had a great phone call with head coach Luke Fickell and Wisconsin’s new offensive line coach:

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Cowboys could follow the Tyler Smith blueprint to address the OL in draft

The Cowboys drafted Tyler Smith last year to play OG for a year and then move to OT. Such a strategy may be in order for 2023 as well. | From @ReidDHanson

When it comes to the offensive line with Dallas, the more things change, the more they remain the same. In the way back days of 2022, the Cowboys found themselves in a predicament. Their franchise left tackle was showing signs of age, the starting right tackle was set to be a restricted free agent at the conclusion of the year and their starting left guard spot was completely up for grabs.

They needed to start thinking about the future at tackle since both starters could be playing their last season in Dallas but they had immediate needs at guard that needed to be addressed.

The offensive line had long been the identity and backbone of the Cowboys’ offense and bad things could ensue if they failed to address the situation promptly and properly.

The solution: two birds with one stone.

Dallas selected Tulsa OT Tyler Smith with their first pick in the 2022 draft. Smith was a highly talented mauler who was raw but possessed a ceiling as high as any prospect in the draft. With the right coaching and a little time, Smith could be the next great Cowboys left tackle.

Yet, Tyron Smith (the LT at the time) wasn’t ready to give up the throne, and the immediate need was at left guard (previous starter Connor Williams left in free agency). So Tyler Smith started at guard and only made his move outside after Tyron Smith fell to a nasty hamstring injury.

The rookie would go on to bounce between the two portside positions throughout the season, helping to solidify the Cowboys offensive line and setting the stage for the next infusion of talent in 2023.

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Saquon Barkley addresses Giants, contract situation

Saquon Barkley addresses the New York Giants, his contract situation, and says there’s a version of 26 people still haven’t seen yet.

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley remains away from the team, “unhappy” with the franchise tag and with no designs on signing it anytime soon.

But like head coach Brian Daboll, Barkley realizes it’s only April. There’s still a long way to go before training camp and plenty of time to have differences resolved.

“Where do I stand with the Giants right now? It’s like what someone said the other day … it’s still April,” Barkley told The Morning Call. “I haven’t had conversations with Joe (Schoen) too much. So the best way I can handle it is to keep working. Whatever happens, happens.

“There are things I can’t really control right now. All I can control is how I will wake up every morning and stay with my goals and my passion. Even though I may not be with the team right now and not in the building, I don’t think anyone with the Giants is concerned about my work ethic and my teammates aren’t worried about how I’m preparing.”

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Barkley had joined his teammates in Arizona for private workouts that were organized by quarterback Daniel Jones but is unable to participate in the Giants’ offseason workout program until his tender is signed.

When Barkley does finally return to the Giants, he promises greater things than we’ve already seen out of him.

“There’s still a version of 26 that a lot of people haven’t seen,” Barkley said.

The Giants and Barkley have until July 17 to work out a long-term deal.

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Cowboys News: Will Pollard come all the way back? Elliott mum on release, Deion sells out scrimmage

From @ToddBrock24f7: Should the Cowboys be banking on Pollard coming back 100%? Also, Zeke has no comment, and Deion Sanders sells out CU’s spring scrimmage.

The Cowboys made a big move this offseason in releasing Ezekiel Elliott and handing the keys to the Cowboys run game to Tony Pollard, especially considering the last time he left a football field was on the back of a medical cart. Now a Cowboys legend asks the question no one wants to think about. And coincidentally, Elliott was asked just hours later about his release from the team. We’ve got his answer.

Meanwhile, more draft pick predictions with just days to go. One is a shock mock with surprising choices from Dallas, and the other keeps it traditional after a first-round anomaly. We dive into what Stephen Jones really meant by his tight end answer the other day, we gear up for the next big contract extension coming (this time in the Cowboys secondary), and Deion Sanders has worked his magic on the Colorado Buffaloes’ spring scrimmage. All that, plus Tony Romo celebrates his birthday on the links; we’ll tell you where he finished on the leaderboard. That and more… in News and Notes.

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Colts’ 2023 NFL draft big board: Tight Ends

Here’s our TE big board rankings for the Colts in the 2023 NFL draft.

The Indianapolis Colts will enter the 2023 NFL draft likely looking at positions other than tight end, but it’s a strong class with a lot of value.

With a pretty crowded room led by Mo Alie-Cox, Jelani Woods and Kylen Granson, there will be some competition for the fourth and final spot in the room with Andrew Ogletree and Pharoah Brown. But there’s still a chance the Colts add a Day 3 tight end to develop.

We shouldn’t expect the Colts to use a pick on a tight end before the fourth round. There are some intriguing options on Day 2, but the positional need probably won’t match the value there. Think of the “rounds” as tiers and when I believe the team should begin to consider drafting them.

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We also created big boards at the following positions:

Here’s a look at my big board for the tight end position as it relates to the Colts in the 2023 NFL draft: