Eli Manning: I'm the third most talked about QB in New York

Posted by Michael David Smith on April 25, 2012, 3:07 PM EDT

AP

Giants quarterback Eli Manning has spent much of his life in the shadows of his famous father Archie and famous brother Peyton, so he’s accustomed to it if he isn’t the center of attention. Which is good because there are a couple of other quarterbacks in New York getting more attention than Eli right now.

Manning told Shepard Smith of Fox News that he thinks New York is paying more attention toMark Sanchez and Tim Tebow of the Jets than to him.

Mayock's mock draft released

Here it is.  Mike Mayock's long awaited and much anticipated mock draft.  

We are hosting live streaming of NFL Network's Draft Coverage

TTR will be hosting live streaming of NFL Network's 2012 NFL Draft coverage.

This is great news for those of you that prefer to watch it on the computer, or those that would rather watch NFL Networks coverage of the draft (which beats the heck out of ESPN's).  So grab a chair and stay for a while.

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Burfict and Hosely also failed drug test at combine

Posted by Mike Florio on April 25, 2012, 12:23 PM EDT

AP

Well, it’s time for another memo from the Commissioner.

Jay Glazer of FOX Sports and NFL Network reports that Arizona State linebacker Vontaze Burfict and Virginia Tech cornerback JayRon Hosley failed drug tests at the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

For Burfict, the news cements his dramatic fall from grace.  Though a failed drug test standing alone won’t

Video: Top Story Lines for NFL Draft Week

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More evidence points to the Dolphins selecting Ryan Tannehill

Posted by Evan Silva on April 25, 2012, 11:09 AM EDT

Getty Images

Citing a league source, Florio reported on Sunday night that owner Stephen Ross is “pushing hardest” in the Dolphins’ building for the team to draft Texas A&M quarterbackRyan Tannehill with the No. 8 overall pick. Florio’s story was quickly disputed by the Miami Herald.

A day later, SI.com’s Peter King confirmed in his Monday Morning Quarterback column that Ross indeed wants Tannehill.

Osi: If you trade for me, you won't have to redo my contract

Posted by Josh Alper on April 25, 2012, 11:34 AM EDT

Getty Images

Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora is using the day before the draft to send a message to the other 31 teams in the NFL.

Tom Rock of Newsday spoke to Umenyiora about what the future holds for him. Umenyiora admitted to some uncertainty about whether it is best for him to stay with the Giants, but then moved on to letting other teams know what they’d be getting if they were to make a trade to acquire him.

Packers to release Nick Collins

Posted by Josh Alper on April 25, 2012, 11:24 AM EDT

Getty Images

If safety Nick Collins is able to play again after neck surgery, it won’t be for the Packers.

Collins’ agent told Tom Silverstein of theMilwaukee Journal-Sentinel that the Packers have informed Collins that he will be released. Per Silverstein, the team is not comfortablewith the prospect of letting Collins back on the field, which follows what coach Mike McCarthy said last month about not going forward with Collins unless it was completely safe for him to play. Collins is still waiting for final word from several doctors about whether he is able to resume his career.

Willie McGinest is painfully honest about Wes Welker

Posted by Michael David Smith on April 25, 2012, 10:56 AM EDT

Getty Images

Wes Welker is an unsigned free agent who has been designated as the Patriots’ franchise player, and he has said he doesn’t plan to participate in the team’s June minicamp if he hasn’t signed by then. One former Patriot, Willie McGinest, has a problem with that.

“I just don’t like the diva attitude,” McGinest said on NFL Network’s Total Access.

McGinest believes that, instead of expecting the Patriots to show him the money, Welker should be thankful that the Patriots have transformed him from a third receiver into a star.

“Let’s keep it real: Prior to the Patriots, this is a guy who played three years, had 96 receptions, never had a 1,000-yard season. So due to, in big part, the Patriots’ offensive system, and Tom Brady, he’s had five years with over 100 catches,” McGinest said. “A big part of that is due to the Patriots.”

Video: Four Super Sleepers

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TTR's 2nd Annual Mock Draft Contest!

Prospect Focus: Syracuse DE Chandler Jones

I am posting this because there are a lot of people who don't really know who this kid is yet, and many will be saying "who?" tomorrow night when his name is called, because it is going to be early.  In my mock I actually have him going in the Top 10.

-Tiger

Greg Gabriel - National Football Post

Just like Shea McClellin, who I wrote about yesterday, a prospect who has picked up a lot of momentum lately is defensive end Chandler Jones of Syracuse.

Jones is a 4th-year junior who redshirted in 2008, started some games but played mainly as a backup in 2009 and has been a fulltime starter the last 2 years at defensive end in a 3-man front.

Josh Cribbs clocked doing 103 mph

Terry McCormick - National Football Post

Cleveland Browns all -purpose player Josh Cribbs has often been speedy and elusive on the footbal field.

It turns out that he is also that way on the interstate, perhaps a little too much, as he was clocked doing 103 mph in a 60 mph zone, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Wednesday morning one-liners

Posted by Michael David Smith on April 25, 2012, 9:11 AM EDT

AP

History says the Bills should do very well for themselves with the 10th pick in the draft.

The Dolphins got to work on the field with new coach Joe Philbin on Tuesday, looking like a team that needs help everywhere.

Here’s a look at some possible Patriots picks.

Alabama safety Mark Barron is a player the Jets would love to have — but enough to trade up to get him?

Georgia Tech WR Stephen Hill is a possible target for the Ravens.

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis hinted that he sees this draft as an opportunity to bolster the defense.

Falcons on the verge of acquiring Samuel from Eagles

Posted by Josh Alper on April 25, 2012, 8:29 AM EDT

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Rumored interest in trading for cornerbackAsante Samuel helped get Brent Grimes to sign his franchise tender with the Falcons, but that decision doesn’t seem to have done anything to the team’s interest in making a deal.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the Falcons are on the verge of acquiring Samuel from the Eagles in exchange for a late-round pick. The move would give the

Steve Smith says Saints players admitted targeting him last year

Posted by Michael David Smith on April 25, 2012, 6:46 AM EDT

AP

Panthers receiver Steve Smith says that when news broke of the Saints bounty scandal, he wasn’t the least bit surprised because he was previously told by a Saints player that dirty plays were encouraged.

In fact, Smith said on the Dave Dameshek Football Program on NFL.com that a Saints player took a cheap shot at him during a game, and when Smith objected, the player told him that he had to do it because on the Saints’ defense, you get fined if you don’t take cheap shots.

Jaguars claiming Dolphins will pick Tannehill

Posted by Mike Florio on April 24, 2012, 7:57 PM EDT

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It’s unclear which team wants to trade down more:  the Vikings at No. 3 or the Jaguars at No. 7.

For now, we’ll call it a tie.

Minnesota is trying its damnedest to drum up a market for the first pick after the top two picks, which barring the intervention of a bus, a lightning bolt, and/or a Biblical plague will beAndrew Luck and Robert Griffin III.  The Jaguars, who widely are believed to be hoping to trade down from the seventh spot, are now openly selling the idea that the Dolphins will take quarterback Ryan Tannehill with the eighth pick in the draft.

Deion Sanders cited with simple assault charges

Posted by Mike Florio on April 24, 2012, 10:29 PM EDT

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After a Monday altercation with his estranged wife, Pilar, it appeared that Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders would be facing no criminal charges.

It appeared wrong.

The Associated Press reports that Deion Sanders has been charged with misdemeanor simple assault.  Pilar Sanders also faces a misdemeanor assault charge.  She was arrested; Deion wasn’t.