Posted by Josh Katzowitz

• Andy Benoit, writing for the NY Times, profiles Greg Cosell of NFL Films. You might know Cosell as one of the most knowledgeable (non-coach, non-player) observers in the NFL.

• A cancer survivor and a Packers fan bid $100,000 for a Lambeau Leap Experience later this year. And he has a really good reason for it.

• Former Steelers RB Jerome Bettis said he’s disappointed in James Harrison’s comments in Men’s Journal about his teammates Ben Roethlisberger and Rashard Mendenhall.

• Here’s what happens when the Metrodome stadium roof rises from the grave.

• Falcons fifth-round draft pick Jacquizz Rodgers is taking classes at Oregon State to finish up his degree, just like he, his mom and his uncle had agreed he would. After all, it’s not like he can study his playbook at this point.

• According to Forbes, via PFT, the Cowboys are the second-most valuable sports franchise in the world, worth $1.86 billion. The Redskins ($1.55 billion) and the Patriots ($1.37 billion) come in at fourth and sixth, respectively.

• Former WR Keenan McCardell seems to be enjoying his new line of work.

• Bears offensive coordinator Mike Martz says he wouldn’t need much time to prepare for the Hall of Fame game. Like, say, one day.

• Will the Dolphins go after Saints RB Reggie Bush? It sounds like they might

• A Bengal from the late 1970s named David Turner was killed during a confrontation with California deputies.

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Posted by Ryan Wilson

Terrelle Pryor's transition from Ohio State to the NFL isn't going nearly as well as his transition from high school to college. The top-ranked prep quarterback three years ago, Pryor, who left Ohio State earlier this month, is considered by most people to be no better than a middling NFL prospect.

And we have another name to add to the list: National, the largest scouting service for NFL teams, gave Pryor a grade of 5.1, which translates into a sixth- or seventh-round selection.

We say "most people" because Pryor's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, proclaimed in a press conference last week that his client is "a first-round pick." Those who make their livings evaluating players instead of representing them disagree; NFL Films' Greg Cosell gave Pryor a "late-round" grade, NFL Network's Mike Mayock was slightly more generous, suggesting Pryor might be a fourth-rounder. Former NFL head coaches Marty Schottenheimer and Jerry Glanville said, in their own special way, thanks but no thanks. (Apparently, they didn't read Chad Ochocinco's multiple scouting reports.)

NationalFootballPost.com's Aaron Wilson provides some background on the scouting service:

National annually grades over 1,400 draft eligible college seniors, providing information to nearly two dozen NFL clubs for a fee of over $100,000 to compile the data. Several teams also subscribe to BLESTO. And other teams like the Baltimore Ravens aren't associated with either well-respected scouting service.

A 9.0 is the highest possible grade for a blue-chip prospect with grades ranging as low as 1.0 for a player who isn't projected to play professional football. A 7.0 grade usually connotes a first-round draft target with 6.0 or higher denoting a player who could go in the top 75 overall selections.

Hey, at least Pryor didn't get a 1.0. Nonetheless, this can't make Rosenhaus happy, although as Mayock pointed out previously, "Nobody is better than Rosenhaus in driving perceived value. … Sometimes perceived value is almost as good as real value if he can get enough people talking about [Pryor] as a first-round pick."

To do that, however, Rosenhaus needs to quiet all the experts coming out of the woodwork to remind us that Pryor is probably, at best a fourth-rounder, and at worst not worth the trouble. 



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Posted by Ryan Wilson

We have talked more today about a player who last appeared in an NFL game two years ago, and another who has yet to do so, than we have about current NFL news. That's because it's June, we're in the middle of a lockout, and there's not much else going on.

But even if this was Week 8 of the regular season, the unfolding Terrelle Pryor saga is worth following. It's got a little bit of everything: lies, duplicity and what sounds like misguided hopes for the future.

Last week, Pryor left Ohio State and an ever-growing scandal in his rearview mirror, presumably with designs on making himself available to NFL teams through the supplemental draft. One problem: Pryor isn't considered much of a prospect, though he seems to think enough of his talents that he kindly told the CFL's Saskatchewan Roughriders thanks but no thanks after they extended him an offer.

Now Pryor has hired super agent Drew Rosenhaus, who isn't in the habit of representing schlubs on the fringes of professional football.

There are also rumors that Pryor hopes to get Fired Football Coaches Association founder Jon Gruden to serve as his quarterbacks coach in the coming weeks.

In April, Gruden spoke at the Ohio State coaches clinic where he first met Pryor, and when he was asked if he thought Pryor is an NFL prospect, he said, "Yeah, I do -- I really do," according to the Columbus Dispatch. "Again, I'm accused of liking too many people. 'Gruden likes everybody.' Well, sorry about that. (But) Bill Walsh used to say, 'Don't tell me what this guy can't do. Tell me what he can do."

All respect to Walsh, one of the great offensive minds in NFL history, but remember this: Walsh was a big fan of Trent Edwards coming out of Stanford. We guess all anyone ever told him was that Edwards excelled at throwing the checkdown pass. That's an example of when more information would have been useful.

"And I tell you, Terrelle Pryor can run and he can throw," Gruden continued. "And he's a helluva competitor. And if I coached him, I'd find something for him to do. You might have to cater your offense to a degree towards his strengths. But I think this guy can develop his passing the more you pass the ball. And I think the guy is a unique, rare talent."

That doesn't seem to be the consensus. In fact, NFL Films' Greg Cosell, who watches as much game tape as most coaches, took to Twitter to evaluate Pryor's NFL prospects.

For your education, in chronological order:

• "I watched 2 games of Pryor, 7-8 of the other QB in draft. Based on those 2 games, Pryor a late round pick at best." - June 8 
• "Finished 4 game study of Pryor: Miami, Wisconsin, Iowa and Arkansas in bowl game. A developmental project. No NFL QB traits at this point." - June 9
• More Pryor: Those who equate body athleticism to QB skills + tools will see positives. Those who see NFL QB as a craft will not see much." - June 10 
• "More Pryor: Many issues that need major work. 2 are average arm strength + erratic accuracy. Little velocity. Can't drive ball. Poor passer." - June 10 
• "More Pryor: For those who equate athleticism with QB he's a draftable player. I evaluated him w/late round/free agent grade. No NFL skills." - June 10 

And for those quick to compare Pryor to Cam Newton, there's one huge difference:

• "Major difference between Pryor + Newton is Newton can throw. Big arm, drives the ball. Newton can make NFL throws, Pryor at this point can't." - June 10 

While it might be hard to make out, there is a silver lining. Again, via Cosell: "Pryor's advantage in supp. draft is no expectations. Can be a #3 QB + perhaps develop over time. Still a major question but ideal situation."

But here's the rub: you'll never read "no expectations" on the scouting report of high-round draft picks. In fact, it's how you end up with the late round/free agent grade Cosell gave Pryor. 

Of course, Rosenhaus' job is to sell his client. Or, at the very least, have that be the perception. If Pryor ends up going in the fifth round of the supplemental draft, Rosenhaus will declare it a victory. In terms of PR, he's probably right. Just something to remember, though: Former Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett sat out a season before entering the draft. The Broncos eventually took him in the third round, and he didn't make it out of training camp.

The expectations will be much higher for Pryor, and the scrutiny will be even more intense.

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Posted by Andy Benoit

Brandon Marshall thinks Ryan Mallett will be an All-Pro.

Norv Turner believes that being at home in three of the first four games will give the Chargers an opportunity to get off to a fast start (for a change).

Click here to see some sloppy touch screen analysis from Michael Irvin.

Ozzie Newsome says the Sergio Kindle story “is not written yet”. (True, but the first few chapters were sure bad.)

Based on 2010 records, the Carolina Panthers have the toughest 2011 schedule in the NFL. (Reason why: they don’t get to play the Carolina Panthers.)

Bengals season ticket holder Dr. Kim Brady will have the honor of announcing the team’s fourth round draft pick this year. (Expect it to be a player with some sort of criminal record.)


Film studying savant Greg Cosell says Jimmy Smith, not Patrick Peterson, is the best cornerback in this year’s draft.


Bob Raissman of the New York Daily News is incensed that NFL Films had Thursday Night Football’s Bob Papa audition for the play-by-play job he already has.


Cheerleaders aren’t locked out right now, which is why the Titans are holding a tryout next month.


Matt Hasselbeck talks about his status with the Seahawks (predictably, it hasn’t changed since before the lockout).


Michael Vick is visiting the Virginia Tech campus for the first time since his incarceration. (We’re gradually running out of “first time since prison” stories with this guy.)


Da’Quan Bowers says speculation about his knee is wrong.


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Posted by Will Brinson

It's a holiday bonanza of a podcast today, as Andy and Will break down every game on the weekend schedule, handle Rex Ryan's foot fetish and also welcome special guest Greg Cosell of "NFL Matchup" to talk about some of the bigger issues in the league today (MVP candidates, emerging trends, underrated coaches and possible Pro Bowl snubs).

Afterward, they discuss whether they'd rather have David Garrard or Donovan McNabb long-term, whether Ray Lewis will let Peyton Hillis go off again, why Tony Sparano's on the hot seat, what the Seahawks will do for a quarterback and which teams out of the Giants, Packers and Colts will keep their playoff hopes alive.

All those issues handled (plus, much, much more) below -- just hit the play button below and don't forget to Subscribe via iTunes .

If you can't view the podcast, click here to download .