Terry McCormick's triumvirate of draft gurus finally got on my bad side when they absolutely killed Andy Dalton in what's easily the most negative scouting report(s) I've ever seen on the kid. All three guys take the worst case scenario, with one saying any of Dalton's passes longer than 20 yards are 'an adventure'. All I gotta say is that I didn't see much of that in his senior year or during the combine. His deep passes at the combine were picturesque, to the point that it surprised even me. Instead, I submit that Andy Dalton is getting slighted because of what I call the Malachi Effect (don't get it? see here). It's an unfortunate prejudice in our society, but present none the less. Need an example? Think of pretty much ANY movie about kids, and the bully character is almost always a ginger (no offense intended). Jason Jones and Bret Kern are the only Titans to make PFF's all 2008 draft team because Chris Johnson got shafted. PFF picked Jamaal Charles as their RB, despite the fact that CJ has totaled 1654 more yards and 22 more total TDs than Charles over the exact same period of time. I don't care how efficient Charles is, until he can even begin to carry the load in the NFL you can't put him above CJ. Since they're advanced stat guys they're more wowed by efficiency, so I get why they did it, but when the disparity in attempts is that wide you can't just dismiss it when evaluating a players overall value, IMO.
Peter King updates what he's hearing about the veteran QB market (keeping in mind that no one can be traded or signed): Carson Palmer is dead serious about leaving the Bengals and may be pining for the west coast (geographically, not schematically), Andy Reid wants to trade Kevin Kolb and someone may have already offered a 1st round pick, and Marc Bulger is the leader in the clubhouse for the Cardinals spot.
Kenny Britt makes the cut as one of the AFC South receivers to watch in 2011.
Andy Reid confirmed that the Eagles are changing their defensive-line philosophy to match what Jim Washburn did here with the Titans. I think we pretty much all expected that to happen, but hearing from the head guy that they'll switch to the 9-technique with the ends makes it a much more attractive destination for Babin in 2011.
In other Eagles news that should interest Titans fans, Andy Reid also made it clear that Kevin Kolb is on the trading block, and word is that one team has already offered their 1st round pick. PFT thinks it's Seattle
NFP breaksdown Cam Jordan and Da'Quan Bowers.
Former Oilers coach Jerry Glanville will replace new Titans OC Chris Palmer as the head coach of the UFL's Hartford Colonials.
Email me at mcmaugustwest@gmail.coma and be sure to follow me @AugustWest_MCM