3 APR - 2008

1) USC Players Prove Plenty

Keith Rivers and Sedrick Ellis seemed to solidify their Top-15 status with strong Pro Day workouts. Ellis got his weight down by about 10 lbs and a quarter of a second off his 40 time to ensure he looks good in the top ten. Depending on how things shake up on draft day, he could end up as high up as #4 to the Raiders. Rivers ran in the 4.5s and apparently jumped 42inch in the vert, so he looks like someone who go from 9-15 easily. Plenty of buzz around for next years LBs who also worked out for scouts - Rey Mauauluga and Brian Cushing. TE Fred Davis seems to one of those players who just is a player, not necessarily a workout wonder. Some may have him fall because of this, but he still tests great and will be the first TE off the board, late in the first I would say.

2) Rules Review

The owners meeting also saw a couple of rules finally confirmed after they were proposed. The NFL will adopt the NCAA cointoss option to defer, which has been long lacking in the pro game. The force out rule has also been eliminated, needing receivers to get both feet in, regardless of contact. Finally it seems that some assistance has been given to the defense after all of the offensive friendly rule enforcements coming in over the past few years.

3) Robertson Buzz Gone

Dewayne Robertson has almost been traded to every team in the league, but his knees continue to be a sticking point. At this stage a draft pick appears to high a sacrifice for some teams, who appear likely to wait to see if the Jets release him. Denver was the latest team to be in talks, but nothing has progressed. A 7th round pick has to be worth a chance for a team like Denver who used 3rds on two duds - Maurice Clarett and Marcus Thomas, or maybe they don't want to be burned again!