NFL GridIron Gab Daily Digest

The Lions announced the dates of Organized Team Activities, or OTA's.  They will be held on May 11, May 13, May 18-20, May 25, May 27, June 1-3, June 8, June 10 and June 14.

Teams typically install 50-85% of their offensive and defensive playbooks during OTA's.  This allows the players to study their playbooks all summer before training camp.  It's really beneficial because the players receive on-field instruction on the concepts and timing of the plays, and then reinforce that with mental reps and film study.

OTA's are also crucial for a quarterback and his receivers to build chemistry and timing, which is why the coaching staff shut Stafford down the last few games of the season.  They wanted him completely healthy for OTA's.

Lastly, there will also be a post-draft rookie minicamp for drafted and undrafted rookies shortly after the draft.  This gives the rookies an opportunity to learn how the team practices, get familair with the coaches, and for some undrafted guys, determines if they will get an invite to training camp.

It sounds ridiculous, but the 2010 Lions will hit the field in a little more than a month.

According to multiple outlets, including this one, Brad Childress will be heading to Florida tomorrow.

He is scheduled to be a guest speaker (those poor bastards) at a coaches clinic in Gainesville.

Many Florida players will be drafted and many will be drafted early this year.  However, no name will garner more attention than that of Tim Tebow, despite the fact that many draftniks have him being drafted after four or five other Gators.

Childress has scheduled to work out the draft eligible players and a large contingent of Vikings personnel is expected to be on hand.

Among the players of interest that could possibly work out are Tebow, center Maurkice Pouncey, middle linebacker Brandon Spikes, defensive end Carlos Dunlap, defensive end Jermaine Cunningham, safety Major Wright, and wide out Riley Cooper.

There is much speculation as to where Tebow could land in the draft.  Center Maurkice Pouncey is expected to be a late first round selection, and I currently have him going to the Vikings in my mock draft.  Dunlap is a first round talent that could slide into the second due to off the field issues and work ethic concerns.  Cunningham, Wright, and Cooper are anticipated to start drawing interest around the third round.

Childress has been kind when talking about Tebow in the past, but that should not be taken as an indication of interest.  After all, what benefit would come of bad mouthing a prospect prior to the draft?

Childress did get ringing endorsements about Tebow from Florida Head Coach Urban Meyer, which is no surprise.  Tebow has been somewhat "thrown under the bus" in recent months by a couple of wide receivers that have played with him and have said he isn't a "real quarterback."  Percy Harvin is not of that mindset, apparently, and also gave his endorsement to Coach Childress.

While the Vikings press on Friday will revolve around their presence in Florida, it is also important to note that Offensive Coordinator Darrell Bevel will be attending Jimmy Clausen's much anticipated Pro Day.  For some hack bloggers out there (anybody know one?) Clausen's pro day is when he will have a chance to mute all the critics and get the media on board with what most of the scouts already know… Clausen is the top quarterback in this draft.

Jason Campbell has not yet signed his tender from the Redskins, and his agent reportedly is still scouring the internet, I mean NFL — for possible destinations.  Nevertheless Campbell will sign his tender by April 15 which is the due date.  [via The Post]

As of late Thursday night, Campbell had not yet signed the first-round tender he received from the Redskins, two people familiar with the situation said. He does plan to sign the one-year, $3.14-million contract, the sources said, and is expected to do so no later than Monday.

Campbell actually has until next Thursday (April 15) to sign the tender, which is the last day unrestricted free agents can sign offer sheets with other clubs. Coach Mike Shanahan granted permission for Campbell's agent, Joel Segal, to continue to seek trades that would benefit Campbell and the Redskins after the deadline to sign tenders, indicating he would be willing to move Campbell if Segal could find a better situation for him. And if, of course, the Redskins could get what they want in exchange for him.

If Campbell remains on the roster beginning training camp, he would compete with the recently signed Rex Grossman to be the primary backup behind new starter Donovan McNabb. Under the rules of the collective bargaining agreement, Campbell's salary would be guaranteed if he is on the opening 53-man roster.

The Redskins would not owe Campbell anything if they cut him before the season. If he were released during the season, Campbell would be eligible to collect termination pay from the team.

I expect Campbell to make the team because Rex Grossman is not exactly the sharpest knife in the drawer.  I think Campbell's paid his dues by taking sacks left and right for the past few seasons and it's time for him to be rewarded by collecting his money.  He'll learn some new moves from his new veteran teammate, Donovan McNabb in the process.  And if he has to step up and fill in which he probably will — Campbell might then regain that spring in his step that has been missing for quite some time.