NFL GridIron Gab Daily Digest

Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports Packers president Mark Murphy said in an interview Friday that he reached an agreement to extend the contract of general manager Ted Thompson.

Thompson had two years left on his contract after the 2010 season and this will be his second extension since becoming general manager in 2005. It’s not known how long the extension is for, but it’s likely it’s for three year more years so that Thompson is locked in for five years.

“I have complete confidence in Ted,” Murphy said in an interview Friday. “The other thing I would say that has ben really impressive is the working relationship he and Mike (McCarthy have. They really work well together.”

Look, I firmly believe that over-analyzing mock drafts in mid-February, to steal a line from Van Wilder, is like a rocking chair: it gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you anywhere. There are so many things that are going to happen between now and late April that this will probably be rendered completely useless even before the month is over.

But given the fact that we're now entering the joyless abyss – the end of the NFL season, with no future NFL season(s) in sight – this will hopefully give us something to discuss, chew up, and dissect, until there's something else noteworthy to talk about.

1. Carolina Panthers – Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn

Fairley was the best player on the field for the biggest game in college football (Auburn vs. Oregon). Isn't that what you want from a franchise guy? He reminds you a lot of Albert Haynesworth: a force capable of single-handedly disrupting the opposing offense. The problem is, like Haynesworth, he has a propensity to take plays off every so often.

2. Denver Broncos – Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson

Now that John Fox is the head coach, it looks like Denver will probably go back to the 4-3 defense. Fox took Peppers with his very first pick as the head coach of the Panthers, and I could see him doing the same thing in Denver with Bowers.

3. Buffalo Bills – Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri

Here's my thought: Gabbert has all the tools you need, but he just needs a lot of "seasoning" before he's fully ready to go. But the Bills already have Ryan Fitzpatrick as a perfectly viable starter, so the Bills won't need to start him right away. Regardless, that franchise needs someone to reinvigorate the fan base with, and provide some stability at the position.

4. Cincinnati Bengals – AJ Green, WR, Georgia

Green could be the best offensive player in this entire draft. T.O and Chad Ochocinco are probably going to be leaving Cincinnati after this year because they're not getting any younger and they're becoming even bigger headaches, so somebody has to fill those shoes.

5. Arizona Cardinals – Patrick Patterson, CB, LSU

New defensive coordinator Ray Horton was a defensive backs coach for the Steelers, so I can see the Cardinals looking in that direction as they take someone to help fix a pass defense in the bottom 10 of the league last year. Everyone has the Cardinals taking a QB here, but I think they'll address that via free agency or trade, because the last thing Larry Fitzgerald wants is to wait around for a young QB to develop while he's already in his prime.

6. Cleveland Browns – Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M

Miller absolutely tore it up at the Senior Bowl, which has catapulted his draft stock into the top 10. Cleveland is going back to the 4-3 defense, and Miller has the type of athleticism and talent to play linebacker on first and second downs, then put his hand in the dirt on third down and go after the quarterback.

7. San Francisco 49ers – Robert Quinn, OLB, North Carolina

The 49ers are moving to a 3-4 defense under new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. Quinn would be an awesome play maker at outside linebacker in this scheme, opposite of Manny Lawson. Plus, having guys like Lawson, Quinn, and Justin Smith would give that defense a ton of flexibility in giving different looks to the opposing offense.

8. Tennessee Titans – Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska

In a division where they have to deal with the aerial attacks of the Colts and Texans, the Titans could use a guy like Amukamara. Given the fact that they finished in the bottom four against the pass last season, and that Amukamara is one of the most clean-nosed, hard-working guys in this draft (aka, the opposite of PacMan Jones), this pick makes a lot of sense for them.

9. Dallas Cowboys – Marcell Dareus, DE/DT, Alabama

Dallas' biggest need is a "five-technique" defensive end, which Dareus is more than capable of playing at a high level. He's got great size, does everything right on the field, and is a high-character guy to boot.

10. Washington Redskins – Cam Newton, QB, Auburn

The Redskins have a ton of needs all over their team, and Quarterback ranks up there as high as any of them. Newton has all the physical tools and some of the intangibles to be a great quarterback, but he needs a lot of "seasoning" before he's really ready to lead a team. The question is: will the folks in Washington be patient enough for him to develop?

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The off-season has now begun and the Indianapolis Colts need to know what they should do with strong-safety, Bob Sanders. Sanders hasn't played really much at all in the past three seasons. I don't even think he's hit the double-digit game mark, or even played five games yet.

Sanders is injury-prone and we're starting to realize that his time with Indianapolis could be in fact coming to an end. And it should. Do the Colts really need this guy? He gets injured literally every season and is wasting so much in the salary cap.

The Colts could also give Sanders a paycut, but will he agree to it? Indy could also find a trade suitor, but it may seem unlikely. It would probably just be better if they would just release him. Indianapolis can find a fill-in for Sanders in the draft. They also have Aaron Francisco and Melvin Bullitt at those spots.

Francisco played pretty good, even though he was originally a third-stringer to start out. Bullitt played great when he filled in for Sanders. If Indy does get rid of Sanders, they have the money to accommodate Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne, and Robert Mathis; all who are need of new contracts.

Plus, Bullitt would seem like a good replacement for him, or like I said earlier, use the draft. Another option could also be free agency, too, as Bill Polian noted Indy wants to explore more there. However, that spot isn't too much of a need and Bullitt would most likely be good to go.

So what do you think?

Was this Sander's last straw?

The NFL Scouting Combine is fast approaching, and every year the results from those few days in Indianapolis send shivers up and down NFL draft boards.  Also affected are the multiple Mock Drafts from experts (and not-so-experts) around the country.  College workouts and individual pro days will further shake up draft prognostications as we get closer to the big day in April.

For now, though, more and more draft pundits are guessing that one particular player will be selected by the Lions with the 13^th pick of Round One:  Outside Linebacker Akeem Ayers from UCLA.  Most of these experts agree on four things:

1.  The Lions would love to take cornerbacks Patrick Petersen or Prince Amukamara with this pick;

2.  Neither of them will be available;

3.  No other cornerbacks merit the 13^th pick of the draft; and

4. The Lions also need help at linebacker.

The experts guessing that the Lions will take Ayers include the folks at Football's Future (www.footballsfuture.com) who say that Ayers has size and abilities coaches want in an outside linebacker.  Scott Wright from Draft Countdown (www.nfldraftcountdown.com) says that Ayers "is a well-rounded player who can be a factor against the run, in coverage, and as a pass rusher."  Rob Rang from CBS Sports (www.cbssports.com) opines that the Lions need someone to play behind superstar Ndamukong Suh and that Ayers is "an athletic phenom in the mold of Julian Peterson."  Other prognosticators who predict the Lions taking Ayers in round one include Peter Schrager from Fox Sports (msn.foxsports.com), Scott Bischoff of the SideLion Report (sidelionreport.com), and our friends over at Vikings Gab (www.vikingsgab.com) who even said that the Lions were definitely a team on the rise…thanks guys!  That had to be hard to say!

Something else most of the above experts agree upon is that Ayers would be a bit of a reach with the thirteenth pick.  They are figuring that though Ayers will not be the best pick available when the Lions go to the podium, he will nonetheless be the best pick that fills a Lions need.  This also speaks volumes about the fact that the Lions frankly have far fewer needs this year than in years past.

Although Ayers may be getting lots of votes among draftniks, there are plenty of voices who predict that the Lions will go in a different direction with their first pick.  Nate Solder, a tight end turned offensive tackle from Colorado has been getting a great deal of buzz in NFL circles lately, and folks at the Great Blue North Report (www.gbhreport.com), Draft Insiders (www.draftinsiders.com) and Expert Mock Draft (www.expertmockdraft.com) all think the Lions will grab him at pick thirteen.

Other guesses of note:

Our Lads (www.ourlads.com):  JJ Watt, DE/DT, Wisconsin

Draft Breakdown (draftbreakdown.com):  Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina

Chad Reuter of CBS Sports (www.cbssports.com):   Brandon Harris, CB, Miami (Fla.)

Draft Tek (www.drafttek.com):  Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado

As results from the Combine and Pro Days come in, the draft boards in the NFL war rooms will change rapidly.  Free agent moves will also play a large role in determining team needs and draft speculation.  For now, though, we can only look ahead and guess.  Based on recent Lions drafts, however, there is one thing for sure:  Detroit fans have a reason to be much more confident that the Lions brass will make good decisions in April, regardless of whose names are called.

With the release of the "Shaun Rogers Six" the Cleveland Browns made two emphatic statements that should excite Browns fans everywhere.

The first and most recognizable statement the Browns made with the release of Rogers, Coleman, Bowens, Barton St. Clair and Robert Royal was that the organization is committed to getting younger. This is imperative on the defensive side of the ball where the plan is to move from a 3-4 defense back to the 4-3 that was a mainstay here on the shores of Lake Erie back in the 80's.

With the development of Athyba Rubin, the success of Joe Haden and T.J. Ward, and the draft around the corner, there is no better time to start fresh. Plus, the lack of experience can easily be made up for in speed, motivation and hunger. These are cornerstones for any team that has thoughts of growing a unit from the ground up. But, although the draft offers some great possibilities for replacing these key players, it isn't the only option.

The second statement the Browns made by releasing these guys was that this organization is going to be a key player in free agency this year. With money to attack key positions like CB, DE and LB Tom Heckert has a great opportunity to bring in guys who can help us compete immediately. As we all know, most NFL players during some time in their career played in a 4-3 defense, so finding suitable players or players needed to make this transition won't be too difficult. The team just needs to sell themselves and their vision to prospective free agents.

By getting younger through the draft and signing key free agents, Dick Jauron won't have to worry about anything but coaching the players and teaching them his system. His best bet would be to spend a great deal of time building chemistry and a unique "Dog" style identity. It would even be helpful if he and the players spent time in the film room watching the old Browns, capturing the essence of the Dixon / Minnifield persona.

Once the 2011 season rolls around, the defense could easily be the Browns strong point. We all hope the West Coast offense takes off, but it is far more likely that 11 young guys running around hitting people and believing in each as a defensive unit would be the rock this group was built upon.

We now just have to watch it unfold. With a lockout looming and deadlines for deals around the corner, we don't know what this offseason holds. But, if these moves mean anything, the Browns will have some key new faces and many of them will be young ones. Woof! Woof!