NFL GridIron Gab Daily Digest

Reports are out that the Steelers have started talking to free agent to be cornerback Ike Taylor about numbers that would keep him in Pittsburgh for a few more seasons as the teams number one CB.

Director of football operations Kevin Colbert confirmed today that the club has started discussions with Taylor, who will not have the transition tag placed on him, which was another rumor floating around.

Taylor will be 31 in May, but has stepped his game up the past few seasons playing with the leagues best defense. The CB just wrapped up his eighth NFL season and sixth one as a starter.

“We’ve had preliminary discussions with Ike Taylor on a new contract,” Colbert said. “The other (free agents) we’ve had discussion with in more of a matter-of-fact ‘Yes, we want to keep as many guys as possible.’ ”

The Steelers want to be smart, and as usual are taking things slowly starting with their own players instead of looking elsewhere to make themselves better.

‘09 Heisman Trophy Winner’s Next Stop: Nation’s Capital?

If The Skins Desired Destination Is To Sit Atop The NFC East In 2011, It Would Be Wise To Upgrade The Offense Via An SEC Playmaker

• Mel Kiper Jr. has Cam Newton going as high as #3 to Buffalo.  Perfect fit for the Bills if they can pair him up with last year’s 1st round pick, C.J. Spiller, in the backfield.  With that said, how about Cam #1 overall to Carolina? The jury is still out on Jimmy Clausen.  Is he the long-term solution at QB?  Is he even a franchise guy you can build around?  Cam’s more of an answer than Clausen.  Roll the dice, draft a potential superstar.  I don’t see anyone in this Draft with a higher ceiling than Newton.  The 2010 winner of the Heisman is definitely worthy of the first spot.  Select the Auburn rocket launcher and sign a top free agent (money’s there) like Mathias Kiwanuka or Cullen Jenkins to help shore up the defensive line in the post-Julius Peppers era.

• Will Shockey return to where he attended College?  He’s a former member of the “U” and the Dolphins are certainly lacking playmakers on the offensive side of the ball.  According to his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, he is “very interested”.  Also, could we see Plaxico Burress joining his former New York Giant teammate in Miami? Chad Henne needs some help.  Brandon Marshall was a major disappointment and Davone Bess is an above-average slot receiver/underneath option at best.  With both Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams as free agents, it’s obvious change is in order.  Things could get extra juicy during this transition phase; so why not take a risk or two, by signing Shockey and Burress?

• Do you remember the last time the Washington Redskins won the NFC East?  1999.  Who was their RB?  Stephen Davis.  The bruising Davis was an SEC back and it’s not a coincidence that the last time they won their division they were led by a strong rushing attack.  So, how about Mark Ingram at pick 10? If Cam Newton is unavailable, and they can’t trade up for him; then why not choose Ingram?  Sooner or later Washington has to find an identity, even better, a standout contributor who can consistently provide plays when the team has the rock.  The offense needs a spark, a jolt to help it get out of its stagnant ways, and the Crimson Tide kid is an excellent option.  You clearly witnessed at Alabama that #22 could anchor an NFL offense running the pigskin, a la similar to a certain #22 in the SEC during the mid 80s: Emmitt Smith, in his days at Gainesville.  Mark Ingram is a premiere talent, why pass him up at #10?

Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue, 6′4 260

Position Ranking: #2

Strengths: Kerrigan has good size for the position but plays bigger than his measureables. Shows good quickness off his release to get the edge and win the corner. Very smooth once he flattens down to close on the quarterback; bends his shoulder and is able to keep good balance in his pass rush. Has light feet with a good array of pass rush moves, showed an arm & under, rip, swim, lock-out & tug, bull rush, and stays very active with his hand use. Plays with power and flashes explosion; overpowers bigger defenders when he anticipates the snap count. Showed he could drive offensive tackles into the pocket with extended arms, low pad level, and strong leg drive. Consistently split the interior line with a quick first step.

A non-stop motor and gives 110% effort on every snap; chases plays to the opposite side. Has the playing strength to stack the edge in run support against one-on-one blocking and shed to make a play on the ball carrier. Very good instincts; locates the ball and understands blocking schemes, wasn’t easily fooled on screens or misdirection. Sound, wrap-up tackler with very good strength at the point of attack. Showed he could be effective rushing from the stand up position. Voted team captain and MVP. Leaves Purdue with 14 career forced fumbles (Big Ten record), 45 tackles for loss, and 25 sacks.

Needs Improvement: Pad level wasn’t always consistent and released high almost as often has he released cleanly. Doesn’t show the hip flexion to twist, stunt, redirect in space, or quickly apply double moves in his pass rush. Has great functional strength when he engages his core and trunk, but often relies on his upper body strength, needs to consistently use his entire body. Neutralized quickly against double teams. Lateral release isn’t as quick as his straight ahead release. Can take too wide an angle in his upfield rush, pushing himself out of the play. Didn’t show if he could be relied upon in coverage.

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New Broncos coach John Fox has announced his first huge announcement since becoming the Denver Broncos head coach.

At the NFL Combine in Indy Thursday, Fox, who came to the team after being fired from the Carolina Panthers, announced that Kyle Orton is as of now the Broncos starting QB – not former first round pick Tim Tebow.

Orton started the first 13 games last season but it was Tebow, the former Heisman Trophy winner and national college champion, that started the final three games of the year and turned some heads for Denver as they scored 23, 24 and 28 points for a team that had plenty of issues on offense when Orton was the starter.

The Broncos traded three draft picks to select Tebow, but for now, he will be in the bullpen behind Orton according to Fox.

Sometimes it is the little known player acquisitions that can make a difference for a team. For the Ravens they are hoping receiver James Hardy, former college standout and second round pick of the Buffalo Bills in 2008 will be a factor in the offense. Towards the end of last season Hardy was signed to a reserve/future-deal by the Ravens after being released by Buffalo.

Hardy had an outstanding college career with the University of Indiana.  In his junior year he he finished with 74 receptions for 1075 yards.  He complied a record setting 36 TD's, 2,690 yards, 196 receptions at his college.  After being drafted he suffered ACL tear in his rookie season and was slowed down by other injuries in 2009.  In two seasons with Buffalo Hardy caught 10 passes for 96 yards (2 TD's).

Hardy's Impact in the Offense:

Signing James Hardy was a low-risk move by the Ravens, they didn't have to give up any draft picks and they probably didn't have to dish out a ton of money. The odds are against Hardy because he is coming back from injuries. However, Hardy does have the potential to make an impact.  In the Ravens year end press conference GM Ozzie Newsome was optimistic, "we think he's a guy that has the opportunity to become a good player in this league…" Assuming Hardy's injuries are behind him, he makes the roster and is incorporated into the offense, then we can ask: What does Hardy bring to the table for the Ravens offense?

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Vic Carucci of NFL.com reports that he bumped into Jim Kelly at the Buffalo airport this morning on his way to the NFL Scouting Combine, and within seconds of exchanging pleasantries, they were discussing what the Bills might do with the third overall pick of the draft. Carucci reports that Kelly didn't sound too thrilled with the prospect of the Bills using it on Auburn's Cam Newton.

Like others who question Newton's validity as a potential franchise quarterback, Buffalo's Hall of Fame QB is uncomfortable with placing too much stock in one outstanding season that also included controversy over eligibility issues. "When you use a pick that high, you'd better be a hundred percent sure about what you're getting," said Kelly, who was on his way to Los Angeles for the premiere of the movie "Hall Pass" (he has a business partnership with directors/co-writers Peter and Bobby Farrelly).

"Well, maybe you can't ever be a hundred percent sure about anyone, but …" Although the Bills employ him in the capacity of a goodwill ambassador and he is known to have business connections that he hopes will one day lead to his involvement in owning the team, Kelly has no official say whatsoever in the team's draft plans. But he does have plenty of opinions, and he clearly seems more comfortable with the Bills sticking with Ryan Fitzpatrick — "That guy is tough," he said — and using the third pick on a top-notch linebacker or defensive lineman.

The Bengals are expected to use the NFL Scouting Combine to take a look at possible alternatives at quarterback to disgruntled Carson Palmer, according to the Bengals’ official website. Palmer has said he will retire if the team doesn’t follow through on his trade request.

The report indicates the team is now taking Palmer’s request seriously and will take a close look at the top quarterbacks in Indianapolis. With the fourth overall pick, the Bengals could have a shot at drafting either Auburn QB Cam Newton or Missouri QB Blaine Gabbert. The report said the Bengals still believe Palmer provides their best chance to win, but the team’s willingness to look at other options means its stance on trading Palmer may be changing.

Greg Olsen caught the first touchdown in the Bears divisional playoff win over the Seahawks, but his future with the Bears remains cloudy as he is set to enter the final year of his rookie deal, and he wants to stay with the Bears.

Bears tight end Greg Olsen is entering the final year of his rookie deal, which is set to pay him a base salary of $900,000 — about $500,000 less than blocking tight end Brandon Manumaleuna. That doesn't include a $1 million roster bonus Manumaleuna is scheduled to receive as part of a five-year, $15??million contract he signed last offseason that included $6.1??million in guarantees.

''My No. 1 priority is that I stay for here for a long time,'' Olsen said. ''Hopefully, both sides feel that same way. But I know I do. I want to stay in Chicago.'' Olsen was then asked if his contract status was on his mind at all. ''To say it [isn't] would be a lie,'' he said. ''It's not what it's all about, but it's definitely a factor. But I'm confident that if I continue to play well and help our team win, then everything will take care of it itself.'' Olsen insisted he wouldn't issue any ultimatums to Bears management. ''I'm not going to storm in and say this and that and the other thing,'' he said. ''I'm going to continue to work hard, try to be consistent and make the plays they ask me to and build on what I've done the last couple of years, and things will take care of themselves.''