NFL GridIron Gab Daily Digest

“A month ago,” NFL Network’s Mike Mayock said Saturday, “I had significant questions about Cam Newton. But now, after studying him, I’ve bought into his skill set. Mechanically, he’s more advanced than Tim Tebow or Vince Young were entering the NFL. Now I have to buy into the kid. After God and family, in whatever order you have them, if football’s not next on your list of life priorities, then I don’t want you. If he’s that entertainer and icon guy, well, that’s the hard part of figuring out this pick.”

Someone in the top five is going to fall in love with Newton and take him. Carolina? Can’t see it, not with arch-conservative Jerry Richardson having to sign off on it and GM Marty Hurney, who still likes Jimmy Clausen, having to bypass a more sure thing defensively in favor of a quarterback. Peter King of Sports Illustrated doubts that Denver, at No. 2, will pull the trigger on a passer.

Now Buffalo or Cincinnati — either could go Newton. But King doesn’t think it will be No. 5 Arizona; he hears the Cards don’t like him. And Gabbert will not get past Arizona.

Falcons owner Arthur Blank wrote another letter to fans on Sunday, providing an update on the status of labor talks, as well as the new rule changes that were voted on during last week’s owners meetings. “During the last day of our mediated discussions on March 11, the NFL clubs put a balanced and fair proposal on the table in a good-faith effort to resolve our differences,” Blank wrote.

“The proposal included payments to players of approximately $19-20 billion over the next four years, including a 14 percent increase from 2011-2014. In addition, there would be no pay-cut for our players–only a slowing in the growth rate of their compensation…In my opinion, the NFLPA walked away from a deal that was more than fair, but I also recognize that they did it in order to file a lawsuit. So instead of working productively through collective bargaining, we are being stalled through the legal process. I can speak for the NFL and its owners in telling you that we all want a quick resolution of the current labor dispute, and we are ready to get back to the negotiating table at any time.”

It sounds like the Bills are serious about their interest in Cam Newton, as the National Football Post reports that the QB will again visit Buffalo – for a 5th time.

Auburn quarterback Cam Newton is scheduled to visit the Buffalo Bills today, coach Chan Gailey announced. The Heisman Trophy winner has already met with the Bills at least four times. The Bills draft third overall. "These visits have a big impact on what we think and what we do and what we believe about the guys that we plan to draft," Gailey told Buffalo reporters. “I don't know if I can find it out in a day with a guy, but you'll have a better idea once you get a chance to sit down and talk football and maybe watch some tape. I think you get a better feel." Newton is also set to visit the Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans, Washington Redskins, Minnesota Vikings and the Miami Dolphins.

John McClain of the Houston Chronicle wrote this past week that DT Amobio Okoye's future with the team is in doubt.  Recognizing Okoye's lack of size and strength for a 3-4 nose tackle, McClain is also missing Okoye's potential ability to play the end position in Wade Phillips' 3-4 system.  Okoye's set to make $2.5 million this year.

McClain wrote, "I'll be surprised if he's on the team. He's a 4-3 DT who specializes in stopping the run but can't rush the QB."

In other Okoye news, the twenty-three-year-old from the Igbo ethnic group of Nigeria was recently commended by sports minister, Professor Adedoja Tawoheed, for his philanthropic efforts in Nigeria.

Draft season is picking up steam and in a break from the norm, the Lions are outside the top 10 picks. This has quelled a lot of the Player A vs. Player B debate amongst fans, but in its place are debates over Position A and Position B. After hearing the debate on talk radio, message boards, Twitter and talking to fans I felt it'd be best to get this message out to Lions fans as a whole. The Lions now draft for the long term good of the team.

A certain population of the Lions fan base wants the Lions to draft a cornerback or linebacker regardless of positional value with the 13th overall pick because it fills an immediate need and makes the team better now. To those fans, be prepared to be disappointed unless Amukamara falls to the Lions they are most likely not addressing either of those positions at 13.

The most polarizing draft pick in the Mayhew Era has been Brandon Pettigrew, who much to many fans chagrin, was chosen over Michael Oher and Rey Maualuga in 2009. Pettigrew was banged up in training camp, fell behind the learning curve, made minimal impact and suffered a season ending injury. Michael Oher became a household name mostly due to the success of The Blind Side a movie about Oher's life. Rubbing more salt in the wounds, Maualuga played a large role for the division champion Bengals in 2009.

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According to ESPN.com, after five-day tryout proved that he was a good teammate who lacked enough soccer skills, NFL star Chad Ochocinco got what he was hoping for Tuesday — a spot on the reserve team for Sporting Kansas City. Now he’ll work out a couple of times a week with the MLS team’s reserve squad, which is what he was hoping for all along.

“This is so awesome I’m an honorary member of SportingKC and can train with the reserve team as long as I want,” Ochocinco said in a tweet. “Totally awesome ILuvKC.” As a member of the reserve team, the six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals will not be given a contract or be paid. But soccer will be a great way to stay in shape until owners and players work out their differences and the NFL lockout is lifted.

Coach Peter Vermes said Ochocinco, 33, had proven himself a hard worker and a good teammate and was never a distraction. “He really loves the game and he was into it. He wanted to try to make it,” Vermes said. “I think it’s also good for him. He realizes this is a lot more difficult than it [appears to be]. For our sport, it’s great because I think there’s a lot of people out there who question how hard it is to play this game and it’s very, very difficult.”

Ochocinco left for home after getting the good news and said he would return “in a week or two.” “He realized he’s not good enough to make the team and play in games,” club spokesman Dave Borchardt said. “This way, he gets to be part of the soccer locker room, which is a dream come true.” Ochocinco showed his enthusiasm but also unpolished skills in a reserve game Monday against the Kansas City Brass. He appeared to be realistic about his chances of winning an MLS contract.

As with most Ochocinco activities, this is primarily a publicity stunt to keep his name in the news. We would suggest that, rather than kicking a soccer ball. he hone his conditioning and receiving skills so that he is not standing on a soccer sideline when the NFL revs up again in 2011.

Matt Baker of the Tulsa World reports Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant’s legal problems date back to his days in Stillwater, according to court documents.

Bryant was sued for $3,479.80 in January 2010 for failing to pay his rent and damages at the three-bedroom, two-bathroom home he rented in Stillwater, according to Payne County District Court documents.

"He still has not paid us," said Bryce Campbell, the manager for Jim Campbell Property Management, the plaintiff in the case. "He will not answer our calls."

Bryant was ruled ineligible by the NCAA during the 2009 season, and he lost his final appeal on Nov. 5 of that year.

A warrant has been issued by the Garland Police Department for Tampa Bay star cornerback Aqib Talib in connection to the Texas altercation with brother-in-law Shannon Billings. The charges – aggravated assault with a deadly weapon case – typically carry a 5 to 20 year prison sentence. Aqib Talib’s mother, Okolo Talib, has turned herself in to police after a warrant was issued for her arrest for the same charges. Bond for Talib’s warrant is set at $25,000.

Jclombardi sums up Packers 2011 NFL Draft order.

In the graph below, we list the Packers selection order in the rounds of the coming 2011 NFL Draft. The selection numbers include compensatory picks and the pick obtained through Jansen trade.

In the coming weeks, in spite of the lockout distraction, we will review draft needs and possible selections.

COMMENTARY: As fans may have noticed, jclombardi was away for more than a month involving important family obligations on the European continent including stops in Canada and Switzerland. For fans who follow his profile, we have a world wide audience for his writings.