NFL GridIron Gab Daily Digest

The Seahawks’ considered taking quarterback Andy Dalton with the 25th pick in the first round according to Brady Henderson of MyNorthwest.com. Seahawks GM John Schneider explained the decision Wednesday on the Kevin Calabro show.

“We debated with Andy Dalton, there’s no question about it. But I think we all felt like we were at a point in our development where we couldn’t pass on a starting tackle right now,” he said. “Quite honestly, we’d like to have a guy, especially a rookie, be more of a developmental type and a guy more like Aaron Rodgers and sit for a year or two. So that was really the only point in the draft where there was a guy where we were like, ‘There he is, that’s a very viable option.’

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He’s a fixture at many NFL games including regular appearances at home contests for the New England Patriots, but Donald Trump’s invitations to sit alongside owners during games might change.

League officials privately tell Mike Freeman of CBS Sports that many in the sport plan to disassociate themselves from Trump due to his recent spate of birther comments about President Obama and also challenged how Obama got into Harvard. “We don’t need a guy like that being associated with our sport,” said one high ranking team official.

Some of this reaction is due to the NFL seeing what happened with Trump and the Indianapolis 500. A Facebook group dedicated to preventing Trump from driving the pace car put pressure on race organizers and only recently Trump announced he was too busy to attend the event but in actuality,

Trump was dumped. We’ll see if NFL teams stick to this principle once the season begins.

Rich Tandler's Real Redskins blog scooped an interesting tidbit today, the news of which, as he said, "is enough to raise eyebrows:"

In writing about the Dolphins' quarterback situation, Omar Kelly of SunSentinal.com turns the discussion to Vince Young, who presumably will be released by the Tennessee Titans soon after the lockout rules allow them to. Kelly dismisses the chances of the Dolphins landing Young by saying, "I'm hearing the Redskins are the front-runner for his services, so it'll be interesting to see if the Dolphins get in the game."

Now that the Titans have drafted former University of Washington quarterback Jake Locker, they'll likely be turning their attention towards acquiring a veteran quarterback who can serve as the "bridge" player and "mentor" to Locker. This, of course, will also likely hasten Young's departure from Tennessee.

The potential of seeing Young in a burgundy & gold uniform has obviously garnered a mixed reaction – and that's putting it very nicely – amongst the Redskins faithful. There are big concerns about his ability to handle the adversity around playing quarterback and this league, and even bigger concerns about the idea that he's been coddled (notably by Titans owner Bud Adams) since he's arrived in the league.

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The HeraldNet.com of Snohomish County, Washington, reported that Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak believes their fifth round safety pick out of Idaho, Shiloh Keo, is a "diamond in the rough."  Kubiak said on the 5'11?, 219 lb. 23-year-old safety:

"I love this guy's football IQ when I watch him play, diagnosing routes, formations, and what's fixing to happen. He has great hands. If the ball is close, he's going to make the play and has the ability to take it back to the house; makes big hits in games that are difference-makers for football teams. The passion he had when we called him, him and his family, if he brings that to our locker room, he's going to be just fine."

The HeraldNet.com also reported that general manager Rick Smith is also excite about the player:

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In a league with players who can't remember how many children they have, and of those who compare themselves to slaves, it's nice to know that there are still those who fit the part of role model. Of course, I'm speaking of New Orleans Saints quarterback, Drew Brees. A hero to both his team as well as the entire city of New Orleans, the 2009 Superbowl MVP has always understood what it takes to be a leader.

Considering recent events regarding the NFL's negotiation with the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) which eventually lead to the current NFL lockout, Brees took a central role in the negotiations. Accepting his position as not only a pivotal figure for his team, but as an advocate for the league, Brees acted as one of the players' liaisons. In such efforts to bring balance back to the most popular sport in America, the Saints player was joined by others such as Colts quarterback, Peyton Manning, in attempting to bring reason to the owners of the league.

Unfortunately, the owners of the league have been refusing to accept their responsibility in sharing revenue with the players who make the game what it is. This lead to the NFL Lockout, as well as the lawsuit by the NFLPA. Utilizing their public stardom, the union placed the names of their top players including Brees as well as Manning, and New England QB Tom Brady. Though the suit was successful in ending the lockout, the league has implemented an appeal to extend the strike.

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I hope the generally positive 2011 NFL Draft marked a turning point in the effort to bail water from a Viking Ship that seemed, over the course of 2010, to be rapidly sinking while heading at full speed towards a jagged rock cliff while being attacked by pirates. Up until the Draft, there was barely any good news about our team at all.

That is why I choose to believe that Chris Cook being cleared of any wrongdoing in an altercation earlier this offseason that resulted in him being charged with brandishing a firearm. After Cook testified, and an hour long hearing took place, a Virginia judge cleared him.

"I was never concerned," Cook said. "I had good witnesses. All of our stories matched each other. They decided they were basically trying to string this story together and just make me look bad. The judge ruled in my favor. … The verdict was not guilty and he just dismissed it. I'm just happy to get it over with."

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San Diego Chargers’ Antwan Applewhite was arrested Friday on suspicion of driving under the influence, according to the San Diego Police Department.

The 25-year-old linebacker was pulled over at 2:23 a.m. near Grand Avenue and Gresham Street in Pacific Beach and given a DUI evaluation. During the course of the evaluation Applewhite was placed under arrest.

His bail was set at $2,500. His court date is scheduled for June 17.

The San Diego Chargers released the following statement Friday afternoon: "It's disappointing to hear about the issue involving Antwan Applewhite. We'll continue to monitor the situation and let the legal process run its course."

Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork reports wide receiver Steve Smith reportedly wants to be traded from Carolina, the only team he has known. Presumably, he’s worn down by the losing and he apparently thrilled with the idea of starting over with a rookie QB, Cam Newton, the No. 1 overall pick.

Smith, like most receivers, is a bit of a diva, but the Jets like collecting big games and Rex Ryan believes he can coach anybody. The Jets have a good relationship with the Panthers, having made deals before.

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The whole “Tiki Barber to the Steelers” rumor seems to have died down, but the NY Post has brought it back to life, stating in their Friday edition that the Bucs and Steelers still remain the two hot spots that Barber should land.

Tiki Barber is getting in shape for the NFL season, presuming there is one, and once the lockout is lifted needs to find a team, as the Giants already have stated they will release his rights so he can move on.

"I'll be somewhere where I know the people, know the staff," Barber said. "It will be a team that needs some veteran leadership or just needs a little push or needs somebody they can count on to fit a role."

Barber has strong ties to coaches Mike Tomlin (Pittsburgh), Raheem Morris (Tampa Bay, where his twin brother Ronde is a cornerback) and Sean Payton (New Orleans). Given that the Saints drafted Mark Ingram, figure Barber's next uniform will be Steelers black and gold or Buccaneers red and pewter.

I still think Barber isn’t needed on this team. Too many bad things, mostly issues with the locker room have been reported about Barber, and while I am sure he would be on best behavior if the Steelers took a chance, I don’t think they need him on the roster this season or ever for that matter.