Ohio State practices today. Zach Smith, Kerry Coombs, and "select cornerbacks and wide receivers" are set to be available to media at approximately 11 a.m. As always, 11W Worldwide LLCC has you covered.
ICYMI:
- Tate Martell, a Texas A&M commit and 2017's No. 1 dual-threat QB, is visiting Ohio State this weekend. "Right now, Ohio State is my No. 2," Martell told the Lord of Whispers.
- Tyjon Lindsey, a 2017 five-star WR, is also on campus.
- My piece on the legacy of Kevin Randleman, a unique Buckeye legend.
SCOUTING REPORT SEASON, BABY. Is your NFL team in need of a quarterback? Then you could do worse than starting your day with a 1500-word breakdown of Cardale Jones' film.
From: thedraftwire.usatoday.com:
Is Cardale Jones a risk then? To some degree, absolutely. We’re squeezing all 269 collegiate passes by the young quarterback for every drop we can get, so there is certainly going to be some projection involved for such an inexperienced player. The mental aspects of the game are developing nicely in Jones, but his tantalizing physical tools will still need excellent coaching and patience at the next level.
At the same time, in a draft where almost every signal caller needs time, instruction, and development, I see no reason why Jones should be considered much lower than other big-armed project passers like Carson Wentz and Paxton Lynch. Jones mechanics are probably better than both players, and although he’ll need experience dropping from under center and manipulating coverage with his eyes, the rocket arm, deep ball touch, and rapidly improving ball placement all suggest a ceiling that could supersede many of his fellow 2016 draftees. I like Jones in the late second, early third round range, preferably to a team prepared to push him diligently until the undefeated Buckeye is a ready to start at the NFL level.
Grade: Late 2nd Round
I can't decide if I want the Browns to draft him or not. Hue Jackson made A.J. McCarron—a man with a tramp stamp on his chest—look competent in an NFL playoff game. Is it enough to ward off five decades of futility? I'm not so sure.
EZEKIEL ELLIOTT: NOT ADRIAN PETERSON, BUT GOOD. Pro Football Focus released its report on Ohio State's former running back. It disagreed with the well-cited notion that EZ-E was perfect in pass protection in 2015.
His blocking still earned a passing grade
From profootball focus.com:
Stat to know:
Allowed one solitary sack (and no more pressure) from 108 pass-blocking snaps.What he does best:
Blocks better than any back in this class. Highest PFF blocking grade of any RB in the nation this year. As both a pass-blocker and run blocker (not to mention screens), Elliott does the dirty work that goes largely unnoticed until somebody fails with his assignment—he rarely fails on his.Biggest concern:
He isn’t Adrian Peterson (or even Todd Gurley) purely as a runner. In extreme nitpicking terms, Elliott doesn’t have the blinding athleticism and cuts of the best runners in the NFL, and may not go the distance when a big enough hole opens up.
PFF says despite the gap in athleticism, Elliott will still be able to shoulder an NFL offense from Day 1.
Suddenly it doesn't sound so crazy that Ezekiel Elliott could go top 5....#LOL #butyoucanttakearbthathigh
— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) March 23, 2016
It's going to be Dallas at No. 4, isn't it? I think I'm going to be sick.
NO MANNING? NO PROBLEM? Peyton Manning is off tending to his Papa Johns franchises, but the Broncos still have plans for TE Jeff Heuerman, who spent his rookie season on IR after a preseason ACL tear.
#broncos Kubiak said has big plans for TE Jeff Heuerman. See him as complete TE. Hasn't ruled out bringing Owen Daniels back
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) March 22, 2016
The good news for Heuerman is Papa John himself would be an upgrade at QB for the Broncos.
ALL OF ELYRIA WANTED ZEKE'S AUTOGRAPH. It looks like Elyria shut down on Wednesday to wait outside Panera for Ezekiel Elliott's autograph:
Buckeye Nation in Lorain County - just went by Panera...they set up a tent for @EzekielElliott separate from Panera pic.twitter.com/YEffr9lEth
— Tom Adelsberg (@TAdelsberg) March 23, 2016
Amazing line at @panerabread in Elyria to get @EzekielElliott autograph.. Over 600.. pic.twitter.com/zZUdAj8FQg
— Andy Baskin (@andy_baskin) March 23, 2016
More @EzekielElliott pic.twitter.com/JMLjNMvmdv
— Andy Baskin (@andy_baskin) March 23, 2016
Congratulations. You have carpal tunnel from just looking at those photos.
CAN ANYONE STOP LYLE'S CINDERELLA RUN? Looks like JaQuan Lyle is using some offseason times to posterize RPAC stiffs:
I just guarded Jaquan Lyle in a pick up basketball game and he only dunked on me twice. I feel pretty accomplished honestly
— Justin Schafer (@JustinSchafer19) March 23, 2016
Can't say I blame him. If I had the power to dunk I wouldn't bother with class. If the professor tried to fail me they could get dunked on too.
THOSE WMDs. Soldier shoots drone with cyber capability rifle... How Nike lost Steph Curry to Under Armour... Company demolishes wrong tornado-damaged house... Batman V Superman is v bad... 81-year-old Kentuckian glues toys to cars for attention—and to woo women.
