N.Y. Orangeman

Gotcha. Thanks for the clarification.

Respectfully disagree. I'm aware of Clear Channel's practices from the print media and some friends. He, however, was in a stable position prior to making the switch to the dark side. That was where this went wrong, at least according to post.

On a personal level, I feel bad for the guy. Clear Channel's exploits speak for themselves. That being said, his article is a bit disingenuous and self-serving. He clearly knows he sold out going into radio, yet denounces the medium who paid his price. This isn't a victim of a massive restructuring or a plant closing. This was was a personal choice that went wrong.

Outstanding....how long did that take you?

S Courtney Greene DE Maurice Evans OLB/FB Brian Toal DE/DT Mitch King OT Alex Boone RB Tyrell Sutton RB Ian Johnson QB Jason Boltus CB Bill Cosby

Doesn't matter. He plays and had 12 in the B10. Use your stats for good, not evil.

Overall Football Traits Production 2 A third-year sophomore who declared with two years of eligibility remaining. He redshirted in 2006 and played as a backup and on special teams in 2007, when he notched 12 total tackles, including four sacks. Had a breakout season in 2008, when he started all 13 games and recorded 49 tackles, including 19 TFL. He also led the Big Ten with 12 sacks. Height-Weight-Speed 3 Adequate height for a DE. Has added bulk and appears capable of adding 10-15 more pounds to his frame. Likely to settle in as a rush-LB in the NFL. Is in great physical condition (just four-percent body fat) and displays excellent straight-line speed. Durability 1 Played in all 25 games during his two seasons of eligibility at PSU. Appears to be a flexible, healthy and durable athlete. Character 1 Very mature for his young age. Had to grow up in a hurry after mother died from birth complications when Aaron was six years old. He is a natural leader both vocally and by example. Non-stop motor is infectious. Great football character. Not aware of any off-the-field issues. Defensive End specific Traits Agility/Quickness 1 Exceptionally quick, even for his type of hybrid DE/OLB. Shows excellent agility and closing burst to the quarterback. Possesses top-shelf body control, as well Strength/Toughness 3 He is lean and must add bulk to frame. Is light in the rear and shows marginal ability to stack at the line of scrimmage when teams run at him. However, don't mistake small for weak or soft in his case. He is aggressive and feisty. He displays good initial pop and adequate upper-body power. And he certainly does not back down from a one-on-one physical battle. Instincts 2 A natural playmaker with a knack for jarring the ball loose. Very good snap anticipation and awareness as a pass rusher. Should only continue to improve in this area with more experience. Pass Rusher 2 Quickest first step of all the edge rushers in the 2009 class. Fluid double moves. Bends the edge tightly. Shows quick hands and strong enough upper body to keep bigger blockers off his pads. Still developing his array of pass rush moves. Gets caught too frequently trying to spin out of double-team attention and needs work in that regard. Run Stopper 3 Spent a lot of time last season working head-up on the TE as PSU's strong-side DE. Shows discipline with backside containment. Stays low and fights to keep his positioning. Can stack versus most TE's but gets washed out too easily by bigger OT's when they get into his pads. Trait Scale 1 = Exceptional 2 = Above average 3 = Average 4 = Below average 5 = Marginal

Very mature for his young age. Had to grow up in a hurry after mother died from birth complications when Aaron was six years old. He is a natural leader both vocally and by example. Non-stop motor is infectious. Great football character. Not aware of any off-the-field issues.

He's 6'4", 21 years old and 250lbs. He'll get much bigger..

I'm guessing most of you who are down on him haven't seen him play much..

I read it and have watched SEC footbal for the last 4 years and wholeheartedly disagree with your conclusion. Additionally, your theory on location doesn't account for the fact that when he left Memphis, he was a kid who had been abandoned much of his life and now is a 22 year old, confident and well-liked man or the fact that many 18 year olds have anxiety when leaving home for the first time and somehow manage to becoming functioning adults. In short, I think you are loooking at the circumstances as detailed in the book and not who the kid has become.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dw...ms.3738cd0.html

VT is thisclose to UT in terms of schools I hate to draft players from (Sorry, Bruce).

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/43260222.html I have to tell you, I'll still be nervous if we don't come out of the first round without an OT.

The guy that wrote that article for War Room or PFW obviously hasn't seen many Ole Miss games. Watch the Ole Miss-LSU game this year, as well as the Florida game. I think a fairer perspective can be found here: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/559237 The subject of the New York Times bestseller by Michael Lewis, "The Blind Side: The Evolution of a Game," Oher has been the anchor of the Rebels' offensive line since being inserted into the starting lineup after the second game of his freshman season. He lined up at right offensive guard during his first season at Mississippi before shifting to the demanding left tackle position as a sophomore. He would end his career with the third-best active consecutive starts string (47) among Southeastern Conference players. Received more national attention as a senior, as the Southeastern Conference's Jacobs Blocking Trophy recipient, the honor going to the league's top offensive linemen. Behind Oher's drive blocking, the Rebels improved from ranking 84th in the nation in rushing (131.5 yards per game) to 28th (second in the SEC) in 2008 (186.46 yards per game). New coach Houston Nutt was very confident in putting young quarterback Javon Snead on the field, knowing that Oher would help protect his passer's blind side. Ole Miss let its left tackle carry them to a 2009 Cotton Bowl victory, as the 2008 squad went from being the 91st-ranked offense in the nation (345.25 yards per game) in 2007 to 29th overall and third in the SEC with an average of 407.62 yards per game in '08. Oher was regarded as one of the finest offensive linemen in the nation at Briarcrest Christian School. The EA Sports and USA Today All-American choice was a member of the 2005 Tennessee Athletic Coaches Association All-Star team selected to compete against the Kentucky prep all-stars. He also competed in the U.S. Army All-America Bowl in San Antonio, Texas, and was named to Rivals.com's All-American Bowl All-Time Team. Oher was picked by Tom Lemming/ESPN as the nation's top offensive tackle and named to the Super Prep All-America team (ranked No. 24 among offensive linemen by that service), which also had him on its Dixie Team. He was rated the fifth-best offensive lineman in the country and eighth-best overall prospect in the South by Scout.com, as well picking up first-team All-American recognition. Oher was named the best player in the state of Tennessee by the Knoxville News-Sentinel and rated the second-best player in the South by the Mobile Register as a member of its Super Southeast 120 squad. He was named to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super Southern 100 and chosen Tennessee "Mr. Football" and Offensive Lineman of the Year. As a senior, the first-team All-South selection by Fox Sports and the Orlando Sentinel was credited with 130 knockdown blocks, grading over 90% for blocking consistency, as he did not allow a quarterback sack. As a junior, he posted 83 knockdowns and graded 85%, helping lead Briarcrest to a 10-3 record and 2004 state championship. In addition to earning two letters in football, Oher also lettered twice in both basketball and track. The basketball team went 27-6 in 2004, winning the district championship, as Oher averaged 22 points and 10 rebounds per game, earning All-State honors as well as making the Sun Coast All-Tourney team. In track, he was state runner-up in the discus. Heavily recruited by many major colleges, Oher enrolled at Mississippi in 2005. He moved into the starting lineup in the second game of the season, starting the final 10 contests at right offensive guard. He produced 64 knockdowns, a remarkable total for a team that managed to average only 73.27 yards per game rushing, as the ground attack produced just six touchdowns for the season. For his performance, he was selected Freshman All-American first-team by Rivals.com and The Sporting News. Oher was named All-Southeastern Conference second-team as a sophomore. He shifted to left offensive tackle in 2006, delivering 83 knockdowns while clearing the way for BenJarvus Green-Ellis to become just the third player in school history to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season. Rated the third-best offensive tackle in college football by Lindy's magazine in 2007, Oher received All-American fourth-team accolades. He started all 12 games at left tackle, coming up with 99 knockdowns that included 12 touchdown-resulting blocks, including each of the team's eight rushing scores. Green-Ellis gained more than 70% of his 1,137 yards rushing (second-best season total by an Ole Miss player) running behind Oher. Oher contemplated leaving school after his junior year. He originally applied for inclusion in the 2008 NFL Draft, but two days after announcing his intention to leave, the left tackle had a change of heart and withdrew his application. "While I felt good about being projected as a possible first-round pick and had everybody in my corner, it just kept coming back to me that I was leaving some unfinished business at Ole Miss," Oher said. "It's really about winning more games and going to a bowl game. I wanted to be a part of making that happen." Oher worked hard in the offseason, greatly improving his overall strength and increased his bench press by over 70 pounds. He was a consensus All-American and unanimous All-Southeastern Conference first-team pick. The team captain won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy and was one of three finalists for the Outland Trophy, given to the nation's top blocker. He was also one of three finalists for the Conerly Trophy, given to the state of Mississippi's top collegiate player. He led the SEC blockers with an 87.77% grade for blocking consistency, en route to producing 99 knockdowns with a league-high seventeen touchdown-resulting blocks. Scouting Report GENERAL REPORT: GRADE: 6.92 Body Structure: Oher has a tall frame with impressive lower-body thickness, long arms with large hands, broad shoulders, good chest muscle development, thick thighs and room on his frame to carry more weight. Athletic Ability: Oher has a developing frame to carry more bulk, but he needs to improve his upper-body power, as he does not strike with a forceful punch. Because of upper-body strength issues, he tries to compensate with explosion off the snap, but he can get too reckless and when he overextends, his adequate change-of-direction agility makes him look sluggish trying to recover. He has the functional hip snap and enough flexibility to sink his pads and run fluidly off the line of scrimmage, along with the heavy feet to anchor vs. the bull rush. GRADE: 8.2 Football Sense: Oher has a learning disability. He lacks awareness picking up the blitz. He has good quickness, but needs to attack defenders away from the play more often, as he prefers to stay with his man rather than look for secondary targets to attack. He needs more than several reps to retain plays, but has to play with better instincts to pick up how the defense is attacking. GRADE: 5.3 Character: Oher is a true gentleman in the locker room. His childhood was well documented in the book, "The Blind Side: The Evolution of the Game." He was one of 13 children of a single mother with serious drug-related issues and lacked good education in his life, but has worked hard to remain the good character he has become. GRADE: 7.7 Competitiveness: Has a business-like approach to the game. Some would like to see much more aggression from a left tackle. For a player blessed with his strength, especially in his arms and hands, he should destroy defenders. He loves football, but more than a few scouts have concerns that he does not have the flashy intensity or burning desire in his play. GRADE: 6.2 Work Habits: Has long arms but needs a coach to teach proper technique to punch, grab and extend to neutralize and control defenders. He is very coachable and even though he plays with inconsistent aggression, he has good maturity from his life experiences and appreciates the opportunity afforded him at Mississippi. GRADE: 7.2 ATHLETIC REPORT: GRADE: 6.65 Initial Quickness: Oher has quick, nimble feet with good balance and body control playing in the trenches (struggles in space). He moves well going forward off the snap and uses his frame to pinch defenders back inside. When he stays low in his pads, he can fire low off the snap with good explosion to gain instant advantage. While not explosive, is rarely late off the line and is quick to make contact and impact the defender. With long arms and strong hands, he is very good at gaining advantage on a defender when he flashes suddenness coming off the ball. With a good get-off and proper hand technique, it should put him in the right place to make the block most of the time. GRADE: 6.7 Lateral Movement: Oher shows active, quick feet in the trenches (lacks great balance on the move, as he does not always adjust well downfield). He has enough agility to slide or pick up the blitz and defensive line stunts. When in-line blocking, he has shown better ability to sink his weight, which allows him to cave the defensive line with his leg drive and leverage. His improved concept for taking angles has seen him to a better job of locking on and winning battles in the short area. He also demonstrates good knee bend, which helps him when redirecting down the line. GRADE: 6.4 Balance/Stays On Feet: Oher is better served blocking along the line, as he doesn't have the burst or the balance to get out and make plays in space (gets narrow and crosses his feet). However, he is a good position blocker with nimble feet moving along the line. He demonstrates the functional hip snap needed to generate movement, but he needs to do a better job of keeping his feet and staying on the defender when working in the second level. Looks fluid enough working down the line, but will get sluggish running long distances and lose balance when he gets narrow-based. Can be inconsistent working in space. GRADE: 6.3 Explosion/Pop: Oher has a thick frame, but could still use more bulk in attempts to position and sustain (has the frame to carry more weight). With more bulk, along with more explosive quickness when he sets his base, he should separate from defenders easily but additional weight could result in a loss of quickness. He has the reach to keep defenders at a distance and, while not explosive rolling his hips, at least he is not a waist-bender. He sustains best at the line of scrimmage, where he does a good job running his feet, locking on and finishing (not as good playing in space). Might be a better fit at offensive guard early in his career -- works well in combination with other linemen, but despite his quick feet and athleticism, he tends to wait for edge rushers to come to him rather than stepping forward to attack. Despite good weight-room numbers, his strength doesn't always translate to the field, as he tries to finesse rather than maul his opponent. GRADE: 6.5 Run Blocking: As a drive blocker, he uses his body to root out the defender and when his pad level is down, he can move the pile and drive block with leverage (could be exceptional here with added weight). Oher has a good get-off coming out of his stance and his quick feet will put him in position to make the in-line block. He could be a better fit at guard because he shows good body control rolling his hips and drives with his legs to flash a line surge. He also has a guard-like approach when pulling in-line and knows how to attack the shoulders of a defender. Inconsistent, but when he rolls his hips, he has good success in gaining movement. GRADE: 8.0 Pass Blocking: Oher is a bit inconsistent, but when he keeps his head on a swivel when retreating in pass protection, he shows good urgency moving underneath to cut down backside pursuit. Has the lower-body strength and long arms to engulf smaller defenders and stymie the bull rush. Moves his feet well to shield and wall off the interior defender in pass protection (needs to be quicker moving out to challenge edge rushers). Can multiple defenders, but does get a bit upright in his stance, causing his base to narrow (this results in stronger defenders having success pushing him back into the pocket). Will sometimes try to use his body too much to lean into an opponent rather than extend his arms to lock out and control. When he anchors firmly, he can slide and find ways to adjust to the action in front of him. GRADE: 7.6 Pulling/Trapping: Not the ideal trap blocker, doesn't always fire off the line with intent and must do a better job of angling getting into the second level. He has adequate body control but needs to fix footwork to improve quickness and balance to hit a moving target. He is better flashing pop on contact when executing the short traps. GRADE: 6.4 Adjust on Linebacker Downfield: Oher has a tendency to put his head down before connecting when playing into the second level. He must do it with more consistency, but has the ability to take good angles and adjust to second level defenders. GRADE: 6.3 Use of Hands/Punch: During his first three seasons, Oher was more of a push-and-shove, grabby type and needed to refine his hand technique. Appeared to carry his hands low, letting defenders get a piece of his jersey and leaving his chest exposed. He worked hard to improve his hand placement, but when he gets outside his frame shooting his hands, it makes him look slow when trying to recoil and reset them. He is still learning how to use his hand punch, but he has the reach and large hands to pop, lock out and maintain separation. When he does generate force behind his punch, he can knock his opponent off balance. His developing strength can improve, but he showed in 2008 that he has the ability to use his hands to control and can create a good surge off the snap due to his balance. When he uses his hands, he has the ability to get under the defender's pads, jolt and dominate. GRADE: 6.9 Reactions/Awareness: Has had problems retaining plays and struggles to digest a complicated playbook, needing more than several reps to retain. He is not always alert to twists and games and needs to show better awareness reading the defense. Has problems with games up front and needs to do a better job of recognizing. GRADE: 5.4 Compares To: CHRIS WILLIAMS, Chicago -- Oher is a fine athlete yet to mature physically. With teams looking for more mobility at left tackle, he could eventually be a nice fit. As a rookie, he needs to add more bulk to his frame to handle more physical NFL linemen. He is still a neophyte at the tackle position, with just three years of experience and he might not have the natural intelligence to digest a complicated playbook. Athletically, he is a fine specimen, but it will take patient coaching to help him unearth his potential. OVERALL GRADE: 6.70

Agreed. This WNY vs the world thing makes the rest of us look paranoid as well...

...and Edwards to the turf.. http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/11642184

Well played.

Yeah...let's run him out of town and get .....gasp/orgasm...more draft picks! After all, who would want an undrafted player who in first five years in the league has successfuly converted to an offensive lineman, beat out a top-5 pick and established himself as a starter and made two Pro Bowls at the most important position on the offensive line? Not the people here who see contract negotiations as personal character tests. Here's a thought-if you did all of the aforementioned, you probably aren't a lazy SOB. The insights into character by some of you remind me of when Bush told us how he looked into Putin's eyes and saw his soul.

http://www.profootballtalk.com/2009/03/29/to-visits-buffalo/

Ok. Even if no crime was committed (which sounds right), would you want a dumb cop who is full of piss and vinegar and lacks common sense patrolling your neighborhood and pulling a gun on your wife? The standard for departmental discipline shouldn't be the low bar of following the law. I'm sorry, but it is clowns like this who give the 99% of honorable, responsible law enforcement officers a bad rep at times.

I'm generally empathetic and supportive to cops. However, I can't for the life of me understand your logic. I hope he lives in your neighborhood and not mine.

That Philly trade isn't realistic.

Yeah...let's get rid of a 28 year old Pro Bowl LT whose best days are ahead because we can replace him for a third of market value and get better in the process....brilliant. And let's question his desire, integrity, etc. because he held out for a market-value contract. This is the NFL; it isn't the real world. We've tried the real world theory of management in the NFL, wherein we wouldn't pay market value for players and would go cheap (both in management and in personnel). Where has it led us? If we trade a player like Peters and open up another hole, we deserve to finish last in the AFCE again.

Was the penguin in the trunk with the gun or was he part of the three males?