'NFL Total Access' recap: Can Josh Freeman be a franchise QB?
Did you miss Tuesday's edition of "NFL Total Access" on NFL Network? Catch up with this recap:
Breer on the Eagles' draft status
Albert Breer reported that the Eagles have a solid focus on "meat and potatoes" players. There is the potential that the Eagles would take a pass rusher like Oregon's Dion Jordan or Utah's Star Lotulelei. Regardless of whether they go with an offensive player or defensive player, their focus is on the line of scrimmage.
Mariucci on the Eagles' draft status
Former NFL head coach and current NFL Network analyst Steve Mariucci also weighed in on the Eagles' draft situation. He thinks Oklahoma offensive tackle Lane Johnson would be the best pick if Central Michigan's Eric Fisher and Texas A&M's Luke Joeckel are no longer available. Mariucci thinks Johnson is the most athletic tackle and could play right tackle, opposite of Jason Peters. This would be their best bet at protecting Michael Vick this season.
Pioli on what Vikings need to do in the draft
Former Kansas City Chiefs general manager and current NFL Network analyst Scott Pioli stated that the Minnesota Vikings haven't drafted a defensive lineman in the first round since 2005, when they took Erasmus James. Pioli thinks the Vikes might need to take a defensive lineman this year to help out defensive end Jared Allen.
McGinest and Tomlinson talk Josh Freeman
Willie McGinest thinks anytime you talk about a franchise, it all starts with the quarterback.
"You have to have a QB," McGinest said. "(Josh) Freeman has shown flashes of greatness, but he's still inconsistent."
Freeman's true test will be whether he can play at a high level on a consistent basis. LaDainian Tomlinson said there are elite quarterbacks and then guys who are on the brink. He said "Freeman, like (Joe) Flacco was a year ago, is on the brink." Tomlinson thinks the Bucs have to be patient and give him a chance to be consistent.
McGinest and L.T. on their draft-days
"As long as you're confident in what you did on the field and in your workouts, then you should be confident going into the draft," McGinest said.
McGinest didn't know exactly where he was going, and actually thought he may go to the Dallas Cowboys. He was surprised when the New England Patriots picked him with the fourth overall pick, as he had a number of Cowboys staff members at his draft party.
Tomlinson had fun leading up to the draft, doing photo shoots for GQ magazine and ESPN. Tomlinson said he got a tip from Vick that San Diego was going to trade up and take him with the fifth overall pick. Still, the running back wasn't sure until he saw that San Diego had made the trade.
Mariucci on 2012 QB class affecting 2013 prospects
"We've never seen a rookie class have that kind of impact in their first season," Mariucci said. He doesn't expect the quarterbacks in this year's draft to replicate the success of last year's class, but there are still some that will play. Mariucci thinks that "maybe a couple (of quarterbacks) will start and the rest will be groomed as backups."
Wilcots on the Browns' draft
Solomon Wilcots reported that the Cleveland Browns feel strongly about their current outside linebackers, and it looks like they potentially want to take a cornerback in the draft. Yet, there is still a greater value put on pass rushers. Wilcots thinks that either Georgia's Jarvis Jones or Florida's Sharrif Floyd would be a good fit to bolster Cleveland's defensive front.
Pioli on Browns' current situation
Pioli checked in on the Browns' current situation with quarterback Brandon Weeden. Pioli doesna??t think general manager Mike Lombardi will make a move on a quarterback unless he finds a player that he thinks can win them football games right away. Right now, it looks like Brandon Weeden will be their guy.
Dales in Chicago
NFL Network's Stacey Dales spoke with Chicago Bears general manager Phil Emery. Emery said there are a lot of good players at cornerback, offensive line and defensive line; though, Emery failed to mention linebackers. Charles Tillman thinks the Bears might take a linebacker.
Breer on the Eagles' draft status
Albert Breer reported that the Eagles have a solid focus on "meat and potatoes" players. There is the potential that the Eagles would take a pass rusher like Oregon's Dion Jordan or Utah's Star Lotulelei. Regardless of whether they go with an offensive player or defensive player, their focus is on the line of scrimmage.
Mariucci on the Eagles' draft status
Former NFL head coach and current NFL Network analyst Steve Mariucci also weighed in on the Eagles' draft situation. He thinks Oklahoma offensive tackle Lane Johnson would be the best pick if Central Michigan's Eric Fisher and Texas A&M's Luke Joeckel are no longer available. Mariucci thinks Johnson is the most athletic tackle and could play right tackle, opposite of Jason Peters. This would be their best bet at protecting Michael Vick this season.
Pioli on what Vikings need to do in the draft
Former Kansas City Chiefs general manager and current NFL Network analyst Scott Pioli stated that the Minnesota Vikings haven't drafted a defensive lineman in the first round since 2005, when they took Erasmus James. Pioli thinks the Vikes might need to take a defensive lineman this year to help out defensive end Jared Allen.
McGinest and Tomlinson talk Josh Freeman
Willie McGinest thinks anytime you talk about a franchise, it all starts with the quarterback.
"You have to have a QB," McGinest said. "(Josh) Freeman has shown flashes of greatness, but he's still inconsistent."
Freeman's true test will be whether he can play at a high level on a consistent basis. LaDainian Tomlinson said there are elite quarterbacks and then guys who are on the brink. He said "Freeman, like (Joe) Flacco was a year ago, is on the brink." Tomlinson thinks the Bucs have to be patient and give him a chance to be consistent.
McGinest and L.T. on their draft-days
"As long as you're confident in what you did on the field and in your workouts, then you should be confident going into the draft," McGinest said.
McGinest didn't know exactly where he was going, and actually thought he may go to the Dallas Cowboys. He was surprised when the New England Patriots picked him with the fourth overall pick, as he had a number of Cowboys staff members at his draft party.
Tomlinson had fun leading up to the draft, doing photo shoots for GQ magazine and ESPN. Tomlinson said he got a tip from Vick that San Diego was going to trade up and take him with the fifth overall pick. Still, the running back wasn't sure until he saw that San Diego had made the trade.
Mariucci on 2012 QB class affecting 2013 prospects
"We've never seen a rookie class have that kind of impact in their first season," Mariucci said. He doesn't expect the quarterbacks in this year's draft to replicate the success of last year's class, but there are still some that will play. Mariucci thinks that "maybe a couple (of quarterbacks) will start and the rest will be groomed as backups."
Wilcots on the Browns' draft
Solomon Wilcots reported that the Cleveland Browns feel strongly about their current outside linebackers, and it looks like they potentially want to take a cornerback in the draft. Yet, there is still a greater value put on pass rushers. Wilcots thinks that either Georgia's Jarvis Jones or Florida's Sharrif Floyd would be a good fit to bolster Cleveland's defensive front.
Pioli on Browns' current situation
Pioli checked in on the Browns' current situation with quarterback Brandon Weeden. Pioli doesna??t think general manager Mike Lombardi will make a move on a quarterback unless he finds a player that he thinks can win them football games right away. Right now, it looks like Brandon Weeden will be their guy.
Dales in Chicago
NFL Network's Stacey Dales spoke with Chicago Bears general manager Phil Emery. Emery said there are a lot of good players at cornerback, offensive line and defensive line; though, Emery failed to mention linebackers. Charles Tillman thinks the Bears might take a linebacker.