http://www.yardbarker.com/content/player/2691 Recent articles about Logan Mankins en-us According to New Era Scouting, Eagles right guard Shawn Andrews is the 5th best guard in the entire NFL. Ahead of him on the list are Eric Steinbach of the Browns, Steve Hutchinson of the Vikings, Alan Faneca of the Jets, and Brian Waters of the Chiefs. Rounding out the top ten are Leonard Davis [...] Mon, 30 Jun 2008 23:21:35 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/284469 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/284469 2005 had its share of stars in the 1st round but also had a handful of busts check to see where your teams pick did............. 1. Alex Smith, quarterback, 49ers: When the first overall pick is competing three years later with Shaun Hill and J.T. O'Sullivan for the starting job, that's by definition a BUST. 2. Ronnie Brown, running back, Dolphins: After a so-so first year, Brown has been solid. A torn ACL derailed his opportunity to have a strong third year. Though he hasn't lived up to the billing of the No. 2 overall pick, we're not yet ready to call him a bust. (But we could be after 2008.) 3. Braylon Edwards, receiver, Browns: Edward is becoming one of the best receivers in the league. Clearly, not a bust. 4. Cedric Benson, running back, Bears: He's been a disappointment on the field, and his arrest conjures memories of past incidents in college. Without question, he's a BUST. 5. Cadillac Williams, running back, Buccaneers: Williams made a huge splash as a rookie, but can't stay healthy. After rupturing a patellar tendon in 2007, he might not play again. If he does, he might never be the same. Based on his top-five selection, he's a BUST. 6. Pacman Jones, cornerback, Titans: BUST 7. Troy Williamson, receiver, Vikings: We once tried to throw Williamson a compliment, but he dropped that, too. BUST. 8. Antrel Rolle, cornerback, Cardinals: When a cornerback might be shifted to safety at only age 25, it's not because he's a great cornerback. BUST. 9. Carlos Rogers, cornerback, Redskins: He's on the path to being declared a bust. We'll give him one more year. 10. Mike Williams, receiver, Lions: Maybe he wouldn't have been a BUST if the Lions had made him an offensive lineman. 11. DeMarcus Ware, linebacker, Cowboys: A 2006 Pro Bowl + a 2007 Pro Bowl = not a bust. 12. Shawne Merriman, linebacker, Chargers: He could still be a bust if he gets suspended again for steroids (or blown up on a regular basis by a pint-sized running back); for now, though, Merriman is clearly not a bust. 13. Jammal Brown, tackle, Saints: The Pro Bowler in 2006 slipped a bit last year, and the Saints were rumored to be shopping him. Still, he's not a bust. 14. Thomas Davis, safety/linebacker, Panthers: He's not spectacular, but he started 16 games in 2007. Not a bust. 15. Derrick Johnson, linebacker, Chiefs: Johnson made a splash as a rookie and hasn't taken it quite to the next level in two years since, but he's not a bust. 16. Travis Johnson, defensive tackle, Texans: When the biggest hit of your career is one that you unknowingly put on a quarterback's head with your knee, you might be a redneck. And a BUST. 17. David Pollack, linebacker, Bengals: Though he was on his way to becoming a great player, a neck injury ended his career early in his second season. Unfortunately, he must be declared a BUST. 18. Erasmus James, defensive end, Vikings: Knee problems have slowed his development, but barring injury to Jared Allen and Ray Edwards (and maybe Brian Robison), James won't be a starter in his fourth season. BUST. 19. Alex Barron, offensive tackle, Rams: The Rams wouldn't have been dreaming of Jake Long sliding to No. 2 if they thought that Barron was the long-term solution on the left side, or the right. BUST. 20. Marcus Spears, defensive end, Cowboys: Yeah, he has been a three-year starter. But he was rumored to be on the trading block earlier this year, and his impact hasn't reflected his stature as one of the top 20 players in the draft. BUST. 21. Matt Jones, receiver, Jaguars: This much-hyped quarterback-turned-receiver isn't very good, and doesn't seem to care. The Jags would have been wise to let him play quarterback — for another team. BUST. 22. Mark Clayton, receiver, Ravens: The thinking in NFL circles is that a player destined to be a high-end receiver performs like one by his third NFL season. For his third season, Clayton had 49 catches for 531 yards, and no touchdowns. BUST. 23. Fabian Washington, cornerback, Raiders: Being traded for a fourth-round pick after only three seasons automatically qualifies him for BUST status. 24. Aaron Rodgers, quarterback, Packers: He has looked good when he's gotten a chance to play, but the jury is out on whether he's a bust. Get back to us in a year. 25. Jason Campbell, quarterback, Redskins: Campbell is on his way to becoming a solid starter, and could evolve into one of the better signal-callers in the conference. Not a bust. 26. Chris Spencer, center, Seahawks: If he'd been taken higher, Spencer might qualify for strong consideration as a bust. But he started every game in 2005, and the Seahawks have gotten decent value out of him. Close, but not a bust. 27. Roddy White, receiver, Falcons: White was on his way to being a bust after his first two years. He broke out in 2007, which coincidentally was his first season without catching one-hoppers from Mike Vick. Not a bust. 28. Luis Castillo, defensive tackle, Chargers: Solid defensive linemen despite some injuries. Not a bust. 29. Marlin Jackson, defensive back, Colts: Steady but unspectacular Tampa Two corner. He might be another Jason David in a defense that requires him to cover wideouts down the field. But his performance allowed the Colts let guys like David walk away. Not a bust. 30. Heath Miller, tight end, Virginia: The Steelers arguably reached on a guy who wasn't healthy in the months leading up to the draft. They ended up with a solid tight end. Not a bust. 31. Mike Patterson, defensive tackle, Eagles: The Philly chapter of PFT Planet will revolt if we were to call Patterson a bust. Not a bust. 32. Logan Mankins, offensive lineman, Patriots: Solid contributor on the offensive line. Besides, we can't call anyone who paid $7,500 for the privilege of punching a guy in the crotch a bust. Thu, 08 May 2008 07:30:49 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/264689 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/264689 This article includes the projected starters for the upcoming season, statistics and injuries from the past season, an overview of players on the line and an outlook for the 2008 season. Thu, 24 Apr 2008 10:04:07 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/256353 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/256353 Each year, Bill Belichick surprises the fans, media, and other NFL teams with his ever-changing personnel gameplan. One year he builds through the draft and low-cost veterans, the next he is a big-spender in free agency. Fri, 04 Apr 2008 16:51:52 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/228864 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/228864 If there's one thing Pats fans have learned since Bill Belichick has taken over, it's expect the unexpected on draft day. Between trades and the drafting of players unthinkable to all prognosticators, the Patriots have kept everyone guessing when it comes to the NFL Draft. During Belichick's second draft, everyone expected the Pats to draft WR David Terrell from Michigan with the #6 overall pick. Instead, Belichick and Pioli drafted DE/DT Richard Seymour. Seymour became a Pro Bowl player, and David Terrell isn't even in a starting lineup. Nobody expected the Pats to draft a guard in the first round in 2005, let alone Logan Mankins. He was voted to the Pro Bowl this past season. Draft experts have had the Pats drafting a linebacker or a corner in the first round the past few years, but they have yet to do so, despite the need. This year could be different. The Pats haven't had a pick as high in the first round as they have this year since 2001 when they drafted Seymour. Most say the Pats will try and trade back and accumulate more picks and try and get better value for players most feel they can get at later picks than #7. There are still mixed opinions as to whether there are any cornerbacks or linebackers that deserve a top 10 grade. CB Leodis McKelvin has been deemed by most as the top corner in the draft, though that doesn't necessarily mean that he receives a top 10 grade. The only true linebacker that can possibly sniff the top 10 picks is Keith Rivers from USC, who projects as an ILB in the 3-4. Any other player that could play LB in the Pats' 3-4 defense, such as Vernon Gholston or Chris Long, are linebacker/defensive end hybrids. The question remains: What exactly will the Pats do to try and get the best pick at the best value? The possiblity remains that Belichick and Pioli pick the best player available at #7 regardless of the position the player plays. That could mean tackle, runningback, defensive tackle, or defensive end, which are not positions the Patriots are in dire need of. One thing the Pats have shown is that they are not afraid to pick "best player available" according to their draft board and have stayed away from drafting for need of the player doesn't fit their value board. The Pats could also draft a player at a position of need but one that draft "experts" feel is a reach at that spot. The Patriots do not seem to tend to the conventional draft boards and have their own set of values for players. A corner such as Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie could be rated as the top corner on the Pats' board but rated as a late-round pick on draftniks such as Mel Kiper's board. Again, conventional wisdom says the Pats move back in the draft because they need more young players and could stockpile picks, there are no sure-fire top ten guys where they are picking, and they prefer to pay big guaranteed contracts to veterans over rookies. But this is the Patriots we're talking about, right? Do not dismiss the possibility of moving up in the draft to grab a prospect they feel is a can't-miss prospect. Remember, expect the unexpected with the Patriots on draft day. It is highly possible that the Pats covet Vernon Gholston and/or Chris Long, two prospects that would be OLBs in the 3-4 and are projected to be impact players, but would not last past the Jets at #6. Moving up would not necessarily be very costly to the Patriots in terms of draft picks. Sat, 29 Mar 2008 04:37:25 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/223067 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/223067 The enormous growth on Mankins' face that covers far down his neck. The top-flight guard, a first-round pick by New England in 2005, has been growing it since August. In all that time, he hasn't taken a razor to it to trim it in any way, the hair growing in undulating patterns that resemble some model formed by a wave machine. Wed, 30 Jan 2008 00:25:37 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/113367 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/113367 Despite having won their last game versus the New York Giants and finishing the season with a record breaking 16-0 record, the new year and playoffs level the field of competition. A loss in the playoffs means no chance for the Super Bowl. Tue, 01 Jan 2008 20:21:03 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/58044 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/58044