Redskins: Jay Gruden likes what he sees from Brandon Scherff

With defensive end Leonard Williams still on the board when the No. 5 overall selection came around, and the Redskins picking tackle Brandon Scherff instead, some of the eyebrows that adorn the faces of draft predictors found themselves raised.

And with anyone taken that high usually presumed to start on Day 1, current Washington right tackle Tom Compton may be finding himself nervous for his job as rookie camp starts. Especially after what head coach Jay Gruden said about Scherff on Saturday.

"We'll find a spot for him, but obviously we start him out at right tackle," Gruden said, via CSN Washington, adding, "Tom Compton is going to have something to say about that."

Scherff featured at Iowa on the left side and Compton in Washington last year on the right alongside Morgan Moses, but inexperience would likely not put a rookie out on the blind side, where any line must be its strongest and surest.

That said, Gruden likes what he sees already from their first-round pick, maturation-wise.

"He studies very hard, he takes coaching extremely well, and he's got the best coach to coach him up," he said. "But I think you see the progress from yesterday [Friday] morning to yesterday afternoon to today, it's a significant change for him already. And I think he's going to continue to get better."

A welcome prognosis for any protection that stands between Robert Griffin III and his would-be fourth NFL injury as the Redskins look to tussle in a very competitive NFC East.

@MrJamesParks

Eagles have all their draft picks signed up

PHILADELPHIA - Eagles head coach Chip Kelly likes to talk and call plays quickly, so it comes as no surprise that the little man already has all his draft picks signed up and ready to go for the coming season lickety-split.

Linebacker Jordan Hicks of Texas, a third-round selection, was the last name to be inked to the club, putting the final touch on Kelly's first draft as the head personnel man.

Kelly noted that Hicks was his highest rated player "by far" going into the draft, meeting with the former Longhorn several times, who he says can be a three-down player to bring some needed depth to the Eagles' linebacking corps.

Mychal Kendricks, DeMeco Ryans, and Kiko Alonso are all penciled in at the inside spot. Alonso was brought over from the Bills in the deal that saw LeSean McCoy leave town, Ryans is 30-years-old and coming off a season-ending Achilles tear, and Kendricks has been the butt of several trade rumors. 

Connor Barwin and Brandon Graham are expected to head up the unit this season, part of the team's vaunted front seven.

Redskins: Jason Hatcher really likes Brandon Scherff

ASHBURN, Va. - When the Redskins picked offensive lineman Brandon Scherff with the No. 5 selection in the NFL Draft, most saw it another solid fundamental pickup by general manager Scot McCloughan, a "meat and potatoes" pick as Bill Polian would say.

Or, as defensive end Jason Hatcher would say more bluntly, "a hell of a pick."

Hatcher, picked up by the team in March of last year, sees the Scherff addition as a return to the tough-playing style that harkens back to the team's heritage.

"We're slowly but surely getting back to our old 'Hogs' Redskins days," he told CSN Washington. "Our offensive line has gotten bigger and bigger every year."

He noted Scherff could be one of the guys opening up "huge holes" this year for Alfred Morris and Robert Griffin III. 

"He's nasty," Hatcher said of the unanimous All-American. "I like that. He's a rookie, but just watching him, man, he's really gained my respect. He loves to play the game of football. I'm looking forward to see what he can do this year."

Scherff was a pocket-sealing blocker at Iowa, equally adept at protecting the run and pass, something Washington has needed for some time, finishing at the bottom of the NFC East race in five of the last six seasons. And anything that will keep RGIII on his feet a second or two longer in the pocket will be a welcome addition this fall.

Titans sign up RBs David Cobb, Jalson Fowler

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Fifth-round tailback David Cobb and the Tennessee Titans have agreed to terms on Thursday, the team announced.

Cobb finished his collegiate career at Minnesota with 2,893 yards and 20 touchdowns, averaging over five yards per attempt. He added 339 yards receiving over four years.

He was an All-Big Ten second-teamer in 2014 before being selected by Tennessee at No. 138 overal in the draft.

Gil Brandt of NFL Media labelled Cobb a potential 1,000 yard rusher and first-day starter, though he'll have some competition when he gets there with last season's back Bishop Sankey, who underwhelmed his last time out.

The Titans could use some help in that backfield, a unit that posted the seventh-worst rush last season (90.4 ypg) behind Sankey, and 29th in total offense. The club also inked fourth-rounder Jalston Fowler, a powerful. 53-game fullback from Alabama.

With the disappointment in Sankey and Shonn Greene in declining years, Cobb and Fowler could find themselves competing for valuable playing time as the club looks to bolster their chances in the AFC South race with signal caller Marcus Mariota under center.

Jay Gruden says RGIII should make a "big jump" this year

ASHBURN, Va. - When the Washington Redskins picked up the fifth-year option on quarterback Robert Griffin III, many took it as a sign the club still had faith in him to repeat his rookie season exploits.

One of those who is starting to have faith in him is head coach Jay Gruden, who, despite hinting last season that Griffin may not be the right fit for his system, had some positive words for his quarterback coming into the 2015 campaign.

"Going into Year 2 in this system should be a big jump, you know," Gruden said through the Washington Post. 

"You're not really thinking about who's where, what's my footwork. Everything should come a lot more natural for you, and hopefully, we see that transition from year one to year two in this system with the terminology and knowing where to go with your footwork and anticipation of getting the ball out quicker. Hopefully, that comes."

All things Gruden worried his quarterback would be unable to muster last season.

That the team said "Yes" to his option should relieve some of thse worries Griffin had about his place within the franchise, and now some positive feedback from his coach seem to have the Redskins heading into a new season with some glimmer of hope.

Which could all change, of course, should he find himself sitting out with his fourth major injury.

Bengals sign QB Terrelle Pryor

CINCINNATI - The wobbling and wearisome NFL career of Terrelle Pryor isn't over just yet.

Pryor was signed by the Bengals on Sunday after being cut by the Chiefs, who signed him four months ago. He was with Oakland the three previous seasons, compiling nine touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 15 games, 10 of which he started. 

A gifted athlete who had a stellar career at Ohio State, came to the Bengals for a minicamp tryout, and apparently they liked what they saw. He'll serve as backup behind Andy Dalton, alongside AJ McCarron and Josh Johnson.

There was some talk among team officials that he could be fit into the team at another position, something the 25-year-old says he won't consider.

"If I can't play quarterback, I can't play football," Pryor said at the workout. 

Something he may prove in his time in Cincinnati.

NFL suspends Giants LB for PEDs

NEW YORK - Giants linebacker Victor Butler has been suspended the first four games of this coming season for a performance-enhancing drugs violation, according to Dan Graziano of ESPN.

To what degree his performance was enhanced remains unknown, as Butler finished last season released twice by the Colts and by the Cardinals the year before after fourteen days.

A largely rotational player out of Oregon State since 2009, Butler has compiled 91 tackles and 11 sacks with the Cowboys in addition to Indy and Arizona. A two-year deal with the Saints failed to produce after he tore his ACL in the 2013 training camp.

He was signed to a futures/reserves contract by the Giants on January 5.

Report: Bears hosted QB Mariota

LAKE FOREST, Ill. - The quarterback tandem of Jay Cutler and Jimmy Clausen that did so little to set the NFL alight last season may not be living up to the hopes of the Chicago Bears, as the team reportedly hosted perennial draft favorite Marcus Mariota last week.

Adam Schefter said as much when he appeared on ESPN 1000 (Chicago) on Friday.

The Bears have the overall No. 7 pick in the coming NFL Draft, which likely is too low a spot on the pecking order for Mariota, who will probably go first or second overall. He has been linked to the Titans (No. 2 selection), the Redskins (No. 5), and the Jets (No. 6).

Any trade to deal up to a higher position, and the chance to snag Mariota, would involve some heavy-duty dealing, the heaviest of which could be Jay Cutler, though his performance last season (28 TD, 18 INT) may not garner much interest around the league.

Former Bears coach Lovie Smith, now in the same position with the Buccaneers, put Mariota through a public workout recently, though Schefter and others report Tampa is likely to pick Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston with the first overall pick.

Mariota, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, tossed 105 touchdowns against only 14 interceptions in 41 career starts at Oregon.

Bills WR: We're shooting for the Super Bowl

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. - The NFL offseason is the perfect time of year for speculators, "analysts," and athletes to fill themselves with stupid and unfounded optimism.

Bills wide receiver Robert Woods took his turn being stupid on Friday, reiterating the stupidity of his bravado-ridden head coach Rex Ryan, telling WGR 550 (Buffalo) of his team's hopes this coming season.

"Get to the Super Bowl," he said. "Nothing less than the Super Bowl with this team and the possibilities of our offense and our defense. That's what we're shooting for."

It didn't take long to figure out where those views came from: Ryan himself, whose confidence did him so well with the Jets, who fired him at last season's end, and who took the time recently to deliver a "general message to the team."

"We haven't been to the playoffs," Woods noted in an attack of reality which he soon lost, "but we're knocking at the door, and I think this team right here is just too good and has too many weapons on offense and defense to fall short of that."

Weapons on offense include new running back LeSean McCoy, traded apparently against his will from the Eagles last month, Woods himself, and pass-catcher Sammy Watkins, who last year tallied six touchdowns on 982 yards for Buffalo's 26th-ranked offensive eleven.

Though with an open competition coming at quarterback, one may wonder from whom these championship-winning passes will be thrown from. Last season found Kyle Orton's last-ditch effort at glory, leading Buffalo to an 18th-ranked passing attack (225.9 ypg). With Orton's retirement, E.J. Manuel and Matt Cassel, who was traded from the Vikings in March, remain under center.

Steelers great Troy Polamalu retires

PITTSBURGH - Steelers safety Troy Polamalu is retiring from the NFL after a twelve year career, he told Scout.com after telling team owner Dan Rooney on Thursday night.

A stalwart figure in the Steelers' recent two Super Bowl campaigns and one of the league's hardest hitters in the last decade, Polamalu was named to the Pro Bowl eight times since being drafted from USC in 2003.

"It's all about family," the 33-year-old told Jim Wexell of Scout. "I live here in Pittsburgh now, and since the end of the season I've had a chance to enjoy my family on a level I never had before. It was awesome."

Polamalu, a Greek Orthodox, says he came to the decision while in church during Holy Week.

"Thirty-three is obviously significant because of Christ being 33; and 12 years, 12 apostles," he told Scout.com. "I'm not superstitious by any means but I always thought that if I played 12 years and retire from football at 33 and give my life and give my body and give my blood to his game, I think that would be a pretty significant landmark in my life."

An anywhere-on-the-field defensive talent, Polamalu leaves the game with 770 career tackles and 32 interceptions, all with the Steelers, telling Wexell he "did not seriously consider playing anywhere else."

The team had reportedly asked Polamalu to retire after last season's end, and according to the Post-Gazette were prepared to release him had he not.

A champion of Super Bowls XL and XLIII, injuries and durability would become a concern in recent years, and the five-time All Pro would only see the field in 16 games twice in his final nine seasons.

"It's time to start living," he said.

Browns sign TE Housler

BEREA, Ohio - In a last ditch effort to add pieces to their patchwork offensive eleven, the Cleveland Browns on Wednesday announced the signing of tight end Rob Housler to a one-year contract.

Housler spent the last four seasons with the Cardinals, who selected him in the third-round of the 2011 NFL Draft from Florida Atlantic.

In that time, he collected 105 receptions for 1,133 yards and a touchdown. He will join Browns tight ends Gary Barnidge and Jim Dray, known for being blockers.

Cleveland lost pass-catching end Jordan Cameron to the Dolphins this offseason.

Steelers RB suspended 3 games

PITTSBURGH - Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell has been suspended for three games this season for a violation of the NFL substance-abuse policy, the league announced on Thursday.

Adam Schefter of ESPN first reported the story.

Bell has elected to appeal the suspension, related to a traffic stop last August in suburban Pittsburgh resulting in a DUI arrest. His former teammate, rusher LaGarrette Blount, now with New England, was in the car with him, and was suspended on Wednesday for the regular season opener by the league.

Bell, who was also fined a game's paycheck, emerged last season as one of the top runners in football, placing second league-wide with 1,361 yards and eight touchdowns, adding three scores through the air on 854 receiving yards.

Jets sign RB Ridley

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - Running back Stevan Ridley and the New York Jets have agreed to and signed a one-year contract on Wednesday, according to NFL Media.

No salary figures have been announced for the 26-year-old, who the team will hope bolster a Jets rush attack that finished last season 3rd in football (142.5 ypg) despite a four-win campaign that found head coach Rex Ryan lose his job.

A third-round pick from LSU in 2011, Ridley featured in the Patriots' backfield, tallying 2,817 yards and 22 touchdowns in that time before tearing his ACL and MCL in Week 6 against the Bills.

He will compete against runners Chris Ivory and Chris Johnson. Johnson was shot in an incident in Florida last month but is in stable condition.

RGIII wants to start over with Gruden

ASHBURN, Va. - Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III is ready for a new relationship between he and head coach Jay Gruden.

"Quarterback Carousel" are the words that come to mind when judging the Redskins' quagmire under center last season. The team would start three: the quickly-injured Griffin, interception-machine Kirk Cousins, and second-chancer Colt McCoy.

All of which added up to a four-win campaign for first-year boss Gruden, though a late regular season victory over the Eagles would keep rival Philly out of the playoffs.

Gruden publicly criticized Griffin on a few occasions for his performance and seeming inability to fit into the team's offensive scheme, though after last season ended did confirm the overall No. 2 pick three years ago would be the team's starter going into 2015.

Both seem interested in starting over, and to that effect Griffin addressed the future for him and the team, talking to Redskins Nation.

"My job is to not characterize or judge him as a coach," Griffin said of Gruden, via CSN Washington.

"We both want to win. Jay came in here with the plan to help develop me as a quarterback, and help this team win. He wants me to go out there and be the quarterback he knows I can be, and I will be."

Griffin noted that next season the expectations for he and Gruden will be much higher, and is looking to move past the somewhat tense relationship they have experienced.

"We're going to make sure we work together in a positive way to make sure this team is successful," he said. "We're going to win. That's all we can do."

And should they not, they may be looking for work elsewhere come January.

Dolphins hosting WR Welker

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. - Free agent wide receiver Wes Welker will pay a visit to where his career started as the Miami Dolphins host the eleven-year veteran on Tuesday, a source close to the team confirmed.

Welker began his career Dolphins in 2004 out of Texas Tech before a trade moved him to New England three years later, tallying five seasons with at least 100 receptions and five years with his name added as a Pro Bowl selection.

He snagged a career-best 10 touchdowns with the Broncos in 2013, though his age (33) and three concussions have marked a slowdown in his production. 

Last season in nine appearances for Denver, Welker caught only 34 balls for 282 yards and two scores, one of those the other end of Peyton Manning's 508th touchdown pass, tying Brett Favre for the most then all-time. 

The Dolphins also hosted pass-catchers Greg Jennings and Michael Crabtree two weeks ago as they look to bolster a receiving corps that last season finished 13th in football (254.1 ypg).