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What Price, Sherman? Tabor’s Hamstring

If you want Sherman, the price is high.

I speculated yesterday, when discussing a possible Seattle Seahawks Richard Sherman trade, that the price would probably be a first round pick. It turns out I was pretty much right on the money. Details emerged Friday one what it would take the snag Sherman with two years left on his current contract and the price is steep. Adding a wrinkle to the whole thing it appears Sherman himself asked the Seahawks to search for a trade partner.

According to the NFL Network, the price is a first round pick or a “very good player on a low contract” and a pick. What does that mean? It means a legit NFL starter, probably a young guy in his first three years, and no less than a third rounder. And even that part depends on the guy.

Who would want to make this deal? It would have to be a legitimate contender and you’d think, unless the draft pick compensation was very high (like Top 15), Seattle wouldn’t trade Sherman to an NFC team.

So who could conceivably make it work? The Houston Texans suddenly find themselves down a Pro Bowl corner with the departure of A.J. Bouye and now that they’ve shed Brock Osweiler’s contract, they’ve got plenty of room for Sherman’s current $13 million-ish number and the sure $17 million or so number that will come after it with a new contract. The Oakland Raiders (No. 24), Miami Dolphins (No. 22) and Baltimore Ravens (No. 16) should all look  long and hard at a potential first round pick for Sherman swap, as he’s probably better than anyone they’d potentially pick at those spots.

For the Ravens especially the move could make sense with their playoff and potential Super Bowl window getting narrower every season.

Teez Tabor admits to hamstring injury

Coming into the pre-draft process, Florida Gators cornerback Teez Tabor was near the top of plenty of defensive back lists. But since a lackluster 40-time at the NFL combine and an even worse performance at Florida’s Pro Day, Tabor has seen his draft stock plummet.

Friday, Tabor finally delivered an explanation as to why he laid down a 4.77 40.

“Teams have been shocked that I ran that slow, because they know I don’t play slow,” Tabor told reporters in a phone interview. “T they watch the film. It’s ridiculous. I just want to let everyone know what was going on.”

It turns out Tabor admits he tweaked his hamstring preparing for the NFL Combine and it has yet to fully heal. He was afraid that teams would think he was “soft” if he didn’t run at the combine. After putting down a 4.6, he then was pressured to run it again at his pro day. That resulted in the 4.77.

“I’m not the type to make excuses,” Tabor said. “I just wanted to show teams what I’m about. I probably went about it the wrong way, trying to be a knucklehead. I was trying to be a tough guy because that’s how I am. I was afraid if I didn’t run, people would think I’m soft. Then I went out during a workout with the Lions and pulled it even worse. They’re the only team that really knows. It’s still bad now. I probably won’t even start running against for three weeks.”

So is Tabor making an excuse? It doesn’t seem likely to me. He’s spent a career playing against guys that routinely run in the 4.4 range and has been consistently one of the best corners in the SEC. What this likely means is some team is going to get a steal on Tabor late in the second round and he, as a rookie, will land on a Super Bowl contender right out of the gate.

“Turn on the tape and see me running step for step with 4.3, 4.4 guys in the SEC, Malcolm Mitchell and Reggie Davis at Georgia, Josh Malone at Tennessee, guys like that,” Tabor said. “Everyone I’ve visited with said they really don’t care about that, I play faster.”

Brian Kelly changes is DeShone Kizer tune

After shitting all over his quarterback in a radio interview a couple of days ago, Notre Dame head coach and whiny douchebag Brian Kelly decided to clear the air Friday. It turns out he wasn’t badmouthing Kizer, a potential first round NFL draft pick. It was just your lying ears.

“Whatever was interpreted, I have a great deal of positive feelings for DeShone,” Kelly said Friday. “I think he’s the best quarterback coming out. I think that everybody that comes to Notre Dame would benefit from another year when they don’t have their degree and can use college football to season themselves. So DeShone is not in that category by himself.”

That’s a stark contrast to the quarterback Kelly described just a few days ago that not only needed to vastly improve his game on the field, but upgrade his performance as a person off it. Kelly continued his attempt at damage control.

“I think he (Kizer) has got great character,” Kelly said. I named him a captain. So for that to be seen any other way but positive, I think the headline could have been, ‘Coach Kelly sees Kizer as the best quarterback in the draft,’ or ‘Kelly sees Kizer as having great character.’ But, it wasn’t seen that way and there’s nothing I can do about it. I think the world of DeShone. I think he’s gonna be a great quarterback in the NFL.”

Make no mistake, this sudden change of heart was all about Kelly saving Kelly’s own ass. Shitting on one of your former players and possibly costing him a first-round NFL draft bonus was something that would surely affect Notre Dame’s recruitment capabilities. Somebody must have gotten in Kelly’s ear and told him so.

Other NFL News

The Los Angeles Rams continue to add pieces on defense for coordinator Wade Phillips to use. Friday the Rams signed cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman. Terms and length have not been disclosed. Last season Robey-Coleman started three games for the Buffalo Bills and played in all 16. He had 30 tackles, seven pass defenses, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, two interceptions and two defensive touchdowns.

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Written by Adam Greene

Adam Greene is a writer and photographer based out of East Tennessee. His work has appeared on Cracked.com, in USA Today, the Associated Press, the Chicago Cubs Vineline Magazine, AskMen.com and many other publications.

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