by John Miller

NFL.com’s Adam Schefter reports WR Michael Crabtree has a stress fracture in his foot and will require surgery. A crushing blow to Crabtree’s draft stock because he’s expected to be sidelined for 10 weeks. That means no Combine workouts and possibly no Pro Day. His shot at being drafted in the top-10, much less the top-20, is hobbling out the door. Crabtree’s stock was already dented when he checked in at the Combine at a shade over 6′1. He was listed 6′3 at Texas Tech.

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by John Miller

Most mock drafts these days don’t have a RB projected in the top-15 picks.  Beanie Wells is sometimes slotted in #16 to San Diego (like on this NFLDraftBlitz.com mock) but that’s usually the highest RB.  LeSean McCoy or Knowshon Moreno sometimes land at #18 to Chicago or #21 to Philly – though usually they’re in the late 1st round. 

No RB in the top-15?  Over the last 20 years there have only been 3 drafts – 2002, 2003, 2004 – where a RB didn’t go in the top-15. Actually, in 1992 there was only fullback Tommy Vardell… so technically that’s 4 out of 20 years without a RB going top-15. See below.  It’s still very rare.  

Wait until the Combine… one of these guys will dash n’ leap his way into the top-15, maybe the top-10. Remember, in 2005 Ronnie Brown was a 2nd-round mocker early on. Cedric Benson and Cadillac Williams were the top dogs. Then, Brown busted an unofficial 4.32 in the 40 (at 233 lbs?) and Voilà… #2 overall, ahead of Benson and Williams.  

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by John Miller

Peyton Manning arranged for Jay Cutler to take a relaxing swim before the Pro Bowl but it didn’t turn out as planned.

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by John Miller

Here’s that last play where Kurt Warner’s arm is hit by LaMarr Woodley. His arm is definitely moving forward, though the ball might be loose before the arm even started its motion.  I don’t get caught up in all this conspiracy stuff (“The NFL wanted the Steelers to win!”) because it’s mindless and silly. And even if the Cardinals got to run one more play, it’s still another Hail Mary situation. But the thing is, why not just run the booth review? Take a minute to make sure. Don’t leave one iota of doubt on Super Bowl XLIII’s final play — the play that everyone remembers the most.  If the call is overturned you can easily sweep off the confetti for one more snap: Warner drops back again, heaves up a prayer, but 8 DBs are back there to swallow the ball like jackals. Then at least you have a rust-proof Super Bowl ending that can’t be corroded by loudmouths like Colin Cowherd.

Conspiracy?  Nah… there were some questionable calls (and non-calls) but that’s the game of football. The Steelers won fair and square.  However, the lack of a booth review on that final play was inexcusable.

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