Jadeveon Clowney, Derek Carr, Reggie Bush
As far as Derek Carr is concerned, one quarterback stands out above the rest in this year's college crop.
He's one Carr sees each day in the mirror.
"Absolutely," the former Fresno State star told NFL Network in answering the question of whether he thought he was better than Central Florida's Blake Bortles, Texas A&M's Johnny Manziel and Louisville's Teddy Bridgewater.
"And I say that with respect to all of the other guys because they are great competitors and all of those good things," Carr said. "Of course, it's not easy for me to answer a question like that, but I absolutely think so. There is no doubt in my mind and we can turn the film on, sit down and watch it, and we'll talk about it and I'll convince you."
So far, according to Carr, he has attempted to do exactly that in visits and/or workouts with the Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars, Oakland Raiders, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Minnesota Vikings, and Tennessee Titans.
JAGUARS' COACH SAYS JADEVEON CLOWNEY 'VERY HUNGRY' FOR DIRECTION
Jadeveon Clowney is viewed as a potential top-three draft pick, and the coach for the team that could very well select him third overall, the Jacksonville Jaguars, likes what he sees from the South Carolina defensive end.
Gus Bradley, entering his second season as the Jags' coach, doesn't seem concerned with some pre-draft media discussion that hasn't painted the best picture of Clowney's character. A week ago, an anonymous NFL executive was quoted as describing Clowney as "spoiled" and "lazy."
Bradley, for one, sees Clowney in a far more positive light.
"First of all, when he walks into the room, you take notice of who he is as a person but physically and his appearance, you don't see many guys built like him with that size, speed and agility," Bradley told SiriusXM's Mad Dog Sports Radio. "To sit down and talk to him and find out his passion for the game and how good he wants to be, you're always looking for that guy who wants to be great. That comes through from him when you talk to him.
"He may need direction, but that's our job as a coaching staff. He's very hungry for that direction."
LIONS LOOK TO CONTINUE TO GIVE REGGIE BUSH AND JOIQUE BELL EQUAL TIME
When you have a couple of talented running backs, it makes perfect sense to use them both to the fullest.
And that's what the Detroit Lions seem to be planning to do with Reggie Bush and Joique Bell, according to the Detroit Free Press.
It would be similar to last season, when Bush and Bell became the first teammates in NFL history to both finish with 500 yards rushing and 500 yards receiving in the same season.
"This game is a violent game anymore and it's hard for one running back to get all the carries," Lions offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said. "So much like they did last year, I see these guys kind of having a split role and both being very productive."
DOLPHINS' GM SAYS IT'S A 'BIG OFFEASON' FOR DION JORDAN
In the wake of reports that trade offers have been made to the Miami Dolphins for second-year defensive end Dion Jordan comes this, from the team's new general manager.
"He's a very talented player and this is a big offseason for him," Dennis Hickey told WQAM Radio.
Although Hickey did not specifically address the trade talk, he made it clear that expectations for Jordan, who played only 339 defensive snaps last season, are higher now that he will have had a full offseason. Thanks to shoulder surgery and Oregon's late end to the school year, Jordan didn't fully participate in offseason workouts as a rookie.
"That's so important," Hickey said. "Developing and getting your body – not just the physical reps but the mental reps – getting in the weight room and all those things is such an important part to get these guys ready to make that jump. We're excited about Dion going forward and having a great offseason and looking for big things from him."
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