NFL News & Blogs

Dwight Howard had 22 points and 16 rebounds in a bruising battle with Shaquille O’Neal, and the Orlando Magic beat Cleveland 101-95 on Sunday for the Cavaliers’ first three-game losing streak in two years. Cleveland’s skid comes on the heels of a 13-game win streak. Howard was 8-for-13 shooting and added four blocks, and Vince Carter had eight of his 11 points in the fourth quarter to…

The No. 9 Ohio State basketball team took a big hit when it came to their positioning in the Big Ten Conference race on Wednesday when they lost to Purdue at home. On Sunday, Ohio State (21-7, 11-4) fought back with a bigger punch and got themselves right back in the thick of things when it comes to the conference race. Get all the details of Ohio State’s 74-67 win over Michigan State inside.

Sporting News’ Pro Football War Room has hundreds of player evaluations in preparation for the 2010 NFL draft . Here is a capsule look at prospect Jason Worilds.

NFL position: DE
Height: 6-2
Weight: 240
40 time: 4.75
Current projection: Third-round pick

Jason Worilds has the athleticism and pass-rush skills to play linebacker in a 3-4 scheme, but he lacks skills away from the line of scrimmage.

Strengths: Is an elite athlete with the quickness, speed and explosiveness to make an impact rushing the passer when aggressive. Has an explosive closing burst to the quarterback and can deliver a violent hit. Can beat tackles outside with quick hands or inside with a very good spin move. Flashes a surprising ability to jolt and drive tackles backward into the quarterback’s lap; can then free up and get the sack. Is very competitive chasing after running plays in pursuit; shows the rare athleticism to hurdle low blocks and gets back to full speed in a flash. Has the top-level speed and burst to consistently finish plays. Has the athleticism to change directions fast and avoid blockers in space.

Weaknesses: Is a ‘tweener. Looks more like a linebacker than an end. Does not have good instincts and awareness, which is more of a problem the farther from the line a defender plays. Is often the last lineman moving at the snap. Does not maintain backside containment responsibility on plays away from him. Does not rush the quarterback aggressively on every snap, reducing his productivity. Lacks ideal size to play end and struggles to get free from opposing linemen once they get a hold of him.

Bottom line: Worilds definitely could have helped his stock by staying in school for another season, during which he could have defined himself as an end or outside linebacker and improved his instincts and awareness. When he rushes the passer aggressively, he looks like an elite athlete who could be very effective as an undersized pass rusher in a 4-3 scheme. But when he does not rush aggressively, he gets tied up and eliminated from the play too easily. He definitely looks like he fits best as a rush linebacker in a 3-4 scheme, but he does not seem very instinctive and is less effective when he plays behind the line. We think Worilds will be drafted higher than we have him rated because he should test out very well at the Combine. But his ‘tweener size and lack of instincts make us concerned that he will struggle to be consistently productive.

For more than 200 player scouting reports from Russ Lande and his team of former NFL scouts — plus updated mock draft, Super 99 rankings and more — go to warroom.sportingnews.com.

While five-time Pro Bowler Julius Peppers is less than a week away from likely becomming an unrestricted free agent — with several seeing New England as a strong suitor — questions are surfacing over his passion for football.

While Brandon Marshall’s contentious relationship with coach Josh McDaniels has led many to speculate the receiver will ultimately be traded this offseason, Mike Klis of The Denver Post attributes Marshall’s discomfort in Denver to the murder of teammate Darrent Williams.

Star WR Randy Moss doesn’t expect to be with the New England Patriots beyond next season, according to multiple pubished reports.

Mel Kiper on Michigan CB Donovan Warren – “Right now you’re looking at the third or fourth round. He’s a physical corner, no question about that. He likes going head to head on an island with the best receivers in the country. His anticipation is good. He’s a gambler though and gave up some big plays. He took some chances that were unwarranted and gave up some big plays.”

Kerry … Darrelle … pah!
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The No. 9 Ohio State basketball team lost a big game at home on Wednesday when it fell to Purdue. On Sunday, the stakes get even higher when the Buckeyes travel to East Lansing to take on No. 11 Michigan State. BuckeyeGrove.com provides a full breakdown of Ohio State’s latest opponent inside