Emmanuel Sanders has parted ways with his agent, Jordan Woy, according to Liz Mullen of the SportsBusinessJournal. Willis and Woy Sports Group has represented some familiar names including Flozell Adams, Donald Driver, and former Steelers WR Yancy Thigpen.
No details were given about why Sanders left his agent, but you’re imagination is as good as mine. This isn’t huge news, and players change agents regularly, but it’s the off-season and Sanders will be a FA so I thought I’d pass it along.
Steelers CB Cortez Allen hopes to be like Ike Taylor. At least, he hopes to be able to play at the level that Ike Taylor does. Allen, who is entering his 4th season with the Steelers, battled injury early in the season, but saw far more snaps than in previous seasons. Out of the 718 snaps he saw action on, he was thrown at a total of 81 times. Approximately 55% of those pass attempts were caught, and 5 of those resulted in a touchdown.
While he saw less playing time than Ike Taylor, his coverage allowed fewer yards, far fewer YAC (yards after catch), fewer touchdowns, and a significantly lower catch percentage. Arguably, the most important stat is the difference in interceptions. Allen had two, while Taylor had none. In the past you could argue that Ike was assigned to the X receiver, but that wasn’t always the case in 2013.
In an interview with Steelers.com writer Mike Prisuta, Allen shared his hopes to assume the responsibility of being the #1 corner. “Of course,” said Allen. “I’ve always liked to challenge myself. I’ve always wanted that challenge just to see how I match up. And it’s always fun to go against talent like that. Ike’s done it before me. Hopefully, one day I’ll be in that position to be the level of player that he is. It’s a day-by-day process. I’m just trying to learn as much as I can from him and the guys around me.”
The Citadel alum continued, “Wherever I am in the defense, wherever they see fit, what’s best for the team, then that’s where I’ll be. I’ve never been a guy who said, ‘I want to play on this side or that side.’ We’re both capable of playing either side. And we’re both capable of playing anybody we face. It’s always us. It’s never them.”
I think the future is full of promise for Allen, and he expressed a similar sentiment. Now that the season’s over, he said it’s time to start working on improving. “[He’ll start to] Evaluate myself and begin the process of attacking what I need to improve. Talk to Coach Tomlin and Coach Lake and see what I can improve in the off-season and go from there…there’s so much room for me to grow.”
If you haven’t heard by now, NFL draft prospect Michael Sam announced to the media today that he is gay. It goes without saying that this will be a vigorously discussed topic for the next few months leading up to the draft (and beyond). There is already plenty of debate about whether or not this will negatively effect his draft stock. Today on ESPN, both Jerome Bettis and Ryan Clark shared their opinions, and both were supportive.
Bettis said that he thinks 90-95 percent of NFL players will welcome Sam. “I think this is the perfect opportunity for the NFL to now make this a point to communicate to every NFL team now you have to understand, now you have to bring these players to this moment,” Bettis said on SportsCenter. Adding, “For him to make it public that he is gay, the key word is he knows who he is and he’s comfortable with who he is. I think that sends the message that it is OK and I think that’s what everyone needs to take from that. It is OK that he is gay and wants to play football in the NFL.”
Lastly, the former Steelers running back said, “You’re always going to have one or two guys that feel strongly in a different capacity but that’s going to be in any situation you deal with. You understand that and hope those players allow him to be in that locker room and give him the respect he deserves being in the locker room.”
Steelers Safety Ryan Clark expressed optimism, and concerns about the situation. “If he’s willing to put his hand in the pile and be a part of the solution to winning a championship and winning football games, then guys will accept him,” said Clark. “The one thing we know about NFL locker rooms and NFL teams is it’s the ultimate team sport and you want that camaraderie, you want that chemistry,” Clark told ESPN via telephone. “I think before he steps into a locker room people will talk to leaders in the locker room, leaders on their team to see how do they plan to accept him as a teammate.”
“This is the thing people have to understand about NFL locker rooms: It’s a lot of ornery veterans,” Clark said. “There’s a lot of veterans that don’t like talking to rookies. There’s a lot of veterans that don’t really mingle with guys coming in playing their positions or guys they feel like haven’t earned their spots. So we’ve had situations where there are veterans that don’t talk to the young guys or that don’t necessarily accept them until they’ve proven themselves in certain ways.”
Clark went on to say that he thinks people will need to be careful to not judge guys who don’t come out openly supporting Sam, as opposing him. “For a lot of guys it’s going to take some time to get used to that has never been through this situation. For us, it’s about being patient with the whole process and allowing the guy to play football.”
Here’s my take: Sam was in an awkward place before this announcement. He’s a good pass rusher, but he isn’t very easy to find a place for on a NFL team. He’s essentially a 4-3 DE who’s predominately a third down pass rush specialist. You’re going to hear lots of people asking if the Steelers will or should draft him. The easy answer is- probably not, and it has nothing to do with who he kisses goodnight. He doesn’t have the size to be a 3-4 DE, and I don’t believe he is likely a good candidate to convert to OLB due to mechanics.
There has been much debate, speculation, and discussion about the Steelers 2014 compensatory draft picks during the last few months. Like many things Steelers draft related, you’ll find a variety of differing opinions. I broke down the compensatory draft picks, and made my own comp pick projections a few weeks back. My prediction remains unchanged.
Craig Turner, who has been proven to be pretty accurate in the past, has released his compensatory predictions for every team. Turner has the Steelers receiving 3 compensatory picks. A third for WR Mike Wallace, a fifth for DB Keenan Lewis, and a seventh for S Ryan Mundy.
In my earlier article, I predicted a third for Wallace, and a fifth for Lewis, so we’re of the same mind there. I do not believe the loss of Ryan Mundy will garner a 7th round pick, though. His contract falls below the qualifying range in my opinion. I could be wrong, and hope I am obviously. Still, gaining a third and a fifth is extremely valuable- this year especially.
No one outside the league office really knows the formula the NFL uses, but it’s not impossible to predict somewhat accurately based on data from previous years.
The New York Daily News reports that they’ve learned that the NY Jets are “coveting” soon to be Steelers free agent WR Emmanuel Sanders. The Jets are in bad need of an upgrade to their receiving corps, who were ranked 31st last year. Also, Santonio Holmes is reportedly not part of their plan moving forward.
This makes at least the third team that is rumored or reportedly interested in Sanders. I’ve felt for some time that Sanders wouldn’t be a Steeler next year, and that Jericho Cotchery would. Cotchery is definitely going to be the easier FA WR to keep, and his recent on field production has earned him the nickname of “Jericho Clutchery”. OK, I made that up, but it could work.
It wouldn’t surprise me at all if Sanders landed a contract that averaged in the $4 million per year range. That’s on the high end, but with buzz he’s garnering before free agency begins, it’s realistic.
Former Steelers Wide Receivers Coach Scottie Montgomery has been promoted to offensive coordinator at Duke. Montgomery was the Steelers wide receivers coach from 2010-2012, before leaving to return to Duke last off season. When he left the Steelers, he took the WR coaching position at Duke, which also included passing game and associate head coach duties.
Steelers Safety Ryan Clark was on ESPN’s First Take earlier today talking about NFL and marijuana usage. After a bit of discussion about Antonio Cromartie’s recent comments on marijuana in the NFL, Ryan Clark opened up (arguably too much so) about his thoughts on the matter.
“I know guys on my team who smoke,” Clark said. “And it’s not a situation where you think, ‘Oh, these are guys trying to be cool.’ These are guys who want to do it recreationally. He went on to say, “A lot of it is stress relief. A lot of it is pain and medication. Guys feel like, ‘If I can do this, it keeps me away from maybe Vicodin, it keeps me away from pain prescription drugs and things that guys get addicted to.’
Guys look at this as a more natural way to heal themselves, to stress relieve and also to medicate themselves for pain. Guys are still going to do it.”
Clark went on to agree with Cromartie, “It’s 100 percent true. They’re fighting a losing battle. The testing isn’t stringent,” Clark said. “There is one random test during OTAs and minicamps during the offseason, and everybody will be tested early in training camp. After that, there are no more tests. So guys understand the ways to get around failing a drug test.”
Personally, I think Ryan is entitled to his opinion, and will have a long career on ESPN. However, I think he’s violating a code of sorts by speaking about his teammates and the locker room on national TV. What do you think?
Brett Keisel said goodbye to his famous facial hair last night once again, to raise money for children’s charities. The fourth annual “Shear Da Beard” event was held at Jergel’s in Warrendale for the second year in a row. The event, which was sold out, has raised over $100,000 with proceeds benefiting the oncology program at Pittsburgh Children’s Hospital.
There was a special guest auctioneer last night- James Harrison.
Photo credit- @ScottBrown_ESPN via Twitter
Just got to Brett Kiesel’s Shear The Beard event and I must be hallucinating because Debo is auctioning items! pic.twitter.com/xjznkXcZVT
— Bill Crawford (@dveBillCrawford) February 6, 2014
Several guests were on hand to have a turn shearing Keisel’s mane. Coach Tomlin, Coach LeBeau, Coach Butler and others. Here’s some highlights posted on social media.
Farewell dear friend. #ShearDaBeard pic.twitter.com/rxePI6kBdP
— Brett Keisel (@bkeisel99) February 5, 2014
The coaches shear. #ShearDaBeard pic.twitter.com/rbFJaQw8AL
— 102.5 WDVE (@DVERADIO) February 6, 2014
Da Beard is gone! @bkeisel99 is looking smooth. #ShearDaBeard pic.twitter.com/0e660HDsR3
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) February 6, 2014
Lastly, I’ll leave you with Big Brett singing Ring of Fire. Enjoy.
Here is the list of 2014 NFL Combine Invitees. While the list hasn’t been announced officially yet, players have been notified. The combine is held in Indianapolis from February 19-24. 335 players have been invited, and a record 85 of those players are underclassmen. The prospects below are arranged by group. Those with an asterisk are underclassmen.
QUARTERBACKS
*Bortles, Blake, Central Florida
Boyd, Tajh, Clemson
Bridgewater, Theodore (Teddy), Louisville
Carr, Derek, Fresno State
Fales, David, San Jose State
Garoppolo, James (Jimmy), Eastern Illinois
Lynch, Jordan, Northern Illinois
*Manziel, Johnny Texas A & M
Mathews, Jeffrey (Jeff), Cornell
Mc Carron, Raymond (A.J.), Alabama
Mettenberger, Zachary (Zach), Louisiana State
Morris, Stephen, Miami
Murray, Aaron, Georgia
Renner, Bryn, North Carolina
Savage, Thomas (Tom), Pittsburgh
Shaw, Connor, South Carolina
Thomas, Logan, Virginia Tech
Vaughan, Dustin, West Texas A & M
Wenning, Keith, Ball State
RUNNING BACKS
Andrews, Antonio, Western Kentucky
Archer, Dri, Kent State
*Atkinson, George, Notre Dame
*Bibbs, Kapri, Colorado State
*Blue, Alfred, Louisiana State
*Carey, Ka’deem, Arizona
Copeland, Javoddron (J.C.), Louisiana State
Cornett, Timothy (Tim), Nevada – Las Vegas
*Crowell, Isaiah, Alabama State
Flanders, Timothy, Sam Houston State
Fluellen, David, Toledo
*Freeman, Devonta, Florida State
Gaffney, Tyler, Stanford
Grice, Marion, Arizona State
Hewitt, Ryan, Stanford
*Hill, Jeremy, Louisiana State
Hyde, Carlos, Ohio State
*Johnson, Westleigh (Storm), Central Florida
*Josey, Henry, Missouri
*Mason, Tre, Auburn
Mc Kinnon, Jerick, Georgia Southern
Millard, Trey, Oklahoma
*Muema, Adam, San Diego State
Perkins, Ladarius, Mississippi State
Redd, Silas, Southern California
*Sankey, Bishop, Washington
*Seastrunk, Lache, Baylor
Sims, Charles, West Virginia
*Smith, Jerome, Syracuse
Taliaferro, Lorenzo, Coastal Carolina
*Thomas, De’anthony, Oregon
*Westrrance, Towson
White, James, Wisconsin
*Wilder, James, Florida State
Williams, Andre, Boston College
Williams, Damien, Oklahoma
TIGHT ENDS
*Amaro, Jacexas Tech
Blanchflower, Robert (Rob), Massachusetts
Burton, Lawrence (Trey), Florida
Denham, Anthony (A.D.), Utah
Duncan, Joseph (Joe Don), Dixie
*Ebron, Eric, North Carolina
Fedorowicz, Colton (C.J.), Iowa
Gillmore, Crockett, Colorado State
*Grimble, Xavier, Southern California
*Jacobs, Nicholas (Nic), Mc Neese State
Jensen, Marcel, Fresno State
Jordan, Reginald (Reggie), Missouri Western State
*Leonard, A.C.nnessee State
*Lyerla, Colt, Oregon
Lynch, Arthur, Georgia
*Murphy, Jake, Utah
Najvar, Jordan, Baylor
*Niklas, Troy, Notre Dame
Pedersen, Jacob (Jake), Wisconsin
*Rodgers, Richard, California
*Seferian-Jenkins, Austin, Washington
Tialavea, Donald (D.J.), Utah State
WIDE RECEIVERS
Abbrederis, Jared, Wisconsin
*Adams, Davante, Fresno State
*Beckham, Odell, Louisiana State
*Benjamin, Kelvin, Florida State
*Boyd, Christopher, Vanderbilt
Brown, Corey (Philly), Ohio State
Brown, John, Pittsburg State
*Bryant, Martavis, Clemson
Burse, Isaiah, Fresno State
Campanaro, Michael, Wake Forest
*Coleman, Brandon, Rutgers
Colter, Theodis (Kain), Northwestern
*Cooks, Brandin, Oregon State
Copeland, Damian, Louisville
Davis, Michael (Mike) Texas Tech
*Ellington, Bruce, South Carolina
Enunwa, Onochie (Quincy), Nebraska
*Evans, Mike Texas A & M
Evans, Shaquelle (Shaq), UCLA
Fowler, Bennie, Michigan State
*Franklin, Austin, New Mexico State
Gallon, Jeremy, Michigan
Grant, Ryan, Tulane
Hazel, Charles (Matt), Coastal Carolina
Herron, Robert, Wyoming
Hoffman, Cody, Brigham Young
Huff, Joshua (Josh), Oregon
Hurns, Allen, Miami
Janis, Jeffrey (Jeff), Saginaw Valley State
Jones, Tailer (T.J.), Notre Dame
*Landry, Jarvis, Louisiana State
*Latimer, Cody, Indiana
*Lee, Marqise, Southern California
Lucas, Marcus, Missouri
Matthews, Jordan, Vanderbilt
*Moncrief, Donte, Mississippi
Norwood, Kevin, Alabama
Powell, Walter (Walt), Murray State
Reesevin, Baylor
*Richardson, Paul, Colorado
*Robinson, Allen, Penn State
Saunders, Jalen, Oklahoma
*Snead, Willie, Ball State
*Stewart, Josh, Oklahoma State
Street, Devin, Pittsburgh
Washington, L’damian, Missouri
* Watkins, Sammy, Clemson
Wilson, Albert, Georgia State
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
Armstrong, Matthew (Matt), Grand Valley State
Bitonio, Joel, Nevada
*Bodine, Russell, North Carolina
Boffell, Conor, Iowa
Britt, Justin, Missouri
Dozier, Dakota, Furman
Edwards, Kadeemnnessee State
Feiler, Matt, Bloomsburg
*Flemong, Cameron, Stanford
Fulton, Zachery (Zach)nnessee
Groy, Ryan, Wisconsin
Halapio, Jonathan (Jon), Florida
Harrison, Jonotthan, Florida
Henderson, Seantrel, Miami
Hurst, James, North Carolina
Ikard, Gabriel (Gabe), Oklahoma
Jackson, Gabriel, Mississippi State
James, Ja’wuannnessee
Johnson, Wesley, Vanderbilt
*Kouandijo, Cyrus, Alabama
Larsen, Tyler, Utah State
Leno, Charles, Boise State
Lewan, Taylor, Michigan
Linder, Brandon, Miami
Linsley, Corey, Ohio State
Long, Spencer, Nebraska
Lucas, Cornelius (Luke), Kansas State
*Martin, Marcus, Southern California
Martin, Zachary (Zack), Notre Dame
Matthews, Jacob (Jake), Texas A & M
Mewhort, Jack, Ohio State
Moses, Morgan, Virginia
Paradis, Matthew (Matt), Boise State
Patchan, Matthew (Matt), Boston College
*Richardson, Antonionnessee
Richardson, Cyril, Baylor
Richburg, Weston, Colorado State
*Robinson, Greg, Auburn
Schofield, Michael, Michigan
Steen, Anthony, Alabama
Stone, Jamesnnessee
Stork, Bryan, Florida State
*Su’a-Filo, Xavier, UCLA
Swanson, Travis, Arkansas
Thomas, Brandon, Clemson
*Turner, Trai, Louisiana State
Turner, William (Billy), North Dakota State
Urschel, John, Penn State
Watt, Christopher (Chris), Notre Dame
*Yankey, David, Stanford
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
Carrethers, Ryan, Arkansas State
Clarke, William, West Virginia
*Clowney, Jadeveon, South Carolina
*Crichton, Scott, Oregon State
*Ealy, Kony, Missouri
Edeball, Kasim, Boston College
Enemkpall, Kemefuna (I.K.), Louisiana Tech
Ford, Donald (Dee), Auburn
Gayle, Jacon (James), Virginia Tech
Hart, Taylor, Oregon
Jeffcoat, Jackson, Texas
*Jernigan, Timmy, Florida State
Jones, Howard, Shepherd
Kerr, Zachariah (Zach), Delaware
*Lawrence, Demarcus, Boise State
*Lynch, Aaron, South Florida
Manumaleuna, Eathyn, Brigham Young
Marsh, Cassius, UCLA
Martin, Kareem, North Carolina
Mauro, Joshua (Josh), Stanford
Mimsvin, South Florida
Moore, Zachary (Zach), Concordia
Newsome, Jonathan, Ball State
*Nix, Louis, Notre Dame
*Pagan, Jeoffrey, Alabama
Ramsey, Kaleb, Boston College
Sam, Michael, Missouri
Smith, Chris, Arkansas
Smith, Marcus, Louisville
Stinson, Edward (Ed), Alabama
*Tuitt, Stephon, Notre Dame
*Uko, George, Southern California
Webster, Larry, Bloomsburg
Westbrooks, Ethan, West Texas A & M
DEFENSIVE TACKLES
Bromley, Jason (Jay), Syracuse
Coleman, Deandre, California
Donald, Aaron, Pittsburgh
Easley, Dominique, Florida
Ellis, Justin, Louisiana Tech
*Ferguson, Ego, Louisiana State
Hageman, Ra’shede, Minnesota
Hyder, Kerry, Texas Tech
*Johnson, Anthony, Louisiana State
Jones, Daquan, Penn State
Mc Cullers, Daniel (Dan)nnessee
Palepoinny, Utah
Pennel, Michael (Mike), Colorado State – Pueblo
*Quarles, Kelcy, South Carolina
Reid, Caralin, Princeton
Stephen, Shamar, Connecticut
Sutton, William (Will), Arizona State
Thomas, Robert, Arkansas
Thornton, Khyri, Southern Mississippi
Urban, Brent, Virginia
Whaley, Christopher (Chris), Texas
Wynn, Kerry, Richmond
LINEBACKERS
Attaochu, Jeremiah (Jerry), Georgia Tech
Barr, Anthony, UCLA
Barrow, Lamin, Louisiana State
Borland, Christopher (Chris), Wisconsin
Bradford, Carl, Arizona State
Brown, Jonathan, Illinois
Brown, Michael (Preston), Louisville
Bullough, Max, Michigan State
*Fortt, Khairi, California
George, Jeremiah, Iowa State
Hitchens, Anthony, Iowa
Hubbard, Adrian, Alabama
Jackson, Andrew (Drew), Western Kentucky
Jones, Christian, Florida State
Kennard, Devon, Southern California
Kirksey, Christian (Chris), Iowa
Lokombo, Boseko, Oregon
Mack, Khalil, Buffalo
Morris, James, Iowa
Mosley, Clinton (C.J.), Alabama
Murphy, Trenton (Trent), Stanford
Pierre-Louis, Kevin, Boston College
*Powell, Ronald, Florida
Reilly, Trevor, Utah
*Shazier, Ryan, Ohio State
Shembo, Prince, Notre Dame
Skov, Shayne, Stanford
*Smallwood, Yawin, Connecticut
Smithlvin, Florida State
Starr, Tyler, South Dakota
Tripp, Jordan (Jordie), Montana
Unga, Devin (Uani’), Brigham Young
Van Noy, Kyle, Brigham Young
Williamson, Avery, Kentucky
Zumwalt, Jordan, UCLA
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Alexander, Maurice (Mo), Utah State
Allen, Ricardo, Purdue
Bailey, Dion, Southern California
Belue, Deion, Alabama
Benwikere, Bene’, San Jose State
Berhe, Natneal (Nat), San Diego State
Boston, Jayestin (Tre), North Carolina
*Breeland, Bashaud, Clemson
Brooksrrence, Florida State
Bucannon, Deone, Washington State
Carrie, Travis (T.J.), Ohio
*Clinton-Dix, Ha’sean (Ha Ha), Alabama
Cockrell, Ross, Duke
Colvin, Aaron, Oklahoma
Davis, Christopher (Chris), Auburn
Dennard, Darqueze, Michigan State
Desir, Pierre, Lindenwood
Dixon, Ahmad (A.D.), Baylor
Dixon, Brandon, Northwest Missouri State
*Dowling, Jonathan, Western Kentucky
Exum, Antone, Virginia Tech
Fuller, Kyle, Virginia Tech
Gaines, Edwin (E.J.), Missouri
Gaines, Phillip, Rice
Gilbert, Justin, Oklahoma State
Goodson, Demetri (Meech), Baylor
Hal, Andre (Dre), Vanderbilt
*Hampton, Victor, South Carolina
Huff, Marqueston, Wyoming
Jackson, Bennett, Notre Dame
James, Kendall, Maine
Jean-Baptiste, Stanley (Stan), Nebraska
Johnson, Dontae, North Carolina State
Joyner, Lamarcus, Florida State
Ladler, Kenneth (Kenny), Vanderbilt
Lawson, Nevin (Nevo), Utah State
Lewis, Isaiah, Michigan State
Loston, Craig, Louisiana State
Mc Dougle, Dexter (Dex), Maryland
Mc Gill, Keith, Utah
*Mitchellrrance, Oregon
Price, Jabari, North Carolina
*Pryor, Calvin, Louisville
*Purifoy, Loucheiz, Florida
Reaser, Keith, Florida Atlantic
*Reynolds, Ed, Stanford
Reynolds, Rashaad, Oregon State
*Roberson, Marcus, Florida
*Roby, Bradley, Ohio State
Sorensen, Daniel, Brigham Young
Southward, Dezmen (Dez), Wisconsin
*Sunseri, Vinnie, Alabama
Thomas, Jemea, Georgia Tech
Vereen, Brock, Minnesota
Verrett, Jason, Texas Christian
Ward, Jimmie, Northern Illinois
Washington, Todd, Southeastern Louisiana
Watkins, Jaylen, Florida
Westbrooks, Lavelle, Georgia Southern
LONG SNAPPER
Heit, Marcus, Kansas State
PUNTERS
Clark, Steven, Auburn
Hocker, Zachary (Zach), Arkansas
Hornsey, Thomas (Tom), Memphis
Leone, Richard (Richie), Houston
Mandell, Cody, Alabama
O’Donnell, Patrick (Pat), Miami
KICKERS
Boswell, Christopher (Chris), Rice
Fera, Anthony, Texas
Santos, Cairo, Tulane
Big Ben is already getting some early work in with his young receiving corps. Both Derek Moye and Markus Wheaton are getting reps with Ben out in Orange County, California. Specifically, I would imagine they’re in Irvine, CA, as that’s where Ben’s representation agency is located. Photographers and videographers are on site, and the workouts are in conjunction with Rep1Sports, so Irvine is a safe assumption, though other agencies have players there, so anywhere in Orange County is a possibility I suppose.
If you follow my Twitter account (@TheSteelersFans) or visit the site often, you’ll likely have seen these tweets from yesterday and today.
Good day on the field today with @twheat002 @_BigBen7 And a bunch of combine players Go @steelers ! @CoachPJ24 pic.twitter.com/szJoBNYT55
— Sam Nestler (@DallasStars24) February 4, 2014
@twheat002 @dmoye6 you looked great out there today hoping to see you guys again while youre in SoCal excited to watch you this season!
— Sam Nestler (@DallasStars24) February 4, 2014
Woke up early and filmed w some of the @Rep1Sports guys in OC this morning incl Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger http://t.co/lV9QP9VeH0
— GABE YEH (@0484GABE) February 5, 2014
Nestler and other coaches were on the scene yesterday to participate in the workouts. Markus Wheaton, Derek Moye, and other draft prospects who are training for the combine were there as well. UCLA WR Shaq Evans is one receiver who I know to be signed with that agency, so perhaps he was there. Coincidentally, Blake Bortles who draws Big Ben comparisons, is represented by them, too. Who else might be there would just be a guess.
The news of Moye and Wheaton getting early reps with with Ben should come as a nice surprise. This extra time should pay dividends in the spring, summer, and hopefully the fall.