McKelvin ready for the big time (Yahoo! Sports)

McKelvin ready for the big time (Yahoo! Sports)
Despite concerns about players from smaller schools, CB Leodis McKelvin could be a top 10 pick Saturday.

Ranking the prospects: 1-25
These guys might not be the first 25 picks, but they are the top talents available. Pete Fiutak unveils the best 25 players in this draft.

McNair could have been Hall of Famer

Steve McNair’s retirement announcement the other day caught many by surprise, and now leads to a key question: Will he one day be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame? I don’t know. via Hattiesburg American

D-linemen could come off board in a hurry (Yahoo! Sports)
The Giants‘ relentless pressure in the playoffs could help inspire the selection of pass rushers early.

Ravens QB Steve McNair Is Retiring

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Steve McNair is retiring from the NFL after 13 seasons.

McNair told teammates of his decision during an emotional meeting Thursday morning before the launch of coach John Harbaugh’s first minicamp.

The 35-year-old McNair led the Ravens to a 13-3 record in 2006, his first season in Baltimore after 11 years in Tennessee. But groin, back and shoulder injuries limited him to six games in 2007. He threw just two touchdown passes while losing seven fumbles and throwing four interceptions as the Ravens struggled to a 5-11 record. Read more

Henne adding to Wolverine tradition (Yahoo! Sports)
Chad Henne will be the latest in a long line of Michigan QBs to represent the school in the NFL.

AFC North: Help needed at cornerback (Rivals.com)
Top cornerbacks are usually in high demand, and a few teams from the AFC North will be particularly interested…

Ravens Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

With the surprising retirement of Steve McNair, there seems to be more urgency for the Ravens to draft a quarterback.

Baltimore was expected to do so, but given McNair’s decision, it appears essential that the team drafts one in the first two rounds.

But general manager Ozzie Newsome said losing McNair doesn’t force them to trade up from the eighth overall pick in order to take Boston College’s Matt Ryan, the consensus top quarterback in the draft.

If the Ravens are unable to get Ryan, they likely would look at Delaware’s Joe Flacco, Louisville’s Brian Brohm or Michigan’s Chad Henne in the second round.

“This has no impact on our plans,” Newsome said. “This will not impact our decision in the draft—not one iota.

Union against more structuring of rookie deals (Yahoo! Sports)
The NFLPA continues to hear – and balks – at the notion that rookie contracts have gotten out of hand.

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