The Stanford defense took a big shot today when a school spokesman announced that starting strong safety Delano Howell would not be playing during the Cardinal’s Saturday game against the Washington Huskies.

Through the first six games of the 2011 season, Howell has been a big playmaker in the defensive backfield for Stanford. Arguably the strongest link in the Cardinal secondary, the senior safety has racked up 25 tackles and four defended passes this season.

Howell, who’s dealing with a hand injury, will be replaced by sophomore Devon Carrington. So far this season, Carrington has tallied 19 total tackles and one defended pass while seeing action in a backup role. He has played in all six games this season and will get his first start against Washington.

As of right now, Howell is week-to-week and could miss more than just the Washington game if he can’t Keep Reading…

The New York Giants’ offseason was filled with negative headline after negative headline: from numerous injuries, to Osi Umenyorias contract, to key FA losses. None seemed to leave a bigger hole at a position than the departure of Kevin Boss to Oakland.

Most Giants fans, including myself, looked to free agency, then the waiver wire for Boss’s replacement to arrive, but no one ever came. Instead, the Giants front office and coaches kept their faith in 2010 undrafted free agent Jake Ballard. I myself had given Ballard a 7th round grade: I thought he could stick as a blocking third TE because of his 6’6″ 280-pound frame. While I had a higher grade than most, I never expected him to be starting in the NFL, let alone contributing in this manner.

Through six game games, Ballard has 15 catches for 273 yards and 2 Touchdowns. On the Keep Reading…

Guest post by Kyle Howe of NFLDraftGeek.com.

It is always interesting to see how a Draft Expert’s projections turn out, and we here are very intrigued by this years class of rookies. Every week we give you the top 5 players in the hunt for Rookie of the Year on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. Click here for the Defensive Rankings.

1. Cam Newton- QB Carolina Panthers

Newton had his first game in which he threw for under 400 yards this past week against the Jags. Much of that can be attributed to the fact that the Panthers and Jaguars played their game on a field that resembled the Florida Everglades for much of the game. Completing passes would have been difficult for anyone.

However, Expect Newton to have more “humanly” statistical performances like he did against the Jags, and less like Keep Reading…

Which USC Trojans have seen their stocks surge or precipitously slide during the last couple weeks? Eric Stoner takes a look in his Trojan Draft Stock Watch.

Have thoughts or questions about Eric’s breakdown? Make sure to share them in the comments section below or over at the Draft Breakdown message board.

After breaking down a couple weeks’ worth of tape, Ryan Lownes provides us a look at his updated & expanded Big Board.

Thoughts or questions about Ryan’s rankings? Be sure to drop a note in the comments below or over at the Draft Breakdown message board.

#

Name

Position

School

Class

Stock

1

Andrew Luck

QB

Stanford

Jr.

—

2

Matt Kalil

OT

USC

Jr.

—

3

Vontaze Burfict

ILB

Arizona State

Jr.

—

4

Landry Jones

QB

Oklahoma

Jr.

—

5

Alshon Jeffery

WR

South Carolina

Jr.

—

6

Trent Richardson

RB

Alabama

Jr.

—

7

Quinton Coples

DE

North Carolina

Sr.

—

Keep Reading…