I arrived in Owings Mills, Md., with a simple goal for my impending story. Understand why the Ravens select the players they do in the draft. I came away with a lot more than that. After an insightful conversation with ultra-respected GM Ozzie Newsome, I think I get it. I think I understand why they are always competitive and why their players look like they’d play for free. The Ravens scout passion. As Newsome told me, while watching tape they take their eye off the ball and watch how players move when they are not involved in a play — and they learn whether a guy is going through the motions or just lives it. For those with supreme passion, […]

The Ravens just finished up a session of rookie mini-camp here in scenic Owings Mills, Md., and a big topic of conversation was Courtney Upshaw. The second-rounder from Alabama, the Ravens highest draft pick, will be expected to come in and compete. That was the deal anyway.

The Baltimore Ravens were already excited with second-round pick Courtney Upshaw. But with LB Terrell Suggs tearing his Achilles’ tendon Thursday, the team will count on the Alabama product even more than expected.

More time to kill, more time to kill… Well, this is getting closer. And as the kickoff clock to the NFL Draft ticks and ticks away, the focus is coming clearer. Yeah, this could be a crazy night. The rookie wage scale and some differing opinions on the strength of this class will lead to a slightly wacky experience. As you might expect, I have some predictions… Here are five things that could, maybe, possible, probably happen: 1. The Dolphins will take QB Ryan Tannehill – This has been smokescreen central. Loved it when personnel guys with the Jaguars publicly said everyone knew the Dolphins were picking the Texas A&M QB. Um, not quite. Even Tannehill hasn’t been told the Dolphins […]

Step aside, “The U.” Alabama is new premier NFL prospect factory. The national champion Crimson Tide is expected to have five players drafted in the first round Thursday night, which would be only the fifth time that has happened since the common draft began in 1967.

Trent Richardson, Mark Barron and Courtney Upshaw stood out at Alabama’s pro day on Thursday.

After watching Alabama’s pro day, Bucky Brooks explains what makes Trent Richardson so special, and breaks down the performances of Mark Barron and Courtney Upshaw.

Top RB prospect Trent Richardson posted 40-yard dash times in the 4.45-to-4.49-second range at Alabama’s pro day on Thursday according to NFL draft analyst Bucky Brooks.

Alabama cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick solidified his high first-round grade at Wednesday’s pro day.

Whether Courtney Upshaw winds up at linebacker or defensive end in the NFL largely will depend on where he goes in April’s draft, but no matter. After four seasons under coach Nick Saban at Alabama, Upshaw feels prepared.

Here’s a list of players who made good first impressions with me after watching them practice up close all week at the Senior Bowl.

The first day of padded practices for the Senior Bowl took place Tuesday, providing the first real look at some of the top prospects who will play in Saturday’s showcase game. Here are five observations coming out of the two practice sessions between the North and South teams.