Geno Smith fired his agents four days after falling to the second round of the NFL Draft. (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

While Geno Smith has declared that his decision to fire his agents was not a result of his dropping to the second round of the draft, sources from NFL teams have revealed other reasons why one of the draft’s highest-rated quarterbacks found himself stuck in the green room Thursday night.

Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports reports via sources that Smith acted aloof, disengaged and displayed a general bad attitude during pre-draft meetings. Sources were critical of Smith spending much of his visits on the phone, reading Twitter and texting friends.

From Yahoo! Sports:

“All these other players who were in there were talking to the coaches, trying to get to know people and he was over there by himself,” one source said. “That’s not what you want out of your quarterback.”

“He doesn’t have much presence, not much of a leader,” one executive who studied Smith said. “I don’t think he’s a bad person, but that’s not enough to be a quarterback in this league.”

Cole’s report also includes reports of Smith, two days before the draft, toasting and thanking his agents, calling them “family” and saying they would represent him his entire career.

“His biggest problem is that he doesn’t know what he doesn’t know,” said a league executive, who spent extensive time assessing Smith before the draft. “I’m not sure he knows how to take instruction because he pretty much wouldn’t listen or talk to our coaches … he’s talented. He can sling it, he can fit it into tight spots, he can do a lot of things and I think he wants to be good. But you can’t tell him anything right now. He’s tuned out because he thinks he’s got it all down.”

Deadspin’s Barry Petchesky cited a person close to Smith as saying his decision to fire his agents was based on the agency’s failure to successfully promote his value when it became apparent he might fall out of the first round. Smith was also unhappy with the negative fallout from not playing in the Senior Bowl — a decision his agents pushed.

Smith, taken by the Jets in the second round, said his goal is to become the team’s “franchise quarterback” but realizes that he has a lot of work to do.

The Chiefs are still looking to trade tackle Branden Albert. (George Gojkovich/Getty Images)

The Kansas City Chiefs still believe they can trade offensive tackle Branden Albert, despite the fact that the team was unable to close a deal before or during the NFL draft.

Yahoo Sports’ Jason Cole reported Sunday that the Chiefs will now turn trade talks to a 2014 draft pick. Cole reported that the Chiefs still think they could acquire a second-round pick in the 2014 draft in exchange for Albert, who is unhappy with his status as the team’s franchise player and has expressed a desire to sign a long-term deal.

The Chiefs could get interest from the San Diego Chargers, Detroit Lions, and Arizona Cardinals, according to Cole, because they all still have needs for offensive tackles even after the draft.

The Miami Dolphins could also get back in the mix after being the Chiefs’ most serious potential trade partner in the last round of negotiations. The Dolphins said they were willing to meet Albert’s contract demands, which were similar to the six-year, $53.4 million extension that was signed by Houston Texans tackle Duane Brown last year.

The Dolphins, though, shelved a potential trade with the Chiefs when they shipped a high second-round pick to the Oakland Raiders in order to select Dion Jordan with the third overall pick.

Albert, 28, has signed a franchise tender worth $9.82 million next season, but he has not participated in the Chiefs’ voluntary offseason program.

Two days after New York Jets general manager John Idzik would not say whether much-maligned starting quarterback Mark Sanchez would remain on the team through training camp, Newsday’s Bob Glauber reported that the team intends to keep him at least through the preseason.

Glauber also reported that the Jets will give Sanchez a shot to compete for the starting job, along with former Jaguars quarterback David Garrard and the newly drafted Geno Smith.

Glauber’s report isn’t particularly surprising. But after the Jets selected Smith in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft, Idzik wouldn’t say if Sanchez would remain on the roster through training camp — or even throughout organized team activities.

The Jets, though, have no reason to part ways with Sanchez at this point. Thanks to the contract extension he signed after the Jets failed to court Peyton Manning last year, they will have to pay him $8.25 million this season whether he is on their roster or not.

League source: #Jets expected to retain QB Mark Sanchez into preseason, let him compete for starting job. Sanchez to show up for work tomw.

— Bob Glauber (@BobGlauber) April 28, 2013

Alabama coach Nick Saban isn’t happy with the media making an immediate comparison of Dee Milliner and Darrelle Revis. Milliner, Saban’s former cornerback, was selected ninth by the Jets in the NFL Draft on Thursday night. Milliner as a replacement to the recently departed Revis is on everyone’s mind, which doesn’t sit well with Saban.

From ProFootballTalk’s report:

“I can already tell the tone of what you all are doing,” Saban told reporters. “What’s Revis got to do with Dee Milliner coming here? Just let Dee Milliner be Dee Milliner. Let Dee Milliner play like Dee Milliner plays. Whether Revis used to play there or not, what’s that got to do with Dee Milliner? Why do you want to make comparisons and make it like a circumstance for the guy before he ever gets a chance to go on the field? I think Dee has a vision for the kind of player that he wants to be, and I think he’ll be a very, very good player for a long time.”

Saban told the media that comparing Milliner to Revis, who was recently traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, would be counterproductive for Milliner and the team.

“People have a much better chance of helping Dee Milliner be successful by being positive and supportive rather than being difficult on him,” Saban said.

While it’s true that it would be better for New York to see Milliner as a new cornerback — and a top 10 pick — fans will undoubtedly consider Milliner the heir apparent to Revis.

Former LSU cornerback and NFL Draft prospect Tharold Simon was arrested in Louisiana Thursday night for allegedly intimidating a police officer, reports KATC, Lafayette, La. television station.

Simon is expected to be selected in the mid to late rounds of this weekend’s NFL Draft. Simon started all 13 games at cornerback last season for the Tigers, leading the team in pass breakups with nine and in interceptions with four. He also finished with 45 tackles.

Eunice, La. city officials are scheduled to proclaim Friday “Tharold Simon Day” during a ceremony this evening. Eunice Mayor Rusty Moody says the ceremony will go on as planned. ”In the United States, our justice system says everyone is innocent until proven guilty,” Moody said.

More from KATC:

According to police records, Tharold Simon’s car was blocking Beulah Street when an officer asked him to move it. According to the report, Simon told the officer, “I own Eunice,” and “I’m gonna buy these projects and you are gonna be mine,” (sic) before finally moving his vehicle. The officer noted in the report that Simon spun his wheels and “backed the vehicle in an aggressive manner” and turned his radio “all the way up” while moving his car. The report also says Simon told the officer that “the mayor was on [his] side” and that the officer would be fired if he wrote a ticket. Simon is charged with public intimidation, resisting an officer, and unnecessary noise violation. He was released on bond.

West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith was left waiting in the the NFL Draft green room at the end of Thursday night’s first round. Will he go early in the second round? Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News tweeted the Jets will consider selecting Smith with the seventh pick of the second round, No. 39 overall.

Smith told the New York Post the Jets were among the teams interested in him, after having dinner with the Jets’ offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg and senior personnel evaluator Terry Bradway the night before his March 14 Pro Day at West Virginia.

The Jaguars, holding the first pick of the second round, Eagles and Cardinals are also considered to be interested in drafting a quarterback in the second round.

BURKE: Grading every first-round pick

Smith originally told ESPN he would not be around to take the stage at Radio City Music Hall on Friday, electing not to attend the second and third rounds. ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted Smith changed his mind Friday morning.

BANKS: Snap judgments on Draft day

Jets will take a good, hard look at Geno Smith today. #NYJ has seventh pick of the 2nd round (No. 39 overall)—
Manish Mehta (@MMehtaNYDN) April 26, 2013

West Virginia QB Geno Smith has decided to remain in New York and will be attending the draft tonight in Radio City Music Hall.—
Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 26, 2013

The Dolphins reportedly are willing to meet Branden Albert’s contract demands. (George Gojkovich/Getty Images)

The anticipated Dolphins-Chiefs trade involving Chiefs left tackle Branden Albert has been tabled until after both team make their first-round selections in Thursday’s NFL Draft, according to ESPN.com.

Albert, 28, has signed a franchise tender worth $9.82 million next season but has held out of the Chiefs’ voluntary offseason program under new head coach Andy Reid. Albert reportedly wants a contract paying between $8 and $9 million per season in a long-term deal.

Albert has been linked to the Dolphins — who are reportedly prepared to meet his contract demands — after Miami refused to match the Rams’ $8.5 million offer to tackle Jake Long.

The Chiefs reportedly are looking for a second-round pick as compensation in a potential trade and the Dolphins have two picks available to deal.

The Chiefs are expected to make Albert expendable after selecting Central Michigan’s Eric Fisher or Texas A&M’s Luke Joeckel with the first pick of the draft — that is looking more and more to be Fisher.

The Kansas City Chiefs reportedly have made their choice between offensive tackles Eric Fisher and Luke Joeckel.

Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram tweeted that the Chiefs have informed Joeckel that they will take Fisher with the first overall pick of the NFL Draft.

ProFootballTalk.com reports the Chiefs will take Fisher per a source with knowledge of the team’s plans.

BURKE: More rumors on NFL Draft day

Joeckel apparently has been told by KC that Fisher is their pick.—
Charean Williams (@NFLCharean) April 25, 2013

Chiefs will take LT Eric Fisher with the first pick in the draft, per source with knowledge of the team's plans.—
  (@ProFootballTalk) April 25, 2013

Oregon linebacker Dion Jordan and Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner are expected to open training camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The two are among the highest rated defensive players of this year’s draft, and both underwent surgeries for torn labrums during the offseason.

For Milliner, it was his fifth surgery, which may affect his draft stock. His other surgeries include a right knee scope, sports hernia, right tibia stress fracture, and shoulder.  The Browns and Jets have both shown interest in the cornerback, and the Jets may look to use Milliner as a replacement for the recently traded Darrelle Revis.

Oregon LB Dion Jordan and Alabama CB Dee Milliner, who underwent off-season labrum surgery, are expected to open training camp on PUP list.—
Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 25, 2013

Former LSU cornerback Tyrann Mathieu is rethinking his “first round draft party”.

Earlier Wednesday, someone promoting the 2013 NFL Draft Party featuring first round draft pick Tyrann Mathieu hit the web, and by mid-afternoon, the “Honey Badger” was backpedaling from that party like a good cornerback should.

He later tweeted out a response that said he was not associated with the party.  But the tweet came from his official Twitter account.

“No, it’s crazy. I don’t understand it. It was a miscommunication, that’s all. … I never signed off on the party,” Mathieu said to reporters at the NFL Draft party on Wednesday night. ”I expect to go in the first round, yes I do. I think I’m a first round talent. But I think l’ll fall to the second.”

He has not shown up in any of the draft experts mock drafts as a first-round talent, and is expected to be a second or third rounder.

There will be no party for Tyrann Mathieu!!—
Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) April 24, 2013

Kansas City Chiefs general manager John Dorsey says the organization has fielded phone calls from teams willing to trade up to the No. 1 spot, reports NFL.com.

The Chiefs own the top pick in the NFL Draft, which starts tomorrow night. Dorsey did not say which teams have inquired about the pick.

The team is also trying to decide what to do with left tackle Branden Albert.  Dorsey confirmed that the Miami Dolphins and the Chiefs are stalled on a deal because they are trying to work out compensation.

More from NFL.com:

The guess here is that teams in search of an elite offensive tackle such as the Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins and San Diego Chargers have called to get a better idea of the Chiefs’ asking price.

Dorsey obviously hasn’t received an offer to his liking. It’s a long shot that he will get one that entices him to pull the trigger by Thursday evening. It’s expected that the Chiefs will keep the pick and choose either Texas A&M offensive tackle Luke Joeckel or Central Michigan offensive tackle Eric Fisher.

Hall of Famer Warren Moon spent six years in CFL before getting a chance to quarterback in NFL. (Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

Warren Moon believes criticism directed at NFL draft prospect Geno Smith is evidence that bias against black quarterbacks remains prevalent.

Moon, who was forced to play six years in the Canadian Football League before proving he could be a record-setting NFL passer and Hall of Famer told Jarrett Bell of USA Today Smith is another example of a black quarterback being victimized by his race.

“It sounds the same as two years ago,” Moon told USA Today. “It just shows that there are a lot of people in society who have the biases and stereotypes. And most of it is about your integrity or leadership or work ethic — all of these intangible things.”

A recent Pro Football Weekly scouting report on the draft’s top quarterback prospects downgraded Smith — widely predicted to be the first quarterback selected in Thursday’s first round — was critical in many areas, describing him as ”a cross between Akili Smith and Aaron Brooks.”

“Not a student of the game.  Nonchalant field presence — does not command respect from teammates and cannot inspire.  Mild practice demeanor — no urgency.  Not committed or focused — marginal work ethic.”

Smith, who passed for more than 8,500 yards and 73 touchdowns with just 13 interceptions in his last two seasons at West Virginia, defended himself against the report by saying the evaluation was “untrue in all things.”

Many NFL draft analysts came out to defend Smith’s talents and potential.

“The Pro Football Weekly report should be discarded,” Trent Dilfer told USA Today. “It’s almost laughable, the stuff he put in there.”

The Jets are reportedly interested in quarterback Ryan Nassib. (Nate Shron/Getty Images Sport)

Jets offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg is “very high” on quarterback Ryan Nassib, ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio reported Wednesday (via Rotoworld).

Nassib, out of Syracuse, is one of the top prospects in what experts say is a weak quarterback class. Most mock drafts have West Virginia’s Geno Smith as the first quarterback off the board. Nassib, USC’s Matt Barkley, Florida State’s E.J. Manuel and NC State’s Mike Glennon are also expected to go in the first three rounds of this week’s draft.

The Buffalo Bills have been linked with Nassib from the beginning of the draft process. Nassib’s college coach, Doug Marrone, was just hired as Buffalo’s coach.

KING: Breaking down the quarterback class

Initially, it looked like Buffalo might be able to wait until the second round to pick the quarterback, if they are interested in him. But Nassib’s stock seems to be rising, and the Bills may need to act sooner.

“The Buffalo Bills want Ryan Nassib,” Paolantonio reported. “But they’re very concerned the Jets will take him later in the first round. So the Bills may be forced to take him at No. 8.”

The Jets, with the No. 9 and No. 13 picks in the first round, have a lot of options — and a lot of needs. The team’s interest in Nassib could be sincere. Mark Sanchez struggled last season, and general manager John Idzik may think the team needs a new quarterback to start the rebuilding process.

DEITSCH: ESPN, NFL Network unveil NFL draft plans

But this could also be a smokescreen from the Jets. This close to the draft, it can be hard to tell what’s true. The Jets may be leaking their supposed interest in Nassib to try to pressure Buffalo into selecting him with the No. 8 pick. If Buffalo did pick Nassib there — and the Jets weren’t actually interested in the quarterback — New York’s chances of getting the players they want with their two first-round picks would increase.

Geno Smith took to Twitter to slams his critics. (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Former West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith took to social media on Tuesday afternoon to once again slam draft critics who said he won’t make it in the NFL and who also criticized his skills and work ethic.

Smith is referring to a report in Pro Football Weekly published earlier this month that described him as ”a cross between Akili Smith and Aaron Brooks, Smith is a gimmick, overhyped product of the system lacking the football savvy, work habits and focus to cement a starting job and could drain energy from a QB room.”

Smith said the report was ”untrue in all things.”

The unflattering report also said Smith had a mild practice demeanor, no urgency and that he was not committed or focused and had a marginal work ethic.

Smith is expected to be one of the first quarterbacks taken in the Draft which starts Thursday.

Just want to thank all those so called "experts" who say I can't be an NFL QB. Thursday will be a special day but the work has only begun—
Eugene Geno Smith (@GenoSmith_12) April 23, 2013

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will be joined by a St. Jude cancer patient during one first-round pick of the draft. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

A cancer patient at St. Jude hospital in Memphis will announce a draft pick during the first round of this year’s NFL draft, reports Outkick the Coverage.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is a leader in finding cures and treating children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases. The hospital has had an ongoing partnership with the NFL, and one patient will join NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on stage during the draft.

Former USC quarterback Matt Barkley and future draft pick visited the hospital and spoke about the experience. From the Outkick the Coverage report:

“The research they’ve been doing with cancer and other diseases, it’s unbelievable,” Barkley said, “And to see the actual healing that’s going on with kids and to see how joyful these kids are knowing that a cure’s in sight, it’s been very encouraging.”

The draft will take place at Radio City Music Hall on Thursday.

The Miami Dolphins are prepared to meet the contract demands of offensive tackle Branden Albert, for whom they are looking to trade before this week’s NFL Draft.

NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reported that the Dolphins are willing to give Albert a similar contract  to the six-year, $53.4 million extension that was signed by Houston Texans tackle Duane Brown last year.

That stands in contrast to a report Sunday that said the deal was on the verge of falling apart unless Albert lowered his demands. The Dolphins refused to match a deal the St. Louis Rams gave to tackle Jake Long, which pays about $8.5 million per season.

Albert, 28, has signed a franchise tender worth $9.82 million next season, but he has not participated in the Chiefs’ voluntary offseason program. The Chiefs are looking for a second-round pick as compensation in a potential trade, and the Dolphins have two.

From TA: My understanding is #Dolphins are willing to meet Branden Albert’s contract demands of similar $$ to Duane Brown. Waiting on KC

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 22, 2013

Darrelle Revis saluted Jets fans on Twitter Sunday night,  hours after the team finalized a trade to send the star cornerback to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for this year’s 13th overall pick in the NFL Draft and another selection next year.

The full message is below:

“Ibeen sitting around for the last hour trying to figure out what to say to the Jet Nation & I came up with this. The six years I played for the New York Jets were unbelievable. I put my body on the line everyday & did everything could to help the team win. I experienced a lot & & learned a lot. The memories I had in New York I will keep dearly to my heart. I want to thank all the jets fans for making me feel welcome.”

Not everyone in the Revis camp was as sentimental after his departure. One source close to Revis told the New York Daily News’ Manish Mehta that the “organization is not committed to winning.”

Here are Revis’ tweets:

I been sitting around for the last hour trying to figure out what to say to the Jet Nation & I came up with this. The six years I played for

— Darrelle Revis (@Revis24) April 21, 2013

the New York Jets were unbelievable. I put my body on the line everyday & did everything could to help the team win. I experienced a lot &

— Darrelle Revis (@Revis24) April 21, 2013

& learned a lot. The memories I had in New York I will keep dearly to my heart. I want to thank all the jets fans for making me feel welcome

— Darrelle Revis (@Revis24) April 21, 2013

Branden Albert is reportedly seeking a contract of $8 million to $9 million annually. (Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images)

Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Branden Albert is seeking between $8 million and $9 million annually in a new contract, complicating a potential trade to the Miami Dolphins ahead of this week’s NFL Draft.

Yahoo Sports’ Jason Cole reported Sunday that a trade would only happen if Albert, who is currently signed to a one-year franchise tender, brings down his contract demands significantly. The Dolphins refused to match a deal the St. Louis Rams gave to tackle Jake Long, which pays about $8.5 million per season.

The Chiefs are looking to swing a deal with the Dolphins for a second-round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. But Cole points out that the move would seem “counterintuitive” for the Dolphins given Albert’s current demands, since they just let Long walk away in free agency for less money:

To overpay for Albert and give up a second-round pick to get him would be pretty questionable for the Dolphins. Then again, the idea of having Jonathan Martin at left tackle could force the Dolphins to panic.

Albert, 28, has signed a franchise tender worth $9.82 million next season, but he has not participated in the Chiefs’ voluntary offseason program.

Adam Schefter of ESPN has put names to two players linked to reports of trashing a Indianapolis hotel room during the NFL Combine in February.

Schefter reports via Twitter that the room belonged to Clemson wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and Rutgers wide receiver Mark Harrison.

Dan Pompeii of National Football Post initially reported the incident on Sunday.

On Monday, Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports reported confirmation of the trashed room from NFL Football Scouting president Jeff Foster. The report described conditions that included urine and feces scattered about the bathroom, toothpaste on the mirror and garbage, including partially eaten food left on the bed and throughout the room.

The players to whom the room was registered have denied their involvement to NFL team representatives who have questioned them at their respective pro days, according to Foster and other sources close to the situation.

Foster said both agents for the respective players called shortly after their players had checked out of the room to give their denials. When Yahoo! Sports contacted two agents who were identified as the athletes’ representatives, the agents denied their players were involved. There’s a belief that such an embarrassing situation coming up so close to the draft could significantly impact their player’s draft status.

Hopkins, considered a high first-round prospect, has dealt with tragedy before starring at Clemson.

A trashed hotel room at Indy scouting combine that Yahoo reported on belonged to Clemson WR DeAndre Hopkins and Rutgers WR Mark Harrison.—
Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 18, 2013

BYU’s Ziggy Ansah is expected to be a first-round pick. (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

There have been questions about BYU defensive end Ziggy Ansah’s age since he had a breakout season in 2012.

ESPN.com is reporting that Ansah’s listed age of 23 has been the focus of some NFL personnel departments.

A copy of his passport that was sent to teams last week shows Ansah will be 24 on May 29. Ansah had 60 tackles with 4.5 sacks and one interception last season for the Cougars. The 6-foot-5, 271 pounder is expected to be a first-round pick in next week’s NFL Draft.

More from ESPN.com:

The Ghana passport was issued on March 1, 2008, the same year Ansah traveled to the United States after being converted as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to attend BYU, the Mormon-based college in Provo, Utah.

Some scouts have stated privately that Ansah appears older than 23, but the same scouts have not indicated if it was a major stumbling block to his draft rating.

The NFL has plans to beef up its security for the draft at Radio City Music Hall. (Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

For the next week, the NFL will be reviewing and enhancing its security plans for the draft in light of the recent event in Boston, reports ProFootballTalk. The draft is scheduled to begin next Thursday, April 25 and will take place at Radio City Music Hall in New York.

From the ProFootballTalk report:

“The NFL and its clubs have operated with a very high level of security since 9/11 for all of our games and events,” NFL spokesman Greg Aiello tells PFT via email. “For next week’s NFL Draft, we will review and enhance our already comprehensive security plans with the NYPD, Radio City and our private security partners. We will advise the public more specifically next week prior to the Draft.”

A red carpet arrival is now a part of the draft, and people often line up near Radio City Music Hall to watch draft picks and others enter, creating the need for careful security.

The Dolphins have reportedly been impressed with Oklahoma tackle Lane Johnson. (R. Yeatts/Getty Images

The Miami Dolphins have 11 picks in the NFL Draft that is less than two weeks away, and have the No. 12 pick in the first round.

Don’t be surprised to see them jump up to try to secure a top three spot.

Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland said this week that his team could trade up if they wanted to and could secure the No. 1 overall pick, which held by the Kansas City Chiefs.

“I’ve got enough ammunition to get to the first pick if I wanted to, but I don’t see myself doing that, personally,” Ireland said to the Palm Beach Post. “If I get another [Mike] Pouncey and another Jake Long, I would do it every draft. I wish I had a whole team full of Mike Pounceys and Jake Longs, to be honest with you. I know what I’m getting every single day with those guys.”

The team lost left tackle Jake Long to the St. Louis Rams in free agency, but the Dolphins could be on the lookout for a new offensive tackle. Texas A&M’s Luke Joeckel, Central Michigan’s Eric Fisher  Oklahoma’s Lane Johnson figure to go high in the first round in the Draft, which starts April 25.

Manti Te’o has seen his NFL draft stock fall after a disappointing BCS Championship Game and the scandal surrounding his fake girlfriend. (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Manti Te’o is on the Dolphins’ draft radar, at least to the point of bringing in the former Notre Dame linebacker as one of their 30 official visits.

Ben Volin of the Palm Beach Post reports Te’o is traveling to South Florida to visit the Dolphins facility Wednesday evening and Thursday.

Te’o was considered a high first-round prospect before suffering through a poor performance against Alabama in the BCS Championship Game and the scandal surrounding his fake girlfriend. A less than impressive showing at the NFL Combine didn’t help his stock, but he reportedly has added the Dolphins to his list of visits that includes the Bears, Chargers and Lions.

SI.com’s Don Banks’ latest mock draft has Te’o going off the board at No. 25.

The Dolphins roster already features linebackers Dannell Ellerbe and Philip Wheeler, but Volin reports the team could draft Te’o to compete with Koa Misi for the third linebacker spot.

The Buccaneers/Darrelle Revis saga could be solved by the NFL Draft. (Nick Laham/Getty Images Sport)

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are willing to trade the No. 13 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft to the New York Jets in exchange for All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis, but the Jets are looking for a lot more compensation, reports ProFootballtalk.com.

Revis has been the subject of trade talks the entire offseason as he has been looking for a long-term deal. Revis signed a four-year, $46 million contract in 2010, which contained $32.5 million guaranteed.  Starting in 2014, the next three years of his contract are voidable.

The Buccaneers have a loosely, self-imposed deadline of about a week before the draft to complete a trade for Revis, reports the Tampa Bay Times.

From ProFootballTalk:

Multiple sources with knowledge of the situation tell PFT that the Buccaneers are willing to send the 13th overall pick in the 2013 draft to the Jets for Revis.  The Jets, however, want “a lot more” than this year’s first-round pick, we’re told.

It’s unclear what else the Jets want.  Last month, the Vikings got a first-round pick in 2013, a seventh-round pick in 2013, and a third-round pick in 2014 for receiver Percy Harvin.  It’s possible the Jets want that, or something close to it.

The three-day NFL Draft starts Thursday, April 25.

BURKE: NFL Draft Big Board 4.0 | BANKS: NFL Mock Draft 4.0
KING: Shaky QBs Complicate Draft Day

Matt Barkley announced on his Twitter that he is heading to Cleveland and Buffalo for team visits. It would seem natural for a well-known draft pick to visit teams with top 10 draft picks, but Barkley has likely slid past that range.

What’s more, one NFL GM told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that he predicts the QB draft prospects “are going to fall like logs.” The Cardinals, Raiders and Bills, all previously lacking the in the quarterback department, have recently made moves to rectify that. The Jets and Jaguars could possibly draft quarterbacks, unless the teams instead choose to stay confident in their starters.

The Cardinals worked out Barkley, but their coach admitted he’s not in consideration for their first pick. Arizona’s second pick is 38th overall, a possibility for Barkley that hasn’t been ruled out yet.

The Bills are more determined to draft a quarterback for the future, making Barkley’s Buffalo visit more reasonable.

An AFC executive recently compared Barkley to Chad Pennington, who went 18th overall in 2000. From the Yahoo! Sports report:

“[Matt Barkley] has all the intangibles you could imagine,” the executive said. “You couldn’t ask for a better kid or a harder worker. But he just doesn’t have the arm on the deep stuff. … That’s what people said about Pennington (in 2000).”

Generally, quarterback draft picks go higher than expected, but the 2013 quarterback draft prospects have been widely acknowledged as a lowly regarded draft class.

Heading off to Cleveland and Buffalo this morning for team visits—
Matthew Barkley (@MattBarkley) April 08, 2013

After AZ, OAK and BUF each made QB moves last week, one NFL GM predicted "these quarterbacks in this draft are going to fall like logs."—
Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 08, 2013

Trade talks between the Jets and Buccaneers for Darrelle Revis have hit a speed bump. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Trade talks between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Jets for star cornerback Darrelle Revis appear to have hit an impasse, as the Buccaneers are growing frustrated with the pace of negotiations.

Citing three sources, Yahoo Sports’ Jason Cole reported Sunday of the roadblock between the Jets and Buccaneers, who appear to be the only serious trade partner for Revis.

From Cole’s report:

The Buccaneers are not only willing to trade a combination of a first-, third- and sixth-round picks for Revis, they are also willing to pay the corner in the area of $15-16 million per year on a long-term contract.

Idzik, who did not return a text message sent to him by Yahoo! Sports, has been coy about trading Revis. He has repeatedly said he is not “actively” trying to trade Revis, though multiple teams have said he is willing to listen to offers.

At this point, the Bucs or any other team interested in having Revis long-term may simply wait until he becomes a free agent in the offseason rather than trade for him.

Cole’s report came on the same day ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini reported on another developing rift between Revis and the Jets. The team is insisting that they will enforce language in Revis’ contract that only provides him with bonus money if he participates in the Jets’ offseason conditioning program.

According to Cimini’s report, Revis wants to stay in Arizona, where he has been rehabbing his surgically repaired knee with his personal trainer. He would like to avoid any distractions that come with a trip to the Jets’ training facility. But he is expected to participate in order to collect $3 million in bonus money.

USC quarterback Matt Barkley does not plan to attend the NFL Draft in April. However, he is reportedly working out privately with the Arizona Cardinals. (Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

USC quarterback Matt Barkley doesn’t plan to attend the NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 25, reports ProFootballTalk:

Per a source with knowledge of the situation, Barkley has decided not to accept an invitation to attend.  Barkley has opted instead to spend the evening his family and friends that night.

Some will suspect that he also decided not to risk a long night in the green room for round one, and then a return for the second evening of the draft.

Barkley separated his shoulder in a game against UCLA in November which ended his season. However, he quelled concerns about his throwing ability at USC’s Pro Day and is also scheduled for a private workout with the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday, according to ESPN:

Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians and general manager Steve Keim are scheduled to hold a private workout Saturday at USC for quarterback Matt Barkley, a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

Geno Smith says a negative scouting report questioning his football IQ and work ethic is not true. (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Former West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith took exception to a report by Pro Football Weekly that ripped his work ethic, football IQ and leadership.

The report also said that Smith ”interviewed poorly with teams at the combine and did not show an understanding of concepts on the white board.”

Smith is expected to be a low-round selection during the NFL Draft later this month. He said he isn’t worried about people talking bad about his body of work.

“It’s untrue in all things,” Smith told USA TODAY. “I heard about it (Monday) night when my quarterbacks coach called me to tell me about it. You’re going to get an extremely hard-working, character guy. I don’t get in trouble. I’m not a flashy guy. Once I get into an organization, I’m going to work morning to night to lead my team ultimately to win Super Bowls. That’s really my lifelong dream.”

Smith went 26-13 as the starter at West Virginia in his career, and his senior year at the school completed 71 percent of his passes for 4,205 yards with 42 touchdowns and six interceptions.

While the dust has mostly settled on Manti Te’o's fake online girlfriend saga, the former Notre Dame linebacker and Heisman Trophy finalist is not anxious to have his media presence extend beyond taking a real phone call from the NFL team that drafts him.

Te’o is opting out of television cameras monitoring his every movement on draft day, turning down two invitations to wait for his selection in the NFL Draft Green Room in Radio City Music Hall, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Rapoport adds that Te’o's camp may have considered having him come to New York if he was certain to be a top-10 pick, but that doesn’t appear to be the case.

Te’o's stock has dropped since he ran a disappointing 4.82 40 time at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis in February. His slightly improved time Tuesday at Notre Dame’s Pro Day isn’t likely to improve his stock or make teams on the fence take the 6-foot-1, 241-pounder early in the first round.

Te’o's representatives know full well how easily the NFL Draft Green Room can become a den of disappointment in front of a leering national television audience, with notable examples being Aaron Rodgers in 2005 and Brady Quinn in 2007.

#NotreDame LB Manti Te'o has turned down 2 invitations to be in New York City's Radio City Music Hall for the 2013 NFL Draft, per sources—
Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 26, 2013

Unclear where Manti Te'o will watch the draft. It won't be from NYC, I'm told. Belief was unless he's a Top 10 pick, he wouldn't be in NY—
Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 26, 2013

Georgia linebacker Jarvis Jones told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s D. Orlando Ledbetter that he thought he was the top player in the NFL draft after performing at Georgia’s Pro Day workout on Thursday. Jones chose not to work out at the Scouting Combine in February, deciding to focus on Georgia’s Pro Day instead.

He started his career at USC and then transferred after doctors recommended that he quit football due to spinal stenosis. Jones also had ankle, groin and shoulder injuries that hampered him during the 2012 season. The 6-foot-3-inch, 241-pound linebacker ran a 4.85 40-yard dash, according to Marc Weiszer.

He says he has visits scheduled with the Chiefs, Eagles and Lions, all of whom have Top 5 draft picks.

Jarvis Jones said: "At the end of the day I think I'm the number one player."—
D. Orlando Ledbetter (@AJCFalcons) March 21, 2013

I had Jarvis Jones second 40 at 4.85. Ogletree best was 4.53 and Rambo 4.50.—
Marc Weiszer (@marcweiszer) March 21, 2013

Tyrann Mathieu said he has put his drug use behind him. (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Former LSU defensive back Tyrann Mathieu said Thursday morning on NFL Network that he no longer considers his history of drug use to be a priority over football.

Nicknamed the “Honey Badger” in college, Mathieu made the comments before the NFL Draft kicks off at the end of April. He declared for the Draft in November after being dismissed by the Tigers in August because he failed a drug test. He had entered a drug rehab program following his dismissal, but was arrested for marijuana possession a few months later in October.  Bo Bahnsen, the Athletic Director for the school, said following his dismissal that Mathieu is “permanently ineligible” from playing at LSU again.

The 2012 Heisman Trophy finalist said on Thursday morning that quitting has been a “big struggle” but insists he has moved past it:

“All the things I put before football in the past, it’s not fun anymore — marijuana and everything you put before football is obsolete now.”

In a recap of the interview from ProFootballTalk.com, Mathieu said the biggest concern NFL coaches had with him at the Scouting Combine in February was the reason he got kicked out of school. He said everyone knows what he did, but he thinks NFL officials wanted to see how honest he would be when confronted by them about the situation:

“It probably was, ‘Why did you get kicked out of school?’ which I think they already knew but I think they want to hear you say it.”

South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney cannot play in the NFL until he is three years removed from high school, according to NFL rules. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney is doing everything he can to protect himself from the risks that come with playing his junior season with potential NFL money on the line.

The 20-year-old — who cannot enter this year’s NFL draft due to eligibility rules, although many believe he would be the top pick — has taken out the maximum $5 million life insurance policy with the NCAA “to protect against any future earnings lost to injury,” USA Today‘s Paul Myerberg is reporting.

But the policy only covers career-ending injuries, according to ProFootballTalk’s Darin Gantt, and certainly would come nowhere near covering the amount of money Clowney could lose if seriously injured.

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel has begun explored a similar policy through the NCAA’s “Exceptional Student-Athlete Disability Insurance Program.”

Speaking to reporters following the Gamecocks’ practice on Thursday, Clowney said that he’d bulked up 13 pounds to 273 since the end of last season and ran “something like” a 4.54 40-yard dash during South Carolina’s winter conditioning.

The 6-foot-6 lineman, who posted 13 sacks for the 11-2 Gamecocks last season, also spoke about the possibility of sitting out the 2013 season.

Clowney also said he never gave any consideration to sitting out the coming season rather than risk an injury leading up to next year’s draft, as some have suggested. “Sitting out? I never thought of it. I’m going to go to school and play.” The insurance policy is merely protection in case he missteps on the road to the 2014 draft.

Northern Iowa wideout Terrell Sinkfield reportedly ran the 40-yard dash in 4.19 seconds. (Photo by John Biever /Sports Illustrated)

Northern Iowa wide receiver Terrell Sinkfield did not receive an invite to the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis last month. Instead, he went to the University of Minnesota’s pro day on Monday and for the 13 teams who showed up with scouts, they came away impressed.

Sinkfield, who is originally from Hopkins, Minn., ran the 40-yard dash in a reported 4.19 seconds during one of his attempts, according to Fox Sports North.  He stumbled on another attempt and still clocked in at 4.41 seconds.

During Sinkfield’s senior season, he led Northern Iowa in receiving with 43 catches for 499 yards and four touchdowns.

“It hasn’t really hit me yet,” said Sinkfield, who also had a 40.5 inch vertical at Monday’s pro day. “I feel like I could have hit it consistently. Me, myself, my personal best, I think I could have done better. It was still a good show here.”

“I knew it was good when I finished,” he said. “I was pretty happy, so I came back. I thought I messed up when they said go again. I’m like, ‘Dang, why do I have to run again?’”

Colorado tight end Nick Kasa got some interesting questions during his interview at the scouting combine. (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

The NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis can be a humbling experience for an athlete trying to get drafted for many different reasons. But once the prospects get in front of general managers and coaches for their interviews, there is no telling what kind of questions they will hear from NFL personnel.

This story comes from Colorado tight end Nick Kasa, who got some hard-hitting questions about his personal life from an unidentified team at the combine.

“They ask you like, ‘Do you have a girlfriend?’  Are you married?’  Do you like girls?’” Kasa told ESPN Radio Denver on Tuesday, via Profootballtalk.com.  “Those kinds of things, and you know it was just kind of weird.  But they would ask you with a straight face, and it’s a pretty weird experience altogether.”

For those who want to know about Kasa’s football skills, he ran a 4.71 40-yard dash and is projected to be a fourth-to-fifth round pick, according to NFLDraftScout.com.

Manti Te’o ran a 4.81 40-yard dash at the combine. (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Former Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o seems he will have more questions to answer when he gets in the room with NFL general managers and coaches.

ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio says that GM’s will want to know about Te’o sexuality, even if it is not relevant to Te’o's skills as a football player.

Te’o is still answering questions about the strange controversy about him lying about his fake dead girlfriend last month. Te’o has made the rounds on the interview circuit including being questioned by ESPN, Katie Couric and dozens of reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

“On the field, you still have to account for what happened in the BCS National Championship Game against Alabama,” Florio told the Dan Patrick Show, via CBSSports.com. “Here’s the elephant in the room for the teams and it shouldn’t matter, but we have to step aside from the rest of reality and walk into the unique industry that is the NFL. Teams want to know whether Manti Te’o is gay. They just want to know. They want to know because in an NFL locker room, it’s a different world. It shouldn’t be that way.”

I don’t think you can ask that question — because of the Dez Bryant question (he was asked by Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland if his mother was a prostitute) of a few years ago,” Florio said. “If you go Katie Couric on Manti Te’o, it’s going to come out that some team, some GM some coach asked Manti Te’o if he’s gay. Then you’ll have to deal with all the distraction and all the stuff that flows after that.”