Report: Sting Wants to Face the Undertaker at WrestleMania XXX

It seems that die-hard Sting fans might not be the only ones eager to see The Undertaker vs. Sting at WrestleMania XXX.
Per a recent report, the former WCW champion himself has also been pushing hard it for it, although whether WWE management will acquiesce to his request is another matter entirely.

As Dave Meltzer notes in this week's (subscribers-only) Wrestling Observer Newsletter:

Sting, while the deal had not been signed as of a few days ago, it’s more the WWE side dragging its feet. As noted, Sting is not the priority in the company the way some of the other big-name deals have been... Sting himself was hoping to get a match with Undertaker at this year’s Mania, so I guess he bought into the Internet hype for himself since the company and Undertaker himself have had the Lesnar plan dating back to 2010. The one thing from the Sting standpoint is that since he lives in the Dallas area, he was willing to go with Undertaker and work out the match in private at Undertaker’s gym, over and over, to get it right, which is what Undertaker’s opponents the last several years have done.

It's easy to see why Sting would be so keen to work a bout with The Undertaker in New Orleans. Aside from the money and prestige, it would also be a chance to end his famous career on the highest note possible.

While Sting didn't exactly squander his legacy in the seven years he spent with TNA, he didn't add a whole lot to it, either. (Truthfully, that was more the booking team's fault than his.)

But main-eventing one of the biggest shows in wrestling history and anything The Undertaker does at WrestleMania will likely be the real main event whether it's the last match or not would certainly give him the spotlight and the amazing send-off he truly deserves.

The match itself probably wouldn't be bad, either. Sting showed in TNA he can still, on occasion, go in the ring, and The Undertaker always delivers at WrestleMania.    

Sadly, for Sting fans, it doesn't seem like WWE is exactly clamoring to get the guy under an official contract, never mind handing him one of the biggest wrestling matches of the year.

Rightly or wrongly, management likely feels that the 54-year-old has little to offer wrestling in 2014 outside of nostalgia and perhaps a special DVD box set.

This blog is sponsored by: http://visitwebpages.info/paypalchecks

Chris Borland Scouting Report: NFL Outlook for Wisconsin Inside Linebacker

Chris Borland, ILB, Wisconsin (HT: 5’11” WT: 245 lbs)

Positives

Highly versatile defender who’s made an impact from numerous positions, including edge-rusher
Continuously grew in terms of reading keys and diagnosing plays during collegiate career.
Flexible body type that can bend around blocks and change directions in space
Sudden feet to win with quickness in short areas
Adequate initial burst to close from static positions
Possesses a quick and impact full spin move as a pass-rusher
Fluid hips to turn and run in pass coverage with foot quickness to plant and drive on the ball
Comes downhill with urgency to fill holes when he reads decisively
Works across the box with fluidity as a lateral mover while keeping shoulders square to the line of scrimmage
Can jump laterally to elude blocks with quickness
Consistently wraps up to drag ball-carriers to the ground
Doesn't stop his feet to lunge as a tackler, drives hips through while churning his legs
Surprising strength when taking on backs in the hole
Plays with an endless motor and infectious intensity level
Has a way of getting to the ball at a high rate

Negatives

Severe lack of length with arms that measure in at just under 29 inches
Gets impatient while reading, bounces around too much and takes false steps
Can be too aggressive in run fits and overrun plays, losing his gap discipline
Closing speed in the open field is merely average
Misses too many plays trying to chase to the perimeter, will get outrun even when he has an angle
Doesn't possess functional strength as a rusher and is limited by short arms
Hops around too much in pass coverage, imprecise footwork
Struggles to attain adequate depth in zones
Statistically unproductive in coverage, played a spy role often
Doesn't pick his way through congestion well due to lack of length
Poor job taking on interior linemen in the box while holding ground
Aiming point as a tackler can drop incredibly low to make up for lack of size
Will let ball-carriers come to him instead of attacking them by coming downhill
Notable injury history

NFL Comparison: London Fletcher, LB, Washington Redskins


Collegiate Statistics
Year Team Tackles TFL Sacks FF PD INT
2009 Wisconsin 54 10.5 5 5 3 1
2010 Wisconsin 7 2 1 0 0 0
2011 Wisconsin 143 19 2.5 5 7 2
2012 Wisconsin 104 10 4.5 3 6 0
2013 Wisconsin 112 8.5 4 2 2 0
http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/chris-borland-1.html

Personal Notes

A 3 star prospect as a recruit in class of 2009, unranked by both ESPN and Rivals
Took a medical redshirt after a third surgery on his shoulder in 2010
48 career starts at Wisconsin
2009 Big Ten Freshman of the Year
2013 Nagurski-Woodson Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year
2013 Big Ten Sportsmanship Award


Ratings Chart

Overall

Chris Borland is one of the more divisive prospects in all of the 2014 draft class.  His attacking style, consistent production and sought-after intangibles will endear him to numerous teams.  Others won’t be able to overlook his size limitations and the fact that he isn’t as athletic as you might wish an undersized linebacker would be.  His versatility for defensive schemes and skill set for special teams should keep him on an NFL roster for a long time.  Borland is going to be drafted into a starting lineup, though, and he’ll still have something to prove when he does.

This blog is sponsored by: http://visitwebpages.info/paypalchecks

Loucheiz Purifoy Scouting Report: NFL Outlook for Florida CB

Loucheiz Purifoy, CB, Florida (HT: 6’0”; WT: 190 lbs)

Positives

Excellent straight-line speed that stood out even among one of the most talented defenses in the country.
Prototypical size for most teams, including an above-average wingspan. Big enough to switch positions if needed.
Long arms and active hands caused five forced fumbles throughout his career.
Most effective in press coverage, where natural athleticism helped him garner attention since he was a true freshman.
Although mostly a linear athlete, his hip fluidity suggests he can improve significantly through technical refinement.  
Very good blitzer off of the edge. He's able to set up the blocker and get past by making a move to get to the backfield. Timing is also a positive.
Willing contributor on special teams; strong kick returner with good vision, and he played gunner during punts. He's often the first defender to the returner on kickoffs. Being able to contribute on special teams will be key for him since his defensive abilities are still a work in progress.
Hasn't played cornerback for his entire career; he has excellent potential if technique is developed.
Could possibly be developed as a wide receiver, after he devoted his 2013 off season to learning the position for the University of Florida. He certainly has the athletic ability and frame to be a developmental player.

Negatives

Lacks refinement, and it reflects when focusing on his footwork; there's too much wasted movement when changing directions after pivoting.
Not instinctual in zone coverage; susceptible to being moved by the quarterbacks’ eyes. His discipline could improve through film study, but he's not naturally aware at this moment.
Posted a burn percentage of 38 percent throughout his entire junior season, which is poor, even when considering the level of competition he faced weekly.
Burn percentage of 50 percent while in zone, although wasn't asked to play zone often. Lack of confidence and feel for the zone usually left him wandering on many plays.
Has trouble locating the ball at times and focuses on the receiver when the ball is in the air. Experience and familiarity with personnel should help him recognize routes quicker.
Only two career interceptions and 11 passes defensed, which other top corners in this class have in one season.
Poor effort in run defense. He usually ends up getting blocked out of the play without much resistance.
Tackling form is rarely used. Resorts to arm tackling instead of squaring up with the ball-carrier.
Doesn't stay low with pad level during pre-snap stance. Being flat-footed in stance will slow down his explosion toward the line of scrimmage. More of a technical issue than a physical issue.
Lack of dedication to defensive back could hurt him. He wasn't a factor as a receiver for the Gators, despite spending so much time to get onto the field.

Collegiate Statistics
Year Team Tackles PD INT
2011 Florida 27 0 0
2012 Florida 51 5 0
2013 Florida 24 7 2

Personal Notes

Turned 21 in December. Has played cornerback for only three full-time seasons, all at Florida.
Played wide receiver at times, and spent most of the 2013 offseason developing his receiving skills.
Former 4-star prospect out of Pensacola, Fla. Named Second-Team All-SEC by Athlon Sports.


Ratings Chart

Overall

Loucheiz Purifoy is a terrific athlete, but he needs significant development to become a dependable starter in the NFL. Considering his significant room for growth and physical abilities, Purifoy will likely garner attention by NFL teams higher than what I project. He fits best into a defense that stresses Cover 2 coverage or press man. He has one of the highest ceilings among all defensive backs in the class but is the rawest technical prospect as well. As a boom-or-bust prospect in a deep class, Purifoy is certainly a risk.

This blog is sponsored by: http://visitwebpages.info/paypalchecks

Marcus Roberson Scouting Report: NFL Outlook for Florida CB

Marcus Roberson, CB, Florida (HT: 6’0”; WT: 178 lbs)

Positives

Played in multiple positions while at Florida, including boundary and slot corner. That versatility will be valued by every coaching staff.
Good height, with room to add more muscle to his frame. An NFL weight training program should be able to accomplish this easily.
Enough quickness to run with slot receivers on quick outs or drag routes underneath.
Good press technique, showing active hands and ability to direct the wide receiver toward the safety inside or outside sideline. His initial punch isn't ideal, but that's the most coachable aspect of press coverage.
Aggressive and strong in run defense, totaling 43 solo tackles in a scheme that has corners on an island.
Crashes the edge well with discipline, then squares the ball-carrier up, finishing the play with force and good tackling form.
Excellent motor on every play, even chasing ball-carriers from behind when they're within 10 yards.
Very good results in Cover 2 defensive coverages, with a burn percentage of only 16 percent for his 2013 season.

Negatives

Lacks elite athletic traits but doesn't compensate for this with above-average instincts or anticipation.
Has stiff hips that result in wasted steps when transitioning from backpedal; evident when covering comebacks.
Burn percentage of 35 percent in man for his 2013 season, which is well-below where a top-notch prospect should be at.
Weak at the point of contest, especially against bigger receivers. More strength should help him hold up when the receiver is "boxing out."
Aggressiveness in coverage isn't as high as one would hope. Will need to attack the ball and have the mindset that the ball belongs to him if ceiling is to be reached.
Poor ball skills; doesn’t locate the football quickly enough to make a play on the ball. Natural anticipation and recognition is lacking.
Cannot recover if he loses in press coverage at the line due to top-end speed and heavier feet, which is a deterrent despite being a good press corner.
Lack of explosiveness limits ceiling, specifically short-area burst. The ability to close within just a few milliseconds is extremely valuable, and Roberson doesn't have that.
Dealt with injuries throughout career, missing time in 11 games. He wasn't overly reckless, but his slight build could've been a reason for so many injuries.

Collegiate Statistics
Year Team Tackles PD INT
2011 Florida 22 3 1
2012 Florida 23 14 2
2013 Florida 11 3 0

Personal Notes

Only started four games in 2013 due to injuries, and played in seven games total.
Was named All-SEC Second Team in 2012 by the Associated Press.
Former 4-star recruit and No. 2 cornerback as a high school recruit, via Rivals.


Ratings Chart

Overall

Roberson’s lack of explosiveness and top-end speed could limit him to a nickelback or fourth corner on the roster in his first season. He will need to excel with technique, which is solid but not yet at a level that will allow him to lock down receivers. Coaches will love his aggressive mindset and confidence in run support. If he can stay healthy and refine his technique, he should stick in the league as a spot starter or third cornerback.

This blog is sponsored by: http://visitwebpages.info/paypalchecks

AJ McCarron Scouting Report: NFL Outlook for Alabama QB

AJ McCarron, QB, Alabama (HT: 6’4”, WT: 214 lbs)

Positives

Experienced three-year starter, had a prolific college career and set multiple school records; a battle-tested leader who played in and won big games
Good accuracy and ball placement in the short and intermediate levels; allows his receivers to gain yards after the catch and puts the ball where only they can get it
Can throw the deep ball accurately with touch and perfect trajectory
Appears to be able to read defenses; generally makes good decisions and effectively limits turnovers
Average arm strength; can make the throws
Displays enough velocity in the intermediate to deep levels of the field; can throw outside the numbers accurately with enough zip
More than adequate size; listed at 6’4”, 214 lbs
Knows where his checkdown is located, will dump the ball off to a safety valve and keep the chains moving
Great intangibles; appears to be a good teammate with a strong work ethic and high football IQ
While not a threat to hurt opponents with his legs, he displays decent athleticism; is not a statue, fairly light on his feet and quick in his drop
Generally displays good throwing mechanics with a smooth over-the-top delivery
Shows some maneuverability to buy extra time
Protects his body from unnecessary hard hits by sliding or running out of bounds
Throws fairly well rolling to his right
Played fairly well on the big stage; won three national championships at Alabama, two as the starting quarterback



Negatives

Lacks pocket presence; can be overwhelmed by pressure
Questionable pocket awareness; has trouble identifying the blitz
Drops his eyes and has a tendency to panic under duress; pulls the ball down prematurely when opponents bring the heat
Lacks mobility, is not especially elusive in the pocket nor will he hurt opponents on the ground
Not much of an improviser; lacks the ability to make something out of nothing
Retreats in the pocket and tends to fade away from his intended target
Inconsistent deep passer, occasionally making his receivers break stride and adjust to underthrown passes
Has trouble resetting when he is forced to move to his left
Footwork tends to break down under pressure; will revert to throwing off of his back foot
Struggles to adjust when his receivers' routes are disrupted
May have earned a reputation as a game-manager; has a conservative nature
Benefited greatly from steady pass protection and a consistently effective running game
Declining to participate in the Senior Bowl rubbed some the wrong way


Collegiate Statistics
Year Team Cmp Att PCT Yards TD INT
2010 Alabama 30 48 62.5 389 3 0
2011 Alabama 219 328 66.8 2634 16 5
2012 Alabama 211 314 67.2 2933 30 3
2013 Alabama 226 336 67.3 3063 28 7
Source: ESPN.com


Personal Notes

Second-team All-SEC 2013
Maxwell Award 2013
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award 2013
Second-team All-SEC 2012
Third-team All-American 2012
BCS National Championship MVP 2012
Redshirted 2009
Team captain as a senior
36-4 record as a starter
Graduated with a degree in health studies

Overall

Following a prolific college career in which he won two national titles and several personal accolades, AJ McCarron will be out to prove that he can be an effective starting quarterback in the NFL.

While his decision not to perform at the Senior Bowl disappointed fans and scouts alike, he will have a chance to show teams what he can do later in the process.

An efficient, intelligent and accurate passer, he would fit best in a West Coast offense. Though he appears to have the makings of a strong backup, he possesses starter potential in the right spot.

This blog is sponsored by: http://visitwebpages.info/paypalchecks