The War Room Report is proud to present an interview with top linebacker prospect Brandon Siler. Siler discussed winning the championship at Florida, his draft preparation, and his view on the NFL with Chris Otwell of the War Room Report.

The War Room Report strives to provide in depth interviews with noteworthy prospects. Stay tuned for more War Room Report interviews as the draft approaches. Be sure to check out our prospect interview home page for interviews with Ben Patrick and Joshua Beekman.

After one high profile offensive restricted free agent, Matt Schaub, was traded, the rumors are circulating that San Diego Charger running back Michael “The Burner” Turner could be the next to move.

The Green Bay Packers are interested in the former Northern Illinois star, who has averaged 6 yards a carry in his 3 year NFL career while serving as the backup to LaDainian Tomlinson. Green Bay is left without a starting running back after Ahman Green signed with the Houston Texans. Former Oklahoma State runner Vernand Morency is the current #1 back on the roster. Morency was acquired from Houston in a trade at the beginning of the 2006 season. He had a solid 2006 season in Green Bay while backing up Green, but may not be the #1 back that the Packers are looking for.

It has long been speculated that Green Bay will draft Cal RB Marshawn Lynch in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft, but as the War Room Report has predicted for over a month in the 2007 NFL Mock Draft, the Buffalo Bills, upon trading Willis McGahee, may look to draft Lynch before Green Bay.

The trade would most likely take place on draft day, if Green Bay is unable to secure Lynch or to trade up for Adrian Peterson, with the Packers sending their 2nd round pick to San Diego for Turner.

Brandon Siler, the starting middle linebacker for the 2006-07 National Champion Florida Gators, took time from his busy pre draft schedule to talk to the War Room Report’s Chris Otwell.

The interview will be posted in a few days. The War Room Report strives to bring you in depth interviews with important prospects.

The agent for Al Wilson has indicated that the Denver Broncos are shopping the Pro Bowl middle linebacker, with the Lions, Giants, and Eagles having interest. All three teams need linebackers. If the Giants completed the deal, expect Antonio Pierce to move to the weakside.

The Broncos would likely move D.J. Williams to the middle and would probably draft a replacement for Williams on the outside.

The Broncos need help on the defensive front, particularly at tackle. The Lions could send franchise player Cory Redding to the Broncos, especially if he can rework his deal. The Eagles have an assortment of talented young linemen, and recently signed another DT, Monte Reagor, which would allow them to trade a player like Mike Patterson or Trent Cole.

The strength of the Giants is probably at defensive end. Mathis Kiwanuka could be a target for Denver.

Of course, Mike Shanahan could be looking to acquire addition draft picks in order to move up and select Joe Thomas or Calvin Johnson.

Brady Quinn completed his workouts by running a faster than expected 40 yard dash, the fastest in 4.73. It is our opinion that the workout for not make much of a difference for Quinn. The real decision making on a QB in on the game tape and in the interview room. Quinn still grades out as the 2nd best QB in the draft, due to what we feel, is less upside than JaMarcus Russell and some accuracy issues.

With the news of the Matt Schaub trade to Houston, Atlanta now could very well trade up to target local product Calvin Johnson.

Johnson would be the perfect fit for owner Arthur Blank has he tries to sell tickets. Johnson would give Michael Vick the reliable target Atlanta has been searching for, as they have spent recent high picks on Roddy White and Michael Jenkins.

The likely trading partners would be Detroit and Cleveland. Both teams have many needs and a dealing allowing them to receive the #8, #39, and #44 picks would give them the opportunity to address many needs.

Foxsports.com is now reporting that the Texans gave up a lot more than originally thought for Matt Schaub. Houston gave up their 2007 2nd round pick, 2008 second round pick, and the #8 overall pick in the 2007 draft in exchange for Schaub and the #10 overall pick.

Houston is making a huge committment to Schaub here. Does this give Atlanta the ammunition to trade up for Calvin Johnson?

Adam Schefter of the NFL Network confirms that Matt Schaub will be traded from Atlanta to Houston.  As we speculated, the trade is for a 2nd round draft pick. Atlanta should be in good position to acquire additional defensive help with the pick.

The Houston Texans could be nearing a trade for Matt Schaub of the Atlanta Falcons reports the Houston Chronicle. If they traded for Schaub, expect David Carr to be traded or released.
The article does not mention what Houston would give up, but if we had to speculate, we would assume the 2nd round pick in the 2007 NFL Draft that Houston owns.

Stanford QB Trent Edwards, a War Room Report favorite, had a solid workout for scouts on March 20th, reports Gil Brandt of NFL.com. Edwards was one of the top HS QB prospects, but struggled behind lackluster coaching, poor talent around him, and injuries at Stanford.

Edwards, who could be as high as the 3rd QB taken, completed 57 of the 60 passes he attempted. Several high profile offensive coordinators and quarterback coaches were in attendance. Edwards had a solid junior season playing for Stanford, throwing 17 TDs with a 63% completion rate. Edwards has all of the tools and the necessary size to become a solid NFL QB with the right coaching.

The increased prevalence of the 3-4 defense in the NFL has changed the draft process. NFL.com writer Pat Kirwan recently tackled the topic and highlighted several players who are good fits for the 3-4.

Kirwan makes a good point about the two styles of 3-4 used in the NFL. The Chargers 3-4, as he calls it, will be used in Dallas this season, with Wade Phillips running the team. Dom Capers is likely to expand his use of the 3-4 defense in Miami, especially after acquiring Joey Porter. The success of the Patriots and Steelers in recent years using variants of the 3-4 has help spread the system. Both team, interestingly enough, have first round picks up front. All three of the Pats starters (Wilfork, Warren, and Seymour) and one of the Steelers (Casey Hampton) were 1st rounders. This should help players like Adam Carriker (DE) and Alan Branch (NT) in the first round this year.

Other players the WRR feel fit the 3-4 system well include:

Nose Tackle is pretty bare outside of Alan Branch, Tank Tyler and Paul Solari, who Kirwan mentions. One outsider that could fit is:

Quinton Echols, Kansas State - Echols is a later round pick, but he has the size and strength to develop into a player in the middle, especially in a rotation. Echols’ collegiate production could have been better, but he was an outstanding high school player and is an intriguing pick late on Day 2 for a 3-4 team.

Defensive End has a few really interesting prospects for the 3-4. Adam Carriker, who Kirwan highlights is the best possible fit and really reminds me of Richard Seymour. Two others that could excel as 3-4 DEs are:

Ray McDonald, Florida - McDonald is sometimes called a “tweener”, but in reality, he is just a playmaker. McDonald moved inside for the National Champion Gators after Marcus Thomas was kicked off the team. He has the strength to hold his own at the point of attack as a 3-4 DE.

Turk McBride, Tennessee - The teammate of Justin Harrell, who Kirwan mentions, McBride is 277 lbs and has similar speed to some of the true defensive ends in the class. McBride played DT in college, but projects well as a 3-4 DE in the pros. McBride did not play much until 2006 at Tennessee, but he has a great deal of potential.

3-4 OLB is the glamor position of the defense, with speed rushers like Shawn Merriman and DeMarcus Ware getting recogintion for their high sack totals. The group of potential 3-4 OLB is a strong one, highlighted by Anthony Spencer and Lamar Woodley, two WRR favorites that Kirwan mentions. Interestingly, Kirwan neglects a few other high profile 3-4 OLBs.

Gaines Adams, Clemson - Adams is the #1 or #2 defensive end on most boards, but he could be an OLB in the pros. Adams is a bit undersized for a full time DE role and has the speed to attack the passer in the 3-4 system. He would be an interesting player for a team that runs a hybrid system like Miami, where he could play OLB in a 3-4 on early downs and rush the passer as a DE on obvious passing downs.

Jarvis Moss, Florida - Moss, like Adams, is a great natural pass rusher, who is just slightly undersized. At 6′6, he weighs only 260 lbs and did fewer bench reps than some of the secondary players. He is still recovering from a staph infection he suffered at Florida and could eventually put more weight on. Moss reminds the War Room Report of 3-4 OLBs like Ware and Merriman that could cause havoc on opposing QBs.

Dan Bazuin, Central Michigan - Bazuin is a great edge pass rusher as well, who had a terrific junior season, and a solid senior season playing in the MAC. Bazuin is slightly undersized at 266 to play every down DE for some teams, but he should be able to handle the switch to 3-4 OLB very well.

Brian Robison, Texas - One of the “workout warriors” of the 2007 NFL Scouting Combine, Robison displayed excellent agility and quickness. He played an undersized DE at Texas where he recorded 42 TFL during his career. Robison could project as an excellent OLB opposite of a pure speed rusher like Merriman or fit a versatile “New England Style” 3-4 very well.

Jacob Ford, Central Arkansas - Ford is one of the beset “under the radar” possible 3-4 OLBs. Ford has great speed for a player of his size and really could make a difference at the next level getting to the QB. Ford had tremendous splits in his 40 yard dash and has a lot of explosion. He is a Day two player but he could easily register 8+ sacks his rookie year in the right system.

There are several other 3-4 OLB projects like Antwan Barnes, Justin Hickman, Antwan Applewhite, and Quincy Black.

Inside linebackers in the 3-4 need to be better in shedding blocks than a MLB in the 4-3 system. As Kirwan mentions, probably the top 3-4 ILB candidate is David Harris of Michigan. Other possible players for the position include:

Kelvin Smith, Syracuse - One of the top tacklers in the country, Smith has the strength to shed blockers and the speed to chase down running backs. He started for 3.5 years at Syracuse and would be a perfect fit inside.

Jon Abbate, Wake Forest - Abbate led Wake Forest to a surprising ACC Crown, but disappointed at the Scouting Combine with a slow 40 time. The first player in Wake Forest history to leave school early, Abbate is undersized but is a great tackler. The 3-4 system would hide his speed deficiency.

Marvin Mitchell, Tennessee - Mitchell really excelled in his senior season, with over 100 tackles. He has the strength necessary for the middle linebacker spot and can handle the coverage responsibilities necessary.

The 3-4 system is really changing the defensive landscape of the game in recent years and this draft has several players, particularly at OLB, that fit the scheme very well.

Louisville RB Michael Bush, once considered one of the top running back prospects for the 2007 NFL Draft, underwent a second surgery on his right leg, which he broke in the 2006 season opener. Bush had hoped to workout for scouts prior to the draft, but with the second surgery to insert the rod in his leg, he will be unable to run prior to the draft. This will cause his draft status to plummet.

Bush has been rated as the 3rd ranked Rb on the War Room Report Running Back Rankings since their inception, but this injury may cause some shifting. The upside for Bush is still strong, but an injury such as this can effect a running back for a long time. Bush could still be a strong fit for the power running game his former coach, Bobby Petrino, wants to install for the Atlanta Falcons.