"one lake" | Search | Jackson Free Press | Jackson, MS

Show advanced options

Select all Clear all

Story
Tease photo National

White House Appears to Soften Trump's Claim on Wiretapping

The White House on Monday appeared to soften President Donald Trump's unproven assertion that his predecessor wiretapped his New York skyscraper during the election.

Story
Tease photo Civil Rights

The Mississippi Flag Case Against Gov. Phil Bryant: A First

The case against Gov. Phil Bryant for continuing to fly the current Mississippi flag could be the first in which judges consider an Equal Protection Clause claim based on government …

Story
Tease photo State

Understanding Trauma Key to Fixing State's Foster Care System

Like Michigan, Mississippi is under a consent decree to fix its foster-care system—and the State must fulfill several promises by year's end.

Story
Tease photo Person of the Day

Keith Tonkel

Keith Tonkel, who was the pastor of Wells United Methodist Church, died Wednesday, March 8, from throat cancer complications.

Story
Tease photo Health Care

Women's Health Services Face Cuts in Republican Bill

Women seeking abortions and some basic health services, including prenatal care, contraception and cancer screenings, would face restrictions and struggle to pay for some of that medical care under the …

Entry

March 9, 2017

Thoughts on Day Four of the NFL Combine

By bryanflynn

Defensive backs were on display for the final day of on-the-field workouts at the 2017 NFL Combine. The secondary group is the largest at this combine, as the passing game has become a bigger part of the NFL.

When discussing defensive backs, it is good to know terms like tight hips, good feet, or good movement. Tight hips means a player struggles in turns and quickly changing directions, good feet are quick, up and down with no wasted steps, and good movement is the opposite of tight hips as a player is good or great at making change of directions or quick turns.

The defensive backs were split into two groups, with safeties and cornerbacks working out together in both. The two are vastly different positions, so when evaluating a player, it helps to know if they will be a corner or a safety.

Out of the group-one cornerbacks, Shaquill Griffin from the University of Central Florida, is going to move up draft boards with his 4.38-second run in the 40-yard dash. He did well during the on-the-field drills, showing good movement and speed.

Adoree’ Jackson out of the University of Southern California is a converted wide receiver, and it showed with his 4.42-second 40-yard dash and his ball-catching skills. He will be an instant help in one team’s return game.

Another converted wide receiver is Brian Allen from the University of Utah. He ran the 40-yard dash in a solid 4.48 seconds and showed good feet and ball skills. He will also help in the return game for whichever team drafts him.

Chidobe Awuzie out of the University of Colorado ran a 4.43-second 40-yard dash, and Sidney Jones from the University of Washington ran it in 4.47 seconds, but both showed some tight hips, when making turns or changing directions. Awuzie and Jones showed some good ball skills and moved well overall.

Marlon Humphrey out of the University of Alabama ran a 4.41-second 40-yard dash. He moved well and has good DNA since his father, Bobby Humphrey, played in the NFL at running back.

A group-one safety that stood out right from the get-go was Josh Jones from North Carolina State University who ran the 40-yard dash in 4.41 seconds. That is an outstanding time for a safety, and he showed good movement and ball skills.

Budda Baker out of Washington and Delano Hill out of the University of Michigan are the top safeties in this draft class, with 4.46-second and 4.48-second runs, respectively. Both moved well and showed good footwork, but they struggled with catching the ball at times.

Jamal Adams out of Louisiana State University ran a slower 40-yard dash than other top safeties at 4.56 seconds, but he has a good family tree, with his father, George Adams, being a former NFL running back. He could still run better on his Pro Day. Adams looked faster than his 40-yard time during the on-the-field drills.

A group-two …

Story
Tease photo Civil Rights

State Flag Debate Back in the Spotlight

Rep. William Shirley, R-Quitman, is on a mission to make universities fly the state flag. The state flag debate flared up yesterday in the House of Representatives when Rep. Shirley …

Story
Tease photo Education

Dyslexia Voucher Expansion Bill Passes Senate

House Bill 1046 expands vouchers or scholarships, depending on whom you ask in the statehouse. Either way, the legislation advanced late on Wednesday night after more than two hours of …

Story
Tease photo Civil Rights

Hawaii Becomes 1st State to Sue Over Trump's New Travel Ban

Hawaii has become the first state to file a lawsuit against President Donald Trump's revised travel ban, saying the order will harm its Muslim population, tourism and foreign students.

Story
Tease photo Civil Rights

Mississippi Minister Who Condemned Racism in 1960s Dies

Keith Tonkel, one of 28 white United Methodist ministers who signed a statement condemning segregation and racism in the Deep South in 1963, has died.

Story
Tease photo Politics

Mississippi’s Women Deserve a Lot More R-E-S-P-E-C-T

"Improving women’s access to fair and equal pay not only uplifts them, but their entire families and their communities as well."

Story
Tease photo City & County

Harsh Words (and Love) for Jackson and Mississippi

As a former Jacksonian looking into the city from D.C. with a powerful set of binoculars, I can't help but ask myself, "What the hell is going on?"

Story
Tease photo Civil Rights

Denying Sanctuary Spreads Fear

In the midst of a souring national climate toward immigration—thanks in large part to President Donald Trump's executive order, which authorizes more detention facilities to hold detained immigrants, among other …

Story
Tease photo Food

Those Crazy Cats

April 15 will mark one year since Crazy Cat Bakers moved from its original Highland Village location into more spacious digs at Canton Mart Square. But the restaurant, now called …

Story
Tease photo Wellness

Spring-Time Sneezes

Allergy sufferers have the desire to enjoy the wonderful weather and all the joy that nature brings, but we suffer more during this time of year than any other because …

Story
Tease photo Civil Rights

Internalized Racism: On the Hunt for Solutions

Byron D'Andra Orey, a JSU political science professor, conducts experiments that represent a burgeoning area of study known as "biopolitics," a field examining the intersection of biology and political behavior.

Story
Tease photo Civil Rights

An Editor and a Gentleman

An odd fluke of fate brought me to the patch of dirt where three civil rights workers were murdered in my home county, holding the hand of James Chaney's daughter …

Story
Tease photo City & County

A Sense of Urgency: Sen. John Horhn Pledges to Cure What Ails City Hall

Sen. John Horhn may have been in the Mississippi Legislature for 24 years, but the Jackson man doesn't always get what he wants.

Story
Tease photo Jacksonian

Ariel Boggess

Ariel Boggess has always created art in mediums such as painting and drawing, so she says makeup was a natural fit.

Story
Tease photo Civil Rights

Lawyer: Mississippi Flag Sends Message of 'White Supremacy'

In the latest legal wrangling over one of Mississippi's most prominent symbols, a lawyer for a man who objects to the state's flag said Tuesday the Confederate-themed banner sends a …