The Eagles say they have not signed Russell Shepard (USA Today Sports Images)

LSU wide receiver Russell Shepard was one of nine undrafted free agents that the Philadelphia Eagles agreed to terms with following the 2013 NFL draft. According to Shepard, however, he signed with the Eagles during the draft.

“I actually took myself off the draft board during the draft," Shepard told Matt Moscona of WNXX, via LouisianaDaily.com. "Teams started calling me probably in the middle of the sixth-round asking me 'is it true that you’ve signed with a team already?' and I actually got it out of the way before the draft was over, because that was the perfect fit for me."

Shepard would go on to actually state that he had signed with the Eagles "before the draft was over", which is neither permissible nor factual. Shepard, who had a late-round/free agent grade, may have decided that the Eagles were a good fit for him and that he wanted to sign with them if he were not picked, but he did not, and still has not, signed a contract with the Eagles.

Shepard's claim that he took himself "off the draft board" is also not factual.

As Day 2 of the draft drags on, teams will have their coaches, scouts and other available members of the personnel department continue the process of recruiting prospects they identify as being "priority free agents". Teams expressing in a player in no way prevents another team from stepping in and using a draft pick on that player. In other words, the Eagles may have expressed interest in signing Shepard, and Shepard and his agent may have felt the Eagles were the best fit for him , but that interest is contingent upon Shepard becoming an undrafted free agent. If another team had drafted Shepard, that's the team where his NFL career would begin.

As for any "tampering" charge against the Eagles, there was nothing preventing one of those teams that called Shepard in the sixth-round from drafting him. Since that did not happen, we can assume that those teams that were calling Shepard in the middle of the sixth-round were doing so with the hopes of eventually signing him as undrafted free agent, but were just beaten to the punch by the Eagles.

Shepard's comments prompted the Eagles to issue a statement on Wednesday.

"Russell Shepard has not signed a contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. However, we did come to terms on a contract with he and his agent after the draft was completed. We anticipate he, like all of the rookie free agents we have agreed to terms with, will take a physical examination upon arriving in Philadelphia prior to next week’s rookie mini-camp and then sign a contract.”

Tharold Simon at the 2013 scouting combine. (Getty Images)RENTON, Wash. -- The Seattle Seahawks selected LSU cornerback Tharold Simon in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL draft, and normally, that wouldn't merit a blip on the radar. But it did in this case, because Simon was arrested last Thursday in his hometown of Eunice, La., for public intimidation, resisting an officer and unnecessary noise violation. In addition, according to local police, Simon threatened an officer. There were plans in Eunice to have a "Tharold Simon Day," and according to Mayor Rusty Moody, the ceremony would go on.

"In the United States, our justice system says everyone is innocent until proven guilty," Moody said.

Simon's agent, Peter Shaffer, disputed the allegations, and said that he's considering legal action against those involved.

During a phone interview with Seattle reporters after the pick, Simon was asked to recall his version of the details. And, well, the floodgates opened.

"It's my fault. I mean, I shouldn't have been parked on the side of the road. But I was just chillin' in my grandmother's house. And my car was parked on the side of the road by my grandmother's house. And I seen a car pull up, and it looked like a cop car.

"So I went out there. And when I went out there, he told me to move the car. And then I moved the car. And when I turned the car on, the music was up. And so when I pulled up in the driveway, he told me to give him my license. And I gave him my license.

"And then I just sat on my car. He was running my license through. He called another cop to bring him a ticket book, because I guess he was going to write me a ticket. And one of my friends had come to congratulate me on the draft that was going on and stuff. And he told my friend to move around. And then I had got out the car and I was like, 'Man, you trippin' for nothing. I mean, there's nothing serious really going on around here.'

"And I guess he said my pants was low. So he was like 'Pick your pants up before I take you to jail.' And I picked my pants up. And then he just grabbed me and said, 'You know what, matter of fact, put your hands behind your back.'"

"I never ran. I never flinched or moved or nothing. I'm a humble guy. I'm embarrassed about what happened. It shouldn't have happened. But like I said, everything happens for a reason. And right now my focus is to get up to Seattle and go compete."

Seahawks general manager John Schneider talked a bit about the process in which the pre-draft work on a prospect has to be accentuated by vetting the player after an arrest.

Concept design via 360 Architecture.

Alien invasion or football experience? In Atlanta come 2017, there won't be much of a difference, if an exotic new stadium plan becomes reality.

That there is one of the two major designs for the new Atlanta Falcons stadium, proposed to open in time for the start of the 2017 season. Crafted by 360 Architecture, it's called the "Pantheon," and it's a new design on the usual retractable-dome style. How new? This new:

Concept design via 360 Architecture.

The centerpiece of the dome is the "Oculus," the eye that rotates open depending on the day's weather and the facility's needs. It's meant to resemble the sweep of a falcon's wing, and you can see it in action in the video below. Sweet, huh?

Also under consideration: the "Solarium," a more traditional two-paneled retractable-roof facility:

Concept design via 360 Architecture.

360 Architecture, which also designed MetLife Stadium, home of the Giants and Jets, won a $35 million deal to design the estimated billion-dollar stadium. And the amenities, if actually built, will rival any stadium in the world.

(Getty Images)

Former Green Bay Packers safety Leroy Butler played all 12 of his NFL seasons in the Frozen Tundra from 1990 through 2001. He was a key cog in the Pack's Super Bowl XXXI-winning team, is credited with inventing the Lambeau Leap, and grabbed 38 interceptions in 181 games and 165 starts despite childhood disabilities that forced him to wear leg braces. Since Butler's NFL career ended, he's been pretty tireless with his philanthropic work, heading up the Leroy Butler Foundation. Butler works with churches in the Wisconsin area, but there's one local church that decided to cancel his scheduled appearance.

Why? Apparently, because Butler dared to congratulate basketball player Jason Collins for coming out last week.

Congrats to Jason Collins

— leroy butler (@leap36) April 29, 2013

Butler went through the timeline of events on his Twitter account.

Oregon speedster De'Anthony Thomas is one of many interesting players that could be in the 2014 NFL draft (USA Today Sports Images)

Next year's draft has a chance to be special. Not only are the top 10 prospects that Doug Farrar talked about already a lot more interesting than this year's crop, there are a ton of intriguing prospects waiting behind them.

Many of the players listed below are underclassmen who will finally be able to declare for the draft. If all of the eligible stars leave for next year's draft, it will be a class that rivals any in the past few years, as far as potential stars coming into the league.

Here are 10 players to track over the next college football season, because while they're not top 10 prospects yet, they might be one good year from cracking that list (or at very least making a huge move up draft boards):

So, the 2013 draft is just over, and we're already talking about the Class of 2014? Well, sure. While the 2013 draft roster featured a lot of outstanding linemen on both sides of the ball and a relative lack of truly elite skill position guys, next year's group looks to have a great deal of talent at just about every position -- and a far more impressive set of quarterbacks at or near the top. We'll be writing much more about these gentlemen, of course, but here are 10 to watch for the 2014 draft -- and our buddy Frank Schwab has 10 more prospects of interest.

1. Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina: Clowney is primarily known for this unblocked hit on Michigan running back Vincent Smith in the Outback Bowl (and it is a magnificent play), but this is no one-highlight wonder. NFL teams watching his tape on a game-to-game basis have to be champing at the bit for Clowney to make himself eligible for the 2014 draft. Not only does he attack the line and move to the pocket with terrifying speed, he also has a fully-grown bull rush, a spin move that seems to defy physics, and amazing agility to get around blockers. Brings an embryonic array of hand moves, and once in a while, will pull out a rip or swim move that just devastates the poor soul trying to block him. Clowney is the most impressive NCAA defender I've seen since Ndamukong Suh, and the first since Suh where I have to keep pulling back to the previous play to insure that I saw what I thought I saw -- put simply, he does things on the football field that no 6-foot-6, 268-pound person should be able to do.

2. Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M: Aggies fans aren't mourning the loss of Luke Joeckel when it comes to the left tackle position, because Matthews, the son of Hall of Famer Bruce, has been groomed to take over that spot. The scary thing is, Matthews might be even better than Joeckel over time -- he's already quicker to a spot and more agile in space, and his ability to strike defenders is truly special. I'd like to see him sustain blocks a bit longer, and he's going to have to refine his pass-pro arc at his new position, but Matthews has everything it takes to be the first offensive player taken in the 2014 draft.

3. Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville: ...unless Bridgewater continues to progress and takes that spot away from him. I'm of the belief that the Louisville star would have been the top quarterback in the 2013 class, just ahead of Geno Smith -- Bridgewater is more functionally mobile, has a more dynamic downfield arm, and makes better decisions. Like Robert Griffin III at Baylor, Bridgewater has far better on-field intelligence and is able to do many more things than your standard, stereotyped "read-option" quarterback.

4. Marqise Lee, WR, USC: With Matt Barkley and Robert Woods off to the NFL, it's Lee's time to shine as never before. He's already established himself as one of the NCAA's most dangerous playmakers, and depending on how USC's quarterback situation pans out, could have more success on the deep routes Barkley didn't often throw. Lee freelances too much and needs to get that under control, but there are few targets in the college game better able to alter a defense's game plans.

5. Louis Nix III, DT, Notre Dame: Nix was perhaps the most impressive part of Notre Dame's outstanding defense in 2012, no matter what some say about that linebacker guy. At 6-foot-3 and 326 pounds, Nix possesses NFL-level strength at the line, impressive speed to close, and a preternatural understanding of how to use angles to disrupt. Can play anywhere from the nose tackle slot (where he succeeds despite double and triple teams) outside to end.

6. Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA: Perhaps the best pass-rushing "endbacker" among the 2014 draft-eligibles. Barr shows great speed around the turn and to the pocket, but that's not all he's able to do. Like Oregon's Dion Jordan (who went third overall to the Miami Dolphins), he has a rare ability to cover from the line out to the slot. Also like Jordan in college, Barr needs to pack on a a little weight and address some game fundamentals. But he's already shown some pretty special traits on the field. Recorded 13.5 sacks in 2012 and could move up this list with a quickness if he's able to escape the "one-year wonder" designation.

Justin Blackmon will miss the first four games of the 2013 season (USA Today Sports Images)

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Justin Blackmon will miss the first month of the 2013 season as he has been suspended by the National Football League for four games for violating the league's substance abuse policy, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.

"I’ve made a mistake and I have no excuse. I am truly sorry and disappointed in myself for putting the Jaguars in this situation, and I look forward to putting this behind me and maturing and growing as a person," Blackmon said in a statement issued by the Jaguars. "I will have a productive training camp and preseason with my team, and during the suspension I will work hard to stay in top football shape and be ready to help the Jaguars when I return. I have chosen to be accountable for my poor decision, and I sincerely apologize to my teammates, coaches, the front office and Jaguars fans for the impact of my mistake on the team."

Blackmon's suspension is not his first misstep since entering the NFL.

Two days after the Jaguars completed their OTAs last offseason, Blackmon was arrested in Stillwater, Oklahoma on aggravated DUI charges. For Blackmon, it was his second DUI arrest (the first occurred while he was playing for Oklahoma State University in 2010, but his charges were reduced), and he avoided jail time with a guilty plea the following month. Blackmon received a deferred sentence of one year along with a $500 fine and an order to complete 50 hours of community service.

The four-game suspension will cost Blackmon $289,754 (4/17ths of his $1,231,455 base salary) and might void the guarantee language on the $10,722,248 in base salaries and annual roster bonuses that remain on his four-year, $18.512 million rookie contract. The Jaguars could also seek to recoup the prorated portions of his $7.11 million signing bonus in 2012 and $1.7 million in roster bonuses in 2013 for the weeks that he is suspended, which amounts to $818,235.

Blackmon, 23, was selected by the Jaguars with the fifth overall pick of the 2012 NFL draft. Blackmon started 14 of 16 games, playing in 90.78 percent of the Jaguars' offensive snaps and led the team with 64 receptions and was second on the team behind Cecil Shorts with 865 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns. Blackmon's receiving yards was the most among NFL rookie wide receivers in 2012.

Geno Smith is changing agents (USA Today Sports Images)

West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith's fall out of the first-round of the 2013 NFL draft has claimed its first casualty as Liz Mullen of the SportsBusiness Journal reports that the rookie quarterback is parting ways with his agents, Jeff Nalley of the Houston-based Select Sports Group.

[Also: Tyrann Mathieu won't sign a contract without guaranteed money]

Smith accepted an invitation to attend the draft and was in the green room at Radio City Music Hall for most of the first-round. However, when the first-round reached the final few picks, and those picks were held by teams that have no need for a quarterback, Smith left the building as it was evident he would not be selected until Day 2.

ESPN's Suzy Kolber reported that Smith was not going to attend Day 2 of the draft, but Smith changed his mind and returned to Radio City Music Hall on Friday. Smith was selected by the New York Jets with the eighth pick in Round 2, the 39th overall pick in the draft, which is expected come with a contract worth just under $5 million with over $3.1 million in guaranteed money. Had Smith been selected in Round 1, his contract would be worth, at minimum, $6.7 million with around $5.4 million in guaranteed money.

The financial difference, as well as having to return to a green room for a second day, appear to be the reason why Smith is changing agents.