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| Smith to be limited in mini-camp | Thursday 4/24, 8:05 PM CT |
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Alex Smith, coming back from shoulder surgery, will be limited from making any vertical throws when the team opens up mini-camp, according to the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.
Our View: Smith will be battling with Shaun Hill for the starting spot behind center in what figures to be an exciting offense with OC Mike Martz at the helm. |
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| Lawson recovering from ACL injury | Thursday 4/24, 8:02 PM CT |
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Manny Lawson will be with the team for their first week of mini-camp, but the team will likely limit his workload given that he is coming back from ACL surgery, this according to the Santa Clara Press Democrat.
Our View: Lawson will be a big part of what the Niners try to do on defense this season so look for them to be very cautious with him in the early going ensuring he will be 100% at the start of the season. |
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| Favre speaks of playing again? | Thursday 4/24, 8:00 PM CT |
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Brett Favre continues to run his mouth and say things that are in opposition to his stated goal of retiring, according to a report in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Favre taped a segment on the Late Show with David Letterman, and here is part of what he said. "I think when training camp gets close, I will - something's bound to happen." Letterman asked him what he meant and Favre replied by saying, "Butterflies, or - I don't know, something's bound to happen."
Our View: Are you as sick of this already as we are? We will keep reporting all the non-sense surrounding this situation, but the team certainly can't be happy with not being sure of which direction they will move in this season with Favre sending mixed signals on a weekly basis. |
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| Russell looks good according to coach | Thursday 4/24, 7:54 PM CT |
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There have been plenty of rumors about the enormous weight of QB JaMarcus Russell, but they aren't true if you listen to the words of his HC Lane Kiffen, according to the Contra Costa Times. “He’s having a phenominal offseason. He came back 10, 11 days before we even started,” Kiffin said. "By far he’s in the best shape since I’ve seen him, even if you go back to his pro day at college."
Our View: Russell has a lot of pressure on him as he enters his second season as the presumptive starter after a rather unimpressive rookie campaign. At least he will be in camp on time this season to give himself a real shot at success. |
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| Sheppard visits Bucs | Thursday 4/24, 7:50 PM CT |
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Lito Sheppard visited with the Tampa Bay Bucs on Wednesday night, though the report from Fox Sports has not yet been confirmed, according to the Pewter Report.
Our View: The Bucs are known to be in the market for a cornerback, but with all the rumors flying around as we approach the draft, it's often hard to tell which are true. |
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| Jordan not in plans? | Thursday 4/24, 7:47 PM CT |
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LaMont Jordan may or may not be a part of the Raiders plans this season depending on how the draft plays out, this according to the Contra Costa Times. “LaMont does have a very high contract, and a big number coming into this,” HC Lane Kiffin said. “So we have to look at what happens in the draft, look at what else is going on and make a decision.”
Our View: The team already has Justin Fargas, Dominic Rhodes and Michael Bush in the fold, and if the rumors are true that they might select Darren McFadden, Jordan would likely be on his way out of town. He still might be regardless. |
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| Walker should be ready for camp | Thursday 4/24, 7:44 PM CT |
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Javon Walker (knee) should be at 100% by the time that the team's first mini-camp roles around, according to the Contra Costa Times.
Our View: Walker was signed to a huge contract this off-season and the team is putting a lot of eggs in the Walker basket this season. |
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| Baas tears pectoral muscle | Thursday 4/24, 6:33 PM CT |
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David Baas will probably miss all of camp and most of the preseason because of a torn pectoral muscle, according to the AP. Baas will undergo surgery on Friday.
Our View: Bass, the 33rd pick in the 2005 draft, is expected to start at right guard for the Niners this year in season #1 of the Mike Martz experiment. |
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| Robertson now a Bronco | Thursday 4/24, 5:35 PM CT |
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Dewayne Robertson is now a member of the Denver Broncos after a trade was worked out with the New York Jets, according to the AP. Robertson, the fourth overall pick in 2003, was traded to the Broncos for a conditional pick in the 2009 draft.
Our View: Robertson continues to have to deal with issues with both knees, but the Broncos need held with their pass rush so they have decided to take a chance on Robertson. |
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| Umenyiora isn't considering holdout | Thursday 4/24, 3:37 PM CT |
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Osi Umenyiora isn't considering a holdout if he doesn't reach a new contract deal before training camp, according to the NY Daily News. He said, "Right now it’s not the time for me to try to do anything crazy like holding out. I’m not going to say I wasn’t thinking about it. I mean, come on, you see what’s going on out there (with escalating salaries), but I don’t think it’s the right thing to do. I’m happy to be here. I want to be here. I don’t want to seem disrespectful. I don’t want to do anything crazy. I’m cool. When it’s time to do the right thing, they will do the right thing. Right now, I’m just going to go out and try to earn what they’ve paid me already."
Our View: Umenyiora is the driving force of the Giants' defensive line as he racked up 13 sacks and five forced fumbles in 2007, and the the defending champs will not want to lose him. |
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| Cowboys agree on deal for Pacman | Thursday 4/24, 2:23 PM CT |
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The Titans have reached an agreement to deal Pacman Jones to the Cowboys, according to ESPN.com. The two teams agreed in principle on a trade on Wednesday for the suspended defensive back. The agreement, which was first reported by ESPN's Ed Werder, was confirmed to the AP by both teams. No terms had been filed with the NFL office, which already had closed for the day. Dallas will reportedly send its fourth-round pick (the 126th overall) in Saturday's draft to the Titans for Jones. There are also a few conditions attached to the deal related to Jones being reinstated by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and how much he plays for Dallas. If he plays a significant amount of time in 2008, the Titans will get an additional pick from the Cowboys in 2009. If he doesn't get reinstated by the NFL, sources said the Cowboys get the Titans' fourth-round pick in 2009.
Our View: Jones is among the most dynamic performers in the NFL when he plays, and he would make a big impact in Dallas, but he remains a risky fantasy prospect, due to his knack to find trouble. It remains to be seen if he will be re-instated as well. |
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| Redskins focus on two players | Thursday 4/24, 12:47 PM CT |
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The Washington Redskins are honing in on Clemson defensive end Philip Merling and Oklahoma wide receiver Malcolm Kelly, according to the Washington Post. Owner Daniel Snyder, head coach Jim Zorn and defensive coordinator Greg Blache are expected to attend workouts for both players in the next two days.
Our View: If the Redskins can’t move down, Merling would seem to make more sense in the first round, because of the abundance of solid receiver prospects in the 2008 NFL draft. |
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| Allen clear in five months? | Thursday 4/24, 12:34 PM CT |
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One “league source” told SI.com that Minnesota defensive end Jared Allen's two strikes in the NFL’s substance abuse program get wiped off the books, if he stays incident free through September, at which time his most recent DUI will be two years old. Under this scenario, Allen would then be out from under the threat of a year long suspension if he incurred another DUI after September.
Our View: This report couldn't be confirmed by the NFL, leaving it uncertain whether Allen is a high risk for a career-interrupting suspension. |
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| Pace working hard on rehab | Thursday 4/24, 12:20 PM CT |
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Offensive tackle Orlando Pace, recovering from shoulder surgery, is looking positively svelte at 320 pounds, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “I’m trying to slim down,” Pace said. “The older you get, the weight is a big deal. I’m just trying to be in the best shape possible.”
Our View: Pace has missed 23 games due to various injuries the past two seasons, and his healthy return would be a boon for a Rams offensive line that was decimated by injuries across the board last season. |
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| Favre to chat with Letterman tonight | Thursday 4/24, 12:11 PM CT |
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It took him 11 years, but Brett Favre is finally getting around to sitting back down with David Letterman, according to the Green Bay Press-Gazette. The former Green Bay Packers quarterback will be on tonight's "Late Show with David Letterman'' at 10:35 p.m. on CBS.
Our View: Favre made his first appearance on the show Feb. 7, 1997, after the Packers won Super Bowl XXXI.
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| Briggs has more legal issues | Thursday 4/24, 12:04 PM CT |
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Chicago Bears linebacker Lance Briggs, who made headlines last year after wrecking his luxury car and fleeing the scene, has run afoul of the law again, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Briggs, who was ordered to do 120 hours of community service and placed on probation, has only done two hours of community work and left the state without the judge's permission.
Our View: As a result, Briggs has been ordered to court on June 19 to explain to Judge Earl Hoffenberg why he left the state without permission and how he plans to complete his community service within the next five months. |
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| Texans GM making phone calls | Thursday 4/24, 11:02 AM CT |
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Even though the Houston Texans are slated to make their first selection at No. 18, the organization isn’t overly attached to that slot, according to the Houston Chronicle. With the NFL draft just two days away, general manager Rick Smith has already started making phone calls.
"Certainly we're confident that we're going to get a good player at the 18th pick, but if there is an opportunity for us to move backwards and acquire additional picks I think you've got to entertain that," Smith said. "I think what happens is as the board starts to fall and you start to evaluate the players that are on the board, if there is a player that you feel like can make a significant difference with your club I think you've got to take it. If that's not the case, I think you have to entertain moving back.”
Our View: The Texans have several holes to fill, and are interested in acquiring more picks since they have only five. |
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| Burleson expected to start | Thursday 4/24, 10:49 AM CT |
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If the Seattle coaching staff had a complaint with wide receiver Nate Burleson last season, it was that he would produce when it wasn't expected, but disappear when he was needed. Burleson will open the team's first minicamp as the split end, and it's basically his job to lose, according to the Sporting News.
Our View: Burleson has been slow to assimilate the West Coast offense, but the light finally came on last season. He posted 4+ receptions in five of the last eight weeks, and posted six of his nine touchdown receptions during the second half of the season. D.J. Hackett is plying his trade in Carolina, and Deion Branch is expected to miss some time early in the season, providing Burleson with the opportunity to make a greater impact in 2008. |
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| Fonoti slims down to 330 pounds | Thursday 4/24, 10:41 AM CT |
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If there has been a surprise in Carolina during offseason workouts, it's offensive guard Toniu Fonoti. He reported at around 330 pounds, and he looks like the player who was a standout in San Diego, according to the Sporting News.
Our View: The Panthers are looking to feature a power running game this year, and continued progress by Fonoti, could enable the team to keep Travelle Wharton at left tackle. Improvements in the offensive line are obviously a good thing for running back DeAngelo Williams, who has the opportunity to seize a featured role in Carolina this season. |
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| Dvoracek cleared to return | Thursday 4/24, 10:31 AM CT |
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Defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek has received full medical clearance to return from the torn anterior cruciate ligament he suffered in his left knee last year in the season opener, according to the Sporting News.
Our View: The Bears can use all the help they can get one season after injuries decimated the interior line, causing the defense to fall from sixth against the run in 2006, to 24th in 2007. The Bears feel Dvoracek can be a standout player, but he has no value in IDP formats. |
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| Thomas not promised starting job | Thursday 4/24, 10:21 AM CT |
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Zach Thomas says he has not been promised anything by the Dallas Cowboys, except an opportunity to compete with Akin Ayodele and Kevin Burnett for the starting inside linebacker job on the weak side, according to the Sporting News. Since 2003, Thomas has missed 17 games due to various injuries, including 11 last year due to a concussion.
Our View: The Cowboys feel Thomas is an upgrade over Ayodele from a leadership and big play standpoint. However, Thomas, who will be a high risk, medium reward type IDP prospect, will have to prove he can stay healthy throughout training camp to secure the starting job. |
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| Washington could avoid prosecution | Thursday 4/24, 9:56 AM CT |
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Fabian Washington has learned that he will avoid prosecution for his February arrest on a domestic battery charge as long as he completes a program for first-time offenders, according to the Contra Costa Times. Washington, 24, was originally arrested at his home in Florida, after the responding police officer noticed a red mark on the neck of Washington's 21-year-old live-in girlfriend.
Our View: Washington entered into a deferred prosecution agreement that requires him to complete a 26-week intervention program, in order to avoid prosecution. Washington, who is currently fourth-string on the Oakland Raiders cornerback depth chart, has no value in IDP formats. |
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| Packers receptive to moving down? | Thursday 4/24, 9:42 AM CT |
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At a time when plenty of teams are rumored to be interested in trading up in the draft, the Green Bay Packers are believed to be hoping to move down, in order to pick up extra picks, according to Pro Football Talk.
Our View: Green Bay has the 30th overall selection in the first round, and there are rumors circulating that a handful of undisclosed teams might be interested in trading back into the first round, to select a quarterback. |
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| More wheeling and dealing for KC? | Thursday 4/24, 9:30 AM CT |
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Head coach Herm Edwards said the Kansas City Chiefs might spend the days before Saturday's NFL draft examining the possibility of trading for even more draft picks, according to the Kansas City Star. Kansas City entered this week with 10 draft picks. But Tuesday night's trade of All-Pro defensive end Jared Allen gave the Chiefs three more - for a total of six of the draft's first 82 choices. "It’s not over," Edwards said. "Right now, we have 13. We might end up with more than that. Who knows?"
Our View: Currently, Kansas City has the No. 5 and the No. 17 overall picks, the latter of which the Chiefs acquired - along with a pair of third-round selections - in the Allen trade. |
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| Jets focusing on Ryan? | Thursday 4/24, 9:24 AM CT |
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By doling out $140 million in free-agent contracts this offseason, the New York Jets have behaved like a team in a win-now mode. But if Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan is available in Saturday's draft, they're prepared to call an audible and look toward the future, according to the New York Daily News. Looking up from the No. 6 position, the Jets can't be sure what will happen with picks two through five, but they appear to be targeting Ryan and Arkansas running back Darren McFadden.
Our View: Kellen Clemens and Chad Pennington are slated to battle in training camp, but the organization isn't sold on Clemens, and Pennington is basically a $6 million insurance policy. The addition of Ryan, the highest-rated quarterback in the draft, could provide long-term security at a premium position. |
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| Dallas players won’t police Pacman | Thursday 4/24, 9:18 AM CT |
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The Dallas Cowboys' defensive players aren't going to babysit Pacman Jones, according to the Dallas Morning News. Columnist Jean-Jacques Taylor says he has conducted an informal survey over the last few weeks, and several players have made it abundantly clear that they will not police the troubled cornerback.
Our View: The undisclosed “players” respect Jones’ talent, and as long as he tries to fit in and be a good teammate, they'd like to have him around. However, before any of that can happen, Commissioner Roger Goodell has to reinstate Jones. |
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| $1M bail for suspect in Pacman case | Thursday 4/24, 9:06 AM CT |
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A man accused of shooting three people outside a Las Vegas strip club and then extorting money from professional football player Adam "Pacman" Jones has been ordered held on $1 million bail, according to SI.com. Arvin Kenti Edwards is being held for investigation of being a fugitive from justice pending his extradition to Nevada.
Our View: Vegas police say Edwards opened fire after a brawl at the Minxx strip joint in February 2007, and that he later demanded $15,000 from Jones for "services rendered." Jones, who says he didn't order the hit, declined to pay, but he did reimburse a friend after the friend paid the money on Jones' behalf. |
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| Zorn working with Campbell | Thursday 4/24, 8:46 AM CT |
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Quarterback Jason Campbell has credited head coach Jim Zorn with making mechanical adjustments in his throwing motion that have helped him in passing drills during the Washington Redskins' voluntary offseason workout program, according to the Washington Post. "When I make statements about how I'm changing Jason, it's not to compare with what has been done in the past," Zorn said. "I really get in trouble, and I've gotten in trouble on comparison questions, because somebody has not done it right. But it's just philosophy, so I've done a couple of things. He's so tall [6 feet 5]. Instead of him standing tall the whole time, I have him compressed a little bit, just to bend a little bit and give him the opportunity to move laterally quicker than maybe what he's done in the past. I'm glad he would comment on those little things. They're going to help us and we're going to make plays."
Our View: Temper your expectations for Campbell, who is learning his third different offensive scheme in the past four seasons. The West Coast offense takes time to master, so the organization is expected to lean on the running game, at least early in the season. |
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| James secure in Arizona | Thursday 4/24, 8:32 AM CT |
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Since the end of last season, there has been speculation the Arizona Cardinals were eager to replace running back Edgerrin James with a younger, faster model. Not so, team officials say. The organization would like to add a running back in this weekend's draft, but the Cardinals would be content to again go with James and develop a potential replacement, according to the Arizona Republic.
Our View: The Cardinals are rumored to be looking for an explosive back to compliment James, who posted only four carries of 20+ yards last year. If the Cardinals address the position in the draft, we envision a situation where James could be the starter early in the year, with the ground game possibly evolving into a RBBC scenario as the season progresses. |
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| Rams leaning towards Dorsey | Thursday 4/24, 8:23 AM CT |
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At this point, all signs seem to be pointing to LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey as the St, Louis Rams' choice with the second overall pick in the NFL draft, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Our View: At this stage of the game it’s difficult to differentiate smokescreens from reality. This report could be nothing more than a smokescreen, as rumors are swirling that New Orleans would like to move up to select Dorsey. The Rams have reportedly narrowed their choices down to the previously mentioned Dorsey, Virginia defensive end Chris Long, and to a lesser degree, are interested in Ohio State defensive end Vernon Gholston. |
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| Heiden undergoes back surgery | Thursday 4/24, 8:13 AM CT |
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Tight end Steve Heiden recently underwent surgery to repair a bulging disc in his back and will be out for approximately three weeks, according to ESPN. The Browns initially planned to use treatment and rehab for the injury, but Heiden decided last week to have corrective surgery before the problem got worse.
Our View: Heiden is the No. 2 tight end in Cleveland's offense behind starter Kellen Winslow Jr., and is primarily utilized as a run blocker in the offense. |
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| Dallas re-signs Procter | Thursday 4/24, 7:56 AM CT |
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The Dallas Cowboys signed center Cory Procter to a one-year contract, according to the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram.
Our View: Procter played in all 16 games last year and started the final two games of the regular season for an injured Andre Gurode. |
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| DE White could request trade | Thursday 4/24, 7:43 AM CT |
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Defensive end Greg White might ask the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a trade if they do not offer him another contract, according to the Tampa Tribune. White is seeking either a long-term deal or an incentive-laden short-term contract, before this weekend's draft. If it is not offered, he will ask for a trade. White is an exclusive-rights free agent, meaning Tampa Bay is the only team that can negotiate with him. The Buccaneers offered White a contract of $370,000 in February, a slight improvement on the $285,000 base salary he earned last season.
Our View: White posted 45 tackles, eight sacks, seven forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries last season, arguably the best performance by a Buccaneers' defensive lineman. He accomplished that after playing for the Orlando Predators in the Arena Football League and entering the NFL without any substantial offseason rest. Regardless, he has had one good season in the NFL, not exactly the type of leverage necessary to be expecting a long-term deal. |
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| Grant not expected to holdout | Thursday 4/24, 7:30 AM CT |
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Running back Ryan Grant still hasn't signed his $370,000 exclusive rights free agent qualifying offer, but said he does not envision a scenario in which he would hold out of training camp, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "No, I don't see it at that point, but right now that has nothing to do with where we're at," Grant said. As to where things stand on the new contract Grant is seeking, not much has been done but Grant is optimistic. "I'm not really pressed about anything right now," he said. "I just know at some point it will get done. I'm excited about it and I'm excited for the organization."
Our View: Grant is looking for a long-term deal after he rushed for 956 yards and averaged 5.1 yards a carry despite being the team’s primary halfback for only the final nine games of the 2007 season. |
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| Seahawks deny interest in Shockey | Thursday 4/24, 7:24 AM CT |
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The Seattle Seahawks have denied having any interest in acquiring New York Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey, according to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
Our View: Yesterday, the New York Daily News reported that the Seahawks were among the teams interested in the disgruntled tight end, but the organization plans to address the position in the NFL draft this weekend. Last year’s starter, Marcus Pollard, recently signed with New England and the team signed Jeb Putzier, who currently occupies the top rung on the tight end depth chart. |
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| Packers seriously considering C-Pep | Thursday 4/24, 7:13 AM CT |
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After having quarterback Daunte Culpepper in for a visit yesterday, the Green Bay Packers are seriously considering adding him to their roster, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Our View: The 31-year-old veteran has been on the market for 56 days and chances of him pulling anything more than a one-year, incentive-laden contract isn’t very good. Culpepper would have limited value backing up Aaron Rodgers, and the organization could also draft a rookie signal caller. |
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