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| Benson currently still starter | Friday 5/16, 5:23 PM CT |
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Cedric Benson is currently still the Bears' starting running back, according to ChicagoBears.com. Coach Lovie Smith said, "Cedric was our starter last year, and he’s our starter right now. For someone else to be the starter, they’re going to have to beat him out. I’m going to put Adrian Peterson and Garrett Wolfe in there also. We like what Matt Forte brings. When you draft a player that high, you’re expecting him to eventually play and have a role with your team. But Cedric Benson has looked good in workouts out here. I’m hoping that Cedric will get back to form and we see that guy that we know he is."
Our View: The team is also expected to carry four running backs this season. Matt Forte will try to unseat Benson for the starting job, and this should be a fierce battle to follow through training camp. |
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| Wilson working at strong safety | Friday 5/16, 5:01 PM CT |
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Gibril Wilson worked as the starting strong safety during the team's offseason workout on Thursday, according to silverandblackpride.com.
Our View: Wilson ranked as a top IDP while a member of the Giants, and should continue to make a strong impact in Oakland. Wilson registered 92 tackles (78 solo) and four interceptions with New York in 2007. |
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| Morrison could be moved to SLB? | Friday 5/16, 4:56 PM CT |
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Kirk Morrison could be moved to strong-side linebacker this season if new addition Ed Hartwell proves he is capable of playing in the middle, according to silverandblackpride.com.
Our View: Morrison is good at covering tight ends, but at times had trouble shedding blocks in the middle last season. He still racked up 120 tackles (96 solo), and his fantasy-value would take a hit if he ultimately gets moved to the strong-side this season. |
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| Walker compares Russell to Favre | Friday 5/16, 4:50 PM CT |
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Javon Walker compared JaMarcus Russell to Brett Favre, according to silverandblackpride.com. Walker said, "Russell has a good arm. I've been fortunate enough in my career to play with a quarterback who had a strong arm (Favre), and that's something I developed into, catching a fast ball. He's one of those guys that has that ball. The more and more we work together, the better that we're going to be."
Our View: Walker will have a chance to make a strong impact in Oakland, but it remains to be seen if he can stay healthy for a full 16 games. Walker was reduced to 26 receptions for 287 yards over seven games (with Denver) in 2007 due to various injuries. |
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| Meier signs extension | Friday 5/16, 4:41 PM CT |
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Rob Meier signed a four-year contract extension on Thursday, according to the AP. Meier said the new deal will pay more than the $2.095 million he was due in the final year of his previous contract. Coach Jack Del Rio said, "He’s been a solid, hardworking player. He’s gotten better every year we’ve been here. He probably played his best football last year. He was very disruptive in the middle. He’s got some sneakiness in the pass rush, he shows up around the quarterback quite a bit and he’s been solid for us in the run game. We’re happy with Rob."
Our View: The 31-year old is expected to replace Marcus Stroud at defensive tackle, as he departed for Buffalo. Meier racked up 27 tackles and four sacks in 2007. |
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| Cutler adjusting to diabetes | Friday 5/16, 3:44 PM CT |
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Jay Cutler, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes this off-season, is adjusting well according to Yahoo Sports.
Our View: Cutler lost about 30 pounds last year when no one knew what was going on with his body, but now that the diagnosis is clear Cutler should be in a much better position to keep his body weight right around the 230 pounds he is listed at. |
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| Harrison at practice, doesn't suit up | Friday 5/16, 3:36 PM CT |
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Updating an earlier report, Marvin Harrison did in fact attend mandatory minicamp on Friday, though he did not participate in any of the action, according to ESPN.
Our View: Harrison has the well documented case with a shooting at his bar, as well as his knee issue to overcome in the coming months before he can be considered anything remotely resembling a sure bet to contribute in '08. |
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| Thomas not concerned about head issues | Friday 5/16, 2:35 PM CT |
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Zach Thomas doesn't believe that last year's concussion issues will hamper him moving forward, according to the Dallas Morning News. "I don't see that as a concern. I wouldn't put myself in that position. I wouldn't put my family in that position. There's way more important things when it comes to health."
Our View: Thomas, if healthy, would appear to be a nice bounce back candidate this year, though with the struggles he faced last season there is always a chance that one hit could end his career, though you could say that about any player. |
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| Jurevicius had second operation | Friday 5/16, 1:24 PM CT |
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Joe Jurevicius, who had a staph infection early this off-season after undergoing a knee operation, also is "believed" to have had a second procedure on his knee, according to Cleveland.com.
Our View: Jurevicius was originally scheduled to be on the field by now for OTA's, but the fact that he isn't lends credence to the story of him undergoing a second procedure. |
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| Rivers progressing | Friday 5/16, 1:20 PM CT |
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Philip Rivers continues to have success working with his reconstructed knee and after being involved in min-camps he figures to be just as active in OTA's, according to the Team's Official Website.
Our View: Rivers appears on target to beat most estimates and to be 100%, or very close to it, by the time the season rolls around. Each week brings better news for Rivers and his fantasy star is on the rise because of it. |
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| Polamalu to work out on own | Friday 5/16, 1:16 PM CT |
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Troy Polamalu will not be working out with his teammates during spring practices as he was given permission to work out on his own, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "The reality is he's recovering from an injury," HC Mike Tomlin said. "He's unable to participate in organized team activities, so it provides an opportunity for him to do what he feels good about."
Our View: Polamalu had off-season knee surgery and reports are that he has been working out very hard to make sure he doesn't suffer another injury plagued season in '08. |
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| Williams to play two more years | Friday 5/16, 1:12 PM CT |
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Ricky Williams appears set on playing two more years and then hanging up the cleats for good, according to the Miami Herald. "All professional athletes have to come face to face one day with their professional mortality and finding a way to cope with it," Williams said. "I have a couple of more years of football left in me and then I'll go off and explore the world after that."
Our View: Williams has commented that he was a little surprised that Bill Parcells didn't give him the old heave ho this off-season because of his colorful past, but if healthy he would appear to be in the mix to take on a substantial role this year, that is if he doesn't smoke his way out of the league. |
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| Harrison could report on Thursday | Friday 5/16, 1:09 PM CT |
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Marvin Harrison will be report at the start of mandatory three-day camp if you listen to HC Tony Dungy, according to the Indianapolis Star. Dungy said he assumed that Harrison would be there, though the team isn't officially commenting on the participation of any Colts player.
Our View: With all that's going on in Harrison's life right now, who really knows if he will show up, and we still aren't sure how he will perform once on the field. Harrison will be a huge wild card in fantasy drafts this year unless we get a much better handle on a whole series of issues. |
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| LT says he's good to go | Friday 5/16, 1:00 PM CT |
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LaDainian Tomlinson says that his injured knee shouldn't hinder him at all this season, according to CBS Sportsline. "I'm running and cutting and everything is good," he said. "I'm ready to go."
Our View: The Chargers have already announced that they will hold LT out of preseason action as they have the past few years, so the only way we will be able to verify the health of his knee will be from watching practices. |
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| Mathis given release | Friday 5/16, 12:57 PM CT |
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Jerome Mathis was released by the Redskins barely a month after signing with the team, according to the Washington Post.
Our View: Mathis was brought in to aid the return game and provide depth at the WR spot, but when the team drafted Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly, Mathis was deemed expendable. |
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| Jones to hold open workout | Friday 5/16, 12:53 PM CT |
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Kevin Jones has scheduled a workout for NFL scouts on June 28th to prove that his injured knee is fully healthy, according to the Detroit Free Press. "He's progressing excellent," Dr. D.S. Ping said. "He's got full range of motion. Everything he's doing, he's doing well."
Our View: Jones can still be a useful piece of any teams backfield, but his days of being a #1 back appear over since whomever signs him likely will be very careful with his workload given that each of his last two seasons has ended because of injury. |
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| Shockey not goign to New Orleans | Friday 5/16, 12:50 PM CT |
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Jeremy Shockey may still end up being moved this off-season but it won't be to the New Orleans Saints, according to North Jersey.com. “It’s no secret we had some discussions with them and we just couldn’t come to a conclusion on the right compensation,” Saints GM Mickey Loomis said.
Our View: Kevin Boss dynasty owners are still hoping something will happen with Shockey, but given his injury history it seems less than likely that a deal can be worked out for Shockey because when he is on the field he is productive thereby necessitating a larger haul in a trade than most team's will not be likely offer. |
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| Jackson earns teammates praise | Friday 5/16, 12:44 PM CT |
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Tarvaris Jackson has at least one Viking firmly in his corner, and that is C Matt Birk who was very complimentary during a radio interview, according to Twin Cities.com. “This is the year," Birk said. "Do I think he has what it takes? Absolutely! Is it going to be ups and downs, bumps in the road? Absolutely. But I think he’s coming along. … I think he’s got what it takes. Obviously, it’s a big year for him and a big year for us, but I feel very good with him being our quarterback.”
Our View: With Gus Frerotte the only experienced backup the Vikes better hope that Tarvaris can take the next step this year and avoid the indecision and INT problems that plagued him last year. Adding WR Bernard Berrian should help. |
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| Plan is still to feature LJ | Friday 5/16, 12:40 PM CT |
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The Chiefs have been working on reestablishing the team's offensive line this off-season so that they can once again feature Larry Johnson as the centerpiece of their offense, according to the Kansas City Star.
Our View: The team is trying to bring some stability to the O-line which will go a long way to allowing LJ to do his thing. Of course, we still are a bit leery of counting too heavily on Johnson after his injury issues last year, so exercise caution here with the whole situation. |
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