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[Dolphins] Dolphins RB Ronnie Brown Was Arrested For DUI On Friday

SteveRobWhatever — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 03:26:01 GMT

Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown was arrested late Friday night for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol during an offseason trip to his hometown outside of Atlanta this weekend, two sources told The Miami Herald. Brown, who has no previous arrest record, was arrested after an officer pulled him over for making a lane change without using his blinker, sources said. The Dolphins are aware of the situation, and they are continuing to monitor the legal process but they are not believed to be overly upset with Brown because of his impeccable past as a player and a citizen.

Source: Miami Herald

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[Jets] Jets Coach Rex Ryan Speaks About His Lap-Band Surgery

BigBlueBruiser — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 02:53:23 GMT

Jets coach Rex Ryan was thinking of his family, not himself, when the Jets' portly coach decided to have lap-band weight loss surgery earlier this month. Making his first public appearance since the procedure, Ryan told reporters here today at the NFL's annual meeting that he knew his ballooning weight had put his health on a slippery slope and jeopardized all his hard work. "I've got everything right now," a slightly leaner-looking Ryan said, relaxing on a hotel lobby couch. "I mean, I've got the world by the you-know-whats. It's unbelievable. Everything that I've ever wanted in my life, great family, healthy family. I'm financially set. I'm doing exactly what I want to do, which is coaching in the National Football League. And I'm a head coach in the National Football League. .But if you don't have your health, you don't have nothing. I want to be around and enjoy my kids, see my grandkids." Ryan, who underwent the previously undisclosed operation March 13 at NYU Medical Center, revealed today that he weighed 338 pounds on the operating table and had lost 20 pounds, down to 317 in the two weeks since.

Source: NY Post

[NFL] NFL Expected To Announce Some Key Games Monday

SteveRobWhatever — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 01:37:16 GMT

Judd Zulgad of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports via Twitter the NFL is likely to announce on Monday some of its marquee games for 2010 season, with the Vikings being expected to visit the Saints for the Thursday season opening game. The NFL will more than likely announce the prime time games for Week One as well as the Thanksgiving Day schedule. The Jets will host one of the two Monday night games during Week One and the Lions, Cowboys and Jets will be hosting games on Thanksgiving day with the Patriots likely heading to Detroit and either the Bears or Saints playing in Dallas.

Source: Judd Zulgad, Twitter.com

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[Vikings] Vikings Undecided On Overtime Rule Change Proposal

SteveRobWhatever — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 23:41:25 GMT

The NFL's looming debate on overtime rules has been associated most frequently with Minnesota, which lost the NFC Championship Game on New Orleans' first-possession field goal earlier this year. The proposed rule change would have given the Vikings an overtime possession after Garrett Hartley's 40-yard field goal; if enacted, teams would have to score a touchdown in order to win on the opening possession of overtime. But as of Sunday evening, coach Brad Childress said team officials are still discussing their vote and the final decision will be made by owner Zygi Wilf. "Part of me doesn't want to screw around with what's been [the practice]," Childress said. "And part of me says, let's give it a swing."

Source: ESPN.com

[Texans] Texans Coach Discusses Losing CB Leigh Bodden To The Patriots

SteveRobWhatever — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 23:27:11 GMT

Texans coach Gary Kubiak dearly wanted Leigh Bodden on his team. He had him in Houston for a free agent visit, and wined and dined the free agent, only to see the cornerback return to the Patriots, as Bodden signed a 4-year $22 million deal. How disappointed was the Texans coach? "That's part of free agency. We had a great visit with him," Kubiak said. "We knew were were competing not only against New England, but with somebody else, I think it was either Arizona or Seattle. But we had a good visit. It didn't work out. He's a good kid. A good football player. Any time you have such a successful organization like the Patriots, it's going to be difficult (to pry someone away). That's part of it."

Source: Boston Herald

[Browns] Browns Not Interested In Seahawks RFA OG Rob Sims

BigBlueBruiser — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 22:51:20 GMT

Tony Grossi of The Cleveland Plain Dealer writes that the Browns do not have a strong interest in Seattle Seahawks offensive guard Rob Sims, a Macedonia native, who is a restricted free agent. The Seahawks have told Sims to stay away from the team's offseason workouts. Indications are that Seattle is looking to move Sims, and he is not in the team's plans.

Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer

[49ers] 49ers QB Alex Smith On Thin Ice With Scot McCloughan Gone?

SteveRobWhatever — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 22:19:46 GMT

49ers quarterback Alex Smith had a full-supporter in personnel director Scot McCloughan. Through struggling play, injury, controversy with the head coach, estrangement in the locker room and lost training camp battles, McCloughan stuck with Smith, defended him publicly and privately, and was redeemed when Smith won back the job in the middle of last year. The San Jose Mercury News writes that there may be more support for a change at quarterback with McCloughan no longer standing in the way.

Source: San Jose Mercury News

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[Dolphins] Dolphins Watched Illinois WR Arrelious Benn's Impressive Pro Day

SteveRobWhatever — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 22:14:41 GMT

The wide receiver hungry Dolphins were on the Illinois campus over the weekend looking at a possible draft pick in the same place they found last year's first round pick in cornerback Vontae Davis. The Dolphins had wide receiver coach Karl Dorrell on hand as to time, test, and talk to Arrelious Benn. It was a good Pro Day for Benn by all accounts, as he ran a 4.42 and 4.40 on some watches but was timed as low as 4.38 on some stopwatches while also displaying a 37-inch vertical leap at 6-1 and 218 pounds.

Source: Miami Herald

[Vikings] Brad Childress Has No Immediate Plans To Visit Brett Favre

SteveRobWhatever — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 22:11:28 GMT

Jason La Canfora caught up with Vikings coach Brad Childress for a short time at the NFL Annual Meeting Sunday and Childress said he has not has any recent conversations with QB Brett Favre, though they are continuing to exchange texts. Childress did not rule out paying another visit to Favre at some point, "but not in the near future." There is a sense of optimism within the organization that Favre will return for the 2010 season and Childress says he suspects Favre is enjoying some down time right now away from the game.

Source: NFL.com

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[Chiefs] Chiefs Among 15 Teams To Visit With Idaho OG Mike Iupati

SteveRobWhatever — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 22:09:33 GMT

The Kansas City Chiefs are expected to bring in Idaho OG Mike Iupati for a pre-draft visit, according to Scout.com. Joining the Chiefs working out Iupati are expected to be the Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons, Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Iupati is projected to be selected in the 16-23 range, according to Scout.com, so a visit with the Chiefs would be due diligence on the Chiefs part in the event Iupati falls or they can trade up or down.

Source: Scout.com

[Browns] Mike Holmgren Says Browns Will Definitely Draft A QB

SteveRobWhatever — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 21:44:52 GMT

With 12 picks in the April 22-24 NFL draft -- their most since 2000 -- the Browns can go in a number of directions in the first year of the Mike Holmgren-Tom Heckert era. There is no mystery about one thing and that is they will draft a quarterback. "It's just something we have to do," Holmgren said. "Why wait? I'm 61. I don't want to wait for anyone. We're going to have to do this." Holmgren has already overhauled the team's quarterback roster by bringing in Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace and parting ways with Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson but he knows the Browns aren't going anywhere, aren't turning the corner, until they find a young franchise quarterback. "I think Jake will make us better right away. But we have to find the next guy. That's what we have to do," he said.

Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer

[Saints] Saints Free Agent S Darren Sharper Has A Couple More Weeks Of Rehab

Saintsfan1972 — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 21:13:38 GMT

New Orleans Saints free agent safety Darren Sharper needs another week or two of rehab from his arthroscopic knee surgery before making visits. Sharper plans to meet with two teams interested in him. The Saints have expressed interest in re-signing him, but at a lower price.

Source: Len Pasquarelli, ESPN.com

[NFL] NFL To Reposition Umpires Next Year For Their Safety

SteveRobWhatever — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 21:09:52 GMT

The NFL will permanently reposition umpires to the offensive backfield beginning with the upcoming 2010 season, in a move designed to protect its most vulnerable on-field officials, the league confirmed Sunday at the annual owners meetings. Outgoing vice president of officiating Mike Pereira and his successor, Carl Johnson, revealed the plans Sunday in an interview. A league official added that the competition committee unanimously recommended the move last week but it had not been yet publicly announced. "The No. 1 reason for change is safety," said Pereira.

Source: ESPN.com

[Lions] Lions Won't Close The Door On CB Pacman Jones

SteveRobWhatever — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 20:59:31 GMT

Maybe it's due to the Detroit Lions' desperate need for cornerbacks, maybe it's because head coach Jim Schwartz has a history with him or maybe it's because everybody loves a good Hollywood ending. Regardless, the Lions are keeping the door open in terms of signing free agent cornerback Adam "Pacman'' Jones. "We're still in the information-gathering stage at this point,'' said Schwatz, who is in Orlando for the NFL owners meetings. "We sent (vice president of pro personnel) Sheldon White down for his workout and he worked out good. In making the decision, it won't be a football-only decision. There will be other considerations. We want to have a comfort level with him and, like I said, we're still in the information-gathering stage.'' Jones was a solid cornerback for the Tennessee Titans in 2005 and 2006 (when Schwartz was the defensive coordinator there) before running into trouble.

Source: MLive.com

[Falcons] Falcons Workout TCU DE Jerry Hughes

SteveRobWhatever — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 19:45:02 GMT

An NFL source has told Scout.com that TCU defensive end Jerry Hughes completed his first private workout with the Atlanta Falcons. And in the upcoming weeks he already has visits or workouts scheduled with the Indianapolis Colts, Philadelphia Eagles, Tennessee Titans and the St. Louis Rams. A two-time Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year, Hughes won the Lott Trophy as the nation's top defensive player and the Ted Hendricks Award as the nation's top defensive end in 2009.

Source: Scout.com

[Lions] Lions Would Consider Anthony Hargrove For Both End And Tackle

SteveRobWhatever — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 19:33:07 GMT

If the Detroit Lions eventually pursue Anthony Hargrove, the New Orleans Saints defensive lineman who is a restricted free agent, coach Jim Schwartz plans to move Hargrove up and down the defensive line. "You know the guy he reminded me the most of - Kevin Carter,'' said Schwartz, who is in Orlando for the NFL owners meetings. "He'd probably play end on first and second down and then rush from the inside on third down. He's still young. I think at some point he could be a full-time tackle. What he is now is an end who moves down to a rush role. He's a really athletic guy. He would fit in both of those roles.'' The Lions have until April 15 to make a decision on whether to sign Hargrove (who came into Detroit last week for a visit). "We wanted to give him a physical, we wanted to meet him and start the ball rolling. We still have time on that,'' said Schwartz, adding that the addition of Hargrove wouldn't necessarily alter Detroit's plans at the top of the draft board. "We still have a lot of needs,'' Schwartz said. "At one point I'm not going to say this anymore, but our No. 1 need is talent.''

Source: MLive.com

[Jaguars] Jaguars Workout Ole Miss RB/WR Dexter McCluster

SteveRobWhatever — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 19:30:03 GMT

An NFL source told Scout.com that Ole Miss wide receiver and running back Dexter McCluster had a private workout with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The all-purpose threat previously conducted a private workout with the Cleveland Browns and the Denver Broncos and at the end of the month, he's scheduled for an official visit with the Tennessee Titans. After finishing second all-time in all-purpose yards at Ole Miss with 4,089 yards, McCluster is drawing interest from teams as a running back, wide receiver and returns specialist.

Source: Scout.com

[Bears] Bears Still Looking To Bolster Their Secondary Via Free Agency

SteveRobWhatever — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 19:09:39 GMT

Bears head coach Lovie Smith tells NFL.com reporter Jason La Canfora that he is thrilled with the free agent class brought in, but that the team continues to evaluate players and could well be active in acquiring help for the secondary. The coaching staff is banking on Peppers' pass-rushing prowess making everyone better in coverage, but Smith conceded more help could be needed on the back end., especially after releasing cornerback Nathan Vasher. There are several corners with starting experience still on the market - Lito Sheppard and Phillip Buchanon among them - and restricted free agent safety O.J. Atogwe could be had via trade with the Rams as well.

Source: NFL.com

[Redskins] Redskins Were Aware DT Albert Haynesworth Would Be Absent

SteveRobWhatever — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 18:54:05 GMT

Redskins defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth did not participate in the opening week of conditioning and film study at the complex but here's the thing: He never intended to and the Redskins were made aware of his plans, people familiar with the situation said. There was a lot of Internet speculation that Haynesworth would skip all of last week's events at the complex because he's supposedly upset about having to play nose tackle more frequently than he would prefer in the Redskins' new base 3-4 defense. Haynesworth showed up to listen to Coach Mike Shanahan address the entire team for the first time on the first day while also participating in other first-day activities but Haynesworth, who is determined to have a big year in 2010, comitted to an individual workout regime with a trainer before the Redskins' plans were set, according to the people with knowledge of the situation.

Source: Washington Post

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[Titans] Titans Expecting To Receive Three Compensatory Picks

SteveRobWhatever — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 18:24:25 GMT

Head Coach Jeff Fisher said he expects the Titans to get three compensatory selections when the NFL makes its announcement this week. "I think we have a chance to get a high one this year with Albert (Haynesworth)," Fisher said. The Titans hope the Haynesworth loss would net a third round compensatory selection and without a second round pick, the Titans could use the extra third round selection to pick a quality player in what is considered a very deep draft. In addition to losing Haynesworth, the first and highest priced free agent off the board in 2009, the Titans also lost cornerback Chris Carr, wide receiver Brandon Jones, cornerback Eric King, and quarterback Chris Simms.

Source: TitansRadio.com

[Redskins] Redskins Visit Florida QB Tim Tebow In Gainsville

SteveRobWhatever — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 18:11:35 GMT

The Redskins' search for a new quarterback took the team brass to Gainesville, Fla., this weekend, where head coach Mike Shanahan got a chance to see Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow in-person. Tebow had his Pro Day last week, but Shanahan didn't attend, so this was the first chance since the Senior Bowl in January for the Redskins' coach to view Tebow throwing up-close. Word is that Shanahan wants to draft a young quarterback and "raise him," and we hear former Oklahoma star Sam Bradford is the guy he likes most but Bradford might not be available when the Redskins, who currently hold the fourth overall pick, select, so it makes sense to keep their options open.

Source: Washington Post

[Buccaneers] Buccaneers RB Cadillac Williams To Remain The Starter?

SteveRobWhatever — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 18:00:35 GMT

The Buccaneers' depth at running back seems pretty good this upcoming season. It appeared last season Derrick Ward was brought in to be the starter and got big money but he never really produced like the Bucs had imagined while Cadillac Williams did produce. He won the starting job last year and Pat Yasinkas of ESPN.com doesn't anticipate that changing.

Source: ESPN.com

[Seahawks] Seahawks The Broncos' Answer To The Brandon Marshall Dilemma?

SteveRobWhatever — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 17:45:32 GMT

Mike Klis of the Denver Post writes that in the Seattle Seahawks' acquisition of restricted free agent quarterback Charlie Whitehurst from the San Diego Chargers, the Denver Broncos have an answer to their Brandon Marshall problem: Sign him, and trade him to Seattle. Klis suggests that Marshall won't sign the tender until he's assured that he's being traded, and that the Broncos could take the second of Seattle's two first-round picks for Marshall, or could even take Seattle's second-round pick (now the 60th pick overall) and one of the Seahawks' two fourth-round picks for Marshall. Another trade possibility is the Seahawks packaging restricted free agent interior offensive linemen Rob Sims and Chris Spencer, together, or separately along with a draft pick, for Marshall.

Source: Denver Post

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[Redskins] Players Say Redskins New Offense Is More "Explosive"

SteveRobWhatever — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 17:17:37 GMT

The offensive scheme Mike and Kyle Shanahan are installing is much more advanced than the offense former head coach Jim Zorn directed as the Redskins ranked near the bottom of the league in scoring and went 12-20 during the 2008-09 seasons. Although the basic concepts are the same -- spread the field, control the ball with short passes, receivers running to spots in patterns and staying put -- the big difference in the Shanahans' offense, players said, is the number of "explosive" plays included in the playbook. Since the start of the offseason conditioning program Monday, players have watched film of the Broncos' offense under Mike Shanahan, and they've become increasingly impressed with each session, several said.

Source: Washington Post

[Bears] Bears DE Julius Peppers Hopes To Stay Out Of The Spotlight In Chicago

SteveRobWhatever — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 16:43:45 GMT

Bears defensive end Julius Peppers is hoping to thrive in relative anonymity in Chicago, according to the Chicago Tribune. He was apparently very uncomfortable with the fishbowl aspect of playing in the smaller Charlotte, where he says "everybody knows your business." While that logic may seem backwards, Peppers thinks he will be able to blend in more in a larger city with more star players and distractions.

Source: RotoTimes.com

[Titans] Titans RB Chris Johnson To Holdout Of OTA's For A New Deal?

SteveRobWhatever — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 16:39:42 GMT

Across the league, many players that were kept on a one-year restricted tender have sat out as their teams began offseason work as a sign of displeasure but one player who is still multiple years away from any kind of free agency might join them in staying away from the offseason work. ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli hints that it's possible that Chris Johnson might stay away from workouts with the Tennessee Titans in order to try and force a new deal. If no change occurs, Johnson will make $560,000 in 2010, the third year of a five-year pact that he signed as a rookie.

Source: ESPN.com

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[Steelers] Steelers PK Jeff Reed Almost Signed His Tender Offer Last Week

SteveRobWhatever — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 16:36:56 GMT

Len Pasquarelli of ESPN reports that Steelers kicker Jeff Reed seriously considered signing his one-year tender offer but the team declined to agree to a clause that wouldn't allow them to place the franchise tag on Reed next offseason. The Steelers kept Reed off the market with a franchise tender of $2.814 million. General manager Colbert says the team wants to work on a long-term deal with him. "Our goal is to lock Jeff up and have him finish his career with the Steelers," Colbert said. "It's like Casey and his agent. As long as the player and agents are willing and want to stay with the team and the team wants them, you're going to get a deal done. And we want to keep Jeff as long as we can."

Source: ESPN.com

[NFL] NFL Competition Committee Votes In Favor To Change Playoff OT Format

BigBlueBruiser — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 16:34:46 GMT

Trey Wingo of ESPN reports via twitter that the NFL competition committee voted unanimously 8-0 in favor of a change in the NFL's overtime format for playoff games at the owners meetings in Orlando. The competition committee is considering a proposal that would allow both teams to possess the ball in sudden death overtime in a playoff game if the team that wins the coin toss fails to score a touchdown on its first possession. Under the proposed rule change, if the team that wins the toss kicks a field goal, the other team would get a possession and if that team also scored a field goal, the present sudden-death format then would kick in, with the next team to score in any fashion the winner.

Source: Trey Wingo: Twitter.com

[Eagles] Eagles RB LeSean McCoy Admits He Wore Down Late In The Year

SteveRobWhatever — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 16:28:46 GMT

Eagles running back LeSean McCoy seemed to sag late in his initial season, gaining just 109 yards in his final 32 carries, over five games. That isn't unusual for a rookie, faced with a season that lasts almost twice as long as what he was used to in college. "It was long. I was tired," McCoy said. "All the rookies from [2008] kind of warned us about it. Doing the same thing over and over and over, practice, running, probably beats you down more physically than mentally." McCoy said he wants to get stronger and faster, to keep that from happening again; toward that end he is down at NovaCare taking part in the offeason conditioning program, but he mainly wants to "get more focused," now that he is the focal point.

Source: Philadelphia Daily News

[Bears] Bears WR Juaquin Iglesias Will Have To Fight For More Playing Time

SteveRobWhatever — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 16:25:55 GMT

If Bears wide receiver Juaquin Iglesias does not see the field this year, we probably can write him off but indications are that he made progress during his rookie season, and the team remains encouraged by him. With the way Mike Martz likes to use multiple receiver sets, there should be opportunities for Iglesias but the biggest hurdle for him might be finding his way onto the active roster with Devin Aromashodu, Earl Bennett, Devin Hester and Johnny Knox all seemingly ahead of Iglesias on the depth chart and Rashied Davis ahead of him too because of his special teams ability. The Bears won't keep six receivers on the active roster for most games--so Iglesias is going to have to leapfrog someone, either through performance or injury.

Source: Chicago Tribune

[Broncos] Broncos LB Spencer Larsen To Compete To Start In Training Camp?

BigBlueBruiser — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 16:19:58 GMT

After the surprising decision to release Andra Davis, who was a key contributor on defense last season, the Broncos have a vacancy to fill in the starting lineup at inside linebacker. While Denver could address the position early in the draft, sources expect Spencer Larsen to get a shot at winning the job in training camp. Larsen is not a well-known player outside of Denver, but he plays a variety of roles on the team, which has made him a valuable backup.

Source: Pro Football Weekly

[Chiefs] Chiefs O-Linemen Ryan Lilja, Casey Wiegmann To Start On Opening Day?

BigBlueBruiser — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 16:17:00 GMT

In an effort to upgrade an offensive line that had its share of problems in 2009, the Chiefs struck early in free agency by signing OG Ryan Lilja and C Casey Wiegmann, who were recently cut by the Colts and Broncos, respectively. Pro Football Weekly hears both linemen have a solid chance to be Week One starters for K.C., with Lilja looking like a sure thing to start at right guard and Wiegmann likely to compete with incumbent Rudy Niswanger. It's also very possible that this won't be the end of the Chiefs' O-line maneuvering.

Source: Pro Football Weekly

[Giants] Giants Co-Owner John Mara Thinks New OT Rules Won't Pass

SteveRobWhatever — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 16:16:29 GMT

Giants president and co-owner John Mara, a member of the NFL's influential Competition Committee, is hopeful that his fellow owners will pass a modified overtime rule at this week's annual spring meetings in Orlando. Realistically, however, he doesn't expect it to happen. "I still think it's an uphill battle because you have to get 24 votes to change it," Mara told Newsday in an interview.

Source: New York Newsday

[Texans] Texans TE Owen Daniels Praises James Casey, Joel Dreessen

BigBlueBruiser — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 16:14:22 GMT

Texans TE Owen Daniels, who missed the final eight games of the 2009 season with a knee injury, believes the increased playing time that then-rookie James Casey received in his absence was "a little bit of a blessing in disguise" for Casey. Daniels also praised veteran Joel Dreessen, who caught 21 passes in the second half of the season. "He's a superunderrated player in my opinion," Daniels told Pro Football Weekly. "He knows what he's doing and he does a good job. He's always going to give you his best and he's pretty well rounded. He's a really good blocker and he can catch the ball and make some things happen. He definitely got more comfortable as the year went along. That'll just make us all better when we're working this offseason."

Source: Pro Football Weekly

[Bengals] Restricted Free Agent LB Rashad Jeanty Unlikely To Return To The Bengals

SteveRobWhatever — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 16:14:15 GMT

Outside linebacker Rashad Jeanty will make trips next week as the possibilities begin to increase that he might not return to the Bengals next season. Jeanty is a restricted free agent but he was given the low tender of $1.176 million and since he was undrafted, a team would not have to give up a draft pick to the Bengals as compensation. The conventional wisdom is that the Bengals would not match an offer since both sides have tried to agree to a multi-year deal for close to two years to no avail.

Source: Cincinnati Enquirer

[Bengals] Bengals WR Quan Crosby The Favorite To Be The No. 4 Receiver?

BigBlueBruiser — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 16:10:58 GMT

The Bengals could have an intriguing competition for their No. 4 WR role, with Jerome Simpson, Matt Jones and Quan Cosby being the top contenders. Simpson has contributed little his first two seasons, Jones, the Jaguars' leading receiver two seasons ago, was out of football in 2009 after being released following a drug arrest and Cosby, a second-year player, saw increased playing time on offense as last season progressed and caught three passes in the wild-card loss to the Jets in January. Of the group, Cosby, the Bengals' punt returner, brings the most special-teams value, which works in his favor as he tries to capture a roster spot.

Source: Pro Football Weekly

[Redskins] Redskins DT Albert Haynesworth Missing From Offseason Workouts

BigBlueBruiser — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 16:07:04 GMT

Kelli Johnson of CSNWashington.com reports according to her sources Redskins DT Albert Haynesworth showed up Monday to Redskins offseason workouts for orientation but hasn't been back since. Redskins coach Mike Shanahan made it very clear he expects players to commit to working very hard during this offseason so this should not bode well for Haynesworth. Like Clinton Portis, Haynesworth's practice habits and conditioning have been an issue for some players.

Source: TheRedZone.org

[Eagles] Eagles To Deal One Of Their QB's At The Owners Meetings?

BigBlueBruiser — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 16:01:42 GMT

The Philadelphia Eagles have maintained all along that they can go into the 2010 with the same three quarterbacks they had last season, Donovan McNabb, Kevin Kolb and Michael Vick, but one of the quarterbacks probably will not return to the team and who leaves and generates what in trade remains to be seen. Maybe the ball will get rolling today at the owners meetings in Orlando, Fla., reports Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. It’s an ideal location for the all principles involved to begin some backroom dealing and lay the groundwork for a deal before next month’s draft.

Source: National Football Post

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[Buccaneers] Buccaneers' Sean Jones The Favorite To Start At Strong Safety?

BigBlueBruiser — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 15:49:33 GMT

The Buccaneers succeeded in their quest to find competition for SS Sabby Piscitelli by landing free agent Sean Jones, a starter for the Eagles last season. The starting spot is open to competition, but barring some major strides from Piscitelli this offseason, sources expect Jones to win the job. Piscitelli stood out as a weakness last season on one of the league's worst defenses.

Source: Pro Football Weekly

[NFL] Free Agent LB Pisa Tinoisaoma Wants To Test His Market Value

BigBlueBruiser — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 15:46:42 GMT

Pro Football Weekly hear the Bears do want to re-sign unrestricted free-agent OLB Pisa Tinoisamoa, who looked like a good fit in the team's system before suffering a season-ending knee injury in 2009, but Tinoisaoma is in no real hurry and is interested in at least seeing if there is any kind of market for his services.

Source: Pro Football Weekly

[49ers] 49ers Likely To Draft An Offensive Tackle In The First Round?

BigBlueBruiser — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 15:43:15 GMT

After the 49ers lost UFA OT Tony Pashos to the Browns, team insiders seem more convinced than ever that at least one of the team's two first-round draft picks will be spent on an offensive lineman who could quickly figure in the starting mix.

Source: Pro Football Weekly

[Bengals] Bengals Still Could Bring Back PK Shayne Graham?

ravenfan52 — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 15:41:54 GMT

Kicker Jay Feely's visit to Arizona this weekend should start to generate some movement among the other free agents, including Neil Rackers and Shayne Graham. There is still an outside chance the Bengals could try to re-sign Graham. The Bengals have Dave Rayner on the roster, but there should be some competition in training camp.

Source: Cincinnati Enquirer

[Rams] Rams To Garner More Interest With Their Second Round Pick Than Their First?

BigBlueBruiser — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 15:33:48 GMT

The word out of Rams Park is that the team could end up fielding more phone calls for its first pick in the second round (33rd overall) than the first overall pick in the first round, considering that a whole day will pass between Round One and Round Two for the first time.

Source: Pro Football Weekly

[Eagles] Eagles To Draft A Wide Receiver In The Later Rounds?

BigBlueBruiser — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 15:29:28 GMT

The Eagles love their top three wideouts, DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin and Jason Avant, and should be in great shape at the position for years. But don't be surprised if the team takes a flier on a wideout lower in the draft considering the lack of depth at the position behind them. With the trade of Reggie Brown and the release of Kevin Curtis, the only other receiver with NFL experience on the depth chart is Hank Baskett, a former castoff.

Source: Pro Football Weekly

[Giants] Giants, P Jeff Feagles To Work Out A New Deal Before The Draft?

BigBlueBruiser — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 15:25:30 GMT

Pro Football Weekly's Giants sources expect the team to work out its differences with P Jeff Feagles over his contract. Feagles is said to be serious about playing, and threatening to retire is not his motivation for asking for more money. This dispute should come to an end before the draft if PFW sources are correct and the team's signing of a former Australian Rules footballer, P Jy Bond, is not expected to have an effect on the situation.

Source: Pro Football Weekly

[Rams] Rams Excited About WR Donnie Avery's New Look

BigBlueBruiser — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 15:21:42 GMT

Pro Football Weekly hears the Rams are excited by the new look being sported by injury-prone WR Donnie Avery. Avery reportedly has added 14 pounds to his frame that will hopefully help to keep him healthier than he has been up to now.

Source: Pro Football Weekly

[Cardinals] Cardinals Likely To Add A Wide Receiver Through The Draft

BigBlueBruiser — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 15:17:12 GMT

As it stands heading into the draft, Pro Football Weekly hears the top candidates to become the Cardinals' No. 4 wideout in 2010 are fellow '09 practice-squad members Ed Gant and Onrea Jones. Word is the Cardinals coaches like the potential of Gant, who was undrafted last year, while Jones displayed some flashes last preseason. The odds remain strong that the Cardinals will add a receiver in the draft and sign a couple more rookies after the draft.

Source: Pro Football Weekly

[49ers] 49ers Fans Not Excited About QB David Carr?

BigBlueBruiser — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 15:14:37 GMT

Niners Nation has never really fully warmed up to QB Alex Smith, which led many to believe the addition of David Carr would generate a positive buzz. But the way Pro Football Weekly hears it, the consensus in the Bay Area is that Carr and Smith are pretty much cut from the same inconsistent cloth, and that few fans have gone out of their way to instantly anoint Carr as the new starter under center by any means.

Source: Pro Football Weekly

[Bengals] Bengals LB Dhani Jones Will Climb Mount Everest

BigBlueBruiser — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 14:59:07 GMT

Dhani Jones, the Bengals middle linebacker who loves being in the middle of it all, takes on the Super Bowl of mountains this week when he attempts to climb Mount Everest. It's the stunning 10th and last episode of the second season of his Travel Channel series Dhani Tackles The Globe, and it's not exactly a game at Mile High Stadium. "It's four miles up. We're going to go about 23,000 feet, a mile short of the top," Jones said Friday. "If you're going to jump off a bridge, you don't want to start out jumping off the highest bridge. I'll get a taste and I'll be back. I'm excited and aware. That's what you have to be instead of scared about the dangers. The altitude adjustment is going to be a challenge, but you'll be breathing, taking it all in, and looking down at where you come from. No cell phone for three weeks, it will be great. I'll miss some things, but you guys will miss what I'm doing."

Source: Bengals.com

[Falcons] Ex-Falcons PK Jason Elam's Playing Career Over?

BigBlueBruiser — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 14:54:48 GMT

After 16 full seasons and 11 games into a 17th, Jason Elam was three, maybe four games away from becoming the sixth kicker in NFL history to reach 2,000 career points and was released by the Falcons late last season. He has written three books, a fourth is due out in October and in November, he's heading a group trip to Jerusalem. The NFL is playing regular season games in November, so that could be an indication about Elam's future plans.

Source: Denver Post