|
|
| Brian Calhoun has missed much of the last two seasons with knee concerns, but he has looked very good at practice so far, according to the Detroit Free Press. “This system here now is what he’s used to in terms of the zone,” HC Rod Marinelli said. “He’s got really good vision as a zone runner. He is quick right now. He’s alive. He’s got really good third-down skills for us." |
Our View: Calhoun could pick up some work on third downs this season given that Tatum Bell has never excelled in the passing game, so keep an eye on how the team decides that it wants to split the backfield workload.
|
|
|
|
| Tatum Bell reported to camp overweight on Thursday, according to the Detroit Free Press. “He might be up there a little bit more, yeah,” Marinelli said. Right now, it’s still the off-season. But I want to make sure we’re working toward the perfect weight to enter camp |
Our View: Bell will battle with rookie Kevin Smith and Brian Calhoun for touches in Detroit, and while there is certainly a long way to go, this is not the first impression that Bell should be shooting for after last years struggles.
|
|
|
|
| Running back Shaun Alexander has returned home to Seattle following two free-agent visits this week, first to Cincinnati on Sunday and Monday and then New Orleans on Wednesday. Jim Steiner, Alexander’s agent, said he would be in contact with the Bengals, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. “We'll be talking to Shaun today and get in touch with Bengals today or tomorrow," Steiner said. |
Our View: Reading between the lines it appears that there might be mutal interest brewing here. The Bengals are believed to be interested in Alexander as a possible backup to starter Rudi Johnson.
|
|
|
|
| Wide receiver Logan Payne made some nice receptions at the Seattle Seahawks mini-camp practice on Thursday, according to the Tacoma News Tribune. |
Our View: Payne is competing with Ben Obomanu and Courtney Taylor for playing time in multiple receiver sets. This will be one of the more interesting training camp battles this summer, with plenty of dynasty ramifications. Bobby Engram isn’t getting any younger, and Deion Branch could start the season on the PUP list, which could provide the opportunity for one of these young receivers to step up and receive more playing time in 2008.
|
|
|
|
| Linebacker Rocky McIntosh (major knee surgery) remains on pace to be ready for training camp, according to NFL.com. Washington Redskins head coach Jim Zorn was the source for this information. |
Our View: McIntosh underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL in his left knee during December. Normal rehab for this type of injury is 9-12 months, making it likely that McIntosh will be limited in camp.
|
|
|
|
| Cedric Benson continues to take an aggressive approach to defending himself against charges of boating while intoxicated and resisting arrest, by hiring a new lawyer, who is considered to be one of Austin's finest, according to the Chicago Tribune. Lawyer Sam Bassett has already interviewed 10 people who were on Benson's boat Saturday night when Benson was arrested on Lake Travis, outside Austin, and described, according to a Lower Colorado River Authority police report, as being cocky, combative and smelling of alcohol. Bassett has scheduled additional interviews. Bassett stated, "I do not believe that Cedric was intoxicated when his boat was boarded by the LCRA officers for a safety inspection. I also am concerned that the force used by the LCRA officers, particularly the use of pepper spray, was not necessary under the circumstances." Another eyewitness has emerged to support Benson's claim that he was mistreated. Toby Patch was at nearby Emerald Point Marina on Saturday night when he states he saw police "manhandling" Benson after taking the running back off the boat and heading to a squad car. Patch was not one of the 15 people on the boat, but commented, "As they were taking him up the dock, they stopped, he said, 'I am fine, I can continue walking,' and they put their legs behind his knees and knocked him over his knees and started hog-carrying him. They ended up, I don't know why, but laid him on his back, I heard him say, 'Please don't pepper spray me, please don't pepper spray me. It was uncalled for, it was ludicrous, no point for it."
|
Our View: Benson faces a May 19 court date, which is also is the first day of organized team activities at Halas Hall for the Bears.
|
|
|
|
| Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ running back Rabih Abdullah was arrested late Wednesday for driving with a suspended license. It's the fourth time in two years Abdullah has been arrested in Hillsborough County, Florida, according to ABC Action News. Abdullah played in 43 games for the Bucs from 1998 to 2001, mostly on special teams. |
Our View: Abdullah has had several run-ins with the law since he left football. In 2006, he was charged with DUI, possession of marijuana and carrying a concealed firearm. Later that year, he was charged with reckless driving. Last year Abdullah was arrested for trespassing and obstructing a police officer.
|
|
|
|
| Running back Clinton Portis sat out of the Washington Redskins final mini-camp practice due to a strained hip flexor, according to the Washington Times. |
Our View: Head coach Jim Zorn said the injury is “minor” and Portis would be ready for the Redskins’ next mini-camp practice on June 2.
|
|
|
|
| Quarterback Jason Campbell said he expects to be 100 percent in a couple of weeks, according to the Washington Times. "I just pulled my hamstring a little bit," said Campbell, who last year missed the final three-plus regular-season games and the wild-card loss at Seattle with a dislocated left kneecap. "I won't be running for a while." |
Our View: Campbell tweaked his hamstring in the Redskins’ final mini-camp practice session. He is expected to be ready for organized team activities, set to kickoff on June 2.
|
|
|
|
| Now the Baltimore Ravens know what it feels like to run into perennial Pro Bowl linebacker Ray Lewis. The two sides have hit a stalemate on contract talks aimed at a long-term extension, according to NFL.com. After 12 seasons in Baltimore, Lewis is heading into the last year of his contract. The two sides have engaged in contract talks, the Ravens have weighed in with their multi-year offer, Lewis has spelled out his asking price, and too much of a gap now exists to make anyone think a deal is anywhere near imminent. |
Our View: The Ravens are entering the “between the rock and a hard place” zone with these negotiations. Lewis, 32, has been the face of the franchise for the past decade, but he has missed 15 starts due to various injuries over the past four seasons. Lewis still performs at a high level when he is on the field, and remains a fiery passionate leader. But the organization has to weigh the risk/reward of a lucrative extension for an aging veteran looking to get paid one last time before the end of his career.
|
|
|
|
| Michael Vick has been ordered to pay more than $2.5 million to the Royal Bank of Canada in a court order filed Wednesday, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia granted a motion for summary judgment against Vick for default and breach of a promissory note from Jan. 18, 2007. Vick was found in default of $2,421,170.90. He also must pay interest of the rate of $499 per diem from Sept. 19, 2007 from May 7, 2008 — a total of 231 days and a sum of $115,269. The order also states that Vick must pay the bank's attorneys' fees and costs in the amount of $11,950.97. |
Our View: Vick is serving a 23-month sentence in federal prison for a felony conviction on charges related to dogfighting. Vick also faces dogfighting charges in the state of Virginia. A trial is scheduled for next month.
|
|
|
|
| The New York Jets remain interested signing free agent cornerback Ty Law, according to the New York Daily News. The Jets have a lot of bodies at cornerback, but beyond Darrelle Revis, there’s no clear-cut starter. Hank Poteat will compete with David Barrett, Justin Miller (returning from knee surgery), Drew Coleman; former Titans No. 1 pick Andre Woolfork (a “street” free-agent acquisition) and fourth round pick Dwight Lowery. |
Our View: The Patriots have also shown interest, but the chances of a Law-Patriots reunion are getting slimmer by the day. There is also speculation that Law could re-surface in Cleveland, where he’d be reunited with former Patriots’ assistant, Romeo Crennel.
|
|
|
|
| Former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry named the New Orleans Saints as a team he would prefer to play for, if only they'd give him a chance. That's an unlikely scenario, though, because the team isn’t in the market for a receiver, and they have mostly tried to avoid character concerns in their locker room, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune. |
Our View: Henry recently advised ESPN that he would love to play for the Saints and Dallas Cowboys, but he could have trouble finding a new gig, given the enormous weight of his character baggage.
|
|
|
|
| The New Orleans Saints completed their visit with free-agent tailback Shaun Alexander on Wednesday, but he returned home to Seattle without a contract offer, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune. Alexander's agent, Jim Steiner, said the former league MVP and three-time Pro Bowl player has not set a timetable for choosing a team. "It all depends on how he feels about the team, the prospects of the team winning a championship, and what his role will be," Steiner said. |
Our View: Alexander could wait well into the summer to see if injuries create more of a demand for his services. Regardless, the 30-year-old running back likely will have to settle for more of a complementary role with his next team.
|
|
|
|
| If all goes well this season, Dallas Cowboys rookie running back Tashard Choice's biggest contributions will come on special teams, according to the Dallas Morning News. Choice will be the No. 3 back behind Pro Bowler Marion Barber and first round pick Felix Jones. Choice is in town to provide depth and insurance. However, the odds that Barber and Jones will go through an entire season without getting nicked up are slim. It's Choice's job to be ready to produce when the Cowboys need him. |
Our View: Choice is a physical player that excels in pass blocking. The only knock on him is the lack of breakaway speed, but if Barber were to miss an extended period of time he is better suited than Jones, to run between the tackles. The Cowboys' plan is to sign Barber to a long-term deal, but if that doesn't happen, Choice could be splitting carries with Jones in 2009, making him an interesting dynasty prospect.
|
|
|
|
| Running back T.J. Duckett joins Seattle this season (after signing a contract guaranteed to pay him $4 million) as part of an offseason overhaul to a backfield that has struggled to convert short-yardage rushing opportunities over the past two years. It's a role that many have already penciled Duckett into. Not so fast, though, according head coach Mike Holmgren and the Seattle Times. "There are some teams that take a big, strong pile-driving guy and I guess they call him a short-yardage back," Holmgren said. "I have never done that. In fact, when I have done that it hasn't worked very well." |
Our View: Duckett has only carried the ball more than 130 times once in six career seasons in the league. We view him as a possible change-of-pace option to Julius Jones, who is a better fit in the offense due to his pass catching abilities. With Maurice Morris also rumored to be in the mix, the early returns have the Seattle running back situation looking like a three-headed committee scenario.
|
|
|
|
| John Lynch feels there is doubt among the Broncos' coaching staff that he can still play another season effectively in the NFL, according to the Rocky Mountain News. Lynch said, "I think there's a split among the staff. Some were happy for me to come back and some didn't say anything, which tells you something. I feel that Coach Mike Shanahan is in my corner, but there were some people who probably felt they were better without me." Lynch added, "I've never been afraid of competition. But it's a little different in that the last 12 years of my career, I've had a job and it was someone's job to come and beat me out. This year, I don't think at this position there are any jobs. There are four or five guys and they're saying, 'Have at it.' It kind of fires me up."
|
Our View: The 37-year old safety has decided not to retire, and feels that he can still compete for a starting spot. He admitted that his skills have diminished, but his hard work and determination have not. His IDP value will remain low, even if he ultimately plays full-time this season.
|
|
|
|
| Rookie tight end Gary Barnidge (Louisville) stood out in mini-camp over the weekend for the Panthers, according to CarolinaGrowl.com. |
Our View: Barnidge is slightly undersized for the NFL at 6-5 240, but he was a strong in-line blocker at Louisville. He also has a knack for making tough catches and runs precise routes. He is a hard runner after the catch, and if he can add some bulk and upper-body strength, he could push Jeff King for playing time as a rookie.
|
|
|
|
| Jason Carter has reportedly been the most impressive player for the Panthers in mini-camp, according to CarolinaGrowl.com. Carter has displayed great athleticism and made a few amazing catches over the weekend. |
Our View: Carter was a practice squad player for Carolina last season, and he will be hard-pressed to nail down a significant role in the crowded Panthers' receiving corps with speed demon Steve Smith, reliable vet Muhsin Muhammad, and rising start DJ Hackett. Dwayne Jarrett will be in the mix as well, and Carter's fantasy potential will be limited.
|
|
|
|
| Tyler Brayton is still working as the starter at right defensive end opposite Julius Peppers, according to CarolinaGrowl.com. |
Our View: Brayton was a bust with the Raiders and the team was not able to develop him as an end or as an outside linebacker. Charles Johnson or Stanley McClover still have plenty of time to win the starting spot over Brayton.
|
|
|
|
| Rookie offensive tackle Jeff Otah is sitting out of practice to rest a high ankle sprain from last season, but is expected to be ready for team coaching sessions in June, according to CarolinaGrowl.com. |
Our View: He and Jordan Gross will eventually combine for one of the best tackle tandems in the NFC. The team loves to run the ball and grind out yards to chew up the clock, and the addition of Otah will help them be more successful.
|
|
|
|
| Jake Delhomme's arm continues to look very strong, according to CarolinaGrowl.com. He is recovering from elbow surgery, and is reportedly throwing the ball better now than he has in his three previous seasons. |
Our View: Delhomme is seemingly fine, but the team should still bring him along slowly heading up to Week 1. Delhomme can generate solid fantasy numbers when healthy, and could prove to be a strong late-round value pick for this season. The addition of big target DJ Hackett should raise his numbers as well.
|
|
|
|
| Chris Gamble and Ken Lucas are still working as the Panthers' starting cornerbacks in practice, according to CarolinaGrowl.com. |
Our View: Gamble and Lucas are a solid tandem, but Marshall is talented enough to push for a starting spot, and may unseat one of the aforementioned players at some point this season. Gamble only made one interception in 2007, with 47 tackles. Marshall made 89 tackles and three interceptions last season, and is a player to watch in 2008.
|
|
|
|
| Roy Williams is entering the final year of his rookie contract and commented on his trade talk, according to ProFootballTalk. Williams said, "Just from listening to everything. But then I listened to Coach Rod Marinelli saying I wasn’t going nowhere, so that reassured me that I wasn’t going anywhere. Marinelli just called me one time in March. He said, ‘It’s done. You’re not going nowhere. I don’t think it was zero percent chance I wasn’t going anywhere. I think if somebody would have come with something that could have benefited the Lions, I think I would have been out of here. I don’t think I’m gone next year, either. I think they’re going to slap me (with franchise tag). I think this place can win, man. I don’t know what’s the problem, what’s been the problem. We got a little taste of it last year at 6-2. But that was last year, man. People are asking, ‘Can we learn from that?’ No, we can’t learn from that. That was a whole different ballclub last year."
|
Our View: Williams also said that he believes the Lions might apply the franchise tag to him in 2009, to prevent him from leaving via free agency. If he stays in Detroit, he and Calvin Johnson will be the most dynamic receiving tandem in the NFC.
|
|
