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| Defensive end/linebacker Bertrand Berry practiced fully on Monday, the East Valley Tribune reports. He missed the last nine games in 2007 after tearing his triceps. |
Our View: Berry was a bit of a sack stud in 2003 and 2004, but injuries have limited him to eight, 10 and nine games the last three years. He doesn't have much IDP value at this point.
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| The Chargers signed Jeremy Newberry to a one-year deal on Monday, the AP reports. The center previously played with the Raiders and 49ers. |
Our View: Newberry is no longer a Pro Bowl talent, but this is a savvy signing by the Bolts. Center Nick Hardwick is coming off foot surgery, and Newberry gives them a veteran to fall back on.
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| Sign or get out. The Cowboys have told Terry Glenn that he must sign the $500,000 injury waiver or pack his bags, a source informs the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Glenn is due $1.74 million in 2008, but he missed nearly all of 2007 following two right knee surgeries. |
Our View: The paper didn't assign a timetable for Glenn to sign the waiver, but we'd be surprised if this situation lasted into the start of training camp.
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| LaRon Landry and Shawn Springs skipped offseason practices on Monday, and their absences were not excused, the Washington Post reports. Head coach Jim Zorn says he will try to reach the players and receive an explanation. "I'm going to try to get a feel for why they didn't want to come," Zorn explains. "It's not something that I'm going to make a huge spectacle of. We'll just see what happens." |
Our View: We're less worried about a veteran like Springs than a second-year man like Landry. The Redskins let defensive guru Gregg Williams walk, and we imagine Greg Blache is installing some new schemes. Landry could be a future superstar, but it would be nice if he practiced with his team.
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| Vernon Fox recently underwent a second left knee operation this offseason, the AP reports. |
Our View: We don't have any more details, but Fox's status is likely a big reason why the Redskins signed Stuart Schweigert on Monday.
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| Terrell Owens and the Dallas Cowboys agreed to a four-year contract on Monday night, the Dallas Morning News reports. The deal would keep Owens with the Cowboys through 2011. His current contract runs only through the 2008 campaign, and he was scheduled to earn a $3 million roster bonus on Tuesday. |
Our View: Owens will be 38 by the time his new deal is done, but the point is to keep him happy now. This news means T.O. will likely retire as a Cowboy.
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| Antonio Gates has yet to begin running, the team's official web site reports. "He's exercising and working it pretty good," head coach Norv Turner explains. "He's making great progress. I don't think they want him running yet." Gates is coming off surgery to repair a dislocated and sprained big left toe and was slated to begin running by the end of May. |
Our View: It's too soon to begin worrying significantly about Gates' status. He is still expected to be ready for Week 1, but Gates could be limited throughout camp and the preseason.
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| Philip Rivers ran with the first-string offense through team drills on Monday. "I was prepared to have him really not do anything except throw routes against air," head coach Norv Turner tells the team's official web site. "He's just making great progress." Rivers underwent surgery in late January to repair a torn ACL in his right knee. "I think throwing the ball I've been as accurate as I've been during an offseason," Rivers says. "If I can just keep working, the key thing is just make sure I'm completely comfortable in the pocket and not worrying about something happening." |
Our View: This is very encouraging news for Rivers and the Chargers. He is not a scrambling quarterback, so we're fairly positive about his prospects heading into the season. All signs point to Rivers being ready well in advance of Week 1.
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| Defensive tackle Kory Robertson has decided to retire, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports. The Dolphins signed this undrafted rookie free agent on May 1, and he was recently placed on IR. "I counseled him for a long time and told him he had a really good chance as an athletic, 345-pound man, but it's got to be in your heart," agent Tony Paige says. "I said, 'Where you going to go, a 23-year-old college graduate, and make the money you're going to make.' It was a bit of a surprise." |
Our View: It was a nice run. We'll always remember the good times.
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| Odell Thurman is facing an indefinite suspension after he once again violated the league's substance abuse policy, SI.com reports. The Bengals released Thurman last week. Thurman was not available to comment, and his agent, Safarrah Lawson, says, "We have not been notified of that at this point. I have no knowledge." He has not played since his rookie year in 2005 due to suspensions based on alcohol and drug abuse. |
Our View: This is just the latest in a string of bad reports about Thurman. If true, there's obviously no way another team will sign him. Except maybe the Raiders or Cowboys.
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| The Bears signed safety Craig Steltz to a four-year contract on Monday, the Chicago Tribune reports. The rookie out of LSU was a fourth-round pick. Financial terms were not disclosed. |
Our View: Steltz had a big senior season before fracturing his right shoulder blade against Ohio State. He is an in-the-box, high-tackle safety, although he also picked off six passes in 2007. Steltz will just be fighting for any playing time this season.
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| Head coach Mike Holmgren doesn't seem to know what to do with running back T.J. Duckett, the Tacoma News Tribune reports. Multiple sources have told the paper that Duckett seems "especially slow" thus far. Julius Jones and Maurice Morris are atop the halfback depth chart, and Leonard Weaver is the No. 1 fullback. |
Our View: Holmgren may be realizing why Duckett is on his fourth team in as many seasons. T.J. seems to be built for goal line work - or competitive eating contests - but it doesn't sound like the Seahawks want to use him in short-yardage situations, yet.
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| Kurt Warner has been taking some snaps with the first-string offense, but he remains the backup to Matt Leinart. "Same thing I said back at the end of the season: Matt's our starter," head coach Ken Whisenhunt informs the AP. "Kurt's going to be there pushing him." |
Our View: We expect Leinart to keep the gig if he can improve and show that he is ready. He didn't do that last year, which is why Whisenhunt was rotating quarterbacks before Leinart busted his collarbone. The situation is no different this time around.
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| Pacman Jones has been reinstated, partially. The cornerback can join the Cowboys for offseason workouts, training camp, and preseason games, and his regular season status will be re-assessed prior to the regular season, the AP reports. "Commissioner Goodell told Jones that his continued participation in the NFL depends on demonstrating that he can conduct himself in a lawful and reliable manner," the NFL released in a statement. "Jones will be expected to continue the personal conduct program established for him by the NFL and the Cowboys and to avoid further adverse involvement with law enforcement." The league will make a regular season ruling by September 1. |
Our View: We imagine Adam will throw one heckuva party on Monday night.
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| Eric Johnson informs the Biloxi Sun Herald that he should be fully recovered from ankle surgery in roughly three weeks. "It was an offseason injury which is something that is really frustrating," Johnson says. "I'm just waiting for it to heal up. Just want to work through it, but there's not really much I can do about it right now. I should be ready for training. I'll have about a month to really go out there and run before training camp." |
Our View: It doesn't really matter what time of year it is. Johnson is always a threat to get injured. He is talented and plays in a pass-friendly offense, but he is no more than a bye-week fill-in.
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| Reggie Williams is reportedly looking better than ever so far this spring, according to Jaguars.com. He is said to look smoother, more polished, and more mature. He is catching the ball well away from his body, and isn't suffering from drops. |
Our View: The competition for the two starting spots at wide receiver will be highly competitive and interesting to follow, between Williams, Dennis Northcutt, and newcomers Jerry Porter and Troy Williamson, who was a high draft pick for Minnesota but was run out of town due to poor concentration and too many drops.
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| The knee injury that Marcedes Lewis sustained was reported to be a sprain, according to Jaguars.com. |
Our View: It remains undisclosed when exactly the injury occured. The severity of the ailment is not known either, other than it is a sprain. Hopefully it is minor, and won't linger into training camp.
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| Steve Breaston is believed to be the favorite for the number three role at receiver while working out of the slot this season, according to CBSsports.com. He added chest muscle this season in a bid to become a more physical receiver, and team-mate Larry Fitzgerald said, "More than anybody from this team, I think Steve benefited from the off-season workouts here. It's really showing everyday. He's trying to expand his role from just being a special teams guy to helping us on the offensive side."
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Our View: He is projected the favorite, but will still be in a tight competition for the number three role with Jerheme Urban and promising rookie Early Doucet.
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| Jason Campbell is fully recovered from the hamstring ailment that plagued him during early May workouts, according to the Washington Post. He said, "I don't have any problems with the hamstring. It's something that's behind me."
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Our View: Campbell has had trouble staying healthy, but can post solid numbers when physically intact, and you have to like his fantasy potential in the Redskins' new West Coast system. He will be closely monitored through training camp, and could prove to be a late-round steal on draft day, assuming his hamstring issue is really behind him.
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| Coach Jim Zorn said that Clinton Portis will no longer be pulling himself out of games as he did while under Joe Gibbs, according to the Washington Post. Zorn said, "I don't think that's something that's going to happen here. That's not the way our offense is designed. I don't think that will be the way that we function on the football field."
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Our View: Portis' solid blocking and receiving abilities were not taken advantage of enough under Gibbs, and Zorn plans to utilize him more in those areas in his West Coast offensive system. Portis caught 47 passes in 2007, and that number will surely rise if he stays healthy this season, making him a potentially solid prospect for PPR leagues in 2008.
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| Erasmus James is reportedly at about 90 percent health, according to the Washington Post. The team will bring him along slowly with hopes of him being ready to start the regular season. He is recovering from a knee injury. |
Our View: James failed to make an impact in Minnesota, but they were among the most talented and deepest teams in the NFL at defensive end, and he could prove to be an asset in Washington, as they have a significant need for depth at the position. James may not live up to his previously high expectations and develop into an elite pro, but he could prove to be a pleasant surprise in Washington this season.
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| Roger McIntosh is making strides in his recovery from a torn ACL, but will not be a full participant before training camp, according to the Washington Post. |
Our View: McIntosh underwent reconstructive surgery around five months ago, and will be hard-pressed to play at a high level over a full sixteen game slate. Normal rehab for this type of injury is 9-12 months.
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| Former Steelers' safety Russell Stuvaints was reportedly shot at a restaurant in Pittsburgh early Sunday morning, according to KDKA-TV Pittsburgh. |
Our View: The incident happened at Nigro's Restaurant on Fifth Avenue early Sunday morning, and four people were said to be shot.
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| Coach Sean Payton noted that he likes Pierre Thomas' potential on third-downs, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune. Payton stated, "Pierre is someone who blocks the pressure real well. That's a strength of his. He's so smart. You need that in the nickel because of the looks we get. We get a lot more complex looks in third-down or long-yardage situations than we would in the base."
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Our View: During the minicamp practices, the coaching staff worked him in and out with the first unit. Reggie Bush won't be pushed from his third-down role, but Thomas could share time with him, and could hold decent fantasy value, namely in larger PPR leagues. He could also see a larger role if Deuce McAllister breaks down again.
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| Deuce McAllister reportedly moved well during the Saints' final round of OTA sessions, and he did not have any issues with either of his surgically repaired knees, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune. |
Our View: This is encouraging news, but he still sat out team drills and avoided any type of contact. He could be healthy enough to start this season, but will be hard-pressed to remain intact for a full sixteen games, or handle a significant workload. The team has good depth as well with the explosive Reggie Bush, Aaron Stecker and Pierre Thomas, meaning the team can afford to use Deuce sparingly this season.
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| Rookie defensive end Chris Long (Virginia) is determined to be at training camp on time, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He assured the team that he wants to be signed by the start of training camp on July 24, and stated, "I was never into that holdout business. That's real important to me, as a teammate more than anything."
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Our View: Coach Scott Linehan has already named Long the starter at right defensive end for this season. The Rams ranked 21st in the NFL in sacks in 2007, and they are banking on Long to make an impact and improve the team in that area right away as a rookie. Being signed on time will help to meet that goal.
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| First-round pick Jeff Otah (Pittsburgh) has returned to the Panthers' OTA on Monday, according to the Rock Hill Herald. |
Our View: Otah was out of action while nursing a high left ankle sprain that bothered him all last year. He was working with the starters at right tackle.
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| D.J. Hackett was held out of the Panthers' OTA practice on Monday, due to some swelling in his knee, according to the Rock Hill Herald. |
Our View: Speed demon Steve Smith is locked into one of the starting receiver spots, but Hackett is going to be in a tight battle with veteran Muhsin Muhammad for the number two role. Hackett lacks strong durability, and he cannot afford to lose reps to Muhammad. The severity of the ailment is yet to be determined.
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| DeSean Jackson only stands at 6-feet 178 pounds, but he has the speed to burn defenses deep, and even more imporantly, prevent defenses from consistently rushing McNabb on blitzes, according to the AP. McNabb was sacked 44 times in 2007, which was the second-highest total in his career behind the 45 sacks in 2000. Reggie Brown and Hank Baskett are solid receivers, but they are not deep threats, nor as potentially dangerous as Jackson. Coach Andy Reid commented, "DeSean will be in a lot of places for us, the slot, outside, places where we feel we can get match-up problems."
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Our View: Jackson could serve as a return man on special teams, but should also see plenty of action as a receiver, as the Eagles love to throw the ball, namely with multiple receiver sets. The team also previously mentioned that it doesn't want to hand Brian Westbrook as many carries on the ground as they did in 2007, which will also favor Jackson's time on the field this season.
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| Rookie Kevin Smith (Central Florida) will reportedly get the bulk of the workload at running back when the new season starts, according to MLive.com. |
Our View: Smith is built well at 6-1 212, and is a tough inside runner who is more effective late in games as he wears down defenses. He lacks great speed, but is quick, and can get to the corner. He has good enough hands to serve on passing downs, and had a great track record with durability in college, which should carry over to the NFL. He could develop into a strong starting back for the Lions, and should allow Tatum Bell to excel as a change-of-pace back, which he is best suited for. Brian Calhoun will be in the mix as well, but Smith is going to be the Lions' featured weapon on the ground this season, meaning he can make a solid impact as a rookie.
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| Travis Henry has been released by the Broncos, according to the AP. Coach Mike Shanahan said, "We did not feel his commitment to the Broncos was enough to warrant a spot on this football team. Although Travis has the ability to be one of the top running backs in the NFL, we have to make decisions that are in the best interests of our organization and its goal of winning a Super Bowl."
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Our View: He had trouble staying healthy, and he was currently sidelined by a strained hamstring. Henry has only played a full-16 game slate once in his career, but should find work with another club, and could even challenge for a starting spot with a little luck.
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| Police intend to meet with Marshawn Lynch following a hit-and-run involving his car, according to WIVB.com. |
Our View: As of right now, the team will only say that Lynch's attorney is out of town and will address this incident when he returns. Lynch has not been charged with a crime, and it remains unknown if he was in the car at the time of the accident.
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| Devin Hester garnered praise from receivers' coach Darryl Drake, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Drake stated, "I have been around a lot of guys, a lot of really good receivers, and he has a chance to be better than all of them. That is a strong statement, but I really believe that. Drake added, "He has as good a pair of hands as anybody. And then his natural ability to run after the catch is just unbelievable."
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Our View: That is a bold statement because Drake has worked with Hines Ward and Roy Williams. The Bears don't want to compromise Hester's game-changing ability on special teams, but they also want to get him on the field as a receiver more. If you recall, Dante Hall lost his edge and made less of an impact when the Chiefs worked him in as a receiver. Hopefully, the Bears will figure out the right balance for him.
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| Free agent safety Stuart Schweigert has signed with the Redskins, according to the Washington Post. Financial terms and the length of the deal were not disclosed. |
Our View: He spent the past four seasons with the Raiders, and racked up 69 tackles (56 solo) in 2007, with two interceptions. He became expendable when the Raiders added Gibril Wilson. He should hold a reserve role in Washington, and his fantasy value will be limited.
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| Linebacker Rian Wallace has been waived by the Redskins, according to the Washington Post. |
Our View: The former Temple University standout had limited opportuntities to prove his worth in Pittsburgh while stuck behind a talented and deep linebacking corps. He was trying to make the Redskins as a special teams contributor.
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| GM Jerry Reese expects third-year receiver Sinorice Moss to "really come on this year," according to the Boston Globe. |
Our View: The third season is usually the time when receivers break out, and Moss will be on our radar through training camp. He posseses great speed and was believed to develop into a explosive playmaker when he was drafted by the Giants.
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| Justin McCareins has been offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger's favorite receiver so far through the off-season, according to the Tennessean. |
Our View: McCareins is working with the first team at wide receiver, opposite Justin Gage. McCareins excelled in his previous tour of duty under Heimerdinger in Tennessee, and he could prove to be a solid late-round sleeper for 2008, assuming he holds on to the starting gig.
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| Mike Brown is trying to bounce back from another season-ending campaign (torn ACL), and has been medically cleared for full activity, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Brown is reportedly looking like his old self again, and he commented, "I guess you could say I’m surprised. But I think the coaching staff and the guys that make the decisions upstairs know what type of football player I am when I’m healthy."
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Our View: Brown will generate solid numbers when in action this season, but remains a risky fantasy prospect, going by his poor track record with injuries. If you decide to target him, make sure you add quality depth behind him.
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| Renaldo Wynn has joined the Giants, according to ProFootballTalk.com. He signed a one-year deal, and financial terms were not disclosed. Wynn was a first-round pick of the Jaguars back in 1997, and he bounced around with the Redskins and Saints before landing in New York. |
Our View: Wynn was brought in for depth in case Michael Strahan ultimately decides to retire. The 34-year old could play defensive tackle too, and was a quality addition to the Giants' bench, but he will hold little fantasy value.
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| Brett Keisel is going to be moved around more with OLB James Harrison this season, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Keisel will start at right defensive end. |
Our View: The team is going to move Keisel around in an attempt to confuse opposing offenses. The team tried to move him around a bit in 2007, but he only registered 39 tackles (25 solo) and two sacks.
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