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| With Alan Faneca gone, the Steelers are in need of leadership and, at the very least, quality production from the left guard position, one of the most important in the NFL. The Steelers believe former sixth-round draft pick Chris Kemoeatu is the man for the job, according to the Beaver County Times. |
Our View: For the past two months during mini-camp and organized team activity workouts, Kemoeatu has taken most snaps at Faneca’s old position. At 6-foot-3, 344 pounds, he has the frame for the job and the team has been grooming him for this chance since they drafted him in 2005. Early reports suggest he is doing well and could be a difference maker this season.
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| Denver tight end Tony Scheffler was back at practice today and is taking part in more drills than anticipated, according to DenverBroncos.com. |
Our View: Scheffler is battling pain in his left foot doctors suggest will not subside for at least two years, as long as he keeps playing. Today was his second day at practice and he was running routes and making catches like nothing was wrong.
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| The Jets have fined tight end Chris Baker $3,000 for missing an injury-treatment session at last week's mandatory minicamp, according to the NY Daily News. |
Our View: Baker intends to appeal, but this is just another stop for drama in the saga that is Chris Baker and the Jets. Baker wants out, the Jets want to trade him, and nothing has been done. He asserts he will be missing any and all team activities until a trade is completed or he is released.
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| Charlie Frye is just a year removed from being a starter quarterback in the NFL, and he believes that he will one day return to a starting role, according to Slam Sports. "This isn't my end," Frye said. "I don't see myself as a so-called 'career backup' quarterback. My goal is to get back on the field. That's what I do every day." |
Our View: Frye will battle with Seneca Wallace to serve as the backup to Matt Hasselbeck this season. Unless Hasselbeck breaks some body part, Frye has virtually no shot at any significant playing time this season.
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| The Baltimore Ravens have scheduled a press conference for Thursday at which Pro Bowl tackle Jonathan Ogden will announce his retirement, according to the Sports Network. |
Our View: Ogden appeared in just 11 games last season, the least of his 12 NFL seasons, due to a hyperextended big toe on his left foot. His departure leaves serious questions to be answered by new Baltimore coach John Harbaugh, though second-year vet Jared Gaither looks like the prime candidate for the job.
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| Jeremy Shockey was unable to take the field at practice on Wednesday due to his injured ankle, according to the New York Star Ledger. |
Our View: Before rumors start to swell, we just wanted to make sure that we reported Shockey didn't practice because of his injury and not because of a holdout or any kind of trade demands.
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| Deion Branch, rehabbing an injured knee (torn ACL), was working out on the side on Wednesday in agility drills, according to the Seattle Seahawks Insider. |
Our View: Branch's status is up in the air at this point, and there have been some concerns that he could begin the year on the PUP list. Keep a close on his how his rehab progresses as it will have everything to do with his value on draft day.
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| Throwing more uncertainty into an uncertain situation, it was announced that running back Adrian Peterson had an appendectomy, according to the Chicago Tribune. |
Our View: The injury isn't expected to keep Peterson out that long, but we don't know exactly when he will be able to return to practice. In his absence, Matt Forte took snaps with the first team.
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| Jaguars receiver Matt Jones is starting to look like the most likely candidate for release, according to the Sporting News. |
Our View: Michael Wright is covering the and attending practices for the News and states Jones is clearly behind other receivers fighting for jobs, including Troy Williamson, Mike Walker, D'Juan Woods, and John Broussard. Wright believes the team is ready to cut ties with the former Arkansas quarterback-turned-target and could make the decision sooner rather than later. Of course, it bears mention that Jones is hampered by soft-tissue injuries and thus he is not capable of practicing with the same fervor as the other candidates, but this is the NFL. Injury won't keep the Jags from releasing Jones if he's not up to the competition.
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| The Dallas Morning News reports that Chris Canty has signed his one-year tender offer worth $2.017 million with the Dallas Cowboys. |
Our View: Despite not having signed the tender, Canty has worked out with the Cowboys the entire off-season. Last season he had a career-high 3.5 sacks last year and 46 tackles, which were the most by a defensive linemen on the team.
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| Felix Jones and Marion Barber lined up in the backfield together several times during today's workout, according to the Dallas Morning News. Barber was lined up in front, while Jones lined up at tailback and motioned out wide. "I'm very comfortable with it," said Jones. "Right now, they're just getting me introduced to it. They're just showing me some of the things that I can do in the future." |
Our View: Jones will be used mostly as a change-of-pace back this year, but it's clear the Cowboys want to use him and Barber together some, as well.
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| Defensive end Antwan Odom has improved his upper-body strength, and now he's concentrating on weight gain so he can become a more physical pass rusher and run stopper at the point of attack. Odom is a sleek, slender end with the reputation of being a speed rusher, but he wants to enhance his image by being more rugged. He currently weighs 253, but promises to be at least 265 when he arrives for the Cincinnati Bengals training camp, according to the Sporting News. |
Our View: Odom has never been much of a run stopper, but it appears he's working hard on that facet of his game in order to become a more complete defensive lineman. We will monitor his progress, as he already possesses solid upside potential as a pass rusher in the Bengals 4-3 scheme.
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| Thieves broke into a jewelry company over the weekend and stole up to $2 million in gold, gems and other valuables, including Super Bowl rings made for New York Giants staff members, according to FOX Sports. |
Our View: The players and coaches had already received their rings last month. The staffers were to receive identical ones — white gold rings with the "NY" logo is set in diamonds and "World Champions" emblazoned in raised letters. They were designed by Tiffany and Co. and have a retail value at $25,000 each.
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| Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters will be fined by the Buffalo Bills after missing the start of the team's three-day mandatory minicamp Wednesday over what's being described as a contract dispute, according to ESPN. "It's a decision he's made and he'll be fined," coach Dick Jauron said, adding he was surprised Peters failed to show up. |
Our View: Jauron declined to say whether he or the Bills' front office has spoken with Peters. He has three years left on his current deal and is scheduled to make a base salary of $3.25 million this season, which is considered low for someone playing such a prominent position. His deal ranks third among Bills offensive linemen, behind left guard Derrick Dockery and right tackle Langston Walker, both acquired in free agency last year.
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| New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith has agreed to a six-year, $70 million contract extension, a source familiar with the matter told ESPN’s Len Pasquarelli on Tuesday. |
Our View: Smith posted 66 tackles (47 solos), and 7 sacks last season for the Saints. In four seasons, all in New Orleans, Smith has 220 tackles and 33.5 sacks.
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| According to Jaguars.com senior editor Vic Ketchman, Brian Williams looks like a natural at the safety position during offseason workouts. |
Our View: Williams has been a cornerback his entire career, but this is a position switch that could take his career to a higher level. Williams is penciled in as the frontrunner at strong safety on the Jacksonville depth chart, and will compete with Gerald Sensabaugh for the starting role in training camp.
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| Knowing a toe injury would hinder his All-Pro playing ability, offensive lineman Jonathan Ogden told the Baltimore Sun today that he will announce his retirement tomorrow, a long-awaited decision that ends the career of one of the NFL's great offensive linemen and a cornerstone of the Ravens franchise. "It took a little while to decide," said Ogden. "You just can't make a decision like this overnight." |
Our View: Ogden, 33, who has been voted to the Pro Bowl in 11 of 12 NFL seasons, is expected to become the first player drafted by the Ravens to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Ravens are expected to replace Ogden with Jared Gaither, a second-year player out of the University of Maryland.
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| Brian Urlacher is participating in today's voluntary organized team activities, which is leading some to wonder if a new contract is on the horizon, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
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Our View: The Chicago Bears’ linebacker wants his contract restructured, and he has avoided voluntary workouts in protest. But he was all smiles today, leading to rumors that a new contract extension is imminent.
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| On the day when everyone expected tight end Jeremy Shockey to be the one making headlines, it was wide receiver Plaxico Burress who dropped the bomb: He's not participating in mini-camp because he's unhappy with his contract, according to the Newark Star-Ledger. "Me and my agent (Drew Rosenhaus) have been trying to get a deal done, so I can (be) a New York Giant for a long time," Burress said today. "I personally don't like the way its going. I'm not happy about it and I'm going to choose not to participate." |
Our View: There were quiet rumors earlier in the offseason that Burress wasn't happy with his contract situation. He signed a 6-year, $25 million deal in 2005, and is slated to earn $10 million over the next three seasons. Burress seemed to indicate that his contract holdout may last into training camp at the end of next month. While this is a situation to monitor closely, keep in mind most of the time these types of matters get worked out before the season starts.
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| Center LeCharles Bentley has asked for his release from the Cleveland Browns and it has been granted, his agent, Jonathan Feinsod said this afternoon, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "LeCharles doesn't want to be an insurance policy," said Feinsod. "He's going to play somewhere in 2008." |
Our View: Bentley passed his physical Tuesday and practiced with the team that morning on a limited basis, before skipping workouts this morning and requesting a meeting with head coach Romeo Crennel. From this limited report, it appears that Bentley was unsatisfied with his expected role in Cleveland this season.
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| Linebacker Bart Scott will be turned loose more often in 2008 while serving as the blitzing linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens, according to the Sporting News. |
Our View: This is a familiar role for Scott, who had the best season of his career in 2006, while performing the same duties. Last year he was utilized more often in pass coverage, a move that limited his sack output and depleted his IDP value. In 2006, Scott posted 103 tackles (78 solos) and 9.5 sacks, finishing the season as a top 20 linebacker. Those of you who participate in IDP leagues, should bump Scott up a few notches in your rankings, especially in those leagues that reward big plays.
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| Cleveland tight end Kellen Winslow stepped in for a few repetitions in team drills during the second day of mini-camp and immediately looked like the best player out there, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. On one play he got behind linebacker Kris Griffin and hauled in a Brady Quinn pass, sprinting 40 yards to the end zone. |
Our View: We are beginning to think that Winslow, who is only three months removed from knee surgery, is a medical marvel. By some reports, Winslow has had five knee surgeries during his short career, yet he continues to perform well despite the adversity.
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| Cleveland Browns wide receiver Joe Jurevicius, who is currently recovering from knee surgery and a staph infection, insists he will be ready for opening day, according to the Dayton Daily News. |
Our View: This contradicts yesterday’s story in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, which reported he was in danger of missing the start of the regular season. Regardless, Jurevicius has been relegated to the No. 3 role with the offseason signing of receiver Donte’ Stallworth, leaving him with very little fantasy value in 2008.
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| Offensive lineman LeCharles Bentley missed practice and a team meeting this morning. Then, when he finally showed up in the building, he requested to meet with general manager Phil Savage and head coach Romeo Crennel, according to the Dayton Daily News. |
Our View: No concrete word, only wild speculation on what this might be all about. There are rumors that Bentley could be reconsidering his comeback, or that he might be dissatisfied with his role on the team going forward. Stay tuned.
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| Head coach Andy Reid said MRI results were negative on quarterback Donovan McNabb’s shoulder, which was why Reid emphasized that no surgery was in the offing when he spoke briefly with reporters on Tuesday, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. |
Our View: Reid has shut down McNabb because of slight tendinitis in his shoulder, after he experienced a little tightness during recent practices. This appears to be a situation where the coach is resting a player who already knows the offensive system inside and out, as a precautionary measure.
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| A quarterback competition between John Beck, Josh McCown and Chad Henne is already underway in Miami, but coaches predicted at this weekend's minicamp that a starter isn't likely to be named until well into August, according to the Sporting News. Reason being, quarterbacks coach David Lee said a proper evaluation can't be done without watching how the players respond during games. |
Our View: Miami opens its preseason Aug. 9. In the meantime, McCown and Beck are splitting most of the repetitions with the first team, with Henne getting occasional work with the starters. It is believed that McCown currently holds a slight advantage in the competition, but Beck provides more upside potential, and has exhibited an outstanding work ethic this offseason.
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| In the Houston Texans’ offseason program, the second best outside pass rusher was defensive end Tim Bulman, according to the Houston Chronicle. Bulman is a former defensive tackle, who has lost weight and been moved nickel rusher. |
Our View: If the season started today, Bulman would play end in passing situations opposite Mario Williams, but will likely be used in a rotation with N.D. Kalu and Anthony Weaver, limiting his fantasy value.
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| Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters is a no-show at the start of the Buffalo Bills' mandatory three-day mini-camp, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. |
Our View: Peters also missed all 13 of the team's voluntary sessions over the past month, the lone Bills player who didn't attend at least one practice. Peters, who is under contract for $4 million in 2008, appears to be angling for a new contract. Buffalo officials have not discussed the reasons for Peters' absence, but had previously said they expected him to attend the mandatory camp. Neither Peters nor his agent was available for comment Wednesday.
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| Pro Football Weekly writes a glowing article regarding St. Louis Rams first round draft pick Chris Long . “He can do a lot of different things for you,” Rams defensive coordinator Jim Haslett said. “He’s a better fit for teams like us, Baltimore, Pittsburgh. Teams that do a lot of different things than just a straight 4-3 where you’re going to sit there and rush him all day." Haslett still runs a lot of 3-4 fronts in passing situations, which should be a natural for Long who garnered 14 sacks playing in the 3-4 at Virginia. Haslett went on to boast of Long's additional attributes. “I think he’s very good in run defense. He does a great job in hand placement and getting off blocks. He looks like his father from that standpoint. You can tell his dad coached him when he was young because he’s got the Howie moves.” Long also dropped into coverage occasionally at Virginia and may do so for the Rams. |
Our View: Around Rams Park, Long has been called a more athletic Grant Wistrom. The now-retired Wistrom, a No. 6 overall pick in 1998, was a starter for two Super Bowl teams in St. Louis. Long also has been compared to Seattle’s Patrick Kerney — a fellow Virginia product — because of his relentless, nonstop style of play.
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| Running back DeShaun Foster is impressing San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Nolan, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. "He's got soft hands," said Nolan "I think he adds to the passing game as much as the running game. His main role would be to take the No. 1 job if the unmentionable happens. He gives us another starter if something happens to Frank Gore." |
Our View: Foster was a very average back in Carolina, but he does have talent and is an outstanding receiver. He makes for a serviceable handcuff to Gore, especially in PPR leagues.
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| Since 1991, only one of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ first-round draft choices did not become a regular starter by at least his second season, which leads linebacker Larry Foote to believe second-year linebacker Lawrence Timmons will start in his place in 2008, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "I don't think its competition," Foote said after another spring practice. "I really think it's just a matter of time until they throw him in there, just because of the politics of the game - and it looks like he can play." |
Our View: Timmons played mostly on special teams last season and has displayed great speed and quickness in practices. He must show he knows the defense and has the football instincts that mesmerized Tomlin when he saw him at Florida State, in order to pass Foote on the depth chart.
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| Cincinnati Bengals running back Rudi Johnson missed five games of the 2007 season due to a nagging hamstring injury. Now that the eight-year veteran is fully recovered, he's champing at the bit to get back on the playing field and make a statement for the Bengals in 2008, according to the Dayton Daily News. |
Our View: During early 12-team mock drafts, Johnson has been a fifth round pick as the 26th running back off the board. That's potentially great value for a player who averaged 1300+ rushing yards and 12 touchdowns from 2004-06. If Johnson can remain healthy in 2008, he could be a candidate for the bounce back fantasy player of the year award.
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| Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said on WBAL Radio yesterday that he expects offensive lineman Jonathan Ogden to decide by the end of the week whether to retire, according to the Baltimore Sun. "It's going to be interesting to see what he does," Harbaugh said. |
Our View: The Ravens are planning to start Jared Gaither at left tackle if Jonathan Ogden retires.
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| John Kasay may be relieved of kickoff duties this season, according to the Charlotte Observer. Rhys (pronounced Reese) Lloyd, an Englishman with a cannon-like right leg, has joined the 39 year-old in workouts. Kasay had just two kickoffs land in the end zone and kicked six out-of-bounds – most in the league. Signed by the Panthers for the final game of 2007, Lloyd equaled Kasay's season-long total in one game by knocking two kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks against Tampa Bay. |
Our View: Kasay's kickoffs often gave opponents excellent field position as Carolina struggled to a 7-9 record. Having a kicker with Lloyd's distance could at least solve that problem.
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| Rookie wide receiver Steve Johnson seems to make a play in every practice, earning the praise of his coaches and teammates alike, according to the Buffalo News. |
Our View: When you are a seventh-round draft pick you better make an impression early and often. Johnson has been solid for most of the Bills’ voluntary practice sessions. He has impressive size at 6-foot-2 and 202 pounds, which was a big reason the Bills drafted him. What stands out about Johnson is his good hands and ability to run after the catch. His route running needs polishing, but he doesn’t seem to have a problem getting open.
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| Jeremy Shockey reported to the New York Giants mandatory mini-camp today, according to Newsday NFL writer Bob Glauber. |
Our View: There were some conflicting rumors as to whether Shockey would report or not, so this report alleviates those concerns. Shockey will not be participating in team drills, as his ankle injury from last year isn’t sufficiently healed.
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| The New York Giants will utilize linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka at defensive end on obvious pass rush downs, according to the New York Post. "We're going to have to evaluate all of those things," coach Tom Coughlin said. "We know what we want to do on obvious pass rush downs [Kiwanuka moves in as a defensive end], but on first down we're still, at least I am, in a position that Mathias is a linebacker until we or I decide otherwise." |
Our View: The Giants thrived last season with a defensive end rotation and could put together another fearsome trio if they move Mathias Kiwanuka, a natural end, out of the strong side linebacker spot he moved into last year. The retirement of Michael Strahan, provides an opening for a pass rusher, so it appears Kiwanuka will be added to the defensive end rotation with Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck, on obvious passing downs.
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| Chicagosports.com reports that Kevin Jones hopes to hear from the Bears, according to a source close to the player. The Bears recently cut last year's starter, Cedric Benson. Jones has worked out for New England and Tennessee this off-season without striking a deal. Released by the Lions in March, Jones will hold a personal workout for scouts June 28 in Saline, Mich., to prove he is fully recovered from a torn ligament in his right knee. |
Our View: Jones has rehabbed very quickly from knee surgery and any team should be wary of his durability.
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| The Jacksonville Jaguars have waived first-year running back D.D. Terry according to the Florida Times-Union. |
Our View: Terry spent 2007 on the practice squad after signing with the Jaguars as an undrafted free agent from Sam Houston State. The Jaguars signed rookie free-agent running back Lavarus Giles to a contract today after he participated in the team’s two-day minicamp last week. Giles played 12 games as a senior at Jackson State, accounting for five touchdowns and 514 yards on 87 carries.
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| Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Holmgren missed a second consecutive day of mini-camp Tuesday with what a team spokesman continued to emphasize was a minor but undisclosed medical condition, according to ESPN. |
Our View: Holmgren, who turns 60 on Sunday and is entering his 10th as Seattle's coach, is expected on the field today. "If it was serious, we would have made sure you already knew about it," a Seahawks spokesman said of Holmgren's issue.
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| Late-spring flurries by Troy Williamson and Mike Walker have thickened the plot at the wide receiver position for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Williamson turned in another impressive practice on Tuesday, while Walker made two diving catches in a spirited team drill to end practice, according to Jaguars.com. |
Our View: Williamson has had issues with drops in the past, but is reportedly catching everything in sight during the offseason. Walker had issues with his left knee going all the way back to his junior year in college but appears to be returning to health. With Jerry Porter and Reggie Williams entrenched in the top rungs on the depth chart, Williamson and Walker are pushing Dennis Northcutt for time in the slot.
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| Denver Broncos first-round pick Ryan Clady has seen some fellow top picks sign their contracts and the offensive lineman is anxious to get his deal done, according to ESPN. Clady said the Broncos and his agents are going to meet face-to-face in the coming week. The left tackle was the No. 12 overall pick from Boise State. |
Our View: Clady represents an upgrade to the Broncos offensive line, both from a run blocking and pass protection perspective.
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| Defensive lineman Richard Seymour said he feels like a different player from what he was the past two seasons. The reason: better health, according to the Boston Globe. "This is really the first year in the last two that I've been able to hit the ground running, so to speak," Seymour said. |
Our View: Seymour was limited to nine regular-season games (eight starts) in 2007, and started all three playoff contests. Although he didn't miss a game in 2006, his right arm was a nagging problem. If he can stay healthy, Seymour will make a bigger impact on the Patriots’ defense, than he will in the IDP world.
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| The Tennessee Titans spent a second-round pick on running back Chris Henry last season, and though they say they are pleased with his progress this offseason, he could have a difficult time making the active list on Sunday this year, according to the Nashville City Paper. |
Our View: The Titans selected Chris Johnson in the first round of the draft, and he has already been penciled in as the No. 2 back behind starter LenDale White. As a rookie, Henry often had difficulty finding the hole and reading his blocks, and now it appears that his playing time could be limited in 2008.
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| He hasn't officially been named the starter yet, but in the first day of the post-Cedric Benson era, Matt Forte was running with the Bears' first team during organized team activities at Halas Hall, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. |
Our View: There are already rumors swirling that the Bears “might” bring in a veteran who is currently on the street, with Kevin Jones and Ron Dayne being two names bandied about. For now, Forte’s fantasy stock has taken a decent northward spike with the recent release of Cedric Benson.
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