|
|
| Bengals coach Marvin Lewis has gone out of his way to express satisfaction with the work of undrafted rookie James Johnson at running back, noting JJ as one of the team's best players at the recent minicamp sessions, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. |
Our View: Marvin Lewis isn't one to throw praise often, thus the compliments for the former Kansas State rusher carry a bit of weight, especially with DeDe Dorsey fighting to find health.
|
|
|
|
| The Jaguars are experimenting with the chemistry of the offensive line, according to Scout.com. |
Our View: The team had Chris Naeole working at right guard lasts eason, working next to top tackle Tony Pashos. When Naeole was lost to a torn quadriceps tendon, Maurice Williams took over at right tackle, played extremely well, and got a new contract. This season Naeole is gone and the Jags would prefer to move Williams to yet another position (his natural spot is at right tackle, where Pashos resides). In recent workouts, it has been Williams lining up at left guard and Vince Manuwai moving to play right guard. The desire to bulk the entire line appears to be working and could turn an already-stellar offensive line into the top unit in the game.
|
|
|
|
| Despite his noted absence from the team's OTA workouts, Tampa Bay rusher Earnest Graham has voluntarily arrived at the team's FanFest celebration today, according to ProFootballTalk.com. |
Our View: Rumors have Graham seeking a new contract that will closely resemble the agreement San Franciso's Frank Gore recently signed. He is due to make $605,000 this season, the final year of his current contract.
|
|
|
|
| In the continued swirl of rumors surrounding recently-released, recently-cleared for health, and soon-to-be paid free agent center LeCharles Bentley , the Vikings, rumored to be a top team of interest, are not willing to discuss the topic, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. |
Our View: Coach Brad Childress stated the team could be interested and would pursue him without an adjoining workout as he is a "vested veteran." The folks at ProFootballTalk.com have taken the originally reported list of 10 teams interested and cut it down to eight based on their sources, with teams like the Chargers, the Dolphins, and the Rams the most likely to offer a contract matching what Minnesota might put forth. We'll keep you posted on Bentley's next move as news becomes available.
|
|
|
|
| Indianapolis safety and defensive catalyst Bob Sanders could open the coming season listed on the team's Physically Unable to Perform list, according to Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star. |
Our View: Sanders continues to fight an ailing shoulder that has cost him significant missed time in the past, and if those pains do not subside when training camp draws near, the Colts may be facing a difficult decision. We will update as news becomes available.
|
|
|
|
| Chad Johnson participated with the first-string offense in 11-on-11 drills on Saturday. He caught a few short passes but generally didn't look great. "He worked hard; he was rusty," offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski explains to the team's official web site. "He's got that ankle issue at the end of the season. They were trying to get it taken care of, it hadn't been taken care of, he needed to get it taken care of. He's going against guys that have been out here 14, 16 practices. You're going to look that way when you have none. He worked hard." The Bengals want Johnson to undergo ankle surgery prior to training camp on July 27. |
Our View: Johnson's numbers didn't drop off noticeably late in the 2007 season, but the Bengals seem to be pretty worried about the ankle injury that arose. Anyway, we'll provide another update when the media follows Chad home, watches what he buys at the store, and reports on his dinner plans.
|
|
|
|
| Anquan Boldin isn't sure if he'll show up for training camp as he attempts to force the Cardinals to give him a new contract. "I honestly can’t say at this point," he informs the team's official web site. The Cardinals have publicly stated that they plan to offer a new deal for Boldin. The franchise signed to a four-year, $40 million deal this spring. |
Our View: At this point, we don't expect Boldin to take his issues to another level and threaten a long-term holdout that lasts into the regular season. He's established enough that a little missed time in camp wouldn't hurt his value very much.
|
|
|
|
| Sinorice Moss has had a mixed week of work, the New York Daily News reports. The third-year receiver has made some wonderful catches, but he has also dropped some easy ones. |
Our View: Provided Plaxico Burress shows up, Moss looks like the fourth option behind Burress, Amani Toomer, and Steve Smith. The Giants are hoping for better things out of Santana's little bro, but the injuries and inconsistency are troubling.
|
|
|
|
| Chad Johnson will show up for training camp in July, the Cincinnati Enquirer confirms. "Chad is going to do the honorable thing," agent Drew Rosenhaus says. "He'll be at training camp." |
Our View: Ah, yes, the "honorable" thing. You mean living up to the contract you signed two years ago?
|
|
