|
|
| Earlier we reported Tampa Bay passer Chris Simms has chosen to withhold from mandatory team practices and is suffering lost funds as a result. We now learn that the depth of those potential losses cuts much deeper, according to ProFootballTalk.com. |
Our View: Simms feels he has been lied to and mistreated by coach Jon Gruden, but the decision to skip these practices could be a choice of great consequence. With Simms missing these practices, the team now has standing to recover $375,000 of the $3 million signing bonus given to Simms as part of the two-year agreement he signed in 2006. Further more, should Simms decide not to show for training camp, it gets worse as the Bucs can place him on the Reserve/Did Not Report list and would not be forced to save a roster spot for him. At the end of the day, Talk anticipates Simms could end up losing the entire $1.5 million if he chooses not to show for any of these team activities.
|
|
|
|
| In 2005 receiver Troy Williamson was entering the NFL as the 7th-overall pick of the NFL Draft. In 2008 he was an outcast, sent packing by the Minnesota Vikings to Jacksonville in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick. Now reports in J'ville have Williamson working as a man on the mission, according to ProFootballTalk.com. |
Our View: Talk quotes reports from Vic Ketchman of Jaguars.com, claiming Williamson is putting on a show in early practices and is working as a talent above and beyond any receiver he has seen. However, as Talk notes, there are plenty of examples to wonder if this is true. YouTube is loaded with examples of dropped passed by Williamson, and that is what led to his end in the great white north. He'll have a chance to get back on track with the Jags, and while these early reports indicate reason for optimism, there are more than a few bricks of support of negativity.
|
|
|
|
| Javon Walker has spoken on his recent troubles and it may lead to more concerns than relief, according to ProFootballTalk.com. |
Our View: According to Talk, Walker has granted an exclusive interview with TheDirty.com in which he states that three men knocked on his hotel door at 5:30am with guns. Walker claims he was beaten unconscious and must have been taken from the room and dumped in the street. As Talk has noted (and others will follow), there are cameras everywhere in Vegas, especially in ritzy hotels like the one Walker was certainly staying at. If the police are unable to find footage backing his story, then Walker may have more issues than we currently believe.
|
|
|
|
| Reports indicate free-agent rusher Shaun Alexander may be done as an employee in the NFL, according to CBSSports.com. |
Our View: The former NFL MVP has yet to be signed since the Seahawks granted his outright release, but several management figures with several teams report there is no interest of any kind in hiring Alexander. One general manager noted that in his best days, Alexander was allowed supreme blocking by the offensive line and thus needed only to utilize his speed to find success. Now he longer has that speed and teams feel he has nothing left to contribute.
|
|
|
|
| Earlier today we reported cincinnati receiver Chad Johnson will undergo surgery to remove bone chips form his ankle on Wednesday. We have since learned the Johnson will in fact have both ankles cut on, undergoing arthroscopic surgery on both ankles, according to John Clayton of ESPN.com. |
Our View: Clayton reports Johnson has needed this surgery since last season. According to a source close with the team, Johnson's ankle problem was the subject of an all-day distraction last Thursday at the Bengals minicamp. Johnson told the team he couldn't practice because of the injury. The team snapped back and said he was simply refusing to practice. Clayton reports Johnson should be ready to go by the start of training camp.
|
|
|
|
| As anticipated by all, Green Bay rusher Ryan Grant failed to show for the Packers' mandatory minicamp practice today as he and his agent continue to work with the team to reach a new contractual agreement, according to the Associated Press. |
Our View: Grant was traded to Green Bay just before the start of the regular season last year and went on to serve as an offensive catalyst. He has attended team meetings and has taken part in the offseason workout program, but he simply chooses not to participate in practices. Grant was in uniform Tuesday morning, hitting a blocking sled at the other end of the Packers' indoor practice facility while his teammates ran plays.
|
|
|
|
| All-Pro defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth believes his agent will be unable to negotiate a long-term dealw with Tennessee before the July 15th NFL deadline, according to the Associated Press. |
Our View: Haynesworth agent told reporters the Titans have had almost no contact with him and their efforts to get together on a deal have been all but dead for some time. When the team has contacted him, they are consistent in their assertion that Haynesworth should sign the tender offered by the Titans in exchange for a promise that Haynesworth will not be franchise tagged in 2009. If you don't remember, such promises were made to players like Shaun Alexander, Lance Briggs, Asante Samuel, and Nate Clements, and in all of those cases, the teams failed to live up to their promises and proceeded to tag those players in the following season. If no deal is reach by July 15th, the Titans can only sign their franchise player to a one-year deal and a potential long-term deal can't be signed until the regular season has concluded. Without a contract, Haynesworth has been working out on his own and not taken part in any of the Titans' offseason program. Coach Jeff Fisher has said he trusts that Haynesworth is working to stay in shape.
|
|
|
|
| Terry Glenn told ESPN's Ed Werder that he wants to be released if owner Jerry Jones continues to bar him from preparing for the season by attempting to force him to sign an injury waiver. "I'm not signing any waiver," said Glenn, who said he wants to move on with his career if the Cowboys no longer want him. |
Our View: Glenn has seen his own personal doctor in Columbus, Ohio, who performed his right knee surgery last year. Both believe the health of his knee is not an issue. Jones is demanding that Glenn agree to reduce his base salary from $1.7 million to $500,000, as protection in case he re-injures his right knee.
|
|
|
|
| Cincinnati receiver Chad Johnson will undergo surgery to remove bone chips from his ankle, according to Pro Football Talk. Last week, agent Drew Rosenhaus pointed out that Johnson wasn’t practicing at a mandatory mini-camp because of the injury. |
Our View: Johnson is expected to be ready for training camp, but the surgery raises additional red flags for the diva, who is already sporting a bad attitude.
|
|
|
|
| Running back Earnest Graham made his first appearance of the offseason at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' mandatory minicamp Tuesday and expressed optimism that he will have a new contract soon, according to the Tampa Tribune. But he stopped short of a guarantee that he would report to training camp on time if talks have not produced a new deal by the July 25 reporting date. |
Our View: Graham, who became the starter at running back following injuries to Cadillac Williams and Michael Pittman, rushed for 898 yards and 10 touchdowns last season in leading the Bucs to an NFC South title. He has one-year left on his contract that would pay him a base salary of about $605,000 in 2008.
|
|
|
|
| Dallas head coach Wade Phillips said receiver Terrell Owens informed him that he had a family matter he had to tend to yesterday, and confirmed he would be excused for the rest of the week, according to the Dallas Morning News. "Him missing some time is not a big deal," Phillips said, "especially a veteran player that knows how to play and do the things and has worked as hard as he had during the offseason." |
Our View: What can we say? It's a slow news day. Owens is a veteran who is familiar with the offensive scheme, and the time away from camp does nothing to change that fact.
|
|
|
|
| The Philadelphia Eagles agreed to a four-year deal with rookie offensive tackle King Dunlap, according to the team's official website. |
Our View: The Eagles took a seventh round flier on the 6-foot-8, 310-pound Dunlap, whose stock dropped after he lost his starting job during his senior season at Auburn. Dunlap has raw physical skills, but also carries the label of being a soft player, both mentally and physically.
|
|
|
|
| The Philadelphia Eagles agreed to a four-year deal with rookie linebacker Joe Mays, according to the team's official website. The Eagles selected Mays in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL draft with the 200th overall pick. |
Our View: Mays was an All-America selection as a senior in 2007, leading Division I-AA North Dakota State with a career-high 90 tackles, 9 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks, en route to being named the Great West Conference Defensive Player of the Year. A three-time first-team All-Great West selection, Mays played in 43 games (31 starts) and recorded 285 tackles, a school-record 159 solo tackles, 29.5 tackles for loss, 11 sacks and three interceptions in his collegiate career.
|
|
|
|
| The Carolina Panthers claimed center Pat Ross off waivers Tuesday, according to the Charlotte Observer. |
Our View: Ross wasn't drafted in 2006 but has been on practice squads in New England, Seattle and Indianapolis. The Carolina Panthers continue to stockpile offensive linemen, though Ross is a long shot to secure a roster spot.
|
|
|
|
| First-round pick Aqib Talib, the cornerback out of Kansas, has wowed the Tampa Bay coaching staff and his teammates with splash plays during offseason workouts, according to the Orlando Sentinel. There's talk he could challenge for the starting spot opposite veteran Ronde Barber, but incumbent Phillip Buchanon and free-agent arrival Eugene Wilson, formerly of New England, will provide stiff competition. |
Our View: Rookies don't win starting jobs without first donning the pads, but it sounds like Talib is making a favorable impression in Tampa Bay. We will track his progress through training camp. If he does win the job opposite Barber, then the IDP rookie corner rule will be in full effect, meaning Talib will likely be picked on a lot during his inaugural campaign.
|
|
|
|
| Sam Hurd is getting reps with the starters at receiver while Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn are away, and he took advantage with a strong day of practice on Tuesday, according to the Dallas Morning News. He reportedly looked great in 1-on-1 drills, and notably got great separation on a pair of out routes against Pacman Jones. He also burned Anthony Henry on a post route, as he blew past him on a nifty double-move. |
Our View: Hurd is still a long way from garnering fantasy consideration, especially since 1-on-1 drills favor the receiver since the quarterback isn't rushed and the cornerbacks have to play man coverage.
|
|
|
|
| Jay Ratliff, who is projected to play in the middle this season, is getting some reps at defensive end in practice, according to the Dallas Morning News. Ratliff said, "Nose is a lot more physical. Everything happens a lot faster in there. If you go from nose to end, you've got so much more space. But I think I've gotten used to working in tight quarters."
|
Our View: Ratliff filled in at nose tackle when Jason Ferguson went down in 2007, and performed well, but the team is working him in a bit at defensive end, to potentially get Tank Johnson more time in the middle during the season. The team believes Ratliff has the versatility to play all three spots along the defensive line in their 3-4, and time at end could help raise his sack output for 2008.
|
|
|
|
| The Eagles have inked fourth-round pick Jack Ikegwuonu (Wisconsin) to a four-year deal, according to PhiladelphiaEagles.com. Financial terms were not disclosed. |
Our View: Ikegwuonu was at one time considered to be a first-round talent as a cornerback, but an ACL injury prior to the NFL Draft Combine dropped his stock, and will likely keep him off of the field in 2008.
|
|
|
|
| Jimmy Williams has been released by the Falcons, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. |
Our View: Williams was the Falcons' top pick of the 2006 draft, but he failed to make an impact over two pro campaigns. The natural cornerback was working with the third-team defense at free safety prior to his release, and held no fantasy value.
|
|
|
|
| Lofa Tatupu entered a lawyer's plea of not guilty in his DUI case in Kirkland Municipal Court this morning, according to the Tacoma Tribune.
|
Our View: Tatupu's attorney (Jon Fox) stated the lawyer's plea allows things to remain status quo while Tatupu keeps his options open. Fox said he continues to have talks with the prosecutor's office. Fox also said they hope to come to a "positive resolution" of the case.
|
|
|
|
| The Bills finished 25th in the NFL in yards per pass attempt in 2007 with a 6.39 mark, and new offensive coordinator Turk Schonert plans to change Buffalo's figure for the better with more downfield throws as part of the solution, according to BuffaloBills.com. Trent Edwards commented, "I'm planning on going out to visit with Lee Evans and throw with him in Florida. I'll also probably be out in Arizona with Rob Royal and throwing with him."
|
Our View: Edwards and speed demon Evans should enjoy a boost with Schonert on board to infuse some life into a Bills' offense that lacked a pulse in 2007. Edwards is an accurate passer with a good arm and the offense should be much more exciting this season, which will translate to better fantasy numbers.
|
|
|
|
| Oakland Raiders wide receiver Javon Walker could be released from the hospital Tuesday, a day after he was beaten, robbed and left unconscious on a Las Vegas street after a night of partying, according to the Associated Press. A large amount of cash and some jewelry were taken from Walker, who suffered “significant injuries,” police said. |
Our View: Police Lt. Clinton Nichols said detectives are retracing Walker’s activities in the hours before he was found injured Monday morning on a street off the Las Vegas Strip. Nichols said he believed Walker would be released after a 24-hour stay at the hospital. A hospital spokesman said he had no immediate information about Walker’s condition.
|
|
|
|
| Terrell Owens will not attend the Cowboys' mandatory minicamp this week as he is dealing with a personal issue, according to the Dallas Morning News. |
Our View: The team did not disclose what the personal matter is, but it is not related to last week's drug-testing issue. Ken Hamlin and Terry Glenn are the only other two not in attendance, as both remain in contract disputes.
|
|
|
|
| Terry Glenn is not attending the Cowboys' mandatory minicamp today, according to ESPN.com. Glenn did not undergo a physical Monday at Valley Ranch as he and the Cowboys continue to fight over an injury settlement. Owner Jerry Jones wants Glenn to agree to accept a $500,000 injury settlement if he cannot play this season. Glenn's base salary is $1.74 million.
|
Our View: If Glenn is able to play this season, he wants to do so under the current terms of his contract. He's been barred from practicing with the Cowboys until he signs the waiver.
|
|
|
|
| Chris Simms is not attending mandatory minicamp, according to the Tampa Tribune. |
Our View: He very much wants to leave Tampa Bay, and his absence today will cost him $8,000. Missing training camp would cost him $14,000 a day in fines.
|
|
|
|
| Kellen Winslow Jr reportedly looked great through the Browns' last five practices of minicamp, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. |
Our View: So far, so good, regarding his surgically repaired knee.
|
|
|
|
| The coaching staff in Seattle is genuinely enthused about wide receiver Courtney Taylor, who they feel has the potential to be Bobby Engram’s heir apparent, according to Pro Football Weekly. |
Our View: Taylor and fellow receiver Jordan Kent are settling in at flanker and split end, respectively. Taylor, who is 6’1” and 205 pounds, has the most upside due to his athletic ability and precise route running skills. Kent, who has blazing speed, is more of a raw product in need of refinement, especially as it pertains to his routes. Taylor is creating a buzz in Seattle, and dynasty league managers should definitely be taking note of his development.
|
|
|
|
| Minnesota Vikings coaches believe middle linebacker E.J. Henderson will be the member of the defense who wears the in-helmet radio device, according to Pro Football Weekly. |
Our View: It makes sense. Henderson stays on the field for three downs, calls the defensive plays and is coming off his best season. And he has established himself as a clubhouse leader.
|
|
|
|
| New York Giants rookie wide receiver Mario Manningham has been slow to impress in practice sessions, according to Pro Football Weekly. |
Our View: Manningham is having issues running the correct routes and he is struggling with tracking down deep passes, something he excelled at during his college career. Currently, he’s in no danger of being cut in training camp, but his failure to grasp the offensive scheme is problematic.
|
|
|
|
| The Denver Broncos paid Niko Koutouvides starter’s money when they signed him to a three-year, $7.5 million contract in March. Yet, he hasn’t pulled away in the race to become the starting middle linebacker, according to Pro Football Weekly. |
Our View: Koutouvides is a career special teams player who has been sharing first team repetitions with Nate Webster, who manned the strong side last year. In May, head coach Mike Shanahan said Koutouvides was the favorite for the job, but it appears he hasn’t nailed it down yet. This will be another training camp battle to watch, as middle linebacker is a premium position in IDP leagues, and one of these players could emerge as a sleeper.
|
|
|
|
| Word out of Indianapolis is that super-sized wide receiver Roy Hall appears poised to finally make an impact. Injuries and poor fundamentals sidetracked his rookie season, but a team insider noted to Pro Football Weekly that he has finally learned how to catch the ball with his hands instead of trapping it against his body and looks markedly more natural on the field. |
Our View: At 6-3 and 240 pounds, Hall is an imposing specimen on the field. He also possesses 4.4 speed, and is definitely a youngster worth keeping an eye on in dynasty formats.
|
|
|
|
| Word out of New York is that Chansi Stuckey is mounting a strong case to be the third option in the Jets’ wide receiver corps, according to Pro Football Weekly. |
Our View: Stuckey spent his rookie season on injured reserve, but he has impressed the coaching staff by running smooth, precise routes during mini-camps. He will compete with Brad Smith for the No. 3 role in training camp.
|
|
|
|
| Sources in Miami tell Pro Football Weekly rookie Jake Long is every bit the physical specimen he’s been billed as, but he clearly has a long way to go before becoming an upper-crust offensive lineman. Through minicamp, Long, the first overall pick in the draft, has shown glimpses of dominance as a run blocker but has struggled to hold speed rushers at bay in pass protection. |
Our View: Long, who is slated to start at left tackle, will be a key component in the success or failure of the Dolphins offense. It’s still early in the process, and not uncommon for rookie offensive linemen to struggle in pass protection due to the speed of the edge pass rushers at the professional level. We will continue to track his progress going forward and especially in training camp.
|
|
|
|
| Senator Arlen Specter, R-Pa., who threatened a congressional inquiry into the way the National Football League handled its "Spygate" investigation of the New England Patriots' videotaping practices, said he wouldn’t seek hearings on the matter, according to ESPN. |
Our View: Specter said he didn't seek a hearing on Spygate before the Judiciary Committee because they already have too much work on their plate. It appears this issue has finally been put to bed.
|
|
|
|
| The Detroit Lions have switched the position designation of rookie Caleb Campbell from safety to linebacker, according to Mlive.com. |
Our View: There are a couple of reasons why the team moved Campbell from safety to outside linebacker. The first is that Campbell has the size (6-2 and 230 pounds) to be an effective linebacker and the second is that the Lions currently have a logjam at safety, and Campbell has a better shot of making the 53-man roster at linebacker. Even if he doesn’t make the final roster, Campbell is a top candidate for the practice squad because of his versatility.
|
|
|
|
| Jordon Dizon will start training camp as the backup middle linebacker to Paris Lenon, according to Mlive.com. There appears to be a bone of contention between head coach Rod Marinelli, who doesn't think a rookie can adequately handle the middle in his first year, and team president Matt Millen, who believes that the right player can get the job done. |
Our View: The compromise is that Dizon will stay in the middle, but will have to prove to Marinelli that he can be effective before he gets promoted. Marinelli doesn't have many issues with Dizon having the physical abilities but he needs to make sure Dizon can nail down the mental aspect of the job. Stay tuned.
|
|
|
|
| Earnest Graham will attend the Buccaneers' mandatory minicamp, according to the St. Petersburg Times. |
Our View: He has not attended the voluntary off-season workouts as he is not content with his contract, and wants a new deal after racking up 1,222 total yards rushing and receiving in his breakout 2007 campaign.
|
|
|
|
| Rookie tight end Martellus Bennett (Texas A&M) is having trouble learning the Cowboys' playbook, according to the Dallas Morning News. The team drafted him to make an impact immediately, and let Athony Fasano depart for Miami. |
Our View: Tony Curtis is working as the number two tight end behind starter Jason Witten, due to Bennett's struggles with the playbook. Bennett has good hands, runs smooth routes, runs hard after the catch, and is a decent blocker, with a chance to be strong. It looks he will need a season or two before he can make an impact in Dallas.
|
|
