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| The Chargers have inked fifth-round rookie running back Marcus Thomas (UTEP), according to Chargers.com. The deal is for four years, but financial details were not disclosed. |
Our View: He is a big back at 6-2 215 and runs with a slashing style. He is expected to battle Darren Sproles and fellow rookie Jacob Hester for playing time behind Ladainian Tomlinson.
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| We reported the initial news of a contract extension for Tampa Bay running back Earnest Graham two days ago, but the details of the contract were kept out of those initial updates. We are happy to report that we now know what the Bucs are giving Graham to return, and it is a bit surprising, according to ProFootballTalk.com. |
Our View: Graham was signed to a three-year, $10.5 million extension but has been given no signing bonus and no guaranteed money. Graham’s salary for 2008 increases from $605,000 to $1.5 million, and he’ll earn a $1 million roster bonus if he’s on the opening-day roster in September. Thus, as Talk notes, the Bucs could cut Graham before the start of the regular season and owe him nothing.
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| The Bills have inked seventh-round rookie offensive tackle Demetrius Bell (Northwestern State), according to the AP. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. |
Our View: The Bills believe Bell has a chance to develop into a solid starter down the line, but he is very raw, as he didn't start playing football until 2005. He is notably the estranged son of NBA legend Karl Malone.
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| Joe Jurevicius underwent another surgery on his knee, according to the AP. It was his second knee surgery since January, and may prevent him from participating in training camp on time. Jurevicius experienced swelling and discomfort in his knee related to his first procedure, and the team said in a statement released Tuesday that he had a further "clean out" on Monday to help him recover.
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Our View: He was projected to be the Browns' number three receiver this season opposite starters Braylon Edwards and Donte' Stallworth, but now Joshua Cribbs and Travis Wilson look to be the top contenders for the role.
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| The Patriots have decided to release Willie Andrews, according to the AP. The move comes one day after he was arrested for allegedly pointing a handgun at his girlfriend’s head.
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Our View: Andrews failed to make an impact as a cornerback, and only held value to the club on special teams.
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| A judge has declared a mistrial in Chris Henry's assault case, according to the AP. An eight-person jury in Cincinnati stated to the judge Tuesday that they were unable to agree on a verdict. Hamilton County Municipal Judge Richard Bernat then dismissed the jury and set a hearing for July 8.
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Our View: Henry is suspended indefinitely by the NFL, but this raises hope that he will get another shot to play again.
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| Rookie LB Bo Ruud, the Pats 6th round draft choice, has agreed to a contract with New England, according to Scout.com. "New England definitely made me feel like I was one of their guys and it ended up being true that they were interested and wanted me there," Ruud said. |
Our View: Ruud's value will likely hinge on whether or not Junior Seau is brought back or not. At this point Rudd isn't deserving of any attention at all in an IDP league.
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| Free agent receiver Chris Henry is awaiting the resolution of his court case, it could come today, where he allegedly committed an assault on Greg Meyer, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. The jury is currently in deliberations on the case. |
Our View: Henry has had so many off field issues that it's extremely hard to keep things straight. Let's just say being vindicating by a jury would go a long way toward starting the rehabilitation process for this talented but enigmatic player.
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| DB Zackary Bowman signed a 4-year deal to join the Bears, according to the Bear's Official Website. |
Our View: Bowman's college career was a start and stop affair as he missed time due to a torn ACL i nhis left knee and a torn patella tendon in his right. With both knees having undergone major surgery, there is obviously a concern with his durability, probably why he fell into the fifth round.
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| Earl Bennett signed a contract on Tuesday to join the Bears, according to the Bear's Official Website. “From Day 1 to now, he’s improved tremendously,” said wide receivers coach Darryl Drake. “He’s just an outstanding young man. He has a great deal of ability. He’s very deceptive with his speed. We just need to continue to work him and bring him along." |
Our View: Bennett is the SEC's all-time leader in receptions (236) and the only player in league history with 75+ receptions in multiple seasons. Given the lack of top end talent at the receiver position, Bennett could find himself with a fairly decent sized role if he proves himself in the early going.
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| Updating an earlier report, third round selection DT Marcus Harrison agreed to a contract with the Bears, according to the Bears Official Website. “He’s got some talent and some ability and some strength,” said defensive line coach Brick Haley. “There are a lot of things that we like about him.” |
Our View: Harrison would likely have been selected before the third round if there weren't so many questions about his character and durability (he has already come back from a torn ACL).
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| Rodney Harrison has been voted the NFL's dirtiest player in a poll of NFL head coaches, according to ESPN. "I think if you understand me and you've seen me play, if you watch the film, you'll see that I play hard, that I'm very fair with people," Harrison said. "I think I've been getting a bad rap..." |
Our View: Sure Rodney, if you say so. Roy Williams was second in the voting.
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| Joe Horn would love to join any team that has a chance to win the Super Bowl this year including the Dallas Cowboys, but as of yet he has not heard from the the 'Boys, according to the Dallas Morning News. "My agent hasn't heard from Dallas, and I don't know if [Falcons general manager Thomas] Dimitroff has heard from Dallas," Horn said. But I would be in awe to play with an organization like that because I know that they're at that next step of winning a Super Bowl." |
Our View: Horn still hopes to suit up for another organization this year as the Falcons clearly don't have plans for the 36 year old receiver. At this point Horn is likely nothing more than a WR3 option on his own team, marking him as someone to avoid in most drafts.
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| DeAngelo Williams has improved his blocking out of the backfield and is now someone the team can trust on passing downs, according to the Sporting News. |
Our View: The Panthers brought in Jonathan Stewart to challenge for touches out of the backfield, but it's good to hear that Williams can handle blocking duties which could lead to a lot of work on third downs.
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| At 33-years-old, Ray Lewis is not quite the same as he once was, the Ravens are nearing a deal to lock him up for two more years and let him finish his career as a Raven, reports the Sporting News. |
Our View: Lewis can't do what he used to, but he's still awfully good. He recorded 121 tackles, defended 10 passes, had two sacks, intercepted two passes, forced two fumbles and scored a touchdown last season. In IDP leagues, he is still a player to target.
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| Roydell Williams had a good year in 2007, catching 55 balls, but he has lost his starting job due to his slow recovery from a broken ankle, reports the Sporting News. |
Our View: Williams was one of the only reliable pass catchers in Tennessee, but as of now, Justin Gage and Justin McCareins are the starters at receiver. However, he is still draft-worthy in fantasy leagues, as his situation may change when he is completely healthy.
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| Running back Shaun Alexander claims seven teams have contacted him, reports the Orlando Sentinel. "I'm asking God to close doors that need to be closed and open up whatever needs to be open so I can go there, win a Super Bowl, impact the team, impact the community," he told the paper. |
Our View: If seven teams have contacted him, they are acting slowly on offering him a deal. Still, it seems logical to think he would be playing somewhere in the NFL next season, though obviously in a back-up role. Alexander may yet have some value for fantasy squads, depending on where he lands.
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| Chicago Bears third-round pick Marcus Harrison, out of Arkansas is close to signing a four-year deal, reports the Chicago Tribune. The paper says Harrison had first-round potential, but slipped because of injury and character issues. |
Our View: The Bears obviously like Harrison, and should he live up to his billing, he'll have a chance to see a good amount of action in the team's defensive line rotation.
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| Carolina Panthers sixth-round draft pick Nick Hayden is close to signing on the dotted line, reports the Charlotte Observer. |
Our View: Hayden will really have to compete in order to earn a roster spot as Carolina has a deep pool of defensive tackles already.
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| Brian Calhoun could be the Detroit Lions third-down back this season, according to MLive.com. The team doesn't consider him an every down back, but believe he can still be effective out of the backfield. |
Our View: Calhoun is a former third-round pick who has a combined 22 touches in his two years in the league. He has netted 109 yards on 11 rushes and 11 receptions. Calhoun has the opportunity to get on the field if he can stay healthy, but he will be behind Tatum Bell and Kevin Smith in the Lions backfield. Unless he proves he will be a part of the offense, he should not be utilized for fantasy purposes.
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| Kenechi Udeze will undergo a bone marrow transplant to treat his leukemia this week, according to ESPN.com. His brother was a perfect match, which greatly increase his chances of pulling through this illness. |
Our View: Udeze will not play football in 2008 but may resume his career at a later date. The Vikings have stepped up, placing him on the reserved/non-football injury list and will pay him his salary for the season, which is a little more than $800,000.
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| The Philadelphia Eagles have signed Bryan Smith, the team's third-round selection to a four-year deal. |
Our View: Smith will likely see time as a pass rushing specialist in a back up role. He is a bit of a sleeper and someone to keep an eye on if you are in IDP fantasy football leagues.
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| Nick Barnett has completed his deferred prosecution agreement stemming from an arrest in a nightclub incident, reports the Green Bay Press Gazette. The completion means he will not have a criminal offense on his record. |
Our View: Barnett was arrested after throwing a drink in a woman's face in June of 2007. This is good news for one of the NFL's best at his position. He compiled 131 tackles in 2007.
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