Author: Anthony Stalter (Page 441 of 1503)

      Bengals interested in JaMarcus Russell?

      May 12, 2010 /

      While he may have only been trying to create a stir, Bengals’ receiver Chad Ochocinco said via his Twitter page yesterday that he would see JaMarcus Russell in camp. He then followed that up with: “did I just leak that info?”

      Today, the Cincinnati Enquirer notes that the Bengals are one of several teams that have called about Russell, although the quarterback’s agent issued a “terse no comment” when asked about the rumor.

      As of right now, it doesn’t appear that Russell has plans to join any team during their mini-camp. He and his agent will likely wait to see what teams are interested and then figure out where Russell will have to put in the least amount of work and then sign with that team. After all the effort he put in with the Raiders, there’s no need for him to overextend himself when he gets to his new team.

      If he winds up with the Bengals, at least Carson Palmer would be there to show him how a quarterback is supposed to work. I’m not sure how beneficial it would be to put Russell on the same team as Ochocinco, but I’m sure the Bengals don’t care. That organization is a circus anyway.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      External Sports, NFL

      Pacman Jones completes his first workout, thrilled to be a Bengal

      May 11, 2010 /

      Pacman Jones, who just completed his first workout for his new team today, is thrilled to be a Bengal.

      “First of all, I want to thank God for putting me in this situation. I want to thank the fans, the media for y’all attention today. I think I still have the skill set that I’ve had that made me a high draft choice.

      “I know I have a ton, ton of work to do. It would be a dream come true to come in and help the Bengals in any way I can, also help win a championship. Like I said, I know I have a ton of work to do. To gain you guys’ trust is not going to come overnight, it’s going to take time. So all I can do is take it one day at a time, focus in on the things I’ve been focusing on, and come play football, man.

      “Like I said, I’m happy to be here. I want to thank the city of Cincinnati for giving me and my family a fresh start. I want to thank the guys upstairs, Mr. Brown, I want to thank coach, I want to thank coach Zimmer, I want to thank the whole organization. I’m happy to be here and I look forward to talking to you all real soon.

      Since 2005, the Bengals have had 20 players arrested, which is more than any other team in the league outside of the Jaguars, who have also had 20 players arrested over that time span. Pacman alone has been arrested six times since 2005, so Cincinnati is a perfect fit for him.

      In my humble opinion, Jones doesn’t deserve another chance. It should be a privilege to play in the NFL – not a right. It’s a shame that a team that has had so much trouble with players off the field like the Bengals have had would give another troubled player an opportunity, but this is the reality of the situation. If a player is relatively young and has talent, more times than not his issues will be overlooked.

      To borrow an old cliché: it is what it is.

      External Sports, NFL

      Steve Smith denies calling Clausen a “punk”

      May 11, 2010 /

      Last week, ProFootballTalk.com reported that Panthers’ rookie Jimmy Clausen had already “pissed off multiple receivers” during a recent mini-camp and also claimed that Steve Smith “basically thinks Jimmy is a punk.”

      Today, Charlotte Observer writer Charles Chandler denied the rumors cooked up by the hit-or-miss PFT.com.

      Earlier today, Smith strongly denied having a problem with Clausen.

      There was also a mention in the aforementiond item that Carolina tight ends were upset at Clausen for yelling at them. The most vivid memories I have of Clausen from minicamp were two passes he threw in red zone drills through traffic for touchdowns to tight ends Jeff King and Gary Barnidge. Both of those guys looked extremely happy. King even spiked the ball through his legs in a much more expressive gesture than he normally does.

      A lot of people love PFT.com because of its rumor mill section. But the problem that I have always had with the site is that it rarely, if ever, cites its sources. So you don’t know whether or not the rumor is coming from a general manager, the team janitor or Mike Florio’s neighbor.

      PFT.com is standing by its story, but I’m more apt to believe Chandler, who covers the Panthers for a respectable news outlet and who was actually in attendance during the mini-camp. Plus, as Chandler notes in his report, Smith isn’t the type to hide his feelings. He’s a fiery guy who wears his emotions on his sleeve, so if he did have a problem with Clausen, the whole world would probably know about it by now.

      As usual when it comes to a rumor by PFT.com, this story is probably much ado about nothing.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      External Sports, NFL

      Is the end near for sleepy Griffey?

      May 11, 2010 /

      It appears as though Ken Griffey Jr.’s days in baseball are numbered. Not only is he hitting .208 with a dismal .234 slugging percentage with no home runs and just two doubles through the first month of the season, but reports have also surfaced on that he missed an opportunity to pinch hit in a recent game because he fell asleep in the clubhouse.

      The clubhouse nap incident is certainly troubling, but not necessarily the main issue when it comes to Junior. (Especially considering that most of us would fall asleep watching the Mariners play these days.) The bigger problem is that he’s 40-years-old, he can’t play the outfield any more and is a DH that can’t hit. For a team that has struggled as much as the Mariners have offensively this year, there’s simply no reason to keep Griffey on the roster.

      That’s why Tacoma News Tribune columnist Larry LaRue’s report about Griffey’s eventual release in Seattle holds a lot of water. LaRue writes that Junior could be released sometime this month, although maybe he’ll save the club some trouble and just retire.

      Either way, the writing is on the wall for the beloved player. While the report of him falling asleep in the clubhouse is embarrassing, it won’t be what he’s remembered for. He’ll be remembered for playing the game the way it was supposed to be played, treating fans and teammates with respect, and the fact that his name has never been connected with steroids. The anti-Barry Bonds if you will.

      If this is the end, Junior has amassed one hell of a career.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      External Sports, MLB

      Westbrook to re-unite with McNabb in D.C.?

      May 11, 2010 /

      ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reports via his Twitter page that Brian Westbrook has a scheduled visit with the Redskins on Wednesday. As Mort notes, the Skins already have Clinton Portis, Larry Johnson, Willie Parker, Christian Okoye, Bam Morris, Jamal Anderson and the ghost of Red Grange on their roster.

      The Packers and Rams are the only two teams besides the Redskins to have shown serious interest in Westbrook. Green Bay wants to upgrade the running back position behind Ryan Grant, but has yet to bring Westbrook in for a physical. St. Louis, meanwhile, did bring the veteran running back in for a physical (which he passed), but has yet to draw up a contract.

      It is believed that Westbrook’s concussion problems are a thing of the past, but his left knee and arthritic ankle still provide roadblocks for him landing a new deal. The Packers and Rams’ hesitation to sign him may be an indication that teams will pass on the 30-year-old in light of his durability concerns.

      Outside of re-uniting with McNabb, Westbrook makes very little sense for the Redskins. They already have a crowded backfield and who’s to say that he’d be an upgrade over Portis, Johnson or Parker anyway? We all know Mike Shanahan loves the running back-by-committee approach, but I don’t see how adding Westy to the mix helps Washington.

      Even if he does land with a new team, chances are that Westbrook isn’t long for the league. He almost pursued a career in broadcasting after the Eagles parted ways with him earlier this offseason, and that still might be the best option for him in the end.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      External Sports, NFL

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