Author: Anthony Stalter (Page 731 of 1503)

Jets serious about trading for Marshall?

According to Bob Glauber of Newsday, the Jets are seriously exploring the possibility of trading for disgruntled Broncos wideout Brandon Marshall.

Although coach Rex Ryan repeatedly has said he is satisfied with his receivers, the Jets have taken a look at acquiring an established receiver. Jerricho Cotchery is the Jets’ only proven veteran receiver.

It is believed the Broncos would want a first-round draft pick in any deal for Marshall, but it is unlikely the Jets would pay that high a price.

Actually, it’s been reported that the price is a first and a fourth round pick for Marshall. So if the Jets are unlikely willing to pay that price, it’s doubtful that they’ll peek the Broncos’ interest enough to engage in trade talks for Marshall.

That said, Denver has to be nearing the end of its rope. Josh McDaniels has already suspended Marshall for conduct detrimental to the team and at some point enough is enough. Maybe if the Jets offer a package of a second and a fourth round pick, the Broncos will bite. Maybe.

Chances are that the Broncos are going to at least see how Marshall reacts to his suspension and then decide what to do from there. His trade value is at an all-time low and considering he’s a Pro Bowler, they don’t want to get sucked in by a lowball offer. The Broncos could be hoping that he returns from his suspension with a new attitude and either they can hang onto him, or he’ll up his trade value and then they can get a first rounder in exchange for his services.

Update: ESPN News is reporting that the Broncos want LB David Harris in exchange for Marshall, although that hasn’t been confirmed yet.

2009 NFL Preview: #27 Cleveland Browns

Check out all of our 2009 NFL team previews.

Offseason Additions: Eric Barton (LB); Kenyon Coleman (DE); Abram Elam (S); Floyd Womack (OT); C.J. Mosley (DE); Robert Royal (TE); John St. Clair (OT); Mike Fuerry (WR); Corey Ivy (CB).

Offseason Losses: Kellen Winslow Jr. (TE); Sean Jones (S); Kevin Shaffer (OT); Andra Davis (LB); Willie McGinest (LB); Joe Jurevicius (WR); Travis Daniels (CB); Daven Holly (CB); Jason Wright (RB); Antwan Peek (LB).

Player to Watch: James Davis, RB.
People outside of Cleveland just said to themselves, “James who?” The rookie sixth round pick out of Clemson wasn’t supposed to challenge Jamal Lewis for the Browns’ starting running back job, but that’s exactly what he has done to this point. Cleveland’s coaching staff has reportedly been impressed by Davis’s speed, elusiveness and aggressive running style. But perhaps most importantly, the Browns are thrilled with the way he’s learned how to pick up the blitz, which is a craft most rookie running backs struggle with. To date, Davis has compiled a 7.8-yard per carry average in preseason, while Lewis has only mustered a paltry 2.6 YPC. If he doesn’t flat out take the starting job away from Lewis, Davis will certainly split carries this season and could emerge as the Browns’ every down back in the very near future.

Team Strength: Just as it was in 2007 when the Browns came up just shy of a playoff berth, the offensive line will be a strength for Cleveland this season. Even though some say that his play fell off last season compared to his dazzling rookie campaign, Joe Thomas anchors a unit that also features one of the league’s best guards in Eric Steinbach. The Browns also selected the top center prospect in this year’s draft in Alex Mack, who has already beaten out Hank Fraley to become a starter. Neither Floyd Womack nor John St. Clair is a superstar at their positions, but both have starting experience and are versatile.

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Brett Favre throws crackback block at Eugene Wilson’s knees

During the Vikings-Texans preseason game on Monday night, Brett Favre threw a crackback block at the knees of Houston safety Eugene Wilson, which many are calling a dirty play.

Mike Tirico and Ron Jaworski were right to call Favre out. You can’t go for a guy’s knees when he’s not looking, not too mention the play is illegal. And I thought Brett might have a cracked rib? Apparently the rib must not be hurting him too much if he’s willing to throw his body at the knees of a opposing defender.

This isn’t to say that Favre is a dirty player, because he’s not. As far as I can remember, this is the first time where he’s been involved in a play that could be deemed as “dirty” and one dirty play doesn’t make him a dirty player. (I feel like I’m writing lyrics for a rap song with how many times I referenced dirty in that last sentence.)

That said, Favre shouldn’t have gone low like that and he deserves to be criticzed for his actions.

Bengals’ first round pick Andre Smith breaks foot

Andre Smith clearly wasn’t in football shape when he signed his $42 million deal, because the first round pick fractured his foot in practice on Tuesday just 48 hours after signing his rookie contract.

From Bengals.com:

In a statement released through the Bengals public relations department, Lewis said, “Andre suffered a small fracture in his left foot during a non-contact drill. Our medical staff tells me the injury will not require surgery. It’s too soon to closely predict how long it will be before he can return to practice. But it looks like he’s going to miss a few weeks.”

“A few weeks” could mean anything. Cornerbacks David Jones and Morgan Trent suffered foot fractures during this preseason and their rehab took about five weeks. But Smith’s may not be as long because both Jones and Trent had surgery.

This is yet another bump in the road for a player who was suspended for the 2009 Sugar Bowl, showed up to the NFL combine out of shape and then held out for the entire length of the Bengals’ training camp.

Cincinnati’s offensive line had question marks before Smith’s injury, but the team was hoping that the sixth overall pick would eventually start at right tackle this season and anchor the line. That could still happen at some point, but there’s no doubt that Smith’s rookie season is off to a rough start.

Falcons acquire corner Tye Hill from Rams

Embarrassed by his team’s play in the secondary last weekend in a preseason win over the Chargers, Falcons’ GM Thomas Dimitroff acquired former first round pick Tye Hill from the Rams in exchange for a 2010 seventh round pick.

From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

Hill, a former first round pick by the Rams in 2006, has started 21 of 28 games. He will be expected to compete for one of the starting positions.

Hill entered last season as the starting left cornerback for the Rams. The spot has been problematic for the Falcons since they decided to trade DeAngelo Hall over the 2007 offseason.

Anyone who watched San Diego’s Philip Rivers and Vincent Jackson shred the Falcons last Saturday knows that Atlanta needed to do something to address its secondary issues. While Hill has major injury concerns, he played well in his rookie season in 2006 and has solid coverage skills.

While he isn’t the biggest cornerback, Hill has great speed and maybe a change of scenery will serve him well. He’ll challenge Chris Houston and Brent Grimes immediately and could wind up starting at some point during the first month of the season, if not the Falcons’ opener.

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