Category: NFL (Page 1142 of 1282)

New Orleans Saints
According to the New Orleans Times-Picayune, rookie first round pick Robert Meachem apparently showed up to mini camp out of shape and to add insult to injury, tweaked his ankle. Meachem commented that he might be out of shape due to all the free meals and travel conditions endured by being a heavily required receiver coming out of the University of Tennessee. Before anyone gets too down on Meachem, remember that last year’s seventh round phenom, Marques Colston, also reported to Saints’ camp out of shape as a rookie.

Chicago Bears
According to Rotoworld.com, the Bears plan on moving Devin Hester to offense in an upcoming mini camp. Offensive coordinator Ron Turner will draw up packages so the explosive Hester will get plenty of chances to show his skills at receiver. The move apparently singles the end of Hester’s days as a corner, but obviously won’t take away from his return duties. This move, coupled with the selection of receiving tight end Greg Olsen, Chicago just got a hell of a lot more explosive on offense.

Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals released defensive tackle Sam Adams on Monday and signed veteran Kendrick Allen, formerly of the Packers. Allen will likely compete with Domata Peko for the starting position next to John Thornton, although Shaun Smith might also get a look. Even though he played in all 16 games last year, Adams was bothered by knee injuries that required him to have arthoscopic surgery after the season. He’s likely to sign on with another team, however.

According to Jay Glazer of FOXSports.com, Packers’ quarterback Brett Favre demanded a trade two or three days after the NFL Draft in late April. Upset over the way Green Bay failed to land wide receiver Randy Moss, Favre apparently informed his agent to contact general manger Ted Thompson and requested the Packers trade him. Favre eventually cooled down, but that didn’t stop him from doing an interview Saturday expressing his disappointment in the team not landing Moss.

After reading some of the quotes from the interview, it’s clear Favre wants one more day in the sun, and with that, he wants the absolute best talent around him (which is where his desire for Moss comes in). It’s understandable, but what Favre has to realize is that when he finally does hang it up, there’s still going to be a Green Bay Packer organization, and guys like Thompson who have to worry about it. Thompson isn’t only thinking about the ’07 season, he wants to build a franchise that can compete for years. If he doesn’t think Moss is a good long term fix, then why trade for him, because it would appease his quarterback who may or may not be in Green Bay after ’07? Sorry Brett, that’s not how it works. Plus, what’s being missed here is that Moss wanted to be a Patriot because he felt they gave him the best chance to reach the Super Bowl. He was more willing to negotiate with New England than Green Bay, so even if Thompson wanted to trade for Moss, it might not have happened. Moss made it easier for the Raiders to work a deal with the Patriots.

I love Brett and he has a right to voice his opinion, but it’s clear he didn’t know the whole situation with Moss.

Update: Favre officially cleared the air on all the trade talk on Monday.

Pittsburgh Steelers
Guard Alan Faneca – who has publicly complained about his contract virtually the entire offseason – told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Friday he will not be a Steeler after the 2007 season. Faneca wants a fair contract, but the Steelers don’t want to invest Derrick Dockery-type money (around $49 million over six or seven years) into a player who’ll be 31 at the end of the season. It’s understandable Pittsburgh doesn’t want to sink that much money into an aging guard, but what are veterans to think when captains like Faneca and Joey Porter (released in March) are not shown respect after years of great play? The bottom line is the NFL is a business and the Steelers have to do what’s best for the entire organization, but pissing off veterans along the way is risky.

Philadelphia Eagles
Defensive end Jevon Kearse, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 2 last year, practiced Saturday and according to head coach Andy Reid, “looked great”. In other Eagle news, rookie linebacker Stewart Bradley will backup Chris Gocong at strong-side linebacker this season according to the Philly.com. Bradley may even push Gocong – who missed his rookie season last year with a neck injury – for the starting job.

Jacksonville Jaguars
Jaguars.com is reporting Matt Jones sat out part of a practice Saturday with a quad strain. It’s amazing how Jones can’t seem to stay healthy. He certainly has all the tools in order to be a successful receiver, but just has the nagging injuries that always leave him out or questionable during the season. With Jacksonville’s instability at the receiver position, it would be nice if Jones could put together an entire season.

Cornerback Shawn Springs and safety Sean Taylor have not been attending voluntary mini camps this past week and according to the Washington Post, head coach Joe Gibbs is a little surprised.

Springs was on the trading block for most of the offseason, but Gibbs insured him he wouldn’t be cut and expected him to be in camp by now. But Springs has been working out on his own in Arizona and hasn’t given coaches a definitive timetable on when he’s returning.

The Taylor situation is a little more complicated than Springs’ however. There’s speculation that he’s upset with his contract and the fact the Redskins didn’t give fellow safety Ryan Clark – who signed with Pittsburgh last year and one of Taylor’s best friends – a $1.5 million raise in 2006, yet signed Adam Archuleta to a six-year, $30 million deal with $10 million guaranteed. Apparently Taylor is a little miffed he hasn’t gotten a pay raise, yet Archuleta cashed in and rookie LaRon Landry will soon enough. He actually has a legitimate beef considering how big of a bust Archuleta turned out to be, but it’s not like Taylor hasn’t been a thorn in the Redskins’ side since he was drafted in ’04, including being arrested for DUI, armed assault as well as missing the entire ’05 training camp complaining about his contract. So maybe he should just shut his mouth and be happy Washington hasn’t shown him the door. Gibbs must be longing for the days he didn’t have to put up with all this crap from players.

According to ESPN.com, Ricky Williams tested positive for marijuana in April and will not be allowed to apply for reinstatement into the NFL until September now, if ever.

What surprise. So apparently all the talk about him being a new man and off the hippie lettuce juice was all a lie. How about that feature NFL Network did a couple weeks ago about him taking up yoga as his release? According the ESPN article, Williams was diagnosed with social anxiety disorder and many people with that disease like to self medicate. Williams apparently self medicated with marijuana. Is smoking the reefer a huge deal? Many say no, but considering it’s illegal and – in the case of Williams – is being used to cover up deeper issues, I would say it is. Look Ricky, forget about football; just get yourself some real help.