Category: NFL (Page 453 of 1282)

Would the Lions be interested in Haynesworth?

According to NFL.com’s Jason La Canfora, the Redskins are willing to “unload” defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth after unsuccessfully trying to trade him to Philadelphia as part of the Donovan McNabb deal. Apparently, Haynesworth didn’t make a good impression on new head coach Mike Shanahan, so the Redskins are ready to part ways with the massive DT, even though he just signed a seven-year, $100 million deal with Washington in 2009.

Canfora writes that several executives believe the best and most likely option for Haynesworth is Tennessee, “where he played his best football and where he remains close with defensive line coach Jim Washburn.” The problem is that Haynesworth signed for $42 million in guaranteed money and other teams will be hesitant to put a bullet in their financial situation in order to acquire him. (Apparently other owners aren’t like Daniel Snyder, who gives away money like it’s Skittles.)

While a return to Tennessee does make sense, I wonder why Canfora didn’t mention Detroit as another possible landing spot for Haynesworth. Lions’ head coach Jim Schwartz built his defense around Haynesworth in Tennessee and Detroit needs a DT seeing as how they’ve been linked to Ndamukong Suh at No. 2 in this month’s draft. If they acquired Haynesworth, then they could use their first round pick to address their need at offensive tackle.

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Does Bulger’s release mean Rams are taking Bradford No. 1?

The Rams released quarterback Marc Bulger on Monday – on his 33rd birthday, no less. (I’m surprised they didn’t set a burning pile of dog crap on his doorstep too, just to ensure that he really had a bad day.)

It’s unclear at this point whether or not Bulger will choose to retire or try to catch on with another team. The Jets have already said they’re not interested in the veteran QB and Bulger refuses to sign with the Lions because of his strenuous relationship with OC Jim Schwartz. ESPN’s Adam Schefter seems to think that Bulger will wind up in Pittsburgh or Arizona but really, who cares? Not to be rude, but the guy mailed it in a couple of years ago after signing that big contract.

The more interesting topic that arises from this news is whether or not the Rams are now poised to take Sam Bradford with the No. 1 pick. Without a starting-caliber quarterback on the roster, I would say the answer to that question is emphatically “yes.”

Releasing Bulger cleared up $8.5 million in salary, which could go a long way in helping the Rams sign Bradford. Nebraska’s Ndamukong Suh may be the best prospect in the draft, but NFL teams have a hard time justifying paying a defensive tackle No. 1 overall money. Quarterback is an obvious need for the Rams and considering Bradford dazzled scouts at a recent workout, there should be no concerns about his shoulder.

If it wasn’t clear before that the Rams were set on Bradford at No. 1, it should be now after Bulger’s release.


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What was Rogers doing with a loaded gun?

A police report says the gun that Browns’ defensive tackle Shaun Rogers was carrying in his bag through a Cleveland airport last week was cocked with one bullet in the chamber. Apparently, there were seven bullets total in the semiautomatic handgun, which was on safe mode at the time.

Here’s a question: What was Rogers doing walking through airport security with a loaded handgun? Hopefully he’s just a colossal moron and didn’t have intensions of shooting anyone, but you never know. Besides shooting someone or something, why would anyone (police officers not included, of course) carry a loaded weapon on them? For protection? Rogers is 6-4 and 350 pounds – who the hell would mess with him? I know he’s an athlete and other players (Dunta Robinson for example) have had issues with people attempting to rob them, but Rogers should have taken the proper measures to ensure that this wouldn’t have happened. And thank God airport security caught him seeing as how he was trying to get the gun through security and onto the plane.

Rogers doesn’t appear to be the sharpest tool in the shed, but this is dumb even for him. He’s already told the Browns and their fans that he didn’t mean to take the gun through the airport, but who forgets that they have a loaded weapon in their carry-on bag? If he’s that careless, then he shouldn’t have possession of a gun in the first place.

He has pleaded not guilty to a concealed weapons charge, but for the sake of our society, let’s hope that a judge doesn’t buy his, “Whoops, forget that was in there!” excuse.

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No surprise: Campbell wants out of Washington

While he didn’t officially say it, Jason Campbell is looking for a way out of Washington now that the Redskins have traded for Donovan McNabb. Cambell, an unsigned restricted free agent, will opt to stay away from the Redskins’ practice facility for the foreseeable future.

Per the Washington Post:

Following the Redskins’ Sunday night acquisition of Pro Bowl quarterback Donovan McNabb from the Philadelphia Eagles, Campbell no longer will participate in the Redskins’ voluntary offseason conditioning program at the complex, people with knowledge of the situation said Tuesday. Moreover, Campbell, among the league’s most cooperative quarterbacks with the media, has told friends he does not plan to grant interviews until after his situation is resolved.

Campbell discussed his intentions with Coach Mike Shanahan during their meeting Monday, and both agreed it would be better for Campbell to train on his own and stay away from the park altogether while Campbell’s agent, Joel Segal, works to find a more favorable situation for the five-year veteran. Although Shanahan prefers players to be involved in the program, Campbell might not be with the team much longer.

As the article notes, the Redskins haven’t ruled out bringing Campbell back as a backup, but there’s no doubt that he wants out. Owner Daniel Snyder dissed (do people still use the word “diss?”) him last offseason by attempting to trade for Jay Cutler and recruiting free agent Byron Leftwich. What would be fair is if the Redskins traded Campbell and took whatever they could get for him. He’s been a model employee throughout everything that has happened in Washington (coach and scheme changes, Snyder’s flirtations with other quarterbacks, losing, etc.) and deserves the team’s respect.

Considering that he has played in multiple offenses (not just the West Coast), I would imagine that teams would be interested in Campbell’s services. And if the Skins could get a mid-round pick for him, then he should be dealt.


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McNabb trade makes fantasy QB ranks even deeper

From a fantasy standpoint, the Eagles’ decision to trade Donovan McNabb to Washington throws another good quarterback into the fantasy mix. It’s too early to anoint Kevin Kolb the next Matt Schaub or Tony Romo, but in two starts last season, Kolb threw for 718 yards and four TD against the Saints and the Chiefs. Granted, that’s not the stiffest of competition in terms of pass defense, but Kolb proved that he could move the Eagles’ QB-friendly offense and gave the franchise enough confidence to not only trade McNabb away, but to trade him to division rival. That speaks volumes.

Once again, it looks like Quarterback By Committee (QBBC) will be a viable option for fantasy owners who would rather load up on running backs and wide receivers in the first few rounds, and use two or three mid-round picks to form a quarterback committee. With Ben Roethlisberger’s situation still up in the air, I think you can draw a pretty thick line below the top seven guys: Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Philip Rivers, Tony Romo and Matt Schaub. After that, it’s a crap shoot in terms of who is a good bet to finish #8-#12. Kolb’s emergence as a fantasy option somewhat offsets the loss of Kurt Warner to retirement. And if Brett Favre unretires as expected, it will give QBBC advocates another strong fantasy option in the middle rounds.

So don’t be surprised in a few months when I’m suggesting you draft Kolb, McNabb, Eli Manning, Matt Ryan, David Garrard, Jay Cutler, Carson Palmer, Joe Flacco, Matt Cassel, Matt Stafford, Alex Smith, Vince Young, Matt Moore, Chad Henne, Matt Hasselbeck and/or Mark Sanchez as part of a QBBC. It all depends on how the schedules line up and where these guys are going in early mock drafts.


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