Category: NFL (Page 686 of 1282)

      Training Camp Notes: Bush, Smith, Marshall

      August 5, 2009 /

      New Orleans Saints:
      Reggie Bush was limping noticeably after cutting Wednesday morning’s practice short, although he says his knee is fine. An MRI was taken on Bush’s knee earlier this week and apparently the results were positive, so the running back might just have to miss the next few days as a precaution. (FOX Sports.com)

      San Francisco 49ers:
      Apparently Alex Smith has pulled ahead in the starting quarterback derby according to 49ers beat writer Matt Maiocco. While Hill still seems like the more physically gifted quarterback between the two, it’s good to see that the franchise isn’t giving up on Smith (a former first overall pick) just yet. But Smith could also play himself out of the starting role in preseason, so stay tuned. (Matt Maicco on Twitter)

      Denver Broncos:
      Brandon Marshall continues to sit out with an undisclosed injury that he suffered last weekend. The Denver Post suggests that the injury was due to Marshall’s offseason hip surgery, although head coach Josh McDaniels refuses to comment on the situation. (Denver Post)

      Kansas City Chiefs:
      Head coach Todd Haley has reportedly been impressed with how good running back Larry Johnson has looked so far in camp. Teammates have apparently marveled at how good of shape the 29-year-old running back is in this season. Kansas City’s offensive line still needs some work, but it’s good enough to give a motivated LJ a chance to shine again this season. Maybe Johnson will be one of the surprise performers in ’09. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

      Atlanta Falcons:
      Harry Douglas was carted off the field on Wednesday with a left leg injury and it apparently the situation doesn’t look good for the Falcons young receiver. Atlanta’s already in a heap of trouble at the wideout position with Roddy White holding out for a new contract. If Douglas has to miss significant time, GM Thomas Dimitroff (who traded promising WR Laurent Robinson to the Rams for half a can of original Pringles earlier this offseason) might be forced to get a deal done soon with White. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

      New York Jets:
      Quarterback Kellen Clemens continues to struggle with his pocket presence according to a report by the New York Daily News. Considering the Jets have one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, this seemingly is a huge problem, even though it’s still early in camp. Maybe this news bodes well for rookie Mark Sanchez starting right away. (New York Daily News)

      Green Bay Packers:
      The Packers are having trouble signing first round pick B.J. Raji and according to ESPN 540’s Scott Wisniewski, the two sides are far apart on a deal. Rotowold speculates that Raji’s agent could be waiting on No. 10 overall pick (Raji was the No. 9 overall pick) Michael Crabtree to sign a deal with the 49ers before he gets something done for Raji in Green Bay.. (Rotoworld)

      NFL

      Minnesota judge says Williams Wall can play

      August 5, 2009 /

      A Minnesota judge has ruled that Vikings defensive tackles Kevin Williams and Pat Williams, who were appealing four game suspensions for violating the NFL’s policy on anabolic steroids, can play the entire season according to a report by the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

      Per the report, the only way this ruling won’t be upheld is if a federal court claims jurisdiction over the Williams Wall’s lawsuit, challenging the NFL’s drug-testing procedures.

      (District Court Judge Gary) Larson stayed action in his courtroom until the U.S. District Court determines whether it has jurisdiction on some of the players’ claims. U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson said the court does not, but a federal three-judge panel is hearing an appeal of his ruling in St. Paul on Aug. 18.

      If the federal court determines the case should be conducted in state court, Larson wrote, “it is not likely that the [Hennepin County] court would, or could force [the players] into trial during the middle of a playing season, based on the court’s schedule.”

      This is obviously huge for the Vikings, who have the best run defense in the NFL with the Williams Wall intact. If Minnesota hopes to build upon the success it had last year, than it’ll need their stud defensive tackles manning the interior of its defensive line all season.

      I wonder what this means for Saints defensive ends Will Smith and Charles Grant, who, like the Williams Wall, were given four-game suspensions as well. I’m assuming that since the Williams Wall will be able to play, so will Smith and Grant.

      This is the never-ending saga.

      NFL

      Vick to Packers? Yeah, not so much.

      August 5, 2009 /

      Not that it stood much of a chance of happening in the first place, but the Michael Vick-to-the-Packers rumors seem to have been officially squashed.

      Per Chris Mortensen of ESPN.com:

      Nevertheless, Thompson did that Tuesday during a mini-news conference when he seemingly left the door open for Michael Vick to join the Packers by saying he would “not rule anything out.”

      Well, rule it out. As several team officials later clarified, Thompson was merely staying consistent with his own personal policy — never show your hand on personnel moves. To absolutely rule out Vick publicly would be setting a precedent for the “reclusive” general manager.

      As I wrote yesterday when this rumor first hit the net, Vick winding up in Green Bay made little sense. They already have Aaron Rodgers at quarterback and youngsters Brian Brohm and Matt Flynn to back him up.

      Where would Vick fit in? Running back?

      Anyone who ever thought Vick was a running back was dreaming. First of all, he’s not that big and while he has (or used to have; who knows what prison life did to him) immense athletic ability, can you actually envision Vick running up the middle and taking on 250-pound linebackers? He would get crushed and if he didn’t get crushed, he would certainly fumble.

      The only role the Packers (or any other team not looking for a QB) could have used Vick for is their version of the “Wild Cat” formation. But to my knowledge, Green Bay didn’t hop on that craze last year, so it’s not like they’re desperately looking for a player to help fill that role in their offense.

      I maintain that Vick will wind up in Oakland, Seattle or San Francisco. Those are the three teams that I’ve said all along, so I’m sticking to them, although rumor had it that Jacksonville was a reasonable landing spot for him too.

      NFL

      Browns’ Edwards returns to practice

      August 5, 2009 /

      Browns wideout Braylon Edwards practiced for the first time in training came on Wednesday, after missing six practices with an undisclosed injury.

      From the Cleveland Plain Dealer:

      Edwards had missed the first four days and six practices because of an undisclosed injury, believed to be on an ankle, that occurred off the field prior to the June minicamp.

      Edwards reported to camp a day late and then failed to pass the team’s physical. By appearing on the field this morning, it means the club’s medical staff cleared Edwards to practice.

      If you’re Edwards, you have to be concerned with the way your contract year has started off. As the article notes, he reported to training camp late after head coach Eric Mangini told him to be there a couple days earlier so that he could take a physical. Then of course he fails his physical, yet nobody knows what the injury was. (Some speculate that he hurt his ankle playing basketball, while others believe he faked the injury in some kind of unique holdout attempt.)

      If Edwards wants someone to pay him like a No. 1 receiver (whether it’s the Browns or another team), then he better start making a better impression. (Catching the ball would help too.)

      NFL

      Contract extension coming for Eli Manning?

      August 5, 2009 /

      According to a report by FOXSports.com, the Giants are close to signing Eli Manning to a six-year, $97.5 million contract extension.

      The deal will make the 28-year-old the highest-paid player in the history of the Giants organization as well as the highest paid quarterback in NFL history, a figure Giants fans would probably not argue with.

      I’ve always found it kind of humorous how NFL contacts work. Eli clearly isn’t the best quarterback in the league, yet he’ll be the highest paid signal caller in NFL history. It doesn’t make sense, yet that’s just how things have always worked in the NFL.

      From the Giants perspective, they have to get a deal like this done. Eli is a franchise quarterback who has already won a Super Bowl, so he’s going to get paid. And at only 28, he still has plenty of years ahead of him.

      The Giants are wise to get this done now.

      Update: The Giants locked Eli up with a new seven-year, $106.9 million contract according to the New York Daily News. He’s now the eighth NFL player to reach $100 million.

      NFL

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