Category: Rumors & Gossip (Page 223 of 225)

I enjoy draft rumors and speculation as much as the next guy, but I have to draw a line somewhere. With the draft just about a week away, I squash 10 pre-draft rumors – including a couple involving Calvin Johnson and whether a couple of stud prospects will fall in the first round – in my latest column for Bullz-Eye.com.

Click here to read the article.

Sports Radio WDFN AM 1130 in Detroit is reporting the Lions and Buccaneers are discussing a trade involving the team’s first round picks and defensive end Simeon Rice. In the potential trade scenario, Detroit would acquire Rice and the fourth overall pick in the first round and send Tampa the second overall selection.

This trade would tell me the Bucs are damn sure Oakland is going to take quarterback with the first overall pick, because why else would they trade up unless they knew Georgia Tech wide receiver Calvin Johnson was going to be there? Head coach Jon Gruden is rumored to be infatuated with Johnson and there isn’t another player other than JaMarcus Russell worth trading up for. And unless I’m wrong about Gruden blowing smoke about wanting another quarterback, Russell isn’t an option in Tampa.

Stay tuned for confirmation on the trade.

The Green Bay Packers have been linked to several rumors this offseason, none bigger than one involving Raiders’ wide receiver Randy Moss. The latest rumor has the Packers acquiring Chargers’ running back Michael Turner for a first round pick. According to the Trenton Times, the Packers would send their first round pick (16th overall) to the Chargers for Turner and their first rounder (30th overall).

The Packers need to do something because unless a productive back is released after the draft (which could happen), their backfield is looking ultra light. Vernand Morency is the current starter, but GB is going to need a more proven back before the ’07 season kicks off. In my opinion, a Morency-Turner combo would be more explosive than a Morency-(Corey) Dillon or Morency-(Chris) Brown (two backs still on the free agent market) backfield. Turner doesn’t have a ton of ware on his tires and would benefit from sharing the load with Morency. Then Green Bay could spend the 30th overall pick on other needs (WR, S, LB).

As for San Diego – much like Atlanta’s situation with Matt Schaub – it’s time to see how much Turner is worth. He’s a free agent after this season, so unless the Chargers want to franchise him (unlikely with LT in their backfield) they would be wise to get max value now. That way they could look for another backup for Tomlinson in the draft.

Update: According to the NFL Network, Turner will meet with the Tennessee Titans on Monday.

FOXSports.com is reporting the Redskins and Bears are discussing a trade that would send disgruntled linebacker Lance Briggs and the No. 31 overall pick to Washington in exchange for the No. 6 selection.

Wow, that is quite a price tag to give up for Briggs. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a solid linebacker, but many in the Bears’ organization feel as though he’s a “system player” who benefits from playing in the Cover 2. From Washington’s standpoint, doesn’t this sound eerily familiar to the mega deals that brought in Adam Archuleta and Warrick Holdman? Every player is different, but they were both “system players” that never panned out as Redskins. Plus, this deal would hinge on signing Briggs to a long term contract.

As for the Bears, they would get value for a player who previously said he was done in Chicago, cap space and a top-10 pick. My only question would be whom would the Bears target at No. 6? It seems likely that they would trade down seeing as how they don’t have any glaring needs. Or what about Brady Quinn?