NFL Jabber 6/13/07

Laurence Maroney is set to be the star back in New England. I like this kid. Reading this, it doesn't sound like he has a cocky bone in his body.

J.T. O'Sullivan threw for four TD's in NFL Europe this weekend. How long before the Bears fans get wind of this and call for him to get Grossman's spot?

Thomas Jones has been running with a chip on his shoulder since the Bears drafted Cedric Benson. Makes me wonder how that chip is going to make him run in New York since the Bears traded him away.

The Raiders are going to be playing more of a "left safety and right safety" defensive backfield than the traditional "strong safety and free safety" sort.

Kellen Winslow is taking the Shoeless Joe approach to practice.

Technorati : bears, browns, football, jets, maroney, nfl, o'sullivan, patriots, raiders, sports, thomas jones, winslow
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NFL Jabber 6/8/07

I suggested a week or so ago that if they wanted to be taken seriously prosecuting Mike Vick they needed someone not named Poindexter. The Feds have moved in and stole Poindexter's thunder. How is he supposed to make his "bones" if someone else is digging them up?

"This comes as a shocker to me," Poindexter said. "That's the thing that's so strange, that they've taken such an interest in this. Michael Vick is so big, I guess they want in, too. They want some of this limelight. It's like someone wants to make their bones (reputation) on this case."

Tom Brady is knocking his new WR's down a little bit. It sounds as if he doesn't want people to think these guys are going to "save" the Pats. If I was Tom and didn't like the spotlight on my personal life I would let them have it.

"You hear so much about the new guys, and I kind of take offense a little bit to the guys we had last year and how hard they worked," Brady said. "We were in the AFC Championship game. I think over the last half of the season we threw the ball pretty effectively, and Reche had the best year of his career, Jabar had one of the best years of his career, Troy [Brown] had a great year, Ben [Watson] had the best year of his career. So a lot of guys put in a lot of work last year.

"I think everyone thinks that we get all these new players and all of a sudden we're destined for these huge expectations, but that's not the way it works in football. You've got to go out and everybody's got to find a role and you've got to do the little things that you don't really recognize on TV."

Daunte Culpepper does not want to sit around and wait like his new (for now) teammate, Trent Green. He is asking to be released.

"I must say the impatience the organization displayed in both encouraging me to rush back on the field last year and then rushing me out the door this year is disappointing," Culpepper said. "However, I understand that they have the right to make that business decision. It is now my turn to make some decisions."

Things have been quiet on the Jets front this offseason. They did pick up a stud RB and the offense is excited about their passing game.

Jerry Jones likes having a National Enquirer rep leading his team.

"We all want Tony to be everything he can be on the field," Jones said. "From my perspective, I like his colorfulness off the field. That is good for the Cowboys and good for football. There is an element here that is entertainment and you have to back it up with action. But if you are in my shoes, you are looking at the Cowboys franchise ... our role and where we are from an entertainment standpoint."

It's good to have goals SJax!

"My goal is 2,500 total yards from scrimmage," Jackson saidThursday. "And how I get it doesn't matter. But I want to get to that number."

Technorati : cowboys, culpepper, dog, dolphins, falcons, federal, football, jery jones, jets, micheal vick, nfl, partiots, rams, sports, steven jackson, tom brady, tony romo
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NFL Jabber 6/4/07

What a crappy QB battle in Kansas City. I feel for the fans. You have Trent Green, who is just taking up space right now, waiting for a call from another team. He is taking away reps from...Brodie Croyle and Damon Huard. And at this point they have no idea who is going to win this nail biter (I'm guessing not Green as he keeps looking at his watch and then at the phone).

Not all Redskin fans are convinced that Jason Campell is the answer.

Lorenzo Booker is going a little nuts in the temp housing. Perfect for a Dolphins RB.

''I can't take it, man,'' said Booker, currently lodged at the local spot in Davie where rookies typically stay until they find more permanent housing. ``One week in this place is enough. I need to find a house as soon as possible.''

As the Saints wrap minicamp, rookie WR, Robert Meachum, wraps his leg and sits out. He wouldn't speak to reporters but Drew Brees commented on him.

"I like him," Brees said. "I think he's been real hampered by his ankle and that sort of thing, but I think he's got a lot of talent. I really like the way he catches the ball. He attacks it, and I think he's going to be a big run-after-catch kind of guy. He's going to be big and physical, kind of hard to bring down, kind of like a (Marques) Colston. So I think he'll add a nice dimension to our offense."

Tarvaris Jackson is doing well in practice...until they have people coming at him.

The Bengals minicamp will be featured on the NFL Network today.

It appears that Curtis Martin's retirement is not set in stone...or is it?

Technorati : battle, bengals, brodie croyle, camp, chiefs, curtis martin, damon, dolphins, football, huard, jason campell, jets, lorenzo booker, meachum, mini, network, nfl, redskins, saints, sports, tarvaris, trent green, vikings
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NFL Jabber 6/1/07

Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers are now back to full strength and on the field.

"I thought they looked good," coach Mike McCarthy said. "I mean, (Favre) just anticipates so well, and those are valuable reps for the younger players. You can see, one or two to James Jones, coming out of the break and the ball's there, those are the little things that you just can't get enough of, and I thought he threw the ball well.

"I think Aaron's throwing the ball extremely well. He's been throwing the ball well all spring, and now we've cut him loose medically. I'm very pleased with the progress he's made."

Despite the loss of Will Shields, the Chiefs are not concerned with their O-Line going into this season.

Thomas Jones is impressing staff and teammates at workouts.

"As you guys can see, he's a physical specimen," quarterback Chad Pennington said with a laugh after the team's voluntary workouts Thursday. "He works extremely hard," Pennington said. "He's never the first guy out. He's always staying in there, doing a little extra. He's a true professional."

One of the most interesting RB battles this season for me is going to be in Dallas. Chances are the loser here won't be around in 2008.

Mike Vick is becoming true tabloid material. If there is nothing else to say...talk about his haircut.

In real Mike Vick news...Air Tran is not going to renew his pitch contract.

DeAngelo Williams is dropping some pounds.

Cardinals camp may open two days earlier this year. The last few years it was not very fan friendly because it started on a Sunday. Beginning on a Friday would allow more fans to make the trip to Flagstaff.

The Bengals are set to go full speed in minicamp.

The Saints are not letting last season get them over confident.

Technorati : aaron rodgers, barber, bengals, camp, cardinals, chiefs, cowboys, falcons, favre, football, jets, jones, mini, nfl, packers, panthers, saints, sports, thomas, vick
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NFL Jabber 5/19/07

Lovie Smith placed Jamar Williams in the place of Lance Briggs on Friday. Mike Brown also returned.

McNabb wants everyone to know he is more than the Eagles QB...maybe in case he isn't the Eagles QB soon?

"A lot of people might just look at me as the quarterback of the team; they kind of just leave it at that," McNabb said after showing off his novice golf swing for the benefit of TV cameras. "They have to understand, I'm more than just a quarterback. I'm a father, a husband, a caring person that loves kids and is willing to do whatever I can do to help the next man out."

Keyshawn is in no hurry to make a move but calls his visit with the Titans a "good one."

"I am looking at my options just like they are looking at theirs. At the end of the day, it was a good visit with the coaches," Johnson said.

"Now I guess they'll meet as a staff and determine whether or not it's a fit, and I'll work with my people and start working out some things.

"I don't have any timetable (for signing), to be honest with you. I don't have any rush on my part. I'll see what happens, and we'll see how things progress. But it's still early in the game for me."

Meanwhile, Johnson said yesterday that he is interested in a job with the Raiders.

Broncos TE, Tony Scheffler broke his foot running a route in camp.

Daunte Culpepper practiced yesterday but Coach Cameron declines looking to far into it.

"Until a guy is 100 percent, it is not fair to evaluate him," Cameron said. "That's the approach. Keep it simple. When the guy is 100 percent, evaluate him and then go from there."

Curtis Martin has not announced retirement but is suing his insurance co. because he is "totally disabled."

tag: nfl, football, sports, broncos, raiders, titans, jets, dolphins, eagles, bears, jamar williams, lance briggs, mike brown, mcnabb, keyshawn johnson, tony scheffler, curtis martin

NFL Jabber 5/4/07

With Matt Hasselbeck still on the mend, Seneca Wallace and David Green will get the reps in minicamp.

The Titans first rounder, Michael Griffen, will be moving from Safety to CB.

After what some think the best draft in the league, the Browns stay at work with rookie free agents. They are bringing in nine of them.

The Cards could top that as they look to bring in 20.

The Bengals will have 14 at minicamp.

Greg Ellis isn't a fan of the 1st round pick of the Cowboys.

"This was not some generic thing -- the guy came to my house," the Cowboys linebacker said. "It's the next step. Everybody's assuming I'm gone."

As hard as the Chiefs try to replace him, Eddie Kennison just won't go away.

Cam Inman of the Contra Costa Times has some sour grapes about Randy Moss. He thinks it won't be such a steal for the Pats come playoff time...at elast they will have to worry about playoff time, right?

Yes folks, Curtis Martin is still in the league...

Roy Williams and Mike Furrey went to bat telling the Lions they wanted Calvin Johnson.

The Packers are one of the teams looking into Keyshawn Johnson.

tag: nfl, draft, free agency, football, packers, lions, raiders, patriots, jets, cowboys, bengals, cardinals, browns, titans, seahawks, matt hasselbeck, seneca wallace, david green, michael griffen, greg ellis, eddie kennison, randy moss, curtis martin, calvin johnson, keyshawn johnson

NFL Jabber 4/22/07

With no picks in the 2nd, 3rd,or 4th round, we could see the Redskins trading down. Jason La Canfora of The Washington Post thinks that a trade up for Calvin Johnson could swing as well.

Character is likely going to be a big part of this years draft given the actions of the new sheriff in town.

"We've always had the information," said an NFL team scout, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. "It's a matter now of the weight we give it; do you accept or decline a guy because of his background?"

Greg Olsen would love to be taken by the Jets next weekend.

"That would be unbelievable," Olsen told the Daily News. "You couldn't ask for anything better than that. My family would have to drive only 20 minutes to see my home games."

The Saints could have to wait until Friday to plan a direct draft strategy. They are waiting on the Colts to match or not on CB Jason David.

Four NFL related guys land on the 100 Unsexiest Men list of The Phoenix, Michael David Smith posted at The Fanhouse...

"The Phoenix has revealed its annual list of the 100 Unsexiest Men, and four guys from the NFL world made the cut: Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, Titans cornerback Pacman Jones, Patriots coach Bill Belichick and Monday Night Football commentator Tony Kornheiser."

Buying Disability Insurance is the new "In" thing to do on campus.

Not much going on in Denver. Headlines of Punter Todd Sauerbrun have dominated the Rocky Mountain News.

Rumors of Marshawn Lynch's back problems doesn't scare the Packers.

tag: nfl, draft, free agency, sports, football, trade, packers, broncos, titans, colts, saints, patriots, jets, redskins, la canfora, washington post, greg olsen, calvin johnson, jason david, peyton manning, pacman jones, kornheiser, belichick, marshawn lynch

NFL Jabber 3/16/07

In an unusual situation, the Bucs are going to meet today with Saints franchise player, DE Charles Grant.

Speaking of Saints, they are moving in on selling out 137 luxury boxes and 68,000 season tickets for the first time in team history.

"We are extremely appreciative of the support we received from fans and local businesses last season and are very encouraged with the response so far in 2007," said Rita Benson LeBlanc, the Saints' owner and executive vice president of administration. "We are hard at work to make sure the Saints are successful, both on and off the field, and look forward to announcing any team milestones when they are achieved."

Georgia Tech WR Calvin Johnson put on a show at his "pro day" workout. 75 scouts showed up to take it in. "Whatever they wanted to see," said Johnson, "I think I showed them."



The Chargers put on a fashion show to display the new uni's.

The Eagles landed WR Kevin Curtis.

Tank Johnson got 4 months for violating his probation.

Rumors fly about the Jets trading away Jonathan Vilma.

Chiefs gave a four-year deal to DT Ron Edwards.

Dolphins kicker, Olindo Mare doesn't know that people don't care about kickers feelings.

Marcus Pollard says he doesn't "feel" 35. Maybe because he played flag football in college instead of getting hit?

"I played flag football at Bradley," said Pollard, who had been a tight end and defensive end in high school. "I was the most famous flag football player in the world."

Forget about the Rams losing Shaun McDonald and Kevin Curtis. The air show will be just fine with the addition of Drew Bennett and Randy McMichael.

Adam Schien at Foxsports.com feels that this season is a tryout for Mike Vick with the new staff in town.

The Browns keep on going by signing Robaire Smith to a four-year deal.

Jerry Jones doesn't feel that the Cowboys have any needs going into the draft.

"I don't think we're locked in at any position to come out with," Jones said. "I can see us going secondary, offensive line, whole gamut, and maybe even a young quarterback."

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HUG E NEWS! Jones traded to Jets!

It looks as if the Bears are ready to go with Cedric Benson alone in the backfield. Odd since the last time we seen him was limped up in the Super Bowl.

Two RB's fantasy stock just went up!

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TAGS: bears, jets, chicago, new york, thmoas jones, draft

clipped from sports.espn.go.com

Sources: Bears to swap Jones for Jets draft pick

According to league sources, the Bears have agreed to trade RB Thomas Jones and a 2007 second-round pick (No. 63 overall) to the Jets for a 2007 second-round pick -- No. 37 overall -- which was acquired previously in a trade from Washington, ESPN.com's Michael Smith reported.

The Jets still have two picks in the second round -- No. 59 and now No. 63.

The Jets and Jones' representative, Drew Rosenhaus, are believed to be working on a new contract with Jones, whose unhappiness with his Bears contract led to him skipping offseason workouts this past season.

The Bears now have the No. 31st (first round) and 37th overall picks.