NFL Jabber 6/12/07

Giving up a day off is not such a bad thing when your Kendrick Clancy. After being cut by the Cards he is straight to work with the Saints.

"I really don't have any time off, so I'm just going straight into the workouts," Clancy said after practice Monday. "Coming in, they give me this playbook and say you need to know this by Monday. It's cool though. I'm playing catch-up. I guess they're not going to just put me in the fire just like that. I'll get it.

"It was no fun when (the Cardinals) came to me and said to either take a pay cut or you're going to get released. I didn't want to take a pay cut to be out there. I kind of figure I could get on a team that was going to make the playoffs."

Tony Romo is ready to get paid...and he would like to see it before the season starts.

Our guest this week on "Cashing in on an NFL Player" is Lions DT, Shaun Rogers. Headlines read... "Stripper: Lions' Rogers touched me." Was it when the $1 was being put in your G-String or when you were straddling his lap with your chest in his face? I have been in....I mean, heard about strip clubs. Many have a "no touching rule" that gets broken when a customer cops a feel. From what I have "heard" you get reminded of the rule or ejected...doesn't usually make national news. Who knows though...he could have been all over her like she was a jelly roll. I'm sure we will hear more soon and the pictures of her can't be far behind.

Jones Soda, a local product that has knocked Coke out of Seahawk games, is getting an all star cast to pimp it.

"What a lineup. We are really excited about this," said Peter van Stolk, founder and chief executive of Jones Soda. "It's our goal to create a new fan experience."

Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, tackle Walter Jones, linebacker Lofa Tatupu, wide receiver Deion Branch and kicker Josh Brown will be featured on bottles in the 2007 season.

Technorati : cowboys, football, jones soda, kendrick clancy, lions, nfl, saints, seahawks, seattle, shaun rogers, sports, strip club, stripper, tony romo
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NFL Jabber 6/10/07

So Chad Johnson ran a race with a horse...and won. A feat that Cris Collensworth could not pull off in 1993.

"Floyd Mayweather, you're next," Johnson said. "I want to fight you. I'd like to take Kobe and LeBron one-on-one. Jeff Gordon, we can take a couple laps. ... Now it's my time to take over the race world."

The Jon Kitna is sweet on the new kid in school.

"No question," quarterback Jon Kitna said after Friday's practice at DetroitRenaissanceHigh School. "The kid is as good as everybody said he was, or better. Every play was designed for Calvin," Kitna said. "He handled it great. He seems to be fine. He's the first one on the field. He takes care of his body."

Drew Brees is Batman. He will be doing a good deed in your town soon.

With the additions of Randy McMichael and Drew Bennett, the St. Louis media is starting to hype the O, comparing to the "Greatest Show on Turf." Could have been fueled by Steven Jackson saying he wants to get 2500 total yards this season.

The players in San Diego are getting giddy with Norv Turner's Offense.

Technorati : bengals, calvin johnson, chad johnson, chargers, drew Brees, football, jail, lions, nfl, offense, rams, saints, sports
Ice Rocket : bengals, calvin johnson, chad johnson, chargers, drew Brees, football, jail, lions, nfl, offense, rams, saints, sports

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NFL Jabber 6/6/07

New Bronco, Sam Adams, is five pounds lighter than his listed weight of 350...which basically means they weighed him before lunch.

Now with Trent Green is gone the Chiefs can concentrate on keeping Larry Johnson unhappy.

So on the same day that the Fins get Green...Culpepper is shooting off the email letting everyone know he has medical clearance...

'Andrews did a thorough exam with X-rays and gave me a very positive report and clearance for this week's mini-camp,'' Culpepper wrote Tuesday. ``Today, the Dolphins also cleared me so I am preparing to practice tomorrow [Wednesday]."

Mike Martz is playing Pop-Warner coach with Drew Stanton.

"He broke the way I hold the ball, putting my fingers up and more toward the point of the ball so it can really roll off my index finger," Stanton said. "He rotated my wrist, too, so that the ball turns out with my grip so that I can snap it more. I hold the ball tight to my chest now, instead of holding it back a bit, which led to things like my front shoulder going down and the weight not being on my back knee like he wanted it to be."

Vernand Morency wants to be the next surprise RB to come off the bench in the NFL.

"I really don't pay a lot of attention to what people are saying or what's in the newspapers," Morency said. "People questioning me is something that has been with me my whole life. In high school (in Miami), I had to follow my brother as the running back. Then in college at Oklahoma State, it was Tatum Bell. There's always been uncertainty about me replacing somebody. That doesn't affect me. I just go out and work harder."

Technorati : broncos, chiefs, culpepper, dolphins, football, green, larry johnson, lions, morency, nfl, packers, sam adams, sports, stanton, trent green
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More NFL Jabber 6/4/07

ESPN continues it's "The Best" series. Today, The Best Defensive player...2 votes for Brian Urlacher, 2 votes for Champ Bailey. To break the tie I'm going to vote that Len Pastabelly's vote doesn't count so Urlacher wins.

Previously they have covered...

• The Best: Player you've never heard of


• The Best: Wide receiver


• The Best: Coach


• The Best: Quarterback


• The Best: Player I'd start a franchise with

Looks like they are tacking a felony obstruction of justice on to former Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jack Trudeau's contributing charge.

For the second year in a row the Cardinals have sold out their season tickets.

Tank Johnson gets to sit out for half the season. I'm guessing he will gladly take that over the time he did in Casa Cook County.

"One day I want to be the face of the league for guys who have come through adversity and ultimately become the Man of the Year in the NFL," Johnson said in May following his release from jail. "That would be a tremendous ending to this story. That's something I'm striving for. I would love to do that."

Former Bills RB, Thurman Thomas, is getting set for his big day in Canton.

Given the drafting of a Center in the 2nd round by the Panthers, Justin Hartwig is wondering about his job.

"I was really surprised," Hartwig said Monday. "You immediately start to question things about yourself and what the team is doing."

Rod Marinelli is pleased with the turnout and work of his boys at minicamp.

"The attendance has been great," Marinelli said after Monday's workout. "The work's been great. I appreciate their work. I tell them that every day.

"Obviously, it's not mandatory. I think they've taken a tremendous professional approach to this game -- a real professional football team. They come out every day. They just go out and work -- the same pace, the same tempo.

"I've been very impressed with them."

Robert Meachum will undergo arthroscopic surgery tomorrow. He looks to miss 3-4 weeks.

Technorati : bailey, bears, best, bills, cardianls, colts, espn, football, jack trudeau, justin hartwig, lions, marinelli, meachum, nfl, panthers, saints, sports, tank johnson, thurman thomas, urlacher
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NFL Jabber 5/22/07

Steelers line coach Larry Zierlein accidentally sent porn to...

"...to multiple high-level team employees and their secretaries throughout the NFL, including commissioner Roger Goodell."

Dallas gets the big win.

"The 2011 Super Bowl will be played at the Dallas Cowboys' new stadium in Arlington, Texas, where more than 100,000 fans will be able to watch the NFL's showpiece game."

T.J. Duckett is practicing breaking off the big run.

A.J. Nicholson learned you can only break the law in Cincy and keep your job if your a starter.

Braylon Edwards missed the first minicamp.

"Braylon was not here today,'' said coach Romeo Crennel. "He contacted us early this morning and said he wasn't going to be here. He should be here (Wednesday). This is a voluntary camp. They don't have to be here.

"I would like them to be here and I told all of them today I would like them to be here, but it's voluntary and he doesn't have to be here.''

Yep, Trent green is still a Chief. He isn't liking it much either.

“I’m still holding out hope that the deal gets done,” Green said. “I’m still banking on what they said back in March, that they’d get the trade done.”

Green was with the Chiefs for the start of organized team activities (OTAs) on Tuesday, splitting reps with Damon Huard, Brodie Croyle and Casey Printers. But he reiterated that he has no plans to be with the team this fall.

“I don’t anticipate (being a Chief),” Green said. “But I still have a responsibility to get ready to play, wherever that is. It’s my job as a professional football player. It doesn’t do me any good to go to Arizona or Florida or California, wherever all those workout facilities are, and spend time doing what you can do right here.

“I have guys that I’ve had a relationship with for six years. Guys I’m used to throwing with and an offense that’s somewhat similar to what we’ve done the last six years and is similar to what they do in Miami. There are a lot of reasons to be here.”

tag: nfl, trade, football, sportschiefs, dolphins, browns, steelers, lions, bengals, Super bowl, porn, arlington, texas, goodell, duckett, nicholson, braylon edwards, trent green

NFL Jabber 5/20/07

The Ravens LB Bart Scott does not seem to be a fan of the new Commish.

"Is he his own government?" Scott asked. "He can succeed the court of law?"

Sean Payton is happy with the no-name guys the Saints got in the draft.

“Both of those players have been encouraging,( Usama Young, a third-round pick from Kent State, and David Jones, a fifth-round pick from Wingate)” Payton said of the cornerbacks. “When you watched Usama early in these practices, you could see that he’s someone who’s confident. He’s been pretty sudden with his breaks on the ball, he’s in good shape, and his stature (6-foot, 194 pounds) is something that’s impressive when you see him.

“In David’s case, he’s someone who’s been fluid. He’s got good foot speed.

“Both of these corners did some good things.”

That Patriots look to have their museum open by the fall of 2008.

Panther Jordan Gross will be reporting for the local media on American Idol this week. Now that has tough guy written all over it!

Lions backup QB, Dan Orlovsky, still has the illusion he can be the QB in Detroit.

The Kansas City Chiefs Blog appears to have a spam problem they are not aware of (I hope they are not printing this on purpous anyway).

"qzxtmbguzm cartoon networebony girlsbald pussyolsen twins nakedgang bangcock suckershomemade sex videosinuyasha hentiafree lesbian movieher first lesbian sexcartoon pornthe best squirthomemade sex toys"

Julius Jones questions his former coaches ability on BET.

Jones told BET, "No disrespect to coach Parcells, but you can't really tell a running back where to run, or he's going to be out there looking like a robot. That's what I was doing last year."

Reggie Wayne is shaking off the rust.

Packers WR, Robert Ferguson thinks his job may be in jepordy.

"This is definitely a pivotal point in my career," Ferguson said. "I'd be näive not to say that. Everything that's happened the last three or four years with those drafted wideouts, it points toward somebody getting replaced. Who that is, you know, I feel like it's me.

"I feel like my back is against the wall. And I feel great. I haven't played a full year in three years so I'm as fresh as ever. I feel like a free-agent rookie coming in here, just eager to learn, ready to get on the field."

The Bears are thinking they may move Danieal Manning from Safety to Corner.

“Danieal is a versatile athlete,” said coach Lovie Smith. “He can do a lot of things, and right now as much as anything, in the offseason you want to take a look at players at different positions.

“He could easily be our most skilled defensive back, so we just want to look at him at a couple of different spots and go from there.”

tag: nfl, draft, football, sports, bears, packers, colts, cowboys, chiefs, lions, panthers, saints, ravens, patriots, bart scott, goodell, sean payton, jordan gross, parcells, julius jones, reggie wayne, ferguson,

NFL Jabber 5/18/07

It's an open competition at QB in Oakland and JaMarcus Russell is okay with that.

"I'm a team player," Russell said when asked about the possibility of being an understudy. "I'm one of the biggest cheerleaders they have right now. I'm the type of player, I would love to be out there. Whatever it is to help my teammates, I'm here to do that."

Rookie Adam Carriker is going to start at one of the D-tackle spots for the Rams.

Keyshawn Johnson is set to make his visit to the Titans today.

"He's a possibility here," General Manager Mike Reinfeldt said. "You look at the consistency of his career, year-in, year-out he's been a productive guy. He's a big guy, a big target, a possession guy, a veteran. I think those are things that would interest us."

Rod Marinelli is pumped about the speed they have in Detroit.

"If you haven't seen us for a year, you go, 'Wow,' " Marinelli said after practice. "They look different." We've got some really key veterans. We've got some youth coming. We've got the kind of speed I'm talking about on defense. The more speed you add to your defense, the faster your special teams get. There should be expectations here."

New Colts WR, Anthony Gonzales will have to miss minicamp to attend NFL sponsored event.

Same with Brandon Jackson in Green Bay.

The Panthers are still looking for help at Safety.

tag: nfl, football, panthers, packers, colts, lions, titans, raiders, rams, jamarcus russell, carriker, keyshawn johnson, marinelli, anthoney gonzales, brandon jackson

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 4/28/07-Draft Day

The best move for the Lions could be to grab Calvin Johnson if he is there at #2 and look for teams to make offers that want him. Worst thing that could happen is they end up with the best player in the draft.

It's reported the 49'ers are close to a deal for Seahawks WR Darrell Jackson.

The Titans are kicking up the effort to snag Chargers RB Michael Turner today.

"On Friday the Titans and Chargers discussed scenarios including a swap of first-round picks today, with the Titans also giving up a fourth-round pick. The Titans are scheduled to pick 19th overall, the Chargers 30th.

But the Titans might have competition for Turner. ESPN reported an unidentified team offered San Diego a first-round pick in the 2008 draft, and that the Chargers thought it was an acceptable offer."

Unless that trade for Lance Briggs goes through, the Redskins are expected to stay where they are at #6, which is a pretty good spot to be in considering their needs.

The Cowboys seem content where they are but are in a good position to make a move up or down.

The Seahawks are looking at going "Best Player Available" today. "

How he plays on Saturdays, how he performs in big games, how he performs against higher-level competition, that is really what matters most," vice president of player personnel Ruston Webster said this week. "The guy's résumé is the film."

The trade talks of Kris Jenkins going from the Panthers to the Rams looks like it will come down to the wire if it happens on draft day.

The Lions are in a great position to stay where they are or move back. either way, they will get a player that can make an immediate impact.

Dolphins GM Randy Mueller will move up to get Brady Quinn or back if he is gone according to Armando Salguero of The Miami Herald.

The Vikings are picking at #7 for the fourth time in six years.

Because of the breakout season by Saints WR Marques Colston, the later rounds may be found more interesting for some people this weekend. Common headlines this year have included "Small School Sleepers."

The Texans are looking for immediate help and shouldn't have a problem getting it where they sit.

tag: nfl, draft, trade, football, vikings, saints, texans, dolphins, panthers, rams, lions, seahawks, cowboys, redskins, bears, chargers, titans, 49'ers, calvin johnson, michael turner, darrell jackson, lance briggs, kris jenkins, brady quinn, marques colston

Peterson could make 1/2 of scary duo

Last season the Saints had no choice but to take Reggie Bush when he fell to the #2 spot the night before the draft. Bush made the perfect sidekick to Deuce McAllister in the new Saints offense. The pairing worked perfectly because Bush did not take away from the bread and butter running of Deuce. He was used more to spell McAllister, decoy, and in the passing game.

This season a team that seems to have their #1 running back could face a decision if Adrian Peterson falls to them. Peterson is a different type of RB but teams are leaning more toward the running back by committee approach. Peterson has been projected to go anywhere from 3# to the Browns all the way to #12 with the Bills. The reason for the big gap is that many of those teams appear to be set, or at least manageable at the RB position. Let's have a look at what kind of pairings could develop if someone did pull the trigger. (No, I'm not always addressing teams needs, I'm talking about if it were to happen.)

Raiders
With the glaring needs in other positions it won't happen. Beyond the other needs, the signing of Dominic Rhoads and the current starter LaMont Jordan would make it too crowded.

Lions
It could have happened here but the Lions went out and got T.J. Duckett and Tatum Bell to carry the rock while Kevin Jones is recovering.

Browns
Easily the first place it could happen. Don't let the Jamal Lewis signing fool you. He is not the long term, or possibly even the short term answer. It may be the perfect situation for Peterson to share the load with Lewis in his first season. Many rookie RB's run out of gas toward the end of their first season.

Bucs
This would be a long shot since the Bucs have Caddy Williams on the squad and he was picked just two years ago. Granted, he had somewhat of a bomb of a season last year but two top 5 RB's in three drafts isn't likely. It could make for a nice pairing though.

Cardinals
The Edge would not be happy but this is a tasty scenerio as well. James is getting older but thinks he is going to play forever so it wouldn't make for a pretty locker room. If they got past that though you could have another reason to think this will be the breakout year for the Cards offense.

Redskins
Another crowded backfield. The Skins like Ladell Betts but could move him on draft day if they wanted to make room for Peterson. Don't think it will happen but Peterson and Portis would make a nice pairing.

Vikings
This is actually another projected spot for Peterson to fall. Chester Taylor had a decent season but he isn't the home run hitting franchise back that Peterson will be. The Vikings have not had THE guy since Robert Smith retired.

Falcons
Jerious Norwood had a decent rookie campaign last season. Peterson coming to Atlanta would give them the significant threat at the position though. They say they want to pound the ball and this could do it.

Dolphins
Like the Bucs, you don't take two RB's in the top 10 in three years. Pairing Peterson with Ronnie Brown could be interesting. Ricky Williams coming back could make for a crowded backfield but trading him away could make room for Peterson. Longest shot since the raiders in my eyes.

Texans
Another landing spot for Peterson on many mock drafts. Like the Browns, the Texans went out and got an RB in free agency in Ahman Green. Call me crazy but I think that Kubiak guy has been know to use more than one RB in Denver. I would love to see this be the place for Peterson to fall and that is because I want to see the Texans succeed.

49'ers
Frank Gore came out like a warrior last season. Not a logical choice at all but what a scary duo it would make .

Bills
No team needs Peterson more than the Bills. McGahee is gone and Anthony Thomas has not been the answer since his rookie season. The Bills would be blessed if Peterson somehow fell this far.

tag: nfl, draft, free agency, football, trade, sports, saints, raiders, lions, buccaneers, browns, cardinals, redskins, vikings, falcons, dolphins, texans, 49'ers, bills, adrian peterson, thomas, gore, ahman green, ricky williams, ronnie brown, cadilac williams, norwood, chester taylor, ladell betts, portis, edgerin james, jamal lewis, duckett, tatum bell, rhoads, jordan

Tired of "Lions can't take WR" talk

The story begins. Charles Rogers...27 career TD's at MSU, even had 270 yards in one game. Picked second overall, had 243 yards and three TD's in five games as a rookie before breaking his collarbone in 2003 and then again in the first game of 2004. Turned out to be a pot head.

Roy Williams has not turned out to be a bad deal at all. Taken at #7 in 2004.

This is where the Lions went wrong...Mike Williams came in after a year off from football because he tried to enter the NFL too soon the previous year and lost his eligibility in the process. This was The Lions fault for taking the guy. Nobody gives Mel Kiper Jr. crap for having him #1 on his BIG BOARD for that draft. The snowjob that ESPN and Mel Kiper do on the public every year is for another day...

Calvin Johnson is a monster. Charles Rogers is no Calvin Johnson. Mike Williams is no Calvin Johnson. We don't have to go into his college career, I have taken a look at that HERE.

I'm tired of hearing that the Lions cannot take the guy that is supposed to be the best player in the draft because he lines up at WR. The Charles Rogers incident was four years ago. I don't believe that they did any wrong in taking him given his career at MSU and you could have never predicted his injuries. If they were aware of his love for the weed, that is another story.

Mike Williams was a bad draft pick by the Lions. Williams was a bust and that happens. What do you do when something is busted? Fix it. That's what they tried to do when drafting Williams...so it didn't work, try again.

The Lions are gun shy now at that position because they are heckled in the media and by fans. They made a joke out of themselves but nobody would be laughing at the Johnson pick. Not for any foreseeable reason. The guy is said to have great character and can play the game a little too. He is considered the best player in the draft and had a good visit in Detroit. But they can't take him because they made a bad pick in 2003 and again in 2005...

Despite my little ramble I don't think Johnson is the BEST pick for Detroit. They need help in too many other places, like a franchise QB. It just gets under my skin when I hear that the Detroit Lions CANNOT take Johnson because of those past picks. Okay..I'm done, can't wait for the draft!
tag: nfl, draft, football, sports, Detroit, lions, Calvin Johnson, Charles Rogers, roy williams, mike williams, usc, Michigan state, Georgia tech, bust, pick,
tag: mel kiper jr., espn

NFL Jabber 4/19/07

JaMarcus Russell and Brady Quinn have made stops to see the Lions.

The Plain Dealer has the inside scoop on the Browns draft! Headlines read "Player will be picked." Really? I guess the headlines in L.A. could be "Player won't be picked."

Ahmad Brooks may get his chance to fill the MLB spot for the Bengals. Brooks is a good example that if you get your act straight for a long enough time, your other teammates will screw up and take the focus off you.

"I'm going to take it on," Brooks said after a workout Wednesday. "I'm glad the opportunity is there for me. I want to live up to the expectations."

Rumors about Dallas trading away Julius Jones are starting up again...

"Anything Dallas does regarding Julius Jones has nothing to do with salary-cap space. They have plenty of cap room to do whatever they want. They don't think he's an elite runner. They're likely going to ship him off on draft day."
-- Dallas Morning News

NBC Sports has a cool poll up.

Updated: Apr.18, 2007, 5:08 pm EDT Everyone's an expert on who their team should draft, right? Tell us your opinion. For each NFL team, we've chosen three guys who should be available at their spot in the first round and who would fit a team need. Vote for who you'd want your team to pick.(Note: The Patriots own two first-round picks: No. 24 is from Seattle and No. 28 is their own. To vote for who New England should pick at No. 24 in Seattle's spot, go to the NFC West section.)

A good example of lack of things happening in the NFL right now, NOLA.com has a top story about kickers and punters.

So does The Rocky Mountain News...and The St. Louis Post-Dispatch...

tag: nfl, football, sports, draft, browns, lions, trade, bengals, Jamarcus russell, brady quinn, ahmad brooks, julius jones

NFL Jabber 4/12/07

Drew Bledsoe hangs up the cleats. Knowing when to say when is a good thing. It's too bad he had to go out riding the bench. Cheers to a career Drew!

"I feel so fortunate, so honored, to have played this game that I love
for so long, with so many great players, and in front of so many
wonderful fans," he said. "I fulfilled a childhood dream the first time
I stepped on an NFL field, and the league did not let me down one time.
I retire with a smile on my face, in good health, and ready to spend
autumns at my kids' games instead of my own. I'm excited to start the
next chapter of my life."

Despite a gimp foot, Ted Ginn Jr. impressed the Rams. Sounds like they may have some of the Devin Hester fever if they look to draft a return guy that high.

JaMarcus Russell made a trip to visit the Skins. I wouldn't look to far into it. Teams often will interview recruits even if they don't intend to take them (or they likely won't fall to them) just to cover all the bases. You just never know who is going to fall though...(Matt Leinhart).

Mike O'Hara at detnews.com is takings tokes off whatever Jon Kitna is smoking. He thinks the Lions can go 10-6 as well.

Jon Kitna is drinking the Calvin Johnson Kool-Aid...could part of the campaign be because that means the Lions don't take a QB?

"Is he still the best player in this draft?" Kitna said Tuesday, smiling. "Yeah, I'm on that bandwagon."

Coach Rod Marinelli laughed at Kitna's comment.

"Him? He's a draft expert," Marinelli said, smiling. "He's got it all."

tag: nfl, draft, free agency, football, sportscowboys, lions, rams, redskins, jamarcus russell, ted ginn jr., calvin johnson, jon kitna, drew bledsoe, mike o'hara

NFL Jabber 4/8/07

Go figure. Barry Sanders says that you need to build a team with the O-Line. Maybe if that advice was taken years ago he would have kept playing.

"I don't know that much about who we have right now," Sanders said in a telephone interview the other day. "I've always liked just football players -- guys who are football; players with overwhelming physical talent, in most cases.

"Obviously, there are some exceptions. The game, it's not an easy game, but I think some of the concepts are pretty obvious, especially on the professional level. You have to have some kind of protection. The guys on defense up front are just too fast and too strong and too good not to have a good, solid offensive line.

"I think, every year, when you look in the playoffs and Super Bowl, that fact is made even more obvious. You always have to shore up your line of scrimmage."

Lincoln Kennedy is using the Arena Football League to gear up for a potential NFL comeback. I have wondered what his motive was for going to the AFL rather than shooting straight to the NFL.

"When I put my mind toward something, I like to see it through," Kennedy said in a phone interview Thursday. "When I came into the league, my goal was to play 12 years. I burned out after my 11th year. Staying near the game in the media helped me stay surrounded by the sport, and when my body started feeling better, I decided I wanted to go back and get that 12th year."

Jon Akerman of NBCsports.com feels that the #11 pick is the best to land a star player. He pegs the worst spot as #6.

So apparently the Raiders are in talks with the Lions about a trade for Josh McCown.

tag: nfl, free agency, trade, football, sports, lions, raiders, barry sanders, lincoln kennedy, josh mccown, arena, afl

NFL Jabber 4/6/07

David Carr has agreed to be the backup in Carolina. Some may wonder how long the word "backup" will be used though as it has been said they wanted someone to push Jake D. for the job.

Pats tagged CB, Asante Samuel may ask to be traded.

“This is to let everybody know that I’m not happy anymore and things are not going well,” Samuel said. “At first I thought it was going well, but it’s not. We have a difference of opinion in my value. They think I’m worth one price and the other teams think I’m worth a lot more. If a long-term deal can’t be done at fair numbers for me and New England, then I want to be traded.”

Jeff Fisher will have four guys ducking it out for one safety spot this spring. Lamont Thompson, Calvin Lowry, Vincent Fuller and Bryan Scott will all be trying to get the starting SS position next to Chris Hope.

"What we want to do is bring experience and depth to the position and open it up for competition," Fisher said. "One would assume it's going to be difficult to unseat Chris. Chris returns as the starter. But as far as the other position, we will open it up and see what happens."

Patrick Crayton is looking to stay with the cowboys, signing a $1.3 Million contract. Seems like such a small number doesn't it? What this mere mortal would give for that though...

Barry Sanders will face off with Jim Brown in a charity golf tournament.

The Colts are making their trip to the White House on April 23.

Champ Bailey thinks with the addition of Bly the Broncos have the best CB tandem in the league.

tag: nfl, free agency, football, trade, sports, broncos, lions, colts, cowboys, titans, patriots, panthers, texans, david carr, asante samuel, jeff fisher, bryan scott, calvin lowry, lamont thompson, vincent fuller, patrick crayton, barry sanders, jim brown, champ bailey

NFL Jabber 3/29/07

Levi Jones is finally giving his take on what happened in Vegas with Joey Porter on the Bengals website.

"One versus seven, six from behind,'' Jones told the website. 'The police report came out and told the truth. Joey Porter did not kick Levi Jones' [butt]. Basically what he did was walk up to me, get my attention talking trash while his boys jumped me from behind. They plotted the thing. He was shooting craps. I was playing blackjack. He saw me, there was no exchange before he just came up on me.''

Browns GM Phil Savage is trying real hard to act not interested in JaMarcus Russell. He reportedly asked one member of the media to stop linking the Browns to Russell. Hmmmmm...

Speaking of The Browns and QB...apparently Savage talked with Chiefs GM Carl Peterson yesterday about Trent Green.

“We agreed to talk some more later this week or the first of next week,” Peterson said. “He said he wants to talk some more with his head coach and his offensive coordinator. But he did ask whether this thing was over with. I said, ‘No, not at all.’

“Cleveland would make sense to me because Trent played very well against them last year.”

Rod Marinelli is putting a focus on character with this years top choice. Isn't that the PC thing to say with Pacman and Chris Henry's trip to the Principles office all over the news?

"When you bring somebody in at that level, that's a lot," the Lions coach said Wednesday. "You know them as a player. That's not good enough. The guy can't have holes. The No. 1 thing we look at right now is character."

After throwing a little tantrum about going to Denver, and talks of a trade, Dre Bly came to a deal with the team. He agreed in principle to a five-year deal yesterday.

Micky Loomis is reaping the benefits of the Saints turnaround season. He won The Sporting News' George Young NFL Executive of the Year Award yesterday.

"It's special to be recognized by your peers," said Loomis, the Saints' executive vice president/general manager who also won the Pro Football Writers Executive of the Year award this year. "I just stood on the shoulders of a lot of people in our building who did a remarkable job during the last 19 months under difficult circumstances.

"I want to thank Tom Benson for giving me the opportunity to work with the Saints and for giving us the resources we needed. And I want to thank Sean Payton for the coaching job he did, but I'm a little more grateful for the courage he showed in accepting the job when we were coming off a 3-13 season and when we didn't know where we'd play or how livable our city was."

TINO's Bloghouse
tag: NFL, draft, free agency, trade, saints, broncos, lions, browns, chiefs, dolphins, steelers, bengals,levi jones, joey porter, jamarcus russell, trent green, phil savage, carl peterson, rod marinelli, dre bly, micky loomis

NFL Jabber 3/28/07

Mike Tomlin gives an example of his aggressiveness to the class by humiliating an airline employee that had it coming. After dealing with the airline over the phone regarding his lost bag and getting nowhere, Tomlin headed to the airport to do a little schooling.

"I get over there, and they tell me the bag is not there," Tomlin was saying at breakfast yesterday morning. "I said, 'I've been talking to your call center all weekend, and they said the bag is here.'

"They said, 'I don't care what they told you on the 1-800 number, your bag isn't here.' "

He was offered a $25 voucher on his next flight for his troubles.

"Well, somewhere during the conversation, I see my bag behind her in a pile," Tomlin said. "I said, 'That's my bag!' She said, 'Sir, your bag's not here, the computer says'... I said 'I understand what the computer says, but I'm looking at my bag! It's a black bag, Pittsburgh Steelers. It's my bag.'

"So, I walk around the counter and at that point, she started to get mad. I pulled the tag off and showed her it was my bag. I had to dig it out myself."

Frank Gore got new five-year deal in San Fran.

Manny Arora, the attorney for Pacman Jones is asking to see some evidence that proves his client should be charged with the felony that police are asking for in Vegas.

"My experience tells me if they would have been independent witnesses with a good recollection and no sort of bone to pick that they (police) would have acted on this weeks ago," Arora said.

Howard Bryant and Mark Maske of The Washington Post report that the Skins are being quiet on the Mr. Briggs goes to Washington talk. If John Clayton at ESPN is correct it could be sour grapes.If the trade did go through it would make for quite a change win the LB's in D.C. Briggs and London Fletcher would make for a scary pair. It's being brushed off as rumors by the skins.

"Right now, it's just a bunch of stuff that got thrown around" Monday, said Redskins Coach Joe Gibbs, interviewed yesterday at the NFL owners meetings in Phoenix. "Just a bunch of rumors."

The Cardinals and Bengals were the only two teams to vote to get rid of Instant Replay. Regardless it was revealed on the last episode that the Zebra have the hidden immunity idol.

Chris Henry is doing his part to make sure that the Bengals are not upstage on The Police Beat.

Coach Kiffen comments on the luxury of the #1 pick and compares the top two QB's.

"With JaMarcus, you have somebody -- it's like a video game," Kiffin said. "That's what I tell our guys. There isn't a throw he can't make, probably. The throws he can make, I don't know if anybody else can. He can go way over there and throw the ball 70 yards back over there. That's really exciting and everything. How many times does that happen in a year? About two in 16 games. While that aspect is fun, you've got to dig deeper. That doesn't happen much. That's a scout's dream, to have a guy like that."

On Quinn...

"He's fun to watch in that situation, when they're down and he's bringing them back," Kiffin said. "He's a big-time competitor. He's fun. I've had some discussions with him.He's extremely intelligent. I'm really excited about Brady, and I like him a lot."

The Lions are jumping in the the Trent Green trade talks. That would shake things up once again in the draft given they are projected in many places to take Brady Quinn.

Mike Shanahan is chipper these days, at least he showed that when talking to the press yesterday. He covered many topics while at the meetings in Phoenix. While some questioned the Broncos signing Travis Henry when Willis McGahee and Thomas Jones were out there, Coach was high on him all along.

"Two of the guys you first mentioned there were draft choices involved. So you want to give draft choices away for a guy you can get free, that you might like more? I really thought Travis Henry was the MVP of (the Titans), that's what I thought. . . . You were able to sign a guy and not lose a draft choice. It's like getting a first rounder."

Could it be Houston fans? Could the Texans finally be looking to land a tackle in the first round? Rumor has it...

"There's a good chance; it depends on who's out there," Kubiak said about the possibility of selecting an offensive tackle first. "We have to continue to improve up there."

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tag: nfl, draft, free agency, trade, sports, football, texans, titans, broncos, steelers, raiders, bengals, cardinals, redskins, bears, chiefs, lions, 49'ers, frank gore, pacman jones, lance briggs, joe gibbs, jamarcu russell, brady quinn, mike tomlin, trent green,