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The Duke
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The Titans are still talking to the Chargers about acquiring running back Michael Turner, Tennessee GM Mike Reinfeldt said Thursday. "Nothing is imminent at this point and time, but nothing is dead either," Reinfeldt said. "The fact that we both agreed to stay in touch leans toward optimism.'' The Chargers put a first- and third-round draft pick compensation on Turner, a restricted free agent, but the Titans won't give up that much.
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
At this point, it appears Kansas City and St. Louis are showing the most interest in DT Kris Jenkins, although there could be some other unknown teams in the mix. Here’s an interesting thought: The Panthers are shopping Jenkins and the Chiefs need a defensive tackle; while the Chiefs are apparently shopping returner Dante Hall and the Panthers need a returner.
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
The Broncos are likely to make a move with linebacker Al Wilson before the April 28-29 draft. A trade to the Giants was nixed last month after Wilson failed a physical. The Broncos' options are to trade, cut or keep Wilson - with a pay reduction on that last possibility.
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
Pacman Jones is exploring the possibility of returning to school at West Virginia University while serving his suspension from the NFL, a coach said Thursday. Mike Barwis, strength and conditioning coach at West Virginia, said the Titans cornerback called Thursday and told him he might return to Morgantown to pursue his degree and work out at the school. "He said he's trying to iron a few things out,'' Barwis said. "I think he is trying to do the right thing. I think he is trying to get himself in an environment that is going to help him.''
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
WR Charles Rogers spent yesterday meeting with and working out for the New York Giants, who have a need at wide receiver. New York is hoping Rogers, whom Detroit drafted with the second overall pick in 2003, can provide some help. In recent months, Rogers has worked out for Miami and Kansas City, but he has yet to find a team that is willing to sign him since Detroit released him last season.
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
Pro Bowl defensive end Derrick Burgess did not report to the Raiders' voluntary organized team activities because he does not have the contract he wants. $19.5 million in guaranteed money the Seattle Seahawks gave defensive end Patrick Kerney on a six-year, $39.5 million deal. When Kerney's guaranteed money exceeds Burgess' total money, there is a discrepancy the Oakland defensive end feels needs to be addressed.
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
Negotiations to land Kansas City's Trent Green drag on into their second month. This week, coach Cam Cameron and General Manager Randy Mueller met with the top two quarterbacks in the draft - LSU's JaMarcus Russell and Notre Dame's Brady Quinn - even though neither is likely to fall to Miami at the No. 9 pick. Daunte Culpepper, due to make nearly $7 million this season, continues to rehabilitate an injury he suffered in October 2005 that required additional surgery last fall. "He's still in kind of a rehabilitation mode, but he is making progress," Cameron said last month. The statement isn't the vote of confidence Dolphins fans would like to hear as Cameron looks to implement his offense. But questions are plentiful for Miami heading into mini-camp. Here are five more:
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
Eddie Kennison has been a regular at the Chiefs offseason workouts since they began almost two weeks ago. He recently turned 34, an advanced age for a wide receiver. But Kennison keeps himself in good physical condition. His streak of two straight 1,000-yard seasons was ended last year, but that had more to do with problems elsewhere in the Chiefs’ passing game than with any drop-off in Kennison’s play. “I’m not going to let anybody else determine when I retire from this game,” he said. “I want to retire when I’m ready. And I’m not ready. “I’m better at taking care of myself: diet, exercise, doing the things that are right all the time. I’m not a guy that hangs out in the nightspots. I’m not a drinker. I keep finding ways to do things better. The workouts continue to get better for me. It makes things easier. That’s my whole deal.”
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
Detroit could be left looking at Georgia Tech wide receiver Calvin Johnson, Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn, Wisconsin offensive tackle Joe Thomas and Clemson defensive end Gaines Adams. The Lions already are doing their due diligence. Johnson visited the Lions this week, and the activity will intensify next week. Quinn is scheduled to visit with the Lions on April 18, Thomas will follow him up on April 19, and Adams will visit at some point. Adams is thought to be the player the Lions are most enamored of and the player who just might fill their greatest need. Detroit believes it needs a defensive end more than it needs a quarterback and an offensive tackle.
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
Free agent linebacker D.D. Lewis, who spent his first four NFL seasons with the Seahawks, will visit the Titans today. Last year he played in just five games due to a shoulder injury and finished the season on injured reserve.
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
Falcons guard Kynan Forney was critical of former offensive line coach/consultant Alex Gibbs' policy of making the offensive linemen weigh less than 300 pounds. It was a rule that Forney said Thursday resulted in some players drastically cutting weight a night or two before weekly weigh-ins. Forney, able to speak to the media after three years of having just one position spokesman per week, said that the prolonged process might have prompted some players to physically wear down as the season progressed.
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
Kansas City is shopping Trent Green and plans to give second-year quarterback Brodie Croyle every shot to win his job, but the 36-year-old Green was on hand for the start of offseason workouts. If Green's still on the block come August, Kansas City's first two preseason games are against perhaps the most likely candidates for his services: Cleveland, where coach Romeo Crennel might well be wary of staking his job security on young Charlie Frye, and Miami, where Daunte Culpepper is coming off consecutive poor/injury-shortened years and to whom new coach Cam Cameron isn't committed.
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
Former Notre Dame QB Brady Quinn, appearing as a guest on "The Drive on Fox Sports Radio", on his status for the 2007 NFL Draft: “I feel like I’m the most prepared player in this NFL draft. I feel like I should be the number one pick based on my performance at Notre Dame and really just having an advantage. Basically having Coach Weis there the past two years, having the offense that we’ve had and I think there are just a lot of positives when you look at what I’ve been able to do at Notre Dame, playing the schedule we played, and just the fact of pure ability. I’ve never missed a practice, a game or anything over the entire time I’ve been there.”
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
Around the league, the prevailing thought is that Raiders owner Al Davis wants to draft LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell, and Oakland's coaching staff would prefer to go with a different sure-fire stud player. Oakland's offensive coordinator Greg Knapp battled to develop former No. 1 overall pick Michael Vick, and he could be faced with a similar challenge in Russell. But ultimately, none of Oakland's coaches, including new head coach Lane Kiffin, is expected to have the final and most important vote on the pick.
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
The Chiefs are trying to trade Dante Hall, who hasn’t given them what they hoped as either a slot receiver or kick returner in recent seasons. He may be released if he isn’t traded.
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
Drew Bledsoe retired Wednesday night after 14 NFL seasons, bringing to a conclusion a career that might have ended where it started. It didn’t. But if the Patriots are smart, if they are as appreciative of Bledsoe as they claim, his old No. 11 will soon decorate the stadium he helped build. And rest assured it will. “I’m really, really proud of what we accomplished as a team in New England,” Bledsoe said by phone yesterday near his home in Bend, Ore. “The Patriots had not been very successful. From the time I got there until now, really, the place has been sold out and the franchise has been successful. “We probably didn’t reach the goals I had, but at the same time, we accomplished a lot and I’m proud of that,” Bledsoe said. “I feel like the Boston fans and the New England fans have an appreciation for that.”
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
Broncos free agent Cooper Carlisle agreed to terms Thursday night to a two-year contract with the Oakland Raiders. The Broncos host Oakland on Sept. 16 in the second week of the season. Carlisle was a starting guard for the Broncos the past two years and likely will start for the Raiders, who mimic Denver's zone-blocking scheme. Oakland recently signed former Denver offensive lineman Cornell Green.
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
Chris Simms is under the gun - in more ways than one. The Bucs quarterback, who took the majority of reps with the first-team offense, said he is excited about the use of the shotgun formation this year. If three days of voluntary workouts is any indication, Simms said it will be a big advantage for him. "It really does feel great," Simms said. "It's a new feel, a new look for our offense. We can do a few new things out of that set. So I'm really excited about it. I think our whole offense is." The Bucs concluded the first three days of voluntary team workouts Thursday with Simms seemingly in command of the huddle and the starting job. Though it's only April, Eagles free agent Jeff Garcia still is trying to learn the Bucs' system while Simms is in his fifth season under Jon Gruden.
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
Leslie Frazier, the new defensive coordinator of the Vikings, was on the Indianapolis Colts coaching staff last year when new Vikings safety Mike Doss was there. Doss has been rehabilitating a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, and Frazier said some teams were surprised to see the Vikings pick him up because of the injury. "Some people were kind of trying to wait to see how his knee was going to respond," Frazier said. "I'm happy that we were aggressive and our doctors did a good job of looking him over and realizing that he was well on his way to a full recovery, so I'm really excited about how aggressive we were." Frazier said he believes Doss will be healthy when the team opens training camp.
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
Veteran backup quarterback Jim Sorgi signed his one-year, $850,000 restricted free agent contract with the Indianapolis Colts. Sorgi has worked behind starter Peyton Manning since the team selected him in the sixth round of the 2004 draft.
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
Pro football talk reports that if the Raiders don't pick Calvin Johnson, the Lions plan to snare the Georgia Tech wideout with an eye toward promptly trading him. Possible trade partners include the Buccaneers, the Commanders, the Vikings, and the Falcons.
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
Did You Know?</I> This marks only the second time since 1971 that the Dolphins don't have a scheduled regular-season prime-time home game. (Miami is at Pittsburgh on Monday night, Nov. 26).
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
The only top wide receiver known to be visiting with the Chiefs next week, when they intend to bring up to 30 draft prospects to Arrowhead Stadium, is Robert Meachem of Tennessee. Among the top receivers not scheduled to visit are Sidney Rice of South Carolina, Steve Smith of USC, Dwayne Bowe and Craig Davis of LSU, Paul Williams of Fresno State and Yamon Figurs of Kansas State. While this is insignificant taken alone, it is another indication the Chiefs believe they have bigger positional priorities in the draft, such as cornerback and defensive tackle. The Chiefs could use another wide receiver and will probably select at least one. They may be content to wait until later in the draft to do it.
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
New Orleans has a young nucleus on the roster with Marques Colston, Terrance Copper, Devery Henderson, Jamal Jones and Lance Moore. And the Saints could add to the talent pool in the draft, possibly in the first round, where several highly-touted receivers could be available when New Orleans picks at No. 27.
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
Many of the same people who thought Tank Johnson was being unduly singled out for having guns, pit bulls and an NFL paycheck are suddenly quiet now that there's no Super Bowl on the line. As sure as there are laces on a football, the NFL is going to suspend the defensive tackle for a nice chunk of the 2007 season for his various crimes, misdemeanors and incredibly bad judgment. Eight games sounds about right. So help me out here: Why is it less worthy of your outrage now that Johnson is serving a 4-month jail sentence than it was back in December, when some of us said he shouldn't play the rest of the season? And why isn't there more indignation over the fact that Johnson surely will miss at least a portion of this year's schedule once the NFL rules on his status? Why? Because it's the offseason. Because fans' outrage extended only as far as the Bears' 2006 playoff hopes went. Because Tank Johnson's cause came with an expiration date.
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
Reuben Droughns, the Giants' most recent addition to a backfield sans Tiki Barber - the first time that can be said since 1997 - anticipates a season filled with excitement. Droughns spent the last two seasons in Cleveland, where Browns went 10-22."This is a step up for me," Droughns said yesterday at a conference for the United Way of New York City. "Here, they're winning, they're winners, and that's what I'm looking for." Droughns ran for 1,232 yards in 2005 and last year had 758 yards in 14 games. The Giants will be counting on him to complement Brandon Jacobs, who was Barber's understudy since coming into the league in 2005.
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
Who Knew? Cleveland, Oakland, Kansas City and Tampa Bay are the only teams not assured of a game that will be televised nationally.
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
A compelling case can be made for Drew Bledsoe as a Hall of Famer, at least among those unlearned observers who fail to study their Cold, Hard Football Facts. As of today, Bledsoe ranks in the Top 10 all-time in almost every major passing category:
• yards (44,611; 7th all-time)
• attempts (6,717; 5th)
• completions (3,839; 5th)
When we look at efficiency stats, we find that Bledsoe falls well short of modern Hall of Fame passers in virtually every category. In fact, against these performers, Bledsoe ranks:
• 10th in completion percentage (57.2)
• 10th in TD percentage (3.74)
• 7th in INT percentage (3.07)
• 10th in TD-to-INT ratio (1.22:1)
• 11th and last in passing yards per attempt (6.64)
• 11th and last in passer rating (77.1)
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
Sometimes it gets overlooked how much travel some of these college players are forced to endure. Florida safety Reggie Nelson, for example, traveled Monday through Friday last week, is doing the same this week and is scheduled to do the same again next week. Nelson already has been to or met with Tampa Bay, Detroit, Atlanta, Jacksonville, San Diego, Dallas and New England. He still is scheduled to travel to or meet with Houston and the New York Jets. The travel practically has been more taxing than any game Nelson has played.
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
THE 10 BIGGEST DOGS of 2007 - COLD HARD FOOTBALL FACTS
• Detroit at Oakland, Sept. 9 (Week 1)
Combined 2006 record: 5-27
• Cleveland at Oakland, Sunday, Sept. 23 (Week 3)
Combined 2006 record: 6-26
• Miami at Houston, Sunday, Oct. 7 (Week 5)
Combined 2006 record: 12-20
• Tampa Bay at Detroit, Sunday, Oct. 21 (Week 7)
Combined 2006 record: 7-25
•Houston at Oakland, Sunday, Nov. 4 (Week 9)
Combined 2006 record: 8-24
• Detroit at Arizona, Sunday, Nov. 11 (Week 10)
Combined 2006 record: 8-24
• Houston at Cleveland, Sunday, Nov. 25 (Week 12)
Combined 2006 record: 10-22
• Cleveland at Arizona, Sunday, Dec. 2 (Week 13)
Combined 2006 record: 9-23
• Oakland at Green Bay, Sunday, Dec. 9 (Week 14)
Combined 2006 record: 10-22
• Detroit at Green Bay, Sunday, Dec. 30 (Week 17)
Combined 2006 record: 11-21
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
The Dolphins hosted FSU linebacker Lawrence Timmons among their top 30 collegiate players to visit the Davie facility this week. Quarterback Drew Stanton of Michigan State was also among the group. The Dolphins also attended the workout of Ohio State receiver Ted Ginn Jr. earlier this week, with Dolphins receivers coach Terry Robiskie conducting the workout while another Miami scout watched from the sidelines. Ginn Jr. also will visit Davie next week.
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
At this point, it appears Kansas City and St. Louis are showing the most interest in DT Kris Jenkins, although there could be some other unknown teams in the mix. Here’s an interesting thought: The Panthers are shopping Jenkins and the Chiefs need a defensive tackle; while the Chiefs are apparently shopping returner Dante Hall and the Panthers need a returner.
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
The Broncos are likely to make a move with linebacker Al Wilson before the April 28-29 draft. A trade to the Giants was nixed last month after Wilson failed a physical. The Broncos' options are to trade, cut or keep Wilson - with a pay reduction on that last possibility.
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
Pacman Jones is exploring the possibility of returning to school at West Virginia University while serving his suspension from the NFL, a coach said Thursday. Mike Barwis, strength and conditioning coach at West Virginia, said the Titans cornerback called Thursday and told him he might return to Morgantown to pursue his degree and work out at the school. "He said he's trying to iron a few things out,'' Barwis said. "I think he is trying to do the right thing. I think he is trying to get himself in an environment that is going to help him.''
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
WR Charles Rogers spent yesterday meeting with and working out for the New York Giants, who have a need at wide receiver. New York is hoping Rogers, whom Detroit drafted with the second overall pick in 2003, can provide some help. In recent months, Rogers has worked out for Miami and Kansas City, but he has yet to find a team that is willing to sign him since Detroit released him last season.
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
Pro Bowl defensive end Derrick Burgess did not report to the Raiders' voluntary organized team activities because he does not have the contract he wants. $19.5 million in guaranteed money the Seattle Seahawks gave defensive end Patrick Kerney on a six-year, $39.5 million deal. When Kerney's guaranteed money exceeds Burgess' total money, there is a discrepancy the Oakland defensive end feels needs to be addressed.
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
Negotiations to land Kansas City's Trent Green drag on into their second month. This week, coach Cam Cameron and General Manager Randy Mueller met with the top two quarterbacks in the draft - LSU's JaMarcus Russell and Notre Dame's Brady Quinn - even though neither is likely to fall to Miami at the No. 9 pick. Daunte Culpepper, due to make nearly $7 million this season, continues to rehabilitate an injury he suffered in October 2005 that required additional surgery last fall. "He's still in kind of a rehabilitation mode, but he is making progress," Cameron said last month. The statement isn't the vote of confidence Dolphins fans would like to hear as Cameron looks to implement his offense. But questions are plentiful for Miami heading into mini-camp. Here are five more:
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
Eddie Kennison has been a regular at the Chiefs offseason workouts since they began almost two weeks ago. He recently turned 34, an advanced age for a wide receiver. But Kennison keeps himself in good physical condition. His streak of two straight 1,000-yard seasons was ended last year, but that had more to do with problems elsewhere in the Chiefs’ passing game than with any drop-off in Kennison’s play. “I’m not going to let anybody else determine when I retire from this game,” he said. “I want to retire when I’m ready. And I’m not ready. “I’m better at taking care of myself: diet, exercise, doing the things that are right all the time. I’m not a guy that hangs out in the nightspots. I’m not a drinker. I keep finding ways to do things better. The workouts continue to get better for me. It makes things easier. That’s my whole deal.”
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
Detroit could be left looking at Georgia Tech wide receiver Calvin Johnson, Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn, Wisconsin offensive tackle Joe Thomas and Clemson defensive end Gaines Adams. The Lions already are doing their due diligence. Johnson visited the Lions this week, and the activity will intensify next week. Quinn is scheduled to visit with the Lions on April 18, Thomas will follow him up on April 19, and Adams will visit at some point. Adams is thought to be the player the Lions are most enamored of and the player who just might fill their greatest need. Detroit believes it needs a defensive end more than it needs a quarterback and an offensive tackle.
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
Free agent linebacker D.D. Lewis, who spent his first four NFL seasons with the Seahawks, will visit the Titans today. Last year he played in just five games due to a shoulder injury and finished the season on injured reserve.
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
Falcons guard Kynan Forney was critical of former offensive line coach/consultant Alex Gibbs' policy of making the offensive linemen weigh less than 300 pounds. It was a rule that Forney said Thursday resulted in some players drastically cutting weight a night or two before weekly weigh-ins. Forney, able to speak to the media after three years of having just one position spokesman per week, said that the prolonged process might have prompted some players to physically wear down as the season progressed.
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
Kansas City is shopping Trent Green and plans to give second-year quarterback Brodie Croyle every shot to win his job, but the 36-year-old Green was on hand for the start of offseason workouts. If Green's still on the block come August, Kansas City's first two preseason games are against perhaps the most likely candidates for his services: Cleveland, where coach Romeo Crennel might well be wary of staking his job security on young Charlie Frye, and Miami, where Daunte Culpepper is coming off consecutive poor/injury-shortened years and to whom new coach Cam Cameron isn't committed.
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
Former Notre Dame QB Brady Quinn, appearing as a guest on "The Drive on Fox Sports Radio", on his status for the 2007 NFL Draft: “I feel like I’m the most prepared player in this NFL draft. I feel like I should be the number one pick based on my performance at Notre Dame and really just having an advantage. Basically having Coach Weis there the past two years, having the offense that we’ve had and I think there are just a lot of positives when you look at what I’ve been able to do at Notre Dame, playing the schedule we played, and just the fact of pure ability. I’ve never missed a practice, a game or anything over the entire time I’ve been there.”
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
Around the league, the prevailing thought is that Raiders owner Al Davis wants to draft LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell, and Oakland's coaching staff would prefer to go with a different sure-fire stud player. Oakland's offensive coordinator Greg Knapp battled to develop former No. 1 overall pick Michael Vick, and he could be faced with a similar challenge in Russell. But ultimately, none of Oakland's coaches, including new head coach Lane Kiffin, is expected to have the final and most important vote on the pick.
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
The Chiefs are trying to trade Dante Hall, who hasn’t given them what they hoped as either a slot receiver or kick returner in recent seasons. He may be released if he isn’t traded.
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
Drew Bledsoe retired Wednesday night after 14 NFL seasons, bringing to a conclusion a career that might have ended where it started. It didn’t. But if the Patriots are smart, if they are as appreciative of Bledsoe as they claim, his old No. 11 will soon decorate the stadium he helped build. And rest assured it will. “I’m really, really proud of what we accomplished as a team in New England,” Bledsoe said by phone yesterday near his home in Bend, Ore. “The Patriots had not been very successful. From the time I got there until now, really, the place has been sold out and the franchise has been successful. “We probably didn’t reach the goals I had, but at the same time, we accomplished a lot and I’m proud of that,” Bledsoe said. “I feel like the Boston fans and the New England fans have an appreciation for that.”
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
Broncos free agent Cooper Carlisle agreed to terms Thursday night to a two-year contract with the Oakland Raiders. The Broncos host Oakland on Sept. 16 in the second week of the season. Carlisle was a starting guard for the Broncos the past two years and likely will start for the Raiders, who mimic Denver's zone-blocking scheme. Oakland recently signed former Denver offensive lineman Cornell Green.
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
Chris Simms is under the gun - in more ways than one. The Bucs quarterback, who took the majority of reps with the first-team offense, said he is excited about the use of the shotgun formation this year. If three days of voluntary workouts is any indication, Simms said it will be a big advantage for him. "It really does feel great," Simms said. "It's a new feel, a new look for our offense. We can do a few new things out of that set. So I'm really excited about it. I think our whole offense is." The Bucs concluded the first three days of voluntary team workouts Thursday with Simms seemingly in command of the huddle and the starting job. Though it's only April, Eagles free agent Jeff Garcia still is trying to learn the Bucs' system while Simms is in his fifth season under Jon Gruden.
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
Leslie Frazier, the new defensive coordinator of the Vikings, was on the Indianapolis Colts coaching staff last year when new Vikings safety Mike Doss was there. Doss has been rehabilitating a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, and Frazier said some teams were surprised to see the Vikings pick him up because of the injury. "Some people were kind of trying to wait to see how his knee was going to respond," Frazier said. "I'm happy that we were aggressive and our doctors did a good job of looking him over and realizing that he was well on his way to a full recovery, so I'm really excited about how aggressive we were." Frazier said he believes Doss will be healthy when the team opens training camp.
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
Veteran backup quarterback Jim Sorgi signed his one-year, $850,000 restricted free agent contract with the Indianapolis Colts. Sorgi has worked behind starter Peyton Manning since the team selected him in the sixth round of the 2004 draft.
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
Pro football talk reports that if the Raiders don't pick Calvin Johnson, the Lions plan to snare the Georgia Tech wideout with an eye toward promptly trading him. Possible trade partners include the Buccaneers, the Commanders, the Vikings, and the Falcons.
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
Did You Know?</I> This marks only the second time since 1971 that the Dolphins don't have a scheduled regular-season prime-time home game. (Miami is at Pittsburgh on Monday night, Nov. 26).
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
The only top wide receiver known to be visiting with the Chiefs next week, when they intend to bring up to 30 draft prospects to Arrowhead Stadium, is Robert Meachem of Tennessee. Among the top receivers not scheduled to visit are Sidney Rice of South Carolina, Steve Smith of USC, Dwayne Bowe and Craig Davis of LSU, Paul Williams of Fresno State and Yamon Figurs of Kansas State. While this is insignificant taken alone, it is another indication the Chiefs believe they have bigger positional priorities in the draft, such as cornerback and defensive tackle. The Chiefs could use another wide receiver and will probably select at least one. They may be content to wait until later in the draft to do it.
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
New Orleans has a young nucleus on the roster with Marques Colston, Terrance Copper, Devery Henderson, Jamal Jones and Lance Moore. And the Saints could add to the talent pool in the draft, possibly in the first round, where several highly-touted receivers could be available when New Orleans picks at No. 27.
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
Many of the same people who thought Tank Johnson was being unduly singled out for having guns, pit bulls and an NFL paycheck are suddenly quiet now that there's no Super Bowl on the line. As sure as there are laces on a football, the NFL is going to suspend the defensive tackle for a nice chunk of the 2007 season for his various crimes, misdemeanors and incredibly bad judgment. Eight games sounds about right. So help me out here: Why is it less worthy of your outrage now that Johnson is serving a 4-month jail sentence than it was back in December, when some of us said he shouldn't play the rest of the season? And why isn't there more indignation over the fact that Johnson surely will miss at least a portion of this year's schedule once the NFL rules on his status? Why? Because it's the offseason. Because fans' outrage extended only as far as the Bears' 2006 playoff hopes went. Because Tank Johnson's cause came with an expiration date.
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
Reuben Droughns, the Giants' most recent addition to a backfield sans Tiki Barber - the first time that can be said since 1997 - anticipates a season filled with excitement. Droughns spent the last two seasons in Cleveland, where Browns went 10-22."This is a step up for me," Droughns said yesterday at a conference for the United Way of New York City. "Here, they're winning, they're winners, and that's what I'm looking for." Droughns ran for 1,232 yards in 2005 and last year had 758 yards in 14 games. The Giants will be counting on him to complement Brandon Jacobs, who was Barber's understudy since coming into the league in 2005.
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
Who Knew? Cleveland, Oakland, Kansas City and Tampa Bay are the only teams not assured of a game that will be televised nationally.
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
A compelling case can be made for Drew Bledsoe as a Hall of Famer, at least among those unlearned observers who fail to study their Cold, Hard Football Facts. As of today, Bledsoe ranks in the Top 10 all-time in almost every major passing category:
• yards (44,611; 7th all-time)
• attempts (6,717; 5th)
• completions (3,839; 5th)
When we look at efficiency stats, we find that Bledsoe falls well short of modern Hall of Fame passers in virtually every category. In fact, against these performers, Bledsoe ranks:
• 10th in completion percentage (57.2)
• 10th in TD percentage (3.74)
• 7th in INT percentage (3.07)
• 10th in TD-to-INT ratio (1.22:1)
• 11th and last in passing yards per attempt (6.64)
• 11th and last in passer rating (77.1)
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
Sometimes it gets overlooked how much travel some of these college players are forced to endure. Florida safety Reggie Nelson, for example, traveled Monday through Friday last week, is doing the same this week and is scheduled to do the same again next week. Nelson already has been to or met with Tampa Bay, Detroit, Atlanta, Jacksonville, San Diego, Dallas and New England. He still is scheduled to travel to or meet with Houston and the New York Jets. The travel practically has been more taxing than any game Nelson has played.
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
THE 10 BIGGEST DOGS of 2007 - COLD HARD FOOTBALL FACTS
• Detroit at Oakland, Sept. 9 (Week 1)
Combined 2006 record: 5-27
• Cleveland at Oakland, Sunday, Sept. 23 (Week 3)
Combined 2006 record: 6-26
• Miami at Houston, Sunday, Oct. 7 (Week 5)
Combined 2006 record: 12-20
• Tampa Bay at Detroit, Sunday, Oct. 21 (Week 7)
Combined 2006 record: 7-25
•Houston at Oakland, Sunday, Nov. 4 (Week 9)
Combined 2006 record: 8-24
• Detroit at Arizona, Sunday, Nov. 11 (Week 10)
Combined 2006 record: 8-24
• Houston at Cleveland, Sunday, Nov. 25 (Week 12)
Combined 2006 record: 10-22
• Cleveland at Arizona, Sunday, Dec. 2 (Week 13)
Combined 2006 record: 9-23
• Oakland at Green Bay, Sunday, Dec. 9 (Week 14)
Combined 2006 record: 10-22
• Detroit at Green Bay, Sunday, Dec. 30 (Week 17)
Combined 2006 record: 11-21
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
The Dolphins hosted FSU linebacker Lawrence Timmons among their top 30 collegiate players to visit the Davie facility this week. Quarterback Drew Stanton of Michigan State was also among the group. The Dolphins also attended the workout of Ohio State receiver Ted Ginn Jr. earlier this week, with Dolphins receivers coach Terry Robiskie conducting the workout while another Miami scout watched from the sidelines. Ginn Jr. also will visit Davie next week.
Posted April 13, by Ben Maller
