trickblue
Not Old School...Old Testament...
- Messages
- 31,439
- Reaction score
- 3,961
The Patriots’ pursuit of Ty Law has apparently gone beyond the casual, stay-in-touch phase to the point of hands-on evaluation. According to sources, the 32-year-old, five-time Pro Bowl cornerback was scheduled to undergo a physical with the Patriots last Friday as part of a free agent visit. It’s assumed that Law made it into town for the appointments (he was visiting Tennessee Thursday, where he reportedly passed a Titans physical), although Patriots officials would not confirm the visit. Pats coach Bill Belichick has kept in touch with Law this offseason through a series of private phone conversations.
____________________________________________
Brian Dawkins is actually 32 and entering his 11th NFL season. He's also entering the final year of his contract with the Eagles. Unlike some of his former teammates, Dawkins did not boycott minicamp, and he has no plans to be a late arrival to training camp at Lehigh in July. The five-time Pro Bowl free safety acknowledged, however, that he'd love to continue his career with the Eagles beyond this season. "I have said from the beginning that I would love to finish my career here," Dawkins said. "It's the place that I started. I have a great connection with the fans. I always have. I love being here and playing here. If I had my choice, I would certainly want to end my career here." As to why Dawkins won't boycott minicamps or show up late for training camp, this was a pretty telling answer: "If Joe Montana and Jerry Rice didn't earn their right to retire and play in one place, you never know what could happen when you sit and talk business." Dawkins said Steiner has not had any conversations with the Eagles about an extension.
____________________________________________
A year ago this week, the Eagles released wide receiver Freddie Mitchell, and the former first-round pick is still waiting to get back in the league. "I don't want to say I'm being blackballed, and I know it's not Andy Reid," Mitchell said, excusing his former head coach. "But somebody is blackballing me. There has to be something going on we don't know about." Mitchell admits his health was a question last year after he injured his knee in training camp with Kansas City and received an injury settlement from the Chiefs after he was released. "I guess some people in Philadelphia didn't get the memo I was hurt," he said. "But I'm healthy now, the knee is fine. I'm working out with T.O. (Terrell Owens, for those who live under a rock) in Atlanta just waiting for something to happen. Camps don't open until July, so there is still some time." With 32 teams in the league, each carrying either five or six receivers, that means there are jobs for between 160 and 196 receivers. Mitchell, the 25th overall pick in the 2001 draft, can't land one of them? "I can't believe it, either," Mitchell, who once thanked his hands for being so great, said. "I mean, you look at my numbers, and they weren't that great. But you need to look further. Check out the percentage of passes I caught compared to the number thrown to me. I guarantee you I rank with the best in the league."
____________________________________________
Eagles QB Donovan McNabb said that when it comes to dealing with his teammates this year, "I don't plan on doing anything different than I've been doing.: The whole attitude that I've had is, 'I'm not here to make friends, I'm here to win ballgames,' and the only way we'll be able to win ballgames is by playing together and playing well."
____________________________________________
The Broncos passing camp will especially be an opportunity for some of the team's wide receivers to make a lasting first impression. Ashley Lelie is expected to stay away from these sessions in an attempt to force a trade. Newly acquired Javon Walker is rehabilitating his surgically repaired right knee and likely won't be ready for organized training activities until minicamp in July. And rookie Domenik Hixon is nursing a stress fracture in his left foot and will wait until next month to fully test himself. That means players such as David Kircus, David Terrell and Darius Watts will get extra looks.
____________________________________________
A source said Sunday that the Dolphins were negotiating a free-agent contract with Marcus Vick's agent. Coach Nick Saban is "intrigued" by Vick after his tryout at the three-day minicamp earlier this month, the source said. The Dolphins, though, have competition for Vick's services. Toronto owns Vick's Canadian Football League contractual rights and also has interest in signing him, the source said.
____________________________________________
Word is that Pacman Jones’ Titans teammates won’t cut him much slack this year, after last year’s episodes of immaturity, and some have not hesitated to voice to him the need to keep his focus while on the field and in the off-season program.
____________________________________________
The Miami Herald reports though Tommy Maddox has interest in the No. 3 QB job, Miami prefers unproven Cleo Lemon, whose skills intrigue the team.
____________________________________________
Charles Bailey, the Jaguars director of pro scouting, was the runner-up when the Minnesota Vikings hired former Jags executive Fran Foley from the San Diego Chargers to become the head of player personnel. When Foley recently was fired, there was speculation in Minnesota that Bailey might now receive the nod.
____________________________________________
LB Joey Porter won't necessarily approach Bill Cowher, but he does disagree with his coach who has said several times that he does not believe the Steelers had the best team in the NFL last year even though they won the Super Bowl. "Everybody looks at it different, but that's now how I look at it," Porter said. "I feel like we definitely was the best football team."
____________________________________________
Steelers safety Troy Polamalu still feels the sting of saying farewell to veteran free safety Chris Hope. "It's tough to deal with because he sat next to me in meetings; we talked all the time," Polamalu said, as the Steelers completed the second day of their three-day minicamp Sunday on the South Side. "The mesh we had together cannot be matched by any other safety group in the NFL. That's been the key to our success as a defense. It's going to be really tough find the relationship we had." ... The Steelers signed former Washington Commanders safety Ryan Clark to take over for Hope, though veteran Tyrone Carter is working with the first team at minicamp and rookie third-round pick Anthony Smith is adjusting to the pro game.
____________________________________________
As the Eagles went through another mundane day at their post-draft passing camp, Timmy Chang tried to forge his way into their 2006 plans from across the ocean. Chang apparently has shown enough this spring in NFL Europe. He will get an opportunity at training camp this summer to become the Eagles' No. 3 quarterback behind Donovan McNabb and Jeff Garcia. "We like him," Eagles general manager Tom Heckert said. ... If Chang does beat the odds and make the roster this summer, it would likely be at the expense of Koy Detmer, who has been with the Eagles since 1997.
____________________________________________
With Steve McNair in limbo at least until Tuesday’s grievance hearing and first-round pick Vince Young not yet anointed as ready to play, the quarterback duties fall squarely on the shoulders of Billy Volek, who at age 30, is getting his first real shot to show what he can do with a No. 1 quarterback job. The Titans could still bring in a veteran to compete with Volek, if and when McNair leaves, but for now, it is Volek’s turn to shine.
____________________________________________
Don't be surprised if the Jaguars run a lot of two tight-end sets this fall, and rookie tight end Marcedes Lewis tops the team in catches now that Jimmy Smith has retired. Lewis caught more passes in minicamp than the two wide receivers -- Reggie Williams and Matt Jones -- drafted by the Jags in the 2004 and '05 first rounds. Jones missed the final session Sunday because of a tight back.
____________________________________________
The Saints have not officially decided whether to hold training camp at their practice facility in Metairie or at Millsaps College in Jackson, Miss., but they seem to be leaning toward the trip. Sean Payton, who traveled for training camp as an assistant coach with the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants, said it adds a team-building value.
____________________________________________
Eagles special-teams coach John Harbaugh said Reno Mahe is at the top of the depth chart as the punt returner and Bruce Perry is at the top as the kickoff returner. Rookie Jeremy Bloom will likely compete for both spots.
____________________________________________
Hoping to catch on as the Ravens No. 3 quarterback, Drew Olson understands missing those minicamps could hurt his chances. On pace to graduate from UCLA with a history degree, he is trying to see if he can attend the June minicamps by taking his final exams early. "It would definitely be a bummer if I couldn't be here," Olson said. "Obviously, [the minicamps are] huge, crucial and beneficial for myself. It's kind of in the hands of the professors right now."
____________________________________________
David Pittman may be undersized as a 5-foot-11, 183-pound cornerback, but the rookie from Division II Northwestern State may start immediately for the Ravens. "I'd just rather get thrown right into the fire," Pittman said yesterday. "I just want to get thrown in there and learn as I go along."
____________________________________________
Steelers' linebacker Joey Porter wants to talk with George Bush when the team visits the White House June 2. "Yeah, I got something to say to Bush, I'm going to have a swagger when I walk in there, too," Porter said, laughing loudly. "I'm looking forward to it. I have something to tell him, too. I don't like the way things are running right now. I feel like he has to give me some of my money back, so I got something to tell Bush."
____________________________________________
RB Duce Staley, 31, promised a "friendly battle, friendly competition" between him and Willie Parker, although it would take an injury to Parker for Staley to supplant him. The real competition could come between Staley and Verron Haynes to fill the Bus role. As Jerome Bettis did in each of his last two seasons, Staley agreed to a salary pay cut of $1 million to return this year.
____________________________________________
Verron Haynes is typically referred to as the Steelers' third-down back, but the five-year vet is ready for an expanded role in the offense, particularly with the retirement of Jerome Bettis and Duce Staley's history of injuries. "I consider myself an every-down back," Haynes said. "That is kind of one of the stigmas that have been on me because that's been a role that I have excelled at so far. With a broader workload, I can show I am capable of doing other things well."
____________________________________________
Saints rookie Reggie Bush already is making an impact off the field. This afternoon, he will present a $50,000 check to Holy Rosary Academy and High School -- the first of many planned charitable efforts in his new community. Holy Rosary Academy, which is dedicated to students with special learning needs, has been in existence for nearly 10 years. But the high school, which began operating eight days before Hurricane Katrina hit, was in danger of being closed because of lack of funding.
____________________________________________
The Jaguars wrapped up their three-day minicamp with a morning practice Sunday, and QB Byron Leftwich then provided a barbecue for the players.
____________________________________________
Ravens officials have already described this class as one of the sharpest in their successful draft history. The Ravens' drafted players produced an average score of 24 on the NFL's 50-question intelligence test, which was six points higher than the average of all college prospects this year.
____________________________________________
Saints quarterback Drew Brees will throw out the first pitch Tuesday night at Zephyr Field before the Wally Pontiff Jr. Baseball Classic between LSU and Rice.
____________________________________________
Brian Dawkins is actually 32 and entering his 11th NFL season. He's also entering the final year of his contract with the Eagles. Unlike some of his former teammates, Dawkins did not boycott minicamp, and he has no plans to be a late arrival to training camp at Lehigh in July. The five-time Pro Bowl free safety acknowledged, however, that he'd love to continue his career with the Eagles beyond this season. "I have said from the beginning that I would love to finish my career here," Dawkins said. "It's the place that I started. I have a great connection with the fans. I always have. I love being here and playing here. If I had my choice, I would certainly want to end my career here." As to why Dawkins won't boycott minicamps or show up late for training camp, this was a pretty telling answer: "If Joe Montana and Jerry Rice didn't earn their right to retire and play in one place, you never know what could happen when you sit and talk business." Dawkins said Steiner has not had any conversations with the Eagles about an extension.
____________________________________________
A year ago this week, the Eagles released wide receiver Freddie Mitchell, and the former first-round pick is still waiting to get back in the league. "I don't want to say I'm being blackballed, and I know it's not Andy Reid," Mitchell said, excusing his former head coach. "But somebody is blackballing me. There has to be something going on we don't know about." Mitchell admits his health was a question last year after he injured his knee in training camp with Kansas City and received an injury settlement from the Chiefs after he was released. "I guess some people in Philadelphia didn't get the memo I was hurt," he said. "But I'm healthy now, the knee is fine. I'm working out with T.O. (Terrell Owens, for those who live under a rock) in Atlanta just waiting for something to happen. Camps don't open until July, so there is still some time." With 32 teams in the league, each carrying either five or six receivers, that means there are jobs for between 160 and 196 receivers. Mitchell, the 25th overall pick in the 2001 draft, can't land one of them? "I can't believe it, either," Mitchell, who once thanked his hands for being so great, said. "I mean, you look at my numbers, and they weren't that great. But you need to look further. Check out the percentage of passes I caught compared to the number thrown to me. I guarantee you I rank with the best in the league."
____________________________________________
Eagles QB Donovan McNabb said that when it comes to dealing with his teammates this year, "I don't plan on doing anything different than I've been doing.: The whole attitude that I've had is, 'I'm not here to make friends, I'm here to win ballgames,' and the only way we'll be able to win ballgames is by playing together and playing well."
____________________________________________
The Broncos passing camp will especially be an opportunity for some of the team's wide receivers to make a lasting first impression. Ashley Lelie is expected to stay away from these sessions in an attempt to force a trade. Newly acquired Javon Walker is rehabilitating his surgically repaired right knee and likely won't be ready for organized training activities until minicamp in July. And rookie Domenik Hixon is nursing a stress fracture in his left foot and will wait until next month to fully test himself. That means players such as David Kircus, David Terrell and Darius Watts will get extra looks.
____________________________________________
A source said Sunday that the Dolphins were negotiating a free-agent contract with Marcus Vick's agent. Coach Nick Saban is "intrigued" by Vick after his tryout at the three-day minicamp earlier this month, the source said. The Dolphins, though, have competition for Vick's services. Toronto owns Vick's Canadian Football League contractual rights and also has interest in signing him, the source said.
____________________________________________
Word is that Pacman Jones’ Titans teammates won’t cut him much slack this year, after last year’s episodes of immaturity, and some have not hesitated to voice to him the need to keep his focus while on the field and in the off-season program.
____________________________________________
The Miami Herald reports though Tommy Maddox has interest in the No. 3 QB job, Miami prefers unproven Cleo Lemon, whose skills intrigue the team.
____________________________________________
Charles Bailey, the Jaguars director of pro scouting, was the runner-up when the Minnesota Vikings hired former Jags executive Fran Foley from the San Diego Chargers to become the head of player personnel. When Foley recently was fired, there was speculation in Minnesota that Bailey might now receive the nod.
____________________________________________
LB Joey Porter won't necessarily approach Bill Cowher, but he does disagree with his coach who has said several times that he does not believe the Steelers had the best team in the NFL last year even though they won the Super Bowl. "Everybody looks at it different, but that's now how I look at it," Porter said. "I feel like we definitely was the best football team."
____________________________________________
Steelers safety Troy Polamalu still feels the sting of saying farewell to veteran free safety Chris Hope. "It's tough to deal with because he sat next to me in meetings; we talked all the time," Polamalu said, as the Steelers completed the second day of their three-day minicamp Sunday on the South Side. "The mesh we had together cannot be matched by any other safety group in the NFL. That's been the key to our success as a defense. It's going to be really tough find the relationship we had." ... The Steelers signed former Washington Commanders safety Ryan Clark to take over for Hope, though veteran Tyrone Carter is working with the first team at minicamp and rookie third-round pick Anthony Smith is adjusting to the pro game.
____________________________________________
As the Eagles went through another mundane day at their post-draft passing camp, Timmy Chang tried to forge his way into their 2006 plans from across the ocean. Chang apparently has shown enough this spring in NFL Europe. He will get an opportunity at training camp this summer to become the Eagles' No. 3 quarterback behind Donovan McNabb and Jeff Garcia. "We like him," Eagles general manager Tom Heckert said. ... If Chang does beat the odds and make the roster this summer, it would likely be at the expense of Koy Detmer, who has been with the Eagles since 1997.
____________________________________________
With Steve McNair in limbo at least until Tuesday’s grievance hearing and first-round pick Vince Young not yet anointed as ready to play, the quarterback duties fall squarely on the shoulders of Billy Volek, who at age 30, is getting his first real shot to show what he can do with a No. 1 quarterback job. The Titans could still bring in a veteran to compete with Volek, if and when McNair leaves, but for now, it is Volek’s turn to shine.
____________________________________________
Don't be surprised if the Jaguars run a lot of two tight-end sets this fall, and rookie tight end Marcedes Lewis tops the team in catches now that Jimmy Smith has retired. Lewis caught more passes in minicamp than the two wide receivers -- Reggie Williams and Matt Jones -- drafted by the Jags in the 2004 and '05 first rounds. Jones missed the final session Sunday because of a tight back.
____________________________________________
The Saints have not officially decided whether to hold training camp at their practice facility in Metairie or at Millsaps College in Jackson, Miss., but they seem to be leaning toward the trip. Sean Payton, who traveled for training camp as an assistant coach with the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants, said it adds a team-building value.
____________________________________________
Eagles special-teams coach John Harbaugh said Reno Mahe is at the top of the depth chart as the punt returner and Bruce Perry is at the top as the kickoff returner. Rookie Jeremy Bloom will likely compete for both spots.
____________________________________________
Hoping to catch on as the Ravens No. 3 quarterback, Drew Olson understands missing those minicamps could hurt his chances. On pace to graduate from UCLA with a history degree, he is trying to see if he can attend the June minicamps by taking his final exams early. "It would definitely be a bummer if I couldn't be here," Olson said. "Obviously, [the minicamps are] huge, crucial and beneficial for myself. It's kind of in the hands of the professors right now."
____________________________________________
David Pittman may be undersized as a 5-foot-11, 183-pound cornerback, but the rookie from Division II Northwestern State may start immediately for the Ravens. "I'd just rather get thrown right into the fire," Pittman said yesterday. "I just want to get thrown in there and learn as I go along."
____________________________________________
Steelers' linebacker Joey Porter wants to talk with George Bush when the team visits the White House June 2. "Yeah, I got something to say to Bush, I'm going to have a swagger when I walk in there, too," Porter said, laughing loudly. "I'm looking forward to it. I have something to tell him, too. I don't like the way things are running right now. I feel like he has to give me some of my money back, so I got something to tell Bush."
____________________________________________
RB Duce Staley, 31, promised a "friendly battle, friendly competition" between him and Willie Parker, although it would take an injury to Parker for Staley to supplant him. The real competition could come between Staley and Verron Haynes to fill the Bus role. As Jerome Bettis did in each of his last two seasons, Staley agreed to a salary pay cut of $1 million to return this year.
____________________________________________
Verron Haynes is typically referred to as the Steelers' third-down back, but the five-year vet is ready for an expanded role in the offense, particularly with the retirement of Jerome Bettis and Duce Staley's history of injuries. "I consider myself an every-down back," Haynes said. "That is kind of one of the stigmas that have been on me because that's been a role that I have excelled at so far. With a broader workload, I can show I am capable of doing other things well."
____________________________________________
Saints rookie Reggie Bush already is making an impact off the field. This afternoon, he will present a $50,000 check to Holy Rosary Academy and High School -- the first of many planned charitable efforts in his new community. Holy Rosary Academy, which is dedicated to students with special learning needs, has been in existence for nearly 10 years. But the high school, which began operating eight days before Hurricane Katrina hit, was in danger of being closed because of lack of funding.
____________________________________________
The Jaguars wrapped up their three-day minicamp with a morning practice Sunday, and QB Byron Leftwich then provided a barbecue for the players.
____________________________________________
Ravens officials have already described this class as one of the sharpest in their successful draft history. The Ravens' drafted players produced an average score of 24 on the NFL's 50-question intelligence test, which was six points higher than the average of all college prospects this year.
____________________________________________
Saints quarterback Drew Brees will throw out the first pitch Tuesday night at Zephyr Field before the Wally Pontiff Jr. Baseball Classic between LSU and Rice.
