- Messages
- 79,281
- Reaction score
- 45,652
Dallas
Feb. 20, 2008
Thomas may visit Cowboys, but a match is not likely
The reports already have circulated that recently released ex-Dolphins MLB Zach Thomas and the Patriots are close to an accord, but Thomas might make other free-agent trips, including one to visit Dallas. The Cowboys, you ask? Yes, on the surface it appears a bad match, what with the 3-4 scheme the team employs, which relies on quickness and versatility, and the fact that the team appears fairly well set at the position. Although there is depth at the position, there also could be some turnover. Rumors persist that Bobby Carpenter may not fit into the team’s future plans, and there isn’t a lot of depth inside. But Thomas would sign — or visit, for that matter — in Dallas only if he were assured a chance to start. That likely won’t happen, not with Thomas weighing around 230 pounds at 34 years old and with this system. That said, other LB changes could be afoot.
View all WWHI for Dallas
NY Giants
Feb. 15, 2008
Reese says Shockey will be a Giant in 2008
You can put to bed the rumors about Jeremy Shockey playing for another team next season. GM Jerry Reese not only confirmed, amid rampant trade rumors involving the injured tight end, that Shockey would be on the Giants’ roster next season, Reese also told Newsday succinctly that Shockey “is our starting tight end.” The rumors made little sense from a financial standpoint anyway, considering that Shockey is slated to earn $2.2 million next season along with a $2.4 million reporting bonus. Cutting him after June 1 would cost the Giants a salary-cap hit of approximately $3.5 million. He signed a five-year, $26 million extension in 2005 that appears quite reasonable when stacked next to the deals given to elite tight ends such as Antonio Gates, Tony Gonzalez, Todd Heap and Alge Crumpler since then. All of those players either got more guaranteed money, a longer contract or more total dollars than Shockey in their contracts. In addition to not being concerned about Shockey’s behavior or attitude (or his injury, although Shockey is not close to being healthy yet), the team also was not ready to hand over the starting reins to replacement Kevin Boss, who performed admirably down the stretch but has work to do as an unpolished player.
View all WWHI for NY Giants
Philadelphia
Feb. 15, 2008
Franchising of Smith indicates Eagles going for one more run
The Donovan McNabb rumors mostly have been put to bed. All indications are that he’ll be the Eagles’ starting quarterback next season. And with TE L.J. Smith likely locked up for at least one more season after the team placed the franchise tag on him, it appears that the team is poised to load up for one more shot at a title. Head coach Andy Reid entered last season believing he had one of his most talented teams since coming to Philadelphia, and he might believe that this club has at least one more run in it with veterans such as McNabb, William Thomas, Jon Runyan and Brian Dawkins reaching their critical mass — either in Philadelphia or in the NFL. Expect a concentrated effort by the team to improve a couple more crucial areas, such as the defensive line, the secondary and wide receiver, and load up for a Super Bowl run next season. After 2008, you could see a flood of new faces on the Eagles.
View all WWHI for Philadelphia
Washington
Feb. 20, 2008
Smith hired as offensive coordinator; Zorn will call plays
One longtime NFL executive wonders if Jim Zorn may be biting off more than he can chew in his first go-round as the Commanders’ head coach. “Calling plays in this league is tough,” the executive said. “Being a head coach is a nightmare. Doing both … few guys can (do it). I love Jimmy Zorn as much as a lot of people, and I saw him as a guy who could do one or the other, but both, I don’t know. He’s got a lot on his plate.” The executive, though, says he won’t be surprised if Zorn at some point hands off the play-calling duties to new coordinator Sherman Smith, much as Vikings head coach Brad Childress did last season with first-time coordinator Darrell Bevell. “Or Jim Fassel (handing off) to Sean Payton,” the exec said. “Of course, Jim (Fassel) took the play-calling away from him later on, which (eventually) drove him out of New York.”
View all WWHI for Washington
Feb. 20, 2008
Thomas may visit Cowboys, but a match is not likely
The reports already have circulated that recently released ex-Dolphins MLB Zach Thomas and the Patriots are close to an accord, but Thomas might make other free-agent trips, including one to visit Dallas. The Cowboys, you ask? Yes, on the surface it appears a bad match, what with the 3-4 scheme the team employs, which relies on quickness and versatility, and the fact that the team appears fairly well set at the position. Although there is depth at the position, there also could be some turnover. Rumors persist that Bobby Carpenter may not fit into the team’s future plans, and there isn’t a lot of depth inside. But Thomas would sign — or visit, for that matter — in Dallas only if he were assured a chance to start. That likely won’t happen, not with Thomas weighing around 230 pounds at 34 years old and with this system. That said, other LB changes could be afoot.
View all WWHI for Dallas
NY Giants
Feb. 15, 2008
Reese says Shockey will be a Giant in 2008
You can put to bed the rumors about Jeremy Shockey playing for another team next season. GM Jerry Reese not only confirmed, amid rampant trade rumors involving the injured tight end, that Shockey would be on the Giants’ roster next season, Reese also told Newsday succinctly that Shockey “is our starting tight end.” The rumors made little sense from a financial standpoint anyway, considering that Shockey is slated to earn $2.2 million next season along with a $2.4 million reporting bonus. Cutting him after June 1 would cost the Giants a salary-cap hit of approximately $3.5 million. He signed a five-year, $26 million extension in 2005 that appears quite reasonable when stacked next to the deals given to elite tight ends such as Antonio Gates, Tony Gonzalez, Todd Heap and Alge Crumpler since then. All of those players either got more guaranteed money, a longer contract or more total dollars than Shockey in their contracts. In addition to not being concerned about Shockey’s behavior or attitude (or his injury, although Shockey is not close to being healthy yet), the team also was not ready to hand over the starting reins to replacement Kevin Boss, who performed admirably down the stretch but has work to do as an unpolished player.
View all WWHI for NY Giants
Philadelphia
Feb. 15, 2008
Franchising of Smith indicates Eagles going for one more run
The Donovan McNabb rumors mostly have been put to bed. All indications are that he’ll be the Eagles’ starting quarterback next season. And with TE L.J. Smith likely locked up for at least one more season after the team placed the franchise tag on him, it appears that the team is poised to load up for one more shot at a title. Head coach Andy Reid entered last season believing he had one of his most talented teams since coming to Philadelphia, and he might believe that this club has at least one more run in it with veterans such as McNabb, William Thomas, Jon Runyan and Brian Dawkins reaching their critical mass — either in Philadelphia or in the NFL. Expect a concentrated effort by the team to improve a couple more crucial areas, such as the defensive line, the secondary and wide receiver, and load up for a Super Bowl run next season. After 2008, you could see a flood of new faces on the Eagles.
View all WWHI for Philadelphia
Washington
Feb. 20, 2008
Smith hired as offensive coordinator; Zorn will call plays
One longtime NFL executive wonders if Jim Zorn may be biting off more than he can chew in his first go-round as the Commanders’ head coach. “Calling plays in this league is tough,” the executive said. “Being a head coach is a nightmare. Doing both … few guys can (do it). I love Jimmy Zorn as much as a lot of people, and I saw him as a guy who could do one or the other, but both, I don’t know. He’s got a lot on his plate.” The executive, though, says he won’t be surprised if Zorn at some point hands off the play-calling duties to new coordinator Sherman Smith, much as Vikings head coach Brad Childress did last season with first-time coordinator Darrell Bevell. “Or Jim Fassel (handing off) to Sean Payton,” the exec said. “Of course, Jim (Fassel) took the play-calling away from him later on, which (eventually) drove him out of New York.”
View all WWHI for Washington
