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March 29, 2009
Commanders head coach Jim Zorn might say that the team is not interested in trading for the Broncos’ Jay Cutler and that it supports Jason Campbell as a starter, but it’s clear the team is doing its due diligence on USC QB Mark Sanchez, whom the Commanders worked out. Although quarterback would appear far down the immediate-needs list, don’t be surprised if the Commanders have legitimate interest in Sanchez.
The Eagles will get their first long look at CB Jack Ikegwuonu, a fourth-round pick last season who spent the season on injured reserve but who carries intriguing potential, at the club’s upcoming veteran minicamp. Some teams had a first- or second-round grade on Ikegwuonu before he suffered a torn ACL, and with the loss of Lito Sheppard, he could step in as the team’s fourth cornerback if he shows he is fully recovered.
Word is the Packers are keeping their fingers crossed that DE Cullen Jenkins, who suffered a season-ending torn pectoral muscle late last September and is also coming off arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle, will be fully recovered from both injuries in time for training camp. We hear his pectoral injury is a bigger concern than the ankle.
We hear second-year Bears WR Earl Bennett, a third-round disappointment who admitted that he struggled last season to learn the Bears’ playbook, looked a lot more sure of himself running routes at the Bears’ first minicamp this offseason. Heading into the draft, Bennett appears to have a tenuous hold on the No. 2 WR spot behind Devin Hester and ahead of Rashied Davis.
Some were surprised by the Vikings giving CB Cedric Griffin a contract extension, given his unsteady play, but further investigation shows that Griffin played rather well down the stretch and might be on the verge of breaking out entering his fourth pro season and has a starting job all but assured. He’s a good tackler and showed he has an improved nose for the ball down the stretch.
The Falcons are hoping that one of the top edge rushers in the DE-OLB category falls their way in the draft’s first round, but if one does not, sources say Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff would feel very comfortable trading down from their current position with the 24th overall pick. Word is the Falcons are very high on Western Michigan S Louis Delmas, but they don’t believe he’s a first-round-caliber player. Trading down into the early part of the second round could allow them to nab Delmas and an OLB-DE hybrid with the second-rounder they already have, fulfilling two needs early in the draft.
Sources say the Falcons are not planning on using a high draft choice on a cornerback to replace ex-starter Domonique Foxworth, who joined the Ravens in free agency. We hear there will be a competition to fill the void between Von Hutchins, who missed all of last season after suffering a preseason foot injury, and second-year player Chevis Jackson, a third-round pick in 2008. Brent Grimes also will get a shot to compete for the job, but he’s considered more of a long shot.
Perhaps CB Ken Lucas’ career as a Panther isn’t quite done. Although Carolina released him earlier this offseason, coach John Fox, speaking at the league’s annual meeting, did not rule out re-signing Lucas, who is still a free agent. But he would have to come at a significantly reduced price. The Panthers are strapped for cap space after re-signing OLT Jordan Gross and using the franchise tag on DE Julius Peppers.
We hear the widely anticipated release of disgruntled Cardinals RB Edgerrin James might not be such a slam-dunk after all. “I still think he’ll be gone, but it does appear (head coach Ken) Whisenhunt is at least leaving open the possibility of bringing ‘Edge’ back,” a team insider told PFW. “I think the team is a bit leery of Tim Hightower as the No. 1 back probably splitting time with a rookie. They’ve paid James $25 million of the $30 million in his contract, and they think that gives them the right to cover themselves at running back.”
With a need for inside help on the defensive line, we hear the Rams probably would jump at the opportunity to select DT Ziggy Hood from the nearby University of Missouri with the 35th pick overall. Hood earned high marks this year at both the Senior Bowl and the Combine.
Sources present at the 49ers’ first minicamp were surprised by the lack of effort put forth by featured back Frank Gore. “It was a little strange,” one observer told PFW. “It didn’t look like he was going all out at all. He is kind of moody at times, and sometimes he struggles with his weight, but I’ll be shocked if he isn’t fully motivated by the time training camp rolls around.”
With free-agent FB Leonard Weaver having signed with the Eagles, we hear the Seahawks might consider adding free-agent FB Justin Griffith, who played under new offensive coordinator Greg Knapp in Oakland.
http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/The+Way+We+Hear+It/Whispers/2009/nfc032909.htm
http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/The+Way+We+Hear+It/Whispers/2009/nfc032909.htm
