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Whispers
Feb. 23, 2008
Feb. 23, 2008
- Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams rises to the top of the depth chart now that DeShaun Foster has been released, but he may not stay there for long. Williams fits the role of a change-of-pace back and is not an every-down workhorse. Carolina will most likely pursue a free agent, like the Chargers’ Michael Turner, or use a high draft pick on a prospect to compete with Williams in camp for the starting job.
- Word is the Saints have entered a bidding war with the Patriots for MLB Zach Thomas, who was recently released by the Dolphins. Thomas would be an upgrade over New Orleans’ middle linebacker last season, Mark Simoneau, who is also a free agent, but one source would not rule out Simoneau’s return to the Saints, should Thomas decide to take his services elsewhere.
- Former Falcons DT Grady Jackson may return to Atlanta, according to a source close to the team. The Falcons released Jackson, a starter, about midway through last season, and the perception was then-coach Bobby Petrino, who struggled to get along with some players, spearheaded the move. Jackson finished the season with the Jaguars and remains close to many players in the Falcons’ locker room. Atlanta is in the market for a defensive tackle following the recent release of Rod Coleman, and new coach Mike Smith was the defensive coordinator in Jacksonville last season.
- The Cowboys are hopeful, but team sources don’t appear terribly optimistic that OLT Flozell Adams will come to an agreement with the team on a long-term extension before the free-agency period opens. That said, he still might return.
- Don’t rule out the Giants in the DeAngelo Hall trade derby. Although a deal isn’t likely to happen, the Giants would be interested in the services of Hall, whose man-coverage skills would be a good fit for the team’s scheme. A source with knowledge of the Giants’ line of thinking said the team feels that his off-field issues would not be a problem because of the team’s strong leadership.
- Free-agent WR D.J. Hackett following Jim Zorn to the Commanders? Reports suggest it’s possible, and Zorn reportedly wants to get bigger at wideout. He also wants to get receivers who have experience in a West Coast offense.
- The Lions, looking to become more of a physical running team, could be in the market for RB Julius Jones. Jones might get a bit overlooked in free agency after sharing the load in Dallas, but he could fit what the Lions need at the position.
- It appears that there is a trade market for Vikings WR Troy Williamson. The team reportedly told the wideout and agent David Canter they were free to work something out, and it appears that some team will offer the Vikings at least a draft pick in return. It could be as high as a third-rounder.
- How serious are the Bears about possibly moving John Tait from left tackle to right tackle, which some consider his more natural position? “I don’t know if I’d say it’s his natural side,” Bears head coach Lovie Smith told PFW at the Combine. “Of course, he has played both positions. That’s an option we have, and right now, we’re keeping all of our options open. The direction we go with the left tackle position will dictate what happens to John.”
- While it’s quite possible that the Packers will draft a tight end after cutting Bubba Franks, we hear they think Tory Humphrey, who missed last season with a broken leg, is a tight end with great promise.
- Our Cardinals sources believe DE Bertrand Berry’s newly restructured deal will earn him roughly $1 million (down from $4 million) in 2008 — a fair price, they believe, for a player who has missed 21 games the past three years.
- The news regarding Rams OLT Orlando Pace’s recovery from shoulder surgery is promising. Team insiders told PFW at the Combine that Pace has regained roughly 80 percent of the strength in the shoulder that sidelined him for practically the entire 2007 campaign, and that he has been a steady presence at Rams Park, working diligently and enthusiastically on his rehab.
- Niners head coach Mike Nolan, speaking at the Combine on the team’s decision to hire Chris Foerster, previously the Ravens’ O-line coach, to share the job of coaching the team’s offensive line with incumbent George Warhop: “It makes sense to have two coaches for a position that always has five players on the field. We’re very fortunate to get Chris. He is an outstanding coach in this league. He was just coming to Baltimore when I left, but going against him, I’ve always had the greatest respect for the job he did. We were lucky to have an opportunity to hire him.”
- We hear veteran Niners LB Mike Ulbrich isn’t likely to follow in departed LB Derek Smith’s footsteps, as has been rumored more than a few times. Daily team observers tell us that not only did Ulbrich play extremely well once he was inserted as a starter in the team’s nickel defense, he’s also a true team leader and a workout warrior who also encourages younger players to get involved in the team’s offseason conditioning program.
- We hear the best bet to replace departed Niners LB Derek Smith in the team’s “Ted” LB spot is Brandon Moore, who our sources believe deserves much more playing time. Look for the Niners to probably draft a linebacker in the second or third round to help fill the role.
- Dom Capers has his work cut out for him. Fired as defensive coordinator of the Dolphins along with head coach Cam Cameron, Capers was picked by Pats boss Bill Belichick on Thursday to coach the secondary. For as loaded as the Patriots are, their defensive backfield is relatively thin, especially at cornerback. With Asante Samuel expected to collect big bucks elsewhere in free agency, middling starter Ellis Hobbs on the mend for shoulder and groin injuries and no promising youngsters, Capers has quite the restoration job to oversee.
- It’s typical for most of the new bigwigs on the NFL scene — head coaches, executives, etc. — to address the media at the annual Scouting Combine. The new Dolphins regime is bucking that trend. Neither executive vice president of football operations Bill Parcells, GM Jeff Ireland nor head coach Tony Sparano offered his insight at the Combine, a revelation that surprised many. Naturally, this only adds to the ongoing speculation of what the Dolphins will do with the No. 1 pick in April’s draft.
- It seems as if every year, more NFL teams are running a base 3-4 defense. On the flip side, only a smattering of college programs run it. As one of the numerous NFL coaches operating the scheme, Jets coach Eric Mangini offered his take on how he evaluates prospects who lack 3-4 experience. “You try to look at plays where they have been dropping on a zone blitz, or their workouts. Things along those lines,” Mangini said. “(We also use) the interview process. Will they be able to make the switch from being a guy who has his hand in the dirt, versus a guy standing up? And then some of the OLB types may have to move inside in the 3-4 system. … There is quite a bit of projecting.”
- While many in Buffalo are fretting that the Bills’ eight games to be played in Toronto over the next five years are an ominous warning that the team will soon be permanently transplanted, Bills coach Dick Jauron had a unique perspective on the issue. “As an assistant coach in Green Bay for nine years, I do have a lot of experience being involved in (one team playing in two cities),” said Jauron, who served as the Packers’ DB coach from 1986-94, an era when the Pack would play a few of their regular-season games in Milwaukee. “Our record in Milwaukee was pretty good. We traveled about the same distance that we will be traveling for our games in Toronto. … It was certainly a home-field advantage for us.”
- The Colts surprised many by agreeing on a long-term deal with free-agent OG Ryan Lilja. Lilja was previously believed to be headed to a team with more cap room. On the other hand, the Colts’ other starting guard, Jake Scott, who also happens to be a free agent, is as good as gone. Team president Bill Polian said almost as much on Wednesday, when he insinuated he would welcome Scott back only if he agreed to a contract well below market value.
- The Jaguars are looking for a quarterback to back up David Garrard. Their No. 2 passer last season, Quinn Gray, is a free agent, and sources indicate he’s a long shot to be back in Jacksonville. It remains anyone’s guess as to whether the new No. 2 comes via free agency or the draft.
- Should Texans WR André Davis re-sign with the club, he could be overtaken as the club’s No. 3 receiver by Jacoby Jones, Houston’s third-round pick from a year ago, who flashed considerable potential in the preseason but didn’t play as well in the regular season. However, we’re hearing the Texans are open to paying Davis like a No. 3 receiver because of his value as a receiver and a kickoff returner.
- Entering the second season of his second stint in Kansas City, OLB Donnie Edwards is rivaled by very few when it comes to commanding respect and admiration from his coaches and teammates in the Chiefs’ locker room. But team sources tell us that he started showing signs of slowing down in 2007 despite posting 104 tackles, and an eventual replacement could soon be groomed.
- While Chargers FS Marlon McCree is soon to be ousted, SS Clinton Hart should be around San Diego for quite a while. According to a report in the San Diego Union-Tribune, talks to extend the 30-year-old veteran were expected to commence during the Combine.
- Raiders CB Fabian Washington could soon be getting a call from the commissioner’s office with a refresher on the league’s updated player-conduct policy. Various reports said Washington was arrested Feb. 19 at a Florida home he shares with his girlfriend and charged with domestic battery after an argument with the girlfriend allegedly turned physical.
- The Bengals’ decision to give OT-OG Stacy Andrews the franchise tag likely means the end of DE Justin Smith’s time in Cincinnati. Industry chatter at the Scouting Combine indicated Smith would be one of the most popular unrestricted free agents to hit the open market, with the Rams among the teams that could be interested in the durable defensive end.
- That the Browns gave RB Jamal Lewis a new three-year contract is testament to his value to the offense both as a player and a leader. The way we hear it, Lewis has made a positive impression on the Browns from training camp onward. “He brings a maturity, toughness and football temperament to the team that is critical to our success, on top of the physical abilities that he possesses,” said Browns general manager Phil Savage.
- At the Scouting Combine, Steelers director of football operations Kevin Colbert addressed QB Ben Roethlisberger’s stated preference for a taller receiver — and whether that would change the team’s Draft Day plans: “Ideally, everybody wants the biggest, fastest, best player, and Ben’s a tall quarterback; he’d like to have a tall receiver that’s on the same plane as he is. You understand that, but you can’t just make a guy a more valuable prospect than he is just because he happens to be 6-3 or 6-4. If you can find a great receiver that’s tall, super, take him, but in the meantime you better take the best player regardless of his height.”
- Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome, speaking to reporters at the Combine, deftly sidestepped making any comments on the free-agent status of ex-Baltimore (and current Cleveland) QB Derek Anderson, scheduled to become a restricted free agent Feb. 29. “Derek is not a restricted guy,” said Newsome, mindful that free agency was a little more than a week away and that commenting on a player under contract with another team could open him to tampering charges. “He’s not a UFA. He’s a member of the Cleveland Browns and he had a great year.” Newsome ran the Ravens’ draft room in 2005 when Baltimore drafted Anderson in Round Six. Anderson was released early in his rookie season, and the Browns signed him to their roster before the Ravens could add Anderson to their practice squad. Baltimore may add a quarterback in free agency or the draft.
