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Whispers
May 24, 2008
Patriots WR Chad Jackson
Word out of Boston is that injury-cursed WR Chad Jackson appears poised to finally make good on the promise he held as one of the top WR prospects in the 2006 draft class. With the possible exception of Kelley Washington, no Patriots wideout passes the eyeball test as well as Jackson. If he can maintain his health, there’s talk that he’ll supplant Jabar Gaffney as the No. 3 option in the WR corps.
A year ago, a rash of injuries made the Dolphins’ safeties one of the weaker units on a club rife with problems. Now, it looks as if safety will be among the stronger units, while the CB corps assumes much of secondary’s problems. No notable additions have been made to the lackluster CB group, and Will Allen — arguably the team’s best defender behind Jason Taylor — faces an uncertain future after being questioned by police last week for allegedly flashing a gun at a creditor.
Even though Jets TE Chris Baker has been a no-show at OTAs as he seeks a renegotiated deal, the team is informing him of all developments in the playbook in order for him to hit the ground running when he does report. There’s little chance of the Jets caving in to Baker’s demands, and they fully expect him to be in uniform come training camp.
Despite the fact that one Bills preseason game and one regular-season “home” game will be played in Toronto this season, the team has already sold 50,000 season tickets, the most since 1993. And word we’re hearing is they genuinely expect to sell a significant number more.
The way we hear it, Bengals rookie WR Mario Urrutia could be an intriguing player down the road. The 6-5, 232-pound Urrutia has the size of a tight end but is athletic for his size and flashed some potential in the Bengals’ first minicamp. Urrutia, a seventh-round pick, is in a fight to make the roster in his first season, but he’s exactly the type of player who could stick on a practice squad, even if he is released in the final wave of cuts.
Word from Pittsburgh is that the Steelers appear to be grooming third-year S Anthony Smith as the top backup at both free and strong safety. Smith struggled mightily in coverage when pressed into the lineup last season.
The early word on Browns rookie TE Martin Rucker, the way we hear it, is that while he is of similar size to Kellen Winslow, he is not as sudden, and asking him to stretch the seam may be easier said than done.
A Browns observer recently opined that the offense looks “200 percent better” than it did last year at this time, when the dominant story line out of Cleveland was the offense’s inability to pick up Rod Chudzinski’s system. In Year Two of Chudzinski’s offense, things are going more smoothly.
Ravens rookie RB Ray Rice had this early scouting report on QB Joe Flacco, the team’s first-round pick out of Delaware. “He has a very strong arm,” Rice told PFW. “He’s accurate. Joe’s a student of the game. Obviously quarterback, it’s the toughest position just because of the leadership abilities you have to possess, and you just have to have that. It’s going to take a little bit of work, but he’ll be just fine. He’s going to be great.”
Bengals rookie WR Andre Caldwell could emerge as a key member of the club’s special-teams units. Caldwell recently told PFW that, in addition to getting a look returning kicks, he may also get work being a gunner on kick coverage.
Word out of Indianapolis is that the Colts plan on undersized (6-0, 237) rookie DE Marcus Howard alleviating some of the pass-rushing burden from Dwight Freeney, who will make his return from a season-ending foot injury. Howard is incredibly raw, but we’re told the coaches will be looking for him to be nothing more than a pass rusher, a role in which the Georgia product could excel with his blistering speed. Strictly from a speed and quickness perspective, Howard may even be superior to Freeney.
The word out of Jacksonville is that the Jaguars’ defensive backs are responding well to new secondary coach Donnie Henderson. Younger and far more intense than departed position coach Dave Campo, Henderson has quickly earned the players’ trust. However, the real issue is how quickly Henderson will begin trusting his players. Although loaded with talent, the Jags’ secondary was underwhelming a season ago, and Henderson was brought in to translate its potential into production.
Broncos TE Tony Scheffler could miss significant practice time while a recurring left-foot injury heals. Scheffler will wear a walking boot for two weeks and then be examined by doctors, who will decide if he can return in time for Denver’s second camp, which begins June 9.
Our source in Oakland said WR Drew Carter has established a strong rapport with QB JaMarcus Russell. Carter was expected to fit as the No. 2 or No. 3 receiver, playing behind Javon Walker, when he was signed this offseason, but thus far in camp he has outperformed Walker, who showed up out of shape.
Chargers WR Kassim Osgood, who has asked to be traded because he’s unhappy with his primary role as a special-teams performer, failed to show up for the start of OTAs. But the way we hear it, it’s much ado about nothing. The Bolts have no intention of granting Osgood’s request, and Osgood has very little leverage since he’s buried on the WR depth chart.
Buccaneers RB Cadillac Williams is noticeably thinner, according to sources in Tampa. The fourth-year running back, who suffered a torn patellar tendon in his right knee early last season, has said he plans to be ready for training camp, but we hear that outlook may be too optimistic, considering the severity of the injury he’s trying to overcome.
We hear Saints FS Josh Bullocks had his knee scoped in the offseason and may be out until training camp. With Bullocks sidelined, Roman Harper and Kevin Kaesviharn should have a leg up in the race to become New Orleans’ starting safeties.
Sources tell us that Saints MLB Jonathan Vilma looked fluid moving around the field at a recent practice. He appears to be on the right track as he gets back into the flow after missing half of last season with a knee injury.
Falcons WR Joe Horn continued to express displeasure with his situation in Atlanta this week, skipping voluntary workouts. Horn is unhappy with his role, which he has called a “just-in-case guy,” and is hoping to be traded to a title-contending team. Sources say the Falcons may have to convince Horn to reduce the $2.5 million salary he’s guaranteed for 2008 in order to make a deal with other teams, who likely won’t be willing to take on that cap hit.
Lions FS Daniel Bullocks, who many feel will be one of the leaders of the secondary, has come along well from a knee injury that cost him last season, and team officials expect him to contribute during OTAs at some point and be fully healthy for training camp.
Before suffering an eye infection at the team’s rookie minicamp, CB Orlando Scandrick caught the eye of the Cowboys’ coaching staff with his athletic skill. Though it’s a crowded CB situation, the team thinks Scandrick could make the roster and possibly contribute on special teams, at least.
Commanders ORT Jon Jansen is working some at center this offseason for a few reasons: One, he’s recovering from ankle and leg surgeries, and two, the team is thin at center behind Casey Rabach. Jansen and rookie Chad Rinehart will split the backup snaps.
Eagles coaches report that P Sav Rocca has looked very good this offseason, He’s booming the ball in practice and appears more consistent with placement, get-off and timing. Special teams were a major concern last season but could be vastly improved in 2008.
May 24, 2008
Patriots WR Chad Jackson
