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- Although he was available just across the bay, we hear the Niners never seriously considered making a deal with the Raiders for WR Randy Moss before opting to acquire Darrell Jackson from Seattle to provide a badly needed upgrade of their receiving corps.
- Look for the Colts to keep an eye on former Niners and Jets RB Kevan Barlow, who has been letting it be known for a while now that he could be interested in teaming up with Joseph Addai in the Colts’ backfield.
- Although it’s a real long shot, we hear former Bengals and Patriots RB Corey Dillon could still possibly be considered by the Rams down the road if he suddenly became willing to be a backup to Steven Jackson. Dillon has close ties with Rams head coach Scott Linehan and new special-teams coach Al Roberts, both of whom coached him in college at Washington.
- Although general manager Carl Peterson took a long look at Brady Quinn as the Notre Dame quarterback slipped in the draft, the Chiefs (especially head coach Herman Edwards) remain sold on Brodie Croyle as the team’s future.
- The Bills have managed to retain one of their key talent evaluators for at least one more year. Tom Modrak, the team’s assistant general manager, was expected to leave the team once his contract expired following this year’s draft. However, Modrak was persuaded to stay on, with a new title, and continue to lend his expertise in the area of evaluating college talent.
- Word is the Dolphins decided to fire RB coach Bobby Williams after the team’s first minicamp because his personality didn’t mesh with that of head coach Cam Cameron. The fact that RB Ronnie Brown reported to the camp overweight likely didn’t help Williams’ cause.
- Some Jets observers believe that if OLG Pete Kendall were to be let go by the Jets, second-year OLT D’Brickashaw Ferguson might regress. The way we hear it, Kendall, along with TE Chris Baker, covered up a number of Ferguson’s gaffes during his rookie season.
- We hear the broken foot suffered by Patriots TE David Thomas during offseason training in Foxborough is not a concern and that he’s expected to make a full recovery.
- Our sources tell us that Dolphins OT Vernon Carey is not thrilled about making the switch from the right side to the OLT spot, but that he’s willing to do so for the good of the team. Word is Carey feels more comfortable, particularly with his footwork, at right tackle.
- Due to a lack of speed at the WR spot, we’re told the Jets would consider keeping WR Justin McCareins to fill a deep-threat role, provided he restructures his existing contract, which calls for him to be paid $2.9 million in base salary in 2007. If McCareins refuses to restructure, he likely will be a salary-cap casualty.
- The Dolphins’ selection of WR-RS Ted Ginn Jr. at No. 9 overall was all about adding speed to the offense. Head coach Cam Cameron loves to create, and take advantage of, mismatches, and he believes he now can run more gimmick plays with a burner like Ginn on the field. Word is Cameron believes converted-WR David Martin will give Miami a speed advantage at tight end. And the Dolphins believe rookie RB Lorenzo Booker will provide a speedy alternative to starter Ronnie Brown.
- As a result of the Niners trading up in the first round to obtain OT Joe Staley, we hear the long-term future doesn’t look too bright for Kwame Harris, the current co-starter at right tackle whose contract expires at the end of the 2007 season. As for the other ORT starter, Adam Snyder, don’t be shocked if he moves inside to play guard before long.
- Word is the Rams tried like crazy to unload CB Jerametrius Butler but could find no takers because of his salary hike from $540,000 to $2 million this year as a result of the Rams having matched a six-year, $15 million offer sheet from the Commanders when Butler was a restricted free agent in 2004.
- Not only is Cardinals fifth-round pick Steve Breaston expected to get a great shot at winning both kick-return jobs (we hear he’s already been told the punt-return job is his to lose), but word is the best-case scenario is that Breaston will show enough receiving ability to eventually replace No. 3 WR Bryant Johnson, whose contract expires at the end of ’07.
- We hear Seahawks CB Larry Herndon, who was struggling to stop plays downfield before breaking his left ankle in the regular-season finale, could end up flirting with the roster bubble now that the team has drafted ultracompetitive CB Josh Wilson with its top pick, in the second round.
- Bears GM Jerry Angelo’s Draft Day message to Lance Briggs was clear: The Bears won’t give him away for a discount and still believe they have the leverage in his ongoing offseason of discontent.
- It should come as no surprise that the Bears continue to stock up on defensive backs; both Charles Tillman and Nathan Vasher enter the final year of their contracts, and the position isn’t valued highly enough in the cover-2 to pay both starters.
- If healthy, first-round DT Justin Harrell is considerably more explosive than incumbent Corey Williams and will have a definite chance to usurp the starting job.
- Don’t assume sixth-round PK Mason Crosby is a shoo-in to replace Dave Rayner in Green Bay. Crosby’s stock clearly tumbled in pre-draft workouts, and he may not even have the stronger leg for kickoffs.
- Special teams was a clear draft focus for the Packers, who have ranked dead last in the unofficial Dallas Morning News rankings the past two years. In addition to Mason Crosby, third-round SS Aaron Rouse from Virginia Tech has a special-teams background, and sixth-round FB-LB Korey Hall projects as a third-phase ace.
- After trading out of their No. 34 pick, the Lions nearly had to trade back up to get their quarterback, Drew Stanton, but the Michigan State product did fall to them at No. 43. Stanton was the only QB prospect that offensive coordinator Mike Martz had a hands-on workout with, and the QB guru was struck by Stanton’s attentiveness.
- The Lions are quietly confident that MLB Teddy Lehman has returned to health. Ignoring the LB position until the fifth round for the draft suggested as much.
- In a wide-open WR competition in Minnesota, Billy McMullen may be the odd man out. Head coach Brad Childress is a backer of McMullen, but Minnesota has too many younger guys who need the reps.
- Veteran DE Darrion Scott was not wild about how the Vikings handled his restricted free-agent tender, but we’re told he’ll approach the final year of his contract like a professional and seek to cash in at the end of the year.
- League MVP LaDainian Tomlinson couldn’t hide his enthusiasm when talking recently about the team’s re-signing of OG Kris Dielman, who turned down approximately $10 million more from Seattle to stay with San Diego. “He brings the attitude to our team, so that was huge to bring him back up front,” Tomlinson told PFW. “He’s a special guy, and I’m glad he came back. He could have easily left, but I think it says a lot about the team that we have and how he feels about the players on our team.”
- The fact the Broncos didn’t take an inside linebacker in the draft speaks volumes for how easily they think SLB D.J. Williams will adapt to a switch to the middle to replace Al Wilson. Previous middle linebackers in new defensive coordinator Jim Bates’ system have thrived in terms of production, and Williams’ skills have been underutilized to this point in Denver, according to our sources. Free-agent signee Warrick Holdman is expected to have an edge for Williams’ old spot on the strong side.
- With Jay Cutler more of a pocket passer than Jake Plummer, the Broncos are looking to add a little more beef to their line, which could give former Saint Montrae Holland the nod over youngster Chris Kuper at the OLG spot.
- The use of a fifth-round pick for UCLA PK Justin Medlock was surprising for Chiefs fans, but we hear head coach Herman Edwards, though still committed to Lawrence Tynes, has a short leash with his kickers, and Tynes’ five touchbacks on 78 kickoffs didn’t sit well in K.C.
- One understated reason the Chiefs are excited to have LSU WR Dwayne Bowe in the fold is his willingness and ability to block — something that inconsistent starter Samie Parker has yet to grasp. Sources say that on several occasions, Larry Johnson was one downfield block away from breaking a big play last season, and Bowe’s physical style should help in that department.
- The selection of Arizona State’s Justin Miller in the second round surprised some people in Oakland because of the already crowded lot at the TE position, but word is, the Raiders’ other options, especially starter Courtney Anderson, haven’t exactly overwhelmed the new coaching staff. The Raiders hope Miller’s hands, athleticism and awareness will make him a quick-release type of receiver who can help compensate for an offensive line that has holes.
- At this point in the offseason, the competition for the Steelers’ starting center job comes down to Sean Mahan and Chukky Okobi, with Mahan holding the edge, according to a source close to the club. Kendall Simmons does not appear to be a serious contender and is likely to stay at right guard.
- The Browns did not add a running back in the draft, so pencil Jason Wright in as the primary backup for Jamal Lewis. FB Lawrence Vickers could also get some carries in relief of the former Baltimore back.
- The way we hear it, the Browns believe rookie CB Eric Wright has the talent to start as a rookie. The Browns desperately needed to bolster the position via the draft and believe Wright is just what they needed. We’re told the Browns researched Wright’s character and came away satisfied with their findings.
- The Ravens believe second-year WR Demetrius Williams could have a breakout season. Williams’ explosiveness after the catch stood out in his rookie season.
- Don’t be surprised if Steelers rookie OLB LaMarr Woodley gets a look at inside linebacker at some point.
- A source close to the Bengals says Tab Perry likely rates a slight edge over Antonio Chatman in the competition to take the No. 3 WR role, which will be vacated by Chris Henry as he serves an eight-game suspension to start the ’07 season.
- It might seem odd, but Giants CB R.W. McQuarters will be cutting his trademark dreadlocks to help him prevent concussions. The league is mandating that all teams attend a conference on concussions in June, and one of the bits of research it has found is that players, such as McQuarters, whose hair takes up more space under the helmet, could be more susceptible to head injuries. Expect more players to follow with haircuts this season.
- Many Cowboys insiders were surprised at the selection of PK Nick Folk — the first placekicker drafted in the Jerry Jones era — considering the team had previously re-signed Martin Gramatica. However, the team will consider strongly keeping two kickers, one to handle kickoffs, which is Folk’s specialty, as an added weapon in the field-position battle.
- The Commanders, who did not draft a defensive lineman, will spend the summer searching for veteran pass-rushing help. Insiders say they have called around to ask about any ends who might be available via trade.
- The Eagles have not soured on LB Omar Gaither and expect him to build on a solid rookie season. They expect him to back up at both the “Mike” and “Will” spots, and considering Takeo Spikes’ recent injury concerns and the unsettled SLB position, Gaither could get heavy reps. He also could be MLB Jeremiah Trotter’s eventual replacement.
- The Titans don’t appear as interested in free-agent WR Keyshawn Johnson as some people might believe. They drafted three receivers and added free agent Justin Gage, who could start in the short term. They also remain confident that David Givens will contribute at some point.
- Word out of Atlanta is that Pro Bowl DT Rod Coleman could miss the entire season after rupturing his right quadriceps in a jet-ski accident on draft weekend. The injury required immediate surgery. We hear the news on starting WLB Demorrio Williams’ torn pectoral muscle is more encouraging. The Falcons believe Williams should be ready to go by the start of the season, but our sources worry about the undersized Williams’ ability to maintain his bulk because he won’t be able to lift weights for several months.
- Our sources believe second-year RB Jerious Norwood could win the starting job for Atlanta and longtime starter Warrick Dunn could be reduced to a complementary role. We hear even if Dunn remains the starter, his carries will be reduced because the new coaching staff is concerned that he has worn down in the second half of the season in each of the past two campaigns.
- Sources tell us to keep an eye on ex-Pitt Panthers QB Tyler Palko, who was signed by the Saints after going undrafted. We’re told Palko could be Sean Payton’s next Tony Romo, the former undrafted signalcaller whom Payton molded into a Pro Bowler while an assistant with the Cowboys.
- Word out of New Orleans is the Saints were eager to sign DE Charles Grant to a long-term deal because they did not want Grant turning into a cancer in the locker room like ex-Saints DE Darren Howard became after having received the franchise tag in consecutive seasons. The Saints signed Grant to a seven-year, $63 million deal about two months after designating him as their franchise player.
- Sources tell us new offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson is installing a zone blocking scheme for the Panthers’ offensive line. Our sources believe this change should be a good fit for this line because it is undersized and athletic but not very physical. We’re also told OLT Travelle Wharton’s rehab from a season-ending knee injury is going well, and his healthy return is a key toward a resurgence by the Panthers’ offensive line.
- DE Simeon Rice, who missed the final eight games last season after undergoing shoulder surgery, was not cleared medically to participate in the Buccaneers’ first minicamp in early May, and we hear there is some concern that he may not be fully healthy until training camp. This is a big setback for Rice because he will be competing against first-round pick Gaines Adams for the starting DRE job.
