| Giants part ways with Lorenzen | Monday 6/23, 5:11 PM CT |
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The Miami Herald reports that the New York Giants have waived backup quarterback, Jared Lorenzen.
Our View: The Pillsbury Throwboy has only launched eight passes in his NFL career. |
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| Gibbons signs with Cowboys | Monday 6/23, 3:54 PM CT |
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Ryan Gibbons has signed with the Cowboys, according to the Dallas Morning News.
Our View: The 6-6 320 pound offensive lineman has been a member of Tampa Bay, Chicago, and Jacksonville, but is yet to actually play in an NFL game. The Cowboys liked him when he was a prospect out of Northeastern in 2006, and he will compete for a reserve role. |
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| Marshall makes appearance | Monday 6/23, 3:38 PM CT |
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Brandon Marshall, who is recovering from his arm injury, made an appearance at the Broncos' practice facility today, where he lifted weights and did some running, according to the Denver Post.
Our View: He is progressing nicely and should be ready to participate at the beginning of training camp. |
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| Strahan to join Fox pregame show | Monday 6/23, 2:53 PM CT |
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Michael Strahan will join the Fox Sunday pregame show as an analyst in 2008, according to SI.com.
Our View: This news further confirms that the seven-time Pro Bowler will remain retired and not return to the NFL. |
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| Wilson ready to prove worth | Monday 6/23, 2:46 PM CT |
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Travis Wilson believes the time has come for him to step up and prove his worth in a talented Browns' receiving corps, according to ClevelandBrowns.com. Wilson said, "I've taken the last two years as motivation and coming out here this past offseason I had the biggest chip on my shoulder as anyone. I feel like I owe it to Mr. Randy Lerner and Mr. Phil Savage and Coach Romeo. I've got to produce and give them a reason why they picked me on the first day."
Our View: Wilson has been a bright spot for the Browns so far in the off-season, and he will have a chance to beat out the aging Joe Jurevicius for the number three role at receiver opposite starters Braylon Edwards and Donte' Stallworth. The third-round pick of 2006 will be monitored through training camp, and could emerge as a late round sleeper, namely for larger leagues. |
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| Williams' recovery frustrating to Fisher | Monday 6/23, 2:13 PM CT |
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Titans' coach Jeff Fisher commented that Roydell Williams' slow recovery from his broken ankle is frustrating, according to the Tennessean. Williams' surgery required screws and plates, which won't be removed from his leg until 2009. Fisher said, "It is frustrating. But his injury was significant; his surgery was significant. Roydell knows what to do and he is working hard. When he is ready he'll be right back where he was."
Our View: He is hopeful he will be ready for training camp, but does not expect to be pain-free. He will be hard-pressed to regain his starting job from Justin McCareins, who is a personal favorite of new OC Mike Heimerdinger. The team is installing a new offense, and Williams is forced to learn it from the sidelines, rather than "hands on." Williams should be avoided on fantasy draft day. |
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| Hodge underdog for backup job | Monday 6/23, 1:58 PM CT |
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Abdul Hodge is running well after undergoing surgery on both patellar tendons, but is believed to be the underdog to beat out Desmond Bishop for the backup job at middle linebacker behind starter Nick Barnett, according to the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
Our View: Bishop holds an edge in pass coverage, as well as on special teams. The Packers are relatively deep at linebacker, so Hodge could be in jeopardy of not making the team. |
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| Chillar favorite for SLB job | Monday 6/23, 1:50 PM CT |
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Brandon Chillar is the favorite to win the starting job at strong-side linebacker this season, according to the Green Bay Press-Gazette. He would unseat Brady Poppinga, who only made 50 tackles (43 solo) with Green Bay in 2007.
Our View: Chillar has displayed great coverage skills in the off-season, when compared to Poppinga, and is also a better all-around athlete. Chillar will upgrade the position for the Packers in 2008, but shouldn't serve as anything more than an IDP backup. |
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| Browns could deal Ali | Monday 6/23, 1:40 PM CT |
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The Browns really like the way 270-pound fullback Charles Ali blocks, but Lawrence Vickers remains their starter, and the club could offer Ali up in a trade to a team that has a need at fullback and depth at cornerback to spare, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Our View: The team may also try to package tight end Darnell Dinkins in an attempt to help fill a glaring need at cornerback. |
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| Williams is struggling with recovery | Monday 6/23, 1:37 PM CT |
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According to The Tennessean, Roydell Williams has his sights set on a training camp return from a broken ankle, but with the notion he's going to have to play in pain.
Our View: The prognosis is not inspiring for Williams. Plan on avoiding him in drafts in favor of Justin McCareins. |
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| McCareins likely to start in Tennessee. | Monday 6/23, 1:32 PM CT |
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Justin McCareins is in strong position to become a starting wideout in Tennessee this season, according to Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean.
Our View: The 6-foot-2 McCareins returns to Tennessee after spending four years with the Jets. His last season with the Titans, 2004, he produced seven touchdowns and over 800 yards. He should get a healthy dose of targets from Vince Young due to a thin receiving corps. |
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| Pope cleared of charge | Monday 6/23, 1:16 PM CT |
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Geoffrey Pope has been cleared on any allegations of misconduct (felony assault) in connection with a nightclub fiasco that resulted in a man's head being struck with a champagne bottle in the Detroit area on Saturday night, according to ProFootballTalk.com.
Our View: The man responsible for smashing the champagne bottle turned himself in. Braylon Edwards was also believed to be at the club but split at the right time. The Giants are expected to issue a statement soon. |
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| Gaither to do more blitzing | Monday 6/23, 1:09 PM CT |
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Omar Gaither will be sent loose on blitzes more often as he moves to the weak side at linebacker in 2008, according to Eagles.com. Gaither said, "I still have to get comfortable at WLB, but I don't think it will take as long. You blitz a little more, do some more pass drops. The defense as a whole is focused on getting turnovers and we're doing things in practice to develop the right habits."
Our View: DC Jim Johnson also likes Gaither's nose for the ball, and thinks he will be a good fit on the weak side, and help the defense generate more turnovers. Gaither registered 102 tackles (70 solo) at middle linebacker in 2007. He could challenge 100 once again this season, along with a handful of sacks. |
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| Benson ordered to install breathalyzer | Monday 6/23, 12:12 PM CT |
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Cedric Benson has been ordered to install a built-in breathalyzer in his car by a Travis County judge, according to the Austin American-Statesman.
Our View: The judge also asked Benson to take alcohol counseling courses as a condition of his bail. It remains to be seen if any NFL club will give Benson another shot to play this season.
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| Sims agrees to deal with 49ers | Monday 6/23, 12:05 PM CT |
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Barry Sims has agreed to a two-year deal with the 49ers, according to the Sacramento Bee. He is expected to ink the contract on Tuesday.
Our View: Sims narrowed his decision down to the 49ers and Rams, and felt that San Francisco gave him the best shot to start as the Rams are a bit more settled along their line. Sims could push Jonas Jennings at right tackle, who notably has a history of injury problems. The 49ers also reportedly offered him more money, although exact financial details are unknown. |
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| Nelson could push Jones? | Monday 6/23, 11:57 AM CT |
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Rookie receiver Jordy Nelson (Kansas State) has looked good so far in the off-season and has a shot to push James Jones for the number three role out of the slot, according to the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
Our View: Nelson provides a big target at 6-3 218 pounds, and is dangerous running after the catch, which is a trademark of young Packers' receivers of late. He will be on our radar through training camp. |
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| Brohm struggling so far | Monday 6/23, 11:51 AM CT |
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Rookie quarterback Brian Brohm (Louisville) is struggling so far, and has displayed poor decision making at Packers' pre-training camp workouts, according to the Green Bay Press-Gazette. He also took too much time to get rid of the ball, which would have resulted in several sacks.
Our View: Aaron Rodgers' starting job looks to be safe. If Brohm continues to struggle, then the team could bring in a veteran to serve as the primary backup. |
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| Rookie Finley to be worked in slowly | Monday 6/23, 11:44 AM CT |
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Rookie tight end Jermichael Finley (Texas) is going to be worked in slowly by the Packers, according to the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
Our View: Finley has strong hands and receiving skills and could develop into a starter, but needs a lot of work on his blocking. Finley could serve as the number three tight end this season behind starter Donald Lee and backup Tory Humphrey, meaning he will hold little to no fantasy value as a rookie. |
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| Jarrett pleaded guilty | Monday 6/23, 11:38 AM CT |
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Dwayne Jarrett pleaded guilty on Monday to a chage of DWI, according to the Rock Hill Herald. Jarrett was arrested in March after recording a blood alcohol level of 0.12.
Our View: Jarrett was given a 30-day suspended sentence, ordered to pay $420 in fines and complete 24 hours of community service. He could face suspension by the NFL.
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| Moore competing for spot | Monday 6/23, 9:56 AM CT |
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Fifth-round pick Kenneth Moore (Wake Forest) is competing for the number five spot at wide receiver with the Lions, according to MLive.com.
Our View: He has excellent hands and knows how to get open despite a lack of great speed. He won't hold any fantasy value though, as a fifth receiver in a talented and crowded receiving corps with Calvin Johnson, Roy Williams, Shaun McDonald, and Mike Furrey ahead of him on the depth chart. |
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| Perry healing favorably | Monday 6/23, 8:52 AM CT |
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Chris Perry noted that he believes he is about 85% recovered from his 2006 ankle surgery, according to the Dayton Daily News. Perry had a good showing in OTA sessions and mini-camp, but he reportedly lacked initial burst, quickness and struggled running the ball outside.
Our View: His playing status with the Bengals remains unclear, and he will have a tough challenge to make the team, while competing with Kenny Watson, DeDe Dorsey, and promising rookie free agent James Johnson. |
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| Witten could see time at WR? | Monday 6/23, 7:54 AM CT |
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Jason Witten is expected to see time at wide receiver if Terry Glenn does not make it back on to the field this season, according to the Star-Telegram.
Our View: Witten is a great pass-catching tight end, and broke out with 96 receptions for 1,145 yards and seven touchdowns in 2007. Patrick Crayton would take Glenn's spot as the number two receiver if Glenn doesn't return, but Crayton isn't a serious threat on the outside, and is better suited for the slot role. It makes sense for Witten to split time between WR and TE, especially with the addition of top rookie tight end Martellus Bennett. |
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| Carter proving to be great move? | Monday 6/23, 7:40 AM CT |
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The acquisition of Drew Carter from the Panthers could prove to be a great move, according to SI.com. Ronald Curry is slowly recovering from his off-season surgery, and Javon Walker is ailing from his recent mugging. Carter has taken advantage of the added reps in practice and may land a bigger role in Oakland this season. He has looked impressive through the off-season, and has been the best performer at the position. A Raiders' coach commented, "His game is coming around. You could see him making strides last season, but now you see the finished product. We've been impressed."
Our View: The team believes Carter could be headed for a breakout campaign. He is worth a look in the late rounds of the fantasy draft. |
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| Wimbley expected to have big season | Monday 6/23, 7:31 AM CT |
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The Browns expect Kamerion Wimbley to top his rookie season production, when he had 11 sacks in 2006, according to SI.com. A Browns' official said, "Last year, Wimbley would beat the guy around the corner, but the guard would help out. With the inside push that we have now, he should easily top his production from his rookie season."
Our View: Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams combined for 14 sacks in 2007, and their presence will draw double teams inside, which will free up Wimbley on the outside with frequent one-on-one match-ups. |
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