| Walker suffered fractured jaw | Thursday 6/26, 10:43 PM CT |
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Javon Walker suffered a fractured jaw, fractured orbital bone and concussion, according to a police report obtained by Fox 5 Vegas.
Our View: Walker is supposed to be ready for training camp with Oakland, and these injuries don't seem to be overly serious, but it is something to keep an eye on. Taking a helmet-to-helmet hit with a fractured jaw is probably not a pleasant thing. |
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| Campbell progressing in Zorn's offense | Thursday 6/26, 8:45 PM CT |
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Jason Campbell is looking comfortable and could have a successful season in new head coach Jim Zorn's offense, reports ESPN.com. Campbell was successful running a similar offense in college at Auburn.
Our View: Campbell was making great progress before injuring his knee in week 13 of the 2007 NFL season. He completed 60% of his passes and had 12 touchdowns compared to 11 interceptions. If he can improve a bit under Zorn, Campbell will be a legitimate option as a fantasy quarterback. |
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| Sheppard to play WR? | Thursday 6/26, 8:37 PM CT |
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Philadelphia has offered to let Lito Sheppard take some snaps at wide receiver, according to ESPN.com. He no longer holds the starting job at cornerback after the Eagles signed Asante Samuel.
Our View: The report didn't mention whether the Eagles and Sheppard will go through with the plan, but Philly needs a wide receiver, and Sheppard wants to get on the field. It may have been just a ploy to keep Sheppard happy for the time being, but it's worth keeping an eye on. |
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| Cowboys think Ware could be even better | Thursday 6/26, 8:32 PM CT |
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The Dallas Cowboys believe DeMarcus Ware could have an even bigger season in 2008 than he did in 2007, reports ESPN.com. Ware has worked on redistributing his weight, according to the web site.
Our View: It's hard to believe Ware could have an even better season than last year's 14-sack campaign. On top of the sacks, he amassed 84 tackles and forced four fumbles. Should he improve on those numbers, he'd be a front runner for the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year award. |
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| Four more years for Williams? | Thursday 6/26, 8:22 PM CT |
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Ricky Williams is 31-years-old, but he believes he can put in four more seasons, according to the Associated Press. Williams figures that his time away from football has kept him fresh, as he has played just 13 games over the previous four seasons.
Our View: Williams got hurt after six carries last season, so it's impossible to know how he will fare for 2008, much less three seasons after that. |
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| Robinson searching for employment | Thursday 6/26, 7:57 PM CT |
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Koren Robinson is having trouble finding a home this offseason, reports NFL.com. Robinson was the ninth player taken in the 2001 NFL draft.
Our View: Robinson has had problems with alcohol, and that is certainly a factor in his lack of employment options. He only had one noteworthy season as a receiver, but he did make the Pro Bowl in 2005 as a kick returner for Green Bay. At just 28 years of age, he can probably help someone, even if only on special teams. |
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| Teams ignoring Henry | Thursday 6/26, 7:50 PM CT |
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Running back Travis Henry is not getting a lot of love on the free agent market, according to Adam Schefter of NFL.com. With a strict discipline policy in place, Henry is seen as too big a risk to rely on.
Our View: Henry will turn 30 during the middle of the NFL season, the age when running backs hit their traditional wall. With that in mind along with his other problems, it may take a team running into injury problems in training camp for him to get an offer. |
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| Numerous teams interested in Bentley | Thursday 6/26, 7:42 PM CT |
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28-year-old centers with two Pro Bowls on their resume are not easy to find, so even though he has not played in two seasons, LeCharles Bentley is being looked at by at least 8 teams, according to NFL.com.
Our View: The website reports that Buffalo, Cincinnati, Miami, Oakland, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, San Francisco and Seattle are interested. He seems to be healthy, but after missing two years, it will be interesting to see if he can return to form. |
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| Alexander not getting offers | Thursday 6/26, 7:29 PM CT |
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Two years after winning the NFL MVP award, Shaun Alexander may be finished in the league, according to NFL.com.
Our View: The fall from grace has been spectacular for Alexander. He didn't play well for Seattle last season, but you would have to think some team would be willing to give him a shot in a back-up role. |
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| Jordan being shopped by Oakland | Thursday 6/26, 7:24 PM CT |
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LaMont Jordan is currently being shopped by the Oakland Raiders, reports Adam Schefter of NFL.com. His contract calls for him to make $4.7 million this season.
Our View: The Raiders are not going to pay a guy that much money when it's possible he could be the fourth string back behind Darren McFadden, Justin Fargas and Michael Bush. Jordan has been a disappointment to both the Raiders and fantasy owners, and that probably won't change, no matter where he winds up. |
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| Jones cancels workout | Thursday 6/26, 7:18 PM CT |
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Kevin Jones canceled his scheduled workout for scouts that was to take place on Saturday, according to Adam Schefter of NFL.com. Jones has already visited New England and Tennessee and does not feel a workout is necessary.
Our View: Jones is still just 25-years-old, and when healthy, he is a viable player. His fantasy value depends greatly on what team he signs with. |
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| Cowboys eyeing Horn | Thursday 6/26, 7:12 PM CT |
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The Dallas Cowboys are interested in acquiring Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Joe Horn, according to Adam Schefter of the NFL.com.
Our View: With Terry Glenn still a question mark, Horn could come in and be a quality third wide receiver, backing up Terrell Owens and Patrick Crayton. |
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| Shockey to remain with Giants? | Thursday 6/26, 6:02 PM CT |
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Jeremy Shockey will remain with the Giants according to an unnamed "source", according to the Bergen Record. The "source" reported that the team has given up its attempts to trade Shockey and that he will remain with the team.
Our View: In a soap opera that only New York could produce, this situation seems to have more twists than Days of Our Lives, but for now it appears that Shockey will remain a target for Eli Manning. |
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| Jacobs nearly signed to deal | Thursday 6/26, 5:56 PM CT |
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Brandon Jacobs is nearing a resolution to his contract negotiations with the Giants and is on the cusp of signing a reported four year deal, according to the Bergen Record.
Our View: Jacobs went for over 1,000-yards last year (1.009) despite the fact that he was limited to 11 games because of injury. He has proven to be a bull in his early career, and he figures to provide solid RB2 numbers this year if he can stay on the field. |
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| Parker on his way to Browns? | Thursday 6/26, 5:51 PM CT |
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Eric Parker could be headed to the Browns for nothing more than a late round pick in the 2009 draft, according to the Dayton Daily News.
Our View: Parker simply doesn't have a role on the Chargers with the growth of Craig Davis and the recent signing of Mark Jones, so they appear to be looking to add something for a player that clearly isn't in their long term plans. |
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| Whisenhunt praises Leinart | Thursday 6/26, 4:46 PM CT |
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Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt praised the offseason work of Matt Leinart, according to azcardinals.com. The second-year coach was pleased with Leinart's physical and mental progress, saying, "The thing I really like is you see confidence in him on the field because he is more comfortable with the system and when he steps into the huddle and calls the plays there is a different presence about him now."
Our View: Leinart has yet to prove he can be a quality starter in the NFL, so his third year in the league is an important one. |
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| Johnson bulks up | Thursday 6/26, 4:34 PM CT |
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Rudi Johnson has put on 15 pounds of muscle, and performed well in offseason practices, according to ESPN.com.
Our View: Johnson fell off the map in 2007 after scoring a total of 45 touchdowns from 2003-2006. If the 28-year-old back can regain his previous form, he will once again be a valuable commodity in fantasy leagues. |
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| Biermann signs with Atlanta | Thursday 6/26, 4:24 PM CT |
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Defensive end Kroy Biermann, Atlanta's fifth round pick, agreed to terms on a contract, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
Our View: Bierman was the Big Sky Conference Defensive MVP out of the University of Montana. |
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| Brink signs contract | Thursday 6/26, 4:17 PM CT |
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Houston's seventh round pick, quarterback Alex Brink, has been signed to a deal, according to ESPN.com.
Our View: The former Washington State QB will compete with Shane Boyd for the third spot on the depth chart behind Matt Schaub and Sage Rosenfels. |
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| Washington inks deal | Thursday 6/26, 4:07 PM CT |
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Running back Chauncey Washington, the Jaguars seventh round draft pick out of USC, has agreed to terms, according to Jaguars.com.
Our View: Washington had a solid career at Southern Cal, but will be nothing more than the third back on the depth chart, behind Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor. |
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| Vikings sign Griffith to ceremonial contract | Thursday 6/26, 3:34 PM CT |
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The Minnesota Vikings have signed former safety Robert Griffith to a ceremonial contract so he can retire as a member of the team, according to ESPN. Griffith played for the Vikings from 1994 to 2001.
Our View: Griffith compiled 1,103 tackles and 27 interceptions over his 13-year career. He earned a Pro Bowl berth in 2000. |
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| Mare may be ahead of Coutu | Thursday 6/26, 10:59 AM CT |
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Olindo Mare was more accurate and stronger than rookie Brandon Coutu during the Seahawks minicamp, the Tacoma News Tribune reports.
Our View: We'd expect the veteran to step during the spring, but the Mare-Coutu battle won't be decided until training camp and the preseason. We're pulling for the rookie because we've seen what Mare brings to the table and it isn't pretty. |
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| Franklin impressive in offseason practices | Thursday 6/26, 9:48 AM CT |
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Fourth-round rookie Will Franklin looked very good this spring, running sharp routes and separating from his defender. He quickly has vaulted into the conversation for the starting gig in Kansas City, with the No. 3 slot role looking like the worst-case scenario, according to Pro Football Weekly.
Our View: Dwayne Bowe will start on one side, leaving Franklin, Jeff Webb and Devard Darling to compete for the No. 2 job and slot role. Franklin has already signed his first contract, so he will receive the benefit of a full training camp. |
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| More details in Marshall arrest | Thursday 6/26, 7:05 AM CT |
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The fight that led to receiver Brandon Marshall's March 6 arrest ended when his hand was cut by a piece of glass at his downtown condominium, according to the Denver Post.
Our View: According to an Atlanta Police Department incident report, Marshall was bleeding from his hand when officers arrived at his home on March 4. He told police that two sisters of his girlfriend, Rasheedah Watley, had attacked him and that "he had been cut on glass during the fight," according to the report. He refused treatment at the scene. |
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| NFL looking into arrest of Marshall | Thursday 6/26, 6:50 AM CT |
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The NFL is looking into the March 6 arrest of Denver wide receiver Brandon Marshall on a misdemeanor battery charge for allegedly hitting his girlfriend, according to the Tacoma News Tribune. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello confirmed the inquiry but declined to comment further.
Our View: The incident occurred in Fulton County, Ga., where authorities say no formal charges have been filed. Marshall's girlfriend filed an affidavit in Fulton County claiming Marshall hit her in the mouth and eye on March 4. Marshall, who is scheduled for trial in September on a previous DUI charge, could face the wrath of commissioner Roger Goodell, if he's convicted in either case. |
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| Cherilus sentenced to probation | Thursday 6/26, 6:37 AM CT |
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Detroit Lions rookie offensive lineman and first-round pick Gosder Cherilus was ordered Wednesday to serve one year of pretrial probation for his role in a Boston bar brawl in which a patron was seriously injured, according to the Detroit Free Press.
Our View: Cherilus and teammate DeJuan Tribble, stars at Boston College, were celebrating Cherilus’ 23rd birthday with teammates at a bar last July when they intervened in a confrontation between a patron, Sean Maney, and a State Police sergeant, Joseph Boike, a part-owner of the place. Maney testified in Boston Municipal Court that Cherilus grabbed him in a two-arm chokehold and dragged him across the room while Boike and Tribble repeatedly punched him. Cherilus also was ordered to pay the victim $52,000 toward his medical bills. |
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| Oakland signs Keller | Thursday 6/26, 6:19 AM CT |
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The Oakland Raiders signed former Nebraska quarterback Sam Keller to an undisclosed contract, according to ESPN.
Our View: Keller was not drafted despite setting a school record last season by completing 63.1 percent of his passes for 2,422 yards and 14 touchdowns in nine games. He will compete for a roster spot behind starter JaMarcus Russell. Andrew Walter is the only other quarterback returning from last season, but the Raiders also signed Marques Tuiasosopo as a free agent this offseason. |
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| NFL announces Training Camp dates | Thursday 6/26, 6:12 AM CT |
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The NFL has announced Training Camp reporting dates for each of the 32 teams in the league, and you can view the information by clicking on this link at NFL.com. The Washington Redskins are the first team to report to training camp, with their rookies and veterans expected at Ashburn, Va. on July 19.
Our View: That leaves you with 24 shopping days until the hitting starts. |
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| Seahawks sign PK Coutu | Thursday 6/26, 6:01 AM CT |
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The Seattle Seahawks have signed kicker Brandon Coutu to a multi-year deal, according to the Tacoma News Tribune.
Our View: Coutu was selected by Seattle with the second of their two seventh round picks (235th overall) in this year’s NFL Draft. He will compete with veteran Olindo Mare for the right to replace Josh Brown as the Seahawks' kicker in 2008. |
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