| Hills sign three-year pact | Monday 7/7, 9:06 PM CT |
|
The Steelers reached agreement today on a three-year contract with fourth-round selection Tony Hills, this according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The deal includes a signing bonus of $304,500.
Our View: The 6-foot-5, 309-pound left tackle for the Texas Longhorns missed a big payday after breaking his leg during his senior season dropping his draft stock drastically. |
|
| Dixon signs three-year deal | Monday 7/7, 8:59 PM CT |
|
The Steelers agreed to a three-year contract with fifth-round pick Dennis Dixon on Monday, this according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The deal included a $130,000 signing bonus.
Our View: Dixon, the Pac-10 Conference's offensive player of the year, missed his final three college games with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, but he's expected to be ready for training camp. |
|
| Johnson running in South Beach | Monday 7/7, 8:49 PM CT |
|
The Cincinnati Bengals team website reports that it's still unclear if Chad Johnson will be ready for full-term work when the team opens training camp in late July, the All Pro wide out is already running on the beach in Miami.
Our View: Charles Collins, who is assisting Chad Johnson in his rehab says he'll have to undergo more individual work before he starts pounding the ankle with routes on grass. |
|
| Scott pleads guilty | Monday 7/7, 8:44 PM CT |
|
The AP reports that Former Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman Darrion Scott pleaded guilty Monday to child endangerment. Scott was accused of putting a plastic bag over the head of his 2-year-old son.
Scott pleaded guilty to the gross misdemeanor as jury selection was scheduled to begin in his trial.
Our View:
Scott faces a maximum penalty of a year in jail and a $3,000 fine.
Scott was a third-round pick in the 2004 NFL draft and played 48 games with the Vikings. He is now a free agent. |
|
| Olson released by 49ers | Monday 7/7, 7:27 PM CT |
|
Matt Maiocco of the Press Democrat reported on Monday that the 49ers released quarterback Drew Olson and made a waiver claim on quarterback Kyle Wright. The Vikings waived Wright, an undrafted free agent, last week.
Our View: Olson was signed to the practice squad last November. He was bumped up to the active roster on Dec. 29 for the final game of the season after injuries to Alex Smith, Trent Dilfer and Shaun Hill force the team to start Chris Weinke and Olson into a backup role. |
|
| Gonzalez saves Chargers fan | Monday 7/7, 5:19 PM CT |
|
The Sporting News reports that Tony Gonzalez helped a choking man on Thursday, possibly saving his life.
Gonzalez was dining in Huntington Beach, Calif., when across the room a fellow diner, Ken Hunter, began to choke on a bite of steak. Gonzalez performed the Heimlich maneuver and cleared the passage way for the man to breath.
"I just did what my natural instincts told me to do, help someone in need. I couldn't just sit there and do nothing. The man was in distress and he needed help quickly."
Our View: The report noted that Hunter will be "forever grateful" and will now be rooting for Gonzalez and his team in the upcoming season. Hunter is a Chargers fan. Mr. Hunter won't have much to cheer about as a Tony Gonzo and Kansas City Chiefs fan... on the other hand the Chargers are Super Bowl contenders. |
|
| J.J.'s health in question | Monday 7/7, 5:13 PM CT |
|
The Akron Beacon Journal is reporting that wide out Joe Jurevicius' health is in question. The team was cryptic in its latest report about J.J's availability for training camp after the latest procedure on his knee.
Rumors are flying that Jurevicius might need the dreaded microfracture surgery.
Our View: If Jurevicius is not available for late July camp, the Browns will look to Donte Stallworth more than orginally expected. |
|
| McKelvin to be utilized in double look | Monday 7/7, 4:58 PM CT |
|
Leodis McKelvin, who had an NCAA record eight returns for touchdowns in his college career (7 punts, 1 kickoff), will be used as a return man from time to time, this according to the Bills team website.
Our View: The report notes that Roscoe Parrish, Terrence McGee and Jonathan "Freddie" Smith will also be utilized in a double return look and that McKelvin adds yet another weapon to arguably the most talented special team units in the league. |
|
| Tatupu pleads guilty | Monday 7/7, 3:25 PM CT |
|
Lofa Tatupu has pleaded guilty to a charge of driving under the influence Monday, according to the AP. Following his plea, Tatupu was sentenced by Kirkland Municipal Court Judge Michael Lambo to serve one day in jail and pay fines totaling $1,255. In case you don't recall, Tatupu was arrested on May 10 in Kirkland after he was pulled over for speeding and driving erratically. At the police station around two hours later, Tatupu registered 0.155 and 0.158 in breath test readings, nearly twice the state intoxication limit of 0.08.
Our View: Tatupu should be able to play in all 16 games for the Seahawks this season, as long as he stays out of trouble. The Seahawks have a lot invested in him, as he signed a six-year extension worth $42 million back in late March. |
|
| Warner could get deal before camp | Monday 7/7, 2:40 PM CT |
|
The odds are good that the Cardinals will reach a new deal with Kurt Warner prior to the start of training camp, according to Pro Football Weekly. His agent (Mark Bartelstein) stated, "Both sides would like to get something done within the next couple of weeks. Kurt is obviously a critical piece of the team."
Our View: It has been believed that the Cardinals are trying to reach a deal for two years, but Bartelstein said his client is looking at a couple of different options. Warner has had trouble staying healthy, but will serve as one of the top backup quarterbacks in the league, as he fired 27 touchdown passes in 2007.
|
|
| Vickers to be utilized more in 2008 | Monday 7/7, 1:59 PM CT |
|
Browns' coordinator Rob Chudzinski is devising new ways to utilize fullback Lawrence Vickers in the offense this season, according to the Dayton Daily News. Vickers said, "My role will be changing to allow me to do more things on offense. Just from me showing that I can handle the things that were thrown at me early on. This is my second year in the offense and I'm learning more. I feel like I'm growing more and more as a professional and look forward to the challenge. The opportunity to play a bigger role on offense means a lot to me."
Our View: The Browns offense finished last season ranked eighth overall, and are looking to improve on their success this season. The source expects Vickers to be featured more like Tom Rathman during his days with the 49ers. Vickers caught 13 passes in 2007, and could be worth a look in PPR leagues and larger standard leagues as a late-round value pick. He could be a favorable player to add in salary cap leagues as well to fill out the roster, as he could likely be had at a rock bottom price. |
|
| Burress promises to be at camp | Monday 7/7, 1:38 PM CT |
|
Back in early June Plaxico Burress vowed he wouldn't step foot on the practice field until he received a new contract, but he has now stated that he promises to participate in training camp and is confident a new deal will be reached, according to the NY Post. He believes he will ink a new deal before camp and said, "I'm getting good feedback. I think it's going to get done. I'm not concerned about it. I don't want to go anywhere, I'm happy here in New York, I just want to make sure I'm here for a long time." Burress has three years remaining on the deal he signed with the Giants in 2005, and is scheduled to make $3.25 million this season and a total of $7.25 million in the next two years.
Our View: Want some more good news? He also believes he is close to 100 percent healthy again. He said his knee is already 100 percent, and his ankle is around 90 percent. He cannot remember the last time he has played pain-free. |
|
| Scott's trial begins today | Monday 7/7, 12:23 PM CT |
|
Darrion Scott's trial stemming from his April arrest begins today, according to TwinCities.com. In case you missed it, Scott is accused of holding a plastic bag over the head of his two-year old son. Scott explained it by saying they were playing and trying to see if the youngster could get the bag off his head on his own. The authorities in Hennepin County view the incident in a different regard, as Scott faces charges of third-degree assault and domestic assault by strangulation, both of which are felonies. There’s also a charge of endangerment of a child, related to Scott keeping a loaded, unsecured handgun in a nightstand where the two-year old could have easy access to it.
Our View: Scott is currently unsigned, and won't garner interest until the trial ends and is acquitted. |
|
| Coates elected to Patriots' HOF | Monday 7/7, 12:17 PM CT |
|
Ben Coates has been elected to the Patriots' Hall of Fame, according to the Providence Journal. He is the 13th member of the team to be honored, and the first tight end. He said, "I feel great about it. I guess it was my time, and what better time to be inducted than the year the team is opening The Hall at Patriot Place."
Our View: Coates played nine seasons with New England from 1991-99. He led the club in receptions five times, and ranks second on the team's career touchdown list with 50. |
|
| Steelers ink Hills | Monday 7/7, 11:42 AM CT |
|
The Steelers have inked fourth-round pick Tony Hills (Texas), according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. He agreed to a three-year deal and will receive a signing bonus of $304,500, and NFL-minimum base salaries of $295,000, $385,000 and $470,000.
Our View: The 6-5 305 pound offensive tackle could have been a first-round selection if he didn't suffer a broken leg last season. He has a good chance to develop into a starter. |
|
| Holcomb retires | Monday 7/7, 11:10 AM CT |
|
Quarterback Kelly Holcomb has decided to retire, according to the Tennessean. He will join the Middle Tennessee State University broadcast crew as a sideline reporter, which was his alma mater.
Our View: Holcomb started his career with Indianapolis back in 1996 and last played with Minnesota in 2007, with trips to Cleveland and Buffalo along the way. |
|
| Bengals waive three | Monday 7/7, 11:04 AM CT |
|
The Bengals have waived defensive linemen Titus Adams and Michael Marquardt, as well as cornerback Jerrid Gaines, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Our View: None of them had a realistic chance to hold a role with the team this season. |
|
| White still unhappy with Tampa | Monday 7/7, 10:24 AM CT |
|
Greg White plans to play the 2008 season on his one-year deal if the team does not offer him a raise, but he is not happy with the status of contract talks, and reportedly will not play for the club in 2009 if they haven’t given him a favorable new deal by the end of this season, according to ProFootballTalk.com.
Our View: White only registered 26 tackles (20 solo) in 2007, but carried his weight with eight sacks and seven forced fumbles. He will serve as a top backup to projected starters Gaines Adams and Marques Douglas this season. |
|
| Keiaho battled sore elbow in 2007 | Monday 7/7, 10:05 AM CT |
|
Coach Tony Dungy indicated that Freddie Keiaho battled through a sore elbow in his 2007 campaign and he expects him to return as a starter this season, according to Colts.com. Dungy said, "Freddy played real well for us. He had an elbow that was sore all year. I think the guy we saw the first couple of weeks, you add that experience and get him back 100 percent healthy, he has a chance to have a dynamite year."
Our View: Keiaho racked up 81 tackles (64 solo) over 11 games last season. If he can remain intact this season, he has a chance to truly break out, making him a potential steal in IDP leagues. |
|
| Favre wants to play | Monday 7/7, 9:22 AM CT |
|
Peter King of SI stated that Brett Favre wants to play football again, but the Packers do not want him to. Favre has reportedly told coach Mike McCarthy that he wants to return. King also expects Favre's agent to send a letter to the Packers within the next 10 days, indicating that Favre wants to be taken off the NFL's reserve/retired list. At that time, the team will have no choice but to re-admit Favre back to football.
Our View: The Packers can take Favre and his $12.8-million cap number back onto the club and give him his starting role back, or they can trade him, or they release him.
|
|
| Dawson converted to DT | Monday 7/7, 9:13 AM CT |
|
Keyunta Dawson has been converted to a full-time defensive tackle, according to Colts.com. Dawson mostly played at defensive end while at Texas Tech.
Our View: He will provide depth behind Raheem Brock and Ed Johnson on the interior of the defensive line, but will hold no value as a fantasy performer. |
|
| Whitner guarantees playoffs | Monday 7/7, 7:30 AM CT |
|
Donte Whitner has guaranteed that the Bills will make the playoffs in 2008, according to the Sporting News. He said, "Do I expect us to make the playoffs? I'm guaranteeing it."
Our View: The Bills won't challenge the Patriots for the AFC East title, but could sneak into the playoffs as a wildcard. The team has a solid nucleus of young talent led by second-year rusher Marshawn Lynch, and had a solid draft by selecting cornerback Leodis McKelvin, wide receiver James Hardy, and rush specialist Chris Ellis with their first three picks. |
|
|
|
