|
|
| Rashard Mendenhall injured his hamstring after the first day of mini-camp with the Steelers, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Coach Mike Tomlin hopes he will return when the Steelers resume their spring workouts in two weeks. |
Our View: The Steelers plan to utilize Mendenhall frequently this season as a complement to Willie Parker. His hamstring ailment does not seem to be serious, but we will keep you posted.
|
|
|
|
| The Ravens have stated that there will be an open competition for this year's starting job at quarterback, according to the Baltimore Sun. Rookie Joe Flacco will battle Kyle Boller and Troy Smith for the spot. |
Our View: This was to be expected as Kyle Boller, last year's starter, has failed to live up to high expectations as a first round draft pick in 2003, and has struggled with consistency and decision making. Troy Smith is also better at making plays with his feet than he is with his arm. Flacco displays a very strong arm and could develop into a star in Baltimore.
|
|
|
|
| Travis Laboy is practicing as the Cardinals' starting weak-side linebacker, according to the Arizona Republic. |
Our View: LaBoy never played up to expectations as a defensive end in Tennessee, and will benefit from a fresh start in Arizona. Chike Okeafor is also practicing as the starter at strong-side linebacker. Calvin Pace is no longer in the mix at outside linebacker, as he is now a member of the Jets.
|
|
|
|
| Chike Okeafor is fully healthy, according to the Arizona Republic. He has recovered from his torn biceps injury, and is starting at strong-side linebacker in practice. |
Our View: Okeafor is a valuable member of the Cardinals' defense, as he has the versatility to play at defense end, as well as outside linebacker.
|
|
|
|
| We have sent forward several reports on the status of Arizona WR Anquan Boldin , reportedly involved in a requested contract renegotiation that had led the talented wideout to request a trade to a new home. Boldin took time at the team's recent mini-camp sessions to approach the topic with reporters, claiming he never asked to be traded, according to AZCentral.com. |
Our View: "I went to sleep one night, woke up the next morning and was disgruntled. I wanted out of Arizona and all this stuff," said Boldin, followed by laughs. "And I hadn't even talked to anybody. It was funny to see the reports going around, especially around the draft time." Boldin and agent Drew Rosenhaus were rumored to have asked for a trade as talks of a contract extension had stalled. Fellow WR Larry Fitzgerald got a sizable new contract, making nearly double what Boldin is paid. Boldin's current contract runs through 2010, and reports that stake claim to the fact he has missed early season workouts due to this mess are incorrect as Boldin reports he has a "tweeked" hamstring.
|
|
|
|
| The Indianapolis Colts have released OG Dylan Gandy and TE Bryan Fletcher, according to John Clayton with ESPN. |
Our View: With Jake Scott leaving for Tennessee, many believed Gandy would compete for a starting job. The former 4th-round pick from 2005 is now a free agent despite signing his RFA one-year tender (not surprising with the Colts drafting three offensive linemen this season).
|
|
|
|
| More details concerning the shooting outside of "Playmakers" bar in North Philadelphia, owned by Indianapolis WR Marvin Harrison , continue to come forth, according to the Philadelphia Daily News.
|
Our View: Among the additional headlines of note coming from the long and intense story from the Daily News: (a) The victim of the shooting had been engaged in a fistfight with Harrison moments before the shooting, and that same man had been kicked out of the bar two weeks earlier and been involved in several arguments with Harrison since. (b) The victim had concealed his injuries but later admitted he had been shot, but declined to identify the shooter. (c) The gun reportedly used in the shooting was voluntarily surrendered by Harrison. (d) Harrison spent four hours being interviewed by police with his attorney present. During that interview, Harrison acknowledged being involved in the fight but denied involvement in the shooting. (e) Detectives are reportedly searching for another man who claims to have been shot by Harrison. (f) Five of the six shell casings found at the seen have been identified as firings from Harrison's weapon. (g) Though police have been assertive in refusing to identify a specific motive or suspect, the Daily News states unnamed sources have confirmed Harrison is the focal point of the investigation and is the target of their efforts to make an arrest. We will bring more news as it comes forth.
|
|
|
|
| Prolific pass rushing DE Julius Peppers may be moving from the left side of the defensive line to the right, according to CarolinaGrowl.com. |
Our View: Peppers, entering the final season of his current contract, has reportedly been working out of the left side in early mini-camp sessions in place of recently retired Mike Rucker. Coach John Fox told reporters, "He might end up back on the left. I can't even answer that at this point. But we are taking a look at it because he is a natural left-hand stance guy. We'll see how that goes." Recently-added Tyler Brayton was manning the duties on the right side as Peppers filled on the left.
|
|
|
|
| The Oakland Raiders have signed free-agent LB Edgerton Hartwell , formerly with the Cincinnati Bengals, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. |
Our View: Hartwell entered the NFL as a ballyhooed defensive prospect with the Baltimore Ravens, but in three seasons since, he has failed to fulfill those expectations. Last season he was signed by the Bengals but then cut after training camp. His career has also been hampered by injury, undergoing arthroscopic surgery on both knees and battling Achilles' heel issues.
|
|
|
|
| Kansas City coach Herm Edwards has announced the team will hold what is essentially open try-outs for prospective football talents to showcase their skills and earn an opportunity to get noticed, according to KCChiefs.com. |
Our View: The sessions have welcomed 67 players this weekend to take part and Edwards, who found his way into the NFL through similar avenues, is excited. "We're the only team doing this. It's a camp that is all rookies, no draft choices. We did it for a reason, to give guys an opportunity. This is the direction we're headed in. There might be one or two who slipped through the cracks and that we didn't sign in free agency. They might be leaving here with a contract." Of course, it might be fair to wonder if a team coming off a 4-12 season is simply using all resources to find potential help.
|
|
|
|
| Houston Texans owner Bob McNair has indicated CB Dunta Robinson , one of the top playmakers on the Houston roster, is likely to be out until midseason, according to Pro Football Weekly. |
Our View: Robinson suffered knee and hamstring injuries that plagued his '07 campaign, and while PFW failed to furnish details on the young star's recovery from knee surgery, McNair has reportedly stated he expects Robinson won't be available on the field until the '08 season is at least half completed.
|
|
|
|
| Reports indicate the Chicago Bears are likely to put two undrafted rookie QBs, Nick Hill of Southern Illinois and Caleb Hanie from Colorado State, into battle to compete for the team's QB3 spot on the depth chart, according to Pro Football Weekly. |
Our View: Of course, that could change should Tampa Bay release a veteran arm the Bears find appealing. As we reported earlier this week, the Bears are rumored to be enticed by Chris Simms and may also have interest in Luke McCown and Bruce Gradkowski. The Bucs have a plethora of QBs on the roster and will need to trim at least one or two, at which time the Bears may heavily consider making a move. If that does not fall the way Chicago would like, one of these two undrafted rookies could be the team's NFL project for '08.
|
|
|
|
| Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden has hinted newly-drafted rookie CB Aqib Talib could be a factor at receiver on the offensive side of the ball this season, according to Pro Football Weekly. |
Our View: Talib served as a receiver during his tenure at the University of Kansas and Gruden is reportently enamored with his athletic abilities and speed. The Bucs could certainly use options at the position with top WR Joey Galloway adding another year to an already-concerning age and the team struggling to identify the worthy secondary options on the depth chart behind him. Stay tuned once training camp starts up .
|
|
