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| Cleveland LB Willie McGinest has announced he will retire after the 2008 season comes to an end, according to SI.com. |
Our View: "This will be it," said McGinest, entering the final season of a three-year contract with the Browns. "This will be my 15th season. I've worked hard; I think I've done everything I set out to accomplish. The hard work, the sacrifice, dedication... I committed myself to doing it the right way and playing it the right way. I've been blessed to play with some of the best players in the world and play against some of the best in the world. I think 15 years going strong I've held my own."
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| Adam Schefter of the NFL Network is reporting that the Chiefs believe Tyler Thigpen is good enough to challenge Brodie Croyle for the starting job this summer. |
Our View: We know Thigpen made some good impressions as a third-string rookie, but it's pretty tough to believe he'll step up to a starting gig before Week 1. We'll see if he actually shows any signs of unseating Croyle once training camp begins.
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| The Washington Redskins report WR Antwaan Randle El has undergone arthroscopic knee surgery today and should be fully recovered by the start of training camp, according to the Associated Press. |
Our View: Coach Jim Zorn reports a recent MRI discovered a "floating body" causing irritation in the knee, leading to the procedure to alleviate the problem. Zorn told reporters the team expects Randle El will need at least three to four weeks to recover, giving more than enough time to prepare for the start of training campin mid-July.
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| The Denver Broncos have named Jim Goodman vice president of football operations and player personnel, also hiring former Atlanta Falcons executive Brian Xanders to serve as assistant general manager, according to CBSSports.com. |
Our View: Xanders has spent the last 14 seasons in Atlanta and will now be charged with structuring the Broncos' salary cap policies and efforts. Xanders will also assist in player personnel matters. Goodman has served as Denver's director of player personnel for the last two seasons and has worked in various capacities in the team's player personnel department for the last decade. He is now charged with overseeing day-to-day football operations and will continue to run the team's scouting department. Coach Mike Shanahan recently fired general manager Ted Sundquist after nearly a decade of work with the team, and now both Xanders and Goodman will share his workload and report directly to Shanahan.
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| Seattle OG Rob Sims has undergone arthroscopic surgery on his right knee today and is expected to miss up to six weeks of practice as a result, according to the Associated Press. |
Our View: Sims is entering his third season with the Seahawks, having starting all 16 regular-season games for Seattle at right guard in '07. The former fourth-round pick is one of seven Seattle starters missing this week's minicamp due to surgery, a list that includes DE Patrick Kerney, LT Walter Jones, WR Deion Branch, and OC Chris Spencer.
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| Former Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman Darrion Scott has been charged with assault and accused of holding a plastic dry cleaning bag over the head of his 2-year-old son, according to the Associated Press. |
Our View: Scott has been charged in Hennepin County Court with third-degree assault and domestic assault by strangulation, both felonies. He remains in jail, bond set at $100,000. His first court appearance is scheduled fo Wednesday.
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| The Bears released Adam Archuleta on Tuesday, ESPN.com confirms. |
Our View: Archuleta's stock has plummeted since 2005. He is stil only 30 and will likely get a shot to catch on somewhere else, but we have doubts about him earning a starting job again.
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| Jeb Putzier was seen limping on Tuesday and is not participating in minicamp practices, the Tacoma News Tribune reports. |
Our View: Putzier and Will Heller stand in the way of John Carlson stepping into the starting lineup, and we'll be disappointed if the rookie can't leap over those two veterans. Jeb has no fantasy value.
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| Cedric Benson met with team officials at Halas Hall on Tuesday, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. |
Our View: Benson is presumably answering a lot of questions about his weekend arrest rather than working out. Details about the incident are still emerging, and Cedric has refuted the police reports. We're hoping the Bears brass will issue some sort of statement soon.
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| Jon Kitna is feeling bold, again. The Lions quarterback told the AP on Tuesday that he expects the club to win 10 games in 2008. "Our expectation is we will be disappointed if we don't win 10 games," Kitna says. "Because that will mean we're not in the playoffs and that sucks. I can't make it any simpler than that. Anybody who says that's not their expectation level is not much of a competitor." The passer made a similar prediction in 2007, and the Lions went 7-9. |
Our View: Kitna clearly hasn't checked out the Lions defense lately. The offense has some promise if they can develop a running game, but we don't like the looks of the defensive line. Anyway, Kitna should start with trying to throw more touchdowns than picks.
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| The New York Jets have re-signed unrestricted free agent cornerback Hank Poteat, according to NewYorkJets.com. |
Our View: Poteat is a journeyman type, who adds some depth to the Jets defensive backfield.
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| Linebacker Antonio Pierce said he believes New York Giants’ teammate Michael Strahan has played his last snap in the NFL, according to the New York Post. "My inside tells me that Strahan played his last game with the New York Giants as a champion and that's not a bad way to go out," Pierce said when asked on WFAN about Strahan coming back this season. |
Our View: This is pure speculation on Pierce’s part, but Strahan was recently interviewed at the Kentucky Derby, and stated he had more mornings where he woke up thinking he didn’t want to play football, than ones where he felt like playing.
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| Replacing Luke Petitgout as the New York Giants left tackle, David Diehl proved he was the real deal and helped the team win Super Bowl XLII. Diehl's reward is a new deal that compensates him for the importance of protecting Eli Manning's blindside. The Giants recently ripped up the former left guard's old contract and rewarded him with a new six-year, $31 million contract, according to ESPN. The key to the deal is annual escalator clauses that increase Diehl's salaries between $750,000 and $1.1 million a year as long as he plays offensive tackle. |
Our View: Diehl was rewarded for making the tough transition from left guard to left tackle and he performed at close to a Pro Bowl-caliber level. Since coming to the Giants six years ago, Diehl has started 80 consecutive games. With the exception of Petitgout's release last year, the Giants offensive line has grown together for four seasons and has evolved into one of the NFL's better blocking units.
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| Detroit offensive coordinator Jim Colletto has indicated that there will be competition for the starting quarterback job, which Jon Kitna has held the last two years. Colletto will spread the practice time in training camp between Kitna and backups Dan Orlovsky and Drew Stanton, according to the Detroit News. No matter how the practice time is divided, Kitna, who has started 32 games in the past two seasons, believes he will continue as the starter. "When Dominic Raiola is in the game, I'll be in the game," Kitna said, referring to the starting center. "That's how I know when I'm up. When I see '51' go in, that's when I go." |
Our View: Kitna is obviously the frontrunner to win the job, given the fact that Orlovsky and Stanton have attempted 17 NFL passes between them.
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| Running back Chris Johnson, the Tennessee Titans’ first-round pick, showed off his speed during the team's rookie orientation, while the coaching staff began experimenting on different ways they can use him, according to the Sporting News. The Titans envision Johnson lining up in the slot and catching plenty of balls, but he also will line up wide and in the backfield. Johnson has blazing speed -- he clocked at 4.24 in the 40-yard dash -- and the team will look to get him involved in the running game, but think he will be especially dangerous catching the ball on screens or in the flat on short passes. Johnson is not only fast, but he also is quick and very elusive in avoiding would-be tacklers. The fact that Tennessee selected Johnson in the first round indicates they are not happy with Chris Henry as the primary backup to LenDale White. |
Our View: We expect White to continue to be the plodder between the tackles, and look for Johnson to receive his fair share of the work, especially in the passing game.
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| Wide receiver Antwaan Randle El underwent arthroscopic knee surgery yesterday and is expected to return for the Washington Redskins' second session of organized team activities that start in June, according to the Washington Post. Randle El, who sat out the start of organized team activities on Monday because of his knee injury, had what head coach Jim Zorn described as a "fairly minor" procedure to remove floating cartilage in his knee. "He'll be here for the next set of OTAs," said Zorn. ”This should be a three to four-week deal, I think. I haven't heard any report. This is just what the preliminary thoughts were when they went in." |
Our View: In 15 games last season, Randle El, the Redskins' No. 2 receiver behind Santana Moss, had 51 receptions for 728 yards and one touchdown. He could be pushed for playing time in 2008 by rookie additions Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly.
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| Cedric Benson appeared drunk when an officer stopped him while boating last weekend, with bloodshot eyes, a "strong" alcohol odor and slurred speech, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Sgt. Leonard Snyder, who pepper-sprayed and arrested the Chicago Bears running back on Lake Travis near Austin, Texas, said he surmised Benson was intoxicated because he was "combative," "cocky," "insulting," and used "profanity." At times, he was "crying" and "cooperative," Snyder wrote. |
Our View: Benson is facing misdemeanor charges of boating while intoxicated and resisting arrest.
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| Tight end Brent Celek was limited in the Philadelphia Eagles recent mini-camp after undergoing off-season shoulder surgery, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. |
Our View: Celek is expected to be ready to go for training camp, and will backup L.J. Smith in 2008.
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| Rashard Mendenhall, who injured his hamstring during the recent Pittsburgh Steelers’ mini-camp practices, says he expects to be fully recovered when the team reconvenes for the organized team activity sessions May 20-22 at the team's South Side facility, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. |
Our View: Mendenhall is expected to backup Willie Parker in 2008, and will likely be involved in short yardage and some goal line situations at the very least. We will track this situation, as hamstring injuries can be tricky, and the rookie can’t afford to miss repetitions during the offseason, if he expects to climb up the depth chart.
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| Paul Oliver worked as a safety on the second team in base defense during the San Diego Chargers recent weekend mini-camp, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. He also saw work at corner in the dime package and will continue to work there. |
Our View: The Chargers drafted rookie cornerback Antoine Cason, who will compete with Cletis Gordon for the nickel cornerback role. It appears the organization is moving Oliver to safety in order to provide depth at a position that has little depth behind projected starters Clinton Hart and Eric Weddle.
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| Former Cincinnati Bengal receiver Chris Henry will be allowed to travel to other cities in hopes of reviving his professional football career, a judge ruled today, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Henry’s attorney, Perry Ancona, previously asked Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge Rich Bernat if Henry could be released from electronic monitoring and house arrest so he could travel to another city and try out for a National Football League team. The judge denied that request until today, when Ancona repeated that Henry has an offer to try out for an unnamed NFL team and needs to be allowed to travel. “We’re willing to give him some latitude given the fact that he obviously needs to find some employment,” Bernat said. |
Our View: Before Henry will be allowed to travel for tryouts, he must bring a letter from the NFL team that is considering him for employment.
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| Deuce McAllister, who is coming back from surgeries on his knees last September, said he feels good about his recovery timetable. He has been running and doing some cutting and planting for about three weeks, and he was able to run full-speed pass routes with teammates for the first time on Monday, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune. |
Our View: McAllister expects to participate in a limited capacity when the New Orleans Saints begin their organized team activities later this month. The Saints are also expected to bring in Shaun Alexander in for a visit this week, which is a sign they’re still in the market for some insurance in case McAllister is unable to return to form.
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| X marks the spot for wide receiver Limas Sweed. In football speak, the X position is the split end and that’s where the rookie receiver will line up, behind Santonio Holmes, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "Limas is at X," offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said. "We can move Santonio around, which we started doing a lot last year because he plays in the slot very well. Limas can play in the slot, no problem. Hines can obviously play everywhere. Nate [Washington] can play everywhere -- he's had to play every position on the team the last two years; he's lined up at X, F, Y and Z." |
Our View: The Steelers have a versatile receiver corps given the various players ability to lineup in different locations depending on the formation. Sweed will learn the “X” position first, but wide receivers coach, Randy Fichtner, expects the rookie to overtake Washington and fill the slot role in 2008.
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| Bullets found at the scene of a shooting in Philadelphia last Tuesday came from a handgun owned by Indianapolis Colts receiver Marvin Harrison, according to reports on ESPN and the Philadelphia Daily News, both citing unnamed police sources. But Philadelphia police are not calling Harrison a suspect, according to the Indianapolis Star. "He's [Harrison] not a suspect at this point," police spokesperson Tanya Little told The Star this morning, declining further comment. |
Our View: Police have not released an incident report, saying the investigation is ongoing.
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| Linebacker Beau Bell's deficiencies in pass coverage were exposed during the Cleveland Browns recent rookie mini-camp, but coaches aren't overly concerned. It was understood when Bell was drafted in Round 4 that he might be limited to playing on running downs, according to the Sporting News. |
Our View: Bell has Andra Davis, D’Qwell Jackson and Leon Williams ahead of him on the depth chart, and being a liability in pass coverage would have a negative impact on his IDP value in dynasty leagues.
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| Coach John Harbaugh says there will be open competition for the quarterback position in Baltimore, but veteran Kyle Boller will likely be the starter, according to the Sporting News. Boller has more experience than either second-year backup Troy Smith or rookie Joe Flacco, the Ravens' first-round draft pick. |
Our View: Boller has the arm strength and good mobility. His problems have been his accuracy on short passes, and his poor decision-making, especially inside the red zone. Maybe new offensive coordinator Cam Cameron can come up with a way to slow things down for Boller.
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| The New York Jets say the drafting of Purdue tight end Dustin Keller in the first round wasn't a message to Chris Baker, the incumbent at the position who is unhappy with his current contract, according to the Sporting News. Keller has a somewhat different skill set than Baker, who blocks well and has great hands but isn't much of a downfield threat. Keller, a converted wide receiver, could be a seam-splitter who will be quite effective against cover-2 defenses, but he needs major work on his blocking to be an every-down player in the future. |
Our View: Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer should be able to find creative ways to line up Keller and confuse opposing defenses, but his addition to the offense will dilute the statistical output for any single player at the position. It also appears that the Jets are readying themselves for life without Baker, should the situation not get resolved.
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| If there was a clear standout from the New England Patriots’ rookie camp, it was corner Terrence Wheatley, a second-rounder out of Colorado, according to the Sporting News. Wheatley looked like the fastest player on the field, broke up a number of passes during one-on-one coverage drills, and was quick and fluid turning his hips out of his back pedal. |
Our View: The Patriots may have found themselves a steal in Wheatley, who is considered a shutdown corner with speed. After sitting out the entire 2005 season following surgery to repair a broken wrist, Wheatley established himself as one of the most talented corners in the Big 12 conference during the last two years, and he's also a talented kickoff returner.
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| When James Hardy says he'd like to be fellow receiver Lee Evans' little brother, he's referring to age, not size. The distinction is quite apparent because, at 6-5 and change, there's nothing small about Hardy, the Buffalo Bills' rookie second-round pick out of Indiana. The only thing bigger as far as head coach Dick Jauron is concerned might be the expectations the organization has of Hardy. They're counting on him to make an immediate impact on what's been a popgun offense by providing a secondary threat opposite Evans, according to the Sporting News. "He's a 6-foot-5 receiver, and we've got to score," Jauron said referring to an offense that produced 20 touchdowns last year -- a franchise low in a 16-game season. "Hopefully, he'll provide us with a lot more opportunity to score and make more plays, the plays that we need." |
Our View: With only Josh Reed and Roscoe Parrish ahead of him on the depth chart, it would be a major disappointment if Hardy didn’t seize the starting role opposite Evans during training camp.
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| David Witthoft finally shunned his Brett Favre jersey for a red shirt for the first time in 1,581 days, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The 12-year-old Ridgefield, Connecticut boy wore the No. 4 jersey every day since receiving it as a Christmas gift in 2003. |
Our View: David's father, Chuck Witthoft, said that his son's last day wearing the jersey was April 23 on his 12th birthday. Witthoft conceded his son started to become concerned about his appearance after the jersey barely came down to his belt line.
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| Dallas/Ft. Worth CBS 11 Sports has learned that the Dallas Cowboys training camp will be featured once again as part of the NFL films series "Hard Knocks." The show, which will be aired nationally on HBO this summer, documents the day to day process of training camp in the NFL. This will mark the second time the Cowboys will be featured on the show. |
Our View: The Cowboys will open training camp in Oxnard, California in late July.
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| Jake Delhomme is almost giddy with the condition of his elbow after Tommy John surgery. He is throwing more pain free than he has in years, according to the Charlotte Observer. |
Our View: The fact Delhomme threw the football in full view of reporters at the Carolina Panthers’ recent minicamp is evidence that team officials are serious when they say he's coming along fine. Look for the organization to continue to bring him along slowly through training camp.
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| Dwayne Jarrett had a nice performance at the Carolina Panthers’ weekend mini-camp, catching almost everything thrown to him and looking the part of a former 2007 second-round pick, according to the Charlotte Observer. |
Our View: Jarrett, who was arrested for DUI during the offseason, was a bust during his rookie season and has a large hill to climb for playing time in 2008.
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| The Colts believe sixth-round draft pick Mike Hart could make an impact as a backup this season, according to ESPN Insider. |
Our View: Hart could serve as Joseph Addai's primary backup, and would see plenty of action as the Colts like to utilize a two-back system. Former CFL star Kenton Keith, who was arrested for criminal trespassing in April, generated 610 total yards and four scores as the top backup in 2007, and Hart has more talent. Hart plays tougher than his 5-9 205 pound frame, and is elusive in the open field, and displays solid hands, which will help him fit in well with the Colts.
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| Bobby Engram, who participated in a mandatory mini-camp that was conducted over the weekend, was absent from the voluntary sessions that started on Monday, according to ProFootballTalk. The team said that Engram was absent for "personal reasons," and he is believed to be unhappy with his contract. Engram is entering the final year of his current contract, and will make a base salary of $1.7 million. Team-mate Deion Branch will earn more than $4 million, and Nate Burleson will score $3.25 million.
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Our View: Engram had a strong campaign in 2007 as he hauled in 94 receptions for 1147 yards and six touchdowns, but he is 35-years old. If he decides to hit the open market next March, his stock as a free agent will be low.
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| There is a 50-50 chance that Shaun Alexander will be invited for a visit by the Broncos this week, according to ESPN Insider. |
Our View: Alexander would likely beat out Selvin Young and Mike Bell for the primary backup job to starter Travis Henry, and he would have a chance to make an impact in Denver, when you consider their history of success at the RB position, as well as the poor durability of Travis Henry. Cincinnati and New Orleans are also possible destinations for Alexander, but he would likely hold the most fantasy value in Denver.
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| Free agent Dominic Rhodes could be invited for a visit by the Broncos, according to ESPN Insider. |
Our View: Rhodes was released by the Raiders, but could still get the job done as he averaged 4.0 yards over 75 carries in 2007. Rhodes is also an asset as a receiver out of the backfield, and would be added to the Broncos as a change-of-pace for starter Travis Henry and as a receiving option on passing downs. A return to Indianapolis is also possible for Rhodes.
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| Former NFL defensive end Robert Porcher has been sentenced to 50 hours of community service for assaulting his ex-wife, according to the AP. Porcher also was given one year probation and ordered Monday to have no contact with Kimberly Porcher except through text messages or e-mail.
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Our View: The 38-year old Porcher was released by the Lions in 2004.
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| Cedric Benson believes police officers used excessive force against him and he plans to fight charges he operated a boat while intoxicated and resisted arrest on a Texas lake over the weekend, according to the AP. Attorney Brian Carney said, "He denies that he was intoxicated. He denies that he resisted arrest." Benson failed a sobriety test while operating a 30-foot boat on Lake Travis near Austin and resisted arrest before being hit with pepper spray, Travis County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Roger Wade said on Sunday.
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Our View: Benson is scheduled to appear in Travis County Court on May 19 to face charges stemming from the incident Saturday night. There is speculation that the Bears may release him as well.
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| Police uncovered more evidence that appears to link Marvin Harrison to a shooting last week in Philadelphia, according to the AP. ESPN reported early Tuesday that six bullet casings found by police after the April 29 shooting came from a gun owned by Harrison. The casings were found near a car wash and garage that Harrison owns in the north side of Philadelphia. According to ESPN, police returned to the scene of the shooting Monday to examine bullet holes in two residences after information was given to police by an alleged third victim of the shooting. The Philadelphia Daily News reported that investigators found three stray bullets in the walls of the two residences and would test those slugs to determine if they also had been fired from Harrison’s gun. Citing police sources, the newspaper said an unidentified 32-year-old man sustained a bullet wound to the hand last Tuesday after a fistfight with Harrison outside Playmakers, a bar owned by the player about a half-mile from the car wash. Gunfire soon broke out, leaving the victim with an injured hand. The victim has refused to identify the shooter.
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Our View: Although Harrison has not been implicated by any witnesses, ballistics tests confirmed that five shell casings found at the crime scene had come from a high-powered Belgian handgun that Harrison owns. Police found the gun inside Harrison’s garage. Harrison admitted his involvement in the fistfight during a lengthy interview with detectives, but denied any involvement in the shooting.
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