James Starks “safe” on Packers roster as deadline looms

Despite some recent speculation that Packers tailback James Starks might be on the roster bubble in Green Bay, Bill Huber of Packer Report reports that Starks’ roster spot is “safe” as final cuts approach.

A source told Huber that Starks will join Cedric Benson and Alex Green in the Packers’ backfield to open the season. Starks is currently recovering from turf toe, but the Packers seem to believe he will recover enough to be a 2012 contributor.

In related news, we previously passed along eight of Green Bay’s early cuts. Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press-Gazette uncovered five more.

Per Huber, the Packers have also released or waived defensive tackle Daniel Muir, running back Marc Tyler, wide receiver Diondre Borel, and fullback Nic Cooper.

source: PFT.com
author: Evan Silva
photo via Fantasy.Knuckleheads.com

Andy Dalton exits with elbow injury

I’m sick of the preseason. The Cincinnati Bengals likely agree.

Starting quarterback Andy Dalton suffered an apparent injury to his throwing arm after being sandwiched by a pair of Colts defenders on the opening drive of Thursday night’s preseason game.

He got up after being struck by Colts linebacker Robert Mathis. Moving slowly, Dalton flexed his fingers. Later, he was sitting on the turf near the Bengals’ bench, with trainers attending to him.

The announcers explained after a commercial break that trainers were checking Dalton’s elbow. He currently is one the sidelines, and he seems to be OK.

source: PFT.com
author: Mike Florio
photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images via BleacherReport.com

RG3 loses his headphones after Sonny Jurgensen criticizes them

Maybe Robert Griffin III was just listening to the Redskins pre-game show?
Or maybe the Redskins’ old school radio announcers are just showing their age.
Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post notes the rookie quarterback has changed his routine, dropping the headphones he was wearing prior to the first two games after being criticized by Sonny Jurgensen.
Apparently, according to Steinberg, Jurgensen made some disparaging remarks about the headphones during the second broadcast, and lo and behold, RG3 came out bare-eared for the Colts game.
At once, you want to respect Griffin for deferring to the legendary quarterback of the franchise he’s been asked to save from itself, if that’s what happened.
At the same time, you wonder why Jurgensen chose this particular thing to make an issue of. There will be folks who accuse Jurgensen of sinister motives. I think it’s probably just an old-and-out-of-touch issue more than anything.
Either way, it gives you one more reason to keep an eye on RG3 tonight, as if Redskins fans needed one.

source: PFT.com
author: Darin Gantt
photo by michael conroy/AP

Cooley’s options could include a return to the Redskins

Former Redskins tight end Chris Cooley believes he can still play, and he doesn’t seem to be interested in playing for another team.

In the end, he could be right back with the Redskins.

The hint came not long into his press conference. “Today, for the time being, will be my last day as a Redskin,” Cooley said.

Though it’s unclear whether the Redskins’ decision to cut Cooley was preceded by a request to reduce his base salary of $3.8 million, an important factor was absent from the normal take-a-pay-cut-or-take-a-hike protocol: Cooley has no agent.

His agent, Gary Wichard, died March 11, 2011, the day the player lockout started. NFLPA records still list Wichard as Cooley’s agent.

If Cooley had an agent, the agent could have “gauged the market” for Cooley’s services, calling around to see who would be interested and how much they would pay before giving the Redskins an answer. (Yes, it’s tampering. And, yes, it happens all the time.)

Since Cooley has no agent, the Redskins had to cut Cooley before he could find out whether and to what extent their offer compares favorably to what other teams would pay. In the end, with or without an agent, Cooley may realize that the reduced money the Redskins would be willing to pay Cooley is still more than what anyone else would offer — especially with Cooley hitting the market less than two weeks before the start of the 2012 regular season.

Still, Cooley could have options elsewhere, especially with teams copying the Patriots multi-tight-end approach. His best move would be to quickly hire someone to gather offers so that, in the end, he can decide whether his best move will be to return to the Redskins for a much lower salary in 2012.

source: PFT.com
author: Mike Florio

Packers’ Desmond Bishop out for season

Packers linebacker Desmond Bishop will not play at all this season.
Bishop, who had surgery for a torn hamstring 10 days ago, has been placed on injured reserve, ending his 2012 season. Bishop started 13 games last season, and losing him is a big blow as Green Bay tries to improve its defense this season.
In getting their roster down to 75 players, the Packers also placed running back Du’ane Bennett, tight end DeMarco Cosby, guard Ray Dominguez, defensive end Johnny Jones and receiver Shaky Smithson on injured reserve. Tight end Andrew Quarless and linebacker Frank Zombo were placed on reserve/physically unable to perform.
The Packers also released fullback Jon Hoese and defensive end Jarius Wynn.

source: PFT.com
author: Michael David Smith
photo by Jake Roth, US Presswire via USAToday.com

Terrell Owens tweets that he’s been released by Seahawks

Though it doesn’t qualify as much of a surprise, the Seahawks have decided to put an early end to the Terrell Owens experiment.
Owens tweeted that he had been released, thanking “the organization 4 the opportunity.”
The 38-year-old wideout was never a lock, but didn’t help his case by reportedly being a complainer.
Given that he’s now blown through coach Pete Carroll’s camp, and Carroll has become the Father Flanagan of the league, it’s hard to imagine Owens getting many more chances.

source: PFT.com
author: Darin Gantt

Matthew Stafford out with a left hand injury

The Lions were hoping to get a half out of starting quarterback Matthew Stafford on Saturday night, but they will have to settle for a bit more than a quarter.
Shaun Hill has replaced Stafford in the second quarter of their game against the Raiders after Stafford had to leave the game with a left hand injury. Stafford appeared to hit the hand on a helmet when Raiders defensive end Dave Tollefson hit him to force a third down incompletion.
The Lions are calling his return questionable, although you can downgrade Stafford to out if you’re keeping your own injury list at home. Stafford won’t be back after halftime and the Lions aren’t going to push their quarterback back into the game with any chance of making whatever’s wrong with his non-throwing hand any worse than it already is.
Stafford was 8-of-10 for 68 yards in the game. Calvin Johnson didn’t have any catches while Stafford was in the game, although it’s not clear if that was because of Ron Bartell’s coverage or if the Lions were looking to see what others could do in their third preseason contest.

source: PFT.com
author: Josh Alper
photo by Ben Margot/AP DetroitNews.com via SportsOverDose.com

Doug Martin passes Blount as Bucs starting tailback

The Buccaneers opened the preseason rotating running backs LeGarrette Blount and Doug Martin with the first-team offense. In Thursday night’s regular-season tuneup against New England, however, Martin started the game for the first time.
The rookie was in the game for Tampa Bay’s entire first possession, operating as an every-down back, and punched it in from a yard out to give the Bucs an early 7-0 lead.
Stephen Holder of the Tampa Bay Times confirms Martin was promoted ahead of Blount based on performance, not due to injury.
Martin played tailback for the Bucs’ entire second possession, as well. Blount was on the sideline.
Barring something unforeseen, Martin will be the Buccaneers’ starting running back on opening day.
And Blount will be a backup.

source: PFT.com
author: Evan Silva
photo from Yahoo Sports
(http://sports.yahoo.com/fantasy/blog/roto_arcade/post/first-down-tampas-martin-has-a-whole-lot-of-curtis-in-him?urn=fantasy,wp22813)

Report: T.O. is a complainer, has uphill battle to make the Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks may be seeing the same Terrell Owens who has worn out his welcome in several other stops around the NFL.

According to the Tacoma News Tribune, Owens still appears to be the same T.O. who complains when things are not going his way, and that’s something Seahawks coach Pete Carroll will not tolerate.

No specific examples of Owens complaining are cited in the Tacoma News Tribune report, but even if Owens were a model citizen he wouldn’t necessarily have a great chance of making the Seahawks’ 53-man roster. Owens failed to catch a pass in the preseason game against the Broncos, but he did drop one.

Braylon Edwards, meanwhile, has looked very good, both in practice and in preseason action. It appears that Edwards has just about locked up one of the roster spots for a wide receiver. Which means there’s one fewer spot available for Owens, who may be in jeopardy of seeing his last chance at a return to the NFL disappear.

source: PFT.com
author: Michael David Smith
photo by Mark J Rebilas, US Presswire

Holmgren: Richardson should be back on field next week

Browns running back Trent Richardson’s rehab from arthroscopic knee surgery is progressing well enough that team president Mike Holmgren said Wednesday that he should be back on the field next week.

Richardson was scheduled to run in a pool on Wednesday, Holmgren said during an interview with Sport Time Ohio passed along by Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. If that goes well, Richardson will graduate to running outside and he “should be back on the field doing something next week” assuming his knee cooperates with the increased workload.

All of which leads to the question of whether or not he’ll be able to play in Week One. Holmgren said that there’s a chance Richardson will be able to join fellow rookie Brandon Weeden in the lineup, but that the team is going to be smart about moving things forward. Richardson’s had two knee surgeries this year, which makes getting him back for Week One less important than making sure he doesn’t wind up with the hat trick.

After all, the Browns drafted Richardson, Weeden and wide receiver Josh Gordon with the idea that they’d be the foundation of the offense for a lot more than just this year. The sale of the team to Jimmy Haslam has shaken up the future significantly, but not enough that losing Richardson to a serious knee injury is going to help anyone’s chances of sticking around.

source: PFT.com
author: Josh Alper
photo by Ed Suba Jr/Akron Beacon Journal via ohio.com

Bush, Dansby and Long sat down with Philbin about Chad Johnson

When the Dolphins cut Chad Johnson following his arrest on domestic violence charges, it didn’t sit well with everyone in the Miami locker room. And three team leaders sat down with head coach Joe Philbin to express their concerns.

The Hard Knocks cameras were inside the closed-door meeting in which Reggie Bush, Karlos Dansby and Jake Long talked to Philbin, and although all three players were even-tempered and respectful, they indicated that they think the coaching staff and front office could do a better job of communicating with players who may be in danger of losing their jobs. Dansby had already said publicly that he wasn’t happy with the decision to cut Johnson, and Bush told Philbin privately that he also had concerns.

Philbin listened to what the players had to say, but he also made clear when addressing the team that players getting cut is part of the business they’re in.

“We’re going to have to cut this team to 53 guys, OK? And there’s going to have to be some tough decisions that have to be made, and you’re not going to agree with every decision,” Philbin told the team. “But at the end of the day you have to be supportive. . . . If you have a problem, go see your coach. Go see me.”

Long acknowledged that the players in the Dolphins’ locker room haven’t always done a good job of demanding the best of each other, but he said he thinks this year’s team has the right leaders in place to change that. Bush, Dansby and Long all said they’d like to have a committee of team leaders who would keep in close contact with the coaches about issues inside the locker room, and Philbin said he liked that idea.

“I think it’s great,” Philbin said. “I’m all for it.”

Bush said that when it comes to keeping players in line, veteran team leaders can take some of the heavy lifting from the coaches.

“The more the players take control of the team, I think the better for us,” Bush said. “When your brothers — your teammates — talk to you, I think it resonates a little more.”

If this incident leads to clearer communication inside the locker room, then Chad Johnson may end up contributing something to the Dolphins.

source: PFT.com
author: Michael David Smith
AP Photo, J Pat Carter

Michael Vick leaves game after big hit in first quarter

The Patriots are resting most of their starters on Monday night and the Eagles are probably wishing they made the same choice.
Michael Vick got pasted by Patriots linebacker Jermaine Cunningham on the first play of the Eagles’ second possession and was grimacing noticeably when he rose to his feet. He went back down to a knee after taking a few steps, bringing the Eagles medical staff to the field in a hurry. He left the field under his own power and stood next to Andy Reid on the Philly sideline briefly before heading to the locker room with what could be a rib injury.
Vick had a rib injury that cost him a few games last season and he’ll surely get a full battery of tests before the Eagles allow him to return to action.
Nick Foles is now running the Eagles offense, which means that neither starting quarterback is in the game. The Patriots, playing the first of three games in the next 10 days, are resting most of their starters including Tom Brady.
UPDATE: Lisa Salters of ESPN confirms that the Eagles are worried about a rib injury. Vick will get x-rays to determine the extent of the injury.

source: PFT.com
author: Josh Alper
photo from InsideTheEiggles.com

Tim Tebow admits frustration, Giants say they could see it

Jets quarterback Tim Tebow struggled on Saturday night, as did the entire offense in a 26-3 loss to the Giants. And the Giants said after the game that they could see Tebow was getting frustrated — which Tebow acknowledged.
“I was probably just frustrated because we want to get on the same [page] and have it run smooth,” Tebow said, via the Star-Ledger.
Giants defensive tackle Carlton Powell said he and his teammates could see that frustration, and Powell said he tried to add to that frustration by getting under Tebow’s skin with some post-play comments.
“You can tell by his body language,” Powell said. “Obviously, we were getting after him a little bit. And I guess they weren’t holding up their protection so some mistakes were being made so I saw him getting mad so I said a little something to him. He kind of looked at me like he wanted to say something, but he didn’t really say nothing though.”
Powell admits he said something to Tebow that was “not very appropriate,” and he said he thought he Tebow was growing angrier as the game wore on.
“The frustration was written all over him,” Powell said. “He was already upset so it didn’t take that much.”
After a loss in which the Jets’ offense averaged just 2.6 yards a play, everyone on the offense has plenty of reasons to be upset.

source: PFT.com
author: Michael David Smith
photo from ESPN.com

Favre’s debut as a coach results in big win

A guy who was born to be a quarterback also may know a thing or two about coaching.
In Brett Favre’s debut as offensive coordinator at Oak Grove High School in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Favre’s team pulled off a 64-6 win over Sumrall.
Coach Nevil Barr told the Hattiesburg American  that a gadget play installed by Favre resulted in an early touchdown.  “I trust in my offensive coaches – unless it’s just something that’s way out there,” Barr said. “Brett wanted to run it early in the game and it worked to perfection.”
The reality is that Sumrall was overmatched physically by Oak Grove.
“Last year, we played good for four minutes. This year, we played good for eight minutes,” Sumrall coach Shannon White said of the annual rivalry with Oak Grove.  “So after a year of work, we’re four minutes better.  Maybe if we work 10 more years, we’ll get a half, who knows.”
Favre is coaching on an unpaid basis.  After Friday night’s performance, Oak Grove should offer to double his salary.

source: PFT.com
author: Mike Florio

Jonathan Stewart survives a scare, after getting kicked in calf

As well as things went for the Panthers in the first half of last night’s win over the Dolphins, they had a bit of a scare from their new money man.
After scoring an early touchdown, running back Jonathan Stewart hobbled off the field with a trainer, but walked back a few minutes later after getting checked out.
“He got kicked in the calf and we just wanted to be cautious,” Panthers coach Ron Rivera said after the game.
Stewart, who signed a five-year contract extension last week which included $23 million guaranteed, was well enough to be seen dancing on the sidelines in the second half, clearly not bothered by the problem.
Starting center Ryan Kalil and right tackle Byron Bell also had to come out briefly after they got their feet stomped during the game, but X-rays on both were negative.
Those were the only negatives for the Panthers first offense, which rolled to a 17-0 lead in the first quarter and was up 20-7 at halftime.
Cam Newton was a clean 8-of-11 for 119 yards and a touchdown. The offense which ranked fifth in points and seventh in yards last year looked much more polished than in last week’s yawner against the Texans, and having Stewart healthy will be a key component in moving that forward.

source: PFT.com
author: Darin Gantt
photo by Bob Donnan/US Presswire

Emmanuel Sanders: Mike Wallace 'back pretty soon'

The Mike Wallace watch stretches on in Pittsburgh, but inside the Steelers' locker room, the wide receiver's teammates believe he's about to show his face.

That's according to plan. Wallace is expected to rejoin the team before the start of the season after skipping OTAs, minicamp and all of training camp through this week. Wallace wants a long-term deal; the Steelers want him to sign his $2.742 million tender.

The Steelers historically don't negotiate with holdouts, which contributes to the theory Wallace eventually will cave.

"There's a little buzz around the team that he'll be coming back pretty soon," receiver Emmanuel Sanders told the Beaver County Times. "I don't know the exact date, but it's looking pretty good."

It's unlikely to happen before the Steelers returns to team headquarters in Pittsburgh next week. That would give him at least a few weeks to learn Todd Haley's new offense. The Steelers have been advertised as building a run-first offense, but don't believe it. Yes, they'll pound the ball, but Haley loved the pass in Arizona and has one of the game's premier quarterbacks in Ben Roethlisberger.

This is a different team if Wallace stays away, but the Steelers aren't about to trade him. It's one of the offseason's final, lingering contract dramas. One that might be nearing an end.

Source:  Around The League/NFL.com
Author:  Marc Sessler
Photo from Gregory Shamus Getty Images
(BuzzBox.com)

Munchak tells Locker: Do what you’ve been doing and you’ll start

In another indication that the Titans’ quarterback job is Jake Locker’s to lose, coach Mike Munchak said today that if Locker continues to do through the rest of the preseason what he has done so far, he’ll beat out Matt Hasselbeck for the starting job.
Asked what Locker needs to do to win the starting job for the regular season, Munchak answered, “I think Jake Locker just has to do what he has been doing out here.”
Locker played better than Hasselbeck in the preseason opener, although neither quarterback was great. Munchak said he wants to see Locker get the Titans’ first-string offense into the end zone on Friday night against the Buccaneers.
“He needs to do what he did last week, but finish the drives as an offense,” Munchak said. “He finished and got the field goal on one of his drives. His one drive we didn’t get a touchdown, so it would be nice to see him, even though he isn’t going to get as much time as he’d like, out of 20 or 25 plays, get at least two drives where we do something positive with points. We’d like to see us go up by 10 points, move the ball, stay on the field and find a way to make plays. Those are the things you want to see.”
Locker has never started an NFL game, while Hasselbeck has 147 regular-season starts in his career. But Munchak said he doesn’t think Locker’s lack of experience is an issue.
“I don’t think it’s a big deal,” Munchak said. “I think it’s just something he needs to do and it’s helpful in the process for any player to go out there and get a chance to play. When I was playing, I didn’t go out there and start any preseason game, but then I started in the first regular season game. Guys do it all the time.”
Locker will get his first preseason start on Friday. And it’s sounding more and more like he’ll get his first regular-season start on September 9.

source: PFT.com
author: Michael David Smith
photo: George Walker IV, The TENNESSEAN

Pete Carroll says yes to Braylon and T.O., no to Chad Johnson

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll has been thrilled with the results after adding a couple of veteran wide receivers whose off-field issues have at times overshadowed their on-field talents, Braylon Edwards and Terrell Owens. So does that mean Carroll will try to make it a trifecta and bring in Chad Johnson?

Nope.

Carroll said on ESPN’s NFL 32 that he’s very pleased with what he has seen from Edwards and Owens, and those two are all the veteran receivers he needs to add.

“Braylon Edwards has played great for us in practice, and he did a beautiful job in the game, so he’s starting to make an impact,” Carroll said. “And then we thought Terrell might have a chance to make an impact as well, and we worked him out, and he was phenomenal. He’s right in the middle of everything, practicing hard, competing every day.”

When asked if he would consider Johnson, however, Carroll seemed to regard it as a ridiculous question, and sounded like he was trying to stifle laughter.

“No, I think we’re pretty well settled with what we’re doing here,” Carroll said. “That’s not going to happen here. No.”

That’s probably what every other NFL head coach would say about Johnson right now.


source: PFT.com
author: Michael David Smith
photo: AP Photo by J Pat Carter

Jake Locker will start Titans’ next preseason game

Jake Locker has moved ahead of Matt Hasselbeck in the Titans’ quarterback competition. At least for one preseason game.
Titans coach Mike Munchak confirmed today that Locker will start Friday’s preseason game against the Buccaneers. It will be Locker’s first start for the Titans after Hasselbeck started all 16 regular-season games and all four preseason games last year, and also started the preseason opener against the Seahawks this year.
But Locker outplayed Hasselbeck in that preseason opener, and that made the quarterback competition close enough that Locker is getting his first chance to start. Munchak said he’s looking forward to seeing how Locker handles the opportunity, and that he expects Locker and the first-string defense to get about 20 plays against the Buccaneers.
Locker saw extensive action in three games last season and played fairly well, completing 34 of 66 passes for 542 yards, with four touchdowns and no interceptions. If he turns in a big game against the Bucs on Friday night, he may be ready to unseat Hasselbeck permanently.

source: PFT.com
author: Michael David Smith
photo by George Walker IV, The TENNESSEAN.com

Jaguars cut Lee Evans

Lee Evans didn’t last long in Jacksonville.
The Jaguars announced today that they’ve released Evans, a free agent receiver they signed in April.
Jacksonville drafted receiver Justin Blackmon shortly after signing Evans, a pick that made Evans expendable, so it’s not surprising that Evans has been released shortly after Blackmon signed. Laurent Robinson is expected to start alongside Blackmon this season, with Cecil Shorts and Mike Thomas behind them on the depth chart.
A 2004 first-round draft pick of the Bills, Evans was traded to the Ravens a year ago and had by far his worst NFL season in Baltimore, catching just four passes in the regular season while battling foot and ankle injuries. In the playoffs he dropped a potentially game-winning touchdown pass that could have given the Ravens a victory over the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game.
Now Evans is out of work again, and at age 31 he may be running out of opportunities to play in the NFL.

source: PFT.com
author: Michael David Smith

Andre Johnson inactive for Texans preseason opener

Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson has resumed practicing since an early-camp groin injury, and isn’t known to have suffered any setbacks. But the organization is playing it cautiously with its 31-year-0ld, All-Pro skill-position player, deactivating Johnson for Saturday night’s preseason opener against the Panthers.
Per Nick Scurfield of the Texans’ website, impressive rookie Keshawn Martin will start in Johnson’s place. Martin appears to have passed spring sensation Lestar Jean on the depth chart.
Among Houston’s other notable inactives are linebacker Brian Cushing (virus) and defensive end J.J. Watt (elbow dislocation). Cushing, like Johnson, should be fine. Watt is due back by Week One.

source: PFT.com
author: Evan Silva

Report: Dwayne Bowe agrees to report to Chiefs

Hours before the Chiefs open their preseason schedule at Arrowhead Stadium, reports out of Kansas City say that unsigned franchise player Dwayne Bowe is about to rejoin the team.
KMBC 9 News in Kansas City is reporting that Bowe has reached an agreement with the Chiefs, and that he was flying to Kansas City on Friday afternoon.
Because Bowe and the Chiefs did not reach an agreement before the July 16 deadline for franchise players to sign long-term contracts, he can now only sign a one-year deal with the Chiefs. So he has presumably decided to sign his franchise tender, which guarantees him a 2012 salary of $9.5 million. He’ll then become an unrestricted free agent again in March, or get franchised again with a tender amount of $11.4 million.
The Chiefs’ No. 1 receiver, Bowe caught 81 passes for 1,159 yards and five touchdowns last season.

source: PFT.com
author: Michael David Smith
photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images from ArrowheadPride.com (sbnation)

Maurice Jones-Drew not expected in Jacksonville any time soon

Don’t expect Maurice Jones-Drew’s holdout to end soon.
Although Jones-Drew’s camp and the Jaguars are in regular contact, his holdout is expected to last until the end of August and possibly into September, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.
Schefter reports that the Jaguars and Jones-Drew have been speaking almost every day during training camp, and that the communication is “cordial.” You know, except for the part about how Jones-Drew is refusing to show up for work until the Jaguars give him more money, and the Jaguars are telling him he can either honor his contract or find a new line of work.
Jones-Drew still has two years left on the five-year, $31 million contract he signed in 2008. Eventually, he’s likely to get back to work and play for the $4.5 million he’s slated to get paid this year. But that’s probably not going to happen until just before the start of the regular season.

source: PFT.com
author: Michael David Smith
photo:  Getty Images from SportsKing.com

Adrian Peterson could be near Vikings practice return

Adrian Peterson remains determined to play in the Minnesota Vikings' season opener. He needs to get on the practice field first.

Peterson, who tore the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his left knee last December, has yet to be fully cleared for training camp. There's hope that can change next week.

"I'm looking forward to being out here pretty soon. I've been out for like two weeks, and it's time to get going,"  Peterson said, via The Associated Press. "I know that they understand that, and they've been watching and they've been getting good feedback. So I'm sure they are pretty much as excited as I am."

Peterson said he has given up trying to push coaches into letting him play, but Leslie Frazier sounded optimistic about his star running back.
"Everything I'm hearing is extremely positive, so we'll see where we are," the coach said.
"Everything he's done, he's right on point, but I say that without him ever participating in a drill with his teammates."
Peterson arguably is the greatest running back of his generation, but the Vikings need to be careful. Peterson badly wants back in, but that's expected. He also pointed to his patellar-tendon area Wednesday and said it still "feels funny."
That's all part of the recovery process, but the big picture should be the only picture here. The Vikings are rebuilding. There's no need to bring Peterson back unless he's 100 percent ready to return.

source:  Around The League/NFL.com
author:  Dan Hanzus
photo from GridIronFans.com via CBSSports

Terrell Owens, Braylon Edwards death match on tap?

Terrell Owens is now a member of the Seattle Seahawks. Will that still be the case a month from now?

Pete Carroll loves himself a reclamation project, but Owens is guaranteed nothing. If anything, the 38-year-old veteran might have to find a way to leapfrog other receivers on the roster.
Can he do that? Let's take a look, breaking down Seattle wideouts into three groups.
PLAUSIBLY SAFE

Golden Tate, Sidney Rice, Doug Baldwin

Rice is being brought along slowly after offseason shoulder surgeries and is just one year into a fat free-agent contract. Baldwin was the Seahawks leading receiver last season (788 yards, four TDs) and is a good fit for the slot. Seattle hopes this is the season Tate emerges as a consistent playmaker.

BUBBLE BOYS
Ben Obomanu, Kris Durham, Ricardo Lockette
Obomanu has the strongest résumé here, finishing last season with 436 yards and two touchdowns. Lockette has put himself on the radar with a strong start to training camp. Durham is a project, a fourth-round draft pick in 2011 who has both size (6-foot-6, 216 pounds) and versatility.
POSSIBLE DEATH MATCH
Terrell Owens, Braylon Edwards
Though lights-out training camps could allow both to make the team, we'd be surprised if both Owens and Edwards are in uniform by Week 1. Neither play special teams, so they'll have to make up for that lack of versatility by showing off their playmaking skills of yesteryear. Our money's on Edwards, but perhaps it's time to get out of the business of writing off T.O

source:  Around The League/NFL.com
author:  Dan Hanzus
photo credit: Mark J Rebilas US Presswire via USAToday.com

Colt McCoy says there was no competition at Browns camp

Brandon Weeden is officially the Browns starting quarterback.

The announcement came Monday, but it had been expected by just about everyone since the Browns took Weeden in the first round in April. Not included in “just about everyone” was Colt McCoy, who thought he had a shot at a starting job after ending last season atop the Cleveland quarterback totem pole.

McCoy said that coach Pat Shurmur told him that Weeden would be the starter before he made the announcement to the media, although McCoy’s comments suggest that there wasn’t much need for such formality. According to McCoy, any talk of a quarterback competition was nothing more than empty words.



“I have not taken any snaps with the first group,” McCoy said, via Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “I thought coming in it would be a competition.”

It’s hard to believe McCoy didn’t see this coming, but you can understand being disappointed that the starting job went to someone else. McCoy passed on saying he wanted to leave the Browns via trade or other means, which was a smart course of action. Making a stink isn’t going to help him.

If he wants out of Cleveland, the best thing he can do is play well in the preseason and hope that another team comes calling. If he doesn’t want out of Cleveland, well, it would be hard to believe McCoy doesn’t want out of Cleveland.

source:  PFT.com
author:  Josh Alper
photo credit: Joshua Gunter/The Plain Dealer via Cleveland.com

Garrett Reid found dead at Eagles training camp

Eagles G.M. Howie Roseman announced moments ago that Garrett Reid, the eldest son of Eagles coach Andy Reid, was found dead at training camp on Sunday morning.
“He’s been strong for us, we’re going to be strong for him right now,” Roseman said.
Lehigh University Chief of Police Edward Shupp confirmed that Garrett Reid’s body was found in his dorm room at training camp, following a 911 call placed at 7:20 a.m. ET.  Shupp added that at this point there is no evidence of foul play.  A member of the coroner’s office said that an investigation is ongoing.
We extend our deepest condolences to Coach Reid, his family, the players, the coaches, and all members of the Eagles organization.

source: PFT.com
author: Mike Florio
photo via DallasNews.com

Talk in Oakland that Plaxico Burress could fit with the Raiders

Free agent receiver Plaxico Burress just wants some team to show some interest in him, and there’s talk in Oakland that the Raiders could be that team.
According to Paul Gutierrez of CSNBayArea.com, Burress has hinted he’d like to play in Oakland, and Raiders coach Dennis Allen said he wouldn’t rule out bringing Burress in.
“We’re going to look at any options that are out there that we think can make us better. Whether or not we make any moves or not, that’s to be determined. But we’re not going to rule anything out,” Allen said.
That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement of signing Burress, but not being ruled out is about as good as it’s gotten for Burress this offseason. And it’s possible that the Raiders, who have a young and relatively unproven receiving corps, could be interested in adding a veteran to the mix.
But if the Raiders had real interest, why wouldn’t they have signed Burress by now? At the moment, it appears that the talk of Burress in Oakland is just talk.

source: PFT.com
author: Michael David Smith

David Garrard the early Miami Dolphins' QB favorite?

Publicly, Miami Dolphins coach Joe Philbin says the Dolphins' quarterback competition is wide open. He noted recently that David Garrard and Matt Moore's practice stats are nearly identical.
Privately, Peter King of Sports Illustrated hears that Garrard has been the most impressive in camp. This matches up with what King saw at Dolphins practice. Garrard reportedly shined on the day King was in attendance. (King thought Garrard was more impressive than Peyton Manning's practice in Denver.)
We also saw where Miami Herald columnist Armando Salguero wrote that he believes Ryan Tannehill and Moore are essentially battling to be Garrard's backup. It feels a little early to say that, but Garrard looks like the leader in the clubhouse.
Finally, we were interested in how Philbin runs his Dolphins practice. To limit time in the sun, the Dolphins are practice at breakneck speed.
"To get his quarterbacks enough work, he decided to have stereo 11-on-11 scrimmage sessions in the padded practices, one quarterback taking a snap and running a play, followed in seconds by the other quarterback taking a snap and running a play in the opposite direction. Brilliant," King wrote. "And it makes for a practice that seems to set land-speed records. I've never seen anything quite like it."
There's another thing to look forward to on "Hard Knocks" : Turbo-charged practices.

source: Around The League on NFL.com
author: Gregg Rosenthal
photo: Joe Rimkus Jr. / MiamiHerald.com Staff Photo

Rex Ryan: Going for two every time might make sense with Tebow

Jets coach Rex Ryan can’t remember where he first heard it, but after his team acquired Tim Tebow, Ryan heard an idea he found intriguing: Someone suggested that Tebow is such a good goal-line quarterback, as both a runner and a passer, that the Jets ought to go for two after every touchdown
“I don’t know where it came from but they were like, ‘They ought to go for two every time this year.’ That might make sense,” Ryan said.
Intrigued by the notion, Ryan gave it some thought. He said that it’s not realistic to simply do away with the one-point extra point, but it is realistic to think the Jets can feel much more confident than most teams when they go for two, thanks to Tebow.
“Now, we’re not going to, I can tell you that right now, but I can understand where the guy’s coming from, whoever came up with that, because it’s 11-on-11 football and he’s a 250-pound man who’s running downhill at you, or throwing. That’s the other thing. It’s not just that he can run it but he can throw it as well,” Ryan said.
Obviously, no team is ever going to go for two after every touchdown. There are certain game situations when having a nearly 100 percent chance of making a one-point extra point is a much safer bet than going for two. But if there’s a team that has good enough personnel for goal-line situations that it believes it can convert a two-point conversion more than 50 percent of the time, then that team should go for two most of the time.
So far, there’s never been a team that took that approach: The one-point conversion is the default choice for every team. But maybe Ryan can be persuaded to use Tebow on two-point conversions even when the “chart” says he should kick. Ryan might just be enamored enough with Tebow’s skills to defy conventional wisdom, and regularly go for two.

source: PFT.com
author: Michael David Smith
photo credit: Anthony J Causi via NYPost.com

Meachem gives Chargers a scare Wednesday night

Michael Gehlken of the Union-Tribune San Diego reports that Chargers receiver Robert Meachem suffered a possible injury in Wednesday night’s training camp practice. Per Gehlken, the injury was to Meachem’s right leg, and possibly his right knee.
Meachem has had right knee problems since his rookie year in New Orleans. He had the same knee scoped this past offseason.
Gehlken reports Meachem was able to walk off the field on his own power Wednesday night, which is a good sign. Coach Norv Turner stated in a post-practice presser that he doesn’t believe Meachem’s injury was anything serious, allowing that he still needs to speak to the Chargers’ head athletic trainer.
At this point, the injury sounds like no more than a tweak.
The Chargers signed Meachem to a four-year, $25.9 million contract in March.


source: PFT.com
author: Evan Silva
photo from Chargers.com

Ryan Mathews injured after causing two-car accident

Chargers running back Ryan Mathews got off to a slow start last year when he failed to pass a conditioning test.
This year, there’s another early obstacle to overcome.
According to Debbi Baker of U-T San Diego, Mathews suffered “minor injuries,” in a two-vehicle collision.
According to the California Highway Patrol report, Mathews was entering Interstate 8 when he lost control of his BMW and hit another vehicle. He was taken to a hospital after complaining of pain. The CHP said speed was a factor in the accident, but no one in the other car was injured.
Mathews was poised to have a breakout year, after finishing with 1,091 yards in 14 games last year. With Mike Tolbert gone to the Panthers, he was expecting a heavier workload, and said earlier this month he was “about to blow it away.”
Hopefully, he recovers in time to do so, and doesn’t throw away a golden opportunity.


source: PFT.com
author: Darin Gantt
photo credit: Image of Sport/PR Photo