Carson Palmer declares himself 100 percent, says he was weeks ago

Since they had about a zero percent chance without him last year, the Cardinals want to make sure Carson Palmer is 100 percent in September.
So even though he’s feeling good in June, he still might not take all the work.
Via Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com, Palmer said he was cleared “weeks ago” in his recovery from a torn ACL, and is ready to practice without restrictions now.
“I’m ready. I’m excited. I’m 100 percent. I’m cleared,” Palmer told ESPN. “I can do everything. I’ve tested out. Gotten stronger every week, every month, just ready to get going.”
Palmer said he’d participate in 11-on-11 drills in today’s minicamp for the first time, which the Cardinals have held him out of thus far. Why? Because Dante Fowler and Ryan Clady, that’s why. With bodies flying around, weird stuff can happen, so the Cards are taking the safe approach with their quarterback.
“That wasn’t me saying I’m worried about somebody else,” Palmer said. “That was the trainers and the surgeon and the doctors and PTs and all that. I don’t think twice about it. . . .
“I feel great. I probably never worked this hard in my life and I’ve always worked hard. I feel as fast as I’ve ever been, as quick as I’ve ever been, I’m stronger than I’ve ever been just because I’ve been going since late November. So, I feel great. Just looking forward to [Tuesday].”
And the Cardinals will be holding their breath, for a moment at least, after watching a promising season fall to pieces when Palmer’s knee went out last year.

Source: PFT.com
Author: Darin Gantt
Photo: Rick Scuteri, AP

After back injuries, Tony Romo gives up offseason golf

Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is one of the NFL’s best golfers, but he’s not playing at all this offseason.
Romo told Clarence Hill of the Star-Telegram that his back injuries have made him decide to put all his offseason energy into keeping his back healthy. There’s no place for golf in that.
“I’ve made it a competition with myself and I think that’s something that I’ve learned, that I’ve loved, which I’ve said before is competition,” Romo said. “I’ve made it a competition to be at my best with my back, with my training, and I think that’s allowed me to consistently get stronger each day, each week, each month since the surgery last year. It’s showing in the strength department being able to go longer periods of time.”
Romo said he doesn’t view giving up golf as a sacrifice, considering that a healthier back will make him better at his first sport.
“Well, I love football,” he said. “I think what you find is that you love the game of football so much that it’s easy to have other things take a backseat.”
That’s a wise decision for Romo. There will be time for golf in retirement.

Source: PFT.com
Author: Michael David Smith
AP Photo

DeSean Jackson: “Personal business” kept me away last week

Wide receiver DeSean Jackson’s absence from organized team activities last week didn’t elicit much of a reaction from Redskins General Manager Bruce Allen, who said that attendance at voluntary practices was “up to each player” and that he was confident Jackson would be “ready to go” once he did report for work.
That didn’t stop some from criticizing Jackson after he was spotted at an NBA playoff game while the team was practicing, but Jackson doesn’t have much concern about such criticism.
“I don’t play for them and I don’t hear about them. I live my life to do what I need to do,” Jackson said Wednesday, via Brian McNally of 106.7 The Fan.
Jackson said that he had “personal business” to take care of and that the team was aware that he wouldn’t be joining them. He also added that there was still ample time for him to work with Robert Griffin III and the other quarterbacks on the team before the start of the season.
Coach Jay Gruden echoed Allen’s comments about the low level of concern about Jackson’s absence and said that Jackson looked good on the field upon his arrival for work, which should put a pin in this offseason conversation point.

Source: PFT.com
Author: Josh Alper
Getty Images

Sanchez says his comments about Tebow were misconstrued

Eagles quarterback Mark Sanchez said after the team signed Tim Tebow that Tebow was just a camp arm, brought in as “another guy to throw.” Now Sanchez says those comments were misconstrued.
“I think that kind of came off the wrong way,” Sanchez said, via ESPN. “At least it was not exactly what I intended to say. It took on a life of its own. Listen, everybody’s here for a reason. We’re all working hard, trying to make each other better. Coach wanted specific guys here for specific reasons. That’s up to coach. We just plug in and play.”
Tebow, who served as a backup to Sanchez with the Jets in 2012, said he has nothing but positive feelings toward Sanchez.
“We had that relationship for a year,” Tebow said. “I think it’s deeper, it’s more evolved. I think it’s a good relationship. I have a lot of respect for him. I think you just try to make each other better.”
Sanchez and Tebow didn’t have much of a competition in 2012, and they aren’t really competing this year, either: Sanchez’s competition is with Sam Bradford for the starting job, while Tebow’s competition is with Matt Barkley for the third-string job. So there’s no real reason for the two of them to view each other as rivals.

Source: PFT.com
Author: Michael David Smith
Photo: Tebow.Tampa.com