Post by John on May 17, 2006 9:51:38 GMT -4
5/17 Updates
CIN - HC Lewis Believes QB Palmer Will Be Ready - Plus Video
Source: Geoff Hobson, Bengals.com
As his teammates opened their voluntary camp Tuesday morning, QB Carson Palmer ran for the first time on land Tuesday in his rehab and reported his reconstructed left knee continues to feel fine. "It feels good. Right where I should be," said Palmer on a day HC Marvin Lewis reiterated he believes Palmer will be ready to start Opening Day. Palmer didn't suit up, but all eyes were on him as he threw to receivers during warmups and then jogged some sprints at a fairly good rate on the sidelines along with agility drills.
This is the best news yet for Palmer. Here is a link to video from practice where you can see him working through drills and moving extremely well. www.channelcincinnati.com/video/9227111/index.html It's easy to see why the team is encouraged.
NO - Saints Break Season-Ticket Sale Record
Source: Associated Press
The New Orleans Saints have set a franchise record for season-ticket sales. Owner Tom Benson said "a spike" in ticket sales occurred after drafting Reggie Bush with the second pick in the NFL Draft last month, but they were already on a record pace.
MIA - QB Harrington To Get $3.75 Million In Guaranteed Money
Source: Len Pasquarelli, ESPN.com
In addition to the late-round draft pick surrendered to the Detroit Lions, the minimum cost of the insurance policy the Miami Dolphins essentially purchased by acquiring veteran quarterback Joey Harrington via a trade last Friday afternoon will be just under $4 million, ESPN.com has learned.
According to league salary documents obtained by ESPN.com, the Dolphins signed Harrington to a three-year contract after acquiring the four-year veteran and former first-round draft choice. The deal includes a signing bonus of $2.2 million and a 2006 base salary of $800,000, meaning that Harrington will earn $3 million for the coming season.
MIA - Dolphins Think RB R.Brown Can Carry Load?
Source: Barry Jackson, Miami Herald
The Dolphins believe more carries will not be a problem for RB Ronnie Brown, who has vowed to be in better shape than last July, when he held out. One good sign: He averaged 4.3 yards in three games when he ran at least 20 times, very close to his 4.4 in the other games.
NO - QB Brees Throwing Five Days A Week
Source: Peter Finney, New Orleans Times-Picayune
Here we are, 137 days into a new year, and you have QB Drew Brees throwing from 80-to-90 passes, 30-yard passes, three times a week, on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and throwing another 40 on Tuesday and Thursday. When the Saints regroup for a three-day minicamp next month, Brees will be doing, as he put it, "more than they said I'd be doing in June."
BAL - TEN - Ravens Confident QB McNair Will Join Them
Source: Jamison Hensley, Baltimore Sun
The ruling from yesterday's hearing between QB Steve McNair and the Titans might not come until June 1, a longer-than-expected wait that could delay the two-time Pro Bowl quarterback's move to the Ravens. Ravens officials privately remain confident that McNair will join the team over the next two months either by trade or release. However, the Titans could allow McNair back into their complex and hold onto him until late July. At that point, McNair would have missed all of the Ravens' minicamps.
5/16 Updates
NO - MRI Reveals RB Bush Has Only 'Mild Strain'
Source: AP
An MRI of Saints rookie Reggie Bush's left hamstring revealed the problem to be nothing more than a mild strain, the running back's marketing agent said Tuesday.
"He's feeling great," Mike Ornstein said. "Probably in another week, he'll be 100 percent."
Bush sustained the hamstring injury while stretching before the Saints' first rookie minicamp practice last Saturday at the team's facility in suburban Metairie. The injury severely curtailed his on-field work during the five practice sessions, rendering the club's No. 1 draft choice little more than a spectator over three days.
TEN - Titans Eager To Settle On A QB
Source: Jim Wyatt, The Tennesseean
For the first time since the Titans came to Tennessee they do not have a starting quarterback leading them into a new season. As of right now Billy Volek is working with the first team and Matt Mauck is right behind him. Vince Young will not participate with the veterans till Wednesday.
Coach Fisher says, "Billy's role right now, he is our most experienced guy and he is the starter. If there comes a point where that ends up being the way we are going to go, Billy will be ready to step in there.''
NO - Saints Making Plays For RB Bush
Source: Len Pasquarelli, ESPN.com
The New Orleans Saints reportedly began rewriting their playbook the night before the NFL draft when they found out that the Houston Texans were passing on RB Reggie Bush.
It'll be a challenge working Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister together in the offense. Expect a lot of motion this year so that defenses can not key in on where these two backs will be coming from. HC Sean Payton has a good problem to have. "Getting this all figured out," Payton said, smiling, "is a fun challenge to have."
"Everyone talks about having to get me out in space, where I can make people miss, and run past all those defenders. Well, I can create space, too. Give me the ball and you'll see. I just figure coach Payton and his guys will figure it out. There's enough ways, I'm sure, for me and [McAllister] to get the ball in our hands."
PIT - RB Parker Looking For Bigger Role
Source: AP, The Tribune Review
Pittsburgh Steeler RB Willie Parker has been remembered for his 75-yard run in the Super Bowl. He did a little more than that last year. He rushed for 1202 yards in the regular season and 225 yards in the playoffs. With RB Jerome Bettis retiring, Parker is looking for a bigger role. How much HC Bill Cowher uses RB Duce Staley is still up in the air. "We're not going to alter our approach to the game," Cowher said. "You look at the end of the season and say you're 60 percent running the ball, then we're probably winning football games. So I think we have the ability to do whatever it takes, and we will continue to do that. If we get a lead, we will continue to take the air out of the ball."
"That's not my call," Parker said when asked whether he was worried that the Steelers might take a back in the draft. "Whatever the coach decides, that's what we're going to do." We're looking for coach to decide to run Willie Parker.
MIA - Younger Vick Probably Won't Play QB
Source: David J. Neal, Miami Herald
On Monday the Miami Dolphins signed Marcus vick as a free agent. Unlike his previous job, he will most likely not be playing QB for the Fins. In fact, he was not lined up at QB his last day of tryouts. The Dolphins see Vick more like an Antwaan Randle El where he lines up at WR but can do a host of other things at any given moment. Vick will join the rest of the rookies today in their "organized training activity."
PIT - WR S.Holmes Flashes Speed
Source: Joe Bendel, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
WR Santonio Holmes, the speedy first-round pick from Ohio State, flashed several glimpses of his 4.38-second speed by zipping through the Steelers' secondary and snatching deep balls, including a beauty of a 45-yarder from QB Charlie Batch on Monday, the final day of minicamp. "He got behind guys four times clean during this camp," receivers coach Bruce Arians said. "He's in the process of learning his patterns, so he's not as fast as he will be. When he understood things, he played fast. He has great hands. He can play inside or outside. He's everything we'd hoped he could be."
MIN - FB Goodspeed Tears ACL
Source: Kevin Seifert, Star Tribune
Fullback Joey Goodspeed, signed as a free agent in February, suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee Saturday afternoon and almost certainly won't be available to play this season. Childress said only that Goodspeed "hurt his knee," but a person with knowledge of the situation confirmed the diagnosis.
The Vikings plan to feature free agent acquisition Tony Richardson at FB. Richardson has been an important part of Kansas City's running game blocking for Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson.
DEN - WR Lelie Not At Practice
Source: AP, ESPN.com
WR Ashlie Lelie was a no-show at Tuesday's practice and HC Mike Shanahan's patience is growing thin. "I can't worry about the guys that aren't here -- or the guy that's not here," Shanahan said after his nine-day quarterbacks camp opened without the recalcitrant former first-round draft pick. "The only thing I'm concerned about are the people that are here. I know it's hard to be the No. 1 wide receiver when you're not competing." Lelie wants to be the number one WR on a NFL team and he realizes that his chance to do that isn't in Denver with WR Rod Smith and newly acquired WR Javon Walker holding down the starting spots.
DEN - RB Bell And RB Dayne Split Carries In Practice
Source: Andrew Mason, DenverBroncos.com
Ron Dayne said that he and fellow running back Tatum Bell split the carries evenly during Tuesday's session ...
TEN - McNair Arbitration Decision Expected By June 1
Source: AP
An arbitrator heard more than seven hours of testimony Tuesday on whether the Tennessee Titans breached quarterback Steve McNair's contract by barring him from working out at the team's headquarters.
McNair, who parked his sport utility vehicle in the lot for visitors and not the players' gated area, left the hearing along with agent Bus Cook without making any comment.
Richard Berthelsen, general counsel for the players' union, said arbitrator John Feerick hoped to return a decision by June 1. The union argued that McNair should be allowed to work out or be released.
Here is the official statement from the Titans:
"Both sides presented their respective positions to John Feerick, the arbitrator, during the day today in nearly eight hours of testimony. We feel confident Mr. Feerick has a complete understanding of the relevant issues in the case and the applicable provisions of the collective bargaining agreement. We understand a decision is likely within the next two weeks. We will not issue any further comment on the issue until a decision has been rendered."
SF - Can WR Brandon Williams Cut It With The Big Boys?
Source: Hugo Guzman, 49erswebzone.com
San Francisco WR Brandon Williams, a 3rd round draft choice, only stands 5-11 and weighs 175 lbs. but do not let this skinny body mislead you. He compiled 202 catches for over 3,000 yards at Wisconsin. While most think he will only be a kick return specialist do not be surprised to see Williams breaking into the 49ers offense at some point.
CIN - HC Lewis Believes QB Palmer Will Be Ready - Plus Video
Source: Geoff Hobson, Bengals.com
As his teammates opened their voluntary camp Tuesday morning, QB Carson Palmer ran for the first time on land Tuesday in his rehab and reported his reconstructed left knee continues to feel fine. "It feels good. Right where I should be," said Palmer on a day HC Marvin Lewis reiterated he believes Palmer will be ready to start Opening Day. Palmer didn't suit up, but all eyes were on him as he threw to receivers during warmups and then jogged some sprints at a fairly good rate on the sidelines along with agility drills.
This is the best news yet for Palmer. Here is a link to video from practice where you can see him working through drills and moving extremely well. www.channelcincinnati.com/video/9227111/index.html It's easy to see why the team is encouraged.
NO - Saints Break Season-Ticket Sale Record
Source: Associated Press
The New Orleans Saints have set a franchise record for season-ticket sales. Owner Tom Benson said "a spike" in ticket sales occurred after drafting Reggie Bush with the second pick in the NFL Draft last month, but they were already on a record pace.
MIA - QB Harrington To Get $3.75 Million In Guaranteed Money
Source: Len Pasquarelli, ESPN.com
In addition to the late-round draft pick surrendered to the Detroit Lions, the minimum cost of the insurance policy the Miami Dolphins essentially purchased by acquiring veteran quarterback Joey Harrington via a trade last Friday afternoon will be just under $4 million, ESPN.com has learned.
According to league salary documents obtained by ESPN.com, the Dolphins signed Harrington to a three-year contract after acquiring the four-year veteran and former first-round draft choice. The deal includes a signing bonus of $2.2 million and a 2006 base salary of $800,000, meaning that Harrington will earn $3 million for the coming season.
MIA - Dolphins Think RB R.Brown Can Carry Load?
Source: Barry Jackson, Miami Herald
The Dolphins believe more carries will not be a problem for RB Ronnie Brown, who has vowed to be in better shape than last July, when he held out. One good sign: He averaged 4.3 yards in three games when he ran at least 20 times, very close to his 4.4 in the other games.
NO - QB Brees Throwing Five Days A Week
Source: Peter Finney, New Orleans Times-Picayune
Here we are, 137 days into a new year, and you have QB Drew Brees throwing from 80-to-90 passes, 30-yard passes, three times a week, on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and throwing another 40 on Tuesday and Thursday. When the Saints regroup for a three-day minicamp next month, Brees will be doing, as he put it, "more than they said I'd be doing in June."
BAL - TEN - Ravens Confident QB McNair Will Join Them
Source: Jamison Hensley, Baltimore Sun
The ruling from yesterday's hearing between QB Steve McNair and the Titans might not come until June 1, a longer-than-expected wait that could delay the two-time Pro Bowl quarterback's move to the Ravens. Ravens officials privately remain confident that McNair will join the team over the next two months either by trade or release. However, the Titans could allow McNair back into their complex and hold onto him until late July. At that point, McNair would have missed all of the Ravens' minicamps.
5/16 Updates
NO - MRI Reveals RB Bush Has Only 'Mild Strain'
Source: AP
An MRI of Saints rookie Reggie Bush's left hamstring revealed the problem to be nothing more than a mild strain, the running back's marketing agent said Tuesday.
"He's feeling great," Mike Ornstein said. "Probably in another week, he'll be 100 percent."
Bush sustained the hamstring injury while stretching before the Saints' first rookie minicamp practice last Saturday at the team's facility in suburban Metairie. The injury severely curtailed his on-field work during the five practice sessions, rendering the club's No. 1 draft choice little more than a spectator over three days.
TEN - Titans Eager To Settle On A QB
Source: Jim Wyatt, The Tennesseean
For the first time since the Titans came to Tennessee they do not have a starting quarterback leading them into a new season. As of right now Billy Volek is working with the first team and Matt Mauck is right behind him. Vince Young will not participate with the veterans till Wednesday.
Coach Fisher says, "Billy's role right now, he is our most experienced guy and he is the starter. If there comes a point where that ends up being the way we are going to go, Billy will be ready to step in there.''
NO - Saints Making Plays For RB Bush
Source: Len Pasquarelli, ESPN.com
The New Orleans Saints reportedly began rewriting their playbook the night before the NFL draft when they found out that the Houston Texans were passing on RB Reggie Bush.
It'll be a challenge working Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister together in the offense. Expect a lot of motion this year so that defenses can not key in on where these two backs will be coming from. HC Sean Payton has a good problem to have. "Getting this all figured out," Payton said, smiling, "is a fun challenge to have."
"Everyone talks about having to get me out in space, where I can make people miss, and run past all those defenders. Well, I can create space, too. Give me the ball and you'll see. I just figure coach Payton and his guys will figure it out. There's enough ways, I'm sure, for me and [McAllister] to get the ball in our hands."
PIT - RB Parker Looking For Bigger Role
Source: AP, The Tribune Review
Pittsburgh Steeler RB Willie Parker has been remembered for his 75-yard run in the Super Bowl. He did a little more than that last year. He rushed for 1202 yards in the regular season and 225 yards in the playoffs. With RB Jerome Bettis retiring, Parker is looking for a bigger role. How much HC Bill Cowher uses RB Duce Staley is still up in the air. "We're not going to alter our approach to the game," Cowher said. "You look at the end of the season and say you're 60 percent running the ball, then we're probably winning football games. So I think we have the ability to do whatever it takes, and we will continue to do that. If we get a lead, we will continue to take the air out of the ball."
"That's not my call," Parker said when asked whether he was worried that the Steelers might take a back in the draft. "Whatever the coach decides, that's what we're going to do." We're looking for coach to decide to run Willie Parker.
MIA - Younger Vick Probably Won't Play QB
Source: David J. Neal, Miami Herald
On Monday the Miami Dolphins signed Marcus vick as a free agent. Unlike his previous job, he will most likely not be playing QB for the Fins. In fact, he was not lined up at QB his last day of tryouts. The Dolphins see Vick more like an Antwaan Randle El where he lines up at WR but can do a host of other things at any given moment. Vick will join the rest of the rookies today in their "organized training activity."
PIT - WR S.Holmes Flashes Speed
Source: Joe Bendel, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
WR Santonio Holmes, the speedy first-round pick from Ohio State, flashed several glimpses of his 4.38-second speed by zipping through the Steelers' secondary and snatching deep balls, including a beauty of a 45-yarder from QB Charlie Batch on Monday, the final day of minicamp. "He got behind guys four times clean during this camp," receivers coach Bruce Arians said. "He's in the process of learning his patterns, so he's not as fast as he will be. When he understood things, he played fast. He has great hands. He can play inside or outside. He's everything we'd hoped he could be."
MIN - FB Goodspeed Tears ACL
Source: Kevin Seifert, Star Tribune
Fullback Joey Goodspeed, signed as a free agent in February, suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee Saturday afternoon and almost certainly won't be available to play this season. Childress said only that Goodspeed "hurt his knee," but a person with knowledge of the situation confirmed the diagnosis.
The Vikings plan to feature free agent acquisition Tony Richardson at FB. Richardson has been an important part of Kansas City's running game blocking for Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson.
DEN - WR Lelie Not At Practice
Source: AP, ESPN.com
WR Ashlie Lelie was a no-show at Tuesday's practice and HC Mike Shanahan's patience is growing thin. "I can't worry about the guys that aren't here -- or the guy that's not here," Shanahan said after his nine-day quarterbacks camp opened without the recalcitrant former first-round draft pick. "The only thing I'm concerned about are the people that are here. I know it's hard to be the No. 1 wide receiver when you're not competing." Lelie wants to be the number one WR on a NFL team and he realizes that his chance to do that isn't in Denver with WR Rod Smith and newly acquired WR Javon Walker holding down the starting spots.
DEN - RB Bell And RB Dayne Split Carries In Practice
Source: Andrew Mason, DenverBroncos.com
Ron Dayne said that he and fellow running back Tatum Bell split the carries evenly during Tuesday's session ...
TEN - McNair Arbitration Decision Expected By June 1
Source: AP
An arbitrator heard more than seven hours of testimony Tuesday on whether the Tennessee Titans breached quarterback Steve McNair's contract by barring him from working out at the team's headquarters.
McNair, who parked his sport utility vehicle in the lot for visitors and not the players' gated area, left the hearing along with agent Bus Cook without making any comment.
Richard Berthelsen, general counsel for the players' union, said arbitrator John Feerick hoped to return a decision by June 1. The union argued that McNair should be allowed to work out or be released.
Here is the official statement from the Titans:
"Both sides presented their respective positions to John Feerick, the arbitrator, during the day today in nearly eight hours of testimony. We feel confident Mr. Feerick has a complete understanding of the relevant issues in the case and the applicable provisions of the collective bargaining agreement. We understand a decision is likely within the next two weeks. We will not issue any further comment on the issue until a decision has been rendered."
SF - Can WR Brandon Williams Cut It With The Big Boys?
Source: Hugo Guzman, 49erswebzone.com
San Francisco WR Brandon Williams, a 3rd round draft choice, only stands 5-11 and weighs 175 lbs. but do not let this skinny body mislead you. He compiled 202 catches for over 3,000 yards at Wisconsin. While most think he will only be a kick return specialist do not be surprised to see Williams breaking into the 49ers offense at some point.