TE Quinn Sypniewski will miss the 2008 season. Sypniewski suffered a serious knee injury on April 18 in an on-field drill and was carted off the field. Coach John Harbaugh chose not to comment on the injury until Spyniewski, the top backup to Todd Heap, had surgery, which he did before the Ravens opened minicamp Friday. Said Harbaugh: "He had surgery. The ligament tore off the bone, and the piece of the bone that came off the ligament shattered, which made it a situation where it's going to be 6-9 months (to recover)." [Added 05/09/08 at 20:00]
DE Terrell Suggs was a no-show at Ravens minicamp. Suggs, the team's franchise player, is seeking a long-term contract. [Added 05/09/08 at 20:00]
QB Matt Schaub returned to the practice field for the Texans, who weren't certain Schaub would be ready to practice at full speed after missing five games with various injuries in his first season in Houston. [Added 05/09/08 at 20:00]
WR Koren Robinson was released by the Packers. Robinson, who was drafted by the Seahawks, signed with the Packers in 2006 after one season with the Vikings. [Added 05/09/08 at 19:00]
DB Willie Andrews entered a plea to a marijuana possession charge stemming from his arrest in February, when Andrews was pulled over in Lowell, Mass. He was in possession of a half pound of marijuana and almost $7,000 cash. Andrews, 24, won't face prison time. [Added 05/09/08 at 19:00]
OT Charles Spencer was back on the field for the first time since suffering a broken left leg in the second game of the 2006 season. Spencer, who feared the injury could be career-threatening, was the Texans' starter for the first two games of that season. He could compete with Ephraim Salaam behind rookie first-round pick Duane Brown, who has been named the starter. [Added 05/09/08 at 19:00]
Andrews plead to a marijuana charge on Friday, but won't face any prison time, the Associated Press reports. [Added 05/09/08 at 18:00]
Andrews will speak about the dangers of drugs, pay a fine, and go through the NFL substance abuse program. The Patriots did not comment on the case. [Added 05/09/08 at 18:00]
The Packers have reportedly released Robinson from their roster, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports. [Added 05/09/08 at 17:00]
While he is a special teams threat, Robinson was apparently the most expendable of the 13 members of the Packers' receiving corps heading into training camp. He's still a good kick returner, and should find a home with another team soon. [Added 05/09/08 at 17:00]
Suggs did not attend the mandatory minicamp Friday on account of an ongoing contract dispute, the Baltimore Sun reports. [Added 05/09/08 at 16:00]
Suggs has a franchise tag on him for linebackers ($8.065 million) but is trying to get the one-year tag for defensive ends, which is $814,000 more. Suggs was with the team earlier in the week to show support for new Ravens coach John Harbaugh, but would not suit up and practice. Suggs' five sacks was a career-low for him in 2007, but he did set a career-high with 95 tackles and will be a must-start at IDP come Week 1. [Added 05/09/08 at 16:00]
Schaub (shoulder) will participate in drills during this weekend's three-day mini camp, the Houston Chronicle reports. [Added 05/09/08 at 14:00]
This weekend's training is going to mostly focus on endurance drills, and no players will be dressed in pads. According to coach Gary Kubiak, Schaub would not be able to participate in any full-speed contact practices at this stage of the game. Schaub should be ready when the team dresses in full gear later this summer, and should man the starting quarterback spot come preseason. [Added 05/09/08 at 14:00]
Williams is still not comfortable in the 3-4 defensive scheme, according to the Dallas Morning News. [Added 05/09/08 at 12:00]
Williams has isolated himself from the team by working out at Valley Ranch before sunrise without his teammates. Williams has also stated that he sometimes hopes passes won't be thrown his way in one on one coverage. Yikes, this is not what you want to hear out of your safety. One has to believe Williams will be nowhere near the field in passing situations. [Added 05/09/08 at 12:00]
Bironas has signed a one-year deal with the Titans, the Tennessean reports. [Added 05/09/08 at 09:00]
Bironas was named to the Pro Bowl last season after making 35 of 39 field goal attempts. [Added 05/09/08 at 09:00]
Titans running back LenDale White is excited about the possibilities that exist with Johnson, the Titans' first-round NFL Draft pick, the Tennessean reports. [Added 05/09/08 at 09:00]
"It gives us a one-two punch,'' White said. "After I bang 'em up for so long, you get him in there and he can run by them. At USC, Reggie (Bush) ran by them and I ran through them. It was a good one-two combination because you had defenses having to prepare for two different style backs. It was like that with me and Reggie and it can be like that with me and Chris — I feel like with me and him in the backfield, we can get it done.'' Johnson, the Titans' 24th overall pick out of East Carolina, took part in the team's rookie orientation last weekend but won't join veterans on the field until later this month. The Titans were fifth in the NFL in rushing last season. [Added 05/09/08 at 09:00]
White is still working his way back from arthroscopic knee surgery and will be limited at the team's minicamp practices over the next week, the Tennessean reports. [Added 05/09/08 at 09:00]
White had a breakout season rushing for 1,110 yards and seven touchdowns. The Titans are hoping that first round pick Chris Johnson can team with White to form a one-two punch. [Added 05/09/08 at 09:00]
DT Jovan Haye, a restricted free agent, re-signed with the Buccaneers. [Added 05/08/08 at 23:00]
PK Rob Bironas, a restricted free agent, re-signed with the Titans. [Added 05/08/08 at 23:00]
SS Roy Williams, oft-criticized in the Dallas area for his poor coverage skills, was defended by teammate Greg Ellis on a national radio program on Thursday. "I feel bad for my teammate," Ellis said. "Everybody is saying they need to get rid of him, they need to trade him. I think he gets a bad rap. I hate it for Roy myself. One think you can't say I said about Roy is that he should be traded or let go. I think he should stay my teammate. When someone asks me a question, it's my job to be on Roy's side and that's what I was doing. I don't think he should go anywhere. He should stay here." Although Ellis said Williams should stay -- Ellis also said Williams wants to stay -- he acknowledged that Williams has been distancing himself from the team. Williams, according to Ellis, works out at a different time than most other Cowboys' players. Ellis is part of a group that works out at 7 each morning; Williams is usually on his way out the door when they arrive. "I don't know the reason behind that," Ellis said. "He just works out before the first group gets in there." [Added 05/08/08 at 23:00]
Stanback has lost 12 pounds this offseason, and now weighs 210, the Dallas Morning News reports. [Added 05/08/08 at 21:00]
Stanback struggled last year converting from quarterback in college to receiver in the pros, but feels he will have to do less learning this year. [Added 05/08/08 at 21:00]
OG Chris Kemoeatu, 6-3, 344, has been knocking on the door for a couple of years and, with the departure via free agency of Alan Faneca, he's getting his shot. "I'll tell you what, I have a lot of confidence in that guy," OL coach Larry Zierlein said. "Aside from the physical thing, he's a big kid. He was ready to play last year. He was ready, and Kendall kind of won the thing, but it was close. When we came out of training camp, preseason games, the grades were close. But this kid is ready to play. The thing that I told him the other day, 'It's obvious to me, when you see blitzes, you understand it all. Just become a little more verbal.' He understands things. I like him, I really do like him. I think he's going to be a good player." [Added 05/08/08 at 21:00]
QB Chris Simms was shopped during the draft but the universal response is sure to be a letdown to Simms and the Buccaneers -- not interested. Simms and Bruce Gradkowski were placed on the trade block, but no team made an offer, expecting that one or both veterans will be cut given Tampa Bay's wealth of quarterbacks. The Bucs believe Simms has value in part because they paid him more than $7 million over the past two seasons. At best, they can wait until July and hope he reports to training camp and proves he's healthy in the preseason. Maybe by then, injuries will leave a team short at quarterback. [Added 05/08/08 at 21:00]
SS Troy Polamalu will again follow the non-traditional training methods of non-conformist guru Marv Marinovich in California, returning to the man he trusted with his body until the past few years. Marinovich does not believe in the traditional NFL-style weight-lifting and Polamalu was one of his prized students. But for the past few years, Polamalu remained in Pittsburgh to train rather than going to the West Coast. After a disappointing season in which he sustained three separate injuries -- to his knee, his ribs and his oblique -- Polamalu has decided to skip all the voluntary workouts in Pittsburgh to rejoin his California guru. "I kind of went away from what I did previously," said Polamalu, who attended but did not practice during the team's mandatory minicamp last weekend. "I'd been staying here the last two years and training here in Pittsburgh, other than going to California. I'm trying to spend a little more time out there with my trainer in California." [Added 05/08/08 at 21:00]
WR Dexter Jackson was the only receiver the Buccaneers added in the draft. Jackson's stock rose during workouts for the East-West Shrine Game. Then he ran 4.27 seconds for 40 yards at the NFL Scouting Combine, fastest among the receivers. From his physical measurements, he is similar to Joey Galloway. It's not a coincidence. The Bucs have stockpiled big, physical receivers such as Michael Clayton and Maurice Stovall, but they need someone who can stretch the field in case the 36-year-old Galloway goes down. "Hopefully, Joey can take me under his wing and just teach me the ropes," Jackson, 21, said. "He has a lot of experience, so I'll be willing to listen and learn from him." [Added 05/08/08 at 21:00]
WR Javon Walker was handed $16 million in guaranteed money from the Raiders despite playing in 25 of 48 games over the past three years due to injury. Walker is coming off knee surgery but is expected to be ready for the mandatory June minicamp. "His progress has been excellent," offensive coordinator Greg Knapp said. "What I've found is that guys who have reached a certain status -- and I was with (Walker) back at the Pro Bowl in '04 when he was with Green Bay -- have gone something to prove. They've got a little hunger and a little fire. He wants to show everybody, `Hey, I wasn't done. Here I am again.' " [Added 05/08/08 at 20:00]
CB DeAngelo Hall, having gone through the Bobby Petrino fiasco in Atlanta, said he wasn't concerned about the reports of coach Lane Kiffin's job security when the Raiders started talking trade. "I had a chance to talk to Lane. I know him and I know his dad real well," Hall said. "I had a chance to talk to some of the players here and they never gave me the feeling as though there was something bad going on. "You can ask anybody who last year was a part of (the Atlanta) organization, everybody knew what was going on. Here there's a lot of speculation, but it's behind closed doors. I don't see a problem at all." [Added 05/08/08 at 20:00]
WR Derek Stanley was back in school this offseason at Wisconsin-Whitewater working toward his degree. Coach Scott Linehan knew that. What Linehan didn't know was that Stanley competed with the school's track team. "I'll sit down and visit with him," Linehan said when told of what Stanley had done. "He and I never discussed (that); this is the first I've heard of it. That's something that probably won't be happening many times again." Said Stanley, "I just figured a good way to get back in shape and get my speed back would be to run track. Doing track workouts and sprint workouts are essentially the same things I'd be doing back in St. Louis." Stanley finished sixth in the long jump at the Division III championship in March, and his school was seventh. [Added 05/08/08 at 19:00]
QB Jay Cutler doesn't expect any change in his on-field activity. But he'll attack differently off the field since being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Last year, in October, Cutler started to lose weight. He started the season at 238 pounds but played the season finale at 203. During a quick conversation with the Broncos' training staff, they wondered if the grind of the season was the problem. "I kind of figured it was that," Cutler said. "My first year starting, it's a long season." He said since being diagnosed he has started to gain back weight quickly. He was up to 220 pounds by the end of April. He said he feels much better since being on insulin. [Added 05/08/08 at 19:00]
QB Matt Leinart has been dogged by the label that he's too "Hollywood" to fulfill his potential. Recent photos showing him partying were damaging to his public reputation, but coach Ken Whisenhunt said he's pleased with Leinart's offseason work. "I've seen him up here (at the team facility) at times when he didn't have to be," Whisenhunt said, "going through tape, looking at last year, looking at technique, looking at opponents. ... You never know if they get it," he said, "but he has sure shown indications that he's committed and wants to be a good player." [Added 05/08/08 at 19:00]
OLT Orlando Pace continues to work toward another comeback after missing virtually all of the 2007 season because of a torn labrum. Pace played in just 10 games in 2006 after suffering a torn triceps, and worked hard to be back on the field for the '07 season. However, in the first half of the season opener against Carolina, he went to the sideline again. It took a while to get over the reality that another season had been lost. "The triceps was tough, but when I did the shoulder, it was one of the toughest things I've had to handle, not only in my professional career but in my life," he said. "I was so excited about coming back and playing last year ... and I couldn't even make it through one game. It was so disappointing. It took me awhile to get over it mentally." Pace is expected to be healthy for the start of training camp. [Added 05/08/08 at 19:00]
QB Trent Green isn't a starter in St. Louis, but that doesn't mean he's not valuable to the Rams. "What Trent brings to the team is credibility and leadership," said coach Scott Linehan. "I know he's going to help Marc (Bulger) a ton. And he's giving you a backup that you know you can win with." [Added 05/08/08 at 19:00]
WR Larry Fitzgerald didn't hesitate to use his 44-pound weight advantage against rookie cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in minicamp. He pushed off and shoved the rookie a couple of times. But that wasn't done just for the rookie's benefit. "Larry's working on getting better on some of things where he needs to be," said coach Ken Whisenhunt. "One of things we've talked about before is being a little bit more physical, whether it's run after catch or some of those situations in games. So it's nice to see Larry working on some things." [Added 05/08/08 at 19:00]
Bell appeared a little overweight at the Lions' OTAs, according to the Detroit Free Press. [Added 05/08/08 at 18:00]
While there is still plenty of time for Bell to get into tip-top shape before training camp opens, you have to wonder what he is thinking with there being an open competition for the starting spot in the Detroit backfield. While certainly not a huge blow to his chances, it seems like a misstep that could have been easily avoided. [Added 05/08/08 at 18:00]
Lions coach Rod Marinelli said Thursday that the zone-blocking scheme the team has implemented will fit Calhoun's skills, according to the Detroit Free Press. [Added 05/08/08 at 18:00]
H [Added 05/08/08 at 18:00]
WR Jordan Kent is a candidate to fill the No. 3 WR role with the Seahawks. He's a big question mark. He was a track and basketball star at Oregon who has little idea how to play the game. But he has incredible speed and his pass-catching ability has dramatically improved, to the point that the coaching staff believes he can be a contributor rather than a project. [Added 05/08/08 at 18:00]
LB Michael Boley will earn just more than $2 million next season after signing a tender as a restricted free agent, but his future beyond that one-year agreement might be in doubt after misdemeanor domestic battery charges. The sides were still in negotiations leading up to Boley's arrest. It is unknown if the legal development stymied those conversations or at least changed negotiating leverage. Boley had been held as a beacon of public service and one of high character by the franchise. Coaches routinely mentioned Boley's intelligence and responsibility when bragging about his on-field prowess and productivity. Boley was active in the community and did commercials and endorsements for autism research, something that he was connected with because his son is autistic. Whether this incident diminishes his reputation and role as a team spokesman in the community also could be determined by the outcome of his case. [Added 05/08/08 at 18:00]
WR Courtney Taylor is a candidate to be the Seahawks third receiver. Taylor, from Auburn, has some size to play across the middle and the speed to stretch the field but has suffered a series of injuries. [Added 05/08/08 at 18:00]
RG Rob Sims had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and will be out four to six weeks. He will miss the team's next two minicamps but should be available for training camp. [Added 05/08/08 at 18:00]
WR Bobby Engram wants his contract to be addressed. Engram will be expected to carry the bulk of the load among the receivers because Branch, who had reconstructive knee surgery in January, will miss at least part of the season, D.J. Hackett departed via free agency and the team has young wideouts with very little experience. But the Seahawks say they are not going to negotiate a new deal or an extension for Engram, who is 35 years old. [Added 05/08/08 at 18:00]
RB T.J. Duckett, signed as a free agent in March, has relationships on the Seahawks that makes his transition from Detroit easier. He played in Atlanta for Jim Mora and with Omare Lowe and Patrick Kerney, and he went on a recruiting trip to Notre Dame with Julian Peterson before both decided to attend Michigan State. "People don't think about this, but the hardest part about playing for four teams in four years is moving every year. Having these guys here makes it easier," Duckett said. [Added 05/08/08 at 18:00]
CB Hank Poteat, an eight-year veteran who was an unrestricted free agent, signed a one-year contract at the veteran minimum of $730,000. Poteat, who hadn't drawn much interest on the open market, has started 15 games over the last two seasons and should have a chance to reclaim his starting spot at right corner opposite Darrelle Revis. Other candidates for the position include veterans David Barrett, Justin Miller and Andre Woolfolk, a street free agent who was once a first-round draft pick of the Bengals. Whoever gets the job could just be keeping the seat warm for fourth-round draft choice Dwight Lowery, who may eventually project as the starter. Poteat had a career-high two interceptions last season. [Added 05/08/08 at 17:00]
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