The Chargers are taking a wait-and-see approach in with WR Vincent Jackson’s long-term future with the team, he is coming off consecutive career years, yet due to the specter of 2010 being uncapped, he will likely be a restricted free agent, under the club’s control with no multiyear contract yet being discussed between the parties
Cowboys WR Miles Austin, who is an impending restricted free agent, said he wants to re-sign with the team during the offseason but knows that the decision is up to the Cowboys. The Cowboys likely will tender him an offer that would give them a first-round and third-round draft choice if another team signs him and the Cowboys do not match.
The Falcons unveiled Thursday the throwback jerseys they will wear for two games this season. The Falcons will wear them when they play host to the defending NFC South champion Carolina Panthers on Sept. 20. They will wear them again when Tampa Bay comes to the Georgia Dome on Nov. 29.
Bears RB Matt Forte likely will get at least half a dozen carries Saturday night when the Bears host the Giants at Soldier Field. “He needs to get some work,” said offensive coordinator Ron Turner.
Eagles coach Andy Reid left open the possibility last night that Michael Vickwould play in the team’s third exhibition game next week, but he would not guarantee it. “He had a good week of work,” Reid said. “He got a good workout in today. We’ll see how he does next week. We’re shooting for the third game. We’ll see. We’ve just got to get a feel on him throughout the week.” [click to continue…]
Brandon Marshallreiterated he is not happy with theBroncos. He was asked if there were irreconcilable differences with the team. “Unfortunately, sometimes it gets to that point.”
Rumor has it that Vikings new QB Brett Favre has rendered Tarvaris Jackson expendable. Barring an injury to someone else, Jackson is likely to be the odd-man out and the player the Vikings will shop as we get near the 53-man roster cutdown.
Browns Coach Eric Manginideclined again to nameDerek Anderson, whose turn is up, or Brady Quinn, Saturday’s starting quarterback.
What the 49erspass defense did to theRaiders passing offense bordered on criminal Tuesday morning.
NFL owners will lock out the players in 2011, renewing labor strife dormant for two decades and jeopardizing an $8 billion industry, according to players’ union chief DeMaurice Smith.
Broncos WR Brandon Marshall won’t say he’s happy to still be with the Denver Broncos, but he did report for training camp Monday, the mandated day for the team’s rookies and players who had offseason surgeries. Asked Monday if he was happy to be with the team.
“I’m happy to be playing football. That’s what I’ve done since I was a little boy and hopefully that’s what I can continue to do.” Later asked why he elected to show up Monday he said: “Fifteen thousand. I mean, it’s got to stop eventually. I definitely didn’t want to get that fine, so I’m here.” — “I’m under contract, it’s my obligation to be here and I’m here.”
The league rule calls for a $15,888 per day fine for players who do not report.
After practicing on Monday and passing the conditioning test, Marshall did not practice on Tuesday. Why you ask? Because HC Josh Mcdaniels says he was “sore”. Sore? Really? OK, I’ll bite, he did have hip surgery on March 31st. Here’s what coach had to say:
“Precautionary measures, nothing more than that. It was a coaching decision, and when they’re ready and healthy and we feel good about where they’re at they will be out on the practice field.”
Cowboys QB Tony Romo vowed Monday to take better care of the ball after committing 21 turnovers last season, finishing 2009 with 14 interceptions and a career-high seven lost fumbles in 13 games. Asked how he would accomplish his goal, Romo said, “You just don’t turn the ball over. There’s no change other than the fact you hold it with two hands when people are around you. You don’t throw it to the other colored jersey. If it’s questionable, you probably hold on to it, or you run, or you get rid of it out of bounds.” Romo said he doesn’t care if his safety-first campaign results in fewer of his trademark improvised plays.
Chargers LB Shawne Merriman has had perfect attendance at OTAs since missing the first week while traveling abroad. While he hasn’t been cleared to practice, Merriman has spent his time running and cutting on the side as he continues to strengthen his surgically repaired knee. “I’m pushing myself as much as I can,” Merriman said. “Doing that right now will make it easier when it’s time to go.” Merriman guaranteed he will be healthy enough to practice by training camp. But he knows the team may continue to be cautious with him. “It all depends on how much they hold me back or allow me to do,” he said.
Raiders CB Nnamdi Asomugha said during an interview with 790 the Zone in Atlanta that QB Jeff Garcia is eager to be the team’s starting quarterback and that his presence has helped push QB JaMarcus Russell. “You know what, Jamarcus is the starter. He’s the first pick of the draft a few years ago so of course he’s going to be the starter but I don’t see Jeff Garcia backing down,” Asomugha said. “He wants to play, he wants to be on the field. It’s great that JaMarcus has this person behind him that’s as hungry as he is to get on the field and make plays. Now JaMarcus will be holding himself more accountable for a lot of things and develop the mental part, and hopefully develop more of the mental part to his game and be able to lead us that way on the field.”
Broncos WR Brandon Marshall’s agent Kennard McGuire, did confirm Tuesday, June 16, to ESPN’s Michael Smith that Marshall asked team owner Pat Bowlen for a trade during a meeting Friday, June 12. “There was a meeting with Mr. Bowlen and Brandon did ask to be traded. He was told by ownership that the team would do everything in its power to accommodate those wishes. We do feel that a change of scenery is not only important but necessary.” According to a source, Smith reported, Marshall has met with Bowlen more than once in the past week and on both occasions expressed his desire to be dealt.
Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels said the team will continue to talk with WR Brandon Marshall, and he expects Marshall to report for the start of training camp. “We met after [owner Pat Bowlen's] meeting with Brandon and are going to continue our dialogue with Brandon and his representative. We look forward to having Brandon at training camp,” McDaniels said. Marshall has demonstrated his dissatisfaction with his contract by skipping the three-week, voluntary passing camp, then a three-day mandatory minicamp last weekend. If he doesn’t show up by August 12, Marshall could risk forfeiting his fourth year of service time, which would put him another year away from unrestricted free agency.
49ers head coach Mike Singletary has a legitimate quarterback competition. Alex Smith is throwing the ball well and his confidence is as ironclad as it’s been since college. “Well, I think the playing field is level now,” he said of the QB competition. “I think before the offseason began, I wasn’t really sure where Alex was. You know, he’s been through a lot in four years. I think in order for he and Shaun to compete on level ground, he had to get healthy, he had to get his mind focused, I think he had to let go of some of the bitterness that happened to him, some of the bad things, and get the bad taste out of his mouth and be ready to go. I think that has happened.” Singletary did reiterate that if the season were to begin tomorrow, Hill would be the starter but Smith now has a legitimate shot of knocking him out of his perch.
