Redskins head coach Jim Zorn wants one of his highly-touted second-year WRs, Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly, to become a starter outside, moving veteran Antwaan Randle El to the slot position. Thomas and Kelly combined for just 18 catches in disappointing rookie seasons that began with them failing the conditioning test that opened training camp. Thomas might have the inside track this year since he’s faster, played more last year and was able to practice the entire offseason while Kelly wasn’t on the field until June as he recovered from a second knee surgery in five months.
The Redskins have bolstered their defense with signings and high draft picks, including the free agent acquisition of middle linebacker London Fletcher and the selection of Miami product Rocky McIntosh, both of whom enter this season slated as starters. The linebacker corps could be a major strength, but also somewhat of a question mark, with injuries and inexperience placing the group in a “worth keeping an eye on” category…especially the strong side linebacker position. If the season opened today the starters would be:Rocky McIntosh, London Fletcher and Brian Orakpo, a unit that could be explosive and one of the strengths of a defense that finished ranked fourth in the NFL last season
Last year Todd Collinsstruggled in the preseason as he learned Jim Zorn’s hybrid West Coast offense. But like Jason Campbell and Colt Brennan, Collins has had a year in the system and entering the second year of a three-year deal valued at $9 million, will look to remain entrenched as the insurance policy should Campbell go down. If Brennan were to beat Collins out for the job, however, it’d be difficult to see the Redskins keeping a third-string quarterback with a $3 million per year price tag.
Rookie quarterback Chase Daniel “raised eyebrows” during some of the final Redskins OTAs and has a shot at earning the Redskings number three quarterback position. Daniel is currently fourth in line behind Jason Campbell, Colt Brennan and Todd Collins, but was apparently impressive and could convince the team to release Collins if he plays well in training camp.
You have to love Lions RB Kevin Smith’s confidence. In a recent blog post on his official site, Kevin Smith makes a bold proclomation: “I won’t make a prediction about how many games we’re going to win, but I will say this: We will definitely make the playoffs this season. Believe it or not we weren’t far off last year. Almost every game we could have won, we were one play or one player short. Except for Tennessee on Thanksgiving, they just came out and beat us to sleep. They manhandled us, but nobody else did.”
Maybe the Brett Favre saga isn’t dead, after all. ESPN is reporting this afternoon that, according to a source, Favre had X-rays of his right shoulder sent to the Vikings for evaluation.
Brandon Jacobs said today on ESPN 1050 Radio that he did not want the Giants to trade for Browns WR Braylon Edwards. “I don’t want him,” Jacobs told host Brandon Tierney. “There are great players in the league that I don’t want. I just think the chemistry between the teammates that I have now is great. We don’t need to add a new veteran to the whole group. “I’m good with where we are. I’m glad that we didn’t go forward and get him or (Cardinals WR Anquan) Boldin. Those guys are great guys [but] I’m not interested in that idea.” Jacobs hinted that rumors the Giants were interested in Edwards were far-fetched, and that Edwards would not adjust to New York. “We don’t throw the ball enough for that,” Jacobs said.
Good Luck With Steve Smith and Domenick Hixon
The Dolphins partied down with Jimmy Buffett as they announced Landshark Stadium as their homes new name. It was a great show. I watched it on NFL Network.
In an enormous trade between the Bengals and the Rams, a trade so huge and mind blowing, the Cincinatti Bengals have acquired St. Louis Rams RB Brian Leonard, sending DT Orien Harris to the Rams. Leonard started in seven games as a rookie in 2007 and finished with 303 yards on 86 carries. His best game came on Oct. 7, 2007, against Arizona when he had 102 yards on 18 carries.
Former Jets and Patriots CB Ty Law is talking to the Patriots and Browns about the possibility of playing in 2009, according to close friend Darrelle Revis.
The Ravens remain in contract talks with Pro Bowl outside linebacker Terrell Suggs, but no deal is imminent. Suggs hasn’t signed his one-year, $10.2 million franchise tender and isn’t expected to attend the minicamp. “I don’t anticipate him being here in that he hasn’t signed the tender yet,” Newsome said.
Redskins Cornerback Carlos Rogers, who missed the previous two days with a swollen knee, and receiver Devin Thomas, out since Saturday with an ailing hamstring, returned to practice today.
Browns HC Eric Mangini has little faith in the wide receivers he inherited beyond Braylon Edwards. On Tuesday, the Browns signed Mike Furrey, a six-year NFL veteran with 198 career receptions.
Dolphins owner Stephen M. Ross and Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville enterprise will join forces when Dolphin Stadium is renamed for the fifth time at a press conference/mini-concert Friday.
With Santana Moss (shin splints), James Thrash (neck) and Malcolm Kelly (knee) already watching, the last thing the Redskins needed was another ailing receiver, but that’s the case. Devin Thomas joined fellow second-year man Kelly on the sideline this morning with an injured hamstring suffered during a Friday afternoon collision with safety Reed Doughty. Thomas might miss the rest of this weekend’s minicamp as well as this week’s organized team activities. “We had run a reverse, Reed had come over [to make the tackle} and they got their feet crossed and fell to the ground," coach Jim Zorn explained. "He just felt something in his hamstring so we shut him down. I don't think it's pulled. It's just irritated so we'll give him a rest. I don't want it to pull. I don't want him to have a [major] setback. I want him to be healthy as we go along [for the June OTAs].”
Veteran receiver Kelley Washington is mulling contract offer from Redskins. With Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas nursing injuries, Washington did enough to earn a contract offer from the Redskins.
The Redskins have agreed to terms on a three-year deal with free agent receiver Trent Shelton, according to a league source, and he will sign with the team today pending a physical. Shelton, who played college football at Baylor, will be at Redskins Park in time to participate in Monday’s OTA session.
Washington added free-agent WR Roydell Williams, adding more pressure to Thomas and Kelly. Williams played with the Titans for three seasons from 2005 to ‘07, catching 84 passes for 1.139 yards and six TDs.
The Redskins offered former Panthers wide receiver D.J. Hackett a contract following his tryout this weekend, and wanted him to join the team starting Monday for the first of 4 OTA sessions this week. Hackett was interested in signing but a personal matter will preclude him from being here this week and so any potential signing is on hold.
{ Comments on this entry are closed }
Tips, Suggestions, Links, Anything Else...? Email us at
ustailgate@gmail.com
