by Joe Tailgate on August 19, 2009
in NFL News
by Joe Tailgate on June 12, 2009
in NFL News
- Browns‘ coach Eric Mangini kept his team outdoors during a steady rain for two hours at his first practice of mandatory minicamp this morning. Even players rehabilitating injuries and not on the field with the team rode stationary bikes or worked with trainers in the rain. “It’s football. It’s rain. You’ve got to work in it, got to understand it,” Mangini said. “We’re always trying to have players’ safety first. Rain is something we’ll have to deal with. I think the more educated they are, the better they are on how to avoid injures.”
- WR Braylon Edwards sat out the first day of mandatory minicamp Thursday with an unspecified injury, but he said it’s nothing serious. Coach Eric Mangini also said Edwards will be fine for the start of training camp in late July or early August. Edwards said he was “slightly” injured at some point this off-season, but “I’m physically fine for the most part. Coach Mangini is taking precaution, so I’m just enjoying my time right now, doing some things on the side and following coach’s orders.”
- 49ers RB Frank Gore is a big fan of Jimmy Raye’s offense. “With (Mike) Martz, we were more finesse, throw the ball deep, get outside,” Gore said. “This is more running with my shoulders squared up, a lot of power, a lot of downhill plays.” He’s delighted to be reunited with his old running mate, fullback Moran Norris, who spent two years with the 49ers before moving to the Lions last year. “I love it,” Gore said. “As a team, we’re trying to be physical, and that’s what he is.”
- When asked if he thinks Brett Favre can still be a “great” quarterback Vikings coach Brad Childress said “Don’t know. Don’t know. Stay tuned”. In an interview with KFAN Radio on Wednesday, Childress said he’s “anxious to see just exactly what he’s got left in that cannon.” Childress also acknowledged he made a phone call to Brett Favre last week.
- Buccaneers QB Byron Leftwich is nursing what’s been described as a very minor groin strain and was forced by the coaching staff to sit out today’s practice. “I could have went today,” Leftwich said. “That’s Raheem and them. You have to talk to them. They shut me down. . . I just tweaked my groin a little bit.” Leftwich said he would be ready to go during next week’s minicamp. His absence Thursday opened the door for more meaningful reps for Josh Freeman and Josh Johnson.
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Joshua Cribbs, upset that the new management team hasn’t initiated talks to re-do his contract, has asked to be traded. Not only did Cribbs inform the team of his request, but he issued a lengthy statement to notify Browns fans of his intentions as well.
Browns coach Eric Mangini said he met Thursday morning with disgruntled receiver Joshua Cribbs at the Browns facility in Berea. He said Cribbs, who’s skipping voluntary minicamp until the Browns address his contract, attended a full squad meeting Thursday morning.
Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger does not have cancer, and neither does he have a Facebook page. “There’s no truth to it. I don’t have any of that stuff,” the Steelers quarterback proclaimed yesterday. “That stuff” are accounts on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and any other social networking Web sites. Roethlisberger said he does not use them, including the one under his name that proclaimed he had skin cancer.
A reporter asked Bears QB Jay Cutler what he thought the Bears’ offensive philosophy would be. Here was Jay’s answer, “We’re going to run the ball. I think I’ve learned the hard way that you’ve got to run the ball and you’ve got to stop the run to get anywhere in this league, to make the playoffs and make a push for the Super Bowl, so that’s not going to change. Especially here in December with the wind and the weather, you’ve got to grind out those 4 or 5 yard runs and get yourself to a manageable position,” Cutler said.
By the way, the Bears announced their Training Camp Schedule…
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have made contact with free agent wide receiver Plaxico Burress to gauge his offseason progress, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The conversation was explained as exploratory and that the call focused mainly on Burress’ well-being. The New York Jets are reportedly the other team that has inquired about the former Super Bowl MVP.
Vikings coach Brad Childress said of Brett Favre “He’s retired, so it’s not relevant and it’s not any of my focus right now,” Childress said following the Vikings’ third day or organized team activities. ” … I’m really focused on the guys that are here on this football team, both old and young. But I’m not spending any time on [Favre].”
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.
Four veteran wide receivers – Jerry Porter, Kelley Washington, D.J. Hackett and Tab Perry – will try out for the Ravens at this weekend’s minicamp, a team official told The Baltimore Sun on Wednesday.
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.
Hello Kitty
