Brett Favre has a message for his fans but none for the Minnesota Vikings at this point. On his official website, Favre thanks his fans for a “memorable season,” and goes on to say that, “while the season didn’t end in Miami as we had all hoped, I couldn’t have enjoyed this season any more than I did.” Toward the end of his five paragraph statement, Favre says, “regardless of what the future holds, I want everyone to know that I will cherish the memories of the past year for the rest of my life.”
Browns wide receiver/return specialist Joshua Cribbs was convinced he would never get the contract he wanted and never play for the Browns again after he was given a “take it or leave it” offer of $1.4 million for six years. Now Cribbs has reversed his field because his agent and the Browns reopened negotiations and are close to a new deal. On Thursday morning, Cribbs told WKNR-AM 850 he could have a new contract before the NFL scouting combine begins on Feb. 25. “It’s going really well,” Cribbs said. “I’ll be really happy when it’s final and done. I expect it sometime here before the combine, something like that, soon, very soon. I’m satisfied how they’re moving and how quickly they’re moving.”
Earlier this week, Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco said he would do a Lambeau Leapif he scored a touchdown at Green Bay on Sunday. He did and ran towards the stands and spotted a small group of Bengals fans in the front row near the end zone, then leaped into the crowd just like Green Bay players do after they score.
“It was fun,” Ochocinco said. “I had a little indecision on where to jump at first. I didn’t want to disrespect their tradition, so I was asking as I went along the line. I saw some Bengals fans that said it was OK.”
***UPDATED***Jaguars WR Mike Sims-Walker – Troy Williamson left the game with a shoulder injury and Sims-Walker had 101 yards and a TD. If Williamson stays out, this guy will be a decent option.
Jacksonville placed receiver Troy Williamsonon the injured reserve on Monday, after he sustained a torn labrum in his right shoulder Sunday during the Jags’ loss to Arizona. Williamson’s absence means the Jags will promote Mike Sims-Walker to the No. 2 receiving spot.
Bills QB Trent Edwards – Edwards had a good game against Tampa Bay. throwing for 230 and 2 TDs. Next week he is going to be passing all day to try and keep up with Drew Brees.
Eagles QB Kevin Kolb – Kolb had great numbers against the Saints except for the 2 INTs. 391 yds, 2TDs. He can be a good fill in for next week against the Chiefs.
Giants WRs Mario Manningham and Steve Smith - Both of these guys may be available, and both of them had 10 catches on Sunday Night against the Cowboys.
Rams WR Laurent Robinson – Donnie Avery is struggling and Robinson is getting the looks. 141 yards and 2 TDs in the first 2 weeks.
Eagles TE Brent Celek – 2 weeks, 2 stud performances. 8 grabs for 104 yards.
Jacksonville Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew has been splitting out wide at receiver at times during practice. The Jaguars are using some plays to get the ball in Jones-Drew’s hands in space, allowing him to help minimize the hits he takes and keep him fresher longer. ‘The total volume (of plays) maybe will go up a little bit for Maurice, but we’ve already had him very involved,’ head coach Jack Del Rio said.
Titans WR Kenny Britthas been on the PUP list with a hamstring injury since signing his contract last weekend and has yet to practice in training camp. Britt won’t play in Sunday’s preseason opener against the Bills.
Coach Fisher said, “He is handling the workload and has responded to what we are doing,” Fisher said. “We feel like based on what we have seen so far timing-wise it will all fall into place for him next week.’’
Britt is expected to be ready for the second preseason game, on Aug. 15 against Tampa Bay at LP Field.
“I am really anxious to be out here with the team, to get the feel of it,” Britt said. “It’s a little disappointing because it’s the first preseason game and my first NFL team and I’d like to be out there with my teammates. But right now I just need to get in the playbook and learn the plays.’’ [click to continue…]
It doesn’t appear the Jaguars have much interest in signing linebacker Derrick Brooks, who is still job-hunting after getting cut by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Even if Brooks wanted to play for the veteran minimum, the Jaguars think 2008 draft pick Thomas Williams and rookie free agent Russell Allen will alleviate concerns about depth at the position.
“It’s not going to happen,” White said about putting weight back on. “I am not going to let it all go to waste, not the way I feel. My body feels good — my knees, my ankles, everything feels great out there. And I am trying to keep it that same exact way. So whatever I have to do, I am going to maintain. And when I check into camp (my weight) won’t be nothing over 230.” White weighed in at 229 pounds last week, and admitted that he weighed a whopping 261 last October. “Right now, this is like a perfect situation for me. But I am going to keep pushing myself,” White said. “This is the time where I know what I want to do. We are five weeks away from where I want to be, from what I have been looking forward to, and I’m not going to blow it. I have been playing football all my life so I know how to get ready for camp. I’ll be ready to roll.”
When Raiders quarterback Jeff Garciasigned a free-agent deal with the team, eyebrows raised throughout the league. And the 39-year-old Garcia is doing nothing to dispel the notion that he plans to play.
“Not knocking JaMarcus or anybody else on the team, but I just have a belief in my own abilities,” Garcia tells Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times.
Broncos RB Peyton Hillissaid he is eager to get to training camp to get a better understanding of a new coaching staff that includes first-year coach Josh McDaniels, who was an assistant at New England. McDaniels has brought a Patriots-style air of secrecy to the Broncos, and the secrecy is apparently extending to Hillis and the rest of the running backs. Hillis said he hasn’t heard much more than “hearsay” about what his role in McDaniels’ system will be, but he said the uncertainty is a source of excitement rather than concern.
“I’m a scatback compared to Brandon Jacobs, so that’s what they’re trying to get me into because I can catch the ball real well out of the backfield,” Brown said when asked about his role. “Otherwise they’re just telling me to come in there and work hard, and I’m just going in trying to do what I can do to help the Giants win another Super Bowl.”
