by Joe Tailgate on June 29, 2009
in NFL News
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 Collins struggled 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.
Vikings wide receiver Bernard Berrian could barely hide his excitement last week when talking to Star-Tribune reporter Chip Scoggins about the potential of playing with Brett Favre. Well, Berrian’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, weighed in on the topic through Twitter. Wrote Rosenhaus: “Look for Bernard Berrian to explode next season if the Vikings sign Favre. They will be unstoppable! BB can run deep & Favre can throw it deep.”
Staying with Minnesota…
The agent for Pro Bowl cornerback Antoine Winfield said that talks of an extension with the Vikings have broken down. “There are no active negotiations and there are no further talks planned,” Ashanti Webb said in a text message.
Quarterback Jason Campbell has expressed optimism that the Washington Redskins‘ offense will be better this season. In large part, because of wide receivers Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly.”With Devin and Malcolm, we’ve seen the talent these guys have,” he said. “Both of these guys can make plays, they can do things to really help us reach the level we need to as an offense, they’ve just got to be able to stay on the field, get comfortable and do what they do.”
After two spectacular seasons, wide receiver Roddy White and the Atlanta Falcons are in discussions for a contract extension. White, who is set to make $2.28 million next season under his current contract, said he would like to enter the season with his contract situations resolved. “Whenever it happens, it happens,” White said. “We’ll just wait around for it.”
Apparently the Browns refused first round trade offers for Brady Quinn.
The New York Jets are not interested in Pacman Jones.
Ravens cornerback Fabian Washington had offseason neck surgery as well as a procedure on his shoulder. Doctors fused vertebrae in Washington’s neck. “I feel great,” Washington said.
Raiders QB Jeff Garcia is fine with being called a “mentor” by Cable, and had some interesting observations about what Russell can pick up from watching him. “Deep inside we’re all competitors and we all play this game to be on the field, to not be on the sidelines,” Garcia said.
Javon Walker said he did not tell Raiders officials about last month’s knee surgery because he didn’t want to “bother” them with it before the draft. He said the right knee has bothered him since 2007 knee surgery in Denver, and that he hasn’t felt better than 65 percent healthy.
This week’s UsTailgate Girl of The Week. Holly Weber. See The Gallery.
Jason Campbell said today he is eager to participate in minicamp this weekend and isn’t “interested in looking back at everything that’s happened. “Once you get to this point, it’s all about putting everything else aside and just going out there to be the type of leader your coaches and teammates expect you to be,” Campbell said. “I’m the quarterback of this team, I know Coach Zorn and the whole coaching staff is counting on me, and I haven’t put in all this hard work to go out there now and let everybody down. Everybody always looks to the quarterback, so you understand it starts with you.”
Campbell still is Washington’s No. 1 quarterback despite owner Daniel M. Snyder’s efforts to replace him this offseason. Had the Redskins traded up in the draft and selected quarterback Mark Sanchez from Southern California, Joel Segal, Campbell’s representative, would have requested a trade, NFL sources said.
Washington Post
Redskins QB Jason Campbell will request to be traded should the Redskins acquire a quarterback in this weekend’s draft. The Redskins, who have the 13th overall pick in this weekend’s draft, reportedly have shown substantial interest in USC QB Mark Sanchez. However, Sanchez could be selected in the top five — long before the Redskins are scheduled to pick.
Campbell, a first-round pick by the Redskins in 2005, has said he wasn’t bothered by the team’s inquiry for Cutler. However, another attempt to secure Campbell’s replacement or successor wouldn’t go over well.
NFL.com
