by Joe Tailgate on February 23, 2010
in NFL News
The Panthers have until this Thursday to place the franchise tag on defensive end Julius Peppers. A source in the organization has indicated to Newschannel 36 that Peppers is finished with the team, and they will not pony up the twenty million plus that would be required to keep him for another year under the tag allowing him to test the open market as an unrestricted free agent.
Things could get rough for Peppers. Peter King tweets “Had an NFL exec tell me this weekend he thought Peppers would be lucky to get $10m a year in this climate.”
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by Joe Tailgate on June 8, 2009
in NFL News
- Chiefs QB Matt Cassel has been impressive in adjusteing to his new role as starter in Kansas City. This weekend’s mandatory minicamp brought the team together for the first time this offseason. “We’re building chemistry, we’re building rapport and everybody’s working hard,” Cassel said. Kansas City coach Todd Haley refuses to name a starter, but it’s clear that it’s Cassel’s job. “He’s running the team,” said wide receiver Bobby Engram. “And I’m very impressed. He’s a very sharp guy. He’s watching film, he’s drawing up plays, he’s coaching everybody up. He’s shown early on that we’re going to be able to rely on him.”
- Colts WR Anthony Gonzalez did not practice Sunday due to an injured right leg he suffered Saturday, but head coach Jim Caldwell is not giving any details on the injury. Gonzalez stayed on the field after hurting his leg, but spent the remainder of Saturday’s practice stretching out. Caldwell said Gonzalez may return to the field Tuesday, June 9, or Wednesday, June 10.
- Brett Favre’s determination to play quarterback this season for the Minnesota Vikings prompted him to undergo arthroscopic surgery to repair his injured passing shoulder recently, according to two sources. However, Favre remains unable to make a commitment because subsequent throwing sessions indicate the shoulder is not yet 100 percent. While Favre has now clearly demonstrated his interest in coming out of retirement for a 19th season in the NFL, it seems equally obvious that he will not do so unless convinced he has recovered fully from the torn biceps tendon that undermined him last year with the New York Jets.
- Chiefs LB Mike Vrabel said he was “confused” when the Patriots traded him to Kansas City earlier this offseason. Vrabel skipped the team’s voluntary workout sessions but reported for a mandatory minicamp on Friday. “I’m here. I didn’t sign up. There’s a difference in this league in being a free agent and being traded,” Vrabel said, via the Kansas City Star. “I don’t know what to tell you. I got a call in March, and here I am.” Vrabel, a 12-year veteran who spent the past eight seasons in New England, clarified that he’s not upset with being a member of the Chiefs. “Don’t confuse that I’m not excited to be here, because I’m here and I’m happy,” he said. “I want to be here.”
- 49ers WR Michael Crabtree, the team’s top pick, was seen running for the first time during a session that lasted about 10 minutes. He is scheduled to continue his rehab from surgery in March on a stress fracture in his right foot. The club expects him to be ready to practice on the first day of training camp in late July.
- Saints RB Reggie Bush and WR Marques Colston fully participated in the final minicamp practice Sunday morning.
Hope everyone enjoyed their Memorial Day Weekend. I sure did. But now it’s thime to get back to business. Here’s what happened this weekend.
Patriots special teams coach Scott O’Brien hinted that the team could redeploy running back Laurence Maroney as a kickoff returner. ”Anybody on the team is a potential option,” said O’Brien. “It’s what fits the team the best at the time. The better the options you have, the better you’ll be. We’ll get him going back there, too.”
Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio said he will become more involved with the defense this season. “I’m directly involved,” Del Rio said. “… I feel like the standard that we set has not been met the last year or two, so we’re getting back to some of the things we believe in. I think to be good on defense, you’ve just got to know with certainly where you belong and then go with your hair on fire to get there, and we’re going to play that way this year.”
Chiefs Quarterback Matt Cassel says he’s not worrying at all about whether he will receive a long-term contract. He’s under contract right now with the franchise tender offer of $14.65 million that he signed with New England. ”I really leave that up to my agent, (Scott) Pioli and everybody else that handles that type of thing,” said Cassel. “For me it is just really about coming in here, learning the playbook and getting better each and every day and concentrating on football. I think the rest of it takes care of itself.”
Cowboys WR Roy Williams has assumed the No. 1 receiver role following the release of Terrell Owens. He has worked for much of the offseason to develop some chemistry with quarterback Tony Romo. ”I talk to him more, he talks to me more,” Williams said. “Last year we didn’t really talk because we didn’t know each other. I was scared to cross his boundary and I guess he was afraid to cross my boundary. But now we are talking, good friends, co-workers … trying to achieve the same goal. We respect each other. It’s just the other things … that’s where we are.”
Dolphins DE/LB Jason Taylor said the alleged rift between him and Dolphins vice president of football operations Bill Parcells was never really a rift at all. “There were no hard feelings,” Taylor said. “There was no animosity. And I said last year whatever’s best for the Dolphins. You think it’s best for the Dolphins to trade a 33-year old to get two draft picks and save a lot of money? You’re darn right it is.”
