by Joe Tailgate on August 5, 2009
in NFL News
Saints running back Reggie Bush removed himself from practice this morning and watched the remainder of the outdoors workout with his left knee wrapped in ice.
Bush, who underwent microfracture surgery on his left knee in December, has missed several practices already this training camp, one as a precautionary measure and the other when his surgically repaired knee became inflamed.
Vikings QB Tarvaris Jackson was back on the practice field Wednesday, and participated in all drills. He missed a couple of days because of a left knee MCL sprain
Brian Seltzer, of 950 ESPN Philadelphia, twittered that Eagles RB Brian Westbrook was running for coach Andy Reid. Things seem positive and Westy may be back soon.
Very interesting. Right now Andy Reid watching Brian Westbrook run cutting conditioning drills. He’s simulating running thru tacklers…
Rick Burkholder is there as well. Looks like they’re trying to determine the extent of what he can do. He’s moving uninhibited
Going at full speed. First time Andy has observed Westbrook in this fashion. His conclusions could be instrumental in determining his return
Andy and Brian handshake it out. Seemed very, very positive. Workout lasted 10 min. This could signal a return is imminent. Stay tuned…
Giants QB Eli Manning is on the verge of signing a six-year contract extension. The deal could be finalized Wednesday, Aug. 5, barring any major setbacks, according to a team source. The deal will make Manning the highest-paid player in the history of the Giants organization as well as the highest-paid quarterback per year in NFL history.
by Joe Tailgate on August 4, 2009
in NFL News
Falcons WR Roddy White, who is the final year of a five-year contract, is holding out from training camp in hopes of landing a contract extension. He’s working out in Birmingham with Darrell Hackney, his former college quarterback and Atlanta native.
“We want Roddy here,” Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. “There is nothing new,” he said. “We are continuing to have conversations. We are definitely heading in the right direction in my mind.”
The Jets say there is no timetable for Mark Sanchez to work with the starters.
“What we’re doing right now obviously is Kellen is getting the majority of the work with the ones, Mark gets most of the work with the twos,” offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said Monday afternoon. “We allow them to look at most of the scripts before and really steal a couple plays from each period. That’s just set up so that we can balance the reps and we get some consistency going.”
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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.
Tight end Tony Gonzalez made a strong first impression with the Falcons, arriving in town quickly to begin the process of developing chemistry with quarterback Matt Ryan. ”Any time that you get a new toy,” the former Boston College quarterback said, “you want to try it out.”
Chicago Bears General Manager Jerry Angelo has essentially ruled out pursuing veteran wide receiver Plaxico Burress, reiterating that the Bears are not likely to go after the former New York Giants starter. Burress’ agent, Drew Rosenhaus, recently said that two NFL teams are seriously interested in signing Burress. “Are we one of those two teams?” Angelo told the Chicago Tribune. “No.”
The Rams don’t want him either.
Saints running back Reggie Bush says that he’s ready to take a leadership role with the club.
Browns NT Shaun Rogers finally put away his crying towel.
Chiefs DE/DT Glenn Dorsey participated only in individual drills at practice because of what he called a shin injury. “I’m taking it day by day,” said Dorsey, the Chiefs’ top draft pick last year. “I’m going to try to pick it up a little more every day. It’s just sore. It’s nothing major. I don’t want to take chances with it, set myself back for the season. I’ll be doing the whole practice in no time.”
The NFL Network is furious with Jon Gruden for jilting the network after he’d verbally agreed to a deal to work there. The former Bucs coach had been very good on the NFL Network, colorful and opinionated, at the NFL scouting combine and the NFL draft, and the network had finalized everything but the signature on the paper for Gruden to begin working there immediately.
Comcast and the National Football League on Tuesday ended nearly three years of vituperative hostilities with a deal that will make the NFL Network available to 10 million of the cable operator’s subscribers at a significantly lower price than the league has long demanded.
Dolphins Running back Ricky Williams said he would like to play this season and in 2010 and then call it a career.
