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.”
Titans head coach Jeff Fisher, speaking from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., site of Sunday’s Super Bowl, told WGFX-FM 104.5 The Zone that running back Chris Johnson would likely have to wait regarding any extension, especially with a contract that contains three more seasons currently. “We’ve done things prior to players going into the last year of their contract. For me to come out right now, it’s way too premature to say we have any intention of doing anything for CJ.” Fisher said.
New England Patriots linebacker Adalius Thomas made it pretty clear that he doesn’t anticipate being in a Patriots uniform in 2010. “I want to come somewhere where I’m wanted and where I’m gonna have fun, if I’m not gonna do that, that’s not where I’m gonna be.” Thomas said.
Drew Brees has been named the FedEx Air Player of the Year for the second year in a row. Brees’ wife Brittany will accept the award on his behalf. Brees beat out Colts quarterback Peyton Manning and Vikings quarterback Brett Favre to earn the award and a $25,000 donation from FedEx to the New Orleans-area Safe Kids USA coalition.
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.”
