Nfl Report Aug 10th

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Cardinals rookie quarterback Matt Leinart's agent and Cardinals officials continued negotiations Tuesday. While no progress was reported, it's significant that the two sides are continuing to talk, said Tom Condon, who represents Leinart. Condon and Rod Graves , the Cardinals vice president for football operations, had tentative plans to talk again Tuesday evening. "He (Graves) was going to consider some things and get back to me," Condon said. Leinart is the only NFL draft pick who hasn't signed.


An agent for Chris Brown visited training camp Wednesday in hopes of pushing the Titans closer to extending the running back's contract or trading him. Wynn Silberman said he planned to meet with Titans General Manager Floyd Reese, who so far hasn't been willing to discuss an extension or trade. Silberman also left open the possibility that Brown may be advised to leave training camp at some point. Asked if pressure on the Titans will take the form of Brown leaving camp, Silberman said all things are being considered. The New York Jets and several other teams reportedly have interest in Brown. On Tuesday, Reese said he's not shopping the fourth-year pro.


Nick Barnett's future is tied to his next contract with the Green Bay Packers. Barnett, 25, has this season and next season remaining on his original rookie deal. He has done his fair share. Now he hopes the club does likewise. If the Packers want Barnett to shift from middle linebacker (Mike) to the strong-side (Sam) to accommodate the comfort level of rookie Abdul Hodge, then Barnett implied that to keep him on board as a happy camper a contract extension should soon follow.


Ravens offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden is scheduled to return to training camp and practice today for the first time this preseason. A team spokesman confirmed that the nine-time Pro Bowl selection called the organization yesterday and said that he would be present for the team's morning practice today. Ogden has missed the first 13 days of practice after the death of his father, Shirrel, July 26. Ogden visited training camp Aug. 1 but did not take part in drills. It is unlikely Ogden would be ready to play in tomorrow night's exhibition contest.


DT Michael Haynes, who has been out for the better part of a week with a back strain, was absent from practice for the second consecutive night. Published reports in both Denver and Oakland suggest Haynes might be trade bait for Ashley Lelie or Jerry Porter, disgruntled receivers in those two towns. Nothing appears imminent on the Bears' end, however.


Defensive tackle Manny Wright said Wednesday night that he has asked the Dolphins for his release because he has battled emotional problems and wants a fresh start with another team. ''It's nothing against the Dolphins and nothing against Coach [Nick] Saban,'' Wright said. ``I didn't even want this to get out, so there wouldn't be any negative feelings out there. But sometimes you need to cut loose to get your life together. ``This has been a tough place for me emotionally, so I think a fresh start would be best.'' Wright left the team Friday, shortly after asking Saban for his release. Wright said he had asked for his release on more than one occasion. At the time, Saban said Wright's absence was because of a ''personal issue'' and later said it was because of ``medical issue.'' Wright said Saban has been supportive and encouraged him to take time off before a final decision is made.


Vikings QB Brad Johnson is set to be the lowest-paid starting quarterback in the NFL this season, making a salary less than many veteran backups. Well, one thing about Johnson and his agent, they aren't going to negotiate in the media like others do. But it wouldn't surprise me if Johnson has a new contract by the time the Vikings take the field Monday in their preseason opener against the Oakland Raiders.


Jets running back Curtis Martin said yesterday that he's trying as hard as he can to come back from arthroscopic surgery on his right knee last December, but he just doesn't know when -- or if -- he'll be back. "I don't know how long it'll take me," said Martin, calling speculation on his condition a bunch of "rumors." "All I can do is keep working the way I'm working.... I don't usually do well with timetables and scenarios like that. I just say you do your best and when you're ready, you're ready." Asked why he's putting himself through the rigors of rehab after all he has accomplished in his career, the 33-year-old future Hall of Famer said, "I still feel like a young man." Asked why he's putting himself through the rigors of rehab after all he has accomplished in his career, the 33-year-old future Hall of Famer said, "I still feel like a young man."


The Dolphins and cornerback Will Poole have been unable to reach an injury settlement, meaning the player who was waived Tuesday will either go on the injured reserve list or be kept on the roster until he is healthy. The Dolphins likely will place Poole, who has a stress fracture in his knee, on injured reserve.


Giants LB LaVar Arrington spoke to reporters about the soreness in his surgically repaired knee that has kept him out of practice all week and will keep him out of tomorrow's game against the Ravens. "I'm not injured," he said. "They're not holding me back due to an injury. I think they're pacing me out. I get out there and I get pretty excited and I get to running around and different things like that." Arrington said he continues to be patient with the pace the trainers and coaches have set for him. "No worries -- it's not a frustrating thing," he said. "I'd love to be out there banging with my teammates. But I'm feeling great, actually. My workouts are going well. My conditioning is staying up. I'm getting my mental reps down."


Here’s a phrase that hasn’t been uttered since the halcyon days of 2002, but may apply if Deion Branch doesn’t get himself to camp: Troy Brown, No. 1 receiver. With Branch holding out, the ageless Brown is without question the most trusted weapon in Tom Brady’s receiver arsenal. Just don’t tell him that. “I don’t get caught up in those numbers,” Brown said yesterday. “(No.) 1, 2, 3, whatever. I just want to contribute. That’s what it’s all about. Just go out there and play. I don’t care what I’m labeled, even if it’s (No.) 4 or 5. If I’m able to make plays and help us win, I’m going to be happy.” Brown is just 20 receptions behind Stanley Morgan for first place on the team’s all-time receptions list, and is coming off a 39-catch season.



Saints quarterback Drew Brees is looking forward to getting hit Saturday. "I actually am," said Brees, who will face an opponent for the first time since he suffered a torn labrum in his right shoulder in Week 17 of last season, when he was hit while trying to recover a fumble. "That sounds crazy, but there's definitely a difference between standing there in practice and obviously taking live bullets in a game and getting hit and thrown down on that shoulder." Brees is excited about his recovery so far -- the arm strength, the flexibility, the lack of soreness and swelling.


The Saints signed linebacker Nate Wayne, an eight-year veteran who previously started for the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles. Payton said he was familiar with Wayne (6-0, 237) from coaching against him when Payton was with the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants.


How does Joseph Addai look? Can he make fans forget Edgerrin James? Can he beat out Dominic Rhodes? Answers -- substantive answers -- should come tonight in St. Louis' Edward Jones Dome when the Colts and Rams meet in their preseason opener. Rhodes, the veteran backup, probably will be positioned at tailback when quarterback Peyton Manning takes the first snap with the No. 1 offense. But soon, Addai, the team's first-round draft pick, will trot onto the field. He anticipates butterflies. "I wouldn't be scared," Addai said, "but I think it's a good thing to have a little nervous in you because you want to do good."


A key to the Bears' situation, besides Rex Grossman performing the way a starter needs to, will be Brian Griese. He wants to start and was signed to a multiyear deal at near-starter money. But he is not an agitator and knew the situation when he signed on. ... The Bears, obviously, want Grossman to succeed. But their commitment to him isn't so great they stubbornly would cling to him. In fact, an argument could be made that the team has more-money and years-invested in Griese.


Bears RB Thomas Jones made cuts and jogged on his injured right hamstring, and it's now possible he could return to action before Cedric Benson. Asked if that would make him the starter, Jones bristled. "C'mon, man, I'm just trying to get back on the field first," Jones said. "Everything else will take its course. I never was concerned with that. I'm here to play. Coaches make those decisions." Coach Lovie Smith wouldn't speculate. Benson shed the sling he had been wearing on his injured left shoulder but is two to three weeks away.


Jets LB coach Bryan Cox was mad enough after TE Joel Dreessen caught a TD on goal-line drills he sent the entire defense on a punishment lap, and gave extra sprints to the players on the field for the catch.


Roy Williams was asked a series of questions recently about his role as the go-to receiver in the Detroit Lions' offense and he answered, "Torry Holt. That's all I need to say." Yes, but what about all the intense pressure that comes with being the focus of the passing attack? "Torry Holt. That's all I can say." Williams has been Detroit's No. 1 receiver in his first two years in the league but his numbers haven't been eye-popping. He has yet to catch more than 54 passes or gain 817 receiving yards in a single season.

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Part II


While the Giants have provided only sketchy details about Chris Snee's injury, a few of his teammates revealed the exact nature of his ailment. According to two players on the team, the third-year guard is out of action because of a cyst in his right knee. The players spoke on condition of anonymity because talking about injuries to the media is a violation of team rules.


The competition at right cornerback between Jason David and Marlin Jackson has been one of the more entertaining battles at Colts camp. The 5-8 David, the incumbent starter, gives up four inches to the 6-0 Jackson, but nothing else. "I'm pushing him and he's pushing me," said Jackson, the team's first-round pick in 2005. "I'm just a competitive person and I want to be out there."




Asked about the seriousness of Dwight Freeney's injury, Tony Dungy said, "If it were a regular-season game, he definitely would play." The Colts haven't made known which shoulder is bothering Freeney. He had surgery in the 2005 offseason to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder.


This will be something Brodrick Bunkley hasn't done before, playing in a game on 1 full day of practice and a morning walkthrough. But Bunkley, the Eagles' first-round draft choice, who missed 16 days of training camp in a contract dispute, said he is eager to get on the field for tonight's preseason home opener against Cleveland. "It's my first NFL game, preseason or not. I'm definitely excited," Bunkley said yesterday, after coach Andy Reid announced that Bunkley will suit up against the Browns. "It won't be much, but he will play," Reid said.


LB Joey Porter, though, is encouraged about his recovery from knee surgery because the Steelers haven't played a preseason game and there is nearly a month remaining before the Sept. 7 season opener against the Miami Dolphins. Last year, Porter missed training camp after surgery on his other knee and did not play in a game until the season opener against the Tennessee Titans. "Now, I'll get a chance to go out there, get my football movements going, my quick-twitch muscles, and let them get back to doing football things again and see how it feels," Porter said.


A casual observer at training camp might assume Bruce Gradkowski is the Bucs backup quarterback, and understandably so. Gradkowski has benefited with a lot of reps while Jay Fiedler and Luke McCown nurse injuries. The rookie quarterback is working a lot with the second-team offense. Actually, he's working a lot, period. So where does that leave Tim Rattay? When McCown went down with a knee injury during the offseason, it was assumed Rattay would take over as Simms' backup. But then the Bucs signed Fiedler, who is rehabilitating a shoulder injury that required surgery in December. Couple that with increased playing time at practice for Gradkowski, and Rattay's status appears cloudy.


Saints coach Sean Payton said he can't evaluate Bethel Johnson's ability because of his absences. "Now that he's back in the flow of things, he needs to catch up to what we're doing," Payton said. "Mentally I think the adjustment for him in picking up everything is a little bit steeper than the rest of these guys, because we didn't have him in the offseason. His conditioning, his stamina and endurance are all concerns right now." Curtis Johnson said Johnson has shown a willingness to learn, often staying after practice to go over alignments and play scripts. Often, Johnson can be seen during team drills when he's not in the lineup checking play charts in preparation for the next time he is on the field, doing whatever he can to shake that "mercurial" tag. "I'm looking ahead," Johnson said, "to make sure I know where I'm going on every play."



The Jets remain interested in signing a veteran nose tackle, especially with NT Sione Pouha (knee) possibly facing surgery.


If the Packers coaching staff sincerely wants to put its three best linebackers on the field, as they have publicly declared, they move Nick Barnett outside now rather than later. Abdul Hodge is simply too good to keep off the field.

In Chris Cooley, Redskins offensive coordinator Al Saunders sees visions of Hall of Fame tight end Kellen Winslow and Kansas City Pro Bowler Tony Gonzalez, both of whom shined in this system, while Mike Sellers, a wrecking ball in the trenches with a knack for catching touchdown passes, stands to get more carries in the backfield and do more lead blocking, too.



Texans coach Gary Kubiak said Wednesday that Antowain Smith will start at running back in the preseason opener against Kansas City on Saturday. "Antowain has done everything we've asked him to do," Kubiak said. "He's been in this league a long time. We'll take that (starting) pressure off of those young guys. He'll be ready to go." Kubiak is planning to have two other backs get the majority of the carries after Smith. Those two will come from a group of veteran Vernand Morency and rookies Wali Lundy, Chris Taylor and Damien Rhodes.



Texans coach Gary Kubiak is really working hard on David Carr. The former first-round quarterback did throw more touchdowns than interceptions last year (14-11), and he should only get better with Kubiak's guidance. He could have his best season as a pro.


QB Matt Cassel will likely see significant action against the Falcons as the Pats try to ascertain if he can handle the No. 2 quarterback responsibilities. “Everybody plays for their job here,” Cassel said. “In the NFL, that’s what we do for a living. I don’t think it’s added pressure that you’re playing for a job. I’m not sure if one preseason game is going to dictate if you make the team.” Head coach Bill Belichick said Cassel has made gigantic strides since his rookie season last year.


The Jets' so-called quarterback competition is turning into a transparent farce, but Eric Mangini apparently is going to take his time before making the anticlimactic announcement. Mangini, trying to shroud his intentions in secrecy, insisted he hasn't even picked the starter for tomorrow night's preseason opener at Tampa Bay. (Bet on Chad Pennington.) He also managed to keep a straight face while claiming no one in the four-way competition has stood out. Even the water boys at training camp can tell that Pennington has outplayed Patrick Ramsey, Brooks Bollinger and rookie Kellen Clemens.


It is common knowledge that LaDainian Tomlinson never plays in the first exhibition game and hardly plays at all before the regular season. And that will not change this year. Tomlinson, who has just 14 carries in five preseasons and carried just once last preseason, will not play Saturday against the Green Bay Packers.



By the end of Wednesday morning’s practice, three-fifths of the Tennessee Titans’ starting offensive line was out of commission. Center Kevin Mawae and guard Benji Olson did not practice due to back spasms, and guard Zach Piller left the workout early because of a rib strained that clouded his status for Saturday’s pre-season opener against the New Orleans Saints. Piller was visibly ailing as he emerged from the tunnel from the locker room and was taken to be examined. X-rays showed no major damage, however.


Chukky Okobi, the Steelers backup center, had surgery to repair a herniated disk in his neck that might not even end his season, let alone his career. Marvin Philip, their sixth-round draft pick, said he is determined to prove he is not too small or not strong enough to make it in the NFL, with or without Okobi around. And -- knock on wood -- two-time All-Pro selection Jeff Hartings feels so good that the knees that almost forced his retirement a couple of years ago don't cause him to miss practice, even though he will turn 34 on the day of the season opener.


Randy Cross believes Terrell Owens is the top receiver in the league but is staying away from the Cowboys' hype. He also questions how consistent quarterback Eli Manning and the revamped secondary of the Giants will be. The Eagles are the team to beat, he said, adding that he understands if his sanity is questioned. "Last time I checked, they're the last (NFC East) team that went to the Super Bowl," Cross said. "They have the same people basically, and outside of the T.O. debacle, I think they're extremely strong. I have a lot of faith in Donovan and (coach) Andy Reid. On the lines, they're going to be so much better than most people think that it's ridiculous."


Marcus Randall came to Tennessee as an undrafted quarterback from LSU, but the Titans quickly moved to take advantage of his athleticism by shifting him to safety. Randall spent the first 13 games of last year on the Titans practice squad, learning the ins and outs of defense. He finally got a chance late in the year and made an impact on special teams with four tackles in three games. This offseason, the Titans decided Randall would be better off changing positions again, moving him to outside linebacker, where again he faces a serious learning curve and an uphill battle to hold on to his roster spot. The move to linebacker stemmed from Randall’s size. He played last season around 220 pounds, a tough weight for him to maintain, according to coaches. Now, he is around 230, with plenty of speed to play linebacker. If there is an X factor in Randall’s bid to buck the odds against five veteran linebackers and two draft picks, it is his prowess on special teams.



Roger Goodell found out he was the new NFL commissioner when Dan Rooney came to his hotel room. And he knew before the chairman of the Steelers even said a word. "He saw me smiling," Rooney said. "He knew when he saw me smiling." It was Rooney, chairman of the committee responsible for finding Pete Rozelle's replacement in 1989, who phoned Paul Tagliabue to tell him he had been named the league's new commissioner 17 years ago. And he got to do it again Tuesday afternoon in Chicago, only this time he merely had to go upstairs in the hotel to tell Goodell, a 1981 Washington & Jefferson College graduate.



Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said that after Donovan McNabb, "none of the quarterbacks played particularly well" in Sunday's preseason opener against Oakland.


Just four days after attending the Hall of Fame induction of his late father, Reggie White, Jeremy White visited Packers practice. Jeremy, his mother, Sara, and sister Jecolia, were in Milwaukee for a fund-raiser at the Sleep Wellness Institute and decided to make a side trip to Green Bay. One of the motivations for coming back to where the family made its home from 1993-'98 was to interview Brett Favre for a DVD Sara is making about Reggie White's life. "They have a ton of people (on it)," Jeremy White said. "We have everyone from Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin to Eugene Robinson and LeRoy Butler. My mom said, 'We don't have Brett.' So that's what we came up for." Jeremy, 20, left many friends in the area, but he said most have gone on to college, as he has and weren't around to visit with. So he came to practice to see how the team his father helped lead to a Super Bowl title was doing.



Mark Carrier is no longer concerned with hitting players; as the Baltimore Ravens' new secondary coach, he's focusing on teaching. Carrier, 38, began coaching in 2003, and he quickly moved from volunteer high school coach to college assistant to the NFL.


Redskins offensive line guru Joe Bugel was asked earlier this week if he was upset that none of the "Hogs" is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. "We're all upset because of Russ Grimm, Joe Jacoby and Art Monk," he said. "With Art, they're talking about touchdowns and stuff, but he played a lot of years and had a lot of good years. That's a disappointment."



Tickets still remain for all 10 Vikings games this season at the Metrodome, including Monday night's preseason opener against Oakland. But the team remains confident it will continue its 8-year run of sellouts. "We're pretty much on track," said Steve LaCroix, vice president of sales and marketing. "We will continue the streak."



The Seahawks will hold a news conference Friday to announce that former defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy will be the newest member of the team's Ring of Honor. Kennedy, a Seahawk from 1990 to 2000, is to be the 10th Ring honoree. He was named to a club-record eight Pro Bowls and was a three-time All-Pro. Kennedy will be honored in a ceremony at a regular-season game this year; the date has yet to be announced.





The Eagles are planning a car show of sorts during the team's annual carnival on Aug. 27. Though the lineup is not final, it's expected that attendees will see Jevon Kearse's Rolls-Royce Phantom, Correll Buckhalter's '67 Olds Cutlass, Sheldon Brown's 2007 Mercedes S550, 2006 Dodge Ram MegaCab, and 2004 Suzuki 1000 GSXR motorcycle, and Dhani Jones' Triumph TR3.


It was a little earlier than usual, but Steelers coach Bill Cowher canceled practice yesterday morning and surprised the players by taking them to the movies. Cowher, most of the coaches and some of the players went to see a special screening of "Invincible," the real-life story of Vince Papale, a former Philadelphia bartender who went to a tryout and eventually became a special-teams star for the Eagles.

[Hotrod]

Lelie for Brown and Tater to the Jets for a #2 ;D

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Manny Wright? It's unclear what his problem is, I'm guessing woman problems. Throw Saban a conditional 7th and lets roll. Oh, and a bag of mimi-reese's peanut butter cups.

I don't know what he's upset about, but wants out and maybe we will get on top of it. I don't like to bring in head cases, but this could just be a guy kinda fractured for whatever reason. If it's just a woman, lets snag him. If it's drugs, no thanks. Damn, I wish had the RedPhone. I don't see any reason not to throw a 7th conditional on his making the roster.

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Lelie for Brown and Tater to the Jets for a #2 ;D

I'm not sure we can put all our eggs in one basket with MB. If Cobbs had shown up maybe. He didn't from all accounts. I'm more convinced than ever that Shanny is waiting for a couple more WR's to drop before he shows his hand.

Lilly now has over 200K in fines.