Goings on in other camps around the league

[SoCalBronco]

NFL rumors and truths: Training camp movement


By Scout.com
Date: Jul 30, 2005

NFL training camps are in full swing and with that come promotions, demotions and cuts. Sorting through the fabrication being spewed has become a full-time job. Herein is the truth to many player and team issues around the NFL as depth charts get tossed and turned from Atlanta to San Diego and everywhere in between.

Arizona Cardinals
Those who watched veteran QB Kurt Warner in their final minicamp say he was pretty sharp and he definitely looked comfortable in their offense.

His receivers, however, had to adjust to his passes because some of them came in wobbly which is nothing new because he hasn’t thrown a tight spiral on down field passes in many years. Some believe it’s because of multiple injuries to his throwing thumb.

Atlanta Falcons

The move to demote veteran WR Peerless Price to the second-team offense is a combination of trying to see if Price will respond and is a way to reward second-year WR Michael Jenkins for his solid progress this off-season.

According to a league source, while head coach Jim Mora said this week that that it will be hard for first-round pick WR Roddy White to win a starting job if he continues to hold out, don’t count him out just yet for that role. It seems, according to the source, that White will be given every opportunity to win the starting role because the team is looking to put more explosiveness in to the passing attack. White is clearly seen as a better deep threat than current starting WR Dez White.

[SoCalBronco]

Chicago Bears

One of the more intriguing stories is the move of WR Ron Johnson to tight end. The former Baltimore Ravens fourth-round pick in the 2002 draft was beaten out for a roster spot last summer by WR Randy Hymes and was one of the final cuts. Johnson didn’t play last season and was signed by the Bears in early January.

Johnson had a very productive set of Senior Bowl week practices the year he came out for the draft but never could really catch on. He has put some weight on and because of the status of oft-injured TE Desmond Clark, Johnson’s getting extra reps in practice.
Detroit Lions

While the first four spots on the depth chart at receiver are set, the battle for the fifth spot will be hotly contested between holdovers Scottie Vines and David Kircus. Vines had a pretty solid minicamp and according to a league source, has the upper hand with what could be the final wide receiver job on the depth chart heading in to the season.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Sophomore WR Reggie Williams is coming off of a poor rookie debut. However, according to a league source, Williams had perhaps the best off-season of any of the team’s offensive players.

The coaching staff feels that Williams is a very good fit for new offensive coordinator Carl Smith’s system which will feature more of a vertical approach to the passing game.

Kansas City Chiefs

While third-year pro Kawika Mitchell heads in to training camp as the starting middle linebacker, it’s not seen as his job to lose if veteran MLB Mike Maslowski can get healthy.

According to a league source, the team is working on a restructured contract with Maslowski but before he can return to the field, he’ll have to pass the team’s physical.

Miami Dolphins

The quarterback battle between A.J. Feeley and Gus Frerotte looks to be pretty even after the first few days of practices. Neither player has separated one from the other thus far though those who have watched practice say Frerotte has looked a little better.

While veteran RB Ricky Williams is trying to regain some of the strength he lost after being out of the league for over a year, RB Lamar Gordon has been running with the first-team offense in the absence of first-round pick RB Ronnie Brown. Williams has been working mostly with the second and third team offenses.

[SoCalBronco]

Minnesota Vikings

Second-year RB Mewelde Moore looks to be the clear backup for starting RB Michael Bennett. There had been some speculation that rookie RB Ciatrick Fason might have a good shot to win that job, but that’s not so according to a league source. In fact, Moore’s pretty much penciled in as the main backup for Bennett.

A job that looks to be up for grabs is the other starting job opposite third-year WR Nate Burleson. According to the source, veteran WRs Travis Taylor and Marcus Robinson are the main combatants for the job but look for Taylor to handle that role this season. The oft-injured Robinson likely will be more of a situation player and figures to be more of a factor in the team’s redzone package where new offensive coordinator Steve Loney can take advantage of his size.

New Orleans Saints

Although the team signed veteran free agent MLB Ronald McKinnon this week, don’t look for him to start over second-year MLB Courtney Watson. The team, according to a league source, was just looking for depth at the position and Watson’s hold on the starting job looks to be secure at this point.

Philadelphia Eagles

Because of the unsure status of third-year pro Jerome McDougle, veteran ends Hugh Douglas and Ndukwe Kalu will see time at his place at right end. Both are coming off of surgery but have been cleared to practice next week. The team will be in pads for the first time in training camp on Wednesday.

San Diego Chargers

While some might have been surprised at the release of RB Jesse Chatman this week, he didn’t exactly win the coaches over this off-season.

Chatman, who saw his practice time limited by a sore toe last season, sealed his own fate by a lack of commitment to participate in the team’s off-season workout program. Chatman, who only stands 5’8”, weighed in the mid 240s last season and really needed to drop at least 10 pounds.

After passing on working out with the team and because of the development of second-year RB Michael Turner, Chatman became expendable.

Turner, according to head coach Marty Schottenheimer, will serve as the No.2 back this season and the team has no plans at this point to bring in a veteran back to compete for the job. Backup FB Andrew Pinnock and rookie RB Darren Sproles will see time in the No.3 spot.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The battle for the No.4 wide receiver job should be interesting. One player to watch is former Denver Bronco fifth-round pick Adrian Madise.

Madise showed flashes during practices but never really got a good chance to show what he can do. He has the most playing time of any of the receivers competing for the job.

[SoCalBronco]

We'll see if our old friend Adrian Madise can stick with the Bucs.

[scorpio]

Originally Posted by SoCalBronco

We'll see if our old friend Adrian Madise can stick with the Bucs.

Let's hope so. He sucks hind tit.

[-Slap-]

Originally Posted by SoCalBronco

We'll see if our old friend Adrian Madise can stick with the Bucs.

Remember that ten second clip of him running pass routes? You could tell he was a baller.

[Mr. Trout]

Wendell Bryant, the el-busto for the Cards got the axe as well.

[watermock]

I liked Madise and lost cred when he washed. I saw some potential in those clips.

As far as the Vikings, I've heard Williamson can't catch a cold. How they passed on Mike Williams at 7 is incredible. It was all coming together, and they pass. I still can't believe it. Kiper had Williams ranked #1, he's there at #7, the Vikings need a replacement for Moss, and are ready to make a run THIS YEAR, not in 3 years, and they pick a project that can run a fast 40. Chris Cole anyone? Jesus Christ. I hope I'm wrong.

[Macnut]

Hey SoCal, our guy Chad Owens is really impressing those that went to the Jags practice. Too bad the Broncos didn't pick him up.

[SoCalBronco]

Originally Posted by Macnut

Hey SoCal, our guy Chad Owens is really impressing those that went to the Jags practice. Too bad the Broncos didn't pick him up.

Yeah i really wanted Chad. Im glad he is doing well in Jacksonville, just hope he doesnt return one on us in Week 4. Unfortuneatly, i read Lui Fuga was cut by the Chargers and Abe Elimimian isnt expected to make the team.

[Bronco LB 59]

Antonio Gates is currently holding out along with Shawne Merriwoman. However, Gates is not under contract and cannot be fined by the team. From the papers here in San Diego, it sounds like it has the potential to get ugly and Gates' agent has not ruled out "missing regular season" games. I think both parties will come to an agreement soon but Gates is not exactly a seasoned player so he needs all the work he can get in training camp.

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by Bronco LB 52

Antonio Gates is currently holding out along with Shawne Merriwoman. However, Gates is not under contract and cannot be fined by the team. From the papers here in San Diego, it sounds like it has the potential to get ugly and Gates' agent has not ruled out "missing regular season" games. I think both parties will come to an agreement soon but Gates is not exactly a seasoned player so he needs all the work he can get in training camp.

While Bronco and Chief fans both scream "Hold out mudderfugger! HOLD OUT!1!"