NFL RUMORS: May 2008

Some Quick News and Rumors

- The Eagles are rumored to be testing out cornerback Lito Sheppard at wide receiver. This means that they've pretty much given up on trading him, and just want to find a spot for him.

-The Packers are removing Brett Favre's locker from the lockerroom and are giving it to him as a present. The locker caused a large media stir lately, because people thought it might mean that he wasn't really retired.

-Junior Seau is not going to make a decision on his future until early July. Though it is believed that he will retire, as the Patriots have added some depth at the linebacker position this offseason.

-Brian Urlacher showed up at the Bears' OTA's, the reason being that the Bears could have tried to get about $3.7-$5.7 million in signing bonuses. Don't expect this to mean that Urlacher is happy with his contract situation, the two parties are supposedly far apart in contract talks.

-After a report last week that quoted Vince Young saying he was going to retire after his rookie season because of the pressure, he now is denying that he was going to quit: "I ain't never said I was going to quit football," Young added. "There was a lot of stuff going on in my life, but football is not hard to me. Football is easy. All you have to do is be coachable and use your God-given talent. If it was a thought at all it was just a passing thought for a second."

-Packers' defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamilla had his knee scoped as a precaution after injuring it in the beginning of the offseason. He is expected to be back before the preseason begins.

-The Chiefs are planning to use less of Larry Johnson this season, although both Johnson and Coach Herm Edwards have declared him healthy and ready to go. The Chiefs are still unsure about who there starting quarterback will be, either Brodie Croyle or Damon Huard.
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Bucs Re-sign Stevens, Release Gradkowski

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers re-signed tight end Jerramy Stevens and released backup quarterback Bruce Gradkowski on Friday. Stevens, who signed with the Bucs in April 2007 after spending his first five NFL seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, had 18 receptions for 189 yards and four touchdowns in 15 games last season. Gradkowski was a sixth-round draft choice in 2006 out of Toledo. He started 11 games as a rookie after Chris Simms was lost to a season-ending spleen injury, throwing for 1,661 yards, nine TDs and nine interceptions. As the No. 3 quarterback in 2007, he appeared in four games and was 13-of-24 for 130 yards, no touchdowns and one interception. The move leaves five quarterbacks on the roster—Jeff Garcia, Brian Griese, Luke McCown, Simms and rookie Josh Johnson. A sixth, Jake Plummer, is under contract but has said he is retired.

Broncos Sign Pittman

The Broncos agreed to a one-year deal on Tuesday with former Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Michael Pittman, agent Drew Rosenhaus told The Associated Press. “There’s a lot of ways Michael can help the Broncos,” Rosenhaus said. “He can play fullback, halfback, he can catch the ball out of the backfield, return punts and return kicks. He’s a versatile back.” Pittman, an 11th-year pro who spent his past six seasons in Tampa after four years in Arizona, rushed for 286 yards on 68 carries and caught 26 passes for 191 yards last season, when he missed six games with a high ankle sprain.

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Jason Taylor To Leave Dolphins? (Clip)

Falcons Sign Rookie QB Ryan

Matt Ryan signed a $72 million, six-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons on Tuesday, ending concerns that prolonged negotiations could threaten his chance to become the starting quarterback as a rookie. Ryan, the No. 3 overall pick in last month’s draft out of Boston College, is guaranteed $34.75 million. His guaranteed money is $4.75 million more than that given to Jake Long, the No. 1 overall choice who also is represented by agent Tom Condon.

Cowboys Ink Barber, Newman to Big Deals

The Dallas Cowboys signed running back Marion Barber and cornerback Terence Newman to long-term extensions Tuesday, just in time to beat a deadline that would’ve changed how the money is spread over the salary cap. It wasn’t cheap, though, costing Jerry Jones roughly $95 million. At least he knows he’ll have both players through 2014. Newman’s deal is a six-year extension to the final year left on his initial contract. It’s worth more than $50 million, with a $12 million signing bonus and $22.5 million guaranteed over the first three years. Barber, a restricted free agent, received a $45 million, seven-year contract that includes $16 million in guaranteed bonuses. It’s worth $21 million over the first three years, all of which puts him in the salary range of LaDainian Tomlinson, Edgerrin James and Larry Johnson—heady stuff for a guy whose only career start came in his last game. (sorry I didnt link the main teams/players)

NFL Owners Opt Out of Labor Contract

Bengals Release Thurman

Less than a month after the NFL reinstated Odell Thurman from his two-year suspension, the troubled linebacker is out of a job. The Cincinnati Bengals staunchly supported Thurman during his suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse and conduct policies. When he didn’t show up for voluntary workouts that represented a chance to catch up, they decided they’ve had enough. Thurman was waived on Monday, leaving his once-promising career at the crossroads again. “Everything was fine two weeks ago,” agent Safarrah Lawson said in a phone interview shortly after Thurman was released. “He left for a week to deal with the death of his grandmother, and he didn’t make it back.”

Jags Extend Meirer

The Jacksonville Jaguars gave defensive tackle Rob Meier a bigger contract to go along with his bigger role. Meier, who is replacing three-time Pro Bowl player Marcus Stroud in the starting lineup this season, signed a four-year contract extension Thursday. Although financial details weren’t disclosed, Meier said the new deal will pay more than the $2.095 million he was due in the final year of his previous contract. Meier’s deal also came two days after defensive end Paul Spicer failed to show up for the team’s first voluntary workout of the offseason while seeking a new contract.

Bears Re-Sign Gould

The Chicago Bears have signed kicker Robbie Gould to a five-year contract extension through 2013. Financial terms weren't immediately available. Gould was working for a construction company just three years ago when he was invited for a tryout by the Bears and he has since gone on to become the most accurate field goal kicker in the franchise's history. No Bears field goal kicker, who had made more than 50 attempts, has a better record than Gould on 84 from 99 tries in three seasons. He's made 99 of 100 points-after-touchdown with the Bears and hit 31 of 36 field goal attempts last season. Gould made the Pro Bowl after the 2006 season when he scored 143 points.

Happy Mothers Day

Have a happy mothers day everyone. Help mothers around the world by donating to the breast cancer research fund. Any amount is accepted! Click the picture for the link!

Packers Cut Robinson

The Green Bay Packers released Koren Robinson on Friday, the latest setback for the veteran wide receiver trying to resurrect his career after serving an NFL suspension and jail time. Not long after Green Bay signed the 6-foot-2, 205-pound Robinson in 2006, the league suspended him for a year for alcohol-related problems. The Packers gave him an opportunity, and he responded with 21 catches for 241 yards and one touchdown in nine games last season. He was also second on the team with 25 kickoff returns for 596 yards. This release was expected after the Packers drafted receiver Jordy Nelson with their first pick (2nd round) in the draft.

Walsh Hands Over Videos To Patriots

Instead of explaining the entire Walsh/Patriot/Spygate thing, I've decided to post a clip from sportscenter and let them explain it to you. Enjoy...

Rhodes To Return To Indy

The Colts have put their tag-team runners—Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes—back together. The tandem that helped Indianapolis win its first Super Bowl title has been reunited after Rhodes agreed on a one-year deal to return to the Colts. Rhodes’ agent, Mike McCartney confirmed the signing Wednesday in an e-mail to The Associated Press although he did not disclose financial details. Rhodes spent his first six NFL seasons with the Colts, rushing for 2,274 yards. Rhodes set the league record for an undrafted rookie with 1,104 yards rushing in 2001. He also was the starter for all 16 regular-season games in 2006 before losing the job to Addai in the playoffs. Then, last spring, Rhodes became a free agent and signed a two-year deal with Oakland. He was hoping for a chance to start, but after serving a four-game suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, his opportunities dwindled. He finished with 75 carries, 302 yards and one TD. Shortly after the NFL draft, the Raiders released him.

Alexander Making A Big Push To Bengals

According to a source, Shaun Alexander is expected to sign with the Cincinnati Bengals sometime this week. Alexander has always had interest in signing with his hometown team, and he will work in the runningback duo with Rudi Johnson. Alexander has been trying to convince the Bengals that having a runningback will give Johnson (29), and Alexander (31) a lighter load which will make them play like they're in their prime again...More to come

Benson Arrested...What's Next?

Chicago Bears running back Cedric Benson was charged with failing a sobriety test while operating a 30-foot boat, then resisting arrest before being hit with pepper spray and dragged ashore by officers. Benson faces charges of boating while intoxicated and resisting arrest after the incident Saturday night on Lake Travis, Travis County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Roger Wade said Sunday. Benson was released from jail early Sunday on a $14,500 bond. The charges are class B misdemeanors, each punishable by up to six months in jail and a $2,000 fine. A call to Benson’s agent was not immediately returned. Benson was operating the boat with 15 passengers aboard when he was stopped by a Lower Colorado River Authority officer for a random safety inspection. He failed a field sobriety test on the officer’s boat and was uncooperative when the officer tried to take him ashore, the authority said. “When Benson did not pass the test, he presented himself as a threat to the officer and argued about whether or not he would be taken to land to have a follow-up field sobriety test performed on land and refused to put on a life jacket,” the authority said in a statement. The officer had to use pepper spray to subdue Benson. He then refused to leave the officer’s boat and authorities had to drag him to a car to be taken to the Travis County jail, the authority said. What should the Bears do? Release him, it's the perfect opportunity to release Benson without saying to the fans "Hey this guy is a bust, and it's our fault." But, knowing the Bears, they'll give him another chance, and they'll let Commissioner Goodell hand out the punishment.

Possible Trades

Though there have been a bunch of trades this offseason, most recently the Pacman Jones trade, there are still a few key players that have yet to be traded and most likely will be traded before the season begins...

1) Chad Johnson- An obvious choice, Johnson has publicly demanded a trade, and the Bengals have yet to give in to his demand. The apparently declined a draft day trade from the Redskins that included two first round picks.

2) Lito Sheppard- Sheppard is being shopped around by the Eagles, so don't expect to see him in the Eagles uniform this season. Sheppard was another player that looked like he was going to get traded on draft day, but the Eagles failed to get one worked out.

3) J.P. Losman- Losman was in a quarterback battle with Trent Edwards last season, and head coach Dick Jauron has shown support for Edwards. Look for Losman to go to a team like the Bears, Dolphins, or Packers that need a quality veteran backup.

4) Jason Taylor- This is a trade that might not happen, but it looked like everyone expected him to be traded for another first round pick on draft day. Taylor has made some remarks recently about the way Bill Parcells has been dealing with the situation, and Taylor could be traded this season.

5) Jeremy Shockey- As of right now, I don't think the Giants are planning to keep Shockey on the team. On draft day, the Giants supposedly had a deal worked out to send him to the Saints, but there was apparently a money issue. Trading Shockey should relieve some pressure on the Giant's salary camp, and also Eli Manning.

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