Around the League 7/19/08
Not much is happening in the football realm as of late, but training camps actually opened this week with the Jets bringing in their rookies at least five days before any other clubs are getting moving.
Most of the recent news has been the signings of various rookies, yet as of a few days ago, just 30 percent of all drafted rookies had signed their contracts, with most teams starting camp this week. Chick Ludwig of the Dayton Daily News reports that it could be because of the labor issues.
Oh yeah…and there’s Brett Favre. Step aside Chad Johnson and Terrell Owens, the NFL has a new drama king. However, there’s really no need to watch that, if you’ve watched SportsCenter or Fox News in the last week, that is.
The Chiefs signed North Carolina State safety and third round pick DaJuan Morgan on Friday, making that the sixth signing for the Chiefs. Not that this is really big news, but the Chiefs also let go of Greg Wesley, who they’ve been looking to unload for quite some time. They have plenty of young talent at the position with Morgan joining Bernard Pollard and Jarrad Page.
Knowing that they are two of the worst teams in the NFL, the 49ers and Oakland Raiders are going to get the Toilet Bowl out of the way before the season starts. OK, just kidding, but they are going to have a few joint practices. And, Jerry McDonald of the Oakland Tribune’s Raider Blog tells us what we all know about the Chargers: controlling LaDainian Tomlinson is the key to beating them, as he begins to give an overview of the AFC West opponents heading into Training Camp.
Antonio Cromartie doesn’t lack in self confidence, reports Kevin Acee, as he is trying to pimp himself for more endorsement deals after a big season last year. Meanwhile, third-round pick Jacob Hester, and sixth-round pick DeJuan Tribble have both signed with the Chargers.
The Jets have signed first-round draft pick, tight end Dustin Keller, leaving Vernon Gholston as the team’s only unsigned draft pick. Bob Bullock of nj.com discusses a little more the signing of Vernon Gholston.
The Jaguars’ wide receiver problems continue to compound, reports Michael C. Wright, as new signing Jerry Porter will be out at least the entire preseason after undergoing hamstring surgery. Matt Jones continue to profess his innocence in the drug charges in Fayatteville last week. FYI, if you have lots of money and you are famous, a weekend back in the home of your Alma Mater, usually isn’t a good idea. Also fifth round pick, linebacker Thomas Williams signed this week.
The Ravens think they’ve finally found some offense with the addition of new coordinator Cam Cameron, formerly the head coach of the woeful Miami Dolphins. Super sleeper draft pick Joe Flacco, the giant Delaware quarterback signed a five-year deal with the Ravens, and may be the starter come week one. He’s just the fourth first-rounder to sign. The Ravens also signed fourth-round draft choice, wide receiver Marcus Smith yesterday. Pictures from Ravens minicamps.
I’m not saying these two stories are related, but I do find it interesting that they both appear on the Bengals page of the Cincinnati Enquirer’s web site.
Six more days until Texans Training Camp, the Houston Chronicle reports, and columnist and radio talk show host John McClain thinks Andre Johnson is a better football player than Mario Williams, and DeMeco Ryans might be the second-best player. This all coming after Pete Prisco release his Top 50 players in the league list at cbssportsline.com.
Albert Haynesworth and the Titans continue to squabble over his contract. The Titans say he’ll be the highest paid defensive tackle in the league this coming year, and surprisingly, his agent denies that. Subsequently, on Tuesday, talks broke down, and a long-term deal won’t happen this offseason for the volatile, yet talented, defensive player. Seventh round draft pick, defensive back Cary Williams has signed.
As this photo gallery shows, being the Atlanta Falcons quarterback has been a long and tedious battle. The Falcons have their “quarterback of the future” in Matt Ryan, their first-round selection out of Boston College, but talk of Michael Vick just won’t die down, at least not in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The Saints signed seventh-round draft pick Adrian Arrington this week, who I believe could be the next Marques Colston. Nick Canepa of signonsandiego reports that Drew Brees harbors no ill will towards the Chargers.
The Charlotte Observer's Tom Sorensen previews the atmosphere of Panthers training camp in Spartanburg, S.C. The Panthers also signed two draft picks, sixth-round pick Nick Hayden and seventh-round pick Mackenzy Bernadeau.
Roy Cummings, of the Tampa Tribune, also writes about the unique challenges that NFL teams are facing this year in signing their rookie draft choices. Ira Kaufman, of the Bucs Report Blog on the Tribune’s web site seems to be a little obsessed with the Colts – Maybe a Tony Dungy hangover – as he reports two different bits of Colts news in his three recent blogs.
There’s no lack of confidence in Cowboy country this year, but Todd Archer points out that as the Cowboys arrive in Oxnard, Calif., next week there are still some question marks. Tony Romo continues to play golf instead of concentrating on the upcoming season.
Originally Posted by Buff
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