Whispers from around the NFL 6/27

[3rd Generation Die Hard]

Could someone who is an ESPN insider let me know if anything about the Redskins was in the Whispers Around the league that was released on ESPN.com today?

:gus:

[bubba9497]

http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/The+Way+We+Hear+It/Whispers/2005/whispers2005.htm

* As July approached, word from Seattle was that the Seahawks were a bit leery of investing as much money as ex-Ravens DE-OLB Peter Boulware was looking for in a player who missed the entire 2004 campaign following microfracture knee surgery. Should Boulware significantly lower his asking price, we hear the Seahawks might seriously consider adding him to the roster.

*

A source close to the Steelers believes the team might not have much leverage in any contract extension talks with WR Hines Ward, who has consistently produced on the field and is popular in Pittsburgh. After declining to sign WR Plaxico Burress to a lucrative extension, the Steelers will have to give Ward a lucrative deal to keep him around. Ward is entering the final year of his contract.

*

We hear that Patriots S Rodney Harrison is dissatisfied with his contract situation, having outperformed the six-year deal he signed as a free agent in 2003. Word is, it had been intimated to Harrison that the team would sit down with him if he performed well, something he certainly has done as the unquestioned leader of a young secondary.

*

Panthers DE Julius Peppers is said to be in the best shape of his career and blew everyone away by running his post-workout wind sprints — a total of 200 yards — in the same time range as the defensive backs and receivers.

*

Don’t be fooled by the fact Mike Anderson was listed as the No. 1 running back in a recent minicamp in Denver. The Broncos are excited with the way Tatum Bell has committed himself to the weight room (adding 10 pounds of bulk) and to learning the playbook, and he’s all but certain to be given first crack at the starting job.

*

Word from South Florida is that Dolphins 2004 first-round pick Vernon Carey looks like a different player altogether and has the inside track at the OLT spot ahead of Damion McIntosh. Observers say it’s obvious that O-line coach Hudson Houck is pressing the buttons with Carey that Tony Wise didn’t in 2004. We hear Carey is in better shape and more confident and held his own vs. Pro Bowl DE Jason Taylor during spring practice.

*

Giants observers have marveled at the praise handed down by head coach Tom Coughlin toward his players. The reserved Coughlin was especially praiseworthy of second-year LB Reggie Torbor, LB Carlos Emmons and CB Will Allen, a player who found himself in Coughlin’s doghouse by the end of last season.

*

Niners OLB Julian Peterson, who is coming back from a torn left Achilles, told our sources in mid-June that if there were a regular game scheduled in three weeks, he would be ready to start.

*

Sources say Chargers WR Reche Caldwell is running as fast this summer as he was prior to the anterior cruciate ligament tear that cut short his breakout 2004 season.

*

We hear that RB Cadillac Williams is the front-runner to be the Buccaneers’ featured back in Week One despite head coach Jon Gruden’s reluctance to rely on rookies.

*

The Patriots’ signing of RB-RS Chad Morton brings into question free-agent signee Tim Dwight’s future status with the team. Dwight, who turns 30 in July, was hampered by a foot injury in the team’s June minicamp, and concern for the injury may have pushed the Patriots to close the deal for the 28-year-old Morton.

*

Although Seahawks WR Darrell Jackson’s absence from the team’s voluntary camps this offseason rubbed QB Matt Hasselbeck the wrong way, we hear the team isn’t worried about any letdown in the No. 1 wideout’s performance — at least in the short term. There is some concern, though, that unspecified commitments Jackson says were made by former team president Bob Whitsitt, most likely of a financial nature, could come back to haunt the team at a later date.

*

We hear the Jaguars are hopeful that rookie second-round pick Khalif Barnes merges as the starter at left offensive tackle. Mike Pearson, a second-round pick in 2002 who started 11 games as a rookie, is recovering from a severe knee injury suffered last October and continues to be limited.

*

There have been mixed reviews of Packers rookie QB Aaron Rodgers in minicamp. Offensive coordinator Tom Rossley said the team will take its time since there is no pressure to play Rodgers immediately. For now the coaching staff won’t tinker with Rodgers’ mechanics. He had happy feet and made late decisions due to unfamiliarity and a lack of comfort in the offense during minicamp. However, the Packers believe most of Rodgers’ high throws were a product of learning a new offense and making late decisions.

*

Falcons rookie WR Roddy White has been so impressive that he could step in as the No. 2 receiver on the team from Day One of training camp.

*

Observers say Bears DLE Adewale Ogunleye has been extremely cautious in returning from offseason ankle surgery. Moving well after returning to practice for the first time on June 15, Ogunleye says he’s 100 percent and ready to rebound from a poor first season in Chicago.

*

Bengals RB Chris Perry (sports hernia) didn’t practice in the team’s June minicamp. We hear Perry could earn a role in the Cincinnati offense with his speed and pass-catching ability, but he will need to be medically cleared for training camp. Perry was the team’s first-round pick in 2004.

*

The Lions intend to continue working toward a long-term agreement with RS Eddie Drummond even after the restricted free agent refused to sign a one-year, $1.43 million tender offer. Under league rules, the Lions could have lowered Drummond’s offer to $455,000 on June 15 but chose not to in the interest of keeping negotiations positive.

*

Also on June 15, Detroit quietly paid QB Joey Harrington the $3 million bonus he was due from his original contract. Harrington has two years remaining on the contract he signed as a rookie in 2002.

*

We hear that if the Dolphins decide to add a cornerback via free agency, it will be on the cheap, particularly if they decide to spend a high draft pick on ex-USC DT Manuel Wright in the mid-July supplemental draft.

*

Team observers in Chicago were wowed by second-year CB Nathan Vasher at the close of spring practice sessions. Vasher’s knack for making big plays doesn’t appear to have been a one-year deal.

*

Although Buccaneers DE Simeon Rice has hinted at retirement, saying he has other things he wants to do with his life, we’re told Rice won’t be going anywhere before the end of his current contract, which runs through 2007.

*

Titans GM Floyd Reese confirmed to PFW that agent Drew Rosenhaus has sent the club a request for an extension for C Justin Hartwig, who becomes an unrestricted free agent after this season, but that no further discussion took place. Reese expects the two sides to continue talking later in the summer.

*

The Chiefs’ ORT job may not automatically belong to Jordan Black just because he finished last season there. Kevin Sampson, a second-year option out of Syracuse, was splitting time with Black at a recent minicamp and may be given a good look in August before a decision is made. Black also filled in at left tackle when Willie Roaf was absent from practice, as the Chiefs aim to get him some exposure there, as well, for the future.

*

Saints CBs Fahkir Brown and Mike McKenzie are grumbling about their contracts and are posturing to get new deals.

*

Panthers LB Will Witherspoon has started to hint that he may stage a holdout if he doesn’t get a contract extension prior to the start of training camp July 29.

*

The Chiefs had first-round pick Derrick Johnson listed second on the depth chart at the strong-side LB spot, but we’re told he’ll easily be starting by the preseason after several standout plays during offseason practices. “There’s a whole lot of talent there,” observed one source. In a bit of a surprise, K.C. had new addition Kendrell Bell manning the weak side and the previously struggling Kawika Mitchell starting in the middle at the last minicamp. It was previously assumed Bell would be in the middle and Johnson would roam the weak side.

*

The way we hear it, it wouldn’t be surprising if Ravens TE Todd Heap misses all of training camp as he recovers from shoulder and ankle surgery. Heap signed a lucrative contract extension with the club in June.

*

Team observers and even a few Bears players have not been impressed with second-round pick Mark Bradley. The wide receiver wasn’t catching the ball cleanly in practices, and some believe Bradley to be more of a project than even management might have anticipated. On the other hand, Bernard Berrian appears to be superquick, and Justin Gage is well ahead of where he was last year.

*

The Eagles have paid close attention to the Bears’ signing of second-round WR Mark Bradley (39th overall pick), the highest-drafted player to sign as of June 26. A high-ranking Eagles official told PFW that the team will use Bradley’s deal as a potential measuring stick in its dealings with first-round DT Mike Patterson (31st overall) and second-round WR Reggie Brown (35th overall). A source close to Patterson said the Bradley deal is merely one minor element of the negotiations but that he expects Patterson to be in camp on time.

*

We hear that Dolphins fourth-string CB Reggie Howard, a disappointment after signing a big free-agent contract in 2004, turned down a request by Miami to restructure his contract. Barring a much-improved performance in ’05, Howard is likely playing his last season with the Dolphins.

*

The Broncos’ coaching staff has spent a fair bit of time analyzing WR Darius Watts’ play as a rookie, when he caught 31 passes as the team’s No. 3 wideout, and despite some typical first-year mistakes, they like what they saw and envision a bright future for him. In other words, don’t expect to see the Broncos impede his progress in exchange for keeping Jerry Rice happy.

*

Eagles team president Joe Banner told PFW that the team’s stance on disgruntled WR Terrell Owens hasn’t changed. “We’re in the same boat as everybody else (as far as knowing T.O.’s plans). Our conditions are not going to change. We’ve been quite clear in that regard. We hope he comes back. If he does, we’re a better team.”

*

There’s a good chance the Chargers could work some packages that include pint-sized but explosive rookie RB Darren Sproles into the game plan this fall. According to team observers, the 5-foot-6 ex-Kansas State star made a few moves in minicamps that would have made every highlight show.

*

Based on offseason workouts, it appears as though the Chargers are set to open training camp with CB Drayton Florence and FS Jerry Wilson ahead of Sammy Davis and Bhawoh Jue, respectively, on the depth chart.

*

Although Niners C Jeremy Newberry seems determined to make a comeback from his latest kneecap injury in time for the regular season, we hear the odds are very much stacked against him. Fortunately for the Niners, they feel fourth-year pro Eric Heitmann is quite capable of moving from right guard into the starting center job, our sources say. We hear Heitmann, who agreed to a four-year contract extension June 2, was one of three players who showed up every day for the team’s offseason activities (WR P.J. Fleck and QB Ken Dorsey were the others).

*

The Saints are willing to go into the upcoming season with Wayne Gandy at the starting OLT spot although Gandy has refused to take a pay cut. But we’re told they hope third-year veteran Jon Stinchcomb will take over the position in 2006.

*

The way we hear it, Ravens ORT Orlando Brown is still not at full strength due to knee problems. The team hopes Brown can team with rookie Adam Terry at right tackle.

*

Although the Falcons claim LBs Demorrio Williams and Ike Reese are battling for the starting strong-side LB job, we hear the position is Williams’ to lose.

*

After looking awful in the Seahawks’ post-draft minicamp, rookie QB David Greene made huge strides in the team’s mid-June get-together, we’re told. At that same mid-June minicamp, the word is, veteran TE Itula Mili appeared considerably slimmer after reporting to the previous camp at a whopping 290 pounds.

*

We hear Cardinals fourth-round rookie Elton Brown is far behind incumbent Jeremy Bridges at the OLG spot after suffering an early offseason hamstring injury. Unless Brown comes on like gangbusters in training camp, it’s pretty much a given Bridges will be the opening-day starter.

*

After being considered even with Marcel Shipp at one point in the Cardinals’ competition at running back, Troy Hambrick faces a major uphill climb for even a roster spot should he ever decide to show up at camp, our sources say. Don’t be surprised if Hambrick meets the same fate as C Pete Kendall, who was cut on the eve of training camp last season.

*

The Bengals signed former Bears QB Craig Krenzel to compete with Casey Bramlet and Josh Haldi for the No. 3 job. As a source close to the team pointed out, the winner of this competition could have a shot at being Carson Palmer’s primary backup in 2006, as veteran Jon Kitna is in the final year of his contract.

*

Newly signed Browns QB Doug Johnson has a good shot at beating out Josh Harris for a roster spot. A source close to the team says Harris will need to improve his play to have a shot to stick on the roster.

*

After passing on RS Chad Morton, expect the Giants to search for a punt returner in July and August. It’s the area Tom Coughlin said he’d like to upgrade right now.

*

There could be a training-camp battle for the Bengals’ starting MLB job between Landon Johnson and rookie Odell Thurman, but Johnson (offseason shoulder surgery) will need to be medically cleared for camp. Johnson was impressive in the middle toward the end of last season, while Thurman’s athleticism has drawn raves.

*

Since spraining his ankle on a plastic cone on May 21, TE Desmond Clark hasn’t taken the field for the Bears’ on-field practice sessions. Clark has not been the impact player some felt he could be since joining the team in 2003. The Bears have used Dustin Lyman with the first-team offense and shifted former University of Minnesota and Ravens WR Ron Johnson to H-back. Johnson, a 6-2, 225-pounder, caught 11 passes in 22 career games with the Ravens. The former fourth-round pick didn’t have the speed to separate at wide receiver.

*

Word from South Florida is that DT Tim Bowens will hold off on filing retirement papers with the league in the hope that a year out of football will allow his back to be healthy enough to return to the Dolphins in 2006. Bowens will turn 33 next February.

[stupidsuck]

holy cow! the skins stayed out of the news for a day?

[redman]

Originally posted by stupidsuck

holy cow! the skins stayed out of the news for a day?

The day ain't over yet!

[Leonard Washington]

out of all the guys above asking for more money....hines ward deserves it most.

[jrockster21]

Peppers is a freak of nature. I think he is going to have a monster year and win defensive MVP. He is an absolute beast.

[laurent]

Originally posted by Leonard Washington

out of all the guys above asking for more money....hines ward deserves it most.

With the writing for this coming season already on the wall, maybe we should start focusing on the 2007 free agents early.

[Rocky21]

Originally posted by jrockster77

Peppers is a freak of nature. I think he is going to have a monster year and win defensive MVP. He is an absolute beast.

who is absolutely on 'roids.

[jimster]

We hear Heitmann, who agreed to a four-year contract extension June 2, was one of three players who showed up every day for the Niners offseason activities (WR P.J. Fleck and QB Ken Dorsey were the others).

So I guess only one unexcused is pretty good, huh?

[ntotoro]

Originally posted by jimster

So I guess only one unexcused is pretty good, huh?

Stop it. You're supposed to think the 'Skins are completely in disarray, just like the media wants you to...

[jrockster21]

Originally posted by Rocky21

who is absolutely on 'roids.

Is this based on some sort of proof? Or are you just assuming?

[Rocky21]

Originally posted by jrockster77

Is this based on some sort of proof? Or are you just assuming?

Peppers got caught back in '02 and was suspended by the league for 4 games as a first offender.

Other Carolina defensive lineman have been suspended for banned substances as well.

Plus there is the whole prescriptions for multiple Panthers being filled for a banned steroid less than two weeks before they played in the Super Bowl thing.

Looks endemic to me.