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New Contract Talks For Boldin??

Profootballtalk.com reports that the Cardinals have re-opened contract talks with WR Anquan Boldin.  Boldin has a new agent and profootballtalk.com believes Boldin wil show for training camp, new contract or not.

Latest On the Cardinals Running Game

Azcardinals.com's Darren Urban expects Tim Hightower to open the season as the starting running back.   Look for this to play out in preseason action. Hightower may be there for the first snap in the opener, but he won't keep Beanie on the sidelines long.  Rotoworld.com believes the talent differential between the two backs is simply to large.

Matt Ryan Looking Good

Matt Ryan is drawing praise from teammates for an impressive offseason, according to the Associate Press.

"By leaps and bounds," fullback Ovie Mughelli said of Ryan's improvement. "It's actually scary how much he's improved and it's only his second year."

Stallworth Suspended

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy has announced that Commissioner Roger Goodell has suspended Browns receiver Donte’ Stallworth indefinitely, without pay, in the wake of Tuesday’s guilty plea to felony DUI manslaughter.

Per McCarthy, Goodell said that Stallworth has “caused irreparable harm to the victim and his family, your club, your fellow players and the NFL.”

Stallworth has been sentenced to 30 days of jail time and two years of house arrest/controlled custody.

 

High-Risk, High-Reward For Colston

The New Orleans Times-Picayune expects Saints WR Marques Colston to post 10-12 touchdowns "if not more" this season.

 

As Rotoworld.com wisely points out that production has never been a problem for Colston. However, after multiple knee procedures -- including this year's microfracture surgery -- the Saints' No. 1 receiver will be a high-risk, high-reward fantasy pick in 2009.

 

Watch For Rookie RB Jennings

Coming out of OTA's, the Jaguars think they may have gotten a steal in seventh-round pick RB Rashad Jennings, reports the Florida Times Union.  Jennings, who played at Liberty, will compete in training camp to be one of Maurice Jones-Drew's backups. "I think you see in the shorts workout here, he's done a nice job. He belongs here. I think he fits into the group nicely, and that's a competitive group," Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio said.

 

Mark Sanchez Looking Good

Jets rookie QB Mark Sanchez closed the Jets' minicamp nicely Thursday with five straight completions and a touchdown, reports the New York Daily News.

Rotoworld.com reports that if the competition between Sanchez and Kellen Clemens is close, Sanchez will likely get the job. But coach Rex Ryan won't make a decision until training camp.

Kevin Curtis Finally Healthy

Eagles WR Kevin Curtis says he's finally 100 percent after being limited in OTAs earlier this month.  Curtis missed the beginning of last season following sports hernia surgery and then had followup surgery in April, says the Philadelphia Inquirer & Daily News.

 

Crayton Or Austin??

Cowboys WR Patrick Crayton says he has put extra work in this offseason to improve his separation and hand-eye coordination.

 

The Dallas Morning News reports that with Terrell Owens gone, Crayton is competing with Miles Austin to be the Cowboys No. 2 receiver. Even though Austin has been getting more publicity, Crayton is more than merely in the mix. "He's not out of the conversation at Valley Ranch, I promise you that," QB Tony Romo said, according to Rotoworld.com

Favre Not Ready...Yet

Rotoworld.com reports that free agent QB Brett Favre threw passes at Oak Grove High School in Mississippi Wednesday.

Favre noted that Friday will be four weeks since his arthroscopic surgery, but he's still feeling pain on some throws. While he threw the ball "OK," he said he's not to point where he's NFL-ready. Favre appears to be on track for the Vikings' late July minicamp, but he'll want his arm to be fully cooperative long before then.

 

Cutler To Olsen a Fantasy Dream??

According Bears coach Lovie Smith, TE Greg Olsen is close to becoming "a dominant player always."

Chicagobears.com says that it hasn't taken long for Olsen to emerge as Jay Cutler's preferred option in the passing game, and he's been singled out as the offense's most impressive spring performer.

Percy Harvin: Rookie of the Year??

Vikings coach Brad Childress admitted to the Minneapolis Star-Trbune Wednesday that he's been awestruck by rookie Percy Harvin's playmaking ability.

"I think the first thing I thought about was really the same feelings the first time we handed Adrian Peterson the ball," Childress said. "When you see it with your own eyes ... the thing that came to mind right away was, 'Wow.'"

Raiders 1st Rounder Hurt Again

Raiders rookie WR Darrius Heyward-Bey re-injured his right hamstring during Wednesday's practice.

Heyward-Bey, who originally suffered the injury in early May, grabbed his hamstring on an out pattern and let out an "audible groan, " reports the Contra Costa Times.   He'll be sidelined until training camp.  The early leg injuries don't bode well for a receiver so reliant on speed.

Bucs QB Situation

According to the St Petersburg TImesThe Buccaneers say they'll consider rookie Josh Freeman as the starting QB this season.  It seems Luke McCown and Byron Leftwich have been unimpressive at practice, while Freeman is progressing well.

Rotorworld.com brought up a good point.  This will all effect WR Antonio Bryant.

Jags Cut Lemon

Jaguars released quarterback Cleo Lemon.  This comes one year after getting a nice contract to be the new backup in Jacksonville.  Lemon had two years left on his deal, but struggled to pick up the Jagauars' system. Todd Bouman will now take over as the number two QB.

The Latest On Ravens RB McClain

Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameron disputed the notion that Le'Ron McClain is being moved to fullback this season, says CBS Sportsline.com

 

"I've read that everybody thinks we've moved him back to fullback and I'm not sure where that came from. He's a running back," said Cameron. "He's also a guy that can play fullback, play tailback, and actually we're going to use him a little bit at tight end this year."

Broncos Cut Boss Bailey

The Broncos released LB Boss Bailey, according to the National Football Post.  Bailey had microfracture knee surgery and was thought to be guaranteed a spot after receiving a March roster bonus.

Ravens Running Game - By Committee??

According to Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, the Ravens backfield "truly is running back by committee."  Though Ray Rice has had a tremendous offseason, he's not the only back working with the first unit. Cameron pointed out that Willis McGahee is back up to full speed after offseason knee and ankle surgeries: "He's looked as good as he's looked since I've seen him. I'm just optimistic."  Rotoworld.com says that while Rice is the Dynasty league back to own, his 2009 value is closer to a RB3/Flex option than rock-solid weekly starter.

 

Texans Sign Brown To Extension

According to the Houston Chronicle, the Texans signed K Kris Brown to a four-year, $10 million extension.  The deal includes $2.5 million in guarantees.  Brown has evolved into one of most reliable kickers in the league over the past two seasons.

Saints Running Game

The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports that they expect Pierre Thomas to be the lead back in the offense, but Reggie Bush will continue to get his share of touches.  QB Drew Brees recently appeared on WWL radio and said, "I think that Pierre is our No. 1 back and can do that job. I feel like Reggie can be able to step in and do a great job ... but certainly I think Pierre Thomas is the total package." To some extent, we're talking semantics here. If Thomas is the No. 1 back, then Bush is No. 1A.