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| Chicago Bears team president Ted Phillips and coach Lovie Smith addressed the growing concerns surrounding contract negotiations with both defensive tackle Tommie Harris and linebacker Brian Urlacher, according to the Associated Press. The general feeling is one of patient work as these officials have brought the typical comments that have become all too stale in these occasions. “Let’s face it, Tommie Harris, Brian Urlacher, they’re important to us,” Phillips told reports during a ceremony awarding Harris with the team’s Ed Block Courage Award. “That’s why we’re engaged in discussions with them. We want to get those two guys done, that’s our philosophy. We believe in rewarding our own, and that’s what we intend to do, hopefully, in both of their cases.” Urlacher’s current deal commits the Bears to his services through 2011, but he has demanded renegotiation and is refusing to attend the team’s 10-week voluntary conditioning drills until that gets done. Harris will be a free agent after next season and been attempting to get a new deal in place with agent Drew Rosenhaus to keep that from happening. |
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| In early March, the Jaguars offered a second-year tender to safety Gerald Sensabaugh. Today, he signed that tender, paying him $1.47 million for the season with a chance to prove his value over the next season and earn a new deal next season, according to SBNation.com. Sensabaugh will take over as the full-time starting strong safety and is expected to accomplish big things. |
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| With Asante Samuel now wearing a jersey in Philly and a noteworthy lack of proven ability in the defensive back corps, the New England Patriots are asking all of the top DB prospects in this years draft to come to New England for interviews and visits, according to NFL.com. Adam Schefter reports Antoine Cason, one of the top cornerbacks in this year’s NFL Draft out of the University of Arizona, was in New England on Monday while Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, a Tennessee State cornerback regarded as one of the most coveted defensive gems in the draft, was scheduled to visit with team officials today. On Sunday, April 13, Kansas CB Aqib Talib will come to New England for two days, followed by a visit from Troy CB Leodis McKelvin. Schefter also notes the Pats have visited with USC linebacker Keith Rivers and LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey is scheduled to visit later this week, so it’s not all about the defensive backfield… but it is all about defense. |
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| To follow the story as it moves along, the Minnesota Vikings have made the signing of veteran QB Gus Frerotte official, according to ProFootballTalk.com. The Vikes had reached an agreement in principal with Frerotte before the NFL Owners Meetings but wanted to wait until after those meetings concluded to finalize the deal. Frerotte has played for a multitude of teams, and while many of us remember him for the hysterical decision to head butt a wall after a TD (a move the resulted in concussion and time missed to the resulting injury), he is a savvy mind and a strong arm that will serve as a valuable backup and mentor for starter Tarvaris Jackson. |
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| In a move that may signal concerns for the WR position, the Cincinnati Bengals have signed free-agent WR Doug Gabriel to a one-year deal, according to ProFootballTalk.com. Terms of the deal were undisclosed. Gabriel was one of very few free agents left for hiring, and while his addition fails to address the loss of Chris Henry, it adds another option to enter training camp and compete for a job. With Chad Johnson and TJ Houshmandzadeh both missing offseason workouts, it's fair to say the Bengals would be wise to consider options. The WR position has long been a strength and the arm of QB Carson Palmer is the engine that makes this team move. Without targets, it could be a troublesome season. |
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| Brett Favre has denied reports that he's considering a comeback, but when asked if he might return to the Packers if they needed him because of injury, he sounded like it could be possible. "It would be hard to pass up, I guess," Favre told the Sun-Herald. "But three months from now, say that presents itself, I may say, you know what, I'm so glad I made that decision. I'm feel very comfortable in what I'm doing and my decision. Yeah, I can probably be up there doing that and playing, but again, I don't know. It's only speculating." We don't expect to see Brett at all this year, but crazier things have happened. |
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| Troy Brown, WR, New England Patriots | Tuesday 4/8, 5:08 PM CT |
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| Troy Brown is undecided about his future. The veteran has received mild interest from a few teams this offseason, but it's possible he could end up retiring. "I haven't come to an answer to that question yet," Brown said in the Herald-Dispatch. "I'm not in a hurry to make any decisions. We'll just see what happens in the next few weeks, months, whatever it takes to make up my mind." Brown played in just one contest last year and hasn't been a fantasy factor in a while. |
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| Joey Galloway made a surprise appearance at the Buccaneers' first OTA, according to the Tampa Tribune. He was expected to miss most of the offseason workouts while he recovers from offseason shoulder surgery, but he participated in the early individual portion, and even caught a few passes. This is good news, but there is still no solid time-table set for his recovery.
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| Cadillac Williams did some work at the Buccaneers' first OTA, according to the Tampa Tribune. He reportedly spent some of his time doing a plow-horse drill, in which he ties himself to a harness and pulls a team trainer behind him as he walks forward. It is nice to seem him participate, but his career remains in jeopardy.
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| Jabar Gaffney is an entrenched starter for the 2008 season, according to the Sporting News. He was clutch down the stretch for New England last season as he scored five touchdowns, and he will join Randy Moss and Wes Welker as their three starting wides. |
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| Roy Williams commented on the rumor of a possible trade to the Dallas Cowboys, according to The Star-Telegram. Williams said, "Of course I want to stay in Detroit. Everybody wants to stay with the team that drafted them. They are telling me I am going to be a Lion for at least one more season. That's what I have on my mind. What are they going to do with me? Could they pay me? Yes. Will they pay me? That's the question that needs to be answered. If I get franchised, I get franchised. If they want to go in another direction, that is part of the business." A source close to Williams said that he wants to play for the Cowboys if he isn't in Detroit, but Williams noted "Man, you know I can't answer that question." Williams and Terrell Owens would make an exceptional receiving tandem for Tony Romo if this rumor proves true.
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| LenDale White has joined the Titans' workouts after previously being AWOL when the team's offseason program started March 23, according to the Nashville City Paper. White racked up 1108 rushing yards in 2008 and is expected to be the Titans' starter this season, but the team is also reportedly going to pursue a speedy third-down back, possibly in the draft. |
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| Matt Lehr, G, New Orleans Saints | Tuesday 4/8, 9:49 AM CT |
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| Matt Lehr is under investigation for steroid use, according to the NY Times. The NFL notably suspended him for four games in 2006 after he tested positive for a banned substance, and Lehr is being investigated for the suspected distribution of performance-enhancing drugs. The investigation is being led by the United States attorney’s office for the Eastern District of Texas.
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| Michael Vick is not playing organized football in jail, according to ESPN.com. Falcons Owner Arthur Blank earlier commented, "Apparently, there was a prison football team and Vick played quarterback for both sides."
But federal prison officials reported that Vick didn't arrive at the Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary Camp in time to participate in their football season, and a spokesperson for the prison reported the news of him playing as "incredulous".
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| The Panthers have signed DT Steve Williams, according to the Rock Hill Herald. Williams was notably in camp with Carolina last year, but was waived-injured at the final cuts. He could make the team this time around, but still holds no fantasy value. |
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