General notes round the NFL 10 August 06

[Paul Mad Scot]

http://www.nflfans.com/draft/article...60810064543930

08/10/06 Thursday, August 10 2006 @ 06:45 AM CDT
Contributed by: PnP Titans Have No Intentions of Trading Chris Brown, Manny Wright Asks Dolphins For Release, Ravens Injury Update, Dreessen Pushing Jolley, Brady Finds Flaw in Delivery, Berlin Rusty, Joey Harrington Still Struggling, T.O. Says He's 81% Healthy, Dolphins Injury Update, Johnson To Get New Deal? Bears Injury Update, Brunell Returns, Bucs Injury Update, Darwin Walker Hurt, Giants Injury Update, Ogden Not Considering Retirement, C-Mart Wants to Play, Lefotu Found Unconscious,


AP reports Tennessee Titans RB Chris Brown is a hot topic of trade rumors, especially in towns where NFL teams need some extra help. GM Floyd Reese isn't biting. "I have no idea what they're talking about," Reese said Wednesday when asked about reports that the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins are among teams interested in trading for the three-year veteran. "They're trying to create a market." The Titans have no reason right now to trade away their starting running back because they need him, too. RB Travis Henry has looked better in training camp, and rookie RB LenDale White has missed some practices in recent days with a flu bug and a sore toe.

AP reports Dolphins DT Manny Wright said Wednesday night that he has asked the Dolphins for his release because he has battled emotional problems and wants a fresh start with another team. "It's nothing against the Dolphins and nothing against HC Nick Saban," Wright said. "I didn't even want this to get out, so there wouldn't be any negative feelings out there. But sometimes you need to cut loose to get your life together. This has been a tough place for me emotionally, so I think a fresh start would be best." Wright left the team Friday, shortly after asking Saban for his release. Wright said he had asked for his release on more than one occasion. At the time, Saban said Wright's absence was because of a "personal issue" and later said it was because of "medical issue." The Palm Beach Post adds Wright, who in July 2005 signed a four-year deal worth nearly $1.1 million, including a roster bonus of $190,000, said he is struggling financially. Until last month, he had been living in a $1,500-a-month condominium in Pembroke Pines. Wednesday, his landlord, Mini Bernal, said he had missed three months' rent. Bernal said she eventually contacted the Dolphins, who paid the rent for him. Wright now is living at a hotel with his girlfriend.

AP reports Ravens HC Brian Billick said it was unlikely that first round draft pick NT Haloti Ngata (sprained left MCL) would be available to play in Friday night's preseason game against the New York Giants. Ngata was injured during Saturday's scrimmage with the Washington Redskins and has not practiced since. Reserve OG/OT Brian Rimpf (severe left hamstring injury) also may not play, but Billick said he did not know if the hamstring was torn. WR Clarence Moore (sports hernia), TE Rob Abiamiri (strained hamstring), FS B.J. Ward (migraine) and CB David Pittman (strained hamstring) also did not participate in Wednesday's morning session. Starting OLT Jonathan Ogden is scheduled to return to training camp and practice today for the first time this preseason. Ogden has missed the first 13 days of practice after the death of his father, Shirrel, July 26. Ogden visited training camp Aug. 1 but did not take part in drills. It is unlikely Ogden would be ready to play in Friday night's exhibition contest.

AP reports New York Jets veteran TE Chris Baker, who was re-signed this off-season, is entrenched as the starter, but second-year TE Joel Dreessen is quietly having an outstanding camp and may make veteran TE Doug Jolley expendable. Dreessen has shown improvement in his receiving and he's a much better blocker than Jolley. The Jets plan to use the tight ends as H-backs at times this season, having them line up in the fullback position and go in motion to the point of attack on running plays.

AP reports New England Patriots QB Tom Brady said in an interview with ESPN that he found a flaw in his delivery last year. "(There are) certain issues with footwork, in my passing mechanics, where I'm placing my front foot and how I keep my shoulder closed when I throw, and finishing my deep throws instead of releasing it, and feeling like the ball can really never turn over," said Brady. "(The) problem was I'd throw it deep and I think I got it, make a good throw and the ball would be overthrown by two yards and I'd say, 'How did that happen?' Well, the ball would never turn over and it would just sail through the receiver and he'd thought he had it timed up, but the ball would never drop. So now I think I'm finishing the throws and the ball is actually coming down on a much better arc, and we've completed more deep balls in this preseason in the last 13 practices than we have probably in all of training camp last year. I'm excited to see how it works on the field and under game situations. That could be a good thing because we got a lot of guys -- guys with good speed here; we got guys who can get down the field, and if we can hit some of those passes, it's gonna be a great thing for our offense."

AP reports newly signed New England Patriots WR Eddie Berlin (5-11, 195) said he was rusty Wednesday practicing for the first time since being signed by the Pats on Tuesday. "There's some rust," said Berlin, who was with Chicago last season. "I haven't had a helmet on since the last game of the season, so there was definitely some rust. Plus, I'm trying to learn the offense in a crash course before Friday. My head's spinning right now." Berlin, however, said his strength is being able to "pick up stuff quick, and when I pick up this offense, (I hope to) play the inside and outside receiver and be versatile." "Eddie has some experience in the league," said HC Bill Belichick. "He's played in the kicking game and has played out in the perimeter in the passing game. I think that those are all things that at this point we felt like we had a situation where he could be competitive in, and I think he will be competitive in that situation."

AP reports Miami Dolphins QB Daunte Culpepper and QB Joey Harrington both ran the two-minute drill late in Wednesday's practice. Culpepper seemed to have the better grip on both the offense and the throws. HC Nick Saban wouldn't elaborate on the battle for No. 2 between Harrington and QB Cleo Lemon. On the final play of the two-minute drill, Harrington lost a fumble on a shotgun snap.

AP reports Cowboys WR Terrell Owens said he wasn't 100 percent, but was getting close. Asked for a percentage, Owens smiled and said, "81 percent." Several reporters responded with heavy "overlaughter." Jerry Jones spoke with Owens for about 10 minutes during practice, but Owens said it was just, "Jerry being Jerry." Owens is obviously growing tired of all the questions, just like a lot of you guys. "I know it comes with the territory," he said. "Anything I do is magnified." Asked what Bill has said to him, Owens said, "He's not a doctor...Any questions about my toughness should have been out the window with the Super Bowl." Earlier in the day, Parcells refused to rule Owens out for the Seattle game Saturday, but he rarely plays anyone who misses this much practice.

AP reports Dolphins WR Marty Booker (left calf) did not practice Wednesday because of a "nagging" left calf injury. Booker, 30, said his status is uncertain for the Dolphins' preseason opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday. Booker was hesitant to rule himself unable to play Saturday at Dolphin Stadium and said "only time will tell" whether his calf will improve enough to play. Booker's injury apparently is the same one that slowed him last season. Other players who did not practice Wednesday were CB Travis Daniels (right ankle), CB Michael Lehan (unspecifed injury), C Seth McKinney (neck), C Wade Smith (illness), and DT Manny Wright (personal issues). The Palm Beach Post adds WR Kelly Campbell (right quad), WR Marcus Vick (left ankle) and OG C.J. Brooks (left knee) were limited.

AP reports there has been a lot of speculation about how Vikings QB Brad Johnson will not get any additional money after signing a contract that will pay him $1.2 million this season, a figure he signed for last year when he was expected to be a backup to QB Daunte Culpepper. Well, anybody who doesn't believe Vikings owner Zygi Wilf isn't going to tear up Johnson's deal and give him a 2006 salary comparable to other starters doesn't know what type of person Wilf is. A year ago during training camp, Wilf didn't have to improve the contract of Culpepper, but he did, guaranteeing him an additional $2 million in salary for 2005. Johnson is set to be the lowest-paid starting quarterback in the NFL this season, making a salary less than many veteran backups. Well, one thing about Johnson and his agent, they aren't going to negotiate in the media like others do. But it wouldn't surprise me if Johnson has a new contract by the time the Vikings take the field Monday in their preseason opener against the Oakland Raiders.

AP reports Bears RB Thomas Jones made cuts and jogged on his injured right hamstring, and it's now possible he could return to action before RB Cedric Benson. Asked if that would make him the starter, Jones bristled. "C'mon, man, I'm just trying to get back on the field first," Jones said. "Everything else will take its course. I never was concerned with that. I'm here to play. Coaches make those decisions." HC Lovie Smith wouldn't speculate. Benson shed the sling he had been wearing on his injured left shoulder but is two to three weeks away. Smith said he expects starters to play at least one quarter Friday in San Francisco. WR Bernard Berrian tested his sore groin Wednesday, and Smith said Berrian is sorer than expected. WR Mark Bradley would start if Berrian can't go. Jamar Williams, Chris Harris and Tommie Harris returned to practice. DT Michael Haynes continues to nurse a sore back.

AP reports after sitting out practice Tuesday afternoon, Redskins QB Mark Brunell, who suffered a minor calf injury earlier in the day, practiced last night. "While I did have a little bruise down there, [missing practice] was more for me to take a break," Brunell said. "The leg came back very nice. Going last night would not have been smart. Practicing tonight was very smart. As practice went on, I felt better and better. It's not a problem."

AP reports just when it seemed Bucs WR Michael Clayton had overcome his injury problems, along comes something significant enough to knock him out of practice. Just as he was late last season, Clayton has been sidelined by turf toe. Clayton said the injury to his right big toe is not serious and that he expects to play in Friday night's preseason opener against the Jets. The Bucs can only hope that's the case. A similar injury forced Clayton to miss the final two games last season, including their playoff loss to Washington. "I could have practiced [Wednesday] if I wanted to," Clayton said. "But we thought with [today] being a walk-through that [Wednesday] would be a good day to take off. This way, I'll have two days of rest before the game on Friday." Clayton became the second receiver to miss practice this week because of a bruised toe. WR J.R. Russell missed Monday's workout with the same ailment but returned to practice Tuesday. Clayton missed one of his team's few workouts without pads. HC Jon Gruden allowed the players to practice in shirts and shorts Wednesday after 11 straight days in pads. "I'm just trying to get these guys a little physically rejuvenated," Gruden said. For the first time in five days, S Will Allen returned to practice Tuesday morning, his left thumb and forearm heavily bandaged in a thick white cast. After Wednesday morning's practice, Allen said he was starting to readjust to practicing after taking time off to recover from thumb surgery. "I'm just trying to get my legs back," he said. "I felt it [Tuesday]. Plus it was really hot. But I'm a lot better. We had short yardage, so that helped me out. I feel a lot more comfortable now."

AP reports on the final "live" play of Tuesday's practice, Eagles DT Darwin Walker "sacked" QB Donovan McNabb, reaching out to tap the quarterback with one hand while holding his side with the other. So yesterday it turned out Walker had suffered a rib fracture, albeit a "slight" one, the Eagles said. "It's a little different fracture. It's one similar to what Donovan had in the [2004] playoff game against Carolina. So, it's something that he should be able to get back from relatively quick," HC Andy Reid said. At the time, it was said that McNabb would not have been able to play in the Super Bowl, 2 weeks later, had the Eagles come back to beat Carolina in that NFC Championship Game, which, of course, they didn't. Now that DT Brodrick Bunkley is in camp, it's hard to see why the Eagles would want to hurry Walker back.

AP reports while the Giants have provided only sketchy details about OG Chris Snee's injury, a few of his teammates revealed the exact nature of his ailment. According to two players on the team, the third-year guard is out of action because of a cyst in his right knee. The players spoke on condition of anonymity because talking about injuries to the media is a violation of team rules. The Giants have refused to set a timetable on his return, but GM Ernie Accorsi said the other day Snee would be back in time for the regular season. He might be back sooner if the cyst dissipates. If not, Snee could be cutting it close for the season opener on Sept. 10. If the cyst doesn't go away, Snee would need surgery, which could require a resting period of up to one month. In addition to Snee, LB LaVar Arrington (knee), LB Carlos Emmons (burner), QB Rob Johnson (elbow), WR Sinorice Moss (quad), TE Jeremy Shockey (concussion) will not play tomorrow against the Ravens, HC Tom Coughlin said. The coach was asked about other players who will be inactive, but couldn't remember exactly which ones will be out. DT William Joseph, who has been out of practice much of this week with a leg bruise, might not play. S Will Demps and LB Brandon Short, who are both recovering from knee surgeries, could be out of action as well. With Johnson inactive, QB Tim Hasselbeck and QB Jared Lorenzen will enter the game in that order behind starter QB Eli Manning. RB Tiki Barber and DE Michael Strahan will probably play only a few plays, if any.

AP reports disputing a rumor that originated from a local radio station, HC Brian Billick said OT Jonathan Ogden has not told the team that he is contemplating retirement. Ogden has missed all of camp because of his father's death. The funeral was Friday. "I've talked to Jonathan. He's got some things to sort out," Billick said. "We have to give him the appropriate time. Certainly, he's got to be mentally right and emotionally right. But I have had no conversation with anybody - Jonathan included - where [retirement] has been intimated at all." OT Adam Terry has replaced the nine-time Pro Bowl left tackle in the lineup.

AP AP reports New York Jets RB Curtis Martin reiterated Wednesday he wants to play this season, but is unsure when he will be able to return. The NFL's No. 4 all-time leading rusher said he is working out every day so he can come back as quickly as possible, and is hopeful he can play in the season opener Sept. 10 at Tennessee. But he made no guarantees about when his injured right knee will allow him to resume his career. "I'm working out as hard as I can," said Martin, resolute as always. "I'm here every single day and probably up here longer than most of the other players because I'm doing extra work. ... I don't know how long it will take me. All I can do is keep working the way I'm doing." Martin was placed on the physically-unable-to-perform list July 27, the day before training camp opened. He initially got hurt last season and underwent surgery in December to clean out his knee. At the time, Martin thought he would be able to start running again in February. But the injury has taken much longer to heal. Because Martin is known for his ability to play through pain, the move to put him on the PUP list came as a mild surprise. Since then, reports have surfaced that he urged the Jets to take a running back high in the draft, has considered retirement and has virtually no cartilage in his knee. they still have plans for Martin, who is around the team as much as possible. "He's been to every weigh-in, every mandatory dinner, and every curfew. He's doing everything we ask him to do," HC Eric Mangini said. Though Martin is hopeful he can return, he put no timetable on his recovery. "I don't usually do well with timetables and scenarios like that. You do your best and when you're ready, you're ready ... Time will tell," he said. "I don't know exactly what will happen, but I'll keep preparing to be at my best."

AP reports Washington Redskins seventh round draft pick OG Kili Lefotu was found unconscious in his training camp room after he did not show up for Wednesday evening's practice. He's been taken to a local hospital for tests. The Daily Press adds Redskins HC Joe Gibbs said Lefotu appeared to be doing better in the hospital, but doctors had yet to diagnose what happened. "He's responsive, he's talking, which wasn't the case when they first found him at the dorm," Gibbs said. "The first set of tests, they were looking for something bleeding, and they didn't find anything. The first set of tests came back without anything that we should be alarmed about." Gibbs said the Redskins training staff was not aware of any similar problems in Lefotu's medical history. Gibbs also said Lefotu had attended the afternoon meetings and showed no signs of illness. The team took longer than usual to become aware of Lefotu's illness because his roommate, DT Manaia Brown, had been released earlier in the day.

[Asphyx]

Financial issues?

Willing to go to another team?

This guy must have gotten into the wrong crowd and either has a drug problem or gambling problem and hopes to leave the area thinking it's going to help...
Only conclusion I can draw!

[NCphinfan]

he's fucked in the head plain and simple. A change of scenery won't make a difference.

[Shady]

Originally Posted by NCphinfan

he's fucked in the head plain and simple. A change of scenery won't make a difference.

Is that a professional diagnosis Doc?

[Asphyx]

Problem is if he is having a problem with the scenery what is it about the scenery that is giving him the problem...It's obviously something this loon thinks he can fly away from!

[NCphinfan]

yup , my professional diagnosis.

He thinks a change of scenery will help but he will find he is just making excuses as it is easier than dealing with the real problem