NFL Offseason Thread

[mardigan]

Lions | Thorpe released
Wed, 18 Apr 2007 13:25:15 -0700

The Detroit Free Press reports the Detroit Lions have released WR Craphonso Thorpe.

Colts already picked him up, he will be a great 3rd reciver for them

[mardigan]

Bush's right leg '99 percent' healed in time for draftAssociated Press


Michael Bush is up and running, his broken right leg nearly fully healed just in time for the NFL draft.

The former Louisville star running back this week took part in his first full workout since he was hurt in September, and also received a thumbs-up prognosis from James Andrews, an Alabama-based orthopedic surgeon who specializes in sports injuries.

"I reviewed an X-ray today and it looks like it is 99 percent healed," Andrews wrote in a letter dated Wednesday and obtained by The Associated Press. "I would estimate that Michael Bush will pick up in the NFL where he left off in college, and should be a top-ranked running back taken in the 2007 NFL draft."

The letter was released by Bush's agent, Todd France, who said he is forwarding Andrews' letter, Bush's most recent X-rays and a DVD from his client's workout to all 32 NFL teams. The workout was held at Louisville on Monday and filmed by school officials, France said.

The agent hopes the updated information will clear up any doubts about Bush's status going into the two-day draft on April 28-29.

"It's great news," France said. "It's huge. My thing was I wanted to take away any negative perceptions in people's minds where his health status is because he couldn't work out at the combine. Well, guess what, look at him now."

Bush was projected to be a Heisman Trophy candidate before he broke his leg in Louisville's season-opener against Kentucky in September. He was coming off a junior season in which he ran for 1,143 yards and an NCAA-leading 23 touchdowns.

Bush applied for a medical redshirt in case he decided to come back, but instead opted to enter the NFL draft.

The injury has led Bush's stock to fall in numerous draft projections, which peg him as a second- or third-round pick at best -- and well behind Oklahoma's Adrian Peterson and California's Marshawn Lynch.

Prior to being hurt, the 6-foot-1, 251-pound Bush was noted for running with both power and speed, while also being a capable receiver.

His recovery comes about a month after Bush had a second operation during which a new rod was inserted into his leg after the bone didn't heal quickly enough after the initial surgery.

"It is remarkable how quickly this has improved," Andrews wrote. "It certainly looks much better than it did some weeks ago."

Andrews said he also was impressed after viewing the workout, noting Bush took part in 100 yard runs, multiple ladder drills, jumped rope and did 225-pound squats.

The video was not made available to The Associated Press.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press


This kid is going to be a beast

[mardigan]

Former QB Vick makes donation for victims familiesAssociated Press


ATLANTA -- Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick has teamed up with the United Way to donate $10,000 to assist families affected by the massacre at Virginia Tech, his former school.

"When tragic things like this happen, families have enough to deal with, and if I can help in some small way, that's the least I can do," said Vick, who played for the Hokies before being drafted No. 1 overall by the Falcons in 2001.

The Vick Foundation is collecting donations from local communities in both Atlanta and Virginia that will be placed in the United In Caring Fund for Victims of the VA Tech Tragedy and the special fund at the United Way of Montgomery, Radford and Floyd counties, which serves the Virginia Tech area.

Vick's foundation said the money will be used to provide help with funeral expenses, transportation for family members and other support services.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

[degenerate_gambler]

Bush's right leg '99 percent' healed in time for draftAssociated Press

This kid is going to be a beast

i want this dude in a Cowboy uni!

[mardigan]

i want this dude in a Cowboy uni!

Me too, I would like them to roll the dice and uce their second on him, he might slip to the third, but I doubt it.

[Fillmoe]

if michael bush slips to the third round... the niners will likely pick him up.... we need a backup rb......

[mardigan]

Report: Johnson among those admitting marijuana useESPN.com news services

Three players widely regarded as top-10 picks in the NFL draft, including Georgia Tech wide receiver Calvin Johnson, have admitted to previously using marijuana, Pro Football Weekly reported.

Johnson, Clemson defensive end Gaines Adams and Louisville defensive tackle Amobi Okoye admitted using the drug, according to multiple sources who have watched the interviews, the publication reported. The admissions were made during standard interviews at the NFL Scouting Combine, which are taken by every player and shared by all 32 teams for review.

Johnson is being considered by the Oakland Raiders for the first overall pick in the draft.

While some teams could see marijuana use as troubling, others might view the players' admissions of prior use as a sign of maturity, particularly since players are encouraged to be honest in the interviews.

But the NFL's new player conduct policy, along with its hardline suspensions of the Cincinnati Bengals' Chris Henry for eight games and the Tennessee ans' Adam "Pacman" Jones for an entire season, could cause teams to put even more emphasis on character, now that the league has made clear it will deal with off-the-field misbehavior harshly.

"[NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell] is going to be all over any team that drafts players with borderline character," an unidentified team official said, according to Pro Football Weekly. "You are not going to see a draft like, for instance, Cincinnati's [in 2006], where they took four criminals in one draft, because the owners are going to start getting fined."

[mardigan]

Saints | David signs offer sheet
Thu, 19 Apr 2007 13:26:43 -0700

Mike Chappell, of the Indianapolis Star, reports the New Orleans Saints have signed restricted free-agent CB Jason David (Colts) to a four-year offer sheet, according to NFL.com. Financial terms were not disclosed. The Colts will have a week to match the offer, and if they decline, the Saints will give up their fourth-round pick.

[John Patrick]

ans | Team interested in McCareins
Thu, 19 Apr 2007 13:26:07 -0700

Terry McCormick, of the Nashville City Paper, reports the Tennessee ans are interested in acquiring New York Jets WR Justin McCareins via trade.

Didnt they already have him...

[mardigan]

Didnt they already have him...

Yea, they did and he sucks, all the tools, but huge underacheiver



Bengals | Myers agrees
Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:20:15 -0700

ESPNews reports the Cincinnati Bengals have agreed to a two-year deal with unrestricted free-agent DT Michael Myers. Financial terms were not disclosed.

[mardigan]

Browns | Steinbach has appendectomy
Thu, 19 Apr 2007 16:45:05 -0700

The Cleveland Browns announced OG Eric Steinbach (appendectomy) underwent an appendectomy Wednesday, April 18. Steinbach was released from the hospital Thursday, April 19, and he is expected to make a full recovery. The Browns' team physician said Steinbach is expected to fully participate in the team's June mini-camp.

[degenerate_gambler]

Rams | Linehan interested in R. Williams?
Thu, 19 Apr 2007 14:56:04 -0700

Jim Thomas, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports St. Louis Rams head coach Scott Linehan said he would consider having Miami Dolphins RB Ricky Williams as a No. 2 running back, if he was reinstated by the NFL. Williams is under contract with the Dolphins through the 2007 season.


Dont see this happening, Dolphins have already said they would want Ricky as their number 2. They beleive he makes Ronnie Brown better and I agree

Stephen Jackson is a stud. He don't need no stinkin' backup.

[mardigan]

Giants | Team still interested in A. Wilson
Fri, 20 Apr 2007 11:19:58 -0700

Vinny DiTrani, of the Bergen Record, reports New York Giants genreral manager Jerry Reese said that the team was still interested in unresrticted free-agent LB Al Wilson (Broncos).

[Horry For 3!]

I didn't feel like making a thread but thought this was interesting...


Kiper thinks that the Cowboys will select Dwayne Jarrett

[mardigan]

I didn't feel like making a thread but thought this was interesting...


Kiper thinks that the Cowboys will select Dwayne Jarrett

Yea, I saw that too. I really dont knpow how I feel about that. I personally dont think he will be very good and I could name 7 or 8 recievers I would rather have than him, but we do need a receiver. I just hope its not him

[mardigan]

Updated: April 20, 2007, 3:40 PM ET
Steelers guard Faneca skips minicampBy Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com

Six-time Pro Bowl guard Alan Faneca, who has not participated in any of the offseason conditioning workouts, missed the beginning of the Pittsburgh Steelers' first full-squad minicamp under rookie coach Mike Tomlin on Friday and is expected to boycott all three days of the weekend practice sessions.

The team's top lineman and a fixture at left guard since moving into the starting lineup midway through his rookie campaign, Faneca is reportedly upset with his contract. The deal runs only through the 2007 season, at a base salary of $3.375 million, and progress toward a possible extension has been slow.

Faneca also publicly questioned the franchise's choice of Tomlin as the successor to former head coach Bill Cowher. The nine-year veteran noted earlier this spring that he felt the job should have gone to offensive line coach Russ Grimm, who was a finalist for the position. Grimm subsequently left the Steelers join the staff of another former Pittsburgh assistant, Ken Whisenhunt, who is the Arizona Cardinals' new head coach.

Team officials have not commented on Faneca's absence.

The Steelers paid Faneca a $1 million roster bonus early last month, but he has steadfastly avoided the offseason program. Since attendance at this weekend's minicamp is voluntary, he cannot be fined for missing it.

Tomlin will convene a mandatory minicamp next month, over the Mother's Day weekend, and Faneca will be subject to fines if he does not attend.

Faneca, 30, was the team's first-round choice in the 1998 draft, one of only nine guards chosen in the first rounds of the past 10 drafts. The former LSU standout, who has been a team captain for the past three seasons, has missed only two games in his career and has started in 137 of 142 contests in which he has appeared.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.

[mardigan]

Rams | R. Smith re-signed
Fri, 20 Apr 2007 13:49:53 -0700

Bill Coats, of St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports the St. Louis Rams have re-signed unrestricted free-agent LB Raonall Smith to a one-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed.


Rams | Goldberg signs
Fri, 20 Apr 2007 13:34:54 -0700

Bill Coats, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports restricted free-agent OT Adam Goldberg signed his one-year tender offer from the St. Louis Rams.

[mardigan]

Seahawks | Koutouvides signs
Fri, 20 Apr 2007 13:55:37 -0700

Mike Sando, of the Tacoma News Tribune, reports restricted free-agent LB Niko Koutouvides has signed his one-year tender offer from the Seattle Seahawks.


Seahawks | King signs
Fri, 20 Apr 2007 14:09:46 -0700

Mike Sando, of the Tacoma News Tribune, reports the Seattle Seahawks have signed unrestricted free-agent C Austin King (Falcons). Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

[Horry For 3!]

Yea, I saw that too. I really dont knpow how I feel about that. I personally dont think he will be very good and I could name 7 or 8 recievers I would rather have than him, but we do need a receiver. I just hope its not him

I like Dwayne Bowe, Robert Meachem, Sidney Rice & Jason Hill.



I am looking on nfldraftcountdown.com....

They have the Cowboys takin Aaron Ross CB UT in the 1st, Craig Davis WR LSU in the 2nd, Mason Crosby K CU in the 3rd


I hope we draft Mason Crosby but it is very unlikely being the Cowboys owner is Jerry Jones.

I don't know much about Craig Davis.

[mardigan]

Chiefs | L. Johnson on trading block?
Sun, 22 Apr 2007 12:54:43 -0700

Adam Teicher, of the Kansas City Star, reports the Kansas City Chiefs have offered RB Larry Johnson to teams in order to acquire more draft picks.

[mardigan]

I like Dwayne Bowe, Robert Meachem, Sidney Rice & Jason Hill.



I am looking on nfldraftcountdown.com....

They have the Cowboys takin Aaron Ross CB UT in the 1st, Craig Davis WR LSU in the 2nd, Mason Crosby K CU in the 3rd


I hope we draft Mason Crosby but it is very unlikely being the Cowboys owner is Jerry Jones.

I don't know much about Craig Davis.

Davi is very, very good. He was overshadowed at LSU by Bowe, but he is big (6-2, about 200 pounds), ran two 40s under 4.45 at their pro day, and had a 37 inch vertical. Guy has a lot of talent, and I wouldnt mind seeig the Boys get him in the 3rd round. And Crosby is a stud, a game changing kicker worth a third round pick. But your right, I doubt Jerry would do that

[mardigan]

Steelers | Tomlin to reach out to Faneca
Mon, 23 Apr 2007 07:42:42 -0700

ESPN.com reports Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin says he plans to speak with OG Alan Faneca, who did not participate in the team's voluntary minicamp. Tomlin is hoping to establish a personal relationship with Faneca and encourage him to attend the team's mandatory minicamp next month.

[Pugglekicker_21]

only five days now.. draft time!!

Chiefs | L. Johnson on trading block?
Sun, 22 Apr 2007 12:54:43 -0700

Adam Teicher, of the Kansas City Star, reports the Kansas City Chiefs have offered RB Larry Johnson to teams in order to acquire more draft picks.

consider this...

the chiefs are stupid.

AD in a chief uni?

[mardigan]

Buccaneers | Team to release Quarles
Tue, 24 Apr 2007 10:08:36 -0700

Jim Flynn, of the Pewter Report, reports the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will release LB Shelton Quarles prior to the NFL Draft, according to general manager Bruce Allen. Quarles will be released after he failed the team's physical. .

[mardigan]

Bengals | Team re-signs C. Miller
Tue, 24 Apr 2007 10:34:45 -0700

The Cincinnati Bengals announced Tuesday, April 24, that they have re-signed restricted free-agent LB Caleb Miller to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.



Bengals | Team is Hartwell's top choice
Tue, 24 Apr 2007 09:40:34 -0700

Geoff Hobson, of Bengals.com, reports the agent for free-agent LB Edgerton Hartwell (Falcons), Harold Lewis, says the linebacker's first choice is to play for the Cincinnati Bengals. Other teams, however, have made offers.



Bengals | Andrews contract update
Tue, 24 Apr 2007 06:43:49 -0700

ESPN.com reports the Cincinnati Bengals re-signed OT Stacy Andrews to a one-year, $1.3 million deal.