NFL Offseason Thread

[mardigan]

Updated: May 10, 2007, 11:22 AM ET
McNair owner of vehicle driven by drunken driverAssociated Press


NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Baltimore Ravens quarterback Steve McNair was arrested early Thursday and charged with being the owner of a vehicle operated by a drunken driver.

The former Tennessee ans player was a passenger in his silver pickup truck, police said.

Police said a copy of the arrest report wouldn't be available until later in the day but confirmed McNair was arrested and booked into jail about 3 a.m.

McNair was arrested under a misdemeanor statute that charges the owner if an intoxicated person is allowed to drive a vehicle. Under the law, it doesn't matter if McNair was drinking, only if the driver was impaired, police said.

The driver, whose iden y wasn't immediately available, was stopped because the truck was speeding, police said.

"We are aware of the situation, but we're getting most of our information from the media," Ravens spokesman Chad Steele said Thursday. "We've not spoken with Steve, so we're not sure at this time if we will have a statement."

McNair declined to comment when he was released from custody. He was accompanied by a friend, nightclub owner Robert "Big Daddy" Gaddy.

McNair was arrested in downtown Nashville in May 2003 and charged with DUI and illegal gun possession. After a year of legal wrangling, a judge dismissed those charges, ruling police didn't have sufficient reason to pull over McNair in the first place.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

[mardigan]

Updated: May 11, 2007, 10:44 AM ET
Cowboys expect Owens to be ready for training campESPN.com news services


Terrell Owens' rehab from two offseason finger surgeries is progressing faster than expected, according to published reports.

Dallas coach Wade Phillips told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that doctors said T.O. is ahead of schedule with his rehab but still won't be able to participate in the team's upcoming minicamp.

"We're still talking to his doctors, but he's not far from participating," Phillips told the Dallas Morning News.

Owens could possibly be ready even before the Cowboys open training camp this July.

Owens had surgery right after the season to repair a torn tendon in his right ring finger, an injury he sustained late in the season. Earlier in the season, he had a plate screwed into the same finger after breaking it while blocking in a game in September.

Owens is due a $3 million roster bonus in June and a $5 million salary this season.

Despite the injured finger, Owens caught 85 passes for 1,180 yards and an NFL-high 13 touchdowns.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

[mardigan]

Bills | D. Walker wants new contract
Thu, 10 May 2007 15:14:11 -0700

The Associated Press reports Buffalo Bills DT Darwin Walker will not attend any of the team's activities until he receives a contract extension from the team.


Guess this deal really worked out for the Eagles

[mardigan]

Cardinals | Brown will move to right tackle
Thu, 10 May 2007 16:50:07 -0700

Adam Schefter, of the NFL Network, reports Arizona Cardinals OT Levi Brown will move to right tackle to protect Cardinals QB Matt Leinart's blind side.

[mardigan]

Steelers | Faneca wants to be traded
Fri, 11 May 2007 10:59:07 -0700

Ed Bouchette, of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, reports Pittsburgh Steelers OG Alan Faneca has asked the team to trade him. "I've been asking since February, to trade me, to let me go. I've done my piece, I've done my time, I've done everything I can for this organization," Faneca said. The Steelers have offered him a contract, but his said it is more of a "non-offer."

[mardigan]

Cowboys | Ellis not expected to participate at minicamp
Fri, 11 May 2007 11:10:54 -0700

Clarence E. Hill Jr., of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, reports Dallas Cowboys LB Greg Ellis (Achilles') is not expected to participate in any drills during the team's minicamp

[mardigan]

Eagles | Rayburn released
Fri, 11 May 2007 12:44:00 -0700

The Philadelphia Eagles have announced they have released DT Sam Rayburn.

[L.I.T]

Rayburn just got released? Huh...the Eagles have whiffed on some of their recent DT picks. I remember when this guy was supposed to be hot .

[mardigan]

Cowboys | Owens catches passes Saturday
Sat, 12 May 2007 09:11:28 -0700

Tim MacMahon, of The Dallas Morning News, reports Dallas Cowboys WR Terrell Owens (finger) was able to run through drills with the rest of the team's wide receivers Saturday, May 12. Owens was able to catch passes during the practice, even though previous reports said he would not do any on-field work.

[mardigan]

Steelers | Timmons injured during minicamp
Sat, 12 May 2007 07:28:35 -0700

Bob Labriola, of Steelers.com, reports Pittsburgh Steelers LB Lawrence Timmons (groin) sustained a groin injury during the team's minicamp.


Steelers | Woodley injured during minicamp
Sat, 12 May 2007 07:17:12 -0700

Bob Labriola, of Steelers.com, reports Pittsburgh Steelers LB LaMarr Woodley (hamstring) sustained a hamstring injury during the team's minicamp.

[mardigan]

Falcons | Vick's Virginia house sold
Fri, 11 May 2007 13:28:03 -0700

The Atlanta Journal-Constiution reports the house in Virginia owned by Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Vick, which was where the police found injured dogs thought to be used in illegal dog fighting, has been sold, according to the Daily News of Newport News.

[mardigan]

Packers | Favre wants to remain with team
Mon, 14 May 2007 08:29:23 -0700

Green Bay Packers QB Brett Favre released the following statement Monday, May 14, stating his desire to remain with the team. "I was frustrated a couple weeks back when Randy Moss was traded to New England. I never wanted to be traded and I don't want to be traded. I want to be in Green Bay. I want to finish my career as a Packer. Sometimes when I get frustrated I let my emotions get the better of me. As I said in February when I announced that I was coming back, I am excited about the young talent on our team and the improvements we're going to see from one year to the next. I really enjoy the young guys I'm playing with. I'm working hard down in Mississippi right now, rehabbing, and I plan to be in the best shape of my life. I look forward to playing with this team and seeing what we can do. I think we can be pretty good."

[mardigan]

Bengals | Team signs Allen
Mon, 14 May 2007 08:04:35 -0700

Updating a previous item, the Cincinnati Bengals announced Monday, May 14, that they have signed free-agent DT Kenderick Allen (Packers). Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

[mardigan]

Bears | T. Johnson released from jail
Sun, 13 May 2007 10:33:58 -0700

The Associated Press reports Chicago Bears DT Tank Johnson has been released from the Cook County Jail after serving 60 days of a 120-day sentence.

[mardigan]

Rams | Linehan envisions multiple roles for B. Leonard
Sun, 13 May 2007 08:26:59 -0700

Jim Thomas, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports St. Louis Rams head coach Scott Linehan envisions RB/FB Brian Leonard fulfilling multiple roles with the team. Linehan would like to see Leonard earn a few snaps at fullback, running back and as a third-down back each week, plus a play or two in short yardage. "Before it's all said and done, he's in the game for 15-20 snaps," Linehan said of Leonard. "What we're trying to do is ... give Steven [RB Steven Jackson] a little bit of a break without changing the emphasis of using him. I have a hard time pulling Steven out of the game — ever — personally. But there's got to be times where we manage that."

[mardigan]

Bengals | Adams released
Mon, 14 May 2007 11:47:16 -0700

The Cincinnati Bengals have announced they have released DT Sam Adams.

[mardigan]

Eagles | McNabb injury update
Mon, 14 May 2007 10:30:47 -0700

During his press conference Monday, May 14, Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid discussed QB Donovan McNabb's (knee) rehabilitation schedule. "He's been throwing once a week, and he looks good in that area. Progressively, he'll be given more days where he can get out and throw, and he'll continue his rehab. The closer we get to camp, he'll be back to full speed. So, we're expecting him, when camp starts, to be able to participate."

[mardigan]

Eagles | es to start on weakside
Mon, 14 May 2007 12:56:09 -0700

Les Bowen, of the Philadelphia Daily News, reports Philadelphia Eagles LB Takeo es will be the starting weakside linebacker this season.

[mardigan]

Bears | Hester to play some offense
Mon, 14 May 2007 12:20:28 -0700

ESPNews reports the Chicago Bears will use CB Devin Hester in their offense this season.

[mardigan]

Cowboys | Williams may change positions in nickel defense

When the Cowboys went to their nickel defense in Sunday's practice, safety Roy Williams teamed with Burnett as the inside linebackers in the 4-2-5 package.

The idea is to get Williams closer to the line of scrimmage, where he is more effective, and out of coverage. Williams had trouble at times last season covering tight ends and receivers down the middle as a safety.

Ken Hamlin and second-year safety Pat Watkins manned the two safety spots in the package, while the corners remained unchanged from last season, with Glenn and Anthony Henry covering the outside receivers and Terence Newman jumping into the slot.

Up front it was DeMarcus Ware at right end and Anthony Spencer at left end, with Chris Canty and Jay Ratliff inside at the tackle positions. Ellis, though, said new head coach Wade Phillips has talked to him about rushing from an inside spot once he's healthy.

This might be the type of player Phillips wants at one of the nickel linebacker spots since Keith Davis was manning the same spot on the seconnd-team defense.



Cowboys | Jones not expecting extension
Mon, 14 May 2007 11:59:22 -0700

Nick Eatman, of DallasCowboys.com, reports Dallas Cowboys RB Julius Jones does not believe he will be receiving a contract extension during the offseason, and possibly not during the season either. Jones will be an unrestricted free agent following this season.

[leemajors]

hopefully glenn will get more safety help in that coverage.

[L.I.T]

Parcells experimented with a similar thing. Williams is a great run stopped and creates havoc around the line of scrimmage. That being said, I wonder if he's physical enough to take on those offensive line man.

[mardigan]

Bengals | Thurman still in team's plans?
Tue, 15 May 2007 08:31:32 -0700

Geoff Hobson, of Bengals.com, reports Cincinnati Bengals LB Odell Thurman will have an opportunity to compete for a roster spot in training camp if reinstated by the National Football League next month, according to head coach Marvin Lewis. Thurman, who was suspended a year for repeated violations of the league's substance abuse policy, is eligible to return to the team July 11.

[mardigan]

Cowboys | Team signs R. Bartel
Tue, 15 May 2007 07:37:15 -0700

The Dallas Cowboys signed free-agent QB Richard Bartel (Tarleton State) Monday, May 14. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

[mardigan]

Falcons | Finneran might have torn the ACL in his knee
Mon, 14 May 2007 22:59:01 -0700

Len Pasquarelli, of ESPN.com, reports Atlanta Falcons WR Brian Finneran (knee) has re-injured the left knee which sidelined him for all of the 2006 season. Finneran will undergo medical testing to determine the extent of the damage, but sources told ESPN.com that the initial indication is that Finneran again tore the ACL in the knee. If further examination shows a torn ACL, Finneran will likely miss the 2007 season and his career could be threatened.