Whispers

[THE SIX KINGS]

Whispers

 

 

May 10, 2008

 

 

 

We’re hearing that the Dolphins’ new regime sent a clear message to DE Vonnie Holliday when they drafted DEs Phillip Merling and Kendall Langford in the second and third rounds, respectively. Namely, “You better start performing a heck of a lot better.” Holliday is the most talented defensive lineman on the team (operating under the assumption Jason Taylor is playing outside linebacker), but he has been an underachiever and is injury-prone.

 

It’s becoming clear that the Dolphins’ Week One starter will either be Josh McCown or John Beck, not second-round draft pick Chad Henne. Henne had a miserable conclusion to minicamp, showing lapses in judgment and throwing errant passes.

 

The Jets were looking to institute more man coverage in their defense next year, but those plans were largely thwarted by their inability to acquire a capable enough cornerback in either free agency or the draft to complement budding star Darrelle Revis. There’s some hope that Justin Miller, the second-most athletic corner on the roster behind Revis, can make a full recovery from a brutal knee injury that shelved him for most of 2007, but that’s more cautious optimism than an expectation.

 

Word out of New York is that undrafted rookie RB Danny Woodhead looked great in Jets minicamp but that the diminutive scatback from Chadron State in Nebraska still faces long odds to make the team. He appears to offer a lot of promise as a return specialist, but the presence of Pro Bowl RS Leon Washington limits Woodhead’s value.

 

Although Joseph Addai remains the clear-cut No. 1 running back in Indianapolis, the Colts have significant plans for Dominic Rhodes. Back for his second stint in Indy, Rhodes will immediately be plugged into the No. 2 job. A more complete back than 2007 second-stringer Kenton Keith, Rhodes will spell Addai far more frequently than Keith did, we’re told.

 

A Titans observer who watched rookie WR Lavelle Hawkins at the team’s latest minicamp remarked that the Cal product had some “Derrick Mason-like” characteristics.

 

How much do the Titans want to cut all ties to the Pacman Jones era? When rookie RB Rafael Little was issued No. 32, Jones’ former number, head coach Jeff Fisher ordered the former Kentucky star to get a new practice jersey.

 

We’re hearing the Chiefs are expected to showcase more twin-TE alignments next year after adding Brad Cottam in the draft to pair with perennial Pro Bowler Tony Gonzalez. Cottam is quite raw but will nonetheless help offset the dearth of wide receivers the Chiefs have at their disposal.

 

Raiders RB Michael Bush will be allowed to take part in the team’s rookie minicamp this weekend, even though technically this is his second season. Bush sat out all of last year while recovering from a broken leg he suffered in the fall of his final year at Louisville. If coaches are satisfied with Bush’s performance in offseason workouts, Oakland may consider cutting RB LaMont Jordan, who has Justin Fargas and Darren McFadden ahead of him on the projected depth chart.

 

Word from Ravens minicamp is that second-year QB Troy Smith looks improved from a season ago. However, we hear he still has an uphill battle in the competition for the starting job. Veteran Kyle Boller is believed to hold a slight edge over first-round pick Joe Flacco and Smith.

 

Rookie S Ryan Mundy was one of the Steelers’ rookies to make a positive impression at the latest minicamp, the way we hear it. Mundy scored points with his ability to quickly pick up the defense.

 

Steelers RB Najeh Davenport worked some at fullback in the team’s latest minicamp. Getting much work at halfback behind Willie Parker, Rashard Mendenhall and Mewelde Moore could be tough for Davenport, we’re told.

 

Although he remains unhappy over his contract, our sources in Arizona tell us Cardinals DL Darnell Dockett decided to attend the team’s early-May minicamp after being persuaded to do so by teammates Karlos Dansby and Antonio Smith, both of whom have contract issues of their own. We hear Dockett, who hasn’t been working out at the Cardinals’ facility this offseason, appeared to be in excellent shape.

 

Cardinals GM Rod Graves has yet to reveal anything about the team’s plans to restructure its pro personnel and scouting departments, but the way we hear it, promotions could be imminent for director of scouting Steve Keim and possibly regional college scout (Western states) Lonnie Young. Word is Graves is also considering an addition to the staff and has talked to recently fired front-office execs Ted Sundquist (Broncos) and Charles Bailey (Jaguars).

 

Our Rams sources tell us that the team did indeed engage in trade talks with the Eagles about CB Lito Sheppard before the draft, but, contrary to published rumors, it never offered a second-round pick for Sheppard’s service. Although the Rams are still a bit squeamish over the status of CB Fakhir Brown, who was suspended for four games last season, we hear they are no longer interested in Sheppard unless Philly’s asking price suddenly goes way down.

 

In a recent Q&A with the South Florida Sun Sentinel, Dolphins second-round rookie QB Chad Henne revealed that the Rams called him right before the 29th overall pick to say they were going to try to trade up so they could select him, but that never ended up happening. In fact, with their regular second-round pick, 33rd overall, the Rams chose WR Donnie Avery instead, and the Dolphins picked Henne later in the round, at No. 57.

 

Could Niners fourth-round rookie C Cody Wallace push starter Eric Heitmann from the get-go? Team insiders tell us that if you asked both GM Scot McCloughan and head coach Mike Nolan that same question, you’d probably get a different answer, with McCloughan saying “yes” and Nolan saying “no.”

 

We hear the most intriguing undrafted free agent signed by the Niners could be Arizona LB Louis Holmes, who definitely passes the eyeball test with his chiseled 6-6, 270-pound frame. Team insiders tell us Holmes has tantalizing pass-rush potential but that he also has some character issues that bear monitoring.

 

We hear Rob Sims, the front-runner for the Seahawks’ starting ORG job after starting — and often struggling — at left guard last season, is expected to be sidelined 4-6 weeks after having arthroscopic surgery on his right knee earlier this week. However, he should be ready for the start of training camp. As for the Seahawks’ other rehabbing players, we hear they should also be ready for camp in late July, with the exceptions of DT Marcus Tubbs and WR Deion Branch, both of whom are coming off knee surgeries. Players who should be ready to resume playing include OLT Walter Jones (shoulder), C Chris Spencer (shoulder), DE Patrick Kerney (shoulder), DT Rocky Bernard (toe), LB Will Herring (knee) and S Mike Green (foot).

 

Seahawks minicamp observers told us newly acquired DT Larry Tripplett, the former Colt who starred at the University of Washington, looked like an instantly good fit in the team’s DT rotation, appearing very active and assignment-correct.

 

Our Seahawks sources tell us rookie PK Brandon Coutu has been working with former NFL kickers Morten Andersen and Kevin Butler, who shortened Coutu’s approach from three to two steps without costing him any power or distance.

 

QB Jon Kitna has said, echoing on a similar theme from last year, that the Lions should not accept anything less than 10 wins in 2008. And the way we hear it, team officials are glad he said it. There’s a little more optimism around the team, and Kitna’s message that the Lions shouldn’t lower their expectations represents a positive charge of enthusiasm that the team expects out of its leaders, such as Kitna.

 

Bears rookie minicamp observers tell us that, with the notable exception of second-round RB Matt Forté, who looked impressive enough to make the beleaguered Cedric Benson more than a little bit concerned, nobody stood out (literally) more than fifth-round TE Kellen Davis. At the very least, the 6-7, 262-pound Davis is an undeniably impressive physical specimen. But we hear his athleticism was also readily apparent.

 

Packers insiders tell us unheralded fourth-round OG Josh Sitton landed on the team’s radar screen in great part due to how much he reminded Green Bay higher-ups of starting ORT and former seventh-round steal Mark Tauscher, in terms of his footwork and recovery skills.

 

We hear it’s very likely the Packers would have remained at No. 30 overall in the draft to select Arizona CB Antoine Cason had he not been taken three spots earlier by the Chargers. With Cason gone, the Packers opted to trade down six spots and select Kansas State WR Jordy Nelson.

 

Two key components of the Bucs’ defensive line — exclusive-rights free-agent DE Greg White and restricted free-agent DT Jovan Haye — both remain unsigned, though the team has extended offers to both. It’s a growing concern, according to sources in Tampa, although Haye will likely sign his one-year tender within the next week, according to his agent, Sean Kiernan.

 

We hear the Falcons are preparing their defense to play a lot of nickel coverage this year, in part because of the lack of faith they have in the defensive line’s ability to pressure the quarterback.

 

In recent discussions with the media, Panthers OLT Jordan Gross opened up about his negotiations on a long-term contract with Carolina. Gross, who received the franchise tag this offseason, said the Panthers haven’t been too far off his desired deal in their offers, but he didn’t sound optimistic that an agreement will be reached.

 

Though both Giants and Saints officials appear hesitant to close the door on a Jeremy Shockey trade, we hear there is nothing brewing or imminent. Saints head coach Sean Payton would like to add a weapon at tight end, but we hear that the Giants’ asking price might have gone up since no deal could be culminated before or during the draft, when the Saints were rumored to have offered a second-round pick.

 

The Eagles plan to let incumbent Todd Herremans and Max Jean-Gilles battle it out for the starting OLG spot, but we hear that head coach Andy Reid is very intrigued by Jean-Gilles’ power and run-blocking technique, which could make him the eventual winner when the veterans report to Bethlehem, Pa., this summer.

[Randall]

On KRob release-

 

Robinson's two-year contract did not have a signing bonus, so the Packers won't have to absorb a salary cap hit. His $730,000 base salary will be wiped off the books.

[Guest Chappy]

Whispers

 

 

May 10, 2008

 

Although Joseph Addai remains the clear-cut No. 1 running back in Indianapolis, the Colts have significant plans for Dominic Rhodes. Back for his second stint in Indy, Rhodes will immediately be plugged into the No. 2 job. A more complete back than 2007 second-stringer Kenton Keith, Rhodes will spell Addai far more frequently than Keith did, we’re told.

 

 

Well that's not good for Addai owners. It's not a bad thing when another RB is used to help the main guy stay fresh. However, if Rhodes can play the role he did a couple years back, Addai could slide a bit as Rhodes will cut into his production.

[Avernus]

Addai is lucky to be in my top 10 at this point....pending on how many teams are running the RBBC...

 

MJD > Addai right now...believe it or not...