Whispers

[THE SIX KINGS]

By PFW staff

May 17, 2009

 

 

NFC Whispers

 

— The watch is on for Eagles CB Sheldon Brown and whether he’ll show up at training camp — or the rest of the required OTAs, for that matter — because of his being upset over the lack of a new contract. We hear he could miss more of the OTAs but make it to Lehigh for camp, either on time or a few days late, but he would not be doing himself any favors. Lito Sheppard took a similar stance before last season and mostly rode the pine before being shipped off to the Jets this offseason.

 

— The Redskins think Chris Wilson, a defensive end who is attempting to make the transition to linebacker, can be an effective rusher at his new position. Wilson flashed great rush skills at times but had trouble facing up against beefy tackles, so the coaches feel he might better use his athleticism in a two-point stance, where he might be able to disengage from big blockers more easily

.

— If the Vikings use Percy Harvin as a returner, it likely won’t be a full-time assignment. Our Vikings sources tell us the team would be more likely to handle Harvin on returns the same way it did Adrian Peterson as a rookie — in a rotation, in special circumstances or late in games. That season, Peterson returned 16 kickoffs, and it wouldn’t be surprising if the Vikings handle Harvin in a similar fashion.

 

— Although Bears third-round draft pick Jarron Gilbert is best-suited to play the three-technique DT position, team sources tell us that, at least initially, he’s likely to play just as much, if not more, at left end. It’s worth noting that the Bears have three veteran ends entering their contract years — Adewale Ogunleye, Israel Idonije and Mark Anderson.

 

— While Chevis Jackson competes with a crowded field of players looking to start at corner opposite Chris Houston, sources say the Falcons view Jackson as more of a nickel or “inside” corner, which he played last season. Atlanta doesn’t want to put him in many situations where he’s playing in space matched up one-on-one with a receiver out by the numbers. Even if he’s not technically a starter, the Falcons will play a lot of nickel, and Jackson is likely to be on the field nearly as much as the starting corners.

 

— Close observers of the Buccaneers say cornerback is emerging as a real weakness for the team. Tampa Bay lost starter Phillip Buchanon to the Lions in free agency and failed in its attempt to sign free agent Jabari Greer, who ended up joining the division-rival Saints, as Buchanon’s replacement. Sources said it would be surprising if GM Mark Dominik doesn’t add another veteran corner, though free agency or a trade, to the mix sometime before the regular season.

 

— One thing the Buccaneers’ receivers can count on this season is a bit more patience from their coaching staff than they may be used to. A few receivers, particularly Michael Clayton, were often in former head coach Jon Gruden’s doghouse after having dropped a pass. A mistake led to a quick hook to the bench. We hear head coach Raheem Morris’ staff is going to make more of an effort to let the receivers correct their mistakes before relegating them to the sideline.

 

— We hear the Cardinals are very intrigued by king-sized fifth-round OL Herman “House” Johnson, who is being tried out initially at tackle after playing guard at LSU. After topping out at an eye-popping 411 pounds when he reported to LSU, Johnson reportedly has his weight all the way down to 365, with the team pushing him to lose up to 15 more pounds this offseason. On the other side of the scale, we hear 2008 second-round pick Calais Campbell, who is targeted to replace the departed Antonio Smith as the starting left end, has increased his weight from 282 to 290.

 

— The Rams’ recent signing of veteran WR Tim Carter barely registered on the NFL radar screen. But team insiders believe he could have at least a decent shot at surviving the final roster cutdown, considering how inexperienced the rest of the team’s receiving corps is.

 

— We hear three undrafted Rams rookies, in particular — WR Chad Lucas, OG Roger Allen III and OT Phillip Trautwein — have a decent shot at making the team. Team insiders tell us Lucas has impressive size and has looked good running routes in early camp work. As for Allen and Trautwein, they certainly should satisfy new head coach Steve Spagnuolo’s desire for bigger, stronger players at 6-3, 326 pounds, and 6-6, 310 pounds, respectively.

 

— Niners sixth-round TE Bear Pascoe is viewed primarily as a replacement for blocking specialist Billy Bajema, who signed with the Rams. But observers at the Niners’ last minicamp were more impressed with Pascoe’s receiving ability than his blocking ability. In just a couple of practices, word is Pascoe showed more pass-catching skills than Bajema ever did with the Niners.

 

— It might be worth keeping a close eye on Seahawks second-year DT Red Bryant, who showed some early flashes in his rookie campaign before injuries began limiting his playing time. We hear Bryant, who shapes up as the top backup behind newly acquired Colin Cole at nose tackle, has been a consistently disruptive force in early practice sessions.

 

AFC Whispers

 

— Although much banter has been spent on star OLT Jason Peters’ departure from Buffalo, the Bills are considerably more concerned about their ORT situation than the happenings at left tackle. They feel comfortable with converted ORT Langston Walker handling OLT duties, but they are still very unsure as to which candidate can best fill in on the right side.

 

— Don’t expect Marshawn Lynch’s three-game suspension to be reduced in response to his appeal. We hear it would be considered a major upset for him to win the appeal and that the club is fully planning on him sitting out Weeks 1-3.

 

— If Plaxico Burress doesn’t wind up in jail, we hear it’s quite possible the Jets will make a play for him after having ignored receivers in the draft.

 

— The QB conundrum with the Jets won’t be cleared up any time soon. Word is new head coach Rex Ryan is going to take his time figuring out his starter, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the battle between Kellen Clemens and rookie Mark Sanchez being waged well into the preseason.

 

— The way we hear it, veteran WRs David Patten (ex-New Orleans) and Mike Furrey (ex-Detroit) will likely be behind rookies Brian Robiskie and Mohamed Massaquoi in the battle for playing time in Cleveland but ahead of returning reserves like Syndric Steptoe and Paul Hubbard.

 

— A source close to the Browns notes how prepared the club’s rookies appeared at their first minicamp, good news for a club with eight draft picks who all would seem to have a legitimate shot at making the roster.

[BeeR]

Thx - I know this stuff usually isn't much of anything when you get down to it, but at least it's football, ie beats the hell out of all the soap opera BS that grabs the headlines

[Bronco Billy]

— Although much banter has been spent on star OLT Jason Peters’ departure from Buffalo, the Bills are considerably more concerned about their ORT situation than the happenings at left tackle. They feel comfortable with converted ORT Langston Walker handling OLT duties, but they are still very unsure as to which candidate can best fill in on the right side.

 

 

If this is true, downgrade the entire BUF O and they had better take out extra life insurance for Edwards. Walker is nothing more than a journeyman. If they are comfortable with him at LT, that makes a hugh statement about both ends of their O-line. Glad I only own one Bill (Evans) in one league...

 

 

— The way we hear it, veteran WRs David Patten (ex-New Orleans) and Mike Furrey (ex-Detroit) will likely be behind rookies Brian Robiskie and Mohamed Massaquoi in the battle for playing time in Cleveland but ahead of returning reserves like Syndric Steptoe and Paul Hubbard.

 

This is why the Browns are the Browns. 2 rooks who aren't even 1st rounders and haven't shown a damned thing on the field in a position that traditionally takes a couple of years minimum to learn are ahead of 2 vets who have put up some numbers in their careers. I don't own any of the guys listed above in any leagues, and I am thankful for it.

[__HAUSE__]

 

If this is true, downgrade the entire BUF O and they had better take out extra life insurance for Edwards. Walker is nothing more than a journeyman. If they are comfortable with him at LT, that makes a hugh statement about both ends of their O-line. Glad I only own one Bill (Evans) in one league...

 

 

The Bills Line will be fine with out Peters. Walker will move to left tackle and Butler should take his college position of right tackle. I think they are saying they have not settled on who will play right tackle yet. They have a couple younger guys that can take over that spot if needed.

[Bronco Billy]

The Bills Line will be fine with out Peters. Walker will move to left tackle and Butler should take his college position of right tackle. I think they are saying they have not settled on who will play right tackle yet. They have a couple younger guys that can take over that spot if needed.

 

I know what they are saying. I'm saying that having a journeyman manning Edwards' blindside and having no viable option right now on the right side spells big trouble at both spots.

[westvirginia]

Thx - I know this stuff usually isn't much of anything when you get down to it, but at least it's football, ie beats the hell out of all the soap opera BS that grabs the headlines

 

+2

 

 

 

If this is true, downgrade the entire BUF O and they had better take out extra life insurance for Edwards. Walker is nothing more than a journeyman. If they are comfortable with him at LT, that makes a hugh statement about both ends of their O-line. Glad I only own one Bill (Evans) in one league...

 

 

 

 

This is why the Browns are the Browns. 2 rooks who aren't even 1st rounders and haven't shown a damned thing on the field in a position that traditionally takes a couple of years minimum to learn are ahead of 2 vets who have put up some numbers in their careers. I don't own any of the guys listed above in any leagues, and I am thankful for it.

 

Wow on the BUF o-line, and agree about the Browns. I thought Steptoe looked good in limited action last year.

 

And the word down here is that Chevis Jackson will probably be the third corner. Mike Smith is one of the guys that thinks (rightly so, IMO) that your best coverage comes from pressuring the QB and will probably run a lot of 5-db zones anyway. The kid seems great in a zone but loses something when he's matched one-on-one sometimes. It's not that he isn't athletic enough, so it seems a little mental. But stake the kid to a piece of real-estate and he can guard it pretty well, for you IDP guys that use passes defensed stats in deeper leagues.

[westvirginia]

I know what they are saying. I'm saying that having a journeyman manning Edwards' blindside and having no viable option right now on the right side spells big trouble at both spots.

 

I agree - Walker will be little more than a turnstile over there. I'll be surprised if either he or Trent finishes the season.

[__HAUSE__]

I agree - Walker will be little more than a turnstile over there. I'll be surprised if either he or Trent finishes the season.

 

 

What makes you think he will be a turnstile? Kind of like Jason Peters was on Joey Porter last year and a couple other time's. I really do not feel Walker will be any better or any worst that Peters was last year.

 

I would be surprised if Trent finishes the season only because he has yet to complete a entire 16 game season.

[Bronco Billy]

I really do not feel Walker will be any better or any worst that Peters was last year.

 

 

Could you expand your argument, please?

[i_am_the_swammi]

— The watch is on for Eagles CB Sheldon Brown and whether he’ll show up at training camp — or the rest of the required OTAs, for that matter — because of his being upset over the lack of a new contract. We hear he could miss more of the OTAs but make it to Lehigh for camp, either on time or a few days late, but he would not be doing himself any favors. Lito Sheppard took a similar stance before last season and mostly rode the pine before being shipped off to the Jets this offseason.

 

 

— Close observers of the Buccaneers say cornerback is emerging as a real weakness for the team. Tampa Bay lost starter Phillip Buchanon to the Lions in free agency and failed in its attempt to sign free agent Jabari Greer, who ended up joining the division-rival Saints, as Buchanon’s replacement. Sources said it would be surprising if GM Mark Dominik doesn’t add another veteran corner, though free agency or a trade, to the mix sometime before the regular season.

 

Wonder if these two issues can result in something positive for both teams?

[__HAUSE__]

 

Could you expand your argument, please?

 

 

 

I do not feel that Walker will be any worst than the way Peters played last year. Peters did not play a full game until week 3, then he was hurt and out for the season by week 14. In total he played in 13 games, The other 4 games Walker & Chambers played left tackle. The team did not suffer that great of a let down when Peters was out. I belive that the Bills offensive line will be just fine with Peters manning the left side.

Edited May 21, 2009 by __HAUSE__

[Bronco Billy]

I do not feel that Walker will be any worst than the way Peters played last year. Peters did not play a full game until week 3, then he was hurt and out for the season by week 14. In total he played in 13 games, The other 4 games Walker & Chambers played left tackle. The team did not suffer that great of a let down when Peters was out. I belive that the Bills offensive line will be just fine with Peters manning the left side.

 

OK, I understand now. Walker = hurt Peters = okay line play. I'll disagree since I'd expect Peters to eventually get healthy this year, but it makes more sense.

[__HAUSE__]

OK, I understand now. Walker = hurt Peters = okay line play. I'll disagree since I'd expect Peters to eventually get healthy this year, but it makes more sense.

 

 

I'm not here to bash Peters, but he did not play up to his potential last year. He let off the field things affect his on the field play. I understand wanting more money, don't get me wrong. But to use that as a excuse for his poor effort is unexusable. I would have rather had him not show up until week 10, then come in and give a half assed effort. I'm not sure he would be where he is now if the Bills did not give him a shot to play left tackle. I personally thought he owed them a little bite more than he gave them. That's just a personal thought though.

[westvirginia]

OK, I understand now. Walker = hurt Peters = okay line play. I'll disagree since I'd expect Peters to eventually get healthy this year, but it makes more sense.

 

I guess I can see it, but I have to agree to disagree.

[MonkeyOne]

Wonder if these two issues can result in something positive for both teams?

 

Bucs might have an even bigger problem after CB Talib was involved in another scuffle with a teammate. Report from Rotoworld:

 

The Bucs released a statement Wednesday indicating that some discipline could be forthcoming for Aqib Talib after he hit teammate Torrie Cox with his helmet on the minicamp practice field. "We are discussing the specifics of this situation and will provide and update as we proceed," the statement reads.

 

Apparently he was actually trying to hit another player with it but missed (no wildcat for him).

 

I know things can get heated on the practice field, but he'd already got into a ruck with a teammate during a rookie meeting. A third time and I'll start worrying...

Edited May 21, 2009 by MonkeyOne