June 5, 2008 -- The last place anyone might expect to see hard-to-find Jeremy Shockey this weekend is smack in the middle of Queens, but that's where the Giants tight end is scheduled to be Saturday.

Shockey is supposed to be in Flushing Meadows Corona Park for a paid appearance for a sports-drink company. If he indeed shows, that's a promising sign as far as his expected attendance Wednesday for the start of the Giants' mandatory three-day mini-camp.
Shockey, as usual, has refrained from participating in the off-season workout program, preferring to stay in shape in Miami. This year, Shockey is rehabilitating following surgery to repair a broken leg and ligament damage in his ankle as a result of an injury suffered Dec. 16 against the Redskins.

The majority of players since March 31 also have been working out at Giants Stadium. Monday is the sixth and final voluntary Organized Team Activity practice and, if he's in town following his promotional appearance, perhaps Shockey will make it to the field for the first time prior to the mini-camp.

When the mini-camp ends June 13, players are off until they must report to Albany July 24 for training camp.

(nypost.com)

Roscoe Parrish made perhaps the most difficult catch in practice. Parrish fell down at the top of his comeback route, but still managed to get to his feet and get to the end of his route to make a diving catch just as the ball arrived. The offensive line deserves credit on that play as well as they effectively picked up the blitz on that play.

(buffalobills.com)

Vero Beach also has an alumnus returning to its coaching staff, as Kenny Holmes, a former NFL defensive end, will help out his high school alma mater as an assistant.

"It's great to be home," Holmes said. "It's my alma mater. I bleed red and white, so I told them whatever they need me to do, I'm here to do. I'm loving it."

(tcpalm.com)

The Giants plan on giving RS-WR Domenik Hixon more of a chance at receiver, and he'll get every shot to continue as the Giants' primary kick returner. That signals potentially bad news for WR Sinorice Moss, who might have to win the job as the punt returner to make the team.

(pfw.com)

For now, anyway, Richie Incognito moved from right guard to center. He has played both spots for the Rams.

“Let’s be honest, he’s played his best football for us at center,” Linehan reminded reporters. “He’s played guard before and he’s played well at that position. That will be interesting, to see how the next week goes.”

Incognito was OK with the pre-camp shift. “I think it’s great,” he said. “I was feeling comfortable at right guard. The way things shook out, they wanted to get little competition for me and Romberg at center. It’s great. It good for both of us. It makes us both better players.

“It will be better for the team, better for the offensive line,” he said.

Yeah, but can he still play a physical game at center?

“Most definitely,” Incognito said. “You can play as physical as you want at any position. You can play physical at receiver.”

Now THAT is why we love the guy, even with the excessive personal fouls. This team needs more intensity, not less.

-- That said, Brett Romberg will head into training camp atop the depth chart at center. He, too, is having a strong offseason.

“The battle will ensue at center,” Linehan said. “And Romberg is playing very well. This is not a reflection on him. We’re just trying to find our best five.”

BY CARL BLEICH
cbleich@news-press.com

Ethenic Sands is used to winning.

He has not been on a team with a losing record since his freshman year of high school in 1994. He lost just six games in four seasons while playing at the University of Miami.

In fact, there isn't a game in which the Florida Firecats wide receiver takes the field and doesn't expect to win.

"All through my life, I have been winning championships," Sands said.

"I have been blessed because it seems wherever I go I am on a championship team."

The winning started when he played youth football in Carol City. His team won three HOFL (which is similar to Pop Warner) league titles and captured a national championship in 1989. He went on to win back-to-back Class 6A state championships while playing quarterback for Miami Carol City High in 1996 and '97.

Sands then helped the University of Miami win a national title in 2001 and play for another in 2002. He still cannot understand how the Hurricanes lost the 2002 national title game.

"Everybody likes to blame the refs for that, but it was all on us," Sands said of the defeat. "I just never thought we were going to lose that game."

Sands is in his fourth season with the arenafootball2 Firecats and the winning has continued. He was signed midway through the 2004 season, the year the Firecats captured their only ArenaCup, the league championship. He spent 2005 playing for the Miami Morays of the National Indoor Football League but rejoined the Firecats in 2006.

"I see a strong resemblance between this year's (Firecats) team and the national champion team at Miami," Sands said. "Both teams practice so hard.

"Coach (Kevin) Bouis and (offensive coordinator Ken) Mastrole work us very hard in practice. We always have guys going as hard as they can, just like at Miami."

Sands leads the Firecats (7-1) in receptions this year with 40 in seven games. He has 384 yards receiving and eight touchdowns.

"Sands has brought a lot of leadership to this team," Bouis said. "He is a tremendous ballplayer and an all-around wideout. He has really stepped up and taught the young guys a lot."

Sands has been giving tips to James Panui, a rookie out of Central Florida. Last week, Panui broke out, catching 12 passes for 117 yards and three scores in a win against South Georgia. Sands caught quarterback Chris Wallace's other two touchdowns in that game.

Sands has also tried to help Naples High School graduate Bruce Gordon, also a receiver, learn the indoor game.

"A lot of people say I don't talk much, but they don't see me in practice," Sands said. "The most important thing I tell these guys is that when your number is called, make sure you are ready."

Sands joined the Firecats this year after their first win in April. He had tryouts with teams in other leagues, including a two-day workout with the New York Dragons of the Arena Football League, but nothing panned out.

"(The Dragons) said they liked me but they were full at my position," Sands said. "Coach Bouis opened this door back up for me, and now I am focused on doing whatever I have to do win another championship."

(news-press.com)

The band Tavares reached the top of the pop and dance charts in 1975 with a tune entitled "It Only Takes A Minute."

The song equated finding a new girlfriend to finding a new job and the pitfalls that can accompany both tasks. However, Ravens rookie linebacker Tavares Gooden may not need much longer than a figurative minute to become a part of one of the NFL's best linebacking corps.

Gooden, a University of Miami product who was a third-round pick (71st overall) in this year's draft, is a quick, physical presence with great lateral speed and a tenacious tackling style who many believed was too small at 6-foot-1 and 235 pounds to be in the NFL. Except for the part about being a third-round pick, does that sound like anyone Ravens fans might already know?

"Me and Ray [Lewis], we're brothers," Gooden said during last week's passing camp, the second of which takes place this week. "Anybody out of the University of Miami [who's] a linebacker, you're a brother. Me and Ray, we actually did some workouts before I came back here. He wanted to drill me on workouts.

"He said he's going to worry about the film part when we get back here, and when I get done in July, I'm going to head back down to Miami and work with him there."

During his time at Miami, Gooden idolized the nine-time Pro Bowl pick and two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year so much that he wore the future Hall of Famer's No. 52. For now, he's donning No. 49 as he learns the pro routine.

While many -- including himself -- see Gooden as a successor to Lewis, he didn't exactly take the same path to the game's highest level.

Lewis, who entered the 1996 draft after his junior season, was an anchor in the middle of some of Miami’s most successful teams and earned an All-America berth after playing three and a half years in the middle. At the time of his departure, Lewis stood fifth on the school's all-time tackle list.

Conversely, Gooden began his Hurricanes career as a weakside linebacker in 2004, switched to the strong side (covering the tight end) two years later and finally found a home in the middle during his senior campaign as the program suddenly found itself struggling in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

But Gooden flourished in his new role, registering a career-high 100 tackles (60 solo) with three pass breakups and an interception.

Lewis does see one key similarity between himself and his new protege.

“Aggressiveness, aggressiveness," Lewis said. "He’s aggressive, he just wants to fly around and hit everything. I was telling him the other day, and I said, ‘If nothing else, I just want you to touch the ball every play. That’s what I want you to do. I want you to touch the ball every play.’ Understanding that, once you actually channel what he has inside, he’s going to be a great player. He’s going to be a great player."

For now, Gooden is doing what most rookies simply must do this time of year -- learn the playbook, contribute on special teams and know his place.

“Trying to learn the terminology, that’s the toughest thing," Gooden said. "The defense is [similar] to what I did in high school. I think I know the defense, but if they give you a different call, whether they want you inside or outside leverage, it’s just a whole different call. I think that’s the biggest thing, trying to learn the terminology.”

But considering Gooden's background and the veteran players that now surround him in Baltimore, the Ravens' brass believes that understanding the team's aggressive schemes shouldn't be much of a problem.

"Any time you get a player from the Miami Hurricanes, you know you get someone who loves the game, who runs to the football and knows and understands how to play the game," Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said. "It gives us depth, but it helps us on special teams right away.”

College scouting director Eric DeCosta agrees.

“He’s just a good football player," DeCosta said. "The guy’s explosive. He’s just a good player. When he plays well, people will draw their own conclusions once he gets here. I think he’s coming into a great situation. But he’s just a good football player. He had a great year this year. We think he’s got a lot of potential. 

"He made huge strides from his junior year to his senior year, in terms of improving his play and really taking the next step in becoming an elite college linebacker. We love good, fast, aggressive linebackers in Baltimore. We know when we see one, and Ozzie and I both feel really good about him.”

Gooden feels good about himself as well. But he has to understand that he has to wait his turn.

"He’s over there itching on the sideline [saying], ‘I want to be in, I want to be in,'" Lewis said. "And I say, ‘Your time is coming, your time is coming.’ But all of these young guys are like that. You have to pick and choose what you want to teach them and how fast you want to teach them, and they’ll go from there.”

For Gooden, it might only take a minute.

(pressboxonline.com)

In a week or two, we could be hearing some news about the team's negotiations with veteran star linebacker Ray Lewis. There has been some movement on both sides, and it's getting close to the point where it's either going to get done, or it's over for a while. The Ravens want to treat Lewis well because of what he has done for this franchise, but they can't afford to overpay a player entering his 13th season. There has been no progress in the talks with Pro Bowl outside linebacker Terrell Suggs. The two sides aren't even talking right now.

(cnnsi.com)

The Browns are in no hurry to sign tight end Kellen Winslow to the big new contract that he's seeking.

"We don't have a lot of wiggle room right now at this particular time," said Browns General Manager Phil Savage Tuesday night at a civic event at the Ohio Theatre. "Only time will tell if it goes one direction or the other, but I think we've let it be known kind of where we are."

Savage said he expects Winslow to show up for minicamp next Tuesday through Thursday. "Of course, it's a mandatory camp, so the expectation is he'll be here," said Savage.

Winslow has been absent from the four weeks of organized team activities, but agent Drew Rosenhaus said last week on YouTube that his client only stayed away because he was rehabbing his scoped right knee at home in San Diego. He said Winslow will attend minicamp.

But Rosenhaus and Winslow have made it clear that they want to re-do the deal, which has three years remaining at $4 million, $4.5 million and $4.75 million. The reference point for Winslow's camp is believed to be the 6-year, $42 million deal signed recently by tight end Dallas Clark.

"Drew and I are very friendly and we get along well," said Savage. "We've had the lines of communication open throughout this whole thing."

Even if Winslow does attend the minicamp, he might be limited because of the knee, which was scoped in February. Coach Romeo Crennel, who also spoke at the conference, said he still hasn't talked to Winslow.

(blog.cleveland.com)

Kenny Phillips (who did a nice job breaking up a downfield pass play along with Kevin Dockery) worked mostly with the twos at both free and strong safety.  

Phillips is expected to hear from the Giants regarding an initial offer on his contract. He also deflected a pass on a long ball from Eli Manning intended for Amani Toomer.

Phillips said it's different sitting back and not getting starter's reps in practices, but it's a good learning experience for him as he watches the veterans and how they react to different plays. He also said he and his agent are expecting to hear from the Giants shortly with an initial offer regarding his contract.

If you told your boss you were calling in sick because of your weekend-long, multi-party celebration of your birthday, would your boss be cool with it?

If not, your boss is less understanding than Washington Redskins head coach Jim Zorn.

An Associated Press dispatch about the Redskins' organized team activities includes this:

Among the excused absentees was receiver Santana Moss, who was ill following a weekend-long, multiparty celebration of his 29th birthday.

Added Moss of partying as a 29-year-old, "you think you're still young and you can still hold up, but they all know what time it was. Have to chalk it up and be ready the next day."

Yes, for the Redskins, that's a good enough reason for an excused absence. And I say, good for the Redskins. After all, Moss has always been a committed, dedicated player, and organized team activities are voluntary. Moss partied too hard on his birthday, and took a day off when he wasn't contractually required to be there anyway. Some NFL coaches would make a big deal out of it, but Zorn is right to understand.

(aolsports.com)

Larry Kerr, the Florida-based attorney for Bryant McKinnie, said today he continues to await word on whether the state will allow the Vikings left tackle to enter a pre-trial diversion program that could lead to the dismissal of charges against his client.

McKinnie is scheduled for a June 20 hearing in Miami-Dade County court. McKinnie faces four charges from a Feb. 24 brawl outside a Miami nightclub. He has pleased not guilty to all charges, which includes a felony for aggravated battery.

Kerr said McKinnie will not be required to attend the June 20 hearing. “I hope to have an answer [from the state] sometime that week,” Kerr said.

Asked about McKinnie’s meeting with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell last Friday, Kerr said, ”When the Vikings have something to report I assume they’ll issue a press release.”

McKinnie could face disciplinary action from the league because he is a repeat offender of the NFL’s personal conduct policy.

(mnsportscentral.com)

St. Louis -- Chris Perez was the closer at Triple-A Memphis before getting his first taste of the big leagues with the St. Louis Cardinals, and his early reviews suggest taking over Jason Isringhausen's role might not be a huge leap.

But the team is in no hurry to elevate the hard-throwing 22-year-old right-hander, no matter how impressive and unflappable he's been.

"As soon as I think he's better than some of the other guys out there, specifically Ryan Franklin, then he would do it," manager Tony La Russa said. "He's not better than Ryan Franklin, so why would he close?"

Perez certainly hasn't been politicking for the big stage.

"I'm just happy being up here right now," he said. "Frankie's our closer and he's the closer for a reason, he's been pitching great and he's got the experience.

"Hopefully, the day will come, and when it does I'm going to try to do my best."

Perez had piled up seven scoreless outings, often pitching in key situations, finishing four games and with six strikeouts in 6 1/3 inning. Just not the key situation.

"I think the last three outs when you shake hands, I don't care what the score is, they're different," La Russa said.

For that, until Isringhausen is ready to reclaim his job, La Russa is leaning on a veteran. Franklin has done well as the stand-in, too, with five saves in seven chances on the year, although his outings lately have been just as eventful as Isringhausen's often have been with fans on the edge of their seats before the third out. Franklin gave up a leadoff ninth-inning homer on Thursday before recording three straight outs to save a one-run victory over the Pirates, and surrendered a bases-clearing double on Friday before nailing down a save.

"The last inning is no different to me than when I was starting," Franklin said. "I know you have to get one out at a time and you can't walk people.

"You can't let anything negative creep in there, just trust your stuff and stay positive."

Just because Perez has had no such stumbles doesn't mean, in La Russa's eyes, that he's ready to step in.

"Sometimes it's better to go slowly than rush a guy in, then all of a sudden something goes wrong and he takes a big step back," La Russa said. "He's actually pitching a lot of important roles.

"He's earned more than his experience would suggest. He's doing really well."

Perez has been a closer since the Cardinals drafted him in the second round in 2006 out of Miami, although during an extended look in spring training he was used in middle relief. His fastball was clocked at 99 mph last August in the minors and there appears to be no fear on the mound that is a prerequisite for closing.

"I couldn't ask for more," he said. "I couldn't ask to be pitching any better, and the coaching staff has shown confidence in me, putting me out there in close games."

Perez said getting a lot of action in spring training was just as big for his confidence as it was for the team's confidence in him.

"I trust my stuff, and so far I know if I locate it good, not too many people are going to hit it," he said. "I'm trying to get ahead of the hitters and put them away."

(news-leader.com)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Ken Griffey Jr. didn't get anything to hit his only time up. Pat Burrell didn't miss the tasty, hanging slider he saw.
Burrell hit a tiebreaking two-run homer, Adam Eaton pitched 6 2-3 impressive innings and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Cincinnati Reds 3-2 Tuesday night.

"We're on a good roll now," Burrell said after the NL East leaders won for the eighth time in nine games. "We want to keep it going."

Griffey walked as a pinch-hitter in the eighth inning to remain one shy of 600 home runs. Griffey wasn't in the Reds' lineup for the second straight game because of general soreness. He's been bothered by a sore left knee, though he could return Wednesday.

Edwin Encarnacion hit a solo homer and tripled for two of Cincinnati's five hits. Rookie sensation Jay Bruce had a checked-swing, infield single in three at-bats.

Junior represented the tying run when he came up with one out, but walked on four pitches and pitcher Bronson Arroyo ran for him. A sellout crowd gave Griffey a standing ovation and booed when reliever Tom Gordon didn't throw a strike.

"We didn't want him to hit one," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "The tension was there. The excitement was there. You could tell. You could feel it. It's good for the game. We definitely didn't want him to tie the game up."

Griffey hit No. 599 at home Saturday against Atlanta. The only players to reach 600 are Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Willie Mays and Sammy Sosa.

The Reds lost center fielder Ryan Freel to a strained right hamstring in the sixth. Freel crumbled to the ground after taking several steps out of the batter's box following a grounder to shortstop. Freel quickly hopped up and hobbled off the field on his own. He'll fly to Cincinnati on Wednesday for further evaluation.

"He said he heard something pop," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "That was just bad luck."

Eaton (2-3) allowed one run and three hits, outpitching Aaron Harang (2-8). Eaton has won consecutive starts after going winless in his first 10.

(ap.com)

Devin Hester is still a work in progress at wide receiver, but he seemed to be able to work his way free behind the defense for huge gains almost at will throughout the weekend's minicamp.

The depth chart at wideout is in flux with newcomers Marty Booker and Brandon Lloyd figuring prominently in the mix, along with Hester, Rashied Davis, Mark Bradley and rookie Earl Bennett, plus holdovers Mike Hass and Brandon Rideau fighting for roster spots.

"Right now the position is wide open," Hester said. "The best two are going to step up and play."

Hester sees himself as a starter; if not now, then soon.

"If you're a receiver and you don't feel that way, then you don't deserve to be out here on the field," he said. "It's competing for a job, and that's how the next man (on the depth chart) gets better. That's what I'm out here doing, and when the season kicks off, I'm hoping I'll be one of the No. 1 guys."

Booker and Lloyd have gotten most of the first-team reps, but Hester has also been utilized. Receivers coach Darryl Drake said no final decisions have been made.

"Right now we don't have clear-cut starters," Drake said. "Those guys (Booker and Lloyd) are in the mix. Devin is in the mix. So those guys are probably the ones."

Hester has been focusing on running more precise routes and fine-tuning his timing with quarterbacks Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton. He said the mental aspect of his game has improved over last season, his first as a full-time receiver.

"I'm a lot better at knowing the game," he said. "I'm starting to understand the defense as well as the offense."

For now, though, Hester's forte remains the deep ball, where he can utilize his rare speed to get behind even the fastest cornerbacks. His communication with the quarterbacks on those plays is simple.

"Whenever we have a deep ball, I just tell them throw it as far as you can and hopefully I'm going to run it down," he said.

(dailyherald.com)

Sources tell Newsday's Bob Glauber that Jeremy Shockey plans to attend the Giants' mini-camp that begins on June 11.
Shockey would be subject to fines if he missed the mandatory mini-camp, but if he truly wanted to leave the Giants he wouldn't attend them. He still hasn't spoken publicly since the Giants won the Super Bowl. We'd expect a lovefest once Shockey is back.

(rotoworld.com)

Jason Michaels hit a game-tying grand slam as the Pirates beat the Cardinals on Monday night.
Jason Bay singled in Nate McLouth to put the Pirates ahead for good. The homer was the first of Michaels' season. He's now 12-for-37 with 11 RBI since joining the Pirates in early May, but he'll remain bench player.

(rotoworld.com)

PHILADELPHIA — It wasn't exactly Carlton Fisk waving the ball fair in the 1975 World Series. It was just Pat Burrell putting some body English on a ball down the left-field line in the seventh inning -- and Burrell kept the ball barely fair, breaking a 5-5 tie with a two-out double, helping the Phillies beat Florida 7-5 and move back into first place.

In the Phillies' dugout, manager Charlie Manuel had a great view, and he felt pretty confident it would stay fair. And he also saw Burrell, still holding the bat in his right hand, kind of twisting and gesturing rather than running full-out.

"I thought it would stay fair -- and I also thought: Run, dammit," Manuel said, laughing.

These days, Burrell is having more success getting the ball to do what he wants. He's hitting .355 in the late innings of close games, he's hitting .318 with runners in scoring position and .320 with runners in scoring position and two outs.

In the previous three seasons, Burrell batted just .236 in the late innings of close games and .240 with runners in scoring position and two outs. When Burrell hit a game-winning homer May 2 against the Giants, it was his first walk-off homer since 2002.

Burrell works very hard at this, even if he's never gotten enough credit for that part of his game. He's always among the first players to the ballpark, he hits a ton, he works hard on his game. And he's recently begun to embrace video and studying pitchers more.

"He's serious as hell," Manuel said. "As far as some of his thinking about hitting, he's more prepared now. He works hard, and he's always worked hard. But he's changed some of his thinking about video, studying the pitchers, what they've got. He gathers a lot of information, and I think that's helped.

"He's always cared. He's always taken things serious. If people don't know that, then they've got a bad read on him. He's always worked hard, and he's always cared."

Burrell faced Logan Kensing in the seventh. He had just four career at-bats against Kensing entering Sunday (0-for-2 with two walks), but he was ready.

"That guy throws pretty hard, so you have to be ready for the fastball in," Burrell said. "He threw one kind of down, but I was able to squeak one down the line."

Burrell broke his bat on the swing.

"I'd rather have it break on a hit, though," Burrell said.

It was fitting that Sunday the Phillies threw a party for Mike Lieberthal's retirement. The catcher probably wasn't greatly appreciated when he was here, but he got a nice ovation Sunday. Historians will look back on Lieberthal's career and wonder what the problem was -- Lieberthal owns almost every franchise record for catchers.

Someday, people may look back on Burrell's career here and notice that one awful year in 2003 -- but then notice that overall he's been a remarkably consistent player who's always hit for power and driven in runs. The question is how long that career lasts -- because the Phillies really have to start working on bringing Burrell back.

That's a little difficult at the moment, with the weirdness of the Phillies' GM situation. Pat Gillick is leaving after the year, and while the conventional wisdom is that Ruben Amaro will replace him, there's no concrete succession plan. And decisions have to be made -- is Brett Myers a starter or reliever, which impacts whether they bring Brad Lidge back, and can they extend Burrell?

Next year's GM has to decide that stuff -- and right now there isn't one.

The Phillies really ought to get on this. Players who reach the market tend to leave; it's the nature of the business (like, for example, Aaron Rowand). Burrell has said he'd like to stay, and today it is glaringly obvious that the Phillies need to keep him. He's an important part of this thing.

"I don't know if the fans really see what he brings to the park every day," Chase Utley said. "He gets here early, he studies, he works extremely hard to get ready to play -- and it shows.

"He's a very important part of our lineup. And he's a great guy to have on the team. He's always having fun, he keeps it loose when need be. I definitely enjoy being around him. He's been here the longest out of anybody, and he's seen his share of different teams."

It once seemed a sure thing that Burrell would end a largely disappointing Phillies career this season. But today Burrell is an important part of a winning team, and the Phillies need to keep it that way.

(courierpostonline.com)

Devin Hester lets out a short laugh when asked if he plans to reveal some secret propellant or unknown turbo-charged technique during a mid-July football camp he's offering for 7- to 14-year-olds. How do you teach the kids football skills that go from the sublime to the ridiculous?

''I will just go through the fundamentals, and the more they work at it, the better they'll get,'' Hester said. ''Not everybody is going to be the same type of return man I am, but if they have the fundamentals and work at it -- then throw in their little bit of salt and pepper ...

'Not everybody is going to be Michael Jordan. All Michael Jordan can do is teach you fundamentals and hope you learn from it and put your own mix in it.''

Right there is about as close as Hester will ever get to comparing himself to another sports legend who wore No. 23. But the simple fact is that Hester is to NFL return men as Jordan was to basketball players. And if the Bears' weekend minicamp can be viewed as any indicator of the future, well, Hester someday may be seen similarly among wide receivers. His transition to the position -- at least at this point, before the real artillery starts flying -- has exceeded anybody's highest hopes.

Except, of course, Hester's.

''I have been around a lot of guys, a lot of really good receivers, and he has a chance to be better than all of them,'' said Bears wide receivers coach Darryl Drake, who has worked with Hines Ward and Roy Williams. ''That is a strong statement, but I really believe that.

''He has as good a pair of hands as anybody. And then his natural ability to run after the catch is just unbelievable. He has not dropped a ball. Not one ball in any of these practices. Not just minicamp -- all of the OTAs. I don't have to tell him anything anymore. He's telling me stuff when I am screwed up. He has taken the time to study it. He has been in my office every day since the beginning ... he's just so far ahead right now it's unbelievable.''

Can't risk his magic on returns
Ever since the Bears first floated the idea of expanding Hester's role to include offense, alarms have sounded about making sure they don't lose what he provides right now: incredible field position and the possibility of a home run in every at-bat. Hester is in the process of rewriting the NFL record book with 13 return touchdowns in his career, including a 108-yard return of a missed field goal and a 92-yard return of the opening kickoff of the Super Bowl his rookie year.

The Bears don't want to put that at risk, but they certainly want to get the ball in his hands more. That's why he's at receiver, and that's why it appeared he was being force-fed the ball over the three days of minicamp. It's a careful process, because Drake is correct when he says Hester ''was our best offensive player last year because he gave us great field position.'' He's also correct when he says, ''You have to be selfish, too, as a team, when you have a guy that talented. You have to get the ball in his hands.''

Will Hester be the next Steve Smith, a return man who developed into a great receiver? Don't forget injuries came with that transition.

It's a work in progress, but the only advice at this point is to give Hester a rich, long contract. Pay him now as a return guy, or you will pay through the nose to keep him as a receiver. The Bears ought to cut a blank check and let Hester fill in as many zeros as he deems fair. If he doesn't reach an agreement this offseason with two years left on his deal, he'd be a fool to sign something next year when he can smell the free-agent market.

A cynic would suggest the Bears believe their confounding offense will prevent any receiver from breaking out. Maybe they believe he'll remain their property for six years because owners recently opted out of the collective-bargaining agreement.

Earned his raise
But Hester, more than anyone else around Halas Hall, deserves a big pay increase from the less than half a million he'll pick up this year as part of his four-year, $2.61million rookie deal. If Bernard Berrian earned a six-year, $42million deal from Minnesota in free agency, what might Hester be worth in a couple of years?

''I do want to get paid,'' Hester said. ''But I am not going to sit here and complain about not getting paid enough to come out here and play ball. I will just put it all in God's hands.''

That's one powerful agent.

(suntimes.com)

New Redskins coach Jim Zorn indicated that Clinton Portis will no longer be pulling himself out of games like he did under Joe Gibbs.
"I don't think that's something that's going to happen here," Zorn said. "That's not the way our offense is designed." Zorn plans to take better advantage of Portis' receiving and blocking ability. Portis is also recovered from the hip flexor that limited him during early-May workouts.

(rotoworld.com)

The Redskins are back on the field for the first time since May 8 and the big news is that Rocky McIntosh is back at his usual weakside linebacker spot for the first time since he tore an ACL against Chicago last Dec. 2.



(washingtontimes.com)

When he’s actually on the field, Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson is among the best receivers in the league. Last season Johnson averaged 94.6 receiving yards a game, a slightly better per-game average than Reggie Wayne, who led the league in receiving yards.

The only problem for Houston is whether Johnson can stay on the field. Johnson missed seven games with a knee injury last year, and he had arthroscopic knee surgery last month.

But there is good news: Johnson says his knee will be OK for training camp.

“If you are worried about my knee,  my knee’s doing fine,” Johnson told Texans fans at a public event hosted by the team.

While Johnson is out of organized team activities, Jacoby Jones and Kevin Walter are working with the first team. When Johnson is healthy he’ll be the unquestioned No. 1 receiver, with Jones, Walter, Andre’ Davis, Tim Carter and David Anderson all competing for playing time.

(profootballtalk.com)

Bryant McKinnie has made his case to the NFL's head disciplinarian, but the Vikings offensive tackle's status with the league remains uncertain.

In a story first reported by profootballtalk.com, McKinnie met Friday morning with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell at the league's New York City offices, although no decision on a possible suspension is expected until his Florida legal situation is resolved.

McKinnie has a June 20 report date in Miami-Dade County Court as a result of his Feb. 24 arrest stemming from a fight outside a Miami nightclub.

Regardless of the resolution of that case, he also faces possible discipline under the NFL's personal-conduct policy.

McKinnie's attorney hopes to persuade the state of Florida before that June 20 date to allow the player to enter a pre-trial diversion program.

If the state agrees and McKinnie fulfills the terms of the program, the charges against him would be dismissed.

If an agreement cannot be reached before June 20, a new trial date would be set.

Phone calls and e-mails to McKinnie's attorney, Larry Kerr, were not returned Saturday, and agent Ben Dogra had no comment.
An NFL spokesman said the league does not comment on such meetings.

McKinnie, who has started 87 consecutive games at left tackle for the Vikings, faces four charges, including one of felony aggravated battery. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

In his only comments on the case two weeks ago, he said he believes he will be with the Vikings for the duration of training camp and the season.

"I won't make any speculations," he said, "but I'm hoping to be able to be with the team."

McKinnie was one of four Vikings players charged in the wake of the team's infamous Love Boat scandal in 2005, eventually pleading guilty to disorderly conduct and being a public nuisance on a watercraft.

In addition to agreeing to pay a $1,000 fine and perform 48 hours of community service, he was fined one week's salary, approximately $41,000, by the NFL in that case.

(twincities.com)

The Rock Hill Herald reports while many Panthers fans were hoping LB Dan Morgan would be able to sign a ceremonial deal with the team to "retire a Panther," that's now off the board. New Orleans placed Morgan on the reserve-retired list last Tuesday, which effectively ties his rights to the Saints. For the Panthers to have signed him to any kind of deal, New Orleans would have had to terminate his contract, and there's no real reason for them to.

(ffmastermind.com)

Devin Hester says the prospect of getting a new contract that reflects his spectacular achievements of the past two seasons is constantly on his mind.

"I would be lying to you if I said it was easy. It's not easy," he said. "Sometimes you wish it wouldn't even come up, but right now, unfortunately, you're in a position where you can get a new contract and it goes through your mind every day. Each and every day I wake up I think about it. What's going on?"

And Hester worries that in a split second an injury could diminish his earning power before he gets the money he deserves after putting together the most productive back-to-back seasons by a return specialist in NFL history. So far, Hester has:

• Seven punt-return touchdowns.
• Four kickoff-return touchdowns.
• A 108-yard TD return of a missed field goal.
• And a 92-yard kickoff return for a TD in Super Bowl XLI.

"You have doubts about coming out here and getting injured," he said Saturday after minicamp. "But, at the same time, you know being out here is going to better your game. You know every day you miss is a day you lose. When you're out here you know you're getting better and better -- that's the No. 1 thing that keeps me motivated. I'm the type of player that wants to get better and wants to help out the team as much as I can."

Complicating Hester's situation is the fact that he's still transitioning to and learning the wide receiver position. He caught just 20 passes last year in his first season as a full-time wideout, but coach Lovie Smith says he has the talent to become a No. 1 receiver in the NFL.

"The thing is, I can get a contract right now as the best return man, but that's not what I want," Hester said. "I'm looking forward to being one of the No. 1 receivers, and I want to get paid as a receiver. That's basically the biggest holdup right now."

Hester said he hasn't received any indication that a new deal is imminent.

"It's a slow process," he said. "It's a business. Right now you're just hoping for the best and hoping that you get what you're worth."

While he's trying not to let the contract situation disrupt his learning curve at wide receiver, Hester admitted he would be disappointed if he enters the regular season still playing under the terms of the four-year, $2.86 million deal he signed as a second-round pick in 2006, which included $1.26 million in guaranteed money.

"It would be very hard to do," he said.

His base salary of $360,000 last season was the league minimum, as is the $445,000 base he's scheduled to make this season. But for now, he's willing to be patient.

"It's tough, but I did sign a contract, so I'm obligated to come out here," he said. "I'd be reneging if I didn't show up, but at the same time it's very frustrating. I do want to get paid. But I'm not going to sit here and complain about not getting paid enough. I'm going to come out here and play ball."

(dailyherald.com)

ST. LOUIS (AP) - Chris Perez is as good as advertised, but that doesn't mean he'll be the St. Louis Cardinals' closer any time soon.

The hard-throwing 22-year-old right-hander has pitched 6 & a-third scoreless innings since being called up from Triple A. But for now, with Jason Isringhausen on the disabled list, Ryan Franklin remains the closer.

Perez says that's fine by him. He's happy with the set-up role he's been given but says when the time comes to close he'll be ready to do it.

Manager Tony La Russa says Franklin is pitching well so there's no need to make a change. But he's been impressed with Perez, both in his makeup and in his performance on the mound.

(wthitv.com)

LAKE FOREST, Ill. – It’s easier to stump Devin Hester than to keep him out of the end zone.

At least that’s the way it appeared after the electrifying All-Pro delivered another dazzling individual effort during Saturday’s minicamp practice at Halas Hall.

Hester provided the highlight of the workout by tracking down a deep Kyle Orton pass that appeared to be overthrown with a superhuman burst. Later, the dynamic third-year pro was asked to recall the last time a quarterback threw a pass beyond his reach.

After pausing for a moment, Hester said with a smile: “I can’t even remember.”

Hester flashed his big play ability last season, catching touchdown passes of 81 yards against the Vikings and 55 yards versus the Saints. His instructions to the quarterback are simple.

“Whenever we get a deep ball, I tell him to just throw it as far as he can and hopefully I’ll be able to run it down,” Hester said. “That’s what we work hard on every day.”

Hester is trying to prove that he’s more than just a deep threat. Entering his second season as a NFL wide receiver, he’s working primarily on route timing during offseason workouts. 

“That’s the most important thing,” said Hester, who caught 20 passes for 299 yards and 2 TDs last season. “The NFL is all about timing and being at the right spot at the right time.”

With his comfort level on offense at an all-time high, Hester is determined to win a starting job.

“If you’re a receiver and you don’t feel that way, then you don’t deserve to be out here on the field,” he said. “You get better by competing, and that’s what I’m out here doing. When the season kicks off, hopefully I’ll have the opportunity to be one of the [starters].

“It’s all about competing, and right now the position is wide open. The best two are going to step up and play.”

(chicagobears.com)

Giants GM Jerry Reese expects third-year receiver Sinorice Moss to "really come on this year."
He's got to make the team first. The highest Moss could get on the depth chart is No. 3, but that's unlikely with Steve Smith and Mario Manningham also competing. In 19 career games, Moss has 26 catches for 250 yards and no TDs.

(rotoworld.com)

Lake Forest -  Quarterback Kyle Orton threw the football as far as he could.

Devin Hester was the intended target down the left sideline, but the pass appeared considerably overthrown.

“I didn’t think he’d go get it,” receivers coach Darryl Drake said. “He’s not going to get that.”

But he did.

“That’s what he has — he’s got an exceptional gear, and the ability to adjust and go get it,” Drake said. “That does a lot for the quarterback, it does a lot for him, it does a lot for us to know what we’ve got here.

“He’s got a chance to stretch the field and go get the ball like (Bernard) Berrian did when he was here. Maybe he even has a different gear, and it’s very pleasing to see that.”

As for catching up to the bomb, Hester said “that’s what me and the quarterbacks talk about. Whenever we get a deep ball, I tell them to just throw it as far as you can, hoping I’ll be able to run it down. It’s what we work on every day.”

Hester then was asked when the last time someone threw a pass he didn’t catch up to.

He pondered it, finally offering “I don’t know.”

“I’ve always had it,” he said of an extra gear.

Catches like Saturday’s can only enhance his chances to get a grip on a reworked contract as he heads into his third season.

Defensive end Tommie Harris and linebacker Brian Urlacher also want something done with their situations, but all are at camp.

(rrstar.com)

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Ryan Braun is battling a head cold and an inner ear infection, and that's bad news for the Milwaukee Brewers' opponents.

Braun homered and matched a career-high with four hits, Manny Parra pitched six strong innings and the Brewers beat the Houston Astros 5-1 on Friday night.

“I think it worked for me today,” said Braun, who has battled dizziness and other symptoms for more than a week. “I've been sick for a little while. It happens throughout the course of the season. You just continue to play hard.

“For me, a lot of times if I have some kind of small injury or I'm a little bit sick, I think it helps me relax. When I feel too good, I try to do too much.”

Cameron hit his seventh home run in the first inning and Braun homered three pitches later, putting Backe in a hole early. It was Braun's team-leading 14th homer.

“Backe is a guy that gives us troubles, so to hit two home runs in the first inning made you feel pretty good,” Brewers manager Ned Yost said. “That took a little pressure off us right out of the gate.”

Braun singled in a run in the third and Milwaukee added two more in the fifth. Braun reached on a single and Fielder hit a two-out homer just over the right-field fence, his first in 45 at-bats and seventh this season.

“I felt like I had pretty good stuff, I just couldn't get guys out,” Backe said. “I had no putout pitches.”

Especially against Braun.

“He's a guy who is seeing the ball real well right now,” Backe said. “We have a guy like that in Lance Berkman. When he's seeing the ball well, there's not much you can do to get him out.”

Berkman, who came in hitting .474 (46-for-97) in May, had two more hits, including a bunt single in the eighth.

Miguel Tejada had his 13-game hitting streak snapped for the Astros, who did not get a runner past second base after the second inning.
Carlos Villanueva, sent to the bullpen more than a week ago after struggling as a starter, pitched a scoreless seventh and eighth for Milwaukee. Guillermo Mota took care of the ninth.

Parra, however, drew the attention of Houston manager Cecil Cooper.

“We faced him in Houston, and he wasn't the same guy,” Cooper said of Parra, who gave up six runs and nine hits in four innings against the Astros on May 3. “He had command (tonight). When you have command and throw 94, it's pretty tough to beat that.”

Parra said his performance was a confidence booster.

“Sometimes I just felt like I didn't belong,” he said of his struggles this season. “I didn't really understand it because last year I felt like I had a lot of success.”

Braun, the reigning NL Rookie of the Year, also had success in 2007 — and has carried it over to 2008.

“He's real good,” Cameron said. “When he is right, he is probably one of the best in the game. He can hit all pitches out of the ballpark. He is not real big, but he's strong. His balls travel for a long time.”

(timesrecordnews.com)

Devin Hester was on the field taking snaps with the first-team offense at receiver and fielding kicks on special teams. His contract situation was the last thing on his mind during Friday's two-hour mini-camp. But after the day concluded, Hester opened up about his contract situation. "Yeah, I wish it would have been done by now," he said. "They're just not close to agreeing on what we want. But they're working with my agent."

(chicagosports.chicagotribune.com)

Jennings' return is questionable.






(blogs.thenewstribune.com)

MILWAUKEE -- Ryan Braun hasn't been 100 percent healthy for the last two weeks, but he hasn't let his ills sideline him.

The Brewers outfielder has been suffering from an inner-ear infection in his right ear that has left him feeling weak and dizzy since the team was in Boston for a three-game series May 16-18.

"I got it in Boston, haven't gotten better since then," Braun said. "There's some fluid built up so I've been a little dizzy. It's like that sensation when you get off a plane and your ear needs to 'pop' and it doesn't for a week. It's weird."

Beyond the dizziness, Braun has been having trouble hearing out of his right ear. He saw a doctor last weekend in Washington and again earlier this week when the team returned home for its current nine-game homestand.

He was scheduled to see another doctor on Friday night before the opener of this weekend's three-game series with the Astros.

Braun is on day two of a five-day dose of antibiotics but has not noticed much of an effect on his symptoms.

Aside from last Saturday's game in Washington against the Nationals -- his only at-bat came in a pinch-hit situation -- Braun hasn't allowed his ear to take him off the field.

One can imagine that feeling dizzy and weak can't be helpful while trying to hit Major League pitching, but Braun has performed about as well as anyone on the roster since falling ill.

In the 10 games since the Brewers left Boston, Braun has hit .263 with two walks and two RBIs over a period of time where the majority of the Milwaukee offense has struggled.

"I'm dizzy so I'm not always seeing straight all the time," Braun said. "It definitely doesn't help."

But since returning home to Miller Park, Braun has batted .400 over the first three games of the nine-game homestand. He won't let the ear infection deflect any responsibility for his play.

"I'm not going to make any excuses," Braun said. "It doesn't help, that's all I can say. It's something you deal with during the course of the season. It's no different than dealing with a minor injury."

(mlb.com)

LB Jonathan Vilma appeared in his first team drills, and snared Bush across the middle on a crossing route. Vilma said afterward that he is pleased with the progress from his knee surgery and is thrilled to be back in the team drills.

(canalstreetchronicles.com)

Darius Rice signs with the Slingers – The attached newsletter provides details on the Slingers key signing of American Darius Rice.  A 6’10” small forward formerly from the University of Miami, Darius is a scoring machine who has put up big numbers wherever he has played.  He holds the scoring record in the NBA development League, NDBL, where he scored 52 points in the final in April, 2007.  His size and sweet shooting touch will pose some match up difficulties with NBL teams and give the Slingers a solid scoring option.

(aplink.wordpress.com)

BALTIMORE -- Baltimore Ravens running back Willis McGahee, now in his second season with the team, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch when the Baltimore Orioles play the Boston Red Sox on Sunday at Camden Yards.

McGahee will be accompanied by a group of inner-city kids whose families have been affected by domestic violence, a cause he has dedicated his Foundation’s (The Willis McGahee Foundation) efforts to raising funds and awareness for. The tickets for the kids were made possible through the Foundation.

“Although I have only been with the Ravens for a short time, I already feel like Baltimore is my home,” said McGahee. “It is an honor to throw out the first pitch for a team so entrenched in the community and to provide these kids with an opportunity to see the game and forget some of their troubles.”

(wbaltv.com)