'Canes Fans, check out Shockey's response to the last question. Great quote.

Jeremy Shockey played meet the press today in Jackson, Miss., at the Saints' training camp, and as you will read, he had plenty to say, including that he doesn't "have a personal vendetta against the Giants."

The full transcript:

Q: Can you talk about joining the Saints?
A: I'm really happy to be a New Orleans Saint. Obviously a lot of people didn't see this coming. There were a lot of rumors. I want to thank Mickey (Loomis) and Sean (Payton) for believing in me, bringing me here and giving me the opportunity.

Q: What happened with the situation in New York?
A: I just think that Mickey and Sean wanted me more than New York. I think New York got a fair package. Hopefully New Orleans will have a really good package. It's a very good situation.

Q: Did you not think that this would happen after a deal was not consummated after the draft?
A: Leading up to the draft, you hear a lot of rumor and speculation. My mother lives down in Texas, so she reads all the papers. I didn't give up hope. Really at that time, I was just trying to get healthy. I had never had a really serious injury before in my life. I never gave up hope. I want to thank my agent Drew (Rosenhaus); he obviously helped make this thing happen as well. I wouldn't say that I ever gave up. It was always in the back of my head, even after the draft.

Q: Were you surprised when it finally happened?
A: I was relieved. I wasn't surprised. There were a bunch of rumors. If I had gone back to the Giants no matter what it would have been a circus. I'd have went up there if they kept me, there would have been all of the rumors if they were better off without me, this, that. The last thing I wanted to do was be a distraction. That's one of the reasons I didn't want to go to the Super Bowl. I wasn't healthy. They did a great job. I didn't want to be a distraction to that team. If I went, I'm a distraction. If I didn't go, I was a distraction. It's the same thing if I had gone up to play for the Giants. I'm just very happy to have the opportunity I have in this city and with this team.

Q: Can you discuss what you feel is misunderstood about you?
A: The people that know me as a person like Jon (Vilma) and several other guys on this team that I know, they'll tell you that I'm not as wild and rebellious as some people say, but that's the media. They build you up to knock you down and if you know me, you know me. If not, the rumors fly. You've probably heard it all. I've heard it all. What you see is what you get. I wear my emotion on my sleeves and I'm a true person. I 'm not fake or fabricated to anybody.

Q: Are you happy to be in a little more media friendly and less media intense environment than New York City?
A: I knew that question was coming out sooner or later. Actually I think my family is. They're the ones, my mother especially that read the newspaper. I always hear about it from my brother and it doesn't really bother me. Obviously I'd like to just concentrate on football besides looking to be a distraction, being in the paper, being out here, going over here, this city, whatever. It gets out of control a little bit. Obviously I'm happy. I'm happy in the situation more than anything else.

Q: Did you come out like a little kid today on your first day of school?
A: I really did. Obviously I played for only one team before I came here. I was telling some guys in there. I'm just really excited to go out there and practice and start all over again. I'm starting at ground zero and working my way up as if I'm trying to make the team. That's the mentality I have in this camp, working at things I'm not so good at, trying to get better and healthier and since it's a little bit hotter here than Albany, I'll work on my conditioning and everything else as well.

Q: What are your impressions of this Saints offense?
A: Statistics speak for it. You can see that they're top three every year, offense, the red zone and other intriguing statistics. It speaks for itself. It's going to be a fun year and I'm excited to be here.

Q: Can you talk about some of your best memories of New York and Sean Payton?
A: Sean drafted me. He did a great job of helping me learn to be a pro. Playing everyday in the NFL is to come to work and be ready to work. That is what he really preached. He talked a lot about paying attention to the small details. It hasn't changed.

Q: How important is it to have not only a new start, but a new start with him?
A: It's very rewarding. It's very rare in this league to go back to the guys that drafted you.

Q: Did having to sit out that Super Bowl run last year give you a new perspective or new appreciation for the game?
A: Sometimes it's good to sit back and watch. You want to be out there. The things that were written that I was unhappy, I never said anything in the paper, they just wrote their own thing, their own synopsis. I'm very happy for those guys up there, coaches, everyone. They did a great job and they deserved everything they got.

Q: Not knowing Drew Brees personally, what did you think of him when you came here?
A: We had some familiar friends. I know a lot about him. For a guy who plays at his level, you can't miss him. With the opportunity to play with him and this coaching staff and teammates is going to be fun.

Q: Was Drew the first guy you sought out when you came here?
A: He was one of the first guys that called me and congratulated me. He said there were a bunch of rumors and stuff. Mickey (Loomis) did a great job along with Sean Payton and Drew Rosenhaus getting it done. Like I said, the Giants got a good deal, a fair deal. Hopefully the Saints got a great deal.

Q: What would you like to tell Saints fans that they are getting in Jeremy Shockey?
A: What I've been trying to the past six years which is just play full speed and play as hard as I can. I can't control injuries. I just play this game with passion and a lot of heart.

Q: Sean Payton said you weren't quite 100 percent. Where do you think you are at?
A: It's hard to tell. I haven't had a broken bone ever in my life like I had right now. You're never 100 percent in the season. It's July I believe. Time has flown by. I'm not 100 percent, but I don't need to be 100 percent right now. You just need to learn and that's what I need to do. I need to sit down and learn and sit down with Drew and know his motion, his cadence, everything that he does, I want to be there. I'm not 100 percent right now, but I will be soon.

Q: Do you look forward to this initial media generated attention cooling off a little after today?
A: I'll appreciate the six or seven that are there then. I thought the obligation to talk to the media was only during the football season. Up in Albany, it was like this everyday and you get used to it. Obviously this is a smaller media corps. I'm looking forward to getting to know the beat writers here. I don't know them, but I'm sure I'll know you guys. You're probably different than the people that write for the Enquirer or some of the other papers up in New York.

Q: One of the things that were said in those New York papers was that you wanted to be the number one option in the offense. Did you ever feel that way?
A: I think they used me as pretty much the number one option. I led the team in receptions a couple times. I don't know who quoted that.

Q: Do you expect to be the number one option in this offense?
A: I expect to start from ground zero. I'm a walk on here. I'm just trying to make this team and to do the best I can to help everybody around me. Hopefully I bring everybody else's game up to a level that...Marques (Colston), Drew (Brees), Reggie (Bush). I want to help these guys play at a higher level and do as I try to do every year, which is to do the best I can. We have a great core of guys here, a great coaching staff, everyone made the conditioning workout, and everyone made the weights. It's a little different weather from what I'm used to. Up in Albany, everyone usually does not make the conditioning test or the weights. They won a Super Bowl last year and they really deserved it. I'm going to miss my teammates, my coaches, the owners, everything about that organization.

Q: Can you respond to a quote that said you were seeking revenge on the Giants?
A: Where was that quote? I said that?

Q: Would you look forward to playing the Giants which you are scheduled to do next year in the regular season or if both teams qualify for the playoffs this year?
A: I look forward to playing every team. Obviously if you've been on a team for so long and play that team, that's just natural. I look forward to practicing against the Houston Texans in a week or so. I don't have any personal vendetta against the Giants.

Q: Have you ever been to Bourbon Street? Has anybody told you to avoid it?
A: When we played in the Sugar Bowl when I was in college. It wasn't very good for the Gators.

(nj.com)

We at proCanes.com view Luke Campbell as an Honorary 'Cane. He has contributed a lot to the Miami program and still does. Congrats to you and your bride Luke!

Luke Campbell, former frontman of 2 Live Crew, heard wedding bells instead of beatboxing on Saturday as he and Kristin Thompson tied the knot in Dallas, Texas.

"I waited 47 years to find a special woman and have found that in Kristin," Campbell tells PEOPLE exclusively. "I never knew that I could feel love on another level like this until I met her, and I am now honored to call her my wife."

The stars of the upcoming VH1 reality series Luke's Parental Advisory tied the knot in front of 300 guests at Saint Luke Community Methodist Church, followed by a reception at the Opus Grand Ballroom at Hotel Palomar. Thompson, 27, who serves as general counsel for Campell's company Luke Entertainment, wore a wedding gown by Monique Lhuillier.

Doug E. Fresh deejayed and performed, keeping guests, including Arizona Cardinal Edgerrin James, on the dance floor until the early morning. Soul singer Betty Wright serenaded the happy couple. Their first dance was to Brian McKnight's "Back At One."

Campbell and Thompson met at Jerry's Deli in Miami Beach two years ago. He proposed to her on Halloween last year. This is the first marriage for both. Campbell has two children from a previous relationship.

Luke's Parental Advisory premieres Aug. 4 at 10:30 p.m. EST. The wedding will be featured on the season finale in September.

(people.com)

The Ravens have given Rice a lot of attention during the past two days. Though Willis McGahee is the starting running back, the Ravens don't have total trust in him. He's a little flaky.

The Ravens brought in Rice as an insurance policy, someone who can push McGahee because of Rice's strong work ethic. The Ravens aren't afraid of Rice's lack of size.

(baltimoresun.com)

After today's morning practice, the first of the 2008 New Orleans Saints training camp, quarterback Drew Brees recounted his getting the news that the team had acquired high-profile tight end Jeremy Shockey earlier in the week.

"I was a little shocked, no pun intended," said Brees, who had thought that trade talks with the New York Giants had died down after the Saints' minicamps.

"I certainly am looking forward to the opportunity to get to know him a little bit out here and get to know him as much as we can as far as building that relationship."

The quarterback targeted Shockey on a number of occasions. In the first one, a short out route on the right side, the former Giant went down on one knee to snag a low pass from Brees and the crowd let out a modest cheer.

Shockey started the morning running individual drills with a coach and proceeded to run with the first, second and third offensive units. He also caught the last pass of the morning, a short flare to the right from Tyler Palko that Shockey took 10 yards before receiving a hard hit from linebacker William Kershaw.

(clarionledger.com)

The Dolphins might be patient and wait till the first and second round of cuts to address the limited depth at receiver. There will be plenty of receivers cut, and some of them will be pretty good. For instance, the Giants have an arsenal of good ones and my UM sources tell me New York's been trying to trade Sinorice Moss all summer, and might end up cutting him if they don't find a bidder, or the former second-round pick doesn't step it up in training camp.

Moss' problem is he doesn't contribute on special teams. But the former Hurricane has shown he can be a decent stretch the field receiver, and the Dolphins need someone to run 9-routes besides Ted Ginn Jr.

Moss is just an example, but I'm confident there will be PLENTY of decent - if not good - receivers on the waiver wire because teams usually don't keep more than six. And most keep five on the 53-man roster and two on the practice squad.

(sun-sentinel.com)

The way we hear it, Ravens rookie LB Tavares Gooden could play a major role on special teams in his first season as he learns the defense. Gooden has exceptional speed for the position, and he could be an asset on kick and punt coverage. In the long term, Gooden will compete for a starting spot at inside linebacker; both of Baltimore's starters (Ray Lewis and Bart Scott) are expected to enter free agency after the season.

(pfw.com)

The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports Saints MLB Jonathan Vilma (knee) looked great as he went full-speed during Thursday morning's practice. He ran with the second team behind starting MLB Mark Simoneau because Vilma is still playing catch-up after being limited this summer. But that will change sooner than later.

"I feel very comfortable (in the 4-3)," Vilma said. "Aside from the terminology – I have to learn that again – the concepts are the same from my first two years in the NFL."

(ffmastermind.com)

With fans eager to cheer at Redskins Park, wide receiver Santana Moss put on a show. The crowd erupted Monday when Moss made several impressive catches on deep balls from quarterback Jason Campbell as Coach Jim Zorn unveiled new elements of his West Coast offense.

After being slowed because of groin, heel and hamstring injuries last season, Moss, the Redskins' top wide receiver, said he is sound physically and excited about the potential of Washington's wideouts. Veterans Antwaan Randle El and James Thrash also are back, and the unit received a much-needed infusion of size and potential when the Redskins selected Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly with two of their top three draft picks.

Zorn and new offensive coordinator Sherman Smith said the group possesses the versatility they sought for their scheme, and the wide receivers envision doing big things after often having felt handcuffed by conservative game plans under former coach Joe Gibbs. But Moss, coaches said, still will shoulder much responsibility in the new offense, which is fine with him.

"I'm proud to hear that. I'm proud that that's how they look at me," Moss said. "I pretty much try to take the field like that. I try to handle my area and make sure I hold it down. I look at it like I'm one of the guys that this team is counting on, so I have to be accountable for myself and try to set an example for the younger guys, and it seems like everything is going to be great for us skill guys this year."

Zorn, who will call plays, has been preparing to open up the offense since he was promoted to head coach in February after being hired as offensive coordinator Jan. 25. Getting more production from the wideouts is a big part of his plan.

"When you looked at the talent we had with guys like Santana and Antwaan, we knew we had the type of receivers you need to have a great offense," Campbell said. "But when your guys are hurt, when they're out, it just makes it harder on the whole offense. With Santana and Randle El healthy now, and with the guys we drafted, I think our receivers can be" among the league's most productive units.

Moss, Randle El -- who is expected to primarily be in the slot this year, a role he covets -- and Thrash are learning Zorn's offense at multiple positions, but Thomas and Kelly are "playing one position, and one position only, so they can get all their reps on the same plays and in different formations to make it pretty easy for them," wide receivers coach Stan Hixon said.

The rookies are making a good impression, Moss said. "They're talented guys, look like they're pretty good," he said. "But right now it's a learning stage. They're trying to grasp everything. They're learning from us, and we're just coaching 'em up the best way we can."

(washingtonpost.com)

The Star Tribune reports Vikings OT Bryant McKinnie said he had no update on the status of his criminal case in Miami or whether he will be punished further by the NFL. "Right now I'm just worried about camp until I get further notice," he said. McKinnie, who has pleaded not guilty to four charges stemming from a brawl outside a Miami nightclub, has a court date Sept. 24. His attorney, Larry Kerr, has asked the state of Florida to allow McKinnie to enter a pretrial diversion program that could lead to the charges being dismissed. Kerr said this week that he has not received an answer yet. McKinnie also is subject to disciplinary measures from the NFL as a repeat offender of the league's conduct policy.

(ffmastermind.com)

BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Kellen Winslow could be home resting or relaxing on a beach in California with a cold drink as his teammates sweat through grueling two-a-day practices.

If he desired, the Pro Bowl tight end, who wants the Cleveland Browns to tear up his contract that still has three years left on it, could be just about anywhere but training camp.

Instead, Winslow is where he's happiest — on the field.

"My job," Winslow said Thursday following the team's first workout in full pads, "is to just be out here and play football. I don't want to be a distraction."

For a while, that's all he was.

Winslow, who came to the NFL with a fiery reputation, missed 14 games as a rookie in 2004 after breaking his leg. He was then sidelined for all the next season following a near-fatal motorcycle accident. But in the past two years, the 25-year-old has become one of the game's top tight ends, fulfilling the promise that the Hall of Famer's son always had.

However, until he arrived at camp this week, there was concern that Winslow would have a negative impact on the Browns even before their 2008 season kicked off.

Not long after making the Pro Bowl, Winslow hired super agent Drew Rosenhaus and made it known he wanted to be the league's highest paid tight end. Then, Winslow had surgery — at least his fourth procedure — on his right knee, which he wrecked in the crash and later became infected with staph.

In April, the Browns traded a future draft pick to select a tight end as a possible successor for Winslow, who then missed the Browns' voluntary practices in May and June. A contract holdout seemed imminent. Trouble, it seemed, was brewing.

This time, Winslow stiff-armed it. He's a happy camper.

"I'm sure (the media) thought I wasn't coming, but I'm not that type of guy," Winslow said. "I don't want to be a distraction. My job is to just help this team win and come out here and play to the best of my ability."

Rosenhaus has engaged in negotiations with the Browns. He characterized the talks as a "dialogue with the team. Nothing is imminent and we're at a very preliminary point." He has spoken with general manager Phil Savage and plans to visit Cleveland soon.

In the past, Rosenhaus has kept clients out of camp until they got paid. But he and Winslow decided not to use a contract holdout as leverage with the Browns.

"There is a sense of urgency on our end," Rosenhaus told The Associated Press. "Kellen and I have discussed it and we decided to take the high road and handle it professionally. There will be no holding out and there will be nothing that will keep Kellen off the field."

While not providing specifics on what he's seeking from the team, Rosenhaus did describe Winslow's rookie contract as "outdated."

The Browns, who initially withheld some bonuses from Winslow following his accident, have already reworked his contract once. Before his third season, they changed some of his performance clauses, allowing him to recoup some of the financial hit he took by missing most of his first two seasons.

Winslow said it's easy for him to separate off-the-field business from what he has do to between the hash marks.

"You can't focus on the contract. I am under contract. I just want to be a Cleveland Brown for a long time, so my agent and the organization are in talks," he said.

Winslow said he wouldn't be upset if the sides didn't agree to a new deal this year.

"It is up to them. If they don't do it, they don't do it. If they do it, they do it. My job is to just get out here and play," he said.

Getting ready to play each Sunday has been a challenge for Winslow. Last season, he often lugged around some type of medical apparatus to help his body recover from the pounding he'd take in games. If his shoulder wasn't aching, it was his knee.

But despite the bumps and bruises, Winslow caught 82 passes for 1,106 yards and five touchdowns to earn his first trip to Honolulu. He intends to go back.

"I left a lot on the field last year," he said. "I watched the film from last year, and saw things that I can do better. I probably could have caught 100 balls. Touchdowns, I only had five, so I can get a lot better in each category."

While his game has matured, Winslow has grown as a person. At the University of Miami, his infamous "I'm a soldier" rant during a postgame locker room tirade painted him as a hothead. And although he can still get edgy, Winslow has calmed down considerably.

"We all go through that maturation process and he's in the middle of it," Browns coach Romeo Crennel said. "We've seen him settle down from the first year I was here and he can manage himself better than he used to. He has a better understanding of how the team works and how he fits in the team and what is expected and required of him."

Winslow concedes he has changed — for the better.

"Coming out of college, I was probably viewed in a different light," he said. "I'm growing up. I'm 25 now. That stuff was a long time ago, and just like everyone else you have to grow up. I'm older now, married, and just grown up."

(cleveland.com)

NEW YORK -- While manager Charlie Manuel acknowledges Pat Burrell's fielding shortcomings in left field, he appreciates one aspect of his defense: his arm.

"His arm is accurate and strong, but I think they definitely try to run on him," Manuel said. "They try to put pressure on him."

Burrell is the first to acknowledge that his lack of footspeed hurts him, especially in the larger outfields, but the former third baseman's arm is an asset. Burrell is part of an outfield that leads the NL with 24 assists, and is second in baseball to Minnesota's 26. Burrell is tied for second with nine assists.

"We've cut down a lot of runners," Burrell said.

There's more.
In the book entitled The Fielding Bible, John Dewan devised a way to evaluate outfielders' arms. He looked at two elements: "Runner Advance Percentage" -- how often runners succeed at taking an extra base on a single or double -- and "Baserunner Kills" -- how often an outfielder directly throws out a runner without a relay.

Burrell has four kills, and has only allowed just less than 30 percent of runners to advance. Based on his better advance percentage, Dewan selected Burrell as the "left fielder with the best throwing arm in baseball so far this year."

"He's one of the most consistent arms there is," third-base coach Steve Smith said. "If the ball is at him, he's good at getting the ball under control."

Burrell showed off that arm on Tuesday night, when he dug out a double by David Wright and fired to Jimmy Rollins, who relayed home to cut down the speedy Endy Chavez. Later in the game, right fielder Jayson Werth charged a ball and also nailed Chavez trying to score.
"It's the most exciting part of my job," Werth said. "I used to catch and you're in on everything. As an outfielder, you're not in on anything. Any time you get a chance to throw a guy out ..."

Geoff Jenkins and Shane Victorino have five assists apiece, Werth has four and T.J. Bohn has one. Burrell's nine is also a product of runners taking more chances, giving Burrell more opportunities.

"He has a great arm," Victorino said. "When you talk arms, people don't put him up there, but he makes strong throws that are pretty accurate. When guys say he's a poor defensive player, it frustrates me. He might not get to every ball, but makes accurate throws and throws guys out."

(mlb.com)

I didn't even know until recently that I was nearing my 1,000th career game. I've always been the type of player who takes things day-by-day, but I guess those days add up after a while.

When I first broke into the big leagues, I was very proud of that accomplishment because it's so hard to get to this level. As time went along, I just followed that day-by-day mantra. Baseball at this level is such a competitive grind that you can't afford to look too far ahead.

Initially, my focus was just to survive in the big leagues for another day, another week, another season. Now I'm closing in on 10 years.
When you start reaching milestones, you come to really appreciate all of the hard times and all of the struggles. You still have to get after it each and every day, but I also know it's important to enjoy the moment.

Reaching a longevity milestone shows a little about who you are, I think. It's a testament to your skills and to what you've accomplished, of course. But it also says something about how you go about your business.

When I look back after I retire -- hopefully that will be about 20 years from now as I track down records set by Julio Franco and Jesse Orosco -- I'll look back and reflect on all of the good times and all of the bad times.

Eventually, whatever the final number of games played is, I will consider myself most fortunate because I have a World Series ring. Not every player can say that, and that championship is the thing I'm most proud of.

I'm also proud of the versatility that I bring to a club. That's been an important factor in my career. I broke in with the Dodgers as an everyday player, more or less. They decided to let me go in 2004, and since then, I've been in more of a utility role. My ability to play different positions has helped.

My brother, Joey, played in more than 1,000 games (1,119), but reaching and surpassing his total wouldn't really mean anything. It's not like I'm competitive with him. I don't see Joey as a baseball player. Instead, I see him as my brother. I'm here because of him.

If I do get close to his number, he'll be very, very proud. It won't be a case of him saying, "Alex beat me." It would be something we would both take pride in.

Alex Cora is closing in on his 1,000th regular season games at the Major League level. He's been to the postseason three times, including the Red Sox's World Series-winning club last season. His older brother Joey is currently a coach with the White Sox.

(mlbplayers.com)

Devin Hester told the Tribune Wednesday he intends to hold out of training camp until the Bears grant him a new deal.

"I'm not coming,'' he said by phone. "I have to make a statement. I showed by going to [organized team activities] that I was a team player. But then, I just felt like they weren't taking it seriously that I wanted to get a new deal.

"I can't go out and play this year making $445,000. Come on, man.''

Hester, who is signed through 2009, is entering the third year of his rookie deal. The Bears have discussed the possibility of a raise with his agent, Eugene Parker, throughout the off-season. Each side has exchanged proposals. Complicating matters is the fact that the Bears have no other contracts to measure Hester's worth against.

He wants to be paid as a receiver, but the Bears are willing to pay him as the league's highest-paid special teams player — a deal that would no doubt fall short of Hester's mark.

Efforts to reach Parker were unsuccessful while the Bears planned to address the situation after practice Wednesday.

"You should pay me like I'm one of a kind,'' Hester said. "It's like dating a girl. When you find somebody who is real special, you're going to do whatever it takes to keep her. You might cut back on what you're giving your mom to give to her. And that's how I feel they should treat me.''

Hester couldn't estimate how much money he's seeking or how long a term the deal should be. The Bears awarded contract extensions to Tommie Harris, Brian Urlacher, Alex Brown, Robbie Gould, and Desmond Clark.

"A fair deal is paying me what I bring to this game and to this team,'' Hester said. "If I put fans in the seats and make big plays, then I deserve to get paid more than what I'm getting paid. Pay me what I'm worth. I'm getting paid the same as a cat drafted in the sixth, seventh round my year who hasn't played a down. It isn't fair, man.''

The Bears are unlikely to negotiate with a player who is not at camp. Hester will be fine approximately $15,000 per day if he continues to hold out.

"I'm like this — it's not worth it to show up,'' he said.

Hester said he received phone calls from teammates Jason McKie and Tommie Harris Wednesday inquiring about his whereabouts. Adewale Ogunleye sent a text message and wondered what was going on.

"I basically told them what happened, and they said they don't blame me and that I deserved it,'' he said.

Hester said Lovie Smith called and said the team didn't feel the same without him.

Hester has 12 returns for touchdowns in just two seasons. Last season, he made the Pro Bowl for the second consecutive season as a return man after setting the single-season NFL record with six kick returns for touchdowns (four punts, two kickoffs).

"Everybody in their right mind understands why I'm doing this,'' Hester said. "For me to have a season like I did last year and getting paid like this, it's not fair. ... I deserve more, and that's just the way I feel.''

(chicagosports.chicagotribune.com)

NEW ORLEANS — The Saints’ two biggest offseason acquisitions were praised by their former college coach Tuesday morning.
Larry Coker, who coached tight end Jeremy Shockey and linebacker Jonathan Vilma at the University of Miami, is now an ESPN commentator and was the guest speaker at Day 2 of the Sun Belt Media Days.

Coker, who led the Hurricanes to a BCS championship and No. 2 finish before being fired after the 2006 season, said the Saints made good moves when they traded with the Jets to get Vilma in February and with the Giants to canonize Shockey on Monday.

“Jeremy Shockey is an outstanding talent,” said Coker, who recruited Shockey to Miami. “He’s a special, special player. Jonathan Vilma is one of the smartest players I’ve ever been around. He can be as good as he wants to be.”

The Saints gave up second- and fifth-round picks in next year’s draft for Shockey, whose ongoing dissatisfaction with his role on the Giants made his future there untenable. A four-time Pro Bowler, he will turn 28 next month.

Coker acknowledged Shockey’s excessive emotion and said his passion for the game is a plus as long as it’s channeled properly. He thinks the fact that Saints coach Sean Payton was the Giants’ offensive coordinator during Shockey’s All-Pro rookie season in 2002 bodes well for the reunion.

“That says it all,” Coker said of Payton’s familiarity with Shockey. “Sean’s not going to bring a bum into his football program. Get Jeremy on your football team and you’re going to win some games. I think it’s a great match.”

New Orleans’ first major offseason acquisition came when it brought in Vilma, a former Pro Bowler, to be its new starting middle linebacker.
Its last major acquisition, apparently, was bringing in Shockey, who missed New York’s postseason run to the Super Bowl title because of a broken leg last season, to add a new weapon to an already potent offense.

Shockey’s proven ability to get open down the middle of the field should cause another concern for defenses that also have to try and contain running backs Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush and cover wide receiver Marques Colston while quarterback Drew Brees orchestrates things.

“One of the special things I love about Jeremy Shockey is that he brings passion and emotion to the game every week,” Coker said. “He’s my kind of player. He’s a tremendous playmaker.”

Coker recalled speaking with Shockey when he was trying to convince the young tight end to leave his native Oklahoma and join the Hurricanes.

He asked Shockey what he wanted to accomplish and Shockey said he wanted to win a national championship, be a first-round draft choice in the NFL, and be the first tight end drafted.

After Miami won the national championship in Shockey’s junior season and Shockey was a sure-fire No. 1 draft choice, Coker knew he had to recruit him all over again.

“Like a good head coach, I had to tell him, Jeremy, you’re not ready,” Coker said. “You’re not going to be that high a draft choice this year, there are 14 tight ends in the draft. Of course, he went into the draft, was the 14th player picked and was the first tight end.”

Coker also remembered something Shockey’s mother told him when he was trying to get her son to become a Hurricane.

“She said, he might not be your best football player,” Coker recalled, “but he’ll be your toughest football player. She was right.”

(2theadvocate.com)

While the University of Miami football program has fallen on hard times, failing to reach a Bowl game last year for the first time since 1999, it continues to develop top NFL prospects. Since 2001, 25 Miami players have been drafted in the first round and 49 former Hurricanes are currently on NFL rosters.

The Ravens have had success with players from "The U" -- Ray Lewis and Ed Reed have both been named NFL Defensive Player of the Year while Willis McGahee earned a trip to the Pro Bowl in his first year with the team last season. With Lewis, Bart Scott and Terrell Suggs all potentially testing the free agent market after the coming season, the Ravens decided to bring in another former Hurricane, drafting linebacker Tavares Gooden in the third round of this year's draft.

Gooden battled injuries at Miami but showed the capability to play all three linebacker positions, starting at the weak side in 2004 before switching to strong side in 2005 and then to the middle as a senior in 2007. Although Miami had its worst season of the decade in 2007, Gooden had the best year of his career, registering a team-high 100 tackles.

Gooden has also been in constant contact with fellow Miami alums Lewis and Reed and shares a similar hunger to succeed.

"I speak with those guys often because we're like brothers, coming from Miami," Gooden said. "When I talk to those guys, they talk with so much passion that it makes you want to play the game. That's how I was taught to play the game at Miami. That's the whole thing about the Baltimore Ravens, they called my name for a reason. They picked me as their third-round pick so it's basically about going out there and fulfilling their expectations and my expectations for myself."

Throughout the minicamp process, Gooden impressed Ravens coaches with his athleticism and versatility.Gooden knows it's important to absorb as much information as possible to ease his transition to the NFL.

"One of the biggest adjustments is just being attentive and picking things up really fast and I really believe I've learned to do that," he said. "I got a lot of conditioning out of [the mini-camps], learned the plays as far zone coverages and how to play them. Without the veterans, I got a lot of one-on-one time with the coaches and learned a lot more about how to relate to different people in zone coverages."

Gooden was regarded as one of the top athletes at the linebacker position in this year's draft,  and he recognizes that his athleticism will give the Ravens options to get him on the field as a rookie.

"I can run with receivers and things like that," he said. "It helps the team out tremendously, especially during rookie camp because we were short on corners. But I was able to adjust and play a lot of the receivers and tight ends in man to man. I think my man to man coverage is pretty good and I think I'm going to improve in zone coverage."

"I want to contribute as best I can.I feel like I was one of the top defensive players in this year's draft so I'm thinking defensive rookie of the year, that's the goal for me. I just want to get on the field.  [Whether it be] special teams, third downs, however I can get on the field and help this team out and try to accomplish my goals."

(pressboxonline.com)

SAN JOSE, Calif. (July 23, 2008) - One of the most gifted all-round athletes in the history of University of Miami football, Jason Geathers was an un-drafted free agent when his eligibility expired after the 2003 season.

In some ways the 6-foot-2, 205-pound Geathers may have performed so well at various positions, National Football League player personnel types were unsure where the talented youngster could be best suited.

Geathers now readies himself for the San Jose SaberCats' fourth trip to an Arena Football League championship. The SaberCats (13-5) will play the Philadelphia Soul (15-3) in ArenaBowl XXII, Sunday in New Orleans (ABC/HD 12 noon PT)

Having a "cup of coffee" with the Cleveland Browns and the New York Giants in 2004 and early 2005, Jason found the taste of only training camp and practice squads bitter.

A five-position player at Spanish River High School in Boca Raton, Florida, Miami whittled it down to only running back and receiver. "I just enjoyed playing," Geathers said of his total football exploits. "I played a lot of positions since beginning my football career. At times, I didn't know what I wanted to play, but at Miami, I chose offense."

All this has paid off for the San Jose SaberCats. A call in 2006 from one of Jason's high school football coaches to then defensive coordinator Kevin Guy prompted the SaberCats to bring Geathers in for an audition. They liked his size, speed, agility and attitude. "I enjoy the game, no matter where I can make a play," the receiver-linebacker said after San Jose's American Conference win against the Grand Rapids Rampage.

Geathers showed why, in that 81-55 manhandling, he may be the resurrection of the consummate AFL "Ironman." Since the introduction of one platoon football in the AFL last season, the all-round football entertainer has nearly been forgotten.

Against the Rampage, Geathers had four pass receptions for 52 yards, including touchdowns of 14 and nine yards; ran the ball three times for 18 yards, including a 14-yard TD scamper; added an assisted tackle and pass break up; and scored on a game-ending 29-yard pass interception.

This impelled the game's founder Jim Foster - there to present the American Conference trophy - to say: "He certainly looked like a young Barry Wagner in that game."

"Wow. I really appreciate that," said Geathers with a grateful giggle of being compared with the former six-time "AFL Ironman Award" winner, who played with San Jose from 2000 to 2006. "He's a legend (in this game). That's a great compliment."

Wagner was in his final season when Jason joined the SaberCats in 2006. "Wags was a great guy; hard working too," Geathers continued. "He taught me the angles of the game. Oh yes, I learned a lot from him."

Geathers, the SaberCats' Jack' linebacker, replaced All-AFL receiver James Roe, who was injured in the first playoff game against Colorado. Jason, played nearly 60 downs against Grand Rapids. A throwback to the old Ironman days of Arena Football, Geathers started on both sides of the ball.

After playing in only five games his rookie season, Geathers broke into the lineup 14 times last season. In each of those games, he proved his worth on offense (54 catches, 582 yards, 11 TDs), defense (24.5 tackles, 3.5 for loss, pass breakup and forced fumble), and on special teams. He also ran the ball twice.

In last year's playoffs, Jason was relegated to special teams play and had 1.5 tackles on the kickoff team against Colorado. Unfortunately, he did not play in the ArenaBowl XXI game against Columbus, but was just as much a part of the team available from the 24-man roster.

On Sunday he'll have one of the most important roles since he played in the Fiesta and Orange Bowls during his college tenure.

"I won't let anyone down," he said of performing to the best of his abilities for the fans and team. "I've worked hard for this. I'm detailed and prepared, and always ready.

"It's time to get another ring."

(oursportscentral.com)

Upstairs in Ashburn, the pageantry for the well-coiffed man in the suit was about to begin. Downstairs, away from the Jason Taylor Show, beneath the steps that lead to the weight room and out to the practice field, Clinton Portis slung a green terry-cloth towel over his sweaty head.

He understands the void Joe Gibbs, the franchise's most recognizable mug, has left. What if Taylor morphs into that guy, taking the spotlight away from the player who leads with his shoulder and, occasionally, his mouth?

"That don't bother me at all," Portis said, shrugging. "Jason Taylor is someone who is going to come in and help the Redskins out tremendously. I would love for him to come here and be the star power. I don't care about the star power.

"I want wins in the playoffs, that's what I care about. I want to get a ring put on my hand. I want to hold up a trophy with my teammates and say, 'We did it.' That's what I care about. If Jason Taylor can bring me that, yes, Jason Taylor is my favorite player. Let him be the face of the organization."

At 26, four years after his first Washington training camp, lessons have been consumed and digested. Gibbs's bumpin'-helmet offense, for instance, painfully showed Portis his body isn't indestructible.

Sean Taylor's death made him take personal and spiritual stock of his life. Portis also found out that the extrovert in him -- the locker room prankster whose alter egos change costumes and moods -- is okay coexisting with Portis the adult.

Especially since Sheriff Gonna Getcha now has a little deputy who needs Pampers.

"It's exciting to be a father, to have that luxury," Portis said of his infant son, born this offseason. "You never think a child will change you or you can get that much appreciation out of a child. But you look over and see a baby smiling, waking up in the middle of the night, you have to get up and change diapers and all that, it makes you appreciate being a father so much more.

"It makes you understand what your parents went through or the people who kept you went through, how many requirements it takes to maintain a child and let you know it's really not about you anymore. You have a mouth to feed now."

Portis declined to release the baby boy's name or the mother's name, citing privacy concerns. "Just put I enjoy being a father, you don't have to put nothing about the child's name out there. Then people are going to be searching for the child's name all of a sudden."

Thoughts of Taylor still tumble through his head daily, Portis said. He can't get away from the memory of his slain teammate; Portis's locker here in Ashburn still sits next to No. 21's encased cubicle. He doesn't mind, he said.

"You goin' always think about Sean," Portis said. "And now being a father, you realize what changed him. You realized what he saw, how his passion all of a sudden became lovable, it became enjoyable, it became a delight to go home and check on his child."

Portis had a list of injuries that ruined his 2006 season. Entering last year, he had somehow become viewed as a brittle superstar who could break down at anytime. In a league where explosive, young backs with big contracts have become disposable (see Shaun Alexander), Portis was a monstrous question mark. But he played all 16 games last season, rushing for nearly 1,300 yards and 11 touchdowns. Just as he predicted midway through an awful stretch of losses, he put the Redskins on his back and moved the pile forward. Surprising, no? Another 1,300-yard season, and John Riggins will be the only running back in franchise history with more yards than Portis.

He's not done; he never was.

"They write me off every year, thinkin' there's a new hope," Portis said. "Adrian Peterson got more hype than anybody in the NFL right now after a rookie year where he had 1,300 yards.

"He ran hard," he said of the Vikings' rookie last year. "He played great. But my rookie year I had 1,500 yards. My stats was way better than Adrian Peterson's. Adrian Peterson is playing behind the best line in the NFL right now. But it's what the outside world thinks. Reggie Bush had all the hype in the world. He probably still got all the hype in the world."

Portis said he has no career regrets, adding that the injuries to his shoulder and a broken hand two seasons ago were "the best things that could have possibly happened to me."

"At the time I was tired of football," he added. "The passion for football really wasn't there. The energy for football really wasn't there. So it took me being away from the game to get that appreciation and realize what it meant."

He's been talking up his new teammates and Jim Zorn's offense since training camp began, sounding like a player who was liberated from counter-trey captivity. "Over the past five years I have been playing tough-man football and probably knocked six years off my career," he said.

"I don't think people really watch football," Portis added. "Because what we did as a football team was tough. It was tough on all of us. People don't understand how it beats up on your body. They understand the yardage total. They understand how it look. I did what I was asked to do.
"They asked me run into a brick wall with 11 people standing there, I ran into a brick wall with 11 people standing there. Now I got the opportunity to change the scheme. I feel good, I look good and I'm excited about it."

The sacrifice to play in Gibbs's offense, he said, also helped him understand something about himself.

"What Coach Gibbs did for me was to make me grow up and understand everything in life ain't goin' be fine and dandy," Portis said. "There's going to be hard times, there's going to be battles and you got to fight through them. You not going to win every battle, but you going to fight every battle. What that instilled in me is the confidence to know I never gave up and I never would give up.

"I think my tougher years are behind me," he added. "I really do think that, because every week it was, 'We're going to battle, this is a war.' It's not a tactic to shoot over their heads and out. It's, 'We goin' line up, you goin' buckle your helmet, put your mouthpiece in, get your chin strap fixed and we goin' mano y mano.' I did that."

He also dismisses the notion that Gibbs and the organization catered to the wishes of a prominent skill-position athlete. "I do abide by the rules of this team," Portis said. "I never thought I was bigger than the Washington Redskins and tried to make myself a coach's pet . . . and be Mr. Snyder's friend or Vinny's friend," he said. "You know, I sit down and talk to Mr. Snyder and say something to Vinny. I respect them as men and I think they respect me as a man. It's really just living life.

"A lot of people live life on the edge, scared about tomorrow. I don't know if I'm going to be here tomorrow, so I'm going to get my enjoyment out of today."

"I go to church and pray," he said. "I'm not the best Christian. I'm not a James Thrash or Antwaan Randle El. I still do wrong. I don't go out to strip clubs and chase women and be out drinking and driving out in public.

"But at the same time, I live as a 26-year-old. I'm not married. I'm not disrespectful. I live my life as a young guy who don't know what tomorrow will bring. I would hate to offend anybody or rub anybody the wrong way. I have a girlfriend. I do. I love her dearly. But at the same, at 26 -- I mean, I'm livin'."

Portis also said he's more "accepting and knowing."

"Now most of the time I think about things: 'Is this me playing around, playing a practical joke? Or is this me hurting somebody's feelings? Should I say this?' I think about my actions. I don't want to affect the person next to me. I don't ever want the person next to me feeling like I'm putting them down or belittling them."

Taylor's passing, the years under Gibbs and fatherhood have undeniably changed Portis. But in other ways he remains the same kid whose father would drive from his native Mississippi home to take his son to Jackson State or Mississippi Valley State. Or Saints games in New Orleans, where Dalton Hilliard became his first athletic hero.

Before he went to a Pro Bowl and the NFL playoffs and rushed for 7,715 yards, he was the child of Rhonnel Hearn, the ultra-supportive mother who came to see him play as a kid, the mother who still comes to see him play.

"After every game, whether I got 30 yards or 200 yards, I'm going to get the same hug, I'm going to get the same speech, I'm going to get the same love and I'm going to have the same meal that I want her to cook when I go home," Clinton Portis said. "And it's going to be that. It's going to be no more C.P. the football player. It's going to be, 'Clinton, my son.' "

(washingtonpost.com)

ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — Clinton Portis is known for his fun-loving personality, not his love of workouts.

This season, the Washington Redskins' running back thinks first-year coach Jim Zorn's offensive system is going to give him more chances to have fun on the field. And he'll be ready to take advantage after spending the offseason working out in the Redskins' facilities.

Portis gained 1,262 yards last season and set the Redskins' top single-season rushing mark with 1,516 yards in 2005. However, under former coach Joe Gibbs, Portis was often called on to fight for yardage in a power-oriented game. Zorn is installing a more wide-open West Coast system, and the new coach thinks the passing threat will create open lanes for Portis.

"We're going to use him, and he knows it," Zorn said.

Portis' eyes light up when he thinks about Zorn's offense.

"I think over the past five years, playing tough-man football probably knocked six years off my career," Portis said. "But that was in the back end. I planned to play for 19 years, but now I'm down to 13, so I've got six left."

If that's true, he's certain to make the most of them.

In years past, Portis has addressed the media costumed as characters he created with gleefully ridiculous names like "Reverend Gonna Change," "Bro Sweets" and "Coach Janky Spanky."

In the opening days of this training camp, he said his role in the locker room is to keep things from getting too serious.
"He's a jokester," said fellow running back Ladell Betts.

Portis expects to have fun on the field as well this season. He acknowledged he missed some opportunities for big plays the past few seasons, but thinks he'll have far more chances to break out for long runs under Zorn.

"When you look across, you don't have to account for everybody," Portis said. "You know if you get through this hole, there's one person you've got to beat. You know I'm looking forward to that."

Portis may not have been looking forward to this offseason, which he largely spent working out at the Redskins' facilities in Virginia. In years past, Portis has headed home to South Florida for the offseason and has made no secret of his dislike for training camp practices and preseason games.

This year Portis focused on training, although it might not have been his first choice.

"I think he had a financial motivation to stay here in the offseason," Zorn said. "I think that worked into his contract."

The way Portis tells it, it was just easier to stay and work out than to justify leaving to Redskins management.

"They asked me to, and I was tired of fighting," Portis said. "Guys walked in and were shocked to see me here time after time, and I think we had fun with it."

For his coach, the fun comes in seeing how the workouts have translated to the field.

"It really not only worked well for him, it worked very well for us because we're going to benefit from all the things he did here in this weight room this offseason," Zorn said. "It was a forced issue for him, because I'm sure he'd have loved to have been in Miami, but he made some sacrifices. Partly it was extrinsic motivations he made sacrifices, but he did it."

Now that training camp has started, Portis appears to like the results of his stepped-up offseason. He looks at the well-respected, older players and sees players who dedicate themselves in workouts. He says he wants to be looked at as that type of player.

That's not to say he's going to stop being a jokester.

"He'll push the envelope and kind of say what guys are thinking but we won't say," Betts said. "But he means it all in good fun."

That sort of thing can rub coaches the wrong way. So far, Zorn seems to be taking Portis' personality in stride.

"He kids around a lot," Zorn said. "He tries to get a rise out of you, if you didn't notice that. But what happens is, when he gets on the field he's concentrating and he really understands the concepts that are out there."

Portis - who describes Zorn as "a fun coach" - is ready to get on the field and put Zorn's concepts into practice.

"It's hard to win if you're not having fun," Portis said. "Let's have fun and see where it takes us."

(usatoday.com)

If Devin Hester is looking for a boost in his bid for a new contract--he's next in line now that Brian Urlacher is signed, sealed and delivered--how about his status as a starting wide receiver?

Offensive coordinator Ron Turner said Tuesday that Hester and Brandon Lloyd will likely start with the first team at practice today. The duo did quite a bit of that during the offseason program and Turner said they'll probably get the nod ahead of Marty Booker and the long list of others including Mark Bradley. Hester is hoping to be paid top dollar as a receiver and this is a start.

But coach Lovie Smith wasn't ready to potentially call him a No. 1 receiver.

``At all the positions right now, I'm not going to tell you who they are,'' Smith said of his top secret depth chart. ``We're going to go out on the football field and play and once we feel like everyone needs to know, we'll let you know then. If I know it a little bit earlier am I going to tell you, no.''

(blog.suntimes.com)

It took Tavares Gooden five years to find his best position at the University of Miami. It took him only 22 practices this summer to convince the Ravens he has a place in their future.

"If he's willing to work, study and really digest this defense ... I think this is a guy who at some point will be a difference-maker on our defense," said Eric DeCosta, the team's director of college scouting.

Gooden, 23, was a late bloomer at Miami, but he could turn out to be a third-round steal in the 2008 draft. It's not just his explosive burst, his ability to change direction or his aptitude in pass coverage that excites the Ravens.

It's also his passion, intelligence and pedigree that hint of something special.

How special?

At age 10, he found inspiration after the death of his mother, Sheila Gooden, to a heart ailment. He made a promise to her and then transformed himself from reluctant youth league football player to high school star in Miami.

Last season, after four years of trying to play outside linebacker for the Hurricanes, he was finally allowed to play middle linebacker. He led the team in tackles and was named the most valuable player on defense.

This summer, he impressed Ravens coaches with his dedication and ability to learn defenses as a rookie.

"He's very conscientious about knowing where he's supposed to be," linebackers coach Greg Mattison said. "He very seldom makes mental mistakes. He's got a lot of pride. He does not like to have a coach say, 'That's not how we want it.' If you do, he's going to come back the next day to make sure he's got it right."

Gooden might have left the Hurricanes, but he has a lot of "the U" in and around him. Former Hurricanes Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and Willis McGahee preceded him into the NFL -- and to Baltimore.

Having already drawn on their experience and expertise, Gooden will draw more. He was scheduled to be Lewis' roommate once veterans checked into the team's Westminster training camp on Wednesday. At Miami, wearing Lewis' No. 52, Gooden was called "Baby Ray."

"I talked to everyone [here] from Miami," Gooden said. "It's a brotherhood."

Before the 2007 season, Gooden's NFL prospects were less than promising. In 14 starts at both outside linebacker positions, he had underachieved. A torn labrum in his shoulder canceled his 2005 season. He made just 41 tackles in 2006.

As a freshman in 2003, he also was part of Miami's infamous "7th floor crew," a group of nine players who recorded a rap song that was, among other things, demeaning to women. The group was castigated for a song, Gooden said, that was never intended to be aired publicly.

"You can't take that back," Gooden said today, looking his interviewer in the eye. "When you're young, you learn from your mistakes. ... I was 17, going on 18, just rapping. I didn't know that thing would blow up and be a big deal. We're perceived differently as athletes, so we have to be role models."

DeCosta said Gooden grew from the experience.

"We spent a lot of time with him in the spring," DeCosta said. "We worked him out, interviewed him at the combine. We think he's a good kid who made a mistake."

Mike Pettine, outside linebackers coach, visited Gooden in Florida before the draft.

"Mike was really impressed with him as a person, his character, as well as his athleticism," Mattison said.

The Ravens' medical team cleared Gooden, 6 feet 1, 235 pounds, as well -- he has had a history of shoulder problems and missed the Senior Bowl with a hip injury -- and DeCosta targeted him as a third-round pick.

The team's first-day maneuvering gave them the eighth pick of the third round, and they took Gooden.

"We had been trying for a couple years to draft some younger inside linebackers," DeCosta said. "Tavares was a player, quite frankly, who was undervalued by a lot of people in the scouting community."

The Ravens have Gooden behind veteran Bart Scott at inside linebacker. Though they expect him to contribute mostly on special teams this season, he could play in the dime (six defensive backs) package. And if either Lewis or Scott leave after 2008 -- both are in contract years -- Gooden would be well-positioned to take over.

"In some ways, he reminds me of Bart," DeCosta said. "He's got that same kind of explosion and burst. He's got all the upside in the world physically. ... We think his ceiling is very high."

(baltimoresun.com)

Redskins coach Jim Zorn said Clinton Portis is not likely to see any action in the team's preseason opener August 3 against Indianapolis.
Portis didn't play in any preseason games last season because of a knee injury and separated shoulder, but he's healthy this summer. Veteran running backs often see little playing time in preseason action, so this is nothing to worry about.

(rotoworld.com)

ALBANY, N.Y. - Back in minicamp, rookie S Kenny Phillips made an awesome diving play to either break up a pass or intercept it. The final ruling on that play is still somewhat in doubt.

Whatever the result, that play still has the Giants' defensive coaches gushing.

"I haven't seen a play like that and I've been around the NFL. Not for a long time but over 13, 14 years," safeties coach Dave Merritt said this afternoon as training camp opened. "For this kid to be playing half-field (coverage) on the right, get his feet turned, run and track the ball in the air, jump over everybody's head like Superman ... and whether he caught it or not, I don't know, but I started running after him, giving him a high five. Unbelievable play."

So unbelievable that defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo mentioned it again today - unprovoked - when asked if he was looking forward to the competition at the safety position in general.

"Yeah, especially after we say Kenny make that play in the spring," Spagnuolo said. "That was a tremendous play. ... In that setting, where we have no pads on ... again, real football is coming up here shortly, especially on the defensive side of the ball ... but it was impressive."

Was that one play enough for the coaches to suddenly formulate a different opinion of Phillips?

"It's enough for you to say, 'That's why we drafted him. That's what we looking for,'" Merritt said of the 31st overall pick and former Miami Hurricane. "Because on the Miami film, it was hard to find plays like that on Kenny because he was down (in the box) a lot. But you knew he had the range because you look at his 40 time, you look at his shuttle time and all that, so you know the kid has the ability to go play the deep middle. For the kid to play a half and go get it ... I mean, you look at some plays when he was playing the middle post and he was getting from the middle to the sideline. It was very nice to see that."

When asked, based on that play and others, if the 6-2, 208-pound Phillips has long-striding speed or quick-patter speed, Merritt said, "He has both. And the thing is, his size, he has the height, has the long-arm wingspan, so this kid has a bunch of potential."

Yeah, but come on, let's answer the real question: Did he catch that ball in June? Or did it hit the ground.

"You know what," Merritt said with a laugh when told Spagnuolo ruled it an interception, "he caught it."

(nj.com)

When the Seahawks take to the practice field Friday morning, Pro Bowl linebacker Julian Peterson will be wearing No. 98 – the same number he wore for the first six seasons of his NFL career while playing with the San Francisco 49ers.

Peterson has worn No. 59 the past two seasons with the Seahawks because former defensive end Grant Wistrom had the preferred 98 when Peterson was signed as a free agent in 2006. Wistrom is gone, so No. 98 is back where Peterson feels it belongs.

And what of Baraka Atkins, the defensive end who wore No. 98 last year during his rookie season? He's now No. 59. No word yet on whether Peterson provided any, well, incentive for the digital do-over.

(seattlepi.com)

Kemoeatu (6-foot-5, 345 pounds) and Damione Lewis (6-foot-2, 301 pounds) are the old faces inside absorbing a tweaked defensive scheme that allows them to attack opposing quarterbacks in a more freewheeling manner than recent years.

"I kind of look forward to the challenge, to the freedom and powers they've given us up front to be a little bit more creative," Lewis said. "I like it. I'm getting into what we're doing and the defensive calls and stuff like that, trying to see how I fit in with it, move with it and just feel it out, because it's completely different."

Kemoeatu started 13 of the Panthers' 16 games at left defensive tackle last year, while Lewis managed to lead the defensive line with 3.5 sacks in spite of starting just two games in 2007.

The adjustments up front could help Lewis -- who signed a three-year contract extension this offseason -- cement his role.

"We're doing more attacking up front. More blitzes," he said. "A lot of them are going to seem the same to our opponent, but I think it will give us an advantage, because they won't be able to read what we're doing by how we're lining up. That's basically it. It's really not too much more complicated than what we were doing last year."

(Panthers.com)

6. RT Vernon Carey - Carey can play both left and right tackle at a pretty high level, and that versatility should help management sleep a little better at night. Behind him are undrafted players who can only be viewed as developmental projects. Whenever I think of his value I remember the silence that hit Dolphins stadium last exhibition season when Carey took a hit to his knee and had to be helped off the field. Luckily, that time it was only a bruise and he played the entire season without suffering any significant injuries. He's been relatively healthy throughout his entire playing career, college and pros. Is it genetics, or luck?

To see the rest click here.

(sun-sentinel.com)

With Cleveland Browns training camp opening today, there’s already a strong sense of anticipation for the upcoming season and the success many hope will come with it.

Last weekend at North Olmsted High School, nearly 120 youngsters got a taste of what it takes to get ready for the season as the Browns’ All-Pro tight end Kellen Winslow ran his first Kellen Winslow Football Camp. Boys from throughout the Cleveland area got to run drills and play actual games with Winslow and other pro players, including Browns backup quarterback Ken Dorsey and former Browns defensive back Leigh Bodden.

A number of local high school and college coaches ran various skill stations which specialized in the game’s basic fundamentals. The seven-on-seven games were a favorite part of the day, not only for the players but for the parents watching on the sidelines as well.

With Winslow being a receiver, a big emphasis of the camp was the passing game. Each youngster not only received two T-shirts, but a pair of receiver gloves as well.

The camp was run by ProCamps out of Cincinnati, which runs similar camps featuring professional players throughout the United States.
“We’ve been running these camps for about eight years now,” said Tim Boesken of ProCamps. “This year, we’ve got 22 camps like this, and it’s split around 50-50 between football and basketball. Dwayne Wade of the Miami Heat just finished a camp in Florida last week.

“We’ve also done a camp down in Cincinnati as a fund-raiser for the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame, but mostly its football and basketball. We’re basically a one-stop shop for pro athletes who want to run camps like this. One thing we won’t do, though, is run a camp for an athlete who won’t be there to participate. This is our first camp in the Cleveland area,” he said.

Winslow’s camp also partnered with the Boys & Girls Club of Cleveland. “We offer up to 50 scholarships at our camps,” said Boesken. “We always want to make sure that kids who want to participate can do so, and they get all of the things the other children get, the T-shirts, the gloves, lunch, the whole thing.

“We’re able to do that through our sponsorships, and there are times that we get additional sponsors and can offer more than 50 spots,” he added.

Later in the morning, there was also a training session on one of the side fields for high school players. Most of the players were from Lakewood, John Marshall and Rhodes. Instructors from Ignition Athletics Performance Group of Cincinnati ran players through a number of conditioning drills, showing various dynamic stretches and putting them through a plyometrics workout.

“We think it’s important to help develop the youth of our community, to develop their potential,” said Sgt. Joshua Nitz of the Lakewood recruiting office of the U.S. Army. The Army sponsored the conditioning event, along with the National Football League.

“Whether they wind up joining the Army or not isn’t the big thing here,” said Sgt. Nitz, who along with fellow soldiers were dressed in full fatigues despite the hot, humid conditions. “We know that the same principals used to be successful on the football field are the same ones you need to be successful in life.

“This is one of our favorite things to do. Our slogan is now ‘Army Strong. Family Strong. Community Strong,’ and we enjoy getting out of the office and away from the paper work and doing things like this to make our community better,” he added.

But the big star of the day was Winslow, who was there from beginning to end. He and Dorsey, who led the University of Miami to the National Championship game against Ohio State, showed campers how to run a variety of pass routes, along with little tips on how to get their feet in bounds on the sidelines and how to catch the ball with their fingertips.

“I use these gloves because I like to catch the ball on my fingertips,” he explained to the campers. “I practice over and over, and that’s one of the reasons I have soft hands. You don’t ever want to see the palm of your hand on the football.

“You want to have soft hands, but you have to have strong hands as well. I think that’s the most important thing to work on,” he added.

Dorsey threw a number of passes to the young players during the drills, but so did Winslow. When the seven-on-seven games got underway, Winslow quarterbacked both teams on his field. Youngsters had the thrill of catching a Winslow pass, some of them for touchdowns.

Some of them went for interceptions as well, but a smiling Winslow didn’t seem to mind.

He even brushed off a botched play as he slipped to the turf when he rolled out of the pocket. Everyone simply went on to the next play with the anticipation of catching Winslow’s next aerial.

At the end of the day, Winslow talked to the players about working together as a team, that football is a team game.

“It’s all about being unselfish,” Winslow told them. “There are going to be times when your number isn’t called. We’ve got guys like Braylon Edwards and Joe Jurevicius. Maybe I have to run a route to clear out a defensive back so Braylon can make the play. I’m a tight end, so maybe I have to make a block for Jamal Lewis.

“It’s all about helping the team win,” said Winslow. “You’re going to get the ball, but you’re not going to get it all the time because it’s a team game.”

(westlifenews.com)

The Giants could not make it work with Jeremy Shockey, but they will have all seven of their draft picks signed and ready to report to Albany tomorrow for the start of training camp.

The club yesterday agreed with first-round pick Kenny Phillips to a five-year deal that could be worth more than $11 million, assuring the rookie will be in camp and ready to compete for the starting free safety spot vacated when Gibril Wilson signed with the Raiders.

(sportsnet.ca)

Derrick Goold, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports St. Louis Cardinals OF Brian Barton (wrist) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Memphis Wednesday, July 23.




(kffl.com)

On the one hand, Chris Perez spent the last two months enjoying every minute of his time with the St. Louis Cardinals in what was his first taste of the major leagues.

But the Cardinals' No. 2 rated prospect by Baseball America was wise enough to soak up all the knowledge he could while he was there. And with that knowledge, Perez, who was sent back to the Redbirds last week, plans to put it all to good use so that the next time he makes the trip up I-55 to St. Louis, it's for a more permanent stay.

''It was great,'' Perez said. ''I was up there for two months, which is a good amount of time. I learned a lot. It was fun. It's the big leagues. It's your dream and I got to do it. Hopefully, I'll get back up there soon and hopefully stay for a longer time.''

Perez is considered to be the Cardinals' closer of the future. Unfortunately, the big league club desperately needs someone to fill that role ASAP.

Perez pitched in 23 games during his stint with St. Louis, going 2-1 while posting a 4.18 ERA in 23.2 innings. He failed to pick up a save in his two save opportunities. Perez did strike out 22 batters while walking 13.

''The hitters are really good up there,'' he said. ''The only way you can find out is by going up there and actually pitching and facing them and finding out what works and what doesn't. What works in Triple-A sometimes doesn't work up there. It's just a game of adjustments. They sent me back down to work on some stuff so I can be more successful up there. Hopefully I'll get back up there and have some more learning opportunities.''

The biggest thing the Cardinals want Perez to work on is developing a consistent second pitch. That means getting better control of his slider, as well as his curveball, to go along with his blistering fastball. He came into the season with Baseball America rating him as having the best fastball and the best slider in the Cardinals' minor league system.

''I got in kind of a funk. I was dropping down and trying to make it do too much,'' Perez said. ''It's tough to work on it up there in the big leagues because the hitters are so good. If you make a mistake, they hit it. So they just wanted me to come down here and work it out in the minor leagues where there's some pressure, but not like it is in the big leagues.''

To help alleviate some of that pressure, Redbirds manager Chris Maloney said Perez will be used primarily in the seventh and eighth innings, as opposed to closing. Before being called up to St. Louis, Perez was the Redbirds closer, posting eight saves in 10 chances.
With Kelvin Jimenez's recent call-up, the closing role will now be split between Jason Motte and Mark Worrell, Maloney said.

While in St. Louis, Perez also had to get used to not closing, something he's been doing since his days at the University of Miami where he became a first-round supplemental pick by the Cardinals in the 2006 draft.

Perez had grown accustomed to knowing he was never going more than two consecutive days without pitching. While in St. Louis, there was no telling when he was going to appear.

''It's a little different,'' Perez said of not closing. ''The game's kind of different later in the game. Hitters are more aggressive trying to get stuff done. In the fifth or six inning, they're still a little patient and trying to wait for their pitch. I had some success in that role, and I also had some failure.

''The way they (the Cardinals) were using me then, I needed two pitches for strikes. Sometimes as a closer, you can just throw a slider as a chase pitch and you don't really have to control it for a strike. That's probably the biggest difference I had to contend with.''

Since rejoining the Redbirds, Perez has made two one-inning scoreless appearances, combining for two hits, four strikeouts and one walk.
''It's nice to have Chris back,'' Maloney said. ''He's definitely a very plus guy to have on your staff.''

Perez is grateful for the taste of major league baseball that he received. If nothing else, it let him know that he can get big league hitters out.
And because of that, Perez plans to work even harder to realize his dream of becoming a big league closer.

''That's my ultimate goal, to be a closer in the big leagues,'' he said. ''It might not be this year. It might not be next year. It might be two years, three years, whatever, but that's my ultimate goal and I'm going to keep working to try to get there.''

(commercialappeal.com)

ProFootballTalk.com reports that the Giants have agreed to terms with first-round pick Kenny Phillips.
Phillips, the last pick of the first round, will enter camp with every opportunity to claim the starting free safety job in New York. He should end up winning the job, but his IDP upside will be limited during his rookie season.

(rotoworld.com)

More seriously, TB Clinton Portis turned an ankle during practice. The injury is not considered to be too damaging, but don’t be surprised if he sits out the afternoon practice at the very least.



(hailredskins.com)

Q. Who was a key mentor or motivator in your life?
High school head coach James Cameron, who passed away in the spring of my junior year in high school (in Sulphur Springs, Texas).

Q. What's your favorite hobby away from football?
Fishing and hunting. I love to do both because I love the outdoors, and it gives me time to think and clear my mind.

Q. What are you afraid of?
Nothing.

Q. What television show won't you miss or always record?
“American Idol.”

Q. What's your guilty pleasure?
Food.

Q. What's your favorite vacation spot?
Any tropical setting. I love the ocean.

Q. What other position would you love to play?
Tight end.

Q. What's your ideal post-football career?
Sports analyst, because I love talking about sports.

Q. Who was your sports hero growing up?
William Perry and Walter Payton. They were awesome.

Q. What did you buy with your first NFL paycheck?
A house for my parents.

(charlotte.com)

Cardinals agreed to terms with rookie DE Calais Campbell, the No. 50 overall pick, on a four-year contract.
Campbell was a pressure player at the University of Miami, but will take on more containment responsibilities in Arizona's 3-4. He's behind Darnell Dockett, so first-year playing time may be hard for Campbell to come by.

(rotoworld.com)

Ravens signed rookie LB Tavares Gooden, the No. 71 overall pick, to a three-year, $1.76 million contract.
Gooden wasn't a huge playmaker at Miami, but had 100 tackles as a senior middle linebacker and can also play outside. His initial impact will come on special teams. Gooden may replace Ray Lewis or Bart Scott in 2009.

(rotoworld.com)

The best thing about Jeremy Shockey is that he plays with emotion. The worst thing about him is that he can be too emotional. And that's why he is now Drew Brees' headache and no longer Eli Manning's.

Shockey was never able to get over the Giants winning the Super Bowl without him. It also bugged him that New York's management demanded that he sit in the team's luxury box rather than allowing him to stand on the field with his teammates in Phoenix last February. Call it a Super Bowl funk, and that was the state of Shockey's mind this offseason. And that's why he was traded to the Saints, the one team that always wanted him and finally met New York's demands.

On the field, statistically, Shockey's best season was his rookie year, six seasons ago, when he caught 74 passes for 894 yards. Since then — at least in my mind — he dropped as many big catches as he made. He had one 100-yard receiving game last season, in a 31-20 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. He had just three touchdowns catches; in comparison, Chris Cooley had eight for the Washington Redskins.

The two best tight ends in football right now are Jason Witten of the Cowboys and Kellen Winslow of the Browns, with All-Pro Antonio Gates of San Diego right behind them. Eli's brother, Peyton, would tell you that Dallas Clark, who had 11 touchdown catches last season, is more reliable than Shockey and runs infinitely better routes.

Shockey's typical game-day histrionics had become an emotional drain on both the Giants' offense and Manning, especially when the passing game wasn't working. When he was upset, Shockey would slam the ball to the ground and point back to the huddle about where Eli should have thrown the ball. Some interpret those Shockey actions as one of a super competitor; others can say he was being selfish and taking away from his teammates. How many times did it take a teammate or a coach to calm Shockey down when he became upset on the field?

No one can debate Shockey's enthusiasm and overall effort. He generally refused to work out with his teammates in the off-season, but he generally was in very good shape at the start of training camp doing it his way.

Off the field, Shockey was known for a predilection for a good time. But on the field, most of his teammates knew that he always had their back. If he played baseball, Shockey would be the first on the field to defend a teammate in a fight; he's that kind of man.

Despite his outbursts, the Giants would have better off with both Shockey and second-year player Kevin Boss this season. Yes, Boss had that big 45-yard catch against the Patriots and he looks like he can be a special player.

And, unlike Shockey, the big kid from Western Oregon really likes blocking, a prerequisite in the New York running game. But when you're attempting to defend a championship, it's better to have as much talent as possible. Two is always better than one.

And what happens if Boss doesn't develop into the player the Giants expect him to be? What if Boss gets hurt?

Behind Boss, the Giants have two young players who haven't played. Michael Matthews is 6-4 and 270 and can block while Darcy Johnson reportedly can catch. You would think, depending on how the preseason goes, the Giants could be checking the waiver wires if neither Matthews nor Johnson develops.

On the flip side, Saints coach Sean Payton believes that Shockey will be the perfect down the seam target for Brees and his offense. Payton needs Shockey to take some pressure off Reggie Bush and young receiver Marques Colston while converting his catches into first downs.

You can also bet that Payton will have some alignments where both Shockey and last year's receiving tight end, Eric Johnson, are on the field at the same time. Mark Campbell and Billy Miller are the tight ends who do the blocking in Payton's schemes and Campbell missed last season following back surgery.

The bottom line is that this trade was good for Shockey. He definitely needed a change of scenery.

Especially since it didn't appear a change of heart was forthcoming.

(foxsport.com)

The Chicago Tribune reports the Bears have one last business matter with a veteran player, KR/WR Devin Hester. The most electrifying return man in the NFL agreed to a new deal last week—with Under Armour, that is. While his endorsements continue to stack up, Hester wants his money from the Bears to do the same. He is signed through 2009 and it is unclear how much the Bears are willing to offer him, with no other contract to measure his worth against. Hester wants to get paid receiver money, but the Bears are more inclined to make him the highest-paid special-team player. Hester's agent, Eugene Parker, could not be reached for comment Monday night. In terms of his client's desire for a new deal, Parker believes Hester's explosive play has spoken loudly.

(ffmastermind.com)

The Times-Picayune reports TE Jeremy Shockey is happy to be a Saint. "I am excited to join the Saints, as they have expressed interest in me," Shockey said in a statement released by the team. Shockey will meet with the media for the first time Thursday after the Saints' first practice at Millsaps College in Jackson, Miss. "I have had a relationship with Coach (Sean) Payton, and I appreciate what he has done as a head coach," said Shockey, who enjoyed his most prolific offensive season as a rookie in 2002, when Payton was the Giants' offensive coordinator. "The Saints have a lot of weapons, starting with QB Drew Brees, and I look forward to joining my teammates at training camp. This will be a fun year." Shockey will arrive today in Jackson and must pass a physical exam before the deal can become official. He is recovering from leg and ankle injuries that ended his season in December, but Payton said the Saints anticipate a full recovery before the start of the regular season.

(ffmastermind.com)

The Washington Times reports Redskins WR Santan Moss looked like the home run threat of old during Monday's practice when HC Jim Zorn unveiled some new pass patterns.



(ffmastermind.com)

New York Newsday reports new Saints TE Jeremy Shockey will be looking for revenge when he takes the field against his old team, the Giants. "If the team trades me, I promise you I'm going to make them pay," Shockey said. The Giants and Saints are not scheduled to meet this season, but could both be playoff contenders and possibly meet in the postseason. The teams are scheduled to play in New Orleans in 2009.

(ffmastermind.com)

The Carroll County Times reports Baltimore Ravens new HC John Harbaugh said that ILB Ray Lewis, 33, may be substituted for on third downs more often than in the past, he doesn't seem to have to lost much speed and posted his second-highest total with 10 pass deflections last year. "I know eventually he's going to have to slow down, I just don't see it happening in the near future," DC Rex Ryan said. "That age is just a number right now. He's an unusual guy." Regarded as a future lock for the Hall of Fame, Lewis said he is in top shape due to grueling workouts and a strict diet and weighs 255 pounds with nearly six-percent body fat.

(ffmastermind.com)

The New York Post reports the Giants are expected to sign first-round draft pick FS Kenny Phillips prior to Thursday's reporting day for training camp in Albany.




(ffmastermind.com)

Derrick Morse - One of the three rookie Free Agents getting a look, Morse comes to the Browns from Miami where he spent a lot of time as a starting Guard including holding down a starting spot his final two years in school.  Morse has the size for an NFL Guard at 6′4″ 320.  He was actually signed after the Browns released LeCharles Bentley.

(diehardcleveland.com)

Michael Hiestand of USA Today recently reported that Hall of Fame receiver Michael Irvin, who was dropped by ESPN in early 2007, will join NFL Network.

The assignment is temporary, but is likely the television equivalent of dipping a big toe into a small pool.

Irvin will work the league-owned network’s coverage of the 2008 Hall of Fame induction ceremony. 
 
”There’s no better example of true passion for the game . . . than the emotional induction speech given by Michael last year,” NFLN executive producer Eric Weinberger told Hiestand. 

We agree.  And, as we’ve previously observed, the various networks could use more genuine passion for the game in their presentation of it to an impressionable public. 

In Irvin’s case, the challenge will be to keep him from going over the top.  A good start?  Never allow Irvin and Deion Sanders to be in the same city (OK, same state) at the same time.

(profootballtalk.com)

The Times-Picayune reports the Saints will release TE Buck Ortega to make room for TE Jeremy Shockey on the roster.

(ffmastermind.com)

Lance Leggett - Lance comes to camp as a  big WR (6′3&Prime undrafted rookie out of Miami who has quite an uphill battle at the position.  He has the athletic ability and the skill to be a playmaker but it never really quite translated for him in college, nor is it really expected of him in the pros depending on who you ask.  He’s definitely worth a look though since Miami’s QB play hasn’t been strong the last few years and that may be part of his lack of production coming out.  The only thing with Leggett is that the Browns drafted a similar player in Paul Hubbard.

(diehardcleveland.com)

MIAMI - Pat Burrell was not happy with manager Charlie Manuel's decision to remove him late in yesterday's 11-inning loss to the Florida Marlins.

"I'm upset, absolutely," Burrell said. "I'm upset, and I have been for a long time. It's not personal. I don't want to ever come out of close games."

Manuel routinely replaces his leftfielder with a speedier defender when the Phillies have leads late in games.

Yesterday, Burrell was replaced by Eric Bruntlett in the bottom of the eighth with the Phils ahead, 2-1. Cole Hamels gave up a game-tying home run in the inning.

Burrell had been 5 for 12 with two doubles and two home runs in the series. His would-be spot in the lineup came up in the top of the 11th, and Bruntlett hit a soft leadoff pop-up to second, dropping him to .231 on the season.

Burrell said there was no guarantee he would have gotten a hit if he had stayed in. For the season, he is hitting .280 with 25 homers, third-most in the National League.

Manuel defended his removal of Burrell.

"Yes, I thought about leaving him in," he said. "If it was the seventh, I would have left him in. It was the eighth inning, and we were six outs away [from a win]. I took him out because Bruntlett covers more ground - that's why. Six outs to go with a one-run lead, that's the decision I made."

Burrell did not raise his voice or show much emotion as he voiced his displeasure with Manuel's strategy.

"In that situation, we're trying to put more speed out there, so I can't question what the manager is trying to do. He's got confidence in all his guys," Burrell said. "But I can't lie and say I'm not frustrated by it, especially when it's close like that in a low-scoring game. He knows that. We've discussed it.

"Do I wish it was different? Absolutely. I don't know any other way to say that. A lot of games I've come out, it's never an issue, but when it does come back to bite us, it becomes more of a focus."

Burrell realizes he is not a fleet runner, and there are times when he has no qualms about coming out of a game.

"If it's a tie game and I get on base and you run for me, I think that's a good time," he said.

As Burrell headed out of the clubhouse, he smiled and offered up a possible solution to his early-exit frustration.

"Maybe I've got to improve my 60 times," he said.

(phillyburbs.com)

Ryan Braun homered and drove in five runs as the Brewers beat the Giants 7-4 on Sunday.
Braun hit a three-run homer off starter Tim Lincecum in the seventh, then added a two-run double in the ninth. Braun also stole a base in the contest, and is up to .292 with 24 homers, 71 RBI, and nine steals.

(rotoworld.com)

ASHBURN, Va. — There are tangible reminders of Sean Taylor at Redskins Park.

The wooden plaque near new head coach Jim Zorn's office, for example. Or the Pro Bowl safety's locker room stall, still arranged precisely as it was the day he died.

And then there are the reminders no one can touch or see, the vivid memories of Taylor that allowed him to make his way into his former teammates' thoughts Sunday, when the Washington Redskins opened their first training camp without him.

"You know how it is when you lose somebody - it's just personal experiences," said safety Reed Doughty, who moved into Taylor's spot in the starting lineup last season. "It might be a drill that we're doing that Sean used to do so perfectly and I can't quite get right. Or . . . he might get that extra rep in when everybody's tired."

Taylor, 24, died of massive blood loss after he was shot at his Miami-area home during a botched robbery in November. The Redskins lost the first game they played after Taylor's death, then immediately went on a four-game winning streak to reach the playoffs - and his was a constant presence along the way.

It still is.

"You can't put it behind you," said cornerback Fred Smoot, who left Sunday's second practice with a sprained ankle.

"We put it in front of us, actually. I mean, here's how we look at it: If you want a role model out there, a player that was relentless, never stopped, a true athlete, the best I ever played with at that position - he's a good guy to set that example for us. So we're going to try to live up to Sean Taylor. That's what we tried to do at the end of the year, and that's what we're going to try to do this whole year."

Taylor's uniform number, 21, was on patches stitched onto the Redskins' jerseys and on stickers affixed to their helmets last season. Zorn said the NFL won't allow Washington to continue those tributes, but the team is working on other ways of honouring Taylor.

And there already is the two-foot-long wooden carving that hangs on the wall across from Zorn's office door, with "21" carved at each end to flank the word "Redskins."

Zorn, who replaced the retired Joe Gibbs, didn't coach Taylor, but he understands the lasting legacy.

"I would never say, 'Let's move on from this,"' Zorn said. "It's really a devastating occurrence. Lives never are the same when a death happens or a tragedy like that happens. Sean has been a tremendous force here in D.C. and with the Redskins. We'll just remember him continually as we go on."

His locker at the team's training facility is intact, its contents undisturbed.

"It's hard to come here," said agent Drew Rosenhaus, who represented Taylor and works with more than a half-dozen current Redskins, "and not think about Sean."

The locker Taylor used at the Redskins' home stadium in Landover, Md., is sealed with Plexiglas, containing his No. 21 jersey stretched over shoulder pads along with a burgundy helmet, black shoes and white socks.

Cornerback Shawn Springs dresses at an adjoining locker in the stadium, so he grew accustomed by the end of last season to seeing that memorial. He wasn't as prepared for what he saw Saturday, when players reported for training camp and were shown a league-prepared film offering advice about personal safety.

At one point, the screen was filled with the words, "In Memory of Sean Taylor."

"That kind of hit home a little bit," Springs said. "But for the most part, it's a new season. That's behind us. Sean's still going to be with us in our hearts, but you've got to let it go."

Clearly, not all of the Redskins - or their fans - share that sentiment.

When players left the field after the morning practice, one fan handed a framed drawing of Taylor to Clinton Portis, who was also a teammate of Taylor's at the University of Miami.

Taylor jerseys dotted the announced crowd of more than 6,000 people who stood in 32-degree Celsius heat to watch practice - a white shirt with No. 21, not far from a burgundy one, not far from a blue Pro Bowl edition.

"You always feel you're a piece of the puzzle away. If you could go back and fit Sean into this scheme, that's a piece of the puzzle," Portis said a few hours later, after Sunday's afternoon session. "To me, it would feel like, 'We're there. We're the Super Bowl champs. Crown us.' But not having that, as a team, we've just got to come together and guys have got to work. You're never going to replace him."

A few moments later, Portis headed to the locker room to change out of his sweat-soaked uniform. When he emerged, Portis was wearing a green-orange-and-white Miami windbreaker, with Taylor's 21 on the chest.

"Sean - he's always here with us," Portis said. "He's always in the back of our mind."

(ap.com)

6. Willis McGahee, Baltimore Ravens. On an offense that can only run the ball, McGahee was the runner. He is a versatile rusher who can attack the edges as well as take on defenders between the tackles.

7. Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers. Gore has carried his team in recent seasons and established himself as one of the league's premier backs with little help. With Mike Martz in the fold as the Niners' offensive coordinator, look for Gore to become a force once again as a dual threat runner and receiver.

12. Clinton Portis, Washington Redskins. Another back who is a tremendous fit for the zone-blocking scheme. Portis is a power runner with the vision and cutback ability to find daylight and get to and through linebackers.

14. Edgerrin James, Arizona Cardinals. Although James is on the downside of his career, he is still a productive runner who will benefit from the run-first mentality in Arizona.

Click here to see the rest of the rankings.

3. Kellen Winslow, Cleveland Browns. With 171 receptions over the past two seasons, Winslow has finally become the star everyone projected him to be. His rare combination of size, speed, and athleticism makes him a matchup nightmare, and his ability to align just about anywhere on the field opens up several options for the Browns' offense.

5. Jeremy Shockey, New York Giants. Shockey's greatest weaknesses are his head and his mouth. If he would just stop complaining long enough, he would be recognized for the outstanding receiving threat he is. He is also a better blocker than most think -- he just doesn't like to block.

Click here to see the rest of the rankings.

6. Bryant McKinnie, Minnesota Vikings. McKinnie's off-the-field troubles may keep him off the field in '08. If he plays, he is an outstanding run blocker and a big, powerful athlete. The Vikings run behind him and left guard Steve Hutchinson almost exclusively. As a pass protector, McKinnie needs little help.

Click here to see the rest of the rankings.

Reggie Wayne was back in Indianapolis Saturday evening, and it wasn't to offer an in-depth assessment of the Indianapolis Colts.

That much was made clear as the two-time Pro Bowl receiver stood in a Conseco Fieldhouse corridor prior to the Amp Harris/Reggie Wayne Celebrity Basketball game that benefited Indiana Black Expo.

"C'mon now,'' he said, "don't be asking me about Peyton or Marv.''

Consider it a preemptive dismissal.

Rather than discuss quarterback Peyton Manning, who is expected to miss the first few weeks of training camp after having an infected bursa sac in his left knee removed last Monday, or wide receiver Marvin Harrison, who is coming back from an injury to his left knee and arthroscopic surgery to his right knee, Wayne was focused on the task at hand.

That was hoops.

"When I was a little younger, I could jump a lot higher, but I'm still pretty good,'' said Wayne, 29, who was joined in the event by Colts teammates Bob Sanders, a two-time Pro Bowl safety and the NFL's reigning Defensive Player of the Year, and wide receiver Courtney Roby.

Wayne spent his offseason shuffling between Miami and New Orleans, but returned to Indy for the game. He'll stick around until Thursday when he heads to Terre Haute for the start of training camp.

"Vacation's over,'' said Wayne, who had a career-best 104 receptions and led the NFL with 1,510 yards last season. "Ain't nobody looking forward to camp because that means you're working for six months.

"But it all starts Thursday. You may not enjoy it all the time, but if you want to win, you've got to do it.''

Although he steadfastly refused to elaborate on Manning's recent surgery and how it might impact the development of the offense, Wayne conceded it's going to be strange for Manning not to be running the No. 1 offense when practice opens Friday morning. That responsibility will rest with backup Jim Sorgi until Manning is cleared to practice.

"He'll be out there,'' Wayne said of Manning. "He just won't be out there participating.

"Who knows? It might pick us up a little bit. This is a first for everybody. We don't know what to expect.''

(indystar.com)

Q. Who was a key mentor or motivator in your life?
My mother for strength and motivation. Jerry Rice for his desire to be the best and his work ethic.

Q. What's your favorite hobby away from football?
Just relaxing to a suspense or drama on Blu-ray.

Q. What are you afraid of?
Failure.

Q. What television show won't you miss or always record?
“America's Best Dance Crew.”

Q. What's your guilty pleasure?
Procrastination.

Q. What's your favorite vacation spot?
Las Vegas.

Q. What other position would you love to play?
Safety or running back.

Q. What's your ideal post-football career?
Mentor or motivational speaker.

Q. Who was your sports hero growing up?
Jerry Rice, considered the greatest.

Q. What did you buy with your first NFL paycheck?
A KitKat bar.

(charlotte.com)

Most overdone debate: Will Hester's playing wide receiver hurt his kickoff returns?

The only concern is injury, but a team as deficient in playmakers as the Bears cannot afford to let that prevent them from using Hester in the passing game. If he plays half the offensive snaps, a realistic goal this year, then he still should have enough energy to return kickoffs and punts. He's a football player, tough-minded and willing to exert himself, and to remove Hester from a job returning kicks and punts that he does historically well would be a mistake. Finding a way to get Hester to multitask is the coaching staff's obligation.

The Chicago Tribune reports there hasn't been much of a buzz about the Bears contract talks with WR/KR/PR Devin Hester.

(chicagosports.com)

There were times in the Browns' off-season when it appeared Kellen Winslow might be a negative issue in 2008.

He started talking about wanting a new contract at the Super Bowl. He had another knee surgery -- his fourth, at least -- after the Pro Bowl.

In April, the Browns traded a future draft choice to pick a tight end, Winslow's possible successor. Then Winslow missed all of the team's voluntary off-season practices in May and June.

But on Saturday, Winslow sounded very much like the football "warrior" beloved by his teammates.

"We have a lot to prove. I can't wait. I wish the [first] game was tomorrow," he said.

Winslow is so eager to get back to work, he jump-started his season by hosting a youth football camp this weekend at North Olmsted High School. Quarterback Ken Dorsey joined him.

In an interview at the camp, Winslow left no doubt about his dedication to his team and his career.

• On the health of his right knee, severely injured in his 2005 motorcycle accident:
"It's been a long [time] since the accident. I still have to rehab. It's tough, but nothing's going to stop me from my dream. I'm ready.

"I think I've put in the time, the hard work, this season. My first year back, I couldn't run as much as I'd like. But last year I was in pretty good shape coming back to training camp and I think I'm in good shape now.

"I've had [so many] operations, I don't even remember what I had. The point is, I'm ready. Nothing's going to stop me from being ready for the season and stopping my dream."

• On pacing himself during training camp:
"I'll take it day by day. Training camp is a grind. You have to be smart, take care of your body. I have to get better and get ready for the season."

• On the status of his request for a new contract, with three years remaining on his current one:
"It's not up to me. It's up to the Browns and my agent. They're talking. My job is to play football to the best of my ability. The only reason I want an extension, I want to be a Cleveland Brown for a long time.

"I want to be here with Romeo [Crennel, head coach] and [offensive coordinator Rob] Chudzinski and our quarterbacks and Braylon [Edwards], the whole team. I love this town."

• On his reaction to the Browns drafting tight end Martin Rucker:
"We're playing for now. It's all about now. Martin Rucker's a young guy I'm going to try to take under my wing, show him the ropes. He's got a lot of talent. He can help us win."

• On the difference this year in knowing Derek Anderson is the starting quarterback instead of having a "competition" in camp:
"Well, all three quarterbacks are competing. Obviously, Derek did a fine job last season. I think the big thing is that we protected him. The five offensive linemen, even the guys behind the five starters, did a great job. It helps a lot from previous years.

"Whoever's in there, we support. Nobody talks about Dorsey. Dorsey does so much for this team. He helps out Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson so much, and Chudzinski. He does a lot for the team he doesn't get a lot of credit for."

• On staying in San Diego and skipping voluntary team practices:
"Do you think I wasn't working out? You know what, when I got hurt my first year, I was there the whole year at the Cleveland Browns training facility. When I got hurt my second year in the accident, I was there the whole year. Third year, I was there the whole year. And the fourth year, I was there. So I needed a break. And my wife needed a break. We wanted to go back to our hometown and just get away from the facility because it does wear down on you a little bit. We just wanted to get away."

• On handling lofty expectations and a marquee schedule, including five prime-time network games:
"I hope we rise to the challenge. We didn't meet the challenge last year. We have a lot to prove. I can't wait to get started. I wish the [first] game was tomorrow. We have to get our minds right. The first game against the Cowboys, that's going to be the biggest game of the year, I think."

(blog.cleveland.com)

The Baltimore Sun reports Ravens new HC John Harbaugh is concerned about RB Willis McGahee's conditioning. McGahee was not an every-down running back last season, and he asked for breathers during games. Then, he skipped most of this year's offseason minicamps. It didn't go unnoticed - Harbaugh pointed out that the team needs to get McGahee in "football shape." The Ravens drafted RB Ray Rice in the second round to spell MaGahee, but he could have a bigger impact than what many expect. Some have compared Rice to the Jacksonville Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew.

(ffmastermind.com)

Just prior to the Gladiator's final game, a playoff loss to the Philadelphia Soul, Lane Adkins spoke to team owner Bernie Kosar about his first year as a CEO of a new Cleveland football team...
Q: Bernie, in your first season as a part-owner and CEO of the AFL's Cleveland Gladiators, what has surprised you the most about the arena game? And how difficult was it for you coming from a successful NFL career to interact with a different type game?

BK: As I told you when I got involved in bringing an arena team to Cleveland, this wasn't about my ego or it being a token type position thing. There is a lot of work involved running an arena league team and I have immersed myself into this feet first.

When we started here my first reaction was to get directly involved with the team itself, but I didn't, I wanted to sit back a bit and take in all the intricacies of the game. I talked with the players and coaches. Players are players and coaches are coaches, that part of the game doesn't change. Once I knew the game, I got much more involved, but not in the meddling type of way, though Mike Wilpolt (head coach) and Brian Partlow (offensive coordinator) may disagree, Kosar said laughingly.

I don't know if anything really surprised me, but the level of expertise and commitment from the team owners to the coaches to the players is extraordinary. I have been around teams that were a family, and it is no different here with us, the Cleveland Gladiators are a family. Head coach Mike Wilpolt has done a great job in his first season as head coach of the team and we are in the hunt.

The atmosphere at an arena league game is phenomenal, the pace of the game is fast, the rules are a little different, but football is football and we are proud of the way the team has played and how the fans have come out to support us.
Q: Making the playoffs and on the verge of something as special, as in fighting for the AFL Championship has to be rewarding to you as an owner to watch this team develop as quickly as it has. What were your realistic thoughts as the season started for this team as it moved from Las Vegas to Cleveland?

BK: We've had our ups and downs as the season has progressed. What we struggled with most was consistency, we are a team with many new faces, but quality people and players. You have to give credit to the job (Mike) Wilpolt and the staff has done, from top to bottom this has been a team effort.

After moving the team from Las Vegas, we knew we could be competitive if we made the right moves with personnel. We made a couple deals to get players we targeted in the draft and we went hard after Raymond Philyaw (starting QB). Ray is one of the best in the game, he is experienced and has been successful in the arena game. It is his experience and leadership that has played a major role in where we are, he is very bright and competitive and knows how to get the job done out there.

From the start we believed this was going to be a good team. We expected to be competitive, and I am not going to sit here and tell you I expected us to be a playoff team, but I did believe it was possible if everything came together. As the season progressed, we began to have aspirations about possibly making the playoffs, we saw the possibilities.The night we clinched a playoff berth at home against Columbus was special for me, the organization and the fans of Cleveland. Without all the hard work of the people in this organization and backing of the fans, I don't know if we could have made it this far this quickly.
Q: In light of the Gladiators quick rise in the AFL, this proves that teams can turn it around in a hurry with solid coaching and talent. Getting ready to face the Philadelphia Soul in the Western Division Championship game this Saturday, what can this team do differently to beat the Soul, a team which defeated the Gladiators twice in the regular season?

BK: We played them twice in the regular season, winning at home and losing on the road. Both were tough, hard-fought games and we feel we should have won both games. We were in position to win that game in Philadelphia but things didn't go our way and we missed a two-point conversion at the end which would have won the game for us.

I feel we match up pretty well with them, they are a very, very good team. They're well coached and very explosive and play defense.. There defense is one of the best we faced during the season and expect to see the very best from them come Saturday in Philadelphia.

If we can play solid defense, not make numerous mental mistakes and capitalize on opportunities, we will be in it. Offensively, we feel good about where we are, but need to play better if we are going to get past them. They pretty much know what we do as a team and we have a feel for them as a team, it is going to boil down to who makes plays and which team doesn't turn the ball over. In this game, a turnover or two can put a team in a deep rut due to the offensive prowess of these teams.

It all comes down to execution.

(cle.scout.com)

Within the collective heart of the three-man Baltimore linebacking corps beats just one mantra this year: Show me the money. Ray Lewis might say he bleeds purple, but he's entering a contract year and he's desperate for his career's last big splash of green. The Ravens wisely didn't give into his entreaties for a new deal this offseason, and hope to get a monster year out of a player whose reputation has surpassed his production of late.

Baltimore's Bart Scott likewise is in the final season of his contract, and needs a bounce-back performance if he's going to remain in the Ravens' plans. And then there's Terrell Suggs, who the team franchised this offseason at $8.5 million, but failed to come to a long-term agreement with. An extension must now wait until after the season, when Baltimore figures to make him its leading priority in terms of potential free agency.

The linebackers' dash for the cash should make things interesting for Baltimore's veteran-laden defense this season. The Ravens, one would think, will benefit from the chase. At least before Lewis, Scott or Suggs do.

(cnnsi.com)

Antrel Rolle has drawn 22 flags in the past two seasons, including special teams penalties, third in the NFL behind Robert Gallery and Alex Barron.




(profootballprospectus)

Whatchu talkin bout? Willis!

As we fast approach the 2008 NFL season, the message to new head coach John Harbaugh should be clear: Lean on #23. With more uncertainly at the quarterback position than ever before, the burden now falls squarely on the shoulders of second-year Raven Willis McGahee. While showing flashes of brilliance in a dismal 2007 season, McGahee should have no problem accepting a greater role in 2008.

Jamal Lewis is happily bowling over defenders in Cleveland for a dynamic passing offense, but McGahee has no such luxury. He will face plenty of eight- and nine-man fronts this season, much like he did in Buffalo.

Simply eclipsing the 1,000-yard mark is no longer an entity in the NFL. Should McGahee reach that mark in '08, it will not automatically ensure the Ravens of success. Just as important will be the number of total touches he gets, and how often he makes the key runs. Moving the chains may prove to be difficult in the passing game, and with the QB position still up for grabs despite the Ravens inking first round pick, Joe Flacco to a 5year, $30 million dollar contract, it will only make it all the more crucial that McGahee is the feature offensive threat on the ground.

Keep an eye on McGahee's increased workload this year. Should he flourish under the circumstances, the 2008 campaign for the Ravens will help ease the painful memories of last year's 5-11 debacle.

(roberts-rants.blogspot.com)

Former Buffalo Bills tight end Kevin Everett collected the Jimmy V ESPY Award for Perseverance on Wednesday night.

The award is named for the late North Carolina State basketball coach Jim Valvano.
Everett suffered what was thought to be a paralyzing spinal cord injury during the 2007 season opener, but after rehabilitation, he is walking again.

“I had to persevere from this injury. It was tough and I’m real nervous right now,” he told the crowd. “I’m real happy I can be here standing before everybody. Jimmy V. said never give up. That’s the main thing I told myself every day lying in the hospital bed.”

The ceremony will air Sunday at 9 p. m. on ESPN.

(buffalobillsinsider.com)

NORTH OLMSTED: Browns Mini Camp is less than a week away and one player is getting an early start.

Kellen Winslow Jr. is one of many pro's that are taking part in a youth football camp being held at North Olmsted High School Friday.

The Browns tight end threw the ball around, huddled, ran and gave the kids some football tips.

The football camp runs from July 18-20 and is for all football players between 7 and 14 years old. The other pro's that will take part throughout the weekend: Browns' Braylon Edwards, Ken Dorsey and Detroit Lions' Leigh Bodden.

Our Channel 3 News crews say there could be some future Browns stars in the making.

(wkyc.com)

Pat Burrell finished 3-for-5 with two solo home runs Saturday but the Phillies couldn't top the Marlins.
Pedro Feliz, Jimmy Rollins and Chris Coste knocked in one RBI apiece. Burrell hit his shots in the fifth and eighth innings but those five runs wouldn't be enough. He's hitting .280 with 25 HR and 59 RBI this season.

(rotoworld.com)

Right-handed reliever Chris Perez was sent to Memphis Class AAA farm club on Friday.

Perez was 2-1 with a 4.18 ERA, striking out 22 in 23 2/3 innings of work. He started fast, but has struggled a little lately.

La Russa said Perez needs to work on developing pitches other than his fastball.

"We sent Chris down so he can keep working on his arsenal," La Russa said. "He needs to keep adding ways to get hitters out, and I'm sure we'll bring him back this year."

(mlb.com)

The Tacoma Rainiers have released Charlton Jimerson for being too erratic.





(section331.com)