11. Devin Hester, Chicago Bears--This might be the most amazing guy on this list considering he only has 20 receptions in two years. I feel pretty confident in saying I never thought a kick returner would get this high.

18. Sean Taylor, Washington Redskins--A spot on this list is an unbelievable tribute to the late Taylor.

(mysportsradio.com)

In what is probably a tribute to the late Sean Taylor, Giants rookie safety Kenny Phillips has chosen jersey No. 21. Phillips, who arrived at Miami as Taylor departed, wore No. 1 with the Hurricanes, so that might have also played into his decision.

Phillips will become the first Giant to wear No. 21 since Tiki Barber retired. The number was left vacant all last season.

(blog.nj.com)

Thomas Carroll became the third Miami Hurricane to join the Florida Firecats, joining Ethenic Sands and Jon Peattie. Carroll will be wearing his #90.




(floridafirecats.com)

NEW YORK -- The Indians found a trading partner for Jason Michaels.

Michaels was shipped to the Pirates on Thursday for a Minor League player to be named later. The outfielder had been designated for assignment by the Tribe on Tuesday to make room for Ben Francisco.

The Indians owed Michaels $2.15 million this season, and it appears as though they will continue to assume the bulk of that contract. The Tribe had signed Michaels to a two-year deal before the '07 season.

Michaels' ousting was the first major move by an Indians team trying to get its struggling offense going. The 32-year-old Michaels, who platooned with David Dellucci in left field and started against left-handed pitching, was batting .207 with a .258 on-base percentage and .276 slugging percentage.

The Indians first acquired Michaels in a trade with the Phillies before the 2006 season. Cleveland tried him out as a replacement for Coco Crisp as the starter in left field before making him a platoon player in '07.

(mlb.com)

DETROIT -- So far, so good for the rehabbing Red Sox duo at Triple-A Pawtucket.

First baseman Sean Casey and utility infielder Alex Cora have begun their Minor League rehabilitation assignments as they return from injury, and the initial reports show no problems and solid production.

"They both look like they're doing real good," manager Terry Francona said before Thursday night's game against the Tigers at Comerica Park.

If their rehabs continue to go well, both players could rejoin the Red Sox roster for this weekend's series at Minnesota.

That's assuming the weather holds up for Pawtucket's game against Norwich on Friday night, as the forecast calls for heavy rain throughout the day. A rainout could delay Casey and Cora's return, but only by a day or two.

The team has not decided how it will make room for both players on the roster. It's assumed that infielder Jed Lowrie is one player on the way down to Pawtucket, and the other spot will be decided when the time comes.

Cora, who started his rehab on Wednesday night, is recovering from a sprained right elbow. In his first game with Pawtucket, he went 2-for-4 with a couple of singles to left and scored a run while playing seven innings at second base. Then, in Thursday's game, he went 1-for-4, starting at second again, though he was originally slated to DH.

"We were going to DH him, but he didn't get very many fielding chances [on Wednesday night], so he played second again," Francona said. "He'll play short [on Friday]."

Cora has appeared in three games with Boston this season, going 3-for-3 with a walk. Casey has played in 17 games and owns a .346 average with eight RBIs.

(mlb.com)

According to Vinny DiTrani of the Bergen Record’s True Blue blog former Jet, now NO Saint Jonathon Vilma has been in contact with his fellow Miami Hurricane alum Jeremy Shockey. Vilma’s been telling Shockey how great it would be for them to hook up again. But DiTrani writes:

A source who has proved himself reputable insists enough Giants have talked to Shockey and convinced him to stay.

As an offensive lineman at the University of Miami, Estero High product Derrick Morse spent the past four years opening holes for teammates.

Now, he's looking for one.

Despite making 29 starts for the Hurricanes in his college career, Morse wasn't taken in the NFL Draft, and now he's hitting the road to sell his game.

"As long as I have the opportunity," the 6-foot-4, 320-pound guard from Bonita Springs said, "that's all that matters. It's about going to minicamps and being seen. I'm a little behind the eight ball, sure, but I wouldn't say I'm disappointed. You've just got to take care of your opportunities."

He is working on his second.

After spending last weekend in Cleveland trying out for the Browns, Morse, an undrafted free agent, leaves today for New York, where he'll be in camp with the Giants the next few days.

Morse had hoped he wouldn't need the trip to New York. He'd hoped the Browns would sign him to his first contract following the tryout during their minicamp.

It didn't happen. Not right away, at least.

Morse said he had a meeting with Browns coaches on Sunday, and though they weren't ready to sign him, they told him they would be in touch.

"They said they might have a spot for me," Morse said, "but nothing's for sure. That's why I'm going to New York."

It's his latest opportunity.

Morse hopes the Giants will see why he was so productive at Miami. He hopes they will offer him a contract, and the chance to make their team.

If it doesn't work out? Well, he'll just keep trying.

"I just want to play football," Morse said. "I don't care what team I play for."

(naplesnews.com)

Kyle Wright's phone finally started to ring on the second day of the NFL draft last month. Nonetheless, the quarterback from the University of Miami had his concerns.

Entering the process, Wright's expectation was that he would be a late-round selection. But now he saw quarterbacks projected to go ahead of him falling. This couldn't be good.

"I was getting calls in the fifth, sixth and seventh round," Wright said. "But when I saw those guys like John David [Booty] that weren't going like everybody else expected, I knew that was going to drop me a little from where I was expected to go."

And that was enough to drop Wright out of the draft.

Instead, he signed as a free agent with the Vikings. Wright did so knowing his new team already has four quarterbacks, including Southern California's Booty, a fifth-round draft pick who will battle Brooks Bollinger for the No. 3 job. Tarvaris Jackson is the starter and veteran Gus Frerotte will be the primary backup.

This left Wright without much margin for error as he put on a Vikings uniform for the first time last weekend for a three-day rookie minicamp. Wright's goal is simple.

"Just to come in and make the team in some form or fashion ... either [that or] being on the practice squad," he said. "They've approached me and asked if I could hold [on field-goal attempts]. I said I'd never done it but I'd be willing to learn. Really, just being a part of this organization in any way possible."

The pressure Wright will face is nothing new. The nation's most highly recruited quarterback coming out of Monte Vista High in Danville, Calif., in 2003, he was the Hurricanes' starter for much of the past three seasons and handled his share of difficulties and disappointments.

This included a nearly annual turnover at offense coordinator, as well as a head coaching change. New Hurricanes coach Randy Shannon decided to start Kirby Freeman over Wright last season, but he reclaimed the job after Freeman struggled early on. In 10 games in 2007, Wright completed 141 of 241 passes for 1,747 yards with 12 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Knee and ankle injuries forced him to miss one game last season -- Wright missed the final four games of 2006 because of a broken thumb -- and slowed him at other times.

The fact Wright had to adjust to the different schemes put in by Miami's various coordinators could have slowed him. But Wright doesn't see it that way.

"I think that's an advantage that I have," Wright said. "It seemed like in every offense I was learning something new. This offseason is no different. I'm just excited to come to a new place and get a fresh start and have fun with the opportunity."

One reason Wright jumped at the chance to sign with the Vikings was because of his relationship with quarterbacks coach Kevin Rogers. A candidate to become Miami's offensive coordinator in December 2006, Rogers was an assistant at Virginia Tech when Wright arrived in college, so the two faced each other as conference rivals. Wright and Rogers hit it off at the NFL Scouting Combine last February in Indianapolis and stayed in touch thereafter.

Vikings coach Brad Childress also was impressed by the 6-4, 220-pound Wright at the combine, especially after getting a long look at him during drills. Wright was one of the quarterbacks designated to throw passes to every group, meaning Childress, Rogers and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell had plenty of time to study his mechanics.

As for Wright's future with the Vikings, Childress said: "His role will define itself. He's played big-time football so he's been in some of those arenas. He's got a nice throwing motion and we'll see if we can get him some snaps in a few preseason games."

(startribune.com)

NFL Network's Adam Schefter reports the Ravens and MLB Ray Lewis have hit a stalemate in talks regarding a long-term extension.

Schefter says the sides are nowhere near an agreement. The Ravens know Lewis won't take plays off just because he's in a contract season, it'll be up to him to lower his asking price if he wants to stay in Baltimore.

(rotoworld.com)

The Charlotte Observer's Scott Fowler believes "there's no way" the Panthers are moving Jon Beason out of middle linebacker.

There has been speculation on the national level that the Panthers would start rookie third rounder Dan Connor on the inside and move Beason back outside. Fowler says Connor isn't even likely to start at this point.

(rotoworld.com)

CHICAGO (CBS) ― Former Buffalo Bills player Kevin Everett will never play football again. The fact that he's able to even walk is nothing short of a miracle. Thanks in part to cutting edge medical technology, he's made an amazing recovery.

CBS 2's Megan Mawicke reports Everett is in Chicago this week sharing his story.

"Doctors told me I had very little chance of walking again," Everett said. "I stayed positive through the whole thing."

In the Bills' 2007 season opener, Everett suffered a life-threatening spinal cord injury while making a tackle. Everett's helmet collided violently with Domenik Hixon's shoulder.

"I went down on a tackle, kickoff coverage, the tackle came wide open. I fell to the turf and I just couldn't move anything at all. I was conscious. I knew I was paralyzed after he hit," he said.

He credits his recovery to a controversial cooling therapy where doctor' lowered his body temperature to decrease swelling.

"They cooled my body from inside the out," Everett explained. "I'm very thankful they used the treatment on because I do believe it played a major part in my recovery."

Everett knows he won't be 100 percent again and says football is hard to watch, but it won't stop him from living his life to the fullest.

"You have to live yourself right everyday, you just never know," he said. "I came close to death and you never know when your time is coming."

(cbs2chicago.com)

RB Clinton Portis (minor hip injury) sat out practice. Zorn theorized that the injury could have occurred when Portis and S LaRon Landry raced against each other Sunday.



(ffmastermind.com)

If you're looking for a sophomore jinx to bring down Milwaukee's Ryan Braun, don't bother.

At least don't mention it to Braun.

''No, I don't believe it that,'' said Braun, who is in town with the Brewers for a three-game series against the Marlins. ``I guess you could say I'm off to a slow start, but it's a long season. I'm not worried about [a sophomore jinx]. I work too hard to worry about it.''

That's Braun, whose talent is only exceeded by his confidence. He has always been that way, even in his days at the University of Miami, where he was an All-American.

''Confidence, that's never been a problem for Ryan,'' said UM baseball coach Jim Morris. ``He has always felt like he could play. From Day 1, he never questioned his ability to play at the big league level.

``I talked to him about that last year, and he said most [young players] do question it. They don't know if they do belong. It's such a select group. But he has never felt that way. He's actually done better in the big leagues than he did here.''

Braun had one of the finest rookie seasons in history, hitting 34 homers, driving in 97 runs and batting .324 in just 113 games. He was named the National League Rookie of the Year. He entered Wednesday's game against the Marlins hitting .267, with five homers and 23 RBI. Those are good numbers, but so much is expected of Braun.

''No one is immune to a sophomore jinx, but he has shown he can put up some pretty impressive numbers,'' said Milwaukee infielder Craig Council, a former Marlin. ``That was a special year he had. His numbers this year are pretty good if you stretch them over a season.

``He will succeed more than most players because he is confident he will.''

If you extrapolate Braun's numbers over 162 games, he would have 27 home runs and 120 RBI.

''What he did last year was unbelievable,'' Morris said. ``I think that second year thing is a mental thing, and that's not going to be an issue with Ryan. That's just Ryan Braun.

``People don't realize how smart this guy is. He turned down Stanford to come to UM and he came on a three-quarter academic scholarship.''
The Brewers were smart enough to move Braun from third base, where he made 26 errors, to left field.

''I'm thoroughly enjoying it,'' Braun said. ``I was never a big fan of third base, to be honest with you. I loved playing shortstop [in college] but third base is just different. I just never enjoyed it.

``Playing left field is a lot of fun. I'm able to use my speed a little bit and my arm strength a little bit more. I'm ahead of where I had anticipated being at this point.''

Not only has Braun played errorless defense, but he already has had three outfield assists.

''I worked really hard, and still work on it every day,'' he said. ``I take pride in my defense. I want my defense to catch up with my offense. Ultimately, I want to be a Gold Glove outfielder, and I don't see any reason that can't happen.''

One season in the big leagues can feel like a dozen.

''I've grown tremendously,'' Braun said. ``The biggest thing I learned last year was learning to deal with the grind of the season, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. It's really an emotional roller coaster, individually and as a team, because you experience so much failure. But that should make me better.''

That's confidence talking.

(miamiherald.com)

The Indians designated Jason Michaels for assignment and he is already drawing interest. The Rays, who need help from the right side of the plate, could use his bat at the plate and at all three outfield positions, if needed. Michaels is hitting just .207 this season but is a career .277 hitter. He has been an average hitter all his career, but he could help the Rays from the bench. The Rays are also looking at Jacque Jones, Brad Wilkerson, and Kenny Lofton. What about Sammy Sosa or Barry Bonds? Probably not. The main reason Bonds has not been signed is because no one wants to pay 15-20 million for one year to a guy who will hit between .260-.280 with 20-30 homeruns -- not to mention the cloud of reporters he would bring to the clubhouse. If he could still hit 40 or maybe 50 homeruns he would be valuable, but until he lowers his asking price, he won't be signed.

(mlb-rumorrs.blogspot)

The Sacramento Bee reports San Francisco 49ers RB Frank Gore went through the minicamp weighing 224 pounds, about 12 pounds above his playing weight. Gore said he plans on losing that weight over the next month in his hometown of Miami, where his workout regimen includes sprinting up hills while pulling a truck tire.

(ffmastermind.com)

Pat Burrell has been pounding the baseball since July, and everyone has a theory why.

He's staying back on the ball and seeing it longer.

He's not jumping out at pitches and becoming off-balance when he swings.

His pitch selection is better.

He's trying to use the whole field more.

He's healthy.

He wants to stay in Philadelphia beyond this season.

He smells big free-agent dollars.

He's a happy newlywed.

Burrell downplayed this confluence of factors as he sat in front of his locker the other day.

"To be honest, when people write stories about it and analyze it, they make more of it than it really is," the 31-year-old Phillies leftfielder said. "What it comes down to, simply, is confidence. Confidence can take you a long way, especially in this game." Click here to continue reading...

New Britain, CT – In a league usually reserved for young prospects and seasoned minor leaguers chasing the dream, Danny Graves toes the rubber as a Major League veteran who has been around the block and simply isn’t ready to give up the game he loves. From his Major League debut to the Major League All-Star Game, Graves has seen and done it all. Yet, there he is every night donning a uniform of the Double-A Rock Cats. A man who holds the record for the most career saves in Reds’ history has returned to the world of smaller stadiums, on-field promotions, and bus rides to visiting cities.

By the look on his face, he is enjoying every moment of it. Click here to continue reading...

Former Estero High and University of Miami (Fla.) offensive lineman Derrick Morse was not one of seven players signed by the Cleveland Browns on Monday, according to the Plain Dealer’s Web site. Morse attended their rookie mini-camp on a tryout basis over the weekend.

(naplesnews.com)

The Associated Press reports San Francisco 49ers RB Frank Gore is excited about the look of the new offense led by offensive coordinator Mike Martz. "We're spreading the ball around, and hopefully this year we won't see eight, nine men in the box every play. I think I'll get used in the passing game, too. I want to show I can do it all - run, catch, block. People think I'm just a running back," Gore said.

(kffl.com)

Rory Seagrest strongly implied that one way or another a rookie will be returning punts this season.

 "(WR) Bill Sampy is back there, J.R. is still back there, (CB) Tanard Davis is a guy who we've put back and let him catch a few balls. We've got some pretty good backups. Right now we're trying to get DeSean and Quintin(Demps) as many reps as we can get those guys to get them comfortable back there, but we do have some down-the-line guys as well."

(bleedinggreennation.com)

The Times-Picayune reports league sources indicate the Saints' pursuit of Giants TE Jeremy Shockey did not end when a draft-day deal between the clubs could not be reached. HC Sean Payton believes Shockey is a perfect fit for the Saints' offense, and he still desperately wants the player to be wearing a black-and-gold uniform this season. Shockey has informed the Giants of his unhappiness, and apparently unwillingness, to play again in New York. Don't be surprised if the trade is finalized in the coming weeks. According to New York's Newsday, Shockey has four years remaining on his five-year, $26.3 million contract extension, including $1.9 million due this season.

(ffmastermind.com)

LF Ryan Braun is starting to show signs that he's getting back to his 2007 form. Braun was 8 for 25 during the road trip with nine RBI and two home runs. He's hit safely in 10 of his last 13 games and has raised his average to 268. In left field, Braun has preformed fairly well defensively. There have been some isolated gaffes, including missing the cut-off man against Florida during the last home stand, but Braun has yet to commit an error in his first 30 games this year. Braun was charged with 26 errors last season as a third baseman.

(onmilwaukee.com)

The Indians have decided to cut ties with veteran outfielder Jason Michaels. The move will be made official tomorrow. Michaels played in 21 games for the Indians this season and he was 12 for 58 (.207 avg, .534 OPS) with 3 runs scored, 9 RBIs and 1 stolen base. Michaels played in 249 games for the Tribe in three seasons and he was 216 for 819 (.264 avg) with 123 runs scored, 16 homers, 103 RBIs and 13 stolen bases. Michaels will be replaced on the roster by outfielder Ben Francisco. Francisco has played in 2 games for the Indians already this season and he was 2 for 6 (.333 avg, .833 OPS) with 2 runs scored and 1 RBI. Francisco will likely take over Michaels’ role as the right handed swinging half of a platoon in left field. This is a smart move by the Indians but it will not solve all of the offensive problems that they have had this season. Michaels will likely have little trouble getting a job with another major league team.

(indianslocker.com)

Alex Cora was turning double plays in practice at second base yesterday. He'll go to shortstop today. The Sox think Cora is just about ready to come off the disabled list, but they're considering whether a rehab assignment is necessary.



(boston.com)

SANTA CLARA -- When Mike Martz was hired as 49ers offensive coordinator, many believed the hiring would be bad news for running back Frank Gore.

Gore heard the same things. But all it took was a conversation with Marshall Faulk to convince him otherwise.

Gore said he is excited about the possibilities in the new offense. After all, Martz has already proclaimed Gore will be the centerpiece of the offense -- just like Faulk was during Martz's time with the St. Louis Rams.

"I think I'll touch the ball more in the passing game," Gore said Saturday during the 49ers' mandatory three-day minicamp. "I just want to show that I can do it all, that I'm a complete running back."

Gore has done a pretty good job of displaying his versatility in his two seasons as the 49ers' full-time starter. In addition to rushing for 2,797 yards, Gore also led the team in receptions the past two seasons with 61 and 53 catches.

Faulk told Gore that playing for Martz will be a challenge. Running backs have to learn everything about the offense -- from all the reads on pass routes to the detailed blocking assignments. Gore said he expects to line up in the slot as a receiver on occasion, something he has rarely done in his career.

Faulk, who works as an analyst on the NFL Network in Southern California, gave Gore his cell phone number and offered to travel to the Bay Area -- or Southern Florida -- to help Gore with the offense.

Gore said he stayed in the Bay Area for the past two months to get a head start on learning Martz's offense. After the minicamp concludes today, Gore plans to return to his home in Miami to resume his training.

After rushing for 1,695 yards in his first season as the starter, Gore stated his goal last season was to rush for more than 2,000 yards. Although he ranked sixth in the NFL in yards from scrimmage, Gore was stopped well short of his goal with 1,102 rushing yards.

This season, his sights are set to a more realistic level.

"My goal is to have fun and play as best I can," Gore said. "I want to play hard and try to win some games."

While the competition at quarterback continues between Alex Smith, Shaun Hill and J.T. O'Sullivan, Gore seems certain of one thing: Whoever wins the job will be capable of preventing offenses from keying on the run game.

"I like that we'll be spreading the ball around," Gore said. "We're going to be more of a passing team, so I won't be facing eight or nine guys in the box."

Coming out of Monte Vista High School in Danville, Calif., Kyle Wright was the nation's most recruited quarterback.

Yet he wasn't chosen in last weekend's NFL draft.

So what went wrong at the University of Miami (Fla.)?

"There were a lot of variables," Wright said. "I think that's kind of the million-dollar question. We had four different offensive coordinators in four years and two head coaches, which is never easy for a team to build off from season to season. So that made it hard.

"I'm glad to have that in the rearview mirror and turn the page, and have something new."

Wright isn't sure how many teams wanted to sign him to a free-agent contract after the draft because he quickly decided to join the Vikings. He already had developed a rapport with quarterbacks coach Kevin Rogers, and he was impressed with head coach Brad Childress. It didn't hurt that Rogers, Childress and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell all have backgrounds working with quarterbacks.

"I think it's better to go where you're wanted," Wright said. "They called me after their last pick and said, 'If things don't work out, we want you really bad.' "

At 6 feet 4 and 225 pounds, Wright has intrigued teams because of his athleticism and sound mechanics.

"You know, I just liked the way he picked up the ball and threw it," Childress said. "If you were watching him back in the infancy of his career, he's tall in stature. He's got a nice throwing motion. There's not a lot of flaws in that."

Wright is encouraged by other quarterbacks who took non-traditional routes to stardom.

"You look at Tony Romo," Wright said, mentioning the Dallas Cowboys quarterback who went undrafted. "You look across the depth chart at the NFL teams, and not only starters but the backup guys are all guys that were taken late or as free agents."

Wright has realistic expectations. The Vikings have starter Tarvaris Jackson, veteran backups Gus Frerotte and Brooks Bollinger, and they spent a fifth-round pick on John David Booty of Southern California.

"Just trying to make the team in any way possible," Wright said of his goal. "It's a great opportunity and a privilege to be a part of this organization."

(twincities.com)

Used to be that Michael Irvin could go to a neighborhood health club and enjoy relative serenity. But then, all he used to be was a lightning rod wide receiver on a three-time Super Bowl champion who would evolve into a big-time ESPN television analyst.

These days, even the steam room offers no sanctuary from inquiring minds who want to know.

"People are more interested in talking to Michael Irvin now than when he was a player," Irvin said, offering a smidge of third-person insight. "They want to respond to something they heard me say. They know my opinion or want to know my opinion on something else, and they want me to know theirs."

Such is life when Michael Irvin is a local sports talk show host with the most famous face on the radio dial.

The reason for the increased connect is logical. Most people believe players live in their own world and don't want to be bothered. (Most people are correct.) Approaching a player of Irvin's stature carries the possibility of rejection. Talk show hosts – good talk show hosts – ooze approachability.

Irvin, who has been on the job since late January, is growing into a good talk show host on the 11 a.m.-to-2 p.m. shift at ESPN-FM (103.3). To be sure, his show is a little different. A listener can never be sure how far from the sports path Irvin and sidekick Kevin Kiley might venture. Irvin fancies himself a Dr. Phil/Dr. Laura for the afflicted who happen to be sports fans.

Tom Lee, the station's program director, echoes what anyone who has ever worked with Irvin has reported: "He works hard and is hungry to learn. He's thrown everything he has into the show."

Irvin's effort has resulted in a 64 percent increase in ratings for his time slot among men ages 25-54, the most sought-after demographic in sports talk.

Irvin's guest list has been chock-full of celebs. He's had Adam Sandler and, more famously, Adam "Pacman" Jones. Ice Cube and the Round Mound of Rebound. He's even had an athlete calling in asking to be on the air. Surely, you've heard about the Josh Howard call.

No one was more surprised than Irvin last week when Howard offered maverick talk about his marijuana use.

"I thought he wanted to come on and talk about his camp and tell me he was misquoted in the newspaper story about him," said Irvin, who had never before had a phone conversation with Howard. "Then I was going to ask him about the Mavericks game that night. That's what I really wanted to talk to him about."

Irvin grabbed a copy of The Dallas Morning News story on Howard's marijuana use, which appeared on the morning of Game 1 of the New Orleans series. Irvin read it back to Howard, waiting for the denials. They never came. Only confirmation blasted into his headphones.

"I got caught up in the moment, and I'm thinking, 'Should I stop him for his own good?' " Irvin said. "But I know I'm onto a story, and I have a responsibility to my listeners and to my employer. ..."

"I could not believe what I was hearing. I've been in the firestorm. My actions put me there, and I'm thinking, 'Why would anybody put himself into the firestorm with his own words?' "

Irvin said he doesn't miss his ESPN television job. In the NFL studio, he was simply a role player. On The Michael Irvin Show, he is once again "The Playmaker."

I confess that when I first heard Irvin was taking a local radio job, I thought it would be a pit stop until something bigger came along. Irvin says he is too happy to think about anything else. And, he reminds, he hasn't yet been on the air during what should be his strongest season: football.

"They can't do this one without me," he said. "I'm having a blast. We're live and unedited. Radio is reality. There are no outtakes ... no do-overs ... no taking things out of context ... no cutting out my mistakes ...When I say something, it goes all the way from my mouth to Pluto."

(dallasnews.com)

The biggest winner in the Cardinals' draft may not be a draftee. Edgerrin James, you would think, would be ecstatic. While all the pundits predicted the team almost certainly would grab a running back with one of their first two picks, the Cardinals didn't take one until Round 5.
And even then, the little-known Tim Highsmith doesn't figure to take a whole lot of time away from "Edge."

Yet James says he had no celebration:

"I never worry about somebody coming in and playing my position. If they come, I'm going to help them as much as I can.

"Because I know it's not me."

By this, he means that in analyzing the Cardinals' offense, "Running back is not the problem here. That's the least of my concerns.
"If they want to get something, it's their organization. If you look at the film, you look at everything, it's not me. So I'm not worried about it.

"I know where I stand in this game and at this position."

More is riding on James' starting status than for the average player.

He now ranks No. 13 on the all-time rushing list. With a solid, injury-free 2008, he will rise well into the top 10.

Two more such years and he could elbow his way into the top five, and that would generate a strong Hall of Fame bid.

To do this, though, James - who doesn't turn 30 until Aug.1 - needs to keep grinding in the offseason.

"There's no slippage," James reports. "I made sure I got stronger. The main thing is to go out and work. You'll see for yourself."
By not taking a running back early, the Cardinals seemed to agree that James can be counted on.

"I know I'm getting older. People say you're getting to be 30. But I take good care of myself. And I prepared for all of this in the early years. You won't see any slippage from me."

(eastvalleytribune.com)

Middle linebacker Jon Beason, who led the team with 160 tackles last season, had his arm in a sling on Friday following surgery to repair a tendon in his wrist. The surgery is considered minor and he should be back on the field in June as well, Fox said.
 
"It kind of started bothering me when I was working out, so I got the mri, and they said I needed to go ahead and get it cleaned out," Beason said. "I want to play pain-free next year and play all of them, so I'd rather do it now in the offseason."
 
Beason said he broke the same wrist when he was 10 years old.
 
"You never know when stuff comes back," he said. "This is a funny story. I used to be a quarterback, we were scrimmaging, and they called an all-out blitz. I had like three of them on my back. I was carrying them, and when I fell my hand was underneath me. It was a hairline fracture, nothing bad."

(gastongazette.com)

PHILADELPHIA -- It could be a coincidence that Pat Burrell's torrid start to this season also comes at the same time Burrell's five-year, $50 million contract is set to expire.

Regardless of the circumstances, Burrell continues to carry the Phillies along with Chase Utley, who was named National League Player of the Month for April.

Burrell put an exclamation point on his opening month with a game-winning, two-run homer off Brian Wilson to propel the Phillies past the Giants, 6-5, in 10 innings Friday night. It was Burrell's third career walk-off home run and his first since '02.

Is playing for a new contract a factor?

"If that helps, that's good," manager Charlie Manuel said. "If it's there, go get it. The better he plays, the better I do. I think that [contract] could have something to do with it, but Pat definitely works hard and he's maturing, too. Sometimes, you don't really come into your own until your late 20s or early 30s.

"I think you learn more about your hitting and he's always had the talent to be a real good hitter. I think the experience comes into play."
With a second-inning double Sunday, the 31-year-old Burrell has reached base safely in 30 straight games and 31 of 32. He's close to equaling his career high of reaching base safely in 34 straight games in '02. Entering Sunday, Burrell was second in the NL in homers (nine) and RBIs (28), third in slugging percentage (.670), fourth in walks (24) and on-base percentage (.445) and tied for seventh in total bases (69).

Burrell is hitting .320 while spraying the ball all over the field. That was especially evident when he slammed a two-run shot to right in the eighth inning of what wound up being a big come-from-behind 4-3 win over the Astros on April 15.

"This is the best I've seen because he's hitting more balls to right field," Manuel said. "He's got a better setup and has got a little rhythm going. His swing is powerful. This is the best I've seen him hit."

(mlb.com)

ProFootballTalk is hearing rumors that the Vikings are preparing to begin the season without left tackle Bryant McKinnie, who may be suspended over an off-season incident in which he attacked a bouncer outside a Miami club.

There is nothing concrete along with these “rumors,” since the NFL won’t comment on McKinnie’s situation, nor will the Vikings, nor will McKinnie. But you don’t really need anything concrete in this situation…McKinnie is clearly looking at some kind of discipline from the league.  Possibly a two-game suspension like Jared Allen got at the start of last season.

Should McKinnie be suspended, it’s likely that Artis Hicks would play left tackle, unless the Vikes wanted to take a look at Chase Johnson, a guy who could be a candidate to permanently replace McKinnie down the road.  Either way, the loss of McKinnie would mean a diminished run game, and possibly an improved pass game due to a reduction in the number of right ends screaming around to level the quarterback.

(thevikingage.com)

Spent most of Saturday afternoon at Boggs Field Park in Hollywood. Former UM linebacker Tavares Gooden hosted a free barbecue for the community before he begins his NFL career with the Baltimore Ravens. The park is where his football career began, playing for the Northeast Hollywood Eagles.

Gooden leaves Thursday for mini-camp, but wanted to make one last gesture. The event, which attracted about 200 people, was no doubt a celebration for Gooden being drafted, as Ravens jerseys and hats were worn by family members. But the festivities were geared more toward the area's youth. Gooden made a speech and talked about the importance of academics. He's always been a solid student, earning two degrees at UM.

To drive home the point the family even printed up T-shirts that he and UM defensive end Eric Moncur handed out throughout the day. Each read: Education + Sports = Success. Good move by Gooden.

And by the way, when I spoke with Moncur, we briefly discussed all talk of UM's 14-year streak of having a first-rounder could be in jeopardy next season. Moncur, probably one of the favorites to extend, simply said fans and writers should wait before making any predictions: "No one can predict the future," he said. "We'll just see how things happen this season."

(sun-sentinel.com)

Say what you will about Sinorice Moss. And I know you have. I've heard you.

But never say that he's not a team player, a humble human being or selfless. The fact is he is all of those things.

When asked today about the Giants' drafting Mario Manningham in the third round, Moss went right past sulking, feeling bad for himself, ripping his new teammate or anything else that might reflect a selfish attitude. Instead, he genuinely (and I mean that) expressed excitement about adding another potential weapon to the team's receiving corps - even if that weapon might soon knock him off the roster.

"It's good for us to have a guy like that - a great talent, good hands," Moss said. "I didn't expect him to be there that late, but it was a big plus for us to have another young guy coming in. You talk about looking toward the future with this organization, I think that's a big plus for us."

Moss was supposed to be a big plus for the Giants when the team picked him in the second round two years ago. Check that: When the team traded up to pick him. But so far, the 5-8, 185-pound younger brother of Redskins receiver Santana Moss hasn't quite had the impact the team thought he would. He missed most of his rookie season with a quad injury that just wouldn't heal then bounced back a bit last season to catch 21 passes in the regular season.

But Moss got hurt late in the season and was inactive for all four postseason games. In his place, then-rookie Steve Smith recorded 14 catches in the playoffs and vaulted ahead of Moss on the depth chart after struggling with his own injury issues.

On Sunday, after the selection of Manningham, Giants GM Jerry Reese said the team still has confidence in Moss and looks at this past season as his rookie year because of all the missed time in 2006.

"If they want to look at it as my rookie year, they can, but I'm not looking at it as my rookie year, just another year in this league for me," Moss said. "I'm going into my third year and I'm trying to come out here and help this team the best I can - whether it's returning punts or catching footballs and catching touchdowns for this team."

Moss thinks he'll get a chance to do all of that, even though Manningham's arrival threatens his playing time.

"They didn't even mention anything to me about this guy since they drafted him. That's not a concern to me," Moss said. "I know what I bring to this team and I know what I can do for this organization. I'm not worried about them drafting another guy. I'm happy they drafted another guy because it's good toward our future. You never know what can happen, so drafting this guy is good for us."

He honestly believes that. Instead of viewing Manningham as competition, he is choosing to see him as the third member of a young corps of receivers that will be catching balls from Eli Manning for years to come.

"I mean, I'm thinking so far ahead, but I just think it's a big plus for this organization to draft that guy there, have Steve last year and myself the year before that," Moss said. "It's just big for this organization. I'm not taking anything away from Plax and Amani because these guys are great athletes and they showed us the ropes. I just think it's big."

Of course, Moss is the eldest of this young crew. That would make him the grandfather, right?

"No I'm the uncle," he said with a smile. "Steve's the nephew and (Manningham's) the cousin."

We'll see if this family can stay together.

(blog.nj.com)

For the first time in a couple years, Redskins RB Clinton Portis took part in Redskins mini-camp. Portis’ solid fantasy year absolutely flew under the radar last season, but make no mistake about it - he has re-established himself as a solid fantasy RB1.


(thereisnooffseason.com)

John Salmons posted the finest season of his six-year career in '07-'08, but the real story was his excellent production as a starter. Over 41 starts while filling in for various players, The Fish scored 17.5 points on 49.7% shooting, 5.4 rebounds, 3.5 dimes, 1.6 steals. His threes and free throw percentage weren't too shabby, and neither were his 18 games of 20+ points.

(rototimes.com)

James Jones was brought over from Phoenix mostly as a three-point specialist, and proved to be a valuable asset by knocking down 1.6 three-pointers per game (at 44.4%). A near seven-percent rise in Jones' field goal percentage is the reason his '07-'08 season wasn't essentially a duplicate of his '06-'07 season.

(rototimes.com)

Cornerback Carlos Rogers and linebacker Rocky McIntosh are not expected to participate fully in the May 2-4 mini-camp. Both are continuing to recover from knee ligament surgery last year. Rogers is coming off a knee ligament injury suffered in Week 8 last season. He underwent surgery to repair the knee in November. His availability for training camp and preseason is also uncertain. Rogers has targeted the 2008 season opener for his return, though. He said in early March that he was "making progress" with his rehab. McIntosh's rehab has a shorter time frame, team officials said. He could be ready to participate in individual drills during mini-camp, but he may sit out team work. McIntosh could be fully healthy by training camp.

(PFW.com)