That vision General Manager Phil Savage has of tight ends Kellen Winslow Jr. and Martin Rucker splitting the defense will have to be put on hold for a while.

Both players were absent Wednesday in the second day of the Browns' Organized Team Activities, better known as OTAs.

Five veterans were missing - Winslow, tight end Steve Heiden, wide receiver Joe Jurevicius, linebacker D'Qwell Jackson and offensive lineman LeCharles Bentley.

Heiden (back) and Jurevicius (knee) were in the complex working out after offseason surgeries. Jurevicius had additional complications from a staph infection.

The Browns claim they do not know why Winslow is rehabbing from knee surgery in San Diego rather than in Berea. Winslow has said he wants a new contract, even though he has three years remaining on his current deal. Winslow's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, did not return messages left on his phone.

Rosenhaus declined to answer when asked in February whether he would hold Winslow out of training camp. Training camp begins the last week in July.

"When (Winslow) gets here, we'll find out for sure what that (reason) is," Coach Romeo Crennel said. "He isn't here, and I haven't spoken with him since February. When he gets here, I'll be able to answer that question."

None of the rookies are in the OTAs yet because they are not allowed to practice before their senior class graduates. The first day they can participate in the OTAs is Tuesday.

(zwire.com)

I caught up with James Jones today to see if he and his agent, Joel Bell, have had any preliminary talks about his player option situation, and found out that the situation is pretty much unchanged from the season's end.

Jones is relaxing with his family at his home in Miami and getting ready for a trip to Hawaii early next month. He said he probably will not discuss whether to activate the option on his contract until after the NBA Finals are completed next month because it is tough to get an accurate feel for the free agency market before that time. Jones has until late June to make his decision.

But Jones acknowledged that the potential playing-time crunch at small forward next season will factor in to the decision. He stressed that it will not be a make-or-break factor, but it will be a strong consideration. The situation boils down to this: A healthy Greg Oden and improving Channing Frye could push Travis Outlaw back to small forward next season, creating a bottleneck at that position. And if Rudy Fernandez chooses to join the Blazers, where he would likely be Brandon Roy's backup as a rookie, that bottleneck will grow even tighter. Should Jones activate his option (worth $3.2 million), he, Martell Webster and Outlaw would all be battling for playing time at the same spot, and the contract situations for each player could create an intensely competitive environment. Both Jones and Webster would be in the final years of their contracts and looking to improve their free-agency stock, while Outlaw will be playing to entice the Blazers to activate the team option on the third year of his contract (which appears almost certain at this point, but a rough year and a situation where any of those three could be pushed out of the regular rotation could change any certainties).

Jones is not concerned about the competition, though, having already carved out a solid career by being productive in limited amounts of time. He averaged a respectable 8.0 points and buried 91 3-pointers last season despite playing in only 58 games and averaging 22.0 minutes off the bench.

"I can be efficient in any amount of time that I'm given," Jones said. "I'm not worried about that."

The part that Jones will consider, though, is his free-agency stock. After battling knee trouble throughout last season and having his numbers plummet thanks to a horrid shooting slump late in the season, Jones' stock this summer may not be super-hot. But should Jones activate his option and return to the Blazers next year, he will be gambling that he will be able to raise his stock for the following summer in that highly competitive situation. Should Jones get pushed out of the regular rotation and wind up being the 11th or 12th man off the bench -- a realistic possibility considering how deep the Blazers appear to be next season -- his free-agency stock could take a hit next summer.

And that gives Jones something to consider over the next month: Should he test the market this summer while he's coming off a solid season? Or believe that he can continue to be effective next season and improve his standing on the market next summer?

"That will definitely be a part of my decision," Jones said. "It will be a factor, but not the factor."

(coumbian.com)

MIAMI -- One of five suspects charged in the slaying of Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor has pleaded guilty to charges of second-degree murder and burglary.

Defense attorney Michael Hornung said Thursday that according to the plea agreement, Venjah Hunte will serve 29 years in prison and cooperate with prosecutors.

Hunte pleaded guilty on Friday but prosecutors requested the plea agreement be sealed because investigators were pursuing the fifth suspect, Hornung said.

That suspect, 16-year-old Timothy Brown, was charged Wednesday with first-degree murder and armed burglary of an occupied dwelling.
Brown was arrested in Lee County about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Miami-Dade Police said in a statement. He was awaiting transport to Miami-Dade County.

Brown did not yet have an attorney on record with the prosecutor's office, Griffith said, and it has not been determined if he will be tried with the four other suspects.

Court documents and police reports had previously suggested five people were involved in Taylor's death, but only four were originally charged.

Taylor, 24, died of massive blood loss after he was shot at his Miami-area home in November during a botched robbery. A trial for the four Fort Myers-area suspects is scheduled for Aug. 25.

Richard Sharpstein, a Miami defense attorney who has acted as spokesman for the Taylor family, expressed gratitude Wednesday for authorities' work on the case.

"The family is thankful that the investigation continues and that all individuals responsible for Sean's death meet harsh justice," he said.
Sharpstein said he could not speak about the facts of the case because of a gag order.

(espn.com)

MILWAUKEE -- Ryan Braun grinned. He had just agreed to the largest contract in Milwaukee Brewers' history.

"I really believe in the direction this franchise is headed," the NL Rookie of the Year said Thursday after his $45 million, eight-year deal was announced. "I'm extremely excited in our future."

Braun's contract, which runs through 2015, replaces the $455,000, one-year renewal the Brewers gave him in spring training. It includes a $2.3 million bonus this season and could increase to $51 million through escalators.

"How unreal is this?" said Braun's mother, Diane, who was looking on from the front row.

Braun hit .324 with 34 homers and 97 RBIs last season in 113 games after a May 25 callup. He entered Thursday with a .287 average, nine homers and 29 RBIs.

"For me, the opportunity to secure my future financially is something that really means a lot to me," the 24-year-old said. "I feel I was ready to make this commitment to the city of Milwaukee, to the fans and to the Brewers' organization. For them obviously to step up and give me this type of deal, this type of offer, is unprecedented and it means a lot to me."

The deal surpasses the $42 million, four-year contract the Brewers gave free-agent pitcher Jeff Suppan got before the 2007 season.

Braun said the money talks distracted him early this season.

"Anybody who says that contract negotiations aren't a distraction is not telling you the truth," he said. "It definitely comes into play, it definitely factors in and for me, it's just great to have that out of the way and just be able to focus on baseball and know financially I'm secure for the rest of my life."

General manager Doug Melvin said Braun made a commitment from the start, just like when he immediately signed after being selected with the fifth pick of the 2005 amateur draft.

"When we went into negotiations, Ryan wanted to be a Milwaukee Brewer for an extended period of time," Melvin said. "It wasn't about three years, it wasn't about four years. He wanted to be here that long a period of time -- eight years."

Braun's power was never a question from the start, but his league-high 26 errors last season forced the team to move him from third base to left field. Braun has not had an error there in 39 games this season.

He becomes the first player with a long-term deal among the Brewers' young core, which includes Prince Fielder, Corey Hart, Rickie Weeks and J.J. Hardy. Braun hopes the others get long-term contracts.

"Obviously, we have a lot of great young players, and we have a lot of guys that enjoy playing with each other, enjoy being around each other," he said. "I certainly hopes this starts a trend."

Brewers principal owner Mark Attanasio said he hopes for a "domino effect" with his other young players.

"Relative to the state of baseball, there's a little bit of a sea change here," Attanasio said as he was leaving the owners' meetings taking place about 5 miles from Miller Park. "There's been a number of young players now who are getting signed, and I think what you see is there's a real economic incentive on both sides to do something."

Braun has a no-trade clause for the next four years, then a limited no-trade clause allowing him to block deals to 12 teams from 2012-13 and six teams from 2014-15.

"We've done other long-term agreements before, but I was surprised at the complexity of this one," Attanasio said.

(espn.com)

The Browns are apparently interpreting Kellen Winslow's absence from voluntary organized team activities -- and silence -- as a statement about his contract.

Asked Wednesday if it was health-related, coach Romeo Crennel said, "When he gets here we'll find out for sure exactly what that is. He's not here and I haven't spoken with him."

But Crennel didn't seem surprised by the no-show.

"There's something that happens every year with somebody," he said. "We've just got to get this team ready."

He said the last time he talked to Winslow was in January or February. Winslow has been rehabbing his surgically-repaired knee in San Diego since then, but his absence most of the off-season is believed to be related to wanting a new deal. The 12 voluntary practices lead up to a mandatory minicamp June 10-12.

"It's not a big deal," Josh Cribbs said. "If he was here, he'd be hurt."

Cribbs added, "It's not a question of his character because he plays like a soldier. When he gets here he's going to work his butt off."
Said Braylon Edwards: "Everybody goes through personal trials and tribulations. If he has something going on that the team is aware of, that's his business."

Fellow tight end Darnell Dinkins said, "We all know he's dealing with certain things. Kellen made the Pro Bowl. When he's with us, he competes. Nobody else is going to contribute more than that."

Team leader Willie McGinest said he'd talk to Winslow if the team asked him to. "I'm like a big brother to him," McGinest said. "We're all supposed to be brothers and family around here."

(blog.cleveland.com)

Johnson ordered 750 bicycles to be given to underprivileged kids at an event sponsored by the Andre Johnson Non Profit Foundation. In return for the purchase, Wal-Mart agreed to donate water and ice for the May 3 event. But there was a problem. Johnson had ordered the bikes in various sizes for both older and younger kids. But the bikes didn't comes as ordered (more small than large), so Johnson only purchased 677 -- at full retail price, mind you. Well, Wal-Mart didn't take too kindly to this, so on the day of the event (it was 84 degrees out) they wouldn't fork over the water or the ice. AJ's people were told that Wal-Mart would not be donating the ice because they hadn't purchased the 73 remaining bikes. That's cold!

(battleredblog.com)

Hosted by Sinorice Moss of the Super Bowl Champions New York Giants with Special Guests Edgerrin James, Chad Johnson and Reggie Wayne.

TYSONS CORNER, VA (May 13, 2008) -- Famed, all-pro wide receiver Santana Moss, #89, will kick-off his birthday celebration at Chima Brazilian Steakhouse in Tysons Corner on May 30, 2008. The party will begin in bar at 8pm with a social mixer, followed by an exclusive dinner in the VIP room at 8:30pm.

The evening, part of a three-day Birthday Extravaganza hosted by wide receiver Sinorice Moss of the Super Bowl Champions New York Giants, #83, will include authentic Brazilian cuisine courtesy of Chima Brazilian Steakhouse. Special guests include running back Edgerrin James, #32; wide receiver Andre Johnson, #80; and wide receiver Reggie Wayne, #87.

Guests will enjoy Chima's authentic Brazilian Churrasco (Brazilian barbeque) served rodizo style, includes 16 kinds of meat, ranging from filet mignon, pork loin, lamb chops, chicken and fish all served by authentic "Gauchos." The Brazilian Gauchos, dressed in traditional attire, roam from table to table with skewers of piping hot, roasted meat, ready to slice off for your dining pleasure. Meals are accompanied by one of the most inclusive salad bars, with a wide range of American and Brazilian favorites -- from salads and oven-fresh breads to soups and deli meats. A full bar provides standard and specialty drinks, with a wine list that is the envy of connoisseurs everywhere.

(washingtontimes.com)

BALTIMORE -- Enjoy Ray Lewis while you can.

Because in a few years, the future Hall of Fame linebacker plans to separate himself from the NFL completely -- with no second-guessing and no regrets.

"When it's time for me to hang up those cleats, there is no coming back,'' Lewis said. "There is no 'Yeah, I feel good again and I'm in better shape.' Because I know what I give every day of my life, and that is complete focus on my task at hand.''

That current task is bringing Baltimore back to prominence. Just two years ago the Ravens were Super Bowl contenders after a 13-3 season, but injuries and inconsistent play resulted in last season's 5-11 finish.

Despite nine Pro Bowl appearances and a Super Bowl MVP on his résumé, Lewis says he is training harder than ever. Increasing his workout regimen with age is a trick he learned from former teammates Rod Woodson and Shannon Sharpe, who played 17 and 14 years, respectively.

Lewis, who turns 33 Thursday, is in his 13th season and believes his intense training will help him play "another three or four years, easily.'' He arrived at minicamp in midseason form last weekend, weighing 255 pounds with 6 percent body fat and biceps large enough to make running backs cringe.

In addition, there is a newfound energy about Lewis. He was running around the practice field last week like a 23-year-old and was playful in the locker room with actual 23-year-olds, such as rookie quarterback Joe Flacco.

"You appreciate it more,'' said Lewis. "You appreciate why you play the game, why you mentor these young kids, and why you go through the ups and downs of this business. So my energy is more incredible now than I think it's probably ever been, probably because of the excitement of everything that's going on."

Much of the optimism in Baltimore revolves around the hire of rookie head coach John Harbaugh, who replaced Brian Billick after nine seasons.

Harbaugh spent the past few months with both hands over his ears, blocking out any public perception about his new team and particularly as it pertains to Lewis.

There is speculation in Baltimore that Lewis' strong personality could make it difficult for a first-time head coach to put his imprint on the team. Harbaugh is in the process of running a much tighter ship than Billick, and the theory was that if Lewis wasn't on board, the locker room would be tough to win over.

Harbaugh said his relationship with his star player is the "complete opposite" of what outsiders expected.

"I didn't know if it was going to be a problem or a solution, and Ray has been beyond a solution,'' Harbaugh said. "Ray is every bit the leader than probably anybody in the history of the NFL. That is a big statement. But I've been in the league 10 years now, and I can't imagine there being a better leader in this league than Ray Lewis.''

This season marks a contract year for Lewis.

Baltimore is in a tough spot because all three starting linebackers potentially could hit the open market after the 2008 season. Bart Scott is at the end of a three-year deal he signed before the 2006 season, and Terrell Suggs was given a one-year franchise tag in February.

The Ravens currently are negotiating extensions with both Suggs and Lewis, but there are no guarantees either will reach an agreement by the start of the regular season.

"I've never got caught up in that,'' Lewis said. "If anybody has ever bothered to check with my career, everybody knows there has never been a camp where I've held out.

"There's never been a contract problem with me -- and it will never be that with me -- bottom line."

According to Lewis' timeline, his next contract likely will be his last.

Before long he will join the recently retired Brett Favre and Steve McNair as three throwback players of this generation who could transcend any era. Whether it's linebackers Jack Lambert, Dick Butkus or Mike Singletary, you can envision Lewis lining up next to those players and fitting in perfectly.

But Lewis says he will be prepared when the next phase of his life arrives. That phase will include business ventures and, most importantly, family time.

Lewis' children tug at his heart every day. Most recently he mentioned a track meet that he regrettably missed because of his obligations at Ravens camp.

It's a delicate balance of family and football that Lewis finds increasingly difficult to manage. That is part of the reason Lewis plans to remove himself from the spotlight once he retires, because it will open another door to become the ever-present father he wants to be.

"It's a push-pull [situation],'' Lewis said candidly. "My kids are young enough now. But when they start getting to that age where they are in high school, I want to be there to say, 'I got this. I'll go shopping for everything,' and things like that.

"So that part of life, man, that is exciting once you actually put everything into it that I want to put into it."

(espn.com)

MIAMI (AP) — Prosecutors in Miami say a fifth person has been charged in the slaying of Washington Redskins star Sean Taylor.

Miami-Dade County State Attorney's Office spokesman Ed Griffith says Wednesday that 16-year-old Timothy Brown is charged with first-degree murder under a sealed warrant.

The 24-year-old Taylor died of massive blood loss after he was shot at his Miami-area home during a botched robbery in November.

Brown is being held in Lee County. It's not immediately known when he'll be transferred to Miami-Dade County to face the charge.

Trial for the four Fort Myers-area suspects is set for Aug. 25. Prosecutors have said they will not seek the death penalty.

Ray Lewis is not the superstar he once was, but he remains a very good linebacker and is still a leader on the Ravens' impressive defense. He watches tape extensively and always works very hard on and off the field, which pays big dividends on game day. Many times he will recognize what his opponent is looking to do before the snap, but his body can't always do what his mind wants at this advanced stage of his career. However, he can still relay what he sees to his teammates pre-snap. He remains a bone-crushing striker, who very rarely takes false steps in his pursuit of the ball carrier and is an overall intimidator. Lewis led his team with 121 tackles in 2007 and was invited to the Pro Bowl for an amazing ninth time.

While Lewis is still going strong, his partner in crime Bart Scott took a step backward in 2007. The Ravens' defense sets up in different looks, which tend to confuse the offense. When the Ravens show a 3-4 look, Lewis and Scott both play on the inside, but when they use a more traditional 4-3 scheme, Lewis is the middle linebacker and Scott plays on the weak side. Either way, the ball carrier is often funneled in their direction, which gives Lewis and Scott plenty of opportunities to make big plays. Scott was a terror in 2006, but he simply did not impact games in the same fashion this past season. Look for Lewis and the rest of the defense to help Scott return to his dominating Pro Bowl form.

Lewis is an influential veteran who will provide invaluable insight to rookie LB Tavares Gooden. Gooden has a lot of talent and could potentially play any linebacker spot in a 4-3 scheme or either inside spot in a 3-4 scheme. He went to the University of Miami, like Lewis, so Lewis should take a special interest in Gooden's development. Baltimore has not drafted a linebacker with Gooden's skills since selecting Edgerton Hartwell in the fourth round of the 2001 draft. That is a great tribute to just how reliable Lewis has been over that span. Gooden eventually could replace Lewis and should immediately light a fire under Scott.  

(espn.com)

The Browns and Giants passed on former UM guard Derrick Morse after trying him out.





(miamiherald.com)

Running back Edgerrin James has been in a light-hearted mood minicamp weekend, and there could be several reasons for that.

For one, the Cardinals didn’t draft a running back high – Tim Hightower was a fifth-round choice and won’t unseat James anytime soon – so James remains the unquestioned starter. Second is the stability of the offense, which James said is so much better defined than it was during times in 2007.

“Last year, we really didn’t even know who we were,” James said. “Now, I think from a coaching staff standpoint, they know exactly what they want and what they have.”

But the biggest reason is because James has stayed away from Arizona since the end of the season, a process he always regards as important.

“If you stay around this is becomes mundane and kind of boring,” James said. “For me, that’s always something that makes me miss the game, getting totally away and rest and recovery. I (do) train. When I get bored, I train. I hang with my cousins, and the University of Miami, so I am always around them and I am always training.

“As far as being with the guys and playing football, you look forward to that because you have been away. If I had been here every week, I’d be like, ‘Same old (stuff)’ ”

James is expected to take part in at least some of the voluntary OTAs that begin later this month.

(azcardinals.com)

Brad Kunz signed with the British Columbia Lions of the CFL. We wish him the best of luck and thank him for keeping us posted on his whereabouts. Keep up the good work Brad!

Duane Starks was cut by the Oakland Raiders. Chances are he will probably retire after a successful career which included a Super Bowl win.





(ap.com)

It's been a long time since Danny Graves was an effective major legue pitcher. He hasn't for example had an ERA under 4.00 since 2004; hasn't really ever recovered from the ill-fated attempt in 2003 to turn him from a 100-innings-a-year relief ace to a starter.

But he's still around, not yet 35, pitching in the Twins farm system after signing a minor-league deal late in spring training.

He started Monday night for the Rochester Red Wings, the Twins' Triple A affiliate, and at least statistically fared well: four shutout innings, two hits allowed, two strikeouts.

It's not that the Twins are seriously looking at him as starter. They wanted to see some innings; they wanted to get a serious evaluation of his stuff.

There is, after all, a serious hole in the Minnesota bullpen now. Pat Neshek in many ways was the most important guy in that pen — the man Ron Gardenhire called on both to get out of late-inning jams (well, Nesek and Dennys Reyes, with Reyes handling the lefties) and his top eighth-inning guy.

That was probably too heavy a workload. In 2006, Gardy used Neshek and Reyes in the middle of innings and relied on Juan Rincon and Jesse Crain to handle the eighth. But last year Rincon was ineffective and Crain blew out his shoulder, and the bulk of the eight-inning work got added to Neshek's duties. Now Neshek's elbow is shot, and the Twins have a problem.

Matt Guerrier doesn't fit the preferred profile of a late-inning reliever; the post-surgical Crain is unlikely to be used in the middle of an inning or on consecutive days; Rincon, despite four shutout innings in the Boston series, hasn't proved that his back to his 2004-06 form, when he was as good an eighth-inning option as there was in the game.

If Graves has any juice left in his arm, there's a job available.

(mankatofreepress.com)

Buffalo Bills tight end Kevin Everett, who is walking again after suffering a life-threatening spinal cord injury last season, was placed on the team's waived/failed physical list Tuesday, freeing him to pursue long-term disability benefits from the NFL.

Now that he has been officially waived, Everett may apply for a long-term disability payment of $224,000 per year over the life span of his injury, according to The Buffalo News, which first reported the roster move. An injured player is not eligible for that benefit while still on a team's active roster.

Everett received his full pay of $435,000 last season, his third in the NFL, qualifying him for a full NFL pension. Based on his number of years in the league, he is eligible to receive monthly payments of $1,410, the newspaper reported.

Everett may also apply for a one-time payment of $75,000 as part of the Player Health Reimbursement Plan, according to the report.

In a statement, the team said Everett's progress since the injury "is nothing short of a miracle and is a tremendous example of faith, family and hard work.

"Today we are faced with the difficult decision to place Kevin on the waived/failed physical list, making him eligible to apply for any benefits due him," the team said. "We had numerous discussions with the league in dealing with this process to assist him in the best way possible. Kevin will always remain a Buffalo Bill in the same way that Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas and so many others before him are held in the highest regard by our franchise."

Everett was initially paralyzed from the neck down while attempting to make a tackle in the Bills' season opener last Sept. 9. He is now walking on his own since being released from a Houston rehabilitation facility in November.

He visited the Bills' locker room before their final regular-season game and sat with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell at Super Bowl XLII.

(espn.com)

Tamara James was waived by the Washington Mysitcs.






(wnba.com)

MILWAUKEE -- The St. Louis Cardinals have seen just about enough of Milwaukee Brewers slugger Ryan Braun over the last two days.

Braun hit two home runs for the second game in a row in the Milwaukee Brewers' 8-3 victory Monday night.

For Braun, it was another sign that he's beginning to regain the form that made him National League rookie of the year last season.

"I feel the game slow down a little bit," Braun said. "I feel like I see pitches longer -- and bigger."

Braun followed up Sunday's two-homer performance by hitting two more off stingy Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright (3-2), who had given up four runs or fewer in his first seven starts and had a 2.25 earned-run average going into the game.

"The thing about him is if you make tough pitches, you hold him to singles or you get him out," Wainwright said. "You make bad pitches, he hits home runs."

Jason Isringhausen, demoted from the closer's role over the weekend, pitched a scoreless eighth for St. Louis.

(ap.com)

Former Ravens coach Brian Billick often had to pull Willis McGahee in the fourth quarter of games last year due to poor conditioning.
Poor conditioning won't fly under new coach Jim Harbaugh, whose offseason program has already been more intense than anything Billick ran. Training camp will likely be much tougher under the ex-Eagles special teams coach

(rotoworld.com)

Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride said today that he’s spoken to Jeremy Shockey and told the unhappy tight end how much he’s wanted. But he also became the latest person who couldn’t guarantee Shockey would be the Giants’ starting tight end this year.

That’s the plan, Gilbride said, but he added the phrase “right now” - just like GM Jerry Reese and Tom Coughlin did a few weeks back. It’s yet another sign that the possibility exists that Shockey could still be traded, though that would appear to be a very slim possibility at this late date.

“It’s so nebulous right now, you just have no idea what’s going to happen,” Gilbride said. “Right now he’s on our team. We’re planning on him being there. He’ll be one of the guys that we’ll look to feature and one of the guys that we’ll look to depend on. Hopefully he’ll be here in good spirits and ready to do the things that we know he’s capable of doing. But who knows? It’s certainly beyond my hands.”

Gilbride said he didn’t have any intimate knowledge of any trade talks, and that “90 percent” of what he hears has come from the media. Still, he felt the need to call Shockey and let him know that “I hope he comes back and if he does come back I’m looking forward to working with him, and I think his coaches and teammates all feel like I do, that we’ll be a better football team because he’s here. I just wanted to make sure he understood that.”

Of course, there’s still the big question: Does Shockey want to come back? He’s certainly told enough people around the NFL that he’s unhappy, and he did request a trade from the Giants. Has he changed his mind? Is he willing to make a smooth return without making any waves? And what did he tell Gilbride about that?

“It wouldn’t be fair for me to divulge what was said by him, and I would feel very uncomfortable doing that. I’d feel like I was betraying a confidence,” Gilbride said. “But I feel like we had a good talk, and the most important thing I wanted him to know was the way I felt.”

What about Shockey’s role in the offense, a major source of his unhappiness? Gilbride said Shockey is “one of the guys we’ll look to feature” if he comes back. But does Shockey believe that? Does he still feel like this is an offense he can contribute to and wants to be in?

“Again, I don’t feel real comfortable about commenting on the exchange of ideas that came from him,” Gilbride said. “I can tell you what I said, and I just let him know there’s a place for him here. I think we’re a better football team if he’s here. And as far as I’m concerned he’s an integral part of what we’re doing.”

That’s a lot of uncertainty. Again.

(nydailynews.com)

When Najeh Davenport was signed prior to the 2006 season, the intention was to make him change-of-pace back — a guy who could fill the role vacated by the departure of Jerome Bettis, providing the “oompf” to Willie Parker’s “wow.”  No razzle, no dazzle, just hit-the-head-pin-hard pounding for the tough yards.

Unfortunately for both Davenport and the Steelers, a notable reluctance to attack holes in the line has led to a much less-than-stellar return on the investment, at least where the original intentions are concerned.  While he filled in admirably after Parker, then the league’s leading rusher, went down for the count in week 16, it wasn’t what the previous coaching staff envisioned for the former fourth-round pick.  And, after a season is in the books, I would say it’s safe to color the new coaching staff largely unimpressed, too.

This isn’t the first time Davenport has faced the task of out-performing his peers; the Steelers signed Kevan Barlow in the spring of 2007, a move that was, at the time, considered by many to be a welcome addition to the roster.  However, Barlow failed to perform in training camp and was cut well before the season started.  Facing competition only from unproven commodities Carey Davis and Gary Russell and then-third-down back Verron Haynes, Davenport ultimately was named the team’s second-string runner.

The competition for 2008 looks, on paper at least, to be considerably tougher.  Free-agency acquisition Mewelde Moore is considered by many to be a very capable back who was released by Minnesota because of a very crowded — and highly talented — Viking backfield.  Moore provides another runner in the Parker mold, though, so he won’t be performing any power-back roles.  However, he is likely to take over the third-down role, as he is an outstanding receiver out of the backfield and has a better burst than Davenport, making him a perfect fit for screens and short routes, and a much better candidate for draws.

On the power side of things, there are options there, too.  Carey Davis is likely to fill the role of fullback whenever needed unless Dan Kreider is healed up from a torn ACL and is re-signed.  Second-year runner Gary Russell has had a season to learn the playbook and is a very inexpensive alternative to Davenport.  Then, of course, there’s first-round pick Rashard Mendenhall, who was an excellent power runner in college, hits holes with reckless abandon, and has outstanding speed for a back his size.  Heck, he has very good speed for a guy Parker’s size.  Think a young Edgerin James with better downfield legs.

In all likelihood, there just won’t be room on an already crowded and expensive roster for a guy whose production has not really equaled his price tag, probably leaving Davenport as the odd man out.

(mvn.com)

Minneapolis, MN (Sports Network) - The Red Sox activated infielder Alex Cora off the 15-day disabled list prior to Sunday's 9-8 loss to the Twins.

Cora, who had been out since April 9 with a sore right elbow, had three hits and started at shortstop Sunday night, making him 6-for-7 in four games this season.

In a corresponding move, the Red Sox optioned infielder Jed Lowrie to Triple-A Pawtucket.

(sportsnetwork.com)

The comparisons are inevitable. They grew up in the same area, went to the same college, played the same position. Yet Kenny Phillips, the Giants' first-round draft pick from the University of Miami, never met the late Sean Taylor.

That hasn't stopped him from paying tribute to the former Redskins safety who was shot and killed in a botched burglary last year.

Phillips made three phone calls to the Giants between the time he was drafted in late April and Friday's start of rookie minicamp, hoping to be issued the No. 21 jersey that Taylor wore in his final seasons with the Redskins. When he showed up for the camp, he learned that his persistence paid off. Phillips was issued the number that most recently belonged to Tiki Barber, the recently retired all-time leading rusher in franchise history. Phillips wore No. 1 in college.

"Even in high school, I had pictures of him in my locker," Phillips said of Taylor. "I watch film on him and he was just an exceptional athlete. The plays he made were crazy. I just wanted to pay my respects by having his number and trying to live up to that."
The Giants hope he can. He stood out in Friday's practice, playing both free and strong safety. There's a chance Phillips could get an opening day start -- against Taylor's old team -- and Friday, the coaching staff started trying to figure out where he could fit in their schemes.

"The first thing you are trying to do is bring the guys in and take a look at them, put them on the field and just assess where you think they will fit in," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. "I like the way he moves and I like the way, so far, he has grasped what we are doing."

Phillips is the latest in a line of Miami safeties who have hit the NFL, including Ed Reed, Taylor and Brandon Meriweather.

"Of course you want to live up to that tradition," he said. "I don't want to say there is any pressure because in the end, like I said, I can only be myself."

Even if he is wearing one of their numbers while doing it. (newsday.com)

Kenny Phillips is sure he can handle what is required of him as a first-round draft pick of the Giants.

He knows he must purchase doughnuts for the veterans during the season.

"I can do doughnuts," Phillips said.

He knows he will be asked (more like told) to sing the Miami fight song or some other ditty on the first day of training camp.

"I think if I sound pretty good, they might not ask me to do it anymore," Phillips reasoned.

He grimaced when informed he will be expected to take the defensive backs out to an expensive dinner. Then he brightened a bit when reminded that dinner will come only after he signs his first NFL contract.

Of all the rookies at Giants Stadium for the two-day mini-camp, none looked the part quite like Phillips. He stood out in a crowd at a statuesque 6-foot-2, he has an athletic grace about him and, even if there was no name or uniform number on his back Phillips easily would be recognizable as the top pick among this collection of rookies and first-year players.

In his second practice session in this camp, Phillips showed how it's done at free safety as a high pass from Willie Copeland glanced off the fingertips of tight end Jawad Nesheiwat. The ball was headed downward, inches away from hitting the turf, when Phillips used his long strides to smoothly cradle his arms under the descending ball for an interception.

"I like the way he moves," Tom Coughlin said.

Those moves could land Phillips in the starting job vacated by the free-agent defection of Gibril Wilson to the Raiders. There's not exactly a logjam out in front for Phillips to crash through. Veteran Sammy Knight was signed this offseason, but he's far more suited to the strong side. Returning starter James Butler and second-year man Michael Johnson return with more experience than Phillips, but far less pedigree. Butler wasn't drafted out of Georgia Tech, and Johnson last year was a seventh-round pick out of Arizona.

(nypost.com)

Before Kenny Phillips' final season at Miami, Ed Reed and Brandon Meriweather provided him with a message of encouragement.

"We paved the way for you," they said. "All you have to do is be you and you're going to be all right."

It was a message that resonated on several levels. For one, Phillips had to be his own player. He wasn't Reed or Meriweather and he didn't have to emulate them. But because he wore the same college uniform as those two and played the same position, he would indeed be all right come draft time.

When the Giants selected him with the 31st overall pick last month, Phillips became the fourth Hurricanes safety to be drafted in the first round since Reed was picked 24th overall by the Ravens in 2002. He joined Meriweather (also 24th overall by the Patriots last year) and the late Sean Taylor (the fifth pick by the Redskins in 2004).

The four Miami safeties are tied for the most first-round picks from a program at a position in the last seven drafts, joining Ohio State wide receivers and Miami cornerbacks. But a total of 56 receivers and corners have been drafted in the first round since 2002, making the Hurricanes' 33 percent share of the 12 first-round safeties seem even more impressive.

Only Auburn offensive guards (two of six) have posted such a percentage.

"The biggest reason we're successful is because they come back and help us," Phillips, who never met Taylor but has chosen No. 21 -- Taylor's number with the Redskins -- as a tribute to him, said the other day at Giants rookie minicamp. "Ed came back and helped Brandon and me. Brandon helped me when I was there. It's like we try to keep it going. It was like a brotherhood. You always have a big brother with the Miami safety tradition."

They also have a father -- coach Randy Shannon, who was the Hurricanes defensive coordinator from 2001-06 before taking over the head job last season. Shannon feels it's no coincidence Miami has had so many first-round safeties. In fact, he cites several reasons why the program is an NFL safety factory.

"One thing we've always done here since I played here with Bennie Blades is we try to find safeties that can make plays and do things in high school not just playing safety," Shannon said by phone. "We always try to find guys that had ball skills and that can be excited about the game and have some special qualities about them that you say, 'He's a guy.' And that's what we found in Kenny."

In addition to his prowess as a safety at Miami's Carol City High School, Phillips was a star returner. Reed did it all at Destrehan (La.) High: Quarterback, tailback, safety and returner. Taylor was a running back and safety at Gulliver Prep in Pinecrest, Fla. And Meriweather was a defensive back and option quarterback for Apopka (Fla.) High. Click here to continue reading...

It might be rookie minicamp, but the veterans are still a topic of conversation - particularly Jeremy Shockey. Today, offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride said he's not even sure if the tight end will play another down for the Giants or if he'll be traded.

"It's so nebulous right now. I just have no idea what's going to happen," Gilbride said. "Right now, he's on our team. We're planning on him being there and he'll be one of the guys we'll look to feature and depend on. Hopefully, he'll be here in good sprits and ready to do the things we know he's capable of doing. But who knows? It's certainly beyond my hands."

Gilbride said he has spoken to Shockey recently, but still remains unsure of the situation because of what he's hearing.

"Ninety percent of it is coming from you guys and just listening and reading and hearing what you guys are saying and hearing what our organization's responses are to your inquiries," Gilbride said. "When I spoke to him, I just told him, in essence, I hope he comes back and if he does come back I'm looking forward to working with him and I think his teammates and coaches all feel like I do - that we'll be a better football team because he's here. And I just wanted to make sure he understood that."

Gilbride wouldn't say what Shockey's feelings were on the matter, particularly when asked if he wants to come back and if he likes his role in the offense.

"It wouldn't be fair for me to divulge what was said by him and I would feel very uncomfortable doing that. I would feel like I was betraying his confidence," Gilbride said. "But we had a good talk and, again, the most important thing is I wanted him to know the way I felt."

When pressed on the issue of Shockey's role in the offense, Gilbride said, "Again, I don't feel real comfortable commenting on the exchange of ideas I came from him. I can tell you what I said. I just wanted him to know there's a place for him here and I think we're a better football team when he's here and as far as I'm concerned, he's an integral part of what we're doing."

Gilbride did have an interesting take on how much Shockey's absence while injured last season actually helped Eli Manning.

"Rather than Jeremy leaving, it was more of Steve Smith coming back," Gilbride said. "That's what a lot of people don't realize. It was Steve Smith's return. If you looked at the Dallas game in our opener he did some good things. He caught the pass on the third-down conversion and then all of a sudden we don't have him again until Buffalo. And then, he comes back and little by little ... I thought his emergence really helped (Manning) and also the entire group contributed. I thought the line played better, I thought Steve Smith's addition (helped) and I thought Kevin Boss did some good things. A lot of those guys played a little bit better and the supporting cast - I hate to use that term - but the supporting cast played better, which I thought allowed Eli to showcase his abilities more effectively."

(blog.nj.com)

"Quentin is amazing," said his mother, Jennifer Martino.

Quentin is winning a year-and-a-half long battle with leukemia. He's beating odds that are stacked pretty high against him. Fifty percent of infant leukemia patients do not survive, but after six months in the hospital, and nearly a year of maintenance chemotherapy, Quentin seems to be doing just fine.

"There isn't a day that goes by that I don't count my blessings for how well he's doing," Jennifer added.

Jennifer is also thankful for the kindness of strangers. She's met others who know the impact cancer can have on a family.

"There as been such an outpouring of love and support," Jennifer told CBS4.

Now another mother is planning a fundraiser for Quentin. Not just any other mother, the mother of Bronco defensive linebacker, D.J. Williams.

"Being a parent and having your child go through this is tough and difficult, and people can use as much help as possible," Williams said.

Williams' mother wanted to help because as a child she had a brother who battled leukemia.

"My mother had a brother who passed away at 10 years old, and it's close and dear to her heart," Williams said.

"She didn't have to know us. She didn't have to know anything about Quentin. She didn't have to meet me to know that she wanted to do something for our family who has a child with cancer," Jennifer said.

It's the kind of connection that brings mothers together in the face of a difficult diagnosis.

The fundraiser is scheduled for Wednesday, May 14 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Lighthouse Cafe in Parker. Broncos D.J. Williams, Nate Webster and Louis Green will be there to sign autographs and take pictures. 

For those who can't attend the fundraiser but are still interested in helping the Martino family, Jennifer set up a PayPal account to take donations. The email address is caring4childhoodcancer@gmail.com.

For those who can't afford to make a donation, they can help Quentin and other children with leukemia and various types of cancer by making a blood donations. Quentin received more than 40 blood product transfusions during the course of his treatment. You can also sign up for the National Bone Marrow Registry.

The "Thanks Mom" Marrow Drive is going on at www.marrow.org where they are waiving the usual registration fees to be registered on the National Bone Marrow Registry May 5 through May 19. If Quentin ever needed a bone marrow transplant, he would have to get a non-sibling donor from the National Registry because he is an only child.

(cbs4denver.com)

S Kenny Phillips recorded his first INT as a Giant when he picked off a pass from QB Andre' Woodson that bounced off the hands of TE Jawad Nesheiwat. Phillips has gotten work in at both safety spots, but has stated that he does feel more comfortable at the free safety position. Phillips is expected to compete for a starting job right away in August.

Phillips wore No. 21 in honor of recently slain Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor, another Miami product.

(blog.nj.com)

The University of Miami's graduation ceremonies are today and a former classmate of mine is finally getting his degree. That's Lamar Thomas, the former UM receiver who spent time in the NFL with the Bucs and Dolphins. Lamar took a full load this semester to finish, 15 years removed from taking "HIS 383," the "History of Sport" class we both took back in 1993. While the class was supposed to be about the history of the olympics, there were so many "jocks" in the class that often Professor Handler would engage the student-athletes about current times. I remember one psychology themed discussion turning frank when some of the football players were asked what they would do to try to "psyche out" the opposition. The one about FSU's Casey Weldon sticks out in my mind like it was yesterday, but since I want to keep this blog PG-13 I can't mention it here.

(jcridley.blogspot.com)

Coach Ken Whisenhunt said he wasn’t sure yet whether second-round draft pick Calais Campbell will play inside on the defensive line or outside, with a decision likely to wait until the players put pads on in training camp. …



(azcardinals.com)

Nobody gets Antrel Rolle’s name right.

Everyone pronounces it “Ann-trel” – including teammates – and amazingly enough, that’s the pronunciation Rolle himself tells anyone who asks.

“Everyone says ‘Ann-trel, Ann-trel’ and you can’t go around correcting everybody so I just tell people ‘Ann-trel,’ ” Rolle said. “But it’s really ‘Ahn-trel.’ ”

Rolle hopefully has more trouble with the name switch than his current task of switching positions in the Cardinals’ defensive backfield. Drafted as a cornerback with the eighth overall pick in the 2005 draft, there were many at the time who thought Rolle would eventually become a safety.

After a few years struggling at cornerback – and then proving in 2007 with his five interceptions that he was very effective in inside coverage – Rolle became the candidate to replace the released Terrence Holt as starting free safety.

“He’ll have to look at things inside-out instead of outside-in, and that’s always a challenge for guys,” defensive backs coach Teryl Austin said. “There are some things he might struggle with early but I am sure by the end of the day he will be pretty good at it.”

Rolle called himself “a natural” for the free safety spot. The mental work is more intense, but he after playing all over the field growing up, finding a new spot isn’t a big deal.

Austin sees the same thing, saying Rolle “just likes to play.”

“If we told him you are going to be our starting Will linebacker or our starting guard, he’d be ‘OK, wherever you want me to play,’ ” Austin said.

It isn’t the prep work that concerns Rolle as much as the absent one-on-one battle he craved while playing cornerback.

“I love that one-on-one battle,” Rolle said.  “So I miss that. But now I’m the last line of defense out there, and I am up to the challenge.”

As for his name, Rolle is less concerned.

“I didn’t even know (how it was pronounced) until I was 7,” he admitted.

(azcardinals.com)

Jenkins (5-10, 188), from Miami, finished his senior season with 31 receptions for 619 yards and two touchdowns for the Hurricanes. He tallied three 100-yard receiving games as well in 2007. 



(houstontexans.com)

Miami-Dade prosecutors have waived the death penalty against the four suspects accused of murdering former Washington Redskins star Sean Taylor.

Eric Rivera, 18, Venjah Hunte, 20 and Charles Wardlow, 18, all of Fort Myers, and Jason Mitchell, 20, of Lehigh Acres, face charges of first-degree murder and armed burglary.

They will still face the possibility of life in prison, but Assistant State Attorney Reid Rubin sent notice to the defendants' attorneys late Friday he won't be seeking to kill them for the alleged crimes, said Hunte's attorney, Michael Hornung.

"They didn't leave Fort Myers with the intentions to shoot anyone or kill anyone," Hornung said. "They were going to make sure that person would lie down at gunpoint."

On Nov. 26, Miami-Dade police said, the four drove to Taylor's house. When they arrived, they broke into the Washington Redskins safety's house intending to burglarize it. But Taylor, 24, was at home with his wife and child, recovering from a sprained right knee.

The former Pro Bowl safety was shot in the leg and died of blood loss the next day.
According to Rivera's statement to investigators, five people drove to the house that night in a rented SUV, but only four arrests have been made.

Rivera, who was implicated as the shooter according to a grand jury indictment, was 17 at the time of the crime and wouldn't have been eligible for the death penalty under Florida law.

That complicated the process for prosecutors, Hornung said.

"It has a bad appearance to it," he said of seeking death against the non-shooters and not the alleged shooter.

Also according to the indictment, Mitchell was in the house wearing a mask during the armed burglary. Other reports released to the public have indicated the suspects used a 9 mm gun to shoot open a sliding glass door at the house. Dive teams searched off Alligator Alley after the shooting, but haven't found a weapon.

According to information previously released by police, Mitchell attended a birthday party in September at Taylor's home. He stayed at the house for several days, doing work around the house to prepare for the part and was paid $300 in cash.

Mitchell said he saw Taylor give his sister, Sasha Johnson, $10,000 in a paper bag as a present. Johnson was dating Wardlow's nephew at the time.

Investigators believe greed was motive for the defendants making the three-hour drive to the East Coast.

All four defendants have an Aug. 25 trial date

(news-press.com)