MILWAUKEE -- Ryan Braun is back in the Milwaukee Brewers' lineup Friday night against the Pittsburgh Pirates, and manager Ned Yost expects him to stay there.

Braun was sidelined for seven of the last nine games with a sore ribcage. His most recent start was Monday against Houston and he had to leave the game when the problem flared up again.

But Yost insists that the problem is not one of those nagging things that will impact his star left fielder down the stretch.

"I told him to make sure that when he was ready to play nine (innings), come see me," said Yost. "It's not an injury, it's a tightness. I don't even know what you'd call it. I don't classify it as an injury, something that needs to be healed. It was tightness on both sides of his ribs. It wasn't a strain, it wasn't like he pulled anything. It was almost like a spasm.

"I really, really don't think that it's an issue."

It didn't look like much of an issue to Braun, who had an infield single and a double in five at-bats. He also stole third base following his seventh inning double and then raced home on a routine ground out by Prince Fielder.

Braun leads the Brewers with 31 home runs and 87 runs batted in and his .300 batting average is tops among regulars.

(madison.com)

Backup tailback DeShaun Foster didn't make the trip with the 49ers. Instead, he flew to Los Angeles to be with his family following the death of his grandfather.

As a result, Frank Gore had more carries than normal (8 for 51 yards) in a couple of impressive early drives. He said he hasn't felt this good about the offense "in a long time."

(sfgate.com)

Daily team observers all agree that the Bears would be making an obviously huge mistake if they significantly reduced Devin Hester's roles as a punt and kickoff returner moving forward. But even though there isn't a return specialist in the league anywhere near as special as Hester, who has set league records for return touchdowns the last two seasons, it stands to reason that his return role will be somewhat reduced in proportion to his playing time as a wide receiver. "Game situations will be the No. 1 factor in dictating how much Hester is used on kicks," a team insider told PFW. "But if he's on the field all the time as a pass catcher, which still remains to be seen, obviously other guys will have to get involved." The way we hear it, the "other guys" most likely to fill the return bill in Hester's absence are fourth-year player Rashied Davis and rookie Earl Bennett, who had some problems fielding kicks in training camp but came up big in the Bears' second preseason game with an impressive 75-yard punt return for a TD. "Danieal Manning could also be in the mix for more kick returns," the insider said, "since it looks like his playing time at safety could be on the decline."

(pfw.com)

It has been eight rehabilitation-filled months since free-spirited Saints tight end Jeremy Shockey last played for keeps in the NFL.

And while eager to make his preseason debut Saturday night against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium, he is trying to keep the moment in perspective.

There will be no special arm tattoo to mark the occasion. Each arm currently is covered in body art from shoulder to hand, anyway. He simply wants to leave the stadium with his health intact, get on the team's chartered plane and fly home to New Orleans.

Nothing more, nothing less.

"I feel pretty good about the week," Shockey said Thursday after completing his fourth consecutive uneventful day of practice. "I'm not 100 percent or anything, but there has been progress made."

When told that Saints Coach Sean Payton planned to play him at least one quarter against the Bengals, Shockey replied: "Hey, that's up to him. I'm not the coach. I do what I'm told. Hopefully, I keep getting better and keep getting closer to my goal.

"There are more than two weeks left to the (start of the regular season), and without a doubt I'll be 100 percent when the real games start. I don't want to have a setback. I don't want to do something stupid and hurt something else by pushing it too hard."

Payton said he is encouraged by what he has seen of Shockey in his first series of sustained workouts in training camp since being acquired July 21 from the New York Giants for second- and fifth-round picks in the 2009 draft.

Shockey's 2007 season ended abruptly Dec. 15 when he fractured his left fibula in a 22-10 loss to the Washington Redskins at Giants Stadium. It turned out to be his final play with the Giants, who went on to win the NFC championship and stun the previously undefeated New England Patriots 17-14 in Super Bowl XLII.

Saints officials are hopeful Shockey, who pushed for a trade to New Orleans after a reported rift with the Giants' front office, will flourish in a new environment.

But Payton cautioned Saints fans to be patient. Don't expect too much Saturday night against the Bengals.

"We want to monitor how many snaps he takes," Payton said. "A goal would be a quarter.

"The one thing I want to see is for him to stay healthy. The goal for him is to be ready for Tampa Bay (in the season opener Sept. 7 at the Superdome). For him, this will be an introduction."

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Shockey needed no introduction when he arrived on the eve of training camp in Jackson, Miss. Anyone who had followed the NFL the past six seasons had to know of his flamboyant personality and penchant for attracting the media spotlight in New York, including teammates and team officials in New Orleans.

Thus far, he has kept a low profile and been a model teammate, according to Saints tight end Mark Campbell.

"I only knew about Jeremy as a fiery competitor, a loud guy with a lot of tattoos," Campbell said. "I didn't know what to think. I just knew of that side of him. But getting to know him, he's really is a great guy and really fits well into our locker room. He's funny, a good conversationalist, and a pretty intelligent guy."

Campbell stopped and smiled.
"Maybe, I should think about getting some tattoos and maybe growing my hair out, and then I think it will increase my value as a player," Campbell said. "But on a serious note, he seems to be a great teammate. That's all we can ask for. We kind of pride ourselves here in New Orleans for having a good locker room. We all get along. We hope that carries over to the field, and Jeremy fits into our locker room very well."

Shockey, 28, is expected to fit in much better when he gets on the field full time and starts bringing a return on the Saints' investment. He appears to be champing at the bit to justify his existence.

"It's really critical for me to get out there and practice a lot more and get some preseason time just to see how my leg feels," said Shockey, 6 feet 5, 251 pounds. "You don't want to play the first game and feel like a truck hit you the next day. You want to get that soreness out."

Quarterback Drew Brees said he can't wait to incorporate Shockey into the playbook and get him into single coverage against a linebacker or safety, reminiscent of those days in San Diego when Brees threw to perennial Pro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates.

"I can't wait, but here's the thing," Brees said. "The more that Jeremy and I practice together, the more I get a feel for him and him for me. It's what I call the 'me-to-you factor.'

"When things break down, when it's a look that maybe you're familiar with, when I can tell by his body language what he's going to do. Whether it's a look I give him, the look the defense is giving us, he sees what I see and we're on the same page. I know where I can throw the ball, and he knows where I'm going to throw the ball. The only way you gain the 'me-to-you factor' is with reps. The more live reps we get together, the better."

The Brees-to-Shockey factor kicks into gear Saturday night, if only for a quarter or so.

(nola.saints.com)

ENGLEWOOD — Your guess is as good is theirs.

Neither Nate Webster nor Niko Koutouvides is sure how their battle to become the Broncos' starting middle linebacker ultimately will pan out.

At various points this summer they've traded practice days, swapped games and, so far, no one has given them a clue where their competition stands. But both are assured of one thing:

While Friday night's preseason game with the Green Bay Packers might not be the be-all, it will be the end-all of a competition that has lasted the past five months.

Koutouvides played a half with the No. 1 defense last Saturday against the Dallas Cowboys and made one tackle as Denver allowed one touchdown.

It's Webster's turn against the Packers, and the coaching staff has essentially promised to make a decision before next week's preseason finale, when the starters will not play.

"You just keep playing until you hear the word, basically," Koutouvides said. "There's not much we can do on our part except keep playing ball."
Webster and the rest of the first-team defense will play the first two quarters against Green Bay, plus the opening series of the third quarter. Koutouvides then takes over with the reserves.

"I love it, man," Webster said. "I don't feel bad at all about the situation. I feel I've done the best job I could do."

Webster, who also started the first preseason game, is currently listed as No. 1 on the team's official depth chart. But that latter document often is misleading at this early juncture. And the Denver coaching staff is known to defer to holdover players as far as providing the first crack in tight battles.

"They don't clue us in about what's going on, pretty much," Koutouvides said.

Webster entered the competition with the slight advantage of having been entrenched in Denver's defense for several years. Still, the scheme was tweaked, and last year he was playing the strong side, not the middle, so while not as steep as the one Koutouvides faced, there was a transition period for Webster.

But middle linebacker is Webster's most natural position. And he has bulled his way into the competition to a large degree with a solid offseason that was borne not only out of the desire to change Denver's defensive fortunes from a year ago but also from tragedy.

Webster's father, Nate Sr., suffered a heart attack in the offseason and was hospitalized for a month. During that time, the linebacker lost 15 pounds.

But after his dad rallied, so did Webster Jr. He rebuilt his body the right way in regaining his weight back as a 100 percent participant in the offseason strength program.

"I kind of teased them that I was stripping the engine down and was going to rebuild it," Webster said. "I wanted to put a big engine in."
Koutouvides had some weight of his own with which to deal - the expectations wrought from a three-year, $7.5 million free-agent contract.

"It's two guys who are busting their butts, two guys who can start, and two guys who both make our defense better," said Marlon McCree, who has gotten an up-close view of the battle while aligned as the deep safety on virtually every snap. "It's a coin toss . . . Both guys are fiery. Both guys are smart. Both guys hit blocks well. It's a good problem to have."

(rockymountainnews.com)

Darren Urban, of AZCardinals.com, reports Arizona Cardinals FS Antrel Rolle (ankle) participated in practice Thursday, Aug. 21, but will not play in the team's preseason game Saturday, Aug. 23.



(kffl.com)

Free safety Ed Reed's status remains in question for the opener due to a left shoulder injury that involves nerves. Harbaugh is no longer confident the former defensive player of the year will be ready for the start of the season.

Reed hasn't been cleared for contact and has expressed reservations about his availability at the start of the season.

"I think it's a little more slow progress than we all thought it was going to be," Harbaugh said. "Maybe Ed has a sense of that at one time because he's the guy that feels it. We're still optimistic that he'll be there the first week, but I don't think you can say 'definitely' right now."

With Reed sidelined, veteran Jim Leonhard has started the first two preseason games. Rookie draft picks Tom Zbikowski and Haruki Nakamura are the Ravens' other options.

Reed has been grimacing in pain whenever someone bangs into his upper body, and doesn't seem to have full range of motion or strength.

"We continue to have doctors look at him, because we want to be absolutely sure," Harbaugh said. "It's not just about his ability to play in a game. Right now, nobody thinks he's at risk in any way, but we want to make darn sure that's the case"

(iht.com)

OWINGS MILLS, Md.: Baltimore Ravens running back Willis McGahee, currently limited to running in a swimming pool as he recuperates from arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, expects to be running with the football when the season starts.

Although he's off crutches, McGahee isn't able to jog yet. He's targeting the Ravens' Sept. 7 season-opener against the Cincinnati Bengals for his return.

"I will be ready, but I don't know about playing in the preseason," McGahee said. "We will have to wait and see. It's always making progress. Every day I come out here, it's getting better."

Because he can't run yet and the clock is ticking down to the opener, McGahee is making the most out of his aquatic workouts.

"I know it ain't exactly running, but running in the pool is great conditioning," McGahee said. "Just ask Michael Phelps."

McGahee underwent surgery in Coral Gables, Fla., during training camp at the same hospital where doctors surgically repaired a devastating injury to his left knee during the 2003 Fiesta Bowl.

Now,he's trying to work his way back in shape from the much less serious setback.

"It's not the same rehab, it's totally different," McGahee said. "This is like a walk in the park."

Ravens coach John Harbaugh acknowledged that there's a chance that McGahee may miss the entire preseason.

"There is a timetable, but I'd have to say it's fluid because you just don't know for sure," Harbaugh said. "That's the thing coaches ask all the time: 'Tell us when he's going to be back.' We want that answer, too, but it's impossible."

Offensive coordinator Cam Cameron is intalling a new offense that features the tailback, but McGahee is missing valuable repetitions after skipping the majority of offseason workouts.

"There are certain things you need to be on the field to see," McGahee said. "Right now, they're throwing the whole playbook at us and they want you to remember it all. What they did the first day, they might not bring it back up again until today, and I'm like, 'Man, I don't remember all this.'"

McGahee is in no apparent danger of losing his job to rookie Ray Rice, a second-round pick who rushed for 77 yards and a touchdown in a 23-15 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Harbaugh has said McGahee remains entrenched as the starter.

Four-time Pro Bowl fullback Lorenzo Neal looks forward to forming a productive tandem with McGahee when he returns.

"He's a physical man and we just want him to have a speedy recovery so we can get him out here on the field," Neal said. "We're going to need that guy because he's definitely a workhorse. The guy is a great back."

(iht.com)

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports Browns HC Romeo Crennel said reports that he yelled at TE Kellen Winslow II on the sideline after a penalty and then benched him in the Giants game were exaggerated. "Because I talk to a guy, I'm not happy with him?" said Crennel. "No, I'm happy with Winslow. I'm glad he's on my team. If I had about 10 more like him, I might have a chance to win more games. I coach all of them and tell them what they need to hear at the time."

(ffmastermind.com)

Linebacker Leon Williams, who suffered a neck stinger Monday, practiced and expects to play versus the Lions.





(medina-gazette.com)

Saints defensive tackle Orien Harris has quickly made himself known among his coaches and front-office personnel, putting together statistics that even he did not think he would have through two preseason games.

Harris, a 25-year-old who was signed by the Saints in December, has 11 solo tackles -- best on the team -- and a sack this preseason.

"He's been one of those guys that's been durable," Saints Coach Sean Payton said. "He's been steady. He's a try-hard guy that gives a lot of effort on each play. Even today, he made some plays in practice. So he's caught the attention of a lot of us, the guys on defense and myself included. He comes to work every day, and he showed that last week in the game."

Since coming into the league from the Miami (Fla.) in 2006, Harris has played in two games, both for Cleveland in his first season. But Harris figures to find more playing time this year with the Saints, especially with other defensive tackles, such as Brian Young and Hollis Thomas, dealing with injuries.

Harris had six tackles in the Saints' loss to Houston, just after speaking with his family about the improvements he wanted to make.

"My mom and my sister, I was telling them I was not really where I wanted to be as a football player, and so they heard my sob story and they came back the next day and they called me," he said. "They were like, 'Ah, don't be so hard on yourself. Just try to build.' And that's what I've been trying to do."

(blog.nola.com)

BOURBONNAIS–When the Bears broke training camp last, coach Lovie Smith pointed to Devin Hester as one of the few real questions about the team that has been answered.

“Coming into camp, we talked about him as a returner that a lot of people thought could play receiver,” Smith said. “Now I think it’s safe to say that he’s a receiver. He’s doing all the things that we've asked him to do.”

Hester held out at the camp’s outset, but reported and eventually got a contract extension worth a possible $40 million. He worked daily against cornerback Charles “Peanut” Tillman to make the transition from a record-setting return man and offensive novelty to a key part of the offense.
“Peanut is probably one of the best corners in the league because he’s very physical,” Hester said. “You know once you go against Peanut, you’re going to have to be prepared to fight.”

Practice battles haven’t been quite like those between Tillman and former Bears wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad were the last three years, but Hester said he has been learning how to fight back against physical tactics designed to smother his speed.

“Peanut is an aggressive corner. He’s going to get his hands on you,” Hester said. “Receivers don’t like corners getting their hands on someone. Going against a corner that’s real aggressive, you’ve got to step up and play big.”

Hester said camp has also been a plus for his conditioning, something he wanted to work on because he will be pressed into much more playing time as a return man.

“So I have to prepare myself to go a full game, the return game and offense–I just worked harder,” he said.

The Bears, who play Saturday night in a preseason game at Seattle, are returning to Halas Hall and Lake Forest for the final two weeks of training camp.

They completed the Olivet Nazarene University portion of camp with two key injuries that require surgery: Top draft pick Chris Williams’ herniated disc and guard Terrence Metcalf’s knee sprain. Metcalf is expected back before the regular season, but Williams could be out half the season or longer.

The one big question that hasn’t yet been answered is starting quarterback. Saturday’s game will go a long way toward deciding the battle between Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton. Grossman starts Saturday after Orton started the preseason opener.

“For us, going into camp, we had a lot of positions that were open,” Smith said. “Guys were fighting for positions. All of them have stepped up, and we’ll just keep that evaluation going. To me ... a successful camp a lot of times is when you get out injury free, and we’ve done that for the most part. And again we’ve gotten good work done.”

(chicagodefender.com)

Clinton Portis used to take football for granted. He tolerated training camp and ignored the preseason.

Not anymore.

Twelve days shy of his 27th birthday, Portis has a new approach to football - and not just because the Washington Redskins reworked his contract to ensure he would attend the offseason conditioning program and organized team activities.

"I don't think reworking my contract made me be here," the running back said Wednesday in an exclusive interview with The Washington Times. "It was the idea of wanting to be here. Maybe I've got five or six years left in me. Can I sacrifice partying and traveling for five or six years to focus on what I got to do, get where I want to get and secure my money? When I hit 32 or 33, I can travel wherever I want and go to any party I want to."

Portis said the shooting death of college and Redskins teammate Sean Taylor in November also changed his outlook about his job and his role in Washington.

"When you lose a Sean Taylor that quick - a guy who gave everything he had to football and who sat next to me every day when I [came] here - and semi-take football for granted," Portis said. "My outlook is totally different. I put football into higher regard. I don't take it for granted. I take it as an opportunity to go out and make people happy.

"You didn't know how many people Sean touched until he was gone. And he was really never a fan or media favorite like I've been. You never really know who you touch or how many people look up to you. You never know whose day you're making."

After a pair of 1,500-yard seasons for the Denver Broncos, Portis came to Washington in 2004 in a trade for All-Pro cornerback Champ Bailey and a second-round draft pick.

After a subpar debut season with his new club, Portis eclipsed the team rushing record with 1,513 yards and led the Redskins to the playoffs in 2005. Portis missed half of the 2006 season because of injuries. He led the NFL with 325 carries last season, but he averaged 3.9 yards a carry behind a line that lacked its starters on the right side almost all year.

Despite the tumult during his four years in Washington, Portis ranks in or near the top five among active players in carries, yards and touchdowns. The only backs ahead of him in all three categories are San Diego's LaDainian Tomlinson and Cincinnati's Rudi Johnson.

"If you think about the consistent backs, you got LaDainian, Brian Westbrook, Edgerrin James, Fred Taylor and myself," Portis said. "As long as my town and my teammates support me, I know I'm doing right. Those are the people who see me weekly. The national people see me every now and then. They don't see the grind, what I'm going through."

Portis didn't endure much of a grind the past four summers. He carried 20 times in the 2004 preseason, 11 in 2005 and once in 2006 before he separated a shoulder making a tackle in the preseason opener. Portis sprained a knee the first Monday of camp last year and didn't play at all in the preseason.

This year, Portis carried seven times against the Buffalo Bills on Aug. 9, and he and the starters are scheduled to play the first half Saturday against the Carolina Panthers. That means he could come close to matching his workload of the previous four summers combined this preseason.

The player who shunned preseason under former coach Joe Gibbs has become just another soldier, albeit an elite one.

"I don't think he's marching to his own drummer," running backs coach Stump Mitchell said. "He's fallen into line and doing the things we're asking him to. He understands what we're expecting of him, and he's giving us the effort."

Portis is proud he has been on the field every day since camp began July 20.

"Step 1 is accomplished," Portis said. "I made it a personal goal to be on that field every day no matter what. ... I can be better than ever. The excitement about football, the want-to-be-better is there. I won't say it was missing, but I had to fight through things. ...

"Seeing Art Monk and Darrell Green getting inducted, Darrell's over here all the time. Knowing he came from these grounds and he's in the Hall of Fame, all of sudden it comes close to home. If I stay on track, I could be there. If I could duplicate my first six years in my next six years, I'll be great."

(washingtontimes.com)

Manning and WR Sinorice Moss hooked up a few times early in practice, including a bullet from Manning on a 15-yard in and the play of practice: a deep post past Scott. See what can happen when the defender doesn't maul Moss like Browns CB Eric Wright did the other night?


(nj.com)

Tight end Jeremy Shockey ran some plays with the first-team offence in practice on Monday, and appears on track to make his first appearance in a Saints uniform when New Orleans plays its third pre-season game on Saturday night in Cincinnati.

"Today was certainly more [action] than he has gotten and the plan is to get him in Saturday," Saints head coach Sean Payton said. "He is getting a lot better and he is in shape, so I'm hopeful we go this week — each day — without any setbacks."

Shockey, a four-time Pro Bowler, whose outspokenness sometimes upset his coaches as much as his big-play ability delighted them, broke his left leg last December and missed the rest of the New York Giants' Super Bowl run.

During the off-season, he asked to be traded and was sent to New Orleans just days before training camp began.

Shockey has practiced only sparingly since joining the Saints.

"I have been in this league for seven years and you know how to take care of your body," Shockey said. "You see guys coming in and out of this league and the guys who take care of their bodies the best are the guys that stay in the league.

"I'm doing everything I can on my part … I'm excited about the opportunity, and I don't want to do something stupid and hurt something else by pushing too hard. We have got a couple of good weeks ahead of us to be ready for the real games."

Shockey productive under Payton
Through his first six NFL seasons, Shockey has 371 receptions for 4,228 yards and 27 touchdowns.

One of his most productive seasons was his rookie year, the year Payton was his offensive co-ordinator in New York, when he caught 74 passes for 894 yards.

That, and the opportunity to play with Drew Brees in a pass-heavy offence, were some of the main reasons Shockey pushed for a trade to New Orleans.

"If you don't see me out there practising, I'm working on the treadmill underwater, so I'm getting myself prepared and in shape," Shockey said. "The only thing I can do is keep concentrating on learning the offensive play book, [on] which I think I have a good grasp.

"I have spent some good time with Drew. It is going to be fun.

"We have got a lot of time. Like I said, this week I'm going to push it a little bit more just to see how it goes from there."

Payton, who calls the Saints' offensive plays, is eager to see what Shockey can do in his system and had hoped to have the tight end in the lineup by last weekend, when the Saints hosted Houston.

"We probably would have expected him to have gotten more work, probably in the second pre-season game," Payton said. "But we're here right now and we have got plenty of practice opportunities for him.

"The downside would be pushing it and having a setback and not having him for the first week of the season, so you weigh that. I'm optimistic he will still get in against the Bengals."

(cbc.ca)

Orien Harris This kid has been consistently delivering so far in the pre-season. Add the fact that fellow DT's Hollis Thomas and Brian Young are both dealing with their own individual injury problems and the fact that the team apparently decided to take a pass on "Booger" MacFarland, and he might have a good shot at making this team.

(canalstreetchronicles.com)

This is why D.J. Williams is back at weak-side linebacker.

It's Thursday morning, and the Broncos defense is involved in a 7- on-7 red-zone drill with the Cowboys offense. Dallas quarterback Tony Romo drops back and delivers a swing pass to rookie running back Felix Jones, a 4.4-second burner and the nation's leader in yards per carry in 2007.

Jones heads for the sideline, his sights set on the left pylon, when Williams suddenly comes flying at Jones to cut off his angle and send him scurrying out of bounds about the 5-yard line.

"I just feel the position is suited for him," Denver linebackers coach Jim Ryan said of Williams' move away from the middle last year to the relatively wide-open spaces of his new spot. "That 'Will' linebacker is in space a little more and gives him the freedom to run."

At middle linebacker, the angles were completely different. And, perhaps worse yet for someone as athletically gifted as Williams, it was constricting in the sense he had to free himself from traffic before his speed and change-of-direction skills could be used fully. Nonetheless, Williams finished with an AFC-leading 141 stops, but there was an overriding sense the position wasn't natural.

So, in the offseason, Denver dumped Ian Gold, added Niko Koutouvides in free agency, shifted Nate Webster inside and cleared room for
Williams to return to the weak side, where he had earned a third-place finish in the 2004 Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.

In between, Williams also played strong-side linebacker, so his overall count stands at four positions in four years.

"Around Week 6 or 7 last season," he said, "I started enjoying the middle and I started picking it up, and that's why I was kind of a little upset about this switch, because right when I started getting good at it, I moved to another position."

Williams, though, hasn't completely abandoned the middle. In nickel looks, he still plays there. And if the tight end shifts on those passing downs, he might play strong side, too.

'Stressful' but beneficial
So, from a big-picture perspective, his vagabond life in Denver has served as a positive.

"I don't think people realize how difficult it is," Williams said, "but the upside to it is that, when I'm out there, I kind of know what everybody has to do now, just from playing 'Mike,' 'Sam' and 'Will.' . . . So I can kind of help other people."

He admitted all his switching has been "stressful," though, on the surface, one wouldn't know.

"I think that's because, one, I'm a team player and I want the team to win," he said. "But there are times where I felt, 'Are they moving me because I'm versatile and I can do this?' Or, 'Are they moving me because they think someone can play the position better than me?'

"Some of those things go through your head. But as long as every position I play I'm successful at, I don't mind."

Perhaps one drawback to his movement is that it has made it difficult to pin an exact value on Williams, which is important, considering he'll be the team's highest-profile free agent after this season.

The Broncos plan to reach out to Williams' representatives in the next couple of weeks to begin a dialogue on a new contract. But unlike Lance Briggs, Lofa Tatupu and other linebackers who recently have secured high-end contracts, Williams has yet to go to the Pro Bowl.

On the other hand, it's a chicken-and-egg scenario: Has all the moving denied Williams that opportunity?

Further, shouldn't he be rewarded for his willingness to sacrifice without any public groaning?

"I give a lot of praise to him," Broncos cornerback Dre Bly said, "because not a lot of guys can move around and still lead the team in tackles, play at a high level and make a lot of plays. D.J.'s done that. And he hasn't complained one bit.

"For myself, it's taken me years to learn my position, learn routes - and D.J., once he learns one position, he's switching to the next. He's done a tremendous job."

Bly envisions Williams at weak- side linebacker having the same type of impact, from a leadership and on-field perspective, as London Fletcher did when Bly won a Super Bowl with St. Louis in 1999.

"I heard what kind of guy Al Wilson was when he was here. We came out together, and I played with him at the Pro Bowl. And I know what kind of loss it was to the team when he left," Bly said. "I really feel like D.J.'s doing a great job filling his shoes and becoming the leader he needs to be for this football team to take off."

Happy in the Mile High City
Williams isn't ready to take off completely. His positional musical chairs notwithstanding, he admitted he has settled in Denver as a career locale.

"If the numbers are right and things are good, I would love to stay here," he said.

And even if contract talks filter into the season, Williams appears unconcerned that they might be a distraction.

"You know what? It's business and it's my life, so I have to talk about it eventually," he said. "I can't go throughout the day and not think about it, because it's there, it's going to happen."

Denver likely would have the salary-cap room necessary to consummate a deal this fall but would be creative in contract structure to be able to absorb the hit in guaranteed money. Williams, meanwhile, would have to be receptive to receiving split payments. But so far, flexibility, at least on the field,- has been the linebacker's calling card.

It's clear the Broncos, in part, are building their defense around Williams' skill set.

"He's a guy we can utilize on some blitzes, No. 1," defensive coordinator Bob Slowik said. "We're not afraid to have him either in zone or man coverage, because of his athleticism. So we're not worried about him on running backs, even the really good ones who can catch the ball out of the backfield. And then it's just him being able to fly from sideline to sideline and make plays in pursuit, where teams don't account for pursuit from the outside linebacker."

Felix Jones can attest to that.

(rockymountainnews.com)

Although the Winnipeg Bombers have both Charles Roberts and Fred Reid at tailback, Taman had admitted offering a practice-roster contract to former Montreal Alouettes running back Jarrett Payton before Winnipeg’s win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats last week. Roberts responded with his best game of the current campaign against Hamilton.

(winnipegsun.com)

Although Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis is not a fan of the preseason, he said he has some interest in playing Saturday against the Carolina Panthers. Redskins starters are expected to play most of the first half at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte as Coach Jim Zorn stages a dress rehearsal for the regular season, and Portis wants to measure himself against the Panthers' aggressive defense.

"They blitz every other play and look like they really game-plan for the teams they playing, [so] you can't help but realize the season's right around the corner," Portis said before practice yesterday at Redskins Park. The Panthers will "come with a lot, [and] it's going to be a physical game."

The Redskins' top back has not been hit much in the preseason. After sitting out Washington's 30-16 victory over the Indianapolis Colts in the Hall of Fame Game Aug. 3, Portis played a couple of series with the first-team offense in a 17-14 victory over the Buffalo Bills Aug. 9. Portis also got the night off on Aug. 16 as Washington defeated the New York Jets, 13-10.

Thanks to Zorn, Portis should be well rested when the Redskins kick off the regular season Sept. 4 against the New York Giants at Giants Stadium. But the offensive and defensive starters need an extended session together before they begin the season, Zorn said, and Portis is a big part of Zorn's West Coast offense.

"It's kind of exciting," Portis said of Zorn's plan to evaluate the team's starters against Carolina. "I kind of want to play, and I don't want to play. Being that I have to play, and it's not my choice, I can't do nothing but be excited about it.

"Once you get on the field and you got your mind-set that you've got to plan on playing then, of course, it's exciting. You love to see the guys running around, and you love to be a part of it."

In his only preseason appearance, Portis had 18 yards on seven rushes and scored on a one-yard run. He also had one reception for five yards and blocked well in pass protection for quarterback Jason Campbell. Portis, who takes pride in his blocking, will be especially focused on his blitz assignments this week.

"You never know what play [is] going to be the play" that wins a game, Portis said. "We won a lot of games, and lost a lot of games, by seven points or less. You never know what play [is] going to change the outcome of the game. I try to go out and [block] as if that's the play."

Portis, whom Redskins officials have praised for his commitment to the team's offseason workout program, received a $9.3 million singing bonus in March and was guaranteed at least $15.7 million through 2010 as part of his restructured contract that helped the Redskins get under the NFL salary cap.

With two preseason games remaining, Portis's main goal is to be physically sound for the season opener, but "I can't worried about getting hurt," he said. "If I get hurt, I get hurt. I got to go out and play football."

(washingtonpost.com)

Calais Campbell had a great game. He was strong and very athletic...and did a very good job of disprupting the pocket. He and Travis LaBoy make a very agile, strong and quick pass rushing tandem from the left side. I think the Cardinals found the right combo there for their nickel. Also, Campbell was very active on STs, which is what this team needs from its good young players.

(arizonasportsfans.com)

Willis McGahee could miss the rest of the preseason, according to the Baltimore Sun. Furthermore, reporter Mike Preston says McGahee does not have many fans in the Baltimore front office because his work ethic is substandard, and it would not be a shock to see him get cut before the end of the regular season.

(rototimes.com)

Hoping to elude reporters the other day at Redskins Park, weak-side linebacker Rocky McIntosh devised a plan. As the team walked off the field after practice, McIntosh and linebacker Khary Campbell briefly disappeared behind a tent in which trainers tend to injured players.

McIntosh and Campbell switched jerseys (McIntosh wears No. 52 and Campbell has No. 50), and McIntosh reemerged on the right side of the tent and attempted to blend in with the crowd headed toward the locker room. Although some of McIntosh's pursuers were momentarily duped, Zack Bolno, the Redskins' executive director of communications, and reporters who cover the team daily were not fooled. Perhaps glasses and a fake nose and mustache would have worked better.

"I was Khary for a little minute but you guys got me," said McIntosh, his face creased by a wide grin. "I've got to find something else for you."

McIntosh has reason to be in a playful mood these days. He returned to the lineup last week for the first time since a serious knee injury cut short his 2007 season, starting in the Redskins' 13-10 preseason victory over the New York Jets on Saturday at Giants Stadium.

Being back in the stadium in which he tore the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his left knee caused some uncomfortable moments on the field during pregame warmups. Once the game began, it was like old times for McIntosh, the Redskins said, and he could take another big step Saturday against the Carolina Panthers.

Redskins starters are expected to play most of the first half at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, as Coach Jim Zorn plans to use the game as a dress rehearsal for the regular season. McIntosh, who is from Gaffney, S.C., about 50 miles from Charlotte, proved he was ready while joining the first-team defense for a portion of the Jets' two first-quarter possessions.

McIntosh is on track to be part of the opening lineup when Washington and the New York Giants kick off the NFL's regular season Sept. 4 at Giants Stadium, and the Redskins said that is good news for them.

"He was glad to be out there [against the Jets] and we were happy to have him back," strong-side linebacker Marcus Washington said. "He was flyin' around like he was having a good time doing it, flyin' to the ball and having fun, and that's the Rocky we all know."

Against the Jets, McIntosh, entering his third NFL season, and fourth-year cornerback Carlos Rogers, who also was making his preseason debut after having reconstructive knee surgery last season, were finally back in the mix against an opponent. The Redskins have exercised caution with the talented young players, limiting their exposure in contact drills since the beginning of training camp.

McIntosh and Rogers impressed at times early in camp when the first-team offense and first-team defense competed in 11-on-11 drills, but, on the recommendation of Washington's medical staff, Zorn and Vinny Cerrato, the team's executive vice president of football operations, took a wait-and-see approach. And even when Cerrato and Zorn removed the handcuffs last week, McIntosh and Rogers were closely monitored in their short stints against the Jets.

On Dec. 16, McIntosh tore the ligaments in his left knee in a 22-10 victory over the Giants at Giants Stadium. He had surgery shortly after the swelling subsided and then began the long recovery process.

McIntosh did not know how he would react to his return to the field on which the injury occurred. But he figured he would experience a range of emotions "just being back there," he said. "When I was out there in warmups, I thought about it a little, but you can't hold on to nothing like that. Just move on. Once it was game time there was no worrying about your leg.

"You got to go out there and play defense. All the other guys are playing, so you got to play, too. Just going out there and just being out there, you've got to play full speed. That's what I'm going to go out there and do no matter how I feel or what point I am [at in his recovery]. As soon as you step in between those white lines it's either hit or be hit. I don't want to be hit."

With warmups completed and the jitters gone, McIntosh lined up in his familiar spot alongside Washington and middle linebacker London Fletcher. Rogers replaced McIntosh, who was credited with only one tackle but was involved in several plays, when the Redskins used their nickel package on the Jets' first possession.

"He stepped right up there and took people on," Zorn said of McIntosh. "I don't think he shied away from anything. I think it'll take two to three games to get the instinct back. But when the play comes right at him, that's easy to read. He's right on top of it and he's enjoying it."

McIntosh "got in a lot more action" than Rogers did, Rogers said. He "got in on some tackles, so he had a big test for his knee."

In their offseason rehab, McIntosh, who had a history of right knee problems while at the University of Miami, was considered to be further along than Rogers, who tore his right anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in a 52-7 loss to the New England Patriots on Oct. 28. McIntosh and Rogers pushed each other through grueling exercises to strengthen their knees.

"Unfortunately, we had those knee injuries," McIntosh said. "Just us having the same injury, we were out there trying to work hard, [competing] against each other. Everybody heals differently. He still has a couple of months on me. That's a lot of rehab time, a lot of healing."

Despite sitting out the last two games in 2007 because of his damaged knee, McIntosh finished second on the team in tackles with 105, including 70 unassisted, according to Washington's charts (tackles are not an official NFL statistic). Frustrated about missing the end of the regular season and the playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks, McIntosh was "just more motivated to get back to where I am now."

So motivated, in fact, that McIntosh tried to eliminate anything that would distract him from returning as quickly as possible. Speaking with reporters was high on his list of distracting activities, McIntosh said in a rare interview during camp.

After the Redskins' final practice before facing the Jets, Bolno unsuccessfully tried to arrange a group interview with McIntosh, who fended off Bolno from the field to the weight room as Bolno pleaded with him to meet with reporters. Bolno estimated he spoke with McIntosh numerous times before McIntosh agreed to be interviewed earlier this week. The jersey switcheroo with Campbell was all McIntosh's idea.

"Just going with the flow, man," McIntosh said of his upbeat approach. "Just coming out here and practicing and getting to run around and things like that. Just trying to be like the rest of these guys and come out here and play."

At the time of his injury, McIntosh had made major strides in his first season as a starter. Players coming off reconstructive knee surgery sometimes need a full season -- or more -- to revert to form physically. Just in case, McIntosh has focused on becoming a smarter player.

"I'm definitely critical of myself," he said. "Everything can be better, reads and my mental game. I just want to go out there and be perfect."

In addition to McIntosh's season-ending knee injury, Marcus Washington was slowed throughout 2007 because of recurring hamstring problems and sat out four games. With McIntosh back and Washington's hamstrings cooperating, the Redskins' linebackers could be among the NFC's strongest units, defensive coordinator Greg Blache said.

"Could be, but nobody is going to give it to us," Washington said. "We're going to have to work for it. It's going to start in practice and, of course, it carries over into the game. It's definitely going to take some work, but having Rocky back helps."

(washingtonpost.com)

NEW YORK, Aug 19, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Former NFL All-Pro defensive lineman and Super Bowl champion Warren Sapp will join analysts Phil Simms and Cris Collinsworth and host James Brown to complete an all-star lineup on INSIDE THE NFL when the series launches this September on SHOWTIME. The announcement was made today by Matthew C. Blank, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Showtime Networks Inc. and Sean McManus, President, CBS News and Sports and Executive Producer, THE NFL ON CBS.

INSIDE THE NFL on SHOWTIME will premiere on Wednesday, Sept. 10 (9:00PM, ET/PT). The show, produced by CBS Sports and NFL Films, will air on SHOWTIME each Wednesday during the NFL season through February 11, 2009. The 31-year-old, Emmy(R) Award-winning program will continue to deliver in-depth highlights from every game, every week, coupled with the analysts' breakdown of the upcoming matchups and debates over the league's hot topics.

"This is a dream job," said Sapp, who has served as a guest analyst on CBS Sports' NFL pre-game show, THE NFL TODAY. "It's the job I've always talked about wanting after my playing career. INSIDE THE NFL has been a staple of television for a long time. The show digs deeper into the games and the issues surrounding the league more than any other football show out there. I think this new approach will be fresh. For my part, I just came off the field and I've got 13 years of experience in the trenches to bring to the table."

"With his defensive perspective, Sapp is the perfect complement to Simms and Collinsworth," said Blank. "And having just come off the field, his
energy will help push the boundaries of the show to new limits. We are thrilled to have him on SHOWTIME."

"Warren Sapp never held back on the field and we don't expect him to hold back in his commentary," said McManus. "Football fans tuned in to
watch him play each week, we expect them to do the same each week to hear what he has to say."

Sapp was drafted 12th overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1995. After only two years in the league he was named to his first of seven Pro
Bowls in 1997. He was named 1999 Defensive Player of the Year, was named to the NFL All-Decade team and recorded 77 sacks as a Buccaneer, the second highest in team history. In 2002, Sapp led the Buccaneers to the
best record in team history (12-4) and to victory in Super Bowl XXXVII. In 2004, Sapp signed with the Oakland Raiders. After a down year in '04
and an injury plagued season in '05, Sapp returned to his All-Pro form in 2006. Sapp played one more season with the Raiders in '07 before
announcing his retirement on Jan. 4, 2008. Along with co-hosting INSIDE THE NFL in 2008, Sapp will serve as studio analyst and game commentator for The NFL Network. Sapp and his wife, JaMiko Vaughn, have been married since 1998. The couple has two children, Mercedes and Warren, II. Past hosts throughout 31 years of the award-winning INSIDE THE NFL have included Chuck Bednarik, Nick Buoniconti, Cris Carter, Collinsworth, Bob Costas, Len Dawson, Jerry Glanville, Merle Harmon, Jimmy Johnson, Peter King, Dan Marino and Al Meltzer.

(marketwatch.com)

MILWAUKEE -- Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun was not in the starting lineup Tuesday night against the Houston Astros because of tightness in his lower back.

Braun missed six games last week with the same injury, returning to the lineup as a starter Sunday in Los Angeles -- he pinch hit Saturday.

On Monday, he appeared to be in pain after swinging and missing in his final at-bat in the sixth. He walked gingerly back to the dugout after the strikeout and was replaced in the field by Gabe Kapler.

Braun, batting .300 with a team-best 31 home runs and 86 RBIs, said he was fine and called it a nagging injury before Tuesday's game. He is day to day.

Milwaukee second baseman Rickie Weeks was also held out of the lineup with a sprained left thumb. He did not play on Monday, either.

(espn.com)

With Hollis Thomas out for two months and Brian Young coming back slowly, the Saints could use a swing tackle-end to provide depth. Harris could be the guy. He led all Saints with six tackles on Saturday, and this was a week after netting five against Arizona. The guy’s proving he can play and is deserving of regular season PT.

(nor.scout.com)

Saints tight end Jeremy Shockey practiced on Tuesday - at least the portion of the workout that was open to the media - the first time during training camp that he has been a participant on back-to-back days.

Aside from a visible lack of endurance, Shockey, who has seen his on-field practice time severely curtailed by his continued recovery from knee and foot injuries he sustained last year when he was with the New York Giants, seemed to be moving around unencumbered.

Shockey, who was obtained in a trade with the Giants just prior to the beginning of training camp, was expected to take part in his first game action Saturday night when the Saints travel to meet the Cincinnati Bengals, Coach Sean Payton said on Monday.

(blog.nola.com)

Speaking to reporters for the first time since getting his knee scoped, Willis McGahee said he has a timetable of sorts for his return.

"I will be ready [for the regular season] but I don't know about playing in the preseason," the running back said today.

McGahee has missed most of training camp and the first two preseason games because of a knee injury. He said he doesn't know when he will begin to jog.

In Saturday's 23-15 preseason loss to the Minnesota Vikings, rookie running back Ray Rice ran for 77 yards and a touchdown in filling in for McGahee. After the game, coach John Harbaugh reiterated that McGahee would be the starting running back when he is ready to return.

(baltimoresun.com)

The Patriots appear to have dodged a bullet with the leg injury to safety Brandon Meriweather.

A league source said Meriweather should be 100 percent by the season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs Sept. 7. However, he could be done playing for the preseason. After the Patriots face the Eagles, they conclude the preseason schedule with a road game against the New York Giants Aug. 28.

The second-year safety was injured on the initial drive of Friday's game, limping off following a 2-yard run by Warrick Dunn. It appeared that Meriweather was hurt on the previous play, when he tackled Dunn at the conclusion of a 7-yard rush and had defensive end Richard Seymour land on top of him.

(boston.com)

It appears there are increased doubts whether Ed Reed will be ready to play in the regular-season opener.

A week after downplaying Reed's concerns, Ravens coach John Harbaugh said it's not a lock that the Pro Bowl safety will be in the starting lineup when the Ravens kick off the season Sept. 7 against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Reed has missed the first two preseason games because of a shoulder injury.

"I think it's a little more slow progress than we all thought it was going to be," Harbaugh said today. "Maybe Ed had a sense of that at one time because he's the guy that feels it. We're still optimistic that he'll be there the first week but I don't think you can say 'definitely' right now."

Reed recently expressed uncertainty about his availability to start the season, but the Ravens seemed more confident at that time.

If Reed can't play, four-year veteran Jim Leonhard could replace him. Leonhard, a free-agent pickup, has started the first two preseason games.

Rookies Tom Zbikowski and Haruki Nakamura have also seen time with the first-team defense during training camp.

(baltimoresun.com)

PHILADELPHIA — Darren Howard and Jerome McDougle will see more action at left defensive end as the Eagles continue to try to find a consistent pass-rushing threat opposite Pro Bowl right end Trent Cole.

Defensive coordinator Jim Johnson said today that Howard, the top reserve behind Cole, will get more snaps at left defensive end. The team's next preseason game is Friday at New England.

McDougle, a sixth-year veteran who missed all of last season with a torn triceps, also has a "50-50" chance to get some spans with the first defense, Johnson said.

"I think one of the things we're going to do is we're going to let Howard play a little bit of left and right," Johnson said. "We've got to get him on the field as much as possible. That's one thing we're doing."

Juqua Parker is still the team's starting left defensive end, but Parker is viewed as a run-stopping weapon who will also play special teams and play a situational role in certain pass-rushing schemes.

Johnson had hoped newcomer Chris Clemons would provide the consistent pass rush in blitzing situations from the left side but Clemons missed time during camp from dehydration and is currently out with a calf strain. He's still adjusting to an entirely new defense and didn't play against Carolina. His status remains uncertain for the New England game.

Howard and McDougle have mainly played right end but have each impressed the coaches during training camp enough to merit looks at the other side.

Howard, who signed a six-year megadeal in 2006, is coming off two disappointing seasons in which he went from starter to situational reserve at a different position.

Last year, he was mainly used as a tackle in short-yardage and goal-line situations.
Injuries have kept McDougle off the field for much of his six-year career. The former 15th overall pick in 2003 has missed two seasons from injuries, including a 2005 season in which he shot during an armed robbery right before training camp and missed the season to recover from surgery.

(delawareonline.com)

Hey, it's easy to muster enthusiasm for the stretch drive when your team is in a pennant race, showing a pulse in the wild-card chase or playing at least .500 ball. Every minor league call-up, positive news on the injury front or Freddy Garcia signing brings an adrenalin rush and renewed faith that things will work out OK in the end.

Still, positive omens can be found amid the rubble. In this week's installment of Starting 9, we pay tribute to major leaguers who have made unexpectedly strong contributions to give losing teams a reason to feel good amid all the bad news. With apologies to San Francisco's Brian Wilson, Detroit's Armando Galarraga and Seattle's Jose Lopez, here are nine members of what we like to call our "silver lining" edition.

1. Joakim Soria, Royals (32 saves, 1.51 ERA)

2. Brad Ziegler, Athletics (37 innings, 21 hits, 0 runs)

3. Aubrey Huff, Orioles (.302 batting average, 24 homers, 76 RBIs)

Here's a great way to fall out of favor in the town that worshipped Cal Ripken Jr: Hit 15 home runs in the first year of a three-year, $20 million contract. Perpetuate a reputation for slow starts, a half-hearted work ethic and a penchant for producing only when your team is out of the race.

Add some ill-advised comments about Baltimore and its lack of night life on the "Bubba the Love Sponge" radio show, and it's easy to see why the locals viewed Huff with skepticism in April.

Four months later, Huff is Mr. Popularity at Camden Yards. He leads the AL in extra-base hits, ranks third in total bases, fourth in doubles, sixth in homers, seventh in slugging and eighth in RBIs. Huff and Kevin Millar, who combined for 32 home runs out of the first base-DH spots in 2007, already have 42 homers with seven weeks left to play.

Huff started slowly in spring training after January surgery for a sports hernia, but a mechanical alteration at the suggestion of Orioles hitting coach Terry Crowley has made a huge difference. During a one-on-one tutorial in July 2007, Crowley urged Huff to stand taller in the batter's box and make a greater effort to use the entire field. Huff hit .346 in August and September 2007, and he's never looked back.

(espn.com)

Leftfielder Ryan Braun, who felt more discomfort Monday night in his intercostal area and had to leave the game, is not in the lineup tonight against Houston.

Braun missed six games last week with the problem but I just talked to him and he said he didn't think he'd have to miss any lengthy period this time.

"I think I could play today," said Braun, who came out of the game Monday night after striking out in the sixth inning and showing obvious discomfort.

"It's just one of those nagging injuries that's probably not going to go away completely while I'm playing. I'll have to deal with it. I hope it goes away completely. But, realistically, the way this game is, it probably won't."

I asked Braun how much he aggravated the condition last night but he played that down.

"(Manager Ned Yost) just took me out as a precaution," said Braun. "We were up, 7-2.

"I can definitely play with it. It's not 100% but I can deal with it. I think it'll eventually get better. I hope it does."

Gabe Kapler, who has made many contributions to the team, is back in left field in place of Braun. Ray Durham is starting at second in place of Rickie Weeks, but he probably would anyway with a right-hander pitching, whether Weeks had a sprained thumb or not.

(blogs.jsonline.com)

After playing Saturday for the first time in eight months, Washington Redskins linebacker Rocky McIntosh did something Monday he also hadn't done in ages. He talked to the media after attempting to sneak away by switching jerseys with teammate Khary Campbell.

"It was fun, definitely exciting just to be out there," McIntosh said of his brief action Saturday against the Jets at Giants Stadium, where he tore his ACL in December. "When I was out there in warmups, I thought about [the location] a little bit, but ... once it was game-time, there's no worrying about your leg. You gotta play full-speed."

McIntosh was beaten for a touchdown by tight end Dustin Keller, but strongside linebacker Marcus Washington has liked what he has seen from his weakside counterpart.

"They've been holding him back a little bit to make sure that he doesn't hurt himself, but when he's out there, he's Rocky," Washington said.
Coach Jim Zorn said he liked McIntosh's aggressiveness.

(washingtontimes.com)

Linebacker Leon Williams suffered a neck injury and his return was doubtful. The severity of his injury is still unknown.




(chroniclet.com)

Kareem Brown had a strong showing against the Redskins and have a very good chance of making the roster. Kareem has been applying consistent pressure on the quarterbacks he has faced wither in practice or in games and has batted down several balls. If he becomes even more consistent look for him to be a regular in the Jets DL rotation.

(jetsinsider)

(on if WR Andre Johnson will play this week) “I think, as of today, yeah. We are going to count on him playing in the game. I think I said yesterday, he will have to be 110% for me to put him out there. All systems were go today, when we came in here on the turf we pulled him out.”


(texans.com)

Niko or Nate. Nate or Niko.

It's only at middle linebacker, among the 11 starting defensive positions, that the Broncos have yet to decide.

Niko Koutouvides was the middle linebacker last week in the serious test that was the Dallas Cowboys. The Broncos' first-string defense played well, allowing only seven points and 128 total yards in the first half.

Nate Webster is the middle linebacker this week for the all-important third preseason game against the Green Bay Packers.

Will it be Nate? Or is it Niko?

"I guess it's going down to the end," Webster said. "They've given us both a fair shot. But I'm sure we've got to make a decision somewhere in the next couple weeks."

Maybe after the Packers game. Even though Broncos starters generally play 2 1/2 quarters in the third preseason game, coach Mike Shanahan said he and his defensive staff haven't settled on how to divvy up playing time at middle linebacker.

"It's going to be a big game for both of them," Shanahan said.

(denverpost.com)

NEW ORLEANS: Jeremy Shockey ran some plays with the first team offense in practice on Monday and appears on track to make his first appearance in a Saints uniform when New Orleans plays its third preseason game on Saturday night in Cincinnati.

"Today was certainly more (action) than he's gotten and the plan is to get him in Saturday," coach Sean Payton said. "He's getting a lot better. He's in shape. So I'm hopeful we go this week, each day, without any setbacks."

Shockey, a four-time Pro Bowl tight end, whose outspokenness sometimes upset his coaches as much as his big-play ability delighted them, broke his left leg in December and missed the rest of the New York Giants' Super Bowl run. During the offseason, he asked to be traded and was sent to New Orleans just days before training camp began.

Shockey has practiced only sparingly since joining the Saints.

"I've been in this league for seven years and you know how to take care of your body," Shockey said. "You see guys coming in and out of this league and the guys who take care of their bodies the best are the guys that stay in the league. I'm doing everything I can on my part. ... I'm excited about the opportunity and I don't want to do something stupid and hurt something else by pushing too hard. We've got a couple of good weeks ahead of us to be ready for the real games."

Through his first six seasons, Shockey has 371 receptions for 4,228 yards and 27 touchdowns.

One of his most productive seasons was his rookie year, the year Payton was his offensive coordinator in New York, when he caught 74 passes for 894 yards. That, and the opportunity to play with Drew Brees in a pass-heavy offense, were some of the main reasons Shockey pushed for a trade to New Orleans.

"If you don't see me out there practicing, I'm working on the treadmill underwater, so I'm getting myself prepared and in shape," Shockey said. "The only thing I can do is keep concentrating on learning the offensive play book, which I think I have a good grasp. I've spent some good time with Drew. It's going to be fun. We've got a lot of time. Like I said, this week I'm going to push it a little bit more just to see how it goes from there."

Payton, who calls the Saints' offensive plays, is eager to see what Shockey can do in his system and had hoped to have the tight end in the lineup by last weekend, when the Saints hosted Houston.

"We probably would have expected him to have gotten more work, probably in the second preseason game, but we're here right now and we've got plenty of practice opportunities for him," Payton said. "The down side would be pushing it and having a setback and not having him for the first week of the season. So you weigh that.

"I'm optimistic he'll get in" against the Bengals, Payton said. "The plan is to practice him all week and play him in the game."

(iht.com)

When Darrell McClover joined the Jets as a seventh-round pick in the 2004 draft, the 213th player selected, special teams coach Mike Westhoff sized him up quickly. "He said, 'Playing special teams is how you're going to make your money, how you'll make your mark,' and I took that advice and ran with it," McClover said.

Entering his fifth NFL season and third with the Bears, McClover might be hitting his stride as a special-teams ace. Early projections of the 53-man roster make it hard to imagine the Bears letting him go. He blocked a punt Saturday night against the Seahawks, and his value has been as obvious in the other three phases of special teams.

(chicagotribune.com)

If you saw Kyle Wright not practicing, he’s got a knee bothering him. He’s got some knee swelling, but other than that he should be alright.




(49ers.com)

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun left the game Monday night against the Houston Astros after apparently re-injuring his back following a swing.

Braun had missed seven starts last week with what the team called tightness in his lower back. He pinch hit Saturday and returned to the lineup Sunday against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

He batted four times against the Astros on Monday, striking out twice. Braun appeared to be in pain after swinging and missing in his final at-bat in the sixth. He walked gingerly back to the dugout after the strikeout.

There was no immediate word from the team on why Braun left the game. Gabe Kapler replaced him in left.

Braun came in batting .301 with a team-best 32 home runs and 86 RBI.

(usatoday.com)

OT Rashad Butler got the highest grades in the O-line, and the more he plays, the more he looks like an absolutely steal. He was a 2006 third-round pick of the Panthers who was waived after a staph infection sidelined him pretty much his entire rookie season. With Charles Spencer gone and Ephraim Salaam injured, Butler may have found the perfect situation.

(blogs.chron.com)

The Ravens don't want anybody to read anything into it, but middle linebacker Ray Lewis did sit on the bench while his teammates were being introduced Saturday night for the second preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings. There were other times during the game when he sat alone on the bench while the rest of the defense was huddled up on the sideline. The last time these kind of things happened Lewis was irked at management because he didn't get a new contract.

Lewis is in the final year of his current deal.

So with that said, I won't read anything into it. Not one bit. Nothing.

Maybe Ray was on the sideline waiting to get his ankle taped, or plotting his next pre-game dance. Maybe he was trying to scope out the landscape and the logistics in case he wants to make his intro dropping out of a helicopter.

But let's not read anything into this. Maybe he just wanted to be alone.

(weblogs.baltimoresun.com)

DE Calais Campbell started at left end in place of the injured Darnell Dockett last week and played well. Campbell, the second-round pick, has been impressive in camp, as has DE Kenny Iwebema, a fourth-round selection.


(ari.scout.com)

Starting Sunday for the first time in seven games, Ryan Braun went 2-for-4 with a game-tying homer in the ninth inning.
With two outs and an 0-2 count, Braun smacked a breaking ball from Chan Ho Park over the wall in left field, tying the game at 5-5 before the Brewers eventually fell in the bottom of the frame.

(rotoworld.com)

Aubrey Huff has cleared revokable waivers, therefore he can be traded to any team at any time. Huff has been a big suprise this year in Baltimore and could provide some prospects from a contender in need of his services.


(majorleaguereport.com)

SAN DIEGO — Cole Hamels knew if he was patient, the wins would come. He never figured it would take this long.

Hamels pitched eight sharp innings to snap a seven-start winless drought, Pat Burrell hit a go-ahead homer and the Phillies beat the San Diego Padres, 2-1, on Sunday night.

Hamels (10-8) limited the Padres to one run on seven hits as he won for the first time since a 4-1 victory at Atlanta on July 3 and helped the Phillies stay two games back of the Mets in the NL East. The Mets were 4-0 winners at Pittsburgh.

“Every one of us on the starting staff tries to put up good innings and quality starts and hope for the best,” Hamels said. “We have been able to do that but, unfortunately, it hasn't gone my way. That's baseball.”

Hamels stayed in control of San Diego by throwing strikes and getting ahead in the count. The left-hander didn't worry about Philadelphia's recent offensive struggles.

“I think when you really try to be extra fine, you get yourself in trouble,” he said. “That's when you put too much pressure on yourself. That's something that I learned over the past month.”

Although the Phillies scored three runs or less for Hamels for the sixth time in his last eight starts, Burrell came through again with a big home run. Burrell hit his 29th homer of the season, a solo shot with an out in the sixth that proved to be the difference. He also homered on Friday night in the Phillies' 1-0 win over San Diego.

“This team will hit because we've all done it before,” Burrell said. “But until we pick it up, we'll have to make sure we are at least getting the clutch hits.”

Philadelphia has hit just .197 with seven homers and 32 runs scored in its last 11 games.

“It's nice to win two of three especially when you score six runs,” Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. “We battled, it was a standoff.”

Hamels was 0-3 with a 3.61 ERA during his career-high winless skid despite solid outings. Hamels has allowed two or less runs in seven of his last nine starts and 10 of 14.

“He was due to win one because he's pitched some real good ballgames,” Manuel said. “This guy has had some tough luck in getting some decisions, getting some wins. He's pitched much better than his record.”

Brad Lidge struck out the side in the ninth — and gave up a walk — to pick up his 30th save in 30 chances. Lidge has 33 consecutive saves dating to last season.

San Diego lost its ninth consecutive home series since winning two of three against the Los Angeles Dodgers, June 10-12. Since then, the Padres have dropped 20 of 27 at home.

Jimmy Rollins got the Phillies going in the first inning with a single off Cha Seung Baek (4-7). He stole second and continued to third on catcher Luke Carlin's throwing error. Jason Werth followed with a sacrifice fly.

Burrell then homered off Baek to give Philadelphia a 2-0 lead in the sixth. The RBI tied him with Greg Luzinski (811) for eighth place on the Phillies' all-time list.

“It was supposed to be a slider away but it was up,” Baek said. “It should have been down.”

The Padres strung together consecutive one-out singles by Kevin Kouzmanoff, Adrian Gonzalez and Chase Headley to cut the lead to 2-1 in the sixth.

“(Hamels) was throwing three pitches for strikes,” Headley said. “I looked up one time and he was throwing three strikes for every one ball.”
Hamels threw 97 pitches, 73 for strikes.

Baek allowed two runs, one earned, on four hits over six innings. He dropped to 0-7 at home with a 5.86 ERA in eight starts.

(phillyburbs.com)

In case anyone needed a reminder that Jeremy Shockey was gone - as if the quiet summer wasn't a clue - it was all there on the film of the Giants' preseason opener in Detroit. And when tight ends coach Mike Pope watched it, he knew he had a lot of work to do. There were missed assignments, missed blocks, miscommunications, incorrect routes and a slew of other mental errors. For most of the last six years, with Shockey on his side, those were things Pope didn't have to worry about. Now he does.

(cnnsi.com)

Tampa -- Patriots second-year defensive back Brandon Meriweather went down with an apparent leg injury with 6:55 remaining in the first quarter.

Meriweather tried to limp off the field on his own power but ultimately he had to be helped off the field by two trainers.

If the injury is serious it could be a big blow to an already depleted secondary. Defensive backs Jason Webster, Jonathan Wilhite, Lewis Sanders, James Sanders, and Rodney Harrison were not out on the field for warmups before the game started.

(beloblog.com)

If the Newark Star-Ledger's Mike Garafolo knows what he's talking about, then you should expect big things from rookie Kenny Phillips this year. Garafolo says: "The kid is awesome. How he dropped to No. 31 in the draft I'll never know."


(nooffseason.com)

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. When the Chicago Bears broke training camp, Coach Lovie Smith pointed to Devin Hester as one of the few real questions about the team that has been answered.

"Coming into camp we talked about him as a returner that a lot of people thought could play receiver," Smith said. "Now I think it's safe to say that he's a receiver. He's doing all the things we've asked him to do."

Hester held out at the start of camp but reported and eventually landed a contract extension worth a possible $40 million. He worked daily against cornerback Charles "Peanut" Tillman to make the transition from a record-setting return man and offensive novelty to a key part of the offense.

"Peanut is probably one of the best corners in the league because he's very physical," Hester said. "You know once you go against Peanut, you're going to have to be prepared to fight."

Practice battles haven't been quite like the battles of the past three years between Tillman and Muhsin Muhammad, who left the Bears to return to the Carolina Panthers, but Hester said he has been learning how to fight back against physical tactics designed to smother his speed.

"Peanut is an aggressive corner, he's going to get his hands on you," Hester said. "Receivers don't like corners getting their hands on someone. Going against a corner that's real aggressive, you've got to step up and play big."

Hester said that camp was also a plus for his conditioning, something he wanted to work on because he will be pressed into much more playing time as a return man.

"So I have to prepare myself to go a full game, the return game and offense -- I just worked harder," he said.

The Bears, who will play a preseason game tonight at Seattle, will return to Halas Hall and Lake Forest for the final two weeks of training camp.

They completed the Olivet Nazarene University portion of camp with two key injuries which will require surgery -- top draft pick Chris Williams' herniated disc and guard Terrence Metcalf's knee sprain. Metcalf is expected back before the regular season, but Williams could be out half the season, or longer.

The one big question that hasn't yet been answered is the starting quarterback. Today's game will go a long way toward deciding the battle between Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton. Grossman will start today; Orton started the preseason opener.

"For us, going into camp, we had a lot of positions that were open," Smith said. "Guys were fighting for positions. All of them have stepped up and we'll just keep that evaluation going. To me ... a successful camp a lot of times is when you get out injury free, and we've done that for the most part. And again we've gotten good work done."

(journalnow.com)

With no afternoon practice today, I just was able to get caught up with Episode 2 of HBO’s “Hard Knocks.” A television crew is following the Cowboys through training camp, including the team’s four practices against the Broncos.

Episode 2, which aired on Wednesday night, included a short segment on rookie RB Keon Lattimore, who just so happens to be little brother of Ravens LB Ray Lewis. Guess Broncos’ LB Nate Webster (who, like Lewis, is a former Miami Hurricane) hasn’t been watching.

On Thursday, Webster unleashed possibly the hardest hit of training camp on Lattimore — the crunch of the hit, not even a real tackle since no one was in full pads — was heard all the way across the practice field. No surprise, but Lattimore fumbled the ball.

After the practice, I was talking to Webster, when cornerback Domonique Foxworth came up to us and asked me if I had seen the hit. I said I did, but Foxworth wanted to make sure, so he grabbed my notebook and wrote in it that “Nate Webster almost killed a man.” Foxworth said it was Lattimore, and I told Webster that Lattimore is Lewis’ brother. That led to one of my favorite exchanges of camp:

Webster: “Ray Lewis has a little brother?”

Foxworth: “Not anymore he doesn’t.”

I’m looking forward to seeing the next episode of Hard Knocks to see if that hit — and how much of the Brandon Marshall-Adam “Pacman” Jones “feud” — makes the cut.

(blogs.denverpost.com)

Despite his switch to the weak side, Broncos LB D.J. Williams will play middle linebacker on passing downs this season.
Williams, who wears the defensive headset to relay in signals from the sideline, will be an every-down player and maintain lots of big-play potential due to his versatility. If Denver lets him hit free agency next spring, other teams could view Williams as a full-time MIKE prospect.

(rotoworld.com)

The only points other than field goals in the first half came on a safety created by a blocked punt by the Bears' Darrell McClover against the Seattle Seahawks.

(suntimes.com)

NEW ORLEANS -- Deuce McAllister wasn't the only New Orleans Saints player Saturday night making a return to the field for the first time since undergoing season-ending knee surgery last year.

Middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma, a key acquisition to the Saints' defense, played the entire first half in the team's 31-27 loss to the Houston Texans. It's the first time he's played since being placed on injured reserve with the New York Jets on Oct. 27 last year.

Vilma took all the snaps in the middle with the first-team defense and tallied two total tackles. He said there were no issues even though it wasn't a whole game.

"It felt good being out there," Vilma said. "It was good to get out there and play with my teammates. That was very exciting. I guess I just have to go from here."

(sunherald.com)

The fifth and final man charged with killing Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor on Friday waived his right to have a trial within 190 days of his arrest, meaning the case will be delayed for months.

Three other defendants also have waived their speedy trial rights. One man, Venjah K. Hunte, pleaded guilty to murder charges and will be sentenced to 29 years in prison.

Taylor was shot in the groin during a botched burglary at his Palmetto Bay home in November. He died the next day.
Four Ft. Myers area men were arrested shortly after the killing. The fifth was picked up in May.

Circuit Judge Dennis Murphy also considered defense requests to seal portions of the records in the case on Friday, and granted a request to seal a police report because he said the defense attorneys would probably try to have the report suppressed.

(miamiherald.com)

Few players have been followed more closely this preseason than the man Ernie Accorsi traded up to draft with the 44th pick in 2006.

Bagging Sinorice Moss made for exuberance that draft day.  The Giants’ brain trust had struck, swift and hard.  They’d moved up and, gosh darn, they’d gotten their man.  Like big brother Santana, he was real fast.  And real quick.

So much so that he was all but impossible to cover.  Opposing DBs weren’t going to be able to stay with him.  He would make big plays.  He would drive enemy defenses to distraction.  He was just what Big Blue needed to inject explosiveness into its offense.

The coaches soon set excitedly to working with their new toy.  Through OTAs, into training camp.  Dreaming up and practicing ways Moss would be used to torment opposing defenses.  What life in a harem is for Casanova is what this was for the Giants’ offensive coaches.  The coaches were having fun.  It was all going so well.

Then one day, without warning, their new toy broke.  A strain to a quadriceps muscle Moss had suffered in pre-draft workouts had reasserted itself.  And wouldn’t let go.  Before anyone knew it, most of Moss’s rookie season had vanished.

Moss managed to catch all of 5 balls for 25 yards that year – a handful of meaningless dinks that got Moss technically onto the stat sheet while accomplishing nothing for the team.  For Big Blue’s coaches and front office, the numbers were a cruel mockery of their draft day hopes.

Last year, Moss’s second season, he caught 21 balls for 225 yards.  Some for first downs.  Big plays?  Still none of those.  The injury bug?  It struck again.  Progress?  Well . . . sort of.

But not enough to satisfy the fans.  From them has come a steady trickle of urgings to this site — not to mention some recent Albany training camp spectator shouts — calling for Moss to be released.

Indeed, with passes in this year’s June minicamp and initial training camp practices too often eluding Moss’s grasp, the Giants’ roster burgeoning with new WR talent — and all that added to a slow first 2 seasons on Moss’s Big Blue resume — team observers were starting to agree # 83 could be gone before the season opener.

But a funny thing has happened to Moss on his way to the waiver wire.  He has shown up ready to work in every practice of a training camp in which Burress, Tyree, Manningham, Smith, and others have missed time.  That has led to Moss receiving, and profiting from, a plethora of reps.

No, he hasn’t turned into the team’s most glue-fingered pass-catcher.  That, perhaps, will never happen.  But as camp has dragged on, Moss’s hands have betrayed him with diminishing regularity.  And the positive plays have become increasingly frequent.

Moss has caught an abundance of deep balls, including one in the Detroit preseason game that, if not underthrown, would have gone for a touchdown.  The respect his deep speed commands, when combined with his ability to break off patterns suddenly, enables him to come open on underneath routes almost at will.

That capability gives him a base, something he can hang his hat on.  And something the Giants’ offensive planners can exploit.

In light of Moss’s recent progress, one of the beat writers at the Giants’ training camp earlier this week ventured that Moss “seems to be solidifying his spot on the roster”.  Here’s that item.  While only time will reveal whether the coaching staff agrees, the arrow on Moss seems to be moving Northward.

(mvn.com)

Chris Perez finished out the Cardinals' 5-3 victory over the Reds Friday to earn his fourth save of the season.
It's safe to call Perez the Cards' closer at this point. He'll have a good amount of fantasy value down the stretch and likely allows the Cardinals to go ahead and rehab Adam Wainwright as a starter.

(rotoworld.com)

LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Desmond Clark and Greg Olsen aren’t only one of the NFL’s best tight end tandems, they’re also two of the most complete players at their position in the league.

While catching a combined 83 passes for 936 yards and six touchdowns last season, the veteran and second-year pro also excel in other facets of the game in coordinator Ron Turner’s offense.

“We’re the type of people who just take it as it comes,” Clark said. “Whatever Ron wants us to do, we’ve go to do it. Playing tight end, that’s a unique position because you’ve got to do it all.

“Sometimes you come out of the backfield, sometimes [you’re responsible for] run-blocking, sometimes pass-blocking and sometimes catching passes. Our job is multifaceted and we just do whatever they ask us to do.”

Clark and Olsen were on the field together for several plays in last Thursday night’s preseason opener against the Chiefs, something that likely will continue.

Clark had 45 receptions in 2006 and 44 in 2007 and leads all NFL tight ends over that span with an average of 13.2 yards per catch. Olsen, meanwhile, showed promise as a rookie last season, catching 39 passes for 391 yards and 2 TDs after missing the first two games with a knee injury.

While tight end is the deepest position on the Bears offense, quarterback is among the key spots that remains unsettled. But Clark doesn’t feel that working with both Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton will hurt his rapport with whichever player wins the starting job.

“What I’ve been saying the whole time is that it’s a good thing that we get to work with both quarterbacks,” said Clark, who caught passes from Grossman, Orton and Brian Griese in 2007.

“Most of the time during the year you have to use more than one quarterback. Whoever wins the quarterback competition will be the starting quarterback. But sometime down the road, we might have to use that second quarterback and all this work that we’re getting in training camp will be good when he comes in.”

(chicagobears.com)

CINCINNATI -- Three weeks in Triple-A is not typically something a young player considers a blessing. For Brian Barton, however, it practically was a godsend.

Before Barton sustained a wrist injury in July, his playing time with the Cardinals had dwindled to almost nil. From May 9 until he was placed on the disabled list on July 6, Barton got 70 at-bats in the span of 53 games.

So when it came time for his Minor League rehabilitation assignment, the Cardinals made sure Barton took every single day of it. That, of course, also helped ease the roster crunch that comes with trying to carry a Rule 5 Draftee, which is not an insignificant element.

But Barton got 73 at-bats in 20 days, more than he'd received in his last eight weeks with the big club. And he hit well. Though his numbers tailed off at the end, he still batted .260 with a .349 on-base percentage and a .466 slugging percentage at Triple-A Memphis.

"The last couple games got me, but it felt good to get some at-bats and get a groove back," Barton said. "Hopefully I can carry it to the rest of the season."

The Cards' outfield situation looks different for Barton than before he left, as Joe Mather has emerged as an additional right-handed option. But Barton still figures in the plans, and he'll try to help the Redbirds' playoff push over the final 35 games.

(mlb.com)