2006 NFL Offseason Thread

[miami_fan]

MRI reveals USC's White has torn hamstringBy Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com



The NFL draft's lone highly-regarded "big" back may be an even bigger gamble now for any team that selects LenDale White, but at least scouts know the other half of the stellar Southern California tailback tandem had a legitimate reason for not participating in the school's recent pro day auditions.


An MRI examination has revealed that White, whose stock has fallen because of his inability to work out for scouts, has a right hamstring tear that will sideline him for about another month and preclude him from running. That means any team selecting White will do so without the benefit of a 40-yard time, typically an important component of the draft evaluation puzzle.


White's representatives on Thursday evening confirmed the MRI results, which were initially reported by the Denver Post.


"The problem LenDale faced was that he knew something wasn't right [with his hamstring]," said agent Eugene Parker, "but there was still pressure to try to run. But had he run just to satisfy people and torn the thing up again, then things would have been even worse than they are now."


How bad things are for White, who bypassed his final season of college eligibility to enter the draft and was projected as a high first-round selection, remains to be seen. Certainly it is a problem for White and for the several teams that coveted him as a first-rounder. Those teams viewed White as the lone power back with a first-round grade.


While the MRI result vindicates White, who told ESPN.com two weeks ago that he initially injured the hamstring while performing a Cybex test at the league scouting combine in late February, it still leaves scouts with an incomplete assessment of the former Trojans star.


Most teams are reluctant to invest millions of dollars in a player who has not been fully evaluated. Of course, scouts also contend that the true measure of a prospect's ability and potential at the NFL level is his body of work on the field in college and not how well he performs in predraft workouts that occur in shorts and T-shirts.


Dr. Randall Eldridge, a Denver-area chiropractor who specializes in treatment of musculoskeletal injuries and who conducted the MRI exam, said that White will recover but will probably be sidelined until mid-May. Under that scenario, White would not only be precluded from doing any more evaluation-type work before the draft but would also probably miss the rookie orientation session or mini-camp weekend of the club that takes him. Eldridge diagnosed the injury as a "moderate" tear near the pelvic region.


"I could see where he would have been in considerable pain had he tried to run," Eldridge said.


At the USC pro day on April 2, White knelt on one knee for much of the proceedings, dressed in a track suit. He took off the top of the track suit to participate in the bench press, the only drill in which White took part. White managed only 15 repetitions of the standard 225-pound bench press, a performance that was considered disappointing. By comparison, Heisman Trophy teammate Reggie Bush, a much smaller back, did 24 lifts.


Almost as concerning to scouts as White's inability to perform at the pro day was his weight of 244 pounds, six pounds heavier than he weighed at the combine. But White suggested that he actually weighed far more, 252 pounds, for the Rose Bowl national championship game against Texas.


"I've just got to get right [physically] and then I'll be fine and do everything they want me to do," White said at the time. "But right now I'm not right."


White indicated at the time he planned to return to his native Denver, meet with specialists there to gauge the severity of his hamstring problem and then hopefully work out for scouts before the draft. That will not be the case now.


In his three college seasons, White carried 541 times for 3,159 yards and 52 touchdowns. He also added 31 receptions for 331 yards and five touchdowns. A strong runner between the tackles and bullish when he got into the secondary, he ran for more than 1,000 yards in both 2004 and 2005 and was a perfect complement to the more elusive Bush.


Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.

[TazFTW]

And he's freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

free fallin'.

[Bad-example]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

MRI reveals USC's White has torn hamstringBy Len Pasquarelli

My first thought was, "How did Len Pasquarelli tear White's hamstring?"

[Shkspr]

Originally Posted by Bad-example

My first thought was, "How did Len Pasquarelli tear White's hamstring?"

Ham string, ham sandwich...it's all lunch.

[rjolley]

Wonder how those experts that compared White to Clarrett feel now...

[RendeR]

Originally Posted by rjolley

Wonder how those experts that compared White to Clarrett feel now...

They probably feel just fine. White is lazy, has no real work ethic and expects to skate on through into the NFL. From every interview I'wa heard and watched of him I get the same impression, he think he doesn't need to really try that hard to get by.

The injury is going to really hurt him come draft day. THe clarett comparison is pretty valid as far as I can see...at least along the lines of what I said above. I don't think White is nearly the closet criminal that Maurice is.

[JS19]

LaVar Arrington took a physical with the G-Men. Accorsi claims it means nothing. I would love for them to sign him, besides being very thin at LB, him and Pierce would make an awesome duo.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by JS19

LaVar Arrington took a physical with the G-Men. Accorsi claims it means nothing. I would love for them to sign him, besides being very thin at LB, him and Pierce would make an awesome duo.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2417903

By John Clayton
ESPN.com


LaVar Arrington got everything he was hoping for -- a seven-year contract and a chance to stay in the NFC East.


Arrington reached agreement Saturday on a seven-year, $49 million contract with the New York Giants. Further details of the contract weren't available, but the Giants came close to the number he was hoping for. The Giants gave Arrington the chance to compete against the Redskins twice a year.

"He's really elated," said Arrington's agent, Kevin Poston. "He's going to an 11-5 team. He doesn't have to move too far. He gets to play with Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora. He's excited."

Five teams were in the final bidding for Arrington, who paid back $4 million to get out of his Redskins contract. According to Poston, the Packers made a big move in the past couple of days to get something done, but talks with the Giants got serious on Thursday night.

Arrington passed a physical with the Giants on Thursday and talks picked up intensity. Both sides were close to a deal on Friday night.

"Green Bay came in there pretty hard, but he was comfortable with the Giants," Poston said.


John Clayton is a senior writer for ESPN.com.

[TazFTW]

I love scout speak/draft subterfuge.

“(Maryland TE) Vernon Davis is not dumb when you are talking to him — he just does not have a good base of football knowledge or really understand how to convert routes. … There’s a big difference between scouting and looking at numbers (production, height, weight and speed). Davis may have better numbers than (Jeremy) Shockey and (Kellen) Winslow (Jr.), but he is not nearly as refined of a pass catcher as either were coming out. Go back and watch Davis and show me one catch he makes where he does not have to stop to bring in the ball. No one can deny his physical ability, but he’s got a lot of work cut out for him.”

“I went back and watched more of (Florida State DT) Brodrick Bunkley. He is a mean sucker. Wow! You put on the North Carolina tape, and he is a man. I haven’t seen anyone kick the (crap) out of his opponents like he does in a long time.”

“Does (Michigan WR) Jason Avant get drafted on the first day? I put him in the fourth round. He can’t run. A lot of receivers are going to get drafted higher than they should. This is the worst receiving class I have seen since I have begun evaluating.”

“(Minnesota RB Laurence) Maroney is a tight, erect runner. He’s not a creator. There has to be a lane there for him to clear the line. He is a system guy. And he has an odd personality. He does not know when to shut up.”

“Vince Young has put the brakes on his slide. It’s amazing how all of these evaluations come full circle. No football has been played since January, and what you thought he was then, he still is now. I think he is still more of a thrower than a passer. He’s so big. He drops 11 yards on seven steps. His presence is so intimidating.”

“(Penn State DE) Tamba Hali cannot find the ball. He is very overrated, and when you combine the history of Penn State defensive ends — Courtney Brown, Michael Haynes — I wouldn't touch him. More mistakes are made on players at that school than any because of the way the head coach (Joe Paterno) treats scouts. Call me shortsighted, but I have never drafted one from that school, and it will take a lot of convincing before I do.”

“(Georgia TE) Leonard Pope is a 50-50 catcher with marginal concentration. He has way too many drops. With the amount of time tight ends have to catch in traffic in the pros, I don’t want him on my team. He can’t get in and out of routes.”

“(Boston College DE) Mathias Kiwanuka cannot transfer his speed into power. He has no power. He has few special qualities. He's manufactured. You don’t want to know where I graded him. I have him in the third round.”

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by TazFTW

“Vince Young has put the brakes on his slide. It’s amazing how all of these evaluations come full circle. No football has been played since January, and what you thought he was then, he still is now.

I think you could say the same thing about Bush, Leinart, Michael Huff and Jay Cutler. I am sure that every year teams are overly critical of the top players in the draft. This year seems to be the worst yet IMO.

[TazFTW]

NFL | R. Bush's family being investigated by PAC-10
Sun, 23 Apr 2006 12:21:28 -0700
Charles Robinson, of Yahoo Sports, reports USC RB Reggie Bush's family is being investigated after they were found living in a 3,000-square-foot house linked to Michael Michaels, a man alleged to have tried steering Bush towards an agent and who has ties of his own to a sports marketing company. NCAA statues prohibit student-athletes or their families from receiving extra benefits from professional sports agents, marketing companies or their representatives. A breach in statutes could result in the athlete being ruled ineligible and all games in which they played could be forfeited. USC athletic department officials looked into it following reporters' questions about the matter. USC athletic director Mike Garrett said, "Rather than jumping to conclusions, we need to determine the facts before commenting on this report. We have asked the Pac-10 to look into this."

The Yahoo article is at http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_yl...yhoo&type=lgns

[Logan]

Here's a quote from the article you linked to:

At some point after Bush's family moved into the residence, Michaels and an associate named Lloyd Lake are said to have contacted San Diego-based sports agent David Caravantes and offered to facilitate Bush's recruitment. A source with intimate knowledge of the meeting said it took place during the 2005 college football season and that Michaels was looking for a local agent to handle the contract negotiations for players he intended to sign to his marketing firm.

They were in the house before the initial contact took place, which, in my opinion, will allow everything to be a-ok.

[TazFTW]

I don't know... It still sounds fishy. Here's Roto's take.

Reggie Bush's family has been implicated for allegedly living in a house paid for by a prospective agent.
Yahoo Sports' Charles Robinson reports that Bush's stepfather, mother, and brother lived in a house near San Diego for the last year until moving out this weekend after facing Robinson's questions. It gets better: The house was reportedly bought by an upstart agency funded a business development officer for an Indian tribe that owns a casino and resort. Bush signed for representation elsewhere, and Profootballtalk.com reports the agent who paid for the house has been trying to get his money back before taking anything public. The implications for USC could be significant, although it's hard to imagine the story affecting Bush's draft status. Apr. 23 - 6:32 pm et
Source: Yahoo Sports

Here is some comments from Profootballtalk's rumormill (they are referring to Jason Cole's article about this in the Miami Herald)

Citing NCAA bylaw 12.3.1 and an NCAA rules guide for student-athletes, Cole suggests that Bush might have been ineligible for the entire 2005 season.
The controlling language, based on our own review of the NCAA bylaws, seems to come from Rule 12.3.1.2(b):

As Dante suggested in the April 23 PFT PodCast, Bush likely will be screwed on this one if his family did not pay a fair rental price during their stay in the house owned by Michael Michaels, an aspiring sports marketing agent. Cole indicates that, even if market value was tendered to Michaels, there still could be problems for Reggie due to the fact that the NCAA frowns on relationships between athletes and agents.

[TazFTW]

Packers agree to a 7 year deal with CB Charles Woodson.

[st.cronin]

Originally Posted by TazFTW

Maroney is erect.

[WSUCougar]

The Vikings finally cut bait with Onterrio Smith

[Fonzie]

Originally Posted by TazFTW

Packers agree to a 7 year deal with CB Charles Woodson.

Holy crap.

He's scheduled to get $10.5 million in the first year and $18.5 million in the first three years. That's a lot of money given his injury history.

[Arles]

Packers have a ton of cap space. Counting him $9+ million in year one and $4 mill in each of years 2 and 3 make a lot sense given GB had $17 million of space left going into the draft. This deal could be a bargain for years 2 and 3 if he stays healthy. And, if he doesn't, there's no real dead money left since most hits in year 1.

In other news it looks like GB has also signed Giants DT Kendrick Allen (terms not given). Allen is 6-6, 315 and had a strong finish for NY (9 tackles, 1 sack, 2 stuffs) in the final two games plus the Wild card game.

[Fonzie]

Oh I agree Arles - I wasn't trying to say it was a bad deal at all. I just didn't think Woodson would end up getting that kind of cash from anybody. Nice work by the Postons there.

Now if the Packers could just get some help on offense...

[TazFTW]

Originally Posted by mckerney

Vikings | Team changing uniforms
Tue, 14 Mar 2006 19:46:00 -0800

Sean Jensen, of the Pioneer Press, reports the Minnesota Vikings will be wearing new uniforms for the 2006 season. Steve LaCroix, Vikings vice president of sales and marketing, confirmed the uniform change, although he declined to say to what extent. "We are working with the NFL and Reebok on some exciting changes for the 2006 season. The process is still continuing, but we'll look to have an unveiling later in the offseason for our fans," he said.

Why?

[flere-imsaho]

Hey Arles, good to see you back (unless you've been posting in threads I haven't been reading).

Originally Posted by Arles

Packers have a ton of cap space. Counting him $9+ million in year one and $4 mill in each of years 2 and 3 make a lot sense given GB had $17 million of space left going into the draft. This deal could be a bargain for years 2 and 3 if he stays healthy. And, if he doesn't, there's no real dead money left since most hits in year 1.

Agree 100%.

In other news it looks like GB has also signed Giants DT Kendrick Allen (terms not given). Allen is 6-6, 315 and had a strong finish for NY (9 tackles, 1 sack, 2 stuffs) in the final two games plus the Wild card game.

Probably the bigger news, football-wise, to be honest, for Green Bay. Whenever I saw them play last year, running backs were getting at least to the LBs and often much further almost at will. Only a great consistent effort by Kampman to catch up and sporadic great efforts by KGB were stopping the bleeding.

[Honolulu_Blue]

The Lions just signed CB Jamar Fletcher to a one year deal.

The Lions desperately need some depth there, so it's not a bad signing. He'll likely be the nickle back and take over the starting role from Bryant once Bryant gets hurt. The only other corners the Lions have on the roster are Keith Smith, Stanley Wilson, and rookie Dee McCann (6th round).

[Brillig]

Trent Dilfer to the 49ers in exchange for Ken Dorsey, a 7th(?) round pick and a large pizza with extra cheese.

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cg...PG28ILH041.DTL

Okaaaay.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by Brillig

Trent Dilfer to the 49ers in exchange for Ken Dorsey, a 7th(?) round pick and a large pizza with extra cheese.

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cg...5/05/49ERS.TMP

Okaaaay.

Has Trent been complaining about wanting to start or something like that? You would have thought they would want to keep Dilfer around for some experience behind Charlie Frye.

[TazFTW]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

Has Trent been complaining about wanting to start or something like that?

Yes.

[SFL Cat]

I think Dilfer has a little too much mileage now to be a productive starter.

[Northwood_DK]

What is the Browns plan for quarterback this season? This looks a bit shaky

DORSEY, KEN 4 Miami (Fla.)
FRYE, CHARLIE 2 Akron
ANDERSON, DEREK 2 Oregon State
CAMPBELL, LANG 1 William & Mary
ALMOND, DUSTIN R Southern Mississippi
HACKNEY, DARRELL R UAB

[albionmoonlight]

Originally Posted by Northwood_DK

What is the Browns plan for quarterback this season? This looks a bit shaky

DORSEY, KEN 4 Miami (Fla.)
FRYE, CHARLIE 2 Akron
ANDERSON, DEREK 2 Oregon State
CAMPBELL, LANG 1 William & Mary
ALMOND, DUSTIN R Southern Mississippi
HACKNEY, DARRELL R UAB

That hurts just to look at.

[Daimyo]

During the draft coverage it sounded like they consider Frye to be their franchise QB.

[Swaggs]

Man, I was getting nervous during the draft when it looked like the Browns and/or Ravens might end up with a good quarterback.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by Northwood_DK

What is the Browns plan for quarterback this season? This looks a bit shaky

DORSEY, KEN 4 Miami (Fla.)
FRYE, CHARLIE 2 Akron
ANDERSON, DEREK 2 Oregon State
CAMPBELL, LANG 1 William & Mary
ALMOND, DUSTIN R Southern Mississippi
HACKNEY, DARRELL R UAB

I believe the Browns were interested in Kerry Collins. Probably trying to wait a bit so his demands go down.

[Bee]

Originally Posted by Northwood_DK

What is the Browns plan for quarterback this season? This looks a bit shaky

DORSEY, KEN 4 Miami (Fla.)
FRYE, CHARLIE 2 Akron
ANDERSON, DEREK 2 Oregon State
CAMPBELL, LANG 1 William & Mary
ALMOND, DUSTIN R Southern Mississippi
HACKNEY, DARRELL R UAB

Looks like they are slotting themselves for the #1 pick next year.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by Bee

Looks like they are slotting themselves for the #1 pick next year.

Not if you listen to their fans.


We signed McGinnest~!

[WSUCougar]

Originally Posted by Daimyo

During the draft coverage it sounded like they consider Frye to be their franchise QB.

Yup, they are very high on Frye

[QuikSand]

The Browns feel that Charlie Frye is the QB of the future for them, and their lip service to a "competition" between him and Dilfer was just that. Dilfer was unsettled, and they got what they could for him.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by WSUCougar

Yup, they are very high

fixed

[Swaggs]

Looks like Marcus Vick will not get a contract from the Dolphins. He and Ricky Williams may both give the CFL a shot.

Sun Sentinel

A source said the Dolphins were unlikely to sign rookie quarterback Marcus Vick, who is expected to instead pursue opportunities in the Canadian Football League.

Sun Sentinel

Ricky Williams' agent continues to negotiate with the Dolphins about whether the franchise will grant permission for the suspended running back to play in the Canadian Football League this season.

Leigh Steinberg said he spoke Monday with Dolphins President Bryan Wiedmeier, who echoed coach Nick Saban's concerns about the injury risk and wear and tear associated with Williams playing for the Toronto Argonauts.

"No ultimate conclusion was reached and we agreed to resume discussion [today]," Steinberg said.

The CFL is an appealing option for Williams because it would allow him to make money as he serves a one-year suspension for a fourth failed drug test. A father of three with a fourth child on the way, Williams has earned $270,000 from the Dolphins since December 2003.

Williams could earn at least $150,000 Canadian playing for the Argonauts, who have his exclusive CFL negotiating rights.

Steinberg said the earliest Williams could be reinstated to the NFL is April 26, 2007.

[sovereignstar]

What do you guys think about Vick playing in the CFL? I can't see it working.

[Swaggs]

Originally Posted by sovereignstar

What do you guys think about Vick playing in the CFL? I can't see it working.

If we are overlooking at the moving/adjustment issues, I think his biggest problem is that he is not very well developed. To put it into FOF terms, he has pretty high talent, but there is a lot of green. He only started for one season--another year at VT would have helped him out a great deal. He looked really great against average defenses, but struggled against more athletic teams like Miami and Florida State. If a CFL team is patient with him and willing to go through some growing pains, I would say he could develop into a serviceable QB within 2-3 seasons.

Anyone know if pot is legal in Canada? I am thinking that, if it is and he joins the CFL, a Ricky Williams reality show would have to be in order.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Sounds like the Harrington to Miami deal is going to be completed soon...

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2442339

Harrington could be a Dolphin by Monday

---

By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com

Barring 11th-hour complications, the much discussed trade of Detroit Lions quarterback Joey Harrington to the Miami Dolphins will be completed Friday, several league sources have confirmed.

Joey Harrington

Quarterback Detroit Lions Profile

2005 SEASON STATISTICS Att Comp Yds TD Int Rat 330 188 1885 12 12 72.0

After more than a month of haggling, and intermittent acrimony in the bargaining between the two teams, the parties have struck a deal for compensation that will allow Harrington to begin participating in Miami's organized team activities, which begin on Monday. The Dolphins pushed for a resolution to the prolonged talks because they want Harrington to have time to assimilate the offense before the club convenes for a three-day mini-camp June 9-11.

It remains unclear what the Dolphins will send to the Lions in compensation for Harrington, a four-year veteran and the third overall player selected in the 2002 draft.
Last month, Miami offered Detroit a sixth-round selection in the 2007 draft, and the Lions refused to make a deal. In fact, Lions team president Matt Millen attempted during the draft to seek other suitors and was in talks with the Cleveland Browns about a trade. But because of his contractual situation, and the need for any new team to readjust a deal deemed too prohibitive for a backup, Harrington held some leverage and essentially refused to discuss a restructuring with any team but the Dolphins.
Under his Detroit contract, Harrington was due a $4 million roster bonus on June 15 and a 2006 base salary of $4.5 million. Until the latest movement in talks between the Lions and Dolphins, it appeared that Millen might simply keep Harrington until just before the roster bonus became due.
Harrington last month reached a tentative two-year agreement with the Dolphins, which prompted Millen to suggest that Miami officials had acted improperly. The NFL Management Council, the league's labor arm, ruled that there was no impropriety, and that Harrington was free to deal with teams because the Lions had granted him and agent David Dunn the right to seek out potential trade partners.
At various times after the Lions publicly announced that Harrington would not return in 2006, and that they would attempt to trade him, various franchises indicated interest in the former University of Oregon star. He visited with the Cincinnati Bengals and there were indications that the Denver Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs had varying degrees of interest as well. None of those teams stepped forward, however, with the kind of conviction the Dolphins demonstrated.
The Dolphins covet Harrington as an insurance policy against the possibility that starting quarterback Daunte Culpepper, who is still rehabilitating from surgery to repair three torn ligaments in his right knee, might not be available at the outset of the regular season. Acquired from the Minnesota Vikings in a trade for a second-round draft choice, Culpepper is said to be ahead of schedule for his recovery, but there are still doubts about when he will be completely rehabilitated from the severe injury suffered in October.
If Culpepper cannot open the season, Harrington would be the Dolphins' starter.
Harrington, 27, started 55 games for the Lions and posted a record of 18-37. He completed 986 of 1,802 passes for 10,242 yards, with 60 touchdown passes and 62 interceptions, for an efficiency rating of 68.1. Harrington started 11 games in 2005, was benched at one point in favor of Jeff Garcia, and then regained his starting job. He reportedly asked Lions officials earlier in the spring, including Millen and first-year head coach Rod Marinelli, to either trade or release him. Detroit has signed a trio of veteran quarterbacks -- Jon Kitna, Josh McCown and Shaun King -- in the offseason. Kitna and McCown will compete for the starting job.

[TazFTW]

The Dolphins signed Marcus Vick to a deal for an undisclosed amount. It is probably just a deal so they can see how he does during training camp/preseason.

[miami_fan]

Actually....
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/14586228.htm

The Dolphins have an M. Vick. Don't expect him to play quarterback, however.

Marcus Vick, the brother of Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick, was one of four free agents the Dolphins signed Monday. Like his brother, Marcus Vick played quarterback at Virginia Tech. Unlike his brother, his first NFL team likely won't see him as a quarterback.

The Dolphins have three quarterbacks already. But Marcus Vick's talents and build are similar to those of Antwaan Randle El, the 5-10, 192-pound Indiana University quarterback whom Pittsburgh deployed as a wide receiver and returner because of hi s ability in the open field.

A series of on and off-the-field incidents prompted Virginia Tech to kick Marcus Vick off the football team after the 2005 season, his junior year. NFL teams avoided him in the draft. The last of the incidents was during the Jan. 2 Gator Bowl when Vick stomped on a calf of Louisville defensive end Elvis Dumervil. Vick had been suspended for the entire 2004 season.

''I want to make it very clear that we will not condone any behavior issues in the future relative to Marcus Vick,'' Dolphins head coach Nick Saban said. ``Marcus acknowledges that he has made some mistakes, all of which have resulted in severe consequences for him. They have helped him learn that he will need to make much better choices and decisions in the future or risk similar consequences that could jeopardize his career as a professional.

``As an organization, we did an enormous amount of research, including consulting with professionals in detailed, in-depth analysis to feel comfortable that giving Marcus an opportunity as a free agent is a risk worth taking. Marcus has made a commitment to this organization and our fans to represent the Miami Dolphins in a first-class manor.''

The Dolphins also signed NFL veterans linebacker Keith Newman, cornerback Michael Lehan and tight end Keith Heinrich.

[stevew]

At 6', he really doesn't have the ideal QB size. I would think that he could be athletic enough to play WR or FS, however. He could actually be a solid risk/reward type signing. If he shows you anything, stash him on the practice squad for a year.

[sovereignstar]

Eagles and Vikings just pulled off a blockbuster:

UFA WR Hank Baskett for WR Billy McMullen

[rkmsuf]

Originally Posted by sovereignstar

Eagles and Vikings just pulled off a blockbuster:

UFA WR Hank Baskett for WR Billy McMullen

lol. who works on these stupid trades? way to go.

[sovereignstar]

oh, I meant undrafted free agent by the way (UDFA)

[Bad-example]

From Rotoworld:

Packers WR Cory Rodgers was arrested in a bar fight in his college town of Fort Worth, Texas.
Police said the fight started after Rodgers, 23, refused to sign autographs and buy drinks for people in the bar. Up to 50-60 people were reportedly in the fight, and some used pool cues and beer bottles as weapons. Rodgers, a fourth-round pick in April, reportedly fired two gunshots into the air.

[miami_fan]

Plagued by injuries that limited him to just nine appearances the past two seasons, and garnering only scant interest in the unrestricted free agent market, former San Francisco 49ers standout cornerback Ahmed Plummer has decided to retire from the NFL at age 30.

The six-year veteran was a first-round selection in the 2000 draft and the 24th player chosen overall that spring, but was released by San Francisco in late February for salary cap considerations, and because the 49ers' coaches had lost faith in him.

Plummer spent part of the spring in Hawaii, rehabilitating from an ankle injury that required surgery early in the 2005 season, but was still not 100 percent recovered. He received inquiries from a few franchises and visited with Tennessee Titans officials, but was not offered a contract.

His decision to retire culminates a sharp slide for Plummer, who only three years ago was regarded around the league as an excellent coverage defender and an ascending player. In his first four seasons, the former Ohio State star missed only three games, and he posted seven interceptions in 2001.

In March 2004, with the cornerback market exploding in free agency, the 49ers rewarded Plummer with a five-year, $25 million contract extension to retain his services. The deal included $11 million in guarantees. But that season, Plummer suffered neck and shoulder injuries and appeared in just six games. Last season, he underwent September ankle surgery and played in only three contests.

The new coaching staff, led by Mike Nolan, lost faith in Plummer, and there were suggestions from inside the San Francisco organization that the veteran corner wasn't as diligent as he could have been in trying to get back onto the field. Plummer bristled at those contentions. But even some teams curious about Plummer this spring questioned whether he still wanted to play.

In 70 regular-season appearances, Plummer recorded 316 tackles, 12 interceptions, 57 passes defensed, one forced fumble and one recovery.


Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.

[Bearcat729]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

Plagued by injuries that limited him to just nine appearances the past two seasons, and garnering only scant interest in the unrestricted free agent market, former San Francisco 49ers standout cornerback Ahmed Plummer has decided to retire from the NFL at age 30.

The six-year veteran was a first-round selection in the 2000 draft and the 24th player chosen overall that spring, but was released by San Francisco in late February for salary cap considerations, and because the 49ers' coaches had lost faith in him.

Plummer spent part of the spring in Hawaii, rehabilitating from an ankle injury that required surgery early in the 2005 season, but was still not 100 percent recovered. He received inquiries from a few franchises and visited with Tennessee Titans officials, but was not offered a contract.

His decision to retire culminates a sharp slide for Plummer, who only three years ago was regarded around the league as an excellent coverage defender and an ascending player. In his first four seasons, the former Ohio State star missed only three games, and he posted seven interceptions in 2001.

In March 2004, with the cornerback market exploding in free agency, the 49ers rewarded Plummer with a five-year, $25 million contract extension to retain his services. The deal included $11 million in guarantees. But that season, Plummer suffered neck and shoulder injuries and appeared in just six games. Last season, he underwent September ankle surgery and played in only three contests.

The new coaching staff, led by Mike Nolan, lost faith in Plummer, and there were suggestions from inside the San Francisco organization that the veteran corner wasn't as diligent as he could have been in trying to get back onto the field. Plummer bristled at those contentions. But even some teams curious about Plummer this spring questioned whether he still wanted to play.

In 70 regular-season appearances, Plummer recorded 316 tackles, 12 interceptions, 57 passes defensed, one forced fumble and one recovery.


Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.

Ugh now I feel a little old. I played against Plummer in high school

[JonInMiddleGA]

http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sp...14thurman.html

Ex-Dog Thurman to be suspended

By STEVE WYCHE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 07/13/06

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Odell Thurman, a finalist for the 2005 rookie of the year award and former University of Georgia standout, will be suspended for the first four games of the NFL season, pending appeal, a person with knowledge of the situation confirmed.

The person told the Journal-Constitution, and it was also reported by the Cincinnati Enquirer and ESPN.com, that Thurman violated the league's substance abuse policy.

Thurman, who is from Monticello, is working out in Atlanta but declined comment, canceling a scheduled interview with the Journal-Constitution Thursday afternoon.

Messages to the NFL and Bengals' offices were not answered.

The suspension signals that Thurman has violated the league's substance abuse policy for a second time, although it does not necessarily mean he failed a drug test. Missing a scheduled test or not producing a sample within a declared time frame constitutes a positive result, according to the NFL's drug policy.

This latest development extends a history of off-field problems for Thurman that date back to his freshman year at Georgia, when he was dismissed for an accumulation of transgressions. Thurman transferred to Georgia Military College for a season and was re-admitted to Georgia, where he developed into one of the SEC's top linebackers as a redshirt sophomore.

He was suspended for the first three games of his junior season - his last - for undisclosed violations.

Though the 6-foot, 235-pound playmaker was regarded as a first-round talent, Thurman was not selected until the second round (48th overall), in large part because of concerns over his character.

In media interviews before last season's draft, Thurman said he hoped his candor to team officials about his misgivings would sway opinions.

His play for the resurgent Bengals last season certainly did.

Thurman registered a team-high 148 tackles, five interceptions and forced five fumbles, outshining Cincinnati's first-round pick and former Georgia All-American David Pollack. Thurman was reportedly fined and disciplined for violating team policies and was held out of the starting lineup in the regular-season finale for breaking team rules.

The Bengals excused Thurman from attending the team's minicamp in June for personal reasons, though it is not known if that is related to this recent development.

The Bengals did select former Virginia linebacker Ahmad Brooks in the supplemental draft Thursday. Cincinnati also drafted Florida State linebacker A.J. Nicholson in April's draft.