Entries Tagged 'Just the News' ↓

In what could be Brett Favre’s final season, the Packers had hoped to enter camp with optimism. But Donald Driver is raising eyebrows with a nagging shoulder injury which has sapped his strength and consequently landed him a spot on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.

It’s a hard blow to the Packers because Driver has been the team’s leading wide receiver for the past two seasons and Brett Favre’s only reliable target.

Fantasy owners too will feel the repercussions if Driver misses playing time during the regular season; he finished 2006 as the number five fantasy receiver and he has been in the top 15 in four of the past five seasons.

After a short-lived holdout on Thursday, the St. Louis Rams and quarterback Marc Bulger have agreed to a new contract extension that will pay him just over $10 million per year for the next 6 seasons. Also, $27 million is guaranteed.

Smart move by the Rams to lock up Bulger. A two time Pro Bowl quarterback, Bulger has thrown for more than 3800 yards three of the past four seasons — he was injured in 2005 — and at least 20 touchdowns in those seasons.

Injuries are a slight concern, however, and last season was the first time in his career he started all 16 regular season games.

For those of you who don’t know about the career of Tommy Maddox, prior to his (second) retirement following the 2005 season, let me bring you up to speed: Maddox was drafted in the first round by the Denver Broncos in 1992. Unfortunately, he came out of college too early and he wasn’t ready for the NFL.

After four forgettable seasons, Maddox returned after a layoff of six years, stronger and better than ever with the hopes of ending things on his own terms and retiring without regrets this time around. His new home? Pittsburgh, as the team’s backup. And in 2002 Maddox threw for 2836 yards and 18 touchdowns while starter Kordell Stuart lost the starting spot.

Miami’s Joey Porter came close to avoiding Commissioner Roger Goodell’s wrath after a Las Vegas scuffle with Cincinnati’s Levi Jones several months ago. And in one respect he did avoid it. But the Commissioner is not one to let something like this go; not after suspending Pacman Jones, someone who was suspended the entire season on the basis of allegations — granted, it was 10 allegations over two years.

So, despite not suspending Porter, the NFL has opted to instead fine him three game checks, more than $140 thousand.

Ouch.

And, unfortunately, the NFL’s timing couldn’t be much worse with the Vick haters already outraged that the NFL has taken the “wait-and-see” approach in the quarterback’s case. It appears the league will take no action against Vick, though it is plausible the Falcons will send Vick home on a paid absence while he deals with his allegations.

Actions speak louder than words, and Larry Johnson latest move is bordering on a scream. The disgruntled Pro Bowl running back is refusing to report to training camp until the Chiefs give him the contract he desires, something in the vicinity of $28 million guaranteed, or he is traded to another team (see: Green Bay).

Granted, this is hardly unexpected — Johnson has been preparing to sit out the entire season without pay for some time now — but what is interesting is that the Chiefs may decide to fine Johnson $14 thousand a day (yes, each day) which could add up to $660 thousand over the course of the summer months.

Will that be enough to bring back Johnson? Doubt it.

With news headlines dominated by a certain recently indicted quarterback, it’s refreshing to see another in search of a team willing to give him a fresh start.

That quarterback of course is Daunte Culpepper, previously released by the Miami Dolphins, who has spent some time contacting interested teams and working out. The most recent of these is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, though they already have a pair of highly paid quarterbacks on their roster — Chris Simms and Jeff Garcia — making it doubtful he’ll end up there.

But, then again, with Jon Gruden (a.k.a. Chucky) still steering the ship, you never know what will happen.

Other teams rumored to be interested in the 30 year old quarterback include the Jacksonville Jaguars and Atlanta Falcons.

Michael Vick has officially been indicted by a federal grand jury in connection with the recent dogfighting probe of his Virginia home.

The grand jury indictment charges that Vick and co-defendants Pernell Peach, Quanis Phillips and Tony Taylor spent six years “knowingly sponsoring and exhibiting in an animal fighting venture.”

The latest I have heard is that it will be hard for Vick to be convicted this season. Unfortunately for the quarterback, it won’t be hard for Roger Goodell to suspend him, even on suspicion alone.

This is not Vick’s first off-field incident this season. We all remember the water bottle incident (seriously, who has a secret compartment in their Dasani?). He was acquitted in that case, but he may not walk away unscathed this time.

Bears fans: the worst-case scenario has finally come true.

Lance Briggs and the Chicago Bears failed to come to terms today by the NFL’s deadline, set at 3:00 PM, so the two parties will need to wait until after the 2007 season before resuming negotiations.

Unfortunately, this also means Briggs is prepared to sit out 10 games (without pay). Losing him this season, along with defensive tackle Tank Johnson in a misunderstanding, severely strikes a blow to the defense.

On a brighter side of things, the team can still deal Briggs to another team. As an added incentive, the other team would not need to restructure Briggs contract until after the 2007 season (again, league rules), so the linebacker’s power over the situation is very limited and shaky.

It seems the precedent set by the signing of Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney is sending some immediate ripples around the league.

Today, the Detroit Lions decided to set the bar high, once again. This time by signing Cory Redding to a 7 year, $50 million contract that effectively makes him the highest paid defensive tackle in the NFL.

The sides were at a bit of an impass with time running out today. If no contract was signed by 4:00 PM, the team would unable to sign Redding, the team’s franchise player, to a long-term contract. Instead, he would be forced to play out a one year contract before (possibly) being signed after the 2007 season.

Was it worth it?

This isn’t the way Miami planned it.

Chris Chambers, widely considered a disappointment last season, was expecting to experience a fantasy rebirth in 2007 with the help of newly acquired quarterback Trent Green. Unfortunately, the former Wisconsin wide receiver has recently been arrested — it’s his first offense — on charges of driving while impaired, reckless driving and speeding.

Because it is his first offense, however, he probably won’t be severely punished. That said, you can expect him to be suspended one regular season game, either by the league or the team.

Chambers is the second Dolphin arrested in the last three weeks. Defensive tackle Fred Evans was arrested on June 23 and released shortly thereafter.