Let's take a look at some of the latest headlines from around the NFL...

Crabtree Prepared to Sit Out Season - Unsigned first-round pick Michael Crabtree's cousin and adviser, David Wells, confirmed Profootballtalk.com's report that Crabtree is prepared to sit out all of 2009 if the 49ers don't meet his contract demands. It was under different circumstances, but this idea worked out terribly for Mike Williams in 2004-05. "We are prepared to do it," Wells said.  CONTINUE READING

Robiskie Impressing in Camp - After observing Browns camp this week, NFL.com's Pat Kirwan predicts that rookie receiver Brian Robiskie will "make a major contribution this season."
Robiskie is effective against zone defense with soft hands, good route running skills, and his understanding of the soft spots in coverage. CONTINUE READING

Anderson Making Bid for Starting Job - According to one Browns front office personnel person, Brady Quinn entered camp as the favorite to be the opening day starter, but Derek Anderson has come on strong in the past three days. On Wednesday, Quinn used a short passing attack to move the ball down the field, while Anderson used the more vertical variety and was just as effective. Quinn doesn't have it sewn up just yet. CONTINUE READING

Stallworth Meets with Goodell - Donte' Stallworth has issued a statement after meeting with Roger Goodell on Wednesday. "I exercised poor judgment and have caused irreparable harm to Mario Reyes, his family, and the NFL," said Stallworth. "Whatever he (Goodell) ultimately decides is the appropriate discipline...I am truly sorry." CONTINUE READING

Jones/Jennings Battling it Out - Coach Jack Del Rio confirmed that Greg Jones will not be handed the Jaguars' No. 2 ball-carrying duties. "He's got to fight to be the best guy," Del Rio said. "We're not going to hand anything to anybody." The coach has long been a fan of Jones' hard charging running style, but rookie Rashad Jennings was more impressive this spring. CONTINUE READING

donte stallworth, greg jones, rashead jennings, derek anderson, brady quinn, browns, jaguars, 49ers, michael crabtree, brian robiskie

Fantasy Football, NFL fantasysportsgirl, browns, nfl draft

We had Lou Pickney of DraftKing.com on Tuesday's Daily Dose on GetSportsRadio.com (LIVE weekdays 1-2pm Eastern/On-Demand Anytime). He provided some great insight. In his latest mock draft he has OT Eugene Monroe going to the Bengals at No. 6.

After the show he e-mailed me some additional notes of interest...

One point I'd hoped to get to today but didn't due to time constraints is Cincinnati CB Mike Mickens.  He ran a 4.53 40 while still recovering from a torn meniscus in his left knee, he's 6'0" so he can compete with most WRs, and he is a GREAT tackler.  If he falls to day two he'll be a major steal.

Also, I heard that Cleveland has booked a workout with Rutgers WR Kenny Britt for Friday.  I don't know if that's a smokescreen, but particularly with the Braylon Edwards mess (that you guys were discussing in the segment before mine), clearly Cleveland needs to have plans in place at WR in the draft -- particularly if they don't get a shot at Michael Crabtree at #5.

NFL nfl draft, ray mickens, kenny britt, michael crabtree, browns

Fantasy Football, NFL nfl draft, browns, fantasysportsgirl

The 2009 NFL Draft is less than a week away and to this point we have seen little movement on the trade front.

The Bills did move All-Pro left tackle Jason Peters in fear that he would holdout. The Eagles, who had two first round picks, were able to benefit and now have solidified the most important position on the line.

The question remains will the Cardinals do the same with wide receiver Anquan Boldin, who wants to be paid in the same ballpark as teammate Larry Fitzgerald. The reality of the matter is though that Arizona is not prepared to tie up that kind of money at one position.

Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com wrote this weekend that he expects to see Boldin get traded.

"The Cardinals put it out there Wednesday that they received calls from teams inquiring about Boldin. Why the rush to let that information out? They want to make a move before the draft, if they make a move at all," Prisco wrote.

"So where does he go? Many speculate Philadelphia or to the Giants. But here's one to strongly consider: Jacksonville. The Jaguars have discussed a trade with the Cardinals and they are in the market for a receiver."

With Boldin on the block as well as Cleveland wideout Braylon Edwards, the market is drying up for the Bengals' Ocho Cinco. It is going to be an interesting week ahead.

NFL bengals, cardinals, eagles, bills, browns, jason peters, anquan boldin, braylon edwards, chad ocho cinco

Let's check out some of the latest headlines from around pro football:

LEFTWICH SIGNS WITH BUCS (Tampa Tribune)
The team is expected to announce today the signing of free agent Byron Leftwich, whose weekend decision to accept a two-year contract was based on a guarantee he'll be given a chance to compete for the starter's job. Many believe that job will ultimately go to sixth-year pro Luke McCown, but the Bucs have made no secret of their desire to add an experienced veteran to at least push McCown for that job...MORE

BROWNS: EDWARDS, QUINN ON BLOCK (The National Post)
The Cleveland Browns have been engaging in talks to trade quarterback Brady Quinn and wide receiver Braylon Edwards. The website reports that the Browns have a first round pick on the table for Quinn, but may be looking for more.  Two teams are currently interested in Quinn’s services. In addition, there is speculation that the Browns have a first round pick on the table for wide receiver Braylon Edwards and will most likely trade him before the start of next season...MORE

BILLS' WHITNER ARRESTED (ESPN.com)
Bills safety Donte Whitner was arrested in downtown Cleveland early Saturday morning after police tried to break up a "near riot" in front of the House of Blues. Police used a Taser to subdue Whitner, who was arrested for aggravated disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. Whitner was released from his holding cell Saturday afternoon. Police Lt. Thomas Stacho said charges have not been filed...MORE

CHIEFS ADD THOMAS (Kansas City Star)
The Chiefs added another part to their defense Saturday when they agreed to contract terms with veteran linebacker Zach Thomas. Thomas turns 36 in September, but he has made seven trips to the Pro Bowl in his 13 NFL seasons. He started 14 games last year in his first season with Dallas after 12 years with the Dolphins...MORE

BURRESS LIKELY TO MISS 2009 (SI.com)
Peter King, who has been covering the NFL for two decades, was firm in his belief that free agent wide receiver Plaxico Burress will not play in the NFL in 2009. Burress is still battling an uphill battle with the legal system after charges filed following him shooting himself in the foot in a club late last season. The Giants cut Burress last month and at this point he's a free agent...MORE

NFL bucs, byron leftwich, browns, braylon edwards, brady quinn, bills, donte whitner, chiefs, zach thomas, giants, plaxico burress

Conventional wisdom suggests that Brady Quinn is sitting atop the Browns' depth chart at quarterback heading into 2009, but not so fast...conventional wisdom and Eric Mangini don't necessarily go hand in hand.

Don't rule out a trade of either Quinn or Derek Anderson, but after watching game tape Mangini is not ready to commit to either player.

Mangini said after reviewing tapes of both players, holding conversations with them and talking to others, he is "excited" about the prospect of having both compete for the job.

"Without knowing exactly what they were being asked to do on each of the plays, I thought both seemed to have a good presence, a good command of the situation. They each do different things in the passing game and running game that I like," the coach told the Cleveland Plain-Dealer on Tuesday.

Quinn only played in three games last year before submitting to injury. The former first round pick completed 53 of his 90 passes for five touchdowns and was intercepted four times.

Anderson came out of nowhere to throw 29 touchdowns on his way to the Pro Bowl in 2007, but only passed for 158 yards per game and six touchdowns against eight picks in five starts in ’08.

I would be shocked if both quarterbacks are on this team following the draft next month. However, if they are it will be an interesting summer in Browns’ camp.

NFL browns, derek anderson, brady quinn, eric mangini

Let's check out some of the latest news from around the league:

CUTLER ASKS FOR TRADE (Denver Post)
Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler has formally asked to be traded, a request he made Sunday through his agent, Bus Cook. For now, the Broncos are hoping to appease Cutler's concerns and reach an understanding so they do not have to trade him. Cutler and Cook issued the trade request a day after a meeting with head coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Brian Xanders did not go the way quarterback had hoped...MORE

PATS, PANTHERS TALKING PEPPERS (NFL.com)
The trade that sent Matt Cassel and Mike Vrabel to the Kansas City Chiefs appears to be only the first phase of some major wheeling and dealing by the New England Patriots this offseason. The second phase, NFL sources say, is likely to involve a trade that would send Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers to the Patriots in exchange for the second-round pick (34th overall) they received from the Chiefs on Feb. 28...MORE

JAGS CUT TIES WITH JONES (Florida Times Union)
Wide receiver Matt Jones, a first round draft pick in 2005, was waived by the Jaguars on Monday after he served several days in jail last week for violating the terms of his probation on a drug charge. Jones led the team with 65 catches for 761 yards last year in the first 13 games

STALLWORTH INVOLVED IN FATAL ACCIDENT (Yahoo.com)
Browns' wideout Donte' Stallworth is expected to be charged for his involvement in an automobile crash that killed a pedestrian Saturday. The investigation is ongoing but DUI, vehicular manslaugher, and reckless driving are among the possible charges...MORE

LEVI ON THE BLOCK? (Chicago Sun-Times)
Despite already losing starting right tackle Stacey Andrews to Philadelphia in free agency and having limited depth at the position, the Bengals are actively working to trade starting left tackle Levi Jones. If they can't deal him, they'll probably cut him...MORE

RAVENS RELEASE ROLLE (Baltimore Sun)
The Ravens released Samari Rolle on Monday. The veteran cornerback asked to be cut so he could catch on with another team. The Ravens, who will have $6 million in cap space once Rolle's release becomes official, could look to sign wide receiver Torry Holt, who was recently released by the St. Louis Rams...MORE

NFL broncos, patriots, panthers, jaguars, browns, bengals, ravens, jay cutler, josh mcdaniels, julius peppers, matt jones, donte stallworth, levi jones, samari rolle, torry holt

from TBO.com:

The Buccaneers acquired Kellen Winslow, 25, a Pro Bowl tight end with Cleveland, after trading what is believed to be this year's second-round pick plus other undisclosed picks to the Browns.

Winslow signed a six-year, $40 million contract with Cleveland in 2005, but it is believed Tampa Bay is working on a new deal.

The Bucs were able to acquire an elite pass-catching tight end to help whoever might eventually quarterback Tampa Bay.

In 2007, Winslow caught 82 passes for 1,106 yards and five yards and was named to the Pro Bowl that season. He averaged 13.5 yards per catch that season and led all NFL tight ends when he posted 17 receptions of 20 or more yards.

COMPLETE ARTICLE

NFL buccaneers, browns, kellen winslow

Let's check out some of the latest headlines from around the NFL:

CAROLINA TAGS PEPPERS (Charlotte Observer)
After locking up tackle Jordan Gross to a six-year deal the Panthers have formally placed their franchise tag on defensive end Julius Peppers. According to a source close to Peppers, he has a list of four teams to which he would accept a trade. Of those four, three are in the NFC, including two the source said Carolina probably wouldn’t trade Peppers to and Dallas, which doesn’t have a first-round pick to trade away...MORE

LYNCH IN TROUBLE (Rochester Democrat & Chronicle)
Officers who arrested Buffalo Bills running back Marshawn Lynch for possessing a loaded gun decided to search him after noticing the smell of marijuana coming from the vehicle he occupied, police said Wednesday. The officers smelled marijuana and searched the car and its occupants, finding four marijuana cigarettes and an unregistered .9mm pistol, Tankenson said. Officers were unsure if the drugs belonged to Lynch...MORE

BOLDIN WOULD RETURN AT RIGHT PRICE (ProFootballTalk.com)
Anquan Boldin has informed the Cardinals that he's willing to stay in Arizona if the price is right. he Cards are eying deals with free agent Kurt Warner and franchise player Karlos Dansby. Darnell Dockett and Adrian Wilson also want raises, so it's unclear if the club can fit Boldin in...MORE

ANDERSON TO TAMPA? (Tampa Tribune)
A lot of the talk here at the combine is centering around the Bucs and their quarterback position. Luke McCown is currently listed at No. 1 on the depth chart, but that is unlikely to be locked in. Free agents such as Byron Leftwich, J.P. Losman and Patrick Ramsey are all being thrown around as possibilities but one possibility that is gaining steam would have the Bucs trading with the Browns for Derek Anderson...MORE

RAIDERS, ASOMUGHA REACH AGREEMENT (ESPN.com)
John Clayton reports that the Raiders have reached agreement on a three-year, $45 million contract with Nnamdi Asomugha. $26 million is guaranteed. The contract makes him the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history...MORE

VICK NOT DRAWING MUCH INTEREST (NBCSports.com)
The 49ers were the latest team to come out and say they are not interested in Michael Vick. This is on the heels of the Vikings and Jets, two more teams that have a need at quarterback, have declined any interest. Vick, who could be released from jail on July 20, still needs to get officially reinstated by commissioner Roger Goodell before being allowed to return to the NFL. The Falcons currently have his rights and could trade or release him...MORE

NFL panthers, bills, cardinals, browns, buccaneers, raiders, falcons, 49ers, jets, vikings, julius peppers, marshawn lynch, anquan boldin, nnamdi asomugha, michael vick