Drew Dat Nation is “Extremely Frustrated”
Aaron Russell
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After throwing 46 TD’s in 2011, and an NFL record 5476 yards, unsigned franchise QB; Drew Brees is believed to be asking in the range of $21 million per year & the Saints are closer to $19 million per year. It is safe to say the frustration has started, and the pressure is starting to mount with the Saints beginning on-field practice next Tuesday.
“Lack of communication has been the biggest disappointment, Certainly I feel like I’ve fulfilled my end of the bargain, and obviously my intent and my goal this entire time has been to sign a long-term deal with the Saints, and finish my career in New Orleans”
The Skinny: It’s been a tough offseason with all the turmoil surrounding the New Orleans Saints. The one person that can lead this franchise through the “storm” is Drew Brees. The Ultimate deadline for Brees & the Saints to reach a long-term agreement is July 16th. His loyalty in San Diego almost cost him his career after a shoulder injury his last game with the Chargers, so we could see another “seat saved” next to Sean Payton’s until the start of the regular season if the Saints don’t come to their senses and ‘Show Drew the Money’
USFL Adds Jeff Garcia to Board of Advisors
Gayle Saunders
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The returning United States Football League is adding former Pro Bowl Quarterback Jeff Garcia to the league’s board of advisors.
Garcia will serve on the player development branch of the USFL’s advisory board, joining Fred Biletnikoff, Jim Steeg, James Bailey and and Terrell Jones on the board.
The USFL is planning to field eight teams for its inaugural 14-game season in 2013, which will kick off in March and wrap up with a championship game in June.
Jacoby Jones Ready for Change in Baltimore
Gayle Saunders
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After playing 5 years with the Texans, Jacoby Jones is welcoming change in 2012. Jones sounds like man whose dealt with change in his football career before.
“Change is good in life,” Jones I left one high school, went to another and I was successful. I left one college and went to Lane College and was successful. And now I’m leaving Houston and I will be successful.”
The odd thing with him signing with the Baltimore Ravens, it’s the last team he played against in the AFC divisional game during the playoffs. During that game in January, he muffed a punt return early in that game which lead to a Baltimore score.
As any professional would do, Jones has moved on, and he’s ready to put that game behind him with his new team. That new team now wants him to bring his talents to Baltimore in hopes he can elevate their return game and help their depth at wide receiver.
The Skinny: Last season he had 49 punt returns as well as a 79-yard touchdown for Houston. Currently the Ravens could use a return specialist now that they have Webb focusing on cornerback. David Reed is recovering from an injured ACL, so it’s the perfect match for Jones as he’s still a duel threat at WR and special teams. The Ravens WR corps still consists of Anquan Boldin, Torrey Smith, Tandon Doss, Laquan Williams and rookie Tommy Streeter. It’s a full house but Jones is versatile playmaker with good open field speed.
Jeff Fisher Gladly Takes a Chance on Jenkins
Aaron Russell
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When you first look at 2nd round draft pick Janoris Jenkins (5’10″ 193) and hear about the troubled past (arrested 3 times in 23 months and father of 4 children from 3 women). One can only make the comparison to another troubled CB Jeff Fisher once drafted; former 1st round pick Adam ‘pac-man’ Jones (5’10″ 186).
The Rams, and Fisher are all on board with Jenkins. Fisher believes Jenkins will play early, loves his football intelligence, and the way he carries what he learns in the classroom on to the field.
The Skinny: Jenkins from Pahokee High School in the Everglades of South Florida, is no stranger to violence; Pahokee’s crime rate his senior year was double the rate of the rest of the state. Pahokee High has also sent more than a dozen of players to the NFL such as Anquan Boldin. In 2012, the Rams feel they have landed the steal of round 2, but the question won’t be if Jenkins can win the battles on the field it’s the battles off the field that will make or break him.
49ers Lose 5th round Draft Pick to ACL Tear
Gayle Saunders
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Bad news for 49ers nation as they have lost their fifth-round draft pick OLB Darius Fleming for the season as he has tore his ACL.
The injury occurred during Fleming’s first minicamp practice with the 49ers. It happened during a non-contact drill where his knee bent in a weird position. At first, the team doctor’s believed it to be a hamstring injury, after the MRI it was confirmed it was a torn ACL. Fleming will spend the first year of his NFL career on the injured reserve list.
The Skinny: The good news is (if there is any in this particular situation) Fleming had just signed a four-year deal worth $2.264 million one day before injury.
Hester’s Role On Offense Could Be Limited
Gayle Saunders
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Even though the Chicago Bears have put in special plays and packages for Hester this season, look for Chicago to use Devin Hester in a limited role on offense.
Wide receivers coach Darryl Drake believes that it will be best to use Hester as a situational guy on offense.
“It’s just a matter of not having him play 70 plays and throw to him twice,” said WRs coach Darryl Drake. “Play him 15 plays, let him touch it 13
The Skinny: The reality is Hester could see more touches underneath but nothing too crazy. With Brandon Marshall in the mix I could see Hester getting work over the middle and underneath with the occasional deep ball. I think utilizing Hester’s skills on special teams will still be the Bears mindset. Lets just hope teams still plan to kick it to him.
Chase Blackburn Named Starting Middle LB
Gayle Saunders
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Last season there was no better cinderella story than Chase Blackburn’s as he went from being on the couch watching the game to playing linebacker for the World Champion New York Giants during their Super bowl Run.
This season things are still on the up and up for Blackburn, as Defensive coordinator Perry Fewell said Blackburn is slated to be the starting middle linebacker for the Giants this season. That’s good news for Blackburn as the position was rumored to be a weak spot for the team.
Earlier this off season GM Jerry Reese said that Michael Boley could also be an option to play the middle linebacker spot, but Fewell has made it know Blackburn is his guy for now.
“(Mark) Herzlich will have an opportunity to compete for that role. Greg Jones will have an opportunity to compete for that role,” Fewell said, via the New York Daily News. “And we’re not opposed to putting Keith Rivers, giving him an opportunity to compete for that role. So there’s going to be competition.”
The Skinny: Blackburn will have his hands full hanging onto the starting role as he’ll have some serious competition with Keith Rivers and Greg Jones breathing down his neck to start. Blackburn has a lot of heart and he’s also in his 8th season, he’s come a long way to get this kind of recognition and I don’t think he’ll be ready to give that away too soon. Giants fans will have a nice training camp story to follow during the off season.
Cutler Finally Gets the Luxury to Audible
Gayle Saunders
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Great news for Chicago Bears fans and most importantly Jay Cutler this season, as he will now have the luxury and ability to change plays at the line of scrimmage.
With Mike Tice calling the shots as offensive coordinator, it could be a whole different tune for Cutler this season. Under Mike Martz, Cutler was quite often displeased with some of the play calls, and felt he was limited with his control over the offense.
This season they have also brought in Jeremy Bates as the quarterbacks coach. Bates and Cutler are now reunited as they were together in Denver in 2008. While under Bates tutelage Cutler went to his only pro bowl.
While Cutler played under Mike Martz for two seasons, he threw for over 5,500 yards and 36 touchdowns in 25 games, the only problem with his game was his production and his accuracy dipped while he spent more time dealing with injuries and being sacked while the media questioned his toughness.
The Skinny: With the Bears bringing in old teammate Brandon Marshall, they’re giving him a system he’s familiar with. They believe that with Coach Bates calling the plays and some of the techniques from his Broncos days in place, Cutler has a great opportunity to flourish. They plan to limit the backpedal from center under Martz, while not allowing their franchise QB to be a sitting duck. They said to expect Cutler to be more of a moving, mobile QB this year.
NFL Unveils New Nike Uniforms
HOTD: Adrian Wilson Blows up Hines Ward
By Gayle Saunders
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First off, props to any receiver that goes across the middle of the field in the NFL. Now…props to Adrian Wilson for doing what an NFL safety is suppose to do. Intimidate and strike fear into opposing receivers. Its rare you see Hines Ward getting lit up, because he’s usually laying the smack down himself, but Wilson keeps it really real on the field with this one!
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