Steelers Move Colon to Left Guard
Gayle Saunders
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With the Steelers addressing the offensive line during the draft this off season, they have now moved Willie Colon to left guard.
Pittsburgh most likely felt that Colon was better suited to play inside versus outside with his size. Colon is 6’3 and weighs in around 315 pounds.
“I’ve made the transition to left guard,” he confirmed. “I like it. It’s just a matter of learning the verbiage.”
The Skinny: By moving Colon on the inside they will probably utilize his athletism for pulling purposes. Expect to see Colon and Decastro get their “pull” on. The Steelers’ starting O-Line will probably look like this as of now LT Mike Adams, LG Colon, C Maurkice Pouncey, RG David DeCastro, and RT Marcus Gilbert. I believe the Steelers O-line will be a force to be reckoned with if this unit stays healthy.
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’
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.
Cutler has concerns over O-Line
Jay Cutler has a worry, that perhaps his Offensive Line won’t be all that great when the team needs them the most. Specifically speaking, 3rd and long! In a recent interview, Cutler voiced his concerns when the Bears face 3rd and long and a 7 step drop is needed. He said
“You know, the offensive line is definitely going to be a concern and seeing where those guys are going to fit in and seeing what five we go with,” Cutler said to the Chicago Sun Times. “If Gabe [Carimi] comes back, if J’Marcus [Webb] pans out. Where are we going to put Chris Williams? There are some question marks there. Until we really get that resolved and get our front five settled in, we’ve got some work to do on offense.”
When asked about Mike Martz’s departure and Mike Tice’s addition (Tice is now the Offensive Coordinator and has worked an Offensive Lineman coach in his past) Cutler responded:
“It helps some, but it’s not a cure all by any means,” Cutler said. “They’re still going to be asked to protect. There are going to be times it’s third-and-eight, third-and-10 and we’re going to have to take seven-step drops and we’re going to have the longer route and they’re going to have to protect.”
THE SKINNY: Cutler never has been one to shy away from his feelings and in this case we think he has a point. The Bears, if they are going to live up to their Super Bowl aspirations, have to protect the Quarterback, not only keeping him from injury but also due to the fact that the deeper you get in the playoffs the better the Defenses tend to get. If the Bears have to face the New York Giants dynamic Front 7 for example, then protection is going to paramount. They still have time to jell and figure it all out but there is obvious concern on the mind of Chicago’s Franchise QB!
Tebow improving mechanics?
The biggest knock on Tim Tebow has been narrowed down to one thing, his throwing mechanics. His elongated motion and inaccurate footwork has led him to be erratic when throwing the ball. Proof of this lies no deeper than his 46% completion percentage and the 38 Minutes without a completion in the Broncos vs Dolphins game last season.
Tebow is a proven winner however, shown in his late 4th Quarter heroics otherwise known as “Tebow Time”. The Broncos went and acquired Peyton Manning and then traded Tebow to the Jets for a 4th Round pick. Tebow has been said to have been working extremely hard on his mechanics this offseason and perhaps his efforts are working.
Jets QB Coach, Matt Cavanaugh told the New York press -
“I think he can be very good,” Cavanaugh said “I was pleasantly surprised when I saw him over an extended period of time . . . not just watching him play on film. I think he’s certainly got the arm strength. He has good mechanics. They’re getting better every day.”
THE SKINNY: If Tebow can in fact become a comfortable pocket passer and learn to make all the throws with proper technique and footwork, he could be a very dangerous QB. Big and strong armed, as well as being a powerful runner that you wouldn’t expect from a QB, Tebow might just be making strides to becoming one of the most complete QB’s in the League. If in fact he can learn to throw with accuracy, there won’t be anything he can’t do.
Kenny Britt to have 2nd Knee Surgery?
The Titans are hoping that their star WR doesn’t need to have an additional surgery on his right knee but there is a possibility. Britt, who had his right knee surgically repaired after tearing his ACL and MCL may be facing a scope and possible “clean up” surgery.
Head Coach Mike Munchak told the press in Tennessee,
“I think it always is (possible),” Munchak said. “I don’t know if he will at some point, but I think that’s something that’s common with that injury. Derrick went through it last year. The good thing is that even if you do have it, it’s not a huge setback. It’s not something that sets you way back. But that is obviously part of the process, or could be, if that arises down the road.”
THE SKINNY: While the knee hasn’t required surgery yet and no date has been set to have it scoped or cleaned up, it’s still something the team and Kenny would more than likely hope to avoid. As the Coach said, it is very common for major knee surgeries to have follow up procedures, but the more times you’re under the knife the more likely you will be delayed getting back on the field.
McFadden back to 100%
Oakland Raiders Running Back, Darren McFadden appears to be 100% back from Lisfranc surgery. Raiders running back Coach, Kelly Skipper says that McFadden is out there looking great,
“He didn’t have any major surgeries, so he’s able to come back healthy and he’s playing at a high level right now and it’s offseason … He’s out here. You would never know he got hurt. He’s making cuts at full speed, everything.”
THE SKINNY: McFadden is a huge piece to the Raiders offense and the former 7th overall pick in the NFL is really starting to make strides as being one of the best Running Backs in the NFL. Raiders fans can expect him to be out there and ready to go.
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