Welker talks getting “worse”
The New England Patriots Wide Receiver, Wes Welker, signed his Franchise Tag and it’s believed he has no intentions of holding out. When he signed his tender everyone thought that the contract issues with the team wouldn’t be a distraction and things would move along towards a long-term contract. That may not be the case and perhaps contract talks aren’t getting any better and according to Welker, contract negotiations with the Patriots have actually, “gotten worse”.
According to Welker, the Patriots recent offer was less than the offer that they made him last year, which was reportedly at 2 years and $16 Million.
“If they see me out there at OTAs and minicamps and everything else, and I’m still out there winning and doing what I need to do to help the team win, you know what, the ball’s in their court to make something happen,” he told the Boston Herald. “That’s kind of my mindset, to go out and show them I deserve it.”
THE SKINNY: It sounds like things could be getting a bit chippy between the Patriots and Welker, as the Pats never really like it when players go to the press and discuss contract issues. With that said however there still is plenty of time for the sides to work out a deal and we’d have to believe that the Patriots wouldn’t allow him to go anywhere else.
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.
Hard Knocks: Jets Get Scratched Off The List
Gayle Saunders
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Scratch the Jets off the list of teams that might be a part of HBO’s Hard Knocks. The New York Daily News reported that the team is no longer under consideration and that HBO still has time to decide which franchise to feature.
“Whatever,” Rex Ryan said, before stumbling on his words for a moment. He then added: “This is news to me, so that’s fine.”
The Skinny: Im pretty sure the Jets would have jumped at the opportunity again, especially with Tim Tebow in the house. With Tebow being one of the most talked about players in the NFL, the show was bound to be a ratings getter, which would have meant much merchandise sales.
Vince Young Signs 1 Year Deal with Bills
Gayle Saunders
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The Buffalo Bills have signed free-agent QB Vince Young to a one-year deal.
The former third overall pick signed for $2 million with an additional $1 million in playing time incentives. Young who turns 29 this year, had an up and down last season as the Eagles back up QB. He did have some flashes, but on the year he threw four touchdowns and threw nine interceptions in six starts for the Eagles.
“We think adding Vince to our roster will create more competition for the backup quarterback position,” Bills General Manager Buddy Nix told the team’s website. “He brings with him some unique physical abilities that most are aware of and that will make the competition interesting.”
The Skinny: Young will come in and compete with Tyler Thigpen and Brad Smith to backup Ryan Fitzpatrick. Young can give you a spark if he is thrown into a game, and it seems he still has the ability to make plays, it might not be the prettiest, but he gets it done somehow.
Tannehill familiar with 85 percent of Offense
Gayle Saunders
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Who says Tannehill isn’t ready to start for the Miami Dolphins? Well just about 90 percent of NFL analysts these days.
The big knock on Ryan Tannehill is because they believe he’s not an NFL ready quarterback. People tend to forget that this offense, he’s moving into will be tailor made for his strengths. Mike Sherman, Tannehill’s former coach at Texas A & M has implemented 85 percent of what Tannehill is already familiar with.
Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland
“going to look like he’s ready pretty quick.” The rookie benefits from the presence of offensive coordinator Mike Sherman, Tannehill’s former coach at Texas A&M, who imported a playbook with which Tannehill is 80 to 85 percent familiar.
Many believe that Matt Moore deserves the job outright for last years gutsy performance in the second half of the season. Some think David Garrard may come in and win the job with his experience. The reality is that Tannehill is starting on the same even playing field, since the offense is new for both Moore and Garrard. It will be a learning process for the veteran qb’s whether they like it or not.
The Skinny: Tannehill has the slight upper hand, in the fact that he knows how all the wide receiver routes should be run,and the timing associated with most of the plays from a receivers and quarterbacks perspective in this system. Miami Dolphin fans don’t expect Tannehill to sit for very long, the Dolphins didn’t make him a top 10 pick for nothing. He’s the so called “future” so expect him to get a ton of reps with the first team from day 1. The Dolphins are hopefully ready to forget about the past.
The Great John Riggins is Back with New Show
Gayle Saunders
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Riggo is back. Sportsman Channel is launching a new series with HOF Running Back John Riggins. Riggo on the Range, which will begin airing January 2013 on the cable network. Show segments will follow Riggins around the world in pursuit of “extraordinary hunting, outdoor and cooking adventures.”
Jets & Bengals Show Interest in Braylon Edwards Services
Gayle Saunders
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Adam Schefter reported the Bengals and Jets have shown some interest in WR Braylon Edwards.
It does make sense that the Jets have interest in Edwards due to his chemistry with Sanchez,and at this point in Sanchez’s career he needs a WR that is familiar with him asap. With the Bengals looking to solidify the WR corps signing Edwards could give them another deep threat and open things up for A.J. Green, especially now that Jerome Simpson is gone. The Bengals have put high hopes in draft picks on Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones to mature fast.
The Skinny: Edwards past injuries could play a part in his effectiveness in 2012. If fully healed, he can provide another weapon in the pass game for the red rifle. Don’t forget that Edwards is a good run blocker. Edwards underwent surgery late last season, and the word was he was still rehabbing early this spring. Don’t be surprised if the Texans take a flyer on Edwards with Jacoby Jones gone too.
Bills extend Jackson!
The Buffalo Bills have given Running Back Fred Jackson a 2 year extension worth $9 Million Dollars, keeping the talented RB happy and avoiding any potential contract issues.
Jackson has been the leading rusher for the Bills over the past few seasons and now is locked up through 2014 and set to earn a little extra money as well.
“It’s a big day, I’m happy to be here and I’m glad that this is over with and now we can focus on playing football.” Jackson said, and later when asked if there might be some potential hard feelings over his contract situation, he responded … “This is a day to put that to rest, we don’t have to worry about that anymore.”
THE SKINNY: The Bills did the right thing by signing Fred to an extension and keeping key players in the fold. When he was healthy and in the lineup last season, the Bills played much better than when he was injured and out of the lineup.
Dolphins Give Wake a Major Raise!
Gayle Saunders
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Dolphins have finally come to their senses by signing Cameron Wake to a four-year, $49 million extension through 2016.
In Wake’s deal he will get $20 million guaranteed. After sitting out a portion of OTAs the Dolphins gave Wake the raise he was looking for. His current salary was only 615,000 and at the age of 30, he knows that in order for him to get paid the time is now. He was entering the final year of the four-year, $4.9 million deal he signed in 2009.
The Skinny: When your one of the best 3-4 outside linebackers in the game, you should be paid like one. Wake has 28 sacks and four forced fumbles in 31 starts. In the Kevin Coyle’s 4-3 scheme he will be converted to a right defensive end. Lets hope he still continues to bring the heat in the 4-3.
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