NFL 2011 Off-Season thread

[No More Sorrow]

Vincent Jackson and the Chargers also

 

[No More Sorrow]

HOUSTON -- Houston Texans All-Pro receiver Andre Johnson dislocated his left index finger during a Tuesday morning practice.

Johnson was running a slant route in an individual drill and leaped to catch a pass, with rookie cornerback Rashad Carmichael defending. Johnson couldn't make the catch and came down shaking his left hand. He took off his glove, his finger was bleeding and he walked to the sideline, where a trainer examined him.

General manager Rick Smith walked over to Johnson before the five-time Pro Bowl selection left the field on a cart.

Coach Gary Kubiak did not know the severity of Johnson's injury after the morning practice. He did not see the play and was hoping that Johnson would be ready for the afternoon workout.

"We're getting it looked at," Kubiak said. "I've got a big lump in my throat like everybody else, but hopefully, he'll be fine."

The 6-foot-3, 223-pound Johnson had 86 catches for 1,216 yards last season, ranking sixth in both categories.

Johnson was the third overall pick in the 2003 draft, he's the only player in league history to reach 60 receptions in each of his first eight years in the league.

Second-year receiver Dorin Dickerson took Johnson's first-team reps for the remainder of practice. Kubiak also said cornerback Jason Allen and guard Wade Smith missed some snaps on Tuesday, due to illness.

Linebacker Brian Cushing has sat out team drills for the first two days, as he continues to recover from offseason knee surgery. Cushing had an ice wrap on his knee after Tuesday's workout, and Kubiak says Cushing is "a few days away" from returning to full action.

Smith acknowledged on Tuesday that the team is talking to two free agents -- defensive end Ty Warren and fullback Lawrence Vickers.

The 6-5, 300-pound Warren placed for New England from 2003-09 and spent last season in injured reserve with a hip injury. The 6-foot, 250-pound Vickers has played five seasons with Cleveland. Houston is looking to replace All-Pro fullback Vonta Leach, who helped Arian Foster lead the NFL in rushing in 2010

ESPN.com

 

[AZUCAR!]

Zack Miller's gone to the Seahawks on a 5 year deal. I think i'm changing teams this year from the Raiders to the Eagles.

 

[No More Sorrow]

I'm pissed he signed with the Seahawks, and i've thought about changing teams a lot but have stuck with the Raiders the last ten years hah

 

[No More Sorrow]

BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Eagles defensive tackle Mike Patterson was alert, stable and joking at a hospital after suffering a seizure at training camp at Lehigh University, trainer Rick Burkholder said Wednesday.

Patterson dropped to the ground between plays during a morning practice, and the player began violently shaking. He was immediately tended to by Burkholder and his staff, with assistance from rookie offensive lineman Danny Watkins, a trained firefighter.

Burkholder said the 6-foot-1, 300-pound Patterson was undergoing further tests at Lehigh Valley Hospital.

"He's absolutely alert, stable, totally communicating with everybody, even joking a little bit," Burkholder said. "We won't speculate what happened to him, other than he had a seizure. It could be anything. We don't even want to speculate what might have happened."

Patterson's agent JR Ricket said in a statement that the player is "in no pain and doing well."

"We are very grateful for everyone's prayers and support," he added. "Mike will be back at practice as soon as the doctors clear him."

Burkholder said the seizure lasted about four minutes, and that Patterson lost consciousness at one point as he was on the ground.

As players kneeled nearby, holding hands and praying, an ambulance arrived and Patterson was placed on a stretcher and lifted into the ambulance.

The linemen resumed practice after about 15 minutes. The skill position players did 7-on-7 drills on another field while Patterson was down.

"We were all on edge a little bit and Rick just kind of calmed the situation down," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "One thing I think he did a phenomenal job with was evaluating it, evaluating the situation in a calm way."

It was a cool day at camp. Temperatures were in the high 70s when the players took the field for their morning session.

Patterson, 28, was the Eagles' first-round pick out of USC in 2005. He's started 84 games and played in 95, the most of anybody on the current roster.

Good to hear that he's doing alright.

 

[PHX]

Shit considering the crap teams the Raiders have had this past decade it can't really get too much worse so mine as well keep sticking it out, lol.

But yeah the Seahawks trying to really get their stuff together this year after that underdog run they had last year. Do not get why Matt Leinart didn't sign with them as he probably could have got the starting job over Tavaris and played with his old coach. Him going to back up a guy who will be the starter there as long as he doesn't get hurt is stupid.

 

[No More Sorrow]

Haha yeah, they didn't do too bad last season though almost made the playoffs i think getting rid of Tom Cable was dumb, he's actually the Seahawks offensive line coach now so there was a connection with Miller and the Seahawks. And i like what they've done with their team, but i feel like this season The Rams take the NFC West.

 

[Ben]

Looks like the Eagles wanted Moss and where in contact with him a day after he announced he was retired, wasn't a money issue or anything, Moss just flat out said no. Makes me change my previous statement that he would be back this year at some point. Would of been a good fit for him in Philly, and it seems since he turned it down he's just not motivated to play.

 

[No More Sorrow]

That's weird, everybody wants to sign with The Eagles on ESPN they referred to them as the Miami Heat of the NFL. Anyways, i think it was a mistake for him not to sign with them, if he's holding out for The Patriots to come and drag him out of retirement, it's not gonna happen i think they've moved on from him.

 

[PHX]

Really thought they would have been on his short list of teams he wanted to be on but guess that short list is on the Pats and maybe one other team. If they are looking to add another WR I say they maybe take a chance one more time on T.O.

 

[No More Sorrow]

I say they take a look at Braylon Edwards, he led the Jets in yards and touchdown receptions last season.

 

[No More Sorrow]

NFL players completed their ratification of the new collective bargaining agreement Thursday, signaling the official end of the labor dispute and the start of the 2011 league year.

The NFL and NFL Players Association had been in round-the-clock negotiations since Saturday as they hammered out the remaining pieces of the CBA. The parties debated the topics of drug testing, benefits and the player-conduct policy disciplinary process late into the night Wednesday before picking it up Thursday.

With the CBA approved, players who signed new contracts will be allowed to practice for the first time this offseason. Several teams had moved their practice times until after the 4 p.m. ET deadline so newly signed players could participate.

NFL.com

 

[Crippler]

The Eagles came to terms with former New York Giants wide receiver Steve Smith on a one-year contract, the team confirmed in a statement on Wednesday.

Eli is fucked

 

[PHX]

All he got is Hakim Nicks now, lol.

Far as ravens related news apparently they signed Ricky Williams a few days ago which is a good signing imo for a number 2 running back. And Ray Lewis said he'd retire this year if they won a championship which would be bittersweet.

 

[No More Sorrow]

The Ravens are my pick to win the Superbowl this year, realistically the Raiders are developing and likely wont reach the playoffs. The Ravens have a good defense, and i think Joe Flacco is going to have a big year. Heard about them possibly trading for Lee Evans of the Buffalo Bills to help out with speed and a downfield target, him and Anquan Boldin would be a pretty sick combo, with Ray Rice and Ricky Williams in the backfield.