NFL suspended Jets OLB Calvin Pace four games for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances.
It's a big blow to the Jets' defense. Pace is New York's top pass rusher, and early impressions of backup Vernon Gholston's second offseason aren't promising. Pace will be eligible to return in Week 5 against the Dolphins. Flexible coach Rex Ryan could adjust by using Bart Scott and Bryan Thomas outside with Jamaal Westerman and David Harris inside during Pace's time off. It's either that or Gholston is going to have to play a lot early in the season.
Jets- Vernon Gholston
According to Adam Schefter's Twitter page, "signs from OTAs were not encouraging" for Jets 2008 first-round pick Vernon Gholston.
Non-contact OTA practices should be where Gholston excels because he's 6'3/260+ and can fly. The new Jets coaching staff has been positive about Gholston's progress, but unbiased observers don't seem quite as upbeat.
Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter Broncos- Brandon Marshall
NFL insider Adam Schefter writes on his Twitter page that the Broncos are willing to listen to offers for Brandon Marshall.
The Broncos "won't make them, but will take them," Schefter says, adding that he believes the club would part with its top receiver for a first-round pick. Denver already traded its 2010 top pick to move up in the second round of this year's draft for CB Alphonso Smith. Marshall is a holdout risk as he recovers from hip surgery, wants a new contract, and has demanded a trade.
Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter Browns- Willie McGinest
Free agent Willie McGinest wants to return to the Patriots, but there have been no formal talks between the two sides.
The Patriots may not want McGinest back at this point in his career. He'll probably garner interest from some teams later in the summer, but for now the Patriots don't seem interested.
Source: Boston.com Rams- Keith Null
Rookie QB Keith Null will get "plenty of opportunities" to nail down the third quarterback job.
Null reportedly displayed a decent arm at minicamp and will need to pick up the offense in training camp to lock up the job.
Source: St Louis Post-Dispatch Titans- LenDale White
LenDale White says he's going to keep the weight off over the next few weeks by working out in Denver with his Uncle and his cousin, Chauncey Billups.
White weighed in at a slim 229 pounds last week, but he's been known to balloon up during down time. The former USC bruiser guaranteed that he won't return for training camp over 230 pounds. Jeff Fisher is happy with his attitude and made no mention of White's weight loss causing him to lose power. We'll see if it affects his goal-line abilities as he scored 15 touchdowns last season.
Source: Nashville TennesseanJets- Brett Favre
A league spokesman denies speculation that the NFL has already approved the mass production of Brett Favre Vikings jerseys.
"We wait until there is a player contract that has been approved," Brian McCarthy said. "Nothing has transpired from here." Reebok is believed to have produced screens of the No. 4 jerseys, but they could be destroyed if Favre doesn't end up with the Vikings. He's almost certain to, though, and the merchandise could threaten the single-season record for jersey sales.
Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press Dolphins- Vontae Davis
Vontae Davis was cleared Thursday of a traffic charge stemming from a June incident that is thought to have been a case of mistaken identity.
Prosecutors confirmed that someone used Davis' ID when police arrested the person for "unnecessary vehicular noise" and driving with an invalid license on June 9. Police have not since found the actual criminal.
Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter Falcons- Michael Vick
Though Michael Vick officially submitted a revised bankruptcy plan on Thursday, the judge has yet to rule on the proposal.
A judge rejected Vick's original plan back in April, but this one is believed to have a better chance of being accepted. The plan ensures that creditors will receive money even if Vick's NFL career remains in jeopardy.
Source: Associated PressBrowns- Phil Dawson
Based on what he's hearing, NFL insider Adam Schefter predicts that Phil Dawson will not kick for the Browns this season.
Pushing for a new contract, Dawson has been skipping voluntary workouts all offseason. With no resolution in sight, Schefter expects to see a "standoff" between the two sides later this summer. The Browns signed rookie free agent kicker Parker Douglass but could eventually turn to an available veteran such as Matt Stover or John Carney.
Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter Bills- Jairus Byrd
Chris Brown of buffalobills.com believes rookie Jairus Byrd "has a legitimate chance" to start at free safety this season.
Even if Byrd doesn't win the starting job by Week 1, he'll have the opportunity to unseat Ko Simpson during the season. The Bills are looking for a true playmaking centerfielder, and Byrd racked up 17 interceptions and 53 pass breakups in three years at Oregon.
Source: buffalobills.comDolphins- Jason Taylor
A Virgin Islands jury has awarded Jason Taylor and two partners $1.5 million in a botched sale of a private island.
The jury determined that the seller was in breach of contract for the 158-acre island, so Taylor will receive his share of the deposit plus expenses. And they say fans can no longer identify with the lives of superstar athletes?
Source: Associated Press Redskins- Jason Campbell
Redskins GM Vinny Cerrato emphasized that it's "yet to be determined" if Jason Campbell can be a franchise quarterback.
"We hope he can play 16 games like he played the first eight last year. Consistency throughout," said Cerrato. The team's offseason actions -- flirting with Jay Cutler and Mark Sanchez while refusing to extend Campbell's contract -- clearly indicate a lack of faith in Campbell as the long-term answer.
Source: NFL.com Colts- Marvin Harrison
Talent evaluators around the league are reportedly rating free agents Amani Toomer and Joe Horn higher than Marvin Harrison.
According to NFL Network's Jason LaCanfora, there is widespread belief that Marvin "may be done." Toomer is reported to be high on several teams "emergency lists," but we have a hard time believing Horn is actually garnering any interest, much less a greater share than Harrison.
Source: profootballtalk on nbcsports.com Titans- Jared Cook
Titans agreed to terms with third-round TE Jared Cook on a four-year contract. The deal includes a signing bonus of close to $700,000.
Cook made the biggest impression among Titans rookies during OTAs. Though he's a potential mismatch for opposing defenses, he's currently just third on the depth chart. With Bo Scaife a free agent after the season, though, Cook could easily lay claim to being the most valuable tight end prospect in Dynasty leagues.
Source: Nashville Tennessean Rams- Chris Draft
Chris Draft recently revealed that he's currently running as the Rams' starting middle linebacker.
Larry Grant and David Vobora are competing for the strong-side job, with rookie James Laurinaitis backing up Draft. We expect Laurinaitis to unseat Draft in training camp, pushing the veteran into a reserve role.
Source: Ross Tucker on TwitterBills- Trent Edwards
Chris Brown of Buffalobills.com believes the Bills will use the no-huddle offense 50 percent of the time "at best."
It's still a higher estimate than we originally expected. Much will depend on opponent and the Bills defense's ability to create turnovers and 3-and-outs to ensure adequate rest. Even if the team does use a 50/50 split, it still has plenty of potential to boost the fantasy numbers of Trent Edwards, Terrell Owens and Lee Evans.
Source: buffalobills.com Chiefs- Matt Cassel
Beat writer Kent Babb observed that the Chiefs didn't practice many plays out of the spread formation in OTAs.
Babb also noted that the offensive braintrust prefers "to at least enter the season using Cassel in a Pro Style, drop-back look." While the Chiefs figure to run plenty of multiple receiver sets, it's worth a reminder that the shotgun was responsible for much of Cassel's 2008 success. He's going to be a risky fantasy pick if he remains under center where he has trouble reading the pass rush.
Source: Kansas City Star
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