Saints: Decision Coming On Starting Defensive End
During discussions with league executives during Senior Bowl practices, a
pro personnel source noted that the New Orleans Saints have a decision looming
in regard to starting DE Will Smith.
The former first-round pick of the Saints from the 2004 draft has a roster
bonus due of $5.5 million due on March 19, with $3 million of it deferred until
March of 2011.
The source noted his team is keeping an eye on what the Saints do with
Smith, but the feeling is that the team will exercise the bonus since they are
light on depth at the position.
Thursday at 5:03 PM ET
Packers: Spitz Could Attract Lots of Interest
Unless the Green Bay Packers use a first-round tender on starting C Eric
Spitz, the versatile offensive lineman could attract quite a bit of interest
in free agency. Unless a new collective bargaining agreement is reached between
the players and league by March 5, Spitz will become a restricted free agent,
not unrestricted. Spitz was selected in the third round of the 2006 draft.
Because Spitz is capable of playing center or guard, sources believe Spitz could
find significant interest even if he's tendered at a second-round level.
The Philadelphia Eagles had interest in selecting Spitz in the 2006 draft, a
source said, but wound up selecting DE/OLB Chris Gocong instead.
Philadelphia could be in the market for an upgrade at center should they believe
starter Jamaal Jackson's recovery from ACL surgery would prevent him from
being ready for the start of the 2010 season.
Thursday at 5:03 PM ET
Eagles: McNabb Trade Talk Dominates Chatter
Despite local media reports stating the Philadelphia Eagles will likely keep
veteran QB Donovan McNabb, there has been a lot of chatter this week that
the team will wind up trading him.
The feeling among the pro personnel directors and general managers Scout.com
talked to this week is Philadelphia remains very high on QB Kevin Kolb.
Because of that, the team will look to move McNabb if they get what they believe
is good value.
Wednesday at 6:17 PM ET
Browns: Decision Time Coming For Two Players
While veteran RB Jamal Lewis is expected to retire soon, the Cleveland
Browns still have a decision to make regarding his contract.
Lewis, who enters 2010 on the final year of his contract, carries a base salary
of $ 2.4 million. However, he has a roster bonus of $1.5 million due on March 9,
a source said.
QB Derek Anderson carries a base salary of $7.45 million for 2010, the
final year of his contract. But even more immediate for the team is his $2
million roster bonus which is due on March 19. Sources believe the team will
attempt to deal him before the bonus becomes due, but it's highly unlikely that
any team would take Anderson's high base salary considering how poorly he's
played the last two seasons.
Monday at 7:41 PM ET
Texans: Daniels' Recovering Coming Along Well?
When Houston Texans starting TE Owen Daniels suffered a torn ACL during
the Week 8 game at the Buffalo Bills, the fear was that he suffered an injury
which could cause him to miss most of the 2010 off-season. However, a source
said that the fourth-year pro is making good progress. Daniels didn't suffer any
additional damage other ligaments in his knee and is on target to be ready well
in advance for the start of training camp in late July.
Monday at 7:19 PM ET
Bengals: Move Coming at MLB?
According to a team source, Cincinnati Bengals LB Rey Maualuga probably will be
moved to MLB for the 2010 season.
Maualuga started 15 games for the Bengals this season at SLB. The team drafted
him with the belief that he would eventually be moved inside.
Veteran LB Dhani Jones started at MLB for the Bengals in 2009. Jones could be
moved to SLB, where he played for the Philadelphia Eagles from 2004-2006.
Jones has one-year left on his contract at a base salary of $1.25 million. He
carries a small roster bonus of $200,000 which is due later this year.
Monday at 2:51 PM ET
This Week Is Big for Tall Receiver
There are probably few players here in Mobile this week that will attract more
attention than University of Missouri WR Danario Alexander.
After posting monster numbers this season, the tall receiver will get to show
scouts and personnel evaluators that the serious knee injury he suffered back in
2007, and subsequent procedure a year later, are behind him.
Alexander suffered a torn ACL in his left knee during the 2007 in the Big 12
Championship game. Less than a year later, he injured the same ACL again because
the graft that was done was re-torn. A double bundle technique on the left ACL
was done in June of 2008, and a source said he hasn't had any issues since that
latest procedure.
Should Alexander have an outstanding week of practices this week, he could move
well up draft boards to early in the second round. Alexander's next medical
hurdle will be at the NFL Combine next month when he will go through a series of
tests to determine the strength of his surgically repaired knee.
Scouts have compared Alexander to San Diego Chargers WR Malcom Floyd.
Monday at 2:29 PM ET
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