NFL News

QB Ryan debuts with knee brace
"No. 3 overall pick Matt Ryan made his debut, working as a backup with Shockley, to quarterbacks Chris Redman and Joey Harrington. Ryan wore a brace on his left knee, which he said he wears for precautionary reasons. Ryan said coaches at Boston College made quarterbacks wear braces on their plant legs, and he wears the support out of habit."
Atlanta Journal Constitution May 11
Comments (0)

Tight end spot could be open
"The three-day Ravens minicamp at Owings Mills is an audition for many free agents but especially for those at tight end.With Quinn Sypniewski out for the season after suffering a freak knee injury at an organized team activity three weeks ago, and Daniel Wilcox still recovering from toe surgery, rookies Joe Reitz and Scott Kuhn are looking for a chance to fill the role of the team's third tight end."
Baltimore Sun May 11
Comments (0)

Texans’ Slaton making sirst impression
"Steve Slaton fumbled a pitch on one play and got his helmet knocked off on another during the second day of Houston Texans minicamp on Saturday. Later, he dodged three would-be tacklers and sprinted down the field.The former West Virginia star, drafted by the Texans in the third round, is getting plenty of snaps to show..."
Dallas Morning News May 11
Comments (0)

Bengals, Chad can’t afford an implosion
"A year ago, it was unthinkable.Fans were invited recently to exchange their Chad Johnson jerseys for minor-league hockey tickets. Nineteen fans accepted the offer, and another gave up a Chad bobblehead.A small number, of course. But the fact that anyone would even think of holding such a promotion underscores how far Johnson's image has slipped in recent months."
Dayton Daily News May 11
Comments (0)

Rookie Phillips grabs No. 21 in homage to Taylor
"The comparisons are inevitable. They grew up in the same area, went to the same college, played the same position. Yet Kenny Phillips, the Giants' first-round draft pick from the University of Miami, never met the late Sean Taylor.That hasn't stopped him from paying tribute to the former Redskins safety who was shot and killed in a botched burglary last year."
Newsday May 11
Comments (0)

Kevin Gilbride says Jeremy Shockey’s future up for grabs
"Kevin Gilbride recently told Jeremy Shockey he wants him back as a featured part of his offense. But the Giants' offensive coordinator admitted he doesn't know if that will happen."It's so nebulous right now, you just have no idea," Gilbride said. "Right now he's on our team. We're planning on him being there."
New York Daily News May 11
Comments (0)

Bush intent on moving up the RB ladder
"Pity the defender who crosses paths with Oakland Raiders running back Michael Bush for the first time. Bush is a load at 6-foot-2 and 245 pounds with a ball in his hands and the goal line in his sights.Throw in the fact that Bush hasn't played in a game for 20 months, his surgically repaired right leg is healed, and he isn't assured any playing time..."
Oakland Tribune May 11
Comments (0)

Will Holt bolt at the end of his contract?
"Torry Holt raised eyebrows three weeks ago when he talked about reuniting with his brother Terrence — a safety for the Carolina Panthers — when the final two years of his Rams contract were up."I wanted to just send in my resignation to the Rams and join him down here," Holt told Raleigh, N.C., television station WRAL with a laugh."
St Louis Post Dispatch May 11
Comments (0)

Kearse’s ‘chip’ has become ‘boulder’
"Jevon Kearse is wearing a familiar number. He is occupying a familiar locker. He is playing for a familiar coach.He is not living in a familiar house.When the defensive end signed as a free agent with the Titans in March, returning to the team that drafted him in 1999 after four failed years in Philadelphia..."
Nashville Tennessean May 11
Comments (0)

Ravens literally fight for jobs
"The Baltimore Ravens are doing more than merely fighting for jobs at their first mandatory minicamp under first-year coach John Harbaugh.They are fighting each other, too.Nearly all 85 players in camp were involved in a squabble Saturday that began when offensive tackle Oniel Cousins and defensive tackle Amon Gordon threw punches after..."
Seattle Times May 11
Comments (0)

Smith joining Bills’ Wall of Fame
"For Bruce Smith, it was never a question of whether the long-time Buffalo Bills defensive end would be voted onto the team's prestigious Wall of Fame. It was merely a question of when the National Football League's career sack leader would retire and the five-year waiting period ended. Well, Smith retired after the 2003 season making 2008 "Bruce's year.""
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle May 11
Comments (0)

Ex-Cards star Sharpe gets 6 years
"Former Cardinals standout Luis Sharpe was sentenced to six years in prison and four years of probation Friday for a series of drug offenses in 2007 and 2008. It will be the fourth imprisonment for the 47-year-old former Pro Bowl lineman, who has been convicted of nine felonies since 1995."
Arizona Daily Star May 10
Comments (0)

Young takes first steps in footwork fix
"Throwing on the run — often from awkward positions — Vince Young has been a photographer's dream. The problem is that too many times he never stopped to set his feet. And while all those throws off one foot might have made for great snapshots, they sure didn't help his accuracy."
The Nashville Tennessean May 10
Comments (0)

Ex-Cardinal accused of cocaine trafficking
"A one-time Arizona Cardinals player and four others were arrested this week in Glendale in connection with a cocaine trafficking organization. Dyshod Carter, a Cardinals cornerback in 2004 and 2005, has been charged with conspiracy and attempt to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine. Also charged were Julian Hackett, Freddy Brown, Sowell Mayo and Alquan Loyal."
Arizona Daily Star May 10
Comments (0)

Flacco looking long
"Joe Flacco has yet to be listed on the Ravens' depth chart, and he won't be until the start of the preseason in August. But all eyes were on the rookie quarterback from Delaware yesterday. The player who Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome made two trades to select with the 18th overall pick in last month's NFL draft practiced for the first time at the team's mandatory minicamp in Owings Mills."
Baltimore Sun May 10
Comments (0)

Mario Manningham is a test case
"For the first time in more than four months, Mario Manningham didn't have to worry about Wonderlic tests, drug tests or any of the controversies that have been swirling around him. He was out on the football field, doing what he does best. And he sounded very relieved. "When it's all said and done, what are we out here doing?" Manningham said Friday after the first practice of the Giants' two-day rookie mini-camp."
New York Daily News May 10
Comments (0)

Brother of Jets’ Elam shot, killed
"The older brother of Jets safety Abram Elam was fatally shot Friday, the third sibling in the family to die by gunfire since 1987. Riviera Beach police officers were called to the scene of a shooting at about 12:35 p.m. Friday, and found Donald Charles Elam shot in the lower back, according to a Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office news release."
Newsday May 10
Comments (0)

Rookie Phillips grabs No. 21 in homage to Taylor
"The comparisons are inevitable. They grew up in the same area, went to the same college, played the same position. Yet Kenny Phillips, the Giants' first-round draft pick from the University of Miami, never met the late Sean Taylor. That hasn't stopped him from paying tribute to the former Redskins safety who was shot and killed in a botched burglary last year."
Newsday May 10
Comments (0)

More carries from Perry?
"The reason the Bengals didn't take a running back in last month's NFL Draft wasn't because they wanted to sign Shaun Alexander, who had been released by Seattle. The reason is that running back Chris Perry, their oft-injured 2004 first-round pick, appears to be healthy and ready to play this year."
Cincinnati Enquirer May 10
Comments (0)

Bull’s-eye on Benson boat?
"Bears running back Cedric Benson had been stopped ‘‘several times’’ aboard his boat in Texas before last weekend’s arrest but never had been charged with a violation, his attorney said Friday. Attorney Sam Bassett said he sent a letter to Texas authorities to preserve any documents related to previous stops ‘‘to get a picture of what’s going on.’’"
Chicago Sun Times May 10
Comments (0)

League source: Pats taped Miami offensive signals
"The Patriots recorded signals of the Dolphins' offensive signals during a game in 2001, a league source confirmed Friday, although it is uncertain whether the taping will result in further sanctions against New England or coach Bill Belichick."
South Florida Sun Sentinel May 10
Comments (0)

Packers release WR Robinson
"The Green Bay Packers released wide receiver Koren Robinson on Friday. Robinson, who signed as a free-agent in September 2006, served a year-long suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. He was reinstated by the league in October and appeared in nine games for the Packers recording 21 receptions for 241 yards and one touchdown."
Kansas City Star May 10
Comments (0)

Patriots defensive back Andrews pleads to drug offense
"New England Patriots defensive back Willie Andrews entered a plea to a marijuana possession charge, but won't face any prison time. The 24-year-old Andrews admitted in court Friday there was enough evidence to convict him at trial, but did not plead guilty."
Boston Globe May 10
Comments (0)

Alexander awaiting word
"Running back Shaun Alexander has returned home to Seattle following two free-agent visits this week, first to Cincinnati on Sunday and Monday and then to New Orleans on Wednesday.Jim Steiner, Alexander's agent, said he expected to be in contact with the Bengals today.Alexander, who grew up in Florence and was the league MVP in 2005, was released April 22 after eight seasons with the Seahawks."
Cincinnati Enquirer May 9
Comments (0)

Ravens CB Washington on comeback trail
"When the Ravens report for mandatory minicamp today, they'll try to take another step in moving past last year's dismal season.Their latest veteran addition, cornerback Fabian Washington, is on a similar path.Washington, who was traded from the Oakland Raiders on April 27, is coming off the worst year of his NFL career."
Baltimore Sun May 9
Comments (0)