Bengals CB Leon Hall could still face NFL punishment, despite avoiding a DUI conviction in court Monday. Hall pleaded guilty to reckless operation of a vehicle. "He's is still under review for potential discipline," league spokesman Greg Aiello said Tuesday. "Pleading to a lower charge doesn't prevent you from discipline." Really?
Bobby Carpenter has been taking reps as the Cowboys' inside nickel linebacker during Organized Team Activities. This was Kevin Burnett's job last year. Carpenter, the top of trade rumors for the second straight offseason, hasn't proved physical enough to play full time. He will likely replace Keith Brooking on passing downs this season. Sounds like a lot of speculation based on a few reps.
Rob Demovsky, of the Green Bay Press-Gazette, reports Green Bay Packers LB Jeremy Thompson should not be counted out in competition for the team's starting right outside linebacker positon. Thompson is competing with LB Clay Matthews for the job.
Jim Wexell, of The Tribune-Democrat, reports Pittsburgh Steelers DL Evander Hood has impressed during offseason practices, showing good athleticism and technique in pursuit of plays. "He's looking good," said DT Casey Hampton. "From what I've seen he does a special job using his hands. Most guys who come in from college are used to being quicker than everybody, and used to running through gaps or ripping through guys. I don't know if it's been (line coach John Mitchell) Mitch getting on him, or if he's been coached like that, but he can use his hands and keep guys off of him."
Dolphins OLB Matt Roth revealed that he underwent groin surgery in March. Now fully recovered, Roth revealed that the injury happened in 2007 and he played through it for all of 2008. Miami's best run-stopping OLB, Roth will keep his starting job this year, but lose passing-down snaps to Jason Taylor.
Giants second-round LB Clint Sintim is expected to be sidelined "for a while" after suffering a right hamstring injury during Monday's practice. "That is not going to help him or us," coach Tom Coughlin said. Sintim is being counted on as the strong-side linebacker, so he'll need to be back to full speed by training camp.
Kevin Acee, of the San Diego Union-Tribune, reports San Diego Chargers DL Vaughn Martin appears to have shed some weight and is more cut than he was last month during the team's minicamp. Martin has shown to be very physical and fast thus far in practices.
Kevin Acee, of the San Diego Union-Tribune, reports San Diego Chargers CB Antonio Cromartie had an excellent practice Monday, June 1. Cromartie was consistently in the right place on the field.
) Matthew Barrows, of the Sacramento Bee, reports San Francisco 49ers FS Mark Roman (ankle) is expected to rejoin the team for their mandatory minicamp this weekend. Whether Roman can practice or not remains to be seen. However, he is very close to being able to practice on his surgically repaired ankle.
Panthers second-round pick Everette Brown has taken most of his practice snaps at left defensive end. Giving up 50-80 pounds to most offensive lineman, the undersized Brown figures to be a liability in run defense. The Panthers will likely stick to a situational pass rushing role for Brown as a rookie.
Matthew Barrows, of the Sacramento Bee, reports San Francisco 49ers CB Dre' Bly said he is confident he will win the starting cornerback job opposite CB Nate Clements. Bly is in competition with CB Tarell Brown for the job. "Based on who I've been my whole life, I've never lost," Bly said.
Titans CB Nick Harper underwent LASIK eye surgery during the offseason. Analysis: Harper refused to wear his contact lenses because they would always pop out during game action. He admits that his poor vision affected his play last season.
Chiefs ILB Derrick Johnson believes that the team's new 3-4 defense is "setting me up personally to have a breakout season." While he certainly has the physical skills to be a terrific 3-4 inside 'backer, or maybe, Kansas City's glaring void at nose tackle means Johnson will face a lot of offensive guards at the second level. He'll constantly be shedding blocks.
Rob Demovsky, of the Green Bay Press-Gazette, reports the Green Bay Packers' switch to a 3-4 defense could benefit LB Jeremy Thompson more than any other returning player on the team. Thompson said, "I like it a lot; right now I love it. It gives me an opportunity to be a lot more free. We have one job. If we're in coverage, it's to be in coverage. And if we're rushing, just come as hard as you can off the edge." Thompson has worked as the starter at right outside linebacker during OTAs.
Texans fourth-round pick Glover Quin has stood out at OTAs so far. The former New Mexico Lobo has four practice picks already. "He just seems like he makes a play every day," coach Gary Kubiak said. "He's got a knack for getting his hands on the ball." The coaches considered moving Quinn to safety after drafting him, but he's been too good to downgrade positions.
Chargers S Clinton Hart appears to be in line for a major cut in playing time in 2009 unless he can regain the coaching staff's confidence during training camp, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. Steve Gregory is pushing him right now.
Packers S Atari Bigby revealed that last year's ankle injury was an issue "from Game 1 on." Analysis: Bigby eventually underwent surgery on the ankle, but the Packers didn't want him talking about the injury in-season. The ankle clearly contributed to his disappointing season after he broke out in 2007.
That's why I added the Really?? comment. This happens all the time, plead down you are in less trouble. Is Greg Aiello actually talking about a huge escalation in how The NFL deals with these matters?
Nice Intel, Phicinfan. Ellis has been released and has mentioned Cincy himself. Runnick has mentioned the Pats potential in the Ellis thread.
Updating previous reports, Greg Beacham, of The Associated Press, reports San Francisco 49ers S Dashon Goldson has been promoted to the starter at free safety.
Greg Beacham, of The Associated Press, reports San Francisco 49ers S Mark Roman shopped himself around the league over the last few weeks but did not find anything more appealing than his current sketchy situation with the 49ers. Roman returned to practice Tuesday, June 2, but has been demoted to a backup role after starting the last 43 games.
Brad Biggs, of The Chicago Sun-Times, reports unrestricted free-agent S Mike Brown (Bears) will visit with the Kansas City Chiefs Wednesday, June 3.
Pat Yasinskas, of ESPN.com, reports New Orleans Saints LB Dan Morgan strained a calf muscle early in the team's afternoon practice Friday, June 5. It's early in camp but Morgan has had injury issues before so caution may be in order again. keep an eye on him.
John Clayton, of ESPN.com, reports Kansas City Chiefs DT Glenn Dorsey is struggling to learn the nose tackle position in the 3-4 defensive alignment. Only time will tell if Dorsey pans out as a nose or if the Chiefs need to move him--to DE or to another club.
Bill Coats, of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports St. Louis Rams SS James Butler and FS Oshiomogho Atogwe have been spending a lot of time this offseason working together. Butler has played in head coach Steve Spagnuolo's system the last two years and has been helping the other defenders tips on the defense. Spagnuolo said the better the two safeties know each other, the better the defense will function.
49ers signed LS Brian Jennings to a five-year contract extension through 2014.
Matt Maiocco, of The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports San Francisco 49ers LB Patrick Willis said he has not been approached by the team about a contract extension. Willis said he believes the 49ers will have a top-10 defense this season. "Not only top 10, top five - if not No. 1," Willis said.
Barnett (knee) believes he's ahead of schedule and is hopeful that he'll be ready to participate -- at least in a limited capacity -- when training camp starts on the first day of August, the Green Bay Press Gazette reports. Brandon Chillar has been getting the reps in Barnett's new "mack" spot in the Packers' 3-4 defensive scheme. Among his new responsibilities will be extra pass coverage, as Barnett will be more responsible for opposing tight ends in Dom Capers' defense. Barnett has been able to jog, cut and jump during the team's organized activites, but he's still not doing those things at full speed.
Jeff Duncan, of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, reports the New Orleans Saints worked on using a 3-4 defensive alignment during practice Saturday, June 6. DE Bobby McCray lined up at outside linebacker in the formation with DT Sedrick Ellis as the nose tackle.
CB Samri Rolle hasn't participated in the Ravens' offseason workouts because of a knee injury, the team's official site reports. CB Fabian Washington has been sidelined by neck and shoulder injuries throughout the Ravens' offseason workouts. CB Dominique Foxworth has been the only projected starter getting regular work in. It's unclear at this time if Washington will be 100 percent before the start of training camp.
The Jaguars may have a hard time keeping rookie tackles Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton out of the starting lineup says Gene Frenette of the Florida Times Union. Monroe, the No. 8 overall pick and expected starter on the left side, has looked "more impressive" than veteran Tra Thomas, while incumbent RT Tony Pashos will need to hold off the versatile and cocky Britton. Monroe is expected to be the starter but Britton may not be far behind. Britton may end up taking over the job during the season.
Giants head coach Tom Coughlin "offered no promise" that DT Fred Robbins (arthroscopic microfracture knee surgery) would be ready for training camp.
Youboty (foot) participated in some full-squad drills on Friday. Jauron is encouraged that Youboty will be a significant participant in next week's mandatory minicamp. He should see most of his action in nickel and dime situations this season.
The Associated Press reports New York Giants DE Osi Umenyiora (knee) said he is feeling great after rehabilitating from his knee injury and is quick to point out that the injury hasn't taken anything away from his game. "I still feel like I'm one of the best, if not the best defensive end in football right now," Umenyiora said. "I feel quick. I feel explosive. I don't feel like I should be stopped one-on-one."
Mary Kay Cabot, of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, reports the Cleveland Browns have waived FS Jason Venson.
Updating a previous item, Brad Biggs, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports Chicago Bears LB Pisa Tinoisamoa was given a $500,000 signing bonus with his one-year contract.
