-EVEN MORE- NFL News

[HarveyWallbangers]

Harv, when was that report on the LB's written? Please post the date.

I stated in my post that these are from the 2007 offseason. They don't update the scouting reports until the middle of the offseason, so you won't find any new ones for awhile. These reports are still pertinent because you were saying the same things last offseason (that Ryans and Sims were better than Hawk).

You can go to any player on ESPN (NFL > Team > Roster > then the player) and hit the "Scouting" link on that player. You only see this if you have ESPN Insider though.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Ryans and Sims both as soph's had better years than their first year. Hawk did not .

what are you basing this off?

Haven't you heard. Sims got 1 All-Pro vote. He must be better. I'd like Bulldog to find out who the 1 vote was from. It was probably some writer for the Detroit Free Press.

[Bretsky]

IMO Hawk is a better football players than Sims; then again I thought this thread was about current football news and the thread has been jacked into the same ole same ole

[Tyrone Bigguns]

I think i WILL ALSO BE SHOWN CORRECTLY WHEN i STATED THAT Mario will be a very good, game changing DE and will be the best D player in that draft.

alright do you want all of us to give you a pat on the back BECAUSE SOME how YOu predicted the number ONE pick was going to TURN OUT GOOD?

That has nothing to do with this because there was no way we could have gotten williams.

I was thinking the exact same thing. Hello captain obvious.

If bulldog wants to impress me, call out the #1 as a bust and be proven right.

[HarveyWallbangers]

BTW, I think Sims is good. Maybe even comparable to Hawk. Different LBs though. Until Sims can play 5 years in the NFL, I'm always going to worry about those concussion issues. He hasn't had any yet in the NFL, but he's probably do. He's small and explosive, and that takes a toll on a little guy when he's not afraid to put his hat on somebody. Injuries can happen to anyone, but Hawk seems like the type of guy that we don't have to be that concerned about in that regard.

[Lurker64]

IMO Hawk is a better football players than Sims; then again I thought this thread was about current football news and the thread has been jacked into the same ole same ole

Maybe we can start a Hawk vs. Sims thread and talk about current NFL news in it.

[Fritz]

Funny how these threads mutate.

Current NFL news: GM's all around the league are getting wood over college boys' 40 times and benchpressing abilities. Some fast dude who can lift a lot of weight will invariably get drafted way too high, and some defensive tackle who is fat and lazy and skips the combine will also get drafted way too high just because, well, he's a defensive tackle and he's big.

[b bulldog]

2007 offseason, that was what I thought. Guess it is a tad old.

[GrnBay007]

Chargers sign LB Smith days after being cut by 49ers


Feb. 24, 2008
CBSSports.com wire reports

SAN DIEGO -- Derek Smith, released Tuesday by the San Francisco 49ers, agreed to a two-year deal with the San Diego Chargers on Sunday.


Smith, whose role with the 49ers was assumed last season by rookie Patrick Willis, will bolster San Diego's inside linebackers group.

He spent seven seasons with the 49ers, and was their leading tackler from 2001-05. He's spent the last three years playing in a 3-4 defense, which is what the Chargers play.

Smith was drafted by the Washington Redskins in 1997 and played four seasons under Norv Turner, who is entering his second season as San Diego's head coach.

Neither general manager A.J. Smith nor Turner returned phone calls seeking comment.

Terms of the deal weren't available.

Smith, an 11-year pro who signed a three-year contract extension before the 2006 season, was due to make $3.28 million in base salary next season.

Willis, the NFL's defensive rookie of the year, took over Smith's role as the 49ers' defensive leader and top tackler.

Smith has long been one of the NFL's top unsung defensive players, annually racking up gaudy tackling statistics with little fanfare. He made at least 123 tackles in each of his first nine NFL seasons.

He was voted the 49ers' co-MVP in 2005, but missed two games in 2006 because of a strained eye muscle that limited his peripheral vision, eventually requiring surgery. He started 14 games and made 98 tackles last season, but his playing time decreased significantly in the final months of San Francisco's fifth straight losing campaign.
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service

[PaCkFan_n_MD]

http://www.rotoworld.com

The Panthers are reportedly close to signing free agent Muhsin Muhammad.

Profootballtalk.com reports the deal would pay Moose $1.5 million annually, a fair number and not far off what he would've made in Chicago. We suspect the contract is for three years. Muhammad wouldn't be guaranteed a starting spot in Carolina, but would push Dwayne Jarrett and likely play in three-receiver sets with Steve Smith possibly moving to the slot on those downs.

An NFC source told Bengals.com that the 49ers are interested in free agent to be Justin Smith and "were working on the deal last night."

With all their interest in Smith and Lance Briggs, the Niners seem to be considering a move back to the 4-3. If San Francisco was talking with Smith, it's another tampering violation. They are already being investigated about tampering with Briggs, although nothing may come of it.

Free agent Asante Samuel is rumored to be in search of a ten-year, $100 million contract, including $30 million up front.

Apparently he doesn't just want more than Nate Clements (seven years, $64 million), he wants much more. The way Samuel and his agent are speaking, it sounds like he doesn't have a preference of where to sign. Some GMs are pegging him as a system DB, but Samuel will likely go to the highest bidder.


Jeremy Shockey (broken fibula) has shed his walking boot and been cleared for the Giants' offseason program.

The offseason program starts on March 31. Shockey remains highly unlikely to be traded. He is a far superior all-around player to Kevin Boss.


Arkansas RB Darren McFadden ran an official 4.33 forty at the NFL Combine Sunday.

Hello. McFadden was considering not running in the weeks leading up to the Combine, but it's good he did. For perspective, Adrian Peterson ran 4.40 and 4.37 times last year. At 4.35, California WR DeSean Jackson officially posted the fastest time among wideouts. East Carolina scatback/returner Chris Johnson (4.24) had the fastest official time among running backs.

NflDraftScout.com's Howard Balzer reports there are "serious concerns" over the long-term effects of a stress fracture Glenn Dorsey suffered in 2006.

The stress fracture was in his right tibia. After taking a physical Saturday, Dorsey was sent to the hospital for additional tests. Dorsey is not working out at the Combine due to a death in the family, but the tibia issue is reportedly now a "red flag" for some NFL teams.

[woodbuck27]

Doesn't fit in a 3/4 scheme. I love Vilma, I'd trade any of our LB's straight up for him.

I havn't checked on his health of late but J. Vilma was a killer, an outstanding linebacker. He certainly replaces Poppinga in my view.

That would excite me.

I don't think Vilma and Poppinga play the same position>?
I thought Vilma was a MLB

The times I've watched him I seemed to re-call him lining up on the weakside. Attacking the QB's left side.

In any case he certainly impressed me up to two years ago. He was a force.

[Green Bud Packer]

http://www.rotoworld.com


Arkansas RB Darren McFadden ran an official 4.33 forty at the NFL Combine Sunday.

Hello. McFadden was considering not running in the weeks leading up to the Combine, but it's good he did. For perspective, Adrian Peterson ran 4.40 and 4.37 times last year. At 4.35, California WR DeSean Jackson officially posted the fastest time among wideouts. East Carolina scatback/returner Chris Johnson (4.24) had the fastest official time among running backs.

.

This has got to be the fastest class of backs ever.

[RashanGary]

Asante Sameul wants 100 million dollars!!

This is acctually great. These guys get gobbled up on the UFA market and ruin the teams they go to, making our chances of winning that much better.

[b bulldog]

I bet he goes to the Jets

[PaCkFan_n_MD]

The Bengals will host free agent FS Marlon McCree for a visit.

Carolina and Miami also have set up meetings with the soon to be 31-year-old. McCree has some game left, but the Bolts cut him due to a high salary.


Seahawks released OL Tom Ashworth.

A perfect example of why you don't sign former Patriots. Ashworth never came close to locking down a starting role in Seattle after signing a lucrative five-year contract in 2006. He was another system player in New England.


The Lions' trade of DT Shaun Rogers to the Bengals has been called off.

The deal was considered consummated, even being confirmed by Bengals.com and the Lions organization. However, the Lions are reportedly now trying to deal Rogers to another team. It's uncertain what stopped the deal - possibly health or off-field issues. The Broncos and Bills could be interested.


The Saints will bring in free agent DE Travis LaBoy for a visit Saturday.

LaBoy was in Cleveland Friday, presumably being looked at as a 3-4 outside linebacker and bookend for Kamerion Wimbley. He'd play down in the Nola.


The Saints hosted free agent CB Aaron Glenn and DE Bobby McCray Friday.

If Glenn can't find a taker, he figures to retire. McCray is young but coming off an unproductive season and would likely be a boom or bust signing.


Free agent DE Justin Smith is believed to have left the San Francisco area without a contract.

He's heading to Minneapolis. Smith is thought to be in search of a deal averaging $8 million annually with $18 million worth of guaranteed money.




The Bucs have scheduled a visit for free agent TE Ben Troupe.

Troupe caught 55 passes in 2005, but has regressed as a pro ever since. It could be a motivational issue. He definitely doesn't lack the talent.


Broncos released WR Javon Walker, according to ESPN's Michael Smith.

He's a big name, but Walker's contract and knee injury made it an easy choice by Denver. That no one chose to give up a late-round pick for Walker is telling. It's rumored that he could need microfracture surgery in the future, although he will have plenty of suitors lined up with MRI machines. Dallas, Washington, Philadelphia, and Tampa Bay have been rumored to be interested.


49ers agreed to terms with WR Isaac Bruce on a two-year contract, according to NFL Network's Adam Schefter.

He's a No. 1 receiver again. Bruce, 35, isn't the wideout he once was, but he can still run routes with the best of them. He's averaged 65 catches and 915 yards with Scott Linehan the last two seasons. Now back under Mike Martz's watch, it wouldn't be a surprise if he maintained his numbers on an inferior offense. He's looking like a fantasy WR3/4 fantasy again.


Raiders signed S Gibril Wilson, formerly of the Giants, to a six-year, $39 million contract. The deal includes $16 million guaranteed.


The Raiders consider their safeties interchangeable, but we suspect they'll use Wilson more in the box and let Michael Huff patrol the deep middle, assuming Huff isn't traded. Wilson picked off a career-high four passes last year. He's now overpaid, but is a better tackler than Stuart Schweigert. Schweigert will likely battle Hiram Eugene to be Oakland's third safety. Feb. 29 - 6:58 pm et



Alan Faneca's agent denies that his client as signed with the Jets.

"False report. It's a false report," agent Rick Smith said. ESPN's website reported earlier the two sides agreed to a four-year, $32 million contract. His agent told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette a decision will come Friday night. It could still be with the Jets, but the Rams and 49ers are in the mix. Feb. 29 - 6:40 pm et


Dolphins signed QB Josh McCown to a two-year, $6.25 million contract.

We'll pencil him in as the favorite to start, although McCown will have to hold off John Beck and most likely a draft pick. McCown, 28, has always had the physical traits (arm, athleticism, size), but never completed more than 60.4% of his passes or had a 7.0+ YPA in a season. We know he's not supposed to be a long-term answer, but McCown isn't even a good stopgap. Feb. 29 - 5:07 pm et


Eagles signed Asante Samuel to a six-year contract. ESPN's John Clayton says it's for $54 million, with $6 million in incentives.

The key is the first three years and Samuel probably will make roughly $10 million per-year over that time. We think Samuel is only a borderline Pro Bowler, but his gambling nature matches up well with Jim Johnson's pressure defense. This could put Lito Sheppard on the open market.


Free agent Bernard Berrian is reportedly en route to Oakland.

The Vikings couldn't get him signed immediately, not that they're entirely out of the running. Berrian is the deep threat big-armed JaMarcus Russell needs and Al Davis has tons of cap room, even after the Tommy Kelly signing. Feb. 29 - 4:36 pm et



The Seahawks are close to signing free agent TE Alge Crumpler, according to the Atlanta-Journal Constitution.

He'd reunite with likely 2009 Seahawks head coach Jim Mora. The Titans seemingly weren't impressed with Crumpler after his Thursday visit. There's still reason to believe he can put up borderline TE1 stats for Mike Holmgren. Feb. 29 - 3:24 pm et


Dolphins signed WR Ernest Wilford, formerly of the Jaguars, to a four-year, $13 million contract. The deal includes a $6 million signing bonus.

He immediately becomes the favorite to start opposite Ted Ginn. Wilford, 29, caught 46 passes for 518 yards (11.5 YPC) and three TDs as a rotational wideout in Jacksonville last year. He's going to an offense in transition and is unlikely to be a huge fantasy factor. However, Wilford is a tough blocker and possession threat with red-zone ability. He'll help the 'Fins move the chains. Feb. 29 - 3:15 pm et