PFW NFC North Whispers
June 29, 2008
The Lions aren’t yet concerned about WLB Ernie Sims’ return from arthroscopic shoulder surgery, but they will monitor him closely in the first few days of training camp. Sims did not participate in much of the recent minicamp practices, but the team isn’t worried — yet.
As of now, Vikings DE Brian Robison is Jared Allen’s backup on the right side. Robison was considered to be a potential starter on the left side, competing with Ray Edwards. Although Edwards remains shelved with a back injury, it was Jayme Mitchell — not Robison — who got first-team reps at the final minicamp sessions, but that could change if Edwards misses time in camp.
It’s starting to look like the versatile John St. Clair could grab the Bears’ starting OLG job away from Terrence Metcalf. As for Josh Beekman, who was expected to compete for the role, OTA observers said the Bears’ fourth-round pick in 2007 saw no action at guard and spent every session backing up Olin Kreutz at center.
Not that he’s thinking at all about changing the Packers’ plans at quarterback, but we hear head coach Mike McCarthy can’t say enough about how quickly second-round rookie QB Brian Brohm has picked up the offense. We hear McCarthy also continues to like the progress being made by the team’s other rookie signalcaller, seventh-rounder Matt Flynn.
Free-agent QB Daunte Culpepper recently confirmed that he did indeed turn down an offer from the Packers, but declined to say why.
TE David Martin may have started for the Dolphins in 2007, but word out of South Florida is that he’ll have to fight to merely keep a roster spot in training camp. Newcomers Anthony Fasano and Sean Ryan and holdover Justin Peelle could end up being the team’s TE corps,
Word out of New Orleans is Saints CB Mike McKenzie is on track to begin practicing when training camp begins on July 24. McKenzie sat out all of the team’s OTAs while recovering from surgery to repair a torn ACL he suffered late last season.
New Jaguars WR Troy Williamson, whose inconsistent hands made him a bust in Minnesota, has impressed the coaching staff in Jacksonville. However, we hear there’s a lingering suspicion that he’s a “practice field hero,” and that the team is waiting until actual game action to feel comfortable with its new deep threat
June 29, 2008
The Lions aren’t yet concerned about WLB Ernie Sims’ return from arthroscopic shoulder surgery, but they will monitor him closely in the first few days of training camp. Sims did not participate in much of the recent minicamp practices, but the team isn’t worried — yet.
As of now, Vikings DE Brian Robison is Jared Allen’s backup on the right side. Robison was considered to be a potential starter on the left side, competing with Ray Edwards. Although Edwards remains shelved with a back injury, it was Jayme Mitchell — not Robison — who got first-team reps at the final minicamp sessions, but that could change if Edwards misses time in camp.
It’s starting to look like the versatile John St. Clair could grab the Bears’ starting OLG job away from Terrence Metcalf. As for Josh Beekman, who was expected to compete for the role, OTA observers said the Bears’ fourth-round pick in 2007 saw no action at guard and spent every session backing up Olin Kreutz at center.
Not that he’s thinking at all about changing the Packers’ plans at quarterback, but we hear head coach Mike McCarthy can’t say enough about how quickly second-round rookie QB Brian Brohm has picked up the offense. We hear McCarthy also continues to like the progress being made by the team’s other rookie signalcaller, seventh-rounder Matt Flynn.
Free-agent QB Daunte Culpepper recently confirmed that he did indeed turn down an offer from the Packers, but declined to say why.
TE David Martin may have started for the Dolphins in 2007, but word out of South Florida is that he’ll have to fight to merely keep a roster spot in training camp. Newcomers Anthony Fasano and Sean Ryan and holdover Justin Peelle could end up being the team’s TE corps,
Word out of New Orleans is Saints CB Mike McKenzie is on track to begin practicing when training camp begins on July 24. McKenzie sat out all of the team’s OTAs while recovering from surgery to repair a torn ACL he suffered late last season.
New Jaguars WR Troy Williamson, whose inconsistent hands made him a bust in Minnesota, has impressed the coaching staff in Jacksonville. However, we hear there’s a lingering suspicion that he’s a “practice field hero,” and that the team is waiting until actual game action to feel comfortable with its new deep threat



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