News

Cliff Avril “not getting a good vibe” from Lions

stevenlourie Lions, News

In an interview with the Detroit Free Press, Lions’ unsigned franchise player Cliff Avril admits he’s “not getting a good vibe” from the Lions, in terms of getting a long term deal done ahead of Monday’s 4 PM ET deadline. This is more in line with what’s been reported about the talks, or lack thereof between the Lions and Avril. The Lions have remained very mum on the situation and several reporters, including recently the Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett, have not been optimistic, with Birkett specifically saying he “wouldn’t hold his breath.”

Avril would make 10.6 million this year under the franchise tag so, while Avril says he doesn’t know what he’ll do if he goes unsigned, it would make a lot of sense for him to sign the tender, especially since he won’t be able to sign a long term deal after the deadline anyway. 10.6 million is a very good chunk of change. The Lions are just hesitant about committing that kind of money to him long term because he doesn’t play the run very well. As a pass rusher, he’s one of the best in the business though, with 12 sacks, 9 quarterback hits, and 41 quarterback pressures last year (including playoffs). That’s good for a sack/pressure/hit on 11.5% of all pass rush snaps.

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Matt Forte, Bears “extremely close” on a new deal

stevenlourie Bears, News

According to NFL Network’s Michael Lombardi, the Bears and franchise player Matt Forte are “extremely close” on a new deal. This seconds what has been reported all week by some of the best reporters in the business. Adam Schefter reported that Forte was “optimistic” about getting a new deal ahead of Monday’s 4 PM ET deadline, while Jason La Canfora reported that “considerable progress” had been made between the two sides. Forte left the door open that he could skip some of Training Camp if he is left without a long term deal, but it doesn’t appear that will be necessary. Expect a deal to happen sometime in the next 24-48 hours.

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Buccaneers’ Eric Wright will not be charged with DUI

stevenlourie Buccaneers, News

Eric Wright, who was arrested for aggravated DUI a couple weeks ago, will not be formally charged according to Pro Football Talk and the case has been dismissed. This is the 2nd lucky break for a Buccaneer defensive back this offseason as Aqib Talib had much more serious charges dropped, charges for assault with a deadly weapon that could have landed him in prison for up to 5 years. Wright is a 1st time offender and will not be subject to suspension, good news for a Buccaneers’ secondary that’s already thin. Talib, however, could still face some sort of league discipline.

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Mike Williams, Ben Obomanu, and Deon Butler are not locks to make Seahawks’ roster

stevenlourie News, Seahawks

According to the Seattle Post, none of Mike Williams, Ben Obomanu, and Deon Butler are locks to make the Seahawks’ roster. The report called Doug Baldwin, Golden Tate, and Sidney Rice as the only locks to make the roster, as the trio of Williams, Obomanu, and Butler will have to compete with youngsters Ricardo Lockette and Kris Durham. Durham was a 4th round pick in 2011 that did nothing as a rookie, while Lockette is an undrafted free agent from that same year that Pete Carroll has spoken highly of. Mike Williams, meanwhile, is owed 3 million this year and questionable for the start of camp as he recovers from broken leg. He seems likely to be one of the odd men out.

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Cowboys could use Andre Holmes as #3 receiver

stevenlourie Cowboys, News

According to ESPN Dallas, Cowboys Owner/GM Jerry Jones suggested that Andre Holmes has the inside track to be the Cowboys’ #3 receiver. Behind starters Dez Bryant and Miles Austin, the Cowboys lack any proven depth having lost Laurent Robinson in the offseason. Bryant and Austin have histories of injury problems, so that could be a problem.

Holmes is competing with Kevin Ogletree, who struggled last year when counted on, as well as 2011 6th round pick Dwayne Harris and 2012 5th round pick Danny Coale. Holmes was undrafted out of Hillsdale in 2011 and spent last year on the practice squad. He has ideal size at 6-5 223 and could remind some of Miles Austin, a 2006 undrafted free agent out of Monmouth who has become one of the league’s better receivers. Either way, the Cowboys shouldn’t be confident in their wide receiver depth.

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Jets’ Vladimir Ducaase, Joe McKnight both acknowledge this is a “make or break” year

stevenlourie Jets, News

In separate interviews with the Newark Star-Ledger, both Vladimir Ducasse and Joe McKnight admit this is a “make or break” year for them. Both Jets are heading into their 3rd seasons in the NFL, going in the 2nd and 4th rounds respectively in 2010. Ducasse is a versatile player who has not been able to crack the starting lineup anywhere, including right tackle, where the terrible Wayne Hunter allowed 11 sacks last year. He’s currently a reserve guard.

McKnight, meanwhile, has averaged just 3.9 YPC in his career, including 3.1 YPC last year, on just 82 carries. McKnight is currently the #2 back behind Shonn Greene, an uninspiring lead back on a run heavy offense, but lacks talent and showed up to OTAs out of shape this offseason. I would not be surprised at all if neither of these players were with the Jets in 2013.

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Veteran Artis Hicks is favorite for Dolphins’ right guard job

stevenlourie Dolphins, News

When the Dolphins chose not to resign veteran Vernon Carey, it appeared John Jerry would be given the starting right guard job. However, according to both the Palm Beach Post and South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Jerry has struggled in practice and the veteran Artis Hicks is currently the favorite for the starting job. Hicks is heading into his age 34 season and spent last year as a backup for the Browns, struggling whenever he was counted on to play. The Dolphins have also considered signing Jake Scott, arguably the best available veteran offensive lineman. Whatever happens, it’s not a good sign for John Jerry, a 2010 3rd round pick who hasn’t done nothing significant thus far in his career.

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4 way competition for Bills nickel cornerback job

stevenlourie Bills, News

According to BuffaloBills.com, there is a 4 way competition for the Bills’ nickel cornerback job this offseason with 2012 1st round Stephon Gilmore and 2011 2nd round pick Aaron Williams expected to start outside at cornerback. The 4 players competing are Terrence McGee, Justin Rogers, Ron Brooks, Leodis McKelvin. McGee is entering his age 32 season and restructured to a 2 year, 4 million dollar deal earlier this offseason, after missing most of last season with injury. Brooks is a 4th round rookie. McKelvin is a former 1st round pick bust of the 2008 NFL Draft. Rogers was a 7th round pick in 2011.

The Bills’ website says Rogers is currently the favorite, but it looks pretty wide open right now. With 4 guys competing for 1 job, it’s very likely that the Bills will also cut 1 or 2 of the competitors in final cuts as no one carries 6 cornerbacks. Brooks is unlikely to be cut as he was just drafted and Rogers appears to lead the competition right now, so McGee and McKelvin would appear to be the ones on the roster bubble.

Though McGee was just restructured earlier this offseason, he’s old and injury prone and only received a 300 thousand dollar signing bonus. McKelvin, meanwhile, is heading into his contract year and has never lived up to being the 11th overall pick in 2008. The regime that drafted him is gone so they no longer have loyalty to him. My money is on Rogers winning the nickel job, McKelvin staying as a dime back, and the rookie Brooks playing just special teams for this year, leaving McGee as the odd man out.

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Vikings’ Christian Ponder bulks up to 233

stevenlourie News, Vikings

According to ESPN 1500 Twin Cities, Christian Ponder has added 20 pounds of bulk to his frame this offseason and now stands at 6-2 233. The added muscle will definitely help with two weaknesses of his game, his durability and his arm strength. Ponder has also received praise all offseason for his improvement, including quarterbacks coach Craig Johnson and NFL Film’s Greg Cosell.

He didn’t do much as a rookie to quiet the critics that said he was a reach at 12 in the 2011 NFL Draft. He completed just 54.3% of his passes for an average of 6.4 YPA and 13 touchdowns to 13 interceptions and missed time down the stretch with injuries. However, all is not lost yet. He’ll need to play like a top-15 quarterback this year for the Vikings to even have a chance this season as they still have a thin receiving corps, a weak back 7, a spotty offensive line, and a serious injury to their top offensive player, as well as arguably the toughest divisional competition of any league in the team.

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Lance Kendricks to have a prominent role in Rams’ offense

stevenlourie News, Rams

The Rams have one of the thinnest and least proven receiving corps in the NFL, but they have no shortage of young guys with upside. One of those young guys is tight end Lance Kendricks, a 2011 2nd round pick. According to the Rams’ official website, Kendricks figures to have a “prominent” role in the Rams’ offense this year. This makes sense as Dustin Keller, a tight end, led the Jets in targets last year when new Rams offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer was their offensive coordinator. The Rams have been lining up Kendricks all over the offense in practices.

After a strong Preseason led to high expectations heading into his rookie year, Kendricks was absolutely awful as a pass catcher last year. He was 2nd among tight ends in drops, despite only being targeted 53 times. He managed just 28 catches for 352 yards and didn’t score. He was ProFootballFocus’ worst rated pass catching tight end, though he was pretty good as a blocker. That being said, he’s still got a lot of upside and caught 43 passes for 663 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2010 with Wisconsin. He could be a sleeper this year.

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