This might not be news to many, but Osi Umenyiora is unhappy with the Giants. Again. Osi has been upset with the organization for seemingly forever, over being a situational player behind Justin Tuck and Jason Pierre-Paul, as well as not being given a long term contract extension. There have been some trade rumblings in the past, but for the most part, Osi has just sucked it and up and played anyway and was a big part of the Giants’ 2^nd Super Bowl title in 5 seasons last season.

Heading into the final year of a 7 year deal, Osi is still upset. To show this, he is skipping all of the Giants voluntary OTAs. There has been some talk this offseason of the Giants moving him, but most of that talk has died down since the draft. More likely than not, Osi will complain all offseason again and then return to the Giants to play his situational role and make 3.925 million in the final year of a 7 year, 41 million dollar deal. After the offseason, however, he’s free to go wherever he wants and I’d be very surprised if he remained in New York after all of this.

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

Last season, AJ Jefferson was the starting cornerback for the Cardinals opposite Patrick Peterson. However, it appears he will have very stiff competition to remain the starter. The Cardinals brought in William Gay through free agency, Jamell Fleming in the 3^rd round of the draft, and also will get a former starter, Greg Toler, back from an injury that caused him to miss the entirety of the 2011 season.

Right now, it seems like William Gay has the edge in terms of winning the starting job. Gay, who was experience in defensive coordinator Ray Horton’s scheme from his time in Pittsburgh, has been taking all the first team snaps in OTAs. He’ll have plenty of competition and is no lock to be the week 1 starter, but he’ll get the first crack at the job. With Patrick Peterson going into his 2^nd season and likely an upgrade in some form opposite him, the Cardinals could see an improvement on their 6.9 YPA allowed last season, good for a run of the mill 12^th in the league.

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

Primarily a center throughout his career, the Bears have moved Chris Spencer to guard. He is taking the 1^st team snaps in OTAs at left guard. Incumbent starter Chris Williams has moved to left tackle, where he will compete with J’Marcus Webb. Roberto Garza will remain the starting center. The Bears will probably have one of the worst offensive lines in the league again in 2012, but with Mike Martz gone, that weakness will not be as exposed as it was in Martz’ offense.

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

A day after disgruntled Cowboys cornerback Mike Jenkins, who lost his starting job this offseason as the Cowboys brought in two new cornerbacks, demanded a trade, Head Coach Jason Garrett is adamant that they will not be trading him. He’s not owed a ton of money this season and provides solid depth at a position of high importance between new starters Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne, as well as incumbent nickel cornerback Orlando Scandrick. Jenkins is obviously not happy with being a #4 cornerback, but he might not have a choice but to suck it up and play this season if the Cowboys are unwilling to trade him. It sounds like they are unless a team gives them an offer they can’t refuse, whatever that means.

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

Earlier this week, it was reported the Ray Rice wanted 10 million dollars per year from the Ravens in his long term deal. Apparently that was an underestimate, at least if you ask ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio. Paolantonio reports that Rice is asking for “Adrian Peterson money” from the Ravens. Peterson got 96 million over 7 years last offseason, with 36 million guaranteed, the largest contract for a running back ever by a large amount. It sounds like Rice wants one as well, though deals given to Chris Johnson, Arian Foster, and LeSean McCoy have been significantly smaller in the past calendar year.

Paolantonio also said that the Ravens are flat out refusing to even discuss that kind of deal with Rice and says that Rice’s holdout could end in “Training Camp, if then”. It’s worth noting that there was a point when Chris Johnson wanted to be one of the highest paid playmakers in the league (around 15 million per year) and ended up settling for significantly less before the season started. We could see a similar situation with the Ravens and Rice, but that would mean Rice missing most or all of Training Camp and the Preseason. The Ravens drafted Bernard Pierce in the 3^rd round as insurance.

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

Phillip Merling was once a high pick of the Miami Dolphins, going with the 1^st selection of the 2^nd round in 2008, 32nd overall. However, Merling could never establish himself in a crowded rotation in Miami and never seemed to be comfortable anywhere in their 3-4. They cut him this offseason and today he found someone to take a flier on him, the Green Bay Packers.

It’s no secret the Packers needed defense this offseason. They did very well to address their defensive needs through the draft, but another defensive player couldn’t hurt. Merling still has some upside and if anyone can get it out of him, it could be Dom Capers and the Green Bay Packers, even though Merling has never fit a 3-4 scheme. He could see action for the Packers in a situational role on the defensive line, where they need help. He could just as easily be cut in preseason. I would assume his contract reflects this and doesn’t have a lot of guaranteed money.

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

The Chiefs selected Dexter McCluster in the 2^nd round in 2010 to be an elite return man and a dynamic offensive player capable of lining up at multiple positions and scoring from anywhere on the field. However, like many gadget players, he has become none of those things. He’s averaged less than 21 yards per attempt on kick returns and has only scored once in 2 years as a punt returner. Offensively, he has 67 career catches for 537 yards and 2 touchdowns, as well as 114 carries for 516 yards and another touchdown.

The Chiefs are now moving McCluster from running back to his original position, wide receiver, after signing Peyton Hills, drafting Cyrus Gray, and getting Jamaal Charles back from injury. Another position move is not a good sign for a player who has yet to show himself as elite on special teams. As a receiver, McCluster would probably be nothing more than 5^th on their depth chart behind Dwayne Bowe, Jonathan Baldwin, Steve Breaston, and rookie Devon Wylie.

He’ll be squarely on the roster bubble heading into Training Camp and may need to beat out Javier Arenas for one of the two starting return spots to remain with the team. Arenas, a 2^nd round pick the same year as McCluster, has been a better return man than McCluster over the past 2 years. Rookie Devon Wylie can also return both kicks and punts. I’d say it’s more likely that not that he’s cut.

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

LaRon Landry was the 6^th overall pick of the 2007 NFL Draft, but when he refused to get surgery on his Achilles, recommended by Redskins doctors, the Redskins were content to let him go. Because of fears about his Achilles, Landry drew little to no interest on the open market, except from the incredibly safety needy New York Jets. However, the Jets may wish they hadn’t signed him at this point.

Landry is frequently absent from voluntary conditioning sessions and now is absent from the start of OTAs and, according to ESPN New York, it’s unclear if the absense was excused. At the very least, Landry is certainly not healthy and I would be shocked if he made it through the entire 2012 season. He’s no sure thing for Training Camp either, which explains why the Jets recently signed Yeremiah Bell. Still incredibly safety needy, the Jets may have to start Eric Smith and Yeremiah Bell at safety in 2012.

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

Early this offseason, Cardinals running back Beanie Wells had surgery on his knee, a procedure he called minor. However, that no longer appears to be the case. Wells has admitted he still doesn’t know when he’ll be able to practice and now is saying that the surgery was “more complicated” than repairing his damaged meniscus.

Wells has a history of injury problems, particularly his knee, so this is not good news for Cardinals fans. Wells rushed for a career high 1047 yards and 10 touchdowns on 245 carries last year, but with the latest knee problem and the return of Ryan Williams from injury, he will see a decrease in production across the board this season.

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

Brian Urlacher is as synonymous with the Bears as guys like Mike Ditka, Walter Payton, Mike Singletary, etc, but he’s 34 later this month and coming off a major knee injury (MCL/PCL tear). A free agent after the season, Bears fans are starting to worry about Urlacher’s future. Urlacher did a lot to help quell those worries today by saying he was “100%” on track for Training Camp. He admitted he won’t do much work with the team before then, but it sounds like he’ll be fine for his age 34 season. In the final year of a 5 year, 41 million dollar deal, the Bears will reassess his situation with the team after the season.

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]