NFL Player news

[General_Failure]

Really?

[EJ72]

Anyone want a steady but unspectacular DE? This started last year and seems to be coming to a head this off season.

Cowboys defensive end Greg Ellis says he would welcome a trade

By MAC ENGEL
Star-Telegram Staff Writer

At first Greg Ellis wanted his contract restructured; now he says he would like to be traded.

"I think if they could get what they are looking for, it is a possibility," the Cowboys defensive end said. "I've heard rumors."

At this stage, that is all they are: Rumors. Ellis said he has heard no such talk from Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones or coach Bill Parcells.

But Ellis's agent, James D. Williams, said his conversations with the Cowboys lead him to believe his client will be with the team when training camp begins July 27. And he doesn't see a change in the contract coming, either.

"It doesn't look like (a trade) is going to be feasible," said Williams, who said Ellis has not attended the Cowboys' voluntary workouts Monday or Tuesday. "It's a dead end. We're just looking forward to training camp."

Jones was not available for comment.

Ellis said he will not hold out from training camp, and that he plans to fulfill his contract. But he also thinks that, barring unseen big production this season, this year will be his last with the Cowboys. He said he was surprised when the team picked up his $500,000 roster bonus earlier this spring.

Ellis said he understands the Cowboys' position, and bears no grudges against the team or Parcells. He said he is closer to the coach than ever before, but it doesn't change the situation. Ellis said he fears what happened to him last season will happen again. That the Cowboys say his role will be crucial, and then it decreases.

When Ellis and Parcells spoke over the weekend, Parcells likened the situation to basketball. Everybody has a role.

"In that sport, you don't have to worry about being released," Ellis said. "Role players (in the NBA) have the confidence that they are under contract. Football isn't guaranteed. ... From their standpoint, they aren't saying 'Greg, you aren't a good player.' I just want to be in a system that fits me."

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/sports/football/14755204.htm

[PhillyPhanInDC]

We're stocked with DE's.


Can he kill Hawaiian utility players on the cheap?

[EJ72]

We're stocked with DE's.


Can he kill Hawaiian utility players on the cheap?

Just don't ask him to do it in a manner that's unfamiliar to him. Also, you need to guarantee all the money even if he's not sure if he can do it. If he does manage to get it done, don't forget to pat him on the head and tell him what a good job he did afterwards.

[ice grillin you]

Diamonds in the rough

By John Murphy, Yahoo! Sports
June 6, 2006

This year's NFL supplemental draft will be held on July 13, with each team capable of using one of their 2007 draft choices to obtain the rights of any players deemed eligible for selection.

A year ago, the Miami Dolphins used a sixth-round draft choice to pick former USC defensive tackle Manuel Wright, but past supplemental drafts dating back as far as the late 1980s have seen the likes of Brian Bosworth (Seattle), Steve Walsh (Dallas), Timm Rosenbach (Phoenix), Rob Moore (N.Y. Jets), Dave Brown (N.Y. Giants), Tony Hollings (Houston) and Jamal Williams (San Diego) selected.

This additional process is held to accommodate players that were not eligible for the April draft but, for various reasons (academic, injury, off-field or NCAA rulings), have now requested "special" entry to the supplemental draft.

Teams are divided into three groups, those that had six or fewer wins followed by the rest of the non-postseason teams and the 12 playoff clubs. The weighted system allows teams with the worst records to have better odds of selecting the eligible prospects.

As of June 1, the official paperwork had not been processed for any of the potential prospects for this year's supplemental draft, according to Kevin Fernandez, who helps review the requests at the NFL office. In order for any NFL team to have contact or observe a "pro day" type workout by a potential prospect, all of the player's paperwork must be filed with the league. Before any such evaluation can take place, eligibility must be confirmed and all 32 teams must be alerted.

This year's supplemental draft may have a handful of interesting prospects available for selection. Here's a look at the top candidates:

Ahmad Brooks, linebacker, Virginia – Brooks is clearly the most high-profile player in the group, as he was a freshman All-American before falling on hard times due to some off-field issues and injuries. He missed six games with a right knee injury last season, so he decided to return to the Cavaliers for his senior campaign only to be suspended and then dismissed from the program for violating unspecified team rules. After deciding to sign with agent Gregory Williams, Brooks made his way to train at Chip Smith's CES facility in Atlanta.

The former All-ACC linebacker has been with the well-known personal trainer for roughly two months, entering the program at nearly 285 pounds but weighing in at a much-improved 268 pounds earlier this week with a final goal of 260 to 265 pounds for his upcoming workout.

"It was all about accountability with him," Smith said of Brooks, who has admitted to making errors in judgment. " told him the first day that he needed to be on time and ready to work. ... If not, he could pack his stuff and go home."

Smith will be in attendance for Brooks' June 22 pro day workout, which will also feature Cavaliers head coach Al Groh as well as other members of Virginia's defensive coaching staff. Brooks is aiming to run in the 4.5-second range, bench-press 225 pounds 22 to 25 times and jump in the mid-30s (inches) for his vertical leap as well as show greater dedication to his conditioning by weighing in at 265 pounds.

"[He] has obvious talents. ... quick first step, excellent size, ability to play in the middle or strong-side. ... [I would] even like using him as a rush end in some situations," said one longtime NFL evaluator who has scouted the Mid-Atlantic region for over 20 years.

"You can make some comparisons to guys like Pepper Johnson or Levon Kirkland in terms of size and potential," added the talent evaluator, "but this kid could be a step faster in terms of straight-line speed. ... He has all the tools to become a solid NFL starter, but he's had some issues that need to be addressed."

Most believe that, even though Brooks has "first day" ability, he will likely slide to the fourth or fifth round if all goes well at his private workout and interviews.

Jason Berryman, defensive end/outside linebacker, Iowa State – After Brooks, Berryman is most likely to be drafted. He has shown pass rush potential off the edge in the Big 12, recording 12 tackles and five sacks and being named MVP of the 2005 EV1.net Houston Bowl, but he also dealt with several off-field issues, including being dismissed from the team after being cited at a local night club for being on the premises underage. Berryman had previously been suspended from Iowa State's team for the 2004 season after being convicted of theft and assault charges. He served 258 days in jail, but had seemingly turned the corner before his late January run-in at the club.

A Houston native, Berryman has been training on-campus in Ames, Iowa, and announced this week that his pro day workout will be held on June 13. He is being closely evaluated by teams that employ the 3-4 scheme, as his 6-foot-3, 250-pound frame and explosive up-field rush skills could make him an ideal fit as an edge rusher. He has also hired former IMG rep Ken Kremer, who now works for CAA Sports, as his player representative.

David Dixon, linebacker, Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College – Dixon, who was one of the top-rated defenders in the junior college ranks, failed to qualify academically at Kansas State, but he is noted for his speed and athleticism, running in the 4.4 range, leaping between 42 to 44 inches in the vertical jump and bench-pressing over 450 pounds. He had 161 tackles, including a total of 43 tackles behind the line of scrimmage, 8½ sacks and five blocked kicks, which gave him a total of 10 in just two years.

"He's the best athlete I have ever seen at this level", said longtime NFL scout Tom Marino of Dixon. "He's just not big into school work, but he has all the instincts, physical tools and natural talent to become a starting linebacker in the NFL one day."

Dixon just turned 21 years old this past February, so combined with his eye-opening workout numbers, impressive natural size (6-2, 245 pounds) and on-field talents, he should warrant a lot of consideration if he gains eligibility to July's draft.

Others that could receive access to next month's supplemental draft:

Joel Statham, quarterback, Maryland – He started most of the 2004 season before trying to transfer to Jacksonville State, a Division I-AA program.

David Boler, wide receiver, Delaware – The former Pac-10 transfer with over 2,000 career receiving yards recently lost his bid for a sixth year of NCAA eligibility.

Lee Gray, offensive tackle, Iowa – He also was denied a sixth year of NCAA eligibility.

[ice grillin you]

mcnair a raven for a 4th round pick

[rjs246]

mcnair a raven for a 4th round pick

That's interesting.

[BigEd76]

Since I don't want to start an "NFL Stadium news" thread:

The Titans stadium/coliseum/whatever is now known as "LP Field".   [/who cares]

[PhillyPhreak54]

FARMER HEADS TO K.C.

A league source tells us that the Kansas City Chiefs have hired Ray Farmer as the team's new director of pro personnel.  Farmer previously worked for the Falcons as the assistant director of pro scouting.

The vacancy in Kansas City arose when Bill Kuharich was promoted to the position of V.P. of player personnel.

By rule, the Falcons could have blocked Farmer's departure, unless Farmer's contract had expired

Ex-Eagle Ray Farmer.

[reese125]

Rumor is Bears are asking for a #1 for Thomas Jones. Not a chance in hell they get this, but I would give them a #3 and Ryan Moats in a flash

It might be an all-out scare tactic/message to Jones for not reporting to the voluntary camp, but it seems a bit steep to ask for a trade on a solid player for missing "voluntary" camp, knowing they need both Benson and Jones in case of injury. Strange

[Geowhizzer]

Marshall Faulk Does Not Attend Last Mini-Camp, Is Considering Retirement

[Diomedes]

It took you until ten o'clock tonight to pick up on that story??

[Geowhizzer]

It took you until ten o'clock tonight to pick up on that story??

Was it posted somewhere else that I missed?  I was gone most of the day, caught the story, didn't see it posted and dropped the link.

Sorry if it annoyed you.

[Diomedes]

Sorry if it annoyed you.

Shut up and make me a sandwich.

I don't know if it was posted elsewhere at .. I just remember reading about it awhile ago.

[Geowhizzer]

Sorry if it annoyed you.

Shut up and make me a sandwich.

I don't know if it was posted elsewhere at .. I just remember reading about it awhile ago.

Make your own darn sandwich, honey.