Ben Maller's NFL rumors
by FOXSports.com
Williams, Dallas Cowboys defensive coaches clear the air
Defensive coordinator Brian Stewart and safeties coach Brett Maxie summoned Pro Bowl strong safety Roy Williams to Valley Ranch for a meeting Friday to talk about his commitment to the Cowboys. Williams said he was happy with the 90-minute meeting and has confidence he will find a comfort zone in the Cowboys' defense. Two weeks ago, Williams said he has been trying to find a comfort level in the 3-4 defense. He repeated the stance Saturday, but said the meeting with the coaches told him his involvement in the defense will increase. "The communication was not there last year," Williams said. "We recognized the problem, and we talked about it. And we're going to move forward now. We have a better understanding." -- Dallas Morning News
Rams Holt: Carolina is my first free agent choice
It was clear that Torry Holt is taking a realistic view about his future with the Rams. "I have this year and next year, and hopefully I can finish those years out," Holt said at the conclusion of the day's minicamp practice. "Then, I'll see where I'm at. I'll see where I'm at physically. I'll see where I'm at emotionally, financially. "And then, if they would like to do something here, I'll consider it. If not, then I'll have the option to go and explore and give my services somewhere else. So if that happens, Carolina will definitely be the first choice - no question about it. But I have '08 and '09 left to play, and that's what I plan on doing." -- St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Steelers could pick DT Booger
Veteran free agent defensive lineman Anthony "Booger" McFarland is probably looking pretty good to the Steelers right now. Signing McFarland would allow the Steelers to save face. The Steelers needed to improve their defensive line depth. They didn't, unless you count signing three undrafted free agents as tackling the problem head-on. Compare that with Jacksonville trading a total of five draft picks to select defensive ends Derrick Harvey and Quentin Groves in the first two rounds. Getting back to McFarland, who missed all of last season with a torn patellar tendon, the Steelers should be first in line for his private workout June 4 in Tampa, Fla. "He's still a free agent. He's still unsigned," agent Karl Bernard said of McFarland, who helped the Indianapolis Colts win a Super Bowl in 2006. "He's chomping at the bit to get with a team." -- Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Falcons GM: Matt Ryan quite impressive
Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff said he didn't take Matt Ryan because of "symbolism. We needed a quarterback, and he was the best fit for the team." But then Dimitroff, who grasps both the details and the big picture, concedes the ancillary point: "Now that [the need for a clean break with Michael Vick] was a sidebar." Just as there are Falcons fans who aren't ready to look beyond Vick, there are those who believe this team would have done better by drafting someone else. Those folks will soon feel differently. They will see what Dimitroff saw in Ryan, and what the general manager has seen again in the first two days of minicamp. "He's quite impressive," said Dimitroff, watching the first of Sunday's two sessions. "In his first practice yesterday there was an element of focus and — I don't want to say comfort exactly — presence. You look at him now, and you see his savvy and his ability. Yesterday he was tapping himself on the helmet if he made a mistake, saying it was his fault." -- Atlanta Journal-Constitution
'Disappointed' Bears GM Angelo isn't hedging on Benson
Bears general manager Jerry Angelo expressed disappointment that running back Cedric Benson put himself in a situation last weekend that resulted in his arrest near Austin Texas, but Angelo said the team isn't rushing to judgment in the case and that he expects Benson to be at training camp competing for the starting job in July. -- Arlington Heights Daily Herald
Texans Salaam not happy with Kubiak
After two days of turning down media requests, Texans left tackle Ephraim Salaam talked after practice Sunday. He admitted he had been upset with coach Gary Kubiak's decision to have Duane Brown practice with the first team. Salaam said he will not let his feelings affect how he treats Brown, however. And Brown said Salaam had been helpful all weekend. "I'm not the guy to sabotage the team," said Salaam, who started the last 30 games at left tackle. "That's not me. I'll never be that guy, because this is my job. Things don't work in your favor all of the time, especially in this business. I'm a professional. My dad taught me a long time ago to have character, be professional and just do your job, and that's what I do." -- Houston Chronicle
Rams Long shows he belongs
For a weekend, at least, it didn't even seem like work for Chris Long, the defensive end from the University of Virginia chosen No. 2 overall in the draft by St. Louis. "That was my biggest anxiety," he said. "I was worried it was going to feel like a job and not a game. But these guys are out here having fun, working hard just like a college team would -- it's just that guys are better." But Long quickly showed he belonged. On Friday, the first day of the three-day, full-squad minicamp at Rams Park, Long blew by offensive tackle Alex Barron on a pass rush. One Rams coach looked that way just in time to see Long get into the backfield. -- St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Cowboys owner not upset with Dolphins raid
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he never objected to the Dolphins raiding his organization for coaches and front-office types ''because if you help people take advantage of an opportunity, that helps you get somebody else that's good, too. I was proud of everybody'' Miami hired. Jones, incidentally, planned to deal only tight end Anthony Fasano to Miami for a fourth-rounder, but linebacker Akin Ayodele was added in the last 10 minutes because the Cowboys -- who signed Zach Thomas -- wanted to dump Ayodele's salary and thought he didn't make enough plays. -- Miami Herald
Glenn 50-50 to play for Cowboys in '08
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told reporters last week that it's 50-50 receiver Terry Glenn will play next season because of his knee injury. -- Boston Globe
Giants hoping to develop and deal QB Woodson
In a perfectly acceptable scenario for the Giants, Andre' Woodson develops surely and steadily, hones his quarterback skills without ever needing to play and some other team out there is so intrigued that they pry him away with an attractive draft pick. For the past few years, the Giants sought a quarterback prospect to mold, always careful not to import anyone young or old to pose any semblance of a threat to Manning. Last season's backup duo of Anthony Wright and Jared Lorenzen never had to take a meaningful snap, meaning the Giants got away with what they believed was a sub-par talent base at that vital spot. General manager Jerry Reese and coach Tom Coughlin did not wish to roll the dice once again and a determined effort this off-season will likely lead to a quarterback roster upheaval. David Carr, a former No. 1 pick of the Texans and a supposed future star, was signed to a one-year deal in an attempt to resurrect his career, as the Giants seek to dust off the layers of terrible play to uncover the potential within. Lorenzen and Wright remain on the roster for now but one of them will be gone before training camp, as in the sixth round of last month's NFL Draft, Woodson was selected to become the developmental quarterback the franchise wanted to add to the mix. -- NY Post
Texans Slaton working on holding onto ball
Running back Steve Slaton, who was criticized for fumbling too much in college at West Virginia, was constantly harassed during minicamp by teammates trying to knock the ball loose from his hands. Slaton carries the ball high near his shoulders, which is somewhat unusual in the NFL. But Texans coach Gary Kubiak said he doesn't plan to change that. "He carries the ball correctly," Kubiak said. "He's got the pressure points and stuff. You know, he's small in stature, and a lot of the contact with him is around the ball, whereas some guys it's around the legs. So it's been a rude awakening for him these last few days. "We're constantly trying to strip the ball. But I have confidence in him that he'll try to protect the ball. I thought he did some very good things this weekend. -- Houston Chronicle
Al Davis' son a regular at Raiders mini-camp
Two notable figures at the Raiders' rookie mini-camp were wide-receivers coach James Lofton (one of the most active and vocal coaches on the field) and Mark Davis, Al's son (a regular presence at practice for the first time). -- San Jose Mercury News
Finneran eyeing comeback with Falcons
Falcons WR Brian Finneran, who is trying to come back after missing the past two seasons with torn ligaments in his right knee, did not take part in the morning practice Sunday after missing the Saturday evening practice. Finneran did go through the evening workout. -- Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Bengals Henry release premature?
What if Chris Henry, who pled not guilty, is indeed innocent in this alleged incident? Was the Bengals' release of the receiver premature? According to Henry, he wasn't given the opportunity to explain what took place the night in question before being released and was surprised to learn that he was no longer on the team. "I still see myself having a successful career and playing this season, just somewhere else. Hopefully, that will happen in the next couple of months before the season gets started. Once I get back on another team, I'm going to prove that I deserve to be out there. The situation that happened looks bad, but it's not all what it seems," Henry said. -- Dayton Daily News
Turner: It's on the Falcons running backs
Falcons starting tailback Michael Turner has drawn solid reviews for his low-centered running style and bursts of speed when he gets to the second level of the defense. He said not to worry about the team's quarterback play. Just give the ball to him, Jerious Norwood and the other running backs and the pressure will be off. "The running back room knows it's on them this year," said Turner, who signed a six-year, $34.5 million contract. "We're going to take care of the quarterback, whoever the starting quarterback may be." -- Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Air Force standout a Falcons long shot worth a shot
Chad Hall is attempting to land a job with the Falcons this weekend as a punt returner — a position of need for the rebuilding franchise. The Air Force Academy standout running back/wide receiver is also trying to capitalize on the military's rules allowing academy graduates to defer or reduce their military commitments in order to play in the NFL. "Being with the hometown team is big, but just getting an opportunity to make a team is big," said Hall of Norcross. "I'm glad I'm getting the opportunity. I'm competing very well. I just have to see what happens." -- Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Rams Long like Seattle's Kerney
Rams No.1 pick Chris Long is often compared (fairly or not) to Seattle's Patrick Kerney. Kerney had five sacks over his first two seasons, then erupted for 12 in his third year. The expectations for Long are high. He was the second overall pick, and the Rams were overjoyed to get him. But how soon will he crank up the pass rush? That's a big question. -- St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Redskins incentive is plain and simple
When former Redskins receiver Art Monk was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in February, he told the story of how he arrived in Washington as a first-round draft choice in 1980 and was given a logo-less burgundy helmet. The message was that he'd have to earn his Redskins feathers. Current Redskins owner Daniel Snyder liked Monk's story, so he passed on the idea to first-year head coach Jim Zorn, who has adopted the approach. "Those young guys look at the logo and then they have a sense of something that they want to earn," Zorn said. -- Boston Globe
Patriots fitted for losers rings
Word from Foxboro is that the New England Patriots were fitted for their rings last week. No, that would not be Super Bowl XLII rings. Eli Manning & Co. are sporting those. The Pats will be getting the smaller, less bling-encrusted AFC Championship rings in honor of their nearly undefeated season. "Winning the AFC championship is still an honor that is recognized by a championship ring," said team spokesguy Stacey James. ... James said it's unclear whether the team will throw a ring ceremony, as in past years when Tom Brady & Co. won the Super Bowl. "I don't know what the plan is," he said. -- Boston Herald
Strahan demands Giants have 10-table ring
In NYC, the New York Giants have commissioned Tiffany & Co. to design their blingtastic jewelry. According to W magazine, defensive end Michael Strahan has demanded "a 10-table ring," which, he explained, is "when I walk into a restaurant, I want you to be able to see it from 10 tables away." Eli Manning's wife, Abby, who works in fashion design, already has announced that her hubby "won't be wearing it." To which Eli sheepishly replied: "I might wear it for a few months." -- Boston Herald
Seahawks Tubbs in Vegas
Seattle Seahawks defensive lineman Marcus Tubbs, at LAX (Luxor) on Thursday night. -- Las Vegas Review-Journal
Who Knew?
Dallas last won a playoff game after the 1996 season. The only teams (excluding the expansion Houston Texans) who have a longer playoff victory drought are Buffalo (1995), Cleveland (1994), Kansas City (1993), Detroit (1991) and Cincinnati (1990). -- Rochester Democrat & Chronicle.
Falcons work to re-tool offensive line
When the Falcons top unit broke the huddle during a Sunday minicamp practice, the offensive line looked shockingly familiar. Quinn Ojinnaka was at left tackle, Justin Blalock at left guard, Todd McClure at center, Kynan Forney at right guard and Tyson Clabo at right tackle. That group started the last two games last season. However, the Falcon' offensive line was a jumbled mess last season — mostly due to injury. The Falcons used eight different starting lineups and only used their preferred starting lineup five times. The unit gave up 47 sacks (tied for 26th in the NFL) and averaged 95 yards rushing per game (26th). Instead of blowing up the offensive line, the Falcons have chosen to re-tool. Their only off-season moves were to add first-round draft pick Sam Baker and sign undrafted rookie free agent Michael Butterworth. Offensive line coach Paul Boudreau, a 21-year NFL coaching veteran, is charged with restoring the unit. He said not to put too much stock into these minicamp lineups. -- Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Steelers Tomlin scores as a commencement speaker
This keeps up, Saint Vincent College will be known for more than being the home of Steelers training camp. Really, has any school had a better run of commencement speakers? "For the second consecutive year, we have a Head of State," president Jim Towey proudly said yesterday to his 276 graduates and a crowd of 2,500 at the Robert S. Carey Student Center. A year ago, it was the leader of the free world, George Bush. This time, it was the leader of Steeler Nation, Mike Tomlin. "Now that," Tomlin said, "is almost comical." -- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Harbaugh: Ravens Smith can play QB in NFL
Ravens coach John Harbaugh was complimentary of Troy Smith, who's competing with Kyle Boller and Flacco for the starting job. "You can see he can play quarterback in the NFL, without question," he said. "He's got the arm strength. He can move around and operate the offense. Now under pressure, proving himself in games, that's going to be up to him, but he's got the ability to be a starting quarterback in this league." -- Carroll County Times
Ben Maller can be heard weeknights on "The Third Shift on Fox" via the vast Fox Sports Radio Network. The show is broadcast live Monday-Friday from 2am till 6am (est). Check your local radio listenings for the FSR affiliate in your town, listen to XM Satellite Radio Channel No. 142 or via live streaming audio online at FoxSports.com/Radio. Say hi to Ben at myspace.com/benmaller. Interact with Ben's fans and talk sports on Ben Maller's forum Questions, comments and news tips can be sent to Ben via e mail at BigBen@Foxsports.com or Ben@BenMaller.com.
advertisement
