Misc Rumor - Football Wiretap
Andre Smith Says He Would Like To Avoid Holdout
Bengals rookie Andre Smith says that he hopes to avoid a holdout so that he can attend training camp.
Smith was the sixth overall pick in April's NFL Draft.
Negotiations could be difficult because Smith was drafted just one spot after Mark Sanchez, who signed a huge five-year contract with the Jets that could be worth as much as $60 million.
Ronnie Brown Thinks He's 'More Explosive'
Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown worked hard this offseason and feels as though he's now "more explosive."
Concerns about Brown's weight and knees are things of the past.
"As far as shape goes, he's outstanding right now," said Dolphins coach Tony Sparano. "That sounds like a company line, but I mean it. In the weight room the guy is super right now. He weighs 230 pounds, he's running better, he is stronger, so all of those things from a progress standpoint I see as positives."
Brown believes that he deserves to be mentioned among the best running backs in football, and appears ready to prove that this season.
"I think I'm more explosive," he added.
Collins: Titans' Passing Game Must Improve
Titans quarterback Kerry Collins is looking for the team's passing attack to improve this coming season.
"I thought we made good strides this off-season. Offensively, we built on things that we did well last year. We implemented some things that are going to help us and from a personnel standpoint we've gotten better. I'm excited about it," Collins told the Nashville City Paper.
"I just think overall as far as the passing game, I'd like to be more productive, score more, and I'd like to throw more than 12 touchdowns. If we can just step it up a little bit and be more prolific from a passing standpoint. I think that should be a goal of ours."
Tennessee ranked 26th in passing offense last season and leaned heavily on their rushing attack, which ranked 7th in the NFL.
Sources: Plax, Vick To Miss Most Of 2009
Three sources with knowledge of the situation have told Yahoo! Sports that NFL commissioner Rodger Goodell plans to give Plaxico Burress and Michael Vick lengthy suspensions.
Since becoming commissioner, Goodell has taken a hard line on off-field conduct.
"[Vick] is not just walking out one day and playing again," a source close to Vick said. "I don't know if he understands that yet, but that's what it looks like right now if you really pay attention. ... Yeah, he served his time, but he has to prove himself. When the commissioner talks about wanting to see remorse, he's not kidding."
Holmes Bulks Up To 201 Pounds
Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes has added roughly ten pounds to his once-slim frame.
"I tipped the scales (Monday) at 201 (pounds)," Holmes said.
Holmes played in the 190s last season and weighed considerably less when he first entered the league.
"I look at it as if I have to be a complete receiver," said Holmes.
"I've got to be physical, I've got to still continue with my speed, I've got to have the great conditioning to last 16 games, play throughout the playoffs and be able to put in about 60-70 plays every week. I come here with great intentions of putting on weight."
Vikings' Harvin Leaves Symposium With Illness
Vikings rookie wide receiver Percy Harvin was sent home from the NFL Rookie Symposium after becoming ill.
Harvin reported for the symposium Sunday afternoon but after notifying the medical staff that he was not feeling well, it was recommended that he return home.
This is the second time Harvin has become ill after traveling this offseason.
Heyward-Bey Expects To Be Healthy By Camp
Raiders rookie wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey says that the hamstring he injured during offseason workouts is at about "80" percent.
However, Heyward-Bey expects to be at 100 percent by the start of training camp.
Packers' Raji Says Holdout Won't Be Issue
B.J. Raji, a first round pick of the Packers, says that a holdout won't keep him away from training camp.
"There will be no problem, as far as holding out on my end," Raji said. "I'm a rookie but from what I've been told, holdouts are not necessarily a good thing. Especially a rookie coming in, you can't afford to miss a week or two of training camp, especially when you're trying to find a way to get on the field. Yeah, that's my agency, but I'm in control, not the other way around."
Galloway Emerging As No. 3 Receiver
Veteran wide receiver Joey Galloway is emerging as New England's leading candidate to be the third option.
Galloway, 37, has shown good speed and has the overall skill package that the Patriots covet.
He is competing with Greg Lewis to be New England's No. 3 receiver.
Source: Patriots Aren't Interested In Vick
Sources have told the National Football Post that the Patriots are not interested in Michael Vick.
Many felt as though New England would have been a good fit for Vick, but the quarterback reportedly isn't interested in the scheme or the probability of becoming a starter.
Cutler Still Making Push For Marshall
Bears quarterback Jay Cutler has gone out of his way to praise former teammate Brandon Marshall.
Green Thinks Six Will Throw For 4,000 Yards
Recently retired quarterback Trent Green believes that six players are "locks" to throw for 4,000 yards in the NFL this coming season.
Mitchell: I Was Fired For Criticizing Redskins
Brian Mitchell claims that his recent firing from a radio station wasn't because of the tough economic times.
Welker Is 'Very Happy' For Cassel
Patriots receiver Wes Welker is "very happy" that former teammate Matt Cassel has landed in Kansas City with the Chiefs.
Goodell Preparing To Evaluate Vick's Future
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is preparing to evaluate the future of suspended quarterback Michael Vick.
Brown Excited To Share Carries With Addai
Colts rookie running back Donald Brown is excited about the possibility of sharing carries with Joseph Addai.
Bills Owner In No Hurry To Add Games In Toronto
Bills owner Ralph Wilson is in no hurry to have his team play more than one regular season game in Toronto.
Merriman Is Motivated By Internet Snub
Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman is motivated by an Internet list that ranked him as the 12th best in the NFL at his position.
Owens Has Helped Buffalo's Ticket Sales
The signing of Terrell Owens is already looking like a good business decision for the Bills.
Former Chief In Accident That Kills One
Former Chiefs lineman Richard Baldinger was involved in a traffic accident that left a woman dead on Saturday.
Dominik: Goal To Let Freeman Learn
Buccaneers general manager Mark Dominik says that the team's goal is to let rookie quarterback Josh Freeman sit and learn.
Peterson's Dad Wants Defenders Out Of Box
The father of Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is in favor of the team getting a better quarterback if it will lessen the pressure on his son.
Steelers Putting Huge SB Trophy At Heinz Field
The Steelers are planning to put a 26-foot-tall Lombardi Trophy inside Heinz Field.
Silverdome May Be Headed For Auction Block
The Silverdome, the former home of the Lions, may be headed for auction.
Tomlinson Doesn't Feel Old At Age 30
Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson, who turned 30 earlier this week, doesn't feel that old.
Jurevicius Sues Browns Over Staph
Joe Jurevicius has sued the Browns and the Cleveland Clinic, claiming negligence over a staph infection in his right knee.
Peterson Open To Favre Signing
Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is open to the possibility of the team signing Brett Favre.
Lions Owner: I've Never Told A Coach Who To Play
Lions owner William Clay Ford Sr. says that he has never told a coach who to play.
Owens: Phillips Is A Great Coach
Bill Parcells and Terrell Owens never hit it off in Dallas, but Cowboys coach Wade Phillips got along fine with the receiver.
Will Betts Take Carries Away From Portis?
Redskins offensive coordinator Sherman Smith says that Ladell Betts has stood out, and hinted that he could take carries from Clinton Portis.