Random tidbits 6-9

Post #1 » by **Icness** » Fri Jun 8, 2007 7:49 pm

A few things from around the league...

--Daunte Culpepper was removed from MIA training facility today in the manner the Titans dealt with McNair last year. I know the Jags were actively pursuing him and the Ravens and Rams both had enough interest to be legit destinations. Asking price earlier this week was a 4th rounder, but no way the Dolphins get that straight up; it will be conditional at best. I heard his knee is still no more than 75% of pre-injury and probably won't ever be better than that. Regardless, he won't be a Dolphin any minute now.

--Also from MIA, Lorenzo Booker has a real shot at winning the starting RB job over Ronnie Brown. Brown showed up 15 pounds heavy and with a poor attitude, and his nonchalance has clearly rubbed Cam Cameron the wrong way. Booker has shown excellent burst and a willingness to lower the shoulder, something Brown hasn't done yet. The guy I talked to said the new offensive staff is calling him "Out of Bounds Brown" because that's where he runs on every carry.

--Jimmy Kennedy is headed to Denver, and this says more about how much the Rams like their rookies Adam Carriker and Clifton Ryan than it does anything for Denver. Ryan has been consistently awesome and Carriker has the ability to dominate at the 3-gap where they're playing him. Kennedy becomes the latest in a surprisingly long list of confirmed Penn State flops. Just off the top of my head I can think of 10 in the last 15 or so years. He's now trying to win the job as Sam Adams' backup and he might not get it.

--Kelly Herndon got a nice offer from DET, but he wants a guarantee he'll have a starting job to lose before he signs anywhere. He's not going to get that IMO, though WAS seems like a great fit and he's headed there Monday.

--On the WAS CB front, Shawn Springs is 50/50 going to be on that team opening week. His roster bonus and cap accelrators are huge, and they are quite concerned about his nagging groin injury. He's training like he's scared of it. He's likely to be the biggest name of the bevy of summer cap-hit/usurped vet cuts.

--some 2nd year guys who have made giant strides this offseason: Daniel Bullocks/S/DET, Marvin Phillip/C/PIT, Travis Wilson/WR/CLE, Eric Winston/RT/HOU, Brandon Marshall/WR/DEN, Nate Salley/S/CAR, Jason Allen/CB/MIA. All of those guys were seen as disappointments last year but now appear to have figured out the NFL game and should be much better players. Salley and Allen in particular, both of whom will start. Bullocks will start too but the raves are higher on the other two.

--Tyler Thigpen has impressed the MIN coaching staff big-time. My Vikings guy told me Thigpen knows the playbook better than Jackson already and has the best arm they've seen since Randall Cunningham, both very strong and very accurate on deep throws. He and the two WR rookies (Allison and Rice) have tangible chemistry. Jackson had better live up to Coach Childress' expectations quickly or else this kid is going to get on the field.

treyZz · Post #2 » by **treyZz** » Fri Jun 8, 2007 8:40 pm

I will be absolutely shocked if Lorenzo Booker is the starter in Miami. Absolutely shocked.

That said I still always thought Benson was the most talented back out of that draft class. And I think he will prove that this season. Ronnie Brown is over rateddddd.

Fatty · Post #3 » by **Fatty** » Fri Jun 8, 2007 8:57 pm

Thanks-as usual for the info.

Good to see Jason Allen not turning into a bust, he looked pretty bad last year. Shame someone has interest in Kennedy who was a total liability.

Post #4 » by **PhilipNelsonFan** » Fri Jun 8, 2007 11:35 pm

That stuff on Tyler Thigpen is mighty impressive. Looks like the Vikings had a much better draft than anyone anticipated.

Again, good stuff. Is Odell Thurman out the door yet?

Post #5 » by **Next Coming** » Sat Jun 9, 2007 2:15 am

I'm pretty sure everyone considered the Vikings draft one of the best drafts this year if not the best.

Post #6 » by **PhilipNelsonFan** » Sat Jun 9, 2007 3:53 am

I agree; this could make their draft "THE best" if Thigpen proves capable.

Post #7 » by **Icness** » Sat Jun 9, 2007 1:44 pm

I freely admit to having zero knowledge of Thigpen before he was drafted--and I'm one of the few people who can actually say they've been to Coastal Carolina U.

FWIW on Thigpen vs. Jackson: they faced two common opponents in college, including one in the same year. Their comparative numbers:

Jackson 49-73, 616 yards, 4 TDs, 2 INTs, 78 yards rushing 2 TDs
Thigpen 61-81, 813 yards, 7 TDs, 2 INTs, 16 yards rushing
It should be noted that Thigpen's team won a game 57-35 so that probably inflates his stats a bit. I do not know what type of offense they ran. Jackson ran a modified spread IIRC, a la West Virginia.

Wizards2Lottery · Post #8 » by **Wizards2Lottery** » Sat Jun 9, 2007 2:35 pm

Hmm they mentioned Kelly Herendon as a possible signing in Washington. Not happening. We just signed Jeremetrius Butler from the Rams. Our current corner situation:

Shawn Springs
Carlos Rogers
Fred Smoot
David Macklin
Jeremetrius Butler
Ade Jimoh
Byron Westbrook

He won't be guaranteed a starter spot which is his to lose.

Post #9 » by **J.Kim** » Sat Jun 9, 2007 6:59 pm

I think Springs is VERY likely to be cut... He just taks up too big of an unjustified Cap Figure in Washington that he's the most likely candidate to be cut. (Mentioned this in the Salary Cap Boards)

Post #10 » by **Icness** » Sun Jun 10, 2007 1:35 am

Herndon just signed with the Titans. Low risk deal too, great potential move for them if he's got anything left. I still wonder what the heck they're going to do with Griffin, and Jason Allen is a great example of what happens when you make a DB play out of position and comfort as a rookie. At least Jeff Fisher has more coaching aptitude in his left nipple than Nick Saban could even dream of, so it might work.

Post #11 » by **J.Kim** » Sun Jun 10, 2007 2:38 am

Icness wrote:Herndon just signed with the Titans. Low risk deal too, great potential move for them if he's got anything left. I still wonder what the heck they're going to do with Griffin, and Jason Allen is a great example of what happens when you make a DB play out of position and comfort as a rookie. At least Jeff Fisher has more coaching aptitude in his left nipple than Nick Saban could even dream of, so it might work.

Oh thank God...

I was worried as hell going into the Season with just Nick Harper and a bunch of nothings...

Post #12 » by **NO-KG-AI** » Sun Jun 10, 2007 5:38 am

J.Kim wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

Oh thank God...

I was worried as hell going into the Season with just Nick Harper and a bunch of nothings...

Well technically, you still do... or you have Kelly Herndon and a bunch of nothings... or Nick Harper, Kelly Herndon, and a bunch of nothings.....

Maybe just a bunch of nothings, however you wanna classify it

I love insider info!!!

Post #13 » by **J.Kim** » Sun Jun 10, 2007 6:08 am

NO-KG-AI wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

Well technically, you still do... or you have Kelly Herndon and a bunch of nothings... or Nick Harper, Kelly Herndon, and a bunch of nothings.....

Maybe just a bunch of nothings, however you wanna classify it

I love insider info!!!

Yeah, but if Pacman comes back...this could very well be the 2nd best CB combination in the league.