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 06/17/2015 NFL Note - Miami Dolphins Albert, Branden
T Branden Albert (knee), who tore two ligaments, is still expected
to be ready for the Sept. 13 opener at Washington. But no one yet
knows whether he'll be ready for the start of training camp in late
July.
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NFL Note - Denver Broncos Ray, Shane
LB Shane Ray finally saw some team repetitions this week after being
eased into work because of the toe injury he sustained during the
Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1.
The first-round pick was hindered throughout the pre-draft process
because of the injury, and the Broncos opted to ease him into
full-scale work, which allowed him to avoid surgery.
Ray began working in individual periods of practice on June 1, but
did not see 7-on-7 or team work until this week. A quadriceps strain
sustained earlier in OTAs delayed him, but did not derail his
progress.
"He played really well; he had a couple of sacks (in Tuesday's
practice)," outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware said. "I'm really
looking forward to playing with him."
The Broncos hope Ray can provide a breather for outside linebackers
Ware and Von Miller, but head coach Gary Kubiak and defensive
coordinator Wade Phillips have both discussed using the three pass
rushers together in some alignments.
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NFL Note - Chicago Bears Long, Kyle
G Kyle Long remained at tackle again Wednesday at the Bears
minicamp, but this time moved over to the left side instead of the
right.
Head coach John Fox called it more a case of building depth and
versatility into the line at a time when the team can afford this.
"I think it's an injustice to just throw a guy, even as simple as it
sounds, left to right, whether you're doing it with a corner or an
outside backer or a guard or a tackle -- they need to practice it,"
Fox said. "This is a good time of the year to kind of get the
technique, the sets, and all of the different communication that has
to happen with the O-line."
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NFL Note - Chicago Bears Bass, David
LB David Bass has been making a lot of plays in minicamp after
moving from defensive end to linebacker and it has caught head coach
John Fox's attention.
"I think he's worked very hard," Fox said. "(Linebackers coach)
Clint Hurtt and (defensive coordinator) Vic (Fangio) have done a
good job working with those guys and teaching them. I think
sometimes new is better and he's taken to it pretty well."
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NFL Note - Chicago Bears McClellin, Shea
LB Shea McClellin has been the object of many a complaining Bears
fan's disappointment after failing to contribute much as a
first-round draft pick, but the team continues to think it can get
something out of him at his third position in four years, inside
linebacker.
The interesting aspect is a player who hasn't been able to find a
niche is now calling defensive signals with the first team, because
Jon Bostic hasn't been able to practice due to injury.
"I think he's a smart, young player," head coach Fox said about
McClellin. "I think he's been moved around. I think he's been in
some different systems. I think he's adapted pretty well. We'll get
to see where that goes when we get to training camp and when we
conclude this camp."
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NFL Note - Chicago Bears Jenkins, Jarvis
DE Jarvis Jenkins is the Bears' only defensive lineman with real 3-4
experience, but he is finding some differences in the version
coordinator Vic Fangio employs and what he was using while with the
Washington Redskins.
"Under Vic, it's a lot more up-field," Jenkins said. "It's a little
more freedom -- not much -- but his defense is a little more
technical because you've got a lot of guys tied into one play. It's
a little bit more technical and your job and your responsibility is
very major because if one person messes up, it screws up the whole
continuity of the defense."
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NFL Note - Chicago Bears Wilson, Marquess
WR Marquess Wilson talked with head coach John Fox on Wednesday
regarding his chances as a fourth receiver to get more playing time
or be active on Sundays.
"There will be spots on this football team that are for fourth-down
guys, core special teams players," Fox said. "It's not always going
to be the third or fourth tight end or the fourth-best safety. These
guys will have to contribute in the kicking game and be good
performers in these areas."
Wilson really hasn't had much impact or experience in this regard in
the past.
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NFL Note - Cleveland Browns Erving, Cameron
Rookie OL Cameron Erving is nursing an undisclosed injury. He is
expected to be fine by training camp. When he practices he will
rotate at tackle and guard and might get time at center. His likely
landing spot is starting right guard.
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NFL Note - San Diego Chargers Verrett, Jason
CB Jason Verrett is trying to rebound from a rookie season that was
derailed by a shoulder injury. He looks good in minicamp and that
assessment comes from quarterback Philip Rivers.
"He has the potential to be one of the top few corners in this
league," Rivers said. "Not to put any added pressure on him, but he
has been, for me, probably the most impressive guy on the field this
offseason."
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NFL Note - San Diego Chargers Gates, Antonio
TE Antonio Gates, as is his custom, trained away from the facility
this offseason. But he is participating in the minicamp and even
will get his 35th birthday off, with the team not practicing on
Thursday.
"As of right now I feel great physically," he said. "I'm in a great
place mentally. So, we'll see how it goes."
Gates had 12 touchdown receptions and 812 receiving yards last year.
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NFL Note - Washington Redskins Mahina, Devin
TE Devin Mahina is an undrafted rookie from Brigham Young. On a team
returning its top players at the position -- Jordan Reed, Logan
Paulsen and Niles Paul -- Mahina wouldn't normally get any media
attention except for the fact that he's wearing No. 89, the number
worn for the last decade by Santana Moss, one of the top receivers
in franchise history who wasn't re-signed this year.
"I didn't know whose number it was when they gave it to me, but I
found out pretty quickly," Mahina said. "He put in a lot of years
here, did a lot of good things. I saw the 30-on-30 documentary on
The U, so I knew about Santana Moss. He was a really good receiver.
It's a great honor to wear his number. Maybe I feel a little more
explosive wearing it."
The 6-foot-6, 250-pound Mahina, who would tower over the 5-foot-10,
185-pound Moss, has a block-first mentality. So does Paulsen, who
made the Redskins as an undrafted rookie from UCLA in 2010 and
started 36 games the last three seasons.
Paulsen has made a point of working with Mahina every day after
practice this spring. No wonder the latter called the former an
inspiration.
"I appreciate that," Paulsen said. "He's a really hard worker. I've
been really impressed with him. A lot of young guys start off
working really hard every day, but they fall off. Devin hasn't done
that. Santana was a great player who meant a lot to this team, but
everybody eventually gets replaced."
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NFL Note - Pittsburgh Steelers Bell, Le'Veon
RB Le'Veon Bell, who is appealing his three-game NFL suspension,
said his appeal has not yet been heard and he does not know when it
will be.
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NFL Note - Kansas City Chiefs Johnson, Derrick
LB Derrick Johnson is back on the field working with the Chiefs' No.
1 defense this week, after missing the better part of two weeks
because of knee inflammation.
Johnson said the time off has left him feeling refreshed after what
was nine months of rehab from his ruptured Achilles suffered in the
2014 regular-season opener.
"I'm feeling good; those days off really helped me," Johnson said
after the second of three practices in the Chiefs' minicamp. "If I
can stay healthy, I can help this team."
Johnson said he is not sure what caused the swelling in his knee,
but he was told there isn't anything structurally wrong with his
knee that might require some type of procedure.
"I think it was getting back to football," Johnson said of his knee.
"It was going from doing drills, to playing football. It wasn't a
big scare. It was just a little swelling; old age. But I'm good
now."
If he can stay healthy, Johnson will become the leading tackler in
Chiefs history sometime early in the 2015 season. The record is held
by linebacker Gary Spani, who finished his nine-year career in 1986
with 999 total tackles. Johnson has 981 tackles going into his 11th
season.
"That would mean a lot; it lets you know all the hard work paid
off," Johnson said. "I'm going to take advantage of the opportunity
when it comes."
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NFL Note - Kansas City Chiefs Houston, Justin
OLB Justin Houston walked out of the Kansas City Chiefs facility on
Dec. 29, the day after the 2014 season came to an end. His shadow
has not crossed the team's threshold since.
As expected going into the club's three-day mandatory minicamp this
week, Houston was a no-show. It's the second season in a row he
boycotted the Chiefs' offseason program -- OTAs and minicamp.
Last year, it cost him close to $70,000 in fines because he was
under contract. This year, there are no fines for Houston because he
remains unsigned.
Designated as the team's franchise player, he has not signed the
$13.195 million tender offer that's been sitting there since early
March. Since he's not under contract, he does not have to show up.
"A couple days ago, I asked him if he was coming (to minicamp),"
fellow outside linebacker Tamba Hali said. "He didn't reply. ...
He's doing well, working out, getting himself in shape, preparing to
be here."
Negotiations between the Chiefs and Houston have gone on for 18
months and it appears little progress has been made at bridging a
gap that last year appeared to be Grand Canyon-like.
Houston wants to be rewarded for his 22-sack season in 2014, when he
led the league and established a franchise record for sacks in a
season.
He is looking for J.J. Watt-type money. The Houston Texans defensive
end signed a six-year contract extension in September of 2014 for
$100 million, with more than half of that total guaranteed.
Houston and Watt came into the league through the 2011 draft, as the
Texans grabbed Watt with pick No. 11 and the Chiefs picked up
Houston at No. 70, in the third round.
Both are entering a fifth season and are 26 years old.
On the field, Houston in 59 games has 48.5 sacks, 234 total tackles
and three Pro Bowl berths.
Watt has played 64 games with 57 sacks, 295 total tackles and three
Pro Bowls.
In the interest of full disclosure, Watt also caught three passes,
all for touchdowns while playi
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NFL Note - Atlanta Falcons Jones, Julio
WR Julio Jones said he doesn't know the status of any purported
contract talks.
"I don't even know if they are talking about it," Jones said. "I
haven't talked to (agent) Jimmy (Sexton) about no contract. I
haven't talked to (general manager Thomas Dimitroff) about it.
"You just hear words about it or whatever. 'We want to get this
done,' or 'We want to get that done.' I don't know. I just come to
work."
Jones has been hard at work trying to pick up the new offense that
offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan is installing.
"Kyle makes everything look the same," Jones said. "We have several
routes off the same stem. We're gonna run the ball and be very
balanced."
Jones is not following the other receivers' situations. He was
unaware of Dez Bryant's Twitter rant about how $12.8 million
couldn't provide his family financial security.
"Dez is Dez," Jones said of the Dallas Cowboys' receiver. "He's
going to say and do what he wants to do. Everybody is entitled to
say what they want to say, and the media is going to create and do
what they want to with it.
"But as far as me and how I look at it, I'm coming out here to play
ball."
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NFL Note - Atlanta Falcons Moore, William
S William Moore, who had offseason surgery after an injury-marred
2014 campaign, is being eased back into the defense.
"It was great to see William back for the first time," head coach
Dan Quinn said. "Inside you feel the size and the presence of him. I
can't wait to have him down in the box and roaming inside."
Quinn has big plans for the strong safety position.
"The way we play our strong safety, often times like a linebacker
where he's in the core or out," Quinn said. "He can play a tight end
man-to-man. Our energy that we want to play with on defense, we want
to play on the line at corner until we can't. We want to affect and
move the quarterback.
"We want to be the best fundamental tackling team in the League. All
those things take a lot of practice, so for him it's an important
step for him to get back out on the field today."
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NFL Note - Atlanta Falcons Holmes, Lamar
T Lamar Holmes of the Falcons, who missed most of last season
because a foot injury, sustained a broken foot and will be out
indefinitely.
Holmes, a third-round pick (91st overall) in 2012 out of Southern
Mississippi, has had a history of foot problems dating to his rookie
season.
"Lamar Holmes banged up his foot (Tuesday)," head coach Dan Quinn
said. "He went down and saw the doctor. It looks like he has a
broken foot. One of the bones in his foot."
Holmes played in one game in 2012 and had a foot surgery. He came
back to start 15 of 16 games in 2013 before suffering another foot
injury in the fourth game of last season.
It is not known if this is the same troublesome foot or if he broke
a bone in the other foot.
"I don't know the prognosis on when he'll be back," Quinn said. "But
we'll move forward with that in the next couple of days. I don't
know any information regarding training camp or when he'll be back.
It was another setback from an injury standpoint."
Holmes, 25, dropped about 30 pounds and was moving well in the
Falcons' new zone-blocking scheme.
"Up until this point for him, he's had a terrific offseason," Quinn
said. "This is a setback for him. He was one of the guys who worked
really hard this offseason. Hopefully, he'll have a speedy recovery
and we wish the best to him."
Holmes, who had been working out at left tackle while Jake Matthews
recovered from foot surgery, was expected to compete for the
starting right tackle job with Ryan Schraeder and Tyler Polumbus.
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NFL Note - Seattle Seahawks Lynch, Marshawn
RB Marshawn Lynch is attending minicamp after sitting out all of
OTAs, which he does each year, deciding he can skip voluntary
sessions.
Lynch avoids being fined, as he has made clear during Super Bowl
media sessions, and will again attend the minicamp. However, he also
usually does not step on the field during minicamp and it's unlikely
he will this year, likely leaving any of the heavy work to younger
players such as third-year back Christine Michael.
Lynch's primary backup, Robert Turbin, remains sidelined while
rehabbing from offseason hip surgery.
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NFL Note - New England Patriots Cardona, Joe
LS Joe Cardona, New England's fifth-round pick out of the Navy, took
part in OTA and minicamp practices. He is the team's only long
snapper on the roster this spring and has looked solid in practice.
But Belichick said it is not yet a certainty that Cardona will be
available full time for NFL action because of his remaining military
commitment.
"We'll see," Belichick said. "He's been here for pretty much
everything that we've done. Ultimately, that's not really our
decision. But the Navy has been very cooperative in terms of his
responsibilities. But he's in the Navy; he's on duty. It's not like
he's getting out of anything. He's active. We've been able to work
the schedules out, so we'll see how it goes."
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NFL Note - New England Patriots Bequette, Jake
TE Jake Bequette has been a clear disappointment as a third-round
pick in 2012 out of Arkansas.
He saw nearly no action on defense in his three seasons, spending
all of 2014 on the practice squad. This year, Bequette is
transitioning to tight end. Though he looked raw at times on the
practice field, he showed some flashes of offensive ability.
"Jake works hard," Belichick said. "I think he's really into it. He
wanted to do it, wants to do it and he's worked really hard at it.
The techniques are different, but he played on the end of the line
on defense, so he has some familiarity with that kind of spacing
over there if you will and what it looks like on the other side of
the ball.
"(He's) athletic in the passing game, he's got good size and playing
strength. We'll see how it goes in training camp. He's made a lot of
progress and I think he'll be ready to compete at that position as
well as on defense.
"Obviously, we know he can play defense. He's spent a lot of time
over there. We'll see how it all goes as we get into pads and get
into competition and contact. But I think he's in good position to
compete."
Apparently, it's a role he has had off and on while in New England.
"We had some depth issues in training camp really the last couple
years," Belichick said. "So on the scout team in practice when our
defense was practicing and he was on the practice squad this year
and he wasn't going to be active for the game, then he would take
reps at tight end.
"So that kind of caught our eye. He runs well. (When) the
quarterbacks threw to him, he caught it, did a competitive job
blocking. We just felt like he's had enough time on defense, and
he's a smart kid -- it's not like learning is an issue for him.
"We felt like he spent enough time on defense, so we put a lot of
time in on offense and see where he can get to there and then
evaluate it."
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NFL Note - New England Patriots Bolden, Brandon
RB Brandon Bolden was primarily a special teams player and fill-in
during his first three seasons as an undrafted free agent with the
New England Patriots.
But with Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen gone and LeGarrette Blount
suspended for the season opener, there are a lot of offensive reps
up for grabs in the backfield this summer.
Some of those could go to second-year back James White or free-agent
addition Travaris Cadet. Deon Lewis is another option as a
diminutive back on passing downs.
But it just might be Bolden, a longtime favorite of the New England
coaching staff who steps up to fill the void. He has shown unique
skills while serving as a season-long backup to Blount that make him
an option in the passing game or pretty much anything else.
"He plays on all four downs," Patriots head coach Bill Belichick
said after Wednesday's workout during the second of three days of
mandatory minicamp. "He's a good early-down back, he's a good
third-down back and he's a good fourth-down back.
"(He's) one of our best special teams players, certainly one of our
best offensive special teams players along with (Matthew) Slater.
So, yeah, he's a very valuable guy, fills a lot of roles, smart,
doesn't need a lot of reps, and he's got a lot of experience."
Not surprising for a guy who has so endeared himself to the
hard-to-please Belichick, Bolden wasn't all that talkative when
asked about the possibility of expanding his role. He's looking to,
as Belichick might advise, simply to do his job.
"Whatever they call me to do. I'm just excited to play football,"
Bolden said. "Reps or no reps. Special teams or offense. I just want
to play football.
"I'm just here to do whatever they tell me to do. If they want me to
do first and second down, I can. Third down. I can. I've been doing
fourth down on special teams. Like coach always says -- the more you
can do. I work at all phases of the game as much as I can."
Whether Bolden wants to admit it or not,
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NFL Note - Philadelphia Eagles Rowe, Eric
CB Eric Rowe, the Eagles' second round pick, can play both
cornerback and safety. But the Eagles are planning to keep him at
cornerback this year, where he's competing for a starting job
against Nolan Carroll.
"That's where we have him at and that's where he'll be for the
foreseeable future in terms of where we are," Kelly said. "It's very
difficult for someone to learn multiple positions in terms of being
able to fit in. But he's done an outstanding job at corner."
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NFL Note - Baltimore Ravens Smith, Jimmy
CB Jimmy Smith sustained a Lisfranc left foot sprain against the
Cincinnati Bengals that required surgery and ended his 2014 season
after six games.
Although Smith hasn't returned to full health, he has displayed
speed and cover skills during the Ravens' offseason practices.
"He has worked hard as far as the injury front this year," Ravens
coach John Harbaugh said of Smith this week. "He is getting closer
and closer to being 100 percent.
"He's not there, yet, but nobody has worked harder than he has. He
has been here every day since the season was over, so it probably
starts that way in terms of leading by example."
The Ravens signed Smith to a four-year, $48 million contract
extension this offseason that included $21 million guaranteed with a
$13 million signing bonus.
Smith was having one of his best seasons before the injury, allowing
only 20 receptions for 163 yards and no touchdowns while being
targeted just 39 times, according to Pro Football Focus. He finished
last season with 28 tackles, one interception and eight passes
defensed.
Harbaugh singled out Smith as a leader this week.
"He has done it by working hard," Harbaugh said. "He has done it by
honing his craft and becoming the very best corner he can be. I love
the way he pays attention to detail, but he has also done it by
overcoming adversity."
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NFL Note - Baltimore Ravens Canty, Chris
DE Chris Canty has lined up with the Ravens' starting defense for
the last two seasons.
Since being cut after last season and later re-signed to a two-year,
$4.65 million contract, Canty doesn't envision his status being any
different and expects to retain his starting job.
"I've been a starter in this league for a decade; I don't really see
that changing," Canty said. "That's what I foresee. Things change.
It's a very fluid situation, but that's what I have in mind for my
role being on this football team on our defensive unit."
Canty could face competition for playing time from defensive end
BrentUrban, who is returning this year after being sidelined for his
entire rookie year with a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
They are expected to work in tandem, regardless of who is the
primary starter.
Canty, 32, has run with the first-team defense this week during a
minicamp that marks his first participation with the Ravens this
offseason after missing three voluntary organized team activities.
"After they showed me the door?" Canty said when asked about his
feelings on being back with the team. "It actually feels good having
a chance to be around the guys for the first time this offseason.
"I feel really good where I'm at with my training. Being out here
this week gave me some insight on some things I want to work on by
continuing the training process to get my body ready for the regular
season."
Canty contemplated retirement for roughly a month this offseason
before deciding he still wanted to play. He visited the New York
Jets after the Ravens released him and canceled a scheduled visit
with the Seattle Seahawks before re-signing with the Ravens.
His new deal includes a $1.5 million signing bonus and a $1 million
base salary for 2015. The second year of his contract is a team
option with a $2 million base salary and a $150,000 option bonus.
"It was an opportunity to take a step back from the game," Canty
said. "I just really to
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NFL Note - Baltimore Ravens Osemele, Kelechi
G Kelechi Osemele's four-year, $3.356 million rookie contract is set
to expire after this season, and the former second-round draft pick
is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent.
Although he hasn't been named to a Pro Bowl, Osemele's body of work
has established himself as one of the best young offensive linemen
in the game after starting as a rookie on the Ravens' Super Bowl
championship team.
"I feel really good about what I've shown," said Osemele, a
6-foot-5, 330-pound former All-Big 12 selection at Iowa State.
"Obviously, it helps to come in here and win a Super Bowl. That's
always a good thing, but, on top of that, I've had great teammates
and a great coaching staff behind me.
"(Offensive line) coach (Juan) Castillo has been helping me every
day, working on my craft. I came in here a raw player, and, right
now, I'm feeling like I'm becoming more of a technician. So, I'm
feeling really good about that. I'll let my agent handle the
contract, and I kind of just focus on my part."
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NFL Note - Detroit Lions Taylor, Devin
DE Devin Taylor earned first-team reps on Wednesday, but it was at a
surprise position -- defensive tackle.
Under Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin last season, the
Lions regularly flipped their ends and tackles in games, and Taylor
said he has been training to play inside the last couple years.
With questions about their depth at tackle, the Lions could use
bigger ends like Jason Jones and Taylor to fill the void left by the
departures of Ndamukong Suh, Nick Fairley and C.J. Mosley.
"They pretty much see me and J.J., I guess, as a similar body type,
so they just work me inside," Taylor said. "Especially being a
defensive end, you have a little bit maybe of a speed advantage over
some of the other tackles because (offensive linemen are) not used
to playing people who have that kind of quickness."
The 6-foot-7, 275-pound Taylor's ability to play multiple positions
would give him an opportunity to play more in 2015. He flashed some
talent as a rookie in 2013 with 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in
limited playing time.
However, he didn't earn more reps in 2014 as George Johnson and
Darryl Tapp became the top backups to Jones and Ezekiel Ansah.
"One of the things that jumps out at you is the fact that he has an
unbelievable amount of talent," head coach Jim Caldwell said.
"His skill level is unusual. He's got speed, he's got length, he's
tough, and I think with him, he was a bit of a young player. But I
think now you're starting to see some of these guys develop. He's
ones of those guys.
"He's a very, very important part of what we do, and we're expecting
to see him develop by leaps and bounds."
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NFL Note - Detroit Lions Fauria, Joseph
TE Joseph Fauria participated in individual drills on Wednesday
after sitting out Tuesday and for most of OTAs while he recovers
from an ankle injury that plagued him in 2014.
"I'm itching," Fauria said. "It's been a long time since I've played
football, so I'm really itching for it right now."
Fauria, who is entering his third year, said he plans to be ready
for training camp.
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