- [Philadelphia Eagles] Eagles Preseason Cuts Begin with OT Patrick
- [St. Louis Rams] Adam Carriker's climb back up the depth chart
- [New York Jets] Blog: Trouble Brewing for Jets Front Seven in Season Opener (Potter, Steinkuhler)
- [San Francisco 49ers] Examiner Blog: LB Jay Moore: After being injured for the past two seasons, Moore had a phenomenal camp and has shown his ability to add pressure on the front line. He was slowed down by a hand injury, but I still hope that there is room for him.
Preseason Week 3: Stats, Stories & Multimedia
- [Cincinnati Bengals] Asked to name his most impressive top punt tacklers (gunners), special teams coach Darrin Simmons mentioned the physical 6-3, 226-pound Maurice Purify first. He points back to the opener in which Purify was held on a kick and still made the tackle.
Simmons has been looking for a guy like Purify since Kevin Walter left via free agency: The No. 5 receiver that can cover and block on all four special teams. The top four receivers are Chad Ochocinco, Laveranues Coles, Andre Caldwell and Chris Henry. Jerome Simpson probably makes it but is going to have a hard time being active on game days. The fifth receiver figures to be Purify or Cosby, a guy that has to contribute on special teams. (Bengals.com)
Preseason Week 3: Stats, Stories & Multimedia
- [Detroit Lions] Schlesinger: Wish I could play for new Lions coach
- [New Orleans Saints] Carl Nicks was named as the best guard in the NFC South by The Sporting News. (Prepnation.blogspot.com)
- [MLB] Duensing fans eight in dominant victory
- [Detroit Lions] Saga of Safety Bullocks
- [Etc] Warfield sentenced for 4th-offense DUI
- [New Orleans Saints] Coaches and teammates satisfied with Scott Shanle
- [St. Louis Rams] Rams' Carriker returns to practice
- [New England Patriots] The Pat’s coach also offered some kind words for reserve offensive lineman Russ Hochstein, who was traded to Denver for a 7th round draft pick. Belichick touched on Hochstein’s versatility on the line, playing a number of different positions as well as fullback.
”He was a great teammate. We all had a lot of love and respect for Russ,” Belichick said. ”In the end, we made the best decision for our football team. We wish him well. He meant a lot to this organization through the years in the roles that he performed and he performed them well.” (Boston Herald)
- [Denver Broncos] For the second time in ten days the Broncos have acquired an NFL Husker via trade with New England.
Denver added long-time Patriots lineman (and occasional fullback) Russ Hochstein a few days after the trading for DL LeKevin Smith.
Hochstein, who had been with the Patriots since 2002, was swapped for a "late round draft choice" according to ESPN.
Hochstein is also now the fourth NFL Husker to join the Broncos preseason roster for 2009.
- [Tampa Bay Buccaneers] Ruud Reunion: Bucs add brother Bo
- [Tennessee Titans] Kyle Vanden Bosch is Titans' Mr. Intensity
- [Tennessee Titans] Vanden Bosch back to full strength
- [Philadelphia Eagles] Chris Patrick's NFL opportunities improve as injuries hit Philadelphia Eagles
Video Highlights available:
Preseason Week 1,
Preseason Week 2
- [UFL] Cory Ross signs with UFL club
- [UFL] Tuskers Sign Two from tryout (Joe Ganz)
- [Cincinnati Bengals] Bengals waive Lucky
- [Tennessee Titans] Hard-charging Vanden Bosch back to full strength
Preseason Week 2: Stats, Stories & Multimedia
- [Green Bay Packers] 'The Colledge Experience' With Brandon Jackson (Video)
- [Kansas City Chiefs] Veteran safety Mike Brown knows exactly why the Chiefs brought him to the team. “I was signed for depth reasons,” Brown said. “There are two really good young safeties here and I feel like I was brought here to provide depth and to play on some special teams. I feel like my role as an older player is to help those guys out with the mental game, if they need it. I’ll answer any questions they might have. I’m here to bounce ideas. (VikingUpdate.com)
- [Washington Redskins] Glenn among eleven Redskins rookies get hazed
- [Athletics] Whitby proud as Priscilla Lopes-Schliep wins silver
- [Detroit Lions] Lions retain Daniel Bullocks' rights
- [Kansas City Chiefs] Demorrio Williams put a nice hit on Mark Bradley to stop him in his tracks after a short yard gain. The very next play, Williams pushed Dantrell Savage back onto his butt as Savage tried to run through him to gain one or two extra yards.
- [Free Agency] NFL Network's Jason La Canfora reported that free agent RB Ahman Green worked out with the St. Louis Rams
- [Chicago Bears] Troubled secondary needs Tillman, Bowman to get back in uniform
- [Chicago Bears] Looks like Bears waiting on Bowman just as much as Tillman
- [Detroit Lions] Lions end season for safety Daniel Bullocks
- [Denver Broncos] Head coach Josh McDaniels on the signing of DL Le Kevin Smith: "He's a player that I had some familiarity with. He has obviously played all three spots in the 3-4 system in New England. He's been a productive player in the time that he's played but he's also been behind some extremely talented people in New England. He's done some good things and he continues to get better. He's a younger player. He's healthy. He's the size we want and he understands how to play that position. His versatility and the fact that we can add him to the mix is a good thing for our team."
- [New Orleans Saints] Saints linebacker Shanle quietly getting job done
- [San Diego Chargers] Bingham injured
- [New Orleans Saints] Saints linebacker Shanle quietly getting job done
- [MLB] Royals send Gordon to minors
- [Baltimore Ravens] The Ravens kicked lined up for a 35 yarder, but the fake is on and holder/punter Sam Koch hit Edgar Jones for a TD pass. (BaltimoreBeatDown.com)
- [Baltimore Ravens] Koch, McGahee getting some 'special' reps
- [Cleveland Browns] Browns release Bo Ruud
- [New England Patriots] Broncos acquire DE Smith, draft pick from New England
- [New England Patriots] Pats send LeKevin Smith to Denver
Preseason Week 1: Stats, Stories & Multimedia
- [New England Patriots] Defensive line competition has been motivation for Le Kevin Smith
- [New York Jets] Blog: Many thanks to Jets coach Rex Ryan, who unexpectedly gave beat reporters a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at how he and his coaching staff evaluate players and what they consider Jets football after his morning news conference...
There was a shot of rookie G Matt Slauson taking on two players (a combined 600 pounds) on an extra point attempt and holding his ground. During the team meeting, Ryan had Slauson stand up before the team and describe the play. I never thought you could learn so much about a player on an extra point. (NJ.com)
- [Cincinnati Bengals] Hard Knock: Maurice Purify Absolutely Buries Roy Williams (Video)
- [Denver Broncos] Rookie wide receiver Nate Swift is doing all he can to impress the Broncos’ coaches.
Although Eddie Royal, Brandon Stokley and Jabar Gaffney have been getting most of the work in practice, Swift gets his turn now and then, too. He’s done enough to this point to be listed on the depth chart as Stokley’s backup in the slot.
“I’m getting more plays here and there and just trying to do the best with what I get,” said Swift, who is the all-time leading receiver in University of Nebraska history. “I just go out and do my best every day and see what happens in the end.” (Longmont Times-Call)
- [Kansas City Chiefs] Demorrio Williams returns to practice
- [UFL] Ganz Will Try Out for UFL Club
- [Cincinnati Bengals] The backs had a nice day of practice with Cedric Benson breaking a couple long ones down the middle while Marlon Lucky broke a couple on sweeps
- [Kansas City Chiefs] Mike Brown not pushing to start
- [San Francisco 49ers] Press-Democrat Blog: Jay Moore did not have a good start to training camp. But on the same day he looked as if he was turning the corner with several good plays, he sustained a deep finger laceration and sat out three days. He must avoid injuries and have a good preseason to have any hopes of sticking around. He has practice-squad eligibility, but if he does not make it, the 49ers might decide it's time to move on. Moore is lining up with the third team at strong outside linebacker.
- [Etc] Former Chief Will Shields Gets a Short-Term Job....with the Jets
08/11/09
- [CFL] Miles ahead of the competition
- [Carolina Panthers] No ankle taping for Rucker in Spartanburg this time
- [CFL] Three penalties a first for Eskimo's Patrick Kabongo
- [Kansas City Chiefs] In an 11-on-11 series, Mike Brown jumped the route and would have taken it all the way back to the end zone.
Injured LB Demorrio Williams was out with the conditioning coach and spent practice on a stationary bike. (Post-Chronicle)
- [Denver Broncos] In rookie's absense, Buckhalter #1 on Broncos opening depth chart
08/09/09
- [Cincinnati Bengals] Maurice Purify had a strong week of practices in Georgetown, Ky. During Saturday’s mock game, he had three receptions for 63 yards, with a long of 41. (Cincinnati.com)
- Purify appears to be ahead of 2008 second-round pick Jerome Simpson for the Bengals' fifth receiver job. The Bengals want their fifth receiver to be active on special teams, where Purify has a major edge on Simpson. (Fantasysp.com)
- [Cincinnati Bengals] Meanwhile...Free-agent rookie Marlon Lucky has a long way to go. Would the Bengals keep two running backs on the practice squad? (Bengals.com)
- [Kansas City Chiefs] Chiefs head coach Todd Haley couldn't stop raving about free-agent pickup Mike Brown, the long-time Bears safety. Absolutely raved about his professionalism and how much spark he brings to the defense.
- [CFL] Miles(tone) for Lions safety as blocked-kicks record set
08/08/09
- [Cincinatti Bengals] Bengals mock-game: WR Maurice Purify continued to come up big in the most-watched situations. He had three catches for 63 yards, including a long of 41. (Cincinnati.com)
- [Cincinnati Bengals] Offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski did say that Maurice Purify is making a run.
"He had a good week. He had big hit on Roy Williams in the Oklahoma drill and came up with a 16-yard catch Saturday from Jordan Palmer." Bratkowski said. But he also said the reason Purify has a shot is that he's doing well on special teams: "And if we can find a role for him on offense, he's got a chance to be a contributor."
- [Detroit Lions] Daniel Bullocks injured
08/07/09
- [Washington Redskins] Anthony Alridge would have an exciting reception over the middle for 18 yards, making a linebacker miss along the way. Unfortunately for Alridge, Cody Glenn hit him and caused Alridge to fumble. Kareem Moore recovered the turnover. (WarPathConfidential.com)
- [Philadelphia Eagles] Chris Patrick gets in camp skirmish
- [Baltimore Ravens] Cornerback Fabian Washington appeared to join the interception parade when he got his hands on a pass from Flacco to wide receiver Justin Harper during a one-on-one exercise, but the ball squirted out of Washington's hands and into Harper's. An incredulous Washington lay on the turf for a few seconds. (Baltimore Sun)
- [Chicago Bears] Jay Cutler made a mistake trying to force a ball deep to Devin Hester, who was covered well by Josh Bullocks and Nathan Vasher. Bullocks came up with the interception. (Chicago Sun-Times)
- [New Orleans Saints] Carl Nicks is such a huge man that his opponent basically just disappears when he gets his hand on him.
Former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Head coach and ESPN analyst John Gruden told me after practice. "Those two guards (Nicks and Evans) are better than people give them credit for. Trust me, I saw those two guys really frustrate several of our defensive lineman last year." (WWL)
08/06/09
- [Chicago Bears] Bowman pulls hamstring
- [New York Jets] Blog: Matt Slauson held his man well and played strong, nothing amazing but looked good. (HolyJoeNameth.com)
08/05/09
- [Denver Broncos] Buckhalter shows some power
- [New York Jets] Blog: Mark Sanchez took one step back and connected with favorite target Wallace Wright. DB James Ihedigbo, no stranger to starting a little somethin' somethin' as you might recall, gave Wright a big pop and also held onto him a little longer than Wright thought was necessary.
So Wright got a little bothered and started barking at Ihedigbo while others started pushing and shoving. Wright threw the ball at Ihedigbo and OL Matt Slauson, the Jets' sixth-round selection in April's draft, got into it with DB Dwight Lowery.
But after a little more pleasantries, cooler heads prevailed.
OT Wayne Hunter jokingly tossed off his helmet and was ready to join the scrum. (Roderick Boone, Newsday)
- [Carolina Panthers] Former Panthers defensive end Mike Rucker was on hand; he'll be the color analyst on the television broadcasts of the preseason games against Miami, Baltimore and Pittsburgh. Upon getting a glimpse of Rucker, who retired following the 2007 offseason, strength and conditioning coach Jerry Simmons yelled, "Hey, you ain't practicing!" and waved him over to the exercise bicycles -- the standard practice-time work for those Panthers who aren't practicing for injuries or other reasons. (Panthers.com)
- [San Francisco 49ers] LB Jay Moore has a pretty nasty gash on his middle finger, one that required 12 stitches to close. It's hard to see him returning anytime soon. (SacBee.com)
08/03/09
- [Jacksonville Jaguars] Blog: Todd Peterson made an impressive catch over the top of Tyron Brackenridge on a quick out, muscling for position to make the reception. (Tim McClellan, BleacherReport.com)
- [Clevelend Browns] Five Questions: Bo Ruud
08/04/09
- [Jacksonville Jaguars] few under the radar guys who really stood out making very nice catches and adjustments to the ball were rookie Todd Peterson, Nate Hughes, and newly signed Jacksonville native Clarence Denmark. None of these players will likely make the final roster, but all three should push for practice squad spots. (JagNation)
08/03/09
- [San Francisco 49ers] Jay Moore makes splash at p.m. practice
- Blog: PM practice and my boy Jay Moore
- [San Francisco 49ers] Moore had a good day with an interception and some good work during pass-rush drills. Late in practice, he batted down a Hill pass at the line of scrimmage and sustained a cut finger.
- [Denver Broncos] Swift ready for Bronco ride
- [Cininnaci Bengals] Purify Impresses in Training Camp so far
08/03/09
- [Philadelphia Eagles] ACL injury ends Bradley's season
- [Chicago Bears] Bears' Zack Bowman Grabbing Interceptions
- [Chicago Bears] Bowman determined to take advantage of rare opportunity
- [Denver Broncos] Nate Swift, former Hutchinson High and Nebraska wide receiver, is running with the second team for the Denver Broncos. (TwinCities.com)
- [Cincinnati Bengals] One of the beauties of the Oklahoma Drill is when an unheralded player dominates one who you least expect. And that happened when a practice squad player dominated a five-time Pro Bowler.
Wide receiver Maurice Purify dominated safety Roy Williams in their matchup as Purify blew off the line and had his way. Williams grabbed Purify’s facemask at the end of the drill as both had a brief scuffle.
The matchup was the suggestion of wide receivers coach Mike Sheppard.
”I lost my first matchup to (safety) Kyries Hebert and I was upset, so I took it out on Roy,” Purify said. “They know I’m a big, physical player. It was fun to get out there on the first day of contact. I haven’t had the pads on since December.”
Purify is a longshot to make the team as a receiver, but he is looking hoping to get one of the 53 roster spots by being a physical player and making an impact on special teams, either as a gunner on punt returns or getting a spot on the kickoff teams. (Cincinnati.com)
- [Cincinnati Bengals] The most emotion-charged moment came when practice squad wide receiver Maurice Purify drove five-time Pro Bowl safety Roy Williams five yards back and they ended up on the ground hooked to each other's helmets. The offense treated it like a Super Bowl win while some had to be separated as the defenders tried to get Purify off Williams.
"He went easy on me," Purify said. (Bengals.com)
Side Note: Don't be surprised if this makes the cut for Episode 1 of HBO's Hard Knocks which will be covering the Bengals training camp.
- [St. Louis Rams] St. Louis' ESPN 101 goes 1-on-1 with Richie Incognito
08/02/09
- [Dallas Cowboys] From BloggingTheBoys.com 8/2: This is a position where I have been impressed with some of the backups. Victor Butler has especially caught my eye, along with Steve Octavien.... I never even thought about Octavien before this camp, I figured he was your typical camp body, but so far, the kid has made plays. If he keeps it up, he may have a real shot at sticking around.
08/01/09
- [Cleveland Browns] Hit of the day in Browns' camp (8/1): Linebacker Bo Ruud and Steptoe stood out in Mangini's one-on-one gauntlet-style drill where two players run at each other. (Ohio.com