OFFICIAL 2009 NFL PRESEASON & TRAINING CAMP THREAD

[CP1708]

Great post on all the teams Heat.

 

[d0nt w0rry about it]

Just some quick notes on the Chargers before their training camp starts..

- Former 4th round pick and former starter ILB Matt Wilhelm was recently released. ILBs Kevin Burnett and Tim Dobbins are expected to battle it out for thestarting job next to Stephen Cooper.

- 3rd round pick OG Louis Vasquez, 4th round picks DE/NT Vaughn Martin, OG/C Tyronne Green, RB Gartrell Johnson, and 5th round pick CB Brandon Hughes are allsigned. Vasquez is expected to compete with OG Kynan Forney for the starting job at right guard.

- 1st round pick OLB/DE Larry English, 6th round pick SS Kevin Ellison, and 7th round pick WR Demetrius Byrd are all unsigned as of today. English willprimarily be a pass rush specialist, Ellison is expected to compete with SSs Clinton Hart and Steve Gregory for a starting spot opposite FS Eric Weddle, andByrd isn't likely to play at all this upcoming season due to his injuries from a car accident.

- RB/KR Darren Sproles' first priority, according to HC Norv Turner:

"Darren's starting point is in the return game and we'll pick our spots with him on offense," Turner said.

- With the departure of DE Igor Olshansky to the Dallas Cowboys, DE Jacques Cesaire has been working as a starter. DE/NT Ryon Bingham is expected to competewith Cesaire for that starting job.

- DE Luis Castillo is feeling the healthiest he's been in the last three seasons:

"I feel pretty motivated right now," Castillo said. "I've battled through some things the last few years injury-wise and I'm excited. I can't wait to get going. I feel like I'm as healthy as I've been in the last three years."

- HC Norv Turner likes what he sees out of RB LaDainian Tomlinson:

"I think his mindset is that he's excited to have a great year. I didn't see any physical limitations at all from his injuries," Turner said. "I liked what I saw in terms of the explosiveness." Turner said he anticipates Tomlinson being in the top three or four rushers in the league this season. "He'll be a factor in the rushing title," Turner added.

..I'll post more whenver I see anything noteworthy.

EDIT:
Just one more Chargers note to add..

- Casey Pearce of Chargers.com is reporting that OLB/DE Shawne Merriman will be playing in preseason games this year.

 

[heat23]

Originally Posted by CP1708

Great post on all the teams Heat.

I'm just wondering where are all my NFL NTers are @

 

[q46tothee]

I guess every fan base has it's losers...

Tell me this !#%@* Shawne Merhghriman doesn't have a blue mohawk

 

[CP1708]

Originally Posted by Q46totheE

I guess every fan base has it's losers...

Mike's just a mess with the hairnet and the cigarette......

Put your shirt down man.

 

[DeadsetAce]

shawne merriman looks like a damn fool

 

[heat23]

Alright fin fans, here's the training camp schedule:




Date Time(s)

Aug. 2 Sun. 2:00 p.m.

Aug. 3 Mon. 9:00 a.m.

Aug. 4 Tues. 9:00 a.m.

Aug. 5 Wed. 2:00 p.m.

Aug. 6 Thurs. 9:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m.

Aug. 7 Fri . 2:00 p.m.

Aug. 8 Sat . 2:00 p.m.

Aug. 9 Sun. PLAYERS OFF

Aug. 10 Mon. 9:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m.

Aug. 11 Tues. 2:00 p.m.

Aug. 12 Wed. 9:00 a.m.

Aug. 13 Thurs. 2:00 p.m.

Aug. 14 Fri. 9:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m.

Aug. 15 Sat. 10:15 a.m.

Aug. 16 Sun. PRACTICE CLOSED

Aug. 17 Mon. VS. JAGUARS AT LAND SHARK STADIUM, 7:30 P.M. (EDT),WFOR-TV

Aug. 18 Tues. PLAYERS OFF

Aug. 19 Wed. 9:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m.

Aug. 20 Thurs. 9:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m.

Aug. 21 Fri. PRACTICE CLOSED

Aug. 22 Sat. VS. PANTHERS AT LAND SHARK STADIUM, 7:30 P.M. (EDT),WFOR-TV

 

[DeadsetAce]

patriots open camp today

i just realized we have no offensive coordinator at the moment

guess brady is calling the plays at the line

 

[jmause3]

Originally Posted by Q46totheE

I guess every fan base has it's losers...

I love my Cowboys to death, but there aint no way in hell

 

[ThaxbyChamblis]

[h1]NY Jets close to deal with running back Leon Washington[/h1] [h3]by Dave Hutchinson/The Star-Ledger[/h3]
[h3]Wednesday July 29, 2009, 11:04 PM[/h3]

Andrew Mills/The Star-LedgerLeon Washington was all smiles at preseason workouts with the Jets in June.

Talks between the Jets and running back Leon Washington have intensified and the two sides are getting close to a deal, according to a person with knowledge of the negotiations who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the discussions.

Washington's agent, Alvin Keels, and Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum have been talking all week, trying to hammer out a deal with training camp looming. Washington, who is scheduled to earn $535,000 this season in the final year of his rookie contract, is threatening a holdout if he doesn't get a new deal. Veterans report Thursday. Camp starts Friday at SUNY Cortland in upstate New York.
http://
Washington was at the team's Florham Park complex Wednesday and appeared in good spirits.

''I think something could get done in a short period of time,'' said the person. ''I'm fairly certain something will get done by the end of the weekend.''

Washington, a fourth-year pro, is believed to be seeking a deal worth roughly $6 million per season. He's pointing to contracts signed by Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew (four years, $32 million, $17.5 million guaranteed) and Chargers running back Darren Sproles (one year, $6.21 million). All three are multi-dimensional running backs who can score via the rush, reception and return.

However, Washington isn't an every-down back and it's believed the two sides will compromise, with Washington ending up with a deal paying him between $4 and $5 million per season.

Negotiations have been difficult because under the current collective bargaining agreement, Washington is scheduled to become only a restricted free agent, not unrestricted, in 2010. Under the old agreement, Washington would've been an unrestricted free agent in 2010.

Meanwhile, it's highly unlikely that the Jets will budge in talks with veteran running back Thomas Jones, who is also unhappy with his contract. Jones, the reigning AFC rushing champ with 1,312 yards last season, is scheduled to earn $900,000 this season. He's in the third year of a four-year, $20 million contract that paid him $13.1 million in the first two seasons.

Jones, who'll be 31 at the start of the season, boycotted most of the voluntary offseason workouts but reported late and participated in the mandatory veterans minicamp in June.

 

[mr fizzy womack]

It was only a matter of time...

We knew he wasn't gonna get the 6 per year he wanted, but a 5 year deal for 20-25 range (and 12-18 bonus) would be more than fair.

[h1]Source: Raiders sign top pick Heyward-Bey[/h1]
By JOSH DUBOW, AP Sports Writer 53 minutes ago

• Buzz up! 11 votes
• [h5]Print[/h5]

NAPA, Calif. (AP)-Rookie receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey(notes) has agreed with the Oakland Raiders on a five-year contract that will guarantee him at least $23.5 million.

A person involved in the contract negotiations told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity that the deal was agreed to Thursday, the day the Raiders held their first training camp practice. Heyward-Bey is expected to join the team in time for practice on Friday.

Heyward-Bey was the seventh overall pick in April's draft. The contract calls for him to get a base salary of $38.25 million. NFL.com reported the deal earlier Thursday.

The Raiders are counting on a big contribution from Heyward-Bey this season. They need plenty of help at wide receiver after getting just 82 catches from the position last season, led by Johnnie Lee Higgins'(notes) 22.

Damn, almost $8mill per year? That's Andre Johnson(7.5per)/Roy Williams (7.8per) money.

That hammy better be good come Week 1.

 

[q46tothee]

Mike Florio from PFT was on sports radio this afternoon....he was talking about Michael Crabtree, and how he wants top 3 money. There's gonna be a LENGTHYholdout because the 49ers aren't gonna budge. Florio also said that there are whispers that Crabtree's ankle or foot (wherever he had surgery)isn't 100% anyways, so there could be a silve-lining in the holdout. He also said ( I couldn't believe this) that there's a chance that Crabtreecould hold out for the entire season....he mentioned re-entering the draft....is that even possible???

 

[xcautionx]

extremely glad the Raiders passed on Crabtree... On that same note, Heyward-Bey better come out beasting.

 

[TheGift23]

After an offseason in which the ******** tried to trade for Jay Cutler(notes), then triedto move up in the draft to get Mark Sanchez(notes), Campbell isstill Washington's starting QB. And stepping out for the opening practice of training camp, Campbell said, "The first thing I see is a 'DC WANTSVICK' sign. I started laughing to myself about it." …

-Yahoo! Sports

 

[smokey1212]

Originally Posted by Mr Fizzy Womack

It was only a matter of time...

We knew he wasn't gonna get the 6 per year he wanted, but a 5 year deal for 20-25 range (and 12-18 bonus) would be more than fair.

[h1]Source: Raiders sign top pick Heyward-Bey[/h1]
By JOSH DUBOW, AP Sports Writer 53 minutes ago

• Buzz up! 11 votes
• [h5]Print[/h5]

NAPA, Calif. (AP)-Rookie receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey(notes) has agreed with the Oakland Raiders on a five-year contract that will guarantee him at least $23.5 million.

A person involved in the contract negotiations told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity that the deal was agreed to Thursday, the day the Raiders held their first training camp practice. Heyward-Bey is expected to join the team in time for practice on Friday.

Heyward-Bey was the seventh overall pick in April's draft. The contract calls for him to get a base salary of $38.25 million. NFL.com reported the deal earlier Thursday.

The Raiders are counting on a big contribution from Heyward-Bey this season. They need plenty of help at wide receiver after getting just 82 catches from the position last season, led by Johnnie Lee Higgins'(notes) 22.

Damn, almost $8mill per year? That's Andre Johnson(7.5per)/Roy Williams (7.8per) money.

That hammy better be good come Week 1.

NFL is stupid for letting this %$+* get outta hand.

Rookie salary cap dammit.

 

[anguy14]

cowboys all the way

 

[heat23]

[h2]Vick 'close' to finding new team[/h2]
Comment Email Print Share
Associated Press

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Michael Vick said Thursday that he is getting close to signing with a professional football team but refused to elaborate.

Vick made the comment to reporters as he left a courtroom after a hearing in his bankruptcy case. Asked about his progress in signing with a team, Vick said: "We're getting close." He declined to answer additional questions.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell conditionally reinstated Vick on Monday, a week after the former Atlanta Falcons star completed his 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring. Vick is free to sign with a team and could be playing in the NFL by Week 6.

He could also play in one of a couple football minor leagues if no NFL team signs him. His agent, Joel Segal, did not immediately return a telephone message.

Vick, 29, did not speak during the hearing. Afterward, the U.S. bankruptcy trustee and a lawyer for Vick's creditors shook Vick's hand and congratulated him on his NFL reinstatement. Vick thanked them and said, "It's exactly what I needed at this point in my life."

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Frank Santoro postponed until Friday a decision on whether to approve $1.5 million in legal fees sought by Crowell & Moring, the Madison Avenue law firm representing Vick in the Chapter 11 case. Santoro was astonished that the firm is billing Vick for 8,000 hours of work over about 10 months.

"I don't understand how that happens," said Santoro.

Vick's local attorney, Paul Campsen, said New York attorneys Michael Blumenthal and Peter Ginsberg were unable to attend the hearing because bad weather held up their flight. Santoro said he wants an explanation of the hours on Friday, when he will conduct a hearing on Vick's bankruptcy plan.

Crowell & Moring originally sought more than $2.6 million but agreed to slash the amount to $1.5 million after the U.S. trustee and attorneys for one of Vick's major creditors, Joel Enterprises Inc., complained in court papers that the fees were excessive.

Vick filed for bankruptcy protection in July 2008 while he was serving his sentence in the federal penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kan. The former Virginia Tech star spent the last two months of his sentence on home confinement in Hampton.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press

 

[gunna get it]

Originally Posted by Q46totheE

Mike Florio from PFT was on sports radio this afternoon....he was talking about Michael Crabtree, and how he wants top 3 money. There's gonna be a LENGTHY holdout because the 49ers aren't gonna budge. Florio also said that there are whispers that Crabtree's ankle or foot (wherever he had surgery) isn't 100% anyways, so there could be a silve-lining in the holdout. He also said ( I couldn't believe this) that there's a chance that Crabtree could hold out for the entire season....he mentioned re-entering the draft....is that even possible???

I believe so,
Didnt bo jackson pull this on the tampa bay Bucs ?

 

[q46tothee]

Originally Posted by GUNNA GET IT

Originally Posted by Q46totheE

Mike Florio from PFT was on sports radio this afternoon....he was talking about Michael Crabtree, and how he wants top 3 money. There's gonna be a LENGTHY holdout because the 49ers aren't gonna budge. Florio also said that there are whispers that Crabtree's ankle or foot (wherever he had surgery) isn't 100% anyways, so there could be a silve-lining in the holdout. He also said ( I couldn't believe this) that there's a chance that Crabtree could hold out for the entire season....he mentioned re-entering the draft....is that even possible???

I believe so,
Didnt bo jackson pull this on the tampa bay Bucs ?

Good call...

Jackson was drafted first overall in the 1986 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, the Buccaneers, not wanting their new draftee to injure himself playing baseball for Auburn that year, took Jackson on a trip in a private plane that cost him his college eligibility. They also gave Jackson an ultimatum to choose baseball or football. This prompted him to sign with the Kansas City Royals[sup][1[/sup]. Since he did not sign with a team by the 1987 draft, his rights were forfeited by Tampa Bay and his name was thrown back into the draft. The Los Angeles Raiders selected Jackson in the 7th round with the 183rd overall pick.[sup][11][/sup] Raiders owner Al Davis supported Jackson and his baseball career and got Jackson to sign a contract by offering him a salary that was comparable to a full-time starting running back but allowing Jackson to only play part-time until the baseball season was done.


Florio was saying Crabtree has a big ego...so he may have the balls to sit out and re-enter next year.

 

[gunna get it]

*shrugs* every once in a while I get something rite ... lol

Not sure if Heat posted this but Rams 2nd overall pick signed jason Smith

 

[heat23]

yuku ftl

 

[heat23]

Originally Posted by GUNNA GET IT

*shrugs* every once in a while I get something rite ... lol

Not sure if Heat posted this but Rams 2nd overall pick signed jason Smith

I was just about to lol

Updated: July 30, 2009, 8:50 PM ET

[h2]Smith signs with Rams[/h2]

Associated Press

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Rams on Thursday signed offensive tackle Jason Smith, the second overall pick of the draft, a day before opening training camp.

The 6-foot-5, 306-pound Smith is expected to be an immediate starter for the Rams, 2-14 last season and with only five wins over the last two seasons. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

All the team's draft picks are under contract heading into the first full-squad workout under new coach Steve Spagnuolo on Friday.

Smith began his career at Baylor as a tight end and started 31 games, 24 at left tackle and seven at right tackle, after growing out of that position. In 1,147 plays at left tackle his last two seasons, the Rams said Smith allowed only 4½ sacks.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press

 

[the wizard]

let Crabby do that, and I wanna see what team is gonna pick him in the top 3, especially with Dez coming out & scouts saying that he's better thenCrabby.

his agent better talk to him, he's gonna cost himself money, reputation, endorsements, etc.

 

[dontsteponmyshoes]

hope DHBs hammy holds up this year i dont expect alot from the kid but I wanna see somethin. If we can get JLH, DHB and Chaz to contribute just a littlesomethin we might be alright because Zach Miller is going to bring it regardless and our running game SHOULD be on point. I guess it all depends on Jamarcusand our O-line ultimately tho.

anybody got any shots or vids from camp?

 

[heat23]

Gunn, are they still planing on using Jason @ RT still?