Kaspers Korner

The Chicago Tribune reports Chicago Bears linebacker Lance Briggs will not miss the entire season and faces no discipline from the Bears.

The New York Jets have announced that they released quarterback Brett Farve from the reserve/retired list.

The Detroit Free Press reports that Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin’s younger brother DJ Boldin signed a undrafted free agent contract with the Detroit Lions.

John Clayton of ESPN.com reports San Diego Chargers running back Darren Sproles signed his franchise tender Tuesday.

Free agent defensive end Kevin Carter visited the Detroit Lions Tuesday, according to Scout.com.

ProFootballTalk.com reports that linebacker Nick Greisen signed with the Denver Broncos.

The Arizona Cardinals announced they have released running back Edgerrin James.

The Associated Press reports that Washington Redskins fifth round pick linebacker Cody Glenn revealed that he lied to reporters initially when asked about a three game suspension in his last year of college.

The Cincinnati Enquire reports the Cincinnati Begals will be HBO’s Hard Knocks, and the Bengals released punters Kyle Larson and Ryan Plackemeier.

The Kansas City Star reports that Kansas City Chiefs GM Scott Pioli fired director of College scouting Chuck Cook, which has open the flood gates of the front office purge.

The New Orleans Saints announced they released defensive tackle Brian Young.

The Dallas Morning News is reporting that the NFL Draft could be moved to three days with the first round being in prime time.

The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that former quarterback Mike Vick updated the bankruptcy court judge handling his case.

The Pittsburgh Post Gazette reports that linebacker Larry Foote asked for his release.

The Indianapolis Star reports that the Indianapolis Colts expect to sign linebacker Freddy Keiaho.

The Miami Herald reports the Miami Dolphind cut quarterback John Beck.

The Boston Globe looks at a Saint Louis Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo as he is really a local boy done good.

The New Orleans Times-Picayune writes that the New Orleans Saints are really Drew Brees’s team.

The Baltimore Sun reports that Baltimore Ravens cornerback Dominique Foxworth thinks like a 40 year old.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette takes a look back at the career of former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Rod Woodson.

The Tennessean talks with linebacker Keith Bullock about his career.

The Detroit Free Press reports that Detroit Lions offensive lineman Jon Jansen gives high marks to the Lions coaching staff.

The Green Bay Press Gazette reports that Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is going out with a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model.

The Charlotte Observer takes a look at story of former Chicago Bear William Perry and his fight with Guillain-Barre Syndrome.

Philly.com reports that the Philadelphia Eagles were in the bottom half of the league in spending money on players while be successful at the same time.

The Kansas City Star reports that former Kansas City Chief offensive lineman Rich Baldinger killed a woman in a car crash.  They also report that former Chiefs running back Priest Holmes will mentor Chiefs running back Dantrell Savage.

According to the Buffalo News, A rumor made the rounds that Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson had died.   Simply, if it is not on Pro Football Talk.com, then it is not true.  Editor Mike Florio has access to sources around the league, and if it were true, then he would have heard it.

According to the USA Today, the abomination that was once a quarterback, meaning Michael Vick, has a supporter in his return to the National Football League in Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith, because “Mike made a mistake, and he’s paying the price for that mistake.  Once you’ve paid your debt to society, you have to say, ‘OK, let’s go on from there.”

Simply, I have been around dogs all my life.  The only time a animal should be euthanized is if it has developed something terminal, which would result in death.

Of course there are probably vegetarians that consider killing cows so we can eat just as inhumane, but that is different and is a natural part of nature.
According to Pro Football Talk.com, on Sirius NFL radio’s Movin’ the Chains Roger Goodell stated that he feels stronger that A rookie wage scale is the right thing to do, than a year ago.  That means there will be a salary cap for rookies in the next Collective Bargaining Agreement.

According to the St. Petesburgh Times, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be looking to upgrade obvious areas of need in the draft in wide receiver, defensive tackle, and linebacker.

According to the Washington Times, Veteran defensive end Philip Daniels stated to David Elfin that, “I’ll be a Redskin this year.”  That is due to the fact that Daniels and the Redskins are aparantly are working on a contract.

According to the Nashville City Paper, wide receiver Torry Holt will take his time in deciding where he will go by making visits to all the teams that are interested in him.

New York Giants wide receiver Armani Toomer’s time has come to an end with the Giants.  The move by the Giants is the right call considering who his backup is.

Toomer’s backup is Steve Smith and Smith led the team in receiving with 57 catches for 574 and one touchdown.  That is a pretty good year by any means, especially when you are the third option on most plays as Smith was.

Smith is only in his second year as he went to college at the University of Southern California and to start on USC you have to be emensely talented.

Most solid wide receivers breakout statistically in their third year, which is next year for Smith.  With the type of year he had this year it is not unimagineable that Smith breaksout.

Toomer will be 35 in September and has definitely has seen his prime years pass him.  Toomer himself expects a starting role on another team, which will never happen for Toomer.

The Associated Press reports that former National Football League coach Frank Gansz died from complications he developed after knee replacement surgery.

The Cincinnati Enquire reports that the Cincinnati Bengals cut running back Chris Perry and will trade or cut tackle Levi Jones.

According to the Tennessee, tight end Bo Scaife signed his franchise tender Monday, which was prompted by the release of linebacker Leroy Hill from the Seattle Seahawks and the Tennessee Titans taking a tight end in the third round.

The Miami Herald reports the Miami Dolphins have released quarterback John Beck.

ProFootballTalk.com reports that San Diego Chargers linebacker Shaun Phillips was arrested for misdemeanor battery.

According to the Detroit Free Press, the Detroit Lions claimed offensive tackle Kirk Barton off waivers.

The Seattle Times reports that cornerback Ken Lucas signed with the Seattle Seahawks.

According to the Arizona Republic, Arizona Cardnals running back Edgerrin James may be released soon.

All commentary are on stories via Pro Football Talk.com

Jon Gruden a scumbag: Former Tampa Bay Buccaneer defensive end Simeon Rice called Gruden a scumbag in a radio interview.

The new is not a revalation, but with the way that all these current and former Buccaneers are coming out blasting him it is most likely he might not get a job in the National Football League at all.

Flacco wins a award:  It is expected that Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco will win the Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year.

The only thing is who the heck decides that award.  I have never heard of this award until now, so I would not be surprise if it is corporate people.

Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney has stated that President Barack Obama is rooting for the Steelers.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback coach Hue Jackson has interviewed for the second time for the San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator.  The struggle of head coach Mike Singletary to find a offensive coordinator is surprising considering his success.

Saint Louis Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo is keeping offensive line coach Steve Looney and Charlie Bagget as the wide receivers coach.

2009 game in England of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers against the New England Patriots sold 20,000 tickets in seven minutes with a total of 70,000 sold.  Could the NFL become bigger than soccer?

Even media outlets are feeling the economy crunch as the total number of media credentials have dropped from 4,786 to 4,559.  Nobody is immune to the failing economy and NFL owners are going to use it to reshape their organization.

Former Tennessee Titan general manager Floyd Reese landed with the New England Patiors.  Wonder how long that will last, since Reese cannot keep his mouth shut supposively.

Herm Edwards will be heading to television.  Will be interesting to see if he can make the transfer.

Dallas Cowboys lineback Bradie James has spoken out agaisnt the firing of defensive coordinator Brian Stewart.  Looks like the inmates are running the asylum.

Retired linebacker Dan Morgan is going to be making a comeback, and thus should be thrown into a straight jacket before he steps foot on the field.

Tennessee Titans front office is working on a new deal with defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth.  It would surprise me if something gets done, because he is too close to free agency.

Former Pittsburgh Steeler cornerback Rod Woodson advocates for former Buffalo Bills wide receiver Andre Reed to be in the hall.

Oakland Raiders quarterback missed the first week of voluntary workouts due to his mother having surgery, according to Pro Football Talk.com.

According to the New York Daily News, New York Jets running back Leon Washington wants a new deal soon.

According to the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat, the San Francisco 49ers and offensive tackle Marvel Smith is closing in on a deal.

According to the Green Bay Press Gazette, Buffalo Bills free agent offensive lineman Duke Preston signed a contract with the Green Bay Packers.

Mississippi had its Pro Day, which featured a strong performance by potential first round offensive lineman Michael Oher, according to NFL.com.
The New Orleans Saints released safety Kevin Kaesviharn, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

According to KMBZ Radio in Kansas City, via Pro Football Talk, local iron workers working for the company that is renovating Arrow Head Stadium reached a tentative deal that avoids a strike by the workers.

According to ESPN.com, New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress’s lawyer is trying to reach a plea deal.

Houston Texans running back Ryan Moats had a gun pulled on him by a police offiscer whle his mother inlaw was dying in the hospital.

The Pittsburgh Steelers had a big scare last week when quarterback Ben Roethlisberger hurt his Achilles tendon.

With Roethlisberger returning to practice this on Tuesday the Steelers would be fools to play him again this preseason.

According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Roethlisbeger’s sat out the last 10 minutes of practice Tuesday to ice his foot.

With Roethlisberger seen icing his foot the best thing to do is to keep him out of any games until his foot is completely healed as quarterbacks need to move around to avoid pass rushers.

A foot injury that still lingered would mean less mobility and exposure to more hits.

In the end even though the third game of the preseason is the dress rehearsal for the regular season Roethlisberger needs to sit.

Cornerback DeAngelo Hall has another big pay day coming:  Redskins want to resign Hall to a multi year deal.

It is a big risk that they are taking as Hall has a checkered past.  If he haschanged with his talent the signing would be a steal as the deal is reportedly for six year $48 million with $12 million guaranteed.  The market for top corners is double that.

Houshmandzadeh is going to get attention:  Rumours are flying that the Seattle Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers will compete for his services.

Houshmandzadeh is a high character guy, which means he will most likely take less to go to a Superbowl contending team.

Merriman not happy with LT situation:  Merriman is upset that the news about the team is in regard to the situation that running back Ladanian Tomlinson and general manager AJ Smith is in.

Until Smith is fired there is always going to be some public problem.

Shanahan shoots down rumours:  Former Denver Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan has put down rumours of him going to coach the Kansas City Cheifs.

Not surprising, because Shanahan has showed no effort to get back into coaching so far.

Denver hires Nolan:  Nolan hiring brings some credibility.

The move was smart by new head coach Josh MacDaniels.  He needed someone running the defense that has experience, and Mike Nolan has that.  The next question is what can he do with a defense that was horrible.

The cost of doing business was not that costly several years ago, until the Collective Bargaining Agreement salary cap formula changed.  Many teams are now realizing that, because of this free agency is not worth it.

According to Profootball Talk.com a League source has told the team that it is believed that many teams will sit out the spending spree that happens in the first few days.  That means once the top players are gone there will be very few teams in free agency.

Many teams will jump in free agency after the spending spree is over to fill back up roles on their squad, but that will be it.  So, what is the reason for teams spending less.

The reason is that teams cannot afford it.  The salary cap is getting so high that if they spend all the way up to the cap, then they will not enough money to cover their own operating costs.

Teams have to look no further for proof than the Detroit Lions.  The Lions for the last several years have sustained losses.

That is a huge problem, because they are now dependent on building through the draft.  There is no money to fall back on if the miss on a free agent.

With teams realizing that too much money is being spent on players, then add a failing economy into the mix, teams have realized that they cannot afford to go into free agency if they want a profit this year.

If a team does not operate with that kind of mentality the same thing will happen to their team as did the Buffalo Sabres here in Buffalo, NY.

The Sabres for many years operated at a loss.  Even if the Regis family had not gone to jail the team would of eventually wound up in bankruptcy court.

What happened next is that the team went up for sale.  The Sabres could have wound up moving, but thanks to National Hockey League commissioner Gary Bettman that never happened.

Simply, it is time to go back to either to the designated gross revenue formula for figuring the salary cap, figure out a way to do away with the current free agent system, or keep the status quo and eventually lose thier spot as the biggest professional sports league in America.