Kaspers Korner

The Saint Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the Saint Louis Rams will be up for sale soon to potential buyers outside of the Saint Louis area.  The reason is due to a lack of interenst from the Saint Louis area.

The Pittsburgh Post Gazette reports that Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney will step down as chairman of the team if the Senate confirm him in June as the United States Ambassador to Ireland.

According to Michael Lombardi of NFP and NFL Network, the Saint Louis Rams have genuine interest in Michael Vick.

The Denver Post reports that Willie Clark’s lawyers have gotten a continuance from the judge presiding over his case for the alleged murder of former Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams.  The reason is that his lawyers are trying to supress evidence.

The Chicago Tribune reports that Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutller is refusing to sign autographs.

Last year the National Football League saw to rookie quarterback start from day one.  To do that with Sanchez would just be foolish.

The main reason that NFL fans saw Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan and Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco start as rookies is due to the fact that their team’s coaches knew that their teams could run the ball despite opponents game planning to take it away.

In the Jets case that will not be the case as the Jets were ninth in rushing, because teams were more worried about the passing game due to quarterback Brett Farve being traded from the Green Bay Packers to the New York Jets.

Previously, in 2007 season the Jets were ranked 19th, which if will be the case again this season, will ruin the career of Sanchez.

Also, the AFC East is one of the hardest divisions to play in especially with the fact that quarterbacks have to play against the New England Patriots twice a year.

With Bill Belichick being the head coach if the Patriots even starting quarterback have tough times against him.

Now, you want to start a rookie quarterback against him? HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! I hope you are prepared for a long day, because your team will be blown out.  The reason is the Belichick throws so many different things as quarterbacks.
Simply, quarterbacks in the AFC East as rookies should ride the pine.  That is unless there is an injury to the starter.

According to NFL.com there were no transactions made Saturday.  These were the transactions for Friday:

The Detroit Lions acquired defensive end Brian Johnston off waivers.

The Washington Redskins cut tackle Jon Jansen.

The Chicago Bears signed linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa to a one year deal.

Defensive end Isreal Idonije signed a two year contract extension.

They signed all their draft picks from round four to seven.

The Associated Press reports that NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith said this “I don’t represent active players. I don’t represent retired players. I represent all NFL players. We are one team.”

The Associated Press also reports the Lousiana House of Representatives past a main piece of a deal to keep the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans by a vote of 70-23.

The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that the Minnesota Vikings are installing the Wildcat offense in offseason team activity practices with the quarterback being wide receiver Percy Harvin.
The Buffalo News reports that Buffalo Bills cornerback Leodis McKelvin’s injury to his middle finger on his right hand was non football related.  Honestly as long as it is not something illegal I do not care, because he still should be ready for training camp any which way.

According to ESPN.com and WFAA-TV in Philadelphia former Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Brian Stewart signed on to join the Philadelphia Eagles coaching staff.  That should give the offense a distinct advantage over the Cowboys defense.
The Baltimore Sun reports that the Baltimore Ravens are moving David Hale from tackle to center.

The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Quinn Ojinnaka was arrested and charged with simple battery on Wednesday.  He was released four hours later as he

The San Jose Mercury News reports the San Francisco 49ers reached a tentative deal on a new stadium with Santa Clara

New National Football League Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith made comments today that were nice to hear in regards to retired players.  The problem is though Smith is barking up the wrong tree for help in the NFLPA’s battle in regards to a new collective bargaining agreement.

“I don’t represent active players. I don’t represent retired players. I represent all NFL players. We are one team,” said Smith according to the Associated Press.

The thing is that retired players are beyond the point of talk as they want action right now.

The thing is that retired players, especially the ones that played in the 1960’s, 1970’s and 1980’s, feel that players today are overpaid.

Hall of Fame Buffalo Bills guard Joe DeLamielleure went on to say that all players today are over paid in appearances on WGR Sports Radio 550.

He also went on to say that the owners have done more than enough by giving almost 60 percent of every dollar and that the problem is ultimately the NFLPA themselves by not diverting more of that money to benefits for retired players.

Joe D is right the problem is not the owners, beacuse they are the ones that do not decide what goes to retired players that in the past was Smith predecessor Gene Upshaw.

Smith’s remarks are good to hear and are a step in the right direction.  However, they will give Smith no help until they get help from Smith.

All Smith has to do is that instead of the salary cap going up for the next five years the money instead will be diverted to players pensions, which is one of the worst in major professional sports.

They may be old and banged up, but they are not stupid.

According to the Associated Press, the San Diego Chargers rejected today a plan that was in their words too dense/

The Associated Press also reports that former National Football League kicker Mike Vanderjet asked for his release to keep his options open as he heads towards retirement.

The Nashville City Paper reports that the Tennessee Titans have not filed a formal complaint against the Washington Redskins.  ProFootballtalk.com points out that Tennessean did report that the Titans did ask the league to look into the matter.

These are the official transactions for today from NFL.com:

The Denver Broncos made it official that they cut running back JJ Arrington.

The Green Bay Packers resigned exclusive rights free agent cornerback Tramon Williams.

The San Francisco 49ers signed sixth round pick tight end Bear Pascoe.

ProFootballTalk.com reports that the independent Retired Players Summit, which starts Friday, will announce a major marketing initiative in partnership and independent advocacy group for retired players call Fourth and Goal, which also has the backing of the National Football League.  That means the NFL Alumni can use the NFL shield, individual team names, and logos.

ProFootballTalk.com also reports that Washington Post’s Washington Redskins beat writer Jason La Canfora will join the NFL Network to replace the soon departing Adam Schefter.

The Associated Press reports that Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson attended his first practice Thursday since undergoing a heart transplant.

The Delaware Supreme Court ruled Thursday that a sports betting lottery would not violate the state’s constitution, according to the Associated Press.

Former Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Jimmy Smith plead not guilty today to possession of cocaine, marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving with a suspended license, according to the Associated Press.
The Cincinnati Enquire reports that Cincinnati Bengals defensiven Antwan Odom added 28 pounds to improve his performance on the field.

Many in the national media thought that Buffalo Bills wide receiver Terrell Owens would eventually will disrupt quarterback Trent Edwards when things go wrong.  The thing is that the two are perfect for each other.

What many do not know in the national media is that Edwards is hard on himself, and holds himself to high standards.  That was the case Wednesday when Edwards had a bad practice and worked out with wide receivers Lee Evans and Owens for an extra 30 minutes after practice.

Owens is intense and knows he is one of the great wide receivers of all time.  Thus, when things go wrong he tries to put the team on his shoulders by doing whatever means necessary to get him the ball.

This time around he will not have to do that at all.  Edwards is very smart and picks up on things fast.  That translates to when he makes a mistake it does not happen again very much after the first time.

Last year the Bills had a tough time with getting the ball to wide receivers, because teams played a lot of deep cover two, along with double teaming Evans.

This time around they are running the no huddle offense and there is more talent, which means there is going to be wide receivers open at some point to throw the ball to.
Even if everyone is covered Edwards has learned through Offseason Team Activities he still has one option to throw to, and that is Owens.

The reason is that even if Owens is covered good great wide receivers in the league still makes plays.  That was the case earlier in OTA’s when Owens was covered good by cornerback Terrence McGee, but made a one handed catch for a touchdown.

By the time OTA’s are done with there will be one thing clear to Owens.  That he does not have to be critical of Edwards, because Edwards himself is his own biggest critic.

If anything he needs to be the hey don’t sweat it man just get me the ball and things will be alright guy.

Finally, Owens has that quarterback that know that no matter what the defenses throw at him it is his job to get it to Owens.

For the first time in a long time it is going to be fun this year to watch the Bills offense, because these two are perfect for each other.

According to the Buffalo News cornerback Terrance McGee injured his shoulder in practice, which according to Tim Graham of ESPN.com is not serious.
The Cincinnati Enquire reports that Cincinnati Bengals tackle Andre Smith rehiring agent Alvin Keels was made official today after filing the paper work for it.

The Denver Post reports that the Denver Broncs cut running back JJ Arrington after he failed his physical.

The Arizona Republic reports that wide receiver Anquan Boldin is still skipping practice.

According to NFL.com these are the transactions for today:

The New York Jets acquired tight end Martrez Milner off waivers.

The New England Patriots signed linebacker Paris Lenon.

The Kansas City Chiefs cut defensive end Brian Johnston.

The Detroit Lions acquired safety Tra Battle off waivers.
In the Startribune former Minnesota Vikings quarterbak Fran Tarketon did not have very good opinions about quarterback Brett Farve.

Cornerback Antoine Winfield will attend mandatory mini camps despite a contract dispute, according to the Startribune.

According to WBZTV, New Englad Patriot head coach Bill Belichick’s son Brian Belichick was arrested for underage drinking at the NCAA Lacrosse Championships.

The Orange and Brown report writes the kicker Phil Dawson still has not attend practices.

The New York Daily News reports that running back Thomas Jones showed up for practice today.

The Associated Press reports that a Florida man alledges that he has sold steroids to athletes in a variety of sports.

The Saint Louis Post-Dispatch reports that center Richie Incognito is trying to become a more mature player by cleaning up his game.

According to the New Orleans Times-Picayune the New Orleans Saints have signed free agent wide receiver D’Juan Woods and waived quarterback Patrick Cowan.

The Baltimore Sun reports that Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh reports that wide receiver Derrick Mason will be ready for training camp.

The Pittsburgh Post Gazette reports that Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison’s son was released from the hospital today.

The Houston Chronicle reports that Houston Texans runningback Steve Slaton is working hard to avoid a sophmore slump.

Philly.com reports that Philadelphia Eagles tight end Cornelius Ingram sufferd a scare when he hurt his surgically repaired left knee which turned out to be a knee contusion.

The Philadelphia Eagles reached the NFC Conference Championship game for the fifth time behind quarterback Donovan McNabb, but like most of the other times they lost.  For the upcoming 2009 season the rookies will be the key.

The Eagles offense has several rookie starters that will make or break the season for them.  The two main players are tight end Brent Celek and rookie wide receiver Jeremy Maclin

Celek will be a rookie starting tight end next year for the Eagles.  That has happened, because in the 2008 post season Celek was a monster catching 19 passes for 151 yards with three touchdowns.  His performance in the post season then led the Eagles to let starting tight end LJ Smith walk in free agency.

Maclin carries all the hopes that Eagles have been waiting for.  That being a star wide receiver since wide receiver Terrell Owens left town, but even before that the Eagles have not had a wide reciever go to the Pro Bowl, besides Owens in 2005, since Fred Barnett in 1993.

The problem is that wide receivers usually take three years to develop, which may be too long since McNabb turns 33 in November.

Unfortunately, the 2009 season may be one where they come up just short again.  That is unless these two rookies turn in solid years.

Newsday reports that former National Football League safety John Lynch will join FOX as a game analyst.  Also, they report that former Denver Broncos running back Maurice Clarett wants to play in the NFL again after he is out of jail.
The Chicago Sun-Times reports that the Chicago Bears want all their draft picks signed by the middle of July.

FoxSports.com reports that Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin will sign with Creative Artists Agency after firing agent Drew Rosehaus.

The Boston Globe reports that free agent linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa visited the New England Patriots Tuesday.

The Patriots announced Tuesday that they cut offensive lineman Damane Duckett and tight end Brad Listorti.

Peter King of SI.com writes that Patriots quarterback Tom Brady plans to play until he is 41 years old or older.  The reason being is that football is the only thing he cares to do,
ESPN.com’s Chris Mortensen reports that free agent wide receiver Matt Jones will not be disciplined by the league for violating his parole.

The Pewter Report writes that tight end Kellen Winslow showed up for OTA’s Tuesday.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer wrotes that cornerback Rod Hood signed with the Cleveland Browns.

The Miami Dolphins announced they signe cornerback Will Allen to a contract extension

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin has been seeking a new contract for a while now.  The Cardinals wide receiver has only one move left, and that is hold out.

Boldin demanded a new contract when fellow Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald received his new contract prior to the 2008 season.

Since then Boldin has been doing things the nice way by showing up for everything, which of course did not work.

The problem is that Boldin has two years left on his contract.  That means the team does not feel any urgency to address the issue.

So, Boldin has only one option and that is hold out during the regular season.

Then the Cardinals will have to listen, because Boldin is too valuable an asset to the Cardinals.

Boldin is well within his right to demand a new contract as he is only making $2.75 million this year and three million next year.

Any other owner would have paid Boldin by now, but the Cardinals owners are the Bidwells and they are cheap.

With news coming out today that Boldin fired his agent it is only going to get uglier from here on out.