QBREES9

A trip around the NFL rumor mill

Written by Rene Nadeau


There are rumors a-plenty circulating in NFL circles; some have no substance, while others could grow legs. Here are some that might be worth considering.

It is virtually a done deal that Michael Vick will have a new home for the 2010 season. Speculation has him headed to St. Louis regardless of what happens with the Rams 1st pick in the NFL Draft. Jacksonville could be another spot.

The Eagles organization said that they would not consider parting ways with Vick until the preseason. The Eagles' QB picture becomes clearer by August, plus teams with woes under center will be more ready to give up draft picks and /or players for a quick QB fix The Eagles could maximize any move then.

LaDainian Tomlinson's release from San Diego has opened up quite a few potential options. It now is not a certainty that backup Darren Sproles will return to the Chargers either. Wonder where former LSU Tiger Jacob Hester fits in with this whole scenario? He may see more carries in the one-back set in 2010.

Some prominent names that have been mentioned as replacements for the Bolts:

- Current Vikings RB Chester Taylor has low mileage. He has spent the last 8 seasons with the Ravens and Vikings. mostly as a backup. The Detroit Lions are also interested in Taylor. Besides Detroit, the Packers, Bills, Texans and Chiefs are looking to bolster their backfield.

- Ahmad Bradshaw is another name that might be a high priority in San Diego. Bradshaw might be expendable with the Giants. He is a playmaker but has durability concerns.

- LenDale White of the Tennessee Titans is another big back that looks to possibly be finding a new home. San Diego is a potential destination, along with the Browns. White's role has diminished with the emergence of Chris Johnson in Nashville.

- ESPN's Mark Miller reports that a trade between San Diego and Dallas could be taking place very soon that would send CB Antonio Cromartie to Dallas in exchange for RB Tashard Choice.

- San Diego owns the 28th pick in the 1st round and Georgia Tech RB Jonathan Dwyer should be available at that spot. If so, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Chargers grab him.

- But the one that seems most likely to land in San Diego is 10-year veteran Thomas Jones. He is expected to be given his walking papers from the New York Jets shortly. Jones has accumulated 9,217 yards with 62 career touchdowns. In 2009, he recorded 1,402 yards and 14 scores. He is still very effective and durable, but Shonn Green looks like the top back for the Jets.

The Detroit Lions are looking to upgrade their RB spot. We mentioned that Ladainian Tomlinson is now looking for a new home with the Lions, Saints, Packers, Texans, Chiefs and Buffalo as possible suitors. The Lions are also rumored to be trying to deal their 1st round choice, 2nd overall.

Cardinals safety Antrel Rolle will most likely be playing for another team in 2010. He is due $4 million if he is still on the Arizona roster on March 1.

Julius Peppers to where? We talked about this 2 weeks ago, but how about the New England Patriots? Stranger things have happened. The Eagles, Giants and Chiefs are reportedly interested in the veteran heading into his 9th season.

The Packers are another team that is in need of another CB with 13 year veteran Charles Woodson at one corner and Tramon Williams at the other. The Minnesota Vikings have also expressed interest in San Diego’s Cromartie, who soon will be only 26 years old and has 15 career interceptions.

In spite of new Redskins coach Mike Shanahan "implying" that QB Jason Campbell is in the future plans, the Washington Post is saying that Campbell could end up in Buffalo in a deal for safety Donte Whitner and a draft choice. The trade could realistically take place on draft day or immediately before.

Disgruntled New York Giants DE Osi Umenyiora wants a change of scenery since head coach Tom Coughlin did not guarantee him a starting spot. The 28 year old out of Troy University has 48.5 career sacks. Currently, Mathias Kiwanuka , a 4-year veteran, is penciled in as a starter at DE. He has 19.5 career sacks. If Umenyiora's unhappiness spills into the locker-room, the move could come quickly.

Seattle lost long-time Pro Bowl LT Walter Jones to retirement. If the Saints decide to move one of their left tackles, Jammal Brown or Jermon Bushrod, the Seahawks could be a taker.

The buzz around many NFL scouts is that LSU's Chad Jones is one of the ten best "athletes" in the 2010 NFL Draft. He can play at either safety spot on the next level.

Speaking a great athletes, South Florida's Jason Pierre-Paul (6'6-260 DE) is flexible enough to do back flips for 30-35 yards.

Not many draft ' experts" are tossing around Oklahoma State QB Zac Robinson's name with the elite signal callers in this year's draft, but his accuracy is outstanding and his athleticism sets him apart.

Depending on what transpires ahead of the Saints in the upcoming draft, there are a few players that you may want to keep an eye on to fall in their lap with the 32nd pick in round one. Missouri LB Sean Weatherspoon or UCLA DT Brain Price are two possibilities.

Weatherspoon (6'1-241) plays big and is a high energy guy with a hot motor and good leadership traits. He can run very well and was impressive at the Senior Bowl.

Price (6'2-300) was the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year in 2009 with 7 sacks. He has great explosion and quickness. Price had a tough childhood with two of his brothers killed growing up in Central Los Angeles. He is hletic but not quite a finished product yet.

Long term uncertainty with New Orleans free agent safety Sharper might draw some attention to that spot on draft day, too.

A player that might be available to the Saints and a very interesting prospect is TCU's Jerry Hughes (6'2-252), a hybrid type as a DE or LB. The former prep star RB-turned-DE recorded 26 sacks in the last two seasons.

A trip around the NFL rumor mill

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ScottF

I really can't see us getting involved in any of this. Great read, though.

With Brown's tender offer NO ONE is going to go after him, so that tells me he isn't going anywhere.

As for our draft pick, it's got to be BPA on D. The experts rarely get the top ten right, so no way they know who will drop to #32.

strato

Jerry Hughes..i could live with that...or Price...we shall see

hagan714

Jerry Hughes? wow are the saints going to move that high in round 1? 10 to 16 to have a shot at him. hmmm makes you wonder. SLB here we go. smoke screen yet again? Price? still not solid on him 100% just yet. Worth thinking thinking about

homerj07

I don't see any of the top LBs falling to us. Maybe one in the 3rd round