http://gridironfans.com/forums GridironFans.com - NFCEAST News en Tue, 21 May 2013 08:22:46 GMT vBulletin 5 http://gridironfans.com/forums/rss/nfceast/images/misc/rss.jpg http://gridironfans.com/forums http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223510 Thu, 16 May 2013 14:24:25 GMT D.C. politicians have stirred the pot when it comes to the name of the Washington Redskins but American Indian tribes in Virginia have no issue with it. Paul Woody of the Richmond Times-Dispatch contacted the heads of three tribes and they had no issue with the name, which Redskins owner Daniel Snyder emphatically said would not change. Here are the responses Woody received: *** “It doesn’t bother me,” Robert Green, the chief of the Patawomeck Tribe, told Woody. “About 98 percent of my tribe is Redskins fans, and it doesn’t offend them, either.” *** “I’m a Redskins fan, and I don’t think there’s any intention for (the nickname) to be derogatory,” said Kevin Brown, chief of the Pamunkey Tribe. “The majority of the people in my tribe don’t have a problem with it. There are a few who do, and we respect their feelings. I like the uniforms. I like the symbol (logo).” *** “I don’t have an issue with it,” said G. Anne Richardson, chief of the Rappahannock Tribe. “There are so many more issues that are important for the tribe than to waste time on what a team is called. We’re worried about real things, and I don’t consider that a real thing. “We’re more worried about our kids being educated, our people housed, elder care and the survival of our culture. We’ve been in that survival mode for 400 years. We’re not worried about how some ball team is named.” So, any calls to change the name of a team with a headquarters in Virginia is not coming from a tribe in the state. Source: National Football Post (http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/American-Indians-in-Virginia-have-no-issue-with-Redskins.html)
Paul Woody of the Richmond Times-Dispatch contacted the heads of three tribes and they had no issue with the name, which Redskins owner Daniel Snyder emphatically said would not change.
Here are the responses Woody received:

*** “It doesn’t bother me,” Robert Green, the chief of the Patawomeck Tribe, told Woody. “About 98 percent of my tribe is Redskins fans, and it doesn’t offend them, either.”

*** “I’m a Redskins fan, and I don’t think there’s any intention for (the nickname) to be derogatory,” said Kevin Brown, chief of the Pamunkey Tribe. “The majority of the people in my tribe don’t have a problem with it. There are a few who do, and we respect their feelings. I like the uniforms. I like the symbol (logo).”

*** “I don’t have an issue with it,” said G. Anne Richardson, chief of the Rappahannock Tribe. “There are so many more issues that are important for the tribe than to waste time on what a team is called. We’re worried about real things, and I don’t consider that a real thing.

“We’re more worried about our kids being educated, our people housed, elder care and the survival of our culture. We’ve been in that survival mode for 400 years. We’re not worried about how some ball team is named.”

So, any calls to change the name of a team with a headquarters in Virginia is not coming from a tribe in the state.

Source: National Football Post]]> Washington Redskins Sweets http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223510 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223788 Tue, 21 May 2013 03:13:51 GMT
McCoy was spotted after practice walking through a NovaCare Complex hallway with a plate of food. He said the issue was with his knee. He did not appear to be limping or in pain.

The Eagles did not have an official report on McCoy's condition.

Source: Philadelphia Inquirer]]> Philadelphia Eagles SteveRobWhatever http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223788 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223784 Tue, 21 May 2013 02:59:23 GMT General Manager Bruce Allen said Monday it’s “too early to tell right now” if quarterback Robert Griffin III will be ready to practice when the Washington Redskins open training camp in late July. “It’s great to hear the building is on schedule, ahead of schedule, and I’ve heard all those same phrases for our quarterback,” Allen said at a tour for reporters of the team’s under-construction training camp site in Richmond. “It’s too early to tell right now. He is doing everything that the doctors want him to do. He’s a great worker. I think that’s why there’s so much optimism that he’ll be ready at the beginning. But it’s really too premature to speculate on where his medical condition is until we give him a physical when training camp starts July 25.” Griffin continues to work his way back from knee surgery in January. The Redskins opened organized team activities, or offseason practices, Monday at Redskins Park. Thursday’s OTA is open to reporters. But Allen declined to specify Monday what Griffin will do Thursday as part of his rehabilitation. “You’ll get to see when you all come out there on Thursday,” Allen said. “He’s been doing a lot of drill work on his own with the other injured players. He has to just follow the doctors’ and the trainers’ advice on a daily basis.” Source: Washington Post (http://feeds.washingtonpost.com/c/34656/f/636586/s/2c2c3205/l/0L0Swashingtonpost0N0Cblogs0Cfootball0Einsider0Cwp0C20A130C0A50C20A0Ctoo0Eearly0Eto0Etell0Eif0Erobert0Egriffin0Eiii0Ewill0Ebe0Eready0Eat0Eoutset0Eof0Etraining0Ecamp0Ebruce0Eallen0Esays0C/story01.htm)
“It’s great to hear the building is on schedule, ahead of schedule, and I’ve heard all those same phrases for our quarterback,” Allen said at a tour for reporters of the team’s under-construction training camp site in Richmond. “It’s too early to tell right now. He is doing everything that the doctors want him to do. He’s a great worker. I think that’s why there’s so much optimism that he’ll be ready at the beginning. But it’s really too premature to speculate on where his medical condition is until we give him a physical when training camp starts July 25.”

Griffin continues to work his way back from knee surgery in January.

The Redskins opened organized team activities, or offseason practices, Monday at Redskins Park. Thursday’s OTA is open to reporters. But Allen declined to specify Monday what Griffin will do Thursday as part of his rehabilitation.

“You’ll get to see when you all come out there on Thursday,” Allen said. “He’s been doing a lot of drill work on his own with the other injured players. He has to just follow the doctors’ and the trainers’ advice on a daily basis.”

Source: Washington Post]]> Washington Redskins SteveRobWhatever http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223784 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223640 Sat, 18 May 2013 01:15:47 GMT
Vick seems to know what a great chance this is, too. Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer notes that Vick's "motivation" this year can't be overstated.

"(Vick's) noticeably bigger and enthused about the offense," Berman writes.

Vick has spoken plenty that he ran less last season by design. Now, he's in an offense that should play to his strengths (mobility) with a vastly improved, healthier offensive line.

Source: NFL.com]]> Philadelphia Eagles SteveRobWhatever http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223640 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223724 Mon, 20 May 2013 14:42:22 GMT
But it's not going to be a permanent change. Harbor says he was tried out just in case of emergency.

"I'm a tight end, and for emergency situations, and just versatility purposes, for me, I'm learning (outside linebacker)," Harbor told the Philadelphia Inquirer over the weekend.

Avant took some snaps with defensive backs, but he's not changing positions either. Both players could be on the roster bubble heading into training camp, and a little position versatility never hurts your chances of making the final 53-man roster.

"It's one of those things that I work hard, and whatever that may be, and whatever the team wants me to do, I'll do it," Avant said.

Source: NFL.com]]> Philadelphia Eagles Sweets http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223724 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223576 Fri, 17 May 2013 01:24:21 GMT
The move comes as a result of the Eagles putting a new priority on the tight end position, which explains the additions of James Casey via free agency and Zach Ertz via last month’s draft.

Those acquisitions are joining a tight end corps that already featured Brent Celek and Harbor.

Harbor is seemingly the odd man out of the equation with only 46 career receptions for 421 yards and four touchdowns.

The Eagles seem to need some extra help at outside linebackers as they are in the process of converting two conventional defensive ends — Trent Cole and Brandon Graham — to that position.

Source: Philly.com]]> Philadelphia Eagles SteveRobWhatever http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223576 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223642 Sat, 18 May 2013 01:36:40 GMT
He agreed to pay his parents in four installments after getting drafted, but they kept coming back for more.

"There was a certain amount I agreed to give them, but it went way beyond that and I was just like, 'I'm done,'" Smith said. "I feel like I shouldn't have given them so much. There was nothing wrong with helping them out and making sure they were taken care of, but not something to where they live the same lifestyle as you."

Smith's lawyer alleged that his mom and/or step-dad threatened Smith's well-being and the life of his girlfriend. The lawyer also alleged that Smith's family took more than $1 million from him after the money went missing a financial advisor his parents recommended was used.

"There was money missing, but I just don't know where it went," Smith said. "There were times I would check my statements and it wouldn't make sense and I hadn't authorized it at all. I just felt betrayed and I was like, 'Who can I trust?'"

"The takeaway from this is don't let people take advantage of you. And it's all right to say no to certain people," Smith said.

Source: NFL.com]]> Dallas Cowboys SteveRobWhatever http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223642 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223574 Fri, 17 May 2013 01:13:21 GMT
“There might be plays where DeSean is in the backfield, you never know,” running back LeSean McCoy said. “I mean every time we come out here it’s always something different. It’s always a surprise. So you don’t know what to look forward to.”

De’Anthony Thomas did the same thing for Kelly at Oregon.

“Right now that’s the big thing because we’re able to motion from both sides, motion from side to side,” Jackson said. “Go behind the quarterback. Go in front of the quarterback. Things like that.

“There’s just so many different options. That’s the biggest thing I can say is this offense really doesn’t have any limits. There’s plenty of options regardless of how the defense is playing.”

Source: The Redzone]]> Philadelphia Eagles SteveRobWhatever http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223574 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223635 Sat, 18 May 2013 00:25:33 GMT
The Redskins took Amerson, who led the nation with 13 interceptions as a sophomore at North Carolina State in 2011, with the 19th pick (51st overall) of the second round. The team did not have a first-rounder as part of last year's trade with St. Louis that enabled Washington to land reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Robert Griffin III with the No. 2 overall draft of the 2012 draft.

Amerson won the Jack Tatum Award honoring the top defensive back in college football following his sophomore campaign with the Wolfpack, and set a school record with 18 career interceptions before declaring for the draft as an early entry.

Source: Sports Network]]> Washington Redskins SteveRobWhatever http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223635 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223616 Fri, 17 May 2013 19:29:11 GMT
“Yeah, we'll look at Mac back there,” Kelly said, sticking to his clean-slate approach. To date, Kelly hasn’t anointed any of his players into starting spots yet, even the obvious ones.

“Again, it's May, so we're going to take a look at him and Damaris [Johnson] and DeSean and [receiver] Nick Miller. Russell Shepard is a guy that's returned punts before, one of the rookies that's out here. So we'll get a bunch of those guys because you never know in a game; all of a sudden two guys are hurt.

“When you've only got a 46-man [game] roster, someone has got to go back there, and hopefully it's someone that's fielded punts before. [Maclin] has got some experience at it, but we'll take a look at him. But does that mean he's going to be our starting punt returner? I have absolutely no idea right now.”

Source: The Redzone]]> Philadelphia Eagles Sweets http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223616 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223618 Fri, 17 May 2013 19:42:18 GMT The Washington Redskins announced Friday afternoon that they have signed safety Phillip Thomas to his rookie contract, making him the fifth of seven draft picks to agree to a deal in the past week, Mike Jones of the Washington Post reports. Drafted 119th overall out of Fresno State, Thomas is expected to compete for a starting job in Washington’s secondary. Brandon Meriweather – the would-be starter at strong safety – is coming off of a torn anterior cruciate ligament and is still rehabbing. Meanwhile, last year’s starting free safety, Madieu Williams, is no longer with the team. Veterans Reed Doughty, DeJon Gomes and Jordan Pugh also aim to compete for the starting free safety job as well. Washington in the sixth round drafted Bacarri Rambo, who is more of a natural free safety and aims to contend for that starting job as well. Source: The Redzone (http://theredzone.org/BlogDescription.aspx?EntryID=35055)
Drafted 119th overall out of Fresno State, Thomas is expected to compete for a starting job in Washington’s secondary.

Brandon Meriweather – the would-be starter at strong safety – is coming off of a torn anterior cruciate ligament and is still rehabbing. Meanwhile, last year’s starting free safety, Madieu Williams, is no longer with the team. Veterans Reed Doughty, DeJon Gomes and Jordan Pugh also aim to compete for the starting free safety job as well. Washington in the sixth round drafted Bacarri Rambo, who is more of a natural free safety and aims to contend for that starting job as well.

Source: The Redzone]]> Washington Redskins Sweets http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223618 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223264 Mon, 13 May 2013 18:05:14 GMT
But any un-Chip Kelly-approved snacking in the future will have to be done in secret. The Eagles' new head coach has outlawed both Taco Tuesday and Fast Food Friday, according to ESPN.

"Chip Kelly believes that elite athletes need optimal nutrition," reported Jeannine Edwards. "There are basically four main food stations in the cafeteria and there are signs over each food station explaining what they are and what they're good for."

Kelly's organic menu features zero fried chicken, pizza, burgers, and red meat in general.

Source: The Inquirer]]> Philadelphia Eagles Sweets http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223264 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223211 Sun, 12 May 2013 00:45:14 GMT #4 overall pick was immediately put on the right.

"Mostly right today," said Johnson after practice. "I really don't know what's going to end up happening but it's wherever the coaches need. Wherever they need me I wanna play."

With Jason Peters reportedly healed and ready to go on the left, Johnson's career will start out on the right. However, Peters is only signed through 2014 and is set to make $20.75 million completely un-guaranteed. Assuming he does play out that contract, he'll be 33 and the Eagles could very well just move Johnson over to the left as his successor.

Source: SBNation.com]]> Philadelphia Eagles SteveRobWhatever http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223211 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223204 Sun, 12 May 2013 00:08:43 GMT Matt Barkley hasn’t met Michael Vick but he’s competed against and has gotten to know Nick Foles. Matt Barkley plans to compete to be the first starting quarterback of the Chip Kelly era in Philadelphia, not defer or cower to anyone else with the same objective, Geoff Mosher of CSN Philadelphia reports. “Well, they’ve both done great things, and Michael has had an unbelievable career,” Barkley said Friday, after the team’s first rookie camp practice. “You come in as a teammate to them, not as a fan. You come in as someone who is ready to compete against them at the same time. “I’ll get to know them those guys, and I’m sure from what I’ve heard they are outstanding men, but you come in knowing that you have a job and they’re trying to take that job as well, so it’s competition, you know. Competing is what it’s all about.” Barkley, who set all sorts of college and conference passing records at USC, is acclimating to Kelly’s fast-paced offense that has some similarities to offenses that Barkley engineered in the past but also has plenty of differences. Many wonder how he fits into the picture, given his lack of mobility and arm strength that recently came under criticism of scouts and talent evaluators and assisted in his descent from a potential top-15 draft pick if he had come after his junior year to the first pick of the fourth round, 98th overall. Barkley hardly seemed overwhelmed or skeptical. “You know, I’ll make it fit,” he said. “It doesn’t matter what plays we run, I’m going to find a way to help this team out, and I know Coach Kelly has a way of working things out as well in terms of how he schemes and how he calls plays, so I’m not worried. I’m just worried about the here and now and what I can do right now.” Source: The Redzone (http://theredzone.org/BlogDescription.aspx?EntryID=34931)
Matt Barkley plans to compete to be the first starting quarterback of the Chip Kelly era in Philadelphia, not defer or cower to anyone else with the same objective, Geoff Mosher of CSN Philadelphia reports.

“Well, they’ve both done great things, and Michael has had an unbelievable career,” Barkley said Friday, after the team’s first rookie camp practice. “You come in as a teammate to them, not as a fan. You come in as someone who is ready to compete against them at the same time.

“I’ll get to know them those guys, and I’m sure from what I’ve heard they are outstanding men, but you come in knowing that you have a job and they’re trying to take that job as well, so it’s competition, you know. Competing is what it’s all about.”

Barkley, who set all sorts of college and conference passing records at USC, is acclimating to Kelly’s fast-paced offense that has some similarities to offenses that Barkley engineered in the past but also has plenty of differences.

Many wonder how he fits into the picture, given his lack of mobility and arm strength that recently came under criticism of scouts and talent evaluators and assisted in his descent from a potential top-15 draft pick if he had come after his junior year to the first pick of the fourth round, 98th overall.

Barkley hardly seemed overwhelmed or skeptical.

“You know, I’ll make it fit,” he said. “It doesn’t matter what plays we run, I’m going to find a way to help this team out, and I know Coach Kelly has a way of working things out as well in terms of how he schemes and how he calls plays, so I’m not worried. I’m just worried about the here and now and what I can do right now.”

Source: The Redzone]]> Philadelphia Eagles SteveRobWhatever http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223204 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223553 Thu, 16 May 2013 23:55:35 GMT Cowboys OT Doug Free agreed to a new contract, according to Todd Archer of ESPN Dallas, a two-year deal that will allow him to remain with the club. Free’s salary cap figure for this season was to be $10.02 million and he was supposed to earn $7 million. Now, it is believed his base salary will be half of that after a disappointing season for Free in 2012. Free cashed in with a $32 million, four-year contract in 2011, a deal that included $17 million guaranteed. He has started 48 consecutive games for the club and now rumors about the team pursuing veteran options at right tackle will subside. Source: National Football Post (http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Report-Doug-Free-restructures-contract-with-Cowboys.html)
Free cashed in with a $32 million, four-year contract in 2011, a deal that included $17 million guaranteed. He has started 48 consecutive games for the club and now rumors about the team pursuing veteran options at right tackle will subside.

Source: National Football Post]]> Dallas Cowboys SteveRobWhatever http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223553 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223582 Fri, 17 May 2013 02:01:40 GMT The Redskins announced Wednesday afternoon that they have signed fifth-round pick Chris Thompson to his rookie contract. A 5-foot-7, 192-pound running back out of Florida State, Thompson was selected with the 154th overall pick of the draft. The Redskins did not release terms of the contract, but the worth of the deal is similar to the four-year, $2.3 million contract that last year’s 154th overall pick – Seattle linebacker Kory Toomer – signed. Thompson appeared in 38 games during his career at Florida State and he carried the ball 277 times for 1,735 yards and 14 touchdowns. Thompson suffered a broken vertebra in his back in 2011, and had his 2012 season cut short by a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Source: Washington Post (http://feeds.washingtonpost.com/c/34656/f/636586/s/2bf7425c/l/0L0Swashingtonpost0N0Cblogs0Cfootball0Einsider0Cwp0C20A130C0A50C150Credskins0Esign0Efifth0Eround0Epick0Echris0Ethompson0C/story01.htm)
A 5-foot-7, 192-pound running back out of Florida State, Thompson was selected with the 154th overall pick of the draft. The Redskins did not release terms of the contract, but the worth of the deal is similar to the four-year, $2.3 million contract that last year’s 154th overall pick – Seattle linebacker Kory Toomer – signed.

Thompson appeared in 38 games during his career at Florida State and he carried the ball 277 times for 1,735 yards and 14 touchdowns. Thompson suffered a broken vertebra in his back in 2011, and had his 2012 season cut short by a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

Source: Washington Post]]> Washington Redskins SteveRobWhatever http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223582 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223515 Thu, 16 May 2013 16:04:25 GMT The Washington Redskins and New York Giants have both had exploratory talks regarding the services of free agent running back Tim Hightower, who last played for the Redskins during the 2012 preseason, Mike Jones of the Washington Post reports. This according to two people with knowledge of the situation. It wasn’t immediately clear how serious the Redskins’ interest is, but the Giants held talks with Hightower earlier this month and were expected to meet with him again “in a couple weeks,” one person said. The second person said they weren’t sure how close either team was to signing Hightower, however. Source: The Redzone (http://theredzone.org/BlogDescription.aspx?EntryID=35027)
It wasn’t immediately clear how serious the Redskins’ interest is, but the Giants held talks with Hightower earlier this month and were expected to meet with him again “in a couple weeks,” one person said. The second person said they weren’t sure how close either team was to signing Hightower, however.

Source: The Redzone]]> NFL General Discussion Sweets http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223515 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223556 Fri, 17 May 2013 00:04:07 GMT
The report states that if the Giants offer Woodson, it will likely be for a minimum deal. This would hinge on Woodson's health.

Also reportedly interested in Woodson's services are the Broncos, Panthers and Raiders.

Woodson would likely play safety with whatever team he ends up with, and not at cornerback, the position he played throughout the majority of his professional career.

Source: Scout.com]]> New York Giants SteveRobWhatever http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223556 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223552 Thu, 16 May 2013 23:51:38 GMT
The 29-year-old, who most recently played in 2011 with the Seattle Seahawks, will look to resume what has been a turbulent NFL career.

Hargrove signed with the Green Bay Packers in March of last year, but was released prior to the start of the season after receiving an eight-game suspension for his role in the New Orleans Saints' bounty scandal.

His suspension was ultimately rescinded, but he never caught on with another team and sat out the entire 2012 season. He has amassed 168 tackles and 19.5 sacks over seven playing seasons.

Source: Sports Network]]> Dallas Cowboys SteveRobWhatever http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223552 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223105 Fri, 10 May 2013 01:40:26 GMT Former Eagles third-round pick Chris Gocong will be back in Philadelphia this weekend for a tryout, according to the team. Gocong (6-2, 263) ruptured his right Achilles’ during training camp last summer and missed the entire season. He was a 16-game starter for the Browns in 2010 and 2011. Gocong, 29, has played multiple positions in multiple schemes over the years. Most recently, he was on the field for 80.6 percent of Cleveland’s defensive snaps in 2011 (according to Pro Football Focus) as a 4-3 WILL linebacker. Source: PhillyMag.com (http://www.phillymag.com/eagles/2013/05/09/gocong-gets-a-tryout-with-the-eagles/)
Gocong (6-2, 263) ruptured his right Achilles’ during training camp last summer and missed the entire season. He was a 16-game starter for the Browns in 2010 and 2011.

Gocong, 29, has played multiple positions in multiple schemes over the years. Most recently, he was on the field for 80.6 percent of Cleveland’s defensive snaps in 2011 (according to Pro Football Focus) as a 4-3 WILL linebacker.

Source: PhillyMag.com]]> Philadelphia Eagles SteveRobWhatever http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223105