May 2011 4for4 Player News Articles

Today's throwing session is the most rigorous activity 49ers rookie QB Colin Kaepernick has had since undergoing a surgical procedure on his left leg following the draft. Though the exact nature of the procedure is unknown, it was considered minor and Kaepernick has been off crutches and moving around for more than a week and a half.

Lawyers for Aqib Talib said Friday that a Dallas County grand jury indicted the Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a second-degree felony that's punishable by 2 to 20 years in prison.

Talib's lawyers, Jay K. Reisinger and Frank A. Perez, released a statement noting the indictment is "merely a formal accusation, and that Mr. Talib has not been convicted of any crime with respect to this matter.

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay remains optimistic he'll be able to lock up quarterback Peyton Manning to a long-term deal once the NFL's lockout is lifted.

Redskins WR Banks, 23, has almost fully recovered from a stab wound he sustained in February. He said Wednesday at the team’s informal players-only minicamp that he is “90 percent” healthy.

Rams WR Donnie Avery says he's "a good 92-93 percent" recovered from surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. The injury, which occurred in the Rams' Aug. 26 preseason game in New England, cost him the entire 2010 season.

The Falcons have informed WR Brian Finneran that they don’t plan to re-sign him

Steve Smith says the rehab on his surgically-repaired knee is going as planned.

“I just got out of a really tough workout in the pool right now,” Smith said on ESPN New York 1050's Ruocco and Lundberg show on Thursday. “I am running in the pool, doing a lot of strength work and I am doing pretty good. Things are looking good for me. I’m really excited and I can’t wait to get this lockout done.”

Lions president Tom Lewand says QB Matthew Stafford's recovery, according to the trainers, is "off the charts."

“Bring it on,” Chargers QB Philip Rivers said with a laugh when asked about Panthers WR Steve L Smith on Jim Rome is Burning Wednesday. “We have a great deal of weapons, and I certainly appreciate each and every one of them, but any chance you can add a guy of that caliber, I’m all for it.”

Jason La Canfora on Broncos QB Kyle Orton: The Broncos aren't looking to deal him. They aren't loaded with intent to move him. They can see many scenarios and projections with him as their starter to open the 2011 season -- in fact, that's precisely what the people I've talked to there expect to be the case.

Weight issues were part of the reason Mike Williams spent two years out of the NFL.

Now, the Seahawks wide receiver who finished second in voting for the league's Comeback Player of the Year last season said he's keeping his weight in check during the lockout with a whole lot of exercise.

"I average about five-and-a-half, six hours of cardio a day, just between field work and in-the-gym work. And I try to get my basketball in every day," he told Brock & Salk on Tuesday.

K Kris Brown's signing directly indicates this: The Cowboys feel David Buehler needs competition. They haven't given up on their young kicker, but they need more consistency from him.

Bills coach Chan Gailey is hoping to expand the way Lee Evans contributes to the offense. Gailey will continue to use Evans to attack defenses downfield, but he wants to see Evans become as much of a threat on short and intermediate routes as the long ones.

Chargers HC Norv Turner confirmed that Antonio Gates (plantar fasciitis) is healthy. “I did get to see him during the two-day period that the lockout was lifted and he’s excited that his rehab is going well," Turner said.

Gates caught 29 passes for 478 yards and seven touchdowns during the first five games of the 2010 season before injuring his foot Week 6 at St. Louis. He managed 304 yards and three touchdowns in the season’s final 11 games, missing six due to the injury.

“He’s going to be our lead guy (in 2011),” Turner said. “It’s a shame he got hurt a year ago because he was not only going to have his career-best year but maybe the best year ever by a tight end.

Hines Ward will have surgery Tuesday to repair ligament damage in his left thumb. The Steelers wide receiver has been dealing with the injury since the end of the 2010 season.

Christian Ponder, the 12th overall pick in last month's draft, has reported to Bradenton, Fla., to work out for the next month, and he's also organizing a Vikings minicamp in the area, sources said Tuesday.

Bucs WR Arrelious Benn said he’s able to make cuts on the knee that wasn’t injured and should be able to do that on both knees soon.

“I can run straight as fast as I want, but I still want to take it light,’’ Benn said. “I’m way ahead of schedule.’’

On Tuesday Redskins TE Fred Davis showed up at the Redskins’ player-organized mini camp at 245 pounds, down from 258. The fourth-year tight end says he’s in the best shape he’s been in since Washington drafted him with a 2nd-round selection back in 2008.

“I did more core stuff than I normally do,” Davis said about his intensified workouts this winter and spring. He also made major changes to his eating habits.

Perhaps the most intriguing sight as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers worked out recently was tight end Kellen Winslow. Not only was he practicing, he was jumping to catch passes and at one point dove for a ball, did a full tumble and bounced right to his feet.

“The knee is feeling really good,’’ Winslow said after working out with about 20 players, led by quarterback Josh Freeman.

Rams WR Danario Alexander has undergone five operations on his left knee. The most recent one was done in October, an arthroscopic procedure after he tweaked the joint in practice.

Since then, the knee has improved significantly, Alexander reported Tuesday. "I've been working out and training throughout this whole offseason to be a hundred percent for the season," he said. "It's a lot better than it was during the season. Everything's coming back like it's supposed to."

"I haven't retired," FA WR Torry Holt said. "I'm going to continue to keep my options open. I'm training right now. So if something comes about — great. If not, hey, the NFL Network has been good to me. They gave me an opportunity to talk football, stay around the game. We'll see."

Oakland Raiders players went through a seven-on-seven workout against players from several different NFL teams Wednesday at a local high school football field. Players from multiple teams have been holding such sessions among their own groups for weeks, but this is believed to be the first seven-on-seven workout with players from different teams during the lockout, which is in its third month.

Combined, more than 50 players -- roughly 30 from the Raiders -- are attending this players-only workout.

Peyton Manning is on the mend from a second neck surgery in the past 15 months.

The Indianapolis Colts veteran quarterback and the NFL’s only four-time MVP informed The Indianapolis Star today that he underwent a “minimally invasive’’ procedure on Monday to address a disk-related issue in his neck. Manning had surgery on March 3, 2010, to relieve pain caused by a pinched nerve.

Manning emphasized the two procedures addressed separate issues. The latest involved discomfort in Manning’s neck that surfaced recently.

Manning told The Star he anticipates “a quick recovery.’’ “There is plenty of time for recovery,’’ he said.

There is no reason to believe Manning wont be ready for the start of the season, but keep in mind Manning is now 35 years old and is entering his 14th season.

Falcons WR Michael Jenkins has good size and he and Harry Douglas could share time in the slot in three-receiver sets. He's not on the roster bubble, we hear, as the Falcons are trying to build a deep receiver corps and envision him playing a role in it.

Titans rookie QB Jake Locker is in good hands with offensive coordinator Chris Palmer and quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains. Palmer has a strong track record of improving the accuracy of young quarterbacks and Loggains is highly regarded within the organization for being a smart guy who teaches sound technique.

We hear 49ers second-round rookie QB Colin Kaepernick has been keeping busy on a couple of fronts. In addition to picking the brain of Stanford QB Andrew Luck about head coach Jim Harbaugh, Kaepernick also recently underwent lower leg surgery, which he indicated might have scared off some other suitors during the draft. Kaepernick said he expects to be fully recovered from the surgery before the Niners' offseason work begins.

While the Rams appear genuinely excited about the potential of second-round TE Lance Kendricks, we hear there is some concern about his durability, as nagging injuries tended to limit his practice time at Wisconsin.

Chargers RB Darren Sproles remains the most frequently mentioned free-agent possibility in St. Louis as a change-of-pace backup to Rams RB Steven Jackson. But another attractive option generating some behind-the-scenes buzz at Rams Park is Cadillac Williams, who took on a new role this past season in Tampa Bay as an effective backup behind LeGarrette Blount. "Cadillac would be a perfect fit behind Jackson," one team insider said.

One Vikings veteran to watch this offseason will be TE Jim Kleinsasser. The mainstay might not have a roster spot locked up with the addition of second-round pick Kyle Rudolph and with the team needing to make a decision on Visanthe Shiancoe, whose deal has one more year left

In only his third NFL season, Bucs QB Josh Freeman said Monday that he has been organizing team workouts since late March.

"You have got to be up to speed and be ready to go out and win football games and we're taking steps right now to be in a position like that," Freeman said after leading a workout in the Tampa Bay area.

Sam Bradford is teaching the offense (the Josh McDaniels playbook) in player organized Rams workouts.

Ravens WR Derrick mason is catching and moving well after offseason sports hernia and finger surgeries.

Green Bay tight end Jermichael Finley, who played in only five games in 2010 because of meniscus surgery, reported last week that his knee feels fine and he's ready to roll. But there continue to be suspicions that this could be the final season in Green Bay for Finley, who possesses monstrous athletic skills and was on his way to a career season in '10 before the injury. Finley is in the final year of his contract and, if he hits the market, will draw plenty of suitors.

Last week, The Tip Sheet reported that at least one team with time on its hands during the lockout was reviewing videotape of Reggie Bush as a potential slot receiver. But we heard from some teams this week that he is just as valuable as a change-of-pace back, who gets maybe 10-12 "touches" per game as a back and return man.

"We don't plan to trade Carson Palmer," Bengals owner Mike Brown said Monday at the NFL Spring Meeting. "He's important to us. He's a very fine player, and we do want him to come back. If he chooses not to, he'd retire. And we would go with Andy Dalton, the younger player we drafted, who's a good prospect.

"Ideally, we'd have both of them. That'd be the best way to go forward. If we don't have Carson, we'll go with Andy."

Brown hasn't backed off his stance on Palmer and Palmer appears ready to sit out 2011.

The NFL has canceled its rookie symposium, two league sources said Tuesday.

Ken Dorsey just finished eight days working with the first pick in the draft, Carolina quarterback Cam Newton, and they'll be back at it again today in Bradenton, Fla.

It's kind of sad to see Willie Parker beg the Steelers to "resign 39," and encourage fans to do the same. It's not going to happen. The Steelers did bring back a handful of their former players last season through free agency and one trade, but that won't happen with Fast Willie because at age 30 and because of some injuries, his strengths are not his strengths anymore.

Bears free-agent running back Garrett Wolfe was arrested early Sunday and charged with retail theft, disorderly conduct, assault-ing a police officer and resisting arrest with violence, according to Miami-Dade County Police Department records and Miami Beach Police detective Juan Sanchez.

The Buccaneers didn’t draft Luke Stocker to become the team’s number-two tight end. While Kellen Winslow, one of the most talented and highest paid tight ends in the NFL, will certainly be more involved in the passing game than the 6-foot-5, 257-pound rookie from Tennessee, Tampa Bay feels that Stocker has the chance to emerge into a number-one tight end due to his receiving ability, which is vital in case Winslow ever went down due to injury.

The Jets have legitimate interest in soon-to-be free agent Randy Moss, according to sources.

The Jets have been linked to a number of FA WRs, including their own - Santonio Holmes & Braylon Edwards. We'll have to wait and see.

Odds are, Kerry Collins will be the Titans’ starting quarterback if/when the NFL season begins. Given the circumstances, the Titans have few other viable options.

Cardinals unning back Beanie Wells was at the players-organized workout looking like he didn't have an ounce of body fat on him.

Tim Tebow joined a group of his teammates at the South Suburban Sports Dome to throw passes and go through a conditioning workout today. Tebow arrived at 10 a.m. — an hour early — to throw to receiver Britt Davis and tight end Dan Gronkowski. Tebow also spent more than 15 minutes taking snaps from center J.D. Walton.

Eagles quarterback Michael Vick led Eagles teammates in a workout Thursday for the first time since the lockout started 65 days ago in a remote location in South Jersey, according to ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio. Working out with Vick were Brent Celek, Jason Avant, Jeremy Maclin and others; about 15 Eagle players were expected to attend.

The Cowboys are on the hook for $12.9 million if Roy Williams is cut.

Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler began working out with a handful of offensive teammates on Tuesday, according to a league source.

The group, which included roughly eight skill position players, took part in a basic workout which included running routes.

"It's important," coach Lovie Smith said during an interview on ESPN when told Cutler had planned the workouts. "The skill guys can get together, but what's really important right now is all of our players are out working out."

No defensive players were present.

Mike Sims-Walker doesn't know where he'll end up yet. But he and his best friend Dolphins receiver Brandon Marshall have discussed reuninting. The two of them played together at UCF.

"We would love that," Sims-Walker said. "Me and him, our relationship on the field and off the field. We make each other better. We compete with each other so much that we're going to bring the best out of each other every single minute. That will be the best thing for the whole team."

Spoke to Alex Smith after his workout. He indicated that there's a very good chance he'll return to the 49ers.

Lions backup QB Shaun Hill is part of the group of Lions taking part in player-organized workouts at Birmingham Detroit Country Day -- about 35 players attended Tuesday's session -- though he's a week removed from surgery to alleviate a disk problem in his lower back.

Hill, whose contract voids after the 2011 season, said he was told he'd be game-ready in four to six weeks and does not expect to miss training camp, whenever that begins.

One thing was for sure among the Bills' players: They were rooting for the front office to stand pat at quarterback."

"They showed they have a lot of faith in [Ryan Fitzpatrick]," RB Fred Jackson said. "Me and my teammates all have a lot of faith in him, too. We're excited about that. I'm looking forward to working with him and trying to build on what we did last year and making that playoff push."

"Right now, I feel like I'm the No. 1 guy and C.J. Spiller will come in and get a lot of plays," Bills RB Fred Jackson said. "I feel like I'm going to be the guy that's carrying the load and has got to make that running game go."

"I'm sure C.J.'s working hard and will [have] the opportunities as well, but I just got to shoulder the load and take the pressure of Fitz and make us a balanced offense. I want to be that guy."

The Jaguars faced only two defenses that finished in the Top 10 against the run. Against the Chargers, they couldn't run the ball at all. Against the Giants, they couldn't run the ball in the second half. Against the two top 10 rush defenses they faced, Maurice Jones-Drew was able to gain 144 yards on 33 carries, for 4.36 yards per carry. He gained 11% of his season total against top rushing defense, albeit only two games. The Jaguars were 0-2 against the Top 10 rush defenses they faced.

Alex Smith spent about an hour and a half throwing passes to three receivers who were running routes straight out of the playbook he received from Jim Harbaugh. Smith and his core group of receivers - the constants have been Josh Morgan and Kevin Jurovich - have been throwing together for several months now. Over the last two weeks, they have they been using Harbaugh's playbook. Smith, who ran a similar system as a rookie, is in the best position to decipher the plays and be the de facto coach.

49ers Players have said that they'd like to have more complete, team-wide sessions like the Saints had recently. That's been difficult, however, because most of their remaining teammates are spread around the country. Receiver Michael Crabtree, whose chemistry issues with Smith are well-documented, is in the Dallas area. Tight end Vernon Davis, the team's leading receiver in 2011, has been travelling the globe and is now in his native Washington, D.C.

We wouldn't read too much into who is and who is not present at player read workouts. That said, it certainly wouldn't hurt to get Crabtree & Smith on the same page.

Rex Grossman is operating under the assumption he will be resigned by the Redskins.

A high ankle sprain caused Dexter McCluster to miss five games in the middle of the season, and clearly he didn’t have the same quickness and speed after returning for the final five games plus the playoff loss to Baltimore.

“The injury really brought me down,” he said. “But I kept working at it. I’ve been injured before, so I went back out there and I wasn’t timid. I was running and cutting and doing it the same way I’d been doing it. I won’t say I was actually back to what I was but I wasn’t scared to try to play.

The NFL was granted its motion for a stay-on-appeal by the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday.

As such, the league will maintain its right to lock the players out until its appeal of Judge Susan Nelson's decision to grant a lockout-lifting injunction is ruled on. That case will be heard on June 3 in St. Louis. Rulings in federal cases like this one generally take 30-45 days, though the injunction hearings have been put on an expedited schedule by the 8th Circuit.

Meanwhile, the league and players returned to federal mediation, as ordered by Nelson in April, under the auspices of U.S. Magistrate Judge Arthur Boylan on Monday. Michael Hausfeld, lead lawyer for the Eller class in Brady & Eller et al v. the National Football League et al, said the players have a proposal from the league in hand, but a source later described it as nothing more than a couple pages of bullet-points providing a framework.

Remember Victor Cruz, last year's surprise performer in Giants' training camp? Well, don't count Cruz out for a roster spot this season. Steve Smith is coming off a serious injury, which opens up the possibility of him opening the season on the PUP list. Cruz's development as a receiver, plus his special-teams ability, make earning a roster spot a possibility.

We hear new Rams offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels thinks the world of productive holdover Danny Amendola, who is likely to be counted on as a key weapon in the team's revamped offense.

You can see the difference immediately. Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, who was taking part in a players-organized workout today at a local high school, is much thicker through the chest than he's been the last two seasons.

"That's 10 weeks of upper body (training). It was an emphasis,'' Stafford said.

Saints running back Reggie Bush has accepted the fact that whether he stays in New Orleans or plays elsewhere in 2011, there’s no way he’s making the $11.8 million that his current contract calls for him to make.

“This is something that me, my agent and the Saints have to collectively come together to talk about and just come to a meeting point — a happy medium — because obviously there’s going to have to be some type of pay cut,” Bush said. “There’s going to have to be some type of renegotiation.”

It's going to be a crowded backfield in New Orleans if Bush returns, with the newly drafted Mark Ingram paired with the extended Pierre Thomas & Chris Ivory. We would stay away from all Saints RBs in early drafts until we clearer picture.

Jordy Nelson, who caught nine passes in Super Bowl XLV, might be ready to break out, but he’ll need to overcome the drops.

The Packers 5-foot-10 Randall Cobb looks like a prototypical West Coast slot receiver.

Bears QB Jay Cutler said that he’s excited to see his teammates and that his knee is “good to go.”

Bengals WR Chad Ochocinco followed through on a challenge from Professional Bull Riding chief operating officer Sean Gleason on Saturday and rode a bull at the Lucas Oil Invitational in Duluth, Ga.

Ochocinco earned $10,000 for making it out of the chute atop a 1,500-pound bull named Deja Blu.

The ride lasted 1.5 seconds before Ochocinco was bucked off with no apparent injury.

Ochocinco, who wore a helmet and a standard protective vest, fell 6.5 seconds short of the time needed to win a new Ford truck and to earn the right to rename the bull after Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis.

Ochocinco, wearing a helmet and a facemask, barely avoided the bull's feet. He popped right up and climbed the ring's fence to get out of harm's way, flashing a big smile as he looked down.

While this story is truly awesome, there isn't any fantasy impact aside from the fact that Chad was not injured in the incident.

All signs indicate veteran starter Grant, who sustained season-ending ankle and leg injuries in that opener against the Eagles, is healthy and will return for the final year of his contract, even though he’s scheduled to make at least $5.25 million in salary and bonus money.

James Starks, who last season as a rookie came off the physically unable to perform list in November and became the top halfback during the playoffs, is a promising prospect if he can stay healthy. He’s a decisive runner who can get tough yards. He and Grant likely will split carries.

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Brandon Marshall is on the mend after his wife was charged with stabbing him with a kitchen knife last month and might resume workouts as soon as "this week or next," the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported Saturday.

Panthers QB Cam Newton has been working at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., with former NFL quarterbacks Chris Weinke and Ken Dorsey.

The 49ers said Friday they were aware when they drafted Colin Kaepernick in the second round that he had a leg injury that required a minor surgical procedure shortly after the draft.

A spokesman said the 49ers "have no concerns" regarding the Nevada quarterback's health and are confident he'll be ready for the season.

Reggie Bush said he is amenable to a restructured deal. He said the Saints are his first choice: "First & foremost, I want to be a Saint."

For the Radiers, having a player with Jacoby Ford’s speed on the field as much as possible is crucial. Ford ran a 4.28-second 40-yard dash at the combine. Yet, he said his 40-time is irrelevant “because I’m still accelerating after 40 yards.” First-year Oakland head coach Hue Jackson, who was Oakland’s offensive coordinator last season, made it clear at the combine in February that he has big plans for Ford in Oakland’s offense moving forward.

“The guy is fast, and he scores touchdowns,” Jackson said. “So there’s no question any time I can get the ball in his hands, I want to do that. I mean, he’s a tremendous talent. Obviously we saw him last year at the combine run as fast as anybody in a long time, and obviously he came to the Raiders and proved that to be true. The guy is a tremendous special teams player and ended up being our starting Z receiver and had a tremendous first year.”

Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. believes Ford is ready to be a solid contributor as a starting receiver. Williamson admitted that he wasn’t expecting Ford to be as polished as a receiver as he was as a rookie. Williamson thinks Ford can be an effective No. 2 receiver.

Ford is working toward being an Oakland mainstay at receiver and he will join quarterback Jason Campbell in workouts next week on the East Coast.

Giants running back Charles Scott was involved in a car accident in Louisiana earlier this week, according to his agent, Jon Perzley.

"He's doing well. He's definitely got some cuts and bruises. He'll be okay, put it that way," Perzley said by phone minutes ago. "He's going to be fine. And anytime there's a car accident, you're just so glad he's alive. He's like a brother to me. He's okay."

Perzley emphasized that Scott's injuries were not career threatening and he'll absolutely be able to play football again.

49ers GM Trent Baalke said the 49ers plan to find a way to take advantage of Kaepernick's threat as a runner, too.

"Who's to say we're not going to have him in 'The Pistol,'" Baalke said, referring to the brainchild of Nevada coach Chris Ault. Kaepernick typically lined up a yard or 2 closer to the center than in a typical shotgun formation.

"Coming out of the Pistol offense, it's also going to be a little bit of an advantage for us to have some quarterback-driven runs in our offense that teams are going to have to prepare for," Baalke said.

Jacksonville feels fairly confident in the trio of Mike Thomas, Jason Hill and Cecil Shorts. Any preseason contribution from Jarett Dillard would be considered a plus. It does not appear as if Tiquan Underwood will get his third shot to make the roster as he's proven himself to not be ready for NFL competition.

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The Jaguars would be better suited to play Blaine Gabbert as soon as possible as they have no future and a sizable investment in David Garrard and it's better to get the rookie's bumps and bruises out of the way early, rather than put the future on hold just in the hopes of collecting another .500 season at best.

Falcons backup QB John Parker Wilson has been helping get rookie WR Julio Jones up to speed.

“He’s gotten a lot bigger and it looks like he’s gotten a lot stronger,” Wilson said. “He was catching balls the other day, and his reach is still so amazing. It’s pretty sweet. He couldn’t run. He’s still working on his foot from when he messed that up, but he looks good. He looks really good.”

“I can tell you unequivocally that if you talk to John Elway and John Fox,” Chris Mortensen said, “they will tell you emphatically that Brady Quinn is absolutely in the mix in terms of the competition for the starting job. They are not handing it to Tim Tebow. They are not handing it to Kyle Orton. They may have a depth chart to start out, but I know in communicating and speaking to both men that Brady Quinn is not forgotten.”

At this stage of the game, Quinn's name is in the mix to compete for the job, but don't expect him to beat out Kyle Orton and Tim Tebow -- something he couldn't do last year.

From all indications, Reggie Bush's future in New Orleans is cloudy at best. I'd say he's 50-50 to return.

Misdemeanor charges against San Diego Chargers receiver Legedu Naanee stemming from a Feb. 12 altercation with Indianapolis Metropolitan Police have been dismissed.

Rex Grossman — It’s not 100 percent certain that he’ll be back with the Redskins. The thinking here is that if they wanted to be certain to retain Grossman’s services, they would have taken advantage of the window before the lockout began to sign him up for the next couple of years. If he is back, however, he has a big advantage over any potential competitors in that he knows the offense well, having spent the past two full years with Kyle Shanahan. He may not finish the season as the starter, but right now he seems to be the best Week 1 option.

John Beck — He is under contract for 2011 and availability may be just as important as ability in this situation. Beck’s extremely thin resume is both intriguing and a cause for concern. Since at least 1980, no player at his age (30) and with his lack of experience (five games, four starts) has ever broken out to become an effective starting quarterback. We may get a chance to see if Beck will turn out to be the first.

LenDale White, 8 months post-Achilles surgery, is running. Still not doing "explosive" drills yet. Said he feels good and healthy.

Don't look for White to make a big fantasy splash any time soon.

49ers GM Trent Baalke on rookie WR Ronald Johnson, USC (sixth round). (Lined up in the slot, he slips away from defenders against Virginia Tech). “We feel like we got good value in this pick. He’s a guy we feel can play the slot and play the ‘Z’ position for us and also has return value. … He’s another guy where we like his wiring. Everybody at USC talked about his passion for the game. … At this point in the draft, he was too good a value to turn down.”

49ers GM Trent Baalke on RB Kendall Hunter, Oklahoma State (fourth round): “We’re not looking at him as a change-of-pace back. We think he’s a four-down back. He can run the power game, he can get to the edge, he can catch a ball out of the backfield, he can pass-protect and he can return punts and kickoffs … (Breaks off a few runs against Washington State). He’s got a very good combination of quickness, strength and bursts. Is he a 4.3 guy? No. But he has very good competitive speed. You don’t see him get caught from behind. I really like the way he finishes his runs.

New Orleans Saints receivers Marques Colston and Robert Meachem underwent significant surgeries following the 2010 season, but both of them are training at full speed and feel like they can be even stronger in 2011 than they were at any point last year.

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Marques Colston (12) makes a catch as he is defended by Seattle Seahawks linebacker Aaron Curry (59) during the wild card playoff game between the New Orleans Saints and Seattle Seahawks.

Colston had a microfracture surgery to repair cartilage around his right kneecap - similar to the procedure he had performed on his left knee in 2009.

That year, Colston was back to 100 percent before the start of training camp, and he said he's even further ahead of schedule this time.

"I'm doing everything now. It's just about getting my conditioning back," said Colston, who has been working out with teammates at Tulane University and with local trainer Wyatt Harris at the Sonic Boom speed, conditioning and strength academy in Jefferson.

Texans running back Ben Tate, a 2010 second-rounder from Auburn, was hurt in the Texans’ preseason opener at Arizona. Defensive end Connor Barwin, a 2009 second-rounder from Cincinnati, was hurt in the regular-season opener against Indianapolis.

Tate was medically cleared in February, meaning he’ll be ready for full contact whenever football resumes. Offensive coordinator Rick Dennison discussed his 2011 expectations for Tate at the Texans’ Charity Golf Classic on Monday.

“We’re going to give him the ball a few times and see how he does,” Dennison said. “We’re looking at it as he ended up with a redshirt year. He still has the ability that we liked to get him in the second round. We’ll take some turns. Obviously, Arian’s (Foster) our number one guy, and then we’ll go from there.

Members of the Green Bay Packers have not gathered to conduct organized workouts during the lockout, but receiver Greg Jennings showed up to work with Arizona Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald and former NFL receivers coach Jerry Sullivan.

Bengals running back Cedric Benson told Sirius Radio that bringing back Palmer "wouldn't be healthy."

"To bring him back would be detrimental to the team. If he's there and not happy, he's not going to give us his best," Benson said according to a tweet from the program "Late Hits."

We don't see a scenario in which Palmer returns to the Bengals. It looks like a 50-50 chance that Palmer will be allowed to suit up for another team.

After working his way through various NFL practice squads and stops in places like the Intense Football League, Redskins WR Anthony Armstrong finally made it to the NFL. As a 27-year-old rookie in 2010, he quickly worked his way into a starting job and caught 44 passes for 871 yards, an impressive average of 19.8 yards per catch. On a team that has been in search of some offensive pop for years, Armstrong would appear to be set up to have an even bigger role in the offense in 2011.

Armstrong doesn’t see it like that. He intends to keep the same work ethic that got him through his long climb through stints with the Odessa Roughnecks and Dallas Desperados to the NFL.

“The way I look at it, I basically have to win a spot all over again,” Armstrong said on Monday.

Even if Armstrong was inclined to take it easy and rest on his accomplishments from last year, the recent NFL draft would have changed that anyway. The Redskins drafted three wide receivers and Armstrong took note of the development

“I knew they were going to take one,” he said. “Then we end up taking two and then three."

“It’s one of those things where they feel like they have to address the need and that’s fine. I take it as a challenge and I take it as motivation. You can take it as a sign of disrespect, however you want to take it. I use it as fuel, put it in my tank to make me work out harder in

Armstrong was a boom-or-bust fantasy play last season, relying on the long ball and his 19.8 yards per catch mark. With Santana Moss a free agent, Armstrong could end up the de facto #1 WR. We still have no idea what the Redskins quarterback situation will look like heading into week 1. Rex Grossman & Vince Young are at the top of the possibilities list, and both feature a down-field style that would benefit Armstrong in 2011.

In typical under-the-radar New England Patriots-type fashion, a group of the team's players has been gathering daily in southeastern Massachusetts for workouts during the NFL's lockout.

"We've been doing everything, but we're on the down-low," second-year tight end Rob Gronkowski said Tuesday night. "[Others teams] may go to the media, acting like they're some of the only teams doing it, but we're working hard out here too. We're just keeping it low."

So low, in fact, that Gronkowski initially declined to speak with a reporter following a charity basketball game Tuesday night. That's generally the "Patriots Way" -- say little, let actions speak loudest.

But when pressed as he exited Needham High's gymnasium after a feel-good event, the personable Gronkowski relented, acknowledging that anywhere from 10 to 15 players have been working out together in Massachusetts.

We hear the Seahawks spoke to former USC quarterback Matt Leinart about joining the team next season.

Take this all with several grains of salt until we reach free agency.

Three reliable sources have confirmed Panthers WR Steve L Smith wants out of Carolina. One source said Smith is most interested in playing for San Diego or Baltimore.

Panthers WR Steve L Smith played through a quad pull, a left leg injury and a rolled ankle for much of the season but never mentioned it — not even to the training staff, until they could tell something was not right.

"They were like, 'What's going on? You're limping.' It just kind of spiraled from there," he said. "Did I lose a step? Anyone would lose a step when you're playing on one leg. I just tried to play through it, and ultimately I looked slow. Instead of 31 (years old), I looked 41. Instead of coming out and gathering myself and taking a backseat, I tried to play through it — and it backfired

Panthers WR Steve L Smith on his future with the Panthers: "It's not me saying, 'Yes, I want a trade.' It's still a family matter, and when my family feels it's the appropriate time, our actions will show how we feel."

On rumors that he has asked to be traded: "First of all, have I demanded a trade? I have not demanded a trade. What I have asked for is to be in a competitive situation. I sat down with Marty a lot of times prior to the lockout. I am respected as a veteran amongst the players as well as the front office. So there has been dialogue (about his future in Carolina) prior to the lockout."

"I was never asked to sit down and weigh my future in Carolina. I was never approached by management or by Coach (Ron) Rivera to weigh my options or my future."

"I think it's important that people realize I am not packing my bags. As far as why my house is for sale, we built this huge house and we just don't have any business living in it. It seemed like a great idea, and then we moved into this big house. We started cringing at all that space we had. For me, it was a little bit vain that I have this big house with this big yard. People saw my house was on sale and said it was me sending a message. Really the message I sent was to my kids: Dad made a mistake."

"Do I expect to be traded? Really ... to be honest, I am not sure what to expect. That's the truth. Could I see a situation where I stay (in Carolina)? In my mind, I have played out every scenario: I could be moved, I could be cut, I could stay or I could be locked out. Honestly, my family and I are prepared for whatever steps are presented in front of us."

Finally we get to hear from the horses mouth after weeks of speculation. There's a reasonable chance Smith remains in Carolina next season as the Panthers only play-making WR.

With the NFL lockout preventing Cam Newton and other rookies from working with coaches or teammates, former Panthers DT & current WFNZ radio host Brenston Buckner told USA TODAY that Brett Favre would be another mentor to help accelerate Newton's learning curve the way Hall of Fame quarterback Warren Moon and quarterback guru George Whitfield, Jr. already have.

Newton's agent, James "Bus" Cook, also represents Favre and said the former Green Bay Packers, New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings quarterback would be open to Buckner's suggestion as logistics permit upon his return from Alabama. Cook said Favre would welcome the chance to further Newton's growth when their schedules allow.

"Brett has offered to do that before with Cam,'' Cook said. "He would obviously be delighted to work with Cam. They've met and they've talked."

This story will likely carry greater media legs than any real football impact. Favre has floated it out there that he would be interested in coaching, but don't expect much out of a Favre/Newton relationship.

Tom Moore, who coordinated the Indianapolis Colts' high-flying offense for 12 years and held a reduced role last season, quietly had his contract expire over two months ago and is no longer with the team.

Chad Ochocinco's status is a bit cloudy. Marvin Lewis has taken several shots at him this offseason and while Ochocinco looks on the way out with the drafting of A.J. Green, he does have one year left on his deal and with Green represented by agent Tom Condon in the No. 4 slot The Ocho may be insurance if Green doesn't get to camp on time.

Speaking on Sirius XM radio Tuesday, Broncos GM John Elway said it is “hard to tell” if both Tim Tebow and Kyle Orton will be on the team’s roster in Week One, via Lindsay Jones of the Denver Post.

We don’t want to give anything away, but Tebow will be there. That leaves Orton, who Elway says will compete with Tebow and Brady Quinn for playing time in training camp.

Mike Freeman of CBS Sports recently uncovered several instances of lockout rules violations: Players talking with coaches after player-led workouts in which coaches are supposed to have no participation. Coaches sending plays via Skype that players then use in workouts. Position coaches (head coaches seem to be keeping their distance, Freeman reports) watching game film with players at the homes of the players. Coaches getting updates on player injuries and surgeries. Direct messages back and forth between coaches and players via Twitter.

And Pro Football Weekly recently reported that the undrafted free agents represented by six different agents have been illegally contacted by NFL teams.

The NFL has released no statement regarding Freeman's article, though we're pretty sure we'll eventually hear the basic lip service about such contact being illegal per the current labor dispute, and that these points will be looked into. Teams have released the basic statements regarding tampering that you'd imagine after the UDFA findings were revealed.

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll spoke at the regional convention of the Associated Press Sports Editors on Monday afternoon, and in his survey of the Seahawks' draft plans, he posed that question to himself, asking why the Seahawks didn't take a quarterback.

"We didn't think we could afford to yet," Carroll said.

"You saw us go after a couple guys that were offensive linemen, which is an area that -- without that -- the quarterback can't play," Carroll said.

Falcons 1st rd draft pick WR Julio Jones has already been working out with Matt Ryan & the WRs.

Lions coach Jim Schwartz said it's "definitely a possibility" that Best and Leshoure will see time in the same backfield next year -- their games are complementary, with Best a dangerous perimeter runner and pass catcher and Leshoure a 227-pound between-the-tackles pounder -- but that Linehan won't use a "Randy Ratio" when calling plays.

Linehan was offensive coordinator with the Vikings in 2002 when then-head coach Mike Tice encouraged 40% of his team's passes to be thrown receiver Randy Moss' way.

Each back's workload "might change from week to week," Schwartz said. "It might change due to injuries and player availability. It might change based on opponent.

We have confirmed the Browns have tendered contracts to cornerback Eric Wright and tight end Evan Moore. They also re-signed linebacker D'Qwell Jackson for one year and quarterback Seneca Wallace for three years. They won't comment on the status of other RFAs, such as fullback Lawrence Vickers.

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson may not be working out with his teammates during the lockout, but he told 97.5 The Phanatic Sunday that he's staying in Pro Bowl shape thanks to his long-time coaches on the West coast.

"I’m working out with my coaches, the coaches who have been training me since I was a little, young kid," said Jackson, who grew up in Long Beach, Calif. "I’ve just been really trying to stay active in the community. I can’t really sit around and wait out the lockout. I definitely need to keep myself in great shape and do everything I need to do as an athlete to be ready when the lockout is over."

Jackson said he has been in regular contact with his teammates who have stayed to work out in the Philadelphia area.

Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said Tyrod Taylor, the Ravens' sixth-round pick, was evaluated as a quarterback and was drafted as a quarterback.

"He brings an added dimension of being a terrific athlete," said Newsome, who cited the prevalence of NFL quarterbacks "who can get out of the pocket and hurt people."

Titans GM Mike Reinfeldt on who the Titans might add as a veteran quarterback: “It might be a guy we might like for two or three years. Because of the free agency, I can’t mention those guys by name, but Kerry Collins would be in that mix and there’s probably either three or four other guys that are worth talking about, either through trade or free agency.”

Reinfeldt on the future of second-year quarterback Rusty Smith: “He’s still got all the tools. I think he’s a young man that has a chance to play in the league for a number of years. He might not be a starter, but he could be a pretty darn good backup for a while. He’s got all the things you look for: the strong arm, the good size and he’s got a good touch, a quick release.”

According to KHTK-TV in Phoenix, the Cardinals have targeted Denver Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton.

The Cardinals also are rumored to be the front-runner for Kevin Kolb's services. Don't pay too much attention to the rumors until free agency arrives.

Adam Schefter on Kevin Kolb: The market for Kolb will be similar to what it was before, minus the San Francisco 49ers and Cincinnati Bengals. I still think the Seattle Seahawks will have some interest. And still think the Arizona Cardinals are the overwhelming favorites to land his services.

This story-line will continue until we hit free agency, with the current favorite likely changing multiple times.

Titans HC Mike Manchak on WR Marc Mariani in the slot: "I think we will ... kind of the way (Derrick) Mason did back early in his career."

Michael Gans, 8th Circuit Court Clerk in St. Louis, said he does not expect a ruling on stay today or through weekend. Monday is earliest.

Incumbent starting quarterback Kyle Orton spent Thursday morning working out with a local personal trainer along with at least four Broncos teammates.

The calendar says May, which to quarterback Matt Cassel means it’s time to start throwing. Chiefs wide receivers Dwayne Bowe and Jerheme Urban and tight end Brad Cottam were among the first to answer the call. They joined Cassel this week in Kansas City for some informal pitch-and-catch sessions at a local high school.

On Saturday, though, the Bears’ quarterback room got a little more crowded after they selected Nathan Enderle out of Idaho in the fifth round. Matt Gutierrez, who played at Idaho State before signing as an undrafted free agent with the New England Patriots, also is on the Bears’ roster.

“We didn’t draft [Enderle] to be the third quarterback,” Martz said. “If that was the case, then there was no reason to draft a quarterback."

By drafting running backs Roy Helu and Evan Royster, who were starters for big-time college programs, the Redskins sent a message that they were not happy with the talent level at that position. Players like James Davis, Chad Simpson, and Andre Brown, signed after Clinton Portis was sidelined last season, already faced an uphill climb to make the roster this year and now the path is much steeper. Even incumbents Keiland Williams and Ryan Torain should make sure they are ready for a stern challenge.

The Redskins drafted three wide receivers. One of them, Leonard Hankerson, could earn a starting job soon and the other two, Niles Paul and Aldrick Robinson, will compete for playing time. Every wide receiver who was on the roster last year with the exception of Anthony Armstrong will be fighting for a job. In particular, Malcolm Kelly and Terrence Austin will get stiff challenges for their jobs. And drafting three receivers sends a clear message to free agent Santana Moss that the team is prepared to move on without him.

Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant worked out with at least 40 other players at an undisclosed location Wednesday. Quarterback Tony Romo said Bryant looked good, and that all the guys looked crisp during the workout.

In an expansive question-and-answer session with Ravens' season-ticket holders, general manager Ozzie Newsome said on Wednesday night that he expects quarterback Joe Flacco to "take ownership" of the offense this season and make it his own.

Giants WR Hakeem Nicks said he isn’t frustrated by the fact the players are forced to work out at a high school because of the lockout. He’s merely focusing on what he can control, and part of that is maintaining his conditioning. Unlike last offseason when he had surgery on his toe, Nicks is completely healthy and is therefore going through a full workout schedule.

Rams WR Mardy Gilyard is in trouble. He struggled to learn last year's offense and wasn't exactly a stickler for details when he did play. New offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is installing a new and more complex offense and because of the NFL lockout Gilyard will have little time to absorb it all. This will be a big problem for him.

Brandon Gibson also figures to be on shaky turf. The rookies, Austin Pettis and Greg Salas, have the same basic profile as Gibson - taller, more physical receivers. But both figure to be more productive than Gibson. They will run better routes and have more reliable hands. Gibson dropped eight passes last season.

As if the Ravens didn't upgrade their passing game enough by landing speedy receiver Torrey Smith in the second round, they got a complementary receiver in Tandon Doss in the fourth. If Doss does in the NFL what he did for Indiana, that combination may be on the receiving end of Joe Flacco throws for years.

While Smith has the ability to stretch a defense and invoke the "vertical" passing game, Doss has the ability to make plays in the intermediate range and across the middle of the field. He was the go-to player on offense at Indiana, where he caught the ball, ran the ball, was featured in the Wildcat formation and even returned 66 kickoffs in his college career.

Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said he expects Smith and Doss to be on the field at the same time this season.

"Torrey has very good speed," Newsome said. "He was clocked in under 4.4 at the combine, so he has a vertical presence. Tandon has an inside presence. He's a very smart kid. He played all five positions, lined up at quarterback in the Wildcat at Indiana.

"The two strengths they bring to the table are something we need on the offense, and those strengths are going to allow them to get on the field very, very early."

Braylon Edwards is willing to give the Jets a discount. Edwards, who is an unrestricted free agent no matter which rules are in place after the lockout, made it clear that he wants to continue what he’s started with the Jets. He’s even willing to give Gang Green somewhat of a financial break as long as the Jets' offer is comparable to what other teams are willing to give.

LaDainian Tomlinson’s work ethic is sick. After Tuesday’s passing drills, most of the players found some shade to cool down. Tomlinson? He was still baking under the sun working with trainer Todd Norman, ripping off countless crunches.

Jets TE Dustin Keller has bulked up to 255 pounds of muscle. (He finished last season at 247 pounds).

A handful of New Orleans Saints players showed up for organized workouts Tuesday at Tulane despite the fact that they're still recovering from offseason surgeries. Among them were receiver Marques Colston, who had clean-up surgeries on his knee and wrist; receiver Robert Meachem, who had ankle surgery; offensive tackle Jon Stinchcomb, who had his quad reattached to his knee this offseason; tailback Lynell Hamilton, who missed last season with a knee injury; and safety Chris Reis, who had shoulder surgery last year.

Colston said he's not 100 percent quite yet, but he was able to move around on the practice field and said he expects to be healed by training camp, if there is one.

Giants QB Eli Manning ran passing drills with a group of 11 players that included wide receiver Hakeem Nicks, tight end Kevin Boss and running back D.J. Ware.

Jets RB LaDainian Tomlinson says he's ready to pass the torch to Shonn Greene and become the best 3rd down back in the league.

ESPN NFL reporter Adam Schefter thinks the Cardinals -- and to a lesser extent the Seahawks -- are the favorites to land Eagles quarterback Kevin Kolb in a trade once the NFL's lockout ends.

Michael Clayton is expected to resign with the Rams.

A day after picking Washington quarterback Jake Locker in the first round, General Manager Mike Reinfeldt said he’s sure glad the Titans didn’t wait. But Reinfeldt made it clear on Friday night the Titans won’t rush Locker into action. He plans to pursue a veteran quarterback, either in free agency or by trade. Veteran Kerry Collins remains an option.

“We’d still like a guy that’s been a seasoned guy that could step in and play. I don’t think we want to put the pressure on Jake to have to do it. I think we want to be able to let him go at his own pace,’’ Reinfeldt said. “I think (Jake) is going to be able to go faster than people think he can, but I think we need to have a veteran that we can throw in for a bunch of the season and be comfortable with him for winning games.”

Reinfeldt said he envisions signing a veteran to two-year contract, but that player will have to be willing to accept moving over for the rookie if he’s on the fast track.

In his first meeting with the Cincinnati media on Saturday, Andy Dalton painted a picture of poise and confidence, saying that he was not fazed by the quarterback situation with the Bengals and that he was ready to get to work. Since Green was still here and got a playbook before the lockout was reinstated, hopefully he'll give a copy of it to Dalton.

"We chose Andy because we feel that he has less of a learning curve and will be able to do things very quickly," HC Marvin Lewis said. "Everyone in the NFL is under the same restrictions. I'm confident that our coaches will get these guys up to speed and ready to go quickly."

Vikings HC Leslie Frazier on rookie QB Christian Ponder: "Ideally, I'd like for him to be ready to go when we play San Diego (on Sept. 11)."

"That would be the ideal situation -- we've got our Matt Ryan, we've got our Flacco, we've got our Sanchez right here. But because of the uncertainty of the offseason, it's just hard to determine exactly how you want to approach it. So, we need a little more clarity on what this offseason's going to be like."

The 49ers view rookie KendellHunter as a change-of-pace back to team with veteran Frank Gore and Anthony Dixon, a sixth-round pick from a year ago. Hunter is likely to be used on third downs. He caught 63 passes during his career for 519 yards.

"I just have to work my way up and do whatever the coach needs me to do," Hunter said.

The Giants have a ton of wide receivers, but Steve Smith, Ramses Barden and Domenik Hixon are all coming off surgeries. Hixon could regain his old returning duties, but rookie Jerrel Jernigan now gives the Giants an option there and a speedy one at that. If Smith's recovery from microfracture surgery is slower than expected, Jernigan gives the Giants an option in the slot. The bottom line is, the Giants can use speed and playmakers, and Jernigan sounds like somebody with some home-run ability.

Victor Cruz's shot at sleeper stardom takes another hit.

Saints HC Sean Payton insists that Reggie Bush is a part of the Saints plans moving forward.

Reggie Bush is due $11.8 million in 2011. Don't expect him a part of the Saints plans without a pay cut. Mark Ingram, Pierre Thomas & Chris Ivory will likely jockey for position in through pre-season.

In the fourth round, the Colts selected running back Delone Carter out of Syracuse.

Leading rusher Joseph Addai is expected to return after accepting a one-year deal as a restricted free agent. That he didn’t get a multi-year deal tells you the Colts are sticking to their past position that RBs get banged up too easily and it’s too much of a risk to extend one long-term.

Donald Brown has yet to live up to his pick as a first-round selection. One 100-yard game in two years doesn’t cut it. And his blocking is still suspect. He has two years left on his contract. I’m thinking he’s a one-and-done contact for the Colts, who might even decide to part ways after another year.

Not that we should proclaim Carter as an Edge-like workhorse, either. The Colts are wise to favor a tandem backfield, because running backs do get hurt. I like that Carter has a bit more size at 5-9 and 225 pounds. We’ll see how hard he runs into NFL tacklers, if he will do as he vowed on the conference call and stick his nose into any blitzing linebackers or pass rushers (lest anyone forget the lesson reminded by Brown: you must block).

Addai can't stay healthy & Donald Brown has been far from impressive. The door could swing open for Carter at some point this season.

The Packers selection of Alex Green is a concession to the expected loss of Brandon Jackson to free agency and could be acknowledgement that Ryan Grant will be gone after his contract expires in 2012. Regardless, Green has outstanding talent, it's just a matter of whether he'll be able to adjust to tighter quarters in the pro game.

By selecting Nebraska's Alex Henery in the fourth round on Saturday, Andy Reid essentially signaled the end of David Akers' 12-year career here. The Eagles will not keep two kickers on their 2011 roster, and they certainly will not be willing to scratch Henery a check for the $450,000 roster bonus he would be due in the event they cut him.

So Akers is out, Henery is in. Era over. Thanks for playing.

Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome on QB Tyrod Taylor: "We drafted him as a quarterback, and he was evaluated as a quarterback. As far as him coming into our system, we feel like he has the skill sets to play the position and he also brings the added dimension of being a terrific athlete that can get out of the pocket and hurt people. He has the ability to do that also."

Chiefs first-round receiver Jonathan Baldwin is a big wide receiver who will be the favorite to start opposite Dwayne Bowe, who was selected for the 2010 Pro Bowl.

The Cowboys like the look of their sixth-round pick, East Carolina receiver Dwayne Harris, on special teams.
He's the school's all-time receptions leader, but also No. 2 on the school's list for kickoff-return yardage.

"I talked to them when I was in Indianapolis for the combine," Harris said. "They said that they were very high on me as a special teams player and as a third-down receiver and a third-down receiver in the slot."

Broncos HC John Fox said the team plans to address running back and cornerback in free agency. Running back is a particular area of need. "We are going to run the ball more to balance our offense," Fox said.

The Ravens got a versatile receiver/returner in Tandon Doss with their fourth round pick. At 6-2, 209 pounds, Doss played a variety of roles at Indiana. In three seasons, he caught 154 passes for 13 touchdowns averaging 12.0 yards per catch.

The Ravens did not have Doss in for a visit or a workout, and Doss said other teams showed more interest. But in an interview on ESPN, coach John Harbaugh said that quarterback Joe Flacco asked the Ravens to get the Indiana receiver.

The Redskins completed the draft today without selecting a quarterback. So what does that say about coach Mike Shanahan’s confidence in quarterback John Beck?

“When he came out [of BYU] in 2007, you evaluate the quarterbacks every year, and he was by far my No. 1 guy,” Shanahan said Saturday evening. “I think the world of him, but I’m not going to get into detail.”

Shanahan said he ranked Beck ahead of even No. 1 pick JaMarcus Russell that year. Those are strong words.

At this point, then, it appears Beck is a leading candidate to be the Redskins’ starter next season. Multiple team sources believe Donovan McNabb will not be a contributing member of the team next season, and Rex Grossman is not under contract.

Jim Harbaugh believes Alex Smith will re-sign with 49ers, and you have to believe Smith told him as much. Otherwise, why would he have playbook?

The Alex Smith / Colin Kaepernick camp battle will be one to watch this season.

Chad Henne has to be feeling much better about life at the moment. Not only did Miami refuse the urge to draft a quarterback -- especially Arkansas' Ryan Mallett, who Henne wasn't high on when both were at Michigan -- the Dolphins went out and helped their starting quarterback as much as possible in this draft.

Miami's first four picks were all on offense: Center Mike Pouncey in the first round, Kansas State running back Daniel Thomas in the second, speedster receiver Edmond Gates of Abilene Christian in the fourth, and Tulsa fullback/H-back Charles Clay in the sixth.

The David Akers era in Philly looks like it's at the "thanks for the memories'' stage after the Eagles spent a fourth-round pick on Nebraska's Alex Henery. The ex-Cornhusker went 120th overall, the highest a kicker has been selected since New England took Stephen Gostkowski two spots earlier than that in 2006.

Akers is a free agent and he's not done kicking in the NFL. Given the challenges the Cowboys and Redskins have had with kickers in recent years, I wouldn't be surprised if Akers wound up somewhere else in the NFC East, facing his old team twice a year. Not exactly the Donovan McNabb to Washington storyline of 2010, but it might be fun.

Randall Cobb is versatile, multifaceted, productive, durable and eager. But he played receiver for just two years at Kentucky.

"(He's) a guy that can kind of help you in a number of different ways," said Packers receivers coach Edgar Bennett.

But however he fits in with the receivers group, it is clear that Cobb is auditioning for a return role. Green Bay probably would love to get starting cornerback Tramon Williams out of the kick return spot. Others, like Nelson, have filled in there, but not permanently.

Felix Jones has been put on notice. Tashard Choice, too. And Marion Barber is smart enough to know that his days as a member of the Cowboys are unofficially over after Dallas drafted Oklahoma running back DeMarco Murray.

The Titans selected Jaimie Harper, a 5-foot-11, 235-pound running back out of Clemson, in the fourth round on Saturday, and envision him as an ideal candidate for a one-two punch with Johnson.

"You've got to have a one-two punch in there because the position is so demanding physically on a guy," Skipper said. "You want to keep people fresh so that every time you look up, you keep pressure on the defense. It's kind of like comparing a race car driver when they come into the pit stop and switch tires — brand new tires on."

The Colts, looking to improve a 32nd-ranked rushing attack, grabbed a power runner in Delone Carter to go with first- and second-round selections of offensive linemen Anthony Castonzo and Ben Ijalana. A compact 5-9 and 225, Carter is heavier than Colts backs Joseph Addai and Donald Brown.

"He's a different style of back than we've had in some time here," said Colts vice chairman Bill Polian. "He's much more of an inside slam-bang kind of runner than we're used to having, and brings what we think is a much-needed skill set that we've been lacking."