Hi Folks,
Why tune to the Comedy Channel when you can catch the NFL today?
Onterrio Smith helps us learn new words like the "The Original
Whizzinator" and we're proud to be featuring John Tayman's Bang
cartoons. Enjoy. Thanks to our Will Grant who also found time for some
serious NFL news. Let's get to it.
J
******************************
Site News:
A. Bang Cartoons Return
We're proud to once again be featuring John Tayman and his Bang
cartoons. Regular readers know John from last year. He's got a
great look at the "Chosen One" dealing with his agents.
B. St. Louis Team Report
by Bob Magaw, Chris Smith and Mike Herman
C. Seattle Team Report
by David Shick, Bob Magaw, Chris Smith and Mike Herman
D. Depth Charts Updated
Our Bob Henry has the latest tweaks from mini camps.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. MIN - RB O. Smith - Caught with Drug Masking Kit.
2. PHI - Eagles Won't Re-Negotiate with Owens
3. PHI - QB McNabb Thinks Eagles Can Win Without Owens
4. SF - QB Smith Looking Good In Camp
5. GB - RB Green Pleads Not Guilty to Disorderly Conduct.
6. NYJ - TE Jolley Could Blossom with New Team and New Offense.
7. MIA - Team Embraces Saban's Approach.
8. GB - C Mike Flanagan Back On the Field
9. IDP MIA - CB Poole Could Return This Season
10. IDP NE - Patriots Prepare for Life After Bruschi
11. IDP NE - Patriots Sign Chad Brown
12. IDP NO - DE Howard Happy to Be Staying with the Saints.
13. IDP BAL - LB Peter Boulware Released
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
1. MIN - RB O. Smith - Caught with Drug Masking Kit
Clipped from: Star Tribune.com article by Kevin Seifert 5/11/05
Vikings running back Onterrio Smith was detained last month at
Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport after police found paraphernalia later
identified as a kit used to circumvent drug tests.
Smith was neither arrested nor charged, but as of Tuesday it was
unclear whether the incident will affect his status in the NFL's
confidential substance-abuse program.
Smith acknowledged to airport police that he was carrying dried urine,
along with a device called "The Original Whizzinator" and a bottle
of
pills labeled "Cleansing Formula." He told police the kit was "for
making a clean urine test," according to the police report, and said
he was taking the materials to his cousin.
Smith was suspended four games last season after testing positive for
marijuana, his second "strike" in the league's program. A third
"strike" would result in a yearlong suspension. An attempt to
substitute a urine specimen qualifies as a positive test, but NFL
spokesman Greg Aiello did not immediately know Tuesday whether
possession of a masking device fits that criteria.
Smith could not be reached for comment. His agents -- Michael
Sullivan, Doug Hendrickson and Jeff Sperbeck -- declined to comment.
Vikings coach Mike Tice said he was unaware of the incident and had no
comment.
According to the police report, a bag Smith was carrying set off
security alarms before an April 21 flight. The alarms later were
traced to a tube of toothpaste.
During the search, a Transportation Security Administration officer
found "six or seven" vials of white powder in a clear bag, according
to the report. Airport police were called to the scene and began
inspecting the materials in a private room.
A sample from one of the vials tested negative for cocaine and
opiates. Smith was then led into the room and identified the powder as
dried urine. He also acknowledged the presence of a Whizzinator.
Smith was allowed to leave after questioning.
[[[[[[[[[[ OUR VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]
We don't make this up. Whether this is considered Smith's third strike
or not, it should be HUGE red flag to anyone who was expecting Smith
to take over the starting job in Minnesota. This should be give
Michael Bennett and Mewelde Moore a bump in your projections, and open
the door for rookie Ciatrick Fason as well. We'll keep you posted on
how the NFL treats this situation. Using this type of thing to
circumvent a drug test would be an immediate failure, but this is only
possession of the device. I live in Knoxville and Smith was run out
of the University of Tennessee for being a head case (a somewhat
telling fact as it takes a lot to be run out of UT.) He's blessed with
All World Talent but seemingly doesn't have the mental prowess to
match. He's clearly a risky pick.
And one last thing - Do they really have to call it the "Original
Whizzinator"? I mean, are there that many imitation knockoff
Whizzinators our there that the "Original" has to distinguish itself
as the first mover in that market? I need to get out more I guess.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
2. PHI - Eagles Won't Re-Negotiate with Owens
Clipped from: ESPN.com associated press article 5/11/05
The Philadelphia Eagles will not renegotiate the contract of star wide
receiver Terrell Owens, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Wednesday.
Owens fired longtime agent David Joseph in April, hired Drew Rosenhaus
and started asking for a renegotiation just one year into a seven-year
deal worth almost $49 million.
The Eagles have intimated they wouldn't redo the contract, and owner
Lurie told the newspaper, ``It's not even an issue.''
``It's a non-issue,'' Lurie said. ``There area lot of things I spend
time thinking about, but that's not one of them.''
Lurie criticized Owens' new agent for giving him ``self-destructive advice.''
The flamboyant Owens helped the Eagles reach the Super Bowl in his
first season in Philadelphia after eight years with San Francisco.
Owens, reached at his offseason home in Atlanta, declined to comment.
Rosenhaus also declined to respond. ``My policies are not to comment,
so I have no comment,'' Rosenhaus said.
Owens skipped the Eagles' mandatory minicamp April 29, in a holdout
that could extend into training camp, which starts in late July.
``I know I'm a top player in the game, and my current contract doesn't
justify that,'' Owens had said after hiring Rosenhaus.
``Every player is both fragile and talented,'' said Lurie, who was
traveling Wednesday with NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue to a
conference of chief executive officers in Beijing.
``Unfortunately, we're seeing around the league certain agents who
take advantage of the fragility of the players, and are less worried
about their continued success and stability than acting self
destructively. It's too bad,'' he said.
Asked if he expects Owens to be with the Eagles next season, Lurie
said, ``If he wants to win a Super Bowl, he should be.''
``At this level, with multimillions (of dollars), you're just trying
to leave a legacy and win Super Bowls, as far as I am concerned. And
he's got a great opportunity,'' Lurie said.
[[[[[[[[[[ OUR VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]
This one is getting worse by the minute. Holdouts in May usually don't
concern us because it's way too early to get excited. However, Owens
has proven that he can be very persistent about these things and the
Eagles have drawn their line in the sand as well. If this continues
into Training Camp which opens in late July, it will be time to get
concerned. Until then, we'll keep you posted on what happens.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
3. PHI - QB McNabb Thinks Eagles Can Win Without Owens
Clipped from: The Mercury News.com article by Rob Maaddi 5/11/05
PHILADELPHIA - Donovan McNabb is confident the Philadelphia Eagles can
win the Super Bowl without Terrell Owens.
"I feel that if he plays or not, we definitely have a chance of making
it to the Super Bowl and winning it," McNabb said Wednesday, one day
after owner Jeffery Lurie said the team won't redo Owens' contract.
"That's nothing against T.O. and it's nothing against anybody else. I
just feel confident in the guys that we have. With T.O., I think we
can do a lot of great things. Without him, I still think we can do a
lot of good things."
Owens, the All-Pro wide receiver who helped the Eagles reach the Super
Bowl last season, skipped a mandatory minicamp last month because he
wants to renegotiate the seven-year deal worth almost $49 million he
signed in March 2004.
Owens' new agent, Drew Rosenhaus, declined comment Wednesday.
Rosenhaus also refused to say whether Owens plans to hold out of
training camp, which starts in late July.
[[[[[[[[[[ OUR VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]
As mentioned above, it's a little early to get excited about a holdout
in May. McNabb has to take the Eagles' side in this matter, or risk
bringing the entire team into the mix. This is between Owens and the
Eagles. It's just going to take a while to work it all out.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
4. SF - QB Smith Looking Good In Camp
Clipped from: 49erswebzone.com article 5/11/05
According to ESPN's John Clayton, Alex Smith did so well in mini-camp
that coach Nolan feels he is in competition for the starting job. It
also states that Smith has been working with former NFL coach Larry
Kennan during recent months on dropping back from center. Smith is
coming from a college offense where he primarily worked in the
shotgun.
"He commanded the line of scrimmage," Nolan said. "He may have
only
dropped one or two snaps, and he might have had 100 snaps during the
weekend. He's going to be all right."
Nolan is optimistic that a contract agreement with Smith will be
reached prior to the start of 49ers training camp.
[[[[[[[[[[ OUR VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]
Everyone looks good in May, and NFL coaches love to tell you how much
they love their first round picks. John Clayton's name adds a bit of
credibility to this claim though, and it's also good to see that Smith
is working hard to make an impact this year. If Smith continues to
progress, expect a wide-open competition when the pre-season rolls
around.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
5. GB - RB Green Pleads Not Guilty to Disorderly Conduct
Clipped from: The Washington Times Associated Press Article 5/11/05
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) -- Green Bay Packers running back Ahman Green
pleaded not guilty Wednesday to disorderly conduct after his wife
called 911 for help because she felt threatened during an argument.
Green, who wasn't at court, sent two attorneys to enter the plea for
him. Green wasn't required to appear at the proceeding. Brown County
Court Commissioner Lawrence Gazeley set Green's next court date for
Aug. 29, with a trial to start Aug. 31.
The Packers open their season Sept. 11.
Officers arrested Green on April 25 after someone called 911 from his
home. A woman's voice was heard saying "help me" before the line went
dead.
The Brown County Sheriff's Department said Green's wife, Heather, felt
threatened when she and her husband were arguing. Officers said Green
became agitated and resisted arrest before an officer drew a Taser
stun gun.
Green, released after posting $150 bond, filed for divorce April 28.
One of Green's attorneys, Marc Hammer, said Green was "sorry his
family, wife and employer were brought into such a public event."
[[[[[[[[[[ OUR VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]
Expect the NFL and the Packers to stay clear of this whole mess as the
legal process plays out. This should be viewed as something to watch,
but from a "what will he do on the field" perspective, the early word
looks like he'll be ok. We'll keep you posted on any new developments.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
6. NYJ - TE Jolley Could Blossom with New Team and New Offense
Clipped from: Profootballweekly.com article 5/11/05
We hear that the Jets' pre-draft trade for ex-Raiders TE Doug Jolley
is the biggest indication yet of the differences between New York's
offense under new offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger and the old
attack used by ex-coordinator Paul Hackett. Heimerdinger's offense
utilizes the tight end as a regular pass-catching option - as
illustrated by Frank Wycheck and Erron Kinney in Tennessee - while
Hackett's strict West Coast offense used the tight end in more of a
blocking role. Jolley, 26, has been on the Jets' radar since coming
into the league out of Brigham Young. He's got great hands and excels
vs. zone coverage, finding open spots to help his quarterback. Jolley
also poses the downfield threat the Jets have lacked in recent years,
which should spare WRs Laveranues Coles and Justin McCareins from
facing the bracket coverage that teams often used vs. the Jets'
wideouts last season.
[[[[[[[[[[ OUR VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]
Jolley isn't receiving a lot of love from the fantasy community yet,
as he's only ranked 18th on the footballguys.com expert chart, and his
average draft position is 16.08 according to antsports.com. If the
Jets start to take advantage of Jolley's receiving skills, he could be
a nice sleeper pickup this year.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
7. MIA - Team Embraces Saban's Approach
Clipped from: Miami Herald.com article by Barry Jackson 5/11/05
As the Heat grabs the local spotlight, the Dolphins go about their
business of learning coach Nick Saban's system. Some buzz from Davie:
. Players like Saban's no-nonsense, businesslike approach. Privately,
one veteran called him a breath of fresh air. They not only appreciate
his organization and attention to detail but also that they'll get
what they believe are honest answers. ''He doesn't treat anybody
[more] special than anybody else,'' Randy McMichael said.
Said Reggie Howard: ``He's very detailed, a perfectionist, doesn't let
anything go by. It will make you a better player. He will stay on you
until you get it right.''
Saban's approach to offseason work is ''no sitting around, no wasting
time. It's fun,'' Sam Madison said. Asked what's different, Madison
said, ``Everybody's energetic. [In the past], you had some coaches
energetic here or there.''
And Zach Thomas noted, ``Every one [of the assistants] is coaching.
You learn a lot of stuff from every coach.''
There's clearly an intimidation factor with Saban. There was one
recent incident when players in the training room were joking around.
The room went silent when someone whispered that Saban was
approaching.
''You're going to know your responsibility, because if you don't,
there's a lot of yelling going on,'' Junior Seau said.
The Dolphins will be disguising their defenses more, which has
players excited. Thomas said opponents ''knew where I was going to be
at all times last year.'' That's no longer the case. ''[Opponents]
don't know what we're going to do one week [to the next],'' Thomas
said. ''It keeps me interested.'' As Seau put it, ``It's nice to know
we can go into a game and not be predictable.''
[[[[[[[[[[ OUR VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]
One of the hardest things for a new head coach is to earn the respect
of his new team. Saban already has that with the Dolphins. That's good
news for Dolphin fans that are hoping to forget the 4-12 season they
had last year.
The article also mentions that DT Tim Bowens continues to have
problems with his back, that safety is still a position of concern for
the Dolphins, and that a fourth WR may be brought in to compete with
Bryan Gilmore, but it will not be Troy Brown.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
8. GB - C Mike Flanagan Back On the Field
Clipped from: Milwaukee Journal and Sentinel Online article by Rob
Reischel 5/4/05
When you're 31 years old, have a Super Bowl ring in your pocket and a
Pro Bowl berth on your résumé, football practice can often be
one
thing: a pain in the tail.
But last week's minicamp practices were anything but for Mike Flanagan.
The Green Bay Packers center missed the final 13 games of the 2004
season after undergoing surgery for patellar tendonitis in his left
knee. So when he took the field last Wednesday for his first practice
since that time, he did so with the same enthusiasm and excitement the
rookies had when they arrived later in the week.
"It feels great to be back, because these are my guys," Flanagan
said.
"And you miss the whole part of going out there and bleeding and
sweating with them, all that stuff.
"The whole rehab and injury thing, it's not physically that kills you.
It's the psychological part. The mental hurdles are the hardest part."
There wasn't much about the whole process that was easy for Flanagan.
A notorious tough guy as well as a locker room cut-up, Flanagan tried
fighting through the injury at the start of last season. But when the
pain got too intense, and he realized he wasn't playing near his old
level, Flanagan called it a season.
He had surgery on Oct. 7 in which about one-quarter of his tendon was
removed, then began his rehabilitation. First came exercises to help
him regain his range of motion, then he needed to strengthen the knee.
Flanagan spent the off-season working out with his personal trainer
Mark Phillipi, a national power lifter and one of the world's
strongest men, in his off-season home of Las Vegas. Phillipi, who's
the director of strength and conditioning at the University of
Nevada-Las Vegas and has blown out both of his patellar tendons, "put
me through the ringer" according to Flanagan.
[[[[[[[[[[ OUR VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]
The Packers tied for the league best 14 sacks allowed last season. A
healthy Mike Flanagan will go a long way to keeping Favre alive, and
opening up holes for Green as well. Flanagan is one of the team
leaders, and is a great locker room presence for the team as well.
This is excellent news.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
9. IDP MIA - CB Poole Could Return This Season
Clipped from: Miami Herald.com article by Jason Cole 5/10/05
Dolphins cornerback Will Poole's season might not be completely lost,
but he'll need a very positive result on his upcoming surgery if he is
to salvage some of it.
Meanwhile, veteran cornerback Terrell Buckley would be more than happy
to take a third tour of duty with the Dolphins. Buckley, who recently
built a home in Davie near the Dolphins training facility, said Monday
that he has contacted the Dolphins about possibly returning as he
seeks a home for his 14th season.
''I hope we can work something out,'' said Buckley, 34, who said no
one from management had returned his call as of late Monday. ``It's
like I tell everybody, I think I have two really good years left.''
As for Poole, the question is whether he will be able to play in any
of his second season with the team. Poole sustained a torn anterior
cruciate ligament in his knee during practice last week.
He is expected to have surgery in the next week or two after the
swelling in the knee subsides. The good news for Poole is that he
doesn't have any further damage to the knee.
Agent Drew Rosenhaus, who represents Poole, declined to comment.
However, two sources familiar with the injury said Poole could return
as early as October.
In that situation, Poole could be placed on the physically unable to
perform list, allowing the team to evaluate him again during the
season after he has rehabilitated the knee.
Both sources indicated the Dolphins are leaning toward that avenue
rather than putting Poole on injured reserve, which would mean he
would miss the entire season.
[[[[[[[[[[ OUR VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]
Not sure if this is good news of not. Even if Poole is able to come
back and play, he probably won't be 100%. In 2004, Poole only had 26
solo tackles, 5 assists, with 1 sack, 0 INT and 5 PDS. Those are not
exactly super stud stats for a DB. If you can draft Poole and
immediately place him on your taxi squad, that might be an option. If
he's going to take up an active roster slot for the entire year, you
are probably better off looking somewhere else for DB help.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
10. IDP NE - Patriots Prepare for Life After Bruschi
Clipped from: Boston Herald.com article by Michael Felger 5/11/05
Tedy Bruschi may have kept his silence regarding his football future,
but the maneuverings of the Patriots over the past month could be
doing the talking for him.
If actions speak louder than words, then it's clear the Pats have
prepared themselves for life without Bruschi in 2005.
Bill Belichick will tell you not to read anything into any one
personnel decision, but when you string a series of moves together as
the Pats have at inside linebacker recently, it's hard to come to any
other conclusion.
The signings of free agents Monty Beisel and Chad Brown (whose deal
has yet to be officially announced) were not scrap-heap pickups. Both
players are big, versatile and experienced, prerequisites to playing
inside in the 3-4. Second-tier free agent Wesley Mallard was added for
depth and special teams. The Pats have also talked with free agent
Anthony Simmons. And the drafting of Ryan Claridge not only brought
more depth, it was a noticeable departure for Belichick, who avoided
the inside linebacker position over his first five Patriots drafts.
The Pats are also factoring in the release of fellow inside linebacker
Roman Phifer in February (even though Phifer's locker stall remains
intact at Gillette Stadium). But in signing Beisel and Brown, the Pats
added starting-quality linebackers, not rotational players.
Meanwhile, word is that Bruschi has been cleared by doctors to run,
lift and break a sweat. He's been at Gillette Stadium regularly for
workouts. The fact that Bruschi has received such clearance so soon
after his mild stroke on Feb. 16 (not to mention a reported procedure
to repair a hole in his heart in March) is an excellent sign for his
overall well-being. Sources say a return to the NFL has not been
categorically ruled out by Bruschi's doctors.
[[[[[[[[[[ OUR VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]
Bruschi may be taking his time, but the Patriots are expecting the
worst. Bruschi is a fighter and he is definitely a guy who would be
able to come back from this sort of thing. We'll have to wait and see
as the summer progresses.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
11. IDP NE - Patriots Sign Chad Brown
Clipped from: SI.com article 5/11/05
FOXBORO, Massachusetts (Ticker) -- Uncertain of Tedy Bruschi's status,
the New England Patriots on Wednesday signed three-time Pro Bowl
linebacker Chad Brown.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Brown, 34, was released by the Seattle Seahawks last month for salary
cap purposes. He has missed 19 games over the last three seasons due
to an assortment of injuries.
[[[[[[[[[[ OUR VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]
As mentioned above, Brown was brought in to help prepare the Patriots
in case Tedy Bruschi does not return. Bruschi posted 122 total tackles
last season, 3.5 sacks and 3 INTS. His presence will be missed if he
doesn't return to the Pats in 2005.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
12. IDP NO - DE Howard Happy to Be Staying with the Saints
Clipped from: Theadvocate.com article by Les East 5/11/05
METAIRIE -- The Saints got their first look at the players they
drafted during last weekend's rookie minicamp, but they might find
that the best move they made in the draft was holding on to veteran
defensive end Darren Howard.
They talked with several teams, most notably Dallas, about trading
Howard for a package that likely would have involved one or more draft
picks. The prospect of freeing more than $7 million in salary-cap
space by trading a player at one of the deepest positions of the team
to bolster weaker positions, made trading Howard tempting.
But eventually no one offered enough to make New Orleans do the deal,
so the six-year veteran is back after leading the team and matching
his career-high with 11 sacks a year ago.
"Darren is a heck of a football player and our stance from Day 1 was
that we weren't going to give up one of our better players unless we
got equal value, period," coach Jim Haslett said. "I talked to Darren
about it a number of times, and all he wanted to know was where he'd
be. I credit him. He's as strong as he's been since he came here and
he's healthy."
Howard started working out in early February, taking advantage of his
first offseason in three years in which he wasn't limited by
rehabilitation from surgery.
"It was uncomfortable," Howard said of the trade talks. "Along
with
all the football stuff, there are a lot of other things you've got to
take care of if you're going somewhere else. You've got your family
and your home and all these other things you've got to deal with.
"I just sat back and waited for something to happen. I'd see people on
the street all the time and they'd ask me if I was leaving or staying,
and I didn't know. If it happens, it happens. It was something to deal
with, but it wasn't that tough. It was almost like the draft,
actually, a real, real long draft, a three- or four-month draft."
Haslett told Howard all along that if a deal happened, it would happen
no later than the draft. When Haslett told him two days before the
draft that he didn't think a deal would happen, Howard relaxed and
didn't even watch the draft. And for the first time in four years the
Saints didn't select a defensive lineman in the first round .
"It's a lot easier to focus now," Howard said. "And if I had
been
traded it would be easier to focus now, knowing where I was going to
be. The only thing that bothered me was just not knowing where I was
going to be because I was trying to take advantage of this offseason
because I didn't have surgery on anything and that was rare.
"I was really trying to get myself ready for the season early and not
knowing who I was working out for, who I was improving for, was tough
[[[[[[[[[[ OUR VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]
Howard led the Saints last year with 11 sacks despite only playing 13
games. A healthy, happy Howard gives the Saints excellent depth at DE
with Charles Grant and Will Smith. If Howard can stay healthy this
season, he has an excellent shot at putting up some of the best stats
for his career. Howard currently ranks 13th on the Footballguys.com
expert DL chart.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
13. IDP BAL - LB Peter Boulware Released
Clipped from: Baltimore Sun article by Brent Jones 5/11/05
The Ravens released popular linebacker Peter Boulware on Wednesday,
citing his $6 million base salary this season as the primary reason.
Boulware, a four-time Pro Bowl player, is the franchise's all-time
sack leader (67.5) but would have been used as a backup and
pass-rushing specialist. Besieged by knee and toe injuries that kept
him out all last season, the Ravens and Boulware's agent, Roosevelt
Barnes, tried to re-negotiate his contract to something more suitable
for a backup player but were unsuccessful.
"The conversations had gone enough to where we pretty much knew where
we were at," Ravens coach Brian Billick said. "[General manager] Ozzie
[Newsome] had extensive conversations with Peter's representation.
That negotiation was completed. They felt like there was more for them
out in the open market, and we wanted to give them that opportunity.
There was no reason to wait until June 1 once we had reached that
point. We owed Peter that much."
Boulware, an eight-year NFL veteran, was named to four Pro Bowls
(1998, 1999, 2002 and 2003) and totaled 487 career tackles. He was
named Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1997 after posting 11.5 sacks,
and he led the AFC and ranked second in the NFL with a career-high 15
sacks in 2001, when he switched from linebacker to defensive end for
the final six games of the season.
The Ravens drafted two linebackers last month, including second-round
pick Dan Cody from Oklahoma. They also signed free-agent linebackers
Tommy Polley and Jim Nelson this offseason. Polley is expected to
compete for the starting outside spot vacated by Ed Hartwell, who left
via free agency and signed with Atlanta.
"Due to the play of Adalius Thomas and the drafting of Dan Cody, we
decided to terminate Peter Boulware," Newsome said in a release.
"Peter has been a major contributor to the success of our organization
both on and off the field. As others who have departed this year,
whether it has been by termination or free agency, we feel that Peter
will continue to be a successful player in this league."
[[[[[[[[[[ OUR VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]
Chris Smith reported in the May 9th update that Boulware would only be
retained if the contract terms made sense. It's clear from Billick's
statements above that the Ravens were not really close to a deal with
Boulware, and that releasing him made more sense. Boulware is still a
quality LB and will be signed by someone before the pre-season begins.
We'll keep you posted on where he signs.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
That'll do it for today, Folks. Thanks for reading and we'll see you
tomorrow with the update.
J