DLD 07/29/09: Day 1 of Training Camp

Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb was asked by reporters on Monday how he would improve Terrell Owens’ new reality show.

“By not having it,” McNabb joked.

Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce is facing a gun-possession indictment in the Plaxico Burress club shooting.

The charges could sideline him for the 2009 season and ultimately put him in jail.

“The DA’s office has confirmed that they are going to seek charges against Antonio,” Pierce’s lawyer said on Monday.

A day after Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome denied interest in Michael Vick, head coach John Harbaugh acknowledged that the team has discussed the conditionally reinstated free agent.

“We’ve had long discussions about (Vick) and we have a feeling about how he would impact our team,” Harbaugh said.

Newsome declined comment after saying Monday that he was pleased with the quarterbacks already on the roster. This doesn’t mean the Ravens are going to sign Vick, but it’s hard to argue that he’d definitely be a worse backup quarterback option than Troy Smith.

Rams general manager Billy Devaney on Tuesday laid to rest any speculation that St. Louis will go after free agent Michael Vick.

“No, no, no. That’s been beat to death,” said Devaney.

It’s still fairly early, but the Jaguars and Redskins seem to be emerging as favorites for the 29-year-old’s services, with perhaps the Steelers and Patriots also involved. Vick would get his best chance at a starting job in Washington.

Well, the Redskins aren’t interested in Vick as I posted in the actual post.

Here’s some good Raider news. Well, it’s not good if you’re a supporter of Michael Huff.

Former No. 7 overall pick Michael Huff indicated at training camp reporting day that the Raiders informed him he’s on the roster bubble.

A 32-game starter in his first two seasons, Huff lost his job to Hiram Eugene last year. Huff has a ton of athletic ability, but safeties that don’t tackle or cover don’t usually make NFL teams. He’s no longer on Al Davis scholarship.

Citing people within the Jaguars’ organization, beat writer Michael C. Wright reports that free agent Michael Vick’s name “hasn’t come up once” during meetings between team brass.

Wright says he also texted with coach Jack Del Rio on Tuesday, and Del Rio replied “no” when asked if Vick is on Jacksonville’s radar. The catch is that general manager Gene Smith makes the Jags’ personnel decisions.

Color us surprised if he’s satisfied with Todd Bouman backing up David Garrard.

There is no link, but here’s something I picked up about Jim Johnson.

Johnson began his career as Notre Dame’s secondary coach after a brief playing career, and went on to coach for 31 years. He was most notable as the Eagles’ defensive boss from 1999-2008. Known for relentless blitzing, Johnson’s up-tempo defenses helped Philadelphia to five division titles. Between 2000 and 2008, Johnson’s units ranked second in the NFL in sacks (390).

He’s survived by his wife Vicky, two children and four grandchildren.

A league source tells Jason Reid that free agent Michael Vick believes he’ll either end up with the 49ers or Redskins.

Two other sources say there’s “nothing there” with Vick and the Skins at this time, but “anything can happen when Dan Snyder is determined to pursue a player.”

Vick is a Virginia native and was allegedly spotted in Loudon County (VA), a D.C. suburb, earlier this week. A conflict of interest looms, though. Agent Joel Segal represents both Vick and Redskins starter Jason Campbell.

Even though Washington supposedly denied interest, I guess you never know with Dan Snyder. He’ll do it.

Paul Wexler is previewing the defense heading into camp.

He goes position-by-position with his analysis.

For example, here are the defensive ends.

DEFENSIVE ENDS

Who’s Here: Derrick Burgess, Jay Richardson, Greg Ellis, Trevor Scott, Matt Shaughnessy, Greyson Gunheim and Derrick Gray.

Who’s Gone: Kalimba Edwards.

The Big Question: Will Burgess get traded before the regular season starts? The trade winds simply won’t die down.
The New England Patriots are the team cited most often as a partner in the deal. Oakland managing general partner Al Davis is in no hurry to end up on the short side of another trade with the Patriots. The sting from the Randy Moss deal hasn’t quite gone away. Moss was traded to the Patriots for a fourth-round draft choice that turned into cornerback John Bowie.
Once traded, Moss returned to the All-Pro level he produced for the Minnesota Vikings but turned off during his two seasons with the Raiders. Meanwhile, Bowie has yet to do anything of note.

Other Questions: Will Ellis prove to be the best free agent signing of the offseason? Ellis enjoyed huge success in the 4-3 defense that he is returning to with the Raiders. Has Scott developed into a three-down player capable of playing both the run and the pass with equal success? Scott worked diligently in the offseason to bulk up so that he could handle the run. Is Shaughnessy a third-round steal? His stock slipped in the draft due to some things outside his control, including the death of his brother. Reports out of Wisconsin say that he is a beast that plays huge in big games. His work ethic and toughness are spelled out in every scouting report written about him. If he has the skills to handle the bigger offensive tackles, he has the potential to be a star.

David White blogs about the first day of camp and talks about Jeff Garcia, Oren O’Neal, Andrew Walter and Darrius Heyward-Bey among other things.

No. 5 — The Raiders must cut three players to get to the 80-man limit, and already did so according to a team source who declined to name names.

For those thinking backup quarterback Andrew Walter was done, that was news to him. He checked in for camp Tuesday — and yes, they did issue him a room key.

Raiders coach Tom Cable won’t speak with reporters until noon Wednesday. That’s when the transactions are most likely to become public.

WR Arman Shields and QB Danny Southwick waived…. Burgess a no-show at camp so far; unexpected holdout

DHB still not signed

only 80 players can compete in camp and by Sept. 1st every team must have their roster down to 75, and from there by Sept 5th must trim it down to the 53-man active roster…

we can also field an 8-man practice squad but any player on the practice squad can be signed to any teams active roster

The last pick in the draft, known as “Mr. Irrelevant” in the NFL, has a starting job with the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Chiefs announced on Tuesday that they have released kicker Connor Barth, making rookie Ryan Succop the team’s starter.

Succop was the final pick in April’s NFL draft.

Mario Henderson will open training camp as the Raiders starting left tackle, according to writer Jerry McDonald.

Henderson improved throughout last season and was solid down the stretch. Ex-Jaguar starter Khalif Barnes is around for insurance if Henderson struggles in preseason action.

Monte Poole says that the Raiders still need help in the front office.

For all of Al’s assets, his liabilities continue unimpeded, without the challenge that might be provided by a respected voice of reason.

And, no, bringing in journeyman offensive minds Paul Hackett and Ted Tollner does not qualify. They’re coaches, and Davis claimed to have his eyes on someone “local” who would assume much greater authority.

“There’s one guy I’m looking at now,” he said then. “It would be an executive role.”

Raider news, signings, waivings. Good post.

Above, there was a link for quick hits on Mario Henderson.

Also on the quick hits link is where you’ll find news on Derrick Burgess, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Arman Shields, Robert Gallery, Oren O’Neal, Tom Cable, Stryker Sulak, Andrew Walter, and of course, Michael Vick.

Arman Shields was released because he failed the team’s physical.

After many days. Go check him out everyone. The videos are up.
http://www.raiders.com/home/

He was looking super fresh when he got introduced to the head coaching position but, now he just…. looks like… lost for words.

could Cleveland be anymore of a mess?

And we wanted to trade for Braylon. Thank god.