The Tiger Report: 08/29/11

Monday, August 29, 2011

Eli tosses 2 first half picks

Posted by Mike Florio on August 29, 2011, 8:48 PM EDT

Two weeks ago, Giants quarterback Eli Manning explained that he’s not a 25-interception-per-season quarterback — even though he threw 25 interceptions last season.

Tonight, he’s probably not considering himself to be a two-interception-per-half quarterback, either.

But that doesn’t change the fact that Manning was picked off twice in the first half of Monday night’s preseason game against the Jets. Eli has completed 12 of 25 passes for 174 yards.

Still, the preseason is the time for making mistakes. Near the end of the second quarter, he overthrew a wide-open Mario Manningham, who if hit in stride would have easily scored a long touchdown.

So it’s hardly time for Giants fans to panic. If Eli throws two picks in the first half of the Giants’ game against the Redskins in 13 days, then it’ll be time to panic.

The Jets lead 7-3, thanks to a 17-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Mark Sanchez to receiver Santonio Holmes.

The best news for the Giants? Manning hasn’t had his helmet knocked off and his scalp gashed. Yet.

Cedric Benson will be doing time during Bengals bye week

Posted by Michael David Smith on August 29, 2011, 5:10 PM EDT

When his Cincinnati Bengals teammates are relaxing during the bye week, Cedric Benson will be behind bars.

The Austin American-Statesman reports thatBenson pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor assault charge and was sentenced to 20 days in jail today. But with time off for good behavior, Benson will only have to serve about a week in jail (assuming he behaves himself), and the plea agreement allows Benson to report to jail on October 17, the start of the Bengals’ bye week.

“We are pleased that Mr. Benson took responsibility for his actions today,” Assistant Travis County Attorney Corby Holcomb said.

Today’s no contest plea is in connection with a 2010 attack on an employee of a downtown Austin bar. Benson also resolved an assault charge related to a fight with a former roommate by agreeing to a deferred prosecution agreement which says the charge will be dropped if he stays out of trouble for a year.

Vick signs his second $100 million contract

Posted by Mike Florio on August 29, 2011, 8:03 PM EDT

Two years and two weeks after he signed a two-year contract that paid him less than $2 million in 2009, Vick is poised to once again ink a long-term nine-figure deal.

We’ve confirmed that Vick has agreed to terms with the Eagles on a six-year, $100 million contract. The deal replaces the one-year guaranteed franchise tender, which has a value north of $16 million.

The agreement was first reported by ESPN.

The contract, which comes seven years after Vick signed a 10-year, $130 million deal with the Falcons, raises plenty of questions. How much of it is guaranteed? (Adam Schefter of ESPN says it’s $40 million.) How much of it is truly guaranteed?

What protections, if any, does the deal contain in the event Vick gets into trouble again? Is it front-loaded, back-loaded, or evenly distributed at an average of $16.67 million per year?

Other questions include whether and to what extent the deal created cap space in 2011, and then whether that money will be used to sign receiver DeSean Jacksonto a long-term deal.

Once we get our eyes on the specific numbers, we’ll break it all down.

Until then, it’s safe to say that Vick has come full circle, four years after pleading guilty to federal charges relating to gambling and dogfighting. He’s back on top of the football world; the ultimate question is whether he’ll stay there this time.

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Ndamukong Suh "had fun beating up on the Brady Bunch"

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on August 29, 2011, 1:07 PM EDT

Ndamukong Suh isn’t shy on the field, and he’s become increasingly visible off the field.

From media tours to endorsements to social media, Suh isn’t shy putting himself out there. That includes occasional video messages on Facebook to his fans.

“What up Twitter fam,” Suh told his followers on Sunday. “Last night was a lot of fun beating up on the Brady Bunch. I think we played pretty well as a team. It’s a good start, happy with where we’re at right now but never satisfied and looking for more.”

Perhaps there will be some hang-wringing about Suh’s confidence, but we like it. There is a perception there is more trash talking these days, but players are a lot more vanilla than in the 70′s and 80′s because there are so many media outlets.

The NFL needs characters and Suh is evolving into one of its biggest stars.

Seahawks ship Kelly Jennings to the Bengals

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on August 29, 2011, 2:37 PM EDT

Wild Card Playoffs - New Orleans Saints v Seattle Seahawks

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The Bengals have improved their shaky cornerback depth by acquiring cornerbackKelly Jennings from the Seahawks.

Defensive tackle Clinton McDonald was sent to the Seahawks in exchange for Jennings, the Bengals announced. McDonald has played in eight career games.

The move is reminiscent of last August 31, when the Seahawks sent cornerback Josh Wilson to the Ravens for a fifth-round pick. The Bengals can only hope the move pays off for them like it did for Baltimore, although Jennings’ play of late would indicate that’s unlikely.

Jennings was the 31st overall pick in the 2006 draft; he started 44 games for Seattle including all 14 of his regular season games last year. Walter Thurmond should take his place.

Bears give up on Gholston already

Posted by Mike Florio on August 29, 2011, 1:21 PM EDT

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Defensive end Vernon Gholston, the sixth overall pick in the 2008 draft, got three years to prove himself in New York. He failed.

Gholston got roughly three weeks to prove himself in Chicago.

He failed.

The Bears have announced that Gholston has been waived. If/when he clears waivers, he’ll become a free agent.

The Bears also have waived center J.C. Brignone, defensive tackle Tank Tyler, and quarterback Trevor Vittatoe.

It remains to be seen whether anyone else gives Gholston a chance. Either way, he’ll go down as one of the all-time great draft busts, a workout warrior who parlayed a chiseled physique and a dominating performance against Michigan’s Jake Long into the kind of oversized contract that top-10 draft picks no longer will get.

If Rod Marinelli gives up on a defensive lineman, then he probably won't make it anywhere in the league. Rod has been known to have great success with defensive linemen, and have a penchant for believing all of them can be stars (with his coaching of course).

Cardinals starting cornerback out for the season

Posted by Michael David Smith on August 29, 2011, 1:45 PM EDT

The Arizona Cardinals have taken a major hit in the secondary.

Greg Toler, who was a starting cornerback in Arizona last year and was expected to start this season, has been lost for the year with a torn ACL.

The injury, which Toler suffered during Saturday night’s game against the Chargers, looked bad at the time, and the medical staff has now confirmed the worst.

With Toler done for the year, it will be even more important for the Cardinals that No. 5 overall pick Patrick Peterson is ready to go from Week 1.

Patrick Peterson, time to earn your money son.

Breaking News: Lions beat writer Tom Kowalski passes away

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on August 29, 2011, 12:32 PM EDT

The football world was stunned and saddened to learn Monday that longtime Lions beat writer Tom Kowalski passed away suddenly this morning at the age of 51.

Kowalski was found unresponsive this morning. His fiancee Diane Wolan confirmed his death to Booth Newspapers, where he worked.

Kowalski was a fixture for three decades of Detroit football coverage. He started at the Oakland Press before spending the last 14 years covering the team for Booth Newspapers and Mlive.com.

We always considered Kowalski one of the very best beat writers in the country, a guy that embraced internet coverage to the fullest early. He filed his last story early Monday and was tweeting up a storm Sunday, so this news comes as a shock.

On a personal level, Kowalski was always a friendly, funny, generous guy whose passion for what he did never seemed to wane.

Our thoughts and condolences go out to Kowalski’s family and his fiancee.

This is very sad news. I have listened to many pod casts and read many many of his articles, and he will be missed. He had a great sense of humor and always embraced the fans of the Lions. He was a straight forward an unbiased beat writer who gave you the truth. Professionally speaking, he leaves behind some huge shoes to fill. Our prayers go out to the family and friends he left behind.

Cowboys cut former Pro Bowler Andre Gurode

Posted by Michael David Smith on August 29, 2011, 12:15 PM EDT

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Andre Gurode is done in Dallas.

The Cowboys have decided to part ways with Gurode after failing to come to an agreement on a new contract, ESPNDallas.com is reporting.

Although Gurode was a Pro Bowl center last season, the Cowboys were thought to be leaning toward Phil Costa as the starting center this year. Gurode’s 2011 salary of $5.5 million was too much to pay a player who might not even be a starter.

Costa suffered a sprained PCL last week, but the Cowboys are optimistic he’ll be ready to go for the regular-season opener.

I am quite certain Gurode will find a new home pretty quickly if he wants. Even at his age he could still be a great addition to a lot of teams. The only question is his salary requirments.

Bears cut Chester Taylor

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on August 29, 2011, 12:09 PM EDT

We have our biggest name yet among these early cuts.

Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports Chester Taylor will be cut by the Bears.

That indicates that Marion Barber’s injury on Saturday night is not serious. It’s also an indication that Kahlil Bell has made the team as the No. 3 running back after a strong camp.

The Bear wasted $7 million on Taylor last year so he could be one of the worst backups in the league. We wonder if the Vikings could show interest because they have injuries behind Adrian Peterson.

It is amazing what a difference one year makes. Last year Taylor was a chic selection as one of the top free agent offensive players.

Chad Henne enjoys being treated like a real quarterback

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on August 29, 2011, 11:00 AM EDT

Dolphins quarterback Chad Henne has completed back-to-back solid preseason efforts.

Henne’s play has quieted fan grumbling in Miami for now and raised hopes that Miami’s transition to their new offense under coordinator Brian Daboll will be productive.

One reason why Henne is excited? He’s finally allowed to act like a grown up quarterback and audible to any play he wants.

“Oh, it’s great,” Henne told Jeff Darlington of the Miami Herald. “It’s full reign.”

In the past, Henne could adjust protections. Or he had “check with me” options where he could pick between two plays. Now he can adjust to any play he wants, like most veteran quarterbacks not coached by Mike Martz.

“I think if we see a [defensive] look out there, Daboll said I have free reign to go ahead and get a new play. He wants to get us in the best plays, and it’s my job to do that,” Henne said.

Henne doesn’t need to turn into Peyton Manning for the Dolphins to be better than people think. He just needs to be average, and let a potential top-five defense do the rest.

Ochocinco is struggling in New England

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on August 29, 2011, 9:48 AM EDT

Chad Ochocinco wasn’t exaggerating last week when he said he was behind the rest of the Patriots offense.

It doesn’t appear he caught up before the the team’s third preseason game, and it’s worth wondering exactly what Ochocinco’s role will be early in the year.

Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com broke down first-team snaps from Saturday’s game against Detroit. Ochocinco was in for 23 of 42 plays. That total was closer to Taylor Price(17 snaps) than it was to Deion Branch (34) or Rob Gronkowski (32). Wes Welker missed a series with an injury and played more than Ocho.

Ochocinco wasn’t effective when he played. He didn’t make a catch, but he did have a 15-yard pass interference penalty. It looked like a bad call on television, but Tedy Bruschi of ESPNBoston.com points out that Ochocinco’s poor timing on the playcaused the penalty.

“When you’re in the Patriots’ precision offense, there is a right way to run a play and a wrong way,” Bruschi wrote.

For now, Ochocinco is struggling to learn the right way. It’s only the preseason so there is no time to panic, but there’s no denying the transition hasn’t been easy.

“To put it plainly, Chad Ochocinco’s sucked this preseason,” Tom Curran of CSNNE.com. “Yet because the guy has works his ass off, shows up every single day ready to go and is as disappointed in himself as everyone who wanted an Ocho explosion on arrival, I’m cutting him slack.”

We tend to cut him slack too. It’s only August.

We’ll still be curious to see how this unfolds if Ochocinco is only the third, fourth, of fifth receiving option for Tom Brady come September.

Chad is a huge goofball, but he is a tremendous worker by all reports, so I expect this to all take care of itself in time. Patriots fans will just need to be patient with Chad. Anyone who thought he could just jump right into an offensive system that he has never played in (not even remotely close), and after 3 weeks be up to speed is delusional. Watching Chad play, you can see he is thinking too much right now. Even when he is trying to make a play on the ball he is still processing information. As he learns the system and the players around him, he will settle in and start reacting more. This short offseason does have an impact, and this is a small glimpse of it.

Rich Eisen no longer hosting NFL Total Access

Posted by Mike Florio on August 29, 2011, 9:16 AM EDT

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He’s been the regular host of NFL Network’s signature show since NFL Network debuted on November 1, 2003. Now, Rich Eisen is moving on — and up.

According to USA Today, via SportsBusiness Daily, Eisen no longer will be hosting Total Access.

Eisen will continue to host the network’s on-site game coverage, and he’ll anchor the marathon coverage of Sunday regular-season games.

He’ll also focus on his popular podcast, which is now also a telecast. Even though it’s still called a podcast. (I’m still not up to speed on these newfangled tech terms.)

Hopefully, Mr. Big Stuff will still have time to visit with PFT Live once in a while.

#EpicFail - I like many, am a fan of Rich Eisen. His departure is a bummer, but good for him and his career.

Steelers promote Colbert to become the first G.M. in team history

Posted by Mike Florio on August 29, 2011, 8:00 AM EDT

One of the most storied and decorated franchises in NFL history, the Pittsburgh Steelers never have had a General Manager.

They do now.

Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Kevin Colbert quietly has been given that title, after more than a decade as the team’s director of football operations.

Bouchette explains that the team slipped the new title into the team’s 2011 media guide, without comment, fanfare, or announcement of any kind.

Without seeing Colbert’s contract, it’s impossible to know the impact of the promotion. In some cities, the G.M. supervises the coach, runs the draft, and controls all roster decisions. In other cities, the G.M. has no real juice, serving as second fiddle to the head coach or team president or someone else.

What was learned from Saints Raiders game

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on August 28, 2011, 11:13 PM EDT

After a busy Saturday, we got a chance to focus on one game Sunday night. Some takeaways from the game are below.

If you missed our previous recaps this week, check them out for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday’s nine-game slate.

1. Drew Brees looked ready to go. In three long drives, he led the Saints to a touchdown, touchdown, and short field goal.

2. Saints tight end Jimmy Graham lined up all over the field while catching 5 catches and 73 yards. New Orleans has such great depth and continuity with their weapons catching the ball.

3. The Raiders backfield could be scary. Rookie Taiwan Jones was absolutely electric in his first preseason game, gliding past defenders and then exploding with terrific burst. He finished with 13 carries for 81 yards and a score.

It’s hard to think of an NFL runner quite like Jones. If he can learn pass protection, the Raiders will be tough to stop on the ground. Big if. Oh, and Michael Bush also had a nice night.

4. Well-traveled veteran receiver Derek Hagan may have forced himself into a role in Oakland with 121 yards on six catches, mostly with the first team.

5. Oakland rookie cornerback Demarcus Van Dyke may need to be removed from the starting lineup. The entire cornerback group is thin, but Van Dyke sticks out. The Raiders defense has sprung a few leaks this preseason.

6. Saints kicker Garrett Hartley hurt his hip and couldn’t finish the game. Could we have another John Carney signing in New Orleans?

Arian Foster is day to day with hamstring

Posted by Mike Florio on August 28, 2011, 8:40 PM EDT

Arian Foster, Ahmad Brooks, Carlos Rogers

With the season opener only 14 days away and with Texans running back Arian Fostersuffering from an aggravation of the hamstring injury he sustained on the first day of training camp, Houston fans (and all fantasy football players who have drafted Foster) are getting nervous.

Coach Gary Kubiak sounds optimistic. At least for now.

“Everything was positive today,” Kubiak told reporters, a day after the injury. “It looks like we’re dealing kind of with the same thing we were dealing with at the start of camp. Hopefully get him back on the rehab train and get him ready for opening day. He’ll be day-to-day. I’ll keep you guys up to date, but we feel like we’re fortunate.”

Still, Kubiak acknowledged that the news won’t be as good as it can be until Foster actually returns.

“Until he’s there, it’s a concern,” Kubiak said. “All indications that I got from [trainer Geoff Kaplan] today were very positive from a standpoint of what they’re dealing with compared to what they were dealing with the first time and Arian’s very positive about it. We’ll see, but until he hops back out there, there’s a concern. It sounds like we’re heading in the right direction.”

The Texans open against the Colts on September 11.

Marcus Trufant takes a large pay cut this season

Posted by Mike Florio on August 28, 2011, 9:33 PM EDT

Daniel Fells, Marcus Trufant, Leroy Hill, Earl Thomas, Aaron Curry

Linebacker Aaron Curry isn’t the only member of the Seahawks who agreed to a reduced contract earlier this month. Veteran cornerback Marcus Trufant has dropped his pay dramatically for 2011, per a league source.

The source says that Trufant’s base salary for 2011 dropped from $5.9 million to $3 million via a new contract signed on August 20.

Trufant can earn it all back based on his performance this year. The new deal contains “not likely to be earned” incentives, which pay up to $2.65 million based on Trufant earning a spot on the Pro Bowl team and making a specific number of interceptions. The other $250,000 can be earned by meeting a specific playing-time threshold.

The rest of Trufant’s contract (base salary of $7.2 million in 2012 and base salary of $8.8 million in 2013, with a $100,000 workout bonus each year) remains unchanged.

Coach Pete Carroll recently dismissed the new Curry contract as having been done “months” ago, even though the deal was signed on August 13. In Trufant’s case, maybe Carroll will say that it was done only “weeks” ago.

The Tiger Report

Pages

Monday, August 29, 2011

Eli tosses 2 first half picks

Cedric Benson will be doing time during Bengals bye week

Vick signs his second $100 million contract

New! The Tiger Report now has our own downloadable toolbar!

Ndamukong Suh "had fun beating up on the Brady Bunch"

Seahawks ship Kelly Jennings to the Bengals

Bears give up on Gholston already

Cardinals starting cornerback out for the season

Breaking News: Lions beat writer Tom Kowalski passes away

Cowboys cut former Pro Bowler Andre Gurode

Bears cut Chester Taylor

Chad Henne enjoys being treated like a real quarterback

Ochocinco is struggling in New England

Rich Eisen no longer hosting NFL Total Access

Steelers promote Colbert to become the first G.M. in team history

What was learned from Saints Raiders game

Arian Foster is day to day with hamstring

Marcus Trufant takes a large pay cut this season

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