Broncos trying to extend Clady

Posted by Evan Silva on May 19, 2012, 7:40 PM EDT

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Mike Klis of the Denver Post reports that the Broncos have opened long-term contract negotiations with left tackle Ryan Clady.

Citing “several NFL sources,” Klis reports that “it may be a while” before the sides close a deal.

Though Clady’s sacks-allowed total has been on the riseover the past three seasons, Klis’ story goes on to essentially blame the statistics on former Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow. Klis compared Tebow to Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, and claims Clady “has improved greatly as a run blocker.”

Now that Tebow is gone, the Broncos apparently believe Clady will improve in pass protection. And in order to lock him up, they’re going to have to pay top dollar.

Joe Thomas of the Browns is currently the NFL’s highest paid left tackle. He signed a seven-year, $84 million extension last August, with $44 million guaranteed.

Jake Long (Dolphins), Branden Albert (Chiefs), and Duane Brown (Texans) will be watching these negotiations closely. Like Clady, Long, Albert, and Brown are young left tackles entering the final year of their rookie deals.

Other notable left tackles in contract years include William Beatty (Giants),Bryant McKinnie (Ravens), and Sam Baker (Falcons). It’s also believed Chris Williams, who is in a contract year, will get a chance to beat out J’Marcus Webbfor the Bears’ starting left tackle job. Williams was a starting guard last season.

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Osi may help L.T. get his Super Bowl Ring back

Posted by Mike Florio on May 19, 2012, 1:04 PM EDT

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Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora has, for several years, wanted more money.  But he’s willing to spend some of the money he already has on something that the son of Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor is selling:  L.T.’s ring from Super Bowl XXV.

So Umenyiora has made an offer on his Twitter page:  If he gets to 500,000 total Twitter followers by 10:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, he’ll buy the ring and give it back to Taylor.

Umenyiora made the offer earlier today, with an initial threshold of 1 million Twitter followers.  He has since cut the goal in half.  (It won’t be easy; as of this posting, Osi has fewer than 40,000 followers.)

If he makes it to the half-million goal and buys the ring, a random Osi follower will do the honors of giving the ring to L.T.

Maybe they can do it on June 17, and Osi can wish Taylor a Happy Father’s Day

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Rams aim for NFL sack record

Posted by Michael David Smith on May 19, 2012, 7:40 AM EDT

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In 1984, Jeff Fisher played for the Chicago Bears team that set the NFL’s all-time record with 72 sacks in a season. Now Fisher wants to coach the team that breaks that record.

Fisher has been telling the defense that he wants at least 73 sacks this year, according to comments that defensive end Robert Quinn made to Ron Clements of CBS Sports.

Realistically, that’s not going to happen. The Rams, who had 39 sacks last year, may have a better pass rush with Fisher bringing in a new defense and the arrival of several new starters, but they’re not going to nearly double their sack output from a year ago.

For that matter, it’s not going to happen for any other team, either, because the game has changed since the Bears set the sack record in 1984. Offenses make protecting the quarterback a higher priority than ever before, and quarterbacks are getting rid of the ball more quickly than ever before. Last year the Vikings and Eagles needed just 50 sacks to tie for the league lead, and only one team in the last 10 years has had 60 sacks in a season (the 2006 Chargers, with 61). Getting 70 sacks in a season is just about impossible in today’s NFL.

Still, it’s nice that Fisher has big goals.

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Pilar claims Deion choked her during April 23rd incident

Posted by Mike Florio on May 19, 2012, 12:13 AM EDT

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Last month, something happened at the home where Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders and his estranged wife had been living, in separate areas of the oversized home.  Pilar Sanders was arrested and charged with misdemeanor assault.  Deion Sanderseventually was cited for misdemeanor assault.  A witness claimed that Deion was the aggressor but that police were harder on Pilar.

For the first time, Pilar has spoken out regarding the situation, in an interview with Examiner.com.