Saturday, July 28, 2012

Jeff Backus and Mikel LeShoure dinged up in Lions camp


jeff-backus-03.jpg
Anwar Richardson - MLive.com
ALLEN PARK -- Detroit Lions left tackle Jeff Backus and running back Mikel Leshoure sustained injuries on the second day of training camp.
Backus left practice with an injured thumb, while Leshoure sustained a hamstring injury.

Lions coach Jim Schwartz was unsure of the severity of Backus' injury, but planned to consult with the team's medical staff later this afternoon, which likely means there is some sort of significant damage.
"He hurt his thumb in one-on-one," Schwartz said. "Went in and got x-rays. Didn't return to practice. We're going to wait and see what those looks like. It wasn't real determinate right away, but there's some findings on there, so we'll look at it later this afternoon.

Could Mike Jenkins be on the trading block once cleared to play?


Mike JenkinsAP
When Cowboys cornerback Mike Jenkins shows up at training camp in California this weekend, he won’t be staying long.
According to David Moore of the Dallas Morning News, Jenkins will be checking out early to fly to Alabama to consult with Dr. James Andrews about his recovering shoulder.
Jenkins had what Cowboys coach Jason Garrett called “complicated shoulder surgery” in January, and they hope to clear him before camp ends.
The early reports weren’t good, as Jenkins was struggling to throw passes overhand back to coaches during drills.
If they can get him well, they have a solid depth piece or a valuable trade chip. After adding Brandon Carr and drafting Morris Claiborne, Jenkins is surplus to need, and might be more valuable to others.
But that’s a moot point until he’s well, and they’ll have a better handle on where that stands next week.
If Mike Jenkins checks out medically, the Lions could be a logical trade partner with Dallas.  The Lions are trusting their second corner spot to a host of unproven players and Mike Jenkins could be worth the risk.  Martin Mayhew has shown that he is not afraid to aggressively go after players via trades, and this one looks good for both sides if they were to offer up a 2013 draft pick.  Unless Jerry Jones is still bitter about being fleeced in the Roy Williams deal.  -Tiger


Saturday one-liners


nfl_g_snoopdog_400Getty Images
Jets rookie WR Stephen Hill is drawing praise for doing a lot of what he likely will be doing this year:  blocking.
Pats WR Donte’ Stallworth returns to New England having “matured as a player, matured as a person.”  (Killing a guy while driving a car under the influence tends to do that.)
The goal for getting a new lease in place for the Bills officially has been moved to the end of the year.
When it comes to hairstyles, Dolphins rookies are sporting the modified Cruella deVille.
With WR Antonio Brown and not WR Mike Wallace getting a new contract from the Steelers, Snoop Dogg may need an explanation.
Browns DT Ahtyba Rubin is recovering from a procedure to repair a slight pelvic tear.
Bengals LB Brandon Joiner is on the reserve/did not report list for a good reason; he’s serving a three-year prison sentence in Texas.  (Shouldn’t they have traded him to the Lions by now?)
Is Michael Oher finally ready to play left tackle?  (With Bryant McKinnieAWOL, it may not matter.)
The Jaguars have released FB Naufahu Tahi.  (Brad Childress wants to know why they didn’t they just make him the extra man on the roster.)
Colts coach Chuck Pagano’s first training camp as head coach opens on Saturday.
Titans QB Matt Hasselbeck put business first in the offseason; “I played it more safe and I didn’t really travel,” Hasselbeck said. “I didn’t really go anywhere for fun.  Everywhere I went, I had a purpose.  If I was going somewhere, then throwing and working out was priority No. 1 all the time.”
Texans LB Connor Barwin has traded in the Cosmo Kramer for the Gary Kubiak.
A jury has awarded $5.2 million against Chargers doctor David Chao for prescribing a cold-therapy device after knee surgery; Chao has now been on the wrong end of multiple malpractice cases.  (But, please, keep letting him provide care to elite professional athletes.)
Broncos LB Von Miller thinks that the team’s seventh defensive coordinator in seven seasons is “laid back“; Jack Del Rio says Miller and the rest of the defense are in for a surprise.
The Torn ACL Trio (Eric BerryJamaal CharlesTony Moeaki) all practiced for the Chiefs on Friday; “I feel I’ve got my swag back,” Charles said.
Our old pal (and former PFT contributor) Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com tears into Cowboys WR Dez Bryant for keeping his mouth shut in the wake of his recent arrest.
Giants co-owner John Mara was surprised by the number of media at training camp:  “I can’t believe so many of you are here.  Tebow isn’t here.”
Former Redskins QB Colt Brennan has been arrested in Hawaii for suspicion of drunk driving and drug possession.
Eagles TE Brent Celek (knee) is expected to miss only a few days.
A lawsuit against former Vikings WR and current ESPN analyst Cris Carter involving a rap-song investment gone bad contends that Carter was close to becoming the Alabama receivers coach in 2011.  (It’s unknown whether Carter ever declared, “I’m not going to be the Alabama receivers coach.”)
Bears K Robbie Gould thinks it would be a “big risk” for the team to let LB Brian Urlacher become a free agent.  (It also would be a “big risk” for the Bears to make personnel decisions based on the advice of a kicker.)
Packers LT Marshall Newhouse is gaining confidence via praise from his coach — and practice against LB Clay Matthews.
Lions WR Calvin Johnson apparently can’t walk down the street in Mexico.  (Sergio Mendes can sympathize.)
Newly re-signed Falcons LB Mike Peterson is now known as “Unc”; “I’m everybody’s uncle around here now,” Peterson said.
Saints CB Patrick Robinson made the play of the day on Friday, stealing a Drew Brees pass away from TE Jimmy Graham.
Falcons RB Jason Snelling wants more opportunities on offense.
Panthers coach Ron Rivera hopes increased competition will create increased urgency in training camp; among other things, both kicking positions are up for grabs.
The mentor of 49ers LB Aldon Smith says that his off-field problems will be a “small blip on his radar.”  (If getting stabbed twice is a small blip on the radar, that’s a big-ass radar.)
The Cardinals are holding their annual Red-White Scrimmage on Saturday.  (QBKevin Kolb may want to wear ear plugs.)
Rams TE Michael Hoomanawanui is able to practice after suffering a torn ACL on November 13.
Will the Seahawks quarterback competition be reduced from three to two?  “The answer is yes, I guess,” coach Pete Carroll said.  “You’re just going to have to suck it up and wait.”

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