Seahawks' fans, "get yer popcorn ready"

Posted by Mike Florio on August 6, 2012, 8:28 PM EDT

Getty Images

Congratulations, Seahawks fans.  Or, as the case may be, condolences.

The appropriate “C” word won’t be known for a while.  For now, what is known is that receiver Terrell Owens has agreed to terms with Seattle, according to Jay Glazer of FOX.

Per Glazer, it’s a one-year deal.

Owens spent the 2011 season out of the NFL, after tearing an ACL during the lockout.  Earlier this year, he played for the Allen Wrangler of the Indoor Football League, leaving as he often seems to do in a haze of controversy.

Barring a deal with Golden Tate, who wears No. 81, the only number currently available for Owens is 84.

Owens returns to the NFC West, where his career started with the 49ers.  He also has played for the Eagles, Cowboys, Bill, and Bengals.

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Observations: Saints vs. Cardinals

Jason Miller / Getty Images

Here are a few observations from the Hall of Fame game of the Saints vs. Cardinals.

Saints

• Sproles looks even faster this year.
• Mark Ingram looked more explosive than the last time we saw him.
• Chase Daniel was impressive.  Better velocity than expected and showed good mobility.
• Laurent Scott flashed in the return game, showing good moves in the open field.
• He probably won't make the team, but Travaris Cadet looked like a very capable runningback.  Particularly in the passing game.  He will be on some team this season.
• 2nd year player Martez Wilson has been shifted from LB to DE, and this could be a great move for the Saints.  He showed some excellent burst off the edge.

Cardinals

• LaRod Stephens-Howling could be a big time playmaker this year, ala Darren Sproles if utilized right.
• Kevin Kolb got knocked out of the game with bruised ribs, but he looked bad even before that.  However, to be fair, they did not provide any protection for him either.
• Calais Campbell made a few impact plays on their first two series, he looks like he could be a monster this season.
• Andre Roberts did not make any big plays, but he was target a lot in the first half and made the most of each opportunity.
• Stewart Bradley was a disappointment last year, but he looked fast and instinctive against the Saints.
• John Skelton looked better in every regard than Kevin Kolb, but that doesn't mean that their QB situation is good either.

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Dwayne Bowe plans to show up by Week One

Posted by Mike Florio on August 6, 2012, 6:27 PM EDT

Getty Images

Chiefs receiver Dwayne Bowe is the last unsigned franchise player.  In theory, he can stay away until the Tuesday after Week 10.

But he most likely won’t.

Per a source with knowledge of the situation, Bowe plans to show before the regular season begins.

It’s not uncommon for franchise players to stay away until the days preceding the start of the regular season.  Since the player isn’t under contract, he can’t be fined.  And since the franchise level play doesn’t commence until the real games start, the player gets his full salary if he makes it back in time for the first regular-season game.

Browns name Brandon Weeden the starting QB

Posted by Darin Gantt on August 6, 2012, 4:42 PM EDT

AP

Suspected by everyone, Pat Shurmur just confirmed it Monday.

Rookie Brandon Weeden is his starting quarterback this season, according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

The 28-year-old Weeden was expected to be given the reins when he was drafted, partly because they think he’s a mature and polished passer and partly because the options are Colt McCoy and Seneca Wallace.

But that doesn’t mean it’s a good thing for him long-term, or a fair shot.

With the Browns ownership changing hands, everything’s up in the air this year.

While some rookies are given time to develop, Weeden’s age makes him different, but the one-year audition nature of things for every Browns player (and coach, and personnel man) is going to make it a fascinating watch.

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T.O. ran sub 4.5 forty during Seahawks tryout

Posted by Evan Silva on August 6, 2012, 4:07 PM EDT

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The Seattle Seahawks are pursuing free agent wide receiverTerrell Owens after his “very impressive” Monday tryout, but Owens might be smart to shop his wares a bit in light of the following news.

Mike Sando of ESPN.com reports that Owens ran a forty-yard dash in the 4.4s during the workout. Owens turns 39 in a few months, but he can still run really, really fast in a straight line.

Plenty of teams around the league could use a big, fast receiver. The Vikings, Dolphins, Jets, Ravens, Texans, and Owens’ old team, the Cowboys, all come to mind.

For now, though, Owens is in the Seahawks’ crosshairs and it sounds like they don’t want to let him get out.

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Lions plan to treat quarterbacks like wolves treated Liam Neeson

Posted by Michael David Smith on August 6, 2012, 12:21 PM EDT

Reuters

In The Grey, Liam Neeson and his colleagues battle a pack of hungry wolves in the Alaskan tundra. Spoiler alert: The wolves win.

Lions defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham watched that movie, and it gave him some ideas: Cunningham told the Detroit News that he’s experimenting with a new formation in which defensive tacklesNdamukong Suh and Nick Fairley move outside to end, while the ends move inside to tackle, and he named the formation after the movie.

“Yeah, I call it Grey,” Cunningham said. “If you watch that movie you will know what I mean. Those wolves kind of tricked ‘em and that’s kind of what we’re doing.”

Report: Jags and Blackmon have agreed to terms

According to JaguarsInsider the team has agreed to terms with Blackmon, and it should be finalized soon.

UPDATE:  This was just confirmed by NFL Network

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Report: Jags close to inking Justin Blackmon

Posted by Mike Florio on August 6, 2012, 2:59 PM EDT

AP

The last unsigned draft pick soon could be signing his contract.

Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the Jaguars and receiver Justin Blackmonare close on an agreement.

The source says that the deal “should get done soon.”

Blackmon, the fifth overall pick in the draft, had yet to agree, presumably because of efforts by the team to protect itself in the event Blackmon gets in trouble off the field, again.

Last month, Blackmon pleaded guilty to aggravated DUI charges, following an arrest that resulted in a measured blood-alcohol concentration of 0.24 percent.

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Terrell Owens has tryout in Seattle

Mark Schwartz - NFL.com

Pete Carroll isn't finished with bringing wide receiver reclamation projects to the Pacific Northwest.

The Seattle Seahawks coach is having Terrell Owens in for a tryout Monday, the team confirmed, shortly after KJR-AM first reported the news.

Play fantasy football on NFL.com Why play fantasy footballanywhere else? This season, GO LEGIT with the official free fantasy footballgame of the NFL.

Carroll cut ties with Antonio Bryant, one of his latest experiments in the Seahawks' receiving corps, Sunday. Perhaps we should have seen this trial run coming: T.O. joined the Cincinnati Bengals shortly after Bryant got the boot from Marvin Lewis and Co. in 2010 and finished the season with 72 catches for 983 yards and nine touchdowns.

That was the latest time T.O. played in the NFL.

Though the Mike Williams revival ended this offseason,Braylon Edwards arrived just in time to fill the Seahawks' void at star-crossed receiver. It's not clear what Owens, now 38, has left after his turbulent voyage in the Indoor Football League, but Carroll has shown he's not afraid to kick some tires when it comes to finding a pass catcher.

The T.O. tryout adds all the more intrigue to the Seahawks' shell game at quarterback. Tarvaris Jackson worked with the other offensive starters at Sunday's team scrimmage, and Matt Flynn took the second-team snaps. Rookie Russell Wilson worked with the third unit.

Now the door prize for the Seahawks' starting quarterback could be managing T.O.

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Texans get Andre Johnson and Duane Brown back

Posted by Evan Silva on August 6, 2012, 9:22 AM EDT

AP

All-Pro wide receiver Andre Johnson put a bit of a scare into the Texans when he suffered a groin injury in last Sunday’s practice. Johnson has missed 12 games over the past two years, so his durability has increasingly become a concern entering his age-31 season.

But an MRI confirmed the groin injury was the equivalent of a routine tweak, and the Texans believed he’d only miss a week of practice. Per John McClain of the Houston Chronicle, Johnson was back on the practice field Monday. So that target date was right on point.

Texans left tackle Duane Brown, who sustained a bone bruise on his ankle last Wednesday, has also resumed practicing.

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The NFL will see it's first female official Thursday

Posted by Darin Gantt on August 6, 2012, 10:52 AM EDT

Replacement refs made their debut last night in the Hall of Fame Game.

Later this week, more history will be made.

Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times reports Shannon Eastin will be part of the crew for Thursday’s Green Bay at San Diego game.

Eastin, who has called college games in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, will be the first woman to work as an on-field official in any NFL game.

While there were some missteps last night, there wasn’t the ridiculous show of ineptitude some expected. As we get deeper and deeper into the bench of the retired and tier-two (or three or four or five) officials, that may happen.

Until then, the outcry over the stalemated officials doesn’t seem to be the kind that will generate pressure on the league to back off its previous offers.

(Photo credit: sesportsofficiating.wordpress.com)

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Ellis delivers "knock-out" blow to Kevin Kolb

Posted by Mike Florio on August 6, 2012, 9:47 AM EDT

Getty Images

Sunday night’s Saints-Cardinals game provided in the third series from the New Orleans defense a clear example of the kind of play for which players allegedly were being paid in violation of league rules.

When defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis dragged down Arizona quarterback Kevin Kolb, causing him to leave the game with what turned out to be a bruised chest muscle, Ellis accomplished a $1,500 “knockout” in the now-defunct vernacular of former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams.  (If Kolb had returned, it would have simply been a $1,000 “cart-off.”)

Monday morning one-liners

Posted by Josh Alper on August 6, 2012, 9:05 AM EDT

AP

Bills long snapper Garrison Sanborn is happy with anonymity.

LB Karlos Dansby hopes that being lighter leads to a heavier impact on the defense.

The Patriots are looking a bit thin on the offensive line.

Jets special teams coach Mike Westhoff has been enjoying the team’s kicking battle.

Kevin Cowherd of the Baltimore Sun followed Ravens QB Joe Flacco through an autograph signing session.

Bengals QB Andy Dalton rebounded after a rough start to the team’s mock game.

The Browns hope throwing G Jason Pinkston to the wolves last year pays off with improved play this season.

Said Steelers T Mike Adams of a starting role, “I don’t know what their plans are. But I’m going to take advantage of every opportunity I’m given.”

Texans quarterbacks coach Karl Dorrell has proven to be a good fit in his first season with the team.

Joe Reitz took the majority of snaps at left guard for the Colts on Sunday.

The Jaguars and their fans watched video of Sanya Richards-Ross, wife of Jaguars CB Aaron Ross, winning the 400 meters in London after Sunday’s practice.

Titans DE Dave Ball is being held out of practice after taking a blow to the head on Thursday.

The Broncos are trying to balance a need for better tackling with the need to stay healthy through camp.

Dexter McCluster is still looking to find his niche with the Chiefs.

DE Matt Shaughnessy will be a big factor in the success of the Raiders run defense.

Chargers LB Donald Butler feels he’s regained the step lost to injury in 2011.

Said Cowboys coach Jason Garrett of RB DeMarco Murray, “It’s a little bit of a mean streak. It’s a little bit of a competitive spirit. You see it in all aspects of his game.”

Giants DT Shaun Rogers has lost weight and feels he’s gained effectiveness as a result.

Eagles C Jason Kelce’s beard has taken on a life of its own.

Rookie G Josh LeRibeus‘ good humor has been a hit at Redskins camp.

RB Matt Forte and WR Earl Bennett both left Bears practice early with minor ailments.

Lions defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham is happy to have DE Cliff Avrilback in the fold.

RB Alex Green’s flashes of talent are getting noticed by the Packers.

There are a lot of players on one-year deals with the Vikings.

Coahulla Creek High School is excited about hosting a practice with the Falcons and the Titans.

WR Brenton Bersin went to the first game in Panthers history and is now trying to make the team.

Looking at the performance of the Saints defense on Sunday night.

S Cody Grimm is trying to hold onto a spot with the Buccaneers.

Cardinals P Dave Zastudil had a 79-yard kick against the Saints.

Protecting QB Sam Bradford is a top priority for the Rams.

RB Rock Cartwright knows he won’t make the 49ers because of what he does with the ball in his hands.

Seahawks rookie DE Bruce Irvin chased down RB Marshawn Lynch on a 70-yard run during a mock game.

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