NFL Notes: Will Jets now look to trade Jones?

APLeon Washington

The reports out of New York that the Jets have offered Leon Washington a contract extension shouldn’t come as a surprise, making me wonder if our NFP report about the club at least talking to teams about moving Jones becomes a reality.

As Michael Lombardi wrote in the Diner this morning, the Jets need some help at wide receiver — coming on the heels of a report that the Jets are looking to make an addition outside the numbers. So why wouldn’t Jones come into play even more? Rookie Shonn Greene of Iowa can provide the Jets with a downhill attack that pairs nicely with Washington’s overall game, essentially replacing Jones’ role on this football team.

Plus, don’t expect Jones to be wearing a smile around the facility if the report on a new deal for Washington comes true — as he has voiced an opinion about his own deal all offseason. Time to call Seattle and make a deal?

If I’m running the Browns, I’m hoping that someone in the quarterback battle between Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson takes a step forward and establishes themselves by next week -- because the last thing you want is to go into that third preseason game without naming a starter. It’s the final “dress rehearsal” for the first unit, and naming a starting quarterback is essential to forming some kind of foundation on offense for the regular season. This team has issues right now.

The Marc Bulger injury in St. Louis is interesting from my perspective, not because of the impact it will have on a Rams season that’s the first step in rebuilding the franchise, but because of the impact it could have on Bulger’s career as the quarterback.

APMarc Bulger

We have to understand that the new staff in St. Louis, led by head coach Steve Spagnuolo, doesn’t owe Bulger anything. There is no allegiance from the previous season, and nothing is handed out from successful production of the past. Add in the fact that the recent knock on Bulger has been his inability to stay healthy, and the Rams, if Bulger does indeed miss the entire preseason, could be looking at a position change at quarterback.

Enter Kyle Boller — the former first-round pick of the Ravens. Sure, Boller had very limited success in Baltimore, but what he’s looking at is an opportunity with a coaching staff that isn’t watching old Ravens film. All they’re concerned with is what he does from here on out in August, and if he produces in the preseason games, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him as the opening-day starter because injuries provide opportunities in the NFL.

The Aaron Maybin holdout in Buffalo is nothing new, but the strategy behind it doesn’t make sense for the rookie if he wants to have any sort of impact this season. Our own Aaron Wilson wrote about it this morning, and waiting for San Francisco rookie Michael Crabtree to sign his deal might be worthwhile for more coin, but does anyone believe that Crabtree is on the verge of being close to signing a deal?

We all know where this is going in terms of playing time for Maybin, but head coach Dick Jauron put it best when it comes to rookies missing time: “If a guy’s not on the roster, you don’t have plans for him.”

I doubt Maybin is even on the Buffalo coaching staff’s mind right now, and that hurts this team because it needs pass rushers.

Marvin Harrison is still on the streets looking for a team, and although the rumors of him landing with the Titans were shot down, I still could see him signing with a club by the end of August.

After these next two preseason games, expect some clubs to look at Harrison if they don’t feel they have enough options at wide receiver. By that time, he should be a hot name as teams start to fill out their rosters for regular-season action.

Clay Matthews’ hamstring injury, which has kept him out of action since Aug. 6, isn’t a good sign for Packers fans hoping to see the rookie from USC play in September. Just as with a holdout, an injury to a rookie during camp all but eliminates any chance of him playing with the first unit when the regular season opens.

More concerning, as our own Brad Biggs reports, is the fact this is the same injury Matthews suffered way back on his pro day at USC. Hamstring injuries are an issue, especially for young guys, when they don’t heal properly. I would worry about Matthews right now and his impact for the 2009 season.

APTerrell Owens

Is it time for Bills fans to worry about T.O. after reports today that the wide receiver will miss this weekends preseason game and possibly more practice time? I wrote this morning about the importance the preseason plays for every team heading into September, and toe injuries — although looked down on when it comes to the severity of a football player’s body — are bad news for skill players. Every movement and every route Owens runs will be affected by a toe injury. Something to keep an eye on.

In case you missed the Iowa preview Tuesday by our resident draft expert, Wes Bunting, because of the overwhelming amount of attention placed on the return of No. 4, I’m giving you the link to check it out. Big Ten champs? A date with Penn State under the lights early in the season will answer that.

The Brett Favre signing has a rippling effect given reports that Tarvaris Jackson may soon be on his way out of Minneapolis. As with life in the NFL, when a big name comes in and plays your position, it’s usually a sign that your time is up. It will be interesting to see where Jackson lands, or if there’s any interest in him on the trade market.

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