NFL Quick Hits

There’s some news floating around the league, so let’s get you caught up on all the NFL talk. Today’s topics: Browns to sign a receiver, Boldin still in limbo, Sanchez to visit with ‘Skins, Pack adds some D-Line depth and more.

Patten to Browns

The Browns added to their receiving corps by agreeing to a deal with 13-year veteran David Patten, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Patten, who played in New Orleans last season and won Super Bowl rings with the New England Patriots, will be signed soon, according to Browns GM George Kokinis. Considering the legal issues surrounding WR Donte Stallworth and the trade rumors about WR Braylon Edwards, Patton might see more action than we think — and the Browns suddenly look like a team that is lost. There are questions about who will be under center to start the season, and there are big questions about who’s going to line up and catch the football on the outside. Patten can make some plays inside the numbers, but Cleveland needs some playmakers on the sidelines.  

Anquan Boldin’s Future Still Undecided

According to Peter King of Sports Illustrated, the Cards aren’t giving up hope they can work out a deal with the star wide receiver, but they would also listen to a trade offer if it came — going so far as to mention the Philadelphia Eagles once again. I have to agree with King on this one, and I can’t see any reason the Eagles wouldn’t want to make a play for Boldin. They have the draft picks, and Boldin would instantly become the No. 1 receiver in a pass-first offense with Donovan McNabb at quarterback. We just have to wait and see if the Eagles are wiling to give Boldin what he wants in terms of a contract -- $10 million per season, according to King. The Eagles need to make this deal happen before the draft because that’s the only leverage they have.

Sanchez Making Visits

USC quarterback Mark Sanchez is making the pre-draft rounds in the NFL. According to Scout.com, he has visits scheduled this week with the Jaguars, Jets and Redskins. I can see Sanchez landing in either Jacksonville or New York, but the one team that jumps out is Washington. Incumbent starter Jason Campbell has been just average, and he struggled at times with head coach Jim Zorn’s offense last season. I don’t see Sanchez as an immediate upgrade over Campbell, but this should tell us that the ‘Skins are willing to bring in someone to challenge and eventually replace Campbell at quarterback.

Montgomery Re-Signs With Pack

The Green Bay Packers re-signed defensive end Michael Montgomery on Monday, according to the Associated Press. The former sixth-round draft pick started eight games in ’08 and finished with 71 tackles and 2½ sacks in the Packers’ 4-3 defense but will have to compete for a spot in Dom Capers’ new 3-4 defensive front. I don’t see Montgomery as an answer to the Packers’ questions on the defensive line, but I do see him as another option — something you need when a new defense is installed in April and supposed to perform in September. Green Bay still needs to address this position during the draft, but you can never have enough able bodies along the defensive line. Montgomery can join the Sunday rotation and provide fresh legs to get to the quarterback.

Broncos Looking To Unload RBs

After a free-agent binge on running backs — in which they signed Correll Buckhalter, J.J. Arrington and Lamont Jordan — the Broncos are now looking to trade their leftovers. The Denver Post reports that Selvin Young, Ryan Torain (coming off major knee surgery) and Peyton Hillis are available via trade. Although they have have game experience, they will be a tough sell on the trade market with teams expecting that any of them could be released before final cut down day--due to the new arrivals at the running back position in Denver. 

James Still a Cardinal — For Now

Edgerrin James is still an Arizona Cardinal and could return to the club next season, according to the Arizona Republic, which reported that head coach Ken Whisenhunt won’t make a decision on James’ future until after the draft. Translation: The team is looking to add a running back through the draft and will hold on to Edge until that becomes a reality. James costs too much coin for the Cards to justify playing him in a back-up role, and once they find a younger replacement next month, I expect him to be shown the door. But until then, they’ll keep him in case they can’t get a running back targeted on their draft board.

Henne The Future In Miami?

An interesting story in Miami. The Miami Herald reports that the Dolphins are set on starting quarterback Chad Pennington in ’09 but want everyone to know that former Michigan standout Chad Henne will be their starter in 2010. What? Does anyone else think this has Drew Brees/Philip Rivers written all over it? We see this all the time when a club tries to “groom” a player to take over at quarterback, but if Pennington plays at a high level again this season, Miami will have to figure out a new PR angle — and figure out who it wants under center. If Pennington wins 11 games next season, this story gets swept under the rug.

Lions Looking At Baylor Left Tackle?

Lots of rumors the past couple of days about the Detroit Lions and the No. 1 overall pick in next month’s NFL Draft. According to NFLDraftBible.com, the Lions have begun negotiating a contract with Baylor left tackle Jason Smith, as the No.1 pick is usually signed to a long-term deal before the draft even begins. I’m having a hard time believing the Lions will bypass a quarterback with the first pick, and although Matthew Stafford has received mixed reviews from scouts and personnel men in the NFL, I still see them taking him. He’s the best option at the position this year, and there’s no guarantee the Lions will have a shot at a high-value arm in next year’s draft.  

Cowboys Trying To Move Carpenter

According to the Dallas Morning News, the Cowboys are trying to trade linebacker Bobby Carpenter but could decide to keep him after failing to re-sign Kevin Burnett. I expect the ‘Boys to hold on to Carpenter, not only because they need depth at the linebacker position, but also because I don’t see a good market value for the former first-round pick. He has only registered seven tackles in two NFL seasons, and first-round picks who can’t get on the field don’t demand much in return when it comes to trades. As of now, Carpenter is a good special teams guy, and until he shows he can produce as a linebacker, he isn’t worth a trade offer.

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