Spanning The League: AFC

As a new weekly feature here at the National Football Post, I will check out what’s going on in the NFC and AFC — news to cure your football hunger. Today: the AFC.

Spanning the League: AFC

BUFFALO

Lynch out for three games

According to ESPN’s Michael Smith, citing league sources, Commissioner Roger Goodell has decided to suspend Bills running back Marshawn Lynch for the first three games of the NFL season after the running back violated the league’s personal conduct policy.

This is something I’ve commented on previously as a possibility, and now that Goodell appears to have made a decision, the Bills and head coach Dick Jauron will lose Lynch — a franchise-caliber back — for almost a quarter of the season. Considering that Jauron and the Bills need to get off to a fast start, this news has to cause some worry in Orchard Park. T.O. or not, this team needs Lynch to function at the highest level on offense. Terrible news for Bills fans.

Jackson wants a new deal

Back-up running back Fred Jackson — now the starting running back for the month of September — has been absent from Bills offseason workouts because of contract issues, according to the Buffalo News.

I don’t blame Jackson here, and considering the Lynch suspension, he now holds the upper hand in any negotiations. Looking at his numbers from the 2008 season (131 carries for 571 yards, 37 receptions for 317 yards), I don’t see why he should have to settle for the $460, 000 salary he’s due this season because he’s now the most crucial player on the Bills roster — and the team knows it.

KANSAS CITY

L.J. wants to stay in KC

The Kansas City Star is reporting that Chiefs running back Larry Johnson wants to remain in Kansas City, according to his agent.

I’m not sure what to make of the entire situation with L.J. in Kansas City, but it seems to me the Chiefs are in a tough spot right now. Considering the size of his contract and his off-the-field issues, Johnson is going to be a hard sell on the trade market. It remains to be seen what new head coach Todd Haley and new GM Scott Pioli do in the near future, but the Star is reporting that the Chiefs will owe Johnson his $3.5 million for ’09 and $250,000 for the 2010 season if they do decided to release the troubled running back.

That looks like a small price to pay to dump Johnson for a team that’s rebuilding its roster. I would move on from L.J.

MIAMI

Taylor Talking to Dolphins

Could defensive end Jason Taylor return to Miami? According to ESPN, he’s been talking to the Dolphins about coming back.

I don’t think Taylor — who was released by the Redskins this offseason — is going to have a major impact in any organization he signs with. He is clearly a situational player at this point in his career and is better suited to rush off the edge in sub-packages, and even that isn’t going to guarantee any results. This news is interesting, and it might just show us that the public feud between Taylor and Bill Parcels in Miami was blown out of proportion.

Maualuga in town

The Dolphins, who could be looking to upgrade the linebacker position, hosted USC star linebacker Rey Maualuga on Wednesday at team headquarters, according to the Miami Herald.

I like the idea of Miami using its first-round pick (No. 25) to get younger and faster at linebacker, but in my opinion, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Dolphins go after Maualuga’s USC teammate, OLB Brian Cushing. Both would be solid picks, although I think Cushing could challenge for playing time early in camp.

NEW ENGLAND

Pats thinking Pat White in draft?

Former West Virginia QB Pat White has jumped up draft boards the past month, and it looks like the Patriots have some interest. He’s scheduled to visit Foxborough some time early next week, and the Patriots also worked him out at both WR and QB last month, according to the Boston Globe.

Now, we know that White isn’t going to come off the board in the first round, but it would be interesting to see a team like New England — which is as creative as it comes with offense — pick up White earlier than expected. One thing about the Patriots, they have a variety of personnel packages on offense, and they find ways to get the ball into the hands of playmakers, which White could be in many ways in the NFL — no different than a Josh Cribbs in Cleveland.

JACKSONVILLE

Jones-Drew staying away

According to Jacksonville.com, Jags running back Maurice Jones-Drew was absent from the opening of offseason workouts this week in Jacksonville, something that head coach Jack Del Rio has stated is a major importance to this football team.

Whether Jones-Drew participates in the offseason program is of no concern to me, but we do know that Jones-Drew — who now takes over as the No.1 RB after the release of Fred Taylor — has mentioned the possibility of getting a new contract. Is this the reason for his absence? If so, I can see why. He’s now the feature back of this offense, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see Jacksonville hold its ground and make the former UCLA star prove he can handle the workload of a 16-game season before it hands out a big contract.

Garrard cuts weight

Considering all the talk of Jacksonville drafting David Garrard’s eventual replacement, it looks like the QB is ready physically to play the ’09 season. According to Jacksonville.com, Garrard showed up to the team’s offseason workouts almost 20 pounds lighter than his previous playing weight of 250 pounds.

This is a big season for Garrard in Jacksonville. Whenever a player shows up after months off from any organized workouts in great physical shape, you know he’s serious about the season ahead. Garrard is going to have to rebound from the ’08 season and show he’s worthy of the big contract he carries into the huddle. His weight loss will show in his ability to move in the pocket — and in his overall game.

BALTIMORE

Rolle back with Ravens

According to the Associated Press, the Baltimore Ravens have signed cornerback Samari Rolle to a four-year contract — after the team released him last month.

I like this move just because it adds to the overall depth of the cornerback position in Baltimore. You can never have too many cornerbacks who can play, and when you move to sub-packages on third downs, they are essential to the success of your defense. The Ravens signed cornerbacks Domonique Foxworth and Chris Carr this offseason, and brining back Rolle just adds to the secondary of a team that wins with defense.

NEW YORK

Jets hosting receivers

The receiver-starved New York Jets are scheduled to host two wide receivers whom they could land with their No. 17 pick in this month’s NFL Draft. According to 1050ESPNRadio.com, Florida’s Percy Harvin (who is also going to visit the Giants while he’s in town) and Rutgers’ Kenny Britt will visit.

The Jets need a wide receiver to line up opposite Jerricho Cotchery, and it looks like both Harvin and Britt will be available at No. 17. The Jets have been linked with USC QB Mark Sanchez (whom they would probably have to trade up to get) and K-State’s Josh Freeman (whom I would avoid altogether that high in the draft), but they do need to take a serious look at the WR position. However, both of these guys seem like a slight reach this high in the draft, and Britt could fall to the second round.

Landing Dallas WR Mile Austin solves this problem and enables the Jets to put together a package to trade up for Sanchez.

CLEVELAND               

Browns thinking WR at No. 5?

According to CantonRep.com, the Browns might be looking to snag a wide receiver in the draft, going so far as to mention Texas Tech’s Michael Crabtree and Mizzou’s Jeremy Maclin.

Could this really happen for the Browns at No. 5? Considering that Braylon Edwards has been talked about in trade rumors with the New York Giants, we at least have to entertain the idea that the Browns could use the pick on a WR. Obviously, we would have to wait for an Edwards trade to go down with the Giants to see what Cleveland gets in return, but it’s at least something to think about.

Some random AFC thoughts …

1. How many times do we have to read about a Bengals player getting arrested? It’s not that hard to act like a professional, folks.

2. Is anyone going to call WR Marvin Harrison? It’s obvious that teams don’t see much left in the future Hall of Famer.

3. I like the fact that Terrell Owens showed up for an offseason workout in Buffalo to at least meet his new teammates, but let’s not get excited about a conditioning workout in April.

4. I’m eager for the Broncos to start mini-camps and OTAs. I want to see Kyle Orton and Chris Simms start competing for the quarterback job.

5. The NFL schedule comes out next week, so get ready to start talking about real games. It’s about time.

Comments

Add a Comment