Falcons WR Douglas gave advice to newly drafted players

The newly drafted 250-plus players at the symposium are getting more and more information from league and union officials, psychologists, NFL security and current and former players. One of the few useful advices came from Falcons wide receiver Harry Douglas.

As part of a wide-ranging panel discussion Sunday night, Douglas gave the advice by telling audience that some of the biggest transitions from college to the pros is keeping hangers-on at a distance and being mindful of money. He used his gaudy earrings as example. He said that even though it looked like he was sporting major blingage he actually bought the faux jewelry at “Claire’s in the mall”, but a lot of people still think they are authentic.

Packers and WR Jennings have not finalized contract extension

Not long ago, Packers WR Greg Jennings said he and the Packers had reachded a resolution to contract extension, but he also admitted that there are still some problem unsolved, and a deal may not be finalized before training camp.

In 2009, Jennings is in his final year of his rookie contract and earn a base salary of $535,000. But he said that everthing would go well even if the extension is still not decided by the preseason.

“I don’t want it to become a distraction,” said Jennings, “That’s what I’m uncomfortable with. I feel like the media could talk about it so much that it could potentially become a distraction. That’s what I want to stay away from. There is some discussion. I’m confident, from my side, that something could be done.”

In his less than four years of NFL career, Jennings has totally had 178 receptions for 2,844 yards and 24 touchdowns.

TE Winslow is coming up to expectation in the Buccaneers

It was reported by the St. Petersburg Times that TE Kellen Winslow is fitting in well with his new teammates in the Buccaneers.

Bucs new offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski praised Winslow that he is doing well and will be used extensively.

“I’ve been very, very fortunate with the guys that I’ve had,” Jagodzinski said. “I had Bubba Franks as a rookie (in Green Bay). I had Alge Crumpler (in Atlanta), who was as good a tight end as I’ve been around. Now Jerramy (Stevens) and Kellen.

“I use those guys a lot. Quite a bit.”

Jagodzinski believed that the use of positions will benefit both players and the team.

Chiefs LB Johnson welcomed the team's offseason overhaul

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson said Friday that he was glad to see the Chiefs' offseason overhaul.

The changes included having a new general manager Scott Pioli and a new coach Todd Haley. It was believed that the changes will turn around the franchise's sagging fortunes.

“Change is good, especially for a team that's been losing for the last two seasons,'' Johnson said. “(After finishing) 4-12 and 2-14, we need a change. We had developed a habit of losing, and we have to turn that around.''

Good attitude. If all the players can embrace the changes in Jonhson's way, there will be more hope to the team.

Bengals Palmer and Ochocinco will make a big year in Cincinnati

Bengals QB Carson Palmer recently told reporters that he is happy with Bengals current situation, especially with the coming back to camp of WR Chad Ochocinco.

“The mindset of the team, the amount of distractions is down and the focus is where it needs to be,” Palmer said. “As far as talent wise, this is probably the best talent we’ve had but the most maturity we’ve had by far. We’re where we need to be, we’re headed in the right direction.”

Palmer is ranked No. 11 in Michael Fabiano’s fantasy rankings now. I believe he will rank higher with help of Ochocinco. Although Ochocinco was engaged in many negative news, but he is still the one you should mention when you try to figure out the best receiver in the league. The two together will be a wonderful unit and make great year for the Bengals.

Falcons owner Blank: releasing is good for Vick

After he released QB Michael Vick last week, owner of the Atlanta Falcons, Arthur Blank recently made statement that he released Vick because he wanted to remove any contractual obstacles that would get in the way of another team looking to sign him.

The relationship between Vick and Blank's family is said to be rather good. Blank's wife Stephanie even became unhappy whe she heard someone criticize Vick. So it could be considered true that Blank really wants to do some good thing for Vick and released him from the team. He said that he wanted Vick to be with the league and the league would be better with Vick it.

Even though I doubt that if Vick should stay in the league, but the team owner's attitude to his player was moving anyway.

WR Marshall is still not satisfied with the Broncos

According to reports by The Denver Post, Broncos WR Brandon Marshall did not show up for the team's camp again.

It was reported that Mashall met with Broncos coach Josh McDaniels and owner Pat Bowlen on Friday. They might talk about the contract dispute and possibly Mashall was not satisfied, because he did not show up on the next day's camp.

Marshall, who combined for 206 catches in the previous two seasons, is currently seeking for a new contract better than his current contract. The Broncos has not confimed any change to the contract, and coach McDaniels just named Kyle Orton as his starting quarterback Saturday, with Chris Simms being backup.

Broncos WR Marshall did not show up to mandatory minicamp because of contract dispute

WR Brandon Marshall, who has topped the 1,000-yard receiving mark in each of the past two seasons and has 13 touchdowns during that span, is recently engaged in a contract dispute with the Broncos. For this reason he did not show up to the team mandatory minicamp Friday.

Marshall is unhappy with his current contract, which will pay him $2.19 million in '09. He is also dissatisfied with the Broncos team doactors. He said that they misdiagnosed the severity of his hip injury last season.

Marshall was not required to participate in the practice because of his injury, but he must have shown up to the mandatory minicamp.

Dolphins GM Ireland showed calmness with verbal war

As the verbal war between Dolphins LB Channing Crowder and Jets coach Rex Ryan became headlines recently, Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland showed calmness. He told reporters:

"It's about playing football, that's what I know,” Ireland said after watching batting practice before the Florida Marlins-St. Louis Cardinals game. “It's about playing football."

Ireland did not tell the reporters whether Crowder's argument was personal statement or represents the team. He said that it was "clubhouse thing" and refused to tell more details about it.

Favre is good player but not good team member

Although no one had forced Brett Favre to leave the Packers, he had to leave because of his pride. He is a good player, he has the talent, but he is not a good team memeber who should follow team decision and distribution. He is just too proud to do what he does not want to do.

Now he wants back, probably because of his bankruptcy plan. But if he wants to find a team which will make him feel wanted all the time, he may face more failure. A team is a team, it needs teamwork and obedience. Too much pride is not good thing for any player. If Favre is in urgent need of the high income for a NFL player, he will have to learn about teamwork.

QB Favre probably play for Vikings against Packers

About three months ago, QB Brett Favre announced that he would retire from the NFL. On April 28, he was released by the Jets and became a free agent. However, there has been always reports about Favre planning a comeback.

According to a report by the Green Bay Press-Gazette, some of Favre's friends and family has booked rooms at a hotel near Lambeau Field, where there will be a game between the Vikings and Packers.

“They called and said if he goes to Minnesota they definitely want to be at the game,” said Doug Warpinski, the Ashwaubenon hotel's manager.

The Vikings is the team people consisered that will most likely sign the probable Hall of Fame QB.

Colts: establishing the running game is a priority in 2009

The Colts running game ranked No. 31 in yards per game and No. 32 in yards per attempt. The 3.4 yards-per-attempt average is the fifth lowest in club history. However, Colts owner Jim Irsay and center Jeff Saturday told the Indianapolis Star that establishing the running game is a priority in 2009. They said that they will get the offensive line fixed.

The future is not bright. NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks believes the Colts’ running game might be hurt by not having a fullback, and they have injuries on the offensive line, including Saturday and RB Joseph Addai. It will be big surprise if the running game will bring them a win in coming season.

Saints coach Payton wrote a screenplay on NFL

The idea came from watching his son play team’s schedule on his Xbox. The time was during the 2006 season. Saints coach Sean Payton just came to the fresh idea of writing a story about video NFL games.

“I just wrote about four pages, piddling around with it,” said Payton, who later turned over the idea to a professional screenwriter to flesh it out.

According to The Times-Picayune, the name of the screenplay will be “The Xbox Kid”.A New Orleans boy received a refurbished Xbox from his grandfather after their lives are turned upside down by a huge hurricane. At the moment, Payton is looking for buyer of the screenplay.

Titans QB Young is near to failure or success

QB Vince Young was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2006 draft and selected by the Titans. He was then compared Steve McNair — his talents in football would bring wins to the Titans.

But in 2008 season, Titans' win did not come from Young but from Kerry Collins. This made the originally promising QB rather frustrated. He recently told WMAR-TV in Baltimore that he might change career if the team does not think him valuable.

He was wrong. It is not time to be show self-pity. His talent was already proved, what he needs to do from now on is to work hard on proper fundamentals. He has fast legs, and he is in lack of polished play-making passing skills. It is important time now. If he makes the right decision, he will be approaching success.

WR Burress will likely find friendship in Bears

Although it has not been comfirmed which team will sign the free-agent, the Bears players has approved their interest in working with WR Plaxico Burress.

It was reported recently by the Chicago Sun-Times that Devin Hester, likely one of the players who would be most affected by a Burress coming, was ready to welcome the former Giant. He was confident that by signing Burress will improve the team a lot. He also said it would not be difficult for Burress to adapt himselt to the Bears rules.

The Bears is one of the two teams who showed interest in signing Burress openly, the other are the Jets.

Bengals WR Ochocinco began boxing training

On Tuesday morning, WR Ochocinco did not appear on Bengals organized team activities in Georgetown, Ky., but was seen at the Wildcard Boxing Club in Hollywood, Calif.

Does the Artist Formerly Known as Johnson want to show his versatility? Not really. As we know Ochocinco has been openly calling for a trade, so is it the reason? Ochocinco's response was that he just wanted to erase the sting of the 2008 season, when he made the worst record in his career. Sounds reasonable. Boxing training will stress core work, explosiveness in his hips and feet, and even Tai Chi breathing, all of which will help Ochocinco to gain more advantage on the football field.

Ochocinco is currently working hard with specialized personal trainer, former WBC featherweight champion Kevin Kelley. I hope that his performance in 2009 season will prove what he is doing right now to be right.

Versatile Troy Smith appeared on receiver position

On Ravens' Tuesday practice, QB Troy Smith played role as receiver. Derrick Mason, Mark Clayton, Demetrius Williams and Yamon Figurs, who were supposed to be at the receiver positions did not appear. Figurs was known that he got a foot injury. I am not sure about the reason for other 4 players' missing.

As it was said by coach John Harbaugh, Smith is obviously a good quarterback, but if he can play well on other position, that would just add his value. So it will not be a surprse if Smith is seen playing as receiver ths season.

Bly is looking forward to the preseason game with previous team

After being released by the Broncos, Dre'Bly signed a one-year contract with the 49ers on May 21st. In the 49ers' first preseason, Bly will face his former teammates in the Broncos. He told the media that he was looking forward to the first preseason game with opponent being the Broncos.

Bly expressed his disappointment with the Broncos. His eagerness showed that he might want to prove something. Perhaps he wants to prove his competence or perhaps he wants to prove that the Broncos made a wrong decision.

Bly began his career in the Rams, then went to Lions, then the Broncos, and now the 49ers. What does this prove? Just thinks about it.