Wednesday, March 14, 2007

NFL NEWS AND NOTES

The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports that Vikings WR Troy Williamson went to Nike's headquarters in Oregon to get his eyes checked out. The team and Williamson are trying to account for why he has had so many drops over his career, and he was subjected to a number of tests that checked out his hand-eye coordination, the strength of each eye, how well he sees in different lighting and how he judged balls coming at him at different angles. "The Vikings went above and beyond the call of duty," Williamson's agent said. "This shows how supportive the team is of Troy. This is not the normal eye doctor you would deal with. This is all encompassing. … It's tremendous they were willing to do all this.".....

The Washington Post reports that TE Todd Yoder has agreed to a deal to stay in Washington and back up starter Chris Cooley. Yoder caught one pass in 2006 -- a four-yard pass -- that was good for a touchdown.....

The Rocky Mountain News reports that the Broncos brought in WR Brandon Stokley for a visit on Tuesday. If signed, Stokley would compete for the No. 3 WR job with Rod Smith, who is recovering from hip surgery this offseason. Stokley has also visited with the Saints, who would likely use him in the same capacity.....


Nick Harper is going from the Super Bowl champion Colts to a division rival, the Tennessee Titans. The free-agent cornerback agreed to a three-year deal with the Titans on Tuesday, agent Ian Greengross said. "Nick was impressed with what he saw when the Colts played the Titans," Greengross said. "They played the Colts close the first time and beat the Colts the second time. He likes where they are heading." The 5-foot-10 Harper spent the past six seasons with Indianapolis. The 32-year-old had three interceptions and 58 tackles last season as a starter. Harper will either pair up with or replace CB Pacman Jones, depending on his status for the 2007 season.....

The Saints signed safety Kevin Kaesviharn to a four-year contract on Tuesday. Last year he led the Bengals with six interceptions, adding 58 tackles, a career-high four sacks and a forced fumble. He has 15 career interceptions, six sacks, four fumble recoveries, a pair of forced fumbles and 47 pass defenses. "Kevin will be a good addition to our group of safeties from a productivity standpoint on the field, in addition to being a leader for our young players," Saints GM Mickey Loomis said. "He has been a solid, consistent player for the Bengals for several years and a good influence in the locker room. Kevin is the kind of player we were looking for to add to our mix on defense."....

FOXSports.com reports that Bears LB Lance Briggs is refusing to play for the Bears ever again, and is even willing to sit out the whole 2007 season. "I am now prepared to sit out the year if the Bears don't trade me or release me," Briggs said Monday. "I've played my last snap for them. I'll never play another down for Chicago again." Briggs was franchised by the Bears, guaranteeing him an offer of over $7 million for 2007, but without a long-term committment, Briggs won't show up and play. "People think I can't afford to sit out the year, I can take out loans to get me through that year just fine because eventually I'll have a deal somewhere," he said. "There are things I can do to make sure I'm fine financially if I sit out. I can also decide what other course of action I can take as the season gets closer. The Bears have shown I'm not in their long-term plans so if that's the case, I don't want to be here."....

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that the Packers are scheduled to meet Tuesday to discuss a plan to bring Randy Moss aboard from Oakland. The paper says that the two teams have been in contact, and another source expects something to get done. "They're going to get rid of him," the source said of Oakland. "I think they think they can trade him. And I know Green Bay has interest." Packers GM Ted Thompson has refused to speak publicly about bringing Moss into the fold. The Raiders are reportedly looking for a first-day pick for Moss, but likely want something in the first two rounds. They've also discussed dealing QB Aaron Rodgers, DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila or DT Corey Williams for Moss.

Today is a red letter day on the 2007 draft pro day schedule as LSU QB Jamarcus Russell, potentially the #1 pick at this year’s draft, works out with his teammates in Baton Rouge. Russell, of course, didn’t participate at last month’s combine other than to get weighed and measured. Indeed, pro scouts, especially those from Oakland, which has the top pick this year, may be just as interested in Russell’s weight later today as his on-field performance. Russell showed up about eight pounds over his normal playing weight at the combine, setting off alarm bells about his work ethic and commitment to the game. And Russell won’t be the only top LSU prospect to run for the first time today as both WR Craig Davis and DE Chase Pittman also did not run at the combine. Pro scouts are also hoping to get their first real pre-draft look at Louisville RB Michael Bush whose Cardinals also work out later today. Bush hasn’t played since the opening minutes of Louisville’s season opener last September because of a broken leg. There is a good chance though that Bush will choose to run later this spring before the draft.....

Oklahoma junior RB Adrian Peterson took an unusual approach when he worked out at the Sooners’ pro day yesterday. Peterson, who had a strong combine performance last month, spent much of the workout catching passes, something he did little of in his three seasons as a player. Indeed, Peterson spent much of the day lining up either as a wide out or slot receiver and, by all accounts, caught the ball reasonably well. Meanwhile, Arkansas junior DE Jamaal Anderson, another potential top 10 pick at this April’s draft, posted some good numbers at the Razorbacks’ pro day. Anderson, who weighed in at 284 pounds, ran an adequate 40 clocking in the 4.75-4.80 range. Anderson, though, was much quicker in the agility drills, clocking a 4.22 time in the short shuttle and 6.88 in the 3-cone drill. Both would have been the second fastest times at the combine among defensive linemen.....

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