Wednesday, April 25, 2007

NFL NEWS AND NOTES




A Chiefs source has confirmed to NFL Network that RB Larry Johnson is on the trading block. According to the report, the Browns, Packers, Titans and Bills are among those teams who the Chiefs have spoken to. Johnson is entering the final year of his contract thanks to a clause in his deal that allows him to void the next two seasons and is expecting a huge payday following the 2007 season. The Chiefs have already stated that they are going to limit his reps in 2007 (he touched the ball more than 450 times last season) and possibly draft a running back on the first day of the draft to help Johnson's workload. Perhaps that rookie RB will be more like the heir apparent to Johnson in Kansas City's backfield.....

The Seattle Times reports that Seahawks QB Matt Hasselbeck is continuing to rehab ahead of schedule from offseason shoulder surgery. He is able to throw a football and will take part in one-on-one and seven-on-seven drills in next month's minicamp. He's expected to be at 100 percent for training camp. "I've been doing so much work and treatment," Hasselbeck said. "I'm really happy I had the surgery."....

Restricted free agent RB Artose Pinner has signed his tender offer and will stay with the Vikings for 2007. Pinner played in 12 games with one start in 2006, finishing with 190 rush yards on 43 carries, three touchdowns, 15 receiving yards and a fumble. All three touchdowns came in his lone start, Week 14 at Detroit, filling in for Chester Taylor.....

According to numerous reports, the Panthers are looking to trade DT Kris Jenkins before the draft, and they may have a suitor in the St. Louis Rams. Panthers executives aren't talking, but the team could land at least a second-round pick as part of a deal for Jenkins....

According to several published reports, Buccaneers GM Bruce Allen announced Tuesday that LB Shelton Quarles will not be back with the team in 2007. Quarles failed a team physical after suffering several injuries last season. "Shelton has been a great contributor for the Bucs," Allen said. "It's been 10 years of solid football. He's provided a spark for the team. He's a football player. If we were sitting here in 2017, he'd still want to be playing football." Barrett Ruud has been penciled in as his replacement.....

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that the Steelers are considering re-signing running back Verron Haynes, who suffered a torn ACL last season and was cut this offseason. Haynes has been rehabbing with the Steelers and could return as a third-down back if the team thinks he's made a full recovery. "Verron's a big part of what we do." director of football operations Kevin Colbert said....

The Baltimore Sun reports that the Ravens may opt to deal veteran receiver Derrick Mason before the draft, especially since several teams have shown interest in him. Mason was disappointed in his lack of production last season and was vocal about a potential move.....

Receiver Ernest Wilford and reserve quarterback Quinn Gray signed their contract tenders Friday, ensuring the two restricted free agents will be with the Jacksonville Jaguars at least one more year. Wilford started 12 games last season and finished with 36 catches for 524 yards and two touchdowns. The 6-foot-4 receiver, a fourth-round draft pick from Virginia Tech in 2004, has 96 receptions for 1,476 yards and 11 touchdowns in three seasons. Gray saw his first extensive action in the season finale at Kansas City. He completed 13 of 22 passes for 166 yards. He also ran for 26 yards and two touchdowns. He was signed as an undrafted rookie out of Florida A&M in 2003.

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