Steelers RB Redman ready to carry heavy load (The Associated Press)
(Wed, 23 May 2012 16:39:56 PDT)
PITTSBURGH (AP) They don't celebrate NFL backups in southern New Jersey. Trust Isaac Redman on this.

Beanie Wells not shedding much light on knee issue (National Football Post)
(Wed, 23 May 2012 06:31:34 PDT)
Running back said it was more complicated than meniscus repair

49ers' Williams motivated by NFC title game gaffes (The Associated Press)
(Tue, 22 May 2012 18:08:14 PDT)
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) Kyle Williams walked out of San Francisco 49ers headquarters Tuesday ready to talk about - and move past - the most miserable moment of his career.

Fitzgerald's world travels a chance to help others (The Associated Press)
(Tue, 22 May 2012 17:46:40 PDT)
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) Larry Fitzgerald is back from his latest globe-trotting adventure, this one to Southeast Asia. He jokes that the only place he's never been is Antarctica, and he plans to visit there ''hopefully in late February.''

Are the Bills legitimate playoff contenders? (National Football Post)
(Tue, 22 May 2012 10:36:08 PDT)
Surviving the first six games could pave the way for a 10-6 season.

Memorial Day and the NFL: Players Killed During Military Service: Fan Research (Yahoo! Contributor Network)
(Tue, 22 May 2012 07:55:00 PDT)
Memorial Day--a time when Americans pause to remember the men and women who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces--is fast approaching, and many sports fans will spend the holiday taking in the Indianapolis 500, the NHL and NBA playoffs, and a day full of MLB action.

Tanier’s Team Reviews: The Kansas City Chiefs, via Todd Haley (Shutdown Corner)
(Sun, 20 May 2012 07:30:30 PDT)
Any website can post "offseason grades" for NFL teams, mixing the draft and free agency into transaction soup, then straining it through the mind of some sportswriter who doesn't know who half the players are. Only the Shutdown Corner has the resources to get actual players, coaches, and executives from each team to evaluate their own offseasons! That's right: over the next few weeks, you will get transaction evaluations straight from the horse's mouths: straight talk about who was signed, who was lost, who was drafted, and why. (For the satirically challenged: all player, coach, and executive remarks are made by an impersonator). In this segment, former Chiefs coach Todd Haley breaks down the offseason moves of the team that fired him at the end of last season. We have a bad feeling about this. TODD HALEY: Wash your windshield, mister? I don't scrub windshields for the money. I have a coaching job now as offensive coordinator for the Steelers. I carry this slop bucket because I like it. It's comforting to wash windows while the mad clown stares at me with his dead, gray eyes, whispering razor truths mortals dare not speak aloud, truths that pierce flesh and cut an inky scarlet line against the throat of the he-goat … Sorry, my thoughts meander sometimes. The Chiefs had a productive offseason. At the skill positions, they added Peyton Hillis to a running back committee that already includes Dexter McCluster and Jamaal Charles, who is ahead of schedule rehabbing his knee injury. Kevin Boss joins Tony Moeaki, also on schedule to return from a knee injury, to give the Chiefs two tight ends who can block and catch. Two rookie wide receivers, Devon Wylie and Junior Hemingway, will provide extra depth behind Dwayne Bowe, Steve Breaston and last year's top pick Jonathan Baldwin, who started to come on late in the season. Matt Cassel, yet another player who missed much of last season with injuries, won't have to worry about throwing to the likes of Keary Colbert or Anthony Becht. That's right, everyone gets to come back to Kansas City but me, the guy who got blamed for not being able to build an offense around Tyler Palko and Terrance Copper, while the dead-eyed clown stares back at me from the mirror and cackles. "You ever played cornhole with the devil, son?" he asks, his raspy voice a rusty hypodermic needle scraping gutter concrete. "He don't use no beanbags, boy." And that he-goat just brays and brays like he sees the end coming and don't know whether to fight it or welcome it. Moving on to the defense, Dontari Poe was one of the most physically gifted specimens in this year's draft class. The Chiefs have a bad habit of striking out with big defensive tackles, from Ryan Sims to Glenn Dorsey, so my former assistant Romeo Crennel will have to be careful about Poe's development and role if he doesn't want Poe to become an overpriced space-eater the greasepaint smears and the sharpened steel glints in the pickup truck headlights behind the barnyard. The loss of Brandon Carr is going to hurt at cornerback, because Stanford Routt is an adequate No. 2 corner behind Brandon Flowers. But the defense will be better if it is not  on the field as often, and when the muffled brays fade to pitch-black silence, vengeful darkness sated all-too-briefly by the still-quivering sacrifice .

Pasquarelli: Pittsburgh completes overdue overhaul of O-line (The SportsXchange)
(Fri, 18 May 2012 11:50:07 PDT)
With quarterback Ben Roethlisberger now 30, and the team's most valuable player sacked an average of 43.5 times over the last six seasons -- including 40 or more sacks in all but one of those campaigns, and coming off an ankle injury last year -- Pittsburgh has drastically retooled its blocking unit.

Around the League: USFL to become NFL minor leagues? (The SportsXchange)
(Fri, 18 May 2012 11:50:06 PDT)
Some of the discussion at Tuesday's league meeting is expected to focus on the resurrected USFL, which is being reconstituted as a "feeder" or minor league, and on how involved the NFL should be with it. Former NFL executive Jim Steeg, who once presided over Super Bowl preparations, is chairman of the USFL's board of advisors, and that could give it some entre with the NFL.

Whisenhunt: QB competition in the Cards (The SportsXchange)
(Fri, 18 May 2012 08:20:14 PDT)
The Cardinals aren't handing anything to quarterback Kevin Kolb entering training camp.

Tanier’s Team Reviews: The Seattle Seahawks, via Pete Carroll and Russell Wilson (Shutdown Corner)
(Fri, 18 May 2012 06:54:04 PDT)
Any website can post "offseason grades" for NFL teams, mixing the draft and free agency into transaction soup, then straining it through the mind of some sportswriter who doesn't know who half the players are. Only the Shutdown Corner has the resources to get actual players, coaches, and executives from each team to evaluate their own offseasons! That's right: over the next few weeks, you will get transaction evaluations straight from the horse's mouths: straight talk about who was signed, who was lost, who was drafted, and why. (For the satirically challenged: all player, coach, and executive remarks are made by an impersonator). In this segment, Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll breaks down his team's offseason moves. PETE CARROLL: What an awesome day! The sun is shining! The birds are chirping! Let me give a shout out to all the folks at The Circle Perk coffee shop for working so hard to keep all of us energized! And to all the crossing guards making sure kids get to school safely! And to the Seattle-area sewer workers: you guys are the thin line that separates good citizens from their own filth, and I cannot thank you enough! Fans really need to get amped about our three-way quarterback battle. The front-runner is Matt Flynn, who got America totally stoked in that awesome Packers-Lions game in Week 17. Next, there's rookie Russell Wilson, who is short but fiery. Isn't that right, Russell? RUSSELL WILSON: Grrrrrr... PETE CARROLL: I love this kid! He's like a feral cat! And finally, there's Tarvaris Jackson, the Taylor Hicks of NFL quarterbacks. You don't like him, you keep expecting him to lose, and then bang! He finds a way to win a starting job, if not many games. But enough about the offense. Let's talk defense!! We are going to have one of the best front sevens in the NFL!! Defensive tackle Jason Jones had a great, if quiet, season for the Titans last year. First-round pick Bruce Irvin may have seemed like a reach, but that is only because West Virginia had this crazy idea that a 245-pound speedster was a good fit at defensive end. I like my defensive ends Red Bryant-sized! When I am not being enthusiastic about everything, you can find me in my office drawing up creative defenses, and Irvin is going to be everywhere the offense doesn't expect him to be!!! Irvin and Wilson had awesome rookie camps. In fact, all of the rookies had awesome camps, as did our parking lot attendants and the people who work so hard to make sure the office wastebaskets are clean enough to guzzle energy drink out of!! Let me dedicate my Song of the Day to the rookies: "Dog Days are Over" by Florence + the Machine! That's right: I'm a 60-year old man who listens to Florence + the Machine!!! Nicky Minaj, too! And don't forget Ke$ha, who is tiny and has a nasty attitude, just like Russell Wilson!!! RUSSELL WILSON: Grrrr… PETE CARROLL: Excellent growling, buddy!!

Tanier’s Team Reviews: The Arizona Cardinals, via Kevin Kolb (Shutdown Corner)
(Fri, 18 May 2012 06:38:08 PDT)
Any website can post "offseason grades" for NFL teams, mixing the draft and free agency into transaction soup, then straining it through the mind of some sportswriter who doesn't know who half the players are. Only the Shutdown Corner has the resources to get actual players, coaches, and executives from each team to evaluate their own offseasons! That's right: over the next few weeks, you will get transaction evaluations straight from the horse's mouths: straight talk about who was signed, who was lost, who was drafted, and why. (For the satirically challenged: all player, coach, and executive remarks are made by an impersonator). In this segment, Cardinals quarterback (at least for now) Kevin Kolb breaks down the Arizona Cardinals' offseason moves. KEVIN KOLB: Howdy folks. Don't mind me. I'm just tyin' a few flies, polishin' up the outboard motor, gettin' ready to hit the lake. Goin' fishin' right after we're done. It won't take long, 'cuz the Cardinals didn't do much this offseason. We didn't get a new quarterback for one thing. Sure, the team chased Peyton Manning, but that was one big river bass with a lot of fight in him. So the quarterback job is mine to lose. And don't you worry, I'm gonna lose it. It's not that John Skelton is any better than me: he may have led just as many fourth-quarter comebacks as Tim Tebow last year (four), but only city slickers and TV blowhards in fancy suits pay attention to those cow chips. I just have no idea what to do in the pocket. So the third or fourth time I roll to my right and get dragged down by Aldon Smith or somebody, Coach Whisenhunt's gonna decide it's time to cut some fresh bait. I know Larry Fitzgerald's happy about our new second receiver, Malcolm Floyd. Floyd liked to hit the honky-tonks in college, but he's a big guy, and when he wants to be, he can be as fast as a boar gettin' flushed by three hound dogs.

11 value picks to remember for August (National Football Post)
(Thu, 17 May 2012 13:07:35 PDT)
An early look at the market has these players undervalued entering the summer.

Cardinals sign DE Cohen, reach roster limit (The Associated Press)
(Wed, 16 May 2012 15:01:02 PDT)
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) The Arizona Cardinals have signed defensive end Landon Cohen, a move that puts the team at its roster limit of 90.

Cardinals add DE Cohen (Pro Football Weekly)
(Wed, 16 May 2012 13:27:29 PDT)
The Cardinals have agreed to a contract with free agent DE Landon Cohen.

Cardinals come to terms with 4 draft picks (The Associated Press)
(Tue, 15 May 2012 15:58:28 PDT)
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) The Arizona Cardinals announced Tuesday that they had come to terms on four-year contracts with four draft choices, including tackle Bobby Massie and guard Senio Kelemete (SENN-ee-oh KEL-uh-MET-tay), two picks made to address the team's greatest need - the offensive line.

Not-ready-for-prime-time gems (Pro Football Weekly)
(Tue, 15 May 2012 08:47:11 PDT)
If you think there’s no time like “prime time” in the NFL, then you’re sadly mistaken.

Raiders lean on Leinart's knowledge of offense (The Associated Press)
(Mon, 14 May 2012 15:26:34 PDT)
ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) Matt Leinart has gone from being Carson Palmer's protege at Southern California to his teacher with the Oakland Raiders a decade later.

Cardinals sign four, including RB James (Pro Football Weekly)
(Mon, 14 May 2012 15:08:44 PDT)
The Cardinals signed four tryout players on Monday, including RB Javarris James.

Rams' dome plan seeks roof panel that would open (The Associated Press)
(Mon, 14 May 2012 13:21:26 PDT)
ST. LOUIS (AP) The St. Louis Rams and the public entity that operates the Edward Jones Dome are far apart in their plans on how to improve the facility.

Hightower re-signs with Redskins (The SportsXchange)
(Mon, 14 May 2012 11:10:14 PDT)
Tim Hightower is ready to give it another run in Washington.

Free agent RB Hightower re-signs with Redskins (The Associated Press)
(Mon, 14 May 2012 10:58:29 PDT)
ASHBURN, Va. (AP) Free agent running back Tim Hightower has re-signed with the Washington Redskins.

Redskins sign RB Hightower (The SportsXchange)
(Mon, 14 May 2012 09:10:14 PDT)
The Washington Redskins re-signed free agent running back Tim Hightower to a one-year deal.

Deep Posts: Rookie Minicamp Roundup (Shutdown Corner)
(Mon, 14 May 2012 07:13:06 PDT)
What we noticed while wondering just how much we could take away from non-contact minicamps involving nothing but rookies, and a few veterans per team who were allowed to participate because they didn't get a vested year last season: 49ers first-round pick A.J. Jenkins shows up out of shape? It's kind of like abandoning your pro day, or testing positive for something unwise at the scouting combine -- showing up for your first NFL OTA and getting gassed immediately isn't the smartest thing anybody will ever do. You know it's coming, and what were you doing on your own? From Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee: Jenkins was observed doubled over from about the midpoint of the hour-and-a-half session onward. Afterward he was in the locker room with bags of ice on both his hamstrings and quadriceps. "I'm back home [in Jacksonville] and thinking I'm in shape -- working out in the morning time," Jenkins said. "You definitely see [this] is a totally different ball game, so you've got to get your mind right." On the other hand, undrafted Stanford receiver Chris Owusu, who didn't hear his name called during draft weekend due to a serious history of concussions, looked good during camp because he understood the drill -- he's obviously seen 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh before. "I played with coach Harbaugh for three years," he said. "I know what he expects from his players. I know his mentality, I know his philosophy. And part of it is, you can't be competitive if you're not in shape. I wanted to come in here and be in shape." Jenkins will be tasked with turning the 49ers receiver group around, but first, he'll need to catch his breath. Owusu has the literal headstart. Seahawks' "reach picks" could provide immediate dividends. As we wrote Sunday night, Bruce Irvin and Russell Wilson might be on your TV screens a lot sooner than expected -- even after the preseason ends. Wilson, the notably height-impaired quarterback from Wisconsin, impressed the Seahawks' brass enough to make Pete Carroll declare that the third-rounder will be in competition for the starting job right away. If Wilson could pull that off, he'd be the second third-round rookie in NFL history to do so -- Buffalo's Joe Ferguson was the first in 1973. [Shutdown Corner: Giants' Osi Umenyiora sent Mother's Day greetings to Eagles' LeSean McCoy ] Bears planning to attack defenses with Jeffery. Matt Bowen of the National Football Post has a great read on how he would use rookie receiver Alshon Jeffrey to get downfield against press coverage. The Bears are looking to revamp a receiver corps that has been less than impressive in the last few years. Vontaze Burfict is looking to turn things around. When a horrible combine folded into a penalty-filled time at Arizona State in the minds of NFL personnel executives, the grades started to come back on linebacker Vontaze Burfict: Undraftable. After Burfict was shut out of the draft process, he contacted teams and asked for a chance. The Cincinnati Bengals took a shot, and head coach Marvin Lewis is hoping for a steal in Burfict on top of a very strong draft class. "He's a better conditioned athlete now than he was at the combine and at ASU in March. If he continues to go down that path, he seems bright enough to learn. He seems willing to want change this image people have of him," Lewis told Joe Reedy of Cincinnati.com. "He can be a good football player. Learn to bend his knees, play behind his pads, strike people within the whistles and life is good."

Arizona's Campbell 'relieved' contract is finished (The Associated Press)
(Fri, 11 May 2012 18:30:11 PDT)
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell is relieved that the long-term contract he and the team had sought has been completed and he hopes he ''can be a great player in this league for a lot of years to come.''

Eagles sign undrafted Miami QB Harris (The SportsXchange)
(Fri, 11 May 2012 13:20:19 PDT)
The Philadelphia Eagles signed quarterback Jacory Harris, a three-year starter at Miami (Fla.).