July 2010 – Priced Out of the Citi

Sam Bradford Breaks The Piggy Bank

The St. Louis Rams have reached an agreement on a six-year, $78 million contract with first-round draft pick QB Sam Bradford , reports ESPN.com, citing sources. The deal contains $50 million in guarantees and has a maximum value of $86 million.

Bradford is expected to take the field during training camp Saturday, July 31, reports The St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The Rams coaching staff was pleased with his work during the offseason, and he threw the ball well while showing no ill effects of his previous shoulder injury.

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Dez Out 4-6 Weeks | Jones Questions Staff

Dallas Cowboys WR Dez Bryant’s (ankle) availability for the team’s Week 1 game is in question, according to David Moore, of The Dallas Morning News. Bryant, who is expected to miss four to six weeks with an ankle sprain, will miss the remainder of training camp but could return for the final preseason game Sept. 2. That is the best-case scenario if he hits the front end of that time frame.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones thinks Bryant might have been tired after heavy training camp work, which could have led to him suffering a high ankle sprain in practice Friday, July 30, according to the Dallas Morning News. “It’s really disappointing, and it really causes you to ask what can you do in practices that can mitigate some of the exposure to some of these injuries. It’s a real challenge for everybody,”

Joe McKnight Shows Up Out of Shape

New York Jets rookie RB Joe McKnight was placed on the active non-football injury list, reports Eric Allen of NewYorkJets.com. McKnight failed his conditioning test with the team.

Mancini’s Take: Apparently, McKnight is beginning to make a habit out of coming up short in the conditioning department. Back in May, the former Trojan had a similar problem keeping up with the rest of his teammates and ended up vomiting all over the field, not to mention the fact that he dropped several passes during Jets rookie minicamp. McKnight has a narrow build and thin legs, and should never be confused with Adrian Peterson when it comes to raw strength. But, on the other hand, we are talking about a skill position player and not some big ole 320-pound lineman. The rookie back should be among the best conditioned athletes on the team since his calling card is quickness and speed.

Joe McKnight Shows Up Out of Shape

New York Jets rookie RB Joe McKnight was placed on the active non-football injury list, reports Eric Allen of NewYorkJets.com. McKnight failed his conditioning test with the team.

Mancini’s Take: Apparently, McKnight is beginning to make a habit out of coming up short in the conditioning department. Back in May, the former Trojan had a similar problem keeping up with the rest of his teammates and ended up vomiting all over the field, not to mention the fact that he dropped several passes during Jets rookie minicamp. McKnight has a narrow build and thin legs, and should never be confused with Adrian Peterson when it comes to raw strength. But, on the other hand, we are talking about a skill position player and not some big ole 320-pound lineman. The rookie back should be among the best conditioned athletes on the team since his calling card is quickness and speed.

Lethal Weapon Dez Bryant Making Noise

The Dallas Cowboys want to put the football in the hands of rookie WR Dez Bryant often this season, reports Charean Williams, of The Fort Worth Star-Telegram. They plan to use him not only as a third receiver, but also as a returner. He has worked on returning both punts and kickoffs during training camp, and said he is more comfortable on punt returns.

Mancini’s Take: The cream usually rises to the top, and it will in this case with Bryant soon overtaking Roy Williams as the number two wide out in Big D. Williams has poor instincts, doesn’t adjust to the ball well and caught less than 50-percent of the passes thrown in his direction last season. He did make some key grabs in the red zone, but he hasn’t come close to being the omnipresent force Jerry Jones envisioned when he traded first, third and sixth-round picks for

Lethal Weapon Dez Bryant Making Noise

Mancini’s Take: The cream usually rises to the top, and it will in this case with Bryant soon overtaking Roy Williams as the number two wide out in Big D. Williams has poor instincts, doesn’t adjust to the ball well and caught less than 50-percent of the passes thrown in his direction last season. He did make some key grabs in the red zone, but he hasn’t come close to being the omnipresent force Jerry Jones envisioned when he traded first, third and sixth-round picks for

James Starks Adding Juice to Pack Attack

The Green Bay Packers think rookie RB James Starks may have the athletic ability to force his way onto the field at times this year, reports Pete Dougherty, of The Green Bay Press-Gazette. Running backs coach Edgar Bennett said Starks is explosive, has a good change of direction and good hands coming out of the backfield. How he handles pass protection may go a long way into his playing time. The team is also looking at him as a possible long-term replacement for RB Ryan Grant, who has two years remaining on his contract.

Mancini’s Take: Grant is a serviceable back, but the Pack needs some sizzle. Backup Brandon Jackson is just average. Yeah, he picks up the blitz well, but he has never developed into a dynamic change-of-pace option that’s a big play threat. The 6-2 Starks is long and lean, and doesn’t really look like a running back, but

James Starks Adding Juice to Pack Attack

Mancini’s Take: Grant is a serviceable back, but the Pack needs some sizzle. Backup Brandon Jackson is just average. Yeah, he picks up the blitz well, but he has never developed into a dynamic change-of-pace option that’s a big play threat. The 6-2 Starks is long and lean, and doesn’t really look like a running back,

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Terrence Cody | Given New Nickname

Terrence Cody had plenty of motivation for getting onto the practice field at Ravens training camp. The rookie had already been given the nickname “Cheeseburger” by fellow defensive tackle Haloti Ngata. National experts began to question the organization’s decision to spend a second-round draft pick on Cody after he failed his conditioning test and was forced to watch Tuesday’s practices. And Cody had to explain his failed test when family members began calling him. With that as a backdrop, Cody tackled the conditioning test on a practice field at McDaniel College in Westminster again Wednesday morning and passed. — Baltimore Sun

Franek’s Take: What a terrible start to the season for the Ravens who have high hopes this season after adding the playmaking wide receiver Anquan Boldin to their suddenly potent offense. After fellow second round pick Sergio Kindle fractured