Oakland Raiders sign receiver/returner Josh Cribbs
www.contracostatimes.com
Cribbs, who turns 30 on June 9, spent his first eight NFL seasons with the Cleveland Browns, where he developed into one of the game’s most productive kick and punt returners.
His eight kick returns for touchdowns are tied for the most in NFL history. He also amassed 1,914 yards and nine touchdowns rushing and receiving for the Browns.
Reggie McKenzie continues to make wise decisions; anyone else missing Al Davis right about now?
Oh yeah, and this signing is a perfect reminder of why special teams ace David Bruton is so vital to the Broncos' sustained success.
Chiefs’ Dwayne Bowe: ‘I’m going to lead the league in receptions’
www.kansascity.com
“(Jamaal Charles) is going to lead the league in rushing this year,” he said, “and I’m going to lead the league in receptions and touchdowns.
“When we get in full gear and pads and close to the season, it’s going to be a show to watch.”
That's fine, Dwayne - the two of you may very well rack up some nice stats this season. Meanwhile, your team will win maybe seven or eight games, and the Broncos will win twelve or thirteen.
Which would you rather have?
Charles Woodson meeting with Broncos; defensive back has other suitors
www.denverpost.com
Although the Oakland Raiders and Carolina Panthers also are interested in signing the versatile defensive back, the Broncos likely are the leading candidate for Woodson because they have the best chance to win a Super Bowl this season.
An opportunity to win a second Super Bowl ring, not money, is the primary objective for Woodson, who turns 37 in October.
...
He has struggled with shoulder injuries since breaking his collarbone in Green Bay’s Super Bowl victory in 2011, but he is healthy now.
If the ring's the thing, then this apparent choice for Chuck Wood is a no-brainer, isn't it?
Rolando McClain informs Ravens that he will retire
www.baltimoresun.com
McClain, who was taken eighth overall by the Oakland Raiders in the 2010 draft, is just 23 years old but off-the-field issues have marred his NFL career. Released by the Raiders earlier this offseason, McClain was arrested April 21 in Decatur, Ala., just 10 days after he signed with the Ravens, a team willing to give him another shot.
His third arrest in a little over 16 months, McClain was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. He allegedly yelled an expletive at police officers after they responded to a disturbance at Pines Park.
You'll recall that in the months leading up to the 2010 Draft, the talk the Broncos would draft McClain--even move up to get him--was busier than an Oakland police blotter. Incidentally, that's where McClain went. At the time, the debate centered around McClain's alleged Crohn's disease and his off-the-field behavior. It's hard to say if either figured in McClain's decision, but 23 is about as young as it gets for NFL retirement. Columnist Monte Poole believes McClain's heart was never really in football.
The Broncos, for their part, ended up taking Demaryius Thomas with pick #22, then traded back into the first round to draft their most controversial pick in team history, Tim Tebow at #25.
The 50 highest-earning American athletes - 2013 Fortunate 50
sportsillustrated.cnn.com
Manning’s salary suddenly pales in comparison with Brees’s (and with the new ones signed by Joe Flacco and Aaron Rodgers), but he remains football’s biggest endorser and one of the most marketable athletes in American sports: Reebok, Wheaties, DirecTV, Gatorade, Papa John’s and Buick all see the 37-year-old QB as a sure-thing investment.
Thanks to his $37M signing bonus, Drew Brees is the only NFLer above Manning on SI's list. FWIW, their contracts are very similar, with Manning's $19.2M AAV just a shade under Brees's $20M figure.
But in terms of endorsements, PMFM's $13M haul from 2012 dwarfs the $7.8M number drawn by Brees.
I'd like to take a moment to address some comments from my piece two weeks ago on Denver first-rounder Sylvester Williams.
Broncos777 talked about what had struck him while considering Sylvester Williams (emphasis mine):
Sylvester has a great story. Elway's emphasis on chemistry in the locker room is going to pay off for a long time. Sylvester's experience reminds me of a story a friend from San Diego whose parents had immigrated from Mexico once told me. He said that his parents took him once to the village where they were from and he came back with straight A's!
Good Morning, Broncos fans! Charles Woodson will meet with the Broncos today at Dove Valley; there's nothing new being reported on that story that we haven't already posted.
Mike Klis says Woodson would compete with Mike Adams and Quinton Carter at strong safety, were the Broncos to sign him.
Meanwhile, another aging defensive star linked to Denver - Dwight Freeney - will visit with the Chargers today. Freeney has gotten little action due to a crazily high asking price, but San Diego finds themselves in a desperate situation, after 2012 first-rounder Melvin Ingram tore his ACL on Tuesday, likely costing him his season.
San Diego had high hopes for Ingram, and their desire to provide him more playing time contributed to their having let Shaun Phillips come to Denver.
Continue reading "Chargers lose Ingram, will host Freeney Lard"
From Sun-Times jack-of-all-trades columnist Michael Sneed:
Sneed hears that former Chicago Bear Brian Urlacher, whose stellar, longtime career with the Bears began with a growl and ended with a whimper, is getting close to finding a new pigskin playground.
Sneed is told that Urlacher, whose decision to leave the Bears followed their offer of a $1.6 million renewal contract, has been talking to the Minnesota Vikings and the Denver Broncos. “It’s getting close to happening, but Brian is leaning toward heading to Minnesota and is talking a one to two year contract,” said a source close to Urlacher.
Continue reading "Chicago gossip columnist says Broncos talking to Urlacher"
As we've been saying here at IAOFM since February and a couple times more recently, Charles Woodson as a matchup safety for the Broncos is an excellent idea (If you're not sure what we mean by a matchup safety, here is a fine refresher course).
The Broncos' struggles at covering tight ends in recent years, and especially last season, have been well documented.
To that end, Vic Lombardi is reporting that the team is finally going to take a closer look at Woodson:
Updated 8:23pm ET
Continue reading "Broncos to host Woodson, who has offer from Raiders"
