The Cleveland Browns just signed rookie safety Larry Asante to a standard four-year contract on Wednesday night. In order to earn more than the $1.96 million contract salary, Asante will have to work hard to compete for playing time in the Browns’ secondary. It won’t be a big problem to the fifth-round draft pick, who was starters at Nebraska.
During his college football career, Asante started totally 36 games. However, he did not attract much attention from his favorite team New Orleans Saints during the three-day NFL 2010 Draft. He was finally drafted by the lowly ranked team Browns in fifth round. Instead of regretting for missing the chance to put on Saints jersey, Asante is now looking forward to his rookie season and expects to improve the Brown’s defense as much as he can.
By signing his first NFL career contract, Asante got paid $170,000 as signing bonus. Incentives for earning more than base salary have not been released. But quite a few Browns officials are optimistic that it won’t take long for Asante to grab the starting job.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
Bills DE Schobel is ready to retire at any time
The Buffalo Bills defensive end Aaron Schobel will turn 33 years old by the first day of September, and he is now thinking that he might have been too old to play more football, so he would be fine and announce his retirement if the Bills finally decide that they do not need the defensive end any more.
"I think this coaching staff is OK with moving on without me, and that’s fine," Schobel said via the team’s website. "I understand he has to come in and do what he has to do, but at this point in my career that’s what has to happen for me to play. If September rolls around and Buffalo wants me, then maybe I’ll play. But I doubt it."
Even if Schobel retires, the Bills will not lose much in productivity. The 32-year-old man had only 10 sacks, three forced fumbles, four passes batted down and one interception in 2009 season. Schobel used to say that he wanted to preserve his body for post-career life, which will be spent mostly on staying with his three young children. He may also put on his wife’s favorite Vikings jersey to watch other teams’ game. On the other side, the Bills GM Buddy Nix told reporters recently that the team would keep Schobel if the player still wants to play.
"I think this coaching staff is OK with moving on without me, and that’s fine," Schobel said via the team’s website. "I understand he has to come in and do what he has to do, but at this point in my career that’s what has to happen for me to play. If September rolls around and Buffalo wants me, then maybe I’ll play. But I doubt it."
Even if Schobel retires, the Bills will not lose much in productivity. The 32-year-old man had only 10 sacks, three forced fumbles, four passes batted down and one interception in 2009 season. Schobel used to say that he wanted to preserve his body for post-career life, which will be spent mostly on staying with his three young children. He may also put on his wife’s favorite Vikings jersey to watch other teams’ game. On the other side, the Bills GM Buddy Nix told reporters recently that the team would keep Schobel if the player still wants to play.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Raiders hammered out contracts with two rookies
The Oakland Raiders rookie tackle Jared Veldheer was just working out on his own in an Archie Manning jersey when he received a call from his new teammate, rookie guard Bruce Campbell to inform him of an upcoming rookie contract. The two met with each other the next day at team headquarter and signed their names on their respective rookie contracts.
The team did not release the detailed information about the two rookies’ contracts, and they even did not tell reporters how long each contract would keep the two rookies with them. If they received two standard rookie contracts, they would be two four-year deals. But according reports, third-round draft pick Veldheer could have a bigger contract than fourth—rounder Campbell, because Veldheer has a better resume than Campbell.
At height 6-foot-8 and weighing 315 pound, Veldheer was a Division II All-American selection and a three-time all-conference pick before he was drafted by the Raiders as the 69th overall pick, while 6-foot-6 Campbell fell to fourth round because of less consistency and intensity in actual games.
The team did not release the detailed information about the two rookies’ contracts, and they even did not tell reporters how long each contract would keep the two rookies with them. If they received two standard rookie contracts, they would be two four-year deals. But according reports, third-round draft pick Veldheer could have a bigger contract than fourth—rounder Campbell, because Veldheer has a better resume than Campbell.
At height 6-foot-8 and weighing 315 pound, Veldheer was a Division II All-American selection and a three-time all-conference pick before he was drafted by the Raiders as the 69th overall pick, while 6-foot-6 Campbell fell to fourth round because of less consistency and intensity in actual games.
Giants WR Smith wants a raise
The New York Giant wide receiver Steve Smith was recognized with his ability much later than another wide receiver with a same name from the Carolina Panthers. But once he got wide recognition after having a breakout 2009 season, the receiver thought it is time to get a better pay.
According to reports, the young giant is now asking for new deal to match his performance. Finishing last season with 107 catches, 1,220 yards and 7 touchdowns, Smith is now one of the key players of the team but his salary for 2010 season is $550,000, much less than other NFL receivers. For example, Green Bay Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings got a four-year contract worth $26.8 million last year. Smith felt unfair and said that he at least deserved getting what Jennings is getting.
It seems that Smith is regretting that the Giants do not have a quarterback wearing No.4 Brett Favre jersey, and the team is even worse without paying much attention to wide receivers. But Smith himself much have the recognition that the Giants have more receivers than him and other receivers could just do as well even if he is not available.
According to reports, the young giant is now asking for new deal to match his performance. Finishing last season with 107 catches, 1,220 yards and 7 touchdowns, Smith is now one of the key players of the team but his salary for 2010 season is $550,000, much less than other NFL receivers. For example, Green Bay Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings got a four-year contract worth $26.8 million last year. Smith felt unfair and said that he at least deserved getting what Jennings is getting.
It seems that Smith is regretting that the Giants do not have a quarterback wearing No.4 Brett Favre jersey, and the team is even worse without paying much attention to wide receivers. But Smith himself much have the recognition that the Giants have more receivers than him and other receivers could just do as well even if he is not available.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Vikings QB Jackson does not complain about Favre’s absence
The Minnesota Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson was extremely disappointed when his starting job was taken away to Brett Favre when the 40-year-old future Hall of Famer arrived in middle of last preseason, but Jackson now knows well he is still young and has chance to win the starting job back while Favre’s time already in countdown.
With that knowledge, Jackson’s attitude towards anything Favre is now doing or permitted to do is calm enough to get himself work hard in preparation for the upcoming season. He did not complain at all when Favre did not show for any of this offseason’s workouts and has made it clear that he will also be fine if Favre continues to miss the training camp.
“If he doesn’t show up to Mankato, sign the same time he did last year, that’s fine, that’s more reps for me, Sage (Rosenfels) and Joe (Webb),” Jackson told Chip Scoggins of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. “We just basically try to take advantage of it. When he comes backs, be ready mentally and just know what you’re getting yourself into. It’s going to be a long season.”
Talking about the possibility of Favre’s return, Jackson is confident that the quarterback will return to start with the Vikings for another season. What if he does not return? Jackson laughed and joked that he would wear Terry Bradshaw jersey for the whole training camp.
With that knowledge, Jackson’s attitude towards anything Favre is now doing or permitted to do is calm enough to get himself work hard in preparation for the upcoming season. He did not complain at all when Favre did not show for any of this offseason’s workouts and has made it clear that he will also be fine if Favre continues to miss the training camp.
“If he doesn’t show up to Mankato, sign the same time he did last year, that’s fine, that’s more reps for me, Sage (Rosenfels) and Joe (Webb),” Jackson told Chip Scoggins of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. “We just basically try to take advantage of it. When he comes backs, be ready mentally and just know what you’re getting yourself into. It’s going to be a long season.”
Talking about the possibility of Favre’s return, Jackson is confident that the quarterback will return to start with the Vikings for another season. What if he does not return? Jackson laughed and joked that he would wear Terry Bradshaw jersey for the whole training camp.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Vikings DE Allen supports Redskins DT Haynesworth
The Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen became one of the people who watched Albert Haynesworth drama with great interests, and according the his recent comments, he seemed to be supporting Haynesworth for holdout against team’s switch to a 3-4 defense.
“I tell you what, I'd show up and just drink water for $30 million,” Allen told KTAR, an interview transcribed by SportsRadioInterviews.com. “Honestly, I don't know the circumstances so I can't judge anybody. I mean, obviously there are some uncertainties there. I'm sure both sides are a little bit at fault. It's one of those things, I'm a firm believer, you sign a contract, and obviously they are doing their part by paying you. Honor the contract by showing up and play it out.”
The Redskins have threatened that if Haynesworth wants to leave he will have to pay the $32 million he received from the team during the past one year back. And Haynesworth did announce that he would appear for the training camp but would do nothing but sit in his beloved Brett Favre jersey watching others working out. I guess he would be glad if he gets to know that Favre’s teammate is supporting him.
“I tell you what, I'd show up and just drink water for $30 million,” Allen told KTAR, an interview transcribed by SportsRadioInterviews.com. “Honestly, I don't know the circumstances so I can't judge anybody. I mean, obviously there are some uncertainties there. I'm sure both sides are a little bit at fault. It's one of those things, I'm a firm believer, you sign a contract, and obviously they are doing their part by paying you. Honor the contract by showing up and play it out.”
The Redskins have threatened that if Haynesworth wants to leave he will have to pay the $32 million he received from the team during the past one year back. And Haynesworth did announce that he would appear for the training camp but would do nothing but sit in his beloved Brett Favre jersey watching others working out. I guess he would be glad if he gets to know that Favre’s teammate is supporting him.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Titans CB Finnegan received confidence from team
The Tennessee Titans cornerback Cortland Finnegan was previously unconfident that he could deal with a starting job well at the left side of defense, but the team showed a great confidence in his ability and still moved him from right to the left during the offseason. What’s more, they even plan to give him the starting job.
As an All-Pro in 2008 season, Finnegan as struggled to play up to his standards in the spring. He used to tell reporters that he gave up way to many catches in spring practices and did not expect to get a starting job. It would be fine for him if he has to watch his teammates play while he was wearing a Terry Bradshaw jersey on sideline.
"I just tried to make too many big plays, and I got away from what I was supposed to do," Finnegan told The Tennessean. "But I want to do more to help this team win, and I felt like at this point in my career I need to be on the (left) side to help even more.”
But the Titans evaluated the cornerback carefully before making the decision. They still take Finnegan as one their best players and believe that he could help the other defensive players the most. Surely, they will continue the observation during training camp before making the final and official decision on starters.
As an All-Pro in 2008 season, Finnegan as struggled to play up to his standards in the spring. He used to tell reporters that he gave up way to many catches in spring practices and did not expect to get a starting job. It would be fine for him if he has to watch his teammates play while he was wearing a Terry Bradshaw jersey on sideline.
"I just tried to make too many big plays, and I got away from what I was supposed to do," Finnegan told The Tennessean. "But I want to do more to help this team win, and I felt like at this point in my career I need to be on the (left) side to help even more.”
But the Titans evaluated the cornerback carefully before making the decision. They still take Finnegan as one their best players and believe that he could help the other defensive players the most. Surely, they will continue the observation during training camp before making the final and official decision on starters.
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