Football

Day Two of OTAs is upon us as we inch ever closer to the start of the regular season. Ed Reed and Brian Cushing are still out of action, and will be for the entirety of OTAs. Tim collected the best quotes from the team site after Day One. This is an open forum for Day Two. The community guidelines, as always, apply.

It made news in Dallas this offseason when we learned Tony Romo would dial back his golfing before training camp. It turns out he also won't be playing any football.

Tony Romo underwent a minor surgical procedure on his back last month to remove a cyst that could keep him out of action until training camp, according to sources.

October 21, 2012; Oakland, CA, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew (32) runs the ball against the Oakland Raiders in the first quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Jaguars 26-23 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports Getting Maurice Jones-Drew back at full speed will be critical for the Jacksonville Jaguars in year one of a major overhaul.  As MJD continues his rehabilitation from a lisfranc tear in his ankle suffered last season, the Jaguars continue to support their star running back.  Head coach Gus Bradley expressed his support, saying, “We just felt like it was in his interest to go down there and rehab and condition.” Losing MJD was a major factor in the continued struggles the Jaguars had in the middle and late part of the season.  Without him at running back this team is completely different.  Fortunately, Jones-Drew is taking the communication regarding his rehab process seriously.  Rather than not communicating like he did during a holdout last offseason, he is working through the process with the new coaching staff.  He knows when he needs to be back in Jacksonville with OTAs occurring and when the best interests of the team are served with him back at rehab. “It’s something that would be different if all of a sudden he called me and said he was leaving today, ‘I’ve had it.’ It was no conversation like that. I think in his mind he just has a plan in his mind how he would like to see it come together and I wanted him here to go through all the install with us offensively,” said Bradley.  It’s good to see the communication as the result of trying to make things work this offseason for the Jaguars. - Luke N. Sims Feel free to leave comments on here or visit us at Facebook or Twitter! You can also find me on Twitter @LukeNSims

We’ve gotten a close look at who will be going to camp along the offensive line. You can check out last week’s post on the offensive tackles right here. Whether they are someone in the spotlight, or just a guy who is a long shot for even the practice squad, I’m sure to take a look at each individual player. On a roster as young as this and with this much competition, you just never know who will start turning heads in OTAs, training camp and preseason games. It’s no secret. The Jags running game last year was flat out embarrassing. Between the Maurice Jones-Drew holdout, to his season ending injury, to the stable of spare part running backs the Jaguars fielded last year, the Jaguars running game was just another thing that went wrong in 2012. Fortunately, it looks as if we’ve gotten some new pieces and I am looking very much forward to seeing exactly what the backfield will look like come September. So just how did Jacksonville improve the position? It started with the signing of free agent Justin Forsett back in March. It only got better, when in April, Caldwell drafted one of the most explosive players from college football in Denard Robinson and it was decided that running back would give him (Robinson) the best opportunity to make a difference come game time. Before we continue I have to note (even though it’s been noted plenty in the last week) that FB/RB/Special Teams Ace, Montell Owens was released last week in order to make room for center Dan Gerberry. This move came as a shock to most. It wasn’t necessarily shocking to me seeing as how the Jaguars want to get younger and faster, but it was a bit upsetting. Owens is a blue collar player who stepped up and did everything he could to help the team. It’s easy to do that…when you’re on a winning team. Most of the time Owens was not on a winning team, yet he always put it on the line, and he made two pro bowls as a special teamer on the way. Owens had a visit with Buffalo yesterday, and I wish him nothing but the best. We continue our position battles series today, taking a look at the running backs: Maurice Jones-Drew: After coming off of a record campaign in 2011, claiming the league’s rushing title, Jones-Drew faced a tumultous offseason in 2012 that included a hold out, but that’s neither here nor there. A foot injury claimed his season in week 6 and that was it.  I’m focused on Jones-Drew’s health this year. Not only does he have to be healthy, but he has to return to 2011 form. Jones-Drew has been the lone threat, the lone weapon for this team for years. One of the last of the workhorse backs, a healthy Jones-Drew returning to home run threat form would certainly be advantageous to young players in a new system, and it would definitely help take some of the load off of Gabbert or Henne’s shoulders. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports Justin Forsett: Forsett was the second free agent signed after free agency opened on March 12. Forsett played in Houston last year backing up Arian Foster, but before coming to Houston he played in Seattle. Forsett has always been a solid complimentary back, and he has shown that he would be able to handle the job if the primary back goes down. One of the things that was so terrible about last year (one of the many, many things) was seeing just how much depth this team DID NOT HAVE. Forsett provides quality depth at the position. Denard Robinson: Selected in the 5th round of the 2013 draft, the Jaguars selected QB/WR/RB/KR Denard Robinson. Everyone who watches college football, and especially if you’re a Michigan fan, can see just how special of an athlete Robinson is. Hands down one of the biggest playmakers in college football, Robinson did have to make a position switch upon arriving to the pros. Wanting to contribute, and not being selfish whatsoever and understanding he’d be a better fit somewhere else on the football fiel

Dec 16, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receivers coach Scottie Montgomery (L) and head coach Mike Tomlin (R) watch a play during the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium. The Cowboys won 27-24 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports First and foremost, I have to send my thoughts and good wishes out to those affected by tornadoes in Texas and Oklahoma.  The terrible devastation is heartbreaking to see. It’s time for Organized Training Activities (OTAs)!  I know we really aren’t going to be able to draw any conclusions that we can say will transfer to the regular season, but the team is back on the field!  Here’s the latest news from around the internet. The Steelers signed Vince Williams, their sixth-round draft pick, who played linebacker at Florida State University, according to Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.  So much for not signing any other draft picks until early June.  I guess it doesn’t matter, but why bother to put a date out and then have no intention of sticking to it?  Alan Robinson of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review also posted a short article about Williams. Ed Bouchette also wrote about the Steelers starting their first OTA and sees the 8-8 record of the 2012 season as a rallying point for the Steelers.  Well, I hope so.  He quotes Larry Foote’s comments from his Q&A in Michigan as proof (both Kim Myers and I discussed Foote’s comments too).  Bouchette also quotes Art Rooney II about how the Steelers will be evaluating the players’ level of conditioning when they show up to camps.  Rooney is concerned about the high number of Steeler injuries during 2012: In terms of things that are within our control, we have to look at those things and make sure we are doing the best we can,” Rooney said in January. “I think the other thing we have to do is to make sure our players are aware that under the rules we are all operating under now, it’s more on them to make sure they are performing and doing their offseason conditioning. We only have access to them for nine weeks, which is not that many weeks in the overall scheme of things. I think it is incumbent on the individual players to be more aware of that. I think they are.” This is the continuation of teams getting used to the requirements/rules of the latest Collective Bargaining Agreement.   The players wanted more control over their personal conditioning and less grueling practices.  It is a given that not everyone is going to put the same effort into the conditioning and the result is more strain-related injuries.  Some injuries have little to do with conditioning, such as broken bones, but I would be curious to see if there are any stats about ACL/MCL or hamstring injuries in relation to the CBA signing. Alan Robinson looks at the pressure on Mike Tomlin as the OTA’s start.  He came up with a different list of concerns than Ed Bouchette listed in his article from two days ago. Among them: LaMarr Woodley’s weight. Troy Polamalu’s overall health. Ben Roethlisberger’s receivers. Dick LeBeau’s always-aging defense. The relatively young offensive line. The who’s-on-first situation at running back. The who’s-going-to-replace James Harrison scenario at outside linebacker.” Robinson also notes that Tomlin has three new assistant coaches.  That’s a good point.  Last year, there was a lot of concern about Todd Haley and how much he would change the offensive and would Ben Roethlisberger be able to deal with the changes.  This year, no one seems as concerned, but this many new assistant coaches could have an initial impact on unit training because of the time it takes to get everyone onto the same page.  I hope it happens quickly in the OTAs.  This is squarely on Tomlin to get his coaches lined up and all facing the same direction. Ralph Paulk, of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, wrote a profile o

There is no hesitation from Carson Palmer, no hedging when asked to characterize his career as an NFL quarterback.

Carimi is betting on himself - Brad Biggs: Former Pro Bowl lineman LeCharles Bentley, who runs O-Line Performance Academy in Arizona where Carimi is currently training, admits the Bear is taking a calculated risk as he works to get his career back on track. Dan Hanzus: Carimi 'light years from where he was' in training. Lester: Is Carimi making a mistake missing OTAs? Peter King's MMQB - Tom Brady more confident than ever as Patriots need him more than ever. Follow WCG on Twitter; like us on Facebook (& click on 'Subscribed to'). Click for Chicago Bears Tickets for next season. Check out David "OSS" Taylor's CheekyMonkeyArt prints and shirts. ---------- Bearsss Trestman and Smith different, yet similar - Moon Mullin: The change from Smith to Trestman lies on side of the ball: Smith from a defensive background, Trestman from offense. Bears vets helped rookie Hardin cope during lost ‘12 - Moon Mullin: Teammates didn’t forget about him Hey Brandon, learn to tackle so you we won't have to watch you kill yourself. Gould could be cleared this week - Jeff Dickerson: If all goes according to plan, Robbie Gould is expected to receive medical clearance to officially resume kicking duties by this Thursday. Roster notes - Michael C. Wright: The Bears terminated the contract of veteran DT Andre Fluellen on Monday. Brad Biggs: Bears only have UDFAs as backup DTs, but no signs at present of Izzy returning. [Video] - Speaking of Izzy, here's a piece on his new comic book venture. Know who else really likes comics? Lance Briggs. Bears doing good things - Larry Mayer: Bushrod hosting golf benefit, football camp in Virginia. Dane: Robbie Gould, Adam Podlesh, & Gavin Waterman ---------- Polish sausage NFL.com: Around the League - Gregg Rosenthal: The NFL's effort to change its offseason calendar is starting to make some progress. The first potential change is the 2014 Draft, which may be moved to May. Numbers say TE production explosion only growing - Pat Kirwan: Play-making TEs have become key to all rosters. The numbers reflect the importance in how TEs are used and even how many hold roster spots. Know thy enemy: Lions - Chris McCosky: Lions OTAs should begin to answer looming questions. Know thy enemy: Lions - Brad Biggs: Lions web site says Megatron played with broken fingers, now it doesn't. Get the cool shoeshine!

I've been intending to start a thread based solely on positivity, heartwarming stories and happy news. I am hoping this thread lives on as a place I can go to to cheer up when I am down and to share uplifting things as I experience them. Please share too! This seemed like an incredibly great one to start with. (I got misty eyed myself) http://news.sky.com/story/1093711/to...g-tv-interview An elderly woman whose home was destroyed by the Oklahoma tornado found her pet dog among the rubble during a live TV interview. The footage of Barbara Garcia came as fellow survivors began reliving the terror they felt while winds of up to 200mph obliterated their neighbourhoods. Mrs Garcia was standing among the twisted wreckage of her home as she was interviewed about her experiences by a reporter from CBS. "I was sitting on the stool holding my dog," she said. "This was the game plan all through the years, to go in that little bathroom (together). I rolled around a little bit and when it stopped I was right there (and) that stove cooker is what I saw. "I never lost consciousness and I hollered for my little dog and he didn't answer, he didn't come, so I know he's in here somewhere." But as she spoke, a member of the camera crew spotted a dog's head poking out of the twisted remains of her home. Mrs Garcia is seen crouching down before exclaiming with joy as she spots her pet. "Well I thought God just answered one prayer to let me be OK but he answered both of them," she said, before being led away from the ruins with her dog. More at link

The first OTA session of the 2013 season for the Pittsburgh Steelers will get underway on Tuesday and I sure do hope that somebody gets rookie quarterback Landry Jones a Terrible Towel during the week, and more importantly, explains the history of it to him. Why? According to an interview that Jones did last week at the 17th Annual NFLPA Rookie Premiere, he doesn't know much about the famed Myron Cope creation. "Terrible Towel? I don’t know really much about the Terrible Towel, yet, but I'm sure me and Whitney (Jones' wife) will get one, and I think she'll be in the stands swinging it with all Read more [...]