NFL GridIron Gab Daily Digest

This was reported a few days ago by Aaron Wilson.

Terrell Suggs, who did not attend the Ravens voluntary organized team activities recently, said on the Scott Garceau Show on 105.7 The Fan that he is in shape and that he will be ready come training camp.

"As far as OTA things goes, a lot of guys get hurt," Suggs said. "I don't think a lot of guys like to take that risk. It's OTAs; we're not winning any games here or any Super Bowls in OTAs. So I'd rather stick to my training and be in top shape come training camp."

Suggs, who was described as out of shape when he reported to training camp last year, said he keeps in shape with the help of a trainer.

"Some guys need to be under the supervision of the coaches and the strength coaches and working out with the team," Suggs said. "But some guys just don't need that. Some guys, it's best for them to work individually with a trainer. I've always worked out with a trainer and it's worked out thus far for me pretty good."

Terrell Suggs will be one of the most scrutinized players when the Ravens start training camp in late July.

He's coming off one of his most unproductive seasons in his career and it was largely speculated that he wasn't in peak physical condition last July. He's also the team's highest player so such expectations for giving your best are warranted.

No doubt these most recent comments will have fans upset and worried that he won't be ready to atone for a sub-par year and instead will enjoy counting his millions.

I'll agree with his comments to a degree on the OTAs. Teams have organized so many activities for their investments that it's hard to remember which are voluntary though I'm positive the players do. These activities are more for the coaches than players, most of which are in shape all year round.

But that really is the question here, does Terrell Suggs take his off-season conditioning seriously? OTAs may seem like overkill but no one will debate that hard work in the off-season pays off in the post-season. But it can be completed in a variety of ways and while Suggs may be right he doesn't have recent history on his side.

Does Ray Lewis ever show up?

No, but is anyone worried that Ray won't be ready to go when the bell rings in July. In fact the media usually asks him about what new type of training regimen he's put himself through. He's done it for years and it's why he's still cracking heads 15 years into his career.

Suggs last comment is one to question, "I've worked out with a trainer and its worked out thus far pretty good for me."

All I can say to that is, prove it on the field.

In a NFL Live Chat with NFL fans from around the globe, Houston Texans tight end Owen Daniels commented on the team's playoff chances.  When asked if he thinks 2010 will be the year the Texans finally make the playoffs, his response was:

Hey Adam. Absolutely! We can't go backwards, we have to win more games than last season, and if we do that we'll find ourselves in the playoffs.

On how to make the playoffs, Daniels said the Texans need to win not just in the league, but in their own division:

I think the biggest thing is that we need to be better in the divisoin. We were 9-7 last year, but 1-5 in the division. The AFC South has four tough teams, so getting in the playoffs isn't easy. You have to beat those teams.

Concerning his health and return, Owen Daniels predicted he'd be suited up by Week 1:

The Doc says my ACL looks great, so I'm looking forward to being ready for Week 1.

For kicks, Daniels commented on something everyone does not know about #80, Andre Johnson:

Hey Andre. LOL! Surprising … Dre likes to hold hands in the huddle … kidding. Actually he hates it. But Dave Anderson will try to hold his hand in the huddle just to loosen him up. It's great.

Earlier in June the Texans re-signed Daniels with his one-year, 3.168 million contract tender.  In eight games last year, Daniels totaled 519 yards and five touchdowns on 40 receptions.  You can read the transcript from Wednesday's NFL Live Chat with Owen Daniels here.

The Browns continue to have issues with players taking guns into airports, as now its defensive lineman Robaire Smith’s turn.  Smith oddly enough was with fellow Browns DL Shaun Rogers when he took a gun into the airport in Cleveland a few months back.

But if you're wondering why Smith didn't learn from Rogers' mistake, Smith's incident happened first.

Smith, 32, was going through security at Bishop Airport in Flint, Mich. on Nov. 6 when a loaded gun was found in his carry-on. Rogers was arrested April 1st after a loaded gun was found in his bag at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. He pleaded not guilty and is awaiting a court date.

Smith, who was heading to Atlanta, was carrying a Belgium 5.7 caliber gun, which  had between 15 and 17 rounds in the magazine but no bullet in the chamber, Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton told the Flint Journal.

Like Rogers, Smith told airport security he forgot the gun was in his bag. The gun was confiscated and he was released pending further investigation. Leyton issued the charge on Thursday, misdemeanor possession of a firearm in a sterile area of a commercial airport. It carries a maximum sentence of one year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Smith's attorney, Frank J. Manley, told the Flint Journal it's an unfortunate incident and that Smith has been a role model for his hometown of Flint.

The Browns are still awaiting word from the NFL on possible disciplinary action against Rogers.

Brett Favre hates being a part of training camp and practicing with the team that is about to pay him $13 million for playing 16 games of football.

Instead, he prefers to practice with the youngsters of Oak Grove High School in his home town, which he did on Thursday morning, right on schedule with last year's drama.

Oak Grove coach Nevil Barr said, "His arm is great like always.  As far as how his ankle is I haven't heard him say anything about it. We don't ask him a whole lot on that."

Favre is allowed more double standards than any other player in the NFL, but one has to wonder what the reaction would be if Favre injured himself playing with high schoolers in the wake of Steve Smith's flag football gaff.

I was looking at my fantasy football roster this morning deciding whether or not I should keep Roddy White, and it made me think of Dre Bly.  Last season Dre Bly intercepted a Matt Ryan pass and took it back the other way.  In typical Dre Bly fashion, he began holding the ball in one hand and high-stepping a good 40 yards away from the endzone.  Roddy White ran Bly down from behind, stripped the ball and the Falcons recovered it.

I am not a big Dre Bly fan, so I was pondering how fitting that would be if that was the last Dre Bly "highlight" as he was still unsigned in July and he received little playing time after that mistake.

Lo and behold, Dre Bly signed a two-year deal with the Lions a few short hours after I was thinking about him.  Perhaps I need to think about Lombardi trophies instead.

As I said before, I have never been a big Dre Bly fan.  He is an undersized finesse corner that lacks elite speed.  He does have a nose for the ball, but he gave up several big plays in attempts to make big plays.  His "look-at-me" attitude combined with his propensity to throw teammates under the bus is my biggest gripe.

Bly's contract is for two-years, but it probably has little to no bonus money which means if Bly doesn't make the roster the Lions aren't going to have to pay him anything.  Bly could be a decent dime back if he has anything left, but I watched several 49ers games last year and he has dropped off significantly the last two years.

Bly gives the Lions a veteran presence at cornerback and he can help out as a punt returner too.  Overall, it's a low risk signing and Bly could be a solid mentor for the young corners on the roster, hopefully Bly sticks with coverage and technique advice and leaves the showboating at the door.

After reading Andy Benoit's season preview for the New York Times, which predictably predicted that the Cards will regress in '10, I began thinking about the most pressing questions facing the Cardinals at this point.  Some of them may be redundant, but there's no reason why we can't consider them again.  After all, there's a good chance these issues may remain throughout the entire season.  Without further delay, let's consider the top ten things that keep Cardinals' fans up at night.

10.  Whether Breaston and Doucet will pick up Boldin's slack. It seems like this issue may get overlooked a little due to Dansby and Rolle's departure.  Boldin, however, was a great possession receiver that would have provided a reliable target for Leinart.  Also, Boldin's YAC ability further cements his value as a first down and drive continuing machine.  Breaston and Doucet will have to turn in great efforts to ensure that the Cards' passing game doesn't miss Boldin anymore than it needs to.  I think both receivers will turn in fine efforts for the Cards, but the issue is pressing enough to earn the number ten spot.

9.    Whether Dan Williams can contribute this year. A team should never expect too much out of a rookie, but it would certainly be nice if Williams hit the ground running.  Gabe Watson and Bryan Robinson are not going to help the Cardinals in the middle of the defense.  Williams is the only NT on the roster with the physicality and talent to truly impact the defense.  As such, if Williams isn't available to contribute because he's adjusting to the NFL, which is entirely possible and understandable, the Cardinals look mighty soft and vulnerable up the middle.  Things only get worse once an opposing running back hits the second level of the Cardinals middle (see issue number three now if you wish).

8.    Whether Kerry Rhodes performs at free safety. Many analysts that know much more than I do bill this issue as far more important.  Maybe that's because I was never as sold on Antrel Rolle as most others.  I watched Rolle play almost every game he suited up for at FS and I've said many times that Rolle was a feast or famine type FS.  He often left the Cards vulnerable with his blown coverages.  While Rhodes certainly brings some extra baggage with him, it's difficult to knock his talent.  I'm not nearly as familiar with Rhodes as I am with Rolle and I'm going to continue to give Rhodes the benefit of the doubt until he shows that he deserves otherwise.  With all that positivity, the issue still earned number eight honors.

7.    Whether Joey Porter adequately pressures the quarterback. Some people doubt that Porter still has it and others (including Porter, obviously) claims he does.  I fall somewhere in the middle.  I'm not nearly as concerned with the number of sacks Porter grabs as I am with whether Porter puts consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks.  In other words, I think it's more important that Porter gets in the quarterbacks face, moves him out of the pocket, and rushes throws rather than actually getting there.  If Porter is consistently causing problems and only records seven sacks I would be fully satisfied.  Anything more would be a bonus in my mind.

6.    Whether the new look offensive line builds chemistry. After developing a nice degree of consistency over the past two years, the offensive line added a lot of moving parts this offseason.  Faneca and Keith project to be brand new members of the unit.  In addition, Levi Brown will switch from right to left tackle.  Finally, there remains a bit of a question mark at right guard as Lutui apparently showed up weighing nearly 400 lbs, according to Benoit of the New York Times.  Reggie Wells, who has been taking the snaps at RG so far, will likely give Lutui a good battle in training camp.  Also, Wells could step in at right tackle if Brandon Keith falters.  While the Cardinals upgraded their line by adding Faneca and ditching problem Mike Gandy, it remains to be seen whether these guys can click as a unit.

5.    Whether Brandon Keith protects Leinart's blindside. The number five issue is heavily related to the number six.  If it were not for Warner's excellent defense reading and quick release, the fact that Mike Gandy and Levi Brown were awful last season would have been a much bigger problem.  This year, the Cardinals will be without Warner's pass rush beating skills.  As such, protecting Leinart from the tackle position, particularly the blindside, will be a much bigger issue.  Enter Brandon Keith who has exactly one NFL snap.  This is quite a task for the third-year guy.  If Keith can't get the job done, the Cardinals will likely fall back on Reggie Wells.

4.    Whether Wells gets enough carries to break out this year. Although Hightower may be the starter on paper, Beanie is the feature back for the Cardinals.  It's doubtful that Hightower will steal too many carries from Wells, but if the Cardinals field a paper defense there won't be many opportunities for Wells to get 20+ carries a game.  If that happens, expect a chuck-it-up type offense where Wells would be almost useless.  This would be most unfortunate considering the Cardinals finally have a young, star running back on their hands.

3.    Whether Paris Lenon holds down the ILB position. This issue really troubles me.  Although I don't think it was worth chasing down Dansby, his flight to Miami left the Cardinals in quite a bad spot.  Paris Lenon simply isn't going to get the job done in terms of stopping the run up the middle.  Also, the Cardinals will miss Dansby's ability to make plays on the edge and his solid pass coverage.  To make matters worse, rookie Dan Williams is the best bet for the Cardinals to stuff the run on the defensive line.  If Williams doesn't make fast progress, opposing defenses could have an easy time gashing the Cardinals up the middle.  Finally, if fellow ILB Gerald Hayes can't go due to his injured back, the ILB unit and the Cardinals' defense is in serious, serious trouble.

2.    Whether Greg Toler lives up to his potential at CB. The number one defensive issue rests with Greg Toler's performance at cornerback.  If Toler plays well I believe the Cardinals' defense stands a very good chance of improving over the 2009 squad.  Toler is a relatively untested player, but he replaced the injured DRC in the Divisional Round game and played quite well, although the Cardinals were getting annihilated.  There are those in the Cardinals organization that even believe Toler to be more physically gifted than DRC, which would obviously make for an outstanding 1-2 punch at CB.  Exactly how Toler will respond to the pressure to step up this training camp and preseason will ultimately determine whether he finds his way into the starting defense.  I expect Toler to be starting when the season begins.

1.      Whether Leinart takes control of his and the Cards' future. While Leinart represents the number one issue, I don't think there's anything more to be said at this point.  I've posted my thoughts on the Leinart situation here.  Until we see Leinart against some live defense, I don't think my feelings will change.