NFL GridIron Gab Daily Digest

Legendary senior writer jclombardi highlights training camp notes.

Highlights: Rookie WR Randall Cobb–several difficult catches throughout Monday’s practice and appears to have an early comfort level in the offense; McCarthy credits him for being a quick learner; and the key is to get more (timing) reps with QB Rodgers. OL Derek Sherrod–struggled in his first padded practice; he caved backward in several one-on-one matchups with defensive linemen and wasn’t overwhelming in team play; the first-round pick is switching back and forth between guard and tackle throughout the practice; the long-time tackle is in the picture at Green Bay’s vacancy at left guard; ”Really like what you see physically,” McCarthy said, “but we're asking him to do things a little differently from what they asked him to do in college. So, it's going to take some time.” OL Marshall Newhouse–impressive filling in for Chad Clifton at left tackle. Quarterbacks were rarely pressured with him on the backside. Clifton isn’t injured, rather coaches are just keeping a pitch count. TE Jermichael Finley and Morgan Burnett–continued to practice but were held out of 11-on-11 work; both are further ahead than defensive end Mike Neal, McCarthy said; while Finley and Burnett should be ready to play in everything by Wednesday, Neal (rotator cuff) is easing back more slowly. C.J.  Wilson getting the No. 1 reps at defensive end. ODDS & ENDS--ROLB Jones got his turn with the starting defense, following Frank Zombo (Saturday) and Erik Walden (Sunday). Walden looked powerful in the one-on-one’s. Tim Masthay punted six times against a rush, averaging 47.3 yards and 4.15 seconds of hang time. McCarthy praised the work of RB Alex Green on kickoffs when asked what WR Randall Cobb had to do to win both return jobs. McCarthy says he’s searching for linebackers that can play both inside and outside. With Frank Zombo, Erik Walden and Brad Jones all vying for a starting spot, it makes sense for somebody to get bumped in.

Cute little Packer fan giving high five to QB Harrell. Credit: Tom Lynn

QB Rodgers & WR Jones hug in reunion. Credit: Tom Lynn

DE Wilson & NT Raji at practice. Credit: Tom Lynn.

LB Hawk at practice. Credit: Tom Lynn.

If you remember several years ago Tim Ruskell pulled out all the stops to obtain then free agent guard Kris Dielman.

Considered the best interior lineman on the market, Ruskell actually had the right idea on this one, and showered Dielman with the money he should have offered Steve Hutchinson in the first place.

I remember writing a blog about that courtship. I remember they wined and dined him and had his number picked out and his name all over the then Qwest Field board. Ruskell, as much as I blast and ridicule him for some of his boneheaded moves and the fact he alienated Mike Holmgren; he had the right idea on this one.

In the end, weather turned out to be a factor, as Dielman returned from a common Seattle nighttime drizzle and accepted $10 million less to stay with San Diego. I remember the quote to be something along the lines of “get me back to sunny San Diego”, and that the next day was one of the most gorgeous days of the year in Seattle.

Some of the same circumstances don’t apply here, but the basic concept may apply to this aggressive move by Pete Carroll to surround unproven quarterback Tarvaris Jackson with a trio of towering primary pass catchers. Mike Williams and Miller both stand at 6″5 and Sidney Rice comes it at 6″4 and maybe a half an inch as well.

Getting impatient with waiting for the Raiders, Miller is currently in Seattle discussing a contract and all indications are the Seahawks will do what it takes to sign him and that they are indeed near a deal. The Seahawks are flush with resources, even more so then when they pursued Dielman. They have a squad that is young and on the rise instead of an aging unit that reached the climax of their production in 2005, hit the ceiling in 2007, and crumpled on the floor in 2008.

Paul Allens checkbook can do some magical things, and not just in the way of a nice payday. The Seahawks have arguably the best training facilities in the league and arriving to them on private seaplane certainly doesn’t hurt either. It’s interesting, because so many people call Seattle “NFL Siberia”, but when athletes come here, they generally and genuinely find it’s a great place to live. His money also turned into the undisputed best home field advantage in football and arguably American professional sports.

Right after Miller took off for Sea-Town, I think the Raiders panicked, because they agreed to a lucrative contract with linebacker Kamerion Wimbley that freed roughly half of an $11 million franchise tag figure that would have counted against the cap. Part of the Miller-Oakland waiting game was/is finances; Miller knew Oakland didn’t have the resources to offer him a good enough contract for his Pro Bowl pedigree.

Now they have enough cap room to go to battle with Pete Carroll for the teams leading pass catcher the past three seasons, something that wasn’t likely possible before Miller arrived in Seattle. It has been documented by several media outlets that this might be a ploy to let the Raiders know he’s not joking around about a long term deal. As early as this morning, it was reported as a formality that Miller would re-sign with the Raiders, and the tune has changed quite dramatically in a span of about 7 hours. There haven’t been any reports of tension or displeasure between the Raiders and Miller, which makes it logical that Seattle may be getting used in an effort to get the Raiders to give him the contract he desires.

That’s just a theory, and I have never been one to blame athletes for trying to maximize their potential earnings while their body allows them to. Miller, 25, has pro bowl pedigree and has led the Raiders in receptions the past three seasons; he certainly is entitled to cash in just as he’s hitting his prime. Another strange thing is that Miller is the top available free agent tight end available, but there hasn’t been any reported external interest in his services until the trip to Seattle today.

Don’t get me wrong, I really like the idea of having a potential Miller-Carlson combo, and Seattle certainly has the resources to keep him from leaving Renton; and all indications are they plan on using however much of those resources they need to make sure he doesn’t see the Raiders again until September 2nd. Don’t discount the Tom Cable relationship either; by all means, he is the reason Robert Gallery signed with the Seahawks, don’t take that from me, the man himself actually said it:

"He (Cable) was a big factor, I know how he coaches, how he treats guys, and the way he handled himself as a head coach and line coach in Oakland. Also the situation here, it's a great place, it's run well from top to bottom, and I wanted to continue to grow under (Cable). Everybody knows how much I respect him."

It’s ironic that Tom Cable helped Seattle finally accomplished what the premise of this article reminds us they couldn’t pull off a couple years ago; find an actual quality guard to finally fill Hutchs’ shoes.

He may be close to sealing the deal at yet another top free agent for the Seahawks as early as tomorrow morning. By then we should know if Miller’s interest is genuine or if the Seahawks are facing Kris Dielman 2.0.

Regardless, as Raiders coach Hue Jackson stated: “it’s going to be a war”.

(Update)

“The Professor” John Clayton has been twittering a couple vague updates on the Zach Miller situation:

1 hour ago via yoono

You can view all Seahawks comings and goings as they happen on our Free Agency Tracker as well as Seahawks Roster Needs

You can view up to date Seahawks free agency news and rumors by clicking here.

Official younger brother of RamsGab, Zach (@BlazinBox on twitter) has been at Rams training camp over the past few days and got the juiciest quote of yesterday for Rams GM Billy Devaney:

Interestingly enough, Devaney backed very quickly off the Ronnie Brown subject, but clarified that he meant "Running Back".  A GM would very rarely talk so publicly (with fans even!) about a deal that is in the works, especially with a very tight-lipped GM in Devaney.  Since that conversation last night, everything has been quiet with the Rams with only two running back moves yesterday and one was a trade.  The money has dried out for the running backs and all of the free agents are holding out hope for something more whether it is money, playing time or even more money.

Click HERE to read the rest

It was a week ago that Kyle Orton was on the verge of being traded, and all week the talk was simply when he was going to be moved, and for what. Now, as the calender turns from July to August, Orton is back on the football field – back with the Broncos and back as the starter.

Orton is now taking all of the reps as the first-team quarterback at Broncos training camp according to Mike Klis of the Denver Post. There was no mixing in the other quarterbacks with the first-team offense. Orton took them all.

Occassionally, the veteran Brady Quinn, the team's No. 3 quarterback all of last season, mixed in ahead of first round pick from a season ago – Tim Tebow with the No. 2 offense, although it still appears Tebow is the No. 2.

Another major acquisition is on the horizon for the rising (and young) Seahawks as sources say all indications are that Seattle will sign Raiders tight end Zach Miller to a contract today.

That would give them arguably their fourth top available free agent at their respective position; having already signed receiver Sidney Rice, guard Robert Gallery, and defensive tackle Brandon Mebane.

It remains unseen if his arrival would spell (or eventually spell) the end of John Carlsons time in Seattle or whether he would be amenable to accepting a permanent backup role.

Regardless, Zach Miller would be an upgrade to the position and give Seattle (at least for 2011) arguably the best 1-2 punch at the position in the league.

(Update)

“The Professor” John Clayton has tweeted a series of well, tweets, regarding the Zach Miller situation:

1 hour ago via yoono

You can view up to date Seahawks free agency news and rumors by clicking here.

Taking the role as the leader on the team, one Steeler veteran is stepping up to restructure his deal so that the club can get under the salary cap and so they won’t have to dump another player. The player offering to re-do his deal – Ben Roethlisberger.

It was back in March of 2008 that the Steelers and the quarterback agreed to an eight-year, $102 million contract. The contract included more than $36 million in guarantees and was easily the largest in team history.

The reason it won’t get announced till Thursday is due to a CBA rule where if it was officially announced, he wouldn’t be able to take the practice field. It remains to be seen what other vets step up or are flat out asked to restructure their deals in order to get in line with the salary cap.

Wild Turn Of Events For Bunkley

There’s the “Ringling Brothers Circus” and now, the “Bunkley Traveling Act.”

From Philadelphia to Cleveland to Denver.

That’s the route defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley traveled through the transaction wire in just a matter of days.  Only thing is – he skipped out visiting Cleveland from Philly.  Three teams down, 29 more to go.

As a result of another move, Bunkley has found himself traded to Denver, according to the Philadelphia Daily News.

John Fox’s Broncos scooped up the disgruntled former Seminole for a conditional 2013 draft pick.

After not reporting to Cleveland, the ’06 first round choice will be on his way to the Mile High City – or will he?

In what already has been a crazy period of free agency, its worth repeating the question: will Brodrick report to Denver?  Who knows, maybe he will end up back where everyone else is landing – the “City of Rocky Balboa.”

According to reports the New York Giants have given defenive end Osi Umenyiora to seek a trade amidst talk he is unhappy with his contract status.

The two time pro bowler has 2 years and $8 million left on his current contract; he is coming off 11.5 sacks and 11 forced fumbles.

The New York Giants asking price is a first round draft choice; they probably won’t get it, but a second round choice seems more reasonable.

Umenyiora has publicly stated his desire to play for one team in particular; the Seattle Seahawks.

It just so happens they could probably use an upgrade along the defensive line as well, perhaps the feeling is mutual.

You can view all Seahawks comings and goings as they happen on our Free Agency Tracker as well as Seahawks Roster Needs

You can view up to date Seahawks free agency news and rumors by clicking here.

Pro Bowl tight end Marcedes Lewis ended his holdout and joined the Jaguars on Monday as both sides agreed he won’t practice until a long-term deal is ironed out according to Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com.

Lewis signed a franchise tag before the lockout worth just less than $7.3 million, so he is now subject to daily fines for being away from the team for as much as $30,000.

“We haven’t discussed that and hopefully we won’t have to discuss that,” Lewis said after spending the morning on the field with a team in a walkthrough where he did just a bit and wasn’t wearing a jersey.

It sounds as if the next big thing for the Cardinals is to try to make sure the team doesn’t lose all-world wide out Larry Fitzgerald, and the club is going to start working on a new contract they hope to have done with the wide out by the opener which is on September 11th.

General Manager Rod Graves plans to re-open negotiations today with Larry Fitzgerald's agent today and sees no reason a new contract can't be done before Sept. 11, the start of the regular season. "If Larry is sincere about his willingness to remain here, then I believe we'll get a deal worked out before the start of the season," Graves said. "He says he is (sincere) and I believe him. A lot will be said for that once we enter into our talks and see how swiftly (they go)." Fitzgerald was not immediately available for comment. His agent, Eugene Parker, said earlier this week he is ready to talk whenever the Cardinals are. Parker could not be reached for comment Monday morning. Fitzgerald is in the last year of a four-year contract that paid him $10 million a year.