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02.06.12
Peyton Manning (neck) is open to structuring his contract so that he would be paid little money up front and would earn the bulk of his salary based on performance bonuses, ESPN reports.
Impact:
The Colts face a decision whether to pay Manning a $28 million option bonus due March 8. While his doctors have cleared Manning to play after neck-fusion surgery, it's not clear if the nerves have regenerated enough for him to regain his former velocity on his throws. Colts owner Jim Irsay has said that Manning hasn't been medically cleared to play for the Colts. This report makes it seem like Manning is starting to think about how he would sign with a new team should the Colts release him rather than trying to remain with the Colts - as it's not clear if Manning could restructure his current deal with the Colts in a way that would give Indianapolis the protection it needs should he not be able to resume his career.
02.06.12
Wes Welker caught seven passes for 60 yards in Sunday's Super Bowl loss to the Giants.
Impact:
Unfortunately, Welker's outstanding regular season -- a league-high 122 catches for 1,569 yards with nine TDs -- will be overshadowed by a potentially game-changing pass in the fourth quarter that he was unable to corral. Though it wouldn't have been an easy grab, it's a play that Welker usually makes. Welker is slated for free agency this offseason and while some other teams may make a run at him, it's hard to believe that the Patriots won't make retaining their "slot machine" a priority.
02.06.12
Brady Poppinga registered 51 tackles (37 solo), including three for loss, two passes defensed, and forced one fumble in 2011.
Impact:
Poppinga was on again off again as a starter most of the year. While he's serviceable and can contribute on special teams it's no guarantee that he'll be back, especially with a new defensive system being installed by Gregg Williams.
02.06.12
Austin Pettis had 256 yards on 27 receptions in his rookie season of 2011.
Impact:
Pettis was just starting to prove himself as a dependable slot receiver before a suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy put him back on the bench. With the Rams expected to upgrade their receiving corps yet again in the draft and both Greg Salas and Danny Amendola expected to return for training camp Pettis' days with the Rams may be numbered.
02.06.12
Jovan Olafioye signed a two year contract with the Rams.
Impact:
Olafioye had been playing in Canada for the B.C. Lions and will now get a chance to compete for a spot on the Rams' 2012 53-man roster and perhaps even a starting gig at one of the tackle positions.
02.06.12
David Nixon registered six tackles and two forced fumbles in four games for the Rams in 2011.
Impact:
Nixon was re-signed by the Rams in November to fill holes in the club's special teams. He is expected to be in camp in July but his return to the 53 man roster is highly unlikely.
02.06.12
Jerome Murphy spent the entire 2011 season on the IR after fracturing his ankle in practice prior to Week 1.
Impact:
Murphy was penciled in as the club's nickelback before the injury and if all goes well with his rehab he should be back in camp in July with a good shot at reclaiming that spot.
02.05.12
Beckham exited the Super Bowl during the second quarter and is out with a torn right ACL, Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Impact:
The former Wisconsin Badger hauled in only five catches for 93 yards and one touchdown during the regular season. This postseason he has seven catches for 45 yards. His absence shouldn't hurt the Giants offensively, but the 25-year-old will unfortunately have to undergo an offseason of rehabilitation.
02.05.12
The Patriots have released Tiquan Underwood, the Boston Herald reports.
Impact:
The move enabled the Patriots to promote DE Alex Silvestro from their practice squad, while also providing circumstantial evidence that fellow wideout Chad Ochocinco will be active for Sunday's Super Bowl. On the season, Underwood played in five games for New England and caught three passes for 30 yards in a reserve role.
02.04.12
Bills wide receiver David Nelson has confirmed that Fizpatrick cracked a few ribs during the Redskins game In Week 8 and played through the injury for the remainder of the season, The Buffalo News reports.
Impact:
That and injuries to the offensive line may be the two biggest reasons Fitzpatrick suffered such a drop-off in play down the stretch last season. Including the Washington game, Fitzpatrick had 14 touchdowns to seven interceptions to that point in time, but in the nine games that followed his ratio was an unsightly 10:16. It also seemed like he pressed to much with the depleted Bills playing behind all the time in the second half of the season. Nonetheless, the Bills made a big contractual commitment to Fitz and he can get coach Chan Gailey's offense clicking as good as anyone when the chips fall into place. He'll enter 2012 as the clear-cur starter.
02.04.12
Hines Ward recently underwent surgery to remove bone fragments from his right ankle, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Impact:
The surgery was minor in nature, and Ward expects to resume working out Monday. The most prolific Steelers receiver of all time, Ward began this season as a starter, catching 20 passes in his first five games, but finished with 46, the lowest total since his rookie season in 1998. "I'm not going to get into whatever happened last season," Ward said of his decreased playing time, which some speculate was the decision of departed OC Bruce Arians, and maintains he will be ready for OTAs. Ward is due a roster bonus next month in addition to a $4 million contract. A significant pay cut seems likely if Ward is to return, and the Steelers have to make a decision by March 1 due to a clause in Ward's contract.
02.03.12
Justin Griffith has retired from football after seven seasons in the NFL with the Texans and Falcons, according to The Oakland Tribune.
Impact:
Griffith, was a versatile fullback, scoring 13 all-purpose touchdowns in his career. He has taken an assistant coaching job with the Raiders.
02.03.12
Mark Ingram (turf toe surgery) said on his personal Twitter account that he is no longer using crutches after having surgery in early January.
Impact:
Ingram is expected to be ready for the Saints' offseason program, which will give him plenty of time to get fully healthy for the 2012 season. He will be looking to make a bigger impact after an injury-riddled rookie campaign.
02.03.12
Justin Blackmon plans to fully participate in the NFL Combine and expects to run the 40-yard dash in the high 4.4 or the low 4.5-second range, NFL Network's Albert Breer reports.
Impact:
Blackmon should remain a top-10 pick as long as he runs better than a 4.55, as his fundamentals as a receiver are exceptional. He'll need to avoid a flop in the 40-yard dash to hold off Kendall Wright and Alshon Jeffery in the race to be the first receiver selected, though.
02.03.12
The Jets will take on an extra $15 million of future salary commitment to Santonio Holmes if he's still on the roster through Feb. 7, ESPN New York reports.
Impact:
The Jets are in a tricky situation with Holmes, who's already guaranteed $7.75 million for 2012 (even if he gets cut). Team owner Woody Johnson said in mid-January that Holmes would absolutely be on the club next year; we'll get a firmer commitment next week if Holmes is still on the roster.
02.03.12
Mike Williams, who underwent surgery in December to repair a broken ankle, said he likely will not be ready for OTAs and minicamps in April, ESPN 710 Seattle reports.
Impact:
Williams dealt with a number of injuries last season before being placed on IR in December. He said he wants to play at a lower weight next season, less than 240 pounds, to regain some explosiveness and to hopefully stay healthy.
02.02.12
Marcell Dareus appears set to play on the inside in Buffalo's new 4-3 defensive scheme, BuffaloBills.com reports.
Impact:
Dareus isn't a great sack man, but he does enough things that if your league makes you pick defensive tackles and nose tackles as opposed to anyone on the defensive line, he can probably help you as he continues to learn the pro game. Dareus finished his rookie season with 43 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and two passes defensed, while playing in every game and starting 15 times.
02.02.12
Matt Forte said that being placed with the franchise tag would be OK with him, as long as it led to a long-term contract, the Chicago Tribune reports.
Impact:
"It depends on the motive of (the franchise tag)," Forte said Thursday. If they are doing the franchise tag just to get more time in order to negotiate a long-term deal, then I would be OK with it. But, if it's just to hold me another year and just, 'Let's throw some money at him right now to keep him quiet,' that's not going to solve anything." Forte also believes that the presence of a new GM [Phil Emery] will affect talks positively, which only reconfirms the tension between the running back and former Bears GM Jerry Angelo the past year or so.
02.02.12
Torell Troup, who had surgery in December to repair a minor fracture in his spine as well as another pre-existing condition, has been cleared to do some exercises, BuffaloBills.com reports.
Impact:
Troup entered the 2011 season with high expectations after the workout warrior came into camp in great shape, but a hand injury and back injury almost completely derailed his season, and he ended up playing in only six games. His rookie season in 2010 didn't live up to expectations either, so Year 3 will be a big one for Troup.
02.01.12
Michael Floyd missed the Senior Bowl due to a rib injury, the Chicago Tribune reports.
Impact:
Floyd will rightfully have his durability questioned by scouts, but he remains in the hunt to be the second receiver selected after Justin Blackmon. Floyd was a major big-play threat at Notre Dame despite possessing rare size. His top competition to be the second receiver drafted appears to be Alshon Jeffery and Kendall Wright.
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