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Terrell Owens recovering from knee surgery; NFL career not over

Terrell Owens, 37, is recovering from left knee surgery and plans to be ready to play when the NFL season starts.

Owens’ agent, Drew Rosenhaus, confirmed Tuesday that the star receiver tore his anterior cruciate ligament, had surgery in early April and “will be playing at the start of the NFL season.”

In an interview with ESPN, Rosenhaus called speculation that Owens was considering retirement “nonsense” and said the 15-year veteran is doing “fantastic” and could be recovered as early as August.

Rosenhaus said Dr. James Andrews performed the surgery to the same knee in which Owens tore his meniscus late last year.

“The old injury has been repaired,” Rosenhaus said. “He is many months into recovery and doing fantastic. No predictions on training camp, but he comes back fast from injuries. I won’t rule him out of anything. He will be a starting receiver for someone this year.”

As for Owens mulling retirement, Rosenhaus said “all the retirement talk is nonsense. There’s been no discussion about that and this injury is not a big deal.”

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20110628/SPT02/306280053/T-O-recovering-from-knee-surgery?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|

Tampa Bay Buccaneers guard Davin Joseph wants to stay with team

Whether G Davin Joseph wants to remain with the Bucs is not in dispute.

"I've been here for five years and love the coaches, love the direction and love the community," he said Tuesday at the team's player-organized minicamp.

What's much less clear, he said, is the team's intentions. How aggressively do the Bucs intend to pursue Joseph when the NFL returns to business after the lockout? And what will be their approach to retaining key teammates Joseph thinks can help them win big?

If, as expected, the collective bargaining agreement being negotiated includes unrestricted free agency rights for players with four years of experience or more, Joseph will be one of several key Bucs free to sign with any team when the lockout ends.

"There are so many different variables that go into coming back," Joseph said. "It's hard when it gets down to the money, and guaranteed money and how long your contract is. That's tough. … We all know it's a business, and that's why we're in a lockout now.

http://www.tampabay.com/sports/football/bucs/article1177806.ece

Could Ravens have interest in Pryor ... as a receiver?

Anquan Boldin knows where Terrelle Pryor is coming from. A former star prep quarterback himself, Boldin’s conversion to wide receiver has led to 51 receiving touchdowns and three Pro Bowl selections in eight NFL seasons.

For ESPN's John Clayton, Boldin's mentorship could be the key for Pryor in transitioning from quarterback at Ohio State to wide receiver in the NFL. In an interview with BaltimoreRavens.com earlier this week, Clayton notes that Boldin could be the perfect guide for Pryor:

“If you can talk him into being a wide receiver, there is no better guy to be around than Anquan Boldin,” Clayton told BaltimoreRavens.com. “Having Boldin coach him up – and I know this from talking with [Arizona Cardinals receivers] Early Doucet and Steve Breaston – his influence on wide receivers is as good as anybody in football. Maybe the best in the last several years.”

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/2011/06/ravens_could_have_interest_in_pryor_as_a_receiver.html

Taylor looking for one more year with Jets: report

Jason Taylor on Monday repeated he would be interested in returning to the Jets.

"I'd love to come back and play one more year in New York," Taylor said on ESPN's "NFL Live," according to Rotoworld.com.

Taylor, who turns 37 in September, had five sacks last season, his first with the Jets after spending most of his 14-year career with the Dolphins.

It was thought immediately after last season Taylor might retire. However, in March he said he wanted to keep playing, but only for the Jets and head coach Rex Ryan.

“If I’m going to play ... it’s going to be with the Jets," Taylor said before the NFL lockout started. "... I had a great time; we came up a little short. It’s not easy to repeat and make it to the AFC Championship three years in a row, but if they’ll have me, I think I’d enjoy doing it again.”

The Jets signed Taylor to a two-year contract but released him after one season due to a lucrative bonus clause. The lockout could help him return because it will become difficult for teams to teach new players the playbook if training camp is delayed or cancelled.

The Patriots are a team that could have interest in Taylor if the Jets do not.

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel speculates Taylor's tryout appearance on "NFL Live" is a precursor to a broadcasting career.

http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/backpage/taylor_still_hoping_for_one_more_pzmlAHI1vdhRIARYru1cqK

Payton: 'I'd be surprised' if Reggie Bush leaves Saints

New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton said Saturday he anticipates RB Reggie Bush coming back and being a part of his team next season. Bush reacted on Twitter on Thursday night after the Saints drafted RB Mark Ingram in the first round by saying, "It's been fun New Orleans."
But Payton, in an interview with the NFL Network, dismissed the controversy that arose from that comment. (See video of the interview below.)
"I had a good visit with Reggie yesterday," Payton said, while chalking up Bush's public comments to frustration many players feel when competition is brought in at their positions.
"I think we've got a real clear vision for running back ... and we want to utilize (Bush), and that's not changed. I'd be surprised if (Bush) wasn't a Saint next year."
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/post/2011/04/sean-payton-id-be-surprised-if-reggie-bush-leaves-saints/1

Morning line winners and losers from the 2011 NFL draft

Winners Carson Palmer: He came out ahead … probably … definitely maybe. The Bengals drafted TCU QB Andy Dalton with the third pick of the second round, so a successor is in place for Palmer, who has vowed to never again suit up for the organization. Owning the rights of Dalton -- who seems to have the accuracy and moxie to play very quickly in new OC Jay Gruden's system -- should allow team owner Mike Brown to shop Palmer. And Brown could find a half-dozen bidders, including most of the NFC West, and some lofty 2012 draft picks wouldn't hurt given the team's potential offensive overhaul. But if Brown opts to play chicken with Palmer and force him to make good on his retirement threats, Palmer would at least have stud rookie WR A.J. Green to throw to if the ninth-year veteran opts to eventually report.
New England Patriots: Yet again they worked the board to their advantage and already have two first-rounders and two second-rounders for the 2012 draft ... potentially even more advantageous if the expected rookie wage scale doesn't go into effect for another year. For 2011, they come away with Nate Solder, likely QB Tom Brady's new blindside bodyguard; a deeper talent pool in their offensive and defensive backfields; and two value picks -- QB Ryan Mallett (third round) and OL Marcus Cannon (fifth round) -- potential Round 1 choices who plummeted due to perceived off-field concerns in Mallett's case and medical ones for Cannon. Assuming Mallett never displaces fairly young Brady (34 this season), he could be a valuable trading chip in future years while Cannon, if healthy, could earn a spot on a line in transition.http://content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/post/2011/04/the-winners-and-losers-from-the-2011-nfl-draft/1

Musgrave expects veteran QB addition

Players had one day to use the Winter Park facilities before the lockout officially resumed Friday night, but at least the Vikings managed to get new quarterback Christian Ponder something to work with. Vice president of player personnel Rick Spielman said he thinks "we were within the time frame" of getting Ponder a playbook.
The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals' ruling for a stay of injunction Friday night was around the same time the Vikings were making their 43rd overall selection. The Vikings staff was getting emails about it but had to focus on their pick at the time. "There's nothing you can do about it," Spielman said. "You have no control over it, so you do what you do. Right now we can draft players, that's what we're focused on doing." Another QB: Though the Vikings have talked about Christian Ponder being game ready because of his intelligence and pro-style experience, offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave endorses the Vikings adding a veteran quarterback into the mix.
http://blogs.twincities.com/Vikings/2011/04/vikings-roundup-vikings-work-w.html

Jerry Jones admits Marc Colombo good as gone

The decision to draft tackle Tyron Smith with the ninth overall pick means the end of the line for right tackle Marc Colombo. Owner Jerry Jones admitted as much when he said Smith has already been penciled in at right tackle and he didn’t back away when asked what meant for Colombo.

“We don’t have to make that decision tonight,” Jones said. “But I think anytime that you make a pick of that stature or that high, he is going to play. And that was a big part of the decision, he can play and will play, and if he plays he will have to take somebody’s place.”

Bush, Saints expected to part ways

Running back Reggie Bush’s days with the New Orleans Saints all but came to an end Thursday night when the team selected running back Mark Ingram with the 28th overall pick in the first round of the NFL draft. “It’s been fun New Orleans,” Bush posted on his Twitter page Thursday night. Bush was not expected to return to the Saints next season regardless of what the team did because he has so far declined to take a pay cut when the subject was broached before the NFL lockout began. Bush is due approximately $11.8 million in the 2011 season in base salary and bonuses.
Bush said in January that he didn’t expect to return to the team. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2006 draft, he played a critical role in reviving the Saints after Hurricane Katrina and helped the team to the Super Bowl title in the 2009 season. However, Bush was constantly limited by injuries and never developed into a consistent pure running back. He played in only 60 of 80 regular-season games and missed eight games with a broken leg last season. He was more successful as a pass receiver, but the Saints aren’t expected to keep him just for that skill at his current price, a source familiar with the situation said.http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=jc-cole_bush_time_with_saints_coming_to_end_042911

Teams need QBs, so Eagles' 23rd pick is hot commodity

IF NOT FOR the NFL's labor issues, tonight would be glorious night for Eagles fans.

Imagine the boys at the Nova-Care Complex trading Kevin Kolb to one of the many quarterback-needy teams in the top 10. Imagine them getting their hands on Cincinnati's pick at No. 4 or Arizona's at No. 5 or San Francisco's at No. 7, and walking away with one of the draft's big prizes.

aybe cornerback Patrick Peterson or Prince Amukamara. Maybe offensive tackle Tyron Smith or Anthony Castonzo. Maybe defensive end Robert Quinn or Aldon Smith.

Because the NFL still isn't officially open for business, though, all you can do is imagine it. Instead, what you're probably going to see the Eagles do tonight is, well, nothing.
They currently have the 23rd pick in tonight's first round, but there's a pretty good chance they'll never use it. There's a pretty good chance they'll be trading out of the first round for the third time in 5 years.
With so many teams needing quarterbacks, there is expected to be a feeding frenzy for them down in the bottom third of the first round, as teams at the top of the second round try to trade up for a quarterback. Eagles general manager Howie Roseman has made it clear that the 23rd pick is for sale.
"We're in a great place in the draft for somebody to get some of those quarterbacks," Roseman said. "If they want a quarterback and they want to make sure they get the one they want, I think [the 23rd pick] is an area you can come and move to."