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Here's what the folks at Pro Football Weekly have been hearing around the league:
Giants head coach Jim Fassel has been thrilled with what he's seen so far of quarterback Kerry Collins. Fassel is not alone in his praise of Collins. Former Giants quarterback Phil Simms was a visitor in camp recently and had a chance to watch Collins. Simms said he believes Collins will be one of the best quarterbacks in the league this season.
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| Favre |
Packers quarterback Brett Favre has been bothered by tendinitis in his throwing elbow and blisters on his fingers. The blisters occur every year because Favre never throws in the offseason. So when he comes to camp and the ball starts spinning off his fingers, water blisters develop, which take awhile to callus over. The tendinitis isn't thought to be serious.
Jets inside linebacker Marvin Jones appears juiced for a big year. Jones has been playing fearlessly and has been a real force to the ball. He already has been on the giving end of several bone-crunching tackles.
Second-year Patriots linebacker Andy Katzenmoyer continues to impress. Even though he and his teammates are learning a new system, Katzenmoyer appears more comfortable this year. The Patriots value his versatility; Katzenmoyer can play both outside and inside linebacker.
Broncos rookie cornerback Deltha O'Neal has not had the strongest training camp, but he has shown good recovery speed and more of a willingness to hit during preseason games.
Lions outside linebacker Chris Claiborne, the team's 1999 first-round pick, seems to be more focused and in better shape than last season.
The battle for the Cowboys' placekicker job rages on. Neither Tim Seder nor Rian Lindell has emerged as the guy the Cowboys will count on to kick field goals this season.
The Redskins like punter Rodney Williams, who has a cannon for a leg. But they are hesistant to go with him over Tommy Barnhardt because Williams has been very inconsistent. He'll boom a 60-yarder and then follow up with a 30-yard punt.
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| Pelfrey |
The placekicker battle between eight-year veteran Doug Pelfrey and rookie Neil Rackers in Cincinnati has a ways to go. Pelfrey is helped by the fact punter Brad Costello is in line to handle kickoff duties because Pelfrey generally gets the least distance of the three. Rackers has shown the ability to get the ball up in a hurry, while two of Pelfrey's kicks have been blocked recently. No decision is likely to be made until the final week of the preseason.
Rookie Dante Hall has proved to be something special in the Chiefs' return game. Hall has shown a knack for finding creases on kick returns, and his explosiveness should secure him a roster spot come September.
Don't be surprised if the Chiefs keep 43-year-old Warren Moon as the third quarterback on the roster even if Ted White outplays him. The Chiefs would like some veteran insurance, and they value Moon's leadership in the locker room.
Offensive left tackle Wayne Gandy has looked more comfortable in his second year in the Steelers' system. Gandy is reacting now instead of thinking.
The Colts are intrigued by wide receiver project Chad Plummer. Plummer, who mainly played quarterback at the University of Cincinnati, is a great athlete with size (6-foot-3, 223 pounds) and jumping ability. He still has a lot to learn about playing wide receiver, including route-running, how to get off the line and how to attack man-on-man coverage.
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| Druckenmiller |
We hear Mike Quinn is likely to beat out Jim Druckenmiller for the Dolphins' No. 3 quarterback job. Don't be surprised if Druckenmiller, who hasn't played badly, is traded or released. Quinn has the advantage of having been in Chan Gailey's system for several years.
Sixth-round rookie Chris Combs has been one of the Steelers' better defensive linemen, and his emergence could seal the fate of fellow defensive lineman Jeremy Staat, a '98 second-round pick who hasn't panned out. Staat is too slow to play end and too tall (6-5) to play nose tackle. The coaches want him to be more aggressive, but he took their advice the wrong way recently, getting into a fight that led head coach Bill Cowher to kick him out of practice.
The Dolphins have been impressed by the play of young defensive tackle Jermaine Haley, a '99 seventh-round draft pick who spent last season in the CFL.
With their ground game banged up to the max, don't be surprised if the Ravens start using a lot more two-tight end sets with Shannon Sharpe and Ben Coates.
At presstime, we hear the battle for the Falcons' free safety job was in a dead heat between Ronnie Bradford and Gerald McBurrows.
While the Panthers are becoming increasingly concerned over the uninspired play of backup quarterbacks Jeff Lewis and Dameyune Craig, we're told they are not in a big rush to bring Steve Bono back into the fray, as has been rumored.
After throwing a pair of fourth-quarter interceptions in the Saints' preseason loss to the Colts, it looks as though quarterback Jake Delhomme could be in danger of not making the team.
Our sources say second-year player Tai Streets is gaining ground on J.J. Stokes in the 49ers' wide receiver rotation.
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| Moss |
Vikings wide receiver Randy Moss told ESPN's "Up Close" that he would stay with the Vikings if head coach Dennis Green, whose contract expires after the 2001 season, is also retained. "I can tell you that, straight up, if there was another coach here, I probably wouldn't want to play here," said Moss, who also has two years left on his deal. Vikings owner Red McCombs has said that Moss will receive an offer for a contract extension following this season.
Titans quarterback Steve McNair has promised that his recent bout with a sore shoulder is nothing like the back problem he had last year, which eventually required surgery.
Packers offensive left tackle Mike Wahle has been a disappointment thus far. He isn't as far along in his transition from guard to tackle as the team would like.
The Packers' return game is in trouble. Fifth-round pick Joey Jamison was deemed a mistake and released. He made poor decisions, was immature and had bad hands. Running back Ahman Green and free safety Darren Sharper will be tried on kicks and punts, respectively, but neither seems to be a good option.
The battle for Tennessee's remaining starting outside linebacker job is now between No. 1 pick Keith Bulluck and Greg Favors. Head coach Jeff Fisher raved about Favors' play in the team's preseason opener but criticized Bulluck for his effort on special teams. Bulluck was also beaten for a touchdown. Still, the competition is far from over.
Material from Pro Football Weekly.
Visit PFW's web site at http://www.profootballweekly.com
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