NFL Rumors: Breaking Down the Latest League-Wide Chatter

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It's Friday, August 31—NFL cut day—and there are a ton of rumors swirling around the league. 

Will Adrian Peterson start for the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1?

Will Colt McCoy be cut from the Cleveland Browns' roster?

Is Kellen Moore going to be cut from the Detroit Lions' roster?

We'll attempt to answer these questions and more, so keep reading to find out the latest gossip from the NFL rumor mill. 

Jerry Jones Is Delusional, Shows Why NFL Isn't Moving Fast on Refs

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Jerry Jones apparently isn't concerned about the NFL's decision to use replacement referees. 

Jones talked about this subject on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas on Friday morning, via ProFootballTalk.com, saying:

As long as it’s consistent, then how it affects the games may not be as much. The important people — the players, the coaches, the fans — they’ll all be there. The officials who are out there are going to make mistakes, but believe you me, the officials who would be there if we got this resolved would make mistakes.

This is a clear indication of why the replacement refs are still in place. Jones and the other owners are deluding themselves into thinking the games won't be impacted due to the incompetence of the replacements.

Anyone who's watched the preseason for any amount of time can tell you that teams will lose games because of asinine calls. Jones and the Cowboys will find out soon enough what the cost of continuing to use these refs will be. 

But, Perhaps Not All Hope Is Lost

Ed, we need you!
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There's an inkling of hope on the horizon.

According to ProFootballTalk.com's Mike Florio:

A league source tells PFT that there’s talk of a high-level negotiating session occurring Friday between the league and the locked-out officials.  We don’t have names (yet) of the folks participating on behalf of the NFL.

If there's any chance the real officials can start the regular season, this deal needs to get done now. 

Help us, Ed Hochuli, you're our only hope. The Empire- I mean, the NFL needs you. 

Miami Dolphins Could Be Looking to Trade for WR James Jones

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It's no secret that the Miami Dolphins are seriously lacking talent at the wide receiver position. It's also no secret that the team has a stacked deck of picks for the 2013 NFL draft. Therefore, it shouldn't surprise anyone to learn that there's speculation about a potential trade to bolster the position.

ESPN's John Clayton surmises:

With all of these extra picks, you have to figure the Dolphins will try to make a pitch to acquire WR James Jones from Green Bay

— John Clayton (@ClaytonESPN) August 31, 2012

 

This move would make sense for both sides, from my perspective.

Randall Cobb has emerged as a major player in the aerial attack for Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. Given another draft pick or two to work with next season, Ted Thompson could continue building the team's defense and offensive line.

For the Dolphins, they simply need someone on the outside besides Davon Bess who can a) get open and b) catch the ball.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Will Jonathan Dwyer Supplant Isaac Redman as the No. 1 RB?

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The Pittsburgh Steelers need to be able to run the ball effectively this year to counter teams' attempts to take Ben Roethlisberger out. That's going to be challenging, though, as Rashard Mendenhall isn't expected to be ready to start for at least a few weeks. 

The team was looking for Isaac Redman to fill in for Mendenhall, but he's been bitten by the injury bug too, and Jonathan Dwyer has stepped up in the meantime. 

According to Dale Lolley:

The Steelers gave Jonathan Dwyer 13 first-half carries to see if he could handle that kind of load. Could it be that Dwyer will be the starter in Denver, with Isaac Redman playing more of a short-yardage/third-down role? You betcha.

We'll keep an eye on this rumor throughout the next week. 

Will Kellen Moore Be Cut by the Detroit Lions?

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Kellen Moore could be cut on Friday by the Detroit Lions, but the team reportedly hopes nobody else will pick him up. 

According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press:

Teams have until 9 p.m. today to make cuts, and Stafford and Shaun Hill are locked in as the Lions’ top two quarterbacks. If the Lions release Moore, they’ll almost surely try to sign him to the practice squad if he clears waivers at noon Saturday.

Moore certainly had his fair share of struggles throughout training camp and during the preseason.

He performed admirably in the team's final exhibition game against the Buffalo Bills on Thursday night, though, completing 17-of-30 passes for 211 yards with zero touchdowns and zero interceptions and chipping in a rushing touchdown.

It'll be interesting to see how this unfolds. Would any other NFL team be interested in Moore should the Lions cut him? 

Will the Cleveland Browns Keep Colt McCoy?

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Colt McCoy's days as a Cleveland Browns quarterback could be at an end. It could come down to McCoy and Seneca Wallace, and according to ESPNCleveland.com's Tony Grossi, there have been mixed messages on this topic from various sources within the Browns' organization.

One team leader said, “I think we end up keeping them both. I mean, why wouldn’t we?”

Pat Shurmur wasn't so sure, saying:

I think all three quarterbacks (counting Thad Lewis) played like backups tonight. I can see a lot of different scenarios...I do know what I want to do. I’m just not telling you. And I’m allowed.

I do know that the Browns should have traded McCoy if there was any chance he might not be on the opening-day roster. If the team lets him go, it will be a mistake. 

Detroit Lions' Louis Delmas May Not Be Ready to Start Week 1

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Detroit Lions' hard-hitting strong safety Louis Delmas may not be ready to play in the team's regular-season opener against the St. Louis Rams. 

According to the Detroit News' Chris McCosky, head coach Jim Schwartz said:

If he's going to play, he's got to get out there (at practice) at some point. He's getting better, that's all I can say. He's improving every day. He's got to get on the field. His first action isn't going to be Sunday against the Rams.

Thankfully for the Lions, their first opponent is the Rams, so the team has a bit of time to get Delmas ready for its first real test against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2. 

Baltimore Ravens' Courtney Upshaw May Not Be Ready for Week 1

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The Baltimore Ravens may be without rookie outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw for their regular-season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football. 

According to the Baltimore Sun's Jeff Zrebiec:

[Upshaw] left the Edward Jones Dome on Thursday night with more questions about his health and more doubts about his availability for the Ravens’ Sept.10 regular season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals. Upshaw, who was bothered throughout training camp by a sprained right shoulder, reinjured it in the second quarter of the Ravens’ 31-17 loss.

Even if Upshaw wasn't going to beat out Albert McClellan as the starter, his loss would be a heavy blow to a team that is already thin at the outside linebacker position. 

Adrian Peterson May Not Start for Minnesota Vikings in Week 1

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Adrian Peterson may not be ready to play for the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1. 

According to the AP:

The Minnesota Vikings open the regular season against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 9, and whether star running back Adrian Peterson plays may not be determined until just before kickoff. Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said Thursday night that Peterson probably will be a game-time decision.

As much as the Vikings will need Peterson this year, it would be wise to err on the side of caution. If he's not 100 percent, he shouldn't play. 

As it is, Peterson's recovery has been well ahead of schedule, and it's my humble opinion that he should sit this game out. 

 

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