Terrell Owens Reports, Shawne Merriman and Darrelle Revis Pout
By the end of the weekend, all 32 NFL training camps will be in full swing. The crack of helmets colliding, the smack of pads smashing, and all the drama a sports fan could want from one league.
There are rookies who still need to be signed, veterans who are holding out, whiners, complainers, strong performances, and coaches under the gun even before the preseason officially kicks off.
The calendar will flip to August before the weekend is up, and already it is starting to feel a lot like football season. With that, here is a look at the training camp news making headlines today.
Merriman To Hold Out
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Merriman told the San Diego Union-Tribune yesterday that he will hold out of the start of training camp indefinitely for what he perceives to be a lack of respect regarding his job security.
As a restricted free agent, Merriman was tendered for a first and third round pick in the offseason and has refused to sign a one-year, $3.269 million contract with the Chargers.
"I need to know I'm not going to be on the trade block every three weeks," Merriman told the newspaper. "This is literally day to day how things progress, how things move. I don't want this to be a distraction to my teammates."
T.O. Checks in
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The Bengals reported to training camp yesterday with the notable addition of Terrell Owens. Owens, who signed a one-year, $2 million contract with incentives, warmly greeted the media and seemed excited about the prospects of playing with a new Chad Ochocinco and the chances of building something with the Bengals in 2010.
So far, so good for T.O. and the Bengals.
Darrelle Revis Plays Waiting Game
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The Jets open training camp this Sunday, but it appears that they will do so without their Pro Bowl cornerback. Revis, who is under contract for $1 million this season, is adamant about a new contract and is "leaning heavily" towards a lengthy holdout.
Meanwhile, the Jets believe Revis should arrive in camp as scheduled and honor his contract. The sticking point for Revis to show up is this:
"The moment Revis holds out, the $20 million he's due to make in 2011 and 2012 (if the team exercises a two-year buyback after this season) would go from guaranteed to non-guaranteed salary," the New York Post reported.
Those are serious consequences for Revis to consider. Right now though, it appears Revis that and the Jets are at a stalemate.
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Shanahan Making Haynesworth Run Sprints
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Mike Shanahan is going to whip defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth into shape whether the nine-figure player likes it or not.
For the second straight day, Haynesworth failed Shanahan's conditioning drills and will be forced to sit out of practice.
Haynesworth initially made headlines for his anger over the Redskins move to a 3-4 defense and voiced his desire for a trade.
Shanahan has stated that Haynesworth will not participate in training camp until Albert passes the conditioning drills.
Packers Sign OT Bulaga
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Adam Schefter reported this morning that the Green Bay Packers have signed 23rd overall pick Bryan Bulaga to a five-year deal.
It is expected that Bulaga will spend his first season serving as Chad Clifton's backup before assuming the starting left tackle position full-time in 2011.
Redskins Sign OT Williams
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The Redskins locked up the man who will protect Donovan McNabb's blindside by signing fourth overall pick Trent Williams to a six-year, $60 million contact with $36.5 million in guaranteed money.
As reported by Adam Schefter, it is now expected that a quick windfall will occur with Sam Bradford, Ndamukong Suh, and Gerald McCoy, all selected ahead of Williams, signing their deals.
Steelers Sign Flozell Adams
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Long time Cowboy's left tackle and notorious scourge of NFC defensive ends Flozell Adams has a new home after signing a multi-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Steelers, who open camp this weekend, have reportedly not yet committed to a role for Adams, who could either take over the right tackle spot full-time or anchor the left side of the line.
Will Sam Bradford Sign?
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On Tuesday Adam Schefter reported that he believed Sam Bradford would sign today. The ESPN NFL Insider reiterated that belief this morning on SportsCenter.
Bradford's contract will use 2009 top overall pick Matthew Stafford's six-year, $72 million ($41.7 million guaranteed) as a guide. It is expected that Bradford's contract will land between $45 million and $50 million in guaranteed money. It's only a question of whether today is the day.
Andre Smith Problems...Again
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The Bengals' front office didn't like the way Andre Smith showed up to camp following his holdout in 2009, and it doesn't appear Smith is doing himself any favors in 2010.
The Cincinnati Enquirer reported that head coach Marvin Lewis believes it could be two to three weeks before Smith sees the field in training camp after a disappointing rehab from a foot injury suffered last season. The delay could even land Smith on the active physically unable to perform (PUP) list.
Coles Back To New York?
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Laveranues Coles will reportedly work out for the Jets on Friday with the belief that the Jets will sign him and put him in green for the third time in his career. The Jets need receiver depth at least in the early part of the season while Santonio Holmes serves his four-game suspension.
Foxworth Down With ACL Injury
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News broke this morning that Ravens' cornerback Domonique Foxworth has suffered an ACL injury and will be out for the season.
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