Buffalo
June 27, 2008   

Bills' OL conundrum similar to Jets' 2007 situation

For all the outside heat the Bills are taking regarding the off-field conduct of some of their players, it would appear as though the last thing the team would want to do is create additional tension in the locker room. Yet, that’s what the Bills did this week, albeit unwittingly. With star OLT Jason Peters holding out in search of a new contract, the Bills pulled the trigger on an extension for their lineman — only it was OG Brad Butler, not Peters. The scenario plays out eerily similar to what happened with the AFC East rival Jets last season, when they opted to extend OG Brandon Moore instead of the more outspoken and highly publicized Pete Kendall. However, unlike the situation with the Jets — who ended up cutting Kendall — Peters is a cornerstone for the future of the Bills’ offense. It’s just that he’ll likely have to wait another year before getting his desired raise.

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Miami
June 25, 2008   

Dolphins looking to shake up WR personnel

The Dolphins need a receiver. Or two. The way we hear it, there’s little chance the team will go into the season sporting the meager WR corps it currently has. Not only does this mean the Dolphins are going to add a pass catcher or two, but also that one or two of the current receivers is going to be shown the door. A club insider tells us that the two most likely candidates to get axed are David Kircus and Greg Camarillo. Kircus would appear to have the upper hand on maintaining a roster spot due to his toughness and special-teams value, but a pending trial for assault complicates matters. As for players to be brought in, the insider tells us that disgruntled WR Terry Glenn is a distinct possibility to come to Miami if he’s released by the Cowboys. Glenn and Dolphins boss Bill Parcells have a mutual respect despite some rocky times, and reuniting in South Florida is a logical scenario.

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New England
June 27, 2008   

Brady not active participant in offseason program

It’ll be awfully difficult for Tom Brady to win the Patriots’ offseason workout award for the ninth consecutive season. The consummate professional when it come to off-field preparation, Brady hasn’t been as active a participant in the team’s offseason program as he had been in the past. Rather than partaking in the start of OTAs, Brady was busy jet-setting with girlfriend Gisele Bundchen, showing up at European fashion shows, among other non-football-related locales. However, lest someone get the wrong idea, his absence isn’t a sign of contractual discontent or even that he’s “gone Hollywood” on his teammates. According to a source close to the club, Brady merely wanted to take a breather after the Patriots’ whirlwind season. He was suited up and ready to go for all mandatory sessions, and there’s little worry within the organization that his extended hiatus will have any meaningful ramifications come training camp.

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NY Jets
June 27, 2008   

Jets in no rush to throw rookie Gholston into the starting lineup

Vernon Gholston

There’s little argument that Jets rookie OLB Vernon Gholston has incredible physical skills. But the way we hear it, you should look elsewhere when trying to find the preseason favorite to walk away with Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. Word out of New York is that the Jets are planning on easing Gholston onto the field — starting him out as a pass-rushing specialist — rather than thrusting him into the starting lineup immediately. Eric Mangini, like former mentor Bill Belichick, ideally wants his young linebackers to learn the system before becoming an every-down fixture. He had to break from that philosophy last year with ILB David Harris, but Harris’ insertion into the starting lineup was more out of necessity. With free-agent acquisition Calvin Pace and holdover Bryan Thomas occupying the starting OLB spots, Mangini can afford to take it slowly with Gholston.

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