Rookie Report: Five Ready-to-Go NFL Rookies

Many things have changed since I made my initial list of top rookies coming into the season.  Injuries have slowed some rookies down while others are proving their worth in the pros.

I still do not think this rookie class will have as big an impact as last seasons crop. But a worthy few could contribute greatly for their teams and fantasy owners this season.

There are plenty of rookies that will get opportunities to shine because of the success of last year’s rookies, but these five will get the most opportunities right now.

1.  Mark Sanchez, QB, Jets: Sanchez has done everything he needed to do in training camp and the preseason to earn a starting spot.  He impressed the coaching staff and most fans watching the NFL.  I am not ready to admit he is a sure thing, but it is impossible not to rank him as the top rookie going into the season.

2.  Matt Stafford, QB, Lions: Stafford has not matched the stats or impressive performances of Sanchez, but he nonetheless will start the season as the No. 1 quarterback in Detroit.  Stafford has a plethora of offensive weapons to ease into the NFL.  Calvin “Megatron” Johnson and Kevin Smith will be Stafford’s new BFFs.

3.  Knowshon Moreno, RB, Broncos: Moreno has not played or practiced much this preseason due to injuries, but the talent is still there.  He may struggle to start the season, but I believe he will be a late bloomer and make a strong push towards the later part of the season for fantasy football rookie of the year.

4.  Chris “Beanie” Wells, RB, Cardinals: Wells, like Moreno, has been dealing with injuries this preseason.  Wells is a bruising running back that will complement the Cardinals passing game perfectly.  Once Wells fully recovers from his injuries, he will be a force in the Cardinals offense.

5.  Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Raiders: Heyward-Bey has enough trouble catching a cold, but he is going to get a lot of balls thrown his way.  Bey has the speed to burn any corner deep and his quarterback JaMarcus Russell can throw the ball as far as Heyward-Bey can run.

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Rookies Reign in Jacksonville: Costly Veterans Among Jaguars’ Final Cuts

The Jaguars released 21 players Saturday, trimming their roster to the NFL’s 53-man maximum and wrapping up an offseason dedicated to retooling last year’s 5-11 team.

Among the players cut, few were long-tenured members of the team, but three former Jaguars starters stood out: offensive lineman Tony Pashos, cornerback Brian Williams, and long snapper Joe Zelenka. None of the three—all of whom started all 16 games in 2008—were considered at-risk for release entering training camp.

In each case, a younger, less-expensive player won the starting job and made the veteran expendable.

Judging from the roster after this last round of cuts, Jacksonville’s latest crop of rookies has shown well. Eight of the Jaguars’ nine picks in the 2009 draft earned roster spots, with seventh-round receiver Tiquan Underwood the only cut. Two undrafted rookie free agents, defensive end Julius Williams and linebacker Russell Allen, also made the team.

Of those eight drafted rookies on the final roster, four will start or see significant playing time early on.

Second-round offensive lineman Eben Britton is Jacksonville’s likely Week One right tackle, and third-round cornerback Derek Cox will step up to replace Brian Williams. Defensive tackle Terrance Knighton, the Jaguars’ other third-round pick, will play in a rotation at his position, and first-round offensive tackle Eugene Monroe is expected to take over at left tackle sooner rather than later.

The rookies highlight a young squad, with only eight players 30 years or older.

In the process of getting younger and releasing underperforming players, Jacksonville effected a significant roster overhaul: 24 of the current 53 weren’t on the team last season. The Jaguars have eight new starters in 2009—nine, if third-year offensive lineman Uche Nwaneri beats Maurice Williams for the right guard job.

Nwaneri, who has taken reps at center this preseason, is representative of Jacksonville’s depth on the offensive line. Five of the Jaguars’ nine linemen have experience at multiple positions, which should prevent a repeat of last year’s disastrous revolving door situation behind the starters.

The Jaguars tried Pashos, their 2008 starter at right tackle, as a guard in their last preseason game this year. He performed well, but not well enough to justify his $4 million starter’s salary; with Britton, Monroe, and veteran Tra Thomas crowding the depth chart at tackle, cutting Pashos was a feasible money-saving measure.

Similarly, the release of Brian Williams cuts costs for Jacksonville, though his salary will still count against the cap.

Such bottom-line decisions continue to distinguish new general manager Gene Smith from his predecessor, James “Shack” Harris, who was fired after the 2008 season. Harris awarded big contracts to free agents like Pashos and Williams—and, more recently, Jerry Porter and Drayton Florence—to fill starting roles, an expensive (and often ineffective) strategy for the small-market Jaguars.

Smith hasn’t been shy in free agency, bringing in Thomas, receiver Torry Holt, and safety Sean Considine to provide experience and compete for starting jobs. But the contracts they’ve signed—front-loaded deals with low guaranteed money—won’t linger should Jacksonville decide to cut ties with them.

To call the Jaguars “cheap,” though, would be an overstatement. One of their biggest moves this offseason was signing star running back Maurice Jones-Drew to a five-year, $30 million extension, despite Jones-Drew having yet to carry the full rushing workload in his three seasons with the team.

The picture that has emerged, rather, over an offseason of change in Jacksonville is that of a franchise committed to a sensible salary structure.

Last year’s team wrote the biggest game checks to free-agent signings and high draft picks (ex. Matt Jones and Reggie Williams) whose on-field performance didn’t merit the pay. The 53 players remaining after Saturday’s cuts, by contrast, are largely paid in line with their expected contributions.

Bargain backups abound, from high-potential rookies like running back Rashad Jennings to utility types such as special-teams ace Brian Iwuh. Several low-cost starters, including all three of the team’s starting linebackers, will need to be evaluated for contract extensions soon.

But the team’s fortunes will rest on the shoulders of players well-paid to carry that load.

With overpaid average starters gone, the highest-paid Jaguars—Jones-Drew, quarterback David Garrard, fullback Greg Jones, cornerback Rashean Mathis, and defensive end Derrick Harvey—are now those most crucial to the team’s success. If they don’t play up to their contracts, a clear precedent was set Saturday for handling such situations.

After eight months of work, those final cuts seem to have stripped away the last vestiges of last year’s underperforming team. The 45 who dress for next Sunday’s season opener at Indianapolis will be starting something new.

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Seahawks Thursday: Rookies, Backups Lead Seattle to 31-21 Win

Jim Mora is now 4-0 as the Seattle Seahawks head coach. 4-0 in his first preseason as the Seahawks head coach, and that’s history.

Jim Mora Jr. is the first Seahawks head coach to go undefeated in the preseason.

A new head coach, no matter if he’s already been on the coaching staff always looks to put their stamp on the team right away and Jim Mora Jr. has definitely done that in the preseason.

Now due to the fact that this was the fourth and final preseason game before the Seahawks week one game at home against the St Louis Rams the Seahawks had most of their starters not even play.

Only Matt Hasselbeck (one drive) and Sean Locklear started the game.

A few other players who are starters but rookies played more than they usually would. Those being Aaron Curry, Deon Butler, and Max Unger (starting RG).

This game, as Seahawks GM Tim Ruskell put it will feature players that are still trying to make the team or better themselves on their current standings.

A few game notes before the recap.

1) Nick Reed got the start at DE. 

2) Edgerrin James started.

3) This game was going to be the deciding factor in the kicking battle. Coutu Vs. Mare

Now let’s see how the Seahawks essential rookies and backups faired as we recap the game.

First quarter:

SEA- 22 yard touchdown pass from Mike Teel to Deon Butler. Four plays. 52 yards and 1:30 TOP.

OAK- 45 yard touchdown run by Lewis Rankin. Two plays. 54 yards and 1:05 TO.

Second quarter:

SEA- 38 yard touchdown pass from Mike Teel to Ben Obomanu. One play. 38 yards and 0:07 TOP.

SEA- 24 yard field goal by Olindo Mare.

Third quarter:

SEA-1 yard touchdown run by Devin Moore. 13 plays. 92 yard and 5:47 TOP.

SEA- 44 yard touchdown pass from Jeff Rowe to Logan Payne. Five plays. 75 yards and 2:25 TOP.

Fourth quarter:

OAK- 6 yard touchdown run by Gary Russell. Seven plays. 86 yards and 3:42 TOP.

OAK- 2 yard touchdown run by Gary Russell. Four plays. 64 yards and 1:34 TOP.

The final score at Qwest field. Seahawks 31-Raiders 21.

Well a little bit closer at the end than originally thought but still a 10 point margin none the less for the Seahawks to pick up their fourth and final win in the 2009 preseason.

With this win the Seahawks under first year head coach Jim Mora Jr. go undefeated in the preseason and in well deserving as well.

Let’s take a look at some key performers for the game tonight.

QB Mike Teel- 11/19, 148 yards and 2 touchdown passes with zero interceptions.

RB Devin Moore- 22 carries, 75 yards and one touchdown.

WR Logan Payne- 2 receptions for 63 yards and one touchdown reception.

WR Deon Butler- 2 receptions for 45 yards and one touchdown reception.

WR Ben Obomanu- 2 receptions for 58 yards and one touchdown reception.

LB Aaron Curry- 4 tackles 1 sack and 1 forced fumble.

DE Nick Reed- 5 tackles 1 sack and 1 forced fumble.

Well it’s backups that are very key in the NFL because everyone knows it only takes one second for a key injury to happen at a key position and all of a sudden the backups you picked in the preseason now have to step in for the regular season.

I think Jim Mora Jr. can look at tonight’s game as well as the other three games and easily pick is 53-man roster and a few practice squad players.

Nick Reed this preseason have been better than perfect. Reed, a seventh round pick out of Oregon did not get much credit for his great college success but the Seahawks loved him as a football player even though of his size.

Reed has been the steal of the draft if you use the preseason as a tool. I don’t think you could give me another player in the entire NFL draft that has performed better than Nick Reed in the seventh round.

Reed is probably better than most third round picks by the way he’s played in the preseason.

Aaron Curry, the Seahawks fourth overall pick has not played much this preseason due to his contract holdout which forced him to take longer to learn the playbook as well as injuries which forced him out of the Broncos and Chiefs games.

But tonight Curry showed why everyone said he was the best player coming out of the NFL draft as well as the best NFL ready player coming out of the draft.

Curry, it seemed was in on almost every single play and on one occasion was unblocked which allowed him to force a fumble on quarterback Charlie Frye which was recovered by of course, DE Nick Reed.

Tonight a lot of players earned their roster spots and a lot of players lost their spots or did not claim one entirely.

So with a great, outstanding performance from all of the backups that were in the game with the exception of Aaron Curry and Max Unger who are going to be locked starters all played a great game.

The final score in Seattle. Seahawks 31 and the Raiders 21.

NOTE: A bonus in the Seahawks recap. I’m going to name my 22 cuts for the Seattle Seahawks.

I will personally guarantee that Deion Branch is not on this list nor will he be cut because if he was on the bubble he would have played a lot more tonight.

So let’s get it going.

Offense:

QB Jeff Rowe

RB Devin Moore (practice squad)

FB David Kirtman

FB Tyler Roehl

WR Mike Hass

WR Jordan Kent (left game with ankle injury)

WR Courtney Taylor

TE Cameron Morrah (practice squad)

OT Andre Ramsey

OT Na’Shan Goddard

C Cory Withrow

OT William Robinson

Defense:

DE Baraka Atkins

DT Derek Walker

DT Red Bryant (practice squad)

SS Courtney Greene (practice squad)

LB Lance Laury

LB Dave Philistin

CB Travis Fisher

FS C.J Wallace (practice squad)

K Olindo Mare

CB Marquis Floyd

That leaves the final 53 and here is how I see the roster being broken down in order from starter to third/fourth/fifth/sixth string depending on the position.

QB: Hasselbeck, Wallace and Teel

RB: Jones, James and Forsett

FB: Griffith and Schmitt

WR’s: Houshmandzadeh, Burleson, Branch, Butler, Payne and Obomanu

TE’s: Carlson, Owens and Newton

LT: Locklear and Jones (until Walter Jones comes back)

LG: Sims and De La Puente

C: Vallos and Spencer (till he comes back then he starts)

RG: Unger and Wrotto

RT: Willis and Kyle Willams

LE: Redding and Jackson

DT: Mebane and Terrill

DT: Cole and Bennett

RE: Kerney, Tapp and Reed

OLB: Hill and Herring

MLB: Tatupu and Hawthorne

OLB: Curry and Herring

CB: Lucas and Hobbs (Trufant I have on the 53 man roster counted)

FS: Russell and Adams

SS: Grant and Babineaux

CB: Wilson and Jennings

P: Ryan

K: Coutu

LS: Houser

That is how I project the roster to look like and those are my 22 cuts.

It will be an interesting 48 hours.

Four Off-the-Bench NFL Rookies Ready to Emerge

Marc’s last Rookie Report told you guys which five guys are ready to start for fantasy owners from day one. One of those five—Michael Crabtree—remains unsigned by the 49ers. Starting to think this season might be a wash for Crabtree.

Today, Marc brings the rookies back to the forefront with four guys who could spring from their respective benches, and fantasy benches as well, to put up some big numbers. Keep a close eye on these guys through the preseason.

Who are the rookie players that might be worth drafting in your fantasy league this year?  Who will be this season’s Chris Johnson, Steve Slaton or Matt Forte?

If you are looking for a come-out-of-nowhere rookie, the following four guys could surprise fantasy owners in 2009.

 

Pat White, QB, Dolphins

White impressed scouts with his improved passing abilities at the combine before the NFL draft.  Parcells drafted White to run Miami’s Wildcat offense.  White has the ability to throw the ball at anytime, unlike Ronnie Brown, who took a majority of the Wildcat snaps last year.  White could develop into a quarterback of the future as soon as this year.

 

LeSean McCoy, RB, Eagles

McCoy was drafted to be a complement to Brian Westbrook.  McCoy will be ready to step into the spotlight if Westbrook goes down with an injury.  He is a mandatory handcuff for Westbrook owners.

 

Hakeem Nicks, WR, Giants

Eli Manning hopes he got another Plaxico Burress with less baggage in Nicks.  Nicks is eerily similar to Burress—he is huge and has good hands.  Manning may be able to just throw the ball up and let Nicks jump and get it.

 

Kenny Britt, WR, Titans

Britt had some of the more consistent hands coming out of college.  More good news is that he was drafted by the receiver-deficient Titans.  I know they don’t throw the ball that much, but his competition at wide receiver is not that great.  He should challenge for a spot in the starting lineup.

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NFL Rookies: Top 5 First Round Draft Picks to Make an Impact This Season

Now that training camp has started and we are finally getting somewhat of an idea of how the rookies will start to pan out. Every year many rookies make direct impacts on their teams.

Three years ago it was Vince Young who turned around a losing season to take the Titans to a game away from the playoffs. Adrian Peterson transformed the Vikings running game in 2007, and made them a competitor in the NFC North.

Last year was the year of rookies, with Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco, Matt Forte, Chris Johnson, and Steve Slayton all made huge impacts on their teams last year.

This year there are five guys who stick out in my mind as players who should make an impact this year, and here is the real surprise: three of them are defensive players.

5. Percy Harvin, WR, MIN

Many people will not agree with Harvin being one of the top rookies this upcoming year. However, the reason he will be a top rookie is due to the situation he has been put in. With no big threats in the passing game, and most defenses spending the majority of their gameplanning on Adrian Peterson, Harvin will be given the chance to be a major impact.

It will not surprise me to see many different screens and gimmicks designed for Harvin. Look for reverses or play action wide receiver screens to throw off the defense and potentially let Harvin hit some homeruns for the Vikings.

4. Brian Cushing, LB, HOU

Cushing is going to be put into a place to succeed. From what I understand he is going to be playing on the other side of the field as Mario Williams. Since Williams will be taking many double blocks, any blitzes from Cushing’s side could produce a wide open path to the quarterback.

On top of that, most teams will not run toward Mario Williams, giving Cushing the opportunity to make game changing tackles. Teams also have to account for DeMeco Ryans who made 112 tackles last season. Cushing’s success will depend on how hard he works this offseason.

3. Aaron Curry, LB, SEA

This guy is the best athlete in the draft. He is going to be a great addition to the Seahawks defense and between Curry and Lofa Tatupu the Seahawks now have a great core to work around. Curry will be able to help the running defense and passing defense immediately.

2. Brandon Pettigrew, TE, DET

Yes, Matt Stafford was taken ahead of Pettigrew, but this year Pettigrew will make more of a difference. With Dennis Northcut and Calvin Johnson on the outside there will be a lot of room available in the middle for Pettigrew to make plays.

It would not surprise me if Pettigrew became a favorite target of Dante Culpepper or Stafford this year. I’m not expecting a Rookie of the Year award for Pettigrew, but he will definitely make an impact.

1. Brian Orakpo, DE, WAS

This rookie is getting the best opportunity by being able to play next to arguably the best defensive tackle in the league in Albert Haynesworth. Orakpo will very rarely be double teamed this year as long as Haynesworth is healthy.

London Fletcher would also take attention of Orakpo, giving him every chance to succeed.

Honorable Mention
Donald Brown, RB, IND
Robert Ayers, DE, DEN
B.J. Raji, DT, GB
Jeremy Maclin, WR, PHI
Mark Sanchez, QB, NYJ

10 Late-Round Rookies Who Will Make an Impact on Defense in 2009

Before we look at Part 2 on the defense, I would like to thank you to those who read and comment on Part 1 of this article. Even i I didn’t get over 3,000 reads, I wanted this article to be recognized for the hard work I put in. I sound like I’m giving a speech at a awards show lol, but seriously I wanna say thank you for making it a success.

For part two of this article, I’m gonna be honest. Other than the top three, this had to be the toughest selection to put together based on the talent on defense. These guys have the potential to become startersThere’s gonna be something different with this article but I think it was good idea to add these guys in my top 10. Let me stop talking and get to the top 10 but first let’s look at guys who didn’t make it but will make an impact this season.

BONUS PLAYERS TO LOOK AT
Jasper Brinkley LB Minnesota Fifth Round Draft Pick
Roy Miller DT Tampa Bay Third Round Draft Pick
Jarius Wynn DE Green Bay Sixth Round Draft Pick
Jason Williams LB Dallas Third Round Draft Pick
Michael Hamlin S Dallas Fifth Round Draft Pick
Scott McKillop LB San Francisco Fifth Round Draft Pick
Sammie Hill DT Detroit Fourth Round Draft Pick
Kevin Ellison S San Diego Sixth Round Draft Pick
Jeremy Jarmon DE Washington’s Supplemental Draft Pick
Kevin Huber P Cincinnati Fifth Round Draft Pick
Pat McAfee P Indianapolis Seventh Round Draft Pick
Lawrence Sidbury, Jr DE Atlanta Fourth Round Draft Pick
Ryan Mouton CB/KR Tennessee Third Round Draft Pick
Alex Magee DT Kansas City Third Round Draft Pick
Keenan Lewis CB Pittsburgh Third Round Draft Pick
Rashad Johnson S Arizona Third Round Draft Pick
Sherrod Martin CB Carolina Second Round Draft Pick
Bradley Fletcher CB St Louis Third Round Draft Pick

PLAYERS OUTSIDE OF THE TOP 10
20a.Kyle Moore DE Tampa Bay Fourth Round Draft Pick
20b.Terrence Knighton DT Jacksonville Third Round Draft Pick
19a.Jairus Byrd CB Buffalo Second Round Draft Pick
19b.Michael Mitchell S Oakland Second Round Draft Pick
18.David Veikune DE, Cleveland Second Round Draft Pick
17.Alphonso Smith CB Denver Second Round Draft Pick
16.Sean Smith CB Miami Second Round Draft Pick
15.DJ Moore CB Chicago Fourth Round Draft Pick
14.Clint Sintim LB NY Giants Second Round Draft Pick
13.William Moore S Atlanta Second Round Draft Pick
12.Sen’Derrick Marks DT Tennessee Second Round Draft Pick
11.Dorell Scott DT St Louis Third Round Draft Pick

Detroit Lions Will Rely Heavily On Rookies This Season

Matthew Stafford is going to be under center for the Detroit Lions at some point this season. It’s the classic forgone conclusion which comes with being the No. 1 overall pick.

 

Sure, veteran Daunte Culpepper will draw consideration from the coaching staff, and maybe get the nod to start week one. But he will be sitting by season’s end.

 

Yet, Stafford is not the only rookie Detroit will rely on this season. All 10 of Detroit’s 2009 draft choices have signed contracts with the team. Many agreed to multi-year deals.

 

First-round pick Brandon Pettigrew was the last to put his name on the dotted line, and he too will shoulder much responsibility this year. Petttigrew was projected as the best tight end in this year’s draft class, and he is without a doubt the best on Detroit’s roster.

 

Other rookies with a chance to start are safety Louis Delmas and wide receiver Derrick Williams (as a return specialist).

 

Even the previously unknown defensive tackle from Stillman College, Sammie Hill, should get considerable playing time this season backing up veterans Grady Jackson and Chuck Darby.

 

Half of Jim Schwartz’s (who is a rookie in his own right) first team depth chart could be filled with players who have been in the league three years or fewer.

 

Ah to be young.

 

The challenge will be developing the team’s youth into Pro-Bowl caliber talent. An area where former coaches in Detroit have failed miserably.

 

Schwartz has maintained he will not announce a formal depth chart until the end of training camp, and possibly not until the start of the regular season.

 

“I don’t want to close my mind,” Schwartz said in a statement on the team’s website. “I think it’s unfair to the guys that are here fighting for roster spots; it’s unfair to the guys that are competing for starting positions for me in my mind to already pencil guys in.”

 

Regardless what players stand where on Detroit’s depth chart, with 10 rookies signed and most expected to make the final 53-man roster, the Lions will be running with young legs this season.

 

Detroit’s first preseason game is August 15th against the Cleveland Browns.

Signing Of Giants Rookies Is Next Step In Jerry Reese’s Growing Legacy

Just one day prior to the opening of training camp, The Giants signed first round selection Hakeem Nicks to what is reportedly a five-year deal worth up to $12.5 million.

The Giants also recently signed both Clint Sintim and William Beatty to deals of four years in length.

There is something in particular worth noting about the contracts of these players: they are a fairly decent length all things considered. I believe that Jerry Reese is making an incredible move here by doing so.

If any of the three emerge as big time players, rather than fork over $10 million per year for their services, The Giants have secured them for a number of years at a discount price. Of course the market for contracts grows each year, but with the top picks from this season signed for a number of years, Reese can examine just how the market behaves before considering what type of extension to award these players.

Consider the big time positions (tackle, receiver, outside linebacker) that the players play, and the type of money that players usually demand at those positions, i must commend Jerry Reese for not balking at the idea of swinging a trade for a receiver who would almost certainly demand a greater salary than these players combined.

The value of Hakeem Nicks, William Beatty, Clint Sintim, Travis Beckum, and Ramses Barden far outweighs the value of one over priced receiver who is years older than they are.

With a stellar performance on the part of and of the aforementioned players in 2009, the legend of Jerry Reese will continue to grow in New York.

Signing Of Giants Rookies Is Next Step In Jerry Reese’s Growing Legacy

Just one day prior to the opening of training camp, The Giants signed first round selection Hakeem Nicks to what is reportedly a five-year deal worth up to $12.5 million.

The Giants also recently signed both Clint Sintim and William Beatty to deals of four years in length.

There is something in particular worth noting about the contracts of these players: they are a fairly decent length all things considered. I believe that Jerry Reese is making an incredible move here by doing so.

If any of the three emerge as big time players, rather than fork over $10 million per year for their services, The Giants have secured them for a number of years at a discount price. Of course the market for contracts grows each year, but with the top picks from this season signed for a number of years, Reese can examine just how the market behaves before considering what type of extension to award these players.

Consider the big time positions (tackle, receiver, outside linebacker) that the players play, and the type of money that players usually demand at those positions, i must commend Jerry Reese for not balking at the idea of swinging a trade for a receiver who would almost certainly demand a greater salary than these players combined.

The value of Hakeem Nicks, William Beatty, Clint Sintim, Travis Beckum, and Ramses Barden far outweighs the value of one over priced receiver who is years older than they are.

With a stellar performance on the part of and of the aforementioned players in 2009, the legend of Jerry Reese will continue to grow in New York.

Cleveland Browns Rookies Have Reported, But Their Top Four Have Not Yet Signed

Written by Daniel Wolf

Article originally posted on Dawg Scooper: An Unofficial Cleveland Browns News Source

NFL football has officially started in Cleveland.

Well kind of.

The Cleveland Browns may have finished last in the AFC North in 2008 but they are the first team to begin training camp in 2009 with their rookies reporting to camp on Friday.

All other players are to report to camp on August 1st for the first official day of Browns training camp as an entire team.

The problem with the rookies reporting is that not all of them are signed to contracts and unless they have signed, then they cannot report.

Of the rookies that have been signed and have reported are all of the second day picks: LB Kaluka Maiava, CB Coye Francies, CB Don Carey and RB James Davis.

The most notable rookies that have not signed are all of the teams first day selections which are: C Alex Mack, WR Brian Robiskie, WR Mohamed Massaquoi and DE/LB David Veikune.

Reports out of the Browns training facility have said that Mack is currently in Cleveland and trying to work out his deal so that he will be able to practice with the other signed rookies. Rumors state that the only thing keeping Mack from signing on the dotted line is the amount of guaranteed money involved.

Also, the Browns have also reported that negotiations with Robiskie, Massaquoi and Veikune have not gone well at all and are at a stand still.

Not good.

The Browns need to get all of their rookies signed immediately because they will only help the team in 2009, especially Mack and Robiskie, who are already being projected as starters come opening day against the Minnesota Vikings.

Fans will have to hope and pray that the team can get all of its rookies signed in time for the entire teams first practice at 8:45AM on August 1.

If the Browns know what’s good for them, then they will have their negotiators work 24 hour shifts in order to get these guys signed in time because if they cannot then that may be a sign of what’s to come in 2009.

 

 

 

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