ALL ACCESS: AROUND THE LEAGUE

NFL Insiders Ross Mandel & Ralph Mancini Weigh In On The Latest News & Notes

DEUCE MCALLISTER UPDATE
Running back Deuce McAllister continues to be happy with his recovery from a torn ACL in his left knee and microfracture surgery in his right knee. "I'm proud and pleased with (my progress)," he tells the New Orleans Times-Picayune. "I don't know if there's really a 'next benchmark' to be met on my part. It's pretty much just getting out there and trying to make plays. That's what I'm looking forward to." McAllister practiced on a limited basis and did individual drills during the June OTAs.

Mancini's Take: It's encouraging that McAllister hasn't suffered any setbacks thus far, but to expect to see the same Deuce we all knew and loved a couple of years ago may be nothing more than a pipe dream. The facts are that the power back is a 30-year-old who's been hurt three out of the last four years, with two of those injuries resulting in blown-out knees. The Saints will likely be judicious in the way they use him and the amount of touches he gets. Banking on McAllister to stay healthy the entire year is a risky proposition.

Mandel's Take: Listen, Deuce has been a solid contributor and a real team player but microfracture surgery is no joke; this isn't just coming back from a strained ACL. As the good Rev said, he's 30 years old--even if he hadn't been through several injuries, the tread would be running down at this point. The fact that he's so dedicated and determined to return and give the team whatever he has left is no doubt inspirational to his teammates and although it isn't likely that he'll be able to make it back at 100%, I wouldn't count him out.

LYNCH TO BE THREE DOWN BACK
Marshawn Lynch will play more on third down this season, which should translate into more receptions for the second year pro, according to BuffaloBills.com. "I think this year he'll be an integral part of our third down package," said Buffalo offensive coordinator Turk Schonert.

Mancini's Take: Coach Dick Jauron tried going with a running-back-by-committee approach to no avail last year when it became quite evident that Lynch was a do-it-all back that could pound his way for hard yardage inside, as well as being a big play receiver out of the backfield averaging over 10 yards per reception. Although fellow back Fred Jackson has also emerged as a pass-catching runner, the Bills are planning on lining both Lynch and Jackson up together in certain sets. The physical Lynch is a tremendous between-the-tackles grinder with a nose for the goal line, but must show better patience in letting his O-linemen block for him.

Mandel's Take: I'm a bit skeptical of this plan. There's a reason teams are stockpiling running backs--they don't seem to last like they used to. If the Bills expect Lynch to play every down and be fresh at the end of the season, they've got another thing coming. Lynch had 280 carries in only 13 games last season and averaged 4.0 yards per carry. To me, that isn't too impressive--nor is the Rev's assessment of Lynch as a "big play receiver". He had a couple of big plays in broken coverage but, had only 18 catches last season...one more than Ron Dayne and four less than teammate Fred Jackson. I agree that Lynch is a tough runner, but tough runners need understudies to give them a breather. The Bills will find this out the hard way.

NO TAKERS FOR JORDAN
LaMont Jordan has not been able to find a team willing to trade for him, according to Pro Football Weekly.

Mancini's Take: It's just comical how team owner Al Davis is holding this poor lout hostage out of fear that he'll go to a division rival. Ground Jordan was actually having a productive season until he was slowed by injuries last year. The one-time Jet remains a punishing runner with decent foot speed and soft hands. With younger players in the fold, however, LJ is no longer in Oakland's plans, and the team would be better off letting him become a free agent. I know Ross is not a big fan of this man's subpar work ethic, but you have to think that there has to be a market for this caliber of player if and when he becomes a free agent.

Mandel's Take: Of course no one is willing to trade for him--everyone knows Davis is going to release him if no trade is made, and why pay for something you can get for free? I can understand where Davis is coming from in not wanting to help a division rival, but it's sort of contradictory: if Davis thinks Jordan is good enough to help someone else, why isn't he good enough to play for his team? If Jordan isn't good enough to play for the Raiders, then why would anyone else want him? Davis is just being his normal out-of-touch self here, and although the Rev is correctthat I'm not a fan of Jordan's, I think he'll (finally) be motivated once he leaves Oaktown. The Bears might want to take a look.

RAIDERS COULD TURN TO OLD VETS
Bill Williamson of ESPN speculates that the Oakland Raiders are looking for some veteran depth at defensive tackle. If so, Oakland may consider going back to a familiar name. DTs Sam Adams and Grady Jackson are both free agents seeking to play again. Jackson played his first five NFL seasons, from 1997-2001, with Oakland. Adams played in Oakland in 2002 and was a big part of the Raiders' Super Bowl team.

Mancini's Take: Was this the same team that handed the largest contract ever signed by a defensive tackle to an average player(Tommy Kelly), whose career high in sacks is 4 1/2? Now, they want to bring in old glories, Adams and Jackson, to help salvage a horrendous run defense? Clearly the two large linemen are on the back nine of their careers, and should be considered nothing more than stop-gap role players. Despite having a superior secondary, the Silver and Black's line is ill equipped to stop the run or generate a consistent pass rush. There are more dark days ahead in the circus-like atmosphere created by the delusional Davis.

Mandel's Take: Here's all you need to know: both of these guys are running on fumes but both would help the Raiders run defense. Hey Rev--don't give the circus a bad name like that! Ha! They've got all three rings of that circus rocking in the 510. There are certianly enough clowns and don't be surprised to see some juggling when JaMarcus Russell goes back to pass this season.


BRYANT JOHNSON MAKING NOISE
Several insiders believe that Bryant Johnson and not Issac Bruce will end up being the teams top wide receiver this year, according to the Sacramento Bee.

Mancini's Take: Bryant is younger, faster and bigger than Bruce at 6' 3" 216 pounds. The former Penn State product is also a player who goes over the middle and can run past defenders when catching passes in traffic. But can Bryant improve his route running enough to excel in Martz's complex and precision-based passing attack? Bruce certainly has the upper hand in that department. The mad genius usually works better with smaller and quicker wide outs.

Mandel's Take: I think before we start discussing who the top receiver will be, we need to recognize that there isn't really a QB to throw them the ball...OK, now that we've recognized, I would agree that Johnson has a higher ceiling than the 36-year-old Bruce. However, I don't know if even the Mad Genius can produce a worthwhile passing game with the personnel assembled. Jerry Rice ain't walking through that door.


CURRY LEANER, MEANER
Wide receiver Ronald Curry credits new strength and conditioning coach Brad Roll with improving his physique. "I never took the weight room too seriously. I would do just enough," Curry tells the Sacramento Bee. "Coach Roll was really a blessing for me. He got me on my own little plan as far as upper body, lower body, and it's really helped me out. I can feel the difference in my legs, and when I go to block somebody, just me grabbing somebody, I can feel how much stronger I got." Curry plans to play this season at around 200 pounds, which is 10 pounds below his listed weight.

Mancini's Take: Curry is a sure-handed possession receiver blessed with agility and enough speed to go deep. Curry would look a whole lot better on a high-powered offense directed by a competent quarterback. As it is, Raider QB JaMarcus Russell is a project who is still behind the curve when it comes to reading defenses. Am I being too much of a glass-half-empty guy on this one, Mandel?

Mandel's Take: The good news is, Curry should lead his team in receptions. The bad news is, that team is the Raiders. Curry is Russell's best weapon...when healthy. I don't think you're being too harsh here, Rev. The Raiders' passing game is suspect to say the least and if Russell doesn't produce quickly, he's going to hear the word "bust" attached to his name all season. Somewhere, Ryan Leaf is hoping someone will take his "biggest bust" title.

JARRETT PAYTON RELEASED
Running back Jarrett Payton, son of the late Walter Payton, was released this week by the Canadian Football League's Montreal Alouettes. "Everything's always a shock when you don't see it coming," Payton told The Gazette Thursday morning from his Chicago home - the first interview he granted after his release by Montreal on Wednesday. "I really don't know what happened, but a little bit was my injury. The injury opened the door for a switch." When practice resumed this week, Payton was ordered to stay home while the team attempted to trade him. Without a deal on the table, he was released.

Mancini's Take: Although Payton never had quite enough flexibility or wiggle to make it as an NFL back, he acquitted himself quite well as Montreal's main back in 2007 by gaining 852 yards with eight touchdowns in 13 games. An ankle injury and the emergence of Avon Cobourne have made Payton expendable. Although some may suggest that the recent hiring of HC Marc Trestman may have heavily contributed to the running back's ouster.

Mandel's Take: From Amsterdam, to Tennessee to Montreal...Payton has been around the world and although he isn't an NFL-caliber back, he was 5th in the CFL in rushing last season...which is kind of like being the 5th best square dancer at a tango convention. Not a lot of need for running up North. Still, if he wants to, I suppose Payton will catch on somewhere...it just won't be in the NFL.