Sunday, June 29, 2008

MOATS ON THE CHOP BLOCK

Ryan Moats may not be long for Philadelphia's roster, reports Pro Football Weekly. The former third round draft pick is currently fifth on the team's depth chart.

DAVENPORT DUMPED

The Pittsburgh Steelers released running back Najeh Davenport Friday, according to a report on NFL Network. With the Steelers current RB corps, Davenport became expendable as Pittsburgh has Willie Parker, rookie Rashard Mendenhall and Mewelde Moore to carry the bulk of the workload this season. The team did not want to part with running back Gary Russell.

BARNES TO START

Darian Barnes has emerged as the favorite to start at fullback, according to buffalobills.com. "He is a physical, more of a straight-line, thumper fullback which is more in line with what we're looking for," said Bills running backs coach Eric Studesville.

MARSHALL FULL STRENGTH

Denver WR Brandon Marshall, coming off extensive surgery in March to repair a gashed right forearm, was cleared to fully participate in team activities this week. Marshall resumed full weightlifting and conditioning work to augment his rehabilitation regimen Monday. Most important, to his employer and its fans, he started freely catching passes with both hands and encountered no problems. "I guess I'm a fast healer," Marshall said. "I feel great. And if we had a game today, I'd be in it. I'm full-speed ahead now, leaving all that stuff behind me."

BRANDON MARSHALL UPDATE PART TWO

Atlanta police were called to domestic disputes between Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall and longtime girlfriend Rasheedah Watley three times in a three-month span in 2007, according to police reports obtained by The Denver Post on Friday. According to the reports, Watley claimed Marshall punched her in all three incidents. In the first, filed on March 18, 2007, Watley told officers that Marshall had hit her and then took her purse from a hotel in downtown Atlanta. Marshall was not on the scene when police arrived, but according to the report, he sent Watley a text message on her phone while she was speaking to officers that said, "I am watching you. Why did you call the police?" The officer said he could see Marshall in the lobby of another hotel across the street.

TONY SCHEFFLER UPDATE

Broncos TE Tony Scheffler, who reinjured his left foot May 19, said he is fully recovered and is ready to hit the field for training camp on July 25. "It feels pretty good," Scheffler said. "It's back to normal, and I am doing everything with the rest of the team, looking forward to getting this behind me."

TITANS EXTEND STEWART

The Titans and right tackle David Stewart agreed to terms on a six-year deal Friday, giving the team and quarterback Vince Young more offensive line security. Stewart's deal is worth $38.9 million and averages just over $6 million per season. It has $10 million in guarantees, including a $6 million signing bonus.

FOUR TEAMS INVITED TO JONES WORKOUT

Kevin Jones went through a workout Saturday while four NFL teams watched the running back sprint and cut just five months after he had major knee surgery. Dr. D.S. Ping, who has been helping Jones rehabilitate his right knee, said Miami, Green Bay, Pittsburgh and Detroit sent representatives to the workout in Saline, Mich. The Lions cut their former first-round pick in March with one year left on his contract after he hurt the knee late last season, adding to the injury woes that have stunted his success in the league. The Cleveland Browns also called, Ping said, and asked for a video of the workout.