Archive for the 'AFC North' Category

ESPN reports, ” Johnson packed on 15 pounds of muscle to increase his durability and is running like the Johnson of old in early practices.” Full story here.

Monster Take: Let’s hope that Rudi returns to his previous production levels. If he does, he could be a bargain this year. He’s going as the 30th overall RB on average in early drafts. If he continues strong through training camp his stock will climb, but he could still be a good value as a number 2 or 3 back this year. We’ll wait until we see more in training camp before we bump him up the boards.

The AP reports, “Johnson had his troublesome right ankle cleaned out Wednesday. He is expected to be ready for the start of training camp on July 27.” Full story here.

Monster Take: Sounds like all systems are go for Johnson. We’re also hearing that his attitude is coming around - well as much as it can anyway given that it is Chad Johnson we’re talking about here.

NFL.com reports that “Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chad Johnson is scheduled to undergo ankle surgery Wednesday. Full story here.

Monster Take: From the sounds of things, this should just be a minor procedure. It should have been taken care of during the offseason, but better now than hampering his production during the season.

The AP reports, ” Receiver Chad Johnson fully participated in drills for the first time Saturday as the Cincinnati Bengals wrapped up their minicamp. Coach Marvin Lewis said, “I think it’s been good for him to get back into the flow of things. We still have to get some clarity on the ankle and being able to deal with that because it is something we dealt with a year ago.” Full story here.

Monster Take: It’s good to see Johnson fully participate, but the ankle issue has us a little concerned. Whether he has an injury that will require surgery or it’s just something Johnson will use as an excuse to skip workouts, this could be disruptive to his production this year.

ESPN reports, “Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson has apparently ceased his demands for a trade and declared a return to the Bengals as imminent, perhaps as early as next week.” Full story here.

Monster Take: Good news for Carson Palmer and the Bengals. Despite all of the pundits clamoring for the Bengals to trade or cut Johnson, the bottom line is Johnson is an immense talent and he is under contract with the Bengals. The Bengals held the line and got exactly what they wanted. As long as he isn’t a cancer in the locker room, this should smooth itself out.

Kellen Winslow’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus released the following about his client. “He will be at the Browns’ mandatory minicamp (June 10-12) and he will be at the mandatory training camp. So, what’s the big to do?” See video on YouTube here.

Monster Take: Winslow has been griping about his contract and has not attended optional OTA’s. We won’t have to wait long now to see if he follow through on his commitment to be at camp.

The AP reports, “The Cleveland Browns still don’t know why star tight end Kellen Winslow is not attending the team’s voluntary workouts. Two weeks into their organized team activities, Browns coach Romeo Crennel again said on Wednesday that he hasn’t heard from Winslow and doesn’t know why he’s not with the team.” Full story here.

Monster Take: Winslow wants a new contract. His agent says that he will report to minicamp in June. Whether that happens without a new contract will be something to watch. We’ll keep you updated.

The Baltimore Sun reports that Ravens WR has high praises for rookie QB, Joe Flacco. “He can throw the ball. … The one he threw to Clayton I think was about 50 yards down the field in the air on target. The way he commanded the huddle with the team that was in there with him, I think that speaks volumes of him.” Full story here.

Monster Take: Flacco doesn’t need to do a whole lot to win this job, as Boller has not done much to impress. However, as a rookie on a team with an anemic pass offense, Flacco won’t be in many starting fantasy lineups this year.

The Pittsburgh Post Gazette reports that the Steelers are calling Mendenhall a “bigger, faster Edgerrin James” and that they plan to use him in some packages in tandem with Willie Parker. Full story here.

Monster Take: High praise for an uproven rookie, but this is a situation to take note of. Parker saw his production drop off last year, and the addition of the highly regarded Mendenhall could further erode the number of carries that go to Parker.

NFL.com is reporting that Johnson is willing to sit out the 2008 season. He said in an interview with Solomon Wilcots, “I will stick by my guns, and I will not be there.” Full article here.

Monster Take: If you have Chad Johnson in your keeper league, I’m feeling your pain. Both sides are stubbornly sticking to their respective position. Even though it would seem to be in the Bengals best interest to rid themselves of Johnson while he still has some trade value, they haven’t shown any interest in doing that to this point. Let’s hope they move him to another team so we don’t have to miss out on 85’s on-the-field and off-the-field exploits this year.