NFL News & Rumors Digest

Usually, Tuesday is the last day of the week on which decisions to suspend or not suspend players are communicated.  That’s simply because the first official day of preparation for the next game starts on Wednesday.

For Raiders quarterback Terrelle Pryor, a source with knowledge of the circumstance says there has still been no decision on the appeal of his 5-game suspension.  Which likely means that the suspension won’t be lifted before the fourth game of it.

At this point, the only actual question is whether Pryor will get any, some, or all of his five game checks.  If the suspension is lifted, he’ll make up only 1 week of practice — and he’ll be able to play in only 1 of the five games.

Throughout the suspension, Pryor is allowed to function out at the team facility.  He can’t participate in practice.

It is unclear why it’s taking so long.  Given the controversial nature of the NFL’s new approach to delaying the entry of players and coaches who have run afoul of NCAA regulations, if absolutely nothing else the decisions really should be created on a far far more timely basis.

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It’s been less than 10 days since Titans running back Chris Johnson ended his holdout and signed a new contract.  As a result, there is uncertainty (and, for fantasy owners, concern) that Johnson won’t play as a lot as he otherwise would have played when the Titans play in Jacksonville on Sunday.

As expected, Johnson will indeed start the game.  Per a source with expertise of the situation, his ultimate workload will be determined on the fly, based on how he feels and how his body responds to playing in a game much less than two weeks after rejoining the team.

Plenty of coaches believe that holdouts can make a guy susceptible to acquiring hurt.  In 1999, former Falcons  running back Jamaal Anderson tore an ACL following holding out for a raise.  Stated former Falcons coach Dan Reeves at the time, “It appears like when guys hold out, they come back and have the injuries.”

Johnson has rushed for 4,598 yards in three NFL seasons, averaging 5. yards per carry.  Regardless of a new coaching staff and a new quarterback and plenty of other new players, the Titans will be a lot better if/when Johnson is able to play like he has in 2008, 2009, and 2010.

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Though he surprisingly retired earlier this month to launch a media career, former Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder has received interest for his on-field services.

Per a source with understanding of the situation, at least two teams recently expressed a desire to lure Crowder out of retirement.

Whether or not Crowder decides to do it remains to be seen.  We’ve got a feeling that the final choice will be based on large component on the quantity of money that a team is willing to offer.

Crowder, 27, spent all six of his NFL seasons with the Dolphins.

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We’ve gotten our initial look at the details of the contract signed by Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald, and the eight-year, $ 120 million contract apparently isn’t infected with any smoke and/or mirrors.

Per a source with knowledge of the numbers, Fitzgerald will make $ 20 million in 2011.  Starting with a $ 15 million option bonus due on the 1st day of the 2012 league year, his two-year take will be $ 40.25 million, thanks to a base salary of $ 5 million and a $ 250,000 workout bonus.

In 2013, he’ll earn a mere $ 5.25 million.  The numbers kick up once more in 2014, with $ 13 million more coming to Fitzgerald.  In 2015, he’ll make $ 16.25 million.  In 2016, the earnings will be $ 15.25 million.

In each of the last two years, when he’ll be 34 and 35, respectively, Fitzgerald will make $ 15 million.

That said, there are a couple of caveats (apart from the reality that the Cardinals can walk away from the non-guaranteed salaries in the out years).  First, whilst the guarantee has been reported as $ 50 million, the genuine number is only (only?) $ 45 million.  Of that quantity, $ 20 million is totally guaranteed (injury, skill, cap), and the other $ 25 million is guaranteed for injury only.

Also, the deal contains up to $ 8 million in de-escalators tied to Fitzgerald’s receptions in 2016 and 2017.  If he’s under 80 in either season, some of the cash rolls back to the Cardinals in 2017 and 2018, respectively.  The highest amounts go away if he’s below 70.

Fitzgerald has had fewer than 70 receptions twice in his seven seasons.  In his rookie year, he caught 58 passes.  In 2006, injuries limited him to 13 games, and he caught 69 passes.

All in all, the deal is a great one.  And with receivers struggling more than the past 3 years to match Fitzgerald’s prior $ 10 million typical on a lengthy-term deal, the ceiling has now been pushed all the way to $ 15 million.

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Former Cardinals and Cowboys offensive lineman Leonard Davis, the second overall pick in the 2001 draft, could be the newest addition to a Lions team that is trying its best to turn out to be a contender in the NFC.

Per a source with knowledge of the circumstance, Davis is visiting the Lions tonight and tomorrow.

Davis, 32, started each and every game in Dallas for the final four seasons, and he made it to the Pro Bowl from 2007 through 2009.  Presently weighing in at 350 pounds, we’re told that Davis is open to the possibility of signing a one-year deal.

Primarily a correct guard in Dallas, Davis has played each tackle positions and left guard for the duration of his career.

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For those of you wondering when we may know when and if running back Reggie Bush will become a member of the Miami Dolphins, here’s what we’ve learned in the wake of Jay Glazer’s report that the Saints and Dolphins have worked out the basic trade terms.

Per a source with understanding of the situation, the talks among the Dolphins and Bush’s camp heated up around midnight.  They are expected to continue into Thursday morning.

At this point, it’s not recognized with certainty that an agreement will be reached.  Though Bush could decide to stay with the Saints at a decreased salary, the signs currently are pointing the Bush doing a deal with the Dolphins.

In Miami, there’s a excellent opportunity he could be the featured back.  Though he might have to share touches, he’d fairly possibly be at the best of the depth chart.

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The NFL players successfully have beaten back the league’s desire to expand (i.e., improve) the normal season from 16 to 18 games.

For now.

A source with knowledge of the terms of the deal approved by the owners on Thursday tells PFT that, while the new CBA removes the league’s unilateral correct to expand from 16 to 18 games (while keeping 4 preseason games, if so desired), the agreement gives the league the ability to shift to a 16-and-2 format with out the input or approval of the post-asterisked NFLPA.

The thinking is that, if the players decline in the future to agree to move to 18 games (which would push the season deeper into the winter months) and cut the preseason from four games to two, the league would simply invoke its right to cut the preseason in half.  With the players now acquiring 48 percent of the gross, the players would lose 48 percent of the revenue lost from a reduced preseason.

And that’s where the owners when once again are badly underestimating the players.  As we’ve learned over the last 60 hours, the players don’t care about the preseason nearly as a lot as the owners do.  Spread over 1,900 players, the monetary impact of the loss of two preseason games is fairly small.  Spread across 32 teams, the disappearance of two money-for-absolutely nothing games would chew deeply into the profit margin of several teams, specially considering that costs in the preseason are minimal.

So when the league says to the players, “Well, our fans genuinely don’t want 4 preseason games, and given that this is all about the fans, we require to lessen the preseason to two games, even if that means keeping the standard season at 16,” the players need to respond by saying, “Fine.  Do it.”

And then the owners will decide, following further reflection, that they care about their profits much more than they care about what the fans want when it comes to the preseason.

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