Peyton Manning may miss the start of training camp. Is it due to his off-season knee surgery or contract negotiations? Will QB Cam Newton be passing to Greg Olsen on opening day? Vincent Jackson is returning to the Chargers and why might the Eagles have one of the better defenses in the NFL this season?
The Sportsbank’s most popular new addition this year has you covered on the latest whirlwind movement in the NFL.
In this no nonsense, straight talk section we cut straight to the end zone. Here’s the latest from around the NFL:
In a huge surprise and bidding war upset for the New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys, the Philadelphia Eagles signed the best defensive player on the free-agent market, Nnamdi Asomugha to a five-year deal. The Eagles could have the green curtain of defense this season as they already have signed Jason Babin from the Titans, who had 12.5 sacks last season, and acquired cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in the Kevin Kolb trade. Here come the Eagles!
It appears as though post surgery recovery and not contract negotiations will force Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning to miss the start of training camp maybe longer. Manning had surgery on his neck and knee in the off season. On the state of his contract negotiations, Colts ownership has promised to make Manning the highest-paid player in league history, so this deal will get done, it’s just a matter of when.
The Colts also signed kicker Adam Vinatieri and safety Melvin Bullitt but lost linebacker Clint Session to the Jacksonville Jaguars, who signed a 5-year, $29 million with the team.
San Diego Chargers star WR Vincent Jackson accepted his franchise tag designation, signing a one year, $11 million deal to remain QB Phillip Rivers top wide receiver target.
Cam Newton, the Carolina Panthers No. 1-overall draft pick, has signed a four-year, $22 million contract with the team, all of which is guaranteed. I’m excited to see how the Panthers perform under first-year coach and Chicago Bear’s legend Ron Rivera. TE Greg Olsen was also traded to the Panthers earlier in the week. Perhaps the Olsen-Newton duo can become “G-Cam,” on and off the field.
After threatening to hold out, Bears RB Matt Forte proved what an exceptional teammate he is by reporting to camp on-time. Hopefully Mike Martz rewards him by actually including him in the offense more than 22% of the time like he did last season.
WR Plaxico Burress met with Steelers Management yesterday. I think he’s a better fit here opposite Mike Wallace then he would be on the NY Giants. Stay tuned as this situation develops.
As predicted, superstar Titans running back Chris Johnson is once again holding out of training camp, demanding a new contract. The Tennessee Titans are willing to negotiate with him, but no progress has been made to date.
The New York Jets have re-signed safety Eric Smith to a three-year contract. He has 201 career tackles, along with four interceptions, 17 passes defensed and a sack.
The St. Louis Rams got some additional protection for QB Sam Bradford and a target for him as well on Friday, signing Atlanta Falcons guard Harvey Dahl to a four-year deal and Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Mike Sims-Walker, to a one-year, $3.7 million deal.
New Orleas rookie RB Mark Ingram and Heisman Trophy has agreed to contract. Terms have not yet been announced.
Former Chargers linebacker Kevin Burnett has agreed to terms with the Miami Dolphins.
In a minor signing news, the Cleveland Browns resigned kicker Phil Dawson and struck deals with former Green Bay Packers RB, Brandon Jackson and New Orleans Saints DB Usama Young.
-Soxman
Soxman is a Sportsbank senior contributor and a White Sox columnist and sports reporter for Chicago Tribune Red Eye Edition. He’s also a frequent guest on local television and radio programs in Chicago. You can e-mail him at thesoxman72@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter: @thesoxman72.