24 February 2008

Jeremy Shockey Update

Reportedly, the Saints did reach out to the New York Giants this week to inquire about tight end Jeremy Shockey's availability, but the Giants aren't interested in dealing him - at least not at a discounted price.

Several New York and national media outlets reported that the Saints were among a group of teams that asked about Shockey's availability. A report in the Westchester Journal News said the Saints offered a trade, but the Giants are insisting on a first-round pick or a second-rounder plus a starting player.

Kevin Everett's Amazing Story of Hope

(Amherst, NY, February 29, 2008) - - A man who was first known to western New Yorkers as a football player, then became an inspiration, returned last night to greet fans. News 4's Jericka Duncan reports.

It's a moment Buffalo Bills fans have been waiting for - a chance to meet Kevin Everett.

About 500 people waited at Barnes and Noble in Amherst Thursday night, waiting to see a man who became more than a football player. For them, he became an inspiration.

Kevin Everett greeted fans at his book signing.

Everett's book Standing Tall details his road to recovery from last September's injury at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

In the past six months, he's gone from a solid athlete, to a quadriplegic, to someone who's able to move on his own, Kevin Everett said, "...just working it, trying to get back, trying to learn things as far as using my hands and all that, stuff like that."

Bills fan Karen Kelleher said, "...excellent role model, how he came out of the incident, just come back to Buffalo and sign the books. We appreciate everything he's done."

Kevin Everett says plans to do some motivational speaking.

(wivb.com)

Jones hits key three for Blazers in return

James Jones returned to action on Friday after missing 12 games with a knee injury, and hit 3-of-4 shots and both of his 3-point attempts for eight points in a tough win over the Lakers.
Jones could emerge with a little fantasy value once he's fully healthy, but chances are he does more to hurt the values of Martell Webster and Jarrett Jack.

rotoworld.com

Vilma says he wanted input in his destination

Jonathan Vilma said he didn't necessarily "want out." It was just that if he was going to go, he wanted a voice in it. That's why he requested permission to shop himself in a trade, he said Friday, and why he eventually brokered a deal between the Jets and the Saints.

"The reality was that if there was a possibility of me being traded, I wanted to be proactive and involved in it," he told Newsday on Friday, shortly after the trade that sent him to New Orleans in exchange for a conditional 2009 draft pick was finalized. "I would have loved to have been back with the Jets. I loved the Jets."

Now, though, he loves the Saints. So much so that he's already started talking about himself and is new team as one. Like when he said "We have a good nucleus" and "Hopefully we can get back to the NFC Championship Game like we did two years ago."

Jets trade linebacker Jonathan Vilma to Saints for draft pick

NEW YORK -- The Jets have traded linebacker Jonathan Vilma to the New Orleans Saints on Friday for an undisclosed draft pick.

Vilma, who missed the last nine weeks of last season with an injured right knee, saw his production decline the last two seasons after coach Eric Mangini took over and
installed a 3-4 defensive scheme. With rookie David Harris' emergence as a playmaker at inside linebacker, Vilma became expendable.

Vilma, 27, had 118 tackles as a rookie after being the No. 12 overall pick out of Miami in 2004 and was named defensive rookie of the year. He led the NFL the following season with 187 tackles, earning a Pro Bowl selection while establishing himself as one of the league's top young middle linebackers.

That changed in 2006, when the Jets switched defenses and Vilma had just 116 tackles. He play

(thnt.com)

Charlton Jimmerson Update

THE LEGS: LF Charlton Jimerson got rave reviews from manager John McLaren for his running game. He stole second and third in the sixth inning. The second one, on a double steal with LaHair, set up Seattle's first run on a wild pitch. LaHair scored moments later.

seattlepi.newsource.com

Antrel Rolle Update

First, Arizona is planning to move former first-round pick Antrell Rolle inside to safety, where he'd be paired with Adrian Wilson, and the Cardinals have been quiet on free-agent corners despite a looming need.

(cowboysblog.com)