Carl Stewart: Ready to get a free agent opportunity

Maryville's Carl Stewart waits for NFL chance: "Carl Stewart was a tailback at Maryville. At Auburn he was mostly a blocking back for his last couple of seasons. He could fit in at either position in the pros. But first, he's gotta get that call. Stewart got a free agent look from Tampa Bay back in the spring, and he's been working out... preparing... and waiting for that next opportunity.
'It's really just self drive all the time,' said Stewart. 'I've always had a coach behind me with a whistle making me do things. The past couple of weeks it has been me on my own. I really have to keep my intensity up"

Devin Aromashodu: Impressive but still burried in Colts depth chart

Colts Training Camp 2008: Piecing together answers to burning questions - Stampede Blue: "People have raved over Indy's receiving corps. Hall and Garcon were mentioned above, but Devin Aromashodu has also impressed. With so many receivers looking good, the Colts might carry 5 or 6 WRs into the regular season, with two of them (Hall and Giguere, perhaps) possibly playing special teams as gunners"

Anthony Mix: Made his mark on Redskins' special teams

Washington Redskins News - 2008 Training Camp Breakdown: Special Teams - 2008-07-20: "The Redskins had young greenhorns make their presence known on coverage units as well, coming in the form of Anthony Mix and H.B. Blades.

Mix made his mark by logging at least two special teams tackles per game at the end of the season. He was a large factor in containing Chicago Bears dynamic returner Devin Hester during Week 14, led the team with four special teams tackles against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 16, and made two special teams tackles along with one critical kickoff recovery against the Seahawks."

Pat Lee: Signs 4yr. deal w/Packers

Lee agrees to terms - Packers Blog: "Green Bay - The Green Bay Packers and cornerback Patrick Lee have agreed to terms on a four-year contract, according to his agent, Todd France.Green Bay - The Green Bay Packers and cornerback Patrick Lee have agreed to terms on a four-year contract, according to his agent, Todd France."

Kenny Irons: Waived by Bengals -Knee rehab difficulties

News - Bengals waive Irons - Cincinnati Bengals: "The Bengals waived second-rounder Kenny Irons on Friday after he failed their physical, indicating just how difficult his rehab from reconstructive knee surgery has been.
His future with the club and in the NFL remains murky. The Bengals needed Irons' spot to get to the 80-man limit for training camp and they now have 80 players listed on their roster including unsigned draft picks.

Irons
In the past, when injured players have cleared waivers, the Bengals have re-signed them but have had to put them on a season-ending reserve list.
Irons, out of Auburn, looked to be the answer to the Bengals' speed back problem during an exciting training camp highlighted by 65 yards on 10 carries in the intrasquad scrimmage. But six days later he tore his ACL on his fourth carry of his career in the Aug. 9 preseason opener in Detroit.
Irons told Bengals.com last week he had some setbacks because of scar tissue, but said the knee had felt better in the last month. Dr. James Andrews performed the surgery back in August in Birmingham, Ala"

Marcus McNeil: Two-Time Pro-Bowler Key to Chargers 2008 Success

San Diego Chargers: Top-10 Elements for 2008 | Bleacher Report: "2. Marcus McNeil: When McNeil burst onto the scene as a rookie two seasons ago, he put on a dominating performance that Charger fans hadn’t seen from the tackle position in years—Vaughn Parker and Damion SacIntosh anyone?
The most encouraging thing was to see McNeil be completely schooled against Pro-Bowlers Jared Allen and Kyle Vanden Bosch in his first games against the two, and then come back and totally annihilate them the next time he faced them, in the SAME season. This goes to show you that the two-time Pro Bowler could become one of the top tackles in the game.
I was somewhat confused when A.J. Smith passed on USC tackle Winston Justice (Philadelphia Eagles) in the first round to take Antonio Cromartie, and then 'settled' on McNeil in the second round. Three Pro Bowls in a combined four seasons later, and A.J. Smith looks like a genius"

Jonathan Wilhite: Patriots.com player bio

Jonathan Wilhite - Official New England Patriots Biography: "OVERVIEW
In his three seasons at Auburn, he broke up 14 passes and intercepted three others. He joined the program in 2005, as the Tigers won a recruiting battle for a player that College Football News rated the best junior college cornerback in the country during his freshman campaign at Butler County College.
Wilhite was an All-Northeast Louisiana first-team and All-District second-team selection during his career at Ouachita High School. He spent three seasons competing as a wide receiver and running back for head coach John Causey.
Upon graduation, he enrolled at Butler County (Kan.) Community College. He red-shirted in 2003, taking over right cornerback chores the following season. In 10 regular season games, he posted 44 tackles (23 solos) with seven pass deflections and ranked among the nation's leaders with a Kansas Jayhawk Football Conference-leading five interceptions. He earned National Junior College All-American team and All-Conference first-team accolades that season.
Wilhite transferred to Auburn in 2005. He took over right cornerback chores for the final seven games of the season, coming up with a career-high 47 tackles (35 solos). He also broke up seven passes and intercepted another. He started 10 games in 2006, finishing with 24 tackles (20 solos), five pass break-ups and a forced fumble.
He started six games in 2007 -- two at right cornerback and four at nickel back. He posted 30 tackles (22 solos) with a sack and a fumble recovery. He also knocked down two passes and intercepted two others.
In 34 games at Auburn, Wilhite started 23 contests. He registered 101 tackles (77 solos) with a 9-yard sack and a quarterback pressure. He recovered and caused one fumble, adding fourteen pass deflections and three interceptions."

Jonathan Wilhite: Will have to shine to make Pat's 53 man roster

Traing Camp Shootout: Corner Back - Pats Pulpit: "Jonathan Wilhite - Of the young dudes drafted this year, I think Wilhite may be one of the most vulnerable. To gain a roster spot, he'll have to shine on special teams, but I think, at 5-9 185 lbs, he's small for this role. So isn't Ellis Hobbs, but he has more experience in the system and has proven himself."

Jason Campbell: Don't do it Dan, Campbell's your man

Editor note: Apologies for the bad pun :-)

Where would Favre go? Ten places he could call home - USATODAY.com: "• Washington Redskins: Is there any doubt that owner Dan Snyder isn't at least mulling this option? The Redskins have been unusually quiet in the offseason, but Snyder has no problem throwing money at aging stars. More importantly, Favre would likely be much more comfortable in the offense of new coach Jim Zorn – who served in Seattle under Mike Holmgren, the man who originally harnessed Favre's talents – than current starter Jason Campbell. The Redskins also improved a solid cast of receivers with two highly regarded rookies, Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly, in the draft. Talk about capital offenses"

TJ Jackson, Will Herring: Giving back through Opelika football camp

Former Opelika stars give back with football camp | Opelika-Auburn News: "The camp became known as the “Back to the DawgHouse Camp” — a summer youth football camp held at Opelika High which, unlike other football camps, has always been free to enter.
And at this camp the young athletes participating get the chance to work side-by-side with many former Opelika High players who have moved on to the next level.
The list of camp coaches this year included current NFL players Herring and Jackson and current or former Auburn University players Zach Clayton, Tez Doolittle and Matthew Motley.
“This was a great opportunity for us to give back and give these kids in the community something to look forward to, and some guys to look up to,” said Herring, currently a linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks. “We just ran with it after that first year and it’s gotten better ever since.”
While the camp is designed as a football camp and the participating kids get a chance to learn various skills, those helping put the camp on use the day to teach a deeper lesson as well.
“We try to relay to them the value of hard work and self discipline along with teamwork,” Herring said. “Football is a team sport, and even though it is just a game, you can learn a lot of valuable lessons about life.
“We try to get them to understand if you can work well with people, whether it’s on a football field or in the classroom, you can be successful in life.”"

Marquies Gunn, Carl Stewart: Cut by Tampa Bay

HeraldTribune.com - Breaking news - Sports - - HeraldTribune.com: "TAMPA — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers cut seven players, including former Riverview High and University of South Florida wide receiver Amarri Jackson.
The team also released DE/LB Patrick Chukwurah, DE Marquies Gunn, TE Keith Heinrich, LB Leon Joe, WR Charlie Spiller and FB Carl Stewart.
The Buccaneers also signed DT Dre Moore. Terms were not disclosed.
Moore was selected in the fourth round (115th overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft. The defensive tackle collected 10.5 career sacks and was named first-team All-ACC as a senior at Maryland."

Jason Campbell: Minicamp notest

ESPN - With Zorn on board, Campbell has chance to excel - NFL: "The good news is that Campbell bought into Zorn's offense quickly. His development had been stunted by playing in several different systems, but he had his greatest success in college playing in something similar to what Zorn has implemented. Zorn has asked Campbell to bend his legs more and be more athletic in the pocket. Cerrato said Tuesday that Campbell learned the importance of dumping the ball off while watching Todd Collins during the playoff run."

Willie Anderson, Heath Evans, Shaun Alexander: Giving back through summer youth camps

Taste of NFL heads to Mobile- al.com: "Former Auburn University standouts Willie Anderson and Heath Evans and former University of Alabama star Shaun Alexander will conduct camps for area youth during that time."

Quentin Groves: Making good first impression to teammates

Scout.com: Pashos Has a New Neighbor on Jaguars Line: "While Pashos is confident that the line will remain a steady force for the Jaguars, he also likes what he's seeing on the defensive side of the ball. The club used its first two picks in last spring's college draft to grab defensive ends Derrick Harvey and Quentin Groves.

Pashos says the duo made a nice impression in the team's organized team activities this spring.

'From what I have seen, both our top two guys, (Derrick) Harvey and (Quentin) Groves, have tremendous talent,' Pashos"

Carnell Williams: Working very hard on rehab & return

Scout.com: Williams’ status for Orlando still murky: "Nearly nine months removed from injuring the patellar tendon in his right knee, Williams ran on his own during the Buccaneers’ second day of mandatory mini-camp at Raymond James Stadium.
Williams is now running full sprints and even full speed on the stairs that cut through the lower seating bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Bucs head coach Jon Gruden called Williams’ recovery so far “amazing” and compared his current workout routine to that of fictional boxer Rocky Balboa.
“He’s putting himself through an unbelievable workout routine and I’ve never seen anything like it,” Gruden said. “This is very important to him.”
Williams has contended all offseason that he would be ready to play in the regular season. But the next hurdle ahead is training camp. When camp starts at Walt Disney World in July, Williams will be 10 months out from an injury that some doctors considered career threatening.
There is reason for optimism. But Williams’ presence at mini-camp — while he is running, he is not participating in drills with the team — doesn’t mean he’ll be ready to don pads and a helmet in July, Gruden said.
'He's ready to go now if you ask him,” Gruden said. “He's really putting some good tape together in individual workouts. He's not allowed to be a part of the team activity at this point, but the explosive movement appears to be coming back, the change of direction, the confidence and the stamina. All those things, day after day after day, that a running back has to do are coming to him. That's"

Patrick Lee: Play was up & down in OTAs

Scout.com: Competition reigns in secondary: "With most key roles on the team settled, look for the cornerbacks to take center stage throughout camp. The recent Organized Team Activities practices provided a snapshot of what lies ahead. Williams’ confidence is soaring, but much like last season, the competition should turn into day-to-day war.
Out is free agency causality Frank Walker and in is second-round pick Pat Lee. Will Blackmon remained sidelined with a foot injury during the voluntary workouts. Harris and Woodson also sat out at times, which gave Lee, Williams and Bush increased reps. Williams"

Stanley McClover: Cuts hair. Getting down to business w/Panthers

The Herald - Life. Captured Every Day. - Serving York, Chester, and Lancaster Counties.: "The Carolina Panthers defensive end began his offseason training by cutting off about a foot of his well-known dreadlocks before the beginning of the team's organized workouts. What was once a flowing mane now fits snugly inside his helmet, about a half-inch left from what once had fans calling him 'The Predator.'
'Since high school, I've been growing it,' McClover said Tuesday, running his hands over what used to be. 'But it's time to step up and be a man now. I'm ready to step up into this man role. Everybody in this organization knew how much my hair meant to me, and just making a big step like that, ... I mean to anybody else it's just your average haircut. But I've been having that hair since I've been in high school. It's something that really touched me and really took a lot out of me to do it.
'But I had to do it to make the statement of what I have to do this year.'
A year ago, McClover and his hair and his noise were the highlights of training camp."

Kevin Hobbs: Turning heads at Seahawks minicamp

Hobbs, Wrotto get chance to show Hawks what they can do: "KIRKLAND -- A year ago, Kevin Hobbs was an afterthought. Just another cornerback who had been re-signed to pad out the Seahawks' 80-man roster.
The only thought attached to guard Mansfield Wrotto, meanwhile, was: Why did the Seahawks draft this guy?
But as the Seahawks' final minicamp moves into its final two practices Wednesday and Thursday, Hobbs and Wrotto are the most improved players in their respective units and showing that they are capable of contributing this season.
Like the play Hobbs made Tuesday, when he was beaten on a route by wide receiver Jordan Kent, only to recover and tip the pass incomplete."

Courtney Taylor: Potential heir to Bobby Engram

RotoTimes.com - Courtney Taylor - Taylor creating a buzz: "Taylor creating a buzz
The coaching staff in Seattle is genuinely enthused about wide receiver Courtney Taylor, who they feel has the potential to be Bobby Engram’s heir apparent, according to Pro Football Weekly.
Our View: Taylor and fellow receiver Jordan Kent are settling in at flanker and split end, respectively. Taylor, who is 6’1” and 205 pounds, has the most upside due to his athletic ability and precise route running skills. Kent, who has blazing speed, is more of a raw product in need of refinement, especially as it pertains to his routes. Taylor is creating a buzz in Seattle, and dynasty league managers should definitely be taking note of his development."

King Dunlap: AU practices were NFL-style

Dunlap puts past behind him (phillyBurbs.com) | Philadelphia Eagles: "“I feel like I've picked things up pretty well during all the camps,” Dunlap said. “I'm just trying to keep learning and getting better every day.
“A lot of what we do here isn't really new to me, it's just a matter of refining what we did in college. Coach (Juan) Castillo does a lot of the same things we did.”"