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UpdatedAug 25, 2011 12:31 AM ETWhen the Dallas Cowboys drafted Oklahoma's DeMarcoMurray in April, they did so thinking he would make an immediateimpact as a versatile performer.The third-round running back practiced for the first timeTuesday, but the late start hasn't dashed hopes that he could stillrapidly Raiders Jason Campbell Authentic Jersey develop into a big-time contributor as a jack of alltrades."That's exactly Jason Campbell Stitched Jersey the thing with DeMarco we like the most Jason Campbell Jersey White - hisversatility," coach Jason Garrett said at a news conference inArlington."... Hopefully, he can get himself acclimated to what we'redoing on this level quickly and we'll see what we saw incollege."A hamstring injury suffered during the lockout forced Murray tomiss camp at the Premier Jason Campbell Jersey Black Alamodome and the first two weeks of thepreseason. He passed his physical Monday, allowing him toparticipate in Tuesday's morning walkthrough and the full-padsworkout in the afternoon."It's been a long wait," Murray, 23, told reporters at CowboysStadium. "The last time I played or practiced was January, so I'mjust happy to be here."I'm definitely behind, but I have confidence I can pick it upfast."Murray will compete with veteran Tashard Choice for the job ofbacking up starter Felix Jones, who has been outstanding in bothpreseason games. Tuesday also saw the return to practice Authentic Jason Campbell Jersey White of Choice,who had been sidelined since suffering a calf injury July 29, thesecond day of camp."It's definitely been hard, a struggle," Murray said of hisinjury. "But it just let Official Jason Campbell Jersey me realize this is a marathon, not asprint."Garrett declined to offer a timetable for when Murray will Premier Jason Campbell Jersey White playin a game. Dallas will close its exhibition schedule with roadgames at Minnesota (Saturday) and Miami (Sept. 1)."We'll see if he can translate what's gone on in the meetingroom to the practice field," Garrett said. "We think he's a smartguy."Murray, Oklahoma's career leader in all-purpose yards (6,948)and touchdowns (64), said all he wants to do is contribute."I've been away for so long," said Murray, 6-foot, 211 pounds."I'll be ready for whatever they throw at me."It could be plenty."He proved in college he was a good every-down runner," Garrettsaid. "He proved he was a receiver out of the backfield, aprotector on third downs, a kick returner. He just has a lot ofversatility."This is overused, but we felt like Raiders Jason Campbell Premier Jersey he was a football player ...He reacted instinctively as a runner, as a receiver, as a blocker,as a returner."Murray's versatility could give him an edge over Jason Campbell Jersey Replica Choice, who islacking as a blocker and special-teams performer."I've heard, 'He can't block. He can't play special teams,'"Choice said. "That's fine. I'm just going to go out there and workand prove my worth. All I can do is be the best Tashard I canbe."Although Jones is clearly the No. 1 back, Garrett wants options.That's where Murray comes in."We're going to use more than one back - that's the nature ofthe league in this day and age," Garrett said. "Those runners takea pounding. Ideally, you want to have a bell cow, a lead dog andhave the other guys fit themselves in ... (Jones) is playingawfully well, and we'll see how the other guys do."

 

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UpdatedAug 25, 2011 5:30 AM ETST. LOUIS (AP)Danny Amendola led the St. Louis Rams in receptions lastseason.He can't wait to do even more this season.With the offensive scheme installed by Josh McDaniels, the newoffensive coordinator, the passes are expected to be spread aroundmore. And Amendola has taken to the new offense just fine.''It's going well,'' Amendola said after practice. ''I'm tryingto get better with this offense. I feel like Jason Campbell Jersey Authentic this offense is goodfor a lot of Jason Campbell Replica Jersey people. Everybody should get a lot of touches. We'llall get a chance to show what we Replica Jason Campbell Jersey can do.''The Rams signed Amendola off the Philadelphia practice Jason Campbell Premier Jersey squad inSeptember 2009. He went on to catch 43 passes for 326 yards and onetouchdown as a slot receiver in coach Premier Jason Campbell Jersey Steve Spagnuolo's firstseason with St. Louis.He showed his value in 2010 by increasing his production.Amendola was the Rams' unlikely receiving leader last seasonwith a team-high 85 catches for 689 yards.What Replica Jacoby Ford Jersey White does he do for an encore?''I don't know, 95 catches,'' the 5-foot-11, 186-pound Amendolasaid. ''Last year was all right. I'm trying to get better and helpthis team win games. I don't know if I need to make more catches,or whether it's on special teams or blocking, I mean, whatever itis, I'd rather just win games than think about stats.''Amendola said he likes the way quarterback Sam Bradford ishandling the new schemes.''He really seems to be getting ahold of this offense,''Amendola Jason Campbell Jersey Premier said. ''We all acknowledge him as our leader out there andhe's doing a good job. He's taken more of a leadership role. We allreally look up to him. We rally around him.''Amendola continues to be Bradford's security blanket when a passneeds to be completed. He is expected to be slot receiver, barringany injuries.Certainly, he still has Spagnuolo's eye.''He looks Replica Jacoby Ford Jersey Black great,'' Spagnuolo said. ''Every time I watch him, hegoes faster than everybody else. That's how he is. He's amile-a-minute, every minute (player). I'm glad we got him.''The shifty Amendola specializes in grabbing those short passesover the middle in traffic.''That's what I've been molded into,'' Amendola said. ''It iswhat it is. I'm going to embrace it and try to the best at it thatI can.''Who led the NFL last year in red zone targets? Amendola tiedArizona star Larry Fitzgerald with 24.''That's good company,'' Amendola said. ''He just signed a gooddeal. That's a great deal.''The Rams' slot receiver caught 16 of those passes, but three ofthem went for touchdowns. Amendola also said he still plans to bereturning kickoffs and punts this season.''It's a fun gig,'' Amendola said. ''I just want to try and helpthe offense get in the best possible field position.''In preseason games, receiver Mardy Gilyard has been returningkicks, but Spagnuolo said that's not a knock on Amendola.''We haven't used him on special teams as much in preseason, butI'm sure you'll see him the regular season,'' Spagnuolo said.''He's special that way. He wants to do it. He wants to be outthere every play so when you have a Premier Jacoby Ford Jersey White guy like that, you use him asmuch as you can.''

 

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UpdatedAug 25, 2011 5:30 AM ETALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP)(Eds: With AP Photos.) Gunther Cunningham didn't mince words when asked what his linebackers could do this season that they couldn't do a year ago.''Everything,'' the Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Louis Murphy Premier Jersey said Wednesday.In 2010, even as the Lions were winning their final four games to provide a rare burst of hope for their downtrodden fans, Cunningham and coach Jim Schwartz knew that they needed to fix the rest of the defense.They also knew that a complete overhaul wasn't going to be possible in one offseason, especially one where the players were locked out all summer.They had Replica Louis Murphy Jersey to pick their spots and by adding two free agents at linebacker, the Official Louis Murphy Jersey coaches think they have found a nice complement to a defensive line that includes Ndamukong Suh, Kyle Vanden Bosch and Corey Williams.The Louis Murphy Replica Jersey new linebacker trio, with returning DeAndre Levy between the newly arrived Stephen Tulloch and Justin Durant, will get their longest run of the preseason on Saturday night against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.Schwartz stressed it won't be a make-or-break game.''They get tested in every preseason game, and there's not one that is more important than any other,'' he said. ''This will be longer, and we're doing a little more Replica Jason Campbell Jersey Black planning for New England, but we're still not giving them a full game plan to work with.''Durant, though, thinks it will be a good measure of how far the group has come in a limited amount of time.''The third preseason game is really important, because it is the closest thing you have to a dry run before the first regular-season game,'' he said. ''We didn't get mini-camps and OTAs this summer, so we've had to bond together in a couple weeks.''Durant is new to Detroit's system, coming to the Lions from Jacksonville, but Tulloch played for Schwartz and alongside Vanden Bosch in Tennessee.''Because of Jason Campbell Jersey Free Shipping Tulloch's experience in Coach Schwartz's system, we've got two players out there who can make defensive calls - both him and DeAndre,'' Cunningham said. ''That helps us a lot.''All three players are in their mid-20s - Tulloch is the oldest at 26 - which makes the growing process more exciting.''This is a really young group, with three good players and we already work well together,'' Tulloch said. ''Once we've been together for a couple years, this should be the best group of linebackers that I've ever played with.''If Tulloch is right - and Schwartz and Cunningham both expect that he Premier Louis Murphy Jersey is - the Lions will be two-thirds Replica Jason Campbell Jersey White of the way toward building a defense that can match the explosive offense they are also putting together.Notes: Vanden Bosch and WR Calvin Johnson both missed Wednesday's practice as they deal with shoulder problems. Schwartz said it wasn't a serious situation and ''if this were the regular season, they would be day-to-day at worst.'' ... Louis Murphy Jersey Replica RB Jahvid Best returned to practice after sustaining a concussion in last week's preseason win over Cleveland. ''Obviously, he passed all the tests or we NFL Louis Murphy Jersey wouldn't have him on the field, but it was still a non-contact practice. We just Louis Murphy Jersey Premier wanted to let him run around a bit. We're still going to be cautious.'' ...  The Lions have sold out Saturday's game against the Patriots, and also announced Wednesday that they have sold out the Monday night game against Chicago on Oct. 10. The team is also close to selling out the Thanksgiving Day game against Green Bay.

 

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UpdatedAug 25, 2011 6:26 AM ETCam Newton burst into a meeting room during the early stages oftraining camp, still in uniform after a night practice. Beforeengaging with his visitor to talk football, he asked Miles Austin Throwback Jersey for a check ofthe clock.It seemed fitting enough.The new face of the Carolina Panthers is racing against time,thinking he can progress fast enough -- even in this post-lockoutcampaign -- to start the regular-season opener Sept. 11 at the Arizona Cardinals."So what that I'm a rookie quarterback?" Newton said. "That's acrutch, for people to say, 'He has time to grow.' I don't feel likeI have time. I'm ready to go."Newton, drafted No. 1 overall after leading Auburn to a nationaltitle and winning the Heisman Trophy, might win the starting jobover incumbent Jimmy Clausen. Panthers coach Ron Rivera expectsthat Newton will play at least the first three quarters in today'spreseason game at the Cincinnati Bengals -- who feature their ownrookie quarterback on a fast track to a starting assignment, AndyDalton from TCU.Cracking the lineup and being ready to thrive at the game'stoughest position as NFL Miles Austin Jersey a rookie are not one and the same. Especiallythis year.Six quarterbacks were drafted within the top 36 picks in April,including first-rounders Jake Locker (eighth overall, TennesseeTitans), Blaine Gabbert (10th, Jacksonville Jaguars) and ChristianPonder (12th, Minnesota Vikings). Dalton, a second-rounder, waschosen 35th, one slot before the San Francisco 49ers took ColinKaepernick.Yet these young quarterbacks face steeper learning curves thanrecent predecessors thanks to the lockout that prevented them fromworking out with their teams during the three months between thedraft and training camp."They've missed a lot of time," says Cleveland Browns PresidentMike Holmgren, known for his ability to coach quarterbacks. "I'vealways stated I don't think it really kicks in for quarterbacksuntil Year 3. Well, that's Year 3, including offseasons. So youtook two or three months out of it, right off the bat? You'll neverget Authentic Miles Austin Jersey those reps back."Matt Ryan understands the paradox. Drafted third overall by theAtlanta Falcons in 2008, he was a Week 1 starter who ultimatelyhelped his team make the playoffs. That same season, the BaltimoreRavens went to the playoffs with a rookie quarterback, Joe Flacco,picked 18th overall. And the next year, the New York Jets selectedMark Sanchez fifth overall and advanced to the AFC title game.Yet Ryan remembers having more than 40 practices during teamworkouts and minicamps before taking a snap in his rookie trainingcamp."Those practices are invaluable, because that's all you have tobuild from on the practice-to-practice learning curve before camp,"Ryan says. "It's always hard to play as a rookie quarterback, butit's going to be even more difficult this season."Newton, for all of his bravado, sensed the challenge immediatelyafter reporting to the Panthers training camp. After the firstnight of the draft, when the lockout was briefly lifted by a courtorder, Newton and other first-rounders were able to visit teams fora day and obtain portions of the playbook.The material Newton received from coordinator Rob Chudzinskiafter the draft was only a fraction of the plays that have beeninstalled this summer.During Jason Witten Jersey Women his first week in camp, when Chudzinski described hispace of installing plays as progressing "from zero to 60," Newtonbecame a bit frustrated by at least two elements of his crashlearning: He sometimes stumbled in reciting the plays verbatim inthe huddle, and, in being inundated with fresh plays on a dailybasis, he found himself forgetting some of the plays he had learneda day or two earlier. It was a starting point.Says Chudzinski: "It's a process to be a great quarterback."Gabbert: Talent, questionsJaguars coordinator Dirk Koetter knows such a teachingphilosophy. He's charged with grooming Gabbert, who brings a quickrelease from Missouri. The Jaguars, with 10th-year veteran DavidGarrard in tow, are seemingly not pressed to rush Gabbert into thelineup -- although the rookie's camp performances have igniteddebate."It's exciting to see a guy with that kind of talent," Koettersays, sitting in his office at EverBank Field last week.Still, Koetter talks of the layers of the process -- such asgetting practice reps for each play against different defensivelooks. Gabbert is working through those layers under new rules thathave reduced the number of contact practices. As of late last week,Koetter estimated he had installed more than 270 plays in camp.Koetter recalled a recent meeting in which he quizzed thequarterbacks. Luke McCown, an eighth-year veteran, answered withouthesitation."It was like, 'Bam-bam-bam,'" Koetter says. "Luke just said,'That's eight years of experience.' Blaine said, 'Well, I've beenhere eight days.' That kind of puts it in perspective."Like Newton, Gabbert played in a spread offense in college andhas had to adjust to taking snaps from under center and callingplays in the huddle.Gabbert got a playbook after the draft, too -- which led tonumerous questions to ask upon arriving in camp."It was all brand new, like looking at a foreign language andtrying to teach yourself without any background," Gabbert says."Once I got here, though, I had seen the plays and knew theconcepts."There are only so many concepts that a coordinator can install,so many routes that beat certain coverages. It's just learning theterminology."Perhaps Gabbert is simplifying matters a bit. The speed of thegame and complexity of defenses -- especially when the regularseason begins -- make a tremendous difference.And as Koetter puts it, NFL Tony Romo Jersey "The Miles Austin Jersey 19 main thing with any of these guysis what happens when they start getting knocked around? These aregrown men who are trying to hurt them."Rough preseason resultsDalton got a good glimpse of the pressure an NFL defense canproduce during Sunday's loss at the Jets. Although Dalton hasthrown three interceptions and produced one field goal and onetouchdown in 12drives during the preseason, Bengals coach MarvinLewis lauded his progress -- and the lessons learned in facing oneof the NFL's best defenses."I feel like I was seeing things pretty well," says Dalton, whohas a 30.9 preseason passer rating. "I made some checks that helpedthe team and put us in position to get first downs. Again, itwasn't good enough."Through the first two preseason weeks, the rookie quarterbackshave largely looked like, well, rookies. Gabbert, with a 64.2passer rating (zero TDpasses, zero interceptions), has been sackedfive times. Newton, shut out last week in one half at the MiamiDolphins, has a 65.2 passer mark (zero TDpasses, zerointerceptions).Locker had an impressive debut against Minnesota, showing poisein picking up a bumbled snap and flinging a deep TDpass, but hestruggled at the St. Louis Rams (8-for-18, 82yards, zero TD passes,one interception, 35.0 rating) and has a two-game mark of 69.2."Highs and lows -- that's how the league's going to be," saysTitans coach Mike Munchak, who has veteran Matt Hasselbeck lined upas his starter.Of course, each quarterback and team circumstance is unique.Carolina had the NFL's worst Cowboys Jason Witten Authentic Jersey offense last season under Clausen.Dalton is getting a shot after veteran Carson Palmer opted toretire with the team yet to meet his demands for a trade.Ponder, the Florida State product hailed as perhaps Authentic Miles Austin Jersey Blue the mostNFL-ready quarterback in the draft, will sit behind veteran DonovanMcNabb.Gabbert sees himself competing in a different environment."I'm in a great situation, learning behind Dave and Luke," hesays. "You see Philip Official Miles Austin Jersey Rivers and Aaron Rodgers as probably thebiggest two examples who sat for two or three years. They came intothe same situation I'm in. The veterans brought them along, taughtthem the offense."Gabbert insists he is drowning out the noise from the chorusthat wants to see him Authentic Tony Romo Jersey unseat Garrard now. "It's a process," hesays. Reebok Tony Romo Jersey "You're going to screw up, sooner or later. So you've got tolearn from your mistakes."Former Ravens coach Brian Billick thinks there's no harm inpushing rookie quarterbacks onto the field."I'm a believer that you've got to play to get better," saysBillick, a Fox analyst. "The experience that you get this year onlymakes you better for 2012." 

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UpdatedAug 25, 2011 6:26 AM ETI've been hearing rather less about the Falcons than I thought I might, andmuch of what I have heard has been negative. So I got to thinking:Where's the buzz about these Birds? And then I thought, "Maybe it'sjust you. Maybe there's this huge buzz you haven't heard becauseyou're off listening to your warped vinyl records."So I asked. In a blog post on ajc Wednesday morning, Iinvited readers to tell me if such a buzz existed, and if not, whynot? And the results were overwhelming --- 400 online comments in 41/2 hours, dozens of emailed responses, plus Facebook postings andTwitter tweets --- and instructive.From Paul Lipsey via email: "Thought you'd made a wackyassumption this morning, but I see nothing in the first hour ofcomments to Replica Felix Jones Jersey indicate that you've made a mistake. No screechingoutrage from the Falcon flock? I'm flummoxed."So that made two of us. The obvious next question: Why aren'tyou buzzed?From Tom on ajc: "Because the thought of Michael Turnerrunning for 2 yards a carry and the defense getting repeatedlysmoked does not make one excited."From Matt from MN Felix Jones Jersey 28 on ajc: "Because the thought of anotheryear of Mike Mularkey in Authentic Jason Witten Jersey charge of Matt Ryan and the offense isjust too much to Jason Witten Jersey 82 bear."From Micky Woolsey via email: "The fans just don't trust the Falcons because of the past. I haveto admit that, even Jason Witten Jersey Free Shipping though I think they are the best team in theNFC, I still have doubts."From HJones on ajc: "I am 65 years old and lived in theAtlanta area all of my life. I have seen Felix Jones Replica Jersey all of the bad times andthe supposedly good times. I don't have faith in the current Falcons to play at the high levelrequired to win the big games."We pause to note: The Falcons were 13-3 last season andwere the Felix Jones Jersey Blue NFC's No. 1 seed. They got blitzed by Green Bay in theplayoffs, but the Packers did win the Super Bowl. The Falcons added Julio Jones via thedraft and Ray Edwards via free agency. A good team would appear tohave gotten better on both offense and defense. Does glory notawait?From NorthGANole on ajc: Felix Jones Jersey Replica "Buzz usually comes with addedpersonnel ... The only major acquisition that was made [outside ofdraft picks] is Ray Edwards and we haven't seen him play yet."From Big Ray on ajc: "True diehard fans are excited. Buteven we were burnt by the loss to Green Bay. We've got to win thatfirst playoff game under the [Thomas] Dimitroff/[Mike] Smithregime."Many respondents pointed, with cause, to causation: The lockoutdiverted our attention, and the Braves captured it. And we tend topay attention to college football around here. And it is stillpreseason.From Felix Jones Authentic Jersey Ronald D. Willard via email: "The vast majority ofreasonable fans understand that this team is in such good handsthat there is little need for hand-wringing ... You know thatDimitroff, Smith and the players will be well prepared and willgive us the maximum effort at all times. Their efficiency has bothspoiled us and given us a sense of security that longtime fans havenever had the luxury of enjoying."From Jason Reittenbach via email: "My prediction: If we beatChicago in Week 1 and then have [Michael] Vick and prime-time TVcoming in Week 2, the excitement will be through the roof onceagain."On those cheery notes, I'll end. But Replica Jason Witten Jersey Blue not without saying thanksto everyone who responded. I'm in your debt.Next for FalconsWho: at Steelers (exhibition)When: 7:30 p.m. SaturdayTV; radio: WGCL; 790, 94.1Terms   LexisNexis, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc.

 

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UpdatedAug 25, 2011 4:03 AM ETORCHARD PARK (AP)With Reggie Torbor's status uncertain, the Buffalo Bills have strengthened their inside linebacker position by agreeing to a one-year contract with six-year NFL veteran Kirk Morrison.FOX Fantasy FootballCreate your FOX Fantasy Football league today for free.  Live scoring, mock drafts, customizable leagues and more.The deal was agreed to verbally on Wednesday, Morrison's agent, Bruce Tollner, told The Associated Press.Listed at 6-foot-2 and 240 pounds, Morrison is a six-year starter, who spent last year with the Jacksonville Jaguars, who elected not to re-sign him this offseason.''He's fired up,'' Tollner said. ''He's been working out for quite a while and has had several offers from other teams. He's excited to be going to Buffalo.''The Bills have not confirmed the deal as they have a policy of not Authentic Felix Jones Jersey announcing acquisitions until the player Dez Bryant Jersey Replica has been signed.The agreement comes a day after coach Chan Gailey said Torbor was having ''some things taken care of medically.'' Gailey did Authentic Dez Bryant Jersey not go Dez Bryant Throwback Jersey into further detail.A backup inside linebacker, Torbor has not been present for the past two days of practice as Buffalo prepares to host Jacksonville in a preseason game Saturday.The Bills have already retooled the inside linebacker position by signing eight-year veteran Nick Barnett earlier this month to replace the free-agent loss of Paul Posluszny, who's now with the Jaguars.Morrison was selected in the third round of the 2005 draft by Oakland, and spent the next five seasons with the Raiders.BACK TO WORKCatch up Premier DeMarcus Ware Jersey on all of the training camp news as the NFL gears up Authentic DeMarcus Ware Jersey White for the season.Morrison struggled in his one season with the Jaguars in which he had no sacks or interceptions. His most memorable game came against his former team on Dec. 12, when he was credited with seven tackles in a 38-31 win over the Raiders.The Jaguars were considering re-signing him before they signed Posluszny to a six-year, $45 million contract last month.Overall, Morrison has five sacks and seven interceptions in 96 career games.Morrison is the second player the Bills added on Wednesday after the team addressed its banged-up group of receivers by signing Authentic DeMarcus Ware Jersey Blue free-agent Ruvell Martin.Martin has five seasons of NFL experience after spending last year with Seattle. He Cowboys Dez Bryant Authentic Jersey has 65 catches for 1,006 yards and seven touchdowns in 53 games, including nine starts.A Saginaw Valley (Mich.) State Dez Bryant Jersey Blue product, Martin has also played with Green Bay and St. Louis.The Bills are in need of healthy receivers DeMarcus Ware Jersey Blue as they prepare to host Jacksonville. Receivers Roscoe Parrish (left calf), Donald Jones (head), Naaman Roosevelt (right ankle) and Craig Davis have all missed the Dez Bryant Authentic Jersey first two days of practice this week.Buffalo's receiving corps has already been depleted after the team traded seven-year veteran Lee Evans to Baltimore two weeks ago.Martin practiced with the team on Wednesday, and is expected to get some playing time — mostly on special teams — Saturday, Gailey said.

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UpdatedAug 25, 2011 6:26 AM ETMinnesota Vikings tight end Visanthe Shiancoecan't seem to shake a nagging hamstring injury that has kept himout of practice for most of the past three weeks.After playing at half speed Official Dallas Cowboys Jersey earlier in the week, Shiancoe satout today after experiencing a minor setback and won't playSaturday against Dallas at the Metrodome, coach Leslie Fraziersaid.Though the injury does not appear serious, Frazier said thetraining staff saw "just enough where no reason to chance it, wherehe could possibly be out of that first game" Sept. 11 against SanDiego.Shiancoe, who suffered the injury on Aug. 8 in Mankato aftercatching a pass toward the sideline, rehabbed in the weight roomduring part of today's practice.Quarterback Donovan McNabb said he's still developing chemistrywith Shiancoe by talking between reps."Shiancoe will be out there," McNabb said. "Got a chance to workwith Shiancoe a little bit at the beginning of camp before he gothurt. I've got a great feel of how he may come out of his routes.We've been communicating with each other all through camp and allthrough each practice."Herrera in: Anthony Herrera is expected to start Saturday aftermissing the first two games, his first action since the right guardtore his ACL last November. He spent most of training camprehabbing and started taking first-team reps last week."We'll have an idea, can we get him to that first ball game ornot?" said Frazier, adding that he would like Herrera to play atleast the first quarter.Injury report: The Vikings are hopeful running backToby Gerhart (ankle/Achilles) can play against the Cowboys aftermissing much of this week's reps. Linebacker Jasper Brinkley (hipflexor) also sat out today.Brinkley hardly can afford to miss time battling Erin Hendersonfor the starting weak side linebacker position."It actually has been an injury he's had," Frazier said. "Goesback to the end of our season a year ago. It's something that willtake a little time. He should be fine in time, but we have to givehim a little rest."Dome, sweet home: The last time the Vikings played in the Metrodomeagainst the Buffalo Bills on Dec. 5, Brett Favre was the startingquarterback, Frazier was in his second game as interim coach andthe record snowstorm that collapsed the roof was still a weekaway.No one could have imagined playing a "home" game at TCF BankStadium at the University of Custom Raiders Jersey Minnesota on Dec. 20 or being strandedin DeMarcus Ware Jersey Authentic Philadelphia for three days after Christmas Authentic Dallas Cowboys Jersey because of ablizzard DeMarcus Ware Authentic Jersey that never really materialized.It's been quite a journey back for Frazier and the Vikings, who endured a four-monthlockout while the Metrodome was being repaired and scheduled theirfirst two preseason games on the road to ensure the 29-year-oldstadium would be ready for another season."I'm glad that we're at home. We need to be around our fans,"Frazier said. "We need to get some normalcy for our team. Nothaving to get on a plane and go across country to play Seattle orto go down to Nashville, I think that's a good thing for us."The reporters can be reached at jfowler andbrianmurphyTerms   LexisNexis, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc.

UpdatedAug 25, 2011 4:06 AM ETARLINGTON, Texas (AP)Orlando Scandrick came into the NFL determined to prove he was better than a fifth-round pick. Before even finishing his rookie contract, he convinced the Dallas Cowboys how much he's worth.On Wednesday, Scandrick received a five-year extension worth $27 million — an additional $2 million this season, and an average of $5 million per season for the added years. He's guaranteed $10 million, according to a person familiar with negotiations who spoke on condition of anonymity because the terms were not released.''The chip is still on my shoulder,'' Scandrick said. ''Now I need to prove that I'm worth it.''Scandrick came to training Official Oakland Raiders Jersey camp knowing there was a chance for a new deal from Dallas or that he could play his way Cowboys Jersey into bigger money as a free agent next summer. Having quickly won over new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan with his strong play the first month of camp, talks heated up between the Cowboys and Scandrick's agent. He wound up getting the kind of money a No. 2 cornerback would get, even though he's considered No. 3, behind Terence Newman and Mike Jenkins.''I always told myself if I got to a certain number, I would take it. And they met my number,'' Scandrick said, later adding that Custom Dallas Cowboys Jersey the overall deal exceeded his expectations.The deal was done about a half-hour before the Cowboys took the field for a night time practice at their stadium. Word had spread to his teammates and they congratulated him. Then he had a practice befitting his new salary — an interception, a sack and a blocked field goal.''I felt energetic, my confidence raised,'' Scandrick said. ''I'm not playing to not make mistakes now. Now I'm playing to make plays. I expect to have a tremendous year.''The 5-foot-10, 193-pound Scandrick arrived in 2008, the same season Jenkins was taken in the first round. Jenkins' signing bonus alone was bigger than Scandrick's entire deal. The various slights, combined with a supreme confidence and strong work ethic, have fueled Scandrick ever since.Just last week, he was angry enough to hurl a helmet. He and secondary coach Dave Campo bicker constantly.''He's happy with me today,'' Campo said, laughing.Campo tested that, making sure that Scandrick's fire will still rage now that he's in a new tax bracket.''I just said, 'Hey, you can't lose your edge,''' Campo said. ''There's a fine line between the penthouse and you know the other spot. This guy is not a 6-foot, 205-pound corner that runs a 4.3. He's not a real big guy. He's got to keep the edge, be ready to play. I think he'll do that. He's smart enough to do that.''Scandrick found his niche in the nickel package, covering the slot receiver. Campo said Scandrick is among the best in the league at that difficult task.The challenge, Campo said, is all Custom Oakland Raiders Jersey the adjustments that have to be made within the defense depending on what they expect the offense to do. That requires lots of studying, which Scandrick does as well as anyone. Then there's the difficulty of a receiver being able to break in either direction; on the outside, cornerbacks can cheat one way Authentic DeMarcus Ware Jersey or another because of the sideline.''Some guys can do it and some guys can't,'' Campo said. ''He's smart, tough enough and fast. That's pretty good.''He's Customized Raiders Jersey also Darren McFadden Jersey Authentic only 24.''That Scandrick is a terrific player,'' Ryan said earlier in camp. ''People want to say he's a sub guy, but this guy is really a special Customized Cowboys Jersey player. That role is very difficult. He has to be one of the smartest guys on the team and also one of the most talented. We're real fortunate. I really like Orlando. I think he should be excellent in our system.''Scandrick said he and Jenkins should make a great tandem for years to come. Perhaps it was fitting then that Jenkins went through his first contact practice in weeks, having recovered Darren McFadden Authentic Jersey from a stinger.

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UpdatedAug 25, 2011 12:27 PM ETBY ROY CUMMINGSThe Race to 10 was so 2010. This year, the Buccaneers' Premier Darren McFadden Jersey goal is alittle simpler, yet also more difficult: win the NFC South. Thatway they're assured of making the playoffs. This is the preseason,though. And while establishing a winning environment is important,the first job of coaches in the preseason is to evaluate talent,decide the winners of key position battles and determine strengthsand weaknesses. So, Darren McFadden Jersey Replica forget about the scoreboard tonight and focusinstead on these five critical areas of play for the Bucs.Middle linebackerThe starting job is rookie Mason Foster's to lose, and he couldlose it if Tyrone McKenzie can rebound from a slow start intraining camp and make some impact plays on game days. McKenzie hasan edge over Foster in that he has a better grasp NFL Darren McFadden Jersey of the defenseand could probably handle the play-calling duties that SLB QuincyBlack assumes when Foster is in the game. Foster got off to a greatstart last week with a fumble recovery and a key third-down stop.But Bucs coach Raheem Morris doesn'tplan to settle on a starter for another game or two, so theopportunity is there for McKenzie to close the gap.FB Erik LorigThe Bucs drafted Lorig as a defensiveend in the seventh round last year but have since moved him totight end and now fullback. Lorig is behind starter Earnest Grahamon the depth chart, but the Darren McFadden Premier Jersey Bucs hope Lorig emerges. That wouldallow Graham to spend more time at tailback. The Bucs really want Kregg Lumpkin to betheir backup running back and third-down back, but if Graham canwork there as well, it will allow Official Darren McFadden Jersey them to expand the offense. IfLorig can hold his own in pass protection, as a lead blocker and asa pass catcher out of the backfield, it will free Graham for anexpanded role in the offense.QB Josh Darren McFadden Stitched Jersey FreemanFreeman had a good game against the Replica Darren McFadden Jersey Chiefs, but not a great one.His timing was off a little bit on some throws. Freeman also hastended during camp workouts to force some balls into tightcoverages, resulting in unnecessary interceptions. He may just betesting the limits of his arm, which is fine, but the last thingthe Bucs need is for Freeman to developbad habits. Freeman did an exceptional job last season of throwingthe ball away when there was no play, a critical skill for asuccessful quarterback. The Bucs will be looking for a littlemore of that tonight, as well as for Darren McFadden Replica Jersey Freeman to display bettertiming on the throws he wants to complete.DT Gerald McCoyWhen last we saw McCoy in a meaningful game, he was walking offthe field in Washington holding his left arm after ripping hisbiceps. McCoy said he is 100 percent healed from that late,season-ending injury, but he strained a rotator cuff during campand missed the preseason opener. As the under tackle in the Bucs' 4-3 defense, McCoy is thetrigger pin. This is the guy who has to create havoc in the middleof the line and in the backfield, which he did last season inoccasional glimpses of greatness. The Bucs are expecting big things ofMcCoy, and it's not too much to ask in the preseason.Defensive endAdrian Darren McFadden Jersey White Clayborn, Michael Bennett and Da'Quan Bowers lookedpretty good in the opener. Backup Kyle Moore (two sacks) lookedbetter, which is just fine. The Bucs need depth, if only becauseClayborn and Bowers need to be pushed. This is a critical area forthe Bucs. They need their young Darren McFadden Jersey Premier ends tomake an impact, so it's worth watching to see if these guys aregetting past the line and into the backfield. The goal here, ofcourse, is to cause disruption, hurry the passer and keep the rungame in check.Photo Credit: CLIFF MCBRIDE/STAFFPhoto: Mason Foster made an immediate impact last week.Photo: Josh Freeman's timing was off at times last week.Photo Credit: CHRIS URSO/STAFFPhoto: Gerald McCoy is eager to get into a game.Copyright ? 2011, The Tampa Tribune and may not berepublished without permission. E-mail libraryTerms   LexisNexis, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc.  

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UpdatedAug 25, 2011 12:27 PM ETBucs look for toughness,competitivenessBY ROY CUMMINGSThe Tampa TribuneTAMPA It was not one of his shining moments. Bucs offensive tackle Donald Pennwas beaten off the snap and his technique was so fouled up he woundup blocking a pass-rushing defensive end with his backside.In the end, though, Penn got the job done.On this one play during Tampa Bay's 31-14 preseason loss to theNew England Patriots, Penn kept Andre Carter off quarterback JoshFreeman.That's what matters most to the Bucs."It's a battle every snap in the trenches, so our common themethere when it comes to our offensive linemen is toughness andcompetitive desire," said Dennis Hickey, the Bucs' director of playerpersonnel."What is a player's competitive nature in the trenches? Does heplay to the whistle? Does he finish his blocks? Replica Darren McFadden Jersey White Can he work inconjunction with everyone else? Is he smart? That's what we want toknow. That's what we look for."The Bucs have quite a bit invested inwhat could be the best offensive line in franchise history. Thefive starters -- center Jeff Faine, guards Davin Joseph and TedLarsen and tackles Donald Penn and Jeremy Trueblood -- are slatedto make $25.6 million in base salary this season.But how does the casual fan sitting in his seat in the stadiumon game day or the couch at home know if the Bucs are getting their money'sworth? For that matter, how does the team know its investment ispaying off?There is no easy answer, because there is no objectivemeasurement for offensive linemen. Unlike most aspects of the game,there are no live stats charting successfully executed blocks orsacks allowed.So, is it really as simple as the old adage suggests Raiders Darren McFadden Premier Jersey -- that ifyou don't notice an offensive lineman or hear his name called for apenalty, he's probably doing his job? Some believe it is.Cincinnati Bengals offensive line coach Paul Alexander oncelikened the offensive line to a U.S. president's Secret Serviceteam. You know they're there and as long as there are no mishaps,they're doing their job."It is hard for the common eye to see," Bucs offensive line coach Pat Morrissaid. "You can look at the individual battles, of Darren McFadden Jersey Women course, but eventhen, unless you know what each player's assignment is Replica Darren McFadden Jersey Black on eachplay, you can't always tell if he's doing his job well."There could be a sack on one play for instance and it may looklike it's a particular lineman's fault, but it may not have beenhis fault at all. It may have been someone else's fault. Might haveeven been the quarterback's fault. So the general statement isprobably true."Offensive lines go into games with specific objectives, such asleading the way on a 100-yard rushing day or limiting sacks, Josephsaid. If those objectives are achieved, it is considered asuccessful day."But there are different definitions of good," said Joseph, aformer first-round draft pick who recently signed a seven-year, $52million free-agent contract to return to the Bucs. "And for us here, it's Darren McFadden Jersey Free Shipping reallyabout being physical. That's really our No. 1 measure of whetherwe're having a good day. Are we winning the physical battles?"For instance, if you watch me and I'm staying in front of myguy, then you know I'm having a good day. If you start seeing guyslaying on the ground all around me, that's when you know I'm havinga really good day."Center Jeff Faine uses a similar measurement to gauge not onlyhis own play, but that of the line in general. Fans watching fromthe stands or at home can do the same, he said."On running plays, if you see the line surge forward, the lineis doing well," he said. "If it's going backwards obviously it'sgetting beat. On pass plays, if the other team is in the backfield,they're getting past us. But as long Raiders Darren McFadden Authentic Jersey as they're not getting to thequarterback and touching him, then you're probably doing a prettygood job."The job of a personnel director or a coach is a little morecomplicated. Sure, they're concerned about the end results likeeveryone else, but they also have to evaluate each player'sperformance.For each position there are specific skills and traits that gobeyond the ability to outmuscle an opponent to determine whether aplayer is doing his job well.In the case of the left tackle, for example, scouts and coacheslook to see if the player is moving quickly and fluidly off thesnap, because it is usually the job of the left tackle to protectthe quarterback's blind side.For left guards, the concern is for a mix of speed, agility andpower, because left guards Raiders Darren McFadden Replica Jersey are often asked to pull out of the lineof scrimmage and become the lead blocker on an outside runningplay.For centers, the concern is mostly about smarts, because acenter's job is to read the defense and help the quarterback changepass protections and blocking schemes on the fly.For right guards and right tackles, the concerns are mostlyphysical. Both have to be able to plow their way forward on runplays and hold their ground on passing plays.In the case of each position, however, the bottom line is asimple concept even casual fans can chart."I really just watch for consistency," Hickey said. "Again, isthe player's temperament what we want it to be, is he in therefighting on every play; is he finishing his blocks, playing to thewhistle?"It really does come down to one-on-one matchups. Is he winningthat, and is the team winning? Are we consistently moving the ball,changing the line of scrimmage and protecting the quarterback? Ifthey are, then generally Jacoby Ford Jersey Replica everyone is doing his job."rcummings(813) 259-7979Photo: Jeff FainePhoto: Davin JosephPhoto: Donald PennPhoto: Jeremy TruebloodPhoto: Ted LarsenCopyright ? 2011, The Tampa Tribune and may not berepublished without permission. E-mail libraryTerms   LexisNexis, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc.  

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