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Buckeye News around the Net for 07/29/08
Jamar Butler

Buckeye News around the Net for 07/29/08

Vernon Gholston, Othello Hunter, Jamar Butler, Mike Conley, Terry Glenn, Troy Smith, Orlando Pace, Drew Carter, Shane Olivea, Joey Galloway, Quinn Pitcock 

By Bill Smith

The Good

            John Clayton, of ESPN.com, reports the New York Jets agreed to terms with first-round draft pick LB Vernon Gholston on a five-year contract that includes $21 million in guarantees and could max out at $50 million if he reaches all performance clauses.  While he has to learn the strong side outside linebacker position he will have a chance to participate in all the training camp practices. The Jets are looking for Gholston to take the strong side and to provide a pass rush the team has lacked for several years.

            Othello Hunter played for the Charlotte Bobcats in the Summer league.  He appeared in 2 of the 5 games and averaged 10.5 points per game.  That should result in an invitation to training camp.

            Jamar Butler who played with the Spurs a few years back, is trying to get back into the league.  He has had a couple of tryouts for the summer league but did not make a team.  We will keep you posted on his progress in reviving his NBA career.

            Mike Conley played with the Grizzlies summer league team to gain more experience.  He shined brightly scoring 25.7 points per game with 3 assist per contest.

            The Miami Dolphins are expected to sign free-agent WR Terry Glenn (Cowboys) in the next few days, according to two sources.  Of course we told you that more than a month ago in the news.  By reading BrutusReport.com you get the not only the news but analysis of what will likely happen in the future.

The Smith QB saga rolls on

            Pro Football Weekly reported that the job is “Kyle Boller's job to lose, but Troy Smith could take over with a strong camp. Boller has experience as a starter but doesn't thrive in pressure situations. Smith is athletic and can make plays outside the pocket but is small (6-0, 225). Both lack accuracy.”

            Last Monday Rod Woodson former all pro DB for several teams including the Ravens on their Championship 2000 team said “Don't forget about Troy Smith.  I keep saying on this show that he is the hidden jem for this football team. I don't know if he's going to start on day 1.  I don't know if Joe Flacco's going to start on day 1 but I think the competition for the starting QB for the Baltimore Ravens at the end of the day is between Joe Flacco and Troy Smith.” 

            He added “You always hear somebody say 'he has it' you always hear that 'it'.  Talking to the guys and the people in the front (office) he has that.  He has that winning ability.  He's not going to have great numbers.  He's not the tallest guy (or has) the measurables.  You look at him and go 'he can't be an NFL qb' but he can win football games for you.  And at the end of the day you want someone that can win football games for you. GM's and head coaches want to make sure they're right especially when they draft a QB first.  Ozzie Newsome, a good friend of mine, is the same way.  They took this guy (Flacco) to be their future.  And yes, he's probably going to get more opportunities that Troy Smith to get this job for 08 and 09.”

            OT Orlando Pace (shoulder) was examined by team doctors Thursday, July 24. Head coach Scott Linehan said, "Orlando is in great shape. He has really worked and has got himself in a good spot. It's a matter of what the docs say. I think they just want to see if he's ready to take that next step as far as contact. Not to be overly cautious, but he's had two bad-luck injuries two years in a row." the St. Louis Rams do not plan on rushing OT Orlando Pace (shoulder) back into action before the season. The team has set a target for his return at Aug. 9, the team's preseason opener against the Tennessee Titans. OT Orlando Pace (shoulder) will start training camp on the physically unable to perform list.

            The Rams are desperate to get him back in the lineup.  The team was unable to protect their quarterbacks or run the ball last year without him.

            WR Drew Carter of the Raiders developed nice chemistry with QB JaMarcus Russell during offseason workouts. Carter could emerge as an insurance policy should WR Javon Walker not be ready for camp.

            Updating previous reports, Paul Schwartz, of the New York Post, reports free-agent ORT Shane Olivea passed his physical with the New York Giants Monday, July 21, and was officially signed.

The Bad

            OT Shane Olivea admitted he was addicted to painkillers during the 2007 season when he was a member of the San Diego Chargers. He lost his starting job with the Chargers midseason and was later released. He said he had asked the Chargers to let him loose.

            WR Joey Galloway (groin) missed practice for a third consecutive day Monday, July 28, due to a strained groin. Head coach Jon Gruden said there is no concern that Galloway missed time in 2004 with a similar injury because this one involves the opposite groin muscle.  A groin pull is a bad injury for any WR and a very bad injury for an old one like Galloway.  We at BrutusReport.com will be watching this situation closely and keep you up to date.

            DL Quinn Pitcock (Colts) has been placed on the team's Reserve/Did Not Report list. Head coach Tony Dungy said Pitcock is going through some personal issues and will let the team know when he can return.  He needs to get back on the practice field if he wants to make the club let alone work his way into the DL rotation.

            As you know, Bengal QB Carson Palmer did some really ill advised trash talking about the  OSU/USC game.  He has since recycled the trash in an attempt to rehab his image.  My thought is that his analysis would carry a lot more weight if he was able to lead his team to a winning record.  As things stand, the Bengals are among the most loosing franchises in the 1990-2007 period.  But, I am not the only one that has those feelings for Carson.

            TSN reports Cincinnati Bengals WR Chad Johnson (ankle) said him and QB Carson Palmer are going to fight. "Me and Carson, I mean, we're fighting and bickering a lot and he's pissing me off," Johnson said. "But other than that, you know, it's cool." The reporter doing the interview then laughed at Johnson's response but Johnson said he was serious. "Why are you laughing?" he asked. "I'm serious." The reporter responded saying it was hard to tell if he was serious. "I'm serious," Johnson stated again. "Carson and I are going to fight in camp. I'm just telling you now. We're going to frustrate each other, and I'm going to hit him in his knee - the bad one… We have a great relationship but sometimes you fight."

The Ugly

            QB Troy Smith was 1-for-5 passing with three interceptions during the team's red-zone drills Tuesday, July 22. Smith also fumbled one of the snaps.  That is not going to get him the starting spot.  QB Kyle Boller could take the first snaps with the first-team offense in training camp because he has seniority. "We've said this from Day One: Our plan is to go with the best quarterback at that time," Harbaugh said of the team's quarterback competition. "Our goal is for those guys to make that decision based on the way they play." QB Troy Smith worked with the second-team offense Monday, July 28. Smith and the second-team offense had success against the first-team defense in goal-line drills.

Bill Smith is a former coach of several semi-pro teams and has scouted talent.  He is a senior writer for http://BrutusReport.com.  He has also published several novels on http://ebooks-library.com/index.cfm and edits http://fryingpanpolitics.blog.com

 
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