Reggie7788

   STRATEGY AND PERSONNELThe Vikings signed cornerback Tony Carter after Marcell Gipson requested and received his release.Carter has played for Denver and New England and will be battling for a job with the Vikings that likely would give him plenty of work on special teams.PLAYER NOTES--QB Joe Webb took a few snaps at wide receiver last week in practice, but coach Leslie Frazier made it clear he views Webb as a quarterback.We really want to see Joe as a quarterback, Frazier said. He's a tremendous athlete, and he can do some other things, but to be fair to Joe and our team, we need to let him concentrate on quarterback, not having it in the back of his mind, 'Am I going to be moved to receiver?'--Rookie Mistral Raymond, a sixth-round pick in April, worked with the first team at free safety throughout the practices that Husain Abdullah missed because he was at a White NFL Tom Brady Jersey House dinner. Raymond intercepted a pass to end the final training camp session and took off down the right sideline just for fun with teammates in pursuit. Unfortunately for him, he tweaked a hamstring and had to sit out the preseason opener.--CB Asher Allen got the start in place of Cedric Griffin in the preseason opener. Griffin is recovering from his second torn ACL in as many years. Meanwhile, Chris Cook started at left corner in place of Antoine Winfield. Nothing was wrong with Winfield, the Vikings just wanted to take a look at Cook.--LT Charlie Johnson got Wes Welker Jersey Outlet the start against Tennessee as he tries to take over the job that had been held by Bryant McKinnie, who was released early in training camp after showing up at nearly 400 pounds.--NT Pat Williams remains unsigned and almost certainly won't return to the Vikings.BATTLE OF THE WEEK Tyrell Johnson and Jamarca Sanford continue to compete for the starting job start at strong safety. Johnson missed practice time last week because of a minor hamstring injury, giving Sanford additional reps with the first team. Johnson has returned but the fact Sanford was able to get more reps for a few days could help his cause. Sanford did get the start and worked with the first team in the Vikings' preseason opener at Tennessee.OTHER BATTLE FRONTS Chris DeGeare is playing left guard with the first team with Anthony Herrera on the PUP list. Coach Leslie Frazier said that Herrera will have to compete with DeGeare for the job when he returns. Ryan Cook also could enter into the mix. ... The wide receiver competition exists at the No. 4 and 5 spots, with Bernard Berrian, Michael Jenkins and Tom Brady Jersey 12 Percy Harvin pretty much set at the top three spots. Among those competing are Devin Aromashodu, Jaymar Johnson, Emmanuel Arceneaux, Juaquin Iglesias and Greg CamarilloROOKIE REPORT QB Christian Ponder, the 12th overall pick in the draft, continues to have his ups and downs. Ponder's arm strength appears fine, although his passes are not always on target. He has been splitting second- Tom Brady Stitched Jersey  and third-team reps with Joe Webb. He was the third quarterback into the preseason game but will work with the second team on Saturday against Seattle. ... TE Kyle Rudolph (second round) displayed good hands early in camp but then struggled at times. Like Ponder, he is trying to learn an NFL offense without the benefit of having been able to work with the Vikings in the offseason. Rudolph has one reception against the Titans in the Vikings' first preseason game. ... DL Christian Ballard (fourth round) is working with the third-team at this point, as is CB Brandon Burton (fifth round). Ballard has flashed at times and could compete for a backup job playing inside. He had the Vikings only sack against Tennessee... DeMarcus Love, the first of the Vikings' four sixth-round picks, is working as the third-team left tackle ... Mistral Raymond (sixth round) has performed well in camp but a hamstring injury forced him to miss the first preseason game. ... C Brandon Fusco is Reebok Wes Welker Jerseygetting third-team work behind John Sullivan and Jon Cooper. ... LB Ross Homan is working at outside linebacker with the second unit. ...Seventh-round DE D'Aundre Reed appears as if he has the talent to make a bid for a roster spot. Reed is 6-4, 260 pounds so he certainly has the build to be successful. ... Seventh-round wide receiver Stephen Burton has struggled with dropped passes in camp and was scratched from the first preseason game because of a hamstring issue.INJURY REPORT--CB Cedric Griffin, who has torn the ACL in both knees the past two seasons, has been going full speed in practice but was held out of the first preseason game as the team continues to be cautious with him. Griffin might make his preseason debut next Saturday at Seattle.--RG Anthony Herrera remains on the physically-unable-to-perform list as he continues to recover from surgery to repair a torn ACL he suffered last season. It's Authentic Wes Welker Jersey not known when he will come off the PUP.--S Tyrell Johnson (hamstring) missed practice time last week but he has returned to the field.--LB Kenny Onatolu suffered a stress fracture in his left foot early in training camp and Premier Wes Welker Jersey remains out.--S Mistral Raymond missed the Vikings' game at Tennessee because of a mild hamstring strain.--TE Visanthe Shiancoe missed the Vikings' preseason opener because of a hamstring injury that isn't believed to be serious.FRANCHISE PLAYER--LB Chad Greenway (tendered at 10.191M; re-signed).TRANSITION PLAYER None.UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS--WR Hank Baskett almost certainly will not return after catching only one pass for 18 yards in six games last season.--LB Ben Leber has missed only one game in five seasons with the Vikings and provides leadership as a starter on the weak side. The issue is that he might be too pricey for the Vikings to retain.--WR Greg Lewis was active for 13 games last season, catching 17 passes for 197 yards. He is not expected to be back.--QB Patrick Ramsey signed late last season because the Vikings were shorthanded due to injuries at the position. He will not be back.--CB Lito Sheppard is not expected to return after spending one season with the Vikings and making two starts.--FB Naufahu Tahi did not receive a tender offer when the Vikings thought he might be a restricted free agent. Team could still look to bring him back at a reduced salary.--DT Pat Williams seemed destined to depart early in the offseason, but could return on a one-year deal Wes Welker Jersey 83given his familiarity with the system and the Patriots Tom Brady Jersey length of the lockout.UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (not tendered offer)--RB Albert Young had served as Patriots Wes Welker Jersey the Vikings' third running back; the team is not expected to make a move to retain his services.RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS None.EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS None.DRAFT CHOICES SIGNED--QB Christian Ponder (1/12): 4 yrs with 5th-yr option; terms unknown.--TE Kyle Rudolph (2/43): 4 yrs, terms unknown.--DT Christian Ballard NFL Wes Welker Jersey (4/106): 4 yrs, terms unknown.--CB Brandon Burton (5/139): 4 yrs, terms unknown.--T/G DeMarcus Love (6/168): 4 yrs, terms unknown.--CB Mistral Raymond (6/170): 4 yrs, terms unknown.--C/G Brandon Fusco (6/172): 4 yrs, terms unknown.--LB Ross Homan (6/200): 4 yrs, terms unknown.--DE D'Aundre Reed (7/215): 4 yrs, terms unknown.--WR Stephen Burton (7/236): 4 Cheap Wes Welker Jersey yrs, terms unknown.UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS RE-SIGNED--DT Fred Evans: UFA; terms unknown.--S Eric Frampton: UFA; terms unknown.--LB Chad Greenway: FFA; 10.191M/1 yr.--K Ryan Longwell: UFA; 12M/4 yrs, 3.5M guaranteed.ERFA/RFA RE-SIGNED--S Husain Abdullah: RFA (tendered at 1.8M with second-round pick as compensation); 1.8M/1 yr.--LB Erin Henderson: RFA (tendered at 1.2M with no compensation); 1.2M/1 yr.--WR Jaymar Johnson: Potential ERFA; 1 yr, terms unknown.--DE Brian Robison: Potential RFA; 14.1M/3 yrs, 6.5M guaranteed.PLAYERS ACQUIRED--WR Emmanuel Arceneaux: FA British Columbia-CFL; terms unknown.--WR Devin Aromashodu: Not tendered as RFA by Bears; 1 yr, terms unknown.--DT Remi Ayodele: UFA Saints; 9M/3 yrs, guarantees unknown.--WR Michael Jenkins: FA Falcons; terms unknown.--T Charlie Johnson: UFA Colts; 10.5M/3 yrs, 3.5M SB.--T/G Scott Kooistra: FA; terms unknown.PLAYERS LOST--G Ryan Cook: UFA; terms unknown.--DE Ray Edwards: UFA Falcons; 30M/5 yrs, guarantees unknown.--QB Brett Favre (UFA; retired).--QB Tarvaris Jackson: UFA Seahawks; 8M/2 yrs, guarantees unknown.--DT Jimmy Kennedy (released).--T Bryant McKinnie (released).--QB Donovan McNabb (trade Redeskins).--WR Sidney Rice: UFA Seahawks; 41M/5 yrs, 18.5M guaranteed.--CB Frank Walker: UFA Titans; terms unknown.--S Madieu Williams (released).===============ATLANTA FALCONS===============The first-team defense was tenacious in three series in the preseason opener.Defensive end John Abraham had an interception while dropping into coverage, they held on downs and Brent Grimes had an interception. It was a quick night's work for them.Defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder flashed a new starting linebacker trio of Stephen Nicholas, Curtis Lofton and Sean Weatherspoon. Veteran Mike Peterson was shifted into the top reserve rule. The backup defensive backs gave up two touchdown passes of 44 and 28 yards.--The special teams, with very limited practice time because of the new rules, had a rough outing. Punter Matt Bosher, a sixth-round draft pick, didn't boom any kickoffs into the end zone in the first half and he hit a 37-yard punt before settling down. He also handled the placements for field-goal kicker Matt Bryant. The punt coverage unit also allowed Miami's Phillip Livas a 75-yard touchdown return.--The Falcons scored 13 points off of three turnovers. Interceptions by Abraham, Grimes and Rafael Bush were turned in to one touchdown and two field goals.--Defensive tackle Carlton Powell, a Virginia Tech product, was signed by the Falcons. Powell was a fifth-round pick of the Denver Broncos in 2008. He has also spent some time with the Browns, Buccaneers, Jets and the Florida Tuskers of the UFL.I just have to get in this playbook as quick as I can, Powell said. (And) then get around the guys and get some knowledge from them.Powell, 26, was injured during his rookie season with Denver.They switched the whole defensive scheme after they fired (Mike) Shanahan and the rest of the coaches, Powell said. They wanted me to put on more weight, (and) coming off the injury and learning a new position was kind of tough. It didn't work out for me.Powell, a 6-foot-3, 312-pounder, was last with the Jets.He's a guy that will have some familiarity in how we call things having spent some time with the Jets, Smith said. Some of the verbiage should be similar.With Vance Walker and Corey Peters injured, Powell will get an opportunity to play immediately.He might get a lot of snaps this week, Smith said.--The special teams play of linebacker Akeem Dent and reserve defensive back Darrin Walls jumped out at Smith during his film review of the Miami game. Dent was impressive on the coverage units and Walls, an undrafted rookie free agent from Notre Dame, played well on the punt coverage unit.Probably, the biggest disappointment is that we gave up some explosive plays on defense, those two long touchdown passes, Smith said.The Falcons' first-team defense had not tackled live during training camp.I really thought that the tackling was pretty crisp in terms of what we did on the defensive side of the ball, Smith said.--Offensive tackle Reebok Tom Brady Jersey Tyson Clabo and defensive end Kroy Biermann were sent to the locker room after getting into a fight during a morning practice. Following the skirmish, the two weren't mad at each other: Clabo held the door open to let Biermann go into the locker room first.Will Svitek took over at right tackle for Clabo and Chauncey Davis filled in at left end for Biermann.--Second-year cornerback Dominique Franks turned in a solid showing against the Dolphins. In addition to returning two punts for 77 yards, Franks had two tackles and one quarterback hurry.I just set up the blocks, Franks said. I have to credit the blocking. It's more than just me out there.QUOTE TO NOTE There are a lot of things that we need to fix. -- Head coach Mike Smith on the Falcons' loss to the Dolphins.STRATEGY AND PERSONNELWith injuries to Vance Walker and Corey Peters, the Falcons are getting thin at defensive tackle.Peria Jerry, the former first-round pick who played in just passing situations last season, may open the season as a starter next to Jonathan Babineaux.Jerry suffered a severe knee injury his rookie season.Last season he finished with seven tackles, two sacks, four tackles for losses and three quarterback hurries.PLAYER NOTES--RB Michael Turner since 2008, has 39 rushing touchdowns, which ranks second in the NFL behind Minnesota's Adrian Peterson's 40.--WR Julio Jones caught his first NFL pass on the Falcons' first scoring drive of the preseason when QB Matt Ryan hit him a short crossing route. He turned the short pass into a 21-yard gain.--WR Harry Douglas had three receptions for 47 yards and one touchdown. Last season, he had 22 catches for 294 yards and one touchdown.--CB Brent Grimes had an interception against Miami. He tied William Moore for the team lead with five last season.--PK Matt Bryant was 3-for-3 on field-goal attempts, including a game-long 33-yard kick in the fourth quarter against Miami.--LB Bears Woods led the Falcons in tackles with five.BATTLE OF THE WEEK Christopher Owens vs. Dominique Franks. Owens seems to be losing ground in the battle for nickel. One of the Dolphins' cheap Tom Brady Jersey long touchdown Replica Wes Welker Jersey passes was on Owens' side of the field. Franks' strong play in practice carried over into the first exhibition game.OTHER BATTLE FRONTS Punter Matt Bosher will have to hold off Ken Parrish. Bosher is also trying to win the kickoff and holding job. None of his four kickoffs reached the end zone.ROOKIE REPORT DE Cliff Matthews is having a strong training camp. He was drafted in the seventh round (230 overall). He had a sack in his debut against the Dolphins.INJURY REPORT--DT Corey Peters suffered a left knee injury that will not require surgery. He will not play this week against Jacksonville.--DE Ray Edwards, the team's prized free-agent signee, did not play against the Dolphins. He is recovering from knee Tom Brady Jersey On sale surgery and has not entered any contact drills yet.--OG Mike Johnson (concussion) is going through the league protocol. He is expected to return to full participation on Monday.--TE Marquez Branson (left knee) is close to returning.--DT Vance Walker (foot) is wearing a boot.FRANCHISE PLAYER None.TRANSITION PLAYER None.UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS--WR Tom Brady Jersey Free shippingBrian Finneran won't be re-signed.--DT Thomas Johnson spent all of 2010 on injured reserve.--CB Brian Williams won't be Authentic Wes Welker Jersey re-signed.RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS None.EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS None.DRAFT CHOICES SIGNED--WR Julio Jones (1/6): 4 yrs with 5th-yr option; terms unknown.--LB Akeem Dent (3/91): 4 yrs, terms unknown.--RB Jacquizz Rodgers (5/145): 4 yrs, terms unknown.--P Matt Bosher (6/192): 4 yrs, terms unknown.--G Andrew Jackson (7/210): 4 yrs, terms unknown.--DE Cliff Matthews (7/230): 4 yrs, terms unknown.UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS RE-SIGNED--G Justin Blalock: UFA; 38M/6 yrs, 16M Tom Brady Jersey Outlet guaranteed.--K Matt Bryant: UFA; 4 yrs, terms unknown.--T Tyson Clabo: UFA; 25M/5 yrs, 11.5M guaranteed.--LB Stephen Nicholas: UFA; 17.5M/5 yrs, guarantees unknown.--LB Mike Peterson: UFA; 1 yr, terms unknown.--RB Jason Snelling: UFA; 1 yr, terms unknown.--LB Coy Wire: Potential UFA; 2 yrs, terms unknown.ERFA/RFA RE-SIGEND--CB Brent Grimes