News & Info/Headlines
Alge Crumpler made it to his first Pro Bowl last season, but according to Atlanta Journal-Constitution staff writer Matt Winkeljohn, his statistics next season might dwarf those from 2003.In an article published Sunday, Winkeljohn advised readers that the fourth-year tight end will have a different role with new offensive coordinator Greg Knapp and the staff re-designing the offense.
Crumpler caught a career-high 44 passes last season for 552 yards and three touchdowns, but coaches plan to use him less as a blocker this season and more as a receiver.
The reason we're going to move him [out] from the line of scrimmage is. ... With his size, speed, athletic ability. ... You don't see tight ends who catch the ball away from their body like he does, just snatch it," new head coach Jim Mora said. "Plus, he's dangerous when he has the ball. And he gives Mike [Vick] a big target."
Crumpler will spend more time lined up away from the trenches -- newcomer and former Vikings tight end Hunter Goodwin will handle most of that duty -- and have more freedom.
"This offense creates a lot more opportunities because of the options with each route," Crumpler said. "I don't have to stay on a particular track. I can find holes and windows [in the secondary], something I wasn't able to do much in the past. It makes my job a lot easier because I understand defenses in the league as far as where the holes are."
Also in Atlanta. ... Running back T.J. Duckett reportedly looks lean, but when asked how much he weighs, the third-year pro told Winkeljohn he hasn't stepped on a scale. Duckett missed much of the offseason program last year while working out near his home in San Diego. This spring, he arrived a few weeks early.
"He's been working real hard," Mora said. "T.J. was here starting March 2. Missed just a couple days for business or something. Guys reach a point and they mature, or they reach a point where they're either going to get it done or they're not. It's his third year. He's figured out the league and what he needs to do to get his body ready."
In a related note. ... Warrick Dunn, who continues to rehab torn toe ligaments, was among those not taking part in the team's first mini-camp. Although he's expected to be ready to hit the field when training camp opens, Dunn will be asked to take it slow early in camp. ...
Other Fantasy-specific news and notes of interest from around the NFL. ...
In New York. ... Jets backup running back LaMont Jordan and his agent will meet with the team's management this week about his unsettled future with the team.
Jordan, the subject of several trade rumors during the offseason, is in the third year of the four-year contract he signed with the Jets as a rookie in 2001. In fact, Jordan contends he's ready for more playing time now and wants more carries, whether they're with the Jets or elsewhere.
The obstacle is Curtis Martin, still the Jets' featured back and in the middle of a long-term contract.
"I would like some sort of commitment, whether it's with a contract extension or by giving me the ball," Jordan told the Associated Press Sunday following the Jets' final mini-camp practice of the weekend. "I think I am capable. From the moment I stepped foot in here, Curtis has done nothing but teach me. How would anyone know if you learned your lesson until you take the test? I think I am ready for my test, and that test is to play.
"At some point, you have to allow your kids to go outside to the back yard and play, and I am ready to go to the playground."
Jordan's career highs in carries and yards came in 2002, when he had 84 rushes for 316 yards. In his career, he's rushed 169 times for 798 yards and eight touchdowns.
But the Jets are unlikely to trade Jordan with one year remaining on his contract unless the compensation is high. They were seeking at least a second-round draft pick before the draft, but there were no takers.
Jordan is a valuable backup to Martin, not to mention good insurance playing behind a 30-year-old starter.
"His representation is coming up here on Tuesday and we're going to sit down and talk," head coach Herman Edwards said of agent Alvin Keels. "I've already spoken to LaMont. We're just going to talk about trying to get something done with the guy.
"Hopefully he can be a Jet and retire a Jet. We have to get LaMont in there more, and we know that. This year we have a lot of things planned to get him into the game and carry the football."
Martin, hopes Jordan doesn't "shoot himself in the foot" by being angry about his status.
"I think he's fully equipped to do whatever he needs to do," Martin said. "His whole career is in his hands. From this point on he creates his own future. It's up to him. Rookie time is over with. He is a grown man now."
Jordan has not demanded a starting position, only playing time.
In a related note. ... New York Post staffer Mark Cannizzaro advised readers this morning that coaches plan to run Martin more in preseason games to get him in rhythm so he hits the regular season already in form, something he's lacked the last two seasons.
"We've been very leery about protecting him early in preseason games," Edwards explained Sunday. "Curtis is the type of guy who needs to run the ball. We have to let him go in there and get him some runs so he can get his juices flowing early in the season for and then hopefully we can get off to a better start offensively and have more plays."
Martin has had early-season woes in each of the last two seasons, rushing for just 197 yards in the first four games of 2003 and for only 98 yards in the first four games of 2002.
"I learned a hard lesson," Martin said yesterday. "My goal is to play more [in preseason]. [Preseason rest] was something the coaches wanted me to try. Now we know that in-between line. I know what moderation I need."
Edwards said this week that Martin has looked fresher at this time of year than he's looked in the last four years.
"This is the first time that I haven't had an injury during the offseason," Martin told Cannizzaro. "Last year, I didn't run until June. I feel bouncy. ..."
In Miami. ... New offensive coordinator Joe Collier, who spent the past 10 years on the Dolphins' coaching staff, offered some insight into his philosophy last Friday before the team's first formal practice since his promotion.
As the man who will call the plays, Collier projects more passes on first downs than last year. Head coach Dave Wannstedt said Miami ran at least 60 percent on first downs in 2003. It was 65 percent early in the season, Collier said, with the gap closing as the year progressed.
"You want to be 50-50 if you can," Collier said.
Collier also hinted at less of a load on Ricky Williams, whose 392 carries led the NFL last year. "Do we give it to Ricky as much as we did? No," Collier said. "We've got to be careful about how much we use him early on, and then decide who's getting the ball in his place. Is it Travis Minor or is it going up to somebody [in a pass pattern], and that might mean 10 more to Rob Konrad or 15 more for Chris Chambers."
Collier won't decide until closer to the season whether to use Minor on third-down pass situations or stick with Williams. He hesitates to take out Williams in those situations because he ran for first downs on three third-and-10 plays last year. ...
Also in Miami. ... According to South Florida Sun-Sentinel staffer Alex Marvez, the Dolphins are hoping a third wide receiver emerges from the current roster, but it didn't happen over the weekend.
While he handled the role this weekend, Marvin "Snoop" Minnis hasn't pulled away from fellow backups Derrius Thompson, J.R. Tolver, Sam Simmons, Terrence Wilkins and Kendall Newson.
Unless one of the reserves begins to stand out, look for the Dolphins to take a long look at any veterans released before the start of training camps.
The most appealing wide receiver potentially available is Cleveland's Dennis Northcutt, who is holding out of mini-camp because of unhappiness with his contract situation.
But unless he is released outright, which looks improbable, it seems highly unlikely Northcutt will become a Dolphin.
Northcutt is seeking a lucrative contract extension, which the Dolphins aren't in position to give, especially with Chambers slated to become an unrestricted free agent in 2005.
And following up on a previous update. ... Palm Beach Post beat man Joe Schad advised readers that David Boston finally shook off the nervousness that bothered him in initial workouts and finished the weekend on a more positive note.
"The second practice, you saw the speed he has and the ability to get to the deep ball," Collier said. "We'll have to find ways to get him the ball. ..."
In Arizona. ... New head coach Denny Green hardly went out on a limb Sunday, when he predicted that running back Marcel Shipp will score more touchdowns in 2004 than he did last year.
Let's hope so.
In case you weren't paying attention, Shipp touched the ball 258 times (228 rushes, 30 receptions) last year without scoring a single touchdown.
As Arizona Republic beat writer Kent Somers suggested, that has to change if the Cardinals are going to improve upon a 4-12 record. Somers added that Green believes Shipp's lack of points as an anomaly and made a prediction.
"I'll be a big mouth," Green said. "I think he'll score at least seven times this year. I think with the kind of guys we have pushing up front, he's going to be a 1,000 yards (rushing), plus seven touchdowns."
Last year's inability to put the ball in the end zone was uncharacteristic of Shipp. He didn't score as a rookie in 2001 because he didn't touch the ball from scrimmage all year.
But he played a prominent role in the offense in 2002, rushing for six touchdowns and catching for three more.
Shipp doesn't make excuses for last year. Nor does he have many explanations for it.
"It's a long NFL season and to not get a touchdown, it's a big problem," Shipp said. "I can't blame anybody for me not scoring touchdowns. Right now, I'm just trying to grow as a football player so when I'm in those situations I can make the best of them. ..."
And finally, in Buffalo. ... Running back Willis McGahee got through his second mini-camp without any setbacks to surgically repaired left knee.
According to Buffalo News staff writer Allen Wilson, he appeared to have a bit of a hitch in his stride, but insists the knee is sound.
"My knee is 100 percent, so it's not like I'm getting any swelling," McGahee said. "It's just the fact that I'm getting back used to things. It's going pretty good. I'm just trying to work on little stuff like my explosion, coming out of cuts."