Cowboys may have running backs exchange positions

The Dallas Cowboys are luckily having two excellent running backs in Marion Barber and Felix Jones, and the team is glad to see a competition for starting running back job going on during the training camp. According both backs’ health condition and workout performances, it seems that Jones may take over the starting job from Barber.

If taking Adrian Peterson, the running back in No.28 Minnesota Vikings jersey, as the best running back of the league, Jones is now closer to the standard than Barber. According to the Dallas Morning News, Jones showed up in San Antonio heavier than Barber: Jones checked in at 218 pounds while Barber tipped the scales at 214, down about 10 pounds.

Actually the two running backs had been preparing for the new season in different ways. While Jones was adding weight to avoid injuries, Barber was trying to regain some of his burst and quickness that seemed to disappear and make him an easier target to tackle. Whoever is going to be the Cowboys’ starting running back, their hard working will anyway be the team’s benefits. Without a quarterback like the one wearing No.4 Brett Favre jersey, the Cowboys now have at least as many as two excellent running backs.

Chargers LB Merriman will report for training camp despite contract issue

Just like other Chargers’ veterans such as wide receiver Vincent Jackson and left tackle Marcus McNeill, the San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Shawne Merriman is also making his efforts to get a long-term contract from the team. But unlike Jackson and McNeill, Merriman does not plan to hangout in his favorite Brett Favre jersey during the training camp. Instead, he is planning to be a full participant in the camp.

At age 26, Merriman is now almost two full years removed from reconstructive knee surgery, and working out in training camp would be helpful in improving his strength. Even if he wants to leave to play in New Orleans Saints jerseys once the contract talks breaks, Merriman still needs a good health condition to prove he can be valuable to the defending champion team.

"Because of the things he’s been through, he would benefit greatly from having a full, great training camp and getting back to doing the things he does healthy," coach Norv Turner told The San Diego Union-Tribune. I don’t care who you are, if you’re not 100 percent … there are things you can’t do that you used to do, you’re not instinctive. The way you get those things back is by going 100 mph and practicing."

Cardinals added rookie QB Skelton officially to roster

By signing him to a four-year, $1.97 million contract, the Arizona Cardinals added officially the fifth-round draft pick John Skelton to the team’s roster on Wednesday. By signing on the documents, the rookie contract was immediately paid $182,000 as signing bonus. It was absolutely a standard offer for a fifth-round draft pick, and Skelton now has four years to improve his value before asking for a more lucrative contract from the team.

By accepting the terms on the rookie contract, Skelton agreed to receive the standard base salaries of $320,000, $405,000, $490,000 and $575,000 as well as a fourth-year escalator clause that can significantly boost the maximum value of the deal. The former Fordham local football star was often seen in a Brett Favre jersey and using his strong arm to throw balls in his backyard when at home. At the height of 6 feet 5 and weighing 243 pounds, Skelton used to make appearance in the East-West Shrine all-star game.

Skelton’s statistics in college football career were 9,923 passing yards, 69 touchdowns and 36 interceptions with a 58.8 completion percentage. In 2009 season only, he passed for 2,708 yards, 26 touchdowns and 10 interceptions with a 64.4 completion percentage. It’s very likely for the rookie to earn a backup role in this upcoming 2010 season.

Dolphins want to bring LB Taylor back to Miami

Although the Miami Dolphins just did not re-sign linebacker Jason Taylor when he became an unrestricted free agent and allowed him to sign with another NFL team that will return in regular season to play against Taylor’s former team, the Dolphins now seem to regret for the wrong decision and showed intention to bring the linebacker back to Miami, to receive the honor of being a member of the team’s Ring of Honor.

It was said by former Dolphins receiver Nat Moore, who will be a member of the selection committee. At least Moore’s words would clear Taylor’s worries on what response he would receive from his former fans when his current team New York Jets visits the Dolphins this September.

"Hopefully, some of the things I've done down here will earn me some equity,'' Taylor said."But it's the Dolphins playing the Jets and I won't expect much. My wife will be there, so she'll cheer wearing her favorite Brett Favre jersey. I've got a few friends I'm going to buy tickets for, so they'll cheer.'"

Besides, there were a lot of fans hoping the Dolphins to resign Taylor during this offseason and they won’t blame Taylor for leaving them. These fans will definitely offer some cheers for Taylor during the game.

Bold guesses on Favre’s durability

Recently, quite a few NFL players announced retirement, and most of them are around 30 years old and none is older than 40. That’s normal in NFL, but it made me more curious about the durability of Minnesota Vikings quarterback, 41-year-old Brett Favre.

I have to guess hard why Favre could still play so well when he was 40 years old, two years after he first announced retirement. He never retired for real sense and returned to a different team every time after he announced the end of his NFL career. People got fed up with his uncertainties, but were still amazed by his excellent performance. By so far this season, Favre has not made any announcement on retirement or return, but he is highly expected to wear back his Brett Favre jersey because his performance in 2009 season has convinced people of his capability and durability. But why is he so durable while most other players end career shortly after 30th birthday or just have decreasing value even if they stay to age 40?

I have to doubt that whether the quarterback we saw on field was really the Brett Favre we talked about? Is there another man like Favre and playing as well so he and Favre can play in turn? If so, both men could have enough rest before playing his next game. I also guessed that Favre may use some kind of steroids to make his body stronger. He is 41 years old and a grandfather now, I can hardly believe he can do even better than he did while younger, and I even doubt he has a twin brother or clone to play for him when he is not in good condition. Oh, Vikings fans forgive me, I’ve just read too many conspiracy novels.

Vikings said Favre’s surgery was expectable

While a lot of people were excited about Brett Favre’s surgery on his left ankle, the responses from the Minnesota Vikings were not with much surprise. Calling it promising news, most of the Vikings said the move was just expected long before it really happened.

Tight end Visanthe Shiancoe’s words may represent quite a lot of his fellow teammates. Shiancoe said that Favre had to change some part of his body if he had even the slightest intention to play his 20th NFL season, and leading the Vikings so close to Super Bowl XLIV could just make the quarterback want more success in a new season. None of the Vikings, either player or coaching staff or even officials, has got any information from Favre on his playing status in 2010 season, but they all take the latest surgery as a strong suggestion of his plan to wear back the purple and gold Brett Favre jersey. If their wish comes true, Favre would be the first grandpa winning Super Bowl in the league.

The Vikings are still carrying on their offseason plans without a confirmed starting quarterback. They are confident that Favre will return to take the job back. Favre himself also used to say that playing with his former rivals gave him good feelings and the 2009 season could the best one he has had during his 19-year NFL career.

Reasons for Favre drama to continue with popularity

Although we are surrounded with Brett Favre news every year and every offseason when other players make little appearance, we just never get fed up with it. Favre do similar things on an annual basis, and each time there are a lot of media members offering what he needs to attract attentions.

While Brett Favre is enjoying the public attentions paid to him, the public and media are also enjoy hearing and creating more about the 40-year-old man. Admit it, we actually like to know whether he will return or retire in 2010. Even though things remain intriguing until the last moment, we just like to discuss about it. It’s not only the Vikings coaches and Favre’s teammates, but also we the news readers, who are willing to offer Favre enough time for making a simple decision. Many of us actually do not care whether Brett Favre jersey will appear on field again, but just have nothing else interesting enough to discuss about.

The only people that really care for Favre’s playing status could be the Vikings players and coaching staff, who need to know that information to carry out their plan for the new 2010 season. However, with or without Favre, they will still play and try their best to win as many games as they can. So, it’s only for fun to watch an annual Favre drama, just enjoy it.