Following are whispers we've been hearing from around the league:
• The departure of longtime offensive coordinator Tom Moore from the Colts' organization came as a rather sudden surprise to many who cover the team. After Moore's name was removed from the team website, owner Jim Irsay told the Indianapolis Star, "I don't see [Moore returning next season] but I never say never. I do think this year it is pretty certain he is not going to be doing anything for us. I think he'll probably go into retirement and see how it feels." There had been some speculation that Moore was relieved of his duties with the team, in part, because he met with the New York Jets in early May to discuss their red-zone offense. We're hearing, however, that it is highly unlikely Moore agreed to meet with the Jets unless he already knew he would no longer be a member of the Colts' staff.
• Jets head coach Rex Ryan is getting some outside help on the team's red-zone offense. Ryan said during his book tour that former Colts offensive coordinator Tom Moore spoke with the coaches about improving inside the opponent's 20-yard line. The Jets scored 20 touchdowns in 50 trips to the red zone last season, a 40 percent clip that ranked 30th in the league/ It's possible that, if the Jets take a page from what Moore has done in Indianapolis, that Mark Sanchez gets more opportunities to throw near the goal line to TE Dustin Keller or his receivers. Sanchez threw for just 166 yards in the red zone last season, which was the 24th most in the league.
• After some internal discussions with the Falcons' decision makers, head coach Mike Smith announced the Falcons declined an invitation to appear on HBO's "Hard Knocks" series this year. Owner Arthur Blank told PFW the organization would consider accepting an invitation to do the show in future years, if asked. "Our judgment is this was not a good year, given the questions about when camp will take place," Blank said May 24 at the owners' meetings. "When camp does take place I think that every coach is going to be focused 1,000 percent on taking every available minute and getting their team ready and not wanting to fool with any distractions at all."
• We have been warned fairly by our spies in Washington, D.C. not to make too much of the QB "battle" between John Beck and Rex Grossman at the Redskins' informal player workouts. Both have looked good at times, but we must remind ourselves: These are seven-on-seven drills without a rush, where some bad NFL quarterbacks can look quite good. This battle won't begin (if Grossman is re-signed) until teams report and the pads go on.
• Former Redskins RB Clinton Portis apparently has his next team figured out. "To go to the Giants and get to play the Redskins twice a year after them feeling I wasn't capable any more, I think that would be outstanding," he said. The problem? This might be news to the Giants. From the people we have talked to, adding Portis might not exactly be high on the team's priority list. Adding a running back could happen, but it's not clear that Portis is at or near the top of that list.
• The Eagles like their tight ends and think Brent Celek and promising but raw Clay Harbor could form a nice pass-catching duo. Harbor made his impact felt on special teams and even flashed his athletic ability as a receiver in the final seven games. His role could expand in 2011.
• Our sources in Seattle would be surprised if Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll actually considered reuniting with QB Matt Leinart, as was rumored recently. "It just doesn't seem like a good fit," one team insider said. "If anything, when you look at what happened to LenDale White and Lawrence Jackson, you have to wonder about just how much stock Carroll puts in USC connections."
• Our Cardinals sources agree with Darnell Dockett's assertion a few months ago that taking a series or two off in every half might improve his overall game moving forward. But figuring out replacements in those situations could be a problem with Bryan Robinson, Alan Branch, Gabe Watson and the non-tendered Kenny Iwebema all being potential free agents. "They have no depth," one daily team observer said. "I bet Iwebema re-signs, but that's about it."
• An intriguing free agent we hear the Rams could be thinking about taking a flier on is Panthers OLB Thomas Davis. An extremely solid player before two torn ACLs in a seven-month span took their toll, Davis figures to be affordable because of his recent injury history. In addition, Rams defensive coordinator Ken Flajole, who previously coached in Carolina, knows quite well what a healthy Davis is capable of doing.
• Despite making five sacks in 14 games last season, we hear 49ers free-agent OLB Travis LaBoy's problems staying healthy — he suffered a season-ending knee injury in mid-December — could send him packing.
• Steelers second-year WRs Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown directly competed for playing time at times last season, something that helped both of them, Sanders told PFW. "We were practicing like seasoned vets," he said. Sanders recalled being advised to study his playbook 30 minutes but spending 45 minutes to stay ready. By season's end, both were productive members of the Steelers' WR corps. They also have become friends, and both enjoy playing golf.
• Browns RB Montario Hardesty wants to show the club he can play in all situations. "I want to be a running back that you can keep in for passing downs," he told PFW. "I did that well in college. I want to be a running back that you can keep in for pass protection. Run the ball in between the tackles, outside, catching the ball whatever you need to be done, I pride myself on being able to do all those things."
• Ravens TE Ed Dickson told PFW he has enjoyed learning from 11th-year veteran Todd Heap. "Todd is a great mentor in that he doesn't tell you what to do," Dickson said. "… He doesn't try to force his opinion on you." Dickson, who played in two-TE sets with Heap as a rookie, said Heap was "always helpful."
• After keeping three fullbacks on the roster the last couple of years, we hear the Packers could be leaning toward keeping only two next season, with Quinn Johnson, who has real special-teams shortcomings, likely being the odd man out.
• In his brief exposure to his Lions teammates, rookie WR Titus Young has impressed. So far, Young has flashed good hands and a strong rapport with his teammates. QB Matthew Stafford already has told the second-round receiver that he likes to hit the post pattern off of play-action and that the speedy Young — if he can build off a nice performance in informal workouts — could be the frequent recipient of those passes.
• The Patriots focused on developmental prospects in April's draft, and the inability to get them in to learn the playbook due to the lockout may have something to do with the strategy. "We'll have to take the windows that we have to teach things and try to see how much we feel realistically we can get done. Something's going to have to go, I would think," Bill Belichick told the Boston Herald.
• With three quarterbacks on the roster and the possibility that QB Kyle Orton could still be traded, we hear the Broncos could look to add an undrafted rookie free-agent QB once the new league year begins. The organization looked hard at the position prior to the draft and the Broncos have a leader in executive vice president John Elway who realizes the importance of the position.
• Raiders QB Jason Campbell is becoming increasingly comfortable with the team's offensive playbook despite some minor changes made by new offensive coordinator Al Saunders. The quarterback was one of the 30-plus Oakland players to attend an offseason workout in Georgia last week, along with a few of his receivers. Campbell said the playbook didn't change too much from the one former coordinator and current head coach Hue Jackson used last season, although some of Saunders' lingo varies from Jackson's.
Source: http://www.profootballweekly.com/2011/05/29/moores-leaving-colts-in-works-before-meeting-with
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