NFL Nuggets

Vikings add Rice to the recipe

The Minnesota Vikings announced they have agreed to terms with second-round pick, wide receiver Sidney Rice. The terms of the deal were not made available.

Rice should be able to win a starting position opposite Troy Williamson. He was the third receiver in mini-camp. He is very talented and seems a natural fit for the West-Coast offense.

Rookie wide receivers do not usually make an impact in fantasy football. The Vikings do not have a good quarterback situation so do not look for Rice to be a major player fantasy wise.

Titans get their first-round pick under contract

The Tennessee Titans signed first-round draft pick, defensive back Michael Griffin to a five-year contract. The financial terms were not disclosed.

Griffin, the 19th overall pick, played safety but will likely play cornerback for the Titans. He is a tremendous athlete with great speed and good ball instincts. He likes to deliver the big hit which can sometimes lead to missed tackles. He played against top competition at the University of Texas. He was a tackling machine for the Longhorns where he totaled 124 and 126 tackles his last 2 years in Austin as a starter.

Immediate starter and possible sleeper in IDP leagues. Jeff Fisher’s Titans always have a good defense with an aggressive secondary. Griffin fits right in to this system and should become a star.



Panthers suspend lineman Bridges for 2 games

The Carolina Panthers have suspended offensive tackle Jeremy Bridges for two games for conduct detrimental to the team. He was arrested on Thursday for assault.

Bridges was arrested after a female “employee” charged he waved a gun at her at the club. The suspension will cost Bridges around $82,000 which is the prorated portion of his $700,000 salary.

What is it with NFL players, strip clubs, and guns? Anyway this will have no impact in the world of fantasy football.


Broncos sign yet another D-lineman

The Denver Broncos signed their second-round pick, defensive end Tim Crowder to a four-year contract. The deal includes a signing bonus of $1.371 million.

Crowder was very productive as a four-year starter for the University of Texas. He racked up 191 tackles and 19 sacks for his career, 10 ½ of those sacks coming in his senior year. Those numbers are better than Broncos first-round pick Jarvis Moss.

With a crowded roster at defensive end in Denver the two may not start this year, but could start opposite of each other next season. No impact for now but could be a future solid starter for the Broncos.


Jags get first-round pick, Nelson under contract

The Jacksonville Jaguars signed their first-round draft pick, defensive back Reggie Nelson to a five-year contract. The deal is reportedly worth $13.1 million with $7.1 million in guarantees.

Nelson is already penciled in at the starter at free safety for the Jags. He was an early entry into the draft and has the talent to play right away. He is not too experienced as he does not have two full seasons of starting at Florida. He was very productive during his short time as he had 97 tackles and 7 interceptions in 23 games for the Gators.

The Jags already have a stout defense so Nelson, although talented, will not make that much difference. He could possibly be a sleeper in IDP leagues.


Packers sign first-round pick, DT Justin Harrell

The Green Bay Packers signed their first-round pick, defensive tackle Justin Harrell to a five-year contract. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Harrell, the 16th overall pick, is already listed as the starter on the Green Bay depth chart even though he hasn’t yet practiced. He is a pure run stuffer at 6-4/300 pounds. He has durability questions as he missed the majority of his senior season at Tennessee with a ruptured biceps tendon. He has shown he will play through pain as he put off surgery on the bicep to play against arch-rival Florida.

If he can stay healthy he will make an immediate impact in Green Bay’s run defense. He is not useful in IDP leagues.