Craig Nall's contract got him cut. Depth got to Derrick Doyle. As for Tory Collins and Chad Johnson, my guess is they are going to be unemployed only for hours.
As NFL teams trimmed their active rosters to 53 players over the weekend to get ready for the regular season, those four NSU products got bad news.
Nall was scheduled to make $1.2 million this season. The Bills were sufficiently impressed by their rookie QB, Trent Edwards, to believe he could cut the mustard if J.P. Losman was injured. Craig's exit was a business decision, pure and simple.
All the guy has done, when given a chance to play, is play well, for the Packers and for the Bills. Other NFL teams will surely take notice. I don't think his playing days are over, but I do know this -- thanks to his college degree from NSU, and his level head, when that day does arrive, Craig will handle it just fine. That's just not going to be any time soon. Watch the transactions over the next little bit.
Rookies Collins and Johnson could quickly be back with their teams, the Bears and Vikings, respectively, on the practice squads. Or they might get snapped up by another club with a better offer. Collins was especially impressive and had to be a tough cut for Lovie Smith. Johnson, who hasn't played in two years, has great upside and figures to get a look someplace.
D-Doyle made the most of his time in New Orleans. While the Saints' depth at receiver eventually caught up with him, he raised his stock by hanging around until the final weekend of preseason. He's on the radar for other NFL teams as injuries occur, and I think he'll have more chances ahead.
The preseason star among the Demons in the NFL has been David Pittman, who went from being a draft disappointment for Baltimore last year to being one of the phenoms of preseason this year. Pitt has toughened up and become more aggressive, according to Ravens coaches, and has been rewarded with a starting cornerback assignment in the last two exhibition games. Will he stay in the starting lineup? Wait and see. Will he be around the NFL for several seasons? I would expect that. As his position coach, Dennis Thurmand, said, Pitt has as much ability or more than most players in the NFL ... and now he's showing the coaches he is tough and aggressive and smart, too.
One of Pitt's mentors in Baltimore was here this weekend. Demon fullback (1994-97) Rob Robertson spent part of three seasons on the Ravens' roster and lives in the Baltimore area. He and his delightful son Bryson came in for the 100-year reunion, when Dad received his all-time honorary captain award.
Rob helped Pitt settle in up there and has stayed in touch with him during the past year. That's got to be a factor in Pitt's recent upswing, too.
Doug Ireland, SID
No comments:
Post a Comment