SB Nation - Fred Bledsoe

Around the NFL: FAVRE!, Eli Manning's Money, and the UFL draft

Brandon — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 15:00:24 -0000

Packer practices start up again on Monday, so there isn't much Packers' talk except to waste digital ink speculating on when S Nick Collins might get a new contract or why there haven't been any contract talks with WR Greg Jennings. (Hint: It doesn't matter because they aren't free agents and neither player is going to hold out).

QB Brett Favre is "pain-free" but endurance and stamina is the issue. Vikings' fans have resigned themselves to the eventual Favre signing and have moved on to the question of whether it's time to release QB Tarvaris Jackson.
QB Eli Manning's agents expect Eli's next contract will make him the highest paid player in the NFL. He had a great 2007 postseason and 2008 was a very good follow up. But he's definitely in that 2nd tier of QBs that deservedly don't get any MVP talk (along with QB Aaron Rodgers). The big difference is that Manning has had a few seasons to develop and this is his ceiling, while Rodgers should continue to improve.
The new professional football league for has-been and never-was players, the UFL, had their initial draft this week. A couple former Green Bay Packers were drafted. NT Fred Bledsoe hung around the practice squad the last couple seasons. S Marviel Underwood was a promising 2005 draft choice until he blew out his knee during the 2006 preseason. A couple former Wisconsin Badgers were drafted too; NT Wendell Bryant was a 1st round bust in Arizona a few years ago, and QB Brooks Bollinger had spent the past few seasons with the Jets, Vikings, and Cowboys. They even found a former UW-La Crosse football player; DB Jeremy Unertl.

Former Rams populate the UFL

VanRam — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:08:56 -0000

What? A football draft that didn't include three months of hype and 'round the clock analysis? The UFL held its innuagral player draft last night, and I think you're going to be surprised at some of the names.

Bledsoe, Sapp, Sanders, Suggs... Well, to be more specific, Fred Bledsoe, Cecil Sapp, Steve Sanders and Damon Suggs. But the rosters of the UFL's four teams have a some names Rams fans will recognize. Leading that list is none other than Adam Archuleta is playing for the as-yet-unnamed Las Vegas team, along with Gary Stills, a special teamer brought in by the Rams last year.

Not surprisingly, the Orlando team, coached by former Rams DC and interim head coach Jim Haslett, has quite a few former Rams...and Fred Bledsoe. LB Tim McGarigle, OT Rob Petitti, and CB Darius Vinnett all spent some time with the Rams during Haslett's tenure.

Drafted doesn't mean contracted to the UFL. According to their web site, these are players who worked out for the league this year, and they'll be offered contracts in the near future. The UFL will continue filling out their rosters in July and August, catching plenty of guys who get cut as NFL teams start shearing their rosters. That should keep some football players from having to use those communications degrees for a while at least.

Friday Rookie Minicamp Roundup

Brandon — Sat, 02 May 2009 02:12:14 -0000

More photos » by Mike Roemer - AP

7 months ago: Green Bay Packers quarterbacks David Johnson (6) and Brian Johnson, right, participate during an NFL football minicamp drill during rookie orientation Friday, May 1, 2009, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

Browse more photos »

I'm following Greg Bedard's Twitter because the lucky guy gets paid to watch the Packers and I don't. Here's a roundup of his tweets:

DT - B.J. Raji is the real deal.

LB - So is Clay Matthews.

OT - Jamon Meredith was playing at left tackle, and looked really good.

OG - T.J. Lang is playing at guard, which isn't a big surprise. It always seemed like he would wind up there.

FB - I didn't think they would have drafted Quinn Johnson if he wasn't a good receiver and it looks like he is a good one.

DT - Fred Bledsoe was waived. A little ironic since he earned himself a roster spot this time last year.