Bills Defenseman Mario Williams Gets Good News on Injured Foot

It appears the Buffalo Bills can breathe a sigh of relief when it comes to their $96 million man. Defensive end, Mario Williams had his injured foot reevaluated and the results revealed no serious damage.

On Monday, Williams left camp to have his sore foot looked at by team doctors. Head coach Doug Marrone was asked about the injury and replied “We’re going to make sure that everything is fine.” The injury appears to be minor and the former first overall pick isn’t expected to miss any time.

Williams is entering the second year of his monster deal and looks to improve on the numbers he put up last season. He lead the team in sacks, with 10 while fighting off a nagging injury to his left wrist.

With their offense in limbo, the Bills will need stellar play from their defense.

Cowboys DeMarcus Ware Claims He’s Almost Fully Healed

Cowboys’ defensive end DeMarcus Ware is known for his durability during the season, having NEVER missed a game during his illustrious 8-year career in the NFL. Ware underwent shoulder surgery in January and has been rehabbing furiously ever since. With surgery and the OTAs over, is Ware ready to pick up where he left off, or is this the start of a series of injuries to come?

Last season, Ware tore his labrum is the right shoulder which put him in a harness towards the end of the season. On top of that, he had a hyperextended elbow that caused him a great deal of discomfort. While his elbow didn’t need surgery, his shoulder certainly did. He put surgery aside until the offseason.

Now that preseason is creeping up fast, the question is whether or not Ware will be ready for the regular season. He’s assuring the media and fans that he’s ready to go for camp this week. Until this point, he’s been working on his “mental game” by watching from the sidelines. The only way he think he can improve his condition is by hitting the field. This Sunday will be judgment day for Ware when we will see if he is as healthy as he says he is

We all know a healthy Ware is often the key to a successful game from the Cowboys. The end of last season for the Dallas team was heartbreaking, but could they have lost because Ware was limited by his injuries? While it’s true that there’s no “I” in team, there certainly is an “I” in win. Ware could’ve been that extra umph they needed on the last game of the year.

Ware coming back gives the Romo and the Cowboys a little more security. The new defense has come along nicely and there’s little to no change in Ware’s roll in the defense. He seems confident in his health and more confident that he will be back to his normal self this season.

Texans Andre Johnson Reportedly Slowing Down with Old Age

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Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson turns 32-years-old later this week and his critics say he’s on the decline. This despite the fact that Johnson finished last season with 1,598 receiving yards, second only to Megatron’s record-setting year in Detroit.

Johnson has been one of the most productive players in the league during his 10-year career. He’s been consistently mentioned among the best receivers in the league, even when the Texans were dreadful during the beginning of his career.

But Len Pasquarelli from the National Football Post reported that opponents have pointed out that Johnson has “lost perhaps a half-step, and isn’t as explosive.” That’s a stunning statement in the wake of Johnson’s 6 100-yard plus receiving games lat season.

The former Miami Hurricane stands six-feet-three-inches tall and weighs in at 230 pounds. He also possesses elite pass-catching ability and is known for running disciplined routes. Johnson’s game isn’t built around speed or “half-steps,” so this report should do little to sway fantasy owners away from him.

Johnson has recoded more than 1,000 receiving yards in more than half his seasons in the NFL, including last year. Even though Johnson recorded only four touchdowns last year, his nearly 1,600 yard performance yielded massive results for players in PPR leagues.

The lowest yardage total Johnson has amassed in a season where he played every game was his rookie year, and he still managed 976 yards on 66 catches. Johnson even broke the 1,000-yard mark in 2010 — when he only played 13 games.

Overall, speed is important in the NFL, but Johnson has produced a spectacular career because of his phenomenal hands, size and strength. He’s still a top-10 wideout and should be considered a No. 1 wide receiver option in every fantasy format.

Texans Andre Johnson Reportedly Slowing Down with Old Age

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson turns 32-years-old later this week and his critics say he’s on the decline. This despite the fact that Johnson finished last season with 1,598 receiving yards, second only to Megatron’s record-setting year in Detroit.

Johnson has been one of the most productive players in the league during his 10-year career. He’s been consistently mentioned among the best receivers in the league, even when the Texans were dreadful during the beginning of his career.

But Len Pasquarelli from the National Football Post reported that opponents have pointed out that Johnson has “lost perhaps a half-step, and isn’t as explosive.” That’s a stunning statement in the wake of Johnson’s 6 100-yard plus receiving games lat season.

The former Miami Hurricane stands six-feet-three-inches tall and weighs in at 230 pounds. He also possesses elite pass-catching ability and is known for running disciplined routes. Johnson’s game isn’t built around speed or “half-steps,” so this report should do little to sway fantasy owners away from him.

Johnson has recoded more than 1,000 receiving yards in more than half his seasons in the NFL, including last year. Even though Johnson recorded only four touchdowns last year, his nearly 1,600 yard performance yielded massive results for players in PPR leagues.

The lowest yardage total Johnson has amassed in a season where he played every game was his rookie year, and he still managed 976 yards on 66 catches. Johnson even broke the 1,000-yard mark in 2010 — when he only played 13 games.

Overall, speed is important in the NFL, but Johnson has produced a spectacular career because of his phenomenal hands, size and strength. He’s still a top-10 wideout and should be considered a No. 1 wide receiver option in every fantasy format.

Detroit Upgrades Defensive Line with Israel Idonije

The Lions aren’t taking any chances this offseason when it comes to the team’s defensive line. Defensive end Freddie Bishop seemed to be playing the pawn in the grand scheme of things and was sacrificed in order to gain defensive end Israel Idonije. Why give up one defensive end for another?

Freddie Bishop was an undrafted free agent from Western Michigan until the Lions picked him up this past May. Bishop was filling a hole that the Lions needed to be plugged quickly before training camp. Bishop didn’t stay long, but could be picked up by another team desperate for a defensive end.

Idonije, on the other hand, was expected to stay with the Chicago Bears. However, when it came time to talk money, the Bears decided that Idonije was too expensive. In 2012, he was making $2.5 million and was not willing to take a pay cut. Soon after his release, the Tennessee Titians and the San Francisco 49ers expressed interest, but the Detroit Lions stole Idonije.

Detriot signed Idonije to a one year, $905,000 contract, half of which is guaranteed to him at the end of the season. With this guarantee, the Lions ensure that he will be getting a lot of playing time this season. The Lions are trying to boost their defensive line this season and adding Idonije will definitely make this happen. The Lions were looking for size and Idonije stands at 6’6 and 275 pounds. He should fit in perfectly on the defensive line and have an immediate impact.

Can the Giants Linebackers Core Compete in the NFC East?

By Jared Greenhouse –

After a dismal defensive performance from the Giants last year, the 2013-2014 season does not hold much more promise for Big Blue’s linebacking corps. New York’s comedy of errors was spearheaded by a slow-footed, out-of-position assortment of New York Giant linebackers.

This year presents a new set of unpleasant challenges for the Giants defense. Jason Pierre-Paul is out for an extended period of time after undergoing back surgery and linebackers Michael Boley and Chase Blackburn are gone. So now more than ever, the Giants are in need of “fresh” legs to counter the speedy playmakers in the NFC  East.

During the offseason, the Giants signed middle linebacker Dan Connor. He’s stacked with potential, but has a history of injury problems. His backup is the ever-lovable Mark Herzlich, whose cancer survival story touches the hearts of everyone, though he might be a more effective motivational speaker than linebacker.

Herzlich ended minicamp on the first team, worrying Giants fans everywhere. On the weak side, Keith Rivers will be given another opportunity to play up to his potential after displaying glimpses of destructive moments with the Bengals.

The strong side will likely be manned by Spencer Paysinger or the recently signed Aaron Curry, the 2009 4th overall pick who can’t seem to stay healthy or motivated.

All of this begs the question: Why didn’t the Giants draft an all-star caliber linebacker in April? This current rag-tag group of linebackers stand little chance of keeping up with the lightning-quick players in the NFC East.

Texans Buzzing About Wideout DeAndre Hopkins

Houston has Texas-sized hopes for the team’s newly drafted receiver DeAndre Hopkins out of Clemson.

“He’s going to thing an extra dimension to our offense.” Kind words from Texans quarterback (Matt Schaub) are always a good way to start with your new team, especially if you’re a rookie. But Schaub is right, Hopkins does add something that Houston hasn’t seen in quite some time; a respectable wideout that isn’t named Andre Johnson.

Schaub also indicated that Hopkins has a great attitude and a strong work ethic. He should see plenty of open looks when the Texans take flight this season with Johnson drawing double to triple coverage on the other side of the field.

The combination of Johnson and Arian Foster helped the Texans into the playoffs last season where they got knocked out by a more experienced and more offensively potent New England Patriots team. Even though the Texans put up 28 points in that playoff game, it became clear that the Texans simply didn’t have the manpower to combat the different weapons New England brought to the table.

Hopkins is a decent middle round fantasy pickup with a ton of potential and you should not be afraid to draft him. He could add an extra dimension and spark to your offense, too.

Texans Buzzing About Wideout DeAndre Hopkins

Houston has Texas-sized hopes for the team’s newly drafted receiver DeAndre Hopkins out of Clemson.

“He’s going to thing an extra dimension to our offense.” Kind words from Texans quarterback (Matt Schaub) are always a good way to start with your new team, especially if you’re a rookie. But Schaub is right, Hopkins does add something that Houston hasn’t seen in quite some time; a respectable wideout that isn’t named Andre Johnson.

Schaub also indicated that Hopkins has a great attitude and a strong work ethic. He should see plenty of open looks when the Texans take flight this season with Johnson drawing double to triple coverage on the other side of the field.

The combination of Johnson and Arian Foster helped the Texans into the playoffs last season where they got knocked out by a more experienced and more offensively potent New England Patriots team. Even though the Texans put up 28 points in that playoff game, it became clear that the Texans simply didn’t have the manpower to combat the different weapons New England brought to the table.

Hopkins is a decent middle round fantasy pickup with a ton of potential and you should not be afraid to draft him. He could add an extra dimension and spark to your offense, too.

Defenseman Dwight Freeney Signs with San Diego

Former Colts defenseman Dwight Freeney signed a two-year contact to play for the San Diego Super Chargers.

This a good match for both sides as the Chargers were in need of some serious help with getting to the quarterback after losing Melvin Ingram with a torn ACL.

Freeney is 33-years-old and got cut from Colts after a subpar 2012 season, but he will see significant playing time in San Diego.

The Chargers will likely make adjustments to the team’s defensive schemes to help the aging veteran achieve as much success as possible.

Can the Texans Top Pick Help them Hop to the Top of the AFC?

With the 27th overall pick, the Houston Texan’s drafted Clemson wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Hopkins is already turning heads in Houston and coach Gary Kubiak is impressed. 

“He’s special,” said Kubiak, his “Ball skills are extremely special. Very long; long arms. Big hands; you saw the catch he made out here. He’s going to help us early, and we know that, and that’s why we brought him here.”

Hopkins may very well be lining up next on the other side of the line with all-star receiver Andre Johnson. This athletic wide receiving tandem should wreak havoc in the AFC against opposing defensive ends.

After the organization’s first taste of a playoff victory last season, the Texans came to the conclusion that two major factors were holding the team back from advancing further in the playoffs, lack of depth at receiver and the team’s middle of the road defensive secondary.

Hopkin’s arrival to the Texans’ organization will provide quarterback Matt Shaub with more options and help distract the defense from Arian Foster’s quick play-making ability.

Depending on the play calling, Hopkins has the potential to have a breakout rookie campaign and help push the Texans over the top.