Roundup: Jackson is apparent top option behind Favre
Published: June 13th, 2010 | Tags: Adrian Peterson, Alan Ball, Brad Childress, Brett Favre, Brian Schottenheimer, Carson Palmer, Eddie Royal, Isaiah Stanback, Jarvis Moss, Jay Ratliff, Jermaine Gresham, Jerry Jones, Joe McKnight, Jordan Shipley, Josh McDaniels, Matt Forte, Miles Austin, Minnesota Vikings, Nate Allen, Patrick Crayton, Perrish Cox, Pete Carroll, Robert Ayers, Sage Rosenfels, Tarvaris Jackson, Tony Moeaki
With no Brett Favre and no Adrian Peterson at minicamp in Minnesota this weekend, there didn’t appear to be much for Vikings reporters to speculate about. Then the curious case of Sage Rosenfels unfolded.
For the second straight day at the mandatory practices, Rosenfels saw little or no work as Tarvaris Jackson ran the first team and rookie Joe Webb worked with the second, per Judd Zulgad of the Star Tribune. While Brad Childress said not to make anything of the rotations, Rosenfels declined to comment when leaving the field.
In the bigger picture Zulgad notes that Childress basically confirmed Jackson is the top quarterback right now, meaning he’s the starter in case you know who doesn’t come back (however slim those chances are). If it was expected, though, that Rosenfels would at least compete with Jackson for that spot, those expectations may have to be revisited. Jackson is the top option behind Favre.
Around the league, it’s a light offseason day as 28 of 32 teams aren’t on the field. In case you’re one of those to keep track, the Cowboys, Broncos, Chiefs and Vikings held some form of practices Sunday.
Here’s a look at some other notable items from around the league that caught my attention:
- The Bengals made a number of additions to the passing game, and one of them — rookie TE Jermaine Gresham — is drawing favorable reviews from QB Carson Palmer, notes Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Gresham and fellow rookie Jordan Shipley have been getting work with the first team.
- Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told reporters Saturday that Alan Ball, the player replacing Ken Hamlin at free safety, has “really improved” according to the Star-Telegram. … Veteran DT Jay Ratliff is taking part in minicamp after minor surgery on both elbows in February. While he isn’t yet 100 percent, he is reporting no problems, according to DallasCowboys.com. … Miles Austin has been working more out of the slot in three-receiver sets, another sign Patrick Crayton could be on his way out, opines Gerry Fraley of The Dallas Morning News.
- One observation by Mike Klis of The Denver Post at Broncos mandatory minicamp this weekend is that Robert Ayers has been passed on the depth chart by Jarvis Moss, who has been working with the first team. According to the team’s official site, Ayers didn’t practice for the second straight day Saturday. Coach Josh McDaniels wouldn’t disclose why Ayers is sitting out, but did say he was scheduled to return Sunday. … McDaniels continues to praise the work of WR Eddie Royal, one of the players filling the void left by Brandon Marshall, out of the slot. … McDaniels also noted rookie CB Perrish Cox has earned some respect of the veterans, per The Colorado Springs Gazette.
- Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer has big plans for rookie RB Joe McKnight, according to Manish Mehta of the Daily News, which includes playing in the slot.
- Chiefs rookie TE Tony Moeaki has been a standout at this weekend’s minicamp, according to Josh Looney of kcchiefs.com, making his offseason debut after a minor injury.
- Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribune wrote that one of the things that stood out most during the Bears’ recent OTAs was the burst dispalyed by Matt Forte.
- Pete Carroll said earlier this week he’s “anxious to see” what multi-dimensional WR Isaiah Stanback has to offer in certain quarterback situations, per The News Tribune. That’s enough to get the Wildcat conversation going.
- Rookie Nate Allen has been a standout for the Eagles, earning the starting job at free safety according to coach Andy Reid, per CSNPhilly.com.