FLACCO RECEIVES PUBLIC VOTE OF CONFIDENCE
Coach John Harbaugh says that if Joe Flacco shows in camp that he's "the best guy and gives us the best chance to win, he'll be the (Ravens' starter)."

Mancini's Take: Harbaugh's obviously trying to use his vote of confidence as a motivational ploy to get the best out of Flacco. To date, the Ravens coaching staff has been impressed by the tall gunslinger's ability to absorb the playbook, but I'll go on the record again and say that I'll be shocked if Flacco is the starter in week one. The Ravens have already experienced the downside of starting a rookie too early when Kyle Boller was prematurely named as the number one quarterback at the start of the 2003 season.

Mandel's Take: Agreed. The Ravens aren't going to rush Flacco, at least not if they've learned the Boller lesson. The players are behind Smith, which will make things easier...but when the Ravens are sitting at 2-6, look for the cannon-armed Flacco to get his first start.

TOMLINSON TO SIT OUT PRESEASON, AGAIN
The Chargers official web site confirms that running back LaDanian Tomlinson will not play at all during preseason. "Having him carry the ball 8 or 10 times in the preseason just to say we did it, it just doesn't make any sense," Norv Turner said. "He's gotten himself ready to play the last three or four years without playing in the preseason. He keeps himself in such great shape and he's got great ball security. He gets tackled enough. He'll be ready to go when the season starts."

Mancini's Take: If it works, then why mess with it? Loyal fans forced to buy exhibition season tickets can't be too thrilled about this, but it's been going on for years. LT has already hinted at the fact that he doesn't intend on playing that much longer and he's not going to start putting his body on the line in meaningless games at 29-years-old. The Chargers may also be thinking that the loss of Michael Turner could mean that LT will have to carry the ball even more in 2008. Are you outraged by this, Mandel?

Mandel's Take: I'm outraged that you think stealing nicknames is cool. That being said, perhaps the Chargers feel Tomlinson will feel more comfortable sitting on the sidelines with his helmet on, sulking. Then again, he doesn't need much practice at that, does he? I have no problem with the Bolts leaving him out of pre-season games. Running backs have a limited amount of carries in their bodies, so why waste a few of Tomlinson's on meaningless games? I'm with them on this.

MIKE BELL HITS FA MARKET
The Broncos have released running back Mike Bell.

Mancini's Take: Most fans probably forgot that Bell was still on the team. Although not a special back, the University of Arizona product runs very hard and does have the frame, at 220 lbs., to carry the load for some team out there. After a promising rookie year with 677 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, Bell faded into the background last season behind faster and more explosive runners, such as Travis Henry, Selvin Young and Andre' Hall.

Mandel's Take: Bell was the odd man out of a stacked backfield. He's still a valuable commodity to a team with a Denver-style running attack and it's too bad Houston has 15 RBs on its roster--he'd be a perfect fit there. The Broncos still have what they see as four quality backs who will see action: Selvin Young, Michael Pittman, Andre Hall and Ryan Torain. Keep your eye on both Hall and Torain as the pre-season moves along--you never know who Shanahan is going to like from week to week, and one of them (if not both) could be a factor this season.

CHAD JOHNSON UPDATE
Receiver Chad Johnson says he'll report on time for the Cincinnati Bengals' training camp next weekend, but his surgically repaired ankle probably will limit him in practice. The Pro Bowl receiver told The Associated Press he's going to be as flamboyant as ever. He said he's not sure how he'll be received by fans, but he hopes they support him.

Mancini's Take: All his whining and crying could not change the fact that he has four years left on his current contract, so for the time being, it looks as though Ocho Cinco has come to his senses. I know that most fans, myself included, are sick of hearing this man (and I use that term loosely) being quoted and constantly followed by the media. Well, get used to it, folks! For better or worse, CJ will continue being featured by the TV, radio and print media. He's brought it on himself, so it would be in his best interest to behave and have a good season or he'll get the media attention that he doesn't crave.

Mandel's Take: He has indeed come to his senses, even going so far as to apologize for his ridiculous trade demands and admit that he has to mature. Perhaps the light has finally gone on...but we'll all believe it when we see it. However, I see no reason that any of this will effect his performance this season. He's still a guy who will catch 90 passes and score 8-10 TDs, but sometimes that gets lost in the sideshow.

DEXTER JACKSON TO SEE SPOT DUTY
Second-round pick Dexter Jackson expects to see "spot" action on offense for the Bucs as a rookie. "Like trick plays and decoy routes," he says. "Whatever the team might need."

Mancini's Take: I really do hope that the Bucs get him on the field as a receiver as often as possible, so he can show the world his breathtaking acceleration and breakaway skills.

Mandel's Take: Put him out there! Is there some law that Tampa Bay can't have an electrifying player on the field? I know Joey Galloway can run, but he's aging. Get Jackson the ball and let him do his thing--teams rally around guys who make big-time plays, and Jackson certainly qualifies as one of them.

JORDY NELSON FIGHTING FOR TIME
Position coach Jimmy Robinson says the Packers' No. 4 receiver job is "probably wide open" between rookie Jordy Nelson and Ruvell Martin.

Mancini's Take: So far, Nelson has done an excellent job of learning his responsibilities in the Packer scheme. Coach Mike McCarthy has been pleasantly surprised by his route running, and the rookie could eventually challenge James Jones for the number three spot as early as this season. Is there any reason to believe that Nelson won't be a solid pro, Ross? His size and run-after-catch skills make him a perfect fit for Green Bay's West Coast offense, don't you think?

Mandel's Take: I have much love for the Big XII product and agree that Nelson will make an impact at WR for the reasons you state. But, I don't see it happening this season unless there's an injury. The Packers will see enough to move him up the depth chart and insert him as a starter sooner rather than later as he'll be much cheaper than keeping Donald Driver.

SHOCKWAVES
Next Level Scouting, Inc, is reporting that according to several league sources, the New York Giants have traded former All-Pro tight end Jeremy Shockey to the New Orleans Saints for a 2009 second round draft pick and a fifth round pick, although the specific year of that choice was not immediately made available from the sources.

Mancini's Take: This trade was long overdue. What was the breaking point here, Ross? I think Shockey's recent exchange of words with GM Jerry Reese might have had something to do with it or maybe the G-Men just finally came to their senses and realized what was plainly clear to us fans: The Giants don't need Shockey. In fact, they're probably better without him. Not only did QB Eli Manning grow as a leader without the whining and demanding tight end around, but other players, such as Steve Smith, developed as a surehanded possession receiver. The combination of Smith, tight Kevin Boss and rookie Mario Manningham give the Giants depth and athleticism in their passing game. Shockey at this point would've been just a luxury, who would've complained even louder at the prospect of playing a diminished role in Big Blue's attack. Shock Jock will be a much better fit in New Orleans, which is bereft of dependable options at tight end.

Mandel's Take: I must admit, this surprised me a bit. I figured that if this deal was going to happen, it would've happened much earlier. The Giants get rid of an annoyance and get a couple of useful draft picks for their troubles. They are now left with Kevin Boss as the starter. Look, I know better than anyone that Boss showed up in BIG spots last season, but let's be realistic--the guy had nine catches last season and is still very green. New Yorkers tend to fall in love with players pretty quickly and while I trust the front office's judgment, Boss's maturation will take a while and the production at the position will initially suffer. On the other side, the Saints get a TE--something they haven't had in ages--but not without risk. Shockey needs to stay on the field and keep his mouth shut for this to work in NOLA. The odds of both of those things happening ain't too good.

 

 

 

GATES COULD BE PUP TO START THE SEASON
The Associated Press reports San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (toe) tested his surgically repaired left big toe Monday, July 21, at training camp and said it is about 65 to 70 percent healed. He tested the toe by running and cutting. 'Obviously, it's a process. I'm a lot better than I felt a month ago. I can say that. I have no determinant on when and how fast I'll be coming back. But right now, I feel good. It's a little sore, but it's tolerable,' Gates said.

 

 

 

Mancini's Take: Whether he bounces back from his toe injury in time for the start of the season or not, I think you can make an argument that Gates may see a dip in production in 2008 with the emergence of receivers Vincent Jackson and Chris Chambers. Also remember that the star tight end wasn't always on the same page as QB Philip Rivers last season, as they only connected twice on 10 pass attempts inside the 10-yard line. Gates also caught 19 fewer passes in the second half of the year. I think that it's safe to say that Jason Witten and Kellen Winslow Jr. have surpassed number 85 as the top tight ends in the league. Tell me why Gates is still top dog, Ross man.

 

Mandel's Take: This is a big deal to me since the head coach is throwing the letters "PUP" around. He's their best receiver and the key to the Chargers' passing attack. This injury hasn't healed and it's looking like Gtes won't be 100% any time soon. The Chargers are caught in a bind here--if they rush him back and he's not ready, Gates will be ineffective. If they wait and sit him out a few games, they could easily lose those games--Gates is that important to the Super Bowl contending Chargers.

TERRELL SUGGS TO SKIP PRESEASON & CAMP
The NFL Network reports that Ravens linebacker/defensive end Terrell Suggs does not plan to report to the Ravens until after their final preseason game on August 24. He has hired a personal position coach to keep him fresh.

 

 

Mancini's Take: Suggs and the Ravens have been unable to negotiate a long-term deal by July 15, which means that both sides can't discuss a new contract again until the end of the 2008 season. While the Ravens have franchised him with a one-year, $8.5 million deal, I'm a bit surprised that GM Ozzie Newsome has failed to lock up a top lineman/linebacker in the prime of his career. The Ravens usually act quickly on those types of players. Both sides, however, have to do what's best for their futures. At the very least, coach John Harbaugh knows that he'll get a very-highly motivated playmaker in Suggs this year, who will do his best to make up for a subpar season in 2007.

 

Mandel's Take: The trend continues. I have no problem with Suggs sitting out the pre-season. There's no reason to take any tread off the tire in meaningless games.

PRATER ENTERS CAMP AS KICKER
The Broncos have released Garrett Hartley. The release of Hartley leaves Matt Prater as the only place kicker on the Broncos' roster.

 

 

Mancini's Take: Denver may very well rue the day they decided not to shell out extra bucks to resign Jason Elam. Prater has serious accuracy problems, as evidenced by making 17 of 26 field goals as a senior at Central Florida and making only one of four field goal attempts last year with Atlanta. What's Doug Brien up to these days? Has he checked out of the witness protection program yet after missing two field goals in the Jets 2004 playoff loss to Pittsburgh?

 

Mandel's Take: Going from Jason Elam to Prater is a dropoff that will cost Denver at least a couple of games. Woe is the team that underestimates the value of a reliable kicker. I'm talking to YOU too, Seattle.