News and Notes from around the NFL

May 30, 2007

Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kris Jenkins has not yet reported to a voluntary workout session for the Panthers, according to th Charlotte Observer. Talk of Jenkins being traded has been floating around all offseason. Though he has not been traded yet, his name continues to remain in the headlines, lately do to Drew Rosenhaus flapping his gums.

Jenkins has been productive for the Panthers, but the longer this situation is allowed to go on, the worse it will be for all parties involved. The Panthers need to decide what to do about Jenkins and do it, before mandatory camps begin. The last thing the Panthers need is a volatile atmosphere during training camp. Carolina has underachieved the past couple of years and absolutely cannot afford to loser their focus going into the 2007 season.

The Chicago Bears do enjoy signing their draft picks.  They enjoy it so much that they’ve signed two more, third-round linebacker Michael Okwo and fourth-round guard-center Josh Beekman, both supposedly to four-year contracts.  Though there are no official details, the numbers that are floating around seem fair to all parties involved.  They Chicago Bears have now signed seven of their nine total draft picks.

The Bears have certainly been busy signing their draft picks quickly this off-season.  Why the Bears have worked so quickly to sign all their draft picks is unclear, but they are certainly moving much faster than the rest of the league.  As of this writing, the Bears’ contracted rookies comprised more than half of all draft picks to sign contracts so far.  The only picks the Bears have set to sign are their first and second rounders.  Better get on that, boys.

The tragic death of Marquis Hill continues to dominate the headlines.  This story, from the Boston Herald, is from the point of view of Hill’s fiancee.  She remembers Hill as strong and kind.  As with nearly every account of this young man, it just seems that there wasn’t a bad bone in him.  He was truly a wonderful young man.
Hill seemed to represent all the was good about the athletes in the NFL, and in a time when the league is trying to alter its image for the better, it is players like Hill who should be at the forefront.  This is truly a tragic and unfortunate loss, for the league, the Patriots, and for Hill’s friends and family.  Condolences go out to everyone who was close to Marquis Hill.

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