tonytalkssports My Take on Sports, particularly the Yankees, Maple Leafs and Browns

NFL News

Here's what is going on around the NFL:

* Jermichael Finley had a promising start last season before an injury ended his 2010 campaign. Well, the Packers are hopeful that Finley will be back on the field possibly for this week's second preseason game.

* The Chicago Bears were not happy with the performance of second string quarterback Caleb Hanie in last Saturday's game against the Bills. Apparently, rookie Nathan Enderle is getting reps with the Bears second team offense. Not sure what this is all about. Maybe a motivational move to wake Hanie up. Whatever the case, the Bears need to get this situation worked out.

* Jimmy Clausen is scheduled to start once again this week for the Carolina Pathers against Miami. Coach Ron Rivera indicated that a decision will be made as to who the starter will be by the August 25th preseason game against the Bengals. Claussen's competition is overal 1st round draft pick Cam Newton.

* Speaking of the Bengals, Mike Brown's ridiculous stance on Carson Palmer's demand to be traded is typical of an owner who is a joke. Palmer has been a consumate professional and at age 31 sees the handwriting on the wall: the Bengals will be bad for awhile. Palmer could probably bring back a reasonably high draft pick back to Cincinnati but Brown refuses to budge. If I was a Bengal fan, they wouldn't see me at a game this year.

* Chris Johnson is out of his mind wanting to be one of the highest paid players in the NFL. The Titans are ready to pay Johnson Adrian Peterson money but that's not good enough. Johnson wants to be paid like a quarterback. Well, that's not happening. The average career length of an NFL running back is far shorter than that of an NFL quarterback.

* The Washington Redskins have announced that John Beck will start this week at quarterback and the word is that the Shanahans have already made the decision that he will be their starter. So much for Rex Grossman.

* Mike Sims-Walker may be a big find for the St. Louis Rams this season as he wants to prove that the Jacksonville Jaguars made a huge mistake letting him go. Sims-Walker could be somebody to keep an eye on for fantasy purposes.

* Earl Thomas, safety for the Seattle Seahawks, is having an outstanding camp so far. The former Longhorn star is drawing comparisons to All-Pro Raven safety Ed Reed.

* The Buffalo Bills have cut Aaron Maybin. Maybin, the former first round pick, is another of a line of light Penn State defensive ends who were drafted in the 1st round only to be cut. (Michael Haynes - Bears, Courtney Brown - Browns) I can't believe that Maybin came into camp at 228. Several teams have contacted Maybin's agent, including the Jets. It would seem that if Maybin has a future its at OLB.

* Don't know why but I'm really thinking the Kansas City Chiefs can be an exciting team to watch this year. Matt Cassel will have Dwayne Bowe, Steve Breaston, rookie Jonathan Baldwin and tight end Tony Moeaki as his receiving corp. This coupled with star running back Jamaal Charles and Le Ron McClain should make the Chiefs an exciting team to watch this year.