AFC North: Weslye Saunders
Wake-up: Ravens in line for 'Hard Knocks'?
April, 12, 2012
Apr 12
8:15
AM ET
By
Jamison Hensley | ESPN.com
Every morning, grab a cup of coffee and get your AFC North wake-up call here:
The Baltimore Ravens could be in line to make a repeat appearance on HBO's "Hard Knocks" this summer.
If the New York Jets pass on the show, HBO has interest in featuring the Ravens and San Francisco 49ers, sources told Fox Sports. The show, which chronicles training camp, would feature the NFL's head-coaching brothers John and Jim Harbaugh.
A Ravens spokesman told the Baltimore Sun that he was unaware of any request from HBO. The Ravens were the first team to be featured on "Hard Knocks" in 2001 when they were defending Super Bowl champions.
The Ravens might not be high on HBO's list anymore. Sources told ESPNNewYork.com that HBO has extended an offer to the Atlanta Falcons to be on this year's show.
Hensley's slant: I would be shocked if the Ravens agreed to be on the show. When the Ravens were on "Hard Knocks" 11 years ago, their head coach was Brian Billick, who never minded the media attention and actually seemed to enjoy it. The same can't be said for John Harbaugh, who seems uncomfortable when the local media shoot parts of the open media viewing of practice. That's why I can't see Harbaugh signing off on cameras in meeting rooms and having it broadcast on national TV.
BENGALS: The team announced that it re-signed offensive tackle Dennis Roland, who was used mainly as an extra blocking tight end last season after being the primary starter at right tackle in 2009 and 2010. Bengals coach Marvin Lewis also did not completely rule out re-signing Bobbie Williams. “We can’t close the door to it,” Lewis said, via the Cincinnati Enquirer. “What Bobbie has meant to this team, he’s been an incredible locker room guy and in the huddle.” Hensley's slant: The thinking here is that Williams would be a solid fallback option if the Bengals don't like any of the guards available in the early rounds of the draft. I still see the Bengals having a good shot at either Stanford's David DeCastro with the 17th overall pick or Georgia's Cordy Glenn at No. 21.
BROWNS: The team wraps up its pre-draft visits by meeting with Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill on Sunday and Monday, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. The paper believes that the Browns have four options with the fourth overall pick if they decide not to trade down: Tannehill, Oklahoma State receiver Justin Blackmon, Alabama running back Trent Richardson and LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne. Hensley's slant: I'm still not buying the Browns' interest in Tannehill at No. 4. There's also a chance that he won't even be available when the Browns are on the clock at this spot. Some predict the Miami Dolphins will trade to move up to No. 3 to take Tannehill.
STEELERS: Tight end-fullback David Johnson signed his restricted free-agent tender, which will pay him $1.26 million this season. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Gerry Dulac expects the Steelers to carry three tight ends this season and sees the team cutting Weslye Saunders if it likes recently signed Leonard Pope. Saunders has reportedly been suspended the first four games for violating the NFL's policy on performance enhancing substances. Hensley's slant: This scenario could very well happen because the suspension might be causing the Steelers to reconsider why they signed Saunders as an undrafted free agent. He left South Carolina after his junior season because he was kicked off the team in September 2010 for violating team rules. That was one of the reasons teams didn't draft him even though he was regarded as one of the top tight ends coming out of college last year.
The Baltimore Ravens could be in line to make a repeat appearance on HBO's "Hard Knocks" this summer.
If the New York Jets pass on the show, HBO has interest in featuring the Ravens and San Francisco 49ers, sources told Fox Sports. The show, which chronicles training camp, would feature the NFL's head-coaching brothers John and Jim Harbaugh.
A Ravens spokesman told the Baltimore Sun that he was unaware of any request from HBO. The Ravens were the first team to be featured on "Hard Knocks" in 2001 when they were defending Super Bowl champions.
The Ravens might not be high on HBO's list anymore. Sources told ESPNNewYork.com that HBO has extended an offer to the Atlanta Falcons to be on this year's show.
Hensley's slant: I would be shocked if the Ravens agreed to be on the show. When the Ravens were on "Hard Knocks" 11 years ago, their head coach was Brian Billick, who never minded the media attention and actually seemed to enjoy it. The same can't be said for John Harbaugh, who seems uncomfortable when the local media shoot parts of the open media viewing of practice. That's why I can't see Harbaugh signing off on cameras in meeting rooms and having it broadcast on national TV.
BENGALS: The team announced that it re-signed offensive tackle Dennis Roland, who was used mainly as an extra blocking tight end last season after being the primary starter at right tackle in 2009 and 2010. Bengals coach Marvin Lewis also did not completely rule out re-signing Bobbie Williams. “We can’t close the door to it,” Lewis said, via the Cincinnati Enquirer. “What Bobbie has meant to this team, he’s been an incredible locker room guy and in the huddle.” Hensley's slant: The thinking here is that Williams would be a solid fallback option if the Bengals don't like any of the guards available in the early rounds of the draft. I still see the Bengals having a good shot at either Stanford's David DeCastro with the 17th overall pick or Georgia's Cordy Glenn at No. 21.
BROWNS: The team wraps up its pre-draft visits by meeting with Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill on Sunday and Monday, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. The paper believes that the Browns have four options with the fourth overall pick if they decide not to trade down: Tannehill, Oklahoma State receiver Justin Blackmon, Alabama running back Trent Richardson and LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne. Hensley's slant: I'm still not buying the Browns' interest in Tannehill at No. 4. There's also a chance that he won't even be available when the Browns are on the clock at this spot. Some predict the Miami Dolphins will trade to move up to No. 3 to take Tannehill.
STEELERS: Tight end-fullback David Johnson signed his restricted free-agent tender, which will pay him $1.26 million this season. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Gerry Dulac expects the Steelers to carry three tight ends this season and sees the team cutting Weslye Saunders if it likes recently signed Leonard Pope. Saunders has reportedly been suspended the first four games for violating the NFL's policy on performance enhancing substances. Hensley's slant: This scenario could very well happen because the suspension might be causing the Steelers to reconsider why they signed Saunders as an undrafted free agent. He left South Carolina after his junior season because he was kicked off the team in September 2010 for violating team rules. That was one of the reasons teams didn't draft him even though he was regarded as one of the top tight ends coming out of college last year.
Wake-up call: Steelers' Saunders suspended
February, 8, 2012
Feb 8
8:00
AM ET
By
Jamison Hensley | ESPN.com
Every morning, grab a cup of coffee and get your AFC North wake-up call here:
Steelers reserve tight end Weslye Saunders was suspended without pay for the first four games of the 2012 season for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
His suspension begins Sept. 1, but he will be allowed to participate in offseason practices and the entire preseason. According to the Tribune-Review, Saunders is believed to have taken a stimulant prescription drug unknowingly or without receiving a medical waiver from the NFL.
An undrafted free agent, Saunders caught four passes for 29 yards and a touchdown as a rookie.
Hensley's slant: This isn't the first time Saunders has run into trouble, which should raise a red flag for the Steelers. South Carolina kicked Saunders off the team in his senior season for violating team rules and lying to the NCAA about his dealings with an agent. That's why a highly rated prospect went undrafted.
BENGALS: Hall of Fame defender Rod Woodson is waiting to see whether or not he will be a good fit on Cincinnati's coaching staff, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. He spoke with coach Marvin Lewis about the Bengals' opening at secondary coach. “Cincinnati is a good, really young team that is playing well. It would be fun,” Woodson said. “It’s a good nucleus and coaching staff. Marvin has to make a decision of how it would fit in with his coaching staff and players and [defensive coordinator] Mike Zimmer is going to have some say in that." Hensley's slant: Not sure why there is even a question if this would be a good fit. Woodson would provide a unique perspective from his playing days as a cornerback and safety.
BROWNS: The Cleveland city council has approved $5.8 million for repairs to Cleveland Browns Stadium, which will go toward refurbishing seats and repair concrete inside and outside the 12-year-old structure. But public officials are worried about if they will have enough funds when a countywide tax for maintaining the building runs out in 2015, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Hensley's slant: The maintenance of a stadium is extremely important. Just ask those who attended games at Cleveland Municipal Stadium about what happens when one gets neglected. It's not pretty.
RAVENS: Offensive coordinator Cam Cameron sees connections that can be drawn between the Ravens' Joe Flacco and the Giants' Eli Manning. “I think there are a lot of parallels when you look at where they both were after four years,” Cameron told the team's website. “They both have had a reasonable amount of success. We all know the success Joe has had, we all know Joe’s upside. I think people were saying the same thing about Eli.” Hensley's slant: It's true that Flacco's stats look similar -- and even better -- than Manning's numbers in his first NFL seasons. And Flacco showed that he can lead a team to the Super Bowl this year (if not for Lee Evans failing to hold onto the ball in the end zone). But until Flacco wins a Super Bowl, there is no comparison.
Steelers reserve tight end Weslye Saunders was suspended without pay for the first four games of the 2012 season for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
His suspension begins Sept. 1, but he will be allowed to participate in offseason practices and the entire preseason. According to the Tribune-Review, Saunders is believed to have taken a stimulant prescription drug unknowingly or without receiving a medical waiver from the NFL.
An undrafted free agent, Saunders caught four passes for 29 yards and a touchdown as a rookie.
Hensley's slant: This isn't the first time Saunders has run into trouble, which should raise a red flag for the Steelers. South Carolina kicked Saunders off the team in his senior season for violating team rules and lying to the NCAA about his dealings with an agent. That's why a highly rated prospect went undrafted.
BENGALS: Hall of Fame defender Rod Woodson is waiting to see whether or not he will be a good fit on Cincinnati's coaching staff, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. He spoke with coach Marvin Lewis about the Bengals' opening at secondary coach. “Cincinnati is a good, really young team that is playing well. It would be fun,” Woodson said. “It’s a good nucleus and coaching staff. Marvin has to make a decision of how it would fit in with his coaching staff and players and [defensive coordinator] Mike Zimmer is going to have some say in that." Hensley's slant: Not sure why there is even a question if this would be a good fit. Woodson would provide a unique perspective from his playing days as a cornerback and safety.
BROWNS: The Cleveland city council has approved $5.8 million for repairs to Cleveland Browns Stadium, which will go toward refurbishing seats and repair concrete inside and outside the 12-year-old structure. But public officials are worried about if they will have enough funds when a countywide tax for maintaining the building runs out in 2015, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Hensley's slant: The maintenance of a stadium is extremely important. Just ask those who attended games at Cleveland Municipal Stadium about what happens when one gets neglected. It's not pretty.
RAVENS: Offensive coordinator Cam Cameron sees connections that can be drawn between the Ravens' Joe Flacco and the Giants' Eli Manning. “I think there are a lot of parallels when you look at where they both were after four years,” Cameron told the team's website. “They both have had a reasonable amount of success. We all know the success Joe has had, we all know Joe’s upside. I think people were saying the same thing about Eli.” Hensley's slant: It's true that Flacco's stats look similar -- and even better -- than Manning's numbers in his first NFL seasons. And Flacco showed that he can lead a team to the Super Bowl this year (if not for Lee Evans failing to hold onto the ball in the end zone). But until Flacco wins a Super Bowl, there is no comparison.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Jamison Hensley
Hensley joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering the Ravens for The Baltimore Sun for 11 years. A graduate of the University of Maryland, he lives in the Baltimore area with his wife.
