News and Rumours

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A source with the USC Trojans confirmed that Green Bay has been scouting quarterback Matt Leinart – somewhat of a surprise considering it chose Cal's Aaron Rodgers in the first round of the 2005 draft. Should the 1-6 Packers end up with the No. 1 pick in next year's draft, conventional wisdom suggests the team would take a hard look at USC tailback Reggie Bush. But they have apparently been showing interest in Leinart, too.

That doesn't necessarily mean the Packers aren't happy with Rodgers, who has appeared to be further from starting than initially hoped. Many teams do their due diligence with top-rated players, even when they are stocked at a position. And with Leinart being considered a "franchise" quarterback, the No. 1 pick is expected to have plenty of value for trade. However, one NFC personnel source said he wouldn't be surprised if the Packers are legitimately interested in Leinart.

"He would have been taken (over Alex Smith)," he said of Leinart. "Who knows exactly what they've seen from Rodgers since he's gotten in there. I don't think anyone would have told you Rodgers had a better grade than Leinart going into the (2005) draft. Maybe they are interested in Leinart. I know this: If I thought one player was far better than another, especially at quarterback, I would take a long, long look at it. But considering they just spent a first-round pick on Rodgers and will have a year invested in him, they would have to think there's a huge disparity."



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Giants cornerback Will Allen is likely on his way out of New York. He's slated to become a free agent after the season, and coach Tom Coughlin continues to be disappointed that his cornerbacks haven't been bigger playmakers. Allen has recorded only one interception in his last 29 games, and that's not what the Giants were expecting from their highest paid cornerback (Allen is making $2.275 million this season).



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Return specialist Eddie Drummond's hopes of netting himself a lucrative, long-term deal from the Detroit Lions this season seem to be fading fast. One of the NFL's most electrifying return men last season, Drummond missed five games in 2004 and has once again been slowed by injuries. In five games this season, Drummond has averaged 3.9 yards per punt return and 20.3 yards per kick return, and he has no touchdowns – numbers far below the league's best returners.



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With wide receiver Bobby Engram slated to return to the Seattle Seahawks possibly as early as this week – and hopes that Darrell Jackson will come back from his knee injury by the end of November – Seahawks coaches think the early spate of injuries could be good for their team in the long run.

The loss of Engram and Jackson forced quarterback Matt Hasselbeck to develop better rapport with wideout Joe Jurevicius and tight end Jerramy Stevens, who have both stepped up their play in the last three weeks Should Jackson return, the Seahawks would have their most potent set of offensive weapons since Mike Holmgren arrived in Seattle.



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Talk in league circles persists that Chad Pennington's shoulder issues may end up sidelining him for much of next season, and that the New York Jets will explore every available option at the position this offseason – including drafting another quarterback or trading for a veteran starter.


He fixes the cable?