Jason David seeking redemption

If Jason David’s decision to leave 2006 Super Bowl champion Indianapolis for more money in New Orleans had gone as the cornerback envisioned, he probably wouldn’t be playing much — if at all — in the Saints’ preseason finale against Miami on Thursday night.

His job would be secure, and coaches wouldn’t want to risk injury by leaving him on the field for long with the regular season starting in little more than a week. But David’s job is anything but secure. He’ll play a lot and may need to play well just to keep his spot on the roster.

“I really can’t pay too much attention to that kind of stuff,” David, who turned 26 in June, said after practice on Tuesday. “That’s really not in my hands. That’s up to the coaching staff. I’ve just got to go out there and keep competing at practice and show them I’m trying to get better and I’m still a growing player in this league.”

Full Story: Nola.com

Rucker Hopes his Time is Thursday with Steelers

Micah Rucker is hoping Thursday night is his chance to show the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“I think Thursday the starters may play a series,” the former Eastern Illinois wide receiver said. “I think pretty much I’ll have a full game.”

The Steelers’ final preseason game against the Carolina Panthers could determine whether the rookie free agent lands a spot on the Steelers roster for the regular season, is sent to the developmental practice squad or is sent packing with no job at all.

“You can feel the pressure in the air,” Rucker said Monday. “A few guys were let go today. Everyone is on their P’s and Q’s trying to do things right. You want to finish camp strong and make things as hard as you can on the coaches. All I can do is play as hard as I can and let God take care of the rest.”

Trying to learn routes for all three receiver positions with the Steelers, Rucker figures the Y spot works best for him, going inside and using his size.

But the 6-foot-6 two-time All-Ohio Valley Conference star is willing to fill any role, including special teams, for this NFL chance.

In the Steelers’ win the past Saturday, Rucker got into the game late for a two-minute drill but had no passes thrown to him.

“I’m feeling a little more comfortable,” he said. “We’ll see how things go.”

Saints Sign Schulters

The Saints signed veteran safety Lance Schulters on Monday and released backup long snapper Ryan Senser. The 33-year-old was a Pro Bowler with the San Francisco 49ers in 1999, and he was one of the league’s premier safeties for several years with the 49ers and Tennessee Titans. But he has played only sparingly the last two seasons with the Atlanta Falcons and Miami Dolphins.

“I’ve just been working out, staying in shape,” said Schulters, who has been out of work since last season. “I knew something was going to happen sooner or later. I just didn’t know when. You know how this league works.”

Schulters said he was excited to join fellow Hofstra alum Marques Colston in New Orleans. They’re part of a small fraternity in the NFL.

Utah Blaze’s Maurice Fountain Signs with Dolphins

Utah Blaze DL Maurice Fountain, a member of the 2008 Arena Football League All-Rookie Team, has signed with the Miami Dolphins.
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Fountain tallied 13.5 tackles for the Blaze in 2008 and was second on the team in sacks with four. In all, Fountain had 11 solo stops, 2.5 assisted tackles, two pass deflections and a forced fumble.
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“Maurice had a tremendous season for us in 2008 and was one of the main reasons why we made the playoffs for the third straight time in our franchise history,” Utah Blaze head coach Ron James said. “We wish him the best in his endeavors with the Dolphins.”
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As a member of the Manchester Wolves (af2) in 2007, Fountain recorded 29.5 tackles and had a franchise-record 13 sacks in 16 games.

The Morris Touch

He’s seen defensive assistants come and go at One Buc Place, so Ronde Barber is cherishing every last moment with Raheem Morris.

Tampa Bay’s dynamic secondary coach is considered a short-timer, no longer a secret in NFL coaching circles.

His return to the Bucs in 2007 helped Monte Kiffin’s unit regain its typical stature among the league’s elite defenses and Morris, who turns 32 in three weeks, appears to be on the same career track as his mentor, former Tampa secondary coach Mike Tomlin.

“Does Raheem get too much credit? Probably not enough,” said Barber, the veteran cornerback who welcomed Morris back after his one-year departure to Kansas State. “You can’t help but think he won’t be here for long. He’s on the same path as a Mike Tomlin. He’s not a guy who’s going to stick around and wallow in the same job for a long time.”

Well before you even meet him, you can hear Raheem Morris on the practice field.

“His passion for the game is what makes him a special coach,” Bucs general manager Bruce Allen said.

A former defensive back at Hofstra, Morris boasts the energy level of Chris Rock and the charisma of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

“It’s the ability to communicate,” Bucs assistant head coach Larry Coyer said. “Raheem has it and you can’t learn it. Good or bad, he talks to the players in a positive way. You can’t fake it - he is what he is. I’d say he has an unlimited future in this league.”

With the Bucs on their way to an NFC South title in the fall of 2005, Morris didn’t know for certain that Tomlin would be leaving the organization. So when Kansas State expressed interest in naming Morris defensive coordinator, Tomlin’s key assistant finished out the season in Tampa and decided to leave for Manhattan, Kan.

Tomlin would soon be named defensive coordinator of the Vikings, but Morris kept his word and joined the Wildcat staff. Defensive line coach Rod Marinelli also moved on and Tampa Bay’s defense promptly plunged from first to 17th.

“I really had no intentions of being back to Tampa this fast,” said Morris, who began receiving feelers from Kiffin after his first season with the Wildcats. “It was tough leaving K-State but I have to be honest - I love the NFL. I don’t think I’d ever turn down an opportunity to work with Coach Kiffin.”

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Rookie Jackson vies for job

Trying to learn routes for all three receiver positions with the Steelers, Rucker figures the Y spot works best for him, going inside and using his size.

But the 6-foot-6 two-time All-Ohio Valley Conference star is willing to fill any role, including special teams, for this NFL chance.

In the Steelers’ win the past Saturday, Rucker got into the game late for a two-minute drill but had no passes thrown to him.

“I’m feeling a little more comfortable,” he said. “We’ll see how things go.”

Bumpus Gives Best Shot

Just give him a chance to shine.

That’s all Michael Bumpus needs. And so far, the former Washington State receiver is getting it and taking full advantage of his opportunity.

Bumpus had been an afterthought in the Seattle Seahawks competition at receiver between youngsters Ben Obomanu, Courtney Taylor, Jordan Kent and Logan Payne. But with his solid play in the team’s scrimmage and the first preseason game, Bumpus is proving he belongs in that conversation.

“Numbers-wise you look at the depth chart and you kind of say, ‘There’s no way I’m making this team,” Bobby Engram said about Bumpus. “And I tried to talk to him about that early on, (telling him) don’t look at the numbers, just go out there and play your game and let what happens, happen.

“He’s had a phenomenal camp. He’s really working the slot well. He’s got great speed on the outside and he’s a tough guy.”

As a slot receiver for four years for the Cougars, Bumpus said he constantly studies the veteran Engram during practice, with Engram considered one of the best slot receivers in the NFL.

Bumpus has showed an ability to outmuscle defensive backs for the ball and does a nice job of reading defenses, settling into the soft spot of a zone and making himself available.

“He has a real good feel for the game,” Seahawks receivers coach Keith Gilbertson said. “He gets it. But he’s still young. The challenge will be when he’s playing earlier in the game against the other team’s top people, then you’ll see.

“So until he gets on their best nickel (defensive back) and best corners and has to go against really the top people in the league, then we’ll see.”

Bumpus has been solid in game action for the Seahawks. In the team’s Aug. 2 scrimmage he bounced off a big hit by cornerback Josh Wilson and muscled his way into the end zone for a 23-yard score. Against Minnesota on Friday, Bumpus led the Seahawks in receiving with three catches for 51 yards.

“I feel like I’m working hard and that I’m competing for a spot,” Bumpus said. “I don’t really look for the recognition as much, as long as the people upstairs are taking a look at the film and they’re satisfied with what I’m doing then I’m pretty secure out here.”

A Pac-10 honorable mention selection as a receiver his senior season, the 5-foot-11, 194-pounder also finished as Washington State’s career leader in receptions (185) and punt return yards (801). After he went undrafted, Seattle signed Bumpus as a free agent. The rookie said the transition to the pros has been helped by the Seahawks running a similar style offense as the Cougars.

“A lot of guys come here and struggle with this offense,” Bumpus said. “It just gives a player like me a lot of confidence knowing I can come in here and learn a complex offense and get it down in a couple weeks.”

Although he will probably be on the outside looking in when the team announces its 53-man roster, and is perhaps headed to the team’s practice squad, Bumpus works to get extra reps in before and after practice with an eye toward the future.

“It’s a big audition,” he said. “If it doesn’t work out here, hopefully I’m consistent enough that someone else is looking at film and gives me another shot.”

Tomlin’s rhetoric cranks up Steelers

The Steelers’ transformation, in coach Mike Tomlin’s estimation, from a team that had been “enduring” training camp into one that was suddenly “enjoying” it didn’t occur without a little prompting.
Tomlin sensed as much was necessary after observing a Monday morning workout that suggested his team was stuck in neutral, or, as Tomlin put it, “in survival mode.”

“He gave a little speech (Monday) morning after practice,” nose tackle Chris Hoke said. “He said, ‘Hey, listen, let’s start thriving and not surviving in this camp. Let’s get to work.’

“I think (Monday) afternoon guys were trying to buy into it a little bit.”

The Steelers were so crisp and enthusiastic in that Monday afternoon session that Tomlin suspected a “threshold” might have been crossed.
Tuesday’s scheduled festivities, especially last evening’s practice at St. Vincent College, offered “spirited” confirmation, especially a second live goal-line drill that was “much better” than the one the Steelers had conducted Sunday.

Still, the response from Tomlin was more prodding.

“It’s easy to come out here and have a great time and compete when you know you have ‘goal line’ at the end,” Tomlin said. “We’ll see what the dog days are like (today) when there’s a less attractive drill waiting at the end of practice.”

Full Story: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Turning the Corner

No one seems to be too certain where it all went so wrong for Jason David.

He arrived at the Saints facility a year ago with a four-year contract and with the task of helping solidify a beleaguered pass defense.

Coaches and reporters raved about his speed and playmaking ability. Fans coveted the chance to see the new addition. It seemed as if David was the perfect match.

That was until the season started, and opposing quarterbacks attacked him, and the fan base turned on him, singing out a chorus of boos.

But that was last year. And everyone knows cornerbacks are supposed to have short-term memories.

“It’s football,” David said. “The more you play this game the more things you understand. You are not going to always have the best season or the best game you want. So it’s all about bouncing back and how you come back from situations like that.

“Each player out here feels like they have something to prove, everybody from the second-team kicker to the long snapper. Everybody wants to do their job as best as they can and prove to people that they are a good player.” No one may have more to prove, though, than David.

Full Story: The Times Picayune

Holliday Taking Over Taylor’s Role

Most fans and media pundits in Miami are aware of Vonnie Holliday’s penchant for mentoring younger players and asserting a soothing veteran presence in the locker room. Read more