Monday, February 21, 2011

Eagles could make run at Asomugha

Here are some whispers we've been hearing from around the NFC:

• The Nnamdi Asomugha fever has picked up in several cities, but the anticipation in Philadelphia is high. Sources close to the Eagles think they will start investigating Asomugha once a new CBA is in place and could be willing to make him a big offer. It would put a lot of money into the CB position along with Asante Samuel, but the Eagles might be willing to make the move with a first-year coordinator in Juan Castillo and a lot of youth on that side of the ball.

• Giants RB Ahmad Bradshaw told the world via Twitter that his surgically repaired ankle "feels great" and that he's anxious to get back to action. We expect Giants GM Jerry Reese to strongly hint from the Indianapolis Scouting Combine that he has no intentions of letting Bradshaw, despite his penchant for fumbling, walk in free agency.

• Our Packers sources tell us that WR Jordy Nelson's injured bursa sac in his left knee is nothing to worry about. Nelson raised some eyebrows when he showed up at the post-Super Bowl celebration at Lambeau Field on crutches, but we hear rest and ice treatments should get him back to normal in the not-too-distant future.

• We hear there's a possibility the Packers might decide to use a franchise tag on PK Mason Crosby.

• The Buccaneers replaced longtime special-teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia with Dwayne Stukes when Bisaccia left the team to take the same job with the Chargers after the season. This is the most responsibility Stukes, who is beginning his sixth year with the team, has had. At 34, he'll be one of the younger coordinators in the league. With LB Adam Hayward and WR Maurice Stovall — two leaders on special teams who don't contribute much at their respective positions on offense and defense — due to become free agents, the Bucs may make it a priority to bring them back to help out Stukes as he starts in his new job.

• We hear Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt is in no hurry at all to make a decision on whether he or newly promoted offensive coordinator Mike Miller — or both of them at different times — will be calling the team's plays next season. Team insiders believe Whisenhunt might choose to continue handling the majority of the play-calling in an effort to ease the pressure on Miller in his new capacity. But word is the team is much more concerned right now about its unsettled situations at quarterback and on the offensive line than who's going to be calling the plays.

• Keep a close eye on Rams 2010 seventh-round draft pick Josh Hull. We hear the linebacker was starting to grow on the team before suffering a season-ending torn ACL in a mid-September practice.

• Don't be shocked if the Niners seriously look into the possibility of acquiring Buccaneers backup QB Josh Johnson down the road. Johnson, who played for new Niners head coach Jim Harbaugh at San Diego State, has a decent arm and would likely be a much cheaper alternative than signalcallers such as Kevin Kolb or Carson Palmer.

• While it's far from a certainty, we hear the odds of veteran FB Moran Norris returning to the Niners aren't looking real good. Said one team insider: "He's always been very strong, but he has become so stiff. I don't think the mobility is there anymore."

Raquel Alessi Marisa Coughlan Shanna Moakler Portia de Rossi Jolene Blalock

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