Tuesday Morning One-Liners

Bills QB Trent Edwards and WR Lee Evans will take batting practice with the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday. Greg Cote of the Miami Herald thinks that not signing DE Jason Taylor shows that the Dolphins are still in rebuilding mode. The Patriots appear comfortable going with inexperienced backup quarterbacks Matt Gutierrez and Kevin O’Connell. Bob Glauber of Newsday believes the Jets and RB Thomas Jones will find some middle ground that keeps Jones on the Jets in 2009. The Ravens have been in touch with WR Kelley Washington following his tryout at their minicamp over the weekend. There should be spirited competition for roster spots at several positions during Bengals camp this summer. Said Browns coach Eric Mangini of rookie LB David Veikune’s transition from defensive end, “It has been positive. His change of direction, his ability to communicate the defense and his understanding of concepts have all been good.” Steelers defensive line coach John Mitchell will be inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame this month. Don Banks of SI.com picks the Texans to be one of six new playoff teams in 2009. Colts president Bill Polian said that rookie CB Jerraud Powers plays with the same style as CB Kelvin Hayden. The Jaguars officially announced the signing of QB Todd Bouman. Titans QB Kerry Collins is excited about the potential of the passing game following the additions of wide receivers Kenny Britt and Nate Washington. Broncos RB Knowshon Moreno asked the family of late CB Darrent Williams for permission to wear number 27, which they agreed to if Moreno donated time to working at the teen center they opened in Williams’ memory. After last weekend’s minicamp, Chiefs DE Tyson Jackson said he understood why people say rookie defensive linemen face a tough transition to the NFL. The Raiders signed veteran free agent WR Samie Parker. The new rule limiting wedges on kick returns won’t force the Chargers to overhaul their system. Cowboys QB Tony Romo failed to qualify for the sectional round of qualifying for golf’s U.S. Open. Giants QB Andre’ Woodson won’t concede his roster spot to rookie QB Rhett Bomar. Redskins RB Marcus Mason is hoping for a longer stay with the team this season. The Eagles had WR Jeremy Maclin rated as one of the top ten players in the draft, regardless of position. Bears TE Michael Gaines will have a base salary of $620,000, but can earn as much as $1.25 million through bonuses and incentives. Said Lions RB Kevin Smith of the team’s quarterback competition, “Everyone welcomed [Matthew] Stafford aboard, and let’s win games. How ‘bout that? Forget Daunte [Culpepper] versus Stafford. Let’s get to the playoffs.” Packers president Mark Murphy said that doctors told free agent T Mark Tauscher that he won’t be ready to play until mid-to-late October. Judd Zulgad of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune wonders what happened during the Vikings’ negotiations with CB Antoine Winfield. Said Falcons coach Mike Smith of DE Jamaal Anderson, “Unfortunately, guys often times are judged by their draft status and that comes with the territory. But my experience here with Jamaal in one season is that we are pleased with his progress. We think he’s made huge steps from the first day that we got here and we think he will continue to do that.” Said Panther FB Brad Hoover of the team’s decision to draft FB Tony Fiammetta, “I was a little shocked. I knew it was coming eventually because I’m not getting any younger. I thought it might be later in the draft or maybe next year.” Saints coach Sean Payton said the team planned to sign T Michael Brown, but the team hasn’t made any announcement yet. Gary Shelton of the St. Petersburg Times thinks the Buccaneers need to rebuild their fans’ trust. Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt had knee surgery last week. The Rams might not be done purging veterans from their roster. Kevin Lynch of the San Francisco Chronicle has questions about the 49ers’ offseason priorities. Seahawks WR Nate Burleson has been lining up as a scout team defensive back during workouts.