Everybody Loves a Smart Alex
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Bruce, Henderson, Ferguson, Hadnot updates
Feb 29, 2008 | 9:18AM | report this

Wide receiver Isaac Bruce is moving close to a reunion with his former head coach.

FOXSports.com has learned that Bruce is heading to San Francisco for a free-agent meeting with the 49ers, which recently hired Mike Martz as their offensive coordinator.

Bruce spent the past 14 seasons with St. Louis, including six (2000 to 2005) when Martz was head coach. The Rams released Bruce on Thursday to avoid paying him a $2 million roster bonus.

One of the most prolific wide receivers in NFL history, the 35-year-old Bruce has 942 career catches for 14,109 yards and 84 touchdowns.

Another free-agent wide receiver garnering interest is New Orleans’ Devery Henderson. FOXSports.com has learned that Tampa Bay will be hosting Henderson on a visit. A four-year NFL veteran, Henderson caught 20 passes for 409 yards and three touchdowns last season while making nine starts.

Henderson has the kind of big-play ability currently lacking in Tampa Bay’s wide receiver corps outside of Joey Galloway.

X: The Dallas Morning News reported that the Cowboys have traded defensive tackle Jason Ferguson to Miami. Dallas and the Dolphins will swap sixth-round picks in the 2007 draft, which moves the Cowboys to the top of the round. Dallas also will receive a 2009 sixth-round pick.

After missing almost all of last season with a torn biceps, Ferguson became expendable when Jay Ratliff and Tank Johnson played well in his place. The Dolphins were in need of a 3-4 nose tackle after releasing Keith Traylor. Ferguson also played under Dolphins executive vice president Bill Parcells in 2005 and 2006 when the latter was Cowboys coach.


X: Dolphins guard Rex Hadnot is visiting today with the Houston Texans. Hadnot, a 55-game Dolphins starter who played at the University of Houston, is believed to have become expendable in Miami after the club reportedly signed San Francisco guard Justin Smiley to a free-agent contract.

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Young Bucs in trouble
Sep 24, 2007 | 10:39AM | report this

Some quick thoughts on Sunday's games:

* Will Tampa Bay wide receiver Michael Clayton and running back Cadillac Williams ever get their acts together?

After promising rookie seasons, both first-round picks had another rough outing in the Buccaneers' 24-3 victory over St. Louis.

Clayton was cussed out on the sideline by coach Jon Gruden during the second quarter after dropping one pass and fumbling on his only reception (the Bucs recovered). Clayton threw some nice downfield blocks, but that alone isn't why the Bucs made him the 15th player chosen in 2004.

Williams wasn't even Tampa Bay's third-best runner Sunday, as backups Michael Pittman and Earnest Graham were more effective. A lost fourth-quarter fumble overshadowed Williams' 12-carry, 46-yard performance.

Although he wouldn't use bruised ribs as an excuse, Williams failed to showcase the same explosive running style that made him the No. 5 overall pick in 2005. The biggest question surrounding Williams coming out of college was whether he could handle the physical punishment inherent in being a feature running back. The answer is becoming obvious, with Williams battling injuries for a second consecutive season.

* San Diego fans panicking after the Chargers' 1-2 start should remember what team president/CEO Dean Spanos told FOXSports.com in August:

"It doesn't matter what your record is -- just get back to the playoffs and win that first game. If you're 9-7 or 8-8 and win that first game, it's better than 14-2 and out. I know everybody is thinking that way. You just don't want to look too far ahead."

Spanos is right, as San Diego's impressive records in 2004 and 2006 didn't translate to postseason victories. But in my two preseason trips to Chargers headquarters, I sensed San Diego players felt the playoffs were a given because of all the talent amassed by general manager A.J. Smith. A second consecutive loss Sunday to Green Bay should bring the Chargers back to earth.

* Oakland should feel encouraged by the play of quarterback Daunte Culpepper, who guided the Raiders to a 26-24 victory over Cleveland. Playing the second half in relief of injured starter Josh McCown, Culpepper led two scoring drives and didn't commit a turnover in an 8-of-14 passing performance.

After the win, Raiders coach Lane Kiffin wouldn't immediately commit to naming a starting quarterback for this Sunday's game against Miami. But I'm hoping Kiffin gives Culpepper the nod, if only to ####e up a game between teams with a combined 1-5 record. Culpepper will want to show Dolphins coach Cam Cameron made a huge mistake when releasing him in July without letting him compete against Trent Green for a starting spot.

* "And with the first pick in the 2008 draft, the Buffalo Bills select ..." 

I can already hear those words coming from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell's mouth. The Bills are so decimated by injuries, especially on defense, that I can't see Buffalo winning more than three games. The latest blow was promising rookie linebacker Paul Posluszny suffering a broken forearm in Sunday's 38-7 loss to New England.

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ABOUT ME


Alex_Marvez
Alex Marvez is a Senior NFL Writer for FOXSports.com
. He's covered the NFL for 13 seasons as a beat writer and is the president of the Pro Football Writers of America.
Time stamping is done in Pacific Time.