NFL News & Blogs

Geoff Hobson, of Bengals.com, reports Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said WR Matt Jones has to earn his way onto the final roster next season. ‘We’re not locked into him. We’re only investing in his chance for him to make it. That’s what you should be doing this time of year,’ Lewis said. Our View: Matt Jones reportedly had a bad workout for the Bengals, but the team felt it was worth signing him anyway. He was out of football last season, and will have to prove he belongs back in the NFL once he shakes off the rust.

Will Spencer, of Scout.com, reports University of Michigan DE Brandon Graham said he hopes to run the 40-yard dash in the 4.5-second range at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Updating a previous report, Mike Berardino, of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, reports Miami Dolphins CB Will D. Allen could face punishment from the NFL if he is convicted or pleads guilty to driving under the influence.

Christina Vega, of the Miami Herald, reports Miami Dolphins CB Will D. Allen was arrested Saturday, Feb. 20, and has been charged with driving under the influence.

Dolphins cornerback Will Allen has been arrested and charged with driving under the influence in Miami Beach.

Miami Dolphins cornerback Will Allen was arrested Saturday and charged with driving under the influence in Miami Beach.

Len Pasquarelli, of ESPN.com, reports St. Louis Rams scouts are becoming increasingly convinced that Nebraska DL Ndamukong Suh is the best player available in the NFL Draft, in a relatively close call with Oklahoma DL Gerald McCoy.

Bill Williamson, of ESPN.com, reports Kansas City Chiefs OT Branden Albert will likely be switching positions soon. Albert has been slow to develop at left tackle in his two seasons as a pro and could move to right tackle for 2010, if the Chiefs select a left tackle in the NFL Draft. According to several NFL scouts, Albert will be a more effective right tackle than a left tackle.

Free agency begins on March 5 and the draft — expanded to three days this year — starts on April 22, but there could be plenty of player movement before either of those dates.

Last year, tight end Kellen Winslow, linebacker Mike Vrabel, quarterbacks Matt Cassel and Sage Rosenfels and defensive backs Lito Sheppard and Anthony Henry all were traded in February. Several other players, including quarterback Jay Cutler, offensive tackle Jason Peters and tight end Tony Gonzalez, were dealt before the draft.

Here are 10 high-profile players who could wind up on the trading block — or the waiver wire — in the coming weeks:

Cardinals WR Anquan Boldin

The skinny: Boldin, who caught 84 passes for 1,024 yards last season, has wanted out of Arizona for a while now. The Cardinals may have enough receivers behind Larry Fitzgerald to fill the void if Boldin leaves.

Scout’s take: “Just from a talent standpoint, I would think teams would be interested in him because he’s still a No. 1 receiver on a lot of teams.”

Panthers DE Julius Peppers

The skinny: He can be a dominating pass rusher — when he wants to be. Putting the franchise tag (more than $20 million) on Peppers again probably isn’t an option for the Panthers — unless they could turn around and trade him.

Scout’s take: “The main issue with Julius is he doesn’t give it to you all the time. His price tag is going to be astronomical. If I were to spend that kind of money, I’d hope that the guy’s motor was going to run hot all the time.”

Brandon Marshall’s days in Denver could be numbered.

Broncos WR Brandon Marshall

The skinny: Marshall is one of only two players (Wes Welker is the other) to catch at least 100 passes in each of the last three seasons. But his distractive behavior sometimes overshadows his prolific production.

Scout’s take: “He’s a beast. The guy can turn a game and dominate a game. Obviously, the attitudinal and away-from-the-field issues are question marks.”

Dolphins OLB Joey Porter

The skinny: After putting up an AFC-leading 17 1/2 sacks in ‘08, Porter had less impact last season as he was reduced to a role player. The Dolphins already tried to cut him but had to hold off because of cap issues. He will go in March.

Scout’s take: “I think he’s hit the wall. Maybe he finds a 3-4 team where he can spot play.”

Giants DE Osi Umenyiora

The skinny: It’s been a tough couple of years for Umenyiora, who missed the ‘08 season with a knee injury and lost his starting job late in the ‘09 season. He wants to be assured that he will be a starter, not a situational pass rusher.

Scout’s take: “He’s a talented rush guy who can flat-out come off the edge. I would think there would be a market for him just from a talent standpoint.”

Jets FS Kerry Rhodes

The skinny: Rhodes, who lost his starting job to Eric Smith for two games last season, may not be Rex Ryan’s type of player. He reportedly is due to make $4.8 in 2010, including a $2 million roster bonus payable in March.

Scout’s take: “He’s physical. He blows people up coming downhill. There should be a market out there for him.”

Rams QB Marc Bulger

The skinny: He is the NFL’s poster boy for battered quarterback syndrome. The Rams rewarded him with a lucrative contract after a career season in ‘06, but his performance has deteriorated after being hit — and injured — so often.

Scout’s take: “He’s kind of come to the end. I see his role as coming in behind a young starter, where he can be a mentor and an emergency starter or insurance policy type of guy.”

Seahawks DE Patrick Kerney

The skinny: The Seahawks need to upgrade a pass rush that accounted for only one sack in the final four games last season. Kerney is 33 and has lost a step, so he no longer looks like a good fit in Seattle.

Scout’s take: “In terms of playing at the level he’s played in the past, I don’t necessarily see that. You can start him, but you (should) play him in a rotation where he doesn’t have to take all the snaps.”

Titans RB LenDale White

The skinny: White lost more than 30 pounds coming into last season as he expected to play a big part in the offense. But he became lost in the shadow of Chris Johnson’s run to 2,000 yards. Javon Ringer, a fifth-round pick in ‘09, could make White expendable.

Scout’s take: “He lost all that weight last year and was supposed to be rejuvenated, but I really didn’t see it. I think there will be a spot for him somewhere in the league, but I don’t know if people will be knocking down his door.”

Redskins RB Clinton Portis

The skinny: Injuries limited him to eight games in ‘09, and even when he did play he was largely ineffective (494 rushing yards). Poor line play accounted for some of the problems, but there also is a perception that Portis’ work ethic has declined.

Scout’s take: “He’s not the back he was three or four years ago. He’s 28, but he’s a bit of an old 28. He’s got some miles on him. If you play him in a rotation, where you have another young back to go with him, he’s still got enough to help a team.”

Dennis Dillon is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at ddillon@sportingnews.com.