Pete Kendall and the Washington Redskins needed each other.  Kendall was part of a prolonged exile with the Jets throughout the past several months after sparring with team officials over his contract.  Meanwhile, the Redskins had a hole along their offensive line after allowing Derrick Dockery to sign with Buffalo early in the spring.

The Redskins tried to fill Dockery’s spot at left guard with veteran tackle Todd Wade.   Wade has excellent size and power, but struggled to make the transition from being a career right tackle to moving to the left side to play inside.  Wade never found a comfort zone at that spot with his techniques and feel for the position. 

Enter Pete Kendall.  Kendall is 34 years old, but remains a solid veteran presence and has graded well at left guard over the past couple seasons with the Jets.  Kendall lacks the lower body strength to consistently move guys off the line, but he’s a tough, nasty blocker who plays with tremendous technique. 

Kendall’s addition bolsters the club’s veteran stability upfront and a strong ground game will work together to support a young quarterback in Jason Campbell. 

Chiefs make right decision at quarterback: I believe the Chiefs made the right decision by naming Damon Huard the starting quarterback heading into the season.  Brodie Croyle has intriguing physical tools and the Chiefs were hoping he could win the job coming out of training camp, but he made too many mistakes with the football.  Huard has limitations, but he’s a steady veteran who protects the football.  He gives the Chiefs the best opportunity to win at the beginning of the season.  Huard is also respected by many veterans on the team. 

At some point, the Chiefs need to answer the question on Croyle.  There’s no debate he has the physical tools and makeup to become a starting quarterback.  The Chiefs have to find the right time to hand the reins to Croyle with the understanding that there will be growing pains.  The Chiefs must learn if Croyle can handle the physical demands of being a starting quarterback in the National Football League after questions about his durability surfaced during his college career.  And ultimately, they have to determine whether he can lift the team to a higher level and display the mental toughness to eventually become a long-term fixture at quarterback for their franchise. 

Bengals add depth: Cincinnati made a solid move by adding veteran linebacker Lemar Marshall.  Marshall has experience at both the weak side and in the middle.  He’s not very big, but he’s smart and plays to his assignments.  Marshall is also solid in pass coverage.  He replaces what they lost when they cut Brian Simmons last spring.  Marshall is coming off a subpar 2006 season as a starter in the middle with the Redskins, but was slowed by some knee and ankle problems.  Marshall bolsters the Bengals’ depth at linebacker.  Ed Hartwell began camp in competition on the weakside, but is taking a lot of reps at middle linebacker now to act as insurance if Ahmad Brooks can’t handle the mental responsibilities that comes with the position.  But Hartwell lacks the speed that Marvin Lewis wants in the middle and has a history of knee problems the past couple years. 

Gaither pushing for starting spot with Ravens: Rookie Jared Gaither has opened a lot of eyes during training camp.  Gaither was highly coveted by the Ravens coming out of the Supplemental Draft for his incredible size and upside, but there were questions about his mental toughness and work ethic.  But he’s been a surprise thus far.  He’s worked hard and hasn’t backed down in practice.  He’s been moving well and matching up well in pass protection.  The Ravens planned on allowing Gaither to settle into the left tackle position behind Jonathan Odgen this season, but he could open the season as the starting right tackle ahead of Adam Terry. 

Quarterback derby heats up in Cleveland: While Brady Quinn has opened a lot of eyes during the exhibition season, the question remains on what will happen with Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson.  Frye will likely get the opening game nod despite Quinn’s intriguing performances.  The Browns will likely also keep Ken Dorsey.  Dorsey is extremely smart and has a tremendous understanding of Rob Chudzinski’s scheme.  He’s been an invaluable resource for Quinn thus far.  But will the Browns keep four quarterbacks to open the season?  A few teams are keeping an eye on this situation as there is interest in Derek Anderson.  Anderson needs to learn to make better decisions with the football and isn’t very mobile, but has good size and scouts like the way he throws the ball. 

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Pete Kendall and the Washington Redskins needed each other.  Kendall was part of a prolonged exile with the Jets throughout the past several months after sparring with team officials over his contract.  Meanwhile, the Redskins had a hole along their offensive line after allowing Derrick Dockery to sign with Buffalo early in the spring.

The Redskins tried to fill Dockery’s spot at left guard with veteran tackle Todd Wade.   Wade has excellent size and power, but struggled to make the transition from being a career right tackle to moving to the left side to play inside.  Wade never found a comfort zone at that spot with his techniques and feel for the position. 

Enter Pete Kendall.  Kendall is 34 years old, but remains a solid veteran presence and has graded well at left guard over the past couple seasons with the Jets.  Kendall lacks the lower body strength to consistently move guys off the line, but he’s a tough, nasty blocker who plays with tremendous technique. 

Kendall’s addition bolsters the club’s veteran stability upfront and a strong ground game will work together to support a young quarterback in Jason Campbell. 

Chiefs make right decision at quarterback: I believe the Chiefs made the right decision by naming Damon Huard the starting quarterback heading into the season.  Brodie Croyle has intriguing physical tools and the Chiefs were hoping he could win the job coming out of training camp, but he made too many mistakes with the football.  Huard has limitations, but he’s a steady veteran who protects the football.  He gives the Chiefs the best opportunity to win at the beginning of the season.  Huard is also respected by many veterans on the team. 

At some point, the Chiefs need to answer the question on Croyle.  There’s no debate he has the physical tools and makeup to become a starting quarterback.  The Chiefs have to find the right time to hand the reins to Croyle with the understanding that there will be growing pains.  The Chiefs must learn if Croyle can handle the physical demands of being a starting quarterback in the National Football League after questions about his durability surfaced during his college career.  And ultimately, they have to determine whether he can lift the team to a higher level and display the mental toughness to eventually become a long-term fixture at quarterback for their franchise. 

Bengals add depth: Cincinnati made a solid move by adding veteran linebacker Lemar Marshall.  Marshall has experience at both the weak side and in the middle.  He’s not very big, but he’s smart and plays to his assignments.  Marshall is also solid in pass coverage.  He replaces what they lost when they cut Brian Simmons last spring.  Marshall is coming off a subpar 2006 season as a starter in the middle with the Redskins, but was slowed by some knee and ankle problems.  Marshall bolsters the Bengals’ depth at linebacker.  Ed Hartwell began camp in competition on the weakside, but is taking a lot of reps at middle linebacker now to act as insurance if Ahmad Brooks can’t handle the mental responsibilities that comes with the position.  But Hartwell lacks the speed that Marvin Lewis wants in the middle and has a history of knee problems the past couple years. 

Gaither pushing for starting spot with Ravens: Rookie Jared Gaither has opened a lot of eyes during training camp.  Gaither was highly coveted by the Ravens coming out of the Supplemental Draft for his incredible size and upside, but there were questions about his mental toughness and work ethic.  But he’s been a surprise thus far.  He’s worked hard and hasn’t backed down in practice.  He’s been moving well and matching up well in pass protection.  The Ravens planned on allowing Gaither to settle into the left tackle position behind Jonathan Odgen this season, but he could open the season as the starting right tackle ahead of Adam Terry. 

Quarterback derby heats up in Cleveland: While Brady Quinn has opened a lot of eyes during the exhibition season, the question remains on what will happen with Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson.  Frye will likely get the opening game nod despite Quinn’s intriguing performances.  The Browns will likely also keep Ken Dorsey.  Dorsey is extremely smart and has a tremendous understanding of Rob Chudzinski’s scheme.  He’s been an invaluable resource for Quinn thus far.  But will the Browns keep four quarterbacks to open the season?  A few teams are keeping an eye on this situation as there is interest in Derek Anderson.  Anderson needs to learn to make better decisions with the football and isn’t very mobile, but has good size and scouts like the way he throws the ball. 

 

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