WR Henry's Assault Accusation Unfounded?

Source: WLWT Channel 5, Cincinnati

The assault accusation against oft-troubled Bengals WR Chris Henry is unfounded according to a source via WLWT Channel 5 news. Henry was accused of assaulting a 16-year old boy in his hometown of Florence, Kentucky. According to the complaint, Henry got out of his car and shoved the boy to the ground. He then said Henry and company, including fellow WR Reggie McNeal, threw beer bottles at him and his friend as they tried to run away. Henry is serving an eight-game suspension for other various run-ins with the law and could face a lifetime ban should he be convicted of another crime.

RB Maroney Talks

Source: Christopher L. Gasper, Boston Globe

Patriots RB Laurence Maroney preemptively stiff-armed any direct questions about the status of his shoulder, but he did say he feels he'll be physically capable of shouldering an increased workload with the departure of Corey Dillon.

"Yeah, most definitely," he said. "We've got a lot of good players on this team and I still don't feel like with Corey being gone and me moving up to the starting running back that the pressure is going to be on me because we still have 10 other people on this [offense] that are going to have to carry their load. I'm going to have to carry my part and we're all going to come together and put it together as a team effort." Maroney said he was able to benefit by taking mental reps during minicamp, but was noncommittal about taking real ones by the start of training camp July 27. "Everything is looking on pace to me," he said. "I don't have a projection. I'll be out there, hopefully, when I get out there, but until then, I'm going to work hard every day to get better."

WR Burress Underwent Ankle Surgery Recently

Source: Rich Eisen & Adam Schefter, NFL Network

According to Rich Eisen and Adam Schefter of the NFL Network, New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin informed the media that WR Plaxico Burress underwent a surgical procedure a couple of months ago to clean out his chronically aching ankle.

Burress didn't seem overly concerned about it. "It's pretty good. Probably about 90 percent. Kind of taking it easy and not really having a setback right now. Six or seven weeks before we go to training camp, there's no reason for me to go out there and have a setback when I'm on schedule for everything to go well."

QB Quinn Not Focused On Contract

Source: AP

Browns rookie quarterback Brady Quinn is too busy learning a new playbook and offensive system, and getting familiar with his teammates to worry about the possibility of a holdout when training camp starts in July.

Quinn, talking Tuesday after the morning practice of minicamp two-a-days, said he has yet to discuss contract negotiations with his agent, Tom Condon. "That's between him and the Browns," Quinn said. "I'm just trying to work hard, make a name for myself here on the Browns and hopefully help our team."

QB Culpepper, NFLPA To File Grievance

Source: Harvey Fialkov, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Miami Dolphins estranged quarterback Daunte Culpepper has decided to file a grievance against the Dolphins for barring him from participating in team drills, two days after handing out a written statement in which he said he was considering doing so. NFL Players Association attorney Richard Berthelsen, through an e-mail sent to NFLPA director of communications Carl Francis, confirmed that a grievance would be filed "sometime soon" against the Dolphins in an effort to force them to release Culpepper.

QB Russell Impressive So Far

Source: Steve Corkran, San Jose Mercury News

Oakland Raiders rookie quarterback JaMarcus Russell has seen increased participation in the Raiders OTA's due to QB Andrew Walter's recent knee surgery. Russell split time with QB Josh McCown running the first-team offense when the team's three-day minicamp opened Monday. "JaMarcus looked really good," HC Lane Kiffin said. "Without going back to watch the film, it was JaMarcus' best practice since he's been here. That was glaring to me. I'll see if I still see that once I see the film. He looked real confident." In addition, Russell's weight is down to 252 lbs, a loss of 13 lbs since the combine.

Kiffin also had high praise for McCown, who arguably had been the most consistent performer of the three candidates vying for the starting job after the release of Aaron Brooks. "(McCown) continues to make great decisions," Kiffin said. "He's a very accurate, very great decision-maker, audibles pretty much into the right plays, and has done a great job."

RB Rhodes Role Unclear, But Will Get Touches

Source: Jason Jones, Sacramento Bee

Raiders RB Dominic Rhodes may or may not start, but he figures to contribute plenty this season. Rhodes said that the Raiders' offense fits him "perfectly" and he has been getting time in the passing offense. "They're going to put me in a lot of situations where I'm matched up with linebackers and safeties and make plays," Rhodes said.