Horse Tracks 5/9/09

Happy Saturday, folks! No Broncos news today, so we'll make this front page a Chefs and Raiders Spectacular (Puke). Hope your weekends get off to a great start!

NFL - Although this is from the fantasy-football angle, Michael Fabiani looks at a few players whose contracts are in their final years, including the top QB-WR combinations for both the Broncos (Kyle Orton and Brandon Marshall) and Dolts (Philip Rivers and Vincent Jackson).

SFC - Javon Walker keeps finding new ways of pleasing his employers; Javon apparently had a knee operation last month, but just told the Raiders about it a few days ago.

SFC - Darrius Heyward-Bey and the rest of the new Raiders began their first mini-camp yesterday.

SFG - Here are David Whites notes from the mini-camp; Part One and Part Two.

SFG - Jokeland signed fullback Lorenzo Neal, most recently of Baltimore, and running back Gary Russell, the former Stiller.

ESPN - The Raiders have also reportedly signed WR Samie Parker.

KCS - The Chefs elevated longtime employee and current COO and EVP Denny Thum to the position of team president. Thum will run everything except the football operation, which of course is under the command of Scott Pioli.

KCS - Yesterday was the first day of the Chefs' rookie mini-camp. Adam Teicher has details and quotes from coach Todd Haley.

KCS - The Chefs finally announced the signings of 12 undrafted free-agents.

NFL - Brett Favre and Brad Childress did finally speak by phone yesterday, and of course a comeback is still a possibility. What, or did you believe Bus Cook?

ESPN - According to ESPN, X-rays of Brett Favre's throwing shoulder have been sent to the Vikings. Wait, I thought he told them he was staying retired?

Y! - The Rams released their leading tackler from last year, LB Pisa Tinoisamoa.

NFL - Tony Gonzalez is excited to be an Atlanta Falcon.

NFP - Andrew Brandt points out that Favre has no contract, for the first time since he joined the NFL. Even throws in a picture of The Greatest Ever. Sniff, sniff.

SI - Don Banks looks at six teams who he thinks will make the playoffs in 2009 after missing them in 2008. Banks also looks at the six teams he thinks they'll replace in the playoff field.

NFP - Matt Bowen considers why rookie receivers tend to struggle in the NFL. Apparently it's Broncos picture day at the NFP (Champ).

NFP - Mike Lombardi thinks Bowen is crazy for predicting that Kubes and the Texans will win the AFC South next year.

SI - Ross Tucker thinks a Super Bowl in London would be great business for the NFL. Tucker also responds to some emails.

NFP - Wes Bunting ranks his second tier of 20 players for the 2010 Draft.