Baltimore Ravens 12/22/2008 1:22 PMESPN’s Adam Rittenberg reports Illinois junior cornerback Vontae Davis will forgo his final year of eligibility and enter the 2009 NFL draft. The two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection could be the first cornerback selected in April's draft. Davis' older brother, Vernon, plays tight end for the San Francisco 49ers. "It has been a goal of mine for a long time to have the opportunity to play in the NFL," Davis said in a statement. "I thank coach [Ron] Zook and all my teammates at Illinois who have helped me get to this place. Because I was able to get on the field early at Illinois and because coach Zook believed in me so much, I think I am ready for the new challenge that professional football brings."Read more
San Francisco 49ers 12/18/2008 8:20 AMThe San Francisco Chronicle reports once a franchise quarterback and now a forgotten man, Alex Smith admitted Wednesday in his first interview in months that it would be difficult for him to resurrect his career with the 49ers. Smith, who went on injured reserve Sept. 10 and had shoulder surgery Oct. 30, said, "It would be harder, absolutely. Without a doubt. When you come in with that kind of expectation, it's frustrating for me that it hasn't come to fruition. I absolutely think it might be harder." However, he added, "It's something that gets me going - you get that chip on your shoulder, trying to prove everybody wrong."Read more
Philadelphia Eagles 12/18/2008 8:19 AMThe Philadelphia Inquirer reports QB Donovan McNabb strongly denied statements by the Monday Night Football crew that his relationship with coach Andy Reid was fractured even though the Eagles were playing their best football of the season.McNabb indicated last week that he planned to talk to Reid and the front office about his situation during the off-season. "My relationship hasn't changed with Andy," the quarterback said before practice yesterday. "I guess that would be the assumption that people would make because of the situation and the coverage it has received," he said of the reported friction. "In this situation, we're professionals," McNabb said. "We know what our job [requires] us to do," and that's to "try to get us in a position to make the playoffs."Read more
Indianapolis Colts 12/18/2008 8:19 AMThe Indianapolis Star reports Colts receiver Marvin Harrison will miss tonight's game with a hamstring injury suffered in Sunday's win over Detroit. He did not travel to Jacksonville. The injury initially was listed as being to a knee, but Colts coach Tony Dungy said Wednesday it was a hamstring. Harrison underwent an MRI test but the results have not been released.Read more
