SB Nation Boston: All Posts by Louis Bien

• Schiano: Mike Glennon competing with Josh Freeman

• Titus Young's mugshot is Hall of Fame-worthy | #Lookit

Chad Johnson arrested for probation violation, according to report

2013-05-20T16:01:40Z

Chad Johnson was arrested Monday for violation of his probation. A warrant was issued earlier this month after Johnson reportedly failed to report to his probation officer on two occasions and was unable to provide proof of enrollment in a domestic violation education class.

More: Who are the Bengals with the most to prove?

Johnson was released early into training camp with the Miami Dolphins last year after being arrested on domestic violence charges against his wife, Evelyn Lozada. Ostensibly, he has been trying to make his way back onto an NFL roster, but hasn't garnered much attention since. Johnson's latest arrest certainly won't help matters.

Johnson was once one of the league's elite receivers. He had six consecutive seasons with over 1,000 yards receiving for the Cincinnati Bengals, and has 67 touchdown receptions and over 11,000 receiving yards for his career. Over time, Johnson developed an increasingly eccentric persona, evolving from elaborate touchdown dances to his piece de resistance: Changing his name to Chad Ochocinco in 2008.

Johnson (then still Ochocinco) was traded to the New England Patriots in 2011, but failed to earn a significant role in the offense. He caught just 15 passes for 276 yards and one touchdown during the regular season before being released.

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Calvin Johnson admits playing with broken fingers in 2012

2013-05-20T15:07:22Z

Calvin Johnson admitted Monday that he played the 2012 season with broken fingers, according to Chris McCosky of the Detroit News. Similar rumors surfaced in February, after the wide receiver set an NFL record with 1,964 yards receiving last season.

Pride of Detroit:'Imagine what he can do with full health'

Johnson has not, nor will he undergo surgery on his hand. Instead he's working on straightening out his finger on his own while preparing for the Detroit Lions' upcoming season. It's hard to project any long-term concerns about his playing ability considering how he well he handled himself last year. Johnson should technically be even better in 2013, which is a scary thought for opponents.

Johnson's biggest potential for improvement is in the end zone. He is hoping the Lions can make more trips to the red zone so that he can improve on his relatively paltry five touchdown receptions from a year ago. Johnson signed an eight-year contract worth $132 million last march, putting him in a Lions uniform through 2019 provided the contract is fulfilled.

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Eagles evaluate Jason Avant, Clay Harbor on defense

2013-05-20T14:43:08Z

Jason Avant and Clay Harbor are spending time on the opposite side of the ball during Philadelphia Eagles OTAs. New head coach Chip Kelly is giving Harbor reps at outside linebacker and Avant reps at defensive back in case of emergency, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. Neither player is expected to make a permanent switch. Both have embraced the challenge, however.

"It's one of those things that I work hard, and whatever that may be, and whatever the team wants me to do, I'll do it," Avant said. "Whatever that is - special teams, offense - whatever it may bring. I'm going to do it the best I can. I don't necessarily think it's a clouded future. I think it's an honor, in any way, for any coach to think you can do other things."

Neither Harbor nor Avant have played defense in a significant capacity since high school. Both spent time at safety, and Avant was even a highly-regarded recruit at the postion before going on to become a sticky-handed wide receiver at Michigan.

More: Reaction from Bleeding Green Nation

As the Inquirer story notes, trying players out at different positions isn't entirely unheard-of in the NFL. The New England Patriots have used receivers Troy Brown and Julian Edelman as defensive backs in the past, and linebacker Mike Vrabel was used as a tight end in the red zone on occasion.

Neither Avant nor Harbor is enough of a regular contributor for injuries to be a concern. For Harbor, the defensive reps may even help prolong his stint in Philadelphia after the team signed free agent James Casey and drafted Zach Ertz during the offseason.

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Dwight Freeney signs 2-year, $8.75 million contract with Chargers

2013-05-20T14:11:09Z

Dwight Freeney is finally off the free agent market after signing a two-year, $8.75 million contract with the San Diego Chargers. According to Sports Illustrated's Peter King, Freeney was holding out for $6 million per season, which he felt was his market value. His contract with the Chargers will allow him to make up $6.5 million per year, provided he meets incentive goals.

More: Reaction to the signing from Bolts From The Blue

As the SB Nation blog Bolts From The Blue points out, Melvin Ingram's torn ACL likely spurred the deal to get done. The team did well for itself by signing a player who many considered the best pass rusher still available on the market.

There are a few caveats, however. Freeney will be playing mostly outside linebacker in the Chargers' 3-4 defense, not the 4-3 defensive end position in which he has thrived for most of his career. He struggled when asked to stand up from the line of scrimmage, recording just five sacks last season. Hopefully, Freeney will not still be dealing with a high ankle sprain. The Chargers are expected to run multiple fronts, allowing the veteran pass rusher to put his hand down on occasion.

With the signing, the Chargers may not have the cap space to make another major purchase before the 2013 season. The team has been in the market for a starting left tackle, but now appears set to make do with King Dunlap protecting Philip Rivers.

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Quentin Jammer expects to leave Chargers

2013-05-20T13:31:29Z

Quentin Jammer wants to play next season, but he isn't expecting to suit up in a San Diego Chargers uniform. The veteran cornerback told the San Diego Union-Tribune that his expectation "is to be elsewhere," though he is very open to returning with the organization.

More: Bolts From The Blue on Dwight Freeney's move to San Diego

"I'd love to come back (to the Chargers)," Jammer said. "I've had conversations with them. I totally understood the direction they were going in. They said the door wasn't completely closed. Hopefully, maybe down the road a little bit, the Chargers will offer me something."

Jammer made it clear that he won't be retiring. After 11 seasons in the NFL, he could certainly hang up his cleats and call it a career without any eyelashes batted in his direction. Jammer still feels he can play at a high level, however. More importantly, he doesn't want to retire then return to the league after feeling regret that he left the game too soon.

Jammer is an unrestricted free agent at the moment, with no clear job prospects. He is very high on the Washington Redskins after visiting the organization in April. The team certainly had its struggles defending the pass last season, and Jammer could inject consistency at a reasonable price. He had three interceptions (one returned for a touchdown) and a forced fumble last season.

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Tom Brady: 'I've never felt better throwing the football'

2013-05-20T13:08:09Z

Bad news for New England Patriots' opponents this season: Tom Brady says he is feeling better than ever. Sports Illustrated's Peter King caught up with Brady at a charity event this past weekend, and the 36-year-old quarterback apparently showed no lack of confidence.

More: Full Patriots coverage at the SB Nation blog Pats Pulpit

"Going into my 14th year, I have never had more confidence in how I am throwing the football. I've never felt better throwing the football."

Brady is still working working hard to refine his mechanics. He began working with a new personal quarterback coach, Tom House, after his longtime mentor, Tom Martinez, died 15 months ago. With House, Brady is trying to improve something called "ground-force production" which is essentially how a quarterback derives more power from his arm using his legs and hips. In an aging body, tight mechanics make up for what youth can no longer deliver.

"When you've got to fit it into the tightest windows, mechanics are crucial," Brady said. "And to me, the offseason is crucial. If you make a throw within four feet, that's not going to be good enough. You have to make the throw within four inches of your target. That's good enough. And that's why the mechanics you adjust and learn in the offseason are important. You're going to keep them during the season."

Brady and the Patriots no doubt expect to contend for a Super Bowl yet again. If Brady can truly take his game a notch above, there is every reason to expect the Pats to be among the best teams in the league next season.

More from SB Nation:

• Schiano: Mike Glennon competing with Josh Freeman

• Titus Young's mugshot is Hall of Fame-worthy | #Lookit