Huddle Up: Charles was almost a Redskin?
An abbreviated look at what’s going on around the NFL on Friday, Aug. 19:
• Former Redskins general manager Vinny Cerrato said during a radio interview that Washington and Kansas City nearly struck a deal that would have sent Jamaal Charles to the nation's capital.
• The Vikings find themselves in a tricky spot this preseason: Give the starters extended time so they can learn the team's new offense or play it safe and hope everything comes together?
• Danario Alexander is trying to push past constant issues with his left knee to play a major role in St. Louis' offense this season. Alexander had 20 catches in his rookie season and, if he can stay healthy, could be a big weapon for Sam Bradford.
• The Eagles were hoping rookie linebacker Casey Matthews could step in and start this season. That plan may be changing after Matthews turned in a terrible performance against the Steelers.
• One of the more underrated pickups of the NFL offseason was Seattle landing former tight end Zach Miller. The ex-Raider has his Seahawks teammates and coaches raving about him already.
• Detroit signed running backs Mike Bell and Jerome Harrison just three days before the team's first preseason game. Lions coach Jim Schwartz says he's holding off judgment of the two until he gets a longer look at them in action.
• Bruce Campbell, Oakland's fourth-round pick in the 2010 draft, should see more playing time as the preseason rolls along. The Raiders are counting on Campbell to develop into a starter this season.
