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Volume 8, Issue 129 (Friday, August 31st)LIMITED TIME OFFERS Hi Folks, Good Saturday to you. We're at 5 days and counting until kickoff. I can't wait. Friday was nuts with Breaking Updates sent to our Footballguys readers alerting you before anyone else that Byron Leftwich was out in Jacksonville. And then we followed up with the Michael Strahan and Rodney Harrison stories. It's the kind of thing our readers are used to. If you'd like to keep that going all year long, sign up for our Footballguys subscription. For more information about subscribing to the Footballguys website click here. Have a great weekend and let's get to the News and Notes. JSITE NEWS A.
Redraft Overall Rankings
B.
Draft Dominator Application
C.
VBD Application
D.
Injury Recap
INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. Jags To Trade Or Release QB Leftwich, QB Garrard To Start2. DEN - #2 RB Job Goes To Rookie Young Over Bell 3. CHI - Bears TE Olsen To Miss At Least 2-4 Weeks? 4. Titans RB White Likely To Start 5. HOU - Texans WR Jones Forces Release Of WR McCardell 6. NYG - WR Burress Comments On His Offseason 7. PHI - QB Feeley Has Minor Surgery; May Sit Out Opener 8. PIT - WR Ward Sits Out With Broken Nose 9. KC - QB Croyle's Struggles Continue 10. TB - HC Gruden Defends QB Gradkowski 11. SD - Rookie WR Davis Scores First TD 12. OAK - Raiders Still To Decide On Starting QB 13. CLE - Browns QB Frye Officially Named Starter 14. DEF - NYG - DE Strahan Ends Holdout, Will Report To Giants Monday 15. DEF - SEA - Seahawks DT Tubbs Has Torn ACL, Will Miss Season 16. DEF - NE - S Harrison To Be Suspended For 4 Games Jags To Trade Or Release QB Leftwich, QB Garrard To Start Source: Vic Ketchman, Jaguars.com The Jaguars will announce at a press conference late Friday afternoon their intention to trade QB Byron Leftwich prior to Saturday's six p.m. deadline for cutting the roster to 53 players. HC Jack Del Rio will simultaneously announce that David Garrard is the team's new official starting QB. "We've gone through the offseason, training camp and the preseason with Byron as our starter, but after thorough ongoing evaluation of the entire body of work, we have made the decision that David gives us the best chance to win," Del Rio said. "We're naming David as our starting quarterback. This is a strong team with a solid roster and we feel that David's performance and continuing improvement warrants this decision to name him the starter. Byron has been a very important part of this team and this is a significant move to make, but it is a move we feel gives us the best chance of winning," Del Rio added. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Del Rio cited the marked improvements Garrard has made in his game. It was not coincidence I believe that when describing the positive traits of Garrard, the first thing Del Rio mentioned was Garrard's quick release. Leftwich's slow windup has been an issue. Del Rio stressed that Garrard had become a better player. So it's a little hard to look back at 2006 and project 2007 numbers although we have several games to look at as Leftwich missed so much time with injury. Leftwich started the first 6 games of 2006 before he was injured. Garrard started the last 10 games. It's sometimes dangerous to base too much on a small sample size but it is pretty clear that Reggie Williams fared much better with Leftwich than he did with Garrard. All 4 of Williams' touchdowns came in the first 6 games with Leftwich under center. It's also tough as this year, both starting WRs from last year, Matt Jones and Reggie Williams have been outplayed by Ernest Wilford and Dennis Northcutt. But if we look back at what we know, we can see: With Leftwich, Williams averaged 49.5 receiving yards per game and .67 TDs per game. With Garrard, Williams averaged 31.9 receiving yards per game and 0 TDs per game. Matt Jones on the other hand, fared much better with Garrard. Jones caught 4 TDs and all of those came from David Garrard. Jones played in 4 games with Leftwich (he missed 2 games with a hamstring where Leftwich was starting). With Leftwich, Jones averaged 39.25 receiving yards per game and 0 TDs per game. With Garrard, Jones averaged 48.6 receiving yards per game and .4 TDs per game. Ernest Wilford caught 2 TDs both from Garrard last year. With Leftwich, Wilford averaged 35.5 receiving yards per game and 0 TDs per game. With Garrard, Wilford averaged 31.1 receiving yards per game and .2 TDs per game. Can you read much into that? A little. It's an awfully small sample size. But it does appear that Matt Jones was markedly more productive with Garrard. Especially early on. In Garrard's first 4 games under center last year, Reggie Williams suffered. In those first four games with the new QB Garrard, he only caught one pass in each game for an average of 10.75 yards. Jones was much more effective in those early games after Garrard took over. As far as Garrard goes, I don't share Del Rio's opinion that he's significantly better than Leftwich. At least not until we see more. Although there was a worry about Leftwich staying healthy. He's also a much better runner than Leftwich. To see how we project the entire team, click here.DEN - #2 RB Job Goes To Rookie Young Over Bell Source: Mike Klis, Denver Post The Denver Broncos have settled on a backup to RB Travis Henry and his name is not Mike Bell, but rookie Selvin Young has apparently pulled a Mike Bell. Young has gone from undrafted free agency to No. 2 on the tailback depth chart this week. "I came out to try to play football the way I did last week," Young said. "I got some good advice from a couple guys who had been in the league awhile. I heard that anybody can have one good day. But can you put it together and do the job each and every week?" [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] It's not surprising that Mike Shanahan would pull a RB out that wasn't expected to be a big player. Selvin Young becomes a guy you need to have in mind as we all know how productive the Denver system can be. If something were to happen to Henry (and he's not the most durable guy out there) Young would be thrust into a great situation. CHI - Bears TE Olsen To Miss At Least 2-4 Weeks? Source: David Haugh, Chicago Tribune Until further test results from an MRI are received, it has been determined for now that Chicago Bears rookie TE Greg Olsen suffered a knee sprain in last night's exhibition against the Cleveland Browns. Olsen was spotted looking downcast after the game with a brace on his knee. HC Lovie Smith said an MRI is scheduled Friday and knee sprains typically take two to four weeks to heal. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Stay tuned on this one. I've liked what we've seen from Olsen very much up this point. Titans RB White Likely To Start Source: Jim Wyatt, Tennessean According to Tennessee Titans HC Jeff Fisher, RB LenDale White is expected to start for the Titans when they open the regular season on Sept. 9 at Jacksonville. "I thought LenDale and Chris (Brown) both showed enough this preseason in different situations against different defenses to warrant significant playing time," Fisher said. "As far as which guy lines up first, I'd say in all likelihood it will probably be LenDale, but it is not going to be a situation where he gets 90 percent of the carries." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] I've been as down on LenDale White as anyone so I have to give him some due. He's played well these last two games. I still think he'll wind up losing enough carries to Chris Brown though so that both he and Brown are frustrating for fantasy owners. HOU - Texans WR Jones Forces Release Of WR McCardell Source: Associated Press, NFL.com Wide receiver Keenan McCardell was signed just before training camp to bolster the Houston Texans receiving corps, but the emergence of 3rd round pick Jacoby Jones pushed the 37-year-old out of a job. "We drafted him (Jones) in the third round and had I been standing here today with him having a slow process of becoming a player in this league and helping this team, then there's no doubt we'd be keeping six," Texans HC Gary Kubiak said. "But his growth in such a short period of time and what he's been able to do has helped us go with five wide receivers and that's the bottom line." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] It's a tough business and it's tougher sometimes when you're at the tail end of your career like McCardell is. Jones has looked fantastic this summer and looks to have a bright future ahead of him. He's easily a guy I'd take a chance on. NYG - WR Burress Comments On His Offseason Source: Ralph Vacciano, New York Daily News New York Giants WR Plaxico Burress, said, if the season-opener was this Sunday, he'd be ready to play. "This is really, probably the best I've felt all offseason. I dealt with surgery on my ankle in March, then I get to camp and I turn the other ankle, then I have a 103 temperature, then I hurt my back," Burress said. "August was a rough month for me. But I haven't felt as good as I do now for the last four or five months." He is still cautious about his back injury. "It's one of those things where I never know when it's going to come," Burress said. "It's so unpredictable. When I get it, it just shuts me down. Hopefully I can strengthen it and get it better so it doesn't come back." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Burress sounds more optimistic than I am. The back is the biggest worry because as he says, it just seems to flare up. And when it does, it's a big problem. PHI - QB Feeley Has Minor Surgery; May Sit Out Opener Source: Dave Spadaro, PhiladelphiaEagles.com The Philadelphia Eagles QB A.J. Feeley underwent successful surgery today to repair a fractured third metacarpal -- a bone on the top of the hand -- in his left hand. Feeley's status for next Sunday's game at Green Bay will be determined later in the week. Feeley broke the bone during Thursday's loss to the Jets. He said afterward, and before the surgery, that he would be fine to play as the No. 2 quarterback next Sunday in Green Bay. "It feels fine, actually," said Feeley. "It swelled up a little bit and that was it. I couldn't tell you how it happened. It could have been a helmet, I don't know. I'll be ready to go against Green Bay. It's not a big deal. It's my off hand." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Feeley should be fine. Eagles fans hope he doesn't have to see the field this year anyways. PIT - WR Ward Sits Out With Broken Nose Source: Scot Brown, Pittsburgh tribune-Review Pittsburgh WR Hines Ward, who had minor surgery Tuesday on his broken nose, did not play in the preseason finale on Thursday. Ward was in uniform, warmed up with the Steelers, and represented the team as a captain at the pregame coin toss. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Don't worry about Ward here. He'll be fine. KC - QB Croyle's Struggles Continue Source: Adam Teicher, Kansas City Star Chiefs QB Brodie Croyle did nothing that would make the coaches second-guess their decision to make QB Damon Huard the starting quarterback for the regular-season opener against the Texans. Croyle completed just one pass for 15 yards, killed a promising drive by throwing an errant screen pass, and then missed an open Michael Bennett. He later took a sack when it appeared he had time to unload the ball, resulting in two punts and no points in two possessions. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The more we see of Croyle, the more confident I get in Damon Huard holding on to this job for quite a while. TB - HC Gruden Defends QB Gradkowski Source: Chris Harry, Orlando Sentinel Bucs HC Jon Gruden came to the defense of QB Bruce Gradkowski after Gradkowski's name recently surfaced in reports about a point-shaving scam while playing for the University of Toledo. "I don't watch ESPN," Gruden said. "I don't believe half of the [expletive] people on the channel, personally." There is no indication that Gradkowski is among the targets of the investigation. He has not been interviewed by federal agents, but ESPN.com reported that authorities are looking into his playing time in certain games when the final scores appeared suspicious. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] I guess this means Gruden won't be doing that new Sports Center commercial... SD - Rookie WR Davis Scores First TD Source: Tom Shanahan, Chargers.com Chargers WR Craig Davis returned from having his wisdom teeth removed, and caught two passes for 48 yards, including a 40-yard TD on Thursday night. "I've seen him make those plays on the left side and the right side in practice," QB Philip Rivers said. Davis will likely enter the year as the No. 3 wideout. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] With LaDainian Tomlinson, TE Antonio Gates and WR Vincent Jackson on the team, Davis will be limited but it looks like he's going to hang onto that #2 WR job. OAK - Raiders Still To Decide On Starting QB Source: David White, San Francisco Chronicle Raiders HC Lane Kiffin still hasn't decided who his starting QB will be to open up the regular season. "As for the quarterback question, don't have an answer for you," Kiffin said. "We'll go back and look at the film and see where it goes from there." Kiffin added that he may not name a starter until right before the season opener on September 9. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Kiffin is keeping things close to the vest but it looks to us like Daunte Culpepper is going to get the nod here. CLE - Browns QB Frye Officially Named Starter Source: Steve Doerschuk, The Canton Repository While the much-heralded rookie QB Brady Quinn keeps cranking out touchdowns, incumbent QB Charlie Frye is the guy for Cleveland. In a 19-9 win Thursday night over the Bears, Frye started and played two innocuous series. Afterward, Head Coach Romeo Crennel told the team that Frye will start the Sept. 9 opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] I still am of the opinion that we'll see Brady Quinn sooner rather than later. Although it's probably not a bad idea to let Frye go against the tough defenses they'll see early and then let Quinn take over later. DEF - NYG - DE Strahan Ends Holdout, Will Report To Giants Monday Source: Adam Schefter, NFL.com After mulling retirement the entire offseason, defensive end Michael Strahan has decided to play for the New York Giants this season. Strahan will report to the Giants on Monday and will have four practices to get ready for the Giants' season opener against the Dallas Cowboys. Giants HC Tom Coughlin would not speculate whether Strahan would play in the opener under those circumstances. The Giants have fined Strahan $14,288 for each day of his holdout. His fine total reached $514,368 on Friday. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] I hope the people that were up in arms about Brett Favre waiting until the spring to make a decision are letting Strahan hear it too. Regardless of your opinion on the holdout though, Strahan is a guy that helps this defense. Even if it's a rotational role, he can contribute. DEF - SEA - Seahawks DT Tubbs Has Torn ACL, Will Miss Season Source: Clare Farnsworth, Seattle Post-Intelligencer Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Marcus Tubbs will miss the 2007 season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee Thursday night during the first quarter of the Seahawks' victory over the Oakland Raiders in their preseason finale. The team offered no official word regarding Tubbs' injury Friday, but sources indicated that he will have season-ending surgery to repair the damaged ligament. Rookie DT Brandon Mebane will likely replace Tubbs in the line-up. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Tough break for Tubbs and the Seahawks. Keep an eye on the rookie DT Mebane as he'll be forced to grow up quickly. DEF - NE - S Harrison To Be Suspended For 4 Games Source: Chris Mortensen and Len Pasquarelli, ESPN.com New England Patriots strong safety Rodney Harrison will be suspended by the NFL for four games, sources told ESPN's Chris Mortensen, after admitting to federal investigators and to league officials that he used Human Growth Hormone. "I want to make it clear," Harrison said, "that never once did I take steroids. I did admit to the commissioner that I took a banned substance."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] As ESPN writes, Harrison will likely be replaced in the lineup by either third-year veteran James Sanders or rookie Brandon Meriweather, the team's first-round pick this year. It's a pretty big loss for the Patriots defense as Harrison is a vital part of that unit.That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great Saturday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update. J |
