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Volume 8, Issue 51 (Thursday, June 14th)
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Turn that domination into cash. You focus on winning, we will run the league. Play in your money league at RealTime Fantasy Sports. Our payouts are the highest around. Why play where you can win less? Play where you can win more! Go with someone you can trust, RealTime Fantasy Sports has been doing fantasy football on the Internet for 13 seasons. Our Money Leagues feature: * Online draft * You choose your draft time * RealTime Scoring, of course* NO transaction fees * 3 division winners plus wildcard make playoffs * Lineup moves right up until kickoff * Get draft help from our free draft guide * Stay on top with player notes and NFL news |
Do you dominate your fantasy football league?Hi Folks,
Welcome to Friday. It's been a fun week and I hope you're looking toward a good weekend. We've got lots of News and Notes for you but first, our Quote Of The Day: "Can you let everyone at the (NFL) Network know that my heart is broke because last night some guy ran into the back of my 1975 convertible Caprice Classic. I just had a new paint job. I am fine. I had a contusion on the top of my left hand and the x-rays were negative." -- Miami QB Daunte Culpepper in a statement to the NFL Network following his car accident. OK, let's get to it. Have a great Friday. JSITE NEWS
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B.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. MIA - QB Culpepper Bruises Non-Throwing Hand In Car Accident2. BAL - WR Clayton Bulks Up
3. SF - 49ers RB Clayton Considered More Than Short Yardage Back
4. IND - Colts Receive Super Bowl Rings
5. NYJ - Jets OL Kendall Asks For Trade Or Release
6. GB - QB Favre Suffers From Sore Shoulder
7. CIN - WRs Perry, Chatman Seizing Opportunities
8. PIT - Players Warming To HC Tomlin
9. TB - QB Simms Falls To Third On Depth Chart
10. NYG - HC Coughlin Sets Tone
11. DEF - STL - DE Little Encouraged By DE Hall's Arrival
12. DEF - JAX - Jaguars Release SS Darius
13. DEF - NE - DB Meriweather Mending
14. DEF - NYJ - LB Vilma Says His Dogfighting Comments Were Misunderstood
MIA - QB Culpepper Bruises Non-Throwing Hand In Car Accident
Source: Macollvie Jean-Francois, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Miami Dolphins quarterback Daunte Culpepper suffered a contusion on his non-throwing hand last night in a two-vehicle crash, a Florida Highway Patrol spokesman said this morning. The crash occurred about 10:30 p.m. Wednesday. Both vehicles rolled off the roadway. "No big deal except for the fact that some guy ran into the back of my 1975 convertible Caprice Classic. I got a contusion on the top of my left hand and X-rays were negative. I am fine,'' Culpepper said.
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Relatively good news for Culpepper following the initial reports that were he'd been in a car accident and had injured his hand. It sounds like it's a relatively minor hand injury. In fact, Culpepper sounds more worried about the car.
Source: Aaron Wilson, Carroll County Times
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Mark Clayton has added ten pounds of muscle during the off-season, in effort to boost his endurance and tackle-breaking ability.
"This year, our attitude when we're on the field is we're attacking," Clayton said. "We want to put points on the board and then let our defense pin their ears back and have at it. Steve has a year under his belt, so, hopefully, this year we'll be able to step it up to another level. "I just wanted to be more explosive, catch the ball better and break some tackles," Clayton said. "We'll see how it all works out. First and foremost is mentally to understand the game to a point where I can just go out and play, help this team and get to where we want to be."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
I'm liking this from Clayton. He needed to add some bulk and he's saying all the right things. Let's see how that translates to the playing field.
SF - 49ers RB Clayton Considered More Than Short Yardage Back
Source: Kevin Lynch, San Francisco Chronicle
San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Nolan recently said that he views running back Thomas Clayton as more of a first and second down back, rather than a short yardage back that many had speculated after the team selected him in the 2007 draft.
"He's more a first- and second-down back," Nolan said. At 225 pounds, Clayton outweighs Maurice Hicks and Frank Gore, but Nolan said his style is more shifty than North and South.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Interesting. We currently have Frank Gore as our #4 RB http://subscribers.footballguys.com/2007/currentproj-rb.php so we hope Clayton doesn't see too much work on 1st and 2nd down. We'll be watching the San Francisco training camp closely here to see how this shapes up. We still feel very confident in Frank Gore.
IND - Colts Receive Super Bowl Rings
Source: Mike Chappell, The Indianapolis Star
Get past the 50 diamonds and synthetic blue sapphire horseshoe — if your eyes allow it — and the Indianapolis Colts' Super Bowl ring is much more about the simple words and symbols found in the subtleties of the design.
"I'm excited the way it turned out," said team owner Jim Irsay, who issued about 275 of the rings to players, coaches, other members of his organization and a few close acquaintances at a private ceremony Wednesday evening at the posh Indiana Roof Downtown. There's the word "Faith" on one shank, or side, of the ring. Faith "gives you the strength to have the perseverance to move forward even after many disappointments," Irsay explained. On the opposite shank is the phrase "Our time." That was the Colts' theme as they headed into the playoffs, which culminated Feb. 4 in Miami with a 29-17 victory over the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI, the first championship in the Colts' Indianapolis era.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
You can click on the link for a picture of the ring. Some players came back who are no longer with the team, including wide receiver Brandon Stokley, linebacker Cato June and assistant coaches Leslie Frazier and Diron Reynolds. Irsay picked up the tab — flight and hotel costs — for everyone who came in from out of town. Pretty cool.
NYJ - Jets OL Kendall Asks For Trade Or Release
Source: Associated Press, ESPN
Jets OL Pete Kendall has asked the Jets to trade or release him because of a bitter contract dispute, and his frustration and anger were clear as he spoke to the media for more than 20 minutes Thursday morning. "My situation's just become a circus," Kendall said. "I'm very unhappy." "The situation bothers me," Kendall continued. "It's just one thing after another. I placed a phone call to Eric right before the draft and I'm still waiting for a return phone call. I don't know how to take that. He talked to my agent, and my agent told him, 'Call Pete.' I still haven't gotten a phone call back. I guess you take it for what it is."
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It seems that it's been all sunshine from the Jets lately with Eric Mangini getting the Sopranos love and the team stealing Thomas Jones from the Bears. Pete Kendall brings them back to reality a little. I'd be surprised to see the Jets do much here.
GB - QB Favre Suffers From Sore Shoulder
Source: Associated Press, Sports Illustrated
Packers QB Brett Favre was pulled from Thursdays OTA's with a sore right shoulder - his throwing shoulder. "I probably could practice, but it really don't make a lot of sense to go out and make it any worse," Favre said. "I think it's probably just tendinitis or something like that." HC McCarthy said the medical staff doesn't consider the injury to be serious, but that won't be on the field next Monday and Tuesday, when the Packers conclude their workouts.
Favre also admitted to struggling a little with motivation. "I don't have the self-motivation I once had," Favre conceded. "It's frustrating to me, it's disappointing at times that I just can't make myself get up and go do it. It's much easier to say, `Ah, I'll do it tomorrow.' "The difference being there's going to be people chasing me (on the field) in about six weeks. So, I better do it."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
I think I agree with Favre. I'd say knowing that Shawne Merriman will soon be chasing you would be a pretty motivating thought...
CIN - WRs Perry, Chatman Seizing Opportunities
Source: Kevin Goheen, Cincinnati Post
After recovering from 2006 injuries, and in the wake of WR Chris Henry's eight-game suspension, Bengals receivers Tab Perry and Antonio Chatman are ready to step in and contribute. The Bengals coaching staff is working to get more players not named Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who have combined for 520 receptions and over 7,000 yards) involved in the offense. "We're both versatile players so it's not like we've got a set three (receivers)," Perry said of himself and Chatman. Chatman will also continue his role as punt returner, while Perry's work on kick returns may decrease.
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Some people overlook #3 WRs but don't you do it. Especially on a team that throws like the Bengals. Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh will get their receptions but there are enough left over to be worthwhile. We think it'll be Tab Perry that gets the bulk of that #3 WR work. Here's how we project the entire Bengals team right now http://subscribers.footballguys.com/2007/currentproj-cin.php
PIT - Players Warming To HC Tomlin
Source: Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post Gazette
The pouting and bickering have subsided and the Pittsburgh Steelers are starting to come around regarding their new head coach Mike Tomlin. Despite Tomlin cutting loose Pittsburgh's most outspoken veteran (LB Joey Porter) and fining its all-pro guard Alan Faneca for skipping a practice, the players are feeling more comfortable with Tomlin and his new style. "We've moved on and guys are starting to buy into it," WR Hines Ward said. "When he first got here, you sat back and really didn't say anything. Now, his door is open, and he's more than willing to listen to things."
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Good news from Pittsburgh. Bill Cowher is one tough act to follow but Tomlin seems to be doing a fine job there. Having a few key veterans like Ward buy into the system will be huge. It'll be interesting to watch how the team progresses through training camp.
TB - QB Simms Falls To Third On Depth Chart
Source: Katherine Smith, Tampa Tribune
As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers wrapped up their OTAs on Thursday, the plight of QB Chris Simms got worse. He apparently has been passed up by second-year pro Bruce Gradkowski as the backup to starting QB Jeff Garcia. Gradkowski worked with the second string offense and Simms with the third unit. QB Luke McCown was running fourth.
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We're not putting too much stock into this for now. I think this is 100% Jon Gruden motivating Simms. As we told you yesterday, Simms says he's basically healthy but he did pick up some bad throwing mechanics as he recovered from his injured spleen last year. We think he'll be the solid #2 QB when it's all said and he'll give Garcia a run for his money.
Source: Clifton Brown, New York Times
Following a season in which several players criticized the coaching staff and there was division in the locker room, New York Giants HC Tom Coughlin set the tone for the 2007 season when the team opened its three-day minicamp Wednesday. "What we would really like to do, and I've talked to our team about it, is do our playing on the field and let our play do the talking," Coughlin said. "Not spend so much time trying to explain who we are, where we are. Let's just play the game. Talk is cheap."
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If you caught NFL Network's Total Access program Thursday night, you caught the humor in this one. They talked about Coughlin's statements to the team about talking less. And then went to TE Jeremy Shockey...talking. I think I'd agree with Coughlin that talk is cheap. But I'm not sure he means what I think he means...
DEF - STL - DE Little Encouraged By DE Hall's Arrival
Source: Jim Thomas, St. Louis Post Dispatch
"Thank God for James Hall," Rams DE Leonard Little said. "No more double teams." Little is hoping that Hall's arrival via a trade this offseason will help break him free on the left side of the line. "I think (Hall) will bring to the table a lot of what Leonard brings to the other side," HC Scott Linehan said. Last week Hall practiced for the first time after having season ending shoulder surgery in November to repair a torn labrum and rotator cuff.
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We always look for the "what's changed?" question for players and for Little, it looks like the addition of Hall will be a positive. Factor that into your projections.
DEF - JAX - Jaguars Release SS Darius
Source: Vic Ketchman,Jaguars.com
The defender who has started the most games in the history of the Jacksonville Jaguars was told to take a hike Thursday. SS Donovin Darius was told on Thursday morning that the team was releasing him to get younger on defense.
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This one made some waves among players and fans. Darius has been called a "pillar" in the Jacksonville community and he was popular among the players. Coming at the same time where the Jacksonville front office is reportedly considering adding Daunte Culpepper to a QB corps that already includes Byron Leftwich and David Garrard adds even more pressure to the decision. The bottom line though is that this game is a business and Darius' contract didn't seem to match his contributions in the eyes of Jaguars management.
DEF - NE - DB Meriweather Mending
Source: Christopher L. Gasper, Boston Globe
New England Patriots first-round pick, safety Brandon Meriweather, is currently sidelined by a hamstring injury and was not on the field during the Patriots three-day minicamp last week, although he was in Foxborough working out. Meriweather was also absent from the passing camp session the Patriots opened to the media last month. Although most projected Meriweather as a safety coming out of the University of Miami, the Patriots have discussed playing Meriweather at cornerback, due to CB Asante Samuel's threatened hold out.
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The uglier that the Asante Samuel situation becomes, the more the Patriots will be looking toward Meriweather to help shore up their defensive backfield.
DEF - NYJ - LB Vilma Says His Dogfighting Comments Were Misunderstood
Source: AP
Jets linebacker Jonathan Vilma said Thursday his recent comments comparing dogfighting to horse racing were misunderstood.
Asked on a local radio show his thoughts on the investigation of Falcons quarterback Michael Vick's possible involvement in dogfighting, Vilma said: "Dogfighting is much more extreme, but you can equate it to horse racing. ... Everyone has heard about dogfighting. Whether you choose to participate or not, that's your decision. I'm not here to condone or accept it. It's been there for a while..." Speaking at the team's minicamp Thursday, Vilma insisted "my comments that were misinterpreted were that I am not for or against dogfighting or Michael Vick. It's an unfortunate situation for Michael Vick whether he is involved or not." "I was definitely not comparing the two, dogfighting to horse racing. You'll have activists who are against both. They say in horse racing, you put a lot of stress on the animals," Vilma added. "I'm indifferent and it's a matter of wanting to stay away from the whole Michael Vick situation, whether he is involved or not. I'm not saying anything about dogfighting or anyone who might be involved in it."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
I wonder if Vilma caught any of the Clinton Portis version of this same story? It makes you wonder.
Coach Mangini probably wonders too. "We completely don't condone cruelty to animals on any level," Mangini said. "At some point, we probably will talk to him about that."That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great Friday and a fantastic Father's Day Weekend.
See you tomorrow with the update. J