|
Volume 8, Issue 61 (Sunday, June 24th)
LIMITED TIME OFFERS
Hi Folks,
Good Monday to you. We're entering that weird time of year as mini camps wrap up and players scatter out to get that last rest in before real training camps start. But you won't find any resting here. The news stories may wane a little but we'll have lots of content for you here and of course on the website that we'll be telling you about. First though, let's hit the Quote Of The Day: "Here, I can drive down the street and wave at anybody. In New York, they give you the finger." -- Giants QB Eli Manning to the audience in Oxford, Mississippi about the difference between quarterbacking for Ole Miss and the Giants. Have a great Monday and thanks for reading. JSITE NEWS
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. CLE - Browns QB Race To Be Down To Two Players By Week 1 Of Preseason2. DET - QB Kitna Predicts 10+ Wins For Lions
3. WAS - Redskins' backup QB Bramlet named World Bowl MVP
4. ATL - Falcons WR Robinson Impressing Coaches
5. CLE - Trouble Looming For Signing LT Thomas?
6. NYJ - Jets Continue To Anger G Kendall
7. NFL Europa May Be Done
8. NYG - Giants QB Manning Enjoys Visit To Mississippi
9. TEN - QB Young A Rookie No Longer
CLE - Browns QB Race To Be Down To Two Players By Week 1 Of Preseason
Source: Mary Kay Cabot, Cleveland Plain Dealer
GM Phil Savage said the quarterback competition should be a two-man race by the end of the first preseason game, Aug. 11.
"It should be whittled down by then through holdout, injury or performance," said Savage. "We have enough reps to get two quarterbacks ready, but not three or four." Savage said Charlie Frye's experience would've put him ahead at this point if not for the new offense. "It's leveled the playing field and Charlie's not the prettiest practice player," said Savage. "But when the games get under way, he seems to rise to the occasion." He said Derek Anderson looked better in minicamp be- cause of his height and strong arm. There is some sentiment in the organization that if the season began today, Anderson would be the starter. But Frye can win the job with stellar preseason games. "The wild card is Brady Quinn," said Savage. "If he's there at the beginning, he'll be right in the mix." Savage said Quinn can win the job if he gets in on time. "He's a quick learner and he showed improvement from his first day out there," said Savage. "People keep harping on his three interceptions in the first practice, but he's come a long way."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
As we've been saying, Quinn's contract status has a huge bearing on this. The not too subtle message Savage delivered to Quinn's agent Tom Condon there is "get your guy into camp or he'll be the #3 QB".
Some of that is negotiating tactics but I do believe there's truth to it as well. This is a brand new offense the Browns are implementing and every snap will be important.DET - QB Kitna Predicts 10+ Wins For Lions
Source: ESPN.com
The Detroit Lions haven't had a winning record since 2000 and haven't won 10 games since 1995. That's all going to change in 2007, according to quarterback Jon Kitna. Appearing on WDFN-AM in Detroit on Thursday, Kitna predicted that the Lions will win more than 10 games this season. The Lions were 3-13 in 2006. Part of the reason for Kitna's optimism is wide receiver Calvin Johnson, the team's first-round draft pick.
"I'll keep to myself what I think we actually will win. But it's more than 10 games," Kitna said. "I don't like putting a lot of pressure on people, but Calvin Johnson, to me, will have about the same impact that Reggie Bush had in New Orleans," Kitna said. "He's everything that they said he was and more."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
I'm not sure I'm ready to say 10 games but I'm with Kitna here on being optimistic. The Lions always seem to promise a lot and deliver a little but I'm getting excited about this team. Jon Kitna is easily the most undervalued player on draft boards this summer. And Calvin Johnson is a really nice upgrade at WR. Count me in as drinking the Lions Kool-Aid.
WAS - Redskins' backup QB Bramlet named World Bowl MVP
Source: ESPN
Casey Bramlet threw for 347 yards and four touchdowns Saturday, leading the Hamburg Sea Devils past the Frankfurt Galaxy 37-28 in the highest-scoring World Bowl. Bramlet, allocated by the Washington Redskins, was honored as the MVP in sending Hamburg to its first NFL Europa championship. It has been heavily rumored that this would be the final season of NFL Europa, but it has not been substantiated or confirmed.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
I doubt Jason Campbell is sweating this one but for Redskins fans, it's always nice to know you've got a backup that can play. Granted, NFL Europa isn't the NFL, but it's something to think about.
ATL - Falcons WR Robinson Impressing Coaches
Source: D. Orlando Ledbetter, Sporting News
Rookie WR Laurent Robinson has been very impressive so far in OTA's and minicamp. Robinson has been noticed thanks to his speed and his ability to make spectacular catches. Robinson may get a chance to play in HC Bobby Petrino's three and four WR sets.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
It's not like Robinson has Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne in front of him. With a starting WR corps of Michael Jenkins, Joe Horn and Roddy White, anything can happen for a backup. Let's see how impressive Robinson can be when the pads go on but in the meantime, keep him filed away.
CLE - Trouble Looming For Signing LT Thomas?
Source: Mary Kay Cabot, Cleveland Plain Dealer
While many Browns fans have been focusing on the possible holdout of rookie QB Brady Quinn, OL Joe Thomas remains unsigned as well. GM Phil Savage is worried that Thomas could holdout, which would affect his ability to earn a starting job. "Joe hasn't been in pads since Jan. 1," said Savage. "Personally, there's more of a concern from a football standpoint because Joe needs actual contact to be ready."
"The No. 3 spot has its travails as well [in terms of negotiations]," Browns General Manager Phil Savage said in a phone interview. "The three previous No. 3 picks were Larry Fitzgerald [Cardinals receiver], Braylon Edwards [Browns receiver] and Vince Young [Titans quarterback], so it's no great shake in the top five." The contracts for those three players are as follows: Fitzgerald: Six years, $60 million, $20.4 million guaranteed. Edwards: Five years, $40 million, $20 million guaranteed. Young: Six years, $58 million, $25.9 million guaranteed. "It's not a pretty picture in terms of trying to negotiate an offensive lineman versus a quarterback and two top-echelon receivers who were thought by many to be the top players in their draft," said Savage. "As much of a great advantage it was to win the coin toss, we were also well aware of the contract situation at that spot." Thomas' agent, Peter Schaffer of All Pro Sports and Entertainment, said it's his goal and Thomas' to be signed by the time rookies are scheduled to report on July 23. "We have a history of getting clients in on time and we have one that wants to be," said Schaffer. "But it takes two to tango and it's only going to happen if a fair contract can be agreed to by then. The numbers are pretty clear."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
In my opinion, the trouble could arise when the Browns want to talk about the "position" and Thomas' agent wants to talk about the "numbers". Thomas' camp will contend that it's all about draft spot. The Browns may say a tackle at #3 has a different value than a QB at #3.
If I were Thomas' agent, I'd counter with the fact that the Browns are the ones that set the value when they felt Thomas was important enough to go with a #3 pick. And that value is pretty high. Regardless of what position he plays. I don't see any way around the Browns opening the vault here. Thomas has a pretty good position to argue from.NYJ - Jets Continue To Anger G Kendall
Source: Rich Cimini, New York Daily News
Ten days ago, Jets guard Pete Kendall went public with his unhappiness over his contract situation, demanding to be released or traded. His feelings haven't subsided. If anything, he's madder than ever. Beyond the money issues, Kendall is steamed by what he perceives as a "good cop, bad cop" smear campaign being waged by the Jets, and he vented those opinions yesterday in a phone interview with the Daily News.
"I know I've taken my lumps - that happens when an athlete goes public with a contract dispute - but when the organization starts lying - or maybe 'misspeaking' is the term I should use - it leaves a bad taste. "It's upsetting to me because it gets spun that I've been disloyal to them," said Kendall, who skipped the voluntary workouts but reported to the mandatory minicamp. "To put those things out there - the clubhouse lawyer and the one-year offer - and to lie and retract it the next day . . . it shows me how naive and foolish I was to help them out." Mangini and GM Mike Tannenbaum, refusing to be drawn into a war of words, have declined to criticize Kendall publicly for his sharp words and actions. The club also declined to comment on the alleged practice violations, which could result in a fine or, in an extreme case, the loss of a draft pick. There has been speculation that Kendall was the player that turned in coach Mangini recently for running minicamp practices that may have violated league rules on offseason contact. The NFL Players' Association reportedly is looking into whether the Jets broke any rules.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
This one is starting to get interesting. If Kendall was the guy that blew the whistle on Mangini and the Jets, he won't be winning any points among the coaching staff or fans.
Source: Pantherinsider.com
Quarterback Jake Delhomme of the Carolina Panthers said he hopes the rumors that NFL Europa may fold are untrue. "I cut my teeth there and got to play a lot there, so I learned a lot there," he said. "To me, it's a quarterback's league -- that's what I believe. That's what I believe it was made for -- to allow young quarterbacks to play and grow."
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Viewing interest may not be there for NFL Europa but Delhomme does have a point. It's a nice place for young QBs to develop. Stay tuned on this one.
NYG - Giants QB Manning Enjoys Visit To Mississippi
Source: Robbie Neiswanger, Clarion Ledger
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning has never been one to ramble, but the former Ole Miss star was nearly speechless Saturday morning.
He was prepared for the room full of approximately 400 female fans during the Ole Miss Ladies Football Forum. He was ready to shake hands and smile while light bulbs flashed for pictures. But the former NFL first-round draft pick was caught off guard during a question and answer session when a woman in the crowd presented Manning with a homemade cake. "Only in Oxford," Manning said after a few moments. As part of the appearance, Manning also spoke about his first three NFL seasons, expectations for 2007 and the pressure to succeed in the Big Apple. "I love New York. It's been great," said Manning, who recently became engaged and lives in Hoboken, N.J. "If you're winning and things are going well, it's the best place to be in the world. If things aren't going well, it can be tough."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
I wonder sometimes if Manning wishes he could be back in Oxford full time. The article mentions that Manning recently became engaged if you keep up with that sort of thing.
TEN - QB Young A Rookie No Longer
Source: AP
Coach Jeff Fisher said he was not concerned about QB Vince Young becoming complacent or slipping into a sophomore slump.
"We encouraged him to get away and enjoy his time off, and he did." Fisher said. "After the New England game, he said, 'I have a long ways to go, and I'm going to get there and bring everybody with me.' He didn't take that loss very well, and he's certainly motivated up to this point." Offensive coordinator Norm Chow has seemed impressed by how Young has balanced personal and football commitments this off-season. "This guy is unique, no question he's unique," Chow said. "He's a very, very competitive young man. "He's used to winning. He's used to being a leader, so it all fits very well." Ask Young about his receivers, and he immediately jumps to their defense, saying they are being doubted the way he was. "I really feel like they can do it, I've got a lot of confidence in them," Young said of a receiving corps whose only healthy members with at least 16 starts are Brandon Jones and the free-agent signee Justin Gage. Center Kevin Mawae, heading into his 14th season, said he had been pleasantly surprised by Young's development as a leader. "He's showing more confidence not just in his ability but in the position of being the starting quarterback, of being in the N.F.L. and being a leader in this locker room," Mawae said. "He's only going to get better as the years go on."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
It's hard not to like the enthusiasm Young has for the game but we're seriously worried about his prospects for 2007. He's lost a lot of offensive weapons that just don't seem to have been adequately replaced. He's proven plenty of people wrong before so it's foolish to doubt the guy too much. But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't leery of him this year being able to live up to the expectations.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great rest of your day and we'll see you tomorrow with the update.
J