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Volume 8, Issue 90 (Monday, July 23rd)LIMITED TIME OFFERS DISCOUNT EXTENDED! 5% off of FantasyHeadquarters.com fantasy football league entry fees! Click Here!Hi Folks, And we're off. Training Camps are officially underway as the Steelers kicked things off Monday. Everyone else will follow soon. We've got a ton of new content on the website for you. So many that my template ran out of letters to call them out. But you get the picture. Footballguys of course gives you the cheatsheets and projections you need but if you really want to delve DEEP into players and see why we think what we think, check out our Player Spotlights. They're some of the best things we do. And my buddy Jason Wood takes an in-depth look at the issues each team will face in Training Camps as well. Get busy reading. And on top of all that, we've got the News and Notes for the day. Let's get to it. JSITE NEWS A.
Footballguys Subscriptions - Sign Up Here
B.
The Rookie 100 - Part Three
C.
Keys to Training Camp: AFC West
D.
Keys to Training Camp: AFC East
E.
Keys to Training Camp: AFC North
F.
Keys to Training Camp: AFC South
G.
Keys to Training Camp: NFC West
H.
Keys to Training Camp: NFC East
I.
Keys to Training Camp: NFC South
J.
Player Spotlight - NE QB Tom Brady
K.
Player Spotlight - WAS QB Jason Campbell
L.
Player Spotlight - DEN QB Jay Cutler
M.
Player Spotlight - CHI QB Rex Grossman
N.
Player Spotlight - ARZ QB Matt Leinart
O.
Player Spotlight - PIT QB Ben Roethlisberger
P.
Player Spotlight - TEN RB Chris Brown
Q.
Player Spotlight - SF RB Frank Gore
R.
Player Spotlight - TEN RB Chris Henry
S.
Player Spotlight - NE RB Laurence Maroney
T.
Player Spotlight - WAS RB Clinton Portis
U.
Player Spotlight - TEN RB LenDale White
V.
Player Spotlight - CHI WR Bernard Berrian
W.
Player Spotlight - DAL WR Terry Glenn
X.
Player Spotlight - NO WR Devery Henderson
Y.
Player Spotlight - GB WR Greg Jennings
Z.
Player Spotlight - DEN WR Javon Walker
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Player Spotlight - PIT TE Heath Miller
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Player Spotlight - NE TE Ben Watson
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Keys to Training Camp: NFC North
INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. ATL - Falcons QB Vick Ordered To Skip Camp2. DET - Lions QB Kitna Sticking By Prediction 3. DAL - Cowboys RT Colombo Has Knee Surgery 4. HOU - WR McCardell Signs With Texans 5. CLE - Browns C Bentley Cleared To Practice 6. NYG - Giants Release WR Watts 7. ATL - Vick Protesters Appear at Falcons HQ 8. SD - Chargers Sign First Round Pick WR Davis 9. KC - Chiefs QB Croyle May Be Favorite To Start In 2007 10. CHI - Bears RB Benson Looking Good Catching Passes 11. DEF - PIT - Steelers, FS Polamolu Agree To New Deal ATL - Falcons QB Vick Ordered To Skip Camp Source: NFL.com Commissioner Roger Goodell has ordered Michael Vick of the Atlanta Falcons not to report to the team's training camp pending the completion of an NFL review of his recent indictment by a federal grand jury in Richmond, Va., for allegedly participating in an interstate dog-fighting enterprise. Commissioner Goodell informed Vick that the review would be completed as soon as possible and that Vick's full cooperation is expected. In a letter to Vick today, Commissioner Goodell said: "While it is for the criminal justice system to determine your guilt or innocence, it is my responsibility as commissioner of the National Football League to determine whether your conduct, even if not criminal, nonetheless violated league policies, including the Personal Conduct Policy." Vick will not forfeit his preseason pay during his excused absence from training camp. Commissioner Goodell also directed the Falcons today to withhold any contemplated team discipline regarding the Vick matter until the NFL review is completed.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] This isn't a surprise but it's still pretty big news. Many are calling this a "cooling off" period where the NFL and the Falcons can take a closer look at the situation before deciding what to do next. The upside for the league of course is that they avert a messy public relations situation that would have been there if Vick had been on the practice field. It's also important to note what was not said here. There hasn't been any talk past training camp right now. I think it'll mean they eventually keep him out of some (if not all) regular season games but that has not been decided today. Clearly though, Vick's stock couldn't be sinking much faster when it comes to fantasy football.DET - Lions QB Kitna Sticking By Prediction Source: Mike O'Hara, The Detroit News During the offseason, Detroit Lions QB Jon Kitna predicted a 10 win season for his team during their 2007 campaign. As the Lions are set to open training camp later this week, Kitna is sticking by his guns saying, "We're just raising expectations." While he understands people's skepticism, but remains firm in his belief of a winning season saying, "I guess that's kind of what you expect. Around here, it's been bad for a lot of years. I don't feel like the past has any bearing on what's going to happen." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Good for Kitna. I'm not ready to put any money on them winning 10 games but I'm far from laughing at Kitna making the prediction. I love his confidence here and I like him trying to shake up this team. They've struggled for so long that a "culture" of losing can creep in. Kitna's doing all he can to help the Lions break out of that. Expecting to win is a key part of it. DAL - Cowboys RT Colombo Has Knee Surgery Source: Todd Archer & Calvin Watkins, Dallas Morning News Dallas Cowboys right tackle Marc Colombo had arthroscopic knee surgery about 10 days ago, according to team owner Jerry Jones. Colombo is not expected to practice when camp opens. The Cowboys will monitor Colombo during camp to make sure he doesn't get overworked. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] We'll watch this one for you closely. The Cowboys are hopeful they'll be improved in the offensive line this year with he addition of Leonard Davis. Davis can play right tackle replacing Colombo as well as right guard. HOU - WR McCardell Signs With Texans Source: Jason La Confora, Washington Post Veteran WR Keenan McCardell has agreed to terms with the Houston Texans. The Redskins had some serious interest in him, but only at the right price, which was the veterans minimum. It is a good fit, as the wideout makes his home in Houston. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Just yesterday I wrote here about the Texans upgrading their receiving corps - who knew they were Footballguys subscribers?... Seriously, McCardell is a nice addition. He's clearly on the tail end of his career but he brings a wealth of experience that can help the younger guys. Andre Johnson is far and away the #1, but McCardell could be a contributor here. CLE - Browns C Bentley Cleared To Practice Source: Mary Kay Cabot, Cleveland Plain Dealer Cleveland Browns center LeCharles Bentley passed his physical in New York Monday morning and has been cleared by his surgeon to resume football. Browns GM Phil Savage said last week that Bentley must also pass the Browns' physical by team physician Dr. Anthony Miniaci and perhaps one by a third doctor before being cleared to practice. But Bentley feels that Dr. Warren's blessing should be sufficient and that he'll report to training camp with the veterans on July 27. "I'm excited," said Bentley, "It's the next step toward getting back on the field." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] It just about a year ago when the Browns season started unraveling in training camp before it even began. Bentley went down with his injury and some wondered if he'd come back at all. He looks to have made it back after a lot of work. Hank Fraley did a good job filling the gap at center and it's likely he'd stay there. Bentley may see work at guard as they work him back into the mix. This OL had lots of transition last year and it showed. Hopefully they'll have better success this season staying healthy. Source: Ralph Vacchiano, New York Daily News The New York Giants cut WR Darius Watts on Friday. A former second-round pick of the Denver Broncos in 2004 who caught 31 passes for 385 yards as a rookie, he spent part of last year on the practice squad before being activated for the season finale. He suffered what was believed to be a knee injury during OTAs and missed most of the team's veteran mini-camp. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Just another example of how things move pretty quickly. It just seems like yesterday when we were expecting Darius Watts to seize the WR opportunity in Denver and become a real force. A few injuries and breaks later and he's bounced off another team. ATL - Vick Protesters Appear at Falcons HQ Source: Dorie Turner, Associated Press Approximately 50 animal-rights advocates and their dogs took part in a protest organized by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Monday outside Atlanta Falcons headquarters. Calling for the suspension of quarterback Michael Vick following his indictment on dogfighting charges, they held signs reading "Kick Vick," "Tackle Cruelty" and "Sack Vick!" The protesters plan to demonstrate for a few hours each day until training camp begins Thursday. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] And so it begins. The question here will be how the news cycle meshes with the attention span of the average person. Sometimes these things peak and then fade. I'm thinking this isn't one of those times. SD - Chargers Sign First Round Pick WR Davis Source: Len Pasquarelli, ESPN.com The San Diego Chargers reached a contract agreement with first-round draftee WR Craig Davis of LSU on Monday. Davis will sign a five-year contract. Financial details of the deal were not immediately available. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Good news for the Chargers and the Davis. He'll work in the mix with Vincent Jackson and Eric Parker but we expect Davis to do good things. To see how we project the entire team, click here.KC - Chiefs QB Croyle May Be Favorite To Start In 2007 Source: Adam Teicher, Kansas City Star Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Brodie Croyle appears to be the front-runner for the team's starting quarterback job in 2007, ahead of quarterback Damon Huard, according to Adam Teicher of the Kansas City Star. The Chiefs are publicly promoting competition at the position, but all indications from offseason practices are that Croyle will be the starter. He capably handled everything the Chiefs threw at him. Coach Herm Edwards' decision will be telling. "I'm just like everybody else," wide receiver Eddie Kennison said. "I want to know who it's going to be."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] As Kennison says, it's undecided but the team seems to be leaning towards Croyle. At least eventually. I wouldn't be shocked to see Huard start the first few games but and then see Croyle take over. The team just doesn't seem interested in going with a short term solution in Huard when they think the future is Croyle. CHI - Bears RB Benson Looking Good Catching Passes Source: Chicago Sun-Times Chicago Bears running back Cedric Benson has looked better as a receiver out of the backfield during off-season workouts than some had expected, leading to speculation that Benson could potentially see even more snaps in the backfield in the regular season. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] With Cedric Benson and new TE Greg Olsen, QB Rex Grossman will have some new weapons in the arsenal. And that's good news for a QB that's been up and down. This will be Benson's time to deliver and finally see if he can meet the high expectations the team's had for him since he was drafted. DEF - PIT - Steelers, FS Polamolu Agree To New Deal Source: John Clayton, ESPN The Pittsburgh Steelers opened training camp with a bang Monday by reaching a four-year contract extension with safety Troy Polamalu. Polamalu becomes the NFL's highest-paid safety by agreeing to a deal that pays him $33 million over the next five seasons, including the present 2007 season. The extension will keep Polamalu with the Steelers through the 2011 season and gives him a chance to get a new deal when he's in his early 30s. The deal includes $15.375 million in both guarantees and roster bonuses. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Looks like a great deal for Polomalu and the Steelers can rest easy knowing they have their guy locked up. I wonder how this went over with Alan Faneca though... That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great day and thanks for reading. J |
