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Volume 8, Issue 94 (Friday, July 27th)
LIMITED TIME OFFERS DISCOUNT EXTENDED! 5% off of FantasyHeadquarters.com fantasy football league entry fees! Click Here!Hi Folks, Good Saturday to you. Hope you're having a great weekend as camps swing wide open here. It's a great time of the year and we'll be right here for you. So let's get to it. JSITE NEWS A.
All New Redraft Rankings
B.
All New Projections
C.
Depth Charts Updated
D.
Draft Dominator Version 8.0f Released
E.
The WR Matrix - Unearthing Fantasy Gold
F.
Can Trent Green Be The Answer For Chris Chambers?
G.
IDP - Reading the Defense Offseason Report
H.
Dynasty Team Rebuilding: Trade Dynamics
INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. STL - QB Bulger Signs 6 Year Extension2. KC - No Offer To RB Johnson For 2 Months 3. BUF - QB Losman Back At Practice 4. NYJ - Jets OG Kendall Reports To Camp On Time 5. BUF - Bills Sign 1st Round Pick RB Lynch 6. OAK - Raiders QB Russell May Not Be In Attendance 7. NYJ - Jets To Try WR Smith At QB 8. ATL - Falcons Add QB Campbell 9. CLE - Browns TE Winslow Gets Clearance To Practice 10. CLE - OL Bentley's Return Delayed Four Weeks 11. KC - GM Peterson Says RB Johnson Not On Trade Block 12. TEN - Titans Sign Rookie RB Henry 13. NYJ - RB Houston Leave Jets, Future Uncertain 14. DET - QB Kitna Confident Lions Dark Days Are Over 15. SD - Chargers HC Turner Has No Plans To Increase Preseason Load For RB Tomlinson 16. DEF - NE - Patriots DBs Samuel & Meriweather Miss Camp 17. DEF - NYG - Giants GM Ree Says DE Strahan Might Retire STL - QB Bulger Signs 6 Year Extension Source: Jim Thomas, ST. Louis Post-Dispatch Rams QB Marc Bulger, who reported for the first full day of Rams training camp after missing a team meeting Thursday, became one of the NFL's highest-paid quarterbacks today when he signed a six-year contract extension. The extension will pay him more than $10 million per season, $26 million of it in guaranteed money. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Outstanding news for Bulger and the Rams. As we told you yesterday, this was expected by most of his teammates but you never know for sure until the deal is signed. The Rams can breathe a sigh of relief knowing their guy will be under center for a good while. So stop worrying if you've been torn up about this one. KC - No Offer To RB Johnson For 2 Months Source: Adam Teicher, Kansas City Star The Chiefs haven't made a new contract offer to RB Larry Johnson in almost two months. "We're very far apart, but I can't tell you exactly how far apart we are because we haven't received an offer from them since June 1," said Alvin Keels, Johnson's agent. The Chiefs confirmed the date of their most recent offer to Johnson, saying they were waiting for Keels to make what they believe is a more reasonable proposal before they submit a new one. Johnson followed through on his threat to hold out from training camp as he and the Chiefs couldn't agree on terms of a contract extension. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Ugh. This one seems to be on the other end of the spectrum from the Marc Bulger deal. Not only is this one not done, it looks like it's getting uglier by the day. And just wait until all the buzz starts over Priest Holmes being in camp. Especially if Holmes looks semi healthy. The Chiefs seem to pride themselves on being super tough to deal with. I believe deep down they won't screw this deal up (they managed to keep Tony Gonzalez after all) but I honestly do wonder a bit. We'll see soon. BUF - QB Losman Back At Practice Source: Sal Maiorana, Rochester Democrat And Chronicle Bills QB J.P. Losman, who sat out the first two practices Thursday with a lower back muscle strain, participated fully in this morning's workout. On Thursday when news of Losman's injury broke, it was thought the fourth-year veteran would miss at least a few days of practice. "I felt like it was really close yesterday, but thinking about it, I'm glad we took a day off," said Losman. "There was no pain out there today. For the most part I did everything." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] We told you not to worry too much about this and it looks like he's back on the field and ready to go. Good news. NYJ - Jets OG Kendall Reports To Camp On Time Source: Tom Rock, Newsday New York Jets left guard Pete Kendall reported to Training Camp on Thursday on-time, despite earlier rumors that he may hold out as the result of his being upset with his contract situation. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] This is huge news for the Jets. Things had been looking bleak last week there. Let's hope he can get settled and content at least to play out this season. BUF - Bills Sign 1st Round Pick RB Lynch Source: Associated Press, ESPN The Buffalo Bills announced on Thursday that they have signed first round draft pick, running back Marshawn Lynch, to a five year contract worth nearly $19 million. "Marshawn's ecstatic and looking forward to helping the Bills," Lynch's agent Doug Hendrickson said. "All along, Marshawn told us he wanted to be in camp on time and instructed us to get the deal done." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Great news for Lynch. So much for Anthony Thomas getting all the work with the first team... OAK - Raiders QB Russell May Not Be In Attendance Source: ESPN, Associated Press Oakland Raiders rookie quarterback JaMarcus Russell, the No. 1 overall pick in last April's NFL draft, remains without a contract. HC Lane Kiffin refused to call Russell a holdout, but acknowledged that Russell was not around Friday. "We're moving along very quickly but at the same time we're doing things in the best interest for our future as well," Kiffin said. "We don't have anything mandatory till (Friday) morning, so as far as guys being here, they're all showing up at different times." Talks between the Raiders, Russell and his agent, Eric Metz, have been ongoing for weeks but the sides have yet to strike an agreement. Russell is said to be seeking a deal worth $60 million. Last year's No. 1 overall pick, defensive end Mario Williams of the Houston Texans, signed a six-year, $54 million deal that included $26.5 million in guaranteed money.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] This one isn't a huge issue as it's still early. We don't think Russell is going to be a starter early anyways so a few days here won't be a big issue. If it drags on a bit though, then we'll start to worry. NYJ - Jets To Try WR Smith At QB Source: NewYorkJets.com According to New York Jets HC Eric Mangini, WR Brad Smith is working at quarterback now. "He is a quarterback that plays receiver some and does some other things. Brad is a quarterback and you will see him throughout camp playing quarterback and in preseason games he will play quarterback. He's just a quarterback that has the versatility to play other positions," Mangini said. Smith was a dual-threat QB at the University of Missouri. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Does this mean we'll see Smith as a "Slash" type player at the goal line? I think it's way too early to say that. This is clearly Chad Pennington's team and I don't see Mangini playing around with that much right now. But it's something we'll keep an eye on for you. Source: Steve Wyche, Atlanta Journal-Constitution The Atlanta Falcons signed former Arena League quarterback Lang Campbell. Lang is the fourth quarterback on the depth chart behind Joey Harrington, D.J. Shockley and Chris Redman. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] I'm sure this will make Falcon fans forget all about Mike Vick... CLE - Browns TE Winslow Gets Clearance To Practice Source: Zac Jackson, ClevelandBrowns.com Cleveland Browns GM Phil Savage said today that TE Kellen Winslow Jr. passed his physical Friday and was cleared for practice. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Winslow and WR Braylon Edwards are the keys to the Browns' offense. If they can be healthy and productive, the team has a chance. Winslow is making slow but steady progress and we're very interested to see how he performs in camp. He played much of last year at way less than healthy for him. Yet even with that, he was productive. If he can get healthy, he'll be a really exciting player to watch. Being cleared to practice is step 1 in that process. CLE - OL Bentley's Return Delayed Four Weeks Source: Patrick McManamon, Akron Beacon Journal The Cleveland Browns will have to wait another month to see if center LeCharles Bentley is ready for practice, GM Phil Savage said Friday. Savage said Bentley will continue to rehab his knee for the month and sit on some of the meetings that take place in training camp, but he will not practice. "He's not quite ready to put on equipment and go out there and practice on the football field with us," Savage said. "I think he and his agent would agree that he's not there to do that yet." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Bentley's made a remarkable recovery to get back to this point, but he's not all the way back yet. He reportedly does look to be in good physical shape which is always a worry when a big guy like him isn't able to workout like he'd like. So that's a big plus. But he'll have to be patient here. KC - GM Peterson Says RB Johnson Not On Trade Block Source: KCChiefs.com Kansas City Chiefs GM Carl Peterson addressed the media this afternoon and among other things, he said he has not attempted to trade RB Larry Johnson. "First of all, I have no intention whatsoever of trading Larry Johnson. Like before there was a lot of speculation on that; I have had no teams zero call me with an interest in trading for Larry. I think the obvious is that any team that would have an interest in him realizes that the compensation they would have to give to the Kansas City Chiefs in draft choices plus the contract that his agent is currently asking for makes it quite prohibitive for anybody to step up to all of that." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Beautiful spin by Peterson. In a nice way, he just stated that no other teams are interested in Johnson at this "ridiculous" price his agent is asking for. I'm not sure Chief fans will buy it though if it stretches out into the preseason schedule. We'll see. TEN - Titans Sign Rookie RB Henry Source: Nashville Tennessean Running back Chris Henry agreed to terms today on a four-year deal with the Tennessee Titans. Agent Josh Luchs said this morning that Henry had agreed to terms. Details were not disclosed. "He's ready to come in and compete for the starting job and help the Titans win," Luchs said. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] I'm not very excited about Chris Henry in Tennessee with LenDale White and Chris Brown there but it's good to know he's officially signed and ready to go. We see him as backup material though. NYJ - RB Houston Leave Jets, Future Uncertain Source: Mark Cannizzaro, New York Post RB Cedric Houston left the New York Jets for undisclosed personal reasons yesterday. In fact. his name has already has been eliminated from the roster on the team's web site, a sure sign that Houston is not returning to the team. Houston rushed for 374 yards and five touchdowns with a 3.3-yard average last season. His role was going to decrease even further this season with the addition of Thomas Jones and the emergence of Leon Washington last year. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] More reason for Thomas Jones to be the guy in New York this season. He's not the most talented back in the league but Jones is a guy that is going to have plenty of opportunity this season. DET - QB Kitna Confident Lions Dark Days Are Over Source: John Clayton, ESPN Lions QB Jon Kitna went on a radio show this spring and said the Lions would win at least 10 games. Kitna said his teammates responded positively to his 10-win prediction with text messages and pats on the back in the locker room. Even though the Lions finished 1-3 in their final four games, they played harder and even won the finale against the Cowboys. The Lions do have a new attitude, and yes, it is visible on the practice field. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] You don't have to read much from us to know that Footballguys is high on Jon Kitna. I'm loving his value this year. Let the other guys grab an over valued big name QB while you sit back stockpiling depth at the other positions and then you grab Kitna while the other guys are scrambling for a RB or decent WR. Do not underestimate Mike Martz in this offense. He's working with a very talented wide receiving corps including the uber talented Calvin Johnson assuming Johnson gets signed here soon (which we think he will). I'm loving Kitna this season. I'm not ready to put money on them winning 10 games but I like his odds to post some impressive FF numbers. SD - Chargers HC Turner Has No Plans To Increase Preseason Load For RB Tomlinson Source: Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune San Diego Chargers head coach Norv Turner confirmed on Thursday that he has no plans to increase the preseason workload of running back LaDainian Tomlinson compared to previous coaching staffs with the team. Tomlinson has just 14 preseason carries in his entire professional career. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Tomlinson is a guy you just don't see much in preseason games. Looks like that won't change for 2007. It's a bummer for those of us watching the games but it's not hard to understand why they'd want to protect him. If you're a Tomlinson owner, you're probably thinking the same thing. DEF - NE - Patriots DBs Samuel & Meriweather Miss Camp Source: Associated Press, Orlando Sentinel New England Patriots defensive back Asante Samuel was not in attendance at camp Friday. Brandon Meriweather was absent as well but the team has reportedly reached an agreement with him on a contract. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] This wasn't unexpected but Samuel is a guy that I think will get into camp and sign a tender. I think this one will be more like a Lance Briggs situation where he just can't ignore the huge amount of money laying on the table. The dollars are vastly different in what he's looking at as opposed to the money Larry Johnson would be missing out on with a holdout in Kansas City. I think this will be a deal where he misses a little time to make his point and then gets in. DEF - NYG - Giants GM Ree Says DE Strahan Might Retire Source: e Garofolo, Newark Star-Ledger New York Giants GM Jerry Reese just finished addressing reporters on the field regarding the reports of DE Michael Strahan possibly retireing. "Last night, I talked to his agent (Tony Agnone) and his agent said to me -- this was about seven o'clock -- (Strahan) was contemplating retiring," Reese said. "That's all I know right now. We haven't spoken to him. We'll get more details about it. We'll put him on reserve/did not report to camp." HC Tom Coughlin said Strahan left him a voicemail last night, and said Strahan didn't mention retirement in his message. The call was returned this morning but the coach got Strahan's voicemail. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Strahan mulling retirement is certainly not a new story. But this one seems to have a little more teeth. He's not the player he once was but he's still a force and he'd be missed if he did move on. Expect some resolution on this here soon as I'd be surprised if he left the team hanging here very long. That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great Saturday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update. J |
