Footballguys Offseason Email - Volume 9, Issue 2 (Thursday, April 3rd)
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Hi Folks,
I know it's Final Four time and that's cool. Stay tuned to the hoops as we've got you covered for NFL News. I put together a quick roundup of the pertinent stories over the last week and wrapped them all up in one place for you. Enjoy the news and have a great time watching the games this weekend and Monday. Thanks for reading and have a fantastic week. We'll see you next Thursday when we do this again. JSITE NEWS
A.
Footballguys Free Agent Tracker
I know there are free agent trackers out there but we wanted to give you the Footballguys version again. Like we do with most things, it's very customizable to show you the things you want to see sorted the way you like to see them. Thanks to our Doug Drinen and Jason Wood for the efforts here.
B. Draftguys TV
If you haven't gone to Draftguys TV (http://www.draftguys.tv) yet, what are you waiting for? The first season of the first show to uncover the draft's top sleepers BEFORE they hit the big time is in full swing. Last week, Draftguys TV profiled the best guard no one is talking about, Appalachian State's Kerry Brown, a running back who took the SEC by storm - when healthy - Georgia's Thomas Brown , and the best bet to be the small school WR who seemingly comes out of nowhere, Coastal Carolina's Jerome Simpson.
Draftguys TV doesn't just introduce you to underrated and underappreciated players, it also take you inside the process, like in this week's episode where former NFL scout Russ Lande gives us a lesson on how to scout quarterbacks.
Episodes feature practice footage, training film, private workouts and exclusive interviews, as well as analysis from Sporting News Draft expert Russ Lande. Draftguys TV is available at draftguys.com and draftguys.tv, and you can also find the show in iTunes, where you can subscribe so you won't miss an episode. What sleepers and insider knowledge will be revealed this week on Draftguys TV? Tune in and find out.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. CIN - Bengals Cut WR Henry2. CIN - WR Chad Johnson: 'I'll Show Up'
3. GB - QB Favre Rethinking Retirement? Agent Denies Story
4. DEN - QB Cutler Has Strong Words For WR Marshall
5. PHI - QB McNabb Getting Healthy, Staying In Philly
6. JAC - HC Del Rio Gets Extension
7. MIN - Vikings Not Planning To Offer C Birk Contract Extension...Yet
8. BUF - Bills To Play Preseason and Regular Season Game In Toronto
9. NFL Early Calendar Released
10. MIN - Vikings Agree In Principle To Deal With QB Frerotte
11. NYG - Super Bowl Ring To Be A 'Ten Table' Ring
12. NYG - WAS - Giants Host Redskins In Season Opener
13. NE - QB Brady's Ankle Is Fine
14. NYJ - Jets Guarantee Remainder Of WR Coles' Contract
15. SEA - Seahawks Sign K Mare To Replace Brown
16. DEF - ARZ - Cards DE Smith Says He Has Not Asked To Be Traded
Source: ESPN.com
The Bengals have grown weary of WR Chris Henry's off the field antics and have released the third year veteran. Henry has been arrested five times since December of 2005, most recently earlier this week on assault charges. "Chris Henry has forfeited his opportunity to pursue a career with the Bengals. His conduct can no longer be tolerated," Bengals president Mike Brown said in a statement. Henry was charged with misdemeanor assault and criminal damaging Wednesday night for allegedly punching an 18-year-old man in the face and breaking a window in his car.
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I guess everyone has their line. For Mike Brown, this was apparently it.
"The Bengals tried for an extended period of time to support Chris and his potentially bright career," Brown said. "We had hoped to guide him toward an appropriate standard of personal responsibility that this community would support and that would allow him to play in the NFL. ... But those efforts end today, as we move on with what is best for our team." Interestingly, it sounds like his agent, Marvin Frazier has had his fill as well. "I just want to say that we're sorry this all happened, and we will continue to try to work to help Chris," Frazier said. "I do want to thank the Cincinnati Bengals -- Mike Brown, [coach] Marvin Lewis and everyone -- for all they have done to try to help this young man. Many of them have gone beyond the call of duty." Disgruntled WR Chad Johnson was less than happy with the news. When told of the move, he said on 1050 ESPN New York, "Are you sure? Man, they can't let him go. That dude is good. He's very, very good." "We need him. Those are not easy shoes to fill, regardless of the trouble he has gotten into in the past," Johnson said. As far as how he's replaced, the Bengals unfortunately had become forced to learn how to live without Henry. It's very early of course but the initial thought would be that Johnson and Houshmandzadeh would be relied upon more heavily assuming the WR corps remained stable there. It has to be seen as a negative for QB Carson Palmer.CIN - WR Chad Johnson: 'I'll Show Up'
Source: Cincinnati Enquirer
Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson said Wednesday in an interview with ESPN's Brian Kenny he will not sit out the 2008 season.
ESPN's Kenny asked Johnson point-blank if he planned to sit out or show up for the team's mandatory full-squad minicamp in mid-June. "My plans are to show up and embarrass everybody that tries to cover me," Johnson said. "If they're satisfied with what we have, and think that's gonna get us where we need to go, then so be it." Johnson was reacting to comments made Tuesday by head coach Marvin Lewis at the owner's meetings in Florida. The coach had said the Bengals are "prepared to move on" if the all-star wide receiver decides to sit out the 2008 season. "It's unfortunate that Chad has put himself in that situation, because a lot of people who really had affection for him now see him in a different light," Lewis said Tuesday. "Affection? That's the problem right there," Johnson responded Wednesday. "The player is not gonna change. Chad has to do what's right for Chad... That's why (Lewis) made the comment. He thinks I'm worried about people liking me. Those days are over. I'm not worried about them anymore, because I have to do what's right for me." Regarding Lewis' comment that "If (Chad) shows and does things, and does (them) the right way, I'm willing to take the bullets for him again and allow him to come back the right way," Johnson took umbrage. "Don't take any bullets for me. Don't take one bullet," Johnson said in the ESPN interview Wednesday. "Do I get in trouble? Do I do anything wrong off the field? Do I? What bullets? I'm not a player that comes with bullets. I'm no threat. I'm not a problem. OK, I celebrate. Whoop-de-do. You know what you get when I touch the field every Sunday."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Chad Johnson is a lot more interesting when he's not being serious. At some point, (I think it's around the tenth time he refers to himself in the third person) it starts to get a little creepy when you begin to think that maybe this isn't all an act for him.
Anyways, it looks like he'll be there for camp. And it looks like he'll be ready to play. And with Chris Henry now out of the picture in Cincinnati, it looks like they'll be relying on 85 more than ever.GB - QB Favre Rethinking Retirement? Agent Denies Story
Source: Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times
Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre, could be weighing a comeback with another team.
According to NFL sources, Favre's agent has quietly inquired with teams about their interest in trading for the three-time NFL most valuable player. Favre, 38, has yet to give written notice of his retirement to the league or the players' union, although that's neither required nor irrevocable. It's also not uncommon for players to delay in doing so, particularly if they are not in immediate need of their pension money. Reached today, agent James "Bus" Cook said he was not aware of Favre's interest in resuming his career. "That's news to me," Cook said. "I don't think that has anything to do with anything. He's retired, period, point blank."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Please let this not be true. I'm a Brett Favre fan but I hate the retire, unretire, retire act. He had a great career. Bide his time and then show up at Canton with his yellow jacket please.
It's worth noting that the Packers still have the rights to Favre. It'll be interesting to see who the "NFL sources" are that the Times is talking about. For now, let's take Mr. Cook at his word and assume there isn't anything to this. But of course we'll keep an eye out for you. That's what we do.DEN - QB Cutler Has Strong Words For WR Marshall
Source: Arnie Stapleton, AP
Jay Cutler has had it with all the drama and headlines surrounding top target Brandon Marshall.
In his first offseason interview, one sprinkled with unusually blunt criticism, the Denver Broncos quarterback called out his No. 1 receiver and fellow third-year star who suffered a gash on his right forearm while horsing around last month. "Yeah, he's not my favorite person right now," Cutler said. "I mean, I support him, but it's always something with him right now."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
With Jeremy Bates taking over the passing game, it would have obviously been very helpful for Marshall to be there as much as possible this offseason. But it's not the end of the world.
"We're going to be fine. I'm not that overly concerned about it, but it just would be nice coming into our third year, coming off a big year he had last year, for him to get more work done and get more time in and just a little more trust out there," Cutler said. "But it's going to take some time now, maybe training camp, maybe even longer." Cutler said he's tried to help Marshall. "I've talked to him many times. I think a lot of people have. ... He knows he's running out of chances," Cutler said. "This wasn't like his DUI and other stuff he's had. It was an accident, but still, things like that can't happen. He knows it. "But like I told him, I said, 'Brandon, they're going to quit giving you chances and you're going to have to go somewhere else. And that's going to be a shame."'PHI - QB McNabb Getting Healthy, Staying In Philly
Source: Ashley Fox, Philadelphia Inquirer
Eagles QB Donovan McNabb said he and HC Andy Reid discussed trade rumors involving the franchise quarterback and Reid said the team is not planning on moving McNabb. "Andy has addressed that to me and let me know that he would never let me go anywhere," McNabb told Mike Tirico on ESPN radio. "You know, that kind of promise provided confidence in him, but it wasn't like I was looking to head anywhere unless I was told otherwise." McNabb also said he has been working on his conditioning and that his surgically reconstructed knee is feeling much better than it did during this last season.
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McNabb also said he wanted to stay in Philadelphia "at least another six or seven years."
"Not too many quarterbacks have been here past probably 12 years. I definitely look to surpass that and bring a Super Bowl here to Philadelphia like I told them I would," McNabb told Tirico. "We've been close, but we just weren't able to finish it off like I wanted. "The way that I continue to approach this thing is to see myself wearing nothing but green. I think people in the organization should see that if they don't, and a lot of people do see that. I have a big presence here in the Philadelphia area and in the locker room, as well as in the organization, and rightfully so." Over the past eight seasons, McNabb has had three seasons where he finished as a top 6 rated QB. And seven seasons where he was a top 14 rated QB. He had one season over that stretch where he missed a lot of time but still finished as the #20 QB. So he's obviously a solid contributor. He may not be a top 5 guy anymore, but he's still a very good player. Although at this point in his career, he may not produce the points that match his name recognition.JAC - HC Del Rio Gets Extension
Source: ESPN.com, Associated Press
The Jaguars extended the contract of HC Jack Del Rio, although length and pay were not immediately disclosed, but it was believed to be a significant jump from the original five-year, $6.5 million contract he signed in 2003. Del Rio led the team to their first playoff win last season since 1999.
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Del Rio gave the standard quote after the contract: "I look forward to building on what we have begun," Del Rio said a day before his 45th birthday. "I really do feel that there is something very special taking place here in Jacksonville right now."
It does appear he's right though. The Jaguars have been known as a tough and physical team and last year seemed to be the year that things started to come together for them. Del Rio made the surprising move of changing quarterbacks late and obviously the move to Garrard paid off handsomely. The QB is entering his final year of a four year contract and a new deal for Garrard sounds like it's possible soon: "I think you can expect something on the quarterback," owner Wayne Weaver said. "We hope it'll be sooner than later. We think the world of David. He's the guy that we believe can lead us and bring that world championship here to Jacksonville, so hopefully we'll get that done sooner than later."MIN - Vikings Not Planning To Offer C Birk Contract Extension...Yet
Source: Kevin Seifert, Minneapolis Star Tribune
Minnesota Vikings head coach Brad Childress said on Wednesday that the team has no plans to work on a contract extension for center Matt Birk until later in the year (if at all). Birk is in the final year of his current contract with the team. "He?s been a loyal guy," Childress said. "He?s been a good football player. He?s been a Pro Bowler. Just the fact that you want to see. You want to see him play. He may afford us the opportunity to re-sign him or he may stick his nose up in the air. I just want to see him play, that?s all. I think people make a lot of it. He?s got a contract. He?s got a good contract. Everyone wants to get a year ahead of themselves. Let?s take it one day at a time."
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Birk?s contract will pay him a total of $5.72 million this season before expiring in March 2009. When informed of the news, Birk responded by announcing he'd skipping the voluntary portion of the Vikings? conditioning program, including all Organized Training Activities.
This could be a situation similar to what Alan Faneca went through in Pittsburgh last year. Birk likely won't win any Happy Camper awards but he's a pro and I'd expect he'll give it his all for every game and do a fine job in 2008.BUF - Bills To Play Preseason and Regular Season Game In Toronto
Source: Kevin McGrain, The Toronto Star
The Buffalo Bills will "host" the Pittsburgh Steelers Aug. 14 at the Rogers Centre to kick off the NFL's Toronto experience.
The Bills intend to play eight games over five years, including five regular season games, in Toronto beginning this season. The regular-season schedule ? including a Toronto date expected in December ? will be released later.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
"Our organization is excited about coming to Toronto to play in the inaugural game of our Toronto Series on August 14th against the Steelers," Russ Brandon, the Bills chief operating officer, said in a news release.
"Our games against the Steelers have always been hard-fought, competitive contests and this will be an excellent match up for our fans as we kick off our Toronto Series." This will be the third time the Bills have played a preseason game in Toronto. It's actually pretty interesting news there as rumors were swirling last season about the Bills and possible moves. Those look like they're put to rest for now but clearly, the team is looking to expand it's fan base.Source: AP
April 26-27?NFL draft, New York.
May 19-21?NFL spring meeting, Atlanta. Aug. 3?Pro Football Hall of Fame Game, Canton, Ohio (Indianapolis vs. Washington). Aug. 26?Roster cutdown to maximum of 75 players. Aug. 30?Roster cutdown to maximum of 53 players. Sept. 4-8?2008 regular season starts.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Go ahead and put those dates down in ink...
MIN - Vikings Agree In Principle To Deal With QB Frerotte
Source: John Clayton, ESPN.com
The Vikings have reached an agreement in principle with former Rams backup quarterback Gus Frerotte.
"The thing is if you watch tape of Gus in St. Louis, you can still see that he can still fling the football and make all the spot throws," Vikings coach Brad Childress said. "I talked to Scott Linehan about why he was cut by the Rams, and he told me that [offensive coordinator] Al Saunders wanted Trent Green as a backup because he knew his system, but Scott thought Gus can still play. You can see that he can by watching the film."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
According to Clayton, the deal won't be concluded until a few days after the Owners Meetings are wrapped up. (They ended Wednesday).
Frerotte isn't a guy we have a lot of faith in. But I expect any QB sitting behind Tarvaris Jackson to see some playing time.NYG - Super Bowl Ring To Be A 'Ten Table' Ring
Source: Jen Chung, Gothamist.com
The Giants have selected a design for their Super Bowl XLII championship ring, and it's certainly noticeable. Designed by Tiffany & Co., the white gold ring features three Lombardi trophies and a lot of diamonds (Tiffany also makes the Lombardi trophy). Michael Strahan wanted a "10 table ring"-- as in people would be able to see it 10 tables away (not 10 tables heavy).
Player Shaun O'Hara, who sat on the design team along with Strahan, Eli Manning, Amani Toomer, coach Tom Coughlin and Giants management, told reporters, "There was some discussion about maybe one of the rings was too big. I threw out the fact that it was a big win, it was a huge win, so the ring should be designed accordingly." One side will have the player's name and number, plus the phrase "Eleven on the Road." The other side will say "Super Bowl XLII" with the date.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
The website link in the header has some good photos of the top and also the side of the ring if you're into that sort of thing.
NYG - WAS - Giants Host Redskins In Season Opener
Source: Sports Ticker
The Super Bowl champion New York Giants will open the season at home against the NFC East rival Washington Redskins, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced at the league?s annual spring meetings Monday.
In a tradition that began in 2004, the Super Bowl champion annually hosts the NFL Thursday night season kickoff. That honor will go to the Giants, who will meet the Redskins on Thursday, September 4. Kickoff for the Giants-Redskins game will be 7 p.m. EDT, 90 minutes earlier than the traditional season opener start time due to the Republican National Convention, which NBC News will cover following the game.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
To the victor goes the spoils and New York earns the opening game honors.
Source: John Tomase, Boston Herald
Hobbled in the Super Bowl by a high ankle sprain, Brady checked out fine recently and hasn?t had any troubles with the bothersome right ankle, according to a league source. He won?t be restricted for the offseason workout program or minicamps.
Though Brady?s ankle did not make the injury report prior to Super Bowl XLII, he didn?t look like himself for most of the game, and his personal quarterbacks coach, Tom Martinez, told the New York Daily News shortly after the game that Brady?s mobility appeared limited.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Good news for Brady. Let's just hope he doesn't hurt himself on the European shopping spree.
NYJ - Jets Guarantee Remainder Of WR Coles' Contract
Source: Tom, Rock, Newsday
WR Laveranues Coles had been negotiating for an extension to his current contract and even skipped the first week of voluntary offseason workouts earlier this month. But Coles returned to the team Monday with only the promise of a compromise, and on Friday, an NFL source confirmed that Coles and the Jets agreed to have the remainder of the current contract guaranteed rather than extended. That deal will pay Coles $11 million for the next two seasons.
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It's not the extension he was looking for. But a guaranteed two year contract is not a bad deal. It's a big plus for the Jets as they can know they have a tough and solid player in a key position.
SEA - Seahawks Sign K Mare To Replace Brown
Source: Danny O'Neil, Seattle Times
The Seahawks signed kicker Olindo Mare, a free agent who was released by New Orleans in February. Mare is a 12-year NFL veteran and will be one option in Seattle's search for a replacement for Josh Brown, the kicker who left the Seahawks to sign with St. Louis on the first day of free agency.
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Seattle would have liked to kept Brown but they couldn't match the Rams' offer and Brown headed to St. Louis.
Team president Tim Ruskell said not to rule out a younger kicker giving Mare some competition. "I could foresee a situation where we have a vet and a rookie in there fighting it out," Ruskell said Wednesday. "That would be the perfect world for us."DEF - ARZ - Cards DE Smith Says He Has Not Asked To Be Traded
Source: Kent Somers, Arizona Republic
Arizona Cardinals DE Antonio Smith is set to sign his one-year tender offer from the team. Before he did that, Smith denied a report that he or his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, were seeking a trade. They did, however, talk to the Cardinals about the possibility of signing a multi-year deal, Smith said. "I'm not really disappointed," Smith said. "I understand what's going on in free agency, with Fitz's deal (Larry Fitzgerald) and all. I'm optimistic that this is probably going to be the best option for me anyway." As it stands now, Smith will become an unrestricted free agent in 2009.
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Looks like Smith will remain a Cardinal which is good news for the Arizona defense. If you buy into that "contract year" theory, he'll have plenty of motivation in 2008.
That'll do it for this week. Have a great week and I hope all the brackets work out your way.
J