Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 9, Issue 104 (Tuesday, August 5th)
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Hi Folks,
Believe it or not, there are things going on in the league besides the Brett Favre saga. We've got lots of news and notes for you plus tons of new content on the website. Let's get to it. JSITE NEWS
A.
Interview With Adam Doctolero from Quick Hits From the Sidelines
Our Cecil Lammey interviews Vikings Insider Adam Doctolero.
B.
Interview With Mike Garafolo from the Newark Star Ledger
Cecil Lammey interviews Giants Insider Mike Garafolo from the Newark Star Ledger.
C.
Fantasy Interview Series - Ian Allan
David Dodds interviews one of the pioneers in the Fantasy Football Industry, Ian Allan. Ian is a "godfather" type figure in this business and one of the guys that graciously gave me one of my first writing breaks in the industry. Thank you, Ian.
D.
Draft Slot Study - From the #5 and #6 Position
Chris Smith examines different strategies for drafting from the #5 or #6 spot.
E.
Draft Slot Study - From the #7 And #8 Position
Chris Smith looks at the different strategies for drafting from the #7 and #8 draft spots.
F.
Draft Slot Study - From the #9 Position
Chris Smith looks at the different strategies for drafting from the #9 draft spot.
G.
Decisiveness
Mark Wimer expounds on the virtues of decisiveness when it comes to your Fantasy Draft.
H.
Prime Number Drafting
Jeff Pasquino offers help on how to shoe horn all the talented players you want into your roster. Sort of...
I.
Running Back #2 By Committee - RB2BC
Jeff Pasquino expands our "committee" approach strategy to #2 Running Backs.
J.
The Martz Effect - Part 1
Part 1 of Jeff Tefertiller looking at the effect Mike Martz has had on teams.
K.
The Martz Effect - Part 2
Part 2 of Jeff Tefertiller looking at the effect Mike Martz has had on teams.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. GB - Packers HC McCarthy Questions QB Favre's Mindset2. NO - Saints RB Thomas To Get A "Serious Look"
3. NO - TE Shockey And RB McAllister To Miss Preseason Opener
4. GB - TB - Tampa Bay Reportedly Interested In QB Favre
5. NYG - Giants RB Bradshaw Discusses Jail Issue
6. Goodell Implements New Fan Code Of Conduct
7. NYJ - Jets HC Mangini Undecided On Quarterback
8. DEN - Broncos OL Nalen To Possibly Miss Preseason
9. SF - 49ers Depth Chart: WR Lelie Third-String
10. KC - Chiefs RB Johnson Will Get Some Preseason Work
11. BAL - QB Boller To Start Preseason - Job Still Open
12. DEF - CLE - Browns DB Baxter Has Knee Surgery
13. DEF - NE - LB Vrabel Activated From PUP List
GB - Packers HC McCarthy Questions QB Favre's Mindset
Source: Associated Press, NFL.com
Green Bay Packers HC Mike McCarthy spoke to the media today following two day's of long conversation with returning QB Brett Favre. Speaking about the discussions, McCarthy said, "The one thing I was looking for out of that conversation, was that was he ready, committed to play football for the Green Bay Packers. His answer, frankly, throughout the conversation, was his mindset, based on the things that have happened throughout this whole course, that's not where he was. With that, we didn't really move ahead."
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
For what it's worth, Favre's friend and former coach, Steve Mariucci had a very different story after talking to Favre on the phone Tuesday afternoon.
Mariucci said that Favre wants to play in Green Bay as he knows that's the best place for him but that the problem was despite what the front office is saying to the press, that they didn't really want Favre there. And that Favre did not want to be a distraction. According to Mariucci, "Favre's gut feeling is that he's not wanted back. Which kind of surprises him and he doesn't understand it but that's how he feels. And he says, 'Mike, if you guys feel this way, maybe I'm going to be a distraction. I don't want to be a distraction.'" I said yesterday that it looked like Favre would be a Packer again unless they screwed this up. Looks like that's happened.NO - Saints RB Thomas To Get A "Serious Look"
Source: Sheldon Mickles, Baton Rouge Advocate
Saints HC Sean Payton said that RB Pierre Thomas will get plenty of touches this summer in determining the team's depth chart at running back. Thomas filled in as a starter late last season and earned a chance to increase his workload this season. "He's a guy that has proven that you can hand him the ball more than 15 or 20 times in a game and he can carry the load," Payton said. "He played well in Chicago in the last game of the season, and he's going to get a serious look." Thomas also recalled a conversation with QB Drew Brees, who said he would be used more this season. "Drew came up to me and said, ‘Hey, I like what you did last year and we're going to use you more this year,' " Thomas said. "I feel positive about that, especially when it's coming from Drew Brees."
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
More fuel on the Pierre Thomas fire. He's the guy everyone is in love with and looks ready to produce if given the opportunity. Let's see if he continues to shine in the preseason opportunities.
NO - TE Shockey And RB McAllister To Miss Preseason Opener
Source: AP
New Orleans players Deuce McAllister and Jeremy Shockey are among several projected regulars that Saints coach Sean Payton has decided to keep out of the lineup when New Orleans plays its first preseason game at Arizona on Thursday.
Cornerbacks Mike McKenzie and Tracy Porter, as well as wide receiver Devery Henderson, will sit out as well, Payton said Monday.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
No surprise here. This seems to be a precaution on Payton's part.
GB - TB - Tampa Bay Reportedly Interested In QB Favre
Source: Pete Dougherty, Green Bay Press-Gazette
QB Brett Favre is reportedly expected to talk with Tampa Bay Buccaneer team officials to discuss a possible trade which would send the quarterback from Green Bay to Tampa Bay.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
We've been hearing Tampa for a while and it looks they're still in play. There are reports that Tampa isn't in a hurry to make a move. The odd guy out of course would be Jeff Garcia in this scenario. I guess it would be nice symmetry if Favre went to Tampa and Garcia wound up backing up Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay.
NYG - Giants RB Bradshaw Discusses Jail Issue
Source: Ralph Vacchiano, NyDailyNews.com
Giants RB Ahmad Bradshaw addressed the media today regarding both his recent and pending jail time. He did not relay too many specifics on the circumstances that led to his jail time but said they related to both an underage drinking incident at the University of Virginia and a petit larceny conviction while he was at Marshall.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
We still see Bradshaw as the #3 guy behind Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward but he's a guy that can contribute if things fall the right way for him.
Goodell Implements New Fan Code Of Conduct
Source: Associated Press, Sportsline.com
On Tuesday the NFL announced a new code of fan conduct for attendees to NFL games that aims to reduce behavior that 'detracts from the gameday experience.' The code includes bans on unruly behavior, drunkeness, foul language, and game interference.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Look out fans, the long arm of the Commissioner now may be reaching out to you. Seriously, many stadiums already control this kind of stuff. But it's probably a good idea to standardize some of it.
NYJ - Jets HC Mangini Undecided On Quarterback
Source: Associated Press, ESPN.com
New York Jets HC Eric Mangini is still undecided on who will start the Jets first preseason game this Thursday against the Cleveland Browns. QB Chad Pennington and QB Kellen Clemens are locked in a positional battle and neither player has been able to earn the starting nod.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
This story conflicts some earlier local reports a bit that had Pennington as the clear leader. Let's see who Mangini decides on as the starter for this first game but that's hardly going to be the end of it.
DEN - Broncos OL Nalen To Possibly Miss Preseason
Source: Associated Press, NFL.com
Denver Broncos OL Tom Nalen could be out for the rest of the preseason as he attempts to recover from a left knee surgery this past offseason.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
This is stretching a little bit longer than we'd hoped. We'll continue to keep an eye on this for you.
SF - 49ers Depth Chart: WR Lelie Third-String
Source: 49ers.com
For the San Francisco 49ers, the starting WRs are Bryant Johnson and Issac Bruce -- this much was expected. But the battle for backups is interesting. Arnaz Battle is the primary backup for the veteran Bruce, while Jason Hill is backing up Johnson. Ashley Lelie is buried on the third tier.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
If you were counting on Ashley Lelie to carry your team, you might want to reconsider...
KC - Chiefs RB Johnson Will Get Some Preseason Work
Source: Adam Teicher, Kansas City Star
Unlike last season when Chiefs RB Larry Johnson missed nearly all of the preseason during a holdout, the star running back will see the field for exhibition games this season. How much time has yet to be determined. "He'll have to play in the preseason, get his carries and his runs and his timing with the offensive line," HC Herm Edwards said. "We'll sit down and talk about how many carries he needs to get ready. There's a number in his mind where he probably feels comfortable."
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
The Chiefs are anxious to have a full season of Larry Johnson. QB Brodie Croyle never had any time working with Larry Johnson last year and he's excited about that opportunity.
BAL - QB Boller To Start Preseason - Job Still Open
Source: Jamison Hensley, Baltimore Sun
Ravens veteran QB Kyle Boeller will get the nod in the team's preseason opener on Thursday at New England. Boeller, who had a rough start during the spring, has improved his consistency and discipline this summer in taking more high-percentage throws. "He's been here awhile," HC John Harbaugh said. "He'll go a certain amount of time, probably most of the first half." Harbaugh said that QB Troy Smith and Joe Flacco will split second half snaps. The starting job, however, remains an open competition for now.
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This makes sense just from a seniority angle. But this job appears to be still wide open.
DEF - CLE - Browns DB Baxter Has Knee Surgery
Source: Mary Kay Cabot, Cleveland Plain Dealer
Cleveland Browns DB Gary Baxter underwent arthroscopic knee surgery this morning. He has been attempting a comeback from two torn patella tendons. This is the latest setback for Baxter, who tore both patella tendons on the same play in a game against Denver on Oct. 22, 2006. He attempted to come back last season, but wasn't ready and spent the season on the physically unable to perform list. He has been taking part in training camp, but had been on limited duty for the last several days.
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Just another setback for Baxter here.
DEF - NE - LB Vrabel Activated From PUP List
Source: Mike Reiss, Boston Globe
New England Patriots LB Mike Vrabel has been activated off the physically-unable-to-perform list. He has joined his teammates on the field for today's practice.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
As was the case with WR Wes Welker recently, Vrabel quietly is off the PUP list and back on the active roster.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great Wednesday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update.
J