Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 9, Issue 105 (Wednesday, August 6th)
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Hi Folks,
Good Thursday to you. Hope you're having a great day. We've got lots of News and Notes for you plus tons of new Footballguys Content PLUS another edition of our world beating Training Camp Updates ready. Let's get to it. JSITE NEWS
A.
Footballguys Training Camp Update #2
If last week's 40+ page Training Camp Update wasn't enough, check out this week's all new edition. It's 43 brand new pages of everything you need to know to know everything about every team. These things are insane and our Bob Henry and the Footballguys staff will create one each week through Training Camps.
B.
The Big Picture: 2008 Edition, version 3 (August 5th)
Mike Herman updates his awesome "Big Picture" feature. It's like a depthchart on steroids with everything color coded and tons of additional information and history stuff. It's the entire league on one giant page.
C.
More IDP Face Offs
Our Footballguys IDP Staff guys argue over new players today. Just added: S B. Pollard, KC - S K. Rhodes, NYJ - ILB Z. Thomas, Dal
D.
From the Gut - Running Backs
My partner David Dodds rolls out his always popular "From The Gut" series and lets you see what he's thinking about Running Backs.
E.
From the Gut - IDP
Dr. Jene Bramel offers some "From the Gut" insights as he takes a look at Individual Defensive Players.
F.
Draft Slot Study - From the #10 Position
Chris Smith takes a look at the strategies drafting from the #10 position.
G.
Footballguys Gear Is Here
We did the Footballguys gear a few years ago and it was a big success but honestly, it got to be more work than we could keep up with producing and shipping all the stuff. We're proud to announce that there is a separate company that has filled the gap there and they are producing OFFICIAL Footballguys gear. And not just that, they have Official Audible gear as well. You can click on the headline link to see all that they're offering. Such items available include four different T-shirt designs, two styles of hats, two different styles of golf shirts, hooded sweatshirts, duffel bags and more! I've personally seen it and I can vouch for it being quality. It's great stuff and we'd be honored for you to be sporting the FBG and Audible logo. Check it out as it's available only at the Footballguys Online Store.
H.
A Review of the NFL's Guidelines for Individual Defensive Statistics
Dr. Jene Bramel takes a detailed look at how the NFL handles "unofficial" IDP stats.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. NYJ - GB - QB Favre Reportedly Traded To Jets2. DEN - RB Torain Out 6-8 Weeks
3. CAR - RB Stewart's Toe Not Fully Healed
4. STL - Rams RB Jackson's Holdout Has Voided Accrued Season
5. DEN - Broncos WR Marshall To Appeal Suspension
6. SD - Chargers TE Gates Still Uncertain For Start of Regular Season
7. DEN - Broncos Pittman Moves Back to Tailback
8. MIA - Dolphins HC Sparano Calls Kicking Battle "Close"
9. PIT - Steelers QB Roethlisberger Will Start Preseason Opener
10. NYJ - Jets Attach No Significance To QB Starter
11. CIN - Bengals QB Palmer Predicts Winning AFC North
12. CHI - Bears RB Jones Nearing Clearance For Practice
13. SF - 49ers RB Gore Acquiring Guidance From Marshall Faulk
14. NYG - Giants RB Bradshaw Will Not Be Suspended
NYJ - GB - QB Favre Reportedly Traded To Jets
Source: ESPN
Looks like we might possibly have closure on the Brett Favre saga. ESPN is reporting that the Packers have traded Favre to the New York Jets. Compensation wasn't immediately known but it is reported to be a draft pick that will increase in value based upon Favre obtaining certain performance levels.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
The odd man out would likely be Chad Pennington. But it remains to be seen how the Jets would handle that. The big winner in this move would be Jets receivers and Jeff Garcia in Tampa as he described himself as a "dead man walking" today when it looked like Favre would wind up in Tampa. Jerricho Cotchery and Laveranues Coles get a nice bump.
We've all seen this thing change course quickly and I haven't seen a signed contract. But it's looking like Favre is headed to the Jets.Source: Reggie Rivers, CBS 4 - Denver
Broncos rookie running back Ryan Torain is expected to be out 6-8 weeks with a broken bone in his elbow, head coach Mike Shanahan said Wednesday morning.
Torain was carted off the field during the team's 9-on-7 run-blocking period at practice earlier in the morning. Shanahan said the broken bone is where the radius meets the elbow.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
You can see our full Denver projections here http://subscribers.footballguys.com/2008/currentproj-den.php
We've had Selvin Young penciled in as the starter but there was some definite question there that Torain could push him for time or maybe even the starting job. With this setback, Young becomes a more secure pick. Missing 6-8 weeks isn't the end of the world, but it's a significant setback for a guy that was competing for the starting job. Especially a rookie.CAR - RB Stewart's Toe Not Fully Healed
Source: Charles Chandler, Charlotte Observer
Jonathan Stewart's toe still has not fully recovered from offseason surgery, but he continues to practice on a limited basis.
Stewart said he still has some discomfort in his right big toe, which underwent an operation to repair a turf toe injured he suffered last November playing for Oregon. Stewart worked in practice Wednesday morning returning kickoffs, but saw very little action at the running back position.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Big toes are hugely important for any player but especially a RB. It's only been 5 months so maybe we're expecting too much too soon. But many are thinking Stewart could be a huge part of this offense. That may be premature. Let's see how he looks over the next few weeks. As it stands now, he'll be a game day decision for whether he plays in Saturday's preseason game.
STL - Rams RB Jackson's Holdout Has Voided Accrued Season
Source: National Post
Running back Steven Jackson still was missing from the St. Louis Rams on Tuesday, his 16th missed workout since the team opened camp on July 25. Considered in a holdout, Jackson has been fined just over $15,000 per day as he and his agent Eugene Parker attempt to negotiate a long-term extension. Jackson was scheduled to become a free agent at the end of the upcoming campaign but, according to NFL rules, a player must be in camp 30 days before the start of the regular season to maintain his accrued seasons. Tuesday was the 30-day deadline before the regular season opens on September 4.
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This is bad news all around. It's bad for Jackson as he's foolishly throwing away an accrued season there. I'm pretty surprised his agent let that happen. But it's bad for Rams fans as this was a pretty big "mover" for him to get in camp. With it passed, they're not really looking at a hard "deadline" now to push things along. Stay tuned. This one isn't getting much attention but it's got me a little worried.
DEN - Broncos WR Marshall To Appeal Suspension
Source: Associated Press, NFL.com
Denver Broncos WR Brandon Marshall will appeal the suspension he received for violating the league's personal conduct policy. "There's no basis for discipline," Marshall's lawyer, Harvey Steinberg, commented on Tuesday night. "Mr. Marshall has not been convicted nor charged with a crime." The three game suspension that Marshall received can be reduced by a game if the wide receiver undergoes counseling and abides by other unspecified conditions.
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I can't imagine a more wrong answer here, Brandon. You do not want to go here. Get into counseling and take the 1 game bone you've been gifted and get out there for Week 3.
SD - Chargers TE Gates Still Uncertain For Start of Regular Season
Source: Michael Fabiano, NFL.com
It is still uncertain whether San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates will be ready to play by the start of the regular season. Gates continues to recover from offseason surgery that repaired an injury to his foot. The tight end commented that he believes he'll "definitely be ready for the opener", but followed that up with a statement that he would only return if he was 100% healthy. "This team is too talented and too dedicated to winning for me to come back and not be ready to contribute," Gates told the San Diego Union-Tribune. "I wouldn't shortchange this team. Being out there and playing is one thing, but contributing is another."
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I'd be feeling a lot better if he'd only said the first part without the followup. The reality is that right now, we just don't know. Gates doesn't know. Hopefully we'll see more here soon to get a better gauge of where he is and what his chances are but if you're drafting today, he's a risky pick with obviously huge upside but severe downside.
DEN - Broncos Pittman Moves Back to Tailback
Source: Mike Klis, Denver Post
With RB Ryan Torain out, The Denver Broncos are going to move some guys around in the backfield. Undrafted rookie Anthony Alridge moved up the depth chart behind Selvin Young and Andre Hall, while veteran Michael Pittman was shifted from fullback back to his natural tailback position.
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We told you earlier that it was interesting to see Pittman listed as a fullback on the depth charts. That didn't last long.
MIA - Dolphins HC Sparano Calls Kicking Battle "Close"
Source: Armando Salguero, Miami Herald
Miami Dolphins HC Tony Sparano said the injury to PK Jay Feely is a sore groin. He is not sure whether Feely will be available for Saturday's preseason game against Tampa Bay. Asked why it is that Feely has a competition on his hands playing well last year Sparano said, "It's a competition. That's how it is." Sparano also said the battle between Feely and rookie Dan Carpenter is "very even."
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We'll keep an eye on this one for you. The real answer from Sparano as to why it's a competition is that Carpenter would likely draw a salary that's a fraction of what they'll pay Feely. If they can get the same production from Carpenter, they'll take a long hard look. Plus, Parcells is known to be a guy that doesn't mind adding a little stress to his kickers...
PIT - Steelers QB Roethlisberger Will Start Preseason Opener
Source: Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Even though he has been limited in practice the past four days because of a groin injury, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will start and probably play no more than one series in Friday night's preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles at Heinz Field, Coach Mike Tomlin said this morning. Tomlin said all four quarterbacks are scheduled to play against the Eagles, with the order being Roethlisberger, veteran Charlie Batch, rookie Dennis Dixon and free-agent rookie Mike Potts. Tomlin, though, said Roethlisberger will "probably not" play more than a series.
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Great news for Roethlisberger. We told you we'd keep an eye on this one for you and the news is very good here. I wouldn't expect him to play much at all but the fact that they feel comfortable enough to let him start speaks volumes.
NYJ - Jets Attach No Significance To QB Starter
Source: Erik Boland, Newsday
The New York Jets' quarterbacks promise they're just as much in the dark as everyone else regarding who will start tomorrow night's preseason opener in Cleveland. "Normally, based on my past experiences, it has been the night before the game when we have quarterback meetings, so we will find out then," quarterback Chad Pennington said. Coach Eric Mangini said he would decide, "Later today, tomorrow," and left it at that. "No," Mangini said on Monday, when asked if any significance should be attached to tomorrow's starter. While it isn't clear who will start, it is clear that Kellen Clemens probably needs a standout game more than Pennington.
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By the time you read this, the Jets will likely have named a starter. It likely will be moot since Brett Favre is expected to start the rest of the preseason games for the Jets.
CIN - Bengals QB Palmer Predicts Winning AFC North
Source: John Harris, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Quarterback Carson Palmer is picking his Cincinnati Bengals to win the AFC North because he believes the lessons learned from previous seasons are finally sinking in. Palmer also feels that a demanding schedule will play a big role in who survives the four-team race that has resulted no repeat division champions since its inception in 2002. "Tough one to predict. I predict that we win it," Palmer said from the Bengals' training camp at Georgetown College. "I can't tell you the won-loss record. Who knows? It's a crapshoot this year."
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This is one of those throwaway articles as every QB should predict their team to win the division. I got a kick last year about the uproar over Jon Kitna saying the Lions should win 10 games. I wouldn't have a quarterback that didn't think he was going to win 10 games. Oh well.
CHI - Bears RB Jones Nearing Clearance For Practice
Source: Vaughn McClure, Chicago Tribune
Chicago Bears running back Kevin Jones is close to coming off the physically unable to perform list, and is expected to be dressing in full pads with a brace on his right knee when ready.
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It's worth noting that there are some other reports that seem to indicate Jones isn't as close to being ready as the Tribune feels. We'll see here soon enough.
SF - 49ers RB Gore Acquiring Guidance From Marshall Faulk
Source: Kevin Lynch, San Francisco Gate
San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore is doing everything future Hall of Fame running back Marshall Faulk is telling him to do. "I talked to him three of four times," Gore said. "Before training camp he told me some things." The first was to get down to 212 pounds, the same weight Faulk was when he was the centerpiece of the Rams' offense under Mike Martz. He told Gore to run after practice every day. Gore does that. And he said to pepper Martz with questions and Gore is complying there too. He said he has dropped 10 pounds and weighs about 214.
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If there's a guy in the world that knows what it takes to be a successful running back in a Mike Martz offense, it's Marshall Faulk. This is a great idea for Gore to seek guidance from Faulk there and it's a good indication of what kind of player he is. He obviously respects what Faulk has done with Martz and is looking to be the best he can be. I don't expect Marshall Faulk II, but we think Gore will do very well.
NYG - Giants RB Bradshaw Will Not Be Suspended
Source: Michael Fabiano, NFL.com
The NFL league office has decided that New York Giants RB Ahmad Bradshaw will not be suspended. Bradshaw was recently released from jail after serving 30 days for off field issues that occurred prior to the start of his NFL career.
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Excellent news for Bradshaw obviously.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great rest of your day and we'll see you tomorrow with the update.
J