Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 9, Issue 13 (Tuesday, May 6th)
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Hi Folks,
Hope you're having a good week so far. It's Wednesday already and the news is still rolling in. Stories like the Adam Archuleta release are a reminder of how quickly things change and we'll do our best to help keep you covered. Let's get to it. JINSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. DET - Lions QB Kitna Sets Bar High...Again2. NYG - Giants Give OL Diehl New Contract
3. WAS - Redskins WR Randle El Has Knee Surgery
4. SEA - Seahawks Kicking Job Up For Grabs
5. IND - WR Harrison Not A Suspect At This Time
6. NFL - Judge Clears WR Henry To Travel
7. NO - RB McAlister Running Well
8. PHI - Eagles WR Jackson Fielding Punts
9. CAR - Panthers Comfortable With QB Moore As Backup
10. CHI - Police Report Says RB Benson Was 'Cocky' and 'Insulting'
11. PHI - QB McNabb On A Snap Count
12. SEA - WR Engram Skips Monday's Minicamp Over Contract
13. DEF - TB - Bucs LB June Reportedly Recovering From Back Surgery
14. DEF - WAS - Redskins Excuse S Doughty From Mini-Camp To Be With Ailing Son
15. DEF - CHI - Bears Release S Adam Archuleta
DET - Lions QB Kitna Sets Bar High...Again
Source: Mark Snyder, Detroit Free Press; USA Today
Detroit Lions QB Jon Kitna predicted the Lions would win 10 games in 2007, and the team fell short of his goal at 7-9. This season, Kitna is not calling it a prediction, but not reserving himself either. "Our expectation is we will be disappointed if we don't win 10 games," he said today. "Because that will mean we're not in the playoffs and that sucks. I can't make it any simpler than that. Anybody who says that's not their expectations level is unfortunately not that much of a competitor."
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Lots of people laughed last summer when Kitna talked about 10 wins. The laughter died down quite a bit about ten games into the season. The schedule caught up to them and they fell well short of the goal but they made some noise. I'd expect this year to be more of the same. And Kitna is right, I wouldn't want anyone on my team that didn't expect to go out and make the playoffs.
NYG - Giants Give OL Diehl New Contract
Source: John Clayton, ESPN
The New York Giants recently ripped up OL David Diehl's contract and rewarded him with a new six-year, $31 million deal. Annual escalator clauses could increase Diehl's salaries between $750,000 and $1.1 million a year as long as he plays offensive tackle. Diehl played LT for the first time last season when he moved over from guard.
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I've heard a few folks question the Giants' lack of offseason activity in the free agent market. The truth is they have a pretty good team coming off just a little bit of success. It seems they feel they are better off shoring up the players they have like Diehl.
WAS - Redskins WR Randle El Has Knee Surgery
Source: Jason La Confora, Washington Post
Washington Redskins WR Antwaan Randle El underwent arthroscopic knee surgery Monday. HC Jim Zorn said that Randle El had a "fairly minor" procedure to remove floating cartilage in his knee. If there are no complications from the surgery, Randle El should be fully recovered in a few weeks. "He'll be here for the next set of OTAs," said Zorn. "This should be a three- to four-week deal, I think. I haven't heard any report. This is just what the preliminary thoughts were when they went it."
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File this one away for a few weeks from now. We don't have any reason to expect this surgery to take any longer to heal than what Zorn is saying but if it drags out past the next set of OTA's, then we'll take notice.
SEA - Seahawks Kicking Job Up For Grabs
Source: Jose Miguel Romero, Seattle Times
Seahawks kickers Olindo Mare and rookie Brandon Coutu, a seventh-round pick from Georgia, will duke it out this spring and summer. The coaches will start charting Mare's and Coutu's attempts in June when both are expected to attend the team's minicamp, special-teams coach Bruce DeHaven said.
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If you're one of those guys (like me) that waits forever to take a kicker, keep an eye on this battle. Neither player will get much attention likely and Coutu especially will be well under the radar for many owners. The guy that wins this job will likely be available very late in your draft and he'll probably be a serviceable kicker for you.
IND - WR Harrison Not A Suspect At This Time
Source: Mark Alesia, Indianapolis Star
Police spokesperson Tanya Little told the Indianapolis Star that Colts WR Marvin Harrison is "not as suspect at this point", but declined to comment further. Reports have bullets found at the scene of a shootout in Philadelphia matching the handgun that Harrison owns. Police have not released an incident report, saying the investigation is ongoing.
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Just another update on the Marvin Harrison story. "At this point" would be the operative phrase here. When there's a shooting with your gun and you haven't reported the gun as stolen, there is some explaining to do. We'll see.
NFL - Judge Clears WR Henry To Travel
Source: Kimball Perry, Cincinnati Enquirer
Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge Rich Bernat gave FA WR Chris Henry clearance to travel in order to look for work. The judge originally denied that request until today, when Attorney Perry Ancona repeated that Henry has an offer to try out for an unnamed NFL team and needs to be allowed to travel. “We're willing to give him some latitude given the fact that he obviously needs to find some employment,” Bernat said. Henry must first bring a letter from the NFL team before he is released from his electronic monitoring device and house arrest sentence.
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That has to be an awkward conversation with your potential General Manager doesn't it? "Yeah, I'd like to fly out for a workout and a physical. Let me call my parole officer and see if I can get this thing off my ankle. Oh yeah, one more thing - do you think you could write me a note?"
NO - RB McAlister Running Well
Source: Mike Triplett, New Orleans Times Picayune
Saints RB Deuce McAllister (knees) participated in the team's weekend minicamp, running pass-routes at full speed. He said he's been cutting and planting for about three weeks and expects to participate in a limited capacity when the team begins its organized team activities this month. The Saints recently met with FA RB Shaun Alexander. "I anticipate they'll continue to look at veteran running backs," McAllister said. "They have to have some protection just in case there are any setbacks with my rehab, even though there haven't been any. It never hurts to have a Plan B."
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Good news for McAllister. And I'm not surprised to see him handle the Shaun Alexander situation with class. He knows how it works at this level. But we're pulling for McAllister and hope he returns 100%.
PHI - Eagles WR Jackson Fielding Punts
Source: Les Bowen, Philadelphia Daily News
Eagles second round draft pick WR DeSean Jackson spent a good portion of the weekend's minicamp fielding punts with mixed reviews. He struggled early on, but he feels he will adjust with more reps. "I think the biggest difference is how high the punts get in the air, the hang time. You just have to focus a lot. The NFL balls are bigger, so they have more movement in the air, and things like that. I felt very confident back there, comfortable. The more punts I catch, the better I'll get at it." HC Andy Reid says he also looks good as a receiver. "He looked like he had good quickness, good speed, and he caught the ball OK."
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So far so good for the young WR. It's a pretty big jump to this next level but it sounds like Jackson understands the task.
CAR - Panthers Comfortable With QB Moore As Backup
Source: Charles Chandler, Charlotte Observer
The Panthers have yet to sign a veteran quarterback to compete for the backup spot behind starting QB Jake Delhomme. It is testament to 23-year old QB Matt Moore, who continues to impress during the team's minicamp. Moore led the Panthers to a 2-1 record in late December.
None of the Panthers four quarterbacks were drafted. "You know what? I like the road I've taken to get here," he said. "I like where I'm at now. It doesn't bother me anymore. I'm working with what I've got. With the draft, there's no science to it. There are guys all over who can play this game."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
I'd be interested to know how many teams have fielded four undrafted QBs before. That's pretty interesting. I like Moore too. With the rave reviews Delhomme's shoulder has been receiving, he may not be as counted on we thought he might. But there's always the chance for a setback with Delhomme. And Moore sounds like he's ready.
CHI - Police Report Says RB Benson Was 'Cocky' and 'Insulting'
Source: Maureen O'Donnell, Chicago Sun Times
Chicago Bear Cedric Benson appeared drunk when an officer stopped him while boating last weekend, with bloodshot eyes, a "strong" alcohol odor and slurred speech, a police report said.
Sgt. Leonard Snyder, who pepper-sprayed and arrested Benson on Lake Travis near Austin, Texas, said he surmised Benson was intoxicated because he was "combative," "cocky," "insulting," and used "profanity." At times, he was "crying" and "cooperative," Snyder wrote. According to the officer, Benson became a threat when he "presented himself in a very hostile way" upon being placed under arrest. "Benson is a very muscular person and easily capable of overpowering me. As I had exhausted all attempts to gain control of Benson, and been met with resistance and what I perceived as a threat, I administered pepper spray into Benson's face to gain control." Benson maintains he was sober, cooperative but abused nevertheless.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
I hate to break it to the Lower Colorado River Authority police, but just because Benson was "combative," "cocky," "insulting," and used "profanity" doesn't mean he was drunk. Bears fans might say that's just how he is.
We told you the other day that both sides of the story would be told. Sounds like that's starting to happen. The next move will likely be for the judge to hear it.PHI - QB McNabb On A Snap Count
Source: Geoff Mosher, Delaware Gazette
Eagles QB Donovan McNabb took most of Monday's minicamp off, not once taking a snap. HC Andy Reid said McNabb's presence will be a bit limited for the time being. "We've been charting Donovan's throws," Reid said. "When you go with the first group, you have a tendency to get up there in numbers. We'd reached our numbers [for McNabb], and we were done. Once we get to training camp, Donovan gets the majority of that."
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This makes sense for McNabb. It's also a good way to see more of backup QB Kevin Kolb. As the article says, expect this to change once real training camp rolls around.
SEA - WR Engram Skips Monday's Minicamp Over Contract
Source: Frank Hughes, Seattle Times
Seahawks WR Bobby Engram skipped on Monday's minicamp because he is unhappy with his contract, a source said. He is in the final season of a contract that will pay him $1.7 million. By comparison WR Deion Branch will make $3.5 million, plus a $660,000 roster bonus and Nate Burleson will make $3.25 million. Engram's 94 receptions set the franchise record last season. He gained 1,147 receiving yards, also a career high and one of best seasons in team history. Engram's six touchdowns were also a career high. He did attend the practices over the weekend before skipping out on Monday.
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I'm a "be happy for what you make and don't worry about the others" kind of guy. But I think I might be pissed too if Nate Burleson made almost twice what I was pulling down...
DEF - TB - Bucs LB June Reportedly Recovering From Back Surgery
Source: DraftDaddy.com
Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Cato June is reportedly recovering from back surgery performed by his own doctor (rather than team doctors), and that the recovery is not going well...causing June to potentially require additional surgery that would cause him to miss at least a portion of Training Camp.
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The team has not confirmed this story yet but it looks like it has merit. Stay tuned.
DEF - WAS - Redskins Excuse S Doughty From Mini-Camp To Be With Ailing Son
Source: Jason Reid, Washington Post
Washington Redskins safety Reed Doughty was excused from the team's final minicamp practice on Sunday to be with his ailing son, Micah, who recently underwent a kidney transplant.
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Best wishes to the Doughty family for a full and speedy recovery.
DEF - CHI - Bears Release S Adam Archuleta
Source: AP
The Chicago Bears released veteran strong safety Adam Archuleta on Tuesday, ending a brief and disappointing tenure with the team.
Archuleta, 30, broke a hand early last season and started in just 10 of the 15 games in which he appeared. He lost his starting job to Brandon McGowan and finished the season on special teams.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
We say it a lot because it's true - things move pretty fast around here. When he joined Washington in 2006, Archuleta received the largest contract ever given to a safety: $30 million for six years, with a $10 million bonus. Next thing you know he's relegated to special teams and then cut.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great Wednesday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update.
J