Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 9, Issue 18 (Sunday, May 11th)
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Hi Folks,
Good Monday to you. Hope you had a nice Mother's Day weekend. Now we're off to a week covering all the News and Notes you'll need to stay on top of everything. Let's get to it. JINSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. BAL - Ravens Rookie QB Flacco Makes Strong First Impression2. ATL - Falcons Rookie QB Ryan Makes Debut
3. STL - Rams WR Holt Undecided On Future Beyond 2009
4. ATL - RB Turner Returns To Practice
5. Renovated Hall Of Fame Opens
6. NYG - OC Gilbride Unsure About TE Shockey's Future In NY
7. DEF - NYG - Still No Decision From Giants DE Strahan
8. DEF - OAK - Raiders Agree To 1-Year Deal With FA DE Spires
9. DEF - DAL - Cowboys, SS Williams Meet And Reach Understanding
10. DEF - DEN - Cocaine Possession Charges Against Broncos DT Thomas Dropped
BAL - Ravens Rookie QB Flacco Makes Strong First Impression
Source: Sean Leahy, USA Today
First impressions for Baltimore Ravens rookie quarterback Joe Flacco were strong around the rainy field the Ravens used Friday afternoon. His highlight was a deep strike of not-quite 50 yards to Mark Clayton that sent a raucous cheer around the team's practice facility. Twelve-year veteran receiver Derrick Mason said the rookie's composure was especially impressive. "The way he commanded the huddle with the team that was in there, I think that speaks volumes of him," the receiver said. "He's just got to continue to do that."
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We all know that quarterbacking at this level takes much more than a strong arm or quick feet. How a player runs the huddle and how he can lead his team is equally important. Most young players struggle a bit there but it looks like Flacco is on his way in this area. Of course that changes when the real camps start but this is a good start for the rookie.
ATL - Falcons Rookie QB Ryan Makes Debut
Source: Steve Wyche, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan made his debut and he made it as the third-team quarterback. The coaching staff is going to make him earn his stripes. So, for now, he worked behind Chris Redman and Joey Harrington and rotated with D.J. Shockley. Ryan wore a brace on his left knee, saying he wears the brace as a precaution. At Boston College, the coaches required the quarterbacks to wear a brace on their plant leg so Ryan said wearing the brace was out of habit.
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Ryan may be the new franchise guy but he's going to have to earn his playing time. Or at least that's how it looks here in May. Chris Redman and Joey Harrington aren't the worst quarterbacks ever, but it's not like Ryan has a lot standing between him and the starting job. It'll all be about how quickly he can get into camp and then start picking up the offense.
STL - Rams WR Holt Undecided On Future Beyond 2009
Source: Jim Thomas, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
St. Louis Rams wide receiver Torry Holt plans to play out the remaining two years of his contract with the Rams before deciding on his future afterwards, saying "I have this year and next year, and hopefully I can finish those years out," Holt said at the conclusion of the day's minicamp practice. "Then, I'll see where I'm at. I'll see where I'm at physically, and if they would like to do something here, I'll consider it. If not, then I'll have the option to go and explore and give my services somewhere else. So if that happens, Carolina will definitely be the first choice - no question about it." Holt is a native of North Carolina.
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You know it's a slow news day when I'm talking about WRs and their plans for the 2010 season. I'm a lot more interested in what Holt will do for this season. But one quick note - you know his agent was cringing at the Carolina comment. Nothing like a player naming where he wants to go to cut the legs out from under his negotiating base. But that's a ways down the road.
ATL - RB Turner Returns To Practice
Source: Steve Wyche, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tailback Michael Turner (shoulder) and linebacker Michael Boley (ankle) participated in most drills after being medically withheld from a voluntary mini-camp in April.
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Good news for the Falcons and their new RB weapon Michael Turner. He was expected to be back for this and he looks to be on schedule.
Source: AP
A ribbon-cutting ceremony Saturday marked the opening of the $4 million renovated wings at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Former Cleveland Browns star Dante Lavelli helped do the honors as the new wings were shown to the public. Renovations to the hall's enshrinee mementos, unchanged for nearly 30 years, include video and audio to help bring the game's greatest players and moments to life. A bench features nine lifelike figures in uniform.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Sounds like some nice renovations to an already fantastic Hall.
NYG - OC Gilbride Unsure About TE Shockey's Future In NY
Source: Mike Garafolo, Newark Star-Ledger
Offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride said he's not even sure if the tight end will play another down for the Giants or if he'll be traded.
"It's so nebulous right now. I just have no idea what's going to happen," Gilbride said. "Right now, he's on our team. We're planning on him being there and he'll be one of the guys we'll look to feature and depend on. Hopefully, he'll be here in good spirits and ready to do the things we know he's capable of doing. But who knows? It's certainly beyond my hands."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Along with Michael Strahan, Jeremey Shockey gives the Giants another question mark. Gilbride sounds like he's being honest here - Shockey is a Giant, at least for right now. Stay tuned for this one. My guess is no better than your guess but if you made me guess right now, I'd say it's 50-50 that we Shockey in a Giants uniform this fall.
DEF - NYG - Still No Decision From Giants DE Strahan
Source: Ralph Vacchiano, New York Daily News
New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan was at Giants Stadium working out last Thursday and talked with head coach Tom Coughlin, but did not give his coach any hints about whether he plans to return for a 16th season. Coughlin said Strahan told him, "Whatever the decision I make, I know that I'm not going to change my mind, so therefore I want to be right."
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Same story from Strahan. It's interesting as people seem to be all over the map on whether Strahan will return. Some seem to think he will. Others (like me) are leaning toward the idea he'll hang them up and go out on top. But nobody knows for sure. Including Strahan right now it seems.
DEF - OAK - Raiders Agree To 1-Year Deal With FA DE Spires
Source: David White, San Francisco Chronicle
The Oakland Raiders agreed to terms with free agent defensive end Greg Spires on a one-year deal Saturday, an NFL source confirmed. Spires spent the past six seasons in Tampa Bay. He was a full-time starter until last season, when he missed six games because of a calf injury and was released in a February salary-cap move. In a best-case scenario, the Raiders foresee him complementing left end Derrick Burgess, as he did Simeon Rice in Tampa Bay.
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We'll see if Spires is ready to be back on the field and contribute. Calf injuries can be tough but optimism reigns in May and this situation is no different.
DEF - DAL - Cowboys, SS Williams Meet And Reach Understanding
Source: Calvin Watkins, Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Brian Stewart and safeties coach Brett Maxie summoned Pro Bowl strong safety Roy Williams to Valley Ranch for a meeting Friday to talk about his commitment to the Cowboys. Williams said he was happy with the 90-minute meeting and has confidence he will find a comfort zone in the Cowboys' defense. "The communication was not there last year," Williams said. "We recognized the problem, and we talked about it. And we're going to move forward now. We have a better understanding."
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You knew something like this was coming after the recent stories about Williams saying he didn't "fit" with the defense. The right move was to clear the air and to the Cowboys' credit, they didn't waste any time in doing so. That's all well and good but I have to wonder if that's going to suddenly allow Williams to cover a wide receiver.
DEF - DEN - Cocaine Possession Charges Against Broncos DT Thomas Dropped
Source: Bill Williamson, ESPN
The Florida state attorney's office has dropped its case against starting Denver Broncos defensive tackle Marcus Thomas. Thomas had been arrested in March in Clay County, Fla., for cocaine possession. However, charges were never pursued by prosecutors. According to the Clay County clerk's website, the case was abandoned Friday.
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Obviously good news for Thomas and the Broncos.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great Monday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update.
J