Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 9, Issue 26 (Monday, May 19th)
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Hi Folks,
Good Tuesday to you. A little bit of good news for Brandon Marshall today. Bad news for Odell Thurman again. And Dan Morgan calls it a career. Let's get to it. JINSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. HOU - Texans WR Johnson Gets Knee Scoped2. KC - Chiefs RB Johnson To Get Limited Work
3. TEN - Titans 'Wide-Open' On Receiver Position
4. DEN - WR Marshall Runs Routes But Doesn't Catch Passes
5. DEN - RB Henry Pulls Hamstring
6. JAC - Jaguars Practice Report - WR Porter Ankle
7. BUF - Bills Practice Report
8. CLE - Browns QB Anderson Reportedly Looking Impressive
9. DET - Lions HC Marinelli High On Rookie RB Smith
10. DEN - All Eyes Will Be On Broncos QB Cutler
11. CHI - Bears RB Benson's Court Date Rescheduled
12. DEF - CIN - Bengals LB Jones Expected To Start At MLB
13. DEF - JAC - Jaguars DE Hayward Back At Full Strength
14. DEF - CIN - Bengals Release LB Thurman
15. DEF - NO - Saints LB Morgan Retires
HOU - Texans WR Johnson Gets Knee Scoped
Source: Megan Manfull, Houston Chronicle
The Houston Texans will be without WR Andre Johnson for the entire month of OTA sessions after Johnson underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee last Thursday. Johnson was having lingering problems with the knee injury that knocked him out of seven games last season. The Texans were hopeful that surgery wouldn't be necessary this offseason, but when it bothered Johnson during mini-camp two weeks ago, the surgery was scheduled. "We went back and forth with the knee throughout the offseason," Kubiak said. "It wasn't feeling the way (Andre) wanted it to feel. So we tried to do some things, some rest and those types of things, to get it better.
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The team is putting a really nice spin on this but the reality is they were very much hoping to avoid having to do this. It is what it is though so they'll make the best of it. Don't panic as there isn't any reason to believe Johnson won't be ready next month as they're saying but it's still not what we'd like to hear regarding his recovery. Stay tuned.
KC - Chiefs RB Johnson To Get Limited Work
Source: Adam Teicher, Kansas City Star
The Kansas City Chiefs intend to go easy on running back Larry Johnson as offseason practices begin. The Chiefs have 15 practice sessions planned over the next four weeks, including their June 6-8 minicamp. "We'll bring him along slowly," coach Herm Edwards said. "We're not going to beat him up. We're not going to rush him a whole lot. We want to see where he's at. "He's been running straight and he's been doing all of that for a long time, but as far as cutting and football things like that, we want to limit him some."
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Good to see Johnson back and it makes sense that they're taking it easy with him. They know what he can do on the field. No reason to rush him there.
TEN - Titans 'Wide-Open' On Receiver Position
Source: Terry McCormick, Nashville City Paper
With wide receiver Roydell Williams still out with an ankle injury, Justin McCareins is sitting atop the depth chart with Justin Gage at the receiver position for the Tennessee Titans. The fact that he knows OC Mike Heimerdinger's system and Heimerdinger knows McCareins' style and skills is a plus. Remember, Heimerdinger is back after three seasons away and is judging the personnel based more on what he sees on the practice field and preseason than he will on past performance. If Williams isn't 100 percent by the time camp opens, McCareins could easily win the starting role.
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Vince Young owners will want to watch this one closely as well as you guys that are looking to grab value at WR. The Titans WRs will likely be flying under the radar for some owners (and with good reason). But if one starts to really shine in this new system, he could be a nice value. We'll be watching for you.
DEN - WR Marshall Runs Routes But Doesn't Catch Passes
Source: AP
The Denver Broncos' quarterback camp opened Monday with Brandon Marshall running routes but catching no passes.
The Broncos feared that Marshall would miss the start of training camp in July after cutting an artery, a vein, a nerve, two tendons and three muscles in his right arm in an accident in March at a resort in Orlando, Fla. "June 22 will be his first day he's able to catch the football, which gives us plenty of time before we start our summer ball," coach Mike Shanahan said.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Marshall originally wasn't expected to do anything in practice so this is a nice surprise. Marshall owners need to circle June 22 as he should be able to start catching the ball then. Watch to see if he stays on track.
DEN - RB Henry Pulls Hamstring
Source: AP
Broncos RB Travis Henry will sit out the first week of minicamps with a pulled hamstring.
Henry is expected back next Tuesday after pulling a hamstring during 100-yard drills Friday.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Not exactly a shock to see Travis Henry miss time. But it's probably not a big worry.
JAC - Jaguars Practice Report - WR Porter Ankle
Source: Vic Ketchman, Jaguars.com
The Jacksonville Jaguars were without six players as they began practice today. TE George Wrighster, WR Mike Walker and DE Brian Smith are rehabbing injuries, while TE Marcedes Lewis was excused from practice due to a death in the family. DEs Reggie Hayward and Paul Spicer were also absent. "I don't have any information on Hayward," HC Jack Del Rio said. WR Jerry Porter left midway through practice and had an ice bag taped to his ankle.
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Nothing too much to worry about in May. We'll let you know if Porter's ankle is anything.
Source: Mark Gaughan, Buffalo News
As the Buffalo Bills opened practice today, the only absentees were OT Jason Peters, P Brian Moorman, and rookie FB Mike Viti. In addition, WR Lee Evans did not participate in team drills after having offseason shoulder surgery. However, Evans did some individual drills. TE Robert Royal was also out recovering from offseason knee surgery. Also recovering from offseason back surgery was WR Josh Reed, who was "catching everything in sight," according to Gaughan.
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Reasonably good news from the Bills. Evans wasn't expected to do team stuff but it was good to see him working on individual stuff. And we'll keep an eye on Josh Reed.
CLE - Browns QB Anderson Reportedly Looking Impressive
Source: Terry Pluto, Cleveland Plain Dealer
In the Cleveland Browns organized team activities this week, quarterback Derek Anderson has been impressive. GM Phil Savage said the quarterback clearly knows he's the starter and has been developing a real chemistry with newcomer Donte' Stallworth, who has been working out with Anderson and Brady Quinn at the practice facility for a few weeks. He's sure an upgrade from Tim Carter, and offers tremendous insurance as Joe Jurevicius recovers from knee surgery. Quarterback Brady Quinn also has been solid.
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Again, it's tough to get too excited about a player in May but this type of news is always preferable to hearing that a guy is struggling. How this story plays out with Brady Quinn there will be one definitely worth watching over the next year or so. Will it be a Drew Brees / Philip Rivers thing where the #1 guy seems always on the verge of losing his job to the touted younger guy? Or will Anderson hang on for a while? We'll see. For now, it clearly looks to be Anderson's job and by all accounts, he's looking very strong.
DET - Lions HC Marinelli High On Rookie RB Smith
Source: Tom Kowalski, mlive.com
Detroit Lions rookie running back Kevin Smith has already impressed the coaching staff with his attention to detail, not just in running the ball, but in understanding the passing game and pass protections. "I think it's really important to him and he just kind of consumes this stuff. He's a gym rat,'' Lions coach Rod Marinelli said. "He's there all day and he loves to play. When guys really love to play, details seem to come toward them."
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It's not hard to see that Smith is a "Marinelli Guy". This can't be anything but good news for Smith as he heads toward his rookie season.
He definitely is saying the right things. "I need to work on details. In this league, every inch counts,'' Smith said. "If I need to take seven steps on a certain route, it can't be six steps or six and a half steps, it has to be precise. That's what I'm trying to focus on and not think about it too much. I want to get the concept of the play but let my natural ability kick in.'' Another huge plus is that the offensive system Smith ran in college is almost identical to what Lions offensive coordinator Jim Colletto will use. "I'm happy that I learned the system fast,'' Smith said of his work in the recent three-day rookie minicamp. "Every day I learned a play and now I'm advancing. Maybe one day, I'll know what the center and guard do on that play and the next day, I'll know what the center, guard and tackle do on that play. My game and my knowledge advanced every day so I'll give myself a pat on the back.'' One of Smith's strong points is his pass protection. And we all know that pass protection is one of the big things that limits a rookie RBs playing time. If he can prove himself there, he's a long ways ahead of the game when it comes to getting on the field.DEN - All Eyes Will Be On Broncos QB Cutler
Source: Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News
Denver Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler has thrown with receivers on Tuesdays and Thursdays the past several weeks. As mini-camps get underway this week, it will be his first full-team activities since the news broke he's afflicted with Type 1 diabetes. The next few weeks will provide lessons about what to expect in terms of managing glucose levels when two-a-day practices begin. And on the field, it will be a gauge of how far he has come physically since his recovery began from a 35-pound weight loss and drop in strength from November until diagnosis in mid-April.
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I have two close friends that are Type 1 diabetics. One is an Iron Man Triathlete. So I believe Cutler when he claims this will not affect him at all. If anything, he could be better this year now that he has this under control. The Broncos will have excellent care for him I'm sure and he'll be monitored even more closely than normal. I think he'll be fine.
CHI - Bears RB Benson's Court Date Rescheduled
Source: Brad Biggs, Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Bears RB Cedric Benson was scheduled to appear in court today to face charges of drunk boating and resisting arrest. Benson's court date has been rescheduled to June 30, 2008. Benson will not have to appear on that date.
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Just to keep you guys that have been following this updated.
DEF - CIN - Bengals LB Jones Expected To Start At MLB
Source: Mark Curnutte, Cincinnati Enquirer
Bengals insider Mark Curnutte speculates that the Cincinnati Bengals expect to have LB Dhani Jones start at middle linebacker in 2008.
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The Bengals waived Odell Thurman Monday but they still have ten linebackers on the roster not counting first-round draft pick Keith Rivers from USC. It's still early, but the feeling now is that Jones will hold down the middle linebacker spot and be the guy that has the radio headset for receiving the defensive signals.
DEF - JAC - Jaguars DE Hayward Back At Full Strength
Source: Vito Stellino, Florida Times-Union
After being hampered by injuries the past two seasons, Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Reggie Hayward says he's back to full strength. Hayward suffered a torn Achilles tendon in the 2006 season opener against Dallas and hasn't been the same since. He missed the rest of the 2006 season and struggled last season when he was still recovering from the injury. He wound up with just 3.5 sacks. He also suffered a groin injury in December that knocked him out for three games, and he didn't start in the two playoff games.
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I've no doubt that Hayward is healthy now. But the real question is whether he can stay healthy. I'm always a little leery about an Achilles too so be careful.
DEF - CIN - Bengals Release LB Thurman
Source: Mark Curnutte, Cincinnati Enquirer
After sticking with linebacker Odell Thurman through a two-year NFL suspension, the Cincinnati Bengals will announce by the end of business today that they are waiving the second-year linebacker. Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis called Safarrah Lawson, one of Thurman's Atlanta-based representatives, and told him that the team has cut ties with Thurman, Lawson told The Enquirer this morning. The Bengals had no immediate comment on Thurman, public relations director Jack Brennan said.
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It's always significant when a guy this talented is waived but the reality is that the Bengals haven't seen much of Thurman over the last two years. It's certainly not like he leaves a hole where he'd been producing.
DEF - NO - Saints LB Morgan Retires
Source: ESPN
The New Orleans Saints released a statement on Monday indicating that former Carolina Panthers LB Dan Morgan has decided to retire. "When we signed Dan, he was committed to making a fresh start, and he was making every effort to rehabilitate the leg injury that he suffered last year," Saints HC Sean Payton said. "But it wasn't responding as well as he had hoped it would. We wish him well in his continued recovery, and he will be remembered for the excellent player he was during his career."
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Congrats to Morgan on a really nice career and best wishes to him for whatever is next.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great Tuesday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update.
J