Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 9, Issue 29 (Thursday, May 22nd)
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Hi Folks,
Good Friday morning to you and I hope you're ready for a nice Holiday Weekend. Kick off the summer in style and I hope you have a great one. Let's get to it. JSITE NEWS
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. MIA - RBs Brown, Williams Sharing Snaps, Improving2. MIA - Dolphins QBs Beck, McCown Split First Team Reps
3. TB - Free Agent WR Kennison Visited Tampa Bay
4. OAK - WR Walker On The Mend
5. TEN - RB Dayne Visits Tennessee
6. BUF - LT Peters Skips OTAs, Wants A Raise
7. DAL - Cowboys Could Use CB Jones At Receiver
8. NYG - Giants TE Boss Adds 20 Pounds During Off-Season
9. TEN - Titans WR M. Williams' Weight Loss Pleases HC Fisher
10. HOU - Texans RB Green Healthy, On Track To Start
11. OAK - Raiders QB Russell, WR Carter Developing Chemistry
12. BUF - Bills Likely Without Two Weapons Until Training Camp
13. ATL - Falcons WR Horn Opting To Stay Away From OTAs
14. NO - OT J.Brown, WR Meachem, Among Others Looking Good
15. DEF - CLE - CB McDonald Primed To Take CB Holly's Spot
16. DEF - NO - DE W.Smith Missing Camp While Seeking Extension
MIA - RBs Brown, Williams Sharing Snaps, Improving
Source: Omar Kelly, South Florida Sun Sentinel
Dolphins RB Ronnie Brown and RB Ricky Williams are both recovering well from their respective injuries and were both seen taking snaps with the first team offense in limited work yesterday during OTAs. Brown, who participated in light contact drills only, has been testing his surgically repaired right knee, making some sharp cuts this week. Williams, who tore his pectoral muscle during his lone game with the team last season, took the bulk of the first-team carries. Both, however, were seen in the same backfield together at one point. "Last year, everybody saw it, a lot of teams are going to the two-back system," Brown said. "For myself and Ricky, the positive competition is always good; we're just trying to make each other better. I think that's going to be a good start for us."
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A little more detail on the Dolphins RB story from yesterday. Sounds like both players are making good progress and if they can both stay healthy, it looks like we could see some two back sets in Miami.
MIA - Dolphins QBs Beck, McCown Split First Team Reps
Source: Omar Kelly, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Miami Dolphins HC Tony Sparano said QBs John Beck and Josh McCown have been alternating working with the first-team offense. "It gives them a chance to work with a specific group of receivers at one point, and then seeing that quarterback in an environment where he's got to rise above anything else," Sparano said. Rookie QB Chad Henne is mainly working with the third-string.
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It's still early but right now the Dolphins are looking at Beck and McCown fighting for the starting job. I tend to think it'll be McCown to start the season. How long he holds onto that job will of course depend on how well he performs and also how quickly Beck and Henne can develop.
TB - Free Agent WR Kennison Visited Tampa Bay
Source: Anwar S. Richardson, Tampa Tribune
Free agent WR Eddie Kennison worked out with the Buccaneers on Monday and the 13-year veteran singled out the team on his short list. “Tampa Bay is one of the clubs we’re talking to right now. It is the only one he agreed to visit,” Kennison's agent John Hamilton said. “I think he would really love to play for Coach Jon Gruden.” Kennison's 2007 season was derailed by a torn hamstring that limited him to 13 receptions.
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Does it seem strange to you that a guy with 13 receptions in 2007 has a "short list" of teams he'd like to play for?
Source: David White, San Francisco Chronicle
Raiders WR Javon Walker (right knee) appears to be improving as evidenced by cuts he was making last week in practice while running slant routes. "His progress has been excellent," OC Greg Knapp said of Walker. "He's got a little hunger and a little fire, and he is going to make it exciting for us."
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With as much money as they're paying Walker, he'd better be on the mend. He'll be a guy we watch closely this summer. Not just for him but also for how he could positively affect young QB JaMarcus Russell.
TEN - RB Dayne Visits Tennessee
Source: Jim Wyatt, Nashville Tennessean
Free agent RB Ron Dayne is scheduled to undergo a physical and work out with the Titans today. Despite having several running backs to choose from, Dayne's would be added insurance in the event RB LenDale White has a setback. "What they said to me was LenDale is coming off a knee injury, so that is maybe a concern of theirs. Ron has proven he can play through whatever," agent Karim Lawrence said.
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We'll dig into this to see if it's a just a precautionary thing on the Titan's part or not. White said he expects to be good to go. And the Titans are pretty loaded at RB with first round pick Chris Johnson. They also have Chris Henry returning.
BUF - LT Peters Skips OTAs, Wants A Raise
Source: Mark Gaughan, Buffalo News
Bills top offensive lineman, LT Jason Peters is seeking a new contract after outperforming his most recent long-term deal he signed in 2006. Assuming he were to hit all of his benchmarks, he is scheduled to earn around $4 million this season, making him the third highest paid player on the line. Peters, who earned Pro Bowl honors last season, has yet to report for the team's OTAs.
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This one is worth noting for Marshawn Lynch owners. It's another case of a player out performing his contract and wanting a raise. We'll see if the Bills see it his way.
DAL - Cowboys Could Use CB Jones At Receiver
Source: ESPN.com
Assuming Cowboys CB Pacman Jones is reinstated, he'll be available to test Owner Jerry Jones' idea of playing wide receiver. "In my mind there isn't a player out there in a given game or looking at next year, that could make a bigger impact to take some of the heat off of Terrell [Owens] than Terry Glenn," Jones said. "I think potentially we could get some of those offensive plays that Adam 'Pacman' Jones ran over at Tennessee -- he had 15, 20 of them, got in the slot. That could help us there, too." Jones ran the ball twice for eight yards and caught two passes for 31 yards in his two years with Tennessee.
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I know it's shocking that Jerry Jones would put the cart before the horse but I'd be more concerned about making sure Jones was eligible to play this year before I started gameplanning with him too much. Maybe Jerry already knows...
NYG - Giants TE Boss Adds 20 Pounds During Off-Season
Source: Ralph Vacchiano, New York Daily News
New York Giants tight end Kevin Boss has gained 20 pounds during the off-season, and is up to a playing weight of 272 pounds.
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It's not uncommon for young players to continue to add bulk but I'll be interested to see if this has affected his mobility any. Boss was a nice addition to this offense last year when Shockey went down and if he can add the bulk without sacrificing much quickness, that's obviously a big plus. And remember, there are still some questions swirling about Jeremy Shockey. This might get interesting...
TEN - Titans WR M. Williams' Weight Loss Pleases HC Fisher
Source: ESPN, via Associated Press
Tennessee Titans WR Mike Williams seems to have responded favorably to an offseason ultimatum from Head Coach Jeff Fisher. Faced with what was likely his last chance in the NFL after failed stints with both the Lions and Raiders, Williams has reportedly lost 30 pounds this offseason. "His weight's coming down. We're working on the speed. He's running well and catching well, so it's going to be very competitive there," HC Jeff Fisher said. "I'm pleased with where he is."
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Is Mike Williams finally "getting it"? Could be. People forget he's still a young guy. I would put him in the "be very leery" category but I wouldn't put him in the "write him off" group just yet as many have. If he's properly motivated, he can be something. Stay tuned.
HOU - Texans RB Green Healthy, On Track To Start
Source: ESPN, via Associated Press
After missing all or parts of 10 games last season due to a nagging knee injury, RB Ahman Green is back atop the depth chart for the Texans. "He looks good. He's had a good offseason," said Head Coach Gary Kubiak. "I want to knock on something every time I say that."
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We're with coach Kubiak on the knocking on wood thing with Green. We know he's a player when he's healthy but last year was tough for him and for Green owners. But he looks like he's back now. Keep your fingers crossed.
OAK - Raiders QB Russell, WR Carter Developing Chemistry
Source: Jerry McDonald, Contra Costa Time
According to Oakland Raiders HC Lane Kiffin, WR Drew Carter has been the skill player at the team facility the most with QB JaMarcus Russell, and has developed the best chemistry with the QB.
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This is why you pay attention to the NFL in May. Little tidbits like this are things that the shark owner in your leagues makes a habit of filing away. This could well change by September, but for now, there seems to be a connection between Russell and Carter.
BUF - Bills Likely Without Two Weapons Until Training Camp
Source: Chris Brown, BuffaloBills.com
Buffalo Bills HC Dick Jauron addressed the long term status of TE Robert Royal and WR Lee Evans today. Both players are coming off of knee and shoulder surgeries respectively. Jauron said both are not expected to participate fully in OTAs or the June minicamp. “I don’t think and we’re not necessarily pushing them to get them involved in this,” said Jauron in reference to the OTAs. “Lee as you know did all of the individual work. Robert wasn’t scheduled to do any of these things. We anticipate they’ll both be completely healthy for training camp and that’s good.”
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The good news is that both players are expected to be fully ready to go for training camp. Keep that bit of info ready for when camp rolls around to see if they're on track. It would have been nice to be fully involved in the OTAs but if they're ready for camp, we'll be fine.
ATL - Falcons WR Horn Opting To Stay Away From OTAs
Source: Steve Wyche, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Atlanta Falcons WR Joe Horn has not attended the team's three voluntary workouts this week and does not plan to attend any team functions unless they are deemed mandatory. "These are optional workouts right now and Joe's option is he chose not to be here," HC Mike Smith said today. "There's not really anything we can do about that. You'd like to have all your guys here but the [collective bargaining agreement] is pretty concrete in what we can do and can't do." On the final day of minicamp earlier this month, Horn expressed a desire to be traded because he said he felt the team planned on using younger players at wide receiver. Horn said he didn't want to be a "just-in-case guy."
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It's always tough when an athlete starts to slip but doesn't realize it. The truth is that Horn is a "just in case guy". The fact that he doesn't want to be believe it doesn't make it not true.
NO - OT J.Brown, WR Meachem, Among Others Looking Good
Source: James Varney, New Orleans Times-Picayune
Saints HC Sean Payton gave good reviews to OT Jamal Brown, WR Robert Meachem, rookie DT Sedrick Ellis and rookie WR Adrian Arrington. Brown is said to be having his most productive offseason and Meacham, who was hindered with a knee injury last season, has looked solid with his route running and has shown a great work ethic this spring.
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Meachem is the guy that grabs our interest here. He's the classic example of how most fantasy owners have a short attention span. Every year there are highly touted rookie WRs that for whatever reason don't pan out in year one. Most fantasy owners cast them aside and start chasing the next rookie class (most of whom will also fail to pan out). In the meantime, last year's overvalued rookies become this year's value plays. Keep an eye on Meachem but he's a guy that might be a really nice value this year.
DEF - CLE - CB McDonald Primed To Take CB Holly's Spot
Source: Jeff Walcoff, ClevelandBrowns.com
Browns second year CB Brandon McDonald is next in line to replace fallen teammate CB Daven Holley, who will have surgery to repair a serious knee injury involving both ligaments and cartilage. McDonald covered the slot receiver when the team began installing its sub defense Wednesday and has looked good during OTAs. He started twice last season, played in all 16 games and made 15 tackles, had 2 interceptions, 11 pass breakups and 17 special teams tackles.
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The Browns are saying they don't have the budget to add a free agent like Ty Law so it makes sense they'd try to fill this hole from within. McDonald is a serviceable player, but he's not Holley.
DEF - NO - DE W.Smith Missing Camp While Seeking Extension
Source: Mike Triplett, New Orleans Times-Picayune
Saints DE Will Smith's absence from OTAs can be attributed to Smith wanting a new contract. Negotiations are ongoing according to his agent Joel Segal and HC Sean Payton expects Smith to attend mandatory workouts next week. "He and I had a chance to visit about a month and a half ago, and you'd like to have all your players here. But it's not unusual," Payton said. Smith, 27, is entering the final year of his contract and is expected to earn more than $1 million this season.
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This sounds like just part of the "business" we've come to accept in the NFL. They should get something worked out.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great Friday and be careful this weekend. We'll see you tomorrow with the update.
J