Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 9, Issue 34 (Tuesday, May 27th)
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Hi Folks,
Good Wednesday to you. If you're like me the week is a little out of sorts with the Monday holiday and it doesn't seem right that it's already midweek. But we go by the calendar and that's how it is. Either way, we've got the news and notes you'll want to keep up with plus a couple of notes about the Early Bird Discount for the Footballguys subscription and news on our Footballguys Strategy Guide magazine. Plus with the magazine wrapped up, we're starting to load up new content features on the site like projections, rankings, a cool interview with NFL Network's Brian Baldinger and a new Staff Roundtable. Let's get to it. JSITE NEWS
A.
Early Bird Discount For Footballguys Subscription Ends Soon
Many of you have already signed up for this discount as it's been running for a few weeks but I wanted to make sure you all saw this. For just a few more days, we're offering our 2008 Footballguys Premium Subscription at the early bird discount rate of just $20.95 for the entire season. After June 1, the price goes to $26.95. So don't wait and miss your chance to save some money. We'll give you everything you need this summer to dominate your draft and then once the season starts, you'll have the info and tools you need to manage your team to victory. We obviously can't promise every subscriber a championship, but we do offer a money back guarantee. We give you till the end of September and if you don't think the subscription was worth it, we refund your money. It's as simple as that. Because we're that confident it's a great value. Check it out and I hope you'll hang with us all season.
B.
Footballguys Strategy Guide Magazine - Taking Orders Now
That collective sigh of relief you might hear from us is because we just put the final touches on the 2008 Footballguys Strategy Guide Magazine. It's off to the presses and will be ready for shipping soon. You can click on the link in the title to get all the details. We've got some special perks for folks that purchase the magazine online from us in addition to the fact you'll receive it before your buddies can buy it on the newsstand. We live on the internet but our magazine is something we're really proud of. I hope you'll check it out. If nothing else, you can click the link to see our choice for this year's cover guy...
C.
New Stat Projections
Some sites give you generic rankings based on a mystery scoring system. At Footballguys, the heart and soul of what we do is detailed statistical projections for every player. This lets us use these numbers and tailor them to your specific scoring system so you can ultimately wind up with exact rankings based on the most detailed projections out there AND completely applicable to your league.
Plus we'll keep them updated all summer as we're constantly tweaking and polishing based on new information that is coming out. As always, they're viewable by position or by team. Enjoy.
D.
Multiple Sets Of New Rankings
Get used to these as our Expert Rankings are something that are constantly being updated. As we always do, you can sort by different experts and even choose to exclude some of the experts if you so choose. The link in the title will take you to our Redraft rankings but we've also got sets for Redraft with points per reception, Dynasty, and Rookies.
E.
Interview with Brian Baldinger
Our own Cecil Lammey has a really nice exclusive interview with Brian Baldinger of the NFL Network.
F.
Preseason Roundtable Discussion
One of the most interesting features we do is our Staff Roundtable. I knew long ago that the key to making this company something was surrounding myself with people smarter than me. So I love giving our Staff guys an outlet like this to talk about what they know best. Check it out.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. KC - RB Johnson Looking Strong2. DEN - Broncos Sign RB Pittman
3. DEN - Broncos RB Henry Misses Another Day
4. NYJ - RB M. Smith Signs With Jets
5. CLE - Browns Waiting On TE Heiden
6. CLE - TE Winslow Rehabbing In San Diego
7. DAL - WR Glenn Running Well But Skipping Practice Per Owner
8. KC - WR Franklin Making Early Impact
9. DEF - WAS - Redskins Send Draft Pick To Vikings For DE James
10. DEF - CHI - Bears LB Urlacher To Skip Minicamp
11. DEF - DAL - Cowboys CB Newman Talks About SS Williams
12. DEF - DAL - S Williams Skips Workouts
KC - RB Johnson Looking Strong
Source: Associated Press
Chiefs RB Larry Johnson participated fully in the Kansas City's practice on Tuesday and looks to be back at full strength. "It felt good to come out here and still be able to come out and run," Johnson said on Tuesday. "Body-wise, I'm 100 percent."
"They wouldn't have me practice if they weren't sure I that I was able to play or even practice," Johnson said. "It felt good just to be out here. Everybody knew my foot was all right. I had fun coming out here practicing." There seemed to be nothing bothering Johnson as he ran the plays. "You guys saw him," coach Herm Edwards told reporters. "He's fine."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
We told you we'd keep an eye on Larry Johnson for you and what we're seeing looks good. Keep your fingers crossed. But he's sounding great. Johnson said,"It felt good just to go out here and run loose. You want to run those plays and be able to cut and show the younger guys you're not that old and you still can play with the best of them. It's fun being out here doing that."
Source: John Clayton, ESPN
The Denver Broncos have reached an agreement with former Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Michael Pittman. The signing comes on the same day when RB Travis Henry again missed practice, and there are concerns about Henry's slow recovery from an offseason hamstring injury.
"There's a lot of ways Michael can help the Broncos," agent Drew Rosenhaus said. "He can play fullback, halfback, he can catch the ball out of the backfield, return punts and return kicks. He's a versatile back."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
For several reasons, Travis Henry has proven to be way less than dependable. Adding a veteran back like Pittman makes a lot of sense for the Broncos. Pittman missed six games last year with a high ankle sprain but has been productive when given the opportunity. With Travis Henry ahead of him, I'd expect Pittman to see plenty of time.
DEN - Broncos RB Henry Misses Another Day
Source: SportingNews.com
Denver RB Travis Henry missed another day of practice while recovering from a hamstring injury. He is not expected to return until next week.
Henry was hurt while running 100-yard sprints before the team's passing camp started last week and coach Mike Shanahan had hoped he'd return to drills on Tuesday. "He can't go yet," Shanahan said after the workout. "Those hamstrings, you never know how long it's going to take, so I would say that chances are he'll be ready for the June camp. He will not be ready this week."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
You can bet Henry's unreliability was a big factor in the team adding Michael Pittman. The Broncos have to be nearing the end of the rope when it comes to patience with Henry.
NYJ - RB M. Smith Signs With Jets
Source: John Clayton, ESPN.com
Free agent RB Musa Smith agreed to terms with the New York Jets, adding depth to their RB corps.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
There has been talk with the Jets hiring former Raiders coach Bill Callahan that they'll try to focus more on the run this year. Smith will likely factor into that plan.
CLE - Browns Waiting On TE Heiden
Source: James Walker, ESPN
The Cleveland Browns are still waiting on backup TE Steve Heiden's return. Heiden, according to agent Jack Wirth, is progressing well after recent back surgery to repair a bulging disc. Heiden injured his back lifting weights in April. The original timeline was approximately three weeks, but a month later Heiden hasn't joined the team for organized team activities.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Steve Heiden played in 16 games last year and caught 12 passes compared to Kellen Winslow Jr's 82 receptions. We don't expect that distribution to change much for 2008.
CLE - TE Winslow Rehabbing In San Diego
Source: Sean McClelland, Dayton Daily News
Agent Drew Rosenhaus released this statement regarding TE Kellen Winslow and why he isn't at the Browns voluntary OTAs.
Here's the text of Rosenhaus' statement: "A lot of members of the Cleveland media have been calling me wanting to know why Kellen has not been in the OTAs, meaning organized team activities. "I always say these are voluntary activities. They are not mandatory. And a player has the right to train on his own. Kellen is coming off offseason knee surgery and he's doing his rehab and his training with a very fine trainer in his hometown of San Diego. "He will be at the Browns' mandatory minicamp (June 10-12) and he will be at the mandatory training camp. So, what's the big to do?" In another quote, Rosenhaus said, "Guys have the opportunity to choose whether or not they want to go to these voluntary functions, and there shouldn't be so much scrutiny on players who choose to work out on their own. Kellen's going to be ready to go and everything is going to be fine with him."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Winslow has been angling for a new deal. But this may be a case of Rosenhaus saving face a little and accepting that having his client hold out of mandatory camp might not be the best way to make that happen.
DAL - WR Glenn Running Well But Skipping Practice Per Owner
Source: Calvin Watkins, Dallas Morning News
Cowboys WR Terry Glenn will play it safe per the orders of team owner Jerry Jones. Glenn, who has reportedly been running well and making cuts, will likely sit out practices this week. Glenn met with Jones, who told the 33-year old he didn't want to push his right knee, which has been surgically repaired twice. "I just want to play football," said Glenn, who will attend meetings if he doesn't practice. "I'm frustrated, but I agree with what Jerry said in the meeting."
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What Jerry says goes in Dallas. But it's good to hear that Glenn is feeling good and wants to get on the field. We'll know more next month likely.
KC - WR Franklin Making Early Impact
Source: Adam Teicher, Kansas City Star
Chiefs rookie WR Will Franklin was turning heads last week during the team's offseason practices. The fourth-round draft pick had what appeared to be the strongest performance by a receiver not named Dwayne Bowe. Franklin is currently behind Jeff Webb, whom the Chiefs are more comfortable with as a reserve, and Devard Darling on the depth chart, but continued success through the summer could earn himself a starting gig. "He's really quick making his moves, and he's got really strong hands," said QB Damon Huard. "As a rookie receiver, it's always tough for those guys coming into a situation like this. But he's got the skills to be a special player. If he works hard at it, he will."
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You know I always caution getting too excited in May. Especially about rookie wide receivers. But don't sleep on this young guy. File this one away and let's see how he performs in training camp when things get a little more serious.
DEF - WAS - Redskins Send Draft Pick To Vikings For DE James
Source: Jason La Confora, Washington Post
The Washington Redskins have traded a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2009 draft to the Minnesota Vikings for DE Erasmus James. James, a former first-round pick, has had many injury issues since being drafted. However, his new position coach, John Palermo, knows James well - he coached him at Wisconsin.
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This was kind of interesting as the Vikings waived James last week but withdrew him from the waiver wire before the deadline had passed for that day. Washington had an interest and didn't feel that James would last on the waiver wire until the Redskins had a shot at him. The Vikings get at least something for him and Washington gets a shot at seeing if James can finally live up to at least some of his expectations.
DEF - CHI - Bears LB Urlacher To Skip Minicamp
Source: Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Bears LB Lance Briggs said today that fellow LB Brian Urlacher will not be at the mandatory minicamp, which opens Friday. Acting as an advocate of sorts, Briggs left little doubt about Urlacher's stance. "He's not going to be there," Briggs said. "I'm pretty sure he's not going to be there, and it's sad it got to this point. Urlacher had said it was doubtful he would show for the minicamp unless the team restructured his contract, and that has not taken place. "This should be handled behind closed doors, and all they should say is 'Brian Urlacher has a new deal,' and we move on with business," Briggs said.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
We're still not overly concerned here as this is just how the game is played. This team needs Urlacher and they know it. Even aside from the production on the field, he's a guy they need from a public relations angle as well. It might take a little while, but I'll be very surprised if they don't work something out here.
DEF - DAL - Cowboys CB Newman Talks About SS Williams
Source: Tim Macmahon, Dallas Morning News
In an interview with the Dallas FOX affiliate, Cowboys CB Terence Newman had this to say regarding his teammate, SS Roy Williams. "The funny thing is, coming into his rookie year, I think Roy had five picks and showed he could cover," Newman said. "He's the same guy, I just think sometimes he gets a deer-in-the-headlights type of reaction to some plays. Not everybody's going to have a perfect season. He had a bad season last year, as far as coverage." Newman did say that Williams is not a liability and is doing the necessary things "to get back on track."
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Interesting words from Newman. I'm sure the "deer in the headlights" comment will make for an interesting conversation the next Newman and Williams see each other.
DEF - DAL - S Williams Skips Workouts
Source: Kevin Sherrington, Dallas Morning News
Kevin Sherrington of the Dallas Morning News examines and wonders why S Roy Williams, who has been under heavy scrutiny much of the offseason, has opted to skip the team's voluntary workouts in favor of a cruise ship with his family. In short he believes Williams' stock with the Cowboys is dropping.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
What better way to quiet criticism about a shaky 2007 season than to skip the voluntary team practices and go on vacation? Nice.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great Wednesday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update.
J