Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 9, Issue 35 (Wednesday, May 28th)

Hi Folks,

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

JAC - Jaguars WR Porter Injures Knee

Source: bigcatcountry.com

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Jerry Porter was injured yesterday while running drills during their offseason training. Porter, according to 1010XL, a Jacksonville Radio Station, went down after favoring one knee, and "slammed his helmet on the ground". Jaguars training staff stretched him out on the field and he did leave the field under his own power. Porter recently missed a few repetitions during a previous OTA with what seemed to be a strained Achilles. This is his second injury in as many weeks.

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With two injuries in as many weeks, this is a little troubling for Porter. We have him projected as the #1 WR in Jacksonville ahead of guys like Reggie Williams and Dennis Northcutt but he'll need to be healthy to do that.

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DEN - Broncos QB Cutler Feeling Like Old Self

Source: Jim Corbett, USA Today

Denver Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler is encouraged after learning how to control the illness responsible for 35 pounds mysteriously melting off his 6-3, 238-pound frame late last season. Cutler has regained the weight, his energy and fastball. "I'm excited just knowing I'm going to be a better quarterback this year. I had a good four days [of practice], making all the throws I was making early in my college career" Cutler says. Cutler has been wearing a wireless, small iPod-sized insulin pump during practices to regulate his blood sugar.

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We said this when Cutler first revealed he was diabetic but I don't see any reason why he won't be better this year. Now that he understands what's going on with his body, he's able to do the necessary things to get his blood sugar in line and he should be fine. I don't see this being an issue for him.

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MIN - Vikings Practice Update

Source: Don Seeholzer, St. Paul Pioneer Press

The Minnesota Vikings were without QB Tarvaris Jackson and RB Adrian Peterson today. HC Brad Childress gave both time off to take care of personal matters back home. Childress said both players are expected back for Thursday's closed practice. With Jackson gone, veteran QB Gus Frerotte ran the first-team offense. Childress also said that RB Chester Taylor, who has missed the last two weeks of voluntary practices, is expected to be on hand Monday in advance of the mandatory June 6-8 minicamp.

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This instance isn't any big deal but it speaks to the bigger issue - how Tarvaris Jackson will fare this year. Many are saying he's made big strides in the offseason and is ready to wow people. Others want to see some real evidence on the field. Count me in that group.

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NYJ - Jets WR Smith Limited In Practice

Source: Erik Boland, New York Newsday

New York Jets WR Brad Smith was again limited today during workouts. He did more than last week, when he spent almost all of practice time on the exercise bicycle. Today Smith ran a handful of routes in some passing drills - though not in the 11-on-11s - and was back to holding on some field goals. This was basically what he did two weeks ago so there seems to be some progress with his undisclosed injury, which made Smith a virtual spectator last week.

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I don't think this applies too much to Smith but the old saying "you can't make the club in the tub" isn't far off the mark. We see Smith as the Jets #3 WR but he needs to get back on the field.

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NYJ - Jets QB Pennington Less Than Impressive

Source: Rich Cimini, New York Daily News

Today wasn't a good day at practice for New York Jets QB Chad Pennington. In a passing drill with no defenders, he came up well short on a 15-yard ‘out' route, his ball bouncing a few yards before the receiver. Moments later, with the wind at his back, Pennington bounced a 20-yard out and, perhaps overcompensating, badly overthrew his next pass, another 20-yard out. Once they got to the 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills, Pennington and his competition, QB Kellen Clemens, were relatively even. They both went 4-for-6 in the 7-on-7 portion.

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That's the problem once you get the reputation of having a weak arm - whenever you throw one short, everyone wants to raise an eyebrow and make a big deal out of it. Truth is Pennington's arm strength is an issue. Whether it's enough of an issue for Kellen Clemens to move ahead of him remains to be seen.

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NE - Observations From Patriots Camp

Source: Mike Reiss, Boston Globe

Mike Reiss gives observations from the Patriots passing camp practice from earlier today. Of the items listed, he noticed the rookie Jerod Mayo was lining up at weakside linebacker, and looked like a guy "who seems to move effortlessly across the football field," Reiss also says that QB Matt Gutierrez appears primed to threaten Matt Cassel for the No. 2 QB job behind Tom Brady. In addition, rookie Matthew Slater continues to alternate between safety and receiver, while safety Ray Ventone is making the switch to offense.

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Mayo is a fluid athlete and should be productive in this system. The backup behind Brady is worth knowing for the same reason Peyton Manning's backup is worth knowing but realize whoever it is has value just in case of injury as a handcuff.

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CAR - Panthers OT Otah Still Out, LB Beason Back

Source: Steve Reed, Gaston Gazette

The Carolina Panthers anticipated they would have rookie OT Jeff Otah back for this week's minicamp, but he didn't participate on Wednesday as he continues to nurse a high ankle sprain. HC John Fox does not know when he will return. "It's hard to predict," Fox said. "He'll be day-to-day and we'll see how it feels. He was out here exercising and our trainers tell us how that goes. When they clear him he'll be out there… It's in the medical people's hands." On the other hand, LB Jon Beason was back on the field with his teammates Wednesday. Beason has been recovering from wrist surgery. "It was great to be out there," said Beason, the team's leading tackler last season.

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High ankle sprains can take a while. Don't look for the team to rush Otah back. But he'll be fine for camp. That's the good thing about these young rookies - they heal quickly.

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DEN - Broncos WR Jackson Says Toe Feels Good

Source: Adam Zinser, DenverBroncos.com

Now healthy and with a new team, Denver Broncos wide receiver Darrell Jackson is ready to get back on track. "The toe is feeling pretty good," Jackson said. "I didn't have any problems with it last year, and this is just another year to give it a chance to rest and heal. It's all good to go." One of the big questions heading into training camp revolves around the receiver position. Brandon Marshall, despite his offseason injury, is expected to start on one side, while competition for the starting spot opposite Marshall remains wide open. Jackson hopes to vie for that spot.

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We think Brandon Marshall is the clear cut #1 but the second WR is up for grabs. Darrell Jackson will battle Brandon Stokley, Eddie Royal, Keary Colbert and Nate Jackson for receptions. But we think Jackson has the inside track.

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CIN - Bengals Practice Report

Source: Mark Curnutte, Cincinnati Enquirer

The Cincinnati Bengals are holding another offseason practice today, and tailbacks Rudi Johnson and Chris Perry are participating fully. They had each missed at least one workout last week. There were still no signs of wide receivers Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh, or offensive linemen Willie Anderson and Levi Jones. The sessions are voluntary. The only mandatory event of the offseason is full-squad minicamp June 12-14. Tailback Kenny Watson was not on the field. Safety Dexter Jackson and tailback Kenny Irons (knee) were working on the sideline with strength and conditioning coaches.

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Good to see both Rudi Johnson and Chris Perry working fully. And it wasn't surprising to see Chad Johnson and Houshmandzadeh miss. What will be interesting is to see if they miss the mandatory camp June 12-14.

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SF - 49ers Moving G Rachal To Right Tackle

Source: Matt Barrows, Sacramento Bee

San Francisco 49ers coach Mike Nolan said Tuesday that he plans to move second-round pick Chilo Rachal, a guard at USC, to right tackle when OTAs commence on Monday. When Rachal was drafted, there was talk that he might get a chance to play tackle at some point but that he would start off at guard. Nolan, however, said that the switch to tackle would happen right away and he hoped it would be permanent. Rachal played guard during the minicamp early last month. But the 49ers believe he might be better suited to play tackle.

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There was talk about San Francisco trying to pick up a veteran offensive lineman. They may still do that but it looks they're electing to shore up some holes by moving the rookie to right tackle. That's asking a lot of the young man. Let's see how he handles this.

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CAR - Panthers RB Stewart Won't Participate In OTAs

Source: David Scott, Charlotte Observer

Carolina Panthers rookie running back Jonathan Stewart won't participate in OTAs, but not just because of a toe injury that forced him to miss minicamp this month. School at Oregon, which uses the quarter system, is still in session, and NFL rules don't allow players to participate in OTAs until classes have ended. However, general manager Marty Hurney said Stewart, the team's top draft pick, is out of his protective boot and is expected to be ready by training camp.

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Stewart falls victim to the NFL rule that says players can't participate until classes are over. Seems sort of goofy to us.

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ATL - Falcons QB Shockley Gets Medical Clearance

Source: Steve Wyche, Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Falcons QB D.J. Shockley has been medically cleared to take part in all football-related activities. Shockley went as far to run some sets with the first-team offense at Wednesday's workout. "When I first came out in [offseason workouts], I was doing all the individual stuff but now I'm doing more of the team stuff and I'm feeling really good," said Shockley, who is battling for the No. 3 job and a possible roster spot. Shockley tore ligaments in his left knee in a preseason game at Buffalo that caused him to miss all of last season.

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Shockley may be a local favorite but he's got an uphill battle here.

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DEF - DAL - Cowboys LB Spencer Making Most Of Opportunity

Source: Tim Macmahon, Dallas Morning News

Linebacker Anthony Spencer had about as good a practice as possible today. He batted down two passes at the line of scrimmage, and made a great break on a ball near the sideline to almost pick it off. Spencer is making the most of his chance to be with the starters while Greg Ellis skips the non-mandatory workouts. Spencer, the 2007 first-round pick who has bulked up to 260 pounds, no longer has to think his way through his steps at OLB. His transition from college DE is complete to the point where he's reacting on the field. "I know where I'm supposed to be," Spencer said. "I know if I make a mistake, I have time to get back to where I'm supposed to be. I know what I can't do and can do. The more you do something, the easier it becomes for you. I've been doing it for a year now, so I definitely feel a lot more comfortable."

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We've talked about how holdouts or missing camp while a player tries to get a new contract is just part of the business. The other part of the business is that often times the guys that are in practice are trying to take your job while you're skipping practices. Sounds like there is a little bit of that going on here with Spencer and Greg Ellis.

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DEF - DAL - Cowboys CB Jones Hopes For Decision This Week

Source: Calvin Watkins, Dallas Morning News

Suspended Dallas Cowboys cornerback Adam Jones met with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell last week in Atlanta about his possible reinstatement to the league, according to sources. Jones said he hopes to speak with Goodell and get a decision at some point this week about his return. "For the most part, I think I should be all right," Jones said to the NFL Network on Sunday regarding a possible reinstatement.

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Commissioner Goodell was pretty firm in saying he hadn't made any promises about Jones' reinstatement when the Cowboys obtained him. I said all along though that I'd be shocked if Jerry Jones didn't have a pretty good idea that Jones would be available. I'll be surprised if the ruling is anything other than reinstating Jones.

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That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great rest of your Thursday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update.