Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 9, Issue 37 (Friday, May 30th)
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Hi Folks,
Welcome to the weekend. Hope you're ready for a nice one as we'll be working for you to keep you up to date with all the News and Notes you'll need. Let's get to it. JINSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. MIN - Vikings C Birk Will Show Up For Minicamp2. DEN - Several Broncos Miss Last Day Of Camp
3. CHI - Bears Take Physicals; RB Benson Down To 216
4. NO - Saints Minicamp Report
5. BAL - Ravens QB Smith Takes Majority Of First-Team Snaps
6. TEN - QB Young Refutes Comments About Considering Retirement
7. DET - Lions To Focus More On The Run This Year
8. KC - Chiefs Simplifying Offense For QB Croyle
9. CAR - Return Of QB Delhomme Lifting Panthers
10. NYG - While Giants Receive Rings, TE Shockey Absent
11. SF - 49ers HC Nolan Hopeful That QB Competition Will Be Over By June 20
12. DEF - ARZ - Cardinals, LB Dansby Still Talking About New Deal
13. DEF - NE - Patriots Won't Make Decision On LB Seau Until July
MIN - Vikings C Birk Will Show Up For Minicamp
Source: Judd Zulgad, Minneapolis Star-Tribune
Center Matt Birk, in the last year of his contract, is not attending the Minnesota Vikings' voluntary workouts this offseason, but he said through his agent today that he will be at the team's mandatory minicamp next weekend. "Out of respect to HC [Brad] Childress and the team Matt intends to be at the minicamp," agent Joe Linta said. RB Chester Taylor, who like Birk has missed all seven practices during the OTAs, also is expected to be in attendance at the minicamp. Childress said last week that Taylor was tending to a family emergency.
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Good news for Minnesota. This is starting to become a bit of a pattern with vets making a statement in voluntary minicamp but attending mandatory minicamps. It's important for a young QB like Tarvaris Jackson to get as many reps as possible with his center so this is a big plus.
DEN - Several Broncos Miss Last Day Of Camp
Source: Mike Klis, Denver Post
The Denver Broncos had several players miss the final day of passing camp today with pulled hamstrings. Players missing included WR Keary Colbert, RB Mike Bell and FB/LB Spencer Larsen. They joined TE Tony Scheffler (foot), RB Travis Henry (hamstring), CB Dre' Bly (hamstring) and DT Dewayne Robertson (wrist, knee) as players who missed the end of passing camp. WR Brandon Stokley also missed the workout Friday for personal reasons.
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Looks like camp isn't ending any too soon for the Broncos here. Let's hope they're healthier for the next minicamp.
CHI - Bears Take Physicals; RB Benson Down To 216
Source: Brad Biggs, Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Bears minicamp was preceded by physicals and weigh-ins on Thursday and there were a few changes worth noting. DL Israel Idonije, who is expected to move inside on a more permanent basis, is listed at 297 pounds, up 22 from last year. It's by far the biggest change on the roster. RB Cedric Benson weighed in at 216 pounds, down four from last year's list. If he's 216 now, he wasn't 220 last year. Rookie RB Matt Forte, advertised as a 222-pound back, is 216.
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There was some talk about Benson slimming down last week. I'll say now what I said then - it'll take more than Cedric Benson losing a few pounds to impress me. You're going to get tired of me saying it but don't sleep on the other RB that Biggs mentioned - rookie Matt Forte.
Source: Jimmy Smith, New Orleans Times-Picayune
Today was the first mandatory mini-camp workout for the New Orleans Saints. Everyone was on the field, including DE Will Smith who has skipped the voluntary OTAs while seeking to negotiate a new contract. HC Sean Payton said he thought Smith was in pretty good shape. "Obviously there's a transition into the football movements," Payton said, "but he seemed to be handling things pretty well."CB Mike McKenzie (knee), S Josh Bullocks (knee) and DT DeMario Pressley (foot) didn't work at all, while CB Jason David (groin) was limited. RB Deuce McAllister took part in about 30 percent of the reps according to Payton. TE Eric Johnson (ankle) sat out the drills also.
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For me the most notable thing was RB Deuce McAllister taking part in about 30% of the reps. That's not the best news I've heard this week, but it's a pretty good start. McAllister is a guy we'll watch for you all summer as he makes his return.
BAL - Ravens QB Smith Takes Majority Of First-Team Snaps
Source: Aaron Wilson, Carroll County Times
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Troy Smith lofted the football behind two defensive backs to hit rookie wide receiver Justin Harper in stride during a Wednesday passing camp. It was a prime example of the improvement the former Heisman Trophy winner has displayed this offseason in making a viable bid for the starting job. With first-round draft pick Joe Flacco absent due to an NFL-NCAA rule and former starter Kyle Boller having a rough day with batted passes and inaccuracy, Smith took advantage of the opportunity as he operated the first-team offense for the majority of the snaps.
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It's still May but Smith looks to have the lead at least for today. It's not really fair to judge though with Flacco not in camp yet. Smith's height still worries me but he wouldn't be the first 6' 0" QB to make it. He's just facing longer odds.
TEN - QB Young Refutes Comments About Considering Retirement
Source: Jim Wyatt, The Tennessean
A recent nfl.com report suggesting Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young considered retirement after one season was "blown out of proportion," Young said. Heading toward his third pro season, he said he's in a "much different place" mentally than he was at this time last year. "Oh, my God. Oh, my God. I ain't never said I was going to quit football," Young said. "There was a lot of stuff going on in my life, but football is not hard to me. Football is easy. All you have to do is be coachable and use your God-given talent. If it was a thought at all it was just a passing thought for a second.''
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From the NFL.com article on 5/23:
"At age 24 -- only one year into his NFL career -- he said he considered retirement. "I really thought long and hard about it," Young said on Thursday after practice. "There was so much going on with my family. It was crazy being an NFL quarterback. It wasn't fun anymore. All of the fun was out of it. All of the excitement was gone. All I was doing was worrying about things. "My teammates helped lift me out of it. I prayed really hard. And I began to focus on God's calling for me. Play football. Be a role model." Not that big a deal. But interesting.DET - Lions To Focus More On The Run This Year
Source: Eric Lacy, Detroit News
When asked about the difference between last season's offensive scheme under Mike Martz and new coordinator Jim Colletto 's approach, Lions center Dominic Raiola made sure to be careful with his words.
"I never had a problem with Mike's offense," Raiola said. "He's one of the great offensive minds and I respect him for that, but this (new scheme) is definitely a lot more simplified and geared to running the ball first. Mike's (system) was geared to passing first; I don't have a problem with that."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
It's no big secret that the Lions will run the ball more this year. But I thought you might like hearing it right from the horses mouth so to speak. Raiola will be charged with mastering this blocking scheme quickly and he sounds like he's already well on his way. And more specifically, it sounds like more run blocking this year.
KC - Chiefs Simplifying Offense For QB Croyle
Source: Randy Covitz, Kansas City Star
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Brodie Croyle has not been bogged down by the wordiness and complicated terminology of offensive play calls that often lead to mistakes and interceptions. The calls have been simplified to one word, such as colt, pony, or dragon. "I really like the offense," Croyle said Thursday. "I'm very comfortable, surprisingly. The reads are pretty clear right now for us. It's a pretty simple offense. It's giving guys the chance to go out and play, not a whole lot of thinking about it, just go out and line up and go."
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It's probably helpful for Croyle that he's paired with new offensive coordinator Chan Gailey. For the last six years, Gailey was the coach at Georgia Tech. Croyle's plenty smart but simplifying the offense for the young QB is probably a great move.
CAR - Return Of QB Delhomme Lifting Panthers
Source: USA Today
Eight months after quarterback Jake Delhomme grabbed his right elbow in agony, and five months after the Carolina Panthers ended a miserable season without him, Delhomme began team drills in Wednesday's optional workout by hunching over center Ryan Kalil. Delhomme downplayed the significance of throwing about 40 passes in his latest rehabilitation milestone following ligament-replacement surgery, but his teammates and coaches weren't as reserved. "It's awesome to have your leader back under center," tight end Jeff King said. "Having him back out there, his enthusiasm, is a joy to watch for sure," added coach John Fox.
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Delhomme is downplaying it a little but the reality is that the team is thrilled to have him back. As well they should be. Let's just keep our fingers crossed that he continues to get healthy and returns to the guy he was.
NYG - While Giants Receive Rings, TE Shockey Absent
Source: ESPN, Associated Press
After four months of celebrations, parades, dinners and a tour of the White House, the New York Giants got their final reward on Thursday night for winning the Super Bowl: the bling. The Giants walked a blue carpet on fashionable Fifth Ave and then were handed their Super Bowl championship rings in a private ceremony at Tiffany and Co. Tight end Jeremy Shockey, who broke his leg late last season and then expressed concerns about his role with the team, was absent, along with linebacker Antonio Pierce, who is on his honeymoon.
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I commented last month about Jeremy Shockey skipping the White House visit. At least he's consistent.
Coach Tom Coughlin handed each player his ring as he was called up. "Having the opportunity to look every player in the eye as they came up and the joy and excitement that they demonstrated as they came forward to receive a memento of a world championship was special," Coughlin said. It's a feeling the players will carry in their hearts forever, he said. Manning felt having the team together made the ceremony special. "We did it together and won it as a team," said Manning, who also got a wedding ring since the Giants' 17-14 win over the previously unbeaten New England Patriots on Feb. 3 in Glendale, Ariz. "Every game was different and in every situation someone else stepped up and contributed to us winning. It's all about the Giants." Interesting that Shockey would want to skip that.SF - 49ers HC Nolan Hopeful That QB Competition Will Be Over By June 20
Source: Matthew Barrows, Sacramento Bee
San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Nolan said on Thursday that he is hopeful, though not optimistic, that the team will have a clear-cut front runner for the starting quarterback position by the end of Organized Team Activities (OTAs) on June 20. "At this point I'm hopeful," Nolan said. "But I won't hold myself to it."
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Let's keep our fingers crossed this works out as Nolan hopes. Fantasy owners across the land will be glad to have one less camp battle to have to worry over if a QB can emerge before July in San Francisco.
DEF - ARZ - Cardinals, LB Dansby Still Talking About New Deal
Source: Darren Urban, AZCardinals.com
The Arizona Cardinals franchised LB Karlos Dansby earlier this offseason, and GM Rod Graves said there has been little conversation about a new deal. But that may change very soon. The team has been busy after the draft restructuring (and conducting interviews) for the front office and scouting staff. Graves expects talks with Dansby's agent to intensify soon. The team has until July 15 to work out a long-term deal with Dansby, otherwise he must play 2008 under his $8.065 million franchise salary and wait until after the season to re-start negotiations.
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These kinds of things can heat up quickly if both sides get interested in working a deal so I wouldn't give up on something getting worked out. But of course even if it doesn't Dansby will be in Arizona with the franchise tag.
DEF - NE - Patriots Won't Make Decision On LB Seau Until July
Source: SI.com
New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick says the team has not yet made a decision on whether to bring linebacker Junior Seau back for another season. Belichick said Thursday after the team's two-day passing camp wrapped up that a decision on whether the 39-year-old will return will come closer to the start of training camp at the end of July.
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Seau obviously knows the game and brings tons of experience but one has to wonder how long he can stretch his career. Don't expect the team or Seau to rush into a decision here.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great Saturday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update.
J