Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 9, Issue 40 (Monday, June 2nd)
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Hi Folks,
Hope you're doing better than Travis Henry this morning. I bet you are if you're into the Footballguys.com content as the Draft Dominator, Projections Dominator and Average Draft Position Apps are all now LIVE. Knock yourselves out and have a great Tuesday. But let's get to the News and Notes. JSITE NEWS
A.
Draft Dominator Debuts
It's a big day here as the Draft Dominator debuts for us today. Our Draft Dominator is one of the cornerstone features at Footballguys. Many subscribers tell me it's worth the price of a subscription just by itself. I'd agree. If you're looking for the absolute best way to manage your draft with the most precise player rankings and dynamic valuations calculated as the draft unfolds, the Draft Dominator is for you. And for a short while, it's free. Check it out.
B.
Projections Dominator Debuts
Detailed stat projections are great. But sometimes you want to tweak our projections and value some experts more heavily than others. The Projections Dominator does exactly that.
C.
Average Draft Position App
Knowing how to value players is one thing. But to draft them in the right spots, you need to know how the other owners in your draft are valuing them as well. Our Average Draft Position App does just that. Like most things we do, it's super flexible and lets you view the data just the way you want it.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. DEN - Broncos Release RB Henry2. NE - Patriots Add OT Ross
3. NO - Saints TE Johnson Could Return In Three Weeks
4. NO - Saints Determining Depth Chart At RB
5. DAL - Cowboys Give WR Owens Four Year Extension
6. SD - Chargers QB Rivers Returns To Practice
7. WAS - Redskins OTA Update; WR Randle El Still Out
8. SEA - Seahawks Offense In Flux As Minicamp Begins
9. ARZ - Potential QB Controversy In Arizona?
10. DEF - DAL - Cowboys CB Jones Given Permission To Workout With Team
11. DEF - MIA - Trade Rumors Underway Regarding Dolphins DE Taylor
12. DEF - STL - Rams Rookie DE Long Adjusting To Right Side
DEN - Broncos Release RB Henry
Source: ESPN
RB Travis Henry was given his unconditional release from the Denver Broncos today. Henry had been missing OTAs due to a hamstring injury. RBs Selvin Young, Andre Hall and rookie Ryan Torain were getting extra carries in Henry's absence.
Henry rushed for 691 yards and four touchdowns in 12 games last season, his first with the Broncos. But Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan opted to part ways with the talented but troubled Henry, citing his lack of commitment. "Although Travis has the ability to be one of the top running backs in the NFL, we have to make decisions that are in the best interests of our organization and its goal of winning a Super Bowl," Shanahan said. "We did not feel his commitment to the Broncos was enough to warrant a spot on this football team."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
We sent you this one Monday morning but it's worth hitting here again.
The big question now of course is who will get the coveted carries in Denver. Guys like Selvin Young, Michael Pittman, Ryan Torain and Andre Hall will all be vying for time. And there's always the possibility of the team looking at a free agent. Our early money is slightly leaning toward Young though. The one thing we've all learned over the years is that Mike Shanahan is the guy that can elevate a running back's game. Whether it's the system, or the coaching or the altitude, something seems to happen to these guys when they get to Denver. In a perfect world, one of these guys emerges and grabs the #1 RB slot and won't let go. And that guy will likely be a huge value if you grab him now. The other scenario of course is that multiple RBs see time in the backfield with none getting enough work to make them stand out. While it's up in the air who will be running the ball for Denver this fall, the one thing it does look like we know is that it won't be Travis Henry.Source: Mike Reiss, Boston Globe
The New England Patriots agreed to terms with free-agent OT Oliver Ross today. Ross has experience at both left and right tackle positions.
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Ross has been around the block having spent time with the Cowboys (1998), Eagles (1999), Steelers (2000-2004) and Cardinals (2005-2007). He's not a star but he's more than capable and will add nice depth to the all important OL.
NO - Saints TE Johnson Could Return In Three Weeks
Source: Larry Holder, Biloxi Sun-Herald
New Orleans Saints TE Eric Johnson said today that his ankle injury should be fully healed in another three weeks. HC Sean Payton said Johnson might steal some reps in the final week of OTAs, but training camp is a more viable option. "It was an offseason injury which is something that is really frustrating," Johnson said. "I'm just waiting for it to heal up. Just want to work through it, but there's not really much I can do about it right now. I should be ready for training. I'll have about a month to really go out there and run before training camp."
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With the Jeremy Shockey talk sort of quieting, the Saints seem pretty focused on the guys they have there. And Johnson hopes to be a big part of that.
"It was an offseason injury which is something that is really frustrating," Johnson said. "I'm just waiting for it to heal up. Just want to work through it, but there's not really much I can do about it right now. I should be ready for training. I'll have about a month to really go out there and run before training camp." File this one away and see if he's ready for camp as he's hoping.NO - Saints Determining Depth Chart At RB
Source: Jimmy Smith, New Orleans Times-Picayune
The New Orleans Saints have had five minicamp sessions, and are still trying to determine how to rank their stable of running backs. Deuce McAllister, while extremely limited coming back from two knee surgeries, looked to be ahead of where he was in 2006 after coming off an ACL repair from 2005. Reggie Bush moved well after recovering from a torn PCL in his left knee that caused him to miss the final four games. Aaron Stecker, who had a dislocated toe at the end of the year, still appeared to be less than 100 percent. Pierre Thomas was the star, as he looked as though he is ready to pick up where he left off last year. HC Sean Payton said he likes that Thomas blocks well in third-down situations and can catch the ball.
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It's a crowded running back group in New Orleans for sure. Especially if McAllister is back to full health as expected. That's a great thing for Saints fans but troubling for Fantasy Owners. Right now, we think it'll be Reggie Bush with the lions share of the fantasy points as his receiving skills push him ahead. And then McAllister behind Bush with Thomas behind him.
DAL - Cowboys Give WR Owens Four Year Extension
Source: ESPN
Dallas Cowboys WR Terrell Owens has signed a new 4-year deal worth $34 million. Owens will receive $12.9 million to sign and $100,000 of his $830,000 2008 base salary guaranteed, for a total of $13 million guaranteed. He is now under contract through 2011.
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I wonder if Eagles fans look at how easy this extension was and wonder what could have been. Owens came to Dallas and delivered in a big way. He has 28 touchdown catches over the last two years. He produced, and he got paid. It's not much more complicated than that.
SD - Chargers QB Rivers Returns To Practice
Source: Casey Pearce, Chargers.com
San Diego Chargers QB Philip Rivers returned to the field on Monday, running the first team offense. Rivers had surgery to repair a torn ACL back in January. "I was prepared to have him really not do anything except throw routes against air," HC Norv Turner said Monday. "He’s just making great progress."
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Another player that's making his way back from surgery. And making good progress it would seem. Rivers looks to be on schedule and should be ready to go for camp.
WAS - Redskins OTA Update; WR Randle El Still Out
Source: Jason La Confora, Washington Post
Several prominent members of the Washington Redskins are missing work today. DBs Shawn Springs and LaRon Landry are not present for the first of eight OTA sessions. Both have been absent for awhile. Springs trains in Arizona, and did not take part in most of last year's offseason programs, while Landry's absence has frustrated some around the team this spring. WR Santana Moss was excused from practice with the flu. DE Erasmus James has been working with trainers on an individual basis, but did not take part in team drills. Safeties Vernon Fox and Kareem Moore, CB Carlos Rogers, WR Antwaan Randle El, TE Tyler Ecker and LB Rocky McIntosh were all either limited or did not participate at all this morning.
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June isn't the time to panic over this but we'd feel better if the Redskins started getting healthier.
SEA - Seahawks Offense In Flux As Minicamp Begins
Source: Clare Farnsworth, Seattle Post-Intelligencer
As minicamp begins today, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck's most reliable receiver, Bobby Engram, is threatening to prolong a no-show aimed at getting a contract extension, and his highest-paid receiver, Deion Branch, is continuing to rehab from knee surgery. Three-fifths of Hasselbeck's starting offensive line also is on the mend -- left tackle Walter Jones, center Chris Spencer and right guard Rob Sims. His running game is in transition, following the release of Shaun Alexander and the free-agent additions of Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett. His best option at the all-important tight end position, John Carlson, is a rookie.
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And we were worried about Hasselbeck...
It's something that lots of coaches don't like to admit but success at this level is sometimes as much about who stays healthy and who is on the field as it is gameplanning or systems. The Seahawks have a good ways to go there. But it's still early.ARZ - Potential QB Controversy In Arizona?
Source: Kent Somers, Arizona Republic
According to Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart might be in danger of losing his starting job to back-up Kurt Warner unless he performs at a high level during Training Camp. Leinart worked with the second unit at the team's voluntary practice on Thursday, while Warner worked with the starters.
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Coach Ken Whisenhunt has been pretty steadfast in saying that Leinart is the starter. But he's also been pretty clear that he feels Kurt Warner is a very capable player. The message to Leinart is obvious: produce or there is a veteran ready to take your job.
DEF - DAL - Cowboys CB Jones Given Permission To Workout With Team
Source: Jaime Aron, Associated Press
Dallas Cowboys CB Pacman Jones has been given permission to join the Dallas Cowboys for everything but the regular season. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has reserved judgment on Jones' status for the regular season, saying he would reach a decision by September 1, 2008. "Commissioner Goodell told Jones that his continued participation in the NFL depends on demonstrating that he can conduct himself in a lawful and reliable manner," a league statement read. "Jones will be expected to continue the personal conduct program established for him by the NFL and the Cowboys and to avoid further adverse involvement with law enforcement."
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Interesting move by Goodell. I like it. I would have been shocked if Jones wasn't reinstated but I didn't expect a partial reinstatement. But this makes sense as it puts the pressure on him to stay straight through the summer. We'll see how that goes...
DEF - MIA - Trade Rumors Underway Regarding Dolphins DE Taylor
Source: Don McKee, philly.com
The rumors already are spreading through Philadelphia - that six-time Pro Bowl defensive end Jason Taylor will be traded from Miami to the Eagles. It's not entirely out of the realm of possibility. On Saturday, the NFL Network reported that the Eagles, Tampa Bay, New Orleans and Dallas have expressed an interest in Taylor.
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At this point, it's just rumors. But stay tuned...
DEF - STL - Rams Rookie DE Long Adjusting To Right Side
Source: Bill Coats, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
St. Louis Rams rookie defensive end Chris Long is adjusting to a new spot at right defensive end - he played mostly on the left side in college - as well as a new scheme. Virginia ran a 3-4 defense; the Rams' base is a 4-3. Not to mention a large leap in the talent pool. Long, 23, acknowledged that he struggled at times during his first nine pro practices: three at minicamp and six in organized team activities. "It's humbling," he said. "A lot of it flew by quick. But you see the big picture and you realize it's a cycle and you're starting over again."
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As good as Chris Long is, I'll be shocked if he doesn't struggle early on. Defensive end is not just about physical talent, but about technique. Long will probably be fine, but he's got a pretty steep learning curve ahead of him.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great Tuesday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update.
J