Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 9, Issue 41 (Tuesday, June 3rd)
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Hi Folks,
Good Wednesday to you. Hope your week is moving along well. The site content is rolling and we're settling into our groove of bringing you the News and Notes each day. Let's get to it. JSITE NEWS
A.
Footballguys Strategy Guide Magazine - Taking Orders Now
We talked to the printers today and the Footballguys 2008 Strategy Guide is about to hit the presses. You can click the link in the headline to pre order and make sure you'll have your copy well in advance of the non sharks in your league that have to wait until they arrive on the newsstand. Check the link to see all the extra stuff you get when ordering the magazine online. If you're going to buy one magazine this year, this is the one and this is the way to buy it.
B.
Value Based Draft (VBD) Excel App Ready
We started with the Value Based Draft (VBD) App way back and while lots of folks have moved to the Draft Dominator, we still have plenty of hardcore guys that love the Excel App. So we keep it for you. It's the same projections that are loaded into all our features, just in the old familiar Excel format.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. CIN - WR Johnson Says He'll Join Bengals2. SD - TE Gates, WR Parker Improving
3. OAK - Raiders Update: RB Jordan Told To Stay Away
4. TB - Bucs Grievance Against QB Plummer To Be Heard Soon
5. GB - Packers RB Herron Fights Off Burglar
6. BAL - Ravens Update: LT Ogden Could Make Announcement Soon
7. NYG - Source: TE Shockey Will Report To Minicamp
8. QB Warner Could Have Extension By July
9. SD - C Hardwick Out At Least Four Games
10. NO - RB McAllister Wearing Brace, QB Brunell In Control Of Backup Spot
11. DAL - Cowboys Give WR Glenn Ultimatum?
12. WAS - More On Redskins' Absences
13. DEF - MIA - DE Taylor Joined By HC Sparano, GM Ireland
CIN - WR Johnson Says He'll Join Bengals
Source: David Flemming, ESPN Magazine
Bengals WR Chad Johnson has declared a return to the Bengals, perhaps as early as next week. "I told my coaches I'm going to California to act, but the truth is I may come back to the Bengals as early as June. - I may be crazy but I'm not stupid." he said. Johnson also explained his stance for wanting out of Cincinnati, by preaching defense of all things. "If we want to be like Indy and New England, we have to pay and bring in some difference-makers on defense," Johnson said. "Our offense is fine. But if they're fussing about paying a guy like me, a guy among the best in the league, you know damn well the Bengals aren't gonna supply the defense with what it needs. So I just said, 'If we aren't gonna do what we need to make us win -- can I please leave?' It's simple. I just told 'em: 'If y'all won't change, then I have to.'"
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No surprise here. Money talks and there was zero chance Johnson was going to threaten too much about holding out. Especially once Marvin Lewis starting calling his bluff.
SD - TE Gates, WR Parker Improving
Source: Mike Sullivan, Chargers.com
HC Norv Turner said TE Antonio Gates (toe) has yet to begin running but HC Norv Turner said that he is "making good progress." Also WR Eric Parker (toe) is running better and could soon participate in the coaching sessions.
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You have to be pretty optimistic to put a positive spin on Antonio Gates not being able to run in June. But that's what Turner and the Chargers are trying to do. Put me down in the "concerned" camp and Gates is a guy we'll be watching very closely for you.
OAK - Raiders Update: RB Jordan Told To Stay Away
Source: Jerry McDonald, Contra Costa Times
The Oakland Raiders have sent the strongest message yet that RB Lamont Jordan will not be with them this season, as they told him not to practice today. Jordan met with HC Lane Kiffin this morning and was told he wouldn't practice as the team tries to move him. Other not practicing were WR Ronald Curry (foot), DT Tommy Kelly (knee), SS Jarrod Cooper (knee) and CD Jake Grove (knee). Curry will not practice during this minicamp, but could be running next week, Kiffin said.
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More fallout from the Darren McFadden draft day acquisition. McFadden will be expected to carry a big load along with Justin Fargas and Michael Bush.
TB - Bucs Grievance Against QB Plummer To Be Heard Soon
Source: Jim Flynn, Pewter Report
The long-awaited grievance hearing filed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers against QB Jake Plummer is expected to be held later this month. It appears as though the team is no longer attempting to convince Plummer to play. However, they are still trying to make him pay for not playing for the Bucs. The Buccaneers and Broncos have filed three joint grievances against Plummer over the last year due to Plummer's decision to retire unilaterally shortly after Tampa Bay traded a 2008 seventh-round draft pick to Denver in exchange for Plummer during the 2007 offseason. The Bucs will be attempting to have Plummer pay as much as $7 million in bonus money he received while playing for Denver.
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For all you guys banking on a Jake Plummer return, it looks like the dream may be coming to an end. No real fantasy football value here but just keeping you guys in the know.
GB - Packers RB Herron Fights Off Burglar
Source: Linda Spice, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
Green Bay Packers RB Noah Herron fought off intruders during a burglary to his home last Friday, striking one with a bed post that he unscrewed from his bed last weekend. "Noah Herron used necessary, reasonable and justifiable force in protecting his life and property. Herron, the victim in this random home invasion, is cooperating with law enforcement and we ask that you respect his privacy during this traumatic time," said Brown County Sheriff Dennis Kocken. The intruder was injured during the burglary and a second offender was apprehended outside the home. Herron was not hurt during the invasion.
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Glad to hear Herron is ok. I'm sure they'll have fun with him on this one.
BAL - Ravens Update: LT Ogden Could Make Announcement Soon
Source: Mike Preston, Baltimore Sun
Baltimore Ravens LT Jonathan Ogden could make his retirement official in the next few weeks if one believes what is being heard around the team complex. Ogden has let a couple of people around him know that he is retiring, but still hasn't told HC John Harbaugh. Also in a week or two, there could be news about the team's negotiations with MLB Ray Lewis. There has been some movement on both sides, and it's getting close to the point where it's either going to get done, or it's over for a while. There has been no progress in the talks with OLB Terrell Suggs. The two sides aren't even talking right now.
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We continue to hear that Ogden is done but that's all unofficial right now. Hopefully we'll know for sure soon as it would be helpful for the Ravens if they had time to work in Ogden's replacement and know what they're looking at for the season. Sounds like we may have official word soon.
NYG - Source: TE Shockey Will Report To Minicamp
Source: Bob Glauer, Newsday
According to a source close to the situation, Giants TE Jeremy Shockey will attend the team's mini-camp slated for June 11-13. Shockey hasn't attended any offseason workouts, which is nothing new, but rumors have swirled about a possible trade as well as Shockey's unhappiness with his contract.
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Let's see if he shows for minicamp or not. Are the trade Shockey rumblings just that or is there some truth there? We'll see soon. 2nd year TE Kevin Boss is more than ready to fill in for Shockey as he did last year if he's asked to.
QB Warner Could Have Extension By July
Source: Mike Tulumello, East Valley Tribune
Cardinals QB Kurt Warner said he hopes to have a contract extension by training camp in July. He is seeking a two year extension before retiring. "I want to be in a situation where I'm comfortable. I kind of want to know my future," Warner said. Cardinals GM Rod Graves said formal discussions haven't yet started, but "we're going to try to work to get it done (by training camp)." A new deal would likely have two pay scales, depending on Warner's status as a possible starter and/or backup.
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Just more reason for Matt Leinart to be nervous...
SD - C Hardwick Out At Least Four Games
Source: Mike Sullivan, Chargers.com
Chargers C Nick Hardwick will likely miss the entire first month of the season and perhaps longer because of offseason foot surgery. The team signed C Jeremy Newberry as insurance.
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You hate to already know your center is out for the first month of the season when it's just June. But that's what it's looking like the Chargers are facing. Newberry is a former Pro Bowler with 10 years of experience. He will compete with Cory Withrow for the starting center spot.
NO - RB McAllister Wearing Brace, QB Brunell In Control Of Backup Spot
Source: Larry Holder, Biloxi Sun Herald
Updates from Saints camp reports that RB Deuce McAllister appears to be in about as good of shape as he did two years ago when he returned to practice after tearing an ACL. He was wearing a knee brace but did not appear hampered during his limited touches. Backup QB Mark Brunell appears to have a firm grip on the playbook and is showing good velocity and accuracy. His competition, QB Tyler Palko has not looked comfortable at all, stumbling about the pocket and mishandling numerous snaps.
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More good news for McAllister. We like what we're hearing about him.
DAL - Cowboys Give WR Glenn Ultimatum?
Source: Mac Engel, Forth Worth Star-Telegram
An NFL source said the Cowboys have told WR Terry Glenn to either sign the $500,000 injury waiver for his surgically-repaired right knee or prepare to play elsewhere. Glenn, who is due $1.74 million this season, is recovering from multiple knee surgeries and has been asked to sign the waiver in case he does not fully recover, or has a reoccurring injury. Should that happen his salary would be nullified and he would be paid a pro-rated portion of $500,000. If he was to suffer any other injury, however, he would be paid the full $1.74 million.
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Glenn will likely yield to management here. The market for old WRs coming off knee surgery isn't exactly booming right now.
WAS - More On Redskins' Absences
Source: Jason La Confora, Washington Post
The reasons surrounding the absences of several Washington Redskins at the first day of OTAs are starting to come to light. DB LaRon Landry says he missed Monday's OTA session due to a family issue. HC Jim Zorn didn't make a big deal out of his absence and Landry was back with the first-team defense today. Zorn said he has been unable to reach CB Shawn Springs, who has not reported for this session of OTAs. Springs has been working out in Arizona and has told associates that his plan was to show up for the start of training camp but not voluntary workouts. WR Santana Moss has said he had the flu, but admitted his "sickness" was indeed a product of a weekend of birthday celebrating he said.
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Gotta love that birthday party "flu"... Not a big deal and nothing to be too worried about here.
DEF - MIA - DE Taylor Joined By HC Sparano, GM Ireland
Source: Jeff Darlington, Miami Herald
Dolphins HC Tony Sparano and GM Jeff Ireland joined DE Jason Taylor at Taylor's charity gala at Hard Rock Live. While they reportedly didn't discuss business, it was important in that their relationship isn't as frosty as originally perceived. It also comes soon after Taylor said Sunday for the first time that he is willing to play in Miami if a trade isn't worked out. "I had a chance to speak with them both, and I told them I appreciate them coming. It was great," Taylor said.
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Because I know you guys can't go a day without knowing what Jason Taylor's latest plans are...
That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great Wednesday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update.
J