Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 9, Issue 48 (Tuesday, June 10th)
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Hi Folks,
Good Wednesday to you. Hope you're into a great week. We're rolling here. Lots of new content up on the website and it's a big day here as the Footballguys Strategy Guide Magazine rolled off the presses today. Get your order in now for early delivery. Plus we've got all the news and notes you want so let's get to it. JSITE NEWS
A.
Footballguys Magazine Off The Press
I talked to the printer today and the Footballguys Strategy Guide Magazine is off the press and headed out to my Partner David Dodds so he can start shipping. They're expected to arrive early next week and David will start sending them your way. We ship US Priority Mail so you'll have them well ahead of the guys the guys that wait around for the newsstand copies. Click the link in the headline for ordering info. For you Dads out there, tell the family this makes a great Fathers Day gift along with a Footballguys Subscription.
B.
A Great Fathers Day Gift - 2008 Footballguys Subscription
Fathers Day gifts are tough. The family probably doesn't know exactly what you'd like. How about helping them out and getting something you'll love this year instead of underwear or socks: A 2008 Footballguys Subscription. Click the headline for ordering information. It's basically access to everything we do online this season from now until the Super Bowl. Last year, that was some 50,000 pages of content. It'll likely be more this year. We want to give you everything you need to smoke the guys in your league. You'll be doing your family a favor in helping them shop for you. Do it for the children...
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. NE - QB Brady Says He Was Joking About His Ankle2. CLE - Browns TE Winslow To Attend Mandatory Mini-Camp
3. DET - WR Williams Not Upset With Lions
4. QB Vick Won't Face State Charges Until After Release From Federal Prison
5. WAS - RB Portis Shows Commitment This Offseason
6. NYJ - Jets See Stuckey As #3 WR
7. DEN - WR Colbert Draws Favorable Comparisons
8. TB - Buccaneers And QB Plummer Settle Up
9. PHI - QB McNabb Tries To Dodge Shoulder Questions
10. JAC - WR Walker Continues To Shine
11. NYJ - QBs Pennington And Clemens 'Dead Even'
12. PHI - McNabb Sits With 'Slight Tendinitis' In Shoulder
13. DEN - RB Young Sees Himself As Starter
14. DEF - NE - DE Seymour Feeling Healthy
15. DEF - NE - CB Hobbs Unsure Of Training Camp Availability
NE - QB Brady Says He Was Joking About His Ankle
Source: Karen Guregian, Boston Herald
The quarterback, who participated in the annual Patriots [team stats] Charitable Foundation golf tournament yesterday at The International, joked Saturday about still not being able to run fast or jump high when asked about his ankle. Some took those remarks literally, believing he remained limited by the high right ankle sprain he sustained before the Super Bowl.
"I was joking. I guess I can't be as humorous," Brady said. "I've done everything. I feel great." Asked again if he was limited by the ankle, Brady was clear. "Not at all," he said, adding he will be ready for training camp in six weeks. "My body feels great. My leg feels great. My mind feels great. Yeah, I'm ready."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Good news here. Brady's comments last week were troubling and Brady owners / Patriot fans can breathe a little easier here. He looks good to go.
CLE - Browns TE Winslow To Attend Mandatory Mini-Camp
Source: Marla Ridenour, Akron Beacon-Journal
Cleveland Browns tight end Kellen Winslow will attend the team's mandatory three-day mini-camp beginning on Tuesday. It is not known, however, how much on-field work Winslow will get while he continues to recover from a procedure on his right knee that was performed this off-season.
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Winslow would like a new deal and there was some question as to whether he'd attend the minicamp. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see the Browns sit tight here and ask that Winslow show that he can stay healthy and productive for another year. They also want to see for themselves how healthy he is right now.
DET - WR Williams Not Upset With Lions
Source: Brian Vanochten, Grand Rapids Press, MLive.com
Lions WR Roy Williams was with the team practicing Monday and said the rumors of his frustration with the team and his contract are just that, rumors. "I see in the newspapers where the media is ripping me for missing flights, but that's all that happened," Williams said. "I'm not mad at the Detroit Lions. I'm not worried about my contract. They still owe me $5.8 million."
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This is preaching to the FBG choir here. When the story ran last week about Williams' "frustration" we told readers not to worry as he was making tons of money and he'd be fine. We're not worried.
QB Vick Won't Face State Charges Until After Release From Federal Prison
Source: Associated Press, ESPN
Virginia Commonwealth's Attorney Gerald Poindexter said on Monday that the State will likely wait to proceed with quarterback Michael Vick's trial for charges of beating or killing dogs, or causing dogs to fight other dogs, and engaging in or promoting dogfighting until after he has been released from Federal prison.
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So I guess at least he's got that to look forward to...
WAS - RB Portis Shows Commitment This Offseason
Source: Jason La Canfora, Washington Post
Redskins RB Clinton Portis has already began earning his new guaranteed contract, which he signed in March. He has become a regular at the teams OTAs and has shown an improved work ethic as evidenced by his increased time in the weight room and on his conditioning. "I feel much better. As much as I didn't want to be here [in the offseason], to go out there and be able to run downfield 100 yards and jog back and turn around and run 100 yards again [without being fatigued], it feels great."
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I told you last week about Portis missing practice and also having some discomfort in his hip. I don't have a good feeling about him there but to be fair, I want to pass along the good news here. He has been more involved in the team offseason work (which wasn't hard to do given how involved he'd been in the past) and he does seem intent on earning the big contract. I'm still not totally sold though.
NYJ - Jets See Stuckey As #3 WR
Source: Erik Boland, New York Newsday
According to Newsday writer, Erik Boland, New York Jets second-year WR Chansi Stuckey has caught "just about everything" this offseason, and goes to training camp as the No. 3 receiver.
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This makes sense to us. Stuckey doesn't have a ton of name recognition yet but he seems to be impressing the people that matter with the Jets. Plus, if he gets on the field alongside Jerricho Cotchery, it'll be two BlackEyedJoe.com All Name Team guys at one time. Nice.
DEN - WR Colbert Draws Favorable Comparisons
Source: Dave Krieger, Rocky Mountain News
Broncos HC Mike Shanahan likened newly acquired WR Keary Colbert to WR Rod Smith and feels confident in maximizing Colbert's potential. "He's a guy that's very similar to the Rod Smiths of the world - a hard worker, works his rear end off on every play," Shanahan said after watching him in the team's quarterback camp. "You take a look at somebody's offense, you take a look at their quarterback, their scheme. It doesn't always have to do with the individual."
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Wow, that's pretty high praise from Mike Shanahan. Rod Smith was a pro's pro. If Colbert can come close to being the player that Smith was, everyone will be thrilled.
TB - Buccaneers And QB Plummer Settle Up
Source: Stephen F. Holder, St. Petersburg Times
An arbitration hearing on Wednesday has been canceled after the Buccaneers and retired QB Jake Plummer have reached a settlement over a $7 million signing bonus paid to Plummer for a contract he failed to fulfill. Plummer instead will receive about half, or $3.5-million.
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Bucs QBs are dropping like flies. If this keeps up, they'll be down to single digits in no time.
PHI - QB McNabb Tries To Dodge Shoulder Questions
Source: Les Bowen, Philadelphia Daily News
Eagles QB Donovan McNabb briefly put aside speculation on his sore shoulder last week by successfully increasing his reps in practice and looking good in the process. But his participation was limited again Monday and while he was able to deflect almost every question, McNabb did hint that his shoulder was at least a minor issue, although he does not appear to be worried in the least. "I know it'll get better," he said.
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We don't think this is any big deal. McNabb is a guy where everything he does is under a microscope. He's got a sore shoulder. We believe him. For you guys that are worried, remember that Kevin Kolb will likely move to the #2 spot. But he's a huge drop off from McNabb right now.
JAC - WR Walker Continues To Shine
Source: Vic Ketchman, Jaguars.com
Jaguars WR Mike Walker made two diving catches in a spirited team drill to end practice.
"He had a couple of nice catches. As he builds himself into shape, he'll only get better. He caught the ball well, which I think he'll always do," wide receivers coach Todd Monken said of Walker. Last year's third-round draft choice worked out for the first time this spring last week. He also participated in two of this past weekend's four mini-camp practices and Walker's surgically-repaired knee has been sound throughout. Monken said there have been no reports of swelling in the knee. "How many plays in a row can he go? He's probably a tad bit heavy," Monken said of Walker, who will be one of the most watched players in training camp. Everyone will be watching to see if Walker's knee can hold up to the daily practice regimen. Other than for Jerry Porter, Walker is the closest thing the Jaguars have to a number one receiver. He has all the tools and natural instincts to be a star receiver. Whether or not Walker reaches that level will probably be determined by the knee that has dogged him since his junior year in college.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Keep a very close eye on Walker this summer. I loved him last year but the knee injury ended his season. He's back and looks to be good to go. But let's watch how the knee holds up. We agree with Mr. Ketchman in that outside of Jerry Porter, he looks the most like a prime time receiver of anyone the Jaguars have. He has all the tools and skills. The knee will be his biggest obstacle. Stay tuned.
NYJ - QBs Pennington And Clemens 'Dead Even'
Source: Rich Cimini, New York Daily News
Q&A with Jets writer Rich Cimini:
Question: Do you think Kellen Clemens showed enough in minicamp/OTAs for the coaching staff to believe he IS the future? Or is he just another wasted second-round pick? Rich Cimini: The answer is neither. Clemens didn't solidify anything and neither did Pennington. I went back through my notes and, of the eight practices open to the media (four minicamp sessions and four OTAs), I thought it was dead even. Pennington "won" two practices, Clemens won two and the rest were toss-ups. Obviously, Clemens wins the "beauty" contest because he just looks better throwing the ball, but he made some ill-advised decisions and held the ball too long on plays in which he could've thrown it away. Early on, Pennington's lack of arm strength was alarming, but he seemed to get better as the camp progressed. Maybe his so-called new mechanics are kicking in. This isn't an ideal situation for the Jets because each quarterback has his limitations. No doubt, this will be decided in the preseason.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Cimini doesn't make the playing time decisions of course but he's close to the Jets and has a good pulse for the situation. He sees it as a very close battle and one that will drag out into the preseason.
PHI - McNabb Sits With 'Slight Tendinitis' In Shoulder
Source: Les Bowen, Philadelphia Daily News
Coach Andy Reid said McNabb has "slight tendinitis in his shoulder."
He said the injury is "very similar" to what McNabb had in 2004, the Eagles' Super Bowl season. He played in 15 games that season, sitting out only the regular-season finale because the Eagles had locked up homefield in the NFC. "We're going to back off him, just like we did in 2004," Reid said. "He should be ready for training camp. There's no surgery. There should be no reprecussions from it."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
People will make a big fuss over this but we're not overly worried.
DEN - RB Young Sees Himself As Starter
Source: Jake Grilley, DenverBroncos.com
Denver RB Selvin Young feels as though he has what it takes to be the starting running back on the Broncos depth chart.
Young said he has believed since day one in the NFL he has the talent to be a starter. "I always had it in my mind," Young said. "I felt like I could go and be a feature back for any team in the NFL. I was just looking for a team to give me an opportunity and believe in me and allow me to push myself to get to that level of competition. I don't feel like there's anything I can't accomplish if I put my mind to it."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Young couldn't resist kissing up to his coach at the end though: "He's won Super Bowls, he's one of the greatest coaches if not one of the greatest coaches of all time, so I believe in everything he does and anything he says, and I'm going to go out and be a soldier for him," he said. "Any decision he makes I'm going to stand by it, and if that reflects on me it's a decision that he made and his belief in me and myself, and the other guys that we have in our position."
DEF - NE - DE Seymour Feeling Healthy
Source: Mike Reiss, Boston Globe
Patriots DE Richard Seymour says he is feeling better than he has in two years due to good health. Seymour missed seven games last season and struggled a bit in 2006 with a right arm injury. "This is really the first year in the last two that I've been able to hit the ground running, so to speak," he said. "....I'm definitely five times better than I was the last two seasons."
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With Asante Samuel gone, this defense can use some good news and a healthy Richard Seymour is just that. Health in June doesn't necessarily equate to health in October but it's a good sign to hear this is the best he's felt in a while.
DEF - NE - CB Hobbs Unsure Of Training Camp Availability
Source: Karen Guregian, Boston Herald
Patriots CB Ellis Hobbs indicated he hasn't had any setbacks from shoulder and sports hernia surgeries from this offseason. But when asked if he would be ready for training camp six weeks down the road, he was hopeful, but unsure of an exact time table. "Time will tell. I'm not going to sit here and make any guarantees either way," he said. "We'll see how it goes, but when you see me out there, I'm going to be enjoying myself."
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With corner Asante Samuel gone, the team will rely on Hobbs. They obviously need him at full strength and we'll keep an eye on his progress this summer.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great Wednesday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update. Don't forget about asking for a Footballguys Magazine or Subscription for Father's Day.
J