Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 9, Issue 50 (Thursday, June 12th)
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Hi Folks,
Welcome to Friday. It's been an interesting week with some legendary players calling it a career. Plus the stream of news that's always flowing out of the NFL. We've got more for you here today so let's get to it. JSITE NEWS
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. MIA - Dolphins RB Brown Back On Practice Field2. DEN - WR Marshall Ready For Training Camp
3. OAK - WR Curry Returns to Practice
4. MIA - Dolphins Starting QB May Not Be Decided Until Late In Preseason
5. SEA - WR Branch May Miss All of Training Camp
6. BAL - Ravens LT Ogden Officially Retires
7. SEA - Seahawks HC Holmgren Expects WR Engram At Training Camp
8. CIN - Bengals RB Dorsey Carted Off Practice Field
9. CIN - Bengals WR Johnson Says He Has Ankle Injury
10. PHI - QB McNabb's MRI Negative
11. PIT - WR Holmes Not A Fan Of Offseason Workouts
12. CHI - RB Jones Advertising His Services
13. SEA - WR Burleson Much Improved, Becoming Leader
14. CLE - TE Winslow Increases Participation
15. ARZ - Whisenhunt Phasing Out Dual Quarterback System
MIA - Dolphins RB Brown Back On Practice Field
Source: Harvey Fialkov & Kyle Whitehead, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
In what has to be considered quite an achievement, Miami Dolphins RB Ronnie Brown returned to work less than eight months after sustaining a season-ending knee injury. Brown took part in 11-on-11 team drills for the first time this week, a sign that points to a full return by next month's training camp. "It's a big step," Brown said today. Today's practice was the final chance to work until the start of training camp. "It felt pretty good. The previous week I felt pretty good, but I've been limited a little bit, just doing some individual drills and some other things. For the last few days I've been able to participate and it feels pretty good to be back out on the field."
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For Brown owners, this is a great thing to see. We always hold our breath a little after stories like this as the real test now will be to see how he does in the next few days. Will he have swelling or soreness that limits him? We'll see. But this is obviously great news for Brown and the Dolphins. Not as good for Ricky Williams owners who thought Brown might miss a lot of time.
DEN - WR Marshall Ready For Training Camp
Source: Associated Press, ESPN
WR Brandon Marshall is on pace to return for training camp after a March accident where he cut an artery, a vein, a nerve, two tendons and three muscles in his right arm. "He's full speed," Head Coach Mike Shanahan said. "He'll be ready to practice, catch the ball June 22. He's getting in much better shape."
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I don't know if it was Shanahan comparing Keary Colbert to Rod Smith, but Brandon Marshall looks motivated. We all make a big deal out of offseason worries like Marshall's accident but the reality of it is that come training camp, Marshall looks like he'll be good to go and the TV incident will be way behind them (though probably not forgotten in the locker room. You can bet more than one McDonald's wrapper will be waved...) He should be ready for camp and that's good news for everyone.
OAK - WR Curry Returns to Practice
Source: Associated Press, NFL.com
Raiders WR Ronald Curry returned to practice this week after missing six weeks of offseason practices while recovering from surgery on his injured left foot. Curry, the Raiders' leading WR last year, does not consider himself the Raiders' #1 WR, after the team signed free agent WR Javon Walker to a six-year, $55 million deal this offseason. "Regardless of who was here, I felt like I always been productive, whatever they ask me to do. And it's not going to change this year ...," Curry said. "You know, Javon, he's going to be the guy, and I'm just going to be out there making the plays when they go to me."
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Curry is taking the team attitude when it comes to the pecking order among WRs. Money does talk. But the QB throws the ball to the guy that can get open. And Curry can do that. He'll be a factor in this offense if JaMarcus Russell can grasp things and it's good to see him return from the foot injury.
MIA - Dolphins Starting QB May Not Be Decided Until Late In Preseason
Source: Associated Press, NFL.com
Head Coach Tony Sparano is in no hurry to make a choice on the Dolphins QB battle between second-year man John Beck, veteran free agent pickup Josh McCown and second-round rookie Chad Henne. "I don't think any of that is going to take place until we really get out there and the whistle doesn't have to blow fast and you can see people around them," Sparano said. "I think that's when you'll start to see these guys separate a little bit more, where you can get into a little bit more of a competitive deal because you have pads on and it's a little bit more physical."
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It's one thing to have a two man QB battle. But three is really tough. It becomes a real challenge getting each guy enough reps with the first team offense to really see what's happening. I wouldn't be surprised if they narrow it to two guys there pretty early and then let them battle it through preseason. Should be fun to watch. Our early feel on it right now is that McCown will get the early nod just based on experience. But Beck and Henne both will be pushing him hard as the season progresses.
SEA - WR Branch May Miss All of Training Camp
Source: Associated Press, NFL.com
According to Head Coach Mike Holmgren, Seahawks WR Deion Branch is likely to miss most if not all of training camp as he rehabilitates his surgically reconstructed knee. It is speculated that Branch may not be fully recovered in time to play in the season opener Sept. 7 at Buffalo.
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This is obviously tough news. And it's not made any easier with WR Bobby Engram threatening to hold out. And with Engram at 35 years old, I'm not sure how much the Seahawks are going to bend to his new contract demands. Stay tuned.
BAL - Ravens LT Ogden Officially Retires
Source: Associated Press, NFL.com
Ravens LT Jonathan Ogden officially announced his retirement Thursday. The first-ever draft choice of the Baltimore Ravens franchise in 1996, Ogden was a cornerstone for the team for 12 seasons, and an 11-time Pro Bowler. "I know I gave everything I had in 12 years," Ogden said. "I left it out there every Sunday on the field for this town, myself and this organization. I can look back and say I have no regrets. I'm at peace with that."
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Just the official announcement for the story we told you about yesterday. Congrats to Ogden on a great career and best wishes to him in whatever he's doing next.
SEA - Seahawks HC Holmgren Expects WR Engram At Training Camp
Source: Associated Press, NFL.com
Despite the veteran WR's absence from minicamps and recent threats to hold out, Seahawks Head Coach Mike Holmgren believes WR Bobby Engram will attend training camp. "I've mentioned the fact that I thought he would be at training camp, and I still believe that," Holmgren said. "Now Bobby wouldn't be the first player who I've coached -- who I like -- who felt he needed to make a statement of some kind involving training camp."
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Holmgren is an optimist here saying he thinks the glass is "half full". When he says he's had former players hold out, he's likely talking about WR Joey Galloway and All Pro LT Walter Jones. Jones, in particular, seemed to make it a habit. Holmgren doesn't seem overly worried but it's still June. 35 year old WRs don't normally have a ton of leverage so I wouldn't be surprised to see the team stick to their guns and for Engram to come on in.
CIN - Bengals RB Dorsey Carted Off Practice Field
Source: Mark Curnutte, Cincinnati Enquirer
Cincinnati Bengals RB DeDe Dorsey was taken off the field this morning on a cart, and left the stadium this afternoon on crutches. The team has made no official comment on the injury.
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No word yet but carts and crutches are never words you want to have associated with your running backs. Stay tuned to see how serious this one is.
CIN - Bengals WR Johnson Says He Has Ankle Injury
Source: Mark Curnutte, Cincinnati Enquirer
According to Cincinnati Bengals HC Marvin Lewis, WE Chad Johnson did not participate in minicamp practice this morning because he was injured. "He expressed to the medical staff he had some sort of ailment," Lewis said. Lewis said he did not expect Johnson to practice this afternoon. For unknown reasons, Johnson chose to disclose his injury through agent Drew Rosenhaus. "Chad has been nursing an ankle injury that he has dating from last season. The club has actually been in discussion with me about him potentially getting a scope on his ankle. So I'm not sure whether or not, at this time, he is going to practice as relates to his ankle."
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And the saga continues...
Pretty interesting how the ankle injury was revealed. There is also talk of his back being sore. We don't normally hear about this kind of stuff from the agent. But Chad Johnson isn't the normal kind of player. This is just getting started.PHI - QB McNabb's MRI Negative
Source: Bob Brookover, Philadelphia News
Eagles HC Andy Reid said that QB Donovan McNabb's MRI exam on his right shoulder revealed no structural damage. McNabb has been sidelined for the remainder of this camp by tendinitis.
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Just in case some people didn't believe Andy Reid when he said McNabb was OK and just had some tendinitis. We don't expect this to be any big deal.
PIT - WR Holmes Not A Fan Of Offseason Workouts
Source: Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post Gazette
Steelers WR Santonio Holmes is not in a contract dispute or upset with his playing time. In fact, he's tired of too much playing time and spoke about his frustration with the schedule during the offseason, which is anything but. "Honestly, I would prefer they cut down on some of the time," he said. "There's no point right now. I want to come into camp 100 percent, I don't want to come out here and fatigue the body and tear hamstrings, quads, hurt ankles -- you know, whatever it may be through the course of trying to finish up these last two, three days."
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It's not exactly a newsflash to see players unhappy about offseason work. But you'd like to see a player have a little more experience under his belt before he starts complaining too loudly here.
CHI - RB Jones Advertising His Services
Source: Vaughn McClure, Chicago Tribune
Free agent RB Kevin Jones called Bears DT Tommie Harris in an effort to land a job. "I told him I'd love to come out there and that he needed to holler at one of the coaches for me. Tommie said, 'Yeah, I'll talk to them.' " The Bears are down to running backs Matt Forte, a rookie, and Adrian Peterson, who just underwent emergency appendectomy surgery. The feedback Jones received through his agent is that the Bears like his ability but are in no rush to make a decision.
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Sometimes, the NFL isn't all that different from your job. When you hear a guy has left a company and they have an opening, you call one of your buddies that works there and ask him to put in a good word for you with the boss. Same thing here. We think the Bears are pretty happy with Forte right now although I wouldn't be surprised to see them add a guy. It just doesn't look like they're in any hurry to do so.
SEA - WR Burleson Much Improved, Becoming Leader
Source: Frank Hughes, Tacoma News Tribune
More so out of necessity than by request, Seahawks WR Nate Burleson has become the veteran young receivers look up to during spring workouts and minicamp. With the injury to WR Deion Branch and a possible holdout by WR Bobby Engram, Burleson (nine touchdown catches last season) is by default the leader of a young group of receivers. He's embraced his current role and is also leading by example, proving to be a top performer and very consistent this offseason. "If I haven't already made big plays at this level, it would be harder for me to grasp that concept of me catching more balls or being on the field more," Burleson said. "But since I have been a 10-plus touchdown receiver and put up some good yards, there is not too much pressure."
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The key to this will be Deion Branch and Bobby Engram. If they both continue to be out, then the team looks to Burleson almost by default. If they both return, he fades back some. So like many situations, this one is a combination deal where several players will have an effect.
CLE - TE Winslow Increases Participation
Source: Tony Grossi, Cleveland Plain Dealer
Browns TE Kellen Winslow Jr. had a jump in his step Wednesday and was able to take part in team drills for the first time this offseaon. At one point, Winslow caught a tipped pass, then sprinted 40 yards towards the end zone. "He's feeling better, so he's doing a little bit more," said HC Romeo Crennel.
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There were serious questions about if Winslow would be able to do much at all. He looks to have exceeded expectations here in that regard and that's good for everyone. Except maybe the Browns front office who will have to deal with Winslow asking for a new contract.
ARZ - Whisenhunt Phasing Out Dual Quarterback System
Source: Bob McManaman, Arizona Republic
Cardinals HC Ken Whisenhunt said that he doesn't feel as much of a need to run a dual quarterback tandem as compared to last year. QB Matt Leinart has begun to establish himself in the two-minute drill, which would make the need for QB Kurt Warner's presence less necessary. Although Whisenhunt wouldn't rule it out completely. "Last year we did it because we felt it gave us the best chance to win. It wasn't really a thing about who did this better. Obviously, Kurt ran the no huddle better at that time," he said. "But Matt is much further along with it. He was very efficient again today when we ran the two-minute drill. I think that's going to play itself out. I wouldn't say we wouldn't do that, but I don't anticipate that being a necessity for us this year."
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Interesting words from Whisenhunt there. Leinart and Warner will battle this summer for the starting QB job but this looks better for Leinart if you take Whisenhunt's words at face value. Leinart is certainly the guy they want to see succeed with the draft pick and salary they've invested in him. But there also is tremendous pressure on these coaches to win right now. And Warner might have an edge there.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great Friday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update.
J