Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 9, Issue 53 (Sunday, June 15th)
|
Sign Up For Free Newsletter
85,000+ Mailing List |
Hi Folks,
Good Monday to you. We're starting to head into that limbo period where players wrap mini camps and head out for their last bit of rest before camp starts. Fortunately, we'll be kicking things into a higher gear with content for the site. And of course the Footballguys magazine is ready to start shipping this week. We've got some news and notes for you today so let's get to it - the Brandon Marshall story alone will make today's email worth it. JSITE NEWS
A.
Footballguys Magazine Ready For Shipping - Special Perks Deadline 6-16
The 228 page Footballguys Strategy Guide will be shipping on Wednesday, June 18th from our California offices. We think it's the best magazine on the market and it comes with all kinds of "extras" if you buy it directly from us. Those "extra" goodies include 12 Golden and 15 Silver Tickets, but to be eligible for these tickets, you must order the magazine no later than Monday, June 16th. Quick Link to Magazine Pre-order
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. TB - Bucs RB Williams May Be Ready For 20082. CIN - Chad Johnson's Agent Says He'll Attend Training Camp
3. PHI - QB McNabb Not Worried About Shoulder
4. BUF - Bills Chief Operating Officer Brandon Served Subpoena
5. NE - Patriots Sign Versatile Draft Pick Slater
6. DAL - Cowboys Young Receivers Seeing Increased Snaps
7. SF - 49ers Rookie WR Morgan Making Noise In Camp
8. DEN - WR Marshall Can Do 'Most' Things With Injured Hand...
9. DEF - CIN - Bengals DC Zimmer Dealing With Youthful Unit
10. DEF - TB - Bucs CB Talib Getting First-Team Reps
TB - Bucs RB Williams May Be Ready For 2008
Source: Stephen F. Holder, St. Petersburg Times
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Cadillac Williams has been pushing himself through workouts as he attempts to come back from a devastating knee injury. As training camp nears, the idea of his 2008 return is gaining momentum. "What he's done is nothing short of miraculous," coach Jon Gruden said. "He has worked his tail off. He's got a chance to be ready to play football again this season. The amount of work he's put forth has really excited our players, and he's really done a great job."
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
We'll obviously be watching this one very closely for you. Williams' health will be a hot topic this summer. On the one hand, it sounds like he's making great progress. On the other hand, I get a little leery when people talk about it being a "miraculous" feat that he might be able to play this year. I'd prefer less excitement over being available. But that just speaks to how far Williams has progressed. Stay tuned.
CIN - Chad Johnson's Agent Says He'll Attend Training Camp
Source: Mark Curnutte, Cincinnati Enquirer
For the most part, the Chad Johnson situation has found temporary peace. His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said the disgruntled receiver will attend training camp and honor his contract, which has four years remaining.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
So much for the bluffing. Looks like Johnson has thought better of trying to push management on this one and will earn his money on the field. Although you know how quickly things change with him. We've always thought this is how it would go though. He's said some things but Johnson has the personality to make all that go away with a few good practices. We hope he stays on this path and gets out there and does what he knows how to do.
PHI - QB McNabb Not Worried About Shoulder
Source: Bob Brookover, Philadelphia Inquirer
QB Donovan McNabb indicated he was not worried about the tightness in his shoulder and that he would resume throwing this coming week.
"The shoulder is just tight," McNabb said. "We did the right thing by making sure we were cautious with it and continuing to stretch and rehab. Everything is fine now." One team source suggested last week that if McNabb were a baseball player, he'd have spent 15 days on the disabled list and returned. "I don't know if it would have been 15 days," McNabb said. "I think it would have been two or three days. If I had to play today, I could. For all the fake doctors and analysts, my body is fine."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
This makes sense to us. McNabb talks about being in the tough spot of if you talk about it, people think it's bad. And if you don't talk about it, people think you're hiding something big. He looks to be OK here.
BUF - Bills Chief Operating Officer Brandon Served Subpoena
Source: John Wawrow, AP
Buffalo Bills chief operating officer Russ Brandon was served with a subpoena to appear before a grand jury looking into a hit-and-run accident involving an SUV registered to running back Marshawn Lynch. A law enforcement official familiar with the case told The Associated Press on Friday that Brandon was served the subpoena late Thursday night. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the person is not authorized to release that information. Three Bills players, rookie receivers James Hardy and Steve Johnson and second-year offensive lineman Christian Gaddis, were subpoenaed earlier Thursday, along with a person police referred to as "a high-ranking member of the Bills security staff."
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
I've given up on Lynch putting an end to this. Why he's taking so long to do anything here is pretty amazing.
NE - Patriots Sign Versatile Draft Pick Slater
Source: Mike Reiss, Boston Globe
The New England Patriots have officially signed a draft pick, with fifth-rounder Matthew Slater inking an undisclosed deal on Friday. Slater is the first of the team's seven picks to sign. Slater has been working at both safety and receiver. He was considered one of the best special teams players in the draft, and figures to contend for return duties as well. The Patriots traded a 2008 fifth-round pick and 2008 seventh-round pick to move up in the fifth round to select him. Slater, who played at UCLA, is the son of Pro Football Hall of Fame offensive lineman Jackie Slater.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
It's that time of year when picks start inking deals. Slater will hope to be a valuable addition and make the most of his versatility. He certainly has the bloodlines for success at this level.
DAL - Cowboys Young Receivers Seeing Increased Snaps
Source: Tom Orsborn, San Antonio Express
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terry Glenn's absence from OTAs has meant increased snaps for Sam Hurd, Miles Austin and Isaiah Stanback. Of the three young wideouts, Hurd is the most experienced, but the Cowboys also like the speed of Austin. Then there is the size of Stanback, who the coaches say is finally comfortable at receiver after playing quarterback at the University of Washington. Stanback also is finally healthy. Injuries robbed him of valuable practice time as a rookie last season, and he was active for only three games. "He worked his butt off this off-season and it shows," quarterback Tony Romo told reporters.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Terry Glenn's career is winding down and Terrell Owens isn't a youngster any more. Even if Glenn and Owens are great this year, the time for new WRs in Dallas will be here at some point in the future. Of the bunch, I personally like Stanback a lot. He's got the physical ability to make things happen in traffic and has a lot of upside as he learns the position. Of course that may mean he's the furthest away from actually being productive right now. But if you can stash him away for later, he's a guy I'd keep an eye on.
SF - 49ers Rookie WR Morgan Making Noise In Camp
Source: Matthew Barrows, Sacramento Bee
One of the most impressive rookies during the San Francisco 49ers' OTAs has been wide receiver Josh Morgan, a sixth-round selection out of Virginia Tech. Morgan made a dazzling catch in the corner of the end zone on a pass from Alex Smith during Tuesday's practice session, and coach Mike Nolan said he had a similarly eye-catching practice Monday. "A lot of talent," Nolan said of Morgan on Tuesday. "He's very raw. This week he's made significant progress. He had a good day yesterday, and hopefully when I go in and look at the film, he'll have had a good day today. He's got some real upside."
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
You know the drill by now - be leery of rookie WRs lighting up practice in June. But ignore WRs wowing guys like Nolan and Mike Martz at your own peril. Every year there are players that come out of nowhere and Morgan could be one of those guys. Stay tuned.
DEN - WR Marshall Can Do 'Most' Things With Injured Hand...
Source: Frank Schwab, Colorado Springs Gazette
Physically and mentally, the Denver Broncos receiver said he is set to return from a severe right arm injury in which he lacerated an artery, vein, nerve, two tendons and three muscles. But in an unusual and colorful way Thursday, Marshall let it be known that his right hand isn't fully healthy.
"I can do everything with my right hand that I was doing before the accident but I'm still wiping my butt with my left hand," Marshall said. "It's not as strong. My right hand is not as strong."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
This one is such a target rich environment for my 3rd grade brain that I really don't know where to go with it...
DEF - CIN - Bengals DC Zimmer Dealing With Youthful Unit
Source: Mark Curnutte, Cincinnati Enquirer
Defensively, the Cincinnati Bengals third coordinator in six years, Mike Zimmer, is charged with fixing what has been the Bengals' weakest unit. It will be young - of The Enquirer's 11 projected defensive starters, seven have two or fewer years of NFL experience, with rookie Keith Rivers at linebacker, second-year players Marvin White and Chinedum Ndukwe and Leon Hall in the secondary and third-year players Domata Peko at tackle, Rashad Jeanty at outside linebacker and Johnathan Joseph at cornerback.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
It's sort of the anti New England Patriot defense here with all these young players. Physically that might be a plus to have the young guys but it's tough to make up for the lack of experience. Zimmer will have a tough job on his hands. If history is any guide, he'll need to be productive quickly if he's going to stay there very long.
DEF - TB - Bucs CB Talib Getting First-Team Reps
Source: Stephen F. Holder, St. Petersburg Times
Tampa Bay Buccaneers first-round draft pick Aqib Talib is taking his share of snaps with the first-team defense and will be given every chance to start at left cornerback. Consider the effusive praise coach Jon Gruden heaped on Talib on Friday: "He's going to be the face of this franchise." While last season's top pick, emerging star Gaines Adams, was broken in slowly and was the subject of coaches' criticism in training camp, the Bucs already seem convinced Talib is the real deal.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
That has to be a good thing when Gruden is saying you'll "be the face of this franchise" doesn't it? Corner is a tough spot to be learning on the job and you can be sure he'll be tested often seeing plenty of passes thrown his way.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great Monday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update.
J