Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 9, Issue 55 (Tuesday, June 17th)
|
Sign Up For Free Newsletter
85,000+ Mailing List |
Hi Folks,
Good Wednesday to you. Hope you're into a great week as we pass the midway point. We've got plenty of news and notes you'll need to keep up with so let's get to it. JINSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. CIN - Bengals WR Chad Johnson To Have Ankle Surgery2. DAL - WR Glenn Frustrated And Wants Release
3. NYG - Burresss Optimistic He'll Have New Deal Soon
4. CIN - Bengals FB Johnson Could Lose Job
5. DAL - Cowboys WR Owens Excused From Minicamp
6. NE - Sen. Specter Will Not Seek Further Spygate Hearings
7. SF - 49ers Reportedly In Running For FA OL Sims
8. TB - Bucs RB Graham To Attend Minicamp, QB Simms Undecided
9. MIN - Free Agent WR Rogers Will Not Work Out For Vikings
10. DEF - SEA - Seahawks LB Tatupu Pleads Not Guilty On DUI Charge
11. DEF - ATL - Falcons Release DB Williams
CIN - Bengals WR Chad Johnson To Have Ankle Surgery
Source: Adam Schefter, NFL Network
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson is scheduled to undergo ankle surgery Wednesday, reports NFL Network's Adam Schefter. Despite the procedure, Johnson is expected to be ready for training camp. Last week, Johnson and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, pointed out that the receiver had bone chips in his ankle but fully participated in drills during Bengals minicamp.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
We mentioned this in yesterday's update and it looks like it's going to happen. He still looks to be ready for camp so it's not a panic situation. Although we'll definitely be watching his progress here.
DAL - WR Glenn Frustrated And Wants Release
Source: Tim MacMahon, Dallas Morning News
I was told that I would be released if I didn't sign [the split salary agreement]," Glenn said. "So I said that I wasn't signing, I think we should get on with it, I don't see what the problem is. If I can't participate in team activities, then what's the use? I'm frustrated as hell. I thought it was unfair in the first place."
Glenn was offered $345,000 before the NFL draft as a split salary offer by the team and said if he didn't sign it he would be released. The team upped it to $500,000 about three weeks ago and Glenn told them he wouldn't sign it. Glenn said he likes Jerry Jones a lot but feels it's unfair to sign the split salary agreement. Glenn said if the Cowboys believe in his health they should let him just play without the split salary agreement. Five weeks ago, Glenn said the team told him to visit his doctor in Ohio to get his knee checked out. Glenn said an MRI showed his knee was fine. "That's all I needed to know and if they want to play that card, then so be it," Glenn said. "There's nothing they're going to be able to do. It doesn't bother me, even if they pull and twist on it, it wouldn't hurt. They just have to go off on what they think."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Jerry Jones isn't a guy that's used to having his hand called publicly. But he put Glenn in this situation and Glenn did not fold like they expected. He is effectively calling Jones now. Will Jones concede? Stay tuned.
NYG - Burresss Optimistic He'll Have New Deal Soon
Source: Mike Garafolo, NJ.com
In an interview Tuesday with former Eagle Ike Reese on Sportsradio 610 WIP-AM in Philly, Plaxico Burress said he doesn't believe his contract demands with the Giants will cause him to miss any time in Albany.
"Honestly, I think my situation is going to be rectified before training camp," Burress told Reese, a fellow former Michigan State Spartan. "I'm not going to worry about it, but I did state that I was unhappy with my current situation with my contract. It'll be worked out."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
The key here will be defining "rectified". Is that a huge new deal? Or just a tweak to acknowledge his contribution last year and playing hurt? I think it'll most likely be something in the middle there.
CIN - Bengals FB Johnson Could Lose Job
Source: Chick Ludwig, Dayton Daily News
Cincinnati Bengals FB Jeremi Johnson is due to carry a $1.25 million cap number this season. He was made the highest-paid FB in the league in April 2006, signing through 2011. Johnson has ballooned from 260 pounds to 300-plus and Ludwig speculates that he is "nowhere near getting on the field." Ludwig speculates that backup FB Daniel Coats is a better player, and his cap number is about 25% of Johnson's, which could make Johnson expendable.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
It's a numbers game at this level and when you can be replaced by a guy with a much more desirable cap number, you'd better be ready to move along. That could happen to Johnson here.
DAL - Cowboys WR Owens Excused From Minicamp
Source: Tim MacMahon, Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens is not here for mandatory minicamp and will not make an appearance at Valley Ranch the rest of the week, per a team spokesman. T.O. is dealing with a personal matter not related to last week's drug-testing issue. He took his physical yesterday and was excused for the rest of the week. Ken Hamlin and Terry Glenn, who are in contract squabbles with the Cowboys, are the only other players who aren't here.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Expect the Owens haters to run with this one. Bottom line is it won't make one bit of difference in the long run. Owens will be right there and he'll be fine.
NE - Sen. Specter Will Not Seek Further Spygate Hearings
Source: ESPN, Associated Press
Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., who threatened a congressional inquiry into the way the National Football League handled its "Spygate" investigation of the New England Patriots' videotaping practices, said he will not seek hearings on the matter, the Philadelphia Daily News reported. Specter told the newspaper's editorial board on Monday that "I've gone as far as I can" with his office's investigation of the matter.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Just for you guys keeping up with Senator Specter...
SF - 49ers Reportedly In Running For FA OL Sims
Source: Matt Maiocco, Press Democrat
The San Francisco 49ers remain in the running to sign veteran offensive tackle Barry Sims, who visited four teams last week. The Raiders released Sims in a salary-cap move earlier this offseason. The 49ers are in need of a veteran who can play tackle. Joe Staley and Jonas Jennings are slated to start at left and right tackle, respectively. But the 49ers have little - or no - proven depth behind the presumptive starters. The 49ers moved rookie Chilo Rachal to right tackle at the beginning of the organized team activities (OTAs). But Rachal would probably move back to guard if they acquired Sims.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
This has been a long search for the 49ers. I'm sure they'd love to add a veteran Olineman like Sims. He'd bring experience and depth and hopefully upgrade the line as well. Stay tuned.
TB - Bucs RB Graham To Attend Minicamp, QB Simms Undecided
Source: Rick Stroud, St. Petersburg Times
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Chris Simms said he was undecided whether to attend any of the four workouts scheduled today through Thursday. Last week, the Bucs' beleaguered quarterback put those odds at 50 percent. Meanwhile, all indications are that running back Earnest Graham will attend the mandatory minicamp.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Good news for Graham owners as it looks like he's coming around. Less good news for Chris Simms as it seems he's stuck in that goofy situation in Tampa.
MIN - Free Agent WR Rogers Will Not Work Out For Vikings
Source: Judd Zulgad, Minneapolis Star Tribune
Contrary to other reports on the Internet, free agent wide receiver Charles Rogers will not be working out for the Minnesota Vikings in the coming days.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
We said it when the report came out - Montreal is a better fit for Rogers...
DEF - SEA - Seahawks LB Tatupu Pleads Not Guilty On DUI Charge
Source: Jose' Miguel Romero, Seattle Times
The attorney for Seattle Seahawks MLB Lofa Tatupu entered a plea of not guilty on the charge of driving under the influence for his client this morning. Tatupu was arrested May 10 after taking three field-sobriety tests and declining to take a portable Breathalyzer. His blood-alcohol content was measured at 0.155 and 0.158 in breath tests administered at the Kirkland Police Department. A pretrial hearing is next for Tatupu.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Starting to tire of the DUI cases here. How hard is it really not to drive drunk?
DEF - ATL - Falcons Release DB Williams
Source: Steve Wyche, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Atlanta Falcons released S Jimmy Williams Tuesday, parting with their top pick of the 2006 NFL Draft. "It's a football decision," HC Mike Smith said. "It's a decision we made. We've been evaluating." Williams reported to offseason workouts weighing more than 230 pounds. Williams steadily fell to the back of the depth chart. "I knew it could get to this point, but I wasn't sure it would," Williams said in his hometown of Hampton, Va. "They've been upset with my weight, but I didn't think the weight thing was a big issue. I thought they were hiding behind that. Other than that, there weren't any real disputes between me and the Falcons."
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Looks like the Bears aren't the only team parting ways with first round picks. At some point, you have to make that decision to part ways. Looks like the Falcons have made that call. I bet there aren't too many players that show up overweight for training camp.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great Wednesday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update.
J