Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 9, Issue 56 (Wednesday, June 18th)
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Hi Folks,
Good Thursday to you. Cool day today as I'm holding in my hand the new Footballguys Strategy Guide Magazine. We live on the web and email and I love this medium but I'll admit there is something still very cool to me about a magazine. And I love ours. Check out the ordering info below and we'll have one shipped your way so you can have it before your friends get one off the newsstand. We've also got some news and notes for you. Good news for Javon Walker and Chad Johnson. Let's get to it. JSITE NEWS
A.
Footballguys Magazines In Hand And Ready To Ship
We have the 2008 Footballguys Strategy Guide Magazines in hand and ready to ship. They look great. You can click the link on the headline to see sample pages and what you'll be getting. We're partial of course but we think it's the best magazine out there.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. OAK - Raiders WR Walker Released From Hospital - Expected To Be Ready For Camp2. BAL - QB Smith Taking Lead For Starting Job
3. DAL - Cowboys WR Glenn Changes Stance On Waiver
4. CHI - Bears Don't Plan To Add Free Agent RB
5. CIN - WR Johnson Expected To Be Ready For Camp After Ankle Surgery
6. ARZ - Cardinals RB Arrington Charged With Disorderly Conduct
7. TB - Bucs QB McCown Has Inside Track To Be Backup
8. SEA - Seahawks Needing Young WRs To Shine
9. GB - Packers RB Grant Attends Mini-Camp, But Does Not Practice
10. DEF - GB - Packers DE Gbaja-Biamila Says He'll Be Ready For Training Camp
11. DEF - GB - Packers Growing Impatient With DT Harrell
OAK - Raiders WR Walker Released From Hospital - Expected To Be Ready For Camp
Source: Ken Ritter, Associated Press
Oakland Raiders WR Javon Walker was released from the hospital, and his agent released a statement Wednesday in which the 29-year-old Walker, who is said to be "quickly recovering", thanked those who offered prayers and support. "Javon looks forward to getting back to his family and teammates," the statement said, "and is looking forward to the start of the upcoming season."
Coach Lane Kiffin sounded optimistic. "The info that I have is he's going to be fine," Kiffin said. "Training camp won't be an issue. ... But until our guys look at him, I don't want to say (the extent of Walker's injuries)."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Good news for Walker and the Raiders. Let's see how he looks when he gets back to the team. But this fortunately looks like it's not as bad as it might have been.
BAL - QB Smith Taking Lead For Starting Job
Source: Don Banks, Sports Illustrated
Second-year Baltimore Ravens QB Troy Smith has made such huge strides this spring that he has passed up Kyle Boller as the odds-on favorite to be the Ravens opening-day starter. Smith has excited Ravens brass with his rapid development after starting the final two games of 2007, and it's understood that there will be no competition between him and Boller in camp. OC Cam Cameron has Smith moving around and throwing on the run, in part to better utilize his athleticism and minimize the problems the 6-foot Smith has in finding clear throwing lanes. Rookie QB Joe Flacco seems to be Smith's only competition for the Week 1 starting job.
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This is Don Banks' opinion but he's a guy that knows football and when he talks you'd do well to listen. Let's see how camp starts off to see how much of a competition there truly is in camp. I've always been leery that Smith could make up for his height but it sounds like he's making big strides. Stay tuned.
DAL - Cowboys WR Glenn Changes Stance On Waiver
Source: Ed Werder, ESPN
Dallas Cowboys WR Terry Glenn now seems interested in pursuing a resolution that might allow him to rejoin his teammates in the upcoming season. Last night, Glenn more clearly defined the issues and provided insights into the impasse that has separated him from his teammates throughout the offseason. "I want Jerry (Jones) to understand that I know he has the ultimate power in everything that goes on with the Cowboys, and I'm not trying to challenge him in any way, shape or form," Glenn said. "He can -- and will -- determine the outcome of this because it's ultimately his decision. But what I want is to remain a Cowboy. I've been here for five years and I've made Dallas my home, and I would love nothing more than to be a Dallas Cowboy."
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With this kind of back pedaling, the Cowboys might want to put Glenn at cornerback. He went from calling Jerry Jones' bluff to "Jerry is the MAN". I'd say he changed his tune after checking the free agent market for aging WRs coming off knee surgery. It's also worth noting that Glenn fired his agent during all this and is now representing himself. Which means we're likely to see more Daunte Culpepper type moments on this if this drags out for very long.
CHI - Bears Don't Plan To Add Free Agent RB
Source: AP
The Bears are prepared to go with rookie Matt Forte and the running backs on their roster, despite the decision to cut starter Cedric Benson following two offseason alcohol-related arrests. It's unlikely the Bears will be in the market for a free agent running back, even with veterans like Shaun Alexander and Ron Dayne seeking jobs.
"We don't have any plans to do that," Smith said. "From Matt to Adrian Peterson to Garrett Wolfe, to P.J. Pope, Matt Lawrence, we like all of our players and those are the ones that we're going with."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Matt Forte went from being our value pick to being everyone's favorite once Cedric Benson was released. We've seen the Bears backup RBs play. When Lovie Smith says they aren't adding anyone, we think what this means is that Matt Forte is going to see the ball a lot. Granted, we haven't seen him at this level yet but I love the young guy and he's been impressive in what little they've done in camp.
CIN - WR Johnson Expected To Be Ready For Camp After Ankle Surgery
Source: Geoff Hobson, Bengals.com
In an effort to get back on the field and throw with quarterback Carson Palmer before training camp, Chad Johnson had what are thought to be bone spurs and chips removed from his right ankle Wednesday. The Bengals said in a press release that he's expected to ready by the time of the first training camp practice on July 28, more proof that the five-time Pro Bowl receiver plans no holdout.
The club said Bengals orthopedic surgeon Angelo Colosimo did the deed in Cincinnati without complication. If form holds true, Johnson would be able to participate with Palmer in a passing camp in Los Angeles that starts the second week of July. When Johnson had a similar procedure a few years ago in the offseason on his left ankle, he returned to practice in two weeks.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Just following up on this story for you. Sounds like everything went as planned and it was a good reminder from Mr. Hobson that Johnson returned from a similar procedure a couple of years ago in just two weeks.
ARZ - Cardinals RB Arrington Charged With Disorderly Conduct
Source: Associated Press, NFL.com
Arizona RB J.J. Arrington was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct early Wednesday morning following a fight that took place at a North Carolina night club. Arrington was one of five people arrested as a result of the altercation.
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For you guys keeping up with the Police Blotter...
TB - Bucs QB McCown Has Inside Track To Be Backup
Source: Anwar S. Richardson, Tampa Tribune
According to Richardson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Luke McCown appears to be ahead of backup QB Brian Griese right now and is usually the second quarterback to receive reps after starter Jeff Garcia. So far, McCown has looked tremendously sharp and HC Jon Gruden has praised his progress.
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Jeff Garcia isn't the happiest of campers and he's also not the youngest guy on the field. In other words, you need to have your eye on Tampa's back up QB. McCown has looked sharp so far. We'll see how he fares when the intensity is raised but so far, he's looking like the #2 guy there.
SEA - Seahawks Needing Young WRs To Shine
Source: Mike Sando, ESPN
With WR Deion Branch coming off ACL surgery and D.J. Hackett gone, the Seattle Seahawks need some of its younger receivers to help out Bobby Engram and Nate Burleson early in the season. The team remains high on Courtney Taylor, Logan Payne and Ben Obomanu. The team needs one or more of them to catch passes in games. For that to happen, the three youngsters must prove themselves worthy of QB Matt Hasselbeck's consideration during training camp. "When you throw Branch's injury into the situation and Bobby's situation, our wide receiver group, I couldn't tell you how we're going to line up right now," HC Mike Holmgren said.
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We're with Holmgren on this one - right now, the Seattle WRs are a tough bunch to sort out. It's always difficult to predict which young receivers will rise to the challenge. We'll be watching training camp for you closely to see which guy or guys emerge.
GB - Packers RB Grant Attends Mini-Camp, But Does Not Practice
Source: Associated Press, NFL.com
Green Bay Packers running back Ryan Grant sat out the team's Tuesday morning mandatory minicamp practice to express his continued displeasure with his lack of a long-term deal. "I want to let it be known that I'm a part of this team and I want to be one of the leaders," Grant said. "I want to do everything possible. The business aspect doesn't allow me to practice, but everything I can do, I'm definitely doing."
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Grant is in an interesting spot as he emerged last year and out performed his contract. Now he'd like to cash in on that with a longer term contract. But he knows he doesn't have the track record to come in demanding a lot. So he's been pretty low key with it and that seems to be working.
Coach Mike McCarthy sounds optimistic. "I think he has done the best that he possibly can, based on their approach, and that is really what I keep focused on," McCarthy said last week. "It's a business matter, and he will stay the course and hopefully we'll get it resolved."DEF - GB - Packers DE Gbaja-Biamila Says He'll Be Ready For Training Camp
Source: Associated Press, NFL.com
Green Bay DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila feels that he will be ready in time for training camp despite the fact that he continues to rehab the knee that was operated on during the offseason. "I have no doubt that I should be ready for training camp," Gbaja-Biamila said. "If this was the season, I'd probably be out there trying to get back on the field."
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KGB is a tough guy and he's making a nice recovery here. Still, he's got a little ways to go in order to be ready for camp. File this one away and see if he hits his target.
DEF - GB - Packers Growing Impatient With DT Harrell
Source: Rob Demovsky, Green Bay Press Gazette
The Green Bay Packers are "quietly concerned" that the development of DT Justin Harrell is being hampered by his time nursing injuries. Harrell was a 1st round pick in 2007, and he missed most of last year's offseason program while recovering from the torn left biceps tendon that limited him to just three games during his final season at the University of Tennessee. He was inactive for the first four games of last season, then missed five more games later in the season with an ankle injury. Early in the offseason program this year, Harrell sustained a disc injury in his lower back while lifting weights and needed surgery. He missed the entire month of OTAs and this week's mandatory minicamp. "Young players need reps," McCarthy said. "It's important for him, No. 1, to get healthy. You can't do anything if you're not healthy."
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You can't make the club in the tub. It's an old saying but there's a reason it's still around - it's true. As talented as Harrell is (and he's very talented), he's not much value to the Packers if he can't get healthy.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Thanks for reading and have a great Thursday. We'll see you tomorrow with the update.
J