Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 9, Issue 58 (Friday, June 20th)
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Hi Folks,
Welcome to the weekend. Hope you're set for a great one. We are here as we continue bringing you the News and Notes you need to remain the smartest owner in your league. Let's get to it. JSITE NEWS
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. BUF - Bills RB Lynch Expected To Plead Guilty2. MIN - Case Continued For OT McKinnie
3. TEN - WR Ealy Turning Heads In Titans Camp
4. IND - WR Questions Linger As Colts Approach Training Camp
5. ARZ - Cardinals QB Leinart Needs To Improve Footwork
6. TB - Bucs QB Simms May Be Nearing His Freedom
7. ATL - Falcons HC Smith Cancels Upcoming Mandatory Mini-Camp
8. SF - STL - Free Agent OL Sims Lists 49ers and Rams As Top Choices
9. NYG - Giants Sign WR Thorpe
10. MIA - Dolphins OL Carey Victim Of Theft
BUF - Bills RB Lynch Expected To Plead Guilty
Source: Matt Gryta, Buffalo News
According to Erie County District Attorney Frank J. Clark, his office has reached an agreement with Buffalo Bills RB Marshawn Lynch and his attorney that will resolve the investigation of the May 31 incident in which a vehicle driven by Lynch struck a pedestrian. Clark refused to disclose what criminal charge Lynch will face in court. He expects the investigation and prosecution of the traffic offense will be resolved next week. Clark said that after "a great deal of back and forth" negotiations, he and Lynch's attorney, "have reached an agreement in principle." Clark refused to say the nature of the expected misdemeanor or traffic violation that Lynch will be charged with.
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Finally. We'll see how this plays out legally. But as we've said, the legal part may not be Lynch's biggest worry as Roger Goodell may well have something to add to this. Stay tuned.
MIN - Case Continued For OT McKinnie
Source: Chip Scoggins, Minneapolis Star-Tribune
Minnesota Vikings OT Bryant McKinnie had his criminal case continued during a court hearing in Miami today. McKinnie, who faces four charges stemming from a brawl outside a Miami nightclub, has another court date Sept. 24. McKinnie has pleaded not guilty to all charges. In other news, the Vikings waived WR Justin Surrency and RB Arkee Whitlock on Thursday. The team can only carry 80 players on the roster going into training camp so the Vikings need to make room for their draft picks who they will attempt to sign next month.
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The legal process at work here. McKinnie isn't out of the woods just yet though. And as is the case with Marshawn Lynch, he has the league office to worry about as well as the legal system.
TEN - WR Ealy Turning Heads In Titans Camp
Source: Jim Wyatt, Nashville Tennessean
The Tennessee Titans had success with WR Drew Bennett as an undrafted free agent in 2001. A similar success story seems to be developing with WR Biren Ealy, undrafted last season, who has been one of the team's biggest stars this offseason. "Everyone is saying we need a wideout, but we have guys like Biren who's under the radar," TE Bo Scaife said. "He's going to surprise a lot of people on the outside, although everyone on this team knows what he's capable of."
Teammates and coaches said they've seen a relentless worker who's determined to make a difference. Ealy has regularly worked with the first team in three-receiver sets. When starter Justin Gage was excused on Wednesday, Ealy lined up opposite Justin McCareins with the first unit.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
If nothing else, Biren Ealy gets my attention because his name is hard to spell. Seriously though, the conventional wisdom is really down on the Titan receivers but maybe it's a guy like Ealy that can emerge. This is the right situation for a value guy to rise up. Context and situation are huge parts of a player's success and Ealy definitely will have a shot here. Keep an eye on him.
IND - WR Questions Linger As Colts Approach Training Camp
Source: John Clayton, ESPN
The Indianapolis Colts have to develop key backups for their passing offense. Behind Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne and Anthony Gonzalez at receiver, the Colts don't know what they have. That was a problem last year. Injuries to their top three receivers in the middle of the season forced them to use Aaron Moorehead more than they planned. Moorehead is gone. The Colts are trying to develop Roy Hall, Devin Aromashhodu and former Titan Courtney Roby as fourth and fifth receivers. With Harrison's knee being a question mark, that role is important if the Colts want to maintain their three-receiver offense without Harrison.
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The Colts do need to determine their 4th and 5th WRs. But excuse me for not being too worried about a WR corps featuring Harrison, Wayne and Gonzalez. Harrison's knee is a question but I'll take those three. With Peyton Manning throwing the ball, it is worth your while to keep an eye on who earns those back up roles. We'll be watching closely for you this summer.
ARZ - Cardinals QB Leinart Needs To Improve Footwork
Source: Larry Weisman, USA Today
Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt has looked long and hard at quarterback Matt Leinart's footwork and wants it corrected. "What he was doing last year was crossing over his first step and not getting away from the center, and that creates situations on a five-step drop where he is not 9 yards deep, or he is not far enough behind the line of scrimmage," Whisenhunt says. "He wasn't getting far enough from the line of scrimmage, which makes it difficult protection-wise, makes it difficult for timing of routes. It also makes the throwing alleys a little bit more constricted."
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This isn't a big deal. Footwork is often a struggle for the younger QBs and Leinart will be able to put down the beer bong and dive into practice here. He's facing a pretty pivotal year as Kurt Warner isn't conceding the starting job at all. The Cardinals are going to be facing some tough decisions with a "win now" mentality which probably means Warner or a "win in the future" angle which would likely mean allowing Leinart to develop and go through some growing pains.
TB - Bucs QB Simms May Be Nearing His Freedom
Source: Roy Cummings, Tampa Tribune
Quarterback Chris Simms may not have to wait much longer for the release he wants from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Armed with a league-issued mandate to reduce their roster to 80 players by the start of training camp, the Bucs already have begun the process of purging players. The Bucs will need to cut at least eight more players between now and the July 26 start of camp workouts. Whether Simms will be among those let go remains uncertain, but the chances have increased as a result of the mandate.
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It's the right thing for Tampa to do here in letting Simms find a spot somewhere else. It seems pretty obvious they don't see a future for him in Tampa and he sounds like he doesn't want to be there any longer. Probably best for both sides to move on.
ATL - Falcons HC Smith Cancels Upcoming Mandatory Mini-Camp
Source: D. Orlando Ledbetter, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith announced on Thursday that he has canceled a mandatory three-day mini-camp that had been scheduled to occur next week. The team's players will next gather on July 25, when they are scheduled to report to Training Camp.
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This was no doubt a popular move for coach Smith in letting the players have some extra time off before camp. He says it's a reward for them working hard. The coaching staff also likely appreciates the time off as they've been scrambling to get established. As we know, how this is perceived later depends entirely on the Win-Loss record. If they win, the move is genius as Smith "understands the players" and knows when to back off. If they lose this year, this type of thing is proof that Smith is too soft and doesn't discipline the team. Only time will tell.
SF - STL - Free Agent OL Sims Lists 49ers and Rams As Top Choices
Source: Matthew Barrows, Sacramento Bee
Barry Sims will use the weekend to decide where he will play next season, and as predicted, his top choices are the 49ers and Rams. The Patriots, who are relatively rich at the tackle position, have dropped out of the running for Sims' services while the Ravens are in third place.
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The Ravens are also in the mix reportedly. The factor for Sims apparently is which team will give him the best chance for playing time. Both San Francisco and St. Louis have needs on the OL so both seem to be attractive from a playing time opportunity angle. Sims will reportedly make a decision early next week.
Source: AP
The Giants acquired wide receiver-returner Craphonso Thorpe on waivers.
Thorpe was waived by the Jacksonville Jaguars earlier this week. He played five games last season for the Indianapolis Colts, catching 12 passes for 70 yards and a touchdown, while averaging 21.2 yards on kickoff returns. His best game was in the regular season finale against Tennessee, when he caught six passes for 23 yards, including a 3-yard touchdown.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
I don't know how much of an impact Thorpe will make in New York. But as a BlackEyedJoe.com All Name Team Hall of Famer, we always have to keep with where he is...
MIA - Dolphins OL Carey Victim Of Theft
Source: Harvey Fialkov, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Miami Dolphins RT Vernon Carey returned from vacation this week to find his Mercedes GL 550 up on blocks on his driveway at his home with the tires and four rims gone. Carey reported the theft to the police on Tuesday after a friend informed him of the robbery. According to the police report, the 22-inch rims were valued at $6,000. Nothing else was taken.
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Sorry, it's a slow news day...
That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great Saturday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update.
J