Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 9, Issue 61 (Monday, June 23rd)
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Hi Folks,
Good Tuesday to you. Hope you're doing as well as Michael Strahan this morning. We're rocking along here and I've got the news and notes you need to know plus a ton of new website content so let's get to it. JSITE NEWS
A.
More Player Faceoffs Ready
Our Player Faceoffs are always a favorite feature as we square off doing what Football fans do best: argue about a player. This latest batch features: WR A. Boldin, Ari - QB M. Bulger, StL - WR L. Coles, NYJ - RB M. Forte, Chi - TE T. Heap, Bal - RB D. McFadden, Oak - RB B. Westbrook, Phi - WR R. White, Atl - QB V. Young, Ten.
B.
From the Gut - Quarterbacks
My Partner David Dodds releases his always popular "From the Gut" series and focuses here on Quarterbacks.
C.
Deep Sea Fishing: Seattle's WR3
Footballguy Sigmund Bloom takes a look at the #3 WR position for the Seahawks and who might land the job.
D.
The Things Change Checklist 2008
Footballguy Mike Herman takes a look at the detailed checklist you'll want to hold up against every player as you look at what's different this year.
E.
More Player Spotlights
Our Player Spotlights offer some of the most detailed player analysis you'll find anywhere. We have a new batch including looks at these guys: WR D. Bowe, KC - WR J. Cotchery, NYJ - WR L. Evans, Buf - WR T. Ginn, Mia - TE O. Daniels, Hou
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. Cedric Benson Ordered To Install Breathalyzer2. CAR - Panthers WR Jarrett Pleads Guilty To DWI
3. ATL - Falcons WR Finneran Continues To Battle Back
4. CIN - Bengals RB Perry Still Facing Long Odds
5. TEN - Titans WR Williams Slow In Recovery From Ankle Surgery
6. NYJ - Jets TE Baker Showing Displeasure With With Parking Spot
7. NYG - NY Giants Waive QB Lorenzen And Four Others
8. Former Giant Strahan To Join Fox NFL Sunday
9. DEN - Broncos WR Marshall Progressing Well
10. SF - 49ers Sign OL Sims For Two Years
Cedric Benson Ordered To Install Breathalyzer
Source: Suzanne Halliburton, Austin American-Statesman
A Travis County judge changed the bail conditions for former Chicago Bears running back Cedric Benson, ordering him to install an ignition interlock breathalyzer in his car. Benson and his lawyer appeared Monday morning at a pre-trial hearing before County Court-at-Law Judge Elisabeth Earle. Earle also asked Benson to take alcohol counseling courses as a condition of his bail.
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It's pretty sad that this is the kind of news story Cedric Benson has written about him. Guy should be entering the prime of his career with one of the proudest franchises in the NFL.
CAR - Panthers WR Jarrett Pleads Guilty To DWI
Source: Darin Gantt, The Herald
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett pleaded guilty on Monday to a charge of driving while impaired. Jarrett was arrested in March after recording a blood alcohol level of 0.12. On Monday, Jarrett was given a 30-day suspended sentence, ordered to pay $420 in fines and complete 24 hours of community service. After the verdict, Jarrett said he was "happy to get this over with and learn from my mistakes."
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Another Cedric Benson type story. Although this one is a little different as Jarrett didn't rack up a second offense a few weeks after his first one here. The second strike seems to be the "trigger" that really gets the team's attention so Jarrett will clearly be watched more closely now. Let's hope he's right and that he's learned from his mistake. Why the concept of "call a limo" is so difficult for some of these guys is beyond me.
ATL - Falcons WR Finneran Continues To Battle Back
Source: D. Orlando Ledbetter, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Brian Finneran, who's battling back from knee surgeries that have caused him to miss the last two seasons, seems to be progressing. "I had to go through these whole OTAs healthy, which was my number one goal," Finneran said. "I'll just look forward to training camp now." Few players have made it back into the league after missing two full seasons. "It's rare that it happens," Finneran said. "I think six guys have done it since 1994. It's tough to do."
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We're cheering for Finneran but let's be honest - the team has moved on when it comes to WRs. He may well make it back and we hope he does, but it's hard to envision him having a big role in the WR corps right now.
CIN - Bengals RB Perry Still Facing Long Odds
Source: Carlos Holmes, Dayton Daily News
Cincinnati Bengals running back Chris Perry's playing status with the team remains up in the air after missing nearly two seasons due to a broken and dislocated ankle. He last carried the ball in Game 11 of the 2006 season against Cleveland. Now the former first-round pick is not only battling back from injury, but could be fighting for a job. Perry appears to have his work cut out for him in what is turning out to be a crowded backfield that consists of Kenny Watson, DeDe Dorsey, rookie free agent James Johnson, and starter Rudi Johnson.
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It's hard to feel too badly for guys like Cedric Benson or Travis Henry that have miss time from self imposed problems. I do feel for guys like Perry that just can't get on the field because of injury. He's in some danger there now with as many other backs as the the Bengals have put together. This will be a pivotal training camp for him.
TEN - Titans WR Williams Slow In Recovery From Ankle Surgery
Source: Jim Wyatt, The Tennessean
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Roydell Williams suffered a crack at the base of the tibia last January during practice drills, but there was no ligament or tendon damage. The surgery to repair it required plates and screws, and the hardware won't be taken out until after the season. Closing in on six months later, Williams still isn't practicing. He's still hurting. His sights are set on training camp, but with the notion he's going to have to play in pain. Meanwhile, his place in the starting lineup looks like it now belongs to newcomer Justin McCareins.
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Offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger didn't sugarcoat the situation for Williams.
"It puts him in a tough spot,'' he said. "If the other guys keep competing and doing what they're doing, he's going to have to work uphill.'' Fortunately for Williams, it's not like the Titans are rolling out All Pro wide receivers. If he can get healthy, he's got a shot but the clock is ticking.NYJ - Jets TE Baker Showing Displeasure With With Parking Spot
Source: Dave Hutchinson, New Jersey Star-Ledger
New York Jets TE Chris Baker, who has become increasingly unhappy with team brass, has found a new way to display that frustration. During the team's minicamp last week, Baker parked his red Bentley in the Team President's parking spot and refused to move. Baker has been feuding with team management because he wants a new contract. The Jets are believed to be trying to trade Baker, as they have four other TEs on the roster: TE Bubba Franks, TE Dustin Keller, TE Jason Pociask, and TE A.J. Schable.
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I'm guessing this worked better in high school than it will with the Jets.
NYG - NY Giants Waive QB Lorenzen And Four Others
Source: Tom Canavan, Associated Press via Yahoo! Sports
The New York Giants waived five players today, including backup QB Jared Lorenzen. Also waived were WR Todd Lowber, long snapper Nick Leeson, DT Brian Soi, and OL Jacobs Hobbs.
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With David Carr on board now and the prerequisite Kentucky QB in Andre Woodson there, it looks like Lorenzen was expendable. Which is a shame as I always liked the guy. People that didn't know any better couldn't see past his size but the truth is the guy can play. He'll make a good backup somewhere.
Former Giant Strahan To Join Fox NFL Sunday
Source: Sporting News
Sporting News is reporting that former NY Giants DE Michael Strahan is set to join the cast of the Fox NFL Sunday pregame show this Fall. Strahan is set to take the seat of the fourth studio analyst alongside Howie Long, Terry Bradshaw, and Jimmy Johnson. Strahan is expected to be announced in a press conference on Tuesday.
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This was anticipated so it's no surprise. He'll make a ton of money doing TV so good for him.
DEN - Broncos WR Marshall Progressing Well
Source: Jim Armstrong, Denver Post
Today was the date Denver Broncos WR Brandon Marshall had targeted as his return date. It marked the three-month anniversary of Marshall's bizarre fall through an entertainment system, the one that left his right arm in a cast. Marshall recently predicted another 100-catch season, and that he hoped to be catching balls with both hands by today's date. Marshall showed up at Broncos headquarters along with several of his teammates. They didn't throw the ball around, but he lifted weights and ran, a typical Monday in mid-June.
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So far so good. Marshall didn't work out catching the ball today but it sounds like he's very close. We'll see pretty soon when camp opens where he is but everything is looking pretty positive here.
SF - 49ers Sign OL Sims For Two Years
Source: Matt Barrows, Sacramento Bee
Free agent OL Barry Sims has accepted a two-year deal from the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers won out over the Rams, Ravens and Patriots. Sims, who has been working out at Athletes Performance in Tempe, Ariz., is expected to sign the deal tomorrow, said his agent Ken Vierra.
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Excellent news for Sims and the 49ers. He said last week that he'd make a decision early this week and he looks like he was true to his word. This gives him time to get ready for camp and start adjusting to the offense. And it gives the 49ers some needed depth.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great Tuesday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update.
J