Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 9, Issue 64 (Thursday, June 26th)
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Hi Folks,
Welcome to Friday. Hope you're ready. We are here. Although Friday is pretty much like every other day for us here as we're bringing you all the News and Notes you'll need plus a ton of new content from the website. Plus we've got some of the Footballguys magazines still left so grab your copy before they hit the newsstand. Have a great Friday. JSITE NEWS
A.
New Footballguys Audible Podcast - Mark Schlereth Interview
One of the things we love doing is branching out into different mediums and podcasting is one we've been in for a while with our Footballguys Audible. Check out the newest edition here by clicking on the headline link. In This Episode: Cecil Lammey and Sigmund Bloom interview Mark Schlereth, NFL analyst from ESPN. Topics Include: can Matt Leinart become the franchise QB the Cardinals envisioned, how great will Houstons run game be with the addition of OL coach Alex Gibbs, the pressure that Aaron Rodgers will face while trying to replace Brett Favre, will there be labor peace in the NFL, plus more!
B.
Footballguys Magazine Is Shipping NOW
We still have copies left of the hot off the press 2008 Footballguys Strategy Guide Magazine. I'm biased of course but I think it's the best magazine out there. We keep the same philosophy with the magazine as we do our website - the focus is tons of information and analysis and less on shiny graphics or pretty pictures. We love the web and email of course. But there's something special about print still and we're exceptionally proud of this magazine. We think you will be too. It's slated to hit most newsstands next week so if you order online, you'll still beat your buddies as Priority Mail shipping is included in the pricing. Click on the link in the headline to see more details and to order.
C.
Breaking Down NFL Defenses
Our Footballguy John Norton gives an in depth primer on how to find IDP production among NFL Defenses.
D.
FBG Futures Revisited
Footballguy Jeff Pasquino takes a deep look at the 2008 Keeper List for owners who have to forecast out into the future.
E.
Examining Rookie Performance
Footballguy Jeff Tefertiller looks at Rookie Performance and how experienced owners can separate the hype from reality.
F.
Examining Rookie Performance - QBs
Footballguy Jeff Tefertiller zeroes in on looking at the rookie quarterbacks and how they traditionally perform.
G.
Examining Rookie Performance - TEs
Footballguy Jeff Tefertiller takes a look at the rookie TEs and how they perform.
H.
Reading the Defense Offseason Report
Footballguy Jene Bramel is back with his Reading the Defense column and is breaking down the nuances of defensive schemes and coaching philosophies to better understand defensive football.
I.
New Projections - Again
It's Friday so that must mean a new set of the most detailed stat projections you'll find anywhere. Let the other guys in your league draft from outdated generic cheatsheets. While you're using the latest projections with the detail you need to dial in your rankings to your scoring system.
J.
More Player Spotlights
Our Footballguys Player Spotlights offer the most detailed look you'll see at these players anywhere. This week, we've added Spotlights for: RB R. Brown, Mia. - QB J. Cutler, Den - WR L. Evans, Buf. - RB J. Fargas, Oak - QB D. Garrard, Jac - WR T. Ginn, Mia - RB T. Jones, NYJ - TE H. Miller, Pit - TE B. Utecht, Cin
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. TEN - TE Crumpler Meshing Well With QB Young2. SEA - PK Mare Outperforming Rookie Coutu
3. OAK - WR Coach Sherman, Others Worried About WR Walker
4. CHI - Weird History Fact For Bears Leaders
5. MIA - Dolphins RB Williams Plans On Four More Years Of Football
6. NYG - Giants End Efforts To Trade TE Shockey
7. DAL - Looking To Add Free Agent WR Joe Horn?
8. Kevin Jones Cancels June 28 Workout
9. NYG - Deal Close For RB Jacobs?
10. DEF - MIN - S Griffith Retires As A Viking
TEN - TE Crumpler Meshing Well With QB Young
Source: Atlanta Journal Constitution, Associated Press
Titans TE Alge Crumpler is very much looking forward to succeeding with QB Vince Young and it is showing out on the practice field. The two have made a quick connection during minicamp and it no doubt helps that OC Mike Heimerdinger enjoys using tight ends down field in the passing game. "It's just been a match made in heaven thus far," Crumpler said of Young. "I thought coming in here would be a good situation for me, and it's [done] nothing but met my expectations, above and beyond my expectations thus far," he said.
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Things are often rosy in June and rougher in August but don't let this little tidbit slip by you. When he's on his game, Crumpler is a special TE. And the Titans certainly don't have an All Pro stable of wide receivers that will be squeezing Crumpler for passes. Let's watch this one very close through camp but it's shaping up to be a really nice setup for Crumpler and also for Young.
SEA - PK Mare Outperforming Rookie Coutu
Source: Frank Hughes, Tacoma News Tribune
Despite the recent signing of rookie PK Brandon Coutu, veteran PK Olindo Mare has the upper hand through the team's minicamp. Mare has appeared to be the more accurate kicker with the stronger leg, but the team used a seventh-round draft pick on Coutu because they thought he was the most talented kicker in the draft.
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We told you yesterday about the Seahawks signing Coutu but it looks like Mare has a very different idea on who will be kicking in Seattle this year. Kicker battles don't always draw the most attention in Training Camp but it looks like the Seahawks will have one this summer. Whoever wins the job may be flying under the radar of some owners in your league and could be a decent late round pick.
OAK - WR Coach Sherman, Others Worried About WR Walker
Source: Bill Williamson, ESPN
Since Raiders WR Javon Walker watched his friend and Broncos teammate CB Darrent Williams die in his arms, the last 18 months have been nothing short of traumatic. Walker was recently a victim of a robbery in which the suspects beat him unconscious in Las Vegas. Cowboys WR Coach Ray Sherman, who has served as Walker's mentor, is concerned for his pupil. "We need to sit down and talk. He needs to say what is going on, what is bothering him. We need to hammer it out. I'm concerned. I'm worried about him," Sherman said. Former teammate S John Lynch has also expressed concern. "When I heard this week that [the robbery] happened in Vegas, it immediately made me think of the past....He's been through stuff few of us can imagine. He's really a good guy. I just hope the best for him." Lynch said.
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Losing a friend the way Walker did can have some dramatic effects on a person. Hopefully he can pull things together and get back on the right track. The Raiders are counting on him in a big way to be a contributor to an offense they're trying to revive.
CHI - Weird History Fact For Bears Leaders
Source: ChicagoBears.com
From the Bears Q&A area where readers can ask questions, this one was asked:
I just noticed that the players who led the Bears in passing yards (Brian Griese), rushing yards (Cedric Benson) and receiving yards (Bernard Berrian) last season are no longer on the roster. Has this ever happened with the Bears?[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
According to Chicagobears.com, the answer is no. This isn't like a historical thing for the Texans or Jaguars. This has never happened for the Bears since 1932 when they started keeping track of this sort of thing. Yikes.
MIA - Dolphins RB Williams Plans On Four More Years Of Football
Source: Associated Press, NFL.com
Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams said during an interview on Thursday that he believes he has four more seasons of professional football left in him before he decides to retire for good. Williams had briefly retired from the league following the 2003 season.
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I like Ricky Williams but seriously, let's not look past this season with him. Even just this year is a pretty long time frame to think about what he's going to be doing. Williams is more a week to week kind of guy.
NYG - Giants End Efforts To Trade TE Shockey
Source: Vinny DiTrani, Bergin Record
According to one of DiTrani's team sources, a source that has been accurate much of the time, the Giants have given up efforts to try to trade TE Jeremy Shockey. The rumor had been a very complicated multi-team deal was in the works, one which relied on a lot of things falling into place. One of the things that wasn't, however, was Shockey's ankle, and his inability to pass a team physical.
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This fits with all that we've been hearing as well. There just wasn't any interest from other teams at the price the Giants were asking. He might be unhappy in New York, but it looks like that's where he'll be this year.
DAL - Looking To Add Free Agent WR Joe Horn?
Source: Adam Schefter, NFL Network
NFL Network's Adam Schefter is reporting that depending on how the Terry Glenn situation is resolved, Dallas may be looking to add free agent Joe Horn as a WR.
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This would probably make sense for Dallas if Glenn wasn't healthy or wasn't there. Horn is a guy on the definite downhill side of his career but he's a smart player and could contribute to this team.
Kevin Jones Cancels June 28 Workout
Source: Adam Schefter, NFL Network
Kevin Jones had been scheduled for another workout June 28 to show prospective teams he's healthy and ready. His trainer's made some pretty large claims about how ready Jones will be. He's now canceled this last workout saying that teams have already seen all they need to see.
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This is a little bit curious as Jones still has plenty to prove to teams. Perhaps he feels it's better to work out individually for teams that are interested. He had a serious injury and he's returning well before many thought he could. So he's got a lot of convincing to do.
NYG - Deal Close For RB Jacobs?
Source: Vinny DiTrani, Bergin Record
Giants RB Brandon Jacobs is back from a visit to Hershey, where former GM Ernie Accorsi resides. But Jacobs did not go out there to visit with Accorsi, probably just to take his son to the water park.
But now that he's back negotiations are continuing on a four-year contract which could be concluded any day now.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Mr. DiTrani seems to think a deal is close for extending Jacobs' contract. With Chris Snee's deal now complete, they may be able to get this done. It probably doesn't hurt Jacob's negotiating position any to have Ahmad Bradshaw behind bars.
DEF - MIN - S Griffith Retires As A Viking
Source: Kevin Seifert, ESPN
According to a team source, the Minnesota Vikings have signed safety Robert Griffith to a ceremonial contract so he can retire as a member of the team. Griffith, 37, last played for Arizona in 2006.
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Cool move by the Vikings and congrats to Griffith. Best wishes in whatever is next for him.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great Friday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update.
J