Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 9, Issue 65 (Friday, June 27th)
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Hi Folks,
Good Saturday to you. Welcome to the weekend as we've got the News and Notes you'll want to stay on top of everything. Thanks to Footballguy Mark Wimer for the help on digging up these stories today. Let's get to it. JINSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. BUF - RB Lynch Pleads Guilty to Minor Infraction, Apologizes2. DEN - WR Marshall's Story Challenged by Ex's Attorney
3. DEN - TE Scheffler Says Foot is Back to Normal
4. NE - WR Jackson Works with First Team Extensively
5. ARI - QB Warner, Team Not Progressing in Contract Talks
6. TEN - WR Jones Court Date Aug 25th on Gun Charge
7. JAX - Rookie RB Washington Signed to Contract
8. DET - Rookie OL Cherilus To Serve 1 Year Probation for Bar Brawl
9. DAL- Training Camp Schedule for Oxnard California
10. HOU - Rookie QB Brink Signs with Texans
11. OAK - QB Keller Signs Rookie Contract
12. MIA - Dolphins' Young WRs Garner Praise
13. DEF - Jags Work to Sign DE Harvey Before Training Camp
14. DEF - NE - LB Bruschi Feels Great, Fired Up
BUF - RB Lynch Pleads Guilty to Minor Infraction, Apologizes
Source: ESPN AP report
Buffalo running back Marshawn Lynch apologized to the victim Friday before heading into the Department of Motor Vehicles office to plead guilty to a traffic infraction - failure to exercise due care. He later apologized in writing to the team and its fans.
The plea was part of a deal reached by Lynch's lawyer and the Erie County District Attorney's office last week that will allow the running back to avoid a criminal charge.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
This confirms what we saw coming down the pike a few days ago - now we'll see how the NFL decides to act, if they do. We don't anticipate a major response on this front although there still is the chance that he could face some discipline from the league.
DEN - WR Marshall's Story Challenged by Ex's Attorney
Source: Lindsay H. Jones, Denver Post
A day after Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall and his attorney publicly claimed that his March 6 arrest was the result of a "shakedown," his former girlfriend's attorney fired back.
"His story that he has been a victim is as pathetic as the story that he slipped on a McDonald's bag and injured his arm," David McGill, one of the two attorneys representing Rasheedah Watley, said Thursday night. "Hopefully, he will be as eager to tell his story in a court of law, under oath, as he has been in the media."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
As noted earlier this week, Marshall's legal woes are mounting and some ugly allegations are coming out around this case regarding Rasheedah Watley. The attorney representing Watley alleges there is a history of abuse behind the early March incident. The league will wait for the legal system to run its course on this front and the pending DUI case, but we see red flags going up all around Marshall as a result of the past off-season.
DEN - TE Scheffler Says Foot is Back to Normal
Source: Yvette Lanier, Denver Post
Broncos TE Tony Scheffler, who reinjured his left foot May 19, said he is fully recovered and is ready to hit the field for training camp on July 25. "It feels pretty good," Scheffler said. "It's back to normal, and I am doing everything with the rest of the team, looking forward to getting this behind me."
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Scheffler is a guy that a lot of folks expect to appear among the top 10 fantasy TEs at year's end. It's good to hear that the foot is back to 100% - hopefully Scheffler won't have any more trouble with his feet.
NE - WR Jackson Works with First Team Extensively
Source: Mike Sando, ESPN
Offensively, receiver Chad Jackson worked extensively with the starters while Wes Welker rested what appeared to be a minor injury. Jackson worked on the outside opposite Randy Moss, with Jabar Gaffney in the slot. Donte' Stallworth's departure to the Cleveland Browns in free agency means the Patriots could use more production from Jackson, who should continue to get quality reps in training camp.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Jackson is a guy that dynasty owners have been waiting on - now it looks like he might be of interest to redraft league fantasy owners, too. We'll see if he gets a lot of work with the first team in training camp - even the #3 WR on a team as explosive as the Patriots is worth keeping your eye on - stay tuned.
ARI - QB Warner, Team Not Progressing in Contract Talks
Source: Mark Tulumello, East Valley Tribune
The agent for quarterback Kurt Warner indicated little progress has been made in talks with the Cardinals about a contract extension. Warner, who is entering the final year of his contract, has said he'd like to sign on for two more seasons. He also wants to get the deal done by the time training camp starts next month.
"I wouldn't say it's gotten to the point where it's getting serious," Mark Bartelstein, Warner's Chicago-based agent, said of the talks.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Warner is a proven commodity, but the Cardinals' future is tied up with Matt Leinart. Warner may well be a free agent by this time next year, which could make him more interesting in fantasy terms. Right now, though, he's the Cardinals' backup plan in case of another Leinart injury.
TEN - WR Jones Court Date Aug 25th on Gun Charge
Source: Jim Wyatt, Tennessean
Titans receiver Brandon Jones has an Aug. 25 court date to answer for his June 13 arrest at Nashville International Airport. Jones, who was carrying a loaded .32 caliber gun in his baggage, was issued a citation for unlawful possession of a firearm.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Jones is in the mix to contribute for the Titans - the team is hopeful he'll get clear of this incident without further ramifications from the league office. We won't know for sure about any possible league action until after the court date, though, but as the story notes it appears a penalty from the commissioner's office is unlikely in this case.
JAX - Rookie RB Washington Signed to Contract
Source: Vito Stellino, Florida Times-Union
Running back Chauncey Washington, the only offensive player the Jaguars drafted in April, became the first of the team's five picks to sign Thursday. Washington received a typical four-year rookie contract for the minimum base salaries. Currently, they are $295,000, $310,000, $325,000 and $340,000 for the next four years, although the last has an escalator clause because Washington won't be eligible to be a restricted free agent that season.
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Washington isn't likely to make a big splash in fantasy circles this year, as he's going to be buried deep on the depth chart, but he's a guy for dynasty owners to keep an eye on if he makes the team after final cut-downs. As the article notes, there is room for Washington to make this squad as the team's fifth RB.
DET - Rookie OL Cherilus To Serve 1 Year Probation for Bar Brawl
Source: Detroit Free Press Staff
Lions rookie offensive lineman and first-round pick Gosder Cherilus was ordered Wednesday to serve one year of pretrial probation for his role in a Boston bar brawl in which a patron was seriously injured, the Boston Globe reported.
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Cherlius was evidently trying to break up a fight that happened in the bar on his birthday, and ended up involved. Hopefully, he'll steer clear of this sort of thing now that he's in the NFL - time will tell.
DAL- Training Camp Schedule for Oxnard California
Source: Calvin Watkins, Dallas Morning News
The Cowboys will hold their first practice on July 25 and will break camp on Aug. 12. Dallas will have 15 straight days of practices with five two-a-days during their time in Oxnard, Calif.
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Just a note for Cowboys' fans in the Oxnard, California area.
HOU - Rookie QB Brink Signs with Texans
Source: Megan Manfull, Houston Chronicle
The Texans are planning to keep three quarterbacks on their 53-man roster this season. (Alex) Brink will compete with Shane Boyd to become the team's No. 3 quarterback. He also will be eligible for the practice squad.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Brink is a 7th round pick, and is a long shot to contribute this season. However, he's a guy for dynasty owners to keep in mind if he makes the team while showing some sparks in training camp.
OAK - QB Keller Signs Rookie Contract
Source: San Francisco Chronicle AP Report
The Raiders signed Bay Area native and former Nebraska quarterback Sam Keller to a contract Wednesday and waived quarterback Erik Meyer. Keller was not drafted despite setting a school record last season by completing 63.1 percent of his passes for 2,422 yards and 14 touchdowns in nine games. His season ended prematurely when he sustained a shoulder injury in a game against Texas in October.
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Keller will compete for the 3rd QB spot on the Raiders this year. He's not a guy who is likely to contribute this year, but if he sticks with the Raiders he could be a familiar name in years to come. Dynasty owners will want to keep an eye on his progress during training camp.
MIA - Dolphins' Young WRs Garner Praise
Source: Omar Kelly, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
He (GM Jeff Ireland) also singled out David Kircus, Jayson Foster and Davone Bess as young receivers who impressed him during OTAs. I second the Kircus endorsement. He speculated that Bess might be a young receiver they can "hang your hat on for a little while."
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Young WRs get attention in June, but the truth is that few amount to much in September. However, there are also those guys who suddenly catch fire and tear up the league - it sounds like David Kircus is getting some traction down in Miami. Keep your eye on him if you have a need at WR on your dynasty squad - he might even draw interest in redraft circles if things break right for Kircus in Miami this fall.
DEF - Jags Work to Sign DE Harvey Before Training Camp
Source: Vito Stellino, Florida Times-Union
The most difficult draft pick for the Jaguars to sign might be first-round choice Derrick Harvey, a defensive end from Florida. As the eighth overall pick, Harvey likely will want a deal similar to the one signed by last year's No. 8 pick, Atlanta Falcons defensive end Jamaal Anderson - a five-year deal that could max out at $31 million, with more than $15 million in guarantees.
Harvey is represented by Ken Kremer of CAA football, an agency that includes Tom Condon, who represented former Jaguars quarterback Byron Leftwich when he was a holdout in 2003.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
It is always best for rookies to be involved in the complete training camp with their new pro teams, as the step up to the NFL from the college ranks is a big one. Hopefully, the Jaguars will be able to get Harvey into camp on time.
DEF - NE - LB Bruschi Feels Great, Fired Up
Source: Robert Lee, Providence Journal
"Do I feel good? Yes," Bruschi said. "Do I still have the fire? Of course I do. The offseason program, the training, is my body responding? Yes it is. I feel great."
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Even at his advanced age (35), Bruschi was the #28 fantasy LB last year. He's not the player he used to be, but he's still a solid IDP choice at the LB position. The Patriots think he's still got game - they signed him to a new 2 year deal a month after the Super Bowl loss.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great Saturday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update.
J