Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 9, Issue 68 (Monday, June 30th)
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Hi Folks,
Good Tuesday to you. Hope you're gearing up for a big 4th. We are here. But the NFL doesn't shut down so we've got the news and notes you'll need. Plus a ton of new content on the website. So let's get to it. JSITE NEWS
A.
Announcing The Ultimate Survivor League - Take Your Best Shot
I've long said that one of our biggest strengths is that our Footballguys readers are some of the smartest and most competitive fantasy football owners on the planet. So obviously we have lots of guys that look at our Footballguys staff and say, "I could take those guys". Now here's your chance. We've tweaked our Ultimate Survivor League to offer 120 spots to compete against 24 staff in twelve leagues. And earning a spot is as easy as captioning a photo, submitting a fake email or limerick. To check out the details, click here and you can read the Shark Pool thread outlining what we're doing. It doesn't cost a penny. It's just a seriously cool thing and I hope you'll join us.
B.
More Face Offs Added
Our Footballguys Face Offs are a great spot to do what we always do: Argue about Football. Check out the new features on the following players: QB J. Garcia, TB - QB D. Garrard, Jac - QB C. Palmer, Cin - RB J. Addai, Ind - RB R. Grant, GB - RB A. Green, Hou - RB L. Johnson, KC - RB S. Morris, NE - WR K. Curtis, Phi - WR D. Driver, GB - WR D. Patten, NO - WR K. Walter, Hou - WR W. Welker, NE - TE O. Daniels, Hou - TE J. Witten, Dal
C.
More Spotlights Added
If you're looking for the most detailed analysis digging deep into a player profile, you'll want to check out our Player Spotlights. Today, we've added the following players: QB J. Russell, Oak - QB V. Young, Ten - RB F. Gore, SF - RB D. McFadden, Oak - WR R. White, Atl
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. NE - WR Walker On Departed CB Samuel: 'He Chose Money Over Championships'2. RB Alexander: Seven Teams Interested For 2008
3. TB - RB Jones Looking At Signing In Tampa
4. ATL - Falcons QB Ryan Will Use Time Off Wisely
5. DEF - IND - LB Hagler To Miss Two Months
6. DEF - NE - Patriots DB Andrews Arrested For Alleged Assault
7. DEF - BUF - Bills Create More Flexible Role For DB Whitner
8. DEF - Free Agent LB Kacyvenski Seeking Work
9. DEF - BAL - CB Martin Arrested For Marijuana
NE - WR Walker On Departed CB Samuel: 'He Chose Money Over Championships'
Source: Mike McDermott, Providence Journal
When asked about the departure of DB Asante Samuel (who signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in the offseason), New England Patriots WR Wes Welker pulled no punches. "Asante's a great player, so it hurts not to have a guy like that. But then again, it's part of the business of the game. He chose money over championships, and that's the way it goes sometimes."
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The week three preseason game between the Eagles and Patriots might take on a little extra significance. At least for the time that Welker is on the field...
RB Alexander: Seven Teams Interested For 2008
Source: Darrin Beene, Tacoma News Tribune
Darrin Beene of the Tacoma News Tribune is reporting that FA RB Shaun Alexander has told Shannon J. Owens that seven teams have been in contact with him regarding the 2008 season.
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Of course the issue here is defining "contact". Alexander will likely latch on somewhere but it seems pretty clear that few teams are champing at the bit to add him to their roster.
TB - RB Jones Looking At Signing In Tampa
Source: Adam Schefter, NFL Network
Free-agent running back Kevin Jones is seriously eyeing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and is considering signing with Tampa. Jones also has drawn interest from New England and Tennessee, but he thinks the situation in Tampa is enticing and the chance exists for him to excel there.
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This one is interesting as Tampa hadn't seemed to have shown as much interest as some of the other teams. Jones and his doctor / trainer continues to say that he is ready to play right now. It'll be an awfully early return if that's the case. But stranger things have happened. Stay tuned. If Jones does go to Tampa and does look healthy, obviously we'll adjust the numbers for Earnest Graham, Warrick Dunn and Michael Bennett.
ATL - Falcons QB Ryan Will Use Time Off Wisely
Source: Steve Wyche, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
During this down time between now and training camp, Atlanta Falcons rookie quarterback Matt Ryan said he hasn't scheduled any workouts with the team's receivers because he understands those players have things to do during this quiet period. Still, "I will definitely be on the phone with [quarterbacks coach] Bill Musgrave and [offensive coordinator] Mike Mularkey over the break." In order to stay sharp over the next few weeks, Ryan said has enlisted his brothers Mike and John to be his receivers. "I will not go more than two consecutive days without throwing before camp," Ryan said.
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Ryan sounds like he's ready to go without wearing his receivers out who probably are looking forward to a break. Not a bad way to act as the new guy. He's got a real shot to do some things in Atlanta this year but as is the case with any young QB, expect some growing pains. It's tough for a QB to have to play early. For every Peyton Manning, there's a guy that lost his confidence and never became the guy he might have. Time will tell with Ryan.
DEF - IND - LB Hagler To Miss Two Months
Source: Adam Schefter, NFL Network
Colts starting linebacker Tyjuan Hagler suffered a torn pectoral muscle while lifting weights last week.
Hagler now is expected to be sidelined at least two months, meaning he will miss training camp and could be out for the Colts' Sunday night regular-season opener against the Chicago Bears.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Mr. Schefter notes that Clint Session who excelled in his limited time on the field last season will have more chances to shine. Newly drafted Georgia Tech linebacker Philip Wheeler will have an opportunity. And Victor Worsley, an undrafted free agent from North Carolina will be in the mix.
DEF - NE - Patriots DB Andrews Arrested For Alleged Assault
Source: WBZ-TV
New England Patriots DB Willie Andrews has been arrested for allegedly pointing a gun at his girlfriend's head. Police say they received a call around 1:30 a.m. Saturday morning from a woman who said Andrews had pointed a gun at her temple during an argument. The girlfriend left the house and sought shelter in a hotel, according to police. When officers arrived at the hotel, they found Andrews allegedly talking to his girlfriend. Andrews drove off when he saw the police cruisers show up. Officers say they returned to Andrews' home and placed him under arrest for assault by means of a dangerous weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm. Furthermore, they say a .45-caliber, believed to be Andrews', was found near a dumpster.
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Just passing along...
DEF - BUF - Bills Create More Flexible Role For DB Whitner
Source: Chris Brown, BuffaloBills.com
Going into his third pro season, Buffalo Bills DB Donte Whitner will be in position to make more game-changing plays. The team is scheming to allow Whitner to freely switch his alignment between that of a traditional strong and free safety. "That's what we've been trying to do, but we didn't have all the pieces to make the safety positions interchangeable, where I'm down on one play, I'm back on one play, I'm blitzing on one play," Whitner said. "We didn't really have the knowledge and the pieces, but now we have the pieces. Having two good defensive tackles and a linebacking corps where we need it to be, just being able to roam around back there and take more risk." Whitner has been utilizing his new role through most of offseason OTAs.
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You IDP junkies take note as it looks like the Bills are going to expand the opportunities for Whitner here meaning he could become a more valuable contributor.
DEF - Free Agent LB Kacyvenski Seeking Work
Source: Mike Mangan, Binghamton Press
Free Agent LB Isaiah Kacyvenski spoke this weekend of extensive cartilage damage to his left knee suffered during Oakland Raiders training camp last August, an injury that led the Raiders to place him on IR. It's an injury that takes a year or more to fully heal, so Kacyvenski knows full well that his football future is very much up in the air. "I've set a timetable for Week 4 of this season, and if I'm not better then, then it might be it for me," said Kacyvenski.
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I've always liked the way Kacyvenski played the game. I hope he's able to make it back but he's a smart guy and I'm sure he'll do well if he does wind up taking a different career path.
DEF - BAL - CB Martin Arrested For Marijuana
Source: Joe Milicia, AP
Ravens cornerback Derrick Martin was cited on a charge of drug abuse after police say he was found in possession of suspected marijuana at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.
Police Lt. Thomas Stacho said today he confirmed with Ravens director of security Darren Sanders that Martin was the individual arrested. A day earlier police were not able to confirm whether Martin was a Ravens player.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
There was some confusion about whether the Derrick Martin arrested at the airport was the same Derrick Martin that plays for the Ravens. The Ravens Martin denied he was the guy involved. As it turns out, it was him. This might mean he is the Derrick Martin that USED to play for the Ravens...
That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great Tuesday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update.
J