Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 9, Issue 9 (Friday, May 2nd)
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Hi Folks,
Good Saturday to you. Even without football, it's always good to hit the weekend. I've got plenty of kids T-ball and soccer games to keep me busy and I'm guessing you've got plenty of stuff on tap as well. We'll take care of your football news here for you so dive right in to whatever you're into and know that you're not getting behind on anything with the NFL. We've got it all right here for you. Have a great weekend. JSITE NEWS
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. IND - Colts WR Harrison Investigated In Shooting2. DEN - QB Cutler Diagnosed With Diabetes - Says He'll Be Better This Year
3. SEA - Seahawks Re-Sign OL Womack, Release DT Lewis
4. CLE - Browns Give GM Savage Three-Year Extension
5. NE - Patriots Rookie Slater Works At WR and DB
6. CAR - Panthers QB Delhomme Ahead Of Schedule
7. SD - Many Chargers Still Healing
8. OAK - Raiders Owner Davis Seeking New Capologist
9. ARZ - WR Boldin Wants To Stay In Arizona
10. SF - QBs Smith And Hill On Equal Footing As They Battle For Starting Job
11. DEF - NE - Patriots CB Hobbs Recovering From Sports Hernia Surgery
12. DEF - NYJ - Jets Close To Re-Signing CB Poteat
IND - Colts WR Harrison Investigated In Shooting
Source: ESPN
Indianapolis Colts WR Marvin Harrison is under investigation in Philadelphia. The investigation centers around a shooting that took place earlier this week, a source close to the investigation told Anthony Gargano of WIP Radio. The shooting reportedly occurred early Tuesday afternoon outside a bar owned by Harrison. The source said the alleged victim came into the bar and engaged in an argument with Harrison. The victim then left the bar, heading to his car, with Harrison following. Gunfire broke out, the victim was hit in the hand, and a young girl was slightly injured by flying glass from a car that apparently was hit by a bullet. Police have determined that the gun that fired the shots was the same model that Harrison owned, which was later found at the bar. Harrison has yet to be arrested or charged with the crime.
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Marvin Harrison shooting at people? What's next, Tom Brady dates an ugly woman? What is happening here? Stay tuned as there will surely be plenty more on this as it develops. For what it's worth, Harrison's agent, Tom Condon said Harrison had nothing to do with the shooting. "Marvin Harrison was not involved in any shooting. The report is erroneous," Condon told FOXSports.com's Jay Glazer.
The fact this reportedly happened almost three days ago before it leaked out is very interesting too. With the way news spreads these days at hyperspeed, these types of things are usually in the open minutes after they happen. This one definitely smells a little funny. Stay tuned.DEN - QB Cutler Diagnosed With Diabetes - Says He'll Be Better This Year
Source: Canadian Press
Denver QB Jay Cutler met with doctors last month, who told him he's an insulin-dependent diabetic. He got a crash course in the disease and its ramifications if uncontrolled.
"It's a little overwhelming to get that news and realize you're going to have to completely change your life," said Cutler, who accepted his fate after a few days. "It's not something that's going to go away," Cutler said. "It's something I'm going to have to deal with my entire life and you've got to come to grips with that." He said he never worried about his career being in jeopardy. "No. That's the first thing they said to me: 'It's going to affect your lifestyle a little bit, but you'll be able to continue to play football,"' Cutler said. "I'm not the first athlete to get diabetes and I won't be the last." "This is a serious, serious disease, and I'm going to have it for the rest of my life," Cutler said. "It's not going to change me on the field. I'm going to have some lifestyle changes, but I'm probably going to be a better quarterback this year than I was last year."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
One of my closest friends is diabetic. He's also an Iron Man Triathlon finisher. (That's 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and 26.2 mile run. Consecutively...) So it's clear that Cutler will be able to perform here.
Cutler isn't making excuses but one of the symptoms he was suffering from is lack of energy and loss of strength. Diabetes could have easily affected his play last season. He says he feels better now than he has in quite a while now that he has his blood sugar under control. Best wishes to him and here's hoping he can use his position to bring some awareness about the disease.SEA - Seahawks Re-Sign OL Womack, Release DT Lewis
Source: Frank Hughes, Tacoma News-Tribune
The Seattle Seahawks announced this morning that they have re-signed veteran OL Floyd Womack to a one-year contract. To make room on the roster, the team released DT Jonathan Lewis, who signed as a free agent on January 15.
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This isn't really huge news. I've just always had a soft spot in my heart for Floyd "Pork Chop" Womack. Throw in the fact that his middle name is Seneca and he's a BlackEyedJoe.com All Name Team Hall of Famer.
CLE - Browns Give GM Savage Three-Year Extension
Source: Zac Jackson, ClevelandBrowns.com
The Cleveland Browns today gave senior vice president and general manager Phil Savage a new three-year contract extension. This new contract keeps him with the team at least through the 2012.
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I'll be honest, I was a Phil Savage / Romeo Crennel doubter a couple of years ago. But it's hard to argue that the front office has the Browns headed in the right direction. Let's hope they keep it going as Browns fans are some of the best out there.
NE - Patriots Rookie Slater Works At WR and DB
Source: Mike Reiss, Boston Globe
New England Patriots fifth-round pick Matthew Slater began practice today working with the receivers, and at one point, At the end of practice, Slater was playing safety. "It felt good to be able to do both," Slater said after the workout. "I feel like I'm in a blessed situation. I'm glad they've given me the opportunity to work on both sides of the ball. I have a lot to learn."
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If this were any other team, it might raise an eyebrow. But not with New England. The Patriots, more than any other team, excel at moving athletic players into different positions and getting the most out of them. Slater likely won't be any different.
CAR - Panthers QB Delhomme Ahead Of Schedule
Source: Charles Chandler, Charlotte Observer
The Carolina Panthers got good news today, as QB Jake Delhomme threw 34 passes during individual drills Friday morning as the team opened a three-day minicamp. He didn't throw during team drills. Delhomme said his recovery from elbow surgery is going great and that he hasn't had any setbacks. He said he hasn't thrown a deep pass yet, but did throw an equally difficult 15-yard out pass to Steve Smith Saturday.
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Fantastic news for Delhomme and Panthers fans. This is just barely May and Delhomme looks to be well ahead of where many thought he'd be at this time. His elbow will be one of the most watched recoveries this spring and summer but so far so good here.
SD - Many Chargers Still Healing
Source: Casey Pearce, Chargers.com
San Diego Chargers defensive tackle Jamal Williams (knees), center Nick Hardwick (foot), tight end Antonio Gates (foot) and fullback Andrew Pinnock (knee) will not participate in this weekend's mini-camp. Running back LaDainian Tomlinson(knee) and quarterback Phillip Rivers(ACL) will participate in limited activities.
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More players that we'll be watching closely this spring and summer. LaDainian Tomlinson in particular will be a guy under the microscope as people want to see how the knee is recovering.
OAK - Raiders Owner Davis Seeking New Capologist
Source: David White, San Francisco Chronicle
Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis is reorganizing his front office and could bring in a new salary "capologist" and contract negotiator, a league source said Thursday. Rams executive Samir Suleiman, director of football operations in St. Louis since 2000, is among those being looked at. A source within the Rams organization confirmed his candidacy Thursday.
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You have to wonder how this all went down. I can imagine the guy that drew the short straw and had to break the news to Al Davis. "Umm Mr. Davis, Sir. Funny thing but the league just called and apparently giving DeAngelo Hall, Javon Walker, Tommy Kelly and those other guys contracts that up to a little over a zillion dollars won't fly with this salary cap thingy."
Truth be told, the Raiders have cracked open the vault with generous (and sometimes questionable) deals. DeAngelo Hall (seven years, $70 million), Javon Walker (six years, $55 million), Tommy Kelly (seven years, $50.5 million), Gibril Wilson (six years, $39 million), Kwame Harris (three years, $16.3 million) and Justin Fargas (three years, $12 million). The guy that inherits that will have his work cut out for him.ARZ - WR Boldin Wants To Stay In Arizona
Source: AP
Cardinals WR Anquan Boldin says he wants to remain with the Cardinals and is not upset that he has yet to get a new contract on par with teammate Larry Fitzgerald.
"I've always wanted to be in Arizona," Boldin said Friday, the first day of the Cardinals' mini-camp. "This is the only place I've known professionally. I don't want to uproot my family and leave. I'm happy here. I have great rapport with everybody around here, coaches included." Boldin did sit out Friday's workouts because of a sore hamstring, but said it had nothing to do with any dissatisfaction over his contract. "I let my agent handle that," he said. "For me, I don't like to get in the media with business discussions because we all see what can happen."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
A good reason why it's always best to hear thing from the source instead of rumors or the "league source". Some people had Boldin ready to walk out but apparently, he's not nearly that upset about the Fitzgerald deal. For Cardinal fans, let's hope the team can figure out a way to keep him happy and in Arizona.
SF - QBs Smith And Hill On Equal Footing As They Battle For Starting Job
Source: Greg Beacham, AP
49ers head coach Mike Nolan says the former No. 1 overall draft pick Alex Smith and the career third-stringer, Shaun Hill are on equal footing in their competition to run new coordinator Mike Martz's offense. Smith took the first snap in the morning practice session, and Hill took charge in the afternoon for a competition that's unlikely to end for at least three months.
"A lot has been made of this, but this is a natural part of this game," Smith said. "It's a competitive sport. Shaun and I have had to compete all our lives to get to this point. I would say the abnormal thing is (when) you're given something. ... We're both pretty sure. We're self-confident that we're going to go out there and get it done."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Love him or hate him, you can't say Mike Martz is boring. He has this offense competing. And that starts with Hill and Smith. He even said that #3 QB J.T. O'Sullivan has a shot at the #1 job.
Don't expect this one to be decided anytime soon.DEF - NE - Patriots CB Hobbs Recovering From Sports Hernia Surgery
Source: Christopher L. Gasper, Boston Globe
New England Patriots cornerback Ellis Hobbs, who had surgery in February to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder, underwent a second offseason surgery in March to address a sports hernia, according to a league source. A sports hernia, which is a torn muscle in the groin, is typically caused by repetitive twisting and turning. Hobbs is expected to be ready for training camp in late July.
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File this one away for July. And don't underestimate the seriousness of the sports hernia surgery. This is the kind of thing that can linger and really limit a player.
DEF - NYJ - Jets Close To Re-Signing CB Poteat
Source: Rich Cimini, New York Daily News
The New York Jets are close to re-signing veteran free-agent CB Hank Poteat, who started eight games last season. They don't have a clear-cut starter opposite Darrelle Revis. The club remains interested in former Pro Bowl CB Ty Law, who played with the Jets in 2005, but the chances of a reunion appear unlikely at this point.
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Sometimes it's best to take the sure thing than wait and hope for the thing that may not happen. Ty Law as a Jet is starting to look like it won't happen so the Jets are smart to lock up the guy they know in Poteat. He won't carry your defense but he's a veteran and a guy that should contribute.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great weekend and we'll see you tomorrow with the update.
J