Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 10, Issue 10 (Wednesday, April 29th)
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Hi Folks,
Good Thursday to you. Hope your week's going as well as a first round NFL pick from last Saturday. How's that for lofty expectations? We've got plenty of news and notes for you today so let's jump right to it. Thanks again to our Media Guru Cecil Lammey for the help on these. JSITE NEWS
A.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. PIT - Rookie RB Summers to see work as goal line back?2. STL - Rams did not shop QB Bulger before draft
3. PHI - QB McNabb pleased with team's additions
4. PIT - WR Holmes arraigned - Suspension possible?
5. ATL - QB Vick to be released from prison May 20
6. NFL - RB Edgerrin James could have deal soon
7. NO - Saints agree to terms with five undrafted free agents
8. SD - RB Sproles signs tender offer
9. BAL - Ravens reportedly agree to terms with three more UDFAs
10. NFL - Agent says QB Favre not coming back
11. NYJ - Jets sign eight more undrafted free agents
12. DEF - DAL - LB Ware comments on contract talks
13. DEF - CHI - LB Briggs works out after non football hand injury
14. DEF - CIN - LB Maualuga may start on strongside
PIT - Rookie RB Summers to see work as goal line back?
Source: Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Ed Bouchette, of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, reports Pittsburgh Steelers RB Frank Summers believes he is a perfect fit for the team's physical style. 'I don't think I could fit any better than on any other team in the league. With Pittsburgh's physical play and my physical style, we go hand in hand,' Summer said.
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Frank "The Tank" Summers could be the next Chris Fuamatu-Ma'Afala. He is a powerful FB that has surprising speed and moves for such a big man. The Steelers will use this versatile back in many different ways - blocking, receiving, running - he can do it all. With the release of Gary Russell he could instantly be Pittsburgh's goalline back.
STL - Rams did not shop QB Bulger before draft
Source: Jim Thomas, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Jim Thomas, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports the St. Louis Rams did not try to trade QB Marc Bulger prior to the NFL Draft.
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Some people thought the Rams were considering QB Mark Sanchez with their #2 overall pick, but instead they opted for the athletic OT Jason Smith. The Rams have stated that they would like to have a more run-heavy offense featuring RB Steven Jackson. The selection of Smith should fill the hole left by now Chicago Bear Orlando Pace, and also help insure that Marc Bulger stays upright. This is good news for those looking to Bulger for fantasy production. The team may not pass as much as they used to, but if Bulger is healthy he can be an efficient and productive QB.
PHI - QB McNabb pleased with team's additions
Source: ESPN.com
ESPN.com reports Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb said on his blog Tuesday, April 28, that he is excited with the team's recent additions in the NFL Draft. 'I want to congratulate all the newcomers and let them know that I am excited to be working with them and taking the first step towards moving forward and getting something accomplished,' McNabb said. McNabb added that he is ready to focus on the future, especially after seeing the city's response to the Philadelphia Phillies' World Series victory. 'I was inspired by the way the Phillies won the World Series and how they were treated by the city and their fans and I want to experience that myself in the worst way,' McNabb said.
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Fantasy owners should be excited about Donovan McNabb in 2009. The first 3 picks for the Eagles were skill position players that can make an immediate impact for the team. Jeremy Maclin is still somewhat raw as a receiver, but should fit in nicely with DeSean Jackson. Maclin is also a very dangerous returner and could give the Eagles a shorter field on punts/kicks that he doesn't take to the house. LeSean McCoy is a very agile back that plays a lot like Brian Westbrook. He will be the primary backup to Westbrook, and give him a breather each game. If Westbrook were to miss any time with injury, McCoy could step into the starting role and perform well. Cornelius Ingram fills a need for the Eagles at the TE position. He is not known as a blocker, missed the entire 2008 season due to injury, and will be behind Brent Celek on the depth chart. However, he is extremely athletic and has great run after the catch ability.
PIT - WR Holmes arraigned - Suspension possible?
Source: Associated Press
The Associated Press reports Pittsburgh Steelers WR Santonio Holmes has been formally arraigned on a misdemeanor marijuana charge from October 2008. The most Holmes can face if convicted is 30 days probation and a $500 fine.
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Santonio Holmes had a great postseason for the Steelers, capped by a Super Bowl MVP performance. This isn't the first time he's been in trouble with authorities so we'll see if Commissioner Roger Goodell decides to suspend Santonio for a few games to start the season. Remember, the legal system isn't the real worry for many of these players. They're often much more concerned about what Commissioner Goodell will do than they are about the legal system. Stay tuned to this one.
ATL - QB Vick to be released from prison May 20
Source: Kelly Naqi, ESPN.com
Kelly Naqi of ESPN.com reports that Michael Vick will be released from federal prison camp in Leavenworth, Kan., to serve out the rest of his sentence in home confinement on May 20, Herb Hoelter, a member of Vick's defense team, and another source with knowledge of the sentencing told ESPN.
Vick will serve out his home confinement period in a five-bedroom home he owns in Hampton, Va., where he will live with his fiancee and two of his children. He will also work 40 hours a week at a local construction company, making $10 an hour.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Vick will soon be finished "paying his debt to society" as he finishes serving the sentence handed down by the courts. The real "judge" though is going to be Commissioner Roger Goodell who controls Vick's future as it relates to the NFL.
Regarding Vick's possible reinstatement, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell told USA Today last month: "I am not going to make a judgment until I know all the facts on Michael Vick. "I think it's clear he paid a price, but to a large extent he's going to have to demonstrate to the larger community -- not just to the NFL community and to me -- that he has remorse for what he did and that he recognizes mistakes that he made."NFL - RB Edgerrin James could have deal soon
Source: Kent Somers, Arizona Republic
Kent Somers, of The Arizona Republic, reports free-agent RB Edgerrin James (Cardinals) could sign with a new team soon, according to agent Drew Rosenhaus. 'So far several teams have expressed interest and we may have a deal in place in the very near future,' Rosenhaus said via text message.
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This is coming from Drew Rosenhaus, so one must take this news with a grain of salt. James has more left in the tank than Shaun Alexander did when he was released by the Seahawks, however it could be late July before James finds a new team.
NO - Saints agree to terms with five undrafted free agents
Source: Mike Triplett, New Orleans Times-Picayune
Mike Triplett, of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, reports the New Orleans Saints have agreed to terms with undrafted free-agent RB Herb Donaldson (Western Illinois), P.J. Hill (Wisconsin), QB Patrick Cowan (UCLA), C Alex Fletcher (Stanford) and CB Reggie Jones (Portland State), according to reports and sources. Terms of the contracts were not disclosed.
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P.J. Hill was once thought to be an up and coming RB after his first season at Wisconsin. His carries were cut short his next 2 seasons due to injuries and inconsistencies. Originally thought to be a late round pick, 2 recent DUI arrests caused him to fall to the ranks of the undrafted. He is a big back that runs more like a tailback, and doesn't have as much power as one would expect. If Hill can stay healthy, and stay out of trouble he could develop into a LenDale White-type of player.
SD - RB Sproles signs tender offer
Source: John Clayton, ESPN.com,
John Clayton, of ESPN.com, reports San Diego Chargers RB Darren Sproles signed his one-year, $6.621 million franchise tag tender.
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LaDainian Tomlinson is obviously the guy in San Diego but we've all seen that it behooves every fantasy owner to keep an eye on the #2 RB for the Chargers. Looks like that'll continue to be Darren Sproles.
BAL - Ravens reportedly agree to terms with three more UDFAs
Source: Mike Duffy, BaltimoreRavens.com
Mike Duffy, of BaltimoreRavens.com, reports the Baltimore Ravens have agreed to terms with undrafted free-agent WR Eron Riley (Duke), WR Isaiah Williams (Mayland) and OT Cameron Goldberg (Duke), according to reports. Terms of the contracts were not disclosed.
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A surprise to many, the Ravens failed to address their need at WR in the 2009 NFL Draft. Eron Riley could be an interesting option for QB Joe Flacco. He is a big target at 6'3" 205 lbs, and finished his career at Duke with 144 receptions - 2,413 yards - and 22 TD's. His career yards per reception of 20.7 is tops among active wide receivers in the ACC with a minimum 40 career catches.
NFL - Agent says QB Favre not coming back
Source: Chris Mortensen, ESPN
Updating a previous report, Chris Mortensen, of ESPN.com, reports Bus Cook, agent for retired NFL QB Brett Favre, reiterated that Favre has no intention of coming out of retirement. 'He's retired, he doesn't have any desire to come back, and that's the way it is with Brett,' said Cook. 'He's mowing his grass. He's working on his farm. He enjoys that stuff.'
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Bus Cook is glad to be talking about a QB other than Jay Cutler. We still have to wonder if Favre will get the itch to play football again once he's working out with the high school team in Kiln, Mississippi. There are already people talking about what might happen if Favre were to sign with Minnesota and break Jim Marshall's games started record wearing the Vikings uniform...
NYJ - Jets sign eight more undrafted free agents
Source: Dave Hutchinson, Newark Star-Ledger
Dave Hutchinson, of the Newark Star-Ledger, reports the New York Jets have signed undrafted free agent S Emanuel Cook (South Carolina), WR Britt Davis (Northern Illinois), S Keith Fitzhugh (Mississippi State), OT Kyle Link (McNeese State), QB Chris Pizzoti (Harvard), DE Zach Potter (Nebraska), FB Brannan Southerland (Georgia) and OT Tavita Thompson (Oregon). Terms of the contracts were not disclosed.
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Chris Pizzoti is an interesting Ivy League prospect. He is a big QB (6'5" 225 lbs) and is accurate throwing underneath routes. Brannan Southerland helped lead the way for Knowshon Moreno at Georgia. He is a traditional FB with a nose for the end zone and good lead-blocking ability. Zach Potter might as well be called a batted pass specialist. He was at the Texas Vs The Nation game and was swatting passes down at the line of scrimmage multiple times in practice.
DEF - DAL - LB Ware comments on contract talks
Source: Todd Archer, Dallas Morning News
Todd Archer, of The Dallas Morning News, reports Dallas Cowboys LB DeMarcus Ware said the negotiations regarding a contract extension for him are getting closer. He said he is not frustrated that a deal has not been done.
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DeMarcus Ware is one of the best pass rushers in the game today. Look for the Cowboys to do what it takes to make him happy.
DEF - CHI - LB Briggs works out after non football hand injury
Source: ESPN.com
ESPN.com reports Chicago Bears LB Lance Briggs (hand), who said he cut the palm of his right hand while shaving, participated at the team's voluntary workouts Tuesday, April 28, and downplayed the injury, according to the Chicago Tribune. 'I'm definitely not going to miss the season,' Briggs said, according to the report. 'I'm not the first person to cut themselves with a grooming mechanism.' Bears trainer Tim Bream examined Briggs and he worked out with a bandage covering the cut.
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We're suggesting Briggs switches to disposable razors.
DEF - CIN - LB Maualuga may start on strongside
Source: Geoff Hobson, Bengals.com
Geoff Hobson, of Bengals.com, reports the Cincinnati Bengals may start LB Rey Maualuga at strongside linebacker this season.
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The Bengals had a great draft, and even thought Maualuga is a character concern there is little doubt as to what type of player he could be on Sundays. Rey will reunite with former Trojan teammate, LB Keith Rivers and the Bengals are hopeful that they can bring attitude and aggression to a defense that lacked playmakers in 2008.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great Thursday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update.
J