Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 10, Issue 102 (Thursday, July 30th)
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Hi Folks,
Welcome to Friday. Training Camps are cranking up which means the Hall of Fame inductions can't be far behind. It's a great time of the year.
On that note, I wanted to again call out a fantastic new book written by our friend Adam Schefter of ESPN. Adam's been a long time friend of Footballguys and is a guy we stop what we're doing when he starts talking about what's going on in the NFL. His book is called The Class of Football: Words of Hard-Earned Wisdom from Legends of the Gridiron. It's a fascinating look at the legends of our game.
From the website, "Compiled in conjunction with the Pro Football Hall of Fame, The Class of Football brings together sage advice from legends of the game whose knowledge, leadership, experience, and athletic prowess made them heroes on and off the field. George Halas speaks on history, Alan Page on justice, Gale Sayers on perseverance, John Madden on passion, Steve Largent on mentors, Mike Singletary on childhood, Michael Irvin on family, Marv Levy on philosophy, and Willie Davis and the rest of the great Green Bay Packers on Vince Lombardi. Each Hall of Famer reflects on his life and career and, even more important, addresses how and why he was able to arrive, once and for all, in Canton, Ohio. Motivating and gripping, these wise words from nearly five decades of Hall-of-Fame history will live on long after the cheering."
I was lucky to get an advance copy and I highly recommend the book. Check it out. For an Amazon.com link to the book, click here.
We've got lots of good stuff to get to so let's go.
J
SITE NEWS
A.
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B.
New Draft Dominator
Our world beating Draft Dominator has a few imitators but they're nothing like the original. We've updated the DD again with the latest projections and it's ready for you to unleash on your poor leaguemates this weekend.
C.
New VBD App
You know the drill. New Draft Dominator means a new Value Based Draft (VBD) Excel app is ready too. For you guys that like to kick it old school.
D.
New Cheatsheets
With all the other new stuff, we might as well create new cheatsheets for you. Don't go into a draft this weekend with cheatsheets that are six weeks old. Go in armed to the teeth with our cheatsheets that are current.
E.
Spotlight - WR Jerricho Cotchery, New York Jets
Our Footballguys Spotlight Series offer some of the most detailed info and analysis you'll find on a player anywhere. Our staff guys go deep and then we pull in opinions from our Footballguys Message Boards as well. In this one, we look at NYJ WR Jerricho Cotchery.
F.
Spotlight - WR Michael Crabtree, San Francisco 49ers
Our Footballguys Spotlight Series offer some of the most detailed info and analysis you'll find on a player anywhere. Our staff guys go deep and then we pull in opinions from our Footballguys Message Boards as well. In this one, we look at SF WR Michael Crabtree.
G.
Spotlight - WR Lee Evans, Buffalo Bills
Our Footballguys Spotlight Series offer some of the most detailed info and analysis you'll find on a player anywhere. Our staff guys go deep and then we pull in opinions from our Footballguys Message Boards as well. In this one, we look at BUF WR Lee Evans.
H.
Spotlight - RB Thomas Jones, New York Jets
Our Footballguys Spotlight Series offer some of the most detailed info and analysis you'll find on a player anywhere. Our staff guys go deep and then we pull in opinions from our Footballguys Message Boards as well. In this one, we look at NYJ RB Thomas Jones.
I.
Spotlight - WR Santana Moss, Washington Redskins
Our Footballguys Spotlight Series offer some of the most detailed info and analysis you'll find on a player anywhere. Our staff guys go deep and then we pull in opinions from our Footballguys Message Boards as well. In this one, we look at WAS WR Santana Moss.
J.
Spotlight - QB Kyle Orton, Denver Broncos
Our Footballguys Spotlight Series offer some of the most detailed info and analysis you'll find on a player anywhere. Our staff guys go deep and then we pull in opinions from our Footballguys Message Boards as well. In this one, we look at DEN QB Kyle Orton.
K.
Spotlight - RB Willie Parker, Pittsburgh Steelers
Our Footballguys Spotlight Series offer some of the most detailed info and analysis you'll find on a player anywhere. Our staff guys go deep and then we pull in opinions from our Footballguys Message Boards as well. In this one, we look at PIT RB Willie Parker.
L.
Spotlight - QB Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Our Footballguys Spotlight Series offer some of the most detailed info and analysis you'll find on a player anywhere. Our staff guys go deep and then we pull in opinions from our Footballguys Message Boards as well. In this one, we look at GB QB Aaron Rodgers.
M.
Spotlight - RB Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons
Our Footballguys Spotlight Series offer some of the most detailed info and analysis you'll find on a player anywhere. Our staff guys go deep and then we pull in opinions from our Footballguys Message Boards as well. In this one, we look at ATL RB Michael Turner.
N.
Spotlight - TE Kellen Winslow, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Our Footballguys Spotlight Series offer some of the most detailed info and analysis you'll find on a player anywhere. Our staff guys go deep and then we pull in opinions from our Footballguys Message Boards as well. In this one, we look at TB TE Kellen Winslow.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. NYJ - QB Kellen Clemens enters camp as No. 1 QB - but for how long?2. CHI - Lovie Smith excited about TE Greg Olsen and his role
3. NE - Belicheck compliments QB Michael Vick - says he's focused on NE
4. OAK - WR Javon Walker likely to miss 2-3 weeks
5. JAX - Del Rio: WR Mike Walker had a 'real good' spring
6. NE - QB Tom Brady wearing brace
7. NFL - QB Michael Vick close to signing with a football team
8. SD - WR Craig Davis favorite target of Philip Rivers in camp
9. DAL - RB Coach: RB Tashard Choice will have opportunity play 'a lot' this year
10. PHI - RB Brian Westbrook placed on PUP list
11. BAL - RB Willis McGahee taken off PUP list
12. CHI - HC Smith says nothing wrong between QB Jay Cutler, ILB Brian Urlacher
13. KC - RB Larry Johnson will report on time, 'happy' to be in KC
14. NO - WR Lance Moore, Adrian Arrington will not start camp on PUP
15. DAL - Still not interested in Matt WR Matt Jones
16. MIN - Owner Wilf denies interest in QB Michael Vick
17. OAK - QB JaMarcus Russell says he is a little overweight
18. GB - Will still retire QB Brett Favre's jersey
19. NYJ - RB Thomas Jones reports on time for camp
20. NYJ - RB Leon Washington does not report on time
21. NFL - WR Matt Jones says agent has spoken with several teams
NYJ - QB Kellen Clemens enters camp as No. 1 QB - but for how long?
Source: Rich Cimini - the New York Daily News
Rich Cimini, of the New York Daily News, reports New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan said QB Kellen Clemens is opening training camp as the No. 1 quarterback but is still in an open competition with QB Mark Sanchez. Clemens will receive most of the first-team reps at the start of camp. Cimini also said that he thinks Kellen Clemens has to beat first-round pick Mark Sanchez by "knockout" to win the starting QB job.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
This makes sense to us. We're never fans of giving jobs away because of draft status or paychecks, but it sounds like Cimini has picked up on a sentiment in the Jets organization that favors getting Mark Sanchez in the lineup as soon as possible unless Clemens all of the sudden looks like "the answer", or Sanchez struggles mightily.
CHI - Lovie Smith excited about TE Greg Olsen and his role
Source: Brad Biggs - the Chicago Sun-Times
Brad Biggs, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports that Bears head coach Lovie Smith said he is "excited about Greg Olsen and his role."
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
We are too. If your leaguemates don't neglect Jason Witten and let him fall past the fourth round, targeting Olsen around the eighth round is a great strategy at TE. We're a little worried about Olsen as we've been shouting about him and others have been too. But hopefully he'll still be undervalued in your league.
NE - Belicheck compliments QB Michael Vick - says he's focused on NE
Source: The Boston Herald
The Boston Herald reports that Patriots head coach had this to say when asked about QB Michael Vick returning to the NFL: "Michael is an outstanding player, you know, hasn't played in a couple years, but right now, our focus is on our team and our player, trying to get the New England Patriots ready. That's where my attention has been. But exactly where he is right now, I don't know."
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
The Patriots have been one of the teams most frequently linked to Vick, and this quote doesn't make it sound like that speculation is unfounded. Belicheck went out of his way to compliment Vick and gave no indication that the Patriots had ruled out signing him in internal discussions, while officials from many other teams went out of their way to nick any Vick speculation in the bud.
OAK - WR Javon Walker likely to miss 2-3 weeks
Source: Jerry McDonald - InsideBayArea.com
Jerry McDonald, of InsideBayArea.com, reports that WR Javon Walker said he'll probably be out "two to three weeks".
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
We're passing this on just in case you didn't completely remove Walker from your draft board.
JAX - Del Rio: WR Mike Walker had a 'real good' spring
Source: Vic Ketchman - Jaguars.com
Vic Ketchman, of Jaguars.com, reports that Jacksonville head coach Jack Del Rio said WR Mike Walker "had a real good camp".
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Walker's a guy we've loved for a while but he hasn't delivered for us. Could this be the year? He's struggled with knee injuries during his short career, but he is slated to start, and he is getting little respect in drafts right now, even though he had a 100 yard receiving game vs. the Steelers last year before he suffered (of course) a knee injury. Keep him on your waiver wire short list in start 3 WR PPR leagues if he goes undrafted, assuming he is healthy going into the regular season.
NE - QB Tom Brady wearing brace
Source: Ian Rapoport - the Boston Herald
Ian Rapoport, of the Boston Herald, reports New England Patriots QB Tom Brady (knee) wore a brace on his knee during morning practice Thursday, July 30.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
This was the first sighting of Brady wearing the bulky brace, but he did a good job of moving around. The Patriots are going to be extra careful with their franchise quarterback, and if Brady gets used to wearing the brace it could become a regular fixture for him.
NFL - QB Michael Vick close to signing with a football team
Source: Associated Press
The Associated Press reports unrestricted free-agent QB Michael Vick (Falcons) said he is close to signing with a football team but would not specify if it was a team in the NFL nor would he give any other details.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
The two teams that have been linked with Vick in the rumor mill are the New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Both are championship caliber teams with strong veteran leadership, and a loyal fanbase. We'll see if a deal comes down quickly, or if Vick has to play in the UFL before he can get a chance in the NFL again.
SD - WR Craig Davis favorite target of Philip Rivers in camp
Source: Scott Bair - the North County Times
Scott Bair, from the North County Times, reports Craig Davis has been catching passes virtually nonstop. He's been Philip Rivers' favorite target during the first three days of training camp, and has hauled in most everything thrown his way.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
To note for anyone curious, many people (including some of the Charger beat writers) refer to Davis as "Buster" Davis. And not because of the "bust" label, he just goes by Buster. NFL.com refers to him as Craig so that's what we do.
Regardless, Davis is trying to shed the "bust" label, and this is the type of report the Chargers were expecting when they selected him at the end of the first-round back in 2007. He needs to stay healthy because he only has 24 receptions in two seasons. "They drafted me in the first round for a reason," Davis said after Wednesday's practice. "I have the ability to be a productive receiver in this league. I've had some setbacks, but it's time to step up, make plays and be accountable." Davis is currently listed as the 4th WR and may not get on the field that much unless injuries strike in front of him on the depth chart.
DAL - RB Coach: RB Tashard Choice will have opportunity play 'a lot' this year
Source: Tim MacMahon - the Dallas Morning News
Tim MacMahon, of the Dallas Morning News, reports that Dallas RB coach Skip Peete said he thinks Tashard Choice is "going to have the opportunity to play a lot this year. In what situations, you don't know right now." Choice said he is determined to keep showing the coaches how good he is: "I've got to show them every day. Every day," Choice said. "I've got a chip on my shoulder when I'm out here. Believe that."
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
We can't figure out why a running back that looked so impressive last year is still falling so far in drafts. Yes, he is a backup RB, but unlike most backups, we know he is good enough to be a top 10-15 producer when he gets on the field.
PHI - RB Brian Westbrook placed on PUP list
Source: www.philadelphiaeagles.com
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid said during his press conference that RB Brian Westbrook (ankle) been placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
This was expected. By all accounts Westbrook is on or ahead of schedule and looking good. Consider yourself lucky if you get him in the second round of your PPR league.
BAL - RB Willis McGahee taken off PUP list
Source: Mike Duffy - BaltimoreRavens.com
Mike Duffy, of BaltimoreRavens.com, reports the Baltimore Ravens have taken RB Willis McGahee (knee, ankle) off the Physically Unable to Perform list.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
The team wanted to monitor his knee through the first few workouts. According to the report McGahee looked very good performing conditioning drills on the sideline. Ray Rice is the guy everyone is in love with (we like him a lot too) but I'm not sure it's a foregone conclusion that McGahee is fading as fast as many think.
CHI - HC Smith says nothing wrong between QB Jay Cutler, ILB Brian Urlacher
Source: Brad Biggs - the Chicago Sun-Times
Brad Biggs, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith said there is no issue between QB Jay Cutler and LB Brian Urlacher after talking to both players.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Urlacher has already stated there's no truth to the rumors, but this story won't go away as the Bears start training camp. Some speculate that Urlacher is jealous because he's no longer considered the leader of the team. It's been proven time and time again that teammates don't need to get along to be successful - especially when they're on opposite sides of the ball. By the time the regular season starts this story will be a non-issue.
KC - RB Larry Johnson will report on time, 'happy' to be in KC
Source: Bill Williamson - ESPN.com
Bill Williamson, of ESPN.com, reports that Chiefs RB Larry Johnson will report to camp on time. "I want to be here because of Scott Pioli's commitment to winning," Johnson said.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Even if LJ has changed his attitude, we don't think he'll get anything approaching the workload he used to get because the Chiefs will be running a spread offense, and Johnson's style isn't well-suited to that kind of attack.
NO - WR Lance Moore, Adrian Arrington will not start camp on PUP
Source: Jeff Duncan - the New Orleans Times-Picayune
Jeff Duncan, of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, reports on his Twitter feed that Saints head coach Sean Payton said that WRs Lance Moore (shoulder) and Adrian Arrington (hamstring) will begin camp on the PUP list, but Payton was later corrected by Saints GM Mickey Loomis, who said Moore and Arrington will not start camp on the PUP list.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Great news for Moore, who had surgery to repair a torn labrum in April. He was one of Drew Brees favorite targets last year, and we expect that to carry over this year, even if Reggie Bush and Marques Colston can stay healthy.
DAL - Still not interested in Matt WR Matt Jones
Source: Tim MacMahon - the Dallas Morning News
Tim MacMahon, of the Dallas Morning News, reports that the Cowboys have indeed been in contact with Matt Jones agent - to tell them that they are still not interested. "We're very happy with our situation there (at WR)," Cowboys executive VP Stephen Jones said.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
That leaves the Titans, Bears, and Jets from Jones list. We still expect him to play this year, and we think he proved he could be a starting quality WR last year.
MIN - Owner Wilf denies interest in QB Michael Vick
Source: Tom Curran - NBCSports.com
Tom Curran, of NBCSports.com, reports Minnesota Vikings owner Zygi Wilf denied a report that the Vikings are interested in unrestricted free-agent QB Michael Vick (Falcons).
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Ever since Favre said "no" (for now) the Vikings have been a team that people bring up when talking about potential landing spots for Vick. Could Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels be disrespected any more than they have been?
OAK - QB JaMarcus Russell says he is a little overweight
Source: Jerry McDonald - ANG Newspapers
Jerry McDonald, of ANG Newspapers, reports Oakland Raiders QB JaMarcus Russell said he is probably a little heavy reporting to training camp but not as heavy as he was last season.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Oh great, here comes the "Russell is fat" jokes. In all seriousness, how can he not show up to camp in shape? And if he did show up overweight, do you talk about it? Russell has shown a lack of professionalism during his pro career and it may keep him from reaching his full potential as a player.
GB - Will still retire QB Brett Favre's jersey
Source: Richard Ryman and Pete Dougherty - the Green Bay Press-Gazette
Richard Ryman and Pete Dougherty, of the Green Bay Press-Gazette, report Green Bay Packers chief executive officer Mark Murphy said the team will retire QB Brett Favre's jersey at some point. 'He deserves it,' Murphy said. 'I can't answer when that time will be. It will be an appropriate time for both parties.'
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
That's good to see. Hopefully when all the waffling stuff is done for good, people can remember him as he should be remembered - a fantastic Green Bay QB.
NYJ - RB Thomas Jones reports on time for camp
Source: Dave Hutchinson - the Newark Star-Ledger
Dave Hutchinson, of the Newark Star-Ledger, reports New York Jets RB Thomas Jones reported to training camp on time despite being unhappy about his contract situation.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Jones has zero leverage with the team, as the Jets drafted Shonn Greene to be his eventual replacement. He has collected most of his money from a front loaded contract that he signed only two years ago, and the team has no plans on giving him a new deal.
NYJ - RB Leon Washington does not report on time
Source: Dave Hutchinson - the Newark Star-Ledger
Dave Hutchinson, of the Newark Star-Ledger, reports New York Jets RB Leon Washington did not report to the team's training camp when the players were scheduled to Thursday, July 30, according to sources.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Washington's agent and the team have been negotiating a new contract for Washington and a deal could be reached soon.
NFL - WR Matt Jones says agent has spoken with several teams
Source: Jeff Dickerson - ESPNChicago.com
Jeff Dickerson, of ESPNChicago.com, reports unrestricted free-agent WR Matt Jones (Jaguars) said during a radio interview that his agent has spoken with the New York Jets, Tennessee Titans, Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys. He believes he will sign with a team sooner rather than later.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Matt Jones will be back in the NFL soon, but teams are cautiously optimistic when considering him for their roster. We would recommend getting your trade offers out there in dynasty leagues now, because Jones is a starting quality WR, and he could threaten to start for any of those four teams.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Sorry to destroy your morning throwing all that content at you. But it's sort of what we do.
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Thanks for reading and I hope you have a great Friday.
J
