Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 10, Issue 106 (Monday, August 3rd)
|
Sign Up For Free Newsletter
85,000+ Mailing List |
Prove your knowledge of Fantasy Football with the most competitive Fantasy Football draft game around. Fanball Draft & Play NFL Fantasy Football features 10-team leagues, live online drafts, point-style scoring, and head-to-head matchups. Enter any of the 8 levels of play including FREE, $10 COPPER, $25 BRONZE, $75 TRIPLE BRONZE, $125 SILVER, $250 GOLD, $500 PLATINUM, and $1,000 DOUBLE PLATINUM. You can win great cash prizes - up to $6,000 per 10-team league. Draft your team of 15 players (8 active and 7 reserves) and make weekly in-season free agent acquisitions until the league playoffs in Week 14. New This Year: Enter for FREE! Win your league and receive a $10 COPPER Entry in 2010! Fanball has awarded more cash prizes than any other competitor, more than $50 million since 1992. Draft & Play NFL draft times are filling up fast - Enter Now! |
Hi Folks,
Good Tuesday to you. Quick thought for you I wanted to share.
I was talking with our Jason Wood about information overload this morning. With the advent of Twitter and Facebook, it's now possible to know an incredible amount of information about players in real time as practice unfolds. From Javon Walker just made a great catch, to Fred Jackson took a hard hit and was a little woozy.
While that's pretty cool, it's not an altogether good thing when it becomes overwhelming.
That's where we come in. We'll sort through the mountain of stories and Tweets and Facebook updates and distill them down to just the stories you really need to know about.
Let us do the scanning so you can do other things. Like have a life. It's what we do.
With that said, let's get to it.
J
SITE NEWS
A.
Injury Update
Our Mark Wimer takes a detailed look across the league at all the injury situations you'll want to keep an eye on.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. MIN - QB Sage Rosenfels a sure bet to start?2. DAL - Situation to dictate RBs carries
3. BUF - RB Fred Jackson named starter for first three games
4. BUF - RB Marshawn Lynch loses appeal
5. CHI - WR Devin Hester getting the ball a lot
6. CHI - RB Kevin Jones standing out
7. CHI - WR Earl Bennett could be quite a catch
8. NO - RB Reggie Bush dealing with swelling in his knee
9. CHI - TE Greg Olsen works as No. 1 TE
10. DAL - WR Sam Hurd arguably the best receiver in camp so far
11. NE - Patriots to sign QB Andrew Walter
12. CLE - James RB James Davis keeps impressing
13. CIN - Team chemistry better than ever
14. NFL - WR Plaxico Burress indicted
15. BAL - WR Brandon Marshall no longer on radar
16. ARI - QB Kurt Warner doesn't expect offense to change under Whisenhunt
17. NE - Belichick discusses running back competition
18. DAL - RB Felix Jones likely to see an expanded role in the offense
19. IND - PK Adam Vinatieri plans to be ready by season start
20. NE - QB Kevin O'Connell on track to be the backup
21. CIN - TE Chase Coffman still bothered by foot injury
22. DET - Quarterbacks sharp in practice
23. NYG - WR Steve Smith confident he can be go-to receiver
24. WAS - RB Ladell Betts could be the 3rd down back
25. SF - 8-10 million dollar gap in WR Michael Crabtree negotiations?
26. DEN - RB Peyton Hillis the early star of camp
27. TB - WR Antonio Bryant and TE Kellen Winslow slowed by minor injuries
28. KC - Three veteran receivers work out Monday
29. NO - QB Mark Brunell, QB Joey Harrington sharing time with second team
30. MIN - QB John David Booty hasn't improved much
31. CLE - WR Josh Cribbs, Mohamed Massaquoi lining up as starters
32. DEF - CAR - Kemoeatu tears Achilles' tendon
33. DEF - PHI - Torn ACL for ILB Stewart Bradley
34. DEF - BAL - DE Terrell Suggs hates the Steelers
MIN - QB Sage Rosenfels a sure bet to start?
Source: Peter King - SI.com
Peter King, from SI.com, thinks Sage Rosenfels was the Minnesota starter before Tarvaris Jackson went down with a strained knee at practice the other day, and he's still going to be the starter now, obviously. And King wouldn't be surprised if John David Booty beat out Jackson for the backup job.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
If J.D. Booty can beat out Jackson for the backup job to Rosenfels, could the team be inclined to cut Jackson? The team traded for Rosenfels in the offseason, and the veteran has plenty of experience running an offense. Rosenfels is a fierce competitor that likes to take chances, and that's why we've given him the nickname "Captain Turnover." He'll be a fantasy backup in most leagues, but avoid him - especially if your league awards negative points for turnovers.
DAL - Situation to dictate RBs carries
Source: Jeff Caplan - the Star-Telegram
Jeff Caplan, from the Star-Telegram, notes Cowboys RB coach Skip Peete says the carries will be split up between Marion Barber, Felix Jones, and Tashard Choice based on situation. "It's based on packages and plays. I think it's more about series," running backs coach Skip Peete said. "It could be the start of the game and we say we want to do this, and if Felix or Marion don't fit that, they might not be in there. Now, to have a true starter, we more than likely will have a true starter, but I will probably say they will all play. Hopefully, they will all play equal, so they will all be fresh."
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
The team is calling their terrific trio "Smash" (Barber), "Dash" (Jones), and "Tash" (Choice). All of them are terrific runners, but predicting fantasy production is a little tricky in a three-headed RBBC. We know that Barber will start and should lead the team in carries this season. We know that Jones can score on any play and will be used as both a runner and receiver - perhaps even split out wide this year. We also know that Choice is the running back to handcuff to Marion Barber in case of injury. If Barber were to go down, it would be Choice to fill his role and not Jones. Felix would still be a playmaker and see a slight increase in touches, but Choice would be the back to bang it between the tackles and at the goalline. In the event that Barber misses little or no time due to injury the Cowboys may use Choice to spell MBIII for a series or two each game.
BUF - RB Fred Jackson named starter for first three games
Source: Chris Brown - BuffaloBills.com
Chris Brown, of BuffaloBills.com, reports Buffalo Bills head coach Dick Jauron named RB Fred Jackson the starting running back for the team's first three games. RB Marshawn Lynch's three-game suspension was upheld Monday, Aug. 3.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Not a surprise here, although Dominic Rhodes may be shocked. Jackson will be the starter and Rhodes will be the change of pace back. When Lynch comes back expect him to regain his feature job, and Jackson will go back to catching passes and playing a complementary role for the team.
BUF - RB Marshawn Lynch loses appeal
Source: Gregg Rosenthal - Rotoworld.com
Gregg Rosenthal, of Rotoworld.com, reports on his Twitter feed that Tom Curran has phoned in from Bills camp to report that Bills RB Marshawn Lynch lost the appeal of his three game suspension.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Hopefully you've been drafting with the assumption of three game out in mind, because as a multiple offender, Lynch had little chance of winning this appeal.
CHI - WR Devin Hester getting the ball a lot
Source: John Crist - BearReport.com
John Crist, of BearReport.com, reports that in addition to getting the one wildcat snap of the day, Chicago offensive coordinator Ron Turner was "lining him (Hester) up in several spots, sending him in motion liberally and getting the ball in his hands as often as possible."
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Crist called it a "sneak peek" of what to expect in 2009. Greg Olsen may lead the team in receptions, but we're getting very excited about Hester's prospects of being a 1,000 yard receiver with Jay Cutler in town and a new emphasis on Hester in the offense.
CHI - RB Kevin Jones standing out
Source: Jeff Dickerson - ESPNChicago.com
Jeff Dickerson, of ESPNChicago.com, reports Chicago Bears RB Kevin Jones has been one of the top standouts so far in training camp.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Dickerson said Jones is "attacking defenders like they owe him money". It's easy to forget how talented Jones was before he suffered multiple serious injuries. He and Ladell Betts are two of the cheapest backups in fantasy drafts, and either one is worth a late pick, even if you don't own Matt Forte or Clinton Portis.
CHI - WR Earl Bennett could be quite a catch
Source: David Haugh - the Chicago Sun-Times
David Haugh, from the Chicago Sun-Times, notes August is too early to predict how significantly the Bears' game plans will involve WR Earl Bennett, the de facto rookie who began camp as a starting wide receiver opposite Devin Hester. But one thing everybody at Olivet Nazarene already knows: If Bennett emerges as a solid wide receiver the way his teammates and coaches insist he can, the Bears offense will gain a threat and lose a nagging problem.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Bennett and Cutler have great chemistry dating back to their days at Vanderbilt. Cutler's favorite and most trusted target in college was Earl Bennett. Many are expecting them to pick up where they left off, and Bennett is more comfortable this season after struggling with the playbook his rookie season.
NO - RB Reggie Bush dealing with swelling in his knee
Source: ProFootballTalk.com
ProFootballTalk.com is reporting on Monday, Bush was held out of practice due to swelling in his knee. Bush had microfracture surgery on the joint (but supposedly not the full-blown version of it) in December 2008. Coach Sean Payton mentioned on Monday that Bush had a procedure in the "spring"; unless Payton's timeline is simply a little off, it could be that Bush had two separate procedures. "I don't think it's anything significant yet it's significant enough to where I don't want it to become irritated and keep him out for more than just a practice or two," Payton said regarding Bush's knee.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Bush is far from a traditional back, but can rack up great fantasy points (especially in PPR leagues) if he can stay healthy. Pierre Thomas will be this team's primary ball carrier, and if Bush were to miss an extended amount of time due to injury, Thomas could be the kind of pick that wins you the championship in your league.
CHI - TE Greg Olsen works as No. 1 TE
Source: David Haugh - the Chicago Tribune
David Haugh, of the Chicago Tribune, reports Chicago Bears TE Greg Olsen worked with the No. 1 offense at tight end in place of TE Desmond Clark.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Barring injury, Clark's streak of 67 consecutive starts will end Sept. 13. Clark is still expected to see a significant number of snaps with the team. Olsen reportedly has great chemistry with new quarterback Jay Cutler and fantasy owners need to remember how Cutler looked to Tony Scheffler in Denver.
DAL - WR Sam Hurd arguably the best receiver in camp so far
Source: DallasCowboys.com
DallasCowboys.com is reporting Sam Hurd arguably has been the most impressive receiver in camp so far. Miles Austin has made some plays as well. Can Roy Williams replace all of Terrell Owens' production? Maybe not, but they'll try to offset some of it with the run, two-tight end sets featuring what looks like a much-improved Martellus Bennett, and Felix Jones as a receiving threat. You're going to see a different offense this year.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
It's worth noting that the starting job opposite Roy Williams is essentially a three-player race. Patrick Crayton, Miles Austin, and Sam Hurb will all compete for a chance to get in the starting lineup. The second receiver may actually be the fifth read for Tony Romo as Jason Witten, Roy Williams, Martellus Bennett, and Felix Jones should all see their fair share of targets.
NE - Patriots to sign QB Andrew Walter
Source: Adam Schefter - ESPN.com
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the New England Patriots will sign free-agent QB Andrew Walter (Raiders).
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Schefter says the Patriots are also going to release QB Matt Guttierez. Whether you love the Patriots or hate them, you can't deny their success and eye for evaluating talent. When they put a QB on their roster, you'd do well to take note.
CLE - James RB James Davis keeps impressing
Source: Lane Adkins - Scout.com
Lane Adkins, from Scout.com, reports rookie RB James Davis keeps impressing him every day at training camp. Davis has been going up against top-of-the-depth-chart competition and has flashed big play ability with his vision, quickness, and instincts.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Had Davis stayed in the 2008 Draft class (he declared and then decided to stay in college) he would have been a first or second-round draft pick. The Browns hope to have their RB of the future as Jamal Lewis isn't getting any younger. We like hearing about James Davis being decisive with the football as he has good all-around ability. Davis finished his college career as Clemson's all time leader in TDs scored, and despite his size he has a good nose for the endzone. Davis won't start this year unless there's an injury to Jamal Lewis, but he may be too talented to keep off the field in 2009.
CIN - Team chemistry better than ever
Source: James Walker - ESPN.com
James Walker, from ESPN.com, reports the chemistry with this year's Bengals is as good as he's ever seen. Walker has covered Cincinnati or the AFC North in some capacity since 2004, and this is the best Bengals locker room, as a group, that he can remember. In a league built for every team to finish 8-8, good chemistry is one of the few things that separate NFL teams. Walker's early impression is that the usually up-and-down Bengals have a rare chance this season for chemistry not to be an issue.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
This is only good news for a team in dire need of it. The Bengals may not make a playoff run because they play in one of the toughest divisions in football, but there may be a few fantasy stars on their offense starting with QB Carson Palmer. He is trying to bounce back from an injury plagued 2008 season, and even though T.J. Houshmandzadeh is now in Seattle Palmer has plenty of dangerous weapons around him on offense. When healthy Palmer has been one of the best QBs in fantasy football and could easily outperform his current ADP (QB12).
NFL - WR Plaxico Burress indicted
Source: Matt Mosley
ESPN reports free-agent WR Plaxico Burress (Giants) was indicated by a grand jury in New York Monday, Aug. 3.
Lester Munson points out in his helpful self-Q&A, Burress' strategy -- or that of his attorneys -- completely backfired. The former Giants wide receiver was indicted on two gun charges and another for reckless endangerment. Not only did his testimony not persuade the grand jury, but now it can be used against him in trial. And about that trial, Burress' attorney is saying it might not come around until spring 2010.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Burress looks like he is facing a minimum of one year jail time. The remainder of his NFL career is in jeopardy. The 2010 part is interesting though. Look for Commissioner Goodell to get involved in what Burress is able to do on the field between now and then.
BAL - WR Brandon Marshall no longer on radar
Source: Mike Preston - The Baltimore Sun
Mike Preston, of The Baltimore Sun, reports the Baltimore Ravens are no longer interested in Denver Broncos WR Brandon Marshall, particularly after WR Derrick Mason reported to training camp. 'Our interest in Brandon Marshall is between slim and none, and slim just walked out on the field,' said one source, pointing to Mason.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Marshall seems to be over his tiff with the Broncos... for now. Of course, he needs to get back on the field, too.
ARI - QB Kurt Warner doesn't expect offense to change under Whisenhunt
Source: Darren Urban - AZCardinals.com
Darren Urban, of AZCardinals.com, reports Arizona Cardinals QB Kurt Warner said he is not concerned with head coach Ken Whisenhunt taking over the play-calling duties this season from former offensive coordinator Todd Haley. Warner doesn't expect the offense to be much different, as Whisenhunt remained heavily involved in the offense as head coach and influenced a lot of the plays called.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
The offense might not be quite as open with Whisenhunt calling the shots, but he is still a risk taker, and he'll still lean on the team's strength, the passing game.
NE - Belichick discusses running back competition
Source: Jeff Zillgitt - USA Today
Jeff Zillgitt, of USA Today, reports New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said the team feels like they have a good competition at running back this year. RBs Fred Taylor, Laurence Maroney, Sammy Morris and Kevin Faulk are all in the mix. The Patriots have not had a 1,000-yard rusher since 2004, and so far there it appears they will have a committee approach again in 2009. Belichick said he plans to put the running backs out on the field and let them compete. 'I think we would be able to get production from all of them because that's what they have done in the past,' Belichick said.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
If ain't broke... the Patriots aren't considered one of the better running teams in the league because of the success of their passing game, but their RBBC has been one of the most productive backfields in the league.
DAL - RB Felix Jones likely to see an expanded role in the offense
Source: Chad Peters - The San Antonio Express-News
Chad Peters, of The San Antonio Express-News, reports Dallas Cowboys RB Felix Jones has been spending time watching tape of other versatile running backs, such as Philadelphia Eagles RB Brian Westbrook. Jones is expected to have an increased role in the offense this year. Jones said they had time during the offseason to work him at different positions. 'I believe they have the confidence in me to have a little bit more of the playbook,' Jones added. There have been times he has lined up at receiver during training camp, others he is shifting around in the backfield and, at times, he and Marion Barber III have been in the same backfield together.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Jones will end up being a fantasy force this year if he is as explosive as he was last year, but he'll have to do it on limited touches because of the emergence of Tashard Choice down the stretch last year.
IND - PK Adam Vinatieri plans to be ready by season start
Source: John Oehser - Colts.com
John Oehser, of Colts.com, reports Indianapolis Colts PK Adam Vinatieri (hip, knee) expects to be ready for the start of the regular season. Vinatieri said they are taking it slow to make sure everything is on schedule for the start of the season.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Vinatieri hasn't been that impressive scoring-wise since he came to the Colts, so we would pass on him just to avoid the headache that will come if his surgeries cause him problems in the regular season.
NE - QB Kevin O'Connell on track to be the backup
Source: Christopher L. Gasper - the Boston Globe
Christopher L. Gasper, from the Boston Globe, reports Kevin O'Connell acknowledged that in his second camp he expects more out of himself and so does the team, but he has been a little inconsistent during the first four days of camp. Belichick said Friday that O'Connell progressed during the offseason. "I think he certainly understands the offense better than he did last year," said Belichick. "He's got to continue to work on the execution. The offense demands a lot of different things and has a lot of different elements to it. Multiple receivers, multiple tight ends, play actions, spread offense - all those kinds of things. I think Kevin's come a long way in terms of being under center, which is something he did very little of in college at San Diego State. Most of the time he was in the shotgun, so some of the things under center are mechanically a lot better than they were last year."
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
O'Connell is a big, strong, and mobile quarterback that was the backup quarterback last year after Tom Brady went down with injury and Matt Cassel was thrust into the starting lineup. He is hard to bring down, and does a good job of exhausting his reads before looking to scramble. O'Connell can make plays with his feet and isn't afraid of more competition since the Patriots decided to sign veteran Andrew Walter.
CIN - TE Chase Coffman still bothered by foot injury
Source: James Walker - ESPN.com
James Walker, from ESPN.com, notes rookie tight end Chase Coffman still looks bothered by his foot injury. The size and hands are apparent and the primary reason he was taken in the third round by the Bengals. But so far Coffman still appears a half-step slow in running his routes, and he's not taking any days off to rest the sore foot.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
This is not good news for the Bengals TE position which already has to deal with the loss of Reggie Kelly to a ruptured Achilles' tendon. Coffman wasn't able to work out for teams before the draft because of the injury and according to this report the foot is still slowing him down. Coffman will never be confused for a great blocking TE, but he is a reliable receiver that could be a consistent target for Carson Palmer. We'll see if Coffman's foot gets any better over the next few weeks.
DET - Quarterbacks sharp in practice
Source: Tom Kowalski - Mlive.com
Tom Kowalski, of Mlive.com, reports Detroit Lions QBs Daunte Culpepper, Matthew Stafford and Drew Stanton preformed very well during 7-on-7 drills in practice Monday, Aug. 3. In 18 snaps, the quarterbacks completed 13 passes and had just one ill-advised throw. Culpepper, Stafford and Stanton each attempted six passes in the session.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Maybe it's just Kowalski's optimism, but this sounds like the only QB competition where both QBs are playing well.
NYG - WR Steve Smith confident he can be go-to receiver
Source: Ralph Vacchiano - the New York Daily News
Ralph Vacchiano, of the New York Daily News, reports New York Giants WR Steven Smith believes the team's offense will continue to throw the football often this season despite the departures of WRs Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer and that he can be the go-to guy. 'I definitely want that opportunity,' Smith says. 'When we need a big play I want to be the guy that they come to. And I want the lights on me when it's tough and everybody's sweating and bloody. I want to be that guy that makes the big play.'
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Jerry Rice thinks Smith can do it, too. He's definitely worth taking as a WR4 in PPR leagues, just to see if he lives up to expectations.
WAS - RB Ladell Betts could be the 3rd down back
Source: Jason Reid - the Washington Post
Jason Reid, from the Washington Post, reports Ladell Betts has been told he will play more. "This is training camp, and anything can happen, so I'm not taking my job lightly, like it's just mine," Betts said last week. "But I approach it as if it's mine, and I prepare myself to be the starter. I have been told that hopefully I'll be able to play more, third-down situations. We'll see." Coach Jim Zorn said he is still working out the formula for which Betts will be used, but there are indications that he could be inserted in almost every third-down passing situation.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
The Redskins want Clinton Portis to stay healthy for the entire season, so it makes sense they would be looking to get Ladell Betts more involved. Back in 2006, when Portis was lost for most of the season due to injury Betts rushed for over 1,100 yards and had 53 receptions. If you do draft Clinton Portis, don't select him too early and make sure to get Betts later on because he is a must-handcuff.
SF - 8-10 million dollar gap in WR Michael Crabtree negotiations?
Source: Matt Maiocco - the Press-Democrat
Matt Maiocco, from the Press-Democrat, reports it seems that the major difference in negotiations between Michael Crabtree and the 49ers is philosophical. Like the real-estate market, it's all about comparables. Crabtree's agent, Eugene Parker, wants one set of comparables as the basis, while - as I understand it - the 49ers believe it's pretty straight-forward based on where Crabtree was selected in the draft. So if I were to take an educated-but-uninformed guess, I'd say the sides are in the neighborhood of $8-10 million apart in guaranteed money.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Crabtree's holdout may also be causing a ripple effect for some of the players behind him like Aaron Maybin and Knowshon Moreno. Crabtree's holdout may be the longest of any rookie this year.
DEN - RB Peyton Hillis the early star of camp
Source: Frank Schwab - the Colorado Springs Gazette
Frank Schwab, from the Colorado Springs Gazette, writes in the four days that the Broncos have put on the full pads in training camp, running back Peyton Hillis might be the standout player of the camp. He was the best tailback in 7-on-7 drills today, using his power and explosion to get through the line on multiple runs. In an 11-on-11 red zone drill, Hillis showed off his hands by swinging out of the backfield and leaping for a touchdown catch in the corner of the end zone. He had a few extra repetitions at tailback because Correll Buckhalter was held out.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Hillis can do everything, and in our opinion deserves a shot to play running back for the Broncos this year. He has power, vision, instincts, and is a fantastic receiver out of the backfield. In fact, many believe that if Hillis had not gotten hurt last year the Broncos would have made the playoffs - and what a difference that would've made for Shanahan/Cutler. The emergence of Peyton Hillis may lighten the workload of projected starter Knowshon Moreno in 2009.
TB - WR Antonio Bryant and TE Kellen Winslow slowed by minor injuries
Source: Stephen Holder - the St. Petersburg Times
Stephen Holder, from the St. Petersburg Times, notes Antonio Bryant "banged my knee" during Saturday's late practice and returned for Sunday's workout. But the injury was swollen this morning and the team decided it was best to give him some rest. Coach Raheem Morris called Bryant's status day to day. Morris described TE Kellen Winslow's ankle injury the same way.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Winslow suffered the injury in this morning's practice but the initial indications were that it's not a serious injury. For Bryant, this is the same knee he had trouble with last season, when fluid had to be drained from the joint.
KC - Three veteran receivers work out Monday
Source: Adam Teicher - The Kansas City Star
Adam Teicher, of The Kansas City Star, reports the Kansas City Chiefs worked out free-agent WRs D.J. Hackett (Panthers), David Terrell (Broncos), and Amani Toomer (Giants), Monday, Aug. 3.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
The Chiefs are apparently in the market for a veteran receiver. They signed Bobby Engram, formerly of the Seahawks, earlier this offseason but the rest of their receivers not named Dwayne Bowe are fairly inexperienced. Amani Toomer is out to prove that he still has NFL game left in his tank. D.J. Hackett has worked out for several teams this offseason, but has failed to sign on with anybody. David Terrell showed why he was done in Denver.
NO - QB Mark Brunell, QB Joey Harrington sharing time with second team
Source: Pat Yasinskas - ESPN.com
Pat Yasinskas, of ESPN.com, reports New Orleans Saints QB Mark Brunell and QB Joey Harrington have been sharing reps with the second-team offense so far at training camp. Head coach Sean Payton said the two quarterbacks will continue to share reps and will decide who will be the No. 2 quarterback later in the preseason.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Harrington has been kept around because the Saints still see something in him. If he can win this job, and something happens to Drew Brees, he could easily be the surprise fantasy QB of the year because of the potent passing offense around him a la Matt Cassel 2008.
MIN - QB John David Booty hasn't improved much
Source: John Holler - VikingUpdate.com
John Holler, of VikingUpdate.com, reports that Minnesota QB John David Booty is getting more reps with Tarvaris Jackson out, but he "unfortunately, is much like the same quarterback we saw last year. Some of his passes overshot receivers. Others came on one-hops. One in particular nearly decapitated a fan in the end zone who wasn't paying attention."
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Doesn't sound like Booty will be ready to help any time soon.
CLE - WR Josh Cribbs, Mohamed Massaquoi lining up as starters
Source: Tony Grossi - Cleveland Plain Dealer
Tony Grossi, from the Cleveland Plain Dealer, reports with Braylon Edwards still sidelined, the starting receivers were Josh Cribbs and Mohamed Massaquoi. In three-receiver formations, Mike Furrey lined up in the slot.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Massaquoi appears to be ahead of fellow rookie Brian Robiskie on the depth chart at this time. Both rookies have excellent work ethics and Massaquoi may be getting the nod over Robiskie because he's a better athlete even though Robiskie is more savvy and a better route runner.
DEF - CAR - Kemoeatu tears Achilles' tendon
Source: Charles Chandler - the Charlotte Observer
Charles Chandler, of the Charlotte Observer, reports Carolina Panthers DT Ma'ake Kemoeatu (Achilles') suffered a torn Achilles' tendon in practice Monday, Aug. 3.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
A team spokesman did not know what Kemoeatu's status was for the season but this is obviously bad. He will likely miss at least a good portion of the regular season, which may force the team to sign a veteran replacement.
DEF - PHI - Torn ACL for ILB Stewart Bradley
Source: Profootballtalk.com
Profootballtalk.com reports that Howard Eskin of 610 WIP in Philly is reporting that Eagles middle linebacker Stewart Bradley suffered a torn ACL on Sunday night during a scrimmage.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Many thought Bradley was on the verge of a breakout year, now they will have to turn to Joe Mays, or maybe even move Omar Gaither back from his battle with Akeem Jordan to start on the weak side.
DEF - BAL - DE Terrell Suggs hates the Steelers
Source: Peter King - SI.com
Peter King, from SI.com, notes that on the back of the purple T-shirt Terrell Suggs wore under his practice jersey Thursday were these words: "You Bet Your Sweet Ass I Hate The Steelers.''
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Just because you guys need to know.
That'll do it for today, Folks.
And remember, if you want to keep up with Footballguys on our Facebook page, just click here.
If you'd like to keep up with all that I'm doing on Twitter, plus breaking news and Footballguys site info, just click here.
And if you want to keep up with me on Facebook, click here.
Thanks for reading and I we'll see you tomorrow with the update. We've also got some big news for you coming that you'll want to watch for.
J
