Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 10, Issue 11 (Thursday, April 30th)
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Hi Folks,
Welcome to Friday. It's always nice to wrap up a week on a good note and we've got plenty of news and notes for you to help you do just that. The season is still a pretty long ways off but there are important things happening here in May that will absolutely have an impact on your Draft in August. Let us help you stay on top of everything. Have a great Friday and a great weekend. Let's get to it. JINSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. PHI - RB Westbrook looking to help McCoy out, but keep him on bench2. TEN - RB Henry's roster spot could be in jeopardy
3. DEN - RB Young waived
4. NE - TB - Patriots trade for TE Alex Smith
5. MIN - WR Harvin likely to be in substance program
6. CIN - Bengals sign seven undrafted free agents
7. CHI - Bears have several undrafted free agents to try out
8. MIA - Dolphins sign three more undrafted free agents
9. CHI - WR Bennett switches jersey number
10. NYJ - QB Ainge reports for offseason program
11. ATL - Falcons work out WR Drew Bennett
12. NFL - RB Lawrence Phillips to stand trial on eight felony charges
13. DEF - CHI - Bears not concerned about CB Moore's height
14. DEF - CHI - GM Angelo feels good about DE Melton
15. DEF - WAS - CB Smoot fires back at rookie comments
PHI - RB Westbrook looking to help McCoy out, but keep him on bench
Source: Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Sheil Kapadia, of Philly.com, reports Philadelphia Eagles RB Brian Westbrook said he would help rookie RB LeSean McCoy get adjusted to the NFL game, but said his job is to keep the rookie off the field. "My job as an older guy as well as a guy that's competitive is to help them out, help them be the best player that they can, but also for me, my job is to keep those guys on the bench as long as I can, and try to remain on this team and in this league as long as I can and that's just the bottom line," Westbrook said during an interview on 610 WIP-AM.
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Some veterans don't want to help out younger players, just ask anyone who played under Jerry Rice. It's good that Westbrook will help the immensely talented youngster get up to speed, and the truth is - Westy needs McCoy to lighten the load. Brian Westbrook is one of the best all around RBs in the league, but has struggled to stay healthy for a full season. LeSean McCoy is an extremely athletic back that has so many moves that he sometimes out-jukes himself. He has a lot to learn as a RB, but his upside is huge. He will back up Westbrook until Westy is done, and then McCoy could be the feature back.
TEN - RB Henry's roster spot could be in jeopardy
Source: Jim Wyatt, Nashville Tennessean
Jim Wyatt, of The Tennessean, reports Tennessee Titans RB Chris J. Henry's spot on the roster could be in jeopardy because the team drafted RB Javon Ringer.
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Chris Henry can run fast, that's a fact. That's all anyone could talk about after the Titans selected him in the 2nd round of the 2007 NFL Draft. Henry averaged a measly 3.3 YPC and could not beat out Mike Bell for the starting spot in college. Physically he's very impressive, but he seems to lack the instincts to be an effective runner in the pros. Ringer does not have great size and already has a history of ACL/MCL injuries. On the plus side he is a patient cutback runner that displays good forward lean and agility.
Source: DenverBroncos.com
The Denver Broncos have announced they have waived RB Selvin Young.
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Selvin Young's days were numbered in Denver once Mike Shanahan was fired as head coach. He did little to impress last year in a feature role, and once again struggled to stay healthy. Selvin can pick up yardage on gadget plays, and has more quickness than one might expect. He's still young and should catch on with a team for training camp.
NE - TB - Patriots trade for TE Alex Smith
Source: Patriots.com
Patriots.com reports the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have traded TE Alex Smith to the New England Patriots for an undisclosed 2010 draft choice.
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The Patriots love to collect Tight Ends. Alex Smith was expendable in the eyes of the Buccaneers after they traded for Kellen Winslow Jr. He is very athletic, but has not lived up to his potential yet in the pros. Perhaps Bill Belichick can get the most out of him. With Chris Baker, Ben Watson, and Alex Smith the Patriots could use more 2-Tight End sets.
MIN - WR Harvin likely to be in substance program
Source: Judd Zulgad, Minneapolis Star Tribune
Judd Zulgad, of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, reports Minnesota Vikings WR Percy Harvin likely will begin his career in Stage 1 of the NFL's substance abuse program if he did test positive at the NFL Scouting Combine.
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Fantasy owners should proceed with caution when considering Percy Harvin for their fantasy teams. If he already starts in the substance abuse program from day one he is merely one failed drug test away from a suspension. His talent on the field is unquestioned, but try to get him at a value pick in your rookie drafts.
CIN - Bengals sign seven undrafted free agents
Source: Dayton Daily News
The Cincinnati Bengals have announced they have signed undrafted free-agent OG Colin Dow (Montana), RB Marlon Lucky (Nebraska), CB Rico Murray (Kent State), S Tom Nelson (Illinois State), FB Chris Pressley (Wisconsin), WR David Richmond (San Jose State) and LB Dan Skuta (Grand Valley State). Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
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Marlon Lucky looked uninterested during the week of practice for the 2008 Shrine Game, but he had a solid performance in the game. Marlon has a low center of gravity, runs with a good pad level, and does a good job of picking and sliding down the line of scrimmage. When he gets to the second level he loses too much speed in and out of his breaks to compile big yardage on a single play. David Richmond is only beginning to learn the WR position (he's only been playing football for 3 years), but the raw ability is there. He has good initial quickness, some rather unorthodox moves to get open, and good straight line speed. His hands are natural, which will help shorten his learning curve.
CHI - Bears have several undrafted free agents to try out
Source: Brad Biggs, Chicago Sun-Times
Brad Biggs, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports undrafted free-agent CB Cooter Arnold (North Carolina), WR Maurice Covington (Virginia), S Byron Glaspy (Virginia), CB Marquise Hundley (Arizona), RB Brad Lester (Auburn), S Derek Pegues (Mississippi State), P Jake Richardson (Miami University of Ohio), FB Brandon X. Smith (Ohio State), WR George Smith (Vanderbilt), DT Pete Tverdov (Rutgers) and TE Zeke Zacharie (Louisiana-Monroe) will participate in the Chicago Bears' upcoming minicamp on a tryout basis.
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Covington is a big WR at 6'4" 224 lbs, but never quite produced like some expected at Virginia. He is athletic and wowed scouts at his pro day with a 40" vertical leap. He was reportedly going to try out for the New York Giants as well. At one time Brad Lester was considered to be an up and coming prospect. His career never really got on track at Auburn, and he only had 289 yards rushing and 2 TDs in his final season. It's doubtful that he could be more than a special teams contributor in the NFL.
MIA - Dolphins sign three more undrafted free agents
Source:
The Miami Dolphins have announced they have signed undrafted free-agent DL Louis Ellis (Shaw), RB Anthony Kimble (Stanford) and TE SirVincent Rogers (Houston). Terms of the contracts were not disclosed.
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Anthony Kimble is a converted WR that showed really good receiving ability as a pass catching RB at the Texas Vs The Nation Game. He runs upright and is not elusive, but could contribute on passing downs.
CHI - WR Bennett switches jersey number
Source: Larry Mayer, ChicagoBears.com,
Larry Mayer, of ChicagoBears.com, reports Chicago Bears WR Earl Bennett has switched his jersey number from No. 85 to No. 80.
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Because I know you guys need to know...
NYJ - QB Ainge reports for offseason program
Source: Rich Cimini, New York Daily News
Rich Cimini, of the New York Daily News, reports New York Jets QB Erik Ainge reported for the team's offseason program a few days ago after missing a majority of the program because of a personal reason.
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Erik Ainge has gone from a potential QB of the future, to just a questionable future in New York. He did not impress last year in training camp, and was outplayed by now Cleveland Brown Brett Ratliff. Mark Sanchez will be busy battling Kellen Clemens for the starting job, so it appears Ainge could start the season as the #3 QB. However, he had better start playing better or the Jets could go with Chris Pizotti as their emergency QB.
ATL - Falcons work out WR Drew Bennett
Source:
Steve Wyche, of NFL.com, reports the Atlanta Falcons worked out unrestricted free-agent WR Drew Bennett (Rams) Thursday, April 30.
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Roddy White and Michael Jenkins are locked into the starting lineup. Behind them are largely unproven players like Harry Douglas, the injury prone Brian Finneran, and the undrafted rookie Aaron Kelly. Bennett is not the same player he used to be when he tied an NFL record for scoring 8 Touchdowns in 3 weeks. Drew Bennett could make this team, although there are questions about how productive he could be at this point in his career.
NFL - RB Lawrence Phillips to stand trial on eight felony charges
Source: Associated Press
The Associated Press reports former NFL RB Lawrence Phillips will go to trial on charges that he attacked his girlfriend in 2005. A San Diego judge ruled Wednesday, April 29, that Phillips must stand trial on eight felony charges for two alleged assaults. He could face up to 25 years in prison if convicted. Phillips is already serving a 10-year sentence for hitting three teenagers with his car in Los Angeles.
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Sorry - slow news day. But this is the kind of thing that scares every GM to death as they prepare to make their first round pick an offer of a zillion dollars...
DEF - CHI - Bears not concerned about CB Moore's height
Source: Larry Mayer, ChicagoBears.com
Larry Mayer, of ChicagoBears.com, reports the Chicago Bears are no concerned about rookie CB D.J. Moore's height. Moore stands at 5-foot-9 and weighs 192 pounds. General manager Jerry Angelo said, "I see him more as short, not small, but he plays tall. The guy's got incredible leaping ability. He made an interception against Georgia; there aren't [more than] three guys in the league that can make that interception going up for the ball. He's got some special ball skills."
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D.J. Moore's vertical leap permits him to play bigger than his size. When the ball is in the air he attacks it like a receiver, and he is a sound tackler. The NFL is featuring more small receivers and Moore will be able to cover them effectively. He also has added value because of his return ability.
DEF - CHI - GM Angelo feels good about DE Melton
Source: Larry Mayer, ChicagoBears.com
Larry Mayer, of ChicagoBears.com, reports Chicago Bears general manager Jerry Angelo said he feels good about rookie DE Henry Melton's potential. Melton, who was not invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, seemed in demand prior to the 2009 NFL Draft. Angelo said, "He had a lot of buzz going on. I think he made 12 visits, which is an inordinate amount of visits for a non-Combine player. So I felt if we wanted him we needed to take him in the fourth because he wouldn't be there in the fifth. I feel real good about his traits and the ceiling of what he can be."
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The Bears should feel good about DE Henry Melton, their 4th round draft pick with a ton of upside. He started his career with the Longhorns as a bruising goalline back that racked up 10 rushing TDs his freshmen season. In his senior year, starting opposite Brian Orakpo, he compiled 18 solo tackles, 9 assists, and 4 sacks. He has great explosion off the line of scrimmage, but is very raw when it comes to pass rushing moves. With proper coaching Melton could develop into a solid starting DE in just a few years.
DEF - WAS - CB Smoot fires back at rookie comments
Source: David Elfin, The Washington Times
David Elfin, of The Washington Times, reports Washington Redskins rookie CB Kevin Barnes said fellow CB Fred Smoot, 30, was 'getting a little older.' Smoot said the comments didn't bother him, noting three days of minicamp will humble the rookie. 'I'm going to take him through some things. I haven't seen the guy. I don't even know his name, and I love football, so that tells you [something]. I know who's going to get drafted where. I didn't know the kid,' Smoot said.
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Smoot firing back with the "I don't know who this kid is" line. Nice. You have to like confidence in a young corner but in reality, the rookie should probably just strap on the shoulder pads and keep his mouth shut.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Thanks to our Cecil Lammey for the help here and I hope you have a great start to your weekend. I'm heading out to visit family in Mobile, Alabama tomorrow but as always, I'll have the Daily Update ready for you tomorrow. See you then.
J