Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 10, Issue 117 (Friday, August 14th)

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Hi Folks,

Good Saturday to you. Hope you're ready for a big weekend. We are here as preseason games are rolling out and we're getting to see players show what they've got as camp battle shape up. Lots of news and notes to get to. Thanks to our Cecil Lammey and Sigmund Bloom for the work there as always. Let's get to it.

J

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

DEN - WR Brandon Marshall not guilty

Source: Mike Klis - the Denver Post

Mike Klis, of the Denver Post, reports that WR Brandon Marshall was judged not guilty in his misdemeanor battery trial.

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We wish we could say that you could go back to drafting Marshall in the late second/early third as a WR1, but his lingering hip injury and lack of work in the Josh McDaniels offense still looms over his draft stock.

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CAR - WR Steve Smith returns to practice

Source: Darin Gantt - the Rock Hill Herald

Darin Gantt, of the Rock Hill Herald, reports on his Twitter feed, "The amazing healing powers of Panthers WR Steve Smith. He's out here, in full pads, for practice. Drama."

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Smith's toughness is indeed the stuff of legends.

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NYG - Andre RB Andre Brown has ruptured Achilles, out for the year

Source: Jenny Vrentas

Jenny Vrentas reports on her twitter feed that rookie RB Andre Brown was carted off the practice field with an apparent leg injury. Updated: Looks like a ruptured Achilles for Brown and he will miss the entire year.

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This leaves Danny Ware as the lone competitor for the #3 RB spot. The third RB on some teams doesn't see much action, but we know the Giants love to use a 3-headed RBBC. With Derrick Ward gone to Tampa, it means Ahmad Bradshaw and Ware will battle for touches behind starter Brandon Jacobs. If Jacobs were to go down with an injury we could see Danny Ware get a larger share of the workload, while Bradshaw would remain the change of pace/3rd down back.

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OAK - WR Chaz Schilens is the clear #1 wide receiver

Source: David White - the San Francisco Chronicle

David White, of the San Francisco Chronicle, reports that Chaz Schilens is the clear #1 WR for the Oakland Raiders. White writes, "Chaz Schilens is the No. 1 receiver. Period. Don't ask again. He goes up for the ball and always brings it down. He does it in traffic. He does it in tight coverage."

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Schilens isn't even being drafted in most leagues. Set aside a last-round pick for JaMarcus Russell's favorite target while the rest of fantasy football community catches up to this new reality.

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PHI - TE Brent Celek partially separated his shoulder

Source: Matt Gelb - the Philadelphia Inquirer

Correcting a previous item, Matt Gelb, of the Philadelphia Inquirer, reports Philadelphia Eagles TE Brent Celek (shoulder) partially separated his left shoulder during the team's preseason game Thursday, Aug. 13. Head coach Andy Reid said Celek would be fine in "a couple of days."

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We're glad to hear that Celek is ok, but these shoulder injuries have a way of recurring. Celek is still a great value at his ADP of TE18, but some of the luster of the value has been taken away.

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PHI - QB Mike Vick: 'I won't disappoint'

Source: www.philly.com

New Eagles quarterback Michael Vick returned to the NFL with his introductory press conference at a jam-packed NovaCare Complex auditorium, meeting with the local and national media.

"I'm glad to have an opportunity at a second chance and I won't disappoint," said Vick, wearing a pinstriped suit and flanked by coach Andy Reid and adviser Tony Dungy.

* "It was a point in my life before I was even convicted or before the allegations even came out that I knew it was wrong and I felt it was wrong," Vick said. "Just when I was trying to turn the corner, it was too late. Everything happens for a reason. There's a reason I was sent to Kansas, a reason I was convicted. I was conscious of that fact. To this day, I have to deal with that shame and embarrassment."

* "We all used the excuse that it was part of our culture. I don't think that is an excuse. I was abiding by that rule at the time. When I went to prison, I had plenty of time to think about what I did. Saw people's reaction … Now I understand people care about their animals, their health, their welfare, the protections of their animals. Now I do."

* "I was wrong for what I did. Everything that happened at that point in time was wrong. I can't understand why I was involved to this day … I was a naive to a lot of things. If I can help more animals than I can hurt then I have contributed and I have done my part."

* "I now know playing in the NFL is a privilege and not a right. I want to do whatever is necessary and be the best ambassador to the NFL and in the community."

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I believe in second chances and I'm glad to hear Vick say the things he's saying and hope he's sincere about turning things around. Let's hope he can.

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MIN - WR Bernard Berrian carted off with hamstring injury

Source: Judd Zulgad - the Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Judd Zulgad, of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, reports that Vikings WR Bernard Berrian was carted off after injuring his hamstring in the first quarter of the preseason opener vs. the Indianapolis Colts.

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The use of the cart implies that this could be a serious injury. Hamstring injuries are a real nightmare for a speed receiver like Berrian. This could increase Percy Harvin's deep routes and Sidney Rice's targets, in addition to the number of snaps Bobby Wade gets in the base offense. This could also slightly hurt Adrian Peterson as the deep safety always had to have one eye on Berrian.

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BAL - WR Marcus Smith has a torn ACL, out for the year

Source: Jamison Hensley - Baltimore Sun

The Baltimore Sun is reporting Ravens wide receiver Marcus Smith is out for the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, his agent confirmed today. Smith, who was vying for one of the top four wide receiver spots, injured his knee in the second quarter of Thursday's 23-0 win over the Washington Redskins. There is no timetable set for surgery but it could occur in the next week if the swelling goes down. "He was having a good camp and had an opportunity for a lot of reps," said Kevin Omell, Smith's agent. "He was looking to build upon a good rookie season. He's disappointed and down, but he's a very resilient kid."

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This is terrible news for a player that had an opportunity for a bigger role this year because of all the injuries in the Ravens WR corps. This could open the door for a player like Kelley Washington.

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NYJ - Clayton: QB Mark Sanchez is obvious starting QB

Source: John Clayton - ESPN.com

John Clayton, of ESPN.com, reports that he believes that first-round pick QB Mark Sanchez will be the opening day starter for the Jets. Clayton writes, ": Mark Sanchez is going to win the starting quarterback job. Understand that Ryan is a players' coach. He understands the mentality of a football player and what makes him tick. He knows quarterback battles can't be transparent. Players in the locker room know who the best quarterback is on the field, and the fact is, Sanchez is the most talented quarterback on the field. That's why he will beat out Kellen Clemens."

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Sanchez spoke like he was going to start when the Jets took him, but he has been a gracious competitor since then. Sanchez continues to improve, while Clemens performance has been level throughout camp, so this proclamation makes a lot of sense.

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DET - La Canfora: QB Matthew Stafford-QB Daunte Culpepper QB battle a "dead heat"

Source: Jason La Canfora - the NFL Network

Jason La Canfora, of the NFL Network, reports that he has heard that Lions QBs Matthew Stafford and Daunte Culpepper have performed to a "dead heat" so far in training camp.

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Detroit joins San Francisco as one of the QB battles where both candidates are playing like starters, as opposed to battles like Tampa Bay and Cleveland, where the candidates are only playing like starters for brief flashes.

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CAR - WR Steve Smith may still not play in preseason opener

Source: Darin Gantt - the Rock Hill Herald

Darin Gantt, of the Rock Hill Herald, reports that Panthers head coach John Fox said WR Steve Smith's return to practice on Friday doesn't necessarily mean that he'll play in the preseason opener Monday night in New York.

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There's no reason for the Panthers to risk Smith's health at this early juncture in his recovery from his shoulder injury.

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PHI - ESPN's Ron Jaworski thinks QB Michael Vick poses threat to QB Donovan McNabb

Source: Sheil Kapadia - Philly.com

Sheil Kapadia, of Philly.com, reports that former Eagles QB Ron Jaworski thinks Michael Vick is a threat to Eagles starting QB Donovan McNabb. "Ultimately, Michael Vick is a quarterback and a starting quarterback in the National Football League," Jaworski said during an interview on ESPN Radio's Mike and Mike program. "I heard Donovan's comments that he's not threatened, he's the starting quarterback, but just think of this. The Eagles fall behind 10-0. Donovan's 1-for-6 in the first quarter, and the previous couple games Michael Vick has made a couple plays. I will guarantee you 65,000 people at Lincoln Financial Field will be cheering for Michael Vick to come on the field. It's just the nature of the fan base there. So I think Michael Vick will be a threat to Donovan McNabb."

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A lot has already been made of McNabb's reported sensitivity to the signing, but McNabb's comments have been all positive. The Philly fans may call for Vick quickly when McNabb has one of his patented all-over-the-place games, but we think Andy Reid will be more patient with McNabb after the turnaround everyone saw from him last year.

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ARI - WR Steve Breaston has stiff knee and precautionary MRI

Source: Darren Urban - AZCardinals.com

Darren Urban, of AZCardinals.com, reports that WR Steve Breaston had a stiff knee after Thursday night's game vs. Pittsburgh, so the team is doing a precautionary MRI. Urban writes that head coach Ken Whisenhunt didn't seem too concerned about Breaston's condition.

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Breaston seemed to be Kurt Warner's hot read on multiple plays last night, so he could have solid #4/#5 WR value with upside as long as this knee issue is nothing to be worried about.

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DAL - Not much use of two TE set

Source: Tim MacMahon - the Dallas Morning News

Tim MacMahon, of the Dallas Morning News, reports that the Cowboys only used the two TE set with Martellus Bennett on three out of the nine plays in the TD drive by the first-team offense.

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There has been a ton of buzz about Bennett becoming a big part of the passing offense, and the two TE set becoming the main set of the offense, but that didn't come to fruition Thursday night. Of course, teams tend to not show everything in the preseason, so we can't read too much into this.

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CLE - Team has run no-huddle every day

Source: Marla Ridenour - the Akron Beacon Journal

Marla Ridenour, of the Akron Beacon Journal, reports that Browns head coach Eric Mangini has had the team practice the no-huddle offense every day in training camp. QB Derek Anderson and WR Braylon Edwards are reportedly big fans of the offense. Former head coach Romeo Crennel decided against using the no-huddle because he wanted the team to stick to basics.

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The Browns are unlikely to compete for the playoffs this year, so we think it would be smart for them to put in some risk/reward strategies like the no-huddle that put the pressure on the opposition. This development could also enhance the fantasy value of Edwards and the eventual winner of the QB battle.

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SEA - RB Justin Forsett in the mix at RB

Source: Greg Johns - the Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Greg Johns, of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, reports that RB Justin Forsett has been holding his own blocking much larger players at only 5'8" 198, and earned his way into a piece of the Seahawks backfield. RB coach Kasey Dunn said "It's pretty impressive. We like the way he's playing. Very intelligent, smart guy. No mental mistakes. We're really happy with how he's playing."

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We don't trust Julius Jones or TJ Duckett to perform up to expectations. Forsett will get his shot at some point. You probably don't need to draft him, but be ready to pick him up off the waiver wire as soon as Jones and Duckett start to falter.

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ARI - QB Matt Leinart passes first test, but backup QB battle goes on

Source: Darren Urban - AZCardinals.com

Darren Urban, of AZCardinals.com, reports that QB Matt Leinart "seemingly struck first" in his competition with Brian St. Pierre to back up Kurt Warner. Leinart was 8-for-14 for 83 yards, while St. Pierre was 4-for-10, with three sacks and an interception that was almost returned for a touchdown. Head coach Ken Whisenhunt put some of the blame at the feet of St. Pierre's teammates. "Brian just didn't get a lot of help," Whisenhunt said. "But he didn't get discouraged and he kept plugging away." Whisenhunt also said that St. Pierre would get to play in the second quarter next week, and Leinart in the third.

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It sounds like Whisenhunt hasn't made up his mind yet, and he definitely wants St. Pierre to still feel encouraged. Leinart did miss a wide-open Anquan Boldin on his first throw, so he also has room to improve.

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SD - TE Antonio Gates expects to have very productive season

Source: Bill Williamson - ESPN.com

Bill Williamson, of ESPN.com, reports San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates said he believes 2009 will be one of the best seasons of his career because he believes his injury-plagued 2008 season allowed him to become a more complete football player. He said he was able focus on his playbook more last season because he was hurt, which helped him build his knowledge of the offense.

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Like his teammate Ladainian Tomlinson, Gates was hampered by injuries all year, which cut into his production. He has regained his explosiveness and he should be a solid bet to finish in the top three fantasy TEs yet again.

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PIT - RB Willie Parker sits out Thursday

Source: Ed Bouchette and Chuck Finder - the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Ed Bouchette and Chuck Finder, of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, reports Pittsburgh Steelers RB Willie Parker (back) sat out the team's preseason game Thursday, Aug. 13.

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Bouchette called Parker only "slightly injured", so the Steelers are just protecting the health of their starter.

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BAL - QB Joe Flacco solid Thursday

Source: David Ginsburg - Associated Press

The Associated Press reports Baltimore Ravens QB Joe Flacco was 9-for-15 for 103 yards during the team's preseason opener Thursday, Aug. 13.

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There has been talk out of Ravens camp that Joe Flacco had been struggling, but he put in a solid performance against the Redskins in their first preseason game.

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That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great Saturday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update.

J