Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 10, Issue 12 (Friday, May 1st)
|
Sign Up For Free Newsletter
85,000+ Mailing List |
Hi Folks,
Welcome to the weekend. Hope you've got a great one lined up. We've got plenty of News and Notes for you so let's get right to it. JINSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. JAC - Holt, Walker and Northcutt enter as top three receivers2. NFL - Favre hires personal trainer
3. MIN - WR Harvin in hospital because of dehydration
4. DET - HC Schwartz says QB Stafford overanxious at pratice
5. DEN - RB Jordan could be short-yardage back
6. DEN - Buckhalter could be No. 2 back behind Moreno
7. MIN - HC Childress says team likely will discuss QB Favre
8. CIN - RB Lucky appears to suffer hamstring injury
9. NYJ - HC Ryan not closing door on adding WR Plaxico Burress
10. NYJ - QB Sanchez says practice very successful
11. NE - WR Tate misses practice Friday
12. CAR - Several players miss practice Friday
13. CLE - Brown sign 11 undrafted free agents
14. NYJ - QB Sanchez plans to be starting
15. JAC - Jockeying for position at wide receiver
16. DEF - TB - Bucs have talked about DE Taylor
17. DEF - ARZ - DT Dockett sent for MRI
JAC - Holt, Walker and Northcutt enter as top three receivers
Michael C. Wright, of The Times-Union, reports Jacksonville Jaguars WRs Torry Holt and Mike Walker will likely start minicamp as starters on the outside and WR Dennis Northcutt will work as the team's slot receiver in three receiver sets.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Torry Holt is a lock to be a week 1 starter as long as he is healthy. After Holt the entire depth chart is up in the air. Mike Walker looked better than Brandon Marshall during their time at UCF, but he has failed to stay healthy during his entire pro career. Northcutt is a savvy veteran, but how much does he have left in the tank?
NFL - Favre hires personal trainer
The Pioneer Press reports retired QB Brett Favre has hired a personal trainer at home in Mississippi.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Let the Brett Favre watch begin. Now that he has been granted his release from the Jets, there are many speculating that a deal with the Vikings is imminent. Favre would more than likely need surgery (a procedure that he wanted to avoid) on his torn bicep, so we'll wait to see what the doctors say before we get too excited about the possibility of Brett in '09.
MIN - WR Harvin in hospital because of dehydration
Source: Judd Zulgad, Minneapolis Star Tribune
Judd Zulgad, of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, reports Minnesota Vikings head coach Brad Childress said WR Percy Harvin (dehydration) is in an Atlanta hospital because of extreme dehydration and a virus. Harvin is expected to stay in the hospital for 24 to 48 hours.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Harvin has been under the weather for a couple of days and reportedly vomited in the airport while waiting for a flight. Atlanta doctors have taken special precaution because of the Swine flu outbreak, for which Harvin tested negative. He should be hospitalized for a day or two and then head back to Florida.
DET - HC Schwartz says QB Stafford overanxious at pratice
The Associated Press reports Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz said QB Matthew Stafford was overanxious during practice Friday, May 1, but performed well when he settled in.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
No big deal here. Matthew has 41 million reasons to be overanxious, but it's only natural. If he wasn't showing at least a little bit of nervousness we'd be surprised.
DEN - RB Jordan could be short-yardage back
Mike Klis, of The Denver Post, reports Denver Broncos RB LaMont Jordan could be the team's power back on short yardage situations and at the goal line.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
LaMont Jordan felt like he should be the bell cow in this offense before the Broncos drafted Knowshon Moreno. He has familiarity with this offense from last year when he was with the Patriots. That will give him a distinct advantage over other RBs but unless injuries strike the Denver backfield he may only get goalline opportunities.
DEN - Buckhalter could be No. 2 back behind Moreno
Mike Klis, of The Denver Post, reports Denver Broncos RB Correll Buckhalter may start the season as the team's No. 2 running back behind rookie RB Knowshon Moreno. According to Klis, Buckhalter could be 'playing Chester Taylor to Moreno's Adrian Peterson.'
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Buckhalter has certainly flashed some playmaking ability - when he's healthy. If CBuck can stay injury free he could certainly be a nice option for the Broncos when Knowshon Moreno needs a breather.
MIN - HC Childress says team likely will discuss QB Favre
Source: Judd Zulgad, Minnesota Star Tribune
Judd Zulgad, of the Minnesota Star Tribune, reports Minnesota Vikings head coach Brad Childress said the team has not discussed the possibility of pursuing retired QB Brett Favre but likely will at some point.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
The Vikings and Brett Favre seem to be a match made in heaven...unless you're a Packers fan. Favre is friends with Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, and the team would likely be interested if Favre gets fired up to play football again. Of course, the official word from Favre right now is that he's not interested and will stay retired but we've all heard that before. Stay tuned.
CIN - RB Lucky appears to suffer hamstring injury
Source: Joe Reedy, The Cincinnati Enquirer
Joe Reedy, of The Cincinnati Enquirer, reports Cincinnati Bengals RB Marlon Lucky (hamstring) appeared to tweak his hamstring during practice Friday, May 1.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
We'll wait and see the extent of this injury but it's not the type of start Lucky wants to his career. Lucky is a versatile back that was thought of as a 3rd or 4th round pick after the 2007 season. His numbers dropped off in 2008 while playing in the spread hybrid offense ran by new Head Coach Bo Pellini. Lucky is a straight line runner that lacks the elusiveness to consistently make people miss. 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.
NYJ - HC Ryan not closing door on adding WR Plaxico Burress
Source: Rich Cimini, New York Daily News
Rich Cimini, of the New York Daily News, reports New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan would not rule out the possibility of signing unrestricted free-agent WR Plaxico Burress (Giants), saying the Jets will see what happens with Burress' legal situation before deciding on whether to pursue him.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Never say never. Once his legal situation gets sorted out Plaxico could see multiple teams show more interest.
NYJ - QB Sanchez says practice very successful
Source: Rich Cimini, New York Daily News
Rich Cimini, of the New York Daily News, reports New York Jets QB Mark Sanchez said his first practice with the team was very successful.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
NFL.com is also reporting on this story. "It is a new system, so you want to just try and speak the language as soon as possible," Sanchez said. "I am trying to get all of the terminology down. Me being tough on myself, I want it right every time, and it is not always that way, especially not on the first weekend." Sanchez is a player that demands excellence from himself so it's not surprising that he is challenging himself to get better from day one.
NE - WR Tate misses practice Friday
Source: Karen Guregian, Boston Herald
Karen Guregian, of the Boston Herald, reports New England Patriots WR Brandon Tate (knee) did not participate in practice Friday, May 1, because he is rehabbing from a knee injury.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
The Patriots knew when they drafted Tate that he would not be able to fully pracitce until June. His knee injury (torn ACL/MCL) happened last October in a game against Notre Dame.
CAR - Several players miss practice Friday
Source: Steve Reed, CarolinaGrowl.com
Steve Reed, of CarolinaGrowl.com, reports Carolina Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams (hamstring), RB Jonathan Stewart (ankle), DT Damione Lewis (shoulder), LB Jon Beason (shoulder), LB Na'il Diggs (shoulder) and SS Chris Harris (shoulder) did not participate in practice Friday, May 1.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
The injuries to their RBs are not serious as both Williams and Stewart are expected to be ready for OTAs in June.
CLE - Brown sign 11 undrafted free agents
Zac Jackson, of ClevelandBrowns.com, reports the Cleveland Browns have signed undrafted free-agent TE Mike Massey (Michigan), DL Adam Hoppel (Cincinnati), OL Branndon Braxton (Oklahoma), FS Corey Boudreaux (San Diego State), CB Antonio X. Smith (Bowling Green), FS Jason Venson (Central Florida), S Nate Ness (Arizona), LB Marcus Benard (Jackson State), LB Jonathan Foster (Central State), LB Phillip Hunt (Houston) and WR Brent Casteel (Utah). Terms of the contracts were not disclosed.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Phillip Hunt is another non-combine invite that could end up making waves in the NFL. He’s considered too short to play DE and not athletic enough to play LB in the pros, but he had great career production (34.5 sacks) in Conference USA. He can rip underneath blockers and can leverage the edge. He is a sound tackler, and does a good job of diagnosing the play as it unfolds.
NYJ - QB Sanchez plans to be starting
New York Jets rookie QB Mark Sanchez took part in his first practice Friday, May 1. 'It is difficult when you first come in. It is a new system so you want to just try and speak the language as soon as possible. I am trying to get all of the terminology down,' Sanchez said. He said his game plan is to learn the playbook as fast as he can, mesh with his teammates and start to lead. He noted he felt the first day was a success and he did not commit any turnovers. 'That is huge,' Sanchez said. In regards to winning the starting position, Sanchez said that is still a ways away. 'Of course I am expecting to play. That is what you want to do. You do not grow up dreaming to be a backup,' Sanchez said. He was also wearing a wrap on his knee, which he said the training staff asked him to wear. 'I feel great,' he said.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
The team won't commit to a starter this early of course but it looks to me like Sanchez will be the starter. Coach Ryan has spoken about being one of the early supporters last year of making Joe Flacco the starter and this could be a similar situation.
JAC - Jockeying for position at wide receiver
Source: Michael C. Wright, The Times-Union
Michael C. Wright, of The Times-Union, reports Jacksonville Jaguars rookie WRs Mike Thomas and Jarett Dillard will compete for playing time in the slot. Rookie WR Tiquan Underwood will work on the outside as a reserve, while WRs Troy Williamson and D'Juan Woods also factor into the mix.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Mike Thomas and Jarett Dillard will have a heated battle in training camp for that slot position. Dillard has amazing leaping ability and soft hands, Thomas is quick off the line and has great run after the catch ability. The Jags could find that both of these young WRs need to be on the field at the same time.
DEF - TB - Bucs have talked about DE Taylor
Source: Jim Flynn, PewterReport.com
Jim Flynn, of PewterReport.com, reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Jim Bates said the team has had discussions about signing unrestricted free-agent DE Jason Taylor (Redskins).
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
The Patriots have also shown interest in the veteran pass rusher. There is also a chance that he winds up back in Miami. We'll see which team is willing to dish out the most money.
DEF - ARZ - DT Dockett sent for MRI
Source: The Associated Press
The Associated Press reports the Arizona Cardinals have sent DT Darnell Dockett (undisclosed) to undergo an MRI after he told the team he had an injury.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Could the contract problems of Docket and Boldin have led to this "hamstring" issue. "Hey, we know what's going on," coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "I'm really not going to have much to say about that." Gotta like the Whiz going all Forest Gump on us there...
That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great one and we'll see you tomorrow with the update.
J