Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 10, Issue 120 (Monday, August 17th)
|
Sign Up For Free Newsletter
85,000+ Mailing List |
Ever wonder who was the best fantasy football owner? Check out the Fantasy Football World Rankings at the WCOFF. Registration is still open for the premier event in fantasy sports. Participate in live drafts in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Dallas or Orlando competing for over $2M in cash awards and the title of World Champion of Fantasy Football. Limited space is available in the $1K Auction Championship, Keeper League and DraftMasters division. Register HERE. Win your way into the 2010 $25K Platinum League through the newly introduced WCOFF Tier Satellites. For as little as $250 you could be competing for the $150,000 1st place prize in the WCOFF Platinum League. Fantasy Football Dream Team Championship – Learn more about this exciting new contest as part of the WCOFF Main Event. |
Hi Folks,
Another huge day for content. Another big day for News. Check out the Rate My Team app if you haven't already - it's seriously beyond cool. Now let's get to it.
J
SITE NEWS
A.
Start Dominating Your Competition With A Footballguys Subscription
I hope you're finding these emails helpful. We'll keep scouring the news and sifting through the mountain of stories each day to bring you the nuggets you need to know. But this is just a tiny sliver of what we do. For $27.95, a Footballguys subscription gives you everything you need to dominate your league. We'll produce about 50,000 pages of content this season. All with the goal of giving you what you need. We have our $35,000 Subscriber Contest where we'll throw tons of money at our subscribers as a way to say thanks. And to top it off, our subscriptions come with a MONEY BACK GUARANTEE. Try it out and if you find that it's not worth the $27.95 to, we refund your money. For the price of a couple pizzas and drinks, we'll give you the edge you need and if you don't agree, you get your money back. It's a can't lose.
To start dominating the guys in your league, just click here.
B.
Our New Feature This Year - Rate My Team
I won't lie, I think we've done some pretty cool things over the years at Footballguys. But this year, we've raised the bar WAY up with what I think is the coolest feature we've done to date. It's called Rate My Team. And it does just what it says. Spend a few seconds entering your team and information and with one click, we give you a detailed analysis of your team that I think you're going to love. Check it out for yourself. It's 100% FREE.
C.
Injury Update
Our Mark Wimer with injury updates on player's you need to know about.
D.
Quarterback By Committee (Start 2 QBs)
You'll see this concept copied by other sites but Chase Stuart's been doing this for a while here and I think he knocks it out of the park. It's a great strategy for owners who want to concentrate on RBs and WRs then put together a QB committee later in the draft. In this one, he looks at how to do this for leagues that start two QBs.
E.
Quarterback By Committee
You'll see this concept copied by other sites but Chase Stuart's been doing this for a while here and I think he knocks it out of the park. It's a great strategy for owners who want to concentrate on RBs and WRs then put together a QB committee later in the draft.
F.
Average Draft Position for PPR leagues
You know where you want to draft a guy. See where the other owners in your league are likely to draft that guy with our ADP (Average Draft Position) ranking for PPR leagues.
G.
Average Draft Position
You know where you want to draft a guy. See where the other owners in your league are likely to draft that guy with our ADP (Average Draft Position) ranking.
H.
2009 Schedule Grid
It's simple but one of my favorite things we do - The entire NFL schedule on a one page grid.
I.
Rookie Quarterbacks - Historical Success
Part of our Jeff Tefertiller's outstanding series on rookies.
J.
Rookie Quarterbacks - The 2009 Crop
Part of our Jeff Tefertiller's outstanding series on rookies.
K.
Rookie Running Backs - Historical Success
Part of our Jeff Tefertiller's outstanding series on rookies.
L.
Rookie Running Backs - The 2009 Crop
Part of our Jeff Tefertiller's outstanding series on rookies.
M.
Rookie Wide Receivers - Historical Success
Part of our Jeff Tefertiller's outstanding series on rookies.
N.
Rookie Wide Receivers - The 2009 Crop
Part of our Jeff Tefertiller's outstanding series on rookies.
O.
Rookie Tight Ends - Historical Success
Part of our Jeff Tefertiller's outstanding series on rookies.
P.
Rookie Tight Ends - The 2009 Crop
Part of our Jeff Tefertiller's outstanding series on rookies.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. OAK - Cable was coach that punched assistant2. STL - QB Marc Bulger out two weeks
3. PHI - QB Donovan McNabb, QB Michael Vick on the field together?
4. DAL - WR Roy Williams says he will play Friday
5. CIN - QB Carson Palmer will not play Thursday
6. KC - WR Dwayne Bowe still not on the first team
7. CLE - QB Brady Quinn takes the lead in QB competition
8. IND - RB split will be situational
9. DEN - Could RB Peyton Hillis emerge as starter?
10. KC - RB Larry Johnson seems faster after dropping weight
11. BAL - RB Ray Rice expected to catch plenty of passes
12. IND - WR Austin Collie and WR Pierre Garcon to be situational receivers
13. MIN - Evidence points to a QB Brett Favre comeback
14. DET - QB Matthew Stafford could be tough to keep out of starting lineup
15. BUF - WR Terrell Owens returns to practice Monday
16. DEN - RB Correll Buckhalter returns to practice Monday
17. NFL - Sapp thinks QB Brett Favre will not return
18. CAR - WR Steve Smith out for Monday
19. HOU - Re-sign QB Alex Brink
20. STL - RB Samkon Gado passes RB Ken Darby on the depth chart
21. GB - Gap widens between QB Matt Flynn and QB Brian Brohm
22. KC - Team signs Ashley WR Ashley Lelie
23. OAK - QB Jeff Garcia remains No. 2 on depth chart
24. CLE - QB Brady Quinn favorite in QB competition
25. ARI - RB Chris Wells being worked back in slowly
26. KC - WR Ashley Lelie wearing No. 17
27. GB - DT Justin Harrell fears career is over
28. NYJ - DT Kris Jenkins returns to practice Monday
OAK - Cable was coach that punched assistant
Source: Nancy Gay - AOL FanHouse
Updating a previous report, Nancy Gay, of AOL FanHouse, reports Oakland Raiders head coach Tom Cable was the person who punched assistant coach Randy Hanson during an altercation Wednesday, Aug. 5, according to sources. Sources said Hanson never saw the punch from Cable coming. Hanson reportedly suffered a fractured jaw as a result of the altercation, according to a league source.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Wow, only on the Raiders. It's also worth noting that Cable claims "nothing happened". Stay tuned.
STL - QB Marc Bulger out two weeks
Source: Mike Sando - ESPN
ESPN reports St. Louis Rams QB Marc Bulger (finger) will be out for two weeks because of a right finger injury.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Kyle Boller is now the Rams starting QB for the time being. Steven Jackson owners, hope you had a barf bag handy for that last sentence.
PHI - QB Donovan McNabb, QB Michael Vick on the field together?
Source: Associated Press
The Associated Press reports that Eagles QB Donovan McNabb said he wouldn't mind giving up some snaps to Michael Vick, but McNabb playfully warned that he might not leave the field. "I wouldn't have a problem with it if it's helping us win," McNabb said. "I'll be a receiver. I might be a tight end. I might be a running back. You never know where I'll be."
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
The Eagles would be foolish to not at least experiment with the possibilities that Vick could present in special packages.
DAL - WR Roy Williams says he will play Friday
Source: Tim MacMahon - The Dallas Morning News
Tim MacMahon, of The Dallas Morning News, reports Dallas Cowboys WR Roy Williams (wrist) said he will play in the team's preseason game Friday, Aug. 21. Williams said, "If I practice, I'm going to play. I'm not just going to practice for fun. I want to get rewarded by playing, especially the first time in the stadium. So I'm in. Count me in."
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
This is a clear sign that Williams wrist injury isn't a problem. We also like Williams attitude about the injury. Maybe he really is taking football more seriously.
CIN - QB Carson Palmer will not play Thursday
Source: James Walker - ESPN.com
James Walker, of ESPN.com, reports Cincinnati Bengals QB Carson Palmer (ankle) will not play in the team's preseason game Thursday, Aug. 20, according to ESPN's Bob Holtzman.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
The team has called this a mild high ankle sprain, which could limit Palmer's mobility when he comes back. High ankle sprains also have a tendency to linger, so keep an eye on Palmer's recovery.
KC - WR Dwayne Bowe still not on the first team
Source: Kent Babb - the Kansas City Star
Kent Babb, from the Kansas City Star, reports on his twitter feed that WR Dwayne Bowe still isn't running with the first-team offense. He was in for two plays with the 1s, but he was still with the 2s.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
The "Bowe Show" is not getting rave reviews from head coach Todd Haley. The Chiefs could pass a lot this year, as they may have to play from behind because their defense is very suspect. This could be a great opportunity for Bowe to lead the league in targets, but he must improve his game in the eyes of his new head coach. Bowe must show a better work ethic, and have better concentration so he doesn't drop as many passes.
CLE - QB Brady Quinn takes the lead in QB competition
Source: Tony Grossi - the Cleveland Plain Dealer
Tony Grossi, from the Cleveland Plain Dealer, reports Brady Quinn showed enough in the first preseason game to surpass Derek Anderson, who had a slight edge through two weeks of training camp practices. Game reps should trump "no-touch" practice time at half speed. It's not over, but Anderson is running out of time and now needs a big response against Detroit Saturday night. The pressure on Anderson to perform in Cleveland Browns Stadium is the white-hot kind that can't be simulated on the practice field.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Derek Anderson had a pathetic performance against the Packers, going 0-2 for 0 yards and 1 interception on the night. He should be the starting quarterback this week and he had better bring his "A" game if he wants to stay in this competition.
IND - RB split will be situational
Source: Paul Kuharsky - ESPN.com
Paul Kuharsky, from ESPN.com, reports Colts coach Jim Caldwell was asked if there will be a formula for touches between Joseph Addai and Donald Brown. "It depends, week to week, it depends on who you're facing, what type of defensive structure you have to deal with," Caldwell said. "So our strategy changes on that a bit, but one thing we do know for sure is there will be some kind of rotation."
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Joseph Addai struggles to stay healthy, and if Donald Brown gets a chance to be the lone feature back he may seize the starting job away from Addai. This is still going to be a RBBC, as the Colts want to keep both backs fresh for what they hope is a playoff run. Addai could get most of the receptions out of the backfield, but when the team needs to grind out yards between the tackles and at the goalline then Donald Brown could be the back they turn to.
DEN - Could RB Peyton Hillis emerge as starter?
Source: Aaron Lopez - CBSSports.com
CBSSports.com reports Denver Broncos FB Peyton Hillis could wind up as the team's No. 1 running back in Week 1. Hillis has not missed a workout in training camp, while RBs Knowshon Moreno (knee), Correll Buckhalter (undisclosed) and LaMont Jordan (knee) have been sidelined at various points due to injury.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Hillis could easily be the feature running back for this offense. He's instinctive, runs with great power, has a nose for the end zone, and is a fantastic receiver out of the backfield. He doesn't have elite speed, and isn't quite as quick as Knowshon Moreno, but Hillis runs hard and is determined on every play.
KC - RB Larry Johnson seems faster after dropping weight
Source: Vic Carucci - NFL.com
Vic Carucci, from NFL.com, reports running back Larry Johnson reported to Chiefs' training camp at 222 pounds, about 13 pounds lighter than his consistent weight through the first six years of his NFL career. The weight loss shows in his speed and explosiveness. Johnson removed most of his bulk from his upper body, while concentrating on adding strength to his legs.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Larry Johnson has been doing and saying everything right since the new regime in KC has taken over. He could once again be a force to be reckoned with if the Chiefs are facing a soft run defense. However, the Chiefs could be playing from behind a lot this year which will lead to more passing and less Larry Johnson.
BAL - RB Ray Rice expected to catch plenty of passes
Source: Jon Gallo - CBSSports.com
CBSSports.com reports the Baltimore Ravens have featured RB Ray Rice in their passing offense during training camp. Rice has been the recipient of many screen passes during drills. The team is likely going to use Rice as a receiver out of the backfield this season.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
The team should use Rice in a number of different ways because he's a talented and elusive runner in the open field. Because of Rice's small stature he can hide behind his offensive linemen, and patiently wait until just the right moment to turn on the speed.
IND - WR Austin Collie and WR Pierre Garcon to be situational receivers
Source: Peter King - SI.com
Peter King, from SI.com, recently talked with Peyton Manning, and the quarterback had some good things to say about Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon. "For a long time, it was 88 [Harrison] over here to the right, 87 [Reggie Wayne] there to the left, 44 [Dallas Clark] in the slot." Manning continued, "My point of emphasis has been where I can throw the out route, the in route, the comeback, I can throw anything to Anthony Gonzalez with my eyes closed. With Marvin, I could be looking left, then turn right at the last second and throw to him almost without looking. With Collie and Garcon, they're probably going to be situational wide receivers."
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
This matches earlier reports that we've heard coming out of Colts' training camp. Collie is a savvy route runner, has good body control, and has hands of glue. Garcon is very fast - and super quick. Once he's into his route, he can easily make defenders bite on a fake and gets open with ease. Because of their different skill sets, the team will use them on a situational basis. This is good for the Colts, but bad for fantasy owners. We like both of these young receivers, but the opportunity for production won't be enough for fantasy owners to take note.
MIN - Evidence points to a QB Brett Favre comeback
Source: Jay Glazer - FoxSports.com
Jay Glazer, of FoxSports.com, reports that he is "positively convinced" that Brett Favre will soon have talks with the Minnesota Vikings about joining the team. Glazer cites that one Vikings player believes the deal is already done, Favre is leaving the possibility open, Favre would be the best option at QB for the Vikings, and Favre's hatred of training camp as evidence that the prospects of Favre becoming a Viking are still alive.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Please, for the love of Roger Goodell, make it stop. We are ready for college football to start so the national football media can become obsessed with Tim Tebow instead of Favre or Michael Vick.
DET - QB Matthew Stafford could be tough to keep out of starting lineup
Source: John Niyo - The Detroit News
John Niyo, of The Detroit News, reports Detroit Lions rookie QB Matthew Stafford was calm on the field during the team's first preseason game and is going to be hard to keep out of the starting lineup. He is going to get his chance to work with the first-string offense in the team's second preseason game, as he will be given the starting nod in that game. If he handles the test well, he may have little left to prove.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Daunte Culpepper will have to decisively outplay Stafford from here on out to start in week 1.
BUF - WR Terrell Owens returns to practice Monday
Source: Associated Press
The Associated Press reports Buffalo Bills WR Terrell Owens (toe) returned for the team's practice Monday, Aug. 17.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
The TO show is back on the air.
DEN - RB Correll Buckhalter returns to practice Monday
Source: Lindsay Jones - The Denver Post
Lindsay Jones, of The Denver Post, reports Denver Broncos RB Correll Buckhalter (undisclosed) returned for the team's practice Monday, Aug. 17, after missing two sessions.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Whatever it was the Josh McDaniels keeping a secret about Buckhalter's condition, it clearly wasn't anything to get worried about.
NFL - Sapp thinks QB Brett Favre will not return
Source:
The NFL Network's Warren Sapp believes retired QB Brett Favre will not return to the league. Sapp is good friends with Favre and said, "It's over."
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Somehow we think this report will not end the speculation and rumors about Favre's future with the Vikings and in the NFL.
CAR - WR Steve Smith out for Monday
Source: Steve Reed - CarolinaGrowl.com
Steve Reed, of CarolinaGrowl.com, reports Carolina Panthers WR Steve Smith (shoulder) will not play in the team's preseason game Monday, Aug. 17.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
We're sure Smith would have liked to play, but this is the prudent move.
Source: John McClain - the Houston Chronicle
John McClain, from the Houston Chronicle, reports the Texans have re-signed quarterback Alex Brink to replace the injured Rex Grossman. Brink was the Texans' seventh-round draft choice in 2007. He was on the roster last season and was waived in the offseason after Grossman was signed.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Grossman pulled his hamstring in the preseason opener versus Kansas City, and is expected to miss at least four weeks.
STL - RB Samkon Gado passes RB Ken Darby on the depth chart
Source: Bill Coats - the St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Bill Coats, from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports RB Samkon Gado, who had a big game vs. the Jets, took some snaps with the No. 1 offense. Antonio Pittman, who also had a nice outing Friday, and Gado shared second-team reps. Kenneth Darby, who struggled in the preseason opener, spent most of his time with the third unit.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Darby had a forgettable game against the Jets, but Gado busted off a 77-yard touchdown run. Steven Jackson owners will have to wait until the end of preseason for a clear backup to emerge, but we don't advise wasting a roster spot on any of these players.
GB - Gap widens between QB Matt Flynn and QB Brian Brohm
Source: Bob McGinn - the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
Bob McGinn, from the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, reports that on Saturday night, Matt Flynn appeared to widen his grip on the No. 2 job with a sharp showing in the second quarter against Cleveland compared to a mediocre one by Brian Brohm in the second half. "I think we have two young quarterbacks that are ascending and are going to continue to get better," coach Mike McCarthy said. "I thought Matt had some better opportunities presented to him than Brian."
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Both quarterbacks are second-year players, but Brohm was a second-round pick out of Louisville and Flynn was a seventh-round pick out of LSU. The Packers obviously had a different scenario in mind when they drafted this duo, but Flynn showed he was the better QB in training camp last year. Some thought Brohm would give him a better run for his money this season, but that isn't the case so far. Brohm hasn't looked like the same QB since Bobby Petrino left Louisville, and he seems to have lost his confidence. Barring injury, Flynn should be the backup to Aaron Rodgers when the regular season starts.
KC - Team signs Ashley WR Ashley Lelie
Source: Josh Looney - KCChiefs.com
Josh Looney, from KCChiefs.com, reports the Chiefs have officially signed the veteran wideout Ashley Lelie, and he is expected to participate in this morning's practice. WR Jeff Webb was released to make room for Lelie.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
The team is clearly not happy with their current crop of wide receivers, and that's why we've seen them sign Amani Toomer and Ashley Lelie. The Toomer signing makes sense, because he still has something left in the tank. However, this Lelie signing appears to be an act of desperation. We can't help but think a player like Matt Jones would have a higher upside than Lelie at this point in their careers.
OAK - QB Jeff Garcia remains No. 2 on depth chart
Source: Jerry McDonald - ANG Newspapers
Jerry McDonald, of ANG Newspapers, reports Oakland Raiders QB Jeff Garcia (calf) will remain the team's backup quarterback when he returns to practice Monday, Aug. 17, according to head coach Tom Cable.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Garcia's absence means he won't be able to create a QB controversy in training camp, but if JaMarcus Russell starts slow, look for Garcia to call for the Raiders to install him at QB.
CLE - QB Brady Quinn favorite in QB competition
Source: Tony Grossi - the Cleveland Plain Dealer
Tony Grossi, of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, reports Cleveland Browns QB Brady Quinn showed enough in the preseason opener to surpass QB Derek Anderson in the team's starting quarterback competition. Anderson is running out of time and now needs a big response in the team's next preseason game.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Quinn looked solid, but very conservative, and certainly not like a QB who is ready to challenge NFL defenses downfield. It's going to be a long season in Cleveland.
ARI - RB Chris Wells being worked back in slowly
Source: Darren Urban - AZCardinals.com
Darren Urban, of AZCardinals.com, reports Arizona Cardinals rookie RB Chris Wells (ankle) only took part in individual drills Sunday, Aug. 16, because the team wanted to be cautious. The Cardinals do not want Wells to suffer a setback. Wells said he felt fine running and accelerating, but noted he felt the ankle toward the end of some sprints. Wells blamed it on not being warm after having done little during practice. As long as Wells' ankle holds up fine, his playing time will increase during the upcoming week.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Wells will have to really blow away the coaching staff with his performance between now and week 1 to get the starting job. We think a re-injury of the ankle is more likely than that outcome.
KC - WR Ashley Lelie wearing No. 17
Source: Bob Gretz - CBSSports.com
CBSSports.com reports Kansas City Chiefs WR Ashley Lelie wore jersey No. 17 in practice Monday, Aug. 17.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Because you guys need to know, but we doubt there's a rush of internet traffic to NFLShop.com because people are clamoring for a Lelie jersey.
GB - DT Justin Harrell fears career is over
Source: Tom Pelissero - the Green Bay Press-Gazette
Tom Pelissero, of the Green Bay Press-Gazette, reports Green Bay Packers DL Justin Harrell (back) fears his NFL career is over. Harrell said, "Anytime you have back surgery, it's always a red flag, and then having two in one year." He added, "Hey, I don't want to think about that right now, because hopefully, that's (not going to happen). But it's definitely in my mind." The bulging disc in his lower back that required two surgeries flared up again a week into training camp, and it has not gotten much better since he first missed practice Aug. 6. The team is sending out studies to specialists to try to come up with another game plan for Harrell.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
We feel for Harrell. It's terrible to feel like your career is over before it really had a chance to begin. The Packers will need big bodies up front in their new 3-4 D, but at least on the first team they should be fine with Cullen Jenkins, BJ Raji, and Ryan Pickett.
NYJ - DT Kris Jenkins returns to practice Monday
Source: Eric Allen - NewYorkJets.com
Eric Allen, of NewYorkJets.com, reports New York Jets DL Kris Jenkins (calf) returned to practice Monday, Aug. 17.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Jenkins is the one player the Jets can't afford to lose on defense, so this is great news.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Thanks for reading and I hope you have a great Tuesday.
J
