Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 10, Issue 138 (Friday, September 4th)
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Over 210 teams have registered! The Live Draft at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas is sold out! Just a handfull of spots remain in the two Online Drafts on Friday, September 11th and Saturday, September 12th. These will sell out in the next day or two. The FFPC has a $75,000 Grand Prize with $8,000 league prizes. Draft online from the comfort of your home. Entry Fee is $1400 per team. The FFPC was specifically designed to offer a format that is most player-friendly in terms of rules, scoring and league structure. Whether it's more teams making the league playoffs, or the Dual-Flex roster, or the 1.5 PPR for TE scoring, our players love the total package that's been put together - just ask them.. Last year, in its inaugural season, the Fantasy Football Players Championship was the FIRST and ONLY high stakes contest to set aside the ENTIRE main event prize pool in an escrow account overseen by an attorney. No other high stakes contest offers the high stakes players this level of security. The FFPC has set the standard in prize protection and will continue to do so for the 2009 season. The Fantasy Football Players Championship - Draft Online or Live in Caesars Palace, Las Vegas - Friday at 9pm EST and Saturday at 7pm EST, September 11th & 12th, 2009. |
Hi Folks,
Good Saturday to you. It's almost here. In just a few days, we'll have real NFL football and it's not a minute too soon. We've got some great new content for you today, plus the news and notes you want. So let's get to it.
J
SITE NEWS
A.
Have a Draft This Weekend? - Get What You NEED TO KNOW
These email updates are helpful I hope. But they're just the very tip of the iceberg of what we offer. And they're about to end. If you're serious about Dominating Your Draft this year, why not be as prepared as you can be? Our Footballguys Premium Subscription gives you everything you need to smoke the competition at your draft AND we'll give you all the information all season long so you can roll onto your Super Bowl. It's just $27.95 and we have a MONEY BACK GUARANTEE. Show the guys in your league no mercy.
B.
Footballguys $35,000 Subscriber Contest
You read that right. We're giving away $35,000 to folks that purchase a Footballguys Premium Subscription and enter our Subscribers Contest. No tricks or goofy stuff. This isn't a deal where there are 2 million entrants and we give some crappy TV away. It's $35,000 bucks. And it's just Footballguys subscribers that are competing for the money. If you're as good as you think you are, I like your chances...
C.
Check the Reviews - Rate My Team - 100% FREE
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.
To see why folks are saying "WOW" when they see this application, click here.
D.
Updated Projections
Another day, another set of updated projections. Go into your draft with the very latest projections with all the latest news and situations factored in.
E.
Updated Expert Rankings
Once again, our Footballguys Staff Experts have updated their rankings. You can see everything here. We have rankings for Redraft and Dynasty leagues, as well as for Rookies.
F.
Top 300 Players (Non-PPR)
Our David Dodds with his always popular Top 300 Player List color coded with the players to grab and to avoid based on our projected value and the Average Draft Position we see these guys going.
G.
Top 300 Players (PPR)
Our David Dodds with his always popular Top 300 Player List color coded with the players to grab and to avoid based on our projected value and the Average Draft Position we see these guys going. This one looks at the the PPR format.
H.
Top 300 Draft List (Non-PPR)
Our David Dodds takes his Top 300 list and merges it with ADP rankings to create a Top 300 Draft List. Knock yourselves out.
I.
Top 300 Draft List (PPR)
Our David Dodds takes his Top 300 list and merges it with ADP rankings to create a Top 300 Draft List. Knock yourselves out. This one looks at the PPR format.
J.
The Weekly Gut Check - Bold Predictions
September is no time to be meek so our Matt Waldman uses this week's Gut Check column to make some "Bold Predictions".
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. CHI - RB Kevin Jones out for season2. CLE - Jamal RB Jamal Lewis on the chopping block?
3. JAX - RB Maurice Jones-Drew MRI is negative
4. HOU - Kubiak: RB Chris Brown is short-yardage and red zone runner
5. PIT - Seven released from team
6. SF - WR Isaac Bruce better than expected
7. NE - QB Brian Hoyer appears to be backup QB
8. STL - WR Donnie Avery plays, ready for week 1
9. CIN - WR Chris Henry catches TD pass again Thursday
10. DET - Schwartz will name starting QB when time is right
11. MIN - QB Brett Favre fined $10,000
12. MIA - QB Chad Pennington leans on WR Greg Camarillo and WR Davone Bess
13. KC - TE Sean Ryan likely starting TE
14. PHI - Could package QB A.J. Feeley and WR Reggie Brown together in trade
15. BUF - Offensive Coordinator Turk Schonert fired
16. BAL - WR Demetrius Williams currently No. 4 WR
17. NO - TE Billy Miller suffers an Achilles injury
18. TEN - QB Vince Young looking to run more
19. SF - WR Arnaz Battle in the lead for No. 3 receiver job
20. JAX - WR Mike Sims-Walker looks good Thursday
21. CAR - RB Jonathan Stewart, ILB Jon Beason declare themselves ready for opener
22. NYJ - QB Mark Sanchez sharp in limited time Thursday
23. CLE - QB Brady Quinn, QB Derek Anderson sitting out Thursday
CHI - RB Kevin Jones out for season
Source: Brad Biggs - the Chicago Sun-Times
Brad Biggs, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports Chicago Bears RB Kevin Jones (ankle) is out for the season with a torn ligament in his left ankle.
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Tough break for Jones and the Bears. But has to be seen as more work for Matt Forte. Jones had just gotten back to 100% for the first time in a while, and the Bears don't have another quality RB on the roster that can step in and do most of Matt Forte's work like Jones had demonstrated he could do in the past with the Lions.
CLE - Jamal RB Jamal Lewis on the chopping block?
Source: Mary Kay Cabot - the Cleveland Plain Dealer
Mary Kay Cabot, from the Cleveland Plain Dealer, asks Could Browns running back Jamal Lewis be cut Saturday when the Browns trim their roster to 53? League sources said rumblings began a couple of days ago that Lewis, who turned 30 last week, could be one of the dozen players the Browns let go, and espn.com's Adam Schefter Friday put Lewis at the top of his list of big-name players on the bubble. Nationalfootballpost.com's Mike Lombardi also speculated Lewis will be cut.
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Every year there are surprise cuts in the National Football League, and Jamal Lewis could be next on that list. The Browns like what they've seem from rookie James Davis, who is a much more explosive player than Lewis.
JAX - RB Maurice Jones-Drew MRI is negative
Source: Adam Schefter - ESPN
Adam Schefter, from ESPN, reports on his twitter feed that MRI on running back Maurice Jones-Drew's "lower extremity" is negative. It's only a bruise. Jones-Drew is fine.
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Jaguars fans and fantasy owners can breathe a sigh of relief here. Jones-Drew should be ready to go for the season opener against the Colts, a team that Jacksonville has historically hammered with their ground game.
HOU - Kubiak: RB Chris Brown is short-yardage and red zone runner
Source: Marc Vandermeer - HoustonTexans.com
Marc Vandermeer, of HoustonTexans.com, reports that head coach Gary Kubiak told him that Chris Brown is the team's short-yardage RB. Kubiak said, "Our goal is to use him (Brown) basically as a short-yardage runner, a red zone runner and Steve's (Slaton) backup, so we have to plan to go about our business and hopefully we can keep him healthy. But he's shown flashes this preseason that he's still got it in him. That's important to our team."
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As Kubiak acknowledges, Brown has had trouble staying healthy. Slaton owners should root for Arian Foster to not make the team, because Foster is also a rugged short-yardage runner. If Foster is cut and Brown goes down, Slaton could get goal line carries again. This isn't a huge surprise, and it is part of the reason Slaton has been falling to the late-first and early-second rounds.
PIT - Seven released from team
Source: Ed Bouchette and Gerry Dulac - the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Ed Bouchette and Gerry Dulac, of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, reports Pittsburgh Steelers RB Carey Davis, RB Isaac Redman, LB Bruce Davis, CB Anthony Madison, C A.Q. Shipley, DE Ra'Shon Harris and DT Scott Paxson have been released from the team.
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It looks like Frank "the Tank" Summers has made the team as the starting fullback. Willie Parker should get a chance to be the goal line back with Redman off of the team.
SF - WR Isaac Bruce better than expected
Source: Matt Maiocco - the Santa Rosa Press Democrat
Matt Maiocco, from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports veteran wide receiver Isaac Bruce is the only receiver on the roster who looked better than expected. Watching him daily was a treat. Certainly, at 36, he's past his prime, but he's still pretty good. He is smooth, precise and professional. He's more than a little quirky, but not in a diva-like way. He's stays to himself and does as much as he can to avoid added attention.
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Bruce finished in the top 25 fantasy receivers last year, and his game hasn't fallen off much (if at all) from his 2008 performance. Even when Michael Crabtree ends his holdout, Bruce will still have fantasy value. He's good for around 50 catches, 600 yards, and 5 touchdowns this year.
NE - QB Brian Hoyer appears to be backup QB
Source: Adam Schefter - ESPN
Adam Schefter, of ESPN, reports it appears New England Patriots QB Brian Hoyer will be the team's backup quarterback since the team will release QB Andrew Walter.
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What a meteoric rise by Hoyer, the undrafted free agent from Michigan State. The Patriots could be in the market to add a veteran backup, and could even trade away TE Alex Smith to the Eagles for QB Jay Feeley.
STL - WR Donnie Avery plays, ready for week 1
Source: Jim Thomas - the St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Jim Thomas, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports that Rams WR Donnie Avery played two series in the preseason finale vs. the Chiefs. He returned to action from a stress fracture in his foot in four weeks. His availability for the season opener is no longer in doubt.
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Avery's ADP took a two or three round hit in most leagues after the injury, and it was justified. There's little assurance that this problem won't pop up again during the regular season, and Avery needs to be completely healthy for his lethal speed to come into play. We wouldn't recommend taking Avery as one of your starting WRs right now, but he is a fine first WR off the bench for injury/bye weeks in start 3 WR leagues.
CIN - WR Chris Henry catches TD pass again Thursday
Source: Associated Press
The Associated Press reports Cincinnati Bengals WR Chris Henry caught a seven-yard touchdown pass during the team's preseason game Thursday, Sept. 3. Henry caught a touchdown pass in each of the team's preseason games.
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If you are convinced Henry will break out this year, you're likely not alone in your fantasy league. You'll have to pull the trigger as early as the 9th or 10th round (if not earlier) in most leagues to be assured of landing him.
DET - Schwartz will name starting QB when time is right
Source: Jimmy Trombley - CBSSports.com
CBSSports.com reports Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz discussed when the team would name a starting quarterback. Schwartz said, "I'll just keep that to myself. It doesn't do us any good for us to announce it or say we've made a decision or anything like that. We'll make the decision when the time's right and we'll announce it when we feel the time is right."
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Sounds like Schwartz is taking a page out of Bill Belichick's playbook. We think he might be stalling until he knows if Daunte Culpepper's cut foot will be healed enough for him to play next Sunday.
MIN - QB Brett Favre fined $10,000
Source: Judd Zulgad - the Minneapolis Star Tribune
Judd Zulgad, of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, reports the NFL has fined Minnesota Vikings QB Brett Favre $10,000 for the crackback block he performed during the team's preseason game Monday, Aug. 31.
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Appropriate fine for a dumb play. Even worse that Favre was put in the position of blocking like that.
MIA - QB Chad Pennington leans on WR Greg Camarillo and WR Davone Bess
Source: Edgar Thompson - the Palm Beach Post
Edgar Thompson, of the Palm Beach Post, reports that five of Dolphins QB Chad Pennington's first eight passes on Thursday, September 3 were to Davone Bess or Greg Camarillo, and none were to Ted Ginn or Brian Hartline.
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Hartline's run with the first team appears to be over for now, as Miami opened last night with a three-wide set featuring Ginn, Bess, and Camarillo, and Hartline didn't play until the second team came on the field - and promptly dropped his first target. We've been focused on trying to figure out when Greg Camarillo or Davone Bess would start because the role could give either potential to go for 80+ catches, but maybe the team will equally split the role, and both will end up around 60 catches - still useful for PPR, but not a great steal in the late rounds.
KC - TE Sean Ryan likely starting TE
Source: Adam Teicher - the Kansas City Star
Adam Teicher, of the Kansas City Star, reports that TE Sean Ryan likely locked up the starting TE job for the Chiefs with catches of 20 and 40 yards vs. the St. Louis Rams on Thursday, September 3.
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Brad Cottam has done nothing but lose value since Tony Gonzalez was traded to Atlanta. He is big and athletic, but had trouble playing well consistently in practice, especially when it came time to catch the ball. We wouldn't recommend Ryan as a deep sleeper, Todd Haley has rarely used the TE as a target in the passing game.
PHI - Could package QB A.J. Feeley and WR Reggie Brown together in trade
Source: Bob Brookover - the Philadelphia Inquirer
Bob Brookover, from the Philadelphia Inquirer, notes if general manager Tom Heckert has any unused minutes on his cell phone, he will exhaust them in the next 24 hours as the Eagles attempt to trade veteran A.J. Feeley, leaving Donovan McNabb, Kevin Kolb and Vick as the team's three quarterbacks. It wouldn't be surprising either if Feeley, who played just one series last night, was being offered in a package with wide receiver Reggie Brown, a former starter who was still playing in the fourth quarter last night.
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Now that Michael Vick will be eligible to play in week 3 of the regular season, the Eagles are looking to move A.J. Feeley - and move him quick. The Eagles are rumored to want a tight end in exchange for the quarterback because injuries have robbed them of depth at the position behind starter Brent Celek. Several teams are reportedly interested in Feeley, and we anticipate a deal will go down soon.
BUF - Offensive Coordinator Turk Schonert fired
Source: Mike Florio - ProFootballTalk.com
Mike Florio, of ProFootballTalk.com, reports the Buffalo Bills have fired offensive coordinator Turk Schonert, according to a league source.
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Now we know there's something in the air. First Kansas City fired Chan Gailey, then Tampa Bay fired Jeff Jagodzinski, and now this. It's very odd that teams would wait until the week before the start of the regular season to make big moves like this.
BAL - WR Demetrius Williams currently No. 4 WR
Source: Jamison Hensley - The Baltimore Sun
Jamison Hensley, of The Baltimore Sun, reports Baltimore Ravens WR Demetrius Williams is currently the No. 4 wide receiver on the depth chart. WRs Derrick Mason, Mark Clayton and Kelley Washington are currently ahead of him.
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Williams has good upside, but has trouble staying injury free. We could see Williams take over Washington's spot on the depth chart if he can stay healthy throughout the year because he is more physically talented.
NO - TE Billy Miller suffers an Achilles injury
Source: Jeff Duncan - the Times-Picayune
Jeff Duncan, from the Times-Picayune, reports New Orleans Saints tight end Billy Miller has an Achilles tendon injury and his status is uncertain, according to the team. Miller was injured with 6:38 remaining in the second quarter -- a play in which Saints quarterback Joey Harrington was sacked -- and was helped off the field. "We'll know more tomorrow," Saints Coach Sean Payton said Thursday night. "Right now it's too early."
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Miller has been a solid contributor in the passing game - when healthy. This is an unfortunate injury for Miller, as he was expected to team with Jeremy Shockey to give the Saints a potent duo at tight end. Shockey's not the player he used to be, and shouldn't be more than a backup tight end in most fantasy leagues. However, he could see his opportunities for production increase because of Miller's injury.
TEN - QB Vince Young looking to run more
Source: Jim Wyatt - the Tennessean
Jim Wyatt, from the Tennessean, reports Vince Young said he's focusing on his running more. At least he's focused on ways to help himself. His time on the run will be limited now. If he should get thrown into action for some reason, he at least looks more eager to run, and said he's better prepared to do so. There's a reason he didn't run as much in the past, he said. "That's what I have been working on this offseason - my legs, my lower body and my abs," Young sad. "The last couple of years it has always been a hamstring or a quad or something like that that's kept me away from using my legs. So tonight I got a chance to showcase my legs as well as throwing the ball downfield."
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Vince Young is getting back to basics here, and it's working out on the field. He has been hesitant to pull the ball down and run since racking up 552 rushing yards during his rookie season. It's a good sign for Young if he's going back to what works best, but he's not going to get much of a chance to show off his skill during the regular season unless Kerry Collins is injured.
SF - WR Arnaz Battle in the lead for No. 3 receiver job
Source: Matt Maiocco - The Santa Rosa Press Democrat
Matt Maiocco, of The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports San Francisco 49ers WR Arnaz Battle has the inside track for the team's No. 3 wide receiver job.
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Brandon Jones is out through September with a shoulder injury, and Michael Crabtree's holdout is expected to last for a very long time. Battle is tough to bring down after the catch, and has proven to be a consistent receiver for the 49ers over the last few years. However, he has trouble staying healthy and is slightly dinged up already this year.
JAX - WR Mike Sims-Walker looks good Thursday
Source: Associated Press
The Associated Press reports Jacksonville Jaguars WR Mike Sims-Walker caught four passes for 63 yards with a touchdown during the team's preseason finale Thursday, Sept. 3.
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Sims-Walker missed most of the preseason with a high ankle sprain, but he looked hungry to prove his health in this game. If Troy Williamson isn't up to the task, Sims-Walker should prove to be a worthy starting WR.
CAR - RB Jonathan Stewart, ILB Jon Beason declare themselves ready for opener
Source: Darin Gantt - the Rock Hill Herald
Darin Gantt, of the Rock Hill Herald, reports on his Twitter feed that Panthers RB Jonathan Stewart and LB Jon Beason both declared themselves ready for the season opener vs. Philadelphia next Sunday.
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We'll see what the team doctors have to say, but it's certainly the first good piece of news about Stewart in a long time.
NYJ - QB Mark Sanchez sharp in limited time Thursday
Source: Associated Press
The Associated Press reports New York Jets QB Mark Sanchez was 5-for-5 for 67 yards with a touchdown pass in his only series Thursday, Sept. 3.
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The rookie is looking sharper and sharper every week leading up to his first NFL regular season start against the Texans.
CLE - QB Brady Quinn, QB Derek Anderson sitting out Thursday
Source: Gene Chamberlain - CBSSports.com
CBSSports.com reports Cleveland Browns QB Derek Anderson and QB Brady Quinn are both sitting out the team's preseason finale Thursday, Sept. 3. There has been no announcement on who will be the starting quarterback for Week 1.
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This is strange. If head coach Eric Mangini needed to see more to decide the QB competition, he would have played Quinn and/or Anderson. If he had seen enough, he would have named a starter for week 1. No matter how you interpret this, it isn't a good sign for the Browns offense.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great Saturday and if you're drafting today, smoke those poor guys in your league. See you tomorrow with the update.
J
