Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 10, Issue 15 (Monday, May 4th)
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Hi Folks,
Good Tuesday to you. Hope you're doing well. Some of the rookie minicamps are wrapping up so there's still a fair bit of news to bring you. But before we get to that, here's the "Quote Of The Day". "Yeah, he stood out. I think that's obvious to you, me and the American people." -- Lions coach Jim Schartz when asked if FS Louis Delmas may have been the player who stood out the most during the team's three-day rookie minicamp. As always, thanks to Footballguy Cecil Lammey for the help on these. Have a great day and let's get to it. JSITE NEWS
A.
Weekly Gut Check Vol. 151 - RB Workloads and Rankings
Matt Waldman delves into the RBs offering up his early stances on the key position.
B.
Interviews with Robbie Gould and Mason Crosby
Mike Herman talks kicking with PKs Robbie Gould and Mason Crosby.
C.
Early-bird Subscriptions available now
From now until May 15th, you can get a Footballguys subscription for just $22.95. After May 15th, a Footballguys.com subscription will cost $27.95.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. SD - RB Tomlinson looks 'great'2. DET - QB Stafford a little wild with throws Friday
3. ARZ - Competition for No. 1 tight end job
4. BAL - WR Mason injury update
5. BAL - WR Mason says contract not an issue
6. SD - TE Gates should be ready for training camp
7. NYJ - Holding pattern with Burress?
8. NE - RB Taylor has wrist injury
9. PHI - WR Curtis sitting on the sidelines at practice
10. WAS - Redskins sign WR Trent Shelton
11. TB - Bucs sign three tryout players
12. OAK - Unlikely to bring in veteran receiver
13. DET - HC Schwartz not tipping hand on depth chart
14. DET - RB Rookie Smith standing out
15. DEN - RB Torain not practicing
16. WAS - WR Roydell Williams signed
17. HOU - Texans like TE Casey's versatility
18. DEF - PIT - LB Foote released
19. DEF - DET - FS Louis Delmas stands out in minicamp
20. DEF - GB - DT Raji lines up all along defensive line at minicamp
SD - RB Tomlinson looks 'great'
Source: Associated Press
The Associated Press reports San Diego Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson (groin) participated in all three days of the team's minicamp after a groin injury kept him from the team's final playoff game last season. 'L.T. looks great,' head coach Norv Turner said. 'He has been out here running for a month, so he didn't show anything different.' Tomlinson added, 'No, I wasn't restricted and I did everything. Of course you are always concerned because it is the first time back on the field and especially after being injured. But I wasn't restricted at all and it was great.'
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Tomlinson has been breaking down over the last few years, so this is good news. The Chargers put the franchise tag on Darren Sproles and drafted Gartrell Johnson in the 4th round of the 2009 NFL Draft and both could help give Tomlinson a breather. The Chargers are set to make another strong playoff run in 2009 and they are hoping that LT can be full strength at the end of the season.
DET - QB Stafford a little wild with throws Friday
Source: James Schmehl and Mike Itchue, MLive.com
James Schmehl and Mike Itchue, of MLive.com, report Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz said QB Matthew Stafford was a bit wild with some of his throws during the early part of practice Friday, May 1, but played better as the practice went on.
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This is the kind of scrutiny the number one pick receives. Frankly, I think it's ridiculous but it's also something we're going to pass along as people talk about it.
"When you go through a first practice as a rookie, you're so anxious to get going and you're out of control," Schwartz said. "Then all of the sudden, later in practice, you start settling down -- I think we saw that in Matthew." This is only natural for every rookie QB entering the league. If these type of reports come out during training camp then there would be more cause for concern.ARZ - Competition for No. 1 tight end job
Source: Bob McManaman, The Arizona Republic
Bob McManaman, of The Arizona Republic, reports Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt said during the team's three-day minicamp that there will be competition for the team's starting tight end spot. 'There's going to be a lot of competition with that group this year, I'm sure of it,' Whisenhunt said. 'We like what we have. I liked what we had last year, too, but we were dealing with a lot of injuries there. It'll be interesting to see how things develop moving forward.' TE Ben Patrick, TE Leonard Pope, TE Stephen Spach, TE Alex Schor and TE Anthony Becht are the five tight ends on the roster.
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The Cardinals are a pass happy team - but it hasn't translated into big time fantasy stats for their TEs. In fact, no Arizona TE caught a touchdown in 2008. Ben Patrick has a chance to be a productive player in this system as he's the most natural receiver in the group, but don't forget about Stephen Spach. He made some key grabs for the Cardinals down the stretch in the playoffs and could see an expanded role this year if he can make it back from his ACL/MCL injury.
Source: Geoff Peckham, BaltimoreRavens.com
Geoff Peckham, of BaltimoreRavens.com, reports Baltimore Ravens WR Derrick Mason (shoulder) said his injured shoulder is close to 100 percent after 11 weeks of rehab.
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Mason was the most productive wide receiver on the Ravens' roster last season, starting every game and catching 80 balls for 1,037 yards, including five touchdowns. If Derrick Mason is 100 percent his numbers could improve slightly. Joe Flacco should be more comfortable in his second season, but the Ravens are still going to be a run heavy team.
BAL - WR Mason says contract not an issue
Source: Geoff Peckham, BaltimoreRavens.com
Geoff Peckham, of BaltimoreRavens.com, reports Baltimore Ravens WR Derrick Mason said he remains committed to the team and will not make a fuss over his contract status. Mason is entering the last year of his deal and spoke publicly about wanting a new deal once last season ended. 'I think everybody understands my frame of thought, and I know the organization's frame of thought,' Mason said. 'I know this thing will work out, so I'm not going to pitch a fit. When I go out there and play football, I'm playing for the team. Regardless of what happens, I'm playing for the other 52 guys in that locker room.'
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Mason is the ultimate professional. He played with a dislocated shoulder in the playoffs last year and that's the type of mentality that has endeared him to his teammates. The Ravens failed to add any WRs in the 2009 NFL Draft so it looks like Mason should be Joe Flacco's #1 target once again this season.
SD - TE Gates should be ready for training camp
Source: Bill Williamson, ESPN.com
Bill Williamson, of ESPN.com, reports San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (ankle, toe) did not take part in the team's minicamp as a precaution due to a high ankle sprain he suffered late last season, but Gates said he expects to be fine by training camp. He said his big toe that bothered him for nearly a year is 'structurally' fine. 'I don't know how I got through last season,' Gates said. 'The toe bothered me for months and then I hurt the ankle. But, somehow, I made it through.'
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He's being held out just as a precaution, but this is a story to keep an eye on if you're considering Gates for your fantasy team. Gates was bothered by that toe all last season and for the first time in four years he wasn't the #1 or #2 fantasy TE. He has proven that he can play with this injury but you want to see him get through this sooner rather than later.
NYJ - Holding pattern with Burress?
New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan said the team will let the legal situation surrounding free-agent WR Plaxico Burress (Giants) play out. When asked if the team would pursue Burress if he is available, Ryan said: 'We will let that situation happen and we will see. I want to see our guys through these camps. Let's see what we have here.'
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Translation: Let's see how much (if any) jail time Burress gets for shooting himself in the leg. Once Burress' legal woes are behind him there should be several teams willing to sign him to a contract.
NE - RB Taylor has wrist injury
Source: Christopher L. Gasper, Boston Globe
Christopher L. Gasper, of the Boston Globe, reports New England Patriots RB Fred Taylor (wrist) suffered a wrist injury while he was exercising, according to medical sources.
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Fred Taylor was exercising on his own down in Florida and fell awkwardly on his hand. Thankfully no McDonald's bags or plasma TVs were on site. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan did not reveal any fractures, dislocations or ligament damage and the initial diagnosis of a sprain was confirmed. Looks like we can hold off the "fragile Fred" talk for a little while longer.
PHI - WR Curtis sitting on the sidelines at practice
Source: Jeff McClane, Philadelpia Enquirer
Jeff McClane from the Philadelpia Enquirer writes Kevin Curtis sat out the first day of the Eagles' minicamp yesterday and won't practice at least until next month's voluntary workouts as he recovers from sports hernia surgery performed last month.
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The Eagles have made plans in case Curtis has another injury plagued season in 2009. Jeremy Maclin has been lining up at split end in practice and could develop into Curtis' replacement. He has little experience lining up wide because he lined up primarily in the slot at Missouri.
WAS - Redskins sign WR Trent Shelton
Source: Jason LaConfora, Washington Post
Jason LaConfora from the Washington Post reports that the Redskins have signed WR Trent Shelton formerly of the Seahawks.
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He's a player with zero career catches, but experience in Jim Zorn's offense. We imagine the Redskins wanted some insurance in case neither Kelley Washington nor D.J. Hackett end up signing with them this week.
TB - Bucs sign three tryout players
Greg Auman, of the St. Petersburg Times, reports the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed undrafted rookie free agents DE Jarriett Buie (South Florida) and OT Marc Dile (South Florida) and free-agent WR Amarri Jackson. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
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Amarri Jackson was on the Bucs roster last summer but was cut before the start of training camp. The former South Florida star is extremely athletic but very raw as a route runner. With Antonio Bryant, Michael Clayton, Dexter Jackson (PR), Maurice Stovall, Sammie Stroughter, and Cortez Hankton in front of him on the depth chart it may be hard for Jackson to catch on with the team once again.
OAK - Unlikely to bring in veteran receiver
Source: Jerry McDonald, ANG Newspapers
Jerry McDonald, of ANG Newspapers, reports Oakland Raiders head coach Tom Cable is leaning toward not adding a veteran wide receiver, particularly with the additions of WR Darrius Heyward-Bey and WR Louis Murphy in the NFL Draft. 'Had Murphy not been there (in the fourth round), that was definitely an option,' Cable said.
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The Raiders added Heyward-Bey and Murphy in the 2009 NFL Draft to go along with Javon Walker, Johnnie Lee Higgins, and Chaz Schilens. Oakland let Ashley Lelie walk and at this time they don't appear to have a need for a veteran WR. That could change if injuries hit in camp, or if their young WRs struggle early. How would Marvin Harrison look in a Raiders uniform?
DET - HC Schwartz not tipping hand on depth chart
When asked where Detroit Lions rookie QB Matthew Stafford will be on the team's depth chart when the team resumes workouts May 18, Lions head coach Jim Schwartz responded: 'We don't have a depth chart.' He wouldn't say what the pecking order will be amongst the quarterbacks other than saying they may change it up every single period. 'We probably won't even really get into depth charts until we get near the first preseason game,' Schwartz noted. 'Part of our message has been nobody has earned a job yet.'
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Coach Schwartz has already stated that Daunte Culpepper would be the starter if the season started today. The beginning of the regular season is a long way off, so this QB battle will have many ups and downs until then.
DET - RB Rookie Smith standing out
Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz had positive things to say about undrafted rookie free-agent RB Antone Smith (Florida State). 'He made a couple of plays; particularly in the passing game. He'd take a check-down or he'd run after the catch. He was definitely a guy that stood out,' Schwartz said. Smith is a tryout player for the Lions.
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Don't let his small size fool you, Antone Smith can make plays. A RBs greatest asset is his vision, and Smith has outstanding field vision. Smith is a quick and shifty back that can get to top speed in a hurry. He is a patient runner that can set up moves after moves. He has good balance and a low center of gravity when he runs so he can win some collisions - even against bigger opponents. Smith is the type of player that needs to get the ball in space, or on draw plays. When asked to bang between the tackles he cannot gain enough yardage to sustain drives. If the line is stacked against the run, then Smith is neutralized. However, get him out on screen passes - or run counter plays and Antone Smith can gain positive yardage in a hurry. He is currently buried on the depth chart, but could work his way onto the Practice Squad.
DEN - RB Torain not practicing
Source: Denver Post
Broncos RB Ryan Torain (ACL surgery) has not participated at voluntary minicamps.
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It was a surprise to many that Ryan Torain was a 5th round draft pick in 2008 when he had an 7th round/Priority Free Agent grade. He looked good tearing up the Browns in week 10 until he tore up his knee. Just like his days at Arizona State, Torain has struggled to stay healthy in his pro career. The Broncos drafted Knowshon Moreno in the 1st round of the 2009 NFL Draft in addition to bringing in 3 free agent backs to compete for playing time. It looks like Torain is officially on the roster bubble, but the Broncos could keep him around to start the season on the PUP list.
WAS - WR Roydell Williams signed
Source: Zach Berman and Jason La Canfora, of The Washington Post
Zach Berman and Jason La Canfora, of The Washington Post, report the Washington Redskins have signed unrestricted free-agent WR Roydell Williams (Titans). Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
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It seemed like Roydell Williams was on the verge of good things in Tennessee a couple of years ago when he led the team in receiving. His inability to recover from ankle surgery not only cost him a spot on the Titans, but a spot in the league. The Redskins are really looking to add Wide Receivers to the roster in order to spark competition behind Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle-El.
HOU - Texans like TE Casey's versatility
Source: John McClain, Houston Chronicle
John McClain, of the Houston Chronicle, reports Houston Texans offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan said he likes the versatility that TE James Casey brings to the offense. Casey can be used as a tight end, wide receiver or fullback and likely will be used in different ways while he learns to be a better blocker. Shanahan said Casey would be a candidate for the quarterback in the Wildcat formation if the team decided to run that formation.
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Casey once played 7 different positions - in one game! The guy is the very definition of versatile. Houston will use him any number of ways (wildcat QB, H-back, TE, WR, RB) until he gets more experience at the TE position.
Source: Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Ed Bouchette, of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, reports the Pittsburgh Steelers have released LB Larry Foote.
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"Larry has been a big part of our success, but unfortunately the realities of the salary cap made this decision inevitable," Kevin Colbert, the Steelers' director of football operations, said in a statement. Now Foote is free to sign with anyone - most likely the Lions.
DEF - DET - FS Louis Delmas stands out in minicamp
Tom Kowalski, of Mlive.com, reports Detroit Lions FS Louis Delmas may have been the player who stood out the most during the team's three-day rookie minicamp. 'Yeah, he stood out. I think that's obvious to you, me and the American people,' head coach Jim Schwartz said.
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Louis Delmas was considered by many to be the best Safety in the 2009 NFL Draft class. The converted CB has the athletic ability to play centerfielder for a defense, and has the aggression to play in the box against the run. He has missed time every year since his sophomore season (when he switched to Safety) so durability is certainly an issue.
DEF - GB - DT Raji lines up all along defensive line at minicamp
Source: Pete Dougherty, Green Bay Press-Gazette
Pete Dougherty, of the Green Bay Press-Gazette, reports Green Bay Packers DT B.J. Raji lined up at nose tackle and defensive end during minicamp.
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We know Raji won't be the starting NT at the beginning of the season, and there are some that question whether Raji is a good fit for a 3-4 NT. He can pressure the QB with ease, but is he willing/able to hold up 2 blockers consistently? These questions should be answered by the end of training camp. Until then, the Packers will rotate him at a number of positions to see where he fits best.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Thanks for reading and we'll see you tomorrow with the update.
J