Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 10, Issue 17 (Wednesday, May 6th)
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Hi Folks,
Good Thursday to you. Lots of news so let's get to it.SITE NEWS
A.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. NFL - Favre's agent still denying a possible comeback2. CLE - Could still be considering Edwards trade
3. NFL - Harrison reportedly done playing
4. BAL - McGahee could be limited at minicamp
5. DET - Pettigrew will be a big factor in offense
6. NE - Maroney says he has something to prove this season
7. NO - Discussing possibility of signing James
8. PHI - To run more in 2009?
9. OAK - Showing interest in Pittman
10. BAL - Mason will not participate in minicamp
11. NFL - Burress working out
12. MIN - Reportedly split about adding Favre
13. CLE - Furrey signed
14. KC - Patton to try out?
15. CIN - Roy L. Williams agrees to terms
16. DET - Foote signs one-year deal
17. NE - McKenzie out for season
18. BUF - Byrd could start at safety
19. DEF - STL - Laurinaitis looking to be a leader
20. DEF - NFL - S. Rice believes he's still one of best
NFL - Favre's agent still denying a possible comeback
Source: Jim Corbett, USAToday.com
Updating an ongoing story, Jim Corbett, of USAToday.com, reports Bus Cook, agent for retired QB Brett Favre (Jets), said as far as he knows Favre is still retired. He also said he has no knowledge of Favre's expected meeting with Minnesota Vikings head coach Brad Childress this week. 'I would think the first order of business would be that Brett would tell me, 'Bus, I want to play again.' That hasn't happened,' Cook said. Cook said Favre is not working with a personal trainer and, he is not looking for an unemployed quarterbacks coach to work with Favre.
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So who is right? Bus Cook is basically denying every report that has come out in the last week. This Favre story has more ups and downs than Johnny Drama's career. Victory!
CLE - Could still be considering Edwards trade
Source: Tony Grossi, Cleveland Plains Dealer
Tony Grossi, of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, reports the Cleveland Browns could still be considering trading WR Braylon Edwards since they have added a number of receivers through free agency and the draft. Edwards may skip the team's two minicamps in May.
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The Browns new front office regime isn't afraid to make a change at any position. We could see Braylon Edwards get traded before the start of training camp. Baltimore is a likely destination because they didn't address their WR corps in the 2009 NFL Draft.
NFL - Harrison reportedly done playing
Source: Nate Davis, USAToday.com
Nate Davis, of USAToday.com, reports Sports Illustrated's Peter King said on his Twitter page that he has been told by reliable sources unrestricted free-agent WR Marvin Harrison (Colts) will not play anymore because his knee is still bothering him.
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Gotta love twitter! This is not surprising news because no team has shown serious interest in Marvin Harrison since he was released by the Colts. Even Indianapolis seemed respectfully disinterested to the idea of bringing Harrison back in 2009.
BAL - McGahee could be limited at minicamp
Source: Jamison Hemsley, The Baltimore Sun
Jamison Hensley, of The Baltimore Sun, reports Baltimore Ravens RB Willis McGahee (knee) could be limited during the team's upcoming minicamp. McGahee recently underwent a procedure to clean out his knee.
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The story doesn't indicate which knee it was, but it's more than likely the same one that has given him problems throughout his career. His injury history and conditioning issues may put him on the roster bubble this summer, especially since the Ravens are loaded at RB with Ray Rice, Jalen Parmele, and Cedric Peerman - not to mention FB Le'Ron McClain.
DET - Pettigrew will be a big factor in offense
Source:
Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said rookie TE Brandon Pettigrew will be a big factor in the Lions' offense whether they are throwing the football or running it. He said Pettigrew is a unique fit because he is a blocker and able to catch the ball as a receiver. However, he made it clear that Pettigrew will also have to block.
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Pettigrew went without a TD catch in 2008, but could emerge as a Bubba Franks-type of option in the red zone his rookie season.
NE - Maroney says he has something to prove this season
Source: Karen Guregian, Boston Herald
Karen Guregian, of the Boston Herald, reports New England Patriots RB Laurence Maroney said he needs to prove that he can be a productive running back for the team this season. 'I feel like my rookie year was cool, my second year, the second half I finished strong, last year I got hurt, so I feel like all three years I was dealing with injuries. So this is the year I really have to prove to the fans, to the coaches, to the world, I can be this running back, I can be the guy for [head coach Bill Belichick] and the Patriots,' Maroney said.
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Maroney has had a disappointing career so far in New England. Last season he played in only 3 games and when he was in the lineup he was getting outplayed by Sammy Morris. Maroney is now listed as 4th on the depth chart with the addition of Fred Taylor this offseason. He could use the 2009 season to audition for another team.
NO - Discussing possibility of signing James
Source: Steve Wyche, NFL.com
Steve Wyche, of NFL.com, reports New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said the team has had internal discussions about the possibility of signing unrestricted free-agent RB Edgerrin James (Cardinals). The Saints likely will re-visit the talks after their upcoming minicamp.
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The Saints are looking to upgrade the RB position behind Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas. Edgerrin James would make a lot of sense for them. He could be veteran insurance in case of injury to one of their top 2 backs. It's interesting to note that the New Orleans Times-Picayune considers the Saints "not likely" to sign free agent Edgerrin James.
Source: Rich Hofmann, Philadelphia Daily News
Rich Hofmann, of the Philadelphia Daily News, reports Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid said the offseason additions the team has made to the offensive line and backfield does not necessarily mean they will run more in 2009. 'Not necessarily,' Reid said. 'We try to run it efficiently every year, and we run our offense. We do what we do and we're going to do what's best to win the game. That's not what these moves were necessarily for, no.'
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Andy Reid and company are geared to have a very high powered offense in 2009. Traditionally, Philadelphia has been a team that loves to air it out. Now with better protection for Donovan McNabb and more weapons in the passing game it should be business as usual for the Eagles.
OAK - Showing interest in Pittman
Source: David White, San Francisco Chronicle
David White, of the San Francisco Chronicle, reports the Oakland Raiders are showing interest in unrestricted free-agent RB Michael Pittman (Broncos), according to a league source.
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Michael Pittman looked decent in the Denver system and scored 4 TDs in limited duty before a neck injury sidelined him for the rest of the season. He is a hard charging RB but would be 4th on the depth chart behind Justin Fargas, Dareen McFadden, and Michael Bush.
BAL - Mason will not participate in minicamp
Source: Jamison Hemsley, The Baltimore Sun
Jamison Hensley, of The Baltimore Sun, reports Baltimore Ravens WR Derrick Mason (shoulder) will not participate in the team's upcoming minicamp for precautionary reasons.
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Derrick Mason is one of the hardest workers on the team, but he is getting up there in age. There is no need to aggravate that shoulder in minicamp.
Source: Drew Rosenhaus, Twitter
Drew Rosenhaus, agent for unrestricted free-agent WR Plaxico Burress (Giants), reports on his Twitter page that Burress is working out for a personal trainer and is in great football shape.
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What is he supposed to tweet? Plaxico's legal situation will have to become clearer before we see teams line up to sign him.
MIN - Reportedly split about adding Favre
Source: Jay Glazer, Foxsports.com
Jay Glazer, of FOXSports.com, reports people in the Minnesota Vikings organization are split on whether to attempt to sign retired QB Brett Favre (Jets). The organization has yet to discuss the possibility of signing Favre. Head coach Brad Childress has decided to meet with Favre on his own and was not told to do so by the team.
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This is the last thing that Vikings fans need to hear. One would like to see clarity when a franchise is pursuing a new QB. We'll see if Favre can impress Childress at their meeting this week.
Source:
The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports the Cleveland Browns have signed unrestricted free-agent WR Mike Furrey (Lions). Terms of the contracts were not disclosed.
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Mike Furrey was a big part of the Mike Martz offense in 2006 & 2007 when he caught 159 passes and seven touchdowns for Detroit. His reception total dropped to 18 in 2008 and his season ended with a concussion. We'll see if he can beat out Syndric Steptoe or David Patten in training camp.
Source: Adam Teicher, Kansas City Star
Adam Teicher, of the Kansas City Star, reports undrafted free-agent QB Chase Patton (Missouri) has been telling friends he will participate in the Kansas City Chiefs' upcoming minicamp on a tryout basis.
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Chase Patton was once thought to be the next Matt Cassel. Like Cassel he never started a game in college as Patton was backing up Brad Smith and Chase Daniel at Missouri. He was at the Texas Vs The Nation Game and did little to stand out. Many of his passes were off the mark and he seemed to be lost in practice. Patton is more than likely just a camp arm.
CIN - Roy L. Williams agrees to terms
Source: Steve Wyche, NFL.com
Steve Wyche of NFL.com reports the Cincinnati Bengals have agreed to terms with unrestricted free-agent SS Roy L. Williams (Cowboys). Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
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His best years in Dallas were under Mike Zimmer who is now the Bengals Defensive Coordinator. However, Williams has lost his confidence in coverage and will only be on the field to help stop the run.
DET - Foote signs one-year deal
Source:
Updating a previous report, the Detroit Lions have announced they have officially signed unrestricted free-agent LB Larry Foote (Steelers) to a one-year deal. Financial terms were not disclosed.
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Foote gets to play for his home town Lions, but coach Jim Schwartz says he will not automatically be named the starter. "The point we made with him is the same point we made with every player on the team," Schwartz said this morning during an appearance on WRIF-FM (101.1). "When he does sign on that line, he's not signing as the starting middle linebacker. He's signing to compete for the starting job.
Source: Christopher L. Gasper, The Boston Globe
Christopher L. Gasper, of the Boston Globe, reports New England Patriots LB Tyrone McKenzie (knee) will miss the 2009 season because of a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, according to a source close to McKenzie.
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This is terrible news for the promising rookie. Hopefully he can bounce back and be a force for the Patriots in 2010. He bounced around from Michigan State to Iowa State to South Florida but durability was not an issue for him as he missed little playing time due to injury.
BUF - Byrd could start at safety
Source: Chris Brown, BuffaloBills.com
Chris Brown, of BuffaloBills.com, reports there is a good chance Buffalo Bills CB Jairus Byrd will start at free safety this season.
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Evidently the Ko Simpson era is over for the Bills. Jarius will convert from his college position of CB. He had 17 interceptions in his final 3 years at Oregon and the Bills are hoping he can take that ball hawking mentality and apply it to the free safety position.
DEF - STL - Laurinaitis looking to be a leader
Source: Jim Thomas, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Jim Thomas, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports St. Louis Rams LB James Laurinaitis said he is excited about his opportunity to start and wants to become a leader on the team. 'I'm excited about the new challenge. With me, you're getting a guy who's going to make every right decision on and off the field; who's going to be disciplined; who's going to be accountable. And who's going to make plays and be a leader for this team,' Laurinaitis said.
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Laurinaitis is a coach's dream because he has a tremendous work ethic. He has top notch intangibles and passion for the game that will help bring consistency to the defense.
DEF - NFL - S. Rice believes he's still one of best
Source:
WQYK 1010 Sports Radio reports free-agent DE Simeon Rice (Colts) said during an interview that he will definitely make a return in 2009. Rice added that he would automatically be among the top five defensive ends in the NFL.
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Top 5? Really? It's hard to take Simeon Rice seriously when he says things like this. It's hard to imagine a team signing him unless they get really desperate.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great Thursday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update.
J