Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 10, Issue 19 (Friday, May 8th)
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Welcome to the weekend, Folks. Hope you have some nice stuff planned. For you guys that are fortunate enough to have a Mom around, take good care of her. Have a great weekend and let's get to our News and Notes.
JINSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. NYG - RB Jacobs says he doesn't want WR Braylon Edwards2. NYG - RB Andre Brown could push for No. 2 RB job
3. BAL - QB Flacco and WR Smith developing chemistry
4. OAK - RB Gary Russell Added
5. KC - Undrafted rookie free agents signed
6. DEN - RB Darius Walker signs two-year deal
7. BAL - QBs Smith and Beck battle for No. 2 quarterback job
8. ATL - QB Ryan working with new TE Gonzalez
9. MIN - Favre and Childress have talked
10. DET - RB Antone Smith signed
11. DET - RB Kevin Smith predicts team will make playoffs
12. NYG - RB Travis Beckum could fill situational H-Back role
13. DEF - ATL - DE Abraham held out of workouts
14. DEF - NE - Signs point to DE Jason Taylor landing in New England
NYG - RB Jacobs says he doesn't want WR Braylon Edwards
Source: New York Post
The New York Post reports New York Giants RB Brandon Jacobs said during an interview with ESPN 1050 Radio that he does not want the team to trade for Cleveland Browns WR Braylon Edwards. Jacobs said, "I don't want him. There are great players in the league that I don't want. I just think the chemistry between the teammates that I have now is great. We don't need to add a new veteran to the whole group."
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Tell us how you really feel Brandon... The Giants drafted Hakeem Nicks and Ramses Barden so it seems very unlikely they would now trade for Braylon Edwards.
NYG - RB Andre Brown could push for No. 2 RB job
Source: Ralph Vacchiano, New York Gaily News
Ralph Vacchiano, of the New York Gaily News, reports New York Giants RB Andre Brown figures to the No. 3 running back in the team's rotation, but he could eventually push RB Ahmad Bradshaw for the No. 2 job.
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This is why they drafted the talented back out of North Carolina State. Some RBs have a devastating stiff arm, and Brown is one of those runners. Andre is known to have a street fighter's mentality from the RB position, and he doesn't like to go down without a fight. He is also a consistent receiver out of the backfield, so he's more than just a 2-down back. In addition to his natural hands, he is also very good in pass protection which is extremely important for young backs looking to get immediate playing time. Injuries are a concern, as he's had 2 surgeries on his left foot, and Brown does take some time to get to full speed. Danny Ware, the undrafted free agent from Georgia, will be battling Brown for that #3 spot. On most teams the 3rd string RB wouldn't see much playing time but the Giants run with a 3-headed RBBC.
BAL - QB Flacco and WR Smith developing chemistry
Source: James Walker, ESPN.com
James Walker, of ESPN.com, reports Baltimore Ravens QB Joe Flacco seems to be developing good chemistry with WR Marcus Smith. Smith made some big plays during minicamp Friday, May 8.
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Marcus Smith is able to take advantage of receivers above him on the depth chart taking some time off during minicamp. Smith is a strong WR that has good run after the catch ability. The Ravens failed to add a WR in the NFL Draft so maybe they feel the guys they already have will develop into nice receiving weapons.
Source: Jerry McDonald, InsideBayArea.com
Jerry McDonald, of InsideBayArea.com, reports the Oakland Raiders have signed free-agent RB Gary Russell (Bengals). Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
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Gary Russell has had a crazy offseason after he scored a TD in the Super Bowl for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was released by Pittsburgh because of salary cap reasons, he was promptly signed by the Bengals but then released a little bit later. Now he is with the Raiders and is buried on the depth chart behind Darren McFadden, Justin Fargas, and Michael Bush. He could latch on as the goalline back.
KC - Undrafted rookie free agents signed
The Kansas City Chiefs have announced the signing of undrafted rookie free-agents CB Jackie Bates (Hampton), TE Tom Crabtree (Miami, OH), CB Londen Fryar (Western Michigan), DE Dion Gales (Troy State), OT Cameron Goldberg (Duke), DE Robert Greenwood (Alabama), OG Darryl Harris (Mississippi), WR Taurus Johnson (South Florida), LB Corey Smith (Cincinnati) and LB Pierre Walters (Eastern Illinois). Terms of the deals were not disclosed.
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There's two interesting guys to watch here. Taurus Johnson is a speedy WR that is very raw as a route runner. He does have natural talent and could develop into a deep threat for the Chiefs. Londen Fryar is the son of former NFL great Irving Fryar and flashed some playmaking ability while at the Texas Vs The Nation Game.
DEN - RB Darius Walker signs two-year deal
Source: RosenhausSports Twitter Feed
Updating a previous report, Drew Rosenhaus, the agent for Denver Broncos RB Darius Walker, said via his Twitter account that the deal Walker signed with the Broncos is for two years.
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The Denver Broncos may be concerned about J.J. Arrington's knee injury and perhaps are bringing in Walker just in case of an injury to their 3rd down back.
BAL - QBs Smith and Beck battle for No. 2 quarterback job
Source: James Walker, ESPN.com
James Walker, of ESPN.com, reports Baltimore Ravens backup QB Troy Smith is working with the second-string offense during minicamp workouts while newcomer QB John Beck is running with the third string. They are competing for the No. 2 spot and Beck appears to be picking up the system quickly.
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This will be one of the battles to watch this summer to see who earns the backup slot behind Joe Flacco. John Beck should be familiar with the Cam Cameron offense because it's the same one he used to run in Miami when both were there. Troy Smith is much more athletic than Beck and that could be the difference in this competition.
ATL - QB Ryan working with new TE Gonzalez
Source: D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
D. Orlando Ledbetter, of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, reports Atlanta Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez made his debut with his new team during minicamp Friday, May 8. He was shaking off the rust and said he hadn't run anything since the Pro Bowl. 'Besides, my head was spinning a little bit from learning all of the language of this offense,' Gonzalez added. He has been catching passes from QB Matt Ryan since late April. Ryan acknowledged that he threw more passes to the tight end during Friday workouts. 'Anytime that you get a new toy, you want to try it out,' Ryan noted. 'I threw a couple of balls his way, and he didn't disappoint.'
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I'm loving this addition for Matt Ryan. I'm always surprised at how many folks overlook just how great Gonzalez has been. He was the #1 TE in the game last year. And for 9 of the last 10 years, he's been no worse than the #3 TE in the game. That's dominant.
Fantasy owners need to take note here. Tony Gonzalez was already going to be one of the first fantasy TEs off the board, and these kind of reports may only push him higher. Matt Ryan went to his TE (Ryan Purvis) early and often when he was at Boston College. Opposing defenses will have a hard time picking their poison. Michael Turner will keep defenses honest and Gonzalez could have free reign over the deep middle of the defense.MIN - Favre and Childress have talked
Source: Scott Hanson, NFL Network
The NFL Network's Scott Hanson has confirmed retired QB Brett Favre and Minnesota Vikings head coach Brad Childress have had at least one phone conversation, but the talks were informal and exploratory.
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More fuel for the fire...
Source: John Niyo, The Detroit News
John Niyo, of The Detroit News, reports the Detroit Lions have signed undrafted rookie free-agent RB Antone Smith (Florida State). Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
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It's not surprising the way that he's been performing in mini camps. The Lions parted ways with Brian Calhoun which helped open the door for Smith. He will have to battle with Aaron Brown for the change of pace role. Antone Smith is great when he's in space. He's not much of a runner between the tackles, but on screen passes or draw plays he can take advantage of unsuspecting defenders.
DET - RB Kevin Smith predicts team will make playoffs
Source: Carlos Monarrez, Detroit Free Press
Carlos Monarrez, of the Detroit Free Press, reports Detroit Lions RB Kevin Smith predicted on his blog at smith34.com recently that the team would make the playoffs. Smith wrote, "I won't make a prediction about how many games we're going to win, but I will say this: We will definitely make the playoffs this season."
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Kevin, Kevin, Kevin... While we certainly like his confidence it's a very bold statement for a team that didn't win a single game in 2008. We can guarantee this statement will be thrown back in his face about 1,000 times this year.
NYG - RB Travis Beckum could fill situational H-Back role
Source: Ralph Vacchiano, New York Daily News
Ralph Vacchiano, of the New York Daily News, reports New York Giants TE Travis Beckum could fill a situational H-Back role with the team.
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Travis Beckum will never be confused with a traditional in-line TE, but he could be used as a dangerous receiver from the H-back or TE position. Beckum is built like a super sized WR, and this causes mismatches no matter where he lines up on the field. He gets off the line smoothly and uses his hands effectively to beat the jam. Highlight catches are nothing new for Beckum who has the body control to turn 180 degrees and make the catch. Each time he catches the ball he has the hip swivel to turn up the field quickly which can take defenders by surprise.
DEF - ATL - DE Abraham held out of workouts
Source: D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
D. Orlando Ledbetter, of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, reports Atlanta Falcons DE John Abraham (undisclosed) was held out of minicamp Friday, May 8. Head coach Mike Smith wouldn't say what exactly was wrong with him, but said he had a number of ailments from last season. He would not confirm if Abraham had any offseason surgeries. He played with a shoulder injury last year.
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John Abraham has played with injuries his entire career, so it's not surprising that the Falcons would give him a breather during mini camps. He's played in 16 games in each of the last 2 seasons and the Falcons want to make sure that he's able to do that again in 2009.
DEF - NE - Signs point to DE Jason Taylor landing in New England
Source: Shalise Manza Young, The Providence Journal
Shalise Manza Young, of The Providence Journal, reports free-agent DL Jason Taylor (Redskins) is expected to make a decision on his future by the end of May and signs point to him signing with the New England Patriots. The Patriots drafted only one linebacker in the 2009 NFL Draft and there are some that believe Taylor and New England already have a handshake agreement in place. Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has also allowed veterans to stay at home until training camp begins at the end of July in the past, giving them a playbook and telling them to stay in shape until camp begins. Patriots owner Robert Kraft has already said this offseason that Taylor can become a Patriot if that's what he wants.
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Chris Mortensen of ESPN is also reporting this as well. The Patriots certainly know how to get the most out of older veterans so this move would make a lot of sense.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great Saturday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update.
J