Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 10, Issue 21 (Sunday, May 10th)
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Hi Folks,
Good Monday to you. Hope you're ready for a great week. We're geared up here with lots of things working behind the scenes for you. This is going to be a great Summer at Footballguys and we're glad you're along for the ride. Quick note for you folks that haven't yet taken advantage of the Early Bird Discount for the 2009 Footballguys Subscription. It ends May 15. That's just around the corner. Save yourself $5 and signup now. On to the news - we've got plenty for you today. Let's get to it. JINSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. ATL - Addition of TE Gonzalez could mean less carries for RB Turner2. ATL - QB Ryan looking to improve
3. ATL - Falcons entering long term contract negotiations with WR Roddy White
4. OAK - WR Heyward-Bey spends time watching Saturday
5. OAK - QB Russell hit and miss with his passing during Saturday workout
6. SEA - WR Burleson coming along well in rehab
7. BAL - WR Derrick Mason could be sidelined through training camp
8. CHI - Bears in holding pattern on adding veteran WR
9. ATL - TE Gonzalez takes morning workout off
10. OAK - WR Walker remains sidelined
11. BAL - Kelley Washington reportedly wins receiver competition
12. TEN - Drew Bennett to visit Titans
13. NYG - Giants sign four free agents
14. DEF - DET - DB Louis Delmas looking like a young Dale Carter
ATL - Addition of TE Gonzalez could mean less carries for RB Turner
Source: D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
D. Orlando Ledbetter, of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, reports Atlanta Falcons RB Michael Turner is happy with the addition of TE Tony Gonzalez. He said defenses will have to play the Falcons honest this year, as they are not a one-dimensional team any longer. Turner led the league with 376 carries last season and was second in the league with 1,699 yards rushing. With a more diversified passing attack, his rushing attempts could go down. He said he will prepare as if he is going to get the same amount of work but said it would be great for him if he doesn't have to carry the ball as much.
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Fantasy owners need to take note here. One of the golden rules of fantasy football is "beware the career year." Turner had an amazing season in 2008, but was that his ceiling? Could he be more productive - is 2,000 rushing yards out of the question? Even with less carries Turner could end up being more productive and perhaps more consistent as a fantasy force. He finished as the #2 RB in fantasy football but he played hot and cold throughout the season, scoring a majority of his fantasy points in bunches.
ATL - QB Ryan looking to improve
Source: J. Michael Moore, AtlantaFalcons.com
J. Michael Moore, of AtlantaFalcons.com, reports Atlanta Falcons QB Matt Ryan hopes to improve his decision making process in his second year. He is also looking to learn more from the coaching staff. Head coach Mike Smith said he thinks Ryan has been a lot more relaxed at minicamp and has a real good understanding of what the team wants to do as a team.
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Matt Ryan already shocked the league by having such a successful rookie season and leading the Falcons to the playoffs. That rapid start will have expectations even higher in his second season. Atlanta has opened a window to make a run at the championship but it all starts with the play of Matt Ryan. They added premier TE Tony Gonzalez to the roster and he should help Ryan immensely as fans, coaches, and Ryan himself start to expect more.
ATL - Falcons entering long term contract negotiations with WR Roddy White
Source: Atlanta Constitution-Journal
After two spectacular seasons, wide receiver Roddy White and the Atlanta Falcons are in discussions for a contract extension. White, who made the Pro Bowl for the first time last season, is entering the final year of a five-year contract. "We haven’t come to an agreement," said White, who is set to make $2.28 million next season under his current contract. Preferably, White said he would like to enter the season with his contract situations resolved.
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"Whenever it happens, it happens," White said. "We'll just wait around for it." White is their #1 WR and finished 2008 as a top 10 fantasy WR. We could see his numbers taking a slight drop because of the addition of Tony Gonzalez, but they shouldn't dip below his 2007 production (where he was the #14 fantasy WR).
OAK - WR Heyward-Bey spends time watching Saturday
Source: Jerry McDonald, ANG Newspapers
Jerry McDonald, of ANG Newspapers, reports Oakland Raiders rookie WR Darrius Heyward-Bey (cramps) spent most of the second session of minicamp workouts watching Saturday, May 9. At one point, Heward-Bey was being attended to by trainers due to an apparent cramp. While he went through some drills, he did not participate in any seven-on-seven drills.
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With Javon Walker's latest knee surgery setting him back until after the beginning of training camp, the Raiders are looking for the rookie WR to have more of an impact than before. Even Jeff Garcia has been getting after the rookie when he's made mistakes. Welcome to the NFL kid, the pressure is on.
OAK - QB Russell hit and miss with his passing during Saturday workout
Source: Jerry McDonald, ANG Newspapers
Jerry McDonald, of ANG Newspapers, reports Oakland Raiders QB JaMarcus Russell continued to be hit-and-miss with his passing Saturday, May 9. He attempted a lot of short throws to running backs and tight ends while testing downfield occasionally.
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To quote Allen Iverson, "we're talking about practice man." Several reporters are saying the same thing - and it's not good for Russell. His accuracy has been off in practice - but so has Jeff Garcia's. Russell finished the '08 season on a hot streak so it's a little disappointing to hear he's started off mini camp this way. It will just take time for him to build chemistry and timing with some of his new teammates. If this is reported in August then it's a much bigger deal.
SEA - WR Burleson coming along well in rehab
Source: Associated Press
The Associated Press reports Seattle Seahawks WR Nate Burleson (knee) is running pass patterns again without any problem. Burleson, eight months removed from reconstructive knee surgery, is catching everything thrown his way, too. He has also been working as a cornerback on the scout-team. He was wearing a black brace over his knee and said he is not 100 percent yet. 'The last couple of days, I've got to be honest, there was some doubt in my mind, but right now I don't feel my knee hurting. This week has proved to me the rehab is working,' Burleson said. Dr. James Andrews, who performed the surgery, recently told Burleson he is amazed with how well Burleson has come in his recovery.
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Bobby Engram left for Kansas City and Deion Branch has trouble staying healthy so the Seahawks are looking for a playmaker behind T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Burleson will have stiff competition from rookie Deon Butler but he has the experience edge and right now has to be considered the favorite.
BAL - WR Derrick Mason could be sidelined through training camp
Source: Jamison Hensley, The Baltimore Sun
Jamison Hensley from the Baltimore Sun reports that Ravens wide receiver Derrick Mason could miss training camp this season but remains optimistic that he'll be ready for the start of the regular season.
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Mason is one of the toughest players in football, and played through this shoulder injury from week 10 until the AFC Championship Game. He expects to be in the week 1 starting lineup, but he turns 35 this year and his recovery may not go as smoothly as planned. Missing training camp may mean that he'll get off to a slow start in 2009.
CHI - Bears in holding pattern on adding veteran WR
Source: Vaughn McClure, The Chicago Tribune
Vaughn McClure, of the Chicago Tribune, reports Chicago Bears general manager Jerry Angelo said the team could look to add a veteran wide receiver, but added they would be comfortable heading into the season with their current group of receivers. Angelo said, "A veteran receiver is something we could do. We've looked at just about everybody. But right now we're in a holding pattern. If we go to camp and go into the season with the hand we dealt ourselves, we're very comfortable with that as well."
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We talked about this yesterday with the Bears possible interest in Amani Toomer. Chicago has several young WRs that could contribute right away. There are several veteran free agent WRs that the Bears could bring in if the rookies struggle or if Earl Bennett doesn't look like he'll be a solid #2 WR for the team.
ATL - TE Gonzalez takes morning workout off
Source: J. Michael Moore, AtlantaFalcons.com
J. Michael Moore, of AtlantaFalcons.com, reports Atlanta Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez was given the morning minicamp workout off Saturday, May 9. The team is allowing players 30 years and older to work out just once a day.
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Nothing to worry about here. I just know you guys need to know...
OAK - WR Walker remains sidelined
Source: Steve Corkran, The Contra Costa-Times
Steve Corkran, of The Contra Costa-Times, reports Oakland Raiders WR Javon Walker (knee) remained sidelined Saturday, May 9.
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Head Coach Tom Cable doesn't expect Javon Walker to be ready by the start of training camp. The passing game (both QBs and WRs) has been struggling in mini camp but if things start to get on track for the young receivers we could see Javon Walker on the outside looking in once the season begins. If the injury lingers then the Raiders could start the new season with Walker on the PUP.
BAL - Kelley Washington reportedly wins receiver competition
Source: Baltimoresun.com
While the coaches didn't signal a winner, Kelley Washington appeared to have the best showing of the three wide receivers trying out for the Ravens. Now, the Ravens have to make a decision whether to sign Washington, Jerry Porter or Tab Perry over the next few days. Washington has received a contract for the veteran minimum from the Washington Redskins.
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It doesn't take much to outshine Jerry Porter or Tab Perry, but Washington has been turning heads wherever he's gone this offseason. Coach John Harbaugh has indicated that they'll sign at least one of these receivers.
TEN - Drew Bennett to visit Titans
Source: Tennessean.com
Free Agent WR Drew Bennett (Rams) is scheduled to visit the Titans on Monday.
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If only he could bring Billy Volek back with him! Bennett started his career with the Titans and put up some decent numbers along the way. He left for greener pastures in St. Louis but his production never matched what he did in Tennessee. He could be re-united with the Titans to battle Lavelle Hawkins for playing time as the 4th WR.
NYG - Giants sign four free agents
Source: Paul Schwartz, The New York Post
Paul Schwartz, of the New York Post, reports the New York Giants have signed free agents WR Shaun Bodiford (Packers), RB Allen Patrick (Browns), LB Kelvin Smith (Dolphins) and TE George Wrighster (Jaguars). Terms of the deals were not disclosed.
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Allen Patrick, the former Sooners back, was recently released by the Browns and will have a hard time making the team unless the RBs ahead of him on the depth chart get injured.
DEF - DET - DB Louis Delmas looking like a young Dale Carter
Source: Detroit Free Press
Over three days of rookie minicamp last weekend, Delmas, a second-round pick from Western Michigan, outshone everyone. He made good on a promise to pick off Matthew Stafford and showed the kind of energy, enthusiasm and joy recently missing from the Allen Park practice field.
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Gunther Cunningham commented that Delmas reminds him of a young Dale Carter. That's very high praise for the rookie who can help bring leadership and playmaking ability to a defense that was sorely in need of it last year.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Remember the Early Bird Discount is ending May 15 so don't miss out. Have a great Monday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update.
J