Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 10, Issue 22 (Monday, May 11th)
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Hi Folks,
Good Tuesday to you. Thanks to all the folks that took advantage of the Early Bird Discount for the Footballguys subscription yesterday. Remember, it only runs through May 15. We've got lots of News and Notes for you plus check out the first "Site News" story for how you can keep up with me on Twitter. Thanks as always to our Cecil Lammey for the help on these news stories. Let's get to it. JSITE NEWS
A.
Keep up with Footballguys and Joe on Twitter
Like the rest of the world, I'm on the Twitter bandwagon. I want to use it to help keep you on top of all that I'm doing. Don't worry, it may stray away from Football at times, but I'm fully aware you couldn't care less what I bought at the store so it'll never get into the useless ridiculousness I see some into. It'll be a few updates a day on things I see of interest and then of course the Footballguys info you'll want to keep up with. And when Breaking News hits, the folks on the Twitter feed will often see it first as it's faster than email to the big group. My Twitter username is Joe_Bryant and to keep up with what I'm doing, just click here and select "follow". And shoot me an email at bryant@footballguys.com to let me know how you like it.
B.
Footballguys Podcast - The Audible - 2009 NFL Draft Recap: AFC West
In This Episode: Cecil Lammey and Sigmund Bloom recap the 2009 NFL Draft class of each division and discuss the impact it will have on fantasy football. Topics Include - how much of an impact can Knowshon Moreno have for the Broncos, is Javarris Williams a sleeper RB for the Chiefs, why DHB is a good pick for the Raiders, fantasy owners need to pay attention to new Chargers RB Gartrell Johnson, plus more!
C.
Footballguys Podcast - The Audible - 2009 NFL Draft Recap: NFC West
In This Episode: Cecil Lammey and Sigmund Bloom recap the 2009 NFL Draft class of each division and discuss the impact it will have on fantasy football. Topics Include: how good can Chris Wells be for the Cardinals in his rookie year, could RB Chris Ogbannaya win the backup job to Steven Jackson, will Mike Singletary and Michael Crabtree be able to get along, is Deon Butler going to challenge for a starting job with the Seahawks this year, plus more!
D.
Footballguys Podcast - The Audible - 2009 NFL Draft Recap: AFC East
In This Episode: Cecil Lammey and Sigmund Bloom recap the 2009 NFL Draft class of each division and discuss the impact it will have on fantasy football. Topics Include - will the Bills regret passing on Brian Orakpo, how often will Pat White get on the field in 2009, why the Patriots had one of the best drafts, is Mark Sanchez going to succeed with the Jets, plus more!
E.
Footballguys Podcast - The Audible - 2009 NFL Draft Recap: NFC East
In This Episode: Cecil Lammey and Sigmund Bloom recap the 2009 NFL Draft class of each division and discuss the impact it will have on fantasy football. Topics Include - what were the Cowboys thinking on draft weekend, why the Giants have one of the best scouting departments in football, what kind of numbers will Jeremy Maclin post in his rookie year, why the Redskins are thrilled to have Brian Orakpo on their team, plus more!
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. CLE - Browns turned down offers for QB Quinn - Starting QB?2. SF - 49ers to rely on Gore more in 2009
3. SEA - Seahawks showing confidence in QB Hasselbeck
4. NYJ - RB Thomas Jones continues to be a no-show
5. NYJ - TE Bubba Franks re-signed
6. OAK - Rookie WR Heyward-Bey misses practice Sunday
7. CLE - WR Stallworth can travel for medical visit
8. OAK - QB Garcia adjusting to reserve role
9. NFL - Favre throwing at local high school
10. TB - Griese not expected to attend OTAs
11. NYG - Rookie Beatty primarily works at left tackle
12. BAL - Ravens have contacted WR Kelley Washington
13. CHI - Bears agree to terms with TE Michael Gaines
14. NE - Alex Smith's addition could affect other TEs on roster
15. DEF - NE - Patriots have yet to reopen talks with Wilfork
16. DEF - NYJ - Jets reportedly not interested in CB Adam Jones
CLE - Browns turned down offers for QB Quinn - Starting QB?
Source: Tony Grossi, The Cleveland Plain Dealer
Tony Grossi, of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, reports the Cleveland Browns received two substantial offers for QB Brady Quinn but turned both offers down, according to a league source.
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The Browns didn't trade Brady Quinn, and they added Jets QB Brett Ratliff in the trade that sent the #5 pick to New York. Quinn, Derek Anderson, and Ratliff will all battle for playing time and Quinn could have a slight edge on the competition. Derek Anderson failed to live up to expectations after looking good at times during the 2007 season. Brett Ratliff is the strong armed gunslinger that Mangini has experience with from their days together in New York - but Ratliff has no regular season experience. Quinn's name was brought up in nearly every potential QB trade this offseason, but apparently no team offered enough for the Browns to bite.
SF - 49ers to rely on Gore more in 2009
Source: Samuel Lam, The San Francisco 49ers Examiner
Samuel Lam, of the San Francisco 49ers Examiner, reports San Francisco 49ers RB Frank Gore should receive at least 300 carries this season under new offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye.
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Frank Gore is the engine of the 49ers offense. They drafted RB Glen Coffee from Alabama in the 3rd round of the 2009 NFL Draft to be the backup and to spell Gore when he needs a breather. If Gore can stay healthy he could easily regain his status as a top 10 fantasy RB.
SEA - Seahawks showing confidence in QB Hasselbeck
Source: John Boyle, The Everett Herald,
John Boyle, of the Everett Herald, reports the Seattle Seahawks showed a lot of confidence in QB Matt Hasselbeck by not selecting New York Jets QB Mark Sanchez with the No. 4 overall pick in this year's NFL Draft. Hasselbeck, meanwhile, said he did not concern himself with the notion of the team adding a potential quarterback for the future. 'Focusing on stuff like that is not going to help you at all, what you've got to focus on is the stuff that happens in between the white lines out there, so that's where 90 percent of my focus is,' Hasselbeck said. 'Either way, I think each guy has to realize that whatever they do in the draft or free agency, you've just got to best player that you can be and that will help us all get better.'
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Aaron Curry was just too good to pass up at the #4 pick in the 1st round, and only time will tell if passing on Sanchez was the right decision. The Seahawks drafted OL Max Unger in the 2nd round of the 2009 NFL Draft and he is versatile enough to play any position on the offensive line. He will also help protect Matt Hasselbeck who has struggled with injuries and turns 35 years old this year. They added several weapons to the passing game, including T.J. Houshmandzadeh in free agency and Deon Butler in the draft, with hopes that they will help their QB put up better numbers. If Hasselbeck struggles this year we could see the Seahawks go in a different direction in the 2010 season.
NYJ - RB Thomas Jones continues to be a no-show
Source: New York Daily News
The next phase of the Jets' off-season program begins today at Florham Park, N.J., where the players will begin OTAs. That's football slang for "organized team activity," which is a fancy description for a non-contact practice. These sessions are voluntary, so a player can't be fined for missing them. This doesn't come as a surprise, but RB Thomas Jones didn't attend today's OTA session, according to a team spokesman.
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Thomas Jones has been skipping every voluntary workout so far this offseason. He wants a new contract, but it's unlikely that he'll get it because the Jets traded up to draft RB Shonn Greene in the 2009 NFL Draft. We'll see how Jones reacts when the workouts are mandatory.
NYJ - TE Bubba Franks re-signed
Source: Dave Hutchinson, The Newark Star-Ledger
Dave Hutchinson, of the Newark Star-Ledger, reports the New York Jets have re-signed unrestricted free-agent TE Bubba Franks, according to a source.
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Terms of the contract were not disclosed, but it is most likely a 1-year deal. This is merely an insurance move for the Jets so they can be productive if Dustin Keller misses any time due to injury. Franks is not a fantasy factor anymore, but could still be effectively used in the red zone on a part time basis.
OAK - Rookie WR Heyward-Bey misses practice Sunday
Source: Associated Press
The Associated Press reports Oakland Raiders WR Darrius Heyward-Bey (hamstring, fatigue) did not participate in practice Sunday, May 10, because of a sore hamstring and fatigue.
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The first mini camp was full of ups and downs for the Raiders 1st round pick. It doesn't sound like anything serious, but as we know a hamstring injury may linger.
CLE - WR Stallworth can travel for medical visit
Source: Associated Press
The Associated Press reports Cleveland Browns WR Donte' Stallworth, free on bail on a DUI manslaughter charge, has been cleared to travel this week from Miami to Atlanta for a medical visit. A Miami-Dade County judge Monday, May 11, approved Stallworth's request for the one-day trip Thursday, May 14.
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The reason for the visit was not disclosed at a brief hearing, and Stallworth's attorney declined comment. Stallworth is out on $200,000 bail and is facing a maximum 15-year jail sentence for killing a 59-year-old man while behind the wheel when he was under the influence of alcohol in late March. Stallworth's future is up in the air and it's hard to imagine him focusing on football.
OAK - QB Garcia adjusting to reserve role
Source: Associated Press
The Associated Press reports Oakland Raiders QB Jeff Garcia admits he has had difficulty adjusting to his role of a backup quarterback behind QB JaMarcus Russell. 'It's not an easy role to accept because of the competitive nature that is within me,' Garcia said. 'I struggled with it when I was in Philadelphia. I had a hard time just sitting on the sideline watching.' Still, Garcia acknowledged that he knows his role on the team. 'It's about understanding your role, and I understand what I have come into with this team,' said Garcia. 'I understand that JaMarcus is the starting quarterback. I do believe that I am a starting quarterback, as far as caliber is concerned. Hopefully by the example that I set ... JaMarcus can see and understand that this is why I've been able to play this game so long and why I've been able to have the success that I've had.'
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It's good to see that Garcia is not going to be disruptive sitting on the bench. JaMarcus Russell was playing good football at the end of the 2008 season, but reports coming out of mini camp have stated that he is struggling to get off to a good start this year. Those same reports also say that Garcia is struggling as well. This is a situation to watch, but it could just be a matter of time to build chemistry with the new weapons in the offense.
NFL - Favre throwing at local high school
Source: Jim Souhan, The Minneapolis Star-Tribune
Jim Souhan, of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, reports retired QB Brett Favre (shoulder) recently threw to the receivers from a local high school to try to stay in shape.
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It's Favre from over! Sorry. This is exactly how we anticipated this unfolding. Favre gets the itch to play, Favre starts throwing passes to high schoolers, Favre convinces some team to sign him to a contract. Somewhere Bus Cook is denying that Favre has even touched a football this offseason. Another day, another chapter in Favre Watch 2009.
TB - Griese not expected to attend OTAs
Source: Rick Stroud, The St. Petersburg Times
Rick Stroud, of the St. Petersburg Times, reports the Tampa Bay Buccaneers do not expect QB Brian Griese to attend their organized team activities this week.
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We may have seen the last of Griese in a Bucs uniform. Tampa Bay loves to collect QBs and are expected to take 4 of them into training camp: Josh Freeman, Byron Leftwich, Luke McCown, and Josh Johnson. Griese still has ability as a backup and should look for a roster spot elsewhere.
NYG - Rookie Beatty primarily works at left tackle
Source: Paul Schwartz, The New York Post
Paul Schwartz, of the New York Post, reports New York Giants OT William Beatty primarily worked at left tackle during the team's rookie minicamp, but he did get some work at right tackle. He made a few assignment errors during the camp but showed his athleticism.
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Beatty is extremely athletic and has the footwork of a big time Left Tackle. The million dollar question is whether or not he can play with more passion, aggression, and consistency at this level.
BAL - Ravens have contacted WR Kelley Washington
Source: Jamison Hensley, The Baltimore Sun
Jamison Hensley, of The Baltimore Sun, reports the Baltimore Ravens have contacted unrestricted free-agent WR Kelley Washington (Patriots) about a possible contract but no agreement has been reached, according to a source.
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The Ravens will have to offer more than just the veteran minimum because the Redskins also wanted to sign Kelley Washington.
CHI - Bears agree to terms with TE Michael Gaines
Source: Larry Mayer, ChicagoBears.com,
Larry Mayer, of ChicagoBears.com, reports the Chicago Bears have agreed to terms with unrestricted free-agent TE Michael Gaines (Lions) on a one-year deal. Financial terms were not disclosed.
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Gaines will be asked to block for the Bears as they already have 2 talented pass catching options at the TE position - Greg Olsen and Desmond Clark. If Olsen or Clark were to get hurt Gaines would move into the #2 spot, but as of right now he has little fantasy value.
NE - Alex Smith's addition could affect other TEs on roster
Source: Mike Reiss, The Boston Globe
Mike Reiss, of the Boston Globe, reports the New England Patriots' addition of TE Alex Smith could impact the decisions on whether to keep TEs Benjamin Watson or David Thomas on the final roster.
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The Patriots have 4 capable TEs on the roster currently in Ben Watson, Chris Baker, Alex Smith, and Dave Thomas. Watson's career has been a roller coaster ride of highs and lows, but Dave Thomas has struggled to stay healthy during his time in the NFL. We'll see how this battle shakes out in camp.
DEF - NE - Patriots have yet to reopen talks with Wilfork
Source: Mike Reiss, of The Boston Globe
Mike Reiss, of The Boston Globe, reports the New England Patriots have yet to reopen contract talks with DL Vince Wilfork. However, Wilfork, who enters the final year of his contract, is one of the team's top priorities, now that free agency period and the NFL Draft are over.
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The Patriots added a bargaining chip when they selected DT Ron Brace in the 2nd round of the 2009 NFL Draft. New England would bring back Wilfork at a reasonable rate, but if the big man wants Albert Haynesworth ($100M) money he will have to look elsewhere.
DEF - NYJ - Jets reportedly not interested in CB Adam Jones
Source: Rich Cimini, The New York Daily News
Rich Cimini, of the New York Daily News, reports the New York Jets are not interested in free-agent CB Adam Jones (Cowboys), according to a person with knowledge of the team’s thinking.
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This is in direct contradiction to the report from Calvin Watkins from AOL Fanhouse. We'll see who is right in the long run, but Adam Jones is not receiving much interest from other teams for many reasons. Not only is he a handful off the field, but his play on the field in 2008 was poor.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great Tuesday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update. Remember that Early Bird Discount ends soon. And to keep up with us on Twitter. See you tomorrow.
J