Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 10, Issue 23 (Tuesday, May 12th)
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Hi Folks,
Good Wednesday to you. Hope you're having a nice week so far. We'll do all we can to keep it that way for you. Here's today's Quote Of The Day: "So when your team fires up OTA's and you're not here, I guess you're being misunderstood again, right? Your past don't equal your future, but it will damn sure give me some reflection of what you might do. I'll leave it at that." --Warren Sapp on missing TE Kellen Winslow We'll let those guys work that out amongst themselves. Lets you and I get to the News and Notes. JSITE NEWS
A.
Early Bird Subscription Discount Almost Over
Hi Folks,
Don't miss out on the Early Bird discount. It ends May 15 and it'll be your last chance this year to buy a 2009 Footballguys subscription at the $22.95 price. Just click on the link in the headline and that'll take you right to the ordering page.
B.
Footballguys Podcast - The Audible - 2009 NFL Draft Recap: AFC South
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 many ways will the Texans use James Casey, why Jacksonville had a great draft and the WRs you need to know better, Donald Brown taking over as the lead back for the Colts, why Javon Ringer could move into the RBBC behind Chris Johnson, plus more!
C.
Footballguys Podcast - The Audible - 2009 NFL Draft Recap: NFC South
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 - why the Falcons draft will help them compete for a Super Bowl, who is the new Carolina RB you have to get on your fantasy team, what were the Saints thinking, is Josh Freeman going to develop as a franchise QB, plus more!
D.
Footballguys Podcast - The Audible - 2009 NFL Draft Recap: AFC North
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 - the great draft of the Ravens, how the Bengals were able to get so many value picks, did Cleveland reach for a few prospects, will the Steelers draft help them stay in contention for a championship, plus more!
E.
Footballguys Podcast - The Audible - 2009 NFL Draft Recap: NFC North
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 - the Lions draft great without Matt Millen, will the Packers be happy with their additions to defense, the Bears have a solid draft without any 1st day picks, will Brad Childress know how to use Percy Harvin the right way, plus more!
F.
Footballguys Podcast - The Audible - 2009 NFL Draft Recap: Undrafted Free Agents
In This Episode: Cecil Lammey and Sigmund Bloom recap the 2009 NFL Undrafted Free Agent class and discuss the impact it will have on fantasy football. Topics Include - who are the receivers the Ravens brought in after the draft, is there a player to watch behind Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas, the Texans get two solid backs as Undrafted Free Agents, plus more!
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. NFL - Mike Holmgren wants to return in some capacity2. CLE - QB Brady Quinn likely to start Week 1?
3. OAK - RB Darren McFadden impressive during minicamp
4. TB - QB Luke McCown believes starting job his to lose
5. TB - Team understood TE Winslow would not be present
6. NYG - WR Sinorice Moss currently part of three-receiver sets
7. KC - QB Brodie Croyle could be ready by start of training camp
8. NYJ - RB Leon Washington appears prepared to miss OTAs
9. CIN - OT Andre Smith to re-hire original agent
10. TB - RB Earnest Graham practices Tuesday
11. NFL - QB Favre throws Monday, said shoulder hurt
12. NYG - Rookie WR Hakeem Nicks does not feel pressure
13. NFL - MIN - QB Favre reportedly will play for no other team
14. BUF - Bills not interested in QB Michael Vick
15. DEF - STL - LB James Laurinaitus to miss OTAs
NFL - Mike Holmgren wants to return in some capacity
Source: Mark Maske, The Washington Post
Mark Maske, of The Washington Post, reports former Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Holmgren said he has made the decision that he wants to work again and is open to the idea of coaching, but has not made a final decision on whether he will do that or work in a front office somewhere. He said he has not thought through his emotions enough to know exactly what it is he wants to do.
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That was quick. Some guys just can't get coaching out of their system. He can go sit on a beach somewhere with Mike Shanahan and sip on margaritas this season, but expect both to be back in the NFL in some capacity in 2010.
CLE - QB Brady Quinn likely to start Week 1?
Source: Tony Grossi, The Cleveland Plain Dealer
Tony Grossi, of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, reports although there will be an open competition between Cleveland Browns QB Brady Quinn and QB Derek Anderson for the team's starting quarterback job, Quinn is expected to prevail and be the starter in Week 1, according to a league source.
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A little more followup from yesterday's story on this. And this one is a little shady. An "unnamed source" that doesn't work for the team but is very well known (whatever that means) is reporting that the Browns wouldn't turn down offers if Quinn wasn't in line for the #1 job. This source also reports that newly acquired Brett Ratliff is not a credible threat for the starting job. Quinn hasn't exactly looked like Peyton Manning on the field so it's a bit of a reach to automatically name him the starter.
OAK - RB Darren McFadden impressive during minicamp
Source: Jerry McDonald, ANG Newspapers
Jerry McDonald, of ANG Newspapers, reports Oakland Raiders RB Darren McFadden was one of the most impressive players during the team's recent minicamp.
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With added weapons to the passing game it could help open things up for the Raiders ground game. Darren McFadden does his best work in space, and the Raiders are going to find ways to get him the ball in his hands. McFadden will be used as a runner, receiver, and as a Wildcat QB in 2009.
TB - QB Luke McCown believes starting job his to lose
Source: Rick Stroud, The St. Petersburg Times
Rick Stroud, of the St. Petersburg Times, reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Luke McCown said he believes the starting quarterback job is his to lose this offseason. 'Absolutely. This has been a long time coming for me and I'm not letting anybody take it from me. And it's the first legitimate opportunity,' McCown said.
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Byron Leftwich has stated that this is a real competition and the "best QB will win." McCown signed a 2-year, $7.5 million dollar deal back in February but reportedly looked so bad in camp that the Bucs had to sign Byron Leftwich. Even rookie Josh Freeman said that the Leftwich signing was a "smokescreen", a comment that Leftwich isn't holding against him. We'll see how this shakes out as the Bucs could go in any number of directions.
TB - Team understood TE Winslow would not be present
Source: Steve Wyche, NFL.com
Updating a previous report, Steve Wyche, of NFL.com, reports the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been in contact with TE Kellen Winslow and understand why he was not present for the their organized team activities.
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In other words, "probably not a big deal." (Although Warren Sapp seemed to think it was notable) Winslow is expected to re-join his team shortly.
NYG - WR Sinorice Moss currently part of three-receiver sets
Source: Mike Garafolo, The Newark Star-Ledger
Mike Garafolo, of the Newark Star-Ledger, reports New York Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride said WR Sinorice Moss is currently penciled in as one of the outside receivers in three-receiver sets. WR Steven Smith would be the slot receiver in the formation.
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Sinorice Moss hasn't produced much as a receiver during his time with the Giants. He will battle Mario Manningham for playing time and could develop into a deep threat for Eli Manning.
KC - QB Brodie Croyle could be ready by start of training camp
Source: Adam Teicher, The Kansas City Star
Adam Teicher, of The Kansas City Star, reports Kansas City Chiefs head coach Todd Haley indicated QB Brodie Croyle (knee) could be ready to play by the start of training camp.
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Croyle was once thought to be the QB of the future in Kansas City, now he's on the outside looking in. Currently 3rd on the depth chart, Croyle should be able to stay on the team for one more year as he only has to beat out Ingle Martin for the emergency QB spot.
NYJ - RB Leon Washington appears prepared to miss OTAs
Source: Rich Cimini, The New York Daily News
Updating a previous report, Rich Cimini, of the New York Daily News, reports New York Jets RB Leon Washington appears to be prepared to sit out the Jets' remaining organized team activities because he is not happy with his contract.
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The negotiations seemed to have taken a turn for the worst. The Jets may have to end up choosing between Thomas Jones and Leon Washington. Signing one and not the other to a long term deal would make for an awkward situation for the Jets. If Shonn Greene plays well they could make up for the loss of Thomas Jones, however they have no other players on their team like Washington. Danny Woodhead plays well in space but is not even close to the level of a Leon Washington.
CIN - OT Andre Smith to re-hire original agent
Source: Steve Wyche, NFL.com
Steve Wyche, of NFL.com, reports Cincinnati Bengals OT Andre Smith apparently will re-hire his original agent, Alvin Keels, after recently firing his second agent, according to a source.
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It's back and forth for the big man. It really doesn't matter as long as he gets signed, gets into camp, and starts playing like the Bengals expect. Some talent evaluators had Andre Smith as the #1 prospect, not just the #1 OT, in this entire draft.
TB - RB Earnest Graham practices Tuesday
Source: Steve Wyche, NFL.com
Steve Wyche, of NFL.com, reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Earnest Graham (ankle) practiced at full speed Tuesday, May 12.
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This is good news for the Tampa RB who will face stiff competition from Derrick Ward in training camp. It could be a 2-headed RBBC in Tampa this season with both Ward and Graham having equal value. We'll see if one emerges in training camp - and we'll see if both backs can stay healthy.
NFL - QB Favre throws Monday, said shoulder hurt
Source: Rachel Nichols, ESPN
Rachel Nichols, of ESPN, reports retired QB Brett Favre (shoulder) threw to some high school players Monday, May 11, but the coach of the team said Favre did not look like he was preparing for a comeback like he did last summer. Favre told his agent that his shoulder hurt after about 10 throws. Favre did not throw at the high school Tuesday, May 12.
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Just reporting the daily Favre Watch...
NYG - Rookie WR Hakeem Nicks does not feel pressure
Source: Matt Mosley, of ESPN.com
Matt Mosley, of ESPN.com, reports New York Giants WR Hakeem Nicks said he does not feel any pressure in replacing unrestricted free-agent WR Plaxico Burress (Giants).
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Nicks is a very confident - borderline cocky - rookie WR that can back up his talk with his play on the field. He is very talented, but plays more like Anquan Boldin than Plaxico Burress. We'll see if he can respond to the pressure that he'll be under on Sundays.
NFL - MIN - QB Favre reportedly will play for no other team
Source: John Clayton, ESPN.com
John Clayton, of ESPN.com, reports if free-agent QB Brett Favre (Jets) decides to return to football for the 2009 season, it will only be for the Minnesota Vikings.
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This is in line with the reports that Favre wants to do nothing else but stick it to the Green Bay Packers.
BUF - Bills not interested in QB Michael Vick
Source: Tim Graham, ESPN.com
Tim Graham, of ESPN.com, reports the Buffalo Bills have zero interest in Atlanta Falcons suspended QB Michael Vick, according to a team source.
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The Achilles heel for the Bills is QB Trent Edwards. They want to have a quick strike, no-huddle offense because their line play isn't the best and they have some great weapons in the passing game. If Trent Edwards goes down it equals trouble for the Bills because they only have Ryan Fitzpatrick behind him. That being said, Michael Vick just doesn't seem to fit into their plans.
DEF - STL - LB James Laurinaitus to miss OTAs
Source:
Mike Sando, of ESPN.com, reports St. Louis Rams LB James Laurinaitis will miss all of the Rams' organized team activities this offseason because graduation at Ohio State is not held until June 14, and rookies are not allowed to participate in offseason programs until their university's graduation.
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This is a silly rule that the NFL needs to change.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Thanks for reading and have a great Wednesday. We'll see you tomorrow with the update.
J