Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 10, Issue 27 (Saturday, May 16th)

Hi Folks,

SITE NEWS

A. The Gut Check - Breakout Wide Receivers: Adventures in Stat-Profiling
Our Matt Waldman checks in with this week's edition of The Gut Check where he takes a look behind the curtain at his WR rankings.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

NFL - Players and owners to open labor talks within the next month

Source: Reuters

The National Football League and its players will open talks in the next month for a new labor agreement in hopes of avoiding a work stoppage in America's most popular sport, officials said on Saturday.

[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]

Still too early to predict too much what will happen here. It's probably a good thing that at least they're starting to talk but we all know these things often drag out until a real deadline is looming. Keep your fingers crossed that both sides are smart enough not to kill the "golden goose" trying to squeeze all the gold eggs out at once.

Back to Top

DAL - WR Roy Williams ready to silence critics

Source: Todd Archer, The Dallas Morning News

Todd Archer, of The Dallas Morning News, reports Dallas Cowboys WR Roy Williams can't understand why he has been the target of critics this offseason who aren't sure if he can emerge as the team's No. 1 wide receiver. Williams feels he will prove the doubters wrong once the season begins. 'People say, 'Hey, you're our No. 1 receiver,' and say, 'I hope you can do it. Good luck," Williams said. 'I've been a No. 1 ever since I was 1. But I can't really talk about it. I just got to continue getting in shape and prove it September whatever the day it is in Tampa.'

[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]

It's hard to believe in career underachiever Roy Williams. He will have an opportunity to prove the critics wrong, as he will be the Cowboys #1 WR in 2009. Williams' current ADP is WR16, and that may be too generous.

Back to Top

WAS - RB Shaun Alexander would like to play for WAS in 2009

Source: KNBR Radio, San Francisco

Free-agent RB Shaun Alexander (Redskins) said during a radio interview with KNBR in San Francisco that he would like to return to play for the Washington Redskins this season but is unsure if the opportunity will come. "I don't know. My agents are talking. I would love to," Alexander said. "I'm training with my new trainers up in New Jersey like I'm going to be their (Redskins) guy and come play with them. Of course they have Clinton (Portis) and Ladell (Betts) and they've brought in a couple of guys. For me its like they know what I can do so they're going to check to see what their guys can do and then after that we'll make a decision."

[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]

It's debatable whether or not Alexander would beat the likes of Anthony Alridge or Marcus Mason for the final RB spot with the Redskins. If Washington doesn't like what they see from their backups they might bring in the veteran for a tryout.

Back to Top

OAK - WR Chaz Schilens to run mostly intermediate routes

Source: Jerry McDonald, ANG Newspapers

Jerry McDonald, of ANG Newspapers, reports based on offseason practices thus far, the role of Oakland Raiders WR Chaz Schilens will be to run a lot of 15- to-17-yard routes, putting him in areas where he can use his athletic skill to go up and get the football. Schilens was the best and most consistent receiver on the field during the team's recent minicamp.

[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]

Chaz Schilens has been impressing thus far in minicamp, and with Javon Walker's injury status perhaps preventing him from participating in preseason we could could see Schilens be a key receiver when the Raiders go to a 3 WR set. He also had 2 TDs in the final 2 games of the 2008 season so Schilens could prove to be a threat in the red zone as well.

Back to Top

NO - Free agent RB Deuce McAllister would not rule out returning to Saints

Source: Brett Martel, The Associated Press

Brett Martel, of the Associated Press, reports free-agent RB Deuce McAllister (Saints) said he would not rule out re-signing with the New Orleans Saints. McAllister said returning to New Orleans would be a dream come true. ..."But if it's on a visiting team, then so be it. All that will play itself out."

[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]

The Saints are looking for depth behind Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas. RBs Mike Bell, Lynell Hamilton, P.J. Hill, and Herb Donaldson will all compete for the reserve power back role. Bell is best remembered for his time in Denver and while he's quick and somewhat powerful he is very limited as a runner. Lynell Hamilton burst onto the scene at San Diego State in his freshmen year, but injuries and inconsistencies marred the rest of his college career. P.J. Hill runs like a poor man's LenDale White. He's a big back that doesn't run with the power that he should, plus he's had 2 recent DUI arrests. Herb Donaldson is a big power back that is very swift. He can run through arm tackels and keeps his pads low but is unproven as a receiver.

Back to Top

SD - WR Malcom Floyd fully recovered from collasped lung from last season

Source: Scott Bair, The North County Times

Scott Bair, of the North County Times, reports San Diego Chargers WR Malcom Floyd said he is completely recovered from the collapsed lung his suffered last season.

[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]

Floyd has been a favorite of QB Philip Rivers and will again be a top red zone target for the Chargers in 2009. If Chris Chambers or Vincent Jackson were to miss time with an injury, Floyd could fill in nicely.

Back to Top

SD - WR Malcom Floyd contract details

Source: Kevin Acee, The San Diego Union-Tribune

Updating a previous report, Kevin Acee, of the San Diego Union-Tribune, reports San Diego Chargers WR Malcom Floyd's one-year contract is worth $1.54 million.

[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]

Just some followup to yesterday's story with the contract details.

Back to Top

BUF - RB Fred Jackson contract details

Source: Allen Wilson, The Buffalo News

Updating a previous report, Allen Wilson, of The Buffalo News, reports Buffalo Bills RB Fred Jackson will receive a base salary of $500,000 in 2009, $1.195 million in 2010, $1.625 in 2011 and $1.83 in 2012. He received a signing bonus of $1.1 million and will receive a $650,000 bonus for making the 53-man roster. He is scheduled to receive a $250,000 reporting bonus in 2010 and gets workout bonuses of $50,000 for each year of the contract.

[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]

Just an update with Jackson's contract details.

Back to Top

CAR - WR Ryne Robinson leading candidate for return job

Source: Steve Reed, CarolinaGrowl.com

Steve Reed, of CarolinaGrowl.com, reports Carolina Panthers WR Ryne Robinson is the leading candidate for the team's kickoff and punt return duties this season.

[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]

Ryne Robinson was a fantastic return man in college, and some scouts considered him to be even more dangerous than Devin Hester. He was also a favorite target of Ben Roethlisberger at Miami (OH) but he's failed to develop as a receiver so far in the pros. He could give Carolina a distinct advantage on special teams but Robinson has had trouble staying healthy so far in the NFL.

Back to Top

OAK - QB Jeff Garcia has not spoken with Davis

Source: Jerry McDonald, ANG Newspapers

Jerry McDonald, of ANG Newspapers, reports Oakland Raiders QB Jeff Garcia said during a radio interview that he has yet to speak with managing general partner Al Davis, either as an opponent or currently as a Raider.

[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]

I wonder if Al Davis used his overhead projector when he made the decision to sign Jeff Garcia? Seriously, this stuff is more common than one would think in the NFL. But interesting nonetheless.

Back to Top

DEF - DEN - Broncos have several hybrid players on defense

Source: Gray Caldwell, DenverBroncos.com

Gray Caldwell, of DenverBroncos.com, reports Denver Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels said DEs Robert Ayers, Tim Crowder, Elvis Dumervil, Jarvis Moss and Darrell Reid are all considered hybrid players who could play outside linebacker in the 3-4 defensive alignment.

[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]

Coach Josh McDaniels stated in his post draft press conference that he expects to use Robert Ayers as a DE and as an OLB in the 3-4. The Broncos are trying to throw together as pass rush, and will have several players out of position as they look to improve their defense.

Back to Top

That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great rest of your weekend and we'll see you tomorrow with the update.