Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 10, Issue 29 (Monday, May 18th)
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Hi Folks,
Good Tuesday to you. This is always a fun week as we head toward the Memorial Day Weekend Holiday. Try to stay at least a little bit focused. Or at least focused on Football. To that end, here are the latest News and Notes for you. Have a great Tuesday and thanks for reading. JSITE NEWS
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. NFL - Jon Gruden to join Monday Night Football crew2. CHI - QB Jay Cutler expected to have most of playbook down by end of OTAs
3. NFL - QB Brett Favre to meet with orthopedist Tuesday
4. CHI - Bears not interested in WR Plaxico Burress?
5. SF - HC Singletary believes QB Alex Smith looks healthy
6. MIA - WR Greg Caramillo hopes to be ready for camp
7. WAS - WR Devin Thomas focused on running routes better
8. SF - WR Michael Crabtree misses practice Monday
9. BUF - RB Dominic Rhodes and others not present at OTA
10. KC - OG Brian Waters, LB Mike Vrabel not present at practice Monday
11. MIA - WR Ernest Wilford sees time at H-Back, not moving to TE
12. MIN - WR Percy Harvin expected to attend upcoming OTAs
13. BAL - WR Kelley Washington contract update
14. CLE - Browns say they did not promise WR Josh Cribbs new deal
15. DEF - PHI - DC Jim Johnson leaves for chemotherapy
16. DEF - HOU - LB Brian Cushing works with first team Monday
17. DEF - MIN - Vikings to ease DE Kenechi Udeze into offseason workouts
18. DEF - BUF - SS Donte Whitner expects charges to be dropped
NFL - Jon Gruden to join Monday Night Football crew
Source: ESPN.com
ESPN.com reports former Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden will join ESPN's 'Monday Night Football' crew, replacing Tony Kornheiser. 'This is a tremendous opportunity and I am very excited to be associated with ESPN and Monday Night Football,' Gruden said in a statement released by ESPN. 'I grew up a fan of Monday Night Football, and whether I've coached on Monday night or watched, I've hardly missed a game all these years.'
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Jon Gruden did a great job on the NFL Network during the NFL Draft. This is great news for fans of MNF that didn't like Tony Kornheiser. It brings up a bigger discussion as well as to what type of analysts folks want. Do you like the former coach, the former QB, the sportswriter, the comedian etc as the 3rd guy on the MNF team. I asked that question of our Footballguys message board. To see the thread, click here.
CHI - QB Jay Cutler expected to have most of playbook down by end of OTAs
Source: Brad Biggs, The Chicago Sun-Times
Brad Biggs, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Ron Turner said he believes QB Jay Cutler will have most of the playbook learned by the end of the organized team activities. 'He'll have almost all of it,' Turner said. 'It will not hold us back at all when we get to training camp. He'll have already gotten nearly everything. Once you get in the season you always add things by game plan and all that but as far as the basics of the playbook, it will all be in.'
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Jay Cutler has always been known as a smart player so it's not surprising that he would almost have his new playbook memorized. Some of his off field behavior has drawn scrutiny but no one doubts his ability to run an offense. Last season Cutler ran the complex Denver playbook entirely from memory and did not wear the QB wrist band that most other QBs have.
NFL - QB Brett Favre to meet with orthopedist Tuesday
Source: Charley Walters, The Pioneer Press
Charley Walters, of the Pioneer Press, reports free-agent QB Brett Favre (Jets) is scheduled to meet Tuesday, May 19, with noted orthopedist Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala., about surgery to repair a partially torn biceps tendon in his right shoulder. Surgery to release the tendon is considered routine and is expected to be performed by Andrews later this week.
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The telling point here of course is that this surgery isn't something most folks would undergo if they didn't plan on returning to the NFL. Rehabilitation for Favre would be six to eight weeks. If it goes well, Farve is expected to sign with the Minnesota Vikings. Just another chapter in Favre Watch 2009.
CHI - Bears not interested in WR Plaxico Burress?
Source: Vaughn McClure, The Chicago Tribune
Vaughn McClure, of the Chicago Tribune, reports the Chicago Bears are not one of the teams interested in free-agent WR Plaxico Burress (Giants), according to general manager Jerry Angelo. Recently, agent Drew Rosenhaus said at least two teams are seriously interested in signing Burress. 'Are we one of those two teams? No,' Angelo said. However, Angelo added he would closely monitor Burress' status. 'As I said, we'll look at every option,' Angelo said. '(His) situation is different because there are circumstances. We'll monitor it.'
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There are several teams monitoring this situation, and when the legal picture becomes clear we should see how much interest there is for the troubled WR. The Bears selected Juaquiin Iglesias and Johnny Knox in the 2009 NFL Draft but neither provide the big target that Plax does.
SF - HC Singletary believes QB Alex Smith looks healthy
Source: Matt Maiocco, The Santa Rosa Press Democrat
Matt Maiocco, of The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Singletary said he thinks QB Alex D. Smith (shoulder) looks healthy during practice.
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There are no more excuses for the former #1 overall pick. The 49ers could send him packing if they feel that he's not performing up to expectations. With only Shaun Hill and Damon Huard ahead of him on the depth chart Smith has an easier path to the starting job than most. If he can't beat out those 2 he will have to compete with rookie Nate Davis for the #3 job.
MIA - WR Greg Caramillo hopes to be ready for camp
Source: Omar Kelly, The South Florida SunSentinel
Omar Kelly, of the South Florida SunSentinel, reports Miami Dolphins WR Greg Camarillo (knee) has not been cleared to participate in the organized team activities but hopes to be ready to practice by training camp.
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There is a chance he could begin the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list if the Dolphins feel he's not ready to start. The Dolphins have a major battle brewing on the depth chart behind Ted Ginn Jr. Camarillo's roster spot is most likely safe because of the contract he signed last year, but he could quickly find himself on the bench if he doesn't recover in time.
WAS - WR Devin Thomas focused on running routes better
Source: Gary Fitzgerald, Redskins.com
Gary Fitzgerald, of Redskins.com, reports Washington Redskins WR Devin Thomas is focused on becoming a more precise route-runner. Thomas has also developed a better rapport with QB Jason Campbell. Thomas said, "We have been coming out here after workouts, one-on-one together, doing the little things like perfecting routes."
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This is good news for Devin Thomas because the biggest question surrounding his game (besides staying healthy) was his ability to become a better route runner. Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle-El are locked into the starting lineup but the Redskins are desperately searching for depth behind those two. Thomas could one day develop into a starter if he keeps progressing well.
SF - WR Michael Crabtree misses practice Monday
Source: Matt Maiocco, The Santa Rosa Press Democrat
Matt Maiocco, of The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports San Francisco 49ers WR Michael Crabtree (undisclosed) did not participate in practice Monday, May 18, because of an injury.
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Crabtree is still rehabbing from the toe surgery that prevented him from working out for NFL teams before the 2009 NFL Draft.
BUF - RB Dominic Rhodes and others not present at OTA
Source: Mark Gaughan, The Buffalo News
Mark Gaughan, of The Buffalo News, reports Buffalo Bills RB Dominic Rhodes, FB Corey McIntyre, S Jairus Byrd and PK Danny Urrego were not present during the Bills' organized team activity Monday, May 18. Byrd and Urrego were not allowed to participate because their universities have not held their graduations yet.
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Dominic Rhodes' absence is curious to say the least. He is in a battle with Fred Jackson for the backup job to Marshawn Lynch. The suspension is being appealed but Lynch will most likely miss the first 3 games of the season meaning that his backup will be the starter at the beginning of the season. Rhodes must have a good excuse because he needs to make a good impression on his new team.
KC - OG Brian Waters, LB Mike Vrabel not present at practice Monday
Source: Adam Teicher, The Kansas City Star
Adam Teicher, of The Kansas City Star, reports Kansas City Chiefs LB Mike Vrabel and OG Brian Waters were not present for practice Monday, May 18.
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The reason for Vrabel missing practice is not entirely clear, but Waters absence was not a surprise. Brian Waters has been demanding a trade since he and Tony Gonzalez skipped mini camp last month. It seemed like he would be traded before the draft but now it may be more difficult.
MIA - WR Ernest Wilford sees time at H-Back, not moving to TE
Drew Rosenhaus, agent for Miami Dolphins WR Ernest Wilford, reports on his Twitter page that Wilford has seen some time at H-back during the offseason but wide receiver is still his primary position.
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There was some talk about Wilford moving to TE which Rosenhaus says is not accurate. Wilford has disappointed in Miami since he came over from Jacksonville last year. He is currently listed 5th on the depth chart and will have to beat out the rookie receivers Patrick Turner and Brian Hartline for a roster spot.
MIN - WR Percy Harvin expected to attend upcoming OTAs
Source: Sean Jensen, The St. Paul Pioneer Press
Sean Jensen, of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, reports Minnesota Vikings WR Percy Harvin is expected to attend the Vikings' upcoming organized team activities, which start Tuesday, May 19.
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Percy Harvin is a player without a position even though he'll be listed as a WR. He could line up in anywhere from QB to RB to WR to even KR/PR. Harvin is a dangerous weapon and we'll see if Brad Childress is creative enough to use him the right way.
BAL - WR Kelley Washington contract update
Updating a previous reports, the Baltimore Ravens have announced they have signed unrestricted free-agent WR Kelley Washington (Patriots) to a one-year deal. Financial terms were not disclosed.
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Even though the depth chart behind Derrick Mason is full of question marks it doesn't mean that there's a lack of talent. Washington will now battle the likes of Mark Clayton, Marcus Smith, and Demetrius Williams for playing time. Throughout his career Washington has been prone to get the injury bug, so he'll need to stay healthy if he wants to make the team.
CLE - Browns say they did not promise WR Josh Cribbs new deal
Source: John Clayton, ESPN.com
Updating previous reports, John Clayton, of ESPN.com, reports the Cleveland Browns said in a statement that no one in the organization ever promised WR Josh Cribbs a new contract, contrary to earlier reports.
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The Browns issued the following statement on their website: "No one from the current Browns organization, including Owner Randy Lerner, has ever made any promises to Josh Cribbs with regard to his contract status." Cribbs is going to skip voluntary minicamps, but lacks leverage because he signed a contract before his breakout 2007 season which runs until 2012.
DEF - PHI - DC Jim Johnson leaves for chemotherapy
Source: Sal Paolantonio, of ESPN.com
Sal Paolantonio, of ESPN.com, reports Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson is taking a leave of absence to begin a second round of chemotherapy to deal with cancer that has confined him to a wheel chair. Johnson won't coach at the upcoming organized team activities. 'I told him to take care of himself first, and when he's ready to come back, come back,' head coach Andy Reid said. 'I'd like to tell you he's great, but he's not. He's struggling right now. I told him, when you feel like it, come back.' Secondary coach Sean McDermott will coach the defense in the interim.
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Tough news for one of the better defensive coordinators in the game. We wish him all the best and a speedy recovery.
DEF - HOU - LB Brian Cushing works with first team Monday
Source: Brooke Bentley, HoustonTexans.com
Brooke Bentley, of HoustonTexans.com, reports Houston Texans LB Brian Cushing worked with the first-team defense at strongside linebacker during practice Monday, May 18.
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The Texans are looking for the versatile rookie to immediately make an impact. He will help the team pressure the QB along with Mario Williams.
DEF - MIN - Vikings to ease DE Kenechi Udeze into offseason workouts
Source: Sid Hartman, The Star Tribune
Sid Hartman, of the Star Tribune, reports Minnesota Vikings DE Kenechi Udeze said the team is planning to ease him into offseason workouts. Udeze said, "That's the plan. I don't know exactly what they're going to have me doing, because they kind of want to ease me into this offseason minicamp schedule. Whatever they throw me into, I think I'll be capable of doing."
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Everyone is pulling for Udeze to make the roster in 2009 as he's overcome leukemia, but if he does make the team he will most likely used in a limited role.
DEF - BUF - SS Donte Whitner expects charges to be dropped
Source: Vic Carucci, NFL.com
Vic Carucci, of NFL.com, reports Buffalo Bills SS Donte Whitner said he believes the charges of aggravated disorderly conduct and resisting arrest against him from an April 13 incident will be dropped.
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Whitner is currently in Buffalo at OTAs and this news must be a relief to him. He pleaded not guilty to the charges back in April. The chances of a suspension are now slim to none for Whitner.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great day and we'll see you tomorrow with the update.
J