Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 10, Issue 30 (Tuesday, May 19th)
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Good Wednesday to you. I know the long weekend is coming but keep your head in the game for a couple more days. Or at least focused on important stuff like Football as we've got a bunch of stories for you today. Also note that I've added the links to the original article - just click on the story headline if you want to get the full article. Thanks as always to our Cecil Lammey for the help on these.
Also note at the very bottom we've got the links for you to sign up to keep up with us on Facebook and Twitter for you social media types. Have a great Wednesday - let's get to it. JSITE NEWS
A.
Updated Expert Rankings
Another day means another set up of updates to the Expert Rankings. We're constantly tweaking and updating to give you the absolute latest info.
B.
Detailed Stat Projections
Detailed stat projections are the foundation for all that we do. We'll continue to update and refine these all the way up until the Week 1 Kickoff.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. NE - QB Tom Brady will not be present at OTA Wednesday2. SF - RB Frank Gore shrugs off idea he'll share RB workload
3. NFL - QB Favre surgery not imminent
4. CIN - HC Marvin Lewis says QB Carson Palmer looked good
5. ATL - Humane Society planning to work with QB Michael Vick
6. BAL - TE Todd Heap misses minicamp with bad back
7. HOU - HC Kubiak calls Chris Brown, Ryan Moats running back 2A and 2B
8. DAL - RB Felix Jones feeling good
9. CLE - WR Braylon Edwards reports to minicamp
10. MIA - QB Pat White sees time in Wildcat, struggles with passing
11. OAK - WR Michael Crabtree unlikely to go full speed before camp
12. MIN - WR Sidney Rice confirms competition with Percy Harvin to start at flanker
13. NO - Saints still considering adding RB Edgerrin James
14. NYJ - Agent says RB Thomas Jones to report for OTA next week
15. MIA - RB Ricky Williams would like to play for two more seasons
16. STL - Rams set at WR without Plaxico Burress
17. TEN - HC Fisher says WR Kenny Britt is 'ready to come in and play'
18. MIA - Tight end may be best shot for WR Ernest Wilford to stick
NE - QB Tom Brady will not be present at OTA Wednesday
Source: Karen Guregian, The Boston Herald
Karen Guregian, of the Boston Herald, reports New England Patriots QB Tom Brady (knee) will not participate in the Patriots' organized team activity Wednesday, May 20, according to team spokesman Stacey James. James said Brady will not participate because the practice is mostly for rookies and newcomers.
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Word out of New England has been very positive about Brady's recovery but the Patriots are going to be very careful as they bring along their franchise QB. Brady not participating in minicamp is much different than not participating in training camp.
SF - RB Frank Gore shrugs off idea he'll share RB workload
Source: Mike Sando, ESPN.com
Mike Sando, of ESPN.com, reports that Frank Gore dismissed the idea that he'll have to share the load with third round pick Glen Coffee, saying "I haven't heard that we're going to take some of the load off of me." and "I don't think that we'll be rotating."
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Gore is still going in the first round, even after back to back disappointing seasons, so fantasy football GMs haven't heard that he'll be getting less work either. Coffee still has to beat out talented undrafted rookie Kory Sheets and practice squad star Thomas Clayton before he can think about taking away some of Gore's touches.
NFL - QB Favre surgery not imminent
Source: Ed Werder, ESPN.com
Contrary to a previous item, Ed Werder, of ESPN.com, reports free-agent QB Brett Favre does not have an appointment with Dr. James Andrews Tuesday, May 19, and doesn't consider surgery on his partially torn biceps tendon to be imminent, according to a source. Favre remains focused on non-surgical options, including cortisone injections and natural movements like light throwing and bicep curls that might cause the tendon to release naturally, the source said. If the tendon releases and the pain subsides, Favre is virtually certain to play again. If he has surgery and his arm strength diminishes or the pain remains, he will remain retired.
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Not surprisingly, this is the opposite of the way this story was moving yesterday. Stay tuned.
CIN - HC Marvin Lewis says QB Carson Palmer looked good
Source: Geoff Hobson, Bengals.com
Geoff Hobson, of Bengals.com, reports Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said QB Carson Palmer (elbow) looked sharp during practice Tuesday, May 19.
"Before we went to Indianapolis (Dec. 6) Carson has been throwing. It was good for him. First time he had to throw with bodies and different color jerseys on the other side. I think that's another step in the progression. ... He seemed really sharp."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
This is great news for a team in need of a break. We'll get to see how Carson Palmer performs up close and personal this summer as the Bengals are to be featured on HBO's Hard Knocks Series.
ATL - Humane Society planning to work with QB Michael Vick
Source: Michael Smith, ESPN.com
Michael Smith, of ESPN.com, reports Wayne Pacelle, CEO of the Humane Society of the United States, said the Humane Society plans to work with Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Vick in developing programs aimed to eliminate dogfighting.
"We've done a lot of work on the law enforcement side," Pacelle said, "but one area we've invested resources but that remains a major cultural and sociological problem is outreach to young African-Americans in urban centers where there's widespread dogfighting. I'm open to the possibility of plugging [Michael Vick] into programs and activities in order to ward off these boys from illegal dogfighting activities. "It's 'boots on the ground,' not just PSAs and talk but doing work with young people consistent with the work we do now."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
This is all part of the PR moves that Vick will have to do in order to help repair his reputation. Getting the Humane Society on his side will be a huge advantage.
BAL - TE Todd Heap misses minicamp with bad back
Source: Jamison Hensley, The Baltimore Sun
Jamison Hensley, of the Baltimore Sun, reports that Todd Heap will miss his second consecutive minicamp with a lower back injury that happened in a January practice. Head coach John Harbaugh said "He's not as far along as we all thought he would be."
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It's much quicker to say when Heap has been healthy over the last few years than when he's been hurt. The Ravens signed LJ Smith for the short term and drafted converted QB Davon Drew in the fifth round this year for the long term, so they are making plans for the post-Heap era.
HOU - HC Kubiak calls Chris Brown, Ryan Moats running back 2A and 2B
Source: Brooke Bentley, Houston Texans.com
Brooke Bentley, of Houston Texans.com, reports that head coach Gary Kubiak said Ryan Moats and Chris Brown are 2A and 2B on the depth chart. He added that Brown is "obviously something we're looking for in our offense, but we're going to play the best guys."
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Kubiak also shared that only starter Steve Slaton is assured of a job come September. Don't count out undrafted rookies Jeremiah Johnson, who is built like and runs a lot like Slaton, and Arian Foster, who has the power to be the short yardage back, an area Slaton struggled with last year.
DAL - RB Felix Jones feeling good
Source: Todd Archer, The Dallas Morning News
Todd Archer, of The Dallas Morning News, reports Dallas Cowboys RB Felix Jones (toe) said he is recovering well from his season-ending toe injury and his body is responding like it he wants it. 'I've tested my body,' Jones said. 'My body is finally responding the way I want it to respond.'
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There are some within the Cowboys organization that believe Felix Jones' injury last season led to the demise of the team. He is certainly very much a part of their plans in 2009 as he proved that he could score from anywhere on the field in his rookie season.
CLE - WR Braylon Edwards reports to minicamp
Source: Mary Kay Cabot, The Cleveland Plain Dealer
Mary Kay Cabot, of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, reports Cleveland Browns WR Braylon Edwards reported to the team's voluntary minicamp, according to a source.
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There is still a possibility that Edwards will be traded, but at this point it's just nice to see him show up and get to work. He could help his market value tremendously if he can put the 2008 season behind him. Edwards needs to become a more consistent WR and stop dropping passes.
MIA - QB Pat White sees time in Wildcat, struggles with passing
Source: Zach Buchanan, The South Florida SunSentinel
Zach Buchanan, of the South Florida SunSentinel, reports Miami Dolphins QB Pat White lined up at wide receiver at times when the team practiced in the Wildcat formation Tuesday, May 19. He overthrew some receivers when he worked at quarterback during practice. 'He kind of sprayed it around a little bit today. He had a little bit better day yesterday than today, and that's going to happen the more you put in. I think as we get on in this, he'll have some good days,' head coach Tony Sparano said.
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Before the 2009 NFL Draft Mike Mayock from the NFL Network called Pat White the "perfect" Wildcat QB but apparently the rookie still has some work to do. White may not be a good practice player because at the Senior Bowl practices he looked timid and lost. However, when it was game time he seemed cool and relaxed and ended up as the MVP of the game. He'll just have to get used to the timing and rhythm of the NFL and until he does it seems unlikely that he'll beat out Chad Henne as the #2 QB.
OAK - WR Michael Crabtree unlikely to go full speed before camp
Source: Matt Maiocco, The Santa Rosa Press Democrat
Matt Maiocco, of The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports the San Francisco 49ers likely will not allow WR Michael Crabtree (foot) to participate at full speed until training camp.
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This is not surprising as Crabtree is still recovering from the foot surgery that prevented him from working out for teams before the NFL Draft. Crabtree wants to be mentioned among the league's elite, so it shouldn't take him long to get up to speed with the 49ers.
MIN - WR Sidney Rice confirms competition with Percy Harvin to start at flanker
Source: Judd Zulgad, The Minneapolis Star-Tribune
Judd Zulgad, of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, reports that Sidney Rice revealed on his blog at sidneyrice18.com that he and rookie first round pick Percy Harvin are "competing for the same position".
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Rice added that he is over his knee injury and running routes at full speed, and that he needs to get his strength back to 100%. Rice gives the Vikings a completely different look than Harvin with his leaping ability and body control, so even if Harvin wins the job in camp, Rice should be a big part of the red zone offense.
NO - Saints still considering adding RB Edgerrin James
Source: Alex Marvez, FOXSports.com
Alex Marvez, of FOXSports.com, reports the New Orleans Saints remain open to the idea of signing free-agent RB Edgerrin James (Cardinals). 'We've spent some time evaluating Edgerrin,' general manager Mickey Loomis said Tuesday, May 19. 'We think he can still play. We're going to continue to evaluate that and see where it ends up. We haven't made a decision on Edgerrin yet.'
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The Saints keep sending off signals that they aren't entirely sold on Pierre Thomas as the thunder, or at least they aren't sold on their RB depth. The battle for the RB3 job in the Crescent City will be one to watch regardless of whether Edge is signed because #3 RBs have emerged as fantasy studs for New Orleans down the stretch each of the last two seasons.
NYJ - Agent says RB Thomas Jones to report for OTA next week
Source: Drew Rosenhaus
The Associated Press reports Drew Rosenhaus, agent for New York Jets RB Thomas Jones, said on his Twitter page that Jones will report for the Jets' organized team activity Wednesday, May 27.
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We're always leery of the "My client is ready for a BREAKOUT YEAR" type blurbs from agents. But this one is OK. Thomas Jones has little leverage with the team because they selected RB Shonn Greene in the 2009 NFL Draft. It will be interesting to see how he reacts if the Jets sign fellow RB Leon Washington to a new contract but fail to do so for him.
MIA - RB Ricky Williams would like to play for two more seasons
Source: Chris Perkins, The Palm Beach Post
Chris Perkins, of the Palm Beach Post, reports Miami Dolphins RB Ricky Williams said he would like to play for two more seasons and then retire.
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With Ricky Williams you just never know...
STL - Rams set at WR without Plaxico Burress
Source: Bernie Miklasz, The St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Bernie Miklasz, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports St. Louis Rams general manager Billy Devaney said the Rams have no interest in signing unrestricted free-agent WR Plaxico Burress (Giants).
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The loss of Torry Holt has made the Rams ulta-thin on experience at the WR position. Donnie Avery enters his sophomore season with the responsibility of being the #1 WR for the first time in his NFL career. They traded the Falcons for WR Laurent Robinson, and are expecting 2nd year WR Keenan Burton to contribute as well. The Rams want to feature RB Steven Jackson in 2009, so they won't look like the Greatest Show On Turf. Keep an eye on TE Randy McMichael who could be a big factor in this offense if healthy.
TEN - HC Fisher says WR Kenny Britt is 'ready to come in and play'
Source: Gary Estwick, The Nashville Tennessean
Gary Estwick, of the Nashville Tennessean, reports that Jeff Fisher said rookie first round pick WR Kenny Britt is "ready to come in and play" and that he'll "play earlier for us" in a radio interview with WJOX.
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The Titans added Nate Washington in free agency, but his best work in PIttsburgh was as a slot receiver. Tennessee should push Britt into three wide sets right away, and as soon as they think he's ready, he'll push Washington back to the slot. Britt is big, strong, and fast, but he doesn't have the best hands.
MIA - Tight end may be best shot for WR Ernest Wilford to stick
Source: Jeff Darlington, The Miami Herald
Jeff Darlington, of the Miami Herald, reports the Miami Dolphins' attempt to help WR Ernest Wilford transition into the role of tight end could be a sign they are trying to find roster space to justify carrying an added wide receiver. Wilford's spot on the roster appeared to be in jeopardy after the NFL Draft, when the Dolphins landed two wide receivers, including WR Patrick Turner, who matches the role the Dolphins initially signed Wilford to occupy.
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Drew Rosenhaus's Twitter feed can be a good source of information as long as one considers the source has a huge vested interest in presenting his client in a good light. With that said, Wilford worked exclusively at WR in today's OTA, and Rosenhaus reiterated that it is not a full time position switch after the original tweet. Positional versatility might be Wilford's only shot to make the opening day roster if Greg Camarillo isn't put on the PUP.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Thanks for reading.
And remember, if you want to keep up with Footballguys on our official Footballguys Facebook page, just click here. If you'd like to keep up with all that I'm doing on Twitter, plus breaking news and Footballguys site info, just click here. And if you want to keep up with me on Facebook, click here and send me a friend request. Have a great Wednesday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update. J