Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 10, Issue 31 (Wednesday, May 20th)
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Hi Folks,
Good Thursday to you. We're cruising toward the Memorial Day Weekend and I know you're ready to fire up that grill. But before you do that, let us catch you up on a ton of stories you'll want to know about. We sort through the hundreds of stories each day and bring you the 10-30 most important stories of the day. So let's get to it. JSITE NEWS
A.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. MIN - RB Adrian Peterson says team attitude has changed2. ATL - QB Michael Vick released from prison
3. CHI - WR Earl Bennett in line for a starting job?
4. IND - Tom Moore and Howard Mudd to remain as consultants
5. ARZ - Cardinals working on extension for WR Anquan Boldin
6. HOU - Complement for RB Steve Slaton to be determined
7. SD - OT Marcus McNeill will not practice until camp
8. DAL - QB Tony Romo quiet on Terrell Owens release
9. DAL - QB Tony Romo expecting young WRs to deliver
10. TB - Both QBs Byron Leftwich and Luke McCown see time with first team
11. NE - RB Fred Taylor present at OTA
12. ARZ - QB Kurt Warner cleared to participate
13. NFL - Jon Gruden had verbal agreement with NFL Network
14. JAC - HC Del Rio likes what he seen from WR Jarett Dillard
15. HOU - RB Steve Slaton adds muscle
16. ARZ - Several veterans present Wednesday
17. CHI - WR Brandon Rideau sees time with first team Wednesday
18. OAK - Raiders want a vertical offense
19. IND - RB Najeh Davenport catches thief of car
20. CHI - WR Rashied Davis moved to slot
21. BAL - WR Kelley Washington could be No. 3 receiver
22. DEF - SF - CB Walt Harris likely out for the season
23. DEF - SF - CB Dre Bly to visit
24. DEF - ARZ - DE Kenny Iwebema undergoes surgery to remove tumor
MIN - RB Adrian Peterson says team attitude has changed
Source: Judd Zulgad, The Minneapolis Star Tribune
Judd Zulgad, of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, reports Minnesota Vikings RB Adrian Peterson said he senses a new attitude around the team after they made the playoffs last season. 'From me being here going into my third year with the guys I came in with, just a different focus as far as mindset. Being able to get the taste of the playoffs last year, I think that it's opened eyes from guys and it's OK, 'We really can make a run.' Just the focus. I see guys in here working out hard and there's really just like a different vibe in the locker room,' Peterson said.
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Adrian Peterson avoided the whole Favre topic and told reporters to ask Brad Childress if they wanted to talk about the future Hall of Fame QB. Peterson leads by example and will back up these statements in the regular season.
ATL - QB Michael Vick released from prison
Source: ESPN.com
ESPN.com reports a person familiar with the release details said suspended Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Vick left a Kansas prison Wednesday, May 20, for home confinement in Virginia, the latest step on a journey that Vick hopes will lead to his return to the NFL. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because no public announcement has been made. The person said Vick left the federal penitentiary at Leavenworth before dawn, evading cameras and reporters who had staked out the building ahead of his expected release this week. According to The Daily Press of Newport News, Vick avoided reporters and cameras by leaving through a different entrance.
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Vick will be under house arrest for 2 more months in Virginia. It's too early to speculate about where he'll play next because commisioner Roger Goodell is not going to consider reinstatement until Vick's sentence is over.
CHI - WR Earl Bennett in line for a starting job?
Source: Brad Biggs, The Chicago Sun-Times
Brad Biggs, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports Chicago Bears WR Earl Bennett, according to multiple sources, has caught everything thrown his direction during workouts this year, and he is in line for a starting job entering his second year.
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Jay Cutler's favorite target at Vanderbilt was Earl Bennett. He was slow to get up to speed with the offense, and admittedly had trouble digesting the playbook in his rookie season. The Bears are expecting a huge improvement from Bennett in 2009, especially since he already has great chemistry with Jay Cutler.
IND - Tom Moore and Howard Mudd to remain as consultants
Source: Clark Judge, CBSSports.com
Clark Judge, of CBSSports.com, reports Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay said former offensive coordinator Tom Moore and offensive line coach Howard Mudd will remain with the team as consultants.
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Very good news for the Colts offense.
ARZ - Cardinals working on extension for WR Anquan Boldin
Source: Steve Wyche, NFL.com
Steve Wyche, of NFL.com, reports the Arizona Cardinals continue to work on a contract extension for WR Anquan Boldin. Team president Michael Bidwell said, "We've worked hard at getting Anquan Boldin extended and we'll continue to do those things." Boldin's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said that Boldin is still open to be traded but a deal can be reached. Rosenhaus said he has made a proposal for a deal that would average less than $10 million a year and that the numbers are "consistent with the top receivers in the game. Not the highest paid but it's consistent with the top guys."
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According to the report a deal with DT Darnell Dockett is less of a priority for the team. The Cardinals considered trading Anquan Boldin before the NFL Draft but could not find any team willing to get close to their asking price.
HOU - Complement for RB Steve Slaton to be determined
Source: Brooke Bentley, HoustonTexans.com
Brooke Bentley, of HoustonTexans.com, reports the Houston Texans will use OTAs, minicamps and training camp to determine the ideal complement back for starting RB Steve Slaton. The candidates currently include RBs Chris Brown, Ryan Moats, Jeremiah Johnson and Arian Foster. The team may still find another back elsewhere, too, as general manager Rick Smith said the team will continue to look to upgrade the talent through the summer.
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The backup position behind Steve Slaton is wide open and the Texans have a deep and somewhat talented backfield. Chris Brown has been very effective but rarely healthy so far in his pro career. Ryan Moats seems to have revived his career since he left Philadelphia and has a similar skill set to Steve Slaton. Jeremiah Johnson went undrafted this year but he has great quickness and can make people miss with ankle-breaking moves in the open field. Arian Foster runs with good power and determination but doesn't have the speed to get to the corner in the NFL. We'll have to wait and see how this shakes out during training camp.
SD - OT Marcus McNeill will not practice until camp
Source: Casey Pearce, Chargers.com
Casey Pearce, of Chargers.com, reports San Diego Chargers OT Marcus McNeill (neck) will not participate in practice until training camp because of his neck injury.
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Football players never want to mess around when it comes to neck injuries so the Chargers are going to be extra-cautious with their big OT here. Watch this situation as we get into training camp, especially if you're a LaDainian Tomlinson owner.
DAL - QB Tony Romo quiet on Terrell Owens release
Source: Matt Mosley, ESPN.com
Matt Mosley, of ESPN.com, reports Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo was elusive when asked to comment on the release of WR Terrell Owens this offseason. 'That's not up to any of us players to decide. That's why we're players. The organization and management decides those things,' Romo said. 'We're all at risk every offseason, depending upon everything. You always want to go out there and try to have all the guys you play with every year. That just doesn't happen. We have to go with the guys we have here now, go forward and keep improving.'
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Terrell Owens has always had interesting relationships with his QBs, but Tony Romo might have been the smoothest. Romo's taking the high road here because he'll have enough to worry about leading the passing game for Dallas without T.O.
DAL - QB Tony Romo expecting young WRs to deliver
Source: Tom Orsborn, The Express-News
Tom Orsborn, of the Express-News, reports Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo suggested WRs Patrick Crayton, Miles Austin and Sam Hurd need to help pick up the slack now that WR Terrell Owens is no longer with the team. 'Guys have to step up and pick up the slack,' Romo said. 'Guys are working hard, I know that. Whether they're going to do it, we're going to find out. But I definitely have confidence in the young guys to step up.'
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If the season started today Patrick Crayton would be the starter opposite Roy Williams. However, he will face tough competition for that coveted role - mainly from Miles Austin, but Sam Hurd should put up a fight as well. The key for all these receivers is staying healthy, something each one of them has had trouble doing.
TB - Both QBs Byron Leftwich and Luke McCown see time with first team
Source: Rick Stroud, The St. Petersburg Times
Rick Stroud, of the St. Petersburg Times, reports that both Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Luke McCown and Byron Leftwich took reps with the first-team offense during practice Tuesday, May 19.
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Byron Leftwich has a good shot at winning the starting job for the Buccaneers, but will face tough competition from rookie Josh Freeman and veteran Luke McCown. If Leftwich performs well throughout camp the Bucs may decide to sit Freeman in his first year ala Carson Palmer.
Luke McCown was set to be the Bucs starting QB when he signed his 2-year, $7.5 million dollar contract back in February. Tampa was apparently not convinced of that fact so they signed Byron Leftwich and drafted Josh Freeman from Kansas State. McCown and Leftwich have to be considered the favorites to win the starting job at this time as the Bucs may try and play it safe with Josh Freeman and sit him on the bench his first season.NE - RB Fred Taylor present at OTA
Source: Shalise Manza Young, The Providence Journal
Shalise Manza Young, of The Providence Journal, reports New England Patriots RB Fred Taylor was present for the Patriots' organized team activity Wednesday, May 20.
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His wrist injury from earlier in the month must be feeling better as Taylor is back to practicing. He's not the same back he used to be but he will be the lead back in a RBBC for New England. Sammy Morris will be used on short yardage and goalline situations, and Kevin Faulk will be the main man on 3rd downs. Because of the 3-headed RBBC Taylor will fall in fantasy drafts so look at him in the later rounds as a value pick to build depth for your RB corps.
ARZ - QB Kurt Warner cleared to participate
Source: Darren Urban, AZCardinals.com
Darren Urban, of AZCardinals.com, reports Arizona Cardinals QB Kurt Warner (hip) has been cleared to participate in everything during the organized team activities.
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Kurt Warner is no spring chicken so he may take it easy as he recovers from his hip injury.
NFL - Jon Gruden had verbal agreement with NFL Network
Source: Peter King, of SI.com
Peter King, of SI.com, reports the NFL Network is furious with former Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden for jilting the network after he'd verbally agreed to a deal to work there. The network had finalized everything but the signature on the paper for Gruden to begin working there immediately. Gruden was slated to be at NFL Films this week to begin his job full time. However, ESPN swooped in, offered Gruden the Monday night seat vacated by Tony Kornheiser, and Gruden took it.
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Sometimes the behind the scenes drama is better than what we see on camera. Anyone would jump at the chance to get in the booth on Monday Night Football, the NFL Network is going to have to get over Gruden pulling a "Cushman" on them.
JAC - HC Del Rio likes what he seen from WR Jarett Dillard
Source: Jacksonville.com
There's a new look in the Jaguars' young wide receiver corps - on and off the field. "At least they're clear-eyed and ready to work in meetings," coach Jack Del Rio said, when he was asked if the team's young receivers look better this year. That was an obvious reference to the fact that the three veteran receivers who departed, Matt Jones, Reggie Williams and Jerry Porter, didn't exactly fit that description.
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Dillard could lead the change in culture that the Jaguars are starting in the 2009 season. He was a 3-year captain for Rice and was known as a leader on and off the field. He's not the biggest WR, but he has an amazing vertical leap which gives him a larger catch radius than some WRs that are much taller. The Jags signed veteran Torry Holt to lead this WR corps but look out for rookies Mike Thomas and Jarett Dillard. They could have a fantasy impact sooner than some people think.
HOU - RB Steve Slaton adds muscle
Source: Brooke Bentley, HoustonTexans.com
Brooke Bentley, of HoustonTexans.com, reports Houston Texans RB Steve Slaton said he has added about nine pounds of muscle since the end of last season to try to help him be more productive in short-yardage situations.
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It's good for Slaton to bulk up a little bit so he can hold up to the pounding that he'll take in the regular season but the Texans are looking for someone to become their power runner. Chris Brown and Ryan Moats are the current backups to Slaton. Brown has never stayed healthy during his pro career but is much bigger than Slaton. Moats has a very similar running style to Slaton and is more of a change of pace back. Undrafted Free Agent Arian Foster from Tennessee may be the answer if Brown is injured once again.
ARZ - Several veterans present Wednesday
Source: Darren Urban, AZCardinals.com
Darren Urban, of AZCardinals.com, reports Arizona Cardinals QB Kurt Warner, WR Larry Fitzgerald, WR Sean Morey, SS Adrian Wilson and DE Chike Okeafor were present at the team's organized team activity Wednesday, May 20, after being absent Tuesday, May 19.
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This team doesn't want to go through the Super Bowl losers curse and now that they've been so close to a championship they are going to try even harder to get back and win one. The NFC is setting up to be a brutal conference this season with so many strong teams emerging.
CHI - WR Brandon Rideau sees time with first team Wednesday
Source: Brad Biggs, of the Chicago Sun-Times
Brad Biggs, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports Chicago Bears WR Brandon Rideau took some reps with the first-team offense during practice Wednesday, May 20.
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This is an interesting development as Rideau is currently listed as 7th on the depth chart behind some potentially solid players like Derek Kinder and Johnny Knox. The Bears have spent the offseason searching for WR help and may just be giving their due diligence here.
OAK - Raiders want a vertical offense
Source: David White, The San Francisco Chronicle
David White, of the San Francisco Chronicle, reports the Oakland Raiders want to implement a vertical passing offense this offseason. 'I think that is who we want to be,' head coach Tom Cable said of the vertical passing offense. 'Let's get it implemented right away, because that's a new approach, obviously. Let's get the mindset developed as quickly as possible, and when we get to OTAs, we can continue with that.'
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Some guys fantasize about Angelina Jolie, Al Davis fantasizes about the vertical offense - and the latest in overhead projectors. All kidding aside, the Raiders have the key components in place to have such an offense. JaMarcus Russell has a strong arm, Darrius Heyward-Bey is the perfect deep threat with his speed, and the ground game will help keep defenses honest. This headline really isn't a newsflash because Al Davis has always wanted this kind of offense - but now the Raiders might have all the pieces in place.
IND - RB Najeh Davenport catches thief of car
Source: Sadie Gurman, of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Sadie Gurman, of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, reports Indianapolis Colts RB Najeh Davenport's 1970 Chevrolet Impala was stolen and he, along with others, chased after the theif. The thief, Rodney Terrell Green, struck four parked cars, according to police, before getting out of the totaled car and fleeing on foot. He was caught by Davenport and several witnesses, who held him until police arrived.
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This sounds like something out of Grand Theft Auto - Vice City. I can't imagine it was a pleasant experience for the car thief after Davenport caught him and before the cops showed up.
CHI - WR Rashied Davis moved to slot
Source: Brad Biggs, The Chicago Sun-Times
Brad Biggs, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports Chicago Bears WR Rashied Davis has been moved back into the slot receiver position.
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Devin Hester and Earl Bennett are expected to be the starters fro the Bears, but don't pencil in Davis as the #1 slot receiver yet. He will face tough competition from rookie WRs Juaquin Iglesias and Johnny Knox. Iglesias is a solid possession receiver that knows how to maximize yardage off of drag routes. Knox is super fast and has superb body control in addition to natural hands. This battle for the starting slot receiver could go all the way through training camp.
BAL - WR Kelley Washington could be No. 3 receiver
Source: Jamison Hensley, The Baltimore Sun
Jamison Hensley, of The Baltimore Sun, reports Baltimore Ravens WR Kelley Washington has a chance to be the team's No. 3 receiver this season.
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Washington will battle with Marcus Smith and Demetrius Williams for the #3 WR spot in Baltimore. Marcus Smith has been impressive so far in camp and could be leading the pack at this time. Coach Harbaugh stated that he expects Washington to be a core special teams player and in our opinion that is perhaps his best fit. He has disappointed as a WR since he came out of college.
DEF - SF - CB Walt Harris likely out for the season
Source: Matt Maiocco, The Santa Rosa Press Democrat
Matt Maiocco, of The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports San Francisco 49ers CB Walt Harris (knee) likely will miss the 2009 season after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament. He will require surgery for the injury.
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Tough break for the 49ers here. If there is any upside, if you're going to lose a player for the year, it's better to lose him in May than August.
DEF - SF - CB Dre Bly to visit
Source: Matt Maiocco, The Santa Rosa Press Democrat
Matt Maiocco, of The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports the San Francisco 49ers will meet with free-agent CB Dre' Bly (Broncos) Thursday, May 21.
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Bly's phone hasn't exactly been ringing off the hook since he was released over 3 months ago. Walt Harris being lost for the season with his ACL injury led the 49ers to contact the veteran.
DEF - ARZ - DE Kenny Iwebema undergoes surgery to remove tumor
Source: Darren Urban, of AZCardinals.com
Darren Urban, of AZCardinals.com, reports Arizona Cardinals DE Kenny Iwebema (chest) underwent surgery to remove a benign tumor in his chest cavity near his heart.
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His recovery time is six to eight weeks and should be able to participate in training camp. He would have missed the season if doctors had to open up his chest to remove the tumor, but they were able to remove it through his side.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great Thursday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update.
J