Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 10, Issue 33 (Friday, May 22nd)

Hi Folks. Good Saturday to you. NBA playoffs are rolling along but we'll keep you informed of all the Football news you need to know. Let's get to it.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

NO - WR Marques Colston underwent microfracture surgery in January

Source: Mike Triplett, The New Orleans Times-Picayune

Mike Triplett, of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, reports the procedure New Orleans Saints WR Marques Colston (knee) had on his knee in January was a microfracture procedure to repair a small hole in his kneecap. He has been running on the practice field and should be at full speed during training camp.

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

Colston has now missed time in two of his three NFL seasons, and a shoulder injury that cost him a season in college was part of the reason his draft stock fell to the seventh round. Microfracture surgery isn't as risky as it used to be, but it's still reason to pause if you're considering Colston in the late second round.

Back to Top

CHI - QB Jay Cutler looks sharp again Thursday

Source: Larry Mayer, ChicagoBears.com

Larry Mayer, of ChicagoBears.com, reports Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler looked sharp again during practice Thursday, May 21. 'I feel like we're starting to click,' said WR Devin Hester. Teammates have been impressed with Cutler's attitude so far and he has shown leadership skill

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

Devin Hester also commented on Cutler's calm nature. Let's see if Cutler can hold it together in crunch time when the Bears need to get into the endzone. He was known to wear his heart on his sleeve in Denver and opposing defenses fed off his frustration.

Back to Top

CHI - RB Forte Impressing new QB

Source: Larry Mayer, of ChicagoBears.com

Larry Mayer, of ChicagoBears.com, reports Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler has been impressed with the receiving ability of second-year RB Matt Forte. Forte caught 63 passes for 477 yards and four touchdowns last season, breaking Bears' records for receptions by a rookie. 'He's a smart player,' Cutler said. 'I'm excited about him. I think we're going to be able to move him around a lot.'

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

After playing with the likes of P.J. Pope in 2008 Jay Cutler must be thrilled to have a RB like Matt Forte lining up in the backfield with him. Cutler is expected to improve the Chicago passing attack and Forte's presence will help keep defenses honest in addition to providing a reliable target out of the backfield.

Back to Top

NYJ - RB Thomas Jones has not received restructured deal

Source: Rich Cimini, The New York Daily News

Rich Cimini, of the New York Daily News, reports if New York Jets RB Thomas Jones reports for the team's next organized team activity Wednesday, May 27, it will not be with a restructured deal, according to sources.

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

Jones is scheduled to make only 900,000 dollars this year after pulling in 13.1 million during his first two years with the Jets. While we understand his urgency in getting as much compensation as he can as his career is dwindling at age 31, with the drafting of Shonn Greene, the Jets hold all of the cards, and Jones will likely have to get traded to a team willing to sign him to an extension to get more money this year.

Back to Top

JAC - WR Mike Walker appears to be in lead for starting job

Source: Vito Stellino, The Florida Times-Union

Vito Stellino, of The Florida Times-Union, reports Jacksonville Jaguars WR Mike Walker appears to be in the lead for starting wide receiver job opposite WR Torry Holt.

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

Walker was developing chemistry with David Garrard with a 100 yard game vs. the Steelers before he hurt his "good" knee last year. He'll have to stay healthy to hold off Dennis Northcutt, who had a late season resurgence, and the rookie duo of Mike Thomas and Jarett Dillard, who are more polished than typical first year receivers.

Back to Top

KC - RB Larry Johnson not present Friday

Source: Adam Teicher, of The Kansas City Star

Adam Teicher, of The Kansas City Star, reports Kansas City Chiefs RB Larry Johnson was not present for practice Friday, May 22. Head coach Todd Haley said the team was aware of why Johnson was absent but would not elaborate.

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

Haley also went out of his way to praise Johnson's work in the previous practice, something Teicher says Haley has been reluctant to do for any player. Haley said some of Johnson's runs were "special", and that if he continues to work and do what is asked of him, "he'll definitely have a chance to help us", which is not exactly a proclamation that the maligned running back will be back to his old feature back role in the new offense.

Back to Top

DET - QB Daunte Culpepper getting most reps with first team

Source: Tom Kowalski, MLive.com

Tom Kowalski, of MLive.com, reports Detroit Lions QB Daunte Culpepper has been getting the bulk of reps with the first-team offense during practices.

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

All indications point to Culpepper being the starting QB at least until the Lions week 7 bye. The Lions will err on the side bringing Stafford along slowly, which is wise because there is little possibility of an 0-16 team turning it around in one year.

Back to Top

STL - QB Marc Bulger convinced he can return to form

Source: Bill Coats, The St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Bill Coats, of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports St. Louis Rams QB Marc Bulger is convinced he can return to the form he showed in his earlier days with the team.

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

Bulger is optimistic about the team entering 2009, including his young group of wide receivers. He also said he appreciated the coaching staff making it clear to him that he is their undisputed starting quarterback. The Rams want to have a run heavy offense that features RB Steven Jackson so Bulger won't be throwing as much as he used to. The WRs behind Donnie Avery are very inexperienced so watch out for TE Randy McMichael who could be a relief valve receiver for Bulger.

Back to Top

MIN - WR Percy Harvin being moved around

Source: Chip Scoggins, The Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Chip Scoggins, of The Minneapolis Star-Tribune, reports Minnesota Vikings rookie WR Percy Harvin lined up in a number of different spots during practice Thursday, May 21, including the backfield. He looked every bit as fast and explosive as advertised. Harvin said he is also receiving reps as a punt and kickoff returner. 'I can't tell you where I'll end up,' Harvin said. He said he has been studying the playbook a lot, as he doesn't want to be called out during practice for not knowing what to do.

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

This is why we call Harvin a player without a position. He is very dangerous with the ball in his hands because of his speed and quickness, and he can line up at QB - RB - WR - and possibly return some kicks. We wondered if Brad Childress would be creative enough to use Harvin the right way and at this point it seems like Childress is on the right track.

Back to Top

CLE - WR Braylon Edwards hoping to stay with team

Source: Mary Kay Cabot, The Cleveland Plain Dealer

Mary Kay Cabot, of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, reports Cleveland Browns WR Braylon Edwards said he is not worried about the trade rumors and hopes to remain with the team this season.

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

This is the first time Braylon Edwards has spoken publicly since the trade rumors started to swirl around his name earlier in the year. "I wanted to get back to playing good football, definitely here. It's a business and who knows what's going to happen next year. But for me, it was just about getting back to what I know I can do and being the player the Browns drafted in '05 and that the fans saw in '07." Braylon Edwards is a high character guy and a hard worker who knows he has to regain his form from 2007.

Back to Top

TEN - HC Fisher believes WR Mark Jones can help in passing game

Source: Gary Estwick, The Tennessean

Gary Estwick, of The Tennessean, reports Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher said WR Mark Jones can not only help in the return game but can also help the passing game. 'We saw him play the receiver position (before joining Titans) but felt like he could also add some things as a returner. That's primarily what he is, but he also plays receiver,' Fisher said.

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

Even if rookie Kenny Britt is ready to play in three wide sets, there's still room for Jones to work his way up the depth chart at wide receiver past disappointing recent draft picks like Lavelle Hawkins, Paul Williams, and Chris Davis.

Back to Top

NYJ - QB Sanchez up and down in practice this week

Source: Ohm Youngmisuk, The New York Daily News

Ohm Youngmisuk, of the New York Daily News, reports New York Jets QB Mark Sanchez showed a strong arm and good footwork during practice Thursday, May 21.

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

Otherwise, Sanchez had a rough week of practice, but he handled it well, laughing off his performance and heaping praise on Rex Ryan's defense. By most accounts, Kellen Clemens was more impressive and if this trend keeps up, Sanchez won't be laughing come September.

Back to Top

MIA - OT Jake Long receives salary increases

Source: Harvey Fialkov, The South Florida SunSentinel

Harvey Fialkov, of the South Florida SunSentinel, reports Miami Dolphins OT Jake Long has received a salary increase in each of the next five seasons, according to the NFL Players Association website. His salary in 2009 has gone from $3.75 million to $6.5 million, from $4.5 million to $9 million in 2010, from $5.25 million to $10 million in 2011, from $6 million to $10 million in 2012 and from $6.75 million to $10.75 million in 2013.

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

A very significant bump, and one that was well-earned, although teams negotiating with future #1 overall picks may curse the Dolphins for writing such big incentives for a quality rookie year into an already large contract.

Back to Top

GB - QBs Matt Flynn and Brian Brohm to compete for backup job

Source: Mike Spofford, Packers.com

Mike Spofford, of Packers.com, reports Green Bay Packers QB Matt Flynn and QB Brian Brohm will compete for the primary backup quarterback job during training camp.

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

The Packers had Brohm as a first rounder on their board last year and he couldn't even beat out 7th round pick Matt Flynn, who is a glaringly average talent at QB. Brohm displayed the toughness and hair-trigger decision-making needed in the Packers offense at Louisville and he could be a trade target for a QB needy team in a year or two if he can get it together.

Back to Top

SEA - Owen Schmitt and Justin Griffith to compete for FB job

Source: Eric Williams, The Tacoma News Tribune

Eric Williams, of the Tacoma News Tribune, reports Seattle Seahawks FB Owen Schmitt and FB Justin Griffith (knee) are expected to compete for the starting fullback job during training camp.

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

Griffith was released by the Raiders back in February but signed with the Seahawks at the end of April. He is reunited in Seattle with Jim Mora Jr who was his coach in Atlanta. Schmitt is more of a hard hitting, traditional Lorenzo Neal-type of FB while Griffith can block and catch effectively.

Back to Top

TB - WR Sammie Stroughter impressing HC Morris

Source: Greg Auman, The St. Petersburg Times

Greg Auman, of the St. Petersburg Times, reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Sammie Stroughter continues to impress head coach Raheem Morris, who suggested Thursday, May 21, that Stroughter was among the top four receivers on the roster right now.

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

Diagnosed with clinical depression after dealing with the loss of several family members and a coach Stroughter sat out most of the 2007 college football season. Since then he's been battling back with a work ethic and desire to succeed that most players don't have. Stroughter is a dynamic player that understands how to set up defenders and is a savvy route runner. The Bucs will also discover that Sammie Stroughter rises to the occasion in big games.

Back to Top

DEF - NE - DAL - Patriots not interested in DAL LB Greg Ellis

Source: Calvin Watkins, AOL FanHouse

Calvin Watkins, of AOL FanHouse, reports the New England Patriots are not interested in acquiring Dallas Cowboys LB Greg Ellis, according to a source.

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

This is a bad sign for Ellis's value on the open market because the Patriots are hurting at OLB, and Ellis has a lot of experience in a 3-4 at the position. The Patriots were looking at Jason Taylor, and they'll probably continue to look for players to bolster the position of weakness throughout the summer.

Back to Top

DEF - DAL - LB Anthony Spencer expected to start

Source: Todd Archer, The Dallas Morning News

Todd Archer, of The Dallas Morning News, reports Dallas Cowboys LB Anthony Spencer is expected to start at outside linebacker this season.

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

Greg Ellis has produced 20.5 sacks lining up opposite DeMarcus Ware over the last two seasons, so Spencer could be a nice sleeper in sack heavy leagues. It's time for the converted DE from Purdue to show why the Cowboys made him a first round pick.

Back to Top

That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great Saturday and a fun Holiday Weekend. See you tomorrow with the update.