Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 10, Issue 34 (Saturday, May 23rd)
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Hi Folks,
Good Sunday to you. And for many of you, today is really more like a Saturday as I hope you have tomorrow off. Gotta like that. I hope you're having a nice weekend and enjoying some NBA action. We've got all the NFL News and Notes you need to stay on top of everything. So let's get to it. JSITE NEWS
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. STL - New coaching staff has confidence in QB Marc Bulger2. CHI - Bears planning to take advantage of QB Jay Cutler's mobility
3. BUF - HC Jauron says WR Terrell Owens performed well during OTAs
4. TEN - WR Mark Jones with another good practice - Watch List
5. DET - QB Matt Stafford having fun with his teammates
6. CLE - HC Mangini comments on QBs
7. KC - RB Jamall Charles works with first team Friday
8. MIN - WR Sidney Rice impressive again Friday
9. TEN - Titans in no hurry to sign FA WR Drew Bennett
10. DAL - Rookie QB Stephen McGee impressing
11. SF - Rookie RB Glen Coffee Impressing Singletary
12. ARZ - QB Matt Leinart seems more mature
13. DAL - FB Asaph Schwapp arrested when boarding plane
14. CLE - RB Jerome Harrison turning heads in camp
15. DEF - NO - Defense looking more aggressive
16. DEF - MIN - Judge rejects most of DL Williamses' claims
17. DEF - NO - DL Charles Grant, DL Will Smith & RB Deuce McAllister to serve 4 game suspensions
STL - New coaching staff has confidence in QB Marc Bulger
Source: Bill Coats, The St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Bill Coats, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports St. Louis Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo sought out QB Marc Bulger soon after he was hired to assure Bulger that he would be the team's starting quarterback in 2009. Spagnuolo pledged to Bulger that he 'and the rest of this team have all the confidence in the world in him.' Bulger acknowledged that Spagnuolo's words provided considerable relief. 'Any time a new staff comes in, they're going to bring in the people they want,' Bulger said. 'He made it clear to me from the get-go that he wanted me to be his quarterback, and I appreciate that.' The 2009 campaign is considered a make-or-break season for Bulger with the Rams.
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Another offseason fluff piece, but at least everyone is saying the right things - Spags says Bulger was his guy from day one and that he considered him a hard QB to defend against when he coaches the Eagles and Giants defenses, and Bulger says he can regain his old form and he won't make excuses for his poor play the last two seasons.
CHI - Bears planning to take advantage of QB Jay Cutler's mobility
Source: Larry Mayer, ChicagoBears.com
Larry Mayer, of ChicagoBears.com, reports the Chicago Bears are planning to take advantage of QB Jay Cutler's mobility. Offensive coordinator Ron Turner said, "We will have some designed movement plays. We're moving the pocket with him, and then he has the ability to create things on his own when it's not there—if the coverage isn't what we wanted or if there's a protection breakdown. That's something the receivers will have to get used to and something we'll work on definitely more than what we've done."
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Although this article could be classified as "offseason fluff", it does say all the right things - that Cutler is spending several hours a day with offensive coordinator Ron Turner, and that Turner is impressed by Cutler's work ethic, leadership, and ability to process new information. It seems most people are assuming a precipitous drop in Cutler's production, so he's going at cheap price for a QB coming off a 4500 yard season.
BUF - HC Jauron says WR Terrell Owens performed well during OTAs
Source: Mark Gaughan, of The Buffalo News
Mark Gaughan, of The Buffalo News, reports Buffalo Bills head coach Dick Jauron said he liked how WR Terrell Owens looked during the Bills' organized team activities this week and believes he will help the offense this season. 'He looks like a guy that's caught a lot of passes in our game and knows what he's doing and knows how to do it. He clearly presents a very good target and knows how to play coverages, how to play defenders and he plays with a lot of confidence. So we're very happy that he's here with us. He'll do a lot of things for our offense,' Jauron said.
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He will do a lot of things for the Bills offense. Not only will he be a consistent big play target for QB Trent Edwards, but he will also help keep defenses honest so they cannot stack to stop the run.
TEN - WR Mark Jones with another good practice - Watch List
Source: Jim Wyatt, The Tennessean
Jim Wyatt, of The Tennessean, reports Tennessee Titans WR Mark Jones performed well during the team's practice Friday, May 22. Jones made several big catches during the team's practice and has been grabbing the attention of others on the team. Offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger said, "In the huddle he's real quiet, but then you look up and he's making a play. Three days in a row Mark has made plays and is doing some good things. He hadn't played receiver that much, so you don't know that much about him. But he has a very good feel for what we're doing. He has done something good every day."
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It's time to officially put Jones on your watch list. Wyatt said Jones is "beginning to change his mind" about his place in the WR order. Offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger heaped praise on Jones, saying he "made plays" and "did good things" three days in a row, and had a "good feel for what we're doing." Consider this OTA this first wisps of smoke. If the kudos continue through training camp, we'll have some fire.
DET - QB Matt Stafford having fun with his teammates
Source: Terry Foster, The Detroit News
The competition for the Lions' starting quarterback job has intensified this week during organized team activity workouts. So have the jokes. On one play, rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford ran a bootleg and got around the corner with end Eric Hicks in hot pursuit. Hicks couldn't catch Stafford but had a few words for him. "Sorry I couldn't catch you," Hicks said. "I was just picking up all the money falling out of your pockets."
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It's good to see the young guy having some fun with his teammates and earning some respect all at the same time. Stafford is more athletic than people think, and once he's named the starter he may vulture a few TDs away from the ground game.
CLE - HC Mangini comments on QBs
Source: Eric Mangini
At a recent press conference Coach Mangini commented on the QB competition. "I am going to look at that position completely. It's one of those things where he will get opportunities and there will be a rotation there as well, and there will be some days where any of the four quarterbacks could be the one, any could be the two, any could be the three and the four, but right now my primary focus is with Brady and Derek."
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There is an open competition at QB but at this time it doesn't appear like Ratliff will be in the mix. There's plenty to like about the former Utah QB - he's a gunslinger, he has good accuracy when throwing deep, and he's not afraid to challenge the edges of the defense. He'll most likely have to continue developing as the Browns 3rd QB.
KC - RB Jamall Charles works with first team Friday
Source: Adam Teicher, The Kansas City Star
Adam Teicher, of The Kansas City Star, reports Kansas City Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles worked with the first-team offense during practice Friday, May 22.
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The Chiefs new offense is expected to look something like a cross between the Patriots and the Cardinals. In that case Jamaal Charles would most likely play a Kevin Faulk or J.J. Arrington type role for the offense. He was running with the first team at minicamp because of Larry Johnson missing practice. Charles should go back to his change of pace role once LJ returns.
MIN - WR Sidney Rice impressive again Friday
Source: Judd Zulgad, The Star Tribune
Judd Zulgad, of the Star Tribune, reports Minnesota Vikings WR Sidney Rice was sharp during practice again Friday, May 22, according to Vikings.com's Mike Wobschall.
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Zulgad added that Rice "looks like he has been spending plenty of time in the weight room". He's going for next to nothing in early drafts, so it's definitely worth your time to track his development, since the QB play should be improved in Minnesota - even if the starter ends up being Brett Favre.
TEN - Titans in no hurry to sign FA WR Drew Bennett
Source: Jim Wyatt, The Tennessean
Jim Wyatt, of The Tennessean, reports the Tennessee Titans are in no hurry to sign free-agent WR Drew Bennett (Rams).
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The team would like to give their younger players as many repetitions as possible. The team thinks they will be OK with the receivers they currently have if those players make progress.
DAL - Rookie QB Stephen McGee impressing
Source: CBSSports.com
With only three games in a pro-style offense while at Texas A&M, McGee was expected to need a great deal of work, but insiders say the former Aggie was stunningly refined in his technique throughout Dallas' minicamp May 1-3.
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Stephen Mcgee's draft stock started it's meteoric rise at the 2009 Shrine Game in Houston. He also impressed scouts with his timing and touch at the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Jon Kitna should easily win the backup job to Tony Romo in 2009, but if you're looking for the next QB of the future in Dallas then remember the name Stephen McGee.
SF - Rookie RB Glen Coffee Impressing Singletary
Source: CBSSports.com
The rugged running that characterized Coffee's breakout junior campaign for the Crimson Tide has been on display, and coach Mike Singletary has already talked about limiting Gore's workload -- which means more touches for Coffee.
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Coffee is a one-cut downhill runner that doesn't have the size needed for an every down back. He is a hard charging back that battled through nagging foot and ankle injuries during his time at Alabama. He will compete with Michael Robinson, Thomas Clayton, and fellow rookie Kory Sheets for the backup role to Frank Gore in 2009. However, with his size and durability concerns there are questions as to whether or not he could ever be a feature RB.
ARZ - QB Matt Leinart seems more mature
Source: AZCentral.com
Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt stated, "I have to give credit to Matt, because it appears to me, from what I've seen on the practice field, that he's grown up."
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The sky was the limit for Matt Leinart when he came out of college, but so far he has disappointed in his pro career. Kurt Warner's age and durability may be a concern for the team so the Cards are hoping that Leinart can get his career back on track.
DAL - FB Asaph Schwapp arrested when boarding plane
Source: Clarence E. Hill Jr., The Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Clarence E. Hill Jr., of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, reports Dallas Cowboys FB Asaph Schwapp was arrested Friday, May 22, on suspicion of carrying a prohibited weapon.
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Security found a throwing star in his bag when he was trying to board a flight. Schwapp said he collects martial arts weapons. Police said Schwapp was very cooperative. Schwapp must have watched Revenge of the Ninja too much as a kid growing up.
CLE - RB Jerome Harrison turning heads in camp
Source: Eric Mangini
Coach Mangini commented "He has done a really nice job these first two days. I've been really happy with what I've seen from him. It is extremely early but he's done a nice job, whether it's with blitz pickups, his check downs, the route, hitting his aiming points, the way that he has worked, where he is physically; I think all of those things have been positive."
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Jerome Harrsion is very dangerous with the ball in open space and he uses his quick initial burst to get by defenders before they even realize what happened. The Browns drafted James Davis to compete with Harrison for the backup job behind Jamal Lewis.
DEF - NO - Defense looking more aggressive
Source: Pat Yasinskas, ESPN.com
Pat Yasinskas, of ESPN.com, reports the New Orleans Saints defense under new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams has shown to be more aggressive during offseason practices. The defense has looked to create more turnovers. 'They've been flying around and you can see that there's a big emphasis in turning the ball over, getting your hands on the ball and trying to take the gray area out of whether it was complete or not and whether it was a fumble or not,' head coach Sean Payton said. 'Anything that's on the ground, they're doing a good job of getting to the ball and I think that's a big first step in playing good defense and I think Gregg and the staff have done a good job of starting with that emphasis of speed to the ball and getting hands on the ball.'
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Williams has been successful in building quality defenses in Tennessee and Washington in the past, but Jacksonville's defense seemed to fizzle out last year. The Jags didn't pursue Williams when his one year contract with them expired, but New Orleans head coach Sean Payton was so excited to get him that he took a $250,000 pay cut to secure his services. The Saints often force teams into a pass-first mentality to keep up in track meets, so be ready to pounce on the Saints D early if it looks like Williams changes are taking.
DEF - MIN - Judge rejects most of DL Williamses' claims
Source: The Associated Press
The Associated Press reports a federal judge threw out most of the claims of Minnesota Vikings DL Pat Williams and DL Kevin Williams and dismissed a lawsuit brought by the NFL players union on behalf of the Williamses. Attorneys for the union and the Williamses argued that league officials knew a supplement called StarCaps contained a banned diuretic back in 2006 and did not specifically notify players. But the judge agreed with the NFL that players are responsible for what is in their bodies.
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The case is back in Minnesota state court, and the Williamses lawyer is saying that he thinks it is "still alive". Early matchups for Jamal Lewis, Kevin Smith, Frank Gore, and Ryan Grant get a lot better if the Williamses can not win in state court.
DEF - NO - DL Charles Grant, DL Will Smith & RB Deuce McAllister to serve 4 game suspensions
Source: Mike Triplett, The New Orleans Times-Picayune
Mike Triplett, of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, reports that Saints DEs Charles Grant and Will Smith, and former Saints RB Deuce McAllister will have to serve their four game suspensions at the beginning of the season after a federal judge threw out their lawsuit on Friday.
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Bobby McCray and Jeff Charleston will have to hold down the fort in September, and newly signed Anthony Hargrove and preseason stud Rob Ninkovich could also contribute. This just increases the chances that early matchups against Philadelphia and Buffalo could turn into shootouts.
That'll do it for today. Have a great Sunday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update.
J