Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 10, Issue 35 (Sunday, May 24th)
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Hi Folks,
Good Monday to you. And Happy Memorial Day. All of us at Footballguys want to extend our most sincere thanks to all of our folks that are Veterans. And all of our folks that are family of Veterans, especially those that have passed on that we're remembering today. Thank You. I'll send out our traditional Memorial Day thanks email later today but wanted to get you the NFL News and Notes in this one. Thank you Folks. Have a great day. JSITE NEWS
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. NO - TE Jeremy Shockey released from Las Vegas hospital2. TB - WR Sammie Stroughter impressing - Watch List
3. WAS - Owner Dan Snyder to pursue Michael Vick?
4. DEN - Columnist Expects RB Knowshon Moreno expected to be week 1 starter
5. NE - RB Fred Taylor does not know when he will retire
6. SF - HC Singletary wants total dedication from players
7. CLE - WR Brian Robiskie 'as polished as advertised'
8. NE - RB Laurence Maroney could be used as returner
9. NE - Patriots hoping WR Matt Slater can become dynamic return man
10. MIA - Dolphins looking for WR Ted Ginn to improve in certain areas
11. DEF - HOU - Rookie DE Connor Barwin works to improve his technique
12. DEF - OAK - NE - Salary cap may prevent a trade for DE Derrick Burgess
13. DEF - CLE - DE Shaun Smith told to shape up and shut up
NO - TE Jeremy Shockey released from Las Vegas hospital
Source: TMZ.com, Chris Mortensen, ESPN
Sources on the scene tell TMZ Shockey was at a pool party at the Hard Rock Hotel -- when he was found unconscious at around 2:00 PM. Paramedics ended up wheeling Shockey out of the Hard Rock via stretcher. We're told the paramedics tried to cover Shockey up so onlookers -- including a TV camera crew -- couldn't ID him.
TMZ reports they later talked to a rep for the New Orleans Saints, who told them Shockey was just "dehydrated" and that he'll be "fine."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
ESPN's Chris Mortensen is also reporting that it was a pool party with several NFL players in attendance. This does not seem to be a Javon Walker-like Vegas incident. Doesn't seem to be a huge deal but on a day without much NFL News and in a world where everyone instantly knows everything about everyone, expect this to be talked about.
TB - WR Sammie Stroughter impressing - Watch List
Source: Rick Stroud, The St. Petersburg Times
Rick Stroud, of the St. Petersburg Times, reports the Tampa Bay Buccaneers coaches and players have been impressed with what WR Sammie Stroughter has done during practices. 'The guy has great feet. He's caught every ball that's touched his hands. He's a natural hand-catcher. He snatches it. He's a smart guy who's caught onto the offense really well,' WR Michael Clayton said.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Fantasy football players need to remember the name Sammie Stroughter - especially dynasty league players. Stroughter has fantastic body control and is much further along as a route runner than most rookies. He is currently listed as the 5th WR on the depth chart. While Antonio Bryant and Michael Clayton may be locked into the starting lineup, we could see Stroughter pass Dexter Jackson and Maurice Stovall on the depth chart.
WAS - Owner Dan Snyder to pursue Michael Vick?
Source: Pro Football Weekly
Would the Redskins take a chance on Michael Vick? Don't rule it out. Owner Daniel Snyder loves the big splash and might be willing to gamble on Vick, who grew up in nearby Newport News, Va. There's no question that the Redskins would like an upgrade at quarterback with Jason Campbell entering the final year of his deal, and they likely would be willing to gamble on players with questionable character, given the $54 million deal they gave to CB DeAngelo Hall.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
This is just speculation at this point but when Pro Football Weekly speculates, one should listen. This sounds like a Dan Snyder move - or an Al Davis one. Michael Vick will have to be reinstated by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell before we can really speculate where he could play in 2009. Redskins CB DeAngelo Hall is also very close to Vick and may be privately pushing for the team to take a longer look at the troubled QB.
DEN - Columnist Expects RB Knowshon Moreno expected to be week 1 starter
Source: Michael Lombardi, The National Football Post
Michael Lombardi from the National Football Post fully expects rookie Knowshon Moreno to be the feature back for the Broncos starting in week 1.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
This is not shocking because the Broncos didn't draft Moreno with the 12th overall pick to sit on the bench. Lombardi speculates that the Broncos will release J.J. Arrington if his health problems continue. However, Pro Football Weekly has heard that LaMont Jordan may be on the roster bubble in a crowded backfield because he's not a good special teams player.
NE - RB Fred Taylor does not know when he will retire
Source: Vito Stellino, The Florida Times-Union
Vito Stellino, of The Florida Times-Union, reports New England Patriots RB Fred Taylor said he does not know how many more years he will play in the NFL. 'I can't put a number on it, but I've always said I'll run until the wheels fall off. If you're going to drive, get [tire] rotations or whatever, but when those tires come off, you're in trouble. I'm going to keep going forward,' Taylor said.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Besides chasing after Jim Brown on the career rushing list, Taylor also wants a Super Bowl ring before his career is over. If the Patriots were to win another title in 2009 we could easily see Fred Taylor calling it a career.
SF - HC Singletary wants total dedication from players
Source: Pro Football Weekly
Mike Singletary's continued commanding aura was in full bloom following the Niners' first day of 2009 organized team activities, when he sternly said, "Practice today was not what it needs to be." What practice does need to be, on Singletary's watch, is far different from what our longtime team sources have grown accustomed to from the Niners over the years.
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A change of culture is exactly what the 49ers needed and Mike Singletary is ushering in a new era in San Francisco. The players have the ultimate respect for the Hall of Famer, but he will need to start winning so his coaching style doesn't become an issue.
CLE - WR Brian Robiskie 'as polished as advertised'
Source: Tony Grossi, The Cleveland Plain Dealer
Tony Grossi from the Cleveland Plains Dealer reports that it's way too early to say who's the No. 2 receiver behind Braylon Edwards. But Brian Robiskie didn't hurt his chances with two TD catches from Brady Quinn in red-zone drills. Robiskie dived to make one in the left corner and caught another underneath coverage inside the goal line. Yes, Robiskie looks as polished as advertised.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
The son of Falcons WR coach Terry Robiskie is a very smooth player. Brian Robiskie showed just how savvy a WR he was at the 2009 Senior Bowl where he impressed coaches with solid hands and route running ability. He knows subtle moves to get open that most rookie receivers aren't even aware of. It is too early to call him the #2 WR in Cleveland, but it sure wouldn't surprise us if he's named the starter opposite of Braylon Edwards by the end of training camp.
NE - RB Laurence Maroney could be used as returner
Source: Christopher L. Gasper, The Boston Globe
Christopher L. Gasper, of the Boston Globe, reports New England Patriots RB Laurence Maroney could be used as a kickoff returner this season.
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Ah, how the mighty have fallen. Maroney was once thought to be the RB of the future for the Patriots and now is 4th on the depth chart on a team that will most likely be a 3-headed RBBC. The Patriots will now see if Maroney can help out on special teams rather than carry the load in the running game.
NE - Patriots hoping WR Matt Slater can become dynamic return man
Source: Christopher L. Gasper, The Boston Globe
Christopher L. Gasper, of the Boston Globe, reports the New England Patriots are hoping WR Matt Slater can become a dynamic return man in the near future.
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This offseason, the Patriots endured their biggest special teams turnover of the decade. Gone are special teams coach Brad Seely, long snapper Lonie Paxton, special teams captain Larry Izzo, cornerback/kickoff returner Ellis Hobbs, and wide receiver/special teams ace Kelley Washington.
MIA - Dolphins looking for WR Ted Ginn to improve in certain areas
Source: Barry Jackson, The Miami Herald
Barry Jackson, of the Miami Herald, reports Miami Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano wants to see WR Ted Ginn Jr. fight for more yards and not run out of bounds too early so he could improve his run after catch.
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The team would also like to see Ginn increase his knowledge of coverages so he could play faster. Also, CB Eric Green told Ginn that getting off the press at the line was one of his weaknesses last season, which Ginn said he will work on improving this season.
DEF - HOU - Rookie DE Connor Barwin works to improve his technique
Source: Pro Football Weekly
DE Connor Barwin can safely be called a work in progress, having played only one season at defensive end at the University of Cincinnati, but Texans assistant head coach/defensive line Bill Kollar told PFW that the transition from college to the NFL for any young defensive lineman is challenging - and that playing freely and instinctively without overthinking is one of the first hurdles to overcome.
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The Texans are hoping that Connor Barwin can develop into Mike Vrabel 2.0 He played TE for most of his college career, but was switched to DE his senior season at Cincinnati and responded by leading the Big East in sacks. He is a work in progress at DE/OLB, but is a player that could help out the Texans in any number of ways.
DEF - OAK - NE - Salary cap may prevent a trade for DE Derrick Burgess
Source: Pro Football Weekly
The Pats have little salary-cap space, and they still have a host of rookies to sign and numerous big-ticket players slated for free agency following the season. The one definitive conclusion to be drawn from this scenario is that the team isn't oozing confidence in its current OLB corps' ability to bring pass-rushing heat off the edge.
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New England isn't worried about sending a draft pick to the Raiders for Burgess (they collect 2nd round picks each year). The real concern is whether or not they could sign Burgess to a long term deal after acquiring him in a trade. We'll see if they can find a way to get this done.
DEF - CLE - DE Shaun Smith told to shape up and shut up
Source: Tony Grossi, The Cleveland Plain Dealer
Tony Grossi, of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, reports the Cleveland Browns coaches told DE Shaun Smith during a meeting to 'Shape up and shut up,' according to sources.
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Shaun Smith is not making the best impression on the new regime in Cleveland. His mouth just won't stop running (ask Brady Quinn) and it could help run him out of town if he's not careful.
That'll do it for today, Folks.
Happy Memorial Day. Thank you very much. J
