Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 10, Issue 38 (Wednesday, May 27th)
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Hi Folks,
Good Thursday to you. You've got NBA and NHL games to worry about, let us handle the NFL stuff for you. Lots of important story lines taking shape. We'll gather the important items each day and bring them right to you here, so let's get to it. JSITE NEWS
A.
Non Football Video of the day - Pinky the Cat
Click on the headline to see the video.
Two things:
#1. I'm a dog guy. But this is still pretty funny.
#2. It's May. Cut me some slack here...
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. DEN - Broncos release RB J.J. Arrington - will have season ending surgery2. NE - QB Tom Brady practices Wednesday
3. DEN - WR Brandon Marshall beginning to run
4. KC - Team may wait to extend QB Matt Cassel
5. NYJ - RB Thomas Jones rejoins team for OTAs
6. NFL - STL - RB Duece McAllister sees Rams as the perfect fit
7. MIN - QB Tarvaris Jackson surprised by Williams' comments
8. NO - TE Jeremy Shockey to attend minicamp
9. CLE - RB Jamal Lewis practices Wednesday
10. BAL - RB Willis McGahee absent Wednesday
11. BAL - HC Harbaugh expects WR Derrick Mason to be ready for camp
12. OAK - RB Michael Bush may line up at FB
13. MIA - Dolphins reportedly not interested in WR Plaxico Burress
14. NYJ - RB Leon Washington not present Wednesday
15. PHI - TE Cornelius Ingram banged up Wednesday
16. NE - RB Laurence Maroney practices Wednesday
DEN - Broncos release RB J.J. Arrington - will have season ending surgery
Source: Mike Klis, Denver Post
The Broncos today released running back J.J. Arrington after Arrington failed his physical. It was determined the running back will need season-ending microfracture surgery on his troublesome right knee.
Arrington, who signed with the team as a free agent from Arizona in March, had knee surgery after the Super Bowl and had been unable to participate so far in the Broncos' organized team activities. Arrington was one of three free-agent tailbacks signed by the Broncos, and the team also drafted running back Knowshon Moreno with its top pick in the draft.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
The team is eating his $1.8 million dollar signing bonus with this move. Listeners to our podcast "The Audible" heard Broncos beat writer Frank Schwab speculate about this 3 weeks ago when the team signed free agent Darius Walker. Schwab indicated that the Broncos may be concerned about Arrington's knee and that's why they signed the former Golden Domer Walker. Listening to our show "The Audible" is just another way that Footballguys.com can give you the edge in your fantasy leagues.
NE - QB Tom Brady practices Wednesday
Source: David Lefort, The Boston Globe
David Lefort, of the Boston Globe, reports New England Patriots QB Tom Brady (knee) participated in practice Wednesday, May 27. Brady, who wasn't wearing pads, was throwing to new acquisition Joey Galloway and familiar target Randy Moss.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
So far so good in the Brady comeback, although it's still very early. Let's see him take a hit and get back up without limping before we proclaim that he'll be "better than ever." This offseason he'll have a chance to work with new deep threat Joey Galloway which should pay dividends once the regular season starts.
DEN - WR Brandon Marshall beginning to run
Source: Mike Klis, The Denver Post
Mike Klis, of The Denver Post, reports Denver Broncos WR Brandon Marshall (hip) has begun running for the first time since undergoing hip surgery.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
"He looks good," fellow receiver Brandon Stokley said. "I'm glad he got it taken care of, because it was bothering him a lot last year, and he's going to be improved this year because of that." The Broncos want Brandon Marshall to play the Randy Moss-role in this new offense. We'll see if the talented receiver can live up to those expectations.
KC - Team may wait to extend QB Matt Cassel
Source: Jason Whitlock, The Kansas City Star
Jason Whitlock, of The Kansas City Star, reports it appears the Kansas City Chiefs appear to have little interest in signing QB Matt Cassel to a long-term contract before the start of the season.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
General manager Scott Pioli likely lost the interest to do so once he learned Cassel and agent David Dunn's asking price. Whitlock can imagine the chants for Tyler Thigpen already and theorizes that by October, the talk-radio shows will be filled with Grbac-Gannon analogies. Cassel is far from a sure thing now that he's the main man in Kansas City, and fantasy owners need to proceed with caution when considering the Chiefs franchise QB.
NYJ - RB Thomas Jones rejoins team for OTAs
Source: Eric Allen, NewYorkJets.com
Eric Allen, of NewYorkJets.com, reports New York Jets RB Thomas Jones rejoined the team Wednesday, May 27, and is expected to take part in practice with his teammates.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Head Coach Rex Ryan has said the Jets are going to "ground and pound" and Thomas Jones could again be their workhorse. Leon Washington, the change of pace RB behind Thomas, is also unhappy with his contract. It's likely that the Jets will award Washington with a new contract, but not Jones. We'll see how Jones handles that in the upcoming season if it happens.
NFL - STL - RB Duece McAllister sees Rams as the perfect fit
Source: Pat Yasinskas, ESPN.com
In an interview with ESPN Radio in St. Louis, McAllister said he views the Rams as a perfect fit. McAllister, who spent much of last season standing on the sideline after two major knee injuries, said he still believes he can play. However, he did admit he'd be best suited as a part-time player who can help lighten the load of a featured back.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
The Rams traded away FB Brian Leonard, but still have Antonio Pittman, Kenneth Darby (3RB), Chris Ogbonnaya (3RB), and Sam Gado on the depth chart behind star RB Steven Jackson. McAllister's looming 4-game suspension certainly doesn't help his value in the eyes of NFL teams, and he may have to wait until mid-season to sign.
MIN - QB Tarvaris Jackson surprised by Williams' comments
Source: Judd Zulgad, The Minneapolis Star Tribune
Judd Zulgad, of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, reports Minnesota Vikings QB Tarvaris Jackson said he was surprised DT Pat Williams went on radio to say Jackson needed to work harder to become a better quarterback. Jackson said he believes he works hard enough.
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Just a little more follow up to yesterday's story. I was surprised that Williams would go public with something like that. It's one thing to think it, another to tell the world. Jackson responded about as well as one could: 'My first year, I had to figure it out. Now, I've pretty much figured it out. I'm studying more. I feel like I'm doing what I've got to do and that's pretty much all I've got say. I've put the time in, like he said, maybe I do have to put extra time in. I guess when you're not doing as well you've got to put the extra time in. But I feel like I'm working hard. I've always been a hard worker,' Jackson said.
NO - TE Jeremy Shockey to attend minicamp
Source: ESPN.com
ESPN.com reports New Orleans Saints TE Jeremy Shockey, who was hospitalized for treatment of dehydration last weekend, is well enough to participate in team's upcoming minicamp, according to agent Drew Rosenhaus.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Shockey is '100 percent and feeling great,' Rosenhaus said Tuesday, May 26, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune. 'He's doing fine. You guys (the media) will see him next week. If I have anything to add, I'll call you back.'
CLE - RB Jamal Lewis practices Wednesday
Source: James Walker, ESPN.com
James Walker, of ESPN.com, reports Cleveland Browns RB Jamal Lewis (ankle) participated in practice Wednesday, May 27.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Last week he did individual work only with the team's trainer, so it's a good sign that he's back to practicing after recovering from his ankle surgery. The Browns have change of pace RB Jerome Harrison behind Lewis and Harrison's play from 2008 should warrant him a few more touches in 2009. The team also selected RB James Davis out of Clemson in the 6th round of the 2009 NFL Draft. Once considered to be a 1st round pick, the Browns could be grooming Davis to be their RB of the future.
BAL - RB Willis McGahee absent Wednesday
Source: Jamison Hensley, The Baltimore Sun
Jamison Hensley, of The Baltimore Sun, reports Baltimore Ravens RB Willis McGahee was not present for team's passing camp Wednesday, May 27.
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It is not known why McGahee missed practice, but hopefully for McGahee's sake it's an excused absence. He doesn't have the greatest relationship with head coach John Harbaugh and will see strong competition for carries from Le'Ron McClain, Ray Rice, Jalen Parmele, and even rookie Cedric Peerman. He must make a strong impression with the team if he wants to be a contributor in 2009.
BAL - HC Harbaugh expects WR Derrick Mason to be ready for camp
Source: Jamison Hensley, The Baltimore Sun
Jamison Hensley, of The Baltimore Sun, reports Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said he expects WR Derrick Mason (shoulder) to be ready for most of not all of training camp.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Mason previously said he may not be able to participate during training camp. The Ravens need Mason at full strength because their WR corps is full of questions behind him. They have talented players like Marcus Smith and Demetrius Williams, but there are concerns about their ability to make an impact in 2009. The Ravens want to open things up for QB Joe Flacco, but Mason is critical to their success.
OAK - RB Michael Bush may line up at FB
Source: Jerry McDonald, ibabuzz.com
Raiders beat writer Jerry McDonald reports It's worth noting that on a couple of occasions, Michael Bush appeared to line up in a fullback position only to shift out of it during the recent OTA. Maybe he is being more receptive to simply getting on the field _ the first step to staying on the field.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Michael Bush is a big back that runs more like a tailback. He has moves in the open field that defy his size, and he is a great receiver out of the backfield. He's behind Darren McFadden and Justin Fargas so it's unlikely that he'd get many carries as a RB. However, as a pass catching FB on 3rd downs he could at least make an impact and showcase his talent for other teams.
MIA - Dolphins reportedly not interested in WR Plaxico Burress
Source: Armando Salguero, The Miami Herald
Armando Salguero, of the Miami Herald, reports the Miami Dolphins are not interested in unrestricted free-agent WR Plaxico Burress (Giants) at this time and likely would not be interested if he handles his legal situation.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Salguero says that Burress has 2 chances to play for the Dolphins in 2009 - slim and none.
NYJ - RB Leon Washington not present Wednesday
Source: Roderick Boone, Newsday
Roderick Boone, of Newsday, reports New York Jets RB Leon Washington was not present for the team's organized team activity Wednesday, May 27.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Both Thomas Jones and Leon Washington are not happy with their current contracts but the Jets have leverage with Thomas Jones because they selected power back Shonn Greene in the 2nd round of the 2009 NFL Draft. There is no player on the Jets roster that can do the same things that Leon Washington can do. This gives him an edge in negotiations, and a new deal could be struck soon.
PHI - TE Cornelius Ingram banged up Wednesday
Source: Dave Spadaro, PhiladelphiaEagles.com
Dave Spadaro, of PhiladelphiaEagles.com, reports Philadelphia Eagles TE Cornelius Ingram (knee) suffered a left knee contusion during practice Wednesday, May 27, but is expected to be fine.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
It was a scary moment for the rookie TE that missed the entire 2008 season for the Florida Gators with a knee injury. The Eagles are hoping that he can stay healthy because he is a dangerous weapon with the ball in his hands.
NE - RB Laurence Maroney practices Wednesday
Source: David Lefort, The Boston Globe
David Lefort, of the Boston Globe, reports New England Patriots RB Laurence Maroney (shoulder) participated in practice Wednesday, May 27.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Laurence Maroney is currently 4th on the depth chart behind Fred Taylor, Sammy Morris, and Kevin Faulk. He may not be much of an impact player in what could be his last year with the Patriots.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great Thursday and thanks for reading. See you tomorrow with the update.
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