Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 10, Issue 40 (Friday, May 29th)
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Hi Folks,
Welcome to Saturday. We dropped a ton of new content on you yesterday. No letting up today as we've got enough new material on the site to keep you busy for most of the day. Dig in. Plus all the News and Notes you'll want to keep up with. Let's get to it. JSITE NEWS
A.
The Gut Check Vol. 153 - Rookie Impact Series: QB
Our Matt Waldman with his Gut Check column takes a look at Rookie QBs.
B.
Last Man Standing
Our Jeff Tefertiller with a deep look at how to succeed in Survivor leagues.
C.
Let's Make a Deal
Footballguy Jeff Tefertiller examines some strategies for working trades in your league.
D.
Mock Drafts
Our Jeff Tefertiller dives into the mock draft phenomena and explains why you should be into it.
E.
Injury Update
Our Injury Guru, Mark Wimer takes a look at the players dealing with or overcoming injuries that you'll need to keep up with.
F.
Reading the Defense - Offseason Report
Our Jene Bramel checks in with essential reading for all football fans. Even if you don't play in IDP leagues, you'll want to check this article out.
G.
The Ultimate Guide to NFL Defense
Another must read for all football fans as our Jene Bramel digs deep into NFL Defenses.
H.
The Gut Check Vol. 154 - Rookie Impact Series: RB
Footballguy Matt Waldman continues the Rookie Impact series as he takes a look at RBs in this edition of the Gut Check.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. DEN - WR Brandon Marshall wants a raise and is an unofficial holdout2. DET - OT Jon Jansen signed after being released by Washington
3. NE - QB Tom Brady says he likely will have some apprehension
4. DAL - Could Miles Austin be the team's No. 2 receiver?
5. MIN - HC Childress defends QB Tarvaris Jackson's work ethic
6. MIN - QB Tarvaris Jackson says QB competition even
7. NYJ - QB Mark Sanchez struggles at times Thursday
8. NFL - TB - WR Marvin Harrison getting interest from the Bucs?
9. MIN - QBs Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels split snaps Friday
10. GB - WR Donald Driver's agent says he is talking with team
11. STL - WR Laurent Robinson works with first team Friday
12. NYJ - OT Woody says RB Thomas Jones bulked up
13. BUF - RB Marshawn Lynch bulks up
14. DEF - CHI - DE Henry Melton signed
15. DEF - CHI - Newly signed Pisa Tinoisamoa expected to be leader for strongside job
DEN - WR Brandon Marshall wants a raise and is an unofficial holdout
Source: Mike Klis, The Denver Post
The Denver Post's Mike Klis reports Denver Broncos WR Brandon Marshall (hip) is an unofficial holdout. He has moved his rehabilitation away from the Broncos' headquarters with hopes the Broncos will be forced to restructure his contract. The Broncos were given Marshall's request for a raise last week, but they are not willing to accommodate due to his off-the-field legal issues and injury issues.
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My friend Bob Harris said it well this morning - "Marshall's understanding of leverage apparently rivals Rob Johnson's pocket awareness..."
Marshall has been involved in 13 police-related incidents since Oct. 31, 2004. 'Brandon is not a holdout,' his attorney Harvey Steinberg said. 'He went back to Orlando so he could continue rehabbing from his surgery.' Technically the current passing camp is voluntary, but the team's other injured players are showing up daily to rehab. Marshall is in the final year of a four-year deal. Through incentives, he pushed his $535,000 base salary to $2.2 million for 2009.DET - OT Jon Jansen signed after being released by Washington
Source: David Elfin, The Washington Times
David Elfin, of The Washington Times, reports the Detroit Lions have signed unrestricted free-agent OT Jon Jansen (Redskins) to a one-year deal.
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Jansen will earn the veteran minimum salary if he passes a physical on Monday. Jansen is expected to compete for the starting right tackle job with last year's 1st round pick Gosder Cherilus.
Jansen was a long time fixture on the O-Line for Washington and was entering his 11th season as a Redskin after the team selected him in 1999 NFL Draft. He struggled in pass protection last season and the team has been preparing for life without him this offseason. Redskins.com believes that Stephon Heyer is the top candidate to take over at right tackle.NE - QB Tom Brady says he likely will have some apprehension
Source: Karen Guregian, The Boston Globe
Karen Guregian, of the Boston Globe, reports New England Patriots QB Tom Brady (knee) said during a radio interview that he likely will be a little apprehensive during games early in the season when players will be falling around his legs.
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'I'm sure there's some aspect of that. I couldn't imagine there wouldn't be. Obviously, in this camp here, I haven't noticed that at all. How much, and to what degree remains to be seen. I'm anticipating going out there and feeling great and trying to do my best to lead those guys without any apprehension. If you do doubt, it will have an effect, sometimes noticeable, sometimes not noticeable. I'd love to get to the point where I completely forget about it. I'm inching toward that every time I take the field either in practice or off-field conditioning. That's when you really want to move past it,' Brady said.
DAL - Could Miles Austin be the team's No. 2 receiver?
Source: Mac Engel, The Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Mac Engel, of The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, reports Dallas Cowboys WR Miles Austin (6-3, 218 pounds) has the size to become a clone of Terrell Owens (6-3, 224) in the Cowboys' offense. Austin said he is trying to work hard and improve every day. The team's No. 2 receiver role is technically held by WR Patrick Crayton, but there is an unofficial opening for it. Austin could have a chance to be the team's speed threat.
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'The guy can play,' WRs coach Ray Sherman said. 'Physically the guy is a beast. I've liked him since he came out of Monmouth when I was with the Titans.' Sherman noted Austin is bigger, stronger and his route running has improved. Plus, he is 100 percent recovered from last year's knee injury. 'I think he's ready to break out,' Sherman said. Crayton, who may be better suited for the slot, has proven to be an NFL-caliber receiver, but does not possess speed to make a cornerback backpedal. Miles Austin could be the team's number 2 receiver, but he should be 3rd in targets behind TE Jason Witten and fellow WR Roy Williams.
MIN - HC Childress defends QB Tarvaris Jackson's work ethic
Source: Chip Scoggins, The Minneapolis Star Tribune
Rick Alonzo of the Minneapolis Star TribuneMinnesota Vikings head coach Brad Childress responded to DE Pat Williams' comment about QB Tarvaris Jackson needing to work harder.
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Childress stated 'Tarvaris Jackson is one of hardest working guys you are going to find in this 85-man roster right now. Just in terms of the time he spends here, the time he spends in the books, with the wide receivers, in the weight room, strength and conditioning. There's very few people that work as hard as he does in the offseason.'
MIN - QB Tarvaris Jackson says QB competition even
Source: Judd Zulgad and Chip Scoggins, The Minneapolis Star Tribune
Judd Zulgad and Chip Scoggins, of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, report Minnesota Vikings QB Tarvaris Jackson said he does not believe he has any advantage over QB Sage Rosenfels in the quarterback competition even though he finished last season as the starter. 'I don't think they're going to show me any favoritism just because I ended the year as a starter. I just think it's 50-50 and we're going to fight for it as hard as we can,' Jackson said.
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Jackson said he's focused on consistency and eliminating the "big mistake", something that has plagued Rosenfels throughout his career. Even if Rosenfels wins the job, he's likely to implode and force Brad Childress to go back to Jackson at some point.
NYJ - QB Mark Sanchez struggles at times Thursday
Source: Ohm Youngmisuk, The New York Daily News
Ohm Youngmisuk, of the New York Daily News, reports New York Jets QB Mark Sanchez struggled at times during practice Thursday, May 28, but is making progress in learning the playbook and adjusting to play against an NFL defense.
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Another Jets beat writer from the Daily News, Rich Cimini, said in his blog today that Sanchez is struggling because Rex Ryan is "purposely cranking up the heat" on Sanchez to give him "a dose of NFL reality". He didn't think we should read too much into the poor performances, adding that the Jets coaches could take it easy on Sanchez come August if they really want him to win the job.
NFL - TB - WR Marvin Harrison getting interest from the Bucs?
Source: Rick Stroud, St. Petersburg Times
Bucs beat writer Rick Stroud has tweeted that the team might be interested in Marvin Harrison.
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The Buccaneers are thin at WR behind Antonio Bryant and have already expressed interest in Plaxico Burress as well. Harrison doesn't have much left in the tank, but could be an upgrade over the likes of Michael Clayton, Dexter Jackson or Maurice Stovall. The most impressive WR in Bucs camp has been 7th round slot receiver Sammie Stroughter.
MIN - QBs Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels split snaps Friday
Source: Chip Scoggins, The Minneapolis Star Tribune
Chip Scoggins, of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, reports Minnesota Vikings QB Tarvaris Jackson and QB Sage Rosenfels split reps at quarterback during practice Friday, May 29.
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Jackson and Rosenfels will battle for the starting job all the way through training camp - if Brett Favre doesn't sign with the Vikings. Favre will set atop the depth chart if he again comes out of retirement, this time for the Vikings. Jackson has experience running this offense, but the Vikings aren't sold on him as their starter and that's why they signed Sage Rosenfels who played fearlessly (and sometimes carelessly) for the Houston Texans in 2008.
GB - WR Donald Driver's agent says he is talking with team
Source: Rob Demovsky, The Green Bay Press-Gazette
Rob Demovsky, of the Green Bay Press-Gazette, reports Jordan Woy, agent for Green Bay Packers WR Donald Driver, said via email that he has had some discussions with the Packers about Driver's contract.
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Driver has two years remaining on a deal that is scheduled to pay him base salaries of $3.9 million this season and $4 million next season. His agent did not reveal how serious that talks were but he stated that Driver would not miss any mandatory workouts.
STL - WR Laurent Robinson works with first team Friday
Source: Bill Coats, The St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Bill Coats, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports St. Louis Rams WR Laurent Robinson worked with the first-team offense during practice Friday, May 29.
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Robinson was uncontested for first team duty because Keenan Burton is still dealing with a hamstring injury.
NYJ - OT Woody says RB Thomas Jones bulked up
Source: Ohm Youngmisuk, The New York Daily News
Ohm Youngmisuk, of the New York Daily News, reports New York Jets OT Damien Woody said RB Thomas Jones looked bigger than last season when he reported to organized team activities. 'He looks like he is about 230, been down in South Beach just pumping a whole bunch of iron and stuff,' Woody said.
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Woody also compared Jones to Eddie George. Jones has been well known for his physique and conditioning throughout his career, so this should come as no surprise, but if he's really around 230, we want to see if it affects his burst and quickness before we buy in during fantasy drafts this year.
BUF - RB Marshawn Lynch bulks up
Source: Mark Gaughan, The Buffalo News
Mark Gaughan, of The Buffalo News, reports Buffalo Bills RB Marshawn Lynch appears stronger than ever during spring practices. He has bulked up to 230 pounds.
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'I put some mass on,' Lynch said. 'I'll see how that's going to work.' Lynch is up a good 10 pounds from last year's listed weight of 215 pounds, but he said he still feels good about his speed and hasn't lost a step. Lynch feels the extra weight will allow him to maintain a good playing weight during the season. This is officially bad news for anyone trying to tackle Lynch because he already ran with a ton of power.
DEF - CHI - DE Henry Melton signed
Source: Larry Mayer, ChicagoBears.com
Larry Mayer, of ChicagoBears.com, reports the Chicago Bears have signed fourth-round draft choice DE Henry Melton to a four-year deal. Financial terms were not disclosed.
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Melton is a very good athlete and shows good burst off the edge when getting after the QB. He has a good first step, bends naturally, and plays with good balance and leverage. A converted RB who scored 10 rushing TDs in his freshmen season Melton can get off the line fast and has the closing burst to be effective in backside pursuit.
DEF - CHI - Newly signed Pisa Tinoisamoa expected to be leader for strongside job
Source: Brad Biggs, The Chicago Sun-Times
Brad Biggs, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports Chicago Bears LB Pisa Tinoisamoa is expected to be the leading candidate for the starting strongside linebacker job this season.
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Tinoisamoa is expected to be the frontrunner for the starting job on the strong side where Nick Roach and Hunter Hillenmeyer will also compete for the spot.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great Saturday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update.
J