Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 10, Issue 44 (Tuesday, June 2nd)
|
Sign Up For Free Newsletter
85,000+ Mailing List |
Hi Folks,
Quick note - We had some serious mail delivery issues for the Tuesday morning Email Update. So I combined Tuesday's update with today's update to make sure everyone saw everything. If you read some of these stories Tuesday, apologies for the duplication. Now for some BIG news. I told you the other day that we've got TWO huge things to introduce this Summer. Today, we're dropping the first one. Check out the "Site News" section below for the debut of the Footballguys Rate My Team App. Get used to me saying it, "If you only try ONE thing we do here at Footballguys, make this it." It's seriously that good. Plus we've got all the News and Notes you need in order to stay on top of everything. So let's get to it. JSITE NEWS
A.
Rate My Team App - The ONE App you MUST try
I fully admit I get excited about the Footballguys products we offer. Ok, I admit I get a little overexcited about the Footballguys products we offer. While enthusiasm is often good, in my case it can work against me as when I'm jacked up about features every day, I can start to lose a bit of credibility. It becomes, "Sure Joe loves this thing, he loves everything they do".
If you think that, stop. Seriously stop and click on the link in the headline because you've got to see this thing. If you only check out ONE thing that Footballguys does this year, this App is it.
You enter your team that you've drafted, answer a couple of things about your league and bam, we give you the rundown on how we think you did. And how you can improve your team for the season. And don't worry if you haven't drafted yet, enter some teams you've seen drafted in other places (or make up a team on the fly) and let us tell you what we think of the team.
And you can tell us what you think of the App. Trust me on this - I think you're going to like it.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. DEN - WR Brandon Marshall will not be suspended2. TEN - QB Vince Young wants to play or move on
3. NE - QB Tom Brady's doctor amazed by recovery
4. NYG - QB Eli Manning likes WR corps
5. ARZ - WR Anquan Boldin hires new agent
6. NYJ - RB Thomas Jones present for OTA Monday
7. DET - QB Matt Stafford could be better than expected
8. NE - QB Tom Brady throwing on run
9. MIA - HC Sparano likes what he has seen from WR Ted Ginn
10. STL - WRs Donnie Avery and Keenan Burton should start the season at WR1and WR2
11. SF - RB Frank Gore is noticeably trimmer
12. PHI - RB Brian Westbrook misses practice Tuesday
13. BAL - QB Troy Smith sees time at receiver Tuesday
14. BAL - RB Willis McGahee present at practice Tuesday
15. CLE - RB Jamal Lewis misses practice Tuesday
16. TB - Very little to the WR Marvin Harrison rumors
17. KC - RB Larry Johnson present at practice Monday
18. BUF - Team consults QB Jim Kelly about no huddle offense
19. WAS - WR Malcolm Kelly feeling pressure
20. NFL - WR Plaxico Burress gets 4 traffic charges dropped
21. ARZ - WR Larry Fitzgerald fine after making awkward catch Monday
22. JAC - Jaguars working on Wildcat Monday
23. DET - WR Calvin Johnson absent from OTA Monday
24. DEF - MIN - NFL won't try to enforce suspensions of Williamses
25. DEF - DAL - LB Greg Ellis released
26. DEF - NYG - DE Osi Umenyiora practices Monday
27. DEF - NE - SS Rodney Harrison to announce retirement
28. DEF - JAC - HC Del Rio unhappy with DT John Henderson missing practice
DEN - WR Brandon Marshall will not be suspended
Source: Mike Klis, The Denver Post
Mike Klis, of The Denver Post, reports Denver Broncos WR Brandon Marshall will not be suspended for an incident in March after the NFL sent him a letter that informed him that he was not found in violation of the league's personal conduct policy.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
This is great news for Marshall and the Broncos. Brandon wants a new contract and if he doesn't keep out of trouble the team could move on without him. We'll see if Marshall is motivated by the possibility of a big pay day after the 2009 season.
TEN - QB Vince Young wants to play or move on
Source: ESPN.com
ESPN.com reports Tennessee Titans QB Vince Young said during an interview with Baltimore's WMAR-TV that if he doesn't win back his starting job, he would like to move on.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
According to the television station, Young said, "I definitely want to get back out there playing ball and picking up where I left off, winning games and having a good time with my teammates and with the fans. At the same time, if them guys don't want me to be in there, it's time for me to make a career change for myself. Because the fact is I'm ready to play ball. If they're not ready for me to play ball, then somebody is." Vince needs to prove it on the field because talking about it won't get another team excited about signing him.
NE - QB Tom Brady's doctor amazed by recovery
Source: Sam Farmer, The Los Angeles Times
Sam Farmer, of the Los Angeles Times, reports Dr. Neal ElAttrache, the doctor who performed reconstrucive knee surgery on New England Patriots QB Tom Brady (knee), said Brady has exceeded his expectations in terms of recovery time.
Brady also talked about the uncertainty and troubles immediately following the surgery. "I remember when we came out of the original procedure and five days later things weren't going the way that we hoped, and I think it was his instincts and quick decision-making that got me in there before anything really bad could happen," Brady said. "If you misdiagnose something like that, then you have big problems. It was his judgment and instincts, and then him assuring me that everything was going to be OK. "Obviously, with how I feel now, he was 100% right in what he did. It's great for me to have so much trust and to know that hopefully nothing ever comes up again but if it does that I have somebody like him in my corner."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
'With regard to his recovery of strength, I've never seen anything quite like it. With an average person, it would have taken probably twice as long to get range of motion and strength back,' ElAttrache said.
NYG - QB Eli Manning likes WR corps
Source: Matt Mosley, ESPN.com
Matt Mosley, of ESPN.com, reports New York Giants QB Eli Manning said he likes the team's wide receiver corps even without unrestricted free-agent WRs Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
'No Plax, no Toomer -- it feels different without those guys,' said Manning, 'but I like this group. It's a competitive group. It's a group that works hard. Nobody's getting any special treatment. Nobody has an ego. It's a group that cares about everybody else. It's a good group.' Steve Smith was lining up in the #1 spot with Domenik Hixon on the other side. Rookies Hakeem Nicks and Ramses Barden could both play important roles in the upcoming season, but for right now they are not at the top of the depth chart.
ARZ - WR Anquan Boldin hires new agent
Source: Kent Somers, The Arizona Republic
Kent Somers, of The Arizona Republic, reports Arizona Cardinals WR Anquan Boldin has hired Tom Condon as his new agent.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Cardinals GM Rod Graves has experience working with Condon, so this may signal that Boldin is staying in Arizona. However, there are 2 other players - SS Adrian Wilson, and LB Karlos Dansby - that are higher priorities for the Cardinals to sign. Boldin may have to wait until after those deals are done before he gets an offer from the team.
NYJ - RB Thomas Jones present for OTA Monday
Source: Rich Cimini, The New York Daily News
Rich Cimini, of the New York Daily News, reports New York Jets RB Thomas Jones was present for the organized team activity Monday, June 1.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Jones still wants a new contract although it seems unlikely the Jets will grant his wish. "He told me he's happy to be here and I told him I'm certainly happy that he's here," Ryan said. "Would I have liked to have seen him here the first day of (workouts) and going through all the lifting and everything else with his teammates? Of course. But right now, I'm focused on let's move forward."
DET - QB Matt Stafford could be better than expected
Source: Tom Kowalski, MLive.com
Tom Kowalski from MLive.com reports that while the Lions knew Matthew Stafford had all the physical abilities, the one thing they couldn't measure was how he would adapt to his surroundings. Not only in terms of how he would bond with his teammates, but how he would carry himself in meetings and in the locker room. That's an area where Stafford has cleared all the hurdles and passed all the tests. As a leader, one of the toughest lines to walk is the ability to mesh as just "one of the guys" while, at the time, elevating yourself above everyone else because that's what they expect and demand out of their quarterbacks.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Stafford has seemingly won over the confidence of the veteran players already and we're not even to training camp. This news doesn't automatically make him the week 1 starter, but it is another sign that we could see Stafford on the field in 2009 - most likely after the Lions bye week.
NE - QB Tom Brady throwing on run
Source: Mike Reiss, The Boston Globe
Mike Reiss, of the Boston Globe, reports New England Patriots QB Tom Brady (knee) threw on the run during practice Tuesday, June 2, and showed good zip and accuracy on the pass.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Brady appears to be making solid progress from his knee surgery. The Patriots were running a red zone drill with the ball set on the 18-yard line. Brady was working out of the shotgun but didn't have an option when he went through his progressions so he decided to run up the middle. When the defense reacted he stopped and threw it to Randy Moss. Brady has stated that he'll be a little apprehensive, but plays like that show that his instinct is taking over.
MIA - HC Sparano likes what he has seen from WR Ted Ginn
Source: Tim Graham, ESPN.com
Tim Graham, of ESPN.com, reports Miami Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano said he likes how WR Ted Ginn Jr. has performed so far this offseason and that Ginn has a chance to be the team's No. 1 receiver.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
'I really have seen him be, in some situations, pretty dominant,' Sparano said. 'So you can see his confidence really is at a high level right now. He's running better, playing a little bit stronger and really understands what's going on around him.'
STL - WRs Donnie Avery and Keenan Burton should start the season at WR1and WR2
Source: www.stlouisrams.com
Stlouisrams.com is reporting as it stands, it appears second-year men Donnie Avery and Keenan Burton are all but sure things to sit atop the depth chart when the smoke has cleared. Laurent Robinson, acquired from Atlanta via trade before the draft, is also right in the mix.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
It's not outlandish to make this prediction, but it's June 1st so many things could happen before the start of the regular season. Behind Donnie Avery the Rams WR depth chart is wide open. Keenan Burton, Laurent Robinson, and rookie Brooks Foster could compete to start opposite Avery. Robinson is a real threat to Burton's spot, but rookie Brooks Foster might be used best working out of the slot. With this thin WR corps it's no wonder why the Rams want to be a run-heavy offense.
SF - RB Frank Gore is noticeably trimmer
Source: Jim Trotter, SI.com reports
Jim Trotter from SI.com reports that after showing up for the May 1 minicamp overweight, Frank Gore, the 49ers' star running back promised his coaches he would drop 10 pounds before the offseason coaching sessions kicked off two weeks later. When he walked through the locker room doors May 18, there was no need to put him on the scale. Gore was noticeably trimmer.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Opinions on Frank Gore are all over the board this year. His current ADP is RB9 so fantasy owners can expect Gore to be available with a mid-late 1st round pick. The 49ers drafted Glen Coffee to help keep Gore fresh, so it's likely that he'll rush for around 1,200 yards, 8 TDs, with about 45 receptions on the year.
PHI - RB Brian Westbrook misses practice Tuesday
Source: Bob Kent, PhiladelphiaEagles.com
Bob Kent, of PhiladelphiaEagles.com, reports Philadelphia Eagles RB Brian Westbrook (ankle) did not participate in practice Tuesday, June 2, because of a sore ankle.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
According to head coach Andy Reid Westbrook's knee is feeling good, and it's just his ankle that is bothering him. Westbrook is known to get dinged up from time to time, and while this doesn't appear serious it should limit his practice reps in the coming weeks. Fantasy owners need to remember the name LeSean McCoy because he plays like Westbrook and will be his primary backup in the 2009 season.
BAL - QB Troy Smith sees time at receiver Tuesday
Source: Peter Schmuck, The Baltimore Sun
Peter Schmuck, of The Baltimore Sun, reports Baltimore Ravens QB Troy Smith lined up at wide receiver and made some nice catches Tuesday, June 2.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Head coach John Harbaugh said the team likely will use Smith several ways this season. 'Without making it a huge story, I'm quite sure that Troy will be lined up in different places this year. He can split out and play receiver. He can play running back. We definitely want to expand guys,' Harbaugh said. Smith is one of the best athletes on the team, so the coaching staff is smart to try and get him on the field - regardless of his position.
BAL - RB Willis McGahee present at practice Tuesday
Source: Jamison Hensley, The Baltimore Sun
Jamison Hensley, of The Baltimore Sun, reports Baltimore Ravens RB Willis McGahee (knee) participated in practice Tuesday, June 2, and worked with the second-team offense. He was not present for any of the team's practices last week.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
McGahee was not wearing a red jersey in practice - an indication that his knee is feeling better. McGahee is not a favorite of the coaching staff and he needs to show durability the rest of the summer or he may see his carries reduced. Coach John Harbaugh had no comment on McGahee's condition after practice, "I don't know, I have no idea where he's at. It's the first day he's been here in a week and a half. I can't gauge it."
CLE - RB Jamal Lewis misses practice Tuesday
Source: Mary Kay Cabot, The Cleveland Plain Dealer
Mary Kay Cabot, of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, reports Cleveland Browns RB Jamal Lewis did not participate in the team's organized team activity Tuesday, June 2.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Jerome Harrison has been getting a majority of the 1st team work with Lewis on the sidelines. Harrison is dangerous in the open field, but does not have much success running between the tackles. The Browns drafted RB James Davis to perhaps be the RB of the future. If Lewis struggles to stay healthy during the year we could see more of Davis with Harrison maintaining his change of pace role.
TB - Very little to the WR Marvin Harrison rumors
Source: Roy Cummings, The Tampa Tribune
Roy Cummings from the Tampa Tribune has done a little digging on those Marvin Harrison rumors and as he suspected there's very little to them. The Bucs call about Harrison is said to have been "exploratory," which is a high-brow way of saying they probably did little more than ask how he was doing and what he was up to while talking to his agent about another client.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
There is a youth movement happening in Tampa Bay this year so signing Marvin Harrison would run contrary to that direction. Rookie slot receiver Sammie Stroughter has been wowing coaches in minicamp and could be more effective than Harrison at his advanced age.
KC - RB Larry Johnson present at practice Monday
Source: Kent Babb, The Kansas City Star
Kent Babb, of The Kansas City Star, reports Kansas City Chiefs RB Larry Johnson was present during the team's practice Monday, June 1.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Larry Johnson continues to put his best foot forward with the new regime in KC after demanding a trade earlier in the offseason. The Chiefs should use Johnson as the lead back in a RBBC with Jamaal Charles.
BUF - Team consults QB Jim Kelly about no huddle offense
Source: Chris Brown, Buffalobills.com
Bills HOF QB Jim Kelly has offered some input to the offensive staff with respect to the no huddle approach. Here's what Jim had to say about it. "From what I understand they're going to run a little no huddle offense and I've talked to Alex and I've talked to Turk about some of the things and whether they implement any of it or not, we'll see," said Kelly.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Jim Kelly ran the high powered K-Gun offense for the Bills back in the early 90's and it was a very dangerous scheme. The Bills Offensive Line is full of question marks so they will protect QB Trent Edwards by running out of a shotgun formation when the situation calls for it. With the addition of Terrell Owens and Shawn Nelson the Bills are set to air it out more in 2009 than some people expect.
WAS - WR Malcolm Kelly feeling pressure
Source: Jason La Canfora, The Washington Post
Second-year wide receiver Malcolm Kelly said he's been running routes for a month, so in that sense today's organized team activity appearance wasn't anything remarkable. He's already been cutting on his knee--on which he had microfracture surgery this winter--and could have participated in last month's minicamp and OTAs, although Daniel Snyder and Vinny Cerrato told him to take his time.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
"I guess I can say I feel the pressure," he said. "They don't really pressure me, the coaches; [it's] more me myself. It's a pride thing. You can say it isn't, but you don't want to sit there watching. ... That's what pushes me every day, kind of an ego thing." The Redskins are hoping that either Devin Thomas or Malcolm Kelly can develop into a starter within the next year or two.
NFL - WR Plaxico Burress gets 4 traffic charges dropped
Source: Juan Ortega and Missy Diaz , The South Florida Sun Sentinel
The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports that four Broward County traffic tickets have been dismissed against former New York Giants football player Plaxico Burress, who still faces another case in which he's accused of cursing several times at a sheriff's deputy, the athlete's attorney said this morning.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Burress was accused of cussing out a female deputy, speeding, and changing lanes unsafely. These charges are nothing compared to the gun charges he's facing in a couple of weeks.
ARZ - WR Larry Fitzgerald fine after making awkward catch Monday
Source: Kent Somers, The Arizona Republic
Kent Somers, of The Arizona Republic, reports Arizona Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald was OK after making an awkward catch during practice Monday, June 1.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Fitzgerald did a split as he landed, his legs twisting as they went in opposite directions. He walked away gingerly with head athletic trainer Tom Reed at his side, but was able to return to action later in the practice. Whew! Larry Fitzgerald owners can breathe a sigh of relief.
JAC - Jaguars working on Wildcat Monday
Source: Paul Kuharsky, ESPN.com
Paul Kuharsky, of ESPN.com, reports the Jacksonville Jaguars practiced in the Wildcat formation during their organized team activity Monday, June 1.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
QB David Garrard lined up at wide receiver while RB Maurice Jones-Drew behind center in the shotgun. It seems like every team in the league is going to run - or at least have the option to run - the Wildcat. Jones-Drew could break a few long runs out of the formation the same way that Ronnie Brown did when the Dolphins unveiled their version of the Wildcat.
DET - WR Calvin Johnson absent from OTA Monday
Source: Nicholas J. Cotsonika, The Detroit Free Press
Nicholas J. Cotsonika, of the Detroit Free Press, reports Detroit Lions WR Calvin Johnson was not present during the Lions' organized team activity Monday, June 1, because he was tending to a personal matter.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Head coach Jim Schwartz said nothing was wrong as the workouts are all voluntary at this point.
DEF - MIN - NFL won't try to enforce suspensions of Williamses
Source: Associated Press
The Associated Press reports lawyers for the NFL say the league won't try to enforce its four-game suspension of Minnesota Vikings DL Kevin Williams and DL Pat Williams for their use of a banned substance for the moment.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Attorneys for the Williamses and the NFL appeared Tuesday, June 2, before Hennepin County District Judge Gary Larson as the defensive tackles fight their suspensions. Larson told both sides to file briefs later this month addressing whether his temporary restraining order against the suspensions remains in place and whether he has jurisdiction.
DEF - DAL - LB Greg Ellis released
Source: Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys announced Tuesday, June 2, that they have released LB Greg Ellis.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
This move has been anticipated for a while now, and today the Cowboys decided to get it done. The Cowboys clear $5.6 million in cap room, which should indicate that Dallas is going to strike a long-term contract with OLB DeMarcus Ware. Ellis is not getting any younger, but still showed he could play as evidenced by his 8 sacks last year. There are several teams that could look at Ellis for veteran help in a 4-3 DE rotation.
DEF - NYG - DE Osi Umenyiora practices Monday
Source: Ralph Vacchiano, The New York Daily News
Ralph Vacchiano, of the New York Daily News, reports New York Giants DE Osi Umenyiora (knee) participated in practice Monday, June 1, and showed no signs of favoring his knee.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Umenyiora said his knee feels good, but he is not in game shape yet. '(The knee) feels good right now. It feels great. But football shape is different than regular shape. Even out there today, after we ran like three plays, I was like 'Man ...' I felt it a little bit. And I've been running. I felt like I was in good shape before. But football shape is totally different. You can't simulate that,' Umenyiora said.
DEF - NE - SS Rodney Harrison to announce retirement
Source: Christopher L. Gasper, The Boston Globe
Updating a previous report, Christopher L. Gasper, of the Boston Globe, reports unrestricted free-agent SS Rodney Harrison (Patriots) will announce his retirement Wednesday, June 3, to pursue a broadcast career with NBC, according to a source.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
I wonder if he'll take as many cheap shots in the studio as he did on the field.
DEF - JAC - HC Del Rio unhappy with DT John Henderson missing practice
Source: Vic Ketchman, Jaguars.com
Vic Ketchman, of Jaguars.com, reports Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio was not happy that DT John Henderson (shoulder) did not participate in practice Tuesday, June 2, after injuring his shoulder while rolling on it.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
'John has a shoulder that, back when I played, nobody would've missed a snap. Lombardi might be rolling over. It's disappointing to see him pull himself out. I'm not going to worry about somebody who's pulled himself out of a drill,' Del Rio said.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Thanks for reading.
And remember, if you want to keep up with Footballguys on our official Footballguys Facebook page, just click here. If you'd like to keep up with all that I'm doing on Twitter, plus breaking news and Footballguys site info, just click here. And if you want to keep up with me on Facebook, click here and send me a friend request. Have a great day and we'll see you tomorrow with the update. J