Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 10, Issue 49 (Sunday, June 7th)
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Hi Folks. Good Monday to you. The NBA Finals are rolling along but we're wide open with the NFL. It's a great time of the year as we get you ready for the season.
And two HUGE ways we do that are with our 2009 Footballguys Strategy Guide Magazine and our Rate My Team Application. Both are 100% FREE. Check them out. We've got lots of new content for you today as well plus the news and notes you'll need. Thanks to our Footballguy Cecil Lammey for the help there as always. Let's get to it. JSITE NEWS
A.
2009 Strategy Guide Magazine - FREE to EVERYONE
Call it our Footballguys Stimulus Effort. This season, we're offering our 2009 Strategy Guide Magazine to you FREE. Not just for paying subscribers. Not with a ton of strings attached. 100% FREE for EVERYONE. Period. It's our way of "laying our cards on the table" and showing you what we do. And it's a way to say thanks. We know the economy is tight out there, so we're glad to offer you what we feel is the best fantasy magazine out there, for free. Enjoy.
AND - check out the link in the headline and click on the Maurice Jones-Drew cover. Instead of the normal pdf file we had last week, you'll now go to a super cool version of the magazine that is much easier to view and navigate around. Move your mouse and the screen moves naturally to read what you're pointing toward. There is a preview section across the bottom and turning the pages is much more intuitive. Bottom line is not only is the 2009 Footballguys Strategy Guide Magazine 100% FREE for everyone with no strings attached, it's now easier to read too.
B.
Does Your Team Suck? Find out with the Rate My Team App
I bet your team doesn't suck. But now you can know for sure. Click on the headline link and it'll take you to our brand new Rate My Team feature. You can click on the links to see what kind of report you'll get if you'll spend 30 seconds entering your team in. Or any team. Play around with this app and see what you think. It's been melting servers for the past week.
C.
New Projections Ready
It's Monday. Must mean that new projections are ready. As you know by now, detailed stat projections for every player that matters is the backbone of what we do at Footballguys. We keep them current with the latest news and here's our latest cut for you.
D.
Average Draft Position
You know where YOU want to draft a guy. With ADP (Average Draft Position) you can now see where the other guys in your league are likely to draft a guy. It's invaluable information and we gather the data you need.
E.
The Weekly Gut Check Vol. 155 - Rookie Impact Series: WR
Our Footballguy Matt Waldman puts his focus on WRs in this edition of The Gut Check as he takes a look at Impact Rookies.
F.
The Weekly Gut Check Vol. 156 - Rookie Impact Series: TE
Our Footballguy Matt Waldman puts his focus on TEs in this edition of The Gut Check as he takes a look at Impact Rookies.
G.
Rearview QB
Our Footballguy Chase Stuart takes a look at rearview strength of schedule analysis for QBs.
H.
QB Interception Rates
Our Footballguy Chase Stuart takes a detailed look at QB Interception Rates.
I.
Strategic Situations to Target
It's a big league out there. Our Footballguy Jeff Haseley sorts through it all and breaks down the key situations around the league that you'll want to target.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. NFL - QB Brett Favre had shoulder sugery2. NO - RB Pierre Thomas suffers bruised left wrist
3. PHI - QB Donovan McNabb seems calm about contract extension
4. NO - WR Marques Colston in vintage form as he recovers
5. SF - WR Michael Crabtree does some light running
6. IND - WR Anthony Gonzalez misses practice but could return soon
7. CAR - RB Mike Goodson could add extra dimension to the offense
8. HOU - WR Jacoby Jones looks the most improved
9. CLE - HC Mangini to continue QB guessing game
10. SF - QB Alex Smith looks better than Shaun Hill in practice
11. NYG - Rookie WR Ramses Barden looks slow
12. DEF - ARZ - LB Karlos Dansby could be next for contract extension
13. DEF - GB - LB Nick Barnett believes he is ahead of schedule
NFL - QB Brett Favre had shoulder sugery
Source: Chris Mortensen and Ed Werder, ESPN.com
Chris Mortensen and Ed Werder report that Brett Favre's determination to play quarterback this season for the Minnesota Vikings prompted him to undergo arthroscopic surgery to repair his injured passing shoulder recently, according to two sources. However, Favre remains unable to make a commitment because subsequent throwing sessions indicate the shoulder is not yet 100 percent.
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Favre's agent, Bus Cook, would not confirm or deny the surgery, saying "That's a confidential client privilege." It's seems like Bus Cook takes the opposite approach of Drew Rosenhaus who Twitters every time a client goes to Home Depot. That's the latest on Favre Watch 2009.
It's all speculation at this point, but many feel the surgery indicates that Favre will play in 2009. Stay tuned.NO - RB Pierre Thomas suffers bruised left wrist
Source: Brian Allee-Walsh, The New Orleans Times-Picayune
Brian Allee-Walsh, of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, reports New Orleans Saints RB Pierre Thomas (wrist) suffered a bruised left wrist during the team's practice Saturday, June 6.
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Thomas went to the sideline but returned for the last few minutes of practice. It was the same wrist Thomas dislocated last season and required surgery on. Thomas said, "He just punched me right in the wrist. It was a quick, sharp pain, and I kind of lost feeling. But I'm good, and I got back out there and I finished. It's not bothering too much right now. But I'm going to get it taken care of, and I'll be ready." The Saints may look to sign free agent RB Edgerrin James if Thomas' injury is more serious than they think.
PHI - QB Donovan McNabb seems calm about contract extension
Source: Jeff McLane, The Philadelphia Inquirer
Jeff McLane, of the Philadelphia Inquirer, reports Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb was asked about the possibility of having his contract reworked.
McNabb said that it "will take care of itself." McNabb has two years left on a seven-year extension he signed in 2002. He is slated to earn $9.2 million this season and $10 million next, but the money is not guaranteed. On Tuesday, Comcast SportsNet reported that the Eagles and McNabb were working on restructuring the final two years of the deal, perhaps guaranteeing some of the money, if not extending the deal Eagles president Joe Banner has declined to discuss McNabb's situation specifically. Banner has said the team will look at renegotiating some deals in special situations.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
McNabb sounded pretty calm. He was asked where he stood with the front office and he smiled and said, "I'm standing here right in front of you guys. I think I'm standing balanced."
The Eagles and McNabb are working on restructuring the final two years of his current contract, according to Comcast SportsNet.NO - WR Marques Colston in vintage form as he recovers
Source: Mike Triplett, The New Orleans Times-Picayune
Mike Triplett from the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports that Colston looked to be in vintage form on several plays, by the way, catching everything thrown his way as if his hands were made of Velcro.
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Great news as Colston continues to recover from microfracture surgery he underwent in January. His most impressive grab came on a low line drive from Brees in traffic. Colston reached down and snagged it one-handed with his left hand.
Saints Coach Sean Payton said after practice that he think there's "no question" that Colston will be 100 percent by the start of training camp on July 30.SF - WR Michael Crabtree does some light running
Source: Matt Maiocco, The Santa Rosa Press Democrat
Matt Maiocco, of The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports San Francisco 49ers rookie WR Michael Crabtree (foot) was seen on the field doing some light running Sunday, June 7, while members of the 49ers' staff watched closely.
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So far so good with Crabtree's recovery from foot surgery. The 49ers are moving Josh Morgan to flanker which means Crabtree is in line to be the starting split end at the start of the regular season.
IND - WR Anthony Gonzalez misses practice but could return soon
Source: Associated Press
The Associated Press reports Indianapolis Colts WR Anthony Gonzalez (leg) did not practice Sunday, June 7, due to an injured right leg.
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Gonzalez suffered the injury Saturday, but head coach Jim Caldwell is not giving any details on the injury. Gonzalez stayed on the field after hurting his leg, but spent the remainder of Saturday's practice stretching out. Caldwell said Gonzalez may return to the field Tuesday, June 9, or Wednesday, June 10. This will give players like Pierre Garcon, Roy Hall, and Austin Collie more practice reps.
CAR - RB Mike Goodson could add extra dimension to the offense
Source: Charlotte Observer
The Charlotte Observer notes that if fourth-round draft pick RB Mike Goodson is anywhere near as good as he looks in summer school practices, the Panthers have added an extra dimension to their offense.
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Panthers camp can't go a week without another positive story about rookie RB Mike Goodson. John Fox and company have been splitting the talented rookie out wide in passing formations in addition to giving him carries as a runner. More teams in the NFL are switching to 3-headed RBBC's and the Panthers could be next on that list.
HOU - WR Jacoby Jones looks the most improved
Source: Stephanie Stradley, The Houston Chronicle
Stephanie Stradley, from the Houston Chronicle, thinks you might be interested to hear what special teams coach, Joe Marciano says about WR Jacoby Jones. "He has made the most progress of that whole receiver group," Marciana continued "He's going to make it this or not make it this year. He knows that. We want him to be our Joshua Cribbs."
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Jacoby Jones is very dangerous with the ball in his hands as a returner, and he's also developing as a WR. The biggest knock on his game is the inconsistency that has plagued Jones during his entire career. He can score anytime he touches the football, but he can also turn the ball over frequently. We're looking forward to seeing Jacoby Jones transform into the kind of weapon that we envisioned when he was drafted out of tiny Lane College.
CLE - HC Mangini to continue QB guessing game
Source: Terry Pluto, The Cleveland Plain Dealer
Terry Pluto, from the Cleveland Plain Dealer, speculates that new head coach Eric Mangini will play the QB guessing game as long as possible. Part of it is not just to confuse the opposition, but in respect to Derek Anderson. He is the incumbent. He did make the 2007 Pro Bowl. I sense Mangini wants Anderson to truly have a fair shot to win the job.
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Eric Mangini isn't going to tip his hand anytime soon in regards to the QB position. This is a battle that is far from over and the frontrunner could change on a near weekly basis.
SF - QB Alex Smith looks better than Shaun Hill in practice
Source: Matt Maiocco, The Santa Rosa Press Democrat
Matt Maiocco wrote a couple days ago that Alex Smith would clearly have to win the competition on the practice field to wrestle the starting QB job away from Shaun Hill. Based on the practice field, Smith does look to have the advantage.
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Finally some good news about Alex Smith, but he needs to be consistent with his play if the 49ers are to name him their starting QB.
NYG - Rookie WR Ramses Barden looks slow
Source: Ralph Vacchiano, The New York Daily News
Ralph Vacchiano from the New York Daily News says that Rookie WR Ramses Barden still looks slow out of the blocks to me. His first couple of steps are very deliberate, which calls into question how quickly he'll be able to get open. However, he's got some straight-ahead speed. He got a lot of separation from rookie corner Bruce Johnson on a deep route and made a nice catch in stride.
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This isn't surprising to people that have seen Barden up close. He is a huge target, but he has build up speed and is not quick off the line of scrimmage. At the Senior Bowl practices he didn't seem to have the killer instinct when the ball was in the air either. Greg Carr, another huge receiver, showed great "my ball mentality" in the one practice he had in Mobile - while Ramses struggled all week. Barden is a small school project, and may struggle to get on the field as anything more than an occasional red zone target.
DEF - ARZ - LB Karlos Dansby could be next for contract extension
Source: Bob Young, The Arizona Republic
Bob Young, of The Arizona Republic, reports the Arizona Cardinals could focus on giving LB Karlos Dansby a contract extension now that S Adrian Wilson has signed a five-year contract.
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General manager Rod Graves said, "We have said consistently that our top focus was to try and get Adrian's and Karlos' deals done, so he is the next area of focus and we'll see how those negotiations proceed." Dansby first, and then Anquan Boldin - maybe. That's how the Cardinals are approaching their contract situations. Boldin may find that there isn't any money left after the Wilson and Dansby deals.
DEF - GB - LB Nick Barnett believes he is ahead of schedule
Source: Rob Demovsky, The Green Bay Press-Gazette
Rob Demovsky, of the Green Bay Press-Gazette, reports Green Bay Packers LB Nick Barnett (knee) said he believes he is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
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Barnett thinks he could be ready to at least have limited participation when training camp opens Aug. 1. He is confident he will be able to start the team's regular-season opener.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Thanks for reading and have a great Monday. And remember to check out our FREE Footballguys Magazine and our Rate My Team Application.
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