Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 10, Issue 51 (Tuesday, June 9th)
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Hi Folks,
Good Thursday to you. We're rolling here with site updates and plenty of News and Notes thanks to our Footballguy Cecil Lammey. Let's get to it. JSITE NEWS
A.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. SD - WR Vincent Jackson having strong offseason2. BUF - QB Trent Edwards eager to prove himself
3. OAK - RB Darren McFadden lining up at wideout
4. BAL - Agent says RB Willis McGahee had two offseason surgeries
5. BAL - Columnist asks: Would Ravens like to move RB Willis McGahee?
6. PIT - Charges dropped in WR Santonio Holmes case
7. MIN - HC Childress not concerned with how Favre would impact quarterbacks
8. MIN - HC Childress never set QB Favre deadline
9. SF - QB Shaun Hill confident he can win
10. JAC - WR Troy Williamson has been impressing during OTAs
11. STL - RB Kenneth Darby in lead for backup RB role
12. CHI - RB Kevin Jones working with first team Wednesday
13. PHI - RB LeSean McCoy could trigger Wildcat offense
14. DEF - CAR - CB Sherrod Martin doing well with position change
15. DEF - NE - DT Vince Wilfork explains presence at minicamp
16. DEF - BAL - Columnist asks: Could FS Ed Reed Retire?
SD - WR Vincent Jackson having strong offseason
Source: Kevin Acee, The San Diego Union-Tribune
Kevin Acee, of the San Diego Union-Tribune, reports San Diego Chargers WR Vincent Jackson has looked very good during offseason practices.
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Acee gushed about Jackson, saying "I can't see any reason why this isn't a jump-off year, where he makes a push to be considered one of the league's best receivers." The chances of a suspension for Jackson's second DWI arrest in the offseason diminish with each day, and the value he represents at his ADP of WR18 and 52nd player overall grows.
BUF - QB Trent Edwards eager to prove himself
Source: Associated Press
The Associated Press reports that QB Trent Edwards is spending extra time after practice working with receivers Lee Evans and Terrell Owens and he has embraced 2009 as a "make or break year".
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The article states that Bills offensive coordinator Turk Schonert has added more no huddle and three and four wide receiver sets. Edwards has a chance to be one of the surprise fantasy QBs of the season if the changes take, but he must stay healthy - something that has been a problem throughout his career.
OAK - RB Darren McFadden lining up at wideout
Source: Paul Gutierrez, The Sacramento Bee
Paul Gutierrez, of the Sacramento Bee, reports that Darren McFadden spent a lot of time at wideout in practice today.
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McFadden could be a PPR stud if the Raiders use him the way the Saints use Reggie Bush. His blistering speed will come into play more as a receiver. McFadden caught 15 balls over the last five games of the season, which would project to 48 over a full season, making him worth significantly more in PPR leagues.
BAL - Agent says RB Willis McGahee had two offseason surgeries
Source: Drew Rosenhaus
Agent Drew Rosenhaus said on his Twitter page that Baltimore Ravens RB Willis McGahee (knee, ankle) needed surgery on both his knee and ankle during the offseason.
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First it was speculated to be knee surgery, then it was revealed that to be ankle surgery - and now it comes out that both body parts needed surgery.
BAL - Columnist asks: Would Ravens like to move RB Willis McGahee?
Source: Mike Preston, The Baltimore Sun
Mike Preston, of The Baltimore Sun, speculates that if they could, the Baltimore Ravens possibly would fast-forward RB Willis McGahee's exit out of town as he has been a disappointment since signing a seven-year, $40 million contract in March 2007.
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It's pure speculation on Preston's part, but that doesn't mean it couldn't happen. McGahee doesn't have the greatest relationship with coach Harbaugh, and the Ravens have Jalen Parmele and Cedric Peerman that could be very good RB2s - for a cheaper price.
PIT - Charges dropped in WR Santonio Holmes case
Source: Daniel Malloy, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Daniel Malloy, of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, reports prosecutors have dropped marijuana possession charges against Pittsburgh Steelers WR Santonio Holmes after declaring there was not probable cause for the traffic stop that lead to the charges.
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Holmes, 25, who was named Super Bowl MVP this year after his game-winning touchdown catch, was found with a small amount of marijuana after police pulled him over near Mellon Arena on Oct. 23.
MIN - HC Childress not concerned with how Favre would impact quarterbacks
Source: Judd Zulgad, The Star Tribune
Judd Zulgad, of the Star Tribune, reports Minnesota Vikings head coach Brad Childress did not express concern during a local radio interview with how the potential addition of free-agent QB Brett Favre (Jets) would impact current QBs Sage Rosenfels and Tarvaris Jackson.
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'I'm not worried about that. I talked with Sage and Tarvaris. They are competitors. Do they like any of the conversation? Absolutely not. But they know this,' Childress said. 'I'm charged with adding and subtracting players from this team to make us better. Every day when I walk in this office there's not a day that I don't try to look and see if we can get better at some position. And if this is going to make us better down the road and it's got a chance to happen I'm going to take care of the Minnesota Vikings.'
MIN - HC Childress never set QB Favre deadline
Source: Judd Zulgad, The Star Tribune
Judd Zulgad, of the Star Tribune, reports Minnesota Vikings head coach Brad Childress said during a radio interview that he never set a deadline of this week for free-agent QB Brett Favre (Jets) to decide whether he will play for the Vikings in 2009.
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'Absolutely not, there was no deadline,' Childress said. 'Maybe by (Favre's wife) Deanna or somebody like that, but certainly not from me. Not even close. Don't know where that would have dropped out of the sky from.'
SF - QB Shaun Hill confident he can win
Source: Darren Sabedra, The San Jose Mercury News
Darren Sabedra, of the San Jose Mercury News, reports San Francisco 49ers QB Shaun Hill, who is 7-3 as a starter, feels he can lead the team to wins this season. 'I feel like I've proven that I can win,' Hill said, 'and that I can win with this team. Obviously, winning is the most important thing.'
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Hill had an uncharacteristically good day at practice after the 49ers GM praised Alex Smith. He's proven everything he can on the field, but it still feels like it will be an uphill battle for him to win the starting job with Smith saying all the right things and flashing the arm strength and talent that got him drafted first overall. The best strategy might be to pass on Hill until the job is settled, but be ready to pounce on him on the waiver wire if Smith wins the job, because Smith has never looked as good as the modestly talented Hill when the bullets are flying.
JAC - WR Troy Williamson has been impressing during OTAs
Source: Vito Stellino, The Florida Times-Union
Vito Stellino, of The Florida Times-Union, reports Jacksonville Jaguars WR Troy Williamson has had a strong showing during organized activities this week.
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'Troy's done well," head coach Jack Del Rio said. 'He's done a nice job of competing." TE coach Mike Tice indicated that Williamson needs to win some contested balls to secure a place on the team, which will be difficult with the addition of Torry Holt, and three rookie receivers taken in the draft.
STL - RB Kenneth Darby in lead for backup RB role
Source: Jim Thomas, The St. Louis Post Dispatch
Jim Thomas, of the St. Louis Post Dispatch, reports that while there is no clear-cut backup to starting running back Steven Jackson, Kenneth Darby looks like the leading contender for the spot.
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Darby looked more like the back he was in his junior year at Alabama last year, instead of the disappointing player he was in his senior year, causing him to fall all the way to the 7th round. He flashed a good burst as a receiver out of the backfield, and he's the best the choice if you feel forced to handcuff someone to Jackson this year as an injury hedge.
CHI - RB Kevin Jones working with first team Wednesday
Source: Vaughn McClure, The Chicago Tribune
Vaughn McClure, of the Chicago Tribune, reports Chicago Bears RB Kevin Jones was working with the first-team offense during practice Wednesday, June 10.
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With Matt Forte sitting out practice with a hamstring injury the Bears turned to veteran Kevin Jones. Jones has flashed playmaking ability from time to time during his 5 year career, but injuries have kept him from being a consistent force in the NFL.
PHI - RB LeSean McCoy could trigger Wildcat offense
Source: Matt Mosley, ESPN.com
Matt Mosley, of ESPN.com, reports Philadelphia Eagles RB LeSean McCoy could be the quarterback in the team's Wildcat offense this season.
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McCoy has a history of being in the offense in college, and he has reportedly been working on his throws quite a bit during private workouts. McCoy has a knack for making big plays and he's good at finding seams and navigating through clutter.
DEF - CAR - CB Sherrod Martin doing well with position change
Source: Steve Reed, CarolinaGrowl.com
Steve Reed, of CarolinaGrowl.com, reports Carolina Panthers CB Sherrod Martin said his transition from a safety in college to a cornerback in the NFL is going well.
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'I think I'm adapting pretty good. I can always get better. Right now I have to focus on the little things at cornerback. Right now it's fundamentals and techniques for me to help me on down the line. I have to be like a detective out there ' every little thing counts,' Martin said. Martin could be the team's No. 3 cornerback this season.
DEF - NE - DT Vince Wilfork explains presence at minicamp
Source: Mike Reiss, The Boston Globe
Mike Reiss, of the Boston Globe, reports New England Patriots DT Vince Wilfork said he reported for the team's mandatory minicamp because he is going to meet all the obligations in his current contract, and attending the minicamp is one.
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He hopes that his presence at the minicamp will help in contract negotiations. It's a good faith move that may help Wilfork get the deal he wants.
DEF - BAL - Columnist asks: Could FS Ed Reed Retire?
Source: Mike Preston, The Baltimore Sun
Mike Preston, of The Baltimore Sun, reports it is unsure if Baltimore Ravens FS Ed Reed is continuing to battle the same neck problems he had last season as he will not speak to the media prior to training camp.
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However, if there are problems, Reed will work them out before camp. The bottom line is that if Reed believes neck problems will hinder his performance or cause a permanent injury, he will retire.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great Thursday and remember to connect with us Facebook and Twitter if you haven't already so you can win some of those Footballguys Subscriptions. See you tomorrow with the update.
J