Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 10, Issue 53 (Thursday, June 11th)
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Hi Folks,
Welcome to Friday - Hope you're having a great one. We're rolling along here. Lots of good News and Notes for you today. If you haven't checked it out yet, make sure to look up our 2009 Footballguys Strategy Guide Magazine. It's 250 pages of full color and it's ready for you right now. Not to mention that it's 100% FREE to everyone. You don't have to be a subscriber to the Premium Service. If you have a computer and an internet connection, the magazine is yours. If you like it, please share the link with folks that you think might be interested. Enough talk from me, let's get to it. JSITE NEWS
A.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. HOU - Texans agree to terms with QB Rex Grossman2. PHI - QB Donovan McNabb reworks final two years of deal
3. SF - TE Vernon Davis could have bigger role this season
4. SF - HC Singletary wants to see QB Alex Smith play in games
5. CIN - WR Andre Caldwell working team's slot receiver
6. PHI - HC Reid says team cannot rush RB Brian Westbrook back
7. TB - Coach says QB Luke McCown's progression hurt by new offense
8. CLE - RB Jamal Lewis does not participate in team drills Thursday
9. NFL - SEA HC Mora believes QB Michael Vick deserves second chance
10. CHI - Bears being cautious with RB Matt Forte
11. NYJ - QB Mark Sanchez deal allows him to compete right away in training camp
12. SEA - WR Deion Branch says knee will never be normal
13. PHI - RB Walter Mendenhall released
14. NE - FB Patrick Pass released
15. SF - WR Michael Crabtree rehabbing
16. TB - QB Byron Leftwich misses practice Thursday with minor injury
17. WAS - QBs Todd Collins and Colt Brennan compete for #2 QB job
18. DEF - ARZ - DE Bertrand Berry's absence surprises team
HOU - Texans agree to terms with QB Rex Grossman
Source: John McClain, The Houston Chronicle
Updating a previous report, John McClain, of the Houston Chronicle, reports the Houston Texans have agreed to terms with unrestricted free-agent QB Rex Grossman (Bears) on a one-year deal worth $620,000.
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The Texans must not have felt comfortable with Dan Orlovsky and Alex Brink behind the oft-injured starting QB Matt Schaub. Am I the only one who gets flashbacks of David Carr in the fetal position when I think of Rex Grossman in a Texans uniform? Schaub is known to miss a couple of games each year, so Grossman has a chance of getting on the field if he can win the backup job.
PHI - QB Donovan McNabb reworks final two years of deal
Source: CSNPhilly.com
The Eagles and Donovan McNabb have agreed to terms on a two-year deal. It is a restructuring of the final two years of the deal that were remaining on his previous deal.
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Sort of weird in that no additional years were added. Just the terms were restructured. As we told you earlier this week, McNabb appeared pretty comfortable that something would be done and apparently he was right.
SF - TE Vernon Davis could have bigger role this season
Source: Matthew Barrows, The Sacramento Bee
Matthew Barrows, of the Sacramento Bee, reports San Francisco 49ers TE Vernon Davis likely will see his reception number increase this season because he is being targeted a lot during practice and is showing improved hands than in recent years.
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Barrows notes that Davis' hands look better than ever. Let's see if Davis can translate this practice success to the playing field in the regular season. It seems like Davis is done being a malcontent and coach Singletary's guidance is really resonating with him.
SF - HC Singletary wants to see QB Alex Smith play in games
Source: Matt Maiocco, The Santa Rosa Press Democrat
Matt Maiocco, of The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Singletary said QB Alex Smith has looked good during practice but wants to see him play in preseason games.
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"When you look out here at times it looks as if he does," Singletary said of Smith, "but at the same time, nothing means anything until he's out there facing some live bullets. All of a sudden, all form and technique goes when you got guys coming at you." The coach is right, things change when you're getting smacked around by the defense. We'll see what Smith looks like in the 49ers first preseason game vs the Broncos on August, 14th.
CIN - WR Andre Caldwell working team's slot receiver
Source: Joe Reedy, The Cincinnati Enquirer
Joe Reedy, of The Cincinnati Enquirer, reports Cincinnati Bengals WR Andre Caldwell has been working a lot as the slot receiver during offseason workouts and could emerge as a third-down receiver.
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Over the past 3 seasons T.J. Houshmandzadeh has caught around 30% of the Bengals passes. With Housh gone to Seattle the Bengals are expecting guys like Andre Caldwell to take their game to the next level. Caldwell has good hands, is very elusive in the open field, and he is a savvy route runner. With Chad Ochocinco and Laveranues Coles locked into the top 2 spots, a guy like Caldwell could prove his value as a slot receiver. He will compete with Chris Henry and Jerome Simpson for that job.
PHI - HC Reid says team cannot rush RB Brian Westbrook back
Source: Bob Brookover, The Philadelphia Inquirer
Bob Brookover, of The Philadelphia Inquirer, reports Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid said RB Brian Westbrook (ankle), previous to his latest ankle problem, was on a mission to come back this year.
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'When I mention that he was in phenomenal shape, I mean he really was in incredible shape, and that will help him get through this,' Reid said. Westbrook, as reported, could be sidelined through the preseason after having bone chips surgically removed from his right ankle last week. Reid also said that he believes it is important the team is patient with Westbrook and doesn't try to rush him back too early. Reid said the team has to do what their trainers and doctors feel is best until Westbrook is ready to return.
TB - Coach says QB Luke McCown's progression hurt by new offense
Source: Charlie Campbell, PewterReport.com
Charlie Campbell, of PewterReport.com, reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback coach Greg Olson said QB Luke McCown has taken a few steps back in his progression because he is learning a new offense.
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The Buccaneers handed McCown a fairly big 2-year contract back in February, so they aren't going to give up on the QB just yet. The Bucs have 4 QBs that are worthy of carrying on the roster, but may decide to only carry 3 on the active roster. Right now it's Josh Johnson on the roster bubble, and if the Bucs try and sneak him to the practice squad he'll most likely get signed quickly by another team.
CLE - RB Jamal Lewis does not participate in team drills Thursday
Source: Tony Grossi, The Cleveland Plain Dealer
Tony Grossi, of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, reports Cleveland Browns RB Jamal Lewis (ankle) did not participate in team drills during morning practice Thursday, June 11.
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Lewis is still recovering from offseason ankle surgery, and the Browns will bring the veteran back at a slow pace. Cleveland may have their RB of the future in 6th round pick James Davis from Clemson. Davis has a solid build and good lower body strength. Clemson's all time leader in TDs Davis has a proven nose for the endzone and is a good receiver out of the backfield. He does need to work on his stamina because he wears himself down by the end of the game.
NFL - SEA HC Mora believes QB Michael Vick deserves second chance
Source: Gregg Bell, The Associated Press
Gregg Bell, of The Associated Press, reports Seattle Seahawks head coach Jim Mora said he believes Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Vick deserves a second chance in the league but it likely will not be with the Seahawks.
"You know what? It's a sticky situation, one I'm not comfortable talking about," Mora said. "The fact of the matter is, Michael Vick is a member of the Atlanta Falcons' organization right now. For me to be speaking on him would be speaking out of turn. I'll just say this for the record: We are very happy with the quarterbacks we have on our roster. We have no intentions of adding another player to our roster at this time."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Coach Mora summed it up, "I believe he's paid his debt to society." At this time several teams have stated that they want no part in the resurrection of Michael Vick. We'll see if their opinion stays unchanged if Vick is reinstated by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. The UFL is anxiously waiting in case there is no interest in the troubled QB from the NFL.
CHI - Bears being cautious with RB Matt Forte
Source: Vaughn McClure, The Chicago Tribune
Vaughn McClure, of the Chicago Tribune, reports the Chicago Bears are being cautious with RB Matt Forte (hamstring) and making sure he is fully recovered before letting him return to the field.
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The Bears will remain cautious with Forte until they feel that he's ready to fully participate in practice. Last season Forte made up 34.9% of their total yards from scrimmage, and while the passing game should be much improved with Jay Cutler - Forte still remains an important cog in this offense. Kevin Jones is running with the 1st team while Forte is out, but does not pose the same threat as Forte does to opposing defenses.
NYJ - QB Mark Sanchez deal allows him to compete right away in training camp
Source: Roderick Boone, Newsday
Roderick Boone, of Newsday, reports New York Jets QB Mark Sanchez will be able to continue his battle for the starting quarterback position when training camp resumes now that he has signed his contract with the team.
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'It's not in my makeup to hold out like that,' Sanchez said. 'That would have just been terrible for me. But this just eliminates that whole factor. I'll be there Day One, ready to go and ready to compete.'
SEA - WR Deion Branch says knee will never be normal
Source: Gregg Bell, The Associated Press
Gregg Bell, of The Associated Press, reports Seattle Seahawks WR Deion Branch (knee) said his knee will never feel normal again after undergoing reconstructive surgery.
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'You will never be back to normal once you have this type of procedure done. I actually feel stronger, but it's not normal. Something has been done that removed (parts) of my knee. My biggest thing is to continue to strengthen it,' Branch said.
"I'll be OK. I'll never think about my knee once I take the field," he said.PHI - RB Walter Mendenhall released
Source: pit.scout.com
The Philadelphia Eagles have announced they have released QB Adam DiMichele and RB Walter Mendenhall.
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So much for Rashard's older brother. Walter Mendenhall is super fast, and waited behind his kid brother while they were both RBs at Illinois. After Rashard went on to the NFL, Walter transferred to Illinois State and put up some great numbers. There were some in the scouting community that speculated he would have to switch to LBer to make it in the pros. He doesn't have the instinct to be a feature back in the NFL, but with his receiving ability, speed, and moves in the open field he could be a good change of pace RB. We'll see if he can catch on with another team.
Source: Tim Graham, ESPN.com
Tim Graham, of ESPN.com, reports the New England Patriots have released FB Patrick Pass.
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It was fun while it lasted, all 7 days of it. Pass was injured and will have a hard time catching on with another team.
SF - WR Michael Crabtree rehabbing
Source: Matt Maiocco, The Santa Rosa Press Democrat
Matt Maiocco, of The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Singletary said WR Michael Crabtree (foot) is rehabbing his foot and must stay on the rehab plan if he wants to be able to participate when training camp starts.
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Coach Singletary commented that Crabtree is very competitive and wants to get back on the field, but the team is not going to rush him back too soon.
TB - QB Byron Leftwich misses practice Thursday with minor injury
Source: Stephen Holder, The St. Petersburg Times
Stephen Holder, of the St. Petersburg Times, reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Byron Leftwich (groin) was held out of practice Thursday, June 11, because of a minor groin strain.
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Leftwich wanted to practice but the coaches held him out, and he seemed slightly miffed when asked about it. "I could have went today," Leftwich said. "That's Raheem and them. You have to talk to them. They shut me down. . . I just tweaked my groin a little bit." Leftwich stated that he'd be ready to go for next week's minicamp.
WAS - QBs Todd Collins and Colt Brennan compete for #2 QB job
Source: Matt Mosley, ESPN.com
Matt Mosley, of ESPN.com, reports Washington Redskins QB Todd Collins and QB Colt Brennan are competing for the team's primary backup quarterback job.
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Collins is the 11-year veteran, and Brennan is the 2nd year QB from Hawaii. Brennan was a record setting QB in college, but looked unimpressive in his final bowl game against Georgia, fell ill during the Senior Bowl which caused him to lose 20 pounds, and thus slipped all the way to the 6th round in the 2008 NFL Draft. He looked good in the preseason last year and the Redskins feel like he's ready to compete for the backup job because Collins can't play forever.
DEF - ARZ - DE Bertrand Berry's absence surprises team
Source: Kent Somers, The Arizona Republic
Kent Somers, of the Arizona Republic, reports that the Cardinals didn't expect Bertrand Berry to skip OTAs after signing a one year, one million dollar deal. He turned down a better offer to test the market, and the Cardinals decreased the offer when Berry couldn't find another suitor.
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Berry is by far the best edge rusher the Cards have since they released Travis LaBoy, and they need him to get with the program, but it's not their fault that he misplayed the free agent market.
That'll do it for today, Download the FREE magazine, keep up with us on Twitter and Facebook, and have a great Friday. See you tomorrow with the update.
J