Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 10, Issue 56 (Sunday, June 14th)
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Hi Folks,
Good Morning to you. Hope you're feeling as good as Lakers fans this morning. Congrats LA. We're feeling good as we've got a ton of new content rolling your way. With Gut Check columns to a new Tefertiller article, we've got more than enough to keep you busy this morning. Not to mention all the NFL News stories you'll want to know about. So why am I talking? Let's get to it. Have a great Monday. JSITE NEWS
A.
A look at Second Year Wide Receivers
Our Footballguy Jeff Tefertiller takes a deep look at some Second Year WRs you'll want to pay very close attention to.
B.
The Weekly Gut Check Vol. 157 - Maximizing Sleeper RBs
Our Footballguy Matt Waldman is back with another issue of his always popular Gut Check. This time he takes an indepth look at Sleeper RBs.
C.
The Weekly Gut Check Vol. 156.5 - The Gut Check's Rant
Our Footballguy Matt Waldman let's it all out with a Gut Check Rant.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. NFL - WR Plaxico Burress unlikely to get NFL suspension until after signing2. TEN - QB Vince Young considered quitting after 2008 season opener
3. DEN - RB Knowshon Moreno turning heads in minicamp
4. MIA - RB Ronnie Brown is in a contract year and finally healthy
5. CLE - HC Mangini says QBs even heading into fall camp
6. DET - TE Bandon Pettigrew and Matthew Stafford building rapport
7. NYJ - WR Wallace Wright impressive during minicamp
8. NFL - Hands off Vick until meeting with Goodell
9. HOU - TE Owen Daniels signs 1-year tender
10. SD - GM Smith says he and RB Tomlinson are fine with each other
11. MIN - Could contract negotiations be slowing down Favre deal, too?
12. SD - QB Philip Rivers entering contract year
13. MIA - Davone Bess still working as No. 1 punt returner
14. MIA - HC Sparano says team may keep 6 WRs
15. SD - WR Vincent Jackson entering contract year
16. MIA - QB Chad Henne impresses while Chad Pennington's gone
17. MIA - WR Anthony Armstrong making bid to get off practice squad
18. DEF - SD - LB Shawne Merriman entering contract year
NFL - WR Plaxico Burress unlikely to get NFL suspension until after signing
Source: Gary Myers, The New York Daily News
Gary Myers, of the New York Daily News, reports that free agent wide receiver Plaxico Burress is unlikely to be suspended by the NFL until after his court case which is expected to be adjourned until September. This means that a team will likely sign Burress without knowing how his legal situation will play out.
"It's buyer beware," one unnamed GM said. "You are going to have to go forward and sign him and wait for the commissioner to rule on it. He's not going to tell you ahead of time. This one is a mess."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
This makes adding him an even dicier proposition. As one unnamed GM put it, "This definitely puts a cloud on it. You sign him, you take him to camp, then we go into September and we can lose him? I would rather not have him than know I'm going to lose him." Burress might still have a lot of good football left in him, but he'll need to navigate this situation carefully to get a chance to show it in 2009.
TEN - QB Vince Young considered quitting after 2008 season opener
Source: Gary Estwick, The Nashville Tennessean
Gary Estwick, of the Nashville Tennessean, reports that Vince Young considered quitting football after being booed in last year's season opener in an interview that will air on ESPN.
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I'm always a little hesitant when I read stories like this. Part of me thinks the main problem with Vince Young is that he's too honest. Plenty of players have considered quitting. They just don't tell ESPN. So I'm not sure I'm ready to write him off over comments like this as many will.
Young denied feeling suicidal that night, and clarified his recent comments, saying he didn't want to be traded, but if he didn't start in the next two years, he would be ready to move on to another team. Young continues to misplay his hand here it seems. If Young was truly ready to quit on his team, why would they - and head coach Jeff Fisher - give him any deference now, especially in light of his recent comments? On the other side of that coin, Fisher is clearly a smart guy and a guy that connects well with his players. If he's comfortable with Young, I am.DEN - RB Knowshon Moreno turning heads in minicamp
Source: Mike Klis and Lindsay Jones, The Denver Post
Mike Klis and Lindsay Jones, from the Denver Post, report rookie running back Knowshon Moreno has been biding his time behind two veterans through the first two days of the Broncos' mandatory minicamp, but he's clearly making an impression on the team's offensive coaches. When it came time for the offensive starters to challenge the first-team defense using a no-huddle offense, it was Moreno who took all of the repetitions instead of LaMont Jordan or Correll Buckhalter. Moreno, the first of the Broncos' two first-round draft picks in April, scored a touchdown after catching a pass from Chris Simms and stretching the ball just inside the pylon.
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Veteran RB Correll Buckhalter commented "I like the kid. He can catch good, he's got good foot quickness - I think he's going to be a heck of a player in this league." It's only a matter of time before Moreno is the feature back for the Broncos as he should take over some time in training camp. He's working on picking up the terminology in the new offense and once he has a grasp of the playbook he should have no problem rising up the depth chart.
MIA - RB Ronnie Brown is in a contract year and finally healthy
Source: Dave Hyde, The South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Dave Hyde, of The Sun-Sentinel, reports Miami Dolphins RB Ronnie Brown thought his surgically repaired knee was healthy all of last season. However, after the year, he watched tape of himself and said he could see he wasn't 100 percent healthy. 'I feel right now I'm more explosive right now in the things I'm doing. I watched (last year's plays) and thought there's more I could've done,' Brown said. Brown is entering the final year of his contract and the Dolphins have invested a lot into their offensive line, so this could be the season he finally is ready to stand out. Head coach Tony Sparano has challenged Brown to break more long runs this year, and Brown said that is one of his goals.
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Brown was not used as a feature back last year, and his knee not being 100 percent could be a big reason why that happened. Still, Hyde notes that the Dolphins did not extend Brown's contract even though it's in its final year. Brown's combination of risk/reward is reflected correctly in his ADP of RB16 and #30 overall, because he was a mediocre (at best) fantasy back last year, except in the four touchdown game that unleashed the wildcat on Patriots.
CLE - HC Mangini says QBs even heading into fall camp
Source: Mary Kay Cabot, The Cleveland Plain Dealer
Mary Kay Cabot, from the Cleveland Plain Dealer, reports Browns coach Eric Mangini gave quarterback Brady Quinn a slight edge heading into voluntary practices last month, but neither Quinn nor Derek Anderson will have an advantage heading into training camp Aug. 1.
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We've felt all along that this competition would be closer than most are projecting. Derek Anderson is missing time with an undisclosed injury, but with minicamp wrapping up he will be able to heal in time for training camp.
DET - TE Bandon Pettigrew and Matthew Stafford building rapport
Source: Carlos Monarrez, The Detroit Free Press
Carlos Monarrez, of The Detroit Free Press, reports Detroit Lions rookie TE Brandon Pettigrew was a favorite target of rookie QB Matthew Stafford during a recent workout. The two seem to be working well together. 'I'm glad we're kind of getting a feel for each other and a good connection going into this thing and having a good relationship. That'll be good,' Pettigrew said of their building rapport.
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Quarterbacks and receivers that arrive in the same class of rookies often develop great chemistry (such as Jay Cutler with Tony Scheffler and Brandon Marshall, and JaMarcus Russell with Zach Miller), but Pettigrew's upside as a fantasy tight end is still limited by his lack of speed and elite athleticism. He should still end up being a bottom-end startable fantasy tight end or solid backup at worst.
NYJ - WR Wallace Wright impressive during minicamp
Source: Associated Press
The Associated Press reports New York Jets WR Wallace Wright was one of the team's top performers during their recent minicamp. He was on the receiving end of a pretty touchdown pass from QB Mark Sanchez.
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Wright also insisted that the team did not need Plaxico Burress, a player that has been linked to the Jets in the rumor mill. Wright has made a name for himself on special teams, so he should make the final roster regardless of his performance as a wide receiver. If none of Chansi Stuckey, David Clowney, and Brad Smith distinguish themselves in training camp, Wright could be a surpise contender to start, but he'll have limited fantasy value since Dustin Keller will likely be the #2 target in the passing game behind Jerricho Cotchery.
NFL - Hands off Vick until meeting with Goodell
Source: John Clayton, ESPN
John Clayton, of ESPN, reports that he expects no team to consider signing Michael Vick until after he meets with Commissioner Roger Goodell.
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The teams are likely waiting to see if he will face a league suspension. Even though Vick comes with a major PR hit, he is still one of the most dangerous open-field runners in recent memory, and with the rise of the wildcat formation, he could again be a game-changer, even if he never start at QB again.
HOU - TE Owen Daniels signs 1-year tender
Source: John McClain, The Houston Chronicle
John McClain, from the Houston Chronicle, reports Pro Bowl tight end Owen Daniels has signed his one-year, $2.79-million tender with the Texans, but his agents, Alan Herman and David Butz, will continue negotiations on a multiyear contract they hope will make him one of the NFL's highest-paid players at his position.
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Last week Daniels skipped OTAs as a show of defiance after not receiving a long-term deal. Reportedly Daniels has already turned down an offer that would've made him the 2nd highest paid TE in the league. If that's the case the 2 sides may be closer to sealing a new deal once they determine an acceptable amount of guaranteed money.
SD - GM Smith says he and RB Tomlinson are fine with each other
Source: Nick Canepa, The San Diego Union-Tribune
Nick Canepa, of The San Diego Union-Tribune, reports San Diego Chargers general manager A.J. Smith said he and RB LaDainian Tomlinson are fine with each other. 'I presented three plans to Dean (Spanos),' Smith said. 'Plan A we looked at six or seven times and it couldn't work. It included (Tomlinson's) contract as it currently existed. It never would work. I took a lot of crap over the LT thing, but LT and I are fine.'
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This is one of those stories you have to understand that Smith really has no choice to say what he says here. Tomlinson was very close to being let go earlier this year, and if he didn't accept lower salaries in 2010 and 2011, chances are he wouldn't be a Charger right now. If he's worn down at the end of the season for a third straight year, it will probably be his last with the Chargers.
MIN - Could contract negotiations be slowing down Favre deal, too?
Source: Chip Scoggins, The Minneapolis Star-Tribune
Chip Scoggins, of The Minneapolis Star-Tribune, reports most assume the only thing holding the Minnesota Vikings and QB Brett Favre (shoulder) back from working out a deal is Favre's health.
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However, according to columnist Sid Hartman, the two sides could also be digging in over contract issues. According to a source, the Vikings would like to sign Favre to an incentive-laden contract that protects them in case Favre is injured or is not productive. Favre was due to make $13 million from the Jets in 2009 before he retired a second time.
SD - QB Philip Rivers entering contract year
Source: Nick Canepa, The San Diego Union-Tribune
Nick Canepa, of The San Diego Union-Tribune, reports San Diego Chargers QB Philip Rivers is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2009 season. Re-signing him has become a priority for the Chargers.
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This is a no-brainer even though Billy Volek performed admirably when Rivers was hurt during the 2007-08 playoffs. They'd be wise to not let this linger into the regular season.
MIA - Davone Bess still working as No. 1 punt returner
Source: Omar Kelly, The South Florida Sun Sentinel
Omar Kelly, of the South Florida Sun Sentinel, reports Miami Dolphins WR Davone Bess is still working as the team's No. 1 punt returner.
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Kelly noted that Bess is trying to be more instinctive with his returns. WR Ted Ginn Jr. is the No. 2 punt returner for the team, and the Dolphins want Ginn to focus solely on his receiving skills.
MIA - HC Sparano says team may keep 6 WRs
Source: Omar Kelly, The South Florida Sun Sentinel
Omar Kelly, of the South Florida Sun Sentinel, reports Miami Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano said the team can keep six wide receivers on their 53-man roster.
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Ted Ginn, Greg Camarillo (inj), Davone Bess (PR), Brandon London, Patrick Turner, Ernest Wilford, Brian Hartline (KR/PR) are all competing for jobs with the Dolphins. The 'Phins could decide to list Ernest Wilford as a TE, and that would free up a roster spot for a player like rookie Brian Hartline. Anthony Armstrong, Chris Williams, and Brennan Martin are long shots to make the team, but could be cut and then added to the practice squad. Armstrong, who was a practice squad player for the 'Phins last season, has been called the most improved player in camp by QB Chad Pennington.
SD - WR Vincent Jackson entering contract year
Source: Nick Canepa, The San Diego Union-Tribune
Nick Canepa, of The San Diego Union-Tribune, reports San Diego Chargers WR Vincent Jackson is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2009 season. However, if the NFL is not able to complete a new CBA, he would become a restricted free-agent in an uncapped year.
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All three of the Chargers top receivers are free agents in 2010, so there will likely be a lot of turnover in the corps if the CBA gets done. Jackson emerged as a #1 quality receiver last year, so re-signing him should be the team's second highest priority after securing QB Philip Rivers, unless he gets arrested for DWI for a third time.
MIA - QB Chad Henne impresses while Chad Pennington's gone
Source: Edgar Thompson, The Palm Beach Post
Edgar Thompson, from the Palm Beach Post, notes that 2nd year QB Chad Henne has looked good while Chad Pennington is away at his sister's wedding.
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Henne looked good throwing the intermediate routes that Pennington struggles with and made a few big plays down field with long passes. In red zone drills head coach Tony Sparano stated that Henne didn't make any bad decisions with the football. At the same time rookie QB Pat White struggled again throwing the football. We've noted before that White must not be a good practice player, but shows up when it's game time. Right now Henne is entrenched as the backup to Pennington and White has a lot to learn before he can challenge for that spot.
MIA - WR Anthony Armstrong making bid to get off practice squad
Source: Brian Biggane, The Palm Beach Post
Brian Biggane, of the Palm Beach Post, reports that Miami Dolphins wide receiver Anthony Armstrong is doing well in his mission to make the active roster this year. He's caught a long touchdown pass in each of the first two days of minicamp.
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Head coach Tony Sparano said he wants to see that "carry over from the practice field to the game", but he also noted that the Dolphins QB are starting to look for Armstrong. Sparano added that he's likely to keep six receivers, so Armstrong could still make the team even if both draft picks (Patrick Turner and Brian Hartline) make the final cut.
DEF - SD - LB Shawne Merriman entering contract year
Source: Nick Canepa, The San Diego Union-Tribune
Continuing a previous storyline, Nick Canepa, of The San Diego Union-Tribune, reports San Diego Chargers OLB Shawne Merriman (knee) is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2009 season. However, if the NFL is not able to complete a new CBA, he would become a restricted free-agent in an uncapped year.
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The Chargers drafted Larry English in the first round, who plays Merriman's position, and Canepa writes "front office folks aren't enamored with Merriman's propensity to seek the Hollywood lifestyle", so Merriman will have to return to form this season to get the team to invest him long term.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Thanks for reading and I hope you have a fantastic Monday.
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