Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 10, Issue 58 (Tuesday, June 16th)
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The Fantasy Football Players Championship will scratch that itch as we've recently introduced the FFPC 77s Satellite leagues. The FFPC 77s are 12 team leagues with a $77 entry fee, great prizes and the best part is: since the drafts are in slow format, they can begin as soon as 12 teams are filled. The fantasy football players love these 77s and we've had a new draft start every 2-3 days. Please visit our message boards and our website for complete details on these and the entire array of FFPC online satellite leagues, in various formats, ranging from $150 to $1,250 entry fee, with minimum payouts of 84% and higher. Last year, the FFPC became the FIRST and ONLY high stakes contest to set aside the ENTIRE main event prize pool in an escrow account overseen by an attorney. The FFPC has set the standard in prize protection and will continue to do so for the 2009 season. The FFPC grand prize is $75,000 with $8,000 league prizes. Draft Live in Las Vegas or Online from the comfort of your home and compete in the same main event. Entry Fee is $1400 per team and registrations are limited to 300 teams. Come and see what all the high stakes players are talking about -- the Fantasy Football Players Championship, Friday & Saturday, September 11th & 12th, 2009! |
Hi Folks,
I hope you didn't have anything planned for this morning. Because we've got enough new content on the Footballguys website to keep you busy for a while. It's that time of year when the new content is just steam rolling off the site. Make sure to check out the FREE 2009 Footballguys Strategy Guide Magazine. And I keep saying it but if you were going to check out just one thing we do at Footballguys, the Rate My Team Application would be it. Don't miss it. Enough from me, let's get to it. JSITE NEWS
A.
2009 Footballguys Strategy Guide Magazine - For FREE
All the fantasy magazines you see on the newsstand in July were written in June. They all cost $7 or more.
I've got two questions:
#1. Would you like to read that magazine now?
#2. Would you like it for FREE?
If you answered, yes, Footballguys has you covered. We've changed the game this year making our 2009 Footballguys Strategy Guide magazine available to everyone with internet access. You don't have to be a paying Footballguys subscriber. If you can get online, you can get our Magazine. It's 100% FREE. Call it our "Footballguys Stimulus Package". Enjoy.
B.
Rate My Team Application
Does your team suck? Check out the Footballguys Rate My Team Application and we'll try to help answer that question. I'm betting that if you're reading these emails in June, your team most certainly does not suck. But check out the new App and see what you think. It takes 30 seconds to enter your team with some clicks and then you'll receive a seriously comprehensive report letting you know what we think your team's strengths are, and more importantly, where it can be improved.
I know I hype lots of stuff we do. But seriously, if you were going to just check out ONE thing we did at Footballguys. The Rate My Team App would be it.
C.
Value Plays - Over & Under
One of my favorite features we do every year at Footballguys is our Over Valued / Under Valued players list. Our staff takes a cut at who they're thinking they can steal and who they want to avoid. Dig in.
D.
Staff Roundtable - June Edition
The Footballguys Staff Roundtable is back. It's the general chaos that ensues when you get a bunch of Football junkies discussing the game. You know how that works.
E.
Individual Defensive Player Tiers - Defensive Lineman
Our Sigmund Bloom and Jene Bramel take a detailed look at establishing some tiers for Individual Defensive Player (IDP) Leagues.
F.
Ultimate Strength Of Schedule
Our Ultimate Strength Of Schedule has become one of our "trademark" type features each year. Our Clayton Gray digs deep again as he delivers his latest version.
G.
Footballguys Meet Up Thursday Night - Downtown Chicago
I'm going to be in Chicago Thursday for the Fantasy Sports Trade Association meeting and several of the Chicago Footballguys have graciously volunteered to show me some real Chicago pizza (which I'm glad to partake of as we don't get much of that in Knoxville, TN where I live...) You can check out the message board thread in the headline link and get the details.
Looks like we're hitting Pizano's Pizza & Pasta at
864 N State St around 7 PM this Thursday. If you can make it out, I'd love to meet you.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. DEN - WR Brandon Marshall feels change would be for the best2. DEN - SI.com's Peter King feels WR Brandon Marshall is staying in Denver
3. NYG - WR Sinorice Moss injured - doesn't appear serious
4. DAL - TE Martellus Bennett shines at minicamp
5. DEN - HC McDaniels with a different take - expects WR Marshall to be at camp
6. DEN - BAL - Broncos likely would look for two draft picks for Marshall
7. CLE - NFL expected to discipline WR Donte Stallworth before camp
8. SF - QB Alex Smith gaining ground as training camp nears
9. KC - QB Matt Cassel accurate, poised, and ready
10. PIT - WR Shaun McDonald competing for No. 3 receiver spot
11. DAL - QB Tony Romo working harder in the weight room
12. DAL - WR Sam Hurd fighting for a spot
13. KC - TE job remains open competition
14. MIA - QB Chad ennington zeroes in on Greg Camarillo
15. DEF - ARZ - Cardinals still talking extension with LB Karlos Dansby
16. DEF - CIN - LB Rey Maualuga getting some exposure
DEN - WR Brandon Marshall feels change would be for the best
Source: Brandon Marshall
On his "Beast Blog" at bmarshall15.com Brandon Marshall had this to say: Life is filled with change, and where I am in my life now change is probably best. It's hard leaving an organization ran by one of the best owners in all of sports, and someone who's been there for me through my ups and downs. The hardest thing was hearing Mr. B wish me luck in the future, but we both came to the conclusion that this is probably the best thing for me to grow on and off the field.
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Head coach Josh McDaniels is staring another controversy with a star player straight in the face. Marshall looks like he's going to hold his ground, and keep demanding a trade until it happens. The Ravens and Cowboys are possible destinations, but Marshall's asking price may be too rich. Not only would teams have to give up multiple picks for the big WR, but they would then have to sign him to a big money deal. At the very least it looks like there is a lengthy holdout on the horizon for Brandon Marshall.
DEN - SI.com's Peter King feels WR Brandon Marshall is staying in Denver
Source: Peter King, SI.com
Peter King, from SI.com, feels strongly the Broncos won't let Marshall out, and they'll let him sit as long as he wants, even if that means he won't be in camp by September.
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King notes that if the Broncos give in to Marshall's trade request it will be a sign of weakness and the next star that feels underpaid (Clady, Royal, Harris, etc) could jump at the chance for a big payday ahead of schedule. There are rumors flying around that Baltimore is a possible destination for the talented WR, but at this time it's only speculation. This story is far from over, but we are looking at a long holdout from Marshall if the Broncos decide not to trade him.
NYG - WR Sinorice Moss injured - doesn't appear serious
Source: True Blue Blog
After having a sparkling morning practice in the Fieldhouse, WR Sinorice Moss suffered some sort of leg or groin injury on his final catch in the afternoon workout on the grass field. Moss caught a pass and apparently had his cleats catch in the grass. He knew something was wrong right away and went to visit the trainers.
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The injury isn't considered serious, and he walked off the practice field with head coach Tom Coughlin. Moss has been the breakout star of the spring minicamp, so it's great news that he shouldn't miss much practice time.
DAL - TE Martellus Bennett shines at minicamp
Source: Tom Orsborn, The San Antonio Star
Tom Orsborn, from the San Antonio Star, reports 2nd year TE Martellus Bennett was in the spotlight this morning at the Cowboys minicamp, catching two touchdown passes and recording a 60-yard gain after a slow start.
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"He's definitely improving," Tony Romo said of the Texas A&M alumnus. "He's running good routes." The Cowboys are using the athletic Bennett in a number of ways - split wide, at H-Back, TE, and even Fullback. He won't surpass Jason Witten as Romo's favorite target, but with unproven WRs behind Roy Williams we could see both Witten and Bennett play big roles for the Cowboys in 2009.
DEN - HC McDaniels with a different take - expects WR Marshall to be at camp
Source: Mike Klis, The Denver Post
Mike Klis, of The Denver Post, reports Denver Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels said the team will continue to talk with WR Brandon Marshall, and he expects Marshall to report for the start of training camp.
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Obviously we're getting some different sides of the story here. Owner Pat Bowlen has said they'll try to accommodate Marshall's desire to be traded. Marshall sounds like he's ready for a change. But McDaniels is saying what a coach is supposed to say here. 'We met after [owner Pat Bowlen's] meeting with Brandon and are going to continue our dialogue with Brandon and his representative. We look forward to having Brandon at training camp,' McDaniels said.
DEN - BAL - Broncos likely would look for two draft picks for Marshall
Source: Jamison Hensley, The Baltimore Sun
Jamison Hensley, of The Baltimore Sun, reports the Denver Broncos likely would be looking for a first- and third-round draft choice in a trade involving WR Brandon Marshall.
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The Ravens have been looking for a big target for Joe Flacco to throw to, and - on paper - Marshall seems to be a perfect fit. The asking price is tricky for Brandon Marshall because on one hand you have a player that's caught over 200 passes in the last 2 seasons, and on the other hand there's a guy that's been in the police blotter consistently since entering the league.
CLE - NFL expected to discipline WR Donte Stallworth before camp
Source: Marla Ridenour, The Akron Beacon Journal
Marla Ridenour, of the Akron Beacon Journal, reports an NFL source said commissioner Roger Goodell is expected to discipline Cleveland Browns WR Donte' Stallworth before the start of training camp after he pleaded guilty to DUI manslaughter Tuesday, June 16. The Browns report to camp July 31 and hold their first practice Aug. 1.
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Stallworth gets 30 days in prison after pleading guilty to DUI manslaughter and he should receive a long suspension considering his multiple offenses in the NFL's substance abuse program. It wouldn't surprise us if the Browns release Stallworth before the start of the regular season. Cleveland has made plans for life without Stallworth and have a bunch of young WRs that they will look to for production in 2009.
SF - QB Alex Smith gaining ground as training camp nears
Source: Matt Barrows, The Sacramento Bee
Matt Barrows, from the Sacramento Bee, reports that Coach Singletary has a legitimate quarterback competition. Smith is throwing the ball well and his confidence is as ironclad as it's been since college. Singletary touched on that today. "Well, I think the playing field is level now," he said of the QB competition. "I think before the offseason began, I wasn't really sure where Alex was. You know, he's been through a lot in four years. I think in order for he and Shaun to compete on level ground, he had to get healthy, he had to get his mind focused, I think he had to let go of some of the bitterness that happened to him, some of the bad things, and get the bad taste out of his mouth and be ready to go. I think that has happened."
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This competition was never supposed to be this close. Early reports from minicamps had Alex Smith struggling as expected, but lately he's really been turning heads on the sidelines. We'll have to see this play out in the preseason before a starter can emerge.
KC - QB Matt Cassel accurate, poised, and ready
Source: Kent Babb, The Kansas City Star
Kent Babb, from the Kansas City Star, reports Chiefs QB Matt Cassel is accurate, poised and ready to call a team his own for the first time since high school.
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Babb also comments how Cassel's accuracy is a welcome change for the offense. The Offensive Line will need to gel and protect their new QB consistently because he's known to hold on to the ball too long and take a sack. Cassel was sacked a league high 47 times in 2008 and will have to make quicker decisions if he wants to get the most out of his potential as the starting QB in KC.
PIT - WR Shaun McDonald competing for No. 3 receiver spot
Source: Scott Brown, The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Scott Brown, of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, reports Pittsburgh Steelers WR Shaun McDonald is in the mix for a spot on the rotation at wide receiver behind WR Hines Ward and WR Santonio Holmes.
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Head coach Mike Tomlin said the spots behind Ward and Holmes will be wide open when the team starts training camp. 'They didn't tell me what my role is going to be,' said McDonald. 'We're all competing.' Some people had automatically put Limas Sweed in the 3rd WR role now that Nate Washington is with the Titans, but when the Steelers signed McDonald it was a sign that they wanted more competition for that position. Sweed is a big, strong receiver that is best used as a red zone threat because of his size but he has inconsistent hands and is not a great route runner. Shaun McDonald hasn't duplicated the type of production he had under Mike Martz but has good hands and decent route running ability. At this time Sweed has to be considered the frontrunner for the #3 job, but we'll see if he can hold off McDonald during training camp.
DAL - QB Tony Romo working harder in the weight room
Source: Todd Archer, The Dallas Morning News
Todd Archer, of The Dallas Morning News, reports Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo has pushed himself more in the weight room this offseason in an effort to improve his conditioning.
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'I think that was one of the two or three things actually I kind of set forth this off-season,' Romo said. 'One was to be the same in September as you are in December as an individual and as a team.' Romo has also tweaked his footwork, which he believes will speed up his delivery.
DAL - WR Sam Hurd fighting for a spot
Source: Mac Engel, The Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Mac Engel, of The Star-Telegram, reports Dallas Cowboys WR Sam Hurd said he just wants to compete for a spot with the team and he does not have any expectations.
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'I know the coaches are going to choose the right people,' he said. He appears to be fighting with WR Isaiah Stanback for playing time. Hurd will be helped dramatically by his ability as a special teams player.
KC - TE job remains open competition
Source: Kent Babb, The Kansas City Star
Kent Babb, from the Kansas City Star, reports 2nd year TE Brad Cottam hasn't grabbed the starting job as it was expected. The tight end job remains open, and that has as much to do with Cottam's dropped passes as several other players' emergence.
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It's a lot of pressure to replace a future Hall of Famer, and so far Cottam hasn't performed up to expectations. He is competing with Sean Ryan and Tony Curtis for the starting job. Cottam should still win out in this competition but he had better start playing up to his potential.
MIA - QB Chad ennington zeroes in on Greg Camarillo
Source: Omar Kelly, The South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Omar Kelly, of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, reports that Chad Pennington immediately "found his eyes and passes directed to his favorite target", Greg Camarillo, and that Camarillo had his most impressive workout yet on Monday, June 15.
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Kelly even went as far to predict that Camarillo will be the #1 wide receiver on the team as long as his surgically repaired left knee holds up. Camarillo has been dropping down draft boards because his status for week 1 seemed in question, but he's ahead of schedule as should be targeted as a top bench wide receiver in PPR leagues.
DEF - ARZ - Cardinals still talking extension with LB Karlos Dansby
Source: Darren Urban, AZCardinals.com
Darren Urban, of AZCardinals.com, reports Arizona Cardinals general manager Rod Graves said he spoke with the agent for franchise LB Karlos Dansby last week and is scheduled to talk to him again this week. Graves said he hopes to keep making progress on signing Dansby to a long-term deal.
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The Cards have until July 15th to sign their Franchise Linebacker. If they cannot get a deal done it will most likely signal the end of Dansby's career as a Cardinal come next March. The team could franchise him for a 3rd straight year, but with another increase in salary the Cards would probably just let him walk. The Dansby deal has to get done (or not done) before they can move on to their next contract situation - Anquan Boldin.
DEF - CIN - LB Rey Maualuga getting some exposure
Source: Geoff Hobson, Bengals.com
Geoff Hobson, of Bengals.com, reports Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer said the SAM linebacker position is a good spot for rookie LB Rey Maualuga to start.
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However, eventually Maualuga is going to be a Mike linebacker for the team, according to Zimmer. 'We're just looking at it to see if we can get him on the field,' Zimmer said. 'That's why we've got him at Mike in some nickel packages (and in goal line) and SAM in the base. At least he's getting some exposure.'
That'll do it for today, Folks.
And remember, if you want to keep up with Footballguys on our 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. Have a great Wednesday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update. J