Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 10, Issue 59 (Wednesday, June 17th)

Hi Folks,

Good Thursday to you. Quick reminder for all you Dads out there. Your day is coming up here soon. If your house is like my house, the family struggles coming up with what to get you for Father's Day. How about something you REALLY want this year - a subscription to Footballguys. It's the gift that gives from now until the Super Bowl. Just drop a few hints around the house and leave the Footballguys.com page up on the family computer...

Have a great Thursday - Let's get to it.

J

SITE 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. 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

IND - Team is ready to run

Source: John Oehser, Colts.com

Colts C Jeff Saturday knows that a team must have balance to make a championship run. "You can fall in love watching (Manning) throw it around and think you can win the world that way," Saturday said during the Colts' recent three-day mandatory 2009 mini-camp at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center. "But the bottom line is we've got to run the football if we're going to win. It's going to be better."

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The Colts are working hard to make their run game better in 2009. Last season the Colts ranked 31st in rushing yards per game with a meager 79.6 average. In the 1st round of the 2009 NFL Draft they selected the NCAA 2008 rushing leader Donald Brown, and he is expected to work well in a RBBC with Joseph Addai. Many consider Addai to be the lead back because his experience, but remember that he's had trouble staying healthy during his entire NFL career and Brown could be the feature RB for the Colts sooner rather than later.

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CIN - QB Carson Palmer pleased as minicamp starts

Source: Joe Reedy, The Cincinnati Enquirer

Joe Reedy, from the Cincinnati Enquirer, reports Last year at this time, Carson Palmer knew that the Bengals were going to be in for a rough season. As the Bengals begin their three-day mandatory minicamp today, the attitude is different.

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"In my seven years here, this has been as good as its been," Palmer said. "The mindset of the team, the amount of distractions is down and the focus is where it needs to be. As far as talent wise, this is probably the best talent we've had but the most maturity we've had by far. We're where we need to be, we're headed in the right direction."

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SF - Former OC Mike Martz chimes in on QB Alex Smith

Source: Kevin Lynch, The San Francisco Chronicle

Kevin Lynch, from the San Francisco Chronicle, reports former 49ers' offensive coordinator Mike Martz was just on NFL Network breaking down Alex Smith. He said that Smith needs to bend his knees more, spread his feet and widen his base to improve his mechanics. Being nearly 6-foot, 5-inches tall, Martz said when Smith throws with a narrow base, his shoulders tend to tilt which affects his accuracy.

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Mike Martz loves to break down QBs, only to build them back up fundamentally. Martz took the high road, and didn't throw Smith under the bus - but he did note that the QB often had no idea where to go with the football. He also noted that Smith didn't trust his sub-par WR corps, and has worked with many different coordinators.

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CHI - QB Jay Cutler comfortable with receivers on team

Source: Brad Biggs, The Chicago Sun-Times

Brad Biggs, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler said he is comfortable with the current wide receivers on the roster and the team does not need to add another receiver.

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'I'm 100 percent comfortable [with the wide receivers],' Cutler said. 'I think we added some depth with some younger guys and then some of the older veterans are stepping up and playing well. So I think we've got more than enough to compete.' Cutler already has great chemistry with 2nd-year WR Earl Bennett who was his favorite target when they played together at Vanderbilt.

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NYG - WR Sinorice Moss to miss rest of minicamp

Source: Tom Rock, Newsday

Tom Rock, of Newsday, reports New York Giants WR Sinorice Moss (hamstring) will miss the rest of the team's mandatory minicamp because of a strained hamstring. It is not known if Moss will be ready for the start of training camp.

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The injury didn't appear to be serious yesterday, but the Giants are going to take extra precaution just in case. It's sad news because so far in minicamp Sinorice Moss has been stealing the show. We'll see if he can prevent this hamstring injury from lingering.

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TB - QB Josh Freeman could start this season

Source: Rick Stroud, The St. Petersburg Times

Rick Stroud, of the St. Petersburg Times, reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers may consider making QB Josh Freeman the team's starting quarterback if he continues to make progress during training camp.

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Byron Leftwich and Luke McCown are currently the frontrunners for the starting job in Tampa, but now it looks like Freeman could get on the field in 2009. The Bucs have a week 8 bye, and if the season is lost at that point we could see the rookie get the starting nod.

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HOU - QB Matt Schaub says he will play 16 games this season

Source: Paul Kuharsky, ESPN.com

Paul Kuharsky, of ESPN.com, reports Houston Texans QB Matt Schaub said he will play all 16 regular season games this season after missing five games last season because of a knee injury.

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'But I am going to be out there 16 weeks this year. I feel good. Offseason work, weight room, conditioning, I feel like it's going to happen this year, I'm going to make sure it does,' Schaub said. It's wishful thinking on Schaub's part as he's failed to stay healthy every year since he was handed the starting job in Houston. If by some chance he can stay healthy this year Schaub is a fantasy starting QB with plenty of upside.

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PIT - RB Willie Parker returning to Fast Willie Parker status?

Source: Scott Brown, The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Scott Brown, of The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, reports Pittsburgh Steelers RB Willie Parker said he is getting his speed back to the level it was two or three years ago.

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'I'm faster than I've been,' Parker said. Parker spends extra time after each workout running sprints and, at times, straps a sled with weights on it to his shoulders. Parker said his mindset is to get back to the things he used to do that made him a better player.

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DAL - Wade Phillips tough guy routine - will it work?

Source: Tom Orsborn, San Antonio Express-News

Wade Phillips appears to be making good on his promise after last season to get tougher. On Wednesday, he announced he would increase the fines for players who report to training camp overweight to the league maximum of $453 per pound. And players say he's much more vocal during practice.

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This is all nice and good, but Phillips comes across more like Tommy Boy and less like Tony Soprano. Plus, are the players really going to respond to a coach that used to take it easy on them and is most likely looking for work next season? Jerry Jones could look to Mike Holgrem or Mike Shanahan to lead the team forward in 2010.

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OAK - WR Heyward-Bey leaves practice early Wednesday

Source: Jerry McDonald, ANG Newspapers

Jerry McDonald, of ANG Newspapers, reports Oakland Raiders WR Darrius Heyward-Bey (hamstring) left practice early Wednesday, June 17, and left the field clutching his right hamstring.

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McDonald reports that Heyward-Bey let out an audible groan and clutched the back of his leg as he went off the field. The rookie needs to stay healthy because the Raiders are going to heavily depend on him - if they can - in 2009.

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MIN - Childress has high praise for Harvin

Source: Chip Scoggins, Star-Tribune

"I think the first thing I thought about was really the same feelings the first time we handed Adrian Peterson the ball," Childress said. "It was with 50 rookies that we bring in right after the draft. When you see it with your own eyes … the thing that came to mind right away was, Wow."

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Early indications are that Brad Childress will be creative enough to use Harvin the right way. Is he a QB, a RB, or a WR? Can he return kicks (something that he never did in college)? Those questions should be answered in 2009. One thing is certain - it will be electric every time Harvin touches the ball in his rookie year.

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MIA - WR Anthony Armstrong blazing a new trail

Source: Omar Kelly, The South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Omar Kelly, from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, reports based on Armstrong's performance during last weekend's minicamp, the former Arena Football League receiver might be on his way. Even after spending all of 2008 on the Dolphins' practice squad, Armstrong is the first to admit he's still a relative unknown. Unlike his teammates, he can go to the mall without getting noticed. On the field it's starting to become a different story.

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The Dolphins are desperate for WR help. That's why they selected (and perhaps overvalued) Patrick Turner and Brian Hartline in the 2009 NFL Draft. Even though he's listed 8th on the depth chart Armstrong has become a fixture on the 2nd team in practice. Armstrong's been so hot lately it appears he's pushing Brandon London for the sixth receiver spot on the 53-man roster. But he'll likely need to do more on special teams to unseat London, one of the team's top special teams contributors. Remember this name because he could end up being the starting slot receiver for the Dolphins at some point during the regular season.

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SD - Kris Wilson vs Kory Sperry for the 3rd TE spot

Source: Michael Lombardo, SDBoltreport.com

Michael Lombardo, from SDBoltreport.com, reports Kris Wilson and Kory Sperry will engage in one of training camp's most intriguing battles as they fight to be the No. 3 tight end. Wilson has a leg-up because of his experience and versatility, but the San Diego Chargers will be tempted to hang onto Sperry's athleticism and pass-catching skills.

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Wilson is a versatile player that can play Fullback, H-Back, or Tight End. He was once thought of as the heir apparent behind Tony Gonzalez when he played for the Chiefs but never lived up to the hype. Korry Sperry is extremely athletic, but is known to be a "me first" player. He also did nothing to stand out at the Texas vs The Nation All Star Game back in January.

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DAL - QB Tony Romo denies report on his conditioning

Source: Mac Engel, The Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Mac Engel, of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, reports Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo denied Wednesday, June 17, any notion that he had been told to get into better shape in a meeting with offensive coordinator Jason Garrett earlier in the week.

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Romo said, "If there's anything those guys tell me, it's to throttle back sometimes just because I do a lot of running playing soccer and basketball and stuff to stay in shape, plus the stuff we do." He added that no such meeting occurred.

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NFL - Ryan Leaf arrested Wednesday

Source: Associated Press

The Associated Press reports former NFL QB Ryan Leaf was arrested in Washington Wednesday, June 17, on drug and burglary charges in Texas. Customs agents arrested him after he crossed the Canada-United States border.

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The ex-Washington State University and San Diego Chargers quarterback is charged with burglary to a habitation, a second-degree felony. Leaf also was indicted on seven counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud and one count of delivery of a simulated controlled substance. It sounds like Leaf was making a run for Canada but got picked up at the border.

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NFL - QB Brett Favre throws at high school Wednesday

Source: ESPNews

ESPNews reports retired QB Brett Favre (shoulder) threw at Oak Grove High School in Mississippi Wednesday, June 17. He said the session went well, but his shoulder does not feel good enough to play in the NFL yet.

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Here we go again. We knew it wouldn't be long until Favre was throwing to guys 20 years younger and getting ready for a new season. Let's just get him a purple jersey and get this over with. Favre Watch 2009 - always a ratings bonanza...

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DEF - NFL - LB Derrick Brooks says he will play in 2009

Source: Associated Press

Free agent Derrick Brooks said Wednesday he plans to play in the NFL this fall and possibly even return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a team he led to a Super Bowl victory. The NFL Defensive Player of the Year when Tampa Bay won the Super Bowl after the 2002 season, Brooks was among five players the Bucs cut in a February purge that included his former Florida State teammate, Warrick Dunn.

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"I could still be a Buccaneer," Brooks said. "Stranger things that have happened. Teams are talking to me so I'm going to make sure I continue to stay in shape." New Bucs coach Raheem Morris has already stated a few times that the team is going in a different direction. Never say never, but at this time it seems doubtful that Brooks will head back to Tampa.

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DEF - OAK - DE Greg Ellis works with first team Wednesday

Source: Jerry McDonald, ANG Newspapers

Jerry McDonald, of ANG Newspapers, reports Oakland Raiders DE Greg Ellis worked with the first-team defense at left defensive end during practice Wednesday, June 17.

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Ellis has been working with the 1st-team ever since signing with the team earlier in the week. Barring a trade of Derrick Burgess, the veterans should start at DE for the team and leave last year's rookie sack leader Trevor Scott as a situational pass rusher

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That'll do it for today, Folks.

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Have a great Thursday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update.

J