Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 10, Issue 60 (Thursday, June 18th)

Hi Folks,

Welcome to Friday. Hope you've had a great week and you're ready to wrap this one up and head into the weekend.

We had a good day here at the Fantasy Sports Trade Association Meetings in Chicago. I made a presentation of our Rate My Team App at the conference today and that went fine. Connecting with lots of different folks and that's been good.

I had a fantastic time meeting the folks that came out for our Downtown Chicago Meetup. We even had one fella that came in from South Bend. Wow. Had great deep dish pizza at Pizanos on State, then hit the Celtic Crossing bar and finally wrapped it up at the 96th floor of the John Hancock building. That's up there.

Anyways, enough talk from me, 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.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

CLE - WR Donte Stallworth suspended indefinitely

Source: ESPNews

ESPNews reports the NFL has suspended Cleveland Browns WR Donte' Stallworth indefinitely without pay.

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"The conduct reflected in your guilty plea resulted in the tragic loss of life and was inexcusable," Goodell wrote in a letter to Stallworth. The Browns should be cutting ties with the troubled WR very soon.

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CIN - WR Chad Ochocinco says team will make playoffs

Source: James Walker, ESPN.com

James Walker, of ESPN.com, reports Cincinnati Bengals WR Chad Ochocinco said the Bengals will make the playoffs this season. 'It's going to be a great year; we're going to the playoffs. We're going...We're making progress. I mean, I see it, and I can come out on a limb and say what we're going to do,' Ochocinco said.

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Oh boy, slow down here Chad. A healthy Carson Palmer and an improved defense will help the Bengals be better in 2009, but the AFC North is a brutal division to play in. The Steelers and Ravens should battle for the division title and the one that doesn't win has to be a favorite to make it into the dance as a wildcard. With the AFC East and the AFC South also having great competition it's doubtful that 2 Wildcard teams would come from the AFC North. Both the Ravens and Steelers are built for championship runs, while the Bengals would have a successful year if they finish 8-8.

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DEN - Broncos have no plans to move WR Brandon Marshall

Source: Cecil Lammey, FM 104.3 the Fan

Cecil Lammey, NFL Insider for FM 104.3 the Fan, is reporting he's heard from several "well placed sources" that the Denver Broncos have no intention of trading Brandon Marshall.

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Unless the Broncos get a deal that knocks their socks off, it's going to be hard to get fair trade value for the troubled but talented WR. This is basically the same situation that Anquan Boldin is in. Both players are underpaid and want new contracts, but no team is willing to give up enough to get them.

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MIN - QB Tarvaris Jackson to be cut if Favre is signed?

Source: Judd Zulgad, The Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Judd Zulgad, from the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, says he would not be surprised if QB Tarvaris Jackson was let go if the Vikings sign Brett Favre

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Jackson is entering the final year of his contract, so this could be a possibility. That would leave Sage Rosenfels to back up Favre, with J.D. Booty working as the 3rd stringer. If he is cut we can't imagine Jackson being on the open market for very long.

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CLE - RB Jerome Harrison impressive during offseason

Source: Mike McLain, TribToday.com

Mike McLain, of TribToday.com, reports Cleveland Browns head coach Eric Mangini said RB Jerome Harrison has been impressive during offseason workouts but could work on his blocking.

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'Jerome has had an outstanding group of OTAs and camps. His ability to pick up protections and his ability to run routes out of the backfield reminds me a lot of [New York Jets RB Leon Washington]. I've been pleased with him in all aspects. He's done a great job,' Mangini said. Harrison has been working on his pass protection because he felt it was a part of his game that needed improvement. He works great in space, but does not have much success running between the tackles. If Jamal Lewis were to go down with injury the Browns would run a RBBC with Harrison and rookie James Davis.

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CLE - RB Jamal Lewis played 2008 with bad ankle

Source: Mike McLain, TribToday.com

Mike McLain, of TribToday.com, reports Cleveland Browns RB Jamal Lewis (ankle) played much of the 2008 season with an injured ankle but was able to play the entire season and had surgery during the offseason.

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When asked if his ankle hurt last season, Lewis said: 'A whole lot. But at the same time I worked through it. The trainers were able to keep me rolling. I knew I had to get something done at the end of the season. It wasn't something that would take me out for the whole season.' The team is making plans for the future and selected James Davis in the 6th round of the 2009 NFL Draft to perhaps be their RB of the future.

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HOU - Texans want RB Jeremiah Johnson to lose weight before camp

Source: John McClain, The Houston Chronicle

John McClain, of the Houston Chronicle, reports the Houston Texans want RB Jeremiah Johnson to lose around 10 pounds before the start of training camp. He currently weighs 220 pounds, and the team wants him to report to camp at 210 pounds

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Johnson weighing in at 220 pounds is a little surprising for the scatback from Oregon. Apparently Johnson wanted to bulk up because he has a history of nagging injuries and many scouts felt that he didn't have the size to stand up to an NFL beating. He is more quick than fast, but when he gets in the open field he can make ankle-breaking moves to get by defenders. He has great field vision and does a good job of keeping his feet under him, even after contact. Johnson's skill set is similar to that of Steve Slaton, so he wouldn't really be the change of pace back the team is looking for behind their starter. However, he is very talented and could develop for the team on the practice squad.

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TEN - HC Fisher not upset about QB Vince Young speaking out

Source: Jim Wyatt, The Tennessean

Jim Wyatt, of The Tennessean, reports Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher said he is not upset with QB Vince Young for speaking out because he knows backups want to pl

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'Anybody that is in a backup role right now is frustrated because they are not playing. It doesn't just stop at Vince. Everybody wants to be a starter and we understand that. I wouldn't classify it as frustration. He understands that he is in the situation that he is in and he just needs to keep working,' Fisher said.

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PIT - Three draft picks signed

Source: Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers have announced they have signed third-round draft choice WR Mike Wallace, sixth-round draft choice DL Ra'shon Harris and seventh-round draft choice C A.Q. Shipley to three-year deals. Financial terms were not disclosed.

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Mike Wallace is the player to watch out of this bunch. Many people are just automatically putting Limas Sweed into the 3rd WR position. However, do not be so quick to write off the rookie from Ole Miss. Wallace is an athletic receiver that gets off the line of scrimmage smoothly because of a quick initial burst. With his speed he can eat up a cushion between him and the cornerback, plus he has the field awareness to make plays on deep passes. Wallace runs sharp routes and is a good open field runner, setting up defenders for solid yards after the catch production. He is the perfect slot receiver and should give Sweed all he can handle in competition for Nate Washington's old job.

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JAC - QB Todd Bouman likely will be No. 2 QB

Source: Vito Stellino, The Florida Times-Union

Vito Stellino, of The Florida Times-Union, reports Jacksonville Jaguars QB Todd Bouman likely will enter the season as the team's No. 2 quarterback.

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He has played with six teams and started six games in his career - three each with the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints. He won out the battle with Cleo Lemon largely because of his experience and his command in the huddle. The recently signed rookie Todd Boeckman will compete with Paul Smith for the 3rd QB job.

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ARZ - GM Graves likes how TE Dominique Byrd has performed

Source: Darren Urban, AZCardinals.com

Darren Urban, of AZCardinals.com, reports Arizona Cardinals general manager Rod Graves said he has been pleasantly surprised with TE Dominique Byrd during offseason workouts.

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'I've got to tell you, he's been a pleasant surprise. He's caught the ball well. We'll see how it all shakes out when we put on pads, but so far, he's had a good offseason for us,' Graves said. Byrd is a former 3rd round pick by the Rams but he ran himself out of football with his off field behavior and did not play for any team last season. The Cardinals love Byrd's athleticism and could have a dark horse here in the competition at Tight End.

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BAL - RB Cedric Peerman signed

Source: Jamison Hensley, The Baltimore Sun

Jamison Hensley, of The Baltimore Sun, reports the Baltimore Ravens have signed sixth-round draft choice RB Cedric Peerman to a three-year deal worth $1.2 million. The deal included a $78,000 signing bonus.

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Peerman joins tight end Davon Drew as the Ravens' signed draft picks. The Ravens report to training camp in late July. Ravens fans are going to love what they see from "Mr. Versatility" Cedric Peerman. He ran the fastest 40 of any RB at the Scouting Combine, but he's more than just a speed guy. Even though he has small hands he is a fantastic receiver out of the backfield and really knows how to set up defenders in space. Peerman has good instincts for running the football inside the tackles, and he has enough quickness to bounce outside once he hits the 2nd level of the defense. He is currently 3rd on the depth chart behind Ray Rice, and Willis McGahee but Peerman could be a fine weapon for the Ravens in the near future. Dynasty players need to be on the lookout for the talented rookie from Virginia.

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NYG - WR Sinorice Moss says he will be ready for camp

Source: Associated Press

The Associated Press reports New York Giants WR Sinorice Moss (hamstring) said his hamstring injury is not serious and will be ready for the start of training camp.

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"It's unfortunate it's going to keep him out," coach Tom Coughlin said. "He was getting a lot of snaps and he was doing something with them." Moss was the star of minicamp before going down with a hamstring injury earlier this week. Nearly every spot in the Giants WR corps is up for grabs, so it will be interesting to see if Sinorice can finally live up to expectations.

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ATL - QB Matt Ryan making strong strides entering second year

Source: Associated Press

The Associated Press reports Atlanta Falcons players are raving about the improvement by second-year QB Matt Ryan. 'It's actually scary how much he's improved and it's only his second year,' FB Ovie Mughelli said. Ryan has improved in the weight room, how he reads plays and his arm strength. 'He's gotten better in every aspect,' Mughelli continued.

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Head coach Mike Smith said the team has focused on the passing game during their latest organized workouts. 'Matt is making good decisions and being accurate with the football,' Smith noted. 'I don't think those two traits can be overlooked.' According to Ryan, his No. 1 goal was making better decisions with the football and he has been watching a ton of film.

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DEF - CIN - LB Rey Maualuga better in coverage than people think

Source: Geoff Hobson, Bengals.com

Geoff Hobson, from Bengals.com, reports defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer feels that rookie LB Rey Maualuga is better in coverage than originally thought.

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"I think he's a lot better in coverage than people said he was," Zimmer said. "This guy can play three downs. They say all that crap, plus, he can blitz. Why take the guy off the field if he can rush the quarterback?...I think Maualuga will show up even more when we get to training camp because he's a football player and he's physical."

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That'll do it for today, Folks.

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

J