Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 10, Issue 64 (Monday, June 22nd)
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Hi Folks,
Good Tuesday to you. Hope your week's started off well. We're rolling here with lots of NFL News and Notes to bring your way. Thanks as always to our Cecil Lammey for the help there. Let's get to it.
J
SITE NEWS
A.
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B.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. SF - QB Alex Smith makes huge strides in OTAs
2. TEN - QBs Vince Young & Patrick Ramsey expect to fight for backup job
3. WAS - RB Clinton Portis says no rift with HC Zorn
4. CIN - Could RB Bernard Scott complement Cedric Benson this season?
5. JAC - Team impressed with WR Torry Holt so far
6. CLE - WR Braylon Edwards likely to stay
7. JAC - TE Zach Miller opening eyes in OTAs
8. CIN - QB Carson Palmer says WR Chad Ochocinco will be go-to receiver
9. GB - TE Jermichael Finley works on broadening his game
10. CIN - WR Andre Caldwell working out of slot position
11. CIN - WR Chris Henry bulks up slightly
12. TEN - TE Jared Cook impresses some, struggles some
13. HOU - HC Kubiak hopes TE Owen Daniels will be at camp
14. OAK - WR Javon Walker helping out WR Louis Murphy
15. JAC - Team feels it's addition through subtraction
16. DEF - GB - LB Aaron Kampman believes new defense can succeed
17. DEF - GB - FS Nick Collins present at minicamp
18. DEF - NFL - DL La'Roi Glover retires
SF - QB Alex Smith makes huge strides in OTAs
Source: Kevin Lynch, The San Francisco Chronicle
Kevin Lynch, of the San Francisco Chronicle, reports that after showing up for OTAs looking like a backup, Alex Smith has forced a full-fledged QB competition by consistently outperforming Shaun Hill in practice.
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Lynch called Smith's accuracy "stunning", and we can believe it. He has played poorly so far in his career, and had three shoulder surgeries, yet the 49ers still came back for more by restructuring his contract to a two year, 6.5 million dollar deal early in the offseason. Smith clearly has his backers in the organization, and he's the kind of player who shines in shorts and shells. Shaun Hill has a reputation for being a poor practice player, so don't be shocked if Smith is the week 1 starter (and Hill is leading the team to wins again by week 5)
TEN - QBs Vince Young & Patrick Ramsey expect to fight for backup job
Source: Terry McCormick, The Nashville City Paper
Terry McCormick, of The Nashville City Paper, reports Tennessee Titans QB Vince Young and QB Patrick Ramsey are expected to compete for primary backup quarterback job during training camp and their performance in preseason games likely will determine the winner.
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Patrick Ramsey backed up Jay Cutler for the past 2 seasons and had no chance of moving up the depth chart. He signed a 1-year deal with the Titans shortly after Chris Simms (who was #3 in Tennessee last year) signed with the Broncos. He is more like Kerry Collins than Vince Young, so if forced into the starting lineup the Titans wouldn't have much of a different look on offense. Add in the fact that Ramsey has played for offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger before (in 2007) and it means there won't be much of a learning curve for the former 1st rounder. If Vince Young isn't careful he could fall from starting QB to clipboard holder in only one year. This is a battle that will be decided in training camp, and the 3rd preseason game should give us an indication as to who is winning.
WAS - RB Clinton Portis says no rift with HC Zorn
Source: David Elfin, The Washington Times
David Elfin, of The Washington Times, reports Washington Redskins RB Clinton Portis says reports of a rift between him and head coach Jim Zorn are wrong. 'How this story came about, I have no idea,' Portis said. 'There's nothing going on. There's no beef between me and Coach Zorn. We're on good terms at this present moment. There's no problem.'
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At the end of last season Portis went on a local radio show and said some things that could be seen as damaging to his relationship with coach Zorn. Recently there have been web reports that Portis has no respect for Zorn, and gets special treatment from Redskins owner Daniel Snyder. Portis added, 'I don't know why people have that in their mind. Me and Coach (Joe) Gibbs had a great relationship. We talked more than me and Coach Zorn do, but lately me and Coach Zorn have been talking, trying to get on the same page. Things been going good. He understand me and I understand him.'
CIN - Could RB Bernard Scott complement Cedric Benson this season?
Source: Carlos Holmes, The Dayton Daily News
Carlos Holmes, of The Dayton Daily News, reports Cincinnati Bengals RB Bernard Scott was impressive during the team's minicamp. He was quick, fast and elusive. Scott made a number of nice cutback runs for big gains and was exciting to watch. He received a lot of reps, which means the team could have high expectations for him.
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The team should have high expectations for a player like Bernard Scott who we got to see up close and personal at the Texas vs The Nation Game in El Paso. Scott has great field vision, a quick initial burst, and good footwork when running through trash at the line of scrimmage. Once he's to the 2nd-level of the defense he can turn on the jets and take it the distance. Scott is also a good receiver out of the backfield where he can use his quickness to make defenders miss in space. There has never been a question of his talent on the field, it's the off field issues (4 different colleges, 5 arrests) that had teams concerned about selecting Scott in the 2009 NFL Draft. The Bengals not only have a change of pace back in Scott, but they also have their feature back of the future once Benson is gone - if Bernard Scott can stay out of trouble.
JAC - Team impressed with WR Torry Holt so far
Source: Vito Stellino, The Florida Times-Union
Vito Stellino, of The Florida Times-Union, reports the Jacksonville Jaguars believe WR Torry Holt will make a major impact both on and off the field this season. 'I think the one thing that Torry has brought is a level of trust for David (Garrard), so he's aware that at third-and-7, he's going to run more than seven yards. I think that'll be a good thing for David,' general manager Gene Smith said.
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Holt also has been working with several of the team's young receivers this offseason like Mike Thomas, Jarett Dillard, and Tiquan Underwood. The Jaguars had a disappointing season last year, but with new - better weapons at WR, and an upgraded Offensive Line it should help David Garrard and company bounce back to their 2007 form.
CLE - WR Braylon Edwards likely to stay
Source: Terry Pluto, The Cleveland Plain Dealer
Terry Pluto, of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, reports odds are that Cleveland Browns WR Braylon Edwards will remain with the team this season, unless a team comes out of nowhere with a huge trade offer late in training camp because a receiver is hurt and is desperate for a replacement. Edwards has been doing what the coaches have asked of him so far this offseason.
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This is similar to the Brandon Marshall situation. Edwards would like to be traded, but no team has been willing to meet the Browns asking price. Unlike Marshall, Edwards has been working hard with the team. Perhaps he realizes he must revive his reputation which took a big hit in 2008 when he led the league in dropped passes.
JAC - TE Zach Miller opening eyes in OTAs
Source: Vic Ketchman, Jaguars.com
Vic Ketchman, of Jaguars.com, reports that rookie TE Zach Miller is opening eyes with his speed and progress in his conversion for being an option QB in college.
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Miller was a draft season sensation after his performance in the small school all-star Cactus Bowl. Jacksonville offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter likes to use the tight end in the passing game, and if Marcedes Lewis doesn't turn the corner as a receiver this year, Miller could soon be ripping the seams of NFL defenses with his 4.53 speed. Hopefully this will go better than the last time the Jags tried to convert an ultraathletic option QB into a receiver.
CIN - QB Carson Palmer says WR Chad Ochocinco will be go-to receiver
Source: Associated Press
The Associated Press reports Cincinnati Bengals QB Carson Palmer reiterated that WR Chad Ochocinco remains his top target within the team's offense. 'He's going to play (the lead role) because he deserves to play there,' Palmer said. 'He's been one of the best receivers in this league for a long time. He's still able to play at that level, and still capable of making big plays and carrying the load offensively at the receiver spot, so he will.'
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It's all rainbows and lollipops with Palmer and Ochocinco, when just a couple of weeks ago it seemed like the QB was sick of his once favorite receiver. Since Ochocinco has returned to Cincinnati things have been "all good" between the pair. Palmer's health is the key to the Bengals offense, and even though T.J. Houshmandzadeh is now in Seattle, the team has Laveranues Coles, Chris Henry, and Andre Caldwell to help pick up the slack.
GB - TE Jermichael Finley works on broadening his game
Source: Mike Spofford, Packers.com
Mike Spofford, of Packers.com, reports that second year tight end Jermichael Finley is much more comfortable this year after being overwhelmed with his new responsibilities in his rookie season.
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Finley is definitely a more talented pass catcher than starter Donald Lee, and he could easily surpass Lee in the pecking order of Aaron Rodgers targets if the work he put in carries over to the regular season. We were worried when Finley criticized the team for not using him correctly last year in a very un-rookie-like way, but by the end of the year, he was seeing time in goal line and two TE sets, so we have to assume that's all water under the bridge now.
CIN - WR Andre Caldwell working out of slot position
Source: Carlos Holmes, The Dayton Daily News
Carlos Holmes, of The Dayton Daily News, reports Cincinnati Bengals WR Andre Caldwell appears ready to assume the role of slot receiver once held by former WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Caldwell saw a lot of time with the first unit during the team's minicamp in the slot and looked very good as a receiver.
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Andre Caldwell, the 2nd-year WR from Florida, is a savvy route runner and a natural hands catcher. He is a strong receiver that can run through arm tackles and he has good run after the catch ability. Caldwell will battle Chris Henry for playing time behind Chad Ochocinco and Laveranues Coles.
CIN - WR Chris Henry bulks up slightly
Source: James Walker, ESPN.com
James Walker, of ESPN.com, reports Cincinnati Bengals WR Chris Henry had added roughly five pounds of muscle in the offseason, bulking up to 205 pounds. Henry will try to put on a few more pounds before the start of the regular season, if possible.
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Henry's nickname is "slim" and he's always been known as a lanky player. Adding a few pounds won't take away from Henry's explosiveness, and it should help him fight off physical defenders for jump passes in the end zone or on the sideline. He's currently the favorite to win the #3 WR job with the Bengals, and with his pure physical talent he creates an instant mismatch every time he steps on the field.
TEN - TE Jared Cook impresses some, struggles some
Source: Jim Wyatt, The Nashville Tennessean
Jim Wyatt, of the Nashville Tennessean, reports that rookie tight end Jared Cook has impressed with his speed and some of his catches, but he has also had some bad drops. Veteran TE Alge Crumpler has taken Cook under his wing, and he complimented Cook's professionalism and improvement.
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Perhaps the most interesting nugget from the article was Titans offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger expressing the desire to use Cook the way he used Shannon Sharpe in Denver. Cook is more than physically talented enough to deserve the comparison, but he'll need to get a lot more consistent to live up to it. He has a lot more fantasy potential than his third round draft status would indicate, but his upside is capped by Tennessee's run first offense and mediocre QB play.
HOU - HC Kubiak hopes TE Owen Daniels will be at camp
Source: John McClain, The Houston Chronicle
John McClain, of the Houston Chronicle, reports Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak said he hopes TE Owen Daniels will be present when the team start training camp.
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Kubiak reiterated that Daniels is a hard worker and all around good guy. We have to wonder what Daniels is thinking. Letting the coaches see talented rookie James Casey in action while he sits out won't make them more eager to give him the elite level of compensation he's seeking.
OAK - WR Javon Walker helping out WR Louis Murphy
Source: Jerry McDonald, ANG Newspapers
Jerry McDonald, of ANG Newspapers, reports Oakland Raiders WR Louis Murphy said WR Javon Walker (knee) has been helping him out with different things while he rehabs from knee surgery.
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At least the Raiders are getting something out of Javon Walker. Let's hope the rookie Louis Murphy isn't picking up any of his bad habits - both on and off the field. Walker is getting paid regardless of any contract negotiations, the real question is whether he can ever produce on the field like he briefly did for both the Packers and the Broncos.
JAC - Team feels it's addition through subtraction
Source: Vito Stellino, The Florida Times-Union
Vito Stellino, of The Florida Times-Union, reports one of the reasons the Jacksonville Jaguars feel optimistic about the 2009 season is an improved team chemistry and atmosphere after the departure of several players who had character issues or who were unproductive on the field. 'We had some things going on, and coach (Jack) Del Rio took care of that and (general manager) Gene Smith took care of that,' assistant coach Mike Tice said. 'That was great. It makes it a lot easier for us to coach.'
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New players and new chemistry will hopefully mean a new direction for the Jaguars who want to get back on track after a disappointing 2008 season. General manager Gene Smith has also noticed a difference during offseason workouts. 'I think there's better peer leadership,' Smith said. 'There's a different level of accountability. I think they have a greater understanding that it's a privilege to be in the NFL. I've seen a lot more self-discipline in the players with their mental focus. I'm a firm believer that mental will win more than physical skill.'
DEF - GB - LB Aaron Kampman believes new defense can succeed
Source: Kevin Seifert, ESPN.com
Kevin Seifert, of ESPN.com, reports Green Bay Packers LB Aaron Kampman said he believes the team can be successful in their new 3-4 defensive alignment if they can execute in the alignment. 'Historically it's been a great defense. I think it has an opportunity to be a good defense. If we execute it, it'll be good,' Kampman said.
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Like several other teams in the NFL, the Packers are making the switch to a 3-4 base defense. Defensive coordinator Dom Capers will not have his defensive linemen play head-up on the offensive linemen. Instead they will line up on the edge and allow the Linebackers behind them to shoot the gaps and make plays. Size, outside pressure, and versatility are the keys to making a 3-4 defense successful.
DEF - GB - FS Nick Collins present at minicamp
Source: Associated Press
The Associated Press reports Green Bay Packers FS Nick Collins was present for the start of the team's mandatory minicamp. He said he is not sure if he will attend the start of training camp if he can't agree on a new contract.
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The 5th-year veteran previously cited family issues for why he's stayed away much of the offseason, but his contract situation was probably the biggest factor. Collins is entering the final year of his rookie contract and wants a new deal following his breakout 2008 season. Head coach Mike McCarthy commented that Collins looked to be in good physical condition despite missing most of their voluntary workouts.
DEF - NFL - DL La'Roi Glover retires
Source: PR.com
PR.com reports free-agent DL La'Roi Glover (Rams) has officially announced his retirement after 13 seasons. 'I'm blessed that I was able to play this game that I love for so long. It has been such an incredible journey. The players, coaches, and front office staff in the cities I've played have all given me so many great memories.' Glover said.
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Originally drafted by the Raiders in the 5th round of the 1996 draft Glover only played 1 season for the Silver & Black before moving on to New Orleans. Most people remember Glover for his outstanding play (including a 17 sack season in 2000) with the Saints. Five years in the Crescent City was followed up by 4 seasons in Dallas, and then it was off to St. Louis for the final 3 years of his career. Glover commented on what could be next for him, "I still love the game with the same passion I had as a young player in high school, so I plan to always be attached to it in some way, whether commentating, working in the front office, or scouting. But who knows what opportunities await in the next chapter of my life."
That'll do it for today, Folks.
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Have a great Tuesday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update.
J
