Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 10, Issue 67 (Thursday, June 25th)

Hi Folks,

Welcome to Friday. And we've got plenty for you with lots of new content, new apps and plenty of NFL News and Notes. 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. Footballguys 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. The WR Matrix
Footballguy Mike Herman breaks down the WRs in a way you're going to love.

D. The BIG Picture
The entire NFL in one visual document. You have to check this out.

E. Interview with Jeff Reed, Pittsburgh Steelers kicker
Mike Herman, our resident Kicker Guru, with a nice interview with Jeff Reed of the Steelers.

F. VBD Application
New projections mean a new Value Based Draft (VBD) Excel App is ready. Enjoy.

G. New Draft Dominator
New projections are loaded so that means we have a new Draft Dominator. There's no reason you shouldn't be working detailed stat projections that are hours old, not weeks.

H. Projections Dominator
Take our new stat projections and tweak them to your heart's content.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

BUF - DAL - WR Terrell Owens says he was a scapegoat

Source: Clarence E. Hill Jr., The Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Clarence E. Hill Jr., of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, reports former Dallas Cowboys WR Terrell Owens, currently with the Buffalo Bills, said he became a scapegoat for Cowboys QB Tony Romo's lack of leadership. Owens said, "He was the quarterback of the team. I think everybody realized that. It was upon him to adopt that leadership role and carry that out. Obviously, they saw that didn't happen. So, for whatever reason, I'll be the scapegoat. I'm not here. Now, it's his team. I wish him well." Owens also said he has not talked to owner Jerry Jones since he was released from the Cowboys in March.

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Owens has had a persecution complex for a long time now, so these comments should come as no surprise. Still, they fit in with incidents like Romo going to the beach with Jessica Simpson during the playoffs and his general "too laid back" personality for an NFL quarterback.

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MIN - Vikings looking at WR Marvin Harrison?

Source: Charley Walters, The St. Paul Pioneer Press

Charley Walters, of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, reports the Minnesota Vikings are apparently interested in signing unrestricted free-agent WR Marvin Harrison (Colts) to a one-year contract in order to compete with WR Sidney Rice.

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It's interesting in theory, but it's hard to believe a story printed under the headline "Don't Print That." Harrison isn't the same player that he used to be, and at this point Sidney Rice is an upgrade over the former Colts great. We think that Harrison will have to wait until injuries hit in training camp before he's signed by a new team.

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DEN - RB LaMont Jordan took most of first-string reps in the spring

Source: Lindsay H. Jones, The Denver Post

Lindsay H. Jones, of The Denver Post, reports Denver Broncos RB LaMont Jordan took most of the first-string carries during spring workouts.

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This makes a lot of sense because Jordan played under Josh McDaniels in New England last year. He's simply keeping the spot warm for rookie Knowshon Moreno, who should overtake the job sometime in training camp. The Broncos will try to be a more run-heavy team than people are expecting, and they will rotate Moreno, Buckhalter, and Jordan to get the type of production they want.

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DEN - Coach believes RB Correll Buckhalter can help in a lot of ways

Source: Lindsay H. Jones, The Denver Post

Lindsay H. Jones, of The Denver Post, reports Denver Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels said the team targeted RB Correll Buckhalter during the offseason because he can be a multidimensional player for the team.

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Knowshon Moreno won't be handed the starting job and right now he's still behind Buckhalter and LaMont Jordan on the depth chart. Buckhalter can succeed in a role as a traditional running back and also help in the passing game as a blocker or a receiving back. 'His body is young,' McDaniels said. 'He just might be, as a matter of fact, I think he is, our fastest back. He's got a great burst and he's got a great long speed,' McDaniels said. This is looking more and more like a RBBC, much to the chagrin of Moreno owners.

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TEN - Team poking fun at RB Chris Johnson's new self-proclaimed nickname

Source: Jim Wyatt, The Tennessean

Jim Wyatt, of The Tennessean, reports Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher isn't sure RB Chris Johnson's self-proclaimed nickname, 'Every Coach's Dream,' fits. 'Maybe with a few exceptions - playing the bongos ... and getting hurt in the playoff game,' Fisher said. 'I'm sure they'll come up with something else,' Fisher said. 'Dumb and Dumber or something.'

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Fisher likes to have a good time with his players, and privately he must get a kick out of this. RB LenDale White also chimed in. 'He's a little delirious. When he wakes up out of the dream he'll be all right. And the one thing about dreams is they are not real,' White added. 'I don't know him right now. I think it's the Pro Bowl stuff - ya'll created somebody we don't want to see.' White should be more concerned with staying in shape as 2009 should be his audition for other teams in the NFL. This is his last season under contract with the Titans, and it could be his last season in Tennessee. The Titans selected Javon Ringer in the 5th round of the 2009 NFL Draft to be a complementary back to Chris Johnson in the near future.

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DET - Owner said he has never told coaches who to play

Source: Tom Kowalski, MLive.com

Tom Kowalski, of MLive.com, reports Detroit Lions owner William Clay Ford Sr. said he has never told a coach who to play and said he will not do so with QB Matthew Stafford either.

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There has always been a feeling that Ford was telling the coaching staff to play guys like Joey Harrington when clearly they weren't the best option for the team. "I do not, contrary to public opinion, interfere with the football side of it. I mean, if so-and-so plays lousy, I'll say, 'I think he's a bum.' But, no, I've never said, 'Play this guy or that guy or 'Don't play him.' No, these guys know more about the game than I do by 10 miles. I'm not going to try to second-guess them."

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ATL - Falcons could use Wildcat with RB Jerious Norwood

Source: J. Michael Moore, AtlantaFalcons.com

J. Michael Moore, of AtlantaFalcons.com, reports the Atlanta Falcons could use the Wildcat formation this season with RB Jerious Norwood taking the direct snap.

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Offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey said Norwood is able to throw the ball out of that formation. "His ability to do some of the things as a quarterback (allowed it)," Mularkey said. "(But) we've been doing that for 10 years. I don't think we caught anyone off guard with it. All of a sudden it has a name but Hines Ward, Antwaan Randle El and Roscoe Parrish have been doing those things for 10 years now." Mularkey was always known to put creative wrinkles in his offense during his time in Pittsburgh and Buffalo, and his playbook with the Falcons will be no different. Atlanta doesn't want to give Michael Turner the crazy amount of carries that they did last season, so expect them to change it up from time to time with Norwood in the backfield.

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NFL - Goodell may not decide on Vick before start of season

Source: Associated Press

The Associated Press reports NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said there is no timetable on when he will decide whether to reinstate unrestricted free-agent QB Michael Vick (Falcons), and it may not be decided before the start of the regular season.

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Interesting. I have a hard time believing the commish would do something that lame. Like his decisions or not, he hasn't been one afraid to make a decision. I'd be very surprised if he let this one flounder that long.

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SEA - RB Owen Schmitt arrested on suspicion of DUI

Source: Danny O'Neil, The Seattle Times

Danny O'Neil, of The Seattle Times, reports Seattle Seahawks FB Owen Schmitt was arrested Saturday, June 20, on suspicion of drunken driving.

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Apparently, he wasn't paying attention to the recent news involving Donte Stallworth. This could keep Schmitt from the starting fullback job because he's in a position battle with Justin Griffith who has experience with head coach Jim Mora Jr. from their days together in Atlanta.

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WAS - Some RBs will need to make impression to make team

Source: Paul Tenorio, The Washington Post

Paul Tenorio, of The Washington Post, reports Washington Redskins RBs Anthony Alridge, Dominique Dorsey and Marcus Mason will have to make big impressions during training camp to make the final roster.

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Marcus Mason led the preseason in rushing last year for the Redskins, but couldn't make the final roster and bounced around to a few different teams in 2008. Anthony Alrdige was going to be a fantastic change of pace RB for the Broncos last year before he was lost for the year with an injury. "Quick Six" averaged 10 yards per carry his junior year at Houston and has explosive speed with cat-like quickness. Dominique Dorsey was a star in the CFL on special teams, but is limited as a runner between the tackles. This should be an interesting battle to watch during the preseason and we'd put our money on Anthony Alridge to win the spot.

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DEN - RB Ryan Torain still recovering

Source: Lindsay H. Jones, The Denver Post

Lindsay H. Jones, of The Denver Post, reports Denver Broncos RB Ryan Torain (knee) is still recovering from last season's torn anterior cruciate ligament, but he was able to take part in individual drills during a June minicamp.

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Ryan Torain could start the season on the PUP list. It might be his best chance of making it through training camp unless injuries ravage the Broncos' backfield once again this year.

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DEN - FB Peyton Hillis fully healthy

Source: Lindsay H. Jones, The Denver Post

Lindsay H. Jones, of The Denver Post, reports Denver Broncos FB Peyton Hillis (hamstring) is fully recovered from his hamstring injury.

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Hillis is much more than your traditional fullback, but he might be the forgotten man in the Denver backfield this season. There shouldn't be a lot of carries for Hillis in the gameplan this year, with the exception of some work at the goalline. Most of his production could come from receptions out of the backfield on 3rd downs. He does have a nose for the endzone, and the Broncos could decide to use him over LaMont Jordan in the red zone.

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TEN - WR Nate Washington still learning playbook

Source: Jim Wyatt, The Tennessean

Jim Wyatt, of The Tennessean, reports Tennessee Titans WR Nate Washington estimated he has learned 85 percent of the Titans' offense so far.

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Washington will take several DVDs home with him when camp breaks so he can watch the spots he is supposed to be, how certain routes are supposed to be run. He also said he will be in constant contact with the coaches and working out like crazy. It's this type of hustle and effort that made Washington a favorite of the coaching staff in Pittsburgh.

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DEF - TB - WAS - DT Albert Haynesworth turned down more money from Tampa

Source: Greg Auman, The St. Petersburg Times

Greg Auman, of the St. Petersburg Times, reports Washington Redskins DT Albert Haynesworth said during a radio interview that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offered him more money when he was a free agent but decided to sign with the Redskins.

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We'll see if the Bucs players take it out on Haynesworth when the 2 teams match up in week four. Haynesworth told Sirius NFL radio host Adam Schein that money wasn't the issue, he chose Washington because it had a bigger fan base and was a bigger market.

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DEF - NO - DE Bobby McCray believes he will win starting job

Source: Dan Parr, ProFootballWeekly.com

Dan Parr, of ProFootballWeekly.com, reports New Orleans Saints DE Bobby McCray said he believes he will win one of the starting defensive end job even if the suspensions of DE Charles Grant and DE Will Smith are overturned. 'I will be starting this season no matter what, because I'm going out in training camp and I'm taking something. I don't care who's there. I came here for that (situational) role last year, but the tables have turned. I don't hope any suspensions on anybody because they're great players and I need them around to help me get better,' McCray said.

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The Saints need McCray to get off to a great start and stay healthy because they'll likely be without Charles Grant and Will Smith for the first four games of the season. He could blossom under coordinator Gregg Williams, and finally reach the potential that many expected when he came out of Florida.

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That'll do it for today. Thanks for reading.

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

J