Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 10, Issue 71 (Monday, June 29th)

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Hi Folks,

Good Tuesday to you. If you're looking for cheatsheets today, check out our 163 Cheatsheets - you're sure to find one that works for you. Plus we've got the updated Average Draft Position lists so you'll know what the other owners in your league are thinking. And of course we have all the news and notes you need. So let's get to it.

J

SITE NEWS

A. Average Draft Position
It's one thing to know where YOU want to draft a guy. But you also need to know where the other guys in your league are likely thinking about drafting that guy. Our Average Draft Position (ADP) lists are the best in the business for determining a "conventional wisdom" where players are going in drafts.

B. 163 Cheatsheets
If you're looking for a quick cheatsheet but want one tailored to your league, we've got you covered. With our 163 Cheatsheets, you're sure to find one that fits your situation.

C. Last Chance to Save 30% on Rapid Draft Teams in June
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

CHI - Bears unlikely to pursue WR Plaxico Burress

Source: Kevin Seifert, ESPN.com

Kevin Seifert, of ESPN.com, reports the Chicago Bears likely will not pursue unrestricted free-agent WR Plaxico Burress (Giants), according to ESPN's John Clayton.

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This is likely to be the stance of every team as long as the possibility of an indefinite suspension from Commissioner Goodell hangs over Burress.

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NFL - WR Plaxico Burress may be suspended indefinitely

Source: Jason Cole, Yahoo! Sports

Jason Cole, of Yahoo! Sports, reports the NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is leaning toward indefinitely suspending unrestricted free-agent WR Plaxico Burress (Giants), according to sources. Goodell is apparently upset at Burress' refusal to accept jail time as part of his plea bargain in his felony gun trial, according to a league source.

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There goes that interest that Drew Rosenhaus mentioned on his Twitter feed. This is a clear message that Burress needs to get his legal issues resolved before he can even think about playing football again in the NFL.

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SEA - WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh guarantees playoffs

Source: Greg Johns, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Greg Johns, of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, reports Seattle Seahawks WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh said during an interview with the Sporting News that the team will make the playoffs this season. Houshmandzadeh also predicted Pro Bowl nominations for himself and QB Matt Hasselbeck. 'I just want to let everyone know that Matt Hasselbeck and I will be leading the Seahawks to the playoffs this season,' Houshmandzadeh said. 'And we'll be going to the Pro Bowl as a tandem. We're both going to have top five seasons: He'll have a top five quarterback season, and I'll have a top five receiving season. I'll put up stats I've never had before yards-wise because they're allowing me to be a complete receiver.'

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Easy there Houshyourmamma. It's great to have this type of confidence as we enter the season, and it's much better than hearing "we're not going anywhere" but too often these "guarantees" collapse in glorious fashion. That being said, there is a good chance that Seattle could make it back to the postseason because of the division they play in. The 49ers and Rams may have okay seasons, but are far from ready for a playoff push. The Cardinals won the conference title last year but had to get hot at the end of the year to do so. If Matt Hasselbeck can stay upright the Seahawks have a good chance of being at least 8-8 in 2009. That kind of record could win them the division and have them playoff bound.

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KC - Tyler Thigpen says he is comfortable being No. 2 QB

Source: Dan Armonaitis, The Spartanburg Herald-Journal

Dan Armonaitis, of the Spartanburg Herald-Journal, reports Kansas City Chiefs QB Tyler Thigpen said he is comfortable being the team's No. 2 quarterback behind QB Matt Cassel. 'They've got a lot of money invested in (Cassel), and I'm comfortable being behind him,' Thigpen said. 'I'm going to support him and do anything that I can to make him better. I'm a team player and not just an individual.'

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Thigpen is a "team first" player so this report isn't a surprise to us. It seems like every player in KC is trying to impress the new regime, and Thigpen knows that his role in 2009 will be to backup Matt Cassel and be ready in case of injury. Cassel is known to take a lot (too many) sacks, so with that kind of punishment we could see Thigpen on the field in the regular season.

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NO - RB Mike Bell likely to be No. 3 back

Source: The Monroe News-Star

The Monroe News-Star reports New Orleans Saints RB Mike Bell likely will be the team's No. 3 running back this season that could be able to start if needed.

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Mike Bell is the frontrunner for job but he'll face tough competition in training camp. New Orleans has been looking for a power runner now that Deuce McAllister is no longer with the team. Pierre Thomas has bulked up and will be the lead back with Reggie Bush, but the Saints were concerned about the depth behind their starting duo. Bell will have to beat out Lynell Hamilton, Herb Donaldson, and P.J. Hill for the 3rd spot on the depth chart.

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NO - QBs Mark Brunell, Joey Harrington likely to compete for No. 2 job

Source: The Monroe News-Star

The Monroe News-Star reports New Orleans Saints QB Mark Brunell and QB Joey Harrington likely will compete for the primary backup quarterback job during training camp.

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Earlier reports about Joey Harrington have indicated that he's failed to impress thus far as the Saints 3rd string QB, so winning the backup job to Drew Brees may be a tough task. We wonder how much Mark Brunell has left in the tank, but the Saints could decide that he'd be a better option than Harrinton if Brees were to go down with injury.

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TEN - Work ethic improving for WR Chris Davis

Source: Terry McCormick, The Nashville City Paper

Terry McCormick, from the Nashville City Paper, reports that Chris Davis - the third-year wide receiver knows that time is ticking on his Tennessee Titans career. During the team's May and June organized team activities, Davis has not only caught the eye of media onlookers as much improved, but more importantly, the eyes of the coaching staff he needs to impress in order to hold on to his roster spot.

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Offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger believes there's been a change to Davis' work ethic. "I think Chris knows what he's supposed to do now. And I think Chris is working at it," Heimerdinger said. "I'm not sure Chris worked at it last year. I think he just kind of took it and said, ‘OK, I'm not in the top three.' Davis has struggled as both a receiver and a return man so far in his NFL career, but this offseason he has been a standout WR for the Titans. Currently listed as 6th on the depth chart Davis will need to have a good training camp and preseason to make the final roster.

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NYJ - QB Mark Sanchez has sights set on starting

Source: Eric Allen, NewYorkJets.com

Eric Allen, of NewYorkJets.com, reports New York Jets QB Mark Sanchez said he is confident of earning the team's starting quarterback job. Sanchez is competing with QB Kellen Clemens for the spot. 'For me, I feel like I'm going to be on the field and that's what you always want to do. You don't grow up dreaming of being a backup, so I'm going to go for it,' Sanchez said. 'I know Kellen's going to do the same thing, and it's going to be a great competition and I'm excited to compete with him.'

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We love seeing this kind of confidence from the rookie, but the NFL is a brutal game and he will go through his ups and downs if he makes it into the starting lineup. Sanchez has had a few bad days in minicamp, which is natural for a rookie, but Jets head coach Rex Ryan will start the best QB for the team. Last season when Ryan was with the Ravens he got to see first hand how a rookie QB (Joe Flacco) could succeed if the offense was built the right way. Like Baltimore, the Jets will rely on their ground game to take the pressure off of the quarterback. Sanchez will have to beat out veteran Kellen Clemens for the job, and this is a competition that could go on throughout preseason.

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BAL - Ravens offense should open up some this year

Source: Gerry Dulac, Vinnie Iyer & Mike Preston, Sporting News

Gerry Dulac, Vinnie Iyer & Mike Preston, of Sporting News, report that Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameron should open up the offense some this season for QB Joe Flacco, even though they will remain a run-first team.

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The passing offense was focused on passes to the sidelines and deep last year to minimize the chances of an interception if Flacco made an error. The main beneficiaries of this change should be the tight ends - Todd Heap and LJ Smith - as Flacco should be trusted more to work the middle of the field in his second season.

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PHI - RB LeSean McCoy signs four-year deal

Source: Drew Rosenhaus

Drew Rosenhaus, on his twitter feed, reports that Eagles second round pick RB LeSean McCoy has signed a four-year contract. He is the first second round pick to sign.

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Good news for McCoy owners as he'll be in camp from day one and ready to compete with Lorenzo Booker for any first-team reps Brian Westbrook can't take as he recovers from ankle surgery.

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NYG - TE Travis Beckum signed

Source: Michael Eisen, Giants.com

Michael Eisen, of Giants.com, reports the New York Giants have signed third-round draft choice TE Travis Beckum. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

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Travis Beckum is far from a traditional tight end, and is more of a weapon that can use his size and athleticism to create mismatches nearly every time he's on the field. He can quickly get into his route and is a natural hands catcher that consistently plucks the ball out of the air. He started his career at Wisconsin as a linebacker and shows decent toughness catching passes over the middle. Beckum must prove that he can stay healthy after an injury plagued senior season. While questions abound at the WR position, the Giants have two tight ends (Kevin Boss and Beckum) that can make plays and will greatly help QB Eli Manning in 2009.

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MIA - WR Davone Bess looking into suing Twitter imposter

Source: Jason La Canfora, The NFL Network

Jason La Canfora, of the NFL Network, reports Miami Dolphins WR Davone Bess is looking into suing the individual that is impersonating him on Twitter, according to his agent Kenny Zuckerman.

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This Twitter impostor aka "LamboWeezy" was not only tweeting about insignificant trips to Home Depot, he was also answering fan questions as Davone Bess. Somebody from the Dolphins blog "The Phinsider" brought the Twitter imposter to Zuckerman's attention.

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DEF - SD - LB Shawne Merriman says he's ready for 2009

Source: Charles Robinson, Yahoo! Sports

Charles Robinson, of Yahoo! Sports, reports San Diego Chargers LB Shawne Merriman (knee) said that his best is yet to come, now that he is healthy after missing most of the 2008 season. 'People haven't seen the best of me, not at all,' Merriman said. 'In the past, I would tell someone, ‘I'm about to go out and just kill it this year.' Now I want people to just watch. I had enough doubters around before, and some people felt like I was talking (trash) or just talking too much. My thing is, now I'm just talking about what I've done and what I'm doing right now – not about what I'm going to do … I'm going to be me. If anybody thought I was good in the past, well, just wait. Now I'm healthy.'

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Merriman is motivated by an article on the internet that listed him as the 12th best at his position. "I was pissed off," Merriman recalled. "I'm sitting there like, ‘Hold on, there are 11 guys in the league better than me? When did this happen?' I know I didn't play for a year, but I didn't know I had that much of a drop-off." This season he could bounce back to the top of his game, and we know that a motivated Merriman is a bad thing for anyone that he tackles.

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DEF - SF - FS Dashon Goldson worked with first team during workouts

Source: Matt Maiocco, The Santa Rosa Press Democrat

Matt Maiocco, of The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports San Francisco 49ers FS Dashon Goldson worked at free safety with the first-team defense during offseason workouts.

[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]

Goldson is a safety/cornerback 'tweener that loves to hit. He is a smart player that does a good job of keeping the play in front of him. A strong tackler, Goldson can sniff out a run play, work through traffic, and wrap up the ball carrier consistently. He is also a safety that can hang with receivers in one on one coverage and loves to get physical with his opponents.

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DEF - GB - DL B.J. Raji says he will not hold out

Source: Lori Nickel, The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Lori Nickel, of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, reports Green Bay Packers DL B.J. Raji said he will not hold out during training camp because he can't afford missing practice time since he is a rookie.

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We like this type of outlook from the rookie, but we're sure his agent didn't want to hear him say this.

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DEF - ATL - SS Thomas DeCoud believes he can succeed in several roles

Source: J. Michael Moore, AtlantaFalcons.com

J. Michael Moore, of AtlantaFalcons.com, reports Atlanta Falcons SS Thomas DeCoud believes he can be a safety that can play in the box to stop the run as well as a safety that can play in coverage. 'You have to look at what you can do as a player,' DeCoud said. 'I feel I am that hybrid safety: play in the box, play against the run and play center field, get off the hashes and make plays. I feel like I have those skill sets.'

[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]

DeCoud could become a versatile starter for the Falcons, but he's not going to be handed the job. He will compete with Jamaal Fudge and rookie William Moore but according to his coaches he's an improved player. "He's a much-improved player right now playing with much more confidence," defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder said.

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DEF - TEN - DL Jason Jones looking to improve in 2009

Source: Paul Kuharsky, of ESPN.com

Paul Kuharsky, of ESPN.com, reports Tennessee Titans DL Jason D. Jones said one key to substantial improvement in 2009 is better hand placement. Jones, who had five sacks in 2008, will have a big role within the team's defense following the departure of DL Albert Haynesworth to the Washington Redskins in the offseason. 'My hand placement was all off (in 2008),' Jones said. 'If my hand placement is all over the place, it won't help me on the block that I am getting. If my hand placement is there, everything will be alright. It's recognizing the blocking and focusing on your aiming points. Coach Wash gives us aiming points on the offensive line body that I have got to concentrate on.'

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There is a huge hole on the defensive line that must be filled for the Titans now that Albert Haynesworth is gone. Jones is extremely athletic, was recruited as a basketball player out of high school and spent his freshmen season at tight end before making the switch to defense. He has been a welcome addition to the Titans squad but now must perform like he's never done before. Only time will tell if he's up to the challenge.

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DEF - CLE - HC Mangini has high praise for DL Shaun Rogers

Source: Terry Pluto, of the Cleveland Plain Dealer

Terry Pluto, of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, reports Cleveland Browns head coach Eric Mangini believes DL Shaun Rogers can be a leader of the team's defense because he has the intelligence and charisma to inspire teammates while making the proper reads on different plays.

[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]

Although Rogers came to the team last summer with the reputation of being moody and out of shape, he has been in football shape and responsive to coaching in Cleveland. Rogers seems to be over his problem with coach Mangini stemming from a perceived slight when the head coach didn't recognize the big D-lineman at an awards banquet in Cleveland.

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That'll do it for today, Folks. Thanks for reading and I hope you have a great Tuesday.

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

J