Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 10, Issue 99 (Monday, July 27th)

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Hi Folks,

Good Tuesday to you. Big news on Michael Vick plus we've got all the other news stories for you. And some outstanding beat writers on our Footballguys Podcast. Let's get to it.

J

SITE NEWS

A. Footballguys Podcast - The Audible - Kent Somers from the Arizona Republic
In This Episode: Cecil Lammey and Sigmund Bloom interview Cardinals beat writer Kent Somers from the Arizona Republic. Topics include - how long until Chris Wells breaks into the starting lineup, will Early Doucet ever have the opportunity for more playing time, is Matt Leinart on the right track, plus more!

B. Footballguys Podcast - The Audible - Allen Wilson from the Buffalo News
In This Episode: Cecil Lammey and Sigmund Bloom interview Bills beat writer Allen Wilson from the Buffalo News. Topics include - what to expect from Terrell Owens in his first season with the Bills, a discussion about offensive changes and how it will impact Trent Edwards, is this a make or break year for Marshawn Lynch, plus more!

C. Footballguys Podcast - The Audible - Mike Garafolo from the Newark Star-Ledger
In This Episode: Cecil Lammey and Sigmund Bloom interview Giants beat writer Mike Garafolo from the Newark Star-Ledger. Topics include - how are the carries split up for the backs behind Brandon Jacobs, a discussion about rookie WRs Hakeem Nicks and Ramses Barden, can Steve Smith be the #1 WR on this team, plus more!

D. Keys to Training Camp: AFC South by Jason Wood
Our Jason Wood with one of my favorite Footballguys features - The Keys to Training Camp. With this one, he takes a detailed look at the AFC South.

E. Keys to Training Camp: AFC West by Jason Wood
Our Jason Wood with one of my favorite Footballguys features - The Keys to Training Camp. With this one, he takes a detailed look at the AFC West.

F. Keys to Training Camp: AFC East by Jason Wood
Our Jason Wood with one of my favorite Footballguys features - The Keys to Training Camp. With this one, he takes a detailed look at the AFC East.

G. Keys to Training Camp: NFC East by Jason Wood
Our Jason Wood with one of my favorite Footballguys features - The Keys to Training Camp. With this one, he takes a detailed look at the NFC East.

H. Keys to Training Camp: NFC South by Jason Wood
Our Jason Wood with one of my favorite Footballguys features - The Keys to Training Camp. With this one, he takes a detailed look at the NFC South.

I. Keys to Training Camp: NFC North by Jason Wood
Our Jason Wood with one of my favorite Footballguys features - The Keys to Training Camp. With this one, he takes a detailed look at the NFC North.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

NFL - QB Michael Vick reinstated on conditional basis

Source: Foxnews.com

The NFL has reinstated unrestricted free-agent QB Michael Vick (Falcons) on a conditional basis. He will be considered for full reinstatement and allowed to play in regular season games by Week 6.

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This is what ESPN's Chris Mortensen and Sal Paolantonio reported last week. Now it's official and the "big question" has been answered for Michael Vick. The question now is how ready he is to play in the NFL. We'll see soon there. Now we'll also see if all the teams that declared they have no interest in Vick change their mind. Vick can sign with any team, and participate in training camp - including playing in the final two preseason games. The San Francisco 49ers may be the first team to bring in Vick for a tryout.

This is another of those stories that we covered pretty heavily on our Facebook and Twitter pages Monday as the story developed. If you really want to keep up with all we're doing with Footballguys, you should be with us on Facebook and Twitter.

For our Footballguys Facebook page, just click here.

If you'd like to keep up with all that I'm doing on Twitter, plus breaking news and Footballguys site info, just click here.

And if you want to keep up with me on Facebook, click here.

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SEA - QB Matt Hasselbeck injury update

Source: Peter King - SI.com

Peter King, of SI.com, reports Seattle Seahawks QB Matt Hasselbeck (back) is currently eight pounds lighter than he was a season ago. Hasselbeck currently weighs 234 pounds.

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

Hasselbeck has been working out more this offseason and is convinced his back will not be an issue this season. 'I'm not worried about my back at all," Hasselbeck said. 'The only thing my back cannot do is sit in a three-hour run-game-install meeting without getting up and moving around. Of the things I'm worried about - new coach, new offense, some new teammates - I can promise you that health is not one of them." The Seattle passing game should be much improved this season with the addition of T.J. Houshmandzadeh and rookie Deon Butler. If Hasselbeck can stay healthy all season the Seahawks could make a playoff run.

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NFL - DA wants jail time for WR Plaxico Burress

Source: Laura Italiano - The New York Post

Laura Italiano, of the New York Post, reports negotiations in the gun-possession case against free-agent WR Plaxico Burress (Giants) fell apart earlier this year after prosecutors insisted he do two years' state time on a plea to a lesser gun charge, according to district attorney Robert Morgenthau. Burress was willing to do jail time, but he wouldn't agree to more than a year, according to Morgenthau. 'We've always taken the position that he's going to have to go to jail, whether by trial or by plea,' Morgenthau said.

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

Interesting revelations here. Sounds like jail time is definitely in the cards here for Burress.

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MIN - QB Brett Favre still unsure about return

Source: ESPN.com

ESPN.com reports free-agent QB Brett Favre (Jets) continues to wrestle with a decision on whether to come out of retirement and play for the Minnesota Vikings, agent Bus Cook told ESPN's Rachel Nichols Monday, July 27. At issue for Favre is whether he's really up to the mental and physical requirements of a long season in which he'll turn 40 years old. The quarterback's friends and family say they are leaving this decision solely up to him and will be supportive no matter which way he goes.

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With this indecisiveness one has to wonder if Favre does come back will there be a point in the season where he just doesn't "feel" it anymore. Could he make a return only to regret it later? The guy is more indecisive than Andy Reid at the Krispy Kreme.

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NFL - Dungy feels QB Michael Vick should be reinstated

Source: Andrew Perloff - SI.com

Andrew Perloff, of SI.com, reports former Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy said during the Dan Patrick radio show that free-agent QB Michael Vick (Falcons) should be reinstated by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. 'I tend to agree with Terrell Owens on this,' Dungy said. 'I feel like he's missed 32 games already and missed a ton of money.'

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This report comes as no surprise as Tony Dungy has been championing the return of Michael Vick for a while now. I'm with Dungy on this one.

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BAL - WR Drew Bennett retires

Source: Adam Schefter - ESPN

Adam Schefter, from ESPN, is reporting Baltimore Ravens WR Drew Bennett is retiring from football only three days after he signed a contract with his new team. Bennett: "I've been blessed to have the opp to play in NFL for as long as I have but it's time for me to move on to next chapter in my life."

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Now the Ravens are really hoping that Derrick Mason comes back. Bennett had an old knee injury that was the deciding factor in his retirement. He didn't play most of 2008, when he was with the Rams, after breaking his foot in week 1 of the regular season. We'll see what Baltimore does now and who they are looking at as a Plan D.

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NYJ - Talks with RB Leon Washington heating up

Source: Rich Cimini - The New York Daily News

Rich Cimini, of the New York Daily News, reports the New York Jets' negotiations with RB Leon Washington are heating up. Both sides appear to want to get a deal by Friday, July 31. The Jets are preparing a counter proposal for Washington, who is believed to be seeking $6 million per year. Should a deal get done, it would likely be in the range of $4.5 million per year, with $15 million guaranteed.

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Not only will we see rookies signed before training camp, but we'll also see veterans wanting more money get their deals done. Washington is the only back on the Jets roster that is capable of being a change of pace weapon out of the backfield. Thomas Jones wants more money too, but has no leverage as the Jets drafted Shonn Greene to be his eventual replacement. With the Jets wanting to lean on their run game to take pressure off the quarterback, it is imperative for them to get Washington signed.

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DEN - McDaniels leaves open possibility of QB Chris Simms starting

Source: Frank Schwab - the Colorado Springs Gazette

Frank Schwab, of the Colorado Springs Gazette reports that Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels said, "We're going to evaluate the quarterbacks just like we do like every other position. If Chris is the most effective quarterback in our system by September, then he'll start." McDaniels also said he was impressed with Simms attitude and work in the QB drills today.

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Schwab stresses that "most of the quote should be attributed to coachspeak" and that "there's a reason (McDaniels) named Orton the starter more than a month ago", but it is still an interesting quote. Simms has ideal NFL QB size and arm strength, and if he doesn't look better than Orton in some facets of the game, then something is wrong.

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CLE - WR Josh Cribbs considering sitting out regular season games?

Source: Mary Kay Cabot - the Cleveland Plain Dealer

Mary Kay Cabot, of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, reports Cleveland Browns WR Josh Cribbs is planning to report to training camp but is adamant about not playing in a regular season game without a new contract or significant progress toward one, according to a source.

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Cribbs' agent is expected to travel to Cleveland this week to have talks with the team. The talented receiver believes that his attendance at training camp should be seen as a good faith move, and that in return the team should give him a new contract.

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SF - WR Michael Crabtree looking for top pick money?

Source: Mike Klis - The Denver Post

Mike Klis, of The Denver Post, reports San Francisco 49ers WR Michael Crabtree is seeking money given to a top-three draft choice, according to a source.

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As we get closer to training camp and more and more first-round picks start signing the one player that is seen by many as a potential holdout is Michael Crabtree. Despite being the 10th overall pick, Crabtree feels that he is worth much more money than his draft position dictates.

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DEN - WR Brandon Marshall looks good in workouts

Source: NFL Network

Denver Broncos WR Brandon Marshall (hip), who reported to the team Monday, July 27, said he is happy to play football and that is what he hopes to continue to do. Is he happy to be in Denver after wanting a trade earlier this year? He isn't saying. 'I'm under contract and it's my obligation to be here,' Marshall said. According to the NFL Network, Marshall looked good while doing his conditioning runs during the day.

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Marshall had been working out at Larry Fitzgerald's WR camp, so we didn't expect him to be too limited, but this is still good news. The next piece of news we want to see about Marshall before we're ready fully endorse taking him in the third round is that he is taking well to the Josh McDaniels offense and creating chemistry with QB Kyle Orton.

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SD - OLB Shawne Merriman practicing Monday

Source: Kevin Acee - the San Diego Union-Tribune

Kevin Acee, of the San Diego Union-Tribune, reports San Diego Chargers LB Shawne Merriman (knee) participated in individual drills Monday, July 27.

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

He did not initially participate in team drills but was on the field during 7-on-7 drills. He was wearing a brace on his left knee. Merriman is out to prove that he is still one of the top linebackers in the game today. A healthy Merriman could mean trouble for teams that face the Chargers in 2009.

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PHI - McDermott vows blitzing defense

Source: Associated Press

The Associated Press reports Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Sean McDermott will continue to rely on an aggressive style of defense, such as the one employed by his predecessor, Jim Johnson. McDermott didn't hesitate when asked the most important advice he's received from Johnson. 'Blitz, and blitz again,' McDermott said.

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It just wouldn't be the Eagles defense without the constant blitzing.

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That'll do it for today, Folks. Thanks for reading and I hope you have a great Tuesday. We'll see you tomorrow with the update.

J