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Hi Folks,
Welcome to Sunday. Hope you're having a great weekend - we've got the news and notes you need so let's get to it. JSITE NEWS
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. ATL - Jacquizz Rodgers could have role similar to Darren Sproles2. TB - Encouraged with QB Josh Freeman’s offseason
3. MIN - Christian Ponder to enter camp as starter
4. SF - TE Vernon Davis best tight end ever?
5. DEN - WR Demaryius Thomas looking to impress QB Peyton Manning
6. PHI - Not expected to have interest in QB Colt McCoy
7. BUF - RB Fred Jackson, RB C.J. Spiller expected to play at same time
8. IND - Owner says Andrew Luck deal is close
9. CAR - WR Steve Smith does not want WR Plaxico Burress
10. WAS - QB Brett Favre a fan of Robert Griffin
11. SD - TE Antonio Gates had strong offseason
12. MIN - WR Percy Harvin's touches may not increase
13. OAK - Will need more production from TEs
14. CHI - WR Johnny Knox taking it day by day
15. SD - WR Robert Meachem comfortable in new system
16. NYG - Believe DT Shaun Rogers can make impact
17. NYG - Three DTs expected to compete for playing time
ATL - Jacquizz Rodgers could have role similar to Darren Sproles
Source: ProFootballWeekly.com - Dan Parr
Atlanta Falcons RB Jacquizz Rodgers may have a role in the offense similar to the one that New Orleans Saints RB Darren Sproles has with the Saints. Rodgers is expected to have a role in the running game as well as the passing game.
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Rodgers could see a bigger role this season as a change of pace back behind Michael Turner. Sources close to the team see this as a 70/30 split, so Rodgers role will not be quite as big as the one Sproles has with the Saints. Currently Rodgers is coming off the board at RB49 near the beginning of the 11th round.
TB - Encouraged with QB Josh Freeman’s offseason
Source: ProFootballWeekly.com - Dan Parr
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers coaching staff was encouraged with the dedication and attention to detail QB Josh Freeman showed during offseason workouts. The Buccaneers believe they have added enough pieces on offense to allow Freeman to make major strides in his play this season.
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Freeman (and the Bucs) are looking to bounce back from a poor season in 2011. We think Greg Schiano's 'back to basics' offense could be the best thing for Freeman. Defenses will have to respect the run, which will set up play action for Freeman and his WR corps. The passing weapons got a huge boost when the team added WR Vincent Jackson in free agency.
MIN - Christian Ponder to enter camp as starter
Source: FOXSportsNorth.com - Brian Hall
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier said QB Christian Ponder is the starting quarterback and will not have to compete for the job during training camp. 'Well, we're going into it with Christian being our starting quarterback,' Frazier said Thursday on the final day of Minnesota's mandatory three-day minicamp. 'If something were to happen to Christian because of injury, we feel like we have a capable backup in [QB Joe Webb]. But there's no competition as to, 'Joe has to do this to beat out Christian.' Christian, it's his job,' Frazier said.
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No surprise here. Ponder was drafted in the first-round last year to be the team's franchise QB. He flashed good ability briefly as a rookie, but needs to play with more consistency this year. Ponder should have a long leash at the QB position. He'd have to struggle early and often for Webb to take over in the starting lineup.
SF - TE Vernon Davis best tight end ever?
Source: NFL.com
San Francisco 49ers TE Vernon Davis said during a speech to high school student in Washington Friday, June 22, that he will be the best tight end to ever play in the NFL once his career is over. 'I will be the best tight end to ever play this game. I have a vision,' Davis said. When asked if his goal can be achieved with QB Alex Smith at quarterback, Davis replied, 'It can. It doesn't matter. Anything is possible. I say that because ... what can happen? If I don't make it, then I don't make it. It's as simple as that. Ain't nothing nobody can do, ain't nothing nobody can say. But if I do? Then I spoke it into existence.'
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We like the mentality from Davis here. He's always been a superfreak athletically, and really came on last year as the 49ers made a deep playoff run. If they want to contend for the Super Bowl again this year then Davis should be a big part of what they do.
DEN - WR Demaryius Thomas looking to impress QB Peyton Manning
Source: ESPN.com - Bill Williamson
Denver Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas is looking to take advantage of playing with an elite quarterback like QB Peyton Manning. However, he says it isn’t always fun because of the pressure he puts on himself. 'Every time I make a mistake, I get mad at myself because I know Peyton is counting on me,' Thomas said. 'I have to be good. Peyton picked the Broncos, and I have to make him know he made the right choice.'
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Our very own Cecil Lammey has been in attendance during OTAs and minicamp out at Dove Valley this offseason. He's reported that Thomas has been in absolute beast mode in camp. Thomas has also looked like Manning's favorite target this offseason. We'll see if he can play up to his potential with the Broncos revamped passing game. Thomas has the natural athletic talent to be a top 10 WR in the NFL.
PHI - Not expected to have interest in QB Colt McCoy
Source: ESPN.com - Dan Graziano
The Philadelphia Eagles are not expected to have interest in trading for Cleveland Browns QB Colt McCoy.
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The Eagles are moving forward with Mike Kafka or Trent Edwards as the primary backup behind Michael Vick. Rookie Nick Foles will likely be only a third-string QB this year.
BUF - RB Fred Jackson, RB C.J. Spiller expected to play at same time
Source: BuffaloBills.com - Chris Brown
Buffalo Bills RBs Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller are expected be on the field together at times this season with one of the running backs going in motion and lining up at a different position.
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We like both Jackson and Spiller as RB2 prospects with upside. Both are versatile weapons who can be used effectively as runners and receivers out of the backfield. Jackson is coming off the board in the 3rd round, and Spiller is coming off the board in the early 7th round in most standard 12-team leagues.
IND - Owner says Andrew Luck deal is close
Source: NFL.com
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay said a deal with first overall draft pick QB Andrew Luck is close. Irsay added the final details to hammer out are not related to marketing language, as previously reported.
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No surprise here. With the new rookie wage scale the days of the rookie holdout are over. Luck is going to get a premium since he's a QB, but the Colts are certainly more than happy to pay up for their franchise player.
CAR - WR Steve Smith does not want WR Plaxico Burress
Source: Charlotte Observer - Joseph Person
Carolina Panthers WR Steve Smith said free-agent WR Plaxico Burress (Jets) is an exceptional wide receiver; however, Smith would rather the team focus on giving the younger receivers on the team a chance instead of signing Burress. 'We’ve filled our chairs in the receivers room with already a lot of guys – young and older guys. To bring in Plax (and) to let one of those guys go it wouldn’t be the coach Rivera way,' Smith said. 'The guys that are in there, they earned those chairs for right now and allowed them to go through training camp.'
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Burress stated earlier this week how he'd like to play with QB Cam Newton. The Panthers (and apparently Smith) have no desire to add the veteran WR to their squad.
WAS - QB Brett Favre a fan of Robert Griffin
Source: NFL.com
Retired NFL QB Brett Favre said he would choose Washington Redskins QB Robert Griffin III over Indianapolis Colts QB Andrew Luck if he were starting a team. 'Griffin, he's smaller, but if I was starting a team, I'd probably of went with RG3 just because, if they can't protect you, you got to protect yourself,' Favre said.
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Griffin is certainly a gunslinger like Favre was during his heyday. He was the best deep thrower in the 2012 NFL Draft, and has incredible accuracy downfield on bucket throws. If you wait on QB in your fantasy draft we suggest adding RG3 in the 8th or 9th round. He could be the lead guy in your QBBC, and is likely to start most weeks.
SD - TE Antonio Gates had strong offseason
Source: CBSSports.com
San Diego Chargers head coach Norv Turner said TE Antonio Gates had one of his best offseasons in years and expects him to have a big 2012 campaign. “Gates has had the best offseason that he has had in three or four years,” Turner said.
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Gates is one of the top 5 TEs in the league, and only needs to stay healthy in order to produce up to his potential. The Chargers passing game has been revamped this offseason with the addition of Robert Meachem and Eddie Royal.
MIN - WR Percy Harvin's touches may not increase
Source: CBSSports.com
Minnesota Vikings WR Percy Harvin's role in the offense may not increase, according to head coach Leslie Frazier. Harvin may see more snaps but not necessarily receive more touches. 'Touches, I don’t know about that,' Frazier said. 'We want to keep him on the field more, but his style - he’s a reckless guy and doesn’t hold anything back. It’s always 100 miles an hour. So you have to be careful about not overusing him.'
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Harvin's mysterious issue with the team was most likely due to his role in the offense. He was only on the field for 58% of the snaps last year, and that number should increase. Harvin was the 7th best WR in fantasy football last year and could break into the top 5 with a slightly increased role this year.
OAK - Will need more production from TEs
Source: ESPN.com - Bill Williamson
Oakland Raiders TEs Brandon Myers, David Ausberry and Richard Gordon have combined for 35 career receptions. Myers is the most experienced of the three players and could start in 2012.
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We don't see any of the Raiders TEs as fantasy options this year. The Raiders WR corps is incredibly strong, and that's where most of the passing game production will come from.
CHI - WR Johnny Knox taking it day by day
Source: ESPNChicago.com - Chris Silva
Chicago Bears WR Johnny Knox (back) said there is still no timetable for a return to the football field as he makes his way back from back surgery. He had a procedure to stabilize a vertebra in his back.
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Knox suffered one of the most horrific looking injuries last year when he essentially bent backwards in a late season game against the Seahawks. He may not be able to come back to the football field until 2013.
SD - WR Robert Meachem comfortable in new system
Source: North County Times - Tom Sheridan
San Diego Chargers WR Robert Meachem spent the past four season working with the New Orleans Saints and QB Drew Brees. He notes significant similarity between Brees and QB Philip Rivers, and he likes the style of head coach Norv Turner. 'As far as approach, you have two coaches on the field who tell everybody where to go, put people in the right spots,' Meachem said. 'And you enjoy that, being a wide receiver.'
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Meachem is trying to replace Vincent Jackson on the Chargers offense this year. He's coming off the board as a WR3 around the middle of the 7th round in standard 12-team leagues. We agree with this draft slot, as Meachem is a talented player but has yet to play up to his full potential as a pro.
NYG - Believe DT Shaun Rogers can make impact
Source: ESPNNewYork.com - Ohm Youngmisuk
The New York Giants believe DT Shaun Rogers still has the ability to be an impact player on defense as long as he can stay healthy during the season.
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Rogers needs to stay healthy if he's going to make any impact this year. He's currently buried on the Giants depth chart behind Chris Canty, Linval Joseph, Marvin Austin and Rocky Bernard. Rogers has an elbow problem currently and has missed all of minicamp because of it. He's no guarantee to be ready at the start of training camp.
NYG - Three DTs expected to compete for playing time
Source: ESPNNewYork.com - Ohm Youngmisuk
New York Giants DTs Marvin Austin, Rocky Bernard and Shaun Rogers are expected to compete for playing time during training camp.
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We like Austin in this group if he can stay healthy. He's a big, physical DT with powerful hands and the ability to create middle pressure on the pocket.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Thanks for reading and thanks for being a part of Footballguys. We'll see you tomorrow with the update.
Peace, J