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Hi Folks,

Hope you're off to a good week. We're rolling here with tons of news as camps get into full swing. Thanks to our Mark Wimer for rounding up these stories today. Plus, we've got big news on our $20,000 Subscriber's Contest. Let's get to it.

Joe

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Site News:

A. $20,000 Subscriber Contest Opens Our Subscriber Contest is one way we say "thanks" to those folks that purchase our Premium Subscription. If you're a Premium Subscriber, you're automatically eligible to enter our $20,000 contest. This isn't some giant contest with 8 zillion guys that you're a tiny part of. This is just for FBG subscribers and one of our subscribers will walk off with the big bucks. Click the link for more details and get on board. Even with out the information we provide, it's probably the best contest out there for $19.95.

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News and Notes:

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1. RB Tatum Bell (Den): Status Uncertain for Days, at Least

Clipped from: Denver Post article by Patrick Saunders, 8/2/04

Team trainer Steve Antonopulos said the pins were placed to stabilize the fracture. Bell's hand will be immobilized for a few days before he begins rehabilitation. He was injured during Saturday afternoon's special-teams practice.

Antonopulos said Bell was doing well but didn't know how long he will be out until the finger is examined a few days from now.

A severe finger injury can be enough to end a player's season. That's what happened last year to backup quarterback Steve Beuerlein. He fractured and dislocated the pinkie finger on his right (throwing) hand in an Oct. 19 loss at Minnesota and was out for the season.

Coach Mike Shanahan said Saturday he couldn't predict how long Bell would be sidelined.

"It all depends on how bad it is," Shanahan said. "You never know if they are going to have pins put in it, or do they just set it in a splint? These are questions I can't answer at this time."

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

We'll have to wait and see what the time-table for Bell's rehabilitation is until later this week. However, this can be viewed as nothing other than a very serious setback for his chances in Denver. We'll keep you updated with the latest on this developing situation as information becomes available.

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2. More Chaos on the Cardinal's Offensive Line: C Pete Kendall Released

Clipped from: azcentral.com article by Kent Somers, 8/2/04

Starting center Pete Kendall was informed he was cut as he was packing his car Sunday for the trip to Northern Arizona University, where practice begins this morning. And the team's top three draft picks remain unsigned.

Kendall's release was surprising because Green had spent part of the past few months lauding Kendall as one of the team's few established starters. And when Green named his starting lineup in June, Kendall was in it.

No one, including Kendall, saw this move coming. He had passed his physical and was home when a Cardinals official called him to say Green wanted to talk to him.

Kendall returned to the team's Tempe facility and heard that he was now unemployed.

"My only comment is that I'm shocked and that I'll be moving forward," Kendall said...

...Kendall's departure comes a month after some players complained to the National Football League Players Association about the intensity of off-season practices. The NFL penalized the Cardinals by making them forfeit the last week of their off-season conditioning program.

It's unknown if Kendall, one of the more vocal Cardinals, was among those players.

Green denied that was the motive for cutting Kendall, 31, who is entering his ninth season.

"From the very first day, I've said the team has not played as well as they could play," he said. "No one should be surprised about anything."

When asked again for his reasons, Green said he focused on five games from last season: losses to Chicago, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Detroit and San Francisco.

When asked if he meant Kendall had struggled in those games, Green replied that the team had played poorly and wasn't competitive.

"It became clear that we had to make some more changes in that offensive line," Green said. "That chemistry was never good at all. I'd be naïve to think that it was going to change because I was here."

Rookie Alex Stepanovich, the team's fourth-round pick from Ohio State, takes over for Kendall. Stepanovich played both center and guard for the Buckeyes.

The Cardinals also took a center in the sixth round, Nick Leckey from Kansas State, although he's beginning his NFL career at guard.

Kendall's departure and Stepanovich's ascension add to an already shaky offensive line situation. Leonard Davis has been moved from guard to left tackle, resulting in the demotion of L.J. Shelton.

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

Aside from Kendall, there's a bigger lesson here - one veteran FF owners already know - Just because coach Green says it, it doesn't make it so. Green spoke well of Kendall and lauded him as a starter. The next time he says something glowing about Josh McCown or Emmitt Smith, you'd do well to keep that in mind. Coach Green is moving ahead with remaking the Cardinals in his own image. However, the release of Kendall on the eve of training camp is a big surprise. How well rookie Alex Stepanovich can take over for the veteran Kendall remains to be seen, but this looks like a negative move in reference to the chances of Emmitt Smith and Marcel Shipp to get the Cardinals' ground game off to a strong start during 2004. Don't be surprised if the Cardinals bring in a veteran OL in an attempt to fill the void left by Kendall's departure, although who that might be is open to speculation at this point. As an aside, we wonder if anyone else is going to be caught complaining about the intensity of the Cardinals' workouts during 2004?...

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3. Cardinals Sign Rookie WR Larry Fitzgerald to Mega-Deal

Clipped from: CBSSportsline.com wire reports, 8/2/04

Rookie receiver Larry Fitzgerald and the Arizona Cardinals agreed Monday to a six-year contract that could be worth up to $60 million.

About $20 million is guaranteed, said a source close to the negotiations, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

Fitzgerald, the No. 3 overall pick in the draft, missed Monday morning's practice but was expected for the afternoon half of the first two-a-days of training camp.

"He always expressed the desire to be out there," said Fitzgerald's agent, Eugene Parker.

"But he also recognized that there is a business side of it. Larry was very patient, but now he's very excited and ready to get going."

The agreement came four days after quarterback Eli Manning and offensive lineman Robert Gallery, the only players drafted ahead of Fitzgerald in April, signed with their teams. Manning received a $20 million signing bonus from the New York Giants.

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Now that that's settled, let's see how the chemistry between McCown, Boldin, Johnson and Fitzgerald works out. We think that the trio will put up decent numbers, with about 2000 yards and 15 scores between them (We have Boldin projecting to be the 15th best WR in the NFL with 80/1024/8 and Fitzgerald 43rd with 60/720/5). Go here to see all of our current WR projections.

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4. Miami: Not Currently Negotiating for New RB

Clipped from: Miami Herald article by Dan Farrand, 8/2/04

Dolphins general manager Rick Spielman said the team is not in the process of acquiring any other running backs.

Spielman said management is sticking with Wannstedt's philosophy, "making sure we know what we have," before any type of deal gets done.

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

Every day that goes by without a new RB in camp ups the chances that Travis Minor will be a significant fantasy contributor in 2004. Time will tell – and we'll keep you updated on all the latest out of Miami as August flows into September. And remember to keep an eye on Leonard Henry.

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5. RB McGahee (Buf): Looking Good at First Workout

Clipped from: Buffalo Democrat and Chronicle article by Leo Roth, 8/2/04

McGahee, Buffalo's first-round pick in 2003, didn't play as a rookie but got through his first NFL training camp workout Sunday with flying colors. He ran hard during the three-quarter speed drills and bounced right back up after getting bumped and taking several tumbles in traffic.

"I covered up," McGahee said. "I know how to fall; you don't have to worry about that. But I felt pretty good. It was a good day — no setbacks, no problems."

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

Travis Henry is the headliner in Buffalo, and we expect great things out of him this season (300/1245/10 rushing and 32/208/1 receiving). Henry showed that he could play through pain and was very productive despite a limited passing offense last season – Henry should keep McGahee on the bench as long as he stays healthy – but backup players often see playing time in the NFL, so it's good news for the Bills that McGahee is looking strong. Go here to see our latest projections for all of the 2004 RBs.

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6. WR Lee Evans (Buf): Plenty to Learn

Clipped from: Buffalo Democrat and Chronicle article by Sal Maiorana, 8/2/04

With Eric Moulds and Josh Reed atop the depth chart at wide receiver, Evans will compete with Bobby Shaw, Sam Aiken and Clarence Coleman for the No. 3 spot, and with his blazing speed, he might be considered the front-runner.

However, the rookie from Wisconsin still has quite a bit to learn.

"Lee is going to be a special receiver, but this is a different game at this level," said coach Mike Mularkey.

"There's still things I recognize, like coming back for the ball. He has to realize defensive backs at this level with their speed, they can close on the ball. Little things like that he'll eventually get — and hopefully soon. He had a good start, but he has some little things to work on."

Evans knows this.

"I have a great opportunity, and it's all about seizing opportunities," he said. "Right now I'm learning from Josh and Bobby, and I have a long way to go. I can't say one thing or another, but my goal is to define my role on this team, whatever that role might be."

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

Lee Evans has a lot of talent, and Josh Reed was unimpressive in his big chance last season (when Peerless Price moved on to the Falcons, Reed managed 58/588/2 over 16 games). We think that Evans will actually surpass Reed in fantasy value by years' end , but his projection of 47/649/3 will leave him out of most team's draft picture unless we're talking a dynasty league or a keeper league with a rookie roster. However, keep Evans on your radar: if/when he takes over the #2 job in Buffalo, he could make an excellent mid-season free agent acquisition in redraft leagues.

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7. HC Parcells on RB Eddie George (Dal): "There is some left"

Clipped from: Dallas Star-Telegram article by Jennifer Floyd Engel, 8/2/04

"Obviously, in the high-contact positions -- fullback, tight end, strong safety, linebacker -- you just see the players start to play a little bit on the edges and not down the middle, and you know it's kind of wearing on them a little bit," Parcells said. " ... But I've already seen enough of Eddie George to know that there is some left on that tire."

Those who argue that there isn't any tread left point to George's 3.3 yards per carry last season. But he has never been a high yard-per-carry guy, his best being 4.1 in 1996 and in 1999. His numbers, an impressive 10,009 yards in eight seasons, have come as much from him being a Jim Brown-like workhorse as from him being a Barry Sanders-esque guy who creates a lot of his yards.

The theory is the workhorses wear out quicker because they take more hits while the speed guys live forever.

Keyshawn Johnson has been hearing that forever with regards to receivers. He thinks the theory is wrong for both positions.

"You talk about guys that are speed guys, the first thing they do is lose speed. Guys that don't run a 4.3, we just play forever ... because speed is not part of our game. It is an art, a craft; that is what our game is," Johnson said. "Eddie George is not a 4.3-speed back. He's a power back. The speed backs are the ones that lose their edge because they have to hit the edge of the corner, and the first thing people say is he's slowing down, and so I don't think Eddie has that problem."

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

As much as Eddie George has achieved in his NFL career, there is no denying that his production has declined each season for several years in a row – the Titans would not have released him, otherwise. It remains to be seen if he can find enough gas in his tank to rush for another 1,000 yard season in 2004: we don't think that his prospects are too good, and project George to rush 185 times for 712 yards and 5 TDs, with 7/49/0 receiving. That puts him at #31 on the RB board in fantasy terms, out of starting range in most leagues. Go here for all of our most recent projections.

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8. Miami Offense: Faltering Without Williams

Clipped from: Miami Herald article by Armando Salguero, 8/2/04

Miami's proven defense has dominated, while the offense that was both inconsistent and predictable last year seems overmatched.

"That's just the way it goes," Feeley said. "It's practice. The offense wins sometimes, and defense wins sometimes."

The Dolphins need the offense to win more often this year than it did in 2003, when the unit finished ranked 24th in the NFL. And that's why the team must come up with the answers for several questions that linger like a hangover.

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

Given all the chaos in Miami, it is no surprise to hear that the offense is struggling. Everywhere one looks, there are unanswered questions: Can Travis Minor fill Ricky Williams' shoes? Who will quarterback the team? Can David Boston rebound from his slump at WR? Will the new offensive coaching staff be able to craft an offense that is more explosive? And those are just for starters, folks. Miami's offensive unit has a lot of obstacles in front of it this season.

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9. RB Buckhalter (Phi): Laceration Above Eye, May Miss Time

Clipped from: PhillyBurbs.com article by Reuben Frank, 8/2/04

Running back Correll Buckhalter suffered a laceration above his eye and was taken to see a plastic surgeon in Philadelphia for evaluation and possible treatment. Reid said Buckhalter may be back today but could miss a day or two.

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

This sounds like a minor injury at this time, but we'll stay on top of it for all the Buckhalter owners out there. Don't get too panicked if you see news about an eye injury to Buckhalter on a message board or chat room out there on the 'net.

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10. QB Garcia (Cle): Strong-Armed in Camp

Clipped from: Plain Dealer article by Mary Kay Cabot, 8/2/04

"Who cares what Terrell says?" he said. "He's not a teammate of mine. These are new teammates. They've been able to work with me for the past five months. They see what type of personality I have and what type of player I am. I don't think they have a problem with me."

During the opening practice of training camp, Garcia proved Owens wrong by launching a 45-yard play-action pass to Andre Davis. Sunday, he hit Quincy Morgan deep in 7-on-7 drills with a perfectly thrown pass.

"Did you see the one he threw to Andre?" Morgan said. "He can throw the ball deep. I'm not worried about it all. If I were Terrell Owens and I had all those numbers and all those Pro Bowls from playing with Jeff Garcia, I don't think I'd be saying that."

Garcia, 6-1, 200 pounds, said he's wrestled with the perception since he came out of San Jose State.

"It's been a stereotype that has been placed out there," he said. "And then you add to that that in San Francisco, the West Coast offense is a very controlled offense. It's a lot of getting the tight ends and the running backs involved in the passing game, so you don't focus on the deep throws or the long throws.

"They [deep throws] aren't as often, but when they did occur, I was able to put the ball on the money. I was able to get the ball 45, 50 yards down the field."

Garcia said he's showed in his first few practices here that he can go deep when needed.

"Those really aren't concerns I have, and I think I showed it with the pass to Andre," he said. "It shows that I'm not going to be afraid or turn away from being able to pull the trigger and throw the ball downfield."

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

Garcia finds himself in a situation where he has some capable WRs; should soon have a top-flight TE; and Cleveland is a franchise where the running game is suspect. That combination sneaks Garcia into the top 10 among all fantasy QBs in the game (#10), according to our latest projections showing Garcia with the potential for 291/490 for 3219 yards, 19 TDs and 13 interceptions (with 62/329/3 rushing in addition to the passing statistics).

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11. WR Andre Davis, RB James Jackson Injured in Cleveland Camp

Clipped from: Cleveland Plain Dealer article by Mary Kay Cabot, 8/2/04

Starting receiver Andre Davis walked off the practice field Sunday with a sprained right ankle, coach Butch Davis said.

He did not return to the field and the extent of the sprain is unknown. If it's a high ankle sprain, he could miss some time. If it's a slight sprain, he'll be back sooner.

"The early prognosis was that he rolled his ankle a little bit, and they were going to go in and put ice on it," Butch Davis said. "I don't know whether they're going to do any tests or not with it, or whether it will even require it."

Andre Davis was unavailable in the locker room after practice because he was receiving treatment on the ankle.

"Andre, that's my man right there," said receiver Frisman Jackson. "We're a close-knit group. That kind of hurt right there when he went down. Like coach says, if someone goes down, we've got to step up and be ready."

Last season, Davis suffered a sprained knee on the second day of training camp and missed most of the preseason.

Jackson tear:

Third-team running back James Jackson suffered a partially torn hamstring and will be out about two weeks. To replace him, the Browns on Sunday signed third-year running back Dee Brown.

In a 13-6 Carolina Panthers' victory in 2002, Brown replaced the suspended Lamar Smith and rushed for 122 yards against the Browns in his first NFL start.

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

Both of these injuries appear minor at first blush, but if Davis turns out to be suffering from a high ankle sprain, that will cost him some significant practice time. Jackson is the #3 RB when healthy, so his injury is of less concern from the fantasy viewpoint, but it could still be important as the two players in front of Jackson have both missed game-time in their short careers.

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12. WR Booker (Chi): Out Due to Hamstring Injury on Day One of Camp

Clipped from: Chicago Sun-Times article by Brad Biggs, 8/2/04

While Justin Gage and Bobby Wade continue to take advantage of extended time with the first team, the dean of the Bears' wide receivers waits to return to the practice field.

Marty Booker pulled his left hamstring in the first practice at Olivet Nazarene University and has had to watch while the second-year players take turns with David Terrell running with the starters. He hopes to return later this week, but there's no timetable.

"Any time you get an injury, especially on the first day, it's frustrating," said Booker, who has led the team in receptions the last three seasons. "I'm excited about the offense and want to get out there. I don't want this to be a lingering problem during the season. When it all gets right, I'll be back there soon."

On the afternoon when third-round pick Bernard Berrian was removed from the physically unable to perform list with a hamstring pull of his own and returned to practice, coach Lovie Smith confirmed Booker remained the team's go-to receiver and the rest were battling for playing time behind him.

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

With Rex Grossman under center, we rate Booker as a border-line 1000 yard receiver (79/980/6), which places him in the high 20's among all fantasy WR's (#22). Hopefully, he can heal the hamstring quickly and get into top form by the beginning of regular season. As Booker noted, hamstring pulls can become nagging injuries – it is smart of the Bears to give him a rest until Booker returns to 100%.

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13. RB Jones (Det): Bowling Over Defenders in Practice

Clipped from: mlive.com article by Ansar Khan, 8/2/04

Detroit Lions rookie running back Kevin Jones isn't about to serve as a tackling dummy for his veteran teammates during training camp. He made that point clear from the start.

The team's first practice in pads Sunday was a little chippy, and Jones, their second pick in the first round of the April draft, was in the thick of the action. He delivered a solid forearm to safety Julius Curry in one drill and ran over cornerback Dre Bly in another.

"Often times the veterans will make it a little bit rougher on the rookies and the rookies have to try to prove themselves," Lions coach Steve Mariucci said. "So it's part of the process."

It's the kind of tenacity the Lions hope to see during the season from Jones, the former Virginia Tech All-American who quickly impressed coaches with his work ethic during the June mini-camp.

"I'm just trying to run hard and practice what I'm going to do in the games," Jones said. "(Saturday), it got a little bit physical and I just have to be on guard and be physical, too. That's the way it's going to be in the games so you have to practice how you play."

Mariucci was particularly impressed by the hit on Bly.

"Where I was standing in the back, I couldn't see who he hit, but I heard it and I heard all the guys chirping," Mariucci said. "That was a physical run by a back and it's part of what Kevin Jones and all these rookie receivers and backs have to learn, to play pro football and protect themselves. It was a fun play."

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

It's good news for Jones owners (and the Lions) that the rookie is showing such determination from the start. The team sadly lacked a credible ground game last season, and Jones needs to provide some real spark if the offense is going to improve during 2004. So far, so good.

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14. WR Burress: Out of the Cowher Doghouse?

Clipped from: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review article by Jerry DiPaola, 8/2/04

Steelers coach Bill Cowher has forgiven wide receiver Plaxico Burress, giving him more responsibility in the passing game and no apparent punishment for skipping every practice session this spring.

"Everyone has a choice to make, and there are consequences with those choices," Cowher said after the first practice of training camp Sunday. "The most important thing is we move on."

Asked about the consequences for Burress' absence, Cowher said, "They are dealt with in-house."

Burress lined up with the first team and later said there are some new routes conceived by offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt that have him in the slot for the first time in his career.

"Going into the slot and having a guy 2 or 3 yards off, you get a little breathing room and it makes a little easier," he said.

Burress said he is not behind in the learning, even though his only exposure to the new plays before yesterday was a meeting last week with wide receivers coach Bruce Arians.

"It's basically some plays, just different words and terminology, knowing that anybody can run any route from any position," Burress said.

Burress said he had a "good" talk with Cowher, and has not considered if his absence was worth the trouble.

"Everything is settled, and it's all behind us," he said. "We don't need to dwell on the past. That is not going to get us anywhere.

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If Burress has managed to mend fences with coach Cowher, this is obviously good news for his owners and those who are considering drafting Burress. Hopefully, he can now focus on rebounding from his sub-par 60/860/4 performance of 2003.

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15. Texans' RBs: Davis, 18-20 Touches per Game – Hollings, 12-15

Clipped from: Houston Chronicle article by Carlton Thompson, 8/2/04

"You have to have two backs," Casserly said.

"It's a hollow theory to say a back is going to carry the ball 25 times a game, because it doesn't happen very often, and (with) backs who do it, usually their production goes down the next year," he said.

The Texans believe they have two good young running backs in Domanick Davis, who rushed for 1,031 yards in just 10 starts as a rookie last season, and Hollings, the player thought to be the team's running back of the future before Davis emerged.

Hollings, the NCAA's leading rusher after four games in 2002 before an ACL injury ended his season at Georgia Tech, is a backup for the purposes of depth charts. The Texans, however, consider him a playmaker.

"We'd like to run the ball 30 times a game," offensive coordinator Chris Palmer said. "We're going to have to split the load, and that's where Hollings is going to get his work. We're looking for Domanick to touch the ball 15, 18, 20 times a game, and we'd like to give Hollings 12 to 15 touches.

"Our goal is to throw it 35 times and run it 30 times for 65 plays a game. We know that we need two good running backs to be successful throughout the year. The big thing we have to do as an offense is stay on the field. If we stay on the field, more guys will get more touches."

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The ratio mentioned above works out to about a 60-40 split, Davis to Hollings. Assuming that the Texans manage to get 65 plays per game on offense and 30 rushes per game, that works out to Davis rushing the ball roughly 290 times, with Hollings picking up close to 190 carries. That's too much work for just one guy, obviously – but will the Texans be able to put in 480 carries in a season? They have rushed the ball right around 420 times per season so far (424 carries in 2002, 421 in 2003) – if they are shy on carries in 2004, it would likely be to Hollings' detriment. It's clear that Davis owners shouldn't be counting on significantly more than 300 carries in 2004, though. 320 looks like his absolute best-case maximum over a 16-game season, for those of you doing your own projections. Don't forget Davis had close to 50 receptions last season, too, though (47/351/0).

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16. RB Taylor (Jax): More Carries on His Plate During 2004?

Clipped from: Jacksonville Times-Union article by Vito Stellino, 8/2/04

Jaguars running back Fred Taylor took notice when coach Jack Del Rio told the players at the start of training camp that one of his goals this year is to win the first quarter.

That's because a fast start translates into more carries for Taylor.

The Jaguars were 5-1 last year when Taylor had 24-or-more carries and 0-10 when he didn't, but it's not simply a matter of calling more running plays.

The first priority is for the Jaguars to get the lead so they don't have to throw to try to come from behind.

"We played from behind far too often last year," Del Rio said. "The two games we led at the end of the first quarter, we won. The four games we were tied at the end of the first quarter, we split, and the rest of our season we were behind [at the end of the first quarter] and didn't win many [1-9].

"Obviously, having a good start is important. I think that ties right in to Fred getting the number of carries. The point I made was, we can get Fred over 25 carries, or whatever the stat is, when we're playing with the lead. So I think that stuck with Fred. That's probably why he picked up on it."

Taylor averaged 24 carries a game last year, but averaged 29 carries a game in his six most productive games and 17 carries a game in the other 10 games.

Taylor said he'd like to have 27 touches a game -- including receptions. He reached that goal last year, so he could top it if the Jaguars get an early lead more often this year.

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Taylor owners are obviously excited at the notion of seeing Taylor with 25+ carries per game – but could Taylor stand up to the pounding of approaching 400 carries in a season? He has played two 16-game seasons in a row (distancing himself from the "Fragile Fred" nickname he earned in his early years in the league), and has never touched the ball more than he did last season (345 carries and 48 receptions), so it seems more possible heading into 2004 than it did heading into 2002 – we think he'll see closer to 300 carries than 400, though (310/1395/6 rushing with 44/352/1 receiving).

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17. Carolina OC Dan Henning: Game Situation, Matchups Will Determine RB Rotation

Clipped from: Gaston Gazette article by Steve Reed, 8/02/04

So how will Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Dan Henning be using his two backs, Stephen Davis and DeShaun Foster this season?

Henning said Sunday it will be according to the physical abilities of both players and the situation that's presented during the course of a game.

"If we are trying to run the ball and set up the play-action pass, Stephen is the guy we want in there," Henning said. "When we want to open things up and use a guy more as a scat back, then DeShaun is the guy.

"If we're up by two touchdowns and we're trying to put the game away, you'll probably see Stephen in there with two tight ends. If were down by two touchdowns and trying to come back then you'll see DeShaun in there with three wide receivers."

Henning said Davis will still get the bulk of the carries, but that Foster could see more action because he's coming into the season healthy. Last year, the Panthers brought Foster along slowly early on in the season because he was coming off a knee injury in 2002. Now, Foster is healthy and ready to go.

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The Panthers were 11-5 last season, so they come into 2004 with high hopes. Their OL has suffered some set-backs over the off-season, so it remains to be seen how effective their power-running game/clock management style of offense will be this year. Assuming they again enjoy a decent season, Stephen Davis looks like a lock for another 1,000+ rushing performance (last year, he had 318/1444/8 rushing and 14/159/0 receiving over the course of his 14-out-of-16-games season). It sounds like Foster will see a lot of action on 3rd downs and in long-yardage situations.

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18. QB Brooks (NO): Ball Handling a Focus in Training Camp

Clipped from: Baton Rouge Advocate article by Sheldon Mickles, 8/2/04

The only thing that marred Brooks' season were a league-high 11 lost fumbles, which contributed to the Saints' NFL-leading total of 20. While it was a big thing at the time, Saints coaches are confident Brooks will do a better job of protecting the ball this season.

"Obviously, we've got to correct the fumbles," coach Jim Haslett said. "We're not going to overdo it because Aaron was very conscious of it during the offseason and did a nice job trying to fix it."

Offensive coordinator Mike McCarthy, quarterbacks coach Mike Shepherd and Brooks spent a part of the offseason seeking solutions to the problem. Shepherd said they identified several things that might help prevent the fumbles from piling up and being more bothersome to the team.

"When a play breaks down, the quarterback basically starts a new play," Shepherd said. "There are a lot of things going on, he starts moving around and there is the potential to be hit from different angles.

"Odd things happen to the football a lot in those situations," he added, "so we're going back to overemphasizing it. Aaron improved in a lot of areas in the last couple of years, so we're looking for him to do that with the ball in his hands."

Brooks said he worked hard on protecting the ball in the offseason and expects things to be better this season. While not using it as an excuse, he said, he was coming off shoulder surgery last season -- which limited his ability to practice during the offseason.

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Brooks' fumbling cost owners in leagues that penalize for lost fumbles (not all do so), but he still passed for 3546 yards with 24 TDs and only 8 interceptions. He also rushed for 175 yards and 2 scores. That's a pretty stout fantasy season, folks – and there's no reason to think he can't equal or surpass the good statistics again this season (let's hope he doesn't lose 10+ fumbles again in 2004).

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19. TE Gonzalez (KC): Playing Through a Stress Fracture Again in 2004

Clipped from: Chiefszone.com article by staff, 8/2/04

Tony Gonzalez's injured ankle isn't getting any better and it isn't getting any worse, so the Pro Bowl tight end says there's nothing for him to do but keep on practicing, albeit on a limited basis.

Gonzalez says he sustained the injury, officially described as a stress fracture, in the first game of the 2003 season. But he continued to play effectively without appearing on any injury reports.

When spring workouts rolled around, however, Gonzalez -- after electing not to have surgery -- remained on the sidelines watching his teammates go through on-field drills.

The wise move in the spring, he said, was to rest and let the foot heal.

But Gonzalez's resting period is over now that training camp has opened. He and the Chiefs have decided he will work only once daily during this two-a-day stretch of workouts in Wisconsin.

"It's one of those things that is probably going to cause me problems the whole season, but won't keep me from playing," Gonzalez said Sunday.

Wilson impresses

When quarterback Trent Green heard the Kansas City Chiefs had just drafted tight end Kris Wilson, his jaw dropped.

Along with everyone else's.

Less than a week into camp, Green clearly sees why Wilson was drafted.

"I've been pleasantly surprised," Green said. "His moves have been sharp. He knows where to go. He knows where to line up. We have so many things we ask of our tight ends because we have the best one in the league. Kris has a good guy to learn from."

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As Paul Harvey says, "And now you know the REST of the story"...The Chiefs kept mention of Gonzalez' injury out of the injury report all season long, but obviously it is of some concern if they felt the need to draft Wilson. Hopefully, Gonzalez can gut it out for another 16 games, but his injured ankle is definitely something to keep in mind.

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20. Rams' RB Harris: Play at FB in His Future

Clipped from: STLtoday.com article by Bill Coats, 8/2/04

"I knew my abilities," Harris said. "It was just a matter of going out there and making some plays. This year, I'm just going to try to build on it."

He started by building his body. Harris, who played at about 212 pounds last season, has bulked up to about 225. Coach Mike Martz ordered the extra weight so that Harris, No. 3 on the depth chart at tailback, can fill in at fullback and pair up with Marshall Faulk in the backfield in certain situations. "They're trying to use me in a lot of different ways in the offense," Harris said.

Martz said, "He went to work in the offseason, and with that added girth and weight, he also increased his speed. When that happened, he really got our attention, because he's got some real live ability in terms of reading and cutting and breaking tackles and all those things. He's way ahead of where he was a year ago physically, and I think that's terrific."

Harris' solid rookie season not only solidified his spot on team, it gave his psyche a lift, too.

"I just feel so much more confident and have such a better understanding of the offense," he said. "I feel like I can be more effective."

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The Rams are hoping that Harris can reprise Robert Holcombe's (circa 1999-2000) role in the offense. That would mean about 300 yards rushing and roughly 150 yards receiving with 5-6 scores – not a fantasy bonanza, but he could be a desperation play on a week or two if your team runs into an emergency RB shortage during the 2004 season.

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21. WR Lloyd (SF): The New T.O.?

Clipped from: Sacramento Bee article by Matthew Barrows, 8/2/04

Despite catching only 14 passes last season, Lloyd is the only receiver on the team with a firm hold on a starting position heading into the new season. And while rookie Rashaun Woods is wearing Owens' old No. 81 jersey this summer, it's clearly Lloyd, a fourth-round pick a year ago, who is Owens' heir.

Robert Jackson isn't surprised.

Jackson was the receivers coach at the University of Illinois, where Lloyd accumulated 2,583 career receiving yards, many of them after circus-like grabs like the one he made against Seattle.

"He is blessed with tremendous, tremendous hand-eye coordination," Jackson said. "But if you want to talk about what makes him special, it's his will to get the ball. To me, that's what distinguishes him from other guys."

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All the buzz out of the 49ers camp centers around Lloyd and rookie counterpart Rashaun Woods. Where they will ultimately end up on the depth chart is unknown, but as we keep saying, somebody has to catch the passes in San Francisco this season. Lloyd looks like he's a good bet to be a top threat for the 49'ers.

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22. RB Williams (No Team): Retired Now; 4 Game Suspension Likely if He Returns

Clipped from: CBSSPortsline.com Wire reports, 8/2/04

Ricky Williams filed his retirement papers with the NFL on Monday, 1½ weeks after telling the Miami Dolphins he was walking away from football at 27.

The papers were filed with the NFL Management Council on behalf of the Miami Dolphins' running back by his lawyer, David Cornwell. They are not binding, meaning Williams could return if he chooses.

However, the Heisman Trophy winner told The Miami Herald last week he had failed a third test for marijuana. That means he would face at least a four-game suspension if he goes back to the NFL.

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It's official now. We don't expect to see Williams in the Aqua and Orange anytime soon, and probably never again.

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23. TB WR Joe Jurevicius: Back Surgery Imminent, Out Indefinitely

Clipped from: CBSSportsline.com Wire reports, 8/2/04

Joe Jurevicius had a major setback in his bid to return from a serious knee injury when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers revealed on Monday that the receiver now needs surgery to repair a herniated disc in his back.

"Obviously it's frustrating," coach Jon Gruden said Monday. "But it's been frustrating for some time. Let's get him right. ... He's rehabbed the knee. It's very good. We'll have the back surgically fixed and hopefully he can return some time soon."

Jurevicius, one of the key components of the Bucs' Super Bowl run in 2002, missed most of last season after tearing the medial collateral ligament in his right knee against Carolina last Sept. 14.

He appeared briefly in three more games before being placed on injured reserve on Dec. 2.

Although general manager Bruce Allen suggested there is a chance Jurevicius could return before the start of the regular season, Gruden said it's too soon to tell how long the seventh-year pro will be out.

"It could be a couple of weeks, it could be a couple of months, it could be the season, I don't know," Gruden said. "I don't want to speculate until I get all the facts."

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Jurevicius just can't seem to catch a break. The question now becomes, will his injury lead to a softening of the stance against Keenan McCardell, or will the Bucs continue to hold a hard line against McCardell? Stay tuned...

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24. Miami QB: So Far, It's A Toss Up

Clipped from: GoPBI.com AP article by Steven Wine, 8/2/04

But it won't be easy. Feeley last took a snap in a regular-season game in 2002, and he's still learning Miami's playbook. Fiedler is coming off his worst year, but he's 35-17 as a starter and determined to keep the job he's had since Dan Marino retired following the 1999 season.

"We've got a guy who has been a starter here and has won a lot of games," coach Dave Wannstedt said. "The biggest thing is to see how A.J. progresses, and does he give us a better chance to win."

The decision will be accompanied by plenty of scrutiny, especially now that running back Ricky Williams has retired. With the Dolphins' top offensive threat gone, they're desperate for more productivity at quarterback.

Last year Miami threw for 17 touchdowns with 19 interceptions and ranked 26th in the NFL in passing yardage. The injury-prone Fiedler missed five starts, and his quarterback rating sank to the lowest of his career as the Dolphins missed the playoffs for the second successive season.

Still, he may be difficult to dislodge as the starter. He spent time with three NFL teams and in the World League before finding a home in Miami, where he has won the admiration of coaches and teammates for his toughness and resilience.

"I've come from being out of the league and being a third-string guy," said Fiedler, 32. "I know what it's like to watch the game from the bench, and I don't want to go back there. So that's my motivation every day I go out there. It didn't matter who was coming in — A.J. or anyone else."

Fiedler has spent much of his time in Miami with mediocre receivers and unreliable blocking. It's uncertain whether Feeley can do any better, especially given the departure of Williams.

"Any time you take maybe the best back in the league off a team that depends on him, it might be a small setback," Feeley said. "It's up to the guys to fill in the gaps."

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Everything in Miami is in flux, and all the plans that the coaching staff made regarding Ricky Williams are out the window. Now that he has officially retired, Williams has forced the Dolphins to come up with a Plan "B" – so far, there isn't one. If nothing else, training camp (and this quarterback duel) will be interesting...

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25. IDP: DE Grant Wistrom on PUP to Start Training Camp

Clipped from: Tacoma News Tribune article by Mike Sando, 8/2/04

A bad back kept Grant Wistrom off the field for the Seattle Seahawks' most recent minicamp. It now appears Wistrom will miss the start of training camp as well.

The team's prized defensive end was among four players placed on the "physically unable to perform" list Saturday, indicating he failed a physical examination.

Camp begins Monday with two practices at Eastern Washington University. Veterans were scheduled to report today, while rookies and quarterbacks were due last week.

Wistrom joined the Seahawks this offseason as a free agent from the St. Louis Rams. His injury is not believed to be serious enough to keep him off the field for an extended period.

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While the injury is not characterized as serious, any time missed during training camp has to be considered a red flag. Also, back injuries have a tendency to flare up repeatedly during the course of a NFL season, so this situation could indicate further troubles on the horizon. Wistrom owners will want to watch his status closely once he gets onto the field...

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26. IDP: Eagle's Defensive Tackle Shortage Shows on First Day of Practice

Clipped from: PhillyBurbs.com article by Reuben Frank, 8/2/04

Corey Simon was away on personal business. Paul Grasmanis and Darwin Walker were hurt and on the sidelines. Then Hollis Thomas slogged off the field exhausted and dehydrated. It left two healthy defensive tackles on the practice field - second-year pro Sam Rayburn and undrafted rookie Jon Bradley. It's hard enough on a scorching August afternoon to take turns with five other defensive tackles during a full-contact live drill. To take turns with one other defensive tackle? That's insanity.

"Some of those guys better get back soon because another two days of this and I'm going to be dead," Rayburn joked after surviving yesterday's 21/2-hour afternoon practice, the first real practice session of Eagles training camp at Lehigh University. "As hot as it is out here, you better keep up with the fluids. If you miss one drink, you might not make it to the next rep."

The Eagles are facing a defensive tackle shortage that has head coach and general manager Andy Reid concerned enough to consider signing one or two tackles just to get through practice. "We're a little short," he said. "I am concerned. We took a lot of water breaks out there. We'll see what happens [before adding a tackle]."

Reid said Simon will probably be back at Lehigh tomorrow. Walker is out for at least a few days with a hamstring injury and Grasmanis missed the afternoon practice after he suffered swelling in his knee during the morning indoor non-contact session at Rauch Fieldhouse. It's not known how long he'll be out. Thomas participated in most of yesterday's drills, but when he was taken for fluids it left Rayburn and Bradley alone on the interior defensive line. For a brief period, Rayburn left practice with heat-related symptoms, leaving just Thomas and Bradley on the field. Defensive coordinator Jim Johnson even moved defensive end Ron Johnson inside at one point while even though Johnson has never played tackle. "Our numbers are pretty depleted," Thomas said. "You just have to fight through stuff like that. The trainers help us out giving us water all the time so we don't keel over."

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The Eagles struggled to keep defensive linemen healthy last season, and it looks like they are having the same problems from the outset of 2004. While it's too early in training camp to panic, the litany of nagging injuries and an inadequate number of backups is not encouraging news for either IDP owners of the injured Eagles – or the teams' entire defensive team, for that matter.

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27. IDP: DE John Abraham in Heaven Over New D

Clipped from: Star-Ledger article by Dave Hutchinson, 8/2/04

John Abraham believes he has found his Utopia, his slice of heaven on earth. The two-time Pro Bowl defensive end, entering the final year of his contract and coming off his worst season, will be lined up on the edge as a hybrid defensive end/linebacker in the Jets' new attacking, blitz-happy defense. He will move around and -- in theory, anyway -- keep offenses guessing.

He will pop up everywhere. He will rush the passer or drop in coverage from a standing or down position. With Abraham able to move before the snap, double-teams will be difficult to plot.

"They picked the perfect position for me," Abraham said during training camp at Hofstra. "Just playing defensive end was a little stressful because I was only in two spots (right or left defensive end), and it was easier for people to find me. Now, it's a little more difficult for them to find me.

"I might be lined up on the ball, off the ball, anywhere possible to change up the defense. It is fine for me. I played it in my rookie year and I played it in college. So it isn't a big adjustment for me. The tough part was the terminology. Doing the linebacker stuff wasn't really that tough for me."

Abraham, in his fifth year, will be the catalyst for new defensive coordinator Donnie Henderson's defense. Abraham's versatility will allow Henderson to use a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme, and several variations -- like the "46" defense made famous by Buddy Ryan and the Chicago Bears, or a "50" defense, with three linemen covering the two tackles and center and two linebackers on the guards.

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John Abraham certainly has a lot of fantasy potential, and we like his new role with the Jets – he's currently our 6th ranked fantasy DL, projecting to rack up 107 FP in 2004. Go here for our latest DL projections.

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28. IDP: Titan's DL Very Young

Clipped from: Tennessean article by David Climer, 8/2/04

The Titans' most recent draft was a belated Christmas gift to Washburn. The team spent an unprecedented five picks on defensive linemen and added three more undrafted rookies to the mix, attempting to replace quality (departed free agents Jevon Kearse and Robaire Smith) with quantity.

Class was in session yesterday. Defensive and offensive linemen matched up for several drills, with every step — and every misstep — critiqued by Washburn.

If the guy were a dog, he'd be named Old Yeller.

"Coach Wash is always trying to teach you things and get you to play harder," said rookie defensive end Travis LaBoy. "But when the pads go on, he's a little more into it. He comes through pretty loud and clear."

And that's what this group needs. With the exception of Kevin Carter, a 10th-year pro who is making the switch from end to tackle, this is a defensive line alarmingly short on NFL experience. If you exclude Carter, the senior citizens in the regular rotation are Carlos Hall and Albert Haynesworth. Each is entering his third NFL season.

"I'm 23 years old," said Haynesworth. "I don't feel old. I don't feel young. I feel good."

Youth will be served, which means there will be the inevitable growing pains. It's up to Washburn to minimize the aches.

And it's in situations like this where he is at his best. He is, after all, the coach who channeled Kearse's freakish physical skills into a dominant pass rusher as a rookie in '99.

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The point about the extreme inexperience/youth of the Titan's DL is one to remember when selecting your starting lineup in the month of September/October – both for Titans' defensive team owners and for the owners of the RBs that play the Titans. Tennessee faces Miami (Travis Minor and Co.), Indianapolis (Edgerrin James), Jacksonville (Fred Taylor), San Diego (LaDainian Tomlinson), and Green Bay (Ahman Green) in their first 5 games. Four of the top backs in the NFL are in that group – this young DL will have to cut their collective NFL teeth the hard way. It could be ugly.

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29. IDP: MLB Quarles (TB): Broken Left Wrist

Clipped from: TBO.com article by Roy Cummings, 8/2/04

MLB Shelton Quarles just can't seem to get through a preseason without breaking his left arm.

A year after he broke his left forearm on the eve of the regular-season opener, Quarles has been sidelined again, this time by a fractured bone above his wrist.

Quarles suffered the injury during Saturday morning's practice at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex. He participated in Saturday afternoon's workout, but his wrist began to swell later in the day and X-rays revealed the break.

"I banged it pretty good, but I'm not sure how," Quarles said Sunday. "I don't know if I hit a helmet of somebody's hip or what. All I know is I hit it pretty good and I'll be out for a while."

The Bucs are estimating Quarles will miss only three or four days, but it could be longer before the 2002 Pro Bowler is healthy enough to participate in a full-contact workout.

"I think they're going to be smart with him," linebackers coach Joe Barry said. "We hope he'll back doing individual drills and non-contact work in four days, but when he'll be 100 percent full go, that's yet to be determined."

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Another training camp, another injury for Quarles. This time, it doesn't look like he'll be sidelined for a significant portion of the regular season, at least. Quarles owners will want to watch the pace of his rehabilitation to be sure he's ready to go by regular season, though.

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That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great Tuesday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update.

Joe