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Volume 8, Issue 109 (Saturday, August 11th)
"David Dorey, Co-owner of the popular website "The Huddle" is one of the good guys in the business. He brings a wealth of knowledge to fantasy football and is someone who has lots of experience building winning teams. If you are serious about fantasy football, this is a book you should add to your shelf." David Dodds LIMITED TIME OFFERS
Hi Folks, Good Sunday to you. Hope you've had a great weekend. And there's more left to go. We've got plenty of News and Notes for you so let's get to it. JSITE NEWS INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. TEN - Titans QB Young Sits For Violating Team Rules2. KC - Chiefs, RB Johnson Getting Closer To Extension 3. TB - Odds Stacked Against Bucs WR Clayton 4. TB - Bucs WR Boston #2 On Depth Chart 5. SF - 49ers WR Jackson Staying Healthy 6. SF - 49ers Robinson Better Prepared To Be RB 7. PIT - Steelers Plan On Using FB Less This Year 8. ARZ - Cardinals Coaches Raising Players Confidence Level, Expectations 9. TB - QB McCown Leads Bucs To 2 Scores 10. ATL - Falcons QB Harrington Looks Good In Debut 11. SD - RB Tomlinson To Be On The Sidelines - As Usual 12. MIN - RB Peterson Make Solid But Not Spectacular Debut 13. DEF - BUF - Bills DE Hargrove Suspended 4 Games 14. DEF - NE - Patriots Happy DB Harrison Back In Fold 15. DEF - TEN - CB Pacman Jones Agrees To Not Wrestle TEN - Titans QB Young Sits For Violating Team Rules Source: Associated Press, CBS Sportsline Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young sat out Saturday night's exhibition with the Washington Redskins, and HC Jeff Fisher said the punishment was for violating an unspecified team rule. Young had been due to play three or four series and start the Titans' first preseason game, but Fisher said in a statement about an hour before kickoff that backup Kerry Collins would start the game instead. "He (Young) will be on the sidelines tonight, will practice this week and play next weekend at New England," Fisher said in the release. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Surprising news for Young here. As of late Saturday night, the team still wasn't saying specifically what Young did to earn the suspension. Jeff Fisher spoke after the game saying that Young would be the starter for next week's game and didn't seem overly concerned. NFL Network's Adam Schefter talked to Young coming out of the tunnel for the 2nd half and Young would only say that the message to kids was that they need to follow the rules. KC - Chiefs, RB Johnson Getting Closer To Extension Source: Adam Schefter, NFL Network Adam Schefter reported during the Titans/Redskins preseason game on Saturday that talks between star RB Larry Johnson and the Chiefs have improved significantly. The gap between the two parties has lessened and there is now hope that a deal can get done in the near future. Johnson has not attended training camp yet this year. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The uncertainty surrounding Johnson's contract situation has caused a dark cloud over his 2007 season. Obviously, if they can get together here, Johnson will bump back up near the top of the charts. TB - Odds Stacked Against Bucs WR Clayton Source: Roy Cummings, Tampa Tribune Nothing is going right for Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Michael Clayton. The misery started with a sore shoulder. Then it was a knee, then a toe, and then another knee. Now it's his hamstring. He tweaked it a few days before Friday's preseason opener. While the good news is that the hamstring will get better, Clayton's chances of retaining his starting flanker's job won't. Clayton came to training camp this year knowing he would have to outplay Maurice Stovall, David Boston and maybe even Ike Hilliard to keep his job. Now he may have to outplay Paris Warren as well. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Clayton's had a crazy career. He started off on fire in 2004 finishing as the #13 WR in his rookie year. But he's fallen off the charts since then. And it looks like he hasn't found the bottom yet. TB - Bucs WR Boston #2 On Depth Chart Source: Jay Glazer, FOX Sports Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver David Boston is currently #2 on the depth chart behind WR Joey Galloway, and apparently his play in the pre-season will decide his fate. "I'm healthy again, I'm stronger and faster than I've ever been, I feel great," Boston said. "Like I said, I've learned from my mistakes. I think I took football for granted in the past. Now, obviously family comes first, but football comes right after it. Everything I was back then I'm better at everything now," Boston added. "I'm faster, I'm stronger and I'm more explosive than I was back then. I'm just grateful that I've got a second chance and hopefully it works out." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Boston has been flying below the radar for lots of folks. It's time to put him squarely on your radar. We've been teased before with Boston but ignoring what we're seeing here is definitely something I'd not recommend. SF - 49ers WR Jackson Staying Healthy Source: Matthew Barrows, Sacramento Bee San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Darrell Jackson missed the final three games of the 2006 season with a turf-toe injury. He also missed 10 games in 2005 with a knee injury that required surgery, so the 49ers' strategy is to monitor the seven-year veteran's workload to make sure he remains injury-free and fresh. "My toe really hasn't been an issue so far," Jackson said. "My knee's holding up pretty well. I don't want to jinx myself, but everything's going pretty well. We're just trying to maintain and get to the season so we can have a productive year." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] So far so good for Jackson. I still have a hard time getting excited about this guy as he's getting up there in age and injuries have clearly been an issue. But I like how he fits into the receiving picture for TE Vernon Davis who I couldn't be higher on. Jackson is a good but not great receiver that will be enough to keep defenses honest but not good enough to take catches away from Davis. SF - 49ers Robinson Better Prepared To Be RB Source: Associated Press, CBS Sportsline Last year, San Francisco 49ers RB Michael Robinson was still thinking like a QB, the last position he played in college before being drafted by the 49ers with the 100th overall pick in 2006. This year, Robinson is getting the hang of his new job -- just in time to make a strong push to be Pro Bowl RB Frank Gore's backup. "Last year, I didn't know what I wanted to be," Robinson said. "It's a whole lot different when you're scrambling in the pocket, as opposed to getting the ball on a handoff. Right now, I'm just learning how to play faster, make decisions quick, and when I make decisions, trust what I feel and go with it." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] If Frank Gore stays healthy (and history has shown that to be a gigantic "if") we don't expect to see much of Robinson. But we do think he'll be the #2 RB in San Francisco. There are plenty of QBs turned WRs in the league but fewer former QBs that are now running backs. If for no other reason than that, he's an interesting guy to watch. PIT - Steelers Plan On Using FB Less This Year Source: Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette The fullback isn't extinct in the Steelers' game plan, but it is on the endangered list and there may be games this season in which they do not dress their only fullback, Dan Kreider. The Steelers will line up RB Willie Parker as the only back on more occasions and use more tight ends in the backfield in the old fullback spot as H-backs. "There will be fewer snaps," OC Bruce Arians said of the fullback position. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Just a glimpse into what we can expect from Pittsburgh. On that note, I'm also not ready to buy into the talk that the Steelers are going to radically alter their personality and start throwing the ball a lot more. I think we may see some move toward passing a little more, but I don't think it'll be anything dramatic. ARZ - Cardinals Coaches Raising Players Confidence Level, Expectations Source: Jim Corbett, USA Today Arizona Cardinals backup QB Kurt Warner says of new HC Ken Whisenhunt and assistant HC/OL coach Russ Grimm: "It's a culture of confidence from the coaching standpoint. You'd be surprised the number of times you can have coaches in the league where players don't necessarily have complete confidence in what they're teaching and doing. Here, we have some established coaches who have been there and done it at a high level. They've lifted the confidence level of all the guys," Warner says. "What that looks like on Sundays, that's yet to be seen. But a good team is a confident team. That's what they've bought across the board - a quiet confidence." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] As Warner says, the proof will be what we see on Sundays but it's good to hear the team is feeling confident here. Can this be the year the Cardinals live up to their potential? TB - QB McCown Leads Bucs To 2 Scores Source: Josh Robbins, Orlando Sentinel Bucs backup QB Luke McCown looked comfortable directing Tampa Bay's second-string offense Friday night against the Patriots. McCown completed all seven of his pass attempts and led Tampa Bay to a field goal and a touchdown in the Buccaneers' 13-10 victory. "Had he performed like this last year, he would have been our starting quarterback, no question about it," Bucs HC Jon Gruden said. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Interesting words from coach Gruden. Jeff Garcia is the starter here but it sounds like Gruden liked what he saw from McCown. I still think it'll be Chris Simms as the #2 guy there but we'll have to see. ATL - Falcons QB Harrington Looks Good In Debut Source: Associated Press, Atlanta Journal-Constitution Quarterback Joey Harrington looked comfortable running the Atlanta Falcons' offense Friday night in a pre-season loss to the New York Jets. Harrington was 6-of-9 for 88 yards and a touchdown. Highlights included a 37-yard completion to Dwayne Blakley on a play that was kept alive when Harrington avoided a pass rush with a nice scramble. While Harrington is nowhere near the mobile playmaker Michael Vick is, he showed he can certainly play in HC Bobby Petrino's offense. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Harrington's play was a nice surprise. Many have written him totally off but this game might make a few reevaluate. Even if it was preseason. SD - RB Tomlinson To Be On The Sidelines - As Usual Source: Bernie Wilson, AP "If you want to see L.T., you better come early and watch warmups," coach Norv Turner said in previewing the extent of his superstar running back's participation in Sunday night's home game against the Seattle Seahawks. Although he's made a cameo appearance as recently as 2005 against St. Louis -- he scored on his only run, a 55-yarder -- Tomlinson almost always sits out meaningless August games to avoid the risk of injury. "I just get to eat a lot of sunflower seeds," the reigning NFL MVP said. Turner will continue to follow the philosophy used by his predecessor, Marty Schottenheimer, who preferred to keep Tomlinson fresh for the regular season. "If something works, it would be silly for me to come in here and change it," said Turner, who replaced the fired Schottenheimer in February.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] No surprise here. Tomlinson is clearly the #1 pick in fantasy football. That's all you really need to know. MIN - RB Peterson Make Solid But Not Spectacular Debut Source: Jon Krawczynski, AP Adrian Peterson pick entered the game for the first time with just under 6 minutes to play in the first quarter, and finished with 33 yards on 11 carries in the 13-10 loss to the Rams. "Finally, my dream come true to be in the NFL and on my first snap I was kind of nervous," Peterson said. "But once I got going a couple plays after that, I kind of loosened up a little bit. With Pro Bowl left guard Steve Hutchinson missing the game for personal reasons, there were few holes for Peterson against the Rams front. His longest run of the day came at the start of the second quarter, when he burst for seven yards. He showed some shiftiness, but really never got the room to open it up and use the superior speed he displayed so often in three seasons at Oklahoma. "I'm picking it up," Peterson said. "I definitely have to adjust to the speed. Those gaps will be there and then they close."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] It wasn't the smashing debut I thought we might see but it was good enough. Look for Peterson to build on this and continue to grow as a player. DEF - BUF - Bills DE Hargrove Suspended 4 Games Source: John Wawrow, Associated Press The NFL suspended Buffalo Bills defensive end Anthony Hargrove for four games without pay on Saturday for violating the league's substance abuse policy. In announcing the suspension, the league did not say what banned substance Hargrove tested positive for. Under league rules, players face a minimum four-game suspension for the first positive test, followed by an eight-game suspension for second-time violators. Bills spokesman Scott Berchtold declined comment citing a confidentiality clause that's included in the substance abuse policy. Hargrove's agent, Philip Williams, did not immediately return a message. His suspension leaves the team with three experienced ends, starters Aaron Schobel and Chris Kelsay, and backup Ryan Denney.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Just more proof it takes more than physical ability to succeed at this level... DEF - NE - Patriots Happy DB Harrison Back In Fold Source: Yahoo! Sports "I think his energy and enthusiasm is good," HC Bill Belichick said in a conference call with reporters Saturday, in reference to safety Rodney Harrison, the day after the Patriots lost 13-10 in their preseason opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. "That's the way it is. He's good for our team, and he's not only an outstanding player but an inspirational one." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] No surprises here. Harrison is a veteran but he provides more than just leadership. He's a guy they need to contribute on the field. DEF - TEN - CB Pacman Jones Agrees To Not Wrestle Source: Paul Kuharsky, Nashville Tennessean CB Pacman Jones and the Titans reached an agreement late on Friday that his involvement with TNA Wrestling will not include wrestling or any other action that puts him at risk of injury. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Because I know you guys were dying to know how the Adam Jones wrestling thing played out... That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great Sunday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update. Thanks for reading. J |
Fantasy Football: The Next Level