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Volume 8, Issue 112 (Tuesday, August 14th) FanDraft: Fantasy Football Draft Board Software
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Hi Folks, Things are hopping here as it's a great time of the year. We've got lots of new features on the site for you and tons of News and Notes. Plus some TV notes coming soon you'll like. Let's get to it. JSITE NEWS A.
Footballguys TV Coming Soon - The Five Minute Drill
B.
Footballguys Podcast - The Audible - Andy Lindahl (DEN)
C.
Footballguys Podcast - The Audible - NFCN QBs Preseason Watch List
D.
Footballguys Podcast - The Audible - NFCN RBs Preseason Watch List
E.
Footballguys Podcast - The Audible - NFCN WRs Preseason Watch List
F.
New Staff Rankings
G.
New Stat Projections
H.
Footballguys Top 300
INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. KC - Chiefs Close To New Deal With RB Johnson2. ATL - RB Dunn Returns To Practice 3. CIN - RB Johnson Welcomes Heavier Workload 4. OAK - HC Kiffin Hospitalized With Viral Infection 5. ATL - NFL Denies Report Of QB Vick Suspension 6. ATL - Falcons QB Vick Co-Defendants Strike Deals 7. TB - Buccaneers RB Pittman Taking Reps At FB 8. NYJ - Jets RB Jones Misses Practice But Says He'll Be Ready For Week 1 9. WAS - Redskins Sign WR Pinkston 10. TEN - Titans HC Fisher Speaks On Running Game 11. CIN - Bengals WR Johnson Returns To Practice 12. CIN - Bengals Not Interested In RB Dillon 13. CHI - Bears QB's Shine 14. CHI - Bears RB Benson Pleased With Performance 15. CLE - QB Quinn To See Action vs Lions 16. DAL - WR Glenn Targets August 30th For Return 17. DAL - Jerry Jones Dancing King In Papa Johns Ad 18. DEF - MIA - Dolphins LB Porter Aims For Season Opener KC - Chiefs Close To New Deal With RB Johnson Source: Adam Teicher, Kansas City Star According to multiple sources, the Kansas City Chiefs and RB Larry Johnson are closing in on agreement on a contract extension that could put him back in a Chiefs uniform in time for their third preseason game on Aug. 23 against New Orleans at Arrowhead Stadium. These sources said today that the two parties had narrowed their once-considerable differences and a deal could be struck by the end of this week. One source indicated Johnson might be at Arrowhead for Thursday night's game against Miami. Publicly, Chiefs GM Carl Peterson said he didn't believe a deal was imminent. "I'm cautiously optimistic a deal will get concluded, but exactly when I can't tell you. I really can't," Peterson said. "I would say we're still communicating. Are we real close? Not from where I sit."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Fantastic news for Larry Johnson and the Chiefs. And it's not hard to read between the lines. When Carl Peterson says, "I'm cautiously optimistic a deal will get concluded" that can be translated as "Johnson is getting closer to accepting the numbers I've told him we'll pay." Ever the shrewd negotiator, he's publicly downplaying that they're close to a deal. I put very little stock on those words. Let's see. If a deal does get done, do not underestimate the cost of missing this much training camp for Johnson. He's been working out hard in Arizona but that is not the same as training camp. It seems that way too many times, we see a guy injured after rushing back into camp. Stay tuned. ATL - RB Dunn Returns To Practice Source: Steve Wyche, Atlanta Journal-Constitution Falcons RB Warrick Dunn returned to practice Monday, three weeks after undergoing back surgery. Dunn practiced with the second team, participating in all drills. "Sometimes I'm sore a little bit, but once I start moving I'm fine," said Dunn who has posted three consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons. "I just tried to show [teammates and coaches] how hard I was working and that I want to get back out there so that I can get ready for the season. I want to get back out there with the guys, really understand the system and get into a flow." It's unlikely Dunn or Crumpler will play in Friday's second exhibition game at Buffalo. They could be ready when the Falcons host Cincinnati in the Monday night home exhibition opener Aug. 27. Both should be ready for the regular season-opener at Minnesota on Sept. 9. Dunn practiced in full gear for the first time this training camp after spending the past few days running and doing agility and conditioning drills on a field that was not being used by the team. With little residual effects, the 32-year-old two-time Pro Bowl player decided he was ready for a trial run. "Football conditioning is so much different than just running sprints or running strides," coach Bobby Petrino said. "He looked good. He stumbled one time where you see his legs aren't quite there yet."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Finally some good news out of Atlanta. This team needs all the weapons they can have on the field. Watch him closely over the next few days. If he looks all the way back, we'll be bumping Jerious Norwood down a few spots as while Norwood will be the primary RB, Dunn will get his share. CIN - RB Johnson Welcomes Heavier Workload Source: Mark Curnutte, Cincinnati Enquirer The ramification of the season-ending injury to rookie RB Kenny Irons, the Bengals will look to expand the roles of backups or even sign a veteran off waivers. But they could also turn even more to their featured back, RB Rudi Johnson. His workload could increase, and he welcomes the additional work. "He's the best he's ever looked in the entire time he has been here," OC Bob Bratkowski said. "He really has taken good care of himself the past two years, and it shows." We're going to have to lean on him a little more than we thought we would." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Johnson's been a workhorse with 361, 337, and 341 carries over the last three years. We had him projected for 315 carries before the season and will bump that up some. OAK - HC Kiffin Hospitalized With Viral Infection Source: AP Oakland Raiders coach Lane Kiffin was hospitalized Monday with a viral infection and might not return to the team until later this week. "This morning when he woke up, from what I understand, he was feeling under the weather," Raiders offensive coordinator Greg Knapp said. "(It's) something he's been fighting for the last two or three days." The 32-year-old Kiffin had been sick for a few days. He led the Raiders to a 27-23 win over Arizona on Saturday in his first game as an NFL head coach and looked fine after the game, but continued to feel ill. On Sunday, Oakland canceled a scheduled conference call between Kiffin and reporters. The Raiders returned to practice Monday and some players weren't even aware Kiffin, the youngest coach in the league, was absent until they took the field.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] These guys work around the clock at times and I'm sure that's not helping. Best wishes for a quick and full recovery. ATL - NFL Denies Report Of QB Vick Suspension Source: ESPN The NFL dismissed a report Sunday that said commissioner Roger Goodell was close to announcing a season-long suspension of embattled Falcons QB Michael Vick. Citing two sources within the league with knowledge of the situation, Yahoo.com reported Sunday night that Goodell will announce "this week or next" that Vick will be suspended for the 2007 season. "No decision has been made," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told USA Today. Aiello also said the league's independent review into the Vick case is not yet complete and that no action, if any, will be taken until the review has reached a conclusion. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The league is not rushing to judgement here. According to NFL Network's Adam Schefter, the league is waiting for the independent report on the situation from Eric Holder. Holder was the Deputy Attorney General for President Bill Clinton. They reportedly will not make any move before the report is completed. Holder is expected to have the report to the league within the next two weeks. With that said, it's not hard to envision the league handing down a year long suspension. ATL - Falcons QB Vick Co-Defendants Strike Deals Source: Chris Vivlamore, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution The two remaining co-defendants in the Michael Vick dogfighting case have scheduled a plea agreement hearing for today. This is an indication that they will plead guilty and testify against Michael Vick. Purnell Peace has a hearing set for Thursday at 9 a.m. and Quanis L. Phillips has a 9 a.m. Friday hearing, both before District Judge Henry E. Hudson in U.S. District Court in Richmond, Va. "There's no telling until the actual pleas, but this doesn't sound like good news for Michael Vick," said Kent Alexander, once the U.S. Attorney in Atlanta and now Emory University's general counsel. "Usually, if people plead guilty early in a case they may be cooperating with the government. That's what it sounds like here." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] More bad news for Vick. We'll need to see how and what these guys plead to but it's hard to imagine a situation where this is anything but bad news for Vick. It looks like they're leaving Vick holding the proverbial bag. Definitely not good. TB - Buccaneers RB Pittman Taking Reps At FB Source: Chris Harry, Orlando Sentinel Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Michael Pittman's versatility has landed him a new role. He's first in line to assume the FB duties left behind by RB Mike Alstott. Pittman started alongside RB Cadillac Williams in Friday's preseason opener. "It's a chance to run into [defenders] instead of them running into me. I'm going to get revenge on some linebackers. If I'm going to start at fullback, I'm going to do the best I can at it," Pittman said. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] B.J. Askew will also see time at FB. Coach Jon Gruden said Sunday that TE Alex Smith has experience playing full back and may see a shot as well. NYJ - Jets RB Jones Misses Practice But Says He'll Be Ready For Week 1 Source: Associated Press, ESPN New York Jets running back Thomas Jones has a strained right calf muscle and hopes to return in time for the team's season opener, his agent, Drew Rosenhaus said Monday. Said Rosenhaus, "He had an MRI on the right calf and it was determined that he has what is essentially a strain of the calf muscle," Rosenhaus said. "He said the doctor was vague in terms of how much time he would miss, but it would probably be a week-to-week injury." Rosenhaus added that Jones told him he was "confident he would be ready" for the Jets' season opener at home against New England on Sept. 9. Jones was held out of practice on Monday. He walked with a slight limp and spent the morning working on a hand bike and doing calisthenics. "I can tell you that he is working extremely hard, and he'll be back as quickly as he can. Thomas has a pretty strong track record. He's been pretty durable," HC Eric Mangini said. Mangini would not say whether Jones would play in the team's next preseason game.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] If you saw the video, you know that Mangini was smiling as he played coy about Jones being back when he could. We think he'll be fine but we'll also keep an eye on it. Calf injuries are notoriously slow to heal. WAS - Redskins Sign WR Pinkston Source: Jason La Confora, Washington Post The Washington Redskins have signed Todd Pinkston, who most assumed was out of football for good after no one picked him up last season after being cut by the Eagles and then by the Vikings. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] I'm sure that'll solve all their problems.... TEN - Titans HC Fisher Speaks On Running Game Source: Jim Wyatt & Paul Kuharsky, Nashville Tennessean Tennessee Titans HC Jeff Fisher said today that he was pleased with rookie RB Chris Henry's performance against the Redskins, but not discouraged with the lack of success in the run game for the first-team offense. Henry rushed for 42 yards on 12 carries, while starter Chris Brown managed 19 yards on nine carries. LenDale White rushed for 12 yards on six carries. "We are objective as far as that (playing rotation) is concerned. Now how does that relate to the competition at the spot? Well, this coming week we'll switch them and assume that LenDale is going to get the start and hopefully he'll get 8-10 carries early. ... And we will continue to rotate them."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] This is starting to feel very much like 2006 where Jeff Fisher played musical RBs with the #2 and #3 guy that would have made Mike Shanahan proud. There's still plenty of time for White or Brown to distinguish themselves but if they don't, this is a rotation we might see all season long. CIN - Bengals WR Johnson Returns To Practice Source: Geoff Hobson, Bengals.com Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson returned to practice Monday morning after a weekend off for treating a swollen gland in his neck. After the short practice, Johnson moved to another field to run routes against rookie cornerback T.J. Wright without a ball. He said the swelling was related to the hit he took in the neck on the second play of the game last Thursday night. "The guy stopped up my gland," Johnson said. "I just wanted to do some more work out here on my releases and get some things right after missing some time."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Chad Johnson even makes taking a great hit funny. He'll be fine. CIN - Bengals Not Interested In RB Dillon Source: Marc Curnutte, Cincinnati Enquirer When asked by The Enquirer if he had any interest in re-signing free-agent running back Corey Dillon, HC Marvin Lewis said, "It's not anything I've really thought about. Corey had a fine career here. He finished it up with a fine career in New England." Dillon remains out of a job after asking for and receiving his release from the Patriots in the offseason. There are no clear indications that Dillon wants to play again after completing his 10th season. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Looks like the Bengals will be looking elsewhere as they fill the hole left by Kenny Irons. This probably makes sense from a team concept. There's a chance we see Dillon in another uniform but if I had to bet, I'd say he's probably done. Source: Larry Mayer, ChicagoBears.com Chicago Bears quarterbacks Rex Grossman, Brian Griese and Kyle Orton combined to complete 30 of 42 passes for 273 yards with 2 touchdowns, 1 interception and a 94.6 passer rating in the Bears pre-season opener against the Houston Texans. "We were pleased with how all three quarterbacks played," HC Lovie Smith said. Grossman completed his first eight passes, Griese connected on six in a row including a touchdown after an early interception and Orton hit 12 straight with 1 TD. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] If only they could play the Texans preseason defense every game... Seriously, it's much better to look like this than it is to look awful. So far, so good. CHI - Bears RB Benson Pleased With Performance Source: Larry Mayer, ChicagoBears.com Chicago Bears running back Cedric Benson carried 5 times for 23 yards and caught three passes for 11 yards on two series before exiting with the rest of the starters in the Bears first pre-season game. "It felt good to get out there," Benson said. "I thought we looked good as an offense. We moved the ball up the field both series we had. We had some good runs and some good passes from Rex [Grossman]. I thought we got some things accomplished. The guys up front were firing off the ball, which I expected them to do. I knew they'd come in the game fired up. They gave me some good looks up front." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Lots of eyes will be on Cedric Benson this year as he replaces the veteran Thomas Jones. Benson needs to come out, show a burst and run hard. And most importantly, not come up small (or injured) when the team needs him most. This was a good start. CLE - QB Quinn To See Action vs Lions Source: Mary Kay Cabot, Cleveland Plain Dealer QB Brady Quinn has a ton of catching up to do, but he will work with the regular offense this week and will get some decent playing time against the Lions this Saturday. Quinn probably still won't be ready to start at the beginning of the season, but he's a quick study and completely devoted. If the other two don't shine, he'll be in there sooner rather than later. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The more I see of Derek Anderson and Charlie Frye, the more I think Brady Quinn has a shot to contribute this year. I see a situation very similar to Tennessee or Arizona where Quinn sits for 5-6 weeks and then slides into the starting job. How he fares from there is a much bigger question. This is a team that will struggle and unlike Vince Young, Quinn doesn't have the incredible physical skills to carry a bad team on his own. DAL - WR Glenn Targets August 30th For Return Source: Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram WR Terry Glenn, who had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee July 31, isn't expected to be cleared to practice anytime soon, but he has a date in mind. "I'm hoping to play in the Minnesota game," Glenn said of the Cowboys' final preseason game Aug. 30. Glenn, who was expected to miss a minimum of 7-10 days, said he is unsure when he'll be cleared, but that his knee feels "all right." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Keep an eye on Patrick Crayton here. He's the guy most likely to benefit if Glenn is limited. DAL - Jerry Jones Dancing King In Papa Johns Ad Source: Mac Engel, Ft. Worth Star-Telegram Several people had fun watching Cowboys owner Jerry Jones in the latest commercial for Papa John's, which debuted during Thursday's telecast of the Cowboys' preseason opener. In the commercial, Jones' head is superimposed over the face of an actor who break dances in the Cowboys' locker room. "That's why I got the job, because of my dancing," Jones joked. "I've gotten a lot of ragging over that. The good news is it sells some pizzas." Said Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens of the spot: "I guess it dispels the myth that white people can't dance."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] If you're like me and love the good commercials, this one is fun. You can see it by clicking here.DEF - MIA - Dolphins LB Porter Aims For Season Opener Source: Harvey Fialkov, South Florida Sun-Sentinel Miami Dolphins LB Joey Porter is aiming to play in the season opener on September 9 against the Washington Redskins. Porter is currently rehabilitating his knee after having surgery last Tuesday. "I'll take it one day at a time with my treatment. It's a long season. I don't want to do anything to jeopardize it," Porter said. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Aiming and hitting are two different things. He sounds pretty lukewarm as players are almost always erring on the optimistic side. When they start throwing out the "long season / don't want to jeopardize" lines, that's often code for "I don't know when I'm coming back." We'll see and we hope Porter is good for Week 1. That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great Tuesday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update. J |
