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Volume 8, Issue 118 (Monday, August 20th)
LIMITED TIME OFFERS Hi Folks, Good Tuesday to you. Hope you're having a great one. Please check out the Site News below as Footballguys is hiring and we're looking for a few more guys that know their stuff and would like to get paid for watching and writing about Football. We've got lots of News and Notes for you so let's get right to it. JSITE NEWS A.
Footballguys Is Hiring!
B.
The Most Wonderful Time Of the Year
C.
There's a Hole
D.
Pickin' Some Kickin'
E.
Fourteen Player Spotlights Released
F.
Five IDP Faceoffs Released
INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. NYJ - RB Jones Has Strained Achilles2. GB - RB Jackson Has Firm Hold At Running Back? 3. ATL - QB Vick Accepts Plea Deal 4. NE - Pats RB Maroney Sheds Red Shirt 5. MIA - Dolphins RB Brown Apparently Facing Competition For Starting Job 6. BAL - RB Anderson Now #2 Ahead Of Smith 7. CLE - Browns QB Quinn Still Third On Depth Chart 8. WAS - Redskins QB Cambpell's MRI Negative 9. JAX - Jaguars WR Depth Chart Remains Unsettled 10. MIA - HC Cameron Names Green Starting QB 11. ATL - WAS - With QB Shockley Gone, QB Brunell Could Be On The Move 12. DEN - Backup RB Bell To Get Second Opinion 13. TEN - RB White Has Swollen Knee, And Sprained Ankle 14. PIT - RB Parker Ready To Go 15. ATL - Falcons QB Shockley Reportedly Out For Year With Torn ACL, Injured MCL 16. DEF - OAK - Crowded Picture At Defensive Line For Raiders 17. DEF - NYG - Giants DE Strahan To Return Shortly 18. DEF - MIA - LB Porter's On Schedule For Opener NYJ - RB Jones Has Strained Achilles Source: Hoss Aultman, JetsConfidential, Scout.com NFL insider Adam Schein is reporting that Jets RB Thomas Jones had an Achilles injury that led to his calf strain. "A source close to Thomas Jones tells me that the original injury he had was an Achilles strain, and as a result of favoring that injury, one week ago in practice, Jones suffered a calf strain," said Schein. "The same source did tell me he will be ready for the New England game in Week One. Achilles strains can linger. So it was an Achilles strain that morphed into a calf strain." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] I'm not liking the sound of this. There aren't really any "good" injuries but Achilles and calf problems fall squarely into the "bad" injury category for me. The worry is that an Achilles can "pop" at any time and it's all over. It becomes as much a mental thing as anything else with the athlete compensating and favoring the leg. Let's see how he does over the next 10 days but we're leery here. GB - RB Jackson Has Firm Hold At Running Back? Source: Tom Silverstein, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel In what was supposed to be a two-man race between RB Brandon Jackson and RB Vernand Morency, but it has turned out to be no race at all. "Right now, Jackson's definitely way ahead because the other guy unfortunately hasn't competed at all," OC Joe Philbin said. "There's really no comparison at this stage." There's little reason to think he won't be No. 1 on the depth chart the rest of training camp. And you'd have to have a lot of faith in the Packers' medical staff to think that anyone but rookie Brandon Jackson will be the starting halfback come opening day. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] This is significant news for you guys looking for value at the RB position. Jackson is a guy flying below some radars out there. Don't be one of those guys. He looks to be the starter and he should be available at a really nice value on most drafts. ATL - QB Vick Accepts Plea Deal Source: CNN.com CNN is reporting that QB Mike Vick has accepted a plea deal in the federal dog fighting charges against him. According to CNN.com, terms of the deal have not yet been disclosed, but it is expected that the deal will include a jail term in the area of 1 year. Earlier it was reported that the federal grand jury was offering a deal between 18-36 months in jail, but that offer was rejected. Vick will enter his plea on Monday, August 27. It is believed that a sentence will be known shortly after that time. Vick still faces numerous charges from the state of Virginia, so this in no way ends his legal battles. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] This may be the only non idiot move Vick's made in this deal. He's already been a total non factor for the 2007 season. As far as when or if he's able to return to the league, that's really up in the air. Many felt a plea agreement would earn him at least a one year prison term. Some think it could be longer. And I'd be shocked if whatever suspension Roger Goodell hands down was concurrent. Meaning I think Vick will first have to serve his prison term and then he'll serve whatever suspension Goodell hands down. Add those together and it seems to me that the 2010 season could be the soonest we'd see Vick back in the NFL. And that's being optimistic. Bottom line: Joey Harrington is the Falcons QB.NE - Pats RB Maroney Sheds Red Shirt Source: Shalise Manza Young, The Providence Journal New England Patriots RB Laurence Maroney shed his red 'no contact' jersey this morning, practicing in full pads for the first time this Summer. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Excellent news for Maroney. We told you we'd watch this one closely for you and it's good to see Maroney out there hitting like everyone else. MIA - Dolphins RB Brown Apparently Facing Competition For Starting Job Source: Andy Kent, MiamiDolphins.com Miami Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown is apparently facing at least some moderate competition from running back Jesse Chatman for the team's starting role, according to head coach Cam Cameron. "The evaluation of Ronnie Brown is far from over," Cameron said. "He's an ascending player. When you are the second pick of the draft, the expectations are so unrealistic, and then a guy like LaDainian Tomlinson sets that bar so high. That's what happens to those high-round draft picks ... the expectations get so far out there, it's almost if they do well, they're looked at as a failure." As for how close the competition between Brown and Jesse Chatman is getting, Cameron wouldn't say other than to reiterate, "Our best running back will play. That hasn't changed." And Brown is embracing the competition. "It is pretty competitive and it can just make us better," he said.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Is there really a competition at the RB spot or is this Cameron motivating Ronnie Brown? Probably some of the former and more of the latter. Although Brown's not exactly endeared himself with Cameron. Brown showed up for minicamp in May out of shape and over weight. He's since slimmed down to where the team wants him but it's not like he's been the coach's favorite. On the flip side, Jesse Chatman has had some really nice runs. Stay tuned. BAL - RB Anderson Now #2 Ahead Of Smith Source: Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun There is no running back controversy with the Ravens, but Mike Anderson showed flashes of his former self last night. Anderson, who is listed second on the team's depth chart behind Willis McGahee, displayed power and field vision in gashing the New York Giants for 37 yards on three carries in the Giants' 13-12 win at M&T Bank Stadium. "I felt fresh," said Anderson, who did not carry the ball in last week's game against the Philadelphia Eagles. "It's easy to get camp legs after 2 1/2 weeks of camp, but I felt good. Everybody did their job."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Knowing the backup is important in deeper leagues or when you're handcuffing a guy. It looks like Mike Anderson has made the move past Smith which doesn't really surprise us. CLE - Browns QB Quinn Still Third On Depth Chart Source: Tom Withers, Associated Press Cleveland Browns QB Brady Quinn is still third on the depth chart after his impressive performance against the Detroit Lions. Quinn will play after QB Charlie Frye and QB Derek Anderson for Saturday's game against the Denver Broncos. "We're going to keep working with him and bringing him along," HC Romeo Crennel said. "He showed enough poise and execution in the game to feel good about, but he still needs work. He still has work to do and we're not going to rush him in just because he looked good at the end of a game." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] I understand keeping the rookie holdout down and all but let's see if Romeo Crennel can keep from screwing this up. Anything less than Quinn starting this week's game to see how he fares against the #1 guys will be inexcusable. WAS - Redskins QB Cambpell's MRI Negative Source: Mark Maske, Washington Post Yesterday Washington Redskins QB Jason Campbell had an MRI on his injured knee. The MRI showed no serious damage. "Nine times out of 10 when you see that, it's usually something worse. It's usually something torn... It's a day-to-day thing. We'll just see where it's at by the weekend," said Campbell. Campbell's status for Saturday's preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens is still uncertain. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Great news for Jason Campbell and the Redskins. Looks like you might want to hold off on ordering that Todd Collins jersey... JAX - Jaguars WR Depth Chart Remains Unsettled Source: Alan Schmadtke, Orlando Sentinel Jacksonville Jaguars HC Jack Del Rio said the WR position is wide open for his team. "I think you can see by the way we're playing guys that we're attempting to give everybody a fair shake, a real thorough evaluation," he said. "Not only have we done that in practice throughout the OTAs [organized team activities], throughout the camp but also during the games. In time, we'll make the decisions we need to make and go forward, but that's a work in progress." Jacksonville rotated its receivers with the first-team offense in its last preseason game: Dennis Northcutt, Charles Sharon and Matt Jones on one series, Mike Walker and Reggie Williams on another. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Jack Del Rio said he wasn't kidding about Matt Jones and Reggie Williams having to fight for their jobs and it looks like he's stayed true to his word. Right now, we're seeing Jones, Wilford and Northcutt as the top 3 WRs in Jacksonville. But obviously, it's a fluid situation. MIA - HC Cameron Names Green Starting QB Source: Edgar Thompson, Palm Beach Post HC Cam Cameron named 37 year-old Trent Green as the Miami Dolphins' starting QB on Monday. Green has started both pre-season games in his first year with the Dolphins. Cameron said he decided to name Green the starter to help develop the offense, which has scored only six first-half points in two pre-season games. "We're at the point where we need to starting putting this offense together," Cameron chalked up Green's shaky performance, to the lack of familiarity with his teammates. "He'll be a lot better," Cameron said. "We can't wait any longer to develop that chemistry in the passing game. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] I'm well documented here as not buying into Trent Green for 2007 but I think there's some truth to what Cameron was saying - he'll be better as he gets more familiar. That won't be hard to do though as he looked terrible in the first preseason game. He played better last week and I'd expect him to continue to improve. ATL - WAS - With QB Shockley Gone, QB Brunell Could Be On The Move Source: David Elfin, Washington Times The Atlanta Falcons are believed to be talking to the Washington Redskins about a trade for QB Mark Brunell. Atlanta lost backup D.J. Shockley to season-ending knee injury last Friday. Atlanta's only quarterbacks behind new starter Joey Harrington are Chris Redman, whose last game was with Baltimore in 2003, and Casey Bramlet, who was cut by the Redskins on Aug. 6. Brunell, who turns 37 soon, played for new Falcons HC Bobby Petrino in Jacksonville from 1999-2001, so he's familar with the system. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Jason Campbell's good results on his MRI may free up Brunell to move. Losing Shockley is a shame as he is a local favorite. I wouldn't have been surprised for the team to make a move to Shockley if the team started off terribly and Harrington struggled. But that option is no longer available. Brunell is obviously more experienced, but isn't a very exciting option. DEN - Backup RB Bell To Get Second Opinion Source: Mike Klis, Denver Post Tests on RB Mike Bell's hip Sunday provided news that he will be out two weeks, the remainder of the preseason. He will get a second medical opinion today. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Bell seems to be the popular pick for the #2 RB in Denver but Cecil Sapp has been the more impressive guy in camp. And he appears healthier too. Travis Henry has some folks worried about his durability so the back up RB job in Denver is worth watching. TEN - RB White Has Swollen Knee, And Sprained Ankle Source: Paul Kuharsky, Jim Wyatt, Nashville Tennessean RB LenDale White's injury from the preseason opening game turned out to include a swollen knee along with a sprained ankle, and he did not practice Sunday. "It happened right along with the ankle," he said. "The ankle was so sprained, I couldn't even feel it. Once I started running around on my knee and stuff and trying to get ready to go it just swelled up a little bit. The doctor said it's nothing to be too alarmed about. I should probably be back this week sometime." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] White's been a guy that always seems to have some sort of nagging injury like this. Chris Brown will be glad to pick up the slack while White is out. Source: Associated Press, Sporting News RB Willie Parker is trying to regain his game legs after being out of camp for two weeks with a knee injury. "I haven't got hit in a long time so it was normal, but I had to get my body acclimated to a hit," said Parker, who ran for 1,494 yards last season with a pair of 200-yard games. "Once I got my first hit, I was ready to go. My body's all right. I'm ready to go." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Good news for Footballguys Cover Guy Willie Parker. He looks to be ready to go and it's not any too soon. The team needs him to make this offense go. ATL - Falcons QB Shockley Reportedly Out For Year With Torn ACL, Injured MCL Source: Steve Wyche, Atlanta Journal-Constitution Atlanta Falcons quarterback D.J. Shockley will miss the remainder of the 2007 season after learning over the weekend that he has torn the anterior cruciate ligament and injuring the medial collateral ligament in his left knee, according to sources with knowledge of the situation. Shockley suffered the injuries during the team's preseason game against the Buffalo Bills on Friday. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Tough news for local favorite Shockley. We wish him the best for a quick and full recovery. In the meantime, the Falcons are scrambling for a QB. Again. As mentioned in the other story, Washington's Mark Brunell has been mentioned as a possibility. DEF - OAK - Crowded Picture At Defensive Line For Raiders Source: David White, San Francisco Chronicle The acquisition of DT Gerard Warren further clouds the picture at defensive tackle for the Oakland Raiders. Starter Warren Sapp, 34, wants to limit his playing time to about 45 snaps per game this season to stay fresh. Terdell Sands is the other starter, with Tommy Kelly having been moved to left DE. Anttaj Hawthorne is an established backup at tackle, Josh Shaw has been hurt, and the other only option has former DE Tyler Brayton, but he is in danger of getting cut. Warren has less than two weeks to make a case for staying on the roster, and then for playing time. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Definitely something to keep an eye for you IDP guys. This Raider defense may be not settled yet, but you can bet it'll be good. DEF - NYG - Giants DE Strahan To Return Shortly Source: Arthur Staple, Newsday.com A person with knowledge of the situation is indicating that New York Giants DE Michael Strahan will return to the team in the near future, perhaps as early as Saturday when the Giants play the Jets. The anonymous source speculates that the Giants wouldn't attempt to collect the entire fine Strahan has accrued saying, "They're not looking to embarrass him. He's meant too much to the organization." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] I'm always a little leery of these "persons with knowledge of the situation" but I've heard this one from several sources. The Giants could use some good news like this. DEF - MIA - LB Porter's On Schedule For Opener Source: Palm Beach Post LB Joey Porter did some light running during practice in the indoor facility. At one point, Porter, who had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Aug. 7, took off at half speed, high-stepping from sideline to sideline. He's wearing a protective sleeve on his leg but is walking without a limp. HC Cam Cameron said Porter's recovery is on schedule. Porter expects to be ready for the season opener Sept. 9. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Porter looks to be on schedule for Week 1. We always hold our breath when a player misses this much time and then jumps in. Stay tuned. That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great day and we'll see you tomorrow with the update. J |
