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Volume 8, Issue 120 (Wednesday, August 22nd)
LIMITED TIME OFFERS Hi Folks, Welcome to Thursday. Other sites are tiring as the preseason winds down. We're just getting rolling. Check out the new site content released today as that ought to keep you busy for the day. And when you're finished there, jump into our News and Notes. And if you're not a Footballguys Subscriber yet, get to be one. To see more info, click here. Have a great Thursday. And hang on. JSITE NEWS A.
Footballguys Podcast - The Audible - NFCS QBs Preseason Watch List
B.
Footballguys Podcast - The Audible - NFCS RBs Preseason Watch List
C.
Footballguys Podcast - The Audible - NFCS WRs Preseason Watch List
D.
New Rankings Posted
E.
New Projections
F.
Training Camp Update #4
G.
Perfect Draft - 10 Teams
H.
Quarterback By Committee - Start 1 QB
I.
Quarterback By Committee - Start 2 QBs
J.
Prime Number Drafting
K.
Dynasty Shopping Mall
L.
Maximizing Your Draft: Tips and Techniques
M.
Target Stats: Filling the Void
N.
Understanding the Zone Running Game
O.
Ten Tips for Drafting With Guppies
P.
IDP Strategy For Newbies
Q.
Footballguys TV - 5 Minute Drill
INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. NE - RB Maroney's Shoulder May Impact Goal Line Work?2. TB - Bucs WR Boston Has Chance To Start For Team At Flanker 3. DET - QB Kitna Misses Practice 4. NE - HC Belichick Praises PK Gostkowski 5. NE - WR Moss Has Not Practiced Since August 1st 6. SD - Rookie WR Davis Entrenched As Starter 7. TEN - Titans QB Young Works On Short Game 8. OAK - Raiders RB Rhodes Moved To Scout Team 9. DEN - Broncos WR Smith To Return Mid-Season 10. MIA - HC Cameron Impressed With TE Martin 11. MIA - RB Booker Slated For Third Down Option? 12. BAL - Ravens WR Clayton To Miss Remainder Of Preseason With Ankle Injury 13. DAL - Cowboys RB Barber Hires Rosenhaus As Agent 14. DEN - Broncos WR/KR Kircus Has Assault Trial Continued Until October 2 15. CIN - Bengals HC Lewis To Undergo Surgery On Left Ankle 16. TEN - TE Scaife Expected To Be Top Target? 17. OAK - QB Culpepper Most Likely To Emerge As Starter? 18. NYJ - Jets Miserably Thin At Running Back NE - RB Maroney's Shoulder May Impact Goal Line Work? Source: John Tomase, Boston Herald, Sporting News RB Sammy Morris has shown a tough, hard-nosed style at the goal line that opens the probability of him filling RB Corey Dillon's old vulture role. With second-year RB Laurence Maroney nursing a shoulder injury, the Pats could look to limit his touches inside the 10, where contact is often hardest. That opens the door for Morris to steal some touchdowns. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Morris had 4 rushes last year at the goal line for Miami and scored 1 TD. Ronnie Brown had 11 goal line rushes for Miami for what it's worth. This is speculation from Mr. Tomase but it's speculation from a guy that closely follows the team. There isn't a team in the league that expects players to be unselfish more than the Patriots do so it's certainly feasible to think something like this might happen. Morris is a guy the Patriots pursued very aggressively in free agency. The Patriots contacted Morris' agent minutes after midnight of the opening day of free agency to set up plane flights for Morris to visit New England. Minutes later the Chiefs called but had to wait in line. The Jets and Eagles quickly called as well but the Patriots won out. TB - Bucs WR Boston Has Chance To Start For Team At Flanker Source: Associated Press, NFL.com Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver David Boston reportedly has a realistic opportunity to be named the team's starting flanker for the regular season. "We knew he was on the rise and coming back physically, but we knew he also wasn't going to be ready early in the season. That's one of the reasons why we made the decision we did," head coach Jon Gruden said. "There's not a guy who works harder than David Boston. He doesn't have those arms and those legs for no reason. He's been really, really persistent in his work. We knew if we could get him back, he'd be a viable contender to not only make the team but start." "I played with David in the Pro Bowl back a handful of years ago. He was awesome back then, and it really looks like he's gotten back to being that type of player again," quarterback Jeff Garcia said. "Nobody knows for sure how it's going to turn out, but it is exciting to have him out there, to have him working the way he's working." "He might be our best receiver at times out here," coach Gruden said. "The son of a gun is 235 pounds, and when he catches that ball going north and south, he's going to be a force to be reckoned with. He's doing a heck of a job."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] We've been watching this one with caution and curiosity for a while now and it looks like Boston has defied the odds here. People forget he's just 29 years old. And he's really a young 29 given his inactivity the last few years. Be cautious as he always seems a snapped tendon away from injury, but he could wind up as a great value. DET - QB Kitna Misses Practice Source: Tom Kowalski, MLive.com Detroit Lions QB Jon Kitna missed his second day of practice with back spasms but HC Rod Marinelli said he is getting better, but he did not rule out the possibility that Kitna will be sidelined for Saturday's preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts. Still, Marinelli appeared optimistic that Kitna would practice by at least Friday and play in the game. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] OK. Two days is more worrisome than one day, but we're still not overly concerned. Let's see how he does over the next few days but we're not overly concerned here. NE - HC Belichick Praises PK Gostkowski Source: Mike Reiss, Boston Globe New England Patriots HC Bill Belichick had this to say regarding his PK Stephen Gostkowski: "I think Stephen has had a good camp. He works hard and is a very mature and dependable guy. I don't have any problems at all with what he's done in training camp. I think like everybody else, he has a ways to go with his game. But I think he's worked hard, I think he's improved, and has kicked well through the overall course of camp." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] If you've followed Bill Belichick much, you know this is relative ecstasy from the Patriots head coach. NE - WR Moss Has Not Practiced Since August 1st Source: Mike Reiss, Boston Globe New England Patriots WR Randy Moss has not practiced since pulling up lame in an August 1st workout, is still finding time to goof around, despite his "injury". Today, he spent some time at the game table in the locker room, mingling with his teammates while wearing a towel over his head. When questioned, Moss declined to answer regarding his situation. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] OK, I'll admit it. This could be going better. I've been one shouting that Moss will be fine in New England and that it'll be a Corey Dillon situation where the "bad apple" becomes a Patriot and then straightens out. But Moss isn't doing a lot to dispel his doubters. On the other hand, NFL Networks' Adam Schefter reports that Moss' hamstring is healing just fine and that Moss and the Patriots are still very much in the "honeymoon phase". It's very likely that Moss' first game will be the Week 1 opener. I'm not panicked. Yet. SD - Rookie WR Davis Entrenched As Starter Source: Kevin Acee, San Diego Union Tribune, Sporting News San Diego Chargers first-round pick WR Craig Davis is settling in as the No. 2 receiver in the absence of Eric Parker. By the time Parker returns, which should be late October at the earliest, Davis may have aced him out of a role, according to some sources. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Davis has quietly had a really nice rookie training camp. The #2 WR is always going to be limited on a team with TE Antonio Gates and a running threat like LaDainian Tomlinson but he's still a value in most leagues. TEN - Titans QB Young Works On Short Game Source: Paul Kuharsky, Nashville Tennessean Tennessee QB Vince Young is improving according to OC Norm Chow, but he clearly struggled last week against the Patriots and in practice, in particular with his short passes. He often under or overthrows his target or makes his receiver adjust on the fly. "Learning how to throw in traffic is always tougher for a quarterback compared to throwing the ball down field and allowing the receiver to run underneath it," said WR Eric Moulds. "You've got to trust your receiver ... you've got to trust that he's going to catch the ball. That's just not there with them right now." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] People forget that Vince Young is still learning the game at this level. He's such a charismatic player and is so talented in different areas, he can compensate for the little things like this. But we all know the little things are important. And we also know that with a coach like Norm Chow, we expect Young to improve there. OAK - Raiders RB Rhodes Moved To Scout Team Source: David White, San Francisco Chronicle In an anticipated move, the Raiders sent RB Dominic Rhodes to the scout team for the remainder of the preseason. Rhodes will serve a four game suspension when the season begins for violating the league's drug policy. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] This story is really about Lamont Jordan. With Rhodes out of the picture for the first four games. And we expect him to make the most of it. Jordan is a starting RB in the NFL and that's worth something. From where I see him going in drafts, he's a value. At least early on in the season. DEN - Broncos WR Smith To Return Mid-Season Source: Bill Williamson, Denver Post Denver WR Rod Smith will now most certainly start the season on the PUP list while he continues to recover from offseason hip surgery. But he could return to the team by Week 7 or 8 according to HC Mike Shanahan. Smith participated in some drills Tuesday that he previously was not able to do, thus the new level of optimism surrounding his return. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] This is about what we were expecting. It seems now that a mid season return is the optimistic return date which obviously puts a gigantic dent in whatever fantasy value Smith might have this year. MIA - HC Cameron Impressed With TE Martin Source: Jeff Darlington, Miami Herald, Sporting News When HC Cam Cameron decided to cut TE Randy McMichael, the most productive tight end in Dolphins history, it raised immediate questions about the future of the position. Even more curious, Cameron replaced McMichael with TE David Martin, who has little starting experience after serving as a backup in Green Bay. But Cameron likes Martin's size, and he believes the only reason Martin has yet to shine isn't because of talent, but because of the lack of opportunity. Martin has been impressive so far in camp, seldom missing passes while running clean routes. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Martin's flying under the radar for many owners. But we all know new QB Trent Green's had a nice career throwing to his tight end. Don't sleep on him. MIA - RB Booker Slated For Third Down Option? Source: Jeff Darlington, Miami Herald, Sporting News It appears RB Jesse Chatman will be a formidable backup for starter RB Ronnie Brown. In the first two preseason games, Chatman has made impressive plays combining both power and speed. Chatman has the mold of a full time back, so he is more likely to serve as Brown's regular backup even though the team drafted RB Lorenzo Booker. Booker is more of a situational back, and the team prefers to use him as an option on third downs. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The Dolphins suddenly have lots of questions about their running backs. From whether Jesse Chatman will have a bigger role to how they'll use Booker. A third down role makes the most sense for Booker given his skill set. BAL - Ravens WR Clayton To Miss Remainder Of Preseason With Ankle Injury Source: Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Mark Clayton is expected to miss the remainder of the preseason as he recovers from a sprained ankle. He said on Tuesday, however, that he expects to play in the team's regular season opener on September 10. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Don't panic when you see Clayton on the sidelines for the preseason game this week. It sounds like he's going to be ready for when it counts. DAL - Cowboys RB Barber Hires Rosenhaus As Agent Source: Todd Archer, Dallas Morning News Dallas Cowboys running back Marion Barber has recently hired agent Drew Rosenhaus to represent him, and Rosenhaus has subsequently spoken to the Cowboys about the possibility of signing Barber to a contract extension. Barber is eligible to become a restricted free agent following the 2007 season. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Rosenhaus obviously has a pretty good track record landing nice deals with the Cowboys as he did for Terrell Owens. Probably a smart move by Barber. Count me as one of those guys putting much more value in Barber than I am Julius Jones in Dallas. DEN - Broncos WR/KR Kircus Has Assault Trial Continued Until October 2 Source: Associated Press, ESPN An arraignment on an assault charge for Denver Broncos WR/KR David Kircus was continued on Tuesday until October 2. Kircus' attorney Harvey Steinberg said the arraignment was continued to provide more information to the prosecution. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Kircus buys some breathing room with this extension. We don't expect him to be a big player in the Broncos offense, but with Rod Smith out for a while, Kircus should have a bigger than normal role. CIN - Bengals HC Lewis To Undergo Surgery On Left Ankle Source: ESPN Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis will undergo surgery on Wednesday to repair torn tendons in his left ankle. Assistant head coach Paul Alexander will fill in for Lewis while he is absent from the team. "The timing of this is not what I wanted," Lewis said. "But I've been counseled it's the best plan to ensure that I can be fully productive during the regular season." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Limited fantasy value here but I know you guys like to know everything. I'm sure there are some P.U.P. List jokes in there somewhere... TEN - TE Scaife Expected To Be Top Target? Source: Jim Wyatt, Nashville Tennessean, Sporting News It wouldn't be a surprise if TE Bo Scaife leads the Titans in receptions. Scaife became a popular target for QB Vince Young last season, and the two have developed great chemistry, having played together in college at Texas. Scaife still needs to improve as a blocker, but he does have great hands. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] We don't think Scaife will lead the team in receptions but we definitely think he'll be a solid target for Vince Young. Don't underestimate those "mind meld" situations QBs sometimes find with thier tight ends. Jay Cutler did the same thing last year with Tony Scheffler in Denver. OAK - QB Culpepper Most Likely To Emerge As Starter? Source: Steve Corkran, Contra Costa Times, Sporting News More than three weeks into camp, there's still no resolution at the quarterback position. QB Josh McCown and QB Andrew Walter have started one game apiece. QB Daunte Culpepper is receiving equal reps in practice as he learns the playbook. Culpepper has the strongest arm and most experience of the three, but he still is limited some as a result of two knee surgeries in recent seasons. But look for Culpepper to emerge from the pack and be the starter on opening day. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] This is speculation from Mr. Corkran who follows the team closely. But I can see how it might happen. McCown and Walter are plausible candidates but neither get anyone excited. I fear Culpepper's health will hold him back but he looks like he may be able to work his way through that. NYJ - Jets Miserably Thin At Running Back Source: Rich Cimini, New York Daily News, Sporting News The injury to RB Thomas Jones (strained calf), which may sideline him for the remainder of the preseason, leaves the Jets woefully thin at the running back position. RB Leon Washington moves into the starter's role, but he's undersized and not suited to carry the ball more than a dozen times per game. RB Cedric Houston would have been the No. 2 back, but he quit the team on the eve of training camp. Two rookie free agents, RB Alvin Banks and RB Danny Ware, are battling for a backup role, but the club may look to acquire some veteran insurance. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] In this day of free agency and salary caps, depth is a luxury. And it's a luxury the Jets don't have at the RB position. Keep your fingers crossed if you're a Jets fan. That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great rest of your Thursday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update. J |
