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Volume 8, Issue 122 (Friday, August 24th)
LIMITED TIME OFFERS Hi Folks, Welcome to the weekend. We're hot and heavy into the best weekend of the preseason where teams give us the best glimpse of a "dress rehearsal" for the regular season. And just around the corner is the regular season. Nice. Thanks for reading and have a great Saturday. JSITE NEWS A.
Pre-Auction Comments
B.
Redraft Overall Rankings
C.
VBD Application
D.
From the Gut Part 2 (WRs and TEs)
E.
Footballguys' Survivor Draft
INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. GB - GM Thompson Comments On WR Driver's Injury2. ATL - NFL Suspends QB Vick Indefinitely 3. TB - WR Boston Arrested 4. CLE - QB Quinn Getting More Snaps 5. IND - RB Keith To Get MRI On Ankle 6. TB - WR Boston May Play Against The Dolphins 7. GB - Packers Release QB Martin, Ten Others 8. DEN - RB Cobbs Trims Down 9. DET - Lions To Decide On RB Jones Soon 10. CIN - LT Jones Making Steady Progress 11. CIN - HC Lewis Coaching From Golf Cart 12. PIT - No Contract Talks For LG Faneca 13. ATL - RB Norwood Returns To Practice 14. NYJ - Kendall Trade May Create Hole In O-Line 15. GB - Packers Running Game Struggles 16. DEF - ARZ - CB Rolle Practicing With 2nd-Team Unit GB - GM Thompson Comments On WR Driver's Injury Source: Mike Spofford, Packers.com Green Bay Packers WR Donald Driver was hurt on Thursday night in the Packers/Jaguars game after making a 12-yard reception late in the second quarter. GM Ted Thompson remained quiet on the specifics of his top receiver's condition but did issue a statement. Driver sprained his right foot in Thursday night's preseason loss to Jacksonville when he was tackled after a 12-yard reception in the second quarter. The team was hopeful after the game that the injury was not serious, and as another day passed that still appears to be the case. "He was feeling better today, and the doctors are still fairly encouraged," Thompson said during his Friday press conference. "He's a remarkably tough professional football player that was also blessed with remarkable genetics, I think. I don't know how you can predict this, but we feel fairly good that he's going to be OK." Thompson said the hope is that Driver will be recovered in time for the regular-season opener on Sept. 9 vs. Philadelphia, but he wasn't going to guarantee that. He did reiterate one thing Head Coach Mike McCarthy said Thursday night, which was that the team doctors don't consider it a Lisfranc injury, which was the type of mid-foot sprain that knocked both receiver Robert Ferguson and defensive tackle Kenderick Allen out for the bulk of last season. "Fortunately, we think we dodged something here," Thompson said. Driver has displayed the courage to play in pain at other times in his career, most recently last season, when he battled a sore shoulder for much of the second half of his Pro Bowl campaign. So as long as the injury isn't physically limiting, and the chances of it getting worse are minimal, Driver is the type of player who would make every effort to take the field for the opener. "That's what we think will probably happen," Thompson said. "But you never know. That's what we're hoping for."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] This doesn't clear up much but the good news is that it doesn't appear to be overly serious. It's a foot sprain and not an ankle injury that we thought it was watching the game. And it's good to hear the doctors have ruled out a lisfranc injury. ATL - NFL Suspends QB Vick Indefinitely Source: USA Today NFL commissioner Roger Goodell reacted swiftly to the news of Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Vick's plea entered earlier today, suspending him indefinitely late Friday afternoon. "Your admitted conduct was not only illegal, but also cruel and reprehensible," Goodell wrote in a letter to Vick that the league made available. "Your team, the NFL, and NFL fans have all been hurt by your actions." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Next. Source: MyFoxTampaBay.com Bucs WR David Boston was arrested on charges of driving under the influence on Thursday night in Pinellas County. According to a police report, Boston was found passed out behind the wheel of his red Range Rover. Park police say the car was still running, and it was in drive. Boston completed a field sobriety test, and the officer said he had probable cause to believe that he had been driving under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance. Police say breath tests showed no indication of alcohol, but urine tests are still pending. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Boston finally comes through and earns a starting spot and then this happens. We should know more here soon about the results of the urine tests. Boston is no stranger to scrapes with the league's substance abuse policy and it's not clear exactly where he stands with the league there. Stay tuned. CLE - QB Quinn Getting More Snaps Source: Sean McClelland, Dayton Daily News Browns QB Brady Quinn seemed to take a few more snaps with the first team than QB Derek Anderson did, as the Browns closed camp with a half-speed workout in preparation for Saturday's game in Denver. HC Romeo Crennel said the No. 1 offense would be on the field for at least a half. He said game situations will dictate how much Quinn plays. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] I still am struggling with Romeo Crennel's need to see further proof that Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson are painfully mediocre. Quinn lighting up the 5th string defense last week may well have been a mirage. But we'd like to know by seeing how he looks with the first team. I don't have a good feeling at all that Crennel can keep from messing this up. IND - RB Keith To Get MRI On Ankle Source: Associated Press, Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette Indianapolis Colts RB Kenton Keith took part in Friday's morning training camp workout but was absent during the afternoon session. Keith, who has been bothered by a gimpy ankle since the start of training camp, was sent back to Indianapolis in order to undergo an MRI. Keith has been among those competing to back up Joseph Addai. "He's actually doing fine," HC Tony Dungy said. "We're just checking on it." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] We're not expecting much out of Keith this year but in an offense this powerful, you need to know the backups. TB - WR Boston May Play Against The Dolphins Source: Bucs Beat, St. Petersburg Times Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR David Boston participated in the walk-through practice today and will accompany the team to Miami for Saturday night's preseason game against the Dolphins. Head coach Jon Gruden will decide whether Boston plays. Boston was arrested Thursday night in Pinellas Park on charges of driving under the influence. He was arrested after police conducted a field sobriety test. A subsequent breath test revealed no alcohol and results of a a urine test are pending. The feeling here is that the Bucs believe these charges won't stick and there might have been another reason for Boston's condition. By now, Boston has told team officials his side of the story. They're letting him travel with the team and he will likely play. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] It's an interesting decision for the Bucs here. We've been talking up Boston but this arrest throws up a huge red flag. Hopefully, we'll know more here soon. GB - Packers Release QB Martin, Ten Others Source: Packers.com The Green Bay Packers released 11 players Friday. The list is comprised of: center C.J. Blomvall, wide receiver Carlton Brewster, fullback Erryn Cobb, punter Ryan Dougherty, defensive end DeVon Hicks, cornerback Antonio Malone, quarterback Ingle Martin, guard Pat Murray, running back P.J. Pope, linebacker Juwan Simpson and tight end Joe Werner. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Great. What am I going to do with that Ingle Martin jersey now?... Source: Mike Klis, Denver Post In the three months and three weeks between his release from the Broncos on May 1 and the new contract he signed with the same club Tuesday, RB Cedric Cobbs lost 19 pounds, from 235 at the time of his release to 216. He plans on staying at that weight, mostly because he says he's cut two-tenths of a second off his 40 time"I stayed in shape," he said. "I started running long distances, 4 to 5 miles a day." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] As usual, the Broncos are loaded with running backs. But we still think Travis Henry will be the one guy that carries the load there. DET - Lions To Decide On RB Jones Soon Source: Nicholas Cotsonika, Detroit Free Press The clock is ticking on Lions RB Kevin Jones and his recovery from a severe foot injury. "We're going to have to make a decision soon here," HC Rod Marinelli said. Jones hopes to return for the regular-season opener Sept. 9 at Oakland. Martz has said he is optimistic Jones will be back based on the way Jones has been working out. "He's working hard and cutting, but it's not like cutting in pads," Marinelli said. "That type of injury's just not clean. We've got to be right." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] We've said all along it was 50-50 whether Jones was going to be ready. I still see it pretty much that way although I'm leaning more towards him not being there. That means Tatum Bell would benefit from the extra playing time. CIN - LT Jones Making Steady Progress Source: Kevin Goheen, Cincinnati Post Bengals LT Levi Jones practiced for the second time this week, getting in a few more snaps as he continues to come back from offseason knee surgery. The Bengals are hoping to get Jones some snaps against the Falcons and DE John Abraham in their preseason game Monday night. "He's been practicing hard and there was some rust, obviously for a guy that has only practiced twice, but we're encouraged," said O-line coach Paul Alexander. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Great news for the Bengals and Carson Palmer and Rudi Johnson. Jones is a key part of this line that desperately needs to get settled. Keeping our fingers crossed here. CIN - HC Lewis Coaching From Golf Cart Source: Kevin Goheen, Cincinnati Post One day after undergoing successful ankle surgery, Marvin Lewis was back at work. The Bengals head coach rode around the practice field in a cart, his left foot in a cast and Ace bandages. WR Chad Johnson joked that Lewis was hurt trying to cover him. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] OK, not a lot of fantasy value here but I know you guys want to know everything... PIT - No Contract Talks For LG Faneca Source: Associated Press The Pittsburgh Steelers haven't reopened contract talks with their All-Pro LG Alan Faneca despite being unsettled along their offensive line as the season approaches. Faneca, who promised that he was done with the Steelers after this season, said Thursday there have been no discussions."No, nothing new," Faneca said. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] If it hasn't happened by now, it doesn't look like it's going to. While this will be a big deal for 2008, it's not a big issue for this season. Faneca is a pro and he'll give a solid effort regardless of his contract. ATL - RB Norwood Returns To Practice Source: Steve Wyche, Atlanta Journal Constitution Falcons RB Jerious Norwood returned to practice Thursday after missing a week's worth of drills and last Friday's 13-10 preseason victory at Buffalo because of a stomach infection. Norwood took one-third of the repetitions that he had been taking, HC Bobby Petrino said. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] We told you we'd keep an eye on Norwood for you so here's the update. He looks like he's turning the corner with the stomach issue. NYJ - Kendall Trade May Create Hole In O-Line Source: Karen Crouse, New York Times After their recent trade of G Pete Kendall to the Redskins, the Jets are left with two newcomers as prospective starters at left guard. Free agent Adrien Clarke and 6th round draft pick, Jacob Bender, neither of whom has distinguished himself in the preseason. With Clarke starting for the second consecutive week in Kendall's place last Friday against the Vikings, QB Chad Pennington's protection was spotty. He was flushed out of the pocket a few times and was intercepted twice. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The way New York treated Kendall seemed personal and petty. So it's hard to have much sympathy for this line that could have used the veteran leadership from Kendall. Especially with very talented but very young players at tackle and center on what would have been either side of Kendall. Oh well. GB - Packers Running Game Struggles Source: Mike Woods, Green Bay Press Gazette The Packers threw the ball all over the field in the first half of Thursday's game against Jacksonville, as QBs Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers combined for 201 yards on 19-of-27 attempts and a 91.7 rating. The running game didn't fare so well. The Packers attempted only nine runs and totaled 10 yards, for a 1.1-yard average after the first two quarters with the starters. "We did not run the ball very well at all,'' said Packers coach Mike McCarthy, author of the obvious. "We need to do a better job there." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] This game put a blanket over the Brandon Jackson hype. The Green Bay offense was very up and down in the passing game. But mostly down in the rushing game. Vernand Morency definitely has an opening when he's healthy. DEF - ARZ - CB Rolle Practicing With 2nd-Team Unit Source: Mike Tulumello, East Valley Tribune Arizona Cardinals CB Antrel Rolle, the 8th overall pick of the 2005 NFL Draft is now practicing with the 2nd-unit after disappointing performances in the first two preseason games. He vows to fight his way back to the starting group, and he has nearly three weeks to do so. "That's the coach's decision," Rolle said of the move. "I just gotta go and play my game and be the player I know I can be. i have a lot of things to work on." Eric Green and Roderick Hood are the starters for now. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] A note for you IDP guys. Rolle's been demoted to the 2nd unit. At least for now. That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great Saturday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update. J |
