|
Volume 8, Issue 127 (Wednesday, August 29th)LIMITED TIME OFFERS Hi Folks, Good Thursday to you. We're at 7 days and counting now as one week from today, the Saints and Colts tee it up. I feel like a kid on Christmas Eve. I'm not sure how I'm going to make it a whole week. Check out the site news below as one of the coolest things we do is about to close up. Our $35,000 Footballguys Subscribers Contest closes up early next week and we want to make sure you're entered. It's free to everyone who buys a Footballguys subscription and it's super easy to play and you have a shot at winning a ton of money. Check it out. Thanks for reading and have a great day. Let's get to it. JSITE NEWS A.
Footballguys $35,000 Subscriber Contest Closing Soon
B.
Footballguys Video Podcast - The Five Minute Drill - Drafting Quarterbacks and Tight Ends
C.
Larry Johnson And Chris Henry Down The Stretch
D.
Big Picture #5 - 8/28/07 Edition
INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. DAL - Roles Of Cowboys RB Jones, RB Barber Won't Change2. DEN - Broncos TE Graham To Play Every Down 3. WAS - Redskins QB Campbell To Start, RB Portis Hopeful 4. JAX - WR Williams Improvement May Mean Cuts For Two Others 5. ATL - Teammates Behind QB Harrington As Starter 6. PHI - Eagles TE Smith Confident He'll Play In Opener 7. NYG - No Structural Damage For Giants WR Burress 8. TB - Buccaneers QB Simms To Play 9. NYG - Giants QB Manning Raises Hopes Of Team 10. OAK - Raiders QB Russell Makes History 11. DET - Lions RB Jones To Have Foot Examined By Specialist 12. WAS - RB Portis Thinks 2007 Could Be Last With Redskins 13. CIN - Bengals RT Anderson Practices 14. PHI - Eagles QB McNabb Not At 100% Till Midseason 15. DAL - Status Of Cowboys WR Glenn Still Unknown 16. TB - QB Gradkowki Might Be Connected To Point Shaving 17. BAL - Ravens OT Ogden Uncertain Of Playing Status 18. DEF - NE - Patriots CB Samuel Can Void 2008 Tag 19. DEF - BUF - Bills LB Posluszny Likely Starter DAL - Roles Of Cowboys RB Jones, RB Barber Won't Change Source: Chad Peters, San Antonio Express-News Dallas HC Wade Phillips said he will likely keep the two-back system between RB Julius Jones and RB Marion Barber III. Meaning Jones will carry the bulk of the load in between the 20-yard lines, and Barber will come in on third downs and goal-line situations. "It used to be you had one running back," Phillips said. "Now it's changed where a lot of teams have been able to utilize two good backs. That's the situation I've walked into and I think it's a good situation..... So we're going to try to utilize both of them." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Many thought the running back situation might change in Dallas when Bill Parcells left. As it turns out, Wade Phillips has decided to not try and fix what was working. Bad news for Julius Jones and good news for Marion Barber. DEN - Broncos TE Graham To Play Every Down Source: Mike Klis, Denver Post Denver TE Daniel Graham can catch, no question. As a senior at Colorado, Graham led the the nation in receiving for a tight end. But his blocking abilities were discovered in New England, and receiving took a back seat. Now a Bronco, Graham's entire arsenal will be used on every down according to HC Mike Shanahan. No matter what the situation is Graham will be in the huddle. "A guy like that you don't want to take off the field," Shanahan said. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The Broncos are paying a ton of money to Graham and it looks like they're going to try and get their money out of him. WAS - Redskins QB Campbell To Start, RB Portis Hopeful Source: Len Pasquarelli, ESPN After taking a week off to rest his bruised knee, Washington QB Jason Campbell will start the team's final preseason game Thursday against Jacksonville. It is unclear, however, whether or not RB Clinton Portis will make an appearance, but it is something HC Joe Gibbs is considering. Portis has been resting knee tendinitis and has yet to play a snap in the preseason. "You want to go into the season in synch with your [offense]," Campbell said. "We still have some work to do. I still have work to do. As long as my knee is fine, and it is, I think I need to play." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] It's a quick comeback for Campbell after a scary looking knee injury. But he needs the timing work so the team wants him out there. Let's watch to see if his mobility is limited at all. JAX - WR Williams Improvement May Mean Cuts For Two Others Source: Michael C. Wright, Florida Times-Union The Jacksonville Jaguars challenged veteran WR Reggie Williams and he has impressed enough to climb back up to a backup role. His improvement likely made Thursday's preseason finale at home against Washington the last stand for WR Charles Sharon and rookie WR John Broussard, who appear to be battling for the final roster spot at receiver. If Broussard is cut, it's unlikely he'll clear waivers because another team, intrigued by his speed, will probably sign him. Any team claiming Broussard off waivers would have to place him on the active roster for at least three weeks. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Williams is moving back up the charts to where we thought he'd be. He's simply too talented to fall that far down the depthcharts. Look for Thursday to be a final audition for Sharon and Broussard as they make their case to stay on the team. ATL - Teammates Behind QB Harrington As Starter Source: Steve Wyche, Atlanta Journal-Constitution Atlanta Falcons new starting QB, Joey Harrington's mounting confidence and wise approach to establishing himself among his teammates is helping earn trust. RB Warrick Dunn said players have wholeheartedly cast their lot with their new quarterback and in doing so, they hope he understands they have his back. "Guys have been behind Joey," Dunn said. "I know people question his leadership or his ability to get the job done. He doesn't have to go out and win games. He has enough playmakers to go out there and do that. Don't lose games, play within yourself and let other guys win games." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] It's a lot easier to be behind your QB in August than it is November. Check back then. In the meantime, Harrington has handled a very tough situation about as well as you could possibly hope for. I think he may surprise a few people with his play. PHI - Eagles TE Smith Confident He'll Play In Opener Source: Reuben Frank, Philly Burbs Philadelphia Eagles TE L.J. Smith said he doesn't see any reason why he won't be ready to play on Sept. 9, when the Eagles and Packers open the regular season in Green Bay. Smith hasn't played in a preseason game and has only practiced a handful of times after undergoing spring sports hernia and then suffering a groin injury soon after returning to practice. Smith looks good at practice, but Reid said he wants to be sure Smith is strong enough that he doesn't aggravate the injury once he starts playing. "It's very important to start off strong," Smith said. "That's a goal for me, to go out there and be able to do everything and help the team win." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Excellent news for Smith and Donovan McNabb. I'm still a little leery of him after he went down in a heap the last time he was on the field but he looks like he'll be good to go. NYG - No Structural Damage For Giants WR Burress Source: Paul Schwartz, New York Post Examinations on the back of New York Giants WR Plaxico Burress' back revealed no structural damage, but he remains out of action recovering from spasms. Burress will not play vs. the Patriots tomorrow night in the preseason finale. There is no set timetable for a return by Burress, who missed the last three weeks of training camp and will not have played in any of the four preseason games. "I think we'll be able to get our timing back pretty quickly," QB Eli Manning said of he and Burress. "We're going into our third year together, a lot of the base stuff will be fine. Hopefully he'll come back next week where we get some reps on what we're putting in the Dallas week. I don't think it will be a big issue."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] We're cautious here. Even if Burress does return for Week 1, you have to worry about all the missed time. TE Jeremy Shockey has battled his own injury woes leaving Eli Manning pretty lonely back there. TB - Buccaneers QB Simms To Play Source: Adam Schefter, NFL.com Tampa Bay Buccaneers HC Jon Gruden is planning to play QB Chris Simms at least a quarter, and quite possibly more, in the preseason finale against the Houston Texans Thursday night. Simms needs to give the Buccaneers - or maybe the Atlanta Falcons - a reason to believe. This will be his chance. Simms would be the type of quarterback that would greatly appeal to Atlanta, currently in the market for another QB, if he were a free agent, which Tampa Bay could decide to make him this weekend. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] It's been a while since we've seen Simms in action. He'll be effectively trying out looking to make the Tampa roster or perhaps land with another team. But coach Jon Gruden appears to be just as in love with new QB Jeff Garcia as ever so the starting spot is locked up. NYG - Giants QB Manning Raises Hopes Of Team Source: Adam Schefter, NFL.com What matters most to the New York Giants is that quarterback Eli Manning finally has looked like the No. 1 overall pick that the Giants acquired from San Diego in 2004. Behind a strong running game and offensive line the much-scrutinized Manning has had a preseason inspiring large hopes within the organization. Heading into Thursday night's preseason finale at New England, Manning has completed 30-of-43 passes for 287 yards, 3 touchdowns, 0 interceptions and a 111.3 quarterback passer rating. These are the type of numbers the Giants hope they will be getting on a consistent basis in 2007 and beyond.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Manning may be missing Burress and Shockey, but that hasn't seemed to hold him back in the preseason. Of course, it's dangerous to put too much stock in preseason success but as we always say, it's a whole lot better than struggling in the preseason. Is this the year Manning puts it together? I'm not sold yet. OAK - Raiders QB Russell Makes History Source: Adam Schefter, NFL.com As of Wednesday, Oakland Raiders No. 1 overall pick, JaMarcus Russell's holdout reached 34 days, one more than former No. 1 overall pick Orlando Pace's holdout reached with the St. Louis Rams in 1997. If and when he signs with the Raiders, Russell's holdout with the Raiders will mark the longest one in the common draft era by a No. 1 overall pick that eventually signed with the team that drafted him. If Oakland fails to sign Russell, they would hardly be the first franchise not to wrap up the No. 1 overall pick. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] I"m all for a guy making all the money he can make. But this is just stupid. I have a hard time thinking Russell will be able to make any positive contribution this season. And at some point, you have to wonder how wise it is to push Al Davis for this long... DET - Lions RB Jones To Have Foot Examined By Specialist Source: Adam Schefter, NFL.com Detroit Lions running back Kevin Jones, on the PUP list with a left foot injury, will have the foot re-examined on Thursday by the specialist who performed surgery on it last December. "We just have to see where he's at," Detroit HC Rod Marinelli said. "We can't make a mistake. We've got to be smart on it." If Jones remains on the PUP list when teams are required to reach the 53-player roster limit on Saturday, he will miss the first six weeks of the regular season.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] We've been speculating all summer about this. We finally should have an answer this week it seems. The team says it's 50-50 that Jones will be ready but I'm less optimistic. If Jones can't go, it'll be Tatum Bell that benefits from the work. Although with Mike Martz calling the shots, you have to wonder how much anyone will carry the ball. WAS - RB Portis Thinks 2007 Could Be Last With Redskins Source: Ryan O'Halloran & David Elfin, Washington Post After a 2006 season that ended early because of shoulder and hand injuries, the emergence of Ladell Betts and a forgettable preseason in which knee tendonitis has kept him sidelined for four weeks, Portis admits this season may be his last with the Redskins. "The world forgot about me this year," Portis said. "I have to make it work this year or I'll be out of here and probably be doing these same interviews somewhere else." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] I wouldn't read too much into this. Most any player's season could be his last if he doesn't produce. That's just how it works at this level. We're much more concerned with Portis' knee tendonitis and Ladell Betts. CIN - Bengals RT Anderson Practices Source: Joe Kay, Associated Press Cincinnati Bengals right tackle Willie Anderson, who has missed all of training camp with a chronic condition in his right foot, returned to practice Wednesday on a limited basis. He doubts that he'll play Friday night against the Colts, but is hopeful of starting the season opener. Anderson said the foot will bother him all season. "I played with a similar knee injury in '04, and it's going to be the same scenario again, just me toughing it out," Anderson said. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] As we talked about last week, Anderson underwent some pretty radical "shock therapy" treatment for his foot and there was quite a bit of worry as to whether the treatment would be effective. Looks like it was which is fantastic news for the Bengals. Especially QB Carson Palmer and RB Rudi Johnson. PHI - Eagles QB McNabb Not At 100% Till Midseason Source: Steve King, Philadelphia Daily News Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb, who at the start of training camp estimated the knee at about 75 percent, recenyly admitted he doesn't even expect to be 100 percent when the Eagles take on the Green Bay Packers on Sept. 9. "I probably won't be at 100 percent for about a year. But it's steadily improving," said McNabb. "I'm excited about my progression to where I am right now. The way that we've been attacking this deal, of warming it up and being able to do different things before practice, has helped in so many ways. We're going to continue to do that. Hopefully, maybe by midseason, I can say that I'm fully healthy and ready to roll." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] This isn't as bad as it sounds. Guys like Carson Palmer played last season recovering from a knee injury and he still says he's not fully recovered. McNabb's shown enough in preseason to make it clear he's healthy enough to go. DAL - Status Of Cowboys WR Glenn Still Unknown Source: Tim McMahon, Dallas Morning News Dallas Cowboys WR Terry Glenn plans to practice Saturday for the first time since having arthroscopic knee surgery Aug. 1. He also has plans to start the season opener against the Giants, But Glenn said today that he wasn't certain that he'd be ready for the season opener. He said "with the grace of God," he'll play against the Giants. "You've got to do training camp to get ready for a season. Unfortunately, I missed it," he said. "I've just got to get back and take everything slow and smooth. Hopefully, I can contribute and help our team win Sunday night." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Regular readers know we're high on Dallas WR Patrick Crayton to make a big contribution if Glenn is limited. Glenn's feeling some of the same thing Rod Smith in Denver and Torry Holt in St. Louis are feeling: Your body just doesn't recover as well when you start getting "up there" in age. We think this is a really nice opportunity for Crayton. TB - QB Gradkowki Might Be Connected To Point Shaving Source: Mike Fish & George J. Tanber, ESPN One of the names that has surfaced during an investigation of alleged point shaving at the University of Toledo is Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Bruce Gradkoski. Gradkowski was the starting quarterback in the 2003-05 seasons for the school. Authorities have not spoken about Gradkowski's possible connection, but sources say investigators are examining his playing time in a number of games under scrutiny as they follow up on an allegation that a man had offered a Toledo player $10,000 to sit out particular games. "I don't know what to say about that," said Gradkowski, coming off the field after a recent Bucs' training camp practice. A Tampa Bay public relations assistant, who had been made aware of the focus of the interview, walked beside Gradkowski and deflected follow-up questions. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] I'm sure Roger Goodell will be thrilled to hear this... BAL - Ravens OT Ogden Uncertain Of Playing Status Source: Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun Ravens OT Jonathan Ogden was activated yesterday from the PUP list, but Ravens HC Brian Billick said Ogden will not play Friday against the Falcons. Ogden isn't exactly sure himself when he'll be able to suit up. "It's hard to tell with a toe," he said. "I still haven't hit anybody, I haven't thrown the pads on, I just did some individual work. But it is a step forward. Hopefully, we'll see how it goes. I'll keep practicing this week, and next week I'll throw the pads on and see how it feels. Take it from there." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] This isn't the kind of news we were hoping to see for Willis McGahee. The new RB hasn't had the success this summer we'd like to see and an iffy Jonathan Ogden isn't what he needs. DEF - NE - Patriots CB Samuel Can Void 2008 Tag Source: Christopher L. Gasper and Mike Reiss, Boston Globe Patriots CB Asante Samuel got part of his wish. He did not get a long term deal, but as part of the agreement in signing his one-year tender worth $7.79 million, Samuel is allowed to void being tagged in 2008 provided certain unspecified bench marks are reached. Presumably, percentage of plays participated in and/or number of team wins factor into the agreement, according to a source close to the situation. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Looks like the Patriots and Samuel were able to compromise. He'll be especially motivated this year to produce and hit those benchmarks to avoid the franchise tag in 2008. DEF - BUF - Bills LB Posluszny Likely Starter Source: Sal Maiorana, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle While it remains unannounced, the Bills leading candidate to take over the MLB spot is rookie Paul Posluszny. He leads the team with 16 preseason tackles and has taken all the reps with the first team so far this week. DC Perry Fewell said the only thing standing in Posluszny's way is rookie rust, but that will change with repetition. "It's a matter of reps and it will come in time the more he hears the call and the more he plays the call," Fewell said. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Interesting news for you IDP guys. Posluszny has had a really nice camp and preseason and looks to have earned the start. That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great Thursday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update. J |
