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Volume 8, Issue 128 (Thursday, August 30th)Fantasy Trophies.com  Take your league to the next level by playing for the ULTIMATE in Fantasy Trophies. We offer football, baseball, and basketball trophies for all your fantasy needs. Our products offer a mix of originality and quality that is UNMATCHED by any other product on the market. Visit our site today to see how we can bring the fire back to your league. The Legendary Armchair Quarterback trophy ON SALE 3 DAYS ONLY! LIMITED TIME OFFERS Hi Folks, 6 days and counting. It's almost here. Preseason games are wrapping up and we're close to officially opening Week 1 of our Footballguys coverage. These FREE email updates will run through next Thursday morning but then they end. After that, we pour everything we have into our Footballguys subscription. For information about subscribing to the Footballguys website click here. From the most detailed stat projections, to custom cheatsheets, to Waiver Wire and Free Agent pickups, it's the one resource you need to Dominate Your League. Don't miss out. And remember we have a money back guarantee so there's no risk for you. Enough talk there. We've also got plenty of News and Notes for you so let's get to it. JSITE NEWS A.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. DET - Lions RB Jones To Remain On PUP List2. TB - WR Boston Tests Clean For Illegal Substances, More Tests Coming 3. DEN - NFL Won't Discipline Broncos RB Henry 4. STL - Not A Scratch On Rams RB Jackson 5. TB - Buccaneers TE Stevens Might Make Team 6. ATL - WR Jenkins Comfortable Within New Offense 7. SEA - Hackett, Burleson May Share Time At Split End 8. PHI - Rookie QB Kolb Impressive In Preseason 9. NO - Rookie WR Meachem Has Impressive Work Ethic 10. NYG - PK Job Still Open, PK Tynes vs. PK Huston 11. DEN - RB Henry To Be Ready For Opener 12. NYJ - Jets RB Jones Good To Go In Opener? 13. NFL - League Redesigns Logo 14. Former HC Cowher Will Not Coach in 2008 15. DEF - BAL - Ravens S Reed Returns To Practice 16. DEF - BAL - LB Lewis In Great Shape, Still Defensive Leader DET - Lions RB Jones To Remain On PUP List Source: Tom Kowalski, MLive.com According to a source close to the situation, the surgeon who performed the Lisfranc surgery on the left foot of running back Kevin Jones has agreed with Lions trainers that Jones should start the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list. Dr. Richard Anderson re-examined Jones this afternoon and then discussed the situation with Lions officials. Because the Lions have a bye week in the sixth week of the season, Jones will only miss five games. Jones will be eligible to return on Oct. 21 in the home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The medical report on Jones is that his foot is almost completely recovered, but team officials want to err on the side of caution and make sure he's in the best possible football condition before he returns to the field. Again, according to a source close to the situation, Jones is expected to return without losing any of his original speed or running ability.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] As we've been telling you in the Daily Email Update, this is how we felt the Lions would go with this. What it means to you is that Tatum Bell is likely going to be a value in your league. I continue to see Bell overlooked in leagues. And it just doesn't make sense. Yes, Mike Martz loves to the pass the ball but Bell will absolutely see plenty of opportunities. He's a starting RB in an explosive offense and he's impressing the guy he needs to impress, Mike Martz. Martz has been praising Bell "He's the whole package. He's got so much juice to him. He can go. He's taken our offense and learned it so well. He doesn't make any mistakes. He's catching the ball extremely well. He's playing at such a high level right now." I'd take special note of Martz' comments about Bell's pass receiving skills. He has been OK but not exceptional catching the ball in his career (24 receptions in 2006 and 18 in 2005)but he's also never played in an offense like he's in now. I don't expect him to be Marshall Faulk but I'd be surprised if we don't see his receiving numbers take a big jump. He left last week's game with a lower leg injury but he quickly returned to practice this week. He's an explosive player that I see as undervalued in a great many leagues. It wouldn't surprise me at all to see Jones' injury keep him off the field well past Week 6 when he's allowed to return. But even if he does come back, you're looking at at least five games where Bell is the man.TB - WR Boston Tests Clean For Illegal Substances, More Tests Coming Source: Stephen Thompson, Tampa Tribune Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver David Boston blew a triple zero on a breath test for alcohol after his recent DUI arrest, and a test of his urine for ten additional drugs found no signs of any illegal substance in his body following the arrest. The Pinellas County (FL) Forensic Laboratory is expected to test Boston's urine for a wider range of drugs, according to local police. "You're not going to find anything in my urine," Boston said. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Great news for Boston here. Looks like the team was right in letting him play last week after the arrest. Maybe this really is the year Boston returns with a bang. DEN - NFL Won't Discipline Broncos RB Henry Source: Arnie Stapleton, Associated Press, Nashville Tennessean Broncos RB Travis Henry will not face league sanctions for his court date over child support for his ninth child out of wedlock. NFL spokesperson Greg Aiello said that the new and more strict conduct policy "generally covers criminal violations, not civil matters". [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] No comment other than to let you know this won't affect his playing status. STL - Not A Scratch On Rams RB Jackson Source: R.B. Fallstrom, Associated Press, St. Louis Post Dispatch St. Louis RB Steven Jackson is well rested, to say the least. He had zero carries in the preseason and just two receptions after a 2006 season that featured 346 carries and 90 receptions. "Taking out unnecessary hits is really a key," Jackson said. "Even though the games don't count, the hits can become effective. I think being cautious and making sure everyone gets to opening day safe is a smart thing and a new trend." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] It's kind of interesting that the consensus #1 and #2 Fantasy Picks this year haven't seen the field in preseason. I don't really mind but it does sort of make you question how the league does the preseason. TB - Buccaneers TE Stevens Might Make Team Source: Stephen F. Holder, St. Petersburg Times Tampa Bay TE Jerramy Stevens will have his best opportunity to make an impact this preseason when the Bucs host the Texans tonight. Stevens has been less than impressive this summer, but could make the opening day roster due to starting TE Alex Smith's injury. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Another example of how things move quickly. Just two years ago, Stevens was a big part of Seattle's offense helping them to a Super Bowl. Now he's fighting to make the roster in Tampa. ATL - WR Jenkins Comfortable Within New Offense Source: D. Orlando Ledbetter, Atlanta Journal-Constitution Atlanta Falcons WR Michael Jenkins is excited about the team's new offense and the strategy to get more yards after a catch. "I feel very comfortable running across the middle, running drag routes and going deep," Jenkins said. "It's going to be fun playing receiver. We got a chance to catch the ball, get some runs after the catch and get some first downs. We are trying to make big plays and when we get a chance to get the ball in our hands, we want to make plays afterward." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] I'm rooting for Joey Harrington in Atlanta to hold that team together but I'm in a "show me" mood with their wide receivers. I've been let down enough by these guys in the past. We'll see. SEA - Hackett, Burleson May Share Time At Split End Source: Clare Farnsworth, Seattle Press-Intelligencer The Seattle Seahawks will be using Deion Branch as their starting flanker and veteran Bobby Engram as the dependable slot receiver. It was thought that D.J. Hackett would start at split end and he still may but Nate Burleson has pushed him with a good preseason and perhaps a job-sharing situation has developed in Seattle. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] I said earlier this year I had a hard time thinking Hackett couldn't beat out Nate Burleson but at least for now, it doesn't look like he's clearly distanced himself. I think he will but he's not there yet. PHI - Rookie QB Kolb Impressive In Preseason Source: Clifton Brown, New York Times The Phiadelphia Eagles surprised the football world at the draft when they selected QB Kevin Kolb with their first pick. But QB Donovan McNabb will turn 31 in November, and serious injuries have cut short his last two seasons. The Eagles felt it was time to groom a young quarterback, and Kolb has performed well during the preseason, completing 48 of 73 passes for 397 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions, with a quarterback rating of 84.1. Pleased with Kolb's preseason work, Coach Andy Reid wants to use the Jets game to take a closer look at veteran QB A.J. Feeley, who will start against the New York Jets. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The only way that Kolb contributes this year is with an injury to McNabb. But it's not like that's exactly unheard of... NO - Rookie WR Meachem Has Impressive Work Ethic Source: Sheldon Mickles, Advocate New Orleans Saints rookie WR Robert Meachem continues to work hard at catching up after missing most of the offseason program with ankle and knee injuries. He has just four catches for 32 yards in four exhibition games. "His work ethic is outstanding, he stays after practice and desires to be successful," HC Sean Payton said. "He sees himself being successful. The thing is getting him back to 100 percent and getting him up to speed with what we are doing. Some guys learn on the field and he's one of those guys that needs to get the reps, but it's tough when he's hampered. But he's been a great worker and he prepares hard and does a good job in the classroom as well." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Meachem has worked hard but it isn't showing up on the field right away. Maybe it will over the course of the season as I believe he's got the character and talent to be a good pro. But it's a process. NYG - PK Job Still Open, PK Tynes vs. PK Huston Source: Associated Press, Fox Sports The place-kicking job appears to be the only one still open on the Giants roster. Veteran PK Lawrence Tynes and free agent PK Josh Huston are battling for it. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Watch to see how this one plays out. We're not overly excited though as the Giants are a tough team to kick for. DEN - RB Henry To Be Ready For Opener Source: Associated Press, Fox Sports RB Travis Henry returned to practice this week after spraining his left knee two weeks ago. He'll sit out the Broncos' exhibition finale against Arizona on Thursday night but said he'll be ready for the opener at Buffalo on Sept. 9. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Pretty much as we've been expecting. Look for Henry to be ready to go for Week 1. We still think he's a great value at RB and undervalued in many leagues. NYJ - Jets RB Jones Good To Go In Opener? Source: Dan Martin, New York Post Because Jets' RB Thomas Jones is coming off two straight seasons in which he gained more than 1,200 yards, HC Eric Mangini said he doesn't expect the 29-year-old to be hurt by the inactivity when the Jets open against the Patriots on Sept. 9. "Each guy is different," Mangini said. "With veteran guys who have that experience to draw from, they've got a real edge over a young guy who had been hurt in camp and then come back, because they haven't seen as many things." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Typical Mangini coachspeak saying nothing here. We think Jones will be ready as he recovers from the calf injury. Source: Michael McCarthy, USA TODAY The National Football League is launching a makeover of its red, white and blue "NFL Shield" logo that adorns everything from player jerseys to fan T-shirts and hats. The league is creating a leaner, meaner version of the iconic logo that will debut at the NFL draft in April, 2008. The revamped shield will be slightly taller and thinner, with a new football, fewer stars and darker colors, says Lisa Baird, the NFL's senior vice president of marketing. The redesign marks the first changes to the shield since 1980. At the NFL's annual meeting this spring, commissioner Roger Goodell talked about the NFL Shield as the "envy of the sports world." The league has been careful to make an "evolutionary, not a radical change," says Baird. The new shield features eight stars (representing the eight AFC and NFC divisions) vs. 25 on the current logo. Why 25? It's a mystery. After researching the shield's origins, the designers could find no reason for 25 stars, says Jaime Weston, director of brand and creative operations. The shield logo was first used around 1940, two decades after the NFL's founding in 1920. The football at the center has been redesigned to resemble the ball atop the Vince Lombardi championship trophy, says Baird. It replaces the old-fashioned pigskin nicknamed the "Hamburger" inside league offices.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Commissioner Roger Goodell continues to make one smart move after another. This is primarily a "look what I can do" thing. Changing one of the most identifiable logos in the world is incredibly bold and / or dangerous. So you change it just ever so slightly where only the hardcore fans know you did something. Nobody can get too upset because the change is slight. But you still changed it. And you get credit for having the power and chutzpah to tweak the logo. Something that your predecessors haven't done in the previous 27 years. Brilliant. Former HC Cowher Will Not Coach in 2008 Source: Jim Corbett, USA Today CBS analyst Solomon Wilcots said that former Steelers HC Bill Cowher will not coach this season or in 2008, opting to stay with the network for two years and have the freedom to watch his daughters play basketball at Princeton. "It surprised me, only because you know he's going to be in demand, despite saying that. There's still going to be owners who believe they can woo him and will come after him." Wilcots said. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Interesting story but I'll believe this when I see it. Before the Week 1 kickoff of 2007 is way too early to be saying he won't coach in 2008 in my opinion. DEF - BAL - Ravens S Reed Returns To Practice Source: Don Markus, Baltimore Sun Baltimore S Ed Reed was practicing Wednesday after skipping a couple of days with a thigh bruise suffered last Saturday against the Redskins. He plans on playing in Friday's preseason finale. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Good news for Reed as he looks good to go. DEF - BAL - LB Lewis In Great Shape, Still Defensive Leader Source: Larry Weisman, USA Today LB Ray Lewis is now 32 years old, has eight Pro Bowls behind him and was MVP of the Baltimore Ravens' only Super Bowl championship, following the 2000 season. He has been the irresistible force of this fierce defense, which ranked No. 1 in the NFL in 2006, since he arrived as a first-round draft pick in 1996. At 6-1, 250 pounds, he remains fit, fast and fanatical. DC Rex Ryan says Lewis has lost nothing. "If there's one player you can single out and say, 'This is his football team,' it's still Ray Lewis," Ryan says. "You look at these lists that say Player A is better than Ray Lewis. It's an absolute joke." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Lewis has done a great job of keeping his game elevated over the last couple of years. You'd think he might start to tail off, but he's holding steady. Which is terrible news for offenses across the league. That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great Friday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update. J |
