Volume 8, Issue 133 (Tuesday, September 4th)

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

SF - RB Gore Is Healthy And Raring To Go

Source: John Crumpacker, San Francisco Gate

San Francisco 49ers star RB Frank Gore, held out of all four preseason games while his broken right hand healed, will bring fresh legs to the 49ers' regular-season opener Monday night against Arizona. Gore looked particularly quick on the few handoffs he took in Monday's practice without pads. It's a reflection of him working hard on his conditioning while he was out and of not taking a beating for the last month in camp. "I feel good," he said. "Coaches were working me out, keeping me in shape with explosive drills. I feel once I get out there, the more I'm in, the better I am and the more touches I get, the better I am. I'll be all right."

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This is great news to hear about Gore. Although it's not at all surprising. The guy has a fantastic work ethic. But it's not Gore's heart I worry about. It's his bones and ligaments and tendons. He's a phenomenal talent. But he worries me about staying healthy. Although no back outside of LaDainian Tomlinson is without questions and Gore is certainly fun to watch.

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KC - Chiefs RB Johnson To Be On Leash Week 1?

Source: KCChiefs.com

When Kansas City Chiefs HC Herm Edwards discussed RB Larry Johnson's status for week 1 on Tuesday, he said, "He's going to be on a little bit of a leash early. He carried the ball two or three times in St. Louis. So he has to get his legs underneath him. Michael Bennett is healthy and that's good; it gives us another runner. We feel very comfortable with the runners we have. It's not all on LJ. It's tough on one guy and he did a yeoman's job last year."

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Even on a "leash", Larry Johnson is likely to fare very well against the Texans. He won't carry the entire load, but he'll likely be effective.

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KC - Chiefs Work Out Six Kickers

Source: Adam Teicher, Kansas City Star

Kansas City brought in six kickers to either push or beat out rookie PK Justin Medlock, who has struggled this preseason. 18-year veteran PK John Carney, who has a career field-goal percentage of 81.8, was among the candidates. Also in attendance were kickers Josh Huston, Shane Andrus, Nick Novak, Kevin Lovell and Conner Hughes.

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You gotta love these kickers sitting by the phone waiting for "the call". Let's see who emerges here in Kansas City as they might have some value in really deep leagues but I'm not too optimistic.

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Cowboys Reserves Could Start Week 1

Source: Todd Archer, Dallas Morning News

With several starters ailing, the Dallas Cowboys may have to lean on the primary backups to open the season. CB Jacques Reeves will likely make his second career start in place of CB Terrence Newman (heel). Rookie LB Anthony Spencer is expecting to start in place of LB Greg Ellis (Achilles). WR Patrick Crayton could start if WR Terry Glenn (knee), who took part in individual drills Monday, can't go. Also, backup LB Kevin Burnett (ankle) might not play on passing downs, leaving an opportunity for LB Bradie James to get more playing time.

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The Cowboys have injury situations to watch on both sides of the ball. For the offense, it looks like Patrick Crayton will get the opportunities with Glenn still recovering. We've been high on him for a while for this reason.

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BAL - OT Odgen Questionable For Now

Source: Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun

Trying to recover from a hyperextended toe in time for the opener, Ravens OT Jonathan Ogden took part in individual drills Monday and will be closely monitored throughout the week to see if he can play on Sunday. "I don't know yet. I've got to get some pads on first," Ogden said of his playing status. HC Brian Billick said he hopes to have an answer later in the week.

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We knew it was going to be close for Ogden and it wouldn't surprise us to see him limited in this first game. Stay tuned through the week to see how he's able to work in practice. Obviously, he's a boost to this Raven offense if he's able to go.

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CHI - Bears TE Olsen Game Time Decision

Source: Vaughn McClure, Chicago Tribune

Chicago rookie TE Greg Olsen is improving gradually from his sprained knee suffered in the team's final exhibition game. He is sporting a slight limp, but is without the aid of a knee brace. He hopes to be ready for the season opener at San Diego, but HC Lovie Smith won't rush Olsen. "We look at who is healthy on game day, then we decide," Smith said. "We're not going to press them anymore to try to find out. We don't let them get on the practice field until they're ready to play - Normally, if a guy is ready to play Sunday, you'd like to see him practice Friday."

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Let's watch to see how he works Wednesday and we'll know more. We're cautiously optimistic but if you have another viable TE, you'd probably want to consider him this week.

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GB - Lee, Franks To See Balanced Time At TE

Source: Tom Silverstein, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

After a great training camp, veteran TE Bubba Franks has put himself in a place to contribute this season. Donald Lee will get first crack at being in the lineup because he's faster than Franks, but the snaps could wind up being split in half. "Those guys are pretty even," OC Joe Philbin said. "I feel good about both of them. I think Bubba is moving better than he has the last couple of years, there's no question about that. He's had a very good camp. Donald Lee has been solid, too. I think with those guys, the days of Bubba playing 70 plays and the second tight end playing 15 are over. I don't think Donald is going to play 50 and Bubba plays 10. It probably will be more balanced between those two guys."

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Franks has made a nice comeback and he was looking shaky early in the spring. But he had a nice camp and now it looks like he and Lee will be handling the TE duties together. That's probably good news for Brett Favre but bad news for both Lee and Franks and both players will probably be just productive enough to be frustrating plays each week.

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DEN - WR Walker Sets Goal Of 1,500 Yard Season

Source: Arnie Stapleton, Associated Press, CBS 4 Broncos Insiders

Denver Broncos WR Javon Walker figures he can have a 1,500-yard season now that he's healthy, he knows the offense better and RB Travis Henry is in the backfield to take some pressure off the passing game.

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I always like to see optimism from a player. And Walker is a guy you'd do well not to underestimate. We have him projected for closer to 1,200 yards. To see how we project the entire team, click here

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DEN - RB Bell Dealing With Move To FB

Source: Bill Williamson, Denver Post

The Denver Broncos know that RB Mike Bell is not thrilled with the fact he has permanently moved to fullback but they believe he can be a standout at the position. The Broncos moved Bell from tailback to fullback last week.

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The RBs in Denver are shuffling around as normal. Let's just hope that Travis Henry can remain a constant at the starting tailback. I think he can. Henry's a guy I love this season and I think he's ready to excel in Denver.

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SF - Lelie Pushing Jacobs For WR3 Role

Source: Matthew Barrow, Sacramento Bee

Taylor Jacobs is officially still the 49ers' WR3, but Ashley Lelie is coming on fast. In fact, coach Mike Nolan said Monday that Lelie would be the primary backup at the split-end receiver position, where Darrell Jackson is the starter and Jacobs would be the first one in if Arnaz Battle got hurt at flanker. "It could be either one of those guys," Nolan said when asked who he'd go with in three receiver sets. "Taylor's probably half a step ahead."

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I'll be honest, the fact that Ashley Lelie might be the 49ers third best WR doesn't give me a very good feeling about the group as a whole...

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SEA - Seahawks LT Jones Shoulder Improving

Source: Frank Hughes, News Tribune

Seattle Seahawks starting left tackle Walter Jones plans to begin practicing Wednesday and play in the game Sunday. The shoulder "is feeling better," Jones said. "Feeling good. I just have to go out there and be focused. When Wednesday comes, my main focus is to go out there and know the game plan and make sure I am ready when Sunday comes."

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A healthy Walter Jones is a huge boost to the Seahawks offense. Shaun Alexander in particular is glad to see him back on the field.

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WR Caldwell Visits Jets

Source: Mike Reiss, Boston Globe

The New York Jets hosted free-agent wide receiver Reche Caldwell on a visit at their team headquarters today, one day after Caldwell was released by the New England Patriots.

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It's almost comical how the Jets bring in just about any player the Patriots release. This is especially interesting due to the head games being played as New England and New York square off in the first week. Whether they sign Caldwell or not isn't that important. They just want to give the impression they're gaining "inside" information about the Patriots they can use this week.

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DEN - DE Rice To Be Ready By Week 2

Source: Bill Williamson, Denver Post

Broncos DE Simeon Rice isn't sure if he'll be ready to play this week at Buffalo, but he'll most certainly be ready to play in the home opener versus Oakland, Sept. 16. Rice signed a one-year deal worth $3 million on Monday.

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A note for you IDP guys considering Rice this week. Looks like Week 2 is the safer bet.

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DEF - HOU - SS Boulware To Learn System Before Playing

Source: John McClain, Houston Chronicle

Newly acquired SS Michael Boulware will first have to learn the system before playing a significant role in the Houston Texans defense. Boulware will likely begin on special teams and eventually will compete with S Jason Simmons for the starting job. "I've got to be a good teacher, and he's got to be a good student. This won't happen overnight," DB coach Jon Hoke said. "Remember, we've got guys that have been here since the (offseason program), and they still make mistakes."

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Translation: Don't expect to see too much of Boulware early on. The Texans will likely work him in slowly.

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DEF - NYG - Giants DE Strahan To Be Evaluated Before Playing

Source: John Branch, The New York Times

Giants HC Tom Coughlin said that he will wait to see if DE Michael Strahan can weather the storm of practices this week before deciding on activating the 15-year veteran. "We'll see where he is and as the week progresses, we'll evaluate what kind of role he may play this week," Coughlin said. The Giants also received a two-week roster exemption for Strahan, meaning it can carry 54 players until Strahan is activated.

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A lot of this is coach speak where Coughlin is getting in his dig at Strahan for missing all of camp. He's making him sweat a little before saying he's ready to go. The game is Sunday Night against Dallas. I'll be shocked if Strahan isn't playing.

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That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great Wednesday and we'll see you tomorrow with our last free email update of the year. The season is almost here!