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Volume 8, Issue 62 (Monday, June 25th)
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LIMITED TIME OFFERS
Hi Folks,
Hope you're doing better than Tank Johnson. On that topic, let's go right to the Quote Of The Day: "Having to sit out for six games... It's only going to give me time to get better. I'm really looking forward to continuing my efforts to be Man of the Year in the NFL. And during those six games, I'm going to do everything I can to be a better man." -- Tank Johnson on June 4th Let's get to it. JSITE NEWS
A.
Rookie Top 100 - Part 2 (Top 26-50)
Footballguys Staffer Sigmund Bloom continues his in depth look at this year's rookie crop.
B.
Player Spotlight - SEA WR Deion Branch
Footballguys Staffer Mark Wimer takes a detailed look at Deion Branch.
C.
Player Spotlight - NYG WR Plaxico Burress
Footballguys Staffer Jeff Pasquino takes a detailed look at Plaxico Burress.
D.
Player Spotlight - BAL WR Mark Clayton
Footballguys Staffer Mark Wimer takes a detailed look at Mark Clayton.
E.
Player Spotlight - NO WR Marques Colston
Footballguys Staffer Jason Wood takes a detailed look at Marques Colston.
F.
Player Spotlight - GB WR Donald Driver
Footballguys Staffer Jason Wood takes a detailed look at Donald Driver.
G.
Player Spotlight - SF WR Darrell Jackson
Footballguys Staffer Jason Wood takes a detailed look at Darrell Jackson.
H.
Player Spotlight - CIN RB Rudi Johnson
Footballguys Staffer Michael Brown takes a detailed look at Rudi Johnson.
I.
Player Spotlight - NYJ RB Thomas Jones
Footballguys Staffer Mark Wimer takes a detailed look at Thomas Jones.
J.
Player Spotlight - DET QB Jon Kitna
Footballguys Staffer Mark Wimer takes a detailed look at Jon Kitna.
K.
Player Spotlight - CLE RB Jamal Lewis
Footballguys Staffer Jeff Pasquino takes a detailed look at Jamal Lewis.
L.
Player Spotlight - PIT RB Willie Parker
Footballguys Staffer Jason Wood takes a detailed look at Footballguys Magazine cover guy Willie Parker.
M.
Staff Faceoff - Which Backup RB Has The Most Value?
Footballguys Staffers discuss which backup RB has the most value in a super size edition Face Off.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. Goodell Briefs Rookies On Conduct2. STL - Rams RB Faulk Has Yet To File Retirement Papers
3. MIA - GB - Rumor - QB Culpepper to Green Bay?
4. CHI - TE Olsen Wowing Teammates
5. DEN - QB Ramsey Fitting In Well
6. DEF - Bears Release DT Johnson
7. DEF - CHI - Bears Extend CB Vasher Through 2012
8. CLE - Browns CB Baxter May Start Season On PUP List
Goodell Briefs Rookies On Conduct
Source: Tim Reynolds, Associated Press
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell briefed the entire rookie class of 2007 on the NFL's stricter code of conduct today. Goodell spent about 20 minutes on the subject before turning over the floor for a question and answer session. "I'd be naive to think everyone would be able to understand it," Goodell said. "But I think we're making players more aware of the standards of behavior. We're giving them more tools and resources to make sure they can make those decisions."
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Will they listen? That's the question. Let's hope so.
STL - Rams RB Faulk Has Yet To File Retirement Papers
Source: Bill Coats, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
St. Louis Rams running back Marshall Faulk has yet to file his retirement papers, even though he told the team of his intentions to retire in March. The filing of the paperwork is expected to be only a formality, as the Rams no longer list Faulk as a part of their roster.
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Rams fans will always hold a special place in their hearts for Faulk but they are focused on 2007. And this team is all about Steven Jackson looking forward. Faulk has a very bright future in just about whatever he wants to do.
MIA - GB - Rumor - QB Culpepper to Green Bay?
Source: Viking Update Staff
As the rumor has gained legs, the idea is that Culpepper could spend all of 2007 rehabbing his ailing knee while Brett Favre played his final season. Then in 2008, a healthy Culpepper would compete with Aaron Rodgers for the starting job.
The second twist of irony is that Packers now join the Jaguars as teams that are rumored to be interested in signing Culpepper – who also now serves as his own agent. Jacksonville, of course is where Mike Tice is an assistant head coach. Tice and Culpepper always had a good working relationship and, if not for Tice, Jacksonville may not be in its current condition. Whether Culpepper lands with the Jags, Packers or someone else won't play out until after he's officially released by the Dolphins. When that happens, we'll find out what rumors are true and what rumors are just blowing smoke.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Please note that this is purely rumor and speculation at this point. I don't make it a habit of passing along rumor but it's a slow news day and I've always operated this thing on the "you'll know what I know" concept. So there it is. Jacksonville still makes more sense to me but we'll have to just wait and see what the Dolphins do with Culpepper first.
CHI - TE Olsen Wowing Teammates
Source: Larry Mayer, Chicagobears.com
Greg Olsen made a catch that had to be seen to be believed during the Bears' final OTA practice Wednesday, reaching high to pluck a seemingly overthrown pass out of the air with one hand.
While offensive teammates hooted and hollered—Devin Hester did a somersault in excitement—Olsen jogged back to the huddle for the next snap without showing a hint of emotion. The rookie tight end later shrugged with humility when a reporter asked about the play. "I don't know," he said. "It was kind of just a reaction." A tight end that not only can but expects to make big plays should provide a big boost to the Bears offense this season, and Olsen made major strides during the team's offseason program. "These last [13 OTA] practices have really done a lot," said the first-round draft pick from Miami. "They've been huge, just getting used to how everything goes. "I feel like I've gotten better over the last [13] practices and [will] just continue to work hard and prepare myself for the season throughout training camp."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Olsen has wowed some people in camp and has lots of people raising the bar for expectations. A productive pass catching TE is something the Bears and Rex Grossman would love to see. When you're doing stuff in practice that makes Devin Hester somersault, that has to be good.
DEN - QB Ramsey Fitting In Well
Source: Andrew Mason, DenverBroncos.com
For quarterback Patrick Ramsey, the learning has rarely ceased during a pro career that enters its sixth season this year. The Broncos are his third team in that span, but the offensive system used by the team is the fourth scheme he's absorbed.
As a rookie in 2002, Ramsey immersed himself in Steve Spurrier's scheme with the Washington Redskins. Two years later, Joe Gibbs replaced Spurrier in Washington, forcing him to dive into offense No. 2. A 2006 move from the Redskins to the New York Jets gave him a third system to learn. But the Broncos' scheme might be the best one for a skill set that was formulated in a prolific spread offense at Tulane University during three seasons as a starter from 1999 through 2001. "It's difficult, but this one (Denver's offense) is making sense to me, it really is," Ramsey said. "It's something that I feel like I'm gathering and I'm coming on a little faster in this offense than I have in others." "I understand the investment they have in Jay (Cutler)," Ramsey said. "It's obvious." Where Cutler is now, Ramsey was four years ago with the Redskins. "It's a little bit different role," Ramsey said. "He's telling me various things about the offense and I'm telling him various things I've gathered here and there. We've got a real good relationship."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Ramsey and the Broncos are a good match it seems. He's a very capable QB that's still plenty young enough to be on top of his game. But he clearly understands his role that he's the guy to backup Jay Cutler. The Broncos hope he doesn't have to play but if he does, he'll be ready and he'll likely do well.
DEF - Bears Release DT Johnson
Source: Brian Hamilton, Chicago Tribune
The Chicago Bears are through with DT Tank Johnson as the waived him on Monday. Already suspended by the NFL for the first eight games of the 2007 season for violating the league's personal conduct policy, Johnson was pulled over and arrested by police in Gilbert, Ariz., at 3:30 a.m. Friday and was issued a citation for "being impaired to the slightest degree." "We are upset and embarrassed by Tank's actions last week," Bears general manager Jerry Angelo said in a statement posted on the team's Web site. "He compromised the credibility of our organization. We made it clear to him that he had no room for error. Our goal was to help someone through a difficult period in his life, but the effort needs to come from both sides. It didn't, and we have decided to move on."
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It's an unfortunately repetitive occurrence. Guy gets in trouble. Gets suspended. Promises to straighten up. And then gets in trouble again. The Bears apparently have had enough.
Best wishes to Johnson. I hate to see a guy struggle like this no matter what kind of job he's trying to hold down. Let's hope he gets it together.DEF - CHI - Bears Extend CB Vasher Through 2012
Source: Larry Mayer, ChicagoBears.com
The Chicago Bears locked up a key member of their defense on Monday when they signed cornerback Nathan Vasher to a five-year contract extension through 2012. "It's an exciting time right now and it's just good to get it done and over with," Vasher said. "The whole process went well. I made no bones about wanting to be here and my agent understood that. Mr. [Jerry] Angelo and those guys really stretched and made it work, so I'm really happy about it."
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It was interesting that on the day when the Bears cut loose a guy in Tank Johnson, they locked up a player they coveted in Nathan Vasher. He's a solid player and a valuable part of their defense.
CLE - Browns CB Baxter May Start Season On PUP List
Source: Mary Kay Cabot, Cleveland Plain Dealer
According to Cleveland Browns general manager Phil Savage, cornerback Gary Baxter might be a candidate to begin the season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, and might be used at the safety or nickel back position after he returns. "Maybe he'll start the season on [the physically unable to perform list] and then be able to play six weeks into the season," said Savage. "Gary does have the versatility to do any of those things. If he can make it back, I think he can help us in some way, shape or form."
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For all you IDP guys, you might want to file Baxter away on the back burner if you need some help down the stretch.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great Tuesday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update.
J