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Volume 8, Issue 76 (Monday, July 9th)LIMITED TIME OFFERS THIS WEEK ONLY: 5% off of FantasyHeadquarters.com fantasy football league entry fees! Click Here!Hi Folks, Good Tuesday to you. Hope you're having a great week as we've got some good stuff for you today. But first, the Quote Of The Day: "Well, he's undefeated this year so he's doing a heck of a job." -- Denver coach Mike Shanahan on his impression of QB Jay Cutler at this point. Have a great Tuesday and let's get to it. JSITE NEWS A.
Updated Stat Projections
INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. Maryland OT Gaither Has Solid Workout2. SD - Chargers WR Preview 3. SF - WR Jackson Needs To Shine 4. BAL - Ravens QB McNair's Trial Resumes Tuesday 5. DET - Lions Sign QB O'Sullivan 6. HOU - Texans Sign WR/KR Johnson 7. IND - HC Dungy Hits Road For Book About More Than Football 8. DAL - QB Romo Golf Update 9. DEF - NE - Clock Ticking On Samuel Deal 10. Dan Patrick Leaving ESPN Maryland OT Gaither Has Solid Workout Source: Len Pasquarelli, ESPN University of Maryland offensive tackle Jared Gaither turned in a solid overall workout for league scouts Monday. Even though a strained shoulder limited his performance in the bench-press drill, he likely solidified his chances of being selected in Thursday's supplemental draft. The audition was attended by representatives from about half of the NFL's 32 franchises. Atlanta and Jacksonville, both of which have indicated interest in Gaither, had multiple scouts attending the workout. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Good for Gaither. He'll likely get a shot with one of these clubs. Sticking with a team through camp will be tougher but it looks like he'll give it a go. Source: Casey Pearce, Chargers.com With Davis in the fold, the Chargers are pleased with the variety of size, speed and athleticism found in their wide receiver corps. "It's diverse," general manager A.J. Smith said. "We've got the big guys. We've got speed guys. We've got receivers who run good routes and catch the football. I think we've got good football players at the wide receiver position." The group figures to be led by six-year veteran Eric Parker, who caught 105 passes for 1,384 yards over the past two seasons, the most among Chargers wide receivers. His tireless work ethic and ability to lead by example has endeared him to teammates, and Parker's reliability has allowed him to gain the utmost confidence of his quarterback. "Being big, fast, running and jumping is all great," Philip Rivers said. "But if you're not dependable, it doesn't matter. Eric is a guy I know I can count on. He's always going to be in the right place." Late last season, Vincent Jackson saw his playing time significantly increase and the 6-5, 240-pounder took full advantage of his opportunity to contribute. In the final seven games of the season, Jackson caught 20 passes for 357 yards and four touchdowns, including the game-winner at Seattle on Christmas Eve. "Vincent didn't necessarily do anything different," Wide receivers coach James Lofton said. "He just got in the game and they threw him the ball. He made a few plays and we believe he's going to continue to do that."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] In addition to Jackson and Parker, Craig Davis and Malcom Floyd will help out. And of course, they have that TE named Gates... It's a solid receiving corps even if it doesn't have a lot of big names among the WRs. To see how we project the entire team, click here SF - WR Jackson Needs To Shine Source: Adam Schein, Fox Sports Says, FoxSports Adam Schein: This off-season, it has become popular to discuss the potential and likely growth of Niners third-year quarterback Alex Smith. The game seriously slowed down for Smith last year and everyone, myself included, expects big things from the quarterback this season. In fact, Smith's mentor Trent Dilfer told us this past week that he has never seen progress like the steps the young quarterback is taking. Dilfer described the day-to-day growth for Smith during mini-camp this spring and said Smith was "a totally different person, quarterback, and leader by the drop-back drills at the end." Dilfer said "Darrell Jackson is just a huge piece to the puzzle for us. Vernon Davis really came on at the end of the year for us and his upside is huge and explosive at the tight end position. Arnaz Battle is a really good possession receiver who had a great year for us and is truly a great guy to have. But we really need the guy on the outside who has been there and done it before. We really need the guy on the outside who has been on winning teams and made huge plays in clutch situations. Darrell is that guy. I was with him in Seattle. I've seen it. I know how he works. I know what he is capable of." The catch with Jackson is his health. The former Seahawk had his 2006 campaign cut short with turf toe. It was problematic enough that Jackson wasn't a full participant in workouts with Smith. Jackson still has pain, which is troublesome for a receiver who relies on his legs and feet. But Dilfer, Smith, Mike Nolan, and Jackson himself have all said that the receiver will be ready for training camp and the season. If he is, and if he's on the same page as Smith, that's just enormous for the San Fran attack.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Jackson will be a key player in this 49er passing game. We see him leading the San Francisco WRs this year but I honestly have a hard time getting too excited about the guy. Turf toe injuries can be troublesome. Especially with an older guy like Jackson. It's encouraging to hear Dilfer talk up Alex Smith though. Smith certainly has lots of people on the bandwagon. To see how we project the entire team, click here BAL - Ravens QB McNair's Trial Resumes Tuesday Source: Jamison Hensley, Baltimore Sun Baltimore Ravens starting QB Steve McNair is scheduled to appear in a Nashville, TN, courthouse tomorrow to face his driving under the influence by consent charge. McNair will appear alongside his brother-in-law, Jamie Cartwright, who was arrested on a DUI charge. "I think there is a very good chance to get it worked out as far as the driver is concerned," said Roger May, McNair's lawyer. "If that occurs, then Mr. McNair's case will be dismissed." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] We don't expect this to be a big issue for McNair. As the article says, if his brother in law can get things worked out, that will go a long ways toward clearing the QB. DET - Lions Sign QB O'Sullivan Source: Len Pasquarelli, ESPN J.T. O'Sullivan, regarded as the top player in NFL Europa this spring, has signed with the Detroit Lions. He was released by the Chicago Bears late last week. Contract details were not immediately available. The Lions will be the seventh team with which O'Sullivan has spent time. He is expected to compete with Dan Orlovsky and Drew Stanton to be the primary backup to Jon Kitna. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] O'Sullivan is likely a long shot but he'll give it a great shot. I was surprised that the Bears thought so little of O'Sullivan that they'd cut one of the top players of NFL Europa but as they said when they released him, it gives O'Sullivan a shot to latch on with another team. I'll be pulling for him. HOU - Texans Sign WR/KR Johnson Source: Megan Manfull, Houston Chronicle The Houston Texans signed former Texas A&M wide receiver Bethel Johnson to a contract Monday. Johnson (5-11, 200) will add another kick returner to the Texans' roster as well as a speedy target for quarterback Matt Schaub. The Corsicana native was a second-round draft pick of the New England Patriots in 2003 and won two Super Bowl rings in his three seasons there. As a rookie, he led the AFC in kickoff returns with an average of 28.2 yards per return. He also had his best season as a receiver that year with 209 receiving yards and two touchdowns.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] I doubt Bethel Johnson will be leading your fantasy team (or the Texans) to a championship this season but he's physically talented and will give Schaub a fast target. Maybe being back close to home will help. IND - HC Dungy Hits Road For Book About More Than Football Source: AP Colts coach Tony Dungy said some football fans may be surprised that his memoir "Quiet Strength," which hits stores Tuesday, goes beyond Super Bowl tales and delves into his Christian faith. Dungy, who began a 10-day national tour Monday to promote the book, said he penned his 301-page memoir after initial reluctance once he realized it was a chance for him to let others know how his faith has helped him overcome personal tragedy and career setbacks. He said initial response to the memoir has been positive, but he expects it holds more about his life off the field and his religious beliefs than some people might have expected. "Maybe they thought it was just going to be a book recounting the football story, and that's in there. And I think people do want to know what Peyton Manning's like and what Terry Bradshaw was like, but they're going to be surprised to see some of the things that went into making me the person that I am," he said.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Not much fantasy football value here but a good story. Tony Dungy is obviously an outstanding football coach. But he seems like an even better person. Source: Cowboys.beloblog.com Tony Romo finished fourth in the Racine Tri Course Amateur Championship over the weekend back in Wisconsin. Romo won the event a couple of years ago with a final-round charge, but this year he had no such luck. Romo shot a final-round 75 at Racine Country Club to finish seven shots behind Bendt Bendtsen III. Romo's father, Ramiro, who shot an opening round 71, two shots better than his son, finished tied for 18th.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Because I know you guys need to know everything. Nothing to keep you humble as a hotshot NFL QB than to have your dad smoke you on the golf course on the opening round... DEF - NE - Clock Ticking On Samuel Deal Source: Albert Breer, Boston Herald We're a week away from the deadline for Asante Samuel to sign a long-term deal with the Patriots, slated for 4 p.m. next Monday. So today we'll try and put the corner's demands and value in perspective. Now, Samuel is looking for a deal with close to $30 million in its first three years, to fall in line with the deal Nate Clements reaped in Frisco, a contract that will bring the new Niner $29 million between now and 2009. A steep price? It sure is. Especially when you look at the Patriots' recent payouts. Bottom line: Samuel's asking price would put him near the top of the team's heap. Right now, Tom Brady's contract extension (signed in 2005) represents the highest three-year value of any Patriot deal, at $40.5 million. Next up is Richard Seymour, whose 2006 extension included $26.215 million over its first three years, and afforded him the chance to hit free agency again in 2010 at age 30. Of course, a new CBA dropped into place after Brady signed his deal and the cap rose $7 million in 2007 and is projected to go up another $7 million next year, to $116 million. So there is inflation to deal with. But with Samuel positioning himself aside Clements, it's fair to look at the other deals the Patriots have completed during this offseason, and look at what the three-year payouts were there for a barometer. This won't include guys like Kyle Brady, Tory James and Randy Moss, who signed short-term deals that don't apply. Here they are: LB Adalius Thomas: $24.084 million WR Donte' Stallworth: $19.6 million WR Wes Welker: $13.35 million WR Kelley Washington: $8.5 million RB Sammy Morris: $6 million What these numbers say is that the Patriots are willing to pay up-front money. So the issue then becomes what value the team has assigned to Samuel.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The gap between what Samuel thinks he's worth and what the Patriots think he's worth is reportedly still pretty significant. As you can see from the numbers above, New England doesn't have a problem paying players. It's just that sometimes the team and the player have differing opinions as to the player's value. And that's what's happening here it seems. Source: ESPN.com Dan Patrick is leaving ESPN. Patrick, who has been with the network for 18 years, announced on his radio show Monday that he will appear on air for the last time Aug. 17. Norby Williamson, ESPN executive vice president for production, made a simultaneous announcement. A news release said that the mutual agreement will allow Patrick to pursue new interests outside of ESPN. The final week of Patrick's radio show, which started in 1999, will include a look back at memorable moments, interviews and guests. "If there was animosity, I wouldn't be doing any radio shows after today," Patrick said on his show, adding, "I hope to be doing radio somewhere, somehow, down the road." In a news release, Patrick said: "I feel privileged to have had this opportunity and I have extremely mixed emotions about leaving. With that said, I told ESPN that I believe it's time for me to try something different, something that will also be challenging and rewarding. While I'm not sure what that will be, I am grateful to ESPN for its willingness to allow me to pursue new endeavors." Said Williamson: "Dan has accomplished so much over the past two decades at ESPN and fans and newsmakers have turned to him for his steady and trusted approach. We wish him the very best." Patrick was a SportsCenter anchor from 1989-2006, winning the National Sportscaster of the Year award by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association (NSSA) in 2000. He also received a Sports Emmy Award in the Studio Host category in 1998.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Sorry, I know this has zero fantasy football news like him or not, Dan Patrick is an important figure among sports broadcasting. At this point, I'm unable to confirm or deny the rumors that he left ESPN to join the Footballguys Staff... ;) That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great Tuesday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update. J |
