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Volume 8, Issue 80 (Friday, July 13th)
LIMITED TIME OFFERS THIS WEEK ONLY: 5% off of FantasyHeadquarters.com fantasy football league entry fees! Click Here!Hi Folks, Hope you're having a good Saturday. First things first. Apologies for butchering Ray Nitschke's name last night. Believe it or not, the football player and the philosopher were not the same guy. Sheesh. I'd fire our proofreader but sadly, it's me... OK. We've got the News and Notes you want but first the Quote Of The Day: "If he can get out there and play like that, I'll fall in love with him. I'll buy him a couple of dinners." -- Jacksonville RB Fred Taylor on rookie WR Mike Walker after the wide receiver wowed people in minicamp. Have a great Saturday and let's get to it. JSITE NEWS A.
New Draft Dominator Ready
B.
VBD Excel App Ready
C.
Projections Dominator App Ready
D.
Experts Top 300 Listing With Average Draft Position (ADP)
E.
Average Draft Position Rankings
F.
Updated Stat Projections
G.
Updated IDP Stat Projections
H.
Using SOS - Backing Up Your Stud Quarterback
INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. JAX - Rookie WR Walker Flying Under The Radar2. BUF - Bills HC Jauron Talks About Using Several RBs 3. CHI - Bears TE Clark, Olsen To Share Time 4. STL - Rams President Meets With QB Bulger's Agent 5. BAL - Ravens High On OT Gaither 6. DEN - Broncos WR Kircus Will Face Arraignment 7. NE - QB Testaverde Will Be With Patriots 8. DEF - IND - Colts DE Freeney Signs Six-Year Deal 9. DEF - DET - Lions DT Rogers Cleared Of Charges 10. DEF - DEN - Broncos S Brandon Suspended Two Games 11. DEF - IND - DT Simon Remains On PUP List JAX - Rookie WR Walker Flying Under The Radar Source: Carl Kotala, Florida Today Fans packed the bleachers to get a look at a trimmer Byron Leftwich and the rest of the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday. But it wasn't long before it became evident the star of the team's first offseason minicamp was rookie wide receiver Mike Walker, who was catching everything in sight. That certainly caught the attention of head coach Jack Del Rio, who was drawn to watch the former UCF standout during team drills. "Certainly, he looks like a guy, as we saw on tape, (who) is a poised, competitive athlete and is strong going after the ball," Del Rio said. "He runs well. He's a good route runner. Right now, he's trying to figure out where he belongs so he will improve. But it was a good, solid start for him." The 6-foot-1, 209-pound receiver was a third-round pick by the Jaguars. He ranks fourth in Golden Knights history with 184 receptions and his 2,555 receiving yards are third in the record books. He is coming off a breakout senior season, which may have been somewhat unexpected because he missed the final two games of 2005 with a torn left ACL. "I felt good out there," Walker said Saturday. "My knee felt pretty good. It was my first day without my knee brace and I just felt great. I'm just getting used to the system."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] This article from Mr. Kotala is back from the minicamp in May. But it's relevant now for a couple of reasons. With the recent news we've brought you from Vito Stellino of Jacksonville.com that Jaguar starting WRs Matt Jones and Reggie Williams are far from secure, guys like Walker become someone you need to watch. Our Footballguys Message Boards have over 23,000 registered users participating in a "flame free" moderated forum. We have a good thread on Walker you can check out by clicking here BUF - Bills HC Jauron Talks About Using Several RBs Source: Chris Brown, BuffaloBills.com Buffalo HC Dick Jauron maintained his stance on preferring a committee approach to the Bills running back situation. The team drafted Marshawn Lynch in the first round and Dwayne Wright in the fourth in the 2007 and added free agent Josh Scobey to go along with veterans Anthony Thomas, Fred Jackson and Shaud Williams. "We'd like to have two or three guys that perform well enough that you'll rotate them and keep them healthy," Jauron said, who later left the window open. "If you have one that's just so good then he's got to get the bulk of the work because it's in the best interest of your team to get that guy the ball more than the other ones." It is widely speculated that Lynch could be that player who separates himself from the pack. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Typical coach speak here. Jauron basically says he wants to rotate several backs. Unless one stands out. Thanks coach. It wouldn't surprise me to see Lynch start the season sharing time but then take over. To see how we project the entire team, click here CHI - Bears TE Clark, Olsen To Share Time Source: Larry Mayer, ChicagoBears.com Chicago TE Coach Rob Boras said that veteran TE Desmond Clark and rookie TE Greg Olsen will split time and see the field together as training camp approaches in an effort to create mismatches to opposing defenses. Clark is coming off a career year with 626 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Olsen was the Bears top pick in the 2007 draft. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Greg Olsen is one of the guys I'm really interested to watch this summer. He's extremely talented when it comes to catching the ball but he's fairly one dimensional there. He's not a guy that seems to enjoy hitting people. We'll see how that goes over with Bears fans. Olsen has to be considered a nice plus for QB Rex Grossman. To see how we project the entire Chicago team, click here STL - Rams President Meets With QB Bulger's Agent Source: Len Pasquarelli, ESPN St. Louis QB Marc Bulger's contract extension negotiations kick started yesterday in Los Angeles when his agent met with team president Jay Zygmunt. Bulger is entering the final year of a four-year deal worth $19.1 million. The two sides are far apart at the moment, but the hope is the parties can narrow the gap and hash out an agreement later. Without a deal in place, Bulger could become a free agent next offseason. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Tom Condon is a busy guy these days. Hopefully something good will come of this dialog and they'll get Bulger locked up. BAL - Ravens High On OT Gaither Source: Patrick Gutierrez, Baltimore Sun Despite academic and off the field issues at Maryland, OT Jared Gaither is receiving high praise from the Baltimore Ravens staff. The Ravens selected Gaither in the supplemental draft Thursday and will forfeit a fifth round pick in the 2008 NFL draft. "If you would tell us that we drafted Jared Gaither in the fifth round of the 2008 draft, we'd be doing handstands and cartwheels," said Eric DeCosta, Ravens director of college scouting. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Jonathan Ogden won't be there forever. The Ravens will be looking for help at tackle here soon and they're hoping Gaither can be part of the solution. DEN - Broncos WR Kircus Will Face Arraignment Source: Carlos Illescas, Denver Post Denver WR David Kircus will be arraigned next month after a judge heard the testimony of Jeff Krieger, the man who alleged Kircus punched him in front of Kircus' property on May 20. Kircus is charged with felony assault and could face up to 16 years in prison if convicted. He passed a lie-detector test, claiming self-defense, but did not testify Thursday. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Kircus seems to be hanging on by a thread with Denver. Even if he does make it through this, he's pretty deep on the depth charts and we don't see him being a factor. NE - QB Testaverde Will Be With Patriots Source: Mike Reiss, Boston Globe Here is some of the Q&A from Vinny Testaverde from his interview on Sporting News radio today. The 43-year-old Testaverde was a guest on Tony Bruno's show. Q: We saw you talking with Chiefs coach Herman Edwards. Are you going to be back in the NFL, joining the Kansas City Chiefs? A: "You guys are right, I'll be back in the NFL but it won't be with the Chiefs. I'll actually be playing for the Patriots again this year." Q: Has that been announced? AL "No, after two-a-days are over [in training camp] I'll go back and sign my contract. I'll wait until then."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The ageless wonder looks like he'll be back for another year in the Big Show. DEF - IND - Colts DE Freeney Signs Six-Year Deal Source: John Clayton, ESPN.com Indianapolis Colts DE Dwight Freeney signed a six-year, $72 million contract with the team Friday that includes a $30 million signing bonus. He becomes the highest paid defensive player in NFL history. Freeney was designated as the team's franchise player and had only a few days remaining to get a long-term deal done. "To have me paid among the top players in the league -- not just as a defensive players -- means a lot of me," said Freeney, who flew to Indianapolis on Thursday night in anticipation of accepting the deal. "[Colts general manager] Bill Polian is the one who drafted me. I was hand-picked by him. He was going to do the right thing for the organization." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Smart move for the Colts. Freeney needs to get to the QB more often but he's a fantastic player. DEF - DET - Lions DT Rogers Cleared Of Charges Source: Detroit Free Press No criminal charges will be issued against Detroit Lions defensive tackle Shaun Rogers in connection with allegations made last month by a woman that he had sexually assaulted her. Wayne County Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy said today that the decision was made following an investigation conducted over several weeks by the Detroit Police Department and her office. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Rogers dodges a bullet here. Hopefully he'll stay out of trouble. DEF - DEN - Broncos S Brandon Suspended Two Games Source: Bill Williamson, Denver Post Denver's reserve S Sam Brandon has been suspended two games by the league for violating the conduct policy, which stems from a 2004 and 2005 domestic violence charge. Brandon, who is appealing the suspension, would miss the first two games of the regular season. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Just one more for the suspension folder... DEF - IND - DT Simon Remains On PUP List Source: Len Pasquarelli, ESPN.com Despite published reports to the contrary, the Indianapolis Colts have not moved defensive tackle Corey Simon to their active roster, and the seven-year veteran, who missed the entire 2006 season, remains on the NFL's physically unable to perform list. Several media outlets reported Friday that Simon was moved from the PUP list, where he spent all last season with what the Colts reported was a case of polyarthritis. But a league spokesman said that Simon was still on the PUP list and that a notation on the NFL.com site, indicating that he had been activated, was actually a clerical error. The notation has since been removed from the site.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The conspiracy theory guys should get the tin foil hats ready. A "clerical error"? Hmmm. Simon has delivered very little while costing the Colts a good bit. He has two grievances pending against the club for salary that the team is withholding. That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great weekend and we'll see you tomorrow with the update. J |
