Volume 8, Issue 88 (Saturday, July 21st)

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Hi Folks,

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

ATL - Activists Demonstrate Outside NFL Headquarters

Source: Judy Battista, New York Times

Animal rights advocates demonstrated yesterday in front of the NFL's headquarters to urge the league to suspend Falcons QB Michael Vick. About 50 people joined the demonstration. Goodell was not at his office during the protest. Also, Senator John Kerry, Democrat of Massachusetts, sent a letter to Commissioner Roger Goodell yesterday encouraging Goodell to suspend Vick immediately. Among the many options that have been discussed, is asking Vick to take a paid leave of absence from the team. That would relieve the Falcons of the possible distraction at new HC Bobby Petrino's first training camp.

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This is just the tip of the iceberg of public sentiment. Rightly or wrongly, it's abundantly clear that this issue has struck a nerve in the collective conscience of the American people. This isn't a fringe P.E.T.A. protest. This is a massive groundswell of people from all walks of life. And they're not happy. I wonder if Bobby Petrino misses the good old days when his biggest worry was beating Kentucky...

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TB - Bucs QB Carousel, Simms May Be Odd Man Out

Source: Rick Stroud, ST. Petersburg Times

The Tampa Bay Bucs already have seven quarterbacks on the roster: Jeff Garcia, Chris Simms, Bruce Gradkowski, Luke McCown, Jake Plummer, Bruce Eugene and Zac Taylor. If QB Daunte Culpepper signs on with the team, most likely, Simms would be the odd man out. Plummer has announced his intentions to retire, while Garcia has been declared the starter and Simms has struggled to regain his form since surgery in September to remove his spleen. It's uncertain where Culpepper would fit on the depth chart.

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It's been a quick slide for Chris Simms. Many coaches operate under the "don't lose your job to injury" maxim. This is a "don't lose your roster spot on the team due to injury" thing. I think Gruden is serious when he says Garcia is going to be his guy but I'm not totally sold that Chris Simms has fallen down the chart as far as some feel.

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ARZ - Cardinals RB James Committed

Source: Dan Bickley, Arizona Republic

Arizona Cardinals running back Edgerrin James is so enthused by the new coaching regime, he promised to carry the ball a little more during the preseason. New HC Ken Whisenhunt and Assistant HC Russ Grim have committed to running the football and have promised to get James 300 carries this season. James, who notoriously hates the preseason said, "If (Whisenhunt) wants me to go out there and get five, six carries, I'm not going to say no. If they want me to do it just to save face, so there's no complaining, I'll do it."

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Will this be the year James fulfills the expectations people have for him? He's certainly saying the right things. If they've got James fired up enough to want to carry in preseason, that's saying something. To see how we project the entire team, click here.

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IND - RB Dorsey Talks About Making Improvements As Player

Source: Ed Thompson, Scout.com

It appears that RB DeDe Dorsey has the inside track to share carries with Colts starting RB Joseph Addai this season. Dorsey, a player whom is often referred to as the next 'Willie Parker' had this to say about his preparation. "I've really tried to work on all aspects of being a running back," he said. "Playing with the Indianapolis Colts, we're a big passing team, so you have to be on top of your game, especially with pass protection and your pass blocking. So I worked on making sure I was solid in my schemes as well as in the act of pass blocking. The other big thing is knowing your assignment. Having as complex of an offense as we do, it's vital that you know what you're doing on every play."

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I love the quote about the "passing team". Dorsey should just go ahead and be honest: Nobody wants to be the the guy that misses a block and lets the most popular player in town get creamed. Nobody wants to be the Larry Phillips to Steve Young. The Colts have talked about continuing the two back RB rotation even with Dominic Rhodes off to Oakland. Much of that will depend however on how well another back can play that role. Dorsey is intent on filling that role well so we'll see.

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GB - Packers Relieve Jones, Start Search For New CEO

Source: Associated Press

The Green Bay Packers cut ties with former executive John Jones on Friday and began looking for a new CEO to replace Bob Harlan. Jones is expected to receive a seven-figure financial settlement from the team, but officials said in a statement that the terms of his departure would remain confidential. Jones said he was resigning because of health concerns, even though Packers executives cited vague "management concerns" that didn't seem to be health-related when Jones took a leave of absence from the team in May, just days before he was to take Harlan's place as the Packers' top executive.

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Best wishes to the Packers as they look for a new CEO.

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DEF - MIA - Dolphins Won't Punish LB Porter

Source: David J. Neal, Miami Herald

The Dolphins won't punish LB Joey Porter for his Las Vegas altercation after the NFL fined him $141,176. "I'm not condoning what happened. Joey Porter was issued a citation. He paid a fine," Cameron said. "He has followed through with everything he's supposed to do as relates to this matter as a professional. He's been fined and it's over. I think he's learned from it."

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This was the expected reaction from Cameron but it's good to know it's official. Porter will be lighter in the wallet but he'll be on the field.

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DEF - SEA - DE Fisher Penciled In As Starter

Source: Dave Boling, Seahawks Insider

With Grant Wistrom gone, the Seahawks tentatively have Bryce Fisher penciled in to start at right end, backed up by Darryl Tapp. DE Patrick Kerney, who is recovering from a torn pectoral muscle that required surgery and kept him out of minicamps, is slated to start at left end.

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For guys in IDP leagues, Fisher is a guy that may not be on some owner's radars as he moves up to the starting ranks.

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That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great Sunday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update.