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Volume 8, Issue 99 (Wednesday, August 1st) FJ Fantasy Sports sells free standing draft boards for fantasy football. New this year is college fantasy football. We have 3 sizes of draft boards, 5 sizes of color-coded labels, and multiple-team formats. Our draft boards are known as the best in the fantasy industry, and are used at WCOFF, NFFC, and all other national fantasy football and baseball events. No matter what your league requirements are, we can supply you with a quality, no-nonsense draft board that is sure to please your league owners.
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LIMITED TIME OFFERS Call toll free 866-200-7493 - save 10% on FJFantasy Draft Boards! Coupon code FBG2!! Phone in orders only.New users of "FanDraft - Fantasy Football Draft Board software" order by Friday and save $5.00! Coupon Code: 1A490 DISCOUNT EXTENDED! 5% off of FantasyHeadquarters.com fantasy football league entry fees! Click Here! Hi Folks, Good Thursday to you. Hope you're having a great one. News is flying everywhere and we've got lots of good stuff for you. Have a great day and let's get to it. JSITE NEWS A.
Footballguys Podcast - The Audible - Aaron Schatz
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Footballguys Podcast - The Audible - AFC West WRs & TEs
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Footballguys Podcast - The Audible - AFC West QBs
INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. PIT - Steelers RB Parker Will Miss First Preseason Game With Swollen Knee2. WAS - Redskins RB Portis Out Second Straight Day 3. DEN - WR Marshall Missing Time And Reps 4. NE - Patriots WR Moss Injures Hamstring 5. SEA - WR Hackett Not Assured Of Starting 6. SD - Chargers WR Jackson Excelling - WR Parker Likely To Remain Starter 7. PHI - Eagles QB McNabb Looks Healthy Despite Brace 8. DEN - Broncos WR Hixon Returns To Practice 9. DEN - Broncos WR Smith Headed For PUP List 10. NO - Saints WR Meachem Progressing 11. NYJ - Jets Guard Kendall Returns To Practice 12. DAL - Cowboys WR Owens Misses Practice 13. DAL - Cowboys WR Glenn's Surgery Delayed 14. SF - 49ers RB Robinson Goes Down With Heat Prostration 15. SF - #3 WR Job Wide Open 16. WAS - Redskins WR Moss Dealing With Several Injuries 17. CHI - Bears TE's Olsen & Clark Work Well Together 18. DEF - NYG - DE Rice Mum On Giants Deal 19. DEF - DAL - Restructuring DE Ellis' Contract Not An Option 20. DEF - CAR - Panthers D Getting Bumped And Bruised 21. DEF - NYG - Giants Won't Renegotiate New Contract For DE Strahan PIT - Steelers RB Parker Will Miss First Preseason Game With Swollen Knee Source: Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Pittsburgh Steelers RB Willie Parker will not play in the Steelers' first exhibition game Sunday night against New Orleans in Canton, Ohio. Parker may not practice the rest of the week after missing his second straight day with soreness and swelling in his left knee. Parker spent this morning's practice with ice on the knee, and also talked to trainer John Norwig. The team consider it to be a small problem and are trying to take precautions so it does not become a serious one. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] One of the worries we have with Parker (or any RB) seeing tons of work is the risk of injury. This doesn't do anything to calm those fears. I love Parker this year and think he could be a great value. But he needs to stay healthy. Obviously, this is one we'll watch closely for you. WAS - Redskins RB Portis Out Second Straight Day Source: Miami Herald Washington Redskins RB Clinton Portis remained sidelined for the second straight day Wednesday, held out of practice due to tendinitis in his right knee. His status is listed as day-to-day. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Don't call us panicked but I am concerned. Portis is coming off shoulder surgery as well as dealing with the tendinitis in his knee. Let's watch this one very closely. Ladell Betts would clearly take a big bump upwards if Portis were to miss any significant time. DEN - WR Marshall Missing Time And Reps Source: Jim Armstrong, Denver Post With each passing day, Brandon Marshall's absence becomes a bigger concern. The coaches projected him to become a go-to guy for Cutler in his second NFL season. Now the powers that be are questioning whether he can play through injuries. "There are two sides to the game," Broncos general manager Ted Sundquist said. "There's a physical side to the game and there's a mental side to the game. And you've got to be able to master both of them. There have been a lot of upside physical receivers who never quite accomplished what people expected them to because of the mental side." Marshall said before camp that he hoped to be on the field in a week to 10 days. That needs to happen, the sooner the better. Brandon Stokley's impressive performance has enabled the coaches to breathe a sigh of relief, but the Broncos are a better team if Marshall is healthy and productive. "We're counting on Brandon," said Sundquist. "We put a lot of time and effort into coaching him, getting him ready, but ultimately on a Mike Shanahan team you've got to go out on the field and perform. You're never going to be a finely tuned Ferrari quarter to quarter to quarter. At some point in time, your timing is a little off, there's a little wear on the tread and your oil is going to be low. It's never going to be 100 percent."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Javon Walker is the #1 there but we're expecting a lot from Brandon Marshall. But Marshall desperately needs the reps with Jay Cutler in this offense. It's no time to panic yet but it's also something to watch very closely. Rod Smith is a huge question mark and Brandon Stokley is recovering from injury too. This team needs Marshall in a big way. NE - Patriots WR Moss Injures Hamstring Source: Shalise Manza Young, Providence Journal New England Patriots WR Randy Moss walked off the practice field today a bit early and was seen on the sidelines with an ice wrap on him left hamstring. After a few minutes, the ice came off, and Moss spoke with HC Bill Belichick briefly, then walked off the field on his own power. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Let the speculation begin... I'm not worried about this but I wouldn't hesitate to throw this out to all the guys in your league to see if you can drive the price for Moss down. And then I'd grab him. SEA - WR Hackett Not Assured Of Starting Source: Ryan Divish, Tacoma News Tribune After the first day of training camp, Seahawks HC Mike Holmgren labeled WR D.J. Hackett the favorite to start opposite Deion Branch. "Hackett has the inside track now" Holmgren said. "Right now if we were lining up to play a game Hackett would be there, but he hasn't played long enough and in enough games to say this is done." After day two, Holmgren was less optimistic. "That was yesterday," he said. "The receiver thing is going to be interesting. (Deion) Branch will start, (Bobby) Engram will play and we will see what goes with the rest." On the third day, Hackett was away, and Nate Burleson put together yet another solid practice, effectively making himself a viable candidate for that vacant slot. "It's very much open," said WRs coach Nolan Cromwell. Realistically, the race comes down to Hackett and Burleson. Second-year player Ben Obomanu and rookies Jordan Kent, Joe Fernandez, Courtney Taylor and Chris Jones are a few years away from seriously competing for a starting job.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Stranger things have surely happened, but I have to think Hackett can beat out Nate Burleson. We think he'll be the #2 guy there. SD - Chargers WR Jackson Excelling - WR Parker Likely To Remain Starter Source: Casey Pearce, Chargers.com The Chargers will likely open the season with Eric Parker and Vincent Jackson as the starters at WR, but as many as six different receivers could see prominent playing time this fall. While a toe injury has kept Parker off the practice field, several younger players are taking advantage of the reps they're receiving. "Certainly there's competition all the way through," Turner said. "My deal is just taking each individual and seeing how far they can get in the next six weeks. I think because of their youth, because none of them have played a great deal of football other than Eric, every one of them can get better in some way. I think they're doing that." Turner said that Jackson is "quietly having an outstanding camp" while Malcom Floyd is working to expand his game. "I'm really impressed with Malcom because I think he's becoming a complete receiver," Turner said. "He's been a red zone guy and a deep guy, but I think he's serious about becoming a complete player."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Vincent Jackson is a guy that I think can be huge this year. He may be undervalued in leagues where the owners (unlike you) aren't paying attention. Parker should start as the #2 WR but keep an eye on his toe. PHI - Eagles QB McNabb Looks Healthy Despite Brace Source: Rob Maaddi, Associated Press QB Donovan McNabb felt the pressure, escaped the rush, scrambled to his right and completed a pass. Same old McNabb. Despite a bulky knee brace protecting his surgically repaired right knee, the five-time Pro Bowl quarterback had no problems facing a pass rush for the first time Wednesday. McNabb even jumped into a receivers drill at one point and ran a route, drawing cheers from a huge crowd gathered at Lehigh University. "It's just going out and executing," McNabb said. "I've gotten the opportunity to do it for months, getting back, moving in the pocket, getting out of the pocket. So in this situation, it's just going out and being able to put the ball in a position for guys to make plays for us." If McNabb favored his knee in any way, it didn't affect his arm strength. "His first pass almost knocked me down," said wideout Kevin Curtis, a key free-agent acquisition.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] So far so good for McNabb. Don't underestimate the pride factor - he won't make a big deal out of it publicly but the Eagles drafting QB Kevin Kolb with their first pick stung. Look for McNabb to be out to prove a point. Whether he can stay healthy for a season though is the bigger question. DEN - Broncos WR Hixon Returns To Practice Source: Andrew Mason, DenverBroncos.com Domenik Hixon returned to practice after sitting out Tuesday with a first-degree shoulder separation, respectively. Hixon's return proved particularly impressive. "When guys get hurt, it really hurts their chances of making the team," Shanahan said. "For a guy like Domenik to come in after a first-degree shoulder separation is pretty impressive. He worked through it, and that is what you are hoping a guy is going to do." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] We're not expecting a lot out of Hixon this season but he wins the Footballguys tough guy award for the day. DEN - Broncos WR Smith Headed For PUP List Source: Jim Armstrong, Denver Post According to Jim Armstrong of the Denver Post, Broncos WR Rod Smith likely to begin season on the Physically unable to perform list due to injury. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] More of what we've been seeing from Smith. I still believe there's a chance he might not be back at all. NO - Saints WR Meachem Progressing Source: Sheldon Mickles, 2theadvocate.com Coach Payton said WR Robert Meachem, the team's top draft pick this spring, might have had his best practice in Tuesday's first workout after the rookie from Tennessee struggled with dropped passes early in camp. "We keep talking about making steps and making progress," Payton said. "He's got a lot of ability and he's working extremely hard, so I was pleased to see him get his hands on some balls today. He's a big target. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] There was a lot of buzz about Meachem showing up out of shape to minicamps and then injured but I think he'll be fine. He's got a great work ethic and he'll be a contributor on what should be a really fun team to watch. NYJ - Jets Guard Kendall Returns To Practice Source: Dan Leberfeld, Jets Confidential Jets guard Pete Kendall returned to practice on Wednesday afternoon, after missing the last two days with a knee injury. However, he didn't seem to get many reps with the first team offense. He spent a lot of time standing by himself on the sideline. Ironically, Kendall was one of two Jets assigned to do autographs for the team's special guests, along with Chad Pennington. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The saga continues for disgruntled Pete Kendall. It's not looking good there as it seems that it's become personal between himself and management. Hopefully they can reach some sort of resolution there soon but if he goes, I really do worry about the lack of experience with the guys on either side of Kendall in tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson and center Nick Mangold. Both are extremely talented but they could use the experience of Kendall. DAL - Cowboys WR Owens Misses Practice Source: Clarence E. Hill Jr., Fort Worth Star-Telegram WR Terrell Owens missed his second consecutive practice today. Owens missed Tuesday's practice because of soreness in his hamstring. Coach Wade Phillips described Tuesday's absence as a day off to rest the veteran receiver. The Cowboys have two practices today. The second practice begins at 3:30 p.m. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Let's hope this doesn't drag out to a situation like we saw last year with Owens missing lots of time. We don't think it will but let's watch this one closely. DAL - Cowboys WR Glenn's Surgery Delayed Source: Clarence E. Hill Jr., Fort Worth Star-Telegram Starting WR Terry Glenn will have arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in Dallas this afternoon. Glenn flew to Dallas Tuesday and was scheduled to have the surgery Tuesday night, but the physician couldn't fly into Dallas because of inclement weather. The surgery is planned for this afternoon. Glenn is expected to be sidelined seven to 10 days. He probably won't play in the preseason opener next week against Indianapolis at Texas Stadium. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Terry Glenn isn't getting any younger and the injury certainly doesn't help anything. Patrick Crayton is a guy I like that could make some noise if Glenn were to miss time. SF - 49ers RB Robinson Goes Down With Heat Prostration Source: Dennis Georgatos, Inside Bay Area A day after losing running back Frank Gore to a fractured hand, the 49ers got a scare when backup Michael Robinson went down during the morning practice with a case of heat prostration. Robinson was suffering from dehydration when he fell to the ground during 7-on-7 drills. He was helped into a cart and driven off the field before being taken to Stanford Hospital, where he was given fluids intravenously. Team officials said Robinson was treated and released and could be back at practice as soon as today. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Looks like Robinson will be fine but it was still a scare. Source: Dennis Georgatos, Inside Bay Area Arnaz Battle is working as the starting flanker and Darrell Jackson the starting split end. The No.3 job is a wide-open competition among Ashley Lelie, Taylor Jacobs, Bryan Gilmore, Jason Hill and Brandon Williams. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] As much as I hate to think it, Ashley Lelie could be the #3 WR here... WAS - Redskins WR Moss Dealing With Several Injuries Source: Jason La Confora, Washington Post There is some concern about lingering groin/hip problems for Redskins WR Santana Moss and his workload is being curtailed a bit. According to Bubba Tyer, director of sports medicine, Moss has been experiencing discomfort in his groin, based on him compensating. Moss missed much of the offseason with the groin/hip problem. "He feels like he's compensating a little bit on his leg, so he's got a soreness in his groin instead of the hip flexor/abdominal area (which he hurt this offseason," Tyer said. When asked specifically if Moss had been compensating for discomfort in his hamstring - a problem with him going back several years - Tyer said that Moss was compensating for "his leg in general." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Santana Moss has struggled to get healthy here. If healthy, we expect him to be the team's #1 WR. But hip injuries can be tough so we'll keep a really close eye on him for you. CHI - Bears TE's Olsen & Clark Work Well Together Source: Larry Mayer, ChicagoBears.com The Chicago Bears have been putting TEs Desmond Clark and Greg Olsen on the field together in training camp, and that figures to pose major problems for opposing defenses this season. "It's going to be tough for defenses to match up against us when you put those two tight ends out there," Clark said. "If you leave three linebackers in the game, one of us is going to get open. If you bring a DB in the game to try to cover him or me, we'll pound you (on the ground)." The tandem has been effective in practice generally with Clark lining up at the traditional tight end position and Olsen splitting out wide, moving into the slot or motioning into the backfield. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Greg Olsen is a guy we're pretty excited about. He brings a pure pass catching threat to the TE position and he's a guy Rex Grossman will clearly be glad to have. Adding him in the mix with Desmond Clark will present tons of matchup problems for opposing defenses. DEF - NYG - DE Rice Mum On Giants Deal Source: Mike Garafolo, Newark Star Ledger Simeon Rice's visit with the Giants was almost as short as his chat with a couple of reporters this afternoon. Rice, wearing a green shirt and camouflage shorts, walked and talked on his way from the Giants' training camp offices to his limo, stopping only shortly to sign a football for a fan. Will that fan be rooting for Rice as a member of the Giants soon? "Who knows?" he said. When told he was the one who knows, Rice said, "I don't know anything. I'm just here prospecting, you know?" The former Buccaneer, who was cut by Tampa Bay last week because of a shoulder injury suffered last year, didn't provide the results of the physical he took earlier in the day nor would he confirm if the Giants had offered him a contract. "You want to know all that, huh? You want to get personal?" he said with a smile. "You know what, it'll come out in the wash. Right now, I'm going to just chill." The 33-year-old Rice suggested he didn't feel he was being used as a ploy by the team to nudge Michael Strahan into returning from his holdout. "Hey, I flew in," Rice said when asked if he felt the Giants were serious about signing him. "That's all I can say." Rice met with general manager Jerry Reese and coach Tom Coughlin among others today. When asked his impressions of them and the team, he said, "I haven't been around yet." As he climbed into his white stretch limo, Rice was asked if he'll be staying in town. "Nah, I'm out," he said as a Giants employee closed the car door.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Rice could be an interesting addition in New York if it pans out. This was the latest info we had as of Wednesday night. Hopefully we'll have more on this soon. DEF - DAL - Restructuring DE Ellis' Contract Not An Option Source: Associated Press, ESPN Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones finally sat down and talked with disgruntled and injured defender Greg Ellis. While Jones refused Wednesday to discuss details of their hourlong chat this week, the owner still made a couple of points clear: He genuinely likes the player who has been with the Cowboys the longest, but he's not going to restructure Ellis' contract. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Sounds like the ball's in Ellis' court here. I'd expect him to calm down and get focused on getting healthy and being a contributor. DEF - CAR - Panthers D Getting Bumped And Bruised Source: Stan Olson, Charlotte Observer The Carolina Panthers had their first full-contact drills of camp during today's morning practice, but a few more players were missing. Sidelined for the first time were linebacker Brandon Jamison and cornerback Derrick Strait, both of whom were listed as having thigh injuries. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Keep an eye on these guys but we're not worried as these don't seem to be serious at this point. DEF - NYG - Giants Won't Renegotiate New Contract For DE Strahan Source: ESPN The New York Giants are not going to renegotiate Michael Strahan's $4 million contract to persuade the seven-time Pro Bowl defensive end to stop mulling retirement and play this season. "I don't want to get into negotiating in the media," co-owner John Mara said Wednesday as Strahan's holdout entered its sixth day. "He is under contract and I think you all know what our position is on that. I don't want to make any statements on that." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] This isn't surprising from New York. They want Strahan back but they want him to want to be back. They won't try to twist his arm or beg him to return dangling more money. That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great Thursday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update. J |
