Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 10, Issue 13 (Saturday, May 2nd)
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Hi Folks,
We've got plenty of News and Notes for you so let's get right to it. JINSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. DET - TE Pettigrew should be fine2. DET - WR Williams may fit into slot
3. TB - HC Morris discusses TE Smith trade
4. SF - OC Raye would like to see QB competition go for a while
5. MIN - WR Harvin should participate in OTAs
6. MIA - HC Sparano says WR Turner impressing
7. MIA - QB White learning and improving
8. PIT - WR Sweed turning heads
9. PIT - RB Mendenhall back to full speed
10. PIT - WR Nance being held out during minicamp
11. PIT - WR Ward will not practice this weekend
12. WAS - Thomas to miss a few days
13. TB - TE Purvis signed
14. BAL - John Beck signed
15. MIA - Turner makes good first impression
16. OAK - Interested in Neal?
17. KC - Interested in James?
DET - TE Pettigrew should be fine
Source:
Updating previous reports, Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz said rookie TE Brandon Pettigrew (hamstring) will be fine, he just had trouble loosening up a hamstring Saturday, May 2. Schwartz said his philosophy this time of the year is to err on the side of caution. He noted they'll see how Pettigrew is feeling Sunday, May 3.
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The Lions have to be breathing a sigh of relief. There's nothing like a lingering hamstring injury to de-rail a rookie season. Pettigrew is not only a great target for the red zone, but he blocks so well it's like having another Offensive Lineman. We'll see if he can live up to those Bubba Franks comparisons.
DET - WR Williams may fit into slot
Source:
Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz said rookie WR Derrick D. Williams could be used as a slot receiver. He feels Williams' skill set is best used in the slot.
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Derrick Williams was the #1 player in the country when he came out of high school and it seemed like the sky was the limit for his career. While at Penn State he flashed big time ability, but it never all came together for him. Derrick is very quick off the line of scrimmage and gets into his route in a hurry. We like his consistent hands, and the body control he has when running routes out of the slot or lined up wide. He’s a versatile player who can double as a kick/punt returner. Jim Schwartz will find ways to get Williams on the field.
TB - HC Morris discusses TE Smith trade
Source: Jim Flynn, PewterReport.com
Jim Flynn, of PewterReport.com, reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Raheem Morris said the reason they traded TE Alex Smith to the New England Patriots was because he believed the Buccaneers had four starter-quality tight ends on the roster.
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The Bucs are deep at TE since trading for Kellen Winslow Jr. They just added another quality player, Ryan Purvis as an undrafted free agent. He was known as Matt Ryan's security blanket in 2007 for several reasons. First, he knows how to find the soft spot in the zone and comes back to the QB instinctively. Second, he has natural hands that are very soft, and Purvis can make all sorts of difficult catches look easy. Finally, while not the most dominating blocker he does work hard and give consistent effort. The biggest knock on Purvis is that his ceiling isn't very high, and what we see now might be the most we ever see from him.
SF - OC Raye would like to see QB competition go for a while
Source: Matt Maiocco, Santa Rosa Press Democrat
Matt Maiocco, of The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye said he would like the competition between QB Shaun Hill and QB Alex D. Smith to continue into the preseason games because he wants to see how they play during a game.
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The early edge in this battle has to go to Shaun Hill. Reports from the 49ers mini camp stated that Alex Smith was struggling with accuracy and was seen holding his sore shoulder after the practices. New addition Michael Crabtree will help the QB play immensely, no matter who is lined up under center.
MIN - WR Harvin should participate in OTAs
Source: Judd Zulgad, Minneapolis Star Tribune
Judd Zulgad, of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, reports Minnesota Vikings WR Percy Harvin (dehydration) should be able to participate when the team starts their organized team activities Tuesday, May 19.
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This is good news for Harvin. He was able to work out Friday night with the Gators strength and conditioning coach so it appears that he's feeling fine.
MIA - HC Sparano says WR Turner impressing
Source:
Miami Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano said rookie WR Patrick Turner impressed him with his ability down the middle of the field. He said he is a big body in the middle and the seam areas. Sparano felt Turner had a better burst and ability to drop his hips on the field than they previously saw on film. 'A big guy, being able to drop his hips with his kind of body can create a little bit of separation that way. That might help us,' Sparano added.
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Dwayne Jarrett and Mike Williams spring to mind when looking at Turner, another big WR from USC. Hopefully his pro career turns out better than those two, but their college games are similar. He has big hands, long arms, good ball tracking ability, and knows how to high point passes. Turner is difficult to jam at the line of scrimmage, but has to gather himself when making cuts, taking false steps in the process. Turner was at the Senior Bowl and didn't really stand out - good or bad. This is good news for the rookie as he's buried on the depth chart currently. If he continues to impress, and if Greg Camarillo doesn't bounce back from injury then perhaps Turner could end up being the Dolphins #2 WR. Bill Parcells may see a little bit of Keyshawn Johnson in the rookie.
MIA - QB White learning and improving
Source:
Miami Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano seems impressed with the play of rookie QB Pat White. He said White sees things crystal clear and made some pretty good throws on the second day. 'It showed me that he took something off the board and out of the film room and was able to come out here and process it versus the coverage and have all of the right answers for that. I thought he threw it a little better today than he did yesterday,' Sparano said.
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Pat White may only line up at QB a few times a game, but the Dolphins are hoping that they can be impact plays. Opposing teams will certainly prepare for the Wildcat when going up against Miami but Pat White's athleticism gives the Dolphins an "X" factor that not many scout teams can match. He has played with a chip on his shoulder since the college season came to a close and he will be out to prove that he can play QB in this league.
Source: James Walker, ESPN
ESPN's James Walker reports Pittsburgh Steelers WR Limas Sweed, a second-year player, has made great strides entering this summer. He is making a lot of plays and turning heads during workouts.
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The Steelers have picked up several receivers just in case Limas does not make the type of impact they expected when they selected him in the 2nd round of the 2008 NFL Draft. Rookie Mike Wallace and veteran Shaun McDonald could be poised to take his spot on the depth chart if he falters in training camp.
PIT - RB Mendenhall back to full speed
Source: James Walker, ESPN
ESPN's James Walker reports Pittsburgh Steelers RB Rashard Mendenhall (shoulder) is back to normal after missing most of his rookie year. His previous shoulder injury limited his workouts, so he lost upper body muscle mass. He has since been able to rebuild his strength and looks back to normal.
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There is great debate in fantasy football circles as to how good Rashard Mendenhall can be. With Mewelde Moore locked into the change of pace role, Rashard may have to wait for a Willie Parker injury before he sees any significant playing time. Parker is a free agent after the 2009 season, so this year is an audition for Mendenhall to see if he can develop into a feature back.
PIT - WR Nance being held out during minicamp
Source: Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Ed Bouchette, of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, reports Pittsburgh Steelers WR Martin Nance (undisclosed) is being held out of the team's minicamp for an undisclosed reason. Head coach Mike Tomlin said the reason should be determined by Monday, May 4.
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Martin Nance was Ben Roethlisberger's favorite target while at Miami of Ohio, but he hasn't been able to catch a break in the NFL. He's bounced around from Buffalo, to Minnesota, and now to Pittsburgh. We'll see if he can maintain a spot on the Practice Squad.
PIT - WR Ward will not practice this weekend
Source: Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Ed Bouchette, of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, reports Pittsburgh Steelers WR Hines Ward (shoulder) will not participate during the team's minicamp because of offseason shoulder surgery.
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Hines Ward is one of the hardest workers in the game, no need to get reckless with a player of his caliber.
WAS - Thomas to miss a few days
Source: Jason La Canfora, The Washington Post
Jason La Canfora, of The Washington Post, reports Washington Redskins WR Devin Thomas (hamstring) will miss a few days of practice because of a sore hamstring, according to head coach Jim Zorn.
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Several players get banged up or sore during mini camps, but Thomas can't afford to miss much time with an injury. The 2nd year WR was bothered by his hamstring last season and needs this year to get off to a better start.
Source: Stephen Holder, St. Petersburg Times
Stephen Holder, of the St. Petersburg Times, reports the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed undrafted free-agent TE Ryan Purvis (Boston College). Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
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He was known as Matt Ryan's security blanket in 2007 for several reasons. First, he knows how to find the soft spot in the zone and comes back to the QB instinctively. Second, he has natural hands that are very soft, and Purvis can make all sorts of difficult catches look easy. Finally, while not the most dominating blocker he does work hard and give consistent effort. The biggest knock on Purvis is that his ceiling isn't very high, and what we see now might be the most we ever see from him.
Source: Dick Harmon, Deseret News
Dick Harmon from the Deseret News is reporting that John Beck has been signed by the Baltimore Ravens. He will be re-united with the man instrumental in drafting him at Miami, Cam Cameron, the Raven's offensive coordinator.
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Troy Smith, Todd Bouman, John Beck, and Drew Willy will compete for the backup spots behind Joe Flacco.
MIA - Turner makes good first impression
Source: Tim Graham, ESPN.com
Tim Graham, of ESPN.com, reports Miami Dolphins WR Patrick Turner made a fine first impression during the team's rookie camp. Turner displayed soft hands and caught passes effortlessly.
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Dwayne Jarrett and Mike Williams spring to mind when looking at Turner, another big WR from USC. Hopefully his pro career turns out better than those two, but their college games are similar. He has big hands, long arms, good ball tracking ability, and knows how to high point passes. Turner is difficult to jam at the line of scrimmage, but has to gather himself when making cuts, taking false steps in the process. Turner was at the Senior Bowl and didn't really stand out - good or bad. This is good news for the rookie as he's buried on the depth chart currently. If he continues to impress, and if Greg Camarillo doesn't bounce back from injury then perhaps Turner could end up being the Dolphins #2 WR. Bill Parcells may see a little bit of Keyshawn Johnson in the rookie.
Source: David White, San Francisco Chronicle
David White, of the San Francisco Chronicle, reports free-agent FB Lorenzo Neal (Ravens) is being discussed as a potential addition to the Oakland Raiders, according to a team source.
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Lo' Neal has been one of the best blocking FBs to ever play the game. While not much of a fantasy factor himself, he's blocked for many great backs when they have huge seasons.
Source: Bill Williamson, ESPN.com
Bill Williamson, of ESPN.com, reports the Kansas City Chiefs could potentially pursue free-agent RB Edgerrin James (Cardinals).
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This makes sense because former Cardinals OC Todd Haley is now the head coach of the Chiefs. Although last year there were times when it seemed like James had fallen out of favor with Haley, he rebounded to help lead the Cardinals to the Super Bowl. Larry Johnson is doing his best to impress the new regime, and Jamaal Charles is merely the change of pace back. Edgerrin James could help give the Chiefs veteran insurance in case Larry Johnson goes down with an injury. Currently Kolby Smith, Dantrell Savage, Jackie Battle, and rookie Javarris Williams are the backs in competition for roster spots behind LJ and Charles. James would be a better option than any of those backs, with perhaps the exception of Javarris Williams who plays a lot like a younger version of Edge.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great one and we'll see you tomorrow with the update.
J