Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 10, Issue 74 (Thursday, July 2nd)
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Hi Folks,
Welcome to Friday. And not just any Friday. Friday before the 4th of July Weekend. Which means hopefully good things are in store for you this weekend. Have a great one and be careful out there.
J
SITE NEWS
A.
Footballguys FREE 2009 Magazine
All the fantasy magazines you see on the newsstand in July were written in June. They all cost $7 or more. I've got two questions: #1. Would you like to read that magazine now? #2. Would you like it for FREE? If you answered, yes, Footballguys has you covered. We've changed the game this year making our 2009 Footballguys Strategy Guide magazine available to everyone with internet access. You don't have to be a paying Footballguys subscriber. If you can get online, you can get our Magazine. It's 100% FREE. Call it our "Footballguys Stimulus Package". Enjoy.
B.
Footballguys Rate My Team Application
Does your team suck? Check out the Footballguys Rate My Team Application and we'll try to help answer that question. I'm betting that if you're reading these emails in June, your team most certainly does not suck. But check out the new App and see what you think. It takes 30 seconds to enter your team with some clicks and then you'll receive a seriously comprehensive report letting you know what we think your team's strengths are, and more importantly, where it can be improved. I know I hype lots of stuff we do. But seriously, if you were going to just check out ONE thing we did at Footballguys. The Rate My Team App would be it.
C.
Keep up with Footballguys and Joe
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D.
Rate My Team App For Facebook
Thanks to our Jeff Pasquino on this one. For you Facebook folks that like to stay within the Facebook confines, here's our first cut of a Facebook App where we've imported our Rate My Team App.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. WAS - GM Cerrato thinks Jason Campbell hasn't proven that he is a franchise QB2. NFL - WR Marvin Harison 'may be done'
3. PIT - RB Rashard Mendenhall's role in the offense is up to him
4. DEN - WR Brandon Lloyd - no advantage from working with QB Orton again
5. DEN - WR Eddie Royal says QB Orton looking comfortable
6. TEN - RB LenDale White to stay in shape by working out with Chauncy Billups
7. OAK - WR Darrius Heyward-Bey's hamstring feeling better
8. TEN - WR Kenny Britt says his hamstring will be 100% for training camp
9. KC - WR Dwayne Bowe working on improving hands
10. NFL - WR Amani Toomer high on several teams' emergency list
11. CIN - TE Chase Coffman's foot should be 100% for training camp
12. TEN - Titans will move TE Jared Cook around
13. ARZ - Michael Ray Garvin tries to track down job as kick returner
14. DEN - Broncos expect big things from WR Jabar Gaffney in 2009
15. SEA - HC Mora likes what TE John Carlson brings to team
16. DEN - Rookie TE Richard Quinn feeling confident
17. DEF - NYJ - OLB Calvin Pace suspended four games
18. DEF - CIN - SS Roy Williams ready to compete for job
WAS - GM Cerrato thinks Jason Campbell hasn't proven that he is a franchise QB
Source: Thomas George, NFL.com
Thomas George, of NFL.com reports that Redskins GM Vinny Cerrato is unsure that starting QB Jason Campbell is franchise quality. Cerrato said, "(It's) yet to be determined. Hopefully he is. We have talked honestly. It's past and we are looking forward. We hope he can play 16 games like he played the first eight last year. Consistency throughout.
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Campbell talks about how he was troubled by the Redskins interest in Jay Cutler and Mark Sanchez during the offseason. The Redskins have set themselves up in quite a pickle - if Campbell uses the lack of respect as motivation and plays like a franchise QB this year, he'll break the bank as a free agent, and he might not return to Washington. If he has another choppy campaign, the Redskins are unlikely to re-sign him. Either way, it looks like the team will have to find a new signalcaller in 2010.
NFL - WR Marvin Harison 'may be done'
Source: Jason LaCanfora, The NFL Network
Jason LaCanfora, of the NFL Network, reports that talent evaluators around the league believe that Marvin Harrison "may be done." They are rating other free agent receivers like Amani Toomer and Joe Horn higher than Harrison.
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This isn't surprising as Harrison's game seemed to lack desire last year. Even if he signs somewhere, we don't expect him to have any fantasy impact this year.
PIT - RB Rashard Mendenhall's role in the offense is up to him
Source: Steelers Live
Steelers Live reports that Steelers 2nd-year RB Rashard Mendenhall is expected to have a bigger role in the offense but that is entirely up to him. Head coach Mike Tomlin had this to say, "He's got to put himself back into the offense. I am not responsible for Mendenhall's role in the offense.. HE IS."
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The Steelers are looking for big production from Mendehall was drafted ahead of Chris Johnson, Matt Forte, and Steve Slaton. Mendenhall earned some early playing time last season but Ray Lewis ended his rookie season with a bone-jarring hit in week 4. Now fully recovered from his shoulder injury Mendenhall will have to compete with Willie Parker and Mewelde Moore for playing time. Because of rookie Frank "The Tank" Summers he can't be penciled in as the automatic goalline back either. Tomlin finished by stating, "Rashard Mendenhall has to just fight to get on that field in august."
DEN - WR Brandon Lloyd - no advantage from working with QB Orton again
Source: FM 104.3 The Fan
In an interview with FM 104.3 The Fan, Brandon Lloyd stated that he didn't feel like he had an advantage over other Broncos receivers because he's worked with Kyle Orton before when they were in Chicago.
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Lloyd commented how this wasn't a west coast offense (like what they ran under Ron Turner with the Bears) and he's still trying to get used to all the moving parts to a Josh McDaniels offense. Lloyd calls McDaniels mind for the game "a breath of fresh air" and he's very excited to work for the young head coach. Lloyd is currently 5th on the depth chart and will have to compete with Kenny McKinley and Brandon Stokley for playing time when the Broncos go to 4 and 5 WR sets.
DEN - WR Eddie Royal says QB Orton looking comfortable
Source: 104.3 The Fan
In an interview on FM 104.3 the Fan Eddie Royal commented how Kyle Orton is becoming more and more comfortable with his new teammates and the new offense every day.
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Royal was very impressed with Orton's team first mentality and leadership abilities. This is great news for their chemistry on the field, especially if Brandon Marshall is traded away. Royal also commented how he was attending special teams meetings, and anticipates still returning kicks/punts even though some think that's not going to be in his job description in 2009.
TEN - RB LenDale White to stay in shape by working out with Chauncy Billups
Source: Jim Wyatt, The Nashville Tennessean
Jim Wyatt, from the Nashville Tennessean, reports RB LenDale White will stay in shape during this break before training camp by working out with his cousin, Denver Nuggets star Chauncey Billups.
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White has been getting in better shape this offseason and weighed in last week at 229 pounds. However, during this holiday weekend and the entire month of July White has been known to hit up a few all-you-can-eat buffets. He promised head coach Jeff Fisher that he would not come back to camp weighing more than 230 pounds. It's a contract year for White, and this could be his last season with the Titans, so it will look good to other teams if he can finally beat the weight problem he's had since he came into the league.
OAK - WR Darrius Heyward-Bey's hamstring feeling better
Source: CBSSports.com
CBSSports.com reports that Raiders first round pick WR Darrius Heyward-Bey said his hamstring is feeling better at the NFL Rookie Symposium. "It's feeling really good right now," Heyward-Bey said. "It's always frustrating when you're not practicing. All you have to do is stay positive and do what the trainers tell you to do."
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Heyward-Bey wasn't performing all that well before the injury. So far it looks like he is farther away from making an impact than any of the other first round rookie wide receivers.
TEN - WR Kenny Britt says his hamstring will be 100% for training camp
Source: CBSSports.com
CBSSports.com reports that Titans first round pick WR Kenny Britt said his hamstring is improving and that he'll be ready for training camp at the NFL rookie symposium. "When training camp starts I'll be full go and ready at 100 percent," Britt said. "I'm going to take the time to get treatment and be ready to help the team out."
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Britt can still get up to speed and be ready to make an early impact if he stays healthy for all of camp, but the Titans passing offense doesn't really allow for big numbers for any wide receiver, so we would have Britt very low on the list of rookie wide receivers worth taking in a redraft league.
KC - WR Dwayne Bowe working on improving hands
Source: Kent Babb, The Kansas City Star
Kent Babb, of The Kansas City Star, reports Kansas City Chiefs WR Dwayne Bowe said he has been working hard on improving his concentration and ability to catch the ball on a consistent basis.
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Head coach Todd Haley is expected to work with Bowe during training camp. Bowe needs to impress the new regime in Kansas City because earlier reports had him around 20 pounds overweight and out of shape. With Tony Gonzalez gone to the Falcons the team will be looking to Bowe more than ever in 2009.
NFL - WR Amani Toomer high on several teams' emergency list
Source: Jason LaCanfora, The NFL Network
Jason LaCanfora, of the NFL Network, reports that free agent WR Amani Toomer has fielded calls from a few teams and is high on several teams' "emergency list."
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This means that Toomer should get some work once injury strikes a key wide receiver and a team needs a veteran who can step in right away and not need too much time to ramp up. He's still unlikely to have any fantasy value this year.
CIN - TE Chase Coffman's foot should be 100% for training camp
Source: CBSSports.com
CBSSports.com reports that Bengals third round pick TE Chase Coffman said that his broken foot should be fully healed for training camp. He made the comment at the NFL Rookie Symposium. Coffman participated in a recent minicamp, but he admitted his foot wasn't 100% yet. "It's still not quite 100 percent, but I should be 100 percent (for training camp)," Coffman said. "I can't wait. It was great to get out there for the mandatory minicamp and do some stuff and get to practice and learn the plays a little more."
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Coffman is strictly a pass-catching TE, so he could evolve into the one of the better weapons for Carson Palmer. He's not that quick or explosive, but Coffman has terrific natural ball skills, especially on high passes, and he is fearless going over the middle.
TEN - Titans will move TE Jared Cook around
Source: CBSSports.com
CBSSports.com reports that Titans third round pick TE Jared Cook said that the team is going to use him at other positions than tight end at the NFL Rookie Symposium. Cook said. "They have me in different places. Hopefully I can come in and make an impact."
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Cook is certainly talented enough to be a valuable situational weapon early in his career, but with Bo Scaife still around getting most of the passing targets devoted to the tight end, and the Titans still wanting to be a run-first team, Cook is not worth taking in redraft leagues.
ARZ - Michael Ray Garvin tries to track down job as kick returner
Source: Darren Urban, AZCardinals.com
Darren Urban, of AZCardinals.com, reports that Cardinals undrafted free agent WR/KR Michael Ray Garvin is trying to shed the label of "track guy" and make the team as a kick returner. Even though he was good enough to compete in the Olympic trials as a sprinter and run 10.10 in the 100 meters, Garvin wants people to know that he has also played football since he was seven years old, and he's a very solid 182 pounds at 5'8".
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Remember Garvin's name if you happen to play in leagues that score return yardage, he has the potential to develop into one of the better specialists in the league.
DEN - Broncos expect big things from WR Jabar Gaffney in 2009
Source: Cecil Lammey, 104.3 The Fan
Cecil Lammey, NFL Insider from FM 104.3 The Fan, reports he's heard from sources close to the team that Jabar Gaffney is going to be a big part of the offense in 2009. At this time Gaffney is considered to be the frontrunner for the Broncos starting slot receiver over Brandon Stokley.
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The Broncos may use 3 WR sets more than people are expecting, and while defenses are focused on Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal the slot receiver should be open most of the time. Stokley has no ties to the old regime and has struggled with injuries that last couple of seasons. Gaffney played in New England with Josh McDaniels and knows this offense like the back of his hand. His value will skyrocket if Brandon Marshall is traded and he is moved up to the #2 wide receiver.
SEA - HC Mora likes what TE John Carlson brings to team
Source: Clare Farnsworth, Seahawks.com
Clare Farnsworth, of Seahawks.com, reports Seattle Seahawks head coach Jim Mora said he likes what TE John Carlson brings to the team and believes he could become a very good player. 'John looks like he's going to be pretty special,' Mora said. 'He can go in-line and block. He can go in motion. He can go in the slot. And he's very smart. He can handle a lot. I like him a lot.'
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John Carlson's a smart, instinctive receiver who knows how to get open to make a catch. He's a precise route runner that uses his hands well when pushing off defenders to create space. During his college career Carlson struggled at times with injury, but if he stays healthy he should continue to be a consistent target for Matt Hasselbeck in the improved Seahawks passing game.
DEN - Rookie TE Richard Quinn feeling confident
Source: Chris Gentilviso, Denverbroncos.com
Chris Gentilviso, from Denverbroncos.com, reports rookie TE Richard Quinn has been impressing the coaching staff with more than just his blocking ability. Under the tutelage of Daniel Graham, he has pinpointed the intangibles that define strong pro tight ends - knowing what to do at the line of scrimmage, being fast off the ball and measuring the right depth on passing routes.
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Quinn caught only 12 passes during his entire college career at North Carolina. He was considered to be the 2nd best blocking TE in his draft class (behind 1st rounder Brandon Pettigrew), but head coach Josh McDaniels noticed that Quinn had soft hands and moved up in the end of the 2nd round to draft him. He will have to wait for playing time behind Daniel Graham and Tony Scheffler, but he should continue to develop and will be the eventual replacement for Graham in the offense.
DEF - NYJ - OLB Calvin Pace suspended four games
Source: Adam Schefter, of ESPN
Adam Schefter, of ESPN, reports on his Twitter feed that Jets OLB Calvin Pace has been suspended for the first four games of the 2009 season. He added that the suspension has been "in the works for weeks".
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Guess we'll get to see how far 2008 first round draft pick Vernon Gholston has come along under Rex Ryan. Some predicted that Ryan could unlock his potential, but we're skeptical.
DEF - CIN - SS Roy Williams ready to compete for job
Source: Carlos Holmes, The Dayton Daily News
Carlos Holmes, of the Dayton Daily News, reports Cincinnati Bengals SS Roy L. Williams appears to be the favorite for the starting strong safety job but is ready to compete with the other players during training camp. 'I'm going to compete and whatever I do I will try to do at a high velocity. I see all the other guys are like that as well. The competition is great and we will have a great team because everyone is competing for the same jobs and that's a good thing,' Williams said.
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Williams will be competing against the likes of Chris Crocker, Chinedum Ndukwe, Marvin White, Kyries Hebert and Corey Lynch. Williams is excited to be re-united with coach Zimmer, "They came on very strong with the progression of learning the defense that Coach Zimmer put into place. Being that I played under Zim for five years while in Dallas, it's good to come back to a system you know.” Williams had the best seasons of his career under Zimmer in Dallas, and he's hoping he can be a solid contributor for the Bengals on running downs.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great Friday and enjoy the weekend.
J