Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 10, Issue 80 (Wednesday, July 8th)
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Hi Folks,
Good Thursday to you. Hope your week is rolling along well. Looking good here. About to head to Louisville with my son for the Forecastle Music Festival and then to South Carolina for our vacation. But don't worry, I won't be taking any breaks from Footballguys. I'll be right here. We've got the News and Notes you need so let's get to it.
J
SITE NEWS
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. DEN - QB Kyle Orton was effective pre-injury in 20082. CLE - QB Brady Quinn appears favorite entering camp
3. CLE - RB Jamal Lewis should have heavy workload
4. CHI - Larger workload coming for RB Kevin Jones?
5. MIN - Vikings customizing playbook for Brett Favre
6. GB - TE Jermichael Finley could win starting job
7. DEN - WR Chad Jackson poised to perform
8. DAL - Time for QB Tony Romo to shine
9. OAK - QB JaMarcus Russell did set up private camp
10. TB - WR Michael Clayton is working hard
11. CLE - TE Martin Rucker playing with first, second team
12. NFL - OT Jon Runyan expects to be ready for start of season
13. NFL - QB Steve McNair death ruled murder-suicide
14. DAL - HC Phillips on the hot seat
15. DEF - HOU - Far apart in talks with CB Dunta Robinson
16. DEF - NFL - FS Rodney Harrison believes he deserves to make Hall of Fame
17. DEF - NYJ - LB Vernon Gholston must earn his job
18. DEF - CHI - HC Smith called coach Marinelli best free agent pickup
DEN - QB Kyle Orton was effective pre-injury in 2008
Source: Frank Schwab, The Colorado Springs Gazette
Frank Schwab, from the Colorado Springs Gazette, reports few people remember how good Kyle Orton was over his first seven starts last season. He was efficient and in games three through seven threw for at least 199 yards every outing. The Bears lost by three points at Carolina (the second best team in the NFC last year), lost in overtime to Tampa Bay (the Buccaneers scored 10 points in the final 3:11, including a touchdown with seven seconds left, to tie) and lost on a last-second field goal at Atlanta after a heinous decision to squib kick after Orton completed what should have been the game-winning touchdown with 11 seconds left. The Bears were 4-3 with three excruciating losses to good teams, and Orton was a big reason for their success.
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Fantasy owners need to take note here and remember the system that Orton is playing in this season. He ran a similar system under Joe Tiller while in college at Purdue, and Orton was a key element in the trade that sent Jay Cutler to Chicago. Originally thought to be in a competition with Chris Simms, the Broncos named Orton their starter and head coach Josh McDaniels believes that Orton can run the system effectively. Orton will benefit from better weapons around him on offense, and an offensive line with two bookend tackles who will give him much better protection than he had in Chicago. The Broncos defense is still a work in progress, so no matter how much they want to run the football in Denver they may be forced into airing it out on a regular basis.
CLE - QB Brady Quinn appears favorite entering camp
Source: James Walker, ESPN.com
James Walker, of ESPN.com, reports Cleveland Browns QB Brady Quinn appears to be leading QB Derek Anderson (calf) in the competition for the team's starting quarterback job. Quinn had a decent, albeit not spectacular, minicamp, while Anderson struggled most of the way through before missing the final two practices with a calf injury.
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The coaching staff, however, will not make any premature decisions. They will wait until both quarterbacks perform in preseason games, so it is still very much an open competition. Quinn struggles with accuracy when throwing downfield, and Anderson lost his confidence last season. The 3rd preseason game will be crucial for this competition and we don't expect a starter to be announced until after that game.
CLE - RB Jamal Lewis should have heavy workload
Source: James Walker, ESPN.com
James Walker, of ESPN.com, reports Cleveland Browns RB Jamal Lewis (ankle) should have plenty of opportunities to carry the ball within the team's new offense.
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Head coach Eric Mangini wants to control the clock with a power running game, which would seem to suit Lewis. However, earlier reports this offseason have stated the Browns want to see what Jerome Harrison can do with more opportunities. Harrison should replace Lewis on 3rd downs, and if the Browns are playing from behind it will be Harrison lining up in the backfield and not Lewis. By using their RBs more it will help take pressure off the starting QB.
CHI - Larger workload coming for RB Kevin Jones?
Source: Larry Mayer, ChicagoBears.com
Larry Mayer, of ChicagoBears.com, reports Chicago Bears RBs coach Tim Spencer said the team has to use RB Kevin Jones more this year to make sure both he and RB Matt Forte are as healthy as they can be by the end of the season. Spencer said Jones is now 100 percent healthy and is back to where he was before suffering a torn ACL. 'He knows our system and he knows what we're trying to do,' Spencer noted on Jones.
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Jones is one of the cheapest handcuffs out there, and one of the most talented. If he's truly back to 100%, he's a steal as a last-round pick if you own Forte. Make sure to keep him on your waiver wire speed dial if you hear anything is going wrong with Forte's health, and once you dump your extra kicker and defense/special teams after bye weeks, Jones is exactly the kind of RB you should pick up "just in case", regardless of whether you own Forte.
MIN - Vikings customizing playbook for Brett Favre
Source: Charley Walters, The Pioneer Press
Charley Walters, from the Pioneer Press, says the latest word is 40 percent of the Minnesota Vikings' playbook is being customized for the pending signing of quarterback Brett Favre.
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This one is pretty interesting as Brett Favre said on his appearance on Joe Buck's show that one of the primary draws of Minnesota was that he was so familiar with the offense. Favre talked about the troubles of learning a new offense with the Jets and how comfortable he was with the Vikings offense saying he could teach the offense.
GB - TE Jermichael Finley could win starting job
Source: Mike Vandermause, The Green Bay Press-Gazette
Mike Vandermause, of the Green Bay Press-Gazette, reports Green Bay Packers TE Jermichael Finley would beat out TE Donald Lee for the starting tight end job during training camp.
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Offensive coordinator Joe Philbin said Finley is much improved from his rookie season in 2008. "Jermichael is a much better player," Philbin said. "A year ago he was a 21-year-old kid from Texas. He didn't know first base from third base. And so, he's just a much different guy. He's walking around the building like a different person. We're excited, he's making very good progress." Finley will never be confused with a traditional line blocking tight end, but he does have the uncanny ability to make tough catches seem routine. Finley reminded many in the scouting community of Broncos tight end Tony Scheffler and the Packers may be getting very good production from him in 2009.
DEN - WR Chad Jackson poised to perform
Source: Chris Gentilviso, DenverBroncos.com
Chris Gentilviso, from DenverBroncos.com, reports WR Chad Jackson feels confident heading into the 2009 season. "There's a lot of people out there that know what I can do," Jackson said. "I just haven't done it in a while. But once I get the ball this season, I can show everybody what I can do." Jackson's comfort stems from the fluid feel he already has for Head Coach Josh McDaniels' offensive system. With McDaniels as his coordinator in 2006, Jackson demonstrated his big-play capabilities. Three of his 13 catches during that rookie season were for touchdowns, and McDaniels' playbook is back in play to help him replicate those numbers.
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Jackson and Jabar Gaffney both played in the McDaniels offense in New England and are helping the Broncos receivers get up to speed in the new offense. Not many are expecting much out of Jackson this season as he's in a battle just to make the final roster. He's currently listed as 7th on the depth chart but because of his familiarity he could stick around in Denver. It's doubtful that Jackson sees much playing time in 2009 unless injuries ravage the WR corps.
DAL - Time for QB Tony Romo to shine
Source: Jim Corbett, USA Today
Jim Corbett, from USA Today, notes that with Terrell Owens gone to Buffalo it's time for Tony Romo to shine on the field. A glitzy, new, $1 billion-plus football palace in Arlington, Texas, called Cowboys Stadium will showcase a remodeled Cowboys team with one unquestioned offensive leader: Romo. Owner Jerry Jones drove home that point when he released Owens in March, saying it was with the intention of making his 2009 offense more "Romo-friendly."
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One way the Cowboys could be more "Romo-friendly" is to feature a more run heavy offense and take some of the burden off the quarterback's shoulders. If Marion Barber, Felix Jones, and Tashard Choice can stay healthy it will go a long way towards the success of the franchise in 2009. The WR depth chart is up in the air after Roy Williams but it will become clear as we go through the preseason. Jason Witten is Romo's best friend and most trusted target on the field, but don't count out TE Martellus Bennett who could play a bigger role than people expect.
OAK - QB JaMarcus Russell did set up private camp
Source: Jason LaCanfora, NFL Network
Jason LaCanfora, from NFL Network, reports that JaMarcus Russell did in fact follow through on his promise to hold a private and voluntary passing camp with his receivers and it is currently ongoing.
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Russell is trying to make up for going AWOL on the last day of minicamp. Maybe he is feeling pressure from Jeff Garcia who insists that he's still a starting quality QB. We would certainly upgrade Zach Miller among others if Garcia can eventually wrest the starting job from Russell.
TB - WR Michael Clayton is working hard
Source: Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Fitzgerald tweeted about having dinner with Greg Jennings, Michael Clayton, and Jerry Rice. Clayton is spending time in Minneapolis as a guest of Larry Fitzgerald, working out with Greg Jennings and learning from Jerry Rice.
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We were baffled by the five year, 24.5 million dollar deal the Bucs gave Clayton this offseason, but they do have a gaping hole at the wide receiver position opposite Antonio Bryant. If they don't sign a problem child like Plaxico Burress or Matt Jones, Clayton should have a clear path to the job, which would make him at least worth tracking in the first few weeks of the season, since he has been a fantasy stud in the past, even though it seems like the remote past.
CLE - TE Martin Rucker playing with first, second team
Source: Zac Jackson, ClevelandBrowns.com
Zac Jackson, of ClevelandBrowns.com, reports that TE Martin Rucker got a lot of reps with the first and second-team units while Steve Heiden was sidelined during OTAs.
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Rucker is strictly a pass catching TE and he could evolve into the third option in the passing attack, but this is basically his rookie year because he was injured for a good part of 2008, so don't expect much in 2009. He could be a nice weapon in the red zone because of his size, but his production will likely be sporadic
NFL - OT Jon Runyan expects to be ready for start of season
Source: Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Sheil Kapadia, of Philly.com, reports unrestricted free-agent OT Jon Runyan (knee) said during a radio interview that he continues to rehab his surgically repaired knee and expects to be ready to play for the start of the regular season. He said teams have contacted him but were checking in to he when he would be ready to play.
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There are a lot of teams that could use Runyan if he's healthy enough to play at his pre-injury level. Buffalo, Green Bay, Kansas City, San Diego, and San Francisco are among the teams that might be hurting at right tackle this season.
NFL - QB Steve McNair death ruled murder-suicide
Source: Les Carpenter, The Washington Post
The Nashville Police have announced former NFL QB Steve McNair's death has been ruled as a murder-suicide. The police said Sahel Kazemi shot McNair and then turned the gun on herself.
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Hopefully some closure to this story.
DAL - HC Phillips on the hot seat
Source: Clark Judge, CBSSports.com
Clark Judge, from CBSSports.com, reports on several coaches who are on the hot seat as we enter the 2009 seaosn. On the list: Wade Phillips in Dallas, Dick Jauron in Buffalo, Brad Childress in Minnesota, and Jim Zorn in Washington.
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Phillips is taking a new "tough guy" approach to coaching this season and with Jerry Jones you just never know when your time is up as a coach. Jauron and the Bills are in "win now" mode and must provide solid competition in a brutal AFC East. Childress is pinning his hopes on Brett Favre, and the season could end with mixed results. Zorn has Daniel Snyder looking over his shoulder with his speed dial ready to call Mike Shanahan, Mike Holmgren, or Bill Cowher.
DEF - HOU - Far apart in talks with CB Dunta Robinson
Source: Jason LaCanfora, NFL Network
Jason LaCanfora, from NFL Network, reports the Texans remain far apart in contract discussions with unsigned franchise player Dunta Robinson. LaCanfora expects Robinson to play the season on his one-year, $9.957 million tender.
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The Texans would have to turn to last year's third-round pick, Antwaun Molden, to start in 2010 if they can't get something done with Robinson. Robinson hasn't proven that he's all the way back from a serious knee injury suffered in 2007, so we understand their reluctance to lock him up long term.
DEF - NFL - FS Rodney Harrison believes he deserves to make Hall of Fame
Source: Nancy Gay, AOL Fanhouse
Nancy Gay, of AOL Fanhouse, reports retired FS Rodney Harrison said he believes he deserves to he elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame but probably will not be because people have been ignoring his career stats and the impact he has made on the teams he played for. He believes people focus more on the negative with him.
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Not surprising Harrison would feel he's worthy. But he's probably right in thinking people won't ignore his reputation as one of the dirtier players in the game.
DEF - NYJ - LB Vernon Gholston must earn his job
Source: Northjersey.com
Northjersey.com reports late in the spring, Ryan noted that Gholston "gets better every day," yet, truth be told, two other young linebackers stood out more often during practices observed by the media. Marques Murrell and Jason Trusnik, both third-year players, had eye-opening springs, and Ryan even cited Murrell for his good play on the final day of mandatory mini-camp. And Trusnik has something neither Murrell nor Gholston can boast of, an actual NFL sack, recorded during the 2008 season finale against Miami. No matter what happens, Ryan and the Jets must follow general manager Mike Tannenbaum's oft-stated mantra that "the best players will play" and start. If that means the guy from Appalachian State (Murrell) or the guy from Ohio Northern (Trusnik), then so be it. Yes, Gholston deserves his shot. But reputation cannot be the deciding factor.
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Ryan and defensive coordinator Mike Pettine will try and unlock Gholston's potential. With Calvin Pace suspended the first 4 games of the season many expected Gholston to be immediately plugged into the starting lineup. But perhaps the coaching staff will feel it's best to use Gholston as a situational pass rusher until his technique improves and his confidence comes back.
DEF - CHI - HC Smith called coach Marinelli best free agent pickup
Source: John Crist, Bear Report
John Crist, of Bear Report, reports that Chicago head coach called new defensive line coach and former Detroit head coach Rod Marinelli the team's best pickup in free agency.
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The addition of Marinelli should only help Adewale Ogunleye stay among the top 10 or 15 fantasy defensive ends for IDP leagues. The Bears should do much better than their meager total of 28 sacks last year.
That'll do it for today, Folks.
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Thanks for reading and have a great Thursday.
J