Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 10, Issue 84 (Sunday, July 12th)
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Hi Folks,
Good Monday to you. I hope you didn't have anything planned this morning as we've got a ton of new content for you with our Player Spotlights. They're the most detailed look you'll find anywhere on these players. Plus the news and notes you'll need. So let's get to it.
J
SITE NEWS
A.
Spotlight - QB Tom Brady, New England Patriots
A detailed look at NE QB Tom Brady.
B.
Spotlight - WR Antonio Bryant, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
A detailed look at TB WR Antonio Bryant.
C.
Spotlight - QB Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears
A detailed look at CHI QB Jay Cutler.
D.
Spotlight - QB David Garrard, Jacksonville Jaguars
A detailed look at JAC QB David Garrard.
E.
Spotlight - RB Brandon Jacobs, New York Giants
A detailed look at NYG RB Brandon Jacobs.
F.
Spotlight - RB Knowshon Moreno, Denver Broncos
A detailed look at DEN RB Knowshon Moreno.
G.
Spotlight - TE Greg Olsen, Chicago Bears
A detailed look at CHI TE Greg Olsen.
H.
Spotlight - RB Kevin Smith, Detroit Lions
A detailed look at DET RB Kevin Smith.
I.
Spotlight - RB Derrick Ward, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
A detailed look at TB RB Derrick Ward.
J.
Spotlight - WR Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts
A detailed look at IND WR Reggie Wayne.
K.
Spotlight - WR Wes Welker, New England Patriots
A detailed look at NE WR Wes Welker.
L.
Spotlight - RB DeAngelo Williams, Carolina Panthers
A detailed look at CAR RB DeAngelo Williams.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. GB - Packers want to run the ball more in 20092. NFL - Commissioner Goodell to decide on QB Michael Vick's future in the next 3 weeks?
3. CHI - QB Jay Cutler saying and doing right things in the media
4. TB - Luke McCown continues to hold slight edge in QB competition
5. BUF - Bills want to settle on new OL starters early in camp
6. KC - Brad Cottam's struggles leave starting TE spot wide open
7. TB - Team unlikely to sign WR Antonio Bryant to long-term deal
8. MIN - Now or never for QB Brett Favre to sign
9. UFL - New league is going high tech
10. STL - OL Richie Incognito out to change his ways
11. HOU - Starting RT Eric Winston breaks down playing RT vs. playing LT
12. DEF - DAL - LB Bobby Carpenter trying to shed bust label
13. DEF - SD - CB Antonio Cromartie distracted by paternity suits last year
GB - Packers want to run the ball more in 2009
Source: Mike Vandermause, The Green Bay Press Gazette
Mike Vandermause, from the Green Bay Press Gazette, reports the plan for the 2009 season is for the Packers to run the ball more frequently. At least that's what offensive coordinator Joe Philbin is hoping. Philbin was talking recently about his expectation that Ryan Grant would get the bulk of the carries this season. But then he added that if the Packers can run more often, then other backs on the team, such as Brandon Jackson, could see their share of carries go up as well. "Boy I'd love to see us run 32-34 times a game where we need to split up the carries a little better," said Philbin. "We haven't been that type of a team consistently. We've had spurts where we ran it that much but we need to get it up in the 30s on a consistent basis. When that happens the way the game unfolds dictates that you balance it out a little better. When you're running it 24 times, it's a little different."
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The last three Super Bowl champions haven't ran for more than 45% of their offensive plays, so running the ball more hasn't been a winning strategy recently. The Packers ran the ball 43% of the time last year, and have perhaps the best WR corps in the league. If they do run the ball more it could mean more opportunities for Ryan Grant and change of pace back Brandon Jackson. If Grant doesn't run hard the team could replace him with Kregg Lumpkin who has been impressive on the field when he's not injured.
NFL - Commissioner Goodell to decide on QB Michael Vick's future in the next 3 weeks?
Source: Michael Lombardi, National Football Post
Michael Lombardi, from National Football Post, notes July 20 is the last day of Michael Vick's house arrest. At that point, it would seem the commissioner would need to make a timely decision regarding Vick's future in the NFL. Expect a ruling about three weeks after the house release is over.
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There have been rumblings that the commissioner is not going to allow Vick to play at all in 2009, so we'll have to wait and see what he decides. Several NFL teams have publicly stated they want nothing to do with the troubled QB, but we have a feeling they might change their tune if they knew Vick could play this season. If the commissioner allows Vick to play we anticipate teams coming forward with offers soon after. In the event that Vick can't play in the NFL for 2009, he could always go to the UFL.
CHI - QB Jay Cutler saying and doing right things in the media
Source: Dan Arkush, Pro Football Weekly
Dan Arkush, of Pro Football Weekly, reports that Bears QB Jay Cutler continues to say and do all the right things in the media, from saying the team still belongs to the veteran leaders like Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs, and Olin Kreutz, to saying he wants to prove himself on the field before he starts taking local endorsements.
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Cutler had a bit of PR mess to clean up in Denver after the way he left town, and it's clear that he understands that being a QB is more than just what happens between the numbers, or even what happens with the team. Chicago is a city that defies its sports heroes, and if Cutler plays it right, he could be embraced and put on a pedestal, too.
TB - Luke McCown continues to hold slight edge in QB competition
Source: Dan Parr, Pro Football Weekly
Dan Parr, of Pro Football Weekly, reports that Luke McCown continues to hold a slight edge in the competition to be the starting QB for the Buccaneers because of his familiarity with the club's personnel and Byron Leftwich's issues with a groin injury. Parr writes that GM Mark Domenik crushed the sentiment that was started by QB coach Greg Olson, that first-round pick Josh Freeman might start in week 1. Domenik said he'd rather have Freeman wait and mature.
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We've heard that McCown's struggles in offseason work was part of what led the team to sign Leftwich. Like the Cleveland QB battle, neither of the two combatants are making the job easy for the coaches by killing it in OTAs.
BUF - Bills want to settle on new OL starters early in camp
Source: Matt Sohn, Pro Football Weekly
Matt Sohn, of Pro Football Weekly, reports that they hear the club wants to settle on a starting five on the offensive line early in training camp to give the new group time to gel. Two rookies (Eric Wood and Andy Levitre) a former tackles (Kirk Chambers), and new Bill (Seth McKinney) will be battling for the OG jobs.
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It's hard to be optimistic about Marshawn Lynch or Fred Jackson when you consider that this will be an entirely new unit from top to bottom. Not only are some of these players trying to prove that they are good enough to start in the NFL, but they are also having to learn to work together. Continuity and synchronicity is very important on an offensive line, and they will have to develop it on the fly. On the other hand, this makes us think the no huddle look will indeed be prominent in the passing game because quick strike decisions and playcalls will help mask any deficiencies the line might have. Another major concern here is keeping Trent Edwards upright. He's been injury-prone throughout his career, and the team can not afford to lose him.
KC - Brad Cottam's struggles leave starting TE spot wide open
Source: Michael Blunda, Pro Football Weekly
Michael Blunda, of Pro Football Weekly, reports that Brad Cottam dropped too many catchable balls in OTAs to seize the opportunity opened up by the trade of starting TE Tony Gonzalez to Atlanta. Veterans Sean Ryan and Tony Curtis, and rookie seventh-round pick Jake O'Connell all have a chance to get significant playing time if they perform well in camp.
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One more reason to avoid KC tight ends at all costs. Todd Haley's offense didn't use the TE much as a passing game target in Arizona, so don't expect much from the position in Kansas City.
TB - Team unlikely to sign WR Antonio Bryant to long-term deal
Source: Jim Flynn, PewterReport.com
Jim Flynn, of PewterReport.com, reports the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are unlikely to sign WR Antonio Bryant to a long-term deal before the deadline to sign franchised players Wednesday, July 15.
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That's the right move. Bryant has worn out his welcome on three teams before getting a fourth chance with the Bucs. Like his current team, you should feel free to commit to Bryant for this year in your redraft leagues, but be wary of committing long-term in dynasty leagues because of his combustible personality.
MIN - Now or never for QB Brett Favre to sign
Source: Michael Lombardi, The National Football Post
Michael Lombardi, from the National Football Post, states that in the next two weeks it's now or never for Brett Favre to sign with the Vikings.
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Vikings camp starts July 30th, so during this slow time in the NFL we could certainly see Brett Favre make his big "splash." There are already internet rumors that Bus Cook is on his way to Minnesota, although we're sure Bus would deny it - even as he was waiting for his luggage at the Minneapolis airport.
UFL - New league is going high tech
Source: Jeff Darlington, The Miami Herald
Jeff Darlington, from the Miami Herald, reports the UFL is going to use a high tech device when it comes to calling plays. A coach decides from the sideline what play to run and pokes a handheld touch-screen terminal, immediately sending an encrypted signal to a thin, digital device embedded into the armband of the quarterback in the huddle. Upon transmission, the quarterback's armband vibrates, displaying the name of the play and a graphic depicting the assignments of each player. It all happens in an instant, eliminating the potential pitfalls caused by crowd noise or audio miscommunication. The product is called ID Coach, and although information about it has yet to be released publicly, the Isaac Daniel Group granted The Miami Herald an early look. The implementation of the product is in its earliest stages.
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Isaac Daniel believes the NFL could be next in line to use this product and they have already demonstrated it for NFL teams at Super Bowl 43. "They know who we are," Daniel said. "They know about it. And I believe, with the UFL using it, we'll be able to show the results, too."
STL - OL Richie Incognito out to change his ways
Source: Dan Arkush, Pro Football Weekly
Dan Arkush, of Pro Football Weekly, reports that Rams OL Richie Incognito has "set the pace" in the program established by new strength and conditioning coach Rock Gullickson (who has produced a positive vibe according to team sources), and Incognito has made a positive first impression on new head coach Steve Spagnuolo, who "likes his linemen to be as physical as the rules allow."
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Incognito also said he wants to be a "more mature player", which is important because he's one of the worst players in the league at getting dumb personal fouls. Incognito is a terrific run blocker, and the addition of two Jasons - second overall pick OT Jason Smith, and marquee free-agent C Jason Brown (formerly of the Ravens) should help Steven Jackson find more room to run this year.
HOU - Starting RT Eric Winston breaks down playing RT vs. playing LT
Source: Eric Winston
Eric Winston, starting right tackle for Houston Texans, breaks down the differences between playing right tackle and playing left tackle on his blog, Ericwinston73.com. He dispels the myth that RTs get more pass blocking help and outlines exactly how hard it is to switch from one position to the other.
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Quote of the article (on play action fakes): 'An old vet used to tell me, 'if you believe, he'll believe' and he was exactly right. (Thanks Ephraim (Salaam).)' The trend of more and more NFL players having blogs and Twitter feeds will continue to give us direct access to this kind of valuable insight. Three cheers for technology.
DEF - DAL - LB Bobby Carpenter trying to shed bust label
Source: Eric Edholm, Pro Football Weekly
Eric Edholm, of Pro Football Weekly, reports that LB Bobby Carpenter has been working out with Tony Romo and Jason Witten, and he has shed five pounds in an effort to excel in the nickel linebacker job vacated by Kevin Burnett when he signed with San Diego.
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Carpenter was an aggressive downhill LB at Ohio State, but Edholm comments that he hasn't shown the ability to defeat offensive linemen and fullbacks in the hole in the pros, and until that changes, he probably won't beat out free agent acquisition Keith Brooking for a starting job. Packers first round pick Clay Matthews reminds us of Carpenter, down to the NFL bloodlines and surprising athleticism.
DEF - SD - CB Antonio Cromartie distracted by paternity suits last year
Source: Kevin Acee, The San Diego Union-Tribune
Kevin Acee, of the San Diego Union-Tribune, reports that Chargers CB Antonio Cromartie admitted that he was distracted by off-the-field issues last year. "Last year my head wasn't in there. I was dealing with my kids and their moms. It had my mind somewhere else." Cromartie has seven children in five states and has been named in five paternity suits over the last two years. Acee also outlines a vigorous offseason workout routine overseen by agent Gary Wichard that Cromartie is doing right now (The hill twice a week, field work twice, mixed martial arts twice, the gym five times, physical therapy four times and running the sand dunes in Ventura on Saturdays) that includes a routine with sandbags and tires that sounds like something out of Rocky. Acee also shares that Cromartie's hip injury (a two-millimeter crack suffered in the season opener) limited him to about 12 practices over the course of the year, and caused Wichard and mentor Deion Sanders to take some time off during the season to let the injury heal.
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In some ways, it's a relief to hear that it wasn't just the injury that made Cromartie go from hero to goat last year. In 2007, he looked like one of the next superstar shutdown CBs, in 2008, Cromartie was one of the most picked-on CBs in the league. We try not to get snowed by offseason fluff pieces, but this one is pretty convincing. Cromartie is worth a late pick in IDP leagues to see if he really has regained his 2007 form. If he has, you've got a starter, if not, you can dump him for the hot pickup of the week.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great Monday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update. Thanks for reading.
J