Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 10, Issue 86 (Tuesday, July 14th)
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Hi Folks,
Good Wednesday to you. Hope you're having a great week. We're rolling along here bringing you all the news and notes you'll want to keep up with. Thanks as always to our Cecil Lammey and Sigmund Bloom for the help there. Let's get to it.
J
SITE NEWS
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Footballguys Podcast - The Audible - Bill Williamson from ESPN
In This Episode: Cecil Lammey and Sigmund Bloom interview Bill Williamson from ESPN. Topics include - is Matt Cassel more than just a system QB, how much does LaDanian Tomlinson have left in the tank, what happens with Brandon Marshall, plus more!
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. DEN - WR Brandon Marshall - 'I'm under contract with the Broncos'2. BAL - WR Derrick Mason bluffing for more money?
3. NE - Patriots will play the hot hand at RB
4. DET - WR Dennis Northcutt likely to replace Ronald Curry as slot receiver, but could be suspended
5. SF - 49ers hoping to name starting QB by third preseason game
6. KC - QB Matt Cassel contract details
7. NYJ - FS Kerry Rhodes would welcome WR Plaxico Burress
8. NFL - QB Brian Griese looking to play this season
9. SD - RB Curtis Brinkley out of hospital
10. CHI - WR Devin Hester not giving up punt return duties - yet
11. SF - HC Singletary says he is misunderstood
12. BUF - Is WR Terrell Owens ready for big season?
13. DEF - OAK - DE Stryker Sulak cut because of Ellis signing and Burgess non-trade?
14. DEF - CAR - New deal for DE Julius Peppers unlikely
15. DEF - ATL - DE John Abraham will not hold out
16. DEF - BAL - LB Terrell Suggs still optimistic about extension
17. DEF - WAS - Team has not contacted CB Patrick Surtain
DEN - WR Brandon Marshall - 'I'm under contract with the Broncos'
Source: Sean Jensen, Yahoo! Sports
Sean Jensen, of Yahoo! Sports, reports that Denver WR Brandon Marshall replied "Well, I'm under contract with the Broncos" when he was asked whether he was going to show for the open of training camp on July 30. Marshall wouldn't talk about his trade request to the Broncos, instead he mainly wanted to talk about how much ground he has to make up before in the same shape as Larry Fitzgerald.
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We still aren't discounting the possibility of Marshall holding out through most of training camp, and maybe into the season. We wouldn't take him in the top 10 wide receivers of a fantasy draft until this is resolved.
BAL - WR Derrick Mason bluffing for more money?
Source: Ken Murray, The Baltimore Sun
Ken Murray, of the Baltimore Sun, reports that he's not convinced Derrick Mason's retirement announcement isn't a ploy to get more money. He cites Mason's campaigning for a new deal all offseason, his offseason shoulder surgery, and the unlikely idea that Mason is not enthusiastic about playing football when that is his personality and approach to life as evidence that Mason might be trying to get more money out of the Ravens.
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While Murray's theory is logical, we wouldn't draft Mason in any fantasy leagues right now. If someone drops him in your deep dynasty league, he might worth a pickup because you'll know if you can put him back on the waiver wire pretty soon, but we wouldn't trade anything except a player you planned on cutting for Mason at this juncture, because the Ravens could just sign a WR and call his bluff at any time.
NE - Patriots will play the hot hand at RB
Source: Mike Reiss, The Boston Globe
Mike Reiss, from the Boston Globe, reports the Patriots offense is at its best passing the football and Faulk is the top weapon and best pass protector in the single-back set with three or four receivers, as evidenced by the fact he's played more than any running back over the last two seasons (941 of 2,159 snaps, 43.5 percent). So I look at the question this way: How will the other 56.5 percent of the running back snaps get split up? I'd start with Taylor, but with the understanding that the coaching staff will ride the hot hand.
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The Patriots have had to use a RBBC for years, and now are very comfortable in doing so. Reiss predicts that Kevin Faulk will get the most touches, followed by former-Jaguar Fred Taylor. We could see Sammy Morris come in at the goalline and be a TD vulture for the team, and Laurence Maroney may only see the field as a kick returner.
DET - WR Dennis Northcutt likely to replace Ronald Curry as slot receiver, but could be suspended
Source: Tom Kowalski, Mlive.com
Tom Kowalski, of Mlive.com, reports that new Lions acquisition WR Dennis Northcutt should replace Ronald Curry in the slot. Kowalski writes that Curry " hasn't shown much so far in the off-season workouts" and that "there are concerns that his speed has diminished." Kowalski speculates that the team would not have traded for Northcutt if they were happy with Curry. He also writes that Northcutt could be suspended for at least one game because of an incident involving his ex-girlfriend. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said "We're looking into this."
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We feel compelled to keep reminding you that Northcutt looked like he discovered the fountain of youth late last season. Bryant Johnson is slated to start opposite Calvin Johnson, but he had trouble staying healthy last year. Don't be surprised if Northcutt starts at some point in the season. There were 98 receptions to go around to receivers not named Calvin Johnson on the Lions last year, so there is fantasy value to be had beyond Megatron, especially in PPR leagues.
SF - 49ers hoping to name starting QB by third preseason game
Source: John Crumpacker, The San Francisco Chronicle
John Crumpacker, of the San Francisco Chronicle, reports San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Singletary said he hopes to name the team's starting quarterback by the third preseason game.
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Singletary has confidence in both of his quarterbacks but does have an interesting decision to make. Alex Smith has really outplayed Shaun Hill in minicamp, but Hill is a good leader and can help the team win. "I have two quarterbacks I feel very confident about. I don't have one great guy. I have two good guys and somebody is going to step up and the next guy has to be ready." Singletary said.
KC - QB Matt Cassel contract details
Source: John Clayton, ESPN.com
Updating previous reports, John Clayton, of ESPN.com, reports the Kansas City Chiefs have signed QB Matt Cassel to a six-year contract extension worth $63 million, according to a source. The deal includes $28 million in guaranteed money. Cassel will receive $40.5 million in the first three years of the contract.
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This is pretty good money for a quarterback who only started 15 games in his NFL career. Cassel seemed to get more comfortable and had better production as the season went on, but his situation in Kansas City is completely different. He goes from throwing to Randy Moss and Wes Welker, to throwing to Dwayne Bowe and Mark Bradley. Cassel also takes a beating because he holds on to the ball too long as evidenced by his league high 47 sacks in 2008.
NYJ - FS Kerry Rhodes would welcome WR Plaxico Burress
Source: Arthur Staple, Newsday
Arthur Staple, of Newsday, reports New York Jets FS Kerry Rhodes said during a radio interview that he would welcome unrestricted free-agent WR Plaxico Burress (Giants) if he were signed by the Jets.
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Rhodes believes that Burress would free up Jerricho Cotchery to do some things against single coverage. Chansi Stuckey is expected to be the starting WR opposite of Cotchery, so the Jets could be looking for a veteran free agent upgrade.
NFL - QB Brian Griese looking to play this season
Source: Brad Biggs, The Chicago Sun-Times
Brad Biggs, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports Ralph Cindrich, agent for unrestricted free-agent QB Brian Griese (Buccaneers), said Griese is looking to play for a team this season.
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Griese went from the Buccaneers to the Bears, and then back to the Buccaneers. Now, after having been released he may actually end up back in Chicago. The team may decide to bring in a veteran QB to be the backup to Jay Cutler. However, second-year QB Caleb Hanie has impressed the coaching staff and the Bears may decide to only carry two quarterbacks throughout the season. We don't expect Griese's phone to ring off the hook with job offers.
SD - RB Curtis Brinkley out of hospital
Source: Frank Seravalli, The Philadelphia Daily News
Frank Seravalli, of the Philadelphia Daily News, reports San Diego Chargers RB Curtis Brinkley (shoulder, back) was released from the hospital Saturday, July 11. He will need at least six to eight weeks of recovery before being able to resume football activities.
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We're happy that Brinkley is out of the hospital and are thankful that it wasn't as serious as it could have been.
CHI - WR Devin Hester not giving up punt return duties - yet
Source: Vaughn McClure, The Chicago Tribune
Vaughn McClure, from the Chicago Tribune, reports the Bears star, who surrendered his kickoff return duties to Danieal Manning last season, said he would be willing to give up punt returns, too ... just not immediately. "I think a return man simply has to be a return man," Hester said. "There's really no other position he should go out and play. A return man is a totally different ball game from trying to be a return man and starting receiver, or the starting cornerback, or a starting safety. I don't think it's going to work. That's why you never really see it last that long in the NFL. You can't do it."
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Hester is only two kick returns for touchdowns shy of the record held by Brian Mitchell and enters the 2009 season with 11 career kick returns for touchdowns (not counting the opening kickoff in the Super Bowl or the return of a missed field goal). The record would be a nice accomplishment but Hester has been more focused on being the best wide receiver he can be. He could put up some nice numbers with Jay Cutler throwing him deep passes, but if he does return any kicks for touchdowns it will go a long way to help sealing victories. The Bears have a 9-2 record when Hester returns a kick for a touchdown.
SF - HC Singletary says he is misunderstood
Source: Mike Sando, ESPN.com
Mike Sando, of ESPN.com, reports San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Singletary said during a radio interview with Dan Patrick that he is misinterpreted as a yeller and screamer. Singletary believes his coaching style is based on establishing relationships with his players. 'I think a lot of people, starting with the Vernon Davis incident, really feel that I am a yeller and a screamer and an intimidator,' Singletary said. 'I think if you ask my guys, I don't think you would get that. I think the No. 1 thing that I am about is relationships. I am all about relationships. You can scream, you can yell, you can be a nice guy, you can do all those things. You can have all types of styles. But if you don't have a relationship with those players, it doesn't matter. It's not going to work.'
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Mike Singletary is a motivator, and because he was one of the best to ever play his position the players will listen to him and hang on every word he has to say. The coach cares for his players and wants to get the most out of them on the field, and that's why his coaching style is somewhat aggressive. Best of all, Singletary's coaching style is consistent from player to player. He treats first-round picks the same way as he treats undrafted free agents, and he demands the best from all of his players.
BUF - Is WR Terrell Owens ready for big season?
Source: Chris Brown, BuffaloBills.com
Chris Brown, of BuffaloBills.com, reports Buffalo Bills WR Terrell Owens averaged 86.5 receptions, 1,264 yards and 13.5 touchdowns in his first seasons with his previous two teams, the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles.
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Owens first season with a new team has always been good. Of course, he also had Donavan McNabb and Tony Romo throwing to him during those seasons. The Bills may use the shotgun formation as much as 50% of the time in 2009, and this should help protect QB Trent Edwards. We know it would be hard for anybody in the Bills offense to put up decent numbers if Ryan Fitzpatrick was the starting quarterback. If Trent Edwards can stay healthy, then expect a good year from the Bills offense.
DEF - OAK - DE Stryker Sulak cut because of Ellis signing and Burgess non-trade?
Source: Jerry McDonald, InsideBayArea.com
Jerry McDonald, of InsideBayArea.com, reports that sixth-round pick DE Stryker Sulak was probably cut because the team signed Greg Ellis and was unsuccessful in their bid to trade Derrick Burgess since the draft. Along with those two and Trevor Scott, Sulak would have been fourth end on the roster who had trouble against the run, which is more than they could carry.
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We admire McDonald for trying to make sense of any personnel move the Raiders make. In all seriousness, McDonald probably characterized the move best when "they simply wrote off Sulak rather than pay him a bonus in the $80,000 to $90,000 range just to sign a contract when they knew he probably wouldn't make the practice squad." That's fair and judging by the success last year's sixth-round DE, the aformentioned Trevor Scott (who led all rookies in sacks), we probably shouldn't take too many shots at the Raiders for this move.
DEF - CAR - New deal for DE Julius Peppers unlikely
Source: Darin Gantt
Darin Gantt, on his Twitter feed, reports that a new contract for Carolina DE Julius Peppers is unlikely to get done before the 4 PM July 15 deadline because the deal would be too complex to close now.
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Good news for his fantasy owners, who want Peppers to be playing for a contract this year. A big payday could cause Peppers to return to his on-again, off-again ways.
DEF - ATL - DE John Abraham will not hold out
Source: D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
D. Orlando Ledbetter, of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, reports Rich Rosa, agent for Atlanta Falcons DE John Abraham, said Abraham will be present for the start of training camp and will not hold out.
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NFL Network had reported about "rumblings" that Abraham was not happy with his contract and that he would stay away from training camp to show his disapproval. "It's a long offseason and they have to stir the pot", Abraham's agent Rich Rosa said. "We don't know where that is coming from. There won't be a holdout. He'll be there when camp opens."
DEF - BAL - LB Terrell Suggs still optimistic about extension
Source: Jamison Hensley and Mike Preston, The Baltimore Sun
Jamison Hensley and Mike Preston, of The Baltimore Sun, report Baltimore Ravens LB Terrell Suggs is still optimistic about agreeing to a long-term contract with the Ravens before the deadline Wednesday, July 15. 'Like I said before, it's just some minor things that both sides can compromise on and get an agreement. I'm not stressing out over this because I've always thought there are only two things that can happen: we either get a deal done or we don't,' Suggs said.
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Wednesday at 4pm is the deadline for NFL teams to have franchise players signed to long-term deals. If no deal is done then Suggs will play on a franchise, one-year contract. This is the second time the Ravens have used the franchise tag on Suggs, and last season he waited until the third week of the preseason to report to camp. When asked if he would skip most of training camp again Suggs said, "I don't know. That's a decision I'll make, but not before I talk to coach Harbs [John Harbaugh], coach [Greg] Mattison and definitely my teammates."
DEF - WAS - Team has not contacted CB Patrick Surtain
Source: Paul Tenorio, The Washington Post
Paul Tenorio, of The Washington Post, reports the Washington Redskins have not contacted unrestricted free-agent CB Patrick Surtain (Chiefs) at this time, according to one of his agents.
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Surtain's name has supposedly been attached with the Denver Broncos, but it's nothing more than a rumor at this point.
That'll do it for today, Folks.
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Have a great Wednesday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update.
J