Footballguys Daily Email - Volume 10, Issue 98 (Sunday, July 26th)
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Hi Folks,
Good Monday to you. Hope you had a great weekend. And I hope you're well rested. Because it is on. Camps are opening across the country and we're on a countdown to the Hall of Fame inductions and then the preseason games. It's a great time of year. So let's not waste any time - let's get to it.
J
SITE NEWS
A.
Keys to Training Camp: AFC North by Jason Wood
Our Jason Wood with one of my favorite Footballguys features - The Keys to Training Camp. With this one, he takes a detailed look at the AFC North.
B.
Keys to Training Camp: NFC West by Jason Wood
Our Jason Wood with one of my favorite Footballguys features - The Keys to Training Camp. With this one, he takes a detailed look at the NFC West.
C.
Quality Starts - Quarterbacks by Jeff Pasquino
Our Jeff Pasquino delves into the concept of Quality Starts. With this one he looks at QBs.
D.
Dynasty Salvage Value by Jeff Tefertiller
Our Jeff Tefertiller takes a look at Dynasty Salvage Value and how you can apply it to your league.
E.
The PPR Difference by Jeff Tefertiller
Our Jeff Tefertiller takes a look at the increasingly popular Points Per Reception (PPR) format and what it means to you and your league.
F.
Eyes Of the Guru - Linebackers by John Norton
John Norton continues his outstanding "Eyes Of The Guru" series. This time, he takes a detailed look at Linebackers.
G.
Incorporating IDP Concepts by Jene Bramel and Bob Magaw
IDP Experts Bob Magaw and Jene Bramel look at how one goes about incorporating Individual Defensive Player (IDP) concepts into their league.
H.
IDP Tiers - Linebackers by Sigmund Bloom and Jene Bramel
Our Sigmund Bloom and Jene Bramel look at breaking down the linebackers into tiers.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. DEN - WR Brandon Marshall expected to report Monday2. ATL - Head coach Smith wants a reduced workload for RB Michael Turner
3. CLE - Battle at quarterback coming
4. PHI - RB Brian Westbrook back by mid-August?
5. NYJ - Quarterback battle a heavyweight fight in the making
6. DET - QB Matthew Stafford on fast track to start?
7. CAR - Muhammad thinks WR Jason Carter could be an 'impact player'
8. PHI - Reid talks about RB Brian Westbrook's health entering training camp
9. BAL - QB Joe Flaco looking to improve in second year
10. MIA - Top five receivers rounding out
11. SD - Turner likes RB LaDainian Tomlinson's explosiveness
12. GB - Looking for QB Aaron Rodgers to improve
13. CLE - Lack of No. 2 opens door for rookie receivers
14. BUF - WR Terrell Owens comments on Michael QB Michael Vick
15. ARI - Will be more balanced on offense
16. SD - Starting point for RB Darren Sproles is in the return game
17. NE - Matchups will determine RBs playing time
18. SF - WR Josh Morgan and WR Isaac Bruce expected to be starters
19. NYJ - WR Chansi Stuckey likely to be the #2 wide receiver
20. BUF - Receivers getting in extra work
21. SF - Organization pulling for Smith to win QB job?
22. TB - QB Byron Leftwich has inside track for QB job?
23. OAK - Gallery out at least two weeks
DEN - WR Brandon Marshall expected to report Monday
Source: Mike Klis - The Denver Post
Updating previous reports, Mike Klis, of The Denver Post, reports Denver Broncos WR Brandon Marshall (hip) is expected to report with rookies, quarterbacks and injured players Monday, July 27, for the unofficial start of training camp. Marshall wants to renegotiate the $2.198 million salary he has left on his contract.
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Marshall may want more money, but there is really no reason for the Broncos to give him more in the form of a long-term extension, because Marshall hasn't proven that he is stable enough off the field to deserve a large outlay of guaranteed money.
ATL - Head coach Smith wants a reduced workload for RB Michael Turner
Source: D. Orlando Ledbetter - the Atlanta Journal-Constitution
D. Orlando Ledbetter, from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, reports Falcons head coach Mike Smith admits that Michael Turner needs fewer carries in 2009. "We know that he can't sustain 370 carries over a number of years," Smith said. "We definitely know that we have to reduce the load that we put on him this year."
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Use these proclamations to get Turner to drop to you if you're sitting in the middle of the first round. Turner may get less carries this year, but the offense should be even more effective with the addition of Tony Gonzalez and another year of development under Matt Ryan's belt. Twenty TDs from Turner wouldn't shock us in the least bit.
CLE - Battle at quarterback coming
Source: Marla Ridenour - The Akron Beacon Journal
Marla Ridenour, of The Akron Beacon Journal, reports Cleveland Browns QB Derek Anderson has to show better touch on short passes and improve on his swing passes to running backs. He also has to recapture his 2007 chemistry with WR Braylon Edwards in order to win the team's starting quarterback job, which he is battling for with QB Brady Quinn. Quinn looked to be a dink-and-dunk passer during May and June minicamps, but that could favor a ball-control style offense. Head coach Eric Mangini said the offense will be skewed depending on who wins the starting job.
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Braylon Edwards owners should root for Anderson to win because he has the better downfield arm and accuracy. Jamal Lewis owners should root for one of these guys to become an effective, consistent QB no matter who wins.
PHI - RB Brian Westbrook back by mid-August?
Source: Adam Caplan - Scout.com
Adam Caplan, of Scout.com, reports on his Twitter feed that Eagles RB Brian Westbrook has a chance to get back on the practice field by mid-August, according to head coach Andy Reid, which is "exactly what we've been hearing". Caplan adds that "at what capacity" remains to be seen, so don't expect Westbook to play in more than one preseason game. Caplan thinks Westbrook will need 2-3 weeks to get ready for the regular season/
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The clouds around Westbrook are parting and some sunlight can finally be seen. This kind of news makes Westbrook a less dicey proposition in the early to mid-second round, especially in PPR leagues.
NYJ - Quarterback battle a heavyweight fight in the making
Source: Rich Cimini - The New York Daily News
Rich Cimini, of The New York Daily News, reports New York Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said the team's battle at quarterback is going to be a heavyweight title fight. QBs Mark Sanchez and Kellen Clemens are about to compete for the starting duties. 'Hopefully, it'll be easy for us and easy for the fans to figure out the winner,' Schottenheimer said.
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Jets head coach Rex Ryan has no qualms about starting a rookie, after all he was in Baltimore last year and saw first hand how then-rookie Joe Flacco was able to progress during his first year. How well Sanchez grasps the offense will go a long way in determining his fate. Schottenheimer would like the offense to revert to the 2006 offense, which used a myriad of formations, shifts and personnel packages to keep opponents off balance.
DET - QB Matthew Stafford on fast track to start?
Source: Tom Kowalski - Mlive.com
Tom Kowalski, of Mlive.com reports that "the reality is (Matthew) Stafford, the first overall pick in the draft, is on the fast track to become the Lions' starting quarterback when the season opens Sept. 13 in New Orleans. So far, Stafford has passed every test with flying colors and cleared every hurdle with plenty of room to spare." Kowalski writes that head coach Jim Schwartz told fans not to get too far ahead of themselves on Stafford because he is cautiously awaiting the results of Stafford's camp and preseason. Kowalski also reports that Schwartz has said that he "only would start Stafford if he met two criteria -- if he was ready and if he was the best."
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ESPN's John Clayton recently reported that it would take an "amazing" preseason from Stafford to win the starting job. Even though that report seems to conflict with Kowalski's, they're not too far apart. Kowalski (and the Lions organization) seem to be so impressed with Stafford that they think that amazing preseason has a good chance of happening. New head coach Jim Schwartz's comments seem to indicate that only a highly advanced performance from the rookie Stafford would win the job. In other words, the bar is set high for Stafford, but many think he'll reach it. If Daunte Culpepper emerges the winner, remember that he is reunited with Scott Linehan, the offensive coordinator for his best years in Minnesota.
CAR - Muhammad thinks WR Jason Carter could be an 'impact player'
Source: Andrew Mason - Panthers.com
Andrew Mason, of Panthers.com, reports that veteran Muhsin Muhammad said, (Jason Carter) could definitely be an impact player" among the Panthers group of young wide receivers battling for roster spots.
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Carter's ability to return punts and contribute on special teams could be the edge he needs to make the final roster. He has been a perennial training camp standout who has never really gotten a chance to prove himself in the regular season.
PHI - Reid talks about RB Brian Westbrook's health entering training camp
Source: www.philadelphiaeagles.com
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid said RB Brian Westbrook (ankle) is unlikely to take part in training camp for at least the first couple of weeks.
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Reid said somewhere around mid-August he may be able to return. However, Reid did note everyone heals differently and the team just never knows for sure. Reid said Westbrook is with the team currently going through rehab work and will not do any work on the field or attend any team meetings. 'It's strictly going to be getting him back rehabbing,' Reid said.
BAL - QB Joe Flaco looking to improve in second year
Source: Jamison Hensley - The Baltimore Sun
Jamison Hensley, of The Baltimore Sun, reports Baltimore Ravens QB Joe Flacco will report to training camp Monday, July 27. Joe Cool will have all eyes on him after a successful rookie season, but the bar will also be raised. 'If you're not motivated by yourself at this level, you're not going to be successful,' Flacco said. A year ago, offensive coordinator Cam Cameron would stand behind Flacco and tell him the plays.
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This year, Flacco has been running the no-huddle offense on his own. One of his goals this year is to raise his completion percentage, where he ranked 20th in the league last year (he completed 60 percent of his passes). Another focus is throwing over the middle, where he had a 47.4 quarterback rating last season.
MIA - Top five receivers rounding out
Source: Barry Jackson - The Miami Herald
Barry Jackson, of The Miami Herald, reports the Miami Dolphins top-five receivers appear to be Ted Ginn Jr., Greg Camarillo, Davone Bess, Patrick Turner and Brian Hartline. WRs Chris Williams and Brennan Marion, both rookies, could end up on the practice squad.
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Jackson thinks that the team could keep six WRs, and in that case, it would come down to Anthony Armstrong's deep speed vs. Brandon London's special teams contributiong. If the Dolphins try to stash Armstrong on the practice squad again, expect a WR poor team to snatch him up on waivers.
SD - Turner likes RB LaDainian Tomlinson's explosiveness
Source: Kevin Acee - the San Diego Union-Tribune
In an interview with Kevin Acee, from the San Diego Union-Tribune, Chargers head coach Norv Turner commented on what he's seen from LaDainian Tomlinson this offseason. "No. 1, he's really focused and determined. I think his mindset is that he's excited to have a great year. I didn't see any physical limitations at all from his injuries. I liked what I saw in terms of the explosiveness."
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We're not concerned with how healthy Tomlinson is now, it's his eventual condition at the end of the season that worries us. He should still have a fine statistical season as the lead back on a winning team in a weak division, but mounting evidence points to the conclusion that Tomlinson is wearing down.
GB - Looking for QB Aaron Rodgers to improve
Source: Bob McGinn - The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
Bob McGinn, of The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, reports Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin said the team expects QB Aaron Rodgers to play better during his sophomore year as a starter. 'He's got to play better. No doubt about it,' Philbin said.
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Philbin said the Packers were kind of paper champions in a lot of regards offensively last year. He noted they stunk on opening drives, and did not play well during the two-minute drill. Rodgers was 6-10 as a starting quarterback, and the Packers are looking for him to really the troops this season. Philbin said the team also needs to do a better job coaching.
CLE - Lack of No. 2 opens door for rookie receivers
Source: Marla Ridenour - The Akron Beacon Journal
Marla Ridenour, of The Akron Beacon Journal, reports Cleveland Browns rookie WRs Brian Robiskie and Mohamed Massaquoi have a door opened for them in the starting lineup because there is an absence of a clear-cut No. 2 receiver. Robiskie seems to be the more finished product, but few rookie receivers have dazzled.
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Robiskie might be the most pro-ready rookie WR, largely because his father is the WR coach for the Falcons. He could catch 60-70 balls this year, especially if the winner of the QB battle is Brady Quinn, because Quinn lacks great accuracy deep and has to depend on short and intermediate passes to move the offense.
BUF - WR Terrell Owens comments on Michael QB Michael Vick
Source: Chris Brown - BuffaloBills.com
Chris Brown, from BuffaloBills.com, reports Terrell Owens has never been one that's afraid to express an opinion so when he was asked to weigh in on Michael Vick, Owens pulled no punches. When asked about the rumored four-game suspension Vick could be facing from the NFL after his jail term, Owens thinks it would be excessive.
"I think it's unfortunate. I think the way the commissioner has handled it, I think it's unfair to Michael Vick," said Owens. "I think he's done the time for what he's done. I don't think it's really fair for him to be suspended four more games. That's almost like kicking a dead horse in the ground. I think a lot of guys around the league need to speak up. I think the players union needs to step in because the guy's already suffered so much. To add a four-game suspension on a two-year prison sentence, that's ridiculous."
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What TO is overlooking here is that the NFL suspensions are always given in addition to the legal consequences of a player's actions, not in lieu of them.
ARI - Will be more balanced on offense
Source: Jason LaCanfora - NFL.com
Jason LaCanfora, from NFL.com, reports Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt doesn't expect a huge drop in production because Todd Haley is now the head coach in Kansas City. (And why should he, that talented offense is still intact.) Warner looks good after surgery. Larry Fitzgerald is awesome even with long hair. He expects Anquan Boldin to be in camp. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie could see some time with the offense. But the big question, what about the running game? "As our success in the playoffs shows, if we can be a more balanced team, that is what we would gravitate towards in the run game," Whisenhunt said.
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Expect less three wide sets and more formations with with blocking TE Anthony Becht and slobberknocking FB Dan Kreider. Steve Breaston's fantasy value will take a huge hit this year unless Larry Fitzgerald or Anquan Boldin suffers an injury that causes them to miss time.
SD - Starting point for RB Darren Sproles is in the return game
Source: Kevin Acee - The San Diego Union-Tribune
Kevin Acee, of The San Diego Union-Tribune, reports San Diego Chargers head coach Norv Turner said RB Darren Sproles is going to complement RB LaDainian Tomlinson this year. 'Darren's starting point is in the return game and we'll pick our spots with him on offense,' Turner said.
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Whether or not your league gives credit for return touches should make a big difference in the decision on whether to pull the trigger on him in rounds 7-10. Sproles is an elite talent, and we saw what we can do if he has a chance to be the lead back last year in the playoffs. Too bad Ladainian Tomlinson has shown a penchant for playing through nagging injuries, even if they reduce his effectiveness. This year, the coaching staff might not be so willing to let LT keep his full workload if he gets hurt, so Sproles is still one of our favorite sleepers at RB.
NE - Matchups will determine RBs playing time
Source: Mike Reiss - the Boston Globe
Mike Reiss, from the Boston Globe, reports Kevin Faulk should get the most playing time in the Patriots backfield because he's such a big part of the passing game. When it comes to the more traditional running back role, Reiss thinks it will be a committee, with Fred Taylor getting the first crack, followed by Sammy Morris and Laurence Maroney. Matchups against the opposition should play a big part in determining playing time.
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The Patriots backfield produced 22 total touchdowns last year, so even though this is going to be a four-headed committee, that doesn't mean that you should ignore it in your draft. We think that a clear pecking order will become apparent in September, and Taylor will be at the top of it. Spending a double-digit round pick on Taylor is advised, especially in non-PPR leagues.
SF - WR Josh Morgan and WR Isaac Bruce expected to be starters
Source: John Crumpacker - the San Francisco Chronicle
John Crumpacker, from the San Francisco Chronicle, reports Isaac Bruce and Josh Morgan figure to go into camp as the two starters, but everything else about the receiving corps is unsettled.
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Bruce is only a starter for as long as it takes Michael Crabtree to be ready to play. Don't waste a mid-round draft pick expecting numbers like last year's from the grizzled vet.
NYJ - WR Chansi Stuckey likely to be the #2 wide receiver
Source: Mark Cannizzaro - the New York Post
Mark Cannizzaro, from the New York Post, reports that there's no clear-cut starter alongside Cotchery, with Chansi Stuckey and Brad Smith the only players with legitimate NFL experience. Stuckey, who played mostly as a third-down slot wide receiver last season, appears to be the most likely second starter with the versatile Smith the No. 3. Wallace Wright, who has been a special teams player, had a strong minicamp. David Clowney is the fastest player in the group, but he has been inconsistent catching the ball.
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Dustin Keller is actually #2 in the pecking order for targets, so no matter who wins the #2 wide receiver job, they are unlikely to have significant fantasy value.
BUF - Receivers getting in extra work
Source: Chris Brown - BuffaloBills.com
Chris Brown, of BuffaloBills.com, reports Buffalo Bills WRs Terrell Owens and Lee Evans, for the second straight day, put in extra work after practice Sunday, July 26. Evans worked on his catching, taking passes from a JUGs machine. Owens was working on his release techniques with receivers coach Tyke Tolbert.
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The Bills are hoping Evans and Owens can be a dynamic duo for their offense in 2009. With defenses focused on (and double teaming) Terrell Owens it should mean that Lee Evans will face single coverage most of the time. Both Owens and Evans can get behind a defense, so the offensive line must gel quickly and protect QB Trent Edwards so he can air it out downfield.
SF - Organization pulling for Smith to win QB job?
Source: Matt Bowen - the National Football Post
Matt Bowen, of the National Football Post, reports that "everyone inside the (49ers) building is pulling for quarterback Alex Smith to win the starting job in camp. Publicly, it's being called an open competition, but a source close to the Niners told us that he believes Smith will win the job."
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This makes sense because the 49ers GM Scot McCloughan is the person who invested the #1 overall pick in Smith, and Smith is a much more talented QB than Shaun Hill. Hill isn't a great practice player, and he will have trouble winning a competition with Smith if his 7-3 record as a starter and success last year is given no weight in the battle. New offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye is going to lean on the run, so the winner will likely only be an adequate to good backup in fantasy leagues.
TB - QB Byron Leftwich has inside track for QB job?
Source: Michael Lombardi - the National Football Post
Michael Lombardi, of the National Football Post, reports that "from all indications, Byron Leftwich seems to have the inside track on the starting job. He has a great command, and the locker room is in love with him."
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This directly conflicted with the reports from ESPN's NFL South blogger, Pat Yasinskas, that the job was Luke McCown's to lose. We should have a definitive idea of whose Tampa Bay sources are better after the first week of camp. No matter who wins the job, he probably won't be a QB you want to carry on your fantasy team.
OAK - Gallery out at least two weeks
Source: Jerry McDonald - ANG Newspapers
Jerry McDonald, of ANG Newspapers, reports Oakland Raiders OLG Robert Gallery (appendectomy) will miss at least the first two weeks of training camp after undergoing an emergency appendectomy. OG Chris Morris, who was the backup last year, could open training camp with the first-string.
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Better to happen now than during the season. He will have ample time to recover and get back on the field.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Thanks for reading and I hope you have a great Monday. See you tomorrow with the update.
J