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Hi Folks,
Welcome to Friday. Tons of content for you today. We've got a bunch more sections of our "Beginner Series" that's always a good read and refresher. We've also got an update to the Combined Draft Board plus a brand new Staff Roundtable. And the news and notes so let's get to it.
J
Our Staff Roundtables are a fun way for Footballguys Staffers to argue, defend and generally expound on things they think and why they think it. Always a fun read.
Our Jene Bramel with a very cool way to view the entire 2012 draft.
Our Chris Smith lays out some of the tools that make Fantasy Football a lot more fun.
Our Chris Smith and Bob Magaw with some nice tips on preparing for your Fantasy Draft.
Our Will Grant with insights on how to Dominate Your Draft.
Our Chris Smith on what do to after the draft is over.
Our Chris Smith on steps to improve your team after the draft.
Our Will Grant on how to best use the Waiver Wire to improve your team.
Our Will Grant on making those sometimes tough decisions on who to start and who to bench.
Our Marc Levin with how to make the final push in the playoffs.
Minnesota Vikings RB Adrian Peterson (knee) said he is not sure if he will be able to participate in practice during training camp and thinks the chances are 50-50 at this point. Peterson said he believes he can participate in some drills and even take part in some plays but will do what the coaches and trainers tell him.
Footballguys' view: Peterson is still going as high as the second or third round, but perhaps that is too optimistic. It's still hard to bet again him.
The Philadelphia Eagles agreed to a five-year, $45 million contract extension with RB LeSean McCoy Thursday, May 17, with $20.765 million of it guaranteed.
Footballguys' view: McCoy has defied the weak market for RB contract extensions (ask Ray Rice and Matt Forte). Him being only 23 years old probably had something to do with the Eagles willingness to extend McCoy's contract.
New Orleans Saints LB Jonathan Vilma is suing NFL commissioner Roger Goodell for defamation.
Footballguys' view: This suit could air some dirty laundry for both the Saints the league's actual evidence against Vilma and the rest of the team. Vilma is not going quietly, which could be an unwise decision in the long run. On the other hand, the challenge to Goodell's nearly absolute authority is in and of itself a small victory for the players, if only for the short term.
New England Patriots WR Wes Welker said contract talks with the team have gotten worse despite signing his franchise tender. Welker is further away than ever from a long-term deal. 'There have been talks, but nothing that's brightened anything at all,' Welker said. 'It's actually gotten worse.' Welker revealed that the Patriots have lowered the two-year, fully guaranteed $16 million offer that they initially proposed.
Footballguys' view: Welker has surrendered any leverage he had by signing his franchise tag contract. If he thinks he can continue to perform at a high level, he could always gamble that the team will have to franchise him again next season, which would result in a lot more than 16 million dollars over the two years.
Chicago Bears WR Earl Bennett could start at wide receiver this season if the team decides to use WR Devin Hester for a special package of plays.
Footballguys' view: Bennett had WR1 like production in PPR leagues for the three games that he and Jay Cutler played together last year and he's only 25. It's way too early to give up on him in dynasty leagues.
New York Jets OT Vladimir Ducasse has worked exclusively at right tackle during offseason workouts. He is expected to compete with OT Wayne Hunter for the starting right tackle job.
Footballguys' view: Ducasse can't be any worse than Hunter, but he hasn't looked like a promising player when he's gotten on the field so far in his short career.
San Diego Chargers head coach Norv Turner said TE Antonio Gates looks great this offseason and appears to be fully recovered from the plantar fascia injury he dealt with last season. 'Gates looks great -- he's back,' Turner said. 'Physically, he's back to where we want him to be. I think, like anybody, going through this offseason program helps you get better. (It's) the combination of conditioning, the combination of getting better in the areas you can improve, and being out there with your teammates.'
Footballguys' view: Gates is going off the board as the third or fourth tight ends at the highest, which could make him a slight value. He was among the best non-Graham/Gronkowski tight ends last year after he returned from his injury.
Philadelphia Eagles WR Jeremy Maclin said he currently weighs 205 pounds which is seven pounds heavier than he played last season.
Footballguys' view: Maclin has WR1 upside if he can stay healthy for an entire season. He is available at low WR2/high WR3 prices, so the risk/reward is making him a good pick this year.
Pittsburgh Steelers OT Marcus Gilbert is expected to stay at right tackle after the team moved OG Willie Colon to left guard. Gilbert was supposed to move to left tackle but OT Mike X. Adams is expected to take that spot.
Footballguys' view: Mike Adams will be the rookie starter at left tackle with a good camp and preseason. It might seem risky, but the Steelers have been getting by with subpar left tackle play for at least three years. Adams can only be an improvement.
Atlanta Falcons WR Roddy White said leading the NFL with 15 dropped passes last season was unacceptable and has to work on holding onto the ball when thrown the ball. White believes of other parts of his game are fine and that he played well last season.
Footballguys' view: White has always had his share of concentration drops, but it hasn't hurt his net production too much. Cutting down on the drops would be an improvement, but White will remain a primary target for Matt Ryan either way.
Chicago Bears WR Brandon Marshall likely will not be suspended by the NFL for his involvement in a March incident at a nightclub if the police did not file any charges against Marshall.
Footballguys' view: It's still disturbing that trouble continues to find Marshall after he claims to have gotten a handle on his problems. It's only a matter of time before his name is in the news for the wrong reasons once again.
Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave said he is happy with the addition of WR Jerome Simpson because he is a deep threat that runs good routes.
Footballguys' view: Simpson makes the circus catch, but he's not consistent. Greg Childs and others could get to show their stuff while Simpson is suspended for the first three games of the season.
San Diego Chargers QB Philip Rivers said he will be looking to improve his ball security in 2012. 'That was obviously the thing that stood out last year,' Rivers said of the turnovers. 'It's one thing if we couldn't get a first down or convert third downs or couldn't run the ball or couldn't have any big plays. We had all of those.' Rivers threw 20 interceptions last season.
Footballguys' view: Rivers turnover issues led many to speculate that he was hiding an injury. If he has a better 2012, it will only support that theory to explain his dropoff in 2011.
The Washington Redskins announced Thursday, May 17, that they have signed fourth-round draft pick LB Keenan Robinson. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Footballguys' view: Robinson is versatile enough to play outside linebacker, but he is being groomed to play inside in the Redskins 3-4 defense.
St. Louis Rams WR Greg Salas (leg), who is coming off a serious leg injury, was able to take part in organized team activities (OTAs) Wednesday, May 16, and he did not show any ill-effects of the injury.
Footballguys' view: Salas will battle Danny Amendola and Steve Smith to get some snaps in the slot. He could also challenge rookies Brian Quick and Chris Givens in the pecking order to get time lining up outside.
Cecil Lammey, NFL Insider for ESPN Denver and senior writer for Footballguys.com, reports QB Brock Osweiler showed improved arm mechanics and footwork in Broncos rookie minicamp.
Footballguys' view: Osweiler is not a finished product but it's a good sign that he's showing improvement. He's tall, has a strong arm, and is very athletic for a player his size. Osweiler is set to be groomed as the QB of the future behind Peyton Manning for a few years.
Baltimore Ravens FS Ed Reed said during a radio interview that he is not 100 percent committed to playing this season.
Footballguys' view: We still expect to see him in the season opener on Monday Night Football vs. the Bengals.
Oakland Raiders LB Rolando McClain has been sentenced to 180 days in jail in his trial which stemmed from an incident last November when he was charged with assault, reckless endangerment, menacing and wrongful discharge of a firearm.
Footballguys' view: Travis Goethel is the backup if McClain has to miss time, but fourth-round pick Miles Burris is also a natural inside linebacker who could be an option, along with Aaron Curry for some packages. McClain's case went downhill went his co-defendant decided to take a deal and testify against him today.
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid said FS Nate Allen and SS Kurt Coleman will be the safeties that work with the first-team defense during offseason workouts.
Footballguys' view: 2011 second-round pick Jaiquawn Jarrett still has a ways to go before he overtakes Coleman.
New York Jets defensive line coach Karl Dunbar said the team plans to use more of Buddy Ryan's '46' defense next season. 'We're going to play a lot of that 46 defense,' Dunbar said. 'You get in that 46 defense, you're going to get a lot of one-on-one blocks, and when we put athletic guys on the field, bad things happen for the offense.' The '46' defense is a variation of a 4-3 front, with four down linemen and eight men in the box.
Footballguys' view: LaRon Landry's IDP fantasy stock should be boosted with this news. He is tailor made for the 46 scheme.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Thanks for reading and for letting us be a part of your Fantasy Football season. Have a great Friday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update.
Peace,
J