| FBG Mobile Home |
Hi Folks,
Welcome to Friday. Hope you're headed toward a great weekend as this is always fun as we kick off Summer. We've got the NFL news and notes for you so let's get to it.
J
Our resident Footballguys Staff MD, Dr. Jene Bramel with a great look at navigating injuries.
The Footballguys Staffers are back again debating the topics you want to hear about this preseason.
Our Jeff Pasquino looks at the basics of Auction Leagues.
Our Heath Cummings takes a look at the production arc for running backs.
Our Will Grant with good advice for new Commissioners.
Our Jeff Tefertiller takes a look at some of the winners and losers in the AFC from a dynasty league angle.
New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin said WR Hakeem Nicks' (foot) availability for Week 1 could be in question because the estimated recovery time from his fractured foot is close to the start of the regular season.
Footballguys' view: Nicks believes he's a fast healer, but that is going to be put to the test. Doctors have also assured Coughlin that the foot injury will heal well with the proper time.
New York Giants WR Hakeem Nicks (foot) fractured the fifth metatarsal of his right foot during organized team activities Thursday, May 24, and is expected to miss around 12 weeks. He is scheduled to undergo surgery Friday, May 24, to repair the fracture.
Footballguys' view: Big trouble for the Giants here. Nicks is going to be a big question mark as this injury may keep him out until right before the start of the regular season. He's extremely talented but an injury risk as he's constantly battled lower leg injuries throughout his pro career. Rookie second-round pick Rueben Randle will get more opportunity while Nicks is out.
Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Chris Palmer said the team does not have a definite timetable on when they want to name a starting quarterback. "We've not put a time schedule on it," Palmer said. "I think [head coach Mike Munchak] will sit and talk with the offensive coaches. I think [general manager Ruston Webster] will come down and talk with the coaches, and I think we'll come to a conclusion as soon as we can." Palmer said the competition will help QBs Matt Hasselbeck and Jake Locker elevate their play.
Footballguys' view: Palmer thinks competition between the two QBs will help elevate their play in camp. We think Jake Locker will see the field at some point this year. He's their QB of the future and could take over if Hasselbeck wins the starting job then struggles.
New York Jets QB Mark Sanchez said he is a fan of new offensive coordinator Tony Sparano, particularly his approach with players. 'Coach Sparano is very matter of fact, to the point. There are no gray areas,' Sanchez said.
Footballguys' view: Sparano is going to build a creative offense in New York, and Sanchez could be the primary beneficiary. We'll see how he responds to this new system as he tries to play with more consistency and keep Tim Tebow on the bench.
St. Louis Rams QB Sam Bradford (ankle) said he is still experiencing soreness from the sprained ankle he suffered last season. 'It's getting there,' Bradford said. 'It seems to feel better every week. There's less soreness, more things I can do. I think it's definitely on the right track.'
Footballguys' view: The team will monitor Bradford closely as they need him at full strength when the season starts. They've added weapons in the passing game to help Bradford play better than he did last season.
There is hope among those in the Baltimore Ravens organization that a long-term deal with franchise free-agent RB Ray Rice can be hammered out, though it might not happen until July.
Footballguys' view: Rice is the absolute heart and soul of the Ravens. We feel a deal will get done, but Rice may have to take less than the $30MM guaranteed he's reportedly been looking for. Rice should have a new contract before the team looks to extend QB Joe Flacco.
Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler has been impressed with WR Devin Hester during offseaso workouts. Cutler said Hester is having the best camp of the team's receivers thus far.
Footballguys' view: Less could be more for Hester in 2012. The Bears could use Hester on fewer snaps but feature him on plays specifically designed to utilize his skill set. "It's just a matter of not having him play 70 plays and throw to him twice," said Bears WRs coach Darryl Drake. "Play him 15 [plays], let him touch it 13 [times.]" We think Hester's fantasy value will be limited in 2012. His ADP in most standard 12-team leagues is past round 15 at this time. He's got greater value in leagues that score return yards.
Miami Dolphins QB Matt Moore said the team will not need a go-to receiver under offensive coordinator Mike Sherman's offense because all the receivers move to different spots on every play.
Footballguys' view: We're not sure we agree with Moore here. Sherman's offense features a rotation of talent but on critical downs a QB needs someone he can consistently rely on. The Dolphins don't have a true No. 1 WR now that they traded Brandon Marshall to the Bears earlier this year.
New York Jets QB Tim Tebow saw time on special teams, protecting the punter, in addition to working as a backup quarterback, during organized team activities Thursday, May 24.
Footballguys' view: The Jets are looking to use Tebow in 15-20 snaps per game as a Wildcat QB and on special teams. He may end up replacing Mark Sanchez as the team's starter if the Jets struggle at the beginning of the year.
The Chicago Bears could possibly award QB Jay Cutler a long-term deal before disgruntled franchise free-agent RB Matt Forte. If the Bears budget at least $20 million in guarantees to one offensive back, investing in Cutler is smarter money than Forte. Cutler has two years remaining on a five-year, $50 million extension he signed in 2009.
Footballguys' view: We can't imagine that would go over too well with Forte. He's already disgruntled with the addition of RB Michael Bush in free agency, and has taken to Twitter to express his frustration.
Baltimore Ravens QB Joe Flacco understands there will be more pressure on the offense to perform in 2012, particularly with the injury to LB Terrell Suggs (Achilles') and FS Ed Reed apparently not committed to football. 'I hope it does put more pressure on us,' Flacco said. 'I feel like we need that pressure. I feel like I want that pressure on us. I feel like we need to become a better offense and we need to become somebody that goes out there and puts points on the board week in and week out and is really responsible for winning a lot of games. If it does put pressure on us, I'm all for it.'
Footballguys' view: The Ravens have added plenty of weapons around Flacco in the passing game, and now it's on him to perform at a high level consistently. The offensive pressure will also be on the shoulders of RB Ray Rice. We see Flacco as a QB2 who you can draft in the eleventh-round or later in standard 12-team leagues.
San Francisco 49ers QB Alex Smith has been impressed with the team's new additions at wide receiver: WRs Randy Moss, Mario Manningham and A.J. Jenkins. 'It's like waking up on Christmas,' Smith said. 'You have a lot of new toys out there, new presents.' Head coach Jim Harbaugh added Smith has done a good job of distributing the ball during workouts. 'Alex has really been, in the two days out here, has been spreading the ball very well,' Harbaugh said. 'He's got a lot of options. That's been evident, too, for two days.'
Footballguys' view: The 49ers have one of the deepest WR corps in the NFL. They've added the offensive weapons this offseason while keeping most of their defense intact. The pressure is now on Smith to get to the Super Bowl after coming up one game short in 2011.
New Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley is trying to teach QB Ben Roethlisberger to play more from the pocket. Roethlisberger said he is still adjusting to the new scheme. 'I know that I'm supposed to get rid of the ball, stay in the pockets and not get hits,' Roethlisberger said. 'I guess I better learn where the protections are coming from so I don't get hit.' The offense is also expected to feature the running game more. The Steelers have added fullbacks and more tight ends on the field.
Footballguys' view: Roethlisberger needs to be protected better, so the Steelers added two quality O-Linemen in the 2012 NFL Draft. Both OT Mike Adams and OG David DeCastro should help keep defenders away from Big Ben. In this Haley designed offense the timing must be quick to enable WRs to get maximum yards after the catch.
Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo does not believe the team's sense of urgency has increased despite owner and general manager Jerry Jones expressing concern that the current roster's window to contend for a title is closing. 'It's not closing,' Romo said. 'I think there's a sense of urgency every year that you play, whether it's your first year in the league or your 22nd. You never know when all that stuff is going to happen, so you just play every year as if it's an urgent day. Forget about thinking about the end of the year or two months away. You've got to get better today. Whether you're a rookie or an 11-year veteran around here, you've got to do that same approach.'
Footballguys' view: Nice perspective from Romo but we feel the window is closing. It's at least a make or break year for the QB himself. The Cowboys have added many key players to their defense and are set to make a big playoff push in 2012.
Chicago Bears WR Brandon Marshall feels he and QB Jay Cutler see the field the same type of way, which helps them during the course of a game when things break down and they are forced to wing it. 'We seem to be on the same page when we do that and that's what the great ones do,' Marshall said of his connection with his quarterback.
Footballguys' view: In their final two seasons together in Denver Cutler completed 206 passes to Marshall. Chemistry is not a problem, and we anticipate they'll pick up right where they left off. Marshall should perform like a WR1 and may finish the year as a top 5 fantasy WR. His current ADP is in the middle of the third-round, and he's usually the 7th WR off the board.
If Dallas Cowboys WR Kevin Ogletree does not emerge as the team's No. 3 wide receiver out of training camp, he may not make the final roster. He likely isn't valuable enough as a special teams player to hold down a spot.
Footballguys' view: Ogletree has a good size/speed combination but has yet to play up to his potential as a pro. He's competing with Dwayne Harris to be the team's No. 3 receiver. Harris is smaller, but much more talented and dangerous after the catch.
Cincinnati Bengals QB Andy Dalton has displayed more vocal leadership this offseason as he has become more comfortable with his role. 'Early on last year you do kind of feel things out,' Dalton said, 'but I feel like I've gotten to the point where I can be more vocal out there.'
Footballguys' view: Good sign for the second-year QB here. Last season he played with great composure as he led the Bengals to the playoffs. He's looking to be more of a leader and avoid the sophomore slump in 2012.
Miami Dolphins QB David Garrard said he is eager to prove owner Stephen Ross wrong regarding his perception that QB Matt Moore will likely be the Week 1 starting quarterback. 'That's just more fuel for me. It's somebody else I have to try and prove wrong,' Garrard said. 'The owner is the owner. He can make all of the comments that he wants. I am never going to dispute him, but I'll just let my play on the field go out and show for it.'
Footballguys' view: We like Garrard's mindset here, but he's got a long way to go after not playing in 2011. The starter is likely to be Moore or rookie Ryan Tannehill. Garrard is there for veteran depth, but we don't think he'll be under center in week 1.
Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh fully expects FS Ed Reed to play this upcoming season. 'Ed is a guy that I really trust and really care about,' Harbaugh said. 'I believe in him. There's been no indication that he's not going to play this year as far as I'm concerned.'
Footballguys' view: Reed has vacillated between sounding like he's going to retire and sounding like a guy getting ready to play again. We may not get any clarity on his intentions until right before the start of training camp.
Kansas City Chiefs DT Dontari Poe worked with the first-team defense during organized team activities Thursday, May 24.
Footballguys' view: Poe will be asked to be the Chiefs big run stuffer in the middle of the Defensive Line. He's not known to be a pass rusher but anchors well versus the run and can regularly take on two blockers.
New Orleans Saints LB Martez Wilson saw plenty of time during organized team activities Thursday, May 24, at defensive end.
Footballguys' view: Late last year Wilson made strong plays when rushing the QB. Interim head coach Joe Vitt wants to experiment and see if Wilson can be a speed rusher. Vitt commented that he likes what he's seen so far from Wilson.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Thanks for reading and we'll see you tomorrow with the update.
Peace,
J