| FBG Mobile Home |
Hi Folks,
Good Thursday to you. The NBA Playoffs may be heating up but we've got you covered with all the NFL news and notes you need so let's get to it.
J
A New York Giants spokesman said the team views WR Hakeem Nicks' (foot) timetable of being ready to go when training camp opens July 26 as overly optimistic. The team will not let him go full-speed until he's ready, and they think the most realistic time frame is three months, which would still have Nicks ready for the regular season.
Footballguys' view: The team won't endanger Nicks status for the whole season just to get him back on the field for the opener. While this could hurt Nicks early season outlook, trust the Giants judgment here. If you own Nicks, you want them to be cautious with him.
Arizona Cardinals QBs Kevin Kolb and John Skelton have been splitting reps with the first-team offense during organized team activities.
Footballguys' view: Skelton went 6-2 to Kolb's 2-6 last year and has more boldness throwing to Larry Fitzgerald, and presumably to first-round pick Michael Floyd. Kolb did play better than his record, at least early in the season, but his campaign was ended with a severe concussion. The curious angle here is trying to figure out why the Cardinals would give a seven million dollar option bonus to a player that they aren't even sure is a first-teamer.
Cleveland Browns QB Brandon Weeden received the first reps during team drills during organized team activities Wednesday, May 30. QB Colt McCoy received the reps during workouts last week.
Footballguys' view: This should be the case when camp opens too. The Browns want to maintain the appearance of a full-blown competition, but anyone other than Weeden starting vs. the Eagles in week 1 would be a major upset.
San Francisco 49ers TE Vernon Davis has been impressed with WR Randy Moss during organized team activities. Davis has seen Moss make the same kinds of jaw-dropping plays that he used to make when he was in his prime. 'Randy caught a pass the other day, I mean - man, come on,' Davis said. 'He caught a pass, there were three guys on him in practice, and he went up with two hands, and he looked like the old Randy Moss that I used to watch when I was in high school and college.'
Footballguys' view: Moss has blown minds in practice before only to show up small in game action. We'll believe it when we see it. In the meantime, he is worth an add in deep dynasty leagues just in case he carries this over to the regular season and relegates Mario Manningham to the bench.
Miami Dolphins RB Reggie Bush was absent from organized team activities Tuesday, May 29, and head coach Joe Philbin did not give a reason for the absence. 'I don't want to comment,' Philbin said. 'I will talk about anyone who was here and what they did, but I am not going to talk about guys who were not here.'
Footballguys' view: Meanwhile, Lamar Miller's speed and hands as a receiver out of the backfield are impressing. Look for a three-way committee in Miami this year.
Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton said he was a bad teammate during his rookie season. 'I was very immature,' Newton said after losses. 'I'll be the first one to tell you, the pouting and the moping, I kind of overdid it. I know that. I was a bad teammate. I shut off to some people who gave unbelievable effort ... That's where I have to mature.' His teammates, however, feel Newton just has to trust them more. 'Cam was angry because he thought he could and should make every play,' WR Steve Smith said. 'He has to realize you can't do it all yourself. It's like when someone drops a touchdown pass at the end of a close game. You can say that play cost the team a chance to win the game, but it didn't cause the team to lose.'
Footballguys' view: If 2011 is what Newton does as a bad teammate who needs to grow up a little bit, we can't wait to see what he does with a little perspective and growth this offseason.
New York Giants WR Domenik Hixon worked with the first-team offense during organized team activities Wednesday, May 30, in place of injured WR Hakeem Nicks (foot).
Footballguys' view: Hixon is coming back from a second ACL tear and wants to repay the organization for sticking with him. Fourth-year pro Ramses Barden and 2012 second-round pick Rueben Randle are Hixon's main competition while Nicks is out.
Cincinnati Bengals WRs Armon Binns and Brandon Tate are competing for the No. 2 wide receiver job during organized team activities and offensive coordinator Jay Gruden said the competition is very close at this point.
Footballguys' view: Tate is faster, but Binns is a big possession receiver who started impressing the team last year as a practice squad receiver. 2012 draft picks Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones could also figure into this position battle this summer before it sorts itself out.
Cleveland Browns RB Trent Richardson opened organized team activities Wednesday, May 30, working with the first-team offense.
Footballguys' view: No shock here. The question now is how high to take Richardson. He's currently a third-round pick, but could creep into the second if concerns about Brandon Jackson taking passing down snaps don't hurt his stock.
The Jacksonville Jaguars feel RB Maurice Jones-Drew isn't nearly as explosive as he used to be, according to team sources, and that is why in part the team will not renegotiate his current deal. Jones-Drew also has a lot of mileage on his smallish frame.
Footballguys' view: This trend of teams floating negative information about running backs to undercut their public bargaining position is disturbing. It's beginning to seem like teams will just use up running backs while they are playing under their cheap rookie contracts, and then move on to younger backs when it is time to reward the veterans for their success.
Updating a previous report, the Green Bay Packers and free-agent WR Donald Driver (Packers) agreed to terms Tuesday, May 29, according to the player's agent. 'We have agreed to terms with the Packers but need to review it tomorrow to finalize,' agent Jordan Woy said via e-mail. Terms of the deal were undisclosed.
Footballguys' view: This probably means that Tori Gurley will spend another year on the practice squad and Randall Cobb's coming-out party will be delayed.
Washington Redskins TE Chris Cooley (knee) said he is slower than he was in the past but believes he can gain some of his speed back by strengthening and rehabbing his surgically repaired knee. Cooley's roster spot may be in jeopardy if his speed does not return.
Footballguys' view: Players usually inflate their abilities coming back from injuries. This is a terrible sign for Cooley.
Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameron said he has been impressed with WR Tandon Doss this offseason. Cameron said Doss has made every catch thrown to him.
Footballguys' view: Doss was also outperforming Torrey Smith at one point in camp last year, so we'll take this with a grain of salt until Doss is doing it consistently enough to challenge Jacoby Jones for the number three wide receiver spot.
Cleveland Browns WR Greg Little said he has dropped 11 pounds this offseason and believes he is quicker because of the lost weight.
Footballguys' view: If some of that weight was lost turning his hands from stone into flesh, this is a good development. It's a sign Little has worked hard in the offseason and an indication that he'll be more dangerous after the catch this year. He's a terrific high upside bench wide receiver to target after you grab your top options.
Washington Redskins WR Santana Moss has shown the ability to get separation on short and intermediate routes during organized team activities this offseason. He has also shown good quick-burst movements during practice.
Footballguys' view: Leonard Hankerson and Josh Morgan were assumed to be the combatants for the number two wide receiver job opposite Pierre Garcon, but if Moss really is looking like his pre-2011 self, it will be hard to get him on the field. Steve Smith, one of the closest comparisons for Moss, had a career resurgence with a rookie quarterback last year, and Moss could follow.
Kansas City Chiefs QBs Brady Quinn and Ricky Stanzi have been alternating reps as the No. 2 quarterback during organized team activities. Head coach Romeo Crennel indicated Quinn is ahead of Stanzi at this point.
Footballguys' view: Quinn is the safe play, Stanzi the big armed youngster who is still raw. If Stanzi can beat out Quinn, it's an indication that he is coming along well in his first full offseason, or that Quinn's robotic game is just not appealing to Romeo Crennel.
Kansas City Chiefs WR Jonathan Baldwin has been performing well during organized team activities and could become the team's go-to receiver when he faces single coverage since he is 6-foot-4 and could win most of the jump balls thrown to him.
Footballguys' view: Baldwin will still have to share with Dwayne Bowe and Steve Breaston in an offense that also promises to be run-heavy with the return of Jamaal Charles and signing of Peyton Hillis. Baldwin could have a mini-breakout, but his redraft prospects are still limited this year.
Minnesota Vikings WR Percy Harvin (shoulder) hasn't participated in drills yet during organized team activities because of minor shoulder surgery last month to clean out bone spurs. Harvin isn't expected to miss much time, however.
Footballguys' view: We wouldn't worry about this at all. Harvin was a WR1 for the second half of 2011 once the Vikings started to use him as a downfield receiver. He is a value in the fourth round or later in PPR leagues.
Pittsburgh Steelers restricted free-agent WR Mike Wallace is growing frustrated over a lack of progress in contract talks. 'There is a lot of frustration with Mike right now,' CB Ike Taylor said. 'He wants to be here. But at the same time, he wants his paper. Mike feels like he outperformed his last contract.'
Footballguys' view: Wallace is correct, but he's also probably asking for more than the Steelers are willing to give. The team has no incentive to overpay him with Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown also going into restricted free agency next year.
San Diego Chargers second-year WR Vincent Brown consistently stood out during the team's workouts Tuesday, May 29. He had a one-handed grab downfield and looked as good as one can for wearing shorts and a shell at this time of the year.
Footballguys' view: Brown will be the number three receiver this year, but with Malcom Floyd's injury history, he could easily start at any point in the season. Robert Meachem is also no lock to live up to his big free agent contract. Brown is a great late-round stash in redraft leagues.
Buffalo Bills DL Mario Williams lined up at left defensive end during organized team activities Tuesday, May 29.
Footballguys' view: That would match Williams up with right tackles, who are usually the inferior pass blocker on an offensive line. He should be primed for a return to the top 10 fantasy defensive ends in IDP leagues.
Miami Dolphins CB Richard Marshall (undisclosed) suffered an undisclosed injury during organized team activities Tuesday, May 29. It appeared like Marshall suffered either a left hamstring or groin injury. The severity of the injury is not known at this point.
Footballguys' view: Marshall was an underrated free agent pickup who can play safety and corner. With the Dolphins installing a new defense, any missed time will hurt.
Atlanta Falcons LB Lofa Tatupu worked with the first-team defense at middle linebacker during organized team activities Tuesday, May 29.
Footballguys' view: 2011 third-round pick Akeem Dent would be the other main candidate to take over the spot. We look forward to seeing Tatupu gained any of his burst back after sitting out the 2011 season.
New York Giants DL Justin Tuck has gone to bat for DL Osi Umenyiora by saying he feels the team should award Umenyiora a new contract. 'It's hard,' Tuck said. 'He's signed a contract and I believe in abiding by that contract, but also I think he's outplayed that contract in today's market. And how some of these defensive ends are getting paid lots of money, I think he deserves to get paid.' Umenyiora is unhappy with his current contract. He is set to make just under $4 million in the final season of the seven-year, $41-million contract he signed in 2005.
Footballguys' view: The Giants have done a great job managing Umenyiora and his contract issues over the years, but they haven't had to handle with teammates publicly questioning the way they go about dealing with the defensive end. The most surprising angle here is that Tuck could be advocating for the Giants to spend money they have earmarked to give him a new contract after his expires in 2014.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Thanks for reading and I hope you have a great Thursday. We'll see you tomorrow with the update.
Peace,
J