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Hi Folks,
Good Saturday to you. Hope you've got a fun weekend on tap. We've got the news and notes you need plus a ton more Team Reports so let's get to it.
J
You know by now about our Footballguys Team Reports. They're some of the best and most detailed info and analysis you'll find on teams anywhere. In this one we hit Houston.
In this Team Report we hit Tennessee.
In this Team Report we hit Jacksonville.
In this Team Report we hit Indianapolis.
In this Team Report we hit Denver.
In this Team Report we hit San Diego.
In this Team Report we hit Oakland.
In this Team Report we hit Kansas City.
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Munchak said WR Kenny Britt (knee) is making good progress in his rehab from arthroscopic knee surgery and should start running again.
Footballguys' view: Britt's second procedure on his knee was considered minor so it's not a surprise that he's already close to running again. The team will be cautious with Britt up to and during training camp so he doesn't aggravate his knee injury.
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Munchak said RB Chris Johnson has added eight to 10 pounds since last offseason and has looked good during organized team activities.
Footballguys' view: Instead of working out on his own in Orlando (and making horrible rap singles) Johnson is instead in Tennessee with his teammates during OTAs. All the reports about him have been positive this offseason as he looks to bounce back from a disappointing 2011. He finished last year as the 16th best RB in fantasy football, but we think he cracks the top 10 once again this year.
Tennessee Titans QB Matt Hasselbeck said he and QB Jake Locker have been splitting reps during organized team activities this offseason. Head coach Mike Munchak said he would like both quarterbacks to work with all groups and have close to a 50-50 split in terms of reps.
Footballguys' view: This is Jake Locker's job eventually. Hasselbeck is a savvy veteran, and may win the starting job to open up the season. However, this team's future at QB is already on the roster. There will come a time when the Titans decide to see what he's got. He looked really good last year as a rookie in relief of an injured Hasselbeck in weeks 11, 14, and 15.
The Denver Broncos have been monitoring how many passes QB Peyton Manning (neck) has been throwing during organized team activities because they do not want him to get overworked. Manning and trainer Steve Antonopulos have come up with a program for Manning's workload during workouts. Offensive coordinator Mike McCoy said Manning has not been limited in what kind of throws he can make.
Footballguys' view: Our very own Cecil Lammey was in attendance for Broncos OTAs and so far his reports have been very positive about Manning. The future Hall of Fame QB hasn't taken a lot of shots downfield in practice, but when he does the ball travels well and is accurate. Lammey also reports there have been no signs of arm fatigue from Manning. If the Broncos want to contend for a Super Bowl then they'll need Manning at full strength.
Ben Shpigel, from the NY Times, reports Jets RB Shonn Greene is expecting more carries in 2012 despite the presence of running QB Tim Tebow. "We're not going to disappoint you," Coach Rex Ryan said. "We're going to give the ball to Shonn Greene a bunch."
Footballguys' view: Greene has been disappointing during his pro career and we don't think that will change this year. Tebow will take away many rushing opportunities in the red zone, and Greene comes off the field in obvious passing situations. We see Greene as a low end RB2. His current ADP is at the end of the fifth-round.
Bob Baum, from the Associated Press, reports Cardinals second-year RB Ryan Williams hopes to begin practicing next week. Williams is rehabbing from the knee injury that caused him to miss his entire rookie season in 2011.
Footballguys' view: Fantasy owners need to remember his name. Beanie Wells is recovering from offseason knee surgery and his timetable to return is unknown at this time. Williams will have the opportunity to show what he can do as a pro while Wells is out. He's incredibly talented and could take over as the lead back for the Cardinals in 2012.
Bob Baum, from the Associated Press, reports that it's uncertain how long RB Beanie Wells will be out as he rehabs from recent knee surgery. Wells experienced soreness in his knee all last season and decided to have surgery this offseason.
Footballguys' view: Wells has been coy when answering questions about the surgery. His agent swears that it wasn't microfracture surgery and was merely 'a clean-out procedure.' This news makes Ryan Williams an interesting addition you can get for your fantasy team in the late ninth- or early tenth-round.
Mark Kaboly, from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, reports Steelers rookie RB Chris Rainey is going to be featured in multiple formations according to OC Todd Haley. "It might be third down, it might be by package, you might see him as a receiver or as a running back, but you'll see him do a little bit of everything," Haley said.
Footballguys' view: Rainey is crazy fast. He can get to top speed in a hurry and doesn't lose much speed when changing direction. Rainey could be featured in the same way Dexter McCluster was used when Haley was with the Chiefs. With Rashard Mendenhall coming back from a knee injury we may see multiple Steelers RBs to pick up the slack.
Adam Caplan, from The Sideline View, reports Rams rookie RB Isaiah Pead should be the primary backup behind Steven Jackson this year.
Footballguys' view: Pead is an interesting dynasty prospect to keep an eye on. Jackson has two years left on his contract and isn't getting any younger. Pead could be in line to start for the team if he proves himself as more than just a change of pace back. He's a very versatile player who shined at the Senior Bowl because of his running and receiving ability.
San Diego Chargers head coach Norv Turner said RB Ryan Mathews appears to be the frontrunner for the third-down running back role entering training camp. RB Curtis Brinkley and FB Le'Ron McClain could also be options for the role.
Footballguys' view: Just another sign that Mathews is in for a bigger role in 2012. If he can stay healthy it wouldn't surprise us to see him finish as a top 5 fantasy RB this year.
New York Giants RB Andre Brown has won the appeal of his four-game suspension. Brown was originally suspended by the NFL for violating the performance-enhancing substance policy.
Footballguys' view: Brown tested positive for Adderall, but he's been using that since he came into the league in 2009. Injuries have prevented him from playing up to his potential, so Brown added about 15 pounds this offseason in order to give the Giants a big back. He's up to around 240 pounds and will compete for playing time behind Ahmad Bradshaw with guys like D.J. Ware, Da'Rel Scott, and first-round pick David Wilson.
New York Jets WR Jordan White (foot) will be out until training camp because a fractured bone in his left foot.
Footballguys' view: White was injured during the first OTA workout and underwent surgery two days later. He's a long shot to make the roster, but could find a home on the team's practice squad.
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Romeo Crennel said WR Jonathan Baldwin (undisclosed) was not at organized team activities Friday, June 1, because of a medical issue. Crennel did not specify the issue but it may have something to do with recent migraine problems.
Footballguys' view: By all accounts Baldwin has looked excellent in OTAs as he fills in on the first-team while Dwayne Bowe misses camp. Several players have played with (and through) migraines in the NFL, so this shouldn't be much of a gameday issue for the young WR.
Buffalo Bills quarterbacks coach David Lee said WR Brad Smith has attended the quarterback meetings this offseason.
Footballguys' view: Smith played QB in college and has been working as the fourth-string guy. His versatility is coveted by Chan Gailey and we could see him work as a WR and a Wildcat QB in 2012.
Rich Cimini, from ESPN New York, reports Jets rookie WR Stephen Hill has consistently shown the ability to beat the jam at the line of scrimmage in OTAs.
Footballguys' view: Hill is big and fast and plays a lot like his former college teammate, Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas. He's not quite as big or physical as Thomas but he's very gifted in ball tracking abililty downfield and is a big play threat because of his long speed. Hill is the perfect WR for both QB Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow. He's got my ball mentality and is aggressive when going after passes.
Michael Gehlken, from the San Diego Union Tribune, reports the Chargers have no immediate plans to add more RBs to the roster. According to a team source they are currently focused on analyzing the RBs already in place.
Footballguys' view: More news about the Chargers RB corps here and more evidence that Ryan Mathews could be their true workhorse. They let FB Mike Tolbert go in free agency which opens the door for Mathews to get more touches. He finished last year as the 7th best RB in fantasy football and could crack the top 5 in 2012.
Adam Caplan, from The Sideline View, reports Rams rookie WR Chris Givens has the speed to make an impact for the team. Since the team's WR corps is not settled Given may get a chance to contribute quicker than some think.
Footballguys' view: The former track star is an explosive playmaker with the speed, quickness, and elusiveness to be very dangerous in the open field. Givens runs crisp routes and has the strength to beat press coverage at the line of scrimmage. His hands are inconsistent and he needs to do a better job of catching passes away from his body.
Adam Caplan, from The Sideline View, reports Rams rookie WR Brian Quick is going to get an opportunity to contribute right away this year. However, some question whether or not the rookie is ready to make the jump in level of competition from Appalachian State to the NFL.
Footballguys' view: Our staff in attendance for the Senior Bowl earlier this year came away unimpressed as Quick struggled playing against the best Senior CBs in the nation. Quick is a big WR with good speed, but the former basketball player lacks my ball mentality and doesn't do a good job of boxing out defenders. We'll see if he can quickly develop his raw tools and become the WR1 the Rams envisioned when they selected him in the second-round of the Draft.
New York Giants DE Osi Umenyiora has agreed to a restructured contract. Terms of the contract were not disclosed. Umenyiora was owed $3.9MM in the final year of his old contract.
Footballguys' view: Even though we don't know the financial terms we imagine Umenyiora has got to be happy with this transaction. He can get back to football and should report for OTAs on Monday.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Thanks for reading and we'll see you tomorrow with the update.
Peace,
J