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Hi Folks,
Welcome to Friday. Hope you've had a great week - we're rolling here with content moving, magazine apps approving, and new Audible Podcasts sliding in as we start our super popular "Beat Writer Tour" where our Cecil Lammey and Sigmund Bloom go around the league interviewing the guys that are up close and personal with the teams every day. Always great stuff. Plus we continue the Twitter Interview series where they even let me talk a bit. And of course we've got the news and notes so let's get to it.
J
In This Episode: The 2012 Beat Writer Tour starts with a discussion about the Jaguars with Charlie Bernstein from ESPN Florida. Topics Include - can Blaine Gabbert improve this year, how concerned is the team about rookie WR Justin Blackmon, does Rashad Jennings get more of an opportunity this year, plus more!
In This Episode: The 2012 Beat Writer Tour continues with a discussion about the Saints with Mike Triplett from the New Orleans Times-Picayune. Topics Include - can Mark Ingram stay healthy and play up to his potential, does Adrian Arrington emerge in the WR corps, can Jimmy Graham get even better, plus more!
In This Episode: The 2012 Beat Writer Tour continues with a discussion about the Falcons with D. Orlando Ledbetter from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Topics Include - how much does Michael Turner see his role reduced, can Julio Jones breakout in 2012, how much does Tony Gonzalez have left in the tank, plus more!
The Twitter Interview Series continues where we try to round up the folks you need to be following on Twitter and ask them some questions. In this one, we hit up Lance Zierlein. @LanceZierlein
The Twitter Interview Series continues where we try to round up the folks you need to be following on Twitter and ask them some questions. In this one, we hit up Cecil Lammey. @cecillammey
The Twitter Interview Series continues where we try to round up the folks you need to be following on Twitter and ask them some questions. In this one, we hit up Chet Gresham @Chet_G
The Twitter Interview Series continues where we try to round up the folks you need to be following on Twitter and ask them some questions. In this one, we hit up Jim Day @Fantasytaz
The Twitter Interview Series continues where we try to round up the folks you need to be following on Twitter and ask them some questions. In this one, we even let me talk. @Joe_Bryant
Tennessee Titans WR Kenny Britt (knee) said he expects to be ready to play when the regular season begins.
Footballguys' view: Britt had a second procedure on the knee earlier this offseason and should be close to 100% by the time the season starts. Expect the Titans to limit his reps in training camp and the preseason so his knee injury is not aggravated.
Atlanta Falcons RB Michael Turner has either led the NFL or ranked second in rushing attempts in three of his four seasons with the team; however, he is expected to lose carries in 2012 as the team plans to use a committee approach at the running back position.
Footballguys' view: Turner is unlikely to reach 300 carries again this season, and it will impact his fantasy value. Word is the Falcons plan on using a 70/30 split between Turner and second-year RB Jacquizz Rodgers. Fullback Jason Snelling will also get some rushes and receptions out of the backfield in 2012.
Miami Dolphins RB Reggie Bush will likely return to more of a hybrid role in 2012, where he catches more passes out of the backfield and takes less punishment. 'This offense is perfect for guys like me,' said Bush, who averaged 14.4 carries last season but fewer than three receptions per game. 'It gives us a chance to use our speed and kind of wear down the defense and have them chase us around all day. I think I will be pretty balanced. Hearing them talk, they want to run the ball just as much as they want to throw the ball.'
Footballguys' view: The Dolphins would like second-year RB Daniel Thomas to emerge in the backfield. Coming out of Kansas State he reminded many scouts of Bears RB Michael Bush. Thomas saw his rookie season marred by injuries and inconsistencies. If he can't get the job done this year then we'll see rookie Lamar Miller get an opportunity to show what he can do.
Updating previous items, Minnesota Vikings RB Adrian Peterson (knee) said there is still much work to be done before he is 100 percent recovered from reconstructive surgery on his left knee. 'I know my body overall, and I know I'm just not there yet,' Peterson said. 'It's not terrible, but I'm not to where I know I need to be.'
Footballguys' view: It's great to know that Peterson is on track to return at the beginning of the regular season. We expect the Vikings to limit his touches in training camp and the preseason so his knee injury is not aggravated.
Minnesota Vikings WR Percy Harvin indicated on his Twitter page that he will report to training camp and will not hold out.
Footballguys' view: The Vikings were shocked by Harvin's demand for a trade but as we expected they likely made moves behind the scenes to make their superstar WR happy.
Free-agent RB Sammy Morris (Cowboys) said the New England Patriots have talked to him about the possibility of signing with the team.
Footballguys' view: Morris would add yet another veteran RB to the mix in New England. Earlier this offseason the Patriots added free agent Joseph Addai. The Pats have a jammed RB corps and adding Morris would only frustrate and confuse fantasy owners further. As it stands now Stevan Ridley is the first Patriots RB to come off the board in most fantasy drafts. His current ADP is at the end of the 8th round as RB37.
Miami Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill took reps with the first-team offense during practice Thursday, June 21.
Footballguys' view: Tannehill is the future of this team, but may begin this season as a backup. Dolphins owner Stephen Ross has publicly stated that he would prefer the rookie to begin this year on the bench. Matt Moore and David Garrard are fighting for the starting spot right now, but if they struggle the rookie could take over. We think Tannehill starts at least a handful of games this year.
Buffalo Bills WR Donald Jones said he is preparing as if he will emerge as the team's No. 2 wide receiver this upcoming season. 'I feel like I have something to prove every season, but definitely this year,' Jones said. '... In my eyes I am the No. 2 receiver. I'll conduct myself in that manner.'
Footballguys' view: David Nelson should work as the team's slot WR if Jones is the WR2 opposite Steve Johnson. Jones has good speed and is quick in and out of his breaks, but we don't see him being much of a fantasy factor in 2012. He's going undrafted in most standard 12-team leagues.
Buffalo Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick's job as the team's starting quarterback appears safe as QBs Vince Young and Tyler Thigpen have struggled in offseason practices. Young is considered the favorite for the backup role, although he and Thigpen have had timing issues in the passing game.
Footballguys' view: No question Fitzpatrick is the clear cut starter. Young and Thigpen are backup caliber QBs who will compete in training camp. WR/QB Brad Smith is likely going to be the team's third-string QB.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith has said running the ball will remain a priority in offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter's system, but it will be on a more by-committee basis. That means RBs Michael Turner, Jacquizz Rodgers and Jason Snelling are all likely to figure in for carries.
Footballguys' view: Koetter likes to spread things out on the field, and the RB corps will not be immune to the changes. Those proclaiming Rodgers as a super fantasy sleeper have to pump the brakes a bit. We're hearing the team will still favor Turner, and the touches could be split around 70/30.
Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden plans to employ a running-back-by-committee. RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis will be teamed with RBs Bernard Scott and Brian Leonard.
Footballguys' view: Green-Ellis should be the team's lead back, and should perform like a low end RB2 for fantasy owners. Scott has incredible talent, and speed to burn. However, he's yet to develop as a pro runner and may be stuck only as a change of pace back.
Tennessee Titans RB Chris Johnson said he currently weighs 200 pounds and hopes to add a few more pounds before the start of the season.
Footballguys' view: Johnson is looking to bounce back this year after finishing last season as the 16th best RB in fantasy football. With his new focus and dedication we could see him as a top 5 fantasy RB again this year.
Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter said he is not worried about TE Tony Gonzalez missing minicamp this week because he is a veteran player that will be able to pick up the scheme. 'Tony is one of the greatest tight ends to ever play the game,' Koetter said. 'We are not re-inventing football out here. ... He's seen it all and done it all. We don't need to be worried about that. He'll be fine.' Gonzalez attended a few of the offseason workouts but stayed in California for most of the offseason.
Footballguys' view: Gonzalez is one of the best to ever play the game at his position. Learning this new offense won't be difficult for the future Hall of Famer.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Mike Williams is expected to enter training camp as the favorite for the No. 2 wide receiver job.
Footballguys' view: No surprise here. Williams will start opposite free agent addition Vincent Jackson. He could really benefit from single coverage as most defensive attention will be placed elsewhere. The Bucs are going back to basics, and will feature a run heavy offense in 2012.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB LeGarrette Blount has a new way of carrying the football in hopes of reducing fumbles. Blount's new ballcarrying technique is most commonly described as 'high-and-tight.' The ball ends up buried between the forearm, the upper arm and the chest, carried a few degrees off of vertical so that it is against one of the numbers on the player's jersey. Former NFL RB Tiki Barber switched to the technique after a nine-fumble campaign in 2003 and had just nine over the next three seasons combined.
Footballguys' view: Blount needs to work on giving the football three points of pressure when he carries it. Too often Blount would carry the ball away from his body and that led to ball security issues. Blount is trying to hold off rookie Doug Martin to be the Buccaneers lead back.
It is highly unlikely that the Cleveland Browns will trade QB Colt McCoy before the starting of training camp. The club likely needs to wait until another team's quarterback suffers an injury, or a team finds it really needs a backup signal caller.
Footballguys' view: We think a team like the Packers or Cowboys should be interested in McCoy as a backup. Green Bay needs an upgrade over Graham Harrell, which McCoy would provide. Dallas could bring McCoy back to Texas and have him compete with Kyle Orton to be the backup behind Tony Romo.
St. Louis Rams QB Sam Bradford did not play with the same confidence in the pocket last season as he did during his rookie campaign, according to former NFL QB and current analyst Ron Jaworski. 'In 2011, Bradford - with very few exceptions - did not look like the same, confident pocket quarterback that I saw as a rookie,' Jaworski said. 'He was tentative in the pocket, a function of both erratic offensive line play and receivers that could not win on the outside. But I was troubled by Bradford's increasing tendency to anticipate the rush. I call that 'Cabin Fever.' And Bradford struggled with that.'
Footballguys' view: Bradford certainly lacked confidence last year in the pocket. Part of that was the poor O-Line play as Bradford got beat up a lot in 2011. Another factor was the numerous drops by those in his WR corps. Bradford couldn't trust his young targets, and had a down year because of it. We expect him to bounce back this year under new head coach Jeff Fisher.
Buffalo Bills QB Tyler Thigpen worked with the second-team offense during practice Thursday, June 21.
Footballguys' view: Thigpen is competing with free agent addition Vince Young to be the primary backup behind Ryan Fitzpatrick this year.
Buffalo Bills head coach Chan Gailey said QB Vince Young is having trouble picking up the nuances of the offense because Gailey has added things to the playbook each of the last two seasons. 'It would not have been as hard two years ago, but we are in so much more of an advanced stage now than we were two years ago. He is trying to learn what the base concepts are and how we have advanced to where we are today without the benefit of going through the baby steps,' Gailey said.
Footballguys' view: We've heard both Young is looking good and Young is struggling so far this offseason. Thigpen has a head start on Young because he has more experience in Gailey's offense. This is a battle that should last throughout training camp.
Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan will likely be relieved of his duties if the defense does not show improvement this upcoming season.
Footballguys' view: With Ryan's pirate like look we thought about changing the headline to "Ryan to Walk The Plank?"
That'll do it for today, Folks. Thanks for reading and we'll see you tomorrow with the update. Have a great Friday.
Peace,
J