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Hi Folks,
Welcome to Friday. Hope you're keeping a little bit cooler than the 106 we had in Las Vegas today. I'm here for the USA Today Publisher's Summit that we're a part of. The rough part is I know that many parts of the country are just as hot or hotter. Hang in there.
We've got lots of new content for you including new Detailed Stat Projections and Expert Rankings plus the news and notes you need so let's get to it.
J
We've gone through the entire player database and updated projections again. We'll continue to do this throughout the summer to make sure you have the very best data possible. Enjoy.
Our Footballguys Staffers have updated their rankings as well to make sure you have the latest info possible.
One of the most important questions we can ask each year is "What's changed?". And one of the biggest changes we see is with coaches. Our Jason Wood has a rundown of everything you need to know there.
Our John Norton with a must read article as he breaks down the defenses.
Our Matt Waldman continues his "Insanity" series. In this one he asks if TE Coby Fleener will drive you crazy this season.
Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman said the team hopes RB Adrian Peterson (knee) will be ready for the start of the regular season but will not rush his recovery to make it happen.
Footballguys' view: Peterson could begin training camp on the PUP list, but even if he's cleared we don't think the Vikings will push him too hard. In fact, we think Toby Gerhart may be the team's primary ball carrier for the first few weeks of the season as they bring Peterson back slowly. This knee injury has pushed Peterson down the board to be an early second-round pick in most fantasy leagues.
New England Patriots QB Tom Brady said he was more involved in offseason workouts this year as opposed to previous years because he needed to make every day count with the decrease in the number of workouts allowed during an offseason.
Footballguys' view: Brady is one of the best in the league, and has been known as a strong leader since they day he turned pro. The decreased number of workouts could show through in teams that don't prepare properly early in the season. We know the Patriots will not be one of those teams.
Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers was present for most of the offseason workouts this season and head coach Mike McCarthy said he is not sure if Rodgers missed any workouts.
Footballguys' view: No surprise here. The failure to defend their Super Bowl title last year left a bad taste with the team. The playoff loss to the Giants could be their rallying cry as they try to get back to the Super Bowl in 2012.
Houston Texans QB Matt Schaub said he is completely recovered from the Lisfranc injury he suffered last season and is working out in preparation for the start of training camp.
Footballguys' view: Great news for the Texans here. Houston made a playoff push in 2011, even after Schaub went down with this foot injury. So long as he is healthy the team has to be considered a strong Super Bowl contender.
Chicago Bears LB Brian Urlacher said he does not believe a holdout would hurt franchise free-agent RB Matt Forte's production once Forte returns to the field. 'That's not going to be an issue for him. Whether he misses training camp or not he keeps himself in great shape, he's one of the (best) conditioned guys on our team,' Urlacher said. 'He takes care of his body. He'll (report) in great shape. Whenever he gets there, he'll be ready to play football.'
Footballguys' view: That's a nice sentiment to have for your teammate, but the truth remains that holdouts hurt RBs when they return. There's a big difference between showing up in shape and being in "football shape."
Denver Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas said he will have to improve on his running of all of the routes with QB Peyton Manning taking over as the starting quarterback. Thomas said he did not have to run all of the routes in his first few seasons in the NFL.
Footballguys' view: Thomas was a limited route runner in college at Georgia Tech where he was utilized primarily on "9" routes and screen passes. He's looked phenomenal working with Peyton Manning this offseason and could be the Broncos go-to target in 2012. Thomas isn't quite as gifted as Calvin Johnson or Andre Johnson, but if he stays healthy he could finish the season as a top 10 fantasy WR.
The San Francisco 49ers may consider keeping only two tight ends on their final roster if DL Demarcus Dobbs shows the ability to be a blocking tight end in addition to being a defensive lineman.
Footballguys' view: Vernon Davis is the clear cut No. 1 TE, and Delanie Walker should be his top backup once again this year.
The Tennessee Titans have not started contract extension talks with TE Jared Cook even though he is entering the final year of his contract. Cook said he would like to stay with the team but is not sure what his future will look like at this point. The team could place the franchise tag on him next offseason if they do on agree to an extension before free agency.
Footballguys' view: Cook has incredible physical talent, but has yet to play up to his potential. If he plays with more consistency this year the Titans would have no hesitation signing him to a good long-term deal.
New England Patriots WRs Donte' Stallworth and Deion Branch may have to compete for one roster spot during training camp if the team decides to keep six wide receivers on the roster.
Footballguys' view: We'd give the edge to Branch here because of his experience in the offense. Free agent addition Brandon Lloyd should be the team's leading WR. In fact, Lloyd could finish as a top 10 fantasy WR in 2012.
Indianapolis Colts QB Andrew Luck said he is confident a deal will get done before training camp opens. However, in the meantime, Luck continues to focus on learning the team's playbook. 'I focus on football, especially having missed so much (practice) time because of school,' said Luck. 'I didn't want very many distractions to make sure I catch up in terms of time with everybody else. My agent (Will Wilson) will handle (negotiations).'
Footballguys' view: The days of rookie holdouts are a thing of the past. With the rookie wage scale it prevents rookies from holding out for more money. We think Luck is signed before training camp.
The Oakland Raiders continue to show interest in free-agent RB Cedric Benson (Bengals); however a signing is not imminent. The Raiders have salary cap and money issues and still have two draft picks left to sign. So, the team may have to do some maneuvering to sign Benson, and that could take time.
Footballguys' view: The Raiders are looking for depth at the backup RB position behind Darren McFadden. They traded for Mike Goodson earlier this year, and he would be the main competition for Benson. Second-year RB Taiwan Jones is seen as a change of pace back, and his role would not change that much if McFadden were to get hurt.
Retired NFL QB Brett Favre said Wednesday, June 27, that Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo closest resembles his style of play. 'Romo is probably more like me than any of those guys,' Favre said. 'I think way too much is cast upon him, good or bad. It's Dallas, and much is expected. He's carried those guys. I watched him last year. And I like Tony. I like the way he plays. I think at times he's underrated.'
Footballguys' view: Romo can make improvisational plays just like Favre used to do in his heyday. While he's not quite the gunslinger that Favre was, Romo is not afraid to throw into coverage and believes that he can make tight throws.
Chicago Bears LB Brian Urlacher said it will be important to him to earn a place in the Hall of Fame. Urlacher, who is still chasing a Super Bowl ring, wants to play two or three more seasons. 'It is (important to be a Hall of Famer),' Urlacher said. 'It's where you want to be. As a player you want to be the best at your position. I probably won't be the best ever because there are so many good middle linebackers, but I'd like to be right there at the top somewhere. I'd like to do some more things in my career and there are still some things I'd like to accomplish. It's debatable. The people who vote on that are media, right? As long as you don't upset them you should be okay.'
Footballguys' view: Get his jacket size right now. There's no question that Urlacher will go down as a Hall of Fame player.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Thanks for reading and for letting us be a part of your Fantasy Football season. We'll see you tomorrow with the update.
Peace,
J