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Hi Folks,
Welcome to Friday. Seems like it's been a wild week but we're just getting started for you as we head into the weekend. We have some great new content for you again today and remember to check out the Footballguys Interactive Magazine. Plus we've got the news and notes you need so let's get to it.
J
The Footballguys Interactive Magazine is finally ready for download. Check out the details in the title link. For $4.99 you get the one magazine you need this summer to dominate your draft. Plus you can upgrade from the Magazine to the full Footballguys Insider Subscription and receive a credit of $4.99 toward the price of a 2012 Insider Subscription.
Our John Norton brings the Individual Defensive Player (IDP) heat as he digs deep into each team. In this one, he looks at the AFC North.
Our John Norton brings the Individual Defensive Player (IDP) knowledge home as he breaks down each team. In this one, he looks deep into the NFC North.
Our Jene Bramel has another rookie profile as he takes a detailed look at LB Sean Spence.
Our Matt Bitonti with another rookie profile. In this one he looks at OL Cordy Glenn.
Our Matt Bitonti with another rookie profile. In this one he looks at DL Jared Crick.
Cleveland Browns general manager Tom Heckert said the team believes WR Josh Gordon has the ability to become a No. 1 wide receiver in the NFL. Gordon is expected to compete for the starting wide receiver job opposite Greg Little during training camp.
Footballguys' view: It's a big leap to consider Gordon that kind of talent based on raw potential. He didn't put up big stats at Baylor and faded against tougher competition. We'll see if he can play up to his potential now that he's in the pros. Gordon is big, has build up speed, and natural ball skills. However, he lacks discipline as a route runner and lacks elite body control.
San Francisco 49ers RB Brandon Jacobs said WR Randy Moss is motivated to prove people wrong this upcoming season. Moss received great reviews during offseason workouts. 'His motivation level is high,' Jacobs said. 'I think Moss has a chip on his shoulder. I've spoken to him a lot, and he starts off everything with, 'Just wait.' He's got a chip on his shoulder, he's ready to go out there and show everybody that he can play still.'
Footballguys' view: Moss has reportedly been their best WR this offseason and could be a huge value in fantasy leagues if he plays up to his potential. Right now he's coming off the board at WR35 near the mid 8th round in most fantasy drafts.
Cleveland Browns general manager Tom Heckert said the team planned on using their second-round draft choice on WR Josh Gordon no matter where they were slotted during the NFL supplemental draft. The Browns was the second team to choose in each round based on a lottery.
Footballguys' view: Some speculated the Browns chose Gordon in the second-round because they were behind the Buffalo Bills in the draft order. The Bills had interest in Gordon and may have taken him at the top of the third-round.
New York Giants TE Bear Pascoe is expected to enter training camp as the starting tight end and could be used more in the offense if TE Martellus Bennett is not comfortable with the offensive system when the season starts.
Footballguys' view: This move makes sense for the Giants. Pascoe isn't as talented athletically as Bennett, but has more experience in the offense. Bennett never played up to his potential with the Cowboys but is hoping to do so with his second team.
San Francisco 49ers RB Brandon Jacobs said he did not re-sign with the New York Giants because he was offered more money by the 49ers. Jacobs said he and the Giants were a couple hundred of thousand dollars apart in contract talks.
Footballguys' view: Jacobs moved on to the 49ers in free agency where he'll play as a complementary RB behind starter Frank Gore. He may get some short yardage and goalline touches, but may not be much of a fantasy factor in 2012.
New Orleans Saints franchise free-agent QB Drew Brees is optimistic he will sign a long-term deal by the July 16 deadline. 'I'm an eternal optimist, so I'm still very confident a deal will get done by Monday,' Brees said. 'I think I've been around this league long enough to understand how this works at times. In a lot of cases, it does go down to the wire, and you need a stopping point in order to bring everyone together and make sure it can get done. That stopping point is Monday, so let's hope we get something done by then.'
Footballguys' view: The two sides may seem far apart right now, but we have to think a new deal gets done before the deadline. Expect them to work feverishly over the weekend to make it happen.
Miami Dolphins WR Chad Ochocinco looked good in offseason workouts, making a few acrobatic catches. However, the key is how quickly he will be able to learn the offense after having just four and a half weeks to study, all the while getting married and having a reality television show at the same time. One longtime NFL general manager had good and bad words on Ochocinco. 'His best asset is his ability to get separation on routes,' the anonymous GM said. 'But you want a disciplined receiver to be in the right spots, and that's not what this guy is. I would not have touched him. His personality issues are not going to change. I don't know if he's ever going to get it.'
Footballguys' view: Mike Sherman's offense is based off timing and being in sync with the QB. Ochocinco had trouble picking up the Patriots complex offense, so we're in a 'wait and see' mode with the veteran WR. He's arguably their most talented WR on the roster, but we like him best as a WR5 in fantasy terms to mitigate your risk.
Philadelphia Eagles RB Bryce Brown is expected to receive significant snaps behind RBs LeSean McCoy and Dion Lewis during training camp.
Footballguys' view: Brown and undrafted free agent Chris Polk should get plenty of touches in camp. Brown was one of the best high school RBs when he entered college and flashed some ability during the 2009 season with the Tennessee Volunteers. He transferred to Kansas State and did not produce in 2012. If he can rekindle that original ability then the Eagles got tremendous value in the seventh-round. Polk went undrafted because of chronic shoulder problems but was arguably the best receiving back in this draft class.
Miami Dolphins WR Chad Ochocinco might still have a burst of speed at age 34; however, he lacks discipline at the receiver position, according to one longtime general manager. 'His best asset is his ability to get separation on routes,' the general manager said. 'But you want a disciplined receiver to be in the right spots, and that's not what this guy is. I would not have touched him. His personality issues are not going to change. I don't know if he's ever going to get it.'
Footballguys' view: Even a casual NFL fan would be able to tell you that Ochocinco was not disciplined. It seemed like QB Tom Brady went out of his way several times to help Ochocinco learn the offense in New England and it just didn't work. Ochocinco is now trying to learn a complicated Mike Sherman offense in Miami.
Arizona Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald has been pushing WR Michael Floyd to get his offseason training regimen into gear. Fitzgerald scolded Floyd via Twitter for skipping workouts; however, Floyd appeared to have received the message as he has resumed workouts this week.
Footballguys' view: Fitzgerald is more than excited to have a player like Floyd lining up on the opposite side of the field. The veteran WR wants the rookie to play up to his potential, and that's why Fitzgerald publicly scolded Floyd when he missed the first few workouts. Fitzgerald's grueling camp has been known to kick start career seasons for WRs around the league.
Dallas Cowboys RB DeMarco Murray (ankle) reiterated Wednesday, July 11, in a chat that he is healthy and he does not expected to be limited in training camp. 'The ankle is doing great,' Murray said. 'I'll be able to do whatever the coaches want me to do.'
Footballguys' view: Having Murray at full strength is a huge bonus for the Cowboys. He's proven he can be a threat to score from anywhere on the field, and can also be a workhorse runner between the tackles. We like Murray as a low end RB1 you can add in the early second-round.
Cleveland Browns general manager Tom Heckert said he has not talked with the agents for RB Trent Richardson and QB Brandon Weeden lately but is confident deals can be done with both before the start of training camp.
Footballguys' view: The days of the rookie holdout are long gone. We believe both Richardson and Weeden will be in camp right from the start.
Philadelphia Eagles QB Trent Edwards may have trouble getting significant snaps during training camp since there will only be one full practice a week during camp.
Footballguys' view: Edwards may not make the final roster as we don't expect the Eagles to carry four QBs. He's competing with Mike Kafka to be the primary backup behind Michael Vick. Kafka is expected to win the job, making Edwards expendable. Rookie Nick Foles is likely going to be their third-string developmental QB this year.
Carson-Newman LB Larry Lumpkin posted times of 4.69 and 4.72 seconds in the 40-yard dash during his workout Wednesday, July 11, in front of a handful of NFL teams, according to a league source. The running surface at Lumpkin's high school in Alabama was muddy due to recent storms, per a source. Lumpkin also recorded 27 reps in the 225-pound bench press.
Footballguys' view: Lumpkin was a tackling machine at Carson-Newman, and teams like the Broncos are interested in him. However, there are some off field concerns about work ethic dating back to his days at Alabama A&M.
Philadelphia Eagles QB Michael Vick said there is so much optimism surrounding the team that he cannot wait to begin the 2012 season. 'Usually I don't want to go to camp,' Vick said. 'That part I will admit. But this year, I feel like we're going to have fun with it. We're going to really enjoy it and make the most out of it. I'm excited. Like I said, I have never been this excited for a season.'
Footballguys' view: The full offseason of workouts will help Vick incredibly and we expect to see a difference on the field this year. If he stays healthy Vick could perform like a top 5 fantasy QB.
Former NFL WR Jerry Rice is a fan of Atlanta Falcons WR Julio Jones and believes Jones will have a breakout campaign in 2012. 'I love this kid,' Rice said. 'He's awesome. He's big, he's fast ... I think he's gonna have a breakout season this coming year.'
Footballguys' view: We're a fan of Julio Jones too. In the Falcons new offense a breakout season for Jones is likely. OC Dirk Koetter likes to spread the ball around in the passing game, and this could lead to reduced numbers for Roddy White.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith knows that playoff success will ultimately define his tenure with the team. In four seasons under Smith, the Falcons are 43-21, but are 0-3 in the postseason. 'I think ultimately we are both going to be judged on success in the postseason,' Smith said. 'There have been a lot of teams and a lot of players that have broken through and gotten that first win. That's why we are doing everything in our power to figure out how to get that done.'
Footballguys' view: Not only is Smith judged by the playoffs, but QB Matt Ryan is too. The Falcons need to win in the postseason before they can be considered true Super Bowl contenders. They're a talented team, but have fallen short of expectations in recent years.
Green Bay Packers WR Donald Driver said he expects to play two more seasons in the NFL. 'I'm going to play two more years, this one, then next year, then I'm completely done,' Driver said. '(I'm) gonna put my cleats on the shelf and do something different.'
Footballguys' view: Driver may want to play two more years, but he's unlikely to be an impact player anymore. He should get passed on the depth chart by guys like James Jones and Randall Cobb this year.
Minnesota Vikings WR Percy Harvin has dropped his trade demand, and intends to report to minicamp and play the regular season. However, he has made it clear he expects a new deal after this season. He is due only $655,000 in base salary this season, plus a $27,500 workout bonus. The final year of his deal is loaded with escalators designed to grease the wheels on renegotiation - $375,000 of which Harvin unlocked as a rookie to push his base salary to $1,550,000 and another $2.825 million available.
Footballguys' view: If Harvin stays healthy and plays up to his potential then there's no reason to think the Vikings would hesitate giving him a new deal.
Miami Dolphins WR Legedu Naanee looked good in the offseason program, and he has a good change to wind up as one of the team's top four receivers. However, he still needs a strong training camp and preseason, as he tries to hold off WRs Roberto Wallace and Marlon Moore, who are believed to be on the roster bubble.
Footballguys' view: Naanee is a special teams ace who should be a lock to make the final roster. We're not expecting much production from him as a wideout and his fantasy value is extremely low.
Baltimore Ravens FS Ed Reed was noncommittal Wednesday, July 11, about his status for the upcoming season. He is physically prepared to play this season, but insists he is 'still thinking things through.' He is slated to report to training camp July 25, but he eluded to the possibility of a holdout. 'The only way we protect ourselves, the only way a player gets what he wants is by holding out,' Reed said. 'So if Ray Rice doesn't show up, so be it. If Joe Flacco didn't show up and got a contract, so be it.'
Footballguys' view: Reed needs to get in line here. He has essentially no choice but to show up to training camp on time and play under his current deal. The Ravens are much more focused on working out new deals with Rice and Flacco.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Thanks for being a part of what we're doing at Footballguys. Have a great Friday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update.
Peace,
J