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Hi Folks,
Good Saturday to you. Hope you're headed into a great weekend - we've got the news and notes you need so let's get to it.
J
The New Orleans Saints have agreed to terms with franchise free-agent QB Drew Brees on a five-year deal worth $100 million. Brees will make $40 million in the first year of the contract and is guaranteed $60 million in the first three years of the deal.
Footballguys' view: A smart move by the Saints here. Brees will actually count around $6MM less against the cap than he would have under the franchise tag. Getting Brees back in the building will help bring a calming influence over the team during this tumultuous offseason.
The Baltimore Ravens have hit a stalemate in contract talks with franchise free-agent RB Ray Rice and may need significant progress to be made this weekend if an agreement will be reached.
Footballguys' view: The Ravens will create quite a mess next year if they don't get Rice done this season. QB Joe Flacco is entering the final year of his rookie contract and is a candidate for the Franchise Tag and a new long-term deal next offseason. Rice is one of the best RBs in the game today and the centerpiece of their offense.
The Seattle Seahawks have released WR Mike X. Williams.
Footballguys' view: Williams made a comeback in 2010, but failed to produce last year. He was set to count $3.6MM against the cap, but now will have a difficult time catching on with another team. Williams release opens the door for guys like Deon Butler, Ben Obomanu, and Kris Durham.
Washington Redskins QB Robert Griffin III said he believes one of the team's running backs will emerge as the rusher that will get the most carries this season. Griffin said he believes RB Tim Hightower (knee) will get the first chance to become the main running back as long as he is healthy.
Footballguys' view: Mike Shanahan's Shanahanigans will continue with the RB position this year. Hightower may begin the season as the starter, but could be replaced by Roy Helu, then Evan Royster. Fantasy owners should proceed with caution when considering a Redskins RB.
Cleveland Browns WR Josh Gordon said he believes he can start for the team this season. He said it might take some time to shake off the rust and learn the offense but it ready to compete during training camp.
Footballguys' view: The Browns could force Gordon into the starting lineup quickly if he's ready. His size/speed combination should work well with rookie QB Brandon Weeden's strong arm.
Pittsburgh Steelers RB Rashard Mendenhall (knee) said on his Twitter page that his torn anterior cruciate ligament has healed wonderfully. General manager Kevin Colbert has said there is a good chance Mendenhall starts training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list and could start the season on the PUP list.
Footballguys' view: Mendenhall may not be able to play this year as he recovers from the late season knee injury he suffered last year. If he's on the PUP list at the beginning of the regular season it will force him to miss the first six weeks of the year. After that the Steelers will have three weeks to decide his fate. They can either activate him after that or put him on season ending Injured Reserve.
The Chicago Bears have made considerable progress with RB Matt Forte in contract talks. There are still issues to hash out regarding the average per year on the deal over the first three years, and how it could compare to comparable running backs.
Footballguys' view: We expect this deal to get done before the July 16th deadline. Forte has little leverage and the Bears got holdout insurance when they added Michael Bush in free agency. The team was hesitant to give the big money deal Forte wanted because of concern over the durability of his knees.
Green Bay Packers WR Greg Jennings said the Detroit Lions are a talented team but is not sure if the players are mature enough to get the team to another level. 'Can they maintain their composure, both on the field and off the field?' Jennings said. 'They're a very talented team, but they have struggles on the field containing their composure, and definitely, the things we've heard of, them being in the media with off-the-field problems and off-the-field issues. Can they maintain their composure? Can they be a professional ball club for 16, 17, 18 solid weeks throughout the regular season?'
Footballguys' view: Jennings just gave them locker room material, and a rallying cry when the two teams meet at least twice this year.
Buffalo Bills head coach Chan Gailey said WR Donald Jones saw a lot of time in the slot during offseason workouts because they know what Jones can do on the outside and wanted to see if he would be comfortable playing in the slot.
Footballguys' view: Jones is a versatile player who can play inside or outside. We like Jones as a slot WR because of his speed, quickness, and run after the catch ability. If he regains his confidence Jones could be a nice waiver wire addition during the season.
Chicago Bears WR Johnny Knox (back) has not been ruled out for the 2012 season but is not expected to play because he is still recovering from the serious back injury he suffered last season.
Footballguys' view: Knox suffered a horrific looking back injury in a late season game against the Seahawks. We would be surprised if he takes the field in 2012.
Chicago Bears WRs Brandon Marshall, Earl Bennett and Devin Hester could all see time in the slot this season because the team will be moving the receivers around to create favorable matchups.
Footballguys' view: Mike Tice is going to give defenses different looks throughout the game. Marshall should catch 100 passes this year and be the Bears leading receiver. Bennett has great chemistry with QB Jay Cutler and could outperform his ADP. We like him as a lottery ticket WR you can add later in your fantasy draft.
A source with knowledge of talks put it at 50-50 that the New England Patriots sign WR Wes Welker to a new deal before the deadline Monday, July 16.
Footballguys' view: Welker doesn't have much leverage in this situation. He signed his franchise tender extremely early in the offseason and could be forced to play out his one-year deal if he doesn't come to a long-term agreement.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Thanks for reading and for being a part of what we're doing at Footballguys. We'll see you tomorrow with the update.
Peace,
J