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Hi Folks,
Welcome to Friday. I hope you've had a great week and hope you're heading towards a fun weekend.
We've got the news and notes but first a Non Football Friday thought you're welcome to skip over.
If you're like me, I bet there are a couple of pretty awesome things in your life that you're taking for granted.
My favorite video illustration on this is Louis CK's Everything's Amazing And Nobody's Happy. His point is that we take technology for granted. And I think he's spot on.
But I see us, myself included, taking other awesome things for granted. It might be a relationship, a job, the place you live or a zillion different things. Appreciate those things. Trust me it'll make a ton of difference.
Off the soapbox now and onto the reason you've subscribed - we've got the news and notes you need so let's get to it. Have a great Friday.
J
The Indianapolis Colts have signed first-round draft choice QB Andrew Luck.
Footballguys' view: Luck signed a four-year deal worth $22 million. The deal also includes an option for a fifth year. The team has made a big youth movement and Luck is leading the way. He may have some struggles as a rookie, but has enormous upside. It won't be long before he's one of the best in the pro game.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are not considering signing RB Maurice Jones-Drew to a contract extension even if he holds out during training camp.
Footballguys' view: Jaguars GM Gene Smith expects Jones-Drew to play out the remaining two years on his contract. MJD seems to have dug in his heels here and this holdout could last well into training camp. It's a staring contest at this point, and may be a few weeks before one side blinks.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have made progress in contract talks with restricted free-agent WR Mike Wallace. Both sides appear to be motivated to agree to a long-term contract.
Footballguys' view: Wallace wants to stay in Pittsburgh and the Steelers know his speed is an asset that can be featured in Todd Haley's vertical offense. We expect Wallace to get to camp as soon as possible so he can learn the new system. Wallace stayed away from OTAs and minicamp but did swing by the team facility to pick up a playbook.
Detroit Lions RB Jahvid Best (concussion) was scheduled to meet with his doctor this month to receive clearance to participate during training camp, but his representatives are not commenting on whether he received the clearance yet.
Footballguys' view: Best's durability concerns will have fantasy owners strongly considering Mikel LeShoure as a handcuff. LeShoure will miss the first two games due to a suspension, but could emerge as a feature back if Best is hurt again.
Arizona Cardinals QB Kevin Kolb may have an edge over QB John Skelton in the starting quarterback competition because of the money the team has invested in him.
Footballguys' view: Kolb may be owed the big bucks but Skelton seemed to energize the team last year when he was starting. Skelton has the stronger arm and could make this competition closer than some think.
Former NFL RB Fred Taylor, who has been working out with Jacksonville Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew this offseason, said he is not too optimistic about Jones-Drew showing up to training camp on time. Jones-Drew is not happy with his current deal. 'He understands its a young man's game ... He's trying to use whatever leverage he has,' Taylor said. 'I think (Jones-Drew) will continue to hold out because there were some things that were miscommunicated by both sides. Pride gets involved. Someone has to give ... I don't think Maurice will be the first one to show his hand. Possibility it'll go into training camp or even further.'
Footballguys' view: With Ray Rice and Matt Forte getting long-term extensions in the last week it may only cement Jones-Drew in his feelings even more. He has two years left on his deal, and $9.5MM remaining in base salary. This situation could last well into training camp. Fantasy owners need to keep backup RB Rashad Jennings on their fantasy radar.
San Diego Chargers RB Ryan Mathews said he is going to have a breakout season in 2012 as he is in better shape this offseason. 'Expectations are real high,' Mathews said. 'I'm in way better shape this time than I was last year and I just feel good about myself. I really do. I feel real confident and like I said my trainer Jeff has been helping me on the little things with ball security and working my way through tight spaces and explosion and stuff, so it's going to be a good deal and it's going to be real fun.'
Footballguys' view: Mathews finished as the 7th best RB in fantasy football last year and we expect him to break into the top 5 this season. Chargers head coach Norv Turner said earlier this year that Mathews would get 'everything he can handle.' The increased workload is also necessary as FB Mike Tolbert moved on in free agency. Mathews has worked hard this offseason and is primed for a career year in 2012.
Minnesota Vikings RB Adrian Peterson (knee) is likely to spend at least a couple of weeks on the Physically-Unable-to-Perform (PUP) list, perhaps returning after the team's first preseason game Aug. 10 against the San Francisco 49ers.
Footballguys' view: No surprise here. The Vikings are going to take it easy on Peterson as he continues to rehab from his late season knee injury. Even at the beginning of the regular season we could see more from backup Toby Gerhart than we do from Peterson.
Updating a previous item, the Baltimore Ravens and QB Joe Flacco haven't made any real progress on the terms of a new contract and nothing is impending. Instead, it's more likely that a deal will happen sometime during the season, or perhaps directly after it, as opposed to the start of training camp.
Footballguys' view: The Ravens are in no hurry to get Flacco signed to a new contract at this time. Flacco's entering the final year of his rookie contract and his agent feels like Flacco deserves to be paid like a top 5 QB. If no deal can be made during the season then the Ravens could always use their franchise tag on Flacco next offseason while they continue to negotiate.
The attorney for Seattle Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch said there is a chance his client was not drunk when arrested on suspicion of DUI. 'There's a better than 50 percent chance he's .06 or .07 (in blood-alcohol content),' Lynch's attorney, Ivan Golde, said. 'Those tests have a margin of error. Science is there to prove it.' Golde raised issues with the two separate blood-alcohol tests administered to Lynch. The second test, given some 40 minutes later, registered a higher .10 blood-alcohol content on Lynch, Golde said.
Footballguys' view: Lynch could be facing a suspension from the league even if he's found not guilty in this DUI case. He's already been suspended earlier in his career for violating the league's conduct policy. A second offense could lead to a sizable suspension.
Cincinnati Bengals WR Brandon Tate may not make the final roster if he does not perform well during training camp and the preseason.
Footballguys' view: Tate failed to play up to his potential with the Patriots and his hoping to turn things around with the Bengals. So far this offseason Tate has impressed Bengals OC Jay Gruden, and the veteran could win the WR2 job opposite superstar A.J. Green.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have released OT Jonathan Scott.
Footballguys' view: No surprise here. Veteran Max Starks has returned to the Steelers to provide veteran insurance behind rookie Left Tackle Mike Adams. Scott may have a difficult time catching on with another team because of his struggles last year for Pittsburgh.
Arizona Cardinals WR Michael Floyd may start training camp as the No. 4 receiver because the coaching staff believe WRs Andre Roberts and Early Doucet are better than Floyd at this point.
Footballguys' view: We've seen this report earlier in the offseason. The team isn't going to rush Floyd's development so he will have to work his way up the depth chart. Floyd has star potential if he can develop his pro skill set.
The Arizona Cardinals likely will be cautious with RBs Beanie Wells (knee) and Ryan Williams (knee) during the preseason because they do not want either to suffer a setback in their recoveries.
Footballguys' view: No surprise here. Nobody is sure about Wells knee condition, and Williams is coming back from the knee injury that cost him his entire rookie season. Williams is running and cutting on his knee right now, and has the potential to be a feature back. If given the opportunity he could perform like a RB2 in fantasy terms.
New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan has dropped 105 pounds since undergoing his lap band procedure. His waistline has gone from 48 to 38 inches.
Footballguys' view: Congrats to Rex Ryan here! Now if only he can convince his brother Rob Ryan to stop dressing like a pirate.
San Francisco 49ers WR Alex Smith said he loves the additions of WRs Randy Moss and Mario Manningham this offseason. 'Love it, love it,' Smith said. 'We had a great offseason, a lot of new faces came in, really fit in. But this is the time when real football starts, put the pads on and we'll see what everybody's got.' Smith has particularly been impressed with Moss during offseason workouts. 'He's been a blast on the field and off the field,' Smith said of Moss. 'Great guy, great teammate, catches everything, makes you look good as a quarterback, so it's been great.'
Footballguys' view: Smith should be over the moon with the weapons that were added to the passing game. This is a move to create more boldness within Smith as a passer. We'll see if he starts playing more aggressively with his arm and takes more shots downfield in 2012.
The New York Jets plan to use QB Tim Tebow in the red zone, where they can replace QB Mark Sanchez in an effort to create mismatches in the running game, according to team sources.
Footballguys' view: Tebow has plenty of struggles as a passer, but is a great short yardage runner with a nose for the endzone. Early reports indicate rookie RB Terrence Ganaway could be the option back when Tebow is under center.
A league executive said Cleveland Browns WR Josh Gordon possesses talents similar to San Francisco 49ers WR Randy Moss. At 6-foot-3, 224 pounds, Gordon has the size and strength to potentially be a dominant receiver.
Footballguys' view: That's a pretty bold comparison, and one we don't agree with. Gordon has good ball tracking ability, natural hands, and deep speed. However, he lacks elite body control and would regularly disappear when Baylor faced tougher competition.
San Diego Chargers QB Philip Rivers said he will miss WR Vincent Jackson, who signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the offseason; however, he is excited about the receivers on the roster. 'You miss Vincent Jackson, I wish we never had to lose any of the big free agents that we lost,' Rivers said. 'But at the same time, I'm excited about who we gained in return. And getting Eddie Royal, getting Robert Meachem, those are guys that can make plays and do some different things.'
Footballguys' view: Replacing Vincent Jackson could prove to be difficult for the Chargers this year. Meachem has talent but was not consistently productive with the Saints. Royal had 91 catches his rookie year (2008) but has only 115 receptions in the three following seasons. Gaining chemistry quickly with these new weapons would greatly help Rivers in 2012.
Miami Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland said the team will not rush QB Ryan Tannehill into a starting role, particularly when QBs Matt Moore and David Garrard are capable starters. 'I'm trying not to put too many grandiose expectations on the kid,' Ireland said. 'I think (Tannehill) is our future. Obviously, I wouldn't have drafted him with the eighth pick in the draft. I feel like he's the kind of guy you want in the locker room, the kind of athlete you want running an offense. But we've got two other quarterbacks here that are very established, very good competitors, so it's not going to be easy for him. But you want him to learn from these other veterans and let it play out.'
Footballguys' view: Tannehill is the future of the team at the QB position, but it's clear the Dolphins aren't going to rush him into the lineup. Moore and Garrard will compete for the starting job in training camp. At this time it sounds like Garrard may have the advantage as Moore is not known as a good practice player. Even though Tannehill will start on the bench this year we feel he could be inserted as the starting QB sometime later in the season.
Houston Texans RB Justin Forsett, an offseason addition in May, will compete with RBs Jonathan Grimes and Davin Meggett for the third running back job in training camp and the preseason. All three players have special teams ability, a prerequisite for the Texans this year for their No. 3 RB.
Footballguys' view: We like Forsett to win this job. He's quick, has good vision, and a decent initial burst. Forsett is a nice fit for the Texans zone blocking scheme. Meggett is fast in a straight line, but runs too stiff and doesn't change direction smoothly.
Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers said the team will decrease DT B.J. Raji's playing time a little this season so they can feel him fresh during games and throughout the season. 'B.J.'s role will stay the same in a lot of areas,' Capers said. 'But we have to be smart with him in terms of how much we play him, try to keep him fresh and keep him going.'
Footballguys' view: This is a good move for the Packers. Raji can make more plays if he's able to stay fresh during games. Splitting time with a talented rookie like Jerel Worthy makes a lot of sense for Green Bay.
Chicago Bears LB Brian Urlacher (knee) said he will be able to fully participate at the start of training camp and will not have any limitations during camp. Urlacher did miss offseason workouts because he was recovering from injuries to his medial collateral ligament and posterior cruciate ligament.
Footballguys' view: Urlacher is a warrior, so it's not surprising he'd feel this way. However, the team knows how important he is to their success and may take it easy on the veteran during training camp.
Updating a previous report, the San Diego Chargers have released DE Luis A. Castillo.
Footballguys' view: Castillo visited with the Chiefs and the Patriots earlier this year, so perhaps that's where he'll end up. The Chargers weren't going to give him the amount of playing time he's looking for as the team has a youth movement defensively.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Thanks for reading and thanks for letting us be a part of your Fantasy Football season. Have a great Friday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update.
Peace,
J