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Hi Folks,
Good Thursday to you. Hope you're doing great. It's that time of the year when my job basically becomes trying to stay on top of the bucking bull that is Fantasy Football in August. It's a blast and thanks for being a part of what we're doing.
We've got some great new Podcasts ready, lots of news and notes and some really big news about our partnership with FanDuel where they're giving away a FREE Footballguys Insider subscription for new folks that sign up with them. Plus of course we've got all the news and notes you need.
But before we hit that, I'll leave you with a quote from Chad Johnson today in Miami. He was asked a question by a reporter about how he was faring on the field. Johnson replied, "Are you watching? Have you been out there? I'm fast as s***. If you find someone who can beat me running, you let me know." His skills may be faded, but I love his style.
Let's get to it.
J
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Our Mark Wimer with a rundown on all the injuries you need to know about. And there are a bunch...
Following the injury topic, our resident Footballguys MD, Jene Bramel has the run down on the key players you need to know about who are on the PUP list.
More PUP updates from our Dr. Jene Bramel.
Our John Norton digs deep into the Individual Defensive Player (IDP) situations for teams in the NFC East.
In This Episode: The 2012 Beat Writer Tour continues with a discussion about the Dolphins with Omar Kelly from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Topics Include - who wins the starting QB job, can Reggie Bush continue to play at a high level, what to make of the WR corps, plus more!
In This Episode: Cecil Lammey and Sigmund Bloom discuss every skill position player worth keeping an eye on in fantasy leagues. Topics Include - will the new weapons in the passing game help embolden QB Alex Smith, how much gas does RB Frank Gore have left in the tank, can WR Randy Moss really have a bounce back year after spending last season out of football, plus more!
In This Episode: Cecil Lammey and Sigmund Bloom discuss every skill position player worth keeping an eye on in fantasy leagues. Topics Include - can Sam Bradford get back on track this year, will new head coach Jeff Fisher run Steven Jackson into the ground, how will rookie WRs Brian Quick and Chris Givens be used this year, plus more!
In This Episode: Cecil Lammey and Sigmund Bloom discuss every skill position player worth keeping an eye on in fantasy leagues. Topics Include - who wins the QB competition between Matt Flynn, Tarvaris Jackson, and rookie Russell Wilson, what happens with Marshawn Lynch this year, the dynasty prospects of rookie RB Robert Turbin, plus more!
In This Episode: Cecil Lammey and Sigmund Bloom discuss every skill position player worth keeping an eye on in fantasy leagues. Topics Include - who is better to start at QB Kevin Kolb or John Skelton, the upside of second-year RB Ryan Williams, how good can rookie WR Michael Floyd be, plus more!
Our Footballguys Player Spotlights are some of the most detailed info you'll find on players anywhere. In this one, we put the focus on Jay Cutler.
Our Footballguys Player Spotlights are some of the most detailed info you'll find on players anywhere. In this one, we put the focus on Christian Ponder.
Our Footballguys Player Spotlights are some of the most detailed info you'll find on players anywhere. In this one, we put the focus on Toby Gerhart.
Our Footballguys Player Spotlights are some of the most detailed info you'll find on players anywhere. In this one, we put the focus on Frank Gore.
Our Footballguys Player Spotlights are some of the most detailed info you'll find on players anywhere. In this one, we put the focus on Doug Martin.
Our Footballguys Player Spotlights are some of the most detailed info you'll find on players anywhere. In this one, we put the focus on Adrian Peterson.
Our Footballguys Player Spotlights are some of the most detailed info you'll find on players anywhere. In this one, we put the focus on Trent Richardson.
Our Footballguys Player Spotlights are some of the most detailed info you'll find on players anywhere. In this one, we put the focus on Beanie Wells.
Our Footballguys Player Spotlights are some of the most detailed info you'll find on players anywhere. In this one, we put the focus on Ryan Williams.
Our Footballguys Player Spotlights are some of the most detailed info you'll find on players anywhere. In this one, we put the focus on Demaryius Thomas.
Our Impact Rookies series picks back up as we take a look at first year player Justin Blackmon.
Our Impact Rookies series picks back up as we take a look at first year player Michael Floyd.
Our Impact Rookies series picks back up as we take a look at first year player Stephen Hill.
Our Impact Rookies series picks back up as we take a look at first year player Alshon Jeffrey.
Our Impact Rookies series picks back up as we take a look at first year player Cyrus Gray.
Our Impact Rookies series picks back up as we take a look at first year player Rueben Randle.
Our Impact Rookies series picks back up as we take a look at first year player Brian Quick.
Our Impact Rookies series picks back up as we take a look at first year player A.J. Jenkins.
Our Impact Rookies series picks back up as we take a look at first year player Chris Givens.
Our Impact Rookies series picks back up as we take a look at first year player Marvin Jones.
Our Impact Rookies series picks back up as we take a look at first year player Mohamed Sanu.
Our Impact Rookies series picks back up as we take a look at first year player Ryan Broyles.
Our Impact Rookies series picks back up as we take a look at first year player Joe Adams.
Our Impact Rookies series picks back up as we take a look at first year player Greg Childs.
Our Impact Rookies series picks back up as we take a look at first year player T.Y. Hilton.
Our Impact Rookies series picks back up as we take a look at first year player Michael Smith.
Our Impact Rookies series picks back up as we take a look at first year player Alfred Morris.
Our Impact Rookies series picks back up as we take a look at first year player Terrence Ganaway.
Our Impact Rookies series picks back up as we take a look at first year player Bryce Brown.
Our Impact Rookies series picks back up as we take a look at first year player Ladarius Green.
Our Impact Rookies series picks back up as we take a look at first year player James Hanna.
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger (shoulder) said he has a small tear in his rotator cuff but said his arm feels strong and it should not affects any of the throws he makes. 'I'm good. It's OK, just sore,' Roethlisberger said. 'I have a little torn rotator cuff. That doesn't heal. We just have to hope it doesn't tear the rest of the way, according to Doc.' He said he has been throwing less during camp which has helped his arm feel better.
Footballguys' view: All reports out of Pittsburgh indicate that this is a non-issue, so don't let it change his rank on your cheatsheet. Roethlisberger has played through a myriad of injuries in his career. Unless he looks limited in the preseason, there's no reason to worry about this.
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger said he has spoken regularly with restricted free-agent WR Mike Wallace since training camp started and believes Wallace will report to camp soon. Roethlisberger thinks Wallace will be able to pick up the offense quickly once he reports to camp.
Footballguys' view: This might be the best hope for Wallace to play before the 11th game of the season, because the organization seems ready to move on without him.
Dallas Cowboys RB Felix Jones, WR Andre Holmes and FS Brodney Pool have passed their conditioning tests and will begin practicing Friday, Aug. 3.
Footballguys' view: Jones is at least draftable now, but mainly as a handcuff to Demarco Murray. Phillip Tanner will be closing on him for the backup job if he can't stay healthy this summer.
St. Louis Rams QB Sam Bradford said the ankle injury he suffered last season has not bothered him during training camp at this point. Bradford was dealing with the injury during offseason workouts.
Footballguys' view: This is good news because it sounds like the injury was more severe than the team let on during the season. Bradford is still only a low-end fantasy backup quarterback at best with an unproven set of wideouts.
New York Jets WR Santonio Holmes (undisclosed) missed the end of practice Wednesday, Aug. 1, with some sort of a tweaked muscle.
Footballguys' view: Holmes just can't generate any positive momentum these days. Stay away from him in drafts unless he falls into the double digit rounds.
Jacksonville Jaguars QB Blaine Gabbert has shown through the early stages of training camp that he is not yet ready to take the next step as a starting quarterback. Although Gabbert's footwork has improved, he continues to throw an occasional ball into the ground well in front of an intended receiver on a play.
Footballguys' view: Gabbert is still a work in progress, but the Jaguars ownership might not be patient enough to give him three or four years to hit his stride.
Buffalo Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick has struggled with inconsistent play early on in training camp. Quarterbacks coach David Lee has really worked on Fitzpatrick's fundamentals to build consistency, but it remains a work in progress.
Footballguys' view: Fitzpatrick has also been reported as having a good camp, so this shows how it is difficult to put stock in positive camp reports unless they are unanimous.
Tennessee Titans QB Jake Locker is reportedly the favorite in the Tennessee Titans' quarterback competition with QB Matt Hasselbeck. Early reports indicate that Locker has played well at training camp. He will need to carry that performance into preseason games to secure the starting nod.
Footballguys' view: Locker should be considered a strong fantasy backup with QB1 upside if he wins the job. He has great running ability and an aggressive attitude attacking defenses downfield. Offensive coordinator Chris Palmer having a full offseason to install his pass offense will only help.
Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said he spoke extensively with troubled WR Dez Bryant Tuesday, July 31. Jones said he avoided speaking with Bryant because he was angry after his July 16 arrest for allegedly hitting his mother and being charged with a Class A misdemeanor for family violence. Jones wouldn't say if he's still angry with Bryant but described the talk as 'a great visit.'
Footballguys' view: Bryant clearly has a reputation for being a problem child and has done little to lose it. Pro Football Weekly reported over the summer that they have heard that the Cowboys will not sign Bryant to a second contract, and if he continues to screw up, no talk with Jerry Jones will fix that.
New York Jets CB Antonio Cromartie thinks he is the team's second best receiver. Cromartie has received one rep at receiver thus far in training camp. 'I think I'd put myself as second,' Cromartie said. 'I haven't really played it in the past four or five years, but I can put myself as the second just with raw ability and talent going out there, I think, me separating and being a more physical guy out there on the outside.'
Footballguys' view: That says more about the Jets receivers than Cromartie.
Atlanta Falcons WR Julio Jones (foot) certainly doesn't have to worry about winning a roster spot in training camp, but he has been performing like a hungry young player battling for a job. Jones is going through a full offseason this time around, and he is not battling a foot injury like he was at this time last season. Jones is looking to show improvement from a good first year to his second season in the NFL. 'I'm out here and stronger than ever,' Jones said. 'It's so much easier when you're not tired. You can come out here and really focus. Everything has just been so much easier this time around.'
Footballguys' view: Jones is one of the most buzzed about players in the league right now. Most reports put his ability somewhere near Calvin Johnson level. If you want him, you'll be lucky to see him last until the third round.
New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees and the offense looked crisp in practice Wednesday, Aug. 1. After an interception on the first drive, the offense made amends, going right down the field with Brees connecting with WR Marques Colston on a 32-yard touchdown pass.
Footballguys' view: This is reassuring if you are worried about Brees missing head coach Sean Payton. He'll still be one of the first three quarterbacks off of the board in every draft.
New York Giants WR Victor Cruz is impressed with RB David Wilson, noting that he is one of the most explosive players he has seen, and that he will make some big plays for the Giants this year.
Footballguys' view: The Giants coaches and players are almost unanimous in their praise for Wilson. He is a good "swing for the fences" running back to take after the eighth round.
Cleveland Browns WR Josh Gordon had a good practice Wednesday, Aug. 1. Gordon made a number of nice catches, including hauling in a one-handed catch.
Footballguys' view: Gordon has a decent chance to start opposite Greg Little if he has a good camp and preseason, but he'll still only be worth a late-round flyer at best.
Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter will work in RB Jacquizz Rodgers as a shifty complement to starting RB Michael Turner more this year than the team did a year ago. Rodgers was only thrown one screen pass all of last season. He had 57 attempts for 205 yards and a touchdown.
Footballguys' view: Look for Rodgers to have a Darren Sproles-lite role to start the season. If he is successful, his role will only grow, making him a terrific PPR sleeper to target in the 10th round or later.
Arizona Cardinals RB Ryan Williams (knee) is expected to be a game-time decision for the first preseason game Sunday, Aug. 5. Williams will tell the team how he feels that day and a decision will be made based on that information.
Footballguys' view: Williams playing would make him the biggest fantasy football story of the hall of fame game. Either way, he is ahead of Beanie Wells physically, which should make you reluctant to draft Wells at his sixth round ADP.
Updating a previous report, Houston Texans OT Duane Brown (ankle) suffered a bone bruise Wednesday, August 1, and is only expected to miss a couple of days.
Footballguys' view: The Texans dodged a major bullet here as Brown is their best offensive lineman and they are already having to break in a new right tackle. Arian Foster owners can breathe a sigh of relief.
New York Jets SS Yeremiah Bell said he believes he and FS LaRon Landry can cover New England Patriots TEs Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. 'They're good tight ends,' Bell told me after practice on Wednesday. 'You don't want to take any credit away from those guys. But we're good safeties. They're just people. We can go out there and we can cover those guys. We can do what needs to be done. I don't think it's a mismatch either way.'
Footballguys' view: The Jets might lack some things on the field, but confidence and braggadocio is not one of them.
Philadelphia Eagles WR Jeremy Maclin (wrist) left practice momentarily Wednesday, Aug. 1, to get attention to his wrist. Maclin quickly returned after getting the wrist taped up.
Footballguys' view: Maclin was reportedly "screaming" after the injury, but luckily, it was nothing serious.
New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin noted today that WR David Douglas is having 'a heck of a preseason' for the Giants.
Footballguys' view: Douglas was "the other wide receiver" at Arizona with Juron Criner, but he is athletic and the Giants obviously have had some good luck with undrafted wide receivers lately. Keep an eye on him in deep dynasty leagues.
Cleveland Browns QB Colt McCoy is off to a good start in training camp, according to head coach Pat Shurmur. Shurmur noted McCoy has done a good job becoming more comfortable in his progressions.
Footballguys' view: Look for lots of reports like this so the Browns can sell their new backup quarterback via trade before the season. Seneca Wallace is a perfectly capable backup, so McCoy is not needed.
Oakland Raiders WR Denarius Moore (leg) sat out practice Wednesday, Aug 1, for what is being called precautionary reasons, according to head coach Dennis Allen.
Footballguys' view: Young players aren't supposed to be taken out of practices for precautionary reasons. Moore is earning a reputation as injury-prone after how his first year in the league has gone.
Houston Texans OT Duane Brown (leg) had his leg rolled up on during practice Wednesday, Aug. 1, and is undergoing tests to determine the severity of the injury. Head coach Gary Kubiak said the team is hoping for the best regarding the injury.
Footballguys' view: Brown has been a very strong left tackle since the team surprised everyone by taking him in the first round in 2008. This would be a blow to a team that is already having to replace Eric Winston at right tackle.
Minnesota Vikings DL Jared Allen said he believes QB Christian Ponder will emerge as a leader this upcoming season. 'He has all the ability in the world,' Allen said. 'He is going to take what he's learned this offseason and put it on the field. And can he be consistent with it? That's what I've been telling him.' Allen feeks Ponder is ready to take the next step forward. 'It's time to take that step in being that franchise quarterback, be that leader on the team,' Allen said. 'I think the kid's got the right mindset to do it. He's got the right amount of arrogance that you need to be really good in this league, and I'm excited to see what he does this year.'
Footballguys' view: Ponder gives his all on the field and tries to make good things happen. He can get the team behind him. Staying healthy and making consistently good decisions is another story. He's still worth watching assuming he is on your waiver wire to open the season.
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Mike Mularkey likes what he has seen from RB Rashad Jennings. Jennings has been atop the depth chart during the absence of RB Maurice Jones-Drew. 'It looks like he is very comfortable with the offense,' Mularkey said. 'He understands what we're trying to do, he's playing fast, he's seeing things with the run game, and even in protections he's doing better. There's no thinking going on like there was earlier when he first got here.'
Footballguys' view: ESPN Florida beat writer Charlie Bernstein told us that Jennings is good enough to start for other teams. He looked great in 2010 before he was mysteriously put on injured reserve for an injury that didn't require surgery. Anyone taking Maurice Jones-Drew early in drafts should reserve a late round pick for Jennings.
Dallas Cowboys WR Dez Bryant is having a strong start to training camp. He has particularly been impressive when matched up with CB Morris Claiborne.
Footballguys' view: Bryant's performance on the field this offseason has not been the problem. He is still tempting in the WR10-WR15 range because of his top-end physical upside.
The New York Jets are looking for a monster season from RB Shonn Greene in 2012. 'I'm asking for a monster season,' running backs coach Anthony Lynn said of Greene. 'I think he's one of the best power backs in the game. Why wouldn't you?' Lynn is also looking for 300-plus carries from Greene.
Footballguys' view: Anthony Lynn is still trying to justify moving up to the top of the third round to take Greene in 2009.
Arizona Cardinals QB Kevin Kolb (thigh) will start in the Hall of Fame game Sunday, Aug. 5, according to head coach Ken Whisenhunt.
Footballguys' view: This quarterback battle will come down to the third preseason game. We don't expect to see much of Kolb or John Skelton on Sunday. Richard Bartel and rookie Ryan Lindley should see the majority of the action.
Oakland Raiders head coach Dennis Allen has been impressed with QB Carson Palmer thus far in training camp. 'He's doing exceptional. He's got full command of the offense and he's doing a nice job of running it,' Allen said.
Footballguys' view: It's easy to forget that Palmer was coming in completely cold last year. He has a talented array of receivers and could flirt with QB1 fantasy territory this year. He is a fine backup fantasy quarterback and borderline QBBC option.
Seattle Seahawks TE Kellen Winslow (knee) was given the day off from practice Tuesday, July 31, a measure the team is use to manage a chronic knee injury he has dealt with for most of his career. 'The key is to get to Sundays,' Winslow said. 'My job is to make plays. And I won't let the city down, I won't let the Seahawks down, I won't let my players down.'
Footballguys' view: Winslow could be a good bye/injury fill-in at tight end, but his days as a starting fantasy tight end are over.
Oakland Raiders RB Darren McFadden said Tuesday, July 31, that he is determined to play 16 games this season. Head coach Dennis Allen hired strength and conditioning coach Al Miller to help McFadden in that endeavor.
Footballguys' view: McFadden is one of the surest bets to miss games, but he plays at the level of the running backs going in the first three picks when healthy. That makes him worth a late first or early second-round pick. Just make sure to track who the primary backup will be and draft/add him. Right now, our money is still on Mike Goodson to fill that role.
Green Bay Packers WR Tori Gurley is making plays in the red zone during training camp. He is part of a deep receiver corps for the Packers, but he is trying to force his way into the mix for a job. He is still raw, and getting separation might be a problem for Gurley. However, no other receiver in camp boasts his combination of height (6-foot-4), weight and long arms. Gurley added 14 pounds to his frame during the offseason, and he used a regimen of boxing, basketball and weightlifting to improve.
Footballguys' view: Gurley isn't like any other receiver on the roster with his big frame and blockout ability in the red zone. He could force the Packers to carry six wide receivers. If they try to stash him on the practice squad, he'll surely be signed by another team, although Gurley chose to stay on the Packers farm team when that happened last year.
That'll do it for today Folks. Thanks for being a part of what we're doing at Footballguys and thanks for reading. We'll see you tomorrow with the update.
Peace,
J