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Hi Folks,
Another huge day here as we've got great news as the Footballguys Training Camp Update is ready. The first one is FREE for everyone and then after that, they're just for the Footballguys Insider Subscribers. Dive in and get lost in all the Fantasy Football Information you need to Dominate Your Friends. Plus we've got the news and notes you need here as always so let's get to it. And lastly, don't forget about the killer FanDuel.com promotion where they're giving away FREE Footballguys Insider Subscriptions. Let's go.
J
It's my favorite time of the year as Camps are rolling hard and everyone's a contender. Anticipation and optimism fill the air. Unfortunately, it can be hard to keep up with everything. Don't worry as we've got your back. One of the most ridiculously good features we do at Footballguys are our Training Camp Updates. Each week of camp we round up all the news and notes that you need to know about every team and condense and compile them into one incredible report. Read this and you'll (continue to) be the most knowledgeable owner in your league.
The Training Camp Updates are a part of our Footballguys Insider Subscription but for the first report, we're making it available to everyone. Why give it away? Because we feel that once you see the kind of quality and the depth of information we're producing, you'll agree with us that purchasing a Footballguys Insider Subscription is the best $28.95 you'll spend this summer.
For years, one of the biggest and craziest things we do at Footballguys is offer a contest available to our Footballguys Insider Subscribers only where we put $35,000 in a prize pool and pay it all out to you guys at the end of the year. Lots of people purchase a Footballguys Insider Subscription just to get an entry into the $35,000 Contest. It's that good. The contest is LIVE and ready for your entry. C'mon.
If you're have never deposited money with FanDuel.com before, you can get a FREE Footballguys Insider Subscription by just depositing $25 with them. If you're already a Footballguys Insider Subscriber - no problem, you can add another year onto your current subscription. IMPORTANT NOTE: You MUST use this link to get the Footballguys Insider Subscription promotion. If you go to the regular FanDuel.com page, you won't be able to get the deal. Make sure you use this link.
Folks using RT Sports for league management have been asking about an import for the Draft Dominator. Here it is.
Our Heath Cummings with a cool draft strategy article as he looks at drafting with a future trade in mind.
Our Jeff Tefertiller takes a look at all the recent news from the viewpoint of how it affects a player's Dynasty Value.
Our Chris Smith looks at the different scenarios you might find yourself in drafting in a 12 Team league. He looks at the #1 spot, the #4 spot, the #7 spot, the #9 spot, and the #12 spot.
Our Footballguys Player Spotlights feature some of the most detailed insights on players you'll find anywhere. In this one, we put the focus on Mark Sanchez.
Our Footballguys Player Spotlights feature some of the most detailed insights on players you'll find anywhere. In this one, we put the focus on Tim Tebow.
Our Footballguys Player Spotlights feature some of the most detailed insights on players you'll find anywhere. In this one, we put the focus on Donald Brown.
Our Footballguys Player Spotlights feature some of the most detailed insights on players you'll find anywhere. In this one, we put the focus on Maurice Jones-Drew.
Our Footballguys Player Spotlights feature some of the most detailed insights on players you'll find anywhere. In this one, we put the focus on Mikel Leshoure.
Arizona Cardinals RB Beanie Wells (knee) has been removed from the team's physically unable to perform list and cleared to begin practicing with the team. Wells had one of his knees scoped after last season.
Footballguys' view: Wells is healthy and trying to hold onto his starting job. Second-year RB Ryan Williams is back from the knee injury that forced him out of action his entire rookie season. The Cardinals aren't known as a rushing team, but Wells becomes worth a gamble if he falls past the 7th round in your draft.
Updating a previous report, Cleveland Browns RB Trent Richardson (knee) missed practice Tuesday, Aug. 7, with a sore left knee.
Footballguys' view: The is the same knee Richardson had scoped in February, and the injury may keep the talented rookie out of Friday's preseason game against Detroit. Richardson will be evaluated after practice and we expect the team to be very cautious with their young workhorse back.
Detroit Lions RB Mikel Leshoure (hamstring) is getting closer to returning to action but remains day to day, according to head coach Jim Schwartz. Leshoure is running as part of his rehab program.
Footballguys' view: LeShoure is trying to come back from the Achilles' injury that cost him all of last season. This hamstring injury could linger if the team doesn't monitor it closely. There's a chance LeShoure could battle lower leg injuries all year.
Kansas City Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles (knee) is expected to play in the team's preseason opener Friday, Aug. 10, against the Arizona Cardinals. It will be the first true game action for Charles since going down with a torn anterior cruciate ligament last fall. Charles will also see reps in a scrimmage against Arizona Tuesday, Aug. 7.
Footballguys' view: We expect the Chiefs to ease Charles back into the lineup. He'll split time with Peyton Hillis this year in the Chiefs backfield. Charles is the better big play option and could perform like a high upside RB2 for your fantasy team.
Baltimore Ravens QB Joe Flacco has had a sharp training camp. He is delivering decisive spirals and getting rid of the ball quicker than he has in the past. Progress appears to be made in accuracy, timing and his aggressiveness. A new contract for Flacco is not imminent at this time.
Footballguys' view: Nothing but good news for Flacco and the Ravens here. If Flacco can become more aggressive as a passer then the Ravens may advance further than they ever have under his guidance. Their Super Bowl window is open, but could close quickly with their aged defense. A Super Bowl run would certainly help Flacco as he seeks a new long-term deal.
Denver Broncos DE Elvis Dumervil was cleared of a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon Tuesday, Aug. 7.
Footballguys' view: Good news for the Broncos here as the veteran DE is a key piece to their ferocious pass rush. Dumervil has yet to hear from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who still has the ability to punish him without a charge or conviction in a case.
Pittsburgh Steelers RB Rashard Mendenhall (knee) is all but guaranteed to be heading to the Physically Unable To Perform list, according to general manager Kevin Colbert.
Footballguys' view: No real surprise here. We've heard good things about Mendenhall's recovery to this point, but it's best if the team shuts him down to start the season. On the PUP list Mendenhall will miss the first six weeks of the season. Then the Steelers will have a three week window after that to decide his fate for the season. If he's not put on Injured Reserve the team could ease him back into the lineup. In the meantime we'll see Isaac Redman take over as the lead back. He's a nice low end RB2 with upside in your fantasy drafts.
Washington Redskins rookie QB Robert Griffin III admitted he has been holding onto the ball a bit longer than he should during team workouts because he knows he is not going to get hit by the defense. Griffin dismissed any concerns about him being slow to react in practice. He feels it is important to get every read and right throw in practice so he'll be more ready for the live action of a game. Griffin also noted he hasn't taken off and ran much because the defense is staying at bay by knowing what play is being called. He also hasn't gone deep much during practice, noting the defensive backs, who also know the play, have taken away a lot of options over the top.
Footballguys' view: Griffin is just being cautious here as he doesn't want to force things and make mistakes. Until he's more comfortable we should see the Redskins implement bootlegs and simpler reads for the rookie QB.
Cincinnati Bengals RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis has been listed as the first-string running back ahead of RB Bernard Scott on the team's initial depth chart.
Footballguys' view: No surprise here. The Lawfirm will be the team's primary ball carrier but expect Scott to see an increase in touches this year.
Seattle Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch appeared in midseason form during a team scrimmage Sunday, Aug. 5. He broke a 70-yard run during the work out.
Footballguys' view: If Lynch is healthy and not suspended he'll put up low end RB1 numbers.
The Seattle Seahawks apparently are looking for veteran WR Terrell Owens to help WRs Doug Baldwin, Sidney Rice. Golden Tate and Ricardo Lockette.
Footballguys' view: We're not sure Owens is the type of WR the Seahawks want as a mentor. We don't think he'll be a troublemaker and feel he should just focus on football as he tries to make a comeback this year.
There are no plans by the Minnesota Vikings coaching staff to let RB Toby Gerhart shoulder a heavier load in the preseason opener Friday, Aug. 10, against the San Francisco 49ers. 'We'll get him in there some,' head coach Leslie Frazier said Monday, Aug. 6, 'but we're not going to hand it off to him a lot, not in the preseason. He'll have limited reps for sure.'
Footballguys' view: The team will take it easy on Gerhart as he's set to be their lead back at the beginning of the regular season. We think Adrian Peterson will be eased into action at the start of the year. That would mean an increased role for Gerhart during the first month of the season.
Baltimore Ravens WR Torrey Smith has had more consistent hands during training camp and he appears to have gained polish in his route running.
Footballguys' view: Smith was a speed WR out of college but has developed as a route runner during his short pro career. His current ADP is WR28 and he's coming off the board in the 6th round of most 12-team leagues. We feel he could outperform that draft position.
St. Louis Rams WR Danario Alexander (hamstring) spent the first week of training camp sidelined with a hamstring injury. Alexander has had plenty of injury problems during his brief NFL career and the pulled hamstring threatens to send him to the waiver wire before the end of training camp. He was cleared to return to action Monday, Aug. 6, and spent most of the day running with second- and third-string units without seeing many passes go his direction. 'He obviously has some talent. But we just have to keep him out there,' head coach Jeff Fisher said. The Rams upgraded their receiver position during the offseason and competition at it is fierce during camp, so missing time is putting Alexander on the outside looking in. Fisher said Alexander hasn't fallen too far behind, but noted the key for Alexander is to stay on the field. Alexander said it felt good to be back on the field and he is going to try hard to stay healthy.
Footballguys' view: Alexander has talent, and a rare size/speed combination. He's been injured quite a bit during his college and pro career and may never be able to play up to his full potential.
Washington Redskins RB Evan Royster will start in Thursday night's preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, according to head coach Mike Shanahan.
Footballguys' view: The Shanahanigans continue here. The first depth chart was released on Monday which had Tim Hightower listed as the team's top RB. Now Royster will get to start the first preseason games. Fantasy owners will pull their hair out trying to guess the next Shanahan move. Roy Helu, Hightower, or Royster could be a valuable fantasy asset but from week to week it's difficult to predict who gets the bulk of the touches.
Seattle Seahawks QB Matt Flynn will start in Saturday's preseason game against the Tennessee Titans, according to head coach Pete Carroll.
Footballguys' view: A good sign for Flynn but this QB competition is far from over. Flynn lacks elite arm strength but is accurate and makes good decisions with the football. He'll have to beat out Tarvaris Jackson and rookie Russell Wilson if he wants the starting job at the beginning of the regular season.
Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan praised WR Pierre Garcon Tuesday, Aug. 7, saying Garcon has everything you want in a football player.
Footballguys' view: Garcon could be a key component in the Redskins passing game this year. His downfield speed will work perfectly with QB Robert Griffin III's rocket arm and uncanny bucket accuracy. We like Garcon as a high upside WR3 in your fantasy drafts and you can pick him up near the mid 8th round in most 12 team leagues.
New York Giants WR Hakeem Nicks (foot) is scheduled to run routes for the first time in camp Tuesday, Aug. 7.
Footballguys' view: Nicks has amazing ability but is always an injury risk because of his history of getting dinged up. If healthy he'll perform like a high upside WR1 but his fantasy owners need good depth at the position in case of another injury.
New York Jets WR Santonio Holmes (ribs) can't move laterally without pain. He thought he broke his ribs before X-rays were negative.
Footballguys' view: Rib injuries are incredibly painful and can linger if not given proper time to heal. Bad news for the Jets as Holmes is their best receiver.
Cincinnati Bengals WR Brandon Tate has been listed as a starting wide receiver opposite A.J. Green and ahead of WR Armon Binns on the team's first depth chart of training camp. Tate dealt with hamstring problems last week but returned to practice and played in the team's scrimmage Sunday, Aug. 5, catching a touchdown. Rookie Mohamaed Sanu was listed fourth on the depth chart.
Footballguys' view: If healthy Tate has a Jeremy Maclin like skill set and is dangerous after the catch. Binns has a big frame, long wing span, and knows how to use his frame to box out defenders. Sanu may begin the season as a backup but could win the WR2 job during the year.
Updating a previous report, New York Jets CB Darrelle Revis (back) missed time in practice Tuesday, Aug. 7, with lower back tightness.
Footballguys' view: We're certain the Jets will be extra cautious with Revis as he deals with this problem.
Kansas City Chiefs CB Eric Berry (knee) is scheduled to play in the club's first preseason game Friday, Aug. 10, against the Arizona Cardinals.
Footballguys' view: Great news for the Chiefs here. Berry plays like a young Ed Reed and will be an incredible help for KC versus the pass and the run.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Thanks for reading and thanks for letting us share in your Fantasy Football season. It's going to be fun. Have a great Wednesday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update.
Peace,
J