| FBG Mobile Home |
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. And the $35,000 Subscriber Contest is LIVE and ready for you. 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
If you 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. No brainer of the year: Get a Free Footballguys Subscription and more by depositing $25 with FanDuel ($63.95 value).
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.
Detailed Stat Projections are the backbone of what we do at Footballguys. And we keep them updated as news breaks and situations change. Here are the latest set of numbers for you.
We're keeping our Footballguys Staffers busy making sure they've got updated cheatsheet rankings for you .
Updating a previous report, Philadelphia Eagles QB Michael Vick (thumb) underwent X-rays on his thumb but they were negative.
Footballguys' view: Fans were holding their breath here but it looks like things are ok. Vick hit his thumb on a player's helmet as he finished a throw.
San Diego Chargers RB Ryan Mathews (shoulder) suffered a shoulder injury in the preseason game Thursday, Aug. 9, and will not return. It was reported late Thursday night that Mathews has fractured his clavicle and will be out 4-6 weeks.
Footballguys' view: This is the worry with Mathews as he's had a tough time staying healthy in the past. It would look like the team will now turn to Ronnie Brown for RB work. Jackie Battle is also in the mix.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have been in constant contact with RB Maurice Jones-Drew but are not close to a new contract with him. The talks between the two sides are considered cordial, but Jones-Drew's holdout is expected to continue until at least the end of August and could go into September.
Footballguys' view: Both sides have their heels dug in on this one folks, and it doesn't look like it's going to end anytime soon. Jones-Drew wants a new deal even though he has two years remaining on his contract. Jaguars GM Gene Smith doesn't seem interested in structuring a new deal at this time. Jones-Drew's fantasy stock has taken a noticeable hit due to this holdout and he's currently going off the board as RB8 near the beginning of the 2nd round in most 12-team leagues.
Detroit Lions RB Mikel Leshoure (hamstring) said he hopes to return to practice at some point next week. 'I'm starting to run now. You never know how these days go, but I hope to get back on the field next week,' Leshoure said.
Footballguys' view: Leshoure is missing the first two games due to a suspension but after that could be a big part of the Lions ground game. He's an injury risk with upside, and we think coming back from last year's Achilles' injury Leshoure could be bothered by lower leg injuries throughout the season.
Dallas Cowboys WR Miles Austin (hamstring) is not worried about his latest hamstring injury. Instead, Austin is focusing on a return to the field. Austin will not play in the team's preseason opener. 'It's up to whoever to be concerned,' Austin said. 'Anybody who wants to be concerned can be concerned. I can't focus on who's concerned or who's not concerned. I need to focus on getting back.'
Footballguys' view: Austin may not be concerned, but we're sure the team is and we know fantasy owners are. He's battled several injuries over the last couple of years and has gained the dreaded injury prone label.
Seattle Seahawks WR Terrell Owens said he wants to be considered part of the team and not viewed as a center of distraction. Owens called himself a changed man. 'I think a lot of people don't probably expect me to use that word humble,' Owens said, 'but there have been a lot of moments over the last three years ... that have had me face and use that word. I don't want to sit up here and try to emphasis how much I've changed. You'll see that as these days go ... It's more about doing than talking about it.'
Footballguys' view: Owens was not a distraction at his last two NFL stops (Buffalo, Cincinnati) and we're not expecting him to be a troublemaker in Seattle.
Chicago Bears WR Alshon Jeffery has been receiving high praise during training camp. CB Charles Tillman said Jeffery is a 'Brandon Marshall in the making,' while offensive coordinator Mike Tice said Jeffery has really progressed. 'We like to throw everything at them and see what they can handle and then go from there,' Tice said. 'We're happy with where he's at.'
Footballguys' view: We love the upside of Jeffery and feel he could make an impact as a rookie later in the year. He's a big, physical WR who is known as an aggressive catcher. Jeffery is a bad ball receiver and can make difficult catches seem routine. He's competing with Earl Bennett for targets opposite Brandon Marshall.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have not expressed any interest in free-agent WR Plaxico Burress (Jets). The free agent has stated he is willing to take a one-year contract for the veteran minimum to play in 2012.
Footballguys' view: The Steelers have a deep WR corps, and guys like Jerricho Cotchery give them plenty of experience behind guys like Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders.
The Dallas Cowboys have held preliminary contract talks with the agent for free-agent WR Plaxico Burress (Jets).
Footballguys' view: The Cowboys are looking for an upgrade at their WR3 position behind Miles Austin and Dez Bryant. Currently guys like Danny Coale, Kevin Ogletree, and Dwayne Harris are competing for that spot. We think Burress is an upgrade over those three.
Jacksonville Jaguars TE Zach X. Miller (pectoral) is dealing with a pectoral injury. Head coach Mike Mularkey said the team hopes Miller will be ready for the start of the regular season.
Footballguys' view: Miller has constantly battled injuries during his pro career. Deep dynasty league owners still holding onto him as a lottery ticket player can feel safe letting him go.
New England Patriots QB Brian Hoyer is leading the competition for the team's backup quarterback job with QB Ryan Mallett so far in training camp. Hoyer has been more accurate. Mallett has a lot of physical ability but still has a lot to work on.
Footballguys' view: Mallett has a rocket arm, but needs to work on his accuracy and decision making. There's a chance one of these backup QBs could be on the trade block later this preseason if injuries hit the QB position around the league.
New England Patriots TE Aaron Hernandez has seen some time at running back in training camp. Hernandez has also been used as a punt returner.
Footballguys' view: Hernandez can play out of a three point stance from the backfield. He also can line up as a Tight End or Wide Receiver. Bill Belichick loves his versatility and will use Hernandez in a number of different ways.
Indianapolis Colts WR Austin Collie said QB Andrew Luck has done a great job of leading the team thus far in training camp. He has been accurate with his passing. 'Just putting the ball where it needs to be. Taking ownership of the team and taking ownership of the offense,' Collie said. 'He's done a great job of that over the past few weeks, of making sure everyone knows that he's the quarterback and he's the chief and commander.'
Footballguys' view: Luck is an impressive prospect who can make every throw in the NFL. He doesn't have a plus arm but throws with good velocity across the field. Luck also makes plays with his feet if nothing's there with his arm.
Former NFL RB Jerome Bettis said Pittsburgh Steelers restricted free-agent WR Mike Wallace should report to the team as that is the only way he will ever receive a long-term deal. Bettis added that Wallace doesn't understand how the organization operates. 'I think when you go through the history of the Steelers, they do things a bit differently,' Bettis said. 'And when you look at in relationship to their stars, they still stay one way. They're firm in their resolve and the way they do things ... the problem is, you know, Mike (Wallace) doesn't really understand the concept of how the Steelers work, and so he's got to kind of figure that out. Once he figures that out and comes in, I think they'll work a deal out.'
Footballguys' view: We have a feeling Wallace will show up in time for the start of the regular season. This holdout has damaged the relationship between Wallace and the team, but those tensions could be eased if Wallace produces big numbers in the Todd Haley offense.
Denver Broncos CB Champ Bailey said Oakland Raiders RB Darren McFadden is one of the most difficult running backs in the league to defend because he can do everything. 'He's a great pass blocker, he's a great receiver and he's a great runner,' Bailey said. 'He can do anything you ask him to do. The dude is the real deal.' McFadden, however, has had difficulty staying healthy early in his pro career. 'If he stays healthy a full year he'd give us hell. He's the real deal,' Bailey added.
Footballguys' view: We're big fans of McFadden too. If he stays healthy he could finish as the top fantasy RB this year.
Denver Broncos QB Caleb Hanie is currently listed as the team's No. 2 quarterback ahead of QB Brock Osweiler.
Footballguys' view: He's ahead on the depth chart now, but is certainly on the roster bubble and has not been impressive in camp. We think Osweiler could end up winning the primary backup job behind Peyton Manning this year.
Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano said QB Andrew Luck has been able to pick up the offense well in training camp so far. 'Everything we've given him to this point he's been able to handle,' Pagano said. 'He's one of those guys that's probably got a photographic memory or something like that. Because he just gets it. It's not like you've got to come back and repeat something and give it again and give it again.'
Footballguys' view: Luck is an extremely smart Quarterback and should be able to quickly pick up the concepts of the Bruce Arians offense. We like him as a QBBC option for your fantasy team. Drafting a guy like Matt Schaub and backing him up with Luck to play the matchups is a good start if you choose to go RB/WR heavy early in your draft.
Arizona Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald has been helping WR Michael Floyd throughout the offseason and training camp to help him adapt to pro life and be an instant contributor to the offense. 'One of the things you really like about Larry, and where he's grown tremendously over the years, is his leadership ability with the younger players,' head coach Ken Whisenhunt said. 'He recognizes that Michael Floyd is a young talent, he can help our team and (Larry's) working hard to make sure that Michael understands what he needs to be a good player and make a contribution for us in his first year.'
Footballguys' view: Floyd has a nice size/speed combination and can make difficult catches seem routine. If he plays up to his potential he could be a star in the league, and Fitzgerald has taken an interest in the rookie and wants to help him develop his skill set.
Tennessee Titans QB Matt Hasselbeck threw two interceptions in practice Wednesday, Aug. 8, pushing his training camp total to nine through the first 10 practices. Interceptions may be a concern for Hasselbeck. Since the start of the 2009 season, he has thrown 48 in 44 games.
Footballguys' view: Hasselbeck's not the same player he used to be and the time for Jake Locker to take over is now. Even if Hasselbeck wins the starting job at the beginning of the regular season we think Locker will take over at some point his year.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Thanks for reading and thanks for being a part of Footballguys. We'll see you tomorrow with the update.
Peace,
J