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| Weiner recovering | Monday 5/12, 11:52 PM CT |
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The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Falcons' right tackle Todd Weiner , who's recovering from knee surgery, is hoping to return by training camp. Weiner and Smith said Weiner was ahead of schedule and that he could start running as early as next week.
Our View: Weiner battled problems with his left knee for most of last season before being placed on injured reserve. He had a micro-fracture procedure after arthroscopic surgery failed to remedy the damage. |
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| Williams running with 3rd team | Monday 5/12, 11:51 PM CT |
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Falcons safety Jimmy Williams , the team's top draft pick in 2006, said he annoyed the coaching staff by reporting to offseason workouts overweight, this according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He is said to weigh more than 230 pounds, although he is listed at 212.
Our View: Williams, who is running with the third team at free safety, said he has endured unspecified personal issues that have taken his focus away from football. Williams missed two days of a three-day voluntary minicamp in April to go home to Hampton, Va.
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| White held out of practice | Monday 5/12, 7:59 PM CT |
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Roddy White was held out of practice on Monday because of a slight hamstring issue that popped up on Sunday, according to the Falcon's Official Website. "Roddy tweaked his hamstring," HC Mike Smith said. "It's just precautionary. We don't want to put ourselves in a position with a guy this time of year that may hurt himself more by going out there."
Our View: White has reportedly been working all off-season with weights in order to prove last years performance (1202 yards, six TDs) wasn't a fluke. This appears to be nothing more than a minor annoyance. |
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| Pats call in Jones for visit | Monday 5/12, 6:52 PM CT |
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NFL Network's Adam Schefter noted on Monday's telecast that the Patriots received a visit from Kevin Jones last week. The team brought him in for casual talks, according to NFL.com.
Our View: The once highly touted Jones has become an injury concern. Currently Jones is recovering from a torn ACL. |
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| Gould signs five-year extension | Monday 5/12, 3:20 PM CT |
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Robbie Gould has signed a five-year extension that will keep him under contract with the Bears through the 2013 season, according to the AP. Financial terms were not disclosed. Gould said, "I’m really excited. I’m excited to stay in the city of Chicago and to be a Chicago Bear. This is one of those opportunities that’s once-in-a-lifetime and life-changing, and I’m just excited to have it. I’m excited that my hard work has paid off, but I’m definitely not done working hard and making field goals and kicking kickoffs. That’s what I get paid to do. Now it’s just a matter of being able to go out there and have fun, relax and enjoy."
Our View: The 26-year old Gould is the Bears’ all-time leader in field goal field percentage among kickers with at least 50 attempts. In his three seasons with Chicago, he has converted 84.9 percent of his field goals (84-of-99), and has five game-winning kicks to his credit. He is also one of only seven kickers in NFL history with consecutive seasons of 125 points or more.
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| Horn requests trade | Monday 5/12, 2:22 PM CT |
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Joe Horn stated on Monday that he would like to be traded rather than serve as a "just in case guy" with the Falcons this season, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Horn said, "I want to win a Super Bowl and I want to win a Super Bowl here in Atlanta, but I don't think I can help this team win a Super Bowl sitting on the bench, waiting for third down."
Our View: Roddy White is coming off a breakout season and Laurent Robinson is already projected to start opposite White. Michael Jenkins and promising rookie Harry Douglas are also going to be in the mix, and the 36-year old Horn knows he won't hold a significant role in Atlanta this season. He won't be satisfied by just mentoring the young receivers in 2008. |
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| Orton thinks he will be starter | Monday 5/12, 1:58 PM CT |
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Kyle Orton is confident he will be the Bears' starting quarterback in 2008, if given a fair shot to compete for the job, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Orton said, "All I care about is if I get my chance. If I get my chance, I'm confident that I will win the job and play well. I don't really pay attention to talk of a not-so level playing field. I hear through third parties and all that stuff but it doesn't affect my mind-set or my thoughts as a player or anything like that. That's what you've got to believe. I've been told by the coaches that's how it's going to be, so I think it is. I think I've earned that chance to have a fair competition. It's the most excited I've been going into a season. I've put in a lot of work in the offseason and I'm just really excited where my game is at. I'm throwing the football really well. I haven't really asked how the competition will break down. I'm assuming it's going to be 50-50 and we'll go from there."
Our View: Orton has struggled as a starter in Chicago in the past, and will be hard-pressed to make an impact as a fantasy quarterback this season, especially following the departure of big-play threat Bernard Berrian to Minnesota. |
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| McMahan agrees to terms | Monday 5/12, 1:48 PM CT |
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Wide receiver Kevin McMahan has agreed to a two-year deal with the Chiefs, according to KCChiefs.com. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Our View: McMahan spent a portion of the 2007 season on Kansas City’s practice squad. He originally entered the NFL as the rival Raiders' seventh-round pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. He attended training camp with the Giants in 2007, but was released prior to the start of the regular season. He shouldn't hold any fantasy value for 2008.
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| T.O comments on contract, and Dallas | Monday 5/12, 1:40 PM CT |
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Terrell Owens' contract has been a hot topic in Dallas as they spent money to land linebacker Zach Thomas and cornerback Pacman Jones, and are working on extensions for Marion Barber and Ken Hamlin, according to the Dallas Morning News. Owens said there won't be a problem with his contract, which will expire at the end of the 2008 season. Owens stated, "I definitely want to end my career with the Dallas Cowboys, and go into the Hall of Fame as a Dallas Cowboy. I'm going to let God fight this battle for me. There was a situation where the contract didn't work out in Philly. With this, I'm going to let it play out and not try to be a distraction. I'll let it take care of itself. I'm a firm believer that things will work out for the best."
Our View: Owens racked up 81 receptions for 1355 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2007, and now has the motivation of a potential new deal to play for this season. |
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| Atogwe slowed by hamstring injury | Monday 5/12, 11:22 AM CT |
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Oshiomogho Atogwe was on the sideline for Sunday's final minicamp practice due to a hamstring injury, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He sat out Saturday as well.
Our View: The team did not specify the severity of the ailment. Atogwe racked up 75 tackles (66 solo) and eight interceptions in 2007, with one defensive score. He is very valuable to the team, and they should be cautious with his recovery. |
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| Crennel pleased to have Rogers | Monday 5/12, 11:16 AM CT |
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Coach Romel Crennel was pleased to land Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams this season, according to ClevelandBrowns.com. Crennel said, "Corey Williams and Shaun Rogers, we know they've got talent and ability. We're excited to have them and think they'll make a great contribution for us. Anytime you have new players there's a learning curve but they seem to be quick learners. I think they'll pick it up pretty quickly."
Our View: Rogers registered 39 tackles and seven sacks in 2007 with Detroit, along with four fumble recoveries. He will help solidify the Browns' defensive line, and should prove to be an asset, especially when the Browns play tough divisional battles with Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and Cincinnati. All three rivals notably have strong running games. |
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| Sanders suffers broken foot | Monday 5/12, 11:07 AM CT |
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Wide receiver Steve Sanders suffered a broken bone in his foot, according to ClevelandBrowns.com. Joe Jurevicius is also being slowed while he works through his knee recovery, and Travis Wilson will get a chance for more reps during the Browns' OTA. The team thinks Wilson may step up and be able to do more this season.
Our View: The team did not specify how long Sanders will be out of action. He was unlikely to make an impact this season. |
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| McMichael will benefit from Saunders | Monday 5/12, 10:58 AM CT |
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Randy McMichael is pleased to have new OC Al Saunders in St. Louis, as Saunders has directed a tight end to the Pro Bowl for eight straight seasons, according to the Belleville News-Democrat. McMichael said, "As soon as I found what was going on and they had hired Coach Saunders, I got really excited. This is the kind of offense that I have dreamed my whole career of playing in. I'm having a good time right now, and hopefully I can extend my role and keep doing the things I like to do."
Our View: McMichael has the tools to be a highly productive pass-catcher, but he tied a career-low in receptions with 39 and set a career-low in receiving yards with 429 in 2007 with the Rams. The Rams' offensive line was riddled with injuries, and McMichael was too often asked to stay in as an extra blocker. Al Saunders loves to utilize the tight end, and Tony Gonzalez averaged 80 catches per season in his six seasons with Saunders calling the offensive plays in Kansas City. Washington's Chris Cooley caught 57 passes for 734 yards and two touchdowns in 2006 and 66 passes for 786 yards and eight touchdowns in 2007 while under the direction of Saunders as well. If McMichael can stay healthy, he will have a good chance to set new career highs this season, and could prove to be a great fantasy sleeper at the position.
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| Caldwell stood out at minicamp | Monday 5/12, 10:49 AM CT |
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Reche Caldwell has stood out at the Rams' minicamp, according to the Belleville News-Democrat. The former member of the Redskins displayed solid hands and a good knowledge of the Rams' new offense. Coach Scott Linehan said, "You can see that he has background with the system that we are running now, playing for offensive coordinator Al Saunders last year. He has done a nice job. There are going to be times when we spell a receiver, or we put a guy in for a play here and there, or you go in with three wide receivers and sometimes you are going to move the other receivers around and you have to know basically two or three positions. His background in the offense is really going to help him."
Our View: The Rams are his fourth team in as many seasons, but may stick around in St. Louis as he is off to a favorable start. Caldwell hauled in 61 passes for New England in 2006, and could hold some fantasy value for this season, if he continues to excel through training camp and earns a good role for himself within the Rams' receiving corps. |
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| Draft working as starting SLB | Monday 5/12, 10:42 AM CT |
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Chris Draft is working as the Rams' starting strong-side linebacker during minicamp, according to the Belleville News-Democrat. Coach Scott Linehan said that Draft will battle Quinton Culberson for the starting job and added, "It's going to be a good battle, and it will be one to keep an eye on. Either way I feel great about the fact that we have two guys who we feel really comfortable with. Chris has the experience and the versatility to play all three positions, and now he is in the position where he can get back into a starting role, which I know he likes. The thing about Quinton is that he gets around the ball a whole lot. He had one start for us last year in the last game of the year, and I think he led the defense in tackles that day. That is hard to do in the NFL."
Our View: Draft has an experience edge, as he played nine seasons in the NFL, but Culberson stood out in the Rams' 2007 season finale against Arizona when he had a team-high 14 tackles in his first career NFL start. Strong-side linebackers seldom hold solid fantasy value, but this battle will be worth following regardless. Culberson holds more upside as a fantasy prospect if he wins the starting role, going by his impressive debut start last season.
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| Ravens could feature more 3-WR sets | Monday 5/12, 8:53 AM CT |
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If Derrick Mason, Mark Clayton, and Demetrius Williams perform up to expectations, the team could feature three receivers as their primary formation, according to the Baltimore Sun. New OC Cam Cameron wants to be unpredictable and will change up the formations as well as the personnel groupings. But he told the aforementioned receivers that their play will influence the direction of the offense. Cameron said, "If we had to start a game today, three wide receivers might be our starting group. We always like to mix it. But our best 11 players will be our primary personnel group."
Our View: Of the Ravens' 557 passes thrown last season, only 39 percent came in a three-wide set. Williams looked good in limited action, and his fantasy stock will benefit the most, if the team ultimately employs the three-receiver set as their primary formation.
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| Flacco continues to fit in with Ravens | Monday 5/12, 8:39 AM CT |
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Joe Flacco is fitting in well with the Ravens and isn't intimidated by making the leap from small-school Delaware to the NFL, according to ProFootballTalk.com. Flacco said, "It's pretty cool. It’s a lot of fun to learn something new every day. There was a lot thrown at us, and I did the best job I could to absorb as much as I could. It was a good experience. I don’t think it’s intimidating. You’re just anxious to get out there and see what it’s like. I’ve grown a lot over the past three days. I got to know everybody, and I think it worked out well." Coach John Harbaugh also stated, "He can throw the ball, he’s smart. The thing I saw when we were moving the ball is he’s got to get the ball out quicker. Those guys can cover some ground when they’re blitzing and he’s got the red jersey on now so he didn’t feel the ramifications of that. I think he understands the speed of the game a little bit at this level."
Our View: Flacco will be on our radar throughout training camp as he competes for the starting quarterback job as a rookie. He has much more upside than the underachieving Kyle Boller, and displays a very strong arm and could develop into a star in Baltimore. He will hold rock solid value as a fantasy keeper. |
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| Winslow not expected to attend OTA | Monday 5/12, 7:57 AM CT |
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Kellen Winslow Jr is not expected to attend the team OTA, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Our View: Winslow's absence could be a sign of a contract dispute with the team. Winslow wants a new deal, but the team has concerns about his durability due to several surgeries on his right knee. The team drafted Martin Rucker out of Missouri, but he is not in the same class as the elite Winslow, and won't be a worthy replacement if Winslow is to leave Cleveland. Winslow racked up 82 receptions for 1106 yards and five touchdowns in 2007, and you cannot help but wonder what kind of numbers he would be putting up if he never suffered that motorcycle accident in 2005. |
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