| Adibi signs deal with Houston | Tuesday 7/15, 10:36 PM CT |
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The Houston Texans have signed their fourth-round draft pick, linebacker Xavier Adibi, to a four-year contract, according to the Houston Chronicle.
Our View: Adibi was a productive player at Virginia Tech who, like many later round rookies, will likely spend a lot of his time playing special teams. |
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| McCown injures hand in wood chopping accident | Tuesday 7/15, 10:30 PM CT |
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Josh McCown needed six stitches in his right hand when his brother, Luke, accidentally missed the firewood he was chopping and cut Josh's finger instead, according to the Associated Press.
Our View: It doesn't sound like a serious injury, but it is on his throwing hand. McCown has a good shot to be the starting quarterback in Miami as his competition is rookie Chad Henne and second-year pro John Beck. In any case, he does not hold high value in fantasy football leagues. |
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| Panthers sign Barnidge | Tuesday 7/15, 10:01 PM CT |
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The Carolina Panthers have agreed to terms with their fifth-round pick, tight end Gary Barnidge, according to the Associated Press.
Our View: Barnidge was an accomplished receiver at Louisville, and though he needs to work on his blocking, he'll get a chance to compete for playing time. His fantasy prospects are not glowing at this point, but he may eventually be a solid contributor. |
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| Saints waive Ryan | Tuesday 7/15, 8:03 PM CT |
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The New Orleans Saints waived wide receiver Titus Ryan today, according to the Canadian Press.
Our View: The team needed room on the roster for defensive lineman DeMario Pressley, so Ryan was let go. |
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| Brown should be ready for camp | Tuesday 7/15, 7:46 PM CT |
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Ronnie Brown's rehab from a torn ACL is going well, and he should be back and ready to go for training camp, according to Sportsline.com. "It takes some time. The good news for me is that the rehab has gone really well," he said.
Our View: Brown was finally living up to his status as the number two overall pick when he got injured last season. He could be a steal for fantasy owners should he fall far enough in drafts. Don't expect him to contribute like a number one or two back for your team, but he could prove to be a valuable backup. |
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| Suggs, Ravens fail to reach deal | Tuesday 7/15, 7:24 PM CT |
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Ravens defensive end/linebacker Terrell Suggs and the Baltimore Ravens failed to come to terms on a long-term contract, meaning the former first-round pick will play this season under the franchise tag, according to the Associated Press.
Our View: Suggs is a core player on the Ravens defense, helping make that squad a consideration for fantasy football owners. Suggs also carries value in IDP leagues. |
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| Asomugha and Raiders fail to get contract done | Tuesday 7/15, 7:05 PM CT |
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The Oakland Raiders and Nnamdi Asomugha could not agree on a long-term contract, meaning the cornerback will play the year under the franchise tag, according to the Associated Press.
Our View: Asomugha is one of the best corners in the league, so locking him up should be a priority for the Raiders, who now must pay him about $9.7 million for the year. |
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| Waters impressing Chargers | Tuesday 7/15, 5:52 PM CT |
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Second-year linebacker Anthony Waters is in line for a lot of playing time with the way he has been performing this offseason, according to Pro Football Weekly.
Our View: The third-round pick missed last season with a knee injury, but has regained his speed and athletic ability and is apparently ready to contribute to what should once again be one of the top defensive units in fantasy football. |
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| Parker's job in jeopardy | Tuesday 7/15, 5:48 PM CT |
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Wide receiver Samie Parker may find himself out of a job unless he starts impressing the Broncos soon, according to Pro Football Weekly. Right now, he is sixth on the depth chart in Denver.
Our View: Parker has always tantalized NFL teams and fantasy owners with his speed, but he's never been able to put it all together, and seemingly still can't. His fantasy value is non-existent. |
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| Manningham signs with New York | Tuesday 7/15, 5:35 PM CT |
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Wide receiver Mario Manningham, the Giants third-round selection out of Michigan, has signed a four-year deal with the team, according to Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News.
Our View: Manningham will battle a number of other receivers for playing time in the Giants offense, and could be anything from the third to the fifth receiver, making him unworthy of fantasy consideration at this point. |
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| James signs deal | Tuesday 7/15, 5:30 PM CT |
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Fifth-round draft choice Robert James has signed a contract with the Atlanta Falcons, according to AtlantaFalcons.com.
Our View: An undersized linebacker, James will probably have to earn his way on the team through special teams play. |
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| Hawkins inks deal | Tuesday 7/15, 4:57 PM CT |
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Wide receiver Lavelle Hawkins has signed a contract with the Tennessee Titans, according to ESPN.com. Contract terms for the fourth-round pick were not revealed.
Our View: Hawkins has a chance to get some snaps for the Titans, but he isn't worthy of being drafted in fantasy leagues right now. |
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| Favre willing to call Packers bluff | Tuesday 7/15, 4:20 PM CT |
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In the second part of his interview with Fox News that airs tonight, Brett Favre says he is thinking about showing up to Packers training camp in order to call their "bluff," according to ESPN.com.
Our View: This is getting uglier every day, and none of this is making Favre or the Packers look particularly good. There will undoubtedly be more later. |
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| Titans, Haynesworth fail to ink long-term deal | Tuesday 7/15, 4:10 PM CT |
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Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth could not agree to a long-term deal with the Tennessee Titans, meaning he will play this season under the franchise tag and become a free agent again after the season, according to the Associated Press.
Our View: Haynesworth is the anchor of the Titans defensive line, and a big reason why the Titans defense should be one to consider during fantasy drafts. |
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| Manning could return in three weeks | Tuesday 7/15, 4:08 PM CT |
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ESPN's Shaun King reported on NFL Live that he spoke to Tony Dungy, who stated quarterback Peyton Manning could return in as little as three weeks.
Our View: Manning underwent surgery approximately eight weeks before the season opener, and the original timeframe for his return is 4-6 weeks. Either way, it appears that Manning will be ready for the start of the season, barring any setbacks. |
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| Cardinals sign Doucet | Tuesday 7/15, 4:02 PM CT |
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The Arizona Cardinals signed rookie wide receiver Early Doucet, the team's third-round pick from Louisiana State, to a three-year contract, according to the Arizona Republic. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Our View: Doucet finished his LSU career with 160 receptions for 1,943 yards (12.1 yard avg.) and 20 touchdowns in 45 games (22 starts) for the Tigers. He is expected to compete with Steve Breaston for the No. 3 role in training camp. |
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| Rivers, Bengals negotiating contract | Tuesday 7/15, 2:45 PM CT |
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Discussions are underway with representatives for first-round pick Keith Rivers, the former Southern Cal linebacker selected by the Cincinnati Bengals with the ninth overall pick in the April draft, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Our View: Rivers was a disruptive force during mini-camps, and is expected to start his career in Cincinnati on the weak side. |
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| 49ers waive Oliver | Tuesday 7/15, 2:38 PM CT |
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The San Francisco 49ers today waived defensive lineman Melvin Oliver, according to the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.
Our View: Oliver started 14 games as a rookie in 2006, but missed all of last season after sustaining a torn ACL during organized team activities. |
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| Jones, Bears ink one-year deal | Tuesday 7/15, 2:22 PM CT |
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Seven days before the Chicago Bears are scheduled to report for training camp, the club decided they needed help at running back and signed veteran Kevin Jones, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The former first-round draft pick of the Detroit Lions checked out medically Tuesday morning and signed a one-year contract worth $605,000.
Our View: With a one-year contract, Jones has the opportunity to prove he’s healthy with an eye on a lucrative long-term deal. Rookie Matt Forte is expected to be the No.1 option at running back, with Jones and Adrian Peterson competing in training camp for the right to back him up. This situation could evolve into a RBBC scenario, if Jones comes back healthy after undergoing ACL surgery in January. It's possible, though, that he could begin the year on the PUP list. |
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| McNabb says shoulder is fine | Tuesday 7/15, 2:09 PM CT |
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Quarterback Donovan McNabb said in his most recent blog on yardbarker.com that his "shoulder is fine" and that he's been working out in Phoenix with teammate Brian Dawkins in preparation for the start of training camp, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Our View: McNabb was shut down during the final week of team workouts last month because of shoulder tendinitis. Coach Andy Reid said at the time that he expected McNabb to be ready for the start of training camp, and it appears that he is 100 percent healthy. |
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| Dilfer hired by ESPN | Tuesday 7/15, 1:51 PM CT |
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Recently retired quarterback Trent Dilfer is the newest field general to join ESPN's current lineup of NFL analysts, joining fellow former signal callers Ron Jaworski, Steve Young and Shaun King.
Our View: Dilfer, who won a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens, will appear on several ESPN programs, including NFL Live, NFL PrimeTime, SportsCenter and Monday Night Countdown. |
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| Tillman investigation stonewalled | Tuesday 7/15, 1:45 PM CT |
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After a 16-month investigation into the friendly fire death of former NFL player Pat Tillman, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform issued a report that is critical of what it termed a "near universal lack of recall" by top White House and Defense Department officials about events surrounding the fratricide, according to ESPN.
Our View: The 49-page report made the case that top Bush administration officials, including former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, had effectively stonewalled the investigation. But it failed to issue any recommendations and effectively washed its hands of the issue. The full committee is expected to review and vote on the report Thursday, with the possibility that committee Republicans could offer a minority view. |
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| Tampa Bay not high on Favre's list | Tuesday 7/15, 1:38 PM CT |
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Brett Favre is planning to play in 2008 and no longer feels welcome in Green Bay. But if he is able to gain his release or be traded from Green Bay, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers may not be very high on Favre's list of new teams, according to the St. Petersburg Times.
Our View: Favre has recently told sources close to him that Tampa Bay was '”too hot” and that he prefers to play and practice in cooler weather. The Jets and Ravens have already denied interest in his services, but Miami, Chicago and Minnesota have been mentioned as possible landing spots. Stay tuned. |
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| Jones, Bears deal imminent | Tuesday 7/15, 12:47 PM CT |
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Free agent running back Kevin Jones has reportedly agreed to terms with the Chicago Bears on a one-year contract, according to NFL Network's Adam Schefter.
Our View: If this deal is consummated it would point to a RBBC situation in the Windy City. When finalized this news will downgrade Matt Forte’s stock, and increase Jones’ value, though we expect the former to garner more carries in the timeshare. |
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| Cowboys ink Hamlin | Tuesday 7/15, 11:38 AM CT |
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Ken Hamlin has agreed to a six-year, $39 million contract with the Cowboys, according to ESPN. He received $15 million in guaranteed money and a $9 million signing bonus.
Our View: He was worthy of the raise, but is not a solid performer in IDP leagues, as he only made 62 tackles (45 solo) in 2007. |
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| Jones favoring Chicago | Tuesday 7/15, 11:18 AM CT |
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Kevin Jones is leaning toward joining the Bears, according to MLive.com. The source indicates that a deal could be reached as soon as today, following his physical with the team at Halas Hall.
Our View: The Steelers and Buccaneers are also interested in Jones, but he feels that he would receive the most playing time in Chicago, and he is right. He would be featured as a 1-2 punch with rookie Matt Forte, and would also have the opportunity to face his former team, the Lions, twice in the regular season. |
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| Leonard expected to start at fullback | Tuesday 7/15, 11:06 AM CT |
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Brian Leonard is expected to start at fullback in 2008, according to the Belleville News Democrat. He will be backed up by either Richard Owens or Russ Weil.
Our View: Leonard bulked up a little bit to handle more of the lead blocking duties, but should still serve as an offensive weapon too, namely as a pass catcher, which is the reason the Rams selected him in the second round of the 2007 draft. |
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| Parker realizes load will be reduced | Tuesday 7/15, 9:57 AM CT |
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Willie Parker realizes that his workload in the Steelers' backfield will be reduced this season following the addition of prized rookie Rashard Mendenhall, according to USA Today. Parker was surprised the team selected Mendenhall in the first round of the draft, but said, "I understand. They felt like we didn't have any running backs when I went out. I want to be the best, and whatever makes me better, I'm all for it."
Our View: Mendenhall set a Illinois record with 1,681 rushing yards last season and will cut into Parker's production, even though he is reportedly fully healed from his leg injury. Parker has averaged more than 21 carries per game since 2006, and knows that sharing the workload will help prolong his career, however. If you decide to select Parker on draft day, be sure to handcuff Mendenhall as well. |
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| Cromartie hires new agent | Tuesday 7/15, 9:26 AM CT |
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Antonio Cromartie recent signed with Los Angeles-based agent Gary Wichard, a signal that the cornerback who led the NFL with 10 interceptions last year has his next contract in the back of his mind, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. “I just wanted to go with a guy who had experience with bigger contracts,” Cromartie said.
Our View: Wichard is the agent for Indianapolis defensive end Dwight Freeney, who last summer became the NFL's highest-paid defensive player when he signed a six-year, $72 million contract that included almost $38 million in virtually guaranteed money. Wichard was not interested in publicizing plans for negotiating a new deal for Cromartie, whose current contract expires after the 2010 season. |
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| Ravens trying to nail down Suggs | Tuesday 7/15, 9:09 AM CT |
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The Baltimore Ravens are making a last ditch effort to sign franchise linebacker Terrell Suggs to a long-term deal, according to ESPN. Both sides started exchanging offers Monday after talks had dragged on for most of the offseason.
Our View: Suggs has posted 45 sacks over the past five seasons, and with the price of pass rushers being so high, this could go down to the wire with no guarantee of a deal getting done. |
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| Asomugha unlikely to receive long-term deal | Tuesday 7/15, 9:00 AM CT |
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Neither the agent for cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha nor the Oakland Raiders are interested in public discourse, but the Oakland Tribune doesn’t expect a multi-year contract to be in place before today’s deadline for signing franchise free agents.
Our View: If Asomugha isn’t signed today, he will play the 2008 season under his exclusive franchise free agent tender in the neighborhood of $9.7 million. There are rumors that he won’t report for training camp, but at the end of the day he isn’t going to leave all of that money on the table. |
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| No holdout expected for Long | Tuesday 7/15, 8:50 AM CT |
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After meeting for a second time with defensive end Chris Long's agent, St. Louis Rams’ executive Jay Zygmunt said he foresees no snags in the negotiations that would make the team's first-round draft pick late for training camp, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Our View: Long, a 6-foot-3, 279-pound defensive end out of the University of Virginia, was the No. 2 overall draft selection. He has been designated the starter at right end by Rams coach Scott Linehan. |
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| Kearse has hearing continued | Tuesday 7/15, 8:42 AM CT |
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The driving under the influence hearing for Tennessee Titans defensive end Jevon Kearse was continued Monday morning and will be resumed Sept. 3 in general sessions court, according to The Tennessean. Kearse, 31, was arrested June 22 by the Vanderbilt Police Department. He was charged with DUI and violation of the state's implied consent law for refusing to take the breath test.
Our View: Kearse peaked as a rookie in 1999 with 14.5 sacks, since then his sack totals have steadily declined down to 3.5 in each of the past two seasons. |
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| Portis to carry the load | Tuesday 7/15, 8:31 AM CT |
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The Washington Post expects head coach Jim Zorn to feature running back Clinton Portis,
especially during an opening month that includes all three NFC East road games. An effective Portis would allow quarterback Jason Campbell to become acclimated to the newly installed West Coast offense early in the season.
Our View: Zorn already has said Portis won't have the freedom to take himself out of games this season, which means No. 26 will have to be a workhorse and centerpiece of the offensive scheme. |
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| Simms unlikely to join Lions? | Tuesday 7/15, 8:18 AM CT |
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Chris Simms is unlikely to join the Lions, as suggested by the Detroit News. Although Simms is good friends with receiver Roy Williams (they were team-mates at Texas), the chances are slim the Lions will make a play for the quarterback if he is offered in a trade.
Our View: The Bears, Cowboys, and Lions were the three clubs reportedly interested in Simms, who hasn't played since 2006 due to a ruptured spleen. |
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| Jones to visit Chicago | Tuesday 7/15, 7:00 AM CT |
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Kevin Jones will visit Halas Hall to take a physical for the Bears on Tuesday, according to the Chicago Tribune. His agent anticipates him landing in Chicago or Pittsburgh.
Our View: The Bears have faith in rookie Matt Forte, but (if healthy) Jones would give them a solid 1-2 punch, and take some of the pressure off Forte. |
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