updated Player News

Dallas Cowboys' placekicker Martin Gramatica is still considered to be the clear favorite to win the starting job with the team in 2007. Rookie free agent Nick Folk will also compete for the starting role in Training Camp. There are far better kickers in the league than Gramatica, so don't draft him.

One great sign from Patriots' minicamp was SS Rodney Harrison running full speed and taking part in all drills without wearing so much as a knee brace. Harrison has endured a laundry list of minor ailments from 13 grueling seasons and he missed 19 games over the last two seasons. Harrison is a great player but injuries keep him from being a consistent IDP player. Don't trust him this year...they drafted S Brandon Meriweather for a reason.

While Patriots CB Asante Samuel is looking for CB Nate Clements type of money, he did not receive any help when the Bears signed CB Nathan Vasher to a 5-year, $28 million contract extension. Samuel believes his numbers speak for themself but surprisingly his numbers are very similar to Vasher. The Pats should sign Samuel eventually because they need him on the field. If you draft Samuel, plan on him sitting for a few weeks into the season.

Updated Player News

Last year the Kansas City Chiefs used LB Boomer Grigsby as an emergency fullback during practices. He looked so natural in the position that head coach Herm Edwards approached Grigsby at the end of the season to suggest he make the switch to fullback this year. The Chiefs have been quietly impressed during offseason practices with Grigsby's aptitude for his new position and are hopeful he could wind up as the lead blocker in short-yardage and goal-line situations - and perhaps even more. No fantasy impact here as Larry Johnson will get the TDs for this team.

Doctors still haven't cleared Panthers' DT Jordan Carstens for contact and it remains uncertain whether or not he'll be allowed to participate in training camp that begins July 27. He is slated for another round of tests in late July, just days before the start of training camp. That's when doctors will tell him whether or not he can play this year. Carstens should not be on your pre-draft rankings.

Although the Bears signed CB Nathan Vasher to a five-year deal through 2012 that included $14 million in guaranteed money, and are believed to have proposed a similar extension to CB Charles Tillman, who is entering the final year of his contract, the negotiating stance toward LB Lance Briggs is unchanged. Chicago has remained intransigent in its proposal to Briggs, not budging from a one-year qualifying offer for a franchise linebacker, a tender that carries a price tag of $7.206 million. The closer to the season we get the more it looks like Briggs could miss games and that will hurt the IDP leagues.

Updated Player News

The saga of Dolphins' QB Daunte Culpepper took yet another ironic twist as his name has surfaced on the rumor mill with another team – no other than the border rival Packers. Green Bay, which was thought to be making a serious run for Randy Moss – to the point that Brett Favre made pre-draft guarantees that he would be a Packer and was clearly miffed when that didn't happen – is now allegedly waiting out the Dolphins releasing Culpepper. Culpepper holds no fantasy value for 2007.

Falcons' WR Laurent Robinson, a third-round draft pick from Illinois State, has dazzled with his speed and catching ability during minicamps and OTAs. Veteran defensive backs have been abused by Robinson, who presents a big target. He has also stood out because he makes the routine catches and comes up with the spectacular grabs, too. Robinson is not worthy of drafting but is somebody to keep an eye on.

The Chicago Bears signed starting CB Nathan Vasher to a five-year contract extension on Monday that can be worth as much as $28 million. The new deal, which runs through the 2012 season, includes $14 million in guarantees. Vasher, 25, was set to enter the final year of his original rookie contract with Chicago, at a base salary of $850,000. Vasher did have eight INTs in '05 but still won't have much fantasy value unless it is a very very deep league.

The Bears waived troubled DT Tank Johnson on Monday after he was pulled over for speeding in Arizona last Friday. "We are upset and embarrassed by Tank's actions last week," Bears general manager Jerry Angelo said. "He compromised the credibility of our organization. We made it clear to him that he had no room for error. Our goal was to help someone through a difficult period in his life, but the effort needs to come from both sides. It didn't and we have decided to move on." No team usually means no fantasy value and that is the case with Johnson.

Updated Player News

According to Cleveland Browns' general manager Phil Savage, CB Gary Baxter might be a candidate to begin the season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, but Savage is optimistic he could play sometime this season. Baxter has no fantasy value.



The Detroit Lions haven't had a winning record since 2000 and haven't won 10 games since 1995. That's all going to change in 2007, according to QB Jon Kitna. Appearing on WDFN-AM in Detroit on Thursday, Kitna predicted that the Lions will win more than 10 games this season. Kitna is much more optimistic than the rest of us. He could be a sleeper fantasy QB playing in the Martz offense, so keep him in mind late in the draft.



Chicago Bears' DT Tank Johnson was pulled over for speeding in Arizona early Friday and police said they drew blood from the NFL player to determine whether he was drunk. Johnson is already suspended for eight games and this isn't going to help matters. The Bears should make plans to play without Johnson and so should you if he is on your IDP squad.

LJ planning camp hold out

Larry Johnson, RB KC

News: The Kansas City Star reports that Chiefs RB Larry Johnson is planning to not attend the club's training camp this summer unless he gets a contract extension before it begins. Johnson is under contract for 2007 but is a free agent in 2008 and is expecting a contract similar to LaDainian Tomlinson's. When asked if he was prepared for a long hold out, Johnson said, "I'm prepared. They (my agent and father) got me saving money. I'm hustling to get more money to put in the bank. They already started setting aside different accounts, if that would have to happen. They're already telling me to be cautious about how I spend, where I go and stuff like that. To make sure that if it goes down like that, then I've got to be able to pace myself so I won't be in trouble."

Analysis: While we agree that Johnson deserves a pay raise, we're nervous that a holdout will stunt his potential for another huge-stat season. Most players who hold out of training camp don't report in shape (physically or mentally). Now, should this impact your draft? For now, it should not -- the Chiefs know they'll be sunk this season if Johnson isn't at his best. But if training camp starts and Johnson isn't there, then we may recommend taking someone else third overall in all Fantasy drafts. As of now, Johnson remains a No. 1 stud workhorse worthy of being the third overall choice in all leagues behind LaDainian Tomlinson and Steven Jackson.

RB Pittman signs the dotted line

Antonio Pittman, RB NO

News: The Saints signed fourth-round RB Antonio Pittman to a three-year contract. Pittman will compete for a backup role behind Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister this summer.

Analysis: We felt Pittman was a potential Fantasy sleeper for 2007 until he landed with the Saints. He'll be buried there, making him a useless option in seasonal leagues at this point. Think long-term keeper on him as he'll eventually get a shot somewhere.

'Fitz' an easy 1,000-yard candidate

Larry Fitzgerald, WR ARI

News: Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald is looking for a rebound year after totaling 69 passes for 946 yards (13.7 yards per catch) and six touchdowns in 2006. Had Fitzgerald played in all 16 games, he would project out to 85 catches, 1,163 yards and seven TDs. A hamstring injury cost him in three games and limited him in a fourth.

Analysis: Fitzgerald should be a lock for over 1,000 yards so long as he is healthy. A big target with great speed and amazing hands, Fitzgerald should be viewed as a No. 1 Fantasy WR worth picking between Rounds 3 and 4 in all leagues.

Fantasy Spin

Free Agent WR Deciding Between Washington and Houston

League sources report that free agent WR Keenan McCardell is currently in active negotiations with the Washington Redskins, who drafted him in 1999, along with the Houston Texans, where he visited club officials and coaches three weeks ago.

Fantasy Spin:

Washington is an interesting, yet odd, addition to the equation with McCardell. The Skins are fairly deep at the position with Moss, Randle El, Lloyd, and Thrash. Lloyd and Randle El have been fairly disappointing, so it's safe to assume that the Redskins must be offering him a shot at one of the top three receiving jobs. That said, Houston makes much more sense if he's looking for a chance to start, and he will have more fantasy value in Houston than Washington.

Eagles Pro Bowl TE/LS Retires

After 13 seasons in the NFL Eagles TE/LS Mike Bartrum decided to hang retire on Tuesday. During last year's loss to Indianapolis, Bartrum sustained a serious neck injury involving a herniated disk that has ended his career.

Fantasy Spin:

Bartrum won Pro Bowl honors in 2006 as the best long snapper in the NFC. The Eagles will miss him on special teams. FB/LS Jeremy Cain will likely be his replacement.

Browns Rookie WR Arrested

Police say Cleveland Browns rookie WR Mike Mason refused demands from two off-duty police officers to leave a downtown nightclub at closing time and was arrested. Mason struggled with one of the officers and was shocked with a stun gun. Police charged the 22-year-old with aggravated disorderly conduct, obstructing official business, and resisting arrest, all misdemeanors.

Fantasy Spin:

An undrafted free agent, Mason probably just earned himself a swift boot off the Browns roster. He was a long shot to make the squad though.

Dolphins Cut "Retired" DT

The Miami Dolphins terminated the contract of veteran DT Dan Wilkinson, who failed to attend any of the team's offseason minicamps on Monday. He supposedly retired after 13 seasons this season after the Dolphins tried trading him to Denver in March.

Fantasy Spin:

Whether Big Daddy was holding out in order to be released or he in fact has retired remains a mystery. He's probably retired, but don't be surprised if he turns up somewhere in the NFL before the start of the regular season.

Panthers Reward Punter With Lucrative Extension

Six-year veteran Punter Jason Baker has signed a five-year contract extension with the Carolina Panthers. The extension is worth $8.5 million, making Baker one of the NFL's highest paid punters.

Fantasy Spin:

Baker is one the better punters in the NFL, averaging nearly 46 yards per punt in 2006. Locking him up should help keep the Panthers defense and special teams one of the better units in the league.

Update: RB Signs One-Year Deal With Titans

As reported earlier, RB Chris Brown has re-sign with the Tennessee Titans, agreeing to a one-year deal. The chance to be a starter again in Tennessee and to re-establish himself in the league as a viable starter for free agency lead Brown to choose his former team over other suitors.

Fantasy Spin:

Brown will compete with White and Henry to start in Tennessee. If he can stay healthy, he could well win the job. An interesting side note is the signing of Brown should help improve some uneasiness surrounding other Titans players, especially Vince Young owners.

Bengals RB Arrested For Disorderly Conduct

Cincinnati Bengals RB Quincy Wilson was part of a wedding party celebrating at the envy nightclub, when he was arrested for disorderly conduct after leaving the club. The groom and bride were also arrested along with three other members of the wedding party. Police say they refused to leave the area of the nightclub after officers ordered the crowd to disperse. Family members say those arrested did nothing wrong -- that the arrests were racially motivated. The police report says it was important to get the crowd to leave that area of 4th Avenue because of a shots fired report nearby and a stabbing that happened a week earlier.

Fantasy Spin:

Another Bengal involved in an ugly incident involving the police? The Commissioner is not going to be pleased, and the Bengals are inching closer and closer to possible league sanctions for their players' conduct. No action will be forthcoming soon, but you have to wonder what is going with the Bengals.

Former Redskins LB Suffers Serious Injuries In Accident

Former Redskins LB LaVar Arrington was injured in a motorcycle accident in Prince George County today. He was rushed to PG County Hospital after being involved in a single vehicle crash with multiple broken bones, including a broken arm, and head trauma. He is listed in stable condition.

Fantasy Spin:

Poor Arrington just cannot catch a break when it comes to injuries. More and more it appears his NFL career is over. We hope he has a speedy recovery.

Titans Suspended CB Wanted For Questioning In Shooting

Police were seeking Tennessee Titans CB Adam "Pacman" Jones for questioning about a shooting early Monday morning involving members of his entourage after a fight at an Atlanta strip club. Jones was apparently not present durring the shootings, but police believe he knows some of the parties involved.

Fantasy Spin:

Jones just doesn't seem to get it! While he was not involved in the shootings, he continues to associate with a bad crowd that is going to get him into more trouble down the road. Owners would be advised to not invest heavily in Pacman in IDP leagues

Updated Player News

Suspended Titans' CB Adam "Pacman" Jones will surrender to authorities in Nevada and fight felony charges regarding a strip club incident that preceded a triple shooting. Lawyers for Jones are working out the details of the surrender which is anticipated for either Friday or Monday. The Pacman story continues.



Tampa Bay Buccaneers' GM Bruce Allen said that QB Jake Plummer is subject to fines for missing the mandatory minicamp sessions that just ended. Allen added he hopes Plummer shows up at training camp. It is unknown if more fines will incur at that time or not. Regardless of Plummer's status, Jeff Garcia looks to be the QB1 in Tampa.



Chiefs' RB Larry Johnson told Jason Whitlock of the Kansas City Star that he is prepared to hold out of training camp in order to resolve his contract impasse with the Chiefs. Johnson is on the books to make $1.7 million this season, a paltry sum for a fifth-year player with his resume. Speculation has centered on Johnson seeking a contract that falls between the deals given LaDainian Tomlinson ($21 million in guarantees) and Peyton Manning ($35 million in guarantees). Owners should beware because a hold out would put many fantasy teams in a big hole. Let's monitor his situation.

Updated Player News

Tampa Bay Buccaneers' CB Brian Kelly has been cleared to practice with the team after recovering from a toe injury that has kept him sidelined for most of the off-season practice sessions. "He's a pro. He looks good," head coach Jon Gruden said.



Tennessee Titans' QB Vince Young missed the team's afternoon practice session with what is being called a mild tightening of his calf muscle. The injury is not considered serious. "Coach kicked me (out)," Young said. "He told me to chill out for the rest of the day." No worries you can still draft VY as your QB2.



The quarterback competition in Kansas City is by definition "open", but the momentum is swinging heavily in second-year QB Brodie Croyle's favor. Croyle got nearly all of the first team snaps during yesterday's practice and he's been increasingly impressing coach Herm Edwards with his precision and decision-making. This is somewhat of a surprise as most of us expected QB Damon Huard to start the season as the starter and Croyle to be gradually worked in the lineup.

Updated Player News

Washington Redskins' CB Fred Smoot is looking to redeem himself this season in his return to Washington. "I want to prove to people that I'm the same Fred Smoot who left here," he said of his departure for Minnesota two years ago. "Some people doubt I'm a good corner anymore. I like being doubted." Smoot is not a recommended IDP player. He is most likely past his prime.



Atlanta Falcons' QB Michael Vick has pulled out of a scheduled appearance at a youth football camp to be held at the College of William & Mary. A spokesman for the college said Monday that Vick's place will be taken by Washington Redskins' QB Jason Campbell. Vick does not have a good image in the public right now but he should still be a good fantasy QB.



Redskins' RB Clinton Portis, still nursing knee tendonitis and a shoulder injury, was able to participate in some drills and team work during all three days of mini-camp. "My shoulder feels really good but my knee is still a little sore from running around," Portis said after Sunday's practice. Portis should be fine by week 1, but he is no longer valued as a top-5 back. Portis can be drafted in the 2nd round of most redraft leagues.

Updated Player News

Jets' OL Pete Kendall has asked the Jets to trade or release him because of a bitter contract dispute, and his frustration and anger were clear as he spoke to the media for more than 20 minutes after the morning practice at veteran minicamp. "My situation's just become a circus," Kendall said. "I'm very unhappy."



Packers' QB Brett Favre was held out of the Green Bay's practices Wednesday and Thursday because of a sore right shoulder. "I probably could practice, but it really don't make a lot of sense to go out and make it any worse," Favre said. "I think it's probably just tendinitis or something like that." Favre is a vet and doesn't need the practice...let's be honest.



Everyone, it seems, has an opinion on who should start at quarterback for the Cleveland Browns. ESPN analyst Ron Jaworski, the long-ago Philadelphia Eagles QB, this week said he thinks rookie first-round draft choice Brady Quinn would be the wise choice because the Browns have "nothing else." This could be an issue all season long if Quinn isn't the guy to start. At some point he will be, so when do you get his feet wet? Fantasy Owners should shy away from Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson in redraft leagues but Quinn would be a nice dynasty selection.

Updated Player News

Green Bay Packers' LB Nick Barnett was arrested early Sunday after a disturbance at a nightclub. Police said in a statement that Barnett was taken into custody for battery after allegedly being involved in a physical altercation about 2 a.m. at the Wet. He was taken to Outagamie County Jail in Appleton and released within an hour after posting a $500 cash bond. Barnett is a good but not great IDP linebacker and this run in with the law should not affect him on the field.



Bears' disgruntled DE Alex Brown is trying to remain positive after losing his starting job to Mark Anderson, but he admits to being frustrated. "You would too," said Brown, who asked to be traded in the off-season. "You try to keep your cool and hope things play out the way you want them. If not, they'll play out somehow." Brown had seven sacks last season but cannot be counted on as a fantasy factor as long as he is a backup.



The three-year contract that Dolphins' QB Trent Green signed in Miami to facilitate his trade two weeks ago is worth substantially less than the three seasons that remained on his contract with the Kansas City Chiefs. The disparity is more than $10 million between the values of the two contracts. Green seems to be more concerned with leaving Kansas City than money. The jury will be out on Green in Miami...hold off on drafting him because you may be able to get him on the waiver wire.

Impact Rookies – Running Backs

By:  The Skiman

Date: 6/14/07 

 

No other rookie position on the offensive side of the ball is more impactful than at running back.  Get the ball.  Run the ball.  Unlike a wide receiver, tight end or quarterback, running backs typically are the most productive fantasy players on offense.   

All wide receivers, tight ends and you could argue quarterbacks, combined from the first round were not as productive as just the running backs.  But this is no surprise and is typically what we expect.  Quarterbacks need to learn their respective offenses and the opposing defenses, wide receivers need to adjust to the new routes, develop a rapport with their quarterback and adjust to the speed of the NFL DBs.   Tight ends are usually under similar pressure but can fit in the short passing and blocking schemes a little more readily.  

Look at last year's first few players at each position.  The first RB taken was Reggie Bush.  Reggie ran well in tandem with Deuce McAllister, caught a ton of balls from the backfield and from the slot while returning punts and kicks.  Nice opening season.  Laurence Maroney had similar rushing duties in New England and returned punts and kicks for part of the season.  Joseph Addia only became an integral part of the Colts Superbowl run and ran Dominic Rhodes out of town.  Can you name me a wide receiver that came out of the first round?   

This year there were a number of running backs that were drafted.  Barring a Curtis Martin or Terrell Davis coming out of the late rounds, a handful could step up and produce. 

1. Adrian Peterson
   

This guy was injured most of his final collegiate career but when he was healthy he looked like a young Shawn Alexander.  In Minnesota he'll be teamed up with Chester Taylor and should be at least as effective as Joseph Addai or Laurence Maroney were last season.  In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if he had the primary role carrying the ball all to himself by game 6. 

Late First Rounder 

1. Marshawn Lynch
   

Marshawn was a dynamic back in college and now has to beat out the A-Train.  This shouldn't be a tall order.  Look for Lynch to break a thousand yards this season and have 10 total touchdowns behind an improved offensive line.

Early Second Rounder 

1. Chris Henry
   

Another year, another Henry.  Travis Henry moved to Denver and created another situation where a rookie could come in and steal the starting role with little or no competition.  This kid is big, fast and has soft hands.  He looks like Michael Bell out of Arizona last year except that even with little playing time the scouts were putting information on him long before the draft.  The backfield in Tennessee is thin to begin with and with LenDale White is in Jeff Fischer's doghouse look for Henry to produce with similar results as his predecessor Travis.

Late Fifth Rounder

1. Brandon Jackson
   

This guy is the dark horse of the bunch.  He's coming into a situation with a very unsettled backfield and could come out on top.  Every guy that runs in Green Bay is somewhat successful and this guy looks like a shoe in as a third down back, minimum.

Tenth Rounder   

Other guys that you should keep an eye on:

Brian Leonard, Michael Bush (OAK), Lorenzo Booker (MIA), Kenny Irons (CIN) and Darrius Walker (undrafted)

Updated Player News

Continuing to add depth at defensive back, the Washington Redskins signed free agent CB Jerametrius Butler yesterday. He has been injured most of the last two years and was released Tuesday by St. Louis.



Free agent RB James Mungro, who missed the 2006 season with a knee injury, went through a workout at the Indianapolis Colt's facility Tuesday. "We're just waiting to hear back from them," Ken Sarnoff, Mungro's agent, said Tuesday. "James would like to return. We'll see what happens." If healthy, Mungro would most likely be the backup to Joseph Addai.



Officials from the Jacksonville Jaguars have hinted at a curiosity about Dolphins' QB Daunte Culpepper and the possibility of adding him to a deep but questionable depth chart, but the team has not publicly acknowledged its interest. Stay tuned...this is not the last you will hear of Culpepper.

News and Notes

Jun 13 Christopher L. Gasper, of the Boston Globe, reports New England Patriots RB Laurence Maroney (shoulder) says he will be capable of carrying the workload at running back once he is fully recovered from offseason shoulder surgery. "Yeah, most definitely," Maroney said. "We've got a lot of good players on this team and I still don't feel like with Corey being gone and me moving up to the starting running back that the pressure is going to be on me because we still have 10 other people on this (offense) that are going to have to carry their load. I'm going to have to carry my part and we're all going to come together and put it together as a team effort." Maroney remains noncommittal about whether he will be ready by the start of training camp July 27.

2007 Draft Bust or Boon?

By: The Skiman

Date: 6/13/07 

 

Every year the anticipation of the new crop of rookies being indoctrinated into the NFL rosters is very high.  Optimism for the upcoming season runs high.  The draft provides hope of the downtrodden teams while bolstering the depth of the successful ones.   

And every year that optimism is based on the performance of kids coming out of college programs that are as young as eighteen years old.  We all expected D'Brickishaw Ferguson to come in and help the Jets Day One and A. J. Hawk to help Green Bay's aging defense regain some of its speed and hitting power.  To say that expectations of Reggie Bush were high is a huge understatement.  However, when looking back at his season, he did produce for New Orleans and looks like he will be a highly productive player for years to come (Houston's gonna be reliving that decision for a years to come too).   

But these highly touted guys like Reggie aren't the guys that surprised us.  The surprises that come after the first round of pedigreed athletes is what makes the draft so interesting.  Tom Brady is probably the most widely used example of a Boon to any franchise.  Selected in the 6^th round by the New England Patriots in 2000 he learned the NE system for a year then lead the team to 3 Superbowl wins after taking the job from Drew Bledsoe in 2001. 

Last year's draft had similar examples of picks coming into the league and making a huge impact on their teams.  The most notable was wide receiver Marques Colson of the New Orleans Saints. A 7th round pick (255^th overall) he was by far the most productive rookie receiver selected as well as one of the most productive players overall. In Jacksonville Maurice Jones Drew looked like a seasoned veteran producing game after game.   A second rounder Jones was the 5^th RB selected behind the likes of Reggie Bush, Laurence Maroney, Joseph Addai and Carolina.  On the defensive side of the ball you see the same story.  Look at Houston's second round selection LB DeMecco Ryans.  This guy was the 6^th LB selected and could be the second coming of Ray Lewis.   

On the flip side, I think the busts are harder to judge.  When player get to the NFL there is an adjustment period and sometimes it takes a couple of seasons for a player to emerge.  Most offensive linemen, defensive linemen, wide receivers and QBs take years to develop.  However, injury, character issues and skill sometimes derail the most talented atheletes.  The injury bug got to Vernon Davis, Chad Greenway, Bobby Carpenter, John McCargo and Chad Jackson last year.  All these guys came into the league as highly touted players expected to make immediate contributions to their respective teams but got hurt along the way and some may never reach their potential.  Others like Jason Allen (or any number of guys playing in the 'Natti) might have to grow up and start acting like professionals off the field before making any impact on the field. 

All that said, we are now over one year removed from the 2006 draft.  If teams could go back, how would they choose knowing what they know now?  Here's the way I see the respective teams choosing.   

#	Team	Original Player		New Pick
1	Houston	Mario Williams		Reggie Bush
2	New Orleans	Reggie Bush		Mario Williams
3	Tennessee	Vince Young		Vince Young
4	New York Jets	D'Brickashaw Ferguson		D'Brickashaw Ferguson
5	Green Bay	AJ Hawk		AJ Hawk
6	San Francisco	Vernon Davis		Demecco Ryans
7	Oakland	Michael Huff		Matt Lienart
8	Buffalo	Donte Whitner		Michael Huff
9	Detroit	Ernie Sims		Ernie Simms
10	Arizona	Matt Leinart		Jay Cutler
11	Denver (from St. Louis)	Jay Cutler		Donte Whitner
12	Baltimore (from Cleveland)	Haloti Ngata		Haloti Ngata
13	Cleveland (from Baltimore)	Kamerion Wimbley		Kamerion Wimbley
14	Philadelphia	Brodrick Bunkley		Vernon Davis
15	St. Louis (from Atlanta thru Denver)	Tye Hill		Tye Hill
16	Miami	Jason Allen		Laurence Maroney
17	Minnesota	Chad Greenway		Donte Whitner
18	Dallas	Bobby Carpenter		Manny Lawson
19	San Diego	Antonio Cromartie		Jimmy Williams
20	Kansas City	Tamba Hali		Marcus McNiel
21	New England	Laurence Maroney		Joseph Addai
22	San Francisco (from Washington thru Denver)	Manny Lawson		Tamba Hali
23	Tampa Bay	Davin Joseph		Davin Joseph
24	Cincinnati	Jonathan Joseph		Johathan Joseph
25	Pittsburgh (from NY Giants)	Santonio Holmes		Marcus Coleson
26	Buffalo (from Chicago)	John McCargo		Greg Jennings
27	Carolina	DeAngelo Williams		Maurice Drew
28	Jacksonville	Marcedes Lewis		Marcedes Lewis
29	New York Jets (from Denver)	Nick Mangold		Nick Mangold
30	Indianapolis	Joseph Addai		Chad Greenway
31	Seattle	Kelly Jennings		Bobby Carpenter
32	NY Giants (from Pittsburgh)	Mathias Kiwanuka		Mathia Kiwanuka

 
 

The rookies this year will probably surprise us too.  Here's to the hope a WR from a Hofstra or a undervalued QB lands on your teams' bench.  

Updated Player News

Raiders' RB Dominic Rhodes started and came off the bench effectively as a running back for the Indianapolis Colts. The free-agent acquisition's preference with the Raiders is simple: "I just want to get the ball and make plays," he said Monday following the morning practice at the team's voluntary minicamp. Rhodes will most likely be splitting carries with RB LaMont Jordan to start the season.



The Titans' signing of veteran CB Kelly Herndon does not signal a move back to safety for first-round draft pick Michael Griffin, general manager Mike Reinfeldt said Monday. "He's still a cornerback," Reinfeldt said. "He's done a good job so far and we'll continue to look at him there." Griffin is not a recommended IDP player at this point in his career.



Titans CB Adam "Pacman" Jones withdrew the appeal of his suspension Tuesday and will serve the one-year term imposed by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. "I understand my responsibilities to my teammates, the Titans and my fans and I am committed to turning my life around and being a positive member of the NFL," Jones said in a statement issued by his agent.

Updated Player News

The Cowboys' regular season does not start until Sept. 9, but QB Tony Romo hopes to have a new contract completed by the time he attempts his first pass against the New York Giants. "I'd definitely like it before the season began, but you never know how these things go," he said. "I know the Jones family. They know me. We'll come to a conclusion." Romo was a fantasy surprise last season and should be a middle tier QB in '07.



Two days after handing out a written statement in which he said he was considering filing a grievance against the Dolphins for barring him from participation in team drills, estranged Dolphins' QB Daunte Culpepper has decided to do so. Hopefully this situation will be over soon and Culpepper can find a new team.



During the third day of the Dolphins' final minicamp, WR Derek Hagan showed glimpses of his talent. Hagan, the Dolphins' third-round pick in the 2006 draft, made several acrobatic catches, including one where he leapt in the back of the end zone and fell backward on a 20-yard pass from Cleo Lemon. Hagan is a possible sleeper but don't bother drafting him unless it is very late.

Jeff Garcia Leading QB Battle (6/8 9:41 PT)

The Facts: Jon Gruden all but anointed Garcia the Bucs' starting QB while addressing an audience of business people and fans during a question and answer session at a breakfast Friday morning. "There's not a lot of controversy in my eyes right now," Gruden said. "If you want to catch up to Jeff Garcia, our young quarterbacks have some work to do. Reported by the Tampa Tribune



It should be noted that Garcia hasn't nailed the position down. As Gruden further explained: "I'm not discounting that there won't be a competition in training camp. I do believe Chris Simms and Bruce Gradkowski can make it interesting. ...But Jeff Garcia is clearly the leader in the clubhouse right now, and we are excited about that. ..." As our current rankings reflect, we believe Garcia will be the opening-day starter.

Dog Carcasses Found On Michael Vick Property (6/8 2:10 PT)

The Facts: Following up on a previous item. ... Surry County is still considering charges in the Vick dog-fighting case and county attorney Gerald Poindexter says it appears the U.S. Attorney's Office has an investigation of its own, after federal authorities conducted a search of Moonlight Road property Thursday. ESPN Radio is reporting that nearly three dozen dog carcasses were found. Poindexter said he does not know what was found.



Poindexter said federal authorities will likely share the results of their search with Surry investigators, who are still moving forward with their own investigation. Still, we have to believe the federal presence on this case is of much greater concern to Vick than the county investigation. ... Stay tuned.

After weeks of waiting and wondering among all parties involved, the Dolphins finally landed their man. June 6, quarterback Trent Green was officially acquired from the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for a conditional 2008 fifth-round pick. The pick will become a fourth-rounder based upon Green's playing time in 2007.

A Long Time Coming

The Dolphins first became interested in acquiring the soon-to-be 37-year-old Green in February. It appeared Green may be the odd man out in K.C., with Damon Huard signing a new three-year deal and second-year man Brodie Croyle waiting in the wings. The Chiefs gave Green permission to seek a trade, and early on it became clear that, while a handful of teams were inquiring about his services, there was significant mutual interest between Green and the Dolphins.

With a $7.2 million salary in 2007, any team interested in acquiring Green would insist upon reducing that number. Green had the leverage in that regard and struck a deal with the Dolphins. It then became up to the front offices of the Chiefs and Dolphins to work out the compensation for Green. It began a game of chicken that would last well past the NFL Draft.

The Dolphins offered a sixth-round pick, while the Chiefs wanted a fourth-rounder. Neither side appeared willing to budge, although it appeared the Dolphins had the leverage as Green refused to negotiate with other teams, and it seemed unlikely the Chiefs would keep Green as a backup under his current contract. In May, Green attempted to facilitate things by attending offseason workouts. An injury to Green would have guaranteed his entire 2007 salary.

Despite the apparent leverage in Miami's corner, in addition to a few hits to the Chiefs' public image with players like Larry Johnson and Brian Waters complaining about the treatment of Green, it was the Dolphins that blinked first. The Dolphins changed their offer to a conditional sixth, and eventually upgraded it to a conditional fifth.

The acquisition of Green spells the end of the Daunte Culpepper era in Miami. While Miami has once again traded for a projected starting quarterback, this occasion differs from the Culpepper trade and the A.J. Feeley one before that. Green is not viewed as a savior of the franchise or the quarterback of the future. The latter was chosen this in the second round of April's draft, in Brigham Young University's John Beck. Green is merely a placeholder until Beck is ready, and it is a job Green should fill admirably.

An Ideal Placeholder

Green probably isn't going to win any awards as quarterback for the Dolphins. He likely won't be selected to his third Pro Bowl. He probably won't top 4,000 yards passing as he did three seasons in Kansas City. He may not even make the playoffs on this team that is still rebuilding, now under a new head coach with a different vision. However, he will still man the job.

Beck is the quarterback of the future, and he will be groomed as such. Until then, Green provides an experienced veteran to lead the team until Beck is ready. Unlike pretty much every Dolphins quarterback since Marino called it quits (as a player, not as a front office face that one time), Green is smart with the football and doesn't make a lot of mistakes. On a team that has consistently had one of the league's best defenses in recent years, it should be a welcome addition.

The transition to a new team and offense should also be much easier for Green than under traditional circumstances. Dolphins quarterbacks coach Terry Shea held the same position in Kansas City from 2001-03, as well as the past two seasons. More importantly, Green has worked with head coach Cam Cameron before, when the latter was quarterbacks coach from 1994-96. He is largely familiar with Cameron's offense, and Green even estimated it was 85 percent the same as when he was in it last.

The potential drawbacks are obvious ones. At 37, Green's best years are obviously behind him. He also suffered a nasty concussion in the season opener last season, and there could be concerns he may never regain his form given what he did upon his return (seven touchdowns, nine interceptions, 74.1 passer rating). Green also won't be playing behind an offensive line anywhere near the one he had during his best years in Kansas City. He will have some potential weapons on offense in running back Ronnie Brown and wide receiver Chris Chambers, but most of Miami's skill players haven't had the chance to be as good as they can be. This has largely been due poor play from the line and the quarterback spot.

Fortunately, the Dolphins are not asking for much. They aren't looking for Manning-type production. (Peyton, not Eli. Eli's might not be a stretch.) They aren't asking for Pro Bowls, and they likely aren't expecting to be hoisting any trophies come February. In Green, all the Dolphins want is an experienced veteran that can manage the offense and limit mistakes until Beck is ready to take over in 2008 or 2009. Green is more than capable of filling the role, and even at 37 may be better at it than his recent predecessors.

Fantasy Impact

Miami likely isn't looking for Green to save the franchise or lead them to glory, and you should approach him the same way when it comes to fantasy football. Green is a smart player that won't make too many mistakes, but he also isn't going to light it up and torch defenses. Green is a weaker No. 1 quarterback heading into 2007. He is an ideal fantasy backup, a strong fill-in option, but do not make him the player you depend on week in and week out.

Trent Green Traded To Miami

It's About TimeThe Miami Dolphins have agreed to trade a fifth-round pick in the 2008 draft — which could become a fourth-rounder depending on how much action Green sees for Miami in 2007. The deal is contingent on Green passing a physical. He is scheduled to fly to Miami Tuesday evening to take that physical. The long-discussed deal finally got done when Chiefs brass informed the Dolphins a trade had to get done by today or else they would have kept Green on their roster for the 2007 season. (Fox Sports)

The over-hyped saga is finally over. On the field Green should make a pretty easy transistion into the Miami offense. He's worked with Cam Cameron in the past and has a working knowledge of the playbook. Good pickup for Miami who could not afford to head into the season with Cleo Lemon and a banged up Daunte Culpepper.

Oakland QB Out 4-6 Weeks

The Oakland Raiders will be without quarterback Andrew Walter for four to six weeks after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery, according to the Oakland Tribune's web site on Thursday. Walter threw for 1,677 yards and three touchdown with 13 interceptions in 12 games last season. The 6-6 signal-caller is expected to be back by the time training camp opens late next month. Walter will be involved in a heated battle with No. 1 overall pick JaMarcus Russell and journeymen Josh McCown for the starting position. (Yahoo)

Culpepper asks Dolphins to release him

MIAMI (AP) - Daunte Culpepper wants to choose his next team, so he's asked the Miami Dolphins to release him.

Culpepper, who serves as his own agent, made the request Thursday — one day after the Dolphins completed a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs for quarterback Trent Green and told Culpepper they would try to trade him.

"I must say the impatience the organization displayed in both encouraging me to rush back on the field last year and then rushing me out the door this year is disappointing," Culpepper said. "However, I understand that they have the right to make that business decision. It is now my turn to make some decisions."

Dolphins coach Cam Cameron has indicated he wants to have some resolution to the Culpepper situation by Friday, when the team opens a three-day minicamp. Green, the presumed starter in Miami this season, will be there — and Culpepper said he'll also be on the field if he's not released first.

Culpepper had a major right knee injury in 2005, yet the Dolphins still sent a second-round pick to the Minnesota Vikings for him before the 2006 season. Culpepper started the first four games last season, before the team shut him down because of problems with the knee, and he's been largely unable to compete in practices so far this offseason.

But the three-time Pro Bowl quarterback obtained clearance from orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews to resume football activity on Monday, and Dolphins' team physicians followed suit on Tuesday — while the team was nearing a deal with Kansas City for Green, who was the starter there for most of the past six seasons.

"It is necessary to obtain a release rather than seek a trade so that I would not bring the excess baggage of my present contract to a new team," Culpepper said. "I feel like my next team should have the opportunity to get to know me as a man and a player before they make any long-term commitment."

In 84 games over parts of the past seven NFL seasons, Culpepper has completed 64 percent of his passes for 21,091 yards and 137 touchdowns with 89 interceptions.

The Dolphins had no intentions to keep both Green and Culpepper. They re-signed backup Cleo Lemon to a one-year deal earlier this offseason, and chose Brigham Young quarterback John Beck in the second round of this year's draft after passing on Notre Dame's Brady Quinn with the ninth overall pick.

Miami and Kansas City talked for weeks about a trade involving Green. The Dolphins offered a sixth-round pick before the NFL Draft, the Chiefs insisted on a fourth-round selection, and the sides ultimately agreed on a fifth-rounder in 2008's draft - which could become a fourth-round choice depending on how Green fares in Miami this season.

When the trade finally became final, Culpepper said he'd welcome being part of an open competition for the job in Miami, yet said Thursday that he suspected that wouldn't happen.

"Even though it is frustrating, I had prepared myself for the possibility that I would not be given an opportunity to compete here since the week before this year's NFL Draft," Culpepper said. "At that time it became obvious to me that my desire to compete would not trump established relationships."

Updated Player News

Bengals' CB Johnathan Joseph had surgery Wednesday morning on the left foot he injured Saturday in a mandatory minicamp practice. Coach Marvin Lewis said that Joseph will be ready for the start of training camp when players report July 26 to Georgetown (Ky.) College.



Vikings' LB Chad Greenway, the team's first-round pick a year ago, did not get any on-the-field experience last season after tearing his left anterior cruciate ligament while playing special teams in the preseason opener. But he is on pace to be ready for the 2007 opener and is penciled in as the starting weakside linebacker.



Jaguars' coach Jack Del Rio praised QB Byron Leftwich's performance in practice on Wednesday amidst rumors linking QB Daunte Culpepper to Jacksonville. Stay away from Jacksonville QBs as of now. Leftwich, Garrard, and now Culpepper...too many question marks to be on my team.



Seahawks' RB Shaun Alexander, who missed six games last season with a broken bone in his left foot, insists his foot is fine heading into the 2007 season. "My foot's doing great," Alexander said Wednesday after the third practice in the team's two-week minicamp. Alexander is a top 5 pick in most drafts this season.

Common Football Injury Dictionary

Every fantasy season, owners find themselves scrambling to find short and long-term replacements for injured players. The following is a summary of common football injuries, which will be useful this coming fantasy season. Each type of injury is briefly described and the average recovery time is listed.

AC Shoulder Separation

The acromioclavicular joint is where the collarbone attaches to the shoulder. A separation at this juncture involves the stretching (first-degree), partial tearing (second-degree), or complete tearing (third degree) of the ligaments which hold these bones together. A first-degree separation can take 7-10 days to heal, a second-degree separation usually takes between 2 and 3 weeks for recovery, and a third-degree separation can take as long as 3 months to fully heal.

Achilles Tendinitis

The Achilles tendon attaches the muscles of the lower leg (gastrocnemius and soleus) to the heel. Achilles tendinitis is inflammation of this tendon generally caused by overuse or a direct blow. This injury is usually curable in about 4-6 weeks with proper treatment.

Arthroscopic Surgery

This is a type of surgery that is minimally invasive and involves the examination and sometimes treatment of damage to the internal aspects of a joint. An arthroscope is inserted through a small incision, generally to assess the severity of or repair torn cartilage, knee ligament injury, or other joint injury. The advantage of this type of surgery is that it does not require opening the joint fully, which reduces recovery time due to less trauma to the surrounding tissues.

Collateral Ligament Injury

The collateral ligaments, medial collateral (MCL) and lateral collateral (LCL) act to prevent excessive sideways bending of the knee joint. These ligaments are injured when the knee joint is forced inward (MCL injury) or forced outward (LCL injury). These injuries are also categorized as first, second, and third-degree, with recovery time ranging between 6-12 weeks.

Cruciate Ligament Injury

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) attach the thighbone (femur) to the shinbones (fibula and tibia) acting to stabilize the knee joint. The ACL and PCL can be injured primarily by rotational forces on the knee. ACL and PCL sprains are categorized as first, second, and third-degree. Injuries to the cruciate ligaments can take 3-12 months to heal depending upon severity.

Concussion

A concussion is caused by a direct blow to the head. Depending upon the severity of the concussion, injury can cause varying levels of impairment of brain function. Concussions are categorized as mild (grade 1), moderate (grade 2), or severe (grade 3) depending upon symptoms. The recovery time for a concussion varies by individual athlete. The rule of thumb is that an athlete should not resume activity until symptoms have subsided.

Contusion

A contusion is basically a deep bruise that is caused by direct impact. In football we generally hear about quadricep (thigh) contusions. Usually, contusions do not sideline an athlet-- if they start to manage the injury immediately.

Dislocation

A dislocation occurs when the ball of a joint is forced out of its socket (i.e. arm forced out of the shoulder joint). A dislocation must be reset by proper medical professionals.

Fracture

A fracture is a break, crack, or shattering of a bone. In closed fractures, the broken bone does not pierce the skin, while in open fractures, the broken bone breaks the skin's surface. The recovery time for fractures varies.

High Ankle Sprain

A high ankle sprain involves stretching or tearing of the large ligament (sydesmotic ligament) that joins together the two bones of the lower leg (fibula and tibia). High ankle sprains do not heal as quickly as low sprains and are generally managed by applying an air cast for about 6 weeks.

Hip Pointer

A hip pointer is a contusion of the frontal portion of the hipbone. This type of injury is caused by direct impact to this area. Hip pointers are painful injuries that are often difficult to manage because of the constant stress on this area due to the strength of the thigh muscles, which attach to the hip at this area. Hip pointers can take between 1-3 weeks for recovery.

Iliotibial Band Syndrome

The IT band is a tendon that attaches the hip to the knee joint, providing stability. IT band syndrome occurs when this tendon rubs against the outer knee joint and produces inflammation. IT band injuries are caused by overuse or improper conditioning and can take 5 days to 6 months to resolve.

Meniscus Injuries

The medial and lateral menisci are the cartilage shock absorbers located inside the knee joint. These can be damaged by excessive twisting, turning, or compression at the knee joint, which produces tears. Due to the poor blood supply, meniscal injuries generally require surgery for repair. Athletes can generally return to action 4-8 weeks following surgery.

Sprain

This is an injury that involves the stretching, partial tearing, or complete rupture of a ligament. Sprains are categorized as first, second, or third degree. In football, the most common sprain is to the hamstrings.

Stinger

A stinger or burner as it can also be called, is a very common injury in football. This injury involves a stretch or compression of the brachial plexus (a complex system of nerves that involve the back, neck, shoulders, and arms). Stingers generally cause shooting pain down the arm(s). This type of injury requires various amounts of recovery time.

Strain

Strains are injuries that involve the stretching, partial tearing, or complete tearing of a tendon. Strains are categorized as first, second, or third degree.

Subluxation

A subluxation is similar to a dislocation in that a force causes a ball and socket joint to become disjointed. However, in the case of a subluxation, the injured joint will pop out and then back in, not requiring it to be put back into place.

Turf Toe

A metatarsal-phalangeal sprain, or turf toe, is an injury caused by a toe being hyper-extended. This injury is generally suffered while playing on rigid sport surfaces, such as artificial turf and usually occurs in the big toe. Turf toe is a common, nagging injury that many running backs deal with. Recovery time varies.

 

by Jeb Gorham