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.