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Seahawks WR Deion Branch is on the move, and his quarterback believes the receiver will have a big year. This year, Branch is moving to the "Z", an outside spot on the tight-end side. It's the spot veteran Darrell Jackson played for most of the last seven seasons, totaling 63 catches and 10 touchdowns in 2006. Branch is more of a WR3 right now but does have big upside.
Tyna Robertson claims Bears LB Brian Urlacher, the father of her 2-year-old son, has sent her more than 30 nasty text messages since January. In those messages, he allegedly called her a "hooker" and "jealous b----," among other things, and once made this suggestion: "make one of your pimps drive you around," according to court papers filed Friday in their child custody case. Robertson, a former exotic dancer who has been accused of shaking down men for money, has had court trouble with another famous man she once dated -- "Lord of the Dance" star Michael Flatley. Urlacher is still a top IDP talent despite these off the field issues.
Contrary to a previous report from ESPN, Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Vick is not out of the woods. After removing the remains of 7 pit bulls during their first search on June 7th, federal authorities removed the remains of another 10 carcasses buried in shallow graves at Vick's property on Friday. This story will not end but Vick should still be a top-10 QB in fantasy leagues.
Falcons RB Jerious Norwood "figures to get" just as many touches as Warrick Dunn this season, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. With Dunn on the downhill side of his career, I suggest drafting Norwood ahead of Dunn this season.
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Former Philadelphia linebacker Dhani Jones, who started for the Eagles last season but then was waived after last spring's draft, said Thursday night that he intends to sign with the New Orleans Saints. The Saints have addressed the defense in the offseason and this move would not hurt either. Until Jones signs and earns a starting spot, he is not a useful IDP player.
Thirteen-year veteran strong safety Rodney Harrison, still regarded as the heart of the New England secondary but a defender whose productivity has diminished the past two seasons because of injuries, has restructured his contract. Harrison will most likely start the season as a starter but look for rookie S Brandon Meriweather to steal some snaps.
The Cowboys absolutely want Arkansas RB Darren McFadden in the 2008 draft based on what he did last season. Their two first-round choices will give them the ammunition to make a bid, if Cleveland doesn't give them a top-five pick with a poor performance. The '07 season of Julius Jones and Marion Barber will weigh heavily on this decision.
The fact that the Titans re-signed RB Chris Brown, who appeared a goner at season's end, should tell you all you need to know about their assessment of the running back situation. LenDale White found his way into the doghouse early by reporting to the offseason overweight, then injuring his hamstring. The debate on Chris Henry within the Titans' camp is how good will he be and how quickly can he get there. Brown would appear to have the inside track for now, simply because he has a track record of sorts, including a 1,000-yard season in 2004. Drafting any of these RBs is a risk and you should definitely handcuff them if you choose to draft a Titans RB.
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On Tuesday the Chicago Bears signed their 1st round pick TE Greg Olsen to a 5 year deal. With this signing, it makes Olsen the first player who was drafted in either the 1st or 2nd round this year to sign with their respected team. Olsen is a good keeper league TE and a marginal redraft league tight end. He will share time with Desmond Clark, so don't expect him to be a top fantasy TE just yet.
Some Dolphins players believe WR Ted Ginn will play more receiver as a rookie than coach Cam Cameron suggests publicly. Derek Hagan will begin camp as the No. 3 receiver (provided Marty Booker is still here), but Ginn could challenge. Ginn will primarily be a special teams returner and his value could increase dramatically if he is this No. 3 WR. Draft him in dynasty leagues only.
Agent Drew Rosenhaus, who has been in Chicago the past couple of days, also brought with him several ideas regarding LB Lance Briggs' contract that he hopes will interest the Bears. "We presented some concepts that we think will work for the Bears and for Lance," Rosenhaus said, declining to elaborate on specifics. Adding urgency to Briggs' situation is that July 16 is the deadline to do long-term contracts with players having the franchise designation. This has gone on long enough, can we play some football Lance?
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Oakland Raiders RB Dominic Rhodes was suspended Tuesday for the first four games of the season for violating the league's substance abuse policy. Rhodes didn't help his draft status by the suspension. He will split time with LaMont Jordan when he returns in week 5.
49ers WR Ashley Lelie has already received a $2 million signing bonus as part of his two-year contract with the 49ers. There have been a few people who have suggested Lelie is in danger of getting cut during training camp, based entirely on a quad injury that kept him off the practice field during the offseason work. Lelie has yet to put fantasy points on the board so don't bother drafting him.
Although 49ers receiver Darrell Jackson did not get on the practice field during the offseason workouts due to a lingering turf-toe injury (hyper-extended big toe), the 49ers do not seem overly concerned. The 49ers did research on him before acquiring him in a trade on draft day. Take a chance and draft Jackson as your WR2.
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Dallas Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens filed a $600,000 lawsuit, contending his name and photo were used in nightclub ads without his permission. Owens says the Avalon nightclub on Manhattan's West Side improperly used his name, likeness and initials T.O. in 2006 and 2007 to promote its Friday Night Lights events and other parties. He says the club claimed he would be hosting the parties. This story has no effect on T.O. a top-5 receiver again this season.
Blood tests show former Chicago Bears defensive tackle Tank Johnson's blood alcohol level was below the legal limit when he was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving June 22, police said Monday. Johnson's blood alcohol level was .072, under the presumptive limit in Arizona of .08 percent, Gilbert police Sgt. Andrew Duncan said. No charges have been filed pending results of a completed investigation, and Duncan declined further comment. Johnson is not a good fantasy play, especially when he doesn't have a team.
While many question if Minnesota QB Tarvaris Jackson can do the job as the starting quarterback for the Vikings, there is great confidence at Winter Park. "Well, time will tell on that," Vikings VP Rick Spielman said. "I know coach [Brad] Childress and the organization have the upmost confidence in the kid, and he's going to have some growing pains, but he has all the tools to hopefully be successful for us." Don't expect fantasy numbers from Jackson, he will have a rough season as will the Vikings offense.
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According to a pro scout who has watched Patriots WR Randy Moss extensively throughout his career, one of his greatest attributes also ranks among his least publicized - his ability to read defenses. It'skind of interesting, because I hear people say he doesn't know how to run routes and all this other stuff," said the scout, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "But he's one of the few guys I know of in this league who when defenses line up, he knows what coverage it is. Moss is doing all the right things to impress fantasy owners and Patriots' fans. He could be back to a top 10 WR soon.
There are likely some members of Buffalo's offensive staff still pinching themselves to make sure that they did in fact take QB Trent Edwards at the bottom of round three in last spring's draft. There was no scenario in which the Bills believed a talent like him would be an option at the end of day one. Edwards might not be a help to fantasy owners now, but he could be a good get to dynasty owners.
QB Chris Simms was asked if he would've signed a two-year, $5-million extension with the Bucs last December had he known all that would transpire during this turbulent offseason? I don't know. I would've defenitly re-evaluated the situation," Simms said, "That's an honest answer." Simms will most likely be a backup this season so don't draft him.
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DB Troy Polamalu original contract ends following the 2007 season. The Steelers don't have to do a thing. They can permit him to play out his deal and then slap a franchise tag on him for the next two seasons if he doesn't agree to their terms. Polamalu is one of the best safeties in the game and is a top IDP defensive back. Draft him early because he makes plays.
Dolphins' seventh-overall draft choice WR Ted Ginn Jr. recently indicated that he intends to sign a contract with the team prior to the opening of training camp and therefore will not hold out. Ginn will be more of a return specialist than a WR, so consider him more of a dynasty league player at this point.
Falcons' DT Grady Jackson's lawsuit against the team has been "resolved," according to his attorney Eric Farber of San Francisco. "Grady is very happy with it," said Farber on Tuesday. "Now he can focus on football." A Falcons spokesperson acknowledged that the case was resolved and added that the team did not want to comment. Like most DTs, Jackson is not considered a fantasy player.