WR Dez Bryant won't play until week 1 -- Wed Sep 1 1:40 pm --
Returning from a high ankle sprain |
Dallas rookie wide receiver Dez Bryant won't see game action until the Cowboys' Sept. 12 season opener at the Washington Redskins, Cowboys owner and general manager said Wednesday. (NFL.com)
FF Today's Take: Bryant will have to battle for touches on a team loaded with playmakers on offense. The rookie is likely to post inconsistent fantasy production week-to-week making him a bench/flex option in most fantasy leagues.
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 Moreno says he's 80% healed -- Wed Sep 1 12:50 pm --
Focused on conditioning |
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Denver Broncos' injured backfield is beginning to get healthy. Moreno said he was "80-some percent" healed. "I think I'll be over it," said Moreno, who couldn't guarantee his availability for the Sept. 12 regular-season opener in Jacksonville. "At the same time, you never know with a hamstring." (USA Today)
FF Today's Take: Denver has been without it's top two running backs for much of the pre-season. Knowshon Moreno and Correll Buckhalter have returned to practice only recently and we probably won't know who the starter will be for week 1 until we get closer to game day.
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Return date for Michael Bush uncertain -- Wed Sep 1 9:24 am --
Thumb surgery |
Oakland Raiders running back Michael Bush, who earned the starting job in training camp, said on his Twitter account Tuesday that he had surgery on his left thumb to repair a fracture on Monday.
Bush, who gave no time frame for his return, had screws inserted into the joint, according to the Contra Costa Times.
(NFL.com)
FF Today's Take: Although Michael Bush's thumb may not be fully healed by Week 1, there is a chance he may still play. This injury shouldn't keep Bush out of action too long, but it remains to be seen how effective he would be wearing some form of cast.
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Dry eyes bothering Favre -- Wed Sep 1 5:50 am --
Scheduled to visit eye doctor |
Brett Favre(notes) has had a lot of visits to doctors in his 20 years in the league, but not too many of them have probably been to the eye doctor.
The 40-year-old Minnesota Vikings quarterback complained of a weird dryness in his eyes yesterday, AOL Fanhouse reports, and got a ticket to the eye doctor's as a result.
(Yahoo Sports)
FF Today's Take: Fantasy owners should get used to hearing reports of varying ailments throughout the season when it comes to the Vikings QB. Favre is a risky play at QB and owners drafting him as their QB1 should invest in a solid backup.
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Where will McCluster line up? -- Wed Sep 1 1:00 am --
Jack-of-all-trades playmaker being used everywhere |
Dexter McCluster lines up somewhere in the offense, and there’s reason to pay attention. So Tuesday, the rookie took turns at receiver, Wildcat quarterback and kick returner, and he looked like a weapon at all three positions. Add running back to the equation, and coach Todd Haley has a quandary to contend with — because those on the sideline aren’t the only ones who pay attention when McCluster lines up
Haley said that coordinator Charlie Weis would use McCluster on every play if he could. Assistant head coach Maurice Carthon wants to steal him to play running back. Receivers coach Richie Anderson and special-teams coach Steve Hoffman want him, too. (Kansas City Star)
FF Today's Take: McCluster is only a rookie and his smaller stature could limit the amount of touches he receives. It looks like he will try to eventually carve out a niche similar to Cleveland's Joshua Cribbs in the Kansas City offense but fantasy owners should temper epxectations for 2010.
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Gailey: Expect Jackson to be "limited" -- Tue Aug 31 11:00 pm --
Bills HC does expect RB will be available Week 1 |
Fred Jackson practiced with his teammates Tuesday as he shed the cast for the broken bone in his hand. His availability for Week 1 however, is still up in the air.
Head coach Chan Gailey appearing on Sirius NFL Radio Tuesday indicated that Jackson stands a good chance of being available in the opener, but being full go might be a different story.
“I think he’ll still be limited early in the year,” Gailey told hosts Peter King and Bob Papa. ”But he’s going to be able to be on the field for us and give us some plays.”
With Marshawn Lynch looking back to full health and C.J. Spiller healthy, rushing Jackson back doesn’t appear necessary anyway. (buffalobills.com)
FF Today's Take: Jackson complained about not being able to grip the ball tightly on Tuesday, so expect his workload to be minimal for at least the first two weeks of the season. The Bills face the Dolphins and Packers in Weeks 1-2, so he didn't stand a great chance of being all that productive early on regardless. As a result, Spiller and Lynch's fantasy draft stock skyrockets, but it wouldn't be shocking if Jackson is still the most valuable fantasy property from this backfield at season's end.
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CB Leigh Bodden placed on IR -- Tue Aug 31 10:40 pm --
Injury is reportedly a torn rotator cuff |
The New England Patriots made their roster moves today and there was a surprise among the bunch.
Cornerback Leigh Bodden was placed on injured reserve, ending his season. Bodden has battled a knee injury throughout the preseason but managed to play in his first game against the St. Louis Rams last week. But the Patriots have said that Bodden's injury is shoulder related. (Boston Globe)
FF Today's Take: The Globe's Shalise Manza Young broke the news of a torn rotator cuff on Twitter early Tuesday evening. The news leaves a young secondary that already rated as average at best with Bodden as a plus matchup for receivers now with rookie Devin McCourty stepping for the veteran opposite second-year CB Darius Butler.
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Dez Bryant may play in preseason finale -- Tue Aug 31 10:15 pm --
Rookie returns to practice while Williams sits out |
Roy Williams did not practice due to a strained lower back and hip flexor. The ailments are not expected to sideline Williams for the Sept. 12 season opener. Most of the starters won't play the preseason finale anyway.
Coach Wade Phillips said he still hasn't determined whether Dez Bryant, who had been sidelined since suffering a high ankle sprain July 30, will play in Thursday's preseason finale. Bryant has said he wants to get a feel for the game before the regular season, but Phillips intends to consult with the team's medical and athletic training staff after watching Bryant practice this week before making a decision. (ESPN)
FF Today's Take: Unless he can pull a Michael Crabtree, it's going to be very difficult for Bryant to become an immediate impact player in fantasy after missing so much practice time. Worse yet, Bryant also has to deal with the fact the Cowboys are probably going to try justifying the Williams trade of a few years ago until it is painfully clear Bryant is ready to take the job full-time. As of this moment, Bryant vs. Williams has the feel of a timeshare situation.
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Lynch returns to practice -- Tue Aug 31 10:00 pm --
Fred Jackson participates on limited basis |
Buffalo's running back corps is getting healthier with Marshawn Lynch set to play in the Bills' preseason finale against the Detroit Lions on Thursday.
Coach Chan Gailey said Lynch looked good in returning to practice Tuesday for the first time since hurting his ankle in a loss to Washington.
Wearing a brace around his hand, Fred Jackson practiced Tuesday on a limited basis. Jackson took part in individual drills and also tested his injured hand by catching a few soft passes. (ESPN)
FF Today's Take: It was unclear what Gailey had planned for the three backs pre-injury and C.J. Spiller hasn't made things any easier to figure out for fantasy owners since. Since Jackson is looking doubtful for Week 1 at this point, the final preseason game is shaping up to be a big one for Lynch. A good performance may allow him to split carries with Spiller while a poor one may lead to the rookie assuming short-term feature-back duties.
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Meachem may be limited by toe injury -- Tue Aug 31 9:45 pm --
WR could see reduced playing time |
Robert Meachem's three-year totals - 57 receptions, 1,011 yards, 12 touchdowns - are less than Marques Colston's production in his first season alone, albeit with four more touchdowns. And Colston, of course, was a seventh-round draft pick. That said, not all of it is Meachem's fault. He emerged last season as a bona fide playmaker but had to share playing time with Colston, Devery Henderson and Lance Moore. If he were on another team, he might have doubled his 45-catch, 722-yard season. It's difficult to write off Meachem at this point, but his toe injury is another setback that threatens to limit his production and playing time this season. (New Orleans Times-Picayune)
FF Today's Take: And it is that same toe injury that threatens Meachem's fantasy stock as well. Last year showed what the former first-rounder was capable of when healthy, but it's hard to like any fantasy player that has a logjam at his spot and a toe injury to overcome. It's safe to view Henderson, Moore and Meachem all as worthy bench players in 12-team leagues, but counting on any single one of them - at least early on - may be asking a bit much.
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Ravens open to trading McGahee? -- Tue Aug 31 8:30 pm --
RB could be used to shore up weaknesses at CB, OL |
Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome made it perfectly clear that the Ravens were interested in trading to upgrade their entire football team, not just at cornerback. While Newsome wouldn't go into specifics, the Ravens could use more depth on the offensive line at the guard and tackle positions.
If they trade backup running back Willis McGahee, or starting halfback Ray Rice gets injured, that leaves fullback Le'Ron McClain as the starting fullback, and probably doubling as the No. 2 running back. (Baltimore Sun)
FF Today's Take: Despite Tuesday's trade for Seahawks Josh Wilson, the Ravens have one of the most questionable CB situations in the league right now with Fabian Washington and Lardarius Webb both returning from ACL surgery and Domonique Foxworth out for the year. Trading McGahee for more talent and depth at the position certainly makes sense, but a deal would do as much for the value of the ex-Bill as it would for Ray Rice, who could emerge as the feature back at some point regardless.
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Leinart being shopped in trade talks -- Tue Aug 31 8:15 pm --
Several teams confirm Cards are hoping to deal QB |
Matt Leinart’s days in Arizona may be numbered.
The Arizona Cardinals have been calling around the league trying to trade their former first-round draft pick.
Several teams have confirmed that they have received calls and e-mails from the Cardinals regarding his services, but it is not yet clear what sort of compensation that Arizona is seeking.
Leinart lost his starting quarterback job this preseason to Derek Anderson.
(Fox Sports)
FF Today's Take: Once he supposedly lost the confidence of Larry Fitzgerald, it was only a matter of time before Leinart lost his starting job and, by the looks of it, possibly his roster spot. It would come as a major surprise if another team actually trades for him knowing the Cardinals will almost be forced to release him, but his list of suitors would appear to be pretty slim. To say he faces an uncertain future at the moment would be an understatement.
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Moreno back at practice -- Tue Aug 31 7:55 pm --
Broncos RB puts in first on-field work since August 1 |
Only seven players were missing from Broncos practice today. And while seven is still more than anyone would like, it’s a significant improvement from recent weeks, when the “did not practice list” was nearing 20 players.
Tuesday’s good news: running back Knowshon Moreno made his first appearance on the practice field since injuring his hamstring on Aug. 1. Moreno wore an orange no-contact jersey. After Tuesday’s practice, coaches will decide is Moreno is healthy enough to take a few snaps in Thursday’s final preseason game. (Denver Post)
FF Today's Take: It's a positive first step, but it's hard to be too optimistic when Moreno told reporters earlier in the day that his hamstring was only at "80 percent". HC Josh McDaniels is hoping his RB can take a few snaps on Thursday, but expect him to be listed as questionable on the Week 1 injury report. His owners will want to have Correll Buckhalter or some other alternative lined up just in case.
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Derrick Ward cut by Bucs -- Tue Aug 31 1:25 pm --
Huggins and Graham to see increased roles |
Running back Derrick Ward's sluggish preseason has cost him a spot on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers roster.
Ward was released Tuesday as the Bucs reduced their roster to the 75-man limit. In addition to starter Cadillac Williams, the team will look to versatile running back Earnest Graham, second-year pro Kareem Huggins and others to contribute to the running game, Bucs coach Raheem Morris said. "It was more about the resurgence of Mr. Cadillac and Mr. Earnest Graham and where the team is going."
(Tampa Bay Online)
FF Today's Take: Huggins will get a bump in the fantasy community, as he should, but its worthy to note that Earnest Graham's role is sure to increase.
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Lions add veteran linebacker -- Mon Aug 30 12:45 pm --
Boiman familiar with the defense |
Allen Park -- Veteran linebacker Rocky Boiman will sign with the Lions on Monday afternoon, his agent confirmed.
"It's not done yet, but it will be," Alan Herman said.
(The Detroit News)
FF Today's Take: Rocky Boiman has ties to Lions HC Jim Schwartz from his days in Tennessee and provides Detroit with a more experienced and versatile option at LB.
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Adalius Thomas a fit with the Jets? -- Mon Aug 30 11:44 am --
Jets won't sign him until after Week 1? |
Free agent linebacker Adalius Thomas told Sports Illustrated's Peter King that he is interested in signing with the Jets but that the team wouldn't be interested in signing him until after the first regular-season game of the year. The flirtation between the team and player has been reignited since starting outside linebacker Calvin Pace suffered a broken bone in his right foot in the Jets' third preseason game last Friday. (Nj.com)
FF Today's Take: It seems the interest is mutual between Thomas and the Jets' Rex Ryan. The holdup appears to be of financial flexibility as the article explains that the Jets 'won't be obligated to pay the player's full salary if he is cut' by signing during the season rather than before Week 1.
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Amendola to replace Avery -- Mon Aug 30 1:15 am --
Injury opens door for Rams' wideout |
It looks like Amendola gets the first crack at replacing Avery in the starting lineup opposite Laurent Robinson. Amendola already was playing a lot as the slot receiver in three-receiver sets, but this would basically put him on the field for every play on offense. (Post-Dispatch)
FF Today's Take: The Rams do not figure to have one of the higher scoring offenses this season, but the increase in playing time should yield enough targets to make Amendola a low-risk option with mild upside late in drafts.
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Bowe becoming more reliable -- Mon Aug 30 1:00 am --
WR keeping quiet and staying focused |
Difficult as it might be for [Dwayne] Bowe, a fourth-year receiver, to remain silent, there’s little doubt that the Chiefs’ plan for him is working — at least for now. And his silence is part of a plan. When reporters approached Bowe on Sunday, a team employee caught the player’s eye and shook his head, reminding Bowe to keep quiet. It was a message, perhaps, that Bowe’s silence is an organizationwide mandate. He obliged, chuckled and got back to whatever it is he does. “He’s made progress in all areas," coach Todd Haley said. "He’s becoming one of our more dependable players. That’s good. That’s what we want. That’s what we ask of him.”
(Kansas City Star)
FF Today's Take: Dwayne Bowe is hoping to rebound from a dissappointing 2009 where he caught only 47 of the 87 targets. A renewed focus should lead to more opportunitites in 2010.
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Update: Campbell injures wrist -- Sun Aug 29 10:40 pm --
Stinger not serious, QB has MRI on wrist |
ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Raiders coach Tom Cable said Sunday that the stinger that knocked quarterback Jason Campbell out of Saturday's preseason loss to the 49ers is not serious. However, Campbell also hurt his right wrist in the game, which is more of an immediate concern. (AP)
FF Today's Take: Campbell will be evaluated later in the week to find out the full extent of the wrist injury. If he misses the start of the season, the Raiders would turn to Bruce Gradkowski. While many fantasy owners will not be relying on Campbell as their fantasy starter, the injury could have a slight negative impact on the rest of the Raiders' starters to open the season.
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Steve Slaton dealing with turf toe -- Sun Aug 29 12:16 pm --
Slaton hits another snag on road to comeback |
Steve Slaton returned from the locker room in shorts and said he'd be fine. NFL Network is calling it a turf toe injury, though, and he's not expected to play in the preseason finale. Turf toe injuries are known to linger depending on the severity, so Slaton is no sure bet to be ready for the opener. (NBC Sports)
FF Today's Take: As if Arian Foster (100+ yrds, 1 TD) needed anymore help solidifying the feature back role during the Texans third pre-season game. Slaton is now no more than a handcuff to Foster.
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Calvin Pace needs surgery un foot -- Sun Aug 29 12:09 pm --
Jets LB Calvin Pace to miss 6-8 weeks |
Jets LB Calvin Pace will undergo foot surgery Monday in North Carolina that could sideline him four to six weeks. (Twitter: Adam_Schefter)
FF Today's Take: As if missing Darrelle Revis wasn't enough, the Jets DEF takes another hit. They'll still be one of the first defenses taken in your draft but Pace's services will be missed.
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Bush, Campbell injured in Raiders' loss -- Sun Aug 29 7:00 am --
No timetable for Bush's return from fractured thumb |
It turns out Jason Campbell wasn’t the only injury of concern in Saturday night’s 28-24 loss to the 49ers at the Coliseum.
Coach Tom Cable said Michael Bush sustained a thumb fracture and his status would not be determined until he saw a hand specialist Sunday.
As he was getting dressed, Bush needed teammate Michael Bennett to tie his shoes. He echoed Cable’s statements that he didn’t know if or how long he’d be out and he would know more Sunday.
As for Campbell, Cable said the stinger which caused him to leave the game shouldn’t prevent him from playing in the season opener.
Campbell said he wasn’t sure what his status was. (Contra Costa Times)
FF Today's Take: It appears Campbell will be fine and should be able to bounce back for Week 1. He's a marginal backup fantasy QB and this shoulder injury will likely slide his current ADP (14.03) down even further. Due to the uncertainly around Bush's return from a fractured thumb, Darren McFadden will get a bump up the rankings.
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Antonio Bryant cut by Bengals -- Sun Aug 29 1:20 am --
Bryant couldn't overcome troublesome knees |
Money for nothing: Before cutting him, Bengals gave Antonio Bryant a four-year, $28 million contract with just under $8 million guaranteed. (Twitter: Adam_Schefter)
FF Today's Take: Bryant had knee surgery in the off-season but never healed enough to perform on the field. Good for him though for pocketing $8 million for three weeks of training camp. T.O. & Ochocinco's value do not change as Bryant's role was going to be minimal either way.
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DeSean Jackson OK after leaving game -- Sat Aug 28 11:30 am --
Jackson exit just precautionary |
DeSean Jackson strained his neck on the Eagles' first play from scrimmage against the Chiefs on Friday night and did not return to the game. Jackson's early injury looked serious, but coach Andy Reid said after the game that Jackson was kept out of action only as a precaution.
(The Philadelphia Inquirer)
FF Today's Take: No need to drop Jackson down your rankings due to this injury. He will still be one of the top ten wideouts taken in your draft.
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Mendenhall Injury Rumors Untrue -- Sat Aug 28 10:58 am --
Mendenhall Did Not Suffer a Broken Arm |
KDKA's Jory Rand reports that Rashard Mendenhall's agent says that the story that he broke his arm is just a rumor.
The Steelers' public relations department says they have spoken to Mendenhall and he is fine and will play Sunday in Denver. (KDKA.com)
FF Today's Take: Rumors were flying yesterday that Mendenhall suffered a broken arm, but it has been confirmed he is ok. He did have an arm problem, but it turned out just to be a bruise. It still scares me because I still question his ability to carry the load. Still, draft him as you normally would as the injury rumor is FALSE.
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Percy Harvin On The Field Tonight -- Sat Aug 28 6:23 am --
Looks like Harvin will give it a go tonight for the Vikes |
At Seahawks-Vikings. Percy Harvin on the field pregame - he just told me he'll play, despite missing so much practice with migraine issues (Twitter: Rachel__Nichols)
FF Today's Take: Looks like Harvin is going to play. Definition of a Boom or Bust... I would draft him as a low #2 WR/ high #3 with tons of upside if healthy. Buy low now!
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Trent Cole Dodges Serious Injury -- Sat Aug 28 4:54 am --
Cole Has Mild Ankle Sprain |
Trent cole has a mild ankle sprain. MRI today revealed no structural damage. (Twitter: BleedingGreen)
FF Today's Take: Philadelphia's defense dodges a bullet as one of their more productive players will be a go for the season opener. Draft as you would!
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Delmas Is Giving It A Go -- Sat Aug 28 4:47 am --
Louis Delmas will be active for the Lions game tonight |
Six players won't play tonight for Lions -- Jason Hanson, Jonathan Wade, Aaron Berry, Lawrence Jackson, C.C. Brown and Jack Williams (Twitter: TomKowalski36)
FF Today's Take: Delmas will give it a go tonight for the Lions. Look for Delmas to make another big leap in his second year. Chad Ochocinco already likes him to be one of the top safeties in the league!
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Joseph Addai suffers concussion -- Fri Aug 27 7:30 am --
Status unknown |
Indianapolis Colts starting running back Joseph Addai sustained a concussion midway through the third quarter of Thursday night's exhibition game with the Green Bay Packers.
"It's nothing," Addai said after the game. "I was fine. I just got a little dizzy, but I was cool." He described his injury more of just getting the wind knocked out of him.
"I just had to catch my breath. I was fine," Addai said. "If I needed to go back in, I could've, I was straight."
(AP)
FF Today's Take: The league is taking concussions seriously these days so you can bet the Colts will be cautious with Addai during the remainder of camp.
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WR Avery has "significant knee injury" -- Fri Aug 27 7:00 am --
Test results coming Sunday |
As anyone familiar with the team knows, the St. Louis Rams aren't exactly swimming in wide receivers. And they lost one of their starters, Donnie Avery, on Thursday night to what appears to be a serious knee injury.
"Donnie probably has a significant knee injury," coach Steve Spagnuolo said after the Rams' 36-35 preseason victory over New England.
"We'll know a little bit more after we get the tests (on Sunday). He was a little bit down, and rightfully so. Hopefully, it's not as bad as we think." (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
FF Today's Take: The Rams already lack quality depth at the receiving position so this injury is extremely costly. As it stands now, Laurent Robinson, Brandon Gibson, and Danny Amendola are the top three receives on the depth chart with Robinson the only draftable option in standard 12-team leagues.
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Hali the next big thing? -- Thu Aug 26 10:45 pm --
Analysis compares Chiefs' OLB to Elvis Dumervil |
In outside linebacker Tamba Hali, the Chiefs have a pass rusher just waiting to get the recognition — and perhaps the traditional statistics — his level of play deserves. Compare Tamba Hali to another player who moved to 3-4 outside linebacker for the first time in 2009: division rival Elvis Dumervil of the Broncos … Dumervil had a huge lead in sacks and six more defeats … Hali made a higher percentage of his team’s plays than Dumervil did, despite the fact that teams ran at Dumervil like it was going out of style. He had more quarterback hits that didn’t result in sacks than Dumervil did, with several more hurries. Adding up their sacks, hits, and hurries yields a total of 41 quarterback “incidents” for Dumervil — and 41.5 for Hali. Furthermore, five of Hali’s 8.5 sacks resulted in a forced fumble or a safety; only three of Dumervil’s 17 sacks did the same. (Football Outsiders)
FF Today's Take: Interesting analysis from Football Outsiders on the "incidents" comparison. Hali does get the benefit of working under DC Romeo Crennel this year, but has a weaker overall supporting cast to work with in Kansas City. Still, if the Chiefs and their offense can jump out to some early leads in 2010, Hali could come a bit closer to emulating Dumervil's 2009 campaign.
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Leon Washington to start Saturday -- Thu Aug 26 10:35 pm --
Seahawks' RB continuing recovery from leg surgery |
Leon Washington will start Saturday night in Seattle's third exhibition game, at Minnesota. It's essentially the final dress rehearsal before the regular season starts Sept. 12.
Washington is ahead of most estimates on his recovery. And he's at the front of the race to become coach Pete Carroll's No. 1 rusher this season.
Carroll had cautioned Washington would be limited in training camp, yet he's been going all out since almost Day One. His only limitation: A cautious Carroll won't let him return kickoffs yet. (Tacoma News Tribune)
FF Today's Take: Despite the fact that Julius Jones is still considered to be in the race - if not the starter - the RB competition in Seattle should be a two-horse race for fantasy owners: Washington vs. Justin Forsett. It's highly unlikely either RB will separate himself from the pack enough this season to become a feature back, but both backs have the potential to be fine flex or RB3 options if they can stay healthy.
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Charles needs to prove himself long-term -- Thu Aug 26 10:25 pm --
HC wants RB to show he can handle rigors of full season |
Chiefs coach Todd Haley has spent plenty of time in recent weeks defending the decision to have Thomas Jones starting at running back instead of Jamaal Charles, particularly given their differing levels of success so far in the preseason.
Charles had a spectacular last half of the 2009 season, rushing for 953 yards over the final eight games. He rushed for a team-record 259 yards in the season’s final game at Denver.
“What he did last year … it was an eight-game window or an eight-game sample that we saw,” Haley said. “What we’re pushing Jamaal to do is show that he can do that throughout a 16-game and hopefully-plus schedule. That’s something that Thomas has proven through time. (Kansas City Star)
FF Today's Take: Haley stated earlier in the week that Charles' recovery from shoulder surgery was a key reason why he wasn't getting more work, but the coach has only himself to blame for not seeing what Charles could do over a 16-game season in 2009 when Larry Johnson was struggling to average 3.0 YPC. Regardless of the current depth chart, Charles is the RB to own. All this Charles vs. Jones debate does is make the former a better value in fantasy drafts this year.
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Jones even with Walter for starting job -- Thu Aug 26 10:00 pm --
Texans believe they have three starters at WR |
In yet another position battle, Jacoby Jones has been going head-to-head with Kevin Walter for the Texans’ No. 2 wide receiver spot opposite Pro Bowler Andre Johnson. Kubiak considers Jones to be the team’s No. 3 receiver at this point, with an important qualifier. “He’s been competing with Kevin and has been very competitive, but they’ve both done their job, and I think we have three starters, in my opinion,” Kubiak said. “They’re going to be on the field plenty. It’s been a good competition.” (houstontexans.com)
FF Today's Take: Jones just oozes potential and, if he is ever able to get a handle on playing receiver in the NFL, would team with Johnson to form a dynamic 1-2 punch at WR. Walter fell off a bit in 2009 after consecutive 60-catch seasons as Owen Daniels emerged as Matt Schaub's #2 option. Still, this passing game was No. 1 in the league last season, so if Jones can come away with the starting job, he represents a significant high-upside WR that can be had late in drafts.
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Hardesty back at practice -- Thu Aug 26 11:10 am --
Cleveland RB likley to miss this week's preseason game |
Cleveland Browns rookie running back Montario Hardesty is practicing for the first time since injuring his right knee during a pre-training camp workout. Browns coach Eric Mangini said Hardesty, who has had a history of knee problems, will be limited in practice Thursday as the team prepares for Saturday's third exhibition game in Detroit. Mangini said Hardesty is questionable against the Lions "with the arrow pointed down."
(AP)
FF Today's Take: Hardesty has missed the month of August and reading between the lines it sounds like he won't be participating in the Browns upcoming preseason game against the Lions. As a result, expect Jerome Harrison to begin the season as the Browns starting running back.
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Anderson, not Leinart to start Saturday -- Thu Aug 26 1:15 am --
Coach unhappy with offensive performance |
Derek Anderson will start at quarterback on Saturday night in Chicago. Matt Leinart, who had been the starter, will play the second quarter and start the second half.
"I don't think we performed the way we want to perform on offense this preseason and we're going to look at a number of different players in different spots," Whisenhunt said.
Coach Ken Whisenhunt said he was disappointed in the offensive production in the first two preseason games. Whisenhunt stressed the move is not necessarily permanant and that he wanted to see how both quarterbacks would handle their different roles. (Arizona Republic)
FF Today's Take: Leinart's status as the number one QB in Arizona is now in serious question. While a demotion to second string isn't official, it's obvious the team isn't confident in his ability to lead the team at QB. Stay away from the Cardinal's QB situation at your drafts this weekend.
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Vikings acquire receiver from Dolphins -- Wed Aug 25 12:15 pm --
Camarillo headed to Miami |
The Vikings have acquired wide receiver Greg Camarillo from the Miami Dolphins, according to multiple reports. The agent for cornerback Benny Sapp put on his twitter account that his client has been dealt to the Dolphins. (Star Tribune)
FF Today's Take: Camarillo will battle for playing time on a Minnesota team that is looking to add depth to its receiving corps. His fantasy prospects improve with this trade but not enough to warrant consideration in all but the deepest leagues.
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RB McFadden returns to practice -- Wed Aug 25 2:00 am --
Expects to play this weekend |
NAPA, Calif. (AP) -- Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden practiced for the first time in more than two weeks Tuesday and expects to make his preseason debut this weekend against San Francisco. (AP)
FF Today's Take: Michael Bush has done enough in McFadden's absence (sore hamstring) thus far to give him the edge on the starting job but nothing has been decided yet. As a result, McFadden's play over the next two weeks will go a long way towards defining the roles in Oakland's backfield this year.
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Jets, Revis closing in on extension? -- Wed Aug 25 12:10 am --
News sources offering different angles to contract talks |
A source close to the situation suggested Tuesday that Darrelle Revis' long-awaited contract extension with the team is "almost there" and could be finalized and announced in the coming days.
Dallas Morning News columnist Tim Cowlishaw claimed via Twitter over the weekend that Revis and the Jets were closing in on a deal and that it could be announced as early as Wednesday. Back-channel sources spent much of the early part of the week denying that report, but Cowlishaw stood by his story.
FanHouse's source said Tuesday that the Cowlishaw report was accurate, that the two sides were planning to meet Tuesday night, and that the negotiations had progressed to the point where the deal could be announced in the coming days. (AOL Fanhouse)
FF Today's Take: The New York Post and ESPN are standing by their stories/sources and reporting there is no truth to any progress in this negotiation. While HBO may lose a big storyline in their "Hard Knocks" series with a deal getting struck, the Jets would probably be more than happy to get their star CB into camp. It has been reported that Revis is angling for as much as $165 M over 10 years while the Jets are countering with $125 M.
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Crabtree returns to full practice -- Tue Aug 24 11:55 pm --
TE Davis remains out |
Michael Crabtree returned to full practice Tuesday for the first time since sustaining a neck strain on Aug. 11. But that does not necessarily mean Singletary will want him to play Saturday vs. the Raiders.
Vernon Davis remains out with a right knee strain, which he sustained in the exhibition opener Aug. 15 against the Indianapolis Colts. He spent time working on a side field doing some conditioning. It appears likely he will not play again during the exhibition season. (CSNBayArea.com)
FF Today's Take: Fantasy owners already know what Crabtree can do with little to no practice, but it would have been nice for him to go through all the training camp practices to perfect his timing with QB Alex Smith. It's still a bit too early to draw many conclusions from Davis' knee strain, but if he can return by the preseason finale, his fantasy stock should remain unchanged.
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