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Footballguys.com Daily Email Update
Volume 4 Issue # 106
August 30, 2003 
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

1. QB Rattay (SF) Signs 3 Year Extension
2. TE Wycheck (TEN) Ready to Return 
3. S Brewer (MIN) Out 4-6 Weeks
4. TE Graham (NE): Improved, But Is It Enough?
5. Tampa Bay HC Jon Gruden Pleased With Preseason
6. QB Kyle Boller Named Starter in Baltimore
7. Colts Defense: Championship Caliber?
8. Pittsburgh Running Game, sans Jerome Bettis
9. Questions Remain for the Eagles
10. FB Neal and DL Scott (SD) Hospitalized Due to Bacterial Infection 
11. CB Champ Bailey (WAS) Looking For a Contract Extension (still) 
12. S Ifeanyi Ohalete (WAS): Looks Like The Starter 
13. WR Randy Hymes (BAL): Ruptured ACL 
14. LB Rocky Calmus (TEN) Injures Hamstring; Will Miss Opener 
15. WR Antonio Bryant (DAL): Small Tear in Quadricep 
16. K Mike Hollis (NYG) Placed On IR 
17. WR Bennett (TEN): Officially Named #2 
18. Jaguars Release 11, Including DE Marco Coleman and WR Donald Hayes 
19. Redskins Release QB Danny Wuerffel and RB Kenny Watson 
20. LB Keith Newman (ATL) Suspended 4 Games 
21. Rookie DE Jerome McDougle (PHI) Will Miss 2 Games 
22. WR Freddie Milons Now a Steeler 
23. QB Jarious Jackson Released By Denver

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Ok, now let's jump to tonight's news and notes. Thanks to Footballguy Shawn Culcasi for rounding these up. Here you go.

Joe

1. QB Rattay (SF) Signs 3 Year Extension

Clipped From: ESPN.com (John Clayton)

The San Francisco 49ers reached a three-year extension Friday with backup quarterback Tim Rattay that will keep him in the organization through the 2006 season. Rattay, 26, was a restricted free agent with a $605,000 salary who would have been an unrestricted free agent after the season. He will receive a $1.5 million signing bonus. The three-year extension is for $4.8 million. "We wanted to stabilize our quarterback position for the next several years," 49ers general manager Terry Donahue said. "We anticipate that Jeff Garcia will be around for two, three or four more years, but we wanted to make sure if he's not playing, we had Tim. Tim has been in the organization for four years. He knows our offense. He knows where to go with the ball. He knows how to run the team without a huddle." Rattay, who is 6 feet and 200 pounds, was a seventh-round choice out of Louisiana Tech in 2000. He's throwing 46 passes as a backup, but Garcia hasn't been injured to a point where they needed Rattay as a starter. "Tim is very cool," Donahue said. "We just think Tim is too good a player to let go after this season. Jeff is our guy at quarterback, but we had Tim and we didn't want to lose him."

Remember when San Francisco made Steve Young a $1 million back up quarterback? Huge news at the time and, although Rattay will be hard pressed to repeat Young's success, he has shown enough during his limited playing time to have the 'Niners believing he will be their QB of the future. That future may come a lot sooner than expected with the 33 year old Jeff Garcia being hampered by a back injury.

2. TE Wycheck (TEN) Ready to Return

Clipped From: TitansRadio.com

Titans Head Coach Jeff Fisher said on Friday that after undergoing a second opinion, tight end Frank Wycheck is ready to return to practice after suffering a concussion.

"I talked with (Titans Head Trainer) Brad Brown about Frank Wycheck's visit on Wednesday, and everything was good, it was positive," Fisher said. "Frank was very positive as a result of the discussion he had with the doctors, and will be rejoining the team full speed, and will expect to practice with us all week.

Wycheck was injured on the first play from scrimmage in the Titans preseason matchup with the Buffalo Bills. Wycheck took a knee to the helmet and was knocked unconscious.

Wycheck was carted off the field and taken home, but felt better the next morning, but was held out of practice and the next two preseason games for precautionary measures.

Good news for Wycheck and the Titans offense. While he's not the dominant fantasy option that he used to be with averages of 66 receptions and 693 yards from 1997-2001, he's still a solid backup tight end. We see him pulling in 37 catches, 370 yards and 3 TDs, good for a #17 ranking. The concussions are a definite concern, as he's reported to have in upwards of 10 over his career, so he may be one hit away from watching from the sideline. Erron Kinney would become a solid option if Wycheck is forced to miss any time.

3. S Brewer (MIN) Out 4-6 Weeks

Clipped From: Pioneer Press (Bill Williamson)

The Vikings received bad news Friday when Jack Brewer, their top special-teams player, was ruled out for four to six weeks with an upper chest sprain. He was injured while making a tackle in Thursday night's final exhibition game against the Arizona Cardinals at the Metrodome.

Receiver Kenny Clark likely will take Brewer's spot on coverage units. Brewer, a former University of Minnesota player, has emerged as the leader of the special teams. Clark will back up John Avery and Keenan Howry on kick returns. Howry will return punts.

At one point, Brewer was in the running for the starting strong safety job, a position that he started 1 game last year as an undrafted free agent. Now buried in the defensive depth chart, he has made a name for himself on special teams. As one of the Vikings standouts on special teams, his injury will certainly hurt the kick coverage units.

4. TE Graham (NE): Improved, But Is It Enough?

Clipped From: BostonHerald.com (Michael Felger)

Second-year tight end Daniel Graham came into training camp with modest goals: stay healthy, make some plays and gain the confidence of the coaches and quarterbacks.

Fans, of course, have set much loftier sights. They see Graham's combination of size and speed and think Ben Coates. Fans dream about Graham becoming an impact player on the order of the Giants' Jeremy Shockey, a feeling that fueled Tom Brady's publicly held belief that Graham is due to have a monster season.

After four preseason games, Graham stands in the middle ground between his own expectations and those of Patriots Nation. Graham certainly reported to camp in great shape and with a sound knowledge of the offense - neither of which he had last year. His hands also showed marked improvement after a rookie season featuring some bad drops.

Graham had a productive, if not exactly dominant, preseason, catching seven passes for 68 yards and a touchdown.

Graham feels like he accomplished what he set out to do this summer.

"I think the biggest difference is I went into training camp knowing the plays. I didn't have to learn the playbook," said Graham this week. "That's allowed me to just go out there and, you know, practice. I feel like I'm just establishing myself. Just letting myself be known that I can be a person to count on. I felt like going into camp I had to prove that - and I think I did."

The coaches hope that Graham can use his speed to stretch the underneath coverages of zone defenses, something that Shockey does with regularity in New York. If Graham can do that, it will open a lot of territory for the short passing game favored by Brady.

The Pats are also sure to use Graham's size in the red zone. At 6-foot-3, 257 pounds, Graham is by far the Pats' biggest receiving threat.

"I haven't looked at it like that," he said. "But I guess I am one of the bigger targets for Tom."

Earlier in the offseason, Tom Brady had expressed that he had very high expectations for Graham during the upcoming season...and we all got excited. Unfortunately, there's a not-so-little thing standing in the way of Daniel Graham and super stardom, and that is starting tight end Christian Fauria. With a great combination of size, speed and improved hands, Graham has shown us flashes of his potential during the preseason but may be nothing more than a defense stretcher until Fauria is out of the picture entirely. While he will likely outproduce Fauria, Graham still cannot break our top 20 and will not do so until he sees an increase in field time.

5. Tampa Bay HC Jon Gruden Pleased With Preseason

Clipped From: St.Petersburg Times (Roger Mills)

For all of the talk about the preseason finally being over and the Bucs' eagerness to turn their attention to the Eagles, the preseason wasn't a waste of time.

Coach Jon Gruden said Friday the team answered several questions and made several strides.

Specifically, Gruden said the coaches are happy about the defense's stinginess, the strides made by reserve quarterbacks Shaun King and Chris Simms, the emergence of safeties Dwight Smith and Jermaine Phillips, linebackers Nate Webster and Ryan Nece, cornerbacks Tim Wansley and Corey Ivy, the punting of Tom Tupa and the placekicking of Martin Gramatica.

And that doesn't include the solid effort of running backs Thomas Jones and Aaron Stecker.

"Our goal (was) to have some balance, work hard on our running game, see our guys in pass protection," Gruden said. "And again, our young offensive linemen, I thought, continued to improve. We came out healthy. We won four out of five games. (There's) great unity and camaraderie in our locker room right now, which is probably the most exciting thing."

The strong have certainly gotten stronger over the offseason. While it's tough to improve on a Super Bowl victory and expectations will be sky high, the signs are looking good for a return to the big game. The Buccaneers defense looks as solid as ever, making up for a couple of losses with possible improvements, and their running game has shown signs of life. The second year under Jon Gruden could see this team matching their defense with a surprisingly potent offense with Brad and KeyShawn Johnson leading the way.

6. QB Kyle Boller Named Starter in Baltimore

Clipped From: Associated Press

Rookie Kyle Boller will start at quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens in their season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Boller will be the fifth different quarterback to start a season for the Ravens during their five years under coach Brian Billick, who announced his decision Saturday.

Boller, the 19th overall pick in the 2003 NFL draft, beat out four-year veteran Chris Redman and journeyman Anthony Wright.

Billick acknowledged that starting a rookie at quarterback is not a conventional move for a team with playoff aspirations, but insisted that Boller was simply the best player at the position this summer.

"Kyle has been very impressive. The physical skills are obvious; anyone that's seen the kid _ even in a practice _ can recognize that," Billick said. "But his ability to absorb the offense has been shocking to me, and I've been doing this for a while."

Boller arrived at training camp a week late because of a holdout, but he made up for the lost time by clearly outplaying Redman and Wright. Boller virtually clinched the starting job by going 7-for-9 for 99 yards and two touchdowns Thursday night in the preseason finale against the New York Giants.

Redman, in contrast, was 1-for-6 for 11 yards.

But it wasn't just the numbers that convinced Billick to pick Boller over Redman, who started six games with Baltimore last year before being sidelined by a back injury.

"Kyle's very natural interaction with the players, the energy, the resiliency that this kid has _ there's something special about that," Billick said.

The 6-foot-3, 230-pound Boller started every game for California last year, throwing for 2,815 yards and 28 touchdowns. There are no guarantees that his success last year will translate to victories for the Ravens, but Billick is willing to take that chance.

This is one of those situations where the writing has been on the wall, but we, as fantasy owners, have been handcuffed because of the coach's unwillingness to state what we already knew. Kyle Boller has clearly outplayed Chris Redman during the Ravens preseason games and has actually posted some pretty impressive numbers: 59% completion, 4 TDs and 1 interception during the four games. If you drafted Chris Redman, hopefully Boller is available for you. He'll struggle through rookie jitters, which will keep him from having an outstanding season, but he makes for a very nice dynasty prospect.

7. Colts Defense: Championship Caliber?

Clipped From: Sportsline.com (Pete Prisco)

Peyton Manning is no dummy. He knows, even with an explosive offense -- one triggered by his right arm -- the Indianapolis Colts have to be better on defense to be a Super Bowl contender.

"I think that will happen this year," Manning said. "We have more playmakers now on that side of the ball. We're turning the corner there."

The Colts finished eighth in total defense in 2002, but they were 20th against the run as teams pounded the smaller unit. That's what can happen to a Tony Dungy team if the tackles inside don't have the power to hold up and/or get penetration.

To remedy that will put a lot of pressure on second-year player Larry Tripplett and free-agent signing Montae Reagor to improve the run defense. Tripplett has loads of ability, and is in the Warren Sapp mold, but he has to turn on the intensity a bit.

Safety Mike Doss, the Colts second-round pick this year, will also help the run defense, since he is such a good tackler, but he could be a liability in coverage.

Dwight Freeney, who had 13� sacks as a rookie, will be the difference maker on defense. He does have to improve his power rush, as tackles will simply start taking him up field, but he has the speed to create problems for quarterbacks. More pressure could lead to more turnovers, which the Colts have to have.

Dungy is viewed as a defensive wizard, so expect this unit to make strides. Even little ones, with the offensive potential they have, should be enough for the Colts to win the division.

The second year under Tony Dungy should lead to an improved defensive unit for Indianapolis. Their finish last year wasn't terrible, 8th overall, but they lacked size in the middle and struggled to stop the run. Larry Triplett and Montae Reagor are huge keys to their success as they provide the beef on the interior, especially Triplett. An injury or failure to live up to expectations will leave the Colts in a similar situation to last year. Currently, we've got them ranked as the #14 fantasy defense. They do not have enough proven playmakers to warrant a higher ranking, but the scheme is solid.

8. Pittsburgh Running Game, sans Jerome Bettis

Clipped From: Tribune-Review (Jerry DiPaola)

While starting running back Amos Zereoue and backup Verron Haynes found several holes in the Carolina Panthers' run defense Friday night, Jerome Bettis stood on the sideline wearing a baseball hat in the Steelers' 21-14 loss.

"Jerome is fine," coach Bill Cowher said. "I watched him run last week. He's ready to play."

For the first time this preseason, Bettis didn't get in the game.

Zereoue carried five times for 33 yards, including a 19-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. He left the game after two series.

In the third series, which also led to a Steelers touchdown, Haynes gained 36 yards on his first four rushes and turned a short flip from quarterback Charlie Batch into a 9-yard gain to the Panthers 1. Haynes had eight carries for 29 yards in the first half.

"It was good to see Verron come in," Cowher said. "He did some good things."

Counting a 6-yard run by wide receiver Hines Ward, the Steelers averaged 41/2 yards per carry in the first half.

Bettis isn't pleased with his backup status, but he has not complained about it publicly.

"It does not surprise me," Cowher said. "You would like everyone to respond the way he has responded. When he gets his opportunity, he is going to seize it. I think that is why he is the player that he is."

Nothing big here. The Steelers know what they have in Jerome Bettis and he'll steal carries from Amos Zereoue throughout the season. There's no reason to send him on the field and risk injury at this point, especially if they plan on using him as trade bait. Youngsters Dante Brown and Verron Haynes have shined at times.

9. Questions Remain for the Eagles

Clipped From: Philly.com (Bob Brookover)

When the Eagles gathered at Lehigh University a little more than a month ago, they had a few questions that needed to be answered.

When they completed their exhibition schedule with Thursday night's loss to the New York Jets, some of those same questions remained.

For instance, do the Eagles have enough firepower at defensive end to replace Hugh Douglas, who took 73 career sacks with him to Jacksonville?

Will they be able to successfully replace Brian Mitchell on kick and punt returns?

Will they miss the remarkable consistency of punter Sean Landeta?

None of those questions was answered during the team's four preseason games.

Other questions surfaced.

Is Duce Staley ready for the season after missing 26 days because of a contract holdout?

Is Correll Buckhalter capable of being a No. 1 running back?

Should A.J. Feeley be moved ahead of Koy Detmer on the depth chart at quarterback?

What free-agent surprises will make the team?

The Eagles certainly seemed to be in a much better position when training camp opened (on paper) than they do now. Their once promising five man rotation at defensive line has been ravished by injuries while the absence of Brian Westbrook and holdout of Duce Staley has left questions in those areas. On a good note, N.D.Kalu and Freddie Mitchell have both had standout camps at their respective positions while Donovan McNabb has remained healthy. With McNabb in the lineup, this team is a contender.

10. FB Neal and DL Scott (SD) Hospitalized Due to Bacterial Infection

Clipped From: Associated Press

Fullback Lorenzo Neal and defensive tackle Dequincy Scott of the San Diego Chargers were hospitalized due to a bacterial infection.

The two were admitted Thursday night but the team didn't announce it until Friday night during the first quarter of an exhibition game against the San Francisco 49ers.

Hospitalizing the two players was precautionary because of the possible contagious nature of the infection, the team said in a statement.

A team spokesman said he didn't know what hospital the two were in but they are expected to be discharged Saturday or Sunday.

When discharged, this will be a non-story, but until then any news that involves Lorenzo Neal being out is a concern to owners of LaDanian Tomlinson.

11. CB Champ Bailey (WAS) Looking For a Contract Extension (still)

Clipped From: WashingtonPost.com (Mike Maske)

The chances of the Washington Redskins reaching an agreement with Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey on a contract extension before the regular season are dwindling rapidly.

As of tonight, the Redskins had not received a counter offer from Bailey's agent, Jack Reale, to their nine-year, $55 million proposal, sources said. Barring a last-minute negotiating flurry sparked by a counter proposal from Reale, club officials were prepared to enter the season without a new deal for Bailey, and planned to leave their offer unchanged and use their franchise-player tag to retain Bailey next spring if necessary, sources said.

Redskins officials, including owner Daniel Snyder, delivered their opening offer -- which includes about $14.75 million in bonus money -- in a meeting with Reale 11 days ago. Reale immediately made it clear that the offer would be rejected, saying he regarded the proposal as a starting point for negotiations and the process could be a long one. He originally was scheduled to deliver a formal response to the Redskins by last Friday, but told the team then he needed more time.

As one of the premier cornerbacks in the game, this could lead to a very interesting scenario next year if the Redskins do not get an extension in place for Bailey. With so many teams in dire need of corners, a player a Bailey's caliber would almost certainly receive some attention even if he is slapped with the franchise tag. Would the Jets be in the mix, looking for payback? With Daniel Snyder's penchant for throwing around money, you'd have to assume that Bailey will be a very rich Redskin next year.

12. S Ifeanyi Ohalete (WAS): Looks Like The Starter

Clipped From: WashingtonPost.com (Mark Maske)

Ifeanyi Ohalete started the final two preseason games at the safety spot alongside Matt Bowen, and likely has won his competition with David Terrell for the starting job. But he said he had received no official notification.

"I haven't been able to talk to the coaches," Ohalete said. "We'll see [today] . . . . I think I've played all right so far. I think I've warranted a place for me to start. I think David has done the same, so the coaches have got a tough decision. When they make it, somebody's going to be happy. Somebody's not going to be so happy. Hopefully I'm happy."

Defensive coordinator George Edwards refused to comment on the subject yesterday...

This is good news for fantasy owners as Ohalete seems to possess much more potential than Terrell. Last year, his second, Ohalete started 10 games and averaged over 5 tackles per while picking up a sack and 3 interceptions. We've currently got him projected with 74 tackles, a sack, 4 picks and 10 passes defended, good for a top 50 finish among defensive backs.

13. WR Randy Hymes (BAL): Ruptured ACL

Clipped From: BaltimoreRavens.com (Adam Beasley)

Wide receiver Randy Hymes suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament Thursday and will miss the remainder of the season.

Hymes injured his knee while blocking on a kickoff return in the second quarter of the Ravens' 30-24 preseason loss to the Giants.

Several New York players converged onto Hymes, and his lower leg bent awkwardly when a Giants player hit Hymes' knee with his helmet.

"It's really unfortunate. He had a really good preseason for us," said head coach Brian Billick. "The tragedy for this young man is that every opportunity he gets on the football field, he learns something new. This was going to be a year that could have really seen him establish himself as a legitimate NFL receiver, but that's got to be on hold a year from now."

Hymes will undergo surgery to repair the tendon, although team trainer Bill Tessendorf said there is no pressing need to operate immediately.

The training staff will first work to restore Hymes' muscle control and range of motion, and then go ahead with the procedure.

The injury sent the Ravens in an unexpected direction at wide receiver. The Ravens, who already lost second-year wideout Javin Hunter for the year with an Achilles' tendon tear, had planned on Hymes playing a substantial role with the team this year.

Hymes would have likely been the team's fourth or fifth wide receiver, but with Frank Sanders missing the last three weeks with a separated toe, he might have been the first receiver off the bench when the Ravens open the 2003 season at Pittsburgh next week.

With only four players remaining on their depth chart, the Ravens have become dangerously thin at wide receiver with the injuries to Javin Hunter and Randy Hymes. They could go into the season with Travis Taylor, Frank Sanders, Marcus Robinson and Ron Johnson, but may choose to keep one of the youngsters that has been fighting for a roster spot because of Sanders' toe injury. Fantasy wise, Hymes didn't have much value as the Ravens #4/5, but he may have stolen a few targets.

14. LB Rocky Calmus (TEN) Injures Hamstring; Will Miss Opener

Clipped From: Tennessean.com (Jeff Legwold)

Perhaps no one was hurt more by the NFL's drive to prove it cares about the preseason than Rocky Calmus.

Calmus, who appeared to have secured the starting middle linebacker spot, suffered a severe hamstring pull Thursday night at Green Bay and won't play Sept. 7 against Oakland in the season opener.

By the time officials pulled both teams off the field late in the second quarter because of lightning, Calmus was tied for the game-high in tackles with three.

But after a two-hour, 33-minute delay the two teams returned to the field to finish out the game, and Calmus injured his left leg covering a punt on the fourth play of the third quarter.

Calmus underwent an MRI yesterday afternoon but the results were not available last night. Titans Coach Jeff Fisher said Calmus could be out "a week, it could be three weeks, I don't know yet."

Brad Kassell is expected to man the middle against the Raiders.

Just when Calmus had stepped to the forefront of the battle to start at middle linebacker (with Frank Chamberlin and Brad Kassell), he injures his hamstring and will miss at least one regular season game. Whoever starts in the middle for Tennessee (Kassell at this point) will be a nice sleeper, but their fantasy potential will be limited by being sandwiched between playmakers Keith Bulluck and Peter Sirmon.

15. WR Antonio Bryant (DAL): Small Tear in Quadricep

Clipped From: Dallas Morning News (Todd Archer)

After meeting with doctors, wide receiver Antonio Bryant was diagnosed with a small tear in his left quadriceps, according to his agent.

"His goal is to play in the opener," said Bryant's agent, Peter Schaffer. "He's going to do everything he can with the doctors and trainers to be ready to play in that game."

Bryant missed the final two preseason games because of the injury and has not been able to take part in a full practice. Schaffer said Bryant missed the team's Kickoff Luncheon on Thursday because he was on the phone with a doctor offering a second opinion. After Thursday's game, coach Bill Parcells said he did not know where Bryant was, and owner Jerry Jones said Bryant would be fined.

The injury could play into the final roster, which has to be set Sunday. Because of the uncertainty of Bryant's status, Parcells might have to keep an extra receiver for the opening week, which could open a spot for Reggie Swinton or Zuriel Smith.

Bryant's agent says that he's going to play in the opener, but the fact that he's missed the last two preseason games and hasn't participated in a full practice has to leave a little doubt in that statement. Curently our 48th ranked wide receiver with projections of 50 receptions, 710 yards and 5 TDs, we may see him struggle early on if this injury proves to be significant. Until further news comes out, you'd have to consider keeping him on the bench for week number one.

16. K Mike Hollis (NYG) Placed On IR

Clipped From: Associated Press

The New York Giants lost two of their major offseason acquisitions on Saturday when long snapper Ryan Kuehl and place-kicker Mike Hollis were put on the injured reserve list.

Kuehl is probably going to have surgery for tendinitis in his right elbow and Hollis is considering whether to have back surgery.

The Giants will not officially announce their moves until the league deadline at 4 p.m. EDT, but players who were cut spoke about being released.

Fullback Charles Stackhouse, receiver Daryl Jones, tight end Darnell Dinkins, and defensive end Frank Ferrara all said they were released. All were on the team last season.

Ron Dayne, the Heisman Trophy winner who was the team's first-round draft pick in 2000, survived the cut. However, it's uncertain whether he will remain the No. 2 running back behind Tiki Barber and he could be traded.

Kuehl and Hollis were signed in the offseason along with returner Brian Mitchell and punter Jeff Feagles to fix the special teams problems that hurt New York last season, particularly in the 39-38 loss to San Francisco in the wild-card playoff game.

Kuehl, who signed a five-year, $3.26 million contract, developed tendinitis in his right elbow after the first preseason game. He blamed it on overwork during training camp.

The injury to Hollis means that Matt Bryant will be the place-kicker for the second straight year. He hit 26 of 32 field goal attempts last season and 30 of 32 extra points for 108 points.

As the starting kicker in a New York Giants offense with nice upside, Matt Bryant should find himself as a top 20 kicker, making him a decent #2 kicker (if you carry two kickers) or a shaky #1. Considering that Hollis was brought in to battle Bryant for the #1 kicker job, we may see a free-agent signed to further provide competition.

17. WR Bennett (TEN): Officially Named #2

Clipped From: Tennessean.com (Jim Wyatt)

Fisher yesterday named Justin Hartwig the starting center and Drew Bennett the No. 2 receiver. He said a decision about middle linebacker has been made, but wouldn't reveal it. With the injury to Calmus, Brad Kassell is expected to be the starter.

Drew Bennett has been the #2 receiver all offseason, but a recent push by Justin McCareins had left open the possibility of a change. As the #2 wide out in Tennessee, Bennett holds nice value as a late draft/waiver selection who could eventually serve as a spot starter.

18. Jaguars Release 11, Including DE Marco Coleman and WR Donald Hayes

Clipped From: Associated Press

The Jacksonville Jaguars released defensive end Marco Coleman, receiver Donald Hayes and nine others Saturday as they moved toward finalizing their 53-player roster.

Other veterans released were cornerback Ike Charlton, offensive linemen Drew Inzer and Daryl Terrell, defensive lineman Chris Combs and fullback Dan Alexander.

Jacksonville's roster stands at 60; the deadline to get to 53 is 4 p.m. Sunday.

Coleman was entering his 12th season. Last year with the Jaguars, he had five sacks. His release means there's a good chance the Jaguars will keep Tony Brackens, who has practiced sparingly this preseason as he recovers from an appendectomy and risky microfracture surgery on his knee.

Hayes was one of the team's first free-agent additions and was supposed to compete for a starting job. The Jaguars must find a receiver to start opposite J.J. Stokes while Jimmy Smith serves a four-game suspension for violating the league's substance-abuse policy.

The first-year players the Jaguars waived were tight end Matt Cercone, safety Abdual Howard and cornerbacks Willie Miles and Jason Olford. They have yet to release any of their nine picks from April's draft.

Marco Coleman is on his last leg and wasn't very impressive during training camp. He was an insurance policy with Tony Brackens out, one that obviously held little value. After catching 66 balls for 926 yards in 2000, Donald Hayes has caught 64 balls over the last two seasons and may have hit a low point, being released by a Jaguars team in desperate need a wide receiver.

19. Redskins Release QB Wuerffel and RB Watson

Clipped From: WashingtonPost.com (Mark Maske)

The Washington Redskins released quarterback Danny Wuerffel and running back Kenny Watson as part of their final roster cuts, team officials said yesterday.

Coach Steve Spurrier said the club will enter the season with two quarterbacks -- starter Patrick Ramsey and veteran backup Rob Johnson -- on the 53-man roster, instead of the traditional three. According to Spurrier, the team intends to re-sign rookie quarterback Gibran Hamdan, who was told yesterday he would be released today, to the five-man practice squad if he clears waivers. Spurrier called Hamdan, a seventh-round draft pick from Indiana, his third-string quarterback, although Hamdan won't be eligible to play if Ramsey and Johnson get hurt.

Watson was the team's second-leading rusher last season and entered training camp in a three-way competition for the starting tailback job. He was beaten out for a roster spot by undrafted rookie Sultan McCullough. Asked about the Wuerffel and Watson decisions, Spurrier indicated that owner Daniel Snyder settled disagreements among club officials.

"When the coaching staff and the personnel department disagree about one or two players, the owner steps in and has the final say," Spurrier said. "And that's the way we do things around here. So it was a team decision to keep the players we have here. . . . We all argue and discuss things, and then when the final decision is made, we all support it."

When Snyder increased his involvement in the football decision-making this past offseason, club officials said they did not regard it as novel for an owner to cast the tie-breaking vote in personnel matters, citing former San Francisco 49ers president Carmen Policy and others as examples.

Going into the season with only 2 quarterbacks is a very risky situation, especially when those QBs are Patrick Ramsey and Rob Johnson. Is this a vote of confidence for Ramsey? Maybe, but don't be surprised if Danny Wuerffel is on Daniel Snyder's speed dial. Watson's name had come up in trade rumors recently, but Washington decided to release him instead of trying to get something of value for him. With 4.6 yards per carry on 116 attempts last season, including 2-100+ yard rushing performances, Watson will land on his feet. Ladell Betts is now the undoubted backup to Trung Canidate, if he can stay healthy, and should see quite a bit of playing time this year.

20. LB Keith Newman (ATL) Suspended 4 Games

Clipped From: Associated Press

Atlanta Falcons linebacker Keith Newman was suspended for four games Saturday for violating the NFL's policy on anabolic steroids and related substances.

Newman forfeits $124,704 of his base salary. He is eligible to return to the team on Sept. 29, the day after Atlanta plays at Carolina.

The Falcons signed Newman to back up starter Matt Stewart on the strong side. Sam Rogers, the weak side starter, took some snaps at strong side in the last two weeks.

Newman played his first four seasons in Buffalo. Former Bills coach Wade Phillips, now in his second year as Atlanta's defensive coordinator, selected Newman in the fourth round of 1999 draft.

Keith Newman flashed nice potential in Buffalo during his second season, posting 8 sacks, but he hasn't been able to match that during the last two years. Trying to revive his falling career as an OLB in Atlanta's 3-4 defense, a scheme which suits his skills well, there was an outside chance that he'd be able to find his way into the starting lineup. Not now.

21. Rookie DE Jerome McDougle (PHI) Will Miss 2 Games

Clipped From: Associated Press

Defensive end Jerome McDougle will miss the at least two regular-season games with a high-ankle sprain, a mild knee sprain and a bruised hip bone in his left leg.

McDougle, who was hurt in Thursday's preseason game against the New York Jets, underwent an MRI exam on Friday.

McDougle, the 15th overall pick in the draft was expected to help fill the void left by the departure of three-time Pro Bowl defensive end Hugh Douglas.

Last week, the Eagles lost rookie defensive end Jamaal Green, McDougle's teammate at Miami, for the season with a knee injury.

The Eagles also announced they have traded second-year wide receiver Freddie Milons to Pittsburgh for a future undisclosed draft choice. Milons, who played at Alabama, was inactive for all 16 games in his rookie season.

With Derrick Burgess still hampered by a foot injury, and Jamaal Green done for the year, the last thing that the Eagles needed was an injury along their defensive line. Starters N.D.Kalu and Brandon Whiting have played well, but their depth, rotation, and production will suffer until Philadelphia finds some healthy bodies.

22. WR Freddie Milons Now a Steeler

Clipped From: PhiladelphiaEagles.com (Bob Kent)

The Eagles trimmed their roster by one Saturday evening, trading wide receiver Freddie Milons to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a future, conditional draft choice.

The roster move bodes well for the likes of Sean Morey, Sean Scott and undrafted rookie free agent Greg Lewis, who are all in the mix for the team's fifth and sixth receiver spots -- behind James Thrash, Todd Pinkston, Freddie Mitchell and third-round pick Billy McMullen.

Lewis, who played collegiately at Illinois, had six catches for 113 yards in the preseason finale Thursday night against the Jets. Veteran Antonio Freeman, who played with the Birds last season, is also on the market looking for a team.

The team's remaining cuts are due in by 4 p.m. (ET) Sunday.

Milons, a 5th-round draft choice a year ago, provided a thrilling 82-yard kickoff return as the Eagles edged Pittsburgh 21-16 at Heinz Field on Aug. 16.

He remained inactive for all 16 regular season games and both postseason contests in 2002, watching and absorbing the offense. He suffered a broken left fibula in the final preseason game last season and that caused him to miss practice for the first four weeks of the season.

Now Milons, one of the most prolific receivers and returners in Alabama history, is headed for Western Pennsylvania.

With Lito Sheppard and Brian Westbrook on board, the Eagles didn't need Freddie Milons "The Returner" and had no interest in Freddie Milons "The Receiver". If healthy, Milons could take over some of the return duties in Pittsburgh from Antwaan Randle El, allowing him to concentrate on offense.

23. QB Jarious Jackson Released By Denver

Clipped From: Associated Press

Jarious Jackson, the Denver Broncos third quarterback for the past three seasons, said Saturday he is being released by the team.

The Broncos were to announce their final cuts Sunday afternoon, but Jackson and receiver Herb Haygood confirmed Saturday they didn't make the team.

Jackson has been plagued by inconsistency and was entering the final year of his contract.

He became expendable after the arrival of Danny Kanell, a former starter for the New York Giants who played Arena League football and minor league baseball the past two years.

Haygood was among five receivers competing for two spots.

He said rookie Adrian Madise made the team, leaving Frank Rice, Charlie Adams and Nate Jackson competing for Denver's the final spot.

Rookie defensive end Clint Mitchell said he was told he would be placed on injured reserve due to a lingering thumb injury.

A 7th round pick in 2000, Jackson never developed despite his athletic ability and only saw action in 3 games over the last two seasons.

That'll do it for today, Folks. Enjoy the Holiday Weekend and we'll see you tomorrow with the update.

Joe