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Footballguys.com Daily Email Update
Volume 4 Issue # 91
August 15th, 2003
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

 1. Raiders Offense is Still Stumbling
 2. DE Brandon Whiting (Phi) is not a Guaranteed Starter
 3. Safety Mike Logan (Pit) Draws Coach Cowher's Praise
 4. TE Tony Gonzalez (KC) Continues to Work on Improvements
 5. The Vertical Passing Attack is Back In Minnesota
 6. QB Jay Fiedler (Mia) Ready to Play
 7. WR Charlie Rogers (Mia) May Finally Get Chance on Offense
 8. RB Doug Chapman (Min) Appears to be Starter
 9. WR Chad Johnson (Cin) Wants to Approach 1800 Receiving Yards
10. RB T.J. Duckett (Atl) Expecting 'Big Things'... from Himself
11. RB Tony Hollings (Hou) to Play Against the Cowboys
12. QB Jake Plummer (Den) Looking Sharp this Week
13. WR Marvin Minnis (KC) Fighting for Spot
14. QB Akili Smith's Future with Packers Could Hinge on Game with Browns
15. Six-year Veteran guard Tom Nutten (NYJ) Retires
16. WR Randy Moss (Min) Maturing on and off the Field
17. DT Marcus Stroud (Jax) Leads Jacksonville's Young Veterans
18. WR Rod Smith (Den): Loving His Job, and Passing It On
19. QB Ken Dorsey (SF) Pilots Offense with Masterful Touch
20. Eagles Banking on WR Todd Pinkston
21. Undrafted RB Dante Brown (Pit) Getting Noticed
22. Browns Starting Quarterback Position will be Decided on Monday
23. WR Alex Bannister (Sea) Happy to Return to College Form as Receiver

Hi Folks,

We're hitting those critical days in camp where battles will be decided. Quite a few in the stories here that Footballguy Chris Smith dug up so let's jump right to it.

Joe

1. Raiders Offense is Still Stumbling

Clipped from Craig Lancaster article In San Jose News:

The first-team offense, which a week ago mustered two meek three-and-out series against the St. Louis Rams, appeared only marginally better in a 14-10 loss to the 49ers on Thursday at Candlestick Park. Rich Gannon & Co. were given a little more than a quarter to put together a meaningful drive. It didn't happen. Gannon was off-target (completing 3 of 11 passes) and under consistent pressure. After enduring two sacks against the Rams, Gannon was bagged one more time against the 49ers.

"We just made some mistakes," guard Frank Middleton said. "We need to get our offense going and stop messing around."

The offensive line, ridden hard by Coach Bill Callahan this week in practice, showed more instability. The push by the 49ers' front four kept Gannon off rhythm and, in one instance, helped to stall a drive. A false start by tackle Lincoln Kennedy on third-and-six early in the second quarter ruined what would have been a big play; Gannon had hooked up with Jerry Rice on the right flat, and Rice had an open lane to the end zone. On third-and-11, Gannon threw incomplete.

"It was an empty first half for us," wide receiver Tim Brown said. "We're not doing half the things we normally do."

Yes it is only pre-season but the Raiders slow start should be of concern to football fans. Rich Gannon looked a little shaky missing his receivers when he has time to throw. More concerning is the horrific effort of the Raiders offensive line who made the 49ers defense appear reborn as the 1985 Chicago Bears. The good news was that the receivers still looked awesome and were getting open but that won't help Gannon if he is trying to throw laying on his back. Keep your eye on this situation. The Raiders will likely pull themselves out of this funk but this isn't a great beginning for the Super Bowl Runner-Up.

2. DE Brandon Whiting (Phi) is not Guaranteed Starter

Clipped from Les Bowen article in Philly.com:

Brandon Whiting has been a solid starter for the Eagles the past three seasons, but all of a sudden the left defensive end spot is a bit crowded.

The Eagles, who last September were scrambling to field a half-dozen healthy defensive linemen, probably will end up carrying no fewer than 10 of them on the 53-man roster this season. Whiting is sharing his spot with Derrick Burgess, back healthy after going down with a broken foot in the season opener last year, and No. 1 draft choice Jerome McDougle. There is no guarantee that Whiting will start, defensive coordinator Jim Johnson acknowledged yesterday.

"It's a tough call," Johnson said. "Right now, Brandon is in the mix. That's all I can say...It's going to be hard to keep Burgess on the sideline. It's going to be hard to keep [current right defensive end starter N.D.] Kalu on the sideline. We'll see how Brandon goes, see if he's healthy. I'm not saying who's going to start against Tampa [in the season opener] right now."

Whiting knew he was facing a competitive situation coming into camp, but his efforts to report in top shape backfired when he pulled a hamstring running near his home at Lake Tahoe, Calif. He missed the first 2 weeks. After practicing this week, mostly with the second unit, he is expected to play at least a little tomorrow night when the Eagles visit Pittsburgh for a preseason game.

"I'm definitely a little behind," Whiting acknowledged yesterday. "There's still three preseason games left. I'm not worried about being in game shape come Monday night [Sept. 8] against Tampa."

In all likelihood, each of the players mentioned in this article will be rotated into the action to keep everyone fresh. Having good depth on the defensive line is a nice luxury for a football team and the Eagles appear blessed with exceptional depth. As far as who will start, it seems most money is on Whiting to open the season as a starting defensive end thanks to his experience and his comfort with the system.

3. Safety Mike Logan (Pit) Draws Coach Cowher's Praise

Clipped from Jerry DiPaola article in Tribune Review:

The Steelers were not pleased with the coverage ability of former strong safety Lee Flowers, who wasn't asked to return after reaching free agency, but coach Bill Cowher doesn't have the same problem with Flowers' successor, Mike Logan. Logan, who can be an unrestricted free agent next March, has held the starting strong safety position throughout training camp, despite competition from No. 1 draft choice Troy Polamalu.

"Logan has had an outstanding camp, there is no question about it," Cowher said. "He has been the most productive of all (the safeties). He has been very decisive. I think he feels very comfortable with the defense. He's always been a very good tackler. He can cover. You know what he is as a blitzer."

Suddenly, the Steelers have four safeties, who are worthy of the coach's praise, including starting free safety Brent Alexander.

"He has been solid in everything he has done," Cowher said.

The other safeties are backup Chris Hope and Polamalu, who is a regular in all of the defensive packages, except the starting lineup.

"Troy is getting better," Cowher said. "He is getting more comfortable in a lot of different roles we put him in. Chris Hope played very well last week. He has kind of picked it up a little bit.

Troy Polamalu is going to be a special football player in the NFL. However he will not be the starting strong safety when the season opens. Mike Logan is a gifted player in his own right and is experienced within the Steelers' system which will keep him in the starting lineup. Logan should have a strong season as he plays for a free agent contract in 2004 but look for Polamalu to get more and more playing time as the season wears on.

4. TE Tony Gonzalez (K.C.) Continues to Work on Improvements

Clipped from Adam Teicher, Kansas City Star:

The standards set by Tony Gonzalez are so absurdly high that it can be easy to take his training camp contributions for granted.

But Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil couldn't contain himself after yet another one of Gonzalez's highlight-quality catches. Gonzalez in a recent practice went over his shoulder and reeled in a deep pass from quarterback Trent Green.

"I never come off the field that Tony Gonzalez just doesn't light you up," Vermeil said. "He's amazing. I think he likes to have the quarterback throw him difficult balls so he can test his excellence. He's almost unbelievable sometimes."

Gonzalez was quietly one of the stars of the Wisconsin portion of camp, which concludes with a light practice this morning. Gonzalez showed an increased ability to catch passes going away from the play and run after the catch. Those are signs that perhaps after what for him was a disappointing season that Gonzalez is ready to re-established himself as the NFL's premier pass-catching tight end.

"I made a conscious effort going into this camp that I wanted to improve in every aspect of the game," Gonzalez said. "Last year was kind of a down year for me, and it really didn't have anything to do with statistics. It was more of an approach. That's what's changed this year. I changed me.

"I want to see how good I can be."

Only TE Tony Gonzalez can consider 63 receptions for 773 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns a disappointing season. With him completely focused on football this pre-season and working hard to regain his spot as one of the top tight ends in football, don't be surprised to see him put up monster numbers in 2003. When a talented player becomes more intense and driven on the field, good things often happen.

5. The Vertical Passing Game is Back in Minnesota

Clipped from Bill Williamson in Pioneer Press:

Will the Vikings open Saturday night's exhibition game at Kansas City with the same aggressive passing attack as they did last week? Only Mike Tice knows, but certainly they can if they want - and that option wasn't always there last season, when one of the NFL's most potent aerial offenses suddenly became methodical and run-oriented.

To the delight of the Metrodome crowd, Culpepper opened last week's 16-14 loss to Jacksonville by trying to hit star receiver Randy Moss for an 80-yard touchdown. The pair just missed on a connection. Culpepper went for it again on the next play, but his attempt to D'Wayne Bates also was off the mark.

With an upgraded offensive line, Tice thinks the long ball will live again in the Twin Cities.

"It's going to be different this year," he promised. "We feel we can go deep at any time we want. We already showed that."

Retooling the pass-blocking attack was a major off-season assignment. After the loss of bookend Pro Bowl tackles Todd Steussie and the late Korey Stringer, the Vikings' once-strong pass blocking slipped badly last year. The Vikings, who finished first in the NFL in rushing last season, allowed a team-record 49 sacks, and Culpepper was hit more than 60 times on pass plays.

"Daunte never had time back there," Tice said. "He was always trying to survive. People want to know if Daunte lost his ability to throw long. No. He just didn't have any time. That had to change."

The line was rebuilt in large part by signing right tackle Mike Rosenthal from the New York Giants. His arrival meant the Vikings finally could move Chris Liwienski from right tackle, where he played after Stringer died two summers ago, back to left guard, his natural position. The Vikings also have second-year left tackle Bryant McKinnie for the entire season. McKinnie missed the first half of last season during a contract holdout. Tice calls him the best pass blocker on the line - and that includes premier center Matt Birk - and believes having him in camp solidified the line.

Good news for Randy Moss owners, D'Wayne Bates owners and Daunte Culpepper owners. The entire offense often looked out of sync last year and many fantasy owners were disappointed as a result. Moss has been driven and focused so far all off-season becoming a surprising leader on the team. Moss thrives on the deep ball and it appears the Vikings will be airing it out again in 2003. That also helps Bates who will find more open space underneath as Moss explodes down the field and Culpepper will be more effective if the offensive line indeed does play much stronger.

6. QB Jay Fiedler (Mia) Ready to Play in this Week's Game

Clipped from Armando Salguero article in Miami Herald:

Quarterback Jay Fiedler will make his preseason debut Friday night at Jacksonville. Fiedler missed last week's game against Tampa Bay after he experienced muscle spasms in his back earlier in the week.

He returned to practice Sunday and has looked sharp this week. He also said his back feels much better.

"I've still got to stay on top of it on a daily basis, kind of make sure it doesn't flare back up," he said. "It's been feeling great these last few days."

Brian Griese makes a nice backup but the team needs a healthy Fiedler to give them a shot at the playoffs this year. Griese still needs more time to learn the offense and become comfortable in his new setting while Fiedler has performed very well over the last two years when healthy.

7. WR Charlie Rogers (Mia) May Finally Get Chance on Offense

Clipped from Bob Emanuel Jr article in Miami Herald:

In the NFL, size is always an issue. Coaches and personnel gurus search for that prototypical player with ideal size, weight and speed. Players who do not fit all three requirements often become afterthoughts on draft day, despite their college heroics and Charlie Rogers is one of the smallest players in the NFL.

Rather than lament over his size, Rogers has embraced it and deems it an advantage for his No. 1 priority on the field -- returning kickoffs and punts.

"In the return game, you want to be kind of small," he said. "The small guys are usually quicker. I can avoid people much easier than a bigger returner. I can get in and out of cracks better than a bigger guy."

The detriment to his stature comes in offensive duties. He played running back and receiver at Georgia Tech, rushing 220 times for 1,287 yards and catching 68 passes for 657 yards as a senior. Ever since he was a fifth-round pick by Seattle in 1999, Rogers -- who has run a 4.27 seconds in the 40-yard dash -- has heard the same promises from coaches, who told him he would be more than a return specialist. Yet, through three years in Seattle and one in Buffalo, those promises have amounted to one reception for 7 yards in 2001.

"A lot of people don't want to give you the opportunity because they think you're too small. You'll get hurt. You can't do this. You can't do that," he said. 'I hate when people do that. I want somebody to say, `Hey, let's see what he can do.' That's been the biggest thing here. They put me out there and they're seeing what I can do."

Rogers, 27, might finally get his chance. Coach Dave Wannstedt said the Dolphins will "have a little package for him every week and hope to get him eight or 10 offensive plays, whether it be at running back or receiver," providing Rogers makes the team, which is likely.

Offensive coordinator Norv Turner has developed some of those packages already, with Rogers working out of the backfield on passing downs.

"Coach Turner is really putting me in great situations," Rogers said. "The guy is a mastermind. He's putting me against linebackers and matching me up. It's a big-time difference. Those guys can't cover me."

How can you not root for the small guy to succeed at the NFL level. Norv Turner is always looking for an advantage on the field and it is very possible that Charlie Rogers will indeed get involved with the Dolphins offensive scheme. He isn't going to be a fantasy force this year or next but he could contribute on Sundays with a catch or two each week and perhaps the odd run as well. Kudos to Turner for developing plays that can use Rogers' gifts.

8. RB Doug Chapman (Min) Appears to be the Starter

Clipped from Vikings.com:

At this point Doug Chapman appears to be the starter, but don't be surprised if you see a number of ball carriers on opening day. Moe Williams will assume his role from last year. Rookie Onterrio Smith is opening eyes and could compete for the starting job later in the season. John Avery looks to be a nice situational back and Larry Ned has finished camp strong.

Just one more voice in the Viking RB discussion. Chapman is the obvious choice early on Tice doesn't want to overload Smith with the pressure of being named the starter. But we continue to believe that Smith simply has too much talent not to quickly emerge among this group. Avery will likely see the field as a change-of-pace running back while means Larry Ned will likely be the odd man out.

9. WR Chad Johnson (Cin) Wants to Approach 1800 Receiving Yards

Clipped from Mark Curnette article in the Cincinnati Enquirer:

Chad Johnson wants to go where only one wide receiver has gone before, and he says he needs his coaches to help him get there. Johnson, the talkative, energetic third-year Bengals wideout, has set a goal of 1,800 receiving yards for the 2003 season.

The only receiver in the 83 years of the NFL to have 1,800 receiving yards in a season is Jerry Rice. He had 1,848 with San Francisco in 1995.

Johnson is looking for coach Marvin Lewis, offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski and wide receivers coach Alex Wood to push him to greater production. Johnson is coming off a 1,166-yard season, fifth-best in Bengals history.

"I don't care if it's cursing, fussing, I need them to get me on that page to perfection on every down," Johnson said. "It all starts with my weakness, blocking. I need to be a blocker first, and everything else is going to come - route depth, discipline, sights, hot reads, all that, being able to read the defense. The consistency is there, but it's not where it needs to be to reach 1,800."

A year ago at this time, Johnson was third on the Bengals' training camp depth chart at one receiver position.

He had no receptions in Games 1 and 4, and he had just five catches for 78 yards after the first four. But Johnson, like the rest of the offense, started to produce when Jon Kitna became the starting quarterback.

In the final 12 games, Johnson averaged 90.7 receiving yards. If he can maintain that average, he'll have 1,451 for the season - which would establish a Bengals record.

We have Chad Johnson slotted in as the 11th receiver this year but with his confidence and enthusiasm he could end up breaking into the top ten or even the top five. He has a great attitude, is working hard on every aspect of his game and has developed good chemistry with Jon Kitna. Don't hesitate to target Johnson in your fantasy drafts. He is a special player who is driven to be the best. But he still has Jon Kitna throwing him the ball.

10. RB T.J. Duckett (Atl) Expecting 'Big Things'... From Himself

Clipped from Curtis Bunn article in Atlanta Journal:

A year later, the Falcons' young running back has his Ducketts in a row. There is an ease about his presence and an assuredness in his ability. Experience is such an elixir.

T.J. Duckett does not have the aftermath of an attack by two men following a concert in Michigan to deal with this year. He knows and says he has accepted that he will share time with Warrick Dunn. He used the offseason to tone his body and shed a few pounds to improve his endurance. The NFL language is not foreign anymore.

All together, Duckett feels he belongs. "It's such a big difference from last year," he said. "I mean, a hundred per cent difference. I'm to the point where I expect a good year from myself. Last year, I was just trying to learn what to do. Now, I'm so comfortable that I'm expecting big things."

For Duckett, "big things" translates into "becoming a complete back and helping us win games every Sunday," he said.

Duckett grew into that perspective. For the 18th pick coming out of Michigan State, he had to adjust to not being the primary ball carrier, which was not easy for a then-21-year-old.

"I thought I was ready to play and sometimes I didn't know when I would," he said. "But, looking back, it was a good thing. I got a chance to watch and learn. It was better for me that I wasn't just thrown in there and expected to carry the load. Warrick (Dunn) has been great. He shares his knowledge with me. We feed off each other and make a good tandem, I think. The season is so long," he said. "You have to have a body that will be able to withstand the physical nature of the NFL. The size difference from college is real. The guys are bigger and faster. So you've got to work as hard or harder than the next guy to handle it."

And so, the six-foot Duckett trimmed down from the 263 pounds he showed up weighing last year to the 255 pounds that he carried once he got into top shape during the season. "I feel great. My body is strong, and I feel like I won't wear down like I did last year," he said.

The Falcons need him to be healthy and sharp, and they have noticed a marked difference in his play and mindset.

It is most definitely RBBC in Atlanta which is bad for fantasy owners but likely very good for the Falcons. With Duckett in good shape and more mentally ready this season, he and Dunn will likely be the �Thunder and Lightning' duo that the Giants thought they had with Tiki Barber and Ron Dayne a couple of seasons ago. Look for Duckett to have a better sophomore season and there is a chance he will end up with more carries than Dunn this year.

11. RB Tony Hollings (Hou) to Play Against the Cowboys

Clipped from Carlton Thompson article in Houston Chronicle:

Tony Hollings could be playing against the Texans instead of for them tonight at Texas Stadium if things had gone the way the Dallas Cowboys hoped last month. The Texans were aggressive in their pursuit of the talented running back from Georgia Tech, choosing him in the second round of a supplemental draft when most teams were only willing to sacrifice a third- or fourth-round pick. The Cowboys will get a chance to see what they missed tonight when Hollings not only makes his NFL debut but also plays in his first game since tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee Sept. 21 on his 36th carry in a game against Brigham Young.

"I've been waiting for this for a long time," said Hollings, who was held out of last week's preseason opener against Denver. "I played in the scrimmage against Dallas, but this is the real thing right here. I feel good and I'm ready to go."

Stacey Mack will start at running back, but coach Dom Capers said Hollings would play two or three series. "He played a few plays in the scrimmage a couple of weeks ago but this will be his first opportunity to get on the field and get a taste of the NFL," Capers said. "I didn't expect him to be ready to go out and play in a game this quick. He's done a good job, and it will be interesting to watch him. The thing he does give us is some speed and a burst at the position."

General manager Charley Casserly said the Texans drafted Hollings with the idea he might not play this year, but when they saw how far along Hollings was in his recovery from surgery Oct. 1, he was cleared for full practice.

Hollings, who was leading the nation in rushing and touchdowns before his injury, is being brought along at a slower place than the other rookies not only because he is behind physically, but because he missed the offseason program. He appreciates the caution with which the Texans have handled him, but he's eager to have the reins removed.

"The last time I played in a real game was one of the worst days of my life," Hollings said of his injury. "Getting over that was a learning experience and I still think about it sometimes, but I just want to put it in my past. I'm ready to contribute to this team now. I was a little nervous during the scrimmage, and I'm sure the nerves will set in this time, too, because it's a real game, but I'm sure once I get that first hit, it will go away. I'm just waiting on that to happen."

Tony Hollings isn't going to be a starter for the Texans in 2003. That honor will belong to Stacey Mack and he'll likely do a solid job for the team. However if Hollings shows well in the last few pre-season games and his knee holds up, he could worm his way into some significant playing time as the season wears on. He is potentially much more explosive than Mack and the Texans could use that type of running back creating offense behind a very poor offensive line. Watch how Hollings does over the next few games to determine how much (if any) impact he'll have on Mack's fantasy numbers.

12. QB Jake Plummer (Den) Looking Sharp this Week

Clipped from Lee Rasizer article in Rocky Mountain News:

Jake Plummer seemed a little scattershot with his passing early in camp, throwing in the direction of his targets but not putting the ball in optimal spots for the receivers. But the quarterback has looked crisp this week, especially throwing the deep ball. He displayed perfect touch on a 45-yard bomb on the right hash to Ed McCaffrey, who had a step on cornerback Lenny Walls.

He zipped another ball during red zone drills that Shannon Sharpe turned into a spectacular catch, but was made possible by Plummer's throw just out of reach of Denver's defenders. And in the afternoon, during the 1-minute drill, Plummer lofted the ball over two safeties on a 45-yard touchdown pass to Herb Haygood.

Jake Plummer continues to make improvements on the practice field. This could be the year he sheds the �Plumber' label and becomes a solid quarterback on a consistent basis. With all the talent surrounding him in Denver, it certainly could be "Now or Never" for the beleaguered veteran quarterback. We believe he will have a solid season with the Broncos and be a good backup quarterback in fantasy football.

13. WR Marvin Minnis (KC) Fighting for Spot

Clipped from the Kansas City Star:

Wide receiver Marvin "Snoop" Minnis has been one of the top camp performers, but it remains to be seen what his role will be when the season starts. Minnis is currently the fifth receiver behind Eddie Kennison, Johnnie Morton, Dante Hall and Marc Boerigter.

The fifth receiver is typically inactive on game days unless he is a special-teams contributor.

"He's battling," Vermeil said. "He's having a hard time battling it emotionally. When you were a starter as a rookie then you get hurt and you come back and you struggle, and people have ascended and gotten better, it's hard for you to catch up. But he's working at it. The first thing he has to do is don't beat himself emotionally."

It's nice to see "Snoop" fighting his way back to the field. However it is doubtful he will be able to rise in the depth charts enough to get ahead of any of the four receivers ahead of him. Possibly a player to keep your eyes on for the second half of the season and beyond but for now his fantasy worth is minimal.

14. QB Akili Smith's Future with Packers Could be Decided in Game Aainst Browns

Clipped from Todd McMahon article in News Chronicle:

Craig Nall, with whom Akili Smith is battling for a backup spot, didn't participate in a Thursday morning walkthrough practice at Lambeau Field. Nall hyperextended his right knee Monday morning and was sidelined Wednesday after aggravating the injury in practice Tuesday.

Offensive coordinator Tom Rossley said Nall is questionable to play tonight. "We'll wait until he gets over there on the field (before the game) and see how he moves around if he can play much at all," Rossley said. "We certainly don't want to put him out there if he's not 100 percent."

If Nall can't go, Smith will get the most playing time of the quarterbacks. Brett Favre won't play much past the early stages of the second quarter with Doug Pederson finishing up the first half before giving way to Smith. Although the Packers have two preseason games left after tonight, playing for an extended time in a familiar, albeit hostile, environment could serve as Smith's best chance in trying to unseat incumbents Pederson and Nall for a roster spot in the regular season.

Smith didn't play in the opener against Kansas City in Canton, Ohio, when the game was called late in the third quarter because of lightning. He struggled in his Packers debut Saturday at Atlanta, compiling a pathetic passer rating of 37.2 on 7-of-12 passing for 61 yards with no touchdowns and one interception.

"I would love to have a breakthrough game right now in Cleveland," Smith said. "That's what I'm shooting for. God willing, hopefully we'll get it done. I want to play well and then come back for the last two games in front of the home fans and let the chips fall where they may."

If you watch the Packers-Browns game closely tonight you may see a fat lady sitting in the front row. That lady will be warming up her vocal chords to begin singing really loud and clear. This game is huge for Smith who was very mediocre in his first performance of the season last week. If he wants to make this team he'll need to get the ball into the endzone at least once and preferably more than that. The Brown fans have hated Smith since the team passed on him in the draft and they'll be making life miserable for him. How he responds to the jeers and plays on the field will determine his fate as a member of the Packers organization.

15. Six-year Veteran Guard Tom Nutten (NYJ) Retires

Clipped from Len Pasquarelli article in ESPN:

Six-year veteran guard Tom Nutten, signed by the New York Jets ostensibly to replace departed standout Randy Thomas, abruptly announced his retirement, leaving the team puzzled but also perilously thin on the offensive line.

Slowed by shin and elbow injuries in training camp, Nutten, 32, had recently lost his starting job to former Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Brent Smith, whose career has been marred by severe knee injuries in two consecutive seasons. Smith started the first preseason game and is slated to start this weekend's exhibition contest against New Orleans as well.

The Jets may now be forced to sign another lineman and the team's personnel staff was already at work compiling a list of possibilities.

That is hardly good news for the New York Jets. Nutten was supposed to start for the Jets this season but now the team is dangerously thin up front. The Jets will almost certainly bring a veteran lineman in for a workout but they'd better pray that the rest of the offensive line stays healthy this season.

16. WR Randy Moss (Min) Maturing on and off the Field

Clipped from ESPN:

Moss has made as many headlines as anyone since he entered the NFL in 1998. He's as well-known for comments about playing hard when he feels like it and off-the-field ordeals as he is for an amazing ability to separate from the secondary and haul in a 65-yard touchdown pass and leap high above the defense to make a tough catch in traffic.

Something is different this season, though. The Randy Ratio is in the Vikings' rearview mirror, and so are it seems the other distractions that have accompanied Moss' never-dull first five years in the league. Instead, everyone's talking about who's going to run the ball while Michael Bennett is injured and whether the defense will be decent enough to keep Minnesota competitive.

"I can see the determination in everybody's eyes, starting with the veterans all the way down to the rookies," Moss said. "We even have our owner fired up."

Yes, Moss is flying under the radar, which is the way the intensely private receiver would like it. He's spoken to the media only once, on the first day of camp, but he sported a smile, not a scowl, as he walked around the Minnesota State campus where the Vikings train.

"Even last year when I met him, I thought he was very mature," said No. 2 receiver D'Wayne Bates. "This year he's definitely showed a lot of maturity. I think he's been a lot more quiet. Most of the stuff he does is on the field. Off the field, he kind of does his own thing. No one really sees him until practice and meetings."

Moss made a big impression by faithfully attending the Vikings' offseason strength and conditioning program, adding about five pounds of muscle to his 6-foot-4, 205-pound frame and setting an example along the way as a legitimate leader.

"That just shows he is growing up," Culpepper said. "Moss, he's just realizing he's a leader and he has to do it day-in and day-out. He leads by example, and he's understanding that more and more every day, and I'm glad to be playing with him."

Moss? Mature?

"There are a lot of veterans and a lot of guys you'll see on other teams who don't stick around to help the other players," said third receiver Kelly Campbell. "But he's not like that. He does a good job with the younger players. Anything I need help on or have questions on, I'll go to Randy and he'll tell me what to do. I look at Moss as a big brother."

Everything in Minnesota this year points towards a rebirth for Randy Moss and the Vikings passing attack. Moss has been terrific on the field for years despite a less than stellar attitude and commitment. All you seem to be hearing is that Moss is working to regain his position as the top receiver in the league.

17. DT Marcus Stroud (Jax) Leads Jacksonville's Young Veterans

Clipped from Seth Polansky article in NFL.com:

He's a big, strong starting defensive tackle and he's only 25 years old. There's a lot of good years ahead for the Jacksonville Jaguars' third-year star Marcus Stroud. And the next one starts on Sept. 7 at Carolina. As part of an already-potent defensive line that was bolstered during the offseason, Stroud and the Jaguars are determined to remain the AFC South's top defensive unit.

Stroud was Jacksonville's first-round draft pick in 2001, and he did not disappoint as a rookie, playing as a backup and leading all reserves with 62 tackles. Then he stepped up to be the full-time starter in 2002 for a defense that ranked 14th in the NFL and first in the division. Now rival teams are worried the Jaguars defense is even better.

The biggest change defensively starts at the top, as Jack Del Rio begins his first season as head coach. Del Rio was an 11-year veteran as a linebacker and then, in his one year as defensive coordinator, molded the Carolina Panthers into one of the NFL's top defensive teams.

Stroud is beginning his third season and John Henderson his second. In fact, every other projected starter on defense has no more than five previous seasons in the league, except for the two defensive ends. And what hasn't been said for that pair of ends -- Hugh Douglas and Marco Coleman? The two have a combined 19 seasons under their belts and 135 career sacks. The rest of the nine projected starters have 25 years experience and 26� sacks. Douglas and Coleman bring new meaning to the term, "veteran leadership."

"Those guys give us so much knowledge," Stroud said. "And other teams have to respect them. When teams respect them, that takes a little focus off of (myself and Henderson). That will hopefully give us a chance to do some things. That's the approach we want to use. We want (the opposition) to look outside at the two older veteran guys and then John and I hit them in the mouth."

Even with Douglas and Coleman, Stroud is still one of the team's leaders. It's not common that a third-year man would be the centerpiece of a squad, but when you are one of the senior members, it comes with the territory. Stroud welcomes this responsibility. It's his defensive line and it's his team. When someone takes that much pride in his work, then the results will show for themselves.

Marcus Stroud has had a very nice start to his career with the Jaguars. Having Hugh Douglas and Marco Coleman on the ends will help keep focus off of both him and John Henderson in the middle and both could have outstanding seasons. The Jaguars defensive line has the potential to be one of the best, if not the very best defensive line in football. Stroud appears to relish the role of leader on the team and he wears the title well.

18. WR Rod Smith (Den): Loving His Job, and Passing It On

Clipped from DenverBroncos.com:

It's another gorgeous, sun-baked late morning at Dove Valley, and the Broncos' morning training-camp practice has concluded. Most of the players have scurried off into the locker room, having been waylaid by the awaiting media or otherwise completely sidestepping them.

On this morning, five players remain -- two quarterbacks, a running back and two wide receivers. Four members of the quintet have never as much as started an NFL game; three have never even made a 53-man roster. This supplemental, post-practice work would seem to be the domain of the unproven, of those seeking any extra edge that might represent the difference between a steady paycheck and unemployment in a month's time.

One could surmise that Jarious Jackson, Nick Rolovich, Adrian Madise and Ahmaad Galloway could be helped by the extra work. Collectively, they have no career NFL starts and have played in a combined four NFL games -- all by Jackson. By extension, an observer might perceive the fifth member of the group shouldn't need the extra 20 minutes' worth of work on the field.

But Rod Smith has always operated contrary to expectation. His diligent attitude is the type of mentality that some would call a throwback, but with Smith, it's impossible to dub it as such. Football has only become a true year-round sport in the past two decades. It's more accurate to say that he's charted an identity of his own, a modern example of how the contemporary football player should conduct himself in the locker room and on the field.

In June, the Broncos were rewarded with a week off from off-season conditioning following the six-day voluntary camp. Yet the next morning, Smith was back at Dove Valley, running windsprints in the gray mist as other Broncos gradually joined him -- a persistent, reliable Bronco in the way Lou Gehrig and Cal Ripken, Jr. were to the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles.

One can call him industrious, call him an early riser or call him successful. Just don't call him an overachiever. The implication of the word is enough to rankle.

"What makes you an overachiever?" Smith asks. "I never understood that word -- overachiever. That means you're doing something you're not supposed to be able to do, because obviously we were able to do it. It's just a matter of having the right opportunities."

Another day to play. Another day to succeed. Another day to teach. To Smith, "football player" means more than merely putting on pads and a helmet, stepping onto the field and assuming one's place. It entails vigilance and support, particularly for the youngest of teammates -- and giving them the morale boost he never received during his rookie season.

Rod Smith is the consummate professional athlete. You have to love stories about players that obviously are playing the game for the love of the competition. Whether he is at practice working hard to get better, working with the younger players to help them improve or talking to the media, Smith makes the Broncos better with his presence. It is no wonder Smith has had continued success over the years with his remarkable attitude. Expect more of the same from Smith this year.

19. QB Ken Dorsey (SF) Pilots Offense with Masterful Touch

Clipped from Daniel Brown article in Mercury News:

Ken Dorsey said he made a mistake with the last one. He lamented that his final pass to Matt Stanley was a bit off, which forced Stanley to make a difficult catch. Never mind that Dorsey's pass looked suspiciously as if it hit the fullback between the two fours on his No. 44 jersey.

Stanley laughed. "That guy is a perfectionist," he said. "It doesn't surprise me at all that he would say something like that." The Dorsey-to-Stanley connection worked for a 9-yard touchdown in the waning minutes Thursday as the 49ers came back to beat the Raiders 14-10 at Candlestick Park. Dorsey, whose documents insist he is a rookie, played otherwise as he engineered a 12-play, 71-yard drive capped by the pass to Stanley with 2:19 to play.

"He doesn't act like a rookie, not at all," said receiver Arnaz Battle, who was taken in the sixth round of the draft -- one ahead of Dorsey. "He was very vocal and getting everybody into the right mindset. "He was yelling at guys and pumping them up. He made sure everybody knew where to go and what to do."

Dorsey alternated possessions with Brandon Doman after Tim Rattay departed midway through the second quarter. Dorsey completed 6 of 15 passes for 47 yards and a touchdown. Doman connected on 3 of 5 passes for 20 yards, including a 10-yard touchdown pass to Cedrick Wilson in the second quarter. On style points, however, Dorsey won his duel with Doman for the third quarterback spot. He started the winning drive with 7:35 left in the fourth quarter and the Raiders leading 10-7.

Ken Dorsey is a winner, a competitor and wants to succeed at the NFL level. He put on the weight he needed, has worked hard on improving his arm strength and has the intangibles to stick around the NFL for a long time. He may take a few years to really get a shot at significant playing time but he may well surprise a lot of football fans when he gets that shot. If Koy Detmer can play well when given the opportunity despite his slender frame and arm strength then Dorsey can certainly make an impact when he gets his chance. It may not be in until 2005 or 2006 but we'll see Dorsey start in the NFL and do well.

20. Eagles banking on WR Todd Pinkston

Clipped from Bob Brookover article in Eaglefan.net:

The Eagles have identified the future of their offense, and it is centered on QB Donovan McNabb and WR Todd Pinkston.

It's easy to figure out why Pinkston fits into the Eagles' present and future. At 26, he is the same age as McNabb. His injury history consists of one sprained toe that forced him to miss a single game in 2001, and his on-field history is that he keeps getting better.

After he started just one game and caught just 10 passes as a rookie in 2000, some people wondered if he was too frail to handle the physical style of play in the NFL. He proved in his second season that he could play the game at its highest level, catching 42 passes for 586 yards and four touchdowns. Last year, he led the team with 60 catches for 798 yards and seven touchdowns.

Offensive coordinator Brad Childress said Pinkston has the ability to become one of the NFL's elite receivers.

"He certainly has the speed and the hands," Childress said. "He has a great guy throwing to him as well. You would love to think that he can blossom here. There is no reason why he shouldn't."

The next step for Pinkston is a 1,000-yard season, something no Eagles receiver has achieved during the Reid era. Part of the reason is because Reid's version of the West Coast offense is designed to spread the ball around. Nevertheless, Childress thinks it's possible to have a 1,000-yard receiver.

"Sure, it could happen," he said. "You could have a couple of 1,000-yard guys. It just depends on where the ball is spread around to and what is happening. The big thing for us is that we love to spread the football around so you can't zero in on one guy. The ball could go to a back, a tight end, an X receiver or a Z receiver."

Pinkston, it appears, is about to become the Eagles' big-money receiver.

It is pretty obvious that Pinkston has stepped into the role of the top receiver on the Eagles. Not many football fans will debate that point. The question now is can he become the elite receiver the Eagles, their fans and his fantasy owners want him to become. He may be slender but he is ripped up and in the best shape of his life. He certainly should have a great shot at 1000 yards if he can stay healthy.

** HOT � Pinkston just signed a six-year extension on his contract that will run through 2008. Financial terms weren't disclosed.

21. Undrafted RB Dante Brown (Pit) Getting Noticed

Clipped from Gerry Dulac article in Post Gazette:

Day after day, Bill Cowher kept watching a free-agent running back hit holes, break tackles, make plays. Cowher liked the way he ran, liked his speed, really liked his toughness. Finally, after watching Dante Brown perform for two weeks, a somewhat dumbfounded Cowher turned to one of his personnel people and asked, "What was the knock on this guy?"

Undrafted rookies are not supposed to come to NFL training camps and be the highlight of summer practice sessions. Especially running backs, who are dissected by scouts and personnel people almost from the time of their first 100-yard game in college. They do not tiptoe, unnoticed, into training camp. They are trumpeted, even heralded.

But Brown, who wasn't even invited to the NFL's scouting combine in Indianapolis, has been a player who has the head coach wondering how he slipped through the cracks.

He's shown some toughness and good speed, and he has a good feel for picking holes," Cowher said. "He has a lot of good qualities about him, no question."

Just to prove he was not merely a practice sensation, Brown took his first handoff in the preseason opener Saturday in Detroit, took the play to the outside and scored on a 38-yard run in the third quarter. That will earn Brown, a 6-foot-2, 214-pounder from Memphis, another look tomorrow night when the Steelers play the Philadelphia Eagles at Heinz Field.

Always good to see these feel good pre-season stories that come out every year about rookie players surprising everybody in camp. At the time they sound like the next Gale Sayers and Walter Payton rolled into one dynamite package but come regular season they'll be stuck on the practice roster or trying to make a roster up in Canada. Maybe, Dante Brown will be different and stick around to make an impact and maybe not but it is still a fun story to follow over the rest of the pre-season. He certainly has the size and speed to contribute at the professional level and scouts have been known to miss a player before.

22. Browns Starting Quarterback Situation to be Decided on Monday

Clipped from Patrick McManamon, Beacon Journal:

The coach will be thinking big picture tonight, but many eyes will be watching the two guys calling the signals. Butch Davis said he will announce his decision on the Cleveland Browns' starting quarterback position by Monday. That seems to make tonight's 8 p.m. practice game against Green Bay a make-or-break opportunity for Tim Couch and Kelly Holcomb.

"Not necessarily," Davis said. "We'll find out. It's the last opportunity for them to go out and perform and to play well, and I think that both them will. I think they'll do a good job."

If that happens, it won't make his choice any simpler. Davis would say, though, that his choice has never been easy and that both quarterbacks have done a good job since training camp started.

The big news is coming in a few days. Kelly Holcomb started the game and thanks to some sensational running by William Green on an 82-yard catch and run touchdown got off to a quick start. He ended up throwing two touchdowns in the first half but it was mired a little by an interception. He finished a terrific 7 of 10 passing for 166 yards and looked poised the entire half. Tim Couch stepped in and promptly marched the team down the field with crisp passes which resulted in a nifty twenty yard touchdown catch by Kevin Johnson. Couch went 4 for 4 on that drive for 51 yards.

Both looked good enough to start and now the ball is in the head coach's hands because third-stringer Josh Booty is in the game. We'll know the winner by Monday. If you made me choose, I think Davis will go with Couch. It's been his job to lose all along and he simply hasn't played poorly enough to lose it (yet...).

23. WR Alex Bannister (Sea) Happy to Return to College Form as Receiver

Clipped from Greg Bishop article in Seattle Times:

Nearly a hundred of them scurried about the practice field, players of varying shapes and sizes, pounds and positions, ability and athleticism, all vying for one of 53 coveted positions on the Opening Day roster. Mike Holmgren paused when asked which of those Seahawks had surprised him the most during the first two weeks of training camp. Then he smiled.

"If I had to pick one guy, I would say Alex Bannister," Holmgren said. "He was a fast receiver and a pretty good one. But he really brought it up a notch."

Bannister, a two-year veteran from Eastern Kentucky, made his mark on special teams last season, flying down the field in search of heads to crack.

Generally regarded as one of the top special-teams coverage players in the NFL, Bannister didn't catch a single pass last season as the Seahawks' fifth wide receiver, but there's a good chance he will be on the field more this season as a receiver. He'll have a chance to continue to impress Seahawks coaches tonight when Seattle plays its second exhibition game, in Indianapolis (5 p.m., FSN).

Bannister added weight to his slight 6-foot-5, 207-pound frame in the offseason, improving his catching ability and sharpening his cuts. When quarterback Matt Hasselbeck was in need of someone to throw to during the offseason, Bannister - unlike many of his teammates who had gone home or on vacation - remained in the Puget Sound area to sharpen his own and Hasselbeck's skills.

Bannister isn't going to make much impact in fantasy football this year but it sounds like he is making significant improvements in his receiving skills and will likely see some action as a fourth receiver this year. His improvement doesn't mean you should target him for your fantasy team but it may have a positive impact on QB Hasselbeck who will have another target to throw to if needed.

That'll do it for today, Folks. See you tomorrow with the update.

Joe