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Email Update 6/15/02 Volume 3 Issue # 1
IN THIS ISSUE
1. Welcome
2. T-Shirt Contest
3. Team Links
4. Drinen Player Reviews
5. Denver Injuries Mounting
6. Packers Sign Ki-Jana Carter
7. Undervalued Players � First Look
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Welcome to another year of DAILY email updates. This marks our 3rd
season sending these and we have enjoyed watching the mailing list
grow exponentially. Just as in the past, our goal is for YOU TO KNOW
WHAT WE KNOW. These updates will provide not only the most important
news each day from the NFL, but will also outline specifically why
that news is important to you, the fantasy player. Let's get to
it.
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Footballguys.com T- Shirt Contest
Inspired by an article written by guest Mike Ciotti, we have decided to give
out cotton to the best answer to what it means to be a Footballguy.
Enter by posting in the Footballguystalk Message Board.
Message Board Topic
Best three entries will get a T-shirt (last year's edition).
Deadline is Midnight Eastern Time, Sunday June 16th
Good luck.
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Footballguy Clayton Gray gave up sleep for a few nights to publish
the best set of team links ever constructed.
Team Links
So when you now have to see Buffalo's cheerleaders or can't
remember the offensive line coach for the Chargers, you now have a
one-stop place to get this kind of info. Check them out � You
will be glad you did.
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I used to think I was kind of smart until Doug Drinen joined our
staff. Doug has embarked on a huge project this offseason to write
50-80 player capsules on some of the biggest NFL stars. But before
you think these reviews are just commentary you could get elsewhere,
take a look at the first 15 he has already released. I guarantee
that you will be scratching your head.
Drinen Reviews
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Denver Injuries Mounting
Clipped from the Rocky Mountain News:
Contact is limited this week at the Denver Broncos' mini-camp, but
there's still a whole lot of popping going on.
Tuesday, it was cornerback Willie Middlebrooks' hamstring that gave
way. Thursday, wide receiver Ashley Lelie's followed suit.
The injuries will significantly affect the players' preparations for
the July 25 opening of training camp.
Middlebrooks' ailment appears the more serious of the two. A magnetic
resonance imaging exam revealed a tear, and the 2001 first-round
draft pick is expected to miss four to six weeks.
Middlebrooks underwent followup surgery on his ankle in March but in
recent weeks had seemingly been healthy for the first time since
joining Denver. He had ascended to the first-team nickel cornerback's
role in that defensive package and looked good.
It's back to rehabilitation now.
"Now you find out what somebody is made of - because it is going to
be tough on him," coach Mike Shanahan said. "But I have all the
confidence that he's going to work through and get ready to go by the
time we start training camp."
Lelie, Denver's No. 1 pick in April's draft, is expected to be
healthy much sooner. He felt a tweak in his right hamstring while
planting his leg during a pass pattern.
He missed full-squad drills at the end of practice and will sit out
the last of five mini-camp workouts today.
Lelie hopes to resume on-field workouts by July 7, after returning
from the NFL's annual rookie symposium.
It's the second hamstring problem in recent months for the University
of Hawaii product. He pulled his left (opposite) hamstring running a
40-yard dash in preparation for the draft, and it nagged him for
months.
And though the receiver isn't too concerned this time around, he
lamented, "I have to go through the whole thing over again."
So far, Lelie has impressed coaches with his fluid movements, soft
hands and assimilation of the offense.
"He's just a little sore and could have kept on going but decided not
to," Shanahan said.
Meanwhile, another newcomer to the Broncos receiving corps also is
being hampered by injuries.
Rob Moore - who has missed the past two seasons because of various
leg problems - said Thursday he has been experiencing some swelling
in the left knee he had surgically repaired two seasons ago.
And though he hasn't missed any practice time since gaining full
medical clearance six weeks ago or had pain associated with the
swelling, the knee problem has been "restrictive," most noticeably in
the lack of burst Moore feels running routes.
"I have to say I'm a little bit concerned," he said.
"But I'm just anxious to see how it responds with a day off. It may
just all go away."
The injury news wasn't all bad for the Broncos, though. Terrell Davis
unexpectedly returned to the field, although in limited fashion, for
the first time since his May 20 knee surgery.
And quarterback Steve Beuerlein appears to have worked his way past
the stiffness in his surgically repaired elbow that cut short his May
mini-camp.
"You can see he's throwing the ball 65 yards down the field, so it's
not bothering him," Shanahan said of Beuerlein, adding the
quarterback appears to be in "prime shape."
Davis' return to the huddle early in practice was met by mock
surprise from teammate Rod Smith.
"Look who's back," Smith exclaimed loudly.
Davis resumed running Monday and planned all along to practice today.
But he withheld the information publicly for fear of setting himself
up for a letdown should he be unable to do so.
He came out a day earlier than anticipated after getting a "sign"
Wednesday during an individual workout that he could handle the
workload.
"It's always important to come out that first day and just sort of
break the ice a little bit," Davis said.
The running back skipped the full-squad drills but hopes to "do a
little bit more" today, adding there has been no soreness in his knee.
"The only thing about it now is that I have to get into football
shape," he said, "and that's going to be in the next month."
The trainers' room figures to be full enough without him.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Hmmmm. Where do we begin here. Let's recap. Star RB had
offseason surgery and can't workout 100%. Both starting WRs were
hurt last season and aren't 100% yet. The star rookie that is
blazingly fast has hamstring problems. Veteran Rob Moore was brought
in to be the #3 WR, but he looks as if he may never make the playing
field.
But despite all of this, don't get too down on the Bronco's
offense just yet. They are loaded at running back with a future star
in rookie Clinton Portis. Rod Smith and Ed McCaffrey will be ready.
Terell Davis may still have something left in the tank this season
and is worth keeping an eye on in the coming months, because he will
likely be drafted very late. And let's not forget that Shannon
Sharpe has rejoined the team.
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Packers Sign Ki-Jana Carter
Clipped from the ESPN story:
The Green Bay Packers finally found a backup to veteran running back
Ahman Green as the club reached agreement Friday with Ki-Jana Carter.
The six-year veteran played for the Washington Redskins in 2001 and
logged 63 carries for 308 yards and three touchdowns, while also
catching 13 passes for 83 yards. The 308 rushing yards represented
the second-highest output of Carter's injury-marred career.
Carter, 28, will sign a one-year contract for $525,000. Because of a
new rule instituted this season, he will count just $450,000 against
the Green Bay 2002 salary cap. The contract also includes $25,000 in
potential incentives.
The former Penn State standout, and the first player selected overall
in the 1995 draft by the Cincinnati Bengals, Carter visited with
Packers officials earlier this spring. He was one of several veteran
backs to audition for the team, which was seeking a contingency, in
the event free agent Dorsey Levens opted not to re-sign.
Apparently the Packers ran out of patience with Levens, who had
deflected all Packers' offers this spring, and who may wait until
just before training camps open to sign with another team. Three
weeks ago, the Packers signed former Baltimore Ravens backup Jason
Brookins to a two-year contract, but Carter provides a more veteran
presence.
Agent Joel Segal, who had been speaking off-and-on with Green Bay
officials for the past few months, wrapped up the deal for his client
on Friday afternoon.
Once viewed as a potential "franchise" back, Carter's career has been
a frustrating series of injuries, including a torn knee ligament that
sidelined him for his entire rookie year. In 1995, 1998 and 1999, he
totaled just four appearances because of injuries.
Only once in his career has Carter played a full, 16-game schedule
and he has started 10 games or more in just one season. His best
season came with Cincinnati in 1997, when he rushed for 464 yards and
seven touchdowns on 128 carries.
But after sitting out the entire 2000 season, Carter resurrected his
career last season, when he signed with Washington and proved to be a
more than capable No. 2 tailback, behind starter Stephen Davis.
For his career, Carter has played in 49 games and started 14 of them,
and has not started in a regular-season contest since 1997. He has
carried 290 times for 1,055 yards and 19 touchdowns and has 65
receptions for 458 yards and one score.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
This is just a smart back-up plan for minimal dollars by the
Packers. Don't expect this to have any effect on Ahman
Green's fantasy value though. Green will be the workhorse and
account for a lot of the GB offense this season. The Packers also
added RB Jason Brookins (also inexpensively) in the offseason who is
expected to fill the spot vacated by Dorsey Levens.
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Undervalued Players � First Look:
For sake of argument, I will not refer to these as sleepers. I will
call them bargains since in most leagues they are likely to be picked
substantially below their worth. In parenthesis I am listing the
average mock draft position in a 12 team league that requires a TE as
recorded by Antsports.com. Listed in no particular order:
TE Todd Heap (11.12 � 12th TE taken)
Just ask yourself who is going to catch the ball now that Qadry
Ismail and Shannon Sharpe have left. The answer is Travis Taylor and
Todd Heap. The Ravens have already been working Todd wide in certain
formations which is likely to give team's huge matchup problems.
Don't be surprised when this guy cracks the Top 5 Tight Ends this
season.
QB Tim Couch (9.01 � 17th QB taken)
He has had a few years in this system and now has a lot better team.
The defense is among the best in the league and that should give Tim
a lot more opportunities with good field position. Very undervalued
to be taken this late.
QB Kerry Collins (10.11 � 22nd QB taken)
To be the 22nd best QB, you would think this team has no offense and
he is in a QB controversy. Let's see�Jesse Palmer is the
backup. Nope, no controversy. And with Tiki Barber, Amani Toomer
and Ike Hilliard this team definitely has some threats. Very
undervalued as the 22nd best QB.
RB James Stewart (6.04 � 30th RB taken)
Everyone was fearful that Stewart would be a June 1st cap casualty.
He wasn't as he restructured to help the team. There is no
controversy in Detroit � James Stewart is clearly the starter
over Lamont Warren and 7th round selection Luke Staley. In fact,
James Stewart was one of the few bright spots for the Lions last year
averaging 4.8 yards per carry. A back that can also catch, Stewart
is heavily undervalued as the 30th best RB.
WR Robert Ferguson (13.08 � 60th WR taken)
He is starting in Green Bay. The last I checked Brett Favre is the
QB there. And with #1 WR being flaky Terry Glenn, this is a safe
value pick.
WR Jacquez Green (14.07 � 76th WR taken)
Coach Steve Spurrier looks to throw often in his first year with the
Redskins. Mark it down, because this is what the guy knows from his
coaching days in Florida. Throw, throw, then throw deep. Jacquez
knows this Florida system well and has looked impressive in camp.
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That's all for today folks. Hoping everyone has a great
Father's Day.
Joe Bryant
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