| Not getting the emails yet? - Just enter your email in the box to the left and hit enter. Yahoo will send you a confirmation email. Simply hit the reply button to this email and you will start getting the emails like everyone else. |
Email Update 7/3/02 Volume 3 Issue # 19
IN THIS ISSUE
1. Commentary Draft (Survivor Style)
2. Gannon's New Deal in Works
3. Q and A with Donald Driver
4. Bob Harris - 3 Young WRs with Upside
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
Commentary Draft
On June 27th, Twelve Footballguys conducted a draft. 18 rounds -
Standard Performance Scoring, but with a few twists. First every
owner would be providing commentary on his picks. Each owner was
asked to describe the the positives, the negatives and what was going
through his mind as he chose that player.
The second twist is that this league will play out through the season
in a "Survivor" format. What does that mean you ask? Have a lowscore
one week and you are gone. Have a high score one week and you get
immunity for the next week.
We will release a round of picks and commentary each day for the next
18 days. I think you will be pleased by the depth of the analysis.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
Gannon's New Deal in Works
Clipped from the article in the Contra Costa Times:
Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon is on the verge of receiving a new
contract that will make him one of the highest-paid players at his
position, Gannon's agent and team sources said Tuesday.
"We're going to come to an equitable agreement pretty soon," said
Kendall Kramer, Gannon's agent. "It's just a matter of time."
Gannon missed numerous voluntary meetings, orientations and workouts -
- as well as Oakland's first mini-camp the past three months --
presumably as a result of his displeasure over his contract status.
He attended the Raiders second and final mini-camp -- a mandatory
one -- June 12-14 but refused to speak with media.
His absence at so many team functions this offseason stood out in
light of his insistence the previous three years that players attend
as many team-related events as possible during the offseason. A
pending deal increases the likelihood that Gannon will be present for
the start of Oakland's training camp July 25.
Raiders senior assistant Bruce Allen and Gannon did not return phone
calls. Allen said last month that he expected a deal that benefited
both sides to be reached in due time.
When a new deal is reached appears to be the only question mark.
Kramer said a deal is imminent but won't be consummated "in the next
24 to 48 hours."
Gannon, 36, just finished the third season of the four-year, $16
million contract he signed before the 1999 season. He is scheduled to
make a base salary of $2 million this season as part of a first
restructuring of his original deal. Also, he is set to earn $5
million in 2003, '04 and '05 under his current contract.
By comparison, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jake Plummer and
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning are scheduled to make
in excess of $5 million this season, even though they lack Gannon's
overall success the past three years.
The parameters of a new deal remain unclear. However, Raiders sources
said it is expected to pay Gannon at least twice as much this season
as his current deal and include a sizable bonus that will help Gannon
secure more upfront money and lessen the financial blow if he were to
get released as part of a salary-cap move after this season. The
Raiders are projected to be more than $50 million over the cap in
2003, according to an ESPN report.
Players, coaches and fans voted Gannon to the AFC Pro Bowl squad each
of the past three seasons. He won the MVP award in that game the past
two years. Also, he guided the Raiders to the AFC West title and a
playoff berth in each of the past two seasons.
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ OUR VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]
This move was long overdue in our opinion. Gannon has done wonders
for the Oakland Raiders and although we believe he would have played
this year without a new deal, the team owed him a deal more
consistent with his performance of the last few years. In similar
news Al Davis has a heart.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
With the recent rash of reports hinting that Green Bay wideout Robert
Ferguson stalled during the final week of offseason workouts --
perhaps opening the door for teammates Donald Driver and Charles Lee
to press him for playing time -- Bob Harris offers the following for
a little perspective.
Q&A with wide receiver Donald Driver
Clipped from the story at the Packers Official Website:
Donald Driver took a timeout during the recent June mini-camp to
answer questions from Packer Report about the upcoming season, why he
decided to stay in Green Bay and the loss of Antonio Freeman.
Driver enters training camp fourth on the Packers' depth chart at
wide receiver behind Terry Glenn, Robert Ferguson and Javon Walker.
Here is how he responded to various topics:
On his approach to this season:
Driver: "I don't think no one really wants to be a backup. Most guys
that come into the National Football League want to be starters.
Right now I'm happy with my situation. If they want me to be a
backup, that's fine with me. I just got to go out there and make
plays. When the team needs me to make a play, Donald Driver has to
make it."
On the team's release of Antonio Freeman:
"We're going to miss Antonio. If he gets himself to another team. ...
But he's also going to be my friend. We'll always keep in touch - me,
him, Corey (Bradford) and also Bill Schroeder."
On what Freeman taught him:
"I learned all the moves from him, as far as how to run a route.
That's what I studied. When he ran a route, I studied it and we
talked about it."
On if the door is wide open for him to start:
"The door don't have to be open. It's always been open. I've always
played. I'm not one of those guys who has been here, sat back and not
played. Whatever situation is going to be for me, I'm happy with it.
Not too many people are happy to have a job, but I am."
On why he remained in Green Bay rather than accept a multi-year deal
that Kansas City offered him in April:
"My biggest thing is to come back and win a championship. I don't
think no other team in the National Football League right now has an
opportunity to win a championship but the Green Bay Packers. With a
great quarterback, a great running back and a great offensive line.
And we have some great receivers that are going to have to step up
and make plays this year ... I think with all that and our defense,
there's no other place you can go and have the total package. I think
that's the thing we have all around the table - offense, defense and
special teams."
On he and Charles Lee as possible sleepers to start at wide receiver
this season:
"Like I said before, no one wants to be a backup. But I think the
most guys that come in are just happy to play the game. I think
that's one thing about us right now. I'm happy to play the game and I
think so is Charles Lee. We just going to have fun and teach these
young guys the system. Whatever the situation may be after training
camp or whatever, if we're backups then that would be great. If we're
starters, then that would be great. We have to play ball. We can't
worry about who's going to be one, two and three."
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ OUR VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]
If you ask me, Driver doesn't come across as a guy who's
about to beat somebody out for a starting job. ... Whatever the case,
I wouldn't get too excited about Ferguson's "demise"
unless you're still hearing about it a week into training camp
later this month.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
and we now turn this over to Bob Harris...
Last week, I tossed out three veteran receivers I consider capable of
(re-)emerging as top ten receivers this year. This week, the plan is
to offer you three young receivers with above-average upside.
Does that mean I think any of them will finish the 2002 season in the
top 10 at their position? Is it meant to be a definitive list of
potential breakout players? Nope. ... They're just three young
receivers heading into good situations with the potential to deliver.
With that thought in mind, here you have `em:
1) Donte' Stallworth
The first receiver selected in this year's draft, Stallworth, a
polished player with legitimate sub-4.3 speed, has been impressive
during recent workouts. Coaches especially like his ability to make
tough catches in traffic by outfighting defensive backs for the ball.
According to New Orleans Time-Picayune staffer Jeff Duncan,
Stallworth, who should see a steady diet of slants and crossing
patterns to take advantage of his awesome running ability after the
catch, looks very much like the home-run threat missing the Saints
have needed to compliment Joe Horn in recent seasons.
2) Brian Finneran
Although he only caught 23 passes last season, what Finneran did with
those catches makes him a player worth watching this year. In
addition to averaging a whopping 21.3 yards per catch, the sure-
handed Finneran - who enters camp as Atlanta's starting flanker --
wound up gaining 40 yards or more on four different occasions. We'll
also note that all but four of his 23 catches went for either first
downs or touchdowns.
Those who follow the team closely believe the 6-5, 208-pound
Finneran, who worked extensively with Michael Vick during practice
sessions all last year, will quickly become one of the young signal
caller's favorite targets.
3) Justin McCareins
Looking for a deeper sleeper? If you believe Nashville Tennessean
staffer Jim Wyatt -- and I do, McCareins just might be the guy.
In an article published June 15, Wyatt wrote that McCareins used the
months of May and June to re-introduce himself to teammates and
coaches -- and the second impression was even more eye-opening than
his first.
Or to quote Wyatt: "He was easily one of the best players on
either side of the ball over the past two months."
McCareins, who missed the final 12 games last season with an ankle
injury, now weighs 218 pounds -- 13 pounds heavier than last year.
The extra size and strength is clearly paying off on the field.
McCareins said he's spent a lot of time in the weight room. But he's
also maintained his speed, which is somewhere around a 4.4. Defensive
backs had a tough time against him during the mini-camps.
''I feel more explosive now from some of the things I've worked on.
My legs and rear end got a lot stronger and more explosive,''
McCareins said. ''I have always played with a physical style, and I
think the added strength and size may give me more of an advantage
against smaller defensive backs. ... Getting hurt last year, that was
my first time ever being injured so it was hard. But I feel a lot
hungrier now than I've ever felt before. I am really excited more
than I've ever been to get back into it."
McCareins is definitely a guy worth watching this summer.
Bob Harris is the Editor/Webmaster for the TFL Report
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
That's all for now.
David Dodds
Missed an issue? Email Update Archives