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Email Update 7/23/02 Volume 3 Issue # 39
IN THIS ISSUE
1. Harrington signs on the dotted line
2. Javon Walker deal looks imminent
3. Bledsoe looking for championship season, payback against Pats
4. RB Terry Allen a Saint now
5. Freeman, Eagles talks heat up
6. Lewis, Boulware will be in Raven's camp when it opens
7. D'Wayne Bates is #2 WR in Minnesota heading into training camp
8. Rookie RB T.J. Duckett may be heading for a hold-out
9. Rookie RB DeShaun Foster may be heading for a hold-out
10. Steelers are not happy campers
11. David Carr progressing nicely in camp
12. Quote of the Day: Marty Schottenheimer on rookies who miss the
team plane
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1. Harrington signs on the dotted line
Clipped from an AP article posted on espn.go.com on 7/23/02
"Quarterback Joey Harrington made good on his promise, signing
with the Detroit Lions in time to take part in training camp Tuesday.
Harrington, the No. 3 overall pick in this year's draft, told the
team he would not hold out. The former Oregon standout signed in the
morning, in time for practice involving quarterbacks, rookies and
selected veterans."
[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]
Now all he has to do is pry the starting role away from McMahon. A
battle to watch in training camp.
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2. Javon Walker deal looks imminent
Clipped from the article by Tom Silverstein posted on jsonline.com
7/22/02.
"The Green Bay Packers have made so much progress in negotiations
with first-round draft choice Javon Walker that it appears he'll be
on the field in time for the first workout Wednesday afternoon."
[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]
Walker could be an impact player if (a big if) he can pick up the
Packer's complex offense quickly. Wait and see how he progresses
in training camp.
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3. Bledsoe looking for championship season, payback against Pats
Clipped from the Leo Roth article posted on democratandchronicle.com
on 7/23/02.
"...And though he's a man not prone to talking trash, he doesn't
hide the fact that facing the Patriots and his old coach, Bill
Belichick -- who, in perhaps the ultimate insult, arrogantly traded
him to a division rival -- are two games this fall he can't wait to
play.
In essence, everything's in place to write a great story.
"I know that there will be expectations for us and I welcome that,"
Bledsoe says. "I'll be honest with you. I expect us to be very good,
very soon and I expect myself to play at a high level. The way teams
flip-flop these days, why not think big? It can happen and we have to
be prepared as a team to make that run because you never know when
that opportunity is going to present itself."
[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]
As Eric Moulds is on my dynasty league squad, stories like this one
make me smile. Bledsoe sounds like a man on a mission in Buffalo this
season.
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4. RB Terry Allen a Saint now
Clipped from the Len Pasquarelli column posted on espn.go.com on
7/23/02
"Desperate to land an experienced backup for first-year starter
Deuce McAllister, the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday signed the
veneable Terry Allen to a one-year contract, and he will report to
training camp with the rest of the team later this week.
Allen, 34, played for the Baltimore Ravens in 2001 and rushed for 525
yards and three touchdowns in 10 games, seven of them as a starter.
He met last week with the Saints officials and coaches and impressed
them with his solid conditioning and his willingness to accept a
backup role to McAllister, the club's first-round choice in the 2001
draft and the heir to the starting job previously held by the
departed Ricky Williams."
[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]
Franchises playing in a large league and starting McAllister may
want to pick up his new back-up.
[[[[[[[[[[ OUR VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]
This does little to diminish the team needing McAllister on the field
often. Terry Allen does bring veteran leadership and can fill in if
McAllister gets nicked. McAllister was not the most durable of backs
in college so this move was absolutely required. We remain very high
on McAllister though as he is very explosive both as a runner and as
a receiver out of the backfield. If he can stay healthy, he is likely
to make people forget about Ricky Williams in New Orleans.
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5. Freeman, Eagles talks heat up
Clipped from the Len Pasquarelli column posted on espn.go.com on
7/23/02
"A deal is not yet imminent, but the Philadelphia Eagles have
accelerated their pursuit of Antonio Freeman in recent days, and
might now be characterized as the favorite to secure the services of
the free agent wide receiver and former Green Bay Packers
standout."
[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]
This could be an interesting pick-up for the Eagles if Freeman has
decided to concentrate on being a football player again (rather than
a high-roller on the singles scene). I'm not convinced he has
much left in the tank, though. Watch and see how he looks in camp, if
he signs with the Eagles.
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6. Lewis, Boulware will be in Raven's camp when it opens
Clipped from the Jamison Henley article on sunspot.net posted 7/23/02.
"�Despite the stalled talks, Lewis and Boulware are prepared to
report to camp Thursday evening. During the heated negotiations this
off-season, Lewis missed all three voluntary camps and Boulware
skipped two of them.
"They fully intend to be at camp," said agent Roosevelt Barnes, who
shares representation of Lewis and Boulware with Eugene
Parker. "They're consummate pros. They'll be there and be ready to do
what they do best�."
[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]
Good news for a depleted Ravens unit. If these two hold out, the
season begins to look very grim for Billick and company. Franchises
who play Lewis or Boulware in leagues with IDP's can breathe
easier.
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7. D'Wayne Bates is #2 WR in Minnesota heading into training camp
Clipped from the Sean Jensen article on twincities.com 7/23/02.
"D'Wayne Bates has joined Randy Moss atop the Vikings' depth
chart at wide receiver heading into training camp.
Although veteran Derrick Alexander has far more experience than
Bates, with three seasons with more than 1,000 receiving yards, Bates
was impressive at minicamps. He regularly worked out with
quarterbacks Daunte Culpepper and Todd Bouman."
[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]
A battle is brewing for the #2 slot at WR in Minnesota. Big news
� watch the struggle closely. Someone's going to catch a lot
of Culpepper's darts across from Moss.
[[[[[[[[[[ OUR VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]
Look for Bates to get an upgrade and Derrick Alexander to get a
downgrade in the next projections. This news is probably surprising
to some, but D'Wayne Bates has looked good in the early minicamps
too. This also is likely trying to send a message to Derrick
Alexander regarding hard work. Stay tuned. This could be the
biggest battle to watch during training camp. And if Bates does win
the starting job, he will be a very under-valued sleeper.
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8. Rookie RB T.J. Duckett may be heading for a hold-out
Clipped from the Matt Winkeljohn article posted on accessatlanta.com
on 7/23/02.
"Third-round draft choice Will Overstreet signed a three-year
contract Monday with the Falcons, and fifth-rounder Kurt Kittner will
probably sign today.
But running back T.J. Duckett, the team's first-round draft choice,
could be another matter --- and possibly the team's lone training
camp holdout when players report Wednesday.
Duckett and agent Joel Segal are waiting to see contracts given to
other first-rounders. Segal did not like Atlanta's most recent offer,
on July 8, and there has been no counterproposal, or even dialogue,
since."
[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]
No dialogue. That's never a good sign, although rookie RB's
are hurt less from a hold out than QB's or WR's. Still, if
Duckett is going to be a big part of the Falcon's 2002 campaign,
it'd be best for him to learn the offense from the earliest
opportunity.
If the hold-out becomes ugly, Dunn's hold on the top spot will
get a lot stronger. Stay tuned.
[[[[[[[[[[ OUR VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]
We will be downgrading Duckett if this situation does not get better
soon. Warrick Dunn is a very capable back and if Duckett gets a late
start, he may never recover. Warrick Dunn could turn out to be very
under-valued this season especially if he stays in during goal line
carries (Most people have assumed that Duckett would get these
carries).
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9. Rookie RB DeShaun Foster may be heading for a hold-out
Clipped from the Pat Yasinskas article on charlotte.com posted
7/23/02.
"�the Panthers still face the strong challenge of getting second-
round pick DeShaun Foster signed before they begin practicing
Saturday.
That task might have become more difficult late last week when the
Houston Texans gave wide receiver Jabar Gaffney a seven-year, $5.38
million contract. Gaffney was the first player chosen in the second
round. Foster was the second and it's likely he'll be looking for a
similar deal�"
[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]
Lamar Smith fans rejoice, Foster boosters sorrow. See the above write-
up on Duckett.
[[[[[[[[[[ OUR VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]
We have been saying all preseason that Lamar Smith would be the
starter this year. Now don't get us wrong, we think DeShaun Foster
may be the better back, but we also think Lamar Smith has enough
skill to hold onto the job for most of the season. This hold out
just makes the situation even more clear. Unfortunately for both of
these backs, they have to run in Carolina behind a terrible offensive
line.
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10. Steelers are not happy campers
Clipped from the Ed Bouchette article posted on post-gazette.com on
7/23/02.
"The best blocking tight end in the league is hurt again. So,
too, is the new quarterback. The starting right tackle was arrested
and handcuffed after he was caught smoking marijuana in a hotel with
the window open in July in Arizona. This came days after receiver
Plaxico Burress appeared before a judge in Virginia on alcohol
charges. Their best defensive end is threatening to hold out almost
to Armistice Day. And their top rookie, who will compete for a
starting job at guard, hasn't signed a contract yet."
[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]
Things are a little ugly in Steel-Town right now. All's well that
ends well, though. They're still a top NFL team.
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11. David Carr progressing nicely in camp
Clipped from the John P. Lopez article posted on chron.com 7/23/02.
"�Carr made more believers where it counts most, out of the
diverse mix of veterans, special teams players in new roles and
rookies who will be relied upon to catch his marvelous spirals.
"David throws a strong ball," said Jermaine Lewis, the Pro Bowl
return specialist who will be counted upon to become a go-to receiver
with the Texans. "He can get balls in where I haven't seen
quarterbacks get them in. That's really opened my eyes, and he puts
some heat on it, too."
Throughout this camp and inaugural Texans season, Carr will be the
focal point and biggest name on the field every time he suits up.
That is what happens when you're the No. 1 pick of the NFL draft, a
highly touted superstar in waiting counted upon to become the first
rookie quarterback to start every game of the season since Peyton
Manning with the Colts in 1998.
But what happened Monday was eye-opening. Not for you, me or any of
the coaches, but for the likes of Lewis, rookie Jabar Gaffney and
Corey Bradford�"
[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]
If the receivers and Carr click from the get-go, the Texans WR's
could be serious sleepers. Wait and see how he handles the defensive
schemes and NFL DB's in preseason before you get too excited,
though.
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12. Quote of the Day: Marty Schottenheimer on rookies who miss the
team plane
Clipped from the article on nctimes.net by Jay Paris posted on 7/23/02
"Wide receiver Reche Caldwell got a wake-up call upon reaching UC
San Diego on Monday morning. It came courtesy of coach Marty
Schottenheimer after Caldwell missed his 6 a.m. flight from Florida --
-- and the Chargers' first practice.
"I woke up a little late and had to take another flight,'' said
Caldwell, a second-round pick from Florida. "He wasn't happy about
it. It won't happen again.''
The incident didn't sit well with Schottenheimer.
"He better learn to keep time or that bonus money is going to dry up
fast,'' Schottenheimer said. "They are going to find out very quickly
this is not the NCAA. They have more free time than they have ever
had in their lives. They have to be responsible because there aren't
people going to be trying to find them."
[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]
Welcome to the pros, rookie. Be quick to get the water for Curtis
Conway when he asks for it.
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That's it. Until next time, Mark Wimer
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