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Email Update 7/25/02 Volume 3 Issue # 41
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IN THIS ISSUE
1. James passes physical for Colts
2. Smith says he'll hold out
3. Bettis sports fit, trimmer look
4. Top pick Duckett likely to hold out
5. Receiving Jobs Wide Open in Washington
6. Broncos all signed
7. Chad Pennington starting a QB controversy?
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1. James passes physical for Colts
Clipped from an article by Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star
"Edgerrin James' return from reconstructive knee surgery cleared
another hurdle when the Indianapolis Colts' star running back met
with the team's medical staff earlier this week.
"Our doctors passed him," coach Tony Dungy said Wednesday after
overseeing the first of three practice sessions involving rookies.
Dungy said James was given a physical Monday and put through a
workout under the supervision of team physicians. There were no
problems."
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ LUEBKE'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
Watch this situation throughout the preseason. If James is able to
show a return to form in the preseason, his value will rise
dramatically on many draft boards. The Colts running back position
is very valuable. A wise owner will draft Dominic Rhodes to limit
the liability of gambling on James.
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ OUR VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
All the preseason hype over how impossible it is to come back in less
than a year from an ACL injury. Well guess what? It looks like
Edgerrin James has done just that. James is down on draft boards
right now, but will likely start moving up if he is able to practice
without problems.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
2. Smith says he'll hold out
Clipped from an article by Gene Frenette of the Florida Times-Union
"Barring the offer of a renegotiated contract by early this
afternoon, five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Jimmy Smith told the
Times-Union last night that he will not report for the start of the
Jaguars' training camp today.
Smith, who has more catches (479) and receiving yards (6,728) the
past five years than any National Football League receiver, said the
team has not fulfilled a promise made to him over a year ago to
rework his contract. He is not among the top 15 paid receivers in the
league."
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ LUEBKE'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
There is no need to worry with this situation at the current time.
Smith has built a quality relationship with QB Mark Brunell, so a
loss of training camp time will have minimal impact on Smith's
production. Others may decide to downgrade Smith, which will only
enhance his value on a fantasy team with a later selection.
We'll keep you updated.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
3. Bettis sports fit, trimmer look
Clipped from an article by Bob Smizik of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"The clothes fit the man, to be sure. Bettis looked in playing
shape, thinner than he had appeared to be in some time -- no belly to
speak of and a distinctly leaner face�
�His importance to the Steelers can not be underestimated. The
Steelers have two young, well-paid backups to Bettis in Amos Zereoue
and Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala. Both show promise. Neither is Bettis --
in terms of ability or what he means to his teammates�
�Bettis is a future Hall of Famer. He's 12th on the all-time NFL
rushing list and likely to be in the top five when he retires -- if
he can avoid injury. That's the concern. Bettis did not stay away
from injury last season. He fell into its grasp after 11 games and
never escaped. Was that nasty groin injury just one of those things?
Or was it a sign of a body wearing down as the result of nine NFL
seasons and about 2,500 tackles."
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ LUEBKE'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
Bettis' age may be starting to catch up with him. However,
he's doing everything he can to stay ahead of father time and his
competition. Bettis will once again be productive behind a good
Steelers' offensive line. Make sure you grab Amos Zereoue just
in case Bettis befalls injury this season.
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ OUR VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
Bettis is sliding in drafts conducted so far this preseason. He
could be an outstanding value this season because of his age and the
early weight problems. The Steelers have an outstanding offensive
line which should help Bettis considerably. The future is with Amos
Zereoue, but Bettis figures to be the man this year if his body can
hold up.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
4. Top pick Duckett likely to hold out
Clipped from an article by Matt Winkeljohn of the Atlanta Journal-
Constitution
"First-round draft choice T.J. Duckett probably will not join the
team in time for today's 3 p.m. practice, thanks to a contract
impasse�
�It was no surprise Duckett didn't show up. The rookie running
back's agent, Joel Segal, didn't like the Falcons' first contract
offer on July 8, said so, and hasn't called since to counter.
"I'm on my way to camp, I haven't heard from [Segal], and I'm going
to continue with the idea it's up to T.J.'s representative to call
us," Falcons chief administrative officer Ray Anderson said."
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ LUEBKE'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
This situation appears to be unhealthy from the start. A lack of
disrespect from Duckett could hurt his chances for production this
season. The impending holdout of Duckett is good news for the value
of Warrick Dunn. I've been fairly high on Warrick Dunn
throughout the offseason. A change of scenery and a movement to
Astroturf are upgrades for Dunn. Look for Dunn to take this
opportunity and run with it�no pun intended.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
5. Receiving Jobs Wide Open in Washington
Clipped from an article by Mark Maske of the Washington Post
"The Washington Redskins' wide receiving corps enters training
camp with a dearth of star power, but Coach Steve Spurrier predicted
today that a standout or two will emerge during the upcoming season.
Spurrier also nudged the process along by saying that Pro Bowl
cornerback Champ Bailey will receive limited playing time at wide
receiver and offered a sneak preview when Bailey carried the ball on
a reverse on the practice field this morning at Dickinson College�
�Rod Gardner, Jacquez Green and Kevin Lockett appear on course to
be the Redskins' top three wide receivers. Reidel Anthony, Chris
Doering, Derrius Thompson, Darnerien McCants, Justin Skaggs and
rookies Cliff Russell and Emmett Johnson are poised to battle for
roster spots and playing time."
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ LUEBKE'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
The Washington passing game is very intriguing with Steve Spurrier
guiding the controls. Look for Gardner and Green to step ahead of
the pack and assert themselves throughout the preseason. Will
Spurrier's passing offense be consistent with Shane Matthews,
Sage Rosenfels and Danny Wuerffel taking the snaps? Probably not.
Gardner is a star in the making, but look for him to be inconsistent
because of the current quarterback situation.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
6. Elam signs 1 year deal; Portis signs; Lelie signs.
Clipped from the Broncos Official Website and ESPN:
Elam, who was designated the Broncos franchise player, signed his one-
year franchise tender.
Portis is the seventh of Denver's eight 2002 draft choices to
sign a contract with the club.
The Denver Broncos have signed first-round draft choice Ashley Lelie
to a five-year, $7.1 million contract and the fleet wideout reported
for the Thursday opening of camp.
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ OUR VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
As we reported yesterday, Jason Elam is not happy about the franchise
tag, but by signing he commits to this year. The team would be smart
to lock him up and we believe they will do just that. Clinton Portis
could easily be the back of the future for the Broncos and the future
could start as early as this season should Terrell Davis not hold
up. Ashley Lelie will be competing with veteran (read old) Rob Moore
for the team's #3 WR. Rod Smith and Ed McCaffrey are the starters.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
7. Chad Pennington starting a QB controversy?
Clipped from the NY Daily News:
Pennington, his confidence fueled during an offseason in which he
subbed for the convalescing Vinny Testaverde, said he has a "very
realistic" chance of unseating Testaverde in the preseason.
"I think (it's possible)," Pennington said yesterday. "With Vinny
being a 15-year veteran and so experienced, I'd have to play really
well and do some really good things. But I think it's very realistic.
You never know what's going to happen. I'm going in with an open
mind. I feel really good about my preparation. I think I can make a
run at it."
Pennington never has talked this way before, publicly declaring
himself a viable challenger for the job. In the past, he willingly
accepted his role as Testaverde's backup. The former No. 1 pick said
he won't complain if he winds up No. 2 again - that isn't his style -
but he feels his game has developed to the point where he could lead
the offense.
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ OUR VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
Money talks in this league. The Jets are paying a lot of money to
have Chad Pennington carry a clipboard. Although the team
consistently keeps saying this is Vinny's job to lose, we think a
quick hook could happen if Vinny struggles at all either in camp or
on the field.
That will do it here,
Scott Luebke and David Dodds
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