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Email Update 7/29/02 Volume 3 Issue # 45
Today's E-Mail is brought to you by FFChamps.com, Winner's of FF
Index Magazine's Expert Poll and sponsor's of the $5,000 Champ's
Challenge. They are good guys, and know what they're
talking about, check them out! Recently, I sat down with them to get
some of their insights for the upcoming year. You can read the
Interview right on our site, check it out!
Joe Bryant
Here's what they have to say today:
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Just make sure that you draft him in the right spot. He is the type
of player who can win your league, and put up2000 combined yds and
15+ TDs, but he can also sit out double digit games and leave you
with a gaping hole at RB. To find out where the Champs say to draft
Fred Taylor, go to - www.FFCPI.com
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
and now here's Mark Wimer with 21 stories around the NFL.
IN THIS ISSUE
1. Edgerrin James looks fully recovered in first full practices
2. Bronco's rookie WR Lelie re-injures hamstring
3. Warren Sapp, Keyshawn slugging it out in the Tampa Media
4. The Bungling Begins: WR Westbrook fractures left wrist
5. Riemersma, Moore ready to battle for top TE spot on Bills
6. Jets O Line full of new faces � and confidence.
7. Giant's O line ragged � and looking bad.
8. Santana Moss looks great opening day of training camp
9. Wizard of Az off to a speedy start in Lion's camp
10. Chris Weinke 100% and anxious to go
11. Chiefs WR corps thinned by injury in the early going
12. Quote of the Day: Jim Haslett
13. Stallworth, Brooks both in the fold
14. Falcons suspend talks with rookie RB Duckett
15. Rookie TE Shockey agrees to terms with Giants
16. Rams extend the Marshall plan for another seven years.
17. Jamal Lewis runs well in light contact drills
18. Fonoti signs and practices with the Chargers Monday
19. No leader in Bengal's QB Derby
20. Dyson fighting to keep his starting spot in Tennessee
21. Beuerlein's elbow is fine, He's #2 in Denver, for now.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
1. Edgerrin James looks fully recovered in first full practices
Clipped from the Michael Maurot article posted on sportserver.com,
7/29/02.
"Edgerrin James looked like himself Monday. He wore pads, ran
hard, caught passes and even made defenders miss - things he had not
done for nearly nine months.
In his first practice since surgery in November for a torn anterior
cruciate ligament, James convinced the Indianapolis Colts and a
couple hundred cheering fans he still possessed the skills that made
him a two-time NFL rushing champ.
"It's always nice when you see guys up close and personal," new coach
Tony Dungy said after opening his first training camp with the
Colts. "I've seen Peyton (Manning), Marvin (Harrison), Marcus
(Pollard) and some of our other guys. But this was the first time
I've seen Edgerrin, and it was impressive."
James worked out for most of the two-hour practice on a morning when
the heat index approached 100 degrees. There seemed no problems -
James didn't even wear a knee brace.
He started with straight-ahead running. Any initial tentativeness
quickly dissipated as he caught passes in traffic and cut inside a
couple times. After sending one defender sprawling, James removed his
helmet and laughed�"
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
I never doubted it for a minute (James has been at #5 in my RB
rankings from day one this year on the FBG's site). Edgerrin
James will be back to his rushing-champ form early in the regular
season.
Now, is Dungy's conservative nature going to win out, or is he
going to fully utilize the talent on the offense? If the latter, the
Colts will be a profoundly scary unit in 2002. This news should
upgrade James substantially on many boards.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
2. Bronco's rookie WR Lelie re-injures hamstring
Clipped from the Lee Rasizer/ Lynn DeBruin article posted on
rockymountainnews.com 7/29/02.
"�The Denver Broncos rookie wide receiver missed both training
camp sessions Sunday after feeling soreness in his right hamstring,
the same leg he tweaked during the June mini-camp.
Leading up to his selection as the 19th overall pick in the draft,
Lelie pulled his left hamstring on March 25.
He doesn't think the latest injury is serious but admits, "It's
pretty sore."
He's taking it day by day in terms of his timetable to return.
"I feel like I can practice now," he added. "It's just the coaches
took me out. I guess they were making sure I don't pull it or
anything like that�"
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
Everybody, sing along! "You put your left hammy in, you put your
right hammy in, you do the hokie-pokie and you sit on the bench out
of sight�" Seriously, guys, this doesn't look too good.
Rookie WR's have a tough time adjusting to the pro game when they
make every practice. This guy is beginning to look like a young Isaac
Bruce, which isn't a good thing for those who remember the early
part
of Bruce's career�
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
3. Warren Sapp, Keyshawn Johnson slugging it out in the Tampa Media
Clipped from the Jim Brockman article posted on bradenton.com, 7/29/02
"The festering feud between Keyshawn Johnson and Warren Sapp
emerged from the darkness Sunday as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reported
to training camp.
Until now, the pair of Bucs Pro Bowlers had publicly only hinted at
or joked about a problem. Now, the rift is in the open.
The last thing new Bucs head coach Jon Gruden wants to deal with
during camp is mending fences between disgruntled players. He has
other things in mind, like installing his intricate offense. Don't
expect to see a lot of patience from Gruden if the Sapp-Johnson spat
lingers�"
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
Evidently, Sapp thinks Johnson doesn't back up his words with
enough practice in the off-season, and Johnson thinks Sapp just
doesn't back up his boasts on the field anymore. Does this spat
remind anyone of the "Wonder Woman Cat Fight" scene in the
cinematic
classic Mystery Men?
Keep an eye on this locker-room discord. If it becomes a wider
defensive unit vs. offensive unit type dispute (which has happened in
Tampa in recent seasons), then it could distract everyone from
learning the new schemes that Gruden is installing.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
4. The Bungling Begins: WR Westbrook fractures left wrist on third
day of Bengal's camp
Clipped from the Mark Curnutte article posted on bengals.enquirer.com
7/29/02
"Michael Westbrook, who even three days into training camp had
shown signs of becoming the Bengals' go-to wide receiver, fractured
his left wrist during Sunday afternoon's practice and could be out
for 4-6 weeks.
Westbrook was scheduled to see a hand specialist in Cincinnati today
to determine if surgery will be necessary. If it is, Westbrook will
miss the 4-6 weeks. If it's not, he will be out a shorter time."
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
If this were happening anywhere but Cincinnati, it would be
unexpected bad luck. There, it's more of the same old bad luck.
The Bengals look like they'll open the season with the tandem of
Peter Warrick and Chad Johnson at wide receiver.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
5. Riemersma, Moore ready to battle for top TE spot on Bills
Clipped from the democratandchronicle.com article by Sal Maiorana and
Scott Pitoniak posted 7/29/02
"Riemersma begins camp as the No. 1 tight end, but it is a
tenuous grip as free agent Dave Moore -- signed from Tampa Bay --
will push him for that role."
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
With a new QB in town, it will be a matter of which TE develops a
better chemistry with Bledsoe. Riemersma has just been cleared to
practice, so the battle begins today. Definitely a camp battle to
watch if your league requires TE's.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
6. Jets O Line full of new faces � and confidence.
Clipped from the Ken Berger article posted on newsday.com 7/29/02
"�What's behind the Jets' insistence that the new line will hold
up? The players like what they see so far from new line coach Doug
Marrone despite his lack of NFL experience. Edwards and Hackett
replaced the experienced Muir with 25-year NFL veteran Jimmy Raye to
help oversee the offensive operation.
The Jets also are high on Goodwin, who can play both guard positions
and has earned heavy praise from Edwards. "He reminds me of Szott,"
Edwards said. "He's a throwback guy, low to the ground, a
pusher . . . .He's not [afraid of] the NFL. He's not nervous about
playing against those guys�."
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
The unit is definitely in a period of turmoil and adjustment. Keep an
eye on their cohesion and development during the pre-season and up-
or down-grade Curtis Martin accordingly.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
7. Giant's O line ragged � and looking bad.
Clipped from the Buster Olney column posted on 7/29/02
"The defensive linemen know � everybody here knows � that
the development of the offensive line is the Giants' most crucial
concern.
The first days of camp have gone badly for this group. Center Dusty
Zeigler, one of the line's two veterans, is doing nothing more than
snapping the ball as he recovers from off-season knee surgery. He
moves stiffly, and because he is still not permitted to run, he seems
weeks away from participating. Jason Whittle will start at right
guard if Zeigler is healthy and at center if Zeigler is sidelined,
but Whittle is injured as well, bothered by a strained hamstring that
is not considered serious. The rookie Jeff Hatch, a physically gifted
tackle, was expected to develop into a starting candidate, but he
will miss at least a week with back trouble.
Chris Bober is supposed to contend at right tackle but has been
playing center; Luke Petitgout has shifted from right tackle to left
tackle.
Some of the offense-versus-defense plays are at full speed but not
with full contact and full intensity, so it is difficult to get a
true read. But most of the time, the first-team defenders have
dominated, stuffing the runs and infiltrating the backfield deeply on
pass plays�"
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
Disturbing news for Tiki Barber, Ron Dayne and Kerry Collins. This
report raises red flags for the entire Giant's offense �
especially since Collins needs a fair amount of undisturbed time in
the pocket to play well � he's not much of an improviser.
(Trust me, I
lived in Charlotte during the Collins years. I know whereof I speak.)
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
8. Santana Moss looks great opening day of training camp
Clipped from the Jim Corbett article posted on sports.injersey.com on
7/29/02
"Play after eye-opening play Saturday, Santana Moss proved he is
still as hard to catch as the wind during the Jets' opening two-a-day
training-camp session.
Whether he was catching passes or punts, Moss slashed through
defenders with ease. Moss proved with his fluid sprinter's speed and
stamina that he has recovered from a rookie season ruined by leg
injuries.
The team's 2001 first-round draft choice out of the University of
Miami remains a touchdown waiting to happen�"
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
Moss looked great in camp last season, too. Wait and see how he looks
after a few weeks of full-contact tackling before anointing him a
starter for your fantasy squad.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
9. Wizard of Az off to a speedy start in Lion's camp
Clipped from the Mike O'Hara article on detnews.com 7/29/02.
"There has never been any question about what separates Az-Zahir
Hakim from most athletes.
It's speed -- the pure, God-given ability to run --�"
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
Now if he can just learn to hang on to the ball once he catches
it�
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
10. Chris Weinke 100% and anxious to go
Clipped from the John Delong article posted on journalnow.com 7/29/02
"for Weinke, the Panthers' second-year quarterback, the task
ahead is far greater than merely building up his arm strength again.
He has a new offensive system to learn under Coach John Fox and
offensive coordinator Dan Henning, who have junked George Seifert's
West Coast Offense for a more balanced attack.
And he has to take a significant step in improving his overall play
after an up-and-down season of promise and struggles as a rookie.
Bouncing back from surgery, learning a new system, and maturing from
confused rookie to veteran leader - that's a triple crown of
obstacles that would make any NFL quarterback shudder.
But Weinke is welcoming the task ahead�"
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
I respect his grit and determination. I don't think he'll be
a respectable fantasy football quarterback this season, however. The
phrase "triple crown of obstacles" pretty much sums it up,
and should give anyone considering drafting Panthers reason for
concern.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
11. Chiefs WR corps thinned by injury in the early going
Clipped from the Adam Teicher article posted on kansascity.com 7/29/02
"The Chiefs again are unable to shake the injury and illness bug
at wide receiver.
Marc Boerigter had an emergency appendectomy Sunday at a Minneapolis-
area hospital. But coach Dick Vermeil expected Boerigter's absence to
be short�.
Boerigter joins two other sidelined wide receivers, Marvin Minnis and
rookie Pete Rebstock.
"That's training camp," Vermeil said. "We've got defensive linemen
dropping, too. That's just training camp."
It's also an unpleasant flashback to last year's camp, when injuries
struck several receivers. That destroyed their timing with
quarterback Trent Green and the problem lingered into the regular
season�
Boerigter and Minnis were the leading contenders to be the third and
fourth receivers, so depth is now an issue. Minnis has yet to
practice because of a broken foot�"
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
Bad news for Boerigter, the surprising long-shot from tiny Hastings
College in Hastings, NE (my home town). I hope you get well soon.
Trent Green hopes all his targets get healthy, and fast. Green's
finally ready to practice during the whole pre-season, and now his
receivers are going down left and right�
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
12. Quote of the Day: Jim Haslett on whether the Saints are looking
for another quarterback:
Clipped from the Jeff Duncan article posted on nola.com 7/29/02
"�Question: Are you looking for another quarterback?"
(Haslett) "No."
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
You've got to love a succinct coach.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
13. Saints come Marching in to Camp: Stallworth, Brooks both in the
fold
Clipped from the espn.go.com article posted on 7/29/02
"The New Orleans Saints got a double bonus Monday: First-round
draft pick Donte' Stallworth signed a contract, and quarterback Aaron
Brooks showed up�"
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
Very good news for the Saints, indeed. Now Stallworth and Brooks can
start working on their timing.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
14. Falcons suspend talks with rookie RB Duckett; Severe injury from
Rap attack?
Clipped from the Len Pasquarelli article on espn.go.com posted on
7/29/02.
"Fearing that tailback T.J. Duckett might have been more severely
injured in a recent attack than has been reported to them by his
representative, Atlanta Falcons officials have broken off
negotiations with the first-round draft pick, and will not resume
discussions until they have determined his condition for
themselves."
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
Whether this is a negotiating tactic or real concern over the
injuries that Duckett sustained in the fight, the bottom line is that
it looks like this holdout will continue for a while. Each day that
passes puts Duckett further behind Dunn, at least for the early weeks
of the season.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
15. Rookie TE Shockey agrees to terms with Giants, will sign on the
dotted line
Clipped from a Tom Canavan AP report posted on sportserver.com
7/29/02.
"First-round draft pick Jeremy Shockey agreed to terms on a
$8.533 million contract with the New York Giants on Monday night
after he missed the first five days of training camp.
The contract, which has a voidable sixth year, includes bonuses that
total $6.15 million and incentives that could make the deal worth
$13.28 million. �"
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
This young man can really play the game. If you play in a dynasty
league that requires TE's, target him in your rookie draft.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
16. Marshall Faulk, Rams extend the Marshall plan for another seven
years.
Clipped from the R.B. Fallstrom AP report posted on sportserver.com
7/29/02
"Marshall Faulk signed a seven-year contract with the St. Louis
Rams on Monday, a deal that will enable the running back to finish
his career with the team.
Coach Mike Martz announced the signing after the second of two
practices. Earlier this week, he named Faulk team captain.
"We want to make sure Marshall finishes his career as a Ram," Martz
said. "The impact he's had not just on this team but this entire
organization is pretty extreme�"
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
An absolute no-brainer decision by the Rams' brass.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
17. Jamal Lewis runs well in light contact drills
Clipped from the David Ginsburg, AP report on sportserver.com 7/29/02
"In full football gear for the first time in nearly a year, Jamal
Lewis takes the handoff and bursts through the line. A few steps
later, he collides with Ray Lewis, breaks free and heads toward the
end zone.
It was only practice, and tackling wasn't allowed. Yet, the drill
served as proof that Jamal Lewis is ready to return to the form he
flashed as a rookie two years ago, when he ran for 1,364 yards and
helped the Baltimore Ravens win the Super Bowl."
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
Encouraging news, but hardly "proof" that Lewis is all the
way back. Later in the article coach Billick cited concerns about
Lewis' overall cardiovascular conditioning, and stated that the
Ravens were going to make sure that Lewis was in "football
shape" before playing the back all out.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
18. Fonoti signs and practices with the Chargers Monday
Clipped from the AP article posted on sportserver.com 7/29/02
"Guard Toniu Fonoti, the San Diego Chargers' second-round draft
pick, agreed to a four-year deal on Monday and ended his weeklong
training camp holdout.
Fonoti, an All-America from Nebraska, missed 10 practices before
reporting Monday morning.
"It's good to have him here," coach Marty Schottenheimer said. "He's
behind, and he has a lot of work to do, but I don't think the young
man is afraid of work�"
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
Excellent news for LaDainian Tomlinson fans, Drew Brees fans, and
Chargers fans in general. Fonoti will be a huge presence along the
offensive line.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
19. No leader in Bengal's QB Derby
Clipped from the Mark Curnutte article posted on bengals.enquirer.com
7/29/02.
"Three days is too soon to tell who has the advantage in the
Bengals' quarterback derby, but offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski
said the competition is lifting the play of Jon Kitna and Gus
Frerotte.
"The competition has really made the guys be into it,"
Bratkowski said after Sunday's practice. "It has really
crystalized and sharpened their focus. They're competing very equally
so far."�
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
I hope that no-one is relying on a Bengal QB for their starter. But,
some fantasy owners may be considering drafting one of them as back-
up material. So far, no word on who will be Bratkowski's choice.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
20. Dyson fighting to keep his starting spot in Tennessee
Clipped from the Jeff Legwold article posted on tennessean.com
7/29/02.
"�Coach Jeff Fisher, however, says the Titans are the deepest
they've been at wide receiver since he took over the team during the
1994 season. And although the Titans are expected to use plenty of
three-wide receiver formations this season, playing time is still at
a premium.
Justin McCareins (Fisher has already called him one of the team's
most improved players), Drew Bennett (24 catches last season) and
2001 draft pick Eddie Berlin are pushing hard to get on the field.
''We've got a situation at receiver where the difference between the
starters and the guys down in the ranks is getting slimmer and
slimmer,'' Fisher said. ''And it's getting slimmer not because of any
kind of dropoff at the top, but because of the work the guys down in
the ranks have done�.
Dyson, meanwhile, is headed into the final year of his original five-
year contract and there have been no discussions with him about an
extension�."
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
This could just be Fisher trying to light a fire under Dyson and
Mason, or it could mean that the Titans will spread the ball around
more in 2002. There has been a lot of buzz about McCareins of late,
and he's become a solid "sleeper" candidate in deep
leagues, IMO. I'd definitely consider expending a late pick on
McCareins in a large league's draft.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
21. Beuerlein's elbow is fine, He's #2 in Denver, for now.
Clipped from the Ryan Thorburn article on dailycamera.com 7/29/02
"After sharing reps with Jarious Jackson during minicamp last
month, it took Beuerlein one play at training camp � a 50-yard
strike down the sideline to Scottie Montgomery � to establish
himself as the Denver Broncos' No. 2 quarterback.
The elbow is fine, next question.
"Roles can change, but for now my role is to just be ready to play
when called upon," Beuerlein said. "I know and I understand the No. 2
job is what I'm going for and what that means is that I've got to be
supportive to everybody that's playing, including the starting
quarterback."
As the starting quarterback, Griese has never played an entire season
or even led the Broncos to three consecutive victories�"
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
If I had Griese on my dynasty league team, or were considering
drafting him in a redraft league, I'd want Beuerlein on my
roster, too. See the bit above about "�Griese has never played
an entire season�"
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
That's it for Monday. I'll talk at everyone again tomorrow
night.
Mark Wimer
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