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Email Update 7/30/02 Volume 3 Issue # 46
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IN THIS ISSUE
1. Draft Dominator
2. Faster Message Board
3. Last Free Day Approaching
4. Same Old Glenn in Green Bay?
5. Patriots lose another O-lineman; Serious depth concerns now
6. `Skins O line riddled by injuries
7. Jim Fassel and Ron Dayne on Ron Dayne's role
8. Michael Westbrook and Bengals elect surgery
9. Lots of talent at WR in Pittsburgh
10. Duckett given the OK; contract negotiations with Falcons resume
11. TE Walls looking to return to top form in 2002
12. Broncos receivers dropping left and right
13. Michael Pittman sprains ankle on first day of camp
14. David Boston's DUI trial delayed
15. J.J. Stokes: Last year was Garbage, I can do better
16. Marques Tuiasosopo is the #2 QB in Oakland now
17. Vinny Testaverde injures thumb in practice
18. Key Lions offensive lineman Jeff Backus hurts knee.
19. Quote of the Day: Curtis Martin on conditioning
20. Raiders adding the Long Bomb back into offensive mix
21. Flutie/Brees update: Thus far, the Venerable one looks better
22. Gonzalez, Chiefs still far away from resolving their conflict
23. Seahawks suddenly set at TE: Stevens signs.
24. Bill Gramatica: Less exuberant celebrations this year
25. `Skin's QB battle comes into focus: Matthews in the lead
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
1. Draft Dominator (Trial Version)
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will ever need at your draft by taking the VBD App to another level.
User manual included under help tab. Full version with many
enhancements is scheduled to be released on August 5th and available
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Note from David Dodds: It is not often that I see something that
leaves my mouth wide open. I believe this is such a product and is
essential for the best possible fantasy draft. You will now know the
strengths and weaknesses of all the other owners in real time AS YOU
DRAFT. After seeing this in earlier format, we brought Bruce
Henderson on board because this product deserves the widest possible
dissemination. This is our highest recommendation. Check it out...
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
2. Faster Message Board
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dedicated server and what do you get?
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all season long. If you are not yet a member, please take a look.
We believe these are the best football message boards on the internet.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
3. Last Free Day Approaching
I hate to sound like a nag, but the Footballguys.com website will
require a subscription to access material posted on and after August
1st. Everything posted before August 1st will remain free. But if
you want the latest articles, projections, VBD/AVT/Draft Dominator
Updates, etc then you will need to become a member. Subscription
cost is $20 and gives you access from August 1st through the Super
Bowl for this season.
David Dodds
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
and now here is Mark Wimer with lots of news...
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
4. Same Old Glenn in Green Bay?
Clipped from the Bob McGinn article on jsonline.com posted 7/30/02
"Wide receiver Terry Glenn's first forgettable day on the Green
Bay Packers' practice field ended Monday with him trudging off slowly
with what a team official described as an apparently minor knee
injury.
"Maybe it's just a precaution," wide receivers coach Ray Sherman
said. "I talked to him on the sidelines and he's not worried. He'll
be back tomorrow."
One of the major criticisms leveled against Glenn during his six-year
career in New England was his long history of injury and his
inability to play through pain.
Glenn was hurt in a non-contact 7-on-7 drill Monday afternoon when he
went inside for a slant pass, dropped it and fell awkwardly. Sherman
said Glenn ran one more play, then sat out the last half-hour of
practice.
For the day, Sherman said Glenn had two dropped passes�"
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
All I can say is WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE, TERRY GLENN! This
behavior won't cut it any more. If this revolting and familiar
pattern continues for very long, drop Glenn down your draft list like
a stone. I know I will, if necessary.
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ OUR VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
We aren't too worried about this yet. It's when he starts missing
practices and the team has no idea where he might be is when we start
to notice. Glenn has a reputation for being soft (Parcell's she
comment has stayed with him for years), but he actually is willing to
go across the middle and catch the tough pass. He will need to play
through pain though because the rest of the receivers have minimal
NFL experience.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
5. Patriots lose another O-lineman; Serious depth concerns now
Clipped from the Tom E. Curran article posted on projo.com, 7/30/02
"�offensive lineman Rich Tylski called it a career Sunday night.
"I realized that the body was kind of letting me down," the 31-year-
old Tylski explained from his home in Pennsylvania yesterday. "I know
what I'm doing out there, but physically I was having a tough time
getting to where I needed to be and in that case it's me letting down
myself and my teammates. I don't feel I can perform at the level I
need to. I wrestled with this decision for a few days and just came
to realize I couldn't continue."
Signed as a free agent after spending the last two seasons in
Pittsburgh, Tylski is the second veteran offensive lineman to bolt
camp in the last two years. Last year, guard Joe Panos
retired after one day in camp�.
Belichick acknowledged the team will probably have to make a move for
more depth at guard. With Tylski gone and Joe Andruzzi recovering
from a viral infection and arthroscopic knee surgery, the only
healthy guard is Mike Compton.
The Pats -- again like last year -- are running short of top of the
line linemen. Starting left tackle Matt Light
continues to rehab from shoulder surgery and last year's starting
right tackle, Greg Robinson-Randall,
missed the first five practices of camp because he couldn't pass the
conditioning test�."
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
It sounds like the Pats are going to be forced to bring in some free
agent help along the line. Franchises interested in Antowain Smith
and/or Tom Brady will definitely want to watch how the newcomers jell
(or don't jell) with the few remaining Pats linemen as a unit. A
cause for concern, definitely.
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ OUR VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
Tougher schedule. Depleted Offensive Line. Every opponent wanting
to show the World Champs that they can compete. We believe New
England could be in for a tough year this season. We remain
pessimistic on many of their skill positions because of these
factors.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
6. `Skins line riddled by injuries
Clipped from the Mark Maske article posted on washingtonpost.com
7/30/02
"One week into training camp, the Washington Redskins moved on to
their fourth starting right guard today. Ross Tucker, a second-year
pro from Princeton, worked with the first-team offense in place of
injured Kipp Vickers, who had taken over for injured David Loverne,
who had been moved from left guard when coaches decided to shift Rod
Jones from the right side to the left.
The middle of the offensive line, one of the club's areas of greatest
uncertainty entering camp, has become even more uncertain as the
Redskins try to patch together a lineup for Saturday night's
exhibition opener against the San Francisco 49ers in Osaka, Japan.
"We're still trying to find a guy that can line up at right guard and
give us a chance for the rest of the team to perform against the
49ers," offensive line coach Kim Helton said�."
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
Yet another big challenge for a team adjusting to a new head coach
and coaching staff, a new offensive scheme, and undergoing a major,
three way competition for the starting quarterback job. The
"Fun-N-Gun" might become the "Never-Got-Going"
offense if things
don't improve along the line, and quickly.
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ OUR VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
Steve Spurrier's splash might not be the one he was hoping for. He
may be a genius, but so was Jimmy Johnson and he won just 1 game with
a terrible Cowboy team before rebuilding it. This team still looks
week from our perspective. Coaching can help, but it can't make a
terrible player great.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
7. Giant's coach Jim Fassel on Ron Dayne's role, Ron Dayne on
Ron Dayne's role.
Clipped from the Tara Sullivan article on bergen.com 7/30/02
"�The former Heisman Trophy winner and first-round pick disputes
the notion, however, that he needs a ton of carries to be effective.
"I'm not that kind of back anymore," he (Dayne) said. "I know when I
get in, I have to get it done right away because I don't know when
I'm going to get back in. Every shot I have, I have to take..."
"I would like to have Dayne more involved, but not at the expense
of Tiki," coach Jim Fassel said. "I'd like to control the ball a
little more and have more plays. Ron Dayne is going to have a very
good year."
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
Sounds like "Thunder" is going to have an even more
diminished role in 2002.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
8. Michael Westbrook and Bengals elect surgery; receiver out until at
least first week of regular season
Clipped from the Kevin Goheen article on cincypost.com 7/30/02
"With wide receiver Michael Westbrook now sidelined through at
least the preseason with a fractured left wrist, the Bengals this
time are ready to keep rolling on with their preparations. Increased
depth at the position means that while Westbrook is on the mend,
players like Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh will step into his
spot without anyone batting an eye.
Westbrook will have surgery today at University Hospital to repair
the wrist. Dr. Peter Stern will insert a screw so that the navicular
bone, on the thumb side of the wrist, can have a better chance to
heal. Westbrook, who was signed as a free agent earlier this month to
replace Scott, will have to wear a cast and won't be able to do any
ball drills for a couple of weeks."
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
Watch Johnson and Houshmandzadeh during pre-season action. If either
one makes a strong bid for the starting job while Westbrook is out,
you might be able to pick up a starting NFL wide-out at bargain-
basement price.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
9. Lots of talent at WR in Pittsburgh � Who'll stay and
Who'll go?
Clipped from the Jim Wexell article on pittsburgh.com 7/320/02
"�The receiver having the best camp so far might just be Troy
Edwards. The former No. 1 pick was thought to be in line for the
chopping block this camp, but, judging by the way he's playing,
Edwards is not about to go quietly.
"He's a competitor," Jackson said. "He did a lot of
good things last
year. He really was a competitor. He helped us in a lot of areas. He
hustles and on game day he did a lot of things to help us win
football games. That's what it takes, everybody doing everything
because it's not just going to be catching passes. You have to
block and a lot of things people don't look at, but we as coaches
know."
The little things have made Lenzie Jackson another receiver with a
chance to make the team. Jackson has soft hands, can block and plays
well on special teams. The Steelers liked his contributions in that
area late last season.
Randle El is certainly a lock for one of those spots. Fellow rookie
Lee Mays should be another lock. The sixth-round pick looks and plays
bigger than his 6-foot-2 roster listing. He would also be snapped up
quickly if cut, so the Steelers can forget about keeping Mays on the
practice squad.
Another receiver likely to make the team is slot man Terance Mathis,
unless, of course, those 35-year-old legs begin showing their
age�"
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
The above are competing to back up Burress and Ward, of course.
Sounds like franchises in leagues with rookie rosters might want to
consider drafting Antwaan Randle El or lesser-known Lee Mays. Both
have been solid thus far, and the term "lock" that the author
used is very encouraging�
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
10. Duckett given the OK; contract negotiations with Falcons resume
Clipped from the Ken Sugiura article posted on accessatlanta.com
7/30/02
"After a visit by a team representative and an examination by a
physician, the contract negotiations of Falcons first-round pick T.J.
Duckett can now resume.
Monday night, after a firsthand look, the Falcons said they are
satisfied with the physical condition of the former Michigan State
running back, who was injured last Tuesday after a rap concert�"
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
The Falcons are glad their first round pick isn't seriously
injured. Now, both sides need to wrap up negotiations if Duckett is
going to be a factor for the Dirty Birds this year.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
11. TE Walls looking to return to top form in 2002; Coaches plan to
use
Clipped from the Charles Chandler article posted on charlotte.com
7/30/02
"� (Walls) I think it's up to me to prove to these new coaches
that I can make a contribution and be productive."
Walls, 36, probably isn't as fast or as quick as he was when he
joined the Panthers in 1996, but new offensive coordinator Dan
Henning expects him to be a vital part of the offense when the team
is in position to score.
"We're going to utilize him in areas where he does his best stuff,"
Henning said. "I would think he would be a real good critical
receiver any time we pass the (opponents') 35-yard line on the way
in. ...
"He's done all of that. It doesn't call for great speed. It calls for
understanding niftiness. ... What you need to do is be in the right
place at the right time. That comes from a feel.
"It's the toughest place to throw the football, and that's where the
good veterans usually shine�"
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
Anytime an offensive coordinator talks about featuring a receiver in
the red zone, it catches my eye. How about you? Remember, though,
that Walls has had two season-ending knee injuries in two years.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
12. Broncos receivers dropping left and right
Clipped from the Lynn Debruin article posted on rockymountainnews.com
7/30/02.
"In two days, the Denver Broncos have seen three wide receivers
suffer leg injuries.
Top pick Lelie remains out because of a strained hamstring. Monday,
promising youngsters Kevin Kasper and Scottie Montgomery both pulled
up lame, though their injuries also do not appear to be
serious�"
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
What's in the water up there?
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
13. Michael Pittman sprains ankle on first day of camp; out up to one
week
Clipped from the Roy Cummings article on bucs.tbo.com posted 7/30/02
"The knock on Bucs running back Michael Pittman is that he can't
stay clear of injuries. The Bucs learned Monday just how valid the
knock is.
Midway through their first workout - one conducted in shorts, no
less - Pittman went down with a right ankle sprain that could keep
him out of action until next week.
``It's really sore, but it's not really severe,'' said Pittman, who
walked around the field with a noticeable limp during Monday's
afternoon practice. ``I'll be back maybe like next week, but I'm
going to maybe try and practice [Tuesday]�"
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
Second verse, same as the first � except now it's in Tampa
Bay. Pittman should be fine, but if you are considering drafting him
make sure this isn't a recurring event during pre-season. Mike
Alstott waits in the wings to swoop in and displace Pittman in the
coaches' favor�
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
14. David Boston's DUI trial delayed
Clipped from the Brent Whiting article on azcentral.com 7/30/02
"Cardinals wide receiver David Boston, accused of driving under
the influence of drugs, won a court order Monday delaying his trial
until Aug. 26.
Boston, 23, who is attending the Cardinals training camp in
Flagstaff, is to stand trial in Phoenix Municipal Court. Boston, a
Pro Bowler who led the NFL in receiving yardage last season, is
charged with two misdemeanor counts of driving under the
influence�"
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
Let's hope that Boston puts the incident � and the
illegal/inappropriate behavior � behind him and concentrates on
football for the rest of 2002.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
15. J.J. Stokes: Last year was Garbage, I can do better
Clipped from the Roger Phillips article posted on oaklandtribune.com
7/30/02
"J.J. Stokes has a very simple description of last year's
54-catch performance.
"That is garbage in my mind," Stokes said during a recent break in
the San Francisco 49ers' practice regimen at the University of the
Pacific. "Fifty-four, I really wasn't satisfied with last year. I can
do better than that."
And the 29-year-old Stokes believes he will do better this season,
for one major reason: For a change, he's healthy from the start of
training camp.
The last two years, Stokes has been plagued by hamstring woes during
camp. Last year, he pulled a hamstring on the second day of practice
and was not seen again until the opening day of the regular
season�"
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
I'll agree with Stokes that last year's performance was
garbage (I had him on my dynasty league team and he was horribly
inconsistent. We'll see if he can stay healthy
during training camp. If so, he may deserve a slight upgrade on your
board � but remember, ball-hog Terrell Owens is demanding most of
the chances this season, so Stokes' opportunities are likely to be
numbered no matter how he plays.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
16. Marques Tuiasosopo is the #2 QB in Oakland now
Clipped from the Nancy Gay article posted on sfgate.com 7/30/02.
"�In the Callahan regime, however, the No. 2 job has become a
priority.
"It's vital in the NFL today to develop your backup quarterback,"
said Callahan, who, upon learning that Hoying's comeback from "Tommy
John" elbow reconstruction last fall was stalled, decided
Tuiasosopo's stint as rank apprentice was over.
The second-year player is officially one damaging hit away from being
in charge of the Raiders' offense.
"That's the reality of the game," said Tuiasosopo, 23, looking and
acting very much like a player taking his responsibility
seriously. "Last year (in training camp) I was two plays away; now
I'm one play away. I've got to make sure I get myself ready to play."
Training camp and the exhibition games will be Tuiasosopo's time to
break out, and he got off to a fine start this spring in a series of
Raiders' minicamps that Gannon -- embroiled in a contract dispute --
opted to miss�"
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
Teams relying on Gannon to be their #1 QB might want to stash
Tuiasosopo on their roster if they have room, just in case. Gannon
hasn't missed a start in three years, though.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
17. Vinny Testaverde injures thumb in practice
Clipped from an AP article on espn.go.com 7/30/02
"New York Jets quarterback Vinny Testaverde banged his right
thumb on a defensive player's helmet in training camp Tuesday and was
held out of the rest of the practice.
Coach Herman Edwards called the injury a "stinger, like hitting your
funny bone. I'm not even sure whose helmet it was. It was some big
guy.''
Testaverde's right hand was wrapped in ice, and he stood on the
sideline for the final 30 minutes of the morning workout. Edwards was
not sure whether Testaverde would practice in the afternoon."
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
Make sure that this is a minor issue before selecting Testaverde in
your draft. Thumb injuries are a bad thing for a quarterback, greatly
complicating ball handling and the center/quarterback exchange.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
18. Key Lions offensive lineman Jeff Backus crashes to ground with
knee injury.
Clipped from an AP article posted on espn.go.com on 7/30/02
"Second-year offensive lineman Jeff Backus, expected to be a key
to the Detroit Lions' offensive line this season, left training camp
Tuesday morning with a knee injury.
The starting left tackle, last year's top pick out of Michigan,
injured his left knee during full-contact drills.
Backus was blocking in a drill when he crashed to the ground. The 6-
foot-5, 309-pound Backus left the field with assistance from
trainers."
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
No official word on how extensive the injury may be. James Stewart
believers take note, and monitor Backus' condition closely.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
19. Quote of the Day: Curtis Martin on conditioning and mental
toughness
Clipped from the Bob Glauber column posted on newsday.com 7/30/02.
"�Martin is a fanatic when it comes to offseason conditioning.
Consider the step-climbing ritual he'd perform nightly at his high-
rise condominium in Miami.
"I'd run up to the ninth floor and go back down, then run up to the
14th floor and back down, and then to the top and back down," he said.
There are 35 floors.
"Running all those steps, I keep pushing myself, and all that helps
me when I get into games," he said. "For me, the NFL and playing
running back is so much a mental game. It's not a matter of how
healthy you can be. It's about how you can overcome your aches and
pains mentally. That's what I try to do every year, come back on a
better mental level than I was the previous year�."
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
Those are the words and attitude of a consummate professional
athlete. I highly recommend reading this article if you think that
Curtis Martin is in the twilight of his career � it may change
your mind (and help you on draft day).
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
20. Raiders adding old friend back into offensive mix: the Long Bomb
Clipped from the Ian Becker article on napanews.com 7/30/02
"�While Callahan admitted Monday that the Raiders have
specifically practiced deeper passes thus far in camp, Raider fans
shouldn't start thinking of the mad-bombing days of Ken Stabler to
Fred Biletnikoff and Cliff Branch are back again.
"It's a priority to us in that we want to take advantage of how a
defense is playing us," the first-year head coach said. "If they're
going to allow us the ability to attack them deep, we're going to do
that; whether we do that on the play-action game or not, we're going
to test the defense. We want to be sure and test all the locations on
the field."
Not only does the deep game put pressure on opposing secondaries, it
also can stretch the entire defense, creating advantageous matchups
for sure-handed running backs like Garner�"
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
As if Rich Gannon didn't already rack up enough yardage as it
was. This new wrinkle in the Raider's offense could be huge in
leagues that award more points for long TD passes and receptions.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
21. Flutie/Brees update: Thus far, the Venerable one looks better
Clipped from the Kevin Acee/Jim Trotter article posted on
signonsandiego.com 7/30/02.
"It's way, way, way too early to read anything into this. But the
fact is his reads have been more sure and his passes sharper than
those of Drew Brees."
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
Until proven otherwise, I still think it's Brees' job to
lose. Time will tell.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
22. Gonzalez, Chiefs still far away from resolving their conflict
Clipped from the Doug Tucker AP report on sportserver.com 7/30/02
"Tony Gonzalez had a lengthy phone conversation with Kansas City
Chiefs president Carl Peterson on Tuesday, but the All-Pro tight end
was still a no-show at training camp.
The impasse started over money, but has escalated into Peterson's
demand that Gonzalez give up his pursuit of a dual career in the NFL
and NBA. Peterson has pulled back an $8 million signing bonus and
told Gonzalez he will not consider a long-term contract unless he
agrees to quit basketball.
"He told me about his thoughts and I told him about mine," Peterson
said. "It was a good discussion. Tony still wants to play basketball.
There has to be some understanding there that makes sense on both
sides."
Gonzalez, the Chiefs' franchise player, will have to sign a one-year
tender for $3.05 million or sit out the year�."
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
This situation just continues to deteriorate. I'm afraid the
NFL's best TE may actually be forced to hold out all season.
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ OUR VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
We don't share Wimer's view. The best football players play
football. This is all part of the rhetoric in my opinion. Veteran's
hate camp. Gonzalez, who stays in great shape, doesn't need camp and
is going to stay out as long as it takes to get his best deal. As
long as it takes...meaning without missing any games. Because he is
now sliding in drafts, he becomes somebody that is likely worth the
gamble now. We did not like Gonzalez as a third round pick (better
value at TE later), but he makes a great 5th/6th round pick. Let
history guide you. When has a TE held out for the whole season? He
will become the best paid TE before the season starts and he will not
miss a beat this year.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
23. Seahawks suddenly set at TE: Stevens signs on the dotted line.
"The Seattle Seahawks signed top draft pick Jerramy Stevens on
Tuesday to a five-year contract worth about $6.2 million.
Stevens' agent, Marvin Demoff, confirmed the signing but would not
reveal the amount of Stevens' signing bonus. Seattle selected the
tight end with the 28th pick in the first round of the April draft.
For six days the Seahawks had said they were close to signing
Stevens. He was expected to join the team for practice Wednesday on
the fifth day of camp."
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ WIMER'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
Let the battle for starting TE in Seattle begin. Incumbent starter
Itula Mili has strengthened his grip on the top spot during
Steven's holdout. Now, can the rookie make up for lost time? Stay
tuned, sports fans.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
24. Bill Gramatica: Less exuberant celebrations this year, I promise!
Clipped from the Bob Baum AP article posted on sportserver.com 7/30/02
"There will be no more jumping for joy after field goals for Bill
Gramatica.
Happiness, yes. Some sign of elation, certainly. But none of the wild
exuberance that resulted in a torn knee ligament that ended
Gramatica's rookie season after 13 games last year.
"The feeling that I have after kicking a field goal, I'm not going to
lose," Gramatica said after booting a few soaring field goals in
Arizona's morning workout Tuesday. "But the way I express it is
something that's going to change.
"I couldn't tell you right now what I'm going to do, but I know it's
not going to be jumping around."
Coach Dave McGinnis was not amused when the injury occurred, but he
can joke about it now.
"It was freak. It freaked me out," McGinnis said. "The next big game-
winner he kicks, he can come jump on me. If I blow my ACL out, I can
coach from a golf cart. We don't need that in the first quarter. I
need both ACLs at least until the fourth quarter�."
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Looks like Martin Gramatica will star in all the kicker highlights on
Sportscenter this year.
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25. `Skin's QB battle comes into focus: Matthews in the lead,
despite Rosenfels' start in Japan
Clipped from the Joseph White AP report on sportserver.com 7/30/02
"�Rosenfels threw well on the first day of training camp last
week, but it's been downhill from there. After a slow start, the
quarterback battle has begun to define itself clearly: Matthews is
emerging as the clear leader and the only one who looks ready to be
an NFL starter, while Wuerffel has been consistent but not
spectacular.
As for Rosenfels, he had another tough day Tuesday. His lobbed
interception over the middle, intended for Jacquez Green but picked
off by Mark Washington, might have been his worst throw of camp.
But the real test will be the exhibition games, so Rosenfels has a
chance to make up ground in Japan. It shouldn't be hard to get
motivated because this starting battle is different from most: One
will be the starter, one will be the backup, and the other won't even
make the team�."
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I like to pull for the underdog, so I'm hoping that Rosenfels
does well in Japan. But, realistically, it appears he may be the odd
man out in Washington. Time will tell.
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Well that's it for another HUGE day in the news.
Mark Wimer
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