Today's E-Mail is brought to you by FOXSports.com Fantasy Football

Win from over $150,000 in cash prizes in the 2002 FOX Fantasy
Football Challenge! $25,000 Grand Prize. Over $2,000 in weekly
cash prizes. 30 team leagues. Compare and save! Hurry now to take
advantage of this great fantasy football value today. Play Now!

http://challenge.foxsports.com/football/02/ffc/splash.asp?ac=101812


/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/

I N T H I S I S S U E

1. Fred Taylor: Jimmy Smith willing to sit out the season
2. Cowboy WR Raghib Ismail out for season!
3. Tony Banks to the Texans: Adios Kent Graham?
4. Saints start assembling their roster: Rookie QB beats out Ex-
Panther Jeff Lewis
5. Rookie TE Randy McMichael continues to WOW in Miami.
6. Mawae back at C for Jets
7. Eagle's Reid: Boring in the pre-season on purpose
8. IDP alert: Hambrick looks like Millers replacement at LB in
Cleveland
9. Glenn, Ferguson hit the field: Faint praise from Sherman,
though.
10. Vanderjagt: Angry with kicker contest and in management's
face about it!
11. IDP alert: DE Kyle Vanden Bosch rejoins starters in AZ.

/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/


Hi Folks,

Let's jump right to the News and Notes from around the league put
together by Footballguy Mark Wimer. Have at it, Mark.

Joe

--------------
Joe Bryant
Owner � www.Footballguys.com


/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/


1. Fred Taylor: Jimmy Smith willing to sit out the season

Clipped from the Vito Stellino article posted on jacksonville.com
8/20/02.

"Running back Fred Taylor, who said he keeps in contact with holdout
wide receiver Jimmy Smith, suggested yesterday that Smith is willing
to sit out the season if he doesn't get the contract he wants from
the Jaguars.

When asked if Smith might return because he wanted to play, even if
he wasn't happy with the offer, Taylor said, "That's not going to
happen. You won't see him this year."�

"He wants to play," Taylor said. "He wants to get back in and play.
Management feels embarrassed by what's going on. He feels
embarrassed by what's going on. He hates the way the offense is
going, but he's got to hold his ground."�


[ [ [ [ [ WIMER'S VIEW ] ] ] ] ]


I may be biased here, (since he is currently dead weight on more
than one of my fantasy rosters) but I'm finding Smith's behavior in
this matter unacceptable.

Smith said to Bart Hubbach of jacksonville.com on 6/24/02
(http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-
online/stories/062402/jag_9741904.html) that "�I'll be there," Smith
vowed when asked if he is contemplating a career-first holdout
because of the contract situation. "I don't see why I wouldn't. [The
contract] is not an issue"�

That's called a lie in my book, folks. I don't like it when people
(players, agents, or owners) lie to me in the press. If Jimmy Smith
was unhappy with the status of his contract negotiations, he should
have let his fans know it from the start, instead of surprising
everybody with this nasty, prolonged holdout.

I have no idea how, if or when this situation will resolve itself.
The Jags are absolutely cap-strapped, and they simply don't have the
$'s for a monster contract � which is what Smith demands and has
earned. But reality constrains the situation�


[ [ [ [ [ [ JOE'S VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ]


Mark Wimer's a nice guy. I'm a little more jaded and cynical. I
pretty much expect people to not tell me the truth� Seriously,
although I fully expect Smith to have himself back in there, this
has the potential to get ugly. I hear unsubstantiated RUMORS that
Philadelphia is interested but who knows where that'll go. The
Jaguars desperately need him in the fold.

Another angle on this that's very important to understand is we're
getting all this info second hand from Taylor. Taylor's a great
running back. His translation skills, I'm not too sure of. It's
hard enough to get the press to understand what you really mean.
It's twice as hard to get them to understand what your friend really
means. I'd say keep your eyes open as there will most likely be a
followup story to this on Wednesday.

The sign that I hope we don't see is when Coughlin makes the
declaration of "get in by XX date or you don't play in week one".
Dick Vermeil's playing that card now sort of softly with Tony
Gonzalez in KC. Coughlin's version of it will be more abrasive I
believe. We'll see.


/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/


2. Cowboy WR Raghib Ismail out for season

Clipped from the AP article posted on espn.go.com 8/20/02

"Dallas Cowboys receiver Raghib Ismail will undergo season-ending
neck surgery Wednesday to repair damage done when he collided with a
teammate last week in practice.

The team posted on its Web site that Ismail has "an apparent disk
problem'' and "an existing condition in need of immediate
attention.'' Both sound similar to the problems that ended the
careers of Cowboys stars Michael Irvin and Daryl Johnston.

The 32-year-old Ismail would've been playing his 10th season, fourth
in Dallas. His previous two seasons were also marred by injury,
including a torn knee ligament in 2000.

The Cowboys were counting on him and Joey Galloway to provide speedy
targets for the West Coast-style offense being implemented by new
coordinator Bruce Coslet. Rookie Antonio Bryant is likely to replace
Ismail in the starting lineup�"


[ [ [ [ [ WIMER'S VIEW ] ] ] ] ]


Terrible news for Raghib Ismail. Our best wishes for a successful
neck surgery go out to him.

A huge opportunity for Rookie Antonio Bryant.


[ [ [ [ [ [ JOE'S VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ]


Ken-Yon Rambo (this team has some great names) will also get a
chance but as I said this morning, I'm liking the young Bryant.
But don't get too wrapped in any of these guys � Quincy Carter is
still the QB.


/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/


3. Tony Banks to the Texans: Adios Kent Graham?

Clipped from the Carlton Thompson article on chron.com 8/20/02.

"Tony Banks signed a one-year, $650,000 contract and will compete
for the backup spot behind rookie David Carr, whose status as the
Texans' yet-to-be-officially-named starting quarterback is
unaffected by the move. However, the acquisition of Banks does put
two other quarterbacks on notice with one preseason game remaining
before the first round of roster cuts.

The likely odd man out is Kent Graham, who signed to be the Texans'
starting quarterback until Carr was ready but has since been bumped
to third on the depth chart behind Carr and Mike Quinn�"


[ [ [ [ [ WIMER'S VIEW ] ] ] ] ]


Carr has looked solid, and Graham less-than-impressive. Hopefully,
Carr stays healthy all season, as interception-machine Banks (71
TD's and 68 INT's in his career) won't help the brand-new franchise
much if he gets in the game.


/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/


4. Saints start assembling their roster: Rookie QB beats out Ex-Panther

Clipped from the Jeff Duncan article posted on nola.com 8/20/02.

"The Saints began trimming their roster a week early, releasing
reserve quarterback Jeff Lewis and tight end Johnny Mitchell on
Monday.

The handwriting was on the wall for Lewis after he was sacked twice
and lost a fumble that set up a field goal in an exhibition game
against Houston. The four-year veteran did not play against Miami
last week.

His release means rookie J.T. O'Sullivan has won the No. 3 spot,
behind Aaron Brooks and Jake Delhomme�"


[ [ [ [ [ WIMER'S VIEW ] ] ] ] ]


Fantasy football owners in dynasty leagues might want to keep an eye
on O'Sullivan if you need a deep sleeper at QB. Who knows, he might
pan out. At least he didn't throw any INT's last week, although 1-5-
0-7are hardly heart-pounding stats.


/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/


5. Rookie TE Randy McMichael continues to WOW in Miami.

Clipped from the Alex Marvez and Chris Perkins article posted on sun-
sentinel.com 8/20/02.

"Tight end Randy McMichael has taken over Chris Chambers' throne as
the guy who makes the most dramatic catches during practice.
McMichael had two superb efforts Monday night. On one, he caught a
touchdown pass between Shawn Wooden and Arturo Freeman, and on the
other he snared a pass in the end zone with one hand while falling
out of bounds. He didn't get his feet down on the second catch, but
it was amazing. ..."


[ [ [ [ [ WIMER'S VIEW ] ] ] ] ]


McMichael looks like a up and comer at TE. In leagues with a TE
requirement, he could be massively undervalued, due to Miami usually
ignoring the TE in their offense. But new offensive coordinator Norv
Turner likes to use TE's�


[ [ [ [ [ [ JOE'S VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ]


Everyone's talking about this guy. And like Mark says, don't
underestimate Norv Turner and TEs.


/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/


6. Mawae back at C for Jets

Clipped from the Mark Cannizzaro article posted on nypost.com
8/20/02.

"�Kevin Mawae, the anchor of the Jets' offensive line at center
who's been out since shoulder surgery in May, would rather have been
working than watching.

This Saturday night against the Giants in the annual preseason
battle between the cross-Hudson, stadium-sharing rivals, Mawae will
play in his first game since the playoff loss in Oakland last
January.

After just two full-contact practices - a Saturday afternoon session
and yesterday's morning practice - Herman Edwards announced
yesterday that Mawae is ready to play against real competition�"


[ [ [ [ [ WIMER'S VIEW ] ] ] ] ]


Good news for Jets fans and for franchises playing Curtis Martin and
Vinny Testaverde. Mawae is a key player who they need healthy � it
looks like he's back.


/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/


7. Eagle's Reid: Boring in the pre-season on purpose

Clipped from the Phil Sheridan article posted on philly.com 8/20/02.

"Coach Andy Reid, meanwhile, is determined to show as little of his
offense as possible during the preseason.

"We have the preseason for a reason," wide receiver Freddie Mitchell
said. "If we look bad in the first regular-season game, I'll be the
first one to say something."

The Eagles' starting quarterback and top three receivers have been
working together for more than a year now. They all say they believe
that the passing game has made giant strides since the end of last
season. They work every day against the Eagles' elite secondary, and
by that gauge, they think that they are ready for a breakout season�"


[ [ [ [ [ WIMER'S VIEW ] ] ] ] ]


I love the words "breakout season", don't you? Franchises playing
Donovan McNabb, James Thrash, Freddie Mitchell and Todd Pinkston
should have a smile on their face after reading this one.


/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/


8. IDP alert: Hambrick looks like Millers replacement at LB in Cleveland

Clipped from the Steve Doerschuk report posted on cantonrep.com
8/20/02.

"No matter where one comes down on the questions, it is indisputable
that Miller is out for the year, and the Browns need someone.

(Darren) Hambrick looks like the one.

Like Bentley, Taylor and Davis, he was drafted in a middle round.
Dallas picked Hambrick in the fifth round, at No. 130 overall, after
he missed most of his senior year at South Carolina with a broken
leg, and long after Steve Spurrier kicked him off the Florida team
over a fight at a New Year's Eve Gator party.

Unlike the rookies, and unlike the other possible Miller
replacements (Lenoy Jones, three NFL starts; Anthony Denman, zero
NFL starts), Hambrick has all kinds of war stories.


[ [ [ [ [ WIMER'S VIEW ] ] ] ] ]


If you need to replace Jamir Miller in your line-up, Hambrick looks
like a solid option. He had 154 tackles for the Cowboys in 2000.


/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/


9. Glenn, Ferguson hit the field: Faint praise from Sherman, though.

Clipped from the Doug Ritchay column posted on greenbaynewschron.com
8/20/02

"Terry Glenn's and Robert Ferguson's training camp has been marred
by injuries. Both returned to the field for Monday night's practice
inside Lambeau Field, however, and there's a chance both could play
next Monday when the Packers host the Cleveland Browns.

Glenn, fighting a sprained left knee, worked only in individual
drills and then was excused from practice. Starters and select
veterans also didn't participate under the bright Lambeau Field
lights.

"He did a couple nice things," Packers head coach Mike Sherman said
of Glenn. "He might be further ahead than we anticipated." Glenn
will be evaluated this morning to see how his knee responded to the
light workout.

"He's been running every day, working out," Sherman said. "We
thought this would be a good opportunity to get the pads on and do
some cutting. I thought he did a pretty good job."�

Ferguson, who has been slowed by a pulled groin, worked the whole
practice, and Mike Sherman estimated him to be at 90 percent.

"He looked a little tentative at times, but overall pretty good,"
Mike Sherman said. "He was explosive and made some nice cuts. We
just have to be careful."�


[ [ [ [ [ WIMER'S VIEW ] ] ] ] ]


Draw your own conclusions from Sherman's faint praise. If either one
doesn't play Monday Night, be very concerned about their season �
very concerned.


/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/


10. Vanderjagt: Angry with kicker contest and in management's
face about it

Clipped from the Mike Chappell article posted on indystar.com
8/20/02.

"Everyone seems to be in agreement on one point when it comes to the
Indianapolis Colts' kickoffs and kickoff coverage: An upgrade is
needed.

Mike Vanderjagt concurs, but questions the path the team is taking..

The veteran place-kicker was miffed last week when the Colts,
displeased with the quality of their kickoffs during training camp
and the preseason opener at Seattle, held a six-player kicking derby
that deposited veteran Michael Husted on the roster.

Vanderjagt, not one to keep things to himself, expressed his
irritation to coach Tony Dungy and team president Bill Polian.

"Yeah," Vanderjagt said, "they're aware of my displeasure with the
whole thing.

"It wasn't just the fact they brought somebody in."

Vanderjagt was under the assumption his kickoffs, while not end zone-
crashers, were at least adequate and definitely improving.

Then comes the tryout, and Vanderjagt's chat with the brass�"


[ [ [ [ [ WIMER'S VIEW ] ] ] ] ]


Vanderjagt is still one of the best kickers in the league. As Gene
Hackman's character says in "The Replacements", when the game's on
the line, winners always want the ball.


/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/


11. IDP alert: DE Kyle Vanden Bosch rejoins starters in AZ.

Clipped from the Lee Shappell article posted on azcentral.com
8/20/02.

"It was only a matter of time, but on Monday, second-year defensive
end Kyle Vanden Bosch returned to the first team.

Vanden Bosch made a quick impression three games into his rookie
season when he had a sack and returned a fumble for a touchdown
before he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right
knee. His return comes 10 months after a surgery that often requires
a year to rehabilitate.

"Kyle has been telling me he's been ready," coach Dave McGinnis
said. "I got a lot of dirty looks."

Vanden Bosch said the scowl is one of the better parts of his game.
Leadership is another.

"The thing with me is I take pride in how hard I work and practice,"
Vanden Bosch said. "Every time I come out here, I just lay it on the
line. Guys have come up to me and said: 'You make us play better.' "

Vanden Bosch said he had no pain or swelling after his 12 plays
Saturday against Green Bay�"


[ [ [ [ [ WIMER'S VIEW ] ] ] ] ]


Quick returns from ACL surgery make me a little nervous. Watch and
see how Vanden Bosch does in extended duty in the final preseason
games before picking him up.


/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/


That'll do it for tonight Folks.

See you tomorrow.

Joe

--------------
Joe Bryant
Owner � www.Footballguys.com