Courtesy of Footballguys.com
OAK - Richardson sheds weight
Source: Raiders.com
Oakland Raiders RB coach Mike Tice sat down to talk to Sirius XM Radio, and said free agent pickup Trent Richardson "lost some weight, his quickness came around." He also praised Latavius Murray "really came on in that veteran mini-camp. He got his legs under him and showed some quickness, some good finish" and free agent signing Roy Helu's receiving ability was noted.
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Richardson seemed sluggish compared to the back he was at Alabama, so let's see if he looks more spry in training camp and the preseason. Murray is the likely leader in touches in the backfield. but Helu will have a role and Richardson has a way of getting coaches to feed him touches even when makes them worthless. Oakland's offense is no prize, so the luster on Murray beyond his measureables continues to fade.
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SEA - Michael on roster bubble?
Source: Terry Blount, ESPN
Terry Blount of ESPN reports that it is ""step up or step out" time for RB Christine Michael entering his third year after being a second-round pick in 2013. The Seahawks staff likes UDFA Thomas Rawls according to Blount and he could induce them to trade Michael for a late-round pick.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
The inevitable next question from fantasy leaguers is whether Dallas would trade for Michael? Some familiar with Dallas have said they had Michael off of their board in 2013, and Michael had injuries and character questions that make that seem possible, but those issues didn't stop them from taking chances on other players. Make no mistake, this is a hit to Michael who should have established himself as a coveted future starter, but it could get him a larger opportunity earlier, so his value remains in flux. Robert Turbin and Rawls would probably split the backup work if Michael is not a Seahawks come Week 1.
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NYG - Pierre-Paul injured hand in fireworks accident
Source: Andy Slater 940 WINZ Radio
Andy Slater of 940 AM WINZ Radio reports that Giants DE Jason Pierre-Paul "severely" injured his hand in a fireworks accident. Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that "early indications are hand injury is not career-threatening", but Pierre-Paul needs to see his doctors.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Passrushers hand usage is the silent key to their ability to win in showdowns. If Pierre-Paul loses a lot of ability to be an aggressor or defend himself on one side, his opponent will take advantage. He is also playing under a franchise tag contract right now, one that he has not signed. The Giants could take the offer off of the table and put Pierre-Paul in free agency. They did draft power rusher Owa Odighizuwa in the third round and scooped up a falling Damontre Moore in 2013. Robert Ayers has contributed since signing with the team last year, so they might be able to get by without Pierre-Paul.
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BUF - QB Matt Cassel could receive extension
Source: The Buffalo News - Vic Carucci
Buffalo Bills QB Matt Cassel is a candidate for a contract extension if he wins the starting job during training camp. He is scheduled to count $4.75 million against the salary cap this season.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Cassel will be extremely lucky to make the roster at his current rate. He stunk it up in OTAs, and the Bills have no reason to keep him around if he isn't better than Tyrod Taylor and EJ Manuel. Cassel looking for work before Week 1 is more likely than an extension if trends continue.
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BUF - WR Sammy Watkins should be ready for camp
Source: The Buffalo News - Vic Carucci
Buffalo Bills WR Sammy Watkins (hip) is expected to be ready for the start of training camp after he was limited during offseason workouts.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Watkins offseason surgery is not nearly as troubling to his fantasy stock than the uncertainty at quarterback that could have Tyrod Taylor responsible for getting the ball or him - or worse. New acquisitions Percy Harvin and Charles Clay will also get theirs, in addition to fellow rising second-year wideout Robert Woods. Watkins is a hard pick to justify in the first four or five rounds this year.
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BUF - RB Fred Jackson favorite for No. 2 RB job
Source: The Buffalo News - Vic Carucci
Buffalo Bills RB Fred Jackson is expected to be the leading candidate for the No. 2 running back job entering training camp. Jackson will have to contribute on the field if he wants to stay with the team since he does not play special teams.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
LeSean McCoy will get all of the work that he can handle in Buffalo, but Jackson has a way of hanging around backfields more than his competition expects. He could end up being a superior goal-line and hurry-up offense option, so don't assume Jackson's fantasy value is dead yet. If the Bills do release the underrated heart of the team because of his price tag, a team like the Patriots would be sure to snatch him up.
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DAL - WR Dez Bryant bluffing?
Source: CBSSports.com - Ryan Wilson
Dallas Cowboys WR Dez Bryant has threatened to miss games if he does not receive a long-term deal, but the Cowboys are not budging on their original offers because they believe Bryant is bluffing.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
The Cowboys stared down Demarco Murray all the way to him signing with a division rival, so their mettle is not worth testing in endurance contests. They likely have their number that reflects a high number, but not the highest number for a wide receiver, and Bryant's camp feels they deserve it. They can play out this year under a franchise tag in an attempt to get a better deal next year with less of a chance of being tagged because it is more expensive, but Bryant will also be a year older.
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Source: footballguys.com
OAK - Richardson sheds weight
Source: Raiders.com
Oakland Raiders RB coach Mike Tice sat down to talk to Sirius XM Radio, and said free agent pickup Trent Richardson "lost some weight, his quickness came around." He also praised Latavius Murray "really came on in that veteran mini-camp. He got his legs under him and showed some quickness, some good finish" and free agent signing Roy Helu's receiving ability was noted.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Richardson seemed sluggish compared to the back he was at Alabama, so let's see if he looks more spry in training camp and the preseason. Murray is the likely leader in touches in the backfield. but Helu will have a role and Richardson has a way of getting coaches to feed him touches even when makes them worthless. Oakland's offense is no prize, so the luster on Murray beyond his measureables continues to fade.
Back to Top
SEA - Michael on roster bubble?
Source: Terry Blount, ESPN
Terry Blount of ESPN reports that it is ""step up or step out" time for RB Christine Michael entering his third year after being a second-round pick in 2013. The Seahawks staff likes UDFA Thomas Rawls according to Blount and he could induce them to trade Michael for a late-round pick.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
The inevitable next question from fantasy leaguers is whether Dallas would trade for Michael? Some familiar with Dallas have said they had Michael off of their board in 2013, and Michael had injuries and character questions that make that seem possible, but those issues didn't stop them from taking chances on other players. Make no mistake, this is a hit to Michael who should have established himself as a coveted future starter, but it could get him a larger opportunity earlier, so his value remains in flux. Robert Turbin and Rawls would probably split the backup work if Michael is not a Seahawks come Week 1.
Back to Top
NYG - Pierre-Paul injured hand in fireworks accident
Source: Andy Slater 940 WINZ Radio
Andy Slater of 940 AM WINZ Radio reports that Giants DE Jason Pierre-Paul "severely" injured his hand in a fireworks accident. Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that "early indications are hand injury is not career-threatening", but Pierre-Paul needs to see his doctors.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Passrushers hand usage is the silent key to their ability to win in showdowns. If Pierre-Paul loses a lot of ability to be an aggressor or defend himself on one side, his opponent will take advantage. He is also playing under a franchise tag contract right now, one that he has not signed. The Giants could take the offer off of the table and put Pierre-Paul in free agency. They did draft power rusher Owa Odighizuwa in the third round and scooped up a falling Damontre Moore in 2013. Robert Ayers has contributed since signing with the team last year, so they might be able to get by without Pierre-Paul.
Back to Top
BUF - QB Matt Cassel could receive extension
Source: The Buffalo News - Vic Carucci
Buffalo Bills QB Matt Cassel is a candidate for a contract extension if he wins the starting job during training camp. He is scheduled to count $4.75 million against the salary cap this season.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Cassel will be extremely lucky to make the roster at his current rate. He stunk it up in OTAs, and the Bills have no reason to keep him around if he isn't better than Tyrod Taylor and EJ Manuel. Cassel looking for work before Week 1 is more likely than an extension if trends continue.
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BUF - WR Sammy Watkins should be ready for camp
Source: The Buffalo News - Vic Carucci
Buffalo Bills WR Sammy Watkins (hip) is expected to be ready for the start of training camp after he was limited during offseason workouts.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Watkins offseason surgery is not nearly as troubling to his fantasy stock than the uncertainty at quarterback that could have Tyrod Taylor responsible for getting the ball or him - or worse. New acquisitions Percy Harvin and Charles Clay will also get theirs, in addition to fellow rising second-year wideout Robert Woods. Watkins is a hard pick to justify in the first four or five rounds this year.
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BUF - RB Fred Jackson favorite for No. 2 RB job
Source: The Buffalo News - Vic Carucci
Buffalo Bills RB Fred Jackson is expected to be the leading candidate for the No. 2 running back job entering training camp. Jackson will have to contribute on the field if he wants to stay with the team since he does not play special teams.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
LeSean McCoy will get all of the work that he can handle in Buffalo, but Jackson has a way of hanging around backfields more than his competition expects. He could end up being a superior goal-line and hurry-up offense option, so don't assume Jackson's fantasy value is dead yet. If the Bills do release the underrated heart of the team because of his price tag, a team like the Patriots would be sure to snatch him up.
Back to Top
DAL - WR Dez Bryant bluffing?
Source: CBSSports.com - Ryan Wilson
Dallas Cowboys WR Dez Bryant has threatened to miss games if he does not receive a long-term deal, but the Cowboys are not budging on their original offers because they believe Bryant is bluffing.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
The Cowboys stared down Demarco Murray all the way to him signing with a division rival, so their mettle is not worth testing in endurance contests. They likely have their number that reflects a high number, but not the highest number for a wide receiver, and Bryant's camp feels they deserve it. They can play out this year under a franchise tag in an attempt to get a better deal next year with less of a chance of being tagged because it is more expensive, but Bryant will also be a year older.
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Source: footballguys.com