4/14-Player News (Heap, Falcons news, Bronco rookie WR focus and others)

[Guest Chappy]

http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports...=7&cxcat=21

 

Redman The Starter?

According to the Associated Press, Falcons QB Chris Redman will go into the 2008 season as the team's starter.

 

This seems a bit premature since there is still a good chance the team could use one of their higher picks on a quarterback in the draft. Redman showed some skills last year, so he could have a decent shot as a low-end QB2 if he comes out of training camp with the starting job.

 

| April 14, 2008 5:05 PM

 

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http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-bl...d=blogs_falcons

 

Robinson In Starting Spot

Falcons WR Laurent Robinson reportedly opened minicamps as the team's starting receiver opposite Roddy White.

 

Robinson went into the 2007 season with a little bit of hype and he did catch 37 balls for 437-yards, but he wasn't consistent. He could be someone to keep an eye on again this year, but his value won't be high while the team shuffles it's players around.

 

| April 14, 2008 2:47 PM

 

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http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3341554

 

McKinnie Court Date Set

A Miami judge has set a June 2 trial date for OL Bryant McKinnie on charges arising from a brawl outside a nightclub. McKinnie, who did not appear in court, is charged with aggravated battery and several other offenses after a brawl outside downtown Miami's Club Space in February. The 6-foot-8, 335-pound offensive tackle has pleaded not guilty. The Vikings have said they will wait until the legal issues are settled before deciding on any disciplinary actions.

 

Adrian Peterson might be getting a little nervous with all the offensive line worries the Vikings are having. C Matt Birk is not happy with his contract and skipping the minicamp. Now McKinnie could be facing disciplinary action from the NFL. Like the Birk situation, we'll keep our eye on the league's best rushing offense from last season.

 

| April 14, 2008 11:59 AM

 

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http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/st...A8?OpenDocument

 

Rams Host Top Prospects

LSU DT Glenn Dorsey had to cancel his scheduled trip Sunday to St. Louis because of the flu. Dorsey pushed his visit back to Tuesday along with two dozen other prospects. Virginia DE Chris Long, Michigan OT Jake Long and Ohio State DE Vernon Gholston already met with St. Louis.

 

Fantasy owners seldom pay attention to rookie OL and DL. The Rams early selection, however, could be important to the Rams success. If the Rams take Long it should fill their largest hole on offense and allow QB Marc Bulger, RB Steven Jackson, and WR Torry Holt to have big seasons.

We think they'll go with defense with the pick, however. Last year LB Will Witherspoon and DT La'Roi Glover led the team in sacks with seven and six respectively. The addition of Long or Gholston should improve their sack numbers.

 

| April 14, 2008 11:39 AM

 

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http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_8914836

 

Broncos Eyeing Receivers

The Broncos and WR Samie Parker are reportedly close to agreeing on a new deal. The team is also in "deep discussions" with WR Darrell Jackson.

 

Parker didn't do much in Kansas City, so we don't expect him to be able to knock off Keary Colbert for the starting job. Jackson could be a different story. If he shows that his injury history is behind him, which we doubt, he could get a decent amount of playing time. But we wouldn't bother picking either player up just yet.

 

| April 14, 2008 9:55 AM

 

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http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports...=7&cxcat=21 (same as above)

 

Finneran Not Cleared

It's being reported that Falcons WR Brian Finneran, who is coming off knee surgery, has not been cleared to participate in minicamps.

 

Finneran surprisingly wasn't part of the roster purge that happened earlier this winter, but he is going to have to have a big training camp in order to stay on the roster going into the season. Don't worry about him in your league.

 

| April 14, 2008 9:45 AM

 

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http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/footbal...,0,688854.story

 

Heap Healthy and Stronger

Baltimore Ravens TE Todd Heap just completed a six-week training regimen at the team's complex in Owings Mills. Heap normally spends this off-season time with his family in Arizona. Heap will also take part in the Ravens' voluntary minicamp. "I'll be as strong as ever this year," Heap said.

 

A healthy and stronger Todd Heap would be great news for the Ravens and for fantasy enthusiasts looking for a high upside TE this coming season. Heap has missed significant time in two of the last four seasons. When healthy, Heap has finished two of the past three seasons with over 70 receptions, 700 yards, and six scores. In Cam Cameron's TE-friendly offense, Heap can revert back to his Top Five status if he can remain healthy.

 

| April 14, 2008 9:20 AM

 

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http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburgh...s/s_535828.html

 

Woodley a Starter?

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review writer Scott Brown expects LB LaMarr Woodley to be the starter at LOLB this coming season in place of the departed LB Clark Haggans.

 

Woodley could be a pleasant surprise in deep IDP leagues. He had four sacks in limited action last season. In the previous three years, Haggans had averaged the equivalent of 70 tackles and seven sacks over a 16 game season. It is not unreasonable to expect those type of numbers from Woodley next year. This news would not be a good sign for LB Lawrence Timmons. Timmons will most likely be relegated to backup duty behind Woodley, ILB James Farrior, ILB Larry Foote, and ROLB James Harrison.

 

| April 14, 2008 8:32 AM

[Guest Chappy]

Apologies on the misprint in the title, the Broncos are looking at 2 WRs- Parker and DJax not rookie WRs.

[Guest Chappy]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story;jsessionid=8...mp;confirm=true

 

Broncos Sign Parker

The Broncos and WR Samie Parker have come to terms on a new deal.

 

Parker, once thought of as an up-and-comer in Kansas City, was never able to do much in the offense. As the fourth receiver in Denver, he likely won't have much fantasy value.

 

| April 14, 2008 7:01 PM

 

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It also states in there that the Broncos are likely to reach an agreemant with DJax come Tuesday.

[Guest Chappy]

Just wanted to add some other updates.

 

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2008/04/s..._matt_ryan.html

 

Jets have no Interest in QB Ryan

Boston College QB Matt Ryan is not among the players invited to work out for the Jets.

 

This could be the ultimate smoke screen, but it's hard to imagine the Jets taking him (if he's even available at sixth pick) without at least bringing him in for a workout.

 

| April 14, 2008 9:01 PM

 

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http://buffalonews.typepad.com/billboard/2...-fans-push.html

 

Bills Fans Pushing Harvey

There is growing sentiment towards the Bills drafting Florida DE Derrick Harvey in the first round. A quick scan of other mock drafts and what teams ahead of the Bills need, it's conceivable that Harvey would be available at No. 11.

 

It's a copy-cat league, and if the Bills take a top DE, they would be following the strategy set by the champion NY Giants. DE Aaron Schobel, DE Chris Kelsay, and DT Marcus Stroud already make for a good batch of lineman.

 

| April 14, 2008 8:33 PM

 

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http://www.nfl.com/news/story;jsessionid=F...mp;confirm=true

 

Chiefs Host Draftees

Monday was visiting day in Kansas City, where the Chiefs hosted a handful of players. Visitors included Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan, LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey, Idaho offensive tackle Ryan Clady and Virgnia offensive lineman Branden Albert. Later this week, the Chiefs are expected to host Ohio State defensive end/linebacker Vernon Gholston. The offense that Ryan ran at Boston College has the same terminology as the offense uses in Kansas City.

 

KC will have a lot of leverage if the Jets and Pats try to trump each other for their fifth pick. Much will depend on what the Falcons do with the third choice.

 

| April 14, 2008 8:26 PM