5/21 Player News- Benson, Stanton, Scheffler, J. Taylor demands trade, Ron. Brown,

[irish]

http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/2008/05/ne...els_faster.html

 

Benson Loses Weight

Bears RB Cedric Benson says he feels great after altering his diet and losing 10 pounds this offseason.

 

We are sure many owners cringe when they even hear the Bears running back's name. The drafting of RB Matt Forte will have a major impact on Benson's fantasy value this year. We wouldn't draft Benson as anything more than an RB3. And right now, that's really being generous.

 

| May 21, 2008 6:29 PM

 

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http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2008/...ts_back_to.html

 

Stanton Playing With Old Habits

According to Lions OC Jim Colletto, QB Drew Stanton has been "reverting back to some old habits" during the team's OTAs.

 

Stanton will have to break those habits if he wants any chance at unseating QB Jon Kitna for the starting job. If you own Kitna, make sure you save room for Stanton as his handcuff.

 

| May 21, 2008 6:19 PM

 

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http://www.denverpost.com/ci_9335501?source=rss

 

Scheffler Out A Whole Month

Denver TE Tony Scheffler is expected to be in a protective boot for at least the next month after re-injuring his left foot during Broncos OTAs.

 

Scheffler broke his foot last year, which led to his slow start earlier in the season. Surgery isn't an option yet, but we wouldn't count on Scheffler as a TE1 this year.

 

| May 21, 2008 6:14 PM

 

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http://miamiherald.typepad.com/dolphins_in...ano-taylor.html

 

J.Taylor Demands Trade

"Dancing with the Stars" Loser DL Jason Taylor, through his agent, has requested a trade on several occasions. Agent Gary Wichard has told the Dolphins that Taylor will not report for training camp unless he is traded. Dolphins coach Tony Sparano stated "I know that Jason is not going to be at any OTAs [Organized Team Activities]. I know that Jason is not going to be at any minicamps. And I know right now Jason is not going to be at training camp. Jason is a player under contract with the Miami Dolphins. He knows that. Both parties are well aware of the information. That's all I'm going to say about it. I'm going to talk about our players now."

 

We'll see how long this saga lasts. The Dolphins are clearly in rebuilding mode, and perhaps they could have had their best offer before the 2008 draft.

 

| May 21, 2008 4:59 PM

 

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http://miamiherald.typepad.com/dolphins_in...-update-fr.html

 

Fins Secondary Update

Safety Yeremiah Bell, injured all of last year with an Achilles' tendon tear, is indeed working, and as a starter no less. So he is obviously healthy. DB Jason Allen is also taking first-team snaps. Another player injured much of last year -- cornerback Andre Goodman -- is working with the starters ahead of Mike Lehan, who was the starter most of last year.

 

Bell was a solid sleeper last season, until he blew out his Achilles' in the first game of the season. If he is fully recovered, he'll make a fine DB acquisition on your fantasy team.

 

| May 21, 2008 4:54 PM

 

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http://miamiherald.typepad.com/dolphins_in...-update-fr.html

 

R.Brown on the Field

Running back Ronnie Brown was on the field and working. Good news considering he is recovering from ACL surgery. But don't go overboard here. A non-contact practice in shorts and no pads is not an indication Brown is ready for the season opener. But this is encouraging.

 

With reports that RB Ricky Williams is looking great, it might take some time for Brown to establish himself as the man in Miami.

 

| May 21, 2008 4:51 PM

 

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http://www.buffalobills.com/news/news.jsp?news_id=6089

 

Lynch in the Pool

On day two of OTAs for the Bills running back Marshawn Lynch looked quick in and out of the hole, quick around the corner and quick catching out of the backfield. All of that quickness is due in part to the experience he gained as a rookie in 2007. It's made him a far more decisive player than the one that was still able to roll up over 1,100 yards rushing despite missing three games last season. Spending a full offseason in an NFL strength and conditioning program has also benefited Lynch who feels he's in a bit better shape than he was as a rookie. But there's one extra element to his training regimen that Lynch has added on his own to give him that edge. "Something that's been helping me out a lot is this pool workout I've been doing," said Lynch. "It's running underwater and swimming laps. It's just a little something that I like to do on the side."

 

Lynch had 1115 yards rushing, 184 yards receiving, and seven TDs in 13 games. If QB Trent Edwards can improve, it should help open things up for Lynch.

 

| May 21, 2008 4:44 PM

 

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http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFL/A...WHI/default.htm

 

Pats' CB in State of Flux

According to PFW, coach Bill Belichick genuinely has little idea about who will be manning the starting CB jobs. Even incumbent starter CB Ellis Hobbs is anything but a lock to reclaim his starting job. His propensity to get injured, along with his shoddy play through stretches of ’07, places him squarely in the competition with the newcomers.

 

Even the departure of Asante Samuel isn't enough to promote Hobbs. Hobbs will be competing against Jason Webster, Brandon Meriweather, Fernando Bryant, Lewis Sanders, and Terrence Wheatley.

 

| May 21, 2008 4:36 PM

 

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http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFL/A...WHI/default.htm

 

No Fantasy Bonus for McKelvin

PFW reports CB Leodis McKelvin special-teams ability will be shelved in Buffalo, at least early on. With an already brilliant special-teams unit (KR Terrence McGee and PR Roscoe Parrish) and a shoddy secondary, coach Dick Jauron wants McKelvin to learn the ropes of the defense first and foremost. McKelvin isn’t a particularly astute student of the game, and the feeling among the coaches is that throwing both the defensive and special-teams playbooks at him at once will stunt his development.

 

For leagues that use return yardage and TD's, this is huge news. McGee ranks as one of the top defensive backs in this setting. If this pattern holds, McGee's value will continue as one of the top DBs to acquire on your fantasy squad.

 

| May 21, 2008 4:28 PM

 

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http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/jets/2008...s-for-2008.html

 

Pennington Could Take Paycut

Due to make $9 million this year, Jets QB Chad Pennington could be asked to take a paycut if he doesn't start.

 

Pennington would be the highest paid backup quarterback in the league, which likely won't happen. All he has to do is battle QB Kellen Clemens, which isn't impossible. We wouldn't, however, give Pennington a shot on our squad. Not unless we were desperate.

 

| May 21, 2008 3:49 PM

 

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http://blog.nola.com/saintsbeat/2008/05/tr...tons_pre_1.html

 

Deuce Not Participating

Saints RB Deuce McAllister has not participated in the team's OTAs.

 

Deuce was said to have ran at full speed earlier in the month, but this isn't good news. After coming off multiple knee surgeries, Deuce might lose a step. He is a borderline RB3 for now until he starts to workout.

 

| May 21, 2008 3:43 PM

 

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http://miamiherald.typepad.com/dolphins_in_depth/

 

Taylor To Skip Training Camp

According to Dolphins HC Tony Sparano, DL Jason Taylor will not attend any offseason workouts, including training camp.

 

Taylor might still be bitter after losing "Dancing To The Stars." Taylor is demanding a trade, but the team will not get the compensation that they want. Taylor has not said he would sit out the season, so he still has value as a DL2.

 

| May 21, 2008 3:40 PM

 

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http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article.../805210400/1049

 

Receiving Roles To Diminish

Both Lions WR Shaun McDonald and WR Mike Furrey are expected to have very diminished roles in the offense this year.

 

The third receiver had a huge role in OC Mike Martz' offense. But now that the team is leaning more towards the run, neither player figures to have much fantasy value unless one of the starters gets injured.

 

| May 21, 2008 1:10 PM

 

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http://www.jaguars.com/news/article.aspx?i...&source=rss

 

Porter Limited

Jaguars WR Jerry Porter was limited in the team's practice on Wednesday with "some foot soreness."

 

HC Jack Del Rio said that Porter wanted to practice, but said "it’s not the time to push." Right now, Porter is a borderline WR3/WR4 on a team that emphasizes the run.

 

| May 21, 2008 1:05 PM

 

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http://miamiherald.typepad.com/dolphins_in...gs-to-look.html

 

Henne Low On The Depth Chart?

The Miami Herald is reporting that Dolphins rookie QB Chad Henne is "on the outside looking in" in the quarterback competition.

 

Neither QB Josh McCown or QB John Beck are that great of a quarterback, so take this statement lightly. If you are in a dynasty league and have Henne sitting on your roster, don't dump him yet. He could still have future value.

 

| May 21, 2008 11:34 AM

 

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http://blog.nj.com/ledgergiants/2008/05/te...on_shockey.html

 

Shockey Recovery Going Well

According to Giants TE coach Mike Pope, TE Jeremy Shockey is recovering well from a broken fibula.

 

Shockey is currently working out in Florida and should hopefully be ready for training camp. He doesn't have much value as a TE1 anymore, but should be a viable TE2 if he is fully healthy.

 

| May 21, 2008 11:17 AM

 

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http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/footbal...story?track=rss

 

Brown And Williams Get Snaps

Both Dolphins running backs Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams carried the ball and participated in most team drills during Wednesday's OTAs.

 

Brown, who is coming off ACL surgery, was said to be making nice cuts and running well. With Williams in the mix, Brown's value remains as nothing more than an RB2 right now. It could go up if Brown gets the majority of the snaps during preseason games.

 

| May 21, 2008 10:38 AM

 

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http://packers.com/news/stories/2008/05/20/1/

 

Wynn Medically Cleared

Having dealt with a shoulder injury, Packers RB DeShawn Wynn has been medically cleared for OTAs.

 

Wynn, who was sidelined for most of last year, has a good chance of unseating RB Brandon Jackson as RB Ryan Grant's primary backup. But all the running backs, except for Grant, are wildcards in the fantasy world right now.

 

| May 21, 2008 10:23 AM

 

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http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5h_ZkwBj...IC6sSQD90PNQEG0

 

Grant Indicted

Saints DL Charles Grant has been indicted on a charge of involuntary manslaughter.

 

The indictment stems from an altercation outside of a nightclub in which a pregnant woman was shot and killed in February. We will keep owners updated, but this could have a huge bearing on whether or not Grant plays this year.

 

| May 21, 2008 10:16 AM

 

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http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2008/..._first_wor.html

 

Williams Reports

Lions WR Roy Williams has yet to miss any of the team's offseason practices so far.

 

Williams is in a contract year, but reporting shows he doesn't want off-field issues to affect his performance. If Williams starts off hot, we expect a contract to be done sometime during the season. If not, the team could slap the franchise tag on him next offseason. Williams is still a good WR2 to have for your squad.

 

| May 21, 2008 9:43 AM

 

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http://ww3.startribune.com/vikingsblog/?p=1597

 

Taylor Misses OTAs

It's being reported that Vikings RB Chester Taylor missed the start of the team's OTAs because of family issues.

 

It's not being reported anywhere that Taylor is unhappy with his contract or having to be the backup to RB Adrian Peterson, so this is something that should clear up soon. If you end up getting lucky and were able to draft Peterson in the first round of your draft, make sure you secure Taylor as a handcuff later on.

 

| May 21, 2008 9:38 AM

 

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http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburgh...s/s_568577.html

 

Mendenhall Still Recovering

Steelers' rookie RB Rashard Mendenhall is still recovering from a hamstring injury that he suffered in rookie minicamp a few weeks ago. "I feel good. We're taking it day-by-day,'' said Mendenhall, the Steelers' first-round draft pick. "We want to make sure everything's OK.''

 

As long as Mendenhall is healthy by training camp, this isn't a big deal. However, we will monitor the situation closely in case this hamstring issue lingers on. Mendenhall has a chance to steal some carries and reps from RB Willie Parker and some goal-line carries from RB Najeh Davenport if he can remain healthy and prove himself to the Steelers during training camp.

 

| May 21, 2008 8:22 AM

 

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http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburgh...s/s_568577.html (same as above)

 

Ward Back To Practice

Steelers' WR Hines Ward returned to the practice field on Tuesday after off-season knee surgery.

 

The coaches kept Ward on a play-count, but he did not show any lingering effects of the knee injuries that limited his production last season. Ward should be able to improve on his numbers from last season as long as he remains healthy. We will monitor his progress closely in the next few months.

 

| May 21, 2008 8:16 AM

 

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[Trots]

[irish]

 

[loaf]

with Martz now in SF does Bryant Johnson become their Shaun McDonald and flourish?

[peepinmofo]

with Martz now in SF does Bryant Johnson become their Shaun McDonald and flourish?

McDonald was the #3 WR. BJ is their supposed #1. Id say if anyone flourishes like McDonald, itll be Battle, Lelie, or Hill. Id put my money on Battle since he has been putting up half way decent numbers with the old coaching from last year.

[loaf]

forgot DJax went to Denver...I'd think Battle would be #2 then? Maybe Lelie as #3...

[peepinmofo]

forgot DJax went to Denver...I'd think Battle would be #2 then? Maybe Lelie as #3...

 

Isaac Bruce should be the #2.

 

It should be either Bruce or BJ as 1, and the other as 2. Then Battle (my guess is him), Lelie, or Hill as WR3.