Packers RB Grant threatens holdout
Ryan Grant, RB GB
News: The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that negotiations of a long-term contract between the Packers and RB Ryan Grant are progressing, but not finalized. Grant is sticking to not showing up for training camp until he has a new deal. He is currently an exclusive-rights free agent, which means that he can only get a new contract from the Packers. "You would think that it would not be that difficult to get done," Grant's agent, Alan Herman, said. "I think we're trying to do that. Overall, the majority of the money we're willing to put into performance-based pay. The better he does, the more money he makes. It's a no-brainer."
Analysis: Grant's agent added that he expects something to get done before the start of training camp on July 27. Expect the Packers to give Grant a raise, along with the starting job in '08 even though Green Bay will have plenty of talent behind him. Despite his relative inexperience, Grant will be in line to be a solid Fantasy option playing behind a good offensive line and in a passing offense that dictates very few eight-in-the-box defensive looks (though he'll see more this year than he did last year because Brett Favre's gone). Figure Grant to be a top-20 Fantasy RB in 2008, worth a pick between the middle of Round 2 and the end of Round 3 in all drafts this summer.
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 Welker on Pats' PUP list
Wes Welker, WR NE
News: The Patriots opened camp with WR Wes Welker on the Physically Unable to Perform list Thursday with an undisclosed injury. That means he won't practice with the team until he's healthy. The team can take him off the list at any point during the preseason but will lose him for at least six games if he's still on the list just before Week 1.
Analysis: Coming off his best year in the NFL, Welker is expected to reprise his role as a short-yardage receiver for the Patriots. After getting 112 receptions last year, he remains in line to get over 100 again this year, even with him being on the PUP list. We'll monitor Welker's health in the coming days, but expect him to be fine for the start of the regular season. Consider him a low-end No. 1/top-end No. 2 Fantasy WR in all leagues worth a pick between Rounds 3 and 5.
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Brady's arm, ankle feel 'great'
Tom Brady, QB NE
News: Following his first practice on the first day of training camp -- a practice he didn't do much throwing in -- Patriots QB Tom Brady told the media that his arm "feels good" and that his ankle is "great." Brady is over last year's Super Bowl loss, believes that the Super Bowl hangover that has plagued past losers won't impact New England and isn't planning on throwing during every practice. "For me, I don't think it is important to throw twice a day," Brady said. "I want to make sure the reps I take are good reps. Two practices today is good for arm soreness. Some guys do it but for me over the long term it would be beneficial to pace it."
Analysis: Brady added that the Patriots will do whatever it takes offensively to win football games, a sentiment echoed by his head coach Bill Belichick, suggesting that more passing is on the way for New England. Brady is also relieved that he won't go up against DE Jason Taylor twice a year now that he's been traded to Washington. He's going to be the No. 1 quarterback taken in all Fantasy leagues in 2008 and rightfully so, especially with Randy Moss re-signing. Although players who lose the Super Bowl traditionally trail off in the ensuing year, the Patriots' offensive machine isn't showing any signs of slowing down. Brady should be a middle-to-late first-round pick in all leagues this summer.
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Hamstring stops Stallworth again
Donte' Stallworth, WR CLE
News: Wide receiver Donte' Stallworth, signed by the Browns as a free agent in March, was kept out of the club's first two days of training camp with a hamstring injury.
Analysis: Stallworth is all too familiar with hamstring problems as he's had them throughout his career. Nevertheless, he's a nice low-end No. 3 Fantasy WR choice because he'll be a key cog in the Browns' offense -- so long as he is healthy. He shouldn't see much double coverage playing with Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow. Aim for him with a middle-round pick.
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Moss breaks down Redskins offense
Santana Moss, WR WAS
News: Redskins WR Santana Moss spoke with the media Thursday and discussed what the new Redskins' offense means for him. "As a receiver you hope to have an impact in any offense," Moss said. "With that said, you have a lot of opportunities in this offense. ... With the wide open spread and the receivers we can have on the field at times, it should take all the pressure off me individually. No matter who you are, you are going to have a chance to make a big play."
Analysis: There's no question that Moss is an electric receiver, when healthy, but if you throw out his two best seasons in the league -- the only two seasons where he's played 16 games -- he's a very pedestrian Fantasy option. However, we like the team's choice to move to a West-Coast offense, and that should help Moss add more catches to his bottom line. But ultimately he is a No. 3 option at best. Think middle-round pick with him in drafts this summer.
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WR Thomas pulls hamstring
Devin Thomas, WR WAS
News: WR Devin Thomas, the Redskins' top draft pick, has been carted away from practice after pulling his right hamstring at training camp. Coach Jim Zorn says the team doesn't immediately know the extent of the injury. Thomas was hurt Thursday while reaching over his head to catch a pass from quarterback Jason Campbell during 11-on-11 drills. Thomas was drafted in the second round, 34th overall, and signed a $4.83 million, four-year contract last week. "After we evaluate it, we can figure out what it means for him as far as getting back out on the field," Zorn said. "We'll get it calmed down, get it iced, evaluate it and get the diagnosis. Fortunately it's just a pulled muscle and there’s no structural damage, so he'll be back soon."
Analysis: Thomas should be OK and not miss much time. He has the chance to be a decent Fantasy option as a rookie, but any setback could hurt his chances of playing time this year. For now, consider Thomas a low-end reserve in seasonal leagues and a second-round pick in rookie-only drafts.
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Marshall met with Goodell
Brandon Marshall, WR DEN
News: The Denver Post reports that Broncos WR Brandon Marshall met Friday morning with league commissioner Roger Goodell in New York. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the list of Marshall's off-field troubles that grew in the past year. Goodell is expected to announce a decision next week on whether he will suspend Marshall, and if so, for how long. Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said recently he didn't think Marshall should be suspended, saying most of his troubles stem from a stormy relationship that has since been terminated. Marshall is not likely to be suspended that long, primarily because despite all his incidents, he never has been convicted of a crime since joining the NFL in 2006. He was arrested on charges of domestic violence and false imprisonment in March 2007, but those charges were dropped two months later. In October 2007, Marshall was arrested for driving under the influence, but he has pled not guilty to that charge and his trial is pending. Goodell, however, won't wait for due legal process before announcing his decision.
Analysis: Keep an eye on what develops with Marshall, who could face a two-game suspension or more. He's also trying to work his way back from an arm injury, although he is close to 100 percent and on track for training camp. Without the injuries and off-field incidents, Marshall is a terrific middle- to low-end No. 1 Fantasy WR. But because of his troubling offseason, it's best to consider him a No. 2 Fantasy WR. There's a very realistic chance that he'll miss some games for Denver. Marshall delivered a big season last year, catching 102 passes for 1,325 yards and seven touchdowns.
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 Tomlin expects Parker at full speed
Willie Parker, RB PIT
News: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said he expects RB Willie Parker, who broke his lower right leg in December, to be at full speed when camp starts. Tomlin denied the interest the Steelers showed in Kevin Jones, who had been a free agent before signing with the Bears, fueled speculation that the team had concerns about Parker making a full recovery. "Not at all," said Tomlin, adding that the Steelers routinely show interest in veteran free agents who might improve their roster.
Analysis: Parker comes into the season with a lot to prove. He was a disappointment last year for Fantasy owners since he failed to find the end zone on a regular basis. Then he broke his leg and missed the Fantasy playoffs, and now he has to deal with rookie RB Rashard Mendenhall. It's a good sign Parker is healthy, but Fantasy owners should consider him a low-end No. 2 RB this year. Hopefully the yardage will remain the same, and if he can find the end zone more often this year, his Fantasy value will rise.
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Winslow could play receiver
Kellen Winslow, TE CLE
News: The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that Browns GM Phil Savage said the team might not be in a rush to find a third receiver to replace the injured Joe Jurevicius, who is starting the season on the PUP list with a knee injury. "Obviously, we could play (TE) Steve Heiden and use Kellen (Winslow) as the third receiver," said Savage. "So it's important for us to find out what we have here in the next few weeks." Winslow showed up for camp Wednesday despite not having his deal reworked.
Analysis: This would be great news for Fantasy owners if Winslow lined up at receiver. It would mean less blocking and more time running routes. Keep an eye on what develops, but Winslow already remains a No. 1 TE prospect. This move would only increase his catches and chances for more plays.
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Bills hope Lynch catches on
Marshawn Lynch, RB BUF
News: The Democrat and Chronicle reports that Bills RB Marshawn Lynch showed as a rookie that he has the potential to be a dynamic runner. The paper says now Lynch has to prove he can get involved in the passing game and become the dual threat the Bills have lacked since Thurman Thomas.
Analysis: Lynch started 13 games last year and ran for 1,115 yards and seven touchdowns. He also added 18 catches for 184 yards and threw a touchdown pass. Lynch missed three games with an injured ankle but proved to be the second-best rookie RB behind Minnesota's Adrian Peterson. If he can increase his catches that would him a complete Fantasy option. As of now, consider Lynch with a first-round pick or a high second-round option in all Fantasy leagues.
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Tomlin defines Mendenhall's role
Rashard Mendenhall, RB PIT
News: Although he remains unsigned with the start of training camp looming, the Steelers have a plan for rookie RB Rashard Mendenhall, according to head coach Mike Tomlin. A question about Mendenhall's likely role with the team drew one of Tomlin's most detailed answers. "The initial plan is he's going to be a supplemental runner, returning kicks," Tomlin said. "The growth of his role will depend on his ability to execute the assignments."
Analysis: Speculation all offseason was that Mendenhall would be used in several situations for the Steelers, including but not limited to short-yardage/goal-line scenarios. The assumption is that if he plays well early on, his role will grow with the offense. We hope to get more information about how he'll work with Willie Parker in the Steelers' offense as training camp rolls on. We still see Parker as the starter there, albeit as a 12-to-15 touch runner. Mendenhall should also receive that kind of workload. Mendenhall makes for a decent middle-round pick (think Rounds 7 to 8) as a quality reserve Fantasy RB with some solid upside.
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Raiders tell Jordan to stay home
LaMont Jordan, RB OAK
News: The San Francisco Chronicle reports that the Raiders have asked RB LaMont Jordan to not come to training camp even though he has two years left on his current deal. The Raiders are trying to trade the bruising running back and don't want him to come to camp and get hurt, putting the club on the hook for his entire salary. Jordan's agent has told the Raiders that even though they've asked his client to stay away, he will report to training camp on Friday. Raiders camp opens on Thursday.
Analysis: It appears that the Raiders have 24 hours to find a suitor for Jordan or else they will be forced to release him or let him in to training camp. Normally this would be an intriguing situation, but with Jordan not attracting many suitors, he's probably not going to fit in well with another club. We hoped the Lions would be the team calling for Jordan (he had a visit with them), but they have ruled out bringing him on the roster. Jordan is nothing more than a low-risk, medium-reward late-round flier in deeper drafts this summer.
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Broncos WR Smith retires
Rod Smith, WR DEN
News: Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said on Thursday that longtime receiver Rod Smith is retiring. He spoke before a news conference at Dove Valley. Smith, 38, has been on the reserve/retired list since February and has had two hip operations in the past year and a half. He's the franchise's career leader in every major receiving category.
Analysis: Smith holds franchise records for career receptions (849), receiving yards (11,389), touchdown catches (68), touchdowns (71) and 100-yard games (31). Undrafted after a standout career at Missouri Southern, Smith made the team in 1995 after a season on the practice squad, embarking on a journey that included three trips to the Pro Bowl and two Super Bowl rings. Obviously, Smith shouldn't be on any Fantasy rosters right now.
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49ers ink rookie DE Balmer
Kentwan Balmer, DE SF
News: The San Francisco 49ers have signed defensive lineman Kentwan Balmer, getting their first-round draft pick into training camp a few hours before the team's first meeting. Balmer, a late-blooming star at North Carolina, was the 29th overall pick in April. He is the last of the 49ers' six draft picks to sign, agreeing to a five-year contract Thursday. Balmer will be among the prospective replacements for Bryant Young, who retired last winter after 14 seasons with San Francisco.
Analysis: Balmer should help against the run, but he won't have many stats personally because his main job will be to clog up offensive lines. Keep him off of Fantasy rosters, only spending a late-round pick on him in rookie-only drafts.
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Bears tweak offensive roster
Ryan Grice-Mullen, WR HOU
News: The Bears signed WR Ryan Grice-Mullen and waived FB J.D. Runnels.
Analysis: Neither player should be expected to post significant Fantasy stats. Ignore them both.
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Steelers drop WR Trannon
Matt Trannon, WR PIT
News: The Steelers have waived WR Matt Trannon.
Analysis: Trannon was not expected to make the final roster in the first place. Ignore him.
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