Rookie Justin Hunter misses minicamp practice
by Dave Richard | Senior Fantasy Writer
(6/18/2013) Titans rookie receiver
Justin Hunter remained sidelined with what is believed to be a hamstring strain, according to
The Tennessean. Hunter has yet to practice with the Titans since getting drafted in April.
Falcons linebackers back to work
by Dave Richard | Senior Fantasy Writer
(6/18/2013) Falcons linebackers
Sean Weatherspoon and
Stephen Nicholas are working at the team's minicamp this week,
according to the official team website. Weatherspoon is coming back from arthroscopic knee surgery while Nicholas is returning from a sports hernia. Both are expected to start on the outside this season.
Kevin Walter out until training camp
by Dave Richard | Senior Fantasy Writer
(6/18/2013) Titans receiver
Kevin Walter (back) is
out until the start of training camp, according to
The Tennessean. Walter is in his first year with the Titans after spending seven seasons with division-rival Houston.
Report: Rob Gronkowski will open camp on PUP
by Dave Richard | Senior Fantasy Writer
(6/18/2013) Patriots tight end
Rob Gronkowski underwent surgery on his back Tuesday, a procedure that the team expected him to have but not this late in the offseason.
ESPN reported Gronkowski's surgery was delayed because of the issues he had with his forearm earlier in the year. As a result it "does seem certain," according to NFL Insider Adam Schefter that Gronkowski will begin training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.
Gronkowski could potentially stay on the PUP list through the first six weeks of the season.
Jamoris Slaughter cleared for camp
by Dave Richard | Senior Fantasy Writer
(6/18/2013) Browns rookie safety
Jamoris Slaughter has been
cleared for training camp, according to the
Cleveland Plain Dealer. Slaughter ruptured his Achilles tendon playing for Notre Dame last season.
"I've been doing all of the workouts, my leg feels great," he said. "I'm looking forward to training camp."
Falcons make a swap at tight end
by Dave Richard | Senior Fantasy Writer
(6/18/2013) The Falcons signed ex-Jaguars tight end
Colin Cloherty, waiving tight end
Anthony Miller in the process. Cloherty has played sparingly over four NFL seasons while Miller has bounced around since being signed out of college by the Broncos last year.
Giants RB coach preaches competition, tandem
by Dave Richard | Senior Fantasy Writer
(6/18/2013) Giants running back coach Jerald Ingram confirmed what most Fantasy owners already assumed: Second-year speedster
David Wilson and big back
Andre Brown will compete for playing time but both will wind up getting work. The key on how those reps will be split might come down to just how improved Wilson's pass protection skills are.
Ingram on Wilson: "He's in a position to compete to be the guy. He has the talent, has the speed, has a few plays from a year ago underneath his belt. Everything we gauge is kind of like in college with spring ball, but once we put the pads on, we'll see who is physical, who's determined to make plays out there."
Ingram on Brown: "He's been waiting a lifetime around here (to play). We brought him in here because he can catch the ball, he can run, he can do a lot of things and be a complete running back here. And he's definitely a true every down kind of guy because he's got size, speed and quickness."
Ingram wrapped up his comments to ESPN by hinting that the Giants will utilize both backs in a "thunder and lightning-type situation."
Does risk/reward factor make Darren McFadden draft-worthy?
by Dave Richard | Senior Fantasy Writer
(6/18/2013) Every year we find reasons to like
Darren McFadden and every year he finds a way to disappoint us. In 2011 he totaled five touchdowns and over 750 yards in seven games before messing up his foot. In 2012 he managed to stay healthy for 12 games (tied for the second-most in his career) but sported the worst rushing average of his career and scored a total of three times.
This year McFadden enters training camp for the Raiders healthy and with dollar signs in his eyes. If he has a sensational year he will land a nice chunk of change from a team probably not called the Raiders because of their salary cap issues. If he doesn't, he could still earn a decent contract but probably will be used in a part-time role elsewhere in the league. McFadden has to know this and should put up a good effort. Helping his case is an Oakland coaching staff that redesigned the offense to his strengths including scrapping the zone-blocking scheme that seemingly baffled McFadden last year.
McFadden's always a risky proposition -- just ask the Fantasy owners who took him the past two seasons -- but a late Round 3/early Round 4 selection might be the right price for a player aiming for a monster showcase season.
Is Jermichael Finley worth a late-round pick?
by Dave Richard | Senior Fantasy Writer
(6/18/2013) Last year
Jermichael Finley made more headlines for his drops than his outstanding play. He finished with two touchdowns and under 700 yards for the Packers. But in 2011 he was in a contract year and posted career-highs in yardage (767) and touchdowns (eight), even though he had only six games with eight-plus Fantasy points and four came in his final five that season.
Finley is once again entering a contract year with much to prove. Reports this offseason say he's looked "excellent" after putting on some weight and could be in line for plenty of playing time with a bump in targets with Greg Jennings, Donald Driver and Tom Crabtree no longer part of the Green Bay passing game. While it's tough to expect him to finally break out after several seasons of him being called a "breakout candidate," Finley isn't a bad late-round choice as part of a tight end tandem for Fantasy owners. It's a darn good bargain considering where people drafted him in previous years.
Kenny Britt heading for make-or-break year?
by Dave Richard | Senior Fantasy Writer
(6/18/2013) Kenny Britt is entering the most important training camp of his career free of legal woes and injuries. His timing's perfect -- he's entering a contract year.
As I noted in my list of Fantasy players motivated for a big payday, Britt has the most to gain and lose among those with expiring contracts. He's never had more than 45 catches or 775 yards in a single year but he also has made some incredible plays when he has played without limitations.
Britt had eight or more Fantasy points in four of his last six games last season and began 2011 with a pair of double-digit Fantasy point efforts before tearing his ACL. The thinking here is that Britt could focus on his game for one year to net a large payout (or at least a franchise tag) from the Titans. Who knows how reliable he'll be after that but for 2013, Fantasy owners shouldn't shy away from him in drafts. He's worth the mid-round gamble.
