NFL Player Notes

2009 Pre-season player news

Tom Brady - According to the team web site, the Patriots QB said he is ready for the season after missing last year with a knee injury. "I'm feeling great and just excited to be out there on the field, training with my teammates," Brady said. "It's always fun being back in this competitive environment and working with these guys to try to make 2009 our best season. It's been fun to be back. I think everyone is excited to get back on the field and see what we're capable of." Brady, who has been throwing since January, did not participate in any of the three days of the OTA workouts, which ended Wednesday. Patriots coach Bill Belichick told the Boston Globe last month and repeated at his pre-draft press conference that Brady was working "in the offseason program without any limitations." Brady is expected to be present and participate at the team's next OTA next week.

Adrian Peterson - The Star-Tribune reports the Vikings RB appears to be more focused coming into the season this year. "Through the past two or three years, I've had the experience of doing too much and not really being able to dedicate the time I would like to working out and preparing myself," Peterson said Wednesday. "I've really cut back a lot this year. I have more time to study film and really just focus on the most important things that make those things possible off the field. Get my body prepared."

Kurt Warner - According to the team web site, the Cardinals QB looked good at Wednesday's OTA workout. Warner talked with the team last week to confirm he was cleared for all work this week. "The concern isn't that I can't do it, it was just team activities where there was a chance someone could step on you, fall on you, that was their biggest concern," Warner said. "They just wanted it to be secure." Warner said he still has some discomfort. That will eventually go away. He also said he didn't have the "typical" hip surgery so the likelihood he will eventually have to have more work done on the hip is slim, assuming he doesn't hurt it again. Warner also said, while he has been told he should be able to move better, he doesn't know "what that means, especially for a guy my age. I am not expecting to be able to get much faster than I have been. It won't make a big difference, other than not playing with pain."

Jay Cutler - The Denver Post reports new Bears QB Jay Cutler said he sees plenty of similarities to the offense he ran in Denver, but Cutler said he expects the Bears to remain a run-first team. "We're going to run the ball. I think I've learned the hard way that you've got to run the ball and you've got to stop the run to get anywhere in this league, to make the playoffs and make a push for the Super Bowl, so that's not going to change," Cutler said.

The Broncos were a pass-happy team in the AFC West, but the Bears want to pound the ball with Matt Forte. Don't expect Cutler's stats to take a nosedive, but he's not going to be as productive as he was in Denver. However, he remains a low-end No. 1 Fantasy QB worth a mid-round pick in all leagues.

WIDE RECEIVERS

1.Randy Moss NE Not as good as last year but close
2.Reggie Wayne IND Will be sharing with Marvin again but this guy is tough
3.Marques Colston NO Should improve on last years numbers
4.Braylon Edwards CLE Anderson to Edwards all day
5.TJ Houshmandzadeh CINCI Can officially become the man this year
6.Andre Johnson HOU Consistent QB, and stay healthy, look out
7.Steve Smith CAR Three game suspension to start the season but is always dangerous
8.Larry Fitzgerald AZ Not sure who will be the QB but this guy can catch the ball
9.Terrell Owens DAL Can't stand this guy but he produces
10.Chad Johnson CINCI OCHO CINCO
11.Torry Holt STL Rams sucked. He didn't.
12.Plaxico Burress NYG Big time player and likes the end zone
13.Santonio Holmes PIT Should be a better all around receiver this year
14.Brandon Marshall DEN Break out season last year, needs to get his head straight
15.Roy Williams DET Let's see if he can build on last year
16.Wes Welker NE Great possession receiver on great offence
17.Marvin Harrison IND If he plays in all 16 games Harrison is a top receiver
18.Dwayne Bowe KC Top rookie last year and built to play the position
19.Greg Jennings I know one guy that wanted Brett back
20.Calvin Johnson Show us what you got Calvin
21.Lee Evans BUF I can't figure this guy out but I still like him
22.Kevin Curtis PHI McNabbs #1
23.Chris Chambers SD Could finally be in the right place /right team
24.Laveranues Coles NYJ Brett makes Coles a solid #2 on your roster
25.Hines Ward PIT Can you say consistent
26.Nate Burleson SEA Finished strong last year
27.Jerricho Cotchery NYJ If he gets in the end zone it could be a huge year for him
28.Bernard Berrian MIN #1 one in Minnesota,and can stretch the field
29.Roddy White ATL Not as good as last year but should post good numbers
30.Santana Moss WASH Very inconsistent but has potential
31.Anquan Boldin AZ Love this guy but he is having problems in AZ ?
32.Donold Driver GB Solid player
33.Donte' Stallworth CLE Could be a sleeper
34.Reggie Brown PHI Needs to live up to potential
35.Bobby Engram SEA Solid receiver, getting up in age
36.Patrick Clayton DAL Should Build on last year
37.Anthony Gonzalez IND
38.Jerry Porter JAC
39.Darrell Jackson DEN
40.Derrick Mason BAL
41.Ronald Curry OAK
42.Ted Ginn Jr. MI
43.Javon Walker OAK
44.Amani Toomer NYG
45.Devin Hester CHI
46.Muhsin Muhammad CAR
47.Shawn McDonald DET
48.Steve Smith NYG
49.Limas Sweed PIT
50.Devin Thomas WASH
51.Vincent Jackson SD
52.Bryant Johnson SF
53.Isaac Bruce SF
54.Joey Galloway TB
55.Drew Bennett Rams

Defence

1.San Diego Chargers
2.Chicago Bears
3.Minnesota Vikings
4.New England Patriots
5.Seattle Seahawks
6.Dallas Cowboys
7.New York Giants
8.Green bay Packers
9.Indianapolis Colts
10.Tennessee Titans
11.Tampa Bay Buccaneers
12.Philadelphia Eagles
13.Jacksonville Jaguars
14.Buffalo Bills
15.Cincinnati Bengals
16.Houston Texans
17.Pittsburgh Steelers
18.Detroit Lions
19.Baltimore Ravens
20.New Orleans Saints
21.Denver Broncos
22.Cleveland Browns
23.St Louis Rams
24.San Francisco 49ers
25.Washington Redskins
26.Carolina Panthers
27.Arizona Cardinals
28.Kansas City Chiefs
29.Oakland Raiders
30.New York Jets
31.Miami Dolphins
32.Atlanta Falcons

Kickers

1.Nick Folk Dal
2.Stephen Gostkowski NE
3.Rob Bironas TEN
4.Kris Brown HOU
5.Josh Brown RAMS
6.Adam Vinatieri IND
7.Mike Nugent JETS
8.Jason Hanson DET
9.Nate Kaeding SD
10.Shayne Graham CINCI
11.Jeff Reed PIT
12.Phil Dawson CLE
13.Mason Crosby GB
14.Lawrence Tynes NYG
15.David Akers PHI
16.Neil Rackers AZ
17.Ryan Longwell MIN
18.John Kasay CAR
19.Olindo Mare SEA
20.Josh Scobee JAC
21.Martin Gramatica NO
22.Robbie Gould CHI
23.Matt Bryant TB
24.Shaun Suisham WASH
25.Ryan Lindell BUF
26.Jason Elam ATL
27.Joe Nedney SF
28.Matt Stover BALT
29.Sebastian Janikowski OAK
30.Jay Feely MI
31.Billy Cundiff KC
32.Matt Prater DEN

Top Running Backs

1.LaDainian Tomlinson SD Nobody better!
2.Brian Westbrook PHI The guy can run and catch and run some more.
3.Joseph Addai IND Great offence.
4.Adrian Peterson MIN Plays the Lions twice.
5.Steven Jackson STL Could have bust out year.
6.Marshawn Lynch Buff Looking for a strong year from this guy.
7.Marion Barber DAL Likes to find the end zone.
8.Frank Gore SF Should run and catch in new offence under Martz.
9.Clinton Portis WA Strong #1 RB this year
10.Ryan Grant GB Fresh, strong runner
11.Willis McGahee BALT Run heavy offence
12.Reggie Bush NO This has to be the year
13.Laurence Maroney NE Not sold on this guy but does play for Patriots
14.Willie Parker PIT Gets yardage, needs TD'S
15.Ronnie Brown MI Started great last year, needs to stay healthy
16.Larry Johnson KC Could be a steel this year if not picked to high
17.Jamal Lewis CLE Still got it?
18.Brandon Jacobs NYG Should still be #1
19.Thomas Jones JETS ENJOY!
20.Edgerrin James AZ Always goes to high but can still produce
21.Michael Turner ATL Bad offence, good runner
22.Maurice Jones Drew JAC Bowling ball with legs
23.Earnest Graham TB Lot of options on this team
24.LenDale White TEN Which LenDale will show up
25.Fred Taylor JAC Team player will get his touches
26.Darren McFadden OAK Show time!
27.DeAngelo Williams CAR Should be his year
28.Kevin Smith DET Let's see what he's got
29.Matt Forte Chi Should be the starter
30.Julius Jones SEA Who knows?
31.Rudi Johnson CIN He's still there
32.Deuce McAllister NO The Deuce is loose
33.Chester Taylor MIN
34.Selvin Young DEN
35.Justin Fargus Oak
36.Tatum Bell DET
37.Jonathan Stewart CAR Rookie
38.Ahmad Bradshaw NYG
39.Rashard Mendanhall PIT Rookie
40.Felix Jones DAL R
41.Darius Walker HOU
42.Ahman Green HOU
43.Deshawn Foster SF
44.Kolby Smith KC
45.Ray Rice BALT R
46.Shawn Alexander
47.LaMont Jordan

Quarterbacks Rankings

1. Peyton Manning Ind Still number 1 in my eye's
2. Tom Brady NE Brady to Moss
3. Tony Romo Dal Should be in for another good year
4. Carson Palmer Cin He should bounce back
5. Drew Brees NO Shockey will help
6. Derek Anderson Cle Is he the real deal
7. Marc Bulger Stl The offense of line upgrade will help
8. Ben Roethlisberger Pitt Last year he made me believe
9. Donavan McNabb Phi If healthy Andy Reids offense is all passing
10. Jay Cutler Den He should be solid
11. Eli Mannig NYG Will the super bowl champ have it in him again
12. Matt Hasselbeck Sea Might be a steal
13. Jon Kitna Det I live in Detroit
14. Jake Delhomme Car Should do wonders for Steve Smith
15. Phillip Rivers SD LT helps
16. Matt Schaub Hou Andre Johnson is a beast
17. David Garrard Jac His running helps
18. Vince Young Ten Is this his year
19. Matt Leinart Ari Has all the weapons. Might be better than rank
20. Jason Campbell Was
21. Aaron Rodgers GB It is finally his time
22. Jeff Garcia TB Without Galloway I wouldnt rank him
23. Trent Edwards Buf Could be a steal here
24. JaMarcus Russell Oak ?
25. Tarvaris Jackson Minn Has some weapons now Upgrade
26. Brett Favre If he plays enjoy
27. Brodie Croyle KC might be better than last year
28. Alex Smith SF Good luck
29. Rex Grossman Chi Will he start
30. Kyle Orton Chi Will he start
31 Kellen Clemens NYJ
32. Troy Smith Bal
33. Josh McCown Mia
34. Matt Ryan Atl
35. Kurt Warner Ari If he starts could be a steal
36. Chad Pennington NYJ
37. Shaun Hill SF
38. Chris Redman Atl

Tight Ends Rankings

1. Jason Whitten Dal With Romo throwing to him he is number 1
2. Antionio Gates SD Could be number 1, but QB is a worry
3. Kellen Winslow Cle Next year might be number1
4. Jeremy Shockey NO Couldn't have walked into a better place
5. Dallas Clark Ind Peyton Manning=fantasy points
6. Vernon Davis SF I think this is his year finally
7. Chris Cooley Was This guy comes to play
8. Todd Heap Bal If he stays healthy stand by
9. Tony Gonzalez KC I cant believe I am ranking him so low
10. Alge Crumpler Ten Always a threat
11. Heath Miller Pit I think Pitt runs in the Red Zone more this year
12. Greg Olsen Chi I wish he was the only TE on their roster
13. Owen Daniels Hou Hit or miss every week
14. L.J Smith Phi Could be a steal
15. Donald Lee GB Will no Favre hurt him
16. Tony Scheffler Den Like his up side
17. Randy McMichael Stl Wish Bulger would use his TE more
18. Ben Watson NE If more consistent would be higher
19. Leonard Pope Ari Might be worth more by end of season
20. Kevin Boss NYG Unknown, but could be much better than ranking
21. Zack Miller Oak
22. Jeff King Car Good luck
23. Marcedes Lewis Jac
24. Alex Smith TB Talented, but some games you wondered if he played
25. Ben Utecht Cin It is getting grim here
26. Desmond Clark Chi
27. Robert Royal Buff He might be headed for a nice year
28. Dustin Keller NYJ I hope you don't get stuck running him
29. John Carlson Sea
30.Anthony Fasano Mia

Limas Sweed

Limas Sweed
Pittsburgh Steelers

THE REST OF THE ROOKIES

Not really a lot to talk about with the rest of this draft class. Starting with the quarterbacks, we have Matt Ryan in Atlanta, who could start from day one- whether he is ready or not. Matt will be competing with Joey Harrington and Chris Redman, and there's not many targets over there to throw at.

Joe Flacco could prove to be a strong quarterback in the NFL, but the level of competition in college is a question mark until he makes his debut in the league. I think Brian Brohm is the best QB of the bunch and should give Aaron Rodgers a run for his money in Green Bay even though Aaron is the favorite going into the fall. If USC'S product John David Booty, gets a chance in Minnesota, I wouldn't be surprised if he holds his own because of a strong line and a good running game. Keep an eye on Chad Henne in Miami and Dennis Dixon in Pitt. Dixon may find himself playing somewhere other than QB or at spot duty in goal line situations.

The wide receiver class is a strange one. there was a bunch of them drafted but no real standouts. Limas Sweed of Pitt has the most potential with his 6'4" frame and a great team to play for. Limas was injured to start his season last year at Texas but finished strong and has big play ability. Watch the situation in Arizona, if Boldin gets traded Early Doucet from LSU has alot of talent and could play a big role in their offense. Devin Thomas from Michigan State was highly thought of going into the draft but slipped a little on draft day but the guy is strong and fast and should get an opportunity in Washington.

Dashawn Jackson(PHI), Donnie Avery(RAMS), Kenneth Mooore(DET), Andre Caldwell(CINCI), are all guys that could see time as a returner along with Doucet and Avery. Sleepers too watch are James Hardy(BUFF),Jerome Simpson(CINCI), Jordy Nelson(GB), Earl Bennet(CHI), and Lavelle Hawkins(TEN).

Tight Ends rarely come in and produce, and this class only has a few guys to keep an eye on. Fred Davis has great hands and is the top rated TE in the class but will have too share with Pro-Bowler Chris Cooley in Washington. John Calson, in Seattle will get playing time. He is Strong, knows how to get open, and has great hands. Dustin Keller(JETS), has great hands and caught a lot of balls in college. Kellen Davis(CHI), and Brad Cottom(KC) will see playing time and Jacob Tammer in Indianapolis could find some balls coming his way playing with Peyton Manning.

RB ROOKIES

This is a somewhat dull rookie class with a lot of possibilities, mainly with the running backs as usual. Matt Forte becomes very interesting with the release of Cedric Benson. Forte is a strong runner who showed his power running behind a week offensive line in college. He should get a lot of action early in the Bears offensive scheme. Derren Mcfadden is the most known and most explosive of the running back. The entire offense is a question mark in Oakland, lead by a second year QB JaMarcus Russell. Oakland's offense will struggle but look for some big games throughout the year when they click. (Look for Lamont Jordan to be released soon).

A hand full of others will see prominent playing time but consistency will be a problem. Felix Jones will share time with Barber and will be a good change of pace back with his speed. Rashard Mendenhall was a bonus pick for Pittsburgh and I really like this guy, he could be in Pitt for along time. Kevin Smith, over 2,000 yards at South Fl. will get carries in Detroit but his speed is questionable and so are the Lions.

Jonathan Stewart needs to stay healthy in Carolina and compete for playing time with DeAngelo Williams. Playing in Denver, you know Ryan Torain will get an opportunity, Ray Rice is a guy that will work his tail off for Baltimore and will have to get opportunities. Chris Johnson is an all purpose back for Tennessee, he'll be a nice drop off back for Vince Young, with his good hands and great speed(4.28/40). Jamaal Charles (KC), Steve Slaton (HO), and Jacob Hester (SD), could all win prime back-up roles with their respective teams.