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| The Saints' interest in former NFL MVP running back Shaun Alexander appears to be more of a fact-finding visit to the Saints facility than anything else, according to the Sun Herald.
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Our View: The team supposedly is feeling out the possibility and seeking the different options of the staff and front office, but nothing definitive or immediate is expected to happen concerning the ex-Seahawk running back.
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| According to the Contra Costa Times, Oakland is rumored to be interested in recently released wideout K Koren Robinson . The word is they have inquired about the free agent to help in the area of kickoff returns. |
Our View: The report also notes that it appears the rumor is just that, and the team has had no serious talks about bringing in the veteran special teamer.
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| According to the Contra Costa Times, after saying Friday that wide receiver Johnathan Holland had been held out of practice by the training staff, Kiffin said Sunday Holland actually was not eligible for the rookie minicamp because he spent last season on injured reserve, as opposed to the Physically Unable to Perform list. |
Our View: Holland worked out virtually every day alongside Michael Bush last year, but since Bush was on PUP, he was eligible and Holland was not.
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| When the Falcons top unit broke the huddle during a Sunday minicamp practice, the offensive line looked shockingly familiar, this according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Quinn Ojinnaka was at left tackle, Justin Blalock at left guard, Todd McClure at center, Kynan Forney at right guard and Tyson Clabo at right tackle. |
Our View: That group started the last two games last season. However, the Falcon' offensive line was a jumbled mess last season — mostly due to injury.
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| Defensive end Mario Williams dazzled the coaching staff during the the Texans' weekend mini-camp. Mario was impressive in this camp," head coach Gary Kubiak tells the team's official web site. "I tell you, he’s an impressive young man right now. And y’all can see it, watching him practice and how he’s going about it... That light went on for Mario somewhere last year about Week 7 or 8." |
Our View: Williams registered 11 sacks over the final nine games in 2007, and he is on his way to justifying his No. 1 overall pick status. Fantasy owners in IDP leagues should be very excited about this guy.
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| Updating an earlier report, the Ravens have been allowing Todd Heap to rest his hamstring during mini-camp, the Baltimore Sun reports. Heap's hamstring is one of the reasons he played in just six games in 2007. |
Our View: We figured it might be something like that. Heap is no stranger to injury, and the Ravens should keep him bubble-wrapped during the summer and possibly throughout training camp.
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| Todd Heap was not at morning practice on Sunday, but the reason is not known, the Baltimore Sun reports. |
Our View: We hope the oft-injured Heap doesn't have another ailment. We'll update his status when more is known.
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| Wide receiver Brian Finneran went through most of the drills in Saturday's mini-camp practices. He is wearing a big brace on his surgically repaired right knee. Finneran has missed the last two seasons after tearing his ACL twice. "There were days when you question yourself and wonder what the heck you're doing," he tells the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "I want to be out there and be productive for one more season — at least. It would mean everything, unbelievable to get back. I know it's a long shot." |
Our View: Finneran doesn't have any fantasy value, but he's a guy to cheer for. It would be a nice story if he was able to recover from two serious knee operations.
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| D.J. Shockley participated in most of Saturday's mini-camp drills, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. He tore the ACL in his left knee last August and missed the entire year. |
Our View: Shockley will be fighting for a roster spot this summer. If he can impress the club, Shockley may be able to kick out Joey Harrington and establish himself as a long-term backup to Matt Ryan. There's no fantasy value here, though.
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| Defensive tackle Adam Carriker was a partial participant in Saturday's mini-camp drills. He is recovering from a torn labrum in his shoulder. "It's amazing... Generally with an injury like that, it's four to six months before you can do anything. He'd probably be able to play a game if we had to," head coach Scott Linehan explains to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "I think a lot of it has to do with work ethic and want-to. That guy has been busting his butt since the end of the season, and it's really paid off." |
Our View: Carriker is a promising young defensive lineman, but it's tough for any tackle to get much love in IDP leagues.
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| Running back Michael Turner participated in most of Saturday's mini-camp drills, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. He is coming off shoulder surgery and did not participate in similar activities this April. |
Our View: We didn't think the shoulder issue was a big deal, and this news confirms it. Turner is locked in as the starter.
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| Steven Jackson would prefer to stay in St. Louis, although he expects the Rams to pay adequately for his services. "This is definitely where I want to be," Jackson tells the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Jackson is in the final year of his rookie contract, and he adds, "Well, we all know what happens in a contract year: you ball out. So, I expect to." |
Our View: It isn't going to be cheap, but the price tag will only rise if Jackson does indeed "ball out" this year. We assume that's a good thing, anyway.
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| Willis McGahee missed the morning workout on Saturday due to an undisclosed injury, the Baltimore Sun reports. |
Our View: We'll be on the lookout for more information. We imagine this would be bigger news if McGahee had a serious issue, though.
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| Torry Holt cleared the air about his contract and future on Saturday. "I have this year and next year, and hopefully I can finish those years out," Holt explains to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "Then, I'll see where I'm at. I'll see where I'm at physically. I'll see where I'm at emotionally, financially. And then, if they would like to do something here, I'll consider it. If not, then I'll have the option to go and explore and give my services somewhere else. So if that happens, Carolina will definitely be the first choice." Holt recently talked about his wishes to play alongside his brother Terrence, who plays for the Panthers. The stud receiver also says that his left knee feels much better this offseason. |
Our View: These comments don't do anything to change Holt's fantasy value for 2008 or beyond. The perennial Pro Bowler remains a strong fantasy pick, but his long-term, keeper value is fading a bit due to a balky left knee.
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| Guard Fred Weary remains out as he recovers from a fractured right tibia and fibula, the Houston Chronicle reports. "Training camp is what we're looking for," head coach Gary Kubiak says. "We feel good that he'll be 100 percent pretty quick." |
Our View: Injuries have been a consistent issue for Weary, but it shouldn't take him long to regain his starting spot when healthy. He has started 12 games in each of the last two years for the Texans.
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| Offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride is the latest person to weigh in on the Jeremy Shockey situation. The two talked recently. "It’s so nebulous right now, you just have no idea what’s going to happen," Gilbride tells the New York Daily News. "Right now he’s on our team. We’re planning on him being there. He’ll be one of the guys that we’ll look to feature and one of the guys that we’ll look to depend on." Gilbride refused to pass along what Shockey said about the situation. |
Our View: Gilbride didn't really offer up anything beyond what we already know about the trade talks and Shockey's potential feelings. For now, fantasy owners need to rank Shockey as if he'll be back in blue.
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| Bears owner Jerry Angelo confirms the club is not planning to release Cedric Benson despite his recent arrest. "The thing that I am most disappointed in is the fact that he put himself in a position to be the victim," Angelo tells the Chicago Sun-Times. "He's done a real fine job in the offseason. Obviously, this makes big story lines. That's not good for business." |
Our View: Benson is still the starter, technically. He should carry that tag into training camp, but his fantasy stock continues to slide. Rookie Matt Forte is looking more and more like the guy who could end up with the top gig.
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