Fantasy News of the Week- 7/28 Jul 28, 2008 | More

Training camp has begun.  Fortunately for you this means that this weekly news column will continue to expand as we get closer to kickoff 2008.  Unfortunately for me this means that I have to work that much harder, but don't worry as researching training camp is not nearly as bad as actually participating in it as so many have expressed in this NFL Network video.  Well, then again having to skip past every Brett Favre article that meets the eye isn't exactly an easy task.  Nevertheless, enjoy this week's news!

New Orleans third year back is more confident than ever before?
“I plan to be in the Pro Bowl, and I plan too, definitely, for us to make an appearance in the playoffs, if not the Super Bowl.   I just plan to have a really good all-around year, as a running back, and to be up there with the top three or four running backs this year.”   These were the words that exited Reggie Bush’s mouth at camp on Thursday.   According to the New Orleans Times-Picayune he has shown an enormous amount of confidence--- can you tell?--- throughout the offseason and it’s not just the words that are being said by the third year back himself, it’s also coming from what his teammates are observing as well.   “I think there's kind of a calm confidence about him that maybe is different from years past,” Saints quarterback Drew Brees said. “In the past, he's kind of been that young, flashy rookie back or second-year back. But now, in that third year, I think he's placed a lot of expectations on himself. I think he's eliminated a lot of distractions, and now it's time to get down to business for him.”   Brees then commented on the pressures and expectations that have been super-glued to the former USC star since he made his debut in 2006.   “The expectation levels have never been as high for a guy as they were for him over the last two years, coming out of college. You get into this league, and it's different. It's tougher. You have to probably do things that you've never done before and adjust and learn in ways that you haven't. So for him, and what I expect out of him, I expect him to just be a productive player."   I’ll echo Brees in that as a fantasy owner I expect him just to be productive.   Yes, he was a second overall pick, but he’s not as super human as fans and owners once thought.   In PPR formats he’s an excellent number two option whom you could make a case for as a number one option when fully healthy.   He has a lot to prove yet on the field, but by the end of the 2008 season, if his knee holds up, he may prove to be one of the bigger steals of all fantasy drafts.  

Number of the Week: 3.7.  It's Reggie Bush's career yards per carry average through two seasons.  Yikes! 

Harrison and Sorgi headline Colts camp.  
The big story in Indianapolis when training camp started was the return of Marvin Harrison and the kind of player he was going to be heading in to the 2008 season.   While questions still remain regarding the Philadelphia shooting and his knee issues, according to the Indy Star Marv’ seemed to look like, well--- Marv. “For me, I try to read his face,” head coach Tony Dungy said. “When he's smiling and doesn't have that worried look, then I think things are pretty much normal.   And that's how it was today. He had done a lot of work one-on-one, but hadn't done a lot of 'team' work and he got in there and made his cuts and caught the ball and just looked like he felt comfortable. So that was good to see.”   Center Jeff Saturday seemed elated when talking about number 88, “You see him out there running routes, catching balls . . . it gives you a definite level of security when you know you've got somebody as good as Marv out there catching balls.”  Everything seems to be alright for now, but keep a close eye on Mr. Harrison as training camp progresses as I’m sure the media will continue to try to get a few words from the star receiver himself.   As for the other half of the Colts passing game--- Jim Sorgi, who has been given the keys to the offense due to the injury recovery of one Peyton Manning, "It was easier than I thought it was going to be," the veteran backup quarterback said.   "We had a couple of miscommunication errors, a couple of dropped balls, but I think it's just getting used to each other. It felt good."   The Colts also did sign Quinn Gray and Jared Lorenzen for added depth behind Sorgi.   This is something to keep in mind and watch, especially for all those fantasy owners who own Peyton Manning and are worried about his latest setback.  

Sheppard yet to sign, Samuel injured.
In Philadelphia, Eagles cornerback Lito Sheppard showed up for camp with a smile, even though his contract dispute and trade rumors aren’t quite resolved yet.   “My job is to come here and perform and play, and I let my agent and the Eagles take care of everything else,” Sheppard said. “Hopefully, we'll come up with something pretty soon.”   Though playing it cool for now, Sheppard seemed a bit sour when talking about his contract.   “I feel like I should be getting treated a certain way and it's not happening,” he said. “Everybody knows what [the problem] is and how it stands, so that's it. I don't have to go into details.”   Sheppard seems to be determined to prove that’s he worth what he’s asking for, “I want to go out and show everybody that I'm healthy and I am who I say I am,” he said.   Cue Eminem.   “I want to show I can still play the game at a high level, so I'm going to let that speak for itself.”   The timing couldn’t be any better for Sheppard than now as the Eagles newest cornerback, Asante Samuel, suffered the first injury of camp aggravating a hamstring injury he suffered during mini-camps earlier in the summer.   The Eagles have a large dilemma on hand and may have to pony up and pay Lito, especially if Samuel continues to be hamstrung.

Did you know?
Asante Samuel has averaged one interception for every 2.4 games he's started while Lito Sheppard has averaged one for every 3.4 games he's started.  Sheppard has started just five more games than Samuel in his six year NFL career.  Did you also know that they both have the exact same amount of total tackles, 232? 

Quarterback battle wide open in Atlanta .
All of those who thought Matt Ryan’s big contract automatically gave him the starting job, think again!   According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Falcons coach Mike Smith has made it clear that all four quarterback—Joey Harrington, DJ Shockley, Chris Redman, and Ryan himself will compete for the starting job.   “It's going to be an open competition,” Smith said. “We'll have a rotation so that all of our quarterbacks have an opportunity to work early,” Smith said. “That's something that we want to do, to give every guy an opportunity to compete for the starting job.”   And what did the first round pick have to say?   “I think there's no right or wrong way to do it. If it were an exact science, then everybody would follow the same protocol. As a competitor and a player, I think that you want to be out on the field and you want to have the ball in your hands.”   On paper it looks like a race that Ryan should have no problem winning, at least over Harrington that is.   Redman will be Ryan’s stiffest competition, but should pose no threat in the grand scheme of things.   Regardless of what the Falcons coaches say there is no way the organization invested $72 million in to the new face and quarterback of the franchise for him to sit the bench for long.   However, at this point Ryan should only be drafted in dynasty formats until he locks up the starting job and shows he can produce at the NFL level.  

2007 Falcons Quarterback Stats

Camp Quotes
San Diego Union Tribune
Chargers center Nick Hardwick talks about how the team has grown: “We definitely have matured as a group,” Hardwick said. “We're getting into our fifth and sixth years. We've got a lot of good experience. When we were younger we had that stupid confidence, where you don't know what you don't know. Now it's a mature confidence, where we know what we have to do.”

Detroit Free Press
“I just think he is kind of what we thought," Lions coach Rod Marinelli said talking about CB Leigh Bodden. "He was a heck of a player coming out of Cleveland now, and I just think everybody's starting to understand who he is.”

St Paul Pioneer Press
Adrian Peterson answers on how many yards he thinks he’ll rush for in ‘08: “I don't know. Whatever it takes to help my team win the division title and get to that Super Bowl. Any way I can achieve it. It doesn't matter if I have 200 yards for the whole season. If we reach that Promised Land, I'll be satisfied.”

St Louis Post Dispatch
Head coach Scott Linehan talks about the rookie wide receiver who participated in training camp, Keenan Burton. “When you put pads on, guys start to stand out," Linehan said. "If I was going to go on the first day, I would say ( Burton has) a pretty good handle on things. I'm very excited about that.”

Jacksonville Times-Union
Jaguars receiver Matt Jones talks to reporters at camp: “I'm embarrassed for Mr. and Mrs. [Delores] Weaver, coach [Jack] Del Rio, my teammates and even the fans of Jacksonville,” Jones said. “I've talked to [team owner] Wayne [Weaver], and the one thing is that I put myself in a situation that wasn't good.”

Shark Attack: News Rundown
In Tampa Bay, according to the St Petersburg Times, Jon Gruden hasn’t guaranteed Earnest Graham will be the full-time starter, and has recently hinted at Warrick Dunn being a big contributor this upcoming season…….   Devin Hester reported to Bears camp this week amidst all the speculation he would be a holdout…… Rookies Chris Johnson and Jonathan Stewart recently agreed to terms with their two teams—the Titans and Panthers…… Other rookies that agreed to terms include Jets defensive end Vernon Golston, Texans rookie offensive tackle Duane Brown, and the Cowboys duo of cornerback Mike Jenkins and running back Felix Jones…..  The Cowboys plan to waive wide receiver Terry Glenn….. The Bengals did waive running back Kenny Irons……. Defensive tackle Shaun Rogers is creating quite a buzz in Browns camp as he continues to show leadership, something that the Browns so desperately need on defense…..   Redskins rookie WR Devin Thomas is scheduled to miss about two weeks after suffering a hamstring pull in camp, while fellow rookie teammate, wide receiver Malcolm Kelly, suffered a similar, less severe form of the injury as well. .....The Raiders released running back LaMont Jordan….. And finally--- drum roll please--- the latest rumor has Brett Favre destined to be a J-E-T, Jet Jet Jet!   There has also been some speculation he could eventually up in Minnesota if the Jets decide to ship him away as soon as they receive him.   I’d be willing to bet that commissioner Goodell has both parties involved on speed dial.   Can imagine the viewer ratings if Favre had to face Tom Brady at least two weeks in 2008?   And you thought you were off the number four hook this week?   Please!

If you have any comments, questions, criticism, or have any new ideas you would like to share please send it my way at e.huber12@yahoo.com.  Thanks for reading!

In the meantime don't forget to stop by the Shark Tank for any other feedback you seek.