Thursday, July 24, 2014

FFToolbox - Jets RB Chris Johnson cleared for training camp, flew threw conditioning run plus 39 more

FFToolbox - Jets RB Chris Johnson cleared for training camp, flew threw conditioning run plus 39 more

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Jets RB Chris Johnson cleared for training camp, flew threw conditioning run

Posted: 23 Jul 2014 10:31 PM PDT

Jets running back Chris Johnson has received medical clearance following offseason knee surgery, and according to head coach Rex Ryan, he looked every part of 100 percent on Wednesday. Ryan said Johnson was quot;flying" through his mandatory conditioning run earlier in the day. The Jets will hold their first full-team practice Thursday. Johnson had his knee scoped in January to fix a torn meniscus he tore in Week 3 of last season. However, he still played every game and gained more than 1,400 yards from scrimmage. Johnson was sidelined for all of OTAs and minicamp. With the Jets, he'll enter into a timeshare with Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell, a condition that Johnson doesn't think will be necessary. FANTASY ANALYSIS: A healthy CJ?K will run for more than 3.9 yards per carry as he did in 2013, but the workload definitely won't be the same. Ivory is slated to be the early down pounder and goal-line back, perhaps splitting carries equally with Johnson. Powell will be sprinkled in as the third tailback. I think there's a chance we could see Johnson set a career-high in receptions -- he caught 57 balls in 2011 -- but his carry count is probably going to drop below 200. A rich man's Pierre Thomas? That may be Johnson this season. Not exactly the Chris Johnson we knew from 2009.

Browns RB Ben Tate 'penciled in' as starter

Posted: 23 Jul 2014 09:33 PM PDT

Browns beat writer Nate Ulrich says he has Tate 'penciled in' as the starting RB in Cleveland, despite competition for the spot. Rookie Browns RB Terrance West is also vying for the top roster position. For his part, Tate doesn't believe there's much competition to be had. quot;There's no one that can touch me or that's close to what I do," Tate said, when asked about the possiblity of losing carries to other Browns backs. FANTASY ANALYSIS: That's an awful lot of bravado from Tate, who's new to the Browns this year. While Ulrich is probably right that Tate's going to end up as the starter in Cleveland, the carry split will likely be a lot closer than Tate believes. While he had some fairly productive years as Arian Foster's backup in Houston, Tate still has a lot to do to prove he can lead a rushing attack in the NFL. Draft him as a low-end RB2, but don't expect the moon.

Vikings WR Cordarrelle Patterson to return kicks

Posted: 23 Jul 2014 09:28 PM PDT

Casual NFL fans really began to know the name Cordarrelle Patterson last year by watching him return kicks. He finished second in the league in kick return yards (1,393) and brought two kicks back for scores. This year, the Vikings are pushing him to be their No. 1 wide receiver. But just because Patterson will have a much larger role in the offense doesn't mean the Vikings will abandon what has worked so well for them and Patterson. quot;We want our best players to get their hands on the ball as much as possible," head coach Mike Zimmer said Wednesday. "We're not going to keep [Patterson] from returning kicks because he is such a dangerous weapon there." FANTASY ANALYSIS: It's risky, but a risk that the Vikings are willing to take. This development shouldn't change your views on Patterson if you are already expecting a major breakout season. He still has WR1 upside even though this does heighten his injury potential a little bit. But hey, the bright side is Patterson might tack on a couple of special-teams touchdowns to his receiving stats for good measure.

Browns QB Brian Hoyer to enter camp as starter

Posted: 23 Jul 2014 06:46 PM PDT

ESPN's Pat McManamon reports that the Browns will enter training camp with Hoyer slotted in as the team's starter. Browns head coach Mike Pettine has high praise for Hoyer's dedication to his job, pointing out that he only took five days off over the entire offseason. Pettine left the door open for Browns QB Johnny Manziel to overtake Hoyer for the starting job, but said of Hoyer, quot;We're confident we have a quarterback here in Brian who can win games for us." FANTASY ANALYSIS: This seems like an effort on Pettine's part to tamp down the Browns quarterback controversy frenzy before it starts, by naming Hoyer the starter. Previously Pettine had said he wouldn't name a starter until the third pre-season game, but appears to have changed his mind. Given Hoyer's body of work so far in the league, it's not hard to imagine a scenario in which Manziel replaces him at some point in the year. Hoyer's not particularly interesting from a fantasy standpoint, except in very, very deep leagues. If Manziel gets a chance to play, though, he'll be a quarterback to watch. If he's able to achieve anywhere near the same level of playmaking in the NFL as he did in college, he'll be a solid fantasy option. But first, he has to earn the right to get under center.

Capitalizing on ADP value from last year's injuries - Part 2

Posted: 23 Jul 2014 05:18 PM PDT

With a little fortitude, you can find some great values in the draft if you target players who can overcome their injuries from a year ago. Profiled players include Doug Martin, C.J. Spiller, Percy Harvin, and Roddy White.

Detroit Lions place WR Golden Tate on PUP list

Posted: 23 Jul 2014 04:47 PM PDT

NFL.com's Ian Rapoport is saying newly acquired Detroit Lions WR Golden Tate will begin training camp on the active/PUP list. This is due to a shoulder injury suffered in OTAs which caused him to miss the rest of offseason minicamps. While Tate is considered day-to-day, it doesn't present much concern as he's expected to be healthy by the start of the season. He will be the Lions WR2 opposite Calvin Johnson. FANTASY ANALYSIS: If healthy, Tate will have a great opportunity to put up decent fantasy points in the Lions pass-heavy offense, especially with Johnson likely seeing double coverage most plays. Tate was brought in from the Seahawks to provide extra fire-power to a team that already has one of the most dynamic offenses in the league. He has an eighth round price tag for our 2014 ADP and can be a sneaky WR3.

UPDATE: Browns RB Terrance West put on non-football injury list, will practice Friday

Posted: 23 Jul 2014 04:11 PM PDT

Update: Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer says via a source that West will be practice Friday despite today's placement on the NFI. The Browns' first full-squad practice is Saturday. This looks to be much ado about nothing. ---------------------------------------------------------- Browns rookies are scheduled to arrive at training camp today, but third-round running back Terrance West won't see the field for an undetermined amount of time. Cleveland has placed West on the non-football injury list. The reason why is currently unknown. He will be given an opportunity to start in what head coach Mike Pettine thinks might be the best competition of camp. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Tate will open camp as the No. 1 RB, but his lead will be slim as long as West doesn't miss an extended period of time. The winner will still have to share carries with the other, but West is the better value pick right now as he is being drafted more than two rounds after Tate on average. He reminds some of Alfred Morris, the Redskins' running back who had so much success as a rookie under offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan. Of course, Shanahan is now the OC in Cleveland.

Giants WR Odell Beckham's hamstring injury is 'concerning'

Posted: 23 Jul 2014 03:35 PM PDT

Giants GM Jerry Reese is worried about his rookie WR's continuing hamstring problems. quot;He missed part of spring ball with a hamstring and then he tweaked it yesterday. Obviously there is a concern," Reese said, referencing Beckham's absence at OTA's due to the injury. The Giants first-round pick participated in stretching and warmups on Wednesday, but did not take part in organized drills. FANTASY ANALYSIS: This is a disappointing developent for the Giants, who were hoping to see their highly touted rookie wideout on the field during camp, learning the team's new offense. Rookie WRs traditionally struggle in the NFL, as they adjust to new coverage schemes and more complicated offensive game-planning. Accordingly, any time Beckham misses as a result of the hamstring injury will hamper his ability to assimilate into the Giants offense, which could affect his playing time during the year. Beckham is currently ranked 78th among WRs by FFToolbox.com.

Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles agrees to new contract

Posted: 23 Jul 2014 02:59 PM PDT

Just hours after a holdout was announced Tuesday night, the Chiefs have agreed to a new deal with Charles, ESPN's Adam Schefter says via Twitter. The 28 year-old back was scheduled to make $3.65 million during the 2014 season, a figure that is now much higher. The contract is reportedly worth $18 million through 2017. Charles is currently en route to training camp. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Well, at least that one was over quickly. The holdout that wasn't lasted all of half a day, and has ended with both parties apparently happy and ready to get to work. Any questions about Charles' draft stock that arose after the holdout announcement have now been put to rest. Draft Charles as your fantasy team's top RB without a second thought.

Bengals place TE Jermaine Gresham on PUP list

Posted: 23 Jul 2014 02:58 PM PDT

The Bengals have placed tight end Jermaine Gresham on the Physically Unable to Perform list. The fifth-year vet is still recovering from hernia surgery. His absence is expected after he didn't participate in OTAs or minicamp, but he should return prior to Week 1. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Gresham caught 46 passes for 461 yards and four touchdowns last season as he and Tyler Eifert capped each other's value. Gresham's biggest fantasy impact comes as a blocker; he's blocking Eifert from being more productive and turning into a fantasy star. Gresham is not worth a pick.

Seahawks WR Sidney Rice to retire

Posted: 23 Jul 2014 02:34 PM PDT

Seahawks wide receiver Sidney Rice has decided to retire, a source has told Pro Football Talk. The source adds that Rice's history of concussion is the foremost reason why he will call it a career at 27. Rice was a fantasy star with Brett Favre and the Vikings in 2009. He caught 83 passes for 1,312 and eight touchdowns. But he missed 25 games over the following four seasons, and he suffered a concussion in 2010 and 2011. Rice also missed significant time after hip surgery in 2010 and tore an ACL last year. Outside of 2009, Rice's best season was 2012: 50 catches for 748 yards and seven scores. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Rice was hardly a lock to make the Seahawks' roster, and this sounds like a smart decision given his lengthy medical chart. The team will move forward with Percy Harvin, Doug Baldwin, and Jermaine Kearse as its top three wideouts.

Rams WR Tavon Austin: Playbook was like foreign language to me last season

Posted: 23 Jul 2014 02:13 PM PDT

Last season, Rams wide receiver Tavon Austin went from being the eighth overall pick in the draft, presumed to be the shot in the arm that St. Louis' offense desperately needed, to a sparsely used player who was lucky to see more than 20 snaps in some weeks. There's a good explanation for that. quot;I didn't really know what was going on. Everything looked like Spanish and sounded like Spanish to me," Austin said recently. But everything's better heading into this season. "I understand the plays, the depth, the routes, the splits and everything," Austin said. "I just feel good that I can make some plays. Definitely, the game's slowed down for me." FANTASY ANALYSIS: Austin is being drafted as a WR4, but everyone should be able to see his potential. He teased us with his 300-yard game against the Colts in Week 10. His speed his simply ridiculous. However, the Rams did an awful job of executing ways to get the ball into his hands. Seeing as Brian Schottenheimer is still the team's offensive coordinator, I'm not betting on a second-year breakout from Austin. His ADP is correct.

Packers RB Eddie Lacy to be team workhorse

Posted: 23 Jul 2014 01:47 PM PDT

Packers running backs coach Sam Gash tells the Green Bay Press-Gazette he has no concerns at all about overusing Lacy. quot;If he gets 40 (carries a game), I'm ok with that," Gash said. "He has huge upside." Last year Lacy touched the ball an average of 21 times per game, and it sounds as though that number is set to increase this sesason. Gash also dispelled the notion that the Packers will try to preserve Lacy for future seasons. "You're not going to play this game until you're 45 or 50," Gash said. "He'll last as long as he's meant to last." FANTASY ANALYSIS: This is the time of year when coaches talk about getting their backs "20 to 25 touches per game." In this case, it looks like it'll actually happen. At 230 pounds, Lacy is built to take a lot of punishment, and the Packers recognize that fact. Gash also said Lacy has impressed in the passing game, and is a three-down back. The idea of 25 or 30 touches per game for Lacy should have fantasy owners salivating, given how rare it is for a back to get that kind of workload in today's NFL. Last year, with Packers QB Aaron Rodgers out half the season, and opposing defenses stacked against the run, Lacy still managed to post a 4.4 yards per carry average. It's hard to see that number going down significantly as Rodgers returns to open up the offense. If you want Lacy, you'll probably need to take him with your first-round pick. Right now he's going as the tenth player overall in drafts, and might even be a value at that spot.

49ers TE Vernon Davis reports to training camp

Posted: 23 Jul 2014 01:41 PM PDT

49ers training camp opened its doors to all veterans on Wednesday, and as expected by some, tight end Vernon Davis was in the building. His presence was confirmed through an Instagram video by safety C.J. Spillman. A source has told Pro Football Talk that Davis still wants a new contract, but he came to the conclusion that getting what he wants wasn't worth a $30,000 fine for each day of camp missed. Plus, the 49ers only negotiate with players who are in camp. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Thus, it's business as usual for Davis and fantasy owners. A repeat of his 13 touchdowns seems unlikely with Michael Crabtree healthy, and Stevie Johnson added to the roster. Davis is still a safe TE1.

Daily Golf Rankings for RBC Canadien Open at DraftKings #DFG

Posted: 23 Jul 2014 11:59 AM PDT

This article is designed to help you win RBC Canadien Open at Draftkings - Daily Fantasy Golf:

Golf Rankings for RBC Canadian Open

Posted: 23 Jul 2014 11:44 AM PDT

Our expert picks the top 30 PGA tour golfers for this week's tournament: 1. Jim Furyk, 2. Dustin Johnson, 3. Matt Kuchar, 4. Graeme McDowell, 5. Charl Schwartzel, 6. Brandt Snedeker, 7. Luke Donald, ...

Inside the Toolbox: Third-Year Receivers (PREMIUM PREVIEW)

Posted: 23 Jul 2014 10:44 AM PDT

A free look at one of our Scout Fantasy premium articles which provides additional insight on one of FFToolbox's world famous tools.

Giants WR Victor Cruz: new offense is 'pass happy'

Posted: 23 Jul 2014 10:37 AM PDT

Cruz says that Giant's offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo's new offense is quot;definitely a little bit more pass happy than what we've had in the past." McAdoo is in the midst of installing an up-temp, West Coast offense, one in which Cruz says he believes he can catch 100 balls. "If I get 100, hopefully I can get around 1,500 yards," Cruz said. The last time Cruz approached those numbers was his rookie 2011 season, in which he caught 82 balls for 1,536 yards. FANTASY ANALYSIS: McAdoo's scheme will apparently make the Giants a pass-focused team, which should help Cruz' statistical figures. Still, 100 catches and 1,500 yards seems a little outlandish. Cruz has averaged 1,000 yards and 7 touchdowns the last two seasons, and that's about what should be expected of him this year as well, which would put him at low-end WR2 status. And given Giants QB Eli Manning's recent comments that he doesn't feel totally comfortable in the new system, it's clear that there's still a learning curve for the Giants to overcome before things start clicking. Cruz is currently ranked 23rd among receivers.

Colts WR Reggie Wayne cleared for camp

Posted: 23 Jul 2014 09:51 AM PDT

Wayne has passed a physical and been cleared for camp, according to Colts reporter Kevin Bowen. Wayne has been recovering from a torn ACL suffered against the Broncos last year. The 35-year old WR will rejoin a Colts passing attack that includes WR T.Y. Hilton and newly acquired WR Hakeem Nicks. Before his injury last year, Wayne caught 38 balls for 503 yards and three touchdowns in just seven games. FANTASY ANALYSIS: While this news was expected, it's good to have it confirmed that Wayne is 100% and ready for camp. Strange as it is to say, Wayne has tremendous sleeper potential this year. Torn knee ligaments are no longer the career-ending injury they used to be, and even though he's aging, Wayne appeared to have quite a bit left in the tank last season. At his current draft position of 42nd WR, Wayne would be a solid addition to most teams.

Colts RB Vick Ballard medically cleared

Posted: 23 Jul 2014 08:23 AM PDT

ESPN's Colts reporter Mike Wells says RB Vick Ballard has been medically cleared to play football and should be ready to go for training camp. This comes after Ballard tore his ACL last season and has been rehabbing ever since. He is expected to compete with RB Ahmad Bradshaw for backup duties to struggling Trent Richardson. FANTASY ANALYSIS: This is good news for the Colts offense. If you remember, before he went down with a torn ACL in 2013, in 2012 he started games as a rookie for the Colts and led the team in carries with 211. At only 24 years old and heading into his third season, he could eventually surpass Richardson as the Colts lead back. He is a deep bench stash for dynasty and a player to monitor for redraft leagues.

Jaguars rookie WR Marqise Lee will be ready to go for camp

Posted: 23 Jul 2014 07:29 AM PDT

Jacksonville Jaguars rookie WR Marqise Lee said quot;"I'm pretty much cleared." when he spoke about a lingering ankle injury he has been battling. The mild ankle sprain has kept him out of some OTA practices but he said "I should be OK" when speaking of the Jaguars starting training camp this Sunday. Lee was selected 39th overall in the 2014 draft and will battle with fellow rookie Allen Robinson for WR2 duties opposite Cecil Shorts. If the Jaguars get any decent play at QB this year, they have the WR core to do damage to defenses. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Lee struggled to stay healthy in college as well. It's also worth noting that fellow WRs Robinson, Shorts, Ace Sanders, Tandon Doss, and Mike Brown all have missed some offseason workouts due to various injuries. Lee is the most talented of the bunch but Allen isn't far behind. Whoever starts opposite Shorts will have the ability to be a WR4 option with WR3 upside as the Jags usually pass a ton in garbage time when they are far behind in games.

Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski avoids PUP list

Posted: 23 Jul 2014 07:21 AM PDT

Gronkowski will be ready for the start of camp, and will not be placed on the PUP list, acccording to ProFootballTalk.com. Gronkowski has been recovering from a torn ACL suffered last season. Previously there had been some concern that the Patriots would hold their top TE out of early camp activities, but that will not be the case. Gronkowski said recently he expects to play all 16 games this year, which would be his first full season since 2011. FANTASY ANALYSIS: This is good news for Gronkowski and his potential fantasy owners, as it speaks to the Patriots confidence in his full recovery. If Gronkowski is healthy for every game this year, he has a strong chance to challenge Saints TE Jimmy Graham for the top fantasy tight end spot. Patriots QB Tom Brady also stands to benefit from Gronk's return - his stats are massively better when the big TE is on the field. Given his extensive injury history, owners would do well to show a bit of caution when drafting Gronkowski, but at this point, it looks like all systems are go to start the season.

Falcons WR Julio Jones to see limited reps in camp

Posted: 23 Jul 2014 07:11 AM PDT

Falcons head coach Mike Smith says that Jones will be limited in early camp work, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. quot;He'll be limited in terms of his snaps," Smith said. "Our number one goal is to make sure that we've got everybody as healthy as we possibly can be." Jones is recovering from surgery after breaking a bone in his foot last October, an injury which held him out most of the year. The Falcons are the subject of HBO's "Hard Knocks" this year, and Jones' situation should be well-covered there. FANTASY ANALYSIS: This is a situation in which fantasy owners should play watch-and-see. There's no denying that Jones' feet are troublesome. This was his second surgery in three years, and if his recovery is slow or even threatens to take him out of games, he'll need to be downgraded a bit. Still, it's not unusual for teams to take precautions with their star players in training camp, and hopefully that's all that this is. Jones is currently ranked fourth among wide receivers by FFToolbox.com.

Buccaneers RB Doug Martin will get fewer touches

Posted: 23 Jul 2014 07:02 AM PDT

Martin will see fewer touches under new Bucs head coach Lovie Smith, the Tampa Tribune reports. Martin averaged 23 touches per game over the last two seasons under former head coach Greg Schiano, but that will not be the case going forward. However, Smith has said that Martin will remain the starter. RB Mike James, RB Bobby Rainey and rookie RB Charles Sims will battle for the number two RB spot. FANTASY ANALYSIS: This might actually be good news for Martin, given the huge workload of his first two seasons. In 2013 he showed signs of fatigue, seeing his average drop from 4.9 yards per carry his rookie year to just 3.9 yards per carry his sophomore season. The explosiveness of his 2012 performance simply wasn't there. Perhaps the lightened workload will help him stay fresh and energized throughout the year. Martin is currently ranked 13th among running backs by FFToolbox.com.

RB Theo Riddick to be used as 'Sproles-like' in Lions offense

Posted: 23 Jul 2014 06:24 AM PDT

Lions beat writer Kyle Meinke predicts RB Theo Riddick will have chances to play a 'Sproles-like' role in the Lions offense writing quot;If the Riddick hype is for real -- and at this point, there's no reason to suspect otherwise -- then Riddick could fill a kind of Darren Sproles-like role in the offense." Riddick only had 13 carries last season but has seen praise from teammates and coaches during the offseason. If this prediction is true, the Lions running backfield could be one of the best in the NFL while also featuring Reggie Bush and Joique Bell. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Riddick might be a good option to stash away in dynasty leagues but won't have much value in redraft leagues, even if used in the Sproles manner. The Lions simply do not run the ball enough to make three fantasy relevant backs, and currently Bush sucks up most of the passing down duties. If one of Bell or Bush were to go down, adding Riddick would be a good waiver wire pick-up.

2014 FFToolbox Breakout Player: Arizona Cardinals WR Michael Floyd

Posted: 23 Jul 2014 06:20 AM PDT

Each year, FFToolbox staff decides which NFL player will breakout and dominate.

Patriots QB Tom Brady can be effective managing the game

Posted: 23 Jul 2014 06:06 AM PDT

Patriots.com writer John Rooke suggests Tom Brady doesn't have to be an offensive playmaking leader, but that to be effective he just has to manage the game writing, "It is over-simplifying things, but literally all Brady needs to do...to still be terrific...is get the ball in the hands of the playmakers at the right time. Should the offensive line regain some similar form from a few seasons ago and give Brady the time, this offense can be as dynamic and as dangerous as you find in the NFL this season." Rooke goes on to say the offense will be in prime shape if Ridley can hold on to the ball, and Amendola and Gronk can stay healthy. With a healthy Gronk and mastermind coach Bill Belichick calling plays, all signs are pointing up for New England heading into training camp. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Everyone sees a little regression from Tom Brady from previous years, but that doesn't mean he still isn't elite. I tend to agree that if Brady has the weapons available to him, he can have an amazing season, however, for fantasy purposes you'd be relying on Gronk and Amendola to stay healthy which comes with risk. Our ADP currently has Brady going in the eighth round as a QB11 and you can consider him a QB1 option with plenty of upside.

Could this be the last season in San Diego for Chargers RB Ryan Mathews?

Posted: 23 Jul 2014 03:40 AM PDT

ESPN's San Diego reporter made the statement "Ryan Mathews could be playing his final season in San Diego" after word came out that Chargers RB Danny Woodhead has signed a contract extension through 2016. This statement would makes sense with the Chargers also bringing in Donald Brown this offseason and signing him to a 3 year/$10.5 million dollar contract. Ryan Mathews has been benched for fumbling and injured throughout his time in San Diego, although when he was on the field last season, the Chargers leaned on him heavily and he became an impact player. There have been no contract talks and Mathews is scheduled to be a free agent after the 2014 season. FANTASY ANALYSIS: The situation is something to monitor after this years done but you can expect Mathews and Woodhead to see significant playing time, both flirting with RB2 numbers with upside. If Mathews can have a good showing this season, his stock will rise enough for a potential re-signing or moving to another team to start. He just has to stay healthy and not fumble. FFToolbox draft cheat sheets have Mathews ranked 22nd while Woodhead is ranked 33rd.

Browns rookie RB Terrance West will have chance to start

Posted: 23 Jul 2014 03:16 AM PDT

quot;And the best competition might be Ben Tate and our guy Terrance West from Towson, who I really like'' were the words of Browns head coach Mike Pettine speaking about the teams running back competition. The Browns signed RB Ben Tate in the offseason from the Houston Texans, and then also drafted RB West in Round 3 and immediately signed undrafted free agent RB Isaiah Crowell. It was initially thought Tate was brought in to be 'the guy' but this new information shows there will actually be competition for the starting spot. Browns camp is one to watch as there is also a high profile battle for QB duties between rookie Johnny Manziel and veteran Brian Hoyer. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Terrance West definitely has a head of steam going into camp, although I don't expect him to win-out on the competition. He's still very raw, and veteran Ben Tate has showed flashes of high-level running ability at his time in Houston. West is an easy stash in dynasty as he should have his chances with injury prone Tate leading the way.

Bengals QB Andy Dalton on team for the 'immediate future'

Posted: 22 Jul 2014 07:53 PM PDT

Bengals president Mike Brown said Tuesday that Dalton will be the team's quarterback for the quot;immediate future." While Brown indicated that he'd like to get a long-term deal done with Dalton, he also said that the team would be willing to place a franchise tag on him in 2015. Dalton is currently in the final year of a four-year, $5.2 million contract. FANTASY ANALYSIS: This isn't exactly a screaming endorsement of Dalton by the Bengals team president. In his three years with the team, Dalton has performed solidly. Last year he finished fifth among all fantasy quarterbacks in points scored, a fact lost on many fantasy owners. If the Bengals choose not to re-sign Dalton to a long-term deal, he'll have no trouble taking his talents to another team. For this year, though, Dalton's fantasy value should remain about the same. He's currently ranked as the 16th overall quarterback by FFToolbox.com, a spot at which he may be a solid value.

Giants WR Odell Beckham bothered by hamstring injury

Posted: 22 Jul 2014 07:49 PM PDT

Giants rookie wide receiver Odell Beckham took part in the team's first practice of training camp Tuesday, but he's not 100 percent. Beckham said prior to the practice that a hamstring injury he suffered during the spring is quot;feeling a lot better" but it may not be fully healed. Then Beckham appeared to pull up slightly while going out on a deep route during the practice. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Just something to watch. Hamstring injuries can linger for a long time on any player, but they are especially debilitating for speedy guys such as Beckham. The dynamic first-rounder is a big-time dynasty prospect, but might be used as a decoy on a lot of plays this season.

49ers TE Vernon Davis not reporting to training camp Wednesday would be 'big surprise'

Posted: 22 Jul 2014 07:34 PM PDT

49ers tight end Vernon Davis skipped all offseason workouts and has openly hinted at holding out of training camp to get a new contract. Well, tomorrow is the day we find out how committed he is to his cause as 49ers veterans are scheduled to report. And ESPN 49ers reporter Bill Williamson is expecting Davis to be with his teammates. quot;it wouldn't be shock if Davis reports because that 30 [thousand] daily fine could be deemed not worth the fight," Williamson wrote on Twitter. "Davis has already said it wouldn't be end of the world if he doesn't get new deal. Bottom line is Davis has wavered more than once in this holdout. No report result tomorrow would be a big surprise." FANTASY ANALYSIS: Of course, this comes a week after another 49ers writer said there are indications that Davis' holdout will extend into camp. As with Jamaal Charles, we'll have our answer on Wednesday. Davis is currently ranked as FFToolbox's No. 6 TE.

49ers RB Marcus Lattimore to practice 'very soon'

Posted: 22 Jul 2014 07:23 PM PDT

ESPN's Bill Williamson says via Twitter that RB Lattimore is quot;fine" and will be back on the practice field in short order. Williamson says that the 49ers are "being careful" with Lattimore, but his tweet suggests that the second-year back is ready to play football again soon. Lattimore suffered two major knee injuries during his college career at the University of South Carolina, and has spent the last two years preparing to make a comeback. FANTASY ANALYSIS: This is exciting news for both Lattimore and fantasy players. Before his two devastating injuries, Lattimore was an excellent NFL prospect, and hopes are high that he can recapture some of that potential. He'll attempt to do so in a 49ers backfield that is more open than it has been in some time, with RB Frank Gore in the twilight of his career. Lattimore's competition includes well-reviewed rookie RB Carlos Hyde, and also long-time backup RB Kendall Hunter. It's impossible to say at this point what Lattimore's fantasy value is, but if his college days are any indicator, his ceiling could be very high indeed.

Giants might use 3-man rotation in backfield, including rookie RB Andre Williams

Posted: 22 Jul 2014 07:12 PM PDT

Rashad Jennings is the Giants' lead running back. That is known. David Wilson, now that he has been medically cleared, should be the change-of-pace backup. That is pretty much a lock as long as he stays healthy. But there could be room for a third consistent contributor to this running game. That is if you believe Art Stapleton, Giants reporter for the Bergen Record. He tweeted Tuesday that he quot;could see" Jennings, Wilson, and rookie running back Andre Williams being used in a rotation, "especially to keep Jennings fresh." FANTASY ANALYSIS: It's only an opinion, but one that could have some merit. Williams actually worked with Eli Manning and the first-team offense during goal-line drills in today's practice. Wilson was with the second team. Williams reportedly has a lot to work on in terms of technique, but if the Giants keep it simple and just ask him to convert by the goal line this year, they may be able to get the most out of the rookie while he polishes his all-around game on the side. Williams is listed at 5-foot-11, 230 pounds. Jennings is no small dude either; he's 6-foot-1, 230 pounds. But last season's 163 carries with the Raiders marked a career high for him. Plus, Jennings has been injured fairly often in his career, including 2011 when he missed the entire season due to a knee injury. Moving to such a rotation sounds smart for the Giants. But it will drive fantasy owners absolutely bonkers. Jennings is being drafted in the mid-20s among RBs. Maybe lower him just a tad until we get deeper into training camp and a better picture of how the carries in this backfield will be divvied up develops.

Inside the Toolbox - Contract Year Players

Posted: 22 Jul 2014 06:38 PM PDT

We analyze the pros and cons behind the strategy of targeting Contract Year Players

Chargers, RB Danny Woodhead agree to 2-year extension

Posted: 22 Jul 2014 06:36 PM PDT

Danny Woodhead had a career year in his first season with San Diego, and the two sides agreed to keep it going for at least a couple more seasons Tuesday. Woodhead has signed a two-year extension that will get him with the Chargers through 2016. Financial details weren't made available immediately. Woodhead caught 76 passes for 605 yards and six touchdowns last season. He also took on 106 carries for 425 yards and two more scores. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Woodhead was a life-saver for many in PPR leagues last year. He trailed Pierre Thomas by one catch for the league lead in receptions from a running back. He may not see quite as much work this season with Donald Brown in tow, but Woodhead should still be worth consideration as a low-end RB2 in those PPRs.

Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles will hold out

Posted: 22 Jul 2014 05:39 PM PDT

In search of a new contract, Charles will not report to training camp on Wednesday, reports KCTV. The Kansas City CBS affiliate says that Charles quot;wants more money, and is willing to hold out as long as it takes." He's scheduled to make $2.65 million this year, less than other comarable running backs. Charles and the Chiefs management have had discussions about a new contract. FANTASY ANALYSIS: This has the potential to be bombshell news. It's easy to see where Charles is coming from. Running backs are cheaper and more expendable than they used to be, but $2.95 million is still a pittance for a player of Charles' caliber. But the sooner Charles shows up at camp, the better. The record for hold-out running backs in recent years has not been good (Chris Johnson and Maurice Jones-Drew come to mind). We'll monitor the holdout closely. As of now, this situation shouldn't affect Charles' draft stock. But if the holdout continues to the regular season, fantasy owners will have no choice but to downgrade him a bit from the top RB spot.

Jaguars WR Ace Sanders facing 4-game suspension, taking leave of absence

Posted: 22 Jul 2014 05:36 PM PDT

Jaguars wide receiver Ace Sanders told reporters Tuesday that he is taking a leave of absence from football to handle some quot;personal issues." He also said he is facing a four-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy. "I've decided to go seek help and get that attention," Sanders said. "I should be fine. ... I've made some mistakes that I could have handled a little differently." Sanders said he will seek "counseling, anybody that can give me insight" during training camp. He will likely be away from the team for all of camp and doesn't know if he will remain in Jacksonville while addressing his issues. However, Sanders said he is looking forward to playing again. He won't be eligible to play this season until Oct. 5. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Sanders caught a respectable 51 passes for 484 yards as a rookie last season. He had minimal fantasy value prior to this development. The Jags' top three wideouts are slated to be Cecil Shorts followed by rookies Marqise Lee and Allen Robinson.

Ravens notes: QB Joe Flacco gaining comfort; hope RB Ray Rice's suspension comes soon

Posted: 22 Jul 2014 04:21 PM PDT

A couple of notes from ESPN's Ravens reporter, Jamison Hensley, today: Quarterback Joe Flacco told Hensley that he is quot;gaining a comfort level" with Gary Kubiak's offense, but knows that what he's done so far is peanuts compared to what lies ahead in training camp. "This is where it counts," Flacco said. Meanwhile, the team is still awaiting word on Ray Rice and his looming suspension. There has been no indication of when Commissioner Roger Goodell will make his judgement, but head coach John Harbaugh would like to have some clarity before the Ravens' third preseason game. "We're installing [the offense and defense] for the first six days [of training camp] and work situations through the first two preseason games," Harbaugh said to Hensley. "Once we get past the second preseason game, then we'll need to know. Whenever they're ready to let us know, we'll be ready to hear it." Rice is expected to receive a multi-game suspension for allegedly striking his fiancée unconscious in February. The two have since married. Rice avoided a trial by being accepted into a pretrial intervention program in May. The third-degree charge of aggravated result will be dropped upon his completion of the program. Rice was one of five Ravens arrested during the offseason. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Flacco has a nice group of receivers -- Torrey Smith, Steve Smith, Dennis Pitta, Marlon Brown -- and Kubiak's type of offense should bring the best out of him. However, Flacco's best through six seasons hasn't been good enough to make him a QB1. His ceiling is 4,000 yards with 23-25 touchdowns. Ten years ago, that would have been something. In today's NFL, those numbers are old hat for a bunch of quarterbacks. But as a QB2, you could do worse. Rice has dropped into flex territory after an alarmingly poor 2013 season and the expectation that he will miss at least two games due to his suspension. He should still be Baltimore's leading rusher, but Bernard Pierce is in line to start those games that Rice misses. He also didn't run well last season but that opportunity, with a chance for more if Rice can't hold up, makes Pierce a smart mid-round pick. He has fully recovered from offseason shoulder surgery.

Ravens RB Bernard Pierce cleared for camp

Posted: 22 Jul 2014 02:48 PM PDT

Pierce has been cleared to participate fully in training camp, according to Ravens reporter Aaron Wilson. Pierce underwent rotator cuff surgery this offseason, but his recovery apparently will not be an issue going forward. Entering his third year with the Ravens, Pierce is stil behind RB Ray Rice on the depth chart. In 2013, Pierce carried the ball 152 times for 436 yards, averaging 2.9 yards per carry. FANTASY ANALYSIS: In fairness to Pierce, it was a down year for the whole Ravens offense, and the running game in particular. He's shown flashes of really smart, decisive running, particularly during the 2012 season when he averaged 4.9 yards per carry. A lot of his value will be determined by factors outside his control, namely Ray Rice's health and effectiveness. However, don't write Pierce off as a valuable handcuff just becuse he experienced a sophomore slump. The best is yet to come from this unheralded running back.
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