Friday, August 1, 2014

FFToolbox - Colts WR Reggie Wayne feels like his old self plus 13 more

FFToolbox - Colts WR Reggie Wayne feels like his old self plus 13 more

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Colts WR Reggie Wayne feels like his old self

Posted: 31 Jul 2014 04:47 PM PDT

Perhaps quot;old" is the wrong word to use, because Reggie Wayne's 35-year-old body must think it's still 25. Wayne, entering his 15th season, is about nine months removed from tearing his ACL. Yet, he said Thursday that he feels no pain and hasn't experienced any setbacks. He's been running routes and "effortlessly snatching passes out of the air" in training camp, according to Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star. After watching Wayne's first full-squad practice last week, head coach Chuck Pagano called his performance "really incredible. "But again, it probably doesn't shock anybody here. It certainly doesn't shock me. We all know his mindset, his work ethic and his determination, and how bad he wanted to get back." FANTASY ANALYSIS: Wayne is only a WR4 following the acquisition of Hakeem Nicks, and you would expect T.Y. Hilton to improve in his third season. However, Wayne was on pace for 1,000 yards prior to his injury, and he still might be able to reach or at least come close to that mark if the Colts do the smart thing and decide to put the offense on Andrew Luck's shoulders more often. So, yeah, Wayne is only a WR4. But even at the age of 35 and coming off of a major knee injury, he's a quite good WR4.

Dolphins WR Mike Wallace out through the weekend with hamstring injury

Posted: 31 Jul 2014 04:12 PM PDT

Dolphins wide receiver Mike Wallace will miss the team's intrasquad scrimmage this weekend with a hamstring injury. He hasn't practiced since Tuesday and won't practice until he gets evaluated next week. His status for the team's first preseason game, Aug. 8 versus the Falcons, is in doubt. However, the Miami Herald's Armando Salguero wrote Thursday, quot;This is not a serious injury." FANTASY ANALYSIS: Hamstring injuries must be contagious. Cecil Shorts, Le'Veon Bell, Arian Foster and Andre Johnson, Steven Jackson, Odell Beckham, Jonathan Stewart, Trent Richardson. It's been a popular week for the muscle. Since Wallace relies heavily on his deep-threat speed, such an injury is a little more concerning. We'll have an update no later than early next week when Wallace gets checked out. He still has a lot of bounce-back potential in an offense that sounds committed toward getting the most out of him.

Giants RB David Wilson 'needs a miracle'

Posted: 31 Jul 2014 03:26 PM PDT

Wilson will need quot;a miracle" to return to football, a person familiar with Wilson's medical situation told NJ.com. Wilson said in a tweet Wednesday night that "everything is fine," but that doesn't seem to be the case, according to NJ.com's source. Wilson suffered a season-ending neck injury in Week 5 last year. He was cleared to participate in Giants camp, but left practice Tuesday with a "burner" - an injury indicative of damaged nerve tissue in his surgically repaired neck. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Sadly, it looks like WIlson's NFL career may have run its course. Injuries of this type are extremely dangerous, especially for running backs. The Giants will be very, very careful with allowing WIlson to return to contact drills, let alone regular-season action. As of now, Giants RB Rashad Jennings appears to have a lock on the starting job. Jennings is a three-down back, and will get the bulk of the carries in New York. His value should be boosted a bit by this news. Wilson should not be drafted.

Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch will end holdout

Posted: 31 Jul 2014 03:15 PM PDT

ESPN's Adam Schefter says that Lynch will end his holdout by reporting to Seahawks camp within the next 24 hours. Lynch's holdout is currently in its eighth day, and the veteran RB has reportedly accrued over $500,000 in fines by not showing up for training camp. Lynch had demanded a raise on his scheduled $5.5 million 2014 paycheck, but it appears he's backed down. Lynch never had much leverage on the team, with Seahawks RB Christine Michael impressing coaches in camp. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Although this is being spun as Lynch quot;backing down," it's good news for both him and the team that he's decided to give up the fight and come in to camp. The statistical record isn't kind to hold-out running backs in recent years. Heading in to his ninth NFL season, the 28-year-old Lynch has amassed 1,753 carries, and his YPC stat dropped drastically in the final games of 2013. So, it's fair for fantasy owners to speculate that there's a physical breakdown just around the corner. Still, until he shows he can't perform anymore, Lynch should be given the benefit of the doubt. He's earned that with his three consecutive 1,200-yard, double-digit touchdown seasons. If you draft Lynch as a RB2,consider handcuffing him with backup Michael in the later rounds.

Mock Draft World Championship: ADP Focus

Posted: 31 Jul 2014 01:15 PM PDT

An inside look at the ADP values inside the Mock Draft World Championship.

Steelers RB Le'Veon Bell misses practice with hamstring injury

Posted: 31 Jul 2014 12:29 PM PDT

Bell missed hs second straight practice Thursday with a hamstring injury, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Bell first sustained the injury during Sunday's workout. Last year, Bell missed the preseason and the first three regular season games after spraining his foot during training camp. Bell finished 15th in fantasy points among all running backs in 2013, despite playing in just 13 games. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Fantasy owners shouldn't be panicking about this news, as it's common for NFL teams to take a very conservative approach with their stars' health, especially early in training camp. Still, hamstring injuries have a way of sticking around, so if the injury keeps popping up as an issue for Bell throughout the preseason, it could hamper his effectiveness in the regular season. For now, Bell's draft stock (ADP 17th overall) should remain unaffected. Players vying for the number two RB job in Pittsburgh include Steelers RB Dri Archer and Steelers RB LeGarrette Blount.

Colts OG Donald Thomas tears quad, placed on season-ending IR

Posted: 31 Jul 2014 11:47 AM PDT

Indianapolis Colts offensive guard Donald Thomas re-tore his quad Wednesday. This is the same injury he suffered back in Week 2 of the 2013 season. He has been rehabbing ever since and only recently returned to the practice field after missing OTAs. This injury will require surgery. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Thomas isn't a Pro Bowl or All-Pro player, but the Colts will once again need to re-shuffle the pieces of their offensive line. This is a blow to the entire offense, but certainly not one that can't be overcome. Second-round draft pick Jack Mewhort is the early favorite to fill-in there, but his limited experience will be a season-long concern. Trent Richardson loses a key cog to his interior run-blocking unit. Andrew Luck will have to keep a close eye of when it is okay to step up in the pocket. The Colts are very young upfront excluding RT Gosder Cherilus, a legit veteran playing alongside four other linemen with a combined four seasons worth of experience.

Broncos RB Montee Ball could see 250+ carries

Posted: 31 Jul 2014 08:34 AM PDT

ESPN Denver reporter Jeff Legwold has high praise for Denver Broncos running back Montee Ball, saying he's quot;shown vision in the run game, decisiveness in his cuts and consistent, quality work in the passing game." He predicts Ball's "poised for a big season and perhaps even the first 250-carry season for the Broncos since Reuben Droughns had 275 carries in 2004." This is clearly good news for Ball and Denver as they finally have a RB they can trust in all aspects of the game. Any running back in the backfield for Denver has to be able to run, catch passes and more importantly give solid pass protection to Peyton Manning. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Although it's only speculation, if Ball can get 250 plus carries in an offense where he'll regularly see six men in the box, he could easily have a top-five season. He's also significantly cheaper(FFToolbox ADP 7th, going in the second round) than very similar Eddie Lacy (ADP 4th, going in the first round). We should get a better look at how the Broncos plan to use Ball in a few preseason games, but all systems are go if you had to draft him as your RB1.

Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley calls rookie WR Marqise Lee 'freakish'

Posted: 31 Jul 2014 05:18 AM PDT

Jacksonville Jaguars HC had high praise speaking of his newly drafted wide receiver calling Marqise Lee saying quot;"He has a chance to break one and is extremely quick. He's freakish in his skill set in some of the things he does." It's very much a confidence booster to Lee, who was drafted at No. 39 in the NFL draft. Lee is also having plenty of chances to show his talents after primary WR Cecil Shorts is expect to miss all of training camp with a hamstring injury. FANTASY ANALYSIS: This is nothing new with Lee. He was a star player at USC in college although he's had some trouble with injuries. If he can stay healthy, he'll have a decent shot at winning WR2 duties opposite Shorts, and if Shorts can't stay healthy(which he's also had issues doing his entire NFL career), Lee could end up being the Jags WR1 this season. He has all the talent but his upside will be limited as long as QB Chad Henne is the starter.

Lions RB Joique Bell 'showing no signs of rust' after injury

Posted: 31 Jul 2014 04:57 AM PDT

Mlive is at Lions training camp and finally getting to see Detroit RB Joique Bell practicing. Reporter Justin Rogers had praise for Bell including quot;[Bell] missed OTAs and minicamp while recovering from knee injuries, but you wouldn't know it with the way he's started off training camp." Rogers also mentions he has 'cut and accelerated with ease' during team drills. This is good news for the Lions after they signed him to a 3 year/$9.3 million dollar contract in the offseason, which included $4.3 million guaranteed. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Bell had an breakout 2013 and is expected to do the same this year. RB Reggie Bush has passing duties and Bell should be the ground-and-pound back but also has soft hands to be sprinkled into the passing game. Now that he's 100% healthy, all systems are go for him to be a RB2 with upside.

Raiders WR Rod Streater cleared for practice after concussion

Posted: 31 Jul 2014 04:35 AM PDT

Bay Area News confirmed Wednesday that Oakland WR Rob Streater has been cleared for contact following a concussion suffered from practice on Monday. He was active in warmups and drills on Wednesday but sat out of team contact drills. Streater is in a battle for WR2 duties with Greg Little and Denarius Moore, to play opposite former Packer WR James Jones. FANTASY ANALYSIS: At 26 years old in heading into his third season, Streater hasn't done much with his time in the NFL. 2013 was his best year, putting up a 60/888/4 line. Even if he wins the starting job, he's not much more than a bye-week fill in and is entirely dependent on Matt Schaub having a good season.

49ers QB Colin Kaepernick throws two INTs in camp

Posted: 31 Jul 2014 03:24 AM PDT

49ers beat writer Grant Cohn reported that QB Colin Kaepernick threw two interceptions in day six of training camp. The beneficiary of both interceptions was 49ers cornerback Perrish Cox. The first was on an underthrown ball to WR Anquan Boldin. The second pass was intended for WR Quinton Patton but Cohn noted Kaepernick 'stared down' the receiver and Cox made the diving interception. FANTASY ANALYSIS: It's a little rust getting shaken off in camp. Although mistakes like this shouldn't be as prevalent almost a week into training camp, now's the time to do it instead of in live game situations. It's a learning process. Also worth mentioning is Kaepernick threw the second least amount of INTs of any QB that played a full 16 games last season with eight, only in front of Chiefs QB Alex Smith who threw seven. Kaepernick can be considered a QB1 in fantasy this season with his powerful arm and electric running ability.

Buccaneers rookie TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins is impressing team

Posted: 31 Jul 2014 01:01 AM PDT

NFL Network reporter Daniel Jeremiah attended Tampa Bay's training camp and had this to say about the Buccaneers rookie tight end, quot;Bucs are pumped about ASJ's play in camp. He's picked things up quickly and made a lot of plays." Austin Seferian-Jenkins is currently in a battle in camp with fellow TEs Tim Wright and Brandon Myers. He sports a massive 6'7/267 pound frame and was drafted in the 2nd round at pick 38. Although the Buccaneer higher-ups might be impressed, coach Lovie Smith still has to be persuaded. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Reports are all over the place with Seferian-Jenkins. Just this past Monday, head coach Lovie Smith said he was 'behind a lot' mostly due to his trying to get in shape while also learning the playbook after late graduation rules prevented him from entering camp on time. Jenkins has great ability but the TE position is muddy in Tampa with last year's breakout Tim Wright and the offseason signing of Brandon Myers. There is no clear front-runner here and the position should be decided by who plays best in preseason games.

Cowboys QB Tony Romo struggles after day off

Posted: 30 Jul 2014 11:03 PM PDT

Following a day off for the Cowboys QB, ESPN writer Tony Archer says Tony Romo was quot;intercepted by cornerback Morris Claiborne, who did a nice job of going up for a slightly underthrown deep ball to wide receiver Terrance Williams." He also goes on to say Romo and star WR Dez Bryant had trouble getting on the same page, "Bryant was shallow with a route in the end zone with the throw just out of his grasp, and Romo overthrew Bryant on a double-move in the end zone." Some speculation has been made as to whether Romo is actually 100% healthy and ready to return yet, after back surgery in the offseason to relieve pressure on a herniated disk. FANTASY ANALYSIS: At this point there is not much to worry about but it is worth following throughout camp if he continues to struggle. He has some rust to shake off following a rough offseason. When healthy, Romo is one of the more dominant QBs in the league and can be considered a QB2 with tons of upside. He is ranked QB15 in FFToolbox 2014 cheatsheet.
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