Shark Bites

Mike Goodson NYJ -RB

Goodson will practice Tuesday
10 hours ago

Jets RB Mike Goodson will return to the field on Tuesday, according to The Star-Ledger.  Goodson's drug and weapons charges are still pending, though he has pleaded not guilty.  The team recently dumped a pair of fringe players after they were charged with marijuana possession.  That prompts the natural question of whether the team is being hypocritical in Goodson's case.  We all know, however, that your worth to a team impacts the handling of your troubles.  If Goodson can stick around, he'll carry significant PPR upside into this season.


Roman Harper NOS -DB

Harper takes a pay cut
10 hours ago

Saints S Roman Harper has signed a contract extension that amounts to a 2013 pay cut.  The SS had been due $5.25 million but will instead make $4 million this season.  According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the deal also adds 2015 to Harper's existing deal.  Of course, it's the NFL.  So nothing is guaranteed beyond this year.  Harper became endangered when the Saints drafted S Kenny Vaccaro in Round 1.  His starting role is not safe even this season, which makes him no better than a DB2 in your fantasy football draft.  Fortunately, DB is such a volatile and broad position that you can afford to take a chance on him.  Replacements will be available.

A.J. Jenkins SFO -WR

3 will compete for Crabtree's spot
17 hours ago

49ers HC Jim Harbaugh says WRs A.J. Jenkins, Quinton Patton and Ricardo Lockette will compete for Michael Crabtree's starting spot.  "We'll let them compete and emerge," Harbaugh said.  "The good news is somebody will emerge because they have to.  (It's) a real good chance for some young guys to emerge and get some reps and contribute. I very much anticipate that will happen."  Consider Jenkins the favorite here.  He didn't record a single catch last year but was a 1st-round pick and goes 6'0, 190 pounds with 4.39 speed.  Patton is worth watching, too.  He was labeled as a polished rookie by some talent evaluators.  None of these guys are particularly likely to provide weekly-starter fantasy value, though.  WR Anquan Boldin and TE Vernon Davis figure to hog targets in San Fran's run-heavy attack.

Aaron Dobson NEP -WR

Dobson compared to Larry Fitzgerald
18 hours ago

NFL Films guru Greg Cosell see similarities between Patriots rookie WR Aaron Dobson and Larry Fitzgerald.  “This is going to sound crazy, but I thought that his size/hand combination, at times, reminded me of Larry Fitzgerald,” Cosell said. “He’s not Larry Fitzgerald, obviously, but he’s a big kid who can move very well with really good hands.”  At 6'3 and 210 pounds, Dobson is the same height as Fitz and just a few pounds lighter.  His 4.42 40 time bests Fitz's 4.63 mark.  Dobson obviously has a long ways to go to even come close to Fitz's standing, but he has the physical skill set.  “Overall an excellent combination of size, fluid movement and hands," Cosell added.  Dobson is expected to start for the Patriots right from the get-go.  Consider him a deep sleeper in redraft leagues and a high-end stash in keeper and dynasty formats.

Fred Davis WAS -TE

Davis back to 90% after Achilles injury
18 hours ago

Redskins HC Mike Shanahan estimates that TE Fred Davis is 90% recovered from last October's ruptured Achilles.  Davis was cleared to resume working out in March.  He's being held out of OTAs but is expected to be ready for the start of training camp.  We'll see how he looks coming off a nasty injury.  A healthy Davis carries top 10 upside on a burgeoning 'Skins offense.

Le'Veon Bell PIT -RB

Steelers try to boost run-blocking
1 day ago

The Steelers hope that adding some outside zone blocking to their power scheme can get the ground game running.  C Maurkice Pouncey and OT Marcus Gilbert told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that they like the new tact.  RB Jonathan Dwyer said he thinks it will allow the backs to take advantage of cutback lanes to create big plays.  Consider us skeptical that Pittsburgh has the style of runners to take advantage of such a scheme.  The players mentioned as successes in the story are K.C.'s Jamaal Charles, Houston's Arian Foster -- both much smoother, speedier and more agile than Le'Veon Bell, Dwyer and Isaac Redman.  Pittsburgh doesn't plan a full system switch and instead plans to mix looks to confuse defenses and keep its blockers fresher late in games.  We'll see how it works.  Change certainly must come after 1 of the league's poorest rushing efforts last year.


Arthur Brown BAL -LB

Surgery puts Brown out a month
1 day ago

The Ravens announced Thursday that rookie LB Arthurn Brown had sports hernia surgery just after the team's rookie minicamp earlier this month.  Brown is expected to miss 4-6 weeks total, which would bring him back before the start of training camp.  As long as he's ready to go in late July, Brown should still be the front-runner to win a starting ILB job in Baltimore.  He should be 1 of the first rookie IDPs of the board whether you're drafting in a dynasty league or redraft format.


Nate Burleson DET -WR

Burleson back way ahead of schedule
1 day ago

Lions WR Nate Burleson took the field with teammates Thursday, 3 months ahead of his scheduled return.  Burleson said he skipped the depression stage after breaking his leg last season and dove right into rigorous rehab.  The 33-year-old worked out twice a day in Seattle this offseason -- unbeknownst to his team -- with plans to get back on the field and surprise everyone.  Jettisoning Titus Young and losing Ryan Broyles to a late-season ACL tear could leave the Lions needing Burleson to start come September.  He still wouldn't be an exciting fantasy option in that situation.  Perhaps a WR5 in most formats.


Trent Richardson CLE -RB

Richardson, Cameron sit with injuries
1 day ago

The Akron Beacon Journal reports that Browns RB Trent Richardson and TE Jordan Cameron sat out Thursday's OTA session with minor injuries.  Richardson strained a muscle in his shin.  Cameron strained a groin muscle.  Neither situation seems significant.  Cameron, though, can use all the practice time he can find to deliver on the promise his coaches have touted.


Hakeem Nicks NYG -WR

Nicks not protesting contract
1 day ago

Yahoo! Sports' Jason Cole has issued a correction on his report that Giants WR Hakeem Nicks is skipping the OTA to push for a new contract.  The same unnamed team source reportedly changed course to say he/she didn't know why Nicks stayed away.  Agent Peter Shaffer has declined to provide a reason for his client's absence.  Whatever the motivation, the unexplained no-show for the voluntary session left HC Tom Coughlin miffed.  Nicks is in the final year of his rookie contract.


Scott Chandler BUF -TE

Chandler thinks he can be ready for training camp
1 day ago

Bills TE Scott Chandler tore his ACL on December 23rd.  He underwent reconstructive surgery on January 9th -- just 4-and-a-half months ago.  But Chandler think it's "realistic" that he'll be ready for the start of training camp in just another 2 months.  "I feel good, and I'm excited for the season," he said. "The injury is different than it used to be. The doctors are better."  Chandler started running routes 3 weeks ago and has been running and catching passes off to the side of OTAs this week. The Bills didn't draft a TE until adding Chris Gragg in the 7th round, so it looks like they're counting on Chandler making an impact this season.  He's scored 12 times over the past 2 years but has averaged just 33 yards per game.  Coming off a serious knee injury, he'll be nothing more than a late-round depth pick in fantasy drafts this summer.

Pierre Garcon WAS -WR

Garcon had shoulder surgery
1 day ago

Redskins WR Pierre Garcon avoided surgery this offseason on the right foot that bothered him all last year.  It turns out he underwent shoulder surgery instead.  The injury to Garcon's labrum occurred in Washington's playoff loss to the Seahawks.  The procedure was considered minor and Garcon is already able to catch passes off to the side of practice.  “I think Pierre, his rehab has been unbelievable,” HC Mike Shanahan said Thursday. “Anytime you get operated on like he did and you’re able to come back as quickly as he has, I was watching him this morning in the weight room and he was lifting weights that he shouldn’t be able to lift. And he feels very comfortable, and it’s been a slow process. But he’s in excellent shape, so I’ll be surprised if he’s not full-speed, ready to go once we go to training camp.”  We'll be keeping a close eye on Garcon this summer.  In addition to the shoulder, there's concern that the foot problem will linger.  Garcon has played all 16 games in just 1 of his 5 NFL seasons.

Robert Griffin WAS -QB

RG3 throwing passes at OTAs
1 day ago

Redskins QB Robert Griffin was spotted throwing passes off to the side of Thursday's OTA session.  Here's a video of him making a couple throws from the shotgun.  Afterwards, he confirmed that he's had no setbacks and deemed himself "a little ahead" in the rehab process. But he also admitted that he still hasn't been cleared to sprint or cut.  That's expected to happen in a few weeks.  Griffin said his goal is to be ready for the start of training camp.  That seems doable at this point.  It's still early, but RG3 seems on track to be under center come Week 1.

Ryan Williams ARI -RB

Williams' knee finally back to 100%
1 day ago

Cardinals RB Ryan Williams says the knee he injured in August of 2011 is finally back to 100%.  “This is the healthiest I’ve felt in the past two years,” he said. “It feels good to be able to run like myself, instinctive and not having to think about what I’m doing, just going out and doing it. I’ve been working real hard, so things are looking good. My stars are aligned this year.”  Williams suffered a nasty patella tendon injury back in 2011 and admits that he was "scared to run" last year.  It showed in his 2.8 yards-per-carry average.  Williams will need to be much better this summer to beat out Rashard Mendenhall for the starting RB job.  Rookies Andre Ellington and Stepfan Taylor could also enter the fray.

James Casey PHI -TE

Casey needs knee surgery
1 day ago

Eagles TE James Casey will undergo athroscopic knee surgery to clean out loose cartilage.  The procedure will keep him out of the rest of OTAs and minicamp, although he's expected back for the start of training camp.  Still, the missed practice time is bad news for an unproven player trying to settle into a new offense.  Casey was on our early list of fantasy football sleepers.  But between this injury and the addition of rookie TE Zach Ertz, Casey hardly seems even draftable at this point.

Percy Harvin SEA -WR

Harvin will be moving "all around"
1 day ago

Seahawks WR Percy Harvin figures to see time out wide, in the slot and in the backfield this season.  "I'll be moving around — pretty much all around," Harvin said. "There'll be a little bit of running back coming up. But right now, we're just trying to get the foundation set, just running the base plays, and we'll see where it goes from there."  Considering the price Seattle paid to acquire Harvin -- 3 draft picks and then a 6-year, $67 million contract -- we're expecting them to get their money's worth.  He should easily pace the team in receptions while also seeing some action in the ground game.  Harvin will carry WR1 upside in 2013 fantasy leagues.

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