Fantasy Football Bums

Is Colt Brennan Gonna Be Ready??

Backup Redskins QB Colt Brennan said that he's "going to play a ton" in the preseason as he battles with Todd Collins for the No. 2 job.  Jason Campbell is on a short leash as the Redskins tried to get Jay Cutler and Mark Sanchez.  This may be a way to see if Colt can be ready.

 

Will Bennett Contribute??

According to the Chicago Sun Times, WR Earl Bennett is "being counted on for major production."  At this point the Bears seem comfortable going into the season with Bennett and Devin Hester as their top wideouts. Bennett played with Jay Cutler at Vanderbilt and performed well at spring workouts. Even though Bennett caught zero passes in his rookie season, he's going to have a chance to make a name for himself now.

 

Barber and Jones...Together??

The Cowboys are reportedly toying with the idea of using Marion Barber and Felix Jones on the field together, says profootballweekly.com  Jones has the ability to split out wide or motion into the backfield, and the team wants to find more touches for their most explosive playmaker.  Rotoworld.com remembers that the Cowboys made similar noises last summer, but the duo rarely played together.

 

Denver Listening To Offers For Marshall??

NFL insider Adam Schefter writes on his Twitter page that the Broncos are willing to listen to offers for Brandon Marshall.  The Broncos "won't make them, but will take them," Schefter says, adding that he believes the club would part with its top receiver for a first-round pick.  Marshall is a holdout risk as he recovers from hip surgery, wants a new contract, and has demanded a trade

Rams QBs

The St Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Rams rookie QB Keith Null will get "plenty of opportunities" to nail down the third quarterback job.  Null reportedly displayed a decent arm at minicamp and will need to pick up the offense in training camp to lock up the job.

 

Northcutt To Play Slot??

The Detroit Free Press reports that Lions WR Dennis Northcutt is expected to play in the slot between Calvin Johnson and Bryant Johnson, though he said he can play anywhere. "I think that's one of the biggest reasons they brought me in was to get in the slot," Northcutt said. "Obviously that's my biggest strength. That's has been my biggest strength through my nine years of playing in the NFL is working the slot. That's where I've made my money basically. But I have been able to play outside."

Brian Westbrook's Handcuff

LeSean McCoy agreed to a four-year contract with the Eagles yesterday, ensuring that Brian Westbrook's projected backup will be in training camp. The terms were not disclosed. A second-round draft pick, the elusive running back from Pittsburgh is seen as an insurance policy for Westbrook, who underwent ankle surgery June 5, reports the Philadelphia Inquirer.

 

Holmes Bulking Up

Steelers WR Santonio Holmes' physical remake, particularly around his neck and through his shoulders, is the next step in the development of the Steelers WR.   The increase in Holmes' upper body is becoming so pronounced that he's beginning to look like an entirely different player. "I tipped the scales (Monday) at 201 (pounds),''   That's an all-time high for Holmes, who played in the 190s last season and joined the league weighing considerably less. Holmes' calculated weight gain addresses his long-term goal to increase his upper-body strength and speed, reports the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Percy Harvin Sick Again

Vikings first-round pick Percy Harvin was "sent home and officially excused" from the NFL's Rookie Symposium on Monday, according to Profootballtalk.com.  Harvin exhibited flu-like symptoms and was excused by a doctor. It's his second health-related issue this offseason. He was hospitalized for dehydration prior to the Vikings' rookie minicamp.

Bears Say "No" To Burress

John Clayton of ESPN.com reports that the Chicago Bears have all but ruled out the possibility of signing WR Plaxico Burress.

Profootballtalk.com says that Burress is undoubtedly eyeballing a contract similar to the one-year, $6.5 million deal signed in March by Terrell Owens.

The more accurate story could be that agent Drew Rosenhaus has asked the Bears for $8 million on a one-year deal, and that the Bears have made it clear that they’d only pay, say, $1.5 million.

Under that circumstance, it would be safe to say that the Bears have “all but ruled out” signing Burress, and that they would do so only if he dramatically reduces his salary expectations, says Profootballtalk.com

Saints Backup QB Battle

Saints coach Sean Payton confirmed that Joey Harrington will compete with Mark Brunell for the team's backup quarterback job, says the Monroe News Star.  It's important battle because the backup could have appreciable fantasy value in the Saints high-flying offense if Drew Brees gets injured.

Who Will Back Up Slaton??

Pro Football Weekly reports that a source close to the Texans says Chris Brown rates an edge over Ryan Moats in the battle to win the Texans' No. 2 RB job behind Steve Slaton. Moats was the Texans' top reserve last season after the now-departed Ahman Green suffered a season-ending injury.

Russell Is a No-Show

The work ethic of quarterback JaMarcus Russell is still being questioned by many who have worked with him in the past and are working with him now according to the National Football Post.   After he issued a call to his teammates to practice and finish the OTA days strong, he then disappeared and was AWOL on the last day. Not a good sign

Does Joey Galloway Have Fantasy Value?

According to Pro Football Weeky, it's appearing that Joey Galloway has created some separation from Greg Lewis in the derby to be the Patriots' No. 3 wide receiver. Despite his advanced age (37), Galloway still brandished some nice wheels during OTAs and has the superior overall skill package.  With Tom Brady back, and the Pats O possibly returning to form, Galloway might be worth a late flyer.