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Dodge Challenger 500
by Natalie Anthony
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Our latest Cheat Sheets updated constantly through September.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr1')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Chris Perry Ready To Contribute
(5/10 9:16 AM PT)
The Facts:
HC Marvin Lewis said Sunday that Perry will be available Tuesday when the team begins voluntary on-field work. Perry was placed on season-ending injured reserve in 2007 after sustaining a serious ankle injury Nov. 26, 2006.
Diehards Line:
According to Enquirer staffer Mark Curnutte, the reason the Bengals didn't take a running back in last month's NFL Draft wasn't because they wanted to sign Shaun Alexander, who had been released by Seattle. The reason is that Perry appears to be healthy and ready to play this year. ... The Bengals want Perry to return to the role he occupied in 2005, when he played in 14 games with two starts and had 51 receptions and a 4.6-yard rushing average as Rudi Johnson's backup. To do so, of course, Perry would have to avoid the kind of injuries that have limited him just 9one full season in four years as a pro.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr2')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Kyle Boller Running With First Team; Flacco Impresses
(5/10 1:15 AM PT)
The Facts:
Boller got most of the work with the first team but looked shaky during team drills. He threw two interceptions, including one that was returned for a touchdown by the defense.
Diehards Line:
According to ESPN.com's James Walker, rookie Joe Flacco shared secondary reps with Troy Smith and didn't disappoint. The rookie first-round pick showed off his arm strength with several nice deep balls, including one that connected with receiver Mark Clayton for a touchdown. He also threw crisp slants and check downs to running backs. ... All indications are Boller will be the opening day starter but don't be surprised if the new staff pushes Flacco into the lineup as quickly as possible.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr3')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Darren McFadden Takes Part In First Workout
(5/10 1:13 AM PT)
The Facts:
McFadden seemed to handle the ball less than either Michael Bush or Louis Rankin, the latter an undrafted free agent out of Washington. HC Lane Kiffin said the three were getting snaps on an equal basis.
Diehards Line:
According to Tribune staffer Jerry McDonald, McFadden made a couple of nice bursts up the middle and once was stacked up outside before breaking free, as defenders are not allowed to make tackles. He never caught pass in a scrimmage situation. ... For what it's worth, San Francisco Chronicle beat writer David White expects the Raiders to go the extra mile to ensure McFadden is under contract in time for training camp.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr4')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Michael Bush Impressive In Initial Workouts
(5/10 1:12 AM PT)
The Facts:
Bush ran with a smooth athleticism that belied his size at some 250 pounds, and looked natural catching a pass over the middle and pulling away from a linebacker. He glided through holes, and it will be fascinating in July to see what happens the first time a defender really attempts to lay him out.
Diehards Line:
It will be even more fascinating to see how the backfield pecking order shakes out this summer. One certainty, Bush will be in the mix along with fourth-pick overall Darren McFadden and incumbent starter Justin Fargas. As SI.com's Don Banks recently noted, Bush missed his NFL rookie season in the wake of the broken leg he suffered as a Louisville senior, but the Raiders are quite high on him and want to find a role for him this year.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr5')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Harbaugh: Quinn Sypniewski Wont's Play This Year
(5/9 4:46 PM PT)
The Facts:
Sypniewski will miss the entire 2008 season following a serious knee injury he suffered during a pre-draft mini-camp, HC John Harbaugh said today. "It looks like now we're not going to have him back," Harbaugh said. "He had surgery. The ligament tore off the bone, and the piece of the bone that came off the ligament shattered, which made it a situation where it's going to be 6-9 months [to recover]."
Diehards Line:
Sypniewski was carted off the practice field on April 18 when making contact with linebacker Antwan Barnes. The team remained cautiously optimistic, but following recent surgery the team determined that Sypniewski will not play again this year. Sypniewski became an important part of the Ravens offense last season when starter Todd Heap went down due to injury. Sypniewski had his best year in 2007, where he recorded 34 receptions for 246 yards and a touchdown.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr6')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">It's Official: Koren Robinson Released
(5/9 3:21 PM PT)
The Facts:
Following up on a previous item. ... The Green Bay Packers have released Robinson. The transaction was announced Friday by GM Ted Thompson.
Diehards Line:
Robinson originally joined the Packers as a free agent on Sept. 12, 2006. He appeared in four games for Green Bay in 2006 and made seven catches for 89 yards. This past season, Robinson played in nine games for the Packers and had 21 catches for 241 yards and one touchdown. Next question: Will anybody express interest? Profootballtalk.com's Mike Florio suggests the Bears, Eagles, Bengals, Jaguars, Bucs, Broncos, Raiders and Cowboys could all use help at wideout. ... Stay tuned. We'll report back if anybody steps up.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr7')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Matt Schaub's Recovery Remains On Track
(5/9 3:11 PM PT)
The Facts:
The Texans open a three-day mini-camp today and Schaub, who underwent surgery on his left shoulder, will participate in drills. "Since we're in shorts, he'll be able to do everything," HC Gary Kubiak said. "If we were in pads (hitting), I'd hold him out."
Diehards Line:
By all accounts Schaub, who missed five starts last season -- and left four games early -- because of injuries, is on track to be at full speed when training camp begins. He has regained almost full range of motion in his the shoulder and has been only slightly limited during the off-season conditioning program. As noted in a recent Fantasy Notebook, coaches believe improved play up front -- and a better rushing attack -- will help keep Schaub healthy this year.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr8')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Packers Planning To Release Koren Robinson?
(5/9 1:48 PM PT)
The Facts:
A league source tells us that the Green Bay Packers are planning to release Robinson. The move could come as soon as today. Per the source, the team initially gave Robinson an opportunity to line up a trade, but other teams apparently have opted to wait for him to be cut.
Diehards Line:
After Green Bay used its first and last choices on wide receivers -- Jordy Nelson in the second round and Brett Swain in the seventh round -- Robinson's future with the Packers immediately became more tenuous. ... The team already has a pair of talented young wideouts in Greg Jennings and James Jones and Robinson has struggled to play up to the potential that led Seattle to select him ninth overall in 2001. He was was suspended for the start of last season, and was reinstated in October. From that point on, Robinson caught 21 passes for 241 yards and one touchdown. According to PFT, Robinson is signed through 2008, at a base salary of $730,000.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr9')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">LenDale White Says Weight In Check; Rehab On Track
(5/9 8:45 AM PT)
The Facts:
White said his current weight is "anywhere from 5 to 10 pounds from where I need to be." He played in the 245-pound range last season and said he wanted to come to training camp around 230 or 235. "It is way better (than last offseason)," White said. "I want people to keep speculating and keep guessing what I (weigh) because it is great talk. So I am not going to tell people what I weigh, I just want people to speculate."
Diehards Line:
White, heading into his third NFL season, is still working his way back from arthroscopic knee surgery and will be limited at the team's minicamp practices over the next week. White, however, said he's been "rehabbing like crazy" and the decision to hold him back during mini-camp practices was made more for precautionary reasons. "We're just taking our time," he said. "I am feeling good. We just don't want to blow it out."
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr10')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Rob Bironas (Finally) Signs Tender With Titans
(5/9 8:38 AM PT)
The Facts:
Bironas has signed a one-year deal with the team worth $1.47 million. The Titans made Bironas a one-year tender offer in February, but the team remains interested in signing him to a long-term contract.
Diehards Line:
The 30-year-old Bironas may have been the Titans' offensive MVP a season ago. Bironas connected on 35-of-39 field goals, including an impressive 13-of-15 attempts from 40 yards and beyond. He also averaged 67.6 yards on kickoffs, tops among kickers who played a full season.
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