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Fantasy Notebook 3/30
by Bob Harris
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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">L.J. Smith Re-Signs With Eagles
(4/2 12:15 PM PT)
The Facts:
The Eagles' first move of the offseason, and the biggest to impact the offense, is finally complete as Smith signed his franchise tender on Wednesday.
Diehards Line:
Smith was the first of a dozen players to receive the franchise tag designation this offseason on Feb. 7. With the offseason conditioning program underway, Smith signed the tender so that he could be with his teammates and get ready for the upcoming season. ... Despite the recent addition of Kris Wilson, Smith heads into 2008 as the Eagles top tight end.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr2')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Vikings, Gus Frerotte Agree To Terms
(4/2 8:57 AM PT)
The Facts:
Following up on a previous item. ... The Vikings have reached an agreement in principle with Frerotte. The deal will be for more than one year, but it won't be completed until after the NFL owners meeting, which is concluding Wednesday.
Diehards Line:
According to ESPN.com insider John Clayton, both sides reached agreement on the numbers over the past couple of days but it will take a few days to go over the language of the contract. Acquiring Frerotte fills the Vikings need for a No. 2 QB behind Tarvaris Jackson and will end any trade discussions with the Texans over Sage Rosenfels.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr3')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Jared Lorenzen Re-Signs With Giants
(4/2 6:26 AM PT)
The Facts:
Lorenzen, who spent much of last season as the Giants' third-string quarterback, re-signed with the Giants yesterday, when he signed the one-year tender offer they gave him in February. Lorenzen, a restricted free agent, was tendered at the "low" amount of $927,000.
Diehards Line:
According to Daily News staffer Ralph Vacchiano, Lorenzen will be in an interesting summer battle with Anthony Wright and newly signed David Carr for the two backup spots behind Eli Manning. Lorenzen completed 4 of his 8 passes last season for 28 yards. Those are his only regular-season passes in his three years in the league.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr4')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Bengals Ready To Roll Without Chad Johnson
(4/1 10:38 PM PT)
The Facts:
If Johnson decides to sit out the season, HC Marvin Lewis said Tuesday the team is prepared to move on without him. "We've been dealing with this inside for over a year and we'll be prepared to move on," Lewis told reporters. "He has a contract through 2011. If he plays NFL football it will be in Cincinnati, or he has to do what he says and that's retire."
Diehards Line:
Johnson has made a series of appearances this offseason making it clear that he feels unappreciated. Johnson has said repeatedly that he'd like to play for another team. ... Lewis reiterated Tuesday that the team has no plans to trade Johnson, but he's willing to welcome Johnson back to the team if he changes his tune. ... It's unfortunate that Chad has put himself in that situation because a lot of people who really had affection for him now see him in a different light," the coach said. ... Count us among them.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr5')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Jay Cutler Calls Marshall Out
(4/1 10:36 PM PT)
The Facts:
In his first off-season interview, one sprinkled with unusually blunt criticism, Cutler called out WR Brandon Marshall, who suffered a gash on his right forearm while horsing around last month. "Yeah, he's not my favorite person right now," Cutler said. "I mean, I support him, but it's always something with him right now."
Diehards Line:
Cutler said Tuesday that it was imperative for Marshall to participate in all the off-season workouts, but he won't be back in action until training camp. "We're going to be fine. I'm not that overly concerned about it, but it just would be nice coming into our third year, coming off a big year he had last year, for him to get more work done and get more time in and just a little more trust out there," Cutler said. "But it's going to take some time now, maybe training camp, maybe even longer. ..." Cutler's approach is interesting; it will be more interesting to see how Marshall responds.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr6')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Packers Re-Sign Ruvell Martin
(4/1 1:33 PM PT)
The Facts:
Martin signed a one-year, $445,000 contract with the Green Bay Packers as an exclusive rights free agent, his agent said Tuesday.
Diehards Line:
Martin, who will become a restricted free agent after the 2008 season, played in 15 games and made 16 catches for 242 yards and four touchdowns among a group of receivers that included Pro Bowler Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, James Jones and Koren Robinson. Martin is the biggest of the Packers’ wide receivers at 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds and caught two touchdown passes against Minnesota on Nov. 11.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr7')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Vikings Closing In On Gus Frerotte?
(4/1 9:31 AM PT)
The Facts:
With the Texans apparently intent on keeping QB Sage Rosenfels, indications are strong this morning that the Vikings are nearing an agreement with Frerotte.
Diehards Line:
According to Star Tribune staffer Kevin Seifert, Frerotte, who also has visited the Packers, could agree to terms in the next few days. He would serve as a veteran backup for starter Tarvaris Jackson.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr8')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Chris Henry Hit With Minor Citation
(4/1 9:23 AM PT)
The Facts:
Henry was cited in March for driving a vehicle with an expired license plate. Henry paid a $149 fine on March 26, Hamilton County court records show.
Diehards Line:
The NFL suspended Henry for the first eight games last year due to violations of the NFL’s personal conduct policy. He was warned that future misconduct could result in the end of his NFL career. While any issue -- given Henry's history -- is worth noting,this one shouldn't cause major problems.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr9')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Kubiak: Sage Rosenfels Not Going Anywhere
(4/1 6:50 AM PT)
The Facts:
"Absolutely not." That's what HC Gary Kubiak said this morning when asked if his team is looking to trade Rosenfels -- to the Vikings or anyone else. Kubiak deferred some questions to GM Rick Smith but made clear that starter Matt Schaub’s health -- he is recovering from shoulder surgery — makes it difficult to trade Rosenfels. "He's important to our football team," Kubiak said. "Our starter right now physically has a problem, coming off shoulder surgery, so Sage is very important to our football team."
Diehards Line:
The Vikings will probably make another run at Rosenfels before the April 26-27 draft, but a deal doesn’t seem too likely at this point. The Vikings remain heavily interested in Rosenfels, having offered a third-round draft pick for him, but it’s not certain that Houston will trade him at any price.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr10')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Irons, Perry Unlikely To Be Ready Before Camp
(4/1 6:48 AM PT)
The Facts:
Bengals HC Marvin Lewis said Kenny Irons, rehabbing from reconstructive knee surgery, won't be available for the May and June camps and he's not sure of the status Chris Perry (dislocated ankle) for those on-field workouts.
Diehards Line:
Perry has been cleared to take part in the team's off-season conditioning program, but apparently still has a way to go. ... That would seem to put some onus on Rudi Johnson and Kenny Watson because Lewis also reiterated his offense is going to go back to basics and run the ball. "This is going to be what's important," Lewis said here at the AFC coaches media breakfast. "Everybody thinks it's cute to throw the ball around the lot, but you don't win games throwing the ball around the lot."
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