DAILY PLAYER UPDATE #4 06/28/2009

Jets- Brett Favre
Adrian Peterson said he would welcome Brett Favre "with open arms" should the Vikings sign the future Hall of Famer.

Only Jim Brown and Eric Dickerson have rushed for more yards in their first two seasons than Peterson. It's scary to think how explosive he will be if a healthy Favre can keep the eighth and ninth defenders out of the box.

Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Browns- Braylon Edwards
After an offseason spent squarely on the trade block, Braylon Edwards insists he remains committed to the Browns.

"I never said I wanted to go," Edwards said. "The Browns tried to put a trade out there ... I never took it personal." We expect the Browns offense to struggle this season, but Edwards' talent still makes him a good bounce back candidate in fantasy leagues.

Source: nfl.fanhouse.com

Packers- Jordy Nelson
According to the Green Bay Press Gazette, Jordy Nelson was "quietly was one of the standouts of the offseason."

The Packers boast one of the deepest receiver corps in the league, so Nelson won't be much of a fantasy factor. More of a possession receiver, last year's second-rounder is expected to battle big-play threat James Jones for the No. 3 receiver job.

Source: Green Bay Press-Gazette

Buccaneers- Josh Freeman
Bucs GM Mark Dominik reiterated that rookie Josh Freeman isn't a realistic candidate to begin the season as the starting quarterback.

"The ultimate goal is to let Josh Freeman sit back and learn," Dominik said. "He's a 21-year-old quarterback who came out as a true junior. You'd like for him to grow and mature into his role and not be forced into it." According to the GM, the race between Luke McCown and Byron Leftwich remains "extremely close," and the starter may not be named until the end of preseason action.

Source: St. Petersburg Times

Jags-Mike Thomas
Beat writer Michael Wright confirmed that the Jaguars' confidence in their rookie receivers was a primary factor in the Dennis Northcutt trade.

Fourth-rounder Mike Thomas is a prototypical slot receiver with great short area quickness and after-the-catch running ability. Fifth-rounder Jarett Dillard is a polished receiver with eye-popping college production, outstanding leaping ability and great hands. He would likely be the choice to start should Mike Walker or Torry Holt suffer an injury.

Source: Florida Times Union

Packers- Matty Flynn
Matt Flynn reportedly remains "well ahead" of Brian Brohm for the Packers backup quarterback job.

This is coming from beat writer Pete Doughtery, but there have also been reports of Brohm showing improvement this offseason. Last year's disappointing second-rounder will have to shine in preseason action to unseat Flynn.

Source: Green Bay Press-Gazette

Giants- Plaxico Burress
Bucs GM Mark Dominik said he has no interest in signing Plaxico Burress at this time.

The Bucs reportedly called Plax's agent earlier this offseason, and Plax later expressed an interest in playing in Tampa. The team is obviously leery of Burress' legal troubles, but it could be inferred that they may revisit the subject after the commissioner's final ruling.
Source: St. Petersburg Times

Falcons- Michael Vick
The Patriots are reportedly not interested in signing Michael Vick, even as a 'Wildcat' quarterback.

This was never a realistic option, but that didn't stop many in the national media from tabbing the Pats as a likely landing spot. Vick will be looking for a chance to play a larger role, and the Pats' offensive scheme doesn't suit his style.

Source: National Football Post

Raiders- Jamarcus Russell
JaMarcus Russell's work ethic continues to be called into question, according to the National Football Post's Michael Lombardi.

Russell scored surface points with his plans to host an extra minicamp for his receivers, but that good impression didn't last long. Russell reportedly went AWOL on the last day of the team's minicamp after urging teammates to step up their efforts and finish out the OTAs on a positive note.

Source: National Football Post

Packers-Patrick Lee
Packers second-year CB Patrick Lee has reportedly made significant progress this offseason.

He still isn't going to be more than a fourth corner, but Green Bay needs its young CBs to develop behind over-30 starters Charles Woodson and Al Harris. Lee, one of the Packers' three second-round picks last year, finished his rookie campaign with just two tackles and a breakup in five appearances.

Source: Green Bay Press-Gazette

Lions- Jeff Backus
Lions LT Jeff Backus has surrendered an average of 10 sacks per season over the last three years.

League average tackles average about five sacks allowed per year, so this puts in perspective how bad Backus has been. The Lions reportedly don't know which Backus they'll get this year, but he's likely to continue to struggle if Daunte Culpepper wins the starting quarterback job. Culpepper is a sack waiting to happen with a long release and no remaining mobility.

Source: MLive.com

Browns- Alex Hall
Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer believes that Alex Hall can be the Browns' best pass rusher.

A seventh-round pick from little St. Augustine last year, Hall flashed with three sacks and two forced fumbles in his first season. He's in the mix with David Bowens and perhaps David Veikune to start opposite Kamerion Wimbley.

Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer

Chiefs- Javarris Williams
Seventh-round pick Javarris Williams admits he's had trouble picking up the Chiefs' playbook at minicamps.

Williams is struggling with blitz pickup, which is always a hurdle for rookies. "At Tennessee State it was a lot more simple," he admitted. He's in the mix with Kolby Smith and Dantrell Savage to be the team's No. 3 back.

Source: Nashville Tennessean

Ravens- Ravens Offense
Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome says he eventually plans to return to his home state of Alabama, although in what capacity he isn't sure.

"At some point I'm coming back home," says Newsome, 53, who's established as one of the NFL's top GMs. "I want to tailgate and be around the fans. I have not had the chance to experience being a fan." It's speculative to say he'd want the job, but the Alabama A.D. position (currently held by Hal Moore) may open soon amid sanctions for a textbook-selling scandal.

Source: Collegefootballtalk.com

Bills- Bills Offense
Owner Ralph Wilson says the Bills do not anticipate adding games to be played in Toronto to the regular season schedule anytime soon.

Wilson will wait "two or three years" before expanding Buffalo's outside the U.S. schedule because he isn't sure it'll be a success. The Bills currently play once in Toronto in the regular season and three preseason games there. They're "hosting" the Jets at the Rogers Centre in Week 13 this year.

Source: Associated Press