DAILY PLAYER UPDATE #5 06/29/2009

Chiefs- Tank Tyler
Tank Tyler is projected to start at nose tackle in the Chiefs' new 3-4 defense.

At 6'2/306, he's small for the position. It's hard to imagine Tyler commanding any double teams, or the Chiefs' run defense being remotely stout in 2009.

Source: Kansas City Star

Raiders- Darrius Heyward-Bey
Raiders first-round pick Darrius Heyward-Bey says his balky hamstring is still only at "80 percent."

The injury cost him nearly all of OTA season. Heyward-Bey predicts he'll be ready for the start of training camp in a month, but he's going to be behind Chaz Schilens and Johnnie Lee Higgins in their competition to start.

Source: NFL.com

Jaguars- Zach Miller
Jaguars signed sixth-round TE Zach Miller to a four-year contract.

Miller impressed onlookers during minicamp season, but he's still a pretty long shot as an undersized (6'4/233) converted quarterback coming from Nebraska-Omaha. The Jags will try to mold Miller into a pass-catching backup for Marcedes Lewis, who's never taken the next step as a receiver.

Giants- Tarvis Beckum
Giants signed third-round TE Travis Beckum to a four-year contract.

A Kellen Winslow clone, Beckum exhibited dominant pass-catching skills in Wisconsin's pro-style offense before a fractured fibula cut his career short. We would've been higher on Beckum for this year had he not missed most of spring practice with a balky hamstring. His role is currently uncertain.

Chiefs- Tyler Thigpen
Tyler Thigpen now says he's satisfied with being the Chiefs' backup quarterback behind Matt Cassel.

Thigpen was the fantasy QB2 overall behind only Drew Brees from Week 8 on last season, but he realizes that Cassel is the Chiefs' guy now. "They've got a lot of money invested in (Cassel)," Thigpen said. "I'm going to support him and do anything that I can to make him better. I'm a team player." Thigpen will be an immediate waiver wire pickup if Cassel goes down.

Source: Spartanburg Herald-Journal

Steelers- William Gay
According to The Football Scientist K.C. Joyner, William Gay of the Steelers gave up the fewest yards-per-attempt of any CB in the league last year.

Gay's 3.4 YPA was one of the primary reasons Pittsburgh was comfortable letting free agent Bryant McFadden walk. Gay will be the team's starting left corner this year. He'll likely still be tested often playing opposite Ike Taylor.

Source: New York Times

Lions- Bryant Johnson
Even though the Lions traded for WR Dennis Northcutt, Bryant Johnson is expected to remain the No. 2 wideout.

Johnson has never lived up to his first-round pick status, failing to crack 800 receiving yards in any of his six seasons. It's clear the Lions need to upgrade the spot opposite Calvin Johnson, but it doesn't look like Northcutt, Ronald Curry, or Derrick Williams will take that job away from Bryant Johnson.

Source: ESPN.com

Giants- Bears, Jets all but rule out Plaxico Burress
The Bears have "pretty much ruled out" free agent Plaxico Burress, reports ESPN.com's John Clayton.

Clayton added that the Jets are "almost in that same boat," and the Bucs GM expressed a similar sentiment over the weekend. No team is expected to sign Plax before the beginning of training camp. Potentially interested teams are in a holding pattern until commissioner Roger Goodell hands down his ruling on a suspension.

Source: ESPN.com

Jaguars- Trade Dennis Northcutt for Gerald Alexander
Jaguars agreed to trade WR Dennis Northcutt to the Lions in exchange for S Gerald Alexander. The deal is contingent on both players passing physicals and will not be official until Monday.

While the trade shows the Jags' high regard for their three late-round receivers, it also may signal a lack of faith in Lions third-round pick Derrick Williams, who recently came down with a hamstring injury. Northcutt is a candidate to return punts for the Lions and will likely battle Williams and Ronald Curry for slot receiver duties. Jags GM Gene Smith did well to get a young safety for Northcutt, who is grossly overpaid and turning 32. It's a shock that anybody wanted him for more than the minimum salary, but these are the Lions.

Source: Detroit Free Press

Giants- Plaxico Burress
Yahoo Sports reports that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is "leaning toward" indefinitely suspending free agent Plaxico Burress.

Yahoo's Jason Cole also says it looks like free agent Michael Vick's indefinite suspension will be continued. A similar stance to the one Goodell took with Donte' Stallworth is expected in both cases. Cole says there's a "reasonable" chance that Vick won't play at all in 2009, and that Plax's suspension could be levied even before his legal issues play out. Burress wouldn't be worth a flier pick in fantasy leagues if he receives an indefinite ban.

Source: Yahoo Sports

Falcons- Michael Vick
Suspended free agent Michael Vick is in danger of missing the entire 2009 season, according to Yahoo Sports' Jason Cole.

"(Vick) is not just walking out one day and playing again," a source close to Vick said. "Yeah, he served his time, but he has to prove himself. When the commissioner talks about wanting to see remorse, he’s not kidding." Vick is currently on indefinite suspension. He has yet to present a bankruptcy plan in federal court that any judge has deemed doable.

Source: Yahoo Sports

Bills- Shawn Nelson
Rookie Shawn Nelson is not likely to claim the Bills' starting tight end job, according to the team's official website.

Nelson is practicing as a wide receiver and probably won't see much action on early downs in his first season. He could lead all Bills tight ends in receptions, but won't approach TE1 value as a mere third-down option.

Source: buffalobills.com

Eagles- LeSean McCoy
Eagles agreed to terms with RB LeSean McCoy, the No. 53 overall pick, on a four-year contract.

The first second-rounder to sign, McCoy will get a deal just north of last year's 53rd pick, Limas Sweed ($3.27M/4 years). McCoy has work to do with his blitz protections and inside running, but he's a ready-made receiving back with extremely quick feet and nifty open-field moves. Brian Westbrook's re-draft owners will want to reach into the middle rounds for McCoy as Philadelphia's starter recovers from more knee surgery and an ankle procedure.

Source: Drew Rosenhaus on Twitter