Tra Thomas Retires

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Update: NFL.com reports that San Diego Chargers OT Tra Thomas has retired on Saturday. Thomas spent 12 seasons in the league, 11 with the Eagles and 1 with the Jaguars.

Fantasy Impact: Thomas was brought in during the off-season as an insurance policy for Marcus McNeil, who is holding out. Without McNeil and Thomas, the Chargers are very weak at left tackle, which could prove to be troublesome for QB Philip Rivers and the running attack.



Gibril Wilson Likely Done For Season

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Update: The Cincinnati Bengals took a hit in the depth of their secondary when S Gibril Wilson was injured on Friday against the Eagles, the team's official website reports. Wilson injured in ACL and MCL, and although the severity in not yet known, the team expects him to miss the entire 2010 season.

Fantasy Impact: Although Wilson's loss will not impact the Bengals base defense, he will be missed on special teams and in overall safety depth. If one of the starting safeties gets hurt at some point this season, this injury will become significantly more important.



Gibril Wilson Likely Done For Season

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Update: The Cincinnati Bengals took a hit in the depth of their secondary when S Gibril Wilson was injured on Friday against the Eagles, the team's official website reports. Wilson injured in ACL and MCL, and although the severity in not yet known, the team expects him to miss the entire 2010 season.

Fantasy Impact: Although Wilson's loss will not impact the Bengals base defense, he will be missed on special teams and in overall safety depth. If one of the starting safeties gets hurt at some point this season, this injury will become significantly more important.



Urlacher Suffers Injury

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Update: Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune reports the Chicago Bears LB Brian Urlacher suffered a calf injury on Saturday against the Raiders. The injury occurred on the first drive of the game and is not a big deal.

Fantasy Impact: The Bears were an average defensive team in 2009, ranking 17th in the league. Part of the reason is the fact that Urlacher played in just one game last year and his duties were not available. If the Bears want to be a physical defense, Urlacher needs to be healthy.



Urlacher Suffers Injury

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Update: Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune reports the Chicago Bears LB Brian Urlacher suffered a calf injury on Saturday against the Raiders. The injury occurred on the first drive of the game and is not a big deal.

Fantasy Impact: The Bears were an average defensive team in 2009, ranking 17th in the league. Part of the reason is the fact that Urlacher played in just one game last year and his duties were not available. If the Bears want to be a physical defense, Urlacher needs to be healthy.



Chicago Bears: What I Saw From Preseason Game 2

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If you were looking for a more improved Chicago Bears team after watching them in preseason game one, you didn’t see it.

After a whole week of the coaches and players professing that they were going to come out against Oakland a better and improved team than how they played last week against San Diego, the Bears failed miserably to meet those expectations in a 32-17 loss.

[Read more...]



WR Bryant to miss more time

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Update: Dallas Cowboys rookie wideout Dez Bryant (ankle) sounds unlikely to appear in one of Dallas' final two preseason games, according to the Dallas Morning News.

Fantasy Impact: Bryant looks like he should be set to go for Week 1.  There is a ton of hype around this kid, and it should be interesting to see how he performs.



McNabb brutal in preseason game

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Update: Washington Redskins quarterback Donovan McNabb finished 11-of-26 for 206 yards and an interception in Washington's 23-3 exhibition loss to Baltimore.

Fantasy Impact: McNabb is always criticized for his accuracy issues, and this was perfect example of why he gets a bad rep.  

 



Okung Injured In Preseason Loss

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Update: The Seattle Seahawks are holding their breath, hoping the LT Russell Okung's ankle injury is not too serious, the AP reports. Okung left the preseason game against the Packers and the injury is believed to be a high ankle sprain, which usually takes around 2 months to heal. Okung will have an MRI done on the ankle on Sunday.

Fantasy Impact: A loss of Okung would be a significant one for the Seahawks. The 6th overall pick in April's draft is expected to solidify the left tackle position and help keep the quarterback upright.



Kaczur May Be Done For Season

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Update: The Boston Herald reports the New England Patriots OL Nick Kaczur maybe be done for the 2010 season. Kaczur hurt his back on the second day of training camp and recently underwent back surgery, which is believed to be serious enough to keep him out the whole year.

Fantasy Impact: Kaczur was replacing LG Logan Mankins on the offensive line, who is in the middle of a contract dispute. That means this loss is a huge one for New England. They lose a starting offensive lineman and take a huge hit to the depth on the O-Line.



Josh Freeman Breaks Thumb

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Update: Aaron Knox of the Tampa Tribune reports that Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Josh Freeman broke his thumb on the team's opening drive. Freeman fractured the tip of his right thumb and will miss the remainder of the preseason. The team believes he will be ready for the regular season opener.

Fantasy Impact: As a rookie, Freeman had a tough time adjusting to the NFL. In 10 games he threw for 1,855 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 18 interceptions. But word from Buccaneers camp is that Freeman has looked great in camp and is ready to justify his 1st-round selection.



Ohio State 2010 Season Preview Part 1: Offense and Special Teams

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terrelle-pryor-rose-bowl

The Ohio State Buckeyes look to carry the movement from their thrilling 2010 Rose Bowl upset over the Oregon Jail Birds into the 2010 season.

The Buckeyes stunned many critics when they beat a much quicker Oregon team. Ohio State won that game in large part because their defensive line destroyed a smaller Oregon O-Line. This halted Oregon’s spectacular running game and forced Jeremiah Masoli to pass. Masoli struggled, only completing 9 out of 20 passes for 81 yards with 1 INT.

Ohio State’s offense also surprised critics, especially quarterback Terrelle Pryor. Pryor took home the Rose Bowl Offensive MVP after he led the Bucks in rushing with 72 yards and completed 23 of 37 passes for 266 yards and two touchdowns.

Is the 2010 National Championship in the Buckeyes future also? In Part 1 of our Ohio State season preview we analyze the offense, led by the junior Pryor, and the special teams.

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FanDuel presents an intriguing fantasy football alternative

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A friend of mine emailed me recently about a unique fantasy football platform he is involved in. I have not personally taken part yet, but I have to admit that it does sound like an intriguing alternative to the usual fantasy football setup.

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Email the author of this post: jerod@midwestsportsfans.com



Jenkins turning heads in camp

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Update: New York Jets nose tackle Kris Jenkins has been turning heads at camp with his diet and workout regimen, and says he's feeling stress-free. Head coach Rex Ryan, "He's able to move. He looks like a young guy out there. In fact, I think he's better this year than he was last year."

Fantasy Impact:  Jenkins has lost 33 pounds and is turning heads in camp.  He is now being looked at as a major impact player for the Jets this season.  



Olgetree making most of chance

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Update: According to the Dallas Morning News, Dallas Cowboys WR Kevin Ogletree has been reportedly making the most of his "golden opportunity."

Fantasy Impact:  Once rookie Dez Bryant went down, Ogletree has gotten a chance to step back into the limelight.  Bryant is still going to be the guy once he returns.