The happenings on this Friday:
-DeSean Jackson (back) returned to practice. I discussed him being downgraded but others have so much (at least in industry leagues) that I'm starting to think he's going to have some value if he falls far enough.
-Steven Smith left practice with a groin injury. The Giants RBs have been healthy this preseason while the WRs have picked up the injury bug (Hakeem Nicks – knee, Mario Manningham - groin). This isn't thought to be too serious but wait and see what happens after the MRI.
-C.J. Spiller finally signed a guaranteed $20.8 million dollar deal. As a Bills fan, I love this. Then I look at the offensive line and I'm not so in love. I look at the likely starting QB in Trent Edwards and I'm even more not so in love. I'm still looking for Marshawn Lynch to get traded before Week 1 (the Broncos seem like a nice fit now). Put money on the Bills finishing fourth in the AFC East.
-Adrian Peterson returned to practice. The first three picks are a consensus; I originally had Chris Johnson as my #1 pick but AP has a much better track record so I'd actually take him now. Even if Favre doesn't play, the opposing team will crowd the defensive line more making it easier for AP to break through on long TD-runs.
-Chaz Schilens, Louis Murphy and Derrius Heyward-Bey are all battling injuries. If you wait on a TE in your draft, take Zach Miller; Jason Campbell loves to dump down to that position as his safety blanket.
-Ahmad Bradshaw is getting more first-team reps than teammate Brandon Jacobs. One of these guys will have solid fantasy value. This is not a settled situation and should be monitiored through the preseason to see who seems to be the starter. Stay tuned.
-Random Payne note. I advocated strongly against drafting Matt Ryan last year in any format and will do the same this year. Atlanta remains a run-first team and as I stated last year I thought Ryan's numbers/reputation last year were inflated based on the fact that he was a rookie when he posted solid numbers, which exponentially overvalued him. He's a solid QB but: 1. Atlanta will run, run, run and Michael Turner should be more healthy this year. 2. Tony Gonzalez is on the downside of his career at age 34 and teams have learned to watch him in the red zone. 3. Ryan's YPA went from 7.9 to 6.5 from his rookie to sophomore seasons. I'd think two of the three – Carson Palmer, Matt Cassel or Chad Henne out produce him.