- It's starting to look like Peyton Manning will not be ready for Week 1. The Colts signed Kerry Collins - don't think for a minute they'd knowingly let Curtis Painter start knowing Manning could be out. Manning has to be significantly downgraded at this point, in my opinion. Let's say best case scenario he's ready for Week 1. He hasn't taken any game-speed/preseason snaps and hasn't had the practice/timing down with his WRs. So even |STAR|if|STAR| he's ready, he's going to be at what percentage of the Manning we're used to? Next, he's 35 and with an improved running game, there's no way he sees close to the amount of passing downs as he did last year, even if he was fully healthy. We've downgraded him to the 10th overall QB and not only is that a good call, that might be a tad optimistic.
- Roy Williams is not impressing the Bears. The Bears seem to be realizing why Williams wasn't used more in Dallas. When the wide receiver coach calls you out, that should raise a giant red flag. I'd be shocked if Johnny Knox does not have more fantasy points than Williams at the season's end.
-Terrell Owens is not completely recovered from his ACL surgery. This shouldn't be surprising since no team has signed him yet. Eventually some team will roll the dice with him especially once the injury bug starts to hit contending teams. If you need a WR in a deep league and are willing to gamble, Owens will be a better play than someone like Randy Moss.
- Ryan Grant has restructured his contract. Grant took a pay cut but his contract will be guaranteed meaning he will have a role in the Green Bay backfield. I still like Grant over the oft-injured James Starks (look at last year's YPC) and considering that one has two seasons of over 1,200 rushing yards and the other doesn't, it should be obvious who the better player to target is.
- Jahvid Best returned to practice. A good sign for his owners but there remains a lot of skepticism when taking his injury history into account. There may not be a back who's had more of a rollercoaster regarding his value over the last few weeks when considering the Mikel Leshoure injury and then Best's own injury. Is it safe as a college running back you'll be cursed if you get picked by the Lions? Could you go as far as to call it the Sanders' curse?
- Kenny Britt met with Roger Goodell and will find out later this week if he'll be suspended. If I had to wager money, I'd guess he gets suspended even though his transgressions happened during the lockout. Three run-ins with the law should be enough for a suspension, I'd think. That the incidents occurred during the lockout and that the meeting went well could give Britt a suspension under four games.
- Shane Vereen returned to practice for the Patriots. You'd be hard-pressed to find anyone more down on BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Vereen is one of the reasons why. Stevan Ridley is sitting out of practice so Vereen has the opportunity to show what he can do provided he's healthy. I can't imagine the Patriots used a second-round pick on Vereen to have him sit on the sideline watching BGE carry the ball 20 times a game. If you're looking for an end-game lottery ticket, here's a good player to target.
- Mark Ingram is experiencing swelling in his knee. This isn't a good sign considering many (myself included) have been high on Ingram considering his availability in the 40-50 range. Supposedly the move was precautionary but given his past knee troubles and Pierre Thomas' recovery this news is definitely something to keep an eye on.
- Chris Johnson met with Titans officials and not much happened. Johnson should be sliding down your draft board and he's basically the Peyton Manning (sans the injury) of running backs. Can you count on him staying in shape? Is he getting handoffs from a new QB? Might he be willing to take this into the season? Ray Rice should be ahead of him at this point and that's a very conservative view.