RAVENS: Rice Emerging as a Sleeper?

Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice may have the chance to be the Ravens feature back, thanks to the news that Willis McGahee is scheduled to have his knee scoped, according to the Carroll County Times.

BOTTOM LINE: Don’t get too excited yet, but keep an eye on this situation, as Rice has the tools to be a quality NFL back in the future.

BILLS: Parrish Expects More

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Roscoe Parrish, who had just 35 catches for 352 yards and one touchdown last season, believes he’s ready for a bigger workload at receiver because he is a better player than he was coming out of the University of Miami in 2005, according to the Buffalo News.

BOTTOM LINE: Don’t be sold on Parrish just because he has confidence, but watch the situation closely. With an unproven quarterback, he should be a guy who is ignored until late in drafts.

SEAHAWKS: Morris outduels Jones

The Seattle Seahawks pounded the Minnesota Vikings, 34-17, on Friday, and the Seattle running game took much of the spotlight. Maurice Morris rushed for 62 yards on six carries while Julius Jones added 15 yards on four attempts.

BOTTOM LINE: With the departure of Shaun Alexander, the backfield was wide open entering training camp. Jones, who signed a four-year deal after a successful stint in Dallas, was the early favorite to win the job. But Morris, Alexander’s longtime understudy, showed he’s up to the challenge in the preseason opener. This will be a battle.

RAIDERS: McFadden makes debut

The Oakland Raiders rolled out an intimidating backfield led by first round pick Darren McFadden in an 18-6 win over the San Francisco 49er’s on Friday. McFadden rushed for 48 yards on 12 carries, part of a Raiders attack that piled up 248 yards on the ground.

BOTTOM LINE: Fellow rookie Louis Rankin (Washington) finished with 91 yards, highlighted by a 72-yard burst. 2007 sensation Justin Fargas added 25 yards on five carries. But clearly all eyes wre on former Arkansas Razorback stud McFadden, and he didn’t disappoint.  

EAGLES: Westbrook signs extension

The Philadelphia Eagles inked prolific running back Brian Westbook to a three-year, $21-million deal on Friday. Westbrook, 29, had two years remaining on his current contract. The new deal includes options that could keep Westbrook in Philly through 2013.

BOTTOM LINE: Every fantasy owner knows just how valuable Westbrook is because he is also Donovan McNabb’s top receiving target. No other NFL back his his hands. Consider the new deal one that will allow Westbrook to focus soley on kicking fantasy butt. Grab him in the first round — if you can. 

DOLPHINS: Pennington signs

The Miami Dolphins signed Chad Pennington just one day after the quarterback was released by the rival New York Jets. Pennington, a first round pick of the Jets in 2000, became expendable once the team traded for Brett Favre.

BOTTOM LINE: The dominos are still falling. Miami brass have reportedly told Pennington he will be the starter and The Miami Herald reports that either Josh McCown or John Beck will be released or traded. Rookie Chad Henne, a third-round pick from Michigan, has been the only quarterback to impress so far in Dolphins camp. That clears the way for the veteran Pennington, with one of the highest career completion percentages in NFL history, to step in.

JAGUARS: Matt Jones Tearing it up

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Matt Jones is having the best training camp of his career, according to the Florida Times-Union/

BOTTOM LINE: With his cocaine arrest, Jones was very much on the roster bubble when training camp began. It looks like he will stick around after all, and he could potentially become a sleeper in fantasy.

GIANTS: Working With Burress on Contract

New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress’ agent, Drew Rosenhaus, had talks with the Giants on Tuesday regarding Burress’ contract, according to the Associated Press.

BOTTOM LINE: Burress’ willingness to play now has probably helped his case in the manner. It looks like both sides are interested in getting something done, but they need to settle on money. Expect Burress to be a solid option as Eli Manning’s primary target in fantasy.

BEARS: Orton to Start Pre Season Opener

Chicago Bears quarterback Kyle Orton will start the Bears’ preseason opener on Thursday against the Chiefs, according to the Chicago Tribune.

BOTTOM LINE: Although this is not a clear cut indication that Orton is the starting quarterback, this is not good news for Rex Grossman. With a positive showing in pre season, Orton could lock up the starting job, but he still wouldn’t be much more than a buy week replacement in fantasy.

BEARS: Grossman Has Great Day in Camp

Chicago Bears quarterback Rex Grossman had his best day of camp Sunday. He was near-perfect on 7-on-7 drills, according to the Chicago Sun Times.

BOTTOM LINE: It is going to be a neck and neck battle for the starting job between Kyle Orton and Grossman. Look for Grossman to retain the title, but he will certainly be on a short leash if he doesn’t perform this season. He’s not the most desirable fantasy quarterback.

BENGALS: Johnson’s Hammy Acting Up

Cincinnati Benglas running back Rudi Johnson missed the weekend’s practices with a mild hamstring pull, according to the Cincinnati Benglas’ offical site.

BOTTOM LINE: The injury is said to not be too serious, but this is the same hamstring that bothered Johnson last season. If this continues, Johnson will not be able to perform, and will not be as desirable in fantasy.

PACKERS: Favre Will Compete

Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre will be allowed to compete with Rodgers for the starting job, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

BOTTOM LINE: Although this may hurt them in the long run, this was the smartest move for the Packers in the football sense. We would be shocked if Favre is not the starter in week one, and this new decision eliminates the possibility of Aaron Rodgers being a sleeper, unless Favre gets hurt.

TEXANS: Andre Johnson Ready to Go

Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson, who is coming off arthroscopic knee surgery, has been a full participant without limitations in training camp, according to the Houston Chronicle.

BOTTOM LINE: Johnson will have to be watched in the beginning to see if his mobility is affected by the knee surgery. He should have a good year, and is a guy who is worthy of drafting somewhere in the mid rounds.

BEARS: Forte Impresses More and More

Chicago Bears rookie running back Matt Forte continues to impress in Bears’ camp and it’s only a matter of time before he starts running with the first-team offense, according to the Chicago Bears’ official site.

BOTTOM LINE: Forte has impressed since being drafted, and with the exit of Cedric Benson, and the injury-proned Kevin Jones as his backup, he will certainly be a sleeper candidate in fantasy.

BUCCANEERS: GARCIA INJURES CALF

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jeff Garcia suffered a right calf injury of undetermined severity in a non-passing drill Thursday morning at the Buccaneers’ camp, according to the St. Petersburgh Times.

BOTTOM LINE: Garcia was able to walk off of the field on his own power, but was limping noticeably. IF this trade is serious, the Bucs may step up their pursuit of Brett Favre.

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