Archive for the 'NFC West' Category

Boldin has been unhappy about not getting a new contract in Arizona. He is now saying that he will play out his final year and then move on to another team next year. The East Valley Tribune quotes him as saying, “I was promised a deal would get done before this season. But the season is here and obviously it hasn’t happened,” Boldin said. “Right now … I don’t want a deal. People may think I’m being funny or just saying that just to say it. But for me, I’m just tired of it. I’ve washed my hands of the whole situation.” Full story here.

Monster Take: A lot is made of players in the final year of their contracts and we agree that it can be a motivator. Boldin seems to have a serious chip on his shoulder. We like his chances of putting up good numbers this year to put himself in good position on the free agent market.

The Sacramento Bee reports, “Alex Smith and Shaun Hill will continue to share first-string snaps as training camp opens. They’ll both start one preseason game. Based on that, Nolan hopes one will emerge as the leader in the competition and that that quarterback would start the all-important third preseason game.” Full story here.

Monster Take: In Mike Martz’s offense, the starting QB in San Francisco could help your team as a backup on your roster with spot start duty. However, it doesn’t sound like we’re going to know anytime soon who that guy will be. We’re betting on Alex Smith, but we’ll keep you updated.

USA Today reports regarding Mike Holmgren’s comments on who the Seahawks starting RB will be. “We probably won’t make that decision right until late. We’ll go into training camp,” Holmgren says. “You know Mo (Morris) and Julius are going to carry the ball a good portion of the time. Leonard’s (Weaver) going to be our starting fullback. The one I have to figure out a little bit is how we are going to use Duckett.” Full story here.

Monster Take: This is further affirmation of the feared running back by committee situation in Seattle. Of the three, Jones seemingly would have the most value here.

The AP reports, “Deion Branch as likely to be out for most if not all of training camp. Branch is rehabilitating a surgically reconstructed knee and may not play in the opener Sept. 7 at Buffalo.” Full story here.

Monster Take: Nothing new to report here, just a reminder to be very wary of Branch this year.

The Sacramento Bee reports, “there’s a three-way race among Shaun Hill, J.T. O’Sullivan and Alex Smith to start.” Full story here.

Monster Take: Another quarterback situation to avoid in your fantasy draft. However, the winner of this battle has some upside with Martz onboard and newly added WR’s Bryant Johnson and Isaac Bruce. We think Smith has the best shot of producing in this offense.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Rams RB Steven Jackson has high expectations for 2008. “This is definitely where I want to be.” Jackson is in the final year of his rookie contract, and he adds, “Well, we all know what happens in a contract year: you ball out. So, I expect to.” Full story here.

Monster Take: Jackson is due for a great year wanting to prove himself fully recovered from last seasons injury and worthy of a fat, new contract.

The Arizona Cardinals team site reports that HC, Ken Whisenhunt said, “quarterback Matt Leinart looked confident during minicamp and handled the offense well.” Full story here.

Monster Take: Fully recovered from a broken collarbone, Leinart could be a top 10 quarterback this year or at least a solid fantasy backup. He has the weapons in Fitzgerald and Boldin to have a very good year.

The AP reports that Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin “says he wants to remain with the Cardinals and is not upset that he has yet to get a new contract on par with teammate Larry Fitzgerald.” Full story here.

Monster Take: Good news for Boldin and the Cards as a whole. The Cardinals have expressed interest in getting Boldin a new contract. That will likely happen sooner rather than later.

The Arizona Republic reports that WR Boldin reported to the Cardinals facility for a mandatory three-day minicamp. Full story here.

Monster Take: Boldin had made known his desire to be traded and the team has expressed interest in signing him to a long term deal. Boldin showing for camp is a good sign that they will get something worked out.

Frank Hughes with the Tacoma News Tribune reports that “rehab on Deion Branch going well but he (HC Mike Holmgren) does not expect him to be there at the beginning of the year.” Full story here.

Monster Take: We should get a more clear indication on Branch’s status this summer. Putting Branch on the injured reserve is a real possibility here. We’d steer clear of Branch unless some real, concrete news comes out prior to fantasy drafts.