Packers also dealing with “livid” Grant

by | Jul 28, 2008 | NFL News

While the Brett Favre headlines have dominated the Green Bay Packers headlines the last few weeks, regular Zoneblitz reader “The Gun” reminded us that the team is also dealing with another potential hornet’s nest in the holdout of exclusive rights free agent running back Ryan Grant.

Grant, according to the La Crosse Tribune, is “livid” over the Packers’ contract offer that reportedly included only $1.75 million in guaranteed money for a six-year contract.

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Jordan to New England hurts Maroney’s status

by | Jul 27, 2008 | Fantasy Football

Does it seem to anyone else that New England coach Bill Belichick just doesn’t trust Laurence Maroney?

During the 2007 season’s last seven games and the playoffs, Maroney seemed to come into his own. He had four 100 yard rushing games the second half of the season and generally established himself as a solid threat, as long as two factors are in play: he has to be healthy and Belichick has to want to run the ball.

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Toe injury limiting Stewart

by | Jul 27, 2008 | Fantasy Football

Carolina Panthers rookie running back Jonathon Stewart is being limited to one practice a day while he nurses a toe injury.

Stewart also apparently has some catching up to do after missing the team’s 16 organized team activities.

While he’s expected to ultimately wrest the starting job from DeAngelo Williams, it might be wise for fantasy players to have some alternatives, at least through the season’s first handful of games.
Williams isn’t really seen as an every-down back and that’s why Stewart was drafted. But Williams likely will handle the heavy load at least for a month or so if it takes Stewart longer than camp just to catch up.

“Certainly for Jonathan this is very new to him,” quarterback Jake Delhomme told the Associated Press. “This is minicamp to him. He did not have the 16 practices that we’ve had already.”

Favre a no-show

by | Jul 27, 2008 | NFL News

Brett Favre told SportsIllustrated.com that Green Bay General Manager Ted Thompson asked him for “a couple days” to resolve his playing situation so the quarterback agreed to stay away from camp for a few days, according to the Associated Press.

The New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have emerged as potential trade partners for the Packers, and Favre told the Web site that he would consider a trade to any team, the AP reports.

Shouldn’t be long before we know where – and if – Favre plans to play this season. I see Tampa as a more likely destination than New York – even if it is too hot.