Jene Bramel
Footballguy
I'll be adding to this first post throughout the morning, newest updates on top, with major updates and inactives in a new post when needed. Feel free to ask general, non-team-advice questions if there's anything else you'd like to see updated.
That's a wrap on the early news. I'll be around on Twitter with musings and more throughout the day. Link to follow me is in my sig.
Would appreciate feedback on whether everyone would prefer everything in the opening post (the same place, but you'll have to refresh frequently) or blogged throughout the thread (maybe harder to find, but easier to know when something new has been added).
Best of luck today everyone.
<<<<<>>>>>
No inactives of note for the afternoon games. Darryl Tapp and Ahmad Brooks are out, but neither should have a major lineup impact. Charles Woodson and David Hawthorne are both active.
<<<<<>>>>>
Significant actives include: Louis Delmas, Jairus ByrdSignificant inactives include: DeAndre Levy, William Hayes, Channing Crowder
Sean Weatherspoon officially in Atlanta starting lineup.
Landon Johnson officially starting at MLB for Detroit.
Jason Babin starting for Hayes, Devin McCourty starting at CB.
Didn't list it below, but as expected, Kroy Biermann starting over Jamaal Anderson in ATL.
Alama-Francis INACTIVE after expectations were that he'd play in base over Misi. Misi to start. Almost has to be some discipline here, I'd think. ETA: IAF sick this AM. Opening for Misi.
Interestingly, with McRath suspended and Witherspoon missing practice this week for family reasons, Rennie Curran is inactive for TEN today.
Mark Anderson announced as starter over Israel Idonije today. Expect plenty of rotation here, if you're looking for Anderson to be a spot start.
Levy observed moving reasonably well in pregame warmups, but not letting it fly 100%. First real indication of where he might be in his recovery.
Osi Umenyiora listed as starter this AM.
Jamie Winborn starting at OLB with Witherspoon today.
FWIW RT @espn_nfcnblog: Based on the dance I just saw Louis Delmas perform on the pregame field, his groin is fine.
Mike Reiss reporting that Chung and Sanders taking warmups with first team and Ninkovich lining up at OLB. Interesting.
<<<<<>>>>>
Landon Johnson replaces DeAndre Levy at MLB today. Hard to know what the Lions will do on passing downs, but it's more likely that Johnson plays every down than Zack Follett. Johnson makes for a good LB3 flyer today, but the Lions' safeties may hold the best value. Unfortunately, both starters (CC Brown and Louis Delmas) aren't locks to finish the game due to their nagging injury, so be aware that they're both high risk, high reward plays today. And keep an eye on Randy Phillips.Mario Williams is back on the injury report with a groin problem. These nagging issues are really starting to hurt. An already terrible matchup vs Indianapolis is made worse here. Unless you're without other options in a tackle heavy league, I'd lean toward benching him today.
William Hayes aggravated his knee injury late this week and is a GTD. He has an above-average matchup, but will likely lose more snaps in rotation today to keep him fresh if he's able to go at all. If he's inactive, Jacob Ford becomes a solid spot play.
Kenny Phillips isn't on the injury report and is expected to play every-down. He's more likely to be in the box than Antrel Rolle, and has some upside against CAR matchup.
Nick Barnett hasn't been on the injury report all week. Consider him a LB3 starter today with a little upside but watch his lateral movement and pursuit rather than his box score today to see how trustworthy he'll be this year.
Channing Crowder is out for the Dolphins today. Tim Crowder Dobbins replaces him, but is a risky start given questionable opportunity against Buffalo and a risk that Bobby Carpenter could replace him in the nickel.
Antwan Odom seems likely to be suspended at some point early this season, but his appeal keeps him on the field today.
Jairus Byrd looks like he's ready to return. The Bills eased him back in on passing downs last year in this situation and could do the same today. Give him a week before starting him unless you're in a big play heavy league and have no other option.
Be aware that Tamba Hali didn't practice much this week and is currently listed as questionable for MNF.
Quick hitting positional updates:
Derrick Johnson and Jovan Belcher expected to start in KC. Both could be every-down players. Demorrio Williams may see time as a situational pass rusher, especially if Hali can't go.
Daryl Washington and Sean Weatherspoon are likely to start today, but neither are a lock to play in all subpackages. Washington makes a better play as the WILB to Weatherspoon's SLB right now.
Jonathan Goff made news for the helmet communicator this week, but it was Bulluck and Boley in the nickel during the final preseason game. Proceed with caution on both Goff and Bulluck. No word yet on whether a Giants nickel safety might have a helmet comm, too.
Trevor Scott is back at DE, with Quentin Groves and Kamerion Wimbley playing outside linebacker. If McClain and Branch can get outside to catch Chris Johnson this week, there's all kinds of pursuit opportunity with the current OLB group.
Jameel McClain won the ILB in Baltimore but isn't likely to play every down.
Steve Gregory and Darrell Stuckey rotating at safety in SD. Kevin Burnett was playing every down in the preseason, but Brandon Siler still looms large as a rotational option.
Anthony Smith and Sean Considine at safety in Jacksonville.
Koa Misi won't play on base downs (Ikaika Alama-Francis may be the "starter"), but Cameron Wake looks like an every-down player.

That's a wrap on the early news. I'll be around on Twitter with musings and more throughout the day. Link to follow me is in my sig.
Would appreciate feedback on whether everyone would prefer everything in the opening post (the same place, but you'll have to refresh frequently) or blogged throughout the thread (maybe harder to find, but easier to know when something new has been added).
Best of luck today everyone.
<<<<<>>>>>
No inactives of note for the afternoon games. Darryl Tapp and Ahmad Brooks are out, but neither should have a major lineup impact. Charles Woodson and David Hawthorne are both active.
<<<<<>>>>>
Significant actives include: Louis Delmas, Jairus ByrdSignificant inactives include: DeAndre Levy, William Hayes, Channing Crowder
Sean Weatherspoon officially in Atlanta starting lineup.
Landon Johnson officially starting at MLB for Detroit.
Jason Babin starting for Hayes, Devin McCourty starting at CB.
Didn't list it below, but as expected, Kroy Biermann starting over Jamaal Anderson in ATL.
Alama-Francis INACTIVE after expectations were that he'd play in base over Misi. Misi to start. Almost has to be some discipline here, I'd think. ETA: IAF sick this AM. Opening for Misi.
Interestingly, with McRath suspended and Witherspoon missing practice this week for family reasons, Rennie Curran is inactive for TEN today.
Mark Anderson announced as starter over Israel Idonije today. Expect plenty of rotation here, if you're looking for Anderson to be a spot start.
Levy observed moving reasonably well in pregame warmups, but not letting it fly 100%. First real indication of where he might be in his recovery.
Osi Umenyiora listed as starter this AM.
Jamie Winborn starting at OLB with Witherspoon today.
FWIW RT @espn_nfcnblog: Based on the dance I just saw Louis Delmas perform on the pregame field, his groin is fine.
Mike Reiss reporting that Chung and Sanders taking warmups with first team and Ninkovich lining up at OLB. Interesting.
<<<<<>>>>>
Landon Johnson replaces DeAndre Levy at MLB today. Hard to know what the Lions will do on passing downs, but it's more likely that Johnson plays every down than Zack Follett. Johnson makes for a good LB3 flyer today, but the Lions' safeties may hold the best value. Unfortunately, both starters (CC Brown and Louis Delmas) aren't locks to finish the game due to their nagging injury, so be aware that they're both high risk, high reward plays today. And keep an eye on Randy Phillips.Mario Williams is back on the injury report with a groin problem. These nagging issues are really starting to hurt. An already terrible matchup vs Indianapolis is made worse here. Unless you're without other options in a tackle heavy league, I'd lean toward benching him today.
William Hayes aggravated his knee injury late this week and is a GTD. He has an above-average matchup, but will likely lose more snaps in rotation today to keep him fresh if he's able to go at all. If he's inactive, Jacob Ford becomes a solid spot play.
Kenny Phillips isn't on the injury report and is expected to play every-down. He's more likely to be in the box than Antrel Rolle, and has some upside against CAR matchup.
Nick Barnett hasn't been on the injury report all week. Consider him a LB3 starter today with a little upside but watch his lateral movement and pursuit rather than his box score today to see how trustworthy he'll be this year.
Channing Crowder is out for the Dolphins today. Tim Crowder Dobbins replaces him, but is a risky start given questionable opportunity against Buffalo and a risk that Bobby Carpenter could replace him in the nickel.
Antwan Odom seems likely to be suspended at some point early this season, but his appeal keeps him on the field today.
Jairus Byrd looks like he's ready to return. The Bills eased him back in on passing downs last year in this situation and could do the same today. Give him a week before starting him unless you're in a big play heavy league and have no other option.
Be aware that Tamba Hali didn't practice much this week and is currently listed as questionable for MNF.
Quick hitting positional updates:
Derrick Johnson and Jovan Belcher expected to start in KC. Both could be every-down players. Demorrio Williams may see time as a situational pass rusher, especially if Hali can't go.
Daryl Washington and Sean Weatherspoon are likely to start today, but neither are a lock to play in all subpackages. Washington makes a better play as the WILB to Weatherspoon's SLB right now.
Jonathan Goff made news for the helmet communicator this week, but it was Bulluck and Boley in the nickel during the final preseason game. Proceed with caution on both Goff and Bulluck. No word yet on whether a Giants nickel safety might have a helmet comm, too.
Trevor Scott is back at DE, with Quentin Groves and Kamerion Wimbley playing outside linebacker. If McClain and Branch can get outside to catch Chris Johnson this week, there's all kinds of pursuit opportunity with the current OLB group.
Jameel McClain won the ILB in Baltimore but isn't likely to play every down.
Steve Gregory and Darrell Stuckey rotating at safety in SD. Kevin Burnett was playing every down in the preseason, but Brandon Siler still looms large as a rotational option.
Anthony Smith and Sean Considine at safety in Jacksonville.
Koa Misi won't play on base downs (Ikaika Alama-Francis may be the "starter"), but Cameron Wake looks like an every-down player.
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