NFL Futures — Lynch should avoid suspension, Glenn close to returning
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Buffalo Bills (+5000 Super Bowl Odds) running back Marshawn Lynch should line up in the team's backfield come Week 1 of the NFL regular season. Lynch, who ran for 1115 yards in '07, had his license revoked after being involved in a hit and run last month. He also paid $150 in fines. NFL commission Roger Goodell said the league was monitoring the case and would take a wait-and-see approach, but it now appears Lynch will avoided a suspension. That's great news for the Bills offense, which gets most of its juice from Lynch. We'll let you know if anything changes.
The Dallas Cowboys (+500 Super Bowl odds) got some good news this week, as it appears receiver Terry Glenn is close to returning. The Cowboys, an early Super Bowl favorite, have been in heated contract talks with Glenn. Owner Jerry Jones wants his player to accept a $500,000 injury settlement in case he injures his knee again this year. Glenn played in just two games last season—making two catches—but Dallas is relying on him to be healthy in '08. Receiver is one of the thinnest positions on the team, but we'd bet against Glenn staying healthy.
Earnest Graham could be starting for the Tampa Buccaneers (+4000 Super Bowl odds) again in 2008. Graham took over when Cadillac Williams tore his knee last year. Williams might start the season on the physically unable to perform list, meaning Graham will get the majority of the carries (he ran for 898 yards a season ago). Warrick Dunn could also be in the mix, but after recently signing Graham to a three-year, $10.5-million extension, we're betting Tampa Bay gives him most of the touches.
Former Cincinnati Bengals (+6000 Super Bowl odds) receiver Chris Henry is still on trial but is facing one less charge this week. Henry has been accused of punching a man in the face and breaking his car window with a beer bottle. He had been charged with assault and criminal damaging, but a judge dismissed the latter on Friday. Henry is talented, but his criminal record is quickly outgrowing his NFL resume. Any team signing Henry is taking a huge gamble and, considering Goodell has suspended him indefinitely, we don't expect to seem him in uniform this year.
Former first-round pick Kevin Jones worked out for four NFL teams on the weekend. The former Lions (+8000 Super Bowl odds) running back is coming off of knee surgery and was able to sprint and cut despite being operated on just five months ago. Representatives from Miami, Pittsburgh, Detroit and Green Bay were on hand to watch him test his leg. Jones is supremely talented, but after suffering several injuries over the course of his brief career—not to mention he's competing with other free agent backs Shaun Alexander, Ron Dayne, Cedric Benson and Chris Henry—we find it hard to believe he'll see much action this year.
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Blake walked onto his college football team and had a brief stint as an assistant coach after he graduated. He brings a sharp mind to the world of sports handicapping. Blake understands the nuances of the game that only someone who has played would understand, and he was one of the few who gave the Giants a chance against the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. Thoughts or questions?
