Good morning. Today, we celebrate the fact that James White would rather retire than play a season under Matt Patricia and Joe Judge. We stand with you, James.

James: if you're reading this, thank you for the memories. The 12 target Sundays, the 14 catch Super Bowl: all at a 7+ round ADP. Fantasy football legend. Now let's get into it!

The Biggest Story

Football: BACK

Three tweets summarize what you need to know from the Giants v Pats and Titans v Ravens preseason games last night:

Malik Willis showed the rushing upside that makes him a QB1 if the Titans give him a shot (or ever cut Ryan Tannehill, who isn't owed any money past this season):

Remember yesterday when we raved about Ravens TE Isaiah Likely? He came thru:

As for the Patriots game:

Tom Brady: OUT

It was reported that Brady and his family are fine (especially Giselle, fine as hell), while Brady is expected to be absent until after the Titans preseason game on August 20th.

Brady's already familiar with the offensive system and has shown excellent chemistry with Julio - this news isn't concerning. In fact, HC Todd Bowles said they knew about this before training camp, so it's only news to us.

Why Brady left:

• to get Gronk out of retirement (video)

• to find a work/life balance (video)

• to try healing ayahuasca in Peru (video)

The Hype

Joint practices fuel the Hype Trains

The Cowboys lost Amari Cooper and Cedrick Wilson after last season, will be without Michael Gallup to start the year, and James Washington, who they signed to help shoulder the load, broke his foot and is looking to miss up to ten weeks with the injury.

During a joint Cowboys & Broncos practice, the Dak to Ceedee connection looked strong (video). A few takeaways from the practice: "Dak targeted CeeDee every single play he was on the field" and Ceedee "has really been the only offense for the Cowboys." 200 targets might be possible here and CeeDee is Evan Silva's bet to lead the league in receiving yards.

Meanwhile, in Miami, third-year QB Tua Tagovailoa is looking for a breakout season with new superstar WR Tyreek Hill and sophmore Jaylen Waddle. Tua is barely being drafted despite the major offensive additions.

"Everyone I know who was at joint practice today said basically the same thing… Tua played out of his mind today. He did whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted. The improvements seem to be clear and obvious with Tua this year."

"Tua Tagovailoa delivered a DIME to Tyreek Hill 30 yards over the middle in between two Bucs 1st-team defenders. Literally threaded a needle. Hill caught it one-handed."

Rookie of the Day: Jalen Tolbert

While on the topic of Cowboys WRs, 3rd rounder Jalen Tolbert is listed as a starting WR on the teams unofficial depth chart. Despite being drafted to the league's third highest scoring offense, in a WR room with 181 targets available from last season, Tolbert is available outside round 11. Tolbert was graded higher (94.4) against single coverage last season than Drake London (93.7).

What else they're saying:

• "Tolbert can high-point ball. I feel like going up for a 50-50 ball, it's not really 50-50 for him" - Ceedee Lamb

• "Cowboys don't feel the need to bring in a veteran WR. Jerry Jones saw [Tolbert] do some good things out there" - @jonmachota

Content of the Day

1. The players Dwain McFarland is most excited to draft in each of the first 10 rounds in fantasy football drafts (thread). Two favorites from Dwain:

• Round 3: Travis Etienne is the D’Andre Swift of 2022 — an explosive playmaker who offers great passing-down chops on a team that should trail often. Led the NCAA in PFF receiving grade as a senior at Clemson. He is currently drafted at his floor (assumes JROB gets 50%).

• Round 10: Garrett Wilson was my No. 1 rookie WR in this class but landed in a less-than-ideal situation. However, at this point in drafts we target talent. Last year Jaylen Waddle slipped to this range due to target competition and QB concerns. Talent provides outs.

2. Dallas Morning News outlines how the Cowboys want to get Tony Pollard more involved. That’s not just lip service. Offensive assistant Kyle Valero is his private tutor, developing him as a slot receiver to get him and Ezekiel Elliott on the field more at same time. “Whatever they ask from me.” Even better news for Pollard owners? Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has been vocal in recent weeks about Pollard’s involvement needing to increase.

Overtime

Quick Slants

• Browns are considering a trade for Jimmy Garoppolo if (when) the league extends Deshaun Watson's suspension to the entire season.

• Pete Carroll was raving about rookie RB Kenneth Walker III: "[Walker] could play all three downs and we'd feel comfortable about it."

• Incumbent Rashaad Penny suffered a groin injury yesterday, which will cost Penny practice reps. This gives Walker another chance to impress the coaching staff.

• Von Miller on The Pat McAfee show: "The door is open for OBJ to come to the Buffalo Bills." Odell's not expected to return until midseason at the earliest.

• Melvin Gordon missed his second straight day of practice and is officially dealing with a foot contusion.

Tweet of the Day

The confidence of Antonio Brown is something we should all aspire to. Exhibit 246:

I can't imagine what reading this newsletter was like for you all. Like watching water turn to wine. See you Monday. Until then, be great!

- Jake, Eddie, Matt & Coach Wehler.