Week 6
10/12/07
Steppin' Up
Brian Griese,
CHI: Since replacing an ineffective Rex Grossman two weeks
ago at quarterback for Chicago, Brian Griese has breathed new
life into the Bears passing game. Before the one-time Bronco was
placed under center, Chicago's offense was averaging less than
170 yards per game through the air. It also accounted for just
1 touchdown while Grossman accumulated 6 interceptions in his
three starts.
In two outings since the switch, Griese has thrown 4 touchdown
passes and averaged 250 passing yards per game. His 4 interceptions
during that same span are somewhat alarming, but favorable match-ups
as the Bears approach their bye in week 9 make Griese a worthwhile
consideration in fantasy leagues.
This Sunday the Bears play at home against a Minnesota secondary
ranked 30th in the league against the pass (266.8 ypg). The following
week Griese takes to the road against the Eagles before a rematch
with the Lions at home. Philadelphia could prove a difficult opponent
with the likely return of Brian Dawkins and Lito Shepperd by the
time the two face each other. Detroit, however, has allowed teams
to throw for 10 touchdowns against them while surrendering 263
passing yards per game.
Griese isn't the QB you want to rely on as a starter throughout
the remainder of the year, but if you're shuffling through players
at the position he could provide acceptable production in two
of his next three games.
Steppin' Down
Drew Brees, NO: If you've been sticking by Brees with the hope
he'll snap out of his current funk and begin producing like he
had last season, now might be the time to take a different course
of action. After throwing for more than 4400 yards and totaling
26 touchdown passes in his first year with the Saints, he is currently
struggling through the worst start of his career.
In four games the former San Diego Charger has already thrown
9 interceptions while connecting for just 1 touchdown pass. The
most alarming statistic however, may be his yards per attempt.
Last season Brees threw the ball 555 times and averaged 7.97 yards
per pass. Through the first four games of '07 that figure has
plummeted to a dismal 5.24 yards per attempt.
The lack of scoring combined with his current inability to connect
on anything deep leaves one with little to look forward to from
Brees in coming weeks. Stick with him if you have to, but make
whatever moves necessary to replace him in the meantime.
Steppin' Up
Willis McGahee, BAL: McGahee is yet to have a breakout performance
this season due to his lack of scoring. Though currently averaging
4.5 yards per carry, and rushing for 92.8 yards per game, the
former first round pick is yet to punch one in on the ground.
Expect that to change over the next few weeks.
This Sunday the Ravens play at home against the St. Louis Rams.
The Rams defense currently ranks 28th in the league against the
run (146.0 ypg) and has allowed a league high 8 rushing touchdowns
(tied with Miami). The following week McGahee makes a return visit
to Buffalo where he spent the first 4-years of his career before
being traded to Baltimore during the off-season. The Bills currently
rank 27th in the league against the run (133.6 ypg). Though they
have only allowed 3 rushing touchdowns, don't be surprised to
see a concerted effort to get McGahee into the end zone during
that game.
Following their Week 8 BYE, the Ravens face the stout rush defense
of the Pittsburgh Steelers. They then follow it with games against
Cincinnati and Cleveland. Like St. Louis and Buffalo, the Bengals
(29th) and Browns (30th) currently rank among the worst defenses
in the league against the run. Both are allowing more than 150
yards per game on the ground.
If you own McGahee start him. If not consider him a good candidate
to pursue in a trade as the next few weeks should produce some
of his strongest outings of the season.
Steppin' Down
Rudi Johnson,
CIN: Like McGahee, Johnson is yet to score a touchdown on
the ground this season. Unlike his counterpart however, the Bengals
primary running back has done little in terms of accumulating
yardage. Prior to missing Week 4 with a strained hamstring, Johnson
was averaging 3.1 yards per carry while totaling just 177 rushing
yards in three games.
This week, coming off the bye and given two full weeks to nurse
his injury, it is still uncertain whether or not Johnson will
be active for Sunday's game against Kansas City. He sat out practice
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, leaving in doubt the prospect
he'll be 100% on Sunday--if he plays at all.
Further diminishing Johnson's stature this season is the Bengals
atrocious defensive play. With Cincinnati playing from behind
so often it becomes difficult to establish the ground game. It
also equates to less carries and scoring opportunities for a running
back that has finished with 12 touchdowns and 1300 or more yards
in each of the past three seasons.
Given his slow start, along with the concerns surrounding his
hamstring, it might be a good idea to place Johnson on the trading
block to see if you get any worthwhile offers.
Steppin' Up
Lance Moore, NO: While the Saints quarterback continues to struggle,
Lance Moore has managed to niche out a role for himself in the
offense. After seeing little action in the season opener, he has
hauled in 12 receptions for 132 yards in his last three games.
That type of production isn't enough to make Moore stand out in
fantasy leagues, but amid the onslaught of bye weeks in the NFL
it makes him worthy of a roster spot.
It has also been mentioned that head coach Sean Payton would
like to get his back-up receivers more playing time, possibly
at the expense of Devery Henderson. If Moore can crack the starting
line-up in New Orleans he could be a pleasant surprise over the
remainder of the season. At the moment he is best considered a
#4-5 WR in fantasy leagues.
Steppin' Down
Muhsin Muhammad, CHI: Brian Griese might be reason to have a more
optimistic view the Bears passing attack, but it isn't enough
to save Muhammad from the dismal totals he has posted this season.
In 5 starts he has just 10 receptions for 102 yards. Nearly half
of those statistics came in a Week 4 outing against the Detroit
Lions (5 rec, 49 yards, 1 TD), who happen to be among the worst
defenses in the league. In his four other games combined, Muhammad
has just 5 receptions for 53 yards.
By comparison, Bernard Berrian has hauled in 25 passes for 330
yards this season. He has clearly emerged as the more prominent
of the Bears starting receivers. Expect that trend to continue
throughout the year, reducing Muhammad to no better than #4-5
type WR with very little upside.
Steppin' Up
Heath Miller, PIT: Following a strong rookie season (39 rec, 459
yards, 6 TDs) in 2005, Miller was considered a disappointment
last year (34 rec, 393 yards, 5 TDs) when he failed to improve
upon those statistics. Given his most recent performance, there
were those that chose to avoid him altogether on draft day. The
others that were willing to select him likely did so with the
thought of using him as a back-up at the tight end position.
Through the first 5 games of '07 Miller is currently on pace
to reach career highs in both yardage and receptions. With 2 touchdowns
already this season, he could also set a career mark in that category
as well. In his five starts, Miller has recorded 4 receptions
in three of them, and has finished with no less than 34 yards
in any of his outings. Those benchmarks may not be eye-popping,
but at the tight end position there is something to be said for
consistency.
Though the Steelers are on a bye this week, consider Miller a
solid starter throughout the remainder of the year. He is currently
on pace to finish well within the top 12 tight ends in fantasy
leagues.
Steppin' Down
Bo Scaife / Ben Troupe, TEN: In past years tight ends Bo Scaife
and Ben Troupe had been worthwhile additions at some point during
the season in fantasy leagues. As a rookie Troupe totaled 33 receptions,
329 yards, and a touchdown in 2004. The following year Tennessee
selected Bo Scaife out of Texas in the 6th round of the draft.
He would contribute with 37 receptions for 273 yards and 2 scores
as a first year player in the NFL. Not to be outdone, Troupe improved
upon his rookie totals by posting 55 receptions, 530 yards, and
4 touchdowns himself in 2005.
Last year, with Vince Young taking over at quarterback for the
Titans, the production from Tennessee's tight ends took a significant
hit. With Troupe limited to 10 games that season, he finished
with just 13 receptions for 150 yards and 2 touchdowns. Bo Scaife
would finish the year with 29 receptions, 370 yards, and 2 scores
of his own. This year it looks like were set to see an even further
decline in their production.
Through the first four games of the Titans season, Scaife and
Troupe have combined for a total of 9 receptions, 77 yards, and
1 score. Troupe seems to have disappeared from the offense completely,
accounting for just 2 of those receptions and 22 yards. If you
are desperate for a starter during the bye weeks go with Scaife.
Both tight ends are better left on your leagues waiver wire, however.
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