Week 7
10/21/06
- Let's all remember to file this one this under the heading
of "Run Like Hell If…." If a team hires its offensive coordinator
from a bed and breakfast operation, scour your FF rosters for
players from that team and trade every one of them even if you
only get 20 cents on the dollar. Thanks, Al Davis and Art Shell
for giving us Tom Walsh.
- Cardinals coach Dennis Green is up to his old political tricks
once again. After watching, apparently passively at least until
his post-game press conference, his team blow a game to the
Bears, Green promptly fired/demoted offensive coordinator Keith
Rowan, giving Rowan the option of taking a lesser position or
hitting the road. Not only is it ridiculous that Green not simply
fire Rowan, it's also ridiculous that Green didn't take over
the play calling during the game if he felt Rowan was doing
such a poor job. Green's never been much for accepting even
a small slice of blame for anything, often putting coaches or
players under the microscope despite some questionable decisions
by Green himself. For instance, the team spent a 2nd round pick
in 2005 on running back J.J. Arrington, who plays softer than
a baby's ass. This year, Green signed Edgerrin James to a megadeal
to replace Arrington. What's clear is that Green should have
used the pick and salary cap space to bolster the team's offensive
line, which has been abysmal for many seasons now. Green's signing
of free agent right tackle Oliver Ross hasn't worked out and
his decision to match the signing offer the Bills gave to offensive
guard Reggie Wells was a questionable one. Also throw in the
fact that draft picks Nick Leckey, Elton Brown and Deuce Lutui
haven't exactly contributed much. First Green threw quarterback
Kurt Warner overboard because Warner couldn't produce behind
the shaky offensive line and now Green has ditched Rowan because
of his poor play calling. Barring some major production from
rookie quarterback Matt Leinart over the season's remaining
games, look for Green to be out in Arizona at the end of the
season.
- The Texans offensive line has been abysmal since their expansion
season and the story hasn't changed in 2006. In this week's
game against the Cowboys, the Texans managed a paltry 34 yards
on 17 carries, equaling their second worst performance ever
on the ground. With a starting offensive line consisting of,
from left to right, Ephraim Salaam, Chester Pitts, Mike Flanagan,
Seth McKinney and Zach Wiegert, it's safe to conclude this organization
has yet to realize that it all starts up front on offense and
if you can't pass or run block, you can't consistently move
the ball.
- Since Mike Shanahan took over as the Broncos head coach in
1995, he's done his best to let Raiders owner Al Davis know
he made a terrible decision when he fired him. Perhaps Shanahan
was miffed that he took him six years after his firing for him
to get another shot at a head position and, if so, he's certainly
taken his frustration out on Davis' Raiders, compiling a 18-5
record against them.
- Keeping with the Raiders, their losing streak stretching
back to last season is now at 11 games.
- A perusal of the Detroit Lions for their game this past week
against the Bills revealed some interesting tidbits. Active
were rookie undrafted free agents Devale Ellis and Shaun
Bodiford. Inactive was 2005 1st round pick Mike
Williams. If you were stashing Williams on your FF roster
hoping that he would turn it around at some point or perhaps
get a chance with another team, it might now be time to face
reality. If Williams can't beat out unheralded, undrafted rookies,
it's doubtful he can be productive anywhere in the league let
alone Detroit. In fact, it's possible Williams could be released
if the team decides to activate a player from the physically
unable to perform list.
- Rams fan shouldn't get too excited by their team's 4-2 start
to the season. Although their offense has come around since
their early season struggles in the red zone and the defense
is much improved over last season, this team still has many
question marks and a close inspection of their wins reveals
a fair amount of good fortune has been bestowed upon them. They
defeated the Broncos despite not scoring an offensive touchdown.
They beat Arizona when Kurt Warner fumbled a snap in the last
two minutes of the game with the Cardinals in position for a
short shot field goal to win. They came away with a win in Green
Bay when Leonard
Little forced a Brett Favre fumble with the Packers in the
Rams red zone and down by only three with under two minutes
remaining. Throwing in the fact they lost to a rebuilding San
Francisco squad and that the defense has now given up an average
of 28 points per game over the last three weeks, it's not exactly
safe to conclude that this team has turned the corner just yet.
- Keeping with the Rams, wide receiver Torry
Holt gets a lot of well deserved good press but isn't always
mentioned as being one of the league's top five receivers, often
getting lumped behind Marvin Harrison, Terrell Owens, Randy
Moss, Chad Johnson and Steve Smith. Perhaps it's because he's
not quite as flashy as these five (although his spectacular
touchdown reception in the last two minutes of this week's game
against the Seahawks was a beauty) although it's more likely
because he keeps his mouth shut save for the odd ESPN gig at
the draft. Nonetheless, Big Game Torry became the fastest receiver
in NFL history to gain 10,000 yards after this week's 154-yard,
three touchdown performance against the Seahawks.
- With Noah
Herron and Vernand
Morency showing some skills in the Green Bay backfield in
Ahman Green's absence, look for the team to reduce Green's workload
when he returns. After averaging 25 touches per game over the
team's first three games, Green went down with a hamstring injury
and the team might feel they can get more out of him by reducing
his workload. Look for Herron to substitute in for 6-8 carries
a game and for Morency to be on the field for at lest half of
the team's third downs. However, it's unlikely either back will
impact Green's carries in the red zone.
- The Dolphins have been a disappointment thus far in 2006
and won't make the playoffs barring a miracle recovery which
seems unlikely given their 1-5 record and upcoming schedule
which features games in Chicago and Indianapolis and at home
against New England and Jacksonville. A large part of their
lack of success (other than Daunte Culepper's disastrous season)
can be attributed to poor play in the secondary which gets a
major shakeup this week. Cornerback Travis
Daniels and 2006 1st round pick Jason
Allen were expected to provide a boost to the unit but Daniels
has been injured for much of the season and Allen has been a
major disappointment. With Daniels out this week, the team will
start Will
Allen and Andre Goodman at cornerback and it's expected
that Yeremiah
Bell will replace Travares
Tillman at safety alongside Renaldo
Hill, leaving Allen as only the team's fourth best safety
this far into his rookie season. In fact, because of injuries
to Daniels and Michael Lehan and Eddie
Jackson's ineffectiveness, Hill will step in as the team's
third cornerback, meaning Tillman moves to safety in the nickel
and Allen moves up to be the team's dimeback, a pretty sad state
of affairs for a player expected to provide much more in his
rookie season.
- Chiefs running back Larry
Johnson has had a decent season thus far in 2006 but hasn't
come remotely close to matching his performance in 2005. However,
the power back has been running behind a far less effective
offensive line and it's clear that opposing defenses lack respect
for Damon Huard, resulting in Johnson often running against
eight-man fronts. Trent Green's return date is still questionable
but there is help on the way for the team's offensive line.
Tackle John Welbourn, suspended for violating the league's drug
policy, will be eligible to return after one more game and it's
expected the team will add him to the active roster in the near
future. With tackles Kyle Turley and Kevin Sampson unable to
stay healthy, Welbourn's return should give a boost to the struggling
unit.
- Don't underestimate the impact the loss of Pro Bowl strong
safety Mike Brown will have on the Bears defense. Brown, who
suffered a season ending foot injury during this week's Monday
night win over the Cardinals, is the team's leader in the secondary,
an important role considering the youth the team employs in
the defensive backfield. Look no further than last year's debacle
at the hands of Steve Smith and the Panthers, where Brown played
little, for evidence of what he means to the team. With third
cornerback Ricky Manning suffering from a hamstring injury,
Brandon McCowan recently suspended for one game for breaking
a team rule and Chris Harris relegated to backup duty after
losing his starting position to rookie 2nd round pick Daniel
Manning, the team's secondary should be considered a bit of
a question mark. Look for journeyman veteran Todd Johnson to
take over but he is merely an adequate defender and definitely
not a playmaker like Brown.
- The Bengals have activated backup running back Chris Perry
from the physically unable to perform list. Normally this type
of news doesn't warrant much attention but in the case of the
Bengals passing offense it should. Quarterback Carson Palmer
has struggled in 2006, the result of some questionable decision-making
as well as the team's offensive line not performing up to the
exceptional level they displayed in 2005. However, Perry's return
will definitely have a positive impact on Palmer and the team's
offensive production. The 2004 1st round pick contributed over
600 yards of offense last season, including 51 receptions which
ranked fourth in the league for running backs. The shifty Perry
warrants more attention from opposing defensive coordinators
as a pass catcher than starter Rudi Johnson or Kenny Watson,
perhaps opening things up for the team's other options in the
passing game.
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