10/15/08
- Let's start in Dallas where it seems like all of the bit
news is emanating from this week. The Cowboys foolishly gave
up a bountiful of draft picks for the Lions Roy
Williams and will sign him to a long-term contract extension.
Williams will start his Dallas tenure catching balls thrown
by backup Brad Johnson due to Tony Romo's broken little finger
on his throwing hand. Of course, Brad
Johnson is likely a better passer than Dan Orlovsky, the
Lions new starter with Jon Kitna going on injured reserve. Williams
is likely to encounter numerous roadblocks in attempting to
produce right away in Dallas. First off, he needs to learn the
offense. Second, he will be the team's third option in the passing
game behind Terrell
Owens and tight end Jason
Witten. Third, he will likely have three or four games to
get acquainted with Johnson and then will need an adjustment
period when Romo returns.
- As for Patrick Crayton owners, he may have a week or two
of decent production remaining before it's time to cut bait
on him. Simply put, there aren't going to be enough passes thrown
in Dallas to soothe all of the egos and for there to still be
scraps for Crayton. Once Williams is reasonably up to speed,
Crayton should be off your roster.
- Moving on to Romo, clearly he's worth holding on to and if
you're desperate for a replacement, here's a name to consider
- Bears quarterback Kyle Orton. Quietly, Orton has put together
has a strong season and the Bears face some porous secondaries
over the remainder of the season (the Vikings and Packers twice,
Rams and Lions). After a rather most first two games (299 yards
passing with no touchdowns or interceptions), Orton has thrown
for 1,087 yards, eight touchdowns and four interceptions over
the past four games.
- One name Romo owners should not consider is Dan
Orlovsky. Orlovsky was only completing 55% of his passes
with Williams in the lineup and it's a big drop from Williams
to either Shaun MacDonald or Mike Furrey. With Michael Gaines
not contributing at tight end and Rudi Johnson not much of a
receiving threat out of the backfield (most receptions in a
season is 23), Orlovsky will be looking Calvin
Johnson's way early and often. Look for Johnson's yardage
totals to increase but his touchdowns opportunities to take
a hit as Detroit will struggle to move the ball. With Orlovsky
in the final year of his contract and Drew Stanton, last year's
2nd round pick, more likely to be the team's future at the quarterback
position, don't be surprised if Orlovsky's stay as the team's
starter is short lived.
- Generally it's not worth mentioning when a fullback goes
down but 49ers running back Frank Gore may suffer slightly with
the loss of fullback Zak Keasey. Keasey barged his way onto
the roster during training camp based on his fearless style
but will miss the remainder of the season with a torn biceps
tendon. Keasey's most important role was as a blocker in short
yardage situations and it appears the 49ers will move tight
end Delanie Walker into this role. Walker has the requisite
size for the role but many tight ends struggle when blocking
at the fullback position because they aren't used to hitting
a moving target.
- Just when it looked like Rams running back Steven Jackson
was poised to begin fulfilling his top five FF draft status,
the team's offensive line begins breaking down. Left tackle
Orlando Pace is questionable this week with a thigh injury and
left guard Jacob Bell maybe out with a sprained foot. The problem
for the Rams is that Adam Goldberg is their top backup at both
positions.
- The Ravens have leaned heavily on their running game this
season and they also have injury issues along the offensive
line. Promising second year guard Marshal Yanda will miss the
rest of the season with a sprained right knee and left tackle
Jared Gaither, also in his second season, is banged up with
shoulder and knee injuries. Look for the team's rushing attack
to suffer as well as rookie quarterback Joe Flacco. Flacco has
showed decent poise for the most part this season but the bottom
line is that in five games he has thrown one touchdown against
seven interceptions and a lost fumble while playing against
generally poor defenses including the Browns, Bengals and Colts.
- In New York, the torch may have finally passed from Amani
Toomer to second year wide receiver Steve
Smith. Smith, the team's 2nd round pick last season, has
18 receptions for 181 yards over the past three games while
Toomer has only nine receptions for 128 yards over the same
period and was held without a catch this past week.
- Chiefs general manager Carl Peterson has made numerous poor
personnel decisions recently (rebuilding a year late, signing
Larry
Johnson to a lucrative long term contract, drafting and
going with Brodie
Croyle at quarterback) and he finally admitted another major
blunder this week with the release of linebacker Napoleon
Harris. Harris was an ill fit in the middle linebacker position
in the Chiefs defense and was replaced this season by journeyman
street free agent Pat Thomas who had one career start in three
seasons prior to this year. Peterson signed Harris to a $24.5-million,
six-year contract that included $7.5-million in guarantees and
the Chiefs will end up paying Harris just under $8.5-million
for 16 games of work. In case you're wondering, Peterson's 2008
free agent signing at the position was former Falcon Demorrio
Williams who signed for $16.5-million over five years with
$5.5-million guaranteed. He opened the season on the bench and
has started the last two games due to Donnie Edwards' injury
issues.
- Pittsburgh rookie wide receiver Limas Sweed has yet to take
the field despite the team's hopes the 2nd round pick could
contribute early in his career, especially in the red zone.
However, Sweed gets a chance this week due to a shoulder injury
suffered by Dallas Baker, the team's 7th round pick in 2007.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin commented that Sweed needs to work
on his route running, catching the football and knowing his
assignments. Based on that, don't expect much from Sweed in
2008.
- Sticking with the wide receiver bust theme, the Jaguars have
apparently given up on involving their prized free agent signing
this off-season, Jerry Porter, in their weekly game plans. Head
coach Jack Del Rio said Porter isn't a part of the team's plans
at the moment and the fact Porter has been targeted twice in
three games and is either fifth or sixth on the team's depth
chart tells you what his prospects are for this season.
- Keeping with the Jaguars, it looks like there might be hope
for tight end Marcedes
Lewis after all. Despite the team's weak group of wide receivers
since he entered the league as a 1st round pick in 2006, Lewis
has not contributed much from the tight end position. However,
he had a career high 64 yards and a touchdown this week and
is on pace for just under 500 yards and six touchdowns.
- The Eagles finally gave up on running back Tony Hunt this
week. The team's 3rd round pick last season, it was readily
apparent early on that he was not a good fit in the team's offense
and was moved to fullback this season. However, he quickly lost
the job to converted defensive linemen Dan Klecko and the team
finally gave up on him this week. Since the team took Brian
Westbrook in the 3rd round of the 2002 draft, they have failed
miserably finding talent in that round of the draft. Busts from
that round include Hunt and fellow running back Ryan Moats,
wide receiver Billy McMullen and cornerback Matt Ware.
- If you're looking for a sleeper IDP defensive back consider
Bears cornerback Corey Graham. Since subbing in for the injured
Nathan Vasher two games ago, Graham has recorded 13 solo tackles,
four assisted tackles and a forced fumble.
- Another IDP player to consider is Texans cornerback Dunta
Robinson. Generally ranked as a top 10 defensive back, Robinson
has been on the physically unable to perform list thus far in
2008 as he recovered from torn ligaments in his knee suffered
in October of last season. Unlike many players that are coming
off the PUP, Robinson is actually ready to contribute and only
needs to get in game shape (players on the PUP are not allowed
to practice). With second year player Fred Bennett struggling
and DeMarcus Faggins in the starting lineup, look for Robinson
to be the team's nickel back for a week before being inserted
as a starter.
- Browns quarterback Derek Anderson finally came alive this
week with a 310-yard, two touchdown, no interception performance
against a tough Giants defense. However, with tight end Kellen
Winslow's future as yet undetermined and road games against
Washington and Jacksonville on tap followed by a home date with
the Ravens, it's time to sell high on Anderson.
- The speculation with the Broncos backfield is that rookie
Ryan Torain
will step into the mix and take carries away from the Selvin
Young, Andre
Hall and Michael
Pittman committee. However, with Pittman as the starter,
Young as the backup proving valuable and Hall the team's kick
returner, Torain may have a tough time being active on game
day.
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