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Message from the Steelers: Here comes the run
After ranking a very abnormal 31st in rushing last year, look for Pittsburgh to significantly pick up the pace on the ground this season. Head coach Bill Cowher seems determined to establish the running game, which in turn he hopes will open things up for the passing game. The Steelers lost to the Lions in their preseason opener but looked good running the ball. Counting Troy Polamalu’s 65-yard run from punt formation, the Steelers averaged 5.6 yards per run, with newcomer Duce Staley (11 carries for 45 yards) leading the way. Of the 14 plays called on their first drive in that game, nine were runs, with Staley getting the call all nine times. Mark that number down on your fantasy notepad.
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Wheatley emerging for Raiders
Tyrone Wheatley has spent the entire preseason so far as the Raiders’ No. 1 tailback, and although he has yet to be anointed the clear-cut starter, he is certainly making a case for himself. Wheatley averaged 6.6 yards in his five carries against the Niners last weekend and showed plenty of muscle as a runner and a blocker. It looks like he is making the prospect of a RB-by-committee approach in Oakland less likely every time he carries the ball.
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Moss could be scary with help from refs
The league’s decision to crack down on pass-interference calls five yards beyond the line of scrimmage could be a godsend for Vikings WR Randy Moss, who might have offered a look into what could be a very promising fantasy future with his 48-yard TD catch last Saturday night in the Vikes’ victory over the Cardinals. Said Chiefs VP of football operations Lynn Stiles, who was in attendance for the game: “This is going to be like the Globetrotters for Moss.” That could especially be the case against secondaries that are average at best, like Arizona’s.
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Avoid the Cardinals like the plague — again
Heading into training camp, there was reason to believe that new Cardinals head coach Dennis Green, who has a great offensive track record, would quickly upgrade one of the league’s weaker offenses. But that was before an unfortunate rash of injuries, the most significant being the torn meniscus suffered by second-year WR Anquan Boldin that will likely keep him on the sidelines well into the coming season. The Cardinals will also have to do without Marcel Shipp, their best running back last season, who is probably out for the season with a fractured fibula and dislocated ankle. In addition, WR Bryant Johnson has yet to practice in earnest because of a stress fracture in his right foot, and Larry Fitzgerald, the team’s highly touted No. 1 pick, sprained his left ankle vs. Minnesota and has already been ruled out of this weekend’s preseason game vs. San Diego. Arizona’s offense looked awful vs. Minnesota, a fact Green readily admitted. Fantasy firepower of any kind could be hard to find in the Valley until further notice.
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Thomas Jones bears watching in Chicago
In the grand scheme of things, the Bears would like free-agent addition Thomas Jones, a former first-round pick of the Cardinals who has displayed occasional flashes during his four-year NFL career, to become their answer to Priest Holmes in Kansas City. Jones has a long way to go before he’s even mentioned in the same conversation with fantasy football’s high priest, but he showed some impressive zip in the Bears’ preseason victory over the Rams both running and receiving (87 yards combined). He looks like he could be very dangerous in space, but the Bears’ injury-prone offensive line needs to be monitored closely.
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Carr showing plenty of drive for Texans
Texans third-year QB David Carr’s black hair, which he has decided not to cut for the foreseeable future, isn’t the only thing growing these days. So is his fantasy potential. Carr is coming off an awesome performance in the Texans’ preseason whitewash of the Cowboys. He completed 7-of-8 passes to six different receivers on the game’s opening possession and did a number on the league’s top-rated defense last season. With more weapons to work with than ever before, Carr has been one very confident camper this offseason, and he carried it over to the Texans’ preseason opener, looking extremely sharp and throwing the ball on the move quite well. Keep an eye on him.
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duckboy
08-20-2004, 01:11 PM
Onterrio Smith
Apparently Onterrio failed a drug test and will be suspended the first four games of the season. I hate it when Ducks go bad.
Fullabull
08-20-2004, 09:38 PM
Wheatley emerging for Raiders
Tyrone Wheatley has spent the entire preseason so far as the Raiders’ No. 1 tailback, and although he has yet to be anointed the clear-cut starter, he is certainly making a case for himself. Wheatley averaged 6.6 yards in his five carries against the Niners last weekend and showed plenty of muscle as a runner and a blocker. It looks like he is making the prospect of a RB-by-committee approach in Oakland less likely every time he carries the ball.
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It looks like Tyrone's job to lose. Troy Hambrick looked fat and slow vs the Niners. Norv plans to use Justin Fargas as a change of pace back. Amos Zereoue (sp) was quick and illusive but was injured (ankle) after only a couple of plays. Wheatley also figures to steal some of Zack Crockett's goal line touches. Norv likes to throw to the backs too, Crockett and Hetherington had several thrown their way, which is a rarity. JR Redman is trying to win a spot on the roster and didn't do anything to hurt his chances.
Thanks for the confirmation.
It's always good to get reports from people who've seen them play!
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Brian Westbrook's fantasy value took a huge jump this weekend, when an MRI confirmed that fellow running back Corell Buckhalter has a torn patella tendon in his right knee. The two were slated to split carries in Philadelphia's offensive attack this season, but with Buckhalter out for the year, Westbrook now is the only real tailback.
Westbrook although undersized was incredibly productive last year when he was able to split carries with Buckhalter and Duce Staley (now in Pittsburgh). Since it’s doubtful that Westbrook can carry the bulk of the rushing load, Philly picked up free agent Dorsey Levens, an aging veteran who can be used for a few carries here and there and can catch the ball out of the backfield — certainly not in Buckhalter’s class at this point in his career. Monitor this situation closely — if Westbrook is asked to do too much, it will adversely affect his production.
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The talented supporting cast that the Jets have provided QB Chad Pennington promises to boost his fantasy numbers tremendously this season. Pennington gave an inkling into the Jets’ offense’s potential at Indianapolis with a virtuoso performance — 10-for-11 passing for 169 yards and one touchdown with a passer rating of 149.1 — even with No. 1 WR Santana Moss on the sideline with a minor hamstring injury. WR Justin McCareins looked strong on the inside routes and should be the perfect complement to the speedy Moss, who has been kept on the sideline the last couple of weeks for precautionary reasons.
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Julius Jones emerging in Dallas
There’s no question that Eddie George will get the bulk of the carries, particularly in short-yardage situations, but the explosive Jones, a rookie, has to be making a positive impression on Bill Parcells. Jones rushed 14 times for 56 yards (4.0 avg.) with a touchdown in a 21-20 win over Oakland. Jones has big-play ability and the acceleration that George no longer possesses. Parcells passed on Steven Jackson and Kevin Jones to take Julius Jones, so he obviously likes the kid. Keep him in mind as a No. 3 fantasy back for now, with a good amount of upside.
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Dunn’s emerging as top back in Atlanta
The Falcons’ new West Coast offense should get better and better the more QB Michael Vick familiarizes himself with it. As a pass-first attack, that spells trouble for T.J. Duckett and enhances Warrick Dunn’s standing in their battle for time at running back. Dunn is looking great this preseason as a threat to run the ball or catch it and proved that again by rushing for 72 yards on eight carries vs. the Vikings. He also caught a couple of passes and clearly has an edge on Duckett, a plodding, straight-ahead runner who doesn’t seem suited to the new offense.
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Brown up, Smith down in Tennessee
The Titans picked up free-agent RB Antowain Smith prior to training camp to make up for the loss of Eddie George. It looks like second-year RB Chris Brown is trying to make up for George’s loss all by himself. Brown has impressed in two preseason games, rushing for 61 yards on 10 carries in a 16-15 win over Buffalo. He’s not much of a pass catcher, but he is a hard runner who has the speed to break long runs. His stock is clearly rising from the middle rounds to a little higher.
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Despite the fact that Jerome Bettis completely overshadowed Duce Staley in the Steelers’ second preseason game, the buzz coming out of Pittsburgh remains that the free-agent addition has the edge to be team’s primary fantasy threat on the ground. Still, Staley probably only should be considered a starter in leagues with 12 or more teams.
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The word from Cleveland camp is WR Quincy Morgan is struggling, particularly catching the football. Given Morgan’s consistency problems in the past, his performance throughout the preseason bears watching. Morgan is a boom-or-bust player best taken as the last wideout on the roster if possible. His talent is tantalizing, but starting him every week is a chance not worth taking. André Davis is likely to be the first Cleveland wide receiver taken in most drafts, as he has been productive from a fantasy football perspective relative to his draft position in his first two seasons.
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Keep an eye on how Baltimore’s passing offense fares in the preseason before deciding whether to take WRs Kevin Johnson or Travis Taylor to fill out your receiving corps. The Ravens threw two TD passes in their first preseason game, but both were to reserve TE Daniel Wilcox. For now, Johnson and Taylor are probably only to be considered in 12-team leagues.
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All the Michael Bennett owners out there are probably already aware that he is out for 4 weeks with a second degree sprain of the MCL - what you may not know is that Moe Williams has been named the starter for the season opener. Moe filled in admirably during the early part of 2003, so if you need a back to cover yourself during Bennett's absence, grab Moe.
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If you need a one week fill in for an injury or a bad matchup, Ontario Smith(MN) will see the ball a lot this weekend against Dallas. He was supposed to begin serving his four game suspension but the league hasn't ruled on his appeal, so it appears he will be allowed to play in week 1.
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Faulk looks healthy and spry; George looks like he’s close to running on empty
Marshall Faulk showed quickness and no ill effects from his sore knees vs. the Raiders and even got into the endzone on a TD reception from Marc Bulger. Faulk still should be considered a No. 1 fantasy back, although owners drafting him also should select rookie Steven Jackson, who looks like a powerful runner and a goal-line option. On the other hand, Cowboys RB Eddie George continues to look slow and plodding, as he gained eight yards on nine carries vs. the Chiefs. He only has 51 rushing yards on 24 carries this preseason. He’s still a weapon on the goal line, but think seriously about drafting rookie Julius Jones, who has shown good acceleration and speed and is a favorite of head coach Bill Parcells.
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Panthers WR Colbert looks like a great sleeper pick
With two 100-yard receiving games this preseason, Panthers WR Keary Colbert, a second-round pick last April, looks like he could play a key role in the Carolina offense this fall. Although Carolina will continue to be a run-first team with Stephen Davis and DeShaun Foster, QB Jake Delhomme is growing more confident as a passer, which only should enhance the fantasy status of Steve Smith (No. 1 fantasy wideout), Muhsin Muhammad (more of a blocker, so No. 4 or 5 wideout) and Colbert (also a No. 4 or 5 wideout, but with a chance to move up). For what it’s worth, one league insider predicts that Colbert could be the Anquan Boldin of this season.
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A healthy Henry could be a factor for Dolphins RB committee
After missing nearly all of the preseason with a leg injury, RB Leonard Henry emerged as a viable candidate to take over Ricky Williams’ vacated starting RB job with a 16-carry, 49-yard performance vs. New Orleans in the final preseason game. Henry, a 6-1, 210-pounder, has the size head coach Dave Wannstedt desires as his featured runner, but injuries have hampered him in his two years with Miami. Since Travis Minor and Sammy Morris have been largely ineffective this preseason, Henry has a shot, if he can stay on the field, at becoming a regular ball carrier for the Dolphins.
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The Raiders’ offense looks like it is back after a down year
QB Rich Gannon has looked sharp, with solid backup play from Kerry Collins, while operating new head coach Norv Turner’s offense this preseason. The Raiders have averaged nearly 25 points in the four games, as the offensive line has protected Gannon and Collins well, while opening holes for featured back Tyrone Wheatley. Consider Gannon as a solid starting fantasy QB, but make sure Wheatley is high on your list since it appears he will be Turner’s go-to guy out of the backfield. Justin Fargas will see some time on third downs and it appears as if Zack Crockett is being employed solely as a fullback, blocking for Wheatley on the goal line.
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Be concerned — be very concerned — about the Jaguars’ offense
Jacksonville’s first-team offense failed to score a touchdown this preseason, raising issues about QB Byron Leftwich and the Jaguars’ passing attack. RB Fred Taylor hardly played during the preseason, so, in all fairness, it's a good idea to monitor how the Jaguars do in the early part of the season. But exercise caution when considering Leftwich as a backup QB or rookie WR Reggie Williams, who has looked stiff and robotic. In fact, rookie WR Ernest Wilford looked much more polished in the Jaguars’ 31-0 win over the Patriots.
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Eagles FB Thomas Tapeh — The longest shot of the bunch, Tapeh showed a nose for the endzone as a collegiate player at Minnesota. Brian Westbrook won’t get all of the red-zone carries; he’s just not big enough. Nor is Reno Mahe. Veteran Dorsey Levens has lost a step. Hence, Tapeh just might be worth a shot, particularly in bigger, TD-only leagues where a lot of backs are taken.
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Buccaneers WR Michael Clayton — Not a burner, but showed he could get open while starring at LSU. Joey Galloway figures to get the bulk of the attention from opposing secondaries, but Clayton’s size makes him the better red-zone target. Consider giving him a look.
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Vikings WR Nate Burleson — Burleson is Minnesota’s No. 2 wideout, but Marcus Robinson still seems to be held in higher esteem by most fantasy football owners. Burleson isn’t particularly athletic, but he makes plays.
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The Dolphins acquire RB Lamar Gordon from St. Louis. As soon as he can pick up the offense, he will be the feature back. Wanstadt likes to run the ball, so he will have fantasy value, if he can stay healthy.
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Vikings injuries
Jim Kleinsasser will miss at least 2-3 weeks with an ACL injury. Moe Williams will miss this weeks game at Philly with an ankle sprain.
Ontario Smith will be the RB to have in the Vikings offense for another week, as the NFL has still not ruled on his appeal of his suspension.
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