Cutler, Walker, Young continue slide
Before the season, I wrote that the fates of the impressive 2006 rookie quarterbacks (Vince Young, Matt Leinart, and Jay Cutler) would help define this fantasy season. Quarterbacks usually take their biggest leap in their second season, but all three of these guys have struggled.
* Matt Leinart was ineffective, stuck in a rotation, and then broke his collarbone.
* After being a top-5 fantasy quarterback when he played last year, Vince Young is the QB25 this year and may miss this week's game.
* Jay Cutler has been erratic. And while I believe his numbers are encouraging except for an ugly TD:INT ratio (4:6), he just took a major hit with Javon Walker out indefinitely.
As Evan Silva just wrote in Walker's blurb, Denver's lack of receiver depth is going to hurt them. Brandon Stokley will be lucky to stay healthy as a starter, and you don't want Glenn Martinez playing a major role in the offense. Rod Smith is a mystery.
Walker owners should be very concerned they won't get much out of him this season. He tore his ACL in the same knee in 2005, then had more surgery the following year. Mike Shanahan didn't sound positive that Walker will even return this season, while the Denver Post believes Walker will miss a month. However long Walker is out, Jay Cutler owners are unlikely to see him mature into a top-ten fantasy option. The great rookie QB class of 2006 will emerge someday, but this isn't going to be the year.
Comments
What does this news mean for Brandon Marshall, more looks but better coverage???
Posted by: Taylor | October 19, 2007 11:04 AM
It means the Brandon Stokley era has begun baby. Grab him off waivers before I say I told you so...
Posted by: Tfram | October 19, 2007 12:15 PM
It means Brandon Marshall now gets the same looks Walker was getting but with more yards after the catch. Marshall has shown that he deserved this spot and if he can hold onto the ball he will be a great WR this year. Stokley is nice but it remains to be seen if he can handle #1 or #2 corners instead of just playing in the slot.
I say Marshall is the upgrade here and Stokley is a good wire pickup as a flex.
Posted by: Beau | October 19, 2007 12:21 PM
Cutler, Marshall, Stokley, Shannahan all suck.
Posted by: rocky | October 19, 2007 09:06 PM
Thank You Rocky..What he means is that an already struggling offense just lost it's best weapon. I wouldn't count on any Broncos...
Posted by: Big Bro | October 19, 2007 09:10 PM
they didn't just lose him, he's missed 3 weeks already. so if you want to know what the offense is gonna be like without him, look at week 4 and 5.
(the answer is medicore to sucky)
i think marshall will be a solid play because of opportunities. even if he blows of some of them, he's gonna get plenty.
i'm not buying stokley or either TE just yet.
Posted by: The Dox | October 19, 2007 11:11 PM
Just wondering... is Marshall a better play this week than Bowe? let me know what you think there.. thanks
Posted by: bannedjim | October 20, 2007 10:21 PM